NIKOLAY PETROV/AFP/Getty Images(MINSK, Belarus) -- Officials from the Russian Orthodox Church have announced that the church is severing relations with the Patriarchate of Constantinople, in what is being seen as one of the biggest schisms in Orthodox Christianity in almost a thousand years.



At a synod in Belarus on Monday, Russian Orthodox Church leaders said the church was cutting ties with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the seat of the global spiritual leader for 300 million Orthodox worshippers.



The rupture is a response by the Russian Church over the Constantinople Patriarchates decision last week to recognize the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as an independent church -- no longer under the authority of the Moscow Patriarchate, according to church officials.



Bartholomew I of Constantinople, considered the first among equals of eastern Orthodoxys church leaders, granted what is known as autocephaly (self-governance) to the Ukrainian Church, over the fierce objections of Moscow.



Metropolitan Ilarion, the Moscow Patriarchates head of external relations, on Tuesday said that in doing so the Constantinople Patriarchate had destroyed its authority and that the Orthodox Church no longer had a single center.



We now stand before a new church reality: we no longer have a single coordinating center in the Orthodox Church and we must very clearly recognize that, Ilarion said in a televised interview on Russias main state broadcaster, Channel 1.



The Constantinople Patriarchate liquidated itself as such a center, he said.



The split marks a historic turning point for the global Orthodox community, but it is the result of the collapse in relations between Russia and Ukraine of the past four years that followed Moscow's seizure of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent separatist war in eastern Ukraine, which is ongoing.



Ukraines government has lobbied for an independent church on the grounds that the Russian Orthodox Church is an instrument of the Kremlin, accusing it of stoking separatist sentiment in eastern Ukraine and of acting on behalf of Russia's intelligence services.



Bartholomews decision recognized a Ukrainian church that had sought to break from the Moscow Patriarchate since 1991, when Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union. Ukraines government hailed the recognition as major step in bringing Ukraine further out of Russian dominion.



This is a matter of our independence," Ukraines president Petro Poroshenko said in a speech celebrating the recognition on October 11. "A matter of our national security. A matter of our statehood. A matter of the entire global geopolitics.



This is the fall of the Third Rome as the most ancient conceptual claim of Moscow for global domination, Poroshenko said, referring to a claim made by Russian nationalists for centuries that the country is the heir to the Roman and Byzantine Christian empires.



The Moscow Patriarchate, however, has denounced the Ukrainian churchs recognition as provoking a split comparable to the so-called Great Schism of 1054, when Christianity separated into western and eastern churches.



The Russian church is by far the largest of the worlds Orthodox communities and for most of its centuries-long history has been closely tied to the Russian state. President Vladimir Putin has promoted the church as a key part of modern Russian identity and its leader, Patriarch Kirill, is a close ally of the Russian leader.



The Russian church's breakaway is therefore a major upheaval for global Orthodoxy. The practical implications were still being worked out by ecclesiastical experts on Tuesday, but Russian church officials suggested the most immediate effect would be that its faithful should no longer attend services at churches under the authority of Constantinople. That would include one of the holiest sites in Orthodoxy, the Greek island monastery, Mount Athos.



Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, the Moscow Patriarchates deputy head of external relations, told the Interfax news agency that Russian worshippers visiting those churches, many of which are popular tourist sites in Greece and Turkey, would have to make penance with confession afterwards, but church officials seemed to suggest there is no total ban. Russian Orthodox priests are now forbidden from taking part in services there and would be punished, Yakimchuk said.



The Moscow Patriarchate and Constantinople have had strained relations for some time as Moscow has sought to expand its authority within Orthodoxy. In 2016, Patriarch Kirill met Pope Francis in Cuba, the first time a Russian Orthodox patriarch and a Roman Catholic Pope have done so in 1,000 years -- in what was seen by some experts as a power play by the Russian church.



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Hep-cat or hypocrite. Realist or moralist.

As the date for marijuana legalization approaches, parents of a certain age are navigating the best way to talk about pot with their kids.

Pot never did much for Lisa in her younger years.

"I was a very, very recreational user, mostly because it just made me sleepy," said Lisa, who is now in her early 50s.

These days, Lisa, who works in health care and did not want to use her real name, uses medical marijuana as a sleep aid and to control symptoms of an unrelated health issue.

Lisa talks to her two teenage sons about marijuana "all the time," she said.

"Partly because my partner is a recovering addict. So he and I have gone to some lengths to share parts of his story with them so they would have a real-life example of somebody who lived that whole experience: what it cost him, and how he found recovery."

STICK TO THE FACTS

Lisa said she is careful to stick to the facts when talking about marijuana with her sons.

"I have never come out and said drugs are evil and bad and you must never do them," she said. "Thats what I grew up with and my parents really did demonize anybody who used any kind of recreational drugs."

Until recently, Lisas talking points have focused mainly on marijuana being illegal. "That was always my first concern: you dont know your sources and you could pay a legal price for using and you are supporting organized crime," she said.

Recently, Lisas friend, who is a doctor, told her about a middle-aged patient who bought pot from a street dealer. It was contaminated with fentanyl, and he died.

'Its really from a health perspective that I talk to them, not morality. Thats just stupid; a society that OKs one set of drugs and not another kind of has its head up its ass'  Lisa, on conversations about pot with her kids

"We made a point of sharing that with the boys so they would understand the danger of unknown connections," she said. "Really, Im just relieved that there will be some place legal where they can access (marijuana), where there is some control over the final product."

Many of Lisas discussions with her sons focus on health issues and the possible effects using marijuana has on developing brains.

"Its really from a health perspective that I talk to them, not morality," she said. "Thats just stupid; a society that OKs one set of drugs and not another kind of has its head up its ass."

Lisa is honest with her kids about her past drug use and her use of cannabis today.

"Hypocrisy is a big issue for me, personally," she said. "I couldnt sit there and say dont do this and its bad knowing my own past. I wanted also for there to be lines of communication so they wouldnt be afraid to talk about that experience if it happened."

Its up to parents to decide if its best to disclose their drug past to their children, said Kathleen Keating-Toews, an education and research specialist at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba.

"It depends on the context in which that conversation is happening," Keating-Toews said. "Why is the young person wanting to know that? Is it because they are simply curious? Or is it because they feel they are in the hot seat and that if they turn it on the parent, maybe they arent talking about themselves anymore?

"Sometimes, I think parents feel like they are stuck in a trap. If they have used drugs before or currently use drugs, then they are a hypocrite. If they (havent used drugs), they dont have any credibility and dont know what they are talking about. If they are getting that question, ask the young person why is it important that they know that. Depending on the parents comfort level, they may or may not choose to answer that question."

TWO-WAY CONVERSATION

Pot talks should be a two-way conversation, not a lecture, Keating-Toews said.

"Kids are maybe going to be interpreting information differently, just because they are young," she said. "Dont lecture kids  they are more likely to tune you out if you moralize and preach at them. We are hoping that parents can be calm and active listeners to their young people."

Fred has never smoked marijuana and expects his 15-year-old daughter will follow his lead.

Fred and his wifes discussions with their daughter have focused on making good decisions and how to reach her goals.

"We talk about how a decision will lead to success in your life or no success in your life and where (she) wants to be," Fred said. "At the end of the day, you have to ask, is (using marijuana) going to help you? Probably not, and she totally agrees."

In their most recent conversation, Fred told his daughter she could be honest with her parents if she chose to "experiment" with marijuana.

"Were not the type of parents who reprimand to the point the childs not going to come to us when they do need help," he said.

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"If she does choose to (use marijuana), I dont think we can condemn it, because society now is not really condemning it. You kinda have to move with the times.

"Just because we dont want to take part in it doesnt mean she cant. When she is the legal age, if she chooses that, thats fine, but that is going to be her decision."

A change in marijuanas legal status will not change how the addictions foundation addresses its abuse, Keating-Toews said.

"Just because a substance is legal doesnt make it any safer," she said. "We know alcohol is a legal substance, but it still causes very high rates of accidents, injuries and deaths, particularly among young people

"Its important for (people) to know that all drugs have the potential to be harmful, depending on what their relationship is with it."

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.caAt the beginning of Dan Belhassens talk at the World Trade Centre-hosted kickoff to Small Business Week on Monday, he referenced loans his company received in its early days from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and the Womens Enterprise Centre of Manitoba.

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Opinion

At the beginning of Dan Belhassens talk at the World Trade Centre-hosted kickoff to Small Business Week on Monday, he referenced loans his company received in its early days from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and the Womens Enterprise Centre of Manitoba.

His point was that, for his online training company, Neovation Learning Solutions, support that was focused on what he needed was there for him when he was starting out.

"Sometimes we forget," Belhassen said, "But Winnipeg is an absolutely fantastic place to build a great company."

Belhassen shared some of that goodwill with the Small Business Week crowd by giving a bit of a primer on how small businesses can actually automate a good amount of their back-office operations by using a plethora of software-as-a-service (SAAS) tools that are available, some at no cost.

Although Belhassen, a tech-industry veteran, likely made it sound a lot easier to implement than it might be for a technology neophyte, it was impactful and right on script with the theme of the week, "Digitize Now." Thats also the title of a new report by BDC that tries to understand how Canadian businesses are adapting to the technological changes that "businesses need to embrace... or risk falling behind."

Not surprising, BDCs survey of 2,000 Canadian businesses found that "companies with a higher level of digital maturity (i.e., those that scored high in both digital intensity and digital culture) enjoy higher sales and profit growth than their peers, across all regions and industries. They are also more likely to export and innovate."

A discussion of strategies for small-business success is not the place to delve into the ways technology might be impacting the social fabric of the community, because it would be folly for any business to wilfully disregard the potential positive impact technology adaptation could have on their business.

More to the point, just how can a cash-strapped business owner whos already overworked get a handle on the best approach to take for his or her own business to leverage digital technology to their advantage?

For starters, the World Trade Centre offers a seemingly endless series of free seminars for small businesses, on everything from choosing the right social media platform, tips on using Microsoft Office, e-commerce selling strategies and selecting the right accounting software.

Most of us do not need to consult survey results to understand that younger business operators are more likely to adapt technology.

While there will be ongoing efforts needed to coax older entrepreneurs into the digital world, the growing cohort of female entrepreneurs also have their own particular challenges.

Another research report released on Monday by the Gandalf Group and commissioned by Salesforce, called "The New Canadian Entrepreneurial Experience: Women and the Future of Small Business in Canada," showed that women are starting businesses at a far greater rate than men.

The report found that female-led businesses tend to be much newer than male-led businesses. More than half (53 per cent) of female-led businesses have been in business for five years or less, compared to 34 per cent of male-led businesses.

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Just because female-led businesses are more likely to be in the service sector and men are twice as likely as women to own a business in the STEM sector does not mean that their success doesnt depend, at least in part, on the level of digital culture they establish.

Place likes like the Womens Enterprise Centre of Manitoba know how to point female entrepreneurs in the right direction.

Small businesses will always be up against some bigger and more successful competing forces out there in the market. As Belhassen joked, being a small business owner gives you the freedom to choose whichever 80 hours each week you want to work.

But with a little effort, those starting a small business in Manitoba may have an easier time of it than others to get themselves set up with the right digital strategy  and maybe cut back on those 80-hour weeks a little sooner.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.caThe first time Sarah got high before work, it didnt go well.

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The first time Sarah got high before work, it didnt go well.

She arrived at her Toronto office and was stricken with anxiety.

"I got so paranoid, and was like, people are going to smell it Im an idiot. Im an adult, I shouldnt be smoking at work."

Now 27, Sarah, who asked that her last name not be used, has been a social pot smoker since high school. Her usage spiked a year ago, when she landed a demanding job in the arts. To unwind from the stress, she began getting high in the evenings. It relaxed her and allowed her to focus on the present moment without an onslaught of worry and self-criticism.

She realized the effect of marijuana on her mood could prove handy at work. So she devised a system that lets her be high  but not too high  at the office, switching to a vaporizer to reduce odour and walking to work so her high is diluted by the time she arrives.

Discovering that pot calms her anxiety has been life-changing for Sarah, who now vapes throughout the day, every day, using cannabis to ease social anxiety or to motivate her to perform mundane tasks. Still, shes extremely discreet about her use, "because I know theres a general negative stigma around it."

On the website of the female-focused cannabis lifestyle brand Van der Pop, a quote attributed to the company founder, April Pride, reads: "Its time to put the image of the under-achieving stoner to rest and have a frank conversation about where cannabis fits in the modern womans life."

Pride has facilitated "Women and Weed" panels across Canada, focusing on topics including cannabis as a complement to sex, parenting and dining. Van der Pop is owned by Tokyo Smoke, a Canadian cannabis retail chain that sells coffee and cannabis accessories in Toronto and Calgary. After pot is legal Oct. 17, Tokyo Smoke plans to open dispensing stores selling cannabis in Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.

The brand is one among the droves of cannabis retailers launched in anticipation of legalization on Wednesday. Many sell high-end accessories and tout the benefits of cannabis for purposes like relaxation, or the ever-amorphous "wellness." A corner of this industry is geared to women, selling products designed to appeal to a purported female esthetic. Pictured on one of Van der Pops online product pages, for example, are several pipe cleaners  slender, rosy-hued devices set against a backdrop of millennial pink. In this segment of the market, the subject of stigma tends to come up in the branding, with companies declaring its time to bust stereotypes about womens cannabis use.

Virginia Vidal is the founder of Marys Wellness, a company that sells cannabis-infused coffee, tea and edibles under a medical producer licence in Toronto (the company will require a new licensing agreement to join the market post-legalization). Vidal, who said cannabis brought relief from her own post-partum pain, depression and stress after giving birth to triplets, maintained that mothers of young children bear the brunt of cannabis stigma. In her experience, the substance can make someone a more relaxed, understanding parent.

"A few moms I know would tell only me that they consumed cannabis, because they know Im in the business. Im looking at these people thinking, They all know each other. They wouldve had a lot more fun if theyd told each other."

Ashley Athill, a licensed grower under Health Canadas medical cannabis program, and founder of Toronto cannabis education and advocacy company Sensii, said a lot of women view smoking, generally  though mainly tobacco  as unacceptable, due to the health detriments and because its "thought to be unladylike." She said she hopes greater discussion of alternative modes of use, such as consuming edibles or tinctures, will lead more women to "look at cannabis in a different light."

Women of colour may be particularly cautious about cannabis use, Athill, who is black, noted. This is due to the specific stigma facing their communities and high incarceration rates of minorities  people of colour have been disproportionately targeted by police. "That fear has gone through generations of our community," she said.

Last year, Van der Pop released a "Women and Weed" survey of the consumption habits and perceptions of more than 1,500 North American women. Seventy per cent of the women polled felt consumption carries a stigma, while 66 per cent said they hide their usage. Felicia Snyder, senior vice-president of growth at Hiku, parent company of Tokyo Smoke and Van der Pop, said respondents across legal jurisdictions cited fear of others negative judgment as a reason for hiding their use.

"For example," she said, "Am I a bad mom? Will people think Im lazy?"

"I think when people talk about stigma for women around cannabis, its a wishy-washy way of saying women have never really been addressed by the cannabis industry," said Anna Duckworth, co-founder of a content and e-commerce platform for women called Miss Grass. Duckworth is originally from Kingsburg, N.S., and lives in Los Angeles. Her brand sells products within the United States, such as CBD (a constituent of cannabis) lip balms and face serums and accessories like pipes and rolling papers. While she doesnt subscribe to gendered notions about cannabis being "unladylike," Duckworth said its likely many women dont identify with Hollywoods "Seth Rogen-stoner character," perhaps because, "We dont think its appropriate for women to behave like that."

Beyond the realm of female-targeted cannabis marketing, is there evidence to suggest cannabis users who identify as women experience or perceive greater stigma for their use, or is the notion merely a convenient marketing tactic?

In 2017, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research compiled a report on how sex and gender can influence cannabis use and health outcomes. The document points to research about how sex impacts the way cannabis is metabolized and experienced. It cites studies showing that men have higher rates of diagnosed Cannabis Use Disorder, but women more often have concerns about their use and dependence. Further, men are more likely to use the drug recreationally, women for medicinal reasons. The report says that, with legalization imminent and social acceptance of the drug growing, "women may feel reduced social pressure to abstain from using cannabis." It cautions that more overall research is needed to ascertain the health impacts of cannabis.

Canadian women do appear to be using cannabis more than in recent years, or at least admitting to it more. The Canadian governments 2015 Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey showed that 2.2 million Canadian men and 1.4 million women reported using cannabis the year prior. While prevalence of use among men saw a negligible increase since the same survey was done in 2013, womens use rose a fair bit, to 10 from seven per cent. (Results for 2017 have yet to be released.)

Some research suggests women who use cannabis do so more frequently than men, but that this could be a manifestation of social stigma. In 2011, Simon Fraser Universitys Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction published a study examining gender differences in cannabis use among 134 students who identified as high-frequency users. Both the men and women who participated reported using similar amounts of cannabis in a 30-day period. But 43 per cent of the women, compared to 19 per cent of the men, reported three or more use episodes per day. And more women reported a higher number of "cannabis use-related problems." In their conclusion, the authors posited that women may be more apt to identify their use as problematic because substance use is regarded as more normative for men. This, they asserted, is consistent with research that shows greater pressure is put on women to seek treatment for so-called substance dependence.

According to longtime Canadian cannabis activist and entrepreneur Jodie Emery, the government has long played on womens self-concept as protectors, making them fear cannabis would "destroy their children." The corporatizing of cannabis may have lessened stigma for women, Emery argued, but its also, in many ways, exploited them.

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"Women are more engaged in spending, and big business knows it any sort of marketing will try to capture women."

Gender questions aside, Emery, who recently opened a Toronto cafe that sells coffee and hemp products, doesnt appreciate the sudden incursion of brands claiming to be authorities on cannabis.

"Ive been in the business a long time. There are all these people whove showed up in the last two years and think they invented marijuana."

Sarah experiences a certain degree of shame for her cannabis use.

"I feel like I need it to feel happy, or content with myself, sometimes. Then, I think Im doing something wrong, if I cant feel good without it."

She wonders how much of that feeling stems from the general stigma around cannabis, versus gender-based stigma?OTTAWA  Though the Manitoba government is expressing concern legalizing recreational cannabis won't immediately undercut the black market, Ottawa believes licensed producers will ultimately prevail.

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OTTAWA  Though the Manitoba government is expressing concern legalizing recreational cannabis won't immediately undercut the black market, Ottawa believes licensed producers will ultimately prevail.

Bill Blair, the Liberals' point man on pot, who became minister of organized-crime reduction this summer, suggested Wednesdays legalization will draw Canadians away from their drug dealers.

"I believe that the overwhelming majority of Canadians will make the more socially responsible, healthier, safe choice," Blair said Monday, in response to concerns raised by Manitoba.

Blaine Pedersen, the provincial minister of growth, enterprise and trade, told the Free Press hes not sure Manitobans will make that switch, and certainly not right away.

"Our goal is to eventually eliminate the black market, but we have no illusions about Oct. 18 there will be no black market -- thats just not reasonable to even think that," Pedersen said.

"What were offering is, through legalization a safe alternative for those who wish to consume it."

The minister added he was unsure if legal stores can offer cheaper cannabis than "back alley" dealers.

Manitoba has "worked to keep our price competitive or as low as we can," Pedersen said, while keeping some revenue for public-safety campaigns. "Its in the news all the time about products that have been laced with other drugs, so thats a risk that people will have to assess for themselves."

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Blair responded Monday licensed producers might achieve economies of scale that make their pot cheaper than existing dealers. "We are going to have to be competitive, not just in price, but in quality, choice and access," he said.

Federal Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu said shes concerned the black market will persist, because shes heard edibles represent almost one-third of the existing recreational market, but those products wont be legal for at least another year.

"That's a business-model competition that needs to be addressed, in order to eliminate organized crime," she said.

Gladu also feared Canadians will be reluctant to order marijuana online, because their information would be recorded in government databases which are occasionally hacked. That could cause problems for some who want to cross the United States border, she said.

-- with files from Jessica Botelho-Urbanski

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.caIn Seeing Red: A History of Natives in Canadian Newspapers, academics Mark Cronlund Anderson and Carmen Robertson studied more than 40 Canadian regional and national publications between 1869 and 2009. They conclude, with stunning uniformity and blatant evidence, Indigenous Peoples appear continually in three tropes: depravity, innate inferiority and a stubborn resistance to progress.

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Opinion

Gerry Cairns / Winnipeg Free Press Collection, Archives of Manitoba Rooster Town is seen in March 1959. Soon afterward, residents were evicted and the buildings demolished to make way for new development.

In Seeing Red: A History of Natives in Canadian Newspapers, academics Mark Cronlund Anderson and Carmen Robertson studied more than 40 Canadian regional and national publications between 1869 and 2009. They conclude, with stunning uniformity and blatant evidence, Indigenous Peoples appear continually in "three tropes: depravity, innate inferiority and a stubborn resistance to progress."

Media did not just mirror Canadians attitudes about Indigenous Peoples, but constructed them, encouraging readers to see Canadas violent policies not only as rational but justifiable.

"Colonialism has always thrived in Canadas press," according to Anderson and Robertson.

On Friday, researchers Evelyn Peters, Matthew Stock and Adrian Werner will launch their book Rooster Town: The History of an Urban Metis Community, 1901-1961 at McNally Robinson Booksellers. Coincidentally, the launch will take place at the former Rooster Town site.

Rooster Town was a largely Metis community that existed on the southwest fringes of suburban Winnipeg from 1901 until the late 1950s. Disenfranchised during the rise of the city and marginalized by policies that left the Metis with virtually nothing, 21 families moved to uninhabited land near what is now Corydon Avenue and Pembina Highway in 1901.

As the city expanded, the community was forced to move southward, eventually ending up where the Grant Park Shopping Centre, Pan Am Pool and Grant Park High School stand today.

At its peak in 1946, more than 250 people lived there, constituting one of the largest Metis communities in Winnipeg.

Rooster Town consisted of working-class people who delivered water door to door, performed domestic duties and enlisted to fight in both world wars. Its citizens, while mired in poverty, literally built Winnipeg.

In the 1950s, city council sold the land to a developer and announced plans to build Grant Park Plaza, featuring a shopping centre and high school for incoming, wealthy residents. The residents of Rooster Town  some of whom, ironically, paid property tax  refused to leave, claiming rights as citizens. Their calls went unheeded, and in 1959, then-mayor Stephen Juba and city officials evicted them and burnt their homes to the ground.

In the new book by Peters, Stock and Werner, however, some startling evidence has come to light.

In the years leading to the levelling of Rooster Town, media from the citys two daily newspapers (Winnipeg Tribune and Winnipeg Free Press) not only negatively represented the community, but participated openly in cheering for its removal.

"Their articles would describe Rooster Town people and their living conditions in ways that would titillate and distance the community from the largely middle-class readership," according to Peters, Stock and Werner, and "in the process, reporters simplified and homogenized residents and their housing, obliterated the complex processes and histories that created the community, and embarrassed Rooster Town residents... despite extensive evidence to contradict them."

Regularly, media would paint residents as backwards, dangerous and unsanitary. In December 1951, after a school trustee complained homes in Rooster Town were unsanitary and children were rampant with skin infections (both untrue), the Free Press ran a front-page article entitled Village of Patched-Up Shacks Scene of Appalling Squalor.

That same day, the Tribune called Rooster Town "one of the stickiest social problems in the Winnipeg area."

Media stories focused almost completely on the violence and rampant use of alcohol, and featured photos of the poorest housing. "Rooster Towners were depicted as a threat to the growing city," Peters, Stock and Werner write.

The community was also personified as a financial drain. Reporters "constructed a homogeneous picture of the communitys inhabitants as uniformly welfare-dependent, all unemployed and all living on land they did not own," the researchers document, because citizens there were "a liability and they would never fit in and prosper as Winnipeggers."

The Tribune reported in 1951: "The discouraging thing to welfare workers is that theyre not sure the people of Rooster Town want anything better" and children who lived there "really didnt have a chance from the moment they were born."

Media from elsewhere contributed to the shaming, too. In 1944, Toronto-based national magazine Flash had a reporter cite Rooster Town as evidence "Winnipeg can lay claim to the dubious distinction of being the most backwards city in Canada."

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Media "made Rooster Town seem placeless," Peters, Stock and Werner write, "ephemeral, unstable and constantly moving, which suggested that dissolving the community had few consequences."

Following the removal and construction of Grant Park Mall, media finally framed Rooster Town as forgettable.

The Free Press ran a story in 1969 entitled "Winnipegs Rooster Town... Remembrance of Things Past" which stated that "it was impossible to find anyone who lived in the old town or even anybody who knew somebody who lived there... But if youre interested why not take a stroll late one night, when the shoppers have all gone, across the deserted car park... Maybe in the prairie wind youll hear the far-away call of a rooster and the echo of some wild party; maybe the secret is with the prairie wind?"

Whats remarkable about this story is not that media is political, but one of the citys institutions  a place I work at and care about  participated in one of the citys most violent events. It makes one reflect deeply about our job as storytellers, and our responsibility and ethics in the stories we tell.

Read Rooster Town for yourself. Dont wait for the secret of the prairie wind.

niigaan.sinclair@freepress.mb.caThe Coalition for Portage and Main, the group organizing to get the citys iconic intersection reopened to pedestrians, has announced a plan that could decrease traffic congestion if the barriers come down after next week's referendum.

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The Coalition for Portage and Main, the group organizing to get the citys iconic intersection reopened to pedestrians, has announced a plan that could decrease traffic congestion if the barriers come down after next week's referendum.

Coalition spokesman Adam Dooley and former Winnipeg mayor Glen Murray announced the proposal  which would see a north-south transit corridor built along Fort Street  Monday morning.

'Vote Open has heard loud and clear from Winnipeggers that too many of our fellow citizens are frustrated with downtown traffic as it is now. Even minor delays are unpopular. But what if we could fix that?'  Adam Dooley, spokesman for the Vote Open campaign

"Weve heard an awful lot about traffic during this campaign," Dooley said, referencing the city-commissioned 2016 Dillon Consulting study, which concluded the vast majority of traffic moving through Portage and Main would experience minor delays if the barriers were removed.

"Vote Open has heard loud and clear from Winnipeggers that too many of our fellow citizens are frustrated with downtown traffic as it is now. Even minor delays are unpopular. But what if we could fix that?"

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Vote Open is proposing opening a north-south transit corridor along Fort Street.

Currently, there is an east-west transit corridor on Graham Avenue, which helps reduce bus traffic on Portage Avenue. If implemented, the new proposal would see a similar north-south transit corridor built along Fort Street, further alleviating the strain placed on the intersection.

Approximately 2,000 buses make their way through Portage and Main every day; there are some 250 per hour during peak morning and afternoon commuter periods.

The impact reopening the intersection will have on traffic has been a major point of contention between those on opposites sides of the debate. The proposed transit corridor would see buses travel along Fort Street, Notre Dame Avenue, King Street and William Avenue, bypassing the intersection entirely.

Murray said the idea has been floating around for decades and is just one example of how peoples "legitimate concerns about opening up" the intersection could be addressed.

"When the larger, slower-moving buses are no longer in the intersection there is actually more capacity there for vehicles. Were hopeful, when we see the numbers, that taking those buses out of the intersection may give a net benefit for people who choose to drive their car to work," he said.

"Its such an efficient crossing with Portage Avenue and it leads to both a north-west and straight north connection, and it can reasonably access back. Theres not much disruption. I dont suspect there would be significant costs."

Murray, who served as mayor from 1998 to 2004, recently moved back to Winnipeg from Ontario. Hes invested in a downtown business and thinks reopening the intersection could have a transformative, cascading effect on development in the area.

COALITION ANNOUNCES FREE CONCERT Click to Expand The Coalition for Portage and Main has announced it will host a free concert at the intersection Saturday, featuring local bands, beer and food. The volunteer-run event, called OpenFest, is being thrown the last weekend before Winnipeggers head to the polls to elect a new municipal government and cast a ballot on the intersections future. Local bands Royal Canoe, Mahogany Frog and JP Hoe, among others, are scheduled to headline the event. The festival starts at 2 p.m. and all proceeds will be donated to the Childrens Rehabilitation Foundation.

Amalgamated Transit Union 1505 president Aleem Chaudhary said he likes the idea, claiming it's consistent with what his union has been calling for. He said it was one of many options the city could look at to improve bus flow downtown.

"It would alleviate quite a bit of the traffic. It would open up another lane on Main Street, the diamond lane. If theres no more need for that, it gives more space for the cars to move around. We have always been advocating for getting the buses off the intersection and onto a different road," Chaudhary said.

Murray also floated the idea the city could look to tax-increment financing to fund  in full or in part  the creation of the transit corridor and the redesign of Portage and Main.

Winnipeggers get their say on the intersection's future when they vote in the Oct. 24 civic election, although the referendum is non-binding.

Recent reports also suggest the intersection's barriers may need to come down regardless of the outcome, due to needed structural repairs.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @rk_thorpe

Want more great journalism? Get our best news and features delivered in your inbox every weekday evening. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.A remote Manitoba Cree community is coming to grips with the death of two men caught out in a storm on the lake they had fished for years.

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This article was published 15/10/2018 (1127 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A remote Manitoba Cree community is coming to grips with the death of two men caught out in a storm on the lake they had fished for years.

A sudden, unseasonable snowstorm turned northern Moose Lake treacherously turbulent this past weekend, Mosakahiken Cree Nation Chief Jim Tobacco said Monday, in the wake of an RCMP news release on the incident.

He described the community as sombre and subdued in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Local residents conducted a search and found the pair, described as close friends, dead in a partially submerged, 22-foot boat pulled up on a gravel shore Sunday afternoon.

One man was 39, the other 49  both were experienced fishermen who had fished the lake many times before, officials said. One man left behind a family with eight children.

"The community is kind of quiet," the chief said in a phone interview, adding the mood in the community was understandably sombre.

"Its a community tragedy," he said. "All the community feels the loss."

Tobacco said Mosakahiken is closely knit, and everybody knows everybody else. The community has a population of about 2,300, and is located 475 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.

According to police, two boats headed out to a local fishing camp Saturday afternoon on nearby Big Island, about 10 kilometres southeast of the community. One boat carried three fishers, and the other carried the pair who were later found dead  all experienced boaters.

The lake was hit with an unseasonable storm that night. Weather reports showed high winds and blowing snow.

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Community members called RCMP on Sunday to say both boats were overdue. The three fishermen turned up safe but the other boat never made it to the camp.

It  and the bodies of the two missing fishers  was found later Sunday afternoon. RCMP said they were alerted to the discovery shortly after 4 p.m., and are investigating the deaths. Autopsies are scheduled for both men.

The chief said it appeared the boat ran into trouble on the lake in the rough weather and tried to make landfall.

"They were so close. All I know is they went out (on the lake), and they ran into trouble," he said, adding hypothermia was the likeliest cause of death.

alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.caDays after news broke about Emerson MLA Cliff Graydon making an inappropriate comment to a female staff member at the Manitoba legislature, the Free Press has learned the politician is reportedly involved in a second such incident.

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This article was published 15/10/2018 (1128 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Days after news broke about Emerson MLA Cliff Graydon making an inappropriate comment to a female staff member at the Manitoba legislature, the Free Press has learned the politician is reportedly involved in a second such incident.

Two sources described a recent exchange involving Graydon and a young female staffer. The Tory MLA was going to a meeting, when the staff member told him he had food on his face; Graydon asked whether she would lick it off, sources said.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS PC MLA Cliff Graydon, when reached by telephone, refused to comment on allegations of harassment before hanging up.

Last week, a source said Graydon's membership with the PC caucus may come down to a vote, after stories surfaced Friday about the MLA telling a female staffer she could sit on his lap at a busy luncheon where there were few chairs.

When reached by phone at his constituency office Monday, Graydon refused to do an interview or reserve time to talk later.

"Im sorry, but I have people in my office right now, and Im working for the good people of Emerson right now, so Im not doing an interview," he said before hanging up.

Over the weekend, Graydon told The Canadian Press the first incident was "dealt with satisfactorily, and Im going to leave it at that."

The MLA, who is in his 70s and has held the Emerson riding since 2007, said he has no reason to resign and has not ruled out running for re-election in 2020.

Interview requests for Premier Brian Pallister and the minister responsible for the status of women, Rochelle Squires, were denied Monday.

We have more work to do, for sure, from our perspective, in terms of how we deal with these situations." Justice Minister Cliff Cullen

Justice Minister Cliff Cullen fielded reporters questions about Graydons situation, after an unrelated cannabis news conference.

"We have more work to do, for sure, from our perspective, in terms of how we deal with these situations. But at the end of the day, weve got to have a respectful workplace," he said.

When pressed about whether he thought Graydons lap-sitting comment was unacceptable, Cullen acknowledged he didn't know the specifics of what happened, though, "Certainly, we as elected officials, should be held to a higher standard."

Cullen said he doesn't believe the government is being too secretive in not explaining how the incident was allegedly resolved.

"I mean, we had a previous government that was very secretive. There was complete cover-ups. They told people that made allegations not to worry about it. Weve taken the other approach. We actually are listening to these allegations. Were taking positive action," the minister said.

Cullen said policies and procedures, namely the governments "no wrong door" policy for reporting misconduct, were followed properly. He also said to expect more news about what happened "in the days to come," and referred questions about a possible caucus vote to communications staff.

PC caucus chairman Wayne Ewasko responded to a reporter's questions about Graydon's future -- and the alleged face-licking comment -- with a prepared statement.

"We are committed to ensuring a safe and respectful working environment at the Manitoba legislature. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect at the workplace, and elected officials especially must hold themselves to the highest standard," Ewasko said by email.

"When it came to our attention that an inappropriate comment was made, we responded immediately in accordance with policies and procedures that respect the impacted individuals right to privacy. Our primary goal is to protect the impacted individual who has requested that details of the matter remain confidential. Therefore we have no further comment at this time."

Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said the province ought to have an independent ethics commissioner to handle complaints such as those involving Graydon, because politicians cannot be impartial on such matters.

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Lamont wants to see a "single-door" approach, as opposed to a "no wrong door" policy.

'Dealing with it 'internally' means sweeping it under the rug. Right now, the Manitoba Legislative Assembly has no single process for complaints of sexual harassment or conflict of interest. The regulations, investigation and enforcement range from weak to nonexistent'  Liberal leader Dougald Lamont

"Dealing with it 'internally' means sweeping it under the rug. Right now, the Manitoba Legislative Assembly has no single process for complaints of sexual harassment or conflict of interest. The regulations, investigation and enforcement range from weak to non-existent," he said by email.

"These are not private matters. This is behaviour by public figures who make decisions about peoples lives: Manitobans and the people who work for them. We need to be held to a higher standard, but right now it appears there are no standards at all."

jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @_jessbuConcurs de granturi adresat COMUNITATILOR (APL) pentru sporirea rezilientei lor la schimbarile climatice si FEMEILOR ANTREPRENOARE in vederea dezvoltarii unor afaceri prietenoase mediuluiManitoba Public Insurance clients may eventually have the option of going online for basic business such as renewing their vehicle insurance.

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This article was published 15/10/2018 (1128 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Public Insurance clients may eventually have the option of going online for basic business such as renewing their vehicle insurance.

The corporation's president and CEO, Benjamin Graham, said the corporation currently doesn't offer any transactions online. He said that needs to change.

Manitoba Public Insurance president and CEO Benjamin Graham

"Our customers are demanding it," he told a Public Utilities Board hearing on Monday.

Graham said 80 per cent of MPI clients would prefer to go online for simple transactions such as informing the corporation of a change in address. Seventy-five per cent would be comfortable renewing their auto insurance policies online, while 35 per cent would like to be able to purchase a new policy this way.

In an interview, Graham said MPI would start by offering "simple basic transactions" online, such as booking a road test or changing an address.

He said he'd like to see that occur as soon as possible, although the corporation would first have to enter into discussions with brokers. The corporation would also have to update its online systems to accommodate such a change. The process could take three years, he said.

Renewing insurance policies online would take place further down the road, Graham said.

Saskatchewan's public auto insurer, SGI, offers several online services if customers register for an online account, including bill payment, cancelling or renewing licence plates, booking a road test, and changing an address, a spokesman said in an email. With an online account, Saskatchewan residents can submit a collision claim, book an appraisal, take a practice driver's test, conduct VIN (vehicle identification number) searches, bid on salvage items and locate vehicle parts, among other things.

Graham, accompanied by several senior staff members, appeared before a PUB panel on the first day of hearings into MPI's 2019-2020 rate application. In June, the corporation announced it was seeking an overall rate increase of 2.2 per cent that would take effect March 1. If approved, the average passenger vehicle owner would pay about $27 more in premiums next year.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Renewing insurance policies online would take place further down the road.

MPI said almost all of the increase would be set aside to maintain its rate reserve fund, which is budgeted to be $254 million at the close of the current fiscal year.

The Consumers Association of Canada disputes whether MPI needs to generate an additional $20 million -- the amount of revenue to be generated by the proposed rate hike -- when the corporation's reserves already fall well within the parameters set by the PUB.

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Gloria Desorcy, executive director of the Manitoba branch of the CAC, said MPI already has a significant reserve to offset unexpected costs. "And now they're looking for another (amount) above that. That's totally a concern for us."

The CAC also questions other business decisions by the corporation, including a plan to write off $20 million in past "ineffective" IT expenditures.

Graham, who was appointed to the corporation's top job in February, said MPI has learned from its information technology mistakes.

He said no longer will MPI attempt to develop an in-house system designed specifically for its needs. Instead, it will purchase proven technology and adapt its systems to it. "We are not going to be innovators (on IT)," he told the Free Press.

Graham argued that the corporation needs significant reserves in case of unexpectedly high claims or steep drops in investment income. The reserve also backstops longer term liabilities from the corporation's personal injury protection plan, which the CEO described as "some of the best coverage you'll see in North America."

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.caManitoba RCMP arrested a 17-year-old Selkirk student Tuesday, after he took a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition to school.

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This article was published 16/10/2018 (1127 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba RCMP arrested a 17-year-old Selkirk student Tuesday, after he took a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition to school.

Administration put Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School into lockdown just before 11:10 a.m., and called the RCMP after they got a tip about a firearm from within the school.

Authorities quickly arrived, took the student into custody and seized the shotgun and ammunition, both found in the backpack the teen was carrying.

The weapon wasnt loaded, RCMP said.

Lord Selkirk School Division superintendent Michele Polinuk said the lockdown  called a code red  lasted exactly 10 minutes between 11:08 a.m. and 11:18 a.m. The entire incident was resolved inside the school, she said.

Neither school officials nor authorities released details on why the student brought the firearm to school.

Charges were pending Tuesday.

The lockdown occurred as soon as the tip had been received and no one was injured during the incident, Polinuk said.

"Everyone from the RCMP to our staff and to our students responded so very quickly," she said.

The school conducts lockdown drills twice a year.

"Student safety is always paramount in everything we do in our school system or our province. You always take the best precautions that you can anticipate, and you hope that people are always looking out for the betterment of the community, whether its a town, a school, a classroom, that somebody will speak up," the superintendent said.

"Im just so proud of the whole school system, because with all the training, right from kindergarten up, we talk to kids about if someones bullying you, tell someone. If you see something thats not right, tell someone."

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The high school is one of the largest in the province with 1,079 registered students. (Not all of them attend the same campus; some are registered off-campus.)

The school property is located on a street by itself, in a field bordered by a track and field stadium on one side, the school division offices on another, and train tracks behind it.

A number of fast-food joints are located three blocks away on Main Street. Normally, the businesses experience a lunch rush from the high school, but Tuesday, all reported many of the regulars were no-shows.

Word of the event filtered out over the afternoon, with news of the arrest spreading beyond the school.

"Im finding more and more students, staff, adults, even through social media, are quick to share information so that there are no events of any kind or issues that take place," Polinuk said.

"I just feel that, especially being in a small community, might be part of it. People are looking out for other people."If Saudi Arabias de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), really did send a hit team to Turkey to murder dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul 10 days ago, what will happen next? Perhaps history can help us here.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 16/10/2018 (1127 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

If Saudi Arabias de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), really did send a hit team to Turkey to murder dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul 10 days ago, what will happen next? Perhaps history can help us here.

A little over two centuries ago, in 1804, the armies of the French Revolution had won all the key battles and the wars seemed to be over. The rest of Europe had decided in 1801 that it would have to live with the French Revolution and made peace with Napoleon. Everything was going so well  and then he made a little mistake.

Many members of the French nobility had gone into exile and fought against the armies of the Revolution, and the Duke of Enghien was one of them. In 1804 he was living across the Rhine river on German territory.

Napoleon heard an (untrue) report that Enghien was part of a conspiracy to assassinate him and sent a hit team  sorry, a cavalry squadron  across the Rhine to kidnap him. They brought him back to Paris, gave him a perfunctory military trial and shot him. After that, things did not go well for Napoleon.

The idea that Napoleon would violate foreign territory in peacetime in order to murder an opponent was so horrifying, so repellent, that opinion turned against peace with France everywhere. As his own chief of police, Joseph Fouche, said, "It was worse than a crime. It was a blunder."

By the end of the year every major power in Europe was back at war with Napoleon. After a decade of war, he was defeated at Waterloo and sent into exile on St. Helena for the rest of his life. So, is something like that going to happen to MbS too?

Nobodys going to invade Saudi Arabia, of course. (Not even Iran, despite MbSs paranoia on the subject.) But will they stop investing in the country, stop selling it weapons and buying its oil, maybe even slap trade embargoes on it?

Since it seems almost certain that Khashoggi was murdered by the Saudi government  Turkish government officials have even told journalists off the record that they have audio and partial video recordings of Khashoggis interrogation, torture and killing  all of Saudi Arabias "friends" and trading partners have some choices to make. (News reports late Monday suggested the Saudis were preparing a statement acknowledging Khashoggis death as the result of an interrogation gone wrong.)

U.S. President Donald Trump rose to the occasion, declaring that he would be "very upset and angry" if Saudi Arabia was responsible for Khashoggis murder, and that there would be "severe punishment" for the crime.

He even boasted that Saudi Arabia "would not last two weeks" without American military support. Presumably, Trump was talking about the survival of the Saudi regime, not the countrys independence, but he was still wrong. He is as prone to overestimate his power as MbS himself.

The Saudis struck back, saying that "(t)he kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats or attempts to undermine it whether through threats to impose economic sanctions or the use of political pressure. The kingdom also affirms that it will respond to any (punitive) action with a bigger one."

But Trump was only bluffing. He really had no intention of cancelling the US$110-billion worth of contracts that Saudi Arabia has signed to buy American-made weapons, because "wed be punishing ourselves if we did that. If they dont buy it from us, theyre going to buy it from Russia or... China."

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People have been turning a blind eye to the weekly hundreds of civilian deaths caused by Saudi bombing in Yemen for three years now. Why would they respond any differently to the murder of one pesky Saudi journalist in Istanbul, even if he did write for the Washington Post?

The difference is that its intensely personal  this is an absolute monarch ordering the killing of a critic who annoyed him, but posed no threat to his power  and its brazenly, breathtakingly arrogant. MbS really thinks he can do something like this and make everybody shut up about it.

He is probably right, so far as the craven, money-grubbing foreigners are concerned  such as former British prime minister Tony Blair, who could barely even bring himself to say that Saudi Arabia should investigate and explain the issue, because "otherwise it runs completely contrary to the process of modernization."

But if the foreigners will not or cannot bring Mohammed bin Salman down, his own family probably will. It is a family business, and his amateurish strategies and impulsiveness are ruining the firms already not-very-good name.

He rose out of the ranks of anonymous princes through the favour of his failing father, King Salman, but he could fall as fast as he rose. Killing Khashoggi was definitely a blunder.

Gwynne Dyers new book is Growing Pains: The Future of Democracy (and Work).Editor's note: This evening, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter announced that he had asked for  and accepted  the resignation of Blake Fischer.

I have high expectations and standards for every appointee in state government, Otter said in a press release. Every member of my administration is expected to exercise good judgment. We applaud Gov. Otter for this swift action, and for making it clear to Mr. Fischer, and the world, that there is no tolerance among decent people for the mindless killing of wildlife.

The first thing that struck me about Blake Fischer, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission member who gleefully posed for a family photo with the group of baboons he killed in Namibia, and sent it out widely via email, was his cluelessness. His actions have caused a number of former Idaho Fish and Game Commission members to question his judgment. We do too. It is difficult to imagine a man who kills an entire family group of animals (to impress his wife by his own account) and whose subsequent instinct is to share the photographic evidence with a host of friends and colleagues.

During his Namibia trip, Fischer and his wife killed at least 14 animals. In addition to the baboons, the toll included a giraffe, leopard, impala, sable antelope, waterbuck, kudu, warthog, gemsbok (oryx) and eland.

A handful of onetime Idaho Fish and Game Commission members have criticized his conduct, and some are calling on Governor Butch Otter and the Idaho senate to reconsider his reappointment to the commission during its 2019 legislative session. Sportsmanlike behavior, one of them wrote, is the center pin to maintaining hunting as a socially acceptable activity.

Fischers timing wasnt great, on another account. Back in July, Namibias Environment and Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta announced that his ministry is working to amend the nations conservation ordinance to prohibit, and to punish those who post, photos with dead wild animals on social media.

Taking selfies with their kills and sharing them with their friends and the public at large is one of the things trophy hunters like to do. Digital technology has dramatically altered perceptions about the propriety of image sharing, and its a problem for trophy hunters like Fischer who continue to do so.

Some of Fischers fellow trophy hunters know better what is at stake, and their reaction reflects a growing self-consciousness on the part of sportsmen and wildlife agencies alike. They have come to understand that there is a lot at risk for them in the 21st century, with more and more trophy hunters taking the view that selfies and staged kill photos are drawing unwanted attention to their misconduct. We recommend that anyone feeling outraged by this photo channel that anger into respectfully amplifying calls for more humane leaders in departments of fish and game in Idaho and around the country.

Trophy hunting organizations like Safari Club International are under increasing pressure to restrain the excesses of their members in the United States and abroad. Fischer is just the latest to shoot his way into this particular hall of shame.

I didnt do anything illegal. I didnt do anything unethical. I didnt do anything immoral, Fischer said.

Yes, Blake. Just keep telling yourself that.

The post Americans furious as Idaho game commission official boasts about killing 14 animals on Africa trip appeared first on A Humane Nation.

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U.S. Forest Service removing 1,000 wild horses in California; some could be sold for slaughterA bill that would ban the sale of dogs from large-scale commercial breeders at pet stores is making its way through the Pennsylvania state senate.

If it passes, Pennsylvania would become the third state in under two years to end pet store sales of dogs from puppy mills  facilities that breed dogs indiscriminately and keep them in inhumane conditions, often without meeting their most basic needs.

We have been fighting the mistreatment of dogs in Pennsylvania for 60 years now, whether in the laboratory animal trade or in puppy mills. Our investigations in the state in the 1960s prompted the passage of the Animal Welfare Act and several major revisions to the states dog laws. With this latest bill, were in a new phase of our campaign to help dogs in the Keystone State.

Our staff at the Humane Society of the United States experiences the horrors of puppy mills daily. A few nights ago, our senior Tennessee state director, Eric Swafford, heard that more than a hundred small dogs rescued from a puppy mill had landed at a Tennessee shelter, overwhelming the facility, which did not have the capacity to look after so many animals. The dogs had arrived in terrible physical condition, many of them so badly matted that their fur resembled muddy ropes. Many were suffering from eye, skin and dental disease, and some of them could barely see through the overgrown matted hair covering their eyes and faces.

Although we were not involved in the execution of the case or the removal of the dogs from the breeder, we wanted to prevent the dogs from ending up in another difficult and stressful situation. Immediately, Eric alerted two of our local shelter and rescue partners, the Nashville Humane Association and Humane Educational Society. Both mobilized right away to move dozens of the dogs to their facilities, while the HSUS pledged to assist financially with their medical care and recovery.

As terrible as these cases are, they keep us on our toes and motivated to fight these cruelties at every stage. We have found that focusing on the markets for sale of puppy mill dogs is especially important and effective for protecting consumers. Sellers hide the grim reality of puppy mills behind shiny pet store facades and websites, duping consumers who know nothing of the terrible conditions in which the animals were raised. Each year, hundreds of dog owners contact us after buying puppy mill dogs from pet stores, over the internet, or through classified ads, only to find out that they are sick. Puppies like the ones we helped in Tennessee could end up in states as far as New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida through these channels, and the buyer usually has no idea that their new pet came from a puppy mill.

In recent years weve made some remarkable strides in closing off local markets for puppy mill dogs, by pushing for legislation banning the sale of puppy mill dogs in pet stores. More than 280 localities, including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Boston and Albuquerque, have passed ordinances banning the sale of puppy mill dogs in pet stores, and over the last two years, two states, Maryland and California, have banned such sales. The bill in Pennsylvania is especially important because the state is a hub for both puppy mills and problematic puppy sellers that source from both in and out of state mills. The state has consistently ranked near the top of our Horrible Hundred annual report for the past six years for problem puppy mills, but the sellers have largely been off the hook. Pennsylvania can now set a strong precedent for other large puppy mill states that pet stores and advertisers need to be addressed as well, in order to fully tackle the puppy mill problem.

At the same time, were working to persuade members of the public to avoid the purchase of puppy mill dogs and promoting adoption from rescues and shelters and purchases from responsible breeders as the best options for those seeking a new pet.

The HSUS is organizing two events in Pennsylvania to help fire up the states momentum to end puppy mills, including a rally at the state capitol next Monday thats open to all Pennsylvania residents, and our first-ever Puppy Mill Action Boot Camp, which will be held in Malvern, Pennsylvania, on the weekend of October 20-21. The boot camp is open to participants from any state who want to sharpen their advocacy skills specifically to help stop puppy mills, and will feature top speakers, participatory exercises, fun giveaways and four meals for just a $25 registration fee. We hope you will join us at these important events to speak up for the dogs.

The post Bill in Pennsylvania would ban sale of puppy mill dogs in pet stores appeared first on A Humane Nation.Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a marine fuel logistics company that markets and supplies refined marine fuel and lubricants to vessels in port, at sea, and on rivers worldwide. The company offers fueling services to ocean-going and a range of coastal vessels, including oil tankers, container ships, drybulk carriers, cruise ships, reefers, LNG/LPG carriers, car carriers, and ferries, as well as to marine fuel traders, brokers, and other end-users of marine fuel and lubricants. It also markets and distributes marine lubricants under the Alfa Marine Lubricants brand; and provides a range of shipping services, such as technical support and maintenance, insurance arrangement and handling, financial administration, and accounting services. As of December 31, 2016, the company owned and operated a fleet of 46 bunkering vessels, including 45 double hulls and 1 single hull special purpose vehicle; 15 double hull bunkering vessels with an aggregate carrying capacity of approximately 292,400 deadweight ton (dwt); operated 10 land-based storage facilities with an aggregate storage capacity of approximately 1,075,000 cubic meters; and operated 2 vessels as floating storage facility with a cargo carrying capacity of approximately 86,800 dwt. Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Athens, Greece.

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Read MoreInvesco Senior Loan ETF's stock was trading at $20.75 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, BKLN stock has increased by 6.7% and is now trading at $22.14.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.4 hours ago

Biden touts infrastructure bill at snowy, rusty bridge in NH

WOODSTOCK, N.H. (AP)  Fighting sagging poll ratings, President Joe Biden set out Tuesday on a national tour to persuade everyday Americans of the benefits of his big, just-signed infrastructure plan. First stop: a snowy, rusty bridge in New Hampshire, a state that gave him no love in last years presidential primaries. Biden left the state in February of 2020 before polls had even closed on his fifth-place primary finish.

Read ArticleAphria, Inc. engages in the production and supply of medical cannabis. It operates through the following segments: Cannabis Operations, Distribution Operations, and Business Under Development. The Cannabis Operations segment produces, distributes, and sells both medical and adult-use cannabis. The Distribution Operations segment are carried out through its wholly owned subsidiaries ABP, FL Group, and CC Pharma. The Distribution Under Development segment includes operations in which the firm has not received final licensing or has not commenced commercial sales from operations. The company was founded by Cole Cacciavillani and John Cervini on June 22, 2011 and is headquartered in Leamington, Canada.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Roper Technologies: 3089554 Nova Scotia ULC, AC Analytical Controls B.V., AC Analytical Controls Holding B.V., AC Analytical Controls Services B.V., Acumen PM LLC, Aderant Canada Company, Aderant Company, Aderant Holdings Inc., Aderant International Holdings Inc., Aderant Legal (UK) Limited, Aderant Legal Holdings (AUS) Pty Ltd, Aderant Legal Holdings (NZ) ULC, Aderant Legal Holdings Inc., Aderant North America Inc., Aderant Parent Holdings Inc., Advanced Sensors Limited, Alpha Holdings of Delaware I LLC, Alpha Holdings of Delaware II LLC, Alpha Technologies B.V., Alpha Technologies GmbH, Alpha Technologies Japan LLC, Alpha Technologies Services LLC, Alpha Technologies U.K., Alpha Technologies s.r.o., Alpha Trust Corporation, Alpha UK Holdings LLC, Amot Controls Corporation, Amot Controls GmbH, Amot/Metrix Investment Company Inc., Amphire Solutions Inc., Amtech Systems (Hong Kong) Limited, Amtech Systems LLC, Amtech World Corporation, Aplifi Inc., Ascension Technology Corporation, Assureweb Limited, Atlantic Health Partners Inc., Avitru LLC, Axium Holdco Inc., C/S Solutions Inc., CBORD Holdings Corp., CIVCO Medical Solutions B.V., Centurion Research Solutions LLC, Civco Holding Inc., Civco Medical Instruments Co. Inc., CliniSys Group, CliniSys Group Limited, Clinisys Scotland Limited, Clinisys Solutions Limited, Cointec Ingenieros y Consultores S.L., Compressor Controls (Beijing) Corporation Ltd., Compressor Controls Corporation B.V., Compressor Controls Corporation Middle East, Compressor Controls Corporation S.r.l., Compressor Controls LLC, Compressor Controls Mauritius Ltd., Compressor Controls Pty Ltd., Compressor Controls Saudi Arabia LLC, ConstructConnect, ConstructConnect Canada Inc., ConstructConnect Inc., Cornell Pump Company, DAT Solutions LLC, DATSolutions Private Limited, DCMH Group Holdings Inc., DCMH Group Holdings LLC, DCMH Holdings Inc., DI Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., DI Dutch Holdings LLC, DI Hong Kong Limited, Dash I Inc., Data Innovations, Data Innovations Canada Ltd., Data Innovations Cooperatief U.A., Data Innovations Europe S.A., Data Innovations LLC, Data Innovations Latin America Ltda, Dawning Technologies LLC, Deltek, Deltek Ajera Inc., Deltek Asia Pacific (HK) Limited, Deltek Australia Pty Ltd., Deltek Danmark A/S, Deltek France SAS, Deltek GB Limited, Deltek GmbH, Deltek Inc., Deltek Nederland B.V., Deltek Netherlands B.V., Deltek Norge AS, Deltek Sverige AB, Deltek Systems (Canada) Inc., Deltek Systems (Colorado) Inc., Deltek Systems (Philippines) Ltd., Deltek WST LLC, Dominion I Inc., Dynamic Instruments Inc., Dynisco Enterprises GmbH, Dynisco Enterprises LLC, Dynisco Europe GmbH, Dynisco Holding GmbH, Dynisco Hong Kong Holdings Limited, Dynisco Instruments LLC, Dynisco Instruments S.a.r.l., Dynisco LLC, Dynisco Parent Inc., Dynisco S.r.l., Dynisco Viatran LLC, Dynisco Viatran (M) Sdn Bhd, Dynisco-Viatran Instrument Sdn Bhd, FMS Purchasing & Services Inc., FSI Holdings Inc., FTI Flow Technology Inc., Fluid Metering Inc., Foodlink Holdings Inc., Foodlink IT India Private Limited, Foundry, Foundry Visionmongers (Ireland) Limited, GeneInsight Inc., Getloaded Corporation, HRsmart Canada Inc., HRsmart Czech Republic, HRsmart France SAS, HRsmart Germany GmbH, HRsmart Inc., HRsmart International, HRsmart International Holdings LLC, HRsmart Mexico, HRsmart SA (Pty) Ltd., HRsmart Talent Management Solutions Europe Limited, HRsmart Ventures LLC, Handshake Software Inc., Hansco Automatisering B.V., Hansen Technologies Corporation, Harbour Holding Corp., Hardy Process Solutions, Horizon Software International LLC, INPUT Inc., IPA Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., ISL Finance SAS, ISL Holding SAS, ISL Scientifique de Laboratorie - ISL S.A.S., IT Canada Holdings LLC, Innovative Product Achievements LLC, Inovonics Corporation, Instill Corporation, IntelliTrans Limited, Intellitrans Canada Ltd., Intellitrans LLC, Intellitrans Sweden AB, Job Access LTDA, K/S Roper Holding, K/S Roper Investments, Laser App Inc., Link Logistics Holding LLC, Loadlink Technologies Corporation, Logitech Limited, MED Professional Services LLC, MEDTEC Inc., MHA Long Term Care Network Inc., MHA Long Term Care Services Inc., MIPS Austria GesmbH, MIPS CZ s.r.o, MIPS Deutschland GmbH, MIPS France Sarl, MIPS Nederland B.V., MIPS Schweiz AG, MIPS Software Iberica SL, MPR Readers Inc., Managed Health Care Associates Inc., Marumoto Struers K.K., Medical Information Professional Systems NV, Medina Acquisition LLC, Metrix Instrument Co. L.P., NDI Europe GmbH, Navigator Group Purchasing Inc., Neptune Technology Group (Canada) Co., Neptune Technology Group Inc., Neptune Technology Group Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V., Neptune Technology Group Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Neptune Technology Group Services Inc., Nippon Roper K.K., Northern Digital Inc., Off-Campus Advantage LLC, Omega Legal Systems Inc., PAC (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PAC Denmark ApS, PAC GmbH, PAC Instruments (Thailand) Company Limited, PAC Instruments Asia PTE. Ltd., PB Bidco Limited, PB Holdco Limited, PB Midco Limited, PB Topco Limited, PGP UK Limited, Petroleum Analyzer Company L.P., Phase Analyzer Company Ltd., PowerPlan, PowerPlan Canada ULC, PowerPlan Holdings Inc., PowerPlan Inc., PowerPlan Intermediate Holdings Inc., PowerPlan Operations ANZ Pty Ltd, PowerPlan Operations Ltd., Project Diamond Intermediate Holdings Corporation, Project Torque Intermediate Holdings Inc., Project Viking Holdings Inc., Project Viking Intermediate LLC, QSC 1208 Limited, QSC 1209 Limited, RF IDeas, RF IDeas Inc., RI Marketing India Private Limited, RIL Holding Limited, RMT Inc., RT Merger Sub Inc., Rebate Tracking Group LLC, Resonant Software Inc., Roda Deaco Valve Inc., Roper Acquisitions Holdings Inc., Roper Brasil Comercio E Promocao De Productos E Servicos LTDA, Roper Canada Holdings LP, Roper Canada UK Limited, Roper Denmark UK Limited, Roper EUR Pte. Ltd., Roper Engineering s.r.o., Roper Europe GmbH, Roper GM Denmark Holdings ApS, Roper Germany GmbH, Roper Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Roper Holdings LLC, Roper Holdings Limited, Roper IH LLC, Roper Industrial Products Investment Company, Roper Industries Denmark ApS, Roper Industries Deutschland GmbH, Roper Industries Inc., Roper Industries Limited, Roper Industries Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Roper Industries Mauritius Ltd., Roper Industries UK Limited, Roper International Holding Inc., Roper International Holding Limited, Roper International Holding SCS, Roper LLC, Roper Luxembourg Finance S.a.r.l., Roper Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Roper Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Roper Middle East Ltd., Roper NL1 UK Limited, Roper NL2 UK Limited, Roper Pte. Ltd., Roper Pump Company, Roper Scientific B.V., Roper Scientific SAS, Roper Scot LP, Roper Southeast Asia LLC, Roper Swiss Finance GmbH, Roper UK Investments Limited, Roper UK Ltd., Roper US Finance I LLC, Roper US Finance II LLC, Roper-Mex L.P., Ropintassco 1 LLC, Ropintassco 2 LLC, Ropintassco 3 LLC, Ropintassco 4 LLC, Ropintassco 5 LLC, Ropintassco 6 LLC, Ropintassco 7 LLC, Ropintassco Holdings L.P., SHP Group Holdings Inc., SIRA LLC, Shanghai Roper Industries Trading Co. Ltd., Sinmed Holding International B.V., Societe de Distribution de Logiciels Medicaux, SoftWriters Inc., Softwriters Holdings, Softwriters Holdings Inc., Sohnar Pty Ltd, Star Purchasing Services LLC, Strata Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., Strata Decision Technology LLC, Strata Parallel II Inc., Strategic Healthcare Programs Blocker 2 Inc., Strategic Healthcare Programs Blocker LLC, Strategic Healthcare Programs Holdings LLC, Strategic Healthcare Programs L.L.C., Struers (Shanghai) International Trading Ltd., Struers A/S, Struers GmbH, Struers Inc., Struers Limited, Struers SAS, Student Advantage LLC, Sunquest Europe Limited, Sunquest Holdings Inc., Sunquest Information Systems (Europe) Limited, Sunquest Information Systems (India) Private Limited, Sunquest Information Systems (International) Limited, Sunquest Information Systems Inc., Sunquest Information Systems Pty Ltd, TLP Holdings LLC, Technolog Group Limited, Technolog Holdings Ltd., Technolog Limited, Technolog SARL, The CBORD Group Inc., The Foundry Bidco Limited, The Foundry Bidco No.2 Limited, The Foundry Holdco Limited, The Foundry Holdings Limited, The Foundry Intermediate Holdings Limited, The Foundry Midco 3 Limited, The Foundry Midco No 1 Limited, The Foundry Midco No 2 Limited, The Foundry Topco Limited, The Foundry Topco No.2 Limited, The Foundry USCo Inc., The Foundry Visionmongers Ltd., The Tidewater Healthcare Shared Services Group Inc., The Washington Management Group Inc., Torque Acquisition Holdco Inc., Transcore Atlantic Inc., Transcore CNUS Inc., Transcore Holdings Inc., Transcore ITS LLC, Transcore LP, Transcore Nova Scotia Corporation, Transcore Partners LLC, Trinity Integrated Systems Limited, UHF Purchasing Services LLC, Union Square Software (International) Limited, Union Square Software Inc., Union Square Software Limited, Union Square Software Pty, Uson L.P., Uson Limited, Utilitec Limited, Utilitec Services Limited, Utility Data Services Limited, Verathon Holdings (Delaware) Inc., Verathon Inc., Verathon Medical (Australia) Pty Limited, Verathon Medical (Canada) ULC, Verathon Medical (Europe) B.V., Verathon Medical (France) SARL, Verathon Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Verathon Medical (Japan) K.K., Verathon Medical (UK) Ltd., Vertafore, Vertafore Canada Inc., Vertafore Inc., Vertafore India Private Limited, Viastar Services LP, Viatran Corporation, Walter Herzog GmbH, WorkBook APAC Ltd., Workbook Software A/S, Zetec (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zetec France, Zetec Inc., Zetec Korea Inc., Zetec Rental LLC, Zetec Services Inc., iPipeline, iPipeline (TCP) Limited, iPipeline Canada Inc, iPipeline Co. Ltd., iPipeline Holdings Inc, iPipeline Inc, iPipeline Limited, iSqFt Holdings Inc., iSqFt Parent Corporation, iSqFt Sub Inc., iTradeNetwork Inc., and mySBX Corporation.Deutsche Telekom AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated telecommunication services. The company operates through five segments: Germany, United States, Europe, Systems Solutions, and Group Development. It offers fixed-network services, including voice and data communication services based on fixed-network and broadband technology; and sells terminal equipment and other hardware products, as well as services to resellers. The company also provides mobile voice and data services to consumers and business customers; sells mobile devices and other hardware products; and sells mobile services to resellers and to companies that purchases and markets network services to third parties, such as mobile virtual network operators. In addition, it offers internet services; internet-based TV products and services; and information and communication technology systems for multinational corporations and public sector institutions with an infrastructure of data centers and networks under the T-Systems brand, as well as call center services. The company has 242 million mobile customers and 22 million broadband customers, as well as 27 million fixed-network lines. Deutsche Telekom AG has a collaboration with VMware, Inc. on cloud-based open and intelligent virtual RAN platform to bring agility to radio access networks for existing LTE and future 5G networks; and partnership with Microsoft to deliver high-performance cloud computing experiences. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Bonn, Germany.

Read MoreiShares MSCI South Korea ETF's stock was trading at $52.04 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EWY shares have increased by 53.2% and is now trading at $79.70.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.Royal Dutch Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company worldwide. The company operates through Integrated Gas, Upstream, Oil Products, Chemicals segments. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; markets and transports oil and gas; produces gas-to-liquids fuels and other products; and operates upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver gas to market. The company also markets and trades natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, electricity, carbon-emission rights; and markets and sells LNG as a fuel for heavy-duty vehicles and marine vessels. In addition, it trades in and refines crude oil and other feed stocks, such as gasoline, diesel, heating oil, aviation fuel, marine fuel, biofuel, lubricants, bitumen, and sulphur; produces and sells petrochemicals for industrial use; and manages oil sands activities. Further, the company produces base chemicals comprising ethylene, propylene, and aromatics, as well as intermediate chemicals, such as styrene monomer, propylene oxide, solvents, detergent alcohols, ethylene oxide, and ethylene glycol. Royal Dutch Shell plc was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Exxon Mobil: AKG Marketing Company Limited, Aera Energy LLC, Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company, Ampolex (Cepu) Pte Ltd, Ancon Insurance Company Inc., Barnett Gathering LLC, Barzan Gas Company Limited, Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Celtic Exploration Ltd., Coral FLNG S.A., Cross Timbers Energy LLC, Ellora Energy Inc., Esmeroon Oil Transporta Imperial Oil Limited, Esso (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd, Esso Deutschland GmbH, Esso Erdgas Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 17) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Angola (Overseas) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Chad Inc., Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited, Esso Global Investments Ltd., Esso Italiana S.r.l., Esso Nederland B.V., Esso Norge AS, Esso Petroleum Company Limited, Esso Raffinage, Esso Societe Anonyme Francaise, Exxo Holdings Inc., Exxon Azerbaijan Limited, Exxon Chemical Arabia Inc., Exxon International Finance Company, Exxon Luxembourg Holdings LLC, Exxon Mobile Bay Limited Partnership, Exxon Neftegas Limited, Exxon Overseas Corporation, Exxon Overseas Investment Corporation, ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil (Taicang) Petroleum Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil Abu Dhabi Offshore Petroleum Company Limited, ExxonMobil Alaska Production Inc., ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., ExxonMobil Australia Pty Ltd, ExxonMobil B Resources Company, ExxonMobil Capital Finance Company, ExxonMobil Capital Netherlands B.V., ExxonMobil Central Europe Holding GmbH, ExxonMobil Cepu Limited, ExxonMobil Chemical France, ExxonMobil Chemical Gulf Coast Investments LLC, ExxonMobil Chemical Holland B.V., ExxonMobil Chemical Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil China Petroleum & Petrochemical Company Limited, ExxonMobil Development Africa B.V., ExxonMobil Development Company, ExxonMobil Egypt (S.A.E.), ExxonMobil Exploracao Brasil Ltda., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Norway AS, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania Limited, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Tanzania Limited, ExxonMobil Finance Company Limited, ExxonMobil Financial Investment Company Limited, ExxonMobil France Holding SAS, ExxonMobil Gas Marketing Europe Limited, ExxonMobil General Finance Company, ExxonMobil Global Services Company, ExxonMobil Golden Pass Surety LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Company Holland LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Norway AS, ExxonMobil Hong Kong Limited, ExxonMobil International Services SARL, ExxonMobil Iraq Limited, ExxonMobil Italiana Gas S.r.l., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Inc., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Ventures Inc., ExxonMobil LNG Services B.V., ExxonMobil Lubricants Trading Company, ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, ExxonMobil PNG Limited, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical BVBA, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical Holdings Inc., ExxonMobil Pipeline Company, ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH, ExxonMobil Production Norway Inc., ExxonMobil Qatargas (II) Limited, ExxonMobil Qatargas Inc., ExxonMobil Ras Laffan (III) Limited, ExxonMobil Rasgas Inc., ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, ExxonMobil Russia Kara Sea Holdings B.V., ExxonMobil Sales and Supply LLC, ExxonMobil Technology Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Funding Ltd., Fujian Refining & Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Golden Pass LNG Terminal Investments LLC, Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures LLC, Imperial Oil Limited, Imperial Oil Resources Limited, Imperial Oil Resources N.W.T. Limited, Imperial Oil/Petroliere Imperiale, Infineum Italia s.r.I., Infineum Singapore Pte. Ltd., InterOil Corporation, Jurong Aromatics Corporation Pte Ltd, MPM Lubricants, Marine Well Containment Company LLC, Mobil Australia Resources Company Pty Limited, Mobil California Exploration & Producing Asset Company, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company, Mobil Chemical Products International Inc., Mobil Corporation, Mobil Equatorial Guinea Inc., Mobil Erdgas Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Mobil Exploration & Producing Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil International Petroleum Corporation, Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil Oil Exploration & Producing Southeast Inc., Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mobil Producing Texas & New Mexico Inc., Mobil SerLimited, Mobil Venezolana De Petroleos Inc., Mobil Yanbu Petrochemical Company Inc., Mobil Yanbu Refining Company Inc., Mountain Gathering LLC, Mozambique Rovuma Venture S.p.A., Palmetto Transoceanic LLC, Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas Global Company LDC, Permian Express Partners LLC, Phillips Exploration LLC, Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (II), SPI Limited, Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company Ltd., Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical Co., SeaRiver Maritime Inc., South Hook LNG Terminal Company Limited, Tengizchevroil LLP, Terminale GNL Adriatico S.r.l, Trend Gathering & Treating LLC, Wolverine Pipe Line Company, XH LLC, XTO Delaware Basin LLC, XTO ENERGY, XTO Energy Canada, and XTO Holdings LLC. American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. 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 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research.EVRAZ Plc is a holding company, which engages in the production and distribution of steel, vanadium, and coal products. It operates through the following segments: Steel, Steel North America, Coal, and Other Operations. The Steel segment offers steel and related products; vanadium products; extraction of vanadium ore; and iron ore mining. The Steel North America segment produces steel and related products in the US and Canada. The Coal segment covers coal mining and enrichment. The Other Operations segment consists of energy-generating, shipping, and railway transportation firms. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of General Motors: 2140879 Ontario Inc., ACAR Leasing, ACAR Leasing Ltd., ACF Investment, ACF Investment Corp., AFS SenSub, APGO Trust, Adam Opel, Adam Opel GmbH, Aftermarket (UK), AmeriCredit, AmeriCredit Consumer Loan, AmeriCredit Consumer Loan Company Inc., AmeriCredit Financial Services, AmeriCredit Financial Services Inc., AmeriCredit Funding, AmeriCredit Syndicated Warehouse Trust, Annunciata Corporation, Argonaut Holdings, Argonaut Holdings LLC, BOCO (Proprietary), BOCO (Proprietary) Limited, Banco GMAC, Banco GMAC S.A., Baylis (Gloucester), Boco Trust, Boden Brussels, CHEVYPLAN, CHEVYPLAN S.A. Sociedad Administradora de Planes de Autofinanciamiento Comercial, Cadillac, Cadillac Europe, Cadillac Europe GmbH, Carve-Out Ownership, Carve-Out Ownership Cooperative LLC, Chevrolet Deutschland GmbH, Chevrolet Sales (Thailand), Chevrolet Sales (Thailand) Limited, Chevrolet Sales India, Chevrolet Sales India Private Ltd., Chevrolet Sociedad Anonima de Ahorro para Fines Determinados, Controladora General Motors, Controladora General Motors S.A. de C.V., Cruise, DCJ1, DCJ1 LLC, DMAX, DMAX Ltd., Dealership Liquidations, Dealership Liquidations Inc., Delphi Energy and Engine Management Systems UK, Delphi Energy and Engine Management Systems UK Overseas Corporation, EDS (Electronic Data Systems), FAW-GM, Fundacion Chevrolet, G.M.A.C., GCAR Titling Ltd., GM (UK) Pension, GM (UK) Pension Trustees Limited, GM APO Holdings, GM Administradora de Bens, GM Administradora de Bens Ltda., GM Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters Ltd., GM Auslandsprojekte, GM Automotive, GM Automotive Services Belgium, GM CME, GM Canada Holdings, GM Canada Limited, GM Components Holdings, GM Components Holdings LLC, GM Cruise, GM Cruise Holdings LLC, GM Cruise LLC, GM Defense, GM Eurometals, GM Eurometals Inc., GM Europe Treasury, GM Finance, GM Finance Co. Holdings LLC, GM Financial, GM Financial AB, GM Financial Canada, GM Financial Canada Leasing, GM Financial Canada Leasing Ltd., GM Financial Colombia Holdings LLC, GM Financial Colombia S.A. Compania de Financiamiento, GM Financial Consumer, GM Financial Consumer Discount, GM Financial Consumer Discount Company, GM Financial Del Peru, GM Financial GmbH, GM Financial Holdings LLC, GM Financial Insurance Services, GM Financial Mexico Holdings, GM Financial Mexico Holdings LLC, GM Financial Real Estate, GM Financial de Mexico, GM Financial de Mexico S.A. de C.V. SOFOM E.R., GM Financial del Peru S.A.C, GM Global Business Services, GM Global Propulsion Systems -Torino S.r.l., GM Global Purchasing and Supply Chain, GM Global Technology Operations, GM Global Technology Operations LLC, GM Global Tooling, GM Global Tooling Company LLC, GM Global Treasury Centre Limited, GM Holden, GM Holden Pty Ltd., GM Holdings U.K. No.1 Limited, GM Inversiones Santiago Limitada, GM Investment Trustees Limited, GM Korea, GM Korea Company, GM LAAM Holdings, GM LAAM Holdings LLC, GM Mexico Holdings, GM Mobility Europe GmbH, GM PSA Purchasing Services, GM Personnel Services, GM Personnel Services Inc., GM Philippines Inc., GM Plats (Proprietary), GM Regional Holdings, GM Regional Holdings LLC, GM Retirees Pension Trustees, GM Retirees Pension Trustees Limited, GM Subsystems Manufacturing, GM Subsystems Manufacturing LLC, GM Technical Center Korea Ltd., GM Viet Nam Motor Company, GM-DI Leasing, GM-DI Leasing LLC, GMAC - Instituicao Financeira de Credito, GMAC Administradora de Consorcios, GMAC Administradora de Consorcios Ltda., GMAC Banque, GMAC Continental, GMAC Espana de Financiacion, GMAC Holdings (U.K.), GMAC Lease B.V. (aka Masterlease Europe), GMAC Nederland N.V., GMAC Prestadora de Servicios de Mao de Obra Ltda., GMAC Servicios, GMAC UK, GMAC de Venezuela, GMAC-Prestadora de Servios de Mo-de-Obra, GMACI Corretora de Seguros, GMACI Corretora de Seguros Ltda, GMAM Real Estate I, GMCH&SP Private Equity II, GMCH&SP Private Equity II L.P., GMF Australia Pty Ltd, GMF Europe, GMF Europe Holdco, GMF Europe LLP, GMF Floorplan Owner Revolving Trust, GMF Funding, GMF Germany Holdings, GMF Global Assignment, GMF Global Assignment LLC, GMF International, GMF International LLC, GMF Leasing LLC, GMF Leasing Warehousing Trust, GMF Wholesale Receivables, GMGP Holdings, General Motors (China) Investment Company, General Motors (China) Investment Company Limited, General Motors (Thailand), General Motors (Thailand) Limited, General Motors - Colmotores, General Motors - Colmotores S.A., General Motors Advisory Services LLC, General Motors Africa and Middle East, General Motors Africa and Middle East FZE, General Motors Asia, General Motors Asia LLC, General Motors Asia Pacific Holdings, General Motors Asia Pacific Holdings LLC, General Motors Asset Management, General Motors Asset Management Corporation, General Motors Australia, General Motors Australia Pty Ltd., General Motors Austria, General Motors Austria, General Motors Auto, General Motors Auto LLC, General Motors Automobiles Philippines, General Motors Automobiles Philippines Inc., General Motors Automotive Holdings, General Motors Automotive Holdings S.L., General Motors Belgique Automobile NV, General Motors Belgium, General Motors Chile, General Motors Chile Industria Automotriz Limitada, General Motors China LLC, General Motors Daewoo Auto and Technology, General Motors Daewoo Auto and Technology CIS LLC, General Motors East Africa, General Motors Egypt, General Motors Egypt S.A.E., General Motors Espana, General Motors Europe Holdings, General Motors Europe Limited, General Motors Financial Chile, General Motors Financial Chile Limitada, General Motors Financial Chile S.A., General Motors Financial Company, General Motors Financial Company Inc., General Motors Financial International, General Motors Financial Italia, General Motors Financial Suisse, General Motors Financial UK, General Motors Financial of Canada, General Motors Financial of Canada Ltd., General Motors Finland, General Motors France, General Motors GBS Hungary, General Motors Global Service Operations, General Motors Global Service Operations Inc., General Motors Hellas, General Motors Holden Australia, General Motors Holden Australia NSC, General Motors Holden Australia NSC Pty Ltd., General Motors Holden Australia Pty Ltd., General Motors Holdings LLC, General Motors IT Services (Ireland) Limited, General Motors India Private, General Motors India Private Limited, General Motors International Holdings, General Motors International Holdings LLC, General Motors International Operations, General Motors International Operations Pte. Ltd., General Motors International Services Company, General Motors International Services Company SAS, General Motors International Services LLC, General Motors Investment Limited, General Motors Investment Management, General Motors Investment Management Corporation, General Motors Investment Participacoes, General Motors Investment Participacoes Ltda., General Motors Investments, General Motors Investments Pty. Ltd., General Motors Ireland, General Motors Israel, General Motors Israel Ltd., General Motors Italia, General Motors Japan, General Motors Japan Limited, General Motors LLC, General Motors Limited, General Motors Manufacturing Poland, General Motors Nederland, General Motors New Zealand Pensions, General Motors New Zealand Pensions Limited, General Motors Overseas, General Motors Overseas Commercial Vehicle, General Motors Overseas Commercial Vehicle Corporation, General Motors Overseas Corporation, General Motors Overseas Distribution, General Motors Overseas Distribution LLC, General Motors Peru, General Motors Peru S.A., General Motors Poland Spolka, General Motors Portugal, General Motors Powertrain (Thailand), General Motors Powertrain (Thailand) Limited, General Motors Research Corporation, General Motors South Africa, General Motors South Africa (Pty) Limited, General Motors Suisse, General Motors Taiwan, General Motors Taiwan Ltd., General Motors Technical Centre India, General Motors Technical Centre India Private Limited, General Motors Treasury Center, General Motors Treasury Center LLC, General Motors Turkiye, General Motors UK, General Motors Uruguay, General Motors Uruguay S.A., General Motors Venezolana, General Motors Ventures, General Motors Ventures LLC, General Motors Warehousing and Trading (Shanghai), General Motors Warehousing and Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., General Motors de Argentina, General Motors de Argentina S.r.l., General Motors de Mexico, General Motors de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., General Motors del Ecuador, General Motors del Ecuador S.A., General Motors do Brasil, General Motors do Brasil Ltda., General Motors of Canada, General Motors of Canada Company, General Motors-Holden's Sales, General Motors-Holden's Sales Pty. Limited, GigaPower LLC, Global Services Detroit, Global Services Detroit LLC, Global Tooling Service Company Europe, Global Tooling Service Company Europe Limited, Go Motor Retailing, Go Trade Parts, Grand Pointe Holdings, Grand Pointe Holdings Inc., Grand Pointe Park Condominium, Grand Pointe Park Condominium Association, H.S.H., Haines & Strange, Holden New Zealand, Holden New Zealand Limited, IBC Pension Trustees, IBC Pension Trustees Limited, IBC Vehicles, Lease Ownership Cooperative, Lease Ownership Cooperative LLC, Lidlington Engineering Company, Lidlington Engineering Company Ltd., Limited Liability Company "General Motors CIS", Master Lease Germany, Maven Drive, Maven Drive LLC, Millbrook Pension Management, Millbrook Pension Management Limited, Monetization of Carve-Out, Monetization of Carve-Out LLC, Motor Repris Automocio, Motors Holding, Motors Holding LLC, Motors Properties, Motors Properties (Trading), Multi-Use Lease Entity Trust, North American New Cars, North American New Cars LLC, Omnibus BB Transportes, Omnibus BB Transportes S. A., OnStar Connected Services Srl, OnStar Egypt Limited LLC, OnStar Europe, OnStar Europe Ltd., OnStar Global Services, OnStar Global Services Corporation, OnStar LLC, OnStar de Mexico, OnStar de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Opel Bank, Opel Danmark, Opel Group, Opel Group Warehousing, Opel Leasing, Opel Norge, Opel Sonderdienste, Opel Southeast Europe, Opel Sverige, Opel Szentgotthard Automotive Manufacturing, Opel Wien, P.T. G M AutoWorld Indonesia, P.T. General Motors Indonesia, PIMS, PIMS Co., PT. General Motors Indonesia Manufacturing, Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center Company Ltd., Prestadora de Servicios GMF Colombia S.A.S., Rapid Motor Vehicle Company, Reliance Motor Car Company, Riverfront Holdings III Inc., Riverfront Holdings Inc., Riverfront Holdings Phase II Inc., SAIC GM (Shenyang) Norsom Motors Co. Ltd., SAIC GM Dong Yue Motors Company Limited, SAIC GM Dong Yue Powertrain Company Limited, SAIC GM Wuling Automobile Company Limited, SAIC General Motors Corporation Limited, SAIC General Motors Investment Limited, SAIC General Motors Sales Company Limited, SAIC-GMAC Automotive Finance Company Limited, SAIC-GMF Leasing Co. Ltd., Servicios GMAC S.A. de C.V., Shanghai Chengxin Used Car Operation and Management Company Limited, Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co. Ltd., Sherwoods (Darlington) Limited, Sidecar Technologies, Skurrays Limited, Stam-Terberg Autobedrijven B. V., Strobe Inc., VHC Sub-Holdings (UK), Vauxhall Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Limited, Vehicle Asset Universal Leasing Trust, Vickers (Lakeside) Limited, Vision Motors Limited, WRE, WRE Inc., and Zona Franca Industrial Colmotores SAS.The following companies are subsidiares of Royal Dutch Shell: 10084751 Canada Limited, 1745844 Alberta Ltd., 3095381 Nova Scotia Company, 6581528 Canada Ltd., 7026609 Canada Inc., 7645929 Canada Limited, A Flygbranslehantering Aktiebolag, A.C.N. 081 118 292 Pty Limited, A/S Dansk Shell, A/S Norske Shell, ADNOC Gas Processing, AFSC Management Limited, AFSC Operations Limited, AFSC Refuelling Limited, AGES Maut System GmbH & Co. KG, Aera Energy LLC, Aera Energy Services Company, Airbiquity Inc., Al Badiah Petroleum Company, Al Furat Petroleum Company, Al Jomaih and Shell Lubricating Oil Co.Ltd., Alam El Shawish Petroleum Company, Alberta Products Pipe Line Ltd., Alie Investments Limited, All on Partnerships for Energy Access Limited by Guarantee, Alle S.R.L., Ambarli Depolama Hizmetleri Ltd. Sti., Amberjack Pipeline Company LLC, Amilcar Petroleum Operations S.A., Amsterdam Schiphol Pijpleiding Beheer B.V., Angkor Resources Co Ltd, Angkor Shell Limited, Aquila S.p.A., Arrow Energy Holdings Pty Ltd, Asiatic Petroleum Company (Dublin) Limited, Atlantic 1 Holdings LLC, Atlantic 2/3 Holdings LLC, Atlantic 4 Holdings LLC, Attiki Gas B.V., Attiki Natural Gas Distribution Company S.A., Au Energy, Austen & Butta Pty Ltd, Australian Oil & Gas Corporation Pty Ltd, Autogas Limited, Aviation Fuelling Services Norway AS, Avitair SAS, B.R.E. B.V., B.V. Dordtsche Petroleum Maatschappij, B.V. Petroleum Assurantie Maatschappij, BC 789 Holdings Pty Ltd, BEB Erdgas und Erdoel GmbH & Co. KG, BEB Holding GmbH, BG (Uruguay) S.A., BG 2/3 Investments Limited, BG Alaska E&P, BG Aruba Limited, BG Asia Pacific Holdings Pte. Limited, BG Asia Pacific Services Pte. Ltd., BG Atlantic 1 Holdings Limited, BG Atlantic 2/3 Holdings Limited, BG Atlantic 4 Holdings Limited, BG Atlantic Finance Limited, BG Brasilia, BG CPS Pty Limited, BG CSB2 Limited, BG Canada Ltd., BG Central Holdings Limited, BG Central Investments Limited, BG Comercio e Importacao Ltda., BG Cyprus Limited, BG Delta Limited, BG Egypt S.A., BG Employee Shares Trustees Limited, BG Energy Capital Plc, BG Energy Finance, BG Energy Holdings Limited, BG Energy Iberian Holdings, BG Energy Marketing Limited, BG Energy Merchants, BG Energy Trading Limited, BG Equatorial Guinea Limited, BG Exploration & Production Myanmar Pte. Ltd., BG Exploration America, BG Exploration and Production India Limited, BG Exploration and Production Limited, BG Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, BG Finance Investments Limited, BG Gas Atlantic Holdings B.V., BG Gas Brazil E&P 12 B.V., BG Gas Brazil Holdings B.V., BG Gas Brazilian Investment B.V., BG Gas Global Holdings B.V., BG Gas International B.V., BG Gas International Holdings B.V., BG Gas Marketing Limited, BG Gas Netherlands Holdings B.V., BG Gas Sao Paulo Investments B.V., BG Gas Services Limited, BG Gas Supply (UK) Limited, BG General Holdings Limited, BG General Investments, BG General Partner Limited, BG Global Employee Resources Limited, BG Global Energy Limited, BG Great Britain Limited, BG Group, BG Group Company Secretaries Limited, BG Group Employee Benefit Trust Limited, BG Group Employee Shares Trustees Limited, BG Group Healthcare Trustee Limited, BG Group Limited, BG Group Mexico Exploration, BG Group Mexico Services, BG Group Pension Trustees Limited, BG Group Trustees Limited, BG Gulf Coast LNG, BG India Energy Private Limited, BG India Energy Services Private Limited, BG India Energy Solutions Private Limited, BG Insurance Company (Singapore) Pte Ltd, BG Intellectual Property Limited, BG International Limited, BG International Services AB, BG Iran Limited, BG Italia Power S.p.A., BG Karachaganak Limited, BG Karachaganak Trading Limited, BG Kenya L10A Limited, BG Kenya L10B Limited, BG LNG Investments Limited, BG LNG Regas India Private Limited, BG LNG Services, BG LNG Trading, BG LNG Transport No.5 Limited, BG Lake Charles Operations, BG Mauritius LNG Holdings Ltd, BG Mongolia Holdings Limited, BG Mumbai Holdings Limited, BG Myanmar Pte. Ltd., BG Netherlands, BG Netherlands Financing Unlimited, BG Norge Exploration Limited, BG Norge Limited, BG North America, BG North Investments Limited, BG North Sea Holdings Limited, BG OKLNG Limited, BG Oil Marketing Pte Ltd, BG Omikron Limited, BG Overseas Holdings Limited, BG Overseas Investments Limited, BG Overseas Limited, BG Pacific Holdings Pty Ltd, BG Pension Funding Scottish Limited Partnership, BG Petroleo & Gas Brasil Ltda, BG Production Company (PA), BG Production Company (WV), BG Puerto Rico, BG Rosetta Limited, BG Singapore Limited, BG South Asia LNG Limited, BG South East Asia Limited, BG Subsea Well Project Limited, BG Tanzania Holdings Limited, BG Thailand Limited, BG Trinidad LNG Limited, BG UK Capital II Limited, BG UK Capital Limited, BG UK Holdings Limited, BG US Gathering Company, BG US Production Company, BG US Services, BG Upstream A Nigeria Limited, BG West Indies No. 2 Limited, BG do Brasil Ltda., BGC, BGMEP, BJS Oil Operations B.V., BJSA Exploration and Production B.V., BNG (Surat) Pty Ltd, BR Oil Sands Corporation, Baconton Power LLC, Badr Petroleum Company, Beijing Shell Petroleum Company Ltd., Belgian Shell S.A., Bengal Pipeline Company LLC, Beryl North Sea Limited, Bituguard Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd, BlackRock Ventures Inc., Blendcor (Pty) Ltd., Bonifacio Gas Corporation, Bonuskad Loyalty Sdn. Bhd., Branstone (International) Limited, Branstone Company Limited, Brazil Crude Services, Brazil Shipping I Limited, Brazil Shipping II Limited, Brazos Wind Ventures, Brindisi LNG S.p.A., British Pipeline Agency, Brunei Energy Services Company Ltd., Brunei LNG Sendirian Berhad, Brunei Shell Marketing Company Sendirian Berhad, Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sendirian Berhad, Brunei Shell Tankers Sendirian Berhad, Bully 1 (Switzerland) GmbH, Bully 2 (Switzerland) GmbH, Burullus Gas Company S.A.E., C.I. Shell Comercializadora Colombia, CNOOC and Shell Petrochemicals Company Limited, CPC Shell Lubricants Co. Ltd, CRI Catalyst Company Belgium N.V., CRI Catalyst Company Europe Limited, CRI Catalyst Company LP, CRI Catalyst Leuna GmbH, CRI Deutschland GmbH, CRI Sales and Services Inc., CRI U.S. LP, CRI Zeolites Inc., CRI/Criterion, CRI/Criterion Catalyst Company Limited, CRI/Criterion Marketing Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, Caesar Oil Pipeline Company, Cansolv Technologies (Beijing) Company Limited, Cansolv Technologies Inc., Carissa Einzelhandel- und Tankstellenservice GmbH & Co. KG, Carissa Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Caspi Meruerty Operating Company B.V., Cekisan Depolama Hizmetleri Ltd. Sti., Central African Petroleum Refineries (Private) Limited, China, Chongqing Doyen Shell Petroleum and Chemical Co. Ltd., Chosun Shell B.V., Cicerone Holding B.V., Colbea Enterprises, Colonial Pipeline, Colorado Wind Ventures, Compana Qumica Nicaragense S.A., Concha Chemical Pipeline LLC, Condamine 1 Pty Ltd, Condamine 2 Pty Ltd, Condamine 3 Pty Ltd, Condamine 4 Pty Ltd, Condamine Power Station Pty Ltd, Coral Cibola Canada Inc., Cote d'Ivoire GNL, Crestwood Permian Basin LLC, Criterion Catalyst Company, Criterion Catalysts & Technologies Canada, Criterion Catalysts & Technologies L.P., Deer Park Refining Limited Partnership, Deheza S.A.I.C.F. e I., Delta Business Development Limited, Deutsche Infineum GmbH & Co. KG, Deutsche Shell GmbH, Deutsche Shell Holding GmbH, Deutsche Transalpine Oelleitung GmbH, Dinarel S.A., Dragon LNG Group Limited, ELLBA B.V., ELLBA C.V., EPP LLC, EXCO Appalachia Midstream, EXCO Resources (PA), East Resources, Eastham Refinery Limited, Egypt LNG Shipping Limited, El Behera Natural Gas Liquefaction Company S.A.E., Ellba Eastern (Pte) Ltd, Emdad Aviation Fuel Storage FZCO, Endymion Oil Pipeline Company, Energina Compana Argentina de Petroleo S.A., Energy Finance NZ Limited, Energy Holdings Offshore Limited, Energy Infrastructure Limited, Energy Petroleum Holdings Limited, Energy Petroleum Investments Limited, Energy Petroleum Taranaki Limited, Enterprise Oil Limited, Enterprise Oil Middle East Limited, Enterprise Oil Norge Limited, Enterprise Oil North America Inc., Enterprise Oil Operations Limited, Enterprise Oil U.K. Limited, Equilon Enterprises, Equilon Enterprises LLC, Erdoel-Raffinerie Deurag-Nerag GmbH, Estacion Lima S.A., Ethyleen Pijpleiding Maatschappij (Belgie) N.V., Euroshell Cards B.V., Explorer Pipeline Company, FBG Ferngasbeteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, FP Solutions Corporation, Fahari Gas Marketing Company Limited, Farepilot Limited, First Philippine Industrial Corporation, First Utility, Framecroft Limited, Fuelink Pty Ltd, Fuelng Pte. Ltd, Fulmart Limited, Fusus Comercio e Participacoes Ltda., GOGB Limited, Gainrace Limited, Gas Del Litoral, Gas Investments & Services Company Limited, Gas Resources Limited, GasTerra B.V., Gasnor AS, Gasoducto Cruz del Sur S.A., Gatwick Airport Storage and Hydrant Company Limited, Gaviota Terminal Company, Glossop Limited, Gothenburgh Fuelling Company AB, Greenlots, Groupement Petrolier Aviation SNC, Groupement d'Exploitation du Depot de Reception Chennevieres, Guara B.V., H2 Mobility Deutschland GmbH and Co. KG, HPRDS und SPNV Deutschland Oil GmbH & Co. KG, HPRDS und SPNV Deutschland Verwaltungsges. mbH, Hangzhou Natural Gas Company Limited, Hankook Shell Oil Company, Hazira LNG Private Limited, Hazira Port Private Limited, Heathrow Airport Fuel Company Limited, Heathrow Hydrant Operating Company Limited, Holaw (619) Limited, Hong Kong Response Limited, Hyundai and Shell Base Oil Co., IDKU Natural Gas Liquefaction Company S.A.E., IOT Management Sdn. Bhd., Icolub - Industria de Lubrificantes S.A., Infineum (China) Co. Ltd., Infineum Deutschland Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Infineum France, Infineum Holdings B.V., Infineum Italia S.R.L., Infineum Singapore Pte Ltd, Infineum USA Inc., Infineum USA L.P., Inspire Energy Holdings LLC, Integral Investments B.V., International Inland Waterways, Interstate Pipelines Pty Limited, Irish Shell Trust Designated Activity Company, Japan Chemtech Ltd., Jiffy Lube International, Jordan Oil Shale Company B.V., Kamayan Realty Corporation, Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V., Karachaganak Project Development Limited, Kebabangan Petroleum Operating Company Sdn. Bhd., Khanty-Mansiysk Petroleum Alliance Closed Joint Stock Company, Khmer Shell Limited, Kite Power Systems Limited, Kuwait Shell Limited, LNG Canada Development Inc., LNG Shipping Operation Services Netherlands B.V., LOCAP LLC, LOOP, Lake Charles Exports, Laurentide E&P, Lensbury Limited, Libra Oil & Gas B.V., Limejump, Limited Liability Company "Shell Neft", Limited Liability Company "Shell Neftegaz Development (IV)", Limited Liability Company "Shell Neftegaz Development (V)", Loyalty Management Netherlands B.V., MP2 Energy LLC, MP2 Energy NE LLC, MP2 Energy NY LLC, MP2 Energy Retail Holdings LLC, MP2 Energy Texas LLC, MP2 Generation LLC, MP2 Mesquite Creek Wind LLC, Maasvlakte Olie Terminal C.V., Mahanagar Gas Limited, Malmoe Fuelling Services AB, Manchester Airport Storage and Hydrant Company Limited, Maple Power Holdings LLC, Maritime Association for Risk Mitigation & Safety Limited, Marmara Depoculuk Hizmetleri A.S., Mars Oil Pipeline Company LLC, Mattox Pipeline Company LLC, Maui Development Limited, Mertvyi Kultuk LLC, Methane Services Limited, Mineraloelraffinerie Oberrhein Verwaltungs GmbH, Monash Energy Pty Ltd, Morzine Limited, Motiva Company, Mpower2 LLC, Multi Tank Card B.V., Murphy Schiehallion Limited, Mzalendo Gas Processing Company Limited, N.V. Rotterdam-Rijn Pijpleiding Maatschappij, NLNG Ship Manning Limited, Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V., Nedpower Mount Storm LLC, Netherlands Alng Holding Company B.V., New Market Belgium, New South Oil Pty Ltd, NewMotion, Nigeria LNG Limited, Noble Assurance Company, Noordzeewind B.V., Noordzeewind C.V., Nord-West Oelleitung GmbH, North West Shelf LNG Pty Ltd, O & G Developments Ltd S.A., OME Resources Australia Pty Ltd, Obaiyed Petroleum Company, Oberrheinische Mineraloelwerke GmbH, Ocean Century Tf Limited, Octane Holdings Limited, Octane Properties Limited, Odyssey Pipeline L.L.C., Oman LNG LLC, Ormen Lange Eiendom DA, Oryx Caspian Pipeline, P S Pipeline Sendirian Berhad, P S Terminal Sendirian Berhad, PCK Raffinerie GmbH, PT. Gresik Distribution Terminal, PT. Shell Indonesia, PT. Shell Manufacturing Indonesia, PT. Shell Solar Indonesia, Pacwest Energy, Pak Arab Pipeline Company Limited, Pakistan Refinery Limited, Paqell B.V., Pattanadhorn Company Limited, Pecten Arabian Company, Pecten Brazil Exploration Company, Pecten Middle East Services Company Limited, Pecten Midstream LLC, Pecten Orient Company, Pecten Orient Company LLC, Pecten Producing Company, Pecten Somalia Company Limited Shell GTL Limited, Pecten Trading Company, Pecten Victoria Company, Pecten Yemen Masila Company, Pecten do Brasil Servicos de Petroleo Ltda, Pelican Transmission, Peninsular Aviation Services Company Limited, Pennzoil Products International Company, Pennzoil Quaker State India Limited, Pennzoil-Quaker State Company, Pennzoil-Quaker State International Corporation, Pennzoil-Quaker State Nominee Company, Pertini Vista Sdn. Bhd., Peru LNG Company LLC, Petroleum Development Oman LLC, Petroleum Exploration Australia Pty Limited, Petroleum Resources (Thailand) Pty. Limited, Petrolon Europe Limited, Petrolon International Limited, Petroregional del Lago, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, Point Fortin LNG Exports Limited, Poseidon Oil Pipeline Company, Power Limited Partnership, Private Oil Holdings Oman Limited, Proteus Oil Pipeline Company, Provident & Pensions Holdings Proprietary Limited, Provista Ventures Sdn. Bhd., Pure Energy Resources Pty Limited, QCLNG Operating Company Pty Ltd, QCLNG Pty Ltd, QGC (B7) Pty Ltd, QGC (Exploration) Pty Ltd, QGC (Infrastructure) Pty Ltd, QGC Common Facilities Company Pty Ltd, QGC Holdings 2 Pty Ltd, QGC Holdings 3 Pty Ltd, QGC Holdings 4 Pty Ltd, QGC Holdings 5 Pty Ltd, QGC Holdings 6 Pty Ltd, QGC Holdings 7 Pty Ltd, QGC Holdings 8 Pty Ltd, QGC Holdings 9 Pty Ltd, QGC Midstream Holdings Pty Ltd, QGC Midstream Investments Pty Ltd, QGC Midstream Land Pty Ltd, QGC Midstream Limited Partnership, QGC Midstream Services Pty Ltd, QGC Northern Forestry Pty Ltd, QGC Pty Limited, QGC Sales Qld Pty Ltd, QGC Train 1 Pty Ltd, QGC Train 1 Tolling Pty Ltd, QGC Train 1 UJV Manager Pty Ltd, QGC Train 2 Pty Ltd, QGC Train 2 Tolling No.2 Pty Ltd, QGC Train 2 Tolling Pty Ltd, QGC Train 2 UJV Manager Pty Ltd, QGC Upstream Finance Pty Ltd, QGC Upstream Holdings Pty Ltd, QGC Upstream Investments Pty Ltd, QGC Upstream Limited Partnership, QPI and Shell Petrochemicals (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited (4), Qatar Shell Research & Technology Centre QSTP-LLC, Qatar Shell Service Company W.L.L., Quaker State Investment Corporation, Queensland Gas Company Pty Ltd, RDK Ventures, RESCO B.V., RK Caspian Shipping Company, Raffinaderij Shell Mersin N.V., Raizen Combustveis S.A., Raizen Energia S.A., Rashid Petroleum Company S.A.E., Rhein-Main-Rohrleitungstransportgesellschaft mbH, Rheinland Kraftstoff GmbH, Rilette Springs, Roma Petroleum Pty Limited, Rosneft-Shell Caspian Ventures Limited, Rub' Al-Khali Gas Development B.V., Ruvuma Pipeline Company Limited, S T Exchange, SASF Pty Ltd, SCL Pipeline Inc., SCOGI GP, SELAP Limited, SF Investment Management Limited, SFJ Inc., SGA (Queensland) Pty Ltd, SHELL Slovakia s.r.o., SOGEP Societe Genevoise des Petroles SA, SOI Finance Inc., SOPC Holdings East LLC, SOPC Holdings West LLC, SPNV Deutschland Beteiligungsges. mbH, STISA (Pty) Limited, STT (Das Beneficiary) Limited, SWEPI LP, Sabah Shell Petroleum Company Limited, Sable Offshore Energy Inc., Sahapanichkijphun Company Limited, Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd, Sakhalin LNG Services Company Ltd., Salamander Inc., Salym Petroleum Development N.V., Salzburg Fuelling GmbH, Samsun Akaryakit ve Depolama A.S., San Pablo Bay Pipeline Company LLC, Sand Dollar Pipeline LLC, Saraco SA, Sarawak Shell Berhad, Saudi Aramco Shell Refinery Company, Saxon Oil Limited, Saxon Oil Miller Limited, Schiehallion Oil & Gas Limited, Schooner Trustees Limited, Seapos Ltda., Sekelo Oil Trading (Pty) Limited, Select Carbon, Service Aviation Paris (G.I.E.), Sgai Pty Limited, Sharjah Fuelling Services Company Ltd., Shell & BP South African Petroleum Refineries (Pty) Limited, Shell & Disa Aviation Espana, Shell & MOH Aviation Fuels A.E., Shell & Turcas Petrol A.S., Shell (Beijing) Real Estate Consulting Ltd., Shell (China) Limited, Shell (China) Projects & Technology Limited, Shell (Petroleum Mining) Company Limited, Shell (Shanghai) Petroleum Company Limited, Shell (Shanghai) Technology Limited, Shell (Sudan) Petroleum Development Company Limited, Shell (Switzerland) AG, Shell (Tianjin) Lubricants Company Limited, Shell (Tianjin) Oil and Petrochemical Company Limited, Shell (US) Gas & Power M&T Holdings, Shell (Zhejiang) Petroleum Trading Limited, Shell (Zhuhai) Lubricants Company Limited, Shell Abu Dhabi B.V., Shell Additives Holdings (I) B.V., Shell Additives Holdings (II) B.V., Shell Adria d.o.o., Shell Aircraft Limited, Shell Algeria Zerafa GmbH, Shell Americas Funding (Canada) Limited, Shell Arabia Car Service Limited, Shell Asset Management Company B.V., Shell Australia FLNG Pty Ltd, Shell Australia Lubricants Production Pty Ltd, Shell Australia Natural Gas Shipping Limited, Shell Australia Pty Ltd, Shell Australia Services Company Pty Ltd, Shell Austria Gesellschaft mbH, Shell Aviation Finland Oy, Shell Aviation Limited, Shell Aviation Sweden AB, Shell Bab Gas Development B.V., Shell Benin Upstream Ltd, Shell Bermuda (Overseas) Limited, Shell Bolivia Corporation, Shell Borneo Sendirian Berhad, Shell Brands International AG, Shell Brasil Petroleo Ltda., Shell Brazil Holding B.V., Shell Brazil Holding GmbH, Shell Broadwater Holdings LLC, Shell Bulgaria Ead, Shell Business Development Central Asia B.V., Shell Business Development Middle East Limited, Shell Business Service Centre Sdn. Bhd., Shell California Pipeline Company LLC, Shell Canada Energy, Shell Canada Exploration, Shell Canada Limited, Shell Canada OP Inc., Shell Canada Products, Shell Canada Resources, Shell Canada Services Limited, Shell Caribbean & Central America Ltd, Shell Caribbean Investments Limited, Shell Caspian B.V., Shell Caspian Pipeline Holdings B.V., Shell Catalysts Ventures Inc., Shell Chemical Appalachia LLC, Shell Chemical Company of Eastern Africa Limited, Shell Chemical LP, Shell Chemicals (Hellas) Limited, Shell Chemicals Arabia LLC, Shell Chemicals Canada, Shell Chemicals Europe B.V., Shell Chemicals Japan Ltd., Shell Chemicals Limited, Shell Chemicals Philippines, Shell Chemicals Seraya Pte. Ltd., Shell Chemicals Support Services Asia Limited, Shell Chemicals U.K. Limited, Shell Chemicals Ventures B.V., Shell China B.V., Shell China Exploration and Production Company Limited, Shell China Holding GmbH, Shell China Holdings B.V., Shell Clair UK Limited, Shell Club Corringham Limited, Shell Colombia S.A., Shell Communications, Shell Company (Hellas) Limited, Shell Company (Pacific Islands) Limited, Shell Compana Argentina de Petroleo S.A., Shell Corporate Director Limited, Shell Corporate Secretary Limited, Shell Corporate Services Switzerland AG, Shell Custodian Pty Ltd, Shell Czech Republic A.S., Shell Deepwater Borneo Limited, Shell Deepwater Royalties Inc., Shell Deepwater Tanzania B.V., Shell Deutschland Additive GmbH, Shell Deutschland Oil GmbH, Shell Development (PSC19) Pty Ltd, Shell Development (PSC20) Pty Ltd, Shell Development Iran B.V., Shell Development Oman LLC, Shell Developments (HK) Limited, Shell Direct (U.K.) Limited, Shell Distributor (Holdings) Limited, Shell Downstream Inc., Shell Downstream Services International B.V., Shell Downstream South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Shell E & P Ireland Offshore Inc., Shell E and P Offshore Services B.V., Shell E&P Ireland Limited, Shell EP Holdings (EE&ME) B.V., Shell EP Holdings Inc., Shell EP Holdingselskab Danmark ApS, Shell EP International Limited, Shell EP Middle East Holdings B.V., Shell EP Offshore Ventures Limited, Shell EP Russia Investments (III) B.V., Shell EP Russia Investments (V) B.V., Shell EP Somalia B.V., Shell EP Wells Equipment Services B.V., Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd, Shell Eastern Trading (Pte) Ltd, Shell Egypt N.V., Shell Egypt Trading, Shell Employee Benefits Trustee Limited, Shell Energy (China) Limited, Shell Energy Asia Limited, Shell Energy Australia Pty Ltd, Shell Energy Company, Shell Energy Deutschland GmbH, Shell Energy Europe B.V., Shell Energy Europe Limited, Shell Energy Holding GP LLC, Shell Energy Holdings Australia Limited, Shell Energy Investments Australia Pty Ltd, Shell Energy Investments Limited, Shell Energy Italia S.R.L., Shell Energy Marketing and Trading India Private Limited, Shell Energy Merchants Canada Inc., Shell Energy North America (Canada) Inc., Shell Energy North America (US), Shell Energy Resources Company, Shell Energy Supply UK LTD., Shell Energy do Brasil Ltda, Shell Enerji A.S., Shell Erdgas Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Shell Erdgas Marketing GmbH & Co. KG, Shell Erdoel und Erdgas Exploration GmbH, Shell Espana, Shell Expatriate Employment US Inc., Shell Exploracion y Extraccion de Mexico, Shell Exploration & Production Company, Shell Exploration B.V., Shell Exploration Company (RF) B.V., Shell Exploration Company (West) B.V., Shell Exploration Company B.V., Shell Exploration Company Inc., Shell Exploration NZ Ltd, Shell Exploration New Ventures One GmbH, Shell Exploration Venture Services B.V., Shell Exploration and Development Libya GmbH I, Shell Exploration and Production (78) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (79) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (82) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (83) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (84) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (85) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (86) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (87) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (88) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (89) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (90) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (91) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (LI) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (LIX) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (LVII) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (LX) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (LXI) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (LXII) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (LXIII) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (LXIV) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (LXV) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (LXVI) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (LXVII) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (LXXI) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (LXXIV) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (LXXV) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production (XL) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production Africa Limited, Shell Exploration and Production Colombia GmbH, Shell Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Shell Exploration and Production Holdings B.V., Shell Exploration and Production Investments B.V., Shell Exploration and Production Libya GmbH, Shell Exploration and Production Oman Limited, Shell Exploration and Production Services (RF) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production South Africa B.V., Shell Exploration and Production Tanzania Limited, Shell Exploration and Production Ukraine I B.V., Shell Exploration and Production Ukraine Investments (I) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production Ukraine Investments (II) B.V., Shell Exploration and Production Ukraine Investments (IV) B.V., Shell Exploration et Production du Maroc GmbH, Shell Exploration und Produktion Deutschland GmbH, Shell Finance (Netherlands) B.V., Shell Finance Luxembourg Sarl, Shell Finance Switzerland AG, Shell Frontier Oil & Gas Inc., Shell GNL Peru S.A.C., Shell GOM Pipeline Company LLC, Shell GSB Limited, Shell Gas & Power Developments B.V., Shell Gas (LPG) Holdings B.V., Shell Gas B.V., Shell Gas Gathering Corp. #2, Shell Gas Holdings (Malaysia) Limited, Shell Gas Iraq B.V., Shell Gas Marketing Pte. Ltd., Shell Gas Nigeria B.V., Shell Gas S.A., Shell Gas Supply Trinidad Limited, Shell Gas Trading (Asia Pacific), Shell Gas Venezuela B.V., Shell Gas and Energy Philippines Corporation, Shell Generating (Holding) B.V., Shell Global Customer Services Centre CA, Shell Global Solutions (Deutschland) GmbH, Shell Global Solutions (Eastern Europe) B.V., Shell Global Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Shell Global Solutions (Thailand) Limited, Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc., Shell Global Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Shell Global Solutions Canada Inc., Shell Global Solutions Holdings (Thailand) Limited, Shell Global Solutions International B.V., Shell Global Solutions Saudi Arabia LLC, Shell Global Solutions Services B.V., Shell Greenland A/S, Shell Grundstcksgesellschaft Wesseling GmbH & Co. KG, Shell Guam Inc., Shell Gulf of Mexico Inc., Shell Hasdrubal Limited, Shell Holdings (Bermuda) Limited, Shell Holdings (U.K.) Limited, Shell Holdings Switzerland AG, Shell Hong Kong Limited, Shell Hungary Trading close Company Limited by shares, Shell Hydrogen Deutschland GmbH, Shell India Markets Private Limited, Shell India Ventures Pte. Ltd., Shell Information Technology International B.V., Shell Information Technology International Inc., Shell Information Technology International Limited, Shell Integrated Gas Thailand Pte.Limited, Shell International B.V., Shell International Exploration and Development Italia S.p.A., Shell International Exploration and Production B.V., Shell International Exploration and Production Inc., Shell International Finance B.V., Shell International Gas Limited, Shell International Limited, Shell International Petroleum Company Limited, Shell International Shipping Services (Pte) Ltd, Shell International Trading Middle East Limited, Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited, Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V., Shell Internet Ventures B.V., Shell Investments NZ Limited, Shell Iraq B.V., Shell Iraq Petroleum Development B.V., Shell Iraq Services B.V., Shell Italia E&P S.p.A., Shell Italia Holding S.p.A., Shell Italia Oil Products S.R.L., Shell Japan Limited, Shell Japan Trading Ltd., Shell Kazakhstan B.V., Shell Kazakhstan Development B.V., Shell Korea Limited, Shell Kuwait Exploration and Production B.V., Shell LNG Gibraltar Limited, Shell LNG Port Spain B.V., Shell LNG T&T Ltd, Shell Leasing Company, Shell Lubricants Egypt, Shell Lubricants Supply Company B.V., Shell Lubricants Switzerland AG, Shell Luxembourgeoise Sarl, Shell MDS (Malaysia) Sendirian Berhad, Shell MRPL Aviation Fuels and Services Limited, Shell MSPO 2 Holding B.V., Shell Macau Limited, Shell Macau Petroleum Company Limited, Shell Madeira Praia Formosa, Shell Malaysia Limited, Shell Malaysia Trading Sendirian Berhad, Shell Manatee Limited, Shell Manufacturing Services B.V., Shell Marine Personnel (I.O.M.) Limited, Shell Marine Products (US) Company, Shell Marine Products AS, Shell Marine Products Limited, Shell Markets (Middle East) Limited, Shell Mexico, Shell Mexico Exploration and Production Investment Limited, Shell Mexico Gas Natural, Shell Midstream LP Holdings LLC, Shell Midstream Operating LLC, Shell Midstream Partners, Shell Midstream Partners GP LLC, Shell Mozambique B.V., Shell Myanmar Energy Pte. Ltd., Shell Myanmar Petroleum Pte. Ltd., Shell NA Gas & Power Holding Company, Shell NA LNG LLC, Shell Namibia Upstream B.V., Shell Nanhai B.V., Shell Nederland B.V., Shell Nederland Chemie B.V., Shell Nederland Raffinaderij B.V., Shell Nederland Verkoopmaatschappij B.V., Shell New Ventures Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Shell New Zealand (2011) Limited, Shell New Zealand Pensions Limited, Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administrator Ltd, Shell Nigeria Exploration Properties Alpha Limited, Shell Nigeria Exploration Properties Beta Limited, Shell Nigeria Exploration Properties Charlie Limited, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Delta Limited, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Echo Limited, Shell Nigeria Gas Ltd (SNG), Shell Nigeria Infrastructure Development Limited, Shell Nigeria Offshore Prospecting Limited, Shell Nigeria Oil Products Limited (SNOP), Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited, Shell Nigeria Upstream Ventures Limited, Shell North America Gas & Power Services Company, Shell North China Petroleum Group Co., Shell North Sea Holdings Limited, Shell Nusantara Trading B.V., Shell OKLNG Holdings B.V., Shell Offshore (Personnel) Services B.V., Shell Offshore Central Gabon Ltd, Shell Offshore Inc., Shell Offshore North Gabon B.V., Shell Offshore Response Company LLC, Shell Offshore Services B.V., Shell Offshore and Chemical Investments Inc., Shell Oil & Gas (Malaysia) LLC, Shell Oil Company, Shell Oil Company Investments Inc., Shell Oil Products Company LLC, Shell Olie - OG Gasudvinding Danmark B.V., Shell Olie OG Gas Holding B.V., Shell Olie-og Gasudvinding Danmark Pipelines ApS, Shell Oman Exploration and Production B.V., Shell Oman Marketing Company SAOG, Shell Oman Trading Limited, Shell Onshore Ventures Inc., Shell Operaciones Peru S.A.C., Shell Overseas Holdings (Oman) Limited, Shell Overseas Holdings Limited, Shell Overseas Investments B.V., Shell Overseas Services Limited, Shell Pakistan Limited, Shell Pensioenbureau Nederland B.V., Shell Pension Reserve Company (SIPF) Limited, Shell Pension Reserve Company (SOCPF) Limited, Shell Pension Reserve Company (UK) Limited, Shell Pensions Trust Limited, Shell People Services Asia Sdn. Bhd., Shell Petrol A.S., Shell Petroleum (Malaysia) Ltd, Shell Petroleum Inc., Shell Petroleum N.V., Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., Shell Pipeline Company LP, Shell Pipeline GP LLC, Shell Polska Sp. z o.o., Shell Project Development (VIII) B.V., Shell Property Company Limited, Shell Pulau Moa Pte Ltd, Shell QGC Holdings Limited, Shell QGC Midstream 1 Limited, Shell QGC Midstream 2 Limited, Shell QGC Upstream 1 Limited, Shell QGC Upstream 2 Limited, Shell Quebec Limitee, Shell RDS Holding B.V., Shell RSC Company, Shell Rail Operations Company, Shell Research Limited, Shell Response Limited, Shell Retraites SAS, Shell Road Solutions (Zhenjiang) Co. Ltd, Shell Road Solutions Xinyue (Foshan) Co. Ltd., Shell Sabah Selatan Sendirian Berhad, Shell Sakhalin Holdings B.V., Shell Sakhalin Services B.V., Shell Salym Development B.V., Shell Saudi Arabia (Refining) Limited, Shell Seraya Pioneer (Pte) Ltd, Shell Service Station Properties Limited, Shell Services Oman B.V., Shell Servicios Mexico, Shell Shared Services (Asia) B.V., Shell Ship Management Limited, Shell Singapore Trustees (Pte) Ltd, Shell Solar Philippines Corporation, Shell South Africa Energy (Pty) Ltd, Shell South Africa Exploration (Pty) Limited, Shell South Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Shell South Africa Upstream B.V., Shell South Syria Exploration Limited, Shell Spain LNG, Shell Subsidiary Distributors Pension Trustee Limited, Shell Supplementary Pension Plan Trustees Limited, Shell Taiwan Limited, Shell Tankers (Singapore) Private Limited, Shell Tankers (U.K.) Limited, Shell Tankers Australia Pty Ltd, Shell Tanzania Limited, Shell TapUp B.V., Shell Taranaki Limited, Shell Technology Ventures B.V., Shell Technology Ventures Fund 1 B.V., Shell Technology Ventures Investments B.V., Shell Technology Ventures LLC, Shell Thailand E&P Inc., Shell Thrift & Loan Fund Trustees Nig Ltd, Shell Timur Sdn. Bhd., Shell Trademark Management B.V., Shell Trademark Management Inc., Shell Trading (M.E.) Private Limited, Shell Trading (US) Company, Shell Trading Canada, Shell Trading International Limited, Shell Trading Mexico, Shell Trading North America Company, Shell Trading Risk Management, Shell Trading Rotterdam B.V., Shell Trading Russia B.V., Shell Trading Services Company, Shell Trading Switzerland AG, Shell Transportation Holdings LLC, Shell Treasury Center (West) Inc., Shell Treasury Centre East (Pte) Ltd, Shell Treasury Centre Limited, Shell Treasury Company Switzerland AG, Shell Treasury Dollar Company Limited, Shell Treasury Euro Company Limited, Shell Treasury Luxembourg Sarl, Shell Treasury Malaysia (L) Limited, Shell Treasury UK Limited, Shell Trinidad 5(A) Limited, Shell Trinidad Block E Limited, Shell Trinidad Central Block Limited, Shell Trinidad Ltd, Shell Trinidad and Tobago Limited, Shell Trinidad and Tobago Resources SRL, Shell Trust (Bermuda) Limited, Shell Trust (U.K. Property) Limited, Shell Trustee Solutions Limited, Shell Tunisia El Jem GmbH, Shell Tunisia Kairouan GmbH, Shell Tunisia LPG S.A., Shell Tunisia Offshore GmbH, Shell Tunisia Upstream Limited, Shell U.K. Limited, Shell U.K. North Atlantic Limited, Shell U.K. Oil Products Limited, Shell US E&P Investments LLC, Shell US Gas & Power LLC, Shell US Hosting Company, Shell Ukraine Exploration and Production I LLC, Shell Upstream Albania B.V., Shell Upstream Development B.V., Shell Upstream Indonesia Services B.V., Shell Upstream Overseas Services (I) Limited, Shell Upstream Spain B.V., Shell Upstream Turkey B.V., Shell Venezuela, Shell Venezuela Productos, Shell Ventures New Zealand Limited, Shell Ventures U.K. Limited, Shell Verwaltungsgesellschaft fr Erdgasbeteiligungen mbH, Shell Vietnam Ltd, Shell Western LNG B.V., Shell Western Supply and Trading Limited, Shell WindEnergy Inc., Shell WindEnergy Services Inc., Shell Windenergy Limited, Shell Windenergy NZW I B.V., Shell Windenergy Netherlands B.V., Shell and Topaz Aviation Ireland Limited, Shell and Vivo Lubricants B.V., Shell-Mex and B.P. Limited, Ship Shoal Pipeline Company, Singapore Lube Park Pte. Ltd., Sinopec and Shell (Jiangsu) Petroleum Marketing Company Limited, Sirius Well Manufacturing Services Pte. Ltd., Sitra Petroleum Company, Snijders Olie B.V., Societa Italiana per l'Oleodotto Transalpino S.p.A., Societa' Oleodotti Meridionali S.p.A., Societe de Gestion Mobiliere et Immobiliere SAS, Societe des Petroles Shell SAS, Solen Insurance Limited, Solen Life Insurance Limited, Solen Versicherungen AG, Sonnen, Southern Petroleum No Liability, Stansted Fuelling Company Limited, Starzap Pty Ltd, Station Managers of Puerto Rico, Stazioni Autostradali Bellinzona SA, Ste du Pipeline Sud Europeen S.A., Stockholm Fuelling Services AB, Sucre Gas, Sun-Canadian Pipe Line Company Limited, Sunshine 685 Pty Limited, Sunshine Gas Pty Limited, Suzhou Liyuan Retail Site Management Co., Synthetic Chemicals (Northern) Limited, Syria Shell Petroleum Development B.V., Syriaga Neftegaz Development, TBG Tanklager Betriebsgesellschaft m.b.H., TMR Company, TRINLING Limited, Tabangao Realty, Tacoma Company Limited, Tamba B.V., Tanjung Manis Oil Terminal Management Sdn. Bhd., Tankstation Exploitatie Maatschappij Holding B.V., Tanzania LNG Limited, Taranaki Offshore Petroleum Company of New Zealand, Tejas Coral GP, Tejas Coral Holding, Tejas Power Generation, Telegraph Service Stations Limited, Texas Petroleum Group LLC, Texas-New Mexico Pipe Line Company, Thai Energy Company Limited, The Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company Limited, The Asiatic Petroleum Company Limited, The Consolidated Petroleum Company Limited, The Consolidated Petroleum Supply Company Limited, The Egyptian LNG Company S.A.E., The Egyptian Operating Company for Natural Gas Liquefaction Projects S.A.E., The International School of Port of Spain Limited, The Mexican Eagle Oil Company Limited, The New Motion B.V., The New Motion Deutschland GmbH, The New Motion EVSE Limited, The New Motion France SAS, The Shell Company (W.I.) Limited, The Shell Company of Hong Kong Limited, The Shell Company of India Limited, The Shell Company of Nigeria Limited, The Shell Company of Thailand Limited, The Shell Company of The Philippines Limited, The Shell Company of Turkey Limited, The Shell Company of West Africa Limited, The Shell Marketing Company of Borneo Limited, The Shell Petroleum Company Limited, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, The Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited, The Valley Camp Coal Company, Thermocomfort Limited Shell Pension Plan Trust Limited, Three Wind Holdings LLC, Tiba Petroleum Company, Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc., Transalpine lleitung in sterreich GmbH, Tri Star Energy LLC, Trident LNG Shipping Services Pty Ltd, Trident Shipping Services Pty Ltd, Triton Diagnostics Inc., Triton Terminaling LLC, Triton West LLC, True North Energy LLC, Tunisian Processing S.A., Tupi B.V., UBAG, URSA Oil Pipeline Company LLC, Union Temporal Bloque Sin Off 7, Unitas Company Limited, United Kingdom Oil Pipelines Limited, Vestprosess DA, Waalbrug Exploitatie Maatschappij B.V., Walloons Coal Seam Gas Company Pty Limited, Walton-Gatwick Pipeline Company Limited, West London Pipeline and Storage Limited, West Shore Pipe Line Company, West Sitra Petroleum Company, Wonderbill Limited, Woodlea Limited, Yanchang and Shell (Guangdong) Petroleum Co., Yanchang and Shell (Sichuan) Petroleum Company Limited, Yanchang and Shell Petroleum Company Limited, Yueyang Sinopec and Shell Coal Gasification Company Limited, Zeolyst C.V., Zhejiang Shell Fuels Company Limited, Zhejiang Shell Oil and Petrochemical Company Limited, Zydeco Pipeline Company LLC, euroShell Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, and euroShell Deutschland Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH.KB Financial Group, Inc. engages in providing financial services through its subsidiaries. It operates through the following segments: Corporate Banking, Retail Banking, Other Banking Services, Credit Card, Life Insurance, Investment and Securities business. The Corporate Banking business segment provides services such as loans, overdrafts, deposits, credit facilities and other foreign currency activities. The Retail Banking business segment offers services such as private customer current accounts, savings, deposits, consumer loans and mortgage loans. The Other Banking business segment provides services relating to banking business besides corporate banking and retail banking services. The Credit Card business segment offers services such as domestic as well as overseas credit and debit card operations. The Investment and Securities business segment provides services such as investment banking and brokerage. The Life Insurance business segment provides products such as life insurance and wealth management. The company was founded on September 29, 2008 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Stryker: ActiViews, Aimago SA, Alcott Indemnity Company, Arrinex Inc, Arrinex Inc., Ascent Healthcare Solutions, Berchtold, Berchtold + Fritz GmbH, Berchtold Consulting GmbH, Berchtold Corporation, Berchtold GmbH & Co. KG, Berchtold Holding Switzerland GmbH, CHG Hospital Beds, Cactus LLC, Cardan Robotics, Changzhou Orthomed Medical Instrument Company Limited, Concentric Medical, Concentric Medical Inc., Entellus Medical, Entellus Medical Europe Ltd, Entellus Medical Inc., GYS Tech LLC, Gaymar Industries, Gongping (Shanghai) Medical Devices Trading Co. Ltd., Groupe Bertec, HeartSine Technologies LLC, HeartSine Technologies Limited, Howmedica International S. de R.L., Howmedica Osteonics Corp., Hygia Health Services, Hygia Healthcare Services Inc., HyperBranch, HyperBranch Technology Inc., ITAPCo Limited, Image Guided Technologies, Imorphics Limited, Infinity MSD Corp., Infinity MSE Corp., Infinity MSF Corp., Infomedix Communications, Instratek, InstruMedics L.L.C, Invuity Inc., Ivy Sports Medicine, Ivy Sports Medicine LLC, Jiangsu Chuangyi Medical Instrument Company Limited, Jolife AB, K2M Germany GmbH, K2M Group, K2M Group Holdings Inc., K2M Holdings Inc., K2M Iberia Medcomtech S.L.U., K2M Inc., K2M Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, K2M Spine Solutions (Schweiz) GmbH, K2M UK Limited, Loon Intermediateco LLC, MAKO Surgical, MAKO Surgical Corp, Memometal Technologies, Mobius Imaging, Mobius Imaging LLC, Muka Metal, Muka Metal Ticaret ve Sanayi Anaonim Sirketi, NV Stryker SA, Nettrick Limited, Novadaq Corp, Novadaq Hong Kong Ltd, Novadaq Technologies, Novadaq Technologies ULC, OOO "Stryker", Orneo Ozel Saglk Hizmetleri Medikal Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, OrthoSpace, OrthoSpace Ltd., OrthoSpace US Inc., Orthomed (Hong Kong) Medical Instrument Company Limited, Orthovita, Orthovita Inc., OtisMed, P.C. Sweden Holding AB, Patient Safety Technologies, Patton Surgical, Pficonprod Pty. Ltd., Physio-Control, Physio-Control (Shanghai) Sales Co. Ltd., Physio-Control Brazil Vendas Ltda., Physio-Control Czech Sales s.r.o., Physio-Control Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Physio-Control Holdings Inc, Physio-Control Hungary Sales Kft, Physio-Control Inc., Physio-Control India Sales Pvt. Ltd, Physio-Control Investments LLC, Physio-Control Lebanon Sales Offshore s.a.l., Physio-Control Manufacturing Inc., Physio-Control Operations Netherlands B.V., Physio-Control Sales Limited Liability Company, Physio-Control Singapore Pte. Ltd., Physio-Control South Africa Sales Pty. Ltd., Physio-Control UK Sales Ltd., Pivot Medical, PlasmaSol, Porex Technologies, SSI Divestiture Inc., SYK Costa Rica Services Sociedad De Responsabilidad Limitada, SafeAir AG, SafeWire, Sage Products, Sage Products Coperatief U.A., Sage Products Holdings II LLC, Sage Products Holdings III LLC, Sage Products LLC, Scopis GmbH, Sightline Technologies, Small Bone Innovations, SpineCore, Spirox Inc., Stanmore Implants Worldwide, Stanmore Implants Worldwide Limited, Stanmore Inc., Stryker (Barbados) Foreign Sales Corporation, Stryker (Beijing) Healthcare Products Co. Ltd., Stryker (Shanghai) Healthcare Products Co. Ltd., Stryker (Suzhou) Medical Technology Co Ltd, Stryker (Thailand) Limited, Stryker AB, Stryker Acquisitions BV, Stryker Asia Holdings CV, Stryker Australia LLC, Stryker Australia Pty. Ltd., Stryker Austria GmbH, Stryker B.V., Stryker Berchtold BV, Stryker Beteiligungs GmbH, Stryker Canada GP ULC, Stryker Canada Holding Company, Stryker Canada Manufacturing ULC, Stryker Canada ULC, Stryker Canadian Management ULC, Stryker Canadian Sales Holding Company ULC, Stryker Capital BV, Stryker China Limited, Stryker Colombia SAS, Stryker Communications Inc., Stryker Corporation (Chile) y Compania Limitada, Stryker Corporation (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Stryker Customs Brokers LLC, Stryker Czech Republic s.r.o., Stryker Delaware Inc., Stryker EMEA Supply Chain Services BV, Stryker Employment Company LLC, Stryker European Coordination Center BV, Stryker European Holdings Cooperatief U.A, Stryker European Holdings I LLC, Stryker European Holdings II LLC, Stryker European Holdings LLC, Stryker European Holdings V LLC, Stryker European Operations B.V., Stryker European Operations Holdings I BV, Stryker European Operations Holdings II BV, Stryker European Operations Holdings III BV, Stryker European Operations Holdings LLC, Stryker European Operations Limited, Stryker European Technologies C.V., Stryker Far East Inc., Stryker Foreign Acquisitions Inc., Stryker France Holding SNC, Stryker France MM Holdings SAS, Stryker France SAS, Stryker Funding B.V., Stryker GI Services CV, Stryker Global Technology Center Private Limited, Stryker GmbH, Stryker GmbH & Co. KG, Stryker Grundstucks GmbH & Co KG, Stryker Grundstucks Verwaltungs GmbH, Stryker Holdings BV, Stryker IFSC Designated Activity Company, Stryker Iberia SL Unipersonal, Stryker India Private Limited, Stryker International Acquisitions BV, Stryker International Holdings BV, Stryker Investment Holdings B.V., Stryker Ireland Holding Unlimited Company, Stryker Ireland Limited, Stryker Italia S.r.l. S.U., Stryker Japan Holdings BV, Stryker Japan K.K., Stryker Korea Ltd., Stryker Lebanon (Offshore) S.A.L., Stryker Leibinger GmbH & Co. KG, Stryker Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Stryker Luxembourg Sarl, Stryker Manufacturing S. de R.L. de C.V., Stryker Mauritius Holding Ltd., Stryker Medical London LP, Stryker Medtech K.K., Stryker Medtech Limited, Stryker Mexico Holdings B.V., Stryker Mexico SA de CV, Stryker NV Operations Limited, Stryker Nederland BV, Stryker New Zealand Limited, Stryker Osteonics AG, Stryker Pacific Limited, Stryker Performance Solutions LLC, Stryker Polska Sp.z.o.o., Stryker Portugal - Produtos Medicos Unipessoal Lda., Stryker Professional Latin America S. de R.L. de C.V., Stryker Puerto Rico Limited, Stryker Romania SRL, Stryker Sage Inc., Stryker Sales Corporation, Stryker Servicios Administrativos S.de R.L. de C.V., Stryker Singapore Private Limited, Stryker South Africa (Proprietary) Limited, Stryker Spine SAS, Stryker Spine Sarl, Stryker Sustainability Solutions Inc., Stryker Tibbi Cihazlan Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Stryker Trauma GmbH, Stryker Turkish Holdings BV, Stryker UK Ltd, Stryker Verwaltungs GmbH, Stryker Vietnam Company Limited, Stryker do Brasil Ltda, Surpass Medical, Synergetics, TG SP Holdings Corp, TSO3 Corp, TSO3 Inc, Trauson, Trauson (China) Medical Instrument Company Limited, Trauson (Hong Kong) Company Limited, Trauson Holdings (BVI) Company Limited, Trauson Holdings (Hong Kong) Company Limited, Trauson Holdings Company Limited, VEXIM SA, Vexim, Waterloo Bedding Co., Wright Medical Group, ZipLine Medical Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ZipLine Medical Hong Kong Limited, ZipLine Medical Inc., and eTrauma.com.Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in Asia, Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; And Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment provides mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, group retirement and savings products, and institutional asset management services through agents and brokers affiliated with the company, securities brokerage firms, and financial advisors pension plan consultants and banks. The Insurance and Annuity Products segment offers deposit and credit products; individual life, and individual and group long-term care insurance; and guaranteed and partially guaranteed annuity products through insurance agents, brokers, banks, financial planners, and direct marketing. The Corporate and Other segment is involved in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance businesses; and run-off reinsurance operations, including variable annuities, and accident and health. It also manages timberland and agricultural portfolios; and engages in insurance agency, portfolio and mutual fund management, mutual fund dealer, life and financial reinsurance, and fund management businesses. Additionally, the company holds and manages oil and gas properties; holds oil and gas royalties, and foreign bonds and equities; and provides investment management, counseling, advisory, and dealer services. Manulife Financial Corporation was incorporated in 1887 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Read MoreMAXIMUS, Inc. engages in the operation of government and human services programs. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Services; U.S. Federal Services; and Outside the U.S. The U.S. Services segment offers a variety of business process services, and appeals and assessments for state, provincial and national government programs. The U.S. Federal Services segment includes process solutions, program management, as well as system and software development, and maintenance services for various United States federal civilian programs. The Outside the U.S segment comprises of national, state, and county human services agencies with a variety of business process services, and related consulting services for welfare-to-work, child support, higher education institutions, and other human services programs. The company was founded by David V. Mastran in 1975 and is headquartered in Reston, VA.

Read MoreNabors Industries Ltd. engages in the provision of platform work over and drilling rigs. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Drilling, Canada Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. The U.S. Drilling segment includes land drilling activities in the lower 48 states and Alaska, as well as offshore operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The Canada segment consists of land-based drilling rigs in Canada. The International segment focuses in maintaining a footprint in the oil and gas market, most notably in Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Argentina, Colombia, Kazakhstan, and Venezuela. The Drilling Solutions segment offers drilling technologies, such as patented steering systems and rig instrumentation software systems that enhance drilling performance and wellbore placement. The Rig Technologies segment comprises Canrig, which manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks, and drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools. The company was founded by Clair Nabors in 1952 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Read MoreNevsun Resources Ltd. engages in the mining and development of mineral properties in Europe, Africa, and North America. It explores for gold, copper, zinc, and silver deposits. The company's principal assets include Timok project, a copper-gold development project in Serbia; and Bisha copper- zinc mine in Eritrea. It also holds exploration licenses and permits in Serbia and Macedonia, as well as in the Bisha mining district. The company was incorporated in 1965 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. As of January 7, 2019, Nevsun Resources Ltd. operates as a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group Company Limited.

Read MoreParkland Corporation operates as a marketer, distributor, and refiner of fuel and petroleum products in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canada, International, USA, Supply, and Corporate segments. The Canada segment supplies and supports a coast-to-coast network of 1,860 retail gas stations under the Ultramar, Esso, Fas Gas Plus, Chevron, Pioneer, and Race Trac as well as operates convenience stores under the On the Run/MarchA Express brand. Additionally it offers bulk fuel, bulk and cylinder exchange propane, heating oil, lubricants, and other related products and services to commercial, industrial, and residential customers in various industries, such as oil and gas, construction, mining, forestry, fishing, and transportation under the Ultramar, Bluewave Energy, Pipeline Commercial, Chevron, Columbia Fuels, and Sparlings Propane brands. The International segment operates retail service stations under the Esso, Shell, and Sol brands; and delivers and supplies gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, propane, and lubricants to customers in various sectors, including power, oil and gas, and mining. The USA segment operates a network of gas stations; and delivers bulk fuel, lubricants, and other related products and services under the Farstad Oil, Rhinehart Oil, Tropic Oil, Superpumper, Harts, and On the Run brands. The Supply segment manufactures transportation fuels; transports, stores, and markets fuels, crude oil, and liquid petroleum gases; and manufactures and sells aviation fuel to airlines. This segment also engages in the wholesale, supply, and distribution business. The company was formerly known as Parkland Fuel Corporation and changed its name to Parkland Corporation in May 2020. The company was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Read MoreRowan Companies PLC (NYSE:RDC) announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October, 31st. The oil and gas company reported ($1.13) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the Thomson Reuters' consensus estimate of ($1.15) by $0.02. The oil and gas company had revenue of $192.90 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $179.39 million. Rowan Companies had a negative trailing twelve-month return on equity of 9.19% and a negative net margin of 42.12%. Rowan Companies's revenue for the quarter was down 33.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned ($0.16) EPS.

View Rowan Companies' earnings history.Imperial Brands PLC, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, imports, markets, and sells tobacco and tobacco-related products. It offers a range of cigarettes, fine cut and smokeless tobacco, papers, and cigars; and next generation product (NGP) portfolio, such as e-vapour products, as well as oral nicotine and heated tobacco products. The company sells its products under various brands, including Davidoff, Gauloises, JPS, West, L&B, Bastos, Fine, Winston, News, Parker & Simpson, blu, Kool, Horizon, Jade, Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo Y Julieta, Backwoods, Skruf, Golden Virginia, Rizla, and Knox in approximately 160 countries worldwide. It also provides logistics services that include the distribution of tobacco and NGP products for tobacco and NGP product manufacturers; and various non-tobacco and NGP products and services. In addition, the company is involved in the management of a golf course; marketing of papers; restaurant business; distribution of pharmaceuticals, POS software, and published materials and other products; printing and publishing activities; and provision of long haul transportation, industrial parcel and express delivery, advertising, and support management services. Further, it owns the trademarks; and retails its products. The company was formerly known as Imperial Tobacco Group PLC and changed its name to Imperial Brands PLC in February 2016. Imperial Brands PLC was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Bristol, the United Kingdom.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Sysco: 2234829 Alberta ULC, 2234842 Alberta ULC, A. M. Briggs Inc., A.M. Briggs, Almacen Fiscal Frionet Caldera S.A., Almacen Fiscal Frionet Limon S.A., Appert's Foodservice, Arnotts (Fruit) Limited, Asian Foods, Bahamas Food Holdings Limited, Bahamas Food Services Limited, Brake Bros, Brake Bros Foodservice Ireland Limited, Brake Bros. Foodservice Limited, Brake Bros. Holding I Limited, Brake Bros. Ltd., Brakes Foodservice NI Limited, Buchy Food Service, Buckhead Beef Co., Buckhead Meat & Seafood of Houston Inc., Buckhead Meat Company, Buckhead Meat Midwest Inc., Buckhead Meat of Dallas Inc., Buckhead Meat of Denver Inc., Buckhead Meat of San Antonio LP, Buzztable Inc., CAKE Corporation, Central Seafood Co., Christys Wine & Spirits Limited, Clafra Aktiebolag, Colorado Boxed Beef Co - Specialty meat-cutting division, Corporacion Frionet Sociedad Anonima, Crossgar Foodservice, Crossgar Foodservice Limited, Crown I Enterprises Inc., Cucina Acquisitions (UK) Limited, Cucina Finance (UK) Limited, Cucina French Holdings Limited, Cucina Fresh Finance Limited, Cucina Fresh Investments Limited, Cucina Lux Investments Limited, Curleys Quality Foods Limited (Third Party), Davigel Belgilux S.A., Davigel Espana S.A., Desert Meats & Provisions, Distagro, Doerle Food Service, Doughtie's Foods Inc., Dust Bowl City LLC, Eko Fagel Fisk o mittemellan AB, Enclave Insurance Company, Enclave Parkway Association Inc., Enclave Properties LLC, European Imports, European Imports Inc., Figg Inc., Freedman Meats, Freedman Meats Inc., Freedman-KB Inc., Fresh Direct (UK) Limited, Fresh Direct Group Limited, Fresh Direct Limited, Fresh Holdings Limited, FreshPoint, FreshPoint Arizona Inc., FreshPoint Atlanta Inc., FreshPoint California Inc., FreshPoint Central California Inc., FreshPoint Central Florida Inc., FreshPoint Connecticut LLC, FreshPoint Dallas Inc., FreshPoint Denver Inc., FreshPoint Hawaii LLC, FreshPoint Inc., FreshPoint Las Vegas Inc., FreshPoint North Carolina Inc., FreshPoint North Florida Inc., FreshPoint Oklahoma City LLC, FreshPoint Pompano Real Estate LLC, FreshPoint Puerto Rico LLC, FreshPoint San Francisco Inc., FreshPoint South Florida Inc., FreshPoint South Texas Inc., FreshPoint Southern California Inc., FreshPoint Tomato LLC, FreshPoint Vancouver Ltd., Freshfayre Limited, Fruktservice i Helsingborg AB, GHS Classic Drinks Limited, Gilchrist & Soames Inc., Gilchrist & Soames UK Limited, Guest Packaging LLC, Guest Supply, Guest Supply Asia Limited, Guest Supply Singapore Pte. Ltd., International Food Group, Isakssons Frukt & Gront AB, J & M Wholesale Meats, J. Kings Food Service Professionals, J. Kings Food Service Professionals Inc., Kent Frozen Foods, Les Ateliers Du Gout, Liquid Assets Limited, M&J Seafood Holdings Limited, M&J Seafood Limited, Manchester Mills LLC, Mayca Autoservicio S.A., Mayca Distribuidores S.A., Menigo Foodservice AB, Mitshim Etatu Supply LP, Newport Meat Company, Newport Meat Northern California Inc., Newport Meat Pacific Northwest Inc., Newport Meat Southern California Inc., Newport Meat of Nevada Inc., North Star Holding Corporation, North Star Seafood, North Star Seafood Acquisition Corporation, North Star Seafood LLC, PFS de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Palisades Ranch Inc., Pallas Foods, Pallas Foods Farm Fresh Unlimited Company, Pallas Foods Unlimited Company, Pauleys Produce Limited, Promotora del Servicios S.A. de C.V., Restaurangakdemien AB, Restaurant of Tomorrow Inc., Rohan Viandes Elaboration SAS, SMS Bermuda Holdings, SMS GPC International Limited, SMS GPC International Resources Limited, SMS Global Holdings S.a.r.l., SMS International Resources Ireland Unlimited Company, SMS Lux Holdings LLC, SOTF LLC, SYY Netherlands C.V., SYY Panama S. de R.L., Serca Foodservice, Servicestyckarna I Johannes AB, Servicios Ameriserve S.A. de C.V., Shenzhen Guest Supply Trading Co. Limited, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Bianchi Montegut, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Boiseau, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Garcelles, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) J.D. Lanjouan, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Le Dauphin, Specialty Meat Holdings LLC, Stockflag Limited, Stockholms Fiskauktion AB, Supplies on the Fly, Sysco Albany LLC, Sysco Asian Foods Inc., Sysco Atlanta LLC, Sysco Autoservicio S.A., Sysco Baltimore LLC, Sysco Baraboo LLC, Sysco Bermuda Partners L.P., Sysco Boston LLC, Sysco Canada Holdings S.a.r.l., Sysco Canada Inc., Sysco Central Alabama LLC, Sysco Central California Inc., Sysco Central Florida Inc., Sysco Central Illinois Inc., Sysco Central Pennsylvania LLC, Sysco Charlotte LLC, Sysco Chicago Inc., Sysco Cincinnati LLC, Sysco Cleveland Inc., Sysco Columbia LLC, Sysco Connecticut LLC, Sysco Corporation, Sysco Corporation Director's Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Employee's 401(k) Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Good Government Committee Inc., Sysco Corporation Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Plan Trust, Sysco Detroit LLC, Sysco Disaster Relief Foundation Inc., Sysco EI VI S. s.r.l., Sysco EU II S.a.r.l., Sysco EU III S.a.r.l., Sysco EU IV Capital Unlimited Company, Sysco EU IV S. s.r.l.., Sysco EU V S. s.r.l., Sysco Eastern Maryland LLC, Sysco Eastern Wisconsin LLC, Sysco Foundation Inc., Sysco France Holding SAS, Sysco France SAS, Sysco George Town II LLC, Sysco George Town Limited S. s.r.l.., Sysco Global Finance LLC, Sysco Global Finance LLP, Sysco Global Holdings B.V., Sysco Global Resources LLC, Sysco Global Services LLC, Sysco Grand Cayman Company, Sysco Grand Cayman II Company, Sysco Grand Cayman III Company, Sysco Grand Rapids LLC, Sysco Guernsey Limited, Sysco Guest Supply Canada Inc., Sysco Guest Supply Europe Goods Wholesalers LLC, Sysco Guest Supply Europe Limited, Sysco Guest Supply LLC, Sysco Gulf Coast LLC, Sysco Hampton Roads Inc., Sysco Hawaii Inc., Sysco Holdings II LLC, Sysco Holdings LLC, Sysco Indianapolis LLC, Sysco International Food Group Inc., Sysco International Inc., Sysco Iowa Inc., Sysco Jackson LLC, Sysco Jacksonville Inc., Sysco Kansas City Inc., Sysco Knoxville LLC, Sysco Labs Europe Limited, Sysco Labs Pvt. Ltd., Sysco Leasing LLC, Sysco Lincoln Inc., Sysco Lincoln Transportation Company Inc., Sysco Long Island LLC, Sysco Los Angeles Inc., Sysco Louisville Inc., Sysco Memphis LLC, Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Canada Inc., Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Inc., Sysco Metro New York LLC, Sysco Minnesota Inc., Sysco Montana Inc., Sysco Nashville LLC, Sysco Netherlands Partners LLC, Sysco North Central Florida Inc., Sysco North Dakota Inc., Sysco Northern New England Inc., Sysco Philadelphia LLC, Sysco Pittsburgh LLC, Sysco Portland Inc., Sysco Raleigh LLC, Sysco Resources Services LLC, Sysco Riverside Inc., Sysco Sacramento Inc., Sysco San Diego Inc., Sysco San Francisco Inc., Sysco Seattle Inc., Sysco South Florida Inc., Sysco Southeast Florida LLC, Sysco Spain Holdings SLU, Sysco Spokane Inc., Sysco St. Louis LLC, Sysco Syracuse LLC, Sysco Technologies Cayman Ltd., Sysco Technologies LLC, Sysco UK Holdings Limited, Sysco UK Limited, Sysco UK Partners LLP, Sysco USA I Inc., Sysco USA II LLC, Sysco USA III LLC, Sysco Ventura Inc., Sysco Ventures Inc., Sysco Virginia LLC, Sysco West Coast Florida Inc., Sysco Western Minnesota Inc., The SYGMA Network Inc., Upsys, Victua SAS, Walker Foods Inc., Waugh Foods, and Wild Harvest Limited.Tallgrass Energy Partners, LP acquires, owns, develops, and operates midstream energy assets in North America. It operates through Natural Gas Transportation; Crude Oil Transportation; and Gathering, Processing & Terminalling segments. The Natural Gas Transportation segment engages in the ownership and operation of interstate natural gas pipelines and integrated natural gas storage facilities with approximately 4,641 miles of transportation pipelines in Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. This segment provides its services to on-system customers, including third-party local distribution companies, industrial users, and other shippers. The Crude Oil Transportation segment engages in the ownership and operation of the Pony Express System, a crude oil pipeline serving the Bakken Shale, Denver-Julesburg, and Powder River Basins, as well as other nearby oil producing basins. The Gathering, Processing & Terminalling segment owns and operates natural gas gathering and processing facilities that produce natural gas liquids (NGLs) and residue gas for sale in local wholesale markets or delivers into pipelines for transportation to additional end markets; and crude oil gathering, storage, and terminalling facilities, as well as engages in the transportation of NGLs, and marketing of crude oil and NGLs. This segment also provides water business services primarily to the oil and gas exploration and production industry. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Leawood, Kansas. Tallgrass Energy Partners, LP operates as a subsidiary of Tallgrass Energy GP, LP.

Read MoreBaker Hughes, a GE company provides integrated oilfield products, services, and digital solutions worldwide. Its Oilfield Services segment offers drilling, wireline, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention services; and drilling and completions fluids, completions tools and systems, wellbore intervention tools and services, artificial lift systems, pressure pumping systems, and oilfield and industrial chemicals for integrated oil and natural gas, and oilfield service companies. The company's Oilfield Equipment segment designs and manufactures products and services, including pressure control equipment and services, subsea production systems and services, drilling equipment, and flexible pipeline systems; and onshore and offshore drilling and production systems, and equipment for floating production platforms, as well as provides a range of services related to onshore and offshore drilling activities. Its Turbomachinery & Process Solutions segment provides equipment and related services for mechanical-drive, compression, and power-generation applications across the oil and gas industry, as well as products and services to serve the downstream segments of industry. Its product portfolio includes drivers, compressors, and turnkey solutions; and pumps, valves, and compressed natural gas and small-scale liquefied natural gas solutions. This segment serves upstream, midstream, onshore and offshore, industrial, engineering, procurement, and construction companies. The company's Digital Solutions segment provides sensor-based measurement, non-destructive testing and inspection, turbine, generator and plant controls, and condition monitoring, as well as pipeline integrity solutions for a range of industries, including oil and gas, power generation, aerospace, metals, and transportation. It serves through direct and indirect channels. The company is based in Houston, Texas. Baker Hughes, a GE company is a subsidiary of General Electric Company.

Read MoreAnadarko Petroleum Corporation engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of oil and gas properties. It operates through three segments: Exploration and Production, WES Midstream, and Other Midstream. The company explores for and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). It is also involved in gathering, processing, treating, and transporting oil, natural-gas, and NGLs production, as well as the gathering and disposal of produced water. The company's oil and natural gas properties are located in the United States onshore and deepwater Gulf of Mexico; and Algeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Colombia, Peru, and other countries. As of December 31, 2018, it had approximately 1.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent of proved reserves. The company was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.

Read MoreZurich Insurance Group AG is a holding company. The Company and its subsidiaries provide insurance products and related services. Its segments include General Insurance, Global Life, Farmers, Other Operating Businesses and Non-Core Businesses. The General Insurance segment provides a range of motor, home and commercial products and services for individuals, as well as small and large businesses. The Global Life segment is engaged in providing unit-linked, protection and corporate propositions through global distribution and proposition pillars. The Farmers segment, through Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, provides certain non-claims administrative and management services to the Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, and their subsidiaries and affiliates. The Other Operating Businesses segment includes the Company's Holding and Financing activities. The Non-Core Businesses segment includes its insurance and reinsurance businesses.

Read MoreUtica, N.Y. - The Utica Council of the Blind (UCB), and the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI), partnered with Mohawk Valley Community College's Office of Accessibility Resources to host a White Cane Day event on Monday at M.V.C.C. in Utica.

White Cane Day is for members of the college community, and the public, in effort to educate them on how an individual who is blind or visually impaired utilizes adaptive equipment, such as the white cane, to navigate through their day.

During the event, attendees had the opportunity to be blindfolded so they could experience what it's like to be blind.

Maria Gage, president of UCB, who is blind herself says this event is very important for many reasons, "It will help the MVCC student body engage with their visually impaired fellow students and vice versa. Education is knowledge."

Gates says those who are blind or visually impaired like herself try to be as independent as they can, "But there are times when they need help, and we want people to feel comfortable offering that help. I think that people need to realize that blind people want to be as independent as they can be, but there are still things they need help with, and to not be afraid to approach a blind person and if the blind person doesnt need or want help, theyll let you know."

White Cane Day is held each October around the country.A man was arrested on Monday night for knocking over a Kentucky radio tower in an apparent act of vandalism which forced the station off the air.

Bell County police arrested Joshua Lee for knocking the tower over with his truck, according to WYMT. Part of a Dodge truck was found near the scene after being tangled in wires, according to the arrest citation.

The police report said police tracked down Lee with the piece of the truck, and he admitted to hitting the tower.

WFXY says its tower in Middlesboro was taken down, and they are no longer airing on AM/FM. The radio station continues to stream at its website.

Station managers say its finances will make a rebuilding effort very difficult at this time, because the station recently made upgrades.

WFXY is contemplating a fundraiser to help fund rebuilding efforts.Electric Boat apprentices, from left, Michael Quinn, Andrew Wesley and Austin Harley talk to Congressman James Langevin about their experiences in the program.Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.Officials look over the site of the addition outside NSES on Monday.Two weeks after the disappearance and apparent murder of Jamal Khashoggi inside a Saudi consulate in Turkey, multiple reports indicate Saudi authorities are about to admit to his death but claim it was the result of an interrogation gone wrong. The aim of this concocted tale is to shield the Saudi regime and above all its de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (known as MBS), from direct blame.

The Saudi claims, if that is the story that is finally made public, are simply not credible. Khashoggi, a high-profile journalist and Saudi insider who was critical of MBS, has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to obtain divorce papers. Initially Saudi authorities claimed that he had left the consulate but provided not a shred of evidence.

Everything points to the torture and murder of the journalist by a 15-member team of Saudi agents who arrived in Turkey on diplomatic passports and entered the consulate shortly before Khashoggis disappearance. Turkish sources told the media that the countrys authorities have audio and video recordings indicating that the journalist was killed inside the consulate and have passed on the evidence to other countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United States.

There is next to no doubt that such a brazen murder would have been ordered from the very top of the Saudi regime. Plans to interrogate or render Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia were reportedly approved by Prince Mohammed. The aim of the operation was to silence a critic who had become a thorn in the side of the Saudi king.

In advance, US President Trump yesterday backed the Saudi regime by suggesting that Khashoggi might have been the victim of rogue killers. Having spoken to Saudi King Salman for 20 minutes on Monday, Trump told reporters: It wasnt like there was a question in his mind. The denial was very strong. The king firmly denied any knowledge of it. He didnt really know maybe these could have been rogue killers. Who knows?

Trump also dispatched Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Saudi Arabia for talks with the king and top Saudi officials. The purpose of the mission is clearly to ensure that nothing upsets the longstanding US relations with Saudi Arabia, which along with Israel, is the closest of allies in the Middle East.

These alliances are critical as the Trump administration prepares to ramp up its confrontation and potential conflict with Iran. The US is preparing to impose draconian new sanctions on Iran, including oil sales, and requires the assistance of Saudi Arabia, the worlds largest producer, to manage oil supplies and prices.

Pompeo will also try to limit the damage to Saudi Arabias Davos in the Desert investment conference scheduled for October 2325. A number of companies, media organisations and other guests have already pulled out following Khashoggis disappearance, but as of Monday, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was planning to attend.

Trumps remarks have drawn ridicule from his political opponents and media critics. The New York Times, for example, cited the remarks of Democrat Senator Chris Murphy who tweeted: Been hearing the ridiculous rogue killers theory was where the Saudis would go with this. Absolutely extraordinary they were able to enlist the President of the United States as their PR agent to float it.

While Trumps suggestion is absurd, the hypocrisy of his critics in American ruling circles is staggering. For decades, successive US administrations, Democrat and Republican, have maintained the closest relations with Saudi Arabia, turning a blind eye to their repressive, anti-democratic regime at home and their criminal actions abroad.

Saudi authorities beheaded about 150 people in 2017 and executed another 48 in the first four months of this year. Last year, as he was seeking to consolidate his grip on power, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the mass detention of leading figures within the Saudi royal family and ruling class. Khashoggi, who has close ties to rival sections of the Saudi elites, fled to escape the round-up.

While critics in the US congress are threatening to impose sanctions on Saudi Arabia over the Khashoggi affair, they have ignored the criminal war in Yemen being waged by Saudi Arabia, with American political support and military assistance. More than 16,000 people have been killed and many more are in desperate poverty facing disease and starvation.

The trenchant criticism of Trump over the Khashoggi killing is bound up with tactical differences in the US political and military establishment over his unilateral abrogation of the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, which has alienated Americas European allies, and his confrontational stance towards China. The unending allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections are aimed at confronting Russia, rather than China first, as the US seeks to maintain its global dominance. Those who denounce Trump for absolving the Saudi regime without any evidence, have been in the forefront of unsubstantiated accusations of Russian meddling in American politics.

In the end, once the Khashoggi affair has dropped out of the headlines, there is little doubt that Washington will come together to reaffirm relations with Saudi Arabia. A comment yesterday by Financial Times analyst Gideon Rachman was critical of Trumps association with the Saudi crown prince, but concluded do not expect radical shifts in US Middle East policy despite the Khashoggi scandal.

Rachman declared: Without a good relationship with Saudi Arabia, US influence in the Middle East will slide even further The US, which used to be the undisputed kingpin in the region, currently has a much more limited set of relations than Russia. America has cut all channels to Iran, and its relations with Turkey are likely to remain fraught

If the US now carries through on the threat of severe punishment for Saudi Arabia, it will also alienate the Gulf States, and could leave it without any close allies in the regionapart from Israel. For that reason, it is likely that the Trump administration will do its best to limit the diplomatic fallout from the Khashoggi affairand that even Congress will tread carefully. Given the grim realities of realpolitik, it is hard to blame them for that.

The cynical response to the murder of the Saudi journalist is a further warning of the anti-democratic and repressive methods that will be used to silence opposition, not only by autocratic regimes in the Middle East, but by the so-called democracies of the world.Pakistans newly elected Islamic populist government has begun negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on an emergency bailout.

In televised remarks Oct. 10, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Pakistans foreign reserves fell last month to $8.4 billion, which scarcely exceeds the total Islamabad must pay on outstanding government debt in the remainder of 2018, leaving the government no choice but to turn to the IMF. Khan said he would also be seeking financial help from friendly countries, which was universally interpreted to mean China and Saudi Arabia.

Washington, meanwhile, has served notice that it intends to leverage Pakistans current account crisis to disrupt Islamabads longstanding and ever-closer economic and strategic partnership with China, and to pressure Islamabad to bolster its support for the US war in Afghanistan.

According to press reports, Pakistan will request at least $7 billion from the IMF. This is an amount larger than any of the twelve previous loan cum neoliberal economic restructuring agreements that Islamabad has contracted with the IMF during the past three decades.

When in opposition, Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI-Pakistan Movement for Justice) criticized the humiliating terms that the IMF dictated to various Pakistan Muslim League and Peoples Party of Pakistan (PPP) led governments. But with the aim of winning IMF support, Khan and his PTI brought down a mini-budget late last month that was chock-full of austerity measures, quickly putting paid to their populist promises of an Islamic welfare state.

Last Saturday, on his return from the annual IMF-World Bank meeting in Bali, Indonesia, Finance Minister Asad Umar warned of coming painful measures, saying the population should brace itself for an economic slowdown and price rises. Pakistans currency has lost more than 25 percent of its value in US dollar terms over the past year.

The US has dominated the IMF since its founding and has always used IMF loans to pursue its predatory economic and strategic objectives.

What is different today is the extent to which Pakistans economic and strategic crises are intertwined, adding a new explosive charge to each.

During the Cold War, Pakistan came to strategically rest on the twin pillars of Washington and Beijing. But over the past decade this has become increasingly untenable. Not only has US imperialism mounted a massive and ever-widening economic, diplomatic and military-strategic offensive against China whose logic is all-out war. Washington has dramatically downgraded relations with Islamabad, long its principal South Asian ally, so as to woo Pakistans historic arch-rival India and transform it into a frontline state in the US drive against China.

China and Pakistan have responded to the US-India global strategic partnership by strengthening their own economic and strategic ties, as epitomized by the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This in turn has further soured both countries relations with Washington and New Delhi.

Washington sees Pakistans economic troubles as a choice opportunity to strong-arm Islamabad to distance itself from Beijing, including by leveraging resentments within Pakistans venal elite over the distribution of the CPEC spoils and the growing presence of Chinese businesses and exports within the Pakistan economy.

In late July, as Khan and his PTI were preparing to take the reins of power, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that Washington might block IMF assistance to Pakistan, since China and Chinese investors could stand to benefit. Theres no rationale, said Pompeo, for IMF tax dollars, and associated with that American dollars that are part of the IMF funding, for those to go to bail out Chinese bondholders or China itself.

Pompeos remarks were echoed by US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert at a news briefing last Thursday. She said Pakistans request for IMF support would be closely scrutinized, adding that part of the reason that Pakistan (has) found itself in this situation is Chinese debt.

Nauert emphasized that the US has been tracking fairly closely the burgeoning economic ties between China and Pakistan.

Since last fall, Washington and the western media have been mounting an increasingly vitriolic campaign against Beijings Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to counter the US drive to strategically isolate and encircle China by promoting the development of infrastructure links across Eurasia. A key element in this propaganda offensive is the claim that Beijing is seeking to gain strategic and economic leverage over countries by luring them, with the offer of infrastructure projects, into debt traps

The CPEC is an especially important component of the BRIaccording to the London-based Financial Times 85 projects worth as much as $90 billion are in planning stages, under construction or completedand one that has a major strategic thrust.

CPECs flagship project is the development of road, rail and pipeline links between the Pakistani Arabian Sea port of Gwadar and western China. Such a corridor would link China to the oil-rich Middle East and help China to partially offset US plans to impose a blockade on coastal China in the event of a conflict.

Washington is insisting on transparency about all CPEC projects, including their financing, as a condition for any IMF assistance, and the IMF is already taking up cudgels over the issue. Asked about Pakistan during the IMF-World Bank meeting, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said that her organization would insist on absolute transparency about the nature, size and terms of all Pakistans debts, including those related to CPEC projects.

China has said that it has no objections to the IMF gaining access to the financial details of the CPEC. For his part, Pakistan Finance Minster Umar has said that Washingtons claim that Pakistan is being weighed down by debts to China is [a] totally wrong narrative. According to Umar, payments to China account for just $300 million of the current $12 billion hole in Pakistans coming loan payments.

Washingtons other major demand is that Islamabad must assume more of the burden in the Afghan War, by eliminating so-called Taliban and Haqqani Network safe havens in its territory.

Commenting on his meeting last week with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, General Joseph L. Votel, the commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), demanded that Islamabad ensure that there is no movement back and forth across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, and that fighters cant come back into Pakistan to get aid or medical care or other things.

The Pentagon and Trump administration calculate that a ratcheting up of the war by both the US and Pakistan could bloody the Taliban into accepting a negotiated settlement on terms favourable to Washington. Thus Votel combined his insistence that Pakistan intensify military operations in its already war-devastated tribal areas with a call for Islamabad to pressure the Taliban to the bargaining table. They can do this, said the generally currently in overall command of the 17-year long US war in Afghanistan. They can put pressure on [the Taliban] to do this.

With Pakistan tottering on the brink of state bankruptcy and a potential economic collapse, Islamabads long-brewing strategic crisis threatens to come to a head, sparking economic and geopolitical shock waves that would reverberate across the region and beyond.In an interview with Rupert Murdochs Australian last weekend, opposition leader Bill Shorten pledged to extend income tax cuts to the wealthiest layers of society once a Labor government had eliminated the budget deficit.

We would like to do more reform on personal income tax but the budget has to be sustainable, he told the newspaper, in a front-page interview to mark his fifth anniversary as opposition leader since the landslide defeat of the previous Labor government in 2013.

It was the second such announcement in two days. Shorten and shadow treasurer Chris Bowen had called a media conference on Friday to say that Labor would back the Liberal-National Coalition governments move to fast-track multi-billion dollar tax cuts for companies with annual turnovers of up to $50 million.

At an Outlook Conference hosted by the Australian last week Shorten also underscored his support for the wealthy. Quite frankly, I dont mind how rich anyone is. I dont begrudge anyone their financial success, he declared. At the same time, he warned that worsening social inequality was generating acute class tensions. The number of people resentful about what they regard as unfairness in this country is a continuously growing number, he told the gathering.

The Labor Party leaders, backed by the trade unions and assisted by the corporate media, are seeking big business support for the return of another Labor government.

Shortens promises were offered under conditions in which the corporate establishment is increasingly frustrated that the Coalition remains wracked by the divisions that led to the August 24 ousting of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who was replaced by Scott Morrison.

Above all, the capitalist class as a whole is anxiously preparing for the anticipated economic and political shocks to flow from the economic war launched by the US against China, another looming global financial crisis and the potential collapse of the property bubble that has underpinned the economy since 2012.

Saturdays Australian Financial Review editorial warned of the implications for Australian capitalism of US President Donald Trumps aggressive tariffs and other moves against China, Australias largest export market. Under the headline, Australia exposed to Trumps trade and markets tirade, it said the dangers were heightened by the fact that the China boom encouraged households to plough cheap borrowed money into a housing price bubble that is now being deflated.

Comments made by Shorten and Bowen at Fridays media conference lay bare the two-faced character of the campaign being conducted by the Labor Party and its affiliated trade unions in the lead up to the next federal election, which is due to be called before May.

On one hand, they are telling working class voters that a Labor government would end what Shorten calls brutal unfairness and inequality and reverse cuts to public education and health. On the other, they are assuring business leaders they can be relied upon to re-stabilise the political system by containing the discontent.

In a parallel interview with the Australian Financial Review, Shorten touted his five-year survival as Labor Party leader, in contrast to the toppling of two Liberal Party prime ministers, Turnbull and Tony Abbott, during that period. Shorten boasted: Were the party of stability and steadiness.

Shorten said this was important, not only for domestic reasons but to strengthen the US alliance as the tensions intensified with China. The Americans have now had three Liberal prime minsters in five years, he said. If we form a government theyll have one Labor prime minister.

For all Labors posturing about fairness, its embrace of the governments tax cuts means handing billions to business operators and high-income households at the inevitable expense of social spending, including on schools and health services.

Prime Minister Morrison moved last week to bring forward by five years a company tax cut from 30 percent to 25 percent for small and medium-sized businesses, to commence in 2021, at a cost of $3.2 billion. Within 24 hours, Shorten and Bowen announced that a Labor government would do the same.

By further promising income tax cuts for the wealthy, Shorten indicated Labors readiness to also match the governments seven-year plan, announced in the May budget and pushed through parliament in June. This means cuts of $8,350 a year by 202425 for those with household incomes of up to $300,000 a year.

Far from opposing brutal unfairness and inequality, Labor governments have spearheaded the slashing of corporate and high-income tax rates. It was the Hawke and Keating governments of the 1980s and 1990s, working closely with the unions, that began the restructuring of Australian capitalism to make it internationally competitive at the direct expense of the working class.

Those Labor governments reduced the company tax rate more than any other government in Australian historyfrom 49 to 33 percentand likewise cut the top marginal tax rate from 60 percent to 49 percent.

In line with that historical record, Shorten and Bowen are seeking to out-bid the Coalition in their commitment to the financial elite. At Fridays media conference, they said Labor would provide company tax cuts in a more fiscally responsible way. Bowen accused the government of throwing budget responsibility to the winds. He said Labor would pay for the cuts by delaying the rollout of its promised Australian investment guarantee by 12 months.

Labors investment guarantee would allow all companies, including the banks and other large corporations, to deduct from their tax 20 percent of the cost of new assets worth more than $20,000. Bowen said Labor was making a better tax offering to businesses than the government: the same headline rates  but the Australian investment guarantee as well.

These promised handouts to business demonstrate the fraud of Labors claims to be tackling inequality. On October 6, Shorten unveiled Labors election manifestoa five-point fair go action plan focusing on health, education and the soaring cost of living.

In his speech to the Australians Outlook Conference however, Shorten revealed the fear of an eruption of working class unrest that is behind Labors cynical posturing. Too many Australians are at the wrong end of the prosperity equation, he warned. Too many feel that the wealthy and the powerful get the best of the deal, the best healthcare, the best education, in fact, the best of everything And at the moment people see politics as part of the problem, not the solution.

The Australians editor-at-large Paul Kelly commented: Shorten and Bowen came to the Outlook Conference selling two messages: they are economic reformers and they have a campaign strategy that enshrines fairness.

In other words, the task of any Labor government and the trade unions would be to contain and suppress the working class while they intensified the decades of economic reform. Such reform has already left millions of workers and youth finding it increasingly impossible to live, while enabling the super-rich to amass unprecedented wealth.The Washington state Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously struck down the death penalty in that state as invalid, unconstitutional and racially biased. The ruling invalidating the states 37-year-old death penalty law makes Washington the latest in a string of states in recent years to abandon capital punishment.

Governor Jay Inslee had already imposed a moratorium on the states death penalty in 2014. The courts order has now declared that the death sentences of the eight inmates on death row should be converted to life in prison. Because the ruling was based on the unconstitutionality of the death penalty law according to the state constitution, and not the US Constitution, it cannot be appealed to the US Supreme Court.

The death penalty is invalid because it is imposed in an arbitrary and racially biased manner, the Washington justices wrote in their opinion. While this particular case provides an opportunity to specifically address racial disproportionality, the underlying issues that underpin our holding are rooted in the arbitrary manner in which the death penalty is generally administered.

The Supreme Court ruled in an appeal by convicted murderer Allen Eugene Gregory, a black death row inmate. The court did not revisit arguments over Gregorys guilt, noting his murder conviction had already been appealed and confirmed by a second jury.

Gregorys appellate attorneys, Neil Fox and Lila Silverstein, presented arguments in light of a 2012 case, State v. Davis, in which the high court had considered the death penaltys proportionality review to ensure fairness in death sentences, calling on experts to present evidence on the statistical significance of the racial patterns in capital murder trial reports.

Fox and Silverstein commissioned an analysis by University of Washington (UW) sociologists Dr. Katherine Beckett and then-PhD candidate Health Evans, which evaluated all of Washingtons aggravated-murder trial reports from 1981 to 2014 and found widespread bias based on race and location of crime. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting Gregorys appeal, and dozens of former state judges urged the court to overturn the death penalty.

Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst wrote the opinion, in which four justices concurred, (one in result only). The other four justices signed a concurrence agreeing with the majoritys conclusions invalidating the death penalty but adding that other state constitutional factors compel this result.

Writing for the courts majority, Chief Justice Fairhurst said the court concluded that Washingtons death penalty violates the state constitutions prohibition on cruel punishment and lacks fundamental fairness. The opinion referred to the UW analysis, which found significant county-by-county variations in death sentences, and that black defendants are about four times more likely to get the death penalty than white defendants.

The state courts decision was along the lines of US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyers dissenting opinion in Glossip v. Gross, in which he argued that the death penalty in the United States may be unconstitutional, as it violates the Eighth Amendment to the Constitutions prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

Breyer said the death penalty was cruel because of its serious unreliability as shown by convincing evidence  that innocent people have been executed and striking evidence that it has been wrongly imposed on more than 100 innocent men and women. He also said that wrongful convictions were more likely in capital than in non-capital cases, due to public pressure to obtain conviction, anomalies in the jury selection process, flawed forensic testimony, judicial misconduct and other factors.

The death penalty was also cruel, Breyer said, because it failed to distinguish between particularly heinous and less brutal crimes, while being influenced by factors related to race, gender, geography and disparities in resources of capitally charged inmates. He also cited unconscionably long delays that undermine the death penaltys penological purpose.

The Washington decision brings to 20 the number of states that have barred capital punishment. Of 50 US states, 29 have either abolished the death penalty or have not carried out an execution in 10 years, according to the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC). An additional nine states have not carried out the death penalty in the past five years. The District of Columbia, the US military and the federal government have also not had an execution in at least 10 years.

Since the US Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, three statesTexas, Virginia and Floridahave accounted for more than half of the 1,483 executions. Texas has carried out 555 executions, far more than any other state. Texas has carried out 10 executions so far this year and has five scheduled through the end of this year.

But while Texas continues its death penalty pursuit, executions in the US are waning. So far this year, 18 executions have been carried out nationwide, compared to 23 in 2017, 20 in 2016 and 28 in 2015, according to DPIC. Today, 54 percent of Americans support the death penalty, much lower than in the 1990s. As recently as 2007, about twice as many people favored the death penalty as opposed it.

The US has also come under criticism from the European Union and International Criminal Court for its continued use of the death penalty, a practice condemned and outlawed by the vast majority of industrialized nations. European as well as some US suppliers of execution drugs have also made their drugs unavailable for use by states continuing to subscribe to the barbaric practice, forcing states to turn to unregulated compounding pharmacies and other disreputableand secretsources for drugs for lethal injections.

While the US Supreme Court has outlawed the death penalty in cases where a crime has been committed by a juvenile or the mentally impaired, it has consistently upheld the constitutionality of capital punishment as a whole.

With the recent confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh as an associate justice, shifting the nations high court further to the right, it is likely that the Supreme Court will continue to uphold the constitutionality of the death penalty for the foreseeable future.

Kavanaugh has frequently praised deceased Justice Antonin Scalia as his hero and a role model. Scalia, a fervent death penalty supporter, said of capital punishment that death is no big deal, and that no one ever said an execution had to be painless. Kavanaughs addition to the court is poised to cement the high court in the pro-death capital punishment camp, in opposition to growing sentiment in the US and internationally opposing the death penalty.Here is some background information about the bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen on October 12, 2000.

Facts:

In October 2000, the USS Cole was attacked by suicide bombers, while in port in Aden, Yemen, for refueling. The attack was attributed to al Qaeda and foreshadowed the attack on the US less than one year later on September 11, 2001.

Aden al Qaeda Barack Obama Bombings Court trials Defense departments Government and public administration Government bodies and offices International relations and national security Law and legal system Middle East Middle East and North Africa Military Military bases Military operations National security Naval Station Guantanamo Bay North America Political Figures - US Suicide bombings Terrorism Terrorism and counter-terrorism Terrorist attacks Trial and procedure United States Unrest, conflicts and war US Department of Defense US federal departments and agencies US federal government US Navy US Navy bases Yemen Africa Northern Africa Sudan Osama Bin Laden Capital punishment Crime, law enforcement and corrections Criminal law Societal issues Society Fast Facts Business and industry sectors Business, economy and trade Marine transportation Marine vessels September 11 Transportation and warehousing Continents and regions Government departments and authorities Misc organizations Misc people The Americas Armed forces Sentencing

The explosion ripped a hole in the hull of the ship, killing 17 US sailors. Thirty-nine others were injured.

Timeline:

October 12, 2000 - During a refueling stop in the harbor of Aden, the USS Cole is attacked by suicide bombers in a small boat laden with explosives.

October 13, 2000 - The FBI arrives in Yemen to investigate the bombing.

October 16, 2000 - The Yemeni government acknowledges the USS Cole has been the target of a terrorist attack. Initially, it considers the explosion to have been an "accident," set off by a detonation on board the ship.

October 30, 2000 - The USS Cole begins its return to the US, leaving the port of Aden. It is brought back to the US by a Norwegian transport ship.

December 2000 - Yemeni officials arrest suspects Fahd al-Quso and Jamal al-Badawi. Additionally, US and Yemeni officials identify Abd al Rahim al-Nashiri as a key figure in the bombing.

January 9, 2001 - The Department of Defense issues a report on the USS Cole attack which does not assign blame but finds significant shortcomings in security against terrorist attacks.

January 19, 2001 - The results of a Navy investigation are released, concluding that the incident could not have been prevented.

March 1, 2001 - Al-Jazeera broadcasts Osama bin Laden reading a poem mentioning the attack. ''In Aden, the young man stood up for holy war and destroyed a destroyer feared by the powerful.''

June 2001 - A video circulates showing followers of in Laden training in Afghanistan, singing, "We thank God for granting us victory the day we destroyed Cole in the sea."

October 12, 2001 - The USS Cole Memorial dedication ceremony takes place at Norfolk Naval Station.

November 2002 - US officials announce al-Nashiri, an alleged planner of the attack, has been captured and is being interrogated at a secret location.

April 2003 - Pakistani officials announce they have arrested suspected USS Cole attack planner Walid bin Attash, also known as Khallad (or Khalid) bin Attash.

May 15, 2003 - The Justice Department announces indictments against al-Badawi and al-Quso for their roles in the USS Cole attack. Three unindicted co-conspirators are also named: bin Attash, al-Nashiri and bin Laden.

November 29, 2003 - The USS Cole departs on its first overseas deployment since the bombing. The hallway floor on the ship now features 17 stars, one for each of the sailors killed.

July 2004 - Yemen charges six men in the Cole bombing. Five accused in court are al-Badawi, Maamoun Msouh, al-Quso, Ali Mohamed Saleh and Murad al-Sirouri. Al-Nashiri will be tried in absentia as he is in US custody. Also, the judge names two of the suicide bombers for the first time, Ibrahim al-Thawr and Abdullah al-Misawa.

July 16, 2004 - Family members of the sailors killed file a lawsuit against Sudan for more than $100 million, alleging the Sudanese government provided support that allowed al Qaeda to attack the USS Cole.

September 29, 2004 - A Yemen judge sentences al-Badawi and al-Nashiri to death for organizing the attack on the USS Cole. Al-Quso is given a 10-year jail sentence, Maamoun Msouh, eight years, and both Saleh and al-Sirouri are given five year sentences. Yemeni authorities say all six defendants belong to the al-Qaeda network.

February 26, 2005 - A Yemeni appeals court reduces Jamal al-Badawi's death sentence to 15 years in jail but upholds the death sentence against Abd al Rahim al-Nashiri. The court also reduces Maamoun Msouh's sentence from eight to five years.

February 3, 2006 - Interpol announces Jamal al-Badawi's escape from jail.

September 2006 - Al-Nashiri, who has been held at various undisclosed locations by the CIA, is transferred to Guantanamo Bay prison.

March 19, 2007 - Hearing transcripts are released by the Defense Department in which bin Attash confesses to his role in the attack.

March 2007 - Pentagon transcripts of a military tribunal are released in which al-Nashiri claims he made a false confession because he was tortured. The CIA has previously admitted al-Nashiri was among terrorist suspects subjected to waterboarding while being interrogated.

March 14, 2007 - Ruling at the end of a two day civil bench trial, US District Judge Robert Doumar finds Sudan liable for the USS Cole attack.

July 25, 2007 - Judge Doumar orders the Sudanese government to pay close to $8 million to the families of the sailors killed.

June 30, 2008 - US military prosecutors charge Guantanamo detainee al-Nashiri with murder for allegedly planning the attack on the USS Cole. Al-Nashiri is the first alleged Cole plotter charged by the US, and has been in US custody since 2002.

December 19, 2008 - The Defense Dept. formally approves war crimes charges against al-Nashiri. Al-Nashiri has been imprisoned at Guantanamo since 2006.

February 5, 2009 - Susan J. Crawford, the top legal authority for trials at Guantanamo, drops all charges against al-Nashiri to uphold President Barack Obama's executive order freezing pending cases. The suspect remains in prison and may face new charges.

February 6, 2009 - Obama meets relatives of victims of the Cole bombing and September 11th attacks to explain his rationale for ordering the Guantanamo detention center to be closed and delay the military trials of terrorist suspects being held there.

2010 - Fifteen injured sailors and three surviving spouses file a federal lawsuit claiming the Sudanese government provided material support to the terrorists responsible for the attack. According to the plaintiffs, the Republic of Sudan provided funding, training and additional support to al Qaeda. They are seeking assets in Sudanese banks to compensate for the injuries and deaths.

April 20, 2011 - The Defense Department announces new charges against al-Nashiri: planning the attack on the USS Cole in 2000, the attempted attack on the USS The Sullivans in 2000 and the attack on the French oil tanker MV Limburg in 2002. He faces the death penalty.

November 9, 2011 - Al-Nashiri's trial begins at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

March 30, 2012 - The US District Court issues a final judgment awarding $314,705,896 in compensatory and punitive damages to the plaintiffs who filed suit again the Sudanese government for their role in assisting the terrorists in the execution of the USS Cole bombing.

January 2014 - The Republic of Sudan appeals the decision made by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals claiming it was not properly alerted to the plaintiff's claims, and the proper procedures were not followed.

September 23, 2015 - The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals denies the Sudanese government's appeal and orders Sudanese bank assets to be turned over.

November 1, 2017 - The military judge, Air Force Col. Vance Spath, finds the chief defense counsel, Marine Brigadier General John Baker, guilty of contempt for disobeying orders after he excused the three defense attorneys who quit in October. Baker is sentenced to 21 days confinement and is fined.

June 18, 2018 - Baker's conviction is overturned in federal court.

January 1, 2019 - Al-Badawi is killed during an airstrike in Yemen according to a statement from US Central Command.

Casualties:

Hull Maintenance Technician Second Class Kenneth Eugene Clodfelter, 21

Electronics Technician Chief Petty Officer Richard Costelow, 35

Mess Management Specialist Seaman Lakeina Monique Francis, 19

Information Systems Technician Timothy Lee Gauna, 21

Signalman Seaman Cherone Louis Gunn, 22

Seaman James Rodrick McDaniels, 19

Engineman Second Class Marc Ian Nieto, 24

Electronics Warfare Technician Second Class Ronald Scott Owens, 24

Seaman Lakiba Nicole Palmer, 22

Engineman Fireman Joshua Langdon Parlett, 19

Fireman Patrick Howard Roy, 19

Electronics Warfare Technician First Class Kevin Shawn Rux, 30

Mess Management Specialist Third Class Ronchester Manangan Santiago, 22

Operations Specialist Second Class Timothy Lamont Saunders, 32

Fireman Gary Graham Swenchonis Jr., 26

Ensign Andrew Triplett, 31

Seaman Craig Bryan Wibberley, 19In Europe, a shadow conflict is capturing headlines: The Salisbury poisonings and the unmasking of alleged Russian agents in the Netherlands suggest a return to Cold War-style spy games between Russia and the West.

In Ukraine, the picture is more stark. A hot war is continuing in the eastern Donbas region, and the conflict between Moscow and Kiev appears set to escalate.

The latest flashpoint? Ukraine's bid for greater spiritual independence from Russia.

On Monday, the Russian Orthodox Church broke ties with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, the titular head of Orthodox Christianity, after Ukraine secured approval last week to establish an independent Orthodox church.

That move drew immediate condemnation from Russia, which said the decision set the stage for a potential split within the global Orthodox community.

On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin presided over a meeting of his Security Council on the matter.

Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesperson, said the Kremlin was "extremely concerned," adding: "If the current situation leans into the realm of illegal actions, then, of course, just like Russia protects the interests of Russian speakers, then likewise -- and Putin has said this many times -- Russia will protect the interests of Orthodox Christians."

Such words carry weight. In 2014, Putin justified the Crimea intervention as defending the interests of ethnic Russians. The occupation of Crimea set in motion the war in eastern Ukraine, which has claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people. And Washington is not a bystander in that conflict.

For starters, the US maintains that Russia is the aggressor. Speaking Friday with reporters in Rome, Kurt Volker, the Trump administration's point man on Ukraine, said the separatist forces in eastern Ukraine were "100% under Russia's command and control," despite Moscow's insistence that the war in Donbas is a local uprising.

'All from Russia'

"There shouldn't be any ambiguity about that," Volker said, according to a transcript. "You have military forces that are led by active duty Russian military personnel. Russian officers are embedded through the chain of command down to the company level. Russia pays for contract soldiers to then fill out the whole military force and this goes to a Russian firm -- that then hires the soldiers and provides them to the Donbas. The training, the equipment, the troop rotations, the supplies -- all of this comes directly from Russia."

And Washington has matched strong words with a deepening military partnership with Kiev.

Last week, the US Air Force kicked off a military exercise in Ukraine, primarily at Ukraine's Starokostiantyniv Air Base. The so-called Clear Sky exercise will include F-15C Eagle fighters, KC-135 aerial refueling tankers and MQ-9 Reaper drones operating from Miroslawiec Air Base in Poland.

Ukraine may not be a NATO member, but the Ukrainian government aspires to NATO membership. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said such exercises would bring Ukraine's military into closer cooperation with the transatlantic alliance.

"The purpose of the exercises is to increase the level of interoperability of our combat aircraft with the air forces of the United States and other member states of the alliance," he said. "Five years ago, our planes rusted on the ground and military pilots forgot about the sky. But today, each of you has an opportunity to see the professional skills of our pilots  soldiers, who carry out difficult tasks on an equal footing with their foreign counterparts."

NATO membership for Ukraine is a red line for Putin, who has said he considers expansion of the alliance a form of aggression. And the US further riled the Kremlin earlier this year, when it delivered Javelin antitank weapons to Ukraine to step up the country's military capability.

The Trump administration's support for Ukraine has undergone something of an evolution, however. Senior officials have consistently stated that the US government does not see Russia's annexation of the peninsula as legitimate, and the US government and its European allies have maintained sanctions on Russia since the annexation of Crimea.

But both before and after taking office, President Donald Trump made statements that appeared to cast doubt on his commitment to Ukraine's claims over the peninsula, both blaming the Obama administration for losing the peninsula and suggesting the people of Crimea would rather be in Russia.

The issue of arming Ukraine has also not been clear-cut. While the Republican presidential platform was being drafted in 2016, Trump campaign officials watered down language about supplying lethal aid to Ukraine. Speculation immediately fell to the possible role of Paul Manafort, then the chairman of the Trump presidential campaign: He had done years of lobbying work for the pro-Russian political party of Ukraine's then-president, Viktor Yanukovych.

Yanukovych fled Ukraine for Russia in February 2014 after street demonstrations toppled his government. Manafort was convicted in August on tax fraud and bank fraud charges, and his legal ordeal is not over.

Harder line

Against that background, Trump administration officials have been maintaining a harder line on Russia's role in Ukraine.

On Friday, the US Embassy in Kiev posted a link to images taken with a drone over eastern Ukraine by monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's special monitoring mission to Ukraine, an unarmed, civilian mission that monitors the conflict. The drone observed vehicles, including a truck carrying an armored personnel carrier, going in and out of Ukrainian territory through an unpaved road in a rebel-held area near the border with Russia.

"Russia must stop providing deadly weapons under cover of night to its proxies in eastern Ukraine," the US embassy said on Twitter. "These weapons, including those @OSCE_SMM spotted by UAV, kill soldiers & civilians alike. Only Russia can bring an end to bloodshed in Ukraine."

In Minsk on Monday, Moscow Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, convened a synod to respond to the latest developments over Ukraine's move to distance itself from the Russian church.

Ahead of the meeting, Kirill met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russia.

"A schism is always bad," Lukashenko said, according to a statement released by the Moscow Patriarchate. "And its consequences are the most dangerous."INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  A legislative study committee failed to forward a recommendation regarding whether Indiana should create a hate crimes law, despite Republican Gov. Eric Holcombs support for such a law.

The Study Committee on Corrections and Criminal Code heard four hours of testimony Wednesday before approving a final report that said some members support a bias-motivated criminal statute and some dont, The Journal Gazette reported .

Republican Rep. Tom Washburne of Inglefield said draft legislation wasnt specifically called for. Washburne said the testimony will help lawmakers when the 2019 session begins.

Democratic Rep. Matt Pierce of Bloomington said the committee couldve done more.

If we wanted to, we could make stronger and detailed recommendations, he said. The idea is to break the logjam.

In July, Holcomb called on lawmakers to pass a hate crimes law during the 2019 legislative session after anti-Semitic graffiti was spray-painted at a suburban Indianapolis synagogue.

Indiana is one of only five states without an explicit hate crimes law. The laws typically enhance the severity of a crime, making a level 5 battery crime a level 4 battery crime if bias or hate was found to be a motivating factor.

Opponents to such laws raise concerns about the number of protected characteristics there could be.

We oppose a hate crimes bill on the grounds that it is divisive, said Al Parsons, of the Coalition of Central Indiana Tea Parties. We believe its un-American.

David Sklar, of the Jewish Community Relations Commission, said hate crime laws arent exclusionary and can apply to everyone.

We all have a religion or a sex or a race, he said.

___Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, are expecting their first child, the UK's royal family announced Monday as the couple arrived in Australia for their first tour overseas.

The tour will include visits to Tonga and Fiji, which both carry risk of the Zika virus, a cause of birth defects.

Celebrities Diseases and disorders Health and health care (by demographic group) Health and medical Infectious diseases Maternal and child health Medical fields and specialties Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Mosquito-borne diseases Obstetrics and gynecology Pregnancy and childbirth Women's health Zika virus Life forms Microscopic life Viruses Continents and regions Fiji Melanesia Oceania Polynesia Tonga Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Government organizations - US Public health US Department of Health and Human Services US federal departments and agencies Animals Insects and arachnids Mosquitoes

Kensington Palace considered medical issues before Meghan left for her trip, a royal source said Monday, but the couple did not make any changes to their schedule.

The World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise against travel to both islands while pregnant. The UK Foreign Office suggests that women consider postponing nonessential travel until after pregnancy.

The CDC classifies Fiji and Tonga as being "areas with risk of Zika infection." WHO places Tonga in risk category 1, an area with new introduction or ongoing transmission, and Fiji in category 2, an area of evidence of the virus circulating before 2015 or ongoing transmission.

The WHO Zika virus country classification scheme is under review and revision.

In 2018, Fiji has not reported any cases of Zika, and one case was confirmed in 2017, according to its Ministry of Health. No cases of complications linked to Zika have been reported in either 2017 or 2018.

"In these countries there is some risk but not high risk," said Adam Kucharski, associate professor and epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Kurcharski explained that both Tonga and Fiji saw most of their cases of Zika reported in 2016 and that the current level of risk is lower than it was then. "There's still potential, but it's lower than it was," he said, adding that with any risk, it's good to seek medical and travel advise.

Infection with Zika during pregnancy has been linked to miscarriage and stillbirth, and can cause babies to be born with microcephaly (a smaller than usual head size indicating incomplete brain development), vision problems or neurological defects. The CDC estimates that one in seven babies exposed to Zika has health problems.

The virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. It can also spread through unprotected sex with an infected person, even if that person is not showing symptoms. It could also spread through blood transfusions.

Zika virus can be transmitted by a pregnant woman to her fetus, but the likelihood of an infection affecting pregnancy or causing birth defects is unknown, according to the CDC. The full range of health effects during pregnancy is also unknown, the agency says.

If pregnant women find themselves in a region affected by Zika, experts advise they take steps to prevent mosquito bites -- such as wearing covered clothing and using insect repellants and mosquito nets -- and use condoms or abstain from intercourse during the entire pregnancy.

When going to or in affected regions, it's "good to still be vigilant," Kurcharski said, by evaluating the risks, seeking advise and taking precautions.

Most people infected with the Zika virus won't have symptoms. Symptoms typically appear a few days to a week after exposure, although the precise incubation period is not known, according to the CDC.

Fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (pink eye) are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also experience muscle pain or headaches. The major concern remains among pregnant women.

As of March, the CDC estimated that at least 90 countries and territories had active Zika virus transmissions.

People in Brazil and other parts of South and Central America became infected when Zika first appeared in the Western Hemisphere in 2015.

This has provided a natural "herd immunity" -- infected once, people are not likely to get infected a second time -- and so a major outbreak in these regions any time soon is not likely, said Dr. Albert Ko, a professor of infectious diseases at the Yale School of Public Health in a previous report.

Kurcharski agreed that most areas saw outbreaks in 2016 to 2017 and seeing fewer cases now.

Globally, Zika virus transmission peaked in 2015-16 and has continued to decline throughout 2017 and 2018, according to WHO. Many areas in the Pacific have evidence of interrupted transmission or report rare or sporadic cases. The UN agency also stresses the importance of vigilance in monitoring the emergence, re-emergence and global spread of Zika virus infection to protect women and infants worldwide.

No vaccine for the virus is available, but clinical trials are being conducted.

A recent report predicted that changes in climate are aiding the spread of mosquito-borne diseases by affecting not just the distribution of insects like mosquitoes but also how quickly viruses replicate within them and how long the bugs live. All of that might have contributed to recent Zika virus outbreaks, according to the CDC.The US military said Tuesday that an October 12 US "precision airstrike" near Harardhere, Somalia killed some 60 al Qaeda-affiliated fighters.

"We currently assess this airstrike killed approximately 60 terrorists," US Africa Command which oversees US military operations on the continent said in a statement.

Africa Al-Shabaab Armed forces Bombings Continents and regions Eastern Africa Military Military operations Misc organizations North America Somalia The Americas United States Unrest, conflicts and war War casualties

Two US defense officials told CNN the strike was carried out by an unmanned drone.

The statement added that Africa Command currently assesses that no civilians were killed or injured in the strike.

The strike targeted the militants associated with the group al-Shabaab, al Qaeda's largest affiliate.

Africa Command said Friday's strike "was the largest airstrike against al-Shabaab since November 21, 2017, when US forces conducted an airstrike against an al-Shabaab camp killing approximately 100 terrorists."

While the US has conducted 27 airstrikes against al-Shabaab in 2018, though usually the strikes target small groups of militants.

A "collective self-defense" strike on Sunday killed four al-Shabaab fighters after a US-backed local partner force came under attack near Araara, Somalia.

In March of 2017, President Donald Trump authorized the US military to carry out precision strikes targeting al-Shabaab in an effort to bolster the Federal Government of Somalia.

Prior to that the US military was only authorized to carry out airstrikes in self-defense of advisers on the ground.

The US has some 500 troops in Somalia, primarily in advisory roles.ALCORN COUNTY, Miss. (WTVA) - A FedEx employee who was attacked by a pit bull on Friday is still recovering in the hospital, according to authorities.

Alcorn County Sheriff Ben Caldwell says the victim was injured in the face and head area while delivering mail to a home on County Road 192.

It was pitiful, had blood all the side of his face," said Michael Worley, who helped the injured employee. "Part of his nose was torn out, his head was cut.

Worley then when to get bandages to help the worker and says a nurse who lives nearby came to help.

WTVA spoke to the dog's owner, who was called home straight away.

I thought I walked into a nightmare. I was about ready to cry," said David Dishman. "All I could think about was how bad I felt for the person that was injured.

Dishman says his 10-year-old dog, named Charlie, is fine around his baby daughter.

I just dont know what could have happened to make him want to bite somebody, he was severely hurt by these dogs across the street," said Dishman. "Hes got a lot of cuts and scrapes on him.

According to the family, the dog got into a fight with other dogs the same day of the attack. Dishman shared that the pit bull was later let out of the house by a health care worker who came to care for his daughter.

Hed lick you to death, never had he done something like this, said Worley of the incident.

Right now, the family has a Go Fund Me page set up for legal expenses if needed, and if none are needed, they want the funds to go to the victim.

Were heartbroken, were heartbroken for him and were heartbroken were just worrying ourselves to death and praying that God gets us through it, said the owner.

Sheriff Ben Caldwell says the fate of the dog is left up to the Corinth Alcorn Animal Shelter. The victim's current condition has not been released.Update 10/17/18

The two murder suspects appeared before a Lowndes County judge Wednesday. No bond was set. Their preliminary hearing is set for October 25.

(L-R): Hill, Slayton | Photo: Columbus PD

Victoria Slayton & Malcolm Hill appear before a Lowndes County judge. Victoria Slayton & Malcolm Hill appear before a Lowndes County judge. (L-R): Hill, Slayton | Photo: Columbus PD

See the original post below.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) - Columbus police have charged two people with capital murder for the recent death of a man.

Markcus Maurice Pate, 34, was found dead Saturday morning in an apartment in the 300 block of 11th Street South. He had been shot in the head.

RELATED: Columbus police investigate homicide after body discovered

On Tuesday, Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton held a press conference where he announced the arrests of Malcolm Hill, 25, and Victoria Slayton, 23.

Hill is from Okolona. Slayton is from Columbus.

District Attorney Scott Colom says the two conspired to commit an armed robbery. Shelton says that drugs were involved and the two suspects knew the victim.Country

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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of ZimbabweWORLAND Absentee voting is underway in Washakie County ahead of the Nov. 6 general election.

County Clerk Mary Grace Strauch reports that there are currently 3,927 registered voters in the county, and, so far, 362 absentee ballots have been sent out and 203 have been returned.

Absentee voting continues until Nov. 5.

Strauch also reminds voters that registration is best done at the office of the clerk or city, as there is no verified way to register or vote online, despite many online o...CHEYENNE  Mail-in ballots arent a foreign concept to Wyoming.

CHEYENNE  Mail-in ballots arent a foreign concept to Wyoming.

Theyre used for voting in special district elections. If an election needs to be run again, mail-in ballots can be used. And 31 percent of voters used absentee ballots in 2016  what some have called a de facto mail-in ballot.

But its been difficult for a bill allowing counties to choose to switch every election over to...WME parent company Endeavor is preparing to withdraw from its $400 million deal with the Saudi Arabian government.

An individual with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap the company is in the process of pulling out of its deal, though the logistics have not been resolved.

Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel said on Monday that he was personally really concerned about the situation in Saudi Arabia in which dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi had gone missing on Oct. 2 after entering a Turkish embassy and is presumed dead.

Last week, a person with knowledge of the situation and Endeavors involvement, told TheWrap that the company was assessing its relation to the Saudi government.

Endeavor declined to comment.

Also Read: John Oliver Piledrives WWE Over Saudi Arabia Ties (Video)

Earlier this year, The Public Investment Fund  the kingdoms major sovereign wealth vehicle  struck a deal with Endeavor to buy a stake of less than 10 percent in the talent and media company for at least $400 million.

Khashoggi s disappearance has cast a shadow on the deal and could put the agencys clients in an awkward position. WME boasts many of TV and print journalisms highest-profile names, including Ronan Farrow, Soledad OBrien and Lawrence ODonnell.

Endeavor isnt the only major industry player in business with the Saudis. AMC Theaters struck a lucrative deal to build the kingdoms first-ever movie theater in April. The company has plans to open 40 more theaters in the kingdom within the next five years with the aim to reach 100 locations by 2030. WWE and Penske Media Corporation also have business with the Saudi government.

Also Read: STX Entertainment CEO Robert Simonds Withdraws From Saudi Conference Amid Khashoggi Disappearance

Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and Washington Post columnist, has been a prominent Saudi journalist and has been a critic of the crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. Since his disappearance top Turkish security officials have determined that he was assassinated on orders from the highest levels of the royal court. The Saudi government maintains that he left the consulate soon after he arrived and is not in their custody.

Story continues

News of his disappearance and possible murder prompted a growing number of media companies and executives to drop out of the the Future Investment Initiative, which will be held Oct. 23-25 in Riyadh. That includes Viacom CEO Bob Bakish, New York Times columnist and CNBC anchor Andrew Ross Sorkin, The Economist editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes, and Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong. Similarly, The New York Times announced it would no longer be a media partner of the event.

The Hollywood Reporter first reported that Endeavor is exiting its Saudi Arabia deal.

Itay Hod contributed to this report.

Read original story Endeavor to Exit $400 Million Saudi Arabia Investment Deal At TheWrapOn Wednesday, October 17th, Canada will become the second country in the world where marijuana is legal on a national level, as Bill C-45, approved by Parliament in June, goes into effect. Adults will be able to possess up to 30 grams of pot and grow as many as four plants of any size per household; otherwise, additional regulations maybe be enacted at the province level.

Americans who are planning to travel to the country in the near future should know that it wont be a complete cannabis free-for-all  fewer than 200 retailers country-wide will be open for business on Day One. On the West Coast, British Columbia will have just one government-run marijuana store, in the city of Kamloops, to start. On the east coast, Montreal will have quite a few more options, with 12 marijuana shops set to open on Wednesday, and another three to follow by the end of the month. By the end of the year, there will be 20 cannabis stores up and running across Quebec, all of which will be monopolized by the government-run Societe Quebecoise du Cannabis (SQDC), an offshoot of the governments liquor store monopoly. While Quebec has handed control over to the local government, other provinces are planning to spread the wealth and issuing licenses to private distributors.

The range in regulations from province to province, city to city, and even municipality to municipality has created some confusion over what exactly is legal, and for whom. While the national law legalize marijuana purchases for anyone over the age of 18, some provinces have increased the age to 19, like British Columbia, while the incoming government administration in Quebec, led by conservative Francois Legault, has indicated they plan to raise the minimum age to 21 and has already banned home-growing, as has Manitoba.

For now, consumption in public spaces will also be technically legal in Quebec, with exceptions, like wherever tobacco smoking is prohibited. However, just as individual provinces have been given certain regulatory powers, so have individual cities, some of which have chosen to ban public consumption entirely. Montreal isnt one of them; however, five municipalities in which the conservative opposition party controls local councils have enacted bylaws that prohibit public use entirely. Both B.C. and Quebec permit online sales and marijuana delivery through the SQDC website, but only Canadian addresses are allowed and the purchaser must be able to show ID proving theyre of legal age.

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One thing that isnt legal yet is the sale and distribution of marijuana edibles  while the federal law allows people to make their own marijuana-infused food at home, the rules around packaged edibles have not yet been tackled and arent expected to be implemented for at least another year. For now, only dried cannabis and cannabis oil will be sold from licensed stores.

We understand the complexity of edibles and we want to make sure that we have the regulations in place to keep Canadian safe, said Bill Blair, Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, on CTV News.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has already been clear that Canadians who are caught at the border with marijuana could be banned from the country for life, as could those members of the industry who are upfront about traveling to the states on business. While U.S. residents traveling to Canada wont face the same level of inquiry when crossing the border, returning to the states with legally purchased marijuana is absolutely illegal and not advised.'That's treason!' Candidates clash over Taliban comment at Arizona Senate debate originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

The only debate in the Arizona Senate race ended with fireworks as Republican nominee Rep. Martha McSally accused her Democratic opponent Rep. Kyrsten Sinema of treason Monday night.

The slam came in reference to a 2003 video clip that was unearthed wherein Sinema said that she wouldn't care if an American joined the Taliban.

"That's treason!" McSally nearly screamed, looking directly at Sinema.

PHOTO: Rep. Kyrsten Sinema is the Democrat running for the open Arizona Senate seat. (Meghan Keneally/ABC)

"This is the definition of treason, saying its OK for Americans to join our enemy!" she added.

Sinema deflected, saying McSally is "just trying to cut, cut, cut and not share the whole picture."

"Marthas trying to make this Senate campaign about me," Sinema said on stage. In a gaggle with reporters afterward, Sinema called the claims "ridiculous."

View from the moderators desk ahead of the #AZSENdebate pic.twitter.com/ErjVKMWYG0  Meghan Keneally (@mkeneally) October 16, 2018

That capped off a debate that was filled with a lot of she-said, she-saids, with the two candidates saying that their opponent was miscasting their stance on any number of issues, including health care, Medicare, social security, military cuts, tax cuts and cuts to coverage for pre-existing conditions.

(MORE: Arizona Senate race: Kyrsten Sinema and Martha McSally battle to be the next senator in 'cowboy country')

Both candidates needed to be pressed for answers at different points in the debate.

For Sinema, that came early on, when she had to be asked three times how she would have voted if she were in the Senate for the Kavanaugh confirmation vote. She eventually said that she would have voted "no."

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For McSally, she was pressed to be direct in whether or not she supports the Trump administration's implementation of the separation of families at the border. She said that no one wants to see families separated but we need to enforce the laws, so Congress should change the laws.

PHOTO: Rep. Martha McSally along with former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, right, answers questions from the media during a Get Out the Vote Rally at the Gilbert Falls Event Center in Gilbert, Ariz., Oct. 12, 2018. (Darryl Webb/AP)

"The reality is the cartels know right now if you show up with a kid, youre going to be let go," McSally said.

One interesting point of comparison came when they addressed how they would dealt with President Donald Trump.

McSally, who spent much of the primary aligning herself with Trump and noted in her opening Monday night that she's looking forward to "hosting" Trump when he comes to Mesa on Friday as part of his western swing, was asked if she was proud of the president and his behavior.

(MORE: Arizona Senate race's negative ad blitz takes a nuclear turn)

"President Trump ran for president one time and won, and hes a disrupter ... were seeing the results form that. ... Hes disrupting things for sure in Washington, D.C., but providing more opportunities for Americans," she said.

"I am proud that he has gone to the White House and he is leading the country in the right direction," she said, adding, "He didn't need to be doing this. I've gotten to know him over the past year and a half and he loves America."

Sinema, who has been casting herself as a moderate and has voted with the administration 62 percent of the time, according to ABC News partner FiveThirtyEight, said that she would vote according to how his laws impact Arizonans and not based on party lines.

"When the president is doing something right, support him, when he's doing something wrong, oppose it," Sinema said.

PHOTO: In this Aug. 28, 2018, file photo, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., talks to campaign volunteers at a Democratic campaign office in Phoenix. (AP)

Many Arizonans see this race -- and their support for either candidate -- as a referendum on the president and his agenda.

George Bingham is a Republican from Arizona who was handing out McSally posters at a rally held for her with Mitt Romney in Gilbert on Friday. Bingham said that he sees this as a huge, huge election that has implications that extend far beyond Arizona.

We have a president that needs all the Republican support that he can get in the Senate, Bingham said.

If he wants to get his agenda done, hes going to need every Republican senator, he said.

Pam Potter, a college professor who was knocking on doors over the weekend in Peoria on behalf of Democratic candidates, including Sinema, said she thinks this Senate race is one of the really important ones this cycle.

FILE--In this Oct. 12, 2018, file photo, U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., addresses her constituents during a Get Out the Vote Rally in Gilbert, Ariz. Democrat Kyrsten Sinema and McSally will confront each other at a debate Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, i (The Associated Press)

(MORE: Arizona GOPers don't seem to care about Flake demanding Kavanaugh probe, but still glad he's going)

Right now, we have a president unchecked. Right now they [Republicans] have all the houses, Potter said.

Kyrsten specifically is a moderate Democrat. She is ready to work on the issues rather than a partisan stance, she added.

Monday's debate comes five days after early voting started in Arizona, as the state votes in a tight race to fill the seat being left open by Sen. Jeff Flake.Civil rights groups may seek emergency relief in Georgia voter registration brawl originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

A coalition of civil rights groups may seek emergency relief to block Georgia's controversial "exact match" voter registration rules in time for next months midterm elections, Bryan Sells, an attorney for the coalition, told ABC News on Monday.

In a federal lawsuit filed on Thursday, the coalition claimed that a law implemented by Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp put over 50,000 new voter registration applications on hold because the registration forms did not exactly match data on file with government agencies.

Under the new law, even a missed hyphen or a nickname inconsistency can stall an application.

The plaintiffs called the law discriminatory, claiming that according to a preliminary review by the Georgia secretary of states office, 80 percent of stalled applications were from African-Americans, Latinos and Asian-Americans, and only 9.8 percent were submitted by applicants identifying as White.

PHOTO: I voted stickers are displayed on a voting machine at Brookwood Baptist Church on Dec. 12, 2017 in Mountain Brook, Ala. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Kemp is in charge of elections in Georgia and is also a candidate for governor. The controversy has become especially salient in this supercharged election season.

"They are faking outrage to drive voters to the polls in Georgia," Kemp spokesman Ryan Mahoney told the Associated Press on Sunday. "The 53,000 'pending' voters can cast a ballot just like any other Georgia voter."

The spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from ABC News.

The controversy heated up over the weekend when a college student confronted Georgia GOP Sen. David Perdue while he was campaigning for Kemp. The student accused Perdue of ripping the student's cellphone out of his hand in the midst of a video recording.

Perdue spokeswoman Casey Black said, "The senator clearly thought he was being asked to take a picture, and he went to take a selfie as he often does. When he realized they didnt actually want to take a picture, he gave the phone back."

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(MORE: How to register to vote in the November 6 midterm elections)

Kemp's opponent, Stacey Abrams, who could become the nations first black female governor, has accused Kemp of voter suppression.

"When you know what you're doing will have a disproportionate effect on people of color and on women, and you do it anyway that erodes the public trust in the system and that's problematic," Abrams said on Fox News on Monday.

An investigation by the Associated Press found that nearly 70 percent of the registration applications now in limbo are from blacks, even though only 32 percent of the state's voters are black.

"These numbers that have been reported in the media and that are contained in our complaint are dramatic and raise all kinds of red flags," said Sells.

The lawsuit could take years to resolve on the merits, said Sells, "but we are still considering our options for protecting voters in time for the 2018 elections." His clients might seek a preliminary or temporary injunction in the coming days, he told ABC News.

PHOTO: Voters wait in line at the polls to cast their ballot in the national election on Nov. 8, 2016 in New York. (Noam Galai/Getty Images)

Richard Briffault, a law professor at Columbia Law School who is not involved in the case, said that it is hard to predict which side will prevail in court.

(MORE: Sen. David Perdue rips phone out of student's hand as he's asking question)

"There are no clear-cut rules on this," he said. "State agencies have wide discretion over how to deal with minor inconsistencies in the way people identify themselves, like using or not using a middle initial or nickname."

Briffault explained that if the rules are "tough across the board, you are less likely to see discrimination."

But "if the rules are racially biased," they might violate federal law, Briffault said. For example, courts might consider if the vast majority of new registrants impacted by these stricter rules are minorities.

For now, Georgia voters whose registrations are "pending" will not be able to cast a ballot by mail and could be removed from voter rolls if they do not vote in-person in this upcoming election, according to the plaintiffs. Applicants will have 26 months to "cure" their no-match result.

Sells hopes that potential voters are not deterred. "Most of these voters will still be able to vote if they show up to the polls with a voter ID," he said.Police searching for suspects after brawl following right-wing Proud Boys event in New York

Police searching for suspects after brawl following right-wing Proud Boys event in New York originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

Police released photos of three men allegedly involved in a violent clash between right- and left-wing protesters in New York City last week.

Investigators with the New York Police Department said the three took part in a brawl Friday night between protesters and members of the right-wing Proud Boys organization, which has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Police said two of the people wanted for questioning were seen kicking a victim lying on the sidewalk and the other was observed punching a victim who was trying to run away.

At a press conference on Monday, NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea described the incident.

Six protesters, wearing black clothing and masks, had circled back to confront Proud Boys who were walking south from the Metropolitan Republican Club after a speaking event, Shea said.

"It's an active investigation," Shea added. "We are identifying additional people involved."

It appears on video, and Shea confirmed, that one of the black-clothed individuals appears to have thrown a bottle toward a group of Proud Boys, which ignited the brawl near 81st Street and Park Avenue. Police are searching for nine or 10 individuals against whom they may bring charags "of riot or attemped assault."

PHOTO: Police are searching for three suspects in NYC, including one who allegedly punched a victim on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018. (NYPD)

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged witnesses to speak up if they had any information about the fight.

"The NYPD is fully investigating last night's attack involving the Proud Boys. If you know anything, the NYPD wants your help," de Blasio said in a statement. "Hate is never welcome in NYC and we will punish those responsible -- whether they threw punches or incited violence -- to the fullest extent of the law."

Cuomo struck a more pointed tone in his statement and called out the Proud Boys by name.

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(MORE: Hate, white supremacist propaganda at high level since Charlottesville: Experts)

"Hate cannot and will not be tolerated in New York. Here's a message from a Queens boy to the so-called 'proud boys' -- NY has zero tolerance for your bs, the governor wrote in a tweet.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit legal advocacy organization that monitors extremist activity, classifies the Proud Boys as a hate group due to its alleged use of anti-Muslim and white nationalist rhetoric. The Proud Boys group describes itself as "western chauvinists," but it denies ties to the racist "alt-right" movement.

PHOTO: Investigators say three men may have been a part a nasty brawl between two groups of protesters on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018. (NYPD)

Chaos erupted near the Metropolitan Republican Club in New York City a little after 8 p.m. Friday as demonstrators gathered to protest a speech there by Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes.

The club said some protesters threw glass bottles at attendees as they exited the venue.

"Gavin's talk on Friday night, while at times was politically incorrect and a bit edgy, was certainly not inciting violence," the Metropolitan Republican Club wrote in a statement, noting that its building had been vandalized ahead of the event.

PHOTO: Police say the men were allegedly involved in a violent clash between right- and left-wing protesters on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018. (NYPD)

Three others were already arrested in connection to the incident.

Finbarr Slonim, 20, of Manhattan, and Kai Russo, 20, of Brooklyn, were arrested in the wake of the event on robbery and assault charges, according to police. A third man, 35-year-old Caleb Perkins, of Manhattan, was arrested and charged with robbery, assault and resisting arrest.

Investigators released video from the scene on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, showing the wanted men throwing punches as others cheered "USA" in the background. Officials said they could not confirm whether those arrested were associated with a particular group.

(MORE: At Trump rallies, uneasy mix of hate, friendliness toward media: Reporter's notebook)

Police said they were wanted for questioning and no charges have been filed.

"We continue to investigate the violent incident on the UES on Friday night, and need information regarding these persons-of-interest," the NYPD wrote in a tweet Saturday. "No complaints have been filed. If you were the victim of a crime, or have information about the incident, please call 1-800-577-TIPS. @NYPDTips."

ABC News' Will Gretsky contributed to this report.Russian Orthodox church splits with Orthodoxy's leader in seismic rift over Ukraine originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

Russian Orthodox Church leaders have announced that the church is severing relations with the historical seat of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the Patriarchate of Constantinople, opening a major rift in the global Orthodox Church.

At a synod in Belarus on Monday, Russian Orthodox Church leaders said the church was cutting ties with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the seat of the global spiritual leader for 300 million Orthodox worshippers.

The rupture is a response by the Russian Church to the Constantinople Patriarchates decision last week to allow Ukraine to establish an independent church, one no longer under the authority of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Bartholomew I of Constantinople, considered the "first among equals" of Eastern Orthodox church leaders, agreed to grant autocephaly, or self-governance, to the Ukrainian Church, despite the fierce objections of Moscow.

Metropolitan Ilarion, the Moscow Patriarchates head of external relations, on Tuesday said that in doing so the Constantinople Patriarchate had destroyed its authority and that the Orthodox Church no longer had a single center.

"We now stand before a new church reality: We no longer have a single coordinating center in the Orthodox Church and we must very clearly recognize that," Ilarion said in a televised interview on Russias main state broadcaster, Channel 1.

"The Constantinople Patriarchate liquidated itself as such a center," he said.

PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends an event with Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill at the military Patriot Park in Kubinka, outside Moscow, on Sept. 19, 2018. (Alexey Nikolsky/AFP/Getty Images)

The split marks a historic rupture for the global Orthodox community, the result of a collapse in relations between Russia and Ukraine over the past four years, following Moscow's seizure of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent, ongoing separatist war in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraines government has lobbied for an independent church on the grounds that the Russian Orthodox Church is an instrument of the Kremlin, accusing it of stoking separatist sentiment in eastern Ukraine and of acting on behalf of Russia's intelligence services.

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Part of Ukraine's Orthodox clergy has sought to break away from the Moscow Patriarchate since 1991, when Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union. The Constantinople Patriarchate's announcement -- which also canceled a canonical decision from 1686 that placed the Kiev Patriarchate under Moscow's jurisdiction -- clears the way for a single independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Ukraines government hailed the recognition as major step in bringing Ukraine further out of Russian dominion.

(MORE: Researchers identify second suspect in nerve agent poisoning as Russian doctor for military intelligence)

"This is a matter of our independence," Ukraines president Petro Poroshenko said in a speech celebrating the recognition on October 11. "A matter of our national security. A matter of our statehood. A matter of the entire global geopolitics.

PHOTO: A handout picture distributed by the Moscow Patriarchate press service shows a meeting of the Holy Synod of Russian Orthodox Church in Minsk on Oct. 15, 2018. (Moscow Patriarchate via AFP/Getty Images)

Poroshenko, who is running for re-election next year while struggling to overcome allegations of corruption and public anger over the war, has seized on the recognition as a much-needed victory, painting it in epic terms.

This is the fall of the Third Rome as the most ancient conceptual claim of Moscow for global domination, Poroshenko said, referring to a claim made by Russian nationalists for centuries that the country is the heir to the Roman and Byzantine Christian empires.

(MORE: Lawyer for indicted Russian firm says special counsel 'made up a crime')

The Moscow Patriarchate, however, has denounced the Ukrainian churchs recognition as provoking a split comparable to the so-called Great Schism of 1054, when Christianity separated into western and eastern churches.

The Russian church, estimated to have over 150 million adherents, is by far the largest of the worlds Orthodox communities and for most of its centuries-long history has been closely tied to the Russian state. President Vladimir Putin has promoted the church as a key part of modern Russian identity and its leader, Patriarch Kirill, is a close ally of the Russian leader.

The Russian church's breakaway is therefore a major upheaval for global Orthodoxy. The Russian Orthodox Church has once before broke off relations with Constantinople, in 1996, when Bartholomew recognised the Estonian Orthodox Church as under Constantinople's jurisdiction in place of Moscow's. At the time, church officials said that the rift stopped short of a full schism because the Russian church had only "suspended" ties not cut them off entirely. After a few months the two Patriarchates restored relations.

This time, Ilarion of the Moscow Patriarchate said, the Russian church would "completely sever ties", raising the possibility of a much deeper break. However, the Russian church did not call for the other 12 Orthodox churches around the world to break with Constantinople, which would have meant a full-scale schism.

Ilarion said on Channel 1, that the Moscow Patriarchate hopes "reason will prevail" and the Constantinople patriarch will reverse course. But he said, recent actions didn't appear to suggest that.

The practical implications of the split were still being worked out by ecclesiastical experts on Tuesday, but Russian church officials suggested the most immediate effect would be that its faithful should no longer attend services, or take part in communion, marriages or baptisms at churches under the authority of Constantinople. That would include one of the holiest sites in Orthodoxy, the Greek island monastery, Mount Athos.

(MORE: Is Russia playing a double game in Mueller court battle?)

Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, the Moscow Patriarchates deputy head of external relations, told the Interfax news agency that Russian worshippers visiting those churches, many of which are popular tourist sites in Greece and Turkey, would have to make penance with confession afterwards, but church officials seemed to suggest there is no total ban. Russian Orthodox priests are now forbidden from taking part in services there and would be punished, Yakimchuk said.

The Moscow Patriarchate and Constantinople have had strained relations for some time as Moscow has sought to expand its authority within Orthodoxy. In 2016, Patriarch Kirill met Pope Francis in Cuba, the first time a Russian Orthodox patriarch and a Roman Catholic Pope have done so in 1,000 years -- in what was seen by some experts as a power play by the Russian church.Photo credit: Marc Sutton - Facebook

From Bicycling

A British mountain biker was shot and killed by a hunter in France this weekend, raising concerns over safety in outdoor spaces where riders and guns mix.

Marc Sutton was riding on a popular wooded trail near Montriond, a town in the French Alps near the Swiss border, on Saturday when a 22-year-old hunter shot him dead in what appears to have been an accident. Sutton, 34, reportedly died instantly, while the hunter went into deep shock and was taken to a hospital.



[editoriallinks id='7f18e41f-3a50-45b7-a59f-7671dcf8169d'][/editoriallinks]

Authorities did not release the hunters name, though reports indicate that he was part of a small group of hunters organized by a local club. The local prosecutor opened an investigation into an aggravated manslaughter charge, for which the hunter could face trial and possible jail time, though he hasnt been arrested yet.

Two weeks ago, the Guardian reports, another young hunter was sentenced to a year in jail for mistakenly shooting and killing a trail runner in the same region. According to BBC, more than 20 people have died in hunting mishaps in France over the past three years.

Its not entirely clear what happened at the scene on Saturday. The prosecutor told reporters that Sutton couldnt be confused with game since he wore a brightly colored helmet and clothing. Still, its possible the hunter mistook him for an animal, or didnt check to make sure his line of fire was clear around and beyond his target.

Photo credit: Marc Sutton - Facebook

Last fall, a 27-year-old mountain biker was shot and wounded in New Hampshire when a hunter, aiming for a deer, failed to notice her in the background. According to the four rules for gun safety, a quasi-formal system developed by firearms expert Jeff Cooper and commonly accepted among gun enthusiasts, shooters should always be sure of [their] target and what is beyond it.



[editoriallinks id='fbb82e9f-3308-4f30-8657-b723b76dffb2'][/editoriallinks]

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After Suttons death, the mayor of Montroind announced a temporary ban on hunting in the region. Occasionally deadly hunting accidents have been a cause of local debate for years. Some groups have called for more permanent bans or stricter regulations, such as increased no-hunting zones and time restrictions, to prevent future deaths.



Originally from Wales, Sutton had been living in the nearby resort town of Les Gets. A chef, he owned a private catering business and small restaurant with his girlfriend. He was well known in the area as an passionate snowboarder and mountain biker.

This is a very tight-knit expat community and we are all deeply shocked, Amie Henderson, a friend and and neighbor of Suttons, told the Telegraph. There is anger, too, because every year there are hunting accidents.

Alice Gregr, another local, issued a statement on behalf of Suttons friends that read, He was never happier than on his snowboard or mountain bike and he knew the pistes and trails of Morzine like the back of his hand. We are trying to take peace in the fact he died doing what he loved the most.



('You Might Also Like',)Photo credit: Newspix - Getty Images

From Prevention

On Monday, Kensington Palace made the exciting announcement that newlyweds Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are expecting their first child. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently in the midst of their first royal tour together, arriving in Australia early Monday morning. Over the next 16 days the couple are expected to tour Australia and New Zealand as well as two island nations, Fiji and Tonga, where the Zika virus - which can cause serious birth defects - has been detected.

However, the royal couple has opted to continue with their travels, despite the risk of the mosquit0-borne virus.

What is Zika, exactly?

According to the CDC, Zika is a virus spread to humans primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. After a pregnant woman contracts the virus, it can be passed to her fetus and the infection can be seriously detrimental to the health of her child. In addition to severe fetal brain defects, zika is primarily known to cause a birth defect called microcephaly, where a baby's head is unusually small.

While usually contracted through mosquito bites, it can also be spread through sex without a condom with someone who has been infected by zika, and usually does not even know it. The scariest thing? As of now, zika isn't treatable. "It is important to know that there is neither a vaccine nor prophylactic medications available to prevent Zika virus infection," fertility specialist Zaher Merhi, MD, FACOG, HCLD of New Hope Fertility Center in New York tells Prevention.

What precautions are Meghan and Harry likely taking?

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While the CDC discourages any travel to areas with risk of Zika - including both Fiji and Tonga - the royal couple has decided to go along with their travels. However, it's very likely they are taking precautions.

Dr. Merhi notes that both Harry and Meghan could contract Zika both indoors or out during the time they are in Fiji or Tonga, with the biggest risk being during the daytime. Therefore, it's likely we will see a trend in Markle's fashion choices while she is visiting both islands - no exposed limbs. "It is important to ensure protection from mosquitoes throughout the entire day by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants," he explains. Additionally, it is likely they will be using registered insect repellents, and staying and sleeping in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms.

How to prevent Zika virus

As for the CDC, they have issued the following precautions for both pregnant women as well as the partners of pregnant women (i.e. Prince Harry) who do so.

Pregnant women

Talk to your doctor or other health care provider before you travel.

Strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during travel and for 3 weeks after your return.

Strictly follow steps to prevent sexual transmission during your trip.

See your doctor after your return, even if you do not have symptoms.

Tell your doctor about possible Zika exposure at each prenatal care visit.

Travelers who have a pregnant partner

Strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during travel and for 3 weeks after your return.

Use condoms every time you have sex, or do not have sex, for the rest of the pregnancy, even if you do not have symptoms or feel sick.

('You Might Also Like',)As the days get longer in the spring, we set our clocks an hour forward to take advantage of the extra sunlight. Daylight saving time lasts until fall, when the clocks go back again. At this point, the custom doesnt seem to mean much besides an extra hour of sleep (or an hour less in the spring), but it all started as a money-saving scheme.

You might have heard that Benjamin Franklin invented daylight saving time, but thats not the case. In 1784, he wrote a tongue-in-cheek letter to The Journal of Paris sharing a story of being woken up by the sun at 6 a.m., when he didnt expect it before noon. I considered that, if I had not been awakened so early in the morning, I should have slept six hours longer by the light of the sun, and in exchange have lived six hours the following night by candle-light, he wrote. Candles cost money, but sunlight is free, so he laid out a plan to have Parisians get up with the sun in the spring and summer.

Maybe Franklin was half-serious, but the main point of the letter was to tease the French for being lazy and sleeping in. The letter didnt spark any time changes (in France or the United States), but it did get to the core of daylight saving time: saving energy by shifting the clocks to get more daylight.

It wasnt until the early 1900s that other advocates came up with their own time-change plans. In Great Britain, advocates lobbied for a form of daylight saving time, but the government rejected it. Looking for ways to save money during World War I, Germany latched on to the idea and launched their own daylight saving. It didnt take long for other European countries and the United States to follow their lead. Find out why some states don't practice daylight saving time anymore.

These days, daylight saving time is becoming a bit of a controversy, thanks to newer studies showing it doesn't actually save money. Most countries outside of North America and Europe dont bother changing their clocks, and neither do parts of Arizona and Hawaii. Now that the European Union is dropping the requirement, even more countries might keep their clocks the same year-round. For now, just enjoy that extra hour of sleepbut be aware of these 13 ways daylight saving time could wreck your health.When Chyanne Duhart arrived for her freshman year at East Stroudsburg University in central Pennsylvania in September, she was overwhelmed with options: she considered singing a capella, joining the Latin Association Club, or signing up for the Black Student Union.

Instead, she got a fellowship with NextGen, an organization funded by Democratic superdonor Tom Steyer to register and mobilize young people to vote.

Duhart had been old enough follow the 2016 election, but too young to cast a ballot in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state. When Trump won her state and then the election, I cried myself to sleep that night, she says.

This November, shell be old enough to vote, like more than 8 million young Americans who werent eligible in the 2016 election.

To many of them, the 2016 election was yet another example an older, less diverse generation of voters making decisions that they disagree with on everything from the environment to the Supreme Court.

Trump won solid majorities of voters over 45, but people under 29 voted against him by almost 20 points. The Republican-led Congress has a median age thats gone up almost 10 years since 1981. Back then, the average age in Congress was 49 in the House, and 51 in the Senate; today, the average member of the House is 58 and the average Senator is 61.

I think they probably dont really care whats happening because theyre probably not going to be here that long, says Duhart. We care more because were young, we intend to be on Earth for a long time.

Activists and artists are doing everything they can to mobilize the nations newest voters to the polls. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Darren Aronofsky recently partnered with the Sierra Club to make a new ad featuring 18-year old activists talking about why theyre voting for the first time this year. Black-ish star Yara Shahidi, 18, started Eighteenx18, a campaign to bring together young influencers to spread voter engagement across their social platforms.

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These guys couldnt do anything in 2016 and now theyre inheriting this world, says Aronofsky. Theyre just trying to figure out a way to clean it up.

Even Taylor Swift, who for years has been conspicuously silent about her political views, broke her silence in early October and urged her 112 million Instagram followers to register to vote in the midterms, adding that she would be voting for Democrats. Roughly 65,000 people registered to vote in the 24 hours after her post, according to Vote.org, which is more than registered in the entire month of August.

I feel as though my generation has in many ways created this way of thinking in which our life is about benefiting people who may not even look exactly like us, says Shahidi. I felt like the humanity was taken out of the conversation about policy. We were proceeding on policies as though they didnt affect lives.

Tom Steyer has poured $33 million into recruiting and training NextGen fellows like Duhart to mobilize young voters ahead of the midterm elections. Instead of singing a capella, Duhart makes a stipend of $250 a week to register her fellow students to vote. Her job is to marshall volunteers to canvass the campus: she and her team have registered 967 new voters since the semester began, roughly 1 in 6 of the undergraduate students on campus.

Look, if the largest age cohort in the United States of America does not believe that democracy matters or works, we have a serious problem, says NextGen founder Tom Steyer. Thats a statement that we no longer live in a functioning representative democracy.

NextGen is one of dozens of new groups that have mobilized since Trumps election to reach out to younger voters. In the aftermath of the Parkland shooting, survivors from Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school partnered with other young gun safety activists around the country for the Road to Change tour, designed to advocate for more gun safety legislation and register young voters. Teenage climate activists formed the Sunrise movement to encourage young voters to reject politicians who take donations from fossil fuel companies.

Because young voters are so unpredictable, attempts to mobilize them are often met with skepticism. Roughly 50% of 18-29 year olds voted in the 2016 election (more than the number who voted in the 2012 election, when Obama was on the ticket) but in the 2014 midterms, less than 20% of young people cast a ballot.

But this year, early indicators show that young people are unusually engaged in a midterm election. New data from TargetSmart shows that youth turnout in the primaries jumped roughly 4% from the 2014 primaries, but youth voter registration is up nearly 8 points in Arizona, Florida and Michigan. The survey also found that young voters account for more than 60% of new registrants in Pennsylvania.

According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University, roughly 34% of Americans between 18 and 24 say theyre extremely likely to vote, but that number increases exponentially as theyre contacted by organizations and campaigns. Among 18-24 year olds who have been contacted multiple times about voting, more than 80% say theyre either extremely or very likely to vote.

Voters in this age group tend to favor Democrats, and largely disapprove of President Trumps policies, which means that Steyers NextGen strategy could pay off big time. Thousands of NextGen fellows have been organizing on college campuses for more than a year, and the organization says it has more than 6,000 volunteers registering 230,000 young voters across the country, including more than 50,000 in Florida alone. Youth voters propelled 39-year old Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum (a Steyer favorite) to a surprise victory in the Democratic primary.

The amount of young people outweighs the number of older people, says Duhart, referring to the fact that millennials are projected to surpass Baby Boomers as the largest voting-eligible generation sometime in the next year or so, according to Pew. Duhart isnt a millennialat 18, shes a post-millennial  but the point stands.

If we had voted in the 2016 election, I feel like the results would have been so different, she says.Bangui (Central African Republic) (AFP) - At least 30 civilians were killed in August and September by armed groups in and around Bria, the diamond hub of the restive Central African Republic, the UN said, adding that some of the killings could constitute crimes against humanity.

The militias have been battling one another ever since the 2013 overthrow of long-time leader Francois Bozize, a Christian, by majority-Muslim coalition of militias called the Seleka.

Thousands of people have died, 700,000 have been internally displaced and another 570,000 have fled abroad in fighting since then. The other main militia is the Christian-dominated Antibalaka.

"These crimes, many of which could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity can be attributed to the former Seleka coalition ... and the Antibalaka," said the UN statement seen by AFP on Tuesday.

In a report at the start of this month, Human Rights Watch blamed the FPRC rebel group for killing on August 25 at least 11 civilians who fled Bria after clashes between the FDRC and the Antibalaka.

Several rebel groups and militias are fighting in Bria, which is home to some 100,000 people, for control over the diamond mines.

France, the former colonial power, intervened to remove the Seleka after the 2013 unrest following Bozize's ouster and the UN deployed a peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA, in 2014.

The UN stabilization force in Central Africa has 11,000 troops and 2,000 police officers.Cairo (AFP) - The Egyptian army said Tuesday that 450 jihadists are estimated to have been killed in its eight-month offensive against the Islamic State group in the Sinai Peninsula.

The military launched a large-scale operation dubbed "Sinai 2018" in February to rid Sinai of IS jihadists after an attack on a mosque in the north of the peninsula that killed more than 300 people.

Since the start of the campaign, 450 jihadists were presumed to have been killed "in the north and the centre of Sinai by (soldiers) and police," army spokesman Tamer al-Rifai told AFP.

According to army figures, around 30 soldiers have been killed during the operation.

Jihadists began an insurgency in Egypt after the 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, who was forced out by the military in the face of mass protests against his rule and that of his Muslim Brotherhood.

The army on Tuesday rejected criticism from rights groups over the impact on civilians of its campaign in Sinai.

It says that people in the peninsula support its operation and receive humanitarian aid.

"All air strikes are carried out by the army outside residential areas," Rifai said on Tuesday.

Journalists are barred from going to areas targeted in the Sinai 2018 campaign, although the army organised a rare visit to the North Sinai capital El-Arish in July.

A countrywide state of emergency was imposed in April last year, following two suicide bombings at churches which were claimed by IS.

On Tuesday, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi extended the measure by a further three months.Officials unload the bodies after a helicopter carrying bodies of those killed in Gurja Himal mountain arrives at the Teaching hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

Five South Korean climbers, including a world record holder, and their four Nepali guides have died after a snowstorm destroyed their camp on Mount Gurja in Nepal.

Base camp looks like a bomb went off, said Dan Richards of Global Rescue, a US-based emergency assistance group that helped in the retrieval effort.

The group was attempting to climb the 23,590-foot peak when the storm hit late last week, according to rescuers.

According to the Himalayan Database, no-one has stood on Gurjas summit since 1996.

Rameshwor Niraula of Nepals Mountaineering Department, which issues climbing permits and monitors expeditions, said that although officials were still gathering details of what exactly happened, they believed that the climbers were blown over by the blast of the blizzard-like wind conditions.

Local police chief Bir Bahadur Budamagar said that the broken limbs and head trauma indicated a violent wind.

The storm flung them off the mountain into the cliff and ravine below. The bodies of the deceased were recovered with eight of them brought to Kathmandu and one left in his western home district of Myagdi.

An undated handout photo shows Kim Chang-ho, a South Korean climber and leader of a nine-member expedition team, who was found dead on Himalayan Mount Gurja in Nepal three days earlier.

One of the climbers was world record holder Kim Chang-ho, who had set the world record for scaling the worlds 14-tallest peaks over seven years and 10 months and without the use of supplemental oxygen.

An official from the Corean Alpine Club identified the other four members of the South Korean climbers and said that the bodies would return to Seoul early Wednesday.

The dangers of Mount Gurja

According to the Himalayan Database, no one has stood on Gurjas summit since 1996. More than 8,000 people have climbed Mount Everest.

The Korean Alpine Federation said that Kim had been trying to find a new route on the rarely climbed Mount Gurja. He wanted to name the new path Korean Way: One Korea  Unification of North and South Korea.

Eight climbers have died on Nepals Mount Gurja after their camp was devastated by a violent snowstorm.

Although Gurja is the shortest peak in the Dhaulagiri range, it can be extremely dangerous due to vicious winds and deep gullies, according to rescuer Suraj Paudyal.

Story continues

One of the deadliest tragedies

It was one of the deadliest climbing accidents to hit Nepal since 2015 when an earthquake triggered an avalanche that killed 18 people on Mount Everest.

Family members of the Nepali mountaineering guides who were killed in an avalanche on Mount Gurja react at the Teaching hospital in Kathmandu on October 14, 2018. Picture taken October 14, 2018. (REUTERS/Sulav Shrestha)

An avalanche in 2014 had also killed 16 Nepalese Sherpa guides and a blizzard that same year killed at least 27 people.

Rescuers hindered by weather

An alarm was raised after contact with the group was lost for nearly 24 hours, according to BBC.

Although rescue efforts were made on Saturday once word got out, helicopters were not able to land because of the bad weather.

Rescuers retrieved the bodies of five South Korean climbers and their four Nepalese guides from Gurja Himal mountain, where they were killed when their base camp was swept by a strong storm. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

According to Reuters, villagers spotted the bodies on Saturday and rescuers were able to retrieve them on Sunday.

South Korean president speaks out

South Korean President Moon Jae-in issued a statement via Facebook honoring the victims on Monday after the bodies were recovered.

The present said that the group displayed great spirit thats about respecting nature while simultaneously trying to overcome it.

A snow storm has taken the nine climbers into the mountains forever, Moon said. But their bravery and fighting spirit to break out a new route can never be buried.

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Algiers (AFP) - Around 200 deputies kept Algeria's parliament locked up for several hours Tuesday in a protest action to press demands for the house speaker to step down.

"We're here to demand the speaker resigns," Abdelhamid Si Affif, the head of parliament's foreign affairs committee, told AFP after the protesters blocked the entrance with a chain and padlock.

Said Bouhadja, president of Algeria's lower house, has since late September resisted calls to resign over charges of "mismanagement, exaggerated and illicit expenses and dubious recruitment".

"This doesn't scare me. I will go to the People's National Assembly (parliament) because I am the president of this institution," Bouhadja told the TSA news website.

He did not, however, make an appearance at Tuesday's protest, which lasted until around midday before the deputies dispersed.

Algeria's constitution and laws do not lay down a procedure for the dismissal of a parliament speaker if he refuses to step aside.

But those pushing for the speaker's exit said a meeting of senior lawmakers was being planned for Wednesday to oust Bouhadja and pave the way for a successor to be chosen.

Opposition groups condemned Tuesday's action led by the majority parties in the 462-member parliament, including President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's National Liberation Front (FLN) of which the speaker is a member.

Ahmed Sadok, parliamentary head of the Movement for the Society of Peace, an Islamist group, said the action "did no honour for the deputies, for parliament or the image of the country".

"If the deputies of the majority no longer want to work with Mr Bouhadja... their action must be legal. For the moment, there is nothing to prevent him carrying out his duties," he said.Police urged people to stay away from Cologne's main train station - DPA

A man threw a Molotov cocktail into a crowded McDonalds restaurant before taking a woman hostage in the German city of Cologne's main railway station in what police said may have been a failed terror attack.

A 14-year-old girl suffered burns to her legs when the man claiming to be a member of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil) attacked the restaurant. Police said the could not rule out terrorism.

He then took a second woman hostage in a pharmacy inside the station complex while onlookers fled. Witnesses described him as shouting that he was acting for Isil.

Police special forces stormed the station and freed the hostage, who suffered moderate injuries according to emergency services.

The suspect was shot in the stomach by police marksmen and was said to be in critical condition last night (MON).

Police denied reports of shots being fired Credit: Michael Gottschalk/ Getty

The residence document of a 55-year-old Syrian who has been living in Cologne since 2016 was recovered from the scene, but police said it was not clear if it belonged to the suspect. The owner of the residence card has a criminal record for theft.

The incident began at around 12.45pm local time (11.45pm BST) when the suspect threw a Molotov cocktail into the stations McDonalds outlet. A 14-year-old girl was injured but managed to escape.

It was indescribable, terrible to look at, a witness who saw the teenagers injuries told the local Express newspaper. The girl was rushed to hospital and was said to be in stable condition last night (MON).

Armed with a handgun, the suspect then took another woman hostage in the station pharmacy. Loudspeaker announcements ordered the public to leave the station by the nearest exit and police sealed the complex off.

A two-hour stand-off followed as nervous passengers waited on the nearby steps of Cologne cathedral, many of them clutching their luggage. All trains to and from the station, one of the busiest in Germany, were cancelled.

The suspect made various political demands, including the release of a Tunisian woman from prison, according to police. He also demanded safe passage out of the station.

Story continues

He was known to police for offences including theft and fraud, Cologne's deputy police chief Miriam Brauns said.

"We also do not rule out a terrorist attack," Ms Brauns said.

Police were unable to determine if the handgun he was carrying was genuine from a distance, and the decision was made to storm the station, a spokesman said. A police marksman shot the suspect in the stomach to disable him.

Inquiries were still ongoing last night, and it is not yet clear if the handgun the suspect used was genuine, police said.

Police made the decision to storm the station when the suspect threatened to set light to the hostage. He had taped gas cartridges to her body and poured fuel over her. Police were unable to determine if the handgun he was carrying was genuine, so a police marksman shot the suspect in the stomach to disable him.Yerevan (AFP) - Armenia's reformist Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday announced his resignation on television, paving the way for snap elections.

"My dear and proud people, today I tendered my resignation," Pashinyan said, pledging to "ensure the free expression of (the) people's will during snap parliamentary elections."

Pashinyan's resignation is seen as a manoeuvre to return ultimately as prime minister and with control of parliament.

He came to power in May after spearheading weeks of mass anti-government rallies which toppled veteran leader Serzh Sarkisian.

Pashinyan has since reshaped the Caucasus nation's political landscape, ousting many of the old elites from power.

The new government quickly found itself at loggerheads with the majority of lawmakers who are allied with ex-president Sarkisian and have stood in the way of Pashinyan's reform drive.

Pashinyan, a 43-year-old former journalist, aims to hold snap polls before the end of the year in an attempt to weaken the influence of Sarkisian who was ousted after a 10-year stint as president.

Parliamentary elections are not scheduled until 2022.

Pashinyan's resignation could trigger snap polls -- but only if MPs twice fail to select a new prime minister over the next two weeks, resulting in the dissolution of parliament.

During a meeting with his party members on Tuesday, Pashinyan said that he planned to put forward his candidacy for the prime minister's post -- but "with the aim not to get elected" so as to spark the snap poll.

All the opposition factions in the parliament have agreed they will not nominate their own candidates for prime minister.

"Pashinyan's resignation is aimed at artificially creating a situation leading to snap polls, which he needs to complete the revolutionary process," political analyst Arman Boshyan told AFP.

Pashinyan and his ministers will continue as an acting cabinet until a new prime minister is elected.

Story continues

According to the Armenian constitution, snap legislative elections must be held between 30 and 45 days after parliament is dissolved.

- At peak of popularity -

In a move that triggered new street protests by Pashinyan's supporters, the Armenian parliament passed on October 3 a bill making it harder to dissolve the assembly and hold snap elections.

Pashinyan accused MPs of stabbing him in the back, saying the adoption of the bill was nothing short of a "counter-revolution".

He then fired six ministers from the Prosperous Armenia and Dashnaktsutyun parties who backed the controversial bill which was sponsored by Sarkisian's Republican Party.

The Republican Party has said it is not against holding snap polls but wants them to be called no earlier than in May or June so the parties have time to prepare for the campaign.

Analysts said that Pashinyan, who has campaigned against corruption and for economic reform, is seeking new elections while he is at the peak of his popularity.

"He is in a hurry because he knows that his popularity -- which is at its peak right now -- might dwindle," said Boshyan.

On September 24, Pashinyan's bloc won a landslide victory in municipal elections, getting over 80 percent of the vote in the capital Yerevan where nearly 40 percent of the country's population lives.The Daily Beast

New Hampshire Attorney Generals OfficeA New Hampshire mother texted a friend about her 5-year-olds uncontrollable behavior, comparing her son to a couple of prolific serial killers. I want him gone, she allegedly wrote. Four months later, the childs body was discovered in the Abington woods.The haunting messages from Danielle Dauphinais were shared with The Boston Globe by her childhood friend, Erika Wolfe. Though Wolfe said she and Dauphinais had not spoken in years, Dauphinais reached outKATHMANDU, Nepal (AP)  The bodies of five South Korean climbers killed in a fierce storm last week on a mountain in Nepal were set to head home Tuesday amid calls to improve weather warning systems on Nepal's mountains.

Mountaineers and officials gathered at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu offering flowers and burning incense by the bodies, which were kept in wooden coffins. The bodies were driven to the airport and were set to be flown to Seoul, South Korea's capital, later Tuesday.

Officials said they would push the government to improve the weather warning systems to prevent disasters and minimize loss of lives in the future.

"Every time there is a disaster on the mountain, we all seek ways to prevent these deaths, but soon we forget about it," said Santa Bir Lama, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association. "We are going to ask the government to install equipment to warn about weather conditions on the mountain."

The five South Koreans and four Nepalese guides died when they were swept by a storm on Gurja Himal mountain's base camp on Friday night. Rescuers only reached the area a day later and took two days to have their bodies recovered and brought back to Kathmandu, Nepal's capital.

Lama said there are some weather forecast systems in use, but those are all concentrated on Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak.

Gurja is not one of the region's tallest or more popular peaks. The last time climbers were known to be on the mountain was eight years ago.

"I am going take the initiative and demand with the government to install these weather warning systems on smaller mountains," said parliament member Rajendra Prasad Gautam, who was at the hospital on Tuesday.

Among those killed was Kim Chang-ho, the first South Korean to summit all 14 Himalayan peaks over 8,000 meters (26,250 feet) without using supplemental oxygen.

Mountaineering friends who gathered at the hospital said Kim was a good person and an expert climber who was looking for adventure and challenges.

Story continues

"He was always looking to discover routes that have not been explored and try new things on the mountain," said a Nepalese friend, Ang Dorje, who Kim had promised to meet after returning from the mountain.

"He did not want to do what others did. He was a pure adventure seeker who loved the mountains and adventure," said Loben Sherpa, who helped Kim during his many trips to Nepal's mountains.

It was the deadliest climbing disaster in Nepal since 2015, when 19 people were killed at Mount Everest base camp by an avalanche triggered by an earthquake that devastated the country. The previous year, an avalanche above Everest's base camp killed 16 Nepalese Sherpa guides.Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Brazil's far-right presidential frontrunner Jair Bolsonaro said Tuesday that, if elected, he will extradite Cesare Battisti, an Italian wanted for four murders attributed to a far-left extremist group in the 1970s.

"I reaffirm my promise to extradite the terrorist Cesare Battisti, so loved by Brazil's left, immediately in case of election victory," Bolsonaro said on his Twitter feed.

Italy has repeatedly sought the extradition of Battisti, 63, who has been living in Brazil for years under protection accorded him by former leftwing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, now in prison for corruption.

Reached for comment by AFP, Battisti reacted calmly, saying Bolsonaro "has nothing to do with it because he's not the one who decides."

"I'm not worried because it's not the executive who decides that right now. It's the judiciary," he said, recalling that the Supreme Court must rule on his case.

Bolsonaro, a former paratrooper and veteran politician who polls say is likely to become Brazil's next president in an October 28 run-off election, is seeking to undo several decisions made during the presidencies of Lula and his successor Dilma Rousseff, who was impeached in 2016.

He has attacked Lula's Workers Party as corrupt and in bed with leftist regimes such as Venezuela's, and vowed law-and-order reforms that would include an end to impunity and short prison sentences.

Battisti escaped from Italian prison after being convicted in Italy in 1979 of being a member of the outlawed Armed Proletarians for Communism.

He was subsequently convicted in absentia of having killed two members of Italy's police forces, taking part in the murder of a butcher, and having helped plan the slaying of a jeweler who died in a shoot-out which left his 14-year-old son in a wheelchair.

He admitted to being part of the group but denied responsibility for any deaths.

He reinvented himself as an author, and in 2004 skipped bail in France, where he had taken refuge, and went to live clandestinely in Brazil until he was arrested in 2007 in Rio de Janeiro.

After four years in custody, Lula issued a decree -- later upheld by Brazil's Supreme Court -- refusing his extradition to Italy, and he was freed, angering Italy.

Battisti, who has a five-year-old Brazilian son, last year told AFP he faced "torture" and death if he were ever to be sent back to Italy.London. Photo: Reuters

The World Economic Forum just revealed that Britain is the eighth most competitive country in the world. Although, the UK could see its stature drop when the nation leaves the European Union in six months time  and especially without a deal.

Every year WEF releases its benchmark Global Competitiveness Report that takes a look 98 indicators across 140 countries to determine the overall ranking. Each indicator uses a scale from 0 to 100, to signify how close an economy is to the ideal state or frontier of competitiveness. Those indicators are then organised into 12 pillars, such as health, skills, financial system, infrastructure, and institutions.

In addition, WEF this year used a new methodology to fully capture the new emerging dynamics of what fuels the global economy, which means including some other indicators that were not included before, such as diversity, workers rights, re-skilling, and press freedom.

The report showed how the UK was particularly strong in areas such as institutions, infrastructure, health, skills, and its financial system.

Chart: WEF

The area which claims the pole position in  macroeconomic stability  helps drive the UK to nearly the top of the ranking with an overall score of 82.0. But its also the area that is greatly threatened when Brexit happens after 29 March 2019.

The biggest issue surrounding Brexit talks at the moment is the fact that were inching closer to a no-deal scenario. Economists have recently delivered a range of ultra-gloomy forecasts.

At the weekend, EY Item Club economists predicted that Britains economy is heading for its worst year in almost a decade after official figures revealed no growth in GDP in August. It predicted that the UK economy will grow just 1.3% in 2018, down from a previous 1.4% estimate, and downgraded the outlook for the second consecutive quarter.

The week before, the Office for Budget Responsibility (the governments economic forecaster) warned that a no-deal Brexit would trigger border delays, which, in turn, could lead to companies and consumers stockpiling food and other supplies, including medicine.

Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, released a statement on Monday (16 October) saying a no-deal is now closer than ever.

Click here to find out who made the top 10.Ottawa (AFP) - Canada's foreign minister called Monday for a full and transparent probe on the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, during a telephone conversation with her Saudi counterpart.

Speaking to lawmakers, Chrystia Freeland said Canada was "very concerned" about Khashoggi's disappearance and conveyed this earlier to Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.

"I expressed Canada's deep concerns and asked for a thorough, transparent and credible investigation," she said. "I emphasized that those responsible must be held to account. I have been in very close touch with our G7 and NATO allies on this issue."

Khashoggi, a Saudi national and US resident who became increasingly critical of powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has not been seen since he walked into the Istanbul consulate to sort out marriage paperwork on October 2.

Turkish officials have said they believe he was killed -- a claim Saudi Arabia has denied -- with the controversy dealing a huge blow to the kingdom's image and efforts by its youthful crown prince to showcase a reform drive.

Relations between Canada and Saudi Arabia have been tense in recent months.

After Canada criticized the Saudi arrest of human rights activists, the kingdom retaliated by expelling the Canadian ambassador, recalling its own envoy to Ottawa and freezing trade and investment between the two countries.Residents in the Aude department of France were warned not to leave their homes or drive after multiple people died in flash flooding in the region on October 15.

Red and orange alerts were in place on October 15. Edouard Philippe, Frances Minister of the Interior, said seven helicopters were mobilized to the affected areas to assist in rescue operations.

In Limoux, shown in this footage, the Aude river flooded and left parked cars submerged. Credit: Federation Aude Claire via StoryfulUS President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will "probably" meet at a G20 summit next month, a US official said Sunday, as both sides deplored a badly strained relationship that a Chinese official called "very confusing."

"The presidents will probably meet at the G20 in Buenos Aires," Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on the "Fox News Sunday" program.

But he added that trade talks with China -- with each side imposing a mounting series of tariffs on the other, raising fears of a shock to the global economy -- had so far been "unsatisfactory."

"The relationship has not been positive lately," Kudlow said.

China's ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, raised similar doubts about the relationship between the world's two largest economic powers.

Also appearing on Fox, he confirmed reports that China has grown frustrated in trade talks because of conflicting signals from the Trump administration. Cui said other ambassadors in Washington shared his frustration.

"They don't know who was the final decision-maker" in the administration, he said. "Of course, presumably the president would take the final decision. But who is playing what role? It can be very confusing."

- Litany of complaints -

He also complained about a recent incident in which a US navy ship, in a so-called "freedom of navigation" exercise, sailed close to a disputed island claimed by China in the South China Sea.

"This is a very good example of American intervention into Chinese internal affairs," Cui said, adding that US officials would not be pleased if Chinese warships entered the Gulf of Mexico.

Kudlow concurred that the differences between the two sides extend beyond trade.

"The relationship has not been positive lately, and we have to have reciprocity in all of these areas: trade, security, military issues. That's what is at stake here," he said.

Story continues

Earlier this month, US Vice President Mike Pence issued a long litany of complaints against China. He accused Beijing of "predatory" trade practices, of military "aggression," of massive attacks on personal freedoms and religious minorities, and even of electoral interference aimed at unseating Trump by running ads in American newspapers.

Cui replied on Fox that Chinese media were "just learning from American media to use all these means to buy commercial pages from newspapers," adding, "This is a normal practice for all the media."

But the ambassador also held out hope for the Buenos Aires meeting.

Two earlier meetings between the presidents, he said, had made it "clear that such top-level communication played a key role, irreplaceable role in guiding the relationship forward. And there is good mutual understanding and good working relationship between the two.

"I hope, and I'm sure, this will continue."CAIRO (AP)  A Yemeni governor is calling for help to evacuate some 50 families stuck amid flooding, strong storms, and heavy rain in the eastern city of Ghaida, after cyclone Luban hit the region.

Rageh Bakreet posted on Facebook images of men standing on top of their buildings in the governorate of Mahra in eastern Yemen, after Luban made a strong landfall.

Bakreet, who is the governor of Mahra, describes the situation as "disastrous" and says the only way to rescue the families is by airlift. He adds that "the situation surpasses our humble capabilities."

The governor has ordered all government offices and schools to shut temporarily amid power outages across most of Ghaida.

The tropical cyclone Luban formed in the Arabian Sea off Oman last week.President Donald Trump on Tuesday unleashed a torrent of tweets redoubling his racist attacks on Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), after Warrens DNA test results were questioned by the Cherokee Nation.

Pocahontas (the bad version), sometimes referred to as Elizabeth Warren, is getting slammed. She took a bogus DNA test and it showed that she may be 1/1024, far less than the average American. Now Cherokee Nation denies her, DNA test is useless. Even they dont want her. Phony!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2018

Now that her claims of being of Indian heritage have turned out to be a scam and a lie, Elizabeth Warren should apologize for perpetrating this fraud against the American Public. Harvard called her a person of color (amazing con), and would not have taken her otherwise!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2018

Thank you to the Cherokee Nation for revealing that Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, is a complete and total Fraud!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2018

Trump, in his trio of tweets, again slandered Warren by referring to her as Pocahontas (the bad version), using a racial slur he has regularly employed in attacking her claim that she has Native American roots.

Warrens claimed heritage has stirred controversy throughout her political career, dating to when she was a professor at Harvard. Trump, however, has used racist insults as a way of challenging her contention.

In one tweet, Trump referred to Native Americans as being of Indian heritage, a term often considered pejorative.

Warren on Monday released results from a DNA test that she said showed strong evidence she has Cherokee heritage from an ancestor six to 10 generations ago. The Cherokee Nation, in response, called the test inappropriate and wrong, saying that a DNA test is useless to determine tribal citizenship.

Story continues

Even they dont want her, Trump said in response to the Cherokee Nations statement.

Earlier this year, Trump challenged Warren to take the DNA test, and pledged to donate $1 million to charity if it confirmed her claim.

I will give you a million dollars to your favorite charity, paid for by Trump, if you take the test and it shows youre an Indian, the president said at a July campaign rally.

Im going to get one of those little kits, and in the middle of the debate, when she proclaims that shes of Indian heritage because her mother says she has high cheekbones, we will take that little kit, the president said. But we have to do it gently because were in the Me Too generation, so we have to be very gentle.

Warren on Monday asked Trump to donate the $1 million to the National Indigenous Womens Resource Center, a nonprofit that seeks to protect Native American women from violence.

Trump answered the request by falsely denying that he ever made such a pledge.

Later, he offered to make the donation only... if I can test her personally.

Related Coverage

Trump Says He'll Only Donate To Charity If He Can Test Elizabeth Warren's DNA Himself

Senator Elizabeth Warren's DNA Test Prompts Thorny Questions About How We Define Ethnicity

Donald Trump Denies Making $1 Million Charity Pledge Tied To Elizabeth Warren DNA Test

Elizabeth Warren Releases DNA Test Results

Cherokee Nation: Elizabeth Warren's DNA Test Is 'Inappropriate'

Trump 'Apologizes' For Pocahontas Slur, Uses It Again 2 Seconds Later

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Donald Trump has suggested he does not know if climate change is manmade, before saying "it'll change back again".

In an interview with CBS 60 Minutes the president backed off his previous remarks that global warming was a hoax but said he was unsure about its causes.

He added that he was reluctant to do anything about the issue as he did not want to put the US at a disadvantage.

"I think something's happening. Something's changing and it'll change back again," Mr Trump said.

"I don't think it's a hoax. I think there's probably a difference. But I don't know that it's manmade. I will say this: I don't want to give trillions and trillions of dollars. I don't want to lose millions and millions of jobs."

Mr Trump had previously claimed that climate change was a hoax that had been created for and by the Chinese.

"The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make US manufacturing non-competitive, he said in a tweet in 2012, frequently repeating his claim it was a hoax and casting doubt over scientific findings.

"I'm not denying climate change," he said in the interview. "But it could very well go back. You know, we're talking about over a ... millions of years."

The president's suggestion global warming will "change back" is not supported by experts.

Temperature records kept by Nasa and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show the world has not had a cooler-than-average year since 1976 or a cooler-than-normal month since the end of 1985.

Mr Trump, who is scheduled to visit areas of Georgia and Florida damaged by Hurricane Michael on 15 October, also expressed doubt over scientists' findings linking the changing climate to more powerful hurricanes.

"They say that we had hurricanes that were far worse than what we just had with Michael," said Trump, who identified "they" as "people" after being pressed by "60 Minutes" correspondent Leslie Stahl.

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She asked: "What about the scientists who say it's worse than ever?" the president replied, "You'd have to show me the scientists because they have a very big political agenda."

Mr Trump's comments came just days after a Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued a warning that global warming would increase climate-related risks to health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security and economic growth.

The report detailed how Earth's weather, health and ecosystems would be in better shape if the world's leaders could somehow limit future human-caused warming.

Agencies contributed to this reportGRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP)  A Michigan man curious about a rock he'd used for decades as a doorstop now knows its secret: it's a meteorite worth $100,000.

In fact, the nearly 23-pound hunk of iron and nickel is the sixth largest meteorite found in Michigan, according to the Smithsonian Museum and Central Michigan University.

David Mazurek said he took his doorstop to the university for examination after seeing reports in January of meteorite pieces selling for thousands of dollars.

"I said, 'Wait a minute. I wonder how much mine is worth,'" Mazurek said.

University Geology Professor Mona Sirbescu first identified the piece as more than just a rock. She then sent two small slices of the rock to the Smithsonian for confirmation.

"I could tell right away that this was something special," she said. "It's the most valuable specimen I have ever held in my life, monetarily and scientifically."

Mazurek said the meteorite came with a barn he bought in 1988 in Edmore. He said the farmer who sold him the property told him it landed in his backyard in the 1930s.

"The story goes that it was collected immediately after they witnessed the big boom and the actual meteorite was dug out from a crater," Sirbescu said.

More tests are being conducted to see if the meteorite contains rare elements.

"What typically happens with these at this point is that meteorites can either be sold and shown in a museum or sold to collectors and sellers looking to make a profit," Sirbescu said.

The Smithsonian and a mineral museum in Maine are considering purchasing the specimen.

Mazurek said that when he sells the meteorite, he'll donate some of the money to the university.

"I'm done using it as a doorstop. Let's get a buyer!" Mazurek said.DUP leader Arlene Foster. Photo: Clodagh Kilcoyne/ Reuters

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster may have called for cool heads to prevail in Brexit negotiations on a visit to Dublin on Monday, but there was no walking back of the partys blood-red line.

The EU and Ireland are steadfast: the Brexit withdrawal agreement must contain an indefinite backstop to avert a hard border in Northern Ireland.

But the DUP says the backstop coming into force would be akin to a break-up of the UK, since it would require Northern Ireland to be more closely aligned with the EUs customs and trade rules than the rest of the country.

READ MORE: A group of Northern Irish politicians holds the potential key to a Brexit deal

In recent days, deputy leader Nigel Dodds too made it crystal clear: the stance is not a bluffand the party, which props up Theresa Mays government in the House of Commons, will do everything short of triggering a general election to prevent the UK from agreeing to the one thing that will get negotiations moving again. This includes the derailing of the Conservative partys domestic agenda.

Despite this, the powers that be in Dublin and London hope that they will be able to find language to put into the withdrawal agreement that will placate everyone.

And because the backstop is meant to be an all else fails option, the thinking is that commitments could be made in the political declaration about the EUs future relationship with the UK such that parties are less worried about the backstop coming into force.

READ MORE: Hard border will see return to violence within a week

For its part, Ireland is again reminding everyone that the UK already agreed to this backstop in December 2017, and reaffirmed this commitment in March. In a statement to Yahoo Finance UK, senator Neale Richmond, the chair of the Irish parliaments Brexit committee, said: It is not too much simply to expect this commitment to be met.

The EU is increasingly gloomy, however, for two reasons. First, its hard to see how any proposal could possibly fulfil the DUPs insistence that there not be any differences made between Northern Ireland and any other parts of the United Kingdom.

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Second, the DUP has drawn a clear distinction between the withdrawal agreement, which would make the backstop legally operational and binding, and the political declaration, which would be nothing more than a good-faith promise.

On Tuesday, European Council president Donald Tusk called the border a new version of the Gordian Knotthe Ancient Greek metaphor for a problem that seems utterly intractable.

READ MORE: Why the Northern Irish border is a huge problem for Brexit

For the DUP, and for unionists in general, this is more than politics: it is an emotive issue, and something theyve staked their whole existence on.

There is also plenty of evidence, just as Dodds said, that the DUP is not bluffingand that its willing to go to extreme lengths to prove a point. Northern Ireland, for instance, has been without a government for more than 600 days, something that gives it the distinction of being the country without a government for the longest period in peacetime.

Although this is in no small part thanks to Brexit and the attendant calls for a vote on Irish unity, it is at least notionally over issues, like the status of the Irish language in Northern Ireland, that could have been resolved long ago if the DUP wasnt so unyielding.Pundits say the senators revelation of her ancestry  a rebuke to Trump  is a sure sign of her 2020 plans

More conclusively than it tells us anything about her genetic heritage, Senator Elizabeth Warrens neatly choreographed release of her own DNA analysis makes one thing abundantly clear: shes running for the White House in 2020.

Thats the primary takeaway from political pundits in the wake of a slick, five-minute campaign video, in which the firebrand liberal from Massachusetts openly discussed her family background, specifically her Native American ancestry. Technically it was released by her Senate campaign against the Republican Geoff Diehl, but its clear it has nothing to do with that race, which Warren is expected to win handily.

Instead, the release was a direct rebuke to Donald Trump, who has made a habit of mocking her claims of Native American ancestry by referring to her by the racist moniker Pocahontas. Warrens move is a clear gambit to get out in front of a controversy that has dogged her political career and could be a big stumbling block in the future.

David Axelrod, a top adviser in Barack Obamas campaigns and administration, called the ad extraordinary and said it meant Warren was 100% running for president in 2020.

The New York Times political correspondent Jonathan Martin said on Twitter: Its not Im running, its Im running and wont be swift-boated, referring to the discredited ads questioning John Kerrys military service that ran during the 2004 presidential election. Swift-boating subsequently entered the American political lexicon as a term for a campaign of disingenuous or false attacks on a candidates background.

Whats also clear is that Democrats like Warren are still stress-testing strategies for challenging Trumps signature blend of post-truth and personal insult-based politics.

Because what the ad, and the DNA test behind it, doesnt do is offer any useful insights into Warrens background. The analysis, conducted by the respected geneticist Carlos Bustamante, found with high confidence that Warren had a Native American relative six to 10 generations back, which, as the Boston Globe calculated, would mean her DNA registered somewhere between 1/32nd and 1/1024th Native American.

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That is far too distant an ancestry to claim tribal status in the US, which Warren has never done, but it says nothing about the degree to which a family lore of Native American ancestors was part of her upbringing in rural Oklahoma. People dont take DNA tests before they decide what stories to tell their children about their family history  and in the ad, Warren suggests that is where her quite limited claims of Native ancestry originate.

When my momma was 19, and my daddy was 20, they eloped, she said of her parents, because her fathers family did not approve of his marriage to Warrens mother, because my mothers family  was part Native American.

When DNA testing for tribal status, the tests administered to join indigenous nations check paternity to actual tribal members, and are not the same as the autosomal DNA inferences made by popular ancestry services like 23andme or Ancestry.com.

Some in the Native American community were frustrated with the ad for dignifying Trumps disrespectful Pocahontas attacks with a response.

I wish [Warren] hadnt released her DNA results, said Gyasi Ross, a speaker, author and regular commenter on issues affecting Native peoples in the US. Im glad she found out who she is for her own knowing. But now she made the does she have any REMOTE Native ancestry spectacle part of her campaign, Ross said in a tweet. She turned Native ancestry into a campaign prop.

Some critics also expressed frustration that Warrens divulgence gives credit to the controversial idea that a person can be some measurable percentage of this or that ethnicity  since ethnic groups have always been porous and intermixed.

Blood quantum [is] an institution of colonialism, & we dont do this for other races, said Graham Lee Brewer, a tribal member and reporter on Indian Country in Oklahoma.

In its details, Bustamantes analysis (and those done by commercial DNA testing companies) are much more nuanced than saying a person is some percentage of this or that race or ethnicity. But often the findings get reduced into simpler and scientifically discredited ideas of so-called blood quantum.

The Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway called Bustamantes report junk science early on Monday.

Unclear from Warrens announcement is exactly what effect it would have in a potential 2020 matchup with Trump. The presidents racist name-calling towards Warren has never been about Native ancestry per se, but rather a useful way to intimate that she is a liar and an opportunist. Who cares? Trump said of the results early on Monday.

Indeed, Trump might seize on the possible low-water mark of 1/1024 Native ancestry from Bustamantes analysis the next time hes looking to make broadsides at Warrens background.

Its also conceivable that he wont change his attacks at all. After all, Trumps birther attacks on Barack Obama pushed a sitting president to release his long-form birth certificate, only to have Trump continue to wonder aloud years later if Obama really was born in the US.U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) takes questions during a town hall meeting on Oct. 13, 2018. (JOSEPH PREZIOSO via Getty Images)

Massachusetts senator (and 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful) Elizabeth Warren is not Native American.

Native American identity is about belonging to a community. It is a specific political, legal and social formation akin to a form of citizenship that is particular to each tribe, nation, confederacy or otherwise sovereign and self-determining Indigenous governmentnumbering 567 federally recognized tribes and hundreds of Alaska Native, Hawaiian and state-recognized entities across the country.

It is also racial. Not in the biological sense, but in a more ephemeral cultural and social understanding of that wordan identity lived by Native Americans across tribal affiliations and policed by the shifting structures of discrimination, opportunity and the many mundane and extraordinary life experiences in between.

Warren cannot, does not and should not claim Native American identity in its tribal or racial form. She, like many people on a continent taken from First Peoples, can claim Native American ancestry.

Ancestry only means that a long time ago (in Warrens case, six to 10 generations, or likely well over 100 years) an ancestor in the nether reaches of the Warren family tree was Indigenous to North or South America.

This is complicated. Its the kind of thing that changes over time. Its the subject of debate and entire fields of scholarly and artistic production, but its an important distinction. Self-identifying, being born into, or being racialized as Native American can carry immense consequences for Native American individuals and the communities they come from; communities that are still struggling to protect and regain rights and dignity in a political, legal and cultural landscape growing more hostile by the day.

It is not the kind of thing that a trip to the lab and a press release can resolve.

Nonetheless, at some point in recent weeks, following years of tough questions and months of Trumpian attacks, Elizabeth Warren swabbed her cheek with a Q-tip-like device in the name of self-discovery, scientific transparency and public relations opportunity.

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The results, delivered by Stanford professor Carlos Bustamante, an adviser to Ancestry.com and 23andMe, in an Oct. 10 memo showed the vast majority of Warrens genes were of European origin, but that a tiny fraction  somewhere between 1/64th and 1/1,024th  likely came from an ancestor Indigenous to North or South America.

Ancestry only means that a long time ago (in Warrens case, six to 10 generations, or likely well over 100 years) an ancestor in the nether-reaches of the Warren family tree was Indigenous to North or South America.

The cheek-y fanfare corroborated an old Warren-family story that the senators great-great-great-grandmother, O.C. Sarah Smith, was potentially part Cherokee or Delaware. Though it also said that it is not possible to reliably associate smaller segments having Native American ancestry with any specific tribe or group.

The opportunistic Warren rollout of the resultsthe most buzzworthy DNA test since Drake became a baby daddycomplete with an above-the-foldBoston Globe story, five-minute campaign video and viral Twitter thread, created an opening for an important conversation about who is and who is not Native American in a land taken from its First Peoples.

But many publications missed the boat. Elizabeth Warren Releases DNA Results, wrote theDaily Beast. Shes Native American. A complicated sociological question 500-plus years of colonization in the making, with immense political, legal and real-life consequences  the kinds of consequences that historically defined who lived and who died and can, even today, prompt dire questions about who votes, who gets to see a doctor, who has a say in the permitting of an oil pipeline and who lives with the ever-present danger of inhabiting a Native body on a continent premised on the annihilation of those bodies  were brushed aside. Never mind that questions linger about whether Warren may have benefited, even in a small way, by self-identifying as Native American during her tenure at Harvard.

None of this came into frame. As is too often the case in the United States, the results of a lab test stood in for hundreds of years of history, law and lived experience and entire libraries and museums worth of writing, scholarship and artistic production.

This is not because well-researched, interdisciplinary and readily google-able responses from Indigenous communities and experts are unavailable.

The Cherokee Nation, from whom Warren claims descent, is quite clear: A DNA test is useless to determine tribal citizenship, Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskins Jr. said in a statement about Warrens DNA test. Sovereign tribal nations set their own legal requirements for citizenship.

The leaders in the field of Indigenous studies speak with similar conviction on this subject  remarkable for any area of scholarly inquiry but especially in the hazier realms of humanities, social sciences and post-colonial studies. Consider the statement from University of Alberta professor Kim Tallbear, who is a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, For Elizabeth Warren to center a Native American ancestry test as the next move in her fight with Republicans is to make yet another strikeeven if unintended against tribal sovereignty.

(Readers interested in further exploring this issue should read Tommy Oranges novel, There, There, now up for a National Book Award; Phil Deloria Jr.s Indians in Unexpected Places; Audra Simpsons Mohawk Interruptus; or Dr. Adrienne Keenes blog, Native Appropriations.)

This is not to say that this issue is resolved now and forever. Specific tribesand particularly the Cherokeeface important questions about the place and identity of the descendants of Black slaves owned by wealthy Native Americans. There are also complicated issues that I and many other Native peoples navigate as part of families who come from multiple cultures and racial identities. It would be misleading to suggest that questions about something as complicated as who we are could ever be permanently resolved.

The senators response to President Donald Trumps racist attacks and the legitimate criticisms of Native leaders, activists and scholars has shown that we need space to engage and learn from this conversationnow more than ever. The rub? Learning is often uncomfortable, especially in a diverse nation built on interlocking histories of colonization, slavery and racism thats under siege by forces who call for a return to darker days.

Warrens political buccal swab was cringeworthy. But her likely impending presidential run presents a prolonged opportunity to learn more about Native Americans and our complicated lives and identities.

Julian Brave NoiseCat (Secwepemc/Statimc) is a freelance writer and policy analyst at 350.org based in Washington, D.C. He was the first-ever Native Issues Fellow at HuffPost and his work has appeared in The Guardian, The Nation, The Paris Review and other publications.The announcement is the clearest sign yet Warren is preparing for the 2020 presidential election - Jason Reed/Reuters

A Democratic senator has challenged Donald Trump to make good on a pledge to donate $1 million to charity if a DNA test proved she has Native American ancestry.

Elizabeth Warren, who is expected to run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, released a DNA test on Monday showing "strong evidence" she has Native-American heritage.

Ms Warren sent a tweet reminding Mr Trump of his offer to give $1 million to a charity of her choice. "Remember saying on 7/5 that youd give $1M to a charity of my choice if my DNA showed Native American ancestry?"

She added: "I remember  and here's the verdict. Please send the check to the National Indigenous Womens Resource Center".

Known as a liberal firebrand in her party, Ms Warren is a former Harvard Law School professor who has championed populist economics including student loan reform and a higher minimum wage.

The Democrat senator and Mr Trump clashed frequently through the 2016 presidential campaign.

Having some memory problems, @realDonaldTrump? Should we call for a doctor?



Heres something you wont forget, Mr. President: Youre the least popular president in modern history & your allies will go down hard in the midterm elections. 22 days. Tick-tock, tick-tock. pic.twitter.com/53FV0HXGXX  Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) October 15, 2018

The US president has repeatedly called Ms Warren "Pocahontas," the name of a 17th century Native American chief's daughter, to draw attention to a controversy over her heritage raised during her 2012 Senate race.

When Mr Trump was asked about the DNA test on Monday, he said, "Who cares?" as he left Washington to visit hurricane-stricken areas in Florida and Georgia.

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"I hope she's running for president, because I think she'll be very easy," he added.

Asked whether he would pay $1 million to charity, Mr Trump told reporters: "I didn't say that. I didn't - you better read it again."

Taunting her over her claims in July, Trump said: "I will give you a million dollars to your favorite charity, paid for by Trump, if you take the test and it shows you're an Indian.

"I have a feeling she will say no," he said.

Ms Warren provided the DNA test results in a statement on her campaign website, suggesting she has a Native American ancestor dating back six to 10 generations.

The report was carried out by Stanford University professor Carlos Bustamante. It states that "the vast majority" of Ms Warren's ancestry is European but the results "strongly support the existence " of a Native American ancestor.

The DNA test is the latest sign that Ms Warren intends to put her name forward for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.

The Democrat has denied benefiting from her background since she ran for the Senate in 2012, when it emerged that she was listed as a minority in a Harvard Law School directory.

She has frequently faced attacks from the White House and Republicans who have suggested she used claims of native ancestry to advance her academic career.

Along with her DNA results, Ms Warren released a web page featuring documents, videos and written testimonies from colleagues and employers at Harvard stating her background did not feature in their hiring decisions.

Among them is one from Republican President Ronald Reagan's former solicitor general, Charles Fried, who wrote: "I recommended Elizabeth Warren to the faculty of Harvard Law School because she is a tremendous teacher...She is an important scholar."

He added of her ancestry: "I knew nothing about this at the time I studied her credentials... It never came up."

Ms Warren, who is a senator for Massachusetts, has said she will take a "hard look" at challenging Mr Trump in 2020 after November's midterm elections.

However the senator has been involved in election races in all 50 states and studiously called every candidate who has won their local Democratic primary.

She has also deployed staff to the four states - New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada = where early presidential primaries take place.

"If you were advising someone who had the resources of someone who was going to run for president, this is what you would do," David Axelrod, President Barack Obama's former adviser, told the Washington Post.Multan (Pakistan) (AFP) - Since picking up a wrench as one of the first female car mechanics in conservative Pakistan, Uzma Nawaz has faced two common reactions: shock and surprise. And then a bit of respect.

The 24-year-old spent years overcoming entrenched gender stereotypes and financial hurdles en route to earning a mechanical engineering degree and netting a job with an auto repairs garage in the eastern city of Multan.

"I took it up as a challenge against all odds and the meagre financial resources of my family," Nawaz told AFP.

"When they see me doing this type of work they are really surprised."

Hailing from the small, impoverished town of Dunyapur in eastern Pakistan's Punjab province, Nawaz relied on scholarships and often skipped meals when she was broke while pursuing her degree.

Her achievements are rare. Women have long struggled for their rights in conservative patriarchal Pakistan, and especially in rural areas are often encouraged to marry young and devote themselves entirely to family over career.

"No hardship could break my will and motivation," she says proudly.

The sacrifices cleared the way for steady work at a Toyota dealership in Multan following graduation, she adds.

Just a year into the job, and promoted to general repairs, Nawaz moves with the ease of a seasoned pro around the dealership's garage, removing tyres from raised vehicles, inspecting engines and handling a variety of tools -- a sight that initially jolted some customers.

"I was shocked to see a young girl lifting heavy spare tyres and then putting them back on vehicles after repairs," customer Arshad Ahmad told AFP.

But Nawaz's drive and expertise has impressed colleagues, who say she can more than hold her own.

"Whatever task we give her she does it like a man with hard work and dedication," said coworker M. Attaullah.

She has also convinced some of those who doubted her ability to make it in a male-dominated work environment, including members of her own family.

"There is no need in our society for girls to work at workshops, it doesn't seems nice, but it is her passion," said her father Muhammad Nawaz.

"She can now set up the machinery and can work properly. I too am very happy."At least 13 people have been killed in flash floods in the southwest of France, local officials say.

Several months' worth of rain fell in just a few hours overnight in the region of Aude, with one river rising by more than 20ft (6m).

It is believe to be the worst flooding in the area since 1891.

Interior Ministry spokesman Frederic de Lanouvelle said one other person is missing and five others are seriously hurt.

He said nine of the 13 dead were clustered in one town, Trebes, in the Aude region, and that the number of dead could increase.

The flash floods swamped a number of towns and villages around the fortress city of Carcassonne, leaving a trail of overturned cars, damaged roads and collapsed homes.

BFM TV said one victim, an elderly nun, was swept away by flood waters, and two people who had been reported missing were found dead.

Another person was killed when their house collapsed during the violent rainstorms.

"There's water everywhere in the house. Everything is flooded," said Helene Segura, 70, from Villegailhenc, where at least one small bridge had collapsed.

"When I look out the window, I can only see water and mud everywhere."

The prefect of Aude, Alain Thirion, told BFM TV: "We have people stranded on rooftops.

"We're going to have to use aircraft to evacuate them because we cannot reach them by boat given the force of the water.

"It's too dangerous."

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe headed to the scene where this morning, helicopters were forced to wait for clearer weather before they could launch rescue operations.

Around 600 firemen responded to more than 250 calls overnight, as six to seven inches (160-180mm) fell in five hours.

In the villages of Conques-sue-Orbiel and Veillardonnel, water rose as high as the first floor windows of some houses.

Around 1,000 people have been evacuated from Pezens.

Schools in the Aude area are closed and people have been told to stay at home.

Public transport, including railway lines, have been affected.

Torrential rains are not uncommon in France at this time of year but meteorologists have said warm sea water may be intensifying them in the wake of Tropical Storm Leslie, which passed over Portugal and Spain.Paris (AFP) - A Frenchman held captive in war-torn Yemen for over four months after his boat ran into trouble near the port of Hodeida has been released, the French presidency announced Tuesday.

Alain Goma, 54, dropped anchor in Hodeida on June 3 after running out of water while sailing to India.

Hodeida is under the control of Iranian-backed Huthi rebels, who took him prisoner.

It is not clear whether they made any demands of France in return for the release of Goma, who is in his fifties.

In a statement President Emmanuel Macron thanked authorities in Oman and Saudi Arabia for helping obtain his release.

He described Oman's role as "decisive" but said Saudi Arabia had also provided "assistance."

Goma was flown to neighbouring Oman, his sister Christine Goma told AFP without being able to say when he would return to France.

"The important thing is that we know he is safe," she said.

Goma's release comes as Saudi Arabia battles allegations that officials murdered a US-based Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Khashoggi was critical of some of the policies of Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

In 2015 Saudi Arabia and its allies joined the Yemen government's fight against the Huthi rebels.

Nearly 10,000 people have been killed and more than 56,000 injured since then, resulting in what the UN has called the worst humanitarian crisis.By Paul Carrel BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel's leading critic in her coalition government said on Tuesday he wanted the ruling alliance to work, batting away calls for his own resignation after a dismal result for his party in Bavaria's regional election. Horst Seehofer, leader of the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU), has been a thorn in Merkel's side since 2015, with criticism of her decision to open German borders to almost one million refugees, most of them fleeing war in the Middle East. But the CSU's disastrous performance on Sunday - its weakest since 1950 - has raised questions about whether he should stand down as party leader and interior minister in the national government. The calls grew louder on Tuesday, with a senior member of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), the junior partner in Merkel's coalition, calling Seehofer "miscast" as interior minister and a senior CSU figure suggesting he should step down. Seehofer dismissed the idea of resigning, telling a news conference his work in politics "is fun". He said the CSU, sister party to Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), would act as a stable force in her ruling 'grand' coalition. "I have no inclination at all for minority governments, or fresh elections and everything that can come with them," he added. "This grand coalition must simply get on with reputable work and communicate it properly. In the CSU, we will do everything for the grand coalition to stay," Seehofer said. Thomas Oppermann, a senior member of the SPD, described Horst Seehofer as behaving like a "hooligan" as interior minister and said he was miscast in that role. The CSU leader was to blame for the ruling coalition's poor image, he said. PITFALLS AHEAD CSU honorary chairman Theo Waigel also suggested Seehofer should go: "Everyone has to decide for themselves how to make a graceful, personally responsible departure from politics," he told the Ausburger Allgemeine. Before the Bavaria vote, the CSU pushed the coalition - Merkel's fourth and probably final government - close to collapsing twice, first in an argument over immigration and then in a scandal over Germany's former domestic spymaster. The CDU/CSU conservative alliance only teamed up with the SPD to form the ruling coalition in March following an inconclusive national election and the collapse of negotiations between the conservatives and two smaller parties. SPD members are still bitter over their leaders' decision to join the government after promising before the 2017 election to sit in opposition if they lost to the conservatives. They are now demanding consequences. The leader of the SPD's Jusos youth wing, Kevin Kuehnert, said his party should give the conservatives an ultimatum: achieve progress on issues such as policy on diesel cars and reducing arms exports, or else the SPD quits the government. "Deal or no deal, that must be the clear message to the Union parties," he told the Handelsblatt business daily, referring to the CDU/CSU alliance. Merkel, who has been in office since 2005 and is Europe's most powerful leader, faces further potential pitfalls this year in the form of a CDU conclave and the party's annual congress in early December. The chancellor, 64, has won support from key conservatives in her bid for re-election as CDU chairwoman at the congress. But this could change if the CDU loses power in the western region of Hesse in another state election on Oct. 28. (Editing by Angus MacSwan)BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany is well-equipped for all Brexit scenarios, a government official said on Tuesday, adding that a swift Brexit deal would be best both for businesses and citizens. The official also said significant progress had been made in negotiations on Britain's looming exit from the European Union and added that a so-called "backstop" for the Irish border in the exit agreement needed to be legally watertight. "I don't think there is a feeling in the German government that we need to prepare faster," the official said. "We are all aware that it is in the interests of citizens and businesses to wrap up the exit agreement as swiftly as possible." The official ruled out a Brexit agreement without a solution for the Irish border, adding that Germany would work with France to ensure the 27 remaining members of the European Union retained a consensus in the Brexit negotiations. Keeping up a consensus among the EU27 was in Britain's interests too as any fractures would make negotiations harder, the official added. (Reporting by Paul Carrel; Editing by Michelle Martin)San Francisco (AFP) - Google chief executive Sundar Pichai has acknowledged publicly for the first time that the tech giant is considering a search engine for China, saying it could offer "better information" to people than rival services.

Speaking at the Wired 25th anniversary conference late Monday, Pichai said Google leaders "feel obliged to think hard" about China despite criticism over the possibly of cooperating with Chinese censorship.

"We are always balancing a set of values," he said, while adding that "we also follow the rule of law in every country."

Pichai described Project Dragonfly, which has drawn criticism from Google employees, lawmakers and human rights activists, as an effort to learn about what Google could offer if it resumed its search operations in China.

"It turns out we would be able to serve well over 99 percent of the (search) queries," he said onstage in a question-and-answer session.

"And there are many, many areas where we would provide better information that what is available."

Pichai offered no details on the status of the effort but said he was taking a "long-term view" on China.

"We don't know whether we would or could do this in China but we felt it was important to explore," he said.

"I think it's important for us given how important the market is and how many users there are. We feel obliged to think hard about this."

He said one area where Google's presence could help in China would be for information on medical treatments including for cancer.

"Today people either get fake cancer treatments or they actually get useful information," he said.

Google shut down its search engine in China in 2010, refusing Beijing's requirement to censor search results.

Pichai also addressed Google's decision to withdraw from a bid for a major Pentagon cloud computing project, saying the company was not opposed to working with the military but did not want to be part of automated weapons.

"We do work with the (US) military and deeply respect what they do to protect our country," he said.

Pichai added that Google continues to work on projects with the military on cybersecurity and transportation planning, for example but that "where we are being more deliberate is where AI (artificial intelligence) is used for autonomous weaponry."Associated Press

As a jury was deliberating over his fate, a Georgia district attorney on Monday pleaded guilty to several charges stemming from improper acts while in office and agreed to resign. Mark Jones had already been suspended as Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit district attorney after the state attorney generals office obtained the indictment on Sept. 7. It accused him of trying to influence a police officers testimony, offering bribes to prosecutors in his office and trying to influence and prevent the testimony of a crime victim.Montreal (AFP) - Canada on Wednesday will become the second country in the world to legalize recreational cannabis, five years after Uruguay.

The legislation leaves it to the 13 provinces and territories to organize sales and distribution, and some are taking slightly different approaches.

- Who can buy, grow cannabis? -

Adults may possess up to 30 grams of legally purchased cannabis. Households will also be allowed to grow up to four cannabis plants, except in Quebec and Manitoba, where this will be prohibited.

The federal government set the minimum legal age for consumption at 18, but most provinces and territories have raised it to 19, except Quebec and Alberta. In Quebec, a newly-elected government has promised to hike it to 21.

- Where to buy ? -

The provinces and territories will be responsible for setting rules for sales and distribution, which has led to a patchwork of regulations across the country.

Six, including Quebec, will make pot available through government-run stores. Four others will license private retailers, while British Columbia stands out for its mix of both options.

Online mail order sales will be allowed across Canada. In Ontario it will be the only option until retail stores are up and running next year, with a last-minute policy change unveiled by the new government.

According to the federal government, there could be as many as 300 storefronts across Canada selling cannabis by year's end.

- What can be purchased and at what price? -

Canadians will be allowed to buy dried cannabis, oils and seeds.

Sales of derivatives like edibles will be legalized next year, but in the meantime people can make their own cannabis-infused brownies or beverages at home.

Selling prices will depend on the province, ranging from Can$6 to Can$10 per gram, plus excise taxes of about Can$1. Proceeds will be split between the federal and provincial governments, as well as consumption taxes of 10 to 15 percent, depending on the jurisdiction.

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- Where can pot be consumed? -

Where smoking will be allowed varies greatly from province to province, city to city, and in some cases even neighborhood to neighborhood.

In New Brunswick and Newfoundland, for example, consumers will only be allowed to smoke at home.

Others, like Quebec, will prohibit smoking in and near entrances to schools and workplaces -- including bars and restaurants -- as is the rule for tobacco. Some municipalities are considering going further with an outright ban in all public spaces.

- Who can grow cannabis? -

The federal health ministry is responsible for licensing growers, and to date 120 companies have been granted licenses.

The largest are publicly traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. Some started growing licensed medicinal pot in 2001 and have transitioned to also sell in the recreational pot market.

Hundreds more license applications are currently under review by officials.COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP)  Missouri's Republican Senate candidate Josh Hawley took a cue from President Donald Trump on Sunday and said Missouri voters are motivated by "mob behavior" by Democrats.

Hawley during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" tried to tap into frustration over his Democratic rival Sen. Claire McCaskill's vote against U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation. He said the "debacle" of Kavanaugh's confirmation process is energizing voters ahead of the Nov. 6 election.

"They cannot believe the conduct of these Senate Democrats," Hawley said. "They can't believe the smear campaign that they launched, and by the way, how they drug Dr. Ford through the mud, as well, and now, this mob behavior that we're seeing all over the country. It is motivating folks."

McCaskill said she voted against Kavanaugh largely because of his opinion that anonymous "dark money" spending on issues ads in campaigns should not be curbed.

Hawley's comments echo warnings from Trump and other Senate Republicans as they seek to drive up enthusiasm among GOP voters ahead of the midterm elections.

Republicans view McCaskill's seat as a top opportunity to flip a U.S. Senate seat. She's among 10 Senate Democrats up for re-election in states Trump won. The president won Missouri by 19 percentage points in 2016.

Hawley on "Meet the Press" also defended his decision as Missouri's attorney general to have the state join a lawsuit that seeks to undo former President Barack Obama's health care law. McCaskill has criticized Hawley for the move, saying that if the lawsuit succeeds, it would lead to the loss of health care insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions. Prior to the Affordable Care Act, pre-existing conditions were a roadblock for coverage for people with health issues and who attempted to get an individual insurance policy

Pressed on his role in the lawsuit, Hawley said insurance companies "should be required, by law, to protect folks with pre-existing conditions" and said Congress should mandate that.

"We don't have to have Obamacare to do it," Hawley said.Donald Trump arrived in Florida just days after it was devastated by Hurricane Michael and said Republican governor Rick Scott was doing fan incredible job in overseeing relief efforts.

Michael was a Category 4 storm with winds reaching speeds up to 155 mph.

The president and first lady Melania Trump, are touring the state, as well as parts of Georgia.

You wouldnt even know they had homes, Mr Trump said about residents as they landed at Elgin Air Force Base, approximately 100 miles west of Mexico Beach, Florida, where Michael made landfall on 10 October.

The president said the main goal for relief operations was just making sure everyone is safe, that theyre fed.

Some of them have no trace of a home... so our big thing is feeding, water and safety, he said.

Mr Scott noted said of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema): Everything we ask for, they have delivered.

The job theyve done in Florida has been incredible, and likewise Im hearing in Georgia pretty good things, Mr Trump said about the agency.

Michael has resulted in at least 18 deaths across four states in the Gulf region, while dozens remain missing.

Mr Scott had warned residents before landfall Michael would cause unimaginable devastation and could affect areas as far away as North and South Carolina.

He noted at the time it would be most destructive storm the state has seen in a century and that he was scared to death over the safety of residents who had not evacuated to safety in the Panhandle before it became too dangerous to do so.

Rescuers have said they expect the death toll to rise and they were using cadaver dogs and heavy equipment to search collapsed homes in the several small towns which dot the Panhandles Gulf coast.

In Mexico Beach alone, up to 46 people are missing.

Mayor Al Cathey told journalists in the ravaged town of just 1,200 people: If we lose only one life, to me thats going to be a miracle.

Efforts are slow going as roads have been blocked from downed trees and power lines, destroyed homes, and flooding.

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Steve Moss, vice chairman of Bay District School Board told CNN every single school in the district had been damaged by Michael.

The majority of the districts 26,000 students have been displaced and it could take weeks or months to get [some schools back] online. Some it will take years, Mr Moss noted.

Mr Trump said electricians were out in full force attempting to restore power, but officials estimated it could take weeks to fully do so.

The president had previously visited North and South Carolina in the wake of Florence, a Category 4 storm which then made landfall as a tropical storm just a few weeks ago.GENEVA (Reuters) - The Red Cross on Tuesday named a health worker abducted and murdered by her Islamist captors in Nigeria as 24-year-old midwife Hauwa Mohammed Liman and said it had refused to pay a ransom for her release. A senior official of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) told Reuters it had decided not to pay a ransom as it would set a dangerous precedent for the 16,000 aid workers it deploys in 80 countries worldwide. The Nigerian government on Monday said a medical aid worker held hostage by Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) militants was killed after a deadline they set expired. The ICRC said in a statement it received information that Liman, who worked in a hospital supported by the Geneva-based aid agency, had been killed "in a despicable act of cruelty". The agency had issued a public appeal to her captors at the weekend to spare her life after a threat was received. "When health care workers are captured or abducted there is always a demand," Patricia Danzi, ICRC regional director for Africa, told Reuters on Tuesday. "We are a humanitarian organization so we cannot enter into such kind of negotiations. So we always ask for unconditional release. And that's what we did. That was the plea. "We believe that there is no cause that can justify an execution of a young healthcare staff (worker)," she added. Danzi said the ICRC was not planning to suspend its operations in northern Nigeria or to withdraw. "We are now in a period of mourning...Then we will have to rethink what we can do. And the (security) guarantees we can get," she said. "Because we want to give humanity a chance, we want to be there for the people that still need our help." Nigeria is the ICRC's second largest operation in Africa and its aid workers help 80,000 mainly displaced people in the northeastern town of Rann. Liman and two other Nigerian aid workers, Alice Loksha and Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa, were working in Rann when they were kidnapped by ISWA in March. Khorsa, also a midwife, was killed in September. Loksha, employed by a UNICEF-supported center, remains a captive, along with Leah Sharibu, a 15-year-old Nigerian student abducted by the group in a separate incident in February, the ICRC said, appealing for the two women's safe release. ISWA, an Islamic State offshoot, split from Boko Haram - the main Islamic militant group in Nigeria - in 2016. Its fighters have killed hundreds of soldiers in attacks in northeastern Nigeria in the past few months. At the entrance to the ICRC headquarters in Geneva, a table was set up with a photo of Liman, along with a white orchid plant, a burning candle and a sign asking staff to write their condolences for her family. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay, editing by Tom Miles and Ed Osmond)LONDON (Reuters) - Iran has extended the range of its land-to-sea ballistic missiles to 700 km (435 miles), a senior Iranian military official said on Tuesday amid rising tensions with the United States over Tehran's missile program. U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of an international agreement on Iran's nuclear program in May and reimposed sanctions on Tehran, saying the deal was flawed because it did not include curbs on Iran's development of ballistic missiles or its support for proxies in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq. Iran, which says its missile program is purely defensive, has threatened to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf if the United States tries to strangle Iranian oil exports. "We have managed to make land-to-sea ballistic, not cruise, missiles that can hit any vessel or ship from 700 km," Amirali Hajizadeh, head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' air space division, was quoted as saying by Fars news agency. Hajizadeh said the Guards focused on extending the land-to-sea missile's range after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asked the military a decade ago about the possibility of "hitting ships" with ballistic projectiles. He did not give details on the previous range of the missiles. In 2008, Iran displayed a ground-to-sea missile that it said could travel about 290 km (180 miles). On Monday, the U.S. special envoy on Iran, Brian Hook, said that Tehran's ballistic missile program was exacerbating tensions in Yemen, Iraq and Syria. "We are accumulating risk of regional conflict if we do not do more to deter Iran's missile proliferation in the Middle East," Hook said. The Islamic Republics government has ruled out negotiations with Washington over its military capabilities and dismissed U.S. assertions that its activities in the Middle East are destabilizing. Hajizadeh said some short-range Iranian missiles had been used over the past two years in Syria's civil war, in which Iranian forces have fought in support of President Bashar al-Assad against rebels and militants. He also said Iranian drones had carried out 700 attacks on Islamic State militant positions in Syria. Irans Revolutionary Guards have sent weapons and thousands of soldiers to Syria to help shore up Assad during the more than seven-year-long conflict there. (Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin and John Irish in Paris; Editing by Mark Heinrich)TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  Several Iranian reformist newspapers on Monday published a rare joint editorial criticizing U.S. sanctions against the country and asking "world journalists" to defend Iranian human rights.

The editorial was published in both Farsi and English on Monday in at least eight state-owned and pro-reform dailies. It said the U.S. has "lied" about the purpose of sanctions, which target the needs of ordinary people and curtail access to medical supplies and equipment.

The joint editorial said that "trade restrictions, blockades, embargoes, freezing of assets and other economic sanctions are incompatible with the Charter of the United Nations."

It called the U.S. pullout from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran "an undiplomatic and immoral" policy. The agreement with world powers had established a protocol to limit Iran's nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.

Iran is negotiating with European trading partners to try and find a way to circumvent U.S. sanctions and remain within the nuclear deal. The editorial is seen as part of efforts by Iranian reformists to address international public opinion ahead of the implementation of a new round of U.S. sanctions targeting oil in early November.

Hard-liners opposed to rapprochement with the West were always skeptical of the nuclear deal, and have viewed the withdrawal as proof of their longstanding belief that the U.S. cannot be trusted.

On Sunday, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate, tried to downplay the upcoming U.S. sanctions targeting the country's vital oil and gas sector.

Also on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said Tehran received a U.S. note confirming its withdrawal from a decades-old treaty affirming friendly relations between the two countries.

The Trump administration announced it would terminating the 1955 amity treaty earlier this month in response to a U.N. court order that the U.S. lift sanctions on Iran. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said withdrawing from the treaty was long overdue and followed Iran "groundlessly" bringing a complaint with the International Court of Justice challenging U.S. sanctions on the basis that they were a violation of the pact.

The largely symbolic gesture highlighted deteriorating relations between Washington and Tehran.LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - Ireland insists British Prime Minister Theresa May makes good on commitments to provide a "backstop" plan to ensure Brexit does not create a disruptive hard border with Northern Ireland, Ireland's Foreign Minister said on Monday.

Speaking as he arrived to meet fellow EU ministers in Luxembourg, Simon Coveney told reporters he was frustrated but calm after Brexit negotiations stalled on Sunday and said that he believed a deal was still possible after a summit this week.

"For us it's about following through on the commitments that have already been made," he said. "We're not looking for anything new here, we're simply looking for the commitments that were made last December, and in particular last March, to be followed through on."

"I think we are frustrated, but we're still pretty calm about that," Coveney said when asked if he was frustrated by the breakdown of talks, which came after renewed British refusal to accept a backstop that would create a customs border between Northern Ireland and the mainland if no better deal were found.

"Time is moving on, ratification mechanisms are going to take time," Coveney said, noting the urgency to reach a deal well before Britain leaves the European Union in March.

"I think there was a real effort over the last 10 days by the two negotiating teams to intensify engagement so that they could have a set of recommendations for political leaders this week," he said. "That hasn't proven possible.

"That is frustrating and disappointing from an Irish perspective."

"For us we want to see an outcome here that settles nerves, that allows us to move ahead with a managed, sensible Brexit. I still think it's possible to do that, but clearly it's going to take a bit more time than many people had hoped."

(Reporting by Alastair Macdonald and Daphne Psaledakis in Brussels, Editing by William Maclean)Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and technology entrepreneur, has said he hopes to see the solar system populated by one trillion people. He is also pushing his plan to get them there.

Mr Bezos, who recently accepted $500m from the US military to help develop his Blue Origin space flight project, said he would not be there when the cosmos was so crowded, but added that people were starting to bump up against the absolute true fact that earth is finite.

The dynamism that I have seen over the last 20 years in the internet where incredible things have happened in really short periods of time, Mr Bezos said, speaking at an event in San Francisco to mark the 25th anniversary of the launch of Wired magazine.

According to CNBC, he added: We need thousands of companies. We need the same dynamism in space that weve seen online over the last 20 years. And we can do that.

Mr Bezos is one of several private entrepreneurs seeking to reduce the cost of space flight and he intends to invest $1bn over the next year as part of that ambition. Other projects looking to develop commercial space travel include Elon Musks SpaceX and Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic.

Among the high-profile players, 54-year-old Mr Bezos has been the most outspoken in his willingness to work with the Department of Defence.

We are going to continue to support the [Department of Defence], Mr Bezos said.If big tech companies are going to turn their back on the US Department of Defence, this country is going to be in trouble.

Many in the tech industry, among them Google and Microsoft, have been concerned about the implications of working the Pentagon on space travel amid concerns about the potential for the further militarisation  and perhaps weaponisation  of space.

This summer, Donald Trump announced he wanted to develop a space force, a declaration that triggered both sniggers and concerns. Im hereby directing the Department of Defence and Pentagon to immediately begin the process necessary to establish a space force as the sixth branch of the armed forces, he said in June.

Story continues

Thats a big statement. We are going to have the Air Force and we are going to have the Space Force  separate but equal. It is going to be something.

Critics of have seized on the potential implications for the environment of Mr Bezoss vision, and his willingness to work with the military. His comments came shortly after the UNs climate science body, the the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), said there was barely a dozen years to make massive changes to global energy infrastructure to limit global warming to moderate levels.There is no documented historic precedent, the IPPC said.

Michael Mann, a climate expert and Professor of Earth Sciences at Penn State University, said it was sometimes difficult to distinguish real word stories from satire.

I know Bezos has been looking for ways to leverage his immense wealth for the betterment of mankind. But I cant help but wonder why these captains of technology always look away from the earth rather than towards it, when talking about confronting the challenges that face humanity, he told The Independent.

Mr Bezos, in explaining this venture, said We are starting to bump up against the absolute true fact that earth is finite. That is absolutely true, but space is not the answer to that challenge. There is no planet B, at least not one that is reachable on the timescales that are relevant here. What we truly need to do is decrease the rate of our exploitation of natural resources and the continued burning of fossil fuels that imperils human civilisation.

The DoD last week announced it was awarding grants to three private firms to each develop a domestic launch system prototype. The aim is that the US would move away from foreign propulsion systems such as the Russian-built RD-180 rocket engine, CNBC said.

Mr Bezoss Blue Origin received $500m, arms and aerospace giant Northrop Grumman will get $792m, and United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defence, Space & Security and which already provides launch services to the US government, is due to receive $967m.John Oliver focused the main segment of Sundays Last Week Tonight on the disappearance of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and Saudi Arabian citizen, and the controversial relationship between those two countries.

Khashoggi, whom Oliver described as a thoughtful and by no means radical critic of the Saudi royal family, has been missing since October 2nd, after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey to pick up some paperwork. Turkish authorities have alleged that a 15-person team assassinated and dismembered the journalist, citing audio and video proof, though Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (or MBS) has denied the claim.

Its absolutely horrific, Oliver said. Saudi officials have scrambled to explain all the suspicious activity surrounding his disappearance with the Saudi-owned channel Al Arabiya claiming that the 15 people who turned up in Istanbul were just tourists  which is clearly bullshit given that flight logs show that most of the men arrived on a private charter plane at 3:13 a.m. and that all of them departed the same day they arrived, which is a pretty weird vacation, isnt it? I want to see Istanbul but only for a few hours, mostly at night, and I need to bring my bone saw.'

The comedian continued, This is all worrying because the only reason to kill a journalist in your own consulate with 15 people and a bone saw you flew in that day is because you wanted to send a message and you were sure you could get away with it. Which raises the question: Why would they be so sure with that?

The answer, Oliver said, involves Saudi Arabias long and morally compromised history with the U.S.  including its particularly close ties with President Trump. The host briefed viewers on the dichotomy between MBS outwardly progressive policies (like ending a ban on women driving and bringing back movie theaters after a 35-year ban) and the much grimmer truth lurking under the surface, including the leaders arrest of female rights activists and an absolutely brutal war in Yemen that has resulted in over 16,000 casualties.

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Still, Oliver noted, Trump has catered [to Saudi Arabia] at every turn  from supportive tweets to visiting the country on his first foreign trip as president. It really shouldnt be that surprising to anybody that Trump has so enthusiastically embraced the Saudi royal family, the host said. They have the two qualities he admires most in the world: having a lot of money and giving it to him.

I am by no means saying that Trump is the first U.S. president to make distasteful arms deals with the Saudis, he continued. Weve been doing it for decades. The Obama administration still sold them weapons even as Saudi Arabia got involved in Yemen, but Trump has continued doing so even as signs mount of Saudi recklessness in air strikes. Two months ago, they dropped an American-made bomb on a school bus full of children. But just a month later, Trumps defense secretary said that Saudi Arabia was doing everything it could to prevent civilian casualties.

And even as Trump has vowed to inflict severe punishment if its proven that Saudi Arabia was behind the disappearance of Khashoggi, Oliver expressed doubt of the presidents commitment.

Trumps intense bromance with MBS is bad news because when you set no boundaries on an oppressive regime, they are always going to ask themselves, How much can we get any with here?' Oliver said. And as we saw this week, the answer to that may well be pretty much anything.'A federal judge on Monday dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by porn star Stormy Daniels against President Donald Trump and ordered the woman to pay the presidents legal fees.

U.S. District Judge James Otero said that Trump was well within his right to free speech when he tweeted about Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, earlier this year, saying she was a total con job. Those comments, which Daniels attorney Michael Avenatti called defamation, were just politics, the judge ruled.

The court agrees with Mr. Trumps argument because the tweet in question constitutes rhetorical hyperbole normally associated with politics and public discourse in the United States, Otero wrote. The First Amendment protects this type of rhetorical statement.

A sketch years later about a nonexistent man. A total con job, playing the Fake News Media for Fools (but they know it)! https://t.co/9Is7mHBFda  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2018

Avenatti on Monday said the ruling did not affect his clients other claims against Trump or the presidents former lawyer Michael Cohen and said he would appeal the dismissal.

Daniels is also suing Trump in Los Angeles Superior Court over a nondisclosure agreement, which was meant to prevent her from discussing her claim of a 2006 affair with Trump, saying its invalid because the president never signed it.

Daniels other claims against Trump and Cohen proceed unaffected. Trumps contrary claims are as deceptive as his claims about the inauguration attendance, Avenatti wrote on Twitter, saying he was confident in a reversal.

Re Judges limited ruling: Daniels other claims against Trump and Cohen proceed unaffected. Trumps contrary claims are as deceptive as his claims about the inauguration attendance.



We will appeal the dismissal of the defamation cause of action and are confident in a reversal.  Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) October 15, 2018

Trumps lawyer Charles Harder celebrated the news.

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No amount of spin or commentary by Stormy Daniels or her lawyer, Mr. Avenatti, can truthfully characterize todays ruling in any way other than total victory for President Trump and total defeat for Stormy Daniels, Harder said in a statement to the media.

Daniels filed the lawsuit earlier this year after she spoke about her claims that a man had made a threat against her if she spoke about her alleged affair with Trump to the media. The president, who has continued to deny any relationship with Daniels, later lambasted her claims on Twitter, saying they were a total con job, playing the Fake News Media for Fools (but they know it)!

Daniels attorneys said the message amounted to an attack on her character and painted her as a liar, resulting in the defamation suit.

Otero had signaled last month that he might toss the suit, saying that much of the presidents rhetoric amounted to free speech by a public official on a matter of public concern.

Related Coverage

Don't Underestimate Stormy Daniels

Stormy Daniels Sues Trump For Defamation

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Tuesday morning on Fox News, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., made an offhand reference to Iranians thats causing outrage across the internet.

He speculated about the potential outcome of his DNA test, joking, Ill probably be Iranian. That would be terrible.

That comment stems from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., posting a report from a genetics professor that concludes she has Native American ancestry. This has been a controversial topic for years, with President Trump repeatedly questioning her heritage and calling her Pocahontas.

My family (including Fox News-watchers) sat together and talked about what they think of @realDonaldTrumps attacks on our heritage. And yes, a famous geneticist analyzed my DNA and concluded that it contains Native American ancestry. pic.twitter.com/r3SNzP22f8  Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) October 15, 2018

Following Warrens release of her report, the Cherokee Nation condemned its political intentions, and, unsurprisingly, Trump wasted no time in criticizing her too.

Thank you to the Cherokee Nation for revealing that Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, is a complete and total Fraud!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2018

So this morning on Fox and Friends, Graham also waded into the ongoing culture war with a vow of his own.

Im going to take a DNA test, he said. I have been told that my grandmother was part Cherokee Indian. It may all be just talk, but youre going to find out in a couple weeks because Im going to take this test  and the results are going to be revealed here.

After he made his terrible joke about potentially being part Iranian, host Brian Kilmeade tried to sanitize the situation, saying, Theyre great people, just bad leaders.

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It wasnt long before people on Twitter savaged Grahams comment, including actor Don Cheadle, who said, When a Fox News host has to correct your racism, you KNOW youre a racist.

when a fox news host has to "correct" your racism, you KNOW you're a racist  https://t.co/TiAlWljuZ1  Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) October 16, 2018

Many Iranians also responded to Graham. Facebook and Uber investor Hadi Partovi flipped MAGA on its head when he said, By calling us terrible you insult everything that makes America great.

Hey @LindseyGrahamSC why is it terrible to be Iranian? Some of the greatest businesspeople, scientists, athletes, and leaders in America are of Iranian descent. By calling us terrible you insult everything that makes America great. https://t.co/ByUUlCfGFo  Hadi Partovi (@hadip) October 16, 2018

And Chandra Steele tweeted, DNA testing showed Im Iranian and tbh it would be terrible if Lindsey Graham turned out to be anything I am.

DNA testing showed I'm Iranian and tbh it would be terrible if Lindsey Graham turned out to be anything I am. https://t.co/ektRPFo7jD  (((Chandra Steele))) (@ChanSteele) October 16, 2018

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told Fox & Friends on Tuesday that hell never work with Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman because hes a wrecking ball. The senator said he would sanction the hell out of Saudi Arabia over the disappearance of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

I know this: Nothing happens in Saudia Arabia without MBS knowing about it, said Graham, abbreviating the crown princes name. Hes the 33-year-old prince who jumped over people. Hes the son of the existing king. I think hes on a bad track. I can never do business with Saudi Arabia again until we get this behind us.

Graham told host Brian Kilmeade that he wont be going back to Saudi Arabia as long as this guy is in charge. The senator said hes been the nations biggest defender just before calling the Crown Prince a wrecking ball.

He had this guy murdered in the consulate in Turkey and to expect me to ignore it? I feel used and abused. I was on the floor every time defending Saudi Arabia because theyre a good ally, said Graham.

Khashoggi has been missing since Oct. 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

While reports from Turkish officials appear to indicate that Khashoggi was murdered, President Trump has repeatedly told the press that Saudi Arabia denies any involvement with Khashoggis disappearance. On Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo flew to the country in an effort to gather more information about Khashoggi.

Protesters hold a portrait of missing journalist and Riyadh critic Jamal Khashoggi reading "Jamal Khashoggi is missing since October 2" during a demonstration in front of the Saudi Arabian consulate on Oct. 9, 2018, in Istanbul. (Photo: OZAN KOSE via Getty Images)

Graham also implored Saudi Arabia directly to choose a new leader as the crown prince, to him, is toxic and can never be a world leader on the world stage.

This guy has got to go. Saudi Arabia, if youre listening. Theres a lot of good people you can choose, but MBS has tainted your country and tainted himself, said Graham.

The South Carolinian also said that Saudi Arabia has nothing but contempt for the United States and that hes personally offended by their actions.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel will seek to re-form his liberal-led coalition after an election on Sunday gave the three ruling parties just enough seats to remain in government. Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri asked Bettel to form the next government on Tuesday, noting in a statement that Bettel's Democratic Party, the Socialist Workers Party (LSAP) and the Greens had expressed a desire to start coalition negotiations. Opinion polls before Sunday's election had indicated the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) - which was led for 19 years by EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker - would end Bettel's five-year term as prime minister. The CSV was again the largest party, but actually lost seats, as did the LSAP and the Democratic Party. However, because the Greens gained, the three parties in government have 31 seats in the 60-seat chamber. The CSV was pushed out of government for only the second time since World War Two in a snap election Juncker called in 2013 after a wire-tapping scandal. Unlike some neighboring countries, where migration has boosted anti-immigrant parties, the far right has not made inroads in Luxembourg. However, in 2015 Luxembourgers decisively rejected giving the vote to the 48 percent of the population who are foreigners, mostly from Portugal, France and other EU countries. Whatever the future government, the foreign policy of the European Union's wealthiest but second-smallest state is unlikely to change much. (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)By Stephen Grey VALLETTA (Reuters) - A million-euro ($1.2 million) reward for information on who ordered the murder of Malta's most prominent journalist is still available, a year after her death. Daphne Caruana Galizia, 53, who wrote an anti-corruption blog, was killed on Oct. 16, 2017 by a car bomb. Three people arrested in December were charged with the killing, which they have denied. Police believe an as-yet-unidentified person ordered the attack that Justice Minister Owen Bonnici called "the biggest crime that has ever happened in Malta". Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, a frequent target of Caruana Galizia's writings, offered the reward last year. The money would be paid for anything "which can unlock the facts behind the murder. So I reiterate the offer, it is still there, Bonnici told Reuters in an interview. The minister defended the daily cleanup of a national memorial opposite Valletta's law courts that has become a shrine to the journalist's memory and a center of protest against alleged corruption. "We have the rule of law in Malta. We have procedures. You cannot simply wake up in the morning and appropriate yourself of a national monument," he said, adding that he had asked the activists to apply for a permanent memorial to be set up. Bonnici said the government had made strides to improve the freedom of journalists since the murder, including abolishing criminal libel. But he declined to criticize the fact that Caruana Galizia's family continued to face civil defamation lawsuits for what the journalist wrote, saying those who had been defamed felt they had the right to seek redress. Local and international media groups, including Reuters, began following up stories covered by Caruana Galizia in the wake of her death, in an initiative called the Daphne Project. (Editing by Robin Pomeroy)Daphne Dunne had the pleasure of meeting Prince Harry for the third time on Tuesday. Source: Getty

Shes arguably Australias biggest fan of Prince Harry, and 98-year-old war widow Daphne Dunne had the pleasure of meeting the royal for the third time on Tuesday during his visit to Sydney.

The Duke of Sussex spent a considerable amount of time speaking with Daphne during his royal walkabout at the Opera House, and even introduced her to Meghan Markle.

Lined up next to hundreds of fans, Daphne  who has been dubbed Harrys favourite Aussie  caught the attention of Prince Harry who instantly recognised her.

Have you dyed your hair a shade of pink? Prince Harry asked Daphne, to which she responded, I did it at home.

Kiss me before you go, she then added before the royal had to leave to continue his walkabout.

Meghan was just as touched to finally meet Daphne, and told her: Hopefully next time were with you well have our little one with us.

The royal couple spent a considerable amount of time wit Daphne. Photo: Getty

Earlier, Daphne gushed about Prince Harry as she anticipated meeting him again.

Hes a natural, she told local media. He just loves what hes doing.

Im very happy for him. Im glad hes got a wife now, and soon have a bubba, she added.

In June last year, Daphne met Prince Harry for the second time, as she waited outside Admiralty House  the official Sydney residence of the Governor General  with a coolbox of beer ready to meet the Prince after he officially launched the countdown to the 2018 Invictus Games.

Prince Harry recognised her right away. Photo: Channel Seven

When Daphne first met Harry in May 2015, it was again by the Sydney Opera House and he pointed out the Victoria Cross she was wearing.

It belonged to her first husband Albert Chowne, awarded to him posthumously after he died in Papua New Guinea in 1945 during the Second World War.

At the time, Harry had just completed his month-long attachment with the Australian Defence Force.

Read more:

Meghans touching tribute to Diana during royal tour

First hint of a baby bump for Meghan in Australia

The best royal maternity looks

What Meghan and Harry might name their baby

Pregnant Meghans busy work schedule before royal baby is born

Story continues

Earlier, at Sydneys Admiralty House, Harry publicly gushed about his wifes pregnancy for the first time.

It is great to be back in Australia, and especially even more so this is my wifes first visit here, so I am very excited to show her this incredible country of yours, Harry said in a speech at Admiralty House this afternoon.

We also genuinely couldnt think of a better place to announce the upcoming baby, be it a boy or a girl, he added later on in his speech.

Kensington Palace announced yesterday that the couple are expecting their first child together.

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019. pic.twitter.com/Ut9C0RagLk  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 15, 2018

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019, the palace said in statement on Twitter.

Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public.Mexico City (AFP) - When Donald Trump insisted on renaming the updated North American Free Trade Agreement, the "America first" president pointedly listed the US before the other countries, calling it the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

But Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced Tuesday he was putting Mexico first, saying the deal would be known in Spanish as "T-MEC," after conducting a poll of his Twitter followers.

That's short for the "Tratado Mexico-Estados Unidos-Canada" -- which translates as the Mexico-United States-Canada Treaty.

Lopez Obrador, who takes office on December 1, had launched a Twitter poll a week ago to rebrand the deal to "something pronounceable" in Spanish.

He asked his 4.5 million followers to vote between three options: TEUMECA, which put the United States first and got 16 percent of the vote; T-MEC, which put Mexico first and got 45 percent; or "none of the above," which got 39 percent.

More than 102,000 people participated.

The poll "delivered a clear preference for T-MEC," tweeted Lopez Obrador, calling on outgoing Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's government to agree on that as "the treaty's colloquial name."

The showdown over the name has pitted Lopez Obrador's often-mocked fondness for putting thorny issues to a vote against Trump's also-mocked fondness for renaming things.

Despite winning Mexico's July 1 election in a landslide, Lopez Obrador has gone out of his way to involve "the people" in his decisions, even before taking office.

He has convened a vote for late October on a controversial new Mexico City airport, and plans to hold a referendum halfway through his six-year term on whether he should remain in office.

Commentators have meanwhile noted Trump's "obsession with renaming things," as CNN's Z. Byron Wolf recently put it.

Trump has reportedly even given Lopez Obrador a new nickname, calling him "Juan Trump" -- an apparent reference to their rough similarities.

Despite the ideological differences between the Republican billionaire and the leftist president-elect, both are free-trade skeptics with populist tendencies who mobilized a disgruntled base.

Canada, Mexico and the United States reached a deal on September 30 to update NAFTA after more than a year of arduous negotiations triggered by Trump, who called the agreement a "rip-off" that cost the US millions of jobs.A Republican Senate candidate compared Michelle Obama to a chimpanzee during her meeting with the Queen and urged the former first lady to stand up straighter.

Karin Housley  currently a state senator who serves in Minnesota  took to Facebook in 2009 to compare Ms Obama to the chimpanzee in 1951 film Bedtime for Bonzo, which starred Ronald Reagan.

Michelle is soooo far from cool. Dont we expect our first ladies to at least stand up straight? (And my dear sister, know the proper etiquette and DO NOT TOUCH THE QUEEN!), Ms Housley wrote in the post.

I do miss Nancy Reagan. Ronald even more. Speaking of Bedtime for Bonzo, I think even that chimp stood up straighter than Michelle. Uh-oh, someone is going to make a comment.

Jake Schneider, who is the Housley campaign spokesman, said the "out-of-context" Facebook post was being used to manufacture outrage after it came to light.

This is what the radical left does when they are losing - they attack Republicans so they dont have to come up with solutions to the problems Minnesotans are facing, Mr Schneider said in a statement.

Ms Housley is running against Democrat Senator Tina Smith for the seat that was held by fellow Democrat Al Franken, who resigned in January amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

Ms Smith is leading Ms Housley in the polls by an average of nearly ten points, according to RealClearPolitics.

Ms Housley made an on-stage appearance with US president Donald Trump at a Make America Great Again event in Rochester, Minnesota, earlier this month.

Ms Obama, Americas first black first lady, endured repeated racism while in the White House. From being branded an ape in heels by a West Virginia official to being told she had a gorilla face by a local Washington mayor, she was subject to numerous spiteful racially-charged remarks from politicians and commentators.

The 54-year-old, who married Barack Obama in 1992, addressed the racism she has experienced during an appearance in Denver last year.

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Ms Obama, who enjoyed consistently high popularity ratings while first lady, was pressed about which shards of glass had cut her deepest during her eight years in the White House and referred to the incident cited above where she was called an ape in heels.

"The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut," the Chicago native replied. "Knowing that after eight years of working really hard for this country, there are still people who won't see me for what I am because of my skin colour."

She added: "Women, we endure those cuts in so many ways that we don't even notice we're cut. We are living with small tiny cuts, and we are bleeding every single day. And we're still getting up."

Ms Obama addressed the persistent shadows of racism in a speech at Jackson State University - a historically black institution in the capital of Mississippi - in 2016. She began by citing personal, quotidian examples of racism before going on to address macro-level structural prejudice.

Ms Obama talked of being pulled over for driving while black, being closely scrutinised while shopping and even having random passers-by actively cross the street to avoid coming into contact with you. But then she drew attention to institutionalised forms of racism.

She said: "Maybe its when the early voting location in your neighbourhood just happens to be closed, or law after law is passed about the kind of ID you need to cast your vote. Maybe its all those schools that, despite the laws, are still very much separate and unequal. Or the criminal justice system that still doesnt provide truly equal justice for far too many!A protestor carries an anti-misogyny poster at the Womens March in New York City. (Getty Images)

Misogyny, ageism and hostility towards men could become hate crimes under a new government strategy.

Ministers today published a refreshed strategy aimed at improving the response to offences that target a victim because of characteristics such as race, religion or sexual orientation.

In another step, the Law Commission will carry out a review into hate crime, which will consider whether abuse motivated by misogyny, hatred of men or ageism will be considered hate crimes.

The hatred of alternative cultures such as punks or goths may also be included.

The updated action plan was published as the Home Offices latest statistics showed police in England and Wales recorded 17% more hate crime in 2017/18 than the previous year.

There were 94,098 of the offences in total, three-quarters of which  71,251  were race hate crimes.

Anti-racism demonstrators take part in a counter-protest in an attempt to block the route of Democratic Football Lads Alliance (DFLA) march in London. (Andres Pantoja/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Home secretary Sajid Javid said: Hate crime goes directly against the long-standing British values of unity, tolerance and mutual respect  and I am committed to stamping this sickening behaviour out.

Our refreshed action plan sets out how we will tackle the root causes of prejudice and racism, support hate crime victims and ensure offenders face the full force of the law.

Spikes in reports of hate offences have been registered following events such as the Brexit vote in June 2016 and the Westminster terror attack last year.

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Hate crimes and incidents are defined as those perceived to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a personal characteristic.

Five strands are monitored centrally: race or ethnicity; religion or beliefs; sexual orientation; disability; and transgender identity.

Story continues

Some forces log other types of hostility under the hate crime heading, including reports of misogyny and incidents where victims were targeted because of their age or membership of an alternative sub-culture.

The new action plan says there has been a welcome increase in reporting, reflecting improved identification of hate crime by the police, willingness of victims to come forward and an overall improvement in crime recording.

Other new measures include a nationwide public awareness campaign, extra funding to support communities and specialist training for police call handlers.

Communities secretary James Brokenshire said: It is completely unacceptable that anyone should live in fear of intimidation and violence because of their beliefs or the colour of their skin.

We must challenge prejudice and intolerance, whenever and wherever it appears in our society.

Gary FitzGerald, chief executive of charity Action on Elder Abuse, said: We welcome todays announcement that a review into hate crime legislation will consider the need for elder abuse to become an aggravated offence.

Frankly, such a step is long overdue. Older people are being neglected and abused physically, financially, psychologically and sexually across the country every day.

But the number of convictions for these crimes is tiny and, even when someone is found guilty, they often escape with flimsy sentences and paltry fines that do nothing to deter would-be abusers.

Home secretary Sajid Javid spoke about his own experience of hate crime (Picture: PA)

The blueprint includes steps designed to ensure that taxi and private hire vehicle drivers identify and report hate crime in the night-time economy.

Advice will be included in the Department for Transports best practice guidance on taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, which is scheduled to be updated in 2019 and will be considered for adoption by all 293 licensing authorities in England, the document says.

It also notes that new guidance for door staff sets out how they can ensure transgender people can have a safe and enjoyable time going to pubs, clubs, festivals and events.

Mr Javid spoke of his own experience of being a victim of hate crime. The politician said he had been called names such as a coconut, Uncle Tom and much worse since taking on his Cabinet post earlier this year.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Javid said he had also been sent a Punish a Muslim Day letter.

No matter who you are, these attacks have a personal effect, he said.

Sadly, we still hear incidents of intolerance, whether its a migrant being told they dont belong, a disabled child being verbally abused, a Muslim woman having her veil torn off or anonymous keyboard cowards infecting the internet with hatred.

It is the responsibility of us all to tackle intolerance so that we can live our lives in this great, vibrant country.The set of Morning Joe offered analysis of President Trumps interview on 60 Minutes Sunday evening, focusing on the presidents frequent assertion to Lesley Stahl that he was not a baby.

Opening the show Monday, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski repeatedly called Trump a baby, and snickered as they introduced their guests for the 6 a.m hour.

Baby President, said Scarborough. Hes a Baby. What a baby. What a baby. Well, more than one or two references about the emperor not having any clothes.

Also Read:Dave Chappelle Isn't Mad at Kanye, but Thinks 'He Shouldn't Say All That S--' About Trump

He wants to make it clear to you that hes not a baby, said Brzezinski. Seems like a baby. Big Baby and really really ill-equipped and unfit to lead this country.

Related Video: Ahead of Midterms, Trump Holds Rallies Across Country

Watch news, TV and more on Yahoo View.



Show regular and c0-host of Showtimes The Circus John Heilemann also couldnt resist getting in on the routine.

Like a naked baby, he said. A clothes-free baby. Thats how babies are. They generally dont have much in the way of clothing.

President Trump spoke with Stahl for nearly 30 minutes Sunday evening in a wide ranging discussion that touched on Russia, China, North Korea, trade, climate change, Brett Kavanaugh and the disappearance of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi. It was his first interview with Stahl and 60 Minutes since they spoke two years ago shortly after his election.

While the president offers extensive commentary to Fox News and other favored outlets, he has been more reticent with other media  who generally pushback against his claims more. Trump routinely derides much of the press as fake news.

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According to Stahl, Trump personally told that his tactic with the media was designed to lessen the impact of negative stories when they happen.

He said, You know why I do it? I do it to discredit you all and demean you all, so when you write negative stories about me no one will believe you,' Stahl said in May. He said that. So put that in your head for a minute.

Read original story Morning Joe Mocks Baby President Trump After 60 Minutes Interview: What a Baby At TheWrapBeirut (AFP) - Russia and Turkey said Tuesday their deal to set up a buffer zone for the last major Syrian rebel bastion of Idlib was still on course, despite jihadists missing a deadline to withdraw.

The agreement, reached by key powerbrokers Moscow and Ankara last month, gave "radical fighters" until Monday to leave a horseshoe-shaped area around Idlib intended to separate government from opposition forces.

But jihadists have held their ground, with a monitoring group saying Tuesday there were still "no signs" of an evacuation.

Neither Turkey nor Russia seemed fazed by the apparent breach of the plan aimed at averting an assault by Moscow-backed Syrian regime troops.

"The memorandum is being implemented and the military are satisfied with the way the Turkish side is working in this regard," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.

"Of course one cannot expect everything to go smoothly with absolutely no glitches, but the work is being carried out."

Soon after, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the process of implementation was "ongoing."

"There are no concerns about the withdrawal of heavy arms, and there don't seem to be concerns about certain radical groups withdrawing from this region," he said.

The deal provides for a 15-20 kilometre buffer zone semi-circling opposition-held areas in Idlib and the neighbouring provinces of Latakia, Hama, and Aleppo.

It gave until October 10 for the zone to be cleared of any heavy weapons, a deadline opposition backer Turkey, the Observatory, and rebels said had been met.

But the second deadline for the withdrawal of "radical" fighters -- taken to mean jihadist heavyweight Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other hardliners -- was seen as the accord's real test.

- 'Give it more time' -

Under the deal, the jihadists' departure would pave the way for patrols of the zone by its Russian and Turkey sponsors.

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"We did not monitor on Tuesday any withdrawal or patrols in the buffer area," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

HTS, dominated by Al-Qaeda's former Syrian branch, has publicly pledged to continue fighting but has not taken an explicit stance on the Turkey-Russia deal.

On Tuesday, pro-government daily Al-Watan said HTS's refusal to withdraw "gave Ankara a powerful slap."

"It puts the agreement on the edge of the abyss and provides the justification for the Syrian army and Russian air force to start a military operation to oust (HTS) from the area," it wrote.

It said Ankara had asked "Moscow to give it more time to influence" HTS members who were resisting the deal.

That came a day after Syria's top diplomat said it was too soon to say whether the deal had been fulfilled.

"We have to wait for the Russian reaction. Russia is monitoring and following the situation," foreign minister Walid Muallem told reporters in Damascus.

But he said Idlib would inevitably return to government control, implying a military assault was still on the table.

"We have to wait, but at the same time, our troops are still ready around Idlib," Muallem said.

After a string of battlefield wins this year, troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad hold around two-thirds of Syria.

- 'No action' -

The Idlib region, home to around three million people, is the country's last major opposition bastion, and had been in Assad's sights for months.

World powers and aid agencies had expressed relief after the buffer zone deal, hoping it would help stave off a military assault that could have caused a humanitarian catastrophe.

Nawar Oliver, an analyst at the Turkey-based Omran Center, said the deal may still reach fruition.

"Although the time frame has nominally expired, there are continuing efforts to implement the deal," he told AFP.

Oliver said all stakeholders in the deal, even local actors, realised that the time frame granted in the public agreement would not be enough.

"That's why it needs more time," he said.

One possible hurdle is the internal divide within HTS over the deal.

According to a brief this month by the Omran Center, HTS chief Abu Mohammad al-Jolani appears supportive of the deal and of aligning with the Turkish-backed National Liberation Front, the second most powerful group in Idlib.

A second faction, led by an Egyptian commander, was leaning towards rejecting the deal and any partnership with the NLF.

The terms of the accord only mention "radical fighters", without specifying HTS, and give no details on monitoring mechanisms, besides Turkish and Russian patrols.

Nicholas Heras, an analyst at the Center for a New American Security, said Ankara needed to do more to make the deal succeed.

"The Turks for their part have shown no action to remove any of the jihadist groups from either Idlib or the demilitarised zone, which rightfully calls into question whether Turkey is willing remove the al-Qaeda safe haven in Syria," he said.Annecy (France) (AFP) - French investigators are struggling to explain how a young hunter out on a shooting expedition in the French Alps ended up killing a British mountain biker at the weekend, prosectors said Tuesday.

The 34-year-old Briton, who had been living in the Alps for four years, was fatally injured while out on a ride on a well used, but hard to access mountain track near the village of Montriond.

Local prosecutor Philippe Toccanier told reporters on Tuesday that the victim, named as Marc Sutton, was wearing bright clothes when the 22-year-old hunter discharged his weapon at around 6 pm (1600 GMT) on Saturday.

"The area was open and visibility was perfect," he added.

Sutton was struck in the chest and died of his injuries.

All of the witnesses to the death -- five hunters aged between 20-23 and another two aged around 40 -- have been interviewed by the police, but the shooter remains in hospital where he is being treated for shock.

Hunting has been temporarily suspended in the area.

In September, a 19-year-old hunter was sentenced to a three-year jail term, with two years suspended, after he shot and killed a man in 2015 on a wooded path near Quintal in the Alps.

Hunting remains popular but controversial in France, with farmers and enthusiasts arguing that it is an important social pursuit in rural areas that helps control the population of animals such as wild boar or deer.

Animals rights activists have long campaigned against it and were vocal in their criticism of French President Emmanuel Macron in August when he slashed the price of a hunting license in half to 200 euros (230 dollars).

According to the national hunting and wildlife agency ONCFS, 115 people had been injured in hunting accidents this year up to June 1, with around 85 percent being hunters themselves.

Thirteen died of their injuries, including three people who were not involved in a hunt.By Tim Reid

(Reuters) - The brothel-owning, evangelical Christian-backed Republican Nevada state legislature candidate who nicknamed himself the "Trump from Pahrump," died on Tuesday, a local sheriff's office said.

Dennis Hof, 72, styled himself as America's best-known pimp, a strip-club owner who ran multiple brothels. His political rise reflected fundamental changes in electoral norms that have roiled the Republican Party and upended American politics during the era of President Donald Trump.

"This really is the Trump movement," Hof said in a June interview at Moonlite BunnyRanch, his brothel near his home in Pahrump, Nevada. "People will set aside for a moment their moral beliefs, their religious beliefs, to get somebody that is honest in office."

The Nye County Sheriff's Office said on its website that Hof had been found dead at one of his properties in Crystal, Nevada.

Friends found him dead when they went to wake him for a meeting hours after his 72nd birthday party, his campaign manager, Chuck Muth, said on Twitter. He said that Hof appeared to have died in his sleep.

After Hof won the June nominating contest for a state Assembly seat, some evangelicals in his Republican-leaning district said they had voted for him because they believed he would clean up politics and not be beholden to special-interest groups and their money.

The thrice-divorced author of "The Art of the Pimp," who appeared on HBO's "Cathouse," owned a strip club and five legal brothels in Nevada, the only U.S. state with legalized prostitution. But the source of Hof's wealth did not deter his supporters.

"We have politicians, they might speak good words, not sleep with prostitutes, be a good neighbor," evangelical pastor Victor Fuentes said in June. "But by their decisions, they have evil in their heart. Dennis Hof is not like that."

For decades, evangelical voters have been a pillar of the Republican Party, using grassroots muscle to turn out votes and engage in political battles over hot-button social issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.

Story continues

But in recent years, many conservative Christians have lost trust in establishment Republicans, whom they accuse of not fighting for values they feel are under attack in modern America.

Other conservative Christian voters were wary of Hof.

An investigation of three of his brothels turned up immigration violations and indications of possible human trafficking, local officials said earlier this month. Hof denied the allegations.

(Reporting by Tim Reid in San Antonio; Editing by Scott Malone, Peter Cooney and Bill Berkrot)ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's upper house of parliament plans to investigate an alleged $3.5 billion fuel subsidy fund at state-oil firm NNPC, lawmakers said on Tuesday. The Senate alleges NNPC used the fund to subside the price of imported petrol without the house's approval, the lawmakers said. Fuel subsidies are a contentious issue in Nigeria, where prices are kept artificially low at 145 naira ($0.48) per litre, often as a populist tool. That has meant that as fuel prices increase globally, it has become unprofitable for private petrol marketers to import, forcing NNPC to step in to prevent major shortages. However, state oil firm money spent on subsidies is meant to be included in Nigeria's national budget, subject to approval by the national assembly. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said parliament would set up a committee to look into the issue. A spokesman for NNPC said the oil company would await a decision from lawmakers and then decide how to respond. "We have to call for the resolution (by the Senate), analyse it and respond accordingly," he said. In April, the Senate said the state oil firm illegally paid 216 billion naira ($707 million) in fuel subsidies in 2017, which should be reimbursed to the government. Fuel shortages are a recurrent issue in Nigeria's energy sector due to the country's limited refining base and its cap on prices. This often creates long queues lasting hours at petrol stations whenever there is talk of fuel price increases. (Reporting by Camillus Eboh; Writing by Chijioke Ohuocha; Editing by Susan Fenton and Adrian Croft)Theresa May faces a tough festive period if Brexit talks go all the way to December (Getty)

Theresa May is facing the possibility of a Brexit nightmare before Christmas amid concerns that negotiations may have to run until December in order to get a deal.

The prime minister travels to Brussels for the European Council on Wednesday, which had branded by the EU as the moment of truth for Brexit talks, without any prospect of a deal.

EU leaders will instead discuss whether enough progress has been made towards a deal to warrant calling a special summit in mid-November in order to sign-off a deal.

But doubts remain about whether a month is enough time to resolve the outstanding issues, the most significant of which remains the Irish border backstop.

A November summit is not [a] given, cautioned a senior EU source ahead of the summit.

European Council president Donald Tusk said he had no grounds for optimism ahead of the meeting.

MORE: Brexit deal not possible this week, warn EU ministers

If a November meeting is not approved, the next occasion at which a Brexit deal could be signed-off is the European Council scheduled for 13 and 14 December.

Tusk said last month that maximum progress and results need to be made by this weeks summit in order for a November meeting to go-ahead.

Theresa May is likely to appeal for concessions to pave the way for a quick deal when she speaks to the other 27 EU heads of government on Wednesday evening.

But she was given a blunt piece of advice by Germanys Europe minister, Michael Roth, ahead of her speech. Take responsibility and be constructive, he said.

Tusk said May needed to bring forward creative new proposals over the Irish border backstop to break the impasse.

He said the Council was logistically ready to stage a November summit but added: We need also a feeling that we are close to a real breakthrough.

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier meets EU Council president Donald Tusk ahead of the European Council summit in Brussels (Getty)

EU 27 leaders will also hold a working dinner without May on Wednesday, at which they will hear a progress report from Barnier and decide whether the decisive progress necessary for a November summit has been made.

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Barnier dropped a big hint the November meeting would not be approved when he told journalists: More time is required to find this comprehensive deal and reach this decisive progress.

It is possible that the EU could still hold a meeting in November, but only to discuss their plans for a no-deal Brexit.

The issue was also discussed at a meeting of EU ministers in Luxembourg on Tuesday.

Speaking as he arrived, Dutch foreign minister Stef Blok said: I hope very much there will be a summit in November on Brexit because that would mean that the negotiations have progressed in the way that we want them to.

MORE: No-deal Brexit edges closer as May reveals she doesnt want an indefinite backstop

But, speaking in Brussels, Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz said the changing timetable didnt worry him.

Whether the negotiations are concluded earlier or later is not material, he said. Its a question of ensuring they are concluded successfully and a solution is found for the Northern Ireland issue.

The EU say they will continue seeking a deal until the last moment, but are concerned May could run out of time to get it through the UK parliament.

You need to be able to process the agreement in due time for an orderly withdrawal to be possible on the 30th of March, stressed a European Commission spokesperson.

There was genuine optimism a deal could be reached this week on the back of intensive negotiations over new British backstop proposals.

But progress stalled when Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab met EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier on Sunday.

That was because the EU doesnt believe theres enough time to work out the details of the plan, the prime minister told MPs on Monday.



By Jorge Cabrera AGUA CALIENTE, Guatemala (Reuters) - Up to 3,000 migrants crossed from Honduras into Guatemala on Monday on a trek northward, after a standoff with police in riot gear and warnings from Washington that migrants should not try to enter the United States illegally. The crowd more than doubled in size from Saturday, when some 1,300 people set off from northern Honduras in what has been dubbed "March of the Migrant," an organizer said. The migrants plan to seek refugee status in Mexico or pass through to the United States. Reuters could not independently verify the number of participants, but images showed a group carrying backpacks and clogging roads near the border, some waving the Honduran flag. The impoverished nations of Central America, from which thousands of migrants have fled in recent years, are under mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to do more to curb mass migration. "We are seriously concerned about the caravan of migrants traveling north from Honduras, with false promises of entering the United States by those who seek to exploit their compatriots," the U.S. Embassy in Honduras said in a statement on Sunday evening. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence last week called on presidents in the region to tackle the issue, saying Washington would be willing to help with economic development and investment in return. Guatemala said in a statement on Sunday that it did not promote or endorse "irregular migration." Rows of Guatemalan police in black uniforms, some wearing helmets and shields, initially blocked migrants from reaching a customs booth, Reuters images showed. It was not clear how long the standoff lasted, but the group was ultimately able to cross, said march organizer Bartolo Fuentes, a former Honduran lawmaker. A police official on site said all Central Americans could pass freely through the region as long as they complied with migration control. "We're going to drop in on Donald Trump. He has to take us in," said Andrea Fernandez, 24, who left Honduras with a newborn baby, a 5-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son because she said she could not find work and feared for their safety. Mexico's migration institute said in a statement on Monday that march participants would need to follow immigration rules to enter the country, without specifying the criteria. "The law does not provide for any permission to enter the country without meeting the requirements, and then go on to a third country," the government agency said. (Reporting by Jorge Cabrera; Additional reporting by Gustavo Palencia in Tegucigalpa; Writing by Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Peter Cooney)BARRON, Wis. (AP)  Authorities searched Monday for a 13-year-old girl they believe is in danger after her parents were found dead in their western Wisconsin home.

Deputies went to the home in Barron after dispatchers received a 911 call from an unknown person at around 1 a.m. Monday, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said. He said they found the bodies of Jayme Closs' parents, who were later identified by the sheriff's department as 56-year-old James Closs and his 46-year-old wife, Denise Closs. Fitzgerald also said there had been gunshots, but he stopped short of saying that's how the couple died.

"At the end of the day, I want a 13-year-old here safe and sound. That's our goal. That's our only goal right now," Fitzgerald said at a news briefing.

Investigators don't have any leads or suspects, but they have enlisted the help of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the FBI, which has agents who specialize in missing children cases, the sheriff said. He said Jayme is not considered a suspect in her parents' deaths.

Deputies searched the area around the family's home with drones and infrared equipment, but they didn't find any clues as to her whereabouts. Fitzgerald said investigators are frustrated they haven't developed any leads and asked for the public's help with any information about what could have happened to the girl.

Officers also were at Jayme's middle school talking with her friends and acquaintances, hoping to develop some leads, officials said.

An Amber Alert was issued Monday for Jayme, although it did not include information about a suspect or vehicle.

Jayme is described as 5-feet (1.5 meters) tall and 100 pounds (45 kilograms), with strawberry-blond hair and green eyes.

Barron is about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of Minneapolis.Matthew Falder had his sentence cut at the London Court of Appeal. (PA/Rex)

One of Britains most prolific paedophiles, who blackmailed a string of vulnerable victims, has had his manifestly excessive jail term cut by seven years.

Cambridge graduate Matthew Falder had his custodial term reduced from 32 to 25 years by Court of Appeal judges in London on Tuesday.

Bespectacled Falder, who admitted 137 offences, including voyeurism, encouraging child rape, and sharing images showing the abuse of a newborn baby, watched the proceedings via video link from prison.

His barrister Andrew Smith QC told the court during the hearing: This was grave offending with undoubtedly profound consequences for those who were the victims of this applicant.

But he submitted that the custodial element of 32 years imposed was manifestly excessive.

The decision to allow the sentence challenge was announced by Lord Justice Holroyde, sitting with Mr Justice King and the Recorder of Winchester Judge Keith Cutler.

Falder was described in court as cunning, persistent, manipulative and cruel. (Rex)



He said the court had concluded that the appropriate custodial term, taking into account credit for the guilty pleas, and the principle of totality, was 25 years.

The sentencing judge at Birmingham Crown Court in February concluded that Falder was a dangerous offender and gave him a six-year extended licence period. This was increased to eight years by the appeal judges.

Falder, of Harborne Park Road, Birmingham, committed his offences over nearly 10 years, manipulating victims behind a computer screen by duping them into providing nude images and personal details.

He admitted 137 offences, including voyeurism, encouraging child rape, and sharing images showing the abuse of a newborn baby, after being caught by an international inquiry led by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Matthew Falder being interviewed by police before he was originally jailed. (Rex)

The 29-year-old was arrested in June last year after traumatised victims, who were tricked into sending him humiliating images, threatened or attempted to end their own lives.

Sentencing warped and sadistic Falder in February for a tale of ever-increasing depravity, Judge Philip Parker QC said: As for your equally extraordinary sexual offending  no-one who knew you, above ground, had an inkling of what you were doing below the surface.

Story continues

Branding him an internet highwayman who targeted 46 victims, he added: You wanted to assume total control over your victims.

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Your behaviour was cunning, persistent, manipulative and cruel.

Of the victims, he said: The damage is ongoing. For these individuals it will never end, knowing the abuse caused by you still exists in other unknown persons computers.

The unprecedented operation to catch Falder, who used specialist software to hide his online accounts, was aided by GCHQ, the US Homeland Security Department and law enforcement bodies in Israel and Australia.

Police images of Matthew Falders bedroom and computer. (Rex)

On his arrest, the former post-doctoral researcher and lecturer in geophysics at the University of Birmingham quipped to officers that the list of then suspected offences sounded like the rap sheet from hell.

Birmingham Crown Court heard that Falder coerced male and female victims into producing increasingly severe self-generated indecent images of themselves, the focus of these images being to humiliate and degrade.

Opening the facts of the case against Falder, prosecutor Ruona Iguyovwe told the court many images were distributed on so-called hurtcore websites on the dark web, showing material depicting sexual and physical abuse.The world's major alcohol producers can no longer ignore the pot phenomenon, as young consumers may increasingly swap beer and cocktails for joints and cannabis-infused drinks.

Some have decisively seized the moment. Constellation Brands, maker of Corona beer and Svedka vodka, has poured $4 billion into the Canadian marijuana firm Canopy Growth.

The coming market is "potentially one of the most significant global growth opportunities of the next decade," said Constellation Chief Executive Robert Sands.

Sales of legal marijuana and related products should reach $200 billion within 15 years and the market is opening "much more rapidly than originally anticipated," he said.

Following in Uruguay's footsteps, Canada on Wednesday will become the second country in the world to legalize recreational marijuana.

Cannabis is still banned under US federal law for any purpose but nine states so far have legalized its recreational use under their own laws, while others have moved toward softening its prohibition in recent years.

As a result newer methods of consumption are proliferating: edibles in the form of candies, baked goods and ice creams as well as vaporizers and ointments.

And then there are drinks.

Diageo, the world's largest producer of spirits, including Smirnoff vodka and Johnny Walker whisky, is in talks with Canadian producers, according to Bloomberg.

In response to a question from AFP, the company said only that it was closely watching the market.

Beer producer Molson Coors has also announced a joint venture with Canada's Hydropothecary Corporation.

Others are more reluctant.

Alexandre Ricard, CEO of Pernod Ricard, explained at the end of August that his company was keeping an eye on the market, especially to determine whether it was likely to "cannibalize" consumption of high-end liquors.

And for now, the signals are mixed.

Researchers at the University of Connecticut and Georgia State University last year found sales of alcohol dipped 12.4 percent in US counties where medical marijuana was legalized.

Story continues

- Same buzz, no hangover -

But others, including the Distilled Spirits Council, an industry body representing liquor makers in the United States, say sales have not been hurt.

"It is still too soon to say one way or the other," said Keith Villa, a Colorado brewmaster.

Creator of the popular Belgian-style "Blue Moon" wheat beer, Villa plans to market a non-alcoholic brew containing THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

"As with a regular beer, you get a buzz that is similar to the alcohol buzz," he said. "But the next morning you should not have a hangover."

While it is possible to mix alcohol and cannabis, he has not gone down that road. Doing so is illegal and the two substances can compound each other's effects, he said.

Hemp beers and those containing cannabidiol, a cannabis component that is not psychoactive, are already available. There also are drinks with added THC.

In California this summer, Lagunitas, a property of Holland's Heineken, began marketing Hi-Fi Hops, a non-alcoholic concoction that makes drinkers feel high.

Southern Glazer, North America's largest wine and liquor distributor, has created a subsidiary specifically devoted to distributing cannabis in Canada.

Soft drink makers, which have seen sales suffer as consumers turn away from high-sugar sodas, can't afford to ignore rising demand either.

Coca-Cola has reportedly discussed producing cannabis-infused drinks with Canada's Aurora Cannabis. And while PepsiCo said this month it had no plans to develop a similar drink, Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston told CNBC the company would still "look at it critically."

Canaccord Genuity analysts forecast sales of THC-infused and CBC-infused drinks could reach $600 million by 2022.

Brewers have all the more reason to get involved, they say, since craft beers sales are no longer growing as briskly as they once were.

The Distilled Spirits Council has avoided taking a position on legalizing recreational marijuana but it does say cannabis regulations -- on taxation, age limits and consumption prior to driving -- should be as strict as those for alcohol.The Duchess of Sussex, who is expecting her first baby, will not be modifying her tour in Fiji and Tonga despite the presence of the Zika virus.

A source said the duchess had taken medical advice and that all issues, including the risk of Zika infection, had been taken into account before deciding to go ahead with the trip.

The duke and duchess, who is said to be in good health at this stage of her pregnancy, will be in Fiji and Tonga from October 23 to 26.

There, they will undertake a range of indoor and outdoor activities, including a welcome ceremony in a park, a lively marketplace linked with the UN Womens project Markets for Change and the unveiling of a Queens Commonwealth Canopy project in the Toloa Forest Reserve.

The current Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice notes that UK health authorities have classified both Fiji and Tonga as having a risk of Zika virus transmission.

Both countries are listed as moderate risk.

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019. pic.twitter.com/Ut9C0RagLk  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 15, 2018

The NHS advises that infection with the virus during pregnancy can lead to congenital Zika syndrome, with severe consequences for the baby.

If you plan to travel to an affected area, seek travel health advice before your trip, it continues.

It is recommended that pregnant women should consider postponing non-essential travel to areas at moderate risk of Zika virus transmission until after pregnancy.

Sources said that the Duchess has been taking advice on all medical issues, with the couple making the decision to go ahead with the tour after taking it into consideration.

The inclusion of Fiji and Tonga in the itinerary had previously been cited by royal-watchers as a sign that the duke and duchess could not be expecting a baby just yet.

Story continues

The couple is, Kensington Palace said, delighted with the news.

The announcement, ahead of the first day of their 16-day tour, will add an extra pressure to an already busy tour.

The schedule is currently weighted towards the morning and early afternoon, with most evenings kept free of engagements.

The Duchess is currently absent from just one: a wreath laying at a war memorial first thing in the morning in Suva, Fiji, where her husband will go alone.

It is understood that the duchess plans to attend every other event as detailed in her public schedule, but will necessarily see how she feels as the gruelling tour continues.

The Zika infection is spread by the Aedes species of mosquitoes, which tends to bite during the day.

It usually causes mild symptoms of fever, headache, muscle pain and a rash, but can have severe complications for unborn children.Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex announced they were expecting their first child back in October, and many Brits responded with the same enthusiasm that met news of Prince William and Kate Middletons impending arrivals: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

But, unlike his or her older cousins, Meghan and Harrys new arrival will not be a Prince or Princess.

Thats because of a century-old decree made by Britains King George V in 1917, ABC news royal contributor Imogen Lloyd Webber tells TIME. At the time, there were revolutions happening across Europe and many monarchies collapsing, she says. So George V wanted a slimmed-down monarchy, kind of like Prince Charles is pushing for now.

In short, the decree says that when it comes to the monarchs great-grandchildren, only the eldest living son (George) of the oldest living son (William) of the oldest living son (Charles) of the monarch (Elizabeth), should have the titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their Christian names. All the Queens other great grandchildren are to be known as Lord or Lady, and would not need to be addressed as His Royal Highness or Her Royal Highness.

The Queen gave William and Kates children special dispensation to become HRHs. In 2013, a few months before George was born, she issued a decree, updating George Vs rules, to ensure that all William and Kates children, male or female, would be styled Prince or Princess. The change came a few months before the U.K.s parliament updated the countrys succession laws to ensure that a new princess would not be bumped down the line to the throne by any younger brothers.

But, according to Lloyd Webber, its very unlikely that the Queen will make such an intervention for Meghan and Harrys child. There arent really grounds for it, she says. The unborn childs place at seventh in the line of succession means he or she will probably never take the throne.

Story continues

At the end of the day, would Meghan and Harry even want that? Harry has been very honest about being troubled on some levels about being a member of the royal family, Lloyd Webber says. And Meghan is the first self-made woman to marry into the royal family, and shes an American. I think theyll lean towards the example of Princess Anne [Harrys aunt] whose children have no titles.

You might expect the new baby to inherit the titles that their parents received when they married in May: the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Thats the case only if their child is a boy. Lloyd Webber says Meghan and Harrys son would probably take his fathers title of Duke when he dies, being known in the meantime as the Earl of Dumbarton.

But U.K. law still says only males can inherit dukedoms, meaning that Meghan and Harrys daughter would likely just be Lady, as George Vs decree intended. In July, five women filed a case at the European Court of Human Rights, arguing the rules amount to state-sanctioned sexual discrimination. Theres not much the Royal Family can do about that alone, says Lloyd Webber. That has to come from the House of Lords, she says. Its part of a wider debate in the aristocracy.

So in all likelihood, we can expect an Earl of Dumbarton or a Lady Mountbatten-Windsor to join the family in spring.Moscow (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend a November 11 ceremony in Paris marking 100 years since the end of World War I, his advisor Yuri Ushakov said Tuesday.

The ceremony will be attended by a number of other heads of state including US President Donald Trump, it was earlier confirmed.

"On November 11 we are planning to fly to Paris. We will take part in the ceremony on the Champs Elysees," Ushakov told journalists.

Putin will go to a working breakfast organised by French President Emmanuel Macron and later lay flowers at a monument to Russian soldiers in the capital, he added.

Trump confirmed his attendance at the event in August.

The US leader had been planning to hold a parade in Washington but criticised local politicians who he said were asking for too much money for the event.

Ushakov on Tuesday also confirmed that US National Security Advisor John Bolton would be in Moscow at the start of next week for talks with his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev.

However Bolton will not meet Putin, and the arrangement of direct talks between the Russian and US presidents is not on the agenda, Ushakov said.

He said there were currently no plans for Putin and Trump to meet in Paris.

The pair last met in Helsinki in July, after which Trump came under fire for accommodating his Russian counterpart.Rashida Tlaib is an activist, a lawyer, and a 2018 congressional candidate in Michigan, who hopes to become one of the first two Muslim women in Congress. (Photo: Makers)

When Rashida Tlaib was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, she proposed incorporating cultural integration programs into the states social service agencies. In response, the chairman of the Michigan Legislature asked Tlaib to show her birth certificate to prove her citizenship.

I thought to myself, Im not gonna be forced out just because Im Muslim and because Im Arab, Tlaib recalls in an exclusive interview with Makers. I was born in this country. Im a product of these services.

Now shes a product of our electoral process: Tlaib is poised to be one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, winning the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives seat from Michigans 13th congressional district.

Im gonna be pushing that line and showing people that if you work hard enough, if you love your community enough, you can do whatever the heck you want, she says. I dont care what anybody says or  these stereotypes out there about us.

Tlaib, the child of Palestinian immigrants, grew up in Detroit hearing stories of the oppression her grandfather faced in Palestine. As a Muslim living in the United States, she was shocked to face discrimination in her own backyard following the 9/11 attacks.

I remember my parents home being surrounded by gunmen and being interviewed by the FBI for hours, Tlaib recalls.

A law student at Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School at the time, Tlaib remembers calling her sisters and brothers, worried for their safety.

It was the first time I felt fearful of my own government. And I just felt like nobody cared, that this was happening to this family, who are Americans, says Tlaib. There was just a heightened fear among the Arab-American community across the country, and it really pushed me to be more involved.

Tlaib doubled down on her activism for underrepresented communities in Detroit. In 2004, she entered politics working for Michigan state Rep. Steve Tobocman. By 2008, Tobocman was so impressed with her that he encouraged Tlaib to run for his seat.

Story continues

She recalls laughing off his suggestion until more friends weighed in. My colleague said: People like us never think about running for office, and thats the problem, says Tlaib.

Despite her initial apprehension, Tlaib became the first Muslim woman to serve in the Michigan legislature, earning 90 percent of the vote in the general election. Now Tlaib has her sights set on Capitol Hill.

I love when a Muslim father comes up to me and says to his daughter, She is a Muslim. And I almost want to cry, like these little young girls and showing them, shes a Muslim, Tlaib tells Makers. Were constantly looking for permission to be in leadership roles. And we need to shake that out of our young girls. And in the meantime, we need to keep asking women to run.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.Kensington Palace announced the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will have their first child sometime in Spring 2019 and royal fever across the pond appears to have reignited with names like "Diana" and "Edward" being suggested for the couple's first child.

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019, the palace said in a statement.

The Independent spoke with New Yorkers about the news with many "excited about the new announcement"..

One gentleman at the Union Square outdoor market said: I love royalty.

Its exciting. Babies are exciting, his friend said, who noted her family is in the UK and welcomed the news as well.

I hope they name it Di! after the late Princess Diana the gentleman noted, adding that would be sweet.

If it is a boy, both agreed any name would be lovely but not Charles.

One woman said Americans fascination has to do with the American and the British coming together and now theyre having a baby, its a big deal.

She said she thinks it will be a girl, but her friend said she hoped it would be a little boy.

A classic name, something like Catherine, is what she wanted for a girl, but the other woman thought a baby boy will be named Harry Jr after his father.

Several others out and about on a rainy morning were a bit ambivalent about the news, but one woman carting around her own toddler said she thinks interest will peak when the duchess begins to debut her pregnancy fashion choices.

The announcement was made public as the couple touched down in Australia on their second international tour, including Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand, after being married in April.

A couple from Australia in New York on holiday were split in their reaction. The woman wished the royal couple congratulations and said she did not think it would happen "so soon" after the wedding, but her husband said he did not "really care" about the news, but did weigh in with a gender guess.

Story continues

Several others wished them a hearty "congratulations" and also suggested "Diana" and a "fancy name...like Edward" for the new baby. Others agreed on "Harry Jr".

Prince Harry is there to participate in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Invictus Games, an international Paralympics type of event for injured military veterans which began in 2014 in London.

Celebrities in the US have also weighed in on the royal news.

Television show host Ellen DeGeneres tweeted: "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are gonna have a baby! Thats wonderful."

She added: "I cant wait to find out whats in the suitcase," a reference to the former actress-turned-duchess' brief role on the US game show "Deal or No Deal" in which she carried a suitcase with a mystery item alongside several other models.

Doria Ragland, the royal familys first American and African-American grandmother, said she was very happy about this lovely news.

It is thought the duchess is approximately 12 weeks along and due in spring 2019. The new baby will join cousins Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, the children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.Meghan Markle is pregnant with her first child - AFP

The Duchess of Sussex is pregnant, Kensington Palace has announced.

The happy news came hours after the couple were seen arriving in Sydney for their first major international tour since their Windsor Castle wedding in May.

Following the news speculation is already mounting around the name of the next royal baby.

The baby is expected to take the surname Sussex in the same way that Prince William's children, George, Charlotte and Louis have taken his title Cambridge as their last name at school and nursery.

Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice have previously used the surname York, after their fathers title Prince Andrew, the Duke of York.

But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's baby will not be a prince or a princess unless the Queen steps in.

King George V - Harry's great great grandfather - limited titles within the royal family in 1917.

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019. pic.twitter.com/Ut9C0RagLk  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 15, 2018

The couple may decide to go with a traditional name like Alice, Mary, Elizabeth or Victoria for a girl or Philip, Frederick, Charles, Arthur, Edward or James for a boy.

The pair are however forward-thinking royals and they may decide to surprise everyone when naming their first child.

Canadian-born Autumn Phillips, and husband Peter Phillips, opted for a non-traditional name for their daughter Savannah - the Queen's first great-grandchild - in 2010.

In the US, the most popular name for a baby girl is Emma and Liam for a baby boy.

In the UK, the most popular name for a girl born in 2017 was Olivia, and for a boy Oliver.

The Duchess may also seek inspiration from her friends.

Her confidante and stylist Jessica Mulroney has twin boys Brian and John, and a daughter Isabel Veronica, who is known as Ivy - who were pageboys and bridesmaid at the royal wedding.

Story continues

Harry and Meghan's royal baby, who will be seventh in line, is extremely unlikely ever to be king or queen, meaning the couple have more freedom with their choices.

In comparison the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose to give their children traditional names, picking George for their firstborn, who is likely to one day be king.

One option - considered a favourite for a girl - is Diana in honour of Harry's mother.

William and Kate paid tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales in 2015 by choosing it as one of Charlotte's middle names.

The Duke was just 12 when the Princess Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

Meghan's mother, to whom she is close, is called Doria, and the ex-Suits star may want to pay tribute to her as well.

The eldest son and heir apparent of a duke can use one of his father's lesser grade peerage titles by courtesy, according to Debrett's.

A first son of Harry's could become Earl of Dumbarton - one of the subsidiary titles Harry received from the Queen on the morning of his wedding.

A daughter could be Lady (first name) Mountbatten-Windsor, and any subsequent sons Lord (first name) Mounbatten-Windsor.Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is pregnant with her first child - AFP

The first child of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could become the Earl of Dumbarton, as speculation mounts around the baby's name after Kensington Palace announced Meghan's pregnancy.

Hours after the couple arrived in Sydney for their first major international tour since their May wedding, the palace revealed the couple will welcome a child in the spring.

Alice and Philip are both believed to be in the running as potential names.

The new royal baby is expected to take the surname Sussex in the same way that Prince William's children, George, Charlotte and Louis, have taken his title Cambridge as their last name at school and nursery. Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice have previously used the surname York, after the title of their father, Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's baby will not be a prince or a princess unless the Queen steps in. King George V - Harry's great-great-grandfather - limited titles within the royal family in 1917.

If the child is a boy, it could instead become Earl of Dumbarton - one of the subsidiary titles the prince received from the Queen on the morning of his wedding. The eldest son and heir apparent of a duke can use one of his father's lesser grade peerage titles by courtesy, according to Debrett's. A daughter could be Lady (first name) Mountbatten-Windsor, and any subsequent sons Lord (first name) Mounbatten-Windsor.

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019. pic.twitter.com/Ut9C0RagLk  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 15, 2018

The 1st Earl of Dumbarton, George Douglas, was a Scottish nobleman and soldier. He was badly injured in a duel with the duc de Normandie in 1669 and papers reported him dead due to the severity of his injuries.

Story continues

The duke and duchess may decide to go with a traditional name like Alice, Mary, Elizabeth or Victoria for a girl or Philip, Frederick, Charles, Arthur, Edward or James for a boy.

However, the pair are forward-thinking royals and may decide to surprise everyone when naming their first child. Canadian-born Autumn Phillips, and husband Peter Phillips, opted for a non-traditional name for their daughter Savannah - the Queen's first great-grandchild - in 2010.

The Duchess may also seek inspiration from her friends. Her confidante and stylist Jessica Mulroney has twin boys Brian and John, and a daughter Isabel Veronica, who is known as Ivy - who were pageboys and bridesmaid at the royal wedding. In the US, the most popular name for a baby girl is Emma and Liam for a baby boy. In the UK, the most popular name for a girl born in 2017 was Olivia, and for a boy Oliver.

Harry and Meghan's child, who will be seventh in line to the throne, is extremely unlikely ever to be king or queen, meaning the couple have more freedom with their choices.

In comparison, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose to give their children traditional names, picking George for their firstborn, who is likely to one day be king.

One option - considered a favourite for a girl - is Diana, in honour of Harry's mother.

William and Kate paid tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales in 2015 by choosing it as one of Charlotte's middle names. Prince Harry was just 12 when the Princess Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

Meghan's mother, to whom she is close, is called Doria, and the ex-Suits star may want to pay tribute to her as well.

Keep up to date with the Royal family by signing up to our weekly newsletter, Your Royal Appointment.Moscow (AFP) - Orthodox Church leaders from numerous countries on Tuesday called for unity and raised fears of further discord after the Moscow branch announced it would break ties with the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate, in what has been described as one of the gravest crises in the church's history.

The rupture on Monday came after the Istanbul-based clerics agreed to launch the process of recognising the independence of the Ukrainian Church, a move Russia has long campaigned against.

Constantinople's decision last week ended more than 300 years of Moscow's control over Orthodox churches in Ukraine and affects millions of believers in Russia and Ukraine.

While the Patriarch of Moscow up to now has formally overseen Orthodox churches in Ukraine, the country has two other Orthodox authorities which have splintered off without being recognised by Constantinople -- until last week.

The religious split comes amid deep political tensions, with Ukraine opposing Russia's 2014 annexation of its Crimea peninsula and fighting a Moscow-backed uprising in its east in which more than 10,000 people have been killed.

The Russian Orthodox Church's head, Patriarch Kirill, is seen as a close ally of President Vladimir Putin.

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that the Kremlin was watching developments "very carefully and with a great deal of worry".

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko meanwhile said the Russian Orthodox Church was following the Kremlin down a path of self-imposed isolation.

"Just as Russia opposed itself to the entire world community with its aggressive imperial policy, now the Russian Church is on the path of self-isolation and conflict with the world Orthodoxy," he wrote on his Facebook page.

The Ukrainian president and lawmakers have backed independence for the country's divided Orthodox Church and see it as striking a blow against Moscow's influence in Ukraine.

Story continues

While the conflict grew out of the turbulent relations between Ukraine and Russia, a complete breach between the churches in Moscow and Turkey could threaten the integrity of the Orthodox Church as a whole, which has some 250 million believers around the world.

- 'Further splits possible' -

The various Orthodox churches are already divided on the issue.

Serbian Patriarch Irinej said in an interview with a local news site: "We don't think in terms of 'for' and 'against'."

"We are for the unity of the Church, harmony, responsibility for canonical order, and against everything that divides and leads to the risk of schism."

At the same time he said that the recognition by Constantinople of an independent church in Ukraine was "a move that leads to schism" and opens up the possibility of new splits within other Orthodox churches.

Stevo Vucinic, vice-president of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church metropolis' council, welcomed the decision by Constantinople as of "historical importance" and slammed what he called a "political dispute" led by Moscow and Belgrade.

The Bishops' Conference of the Finnish Orthodox Church said the decision by Moscow was "unilateral, sad and very unfortunate" and hoped the patriarchs would resolve the conflict in mutual negotiations.

However Metropolitan Rostislav of the Orthodox Church in the Czech Lands and Slovakia wrote to Patriarch Kirill condemning "any attempt to legalise Ukrainian schismatics".

The Georgian Patriarchate said it would summon its Holy Synod shortly to decide on its position.

- 'Two warring Orthodox worlds' -

Even Kremlin-loyal Russian media stressed that Moscow's move could lead to dire consequences.

The Izvestia newspaper, which strongly supports the Kremlin line, wrote that Monday will enter Orthodox history as "one of its darkest days".

The split between the Constantinople and Moscow Churches -- the highest-status and largest Orthodox Churches respectively -- followed on from the two greatest upheavals in Christian Church history, it wrote.

The front-page article referenced the Protestant Reformation of 1517 and the schism between the Eastern and Western Christian Churches in 1054.

Now each of the branches of the Orthodox Church "will have to choose with whom to be -- Constantinople or the Russian Orthodox Church," Izvestia wrote.

The RBK business newspaper warned of a "war between (Holy) Synods" on its front page, referring to the Churches' ruling bodies.

A Russian expert on religion, Roman Lunkin, told RBK that Moscow's move has created "two warring Orthodox worlds".

Russian media including government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta wrote with regret that Russians will no longer be able to go to pray at Mount Athos in Greece, an important destination for pilgrims and tourists that is under the jurisdiction of Constantinople.

burs-rco-am/dlPolice and activists clashed on October 15 near the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar, which is slated for demolition by Israeli authorities.

Clashes erupted between residents, protesters, and the Israeli police close to the village, east of Jerusalem, resulting in seven people being injured, Palestinian reports state.

Four activists were arrested, according to both the Palestinian National Liberation Movement and the Times of Israel.

This footage, shared by a Palestinian journalist, shows Israeli police removing activists who were protesting against the demolition.

Israeli plans were condemned by the European Parliament, on September 13, when politicians described the proposed demolition of Khan al-Ahmar and other Bedouin villages as a grave breach of international humanitarian law.

About 45 Bedouin families live in the Khan al-Ahmar area, Palestinian media reported. Credit: Muhammed Idkaidek via StoryfulMadrid (AFP) - He may be behind bars, but a former police chief still strikes fear into the highest levels of the Spanish state thanks to his covert recordings of compromising conversations with the all-powerful.

Spain's socialist justice minister Dolores Delgado is the latest high-profile personality to be embarrassed by leaked recordings of a past conversation with the "blackmailer," as Jose Manuel Villarejo is now known.

The monarchy also recently saw red after Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, former mistress of ex-King Juan Carlos I, allegedly revealed that he used her name and that of a cousin to hide property in Morocco and Swiss bank accounts, according to another leak.

The 67-year-old retired police superintendent is suspected of large-scale corruption, having allegedly done dirty work, such as blackmail or threats, on behalf of companies or rich individuals for decades.

- 'Tip of the iceberg' -

"Villarejo led a parallel police force that worked to manipulate the justice system, erase or modify legal cases, for big corporations and millionaires," says investigative journalist Carlos Enrique Bayo, former director of the Publico daily which in 2015 revealed information about his shady activities.

For him, "most shocking is that it represents the tip of the iceberg of a state network created when the transition (to democracy in 1975) began and lasted forty years."

A stocky, bespectacled man with a penchant for flat caps, Villarejo joined the police in 1973, two years before dictator Francisco Franco died.

He has been in preventative custody since November 2017, accused of being part of a criminal organisation, money laundering and subornation.

But even behind bars, he strikes fear among those who once had a conversation with him.

For decades, he secretly used recorders in his informal chats with politicians, judges, businesspeople, police officers and prosecutors.

- Prostitutes -

Justice minister Delgado was recorded over dinner when she was a prosecutor in 2009.

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In the recently leaked recordings, she apparently used a homophobic term to refer to her openly gay colleague Fernando Grande-Marlaska, now interior minister.

The recordings also appeared to show her accusing judges and prosecutors of being accompanied by under-age girls during a trip to Colombia.

In the conversation, Villarejo allegedly boasted about having used "a modelling agency" to get "vaginal information," meaning secrets revealed to prostitutes by politicians or business executives.

Spain's opposition has called for Delgado to resign.

But Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has stood by her, saying his government will not accept "blackmail from anybody."

- 'State gutters' -

Speaking to a parliamentary commission, Delgado accused the opposition conservatives of having used and protected a man who belonged to "the state gutters."

She said that "according to anti-corruption prosecutors, Villarejo's mafioso police clan tried to influence national security policies and relied on civil servants, lawmakers, the media and people in the judicial administration" to do so.

Bayo said Villarejo allegedly "created an institute for legal studies where magistrates from the highest judicial bodies earned 600 euros ($700) an hour to give lessons," allowing him to "have exceptional ties" with them.

The former policeman stored his information meticulously.

This, said Delgado, allowed investigators to find the equivalent of "three months of uninterrupted radio programmes" in recorded information.

When Mariano Rajoy was conservative prime minister, Villarejo is suspected of having taken part in "operation Catalonia" with the aim of fabricating "fake information against separatist parties" and also far-left party Podemos, Delgado told lawmakers.

Villarejo allegedly earned considerable money by threatening or blackmailing people.

Rajoy was ousted in a no-confidence vote in June, partly seen as a censure for his handling of the Catalan independence crisis but also amid a perception that he had been weak on rooting out corruption.

- 'Thought he was untouchable' -

According to the El Pais daily, Villarejo is suspected of having received millions to create a damaging case against a son of Equatorial Guinea's leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema, a minister who was in conflict with his own brother, the vice-president.

Several months before being detained, Villarejo gave an interview to the Sexta television channel, in which he revealed the names of several high-ranking police officers who he said had given him orders.

He admitted managing a dozen private companies, which he said allowed him to "act like an infiltrated agent" in cases where "the state couldn't intervene."

"Villarejo thought he was untouchable," said Bayo, who in 2017 caught Villarejo at his own game by secretly recording him.

In that recording, Villarejo is allegedly heard saying that if lawmakers forced him to testify in an investigative commission, they would "really have problems."

"If Villarejo starts revealing things about the Socialists, he will destroy them, but if he reveals things about the conservatives, he will destroy them" too, said Bayo.By Peter Eisler, Jason Lange, Sharon Bernstein and Tim Reid STOCKTON, N.J. (Reuters) - Leonard Lance is a Republican congressman seeking re-election in a Republican district. But he has little to say about the Republican president. Lances campaign website, which outlines his positions on immigration, taxes and other hot issues, offers no statement of support for President Donald Trump. On his Twitter and Facebook accounts, Lance has offered no plaudits this year for the president. When he does reference Trump, hes more likely to note their differences. Hes co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to restrict the presidents power to impose tariffs on imports and to require reunification of immigrant children and parents separated after being caught crossing the southern border. Hes also touted his support for gun control. Lance says hes not necessarily trying to distance himself from Trump. There are areas of agreement, but I also point out the areas of disagreement, he said in an interview. In a moderately conservative district, he added, his bipartisan approach is consistent with the views of a majority of the constituents. Yet Lances approach also reflects a broader reality. Novembers congressional elections are widely viewed as a referendum on the president, and in the well-heeled, reliably Republican suburbs in North Jersey where Lance is running, theres not a lot of love for Donald Trump. Its a challenge faced by Republican candidates in similar districts nationwide who are trying to capture the moderate-to-conservative voters they need to win. Perched in the outer ring of the New York City suburbs, New Jerseys 7th Congressional District has been a Republican stronghold for three decades. Its an enclave of white, wealthy, well-educated voters where the median household income exceeds $100,000 and nearly three-quarters of adult residents have attended college. The 7th is typical of the higher-income, generally suburban districts that are battlegrounds in the fight to win control of the U.S. House of Representatives this November. Trump largely enjoys strong support within his party: Reuters/Ipsos opinion polls put him at 82 percent approval among Republican likely voters. But that backing softens among Republicans with college degrees and higher incomes. In 2016, he ran poorly in many districts where those voters hold sway. Some disenchanted Republicans take issue with Trumps policies, particularly on immigration, the environment and U.S.-Russia relations, polling shows. More often, they condemn the president for being divisive and disrespectful. Now, with polls and analysts favoring Democrats to win the House majority, battleground Republicans need every vote. And few questions loom larger than how closely they should align themselves with the president. The answer for many: keep quiet. Among 56 House battleground districts, the Republican nominees in 19  more than a third  have offered no support for Trump on their campaign websites or on campaign Twitter and Facebook posts made this year, a Reuters analysis shows. (Graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/2IC3C7s) The trend is particularly profound in the 10 wealthiest of those battlegrounds. Just four of the Republican candidates in those districts have supported Trump on their websites or social media accounts. In the 10 battlegrounds with the lowest median incomes, eight of the Republican candidates have expressed support for him. The Reuters analysis provides a measure of how many Republican candidates in battleground races are trying to steer clear of the president. Anecdotal reporting has shown some distancing themselves from Trump, but there has been no clear picture until now of how often this is happening. Reuters analyzed dozens of campaign websites and thousands of social media posts of candidates in battleground races. The analysis shows how the Republican Partys battleground candidates are handling competing pressures: a Republican base that shuns candidates who criticize Trump, and moderates and independents who want legislators to stand up to him. Among the incumbent Republicans who are running silent on Trump, most have backed the bulk of his legislative priorities. But they are not touting that support. Its a delicate balancing act. Donald Trump dominates everything," says Republican pollster Whit Ayres, who is advising several congressional candidates in affluent suburban districts. Ayres urges those candidates to steer clear of embracing Trump  and to avoid criticizing him. Keep the president out of the conversation, he says, and emphasize how great a fit the Republican candidate is for the values and interests of that particular district. Trump has campaigned in support of a dozen House candidates since early August, including several in battleground districts with more modest household incomes. He plans additional events for House candidates in the weeks ahead. In an Oct. 1 memo, White House political director Bill Stepien warned that Republican candidates who dont embrace the president wont capitalize on the zeal he generates among people who like the countrys direction. Noting that Republicans are lagging in enthusiasm for the partys congressional candidates, Stepien hailed Trumps ability to turn out new and unlikely voters. To win, he added, candidates must closely, clearly and boldly align themselves with the president and his policies. The memo, which was reviewed by Reuters, was first reported Tuesday by the New York Times. The White House declined to comment. THE TRUMP TEST Leonard Lance is the latest in a string of Republicans who have held New Jerseys 7th District congressional seat since the 1980s. Its a success built on steady support from an electorate heavy on white collar professionals who favor moderate, fiscally conservative candidates. This year, some of those constituents, including even a few local Republican officials, are applying a new litmus test for their vote: They want a candidate who opposes Trump. Theres nothing presidential about him, says Michelle Garay, the Republican mayor of Alexandria, a small township in the district. Garay, a retired industrial scientist and first-time elected official, finds Trumps views extreme on everything from immigration to environmental regulation. Theres very little I can find where I agree with him. This year, Garay says, shes backing Lances Democratic opponent, Tom Malinowski, a former State Department official in the Obama administration. Nic Messina, a Republican official in the nearby borough of Stockton, shares similar views. Republicans are not standing up for their true values, says Messina, president of the boroughs governing council. He once appeared on a political flier with Lance and is seeking reelection this year as a Republican. But he plans to vote Democrat in the congressional race because he wants more active opposition to Trump. Most of this years 56 battleground seats, like New Jerseys 7th, already are in Republican hands. Just five have Democratic incumbents. In many of the Republican-held districts, the Trump effect on voters like Garay and Messina has made it tougher to navigate a path to victory. Reuters identified a district as a battleground when three independent political analysis groups  Cook Political Report, Inside Elections and the University of Virginias Center for Politics  agreed the race was competitive or leaning against the incumbent party. Trump won in 34 of those 56 districts in 2016, but his victories were concentrated in areas with lower incomes. He won more than 75 percent of the battleground districts with median incomes below $75,000; he won fewer than 20 percent of those with median incomes above $75,000. Trump also fared slightly worse in districts with high percentages of college-educated voters  a demographic that typically correlates with higher incomes. Polling suggests Trump remains a harder sell with those constituencies. Among Republicans with college degrees and household incomes of $75,000 or more, 51 percent said over the last month they are certain to vote in the upcoming congressional elections, down 9 points from 2014, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows. In battleground districts, races can be decided by a handful of votes. Republican Party officials recognize that some candidates face a dilemma in how to handle the president. And they are letting them steer their own course. We trust our candidates to run races that are relevant to their specific districts, says Jack Pandol, who handles communications for House races in western states at the National Republican Congressional Committee. In deciding whether to support Trump, he adds, candidates should shape their campaigns based on feedback theyre getting from voters. THE TRUMP TIGHTROPE Six-term Representative Peter Roskam has a good sense of how voters in Illinois 6th Congressional District feel about the president. Despite re-electing the Republican congressman in 2016, they backed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton over Trump by nearly 7 percentage points. The district typifies the battlegrounds where Republican candidates face anti-Trump headwinds: a fast-growing suburb west of Chicago with a median income near $100,000. Roskam has made no statements of support for Trump on his website or in posts this year to his social media accounts. He acknowledges that associating himself with the president might do more harm than good. Having Trump campaign for him in the district obviously wouldnt be helpful, he said in an interview. Roskam has criticized Trumps tariffs on imported goods and has decried the administrations separation of immigrant children from parents. After Trump held a July press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin and refused to condemn Putin for interference in the 2016 U.S. elections, Roskam called Trumps performance "an affront to American democracy." But Roskam notes that he also backs the president on issues important to pro-Trump voters, such as raising military spending and lowering taxes. In an August tweet, Roskam described as absurd a statement by his Democratic opponent comparing Trump with al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden. This district is discerning, Roskam said, and voters want a candidate who will represent their interests independent of the president. But Roskam's reluctance to embrace Trump isnt enough for some of the anti-Trump Republicans hes trying to capture. Peter Roskam has distanced himself from Trump, but he doesnt stand up to him, said Bill Wentz, 73, a lifelong Republican and former federal government lawyer. Roskam hasnt done enough to fight the president on economic policies that Wentz says undermine traditional Republican support for free markets by picking winners and losers. He also is uncomfortable with Trumps failure to fully embrace U.S. intelligence agencies finding that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. elections. Wentzs answer: vote for Roskams Democratic opponent, Sean Casten. Fostering enthusiasm among disaffected Republicans without alienating Trump loyalists is a tall order, says Christine Matthews, a pollster advising Republican candidates. The presidents core supporters don't want to see any distance between you and Trump, Matthews says, while some college-educated Republicans and independents are motivated to vote against Trump. Reuters/Ipsos polling suggests the number of Republicans who are so turned off that they are likely to stay home is relatively small. Among moderate, registered Republicans with college degrees and incomes of $75,000 or more - a group somewhat less supportive of Trump than other Republicans - less than 1 percent say they dont plan to vote. The bigger threat is the 14 percent in that Republican demographic who, like Wentz in Illinois, say they will back a Democrat or a third-party candidate. Robert Ellis, 75, a Republican businessman in Nevadas 3rd Congressional District, is among them. A regular Republican donor, Ellis is put off by Trumps anti-immigrant rhetoric and divisive tweets. So, hes not backing Republican nominee Danny Tarkanian, a fervent Trump backer, in the battleground race outside Las Vegas. Instead, Ellis says, hes throwing his financial support and his vote to Democratic candidate Susie Lee, hoping Democrats can win the House and provide a check on Trump. That way they will have to compromise, Ellis says. Work together. Lance, the Republican candidate in New Jerseys 7th district, is seeking that elusive middle ground. Lance says he backs the president on issues such as fighting Islamic State and standing tough against Irans nuclear weapons program. But hes quick to tick off examples of his differences with the president. He notes he was among just 12 House Republicans to oppose the Trump-backed tax reform act, which limits local and state tax deductions that are popular in New Jersey. He dismisses the notion that his race will be a referendum on Trump. The districts voters, he says, have a history of casting ballots based upon candidates and based upon issues. Its a nuanced approach in a district where anti-Trump sentiment runs high. In 2016, Lance won handily even though the district voted narrowly for Clinton in the presidential race. Garay and Messina, the two Republican officials who plan to vote Democrat in this years congressional race, want a candidate who will work against the president. Both say plenty of Republicans in the district share their frustration with Trump, but they expect many will stick with the partys congressional candidate. There are people who say, Im a Republican and I will never vote for a Democrat, no matter what, Garay says. Raised in a Republican family that favored conservative icon Barry Goldwater, Garay fiercely opposed Clinton in 2016. But her discomfort with Trump drove her to vote for a third-party candidate. Now, she says, its time to put country before party and back Malinowski, the 7th Districts Democratic challenger. Extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures. (Additional reporting by Chris Kahn in New York and Susan Cornwell in Washington; Editing by Jason Szep, Ross Colvin and Michael Williams)By Elizabeth Piper, Kylie MacLellan and William James

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May urged the EU on Monday not to allow a stand-off over a 'backstop' for Ireland to derail Brexit talks, saying she believed a deal was still achievable as a top EU official said chances of a no-deal divorce had increased.

Addressing a rowdy session of parliament before she headed to Brussels for a summit on Wednesday, May remained upbeat but repeated she would not agree to anything that could split the United Kingdom.

With less than six months before Britain leaves the bloc, talks stalled at the weekend over how to ensure there is no return of a hard border between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland.

The stalemate has increased the possibility of Britain leaving the bloc without an agreement, a "no deal" Brexit that could potentially disrupt trade, delay movement of goods, and starve the world's fifth largest economy of investment.

European Council President Donald Tusk said that scenario was "more likely than ever before" and one that the EU should be ready for, though all parties must do their best to reach a deal.

He said he had invited May to address her 27 EU peers on Brexit on Wednesday evening.

May said it was frustrating that "almost all the remaining points of disagreement are focused on how we manage a scenario which both sides hope should never come to pass and which, if it does, would only be temporary.

"We cannot let this disagreement derail the prospects of a good deal and leave us with a 'no-deal' outcome that no-one wants," she told parliament.

Underlining the economic importance of Brexit, the head of British-headquartered pharmaceutical maker AstraZeneca said it would keep its freeze on manufacturing investments in the country unless a deal provides clarity about future ties.

DIVISIONS ON SHOW

The 2016 referendum on membership of the EU deeply divided Britain, and those rifts were on show in parliament, where May received more demands for reassurance than words of support from lawmakers, even those in her own Conservative Party.

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May tried to explain the obstacles, which she described as largely technical, that had scuppered any hope of agreement in the talks in Brussels on Sunday.

She said the EU had stuck to a proposal of keeping Northern Ireland in its customs union if a UK-wide plan was not ready to be put in place when a transitional arrangement runs out at the end of 2020.

May insists any customs arrangement as part of the backstop must be temporary, ending at the latest in December 2021, but the EU has refused to set an end date.

May described that as asking for "a backstop to a backstop" and said again Northern Ireland could not be treated differently from the rest of Britain.

"As I have said many times, I could never accept that, no matter how unlikely such a scenario may be," she said.

But May still faces a struggle to ease the concerns of not only the EU, but of her Conservative Party and her partners in parliament, Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

The DUP's Nigel Dodds pressed May for new reassurance that she will stand by her words about Britain leaving as one country, rolling his eyes when she answered by repeating familiar phrases.

May also needs to try to keep eurosceptics in her party on board. Her former foreign minister turned loudest critic, Boris Johnson, pressed her to put a firm time limit on any backstop.

EU leaders expressed disappointment that the backstop row had sunk the possibility of a deal at the weekend, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel saying "at the moment it actually looks a bit more difficult".

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said any deal would now "take a bit more time than many people had hoped".

But a spokesman for May expressed hope, saying there were "a number of means of achieving what we want to achieve" on the backstop, but declined to give details.

And, in a change of tone, Arlene Foster, the leader of the DUP, told reporters she also hoped for a "sensible" Brexit.

Nigel Farage, who as head of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) was a leading 'leave' campaigner for the 2016 referendum on EU membership, said he believed negotiations had "hit a wall".

(Additional reporting by Amanda Ferguson in Belfast, Gabriela Baczynska, Francesco Guarascio, Alastair Macdonald in Brussels and Michelle Martin in Berlin; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)(Image: Bloomberg, Illustration: Yahoo Canada Finance)

With the legalization of recreational cannabis just a day away, its not too late for retail investors to get in on the marijuana market.

But industry analysts following the sector warn that its still a volatile market, with many losers  as well as winners  expected in the months following Oct. 17, when legalization comes into force.

Afzal Hasan, president of CannaRoyalty Corp., which invests in cannabis companies, compares the current hype around the marijuana market to that in-and-around the technology industry in 1999, just before the dot-com bubble burst. Most of the market conditions, he says, are the same  particularly that people are investing in an industry that they dont necessarily understand.

There is a Google or Amazon of cannabis lurking out there somewhere, but trying to find them is like looking for a needle in a haystack, Hasan said in an interview with Yahoo Canada Finance.

People that invest in those companies are going to do phenomenally But theres also going to be a whole lot of people that get up in things that turn out to be a flash in the pan too.

The question for many, then, is how to avoid investing in one of those flash in the pan companies.

If you can understand as an investor where the value is in this company and where it is going to come from in the future, then youre in a great position, Hasan said.

The problem is with the vast majority of the companies that trade in the cannabis is that level of information generally isnt out there and there isnt a clear line that goes from what the company is doing now to its purported end state.

Getting all the necessary information is likely easier said than done. For example, last week the Canadian Securities Administrators published a report that found that licensed cannabis producers often did not provide sufficient information in their financial statements and managements discussion and analysis for an investor to understand their financial performance. According to the report, 100 per cent of the licensed producers the CSA reviewed needed to improve their fair value disclosures.

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Greg Taylor, manager of the Purpose Marijuana Opportunities Fund, says what will separate the winners from the losers following Oct. 17  the day recreational cannabis is legalized in Canada  will, in part, be cost of production. Taylor expects the price of cannabis to come down over the next few years, meaning companies will have to ensure their production costs are low.

Everyone has to remember that this is a new industry and at the end of the day, not everyone is going to win, he said.

There will be some winners that are going to be massive, but there is also going to be a lot of companies that just dont make it.

Two additional factors that Taylor says will define successful cannabis companies are participation in international markets and diversifying into products such as oils and beverages. Still, who does and doesnt make it may not be unveiled for several quarters, he said.

Once we actually see the numbers come out, its going to change to how you analyze any other business, which is looking at cash flows, margins, projections and valuations, and trying to figure out which ones are the real companies and which ones are failing, Taylor said.

Thats going to be a big shift that we have in Canada over the next six months to a year.

Despite warnings of volatility and consolidation in the industry among licensed producers, with players such as Canopy Growth Corp., Tilray Inc, and Aurora Cannabis Inc. establishing a (relatively) solid foothold in the sector, investors have not necessarily missed the boat when it comes to investing in marijuana. There are still plenty of opportunities out there, Taylor says, but they may be shifting within the cannabis market.

Its moving away from the Canadian-based (licensed producers) towards more the U.S. international ones and those that are in the early stages, he said.

I think there will still be money to be made in the Canadian companies, but its going to be about watching as they evolve into consolidators or come out with products that are really going to take off.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.Authorities are investigating after a high school student allegedly fed her classmates sugar cookies that she baked using her grandmother's ashes.

Davis Police Department Lt. Paul Doroshov confirmed that there is an open investigation into an incident that took place two weeks ago at Da Vinci Charter Academy High School in Davis, California.

An anonymous male student at the school told KTXL that he became aware of a fellow student's stomach-turning plot after the girl who masterminded it started bragging to others about what she had done.

"This girl is going around telling everyone, basically at this point, that she had brought in these cookies to school with human ashes in them," he told the station.

The male student's mother, who requested the identities of her family members not be revealed, said she was extremely disappointed with the way the school handled the incident.

Rather than notify parents of students who may have consumed the tainted cookies, the boy's mom said school administrators questioned her son, asked him to submit a signed statement about what happened and then requested he not tell anybody.

"The district seems to be a little bit more concerned about protecting themselves than protecting their students," the student's father told KTXL.

Lt. Doroshov said he has not yet heard of anyone "getting sick, or anybody being harmed as far as physically or physiologically" by the incident.BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syria's foreign minister said on Monday that Syrian forces stand ready to fight jihadists around the northwestern region of Idlib if a Russian-Turkish deal is not implemented there the same day, in keeping with a critical deadline. The deal for Idlib sets up a buffer zone running 15-20 km (9-13 miles) deep into rebel territory that must be evacuated of all heavy weapons and all jihadists by Monday. Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said it was up to Russia now to judge whether the agreement, which staved off a government offensive on the last notable swathe of territory in insurgent hands after seven years of war, was being fulfilled. "Our armed forces are ready around Idlib to eradicate terrorism if the Idlib agreement is not implemented," al-Moualem said at a press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari in Damascus. "Idlib, as any other province, has to return to Syrian sovereignty. We prefer to have it through peaceful means, through reconciliation, but if not there (are) other options." Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist alliance spearheaded by al Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate, signaled on Sunday that it would abide by the terms of the deal, although it did not explicitly say so. "We value the efforts of all those striving - at home and abroad - to protect the liberated area and prevent its invasion and the perpetration of massacres in it," Tahrir al-Sham said in its statement. However, it added that Tahrir al-Sham would not end its jihad or hand over its weapons. Idlib's other main rebel faction, a Turkish-aligned alliance of groups known as the National Liberation Front, has already expressed its support for the agreement. Moualem further said the government's next target after recovering Idlib from rebels would be the area east of the Euphrates, indicating territory held by the Kurdish-led and U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). "After Idlib our target is east of the Euphrates," he said, adding that the area must also return to Syrian sovereignty. (Reporting by Dahlia Nehme and Ellen Francis; Writing by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Mark Heinrich)Cologne (Germany) (AFP) - A Syrian man who launched an arson attack and took a woman hostage at a German train station was an unemployed refugee with psychological problems and a history of street offences, police said Tuesday.

Federal prosecutors who deal with terrorist cases said they planned to take over the investigation against the 55-year-old man, who remained in a coma after emergency surgery for multiple bullet wounds.

The man had sparked major panic around noon on Monday when he stormed a McDonald's restaurant inside Cologne's central railway station armed with a petrol container, a replica pistol and gas canisters with metal balls taped to them, police said.

The dishevelled-looking man with long grey hair poured the petrol onto the floor and set it alight, injuring a 14-year-old girl with burn wounds and sparking the alarm that led authorities to quickly evacuate the busy station and stop all trains.

As smoke and screams filled the room and the sprinkler system activated, he ran into a nearby pharmacy and took a female employee hostage, sparking an hours-long drama and tense negotiations with police.

Witnesses reported that the man had claimed to be a member of the Islamic State jihadist group, and police said they were investigating whether his motive was "terrorism" and whether he acted alone or with others.

When the suspect threatened to set fire to his terrified hostage, heavily armed police commandos hurled two stun grenades into the shop and opened fire, hitting the Syrian man with multiple bullets.

When police later searched his room in a refugee shelter, they found more petrol containers and the Arabic message "God is greatest" written on the wall, but no references to the IS or other militant groups.

Investigators confirmed that the man was indeed the holder of a Syrian passport found at the scene, and said he had drawn police attention 13 times since he arrived from the war-torn country in March 2015.

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His offences included marijuana possession, theft, threatening behaviour, fraud and disturbing the peace, said Klaus-Stephan Becker, head of Cologne criminal police.

Becker confirmed that "there is evidence" the man had psychological problems and was unable to work.

The man's wife had remained in Syria, from where she had unsuccessfully launched two asylum requests to Germany.

Germany remains on high alert over the risk of a jihadist attack, having suffered several in recent years.

The bloodiest, claimed by IS, was a truck rampage through a Berlin Christmas market in December 2016 that left 12 people dead.Taiwan has invited Pope Francis to visit the island in a move aimed at deepening ties with the Vatican after the Holy See signed a historic deal with Beijing.

Vice president Chen Chien-jen made the invitation during an audience with the pope ahead of the canonisation of Pope Paul VI on Sunday, Taiwan's presidential office said in a statement.

Pope Francis asked Chen to send his greetings to President Tsai Ing-wen and "indicated that he would pray for Taiwan", the statement added.

In footage aired on local TV, Chen told reporters that the pope "smiled" when he was invited to visit Taiwan. The presidential office said they had no further detail on his response to the invitation.

The landmark agreement last month on the appointment of bishops paved the way for a rapprochement between the Vatican and China.

That raised questions over the future of official ties between Taiwan and the Holy See -- the island's only official ally in Europe -- as China makes a concerted effort to poach its dwindling number of diplomatic allies.

China sees self-ruling democratic Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified and demands its allies forfeit recognition of the island.

Taiwanese officials have said that Chen's visit would help deepen Taiwan-Vatican relations and that they believe the Vatican will not abandon Taiwan.

"I want to thank the pope for his greetings and blessings," Tsai said in a message on her Facebook page.

"We will use active and concrete actions to continue to support the pope and the Vatican to spread common values of freedom, justice, peace and caring to every corner in the world," she added.

Chen, a devote Catholic, also visited the Vatican in 2016 for the canonisation of Mother Teresa.

Taiwan, which has around 300,000 Catholics, has lost five allies to Beijing in the past two years.

Relations between Taiwan and China have deteriorated since President Tsai came to power in 2016, as she does not recognise the island is part of "one China".

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The Vatican has not had diplomatic relations with Beijing since 1951.

Pope Francis has sought to improve relations since he took office in 2013, but previous attempts foundered over Beijing's insistence that the Vatican give up recognition of Taiwan and promise not to interfere in domestic religious issues.

There are an estimated 12 million Catholics in China, divided between a government-run association whose clergy are chosen by the Communist Party, and an unofficial church which swears allegiance to the Vatican.Three people have been killed after a car towing a caravan crashed as it was being driven in the wrong direction on a busy motorway.

Thames Valley Police received reports of the Subaru Forester SUV being driven south on the northbound carriageway of the M40 shortly before 4pm on Monday.

A few minutes later it crashed into two other cars  a Ford Mondeo and a Ford Focus  near Junction 6 in Lewknor, Oxfordshire.

The driver and a passenger in the Forester, both in their 80s, and the driver of the Mondeo, a man in his 30s, died.

The crash happened on the M40 in Oxfordshire (Picture: PA)

Videos filmed before the crash and posted on social media show motorists travelling in the outside lane of the motorway being forced to swerve to avoid a collision with the Subaru.

Senior investigating officer Sergeant Beth Walton, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit of Thames Valley Police, said: We are in the early stages of the investigation, in which sadly three people died, and our thoughts are with their families.

We are in the process of contacting witnesses who provided a report to us and are grateful for their support.

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I would ask anyone who has footage not to share it and to remove it from social media out of respect for the families and friends of the people who died.

Sonia Thomson, from Staffordshire, was driving in the outside lane of the motorway when the realised the Subaru was just heading towards me.

Ms Thomson, who works as cabin crew for British Airways, said the car was going so fast and it was almost past me in the blink of an eye.

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The crash happened shortly after her encounter with the car.

Someone must have been looking after me because 10-20 seconds later and that could have been me, she said.

Ms Thomson added that the incident doesnt make sense as she believed someone who accidentally drove in the wrong direction on a motorway would get yourself to the hard shoulder and call for help.

Others who saw the chaos took to Twitter to describe what happened.

Liz Hindmarsh posted: My husband had to swerve into the middle lane otherwise hed have been hit.Hurricane Michael slammed through the Florida Panhandle and into Georgia last week. President Donald Trump surveyed the hurricane-torn areas of Florida and Georgia on Monday, Oct.15, declaring that "nobody has seen anything like this" as crews continued to restore power and residents grappled with the devastation.

"Many of these people have no-they have no homes," Trump said after arriving at Eglin Air Force Base in the Florida Panhandle.

Trump praised the work of emergency responders and law enforcement at the briefing alongside Florida Gov. Rick Scott.

"The job they've done in Florida has been incredible," Trump said, and described Scott as a leader who "steps up in the biggest emergencies, the biggest problems, and he gets it done."

"Every time I called, he's come through and done exactly what he said he was going to do," Scott said on Trump's response to the destructive storm.



Trump visits Florida and Georgia after Hurricane Michael

AP Photo/Garret Fischer

First, at vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui voluptatum.

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(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One for a trip to visit areas affected by Hurricane Michael, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tour a neighborhood affected by Hurricane Michael, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Lynn Haven, Fla.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tour a neighborhood affected by Hurricane Michael, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Lynn Haven, Fla.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tour a neighborhood affected by Hurricane Michael, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Lynn Haven, Fla.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Florida Gov. Rick Scott, tour a neighborhood affected by Hurricane Michael, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Lynn Haven, Fla.

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(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump greets a Lynn Haven, Fla. resident, left, during a tour of a neighborhood affected by Hurricane Michael, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Lynn Haven, Fla.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

A Lynn Haven, Florida, homeowner talks with FEMA director Brock Long, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Lynn Haven Mayor Margo Anderson as they tour an impacted neighborhood on Monday, Oct. 15.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump hand out water during a visit to areas affected by Hurricane Michael, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Lynn Haven, Fla. Florida Gov. Rick Scott is right.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump meets with farmers impacted by Hurricane Michael, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Macon, Ga.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump meet with volunteers for the American Red Cross to thank them for efforts responding to Hurricane Michael, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, Macon, Ga.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Trump speaks with Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, and Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal during a briefing with state and local officials on the response to Michael, Monday, Oct. 15, in Macon, Ga.

Trump observed some of the worst-hit areas during a helicopter tour in Florida's Panama City and Mexico Beach, near where the storm made landfall. Severe damage was visible in the tour, including many trees were ripped out of the ground and homes that had been completely ripped from their foundations.

"Some of them have no trace of a home," Trump said. "It just got blown right off the footing."

The president stated that the government's immediate priorities are food, water and safety for storm victims.

The president also surveyed a street in the badly damaged community and visited a FEMA aid distribution center in Lynn Haven, Florida. He spoke with victims that were devastated by the storm in the area.

He stated that those involved in the recovery efforts are "doing more than anybody would have ever done."

"We've called for maximum relief," Trump said.



He then traveled to Macon, Georgia, for a briefing at an American Red Cross building with federal and state officials.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, the former Georgia governor, said pecan and cotton crops were particularly hard-hit. FEMA administrator Brock Long said that the area is going to see major agricultural losses.

Trump visited with a couple of farmers and sought to reassure them.

"We just left Florida and the people there are thrilled with our people and our talent," Trump said later during the briefing. "What they were not thrilled with was this hurricane."SRINAGAR, India (AP)  Militants and government forces are fighting a gunbattle in the main city of Indian-controlled Kashmir. Police say the fighting began early Wednesday after troops cordoned off a neighborhood in Srinagar. Communications were limited in the city, as is routine during troop activity. Further information was not immediately available. Clashes between government troops and rebels had occurred during the day Tuesday during the last phase of local council elections that had low turnout in Muslim-dominated areas. Separatists and armed rebel groups had called for a boycott, viewing the polls as an illegitimate exercise under military occupation. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, and most people in the Indian-controlled portion oppose Indian rule.

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP)  A serial killer of eight children was executed at a Pakistani prison Wednesday morning after the country's top court rejected a request for his public hanging, officials said. Mohammad Imran was hanged in the eastern city of Lahore in the presence of the father of 7-year-old Zainab Ansari whose rape and murder shocked Pakistan in January. Imran was arrested two weeks after he threw Zainab's body into a garbage dump in the city of Kasur in Punjab province. After his arrest, Imran confessed to the other slayings and was convicted by a court. Other courts later upheld his death sentence.

BIEN HOA, Vietnam (AP)  U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is getting a firsthand look at the enduring costs of fighting the Vietnam War. Mattis visited an air base north of Ho Chi Minh City that was heavily contaminated in the late 1960s and early 1970s by American forces through storage and spillage of the chemical defoliant Agent Orange. Four years ago the U.S. pledged to clean and restore the parts of Bien Hoa (bee-yen WAH') air base that were contaminated. The U.S. Agency for International Development soon will begin a soil restoration project at the base estimated to take several years and cost $390 million.

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SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  Relatives dressed in black funeral suits wept in grief on Wednesday as the bodies of five South Korean mountain climbers arrived home from Nepal where they had died in a storm last week. The caskets covered in white sheets were carried out from a terminal in Incheon International Airport before being loaded on vehicles headed to funeral homes in Seoul, Uijeongbu and Busan. The five South Koreans and four Nepalese guides died when a storm swept the base camp on Gurja Himal on Friday night. Due to the remote location and more bad weather, rescuers only reached the area a day later and took two days to have their bodies recovered and brought to Kathmandu, Nepal's capital.

CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  The prime minister has signaled that he could accept New Zealand's longstanding offer to resettle 150 refugees exiled to Pacific islands as long as the Australian Parliament legislates to ban them from ever setting foot in Australia. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday he was willing to brief non-government senators on the travel ban bill. "There is no support for that bill at present," Morrison told reporters. The center-left opposition Labor Party argues that a lifetime ban on refugees ever visiting Australia on a tourist or business visa was unnecessary and against Australia's interests. The conservative government is under mounting pressure to relax its five-year-old policy of banning asylum seekers who come by boat from ever settling in Australia.

SHANGHAI (AP)  It's now possible to check in automatically at Shanghai's Hongqiao airport using facial recognition technology, part of an ambitious rollout of facial recognition systems in China that has raised privacy concerns as Beijing pushes to become a global leader in the field. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport unveiled self-service kiosks for flight and baggage check-in, security clearance and boarding powered by facial recognition technology, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Similar efforts are underway at airports in Beijing and Nanyang city, in central China's Henan province. Many airports in China already use facial recognition to help speed security checks, but Shanghai's system, which debuted Monday, is being billed as the first to be fully automated.

BEIJING (AP)  China on Tuesday characterized its mass internment of Muslims as a push to bring into the "modern, civilized" world a destitute people who are easily led astray  a depiction that analysts said bore troubling colonial overtones. The report is the ruling Communist Party's latest effort to defend its extrajudicial detention of Central Asian Muslim minorities against mounting criticism. China's resistance to Western pressure over the camps highlights its growing confidence under President Xi Jinping, who has offered Beijing's authoritarian system as a model for other countries. About 1 million Uighurs, Kazakhs and other minorities have been arbitrarily detained in mass internment camps in China's far west Xinjiang region, according to estimates by a U.N.

SYDNEY (AP)  The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a 16-day visit to Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand that began in Sydney with the surprise announcement that the royal couple are expecting their first child. News that the former Meghan Markle is pregnant has made front-page headlines across Australia. Meghan's tight-fitting dress barely revealed a bump as she and Prince Harry were welcomed at their first event Tuesday at the Sydney harbor-side mansion where the two are staying. The couple later traveled by boat to Taronga Park Zoo, where they opened a research center and met two 10-month-old koalas that had been named after them.

SYDNEY (AP)  There's clearly a special bond between Prince Harry and a 98-year-old war widow who gave him a warm hug Tuesday when they met  again  in Sydney. It's a regular catch-up. The widow, Daphne Dunne, tries to cross the prince's path whenever he comes to Australia. It's a natural fit for Harry, who has made championing the cause of veterans one of his principal causes. He first noted Dunne when he visited Sydney in 2015 and saw that she was wearing a Victoria Cross. That's a significant award that wouldn't escape Harry's eye. It is awarded to military personnel who show gallantry "in the presence of the enemy" and can be awarded posthumously.

BEIJING (AP)  China's ruling Communist Party has expelled a former top general who killed himself during a corruption probe and indicted another on graft charges amid President Xi Jinping's continuing crackdown on military malfeasance. Official media reported that Zhang Yang killed himself at home last November, after which they denounced his death as a "despicable" act to escape punishment. Tuesday's announcement renewed those accusations and said Zhang had been kicked out of the party and posthumously stripped of his rank. It said assets related to his crimes would be seized. Zhang formerly headed the Political Work Department under the government and party commissions that oversee the People's Liberation Army, the world's largest standing military.Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Honduras he will cut millions of dollars in aid if a group of about 2,000 migrants is allowed to reach the United States.

The migrants, forming what is known as "a caravan," set out Saturday from the impoverished, violence-plagued country and were headed north on the long journey through Guatemala and Mexico to the US border.

Trump, who has made cracking down on illegal immigration a keystone of his presidency, tweeted that US aid to Honduras, which is planned to reach nearly $66 million in 2019, would end.

"The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!" he said.

Guatemala announced it would stop the group from entering if they did not have the proper visas.

However, the migrants -- including children -- managed to reach a shelter in the southwestern Guatemalan city of Esquipulas on Monday, according to local media reports.

Rights organizations called on the Guatemalan government to guarantee the migrants safe passage.

"The government of Guatemala is responsible for the security and integrity of the people who are on its territory and their human rights should not be violated for any reason," a statement by 18 migrant support groups said.

"We demand the cessation of all police and administrative action that restricts their fundamental rights," the groups added.

Mexico has also said it would block members of the caravan from entering its territory if they did not have permits.Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Honduras he will cut millions of dollars in aid if a group of about 2,000 migrants is allowed to reach the United States.

A migrant caravan set out on Saturday from the impoverished, violence-plagued country and was headed north on the long journey through Guatemala and Mexico to the US border.

Trump, who has made cracking down on illegal immigration a keystone of his presidency, tweeted that US aid to Honduras, which is planned to reach nearly $66 million in 2019, would end.

"The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the US is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!" he said.

The president later warned Guatemala and El Salvador that they would face the same repercussions.

"We have today informed the countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador that if they allow their citizens, or others, to journey through their borders and up to the United States, with the intention of entering our country illegally, all payments made to them will STOP (END)!" he said.

"Anybody entering the United States illegally will be arrested and detained, prior to being sent back to their country!"

Guatemala announced it would stop the group from entering if they did not have the proper visas.

However, the migrants -- including children -- managed to reach a shelter in the southwestern Guatemalan city of Esquipulas on Monday, according to local media reports.

- Fleeing violence -

Rights groups urged the Guatemalan government to guarantee the migrants safe passage.

"The government of Guatemala is responsible for the security and integrity of the people who are on its territory and their human rights should not be violated for any reason," a statement by 18 migrant support groups said.

"We demand the cessation of all police and administrative action that restricts their fundamental rights," the groups added.

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Mexico has also said it would block members of the caravan from entering its territory if they did not have permits.

According to the United Nations, 500,000 people cross illegally over Mexico's southern border each year in the hope of making it to the United States.

Most of them are fleeing violence and poverty in Central American countries.

Honduras is a country of nine million people but around one million Hondurans live in the United States, most illegally.

Last year, they injected $4 billion into the Honduran economy through remittances sent home, amounting to some 20 percent of gross domestic product.

Last week, US Vice President Mike Pence met with the presidents of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador in Washington for the second conference on prosperity and security in Central America.

Pence asked the three presidents to send a message to their citizens that "if they can't come to the United States legally, they shouldn't come at all."

He also acknowledged that greater prosperity in those three countries -- known as the Northern Triangle -- was vital to encouraging undocumented migrants from making the treacherous path north.

Washington has committed to providing funding for programs that improve security and create development opportunities in a bid to put the brakes on migration.Kiev (AFP) - Ukraine's military said Tuesday that two pilots died when a Sukhoi fighter jet crashed during military exercises with the United States and other NATO countries.

The Sukhoi-27 plane crashed at around 5:00 pm local time (1400 GMT) "during a training flight", the army general staff said on its Facebook page, adding that "the bodies of the two pilots have been found".

The circumstances of the crash are being investigated, the statement said.

The general staff initially announced that an American pilot was among the dead but removed the information from their official Facebook page, according to the Interfax news agency.

Bogdan Senyk, a spokesman for the general staff, told AFP that the earlier message was "likely erroneous information", when asked about the change.

The crash occurred in the Vinnytsia region, around 180 kilometres (110 miles) southwest of Kiev.

Senyk said the two-seater jet was flying as part of large-scale air force exercises called Clear Sky 2018 involving the United States and other NATO countries, which began on October 8.

"This kind of flight is done by very experienced pilots," he added.

The exercises run until Friday.

They involve US fighter and transport planes training with about 30 Ukrainian aircraft.

Some 700 troops are taking part, half of them from NATO member countries including the United States, Britain, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania.

The aim is "to enhance regional capabilities to secure air sovereignty and promote peace and security through cooperation," a US Air Force statement said as the drills kicked off last week.

In recent years, concerns have risen about Russia's intentions in Ukraine, particularly after Moscow's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014.

Kiev, which is not a member but wants to join NATO, and the West have accused Russia of backing rebels in Ukraine's war-torn east and sending troops across the border, claims Moscow has repeatedly denied.

The conflict has claimed more than 10,000 lives since April 2014.London (AFP) - British Prime Minister Theresa May said Monday she still believes a Brexit deal is "achievable", despite talks with the European Union becoming deadlocked on the issue of the Irish border.

"We cannot let this disagreement derail the prospects of a good deal, and leave us with the 'no deal' outcome that no-one wants," she told MPs in the House of Commons.

"I continue to believe that a negotiated deal is the best outcome for the UK and for the EU. I continue to believe that such a deal is achievable."

She was speaking the day after her Brexit minister Dominic Raab visited Brussels but failed to make a breakthrough as hoped ahead of a crucial summit of EU leaders on Wednesday and Thursday.

There is now growing concern that Britain could crash out of the bloc without any deal at all in March, risking legal and economic chaos.

May said both sides had made "real progress" on the terms of Britain's divorce from the bloc and the outline plan for future trading relations.

The sticking point is how to keep open the land border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland after Britain leaves the bloc's single market and customs union.

May said the EU had agreed to "explore" her proposal to keep Britain aligned with the bloc's customs rules until a wider trade deal could be agreed that resolved the need for frontier checks.

But Brussels had said there was not time to work out the details, she said, and proposed its own fall-back plan -- the "backstop" -- that would see only Northern Ireland align with EU rules.

"Even with the progress we have made, the EU still requires a 'backstop to the backstop', effectively an insurance policy for the insurance policy," the prime minister said.

"And they want this to be the Northern Ireland-only solution that they had previously proposed.

"We have been clear that we cannot agree to anything that threatens the integrity of our United Kingdom."

May also confirmed a disagreement over whether the backstop would be temporary -- Brussels wants no time limit, arguing that by its nature, the insurance policy must be permanent.

"If the EU were not to co-operate on our future relationship, we must be able to ensure that we cannot be kept in this backstop arrangement indefinitely," she said.By Phil Noble SYDNEY (Reuters) - Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are expecting their first child in the spring of 2019, around a year after their glittering wedding injected Hollywood glamour into the British royal family. Harry, 34, younger son of heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles, married the U.S. television star Meghan Markle in May at a ceremony that mixed traditional British pomp with a gospel choir and other nods to her American heritage. British media said Meghan, 37, was believed to be about 12 weeks pregnant. The baby will be seventh-in-line to the British throne. "Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public," the couple's Kensington Palace office said in a statement. The news emerged shortly after the royal couple landed in Australia for their first overseas tour, a busy trip which will also take in New Zealand and the South Pacific islands of Tonga and Fiji. British media said Harry and Meghan broke the news of their pregnancy to the royal family on Friday, when they attended the wedding of Harry's cousin Princess Eugenie at Windsor Castle, where Harry and Meghan themselves were married five months ago. There had been media speculation for a number of weeks that Meghan might be pregnant, and the couple had made no secret of their desire to have children. "Hopefully we'll start a family in the near future," Harry had said in a TV interview when they announced their engagement in November last year. The child will not be a prince or a princess unless the queen authorizes such a title before the birth. Instead, royal experts said if a boy, the child would officially be styled the Earl of Dumbarton - one of Harry's subsidiary titles - and Lady Windsor if a girl. "My warmest congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the happy news they are expecting a baby in the Spring," British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Twitter. "Wishing them all the best." After their arrival in Australia on Monday, Meghan and Harry were escorted by a motorcade to the residence of Australia's Governor-General on Sydney's north shore. Braving rain, well-wishers lined the streets to Admiralty House where the pair were later spotted by local press enjoying a walk, hand in hand, through the grounds as they recovered from the long plane journey. Their official duties will begin on Tuesday with a ferry trip across Sydney Harbor and past the Opera House, a visit to Taronga Zoo to see koalas and a viewing of a contemporary indigenous dance troupe. (Reporting by Melanie Burton in Melbourne and Michael Holden in London; Editing by William Schomberg, Janet Lawrence and Peter Graff)Washington (AFP) - The United States conducted its largest air strike in nearly two years against militants in Somalia, killing about 60 Al-Shabaab fighters, the US military said Tuesday.

"This precision air strike was the largest air strike against Al-Shabaab since November 21, 2017," when air-dropped US munitions targeted one of the group's training camps, killing about 100 extremists, US Africa Command said in a statement.

The strike took place Friday in the Harardhere area along the central coast of the Horn of Africa country, where US forces train Somali troops and also partner with the United Nations-backed African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Air assaults and missile strikes have increased in recent months against Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliate fighting to overthrow the internationally backed Somali government in Mogadishu.

The surge in activity came after President Donald Trump last year loosened constraints on the US military in Somalia, allowing commanders to take action against suspected militants when they judge it is needed, without seeking specific White House approval.

"Air strikes reduce Al-Shabaab's ability to plot future attacks, disrupt its leadership networks, and degrade its freedom of maneuver within the region," Africa Command said in a statement.

"The group uses portions of southern and central Somalia to plot and direct terror attacks, steal humanitarian aid, extort the local populace to fund its operations and shelter radical terrorists."

Friday's air strike came a day before suicide bombers killed at least 16 people at a restaurant and coffee shop in the southwestern city of Baidoa.

It also came ahead of the first anniversary Sunday of a truck bombing that left more than 500 dead in Mogadishu, the worst ever attack in Somalia blamed on Al-Shabaab.

Last month, Africa Command said American and allied forces had come under attack in Somalia, triggering an air strike in self-defense that killed 18 Shabaab extremists in the country's south.

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In June, an American commando was killed during an attack in southern Somalia that also wounded four US military members and a Somali soldier, officials said at the time.

More than 500 American personnel are partnered with Somali forces and AMISOM, which aims to counter the threat from Al-Shabaab jihadists.

Shabaab fighters were pushed out of Somalia's capital in 2011, and subsequently from other towns and cities, by AMISOM troops.

But the Islamists still hold sway in large parts of the countryside.

They launch regular gun and bomb attacks on government, military and civilian targets in Mogadishu as well as ambushes on military convoys and outposts.Walmart cut its earnings guidance for the fiscal year 2019, citing its acquisition of the Indian e-commerce company Flipkart  the retail giants biggest deal ever.

Judith McKenna, president and CEO of Walmart International, took the stage at the annual Investment Community Meeting on Tuesday to explain to investors why the $16 billion deal in May is vital for Walmarts global expansion. Walmart may also be able to learn from its previous mistakes while expanding in China, where it was late to embrace the e-commerce boom.

While e-commerce is only about 2% of retail sales today, its growing at four times the rate of total retail. And to give you some context for that, China was at 2% in 2009. And today its at 25%, McKenna said. So we have no doubt that e-commerce in India is the right place to be.

India, which has a population of 1.3 billion with a median age of 28, is late to the e-commerce boom compared to other developed markets, but it is quickly gaining momentum due to increased internet users and cheaper smartphones. The e-commerce market has more than tripled since 2015. Mobile shopping and payments are poised for significant growth with more than 300 million smartphone users in India today.

E-commerce sales in India are expected to hit $32.7 billion this year, a far cry from $526 billion in the U.S. and $1.53 trillion in China, according to eMarketer data. By 2022, Indias e-commerce sector will be worth $71.94 billion.

McKenna explained why Walmart was willing to bid against Amazon (AMZN) to gain a majority stake in Flipkart. After losing the bid, Amazon has committed to spending $5 billion in India, where it sees the fastest Prime membership growth rate.

Walmarts miss in China

Walmart store in China (Getty Images)

Flipkart wasnt cheap, but Walmart learned from its mistakes in China. In 1996, Walmart entered China and opened hundreds of super-centers across the country. But as Chinese shoppers embraced e-commerce, Walmart experienced a drop in same-store sales and it pulled back from opening more stores.

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In June 2016, Walmart sold Yihaodian, an online grocery business in China, to JD.com, Chinas second-largest e-commerce platform, just one year after buying the site. Last May, Walmart opened an online grocery store on JD.com to leverage JDs logistics and delivery capability.

McKenna acknowledged that to conquer India, Walmart needs local expertise and talent. Flipkart has proven to be a leader of the fast-growing e-commerce market in India, accounting for nearly 40% market share, with dominance in key categories like apparel and electronics. Flipkart was founded by two former Amazon employees in Bengaluru, India in 2007.

There are homegrown businesses with a strong team who are really focused on developing infinitive solutions for the Indian customer, McKenna said. This is a unique market and it needs a unique local approach, and thats because there are many Indians. There are 22 different official languages across 29 states. The cities, towns and villages are at really different stages of developments.

In the fierce competition, Walmart doesnt plan to slow down. In tandem with this shift to online and mobile usage, Flipkart, Amazon and Paytm Mall have been competing fiercely to claim their share of the Indian market. All three of these companies are making large investments, which include improved logistics and payment systems, as well as offering deep discounts, Eric Haggstrom, forecasting analyst at eMarketer wrote in a report.

Walmart (WMT) shares rose by 2% on Tuesday, closing at $95.8 per share.

Krystal Hu covers e-commerce for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter.

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Amazon and Whole Foods clash over products like Coca-ColaSartana (Ukraine) (AFP) - Huddled in a basement, dozens of children cover their heads with their hands, practising what to do if their school comes under attack in eastern Ukraine's war.

In a conflict that has claimed more than 10,000 lives since 2014, war drills and bomb shelters have become part of daily life for hundreds of schools near the frontline.

At School Number Eight in Sartana village, only 10 km (6 miles) from the fighting, an alarm signals children to make their way calmly underground following blue arrows to a bunker.

"We have special signals -- three short bells for a fire, one long one for a bombardment," Olena Lyskonog, a 14-year-old pupil, told AFP.

"We often have this kind of training, so that we will not panic when a real bombardment begins."

The children go through the drill once a month. Each class has its own underground room equipped with emergency supplies.

Truce agreements have reduced fighting in Ukraine's war, which started in 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea.

Kiev and its Western allies accuse Russia of funnelling troops and arms across the border. Moscow has denied the claims, despite substantial evidence of its involvement.

Clashes still erupt. Rockets and shelling remain threats for towns like Sartana, which is in a Kiev-controlled area but close to regions run by Moscow-backed separatists.

The Donetsk-region town has been repeatedly bombed. But school principal Lyudmyla Korona described the school basement as "the safest place in Sartana".

In October 2014, Grad rockets fell on a funeral procession killing seven people and injuring another 13.

The small town has not been bombed for the past two years thanks to the truce deals, but life here is still far from normal.

"They are constantly shelling near us, we hear it day and night," pupil Lyskonog said.

- 'Our school was gone' -

According to the UN children's agency UNICEF, nearly 750 schools were damaged or destroyed in eastern Ukraine over the more than four years of the conflict.

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Some 200,000 children must still attend school in areas at risk of clashes, according to the UNICEF statement released in May.

Lyskonog's school gives regular lessons on how to deal with landmines scattered across the region since the start of hostilities.

Posters lining the halls read: "If you see a mine, do not touch it, do not come close to it, call firefighters."

Pupil Vadym Kononov was 12 years old when the conflict began and his parents initially protected him from the reality of war by describing the shelling as "fireworks".

Now the boy can easily tell the difference between anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, but says he hopes he will never have to use this skill in real life.

"After training like this, people have an idea of what the mines look like," he said.

Around 100 kilometres (62 miles) to the north of Sartana, the Kiev-controlled town of Krasnogorivka lies directly on the frontline.

Two thirds of the town's population fled because of the fighting, and three of its five schools have closed.

Two of the shuttered facilities were heavily damaged by bombing and the third no longer has heating as a result of the fighting.

School Number Two's roof was ripped off by three Grad missiles in May last year, just a day after the end of term. The three-storey 1930s building has remained empty since.

"I woke up and I saw that our school was gone," said Illya Dolgikh, a 17-year-old former pupil.

He said he slept through the raid that destroyed the building and only found out the following morning.

"When I was told what happened, I felt dizzy," the teenager said.

In Krasnogorivka, local authorities have started work to restore School Number Two but there is no projected date for the children to return to their school.

The sound of fighting can still be heard from the town almost every night.

"Life goes on," said head teacher Olena Mykhatko. "But you cannot get used to it."Meghan Markle and Prince Harry shared some extraordinarilyand much-neededpositive news with the world Monday via an announcement made by Kensington Palace: Theyre expecting their first child together in the spring. The royal couple, who exchanged vows this past May, are believed to be about 12 weeks into the pregnancy, with royal sources confirming that both mother and baby are in good health. Which then, of course, leads to the next important question: Where will the couple raise their firstborn?

At present, the pair are splitting their time between Prince Harrys former two-bedroom bachelor pad, Nottingham Cottage, and their country home in the Cotswolds. As previously reported, the couple signed a two-year lease on the Cotswolds home, Westfiekd Large, following their May nuptials, and have been spending time there on weekends, with Markle only occasionally venturing out to Pilates classes or to get her hair done, but always incognito. And in July, the couple received the ultimate wedding present from the Queen herself: a historic house inside the walls of Windsor Castle, a property known as Adelaide Cottage, originally built back in 1831 as a retreat for William IVs wife, Queen Adelaide.

Most likely, however, the couple will be situated in a more permanent home by the time their little bundle of joy arrivesperhaps in a Kensington Palace apartment known as Apartment 1, located conveniently right next door to Prince William and Kate Middleton. "Apartment 1" is a slight misnomer, given that it comprises 21 rooms and is essentially considered a wing of the palace itself; earlier this year, rumors abounded that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were simply waiting for extensive renovations to be completed on the unit before moving in. The only catch to the seemingly ideal living situation (Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis will have a new little playmate) is that Apartment 1 is currently occupied by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Though, to be fair, this royal bun in the oven could change a few things and spur some real-estate musical chairs.

At present, neither Meghan Markle nor her prince will likely be thinking about real estate, howeverthe couple is still set to continue on with their royal tour this fall as planned, with travels to Fiji, Tonga, Australia, and New Zealand.Shortly after Mao Zedongs Communists triumphed over the Chinese Nationalist government in 1949, the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC), founded six years before in the southwestern city of Chongqing, decided it needed to relocate. It found a new home in a place thatboasting stability, the rule of law, and a guarantee of civil libertieswas very friendly to the international media: Hong Kong. Most China-based media bureaus soon followed suit. For almost the next seven decades, the FCC expanded, without interference, as an institution that facilitated the work of journalists from around the world in Asias financial center and bastion of press freedom. Until now.

Earlier this month, Victor Mallet, a British national who serves as the Financial Times Asia news editor, was denied a renewal of his Hong Kong work visa without any explanation. As far as we are aware, this marks the first time that a member of the press has been expelled from the former British colony, whether before or after the territorys handover to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. It tarnishes Hong Kongs long-held reputation as a champion of freedom of expression.

As the FCCs acting president, Mallet chaired a talk on Aug. 14 by Andy Chan, founder of the pro-independence Hong Kong National Party (HKNP). The local government, acting on pressure from Beijing, was moving to dissolve the HKNP at the time, because Hong Kong separatism is a highly sensitive issueidentified by President Xi Jinping as a red line that must not be crossed.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry attempted to persuade the FCC to cancel the event, but Mallet adamantly stood his ground. Hosting such event does not mean that we at the FCC either endorse or oppose the views of our speakers, he said in his opening remarks, arguing that it was the professional responsibility of journalists to hear the views of different sides in any debate.

When pressed by reporters on Mallets dismissal, Hong Kongs leader, Chief Executive Carrie Lam stated that the local Immigration Department called the shots and did not discuss individual cases. She dismissed as pure speculation any link between Mallets expulsion and his chairing of Chans talk. But make no mistake: banishing Mallet is Beijings payback for precisely that. It is part of Xi Jinpings ongoing crackdown on separatism, be it in Hong Kong, Tibet or the western region of Xinjiang, where up to a million Muslim Uighurs have been arbitrarily detained. That both Mallet and the Financial Times dont support Hong Kong independence is deemed irrelevant. Jeremy Hunt, the British Foreign Secretary, rightly concluded that this was a politically motivated move and urged a reconsideration.

Story continues

Revoking a work visa is a common punishment Beijing imposes on journalists who have infuriated the regime by writing politically sensitive stories. The China bureau chief for Buzzfeed News, Megha Rajagopalan, was booted this summer following her award-winning coverage on the disturbing mass incarceration of Uighurs, in conditions similar to the 2015 ouster of Ursula Gauthier, a French reporter for LObs. Such a censorship tactic has extended to Hong Kong, Sen. Marco Rubio observed last weekwith reference to Malletat a press conference to release the Congressional-Executive Commission on Chinas 2018 report, which highlights the latest deterioration of Hong Kongs press freedom.

In this photo taken on August 14, 2018, Victor Mallet, a Financial Times journalist and vice president of the Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC), speaks during a luncheon at the FCC in Hong Kong, during which Andy Chan, founder of the Hong Kong National Party, gave a talk.

When Chris Buckley of the New York Times was forced out of Beijing back in 2012in retaliation for the papers damning investigation into the wealth of top Chinese leadershe and his family went south to Hong Kong. Likewise, having been removed from China four years ago, Buckleys colleague (and former TIME writer) Austin Ramzy, is now based in Hong Kong. The former British colony has traditionally been a safe haven for journalists expelled from China, which makes it all the more ironic and depressing now that its beginning to expel journalists at the Chinese governments behest.

Mallets expulsion is thus a big deal, and comes at a time when headlines announce Chinas increasing micromanagement of the territorys affairs on an almost daily basis. On Sept. 24, a month after Chan had delivered his speech at the FCC, his party was officially outlawed on national security grounds. Last Wednesday, Chief Executive Lam unveiled in her annual policy address yet another tremendously unpopular Beijing-backed infrastructure enterprise: a 4,200-acre project to build artificial islands, at the whopping cost of $63 billion, that many feel is designed to blur the boundary between China and Hong Kong.

Just two days later, on Oct. 12, the Lam administration barred Lau Siu-lai, a pro-democracy opposition politician, from standing in upcoming legislative by-elections. First elected in the summer of 2016, Lau, at her inauguration, read her oath of office extremely slowly as a gesture of protest at the unrepresentative nature of Hong Kong s political system, becoming one of six lawmakers sacked for similar stunts. Now she cant run to retake her own seat because she is an advocate of self-determination for Hong Kong, which the local government considers in contravention of the constitution that all Hong Kong lawmakers are pledged to uphold. The same argument was used in January to rule against the candidacy of Agnes Chow from our party, even though neither Chow nor Laumuch less Mallethave ever been part of the independence movement.

Every one of these recent instances that undermines autonomy in Hong Kong should alarm the global community, which has a responsibility to act. Hunt has already suggested that the Mallet case is a blatant violation of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declarationa binding international treaty that governed the transfer of Hong Kongs sovereigntyand the government of Theresa May ought to hold Beijing accountable for its actions. Likewise, the U.S. Congress would do well to consider the earliest possible passage of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that would show the world that despite President Donald Trumps isolationist, America First rhetoric, Washington is still committed to upholding universal values.A farm workers extremely poor choice of words was branded racism by representatives at a North Carolina elementary school. (Photo: Getty Images)

Representatives from an elementary school in Charlotte, N.C., are incensed over what they interpreted as a racist comment toward students  many of whom are minorities  visiting a pumpkin patch on Oct. 3. Kathy Capps, a field trip volunteer on the Thomasboro Academy field trip, told the Charlotte, N.C., news station WSOC-TV, Once the children were brought to the tour guide, she said, Youre not here to pick cotton today. Youre not here to pick fruit. You were here to pick pumpkins.'

Capps, whos been a school volunteer for 15 years, told WSOC that a few teachers later confided in her that they took offense to the remark, so Capps took the issue to Thomasboro Academys principal and assistant principal, who contacted Hall Family Farm in Charlotte, where the incident took place. When they werent satisfied with the response, Capps paid another visit to the farm.

She told owner Kevin Hall how upset the school was, and that the comment hurt and was not appropriate. After meeting with Capps, Hall told WSOC that he personally called school administrators to apologize and offered to come to the school to discuss the situation in person.

It was an extremely poor choice of words, stupid, but there was no malice, Hall told WSOC, adding that nothing like that had ever happened at the farm in its 11-year history and that during that time, at least 15 tour guides have led children on tours without incident. He addressed the matter on Monday in a lengthy post on Hall Family Farms Facebook describing the events that took place that day.

In it, Hall tells another version of the questionable comment, which he said was repeated to him verbatim by the tour guide. Most of the guides begin their presentation with some humorous back and forth to get the students attention. A typical start to the presentation would be as follows: Guide, Students! Are you here to pick squash? Students, No! Guide, Are you here to pick cucumbers? Students, No! Guide, Are you here to pick strawberries? Students, Yes!  In this incident, the guide started with: Guide, Today Im happy that you arent cotton pickers or nose pickers. You are pumpkin pickers! This is the basis of the allegation of racism.

Story continues

He goes on to say that he was not made aware of any issues until the day after the field trip, when his wife fielded a call from the school. This led to Halls apology, as well as a voluntary phone call to the school from the tour guide herself. He wrote, She apologized profusely and explained the situation. She was in tears by the end of the conversation.

Hall describes the tour guide as a dear friend of my family since 1992. She and many members of her family have been faithful employees from the very first day that we opened in 2008. She treats every human being with respect and kindness. For the past two years, in the off season she and her husband have spent the winter months caring for orphans and teaching English in the Philippines and Thailand at their own personal expense. Yes, she made an extremely poor choice of words, but she made every effort to apologize and dispel the misunderstanding directly to the persons that were offended.

Hall claims that a refund to the school was suggested, but he didnt want any of his actions to be interpreted as an admission of guilt. He notes that some have called for the firing of the employee, but he said his kinship with her runs so deep that he would rather discontinue operations at Hall Family Farm than punish her for a stupid choice of words, a comment made with absolutely no innuendo or ill will.

In a comment on the farms Facebook page, Capps wrote, Sir, at no point did I ever ask for the employee to be fired nor did I tell you that a refund would make this go away. I told you that perhaps a refund would show your sincere remorse that these comments were made to this school group. The teachers did not feel it was appropriate to address it while the children were present. Capps says she had hoped the matter would have been resolved privately.

Hall concluded his note with a comment on the diversity he feels his farm represents. Our employees are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, Caucasian and African American and Asian American, I am Asian American, and we all work together to provide a wholesome, family-centric farm experience for all customers.

Despite the farm owners Facebook message, Capps told Yahoo Lifestyle that shes saddened by the negative comments about race and how the situation stands at the moment.

This is a teaching moment for everyone. I hope thats what we come away with, she said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) gave the following statement to Yahoo Lifestyle on the incident:

CMS takes matters like this seriously and we are still looking into it. We can confirm that a school trip took place and that concerns about events during the trip have been communicated. Again, we are looking into this matter for follow up and will respond based on findings.

Yahoo Lifestyle has reached to Hall for further comment on the incident and will update the post when he responds.

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Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.A meeting in Yakima on Oct. 29 will address the issue of missing Native women in Washington state.

The meeting hosted by Washington State Patrol Capt. Monica Alexander and Craig Bill, director of the Governors Office of Indian Affairs, will take place from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in the Yakima Convention Center, 10 N. Eighth St.

It is among several meetings happening around the state because of Washington House Bill 2951, which requires the Washington State Patrol to work with the Office of Indian Affairs, federally recognized tribes, tribal and other law enforcement and tribal leaders to determine how to increase reporting and investigation of missing Native American women.

The legislation also requires the state to collect data, for the first time, on the numbers of missing Native women.

The State Patrol must report the results of its study to the Legislature by June 1. This must include data and analysis on the number of missing Native American women in the state, identification of barriers in providing state resources to address the issue, and recommendations to improve safety and reporting.

Another meeting will take place in Shelton on Nov. 8 at the Little Creek Casino, Sa-Heh-WA-Mish Room, 91 West State Route 108.

This story has been corrected to update the location and times of the Oct. 29 meeting.A Border Policewoman serving in the Jerusalem sector is suspected of firing a sponge-tipped bullet at a Palestinian and wounding him "for fun," as she described it.

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The incident took place in May, while the policewoman was on patrol near the A-Za'im checkpoint located near the settlement of Ma'ale Adumim. The suspect fired a sponge-tipped bullet at the back of a Palestinian man, without any apparent operational reason.

After intelligence about the incident reached the Police Investigation Unit, the Border Policewoman was arrested and and questioned on suspicions of assault and battery.

Border Police in Jerusalem (file photo) (Photo: Reuters)

The policewoman is also suspected of obstructing justice, since she allegedly told her friendan IDF soldier who knew about the investigation and was summoned by the Police Investigation Unit to testifyshe did not know anything about the incident.

The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court extended the policewoman's remand by three days on Monday.

Along with the suspect, four Border Policemen were arrested on similar suspicions. The four were questioned by police before being released.

file photo (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

According to a source in the Border Police, the suspects are combat soldiers serving their mandatory military service. When the suspicions against them become clear, the Border Police will take the necessary steps to expel them from the force. "These are serious allegations that are not in line with the values of the Border Police," the source added.

Itzik Cohen, the Border Policewoman's defense attorney, denied the charges against his client, asserting she is innocent.

"The policewoman categorically denies that she fired a sponge-tipped bullet at the Palestinian man. Needless to say that the defendant's face does not appear in the video obtained by the Police Investigation Unit, and nor does her voice," Cohen said.

"The real reason for the defendant's arrest is an attempt by the Police Investigation Unit to break her spirit and make her confess to an act she did not commit, apparently because she was unwilling to implicate others to save herself. I have no doubt that as the investigation progresses, her innocence will become clear," he concluded.The Be'er Sheva District Court ordered Monday the release of two Gaza residents who protested against the Israel-imposed blockade, determining that prosecuting them for this reason was immoral.

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Judge Eliahu Bitan also ordered the release of Khaled Hassi, 24, and his nephew Muhammad Hassi, 18, who were charged with membership in a terror organization and use of terror property (Khaled was also charged with providing a service to a terror organization). The prosecution may appeal the decision to release them.

Gaza protest flotilla

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According to the indictment filed against them, Khalid Hassi was asked and agreed for $100 to join as a crew member on a boat that would sail beyond the Israeli-enforced maritime boundary of the Gaza Strip.

In May, nine Gazans, some wounded and disabled, and two journalists boarded the boat. The intention of the organizers was to be stopped and detained by the Israeli Navy in order to arouse world public opinion towards their plight. The boat was indeed stopped by the Navy and most of its passengers, including Hassi, were released and returned to Gaza.

According to the State Attorney's Office, Hassis actions constitute taking part in the activities of a terror organization in return for payment.

Gazans sail in protest of naval blockade (Photo: AFP)

After a while, Hassi was again offered to join the crew of a boat leaving Gaza as an act of protest against the blockade, this time as a captain, in exchange for $300. This time he brought along his nephew Muhammad to help him. Before leaving port, Khaled was interviewed by Al-Jazeera TV at the request of a Hamas member and said the purpose of the flotilla was to lift the siege on Gaza, where the situation is grave . This time, when the boat was stopped, Khaled and his nephew were taken to Israel.

The State Attorney's Office requested that the two be held until the end of the legal proceedings against them and argued that their release would endanger public and state security. Magistrates Court Judge Sara Haviv ordered their detention until the end of proceedings.

Attorney Uri Deyigi and Lili Pattishi of the Public Defender's Office, representing the nephew Muhammad Hassi, filed an appeal on the grounds that the two took part in the flotilla because of their desire to protest the blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip and that such a protest is "fundamentally legitimate."

During the hearing, it emerged that the two men had not been arrested in the territorial waters of Israel. Attorney Yoav Kishon, representing the state, argued that "the place of detention is irrelevant. I believe that Israeli forces have the authority to arrest residents of Gaza and any person who has committed an offense against the security of the state, anywhere in the world. The security situation today justifies the prosecution of people who participate in such flotillas."

District Court Judge Bitan, who accepted the appeal, noted that although the state claimed the flotillas had been organized by Hamas, and that the money paid to the two defendants came from Hamas, these facts were not stated in the indictment. In addition, during the interrogation of the flotilla participants, they said it was the "Committee to Lift the Siege on Gaza" and not Hamas that organized the protest.

Moreover, Judge Bitan found the prosecution's claims that Hamas had organized the flotillas and that the funds received by the defendants were "terrorist funds" as "quite weak."

The prosecutor claimed that Khaleds interview with Al-Jazeera might influence international public opinion against the blockade, which could lead to pressure on Israel to lift the blockade. If the blockade is lifted, weapons could be brought into Gaza. Therefore, the interview should be viewed as an act against national security.

"The effect the prosecution wishes to attribute to the statements made by the defendant, a simple fisherman from Gaza, on world public opinion, and the monumental reactions that it expects would follow, are unfounded and exaggerated," wrote the judge.

"The blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip is justified in that it is intended to prevent the entry of materials, equipment and means that could harm Israel's security ... However, bringing a resident of Gaza to trial in Israel for complaining about the conditions that he and other residents of the Gaza Strip are in, seems to me to be a blatantly inappropriate step, both judically and morally," he continued.

Judge Bitan noted that the prosecution ignores the complexity and uniqueness of the situation between Israel and Gaza and of the circumstances of Gaza residents, who are controlled by Hamas. He also criticized the fact that the State Attorney's Office is trying to prosecute the defendant for statements made on television against the blockade, "something that would have been out of the question had it occurred in Israel, where such expressions are often heard as a matter of routine and nobody would consider putting someone on trial for it.

Judge Bitan ordered that the case be returned to the Magistrate's Court regarding the terms of their release. The State Attorney's Office is considering filing an appeal with the Supreme Court against the decision to release the two defendants.Students at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem protested on Monday the decision to bar Lara Alqasem, a US student seeking to pursue graduate studies in Israel, from entering the country because of her alleged involvement with the BDS Movement, a Palestinian-led boycott against the state.

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The activists from the "Standing Together" students club placed signs on seats throughout the university's Mt Scopus campus reading "Reserved (for) Lara Alqasem."

Protest at the Hebrew University (Photo: "Standing Together" student movement)

In response, activists from the right-wing "Im Tirtzu" movement erased Alqasem's name from several posters and replaced it with the name of Ari Fuld, who was murdered in a stabbing attack in Gush Etzion, and the names of Kim Yehezkel Lebengrond and Ziv Hagbi, who were murdered in the Barkan industrial area last week.

According to Standing Together, the signs "mark a reserved place for Lara Alqasem whose entry into the country is being prevented for political reasons. We are protesting against the decision to deport Alqasem because of her views. The students intend to continue the protest.

"There is also a great deal of anger among the staff," said one student activist. "We are waiting for the Supreme Court's decision, but there are quite a few students on campus who are angry. It is inconceivable that this is how we begin the academic year."

Lara Alqasem in court (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

At the same time, the administrative staff at the university also expressed concern about Alqasem's case, and the possibility that this case symbolizes an aggressive approach towards foreign students in academic institutions.

Last Friday, the Tel Aviv District Court rejected Alqasem's appeal of the decision to ban her entry to Israel. However, the Supreme Court decided Sunday to suspend the decision until it can hear her appeal.

Earlier, the Hebrew University decided to join Alqasem's petition to be allowed into Israel, and now the parties are awaiting the Supreme Court's decision.

"The attempt to expel the student Lara Alqasem is a vicious attempt by the state to delegitimize anyone who does not conform to the government's line," said Nadav Beiglman, a university student and member of the Standing Together group. "The goal of this case is clearto erase voices that oppose (Prime Minister) Netanyahu's policy. We, students and lecturers alike, stand together against the deportation of Alqasem."

Hebrew University students protests Alqasem's detention (Photo: "Standing Together" student movement)

The Im Tirtzu movement denounced the Standing Together protest. "As a university student, I feel that Alqasem is trying to lead an anti-Israeli political campaign," said Yuval Barami, head of the Im Tirtzu student movement at the Hebrew University.

"The university's endorsement of foreign students supporting terrorists encourages the university's hypocrites and supporters of terrorists," he added.

The Hebrew University's attitude towards the State of Israel, and even towards BDS, is simply pathetic. In addition, students who back someone who supports the burning of Israeli flags should think twice whether they deserve to study in the State of Israel," Barami concluded.North Korea, South Korea and the United Nations Command will hold their first three-way meeting on Tuesday to discuss demilitarising the border between the two Koreas, South Korea's defence ministry said.

The leaders of the two Koreas last month endorsed a military pact that includes halting military exercises, a no-fly zone near their border and the gradual removal of landmines and guard posts within the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ).A police officer pushed a protester from the "Disabled Panthers" group to the ground during a demonstration against the low disability benefits rate on Monday, resulting in the protester's hospitalization.

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The demonstration, during which protesters blocked the main car entrance gate to the Knesset, did not receive police authorization.

After blocking the entrance, the protesters tried to break through the gate. During the confrontation that ensued, a police officer shoved one of the protesters.

Disabled protester pushed to the floor by police. (:  )

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After the demonstration at the Knesset, which began its winter session on Monday, the protesters went on to block a major junction in Jerusalem, causing traffic disruptions in the area. They later blocked the light rail tracks in the capital.

The Israel Police claimed the video of the police officer pushing the protester is edited and tendentious. Unlike stated, the protester was not sitting in a wheelchair or assisted by crutches, and was trying to break through the fence while using violence and swearing, calling police officers Nazis, and so on.

As you can see in the video, the suspect punched a police officer in his upper body, and grabbed the arm of another officer, forcing them to push him back, the police statement said.

They further added that, the police will always allow anyone and everyone to realize their right to the freedom of speech and protest, but will act against any illegal violence towards police officers.

A Ynet examination of the video found it was not edited, refuting the polices statement.

disabled protesters in the Knesset. (Photo: Elhanan Aharon)

On Tuesday, the protesters declared their intention to visit the grave of fellow disabled protester Yaakov Volk, 60, who set himself on fire in Jerusalem last week and passed away on Wednesday.

The activists said Volk had ended his life due to financial issues. They accused the police and the hospital of not disclosing the funeral details to prevent them from attending.

But Volks relatives claim his death had nothing to do with the protests.

(Photo: Elhanan Aharon)

This year, for the first time in 16 years, disability benefits were raised to NIS 3,270 a month and is expected to grow further at a later stage to NIS 3,700. However, this sum is still significantly lower than what the protesters are demanding, which is benefits fixed to the minimum wage, that currently stands on NIS 5,300.Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman reiterated his position on Tuesday that only a "serious blow" to Hamas will put an end to the violent rioting on the Gaza border and the arson terrorism.

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"We are not willing to accept the level of violence we see one week after another," the defense minister told reporters during a visit to the Gaza Division, adding "a serious blow to Hamas could bring us at least five more years of quiet."

The defense minister held a situation assessment at the Gaza Division with deputy IDF chief Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, GOC Southern Command Maj. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Gaza Division commander Brig. Gen. Yehuda Fuchs, and brigade and battalion heads in the division. Later, he also met with the combat soldiers.

(Photo: Roee Idan)

"The defense establishment has done everything to reach the situation before March 29, before the violence (on the border) broke outwe did this our way, by using force, by using persuasion, by cooperating with those who wanted to help," he explained. "There were all sorts of attempts to reach an arrangement led by Egypt and the UN and UN envoy. We tried all of the other ways, I didn't see any results unfortunately."

The "serious blow" he's calling for "must be a decision of the Cabinet. Unfortunately neither the defense minister nor the prime minister can make such a decision on their own."

Lieberman explained the last straw was last Friday's rioting, when "after allowing the UN to bring in four tankers of gas (into Gaza) in the morning, in the evening we got a wave of violence, at a level I don't remember."

(Photo: Defense Ministry)

He also quoted Hamas leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh, who said neither fuel nor salaries will stop the violence.

"Their goal is to lift the siege, which means one thing: uninterrupted free ability to bring in weapons, Hezbollah fighters, Iranians into the Gaza Stripand we will never allow that," Lieberman said.

"They want to get salaries, fuel, all of the benefits without giving anything back, without an arrangement on the MIAs and POWs, without giving up the article in their charter that calls for the annihilation of the State of Israel, and of course without giving up the manufacturing of weapons and the digging of tunnels," the defense minister explained. "To me, there's only one formula: reconstruction in return for disarmament."

Lieberman accused Hamas of inflaming the tensions. "15,000 people don't just come of their own accord to the border fence. Hamas is bringing them, paying for the buses, Hamas members go out and call on residents to get in the buses, then they drive them there. Hamas set up tents there and is trying to turn it into an event. This isn't the spontaneous action of innocent residents; it's the Hamas members who bring people almost by order. Had Hamas not paid for the transportation, no one would've come on foot to the border," he asserted.

"They think they figured out a new trickputting pressure on the Israeli government, on Israeli society. They think they're eroding our steadfastness, our deterrence," Lieberman added. "It's time to put an end to it."The White House's peace plan entails intentions to unify the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Jason Greenblatt, US President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, told Ynet on Tuesday.

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Palestinian media outlets claim that a key element of the yet-unreleased US peace plan is separating the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip from the Fatah-ruled Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.





Left to right: Abbas, Trump, Netanyahu (Photo: AFP, EPA)

"Lets be clear about something: Gaza and the West Bank have been separated for 10 years, not only physically, but politicallybetween the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. Its absurd to deny that reality," said Greenblatt, who has been working on the plan for the past 19 months alongside senior administration officials, including Jared Kushner, a senior adviser and son-in-law of President Trump.

"In contrast, our peace plan intends to bring them together. Make no mistake; we are in this to help all Palestinians, in both the West Bank and Gaza. The type of disinformation being spread by some parties who have not even seen the plan yet wish to be spoilers does nothing to benefit ordinary Palestinian lives," he added.

"Once our plan is released, all parties should read it and judge it by its merits. The PLO should be a positive force to change peoples lives for the better, and not try to sway people before they have even seen our plan," Greenblatt went on to say.

Washington's special envoy to the Middle East, Jason Greenblatt (Photo: EPA)

Though uncertainty prevails the Middle East, senior White House officials have recently said that the unveiling of the American peace plan is approaching.

US officials have noted in recent weeks that "the peace plan will not require Israeli security concessions, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have to demonstrate leadership and make difficult decisions."

According to the same sources, President Trump expects both Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to positively respond to the American plan and start the negotiation process.

"Israelis on both sides of the political map, the extreme right and the extreme left, will find the plan to be quite logical," a senior US official added.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a Government Press Office (GPO) event (:  )

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At the onset of Knesset's winter session Monday, the prime minister emphasized that the obstacle to peace are the Palestinians, not Israel. Netanyahu also accused Abbas of indirectly supporting terrorism by providing payments to perpetrators and refraining from condemning terrorists.

"So far, I have not heard Abbass condemnation of the cruel and shocking murder of Kim Levengrond Yehezkel and Ziv Hagbi, he bemoaned, adding that the Palestinian Authority continues to finance these vile murderers. Abbas, who demands a Palestinian nation-state free of Jews  rewards those who murder Jews."

The prime minister continued to slam Palestinian president and addressed the latter's behavior at a Government Press Office (GPO) event. "Look at what President Abbas is doing. I mean, he's rewarding terrorists. Pay for slay. The more they kill, the more they get paid. In his law books there is a law that says that if you sell land to Jewsyou'll be executed. Some peace and some coexistence," Netanyahu asserted.Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

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 The global patient monitoring devices market is expected to reach XX USD Mn by 2024 with a growing CAGR of XX% from 2018 to 2024

 The report covers in-detail insights about the competitors overview, key findings and their key strategies

Patient monitoring devices are vastly used to measure patient health on a continuous/ regular basis. A digital-based technology with the accuracy which helps in early detection of the any disease leading to more efficient and specific treatment. The advantages of patient monitoring devices include accuracy of the results, quick results, and reduced cost of the test for further diagnosis. These devices are commonly used to measure pulse rate, body temperature, blood pressure, heart activity, etc.

The global patient monitoring devices market is driven by increase in the technological advancements such as wireless devices, the rise in prevalence of various diseases such as diabetes and hypertension which require lifelong monitoring, increase in geriatric population are anticipated to fuel the market growth. However, product recalls, lack of awareness in rural areas, a high cost of the devices, and lack of favorable reimbursement policies for medical devices are the key factors restrain the patient monitoring devices market growth.

The global patient monitoring devices market is divided into following categories-

1. Product type

 Blood pressure monitors

 Blood glucose monitors

 Heart rate monitors

 Pulse oximeters

 Weight monitors

 Sleep apnea monitors

 Breath monitors

 Others

2. Technology

 Portable devices

 Standalone devices

 Wireless technology devices

 Others

3. Application

 Cardiovascular conditions

 Neurological conditions

 Hematological conditions

 Respiratory conditions

 Physiological conditions

 Others

4. End-users

Hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, home care settings and others.

And lastly, on the basis of geographical regions, the global patient care monitoring devices is divided into five major regions- Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa.

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North America holds a significant share in the market owing to rise in the geriatric population prone to chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer, increase in healthcare expenditure, and patent approvals for novel technologies in this region.

In Europe, due to high adoption of novel technologies and their advancements, etc. are propelling the market growth.

However, Asia Pacific exhibiting significant growth in the global market which is attributed to growing prevalence of chronic diseases, a rise in healthcare expenditure, and rise in per capita income are driving the patient monitoring devices market.

Some of the players in patient monitoring devices market are GE Healthcare (U.K.), Philips Healthcare (Netherlands), Roche Diagnostics Limited (Switzerland), Abbott Laboratories (U.S), Omron Healthcare (Japan), Cardinal Health (U.S.), and Medtronic (Ireland) to name a few. Some of the market development include Cardinal Health acquiring Medtronics patient monitoring and recovery division in 2017, for advancing its revenue in patient monitoring devices market.

Acquisitions and mergers, collaborations, product approvals, product launchings, and patent approvals are the strategies followed by the competitors for increasing their revenue in the patient monitoring devices market. For instance, in 2015, Zoll Medical Corporation acquired Kyma Medica Technology for broadening the product portfolio in cardiovascular monitoring devices.

Key Questions Answered

 What is the current and future patient monitoring devices market outlook worldwide? What trends are affecting the global market?

 What is the competitive landscape and market share of major players in the patient monitoring devices globally?

 What are the key, high growth markets that patient monitoring devices manufacturers should expand into? Which market segments are growing the fastest?

 What are the unmet needs with the patient monitoring devices currently on the market? How will emerging technologies fulfil these unmet needs?

 What is physician perception and market outlook of patient monitoring devices?

 What are the challenges and barriers that have hindered widespread adoption of patient monitoring devices?

Reasons to buy patient monitoring devices market Report:

 Global, regional and country-level analysis and forecasts of the study market; providing Insights on the geographical areas in which this industry is prospering

 Segment-level analysis on basis of product type, application, colour along with market size forecasts and y-o-y estimations to detect key areas of industry growth in detail

 Identification of key drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges (DROC) in the market and their impact on shifting market dynamics

 Study of macro and micro environmental factors that affect the market presented in an extensive strategic analyses section containing PESTLE and Porters Five Forces Analyses

 A comprehensive listing of key market players along with company overview, product portfolios, key financial information (subjected to availability), SWOT analysis and Analyst overview to study and sustain the market environment

 Competitive landscape analysis listing out the mergers, acquisitions, collaborations in the field along with new product launches, comparative financial studies and recent developments in the market by the major companies

 Expertly devised Market Outlook along with Investment opportunities to provide both individuals and organizations a strong financial foothold in the market

Here you get more information about this report: https://bit.ly/2ChzGw9The range of Iranian land-to-sea ballistic missile has been increased to 700 km (435 miles), a senior military official said on Tuesday, as tensions rose between Iran and the United States over new sanctions.

"We have managed to make land-to-sea ballistic, not cruise, missiles that can hit any vessel or ship from 700 kilometres," Amirali Hajizadeh, head of the Revolutionary Guards' airspace division, was quoted as saying by Fars news agency.An Egyptian intelligence delegation will visit the Gaza Strip Tuesday, according to sources in Gaza.

According to the report, a UN delegation arrived in Gaza earlier on Tuesday, through Erez crossing.Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tuesday the time has come to deliver a "heavy blow" to Gaza's militant Hamas leaders, after weeks of border violence.

Lieberman said he'll recommend doing so when Israel's security Cabinet meets the following day, since it's "the only way to lower the level of violence to zero or close to zero."

"We are not willing to accept the violence we see week after week," he told reporters in the Gaza Division, adding that "the State of Israel and the defense establishment have done everything in their power to reach the situation of March 29, before the outbreak of violence."

"We have to strike Hamas, this is the only way to quiet in the region," the minister concluded.Israeli Ambassador to Paris Aliza Bin-Noun, demanded that French television channel France 2 reconsider airing a news report about Palestinians who were wounded by the IDF, calling it "unbalanced" and asserting that it will cause incitement against Jews in the country.

The French media was outraged at Bin-Nouns request and protested it via various media channels. It was seen as an Israeli attempt to censor and undermine freedom of speech.

The Gaza injured teens article that caused the the ordeal.

X

The report titled: "Gaza's disabled teens," was aired on an investigating television show on the prestigious France 2 channel.

It discussed the stories of several young Palestinians who had lost their legs after being shot by IDF snipers and who spoke of their broken dreams. One of the teens said his dream was to become a cyclist.

Footages from the March of Return were combined with the teens stories of hardship.

Directly after the article promo was aired, protest stirred among French Jewry.

Embassador Bin-Noun (Photo: Erez Lichtfeld)

Bin-Noun immediately sent a letter to the France 2 management and demanded the item be cancelled, saying it is unbalanced, portrays Israel in a negative light and claiming it will cause incitement and physical harm against the French Jewish community.

However, this was written before the ambassador, or anyone from her staff, had seen the actual article in full.

After the full show, Bin-Noun Twitted her letter to France 2 and added: I am very disappointed that France 2 did not respond to our demand to reconsider broadcasting the report "Gaza, a Wounded Youth," which vilifies Israel and does not allow it to respondto restore a semblance of truth and balance."

Tres decue que notre demande a @France2tv de reconsiderer la diffusion du reportage Gaza, une jeunesse blessee a charge contre Israel nait ete entendue, de meme que notre volonte dy reagir pour retablir un semblant de verite et de mesure. pic.twitter.com/MVmuwlE9Ux  Aliza Bin Noun (@AlizaBinNoun) 11  2018

However, the Tweet and the letter turned out to be an own goal. It stirred a lot of interest in the article, which was aired after 10pm and became the talk of the town.

The Israeli attempt to prevent the article from being aired raised harsh criticism, saying that not only does Israel hurt the Palestinians, it is also trying to censor and harm the highly valued Republics freedom of speech.

The French media prominently reported how Israel boldly tried to intervene with content it does not approve of, and how France 2 is concerned with a foreign countrys attempt to influence its content.

The Le Monde newspaper highlighted that no one in the embassy even watched the report before protesting against it, and ignored the fact that the IDF spokesman in French was interviewed, and described the terror coming out of Gaza.

Le Monde on the Gaza injured teens article affair.

A union of pro-Palestinian journalists published an official statement protesting against the Israeli attempt at censorship.

The embassy in Paris responded to these allegations: The promo was more than enough to understand the content, it caused outrage among a great number of people. It represented the full program and justified our demand not to air it.

The next day, after the program was aired, it was indeed obvious that it was one sided, the embassy added.The heads of the defense establishment and the Security Cabinet have reached the conclusion that the clashes with Hamas on the Gaza border in their current format are the preferable option to all of the other military actions Israel and the IDF can take in the strip. This positionrecommended by the IDF, the Shin Bet and the National Security Councilwas adopted by the Cabinet.

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This is why despite the fact that Hamas is constantly escalating the provocations (infiltrations) on the border and continues digging tunnels, the decision has been made on several different occasions recently to avoid military moves that "exact a price," which the IDF has already planned and is ready to carry out. The same decision was made in the Cabinet meeting on Sunday.





Palestinians riot at Gaza border (Photo: AP)

Except that the current Israeli government, mostly due to political considerations relating to the elections that are likely coming sooner than later, does not dare unhesitatingly tell the Israeli public that this is its position, and so it condemned itself to frustrating restraint. Instead, every time that Hamas goes too far in its provocations, Netanyahu and Lieberman both put on a show of anger , saying their patience has expiredor is about to expirewhile at the same time they qualify their statements, adding that they're giving Hamas "one last chance."

Netanyahu and Lieberman visiting Gaza region (Photo: Haim Horenstein)

Unlike them, another Cabinet minister, Nafatli Bennett, truly means what he says when he demands to pulverize the Gazans from the air; but during Cabinet discussions, after he hears the heads of the defense establishment, he too is a lot less combative than during his public mud-slinging with Lieberman.

The problem is that this pre-elections belligerent rhetoric which is all too common in the Israeli political arena nowadays, there's a dynamics that could lead us to an unnecessary escalation that would extract a much heavier, bloodier price than we're currently paying for the clashes on the border.

Gazans launching stones at IDF troops (Photo: AP)

On the other hand, every military moveeven if it lasts for less than 50 days (like Operation Protective Edge) will require the IDF to recruit reservists, open up the war reserves store units, and chip away at stockpiles of weapons and spare parts, among other things. All of this would cost billions of shekels.

Attempsts to sabotage security fence (Photo: AFP)

Apart from that, in the current situation the construction work to establish an obstacle on the Gaza border continues undisturbed and it is likely that when the obstacle is ready in about six months, it will provide a better solution to the terror tunnels problem. A military operation would disrupt the schedule of this important strategic-defensive component.

In addition, we haven't yet mentioned the possibility of violent unrest in the West Bank in response to the cries that would undoubtedly come out of the Gaza Strip. We also have to consider the possibility that the Iranians, Hezbollah and Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime will try to take advantage of the fact the IDF is busy in Gaza to further boost their strength or even to mount an attack on the Lebanon-Syria front.

What will a military operation in Gaza achieve?

On the international level, too, Israel will have to contend with a number of difficult legal, media and diplomatic challenges if it embarks on a large operation in Gaza. The biggest question of all is: for what purpose? What will we achieve there that we have not achieved in previous operations? If we want a few years of calm for the residents of the western Negev and especially for the Gaza border communities, we can still achieve this through mediation by the Egyptians and the UN envoy.

Incendiary balloons

Israel already believes that, regardless of what is happening on the Gaza border fence, it must do all in its power to alleviate the distress of the citizens of Gaza and especially to prevent a humanitarian crisis in the territory. This, on condition that the military wing of Hamas does not exploit the opening of the crossings and the easing of restrictions in order to strengthen its military power.

When considering this rational and non-emotional calculation, it is easier to excuse the damaged honor, to control the anger and to agree that the clash with rioters on the fence, the extinguishing of fires and the complacent attitude towards the minor damage caused by the incendiary balloons and the smoking tires in the Gaza vicinity communities are far superior to the price that we will have to pay if the IDF embarks on a major battle in the Gaza Strip at the present time.

The matter of eroding deterrence

The only drawback of avoiding a strong military strike on Hamas at present is the eroding deterrence. There are already clear signs that this is happening. Hamas, in recent days, has been more daring and less cautious in its provocations, assuming that Israel will not dare to act against it. As a result of this situation, Hamas may draw the wrong conclusions and try to achieve some sort of windfall.

Therefore, we must be careful not to become complacent so that the rioters will not take advantage of the current and relatively thin deployment of the IDF along the Gaza fence to carry out mass incursions into Israeli territory, abduct soldiers and civilians for bargaining purposes and carry out attacks in adjacent communities using the remaining tunnels.

It is important that the cabinet ministers, especially Netanyahu and Lieberman, cease issuing threatening pronouncements in order to please their electoral base, and focus on an ongoing practical dialogue with senior officers of the General Staff and the Shin Bet security service to ensure the country is prepared for a change in the situation.

A time will surely come when the IDF will have to strike Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip with a decisive blow, but it should only happen after it is clear that all political-civil settlement efforts have categorically failed.

In such a situationwhich we are already very close to nowboth Hamas and Israel will be left solely with the military option to use as leverage to escape the current bloody and exhausting dead end. Only then will an IDF military operation in Gaza really be a "war of no choice."Angoach Malkmu Wasa and Aliza Shafaktwo victims of violence who died in the last few daysare now part of the statistics20 women have been murdered by their relatives in 2018, the highest figure reported in the past five years.

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More than a year ago, the government has recognized the severity of the phenomenon and formulated a comprehensive national plan to prevent domestic violence. However, its implementation has not yet begun.

Victims of domestic abuse (Photo: Ynet)

In the meantime, the cycle of domestic violence continues, and the solutionswhich include ankle monitors, rehabilitating violent men, and establishing women's sheltersremain on paper.

"After murder cases are published, we face the dangers of 'contagion,' the seed sprouts from the fertile ground of a difficult social problem that is not dealt with," explained Rivka Neumann, the head of the Department for the Advancement of the Status of Women at the Women's International Zionist Organization (WIZO).

"200,000 familieshalf a million children and 400,000 men and womenare trapped in the cycle of violence. As we can see, this problem is not a top priority for the government," Neumann added.

Rivka Neumann (Photo: Efrat Ben-Yosef)

One woman went on to describe her own experiences with domestic violence, talking about her daughter, who was murdered by her husband.

"When my daughter was murdered, what I hoped for most of allwith all the pain and sufferingis that she would be the last," says Ravit Sabag, whose son-in-law murdered her daughter and two grandchildren in early 2017.

"Every time I hear about another woman who was murdered by her husband, I say to myself: 'God, how does any of it make sense? Why doesn't it stop?' This day brings you back and you cry all day long," Sabag said.

Dor, Ravit Sabag's daughter (Photo: Courtesy of the family)

Sabag addressed women who suffer from domestic violence and urged them to speak out against their abusers.

"I beg you, do not suffer in silence, talk, if my daughter had spoken one word, she would be alive today. You don't need to say much, just one word," Sabag stressed.

"In order to prevent the next murder, the punishment must be severe. We must impose the death penalty, and then we will see murders stop," she added.

70% of the victims complained

Chairman of the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality, MK Aida Touma-Suleiman (Joint List), sent an urgent letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which she lists the names of the women who were murdered this year.

MK Aida Touma-Suleiman (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

"Every name is a whole world, a woman full of hopes and dreams, with a family, parents and children whose lives were destroyed," she wrote.

"I appeal to you again and ask you to declare a state of emergency and make sure that the Ministry of Finance fully finances the five-year plan so that government ministries can start implementing the recommendations they have been working on for several years."

A high percentage of the victims are members of the Arab population.

Samah Salayama, the founder of Na'am (Arab women in the center) movement and an activist in the fight against domestic violence, says that 70 percent of murder victims complained to the police.

"They sought help from the authorities and the system failed them. If it's not shocking enough, let's look at what happens after the woman is murdered... There is no Jewish man who murdered a Jewish woman who does not pay his dues, and that's the way it should be. However, this is not the reality in the Arab sector, where more than 70% of the last decade's murder cases remain unsolved," she emphasized.

The multi-organizational Gun Free Kitchen Tables campaign links the murder cases with the proliferation of weapons in the public sphere, and warns against the consequences of the initiative proposed by Minister of Public Security , Gilad Erdan, to ease the governments restrictions for obtaining a firearm license.

Angoach Malkmu Wasa

According to Michal Gera Margaliot, director of the Israel Women's Networka feminist non-partisan civil society organization, "twenty women have been murdered since the beginning of the year, and yet the biggest reform recently adopted in relation to civilian firearms does not protect women, but potentially expands the number of citizens who carry arms by 600,000, despite the fact that about a third of the victims in the past seven years have lost their lives due to guns."

Na'amat chairperson Galia Volokh says that the social problem that leads to the murder of women begins at a young age.

"It stems from education that excludes women and reduces their role, from sexism and sexual harassment, from the patriarchal approach that shapes masculinity in a distorted way and from power struggles between the sexes," Volokh explained.

File photo (Photo: shutterstock)

In 2017, approximately 14,000 applications were processed in 113 centers and units for the prevention and treatment of domestic violence inside the community, funded and supervised by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services.

In 2018, 686 women and 945 children stayed in 14 women's shelters.

An analysis of the factors prompting women to leave their homes and stay at shelters shows that 77% of the women suffer from extreme violence, 9% came to the shelter to make changes in their lives, 8% arrived at the shelter because of an external factor's intervention, about 5% of women in shelters left their homes to receive counseling and about 1.5% due to violence against children.

The Knesset Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality will hold a special session regarding murder and violence towards women on Wednesday.

(Photo: Motti Kimchi)

The debate was initiated by MK Pnina Tamano-Shata (Yesh Atid).

"20 women were brutally murdered this year. The numbers speak for themselves. Unfortunately, the government did not draw the conclusions and did not implement the full recommendations that were collected over the years to eradicate this phenomenonthe government is obligated to implement an emergency plan in order to remove the obstacles and assist women who urgently need our help," she underlined.

If you suffer from domestic violence, please call the following hotlines:

 The Welfare and Labor Ministry hotline: 118

 WIZO hotline for assisting violent men: 1-800-393-904

 Na'amat center for the Treatment and Prevention of Domestic Violence: *3090

 No2Violence organization for fighting violence against women: 1-800-353-300

 Keshev service line for women in distress: 09-7747760 or 09-7412858SYDNEY - Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, whose government faces a crucial by-election in four days, came under fire on Tuesday after saying Canberra was open to recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

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Morrison's comments about recognizing Jerusalem and possibly moving Australia's embassy there, just like US President Donald Trump's controversial decision in December , would reverse decades of foreign policy and inflame tension with some of Australia's Asian neighbors.

Australia is due to a sign a trade deal this year with Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim-majority country, where the Palestinian question is a sensitive issue and tens of thousands protested against Trump's decision.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (Photo: Getty Images)

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, speaking at a joint news conference with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki in Jakarta, reaffirmed Indonesia's support for a two-state solution to the Middle East dispute and warned Australia against the risk of insecurity.

"Indonesia asks Australia and other countries to support peace talks ... and not take steps that would threaten that peace process and stability of world security," Marsudi said.

Morrison told parliament on Tuesday he had been in touch with Indonesian President Joko Widodo to explain his position.

Maliki said he was saddened that Australia might violate international law and disrespect a UN Security Council resolution.

"They are risking Australia's trade and business relationship with the rest of the world, in particular (the) Arab and Muslim world," he said.

Ambassadors from 13 Arab countries met in Canberra on Tuesday and agreed to send a letter to Australia's foreign minister expressing their concern, Egyptian ambassador to Australia Mohamed Khairat said.

Morrison's openness to recognizing Jerusalem and moving Australia's embassy there comes four days before a by-election in Sydney at which his center-right coalition runs the risk of losing its tenuous hold on power.

The by-election is in the Sydney harborside seat of Wentworth vacated by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who was ousted in a party-room coup by members of Morrison's Liberal party, the senior partner in a Liberal-National coalition, in August.

Census figures show 12.5 percent of people in Wentworth are Jewish, a significantly larger proportion than elsewhere in Australia. The Liberal candidate contesting the by-election on Saturday, Dave Sharma, is a former Australian ambassador to Israel who has floated the idea in the past.

Morrison will have to negotiate with independent lawmakers in order to continue governing in a minority if the coalition loses Saturday's by-election.

'Pretty blatant'

Morrison said earlier on Tuesday the political orthodoxy that drove such debates suggested that discussion of the Israeli capital was "taboo." He said no decision had been made and he was simply being open to the suggestion.

The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper described his apparent change of heart as "unprincipled and craven."

University of Sydney political analyst Rod Tiffen said the shift in position was being driven by domestic politics.

"It's a big change, it is out of step with everyone, except America," said Tiffen.

"But three days out from the Wentworth by-election, it's pretty blatant ... to the extent that there is a Jewish vote there, it probably helps."

The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest obstacles to a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel regards all of the city, including the eastern sector that it annexed after the 1967 Six-Day War, as its capital.

Trump's decision in December enraged Palestinians and upset the Arab world and Western allies. Australia refused to follow its closest ally's example and has so far kept its mission in Tel Aviv.

The apparent change of policy was welcomed by Israel but swiftly criticized by Palestinian representatives.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Morrison had telephoned to explain his shift, said on Twitter he was "very thankful" Morrison was considering the move.

Palestinians, with broad international backing, want east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state they hope to establish in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Peace talks between the parties broke down in 2014.

The US Embassy became the only foreign embassy in Jerusalem in May, but Netanyahu has attempted to persuade others to follow suit.Police in Ankara shot a driver of a tractor Tuesday that struck a series of cars in the Turkish capital and appeared headed for the Israeli embassy.

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The driver told police in his initial statement that he planned to drive to the Israeli embassy in Ankara and stage a protest, state-owned Anadolu news agency reported.

Turkish police shoot tractor driver (Photo: AP)



The man, identified as a 45-year-old farmer, was eventually stopped in an area close to the Israeli ambassador's residence. It was unclear whether the driver mistook the residence for the embassy.

The Ankara governor's office said the man had been under treatment for psychological problems since 2007.

Anadolu Agency said police guarding the parliament building fired warning shots into the air to stop the tractor on Ataturk Boulevard that is lined with government buildings and embassies. The report said the tractor continued on its way, hitting and crushing cars on the route.

The tractor was eventually stopped on a street some two kilometers away from the Israeli residence. The tractor crashed into parked cars before coming to a halt, according to an Associated Press journalist who rushed to the scene.

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he believed the incident was not linked to the Israeli mission.

"To the best of our knowledge this has nothing to do with the embassy. He was on his way to demonstrate outside a (Turkish) government ministry. The incident happened near the ambassadors residence, and not the embassy," the official emphasized.

Na'eh undergoes strict security check at airport

X

Israel's Ambassador to Ankara, Eitan Na'eh, was expelled from Turkey in May, following severe crisis with Turkey over the death of 61 Palestinian protesters during the "March of Return" riots.

Prior to his return to Israel, Na'eh was humiliated at the Istanbul International Airport, as he was made to undergo a strict security screening in front of media cameras.Israel's Air Force (IAF) released on Tuesday the never-before-seen archive footage of navigator Ron Arad who went missing almost 30 years ago after ejecting out of his plane over Lebanon.

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The photos, publishes on the day commemorating 32 years since Arads disappearance, show the navigator wearing a flight suit, as well as standing next to his friends, wearing civilian clothing.

The longing is endless. On this day 32 years ago, the navigator Ron Arad fell captive, said the statement on IAFs official Facebook page, accompanying the newly published footage.

(:   )

Last May, Arad would have celebrated his 60th birthday.

On October 16, 1986, Arad along with pilot Yishai Aviram, embarked on a mission, which supposed to have neutralized terror targets in southern Lebanon. Following a mistake in explosive ordnance disposal procedure, an explosive detonated near an IAF Phantom Jet they were flying.

Arad and Aviram had to abandon the aircraft, and while the pilot was rescued by a Cobra helicopter, the navigator fell prisoner to the Shiite Amal Movement.

During the first two years of captivity, Arad maintained communication with the outside world, as three of his letters and a picture had been passed to Israeli government through European mediators, who also negotiated his release.

(Photo: Israel's Air Force)

Later, Arad had apparently been transferred to Iran or another Shiite organization, and after May 5, 1988, the communication channels were cut off. During his captivity Arad was promoted to lieutenant colonel.

In 2006, Lebanese TV station LBC broadcasted an exclusive video of the captured navigator, which they received from the Shiite organization.

In the video, Ron Arad described his training in the Israel Air Force.

"I am a soldier in the Israeli army  The first year of training I studied mechanical engineering at the Be'er Sheva University, the navigator is seen explaining in the video.

In January of 2006, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said that he believed the navigator Ron Arad is dead.

Nasrallah added he did not base his conviction on facts but rather on calculations.

The terror groups leader recounted an incident in 1989 when Arad was able to escape, saying he may have died in the mountainous countryside of southeastern Lebanon in an accident while fleeing. He speculated that no one had discovered his body.

"A theory is that he escaped. He did not know the mountain area. He fell in a valley, was stuck somewhere and died, without anyone knowing about it. This is an analysis," Nasrallah stressed.

Several months earlier, a former German mediator was quoted as saying Arad died in 1996 after Hezbollah handed him over to its Iranian sponsors. But the Israeli government has said then it was still trying to learn Arad's fate and bring him home to Israel.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at a Likud activist who interrupted his speech during a medical center inauguration ceremony in the northern town of Kiryat Shmona on Tuesday, telling her she "bores" him and the crowd.

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During his speech, Netanyahu stressed that the day on which the new medical center, which is meant to serve the residents of the periphery as well as the IDF troops who are stationed in the Golan Heights and the Galilee, is inaugurated is a "joyous day," prompting Orna Peretz to shout "its a sad day," interrupting the prime minister.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: Effi Sharir)

The prime minister replied, "You are just plain boring. Give us something interesting," receiving applauds from his audience.

"I vote for you every time and this is how you answer me? You should be ashamed of yourself," she shouted.

"We want to discuss things that are of interest to us," he went on to say.

"I would be happy to hear your complaints and remarks, but now I have something personal to say," Netanyahu added in reference to the passing away of his attorney Jacob Weinroth, who succumbed to cancer on Monday.

"If (the wellbeing of the periphery is so important to you-ed) why did you close our emergency room," Peretz asked the prime minister, addressing the shutting down of the emergency room in the Ziv Medical Center in Safed in 2013.

After being silenced by the crowd that called her a provocateur, policemen escorted her outside.

The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement in an attempt to explain the incident.

"Orna Peretz chose to interrupt the prime minister who wanted to pay his respects to his attorney and beloved friend Jacob Weinroth, who passed away on Monday after battling cancer.

"After Peretz had shouted, 'it's a sad day,' the prime minister agreed with her in light of Weinroth's death. Unfortunately, she continued interrupting him," the statement read.

Orna Peretz

Netanyahu's associates added that "the prime minister usually does not reply to those interrupting him during his speeches. However, Peretz violated every moral norm by choosing to burst into Netanyahu's words while he was speaking about Weinroth, which pained the prime minister," ignoring the fact Peretz interrupted Netanyahu after he concluded eulogizing his attorney.

Peretz explained she interrupted Netanyahu in protest against the fact that receiving treatment at the new medical center would involve payment.

Evacuation to the medical centerwhich a private company was hired to runin a regular ambulance will cost NIS 800 an even more in an intensive care ambulance, due to the center's big distance from Kiryat Shmona.

Evacuation to the emergency room in the Ziv Medical Center in Safed was free of charge since it belonged to the hospital prior to its closing.

Speaking to Ynet, Peretz said that "when Kiryat Shmona had an emergency room nearby, the residents could receive treatment and later submit a health services' payment commitment form.

"When seeking medical treatment at the new medical center, Clalit Health Services patients would be obligated to pay a fee of NIS 89, which will not be reimbursed," she elaborated.

"Kiryat Shmona is detached from the rest of the country as it is. We deserve to have advanced medical services," Peretz stated.

Commenting on Netanyahu's reaction to her protest, Peretz said, "Even if he doesn't like what I have to say, it's my right to say it.

Avi Gabbay (Photo: Alex Gamburg)

"I belong to the right wing and have always stood by Netanyahu. It's a shame he reacted in that manner, prompting Likud members to attack me.

"On Sunday he spoke at the Knesset, saying we are the only democracy in the Middle East. I guess reality shows otherwise.

Following the incident, Peretz also spoke with Zionist Union Chairman Avi Gabbay.

"I'm done with the Likud," she asserted.

Gabbay replied: "You don't bore me. You have my full attention."

Netanyahu also commented on the incident, tweeting, "This morning, a political activist interrupted me during a medical center inauguration ceremony several hours after I was said that my beloved friend, attorney Jacob Weinroth, had passed away."

"I'm used to criticism and have no problem with heckling. But today, at the deepest moments of sorrow and grief, I felt it was inappropriate," the premier concluded.The front-runner in Brazil's presidential race, Jair Bolsonaro, plans to put foreign policy in the hands of a diplomat who has praised the nationalist agenda of US President Donald Trump, an adviser to the candidate said.

Bolsonaro has pointed to several symbolic moves which underscore an ideological realignment such as moving Brazil's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, following Trump's cue.

Bolsonaro has said that Palestine is not a country and vowed to move Brazil's embassy to Jerusalem and close the Palestinian embassy in Brasilia.

"It's a great idea because it would signal change and say to the world that we cherish democracies that have the rule of law and independent powers with checks and balances," said Congressman-elect Luiz P. O. Braganca, who has advised Bolsonaro on foreign policy.

"Israel is probably the only country in the Middle East that falls into that category. All the others are oligarchies or dictatorships," said Bragan Braganca, a member of the family with a claim to the throne lost when Brazil became a republic in 1889.The US administration has decided to lead a new strategic plan focusing on driving out Iranian forces from embattled Syria, NBC news reported.

The plan will entail diplomatic efforts as well as applying economic pressure on the Islamic Republic by imposing sanctions on Iranian and Russian companies.A 19-year-old Israeli who was caught last March urinating near the Auschwitz concentration camps crematorium is ordered by a Polish court to pay a fine of $1,350 (5,000 zloty).

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The young man, known as Zeev K., toured the camp together with a group of Israeli tourists from Israel when he was caught by the Polish tour guide urinating near the building of what used to be the concentration camps crematorium.

The tour guide alerted the police who arrived at the scene and took the 19 year old for questioningwhich lasted several hours.

Auschwitz concentration camps crematorium (Photo: AP)

Comment provided by Auschwitz said, "At the site of the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau site, a young person from Israel was indeed spotted urinating while standing on the monument that commemorates all victims of the camp.

"The monument is located between the ruins of the gas chambers and crematoria II and III. This extremely sad and disturbing incident was immediately noticed by our staff and other visitors. Our security intervened and police was called," stressed the statement.

In his interrogation, the Polish report said, he admitted to committing the act and said he would accept any punishment levied on him.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry added he was released and allowed to return to Israel.

However, the legal proceedings against the teenager continued and he was indicted in the nearby town of Oswiecim.

Polish law prohibits the desecration of monuments and historic memorial sites.The US administration has decided to lead a new strategic plan, which focuses on driving the Iranian forces out of the embattled Syria, while using economic pressure on the Islamic republic and its allies, NBC news reported on Monday.

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According to the report, the plan will entail the investment of diplomatic efforts as well as imposing sanctions on Iranian and Russian companies that are involved in rehabilitating the war-torn country.

In addition, the US will prevent reconstruction aid from entering areas in Syria with Iranian and Russian presence.

Iranian launcher in Syria (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

However, US President Donald Trump's strategy will not involve direct contact of the American army with Iranian troops or the Islamic Republic's proxies, since that would violate the American authorization for applying military force in Syria, according to the five US officials involved in the plan.

Nevertheless, the US army is allowed to conduct self-defense actions, striking Iranian troops if it recognizes a threat.

American strike in Syria (Photo: AP)

A US official said that since 2017, Trump's strategy in Syria aimed to achieve four goals: defeating Islamic State group (ISIS), deter Syrian President Bashar Assad from using chemical weapons, and create a political change in Damascus by restraining Iran's influence in Syria while guaranteeing the withdrawal of Iran's proxies from the country, so they would not pose a threat to the region.

According to the new strategy, Assad does not necessarily have to be overthrown. However, the US administration stresses the Syrian government cannot maintain close ties with Iran and must prosecute those who committed crimes against humanity, according to the five people familiar with the plan.

Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department announced it is imposing new sanction on Iranian banks as well as steel, investments and construction companies.UNITED NATIONS - The 193-member United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday allowed the Palestinians to act more like a full UN member state during meetings in 2019 when they will chair the group of 77 developing nations.

The United States, Israel and Australia voted against the move, which won 146 votes in favor. There were 15 abstentions and 29 countries didn't vote.

"We cannot support efforts by the Palestinians to enhance their status outside of direct negotiations. The United States does not recognize that there is a Palestinian state," US Deputy UN Ambassador Jonathan Cohen told the General Assembly.By RALPH ANSAMI

[email protected]

HURLEY  A hearing on a motion to dismiss theft and credit card charges against former Hurley Fire Department Chief Darrell Petrusha was continued Monday afternoon in Iron County Court.

Iron County Judge Patrick Madden continued the hearing to Thursday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m.

Petrushas attorney, Steve Lucareli, argued the charges against Petrusha regarding the alleged mis-use of a fire department credit card should be dismissed.

Lucareli claimed one of the charges, as amended, isnt supported by state statutes. He said there are no facts in the...By RICHARD JENKINS

[email protected]

IRONWOOD  While Thursdays audit presentation isnt expected to bring good news regarding the state of the Ironwood Area Schools fund balance at the end of last year, Superintendent Travis Powell said Monday the situation has improved since then.

The fact the number is lower than we want it to be is unfortunate, but thats last years news, Powell told the Daily Globe after the meeting. Moving forward, this year  my job is to keep expenditures low and to try and do everything we can to maximize revenues.

While the d...Expert Advice with John Lindeman: 16/10/2018.

Did you know that there have only ever been three times in our history as a nation when Australian property prices suffered significant falls?

They are shown in these graphs:



Each of these price falls was precipitated by an economic crisis  there was the Great Depression in the thirties, the sixties Credit Squeeze and the more recent Global Financial Crisis. More significant is that each of these crises followed the same sequence of events - firstly the share market crashed, then there was rising unemployment, falling wages and salaries and a curtailing of housing finance.

It was the lack of housing finance which actually caused housing prices to fall, and as you can see from the graphs, the only really big price fall was during the Great Depression, which incidentally was followed by the biggest rise in housing price history a few year later, when house prices trebled in ten years from 1945 to 1955.

What we are witnessing right now is a cut in housing finance  there has not been an economic crisis, nor a share market crash, neither are wages and salaries falling or unemployment rising. The banks are simply responding to the tighter APRA regulations and the Royal Commission by cutting their lending to property buyers.

The only eventual outcome of this is that rents will rise, as we are not building enough dwellings to meet the demand from our growing population, and if new households cant buy, then they have to rent.

Once rents start rising, governments will come under pressure to increase lending to owner occupiers and investors, and so prices will start to rise again. It will just as easy for the banks to increase lending as it has been for them to reduce housing finance.

In that regard, it is important to see that the growth in house prices has averaged 8.3% per annum since 1901. This equates to a doubling in house prices every ten years and that is exactly what has occurred in Sydney and Melbourne, except that virtually all the growth has taken place in the last five years. This means that we havent had a boom in Sydney or Melbourne at all, while prices have only been marking time in the other capital cities.

So hang in there, investors - the next boom is not far away.



.................................................



John Lindeman is widely respected as one of Australia's leading property market analysts, authors and commentators.

Visit Lindeman Reports for more information.

He has well over fifteen years experience researching the nature and dynamics of the housing market at major data analysts.

Johns monthly column on housing market research featured in Australian Property Investor Magazine for over five years. He is a regular contributor to Your Investment Property Magazine and other property investment publications and e-newsletters such as Kevin Turners Real Estate Talk, Michael Yardneys Property Update and Alan Kohlers Eureka Report.

John also authored the landmark books for property investors, Mastering the Australian Housing Market, and Unlocking the Property Market, both published by Wileys.



To read more articles by John Lindeman, click here



Disclaimer: while due care is taken, the viewpoints expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Your Investment Property.Queensland property owners might need to accept tenants with pets, and also allow them to repair their rented homes, as the state government began to take concrete steps to implement reforms to residential tenancy laws.

As part of the initial move, feedback will be sought from renters, landlords and real estate agents. This will form part of the Palaszczuk Governments Open Doors to Renting Reform consultation process announced less than a month ago.

ABC reported that the government is assessing how its 40-year-old renting laws can be altered in such a way it will be easier for renters to have pets and have repairs done quickly. Consequently, part of the planned reform will property owners to charge for repairs that are not covered by rental bonds.

Queensland has one of the highest proportions of rentals in the country, as it makes up more than a third of all households renting.

It was also found that lot of residents are renting for long period of time, with 43% of Queensland tenants renting for over a decade.

Housing Minister Mick de Brenni was quick to address property investors, noting that they should not be alarmed.

"These tenancy laws are ripe for reform," he said.

"So what we really want to get to is the nub of how we can make renting fairer for everybody.

Why push to allow pets in rented places?

de Brenni revealed that Queenslanders have long been pushing for pets to be permitted in rental properties.

This is especially important for Australians as Aussies have one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world. While 62% of households across the state have a pet, only 10% accounted for those who are living in rental properties.

de Brenni said that while landlords still need to issue a consent, they cannot refuse the request except for special cases. The landlord will have to secure approval to decline consent to a pet, once the request from the renter has been received.

"Pets are part of our families, de Brenni quipped.

Well-managed properties for renters

de Brenni also pointed out that renters have been encountering maintenance issues, including leaky taps and broken windows

"Many tenants have raised with me that it is difficult to hang your kids' school photos or paintings on the wall in rental properties," he added.

The changes in ruling when it comes to repairs in rented properties are important inasmuch as tenants need a decent standard of living and well-managed properties.

Property owners have wanted to conduct regular inspections to properties to repair things quickly and to ensure that their investments are protected, but tenants feel that their privacy is obstructed with such practice.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said that reforms were long overdue, citing that 123% increase in the number of rental properties observed In South Brisbane.

An online survey is open for three months to give the public the opportunity to comment and give suggestions to the government.Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business.The following companies are subsidiares of Ingersoll Rand: 211 E. Russell Road LLC, Air-Relief, Belliss & Morcom Brasil, Belliss and Morcom, Boardwalk Enterprises, Charm Merger Sub Inc., CompAir, CompAir (Hankook) Korea Co. Ltd., CompAir Acquisition (No. 2) Ltd., CompAir Acquisition Ltd., CompAir BroomWade Ltd., CompAir Canada, CompAir Finance Ltd., CompAir GmbH, CompAir Holdings Limited, CompAir Holman Ltd, CompAir International Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd, CompAir Korea Ltd, CompAir South Africa (SA) (Pty) Ltd., CompAir UK Ltd, CompAir USA, Consolidated Distribution Holdings Ltd., DV Systems Inc., Emco Wheaton, Emco Wheaton GmbH Branch, Emco Wheaton Gmbh, Emco Wheaton UK, Emco Wheaton USA Inc, Enza Air Propriety Limited (South Africa), GD Aria Holdings #2 Limited, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Investments Limited, GD First UK Ltd, GD German Holdings GmbH, GD German Holdings I Gmbh, GD German Holdings II GmbH, GD German Investments GmbH, GD Global Holdings, GD Global Holdings II, GD Global Holdings UK II Ltd., GD Global Ventures I B.V., GD Global Ventures II B.V., GD Global Ventures III B.V., GD Industrial Products Malaysia SDN. BHD., GD Investment KY, GD UK Finance Ltd., Gardner Denver (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Austria GmbH, Gardner Denver Bad Neustadt Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Belgium NV, Gardner Denver Brasil Industria E Comercio de Maquinas Ltda., Gardner Denver CZ + SK sro, Gardner Denver Canada Corp, Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments II Ltd., Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments II Ltd. - US Branch, Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments Ltd., Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments Ltd. - US Branch, Gardner Denver Deutschland GmbH, Gardner Denver Engineered Products India Private Limited, Gardner Denver FZE, Gardner Denver Finance II LLC, Gardner Denver Finance Inc & Co KG, Gardner Denver France SA, Gardner Denver France SAS, Gardner Denver Group Services Ltd, Gardner Denver Group Svcs Ltd, Gardner Denver Hoffman, Gardner Denver Holdings, Gardner Denver Holdings Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Ltd, Gardner Denver Iberica, Gardner Denver Industries Ltd., Gardner Denver Industries Pty Ltd., Gardner Denver Industries Pty Ltd. Branch, Gardner Denver International, Gardner Denver International Ltd., Gardner Denver Intl Ltd Middle East Regional Rep Office, Gardner Denver Investments, Gardner Denver Italy Holdings S.r.L., Gardner Denver Japan, Gardner Denver Kirchhain Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Korea, Gardner Denver Korea Ltd, Gardner Denver Ltd, Gardner Denver Ltd South Africa, Gardner Denver Ltd., Gardner Denver Ltd. Branch (Ireland), Gardner Denver Machinery (Shanghai) Co, Gardner Denver Machinery (Shanghai) Co., Gardner Denver Nash Brasil Industria E Comercio De Bombas Ltda, Gardner Denver Nash Deutschland GmbH, Gardner Denver Nash LLC, Gardner Denver Nash Machinery Ltd, Gardner Denver Nash Machinery Ltd., Gardner Denver Nederland BV, Gardner Denver Nederland Investments B.V., Gardner Denver Oberdorfer Pumps, Gardner Denver Oy, Gardner Denver Petroleum Pumps, Gardner Denver Polska Sp z.o.o., Gardner Denver Pte Ltd., Gardner Denver S.r.l., Gardner Denver Schopfheim GmbH, Gardner Denver Schopfheim Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Schweiz AG, Gardner Denver Slovakia, Gardner Denver SudAmerica S.r.l., Gardner Denver Sweden AB, Gardner Denver Taiwan Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas, Gardner Denver Thomas GmbH, Gardner Denver Thomas Pneumatic Systems (Wuxi) Co., Gardner Denver Thomas Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver UK, Gardner Denver Water Jetting Systems, Garo Dott. Ing. Roberto Gabbioneta S.r.l., Hamworthy Belliss & Morcom, ILMVAC (UK) Ltd., ILS Innovative Labor Systeme, ILS Inovative Laborsysteme GmbH, Indonesia Foreign Trade Representative Office, LeROI, LeRoi International Inc, MP Pumps Inc., Mako Compressors, Nash, Nash Elmo, Oina VV, Oina VV Aktiebolag, Robuschi, Rotary Compression Technologies, Runtech Systems, Runtech Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Runtech Systems Inc., Runtech Systems OY, Shanghai CompAir Compressors Co Ltd, Shanghai Compressors & Blowers Ltd., Syltone, TCM Investments, TIWR Real Estate GmbH & Co. KG, TODO AB, Tamrotor Marine Compressors AS, Thomas Industries, Thomas Industries Inc., Tri-Continent Scientific, Welch Vacuum Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zinsser Analytic, Zinsser Analytik GmbH, and Zinsser NA.The following companies are subsidiares of Kroger: 84.51 HQ Building Company, 84.51 LLC, Agri-Products, Alpha Beta, Alpha Beta Company, Ansonborough Square Investors I, Ansonborough Square Retail, Ardrey Kell Investments, Bay Area Warehouse Stores, Beech Tree Holdings, Bell Markets, Bleecker Ventures LLC, Bluefield Beverage, Bluefield Beverage Company, Box Cutter, Brier Creek Arbors Drive Retail, CB&S Advertising Agency, Cala Co., Cala Foods, Cheeses of All Nations, Country Oven, Crawford Stores, Creedmoor Retail, Dillon Companies, Dillon Real Estate Co, Dillon Real Estate Co., Dillons, Distribution Trucking Company, Dotto, Edgewood Plaza Holdings, Embassy International, FM, FMJ, Farmacia Doral, Food 4 Less GM, Food 4 Less Holdings, Food 4 Less Merchandising, Food 4 Less of California, Food 4 Less of Southern California, Fred Meyer, Fred Meyer Jewelers, Fred Meyer Stores, Gerbes Supermarkets, Glasswing Labs, Glendale/Goodwin Realty I, Grubstake Investments, HT Fuel DE, HT Fuel MD, HT Fuel NC, HT Fuel SC, HT Fuel VA, HTGBD, HTP Bluffton, HTP Plaza, HTP Plaza LLC, HTP Relo, HTPS, HTTAH, Harris Teeter, Harris Teeter LLC, Harris Teeter Properties, Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Harris-Teeter Services, Healthy Options, Healthy Options Inc., Henpil, Home Chef, Hood-Clayton Logistics, Hood-Clayton Logistics LLC, Hughes Markets, Hughes Realty, I.T.A., IRP, ITAC 119, ITAC 265, Infusion Solutions of Puerto Rico, Inter-American Foods, Inter-American Products, J.V. Distributing, Jondex Corp, Jondex Corp., Jubilee Carolina, Junior Food Stores of West Florida, KCDE, KCDE  2012, KCDE  2013, KCDE-2 LLC, KCDE-3 LLC, KCDE-4 LLC, KCDE-5 LLC, KGO, KGO LLC, KP Sourcing, KPF, KPF Insurance Services, KPF Insurance Services LLC, KPS, KPS AG, KRGP, KRGP Inc., KRLP, KRLP Inc., Kee Trans, Kessel FP, Kessel Pharmacies, Kessel RCD, Kessel Saginaw, King Soopers, Kiosk Medicine Kentucky, Kirkpatrick West Retail, Kroger, Kroger Community Development Entity, Kroger Dedicated Logistics Co, Kroger Dedicated Logistics Co., Kroger Fresh Fare, Kroger G.O., Kroger G.O. LLC, Kroger Limited Partnership I, Kroger Limited Partnership II, Kroger MC Holdings, Kroger MTL Management, Kroger Management Co, Kroger Management Co., Kroger Management  Corryville, Kroger Management  NMTC Athens I, Kroger Management  NMTC Champaign I, Kroger Management  NMTC Champaign II, Kroger Management  NMTC Cincinnati I, Kroger Management  NMTC Dallas I, Kroger Management  NMTC Danville I, Kroger Management  NMTC Griffin I, Kroger Management  NMTC Logansport I, Kroger Management  NMTC Missouri I, Kroger Management  NMTC Oak Ridge I, Kroger Management  NMTC Olney I, Kroger Management  NMTC Omaha I, Kroger Management  NMTC Portsmouth I, Kroger Management  NMTC Starkville I, Kroger Management  NMTC Topeka I, Kroger Management  NMTC Warrenton I, Kroger NMTC Fremont I, Kroger OZ1 Inc., Kroger OZ1 LLC, Kroger OZ2 Inc., Kroger OZ2 LLC, Kroger OZ3 Inc., Kroger OZ3 LLC, Kroger Opportunity Fund I, Kroger Prescription Plans, Kroger Specialty Infusion, Kroger Specialty Infusion AL, Kroger Specialty Infusion CA, Kroger Specialty Infusion Holdings, Kroger Specialty Infusion TX, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy CA, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy CA 2 LLC, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy FL 2 LLC, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings 2, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings 3, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings I, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy LA, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy TN, Kroger Texas L.P., LCGP3 Home Cooking, Local Mkt LLC, Main & Vine LLC, Matthews Property 1, Mega Marts, Michigan Dairy, ModernHealth LTC, Murrays Cheese LLC, Murrays LIC LLC, Murrays Table LLC, Pace Dairy Foods Company, Paramount Logistics, Pay Less Super Markets, Peytons Fountain, Peytons-Southeastern, Plum Labs LLC, Pontiac Foods, Queen City Assurance, RBF, Ralphs Grocery Company, Relish Labs LLC, Rocket Newco, Roundy's, Roundys, Roundys Acquisition Corp., Roundys Illinois, Roundys Supermarkets, Second Story, Shop-Rite, Smiths Beverage of Wyoming, Smiths Food & Drug Centers, Southern Ice Cream Specialties, Stallings Investors I, Sunrise R&D Holdings, Sunrise Technology LLC, THGP Co., THLP Co., TLC Corporate Services LLC, TLC Immunization Clinic LLC, TLC of Georgia LLC, The Kroger Co. of Michigan, The Little Clinic LLC, The Little Clinic Management Services LLC, The Little Clinic of Arizona LLC, The Little Clinic of Colorado LLC, The Little Clinic of IN LLC, The Little Clinic of Kansas LLC, The Little Clinic of Mississippi LLC, The Little Clinic of Ohio LLC, The Little Clinic of TX LLC, The Little Clinic of Tennessee LLC, The Little Clinic of VA LLC, Topvalco, Turkey Hill, Ultimate Mart, Ultra Mart Foods, Vine Court Assurance Incorporated, Vitacost, Vitacost.com, Woodmont Holdings, and YOU Technology.The following companies are subsidiares of Accenture: 2nd Road, 2nd Road Pty Ltd., ?What If!, ?What If! China Holdings Ltd, ?What If! Holdings Limited, ?What If! Innovation Singapore Holdings Pte, ?What If! Limited, ?What If! Shanghai Co. Ltd, ?What If! USA LLC, ACN Consulting Co Ltd, AD Dialeto Agencia de Publicidade SA, AD.Dialeto (Digital Agency acquired by Accenture), AGS Business and Technology Services Limited, ASM Research Inc., ASM Research LLC, ATAN, Accenture (Beijing) Mobile Technology Co Ltd, Accenture (Botswana) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (China) Co Ltd, Accenture (Shenzhen) Technology Co. Ltd., Accenture (South Africa) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (South Africa) Pty Limited, Accenture (UK) Ltd, Accenture 2 Business Process Services S.A., Accenture 2 LLC, Accenture A/S, Accenture AB, Accenture AG, Accenture AS, Accenture Africa Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Holding B.V., Accenture Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Azerbaijan Ltd, Accenture BPM Operations Support Services S.A., Accenture BPM S.C.R.L., Accenture BV, Accenture Branch Holdings B.V., Accenture Bulgaria EOOD, Accenture Business Services for Utilities Inc, Accenture Business Services of British Columbia Limited Partnership, Accenture Business and Technology Services LLC, Accenture C.A, Accenture CAS GmbH, Accenture Canada Holdings Inc., Accenture Capital DAC, Accenture Capital Inc, Accenture Central Europe B.V., Accenture Chile Asesorias y Servicios Ltda, Accenture Cloud Services GmbH, Accenture Cloud Software Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions LLC, Accenture Cloud Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd., Accenture Communications Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, Accenture Company Ltd, Accenture Consulting Services Ltd Tanzania, Accenture Consultores de Gestao S.A., Accenture Consultoria de Industria e Consumo Ltda, Accenture Consultoria de Recursos Naturais Ltda, Accenture Credit Services LLC, Accenture Customer Services Distribution SAS, Accenture Customer Services Limited, Accenture Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, Accenture Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Delivery Poland sp. z o.o., Accenture Dienstleistungen GmbH, Accenture Digital France Holdings SA, Accenture Digital Holdings GmbH, Accenture East Africa Limited, Accenture Ecuador S.A., Accenture Egypt LLC, Accenture Enterprise Development (Shanghai) Co Ltd., Accenture Federal Services LLC, Accenture Finance (Gibraltar) III Ltd, Accenture Finance GmbH, Accenture Finance GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II GmbH, Accenture Finance II GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II Ltd, Accenture Finance Limited, Accenture Finance and Accounting BPO Services S.p.A., Accenture Finance and Accounting Services Srl, Accenture Flex LLC, Accenture GP LLC, Accenture Ghana Limited, Accenture Global Holdings Ltd., Accenture Global Services Ltd, Accenture Global Solutions Ltd, Accenture GmbH, Accenture HR Services Ltd, Accenture HR Services S.p.A., Accenture Healthcare Processing Inc., Accenture Holding GmbH, Accenture Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Accenture Holding GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Holdings (Iberia) S.L., Accenture Holdings B.V., Accenture Holdings France SAS, Accenture Holdings plc, Accenture Hungary Holdings Kft, Accenture Inc, Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazylym Cozumleri Limited irketi), Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazlm Cozumleri Limited Sirketi), Accenture Industrial Software Solutions Kft, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions SA, Accenture Insurance Services LLC, Accenture Insurance Services SAS, Accenture Insurance Services SpA, Accenture International BV, Accenture International Capital SCA, Accenture International LLC, Accenture International Limited, Accenture International Sarl, Accenture Japan Ltd, Accenture Korea BV, Accenture LLC, Accenture LLP, Accenture Lanka (Private) Ltd, Accenture Limited, Accenture Ltd, Accenture Ltda, Accenture Maghreb S.a.r.l., Accenture Managed Services SRL, Accenture Managed Services SpA, Accenture Management GmbH, Accenture Middle East B.V, Accenture Middle East BV, Accenture Minority I BV, Accenture Minority III Ltd, Accenture Mozambique Limitada, Accenture Mzansi (Pty) Ltd, Accenture NV/SA, Accenture NZ Limited, Accenture Newco LLC, Accenture Nova Scotia Unlimited Liability Co., Accenture OOO, Accenture Operations Sp. z o.o., Accenture Outsourcing SRL, Accenture Outsourcing Services, Accenture Outsourcing Services S.A., Accenture Oy, Accenture Panama Inc, Accenture Participations BV, Accenture Participations II Limited, Accenture Peru S.R.L, Accenture Peru S.R.L., Accenture Post Trade Processing SAS, Accenture Post-Trade Processing Limited, Accenture Process Ltd, Accenture Product Lifecycle Services, Accenture Properties, Accenture Pte Ltd, Accenture Puerto Rico LLC, Accenture S.A., Accenture S.C., Accenture S.L., Accenture S.R.L., Accenture SAS, Accenture SG Services Pte Ltd, Accenture SRL, Accenture Saudi Arabia Limited, Accenture Sendirian Berhad, Accenture Service Center SRL, Accenture Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Services AB, Accenture Services AG, Accenture Services AS, Accenture Services GmbH, Accenture Services Ltd, Accenture Services Morocco SA, Accenture Services Oy, Accenture Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Services S.r.l., Accenture Services SRL, Accenture Services Sp. z o.o., Accenture Services Sp. z.o.o., Accenture Services and Technology Srl, Accenture Services fur Kreditinstitute GmbH, Accenture Services s.r.o., Accenture Servicos Administrativos Ltda, Accenture Servicos de Suporte de Negocios Ltda, Accenture Solutions Co Ltd, Accenture Solutions Private Limited, Accenture Solutions Pte Ltd, Accenture Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture Sp. z o.o., Accenture Sp. z.o.o., Accenture SpA, Accenture State Healthcare Services LLC, Accenture Sub II Inc., Accenture Sub Inc, Accenture Sub LLC, Accenture Systems Integration Limited, Accenture Sarl, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag KFT, Accenture Technologia, Accenture Technologia Consultoria e Outsourcing S.A., Accenture Technology Infrastructure Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (Dalian) Co Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (HK) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas S.A., Accenture Technology Solutions GmbH, Accenture Technology Solutions Oy, Accenture Technology Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions S.A. de C.V., Accenture Technology Solutions SAS, Accenture Technology Solutions SRL, Accenture Technology Solutions Sdn. Bhd., Accenture Technology Solutions Slovakia s.r.o., Accenture Technology Ventures BV, Accenture Technology Ventures S.P.R.L., Accenture Uruguay SRL, Accenture Vietnam Co., Accenture Vietnam Co. LTD, Accenture Zambia Limited, Accenture do Brasil Limitada, Accenture plc, Accenture s.r.o., Acceria, Acquity Customer Insight Limited, Acquity Group, Adaptly LLC, Adaptly UK Limited, AddVal Technology, Adqptly, Advantium Inc., Agave Consultants Limited, Agilex Technologies Inc., Allen International, Allen International Consulting Group Ltd, Alnova Technologies Corporation S.L., AlphaBeta Advisors, Altima, Altima Asia Ltd., Altima SAS, Altitude, Altitude LLC, Analytics 8 LP, Analytics 8 Pty Ltd, Analytics8, Aorui Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Apis, Appaloosa Technology SAS, Arca, Ariba - BPO, Arismore, Aspiro Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Avanade, Avanade (Guangzhou) Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd., Avanade (Thailand) Co Ltd, Avanade Asia Pte Ltd, Avanade Australia Pty Ltd, Avanade Belgium SPRL, Avanade Canada Inc., Avanade Denmark A/S, Avanade Denmark ApS, Avanade Deutschland GmbH, Avanade Europe Holdings Ltd, Avanade Europe Services Ltd, Avanade Federal Services LLC, Avanade Finland Oy, Avanade France SAS, Avanade GZ Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd. (SH), Avanade Guangzhou, Avanade Holdings LLC, Avanade Hong Kong Ltd, Avanade International Corporation, Avanade Ireland Limited, Avanade Italy SRL, Avanade KK, Avanade Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avanade Netherlands BV, Avanade Norway AS, Avanade Poland Sp. z o.o., Avanade Poland Sp. z.o.o., Avanade Schweiz GmbH, Avanade South Africa, Avanade South Africa Pty Ltd, Avanade Spain SL, Avanade Sweden AB, Avanade UK Ltd, Avanade do Brasil Limitada, Avanade Osterreich GmbH, AvantBiz Consulting Limited, Avenai, Axia Ltd., BABCN LLC, BCT Solutions, BCT Solutions Pty Ltd, BPO Servicos Administrativos Ltda, BRIDGE Energy Group, Beacon Consulting Group Inc., Beijing Genesis Interactive Technology Co. Ltd., Benext, Bionic, Blue Horseshoe, Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, Boomerang Pharmaceuticals Communications Ireland Limited, Bow & Arrow, Brand Learning, Brand Learning Group Limited, Brand Learning LLC, Brand Learning Ltd, Brand Learning Partners Limited, Brand Learning Pte Limited, Bridge Energy Group LLC, Brightstep AB, Byte Prophecy, CAS, CRMWaypoint, CadenceQuest Inc., Capable Marketer Limited, Capgemini - North American health practice, Capital Consultancy Services Inc., Certus Solutions Consulting Services Ltd, Certus Solutions Ltd, ChangeTrack Research Pty Ltd., Chaotic Moon Studios, Chengdu Mensa Advertising Co. Ltd., Cimation, Cimation UK Limited, Cirruseo, Cirruseo SAS, Clarity Insights, Clearhead, Clearhead Group, Clearhead Group LLC, ClientHouse GmbH, Cloud Sherpas, Cloud Sherpas (GA) LLC, Cloud Sherpas (SN) (PTE.) Limited, Cloud Sherpas New Zealand Ltd., Cloud Talent Limited, Cloudsherpas, Cloudsherpas Inc., Cloudworks, Codagenic Pty. Ltd., Computer Research and Telecommunications LLC, Concrete Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda., Concrete Solutions, Concrete Solutions Ltda., Context Information Security, Coritel S.A., Corliant Inc., CreativeDrive, CustomerWorks Europe SL, Cutting Edge Solutions Ltd, D5 Global Holdings LLC, DAZ Systems Inc, DAZ Systems LLC, DAZSI Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd., DMA Solutions Limited, Davies Consulting, DayNine Consulting, DayNine Consulting (Australia) PTY LTD, DayNine Consulting (Deutschland) GmbH, DayNine Consulting (New Zealand) Limited, DayNine Consulting France SAS, DayNine Consulting Japan K.K., DayNine Consulting LLC, Declarative Holdings, Declarative Holdings LLC, Defense Point Security, Deja vu Security, Design Strategy and Research de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Designaffairs LLC, Digiplug S.A.S., Digiplug SAS, Digital Consulting & Software Services LLC, Droga5, Droga5 LLC, Droga5 Studios LLC, Droga5 UK Ltd., Duck Creek Technologies, Duck Creek Technologies LLC, Deja Vu Security LLC, ESR Labs, Elcurator SAS, Enaxis Consulting, Enaxis Consulting L.P., End-to-End Analytics, Energuia Web, Energuia Web S.A., Energy Management Brokers Ltd., Energy Quote Private Ltd., EnergyQuote JHA, EnergyQuote JHA Ltd., EnergyQuote Trading Ltd., Enimbos, Enkitec, Enterprise System Partners, Enterprise System Partners B.V. , Enterprise System Partners Bilisim Danismanlik Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Enterprise System Partners Global Corporation, Enterprise System Partners Limited, Enterprise System Partners PR LLC, Enterprise System Partners S.A.S., Entropia, Epylon, Ethica Consulting Group, Evopro Group, Exactside Limited, Exton Consulting, Fairway Technologies Inc, Fairway Technologies LLC, Filmproduction ApS, First Annapolis Consulting, First Annapolis Consulting Inc., First Annapolis Consulting LLC, First Annapolis International, Fjord, Focus Group Europe, Focus Group Europe Limited, Formicary, Formicary Holdings Limited, Formicary Limited, FusionX, FutureMove Automotive, Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda., Genfour, Genfour Limited, George Group Consulting L.P., Gestalt LLC, Gestion Altima Canada Inc., Gevity, Global Public Firm S.L., GlobalView SAS, GoodFilm GmbH Filmproduktion Stuttgart, H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., HRC Retail Advisory, Hagberg Consulting Group, Hangzhou Aiyunzhe Technology Co. Ltd., Happen, Hjaltelin Stahl, Hjaltelin Stahl K/S, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Hytracc Consulting UK Limited, Hytracc Holding AS, I-Faber S.p.A., IBB Consulting, IMJ Corp, IMJ Corporation, INCAD, INSITUM, IT One Company Limited, ITBS Servicios Bancarios de Tecnologia de la Informacion SL, Icon Integration, Imagine Broadband (USA) Ltd, Imagine Broadband USA LLC, Imaginea Inc, Industrie&Co, Infoman AG, Infoman Schweiz AG, Informatica de Euskadi S.L., Infusion Development Inc., Infusion Development UK Limited, InfusionDev LLC, Innoveer Solutions India Pvt Ltd, Insitum Consultoria Argentina SRL, Insitum Consultoria Brasil LTDA, Insitum Consultoria Colombia SAS, Insitum Consultoria Europa SL, Insitum Consultoria Peru SAC, Insitum Consultoria S.A. de C.V., Intrepid, Intrigo Systems Inc, Intrigo Systems India Pvt. Limited, Intrigo Systems LLC, Inventor Advertisement (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inventor Technology Limited, InvestTech, Investtech Systems Consulting LLC, Javelin Group, Javelin Group (Bulgaria) EOOD, Javelin Group Limited (UK), Javelin Group SASU, K Comms Group Limited, KCS.net AG, KCS.net AG West, KCS.net Deutschland GmbH, KCS.net Holding AG, KCS.net Osterreich GmbH, Kaper Communications Limited, Karma Communications Debtco Limited, Karma Communications Group Limited, Karma Communications Holdings Limited, Karmarama, Karmarama Comms Limited, Karmarama Limited, Knowledge Rules Inc., Knowledgent, Knowledgent Group LLC, Kogentix, Kogentix LLC, Kogentix Ltd, Kogentix Singapore Pte. Ltd, Kogentix Technologies Private Limited, Kolle Rebbe, Kolle Rebbe GmbH, Kream Comms Limited, Kunstmaan, Kunstmaan NV, Kurt Salmon, Kurt Salmon Canada LTD, Kurt Salmon UKI, Kurt Salmon UKI Ltd., Kurt Salmon US LLC, LEXTA, LINKBYNET, LabAnswer, LabAnswer Government, LemonXL Limited, Logistics Market Place Limited (UK), Loud & Clear Creative Pty Ltd, MAXIM Systems Inc., MCG US Holdings LLC, Mackevision CG Technology and Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Mackevision Corporation, Mackevision Japan Co. Ltd., Mackevision Korea Ltd, Mackevision Medien Design, Mackevision Medien Design GmbH, Mackevision Singapore Pte. Ltd., Mackevision UK Ltd, Maglan, Maglan Information Defense Technologies Research Ltd., Maihiro, Matter, Matter Llc, Maud Corp Pty Limited, Maxamine International, Media Audits Ltd., Media Hive, Mediasenz Pty Ltd., Meredith Specialty LLC, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing Corporation, Meridian Informed Purchasing Ltd., Mindtribe, Mindtribe Product Engineering LLC, MobGen, MobGen Technology S.L, Moonrise NV, Mortgage Cadence, Mortgage Cadence an Accenture Company, Most Champion Ltd, Mudano, N3 LLC, NBS Marketing Inc., NYTEC, Nanjing Demeng Advertising Co. Ltd., Nashco Consulting, NaviSys Inc., NellArmonia, Neo Metrics Analytics S.L., Neo Metrics Chile, Neo Metrics Chile S.A., New Content, New Content Chile SpA, New Content Editora e Produtora Ltda., New Energy Aborda, New Energy Associates Ltd, New Energy Group, New Energy S.r.l., NewsPage, NewsPage (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, NewsPage China Ltd., NewsPage Pte Ltd, Nice Agency Limited, Northstream, Northstream AB, Northstream Holding AB, OCTO Technology, OPS Rules Management Consultants, Octagon Research Solutions Inc., Octo Technology LTDA, Octo Technology Pty Ltd, Octo Technology SA, Octo Technology SPRL, Octoman SAS, Odgaard ApS, Olikka, Openmind, Openminded, Operaciones Accenture S.A. de C.V., OpusLine, Orbium, Orbium Consulting Ltd, Orbium GmbH, Orbium Holding AG, Orbium Inc., Orbium International AG, Orbium International sp. z o.o., Orbium Licences AG, Orbium Limited, Orbium Pte. Ltd., Orbium Pty Ltd, Orbium Services sp. z o.o., Orbium Sarl, Origin Digital, PCO Innovation, PCO Innovation Canada Inc., PCO Innovation EURL, PIXO PUNCH Limited, PLM Systems S.r.l, POC Holdings, PRION GmbH, PT Accenture, PT Asta Catur Indra, PT Kogentix Teknologi Indonesia, Pach Invest SARL, Pach Invest SAS, PacificLink Group, PacificLink iMedia Ltd., Paja Finanssipalvelut Oy, Parker Fitzgerald Inc, Parker Fitzgerald Inc., Parker Fitzgerald International Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Limited, Parker Fitzgerald PTY Ltd, Parker Fitzgerald Services Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Solutions Limited, Partners Technology Mexico Holdings BV, Pecaso Ltd., Pegasus Production K/S, Perseroan Terbatas. Accenture, Phase One Consulting Group, Pillar Technology, Pollux, Pragsis Bidoop, Pragsis Bidoop UK Ltd, Pragsis Technologies S.L, PrimeQ, PrimeQ Australia Pty Ltd, PrimeQ Ltd, PrimeQ NZ Pty Ltd, Procurian Germany GmbH, Procurian Inc., Procurian International I LLC, Procurian International II LLC, Procurian LLC, Procurian Singapore Pte. Ltd., Procurian Switzerland GmbH, Procurian USA LLC, Proquire LLC, PureApps Ltd., Qi Jie Beijing Information Technologies Co Ltd, Radiant Services, Radiant Services LLC, Random Walk Computing Inc., Reactive Media Limited, Reactive Media Pty Ltd., Real Protect, Realworld OO Systems Ltd., Redcore, Redcore (Asia) Pte Ltd, Redcore (India) Private Limited (India), Redcore (New Zealand) Limited, Redcore Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Redcore Pty Ltd, Renacentis IT Services, Revolutionary Security, RiskControl, Rothco, Rothco Holdings Designated Activity Company, Rothco Unlimited Company, S.C. EnergyQuote S.r.l., S3 TV Technology Limited, S3 TV Technology Ltd., SEC Servizi, SEC Servizi S.p.A., SOPIA Corp., Sagacious Consultants, Sagacious Consultants LLC, Salt Solutions, Sanchez Capital Services Pvt Ltd, Schlumberger Business Consulting, Seabury Airline Planning Group, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace (UK) Limited, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace Asia (Hong Kong) Limited, Seabury Aviation Consulting LLC, Seabury Cargo Advisory B.V., Seabury Consulting, Seabury Corporate Advisors LLC, Seabury Human Capital LLC, Seabury Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Seabury Structured Finance LLC, Search Technologies BPO, Search Technologies BPO Inc., Search Technologies GmbH, Search Technologies International LLC, Search Technologies LATAM, Search Technologies LATAM S.A., Search Technologies LLC, Search Technologies Limited, Sente Partners LLC, Sentelis, Servicios Tecnicos de Programacion Accenture S.C., Shackleton, Shackleton Barcelona S.L., Shackleton Chile S.A., Shackleton Madrid S.L., Shackleton S.A., Shanghai Baiyue Advertising Co. Ltd., Shun Zhe Technology Development Co. Ltd., Silveo, Simian Pty Limited, SinnerSchrader, SinnerSchrader AG, SinnerSchrader Commerce GmbH, SinnerSchrader Content GmbH, SinnerSchrader Deutschland GmbH, SinnerSchrader Praha s.r.o., SinnerSchrader Swipe GmbH, Sistemes Consulting S.L., Solutions IQ, Solutions IQ LLC, SolutionsIQ, SolutionsIQ India Consulting Services Private Limited, Storm Digital, Storm Digital B.V., Structure Consulting Group, Structure Consulting Group LLC, Sutter Mills, Systor AG, TQuila Limited (UK), Tadata Creative Unlimited Company, Tara Insurance DAC, Tara Risk DAC, TargetST8, TargetST8 Consulting LLC, Tech - Avanade Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Tecnilogica Ecosistemas S.A., Tecnilogica Ltd., Tecnilogica, The Brand Learning Partners Limited, The Callisto Integration Corporation, The Monkeys, The Monkeys Pty Limited, The Myrtle Group, Total Logistics, Total Logistics Supply Chain Consultants Limited, Tquila, Trivadis AG, Troop Studios Pty Ltd, VanBerlo, Verax Solutions, Verax Solutions Corporation, Vertical Retail Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong, Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Ltd., Vivere Brasil Servicos e Solucoes SA, Vivere Brasil Solucoes De Credito Ltda., Wabion GmbH, Weblinc Pty Ltd, Wire Stone, Wire Stone LLC, Wire Stone Sarl, Wolox, Workforce Insight, Yesler, Zag, Zenta, Zenta Global Philippines, Zenta Global Philippines Inc., Zenta Mortgage Services LLC, Zenta Recoveries Inc, Zenta US Holdings Inc., Zielpuls, Zielpuls (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zielpuls GmbH, avVenta, designaffairs, designaffairs Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., designaffairs GmbH, designaffairs group China Co. Ltd., dgroup, i4C Analytics, iDefense, and solid-serVision.com GmbH.GIMPA short courses and fees will help you make the right decision when enrolling in the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration. This means, therefore, that you ought to understand the cost of each course you want to take. A short course will not take too long to complete which is why most professionals will go for them. These courses allow you to advance your knowledge and skills which makes it easy for you to advance carer wise too. Find out every detail you need to know about a course you want to pursue. This will make it easy for you to prepare in advance. This article brings forth the details on the course as well as the costs involved.

GIMPA(Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration) offers any aspiring student or professional a chance to set themselves up for a better position in the job market. what's more, these short course will not take up much of your time which makes them very convenient even for the busiest professionals. Check out the details below.

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GIMPA school

The Ghana Institute of Management and public Administration (GIMPA) was established with the overarching purpose of training civil servants and improving their professional and administrative capabilities. With the help from the United Nations Special fund project, the Ghana government started the school as an institute of public Administration. The institute was later on completely handed over to the Ghanaian government in 1966. Three years on, the institute was re-branded to Ghana institute of management and public administration after its functions were expanded. In 2004, it was registered as a public institution.

With a variety of courses offered, students are allowed to pursue what they want on the following basis. You can choose to enroll for regular basis or part time basis studying i.e. on weekends and weekdays evening sessions. The GIMPA institute is composed of the following four schools.

School of public service and governance School of Technology Business school and School of Law

GIMPA short courses 2018

The following are the common short course offered at GIMPA. Whether you want to pursue GIMPA business school short courses or gender courses, these GIMPA courses 2018 will reveal to you the options you have as far as short courses are concerned. You can always start with any of these courses before proceeding to any relevant GIMPA undergraduate courses that match your academic and career needs. Here are the most common short GIMPA courses and fees you need to know about.

Project Management Professional (PMP) which takes 14 days to complete. It costs GHC 1600 fees and GHC 100 for the form Certificate in Private Security Guard Training which takes 3 Saturdays to complete. It costs GHC 450 for fees with no costs for the form. Leadership Management and Administration for Faith not for Profit Organisations. This is divided into 2 groups. The first one which takes 3 days to complete will cost GHC 1000 with no charges for the form. The second category which takes 10 days to complete will cost GHC 3800 for fees and GHC 100 for the form. Health Administration and Management which takes 3 weeks to complete. It costs GHC 2400 for fees and GHC 100 for the form. Senior Management Development Programme which takes 10 weeks. It costs GHC 4500 for fees and GHC 100 for the form. Executive Leadership takes 3 days to complete. It costs GHC 1500 with no chrges for the form. The Challenge of Change for Top Level Management which takes 3 days. It costs GHC 1200 with no charges for the form. Project Planning and Management takes 10 days. It costs GHC 2400 fees and GHC 100 for the form. Introduction to Real Estate Devt. and Management takes 10 days. It costs GHC 2500 for fees and GHC 100 for the form. Corporate Governance takes 3 days. It costs GHC 2000 with no charges for the form. Financial Modeling takes 5 days to complete. It costs GHC 1800 and no charges for the form. Strategic Customer/ Relationship Management takes 6 Saturdays. This costs GHC 1600 for fees and GHC 100 for the form. Disaster Risk Reduction and Safety Management takes 6 Saturdays to complete. It costs GHC 1600 for fees and GHC 100 for the form.This is one of the perfect monitoring and evaluation courses at GIMPA. Performance Management takes 3 days. It costs GHC 1200 with no charges for the form. IT Audit takes 5 days. It costs GHC 1800 and no charges for the form. Report Writing and Corporate Communication Skill which takes 4 days. It costs GHC 1200 with no charges for the form. This is one of the most significant short professional courses in Ghana. It will always come in handy regardless of the profession you are in. Office Management and Supervisory Skills takes 5 days. It costs GHC 1500 with no charges for the form. Grant Proposal Writing which takes 5 days. It costs GHC 1500 with no charges for the form. Lean Six Sigma takes 5 days. It costs GHC 2500 with no charges for the form. Procurement Management for Public Sector Organisations which takes 3 days. It costs GHC 1200 with no charges for the form. Five -Star Organisational Performance Culture which takes 5 days. It costs GHC 1200 with no charges for the form. Building Effective Teams which takes 3 days. It costs GHC 1200 with no charges for the form. Chief Executive Programme takes 2 weeks. It costs GHC 2500 fees with GHC 100 for the form. Budgeting & Finance for Non Finance Managers takes 2 weeks. It costs GHC 1600 for fees and GHC 100 for the form. Policy Formulation and Analysis takes 5 days. It costs GHC 2500 with no charges for the form. Certificate in Communicating in Health and Social Care Organisations (Middle Level). Takes 2 weeks to complete. It costs GHC 2500 and GHC 100 for the form. Certificate in Counseling, Gender and Communication Skills. It costs GHC 2500 for fees and GHC 100 for the form. Certificate in Communicating in Health and Social Care Organisations (Senior Level) takes 2 weeks. It costs GHC 3500 for fees and GHC 100 for the form. Women in Management (Middle Level) takes 2 weeks. It costs GHC 2500 for fees and GHC 100 for the form. Women in Management (Senior Level) takes 2 weeks. It costs GHC 300 and GHC 100 for the form. Gender and Development takes 2 weeks.It costs GHC 2500 for fees and GHC 100 for the form.

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Target group

The above mentioned courses are target for different people based on their seniority and level of professionalism. However, the gender courses are encouraged for people working in the gender field. Men are especially encouraged to enroll for such short courses. Find out from the university which short course you are suited for. The bottom line remains that you stand to gain whenever you choose to pursue a short course at GIMPA. All GIMPA short courses 2018 are targeted for people that want to improve their skills.

before you find out about GIMPA postgraduate fees, knowing the details of the GIMPA short courses and fees is a great place to start. Check out these GIMPA short courses for 2018 to know which one suits you best.

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Source: YenAcademic City College is a tertiary institution in Ghana with a state-of-the-art ultra-modern campus in Accra. The institution offers holistic education in order to create well-rounded minds among its students. This makes its students conscientiously and proactively contribute to the development of the country. The dedicated focus of the institution is on an active and experimental student learning, supplemented with ethical decision making and emotional learning. The mission of Academic City College is to produce students who are able to innovate and solve complex problems within an entrepreneurial, collaborative, and ethical environment. This article will provide you with detailed information about the programmes offered at Academic City College including the admission requirements.

Are you looking for an excellent place to study? Look no further because Academic City College is the best place for you. Academic City College has successfully churned out many graduates since its establishment who are contributing significantly to the technology and science landscape of Ghana. Are you looking for an excellent place to study? Look no further because Academic City College is the best place for you. Academic City College has successfully churned out many graduates since its establishment who are contributing significantly to the technology and science landscape of Ghana.

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About Academic City College

Eureka Africa group launched Academic City College Ghana in 2009. It is a National Accreditation Board accredited institution. The institution was launched with the aim of delivering the much needed affordable education so as to create a competitive labor pool within the country. Since the establishment of the institution, it has been a standalone facility in Ring Road, Accra. The institution was known for the affiliated programmes with Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) it offered.

Nine years after its establishment, it has managed to graduate more than 3000 students from twenty-three countries in Africa. The College offers the best education and training which is evidenced through its alumni who have established themselves as unique in various fields. The students are working at reputed organizations like financial institutions, educational institutions, manufacturing firms, international banks, corporate offices, and government departments in Ghana and West Africa.

City College Academic programs

City College Academic has four faculties which offer various programmes. The faculties are:

School of Engineering & Technology

School of Business

School of Communication Arts

School of Engineering & Technology

City Academic College is providing a world class engineering & IT. The curriculum is coupled with a state of computer labs and art engineering on campus. In addition, the department is equipped with the latest in mechanical, electronics, and digital gear to empower the students from the first day of their admission. The programs offered by the Engineering & Technology department are:

Bachelor of Science in Electronics & Communication Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Electrical & Electronics Engineering (in development)

Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

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School of Business

The business curriculum offered by the Academic City College drives deliberately-planned education that makes students be competent and acquire characters significant for becoming good leaders. The training provided to the students makes them become good decision makers who devise streamlined and effective business solutions. The programs offered at the school of Business are:

Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting

Bachelor of Business Administration - Banking & Finance

Bachelor of Business Administration - Human Resource Management

Bachelor of Business Administration  Marketing

School of Communication Arts

The school of communication arts was developed to prepare students to engage in a challenging career concerning media content, advertising, and public relations. The students are exposed to various social media and communication platforms that are active across corporate communication. Programs offered by this faculty are:

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication

Bachelor of Arts in Advertising & Public Relations

Academic City College Ghana School fees

The fees charged by Academic City College is competitive in the market. This makes it affordable for many students in Ghana to receive a college education and after that get employed. Academic City College Tuition is the best in Ghana because of the advanced technologies and qualified lecturers within the institution.

Academic City College Ghana Tuition Fees is as shown below:

In US Dollars per Academic Year (2 Semesters)

Engineering: $7,000

Other Programmes: $5,000

Housing (Optional)

Shared Room : $1,000

Single Room : $2,000

Single Room with AC: $2,500

Meal Plan (Optional)

3 Cafeteria Meals Daily: $1,800

Estimate only, subject to selected meal plan.

Financial aid

Academic City has a Merit-Based Scholarships that are provided to qualifying students. Also, the institution has a Financial Aid that is made available for students with financial problems. However, the Financial Aid is subject and limited to the availability of funds, therefore is it awarded strictly to applicants having a genuine financial need.

If you want to apply for the financial aid, you are expected to select 'I need financial aid' after logging in to the online admissions application. You can also apply for the aid by obtaining a financial aid form from Admissions.

We also provide the students with payment plans especially those who are unable to pay the full fees. For more information, you can contact admissions.

Entry requirements

Engineering

Students who want to pursue any course in engineering should ensure that they passed in WASSCE/NECO. They should have six credit passes with a minimum of C6 and three core subjects which are English, Maths, and Science including three elective subjects which are Maths, Physics, and a science subject.

SSSCE applicants should have a minimum of D or a pass in six different subjects including three core subjects and three elective subjects.

IGCSE O-LEVEL & A-LEVEL applicants should have a minimum of five credit passes including English, Maths, Physics and Chemistry and three passes. The applicant also qualifies for the application if he or she grade D in the A-Level including Maths, Physics and Science/Additional Mathematics.

International applicants

The international applicants should have Mathematics and Physics SL with 5 or better OR Mathematics and Physics HL with 3 or better. The applicants will also be considered if they have a Credit passes in 5 O-Level subjects (including English, Maths, and Physics).

Mature entry

Mature applicants will be considered for the application if they are 25 years of age and above, but they should apply as mature candidates and at the same time pass the mature entry exam.

IT, Business & Communication Arts

Students wishing to undertake a course in IT, Business or Communication Arts should have six credit passes with minimum C6 including three core subjects (including Math + English) and three elective subjects in WASSCE/NECO.

They should also have a minimum of D or a pass in 6 subjects including three cores subjects (including Math + English) and three elective subjects

SSSCE

Students with a minimum of 5 credit pass in the IGCSE O-Levels (including Math and English) and three passes or grade D in the A-Level qualify for the application.

English IB-Minimum score of 4 in 3 higher Level (HL) subjects & in English & Mathematics

French IB-Minimum of 50% pass including Mathematics and English

American High School- Minimum GPA of 3.0

City College academic calendar

The academic calendar of Academic City College is as shown below

2016/2017

2017/2018

2018/2019

2019/2020

The current academic year is 2018/2019.

How to apply

Admissions for September 2018 is in progress. You can apply by visiting our website and download the application form. On the website, you can also download the financial aid form. There is also an online application form where you will be expected to fill the form and submit it online without downloading it.

Applications that will be received by the institution before the 20th of August will be prioritized for financial aid and admission. After downloading and filling out the application form, submit it in person to the admissions office or through our email.

Contact information

If you need more clarifications, you can call on 233) 262 693 960 / 262 693 870. You can also reach the school through WhatsApp through (233) 554 264 486. The email address is admissions@accghana.com, and the official website is.

The contemporary environment is rapidly changing, and new things are being developed. The products that are considered cool now will be part of the landfills of tomorrow. Various technologies are converging with one another to create new disruptive technologies. Various fields of human activities are looking for further disruption and convergence. The World-class programs provided by Academic City College provide platform, depth, and latitude for all the students in order to enable them to re-engineer and rethink the future. We have state of the art heavy-equipment workshop, activity-based learning, modern laboratory facility, industry-tested, and dedicated faculty.

If you are interested in innovation and discovery, Academic City College provides world-class courses in technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship. While at the institution, you will manage to explore robotics which is made possible by the Entrepreneurship and Technology Center or launch an app at the maker-space. Apart from the classroom studies, you will be provided win an opportunity to pair your rigorous coursework with various research opportunities, coding camps including community impact projects. Therefore, enroll now and get the fulfillment of the promise you will receive the best education and training.

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Source: YenAll Nation University is one of the universities in Ghana that equips students will the right skills to become future leaders. Picking the right course to pursue in a college is not enough, you have to choose the right school as well. This article seeks to summarize all information on courses offered in All Nation University, admission requirements and contact addresses for the University in Ghana. If you desire to join one of the best colleges in the country, then this is a must read for you.

All Nation University courses are geared towards meeting the current market demand. You are likely to get gainful employment when you complete a course from the institution. Consider the following requirements.

About All Nation University

All Nation University (ANU) is a Christian based private institution that was established in 1996 by All Nation international agency based in Toronto, Canada. The University was established at the suburbs of Koforidua on a 1000 acre piece of land. The population of the university has gradually grown and is currently hosting more than 3500 students. The primary mission of the University was to provide high-quality education, which promotes developments and rise leaders of Christian values and ethics to serve the society. ANU runs about 13 programs with 130 faculties. Programs are run in two different campuses where 35 countries are represented. All Nations University was accredited by the national accreditation board of Ghana and is affiliated to Kwame Nkrumah University of Ghana. Read on to find out more on the courses and admission requirements for the All Nations University College of Ghana.

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All Nation University programmes

All Nation University College runs various programs in four different schools. The programs offered in these schools are are capable of producing skilled personnel who can serve the people of Ghana with a higher degree of expertise. The schools are highlighted below

School of Allied Health Sciences

This is a newly established school, which runs two main programs as follows;

Biomedical engineering and

Nursing.

The school is divided into two main departments that is the department of nursing and department of biotechnology. School of Allied Health Sciences provides quality education to health care professionals who can work in Ghana and other countries of the world. This includes the famous All Nations University college nursing course.

School of Business

ANUC School of Business is an active faculty that model professionals who become a solution to the diverse needs in the economic state of Ghana and beyond. School of Business offers the following programs:

Accounting

Banking and finance

Human Resource Management and

Marketing.

School of Engineering

School of Engineering is one the most competent faculties in the entire university. It offers a wide range of undergraduate courses with different areas of specialization. Some of these programs include:

Oil and Gas engineering

Computer Science engineering

Computer engineering

Computer and electronic engineering among others.

School of Humanities and Sciences

This faculty runs two programs in two departments. The departments include humanities and sciences department as well as the department of biblical studies. The second department focuses on providing professional biblical education for all the students and providing good ethics to the society.

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Courses offered in All Nation University

All Nation University College is a private institution, which offers multiple programs to its students. It has two main campuses; which include the main campus and town campus. Most of the programs are provided from the main campus. The courses offered by the University include the following:

Undergraduate degree programs

1. School of Engineering

Bachelor of engineering in oil and gas engineering

Bachelor of science in computer science

Bachelor of engineering in computer engineering

Bachelor of engineering in electronics and communication engineering

2. School of Humanities

Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies with Business Administration

Note: The school of Humanities also offer a diploma in Biblical Studies.

3. School of Business

Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing

Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting

Bachelor of Business Administration entrepreneurship

Bachelor of Business Administration in human resource management

Bachelor of Business Administration in banking and finance

4. School of Allied and Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in nursing

Bachelor of Biomedical engineering.

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All Nations University College also offers pre-university programs, which are meant to prepare high school leavers who did not qualify for direct entry into the university. The course usually takes a maximum of 1 year. Some of the courses offered under the pre-university program include core mathematics, integrated science, social studies, elective mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, English language, financial accounting, Christian religious studies, information and communication technology, economics and business management. Candidates who undergo this program are allowed to pursue any course at All Nation University College of Ghana.

All Nations University Ghana fees

All Nation University of Ghana is among the few private institutions of higher learning in Ghana, which has affordable fee requirements. It charges very friendly fees for all students taking various courses in Ghana. Students who want to access payment details or consultations are asked to send an email at registrar @anuc.edu.gh or call using the relevant contact details.

Fees payments should be made in following banks:

Local transfers

1. Societe Generale Ghana

For Ghanaian students

Account name: All Nation University College

Account number: 60000905310

Swift code: SSEBGHACXXX

Branch code: 90201

Account currency: Ghana Cedi

For non- Ghanaian student

Account name: All Nation University College

Account number: 60000905316

Swift code: SSEBGHACXXX

Branch code: 90201

Account name: USD

2. Republic Bank (payments for hostels only)

Account name: All Nation University College

Account number: 0151111111098

Account currency: Ghana cedi

For non- Ghanaian students

Account name: All Nation University College

Account number: 0151111111101

Account currency: USD

International transfers

It involves transferring money from a foreign bank into the All Nation University College account in Ghana.

Essential payment details are as follows:

1. Eco bank

Account name: All Nation University College

Account number: 0401014478330001

Swift code: BKTRUS 33 ECOC GHAC

Address: Eco bank Ghana Ltd

Agrimat house, Accra, Ghana.

2. Zenith bank

Account name: All Nation University College

Account number: 4050103494

Swift code: ZEBLGHAC

Address: Zenith Bank Ghana Ltd

Head office premier towers, Accra, Ghana.

3. UBA

Account name: All Nation University College

Account number: 00104572803213

Swift code: STBGGHAC

Address: UBA, Ghana Ltd Hollywood, Medina PBM 35 Accra Ghana.

All students who want to make payments are advised to the use the payments details as given above.

READ ALSO: Cape Coast Technical University programmes and admissions

All Nations University Ghana admission requirements

A candidate who is interested in pursuing any of the courses offered by the university should go through the requirements to ensure that he/she fully qualifies for admission. Students wishing to secure an admission from the University College must produce certificates or transcripts from recognized and accredited institution of Ghana. The standard entry requirements are as follows:

SSSCE holders should have scored D or better in three (3) core subjects including core mathematics, English language, and integrated sciences and any three elective subjects.

WASSCE holders should have attained at least grade C6 or better in three (3) core subjects including core mathematics, English language, and integrated sciences. The candidate must also pass in three (3) elective subjects.

GCE holders who wants to get admission into All Nations University College must have passed in three subjects with at least one D or better. The applicant must also have credit passes in the C6 examination in at least five GCE ordinary papers including; English, mathematics, science, and arts subjects.

Students seeking admission with advanced business certificate examination qualifications must have passed in three (3) subjects with at least one D or better. The candidate must also prove to have passed with credits in five subjects in general business certificate examination. Subjects that are preferred include mathematics, English language, and integrated science.

Mature entry requirements

Students who want to seek admission at this level should have the following:

Candidate must be 25 years and above

Provide a letter from an employer or any other form of employment.

Show proof of age with a birth certificate or any other legitimate document, which is at least five years old.

Mature candidates must have the relevant work experience and should have passed the WASSCE/SSSCE examinations.

Foreign requirements

International students who want to secure an admission from All Nations University College must meet the following requirements:

All foreign applicants will have to go through the national accreditation board for determination of their eligibility of being admitted into the institutions of Ghana.

It is important to note that certificates like the American SAT, TOEFL among other will not be considered as qualification requirements unless directed by the Ghana national accreditation board.

Specific entry requirement for engineering

Students who want to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering should have done well in biology

Other applicants for engineering must have passed in physics and chemistry

All applicants must have passed elective mathematics

Specific requirements for Computer Sciences

All applicants who want to pursue computer courses must have passed in elective mathematics and physics.

How to apply to All Nations University College in Ghana

Candidates who have met necessary All Nation University requirement and want to secure admission into the University have nothing to worry. Here are a few steps they need to take to finish the application.

The initial step is for the candidates to choose how they want to apply. There are two modes of applications. Either through paper/ manual application or online application.

When you decide to use the paper application, the candidate will be required to download an application form from the official website and fill in their details.

Applicants are required to pay application fees of GHS 80 for local students and 120 dollars for international students.

Application forms should be submitted via post office through the following All Nations university address: Admission office, All Nation University College, P.O. BOX KF1908, Koforidua, Ghana. Alternatively, they can scan and email their application form through admissions@anuc.edu.gh

An online application will only require the candidate to fill the online form, pay application fees and submit.

Note: Applicants are advised to give reliable contact information to enable the university to contact them upon consideration. Students who will secure admission will be required to collect All Nations university admission form from the university.

All Nations University contact

In case you need to get more information or want to consult on a number of things, below are reliable contact information for the institution. Reach them through

Address: All Nation University 97N.K. Boateng K.F1908, Koforidua

Email: registrar@anuc.edu.gh

All Nation University is among the best private institutions of higher learning in Ghana. The institution offers competent programs, which are relevant to the job market. To get this competency, you can download All Nation University forms and apply for admission. It is highly recommended that you join this institution for quality leadership skills and innovation.

Source: YenThe demands of consumers are growing, creating a dire need for companies to change the way they conduct their business. They want the companies to be more transparent and become more involved in addressing social, environmental and cultural issues. Corporate social responsibility has embedded itself in todays corporate world. One of the most important factors in establishing a companys public image and reputation is corporate social responsibility, commonly referred to as the CSR. Recently, CSR has become vital since the relationships of corporates with non-profit bearings have become more important in the eyes of the public.

So what is the importance of corporate social responsibility? In this article, you will know what the CSR entails, what it means for a business, and why it is necessary.

What is corporate social responsibility?

Before we go further, we need to know what CSR is. CSR is a never-ending commitment by a business to give back to the society through contribution to the quality of life of their employees, their families, and the whole community. Corporate social responsibility goes beyond profits and concentrates on how a business can be beneficial to the community.

The creation of a CSR strategy or sustainability strategy is an important constituent of the competitiveness of a company and something that the firm itself should be at the forefront. This means having policies and procedures in place which incorporate social, environmental, human rights or ethical, consumer concerns into business operations and core strategy in close relationship with stakeholders.

Some people may not be aware of the corporate social responsibility importance. However, for companies, the main aim is to have a positive effect on society and at the same time, optimizing the creation of shared value for entrepreneurs, employees, and stakeholders. Recently, the European commission explained CSR as the responsibility of enterprises for their impacts on society. This is a succinct and distinctive definition of the strategy.

Types of corporate social responsibility

The CSR is further subdivided into categories so as to cover each of the aspects of stakeholders. Here are the types of the CSR.

Environmental responsibility Philanthropic initiatives Ethical business practices Economic responsibility

The above can be broken down into legal compliance, worker relations, transparency, environmental performance, ethics, human rights, product responsibility, ethics, stakeholder communication, strategy integration, profitability, and philanthropy. Corporate social responsibility is not just about giving back to the community. It involves all of these elements and each of the aspects has its own standards.

Why should a business engage in CSR?

Is social responsibility good for business? Corporate social responsibility allows organizations to do their bit for the society, environment, their employees and customers. The benefits of CSR indicate how vital it is and why every corporate head should try to incorporate it in their business. Here are some of the benefits of social responsibility.

1. Promoting the business

Giving back to the society and appreciating stakeholders, takes your business a notch higher and ensures long-term growth and accomplishment. Corporate social responsibility is important in making your brand popular among competitors, media, other corporations, and your direct clients.

Corporate social responsibility does not require much investment, it could as simple as cleaning the area around your business, donating to the needy or even buying food for the less needy. Do not engage in CSR activities if you want to gain popularity or use it as a publicity stunt. Do it because you believe in the cause and giving back.

READ ALSO: Small business opportunities in Ghana

2. Positivity in the business environment

Social responsibility allows all the staff of an organization to contribute to the environment, community and the country as a whole. Putting a smile on the face of others because your firm has guaranteed to assist the less fortunate gives one an inner sense of satisfaction, happiness, and pride. Various organizations get to work towards the betterment of the society and make it a better place to live through corporate social responsibility. This makes the environment in the workplace more positive hence increasing productivity. Through the promotion of volunteering activities, personal and professional development are encouraged.

3. Attract and retain investors

Investors always want to know how their money is being utilized. Corporate social responsibility is a sign that the organization has sound business plans and a conducive budget. Most corporations encourage their employees to volunteer their time to show that they are not all about making money only. It shows that they have the welfare of the local and global community at heart. When this happens entrepreneurs are more likely to be interested and will continue supporting firms that show a commitment to their employees, clients and causes that affect the livelihood of others. Most companies that engage in CSR stand a better chance of gaining popularity among current and prospective clients. People often appreciate and prefer those who donate and contribute to the betterment of their lives. This, in turn, will increase the company's profit margins and popularity.

4. Increases investor and employee engagement

When answering why CSR is important, you cannot forget to mention that it increases client engagement. You can use your social media platforms to inform your customers and others about your CSR activities. Clients often follow this and interact with your operations and brand. Reach out to local media stations hoping theyll give your event coverage.

Another importance of CSR is that the employees get to engage more. Just as customer engagement, the employer needs to make sure that the employees are aware of the company's CSR strategies. Showing that you are committed to CSR strategies may attract top candidates to your firm.

The concept of corporate social responsibility in the world plays an important role in the business sector that is spread across the globe. There are several multinational companies that have implemented the social responsibility in their business structure and striving hard for the success. Corporate social responsibility also plays an important in the development of the society.

Some companies dont see the importance of CSR, and usually ignore to manage their CSR strategies which result in meager press coverage, anger among human rights activists and tainted public outlook. The reasons as to why CSR is important are very evident. From the article highlighting the importance of corporate social responsibility, one can conclude that CSR as a business imperative must be accepted wholeheartedly. It must be undertaken with vigor and passion for it is a great way to create a bond between the community and the organization.

READ ALSO: These are the biggest business tycoons in Ghana

Source: YenSome people do not see the importance of savings and investment. This is particularly because they claim to be living while they can. This means that they can use the money to fulfill their current needs because they are not guaranteed of being alive tomorrow. Some people also assume that they will always have the kind of money they have forever. However, these views are not very helpful. Saving and investing money is a way of securing ones future. Even if a person dies, their savings can help their generation after them. Therefore, the fact that we want to enjoy living in the moment should not hinder us from saving money or investing it.

There are some people who would like to save money for the future but are unable due to several reasons. For instance, the lack of employment and increased expenditure can leave a person without anything to save. Other people also lack knowledge on how to save money for the future.

How to save money for the future

The economic times may get harder and expenses could increase as well. However, there are strategies that individuals can use to save money for future use.

1. Cutting back on expenditures

One way to save money is by cutting back on expenditures. Some expenses are unnecessary and once avoided, a person can have some money to save. A good way to eliminate such expenditures would be coming up with a budget. A budget enables one to only spend money on things that are necessary.

2. Direct banking

Another saving tip would be to have some amount of one's salary sent to the bank directly. With this method, you will barely come across the money to be tempted to use it. Some banks allow you to save money on a fixed term such that you can only access it after some months or years.

3. Living within your means

Living an affordable life also enables one to save money. Part of the reason some people find it hard to invest is that they want to lead luxurious lives that they cannot afford. If you live within your means, there will be plenty to save.

The importance of saving money

Discussed below are the reasons to save money.

1. Save for emergencies

In case you are wondering why do people save money, this is one of the major reasons. You might be living comfortably now but you never know what would happen in the future. You could lose your job, you could fall ill, a natural disaster could take place and destroy your property or the breadwinner of the family could die. If any of these things happened, you would be left broke and poor if you did not have emergency funds. But, you can cushion yourself to a considerable extent by saving money for such emergencies. This money can help you cater for the unexpected situations and help you get back on your feet in good time.

Your emergency fund should be an amount equivalent to the money you spend in three to six months. This sounds like a huge amount, right? But it is what would be approximately sufficient to cater for emergencies. In case you do not want to save such an amount of money in the bank, you could plan on taking an insurance cover. This is where you regularly pay an amount of money to an insurance provider so that they would cater for expenses in the future, should the unexpected happen.

2. Save for your education

It could be that you are currently employed but your educational qualifications are preventing you from soaring high in your career. In this day and age, you definitely need to have high standards of education for you to grow in your career. This is one important answer to the question why is it good to save money.

Having money can enable you to enrol for the course that you have always wanted. Even though it could take several years to get there, you would finally achieve the education that you have always wanted. Also, there are parents who want their little children to pursue their higher education without struggling in the future. Therefore, by saving, you could be securing a good educational future for your children. This is among the best benefits of saving money.

READ ALSO: Best Investment Banks in Ghana 2018

3. Save to become financially independent

Part of the reasons why people save is to become financially independent. When you are financially independent, you can make decisions without limitation. When you are caught up with problems or unexpected events, you do not start borrowing money or leading a poor life. Instead, you are able to move on with life as if nothing happened.

Being financially independent also means that you can take up a job for the satisfaction that it gives and not the money that you receive from it. You are able to have peace of mind knowing that you have no financial issues to worry about.

4. Save to buy a home

Without any doubt, owning the home of your dreams is not easy. You need to have the money to build or buy it. Whichever the case, owning a home requires you to have money. By saving money over some years, you can be in a position to buy a home. What you need to do is to have the actual idea of the home you want. Do you want a bungalow, a mansion, a villa or a ranch-style house?

Once you have identified your kind of dream home, you can then determine where you want it to be. Should it be in urban areas or in the upcountry? Have an idea of the home you want places you in a better position to save. If, for instance, it will cost you Ksh. 5,000,000, you can decide on the amount of money you will save each month and the number of years it will take for you to have the actual amount.

5. Save to go on a vacation

Occasionally, people need to take a break from work and the daily routine of doing things by going for a vacation. However, going for a vacation especially to high end destination can be quite expensive. The good thing is that you can start saving and go to that place that is on your bucket list. Just get the right estimates for all the money required for the vacation and then set out a plan on how much you will be saving every month.

6. Save to start your business

Being employed has some disadvantages such as the lack of flexibility and freedom. It can also make it difficult for you to pursue your talents. On the other hand, when you are self-employed you are able to pursue your goals and find some job flexibility. However, you can only reach this point if you develop the habit of saving.

You need to identify the kind of self-employment job you want to pursue. Research about it to determine the equipment you will need among other aspects of the business. By doing this, you will know how much you will need to save to become self-employed.

7. Save for retirement

Even though retiring is important, it can be quiet difficult especially when you do not have money. Remember, at this stage of your life, you probably do not have the energy to create several income generating strategies. Therefore, it might be difficult for you to have the money that you used to have in the past. To avoid being caught up in such a situation, it is wise to save specifically for retirement. When retired, you can even use that money to establish a business of your own. Also, you can afford to access quality healthcare services and also live a quality and peaceful life. Therefore, save now to have a good life once you retire.

8. Save to buy a car

Some people have the tendency of buying cars using loans. This deprives them financial freedom as they have to keep paying the loan for an extended period of time. In the long run, they end up paying more money than they would have paid had they used cash. When you have savings, you can buy your dream car without straining a lot. Also having all the cash puts you in a better position to negotiate the price of the car.

The other importance of saving is that it can help you get out of debt, you can travel the world, provide a good life for your family and for yourself. If you want to create a habit of saving, set your goals. Identify what you are saving to achieve and how much money will be required to achieve it. Then, let that goal be a priority in any financial decision that you make. Eventually, you will become good at saving and will be in a position to afford anything you have always dreamt of. While at it, be patient and do not let your saving goals be interrupted by anything else.

READ ALSO: List of savings and loans companies in Ghana 2018

Source: YenThe Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, has shared a photo of a woman whom she called her mother to wish her a happy birthday.

YEN.com.gh's checks reveal that the woman happens to be the wife of late former vice president, Aliu Mahama

Mrs. Bawumia shared this photo of Hajia Ramatu Mahama, on her Facebook page an that Allah continue to bless her in all her endeavours.

She wrote: Happy birthday to our beloved mother, Hajia Ramatu Mahama. May Allah bless and favour you in all your endeavors.

READ ALSO: Government finally responds to Martin Amidu's claim that he has "poor" office space

Hajia Ramatu Mahama, YEN.com.gh understands, turned 67 years on Monday.

Though she is ripe in age, Hajia Ramatu looks beautiful in her kente outfit with a headgear to match.

Wearing a simple spectacle on top, Hajia Ramatu look so dazzling.

The photo and occasion seem to have warmed the heart of some social media users who have sent out birthday wishes to the former second lady, with most of them making prayers for her.

READ ALSO: Akua GMB poses with her husband Dr. Kweku Oteng in latest photo and Ghanaians are talking

For instance, a Facebook user, Nasir, wished her prosperity and long life.

Emmanuel also prayed for strength for Hajia Ramatu.

Zongo also wished her lots of blessings

READ ALSO: Gifty Anti releases hot photos to celebrate 3rd wedding anniversary with husband

Samira Bawumia trended in the news recently following some no make-up photos of hers which were leaked on social media.

In the photos alleged to be hers, Samira looked darker, and many people concluded that she was not beautiful without make-up.

However, the Second Lady, through her aids, claimed she was not the one in the photos.

READ ALSO: Baby has got backup  Yvonne Okoro 'exposes' Sandra Ankobiahs backside in latest video

Yenkasa: Sex Addict or Alcoholic Which Do You Prefer? | Yen.com.gh

READ ALSO: Please stay married we beg  Fan begs Becca and husband over their latest photo

Have national and human interest issues to discuss?

Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition?

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page

Source: YenFormer President Jerry John Rawlings has launched a strong campaign against a plan by the Ahwoi brothers- Ato, Kwamena and Kwesi- to make one of them, Kwesi, a running mate to John Mahama in 2020.

The former President made his intention in a tweet on Monday afternoon.

Per a report by Mynewsgh.com sighted by YEN.com.gh, the former Presidents tweet was a reaction to the decision by former President John Dramani Mahama to appoint Kwesi Ahwoi as running mate ahead of election 2020 if he wins the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearership race.

Meanwhile it is believed Rawlings put out the tweet to expose the lies of Mahama who is allegedly going round promising the number two position in exchange for their support for his candidature, while deep insiders know he has sold that to the Ahwois already."

JJ Rawlings (Photo credit: supplied)

Source: Getty Images

READ ALSO: Moesha Boduong turns heads on social media

To drive a wedge in the agenda, Rawlings put out the tweet to stop the-Support-me-and-I-will-make-you-number-two mantra.

Isnt the Presidency too busy a place for hopefuls/running mates who spend a little too much time grooming their moustache and dyeing their hair? Rawlings tweeted.

So far, all the Ahwoi brothers-Ato Ahwoi, Kwamena Ahwoi and Kwesi Ahwoi are busily campaigning for Mahama to be reelected as flagbearer of NDC.

READ ALSO: Bishop Obinim drops names of pastors who are also 'Angels'

Ato and Kwamena used to be staunch allies of Mr Rawlings and played major roles in then PNDC government in 1980s as well as the two constitutional terms led by President Rawlings in 1992 and 1996 respectively.

One of the Ahwoi brothers, Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi shot a widely circulated video endorsing the candidature of former President John Dramani Mahama as NDCs flagbearer for election 2020.

According to him, Mr. Mahama is experienced and knows how to handle the stresses of leadership making him the best person to lead the party in the next general election.

READ ALSO: Iwan slams Samini over Shatta Wale snub

Prof. Ahwoi also described Mr. Dramani Mahama as someone who is composed and still remains true to the values of the NDC.

He explained further that having worked with Mr. Mahama, he is confident his candidature will ensure victory for the NDC.

To me, John Dramani Mahama is the best man for the job, we need a steady and experienced hand, someone who can remain composed under the pressure of the campaign race and still remain true to the values of our great NDC, he said.

READ ALSO: 4 times Shatta Wale and Michy showed their romantic side

"JM has been there, he knows what its about and how to handle the stresses of leadership. I have worked with him before. I was Minister when he was a deputy Minister, I watched him perform as President. To win 2020, I go for JM, he concluded.

Yenkasa Does it Matter if a Child is Named by the Mother? | Yen.com.gh:

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YEN's official Facebook page.

Source: Yen.com.ghQuesto comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

As a person, one of the things that will keep worrying you in life is how you can remain healthy. People have come up with many measures that can be put in place by anyone who wishes to be healthy. Healthy living means that one takes quality foods that are rich in all the nutrients needed by the body. It is the only way that one can be sure to remain healthy for a long duration. Medical experts always advise their clients that they need to certain types of foods if they wish to remain healthy. The problem is that the people do not have access to such products. They are forced to use foods that have been processed in industries. As you might have known earlier, foods that are produced in the industry may have lower nutrient composition compared to those that are extracted naturally. As they undergo the processing, they lose some important nutrients in the process. It is the main reason why other doctors will advise their clients not to make use of the foods that have been processed in the industries. Instead, they should look for supplements that are rich in the nutrients they need. Natural Factors Supplements comes to the rescue of clients who need such products. The company is known to produce the best supplements.

Natural factors AOR Olive Leaf Extract

With the increase in number of diseases related o deficiency of nutrients in the body, the company thought it wise to come up with supplements that can enable people to be healthy. The products produced by the company can be trusted since this is done by trained experts who have been in the industry for a long duration. They have what it takes to be able to produce the best quality supplements in the market. AOR Olive Leaf Extract, which is a supplement produced by the company, can be used to control weight. Anyone that feels he or she has excess weight can make use of the product and they will never experience any negative side effects in the process. They can be sure to remove all the excess fast from the body using the best way available.

About vitasave

This is a platform that has dedicated a lot of time to come up with the best quality supply platform for supplements. If you need to buy products like AOR Olive Leaf Extract and AOR Breath Biotics with BLIS K12 you need to visit vitasave.ca.

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https://www.vitasave.ca/BARCELONA, Spain, October 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- TravelPerk is accelerating growth with Series C investment including from Kinnevik, Yuri Milner and Tom Stafford , and the opening of a new London office - with bases in Berlin , Amsterdam and Paris soon to follow

and , and the opening of a new office - with bases in , and soon to follow TravelPerk is a simple, smart, easy-to-use platform which allows teams to manage trips from booking to accounting all in one place - using the world's largest global travel inventory to take the pain out of business travel

TravelPerk is Europe's fastest growing 'Software as a Service' company, and is on track to complete seamless bookings for one million travellers next year Barcelona-based startup TravelPerk has secured $44 million in Series C funding from some of the most successful technology investors including Kinnevik, Yuri Milner and Tom Stafford. A A A A (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/767357/TravelPerk_Logo.jpg )

A A A A (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/767358/TravelPerk_founders.jpg )

According to the Global Business Travel Association, 50% of business travel happens outside of company policy, often because existing platforms are outdated, can't offer the choice or prices of consumer equivalents, and require travel managers to endure multiple sites, emails and calls to manage a single trip. TravelPerk is solving this problem for hundreds of thousands of travellers from some of the world's most influential companies including Uber and Transferwise - cutting the time needed to manage a trip from 3 or 4 hours to just 10 minutes and saving companies over 20% in annual travel costs. TravelPerk's platform hosts the world's largest bookable inventory, bringing all the necessary tools and resources from booking to accounting into one simple, consumer-standard interface - incorporating cars, trains, flights and hotels from a wide range of major providers including Booking.com, Expedia and Airbnb. TravelPerk CEO Avi Meir said: "We believe business travel should be as simple as personal travel - if not easier. As businesses grow beyond borders, organising trips is one of the most painful and unnecessary obstacles they face to expanding." "TravelPerk is breaking new ground to propel business travel into the 21st century, disrupting a mammoth and outdated $1.3 trillion market - ensuring distance is never a barrier to future growth."A In this latest round, the company is also being supported by existing investors including Felix Capital, Target Global, Spark Capital, LocalGlobe, Suntone and Amplo, who back market-changers including Slack, Trello, Farfetch and Delivery Hero. Since being founded in 2015 by CEO Avi Meir and CPO Javier Suarez, TravelPerk has increased revenues by 700% growth year on year, and has now raised nearly $75m in total funding. This new injection of funding will equip TravelPerk to expand into new markets, enlarge its client base by working more with small enterprises and augment its technology offering. Chris Bischoff, Senior Investment Director, Kinnevik, said: "We are excited to invest in TravelPerk, a company that fits perfectly into our investment thesis of using technology to offer customers more and much better choice. Booking corporate travel is unnecessarily time-consuming, expensive and burdensome compared to leisure travel. Avi and team have capitalised on this opportunity to build the leading European challenger by focusing on a product-led solution, and we look forward to supporting their future growth." For UK: Having tripled the size of its team in the past year, TravelPerk is now opening its first office in the UK. The UK business travel market was worth $50 billion in 2017, and this initial investment will allow TravelPerk to simplify travel for customers such as Aesop, Bowers & Wilkins, Adyen and Farfetch



in 2017, and this initial investment will allow TravelPerk to simplify travel for customers such as Aesop, Bowers & Wilkins, Adyen and Farfetch For Germany : Having tripled the size of its team in the past year, TravelPerk is also announcing that it will open a new office in Germany by the end of this year, the biggest business travel market in Europe at $72bn . TravelPerk is growing the fastest in Germany out of all its geographies, where it already serves businesses including GetYourGuide, Adjust and Outfittery



: Having tripled the size of its team in the past year, TravelPerk is also announcing that it will open a new office in by the end of this year, the biggest business travel market in at . TravelPerk is growing the fastest in out of all its geographies, where it already serves businesses including GetYourGuide, Adjust and Outfittery For France : Having tripled the size of its team in the past year, TravelPerk is also announcing that it will open a new office in France by the end of this year, where it already serves businesses including Mirakl, Aircall, Condeco and Ykone



: Having tripled the size of its team in the past year, TravelPerk is also announcing that it will open a new office in by the end of this year, where it already serves businesses including Mirakl, Aircall, Condeco and Ykone For Spain : TravelPerk has tripled the size of its Barcelona -based team in the past year from 50 to 150, serving customers including Globo & Typeform. The company is now opening its first office in the UK and with bases in Berlin , Amsterdam and Paris soon to followUnfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.Climate change

PM prays as disaster looms

The Morrison government has completely rejected recommendations of a major new report prepared by 91 leading climate scientists for the UN International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) regarding the potentially terrifying impact of climate change.

Since the industrial revolution began, the annual average global temperature has risen one degree, and is rising exponentially. The IPCC report says the average global temperature could rise 1.5 degrees by 2030, resulting in heatwaves, droughts, extreme weather events, rising sea levels, mass migrations, loss of coral reefs and biodiversity, the spread of tropical diseases, famines and water shortages.

Because of climate change, global hunger has already increased for three years in a row. If the temperature rises 2 degrees, the survival of countless millions of people will be under threat.

The world must therefore reduce the 2010 carbon emission levels by 78 percent, preferably by 2030. However, the Coalition government has committed Australia to reduce its emissions by only 26 percent by 2030 with no further reductions after that. If the world accepted this as the global standard the temperature would rise three degrees by 2100.

The IPCC report concludes we must phase out coal mining, stop using fossil fuels by 2050, and carry out rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society, including energy, agriculture, transport and heavy industry.

A report prepared for the Greens indicates that in order to meet those targets, 12 of Australias 21 coal-fired power stations must close by 2030 or reduce their output drastically. By 2030, three of those plants will be closed and six will be within five years of closure. Yet the government wants their operating life to be extended.

Australias prolonged droughts are symptoms of climate change. The Prime Minister has toured eastern states seeking to console rural communities affected by the terrible conditions, but refuses to accept that the droughts are part of climate change.

Discussing climate change in drought-ravaged south-western Queensland, Morrison said recently I dont think people out here care one way or another ... Im practically interested in the policies that will address what is going on here, right now. Im interested in getting peoples electricity prices down, and Im not terribly interested in engaging in those sorts of debates at this point. He declared fervently: I pray for that rain everywhere else around the country and he encouraged others to do the same. Thats his solution.

He claims that Labors plan to reduce emissions by 50 percent by 2030 would increase the average households power bills by $1,400 per annum, even though energy authorities have acknowledged that renewable energy is now cheaper than energy from coal-fired power stations.

Dodging national responsibility, Environment Minister Melisa Price said Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. She insists that by 2050 science will deliver good, clean technology when it comes to coal. She dismissed the IPCC report, but admits she hasnt read it.

Finally, in a masterpiece of nonsense Coalition MP and obsessive climate change denier Craig Kelly declared: We didnt make [the climate] dangerous. Its fossil fuels that protect us from that climate.

Radical action necessary

Morrison claims Australias per capita emission rate has fallen. Hes right, but only because the population has grown slightly faster than the rise in emissions. The point is that emissions are still rising steadily when they should be falling rapidly.

He also maintains that Australia will easily meet its 2015 international agreement to reduce its carbon emissions by 26 percent by 2030. But French diplomat and economist Laurence Tubiana has pointed out bluntly that Morrisons claim contradicts scientific opinion. Australias carbon emissions should be falling but they rose 1.3 percent in the year to March and the government has received advice from its own scientists that under current conditions Australia is likely to reduce its emissions by only 5 percent by 2030.

The government has pointed proudly to the Howard governments despicable Direct Action program under which the government rewards corporations financially if they reduce carbon emissions (rather than punishing them if they dont), and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which provides loans on favourable terms for renewable energy programs. But these initiatives havent prevented the rise in carbon emissions.

Ms Tubiana says the Paris emission reduction targets will be insufficient to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees by 2040, and scientific modelling suggests the international emission reductions agreed in Paris will result in a 3.3 degree temperature rise, far higher than the 2 degree rise that would threaten the lives of untold millions of people worldwide.

As a result, some governments are moving fast. In the US, the Californian government wants to reach zero emissions by 2045, and the Australian Capital Territory government aims to achieve 100 percent renewable energy generation by 2020.

Peter Sainsbury, University of Sydney Associate Professor of Public Health says: To have even a 50 percent chance of global warming remaining below 2 degrees developed nations must reduce emissions by 5-10 percent each and every year for the next couple of decades.

According to scientist Tim Flannery, the carbon currently being emitted wont reach its full warming potential for a few decades, half of it remaining in the atmosphere for 100 years and 25 percent remaining in the atmosphere for centuries.

The international community will therefore need to not only achieve zero carbon emissions quickly but also begin to retrieve and dispose of carbon already in the atmosphere. Some scientific experiments for this are being conducted but the technology is in its infancy.

Flannery comments: ...[By] 2050 well need to transform our carbon-emitting economy into a carbon-absorbing one. That will require enormous investments in innovation across a wide range of technologies and sectors, from clean energy to seaweed aquaculture and carbon fibre production. ... Time is now so very short to act that if the rest of the world was performing as poorly as Australia in reducing its emissions, all hope would already be lost.

We must dump the Coalition

Australia has a major responsibility regarding climate change because were one of the worlds biggest coal exporters. A recent study predicted that Asian demand for coal would rise 50 percent by 2030, and Australian coal mining corporations are determined to profit from that market. The federal government controls international trade and could limit the export of coal, but the current government gets its orders from the mining industry.

In the last ten years 81 percent of the mining industrys political donations have gone to the Coalition. Morrisons chief of staff John Kunkel was Deputy CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia, Energy Minister Angus Taylor was a mining industry consultant, and Environment Minister Mellissa Price is a former mining industry lawyer. The National Party president Larry Anthonys firm lobbies for Shenhua Watermark and other coal mining companies, and its former president, Mark Vaille, is chairman of Whitehaven Coal.

The Partys former leader John Anderson was chairman of coal seam gas miner Eastern Star, and former coalition energy minister Gary West is chairman of BHP- Billitons Coroona coal project.

Former Coalition energy minister Ian MacFarlane, now Chief Executive of the Queensland Resources Council, boasts that Australian coal has low emission and that ... we can have both a strong coal industry and reduce carbon emissions.

The National Partys new leader, Michael McCormack agrees, advising the public not to listen to government grant-seeking academics sprouting doom and gloom about climate change

By discarding its National Energy Guarantee policy, the government has abandoned all responsibility to reduce emissions from electricity generation and wont join other nations who are making further cuts to their emissions. The Morrison government also wants to sign the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal, which would allow mining companies to sue future governments for billions in lost profits if they introduced laws to regulate mining in order to limit emissions

Consumers are still being squeezed by profit-hungry energy corporations that now dominate the energy market because of privatisation of formerly state-owned energy systems. The availability of subsidies and domestic battery systems is enabling households to leave the grid altogether, which reduces the profitability of grid-based private energy companies. The companies are therefore calling for the elimination of government subsidies for solar installations, a move that would slow the transition to clean energy generation.

To serve the interests of the coal industry, the Morrison government is also delaying the transition as long as possible, even though survival of the human race depends on achieving the transition as soon as possible. Its a contradiction stemming from the insatiable, irrational greed of capitalism.

If Australia is to play its crucial role in saving the planet from the climate change threat, changing the current government wont be enough. It will have to be replaced by a party or coalition of political forces strong and determined enough to overcome the enormous power of the fossil fuel industries, take national control of the energy network, and implement the innovations necessary to tackle the climate change menace.

The survival of future generations depends on us achieving those goals.Editorial

Fully fund and resource public education

The federal ALP opposition is gearing up for elections and last week announced its commitment to public education would add up to an extra $14 billion over the next decade plus an extra $3.3 billion between 2020 and 2022. Excellent news for the public education sector which has been steadily demoted to the position of poor cousin of the private and independent schools by LNP and ALP policy for many years. Is it enough? The CPA asks why cant a rich nation like Australia do better for all its children?

Public education in Australia has been on the back foot for so long it is now massively under-resourced and under-capitalised. This has been a deliberate political agenda presented by sectional interests and their political representatives in the LNP and the ALP as peoples democratic right to choose. Whose right and whose freedom of choice are the questions that have been off limits.

An effectively two class education system has been sold to the unsuspecting Australian taxpayer as a democratic value, freedom of choice. In this context freedom translates into freedom for the wealthy and the Catholic sector to receive disproportionate taxpayer subsidies to enable their freedom to choose. Meanwhile public education funding is being steadily cut.

Last year the Turnbull government cut $1.9 billion from public schools over the next two year period and at the same time it increased funding to the Catholic and wealthy private schools by many billions. Where is the freedom of choice for public school families and their children? Freedom of choice is an ideological sleight of hand that masks the diversion of working peoples tax dollars to subsidise the freedom of the wealthy and politically strong sectional interests.

The quiet but deliberate privatisation of our education system has opened the way for big edu-businesses to move in and to increasingly exercise control of the education agenda. The stripping of the NSW Department of Education of its consultants is an example of this. This was done under the guise of the devolution of school decision making, Local Schools, Local Decisions.

Local Schools, Local Decisions allowed the NSW Department of Education to stop funding consultant support and professional development to NSW public schools at central and regional levels. It effectively opened the door for these support services to be farmed out to the private sector and re-packaged for sale to schools at premium prices by private consultants and contractors. The value of the public education dollar depreciated and local schools budgets now had to stretch even further.

The insidious entry of multinational edu-business companies like Pearsons into Australian education has occurred simultaneously with, Local Schools, Local Decisions and the introduction by the Gillard ALP government of the league tables My School website. Over several years these businesses have become dominant players in providing testing and assessment materials and resources.

They are making large profits out of NAPLAN and their vested interest in NAPLAN is possibly the main reasons it has not been ditched. NAPLAN has lost all educational credibility yet it continues. Many argue that this contradiction is due to the interest Pearsons has in maintaining its profits from resourcing, marking, designing online tools etc for NAPLAN.

The NSW Teachers Federation is campaigning for the public education sector under the Fair Funding Now! banner and are appealing for the community to get behind a wide-reaching pressure campaign in the lead-up to the federal elections expected early next year. This campaign is important and is essential to put political pressure on all political parties to maintain and extend funding for the public school sector.

At the same time the lasting political solution lies in demanding and winning support for one public education system, fully resourced and funded to meet the needs all children equally. Accepting the steady privatisation of education at the expense of the public dollar and the public school child is unacceptable.

The Communist Party of Australia stands for a single, nationwide needs-based public education system, fully resourced and funded. We say  take the money from the overfunded military budget. Over two percent of GDP is allocated to the military budget, without parliamentary or public debate. If we can afford two percent of GDP for military spending we can afford public education.Solidarity with Australian workers

PAME, the All-Workers Militant Front, a member of the WFTU, representing the class trade union movement of Greece, denounces the penalisation of workers struggles and the persecution of the trade unionists in Australia.

Australian workers who are subject to continuous anti-worker attacks against their rights. They face at the same time constant persecutions, lawsuits and claims of huge compensation by the employers who fire and attack the rights of workers. Typical are the examples of the in which employers are pursuing up to a million dollars from workers and trade unions who had denounced and opposed the anti-workers practices.

These tactics of the employers, with the support of the so-called independent authority and of the governments serving the business groups, constitute a direct attack on workers rights in the organisation and the action of their trade unions.

At the same time, bosses take advantage of corruption and bribery, phenomena that the employers themselves have created to try and discredit and attack the just struggles of the workers.

These developments in Australia are directly linked to the attack by employers and governments against the rights of workers to organise and take action, an attack taking place against the right in strike around the world.

Faced with these developments, workers have the weapon of organisation, of the class struggle, and the claim to their rights. Against class collaboration, withdrawal and subordination, the worlds militant trade unions have the strength of class solidarity and joint struggle against exploitation.

We express our solidarity in the struggle of the Australian workers and we demand the immediate stop of all prosecutions of the trade union struggles.

Greece, Athens October 5, 2018The art of history

The National Picture: The Art of Tasmanias Black War and Thomas Bock exhibitions in Hobart reveal a visual record of the islands first people and history of the brutal years following invasion.

The Conciliation, 1840, oil on canvas, by Benjamin Duterrau. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.

It was an era when the first photographic processes were being developed and painters were still being commissioned to record important events and people.

First presented at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) earlier this year, The National Picture integrates colonial works of art, some rare works by Tasmanian Aboriginal people of the time, and some contemporary artistic responses.

Aboriginal writer and historian Greg Lehman and environmental lawyer and historian Tim Bonyhady curate it.

The exhibition takes its name from The National Picture, a 4 x 3.3 metre work by colonial artist Benjamin Duterrau, about controversial colonial agent George Augustus Robinson and the Tasmanian Aboriginal people he attempted to pacify  many consider he swindled them.

The actual painting is lost. It was listed as being sold at an auction of the artists estate to Alexander McNaughtan, but then the trail goes cold. Lehman considers it one of Australias greatest art mysteries.

Duterrau produced several similar, but smaller works, including The Conciliation, which depicts the end of the Black War in 1831, and is filled with complex visual clues, intrigue and symbolism, in the tradition of grand history paintings.

The exhibition spans the commencement of the Black War, which led to the declaration of martial law in Van Diemens Land in 1828, the beginnings of Robinsons Friendly Mission, to Duterraus death in 1851.

Tasmanias visual history has much to tell about a period that we have been reluctant to properly consider, Lehman said.

The work in this exhibition provides documentation that is essential evidence for an honest engagement with our colonial past. The lessons learned in Tasmania resonate across this continent.

He considers it one the most significant exhibitions to be assembled in Australia ever.

Its the first time that theres been an exhibition that recognises frontier wars in the Australian colonies. The time has come. I think Australians are ready to have these conversations. I dont think governments are but the general population are.

He said the exhibition is a way of helping conservative Australia get their heads around what happened in the past and do something positive with that. He said at the time of the Black War, no-one denied it was happening.

Its ridiculous to be pretending there wasnt a war 200 years later. What are you trying to do? Rewrite history? Thats dishonest, Lehman said.

And a positive thing is, having seen this exhibition, if theyre standing around the BBQ or at the bar and someone says, Dont talk to me. Theres no such thing as Aboriginal wars, people can say, You know what? There was.

Theres no point denying it; the historys there, the documents are there, the paintings are there, the photographs are there. We need to now work out what to do with it.

While the artworks have been bought together from around Australia and the world to be displayed for the first time in Tasmania, and the stories of the artists are relevant and interesting, NGAs Senior Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, Larrakia woman Franchesca Cubillo reminded the gathering that the exhibitions are about Aboriginal people.

Aboriginal people from Tasmania who had in fact suffered and yet were resilient in that suffering, Cubillo said.

When I walked into the exhibition, I saw people, I saw history, I saw the black history.

In the next gallery along is the Thomas Bock exhibition, which includes a collection of water colour portraits of Tasmanian Aboriginal people painted in the 1830s and 40s. It is one the best visual records Tasmanian Aboriginals have of their people from this era.

There will be a guided tour through the exhibitions on Thursday, November 1, at 11 am, with leading researcher into Australian colonial art, TMAG Indigenous cultures curator Julie Gough. She will discuss what these works can teach about Aboriginal history and their contribution to the propaganda of Tasmanias Black War.

The National Picture and Thomas Bock will be at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in Hobart until Sunday, November 11.

The National Picture then moves onto the Queen Victoria Museum and Art, in Launceston opening on November 23.

Koori MailAppalling failure

In a formal submission to the coronial inquest into the death of construction worker Jorge Castillo-Riffo, his widowed partner Pam Gurner-Hall has called for the establishment of a new, independent safety commissioner for South Australia and for coronial inquests into deaths at work to be mandatory.

Mr Castillo-Riffo was crushed to death on the Royal Adelaide Hospital building site in November 2014. In a formal submission to the coroner, Ms Gurner-Hall and her partners union, the CFMEU, have made several recommendations that, if implemented, could prevent further tragedies.

Ms Gurner-Hall has called for a ten-year ban from all government projects for the building contractors involved, Hansen Yuncken and Leighton Contractors (a subsidiary of CIMIC Group that has been renamed CPB Contractors).

Jorges death was completely avoidable, Ms Gurner-Hall said. He died because of appalling safety failures by his employer and Hansen Yuncken Leighton Contractors, who said one thing about safety and did the opposite.

Jorge was frightened; he knew the work was dangerous. His experience in the Adelaide construction industry taught him not to complain about dangerous work if he wanted a job. Hansen Yuncken Leighton Contractors treated production speed as more important than worker safety.

The union and Gurner-Hall believe the investigation into Jorges death was bungled by Safework SA, who failed to successfully enforce safety through prosecutions or civil penalty cases. The CFMEU has more positive impact on workplace safety in the construction industry than any government agency, Gurner-Hall said.

Barriers to the CFMEU and other unions protecting workers from dangerous workplaces must be removed. Unions must be given meaningful rights to protect workers from dangerous work.

The CFMEU submission also called for a new regulatory regime to ensure the safety of mobile elevated work platforms, and for funding to assist next of kin navigate the justice system.

It is time to start treating workplace deaths as seriously as other tragedies, CFMEU Construction and General assistant national secretary Andrew Sutherland said.

Construction companies have been allowed to put profits before peoples lives and have bent over backwards to avoid accountability. In this case, they intentionally breached their legal obligation to conduct an investigation in accordance with their workplace health and safety plan and have hidden behind legal professional privilege.

When the safety regulator meets with the contractor at a restaurant to discuss the investigation into a worker dying on their site, you know the system is completely broken.

We need to strengthen safety regulation to prevent further deaths, ensure that any death in a workplace is investigated by a coroner, and provide support to the families who have to navigate the justice system while grieving.

Our recommendations have been carefully considered, and we stand ready to work with state and federal governments to implement them.

In addition to recommendations designed to improve the substandard regulation of elevated work platforms and ensure that principal contractors are held accountable to WHS management plans, key recommendations made by the union and Gurner-Hall include:Perth: Frack Free Rally

In Perth at lunchtime on October 12 over 300 people rallied outside the state Parliament calling for the government to release a report from the WA Fracking Inquiry which it has been sitting on since September 12, when the Inquiry handed the final report to the WA Labor government of Mark McGowan.

The Fracking Inquiry was commissioned in November 2017, under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and the government has had a month to consider its findings and recommendations. The government has said it was still considering the recommendations from the report before releasing it to the public.

The rally was organised by Frack Free WA and was well attended by a diverse cross-section of the community including farmers, church and community groups, trade unions including the CFMEU, MUA and United Voice and representatives from Aboriginal groups as far away as the Kimberley who opposed fracking on their land as it destroys water resources, their culture, the environment: the release of methane gas in the fracking process contributes to global warming.

A petition with thousands of signatures called on the government to not only continue with the moratorium reimposed on fracking earlier this year but to permanently ban fracking in WA and instead pursue the development of renewable energy. The petition was presented to Greens WA Upper House MP, Robin Chappell who has been an outspoken critic of fracking in the Kimberley region of WA which is his electorate.

One of the speakers at the rally was South Australian farmer David Smith who took out a loan for $100,000 to make a movie on fracking, Piped Dreams, Fractured Lives after he became so concerned about the consequences of fracking on the aquifer beneath his land. Smith warned that in South Australia only 4.6 percent of the land is suitable for intensive agriculture and that he was astonished the government was allowing fracking to proceed in this small portion of arable land.

The Communist Party of Australia calls on the McGowan government to release the report of the WA Fracking Inquiry as soon as possible and the permanent banning of fracking in WA.Culture & Life

Keeping the ABC public and reckless harassment

The ABC is currently running a series of campaign spots promoting it as a sort of national icon. Fair enough, I hear you say. And so it is, but bear with me. Utilising the services of several prominent actors and other public figures, these TV spots appear to have been created by a well-meaning ad-agency. Although they utilise such popular sentiments as nostalgia, cultural pride and even patriotism, the only line they plug  with a rather heavy hand, it must be said  is that the ABC is important. Now that is certainly incontrovertible, However, they consistently  and conspicuously  neglect one highly relevant argument in support of that contention. Have you noticed how no one in any of the spots ever mentions that the ABC is our national public broadcaster?

For private enterprise, broadcasting is nothing more than an aid to the profit-making business of marketing, a powerful medium for advertising anything from soap powder to funeral insurance. But actually, the ABC was established with a charter that emphasised broadcastings alternative role: as an educational and cultural medium.

The ABC eschewed advertising with such determination that when I worked there and they found themselves saddled with the American variety show, The Spike Jones Show we had to excise from every episode all the many product placements it contained (and they were legion: they popped up in the middle of interviews, during musical numbers, anywhere and everywhere. Some episodes had to have so many cuts they lost almost half their length!)

Theres no profit in public broadcasting, of course, so the privately owned media who make their money from advertising, have endeavoured to belittle the ABC ever since it was established, portraying it as elitist, stuffy, old-fashioned, and out of touch. In recent years, Liberal Party governments in particular have savagely cut its budget and regularly decried its supposed left-wing bias.

The ABCs original charter is a basically fine document which upholds the high ideals of broadcasting as a public service, a powerful means of improving the human condition. It is a pity that those responsible for the current PR campaign  which is presumably intended to defend the ABC against further cuts by the Liberal government  did not have the gumption to make public broadcasting itself an issue in their campaign.

It would have given the campaign a much stronger focus and also, I am sure, increased traction among the public themselves.

On Mock The Week last Saturday, the middle class comics who make up the panel once again exercised their wit in attacking British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for supposedly being anti-Semitic. This exemplifies a well known fact: that if you repeat a lie often enough, a lot of people will come to believe that it is in some way established fact.

A case of, if you hear it everywhere, it must be true. But it is not. Jeremy Corbyn is not anti-Semitic. He is opposed to the criminal actions of the racist government of Israel and is not afraid to say so. For that, the extremely well organised pro-Israel lobby in all the developed capitalist countries has targeted him with the slur that he is anti-Semitic. It is ironic, and also revealing, that Israel accuses its critics of racism, while it practises blatant racism in its own dealings with the Palestinian people whose homeland the Israelis have illegally seized and occupied.

Speaking of irony: did you notice how US Vice President Mike Pence not only accused China of reckless harassment of US warships sailing without invitation through Chinese waters and along Chinas coastline, but also asserted in tones of horror that Beijing has mobilised covert actors, front groups and propaganda outlets to shift Americans perceptions of Chinese policies. In other words, he accused China of doing what the US (with British help) has been doing in Hong Kong.

And of course, not only in Hong Kong but in Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela and anywhere else where the US government fears that US corporate rule might be in danger of being ousted in favour of regimes more in tune with the needs and wishes of their people.

But as Vice President, Pence is only doing his job in trying to ramp up paranoia in the US against China. His boss, Donald Trump knows that the corporate heavyweights who put him in the White House want that particular paranoia fostered because it is good for their specific business interests. Fostering fear of the Chinese powerhouse also allows the US government to enact more legislation curbing democratic rights while pretending to the American people that it is protecting their interests and defending their security.

Closer to home, however, the US campaign to foster anti-China paranoia is being slavishly followed by the Australian government, even though it runs counter to Australian capitalists own business interests, a major factor influencing Julie Bishops resignation as Foreign Minister.

Wild rumours are started in all sorts of places alleging that the Chinese Communists are seeking and gaining influence among Chinese students in Australia, and not just among Chinese students. All Australian university campuses are apparently under attack by these cunning Orientals! Disingenuously, government spokespersons and right-wing think tanks discover that Chinese investment in Australia comes with strings attached (Oh, and American investment doesnt?).

I refuse to believe that the Australian people are so gullible they will believe that buying Chinese-made computer technology, highway-constructing equipment, rolling stock or indeed anything else to help our infrastructure development, will lead to the overthrow of civilisation as we know it.

Mike Pence was right when he spoke of reckless harassment. He just had the wrong side being reckless.Police informed court that though the breathalyzer test had confirmed that the lady doctor involved in the Boralesgamuwa accident was under the influence of liquor, the doctors who examined her said it was not so and that there were no provisions to challenge the doctors' report.

Specialist doctor Nilani Gunawardane was not produced in the Magistrates Court yesterday because according to a medical report submitted by prison officials she was not in a good health.

They informed court that she was under treatment at the Kalubowila Hospital under the custody of prison guards.

The Court was also informed that the deceased Police Inspectors two children were under treatment while his wife was still unconscious in Hospital.

Attorney Sumeda Mahawanniarachchi said the doctor was not suffering with a serious ailment and if she was granted bail, it could lead to public unrest.

The Inspector attached to the Police Field Force Headquarters was killed while his wife and two children were injured in a head-on collision between their vehicle and the Jeep driven by the doctor on September 30. (Manopriya Gunasekara and Patrick Marcus)The big countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) need Sri Lankas assistance to face maritime security threats and similarly Sri Lanka needs the assistance of other countries, Sri Lanka Navy said today.

Navy Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva said this at a media briefing held at the Navy Headquarter on the 9th Galle Dialogue organised by the Navy.

We can not act alone in the ocean. We have a large sea area to cover. North and Western seas are the major sea routes used for drugs smuggling. We were able to thwart several attempts by drug smugglers, he said.

Commenting on the detection in the IOR, he said a total of 28 tonnes of hashish and two tonnes of heroin which had a street value of US$1.8 billion was seized in the IOR by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) this year

These checks had been conducted outside the Sri Lankan maritime region. Some of them might have been heading towards Sri Lanka. Although the Sri Lanka Navy was not a part of the detection, SL Navy joins the navies of other countries to combat drug trafficking, human smuggling and illegal fishing in our waters and in the Indian Ocean as well,the Navy Chief of Staff said.

Meanwhile, commenting on the 9th Galle Dialogue, he said it would be held in Colombo on October 22 and 23 under the theme Synergizing for Collaborative Maritime Management.

World-wide maritime partners from 50 countries and 17 international organizations are expected to make their presence in this year's event with President Maithripala Sirisena participating as the chief guest.

This year event expects to attract an audience of 137 foreign participants including Myanmar Navy Commander, Maldivian and Seychelles Coast Guard chiefs.

The ocean has got many resources that can open up a wide range of prospects for prosperity.

Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva said this dialogue would be an ideal platform to discuss common issues pertinent to the navies around the world and share their hard-earned experience among each other.

Director General Operation of the Navy Rear Admiral Niraja Attygalle was also present at the news briefing. (Darshana Sanjeewa)A 43-year-old Chinese national was found dead at a house in Weeraketiya this morning, police said.

The victim had been identified as an employee attached to the Southern Expressway Extension Project at Malberiya, Badigama.

His colleagues had found him at the house after he failed to report for duty this morning. (Aneesha Manage)The Police have taken steps to strengthen the security in Jaffna town as a means of putting an end to the attacks and robberies allegedly committed by the AWA group.

They have set up road blocks and check points where random checks would be carried out on vehicles and their occupants.

Police said some 40 people were arrested during raids conducted by 500 police personnel in Jaffna, Manipay, Chunnakam and Kopai. They said among were some who had arrest warrants against them, some who were and absconding courts and drunken drivers.

Referring to the security situation in the North, Northern Provincial Council Chairman C.V.K. Sivagnanam said the security forces should take steps to arrest those who pose a threat to the peoples freedom but it should not cause any harassment to innocent people.

"When the residents of Jaffna are living in fear of the AWA and other armed groups, the steps taken by the police to check the people, their bags and the identities has created a situation similar to the one that prevailed during the war. If this situation is allowed the battalions now confined to barracks also could enter the roadways and intensify these raids. Therefore the police should adopt a more people-friendly action to counter the threats posed by the so-called armed groups," Mr. Sivagnanam said. (Romesh Madushanka)Mr. Rajat Arora-Policy Programs Manager, South Asia Facebook

Jaffna, in Sri Lankas picturesque north, today saw Facebook teaming up with the #Suhuruliya initiative to promote economic empowerment of women in Sri Lanka. As part of this partnership, Facebooks globally renowned #SheMeansBusiness programme will partner with the #Suhuruliya programme to train rural Sri Lankan women in digital skills and promote entrepreneurial activities in the island nation.

The #Suhuruliya programme, under the aegis of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs (MCWA), seeks to create economic opportunities for women through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The ICTA is incorporating #Suhuruliya in its Smart Social Circles, a national programme for empowering citizens through ICT.

As part of this partnership, Facebooks #SheMeansBusiness programme will train Women Development Officers from the MCWA, who will subsequently function as trainers, as well as women entrepreneurs.

In a ceremony marking the launch of this initiative, 10 women and knowledge agents from Smart Social Circles fromthe Jaffna region were felicitated. The days events also included a #SheMeansBusiness workshop attended by over 500 participants. The participants also went through an #OnlineSafety workshop to help them safely navigate the online economy. Both workshops were presented in Tamil.

Prof. Rohan Samarajiva-Chairman, ICTA.

We are committed to capacity building in ICT to deliver economic growth throughout Sri Lanka. Suhuruliya is a key element in our plans to introduce Sri Lankan women to entrepreneurship and this partnership with Facebook will greatly help in taking digital skills to rural Sri Lankan women entrepreneurs said Prof. Rohan Samarajiva, Chairman, ICTA.

Its only when women participate in economies, do nations grow. For women in Sri Lanka, as elsewhere, its important to be a part of the digital economy as thats where the future points to. We have always been committed to Sri Lanka and believe in the power of such initiatives to strengthen society and promote peace and prosperity. Sri Lankan women have a lot to look forward to in the coming days! said Ankhi Das, Public Policy Director - India, South & Central Asia.

#SheMeansBusiness by Facebook has been launched in 16 countries around the world, including India, and is designed to reach both aspiring and established women entrepreneurs through a series of workshops and online resources that will arm them with the knowledge, skills, connections, and technology required to build and grow their business.

There are more than 60 million businesses around the world who actively use Facebook Pages because theyre free, easy to use, and they work well on mobile. Small businesses discover Facebook for their business because they know how to use it personally: setting up a Page is just as easy as setting up a profile. And Facebook is where their customers already are.

Panel Discussion: From Left  Mr.Sharanyan Sharma-Moderator, Seyon Ganeshamoorthy  District Coordinator (Northern Province), Prof. Rohan Samarajiva - Chairman, ICTA, Mrs.Kajanthini Raveendran- Entrepreneur , Mr. Rajat Arora-Policy Programs Manager, South Asia Facebook.

Sri Lanka Fact sheet

 Sri Lanka has 6 million + active internet users around the country [Pre-internet ban]

 Sri Lanka has a growing Facebook community with over 5 million users

 The country has 25 million + active SIM cards

 Sri Lankas internet penetration is over 30%Chris McGrath/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Since self-exiled Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi walked into the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul this month and vanished, his case has sparked international intrigue and outrage and put leaders of his homeland on the defensive.



Here is a timeline of events before and after he disappeared:



May 2018: Khashoggi meets Hatice Cengiz, a 36-year-old Turkish Ph.D. student, at a conference in Istanbul and she soon becomes his fiancee.



Sept. 28: Khashoggi visits the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul for the first time to pick up a permission document to marry Cengiz. He's told come back later.



Oct. 1: He returns to Istanbul from a trip to London.



Oct. 2: He goes back to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Cengiz waits for him outside for four hours, but he never comes out and is told by consulate staff that he left out a back door. Cengiz contacts the Turkish police.



Oct. 7: Saudi government officials deny involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance after reports that he was killed.



Oct. 8: Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., warns the Saudis of consequences if the government is found complicit in Khashoggi's disappearance.



Oct. 9: Cengiz writes an op-ed in Washington Post, saying her husband-to-be had applied for U.S. citizenship and that his reason for visiting Turkey was to take care of all necessary paperwork for them to marry before he returned to Washington. She urges President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump to "help shed light on Jamal's disappearance." State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said of Khashoggi's disappearance, "We're not going to make any judgments about what happened to him. We don't know what has happened to him. We don't have any information on that.



Oct. 10: Trump makes his first comments on Khashoggi's disappearance, saying he contacted the Saudis and invited Cengiz to the White House. "We're demanding everything," he said. "We want to see what's going on here. That's a bad situation. And frankly the fact that it's a reporter you could say in many respects it ... brings it to a level. It's a very serious situation for us and this White House. We do not like seeing what's going on."



Oct. 11: The Washington Post, which Khashoggi writes for, reports the Turkish government told U.S. officials that it had audio and video recordings proving Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.



Oct. 13: Cengiz writes another op-ed, this one in the New York Times, on what would have been Khashoggi's 60th birthday, this time referring to him in the past tense as if penning his obituary. "Jamal and I had many dreams, but the most important one was to build a home together."



Oct. 14: In an interview aired on CBS's "60 Minutes," Trump addresses Khashoggi's disappearance. "There's something really terrible and disgusting about that if that were the case," he said, referring to allegations by Turkish authorities that Saudi Arabia was involved. "So, we're going to have to see. We're going to get to the bottom of it, and there will be severe punishment." In an apparent response to Trump's comments, a Saudi official said if any moves were taken against the kingdom "it will respond with greater action."



Oct. 15: Trump says he spoke with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for 20 minutes and that the king "denies any knowledge" of what happened to Khashoggi. Trump suggests Khashoggi was targeted by "rogue killers" and says he is sending Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Saudi Arabia to speak to the king. Meanwhile, Turkish police are allowed to search the Saudi consulate in Istanbul for the first time.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.THE HINDU, 15th OCTOBER, 2018- By making a rare second trip this year to Vietnam, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis is signaling how intensively the Trump administration is trying to counter Chinas military assertiveness by cozying up to smaller nations in the region that share American wariness about Chinese intentions.



The visit beginning on Tuesday also shows how far U.S.-Vietnamese relations have advanced since the tumultuous years of the Vietnam War.

Mr. Mattis, a retired general who entered the Marine Corps during Vietnam but did not serve there, visited Hanoi in January. By coincidence, that stop came just days before the 50th anniversary of the Tet Offensive in 1968. Tet was a turning point when North Vietnamese fighters attacked an array of key objectives in the South, surprising Washington and feeding anti-war sentiment even though the Norths offensive turned out to be a tactical military failure.



Three months after the Mattis visit, an U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, made a port call at Da Nang. It was the first such visit since the war and a reminder to China that the U.S. is intent on strengthening partnerships in the region as a counterweight to Chinas growing military might.



The most vivid expression of Chinese assertiveness is its transformation of contested islets and other features in the South China Sea into strategic military outposts.Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will visit New Delhi later this week and meet his counterpart Narendra Modi to discuss bilateral matters, official sources in Colombo said, the Hindu reported.

Mr. Wickremesinghe, according to his office, will take part in high-level meetings, including with Mr. Modi, on October 19 and 20.

The visit is seen as significant from both sides, sources said. New Delhi has been concerned with the slow pace of several India-aided projects in the island, while Colombo appears inclined to iron out issues, in order to better balance its ties with key partners India and China. President Maithripala Sirisena is scheduled to visit Beijing soon.

From the Indian side, priority projects in the island include the Mattala airport, near the China-controlled port in the southern Hambantota district; the Palaly airport in Jaffna in the Northern Province; the Trincomalee oil tank farm in the east; the East Container Terminal at the Colombo Port and a Liquefied natural gas plant in Kerawalapitiya, north of Colombo. Despite bilateral discussions and joint agreements on development cooperation and commercial partnership, none of the projects have taken off the way it was envisaged. Colombo-based officials, who spoke to The Hindu on condition of anonymity, said the delay was due to political reasons in some cases, and bureaucratic issues in others.

Indias strategic interests in some of these projects, especially in the Mattala airport and Trincomalee oil tank farm, are well known. However, over the last few months, New Delhi and Colombo have put out conflicting messages on the Mattala airport, sparking speculation on whether Indias interest to run it would actually materialise. In principle, India and Sri Lanka have already agreed to jointly operate the world war-era oil storage facility in the strategically advantaged port town of Trincomalee and more recently, the two countries decided that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the Lanka IOC PLC (LIOC) would jointly develop the near-85 tanks in the upper farm of the facility. The upcoming discussions, officials on both side said, might help accelerate the projects.

Mr. Wickremesinghes visit to New Delhi comes a little over a month after former President and key Opposition figure Mahinda Rajapaksa met Mr. Modi. The meeting was read by many as a possible thaw in the relationship between the former strongman and New Delhi.The Saudis are preparing a report that will acknowledge that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death was the result of an interrogation that went wrong, one that was intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey, according to two sources.

One source says the report will likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held responsible.

One of the sources acknowledged that the report is still being prepared and cautioned that things could change.

The Washington Post columnist was last seen in public when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in Turkey on October 2. Previously, Saudi authorities had maintained Khashoggi left the consulate the same afternoon of his visit, but provided no evidence to support the claim.

CCTV footage shows Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate on October 2.

Khashoggi's fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who was waiting outside the consulate, says she did not see him re-emerge.

The disappearance created a diplomatic rift between Saudi Arabia and the West. Amid the fallout, international firms pulled out of a high-profile investment summit, the Future Investment Initiative conference, due to take place later this month in Riyadh.

The case also caused friction between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which repeatedly accused the Saudis of failing to cooperate with their investigation.

Turkish authorities previously said they believed that 15 Saudi men who arrived in Istanbul on October 2 were connected to Khashoggi's disappearance and possible murder. At least some of them appear to have high-level connections in the Saudi government.

On Friday, a source familiar with the investigation told CNN that Turkish authorities have audio and visual evidence that shows journalist Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate.

CNN reporters saw Turkish investigators, including forensics officers, entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul Monday evening. Saudi officials granted permission for the premises to be searched, a Turkish diplomatic source told CNN. Police were seen cordoning off the area before investigators arrived. Turkish officials also wanted to search the nearby consul general's residence.

Earlier Monday, President Donald Trump suggested that "rogue killers" could be behind Khashoggi's disappearance, after a phone call with Saudi Arabia's King Salman about the case. Trump said King Salman told him "in a very firm way that they had no knowledge of it."

Later Monday, Trump said he had seen the latest media reports. But he said he did not know if the report is accurate or just "rumor."

The President said he remains eager to get to the bottom of what happened to Khashoggi. He noted that Turkey and Saudi Arabia are "working together" to determine what happened.

The President said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will "immediately get on a plane" to Saudi Arabia and will likely also go to Turkey "if necessary." On the airplane, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters that Secretary Pompeo "looks forward to meeting with King Salman." (CNN)Colombo Special High Court today issued summons on S.N. Roshan alias Ali Roshan and six others to appear in the Court on October 26 over the charges of possessing four elephants without a valid license during the period of 2012 to 2015.

The Attorney General earlier filed the indictments against the accused based on 24 counts over the alleged offences under the Fauna and Flora Ordinance and Penal Code. (Shehan Chamika Silva)A special unit of the Police Special Task Force (STF) will be deployed outside Sri Lanka's four main prisons from October 20, in a move to prevent drugs and other devices from reaching prison inmates, the Ministry of Justice and Prisons Reforms said yesterday.

Its Senior Assistant Secretary Bandula Jayasinghe said some 300 STF personnel would be deployed for such duties at the Colombo Remand Prison, Magazine Prison, Welikada Prison and the Angunukolapelessa prison.

Mr. Jayasinghe said these measures were being taken to prevent illegal items entering prisons, to enhance security and prevent other illegal activities in prisons. The STF personnel will search individuals and vehicles entering the prison premises.

He said the Prisons Police Intelligence Unit (PPIU) comprising personnel from the Prisons Department would also carry out search operations inside and outside prisons. (Darshana Sanjeewa)Kuwait Orders Eight Airbus A330neo



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Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.As a television producer and director, Jodi Kennedy worked for more than 20 years orchestrating the daily race to get program content slotted and aired.

Now, the Carmel Valley resident conducts a different type of race. She coordinates fundraising runs for the San Diego-based organization Life Perspectives.

Launched in 2000, the nonprofit specializes in providing healing resources for women who have experienced the trauma of reproductive loss, whether from a miscarriage, still-born or abortion.

The agency also offers support for family members touched by the loss and training for caregivers, such as doctors and nurses, who have contact with women coping with such losses.

I am in charge of raising money through sponsorships and getting participants in the 5Ks as well as getting all the event details and logistics in place, said Kennedy of the job she has been doing over the last two years.

Her immediate challenge is the Side by Side 5K scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at De Anza Cove, 3000 North Mission Bay Drive, in San Diego.

At least 350 people are expected to participate in the event, which will feature live music, a post-race festival, awards for top finishers, snacks refreshments and T-shirts, and two beers for the price of one at Absolution by the Sea in La Jolla. Information can be obtained at sidebyside5k.com

Shortly after the San Diego run, Kennedy will leave for Dallas, where another Side by Side 5K will be held Nov. 3. The Texas event stems from the organizations goal of expanding its presence around the country.

In addition to generating financial support, the 5Ks serve to spread the word about Life Perspectives mission and services, while bringing together those affected by reproductive loss in a festive, supportive environment.

Its really more than a fundraiser, said the groups founder and president, Michaelene Fredenburg. Knowing how many are impacted by reproductive loss and how they are often hurting in silence, having an event demonstrating that theyre not alone is important.

The decision to hire Kennedy to manage, promote and expand the races was easy, Fredenburg said, largely based on Kennedys volunteer work with another nonprofit, Words Alive.

Kennedy remains a board member with Words Alive, which seeks to promote reading and self-esteem among at-risk youths and provide role models to them throughout the region.

She put so much time and effort into their mission in helping with literacy for children that I knew she was exactly the kind of person we wanted to have on our team, Fredenburg said.

Jodis fantastic to work with, she added. Shes always incredibly upbeat and encouraging to everybody, and has such a compassionate heart. Shes so motivated to let people know that in their hurting, theyre not alone.

Another aspect of Kennedys life that made her a natural fit for the Life Perspectives job is that she is a dedicated runner who once raced competitively and has participated in many 5 and 10Ks.

Its been interesting for me because Ive done so many races on the other side, its just really fun to get behind the curtain and put to use all the ideas I had when I attended races about how they should do this or or how they could do this better, she said.

A native of Los Angeles, Kennedy attended UC San Diego and liked the region so much that she decided to return a few years later after living in several other cities. She resided in Del Mar about 20 years before moving down the road to Carmel Valley.

When I started having children, I came back to San Diego because I wanted to raise my kids here, Kennedy said. Its kind of an idyllic place. Its a very family-oriented, nurturing environment.

A single mother of four, Kennedy decided a couple of years ago it was finally time to move on from her broadcasting career, which included stints with the major networks. Most recently, she spent four years at KFMB-TV, San Diegos CBS affiliate on Channel 8, before taking the Life Perspectives position.

I love television and the news business, but it was a grueling lifestyle, she said. I was producing the morning news hour and had to be at work at 2:30 in the morning.A Torrey Pines High School graduate has taken his passion for the ocean toward helping a man collect debris from the ocean and swim about 5,500 miles across the Pacific Ocean.

Brian McNiece, a Del Mar resident who has a degree in marine systems engineering from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, has for months been out at sea on a vessel called The Seeker with Ben LeComte, a French-born long-distance swimmer who is attempting to swim between Tokyo and San Francisco while collecting debris samples to study the ocean. Previously, LeComte swam across the Atlantic Ocean.

As part of the 10-person crew for what has become known as The Swim, McNiece has swum alongside LeComte, helped complete science protocols and shot footage to document the team's progress and their findings.

McNiece, 25, recently discussed his role on the boat, the team's mission and what life out at sea has been like.

This Q&A has been shortened and edited for length.

Brian McNiece Courtesy

How did you come upon this job? What is your background?

My degree is in marine systems engineering which I received from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, a federal service academy located in Kings Point, NY. (I would highly recommend any aspiring military academy college eligible individuals to look into it.) I graduated in 2016 and since then have been an active member of the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA). With MEBA I sailed onboard large commercial vessels, including container and tanker vessels, as a 3rd assistant engineer. In August I completed my most recent contract onboard the SLNC PAX, a Navy-contracted commercial tanker and saw a posting on a sailing forum asking if anyone was available in Japan. A quick video interview, 40 days later and, bam, I'm almost 1,000 miles offshore of Japan.

What attracted you to this job? Why is Ben's cause of collecting debris from the ocean and raising awareness to ocean pollution important to you?

I have been looking for experience onboard sailboats in order to get a captain's license for my own boat one day. The opportunity to work toward my dream while being part of a team trying to break some world records and raise awareness about ocean plastics got me pumped. ... I have always wondered where all of the packaging, wrappers and plastic debris end up once they get tossed. I'm quickly finding out that a lot of that waste doesn't stay in the landfill but instead migrates thousands of miles to pollute our oceans and affect the ecosystems there.

What will the debris samples be used for?

Each debris sample that is collected is recorded with a GPS location, brief description and a picture is taken. The goal is to use the pictures as a visual representation as we cross the Pacific as to what is actually out here and give people a better idea of the scale of the problem. Once back on land it is the hope of some onboard that the most prominent pieces are used for some type of collage of the voyage. For me, as long as marine life isn't getting stuck or choking on it, the collage is take it or leave it.

What have been the most exciting parts of being on the crew?

One of the most memorable things happened when a large pod (20 or so) of pilot whales began breaching in front of and around Seeker. The pod created a protective barrier between us and what looked to be newborn calves in the center. We recorded the pod communicating amongst themselves and it was the first time I have seen and heard pilot whales.

Have there been any moments that have made you nervous?

The most nervous I have been is when Ben got injured by the dinghy propellor during rough weather. I was onboard Seeker and seeing him coming back to the boat with blood streaming down his forehead made me extremely concerned for his health and our ability to get him adequate aid this far offshore. Thankfully it wasn't nearly as bad as it looked as facial wounds tend to bleed alot even if they are superficial. His snorkel took the brunt of the damage and had a large gash through it.

What challenges do you face in the job?

Every day there is something breaking or another obstacle for us to overcome. The most recent challenges include troubleshooting our reverse osmosis (fresh water maker), repairing broken/corroded electrical connections and determining the best course for Ben as we exit the Kiroshio current. We confront each challenge as a team and work through the best possible solutions with the resources we have aboard. Other challenges include cooking decent meals from canned food (not an easy task), finding a comfortable sleeping spot when the rooms are hot/humid, and the close living conditions with nine roommates on a 67-foot sailboat. Not much privacy onboard but we make do with what we have and keep our spirits up knowing our family and friends back home are cheering us on from beyond the horizon.

What has it been like swimming with Ben?

Swimming with Ben is one of the most amazing honors and experiences from this expedition. It's not every day you get to swim beside someone who swam across the Atlantic Ocean in one of the most unexplored and remote places on the planet. The longest I have swum with Ben is three hours and it was definitely a challenge keeping up. One of my biggest fears is of the unknown/sharks when looking into the deep blue depths but I figure if Ben is there beside me at least the shark/giant squid gets to choose between us.

What are your goals for this journey?

During this journey my goals are to get better at free diving/lung capacity, write a daily log, swim 100 miles with Ben (Im at about 13 miles now), make a hammock from a fishing net, work up to a full eight-hour swim (difficult as someone's gotta drive for the cameramen), release a turtle/shark/other animal from marine debris, learn to make canned food taste good and work on my Spanish/French.San Diego Superior Court Judge Gary Kreep seeks re-election in 2018. Nelvin C. Cepeda/San Diego Union-Tribune

While political campaigns for seats on the Superior Court bench are often low-key affairs, a contest this fall has drawn more attention than usual.

The race pits current San Diego Superior Court Judge Gary Kreep against Deputy District Attorney Matt Brower, a Carmel Valley resident.

Kreep was elected to his position in 2012, and he has generated controversy both before and after becoming a judge. Prior to his election, Kreep, an attorney, was involved with the "birther" movement that challenged President Barack Obama's status as a natural born U.S. citizen.

And in 2017, Kreep received a "severe public censure" from the state Commission on Judicial Performance, which found that he had committed 29 acts of misconduct, which ranged from actions during his 2012 campaign, to alleged improper comments in the courtroom, some relating to the physical appearance or ethnicity of attorneys appearing before him.

The finding by the commission is the highest level of discipline meted out by the panel, short of removal from office.

Kreep also was rated as "lacking qualifications" to serve another term by the San Diego County Bar Association. Brower was rated as "qualified."

In an interview, Kreep noted that a number of allegations made against him with the judicial commission were not upheld, and that others related to comments he had made in an effort to welcome people into his courtroom by greeting them in Spanish.

He conceded that he did commit an offense - resulting in a finding of willful misconduct - which involved comments he made to members of the Public Defender's office after the San Diego City Attorney's office issued a blanket challenge against him, objecting to Kreep handling any of that office's cases.

The challenge was made, he said, "because I did not kowtow to the city attorney's office," Kreep said.

In its August 2017 report, the commission said the censure "is based largely on Judge Kreep's pervasive pattern of misconduct," but noted that most of the violations occurred in his first year on the bench, and evidence suggested he had since "made efforts to modify his judicial style to avoid the type of conduct that led to these proceedings."

Kreep said he believes the bar association rated him as unqualified because he is a Christian, which the organization sees as biased.

Kreep currently handles all of the eviction cases in San Diego County in his courtroom, and he said he deserves another term because he and his staff have worked diligently to reduce a backlog in eviction cases.

"I'm a hard-working judge who treats everyone in my courtroom fairly, and I do my best preserve the constitutional and statutory rights of all parties who appear in my courtroom," Kreep said.

Kreep declined to comment on his opponent, Matt Brower.

"People are going to have to listen to what he says and decide for themselves. I believe in taking the high road and not in attacking people," Kreep said.

Deputy District Attorney Matt Brower is running for a judge's seat on the Superior Court bench. Courtesy

Brower, who served as an attorney in the Marine Corps, both during active duty and now as a reserve, handles auto theft and insurance fraud cases as a prosecutor in the county District Attorney's Office.

He said he decided to run for judge after Kreep's censure in 2017, and was particularly bothered by the allegations of mistreatment of women and minorities in Kreep's courtroom.

Brower said, "I've always wanted to be a leader in my community," and that running for judge is a natural way for him to achieve that goal, because of his experience as a prosecutor and as a military attorney and hearing officer.

Brower said voters should give strong consideration to the bar association's ratings in the judicial race, since the group rated Kreep as lacking qualifications in both 2012 and this year.

Although the bar did not give Brower its higher ratings of well or exceptionally qualified, he said he is proud of the qualified rating he received, and expects if he is elected judge, his next rating will be higher due to his experience in the role.

Brower said he offers a stark alternative to Kreep.By Ben Guarino

15 October 2018

(The Washington Post)  Insects around the world are in a crisis, according to a small but growing number of long-term studies showing dramatic declines in invertebrate populations. A new report suggests that the problem is more widespread than scientists realized. Huge numbers of bugs have been lost in a pristine national forest in Puerto Rico, the study found, and the forests insect-eating animals have gone missing, too.In 2014, an international team of biologists estimated that, in the past 35 years, the abundance of invertebrates such as beetles and bees had decreased by 45 percent. In places where long-term insect data are available, mainly in Europe, insect numbers are plummeting. A study last year showed a 76 percent decrease in flying insects in the past few decades in German nature preserves.The latest report, published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that this startling loss of insect abundance extends to the Americas. The studys authors implicate climate change in the loss of tropical invertebrates.This study in PNAS is a real wake-up call  a clarion call  that the phenomenon could be much, much bigger, and across many more ecosystems, said David Wagner, an expert in invertebrate conservation at the University of Connecticut who was not involved with this research. He added: This is one of the most disturbing articles I have ever read.Bradford Lister, a biologist at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, has been studying rain forest insects in Puerto Rico since the 1970s. If Puerto Rico is the island of enchantment  la isla del encanto  then its rain forest is the enchanted forest on the enchanted isle, he said. Birds and coqui frogs trill beneath a 50-foot-tall emerald canopy. The forest, named El Yunque, is well-protected. Spanish King Alfonso XII claimed the jungle as a 19th-century royal preserve. Decades later, Theodore Roosevelt made it a national reserve, and El Yunque remains the only tropical rain forest in the National Forest system.We went down in 76, 77 expressly to measure the resources: the insects and the insectivores in the rain forest, the birds, the frogs, the lizards, Lister said.He came back nearly 40 years later, with his colleague Andres Garcia, an ecologist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. What the scientists did not see on their return troubled them. Boy, it was immediately obvious when we went into that forest, Lister said. Fewer birds flitted overhead. The butterflies, once abundant, had all but vanished.Garcia and Lister once again measured the forests insects and other invertebrates, a group called arthropods that includes spiders and centipedes. The researchers trapped arthropods on the ground in plates covered in a sticky glue, and raised several more plates about three feet into the canopy. The researchers also swept nets over the brush hundreds of times, collecting the critters that crawled through the vegetation.Each technique revealed the biomass (the dry weight of all the captured invertebrates) had significantly decreased from 1976 to the present day. The sweep sample biomass decreased to a fourth or an eighth of what it had been. Between January 1977 and January 2013, the catch rate in the sticky ground traps fell 60-fold.Everything is dropping, Lister said. The most common invertebrates in the rain forest  the moths, the butterflies, the grasshoppers, the spiders, and others  are all far less abundant.Holy crap, Wagner said of the 60-fold loss.Louisiana State University entomologist Timothy Schowalter, who is not an author of the recent report, has studied this forest since the 1990s. The new research is consistent with his data, as well as the European biomass studies. It takes these long-term sites, with consistent sampling across a long period of time, to document these trends, he said. I find their data pretty compelling. [more]

Hyperalarming study shows massive insect loss

By Mary L. Martialay

15 October 2018

(RPI)  While temperatures in the tropical forests of northeastern Puerto Rico have climbed two degrees Celsius since the mid-1970s, the biomass of arthropods  invertebrate animals such as insects, millipedes, and sowbugs  has declined by as much as 60-fold, according to new findings published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The finding supports the recent United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warnings of severe environmental threats given a 2.0 degree Celsius elevation in global temperature. Like some other tropical locations, the study area in the Luquillo rainforest has already reached or exceeded a 2.0 degree Celsius rise in average temperature, and the study finds that the consequences are potentially catastrophic. Our results suggest that the effects of climate warming in tropical forests may be even greater than anticipated, said Brad Lister, lead author of the study and a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The insect populations in the Luquillo forest are crashing, and once that begins, the animals that eat the insects have insufficient food, which results in decreased reproduction and survivorship and consequent declines in abundance.Climate Driven Declines in Arthropod Abundance Restructure a Rainforest Food Web is based on data collected between 1976 and 2013 by the authors and the Luquillo Long Term Ecological Research program at three mid-elevation habitats in Puerto Ricos protected Luquillo rainforest. During this time, mean maximum temperatures have risen by 2.0 degrees Celsius. Major findings include: Sticky traps used to sample arthropods on the ground and in the forest canopy were indicative of a collapse in forest arthropods, with biomass catch rates falling up to 60-fold between 1976 and 2013.

The biomass of arthropods collected by ground-level sweep netting also declined as much as eightfold from 1976 to 2013.

As arthropods declined, simultaneous decreases occurred in Luquillos insectivorous lizards, frogs, and birds.

The authors also compared estimates of arthropod abundance they made in the 1980s in the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve in western Mexico with estimates from 2014. Over this time period, mean temperature increased 2.4 Celsius and arthropod biomass declined eightfold. Cold-blooded animals living in tropical climates are particularly vulnerable to climate warming since they are adapted to relatively stable year-round temperatures. Given their analyses of the data, which included new techniques to assess causality, the authors conclude that climate warming is the major driver of reductions in arthropod abundance in the Luquillo forest. These reductions have precipitated a major bottom-up trophic cascade and consequent collapse of the forest food web.

Given that tropical forests harbor two thirds of the Earths species, these results have profound implications for the future stability and biodiversity of rainforest ecosystems, as well as conservation efforts aimed at mitigating the effects of climate forcing.Andres Garcia, of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, was co-author on the study, which was funded by the National Science Foundation. Research into the effects of climate change is an exciting aspect of The New Polytechnic, an emerging paradigm for teaching, learning, and research at Rensselaer. The foundation for this vision is the recognition that global challenges and opportunities are so great they cannot be adequately addressed by even the most talented person working alone. The New Polytechnic is transformative in the global impact of research, in its innovative pedagogy, and in the lives of students at Rensselaer.

Two Degrees Decimated Puerto Ricos Insect Populations

ABSTRACT: A number of studies indicate that tropical arthropods should be particularly vulnerable to climate warming. If these predictions are realized, climate warming may have a more profound impact on the functioning and diversity of tropical forests than currently anticipated. Although arthropods comprise over two-thirds of terrestrial species, information on their abundance and extinction rates in tropical habitats is severely limited. Here we analyze data on arthropod and insectivore abundances taken between 1976 and 2012 at two midelevation habitats in Puerto Ricos Luquillo rainforest. During this time, mean maximum temperatures have risen by 2.0 C. Using the same study area and methods employed by Lister in the 1970s, we discovered that the dry weight biomass of arthropods captured in sweep samples had declined 4 to 8 times, and 30 to 60 times in sticky traps. Analysis of long-term data on canopy arthropods and walking sticks taken as part of the Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research program revealed sustained declines in abundance over two decades, as well as negative regressions of abundance on mean maximum temperatures. We also document parallel decreases in Luquillos insectivorous lizards, frogs, and birds. While El Nino/Southern Oscillation influences the abundance of forest arthropods, climate warming is the major driver of reductions in arthropod abundance, indirectly precipitating a bottom-up trophic cascade and consequent collapse of the forest food web.

SIGNIFICANCE: Arthropods, invertebrates including insects that have external skeletons, are declining at an alarming rate. While the tropics harbor the majority of arthropod species, little is known about trends in their abundance. We compared arthropod biomass in Puerto Ricos Luquillo rainforest with data taken during the 1970s and found that biomass had fallen 10 to 60 times. Our analyses revealed synchronous declines in the lizards, frogs, and birds that eat arthropods. Over the past 30 years, forest temperatures have risen 2.0 C, and our study indicates that climate warming is the driving force behind the collapse of the forests food web. If supported by further research, the impact of climate change on tropical ecosystems may be much greater than currently anticipated.

Climate-driven declines in arthropod abundance restructure a rainforest food webIRVINE, California, 15 October 2018 (UCI)  On top of rising sea levels, stronger hurricanes, and worsening wildfires, scientists project that human-caused climate change will result in one of the most dire consequences imaginable: a disruption in the global beer supply.In a study published today in Nature Plants, researchers from the University of California, Irvine and other institutions report that concurrent droughts and heat waves, exacerbated by anthropogenic global warming, will lead to sharp declines in crop yields of barley, beers main ingredient.The economic models used in the paper demonstrated strong potential for price surges in some beer-loving countries, and whether or not people get to enjoy a frosty mug of suds will likely depend on their willingness to pay.The world is facing many life-threatening impacts of climate change, so people having to spend a bit more to drink beer may seem trivial by comparison, said co-author Steven Davis, UCI associate professor of Earth system science. But there is definitely a cross-cultural appeal to beer, and not having a cool pint at the end of an increasingly common hot day just adds insult to injury.He said the research team modeled scenarios based on current and expected future levels of fossil fuel burning and carbon dioxide emissions. In the worst case, parts of the world where barley is grown  including the northern Great Plains, Canadian prairies, Europe, Australia, and the Asian steppe  were projected to experience more frequent concurrent droughts and heat waves, causing declines in crop yields of 3 to 17 percent.Current levels of fossil fuel consumption and CO2 pollution  business as usual  will result in this worst-case scenario, with more weather extremes negatively impacting the worlds beer basket, said co-author Nathan Mueller, UCI assistant professor of Earth system science. Our study showed that even modest warming will lead to increases in drought and excessive heat events in barley-growing areas.Only 17 percent of the globes barley is used in brewing; in fact, most is harvested as feed for livestock. This sets up a conflict in the decades to come: Will producers prioritize hungry animals over thirsty humans? Inputting a decline in barley supply into their computable general equilibrium model, the researchers consistently found that the ratio of the grain going to beer brewing decreased even more. So, in a word: yes.

The study further outlines how different regions of the world will be affected, determining that prices will go up the most in such wealthy, beer-loving countries as Belgium, Canada, Denmark, and Poland. For example, Davis said, during drought years, residents of Ireland could need to bring the equivalent of an extra $20 to the store to buy a six-pack. But he noted that some people in these nations will be willing to absorb the higher cost.Beer consumption is predicted to go down in poorer countries, such as China, and Davis joked that even the United States might see a drop-off in keg stands and beer pong tournaments in the future.Our results show that in the most severe climate events, the supply of beer could decline by about 16 percent in years when droughts and heat waves strike, he said. Thats comparable to all beer consumption in the U.S. Future climate and pricing conditions could put beer out of reach for hundreds of millions of people around the world.Scientists from Chinas Peking University, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mexicos International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, and the U.K.s University of East Anglia also contributed to the study, which received support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Global warming will have us crying in whats left of our beer

ABSTRACT: Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in the world by volume consumed, and yields of its main ingredient, barley, decline sharply in periods of extreme drought and heat. Although the frequency and severity of drought and heat extremes increase substantially in range of future climate scenarios by five Earth System Models, the vulnerability of beer supply to such extremes has never been assessed. We couple a process-based crop model (decision support system for agrotechnology transfer) and a global economic model (Global Trade Analysis Project model) to evaluate the effects of concurrent drought and heat extremes projected under a range of future climate scenarios. We find that these extreme events may cause substantial decreases in barley yields worldwide. Average yield losses range from 3% to 17% depending on the severity of the conditions. Decreases in the global supply of barley lead to proportionally larger decreases in barley used to make beer and ultimately result in dramatic regional decreases in beer consumption (for example, 32% in Argentina) and increases in beer prices (for example, +193% in Ireland). Although not the most concerning impact of future climate change, climate-related weather extremes may threaten the availability and economic accessibility of beer.

Decreases in global beer supply due to extreme drought and heatBy Eric Wolff and Darius Dixon

15 October 2018

(Politico)  One of the Trump administrations major efforts to prop up ailing coal companies has run aground in the White House, a setback to an industry that had hoped for a major resurgence after Donald Trump won the presidency.

Energy Secretary Rick Perry has spent more than a year pushing various plans that would invoke national security to force power companies to keep their economically struggling coal plants running  a goal in line with Trumps frequent pledges to revive what he calls beautiful, clean coal.

But the White House has shelved the plan amid opposition from the presidents own advisers on the National Security Council and National Economic Council, according to four people with knowledge of the discussions.

It is unclear whether Trump himself has decided against following Perrys proposal. Even if he has, the sources warned that Trump frequently changes his mind, and the idea could re-emerge in advance of the presidents reelection campaign.The failure of Perrys bailout efforts still leaves Trump with plenty to brag about in coal country: He has shredded former President Barack Obamas environmental regulations and pulled out of the Paris climate agreement. But the stalemate is frustrating the politically active coal mining companies that backed Trumps presidential campaign and lobbied heavily for an economic lifeline for their industry. []The White House directed Perry to prepare immediate steps to stop the loss of retiring coal and nuclear plants more than four months ago, and Trump even interrupted an Ohio fundraiser in May to order an aide to call Perry to talk about the bailout. He also touted the national security benefits of coal a few months later at another West Virginia speech.But in recent months, Trump has omitted mentions of a potential rescue even in his pro-coal speeches, such as at a rally last week in Richmond, Ky. []Even without a bailout, the administrations other regulatory rollbacks to help coal are likely to keep voters in coal-heavy regions solidly in Trumps camp.If youre Donald Trumps speechwriter and you travel to West Virginia, you have everything you need.  Thats your applause line, said Jeff Navin, a founder of Boundary Stone Partners and a former chief of staff for the Energy Department under Obama.But the White House silence has left ardent coal supporters on Capitol Hill frustrated. [more]By John Wagner

16 October 2018

(The Washington Post)  President Trump on Tuesday offered a fresh threat to cut off aid to Honduras if a large caravan of migrants continues heading toward the United States.

The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately! Trump said on Twitter.

The group has swollen in size since leaving San Pedro Sula, one of the worlds most dangerous cities, on Friday. Its travels were prominently covered Tuesday morning on Fox & Friends, a program that Trump regularly views. According to the Fox News report, the number of people in the caravan doubled in recent days to 3,000.

Trump threatened in April 2018 to withdraw aid from Honduras and other countries that allowed passage for a similar caravan that originated in the Central American country. That caravan dissipated as it approached the U.S. border.

The latest caravan was launched a day after Vice President Pence urged the presidents of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala to persuade their citizens not to enter the United States illegally.

To the people of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador: You are our neighbors, Pence said at a regional security event in Washington. We want you and your nations to prosper. If you want to come to the United States, come legally or dont come at all.

With new caravan coming from Honduras, Trump issues fresh threat to cut aid

By Doina Chiacu and Frank Jack Daniel; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Susan Thomas, and Frances Kerry

16 October 2018

WASHINGTON (Reuters)  U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to withdraw funding and aid from Honduras if it does not stop a caravan of people that is heading to the United States, in his latest effort to show his administrations tough stance on immigration.

Up to 3,000 migrants crossed from Honduras into Guatemala on Monday on a trek northward, after a standoff with police in riot gear and warnings from Washington that migrants should not try to enter the United States illegally.

The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately! Trump said on Twitter.

It was not clear how Honduras would be able to exercise control over people who had already left the country.

The crowd more than doubled in size from Saturday, when some 1,300 people set off from northern Honduras in what has been dubbed March of the Migrant, an organizer said.

The migrants plan to seek refugee status in Mexico or pass through to the United States, saying they are fleeing poverty and drug-fueled violence in their countries.

Reuters could not independently verify the number of participants, but images showed a group carrying backpacks and clogging roads near the border, some waving the Honduran flag. []

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez said last month cuts in U.S. support for Central America would hinder efforts to stem illegal immigration as he welcomed Chinas growing diplomatic presence in the region as an opportunity.

In an interview with Reuters, Hernandez expressed regret that prior U.S. commitments to step up investment in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador had been scaled back since Trump took office.

China is strengthening ties with Central America. In August, El Salvador broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favor of China, citing economic reasons and following on the heels of Panama in 2017.

Honduras is one of a dwindling number of countries that still has formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. [more]

Trump threatens to cut U.S. aid to Honduras over immigrant caravan



By Amy Guthrie

14 October 2018

MEXICO CITY (Associated Press)  Hundreds more Hondurans have joined a caravan of migrants moving toward the countrys border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States.

Dunia Montoya, a volunteer assisting the migrants, said Sunday that the group had grown to an estimated 1,600 people from an initial 160 who first gathered early Friday in a northern Honduras city.

Caravan participants planned to spend Sunday night at a community center in the town of Ocotepeque before attempting to cross into Guatemala on Monday.

Montoya said many in the group might not be allowed to enter Guatemala because they lack official identification documents.

The migration began to swell after local media coverage of the initial group whose members had agreed to depart together Friday from a bus station in San Pedro Sula, one of the most dangerous cities in Honduras.

Hundreds more soon joined the ranks, wagering a mass exit could improve their chances for getting over borders. Many had already planned to leave Honduras and also felt traveling in numbers could lessen chances of falling victim to robbery and assault that often plague migrants.

Families arrived with infants in their arms and toddlers in strollers. They packed light, most carrying little more than a backpack. []

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened in April 2018 to withdraw foreign aid from Honduras and countries that allowed transit for a similar caravan that set out from the Central American country earlier this year. That caravan dwindled as the group approached the U.S. border, with some giving up along the way and others splitting off to try to cross on their own.

Frustration with poverty is a common explanation by migrants for participating in the latest caravan. About 65 percent of Honduras people are poor and many get by on the equivalent of a dollar or two a day.

The country of 9.4 million people has also led the world for homicide rates in recent years.

Roberto Castro, one of the travelers in the caravan, said via telephone that he is a 26-year-old bus driver and construction worker, when there is work. These days, there is none, he said.

Most of the migrants are on foot, walking shoulder-to-shoulder, 15 deep, at the edges of roads. Trucks with empty cargo holds have stopped intermittently to pick some up and get them as far along as possible. Other Hondurans handed out bottled water and food in a show of support. [more]

Migrant caravan swells in Honduras as group nears GuatemalaSubscriber content preview

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court is leaving in place a decision that required paint companies to fund the removal of lead paint from California homes.

The Supreme Court on Monday said it wouldn't take up the issue.





. . .Subscriber content preview

SEATTLE  The Adamson Apartments, at 900 E. Prospect St., sold for $5.4 million, according to King County records.

The seller was Adamson Apartments LLC, which acquired the property in 2008 for almost $3.9 million.





. . .Subscriber content preview

REDMOND  Building 11 at the Redmond East Business Campus, at 6640 185th Ave. N.E., has sold for $5.8 million, according to King County records.

The seller was RAIN Property Management LLC, which acquired the property in 2007 for $4.6 million.





. . .The race for Michigans open seat in the 19th State House District is a virtual tie according to polling. Democrats have a dynamite young woman running. Laurie Pohutsky is a microbiologist (you know I have a soft spot for scientists!) who has an impressive list of endorsements from progressive and labor organizations as well as notable community leaders. She supports a state-funded Medicare for All plan to make healthcare affordable for ALL of our citizens, has an enviable 7% rating from the NRA due to her stances on gun control, and supports a revision of our states civil rights act to cover the LGBTQ community. You can learn more about her at her terrific website LauriePohutskyForMichigan.com.

Her Republican opponent, Brian Meakin is how do I put this? Lets just say he is a rank amateur. His website looks like his 12-year old grandkid put it together. His issue page is scant and says little of substance (it doesnt even address healthcare, for example.) Meakin once told a crowd that job-killing automation is the result of  and Im not kidding here  increases in the minimum wage. When asked about his opposition to Proposal 1 which would legalize recreational use of marijuana, Meakin said, Marijuana is not an avenue for economic growth. Look at Colorado. Its not been a success there. The facts, of course, say otherwise. Colorado has taken in $839,689,434 in marijuana taxes, licenses, and fee revenue on over $5.5 BILLION in sales since they legalized it in 2014. It would be hard to find a fledgling industry that has been a bigger avenue for economic growth than that.

Faced with a candidate that seems to have no real message on things that people actually care about, the Michigan Republican Party has resorted to sending out a mailer and putting up a website (that basically just displays the mailer) telling voters Pohutsky wants to silence people when it comes to healthcare. According to them, she wants a complete government takeover of healthcare. The statement comes with a Very Serious footnote which says the claim is backed up by Pohutskys signature on an Americas Goals petition which means she pledges to support Universal, affordable health coverage with a cap on out-of-pocket expenses. Not exactly a complete government takeover of healthcare but when youre faced with supporting such a weak candidate as Brian Meakin, where else do you have to go?

At a time when the #MeToo movement is a thunderous voice in our political conversation, the very suggestion that a young millennial woman is silencing people by supporting affordable healthcare is particularly insulting and tone deaf.

This is race is close and it we can flip it blue. Consider helping out Laurie Pohutsky with a donation today. You can do that HERE.





HKScan launches exports of poultry products to Sweden



HKScan has begun exporting Finnish poultry products to Sweden.



The products will initially be sold through the largest retailer ICA's outlets under the Karinas (Kariniemen) brand.



The launch gives Swedish consumers access to a new innovation: high welfare farm-born poultry that is hatched on the farm where it is raised. This new concept, according to HKScan, is one additional guarantee of a high standard of quality, animal welfare and product safety throughout the farm-to-fork chain.



"Swedish consumers have high standards in terms of the quality and origin of the food they eat. I am delighted that HKScan's Finnish products can meet those demands by bringing responsibly produced Karinas products to the growing Swedish poultry market," said Sofia Hyleen Toresson, HKScan's executive vice president for Sweden. "This also marks the launch of farm-born poultry products in Sweden, only one in the market. We have great expectations for this innovation. The feedback from consumers was very promising. Consumers have had an important role in our concept creation process,"



The poultry meat exported to Sweden is sourced from around 80 of HKScan's contract farms located mainly in western Finland.



The high standard of quality has been the guiding principle of Karinas farmers since 1966.



Karinas poultry is raised totally without antibiotics since 2009. The production is also salmonella-free, while the incidence of campylobacteriosis is minimal.



Selected Karinas farms were among the first in the world to adopt the farm-born concept.



"Frozen poultry imported from outside Europe continues to play a major role on Swedish dinner plates. Finnish-made Karinas marks the arrival of a high-quality, responsibly produced alternative for the Swedish market. The launch of Swedish exports is one key step in our renewed strategy and brings notable synergies from cross-border collaboration. The launch of Swedish exports opens new avenues for progressive Finnish farmers and marks a significant step forward for our entire value chain," said Heli Arantola, HKScan's executive vice president of categories and concepts.



Poultry products exported to Sweden are produced at HKScan's Rauma production unit, the most advanced production facility of its kind in Europe. The state-of-the-art unit, along with the expertise of Finnish primary farmers, allows HKScan to offer a growing range of innovative, responsible products to HKScan's customers both on its domestic and export markets.



In addition, consumption of poultry meat is rising steadily both in Sweden and Finland but is still below the EU average in both markets.



Only around 60% of poultry meat consumed in Sweden is domestically produced, whereas the corresponding figure for Finland is 80%. All Kariniemen products are 100% of Finnish origin since 1966.



Growth in the poultry segment is listed as one of HKScan's strategic targets.



- HKScanPossible scenarios on Jamal Khashoggi case

Saudi Arabia is preparing to admit that they killed missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Three possible scenarios are being urged upon.

Turkish teams investigating the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul early on Tuesday after a nine-hour search of the building. Turkish authorities repeatedly said that Khashoggi never left the consulate premises. Footage emerged Tuesday showing Khashoggi entering the building the week before.

THE 'ROGUE KILLERS'

After the journalists disappearance, there are three possible scenarios spoken.

The first one: Saudi Arabia is preparing to acknowledge the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in a botched interrogation, CNN and the New York Times said on Monday, after US President Donald Trump speculated rogue killers may be responsible.

According to CNN, Saudis will admit Jamal Khashoggi's death and will say that it was the result of an interrogation that went wrong. If the scenario one is true, it is believed that he was murdered in the consulate and his body removed.

THE 'WRONG DOSE'

The second possibility is that the Saudi authorities wanted to neutralize Khashoggi by anesthetizing to take him to Saudi Arabia but they applied a wrong dose that killed the journalist.

PRINCE SALMAN'S ORDERS

The third one is more complex. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman might get the journalist killed who is known for his dissenter opinions against the crown prince. He ordered an operation against the journalist and Saudi security team lay in wait for the journalist killed him.Saudi Arabia to admit Khashoggi was killed

The Saudi Arabian goverment is going to admit that missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in Istanbul.

Saudi Arabia is preparing to admit it killed missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in an interrogation gone wrong, according to a report Monday. The forthcoming admission could bring to an end questions over Khashoggi's fate.

The Washington Post journalist has been missing since Oct. 2 when he was last seen entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The Saudis will claim in a report they intended to abduct Khashoggi from Turkey, but accidentally killed him during an interrogation, CNN reported, citing two anonymous sources.

The network cited one source who cautioned the report is still being prepared and could be changed. Another source told CNN the report is likely to shift blame from top Saudi officials, arguing the plot was carried out without official clearance and transparency while seeking to place blame on those immediately involved.

TRUMP RAISED THE POSSIBILITY

Khashoggi has long been feared killed at the consulate after he entered and was never seen exiting. U.S. President Donald Trump raised the possibility that "rogue killers" could have been responsible for Khashoggi's disappearance after speaking over the telephone with Saudi King Salman for 20 minutes earlier Monday.

Trump said Salman "firmly denies" any knowledge of Khashoggi's disappearance "He didnt really know, maybe, I dont want to get into his mind but it sounded to me like maybe it could have been rogue killers, who knows? Were going to try get to the bottom of it very soon but his was a flat denial," Trump told reporters.

SAUDIS ARRIVED IN ISTANBUL

Turkish and Saudi officials arrived earlier Monday at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul for a joint probe into Khashoggi's case. On the same day Khashoggi went missing 15 other Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the consulate while Khashoggi was inside, Turkish police sources said. All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey.

A National Security Council spokeswoman told Anadolu Agency it is imperative Turkish authorities with Saudi Arabia's full and transparent support are able to thoroughly investigate the case and release results officially once the probe is concluded.

The spokeswoman further voiced support for Turkish investigators' efforts, and said she would not prejudge the inquiry's outcome while noting Washington stands ready to assist.This Page Is Under Construction - Coming Soon!

Why am I seeing this 'Under Construction' page?Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.Minister Griffin is pictured at one of his favourite spots in Kerry.on the Sliabh Mish Mountains

Call of the Wild to form part of Global Social Media Campaign

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin today announced Call of the Wild, a joint initiative between the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. The new initiative aims to give local people on the Wild Atlantic Way the opportunity to have their hidden gems included in a global social media campaign, while at the same time highlight to their own social network the beauty of the locality as a holiday destination. Over the coming weeks, locals from along the Wild Atlantic Way will be called on to share photos and videos that showcase the beauty of the West Coast on social media using the hashtag #MyWildAtlanticWay.



The best photos and videos will be shared by Tourism Ireland on its social platforms with millions of potential holidaymakers around the world (Tourism Ireland has around 4.3 million Facebook fans worldwide, almost 500,000 followers on Twitter and 425,000 followers on Instagram). Everyone who gets involved will have the chance to win a 2-night getaway along the Wild Atlantic Way.



Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin, commented on the Call of the Wild initiative:



This is the first of a number of regional tourism initiatives made possible due to the increased funding in tourism. From stunning landscapes to exquisite food, there are many hidden gems along the Wild Atlantic Way known to locals, but undiscovered by the rest of the world. We are asking local people along the Wild Atlantic Way to share their own hidden gems with the world and help spread the word about the beauty of the West Coast by sharing their own photos or videos on social media using the hashtag #MyWildAtlanticWay.



To launch the initiative, Failte Ireland have teamed up with eight sporting legends from along the Wild Atlantic Way, from Aidan OMahony in Kerry, Orla Finn in Cork, Podge Collins in Clare, Michael Murphy in Donegal, Roisin Upton in Limerick, Lee Keegan in Mayo, Alan Cawley in Sligo and David Collins in Galway. Each Call of the Wild ambassador will share some of their favourite destinations in the region across their social media accounts, encouraging their followers to follow suit and share their own favourites.



Failte Irelands Director of Marketing, Niall Tracey, said:



Stretching 2,500km, the Wild Atlantic Way is the longest defined coastal touring route in the world and was designed to attract visitors to explore the length of the west coast of Ireland and experience the beauty of our rugged coastline.



Collaboration with local communities has been key to the success of the Wild Atlantic Way and our new Call of the Wild campaign asks local people to tell us about the hidden gems in their counties, whether it be a secluded beach, unknown coastal walkway or the perfect cafe, so that we can share it with the world.



Tourism Irelands Director of Markets, Siobhan McManamy, said:



The new Call of the Wild campaign will highlight the hidden gems and the many great things to see and do along the length of the Wild Atlantic Way. Tourism Ireland will share the best photos and videos with millions of fans and followers on our social platforms  including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. The videos will be seen by more than 1 million people  encouraging holidaymakers everywhere to come and visit the Wild Atlantic Way outside of the peak travel season.



Share your Wild Atlantic Way hidden gems using the hashtag #MyWildAtlanticWay before the 31st October for your chance to have your photos and videos be part of a global promotional campaign.



Jump to topAS a major supplier of high-protein wheat, barley and wines and potentially more beef and lamb exports into China, Western Australia needs to work on its branding.

Australia (on the label) is not enough, you need to find the right channel, was the advice from head of the Australian arm of COFCO, Chinas biggest vertically integrated food producer, processor and importer charged with sourcing sufficient food for the nations 1.4 billion people.

While there was wide consumer recognition of the Australia brand in China and its products were generally perceived as safe, quality and green, there is massive potential to develop a WA branding, according to Yebin (Bruce) Li, chief executive of COFCO International Australia/ New Zealand.

The benefits of developing local branding will vary from commodity to commodity and product to product, Mr Li told more than 200 people at the 2018 Grain Industry Association of WA (GIWA) forum at Optus Stadium last week.

Known to the grains industry as The Barley Guy because of his involvement with COFCOs international commodities purchasing and milling before his appointment to head the local arm last year, Mr Li was keynote speaker on the topic China and Western Australia: Grain Agribusiness and Food Futures.

Growth of its agricultural exports into China had been a very good story for Australia, but there had also been some bad stories where lessons needed to be learned from the experiences, he said.

WA producers, Mr Li said, needed to concentrate on trying to achieve consistent quality to satisfy Chinas food processors and a growing, younger and more discerning millenniums middle-class that is prepared to pay a premium price for quality.

You (WA producers) need to find a good partner (in China) and work with them  work together, he told forum guests who included agri-industry representatives from across Australia.

Because of poor soils, climate or whatever, we cannot feed our population on domestic production  we have too many people to feed.

So we rely on the West to help feed our people, so China is investing in the food chain, he said.

With 400 million Chinese with disposable income in the middle-class and about 600m across Asia, traditional rice-based diets are changing to include more protein.

Millennials are eating more beef, eggs and dairy products, Mr Li said, supported by China National Bureau of Statistics data showing year-on-year growth of almost 10 per cent for wheat in 2010-11, and increases of more than 10pc for milk powder in 2013-14 and eggs in 2014-15.

Dairy consumption per capita in China has increased by 250pc, he said.

Chinas beverage consumption has also changed with soft drink consumption  the major portion of the beverage market  increasing in volume by 25pc since 2010.

Soft drink consumption is now about three times the combined total consumption of alcohol, juice and carbonated drinks, figures he presented showed.

Mr Li said growth in wine production and consumption was eating into market share of other alcoholic beverages, with wine imports growing 15pc year-on-year and Australian wines, particularly from the Margaret River region, trailing only French wines on import volumes into China.

But with the change to a Western diet has come a focus on health concerns, he said.

People are more concerned with health, there is more demand for a better quality, greener product.

Examples, Mr Li said, were a forecast 8pc growth trend over the next five years for non-genetically modified cooking oils and huge potential in high quality packaged drinking water sales.

Changing diets has led to a current beef production shortfall in China of about 2m tonnes and this is expected to double to 5mt by 2025, he said.

Beef consumption was 9.1mt in 2017 and expected to be 9.62mt by 2020 with about 20pc coming from imports.

In 2016 per capita beef consumption was 5.8 kilogram, so there is massive potential, Mr Li said.

But exporting beef into China was easy to talk, difficult to do, he acknowledged, and compared to Argentina and Brazil, Australia was a high cost producer even though it was recognised for a quality product.

COFCO imports lamb from Australia  it started about four years ago  and there is scope for expansion there, Mr Li said, but wheat and barley remain the dominant agricultural commodities imported from Australia.

China relies on imported high protein wheat, but wheat supply into China is currently finely balanced between domestic production, imports and consumption, he said.

Chinese government statistics and COFCO research figures he presented showed Chinese wheat production trending at 130 million tonnes a year and imports, mainly milling wheat, running at a similar level, with stockpiles being drawn down to accommodate growing consumption.

A better story for WA was barley, particularly feed barley for our pigs, Mr Li said.

Growth in large-scale commercial pork production has fuelled a focus switch from malt to feed barley from Australia and other sources, with the barley import program more volatile since 2014 as a result, he said.

Figures he presented showed significant increases in feed barley imports in 2015 and 2017 and with feed barley running at just over half of the barley imports this year.

Australia is a major source, currently providing 4mt, compared to 6.5mt from other countries, or roughly 66pc of Chinas barley imports.

This is in comparison to wheat where Australia provides about 1m tonnes of a 4mt total import market and has to compete against Canada, the Black Sea region and the United States of America, Mr Li pointed out.

He said much of Chinas barley imports were sourced from WA and Kwinana with its panamax class bulk shipping capability, along with Albany and Esperance ports, shipped almost double the wheat and barley tonnage combined of any other Australian port.

Oats was another potential good story for WA growers in terms of export potential into China.

Oats were seen by Chinese Millennials as a health food, he said.

Mr Lis views on the potential of WA barley and oats exports were supported by CBH Groups general manager marketing and trading Jason Craig who joined him, Plum Grove chairman and managing director Andrew Young and Anthony Wilkes from Burch Family Wines for a forum panel discussion.

Marketing of barley into China still looks good, we have good projections for growth (and) oats has been our shining light, Mr Craig said.

He said CBH Group, which was major sponsor of the GIWA forum, had not seen any significant benefits yet from the tariff trade war between China and the US.

GIWA chairman Bob Nixon thanked Mr Li, who follows Hawthorn in the AFL competition, and presented him with a West Coast Eagles Premiers scarf.NATIONAL sheep slaughter numbers have run hot for the past seven weeks on the back of intensifying dry conditions across many of the nations key sheep production areas.

For the entire year up until August, we saw sheep slaughter outstrip last years levels for every month to July.

August tipped over the one million head slaughtered and September will end up much stronger again.

According to Mecardo analyst Angus Brown, there was little chance the annual sheep slaughter being under eight million head.

Five-year average sheep slaughter for October to December will see over 9.2m head for the year, Mr Brown said.

Even the lowest October to December sheep slaughter on record, from 2011 will see annual rates at 8.3m head.

According to Meat and Livestock Australias (MLA) market intelligence manager Scott Tolmie, it has been a year of extremes for the Australian lamb market, with prices soaring into unchartered territory due to strong demand meeting tightening supply.

Lamb prices have been breaking records as they smashed through the 700c and 800 cents per kilogram carcase weight marks for the first time, Mr Tolmie said.

MLA sheep projections show annual lamb slaughter numbers at 22.9m head for 2018, up two per cent on 2017.

Their sheep slaughter forecast mirrors Mecardos, predicting to reach 9.3m head, up 23pc on 2017 levels.

Poor seasonal conditions and high feed costs have led to a waning supply of finished lambs as the year has progressed, Mr Tolmie said.

This, combined with strong international demand, has resulted in fierce competition for a diminishing supply and driven up prices across the board.

Mr Tolmie said dry conditions drove increased lamb slaughter for the first half of the year, spiking in the second quarter of 2018 as conditions worsened and producers looked to destock.

The numbers peaked in June with the highest month of lamb slaughter on record.

But lamb slaughter has fallen in recent months due to the delay in new season lambs entering the market.

With no indication of improved seasonal conditions in the short-term, reports suggest there will be greater numbers of light weight, unfinished new season lambs coming onto the market this year.

The timing and quality of the new season lamb crop will have a large impact on prices for the rest of 2018, Mr Tolmie said.

He said while strong lamb and mutton prices had been a motivating factor to maintain or build flock numbers, the lack of rain across much of Australia has put a lot of pressure on producers to de-stock or supplementary feed.

The ongoing dry conditions had also placed downward pressure on carcase weights, with the national average lamb carcase weight for 2018 forecast to be 2pc lower than 2017 with the average sheep carcase weight down by 8pc, at 23kg.

Mr Tolmie said in terms of lamb production, lighter carcase weights were expected to offset the year-on-year rise in slaughter in 2018.

Total lamb production forecast for the year is 511,000 tonnes carcase weight (cwt), which is very similar to year-ago levels.

Higher sheep slaughter, only partly offset by lighter carcases, has lifted forecast mutton production to 213,000 tonnes cwt for 2018  an increase of 13pc from 2017, Mr Tolmie said.

Strong global demand for Australian sheepmeat, combined with the softer Australian dollar and constrained domestic supplies out of New Zealand, have supported record export volumes and values.

Exports between January and August increased 12pc, to a record 183,000 tonnes shipped weight (swt), while mutton shipments surged 25pc, to 105,000 tonnes swt.

The unit value of Australian lamb exports for the year-to-July reached new record highs, at A$8/kg, and was mirrored in mutton, which climbed to A$5.88/kg for the same period, Mr Tolmie said.

These factors saw the value of Australian sheepmeat exports last financial year hit new heights, at A$3.29 billion, up 24pc year-on-year.

With the 2018 slaughter estimate now well over 9m head, any flock gains that Australia had made in 2017 are set to be wiped off in 2018.

The ramping up of sheep slaughter will no doubt see the flock decline, Mr Brown said.

The extent of the decline will depend on marking rates, but anecdotal evidence suggests these are not going to offer much support to the flock.

We could realistically see all of the flock gains made in 2017 wiped off in 2018.

In its latest Agricultural Commodities quarterly report, the Federal governments agricultural commodity forecaster, ABARES, predicts that sheep numbers will fall by 2.3m head by the end of 2018/19, following a 700,000 drop over the 2017/18 season.

Mr Brown said looking further down the track, there would be a contraction of sheep supply and possibly lamb supply.

In recent months heavy sheep supplies havent seen low prices, but the discount to lamb has been large, he said.

The mutton discount to lamb could get to as little as 20-30pc as seen in 2010-11.

It depends on where lamb prices end up, but mutton could get very expensive when it rains.AS Australian wool prices experience a sharp fall in recent weeks, wool exports take a tumble on the back of the nations supply drought.

Wool prices continued to slide despite a sharp drop in the Australian dollar against the US$ to the lowest level in more than two years.

Marking a fall of 75 cents a kilogram in the past fortnight, the Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) finished the recent trading week at 1992c/kg.

The largest declines were recorded for 18.5 micron and finer wool, with price falls of up to 100 cents for 16.5m wool.

The Northern Market Indicator had the most dramatic fall of 24 cents, resting at 2050c/kg, while the Southern Market Indicator fell 19c, to close at 1956c/kg.

The Western Market Indicator was only 9 cents lower at 2132 c/kg.

Australias production pressures has given competing nations a competitive leg-up, resulting a sharp jump in export volumes from New Zealand, Uruguay and Argentina, as Australia experiences a three per cent year-on-year fall.

This is according to the latest export data for the major wool producing and exporting countries for the 2018 calendar year, which revealed New Zealand exports spiked 17pc on the same period in 2017, Uruguay 18pc and Argentina 17pc, while South Africa also rose 6pc.

National Council for Wool Selling Brokers of Australia chief executive Chris Wilcox said the export fall was due entirely to lower supplies rather than weaker demand.

The volume of wool exports from Australia this year to date is the lowest since 2014, Mr Wilcox said.

In total, he said wool exports by the five major wool exporting countries was 5pc higher in 2018 than in 2017.

This increase is due to strong lifts in purchases by China, the Czech Republic and India, Mr Wilcox said.

There has also been a small lift in purchases by Germany, Egypt, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia.

The nations ability to recover wool exports in the short-term is doubtful with Meat & Livestock Australia reporting a sharp increase in sheep slaughter for 2018.

The reviewed forecast includes a further 1.5 million more sheep slaughtered this year to 9.3m total - the highest slaughter level since 2014.

Mr Wilcox said the forecast reflected the extremely dry seasonal conditions in New South Wales, as well as parts of Victoria and South Australia.

At 9.3m head, this is 23pc higher than in 2017 and comes despite record prices for both lambs and for wool, he said.

At the same time, MLA predicts live sheep exports from Australia will drop by 39pc to 1.15 million head.

Market analysts attribute this fall to sanctions imposed on some live sheep exporters by the Australian Government.

This week, Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA) backed-up the supply concerns, reporting nearly a 20pc plunge in the weight of wool tested in September compared with September 2017.

There were significant falls in wool tested in NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland, with a decline in tests in Tasmania and a very small decline in Victoria.

For the first three months this season, the weight of national wool tested was down by 11.3pc.

Mr Wilcox said production in September was severely affected by the prolonged poor seasonal conditions.

AWTA wool testing data also highlighted a shift in the wool tested in different micron categories, which included a massive 39pc drop in 21 and 24 micron as a result of prolonged drought conditions.

Marking the driest September, drought has triggered the production shift, particularly evident in wool grown in the pastoral areas of SA and NSW, and the central west region of NSW.

The 29 micron and broader wool category recorded a 28pc in the weight of wool tested, while 25 to 28 micron wool experienced a 13pc decline in the weight of wool tested.Dairy needs political punch says Brokenshire

Former politician Robert Brokenshire says the dairy industry needs to be "stronger" in its negotiations with politicians and not be intimidated by government.Its amazing to think that 5 years ago Chris started this, the first ever Race for Life in Turkey with just a group of friends who ran a course that started from outside our house  George Rimmer

This first started with me and my gorgeous daughter in law Dawn  we had a bit of banter about who could achieve a better time as she was running 5 Km Race for Life in the UK  she won! But this was the inspiration for Turkeys very first Race for Life  so not only can George and I take some credit for this achievement, but I have to also thank Dawn  together we have started such a winning team  Chris Rimmer

Little did they know what they had started

Fethiye runs, jogs and walks for life

More than 300 people turned out on Sunday to run, jog or walk in the biggest single fundraising event Fethiye has seen so far.

Now in its fourth year, Yasam Icim Yars has become an annual event in Fethiye and goes from strength to strength.

The Yasam Icin Yars team have a lot to share with you however, first up are the photographs taken by official Yasam Icin Yars photographers, Natalia Alpatova and Norman Clark. They captured the day to perfection.

There are far too many fabulous photos to choose from so here is a selection. Please visit Fethiye Times Facebook for the full albums.

Racing for life: in photos

Getting ready

The man on the mike

The man on the mike needs very little introduction 

George Rimmer, along with Pnar Urav who translated for him.

The warm up

The circle and one minutes silence

Race time

First off was the 20km race

John Brett ran the 20km race dressed as Superman to encourage more people to sponsor him.

Wheelchair race

5km race

While were waiting to see who the winners are in each category, lets have a look at some of the runners in a bit more detail.

Pamela Gittins and Viv Oldham

Pam and Viv are part of the Yasam Icin Yars team and HOPE Group. Over the registration campaign, they have raised sponsorship from people who couldnt take part in this years event.

Eight months ago, Pam had to have a hip replacement after radiotherapy treatment for cancer but that didnt stop her crossing the finish line.

Glamour Girls

Joining the race this year were Clark and Jay (aka Glamour Girls, Miss BeeHave and Joanna play) along with the Manager of Glamour Hisaronu, Lisa Kose. On September 26th, Glamour held a fundraising evening which raised an outstanding 14,200 TL for Yasam Icin Yars.

HOPE

The HOPE cancer support group was newly formed in February this year and are now part of Yasam Icin Yars.

We were joined by a very special person this year.

Why do we race for life? Meet Ella

Last year ago when she was being treated for cancer, Ella took part in the race. On Sunday she joined George on stage looking the picture of health. We gave her a medal for beating cancer.

Genel Nursel Ozdemir Ozel Egitim Kurumlar

This year we were joined for the first time by pupils from Genel Nursel Ozdemir Ozel Egitim Kurumlar (special school) who took part in a shorter race.

The winners in each category were

Wheelchair race

1st: Mustafa Bozbas

2nd: Ali Akbey

Men

1st: Steven Williams

2nd: Adnan Ciftci

3rd: Abdul Baron

Women

1st (and overall race winner): Sue Burns

2nd: Carol Munro

3rd: Jill Breeze

Children

1st: Lucas Hayes

2nd: Ugurcan Akbakk

3rd: Yusuf Kumlu

20km race

1st: Mohamed Arslan

2nd: Mesut Guler

3rd: Salih Dereli

Dont forget, for more photographs please visit Fethiye Times on facebook.

Click here for more photography by Natalia

Sponsors and Supporters

Team Yasam Icin Yars would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who sponsored, supported and took part in Yasam Icin Yars 2018.

Visit Fethiye Times on Thursday for more about our sponsors and supporters this year.

How much did we raise?

At the count immediately after the event on Sunday, the total raised so far was 71,000TL.

With sponsor money and pledges still to be paid in, we are on track to raise a staggering

100.000TL

All money raised will go towards the diagnosis, treatment and awareness of cancer in Fethiye and the local area

Finally

On a personal note I would like to say I am truly humbled by the wonderful response and amount of support we have received this year. There just arent the wordsBHPsaw its first quarter iron ore production rise eight per cent on the prior corresponding period.The world's biggest miner saw iron ore output rise to 69 million tonnes during the three months ended September 30.The 2019 guidance of 273 million to 283 million tonnes of iron ore is due to help in China supply expectations.At the end of the September 2018 quarter, BHP had five major projects under development in petroleum, copper, iron ore and potash, with a combined budget of US$10.6 billion over the life of the projects.In September, BHP acquired an initial 6.1 per cent interest in SolGold Plc, the majority owner and operator of the Cascabel porphyry copper-gold project in Ecuador.They are hoping to bring the total interest to approximately 11.2 per cent.Shares in BHPclosed 1.68 per cent higher to $33.90 yesterday.Hubb, a Vancouver, Wash.-based developer of event management technology, raised a $6.3m Series B funding round.

The round, brings total funding to $10m, was led by Five Elms Capital with participation from follow-on investment from Oregon Venture Fund and Elevate Capital. In conjunction with the funding, Joe Onofrio from Five Elms Capital joined the board.

The company intends to use the funds to scale its business, develop additional event content and meeting management solutions, along with business intelligence tools, and hire staff in development, sales, customer support and marketing.

Led by Allie Magyar, founder and CEO, Hubb provides event management solutions and business intelligence tools that bring innovation and data-driven decision making to the events industry. Its cloud-based software platform uses automated workflows to streamline collecting, managing and marketing event content, as well as facilitating sales pipeline growth with meetings management and data analytics.

The company works with key clients such as Microsoft, Atlassian, Tableau Software, Biotechnology Innovation Association and the Consumer Technology Association (CES).

FinSMEs

16/10/2018.       ,                     ...This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices.Discord has launched the worldwide beta for its fledgling game storefront and Nitro subscription service, meaning both can now be accessed by the platform's 150 million registered users.

The aptly named Discord Store gives people the means to purchase titles through the platform, including a selection of 'First on Discord' timed exclusives.

Nitro, meanwhile, grants paying subscribers access to a catalog of games, including popular releases like Inside, Darksiders, Psychonauts, FTL, Super Meat Boy, and Metro: Last Light Redux.

Notably, Discord has just expanded Nitro for the second time, effectively repositioning the service as another 'Netflix of gaming' type offering, putting it in a similar bracket to Microsoft's own Xbox Game Pass, which grants users access to a smorgasbord of Xbox titles for a recurring monthly fee.

Indeed, the company claims the "all-you-can-eat" game library is now packed with more than 60 games worth over $1000. To reflect that change, Discord has bumped up the price of the monthly Nitro subscription to $9.99 from $4.99, while there's also a $99.99 annual option that effectively offers two months for free.

It'll be interesting to see how Nitro shapes up moving forward, but Discord has already pledged to keep updating the service over the coming months.Cologne: Trains back to normal : Crime scene main station: police check terrorism background

Cologne The sprinkler system of a fast food restaurant probably prevented worse from happening. A culprit had ignited an incendiary device and taken a hostage. Was this a terrorism attack? The police are asking witnesses for photos and videos.

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The armed culprit ignited a molotov cocktail in a fast food restaurant and locked himself in a pharmacy with a hostage: After some dramatic hours at the main station in Cologne, with four people injured, the investigators are now examining a possible terrorism background to the crime. Via short message service Twitter the police asked witnesses on Tuesday morning to upload photos and videos at nrw.hinweisportal.de which could cover the crime scene. The investigation is running at peak levels, the officers tweeted.

The complete closure of the main station lasted long into the evening affecting ten of thousands of commuters and hundreds of trains. On Tuesday the Deutsche Bahn expect a smooth start into the day. The local and regional traffic can resume according to schedule, said a spokesperson during the night. There might be some delays and cancellations in the long distance traffic. The train company asked travellers to inform themselves prior to their trip to find out about their connections.

A special forces unit stormed the pharmacy on monday afternoon and injured the culprit seriously with several shots. The hostage suffered minor injuries. A 14-year-old girl was injured when the incendiary device detonated in the fast food restaurant. Another person in the restaurant suffered a shock when the molotov cocktail exploded.

The investigators suspect that the fact that the sprinkler systems water masses caused the culprit to leave the restaurant. He locked himself with his hostage in the pharmacy across the way. The man was armed with gas cartridges and fire accelerants, according to the investigators.

When entering the pharmacy he is said to have shouted that he is part of the terrorism group Daesh, according to pedestrians, said officer-in-charge, Klaus Ruschenschmidt on Monday night. Daesh is the Arabic name for the terror militia Islamic State. There were no further indications in this matter.

The investigators have to clarify the identity of the culprit unequivocally. A passport of a 55-year-old Syrian man was found who is allowed to stay(tolerated) in Germany until 2021. The person with this residence permit is known to the authorities because of various offences like theft and threats. The hostage-taker is most likely the owner of these documents, according to the investigators.

The Deutsche Bahn does not expect any serious consequences for train customers at Colognes main station today. It was already possible to get passengers to Berlin and Frankfurt on Monday evening, said a spokesperson on Tuesday morning. Customers who could not travel were handed vouchers for taxi companies and hotels. Several hundred of those vouchers were handed out in total.

Nobody was stranded at the station over night, the info point at the main station was thus temporarily completely empty during the night.

The main station in Cologne is one of Germanys most frequented train stations. The train hub is located in the middle of the city centre, directly beside the cathedral. 1,300 trains pass through here every day, with up to 280,000 passengers arriving or leaving on eleven platforms.Motorway closed towards Bonn: Traffic jam : Seven injured in accident on A565

Bonn Seven people were injured in accident on the A565 between Poppelsdorf and Endenich on Monday afternoon. A livestock transporter was also involved. The motorway towards the Bonn-Nordost junction was closed until the evening.

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According to the motorway police a serious accident happened on the A565 between Poppelsdorf and Endenich during the late afternoon on Monday. Seven people were slightly injured or suffered moderately severe injuries.

The police reported that there had been a tail back prior to the accident. The driver of a pig transporter did not notice this in time and drove into the car stopped in front of him. This way four cars slid into each other.

All vehicle passengers from all involved cars, with the exception of the lorry driver, were able to free themselves from the car wrecks. The lorry driver needed medical treatment before leaving the vehicle. All injured persons were brought to hospitals in Bonn, some accompanied by an emergency doctor.

Because the animals in the livestock transporter were under a lot of stress due to the accident, the fire brigade cooled the animals down after consulting with the public veterinarian, using several fire hoses and a high performance cooling fan. The pigs calmed down noticeably during this and could be reloaded on to an intact transporter by an expert company in Troisdorf.

The fire brigade supported the police in their accident report and with the removal of the car wrecks. There were about 50 emergency personnel involved from all city fire and emergency stations, the professional fire brigade, the Duisdorf unit of the voluntary fire brigade Bonn and the rescue services.

The A565 was closed until 7.55pm towards the Bonn-Nordost junction. This caused long traffic jams in the evening.The Edmore meteorite found in northeast Montcalm County in the 1930s and made public this year is Michigan's sixth largest, weighing in at 22.5 pounds.

(Photo: Central Michigan University)

A rock that had been used as a barn doorstop on a Michigan farm for more than 30 years is actually a massive meteorite worth over $100,000.









(Photo: Central Michigan University)









The sixth largest meteorite recorded in Michigan has just been brought to the attention of experts over 80 years after its discovery.The 22-lb. (10 kilograms) meteorite is believed to have touched down in the 1930s on a farm in Edmore, Michigan. Earlier this year, the man who purchased the farm in 1988 and obtained the meteorite as part of the property brought the space rock to Central Michigan University (CMU) for examination.The owner, who did not want to be identified, said he noticed the rock holding a door open at a farm he was about to buy in Edmore in 1988.He said the farmer told him it was a meteorite that plunged to Earth in the 1930s  making a heck of a noise when it hit  and that he and his dad dug out the still-warm rock from a crater they found the next morning.When the new owner moved after a few years, he took the mystery rock, which he has kept as a doorstop and a show-and-tell item for his kids in school.But he was unaware of how much the celestial relic was worth.Opportunity came knocking this year when he learned about Michigan residents finding and selling pieces of meteorites.I said, Wait a minute. I wonder how much mine is worth?He reached out to Mona Sirbescu, a geology professor at Central Michigan University, to examine the oddly shaped rock.I could tell right away that this was something special, said Sibescu, who determined the meteorite is made of 88.5 percent iron and 11.5 percent nickel.Weighing 22 pounds, its also the sixth-largest recorded find in Michigan  and is believed to be worth $100,000, according to CMU.Its the most valuable specimen I have ever held in my life, monetarily and scientifically, Sibescu said.For additional verification, a piece of the rock was sent to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, which backed up the finding.There's now a bit of a scuffle over who will buy the meteorite  both the Smithsonian and a mineral museum in Maine are considering purchasing the incredible find.The man also has agreed to give 10 percent of the potential sale value to CMU for the study of earth and atmospheric sciences.kejguv at 16-10-2018 11:27 AM (3 years ago) (m)

Gabriel Segun Ajayi, a 32-year-old Nigerian married to a 50-year-old Russian woman died of a massive heart attack at a dance club last Friday night, October 12, in the city of Cherepovets, about 500 km north of Moscow. Russian investigators have launched a preliminary probe into reports of Ajayi's death, saying that the cause of death would be determined after a forensic examination. Earlier, the official portal of the city of Cherepovets, Russia reported that Ajayi had died of a heart attack at a local nightclub. The Nigerian



Embassy in Moscow said that it is looking into reports about the Nigerian national's death. Ajayi and his wife, rural Vologda region resident Natalia Vedenina, had earlier captured the attention of Russian daytime talk shows with their romance, due both to the 18 year age difference between them and the unusual story of a reported Nigerian prince agreeing to move to rural Russia to be with his wife. Ajayi met Natalia on the internet in 2012, with neither speaking the other's language; they communicated through an online translator. Natalia's 22-year-old eldest son was apprehensive at first, concerned that the romance may have been some sort of scam. However, Gabriel turned out to be real, and in 2016, Natalya flew to Nigeria, where Ajayi proposed.



After marrying, the couple moved to Russia, and in 2017, Natalia gave birth to twin boys. After coming to Russia, Ajayi began learning the language and started working as a tractor driver and local IT specialist. "I would spend days on the internet, and wasn't phased by the color of his skin or his age, nor the fact that he was from a completely different culture," Natalyia said in a talk show." "The more I got to know him, the more I realized that this was my man, who could feel and understand me, how I feel, even without words." Natalyia was devastated by the news of her husband's death. "Gabriel had a massive heart attack, he collapsed and died. He wasn't on any medications. My husband didn't have any complaints about his heart. I was informed two hours after it happenedOur children are just babies they are just a year old, they don't understand anything yet," she said. Ajayi will be buried in the city of Cherepovets to be closer to his widow and his children. His mother lives with the rest of the family in a nearby village, and is assisting in nursing the children. The rest of Ajayi's family aren't likely to attend the funeral due to the distance and difficulties in obtaining a visa on such a short notice, according to local media. Gabriel Segun Ajayi, a 32-year-old Nigerian married to a 50-year-old Russian woman died of a massive heart attack at a dance club last Friday night, October 12, in the city of Cherepovets, about 500 km north of Moscow. Russian investigators have launched a preliminary probe into reports of Ajayi's death, saying that the cause of death would be determined after a forensic examination. Earlier, the official portal of the city of Cherepovets, Russia reported that Ajayi had died of a heart attack at a local nightclub. The NigerianEmbassy in Moscow said that it is looking into reports about the Nigerian national's death. Ajayi and his wife, rural Vologda region resident Natalia Vedenina, had earlier captured the attention of Russian daytime talk shows with their romance, due both to the 18 year age difference between them and the unusual story of a reported Nigerian prince agreeing to move to rural Russia to be with his wife. Ajayi met Natalia on the internet in 2012, with neither speaking the other's language; they communicated through an online translator. Natalia's 22-year-old eldest son was apprehensive at first, concerned that the romance may have been some sort of scam. However, Gabriel turned out to be real, and in 2016, Natalya flew to Nigeria, where Ajayi proposed.After marrying, the couple moved to Russia, and in 2017, Natalia gave birth to twin boys. After coming to Russia, Ajayi began learning the language and started working as a tractor driver and local IT specialist. "I would spend days on the internet, and wasn't phased by the color of his skin or his age, nor the fact that he was from a completely different culture," Natalyia said in a talk show." "The more I got to know him, the more I realized that this was my man, who could feel and understand me, how I feel, even without words." Natalyia was devastated by the news of her husband's death. "Gabriel had a massive heart attack, he collapsed and died. He wasn't on any medications. My husband didn't have any complaints about his heart. I was informed two hours after it happenedOur children are just babies they are just a year old, they don't understand anything yet," she said. Ajayi will be buried in the city of Cherepovets to be closer to his widow and his children. His mother lives with the rest of the family in a nearby village, and is assisting in nursing the children. The rest of Ajayi's family aren't likely to attend the funeral due to the distance and difficulties in obtaining a visa on such a short notice, according to local media.

Post Reply Writing is my passion and facts-proofing is my hobby, I have been writing at Gistmania for close to a decade now and It is one of the most exciting things I do. Outside writing, I love enjoying time with my loved ones - if you have any tip for me, please do get in touch Posted: at 16-10-2018 11:27 AM (3 years ago) | GistmaniacWorkplace safety fears and staffing shortages at the state-run psychiatric hospital has the Alaska prison system bracing to house more and more psychiatric patients in jails.Officials at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute in Anchorage said the facility recently halted admissions amid alarm by a spike in staff injuries over a two-week period from the end of September to early October. Cynthia Montgomery, the acting director of nursing, said administrators decided API could not safely take on more patients without additional staff.At the moment, API is now using only about 50 of its 80 beds. If there isn't room for a patient at API, the next step is placement at another treatment facility, like a local emergency room.But Anchorage's hospital emergency rooms have been overflowing this year with psychiatric patients, in part because of API staffing shortages. Without hospital beds available, some potential API patients are expected to find themselves held in a mental health unit at a jail, even if they are not accused of a crime.The situation prompted strong alarm and questions about legality from advocates for those experiencing mental illness or disabilities. Stephanie Rhoades, a retired Anchorage Superior Court judge who founded the state mental health court, said in an email that in Anchorage, no civilly committed patients had ever been held in jail while awaiting an evaluation of their condition."This is a first. It is shocking and outrageous that any person with an illness could be diverted from a hospital to a jail for evaluation and treatment," Rhoades wrote. "There is no way that we would treat a person with a heart attack in this manner if the medical hospitals were full. The treatment of these seriously ill and vulnerable persons is cruel and inhuman."Staff with the Disability Law Center of Alaska visited the Anchorage Correctional Center on Friday morning and confirmed that two psychiatric patients were currently being held at the jail that should have been evaluated at API, said Dave Fleurant, the executive director of the center.Megan Edge, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections, said two psychiatric patients were being held at the Anchorage jail, a third is at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center and a fourth had been released to a group home. She said patients had been arriving at the jail since Oct. 5.One of the patients had been waiting at the jail for almost a week, Fleurant said.The director of API, Duane Mayes, said this is not the first time API has been at capacity and could not take more patients. He said he planned to use an infusion of $3.1 million in state money to hire close to 50 new psychiatric nurse assistants in the next three to six months. At that point, API will be able to staff all 80 of its beds, Mayes said.But Fleurant, Rhoades and others said that for now, the legal use of the jail as a holding facility was intended for limited circumstances in villages or rural areas with weather delays."This has happened in the past, but never at this level, and never for an indefinite period of time," Fleurant said.State law allows the psychiatric patient to be held at a local hospital or correctional facility until a spot opens in a treatment facility, Brooks wrote in the memo, a copy of which was obtained by the Anchorage Daily News. Once a patient arrives at a treatment facility such as API, he or she must be evaluated within 72 hours, under state law.But there is no time limit for those who are waiting to begin the evaluation process, according to Brooks' memo."With bed space at API extremely limited, and local hospitals resistant to taking (Title 47 holds), we can expect many of these individuals who are awaiting API commitment to end up in our facilities," Brooks wrote to colleagues. "I do not know how many (Title 47) detainees we will see or how long they may remain with us."The memo said the number of beds at API had dropped to 36, though Brooks later said in a later phone interview the number was incorrect and should be 49.While it isn't unheard of psychiatric patients to be placed in jail cells when hospitals are full, that has been regarded as the option of last resort, said Quinlan Steiner, the head of the state public defender agency."What appears to be happening is that this is just going to be standard procedure," Steiner said.Mike Abbott, the chief executive of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, said Friday his agency was aware of the challenges in the system, and knew many people were working hard to make sure appropriate care was available for people with serious mental illnesses."But putting people in jail -- because there's not a better therapeutic option -- is generally not acceptable," Abbott said.Patients who are committed to API may be experiencing a range of conditions that cause them to pose a danger to themselves or others, from an acute crisis such as a suicide attempt to the psychotic effects of drugs to the chronically mentally ill.In her memo, Brooks, the corrections official, described the possible rise in commitments as a fresh challenge facing the prison system."This is new to all of us so please be patient as we work through a new process," she wrote to fellow corrections officials.Her memo outlined a series of procedures for jails and prisons to follow, including an immediate referral to a mental health clinician and a warning for staff not to use restraints unless a detainee was actively harming themselves and all other de-escalation attempts had failed.In a phone interview Thursday, Brooks said psychiatric patients who come to the Department of Corrections would be placed in specialized psychiatric care wards in the downtown Anchorage jail, Hiland Mountain Correctional Center or Goose Creek Correctional Center in Knik. The patients will not be placed with the general jail population, she said.Brooks also said the patients would be prioritized by the acuteness of their illness.But the jail facilities are not meant to treat psychiatric patients, Brooks said."The bottom line is, these are jail cells, these are not hospital rooms," Brooks said.Fleurant, in his Friday statement, called the facilities at Anchorage Correctional Center "jail-like, even in the module for prisoners with mental health disabilities."The shortfall in staffing at API, which officials characterized as short-term, is the latest crisis for an institution that has been struggling for years with management and safety. A September report by attorney Bill Evans corroborated concerns about an unsafe working environment at API, and shortly after, then-director Ron Hale and two top health department officials resigned.Hayes, who was appointed API director after Hale's resignation, said the Evans report heightened his level of concern about patient and staff safety. He said he was working "aggressively" to fill the new nursing jobs in the next few months. Some patients need two nurses and full-time monitoring.He said the state has boosted nurse salaries and is also offering a $10,000 signing bonus.Montgomery, the acting director of nursing at API, said the recent spike in staff injuries was the main factor in the decision to turn away patients. She said the hospital recorded 22 staff injuries by patients in a two-week period from the end of September to early October. Over the same periods in August and July, there were 11 injuries, Montgomery said.Laura Russell, a behavioral health policy adviser with the state Division of Behavioral Health, said API is constantly assessing the number of people it can safely care for."We are at the capacity that our resources can handle at this time," Russell said.But so are local emergency rooms. An Anchorage Fire Department website that shows hospital status listed the emergency rooms at all three major hospitals as "closed" to psychiatric patients. That means the hospitals have alerted police and paramedics that it is no longer safe to continue delivering patients to the emergency rooms, and officials should seek other treatment facilities first.Steiner, the public defender, said the short-term question is whether hospitals can somehow accommodate these patients so they don't have to go to jail. In the long term, other advocates said the solution is not a bigger hospital but better supports and care for people with mental illness to avoid crises in the first place.Fleurant, the executive director of the Disability Law Center, said in a Friday statement that detaining civilly committed individuals in jails was unconstitutional. He said the prospect of a lawsuit was being researched."This is how we buy ourselves, as a state, some time," Fleurant said in an interview. "We lock up our patients. And I can't believe there isn't another alternative out there."Faith Myers, a longtime advocate for the mentally ill in Alaska, said Thursday she had not heard of psychiatric patients being placed in jail because there wasn't room elsewhere. She said that concerns about patient safety have taken a backseat to concerns about staff safety in recent years.The lead paint industry's efforts to avoid a cleanup bill for more than $400 million has reached the end of the road.The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to review California state court rulings finding Sherwin-Williams, Conagra and NL Industries responsible for lead paint contamination in thousands of homes built before 1951. That date is when the companies said their predecessor firms ceased actively advertising lead-based paint as a residential product.The court's action closes a key chapter in an 18-year legal battle waged by 10 California cities and counties, including Los Angeles County and the city of San Diego. Their lawsuit, originally filed in state court in Santa Clara in 2000, asserted the residual lead in old homes was contributing to severe health problems in children exposed to the paint. "It's at the top of our list of environmental threats," Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, the interim health officer and medical director for Los Angeles County, told me last year.Although the rate of lead poisoning has come down sharply in recent years, more than 2,000 children still test positive for lead in their bloodstream each year in L.A. County. The actual number is almost certainly higher because children aren't routinely screened for lead unless they're seen by a pediatrician. Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 4 million American households have children exposed to high levels of lead.In 2014, Judge James P. Kleinberg held the three companies liable for the cost of inspecting more than 3.5 million California homes and apartments and removing or abating residual lead hazards. That means painting over deteriorating surfaces and removing lead chips and dust, especially in units housing children.Kleinberg assessed the companies $1.15 billion, with most of the money, $632.5 million, designated for Los Angeles County, where the vast majority of suspect units are located.In November 2017, a California appeals court narrowed the abatement program to homes built before 1951, when the paint companies said they ceased actively advertising residential lead-based paint. The companies were ordered to contribute to an abatement fund of $409 million."We are delighted that the Supreme Court did the right thing," Nanci E. Nishimura, an attorney for several of the jurisdictions, said Monday. "The message is clear: We have to move this fund ahead to remove lead that is still poisoning children."A spokesperson for Conagra and Sherwin-Williams called the California decision "an outlier ... at odds with courts across the country which have correctly held that companies should not be held retroactively liable for lawful conduct and truthful commercial speech decades after they took place." The companies observed that "the Supreme Court reviews very few cases."The material effect on the companies is uncertain, but is not likely to be large. Sherwin Williams recorded a profit of $1.8 billion on $15 billion in revenue in 2017, Conagra earned $808 million on revenue of $7.9 billion, and NL recorded a loss of $23 million on sales of $109 million.One major concern raised by business lobbies that filed friend-of-the-court briefs with the Supreme Court was the California judiciary's novel application of "public nuisance" doctrine to find the paint companies responsible.The doctrine is typically applied to combat ongoing activities, such as a homeowner operating a crack house or a factory with noxious emissions, "not to something that happened decades ago," Sean Hecht, an environmental law expert at the UCLA Law School, told me last year.Business groups are alarmed that the new notion of a public nuisance could "impose massive retroactive liability against American businesses for decades-old conduct that was lawful when it occurred," according to a brief the U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed with the high court. That could make companies liable for the effects of climate change or environmental pollution, among other problems.After the California appeals court ruled against them, the lead paint companies tried the end run of promoting a ballot initiative that would absolve them of liability and create a $2-billion bond-financed fund to abate the lead problems. They disingenuously labeled their measure the Healthy Homes and Schools Act of 2018, but Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra put the kibosh on that subterfuge by issuing his own title and summary for the initiative, redefining it as a measure that "eliminates certain liability for lead-paint manufacturers." A few months later, the companies withdrew the initiative.The basis of the California lawsuit was that the defendant companies' predecessors understood the health hazard of lead paint but nevertheless energetically promoted its use as a key to improving the durability and water-resistance of house paint. The dangers of lead had been known "since antiquity," Judge Kleinberg observed, and as early as the 19th century manufacturers were taking steps to warn their own workers against breathing lead dust on the factory floor.Articles warning about children's propensity to gnaw on painted surfaces and become poisoned with lead were common in medical journals by the 1920s: "A child lives in a lead world," advised a 1924 paper. By the 1930s, parents were warned to avoid using lead-based decorative materials in children's nurseries and bedrooms.Yet the industry kept advertising residential lead paint _ "Lead helps to guard your health," declared a 1923 magazine ad for Dutch Boy lead paint placed by National Lead Co., the precursor to NL Industries. "Property owners ... are using white-lead paint to prolong the lives of their houses."The Supreme Court's decision returns the case to the Superior Court in California, where the plaintiff communities will move to have a receiver appointed to oversee the $409-million fund.Dennis Hof, the flamboyant pimp and Republican nominee who was expected to win a seat in the Nevada state Assembly next month, has died at his signature brothel, according to Nye County officials.He was 72.Nye County spokesman Arnold Knightly said Hof's death was announced during the Nye County Commission meeting by Chairman John Koenig. Knightly said Koenig told the room that Hof "went to sleep last night and didn't wake up this morning."Detectives and deputies were at the Love Ranch Brothel in Crystal, just outside Pahrump, on Monday investigating the death.Nye County Sheriff Lt. David Boruchowitz said an employee at the brothel called authorities before 11 a.m. after Hof was found unresponsive and not breathing., according to The Associated Press.Hof, who had garnered national attention by unseating a three-term incumbent during a June primary, was the likely favorite to win the rural district that is overwhelmingly Republican.Chuck Muth, his campaign manager, also tweeted out the news of Hof's death.Hof, who first gained fame in an HBO series about his business, had just celebrated his birthday at a large party at another of his brothels, the Moonlight Bunny Ranch in Northern Nevada, on Saturday.In 2015, former L.A. Laker Lamar Odom was found unconscious at the Love Ranch after ingesting cocaine and numerous doses of a Viagra-like medication.Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has re-opened voter registration in four South Georgia counties where Hurricane Michael forced their election offices to close last week.Deal issued an executive order Monday extending the Oct. 9 voter registration deadline in Clay, Grady, Randolph and Turner counties. Those counties will accept voter registration applications through Tuesday, Oct. 16.These counties were the only four in Georgia that closed their election offices on the day of the voter registration deadline.Secretary of State Brian Kemp praised Deal for extending the deadline."With this extension, we can ensure that citizens in these counties can register to vote or update their voter record in time for the Nov. 6, 2018, election," Kemp said in a statement.Kemp, a Republican, is running for governor against Democrat Stacey Abrams.Early in-person voting began statewide Monday and lasts until Nov. 2. Election Day is Nov. 6.Why Are Police Convictions So Rare?

Criminal convictions for police-involved deaths are rare.Each year, about 1,000 police shootings result in fatalities, according to criminologist Philip Stinson of Bowling Green State University. But in the 12 years between 2005 and 2017, just 82 police officers were charged with murder or manslaughter for an on-duty shooting -- and only 28 of them were convicted.So it's especially remarkable that recent weeks have seen the convictions of officers in two different high-profile shooting cases.Earlier this month, a jury found Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke guilty of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. In late August, a Texas jury's decision led to a 15-year prison sentence for a former police officer in the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Jordan Edwards.For some, the twin convictions highlight some positive changes in police accountability."Its easy to say that things have not changed at all. But there has been change overall from just a few years ago," says David A. Harris, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh and host of the podcast "Criminal Injustice." In the past, he says, police misconduct incidents were viewed as a "one-off." Now, due to national media attention and public protest, more people look at these incidents as "symptoms of a larger set of issues."Other experts are careful not to attribute too much significance to these outcomes in Chicago and Texas."I definitely dont think you can say theres a trend [toward more police convictions] with this limited data," says John Burton, president of the board of directors for the National Police Accountability Project, which helps people file civil misconduct cases.When prosecutions and convictions do happen, which Burton says is "the exception and not the rule," they tend to follow special circumstances that were present in the Edwards and McDonald cases: Both received national media attention and involved police statements that conflicted with video footage. These cases also involved white officers and black victims, included at least one black juror and took place in big metropolitan areas. Such a combination of factors, experts say, distinguishes these cases from many other police shootings.There are several reasons police convictions are "the exception" rather than the rule.Generally, district attorneys offices are overwhelmed with criminal cases, and "its against the interest of a prosecutors office to prosecute the police officers they work with everyday," says Vida Johnson, a criminal defense attorney and law professor at Georgetown University.Prosecutors rely on officers to gather evidence and testimony that will determine whether criminal charges are warranted. "Then to actually prosecute the cases they need a police officer to be the witness at trial," Johnson says. This can create conflicts for officers faced with testifying against a co-worker. After the McDonald shooting, three of Van Dyke's fellow officers were charged with conspiring to cover up for him.If a prosecutor does decide to bring a case -- and if a trial takes place -- then there can be challenges with assembling a jury, says Johnson. All-white juries tend to favor police, and Johnson's research shows how some jury selection methods can decrease the number of jurors of color. Prosecutors accused Van Dyke's lawyers of striking black people from the jury.But some police accountability advocates are optimistic about a recent raft of more reform-minded candidates running for office. Philadelphias new District Attorney Larry Krasner, for example, is shaking up the way his office handles police incidents. In March, Krasner's office charged an officer with assault for allegedly beating a man during an arrest. Last month, a former Philadelphia officer was indicted on murder charges for fatally shooting a man in the back. It's reportedly the first time in nearly 20 years the Philadelphia District Attorney's office has charged an on-duty police officer with the death of a suspect.Still, experts like Harris and Burton believe there is an overemphasis on criminal prosecutions as a means of holding police accountable."I understand where that public call [for prosecutions] comes from," Harris says. "But it is hard when you consider that these are police who have the right to use force. I think we're better off focusing on other avenues."For example, civil lawsuits, which can challenge entire police departments or localities rather than a single offender in a criminal lawsuit, can sometimes mandate reforms for police practices. After a mentally ill black man was fatally shot by police in 2016 in Sacramento, Calif., for instance, his family demanded reforms in a civil lawsuit. The settlement spurred the city council to pass a number of measures, including a requirement for video from officer-involved shootings to be released within 30 days of the incident.In addition to civil cases, there is an "untapped potential for state law" to reform police, says Seth Stoughton, an associate law professor at the University of South Carolina who focuses on police regulation. For example, he says, "state minimum training requirements[for police] are embarrassingly limited."But changing state policing laws is easier said than done. Lawmakers face high political pressures when it comes to crime and policing. In California, one of the most liberal states in the nation, a bill that would restrict when police can use deadly force is currently on hold for the year, thanks in part to opposition from police unions.Harris of the University of Pittsburgh knows the convictions for the McDonald and Edwards' shootings dont solve every problem, but they are not insignificant."They show that convictions can be had," he says. "They are not impossible."State Action

One Size Does Not Fit All

As an affordable housing crisis continues to escalate in big cities and small towns alike, states are scrambling to find ways to combat it. This year, theres been a flurry of state legislation to tackle the problem  with radically different approaches that reflect the highly partisan national divide.Although local zoning rules typically play out in city council and suburban board meetings, states from South Carolina to Hawaii are getting involved. Sometimes this means removing zoning barriers to building affordable housing. And sometimes state lawmakers take the opposite approach, seeking to prevent cities from requiring that builders include affordable housing units in their developments.These days, its not just the poor who are having trouble finding affordable housing. The middle class is getting hit, too, housing analysts say.The United States housing market is at its least affordable in a decade. An October report by the Urban Institute found that one in four rural renters spends more than 50 percent of their income on rent. And the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies found that in 2017, nearly half of all renters across the country were rent-burdened, spending about a third of their income on housing, thanks to high construction costs, restrictive zoning laws and a shortage of private, low-cost housing.As a result, more states are beginning to intervene in what was once a purely local matter.Were really seeing things heat up this year, said Meghan McCann, senior policy specialist for the National Conference of State Legislatures.Most states do not have a housing strategy, said Elisha Harig-Blaine, program manager for housing at the National League of Cities. And as states are figuring out what to do, youre starting to see a bit of a [divided] response.Youre seeing the formation of these policies that could have unforeseen consequences and could make the housing crisis worse, Harig-Blaine said.Local control of housing is important  to an extent, said Carol Galante, a former Housing and Urban Development official who is now a professor of affordable housing and urban policy at the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California at Berkeley.But community zoning often bans anything other than single family homes. In such cases, Galante said, its important for states to step in and set the ground rules, because local zoning laws can be used improperly to keep out people based on race or income.Weve got an emergency on our hands in lots of states, Galante said. Sometimes you have to go to a higher authority. We had to do that in the civil rights movement.Last month, California Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, signed a passel of housing laws, most of which try to ease zoning restrictions around building affordable housing. Even so, some zoning bills, such as one that would have required cities to build apartments near transit hubs, failed. Last year, the Golden State passed a batch of housing laws that imposed real estate transaction fees, streamlined the approval process for developers and put a $4 billion bond on the 2018 ballot to help subsidize affordable housing.In April, the Connecticut House passed an affordable housing bill introduced by Gov. Dannel Malloy, a Democrat. If it becomes law, it will require cities to end bans on multi-family housing units. It was aimed at roughly two dozen communities in the state with zoning laws that either restricted or outright banned affordable housing, according to the Connecticut Mirror.Carrots in the form of state incentives had not worked, Malloy told reporters in February in promoting the legislation.Lawmakers in other states  Massachusetts, New Jersey and South Carolina  have introduced bills that would encourage cities to either ease up on zoning restrictions or would require them to add so-called inclusionary zoning policies, which require developers to set aside affordable housing units.Were in a place now where affordable housing is a major issue, to the point where people who work for the city of Charleston  city employees, law enforcement, first responders, school teachers  cannot afford to live in the city of Charleston, said South Carolina state Rep. David Mack, a Democrat who sponsored a bill there last year. The bill was sent to committee in May.In Louisiana, after New Orleans officials suggested requiring affordable housing units in some new developments, the state Legislature this spring tried to repeal the state provision that allows such inclusionary zoning. The bill, which would have instead added incentives to developers, was backed by the Louisiana Home Builders Association, according to news reports. But Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, vetoed it.Lawmakers in Hawaii and Tennessee also introduced legislation this year that would ban locales from adopting inclusionary zoning. The Hawaii bill is still in committee, but the Tennessee law, which was aimed at blocking Nashvilles affordable housing efforts, passed in March. Tennessee joins Texas, the only other state that bans inclusionary zoning. Housing advocates in Texas say that law has thwarted efforts to build more affordable housing.Hawaii state Rep. Tom Brower, a Democrat who sponsored the legislation, said requiring developers to set aside affordable housing units through inclusionary zoning ordinances, while well-intended, can actually make the housing problem there worse. Inclusionary zoning ultimately acts as a tax for developers, he said, which serves as a disincentive. The state recently passed legislation to provide incentives to local builders.Developers say they want to build as long as the projects pencil out, Brower said in an interview. They need a certain combination of higher income units to subsidize the lower income units.Policies that require builders to set aside affordable housing units miss the point, said Howard Husock, vice president for research and publications at the libertarian-leaning Manhattan Institute. Rather than focusing on building housing around income type, cities should open up zoning to allow for different types of housing, he said, such as less expensive houses on smaller lots.That creates a housing ladder of aspiration. As families move up the economic ladder, he said, they go from renting to buying.But if we don't have a variety of housing types, Huscock said, then we consign people to renting forever and wishing to move to a house with a white picket fence but never being able to get there.Not everyone is convinced that states should be intervening.We need state and federal help. But now is not the right time for the state and federal government to intercede and do the cities job, said Michael Wallace, program director for community and economic development at the National League of Cities. These are fundamentally neighborhood issues.He said states should work closely with city officials to tailor policies that fit the needs of their communities.State-mandated housing policy tends to take a one-size-fits-all approach that doesnt work for local communities, said Geoff Beckwith, executive director and CEO of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, an advocacy group representing cities and towns in the state. Beckwith isnt opposed to state legislation on zoning, but its far better, he said, when state lawmakers collaborate with local governments to find a solution.With zoning, one size misfits all, he said. For example, in the eastern part of Massachusetts, affordable housing is at crisis levels  even for the middle class, necessitating zoning changes to build more units. But in the more rural and suburban western Massachusetts, where finding housing isnt so fraught, strict zoning laws wouldnt make any sense, he said.Earlier this year, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, announced a plan to build 135,000 new housing units over the next five or so years. One way he aims to do this is through a bill he introduced that would make it easier to pass new zoning changes by lowering the number of lawmakers needed to approve them from two-thirds to more than 50 percent. The bill has not been put to a vote.Another Massachusetts bill tackling affordable housing didnt make it out of committee this legislative session. It would have banned cities and towns from passing zoning laws that effectively discriminate against apartment buildings that cater to families by limiting the size of apartments.The legislation was crafted by the Citizens Housing and Planning Association, a local advocacy group. The groups policy director, Eric Shupin, said it used as a template a 2011 North Carolina fair housing law that outlawed using zoning to discriminate against affordable housing units.(TNS)  On the first day of early voting in Georgia, election precincts in Fulton County encountered technology issues that created long lines.A spokesperson for the county, April Majors, said the issue was with the machine used by poll workers to verify voter registration. Because the machine wasnt working, poll workers had to verify voters information manually, which took much more time than the machine would have.In an emailed statement at 12:40 p.m., the countys department of registration and elections said, Fulton Countys early voting polling locations at libraries are experiencing network technical issues. Unfortunately, they are unable to quickly verify voters registrations.They county followed up with another emailed statement about an hour later, saying all early voting locations were back to normal operations.The countys Information Technology Department worked diligently to resolve the issue, the statement read.The problem was initially affecting the entire county, but as of lunchtime was only impacting some precincts.Jerry Hudspeth, 73, of Johns Creek, said he went to vote Monday morning at the Johns Creek Library. Hudspeth said he and about 40 other people stood in line for 20 minutes and the line didnt budge.A poll worker came out and said they were having problems with the internet. Most people left, Hudspeth said. He came back to vote later, around 11:45 a.m., and said the line seemed to be moving.Fulton County has had months to prepare for this and told everybody to vote early, Hudspeth said. It was very disappointing.Amy Dosik of Sandy Springs said she encountered similar problems when she went to vote around 8:30 a.m. at the North Fulton County Government Center on Roswell Road. Dosik said she was about the 20th person in line, but there were many more people behind her.Poll workers came out and began asking voters to fill out paper absentee ballots. According to Dosik, the poll workers said that the electronic voting machines were on, but they werent loading the list of registered voters.Dosik said that she was able to cast her ballot and she didnt see any voters turned away. She added that there was a poll monitor present, which was encouraging to see.(TNS) - The ambitious five-year plan to raze 13 buildings to mitigate flooding in historic Ellicott City was partially approved last week when Executive Allan Kittleman signed legislation that partially funds the $50 million, five-year plan.The bills approval was lauded by many who endured major flooding in 2011, 2016 and May.But plans demolition, widening streams and creating an open space  must clear multiple hurdles. And this could take a very long time.The county must award itself a permit for demolition. Before this happens, it must obtain a certificate of approval from the Historic Preservation Commission, an independent entity housed under the countys Department of Planning and Zoning that reviews request to alter, move or demolish structures in historic areas.When reviewing requests, the commission must give consideration to the significance of the structure, its relationship to the surrounding area and compatibility with the proposed exterior design. But Preservation Maryland, a Baltimore-based nonprofit that opposes the county plan, fears a new bill would dramatically change the way the commission vets the $50 million plan.The bill, which is co-sponsored by Councilmen Jon Weinstein, Greg Fox and Mary Kay Sigaty, would require the commission to approve requests that would work to protect against threats to public safety.This bill would effectively turn the commission into a rubber stamp for the demolition plan, said Nicholas Redding, executive director of Preservation Maryland. Weinstein has preciously said the bill is not an end-around the law.The chairman of the commission has described some of the language in the bill as concerning, but declined to elaborate. The commission has yet to take an official stance and is exploring sending a letter or representative to testify at a County Council hearing tonight.The county needs non-tidal wetlands and waterway permits from the Maryland Department of the Environment.This plan is seen as a major project because it will permanently impact the area and permit approval will take one year.Howard is also require to notify the state before demolishing buildings because it could unearth asbestos, minerals that when disturbed can cause dangerous exposure.The county is required to survey the area for the toxic mineral and, if necessary, contract someone to properly remove and dispose of it.A typical permit from the Army Corps of Engineers would take 30 to 60 days for approval. But because the projects are in a historic area, the timeline is elongated because it requires a process in which officials assess if the plans will alter (directly or indirectly) the characteristics that place the town on the National Register of Historic Places.The corps could also deny the countys permit. Permit denials occur when practical alternative[s] to the proposed project that is less damaging to the aquatic ecosystem, said to Becca Nappi, a spokesman for the corps Baltimore office. Nappi said denials are rare.The alternatives presented include creating of two tunnels that allow water to flow into the Patapsco River. This project would cost $80 million, take more than five years and will only work if the Patapscos waters stay at a low level, according to Mark Deluca, deputy director of the public works.The plans continuation is closely linked to funding. The county wants o acquire $20 million in reimbursements from Federal Emergency Management Agency. But before this happens, it must front the money. Throughout the next few years, funding will be delineated through the annual budgets, which must be submitted by the county executive and approved by the County Council.The incoming council could vote against budgets that fund the projects. The county executive could simply choose to not request monies.If Kittleman is re-elected, the likelihood of this happening is slim. He previously praised the council for voting to partially fund the plan and he defended it when a third-party engineering report implored the county to consider alternatives to razing.The time for studying is over, Kittleman said in a statement. We must now implement a plan that protects lives, adding it was based on years of data and scientific analysis.Councilman Calvin Ball, his Democratic opponent, voted against the three funding bills because his amendments, which he believed would would address the plans shortfalls, were not included.Ball in an email said that while he might not stop flood mitigation projects in process, I would always look for more effective alternative solutions that did not leave 4-6' feet of deadly water in residential and retail areas after five years and $50 million.2018 Columbia Flier, Md.Visit Columbia Flier, Md. at www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/columbia/Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.NEWARK, N.J.  Sure, modern cities still have to support basic infrastructures like streets and water lines. But some leading cities in the country are looking to grow new types of infrastructure in areas like fiber networks and micro-electric grids.Chattanooga, Tenn., for example, is blanketed in a 600-square-mile fiber-optic communications network bringing super-high-speed Internet connections to every home and business. Its part of a mission to grow high-wage jobs, Chattanooga Mayor Andrew Berke said.For us, in 2018, its all about wages. Its not just getting a job. Its being able to pay the bills, Berke said during a discussion at the 2018 MetroLab Network Summit at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark Oct. 15. For us, what we want to do is find those high-wage jobs.MetroLab is a network of more than 35 city-university partnerships to grow innovation and smart city projects. The concept of partnerships was a key theme during the summits first panel discussion, which brought together the mayors from Chattanooga, Newark and Pittsburgh, Pa. The talk was moderated by Martin OMalley, the former governor of Maryland and mayor of Baltimore.Pittsburgh is in the throes of developing several micro-electric grids, where power is produced at small, local and sustainable sites. The city has two completed, one under construction and four proposed, said Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto. The concept of microgrids in Pittsburgh is grounded in the idea of partnering with utility providers to create an electric delivery network that is more resilient as well as sustainable. Pittsburgh aims to create all of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.In fact, the last steel mill in the city  a more than 180-acre site  that closed a decade ago, will be converted to a microgrid site to produce all renewable energy. Pittsburgh  and other cities that have made similar commitments  can be a leader in overhauling the nations energy production toward renewable sources, said Peduto.The motivation is that western Pennsylvania is fueled, not primarily, but by coal and nuclear, he explained. Theres other options on the menu, and we should be looking at how the city itself can become the leader in showing us where Pennsylvania is going.Developing microgrids in Pittsburgh, or fiber communications in Newark and Chattanooga, will require partnerships, Peduto stressed.There is no way cities can do it by themselves, said Peduto.We can convene people together. But its going to require a partnership. And I know that public-private partnerships, in some circles, are looked at as evil. Its the corporate takeover of public assets, he added.We need to create a peoples plan for those types of partnerships that allow us to put the needed investment into our infrastructure, said Peduto. And thats where MetroLab plays its part. Because if we can leverage universities, working across this country, to come up with a new envelope for a public-private partnership that will allow us to keep our assets public, allow us to be able to upgrade when its failing, create a system of systems, then were creating a new model for the 21st century that will be here for the 22nd.(TNS)  The six-person Republican congressional delegation from Kansas recommended Monday the Federal Communications Commission bolster financial support for a fund relied upon to improve broadband service in high-cost rural areas.U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts as well as U.S. Reps. Lynn Jenkins, Kevin Yoder, Roger Marshall and Ron Estes urged FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to reconsider the commission's budget-control mechanism that undercut the percentage of subsidized cost recovery provided to companies through the Universal Service Fund."Full funding of the program, as designed, helps ensure that rural Kansans have access to high-quality, affordable broadband and voice services comparable to those available in urban areas," the Kansas delegation said.The lawmakers said in a joint letter that FCC action reducing subsidies to Kansas by $13 million during a 12-month period in 2018 and 2019 would hamper rural providers' attempts to invest in connectivity.The letter said half of Kansas was served by rural carriers, and alteration of the funding stream threatened to postpone projects and increase consumer broadband rates.In 2017, Moran endorsed Pai's nomination to serve a five-year term on the FCC. The senator did so while praising the Parsons native's commitment to "bringing rural communities into the digital fold so that millions more Americans have quality, reliable access to broadband and wireless connectivity."Digging

Testing

(TNS)  Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach's office failed to produce records this summer showing it had certified the voting equipment used by hundreds of thousands of Kansans.State statute requires the Secretary of State to certify equipment before it is purchased by counties and to keep such certification on file. But the office, responding to a Kansas Open Records Act request in June, could provide only two letters of equipment certification that Kobach issued in the last five years.Yet some counties  including Reno and Finney, as well as Sedgwick, Wyandotte, and Shawnee  have purchased systems since October 2013 that were not the systems mentioned in the two certification letters in Topeka. Why were they omitted?"Quite frankly, just shooting from the hip, I don't know," said State Director of Elections Bryan Caskey in the Secretary of State's office. The request came as efforts were under way to update records, Caskey said, and he gave "everything I had at my fingertips.""I'm acknowledging," he said, "I don't know the answer, shooting from my hip.""Yes, it's on the list of things to do. No, I haven't finished it yet," Caskey said of updating certification records. "Every piece of voting equipment used in the state has been certified to the state and national level," he repeatedly emphasized.Counties individually choose their election machines, and the list of what system a county is using was last revised on the Secretary of State's website in October 2007. A survey is gathering current data from county clerks. The new list, however, may not be available until after the election.Duane Schrag, a former reporter atand a retired editor living in Abilene, filed a Kansas Open Records Act request June 15 with the Secretary of State for copies of election equipment certification documents issued since Oct. 5, 2013.Counties have purchased voting systems in recent years to replace aging machines. The response to Schrag were two letters: An August 2017 letter signed by Kobach certifying Election Systems & Software's EVS 5.4.0.0, and a similar January 2018 letter certifying Unisyn OpenElect Voting System 2.0. "At this time, there are no other other public records in existence beyond what has already been provided to you," the office's senior counsel Sue Becker wrote Schrag.Schrag knew Saline County had purchased a new system and it wasn't either of those systems. Schrag sent questions to Saline County Clerk Jamie Allen and in short order, the Secretary of State's office was contacted and it verified Saline County's EVS 5.2.2.0 indeed was certified in April 2017.However, this certification sent to Schrag appeared in a Microsoft Word document with no Secretary of State's letterhead. The Word document was created July 27, 2018, when the Secretary of State's office was responding to the inquiries about Saline County's equipment. It is possible, Caskey told The News, that he created that certification letter in a new version of Word from an old document. He also said he wasn't sure he had the original document when he sent that new Word document dated in 2017.Sedgwick County's Chief Deputy Election Commissioner Sandra Gritz informed Schrag the certification it received from the Secretary of State for its equipment was "verbal."Finney County Clerk/Election Officer Dori Munyan, less than a year in her post, referred questions about its equipment certification document from the Secretary of State to that office. Wichita County, which also uses equipment not mentioned in the two certification records, also referredto Topeka for certification records about its equipment.Jenna Fager, deputy election officer in the Reno County Clerk's office, supplied The News with a copy of the Kobach-signed certification dated 2017 for the equipment Reno County bought that year. Fager was aware certification was a prerequisite to a purchase and she obtained the state's certification letter from the vendor, ElectionSource.The U.S. Election Assistance Commission contracts third-party independent testing authorities to test election equipment. Components are tested, and if a machine or software is modified, it must be tested and certified again. Kansas relies on the EAC-contracted testing and does not authorize its own testing. The EAC issues its certification first. "We never get in front of the EAC. The EAC certifies first," Caskey said.Brian McClendon, a Lawrence Democrat running for Secretary of State, questions the EAC-contracted testing that occurred before Johnson County used its new machines in the August primary election. The rest of the state waited for Johnson County's delayed results, blamed on problems uploading to software. Modifications in Johnson County software ahead of the general election have required new testing and certification. The EAC and state certifications have been secured, Johnson County Election Commissioner Ronnie Metsker told the press last week.McClendon said his approach to testing the equipment in Johnson County would have been to hire 200 people to test the equipment by "voting" for 12 hours, to simulate a voting site with 200 machines in continual use on election day. The simulation would continue by collecting the data on a memory stick.Rob Hodgkinson, a Libertarian from Stilwell also running for Secretary of State, said the EAC "has some of its own credibility issues." Former Johnson County Election Commissioner Brian Newby, now at the helm of the EAC, stirred a controversy athe EAC when he OK'd proof-of-citizenship for some voter registration forms.As for testing procedures, Hodgkinson said it "looks like there's an awful lot of rubber stamping" instead of testing. Caskey, though, said counties carry out considerable testing of voting machines.Overall, Hodgkinson thinks "there's too much secrecy around elections in Kansas." The election audit legislation that emerged from the Statehouse is "very, very weak," he said, and the 2018 election will not be audited.McClendon doesn't fault Caskey or other staff in the Secretary of State's office. They are very good, but they are being politically restricted, McClendon said. "I would unleash them to do their jobs well," he said.reached a spokesperson for Kobach, but there was no response from the Secretary, the Republican candidate for governor.Scott Schwab, an Olathe Republican running for Secretary of State, also did not respond.Technology will continue to change the work of law enforcement and staying ahead will mean not just adopting the latest tools but hiring and retaining the best employees, forging unique partnerships and even reorganizing the force, according to a new report from Accenture.In Reimagining the Police Workforce: A Vision for the Future , the technology company surveyed 309 people in policing and law enforcement around the world, in Australia, France, Germany, Singapore, the United States and the United Kingdom. Authors found the core mission of law enforcement, which it defined as protecting the public, preventing crime and keeping the peace, while maintaining the publics trust hasnt changed. But if agencies intend to continue to effectively serve, theyll have to develop a more agile workforce and rely on an increasingly expanded ecosystem of partners, authors wrote, whether in traditional policing or a more preventative policing model.Jody Weis, Accentures public safety lead for North America, and a former FBI and Chicago Police Department (CPD) official, said he was pleased to find more agencies actually using some form of artificial intelligence (AI) than he thought. The report noted 62 percent of law enforcement professionals said AI would have a positive impact on their jobs, while 76 percent predicted digital skills would be more in demand during the next three to five years. A clear majority of those surveyed, or 75 percent, expect digital skills to be required during that time period and are eager to embrace those skills, while only slightly fewer, 67 percent, were motivated to stay in law enforcement.I think its really important for police executives to start thinking about the future today. Youre going to have to have a workforce thats diverse, its going to be agile, its going to have to understand how to use technology. It cant be afraid of it as some of us old-timers might have been, said Weis, a CPD superintendent from 2008-2011.He acknowledged a resistance to change and skepticism toward technology do still persist in law enforcement. But the law enforcement unit of the future should look and perform differently than its predecessors, the reports authors wrote, proposing it consist of a strategic nucleus of senior leadership guiding a core police workforce that would be assisted and augmented by a variety of public and private partners.The adaptive workforce will provide access to specialists such as cybersecurity and data experts, volunteers, wisdom workers, and alumni, the report noted, adding: Role descriptions will become less important as emphasis is placed on whether each person has the right skills for the job at hand. Weis compared it to the FBI strategy of gathering task forces to address counter-terrorism, gang investigations and the like.The report, released Oct. 8, in conjunction with the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Orlando, Fla., also recommended law enforcement build radical relationships with partners. These, authors noted, could include residents, academia, startups and tech providers, charities, banks and the private sector. Among police professionals surveyed, 56 percent indicated they expected greater sharing resources and skills between agencies going forward, with 85 percent indicating they had positive feelings about the change.Even as authors suggested a change in the composition of law enforcement units, they identified an ongoing change in the skill sets valued, underscoring the significance of soft skills. Sixty percent of those surveyed said police professionals will need more communication and collaboration skills in the future, while 53 percent identified a need for softer skills like empathy, negotiation and creativity.Jim Burch, executive vice president of the National Police Foundation, agreed the law enforcement workforce will have to change to attract younger people accustomed to asking why and questioning traditional methods, and who may have the needed skill sets  but may not have risen through the ranks of patrol.The traditions of policing and the traditions of the paramilitary model in policing are going to be very difficult traditions to break. We have to sort of challenge ourselves, I think, to reimagine what it could be like and should be like, and I would suggest that the new generation needs to be a part of that conversation, Burch said.Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, agreed the workplace and the workforce are changing and said a meeting the group will convene Dec. 4 in Washington, D.C., may touch on related issues including employee retention.These millennials and (Generation Z), they look at work differently and so, for them, the paramilitary structure is a hierarchical challenge that they dont face in most jobs. Its all very archaic, if you will, for the generation that is increasingly more inquisitive, questioning, challenging of authority and more, sort of professionally ambitious, Wexler said, characterizing the shift underway as moving from crime fighter to problem solver.Bill Schrier, senior adviser to FirstNet, and former deputy director of the Center for Digital Government,* said theres a dichotomy around tech in law enforcement between older and younger staff members and their use and embrace of it. He recommended agencies adopt a mobile-first approach to tech because of the professions field-based work, but also leaned heavily on soft skills like communication, approachability and engagement.That skill, the ability to interact with people, which is so important to police officers, might actually be harder to find in the future. Because of technology, Schrier said, highlighting the dominance of video games and being immersed in screens.Law enforcement can and is, report authors wrote, enhancing its work through tech. The speed and quality of actions and decision-making, they said, could be dramatically improved through the use and analysis of data, and cited mobile devices, wearables, virtual reality devices, sensors and drones as just a few of the technologies now in use. This use, writers said, could flatten hierarchies as employees with less experience are able to take on more responsibility.Encouraging a culture of experimentation, they said, is key to success in the digital age, pointing out only 45 percent of police professionals surveyed agreed their agencies had a creative and open-minded culture.Only 40 percent of those surveyed rated their police forces recruitment strategy as effective, calling hiring new recruits vital to the future but difficult. The key, the report said, could be targeted digital recruitment strategies that bust myths of what police work is like, and a personalized approach to onboarding and career pathways. Smart use of emerging tech like biometric wearables, the authors wrote, could help promote a resilient, engaged and productive workforce by assessing officers well-being.Again, you just have to be creative, and this goes back to my point of view of hiring the right people, especially in the IT departments, that look for those creative ways to work together rather than just taking a challenge and making it a hurdle that somebody cant get over. Its like Lets figure a way to make this happen, Weis said.Government Technology'sA research team in China conducted a longitudinal panel study among 43 non-smoking college students in Shanghai to explore the effects of personal ozone exposure on blood pressure (BP), vascular endothelial function, and the potential molecular mechanisms.

Endothelial cells line the inside of the heart and blood vessels and release substances that control vascular relaxation and contraction as well as enzymes that control blood clotting, immune function and platelet (a colorless substance in the blood) adhesion.

In the study, published in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology, the researchers measured real-time personal ozone exposure levels, serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and endothelin-1 (ET-1), and locus-specific DNA methylation of ACE and EDN1 (coding ET-1).

They used an untargeted metabolomic approach to explore potentially important metabolites and applied linear mixed-effect models to examine the effects of ozone on the above biomarkers.





They found an increase in 2 h-average ozone exposure was significantly associated with elevated levels of BP, ACE, and ET-1. ACE and EDN1 methylation decreased with ozone exposure, but the magnitude differed by genomic loci.

Metabolomics analysis showed significant changes in serum lipid metabolites following ozone exposure that are involved in maintaining vascular endothelial function.

 our findings suggested that an acute exposure to ambient ozone can elevate serum levels of ACE and ET-1, decrease their DNA methylation, and alter the lipid metabolism, which may be partly responsible for the effects of ozone on BP and vascular endothelial function. Our study highlighted a potential mechanistic pathway for the increased BP and vascular endothelial dysfunction induced by short-term ozone exposure. Xia et al.

ResourcesToshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS) concluded a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with National Electrification Administration (NEA), an government organization of the Philippines, on the implementation of H2One, a hydrogen-based autonomous energy supply system with renewable energy and the use of hydrogen as a fuel for power generation in the Philippines.

Under the MOU, Toshiba ESS and NEA will study the installation site, the optimum system specifications in the Philippines, and the operation system, including maintenance.

In the Philippines, half of the current energy supply is from coal and oil-fired thermal power. The country is also reliant on imports of these fuels, and increasingly sees renewable energy as a chance to improve the self-sufficiency of its energy supply. The country seeks solutions for remote islands with low electrification rates, and ways to reduce risk from typhoons and other natural disasters.

H2One is an integrated system that uses a renewable energy source to electrolyze water to produce hydrogen, and stores and uses the hydrogen in fuel cells to provide stable delivery of CO 2 -free, environmentally-friendly electricity and hot water.





One of the application of H2One is the Off-grid solution distributed energy system that allows the supply of clean and stable energy, without influence from the weather, to islands currently reliant on diesel and other generating systems such as thermal power.

Toshiba ESS has been conducting a survey project to develop applications for the H2One in remote islands in the Philippines and Indonesia. Toshiba ESS has already reached a partnership agreement with Badan Pengkajian dan Penerapan Teknologi, an Indonesian government organization, for the spread of H2One throughout Indonesia.News

Spare parts dealer robbed of Dhs4,400 and a mobile in Dubai

The details of the incident date back to last July, when a spare parts dealer reported that an Asian gang had assaulted him and stole Dhs4,400 from his wallet after luring him under the pretext of a 'fake' deal for spare parts.



Haiti - Politic : Follow-up visit of PM of modernization works of the city of Belladere





On Sunday, as part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the city of Belladere by President Dumarsais Estime [August 1946 to May 1950], Prime Minister Jean Henry Ceant made a follow-up visit to the state of progress of the rehabilitation works of the old public buildings of the city.



The Head of Government reiterated the promises made, last March, by the President of the Republic, to honor the memory of the visionary Dumarsais Estime by continuing his work of modernization of border towns.



Thus the Belladerois will be proud of the renovation of the administrative complex where will be housed the communal offices of Agriculture, Public Works and the Directorate General of Taxes (DGI).



In addition, the city will be equipped with newly rehabilitated premises such as the buildings of the Departmental Vice-Delegation, the National Bank of Credit (BNC), the Court of Peace, the Club Hotel and the Town Hall.



In addition, Prime Minister Ceant welcomed the ongoing construction work, of a boulevard 34 meters wide by 5 km long bearing the name of the President Estime, to make the city more attractive and less congest.



Finally, as part of the deconcentration policy, the Ceant administration announced that a substantial portion of the local taxes will be allocated to the continuation of the major modernization works of the city of Belladere



HL/ HaitiLibre





















Haiti - Virgin Islands : A Haitian convicted of migrant smuggling





On Friday, Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards convicted the Haitian national Luc Eloi of being part of a smuggling ring that smuggled by sea 21 migrants into the British Virgin Islands past year.



In her decision, she said she was convinced "beyond a reasonable doubt" that Eloi was working with Captain Carwill Potter, who pleaded guilty several months ago, adding that she believed that the $1,400 found on Eloi on the day of his arrest was in part or in full, the proceeds of his crime.



In rendering the verdict, Me Richards recounted the statements of Eloi who asserts in his defense to be a migrant who had chosen to stay on board with Captain Potter while all the others landed.



She added "I find it incredible that he (Eloi) was just an innocent person being smuggled [...] I could not believe his account of what happened," adding that the witnesses' statements that Luc Eloi was an interpreter and an assistant to the Captain were credible.



Luc Eloi, who had only pleaded guilty to illegal entry into the Virgin Islands, is expected to be sentenced on 1 November 2018. Captain Potter is currently serving a 30-month prison sentence for his role in the smuggling of migrants.



SL/ HaitiLibre

















(HedgeCo.Net) The Securities and Exchange Commission has announced that Harold L. Altvater was convicted on three counts of securities fraud.

The Commission previously charged Altvater and two other individuals with insider trading in civil actions filed on June 27, 2017. The criminal charges against Altvater are based on the same conduct underlying the SECs action against him. The SECs complaint alleged that on three occasions between October 2013 and January 2014, Altvater traded in Ariads stock in advance of announcements about the safety profile and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval status of Ariads only FDA-approved drug. According to the SECs complaint, Altvater illegally traded on the basis of non-public information he learned from his wife, an Ariad employee. Altvater allegedly traded in Ariad stock shortly after his wife learned material non-public information regarding Ariads ongoing dealings with the FDA. By purchasing shares ahead of a positive announcement, and selling shares ahead of negative announcements, Altvater allegedly avoided losses and obtained insider trading profits totaling $102,026. Further, the SECs complaint alleged that Altvater tipped a friend, who also profited by trading Ariad stock on the basis of non-public information learned from Altvaters wife.

The SECs action against Altvater is ongoing. The SEC charged Altvater with violations of the antifraud provisions of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and is seeking a permanent injunction, disgorgement plus prejudgment interest and a civil penalty.Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349The clip above is from, a film still being shot with the goal of a February release. Director Angel Camilo, a naturalized U.S. citizen who immigrated from the Dominican Republic, presents the story of two young brothers of Salvadoran origin crossing the U.S./Mexico border illegally. It's a trip that changes their lives forever.is an emotionally powerful and compelling drama, as you can see from the clip above, that shows the courage and determination of Rafa Guerra to help his brother after he become paraplegic while fighting to fulfill his own dreams of becoming a successful artist in a cruel and foreign land. I spoke with Sandra Hernandez of Latino Media, Angel's executive producer. Her family moved to the U.S. from El Salvador when she was a child and she is also a naturalized citizen. She sees the necessity of increasing voter awareness and action, especially among the young Latino population and feels that, although that's not whatis about, crossing the border to follow your dreams very much is. "If," she told me, "we allowed our leaders to change the laws so that people like the main character of the movie have access to policies that are more open. The purpose of young voters is to change the policies for a better and more inclusive future." For those who would like to support the production of the movie please click on this GoFundMe link to make a donation.

Can anyone blame their plight on the DCCC? Only me. Other than the sheer incompetence and corruption of the DCCC, it has never made any sense to me that Republicans keep getting elected over and over again in congressional districts with huge Latino populations-- like CA-10 (Jeff Denham), CA-21 (David Valadao), CA-22 (Devin Nunes) and TX-23 (Will Hurd). Except for Denham, they are favored to win next month. These are the 538 forecasts in these districts:

Needless to say, the DCCC was guilty of jaw-dropping weak recruitment again. You'd think, may they would have recruited a Latino in the 4 districts? They didn't-- not even one. And if you're asking, yes, Pelosi has lost her marbles. NBC News, however, pointed to greater Democratic problems with Latinos in a piece Sunday by Alex Seitz-Wall and Benjy Sarlin. First the obvious: "Given Trump's rhetoric about immigrants and his border policies, you'd think Hispanics would be leading a march to the polls. They aren't."

"Even with phenom Senate candidate Beto ORourke at the top of the Texas ticket," they wrote," it hasn't been easy, as Democratic officials, party operatives and tied-in organizations in this state and across the country are seeing signs-- surprising to some-- that many Hispanics may sit out the midterms. The lack of enthusiasm among Latinos has party leaders concerned that a key part of the coalition needed to take back the House and Senate may stay home." People are pissed off and discouraged and ask-- why bother to vote if people like Trump win anyway? Cook's House editor, Dave Wasserman: "There's a mountain of evidence showing Latino voters are a weak point for Democrats this cycle."

Nationally, Latino voters favor a Democratic Congress over a Republican one by 64-21 percent, according to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal Telemundo poll last month. But self-reported interest in the election is low, according to the same survey, and the picture in some individual races looks even worse for Democrats.





On paper, some of congressional Democrats' best opportunities to pick up seats come from heavily Hispanic districts that are currently held by Republicans, but which Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Yet those are also some of the places where recent polls are showing Democratic candidates not doing as well as anticipated.





In Miami, Democrats risk blowing what was once seen as a sure-thing after they nominated former Bill Clinton Cabinet secretary Donna Shalala, who doesn't speak Spanish. Next door, GOP Rep. Carlos Curbelo is neck-and-neck with a Democratic challenger in a 70 percent Latino district that Clinton won by 16 percentage points.





In Nevada, incumbent Republican Sen. Dean Heller has been able to cling to a narrow lead by keeping a healthy 38 percent of Latino voters in his camp, according to a recent NBC News/Marist poll. And in the Las Vegas suburbs, handicappers just downgraded Democrats' prospects of holding onto the majority non-white 4th Congressional District.





Not far away in California, where Democrats are well-positioned to overcome 80 years of Republican dominance in the wealthy suburbs of Orange County, two GOP incumbents, Reps. Jeff Denham and David Valadao, look relatively strong in heavily Hispanic parts of the Central Valley.





And in Arizona, Democrat David Garcia's campaign to become the states first Latino governor has struggled to gain traction, even though Clinton came closer to winning that state in 2016 than any Democrat in years.





But nowhere is the Latino challenge this year more evident than Texas.





O'Rourke, who is of Irish descent but adopted a Hispanic nickname, needs strong backing from Latinos to win against Cruz in the heavily Republican state. Cruz, whose father was born in Cuba, is earning the support of almost four-in-10 Latino voters, according to a Quinnipiac poll.





"The problem with Texas for Democrats is not that it's a red state, it's that it's a non-voting state," Julian Castro, the former Housing and Urban Development Secretary and ex-mayor of San Antonio, told NBC News. "The issue we have is with ourselves00 it's getting more people registered to vote, it's getting the Hispanic community to turn out and vote."





...About 55 percent of Latino voters reported that they had not yet been contacted by a campaign or party about registering to vote this year, according to a Latino Decisions survey for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials last week.





Hispanic turnout traditionally lags behind other demographic groups, especially in midterm elections, where it dropped to a record low of 27 percent nationally in 2014, compared with 45 percent among whites, according to the Pew Research Center. And recent polls show Latinos less enthused about November than other minorities.





The issue is compounded by the fact that the Latino voting population skews younger than the overall one... Some Democrats worry this dynamic has created a dangerous cycle of futility: The party needs to engage millions of young Hispanic voters to win tomorrow, but pursuing them means less time spent on voters who are likely to show up and decide elections today.





...O'Rourke told NBC News that he's had to defy political consultants and experts who encourage him to focus only on those voters who data show are most likely to turn out next month.





"They say, 'There are so few days left, time and money is so precious, don't spend it on people who traditionally don't vote,'" O'Rourke said. "Our response to that is, I would't vote either if no one ever showed up to where I am, listened to me, included me in what they campaigned on and what they wanted to delivered on."





But Democrats and activists worry that years of neglect may put a ceiling on ORourke's potential.





"(Democrats) don't invest in grassroots organization, they don't invest in the year-round work that needs to happen after an election cycle," said Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez, the founder of Jolt, which is trying to organize young Latino voters in the state. "Beto's greatest hurdle is the lack of infrastructure that exists in the Latino community."Spotsylvania grunts get their say

Folks sometimes ask me what sets Virginias Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park apart from other hallowed grounds. I remind them that if you visit battlefields such as Gettysburg, Antietam, or Manassas, you will see giant equestrian statues memorializing the commanders at these engagements: Lee, Jackson, Longstreet, Meade, Reynoldsstone sentinels dominating the landscape. But when you visit the fields at Fredericksburg, you will see no such monuments. In fact, the only statue on the battlefield proper is Richard Kirklands The Angel of Maryes Heights monument, which depicts two common infantrymen. Spotsylvania Battlefield is also vacant of these marquee statues.

Although recognized officers on both sides were present during these battles, it is the contributions of the common soldier that are commemorated. The grunts get the credit, and it is their stories, recorded in letters home, that need to be shared.

Our first recollection comes from Michael F. Rinker of Company F, 136th Virginia Militia, who wrote to his parents a few weeks into the Overland Campaign:

Camp Near Spotsylvania Court-House Va

Tuesday May the 17th 1864

Dear Father and Mother Today it is 14 days since we commenced fighting and yesterday the cannon and small arms were still at work.[T]he hardest fighting was on the 5, 6 & 7 and on the 9, 10 & 11 days of this month. During them six days it was awful.For six days the Battle was kept up, all the time day and night, in the dead hour of midnight, the cannon & musketry was thundering all the time. Column after column the Yankees pushed their men up to our Breastworks and our men were cutting them down as fast as flies. The dead Yankees are heaped up in piles half as high as a man, in front of our Breastworks, and all around on the Battlefield the dead yanks are lying just as thick as they can be, and none of them buried, they will all rotten on top of the ground.All the men say that this has been the hardest fight [of] the war. We have plenty to eat. Noah give me the things that you sent to me and I am very much obliged to you for them.Tell mother, I would like to have one pair of socks sent to me by the first one of our men that comes over

Your son, Mike.



Selfless: Fredericksburgs Angel of Maryes Heights memorial, which honors the humanity of Confederate soldier Richard Kirkland. (Felix Lipov/Alamy Stock Photo)

Private Walter Battle of the 4th North Carolina Infantry recounted some of the fighting in this letter:

The Yankees held a position on our right, upon a hill which enabled them to keep up an incessant enfilading fire upon us; two thirds of the men we lost were done in that way. Men were killed while squatting just as low and as close to the breastworks as it was possible for them to get.It was a wonder to me that the last one of us was not killed.

Wrote Battle on May 14:

Last Thursday though is the day that will be remembered by both armies as long as one man is left to tell the tale. At daylight they attacked the line a little to our right, drove our men out of both lines of breastworks and the result was hanging in the scales when our brigade was taken from one position and moved around in front of them.There is not a man in this brigade who will ever forget the sad requiem which those minie balls sung over the dead and dying for twenty-two long hours; they put one in mind of some musical instrument; some sounded like wounded men crying; some like humming of bees; some like cats in the depth of the night, while others cut through the air with only a Zip like noise.Brigadiers and colonels lay as low in the trench and water as the men.I am too worn out to write anything of any interest. I am about half deaf yet, as is everyone else from the effects of the cannonading.

A letter the wife of 3rd South Carolina Lieutenant Isaac Newton Cooper received shortly after the Spotsylvania fighting reinforces the tragedy of war:

It becomes my painful duty to inform you that your husbandwas mortally wounded on the 8th of May.[I]t will indeed be painful intelligence to you and his children to learn of your great losshe was wounded in the head by a bomb shell and has been lying insensible ever since. The Surgeon thinks he will die in a few hours. I was in hopes at first that he would recoverbut he is getting worse. He was a true friend to me and a brave officer

On May 10, 11th Mississippi Infantry courier James Montgomery was struck by a shell fragment while delivering communications for Maj. Gen. Henry Heth. As he lay dying, Private Montgomery wrote to his father:

Spotsylvania County, Va. May 10

Dear Father This is my last letter to you. I went into battle this evening as courier for Genl. Heth. I have been struck by a piece of shell and my right shoulder is horribly mangled & I know death is inevitable. I am very weak but I write to you because I know you would be delighted to read a word from your dying son. I know death is near, that I will die far from homebut I have friends here too who are kind to me. My friend Fairfax will write youand give you the particulars of my death. My grave will be marked so that you may visit it if you desirebut it is optionary with you whether you let my remains rest here or in Miss.

I would like to rest in the grave yard with my dear mother and brothers but its a matter of minor importance.Give my love to all my friends. My strength fails me. My horse and my equipments will be left for you. Again, a long farewell to you. May we meet in heaven.

Your dying son, J.R. Montgomery

Living in Virginia, we are all blessed to live in a state so rich in Civil War history. With all these expertly restored historical places surrounding us, it is very easy to forget the hardships and carnage that took place here. We must consciously remind ourselves that the beauty that surrounds us is a facade and that the men who fought and died here baptized the soil with their blood. We can do this by preserving and presenting their words for future generations. Only then will we truly acknowledge the memory of the common Civil War soldier and give them their proper place in our nations story.

Michael Aubrecht is a former private Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park guide and author of The Civil War in Spotsylvania County: Confederate Campfires at the Crossroads (The History Press, 2009). This blog post was adapted from his May 8, 2012, presentation before the Richmond Civil War Roundtable.On June 15, 1864, at Petersburg, Va., African American troops captured Confederate forts and defeated stereotypes

Major General William Farrar Smith was a difficult fellow.

A short, quite portly man, with a light-brown imperial and shaggy mustache, a round military head, and the look of a German officer, Smith, thought Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, was obstinate and likely to condemn whatever is not suggested by himself. In spite of these flaws, Grant brought Smith east from Tennessee and placed him in command of the 18th Corps of the Army of the James. On the morning of June 15, 1864, the lieutenant general assigned Smith primary responsibility for capturing Petersburg, Va., targeted by Grant as the key to reducing Richmond.

Smiths corps contained three infantry divisions, two of them comprised of white soldiers and one of United States Colored Troops. Brigadier General Edward W. Hinks led these two brigades of African Americans, which on that late spring day would experience their baptism of fire. In fact, Hinks division would begin the combat early that morning by overwhelming a small Confederate outpost at the Baylor Farm, east of Petersburg. This unexpected roadblock, however, prompted Smith to advance against the main Confederate line with an abundance of caution.

Smith spent most of the day reconnoitering and then positioning his force along a front of more than two miles stretching from near the Appomattox River on his right to Jordan Point Road on his left. He settled on a battle plan targeting a strong point on the Rebel line called Battery 5, opposite the center of his formation. Once this attack commenced, the rest of Smiths corps would join the assault, Hinks USCTs on the left of the Federal line of battle.

The action began around 7 p.m., and quickly succeeded in capturing Battery 5. The division on Smiths right made limited progress in expanding the breach toward the Appomattox River, leaving it up to the African Americans to demonstrate their combat credentials to the south of Smiths initial breakthrough. Their performance that evening would mark profound chapter in the evolving reputation of black soldiers during the Civil War.

Hinks implemented Smiths order to prepare a heavy skirmish line about 5 p.m. Colonel Joseph B. Kiddoo of the 22nd USCT had advanced one of his companies in skirmish formation earlier in the afternoon, and when Smiths orders filtered down to Colonel Samuel Duncans 2nd Brigade of USCT units, Kiddoo received instructions to commit three additional companies, placing all four under the command of Major John B. Cook. Duncan also directed three companies of the 4th USCT under Major Augustus S. Boernstein to join Cooks men in the advanced line. Duncan told these seven companies to push their skirmishers well to the front and to charge the works as soon as the charge should begin to their right.

A lively exchange of fire ensued, during which the blacks compelled the Confederate sharpshooters in front of the works from Battery 6 southward to fall back toward their main line. When Major Cook spotted Brig. Gen. William H.T. Brooks 1st Division assault toward Batteries 5 and 6, he ordered his skirmish line to advance as well. Colonel John H. Holman contributed to the attack by committing a portion of the 1st USCT under Lt. Col. Elias Wright on Duncans right. These soldiers aimed for Battery 6, and along with Hunts New Yorkers they overwhelmed the defenders there. Holman personally assumed control of two additional companies of the 1st USCT near Jordan Point Road on the far south end of Hinks combat front. His attempt to reinforce these troops foundered, however, when two companies of the 5th USCT failed to move forward.

Cooks and Boernsteins troops focused on Battery 7. The Confederates responded with blistering volleys and the Federals seemed to fall like blades of grass before a machine. A New England soldier claimed to have counted 40 or 50 bodies shortly after the attack, some on their backs, some on their faces, some on their sides, in all manner of ways, just as they had fallen, with knapsack still unslung from their shoulders. Undaunted, the determined blacks advanced on the double-quick, inspired by adrenaline-induced cheering. Most of the attackers reached the defilade in front of Battery 7, where Cook ordered the survivors to move to the right and left of the redan and aim for its unprotected rear.

These raw troops, who had experienced their first serious combat only that morning at the Baylor Farm, promptly obeyed and stormed into Battery 7 from the west, led by Captain Jacob F. Force and Lieutenant William B. Milliken of the 22nd USCT. Two 12-pounder howitzers and one iron gun were among the trophies seized when Battery 7 fell and its garrison skedaddled.

Battery 8 loomed southwest of Battery 7 on a knoll separated from the Jordan house plateau by deep ravines to the north and east. It would provide the African Americans next target. In keeping with Smiths general plan of attack, once Duncans skirmishers had gone forward and gained success, the rest of his brigade received orders to join in the offensive. Colonel Kiddoo led the remainder of the 22nd USCT toward Battery 7, but soon realized that his skirmish line had already reduced it, turning his attention instead to Battery 8.

As he shifted his regiment to the south, Kiddoo encountered Lt. Col. Wright and his men from the 1st USCT, fresh from their victory at Battery 6. Wrights men occupied an abandoned artillery lunette between Batteries 7 and 8 and the two officers consulted on a plan of action. Kiddoo proposed an immediate assault against Battery 8, but Wright demurred, thinking the position too strongly held to storm with the troops at hand. When Kiddoo expressed his determination to advance regardless of the enemy firepower, Wright agreed to support him.

The 22nd USCT commander left a small portion of his men at the lunette to assist Wright with suppressing the artillery fire spewing from Battery 8, and then led the remainder of his regiment into the swampy lowland northeast of the Confederate strongpoint. We charged across what appeared to be an almost impassable ravine, remembered an officer, all the time subject to a hot fire of grape and canister until we got so far under the guns as to be sheltered, when the enemy took to their rifle pits as infantrymen. Our brave fellows went steadily through the swamp and up the side of a hill, at an angle of almost fifty degrees, rendered nearly impassable by fallen timber.

The Confederate artillerists dropped their lanyards, snatched small arms, and mounted the forts parapet, from which their musketry could reach the black troops huddled in the defilade now shielding them from artillery fire, pouring a storm of leaden hail into the head of the column. Kiddoo admitted that my men wavered at first, but they soon rallied when they noticed their comrades of the 1st USCT charging toward Battery 8 from the east. This two-pronged assault worked. The defenders abandoned another artillery piece and scampered to the south, for the protection of Battery 9, while the Federals swiveled their captured 12-pounder to the right and fired at the retreating Confederates. The 22nd USCT paid a heavy price for the capture of Battery 8, losing 11 men killed and 43 wounded.

Brigadier General Henry Wises Confederates had now been expelled from Batteries 3 through 8, surrendering or fleeing once the Federals reached their fortifications. The Rebels from Battery 8 were the first to rally after relinquishing their position. Catching their collective breath, the displaced Southerners halted, aligned at right angles to the Dimmock Line, and advanced northward toward the troops of the 1st and 22nd USCT in and around Battery 8. Kiddoo responded by forming his own line of battle and repelled this brief Confederate counteroffensive, but a lack of ammunition prevented him from following the retiring Confederates into Battery 9. That job now belonged to the 4th USCT, 5th USCT, and 6th USCT of Duncans brigade.

General Smith had by this time ridden south from Battery 5 to observe the progress of his black division. Appearing in Hinks sector on horseback with one pantaloon leg in his boot, and wearing a straw hat, Smith instructed Lt. Col. Rogers of the 4th USCT to attack Battery 8, not realizing that Kiddoo and Wright were even then in the process of taking that stronghold. When Rogers discovered that Battery 8 had fallen, he reoriented his regiment to face south and headed for Battery 9, at the junction of the Jordan Point and Prince George Court House roads. At the same time, Duncan found it impossible to arrange his second line, consisting of the 5th USCT and 6th USCT, to follow the skirmishers who conquered Battery 7, so he shifted those two regiments south and deployed them opposite Batteries 9, 10, and 11. Duncan ordered the 6th USCT, in the front of his formation, to probe forward and test the level of resistance before committing to a full-blown assault.

The 6th USCT marched about half a mile, faced right, and prepared to advance toward Battery 9, immediately in its front. Battery E, 3rd New York Artillery, moved up to provide covering fire. The terrain between their position and the Confederates gave them pause. Stumps, piles of wood, fallen timber, bushes, and pools loomed ahead. As we went forward we came to black burnt logs as high as our breasts, sometimes climbing over them and sometimes going under, remembered Captain John McMurray of the 6th USCT. As we neared the battery, or fort, we could see that it looked grim and formidable in the dusk of the evening. With each step the Federals expected a rain of fire to descend from the Confederate citadel, but inexplicably all before us was silent as death.



Petersburg Down Time: Black troops also served in the Army of the Potomac. These men, photographed on August 7, 1864, were in the 9th Corps division of Brig. Gen. Edward Ferrero and were survivors of the notorious July 30 Battle of the Crater. (Library Of Congress)

The men of the 6th USCT reached the moat fronting Battery 9 and began climbing the forts steep front slope. A man would run his bayonet into the side of the parapet, and another would use it as a step-ladder to climb up, explained McMurray. It was getting quite dark, and I felt sure that as fast as a colored troop would put his head above the level of that parapet it would be shot off, or he would be knocked back into the ditch; and I fully expected the 6th U.S. Colored Troops, officers and all, to find their death in that ditch.

McMurray was happily mistaken: Colonel Rogers and the 4th USCT, approaching from the northeast, had already compelled the surprised Confederates to abandon Battery 9 and seek shelter in the next redan to the south. The evidence suggests that the defenders fled without putting up a fight, as no prisoners were taken and another artillery piece fell into Union hands. Not a shot was fired, admitted McMurray.

Rogers moved south against Battery 10 in the fading light, prompting the Confederates to abandon it along with another piece of ordnance. They evacuated Battery 11 near the Dunn House as well. Darkness at last arrested the Federal momentum and Duncan reorganized his victorious troops around Battery 10, taking precautions against a possible counterattack. It had been a landmark day for Hinks division. Duncans brigade alone counted six guns among the prizes taken from Batteries 7 through 11. Duncan reported total casualties of 378 on June 15, embracing the morning action at the Baylor Farm and the evening assaults against the Dimmock Line. Holmans 1st USCT added as many as 156 losses to the equation. A member of Hinks staff estimated that the division lost 800 men in the evening attacks alone. The blacks undeniably had paid a high price that day, but the first large-scale combat action for these untried African Americans had in a sense transformed them.

William H. Hunter, the black chaplain of the 4th USCT, considered June 15, 1864, the day when prejudice died in the entire Army of the U.S. of America. It is the day when it was admitted that colored men were equal to the severest ordeal. A white soldier reported that his comrades looked on the works captured by the African Americans with amazement, and are loud and unreserved in their praise. Assistant Secretary of War Charles A. Dana told his boss, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, that the hardest fighting was done by the black troops.

In contrast to such laudatory comments, some white Union soldiers in the Army of the Potomacwho had not personally witnessed the fighting on June 15reflexively discounted the accomplishment of their black comrades. The works were carried by storm by colored troops recorded Major Lemuel Abbott of the 10th Vermont, but they couldnt have taken them if the forts had been fully garrisoned by veterans instead of citizens. Sergeant George Breck, a gunner with Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery, was willing to give due credit to the black soldier for his fighting qualities, but this rendering to Caesar the things that dont honestly belong to Caesar, and extolling Pompey above the white soldier, for courage and dash, valor, bravery and endurance, may delight some of the devoted worshippers of the ebony idol, but we fail to see it ourself.

Built By Slaves In one of the ironies of the Civil War, on June 15, 1864, Brig. Gen. Edward Hicks USCT troops attacked and conquered several forts of the Dimmock Line that had been built largely by slave labor. The 10-mile long series of 55 numbered forts and gun emplacements that protected Petersburg was named after Captain Charles Dimmock, below, of the Confederate Corps of Engineers. Dimmock began his work on the line in earnest in late summer 1862, and while some Confederate troops worked under Dimmock, most of the physically exhausting manual labor was performed by hundreds of slaves impressed from area plantations. Their owners, however, protested the loss of valuable labor and the resulting economic hardships, and the Petersburg General Assembly passed a law that established quotas for how many slaves could be impressed at one time and limited their impressments to 60 days. But progress was slow, and Dimmock requested 200 more slave laborers in December 1862, promising they would toil only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, and then they would be sent home to their plantations. Work continued on the line of fortifications until mid-summer 1863, when Dimmock wrote the works were not entirely completed, but sufficiently so for all defensive purposes. Some Confederate officers complained the works were not as strong as they could be, but they did allow a scant force of a little more than 2,000 Rebel troops to impede the early June 1864 Union advances on Petersburg and prevent an outright capture of the city. Even after a portion of the Dimmock Line was overrun, some of the forts remained important parts of the Confederate line of defenses for most of the Siege of Petersburg. D.B.S.

Breck expressed no objection to our darkly-hued comrades in arms, rushing into the hottest places of attackbut dont seek to make him the superior of the American soldier of American or European descent.



This Close: An engraving depicts 18th Corps USCT regiments surging into a Confederate Dimmock Line battery on June 15, 1864. As the map indicates, the Federal assaults initially made good headway against the thinly held Rebel defenses, and Petersburg seemed ripe for the taking. But Federal caution and an influx of Confederate reinforcements brought on the months-long Siege of Petersburg. (The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images)

Revenge for the widely publicized accusations of the murder of black troops at Fort Pillow undoubtedly animated some of Hinks African American soldiers as they came face-to-face with their first Confederate opponents. Still, scuttlebutt in the Union camps, such as the account repeated by Major Albert F. Brooker of the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery, exaggerated the level of atrocities committed against Confederate prisoners. Its said that a Brigade of Nigars charged the Johnies as they went in the rebs said give the black sons of bitches no quarter and give them h& c, reported Major Brooker. I am told that its just what the nigars did to them, they took no prisoners but 2 and bayoneted every one that was in the Rifle Pitts.

Such tall tales made the rounds, but evidence does suggest that some surrendered Southerners were killed by their captors and never made it to the rear. William Foster, a hospital steward assigned to the 126th Ohio, asked a black sergeant why his unit had taken so many prisoners during the fighting. The sergeant replied that our officers were with us and General Grant and Smith were on the fieldand we had to do a nice thing. You need not ask them of Fort Pillow, added Foster. They swear by its sad memory. An officer in the 22nd USCT explained why the Rebels ran when attacked by the blacks. The real fact is, the rebels will not stand against our colored soldiers when there is any chance of their being taken prisoners, for they are conscious of what they justly deserve. Our men went into those works after they were taken, yelling Fort Pillow! The enemy well knows what this means.



(Map Graphics  DFL Group 2018)

A Pennsylvania soldier wrote home that he had seen several bayoneted Confederate corpses and assumed that our colored soldiers remembered their murdered brethren. Lieutenant Hermon Clarke of the 117th New York provided one of the few eyewitness accounts documenting the execution of Confederate captives. In describing the capture of Battery 6, Clarke wrote his father that the blacks contributed to the victory and had done well. Some of them came where we were and attempted to kill our prisoners, Clarke explained. I didnt see but one killed.A great bushy Nigger came up to him, knocked him down, and ran his bayonet through his heart. Our boys turned on the Niggers and kept them back.

The story of a hospitalized black soldier whose wounds on June 15 required the amputation of his left leg illuminated a noble motivation that trumped the baser instincts of those who were out for blood. A white officer passing through the hospital spotted the black man and said in a jocular tone, Well, my boy, I see that you have lost a leg for glory. The amputee looked at his kindly visitor and replied, No, sir; I have not lost it for glory, but for the elevation of my race.

A. Wilson Greene is the former president of the Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier and the author of The Final Battles of the Petersburg Campaign. This article is adapted from his new 2018 book, A Campaign of GiantsThe Battle for Petersburg: Volume One: From the Crossing of the James to the Crater, published by the University of North Carolina Press. Used by permission of the publisher, www.uncpress.org.High and mighty, the single-seat Lockheed A-12 and the two-seat SR-71 Blackbird conducted photographic overflights in North Vietnam at a speed of Mach 3.2 and altitude of 82,000 feet. The closest any enemy ever came to bagging a Blackbird occurred on Oct. 30, 1967, when a piece of shrapnel hit one wing after the detonation of three North Vietnamese surface-to-air missiles. The SR-71A shown here operated from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, where the local venomous snakes inspired its tail marking. (U.S. Air Force)

An advanced aerial informer, a Lockheed EC-121D Warning Star in the Air Defense Commands 552nd Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing patrols the Pacific Ocean in 1967. To counter North Vietnams initial advantage in ground-controlled radar systems that guided its fighters trying to intercept U.S. aircraft, this militarized version of the L-1049 Super Constellation airliner operated from Taiwan to provide intercept guidance to American aircraft. The first airborne-controlled interception occurred on July 10, 1967, when an EC-121D directed McDonnell F-4C Phantom II fighters to shoot down two North Vietnamese MiG-17s. (U.S. Air Force)

Inside an EC-121H, a navigator and a navigator technician go over the flight plan at the start of their 12-hour mission. Packed with constantly improving radar and other electronics, Warning Stars gathered and transmitted all types of intelligence to American forces on the ground and in the aira precursor to subsequent generations of AWACS (airborne early warning and control system) aircraft. (U.S. Air Force)

A spy from on high, a Lockheed U-2 taxis past South Vietnamese Douglas A-1 Skyraiders at Bien Hoa Air Base near Saigon in early 1965. Even though one U-2 was downed over the Soviet Union in 1960 and another over Cuba in 1962, the aircraftcapable of climbing more than 70,000 feet was successful in its photoreconnaissance missions from bases in Vietnam and Thailand. The U-2R, introduced in 1967, was about 30 percent larger and had external fuel pods for an extended range. (U.S. Air Force)

Sporting an attitude, the Teledyne-Ryan BQM-34B Firebee drone was usually launched from a Lockheed DC-130 transport aircraft and followed a programmed flight plan to conduct surveillance missions, drop leaflets or find North Vietnamese missile sites. Afterward, the drone released a parachute and as it descended was snatched in midair by a recovery helicopter. More than 1,000 Firebees flew more than 34,000 sorties during the war. Speeding at 690 mph and flying as high as 60,000 feet, it was an elusive target. North Vietnamese MiG pilots counted any they shot down as legitimate air-to-air kills. Tom Cat, shown here, carried out a remarkable 68 missions in its career. (U.S. Air Force)

A Mach 1 multitasker, the McDonnell RF-101C Voodoo was designed as an interceptor aircraft but also served in photoreconnaissance and bombing roles. An RF-101 undergoing maintenance at Tan Son Nhut Air Base near Saigon in 1965 reveals one of its six obliquely-mounted cameras. Bombing attacks were usually followed by photo missions so that commanders could do bomb-damage assessmentslikely making an encore appearance over already-aroused enemy air defenses. The Voodoos best course was to go in fast and low. In 35,000 sorties, 39 Voodoos were lost; 33 of them combat-related, including five destroyed by surface-to-air missiles but only one shot down by an enemy MiG-21. (U.S. Air Force)

Counterbattery radar was commonly employed at firebases. One typical example was the AN/MPQ-4A, which emitted two radio beams. If an enemy projectile broke the beams within a 6-mile distance, it would appear on a scope and then a computer would determine the approximate coordinates of the shots origin. This AN/MPQ-4A was at the Song Be base in the Central Highlands in January 1968. (U.S. Army)

Appearances can be deceiving, as what looks like the dirt-covered dropping of an indigenous dog-sized animal is actually revealed in an X-ray (next slide) to have a nonorganic, mechanical interior and radio transmitter. Dropped in the vicinity of a downed airman, this T-1151 transmitter served as a homing beacon that broadcast signals to aircraft searching for the American in need of rescue from the bush. (U.S. Air Force)

During Operation Igloo White, 1968 to 1973, camouflaged electronic sensors, like this artificial vegetation, were dropped along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. They detected and transmitted enemy movements to aircraft that relayed the information to air bases in Thailand. (National Archives)

Subsequent airstrikes on North Vietnamese Army infiltration routes inflicted heavy casualties, but the operation failed to prevent major NVA offensives in 1971 and 1972. (National Archives)

Human intelligence is an ages-old but never-obsolete art, and this proved true in Vietnam. Planting spies in virtually every venue, the communists cast a wide net of operatives and agents who gathered human intelligence. In 1965, Pham Xuan An obtained a press card and worked as a journalist for Time magazine in Saigon. . At his home in Ho Chi Minh City on April 26, 2000, An revealed that he had lived a second life during the war as a Viet Cong spy. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)In under two weeks, Brazil will have the second round of its presidential election. Former military officer and fan of fascists Jair Bolsonaro looks set after a strong first-round showing to defeat Workers Party (PT) candidate Fernando Haddad. If he wins, Bolsonaro will have strong party backing in Congress, though he does not care much for the legislaturein 1999, Bolsonaro said Brazils 1964-1985 military dictatorship should have killed 30,000 people more, starting with Congress and [then-President] Fernando Henrique Cardoso. Bolsonaros running mate is retired General Hamilton Mourao, his planning adviser and likely Minister of Transport is General Oswaldo Ferreira, an anti-environmentalist who looks for inspiration to infrastructure projects enacted by Brazils military government, and Bolsonaro has promised to stack his cabinet with generals. Current and retired military officers have been prominent backers of Bolsonaro, and Bolsonaro announced that he would not accept any result other than victory, menacingly saying I cannot speak for military but that there could be a reaction by the Armed Forces if he lost and deemed it due to PT fraud (never mind that the PT is not currently in power).

As Michael Albertus highlighted, the military is returning to Brazilian politics in a big way. While the military in Argentina was punished for its dictatorial Dirty War, elites with ties to dictatorship never faced sanctions or fully left the political scene in countries like Brazil and Chile. In Brazil, civilian leaders managed to weaken the military during the transition to democracy, but it retained a broad scope of activities, including internal security and development, especially in combating the drug trade, a mission with which current President Michel Temer tasked the military earlier this year in Rio de Janeiro. Bolsonaro spent his time as a representative in Congress interested in helping the military above all else, and his message that he will restore law and order both resonates with a Brazilian public fed up with high rates of violent crime and with a military keen to reassert itself.

Law and order, however, can be slippery terms twisted to suit political whims, and Bolsonaro has demonized opponents, engaged in racist, homophobic, and misogynist rhetoric, and suggested military violence against refugees. Bolsonaro supporters are implicated in dozens of street attacks on journalists and opposition supporters. Bolsonaro and his son Eduardo have been advised by Steve Bannon, who Eduardo considers an ally in the fight against cultural Marxism, suggesting continuity with the dictatorships anticommunism. Bolsonaros son Carlos posted images of torture in response to protests against his father. Meanwhile, Bolsonaros anti-crime rhetoric seems to resonate most with those who fear crime, rather than those directly affected by violence: Brazils northeast, where homicide rates have been rising rapidly, overwhelmingly voted against Bolsonaro.

The militarys renewed prominence in Brazilian politics may be a product not only of the incomplete transition to democratic civilian control and frustrations with violence at home, but also due to the militarys ostensibly liberal role abroad. Yesterday, Philip Cunliffe in a short Twitter thread highlighted the ways in which the Brazilian militarys participation in international peacekeeping has both empowered the military and shaped military commanders consideration of their role in domestic politics. Leading United Nations peacekeeping operations in Haiti, Cunliffe implies, caused Brazilian officers to rethink the militarys potential role in ordering society, while a failure to reform a constitutional provision on the militarys role in defending and guaranteeing law and order left Brazil open to renewed military intervention in politics. Christoph Harig in fact suggested in 2015 that Brazilian forces were likely to bring their peacekeeping experiences home from Haiti to try to apply them in domestic Guaranteeing Law and Order missions.

In Haiti, Brazilian forces were operating in a context long pathologized in the West as dysfunctional. Not only were Brazilian troops given an opportunity to pursue national stabilization and development (their ostensible goal at home during the dictatorship), they were also part of an imposed international mission that could disregard domestic civilian leaders and public opinion, as well as their own diplomats. This represented a throwback to what the late Alfred Stepan called the new professionalism, in which military leaders in countries like Brazil and Peru developed an institutional culture holding that they could govern more efficiently and effectively than civilian politicians. Cunliffes post led Giulia Piccolino and Nathaniel Powell to share anecdotes about authoritarian rhetoric by Brazilian officers on peacekeeping missions in Cote dIvoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In a new article, Cunliffe discusses how, despite arguments that international peacekeeping missions may help preserve democracy in troop-contributing countries, the experience and ideas that peacekeeping veterans bring home may actually undermine democracy in the longer term: peacekeeping leads to praetorianism. Peacekeeping can produce military growth or the maintenance of a larger military than would be necessary purely for national defense, while it can also make peacekeepers expect or become accustomed to resources that the UN and other international organizations provide for peacekeeping missions. Maggie Dwyer has shown how peacekeeping participation increased expectations for compensation among West African militaries, generating grievances and domestic mutinies. Peacekeeping participation can also bring commanders to new prominence as leaders within the military and in domestic politics (Cunliffe highlights Pakistani coup-maker and former dictator Pervez Musharraf). This can occur in both autocracies and democraciesCanadian general Romeo Dallaire, for instance, went from playing a heroic role in the ill-fated UN peacekeeping mission in Rwanda to becoming a senator at home.

The potential contributing role of peacekeeping experience in swings toward authoritarianism in Brazil and elsewhere merits further investigation. Though militaries may seek a balance between the warrior and peacekeeper role identities among troops, even where peacekeepers deploy for a mission with noble intentions, the realities and frustrations of the job may move them from idealism to prioritizing instrumental concerns of advancement and economic reward, breeding disregard for rules and regulations. Even if the liberal world order, such as it is or was, is in decline and peacekeeping missions may become less frequent, the after-effects of peacekeeping may live on, for better or, as Cunliffe suggests, for worse. Pre- and post-deployment surveys of troops deployed or not deployed for peacekeeping missions and ethnographic studies of military units before, during, and after peacekeeping deployments can help untangle how peacekeeping participation changes attitudes toward the role of the military in domestic politics. Scholars of peacekeeping and civil-military relations would also be wise to track the political trajectories of military officers who led peacekeeping missions.

For scholars based in or studying the United States, the Brazilian election and the global authoritarian zeitgeist warrant a long, hard look closer to home. In the lead-up to next months midterm elections, Marine Corps veteran (and criminally-indicted) Rep. Duncan Hunter and three retired Marine Corps generals recently engaged in illiberal, racist smears of against a Muslim political opponent, and both major political parties are seeking to capitalize on the cultural cachet of military veterans. While there are many studies of the physical and mental health effects of deployment in Afghanistan and Iraq, less attention has been paid to political effects among veterans. Alongside the bellicosity bred by self-selection into an all-volunteer military (and some veterans and service members conscientious objection), the supposed stabilization and nation-building missions of US forces abroad can easily be drawn as points of reference in an environment of increasing domestic political polarization and street violence, potentially justifying increased domestic military intervention. Militias with armed forces veteran members, like the Oath Keepers, already see themselves as forces for domestic stability and defense of their particular vision of the Constitution.

When the military is the most trusted institution in the US; National Guard troops have been deployed to the US-Mexico border under multiple administrations; and President Trump and his backers suggest deploying federal military forces in Chicago, there may already be fertile grounds for US military leaders to seek a more prominent political and security role domestically. Back in 1987, British Royal Air Force officer Nicholas Rusling suggested that domestic military intervention in security and an increased governmental role for active and retired military officers were major risk factors for breakdowns of democratic civil-military relations in the US and United Kingdom, factors that seem clearly present today.

In Brazil, the US, and elsewhere, political turmoil and social violence, be they actual or more perceived, are being used as justifications for increased military intervention in domestic politics. While there should not be, of course, a presumption of malevolence among security forces and veterans, especially where militaries have participated in peacekeeping or stabilization operations abroad, citizens should be wary of efforts by active-duty and retired military officers to seek a larger domestic political role.Germany built a ship that could outgun anything it couldnt outrun. In 1940 it started hunting its prey.

CAPTAIN EDWARD FEGAN KNEW THAT THE EIGHT 6-INCH GUNS of his thin-skinned armed merchant cruiser Jervis Bay stood no chance against the approaching German pocket battleship. Jervis Bay, converted from a 14,164-ton liner, was escorting 37 cargo ships across the North Atlantic Ocean to Britain. Without enough time to disperse, all of them were defenseless prey.

And so, when the German warship opened fire at 17,000 yards, Fegen didnt hesitate to engage it. While its 11-inch guns demolished Jervis Bay, the pocket battleships secondary 5.9-inch guns flailed at the scattering merchantmen, badly damaging the tanker San Demetrio and the cargo liner Rangitiki before they escaped. Inevitably Jervis Bay sank, taking Fegen and 179 of his crew with it; 65 survivors were later rescued by the Swedish freighter Stureholm. For his valorous sacrifice in the face of impossible odds, Fegen was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

While many Britons are well versed in Jervis Bays heroic stand on November 5, 1940, fewer know that its adversarys exploits were just beginning.

Launched at Wilhelmshaven, Germany, on April 1, 1933, Admiral Scheer was one of three capital ships that Germany built under the 11-inch gun and 10,000-ton restrictions imposed on it by the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922. The first, Deutschland, actually exceeded the limit by 1,700 tons, but the British Admiralty failed to question the ships weight when it was launched in 1931. Essentially designed to outgun anything it could not outrun at its maximum speed of 26 knots, Deutschland was classified by the German navy as a panzerschiff (armored ship), but its heavy armament led the British to dub it a pocket battleship.

By the time Deutschland and its improved sisters, Admiral Graf Spee and Admiral Scheer (named for German naval heroes Maximilian von Spee and Reinhard Scheer), were launched, Adolf Hitler had become chancellor of Germany and renounced the Washington Naval Treaty, rendering the ships tonnage moot. Scheer was 616 3/4 feet long, displacing 11,200 tons empty and 16,200 loaded; four MAN diesel engines, totaling 56,800 horsepower, drove its two propellers. Its 4-inch waterline armor belt was bolstered by 11/2 inches of internal armor. Two triple 11-inch gun turrets were complemented by eight 5.9-inch, six 4.1-inch, eight 37mm, and ten 20mm antiaircraft guns. It also mounted two quadruple torpedo tubes, and two aircraft could be launched from its single catapult. Its crew totaled 1,150 men.

Commissioned on November 12, 1934, Scheer entered service during the Spanish Civil War, evacuating German refugees, reporting Soviet ships bringing arms to the Republicans in violation of the London Non-intervention Agreement, and escorting German shipments to the Nationalists, in equally flagrant violation of the agreement.

The outbreak of World War II found the Kriegsmarine in no position to challenge Britains Royal Navy. Instead, Grand Admiral Erich Raeder sought to disrupt Allied merchant shipping with his submarines, regular warships, and disguised auxiliary cruisers, stretching Allied naval resources as far as possible. His strategy committed his ships to the hazardous balancing act of maintaining a profile that was high enough to harass the enemy, through attacks on convoys or lone cargo ships, yet low enough to avoid being hunted down.

For the Admiral Scheer, World War II began on September 4, 1939, when Bristol Blenheims of No. 107 Squadron, Royal Air Force, bombed it in Wilhelmshaven. While it was being repaired, Deutschland sank two merchantmen in the North Atlantic and Graf Spee sank nine in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans. But on December 13, Graf Spee, encountering and engaging three British cruisers off Uruguay, sustained enough damage to put into Montevideo. There, gathering British forces persuaded Captain Hans Langsdorff to scuttle his ship on the 17th. Langsdorff, feeling disgraced, committed suicide three days later. In the wake of Graf Spees dramatic demise, Hitler ordered Deutschland to be rechristened Lutzow so as not to risk losing a ship bearing the countrys name.

On October 14, 1940, Hitler reluctantly permitted Raeder to send Scheer into the Atlantic with Captain Theodor Krancke, a former commandant of the naval college and a staff officer in Raeders Oberkommando der Kriegs- marine, at the helm. The critical task of refueling Scheer at sea would be performed at designated rendezvous by the oiler Nordmark.

Scheer left the Baltic seaport of Gotenhafen (present-day Gdynia, Poland) on the coast of Prussia on October 23, and six days later it steamed north into Arctic waters to avoid detection by British aircraft. The next day it turned 350 degrees and headed south through hurricane-force winds and heavy seas that swept two men overboard.

Soon after Scheer slipped through the Denmark Strait on November 1, the Kriegsmarines Beobachtungsdienst (observation service), or B-Dienst, which had broken the British naval codes in 1936, informed Krancke that a large British convoy, HX-84, had left Halifax, Nova Scotia, on October 27. On the morning of November 5 Scheer launched one of its Arado 196 reconnaissance floatplanes, whose pilot reported eight ships approaching. That afternoon Scheer encountered the SS Mopan, a 7,900-ton banana boat, and sank it with a 4.1-inch shell below the waterline for its first kill.

Just then a 38-ship convoy appeared over the horizon. Kranckes hopes of a quick and easy slaughter were foiled by the spoiling action put up by Captain Fegen and Jervis Bay, though in the six hours that followed, Scheer managed to overtake and sink five ships totaling 52,884 tons.

In reaction to Scheers attack on HX-84, the British recalled two other convoys outbound from Halifax, dispatched the battleships Nelson and Rodney to block the passage between Iceland and Denmarks Faero Islands and sent three battlecruisers, along with three light cruisers, to patrol the approaches to the Bay of Biscay. The Admiralty also decreed that, from then on, any large convoy crossing the North Atlantic would have to have at least one battleship among its escort.

Krancke, who was kept abreast of those developments by B-Dienst, should have been concerned about his prospects of safely returning home. In truth, though, he had other plans.

Turning south, Krancke headed farther into the Atlantic. On November 24, after refueling with Nordmark near the Canary Islands, Scheer encountered the refrigeration ship Port Hobart, which Krancke allowed to transmit a raider distress signal, hoping the British would send a warship or two to that remote location after hed moved on. Observing international prize rules regarding the treatment of personnel aboard captured vessels, he brought Port Hobarts crew and passengers aboard.

A week later, 900 miles off the coast of Gambia, Scheers Ar 196 sighted the 6,242-ton British cargo ship Tribesman. Not wishing to be reported this time, Krancke crept up at night and shot the vessels radio aerials away before sinking it. At that point, Scheers engines needed an overhaul, so Krancke alternately relied on one while his engineers worked on the other, at a reduced speed of 22 knots. On December 14 Scheer again met Nordmark and offloaded its 150 prisoners.

Three days later Krancke learned that Raeder had dispatched the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper into the North Atlantic. Later that day he encountered the refrigeration ship Duquesa. Aiming to divert British attention from Hipper, he allowed Duquesa to get off distress calls before capturing it. Although its coal-burning engine made Duquesa a poor prize for the diesel-powered Scheer, its huge stocks of beef, mutton, tinned meat, and bacon, along with 604 cases of eggs, were another matter, especially with Christmas just around the corner, so Krancke opted to keep the ship afloat for the time being. On December 22 Scheer met Nordmark, which took on the provisions while Krancke transferred his female prisoners to the more commodious Duquesa.

Meanwhile, Hipper attacked Convoy WS-5A, only to be driven off by three British warships. On December 27 it returned to Brest, France, empty handed. The Royal Navys decision to have big ships escort the convoys was beginning to pay off.

At the same time, Britain mounted a concerted effort to destroy Scheer. Responding to Duquesas distress call, it dispatched seven ships to search for the raider.

As Scheer continued south, Kranckes crew celebrated Christmas Eve with beef, beer, walnuts, and cigarettes, all from Duquesa. On Christmas morning, the auxiliary cruiser Thor and the German freighter Eurofeld joined the impromptu holiday gathering and Krancke conferred with the Thors captain, Otto Kahler. The Kriegsmarines general staff had suggested they operate together, but the two skippers agreed that was not feasiblethe panzerschiffs distinctive silhouette would compromise Thors stealth advantage, while the slower Thor would cancel Scheers speed asset.

On December 29, five ships flying the German flagScheer, Nordmark, Eurofeld, Thor, and Storstad, a captured Norwegian tankermet at Andalusien, a rendezvous point north of Tristan de Cunha in the middle of the South Atlantic. After a short, fruitless raiding patrol, Scheer and Thor rejoined Nordmark and Eurofeld on December 31, and while Scheers Ar 196 crew kept an eye out for British party crashers, the German crews signaled New Years greetings to one another 6,000 miles from home, in the middle of what was virtually an Allied lake. At that point, three more German auxiliary cruisersPinguin, Kormoran, and Atlantishad broken out, and Nordmark was also tending to three Italian submarines in the South Atlantic. For the Kriegsmarine, 1941 looked like a promising year.

With its fuel supply emptied, Storstad was loaded with prisoners and sent to France on January 2. On January 17, striking north for the Cape TownFreetown route off West Africa, Scheer captured another Norwegian tanker, Sande-fjord. On January 20 it encountered two ships. Krancke approached the Dutch Barneveld bows-on, with two guns raised and one depressed to resemble a British cruiser, until he was close enough to seize it without firing a shot. Then he sent a boarding party by motorboat to commandeer the second, the British Stanpark. Its all right, lads, a German officer sarcastically announced as he came aboard the ship. The navys here. After their cargoes were noted down and their crews evacuated, both ships were sunk.

On January 24, Scheer met and replenished from Nordmark and Duquesa and dispatched 250 prisoners to Bordeaux aboard Sandefjord. Four days later Krancke decided to try his luck in the Indian Ocean. After a vain sweep along the active shipping route between Durban, South Africa, and Perth, Australia, Scheer met the supply ship Tannenfels, refueled from the captured tanker Ketty Brovig north of Madagascar, and headed west.

By February 20 Scheer was off the Seychelles when its floatplane spotted a ship. Using a British signaling technique to mask its nationality, Scheer nabbed British Advocate, carrying oil and petroleum. While a prize crew came aboard with orders to rendezvous with the raider Atlantis, the Ar 196 reported another sighting. That night, Scheer overhauled the Greek steamer Grigorios C, a neutral ship on its way from New York to Athens, ostensibly with a cargo of material for the Red Cross. But Krancke was suspicious from the get-go and ordered an inspection of its cargo, which turned out to contain machine gun parts and other war material. Very interesting, Krancke told his men. So its a case of Beware of the Greeks again. They took 27 prisoners from the Grigorios and sent the ship and its contraband to the ocean floor.

On the evening of February 21, the Ar 196 sighted another ship. Scheer investigated, again with two guns raised to impersonate a British cruiser. The vessels sides bore colors of the then neutral United States, but Krancke blinkered a message: Stop at once. Do not force me to open fire. You are behaving very suspiciously. So are you, the freighter signaled back. You look like a German to me. As Scheer opened fire, its wireless crew picked up a transmission: Canadian Cruiser in 6 degrees 36 minutes south, 47 degrees 18 minutes east, under attack by battle cruiser.

A burst of 37mm gunfire at the bridge persuaded Canadian Cruisers captain to surrender, but its distress call came at a fortunate time for the British. WS-5B, a 20-ship convoy escorted by the cruisers Australia and Emerald, had left Durban on February 15 and arrived off Mombasa on the 21st. Meanwhile, the cruisers Canberra, Shropshire, and Hawkins fanned out looking for Scheer; Force V, composed of the aircraft carrier Hermes and light cruisers Glasgow, Emerald, and Cape Town, soon joined them. Captain Harold Hickling on the Glasgow, 400 miles west of Scheer, heard Canadian Cruisers signal and turned southeast.

For the Germans, the Indian Ocean was shrinking and time was running out.

On February 22, Scheer caught one more victim, the Dutch steamer Rantau Bandjang, leaving one of its men dead and five wounded. Glasgow was only 140 miles away when Hickling picked up Rantau Bandjangs distress call and launched a Supermarine Walrus flying boat, which spotted the pocket battleship just before noon. Abandoning any thoughts of waylaying convoy WS-5B, Krancke turned east, hoping to mislead the Walruss crew until it broke contact. The aircraft finally departed at 12:48.

At 2 p.m. Glasgow, now 80 miles away from Scheer, launched its refueled Walrus again, while Hickling relayed what he knew of the enemys whereabouts to Vice Admiral Ralph Leatham at the East Indies station. At that point, however, deteriorating weather reduced visibility to three miles. Scheer, meanwhile, had reversed course and was steaming west. Some hours later, Glasgows fuel ran low, compelling Hickling to make for the isle of Mauritius to replenish. In his memoir, Sailor at Sea, Hickling later ascribed the frustrating outcome of his pursuit to Scheer bad luck.

The German marauder, on the other hand, seemed to lead a charmed life. After meeting British Advocate, whose prize crew Krancke instructed to take the captured vessel to France, Scheer managed to evade the closing British dragnet. The heavy cruiser Cornwall crossed the Germans path twice without either captain knowing it. At one juncture, Cornwall stopped the Madagascar-bound Vichy French transport Ville de Majunga for questioning; had it not done so, its path and Scheers might have crossed again.

Reentering the South Atlantic, Scheer met the supply ships Ermland and Nordmark on March 8. Two days later the supply ship Alsterufer arrived with 5.9-inch ammunition and spare parts for the Ar 196. The Germans were investing a lot in the effort to keep Scheer supplied and on the move.

Krancke now judged it time to quit while he was ahead rather than risk a reprise of the Graf Spee fiasco. On March 15 Scheer crossed the equator. The next day, it encountered the Kormoran and U-124, which carried the parts needed to repair the panzerschiffs worn-out radar. On March 27, after two days prudently waiting for bad weather to envelop the Denmark Strait, Krancke took advantage of a new moon to slip through, evading light cruisers Fiji and Nigeria at the northern end.

On April 1, eight years to the day after it had been launched at Wilhelmshaven, Scheer triumphantly entered Kiel for an inspection and a welcome speech by Grand Admiral Raeder. Krancke received the Knights Cross and promotion to rear admiral. Forty of his crewmen were awarded the Iron Cross First Class and the rest the Iron Cross Second Class.

The jubilation was justified. In 161 days, Scheer had steamed 46,419 nautical miles through the Arctic, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, sinking 16 merchant ships totaling 99,059 tons, as well as the AMC Jervis Baythe best results ever achieved in one sortie by a regular surface warship of the Kriegsmarine. Scheer had demonstrated what a formidable raider a diesel-engine panzerschiff could be, and unlike the unfortunate Graf Spee, it had returned to boast about it.

Scheers homecoming capped a triumphant season for Germanys High Seas Fleet, but its fortunes soon turned. On May 8 Cornwall made up for its failure to catch Scheer when it intercepted and sank the raider Pinguin. Then, on May 26, the Royal Navy sank Germanys most powerful battleship, Bismarck. That led Hitler to issue an ill-defined order against unnecessary risks that deprived Raeders surface ships of the flexibility and scopeindeed, the initiativethey needed to operate effectively.

In the summer of 1942, on its only other raid, Scheer ventured into the Kara Sea, north of Siberia, to bombard Soviet polar settlements and installations. After sinking the armed icebreaker Aleksandr Sibiryakov on August 25, 1942, Scheer returned to Skjomanfjord, Norway. It served thereafter as a training ship until November 1944, when it bombarded advancing Soviet forces and evacuated troops and refugees along the Baltic Coast.

Bombed in Kiel by Avro Lancasters on the night of April 910, 1945, Scheer capsized with 32 of its crew dead, and after Germanys surrender on May 8, it was buried where it had sunk under thousands of tons of rubble.

Krancke rose to head Navy Group Command West, headquartered in Paris, and was in charge of all warships, coastal artillery, antiaircraft guns, and other naval facilities along the Atlantic Coast when the Allies landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944. After the war he teamed with Jochen Brennecke to write a memoir, Pocket Battleship: The Story of the Admiral Scheer. He died in Wentorf, Germany, on June 18, 1973, at age 80.

Now a relative footnote in naval history, Admiral Scheers lone exploit of 19401941 remains a remarkable achievement. Unlike more famous colleagues such as Graf Spee, Bismarck, Scharnhorst, and Tirpitz, the last of the pocket battleships beat the odds and came home to die. MHQ

Jon Guttman is MHQs research director.

This article appears in the Autumn 2018 issue (Vol. 31, No. 1) of MHQThe Quarterly Journal of Military History with the headline: The MarauderAs an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content.

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If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create.The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has implored legislators from around the world to enact laws that protect rights of migrant women.

Kadaga also called on parliamentarians to play a critical role in policy formulation and adherence to international laws pertaining to human rights and freedoms.

We can use our powers to ensure meaningful, balanced and informed response to migration. Management of human mobility at both international and local levels is more effective when parliaments cooperate with each other through regional and international forums, Kadaga said.

The Speaker made the call during the 28th Session of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The meeting is part of the 139th Assembly of the IPU, which is being held in Geneva, Switzerland.

During the discussion on the theme Migrant women: inclusion, work and rights in host countries, Kadaga informed the delegates that Uganda hosts many refugees and it has ratified the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

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We should all honor our responsibilities as per ratification of these conventions. Unfortunately, as of September 2017, only 37 member states had ratified the five UN legal instruments concerning international migration. Some states have not even ratified a single convention, Kadaga added.

She also appealed to migrant host countries to respect and protect the rights of women to work and also recognize that migration is a way of improving their rights and opportunities for work within families.

Kadaga called on the MPs to appeal to their respective governments to offer justice to women under migration situations, For they go through a lot of domestic violence but fear to report to the authorities because of their citizen status in those countries.Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 18-10-16 Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/> Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-16.10.18 No. 199/18 [A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS Contents [A] Turkish Cypriot Press [01] Turkish Cypriot politicians evaluate the UN report [02] Cavusoglu: "It is meaningless to sit at the table only for the sake of starting negotiations" [03] The occupation army denies information that it gave "green line" for new crossing points opening in Nicosia [04] Harmanci states that he held contacts for the opening of new crossing points in Nicosia [05] Erkmen compares the Orams' case with a lawsuit submitted by a Greek Cypriot at the Republic of Cyprus District Court regarding the usurpat?on of his property in occupied Agios Amvrosios village [06] Baybars announces "amendments" on the "citizenship law" [07] COMAR's survey shows Tatar to be elected in the UBP's leadership [B] Turkish Press [A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS [01] Pompeo to visit Turkey after Riyadh over Khashoggi [02] Turkey, Romania agree to increase trade to $10 billion [03] British, Turkish Foreign Ministers meet in London [04] Turkey suspends 259 local officials for 'terror links' [A] Turkish Cypriot Press [01] Turkish Cypriot politicians evaluate the UN report Illegal Bayrak (16.10.18) broadcast statements of Turkish Cypriot politicians regarding the report of the UN Secretary General which was presented to the United Nations Security Council by Antonio Guterres yesterday. "Prime minister" Tufan Erhurman (http://www.brtk.net/?english posts=erhurman-evaluates-report) in a statement on his social media account, said that Guterres' statement that "continued support for a horizon of endless process without result lies behind us" was significant. Reminding that the UN in its report pointed out that it will only provide support for a result-oriented and a time-tabled process, Erhurman stressed that this was realistic if efforts will be made for a solution. He also said that Guterres in his report once again reiterated that "the natural resources found in and around Cyprus should benefit both communities and should provide a strong incentive for all concerned parties to work in earnest towards a mutually acceptable and durable solution". Saying that both sides had the right on the natural resources found around Cyprus and that therefore these should be shared, Erhurman stated: "Tension would make both sides lose however succeeding in sharing will make both sides win." On his part, "foreign minister" Kudret Ozersay (http://www.brtk.net/?english posts=ozersay-evaluates-report ) stated on his social media account, that "the UN Secretary General has made a realistic and a down-to earth-evaluation" and reminded that the report pointed out that before full-edged negotiations could be resumed, the sides had to agree on the terms of reference that would constitute the consensus starting point for a possible negotiated conclusion to the Cyprus problem. Stating that it was important that the report instead of an approach to resume the talks from where it left off pointed out that the sides should agree on terms of reference that would constitute the consensus starting point for a possible negotiated conclusion to the Cyprus problem, Ozersay said: "Guterres urged the parties to mobilise "their creativity and commitment to help their communities understand and support the aim of a durable solution". Noting that the UN Chief said that 'while the UN can assist the parties an enduring solution to the Cyprus problem is for the Cypriots to decide' he said "in summary, it is positive that the UN abstained from trapping the Cyprus issue into certain templates." Finally, the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat (http://www.brtk.net/?english posts=cyprus-report-tops-the-agenda ) also issued a statement to TAK saying that "the Turkish Cypriot people were the ones most affected by the deadlocks experienced at the Cyprus talks". Talat said that "both sides have said what they were going to say and have exhausted their funds. The ball is in the UN's court. For the process to rejuvenate the UN must adopt a serious stance". He also said that the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades by not accepting the Guterres framework and putting forward the idea of a loose federation was trying to deviate from the path towards a solution. Touching upon Mr. Anastasiades's meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in New York, Talat said that this meeting led to concerns that the Turkish Cypriots were being bypassed and added that this meeting taking place was unacceptable. "This meeting did nothing more than butter up the Greek Cypriot side" said Talat. He concluded by saying that the only way a permanent solution can be found to the Cyprus problem is through a process in which the Turkish Cypriots are a part of. [02] Cavusoglu: "It is meaningless to sit at the table only for the sake of starting negotiations" Turkish Cypriot daily K?br?s Postas? newspaper(16.10.18, http://www.kibrispostasi.com/c35-KIBRIS HABERLERI/n265732-cavusoglu-kibrista-sirf-muzakereye-baslamak-icin-masaya-otur) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has referred to the Cyprus negotiations and alleged that "sitting at the table again only for the sake of starting negotiations in Cyprus is not meaningful, it should be fruitful". Addressing the opening ceremony of a symposium under the title "Law and Politics in Eastern Mediterranean" in Ankara, at the presence of Kudret Ozersay, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Cavusoglu also said that they will continue their drillings around the island and alleged: "Our grievance is not to quarrel with anyone, but the fair sharing of the wealth". (I/Ts.) [03] The occupation army denies information that it gave "green line" for new crossing points opening in Nicosia Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (15.10.18) writes that the Commander of the Turkish occupation Forces denied yesterday's report on Havadis according to which the commander of the so-called security forces ("GKK") has examined on the spot the Famagusta Gate and Pafos Gate areas in the occupied part of Nicosia, reached the conclusion that the opening of the two crossing points will not cause problems from the point of view of security and gave his approval for the continuation of the efforts in this direction. Havadis writes today that it was noted to the paper that the Commander of the Turkish occupation Forces had neither examined nor approved the opening of the two new crossing points. (CS) [04] Harmanci states that he held contacts for the opening of new crossing points in Nicosia Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (15.10.18) writes that the Turkish Cypriot "mayor" of the occupied part of Nicosia Mehmet Harmanci stated that he held contacts last week with the so-called presidency, the "prime minister's office" the "ministry of foreign affairs" and the so-called security forces ("GKK") for the opening of the Famagusta Gate and Pafos Gate areas in the occupied part of Nicosia. He also said that he received positive answers during the meetings he held. Harmanci added that he met several times with Nicosia Mayor Constantinos Yiorkadjis  on the issue and they also conducted reports on the issue. (CS) [05] Erkmen compares the Orams' case with a lawsuit submitted by a Greek Cypriot at the Republic of Cyprus District Court regarding the usurpat?on of his property in occupied Agios Amvrosios village Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (16.10.18) under the title: "The threat is starting now", reports on statements by Ayfer Said Erkmen, chairman of the "Immovable Property Commission" ("IPC"), who in exclusive statements to the paper, referred to the appeal at the Republic of Cyprus District Court by a Greek Cypriot regarding the illegal construction which took place on his property at Agios Amvrosios village in occupied Keryneia. Referring to the wish for the detention of the three persons, two Turkish Cypriot building contractors and the British buyer of the property, Erkmen claimed that serious threats will arise after this development. Referring to the court case filed at the Greek Cypriot court against the buyer and the constructors, Erkmen said that it would not be possible to intervene in the case and stated that the "persons accused" might be fined with the sentence to be announced by the Greek Cypriot court. Erkem, referring to the case of the Greek Cypriots, alleged that this case is similar to the Orams' case in the past. "And this because we know that the verdict of the Greek Cypriot court will be automatically become accepted by the European Council court members", Erkmen further said. (AK) [06] Baybars announces "amendments" on the "citizenship law" Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (16.10.18) reports that the so-called minister of interior, Aysegul Baybars, has stated that they had prepared and will soon introduce in the "ministerial council" a new "bill", according to which new "regulations" will take place on the "citizenship issue and the white cards". In an interview to illegal BRT, Baybars stated that they will submit the "bill" to the "ministerial council" by the end of the month and explained that with this "bill", they will undertake more strict measures on how they "grant the TRNC's citizenship", while at the same time, they will provide conveniences to the "investors" who wish to "invest" in the "TRNC". Supporting the view that the increase on the number of the citizens in one country and the "granting of citizenship to people with difference cultures" could change a country's faith, demographic structure, identity and culture, Baybars alleged that this is the main reason they have decided to implement more strict measures on the "citizenship law" . (AK) [07] COMAR's survey shows Tatar to be elected in the UBP's leadership Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (16.10.18) under the title: "It will be a contentious election", reports on the results of a survey conducted by COMAR research company on behalf of Kibris Media Group, regarding the National Unity Party (UBP) forthcoming general congress which is scheduled to take place on October 27 and 28. In the general congress, the leader of the party and the members of the "party's central committee" will be elected. The survey was conducted with the telephone interview method. Asked to reply to the question, "Which candidate would you vote for in the general congress", the participants in the survey replied as follows: -Sunat Atun: 12% -Huseyin Ozgurgun: 15% -Faiz Sucuoglu: 14.8% -Ersin Tatar: 18% -Undecided: 28.2% -12% did not answered. (AK) [B] Turkish Press [01] Pompeo to visit Turkey after Riyadh over Khashoggi Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.10.19 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/pompeo-to-visit-turkey-after-riyadh-over-khashoggi/1282602) reports that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit Turkey after his meeting with Saudi King Salman over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. According to information that Anadolu Agency received, Pompeo will visit Turkey on Wednesday and is expected to meet his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu. Earlier today, President Donald Trump said that Pompeo was being dispatched to meet Saudi King Salman to discuss about the disappearance of Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and columnist for the Washington Post newspaper, who has gone missing since he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. The State Department confirmed the travel announcement, saying that Pompeo will leave for Riyadh Monday. [02] Turkey, Romania agree to increase trade to $10 billion Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.10.19 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/turkey-romania-agree-to-increase-trade-to-10-billion/1282614) reports that Ankara and Bucharest have agreed to increase bilateral trade volume to $10 billion, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. "We foresee an increase this year in our bilateral trade volume, which stood at around $6 billion in 2017. During our bilateral talks, we agreed to increase this to $10 billion," Erdogan said at a joint news conference with Romania's Prime Minister Viorica Dancila at the presidential complex in capital Ankara. Erdogan said over 15,000 Turkish firms are active in Romania in the areas ranging from banking to media and from construction to manufacturing. "We will continue to support our businesspeople's investments in Romania," he added. Erdogan noted the Turkish-Romanian relations were raised to the level of a strategic partnership in 2011. He said Turkey expects from Romania to continue its cooperation against terrorist organizations. "We will not forget the solidarity of Romania with our country after the July 15 FETO coup attempt," he said. [03] British, Turkish Foreign Ministers meet in London Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.10.19 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/british-turkish-foreign-ministers-meet-in-london/1282688) reports thatTurkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt in London Monday and discussed a range of issues. Among the topics addressed in their closed-door meeting was the case of missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which Hunt said remains "deeply concerning". "The UK fully supports the Turkish investigation into the incident as I reiterated in person to Mr. Cavusoglu today," Hunt said. "We have been urging Saudi Arabia to cooperate fully with the investigation. There remain questions about the disappearance of Mr. Khashoggi that only Saudi Arabia can answer." Hunt said the UK welcomes Saudi King Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's agreement yesterday to establish a joint working group to look into the matter. Cavusoglu and Hunt also talked about bilateral and regional relations, the agreement between Turkey and Russia to establish a demilitarized zone in Idlib, Syria, the fight against terrorism and Brexit, according to Turkish diplomatic sources. A British Foreign Office statement said Hunt "raised the situation in Syria, stressing the importance of ensuring the safety of civilians in Idlib and commended Turkey for hosting over 3.6 million refugees". [04] Turkey suspends 259 local officials for 'terror links' Turkish Hurriyet Daly News (16.10.18 http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-suspends-259-local-officials-for-terror-links-137906) reports that Turkey has suspended 259 senior local officials over alleged terror links and activities unrelated to their posts, the Interior Ministry said on Oct. 15. Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu removed 259 local neighborhood heads"muhtar" in Turkishfrom their posts, his office said in a statement. It did not provide further details on what terror organizations the officials were allegedly linked to. The muhtar is the elected chief of a village or a city neighborhood and is responsible for day-to-day services for residents such as registration. Turkey has suspended 140,000 public sector employees because of alleged links to the illegal PKK and FETO, widely believed to have orchestrated the July 2016 failed coup attempt. Last week, the Ministry suspended 559 village guardslocals employed to combat PKK militantsaccused of links to terror organizations, while 76 were accused of human trafficking and drug-related crimes. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION (CS/ AM) Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleThe Humane Society of the United States is responding to the needs of animal and animal shelters in the wake of Hurricane Michael in Escambia County, Florida. The HSUS is providing logistical and financial support for transports of adoptable animals from shelters damaged by Hurricane Michael and shelters inundated with displaced animals from the storm.

A team of HSUS and Red Rover responders is assisting in these transport efforts as well as providing sheltering support for the Escambia County Animal Shelter, which is serving as a hub for transports of adoptable animals out of the communities hardest hit by Hurricane Michael.

In transporting adoptable animals out of shelters that have suffered infrastructure damage, water and power loss due to Hurricane Michael, we are able to provide these animals safe haven and a chance to continue to seek forever homes, said Sara Varsa, vice president of animal rescue for the Humane Society of the United States. Our efforts increase the capacity of communities to care for animals displaced in the storm, paving the way for animals to be reunited with their families.

As assessments continue, HSUS is responding to critical resource needs for animals, and coordinating equipment and personnel to serve those most affected by Hurricane Michael.

Your support is urgently needed: both so we can help during this emergency, and so we can be there at a moments notice when future emergencies such as natural disasters and animal cruelty cases occur. Please consider making a gift to support all of our preparedness, rescue, care and relief efforts through the Emergency Animal Relief Fund today.Dont Get Fooled Again: Piracy Still A Huge Problem

While it may not seem like the trendiest of internet scourges, piracy remains a huge issue. While many thought that the low cost and easy accessibility would bring about an end to illegal downloads, the fact that piracy still accounts for more than a third of music consumption suggests the dream of late 90s tech buccaneers is alive and well.

_________________________

Guest post by Chris Castle of Music Tech Solutions

I know its not very modern, but music piracy is still a huge problem. As recently as yesterday I had a digital music service executive tell me that theyd never raise prices because the alternative was zeromeaning stolen.

Very 1999, but also oh so very modern as long as Google and their ilk cling bitterly to their legacy safe harbors that act like the compulsory licenses they love so much. Except the safe harbor license is largely both royalty free and unlawful. Based on recent data, it appears that streaming is not saving us from piracy after all if 12 years after Googles acquisition of YouTube piracy still accounts for over one third of music consumption. The recent victory over Google in the European Parliament indicates that it may yet be possible to change the behavior of Big Tech in a post-Cambridge Analytica world.

Its still fair to say that piracy is the single biggest factor in the downward and sideways pressure on music prices ever since artists and record companies ceded control over retail pricing to people who have virtually no commercial incentive to pay a fair price for the music they view as a loss leader. If the Googles of this world were living up to their ethical responsibilities that should be the quid pro quo for the profits they make compared to the harms they socialize, then you wouldnt see numbers like this chart from Statistica derived from IFPI numbers:

The good news is that there is a solution availableor if not a solution then at least a more pronounced trendtoward making piracy much harder to accomplish. It may be necessary to take some definitive steps toward encouraging companies like Google, Facebook, Twitch, Amazon, Vimeo and Twitter to do more to impede and interdict mass piracy.

Private Contracts: It may be possible to accomplish some of these steps through conditions in private contracts that include sufficient downside for tech companies to do the right thing. That downside probably should include money, but everyone needs to understand that money is never enough because the money forfeitures are never enough.

The downside also needs to affect behavior. Witness Googles failure to comply with their nonprosecution agreement with the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice for violations of the Controlled Substances Act. When the United States failed to enforce the NPA against Google, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood sought to enforce Mississippis own consumer protection statutes against Google for harms deriving from that breach. Google sued Hoodand he ended up having to fold his case, even though 40 state attorneys general backed him.

Antitrust Actions: Just like Standard Oil, the big tech companies are on the path to government break ups as Professor Jonathan Taplin teaches us. What would have been unthinkable a few years ago due to fake grooviness, the revolving door and massive lobbying spending all over the planet, in a post-Cambridge Analytica and Open Media world, governments are far, far more willing to go after companies like Google, Amazon and Facebook.

Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act Civil Prosecutions: Civil RICO claims are another way of forcing Google, Facebook, Amazon & Co. to behave. Google is fighting a civil RICO action in California state court. This may be a solution against one or more of Google, Facebook and Amazon.

As we know, streaming royalties typically decline over time due to the fact that the revenues to be divided do not typically increase substantially (and probably because of recoupable and nonrecoupable payments to those with leverage). At any rate, the increase in payable revenues is less than the increase in the number of streams (and recordings).

While its always risky to think you have the answer, one part of the answer has to be basic property rights concepts and commercial business realityif you cant reduce piracy to a market clearing rate, youll never be able to increase revenue and music will always be a loss leader for immensely profitable higher priced goods that artists, songwriters, labels and publishers dont share be it hardware, advertising or pipes.

I strongly recommend Hernando de Sotos Mystery of Capital for everyone interested in this problem. The following from the dust jacket could just as easily be said of Googles Internet:

Every developed nation in the world at one time went through the transformation from predominantly extralegal property arrangements, such as squatting on large estates, to a formal, unified legal property system. In the West weve forgotten that creating this system is what allowed people everywhere to leverage property into wealth.

What we have to do is encourage tech companies to stop looking for safe harbors and start using their know-how to encourage the transformation of the extralegal property arrangements they squat on and instead accept a fair rate of return. My bet is that this is far more likely to happen in Europewithin 30 days of each other weve seen Europe embrace safe harbor reform in the Copyright Directive while the United States welcomed yet another safe harbor.

If were lucky, the European solution in the Copyright Directive may be exported from the Old World to the New. And if Hernando de Soto could bring property rights reform to Peru in the face of entrenched extralegal methods and the FARC using distinctly American approaches to capital, surely America can do the same even with existing laws and Google.

Share on:Adams-Cheshire Regional School District has scored a percentage above 50 on the MCAS meaning it no longer needs state intervention.

Adams-Cheshire Pleased With New MCAS Test Scores



Superintendent John Vosburgh says the school district's standardized test scores show improvement.

CHESHIRE, Mass.  The Adams-Cheshire Regional School District, under the new MCAS standards, does not require "assistance or intervention."

Superintendent John Vosburgh told the School Committee on Monday that the district has received a rating of 59 percent "partially meeting targets" that means although there is much work to do, the district rating with the state is improving.

"To give you a snapshot, we are currently in a position of overall classification of not requiring assistance or intervention," Vosburgh said. "Overall I'd say we should be pretty pleased we are definitely moving in the right direction."

With the MCAS 2.0 (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) in full swing, the district is being held to a new system. Instead of schools being categorized by levels, the Department of Education rates schools based on meeting expectation or whether or not they need intervention to improve test scores.

Adams-Cheshire had been categorized as a Level 3 school district and as late as 2015, had been well under the scoring goals in all three of its schools at the time. A state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education assessment found a number of failings but this was also about the time new strategies were being implemented to improve instructional quality and data assessment.

Vosburgh said the district's score is calculated by achievement, growth, high school completion as well as other indicators and a percentage score above 50 percent means the district no longer needs state intervention.

"We are partially meeting targets at 59 percent and anything above 50 percent means you are an improving school or district," he said. "As a district, we are classified as partially meeting targets."

Vosburgh said the indicators are rated between 0 and 4. A score of 0 means there was a decline; 1 means numbers stayed the same; 2 means the school or district has hit its target; 3 means the target was hit and improved upon; and 4 is exceeded the target.

He presented overall results and in achievement ratings were between 3 and 4 in English language arts and science throughout grade levels.

Although the high school students scored a 3 in mathematics other grade levels scored a 0.

"The good part of this is if you want to look at some of our weaknesses it does point out to you the areas in which we need to focus on," he said. "Whether you like MCAS or not it is the method in which the state comes in and says how well you are doing."

Vosburgh said another area of concern was high school completion in which the district score a zero in a few sections.

"It is an area we can definitely improve upon. I remember when I was being interviewed I said I wanted to pay attention to detail," he said. "We are not a huge district and we can certainly work with individual kids to make sure they are getting over the hump."

Growth scores were also higher with high school ELA growth at 4 and mathematics at 3. Other grade levels were at 3 in ELA and 2 in math.

Vosburgh also went through subgroups and said he had specific concerns in the high-needs groups where there were more zeros than he would have liked.

"We have a few zeros in there especially in math," he said. "In the areas you will see a zero or a 1, those are the areas where we need to focus on."

As for special education, Vosburgh said the district scored "needs assistance" which is second from the top.

"Not quite sure what needs assistance is going to translate into being that there are two categories below us of needs assistance," he said. "I am not thinking we are going to hear a whole heck of a lot. The state typically focuses on the bottom 20 percent of schools which we are not."

Vosburgh said as a Level 3 district, the Adams-Cheshire had been working alongside the region's District and School Assistance Center toward improvements. He said he wasn't sure if this would continue.

"We are not quite sure if we will just be dropped or if an interaction will remain," he said.

Vosburgh said the individual principals will provide more detailed presentations at a future meeting.Global regulatory milestones

Although banks have always been exposed to operational risk and have managed it more or less successfully, in the last few decades, due to a combination of economic and regulatory motivations, operational risk has attracted attention and resources more commensurate with its importance.

Several high-profile events in the 1990s, including the collapse of Barings Bank, gave initial prominence to operational risk. Additionally prompted by the increased complexity of banking products, processes, technologies and environment, supervisors and bank managers became more interested in this risk category.

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) identified a growing need for regulatory contribution and incentives, and in 1998 published the first set of practices, which were superseded by the sound practices/principles issued in 2003 and then updated in 2011.

The key milestone that reflects the Basel Committee's crucial role in setting trends for operational risk management is the publication of the Basel II capital framework in 2004, which included operational risk in Pillar 1, together with credit and market risks. This introduction of minimum capital requirements contributed considerably to the evolution of tools, processes and systems for managing operational risk.

Since then, new internal and external developments and threats, including some severe operational risk events (eg the Libor scandal, cybersecurity problems or recent money laundering incidents), reinforced the importance of adequate management and supervision of operational risk. On the regulatory front, however, Basel III, finalised in December 2017, could adversely affect the future development of advanced operational risk management practices.

Defining operational risk

The BCBS definition, given in Basel II, has become a universally accepted standard. Operational risk is defined as the risk of loss resulting from four possible causes:

processes (eg inadequacies in collateral management);

people (eg employee incompetency);

systems (eg accounting system errors); or

external events (eg earthquakes).

Additionally, it is specified that operational risk includes legal risk but excludes reputational and strategic risks.

The Basel Committee also contributed substantially to the development of operational risk taxonomy by providing the basis for classification:

by event type (internal fraud; external fraud; employment practices and workplace safety; clients, products and business practices; damage to physical assets; business disruption and system failures; execution, delivery and process management); and

by business line (corporate finance; trading and sales; retail banking; commercial banking; payment and settlement; agency services; asset management; retail brokerage).

The operational risk universe incorporates certain sub-categories that are further separately defined, regulated and/or managed, such as legal, compliance, money laundering, conduct, fraud, IT and security risk. On the other hand, reputational and strategic risks are considered distinct categories, but are often included in operational risk management. Additionally, there is a question of boundaries with regard to credit and market risk, as operational risk can affect any product or activity related to a bank's credit portfolio or trading book.

Besides its broad scope, operational risk also differs from other major risks because its loss distribution typically shows a greater number of small losses (high-frequency, low-severity) and a few extremely large losses (low-frequency, high-severity), which subsequently poses challenges for its quantification, management and supervision.

Managing operational risk

Despite the relative novelty of operational risk management and diverse practices, there are some typical organisational structures, processes, tools and methodologies that are used by banks. Important sources of risk management standards are the Basel Committee's documents, primarily the Basel II/III capital framework and operational risk management principles.

Operational risk management generally involves an iterative process of identifying operational risks, assessing (measuring) exposures to the identified risks, control/mitigation activities, and monitoring and reporting. Common tools and methods used in this process are risk and control self-assessment (RCSA), business process mapping, internal loss data collection and analysis, external loss data analysis, scenario analysis, and key risk indicators (KRIs).

The actual established frameworks and day-to-day practices vary significantly among banks, and this is also reflected in their (in)ability to measure operational risk and calculate economic and regulatory capital.

Capital charges  current methods

When minimum capital requirements for operational risk were introduced for the first time in Basel II, three main methods were made available for their calculation. These methods should remain in force until the implementation of corresponding Basel III provisions, scheduled for 2022.

Currently available approaches, in increasing order of complexity, are:

the basic indicator approach (BIA);

the standardised approach (TSA); and

the advanced measurement approaches (AMA).

Increasing sophistication should be accompanied by increasing risk sensitivity and (potentially) decreasing capital requirements. Although this path is also marked with more demanding qualitative and quantitative criteria, the necessary additional investments are assumed to be offset by the benefits of better management of operational risk and the expected lower capital charge.

Lack of support and incentives for investment in internal modelling might jeopardise the understanding and management of operational risk

The BIA and TSA are based on the gross income that serves as a proxy for the scale of operational risk (at a bank or a business line level). Gross income (or relevant indicator in the EU regulation) is the sum of net interest income and net non-interest income. Therefore, higher gross income is expressed in higher capital charge, and losses (eg from interests or fees) can significantly lower a bank's capital requirement for operational risk. In practice, there have been cases where the operational risk exposure increased (and internal losses materialised), but that was not reflected in the BIA/TSA capital charges.

According to the BIA, the whole bank's gross income is simply multiplied by the prescribed alpha factor of 15% in order to calculate the amount of operational risk capital charge. (If we want to convert the amount of capital charge into the corresponding operational risk exposure measure comparable to credit risk RWA, the capital charge should be multiplied by 1/8%, ie 12.5.)

According to the TSA, banks map their gross income into eight business lines and multiply each by the prescribed beta factors, which range from 12% to 18% depending on the perceived riskiness of each business line (eg 12% for retail banking, or 18% for trading and sales).

The AMA is on the other end of the sophistication spectrum and it allows banks to calculate their regulatory Pillar 1 minimum capital requirements using their own measurement systems and models. There are four obligatory elements prescribed for the AMA (internal loss data; external loss data; scenario analysis; and business, environment and internal control factors), but in comparison with credit and market risks, modelling of operational risk is much less regulated and standardised. Although the AMA requires prior validation and approval from the supervisors, practical implementation has not led to expected levels of comparability among banks and jurisdictions.

Capital charges  future method

Basel III tries to address limitations inherent in using gross income for the BIA and TSA calculations, as well as the insufficient stability and comparability of the AMA charges. Therefore, in 2022, all three current approaches will be abandoned and replaced by the new standardised approach (SA, SA-OP, standardised measurement approach or SMA), which is not model-based but should be sufficiently risk sensitive.

The SA capital charge is calculated by multiplying the two main components:

the business indicator component (BIC); and

the internal loss multiplier (ILM).

The BIC is derived from the business indicator (BI). The BI includes income from the interest, leases and dividend component (ILDC), the services component (SC) and the financial component (FC). Depending on the calculated BI amount (below 1 billion ($1.16 billion approximately); between 1 and 30 billion; above 30 billion), the BI is multiplied by the corresponding marginal alpha coefficients (12%, 15% and 18%) and the result is the BIC.

The ILM should reflect a bank's historical internal losses, but its introduction and implementation are subject to national discretions. Also, for banks with a BI below the 1 billion threshold, the ILM is always one, which cannot influence capital calculation, and therefore the capital charge equals the BIC (ie the BI times 12%).

Generally, Basel III provides for a more complex calculation of the business indicator compared to the gross income and, where applicable, for some banks the ILM could add to the risk-sensitivity of capital charges. As for the expected changes in the amount of operational risk capital requirements, the latest Basel III monitoring report points to a smaller impact than previously envisaged. The expected average change for the group 1 banks (largest banks, including global systemically important banks) is a 1.5% decrease, while the estimated average change for the group 2 banks would be a 6.4% increase, further depending on the current method from which migration to the SA is assumed.

Challenges ahead

Future developments in operational risk management could be hindered by the upcoming shift in capital calculation brought by the Basel III reform. Lack of support and incentives for investment in internal modelling might, ultimately, jeopardise the understanding and management of operational risk. Furthermore, it remains to be assessed whether the actual implementation and practical application of the SA will result in lower or higher capital charges, and whether it will adequately reflect banks' operational risk profiles and provide for the desired level of consistency and comparability.

Additional challenges are related to the appropriate management of some established and emerging operational risk sub-categories, for example conduct risk, people risk, technology risk, cybersecurity, privacy, data management and cross-border issues.

 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs.

Share this articleThis blog may be a labor of love for me, but it takes a lot of effort, time and money. For over 14 years and 30,000 articles I have been providing accurate, original news that would have remained unnoticed. I've written hundreds of scoops and sometimes my reporting ends up making a real difference. I appreciate any donations you can give to keep this blog going.Home Search ICH President Trump's Full '60 Minutes' Interview Video and Transcripts When Americans vote in next month's midterm elections, it's likely President Trump and his agenda will be motivating them as much as any candidate or local issue on the ballot. Almost two years ago when we last interviewed then-President-Elect Trump, he seemed surprised he had won. Not that he'd ever admit that to us. Posted October 15, 2018 Well, when we sat down with him this past Thursday in the White House, we found him confident and boastful, as he told us he's learned on the job. He was eager to joust over the issues of the day: the economy, China and Russia and of course "fake news." But we started with very real news. The suspected murder of a Saudi journalist and the catastrophe of Hurricane Michael. Which has devastated parts of the Florida Panhandle. Claiming at least 19 lives and leaving hundreds of thousands without power across the Southeast. Michael comes on the heels of a series of super storms: Florence in the Carolinas, Maria in Puerto Rico, Harvey in Texas. Lesley Stahl: Do you still think that climate change is a hoax? Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter President Donald Trump: I think something's happening. Something's changing and it'll change back again. I don't think it's a hoax, I think there's probably a difference. But I don't know that it's manmade. I will say this. I don't wanna give trillions and trillions of dollars. I don't wanna lose millions and millions of jobs. I don't wanna be put at a disadvantage. Lesley Stahl: I wish you could go to Greenland, watch these huge chunks of ice just falling into the ocean, raising the sea levels. President Donald Trump: And you don't know whether or not that would have happened with or without man. You don't know. Lesley Stahl: Well, your scientists, your scientists-- President Donald Trump: No, we have-- Lesley Stahl: At NOAA and NASA-- President Donald Trump: We have scientists that disagree with that. Lesley Stahl: You know, I-- I was thinking what if he said, "No, I've seen the hurricane situations, I've changed my mind. There really is climate change." And I thought, "Wow, what an impact." President Donald Trump: Well-- I'm not denying. Lesley Stahl: What an impact that would make. President Donald Trump: I'm not denying climate change. But it could very well go back. You know, we're talkin' about over a millions-- Lesley Stahl: But that's denying it. President Donald Trump: --of years. They say that we had hurricanes that were far worse than what we just had with Michael. Lesley Stahl: Who says that? "They say"? President Donald Trump: People say. People say that in the-- Lesley Stahl: Yeah, but what about the scientists who say it's worse than ever? President Donald Trump: You'd have to show me the scientists because they have a very big political agenda, Lesley. Lesley Stahl: I can't bring them in. President Donald Trump: Look, scientists also have a political agenda. President Trump vows "severe punishment" if Saudi Arabia is behind disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi Lesley Stahl: Jamal Khashoggi, the journalist-- President Donald Trump: Yes. Yes. Lesley Stahl: the Saudi journalist, was he murdered by the Saudis? And did the prince give the order to kill him? President Donald Trump: Nobody knows yet, but we'll probably be able to find out. It's being investigated. It's being looked at very, very strongly. And we would be very upset and angry if that were the case. As of this moment, they deny it. And den-- deny it vehemently. Could it be them? Yes. Lesley Stahl: Jared, your son-in-law. Got on the phone and asked the prince. Did he deny it? Did he-- President Donald Trump: They deny it. They deny it every way you can imagine. In the not-too-distant future, I think we'll know an answer. Lesley Stahl: What are you options? Let's say they did. What are your options? Would you consider imposing sanctions, as a bipartisan group of senators have proposed? President Donald Trump: Well, it depends on what the sanction is. I'll give ya an example. They are ordering military equipment. Everybody in the world wanted that order. Russia wanted it, China wanted it, we wanted it. We got it. Lesley Stahl: So would you cut that off-- President Donald Trump: I tell you what I don't wanna do. Boeing, Lockheed, Raytheon, all these com-- I don't wanna hurt jobs. I don't wanna lose an order like that. There are other ways of-- punishing, to use a word that's a pretty harsh word, but it's true. Lesley Stahl: Tell everybody what's at stake here. You know--- President Donald Trump: Well, there's a lot at stake. There's a lot at stake. And maybe especially so because this man was a reporter. There's something-- you'll be surprised to hear me say that. There's something really terrible and disgusting about that, if that were the case. So we're gonna have to see. We're going to get to the bottom of it and there will be severe punishment. President Donald Trump: Right. Lesley Stahl: With Canada and Mexico, Kavanaugh-- President Donald Trump: And South Korea. Lesley Stahl: And South Korea. And Kavanaugh, the confirmation. President Donald Trump: There has been no administration in the history of our country, and I say this openly and proudly, that in its first two years-- Lesley Stahl: Say, this is modesty. President Donald Trump: Well, it's not even that, it's a fact Tax cuts, regulation cuts, the biggest regulations cuts in history. President Trump explains his relationship with Kim Jong Un Lesley Stahl: What about North Korea? Talking about accom-- President Donald Trump: Well, I consider it a, so far, great achievement. Look, we-- Lesley Stahl: You say "so far"? President Donald Trump: It's always so far, til everything's done. I-- I-- you know, deals are deals, okay? Whether it's a real estate deal or a retail deal, it doesn't matter. But I will say this. The day before I came in, we were goin' to war with North Korea. I sat with President Obama-- Lesley Stahl: We were goin' to war? President Donald Trump: --and-- we were gonna--I think it was going to end up in war. And my impression is-- and even in my first few months, I mean, that rhetoric was as tough as it could possibly get. Doesn't get any tougher than that. Nobody's ever heard rhetoric that tough. We were going to war with North Korea. Now, you don't hear that. You don't hear any talk of it. And he doesn't wanna go to war, and we don't wanna go to war, and he understands denuclearization and he's agreed to it. And you see that, he's agreed to it. No missiles. Lesley Stahl: Do you trust him? President Donald Trump: I do trust him, yeah, I trust him. That doesn't mean I can't be proven wrong -- Lesley Stahl: Why would-- President Donald Trump: about it? Lesley Stahl: you trust him? President Donald Trump: Well, first of all, if I didn't trust him, I wouldn't say that to you. Wouldn't I be foolish to tell you right here, on 60 Minutes-- Lesley Stahl: Well, remember what Reagan said. "Trust, but verify." President Donald Trump: Sure. I know. It's-- it's very true. But the fact is, I do trust him. But we'll see what happens. Lesley Stahl: But is it true that they haven't gotten rid of a single weapon, and they may actually be building more missiles- President Donald Trump: They want to-- Lesley Stahl: With nuclear-- President Donald Trump: And I will tell you that they're closing up sites. Lesley Stahl: But-- President Donald Trump: Setting it up. Lesley Stahl: Is what I said true, that they haven't? Gotten-- President Donald Trump: Well, nobody really knows. I mean, people are saying that. I've actually said that. Lesley Stahl: What? That they're still building missiles, more missiles? President Donald Trump: We don't really know, Lesley. We really don't know. But I assume-- Lesley Stahl: Suspect that? President Donald Trump: Let's say the answer is yes, okay? In the meantime, they haven't tested a missile. They haven't tested a rocket. They definitely haven't done a nuclear test because you know about them real fast. It sort of moves the earth. And we have a relationship now. Lesley Stahl: One of the things that Kim has asked for is for you to ease the sanctions. President Donald Trump: We haven't done that. Lesley Stahl: Are you prepared to do that? What-- what does he have to do-- President Donald Trump: No, No. I-- Lesley Stahl: Before you're-- President Donald Trump: No I'm not doing it. This isn't the Obama administration. I haven't eased the sanctions. I haven't done anything. I haven't done anything. We're meeting. I believe he likes me. I like him. We have a good relationship. It's very important. President Trump at rally: "And then we fell in love, okay. No really. He wrote me beautiful letters. And they're great letters. We fell in love." Lesley Stahl: I wanna read you his resume, okay? He presides over a cruel kingdom of repression, gulags, starvation-- reports that he had his half-brother assassinated, slave labor, public executions. This is a guy you love? President Donald Trump: Sure. I know all these things. I mean-- I'm not a baby. I know these things. Lesley Stahl: I know, but why do you love that guy? President Donald Trump: Look, look. I-- I-- I like-- I get along with him, okay? Lesley Stahl: But you love him. President Donald Trump: Okay. That's just a figure of speech. Lesley Stahl: No, it's like an embrace. President Donald Trump: It well, let it be an embrace. Let it be whatever it is to get the job done. Lesley Stahl: He's a bad guy. President Donald Trump: Look. Let it be whatever it is. I get along with him really well. I have a good energy with him. I have a good chemistry with him. Look at the horrible threats that were made. No more threats. No more threats. Lesley Stahl: China. President Donald Trump: I get along with him. It's very important. China, let's go. Lesley Stahl: I'm skipping across the world here. You've slapped a lot of tariffs-- President Donald Trump: $250 billion. Lesley Stahl: Gonna do more? President Donald Trump: Might. Might. Lesley Stahl: Round three? President Donald Trump: They wanna negotiate, Lesley. They wanna negotiate. Lesley Stahl: Are you ready? President Donald Trump: Look. Lesley Stahl: Are you ready to-- President Donald Trump: I have a great chemistry also with President Xi of China. I don't know that that's necessarily going to continue. I told President Xi we cannot continue to have China take $500 billion a year out of the United States in the form of trade and others things. Lesley Stahl: And how-- how-- President Donald Trump: And I said we can't do that, and we're not gonna do that anymore. Lesley Stahl: How much squeezing of them are you prepared to do when American products are gonna be more expensive for American consumers in the end of all this? President Donald Trump: Okay. Okay. So, so far, that hasn't turned out to be the case. Lesley Stahl: Some-- President Donald Trump: --if you think about it, so far, I put 25% tariffs on steel dumping, and aluminum dumping 10%. Lesley Stahl: But they've-- President Donald Trump: --again. Lesley Stahl: --retaliated. That's what I'm asking. President Donald Trump: They can retaliate, but they can't-- they don't have enough ammunition to retaliate. We do $100 billion with them. They do $531 billion with us. Lesley Stahl: Are you trying to sort of push them into a depression? President Donald Trump: No no, although they're down 32 percent in four months, which is 1929. Lesley Stahl: Well that's what I'm asking. President Donald Trump: I don't want that. No, I don't want that. I want them to negotiate a fair deal with us. I want them to open their markets like our-- our markets are open. Lesley Stahl: But you're in a-- President Donald Trump: And it will be a fair deal-- Lesley Stahl: --trade war right now. Trade war. President Donald Trump: You call it war, I don't call-- Lesley Stahl: You-- you-- President Donald Trump: --it-- Lesley Stahl: --you did today. President Donald Trump: I called it a skirmish. Lesley Stahl: I heard you, you called it a war. President Donald Trump: I called it, actually I called it a battle. But, actually, I'm gonna lower that. I consider it a skirmish. And we're gonna win. Lesley Stahl: You have also slapped some tariffs on our allies. President Donald Trump: I mean, what's an ally? We have wonderful relationships with a lot of people. But nobody treats us much worse than the European Union. The European Union was formed in order to take advantage of us on trade, and that's what they've done. Lesley Stahl: But this is hostile. President Donald Trump: And yet, they-- it's not hostile. Lesley Stahl: It sounds hostile. President Donald Trump: You know what's hostile? The way they treat us. We're not hostile. Lesley Stahl: No, but can't you deal with-- President Donald Trump: We've been-- we've been-- Lesley Stahl: --them without-- President Donald Trump: --the stupid country for so many years. Lesley Stahl: Are you willing to get rid of that Western alliance? President Donald Trump: Now, I like NATO, NATO's fine. But you know what? We shouldn't be paying almost the entire cost of NATO to protect Europe. And then on top of that, they take advantage of us on trade. They're not going to do it anymore. They understand that. Lesley Stahl: Okay, but are, it does seem this, are you willing to disrupt the Western Alliance? It's been going for 70 years. It's kept the peace for 70 years. President Donald Trump: You don't know that. You don't know that. Lesley Stahl: I don't know what? President Donald Trump: You don't know that. Lesley Stahl: Is it true General Mattis said to you, "The reason for NATO and the reason for all these alliances is to prevent World War III?" President Donald Trump: No, it's not true. Lesley Stahl: What's not true? President Donald Trump: Frankly, I like General Mattis. I think I know more about it than he does. And I know more about it from the standpoint of fairness, that I can tell you. Lesley Stahl: I'm gonna try one more time. Okay. President Donald Trump: I know-- and, Lesley, you don't have to try again. I know exactly what you're saying-- Lesley Stahl: Well, answer my question. President Donald Trump: The answer is this. I will always be there with NATO, but they have to pay their way. I'm fully in favor of NATO, but I don't wanna be taken advantage of. President Trump says Putin is "probably" involved in assassinations Lesley Stahl: Putin. President Donald Trump: Yeah. Lesley Stahl: Okay, people don't understand why you never have a harsh word for Vladimir Putin. President Donald Trump: Okay, you ready? Lesley Stahl: I don't understand it. President Donald Trump: I have been-- you don't know what I talked about with Putin in the meeting prior to the press conference-- Lesley Stahl: No, I mean publicly. You never say anything harsh about him-- President Donald Trump: Excuse me. Lesley Stahl: --publicly. President Donald Trump: I didn't? I'm the one that gave Ukraine offensive weapons and tank killers. Obama didn't. You know what he sent? He sent pillows and blankets. I'm the one-- and he's the one that gave away a part of Ukraine where Russia now has this-- Lesley Stahl: Well, I mean him personally Vladimir Putin-- President Donald Trump: I think I'm very tough with him personally. I had a meeting with him. The two of us. It was a very tough meeting and it was a very good meeting. Lesley Stahl: Do you agree that Vladimir Putin is involved in assassinations? In poisonings? President Donald Trump: Probably he is, yeah. Probably. I mean, I don't-- Lesley Stahl: Probably? President Donald Trump: But I rely on them, it's not in our country. Lesley Stahl: Why not-- they shouldn't do it. This is a terrible thing. President Donald Trump: Of course they shouldn't do it- Lesley Stahl: Instead do you believe-- President Donald Trump: That's your (UNINTEL)-- Lesley Stahl: --do you believe that the Russians interfered in the 2016 campaign election? Our election- President Donald Trump: They-- they meddled. But I think China meddled too. Lesley Stahl: But why do you-- President Donald Trump: And I think other countries-- Lesley Stahl: --say China meddled too? President Donald Trump: And you wanna know something? Lesley Stahl: Why do you say Chi-- why don't you just say-- President Donald Trump: Well, let me ask you-- Lesley Stahl: --the Russians meddled? President Donald Trump: Because I think China meddled also. And I think, frankly, China-- Lesley Stahl: This is amazing. President Donald Trump: --is a bigger problem. Lesley Stahl: You are diverting the whole Russia thing. President Donald Trump: I'm not doing anything. Lesley Stahl: You are, you are President Donald Trump: I'm saying Russia, but I'm also saying China. But it's the investigation of Russia's intervention in the 2016 election that hangs over his presidency and caused a rift with his Attorney General Jeff Sessions, because he recused himself from the inquiry. Lesley Stahl: What about the attorney general, Jeff Sessions? President Donald Trump: Well, we'll see what happens come midterms. But-- Lesley Stahl: But everybody thinks, given the things you've said-- President Donald Trump: I was disappointed that he recused himself and many people think I was right on that. I was very disappointed. Why should he have recused himself? So I was very-- Lesley Stahl: So-- President Donald Trump: --disappointed but-- Lesley Stahl: So can I assume-- President Donald Trump: --we'll see what happens. Lesley Stahl: Can I assume he's gone? President Donald Trump: No. No. You can't assume that. Lesley Stahl: Will you. Will you pledge-- pledge that you will not shut down the Mueller investigation? President Donald Trump: Well, I-- I don't pledge anything. But I will tell you, I have no intention of doing that. I think it's a very unfair investigation because there was no collusion of any kind. Lesley Stahl: But you won't pledge-- President Donald Trump: There is no collusion. I don't wanna pledge. Why should I pledge to you? If I pledge, I'll pledge. I don't have to pledge to you. But I have- Lesley Stahl: Well-- President Donald Trump: I have no intention of doing that. To date, 32 people have been charged or pled guilty in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. President Trump's campaign chairman, top campaign aide, former national security advisor and longtime personal attorney are all cooperating in the inquiry the president calls a witch hunt. President Donald Trump: Do you really think I'd call Russia to help me with an election? Give me a break. They wouldn't be able to help me at all. Call Russia. It's so ridiculous. One thing the president loves to talk about, and for good reason, is the economy. Consumer confidence is higher than it's been in nearly two decades and unemployment, at 3.7 percent, is the lowest in nearly 50 years. And yet, there's an ugly mood in the air. We are a country torn by angry, bitter partisan divisions. And there are many who say the president isn't helping. We talked with the president about that, the contentious Kavanaugh hearings, questions of chaos in his administration. And his record so far. Lesley Stahl: So you've been president for almost two years. Is there anything that you wish you hadn't said, anything you wish you hadn't done? Do you have any regrets? President Donald Trump: So when I won the presidency, I th-- I-- I-- the press treats me terribly. I thought very strongly that, you know, the one great thing will happen is the press will start treating me great. Lesley, they treat me worse. They got worse instead of better. Very dishonest. Lesley Stahl: Okay, this-- you're-- but you regret? President Donald Trump: I regret that the press treats me so badly-- Lesley Stahl: I'm-- I'm really asking (UNINTEL)-- President Donald Trump: And despite that, my poll numbers are very good, so. Lesley Stahl: Have you made any mistakes? That's my question. President Donald Trump: Everybody makes mistakes. Lesley Stahl: And what have been yours? President Donald Trump: I could have been-- earlier with terminating the NAFTA deal. The problem was, I was getting to know the leaders. I was getting to know countries. I didn't wanna do it right outta the box. So I waited a little while, but I could have done trade a little bit earlier. Lesley Stahl: What about the forced separation of children from their-- migrant children-- President Donald Trump: Yeah. Well, that was-- Lesley Stahl: from the-- President Donald Trump: the same as the Obama law. You know, Obama had the same thing. Lesley Stahl: It was on the books, but he didn't enforce it. You--enforced it. You launched that-- the zero tolerance policy-- to deter families with children coming-- President Donald Trump: No, but then everybody decided and the courts don't want separation. And frankly, when you don't do separa-- when you allow the parents to stay together, okay, when you allow that, then what happens is people are gonna pour into our country. Lesley Stahl: So are you gonna go back to that? President Donald Trump: Well, we're looking at a lot of things. Really what we wanna do is change the immigration laws, 'cause they were-- they were a laughing stock all over the world. Lesley Stahl: Are you willing though-- I think that you're saying you're-- it's under consideration. President Donald Trump: No, I want all the laws changed. Lesley Stahl: But the children specifically-- President Donald Trump: there have to be consequences, Lesley, for coming into our country illegally. And part of the r-- I mean, part of the reason, I have to blame myself, the economy is so strong that everybody wants to come into the United States. Lesley Stahl: Can I just ask this simple question, yes or no. President Donald Trump: Go ahead. Lesley Stahl: Are you willing to reinstitute that policy? You said, "We're looking at everything." President Donald Trump: I will-- Lesley Stahl: Yes or no. President Donald Trump: I will only-- I can't-- you can't say yes or no. What I can say is this: There are consequences from coming into a country, namely our country, illegally. Lesley Stahl: I'm not gonna ask it again-- President Donald Trump: You don't have to. Lesley Stahl: 'cause I know you won't-- it-- President Donald Trump: But it's the same as Obama. President Trump on politics: It is vicious, it's full of lies, deceit and deception Lesley Stahl: Okay. Changing subjects again-- you are the first president of the United States who never had a political post before, nor never served in the military. You come up here, you've been here for almost two years, what's the biggest surprise and what have you learned since you've been president? President Donald Trump: Okay. So I always used to say the toughest people are Manhattan real estate guys and blah, blah. Now I say they're babies. Lesley Stahl: Who's the toughest? President Donald Trump: They're babies, the political people. This is the most deceptive, vicious world. It is vicious, it's full of lies, deceit and deception. You make a deal with somebody and it's like making a deal with-- that table. Lesley Stahl: Give me an example. President Donald Trump: Well, I don't wanna give you an example. I'm not lookin' to-- in the meantime, nobody's been able to do what I've been able to do. Remember that. When you look at taxes, you look at regulations, you look at-- making deals with other countries. Nobody's been able to do anything like this. Actually, most people didn't even try because they knew they didn't have the ability to do it. But it's a very deceptive world. The other thing I've really learned is I never knew how dishonest the media was. I-- I-- and I really mean it. I'm not saying that as a sound bite. I never-- Lesley Stahl: I'd like to-- President Donald Trump: Knew how dishonest-- Lesley Stahl: I'm-- I'm gonna change the subject again. President Donald Trump: Well, no, even the way you asked me a question, like, about separation. When I say Obama did it, you don't wanna talk about it. Lesley Stahl: No, I'm gonna run your-- President Donald Trump: When I say I did it, let's make a big deal of it. Lesley Stahl: I'm gonna run your answer, but you did it four times, so. President Donald Trump: I'm just telling you that you treated me much differently on the subject. Lesley Stahl: I disagree, but I don't wanna have that fight with you. President Donald Trump: Hey, it's okay-- Lesley Stahl: All right, I'll get in another fight with you-- President Donald Trump: Lesley, it's okay. In the meantime, I'm president--and you're not. It's a presidency like no other: he's redefined the office, with a governing style that's more freewheeling in-your-face New York than buttoned-up Washington. He's not shy about trumpeting his victories, but some have come with a cost. Lesley Stahl: This country is divided, polarized. Within families, there aren't even people who can talk to each other. What does this say about where we are as a country right now, all this division and strife and-- President Donald Trump: Yeah-- I think that-- Lesley Stahl: --anger? President Donald Trump: --what's going to happen-- I think the economy's bringing people together. It was very polarized under President Obama, unbelievably polarized under President Obama. I can see the country uniting. I can see it. We have people, Democrats, who behaved horribly during the Judge Kavanaugh-- you-- know what I'm saying. Lesley Stahl: But when you won that. President Donald Trump: --during the hearings for the Supreme Court, we had senators that behaved horribly. Lesley Stahl: But when you won, you won. No-- no one is gonna argue with that. President Donald Trump: I won-- Lesley Stahl: You won. And then after you won, instead of saying, "Oh, let's all come together, this is wonderful. Let's heal all of this," you come out and bash the Democrats. President Donald Trump: Well, I bashed their attitude. I bashed their statements-- Lesley Stahl: But why not try to-- President Donald Trump: Because they were-- Lesley Stahl: --bring us together? President Donald Trump: --so unfair to Judge Kavanaugh. I've never-- Lesley Stahl: But why not-- President Donald Trump: seen anything like it. Lesley Stahl: --why not try and-- we need to be healed. We need-- President Donald Trump: I don't think they want to heal yet, I'll be honest. Lesley Stahl: Well, you don't wanna-- President Donald Trump: I think-- Lesley Stahl: heal yet. President Trump on his treatment of Christine Blasey Ford at rally: "It doesn't matter. We won." President Donald Trump: I-- I-- I saw Hillary Clinton made a really nasty statement. I don't think they wanna be healed. I do wanna heal. Lesley Stahl: I'm n-- I'm not talking about Democrat-- I'm talking about the country. You go out and you go to Mississippi. President Donald Trump: The famous Mississippi speech? President Trump at rally in Mississippi: I had one beer. Well, you think it was, nope! It was one beer. Oh good. How did you get home? I don't remember. How did you get there? I don't remember. Where is the place? I don't remember. How many years ago was it? I don't know. I don't know I don't know Lesley Stahl: And you mimicked Professor Blasey Ford. You mimicked her. President Donald Trump: Had I not made that speech, we would not have won. I was just saying she didn't seem to know anything. Lesley Stahl: No (UNINTEL)-- President Donald Trump: And you're trying to destroy a life of a man who has been extraordinary. Lesley Stahl: Why did you have to make fun of her? President Donald Trump: I didn't really make fun of her. Lesley Stahl: Well, they were laughing. President Donald Trump: What I said the person that we're talking about didn't know the year, the time, the place. Lesley Stahl: Professor Blasey Ford got before the Senate and-- and was asked what's the worst moment. And she said, "When the two boys laughed at me, at my expense." President Donald Trump: Ok, fine. Lesley Stahl: And then I watched you mimic her and thousands of people were laughing at her. President Donald Trump: They can do what they-- I-- I will tell you this. The way now Justice Kavanaugh was treated has become a big factor in the midterms. Have you seen what's gone on with the polls? Lesley Stahl: But did you have to-- President Donald Trump: Well, I think she was treated with great respect, I'll-- I'll-- Lesley Stahl: And-- but-- President Donald Trump: be honest with you. Lesley Stahl: but do you thinkyou treated her with-- President Donald Trump: There are those that think she shouldn't have-- Lesley Stahl: Do you think you treated her with respect? President Donald Trump: I think so, yeah. I did. Lesley Stahl: But you seem to be saying that she lied. President Donald Trump: W-- you know what? I'm not gonna get into it because we won. It doesn't matter. We won. Ever since the Mississippi speech, he's been out campaigning, rallying his supporters for the midterm elections. But back in Washington, he's had to deal with reports of internal strife in his administration. Lesley Stahl: The anonymous column that ran in "The New York Times." The author, we don't know who it is. Whoever it is. President Donald Trump: Whoever it is. Maybe it was "The New York Times" too. Lesley Stahl: Paints a picture. President Donald Trump: No, no, it's --By the way, you don't know how dishonest "The New York Times" is. It could've been "The New York Times." I doubt it. But it could've been. Lesley Stahl: Okay. I doubt it too. President Donald Trump: It also could've been any-- w-- well, don't count on it. It also could've been any one of 3,000 people. The anonymous op-ed column told of a "resistance" within the Trump Administration, who've questioned his fitness for office. President Trump says reports of chaos in his administration are "fake news" Lesley Stahl: You have said that this administration is like a smooth-running machine. And yet, we keep hearing that the White House is in chaos. President Donald Trump: It's-- wrong, it's so false. It's fake news. I'm changing things around. And I'm entitled to. I have people now on standby that will be phenomenal. They'll come into the administration, they'll be phenomenal. Lesley Stahl: More people gonna go? President Donald Trump: Yeah, other people will go, sure. Lesley Stahl: 'Cause so many people, you have kind of a record of --on turnover. President Donald Trump: I think I have a great Cabinet. There're some people that I'm not happy with. Lesley Stahl: Who are you not happy with? President Donald Trump: No, I don't wanna say that but Lesley Stahl: Come on. President Donald Trump: Not I don't want to say that. But I have some people that I'm not thrilled with. And I have other people that I'm beyond thrilled with. Lesley Stahl: What about General Mattis? Is he going to leave? President Donald Trump: Well, I don't know. He hasn't told me that. I have-- Lesley Stahl: Do you want him to-- President Donald Trump: --a very good relationship with him. It could be that he is. I think he's sort of a Democrat, if you wanna know the truth. But General Mattis is a good guy. We get along very well. He may leave. I mean, at some point, everybody leaves. Everybody. People leave. That's Washington. Lesley Stahl: The first lady, Melania. She said that there are still people in the White House that she doesn't trust and that you shouldn't trust. President Donald Trump: I feel the same way. I don't trust everybody in the White House, I'll be honest with you. Lesley Stahl: You go to a meeting, do you have to wonder, "Is he wearing a wire--" President Donald Trump: I'm usually -- Lesley Stahl:or whatever? President Donald Trump: Not so much a wire. I'm usually guarded. And I think I'm guarded anyway. But I'm not saying I trust everybody in the White House. I'm not a baby. It's a tough business. This is a r-- this is a vicious place. Washington DC is a vicious, vicious place. The attacks, the-- the bad mouthing, the speaking behind your back. --but-- you know, and in my way, I feel very comfortable here. Lesley Stahl: It takes a president a while to find his sea legs. President Donald Trump: I think so. I mean, I felt comfortable at the beginning, other than it was a little surreal to say I'm the president of the United States, but I think that's true with everybody. Lesley Stahl: POTUS. President Donald Trump: Now I very much feel like POTUS. I do. I feel like the president. You know, for a little while, it's like-- "Mr. President, sir." It's-- even my friends, they call me, they-- they don't call me Donald-- they call me Mr. President. And I say, "Will you please loosen up?" I've learned on the job. I have. Lesley Stahl: And you feel comfortable? President Donald Trump: I feel very comfortable, yeah. Produced by Richard Bonin, Graham Messick and Ruth Streeter. Associate producers, Ayesha Siddiqi, Kaylee Tully and Jack Weingart Lesley Stahl has been a 60 Minutes correspondent since 1991. This article was originally published by " 60 Minutes " -  2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here. ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load.By Boaventura de Sousa Santos



October 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Brazilian democracy is on the brink of the abyss. The institutional coup that was set in motion with President Dilma Rousseffs impeachment and led to the unjust imprisonment of former President Lula da Silva is all but complete. The consummation of the coup has acquired a meaning that is quite different from what was initially intended by many of the political and social forces that promoted it or just would not disagree with it. Some of these forces either acted or reacted in the honest belief that the coup was aimed at regenerating Brazilian democracy by fighting corruption, while others saw it was a way of neutralizing the elevation of the popular classes to a standard of living that sooner or later was to be a threat not only to the elites but also to the middle classes (among whom there were many who were the product of the redistributive policies against which they were now turning). Of course none of the two groups spoke of a coup and both believed that democracy was there to stay. They were unaware of the existence of three time bombs which, although built at very different times, could explode all at once. Were that to happen, democracy would show its frailty and possibly prove unable to survive.



Built in colonial times and during the independence process, the first time bomb was detonated in a particularly brutal way on several occasions throughout Brazils modern history, but was never effectively defused. It is the very DNA of a society divided into masters and servants, oligarchic elites and the ignorant people, institutional normalcy and extra-institutional violence  in a word, an extremely unequal society in which socio-economic inequality has never been extricated from racial and sexual prejudice. Despite all their mistakes and defects, the PT (Workers Party) governments were unparalleled in the manner in which they contributed to defuse this bomb, creating policies of social redistribution and fighting racial and sexual discrimination in ways that were unprecedented in Brazilian history. For the defusing to be effective, these policies would have to be sustainable and held in place for several generations, thus keeping the memory of extreme inequality and crude discrimination from being susceptible to political reactivation by hostile forces. Since this has not been the case, those policies have had other effects but failed to defuse the time bomb. On the contrary, they provoked those who had the power to activate it into doing so as soon as they possibly could, before it was too late and the threats posed to the elites and the middle classes became irreversible. The overwhelming demonization of the PT by the oligopolistic media, especially from 2013 onwards, exposed this desperate wish to stop the threat.

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The second time bomb was built during the military dictatorship that ruled the country from 1964 to 1985 and in the course of the process whereby the transition to democracy was negotiated. It consisted in making Brazils Armed Forces not only the guarantor of the countrys defense against foreign threats, as is usually the case in a democracy, but the ultimate guarantor of the domestic political order. What ultimate means here is a state of readiness to intervene at any given moment defined as exceptional by the Armed Forces. This was what (unlike Argentina, but very much like what happened in Chile) not only made it impossible to punish the crimes of the dictatorship but also allowed the military to impose on the 1988 constituents 28 paragraphs devoted to the constitutional status of the Armed Forces. That was the reason why many of those who ruled during the dictatorship were able to continue to rule as elected politicians in the democratic Congress. The calls to military intervention and authoritarian militarist ideology remained latent and always ready to explode, so that when members of the military began to intervene more actively in domestic politics in recent months (calling for Lulas imprisonment, for instance), it all seemed normal given the exceptional circumstances.



The third time bomb was built in the United States after 2009 (the year of the institutional coup in Honduras), when the US government first became aware of the fact that the subcontinent was escaping the control it had uninterruptedly maintained (with the exception of the Cuban distraction) throughout the 20th century. This loss of control presented two dangers to US security: the challenging of unrestrained access to the vast natural resources, and the increasingly troubling presence, on the continent, of China, a country that way before Trump had been viewed as the new global threat to the international unipolarity the US had been able to achieve with the fall of the Berlin Wall. Thus the bomb began to be built with the help not just of the traditional mechanisms of the CIA and the US Army School of the Americas, but most of all the new mechanisms of the so-called defense of market-friendly democracy. This meant that, in addition to the US government, intervention could enlist civil society organizations linked to US economic interests (such as those funded by the Koch brothers). In other words, a defense of democracy dictated by the interests of the market and therefore likely to be discarded whenever those interests so demanded. This time bomb became operational with Brazils 2013 protests and underwent improvements with the historic opportunity provided by political corruption. The major involvement in the judicial system on the part of the US had begun in the early 1990s in such countries as post-Soviet Russia and Colombia, among many others. When the issue is not regime change, intervention needs to be depoliticized. That is what the fight against corruption is all about. We know that the most important data on the Lava-Jato operation was fed by the US Department of Justice, the rest being the product of despicable rewarded delation (a type of plea bargaining). Judge Sergio Moro became the main agent of imperial intervention. In the case of Brazil, however, the fight against corruption alone would not be sufficient. It was enough to neutralize Brazils alliance with China in the context of the BRICS, but not to open Brazil fully to the interests of multinationals.



In fact, the policies pursued by Brazil over the last forty years (with some dating back to the dictatorship) resulted in the country possessing until recently vast oil reserves outside the international market, two major state-owned companies and two state-owned major banks, and 57 tuition-free federal universities. What this means is that this is a country far removed from the neoliberal ideal, and that for it to move closer to that ideal a more authoritarian intervention was needed, given the Brazilian peoples degree of receptiveness to the PTs social policies. Hence Jair Bolsonaros emergence as the markets favorite candidate. What he says about women, black people, homosexuals or torture hardly matters to the markets. It hardly matters that the climate of hatred generated by him is setting the country ablaze. In the early morning of Monday, October 8, Moa do Katende, the well-known capoeira master, was murdered in the city of Salvador by a Bolsonaro supporter who did not appreciate hearing the master voice his support for Haddad (the PT candidate). And this is just the beginning. None of it matters to the markets as long as Bolsonaros economic policies are similar to those of Pinochet in Chile. And indeed his chief economist possesses a direct knowledge of that infamous Chilean policy. Steve Bannon, the American extreme-right-wing politician, actively and openly supports Bolsonaro, but that is merely the front office of the empires support. Digital analysts have shown surprise at the technical excellence of the bolsonarista campaign in the social media, which includes micro-targeting, ultra-personalized digital marketing, sentiment manipulation, fakenews, robots, social media bots, etc. Those who watched Dark Money, a documentary about the influence of money in US elections shown on PBS (the US Public Broadcasting Service) recently, can easily conclude that fakenews in Brazil (about children, sexual education, abortion, communism, etc.) is the translation into the Portuguese language of the news circulated by dark money in the United States to either promote or destroy candidates. That some of the centers that produce messages are located in Miami and Lisbon is hardly relevant (even if true).



Jair Bolsonaros victory in the second round will amount to the simultaneous detonation of these three time bombs. It will be difficult for Brazilian democracy to survive the destruction caused by it. The second round is therefore a matter of system survival, a veritable plebiscite on whether Brazil should remain a democracy or become a new kind of dictatorship. A very recent book of mine is currently being given wide circulation in Brazil. Its title, Lefts of the World, unite! While standing by every word in it, the moment compels me to voice a broader cry: Brazilian Democrats, unite! While it is true that, by siding with the uncontrolled (but quite controlled in other quadrants) behavior of a part of the judiciary in these last two years, the Brazilian right has shown a very qualified adherence to democracy, it is my belief that significant sectors of it are unwilling to commit suicide for the sake of the markets. They will have to unite actively in the fight against Bolsonaro. I am aware that, given their hatred of the PT, many of them will just not be able to recommend a vote for Haddad. In that case, all they have to do is say: do not vote for Bolsonaro. I imagine and expect that this will be said publicly and convincingly by someone who was once a good friend of mine, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, the former president of Brazil who was also a great sociologist before that. Everyone, men and women alike (women will not have a more decisive role in their lives and in the lives of all Brazilians in the next few years) must engage in active, door-to- door participation. They should also have two things in mind. First, mass fascism was never made up of fascist masses, but rather of well-organized fascist minorities who were capable of capitalizing on the legitimate aspirations of ordinary citizens to have a decent job and live in safety. Second, we have reached a point where, in order to ensure a degree of democratic normalcy, it is not enough that Haddad wins; he must win by a large margin.

Boaventura de Sousa Santos is a Professor at the School of Economics at the University of Coimbra, Distinguished Legal Scholar at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School, Global Legal Scholar at the University of Warwick and Director of the Centre for Social Studies at the University of Coimbra.

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Peace and joyBy William Hartung

October 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - If the Saudi government is indeed behind the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi there should be consequencespolitical, military, economic, and reputational.

Unfortunately, President Trump begs to differ. His reaction to questions about whether the United States would cut off arms sales to Saudi Arabia if Riyadh is proven to be behind the killing of Khashoggi has been to say that he does not want to jeopardize the alleged $110 billion in arms deals his administration has struck with the Saudi regime, and the U.S. jobs that come with them.

In his recent interview with CBS 60 Minutes, Trump specifically cites the needs of U.S. weapons manufacturers as reasons to keep U.S. arms flowing to the Saudi regime, even if it ends up being responsible for the murder of Khashoggi:

They are ordering military equipment. Everybody in the world wanted that order. Russia wanted it, China wanted it, we wanted itI tell you what I dont wanna do. Boeing, Lockheed, Raytheon, all these [companies]I dont wanna hurt jobs. I dont wanna lose an order like that.

Trump tells CBSs Leslie Stahl that there are other ways of punishing Saudi Arabia without cutting of U.S. arms sales, but he fails to specify what those might be.

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Regardless of what ultimately happened to Khashoggi, continuing U.S. arms sales and military support to Saudi Arabia under current circumstances is immoral. Jobs should not be an excuse to arm a murderous regime that not only may be behind the assassination of a U.S. resident and respected commentator but is responsible for thousands of civilian casualties in its three-and-one-half-year military intervention in Yementhe majority killed with U.S-supplied bombs and combat aircraft and U.S. refueling and targeting assistance.

The Khashoggi case merely underscores the approach of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the power behind the throne in Riyadh who is the most ruthless and reckless leader in Saudi history. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), one of a growing list of congressional critics of the regime, has asserted that the actions of the Saudi/UAE coalition in Yemen look like war crimes. And the impacts go well beyond the indiscriminate air strikes that have targeted hospitals, civilian market places, funerals, a wedding, and most recently a school bus carrying 40 children. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are also spearheading a partial blockade that has made it extremely difficult to get urgently need humanitarian assistance to Yemenis who desperately need it, putting millions of people on the brink of starvation. And their bombings of water treatment plants and other civilian infrastructure are responsible for the most serious outbreak of cholera in recent memory, a totally preventable consequence of the war.

Even if it were acceptable to favor jobs over human rights in this case, the economic benefits are in fact marginal. Trump strongly implies that if the United States were to cut off arms sales to Saudi Arabia, the $110 billion arms deal he has made with Riyadh would be in jeopardy. But as the fact checker for The Washington Post has pointed out, the idea that there ever was a $110 billion arms deal is fake news. It is a public relations figure cooked up by the Trump administration that combines offers made under the Obama administration, a few new deals, and a long wish list of sales that may never materialize.

In reality, since Trump took office, Saudi Arabia has signed commitments for about $14.5 billion in U.S. weaponry, only slightly more than 10% of the $110 billion figure Trump boasts about at every opportunity.

To cite one pertinent example, the precision-guided bomb sale to Saudi Arabia that the Trump administration green-lighted last year will support at most a few thousand jobs in an economy that employs over 125 million people.

Military procurement generates fewer jobs than virtually any other form of economic activity, and many of the jobs associated with U.S. arms sales are created overseas in the purchasing nation as a condition of the sale. For example, as part of Mohammed bin Salmans much-touted economic plan, the goal is to have a full 50% of the work generated by Saudi arms imports done in the kingdom by 2030. U.S. firms are already jumping to comply with this mandate by setting up subsidiaries in Saudi Arabia and signing off on the assembly of U.S.-supplied weapons there.

Trumps claim that Russia or China will quickly swoop in to grab any arms deal the United States declines to conclude with the Saudi regime is also suspect. The Saudi arsenal is heavily dependent on U.S.- and UK-supplied weaponry. It would take many years and tens of billions of dollars to change course in any meaningful waymoney that Riyadh can ill afford as it hemorrhages money for its brutal war in Yemen and tries to cope with unstable oil prices. Its always possible that the Saudi military would make a token purchase from Russia or China to send a signal, but the idea that the United States would lose out on a huge volume of arms sales as a result is unlikely in the extreme.

There are other ways to promote jobs in the United States that do not involve accepting blood money from the Saudi regime. Congress should not be dissuaded from doing the right thing due to false claims about the economic benefits of the U.S.-Saudi arms trade.

The ball is now in the congressional court, where bipartisan opposition to the Trump administrations cozy relationship with Saudi Arabia is growing. Most recently the House is seeking to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen under the War Powers Resolution, an effort led by Mark Pocan (D-WI), Ro Khanna (D-CA), and Adam Smith (D-WA) and co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of dozens of their colleagues. There will also be strong opposition to a long-discussed sale of precision-guided U.S. bombs to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates once it comes up for formal consideration.

The case of Jamal Khashoggi is just one of many reasons for the United States to distance itself from the Saudi regime. The time to act is now.

William D. Hartung is the director of the Arms and Security Project at the Center for International Policy and the author of Prophets of War: Lockheed Martin and the Making of the Military-Industrial Complex.

This article was originally published by " Lobe Log " -

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Peace and joyBy Paul Craig Roberts

October 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Florida residents from the eastern part of Panama City Beach to Apalachicola now know what a war zone is like. 750,000 people are without power and without water. Thousands of homes and commercial structures no longer exist. Mexico Beach has been more or less wiped off the face of the earth. Many areas are still inaccessible. Many people are still trapped in place because of debris and downed trees across roads.

Families searching for missing family members are at times obstructed by police trying to keep looters and gawkers out of the area and trying to save what little traffic capacity there is for emergency and repair crews. It is difficult to image people so lacking in humanity that they go to loot what little remains of the property of such damaged people.

But perhaps it is not difficult to image such people. Perhaps such people have been running US foreign policy since the Clinton regime. If you look at these photos of the damage, you will have an idea of the damage our government acting in our name has inflicted on eight countries since the Clinton regime: Serbia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Libya, Syria, Pakistan, and the ongoing atrocity in Yemen. Anyone looking at the devastation of the Florida panhandle from Panama City to Apalachicola could think they are looking at the work of Dick Cheney and his Zionist neocon warmongers that devastated the Middle East and North Africa.

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Americans are a curious people. They sent large sums of money to parents whose children were allegedly killed in school shootings, the reality of which many challenge, and they sent large sums of money to support Christine Blasey Ford for accusing Kavanagh of attempted rape despite her inability to substantiate her charge. Will the compassion and empathy that responds to ideological crimes such as those ascribed to white heterosexual victimizers, gun owners, and illegal immigration opponents also respond to the victims of Hurricane Michael and US foreign policy?

Why is it that the liberal-progressive-left can get so upset about an alleged attempted rape 30 or 40 years ago but accept without protest Washingtons destruction of the lives, prospects, and infrastructure of millions of peoples in eight countries? All of the immigrants about which Trump complains are people fleeing from Americas wars on their countries. If America and Europe do not want refugees, why do they engage in wars that produce refugees?

Is this simple question beyond the intelligence of Western politicians?

Are Americans aware that the latest national defense posture statement reaffirms the neoconservative priority that America prevail over the world? Do Americans understand that Washington considers Russia and China to be threats simply because they have independent foreign and economic polcies? Do Americans understand that American hegemony means that no country is permitted to be sovereign?

No, of course, they dont. The presstitute media doesnt tell them.

Between the flag-wavers and the Democratic Partys Identity Politics there is massive ignorance. A war with Russia and China is national suicide. A war with Iran is regional suicide. We need a government that understands this.

Dr. Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and associate editor of the Wall Street Journal. He was columnist for Business Week, Scripps Howard News Service, and Creators Syndicate. He has had many university appointments. His internet columns have attracted a worldwide following. Roberts' latest books are The Failure of Laissez Faire Capitalism and Economic Dissolution of the West , How America Was Lost , and The Neoconservative Threat to World Order .

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Peace and joyKhashoggi Was No Critic of Saudi Regime



Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi journalist, who disappeared in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week is not quite the critic of the Saudi regime that the Western media says he is, writes Asad AbuKhalil.



By As`ad AbuKhalil

October 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi journalist, in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week has generated huge international publicity, but unsurprisingly, little in Saudi-controlled, Arab media. The Washington Post, for whom Khashoggi wrote, and other Western media, have kept the story alive, increasing the pressure on Riyadh to explain its role in the affair.

Its been odd to read about Khashoggi in Western media. David Hirst in The Guardian claimed Khashoggi merely cared about absolutes such as truth, democracy, and freedom. Human Rights Watchs director described him as representing outspoken and critical journalism.

But did he pursue those absolutes while working for Saudi princes?

Khashoggi was a loyal member of the Saudi propaganda apparatus. There is no journalism allowed in the kingdom: there have been courageous Saudi women and men who attempted to crack the wall of rigid political conformity and were persecuted and punished for their views. Khashoggi was not among them.

Some writers suffered while Khashoggi was their boss at Al-Watan newspaper. Khashoggicontrary to what is being writtenwas never punished by the regime, except lightly two years ago, when Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) banned him from tweeting and writing for Al-Hayat, the London-based, pan-Arab newspaper owned by Saudi Prince Khalid bin Sultan.

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By historical contrast, Nasir As-Sa`id was a courageous secular Arab Nationalist writer who fled the kingdom in 1956 and settled in Cairo, and then Beirut. He authored a massive (though tabloid-like) volume about the history of the House of Saud. He was unrelenting in his attacks against the Saudi royal family.

For this, the Saudi regime paid a corrupt PLO leader in Beirut (Abu Az-Za`im, tied to Jordanian intelligence) to get rid of As-Sa`id. He kidnapped As-Sa`id from a crowded Beirut street in 1979 and delivered him to the Saudi embassy there. He was presumably tortured and killed (some say his body was tossed from a plane over the empty quarter desert in Saudi Arabia). Such is the track record of the regime.

Finding the Right Prince

Khashoggi was an ambitious young reporter who knew that to rise in Saudi journalism you dont need professionalism, courage, or ethics. In Saudi Arabia, you need to attach yourself to the right prince. Early on, Khashoggi became close to two of them: Prince Turki Al-Faysal (who headed Saudi intelligence) and his brother, Prince Khalid Al-Faysal, who owned Al-Watan (The Motherland) where Khashoggi had his first (Arabic) editing job.

Khashoggi distinguished himself with an eagerness to please and an uncanny ability to adjust his views to those of the prevailing government. In the era of anti-Communism and the promotion of fanatical jihad in Afghanistan and elsewhere, Khashoggi was a true believer. He fought with Osama bin Laden and promoted the cause of the Mujahideen.

The Washington Posts David Ignatius and others want to embellish this by implying that he was an embedded reporteras if bin Ladens army would invite independent journalists to report on their war efforts. The entire project of covering the Afghan Mujahideen and promoting them in the Saudi press was the work of the chief of Saudi intelligence, Prince Turki, Khashoggis principal patron-prince.

Western media coverage of Khashoggis career (by people who dont know Arabic) presents a picture far from reality. They portray a courageous investigative journalist upsetting the Saudi regime. Nothing is further from the truth: there is no journalism in Saudi Arabia; there is only crude and naked propaganda.

Editors are trusted individuals who have demonstrated long-time loyalty. Khashoggi admitted to an Arab reporter last year in an interview from Istanbul that in Saudi Arabia he had been both editor and censor. Editors of Saudi regime papers (mouthpieces of princes and kings) enforce government rules and eliminate objectionable material.

Khashoggi never spoke out for Saudis in distress. He ran into trouble in two stints as Al-Watan editor because of articles he published by other writers, not by himself, that were mildly critical of the conservative religious establishmentwhich he at times supported. He was relocated to another government media job to shield him from the religious authorities.

Khashoggi was the go-to man for Western journalists covering the kingdom, appointed to do so by the regime. He may have been pleasant in conversation with reporters but he never questioned the royal legitimacy. And that goes for his brief one-year stint in Washington writing for the Post.

A Reactionary

Khashoggi was a reactionary: he supported all monarchies and sultanates in the region and contended they were reformable. To him, only the secular republics, in tense relations with the Saudis, such as Iraq, Syria and Libya, defied reform and needed to be overthrown. He favored Islamization of Arab politics along Muslim Brotherhood lines.

Khashoggis vision was an Arab uprising led by the Saudi regime. In his Arabic writings he backed MbSs reforms and even his war on corruption, derided in the region and beyond. He thought that MbSs arrests of the princes in the Ritz were legitimate (though he mildly criticized them in a Post column) even as his last sponsoring prince, Al-Walid bin Talal, was locked up in the luxury hotel. Khashoggi even wanted to be an advisor to MbS, who did not trust him and turned him down.

Writing in the Post (with an Arabic version) Khashoggi came across as a liberal Democrat favoring democracy and reform. But he didnt challenge Saudi regime legitimacy or Western Mideast policy. Mainstream journalists were enamored with him. They saw him as an agreeable Arab who didnt criticize their coverage of the region, but praised it, considering the mainstream U.S. press the epitome of professional journalism. Khashoggi was essentially a token Arab writing for a paper with a regrettable record of misrepresenting Arabs.

In Arabic, his Islamist sympathies with Turkey and the Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwan) were unmistakable. Forgotten or little known in the West is that during the Cold War the Saudis sponsored, funded, and nurtured the Muslim Brotherhood as a weapon against the progressive, secular camp led by Egypts Gamal Abdel Nasser. Ikhwan controlled the Saudi educational system raising Saudi students to admire the Brotherhood. But Sep. 11 changed the Saudi calculus: the rulers wanted a scapegoat for their role in sponsoring Islamist fanaticism and the Ikhwan was the perfect target. That made Khashoggi suspect too.

Hints Against Him

Recent articles in the Saudi press hinted that the regime might move against him.He had lost his patrons but the notion that Khashoggi was about to launch an Arab opposition party was not credible. The real crime was that Khashoggi was backed alone by Ikhwan supporters, namely the Qatari regime and the Turkish government.

A writer in Okaz, a daily in Jeddah, accused him of meeting with the Emir of Qatar at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York and of having ties to regional and international intelligence services. If true it may have sealed his fate. Qatar is now the number one enemy of the Saudi regimearguably worse than Iran.

Khashoggi was treated as a defector and one isnt allowed to defect from the Saudi Establishment. The last senior defections were back in 1962, when Prince Talal and Prince Badr joined Nassers Arab nationalist movement in Egypt.

Khashoggi had to be punished in a way that would send shivers down the spine of other would-be defectors.

Asad AbuKhalil is a Lebanese-American professor of political science at California State University, Stanislaus. He is the author of the Historical Dictionary of Lebanon (1998), Bin Laden, Islam and Americas New War on Terrorism (2002), and The Battle for Saudi Arabia (2004). He also runs the popular blog The Angry Arab News Service.

This article was originally published by " Consortium News " -

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Peace and joyOctober 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Turkish authorities say prosecutors have found evidence that supports suspicions that missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul.

A source at the Attorney General's office, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said on Monday that Turkish officials had "found evidence that supports" their belief that the writer was killed, Al Jazeera's Jamal Elshayyal reported.

"This is a significant step forward after several days of an impasse," he said from Istanbul.

The report came hours after Turkish investigators entered the consulate for what officials called a joint inspection of the building where Khashoggi was last seen alive, entering the diplomatic post, nearly two weeks ago.

The source at the Attorney General's office said their team also found evidence of "tampering", Elshayyal reported.

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Turkish officials say they believe Saudi agents killed and dismembered Khashoggi and say Turkey has audio and video recordings of it. Saudi Arabia has called the allegations "baseless" but has offered no evidence the writer left the consulate.

Meanwhile, CNN, citing two unnamed sources, said Saudi Arabia is preparing to admit that Khashoggi was killed as a result of an interrogation that went wrong.

The Saudis launched an internal investigation into the disappearance of Khashoggi earlier on Monday.

After speaking with Saudi Arabia's King Salman, US President Donald Trump suggested that "rogue killers" could be responsible for the disappearance and presumed killing of the Saudi government critic.

Trump's comments came after a 20-minute phone call with Salman in which Trump said the king adamantly denied any knowledge of what happened to Khashoggi.

Trump announced he'd despatched Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to the kingdom, to try and find out what happened to Khashoggi, a Saudi national who had been living and working in the US.

"The king firmly denied any knowledge of it," Trump told reporters as he left the White House.

Trump said he didn't "want to get into (Salman's) mind," but told reporters: "it sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. I mean, who knows? We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial."

The US president gave no evidence to support the theory.

The comments marked a break from the Trump administration's previous refusal to speculate over the fate of Khashoggi and came as the US president is under growing pressure to take action on the case.

Khashoggi is a contributor to The Washington Post and has written columns critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The case has provoked an international outcry against Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, with more media and business executives pulling out of a planned investment conference there this month.

This article was originally published by " Al Jazeera " -

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==See Also==

Turkish police enter Saudi consulate in Istanbul

'You Couldn't Make This Up': A Bunch of Mops, Cleaners, and Trash Bags Delivered to Saudi Consulate Ahead of Khashoggi Murder Probe

Turkish police have audio of 'Khashoggi killing in consulate'

Jamal Khashoggi: Trump suggests 'rogue killers' to blame:

Trump sending Pompeo 'immediately' to meet with Saudi King

Saudi Arabia Threatens Anyone Spreading 'Fake News' Online with 5 Years in Prison, Heavy Fines

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Peace and joyBy Dr. Cesar Chelala



October 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Pope Francis acceptance of the resignation of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl had raised hopes that an important step had been taken in the sexual abuse cases plaguing the Catholic Church. However, by praising Cardinal Wuerls service to the church, and keeping him as the archdioceses caretaker until he appointed his successor, Pope Francis gave a step backwards and disappointed many sexual abuse victims.



According to a Pennsylvania grand jury report on sexual abuse in the Catholic Church released last August, six Pennsylvania dioceses accused Cardinal Wuerl of helping to protect some priests that molested children while he was Bishop of Pittsburgh from 1988 to 2006. The report said Cardinal Wuerl had accepted the advice of psychologists in allowing priests accused of sexually abusing children to remain in the ministry.



It also said that Cardinal Wuerls had been mentioned more than 200 times in relation to his poor handling of accusations against abusing priests. Cardinal Wuerl tried to deflect responsibility by saying that the cases had occurred in the 1980s and 1990s when the church hadnt yet developed clear policies on sexual abuse. I think I did everything that I possibly could, Cardinal Wuerl said in a television interview.

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The incongruity of his defense was refuted after drawing strong criticism. Cardinal Wuerl, in a sad letter to his archdiocese, accepted responsibility for the actions described in the grand jury report, saying, I wish that I could redo some decisions I have made in my three decades as a bishop and each time get it right. However, it must be stressed that in addition to the cover up, the church avoided reporting the abuses to the police. Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvanias attorney general, said at the time that the grand jury report clearly showed that Cardinal Wuerl had participated in the cover-up.



Pope Francis, in accepting Cardinal Wuerls resignation wrote, You have sufficient elements to justify your actions and distinguish between what it means to cover up crimes or not to deal with problems, and to commit some mistakes. However, your nobility has led you not to choose this way of defense. Of this, I am proud and thank you.



Pope Francis support for Cardinal Wuerl could be explained by the archbishops support for the social and political changes that the Pope is trying to achieve within the Catholic Church. The Pope himself is being attacked by conservative members of the church because of these actions. Given the extent of Pope Francis intended reforms, it is plausible that not too many high officials in the church support him, particularly if these actions curtail their benefits.



By calling Cardinal Wuerls actions simply mistakes, and by keeping him as a member of the Congregation of Bishops, Pope Francis doesnt seem to realize the grave harm that the priests actions have caused, and the almost irreparable damage done to the Catholic Church. The result of the abuse carried out by thousands of priests around the globe have left people psychologically damaged, many of whom will probably never be able to overcome the consequences of these disgraceful incidents.



The credibility of the Catholic Church as an institution has been shattered by the extent of the abuses. Unless this is acknowledged, and those guilty of the abuse or their cover-up are properly investigated and punished, the Catholic Church will continue to lose believers in droves, and cease to be the place of spiritual comfort that people desperately need.



Dr. Cesar Chelala is an international medical consultant and writer.

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Peace and joyHome Search ICH The Framing of Russia By David Macilwain October 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - On the first of May, the UKs National Security Adviser Sir Mark Sedwill told MPs that the agencies he oversaw  MI6, MI5 and GCHQ  had no information on who was responsible for the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter two months earlier. Three days later police searched the room in the City Stay Hotel used by suspects Ruslan Boshirov and Alexander Petrov, and took swabs which were found to contain Novichok by Porton Down. The police did not make this information public until September 6th, when they chose to break the story of the now notorious Russian assassins. As I have speculated before, and as is now becoming increasingly clear, the suspects put in the frame by the UK government were evidently known to its intelligence agencies long before Mark Sedwills denial, and in fact before they even reached London, on their way, we are told ad nauseum, to hit the Skripals with toxic perfume. Obviously that story is not true, but it now appears that the mission assigned to the unwitting Russian couple was much more than simply to be caught on CCTV in the vicinity of the elusive Skripals, and that they were a pivotal part of Operation Nina  both in the planning stages and in the extended action phase, currently playing out in the media and institutions of the Western world. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The researches of Elena Evdokimova, explained in systematic detail on her twitter account, allow us to turn what was previously just informed speculation into solid assertions which now look highly likely to be true, and which then become a basis for further well-informed speculation. I use the term highly likely with reservation, having previously argued that it lies a long way from certainty. In this context however, its only fair to adopt Mark Sedwills own interpretation of the phrase as meaning 100% certain, bizarre as that is. This adjustment to the standard of proof by the UKs intelligence agencies was contained in an intelligence briefing to NATOs chief Jen Stoltenberg, made public on Friday April 13th  the day before the combined US/UK/French missile attack on Damascus. Without labouring the point, its worth quoting from Sedwills letter to NATO. Sedwill wrote: I would like to share with you and allies further information regarding our assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian state was responsible for the Salisbury attack. Only Russia has the technical means, operational experience and the motive. The term highly likely is one commonly used by the intelligence agencies when they believe something is 100% certain  since they are unwilling to express that opinion without a caveat in case of error. Sedwill wisely left himself a caveat however, concluding that: there is no plausible alternative explanation. So how might we classify implausible on the scale of probability? Implausible certainly doesnt mean impossible, nor perhaps even highly unlikely. But to say something is not plausible is to make a judgement that reflects ones point of view, or in this case the UKs strategic attitude. The explanation for the attack on Sergei Skripal being offered by the UK government and its top advisors is clearly not plausible in Russias eyes, nor in those of most independent observers and commentators. In fact the UKs story  its cover story for Operation Nina is virtually impossible, besides being highly improbable and completely inexplicable in its finer details; those have been sufficiently explored not to need repeating, nor do they merit any further attention. Its already evident that no amount of scientific analysis and careful reasoning can counter this intricately constructed spy story or its stranglehold on Western mainstream media and the public mind. Ironically it is now the one area of weakness in Russias defence against these delinquent charges that offers the greatest opportunity, centring around the question of what exactly Petrov and Boshirov were doing in Salisbury. This has been a weakness that the UK and its minions have exploited to the full, and that also challenges those of us trying to defend the Russians innocence. What has been revealed by Elena Evdokimova and her sources however, appears to show that UK agencies were selecting and cultivating suitable Russians to use as patsies in psy-ops against Russia, with Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov picked out for Operation Nina. The whole story of her research and discoveries is told on Elenas twitter thread, and should be read in detail, but in essence it goes like this: (it focuses on Ruslan Boshirov  who Eliot Higgins/Bellingcat claim to be Anatoly Chepiga and a GRU agent.) Ruslan Boshirov applied for a replacement 5 year foreign passport in 2016 through a private agency, submitting copies of his previous passport from 2011 and his Russian ID from 1999. As Elena says: #Skripal None of the photos Bellingcat produced were the photos of Chepiga. All 3  are the photocopies from the documents that were needed to apply for a 5 year foreign passport and they were all photos of Boshirov. But the plot is much more sophisticated than we imagined. Not long after Boshirov submitted his application to this private firm: 30-40 sets copies of peoples documents (those who applied for a foreign passport through that firm) were stolen by a criminal in 2016. Thats why the passports Bellingcat is forging have the same series and consecutive numbers  they were stolen at the same time & place. The criminal sold those documents to a foreign entity. These documents also included details of the individuals work history and military service. They also had the photocopies of peoples new foreign passports they stole, including Boshirovs passport. One photocopy was already used to fake the Shirokovs passport (see Montenegros 2016 coup False Flag). So those to whom that criminal sold the photocopies knew where to contact people whose documents they stolen. They had their places of employment. Thats what they done- they offered Boshirov & Petrov (a gay couple who seem to be involved in something a bit shady- steroids?human growth hormones?) to deliver something to somebody Salisbury, somewhere near the #Skripals house or, maybe, maybe even to Skripal himself(?) Boshirov and Petrov were handsomely paid and did not even think twice  who does not want to have a paid holiday just to deliver/pick up a small thing, maybe documents, prescription drugs, steroids or whatever. But whatever they picked up/delivered was not quite legal, so both did not want to mention it. As Putin said- not much of a criminal they were. Thats how they were in Salisbury at the right place at the right time. And suspiciously spent only 3-4 hours there each day. While being in Salisbury they were also sightseeing, looked at famous cathedral, which is actually amazing. When they came home- people who used them stopped sending them overseas. There was no reason to- the patsies done what they were planned to be used for. Meanwhile, Boshirov and Petrov discovered in horror that they were used, accused in poisoning #Skripals and, being not the brightest people  they decided not to tell about their shady delivery, especially on TV. So they looked even more suspicious. Which all sounds rather plausible. In the plausibility stakes in fact, this whole story  which as Elena observes is only hypothetical  rates at least as highly likely, if not quite beyond reasonable doubt, and is a substantial base on which to mount further speculation and prediction on the conspirators next moves. That the UK government, its agencies and assistants are the conspirators, with everything that this implies, can however no longer be in doubt. This article was originally published by " Off Guardian " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here. ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load.By Cassandra Fairbanks



October 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Despite numerous reports claiming that the communications of Julian Assange have been restored, they are not yet  and there will be a severe regime of penalties and sanctions on his speech and writing when they are.



The team at WikiLeaks was informed on Friday that his communications would be restored on Monday, October 15, but so far there has not been any change. In a grave violation of free speech, Assange was also presented with a nine page document that includes outlining limitations and restrictions on what he will be able to do and say online.

The new rules also promise to potentially use the UK police against visitors or to sieze communications equipment.

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The protocols Assange will be forced to agree to in order to end his isolation have been leaked online in Spanish

The draconian document demands that he avoids any activities that could be political or would interfere in interior matters of other states  essentially squashing his freedom of speech and his ability to publish.

It also provides new rules for visitors.

VISITORS

The document begins by outlining the new rules for visitors. It says that any person outside the Embassy or the ecuadorian Government, without exception, that wishes to visit Assange will need to request prior authorization in writing addressed to the Chief of the Embassy of Ecuador. They will need to include their full names, nationality, copies of identification, reason for the visit, their profession and workplace, email accounts and links to their social media, and serial numbers for any phones or tablets they wish to keep with them during the visit.

Additionally, the IMEI of visitors cellphone chips is also required for their intelligence collection operation. This must be sent through email, a return email obtained, and that must be printed and brought to the appointment.

For frequent visitors, Ecuador is willing to make exceptions and give them a letter of identification which they will only have to renew every three months.

Should the embassy refuse to allow someone access, they will not be providing a reason why. It says that they reserve the right to decline or cancel any authorization at any time, even for those who have been previously authorized as a frequent visitor.

When this reporter visited Assange in the days prior to his isolation, all details were worked out with staff working for Assange. The embassy simply checked my passport and held my phone at the front desk.

The new protocol also asserts that the embassy will be keeping a record of all visits made to Assange and the data that they provide. This information will be sent to the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other unnamed agencies.

Assange will also only be allowed to have up to three visitors at once, unless cleared by the head of the embassy.

Ecuador also wrote that people who violate the rules of their visits or display a lack of appropriate behavior during the visit will be reported to British authorities.

COMMUNICATIONS

The section regarding Assanges communications begins by saying that when his internet is restored he will be liable for any costs for WiFi. It says that he may only use his own tablets, phones or computers except in exceptional cases and only with written permission from Ecuador.

Assange must also provide the brand name, model number, and serial number for any devices he has in the embassy.

While the document asserts that Ecuador shall not be liable for the contents of his communications, statements, documents or messages on social media  it goes on to place severe limits on his freedom of speech.

It says that Assange, while exercising his right of communication and of freedom of expression, is prohibited from activities that could be considered political or interfering in the affairs of other nations or that may damage the relationship between Ecuador and other states.

Ecuador says that disobeying this rule can lead to termination of asylum or placing him back into isolation.

Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno has previously stated that speech restrictions include opinions critical of US or Spanish policies  such as criticism of Spanish police brutalizing peaceful voters.

MEDICAL

The document says that Assange must submit to the quarterly evaluations with medical specialists at his own expense.

The results of any examinations will be kept private.

In case of a medical emergency or at the express request of mr. Assange, the Head of the Mission will authorize your transfer, as soon as possible, to receive care from physicians outside the Embassy, the document says.

The UK has repeatedly denied Assange safe passage to a hospital after doctors who examined him called for him to be allowed to go and be treated for his deteriorating health. If he was to be transported to a hospital, it is extremely likely he would be arrested.

Additionally, Ecuador is threatening to kidnap Assanges embassy cat and bring him to an animal shelter if they deem it is not being properly cleaned up after.

On March 28, Ecuador caved to pressure from the United States and Spanish governments to isolate Assange by revoking his right to have visitors, make phone calls or use the internet.

The WikiLeaks founder entered the Ecuadorian Embassy in London on June 19, 2012. He was soon granted political aslyum.

The UK has long refused to acknowledge the findings of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD), which found that Assange is being arbitrarily and unlawfully detained and must be immediately released and compensated.

This article was originally published by " The Gateway Pundit " -

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Peace and joyOctober 16, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - A mystifying diplomatic escalation ensued following the disappearance of Saudi Washington Post columnist, Jamal Khashoggi, after visiting the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

Why would the United States of America make such a fuss over the disappearance of a non-American citizen? Why would America turn a blind eye to the Saudi killing of thousands of Yemeni civilians and the starving of millions others and then make threats against Saudi Arabia after one single Saudi journalist disappeared and has presumably been murdered by Saudi authorities?

And since when did Erdogan worry about human rights? After all, this is the same man whose army has committed countless atrocities against Syria and Turkish Kurds.

And the repercussions did not stop at the official level. Even Western business leaders are cancelling trade deals with Saudi Arabia and asking its government for explanations. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/business-leaders-cancel-saudi-events-ask-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-for-info-on-jamal-khashoggi-disappearance/

Let us not forget that America does not only ignore the war on Yemen, but it also assists the Saudis and supplies them with arms and intelligence. Whats behind the sudden U-turn? Why would the President of the United States of America be personally involved in this? https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/11/donald-trump-demands-answers-saudi-arabia-missing-journalistjamalkhashoggi/

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has a long history of persecuting dissidents and suppressing any opposition. So once again, why was Khashoggi singled out in this instance to become such a person of interest to the USA? His status as a journalist and columnist for Washington Post certainly does not answer this question.

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And back to Erdogan, the man who reached the cliff-edge with America on a number of strategic and trade issues, why would he be concerned about the murder of a foreign journalist allegedly at the hand of his own government? According to the story, the murder was committed at the Saudi Consulate, and technically, Turkey has no jurisdiction within this diplomatic precinct albeit it is within Turkey.

The story has been elevated to the level of news headlines even in news breaks. This statement is not meant to either vindicate Saudi Arabia or to justify forfeiting the blood of Mr. Khashoggi, but when the West acts at this level of hypocrisy, something has to be amiss, and the question is what is it?

If we rewind the clock and take into account the timeline of events, this is what we find:

2nd of October 2018. Khashoggi walks into the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Unless tampered with, the date is confirmed on the CCTV video presented in this link: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/middle-east/cctv-footage-shows-jamal-khashoggi-walking-into-saudi-consulate-1.3658494

3rd of October, President Trump, unprovoked, said that Saudi Arabia would not survive for two weeks on its own without American protection and demanded that Saudi Arabia should pay for that protection. https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/10/03/world/middleeast/ap-trump-saudi-arabia.html

5th of October. Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman was quick to respond. In his interview with Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-05/saudi-crown-prince-discusses-trump-aramco-arrests-transcript the Crown Prince reiterated that Saudi Arabia has been around since 1744, 30 years before the United States came to existence. The date of 1744 is in reference to the smaller Emirate of Diriyah which was established by Mohamed bin Saud before the King Abdul Aziz expanded his territory to the current borders. In referring to this date, the Prince was saying that Saudi Arabia stood on its own feet before any alliance with America, but he is conveniently ignoring the fact that before any petrol was discovered, external threats were not an issue. In his interview, he later on referred to the Saudi ability to withstand the Obama years, claiming the Obama administration worked against Saudi interests. Though he did not name Syria, he was undoubtedly referring to Syria among other things.

From that day onwards, the sequence of events escalated quite rapidly. As I write this, President Trump is talking about taking severe measures against Saudi Arabia, but not severe enough to cancel the USD 110 Bn arms deal. The mention of the arms deal could well be a hint made by Trump in order to remind the Saudis how reliant they are on America. After all, Saudi Arabia is bogged down in a war with Yemen that it is unable to win even with America support.

Is it by coincidence that in the middle of this kerfuffle Turkey suddenly decided to release American Pastor Andrew Brunson after more than two years of house arrest? Not really; not if we connect the dots.

One logical explanation of the recent series of events lies in the fact that they carry the hallmarks of extortion. As a matter of fact, Trumps mention of the inability of Saudi Arabia to survive for more than two weeks without American protection is in itself a prelude for extortion. This is the same logic and language used by Mafia bosses with shop owners.

President Trump runs America like a corporation. To him, its all about money. Given Americas dire economic position, he will not leave a single stone unturned if it is concealing a single dollar.

Dr. Skidmore from Michigan University argues that USD 21 Tn has gone missing from the coffers of the Ministries of Defense and Housing alone in the years between 1998 and 2015. He speculates that Trump did not know about this when he became president. Revelations of this kind and magnitude make Trumps task to fix the economy even more out of reach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CwpjIwwI9o&feature=youtu.be

The current situation is reminiscent of an article I wrote back in 2012. https://intibahwakeup.blogspot.com/2013/09/how-far-will-desperate-radical-america.html From this article I quote the following: The USA is always accused of keeping its hands on the oil resources of the Middle East. For fairness, by-and-large, it is only controlling its flow, but still paying for it; albeit in printed money.

A bankrupt, desperate and oil-thirsty USA may feel compelled to threaten oil-rich countries with air-strikes and even nuclear attacks..

.In an escalated situation, at stage two, an isolated oil-thirsty USA may become tempted to literally steal this oil. The USA may start with easy, close targets such as Venezuela. A desperate USA with a radical President in the Whitehouse will possibly be tempted to take over by force the oil fields of such soft targets. This can be the beginning of a long path of piracy.

How far can this path be pursued is anyones guess. The next target can be a puppet state like Qatar, even Saudi Arabia itself.

In such a desperate stage, the USA can only rely on its nuclear supremacy in order for it to be able to force its way. It will not have the financial resources to put boots on the ground, and any ensuing internal strife potentially caused by financial woes will add to the expense and risks of this exercise.

Even though those words were written only six years ago, a lot has changed in the global balance of power since then and the world is no longer unipolar. With fracking, America is also now less reliant on Saudi oil, but is in desperate need for Saudi money. The diminishing American military power on one hand, and the military rise of Russia and China on the other hand, are forcing America to explore other pursuits. This is why the Trump administration is into the trade sanction mode. But sanctions alone are not enough, and America is likely to be using the Khashoggi story as a pretext to extort protection money from the Saudis; pay up or we will turn the whole world against you.

The Saudis dont deserve any sympathy at all. They have literally been getting away with murder for decades under the watchful eye of their American big brother and ally. The near future will put the extortion theory to the test. If the Americans and Saudis strike a money-for-protection deal followed by an easing of the anti-Saudi rhetoric, then we will know the theory is accurate and that they are both back in business. They may strike a face-saving deal in which the Saudis do not look like they have succumbed to pressure, thereby paying America in ways that do not carry the label of protection money. But, in any manner in which moneys are paid by the Saudis, they are extortion funds and nothing short of piracy.

So how does Turkey fit into this picture?

Turkeys economy has suffered greatly after the recent American sanctions and the Turkish Lira went into a nosedive. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-turkey-currency/turkish-lira-skids-past-5-to-dollar-on-u-s-sanctions-move-idUSKBN1KN28A The impasse between the two NATO allies is multi-faceted and includes opposing views on dealing with very sensitive issues such the Kurdish question, ISIS, Russian presence in Syria, Iran, as well as Turkeys regional ambition for a resurrected pan-Muslim leadership.

Now, Turkey is not only at odds with America and American policies, but also sees Saudi Arabia as an obstacle that stands in the way of its Muslim leadership aspirations. Turkey sees Saudi Arabia as the Wahhabi rival to the Muslim Brotherhood faction to which Erdogan belongs. So, when the Khashoggi story surfaced, Turkey and America found common interest in being anti-Saudi; albeit for different reasons. To capitalize on the events, Turkey offered a sweetener to the Americans, releasing the American Pastor, Andrew Brunson, making it look like a legal court decision. Turkey expects the world to believe that on such sensitive international legal matters decisions can be made without the approval and directives of Erdogan himself. In the world of politics, pigs do fly.

Both Erdogan and Trump claim there was no deal behind the release of the Pastor, and perhaps there wasnt but, the Khashoggi incident gave Erdogan an opportunity to take a step towards some type of conciliation with America. But even in the absence of a deal, Erdogan will expect his reward; the least of which would be the lifting of the American trade sanctions. That said, the restoration of the American-Turkish that preceded the war on Syria will have to wait; if that is at all achievable. After all, Turkey has established strong links with Russia and has bought the S-400 ground-to-air state-of-the-art missile systems. But Erdogan hedges his bets on the principle of keeping a foot in each door.

The interesting question to ask here is the following; if this whole drama is indeed a false flag for an extortion process, how is it that Trump is receiving the full support of the American media, his sworn enemies, the organizations he calls fake news? Is the story too hot for them to resist? Are they a part of the extortion process or, are they totally stupid enough to go with the flow? Alternatively, is the Deep State behind Trump on this one and instructing the media to do the same?

Ironically, the bipartisan American Senate Foreign Relations Committee, headed by Senator Corker, has sent a letter to Trump asking him to investigate the disappearance of Khashoggi and report back to the committee within 120 days. https://www.businessinsider.com.au/republican-sen-bob-corker-believes-saudi-arabia-killed-jamal-khashoggi-2018-10 Does this mean that the Democrats are behind Trump in his anti-Saudi push? They seem to be.

It seems that American lawmakers, media, and the Deep State are all united against Saudi Arabia until it relents and pays up. How Saudi Arabia will manage to weasel out of this trap, if it can, remains to be seen.

America does not have to cancel the USD 110 Bn arms deal with Saudi Arabia. All it has to do is delay deliveries. Ironically, as if the recent developments are not worrying enough for the Saudis, on the 8th of October, the Yemeni Army has made advances into the Saudi territory and any disruption to the flow of American arms to the Saudis can have serious consequences on that seemingly unwinnable war http://www.almayadeen.net/news/politics/908101/------

Any whichever way, Saudi Arabia has definitely chosen the wrong time to move on Khashoggi, if it did. After all, we dont really know what happened to him, and we cannot even zero out the possibility that he was kidnapped or killed by other operatives including Americans and Turkish. The media are busy focusing on their alleged attempts to find out what happened to Mr. Khashoggi, how he was killed, what torture was he subjected to, how was his body removed from the consulate etc. We will probably never find out the truth about what happened to him, but what is perhaps more pertinent and conceivable is to establish who benefits from the fall-out and how.

America, and the West in general, never really liked Saudi Arabia. At best, the West tolerated the ultra-conservative undemocratic suppressive kingdom of sand that exported fundamentalism and terror, but this can all change with a stroke of a pen and Saudi Arabia may soon find itself in need of protection from its protector.

This article was originally published by " The Saker " -

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Peace and joy

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday spoke with the father of Hauwa Liman, the ICRC aid worker, who was executed by a Boko Haram faction on Monday.

According to the president, the telephone call, is one no one ever prays to make. He said the federal government did all it could to save Hauwas life but all negotiations were futile.

In a statement by the president on Tuesday, hr however regretted that the young woman who dedicated her life to the service of Boko Haram victims would end up that way.

See full statement below:

Today I spoke with Mohammed Liman, father of Hauwa, the ICRC midwife killed by Boko Haram. It is not the kind of telephone call anyone prays to make. The Federal Govt did everything possible to save Hauwas life; it is tragic and regrettable that all our efforts were unsuccessful.

Hauwa dedicated herself to serving the victims of Boko Harams insurgency, and it is extremely sad that her life ended the way it did, at the hands of the terrorists. I expressed our deepest condolences to her father, on behalf of the Government and all the people of Nigeria.

I also spoke with P. Maurer, the President of the ICRC, to extend our condolences on the death of Hauwa. The ICRC has been doing a great job in Nigeria, providing healthcare services to people in the areas most affected by the insurgency. We salute their courage and service.

We fervently hope that these series of sad events, leading to the painful loss of their staff, will not discourage the ICRC from working in Nigeria. We hope that they will continue to offer their services, and not give up, inspite of what has happened.

I am reassuring everyone that the Federal Govt., will continue to do all within our power to protect not just humanitarian workers, but also everyone working or living in the North East. I salute our military, who continue to fight and strive hard to permanently neutralize Boko Haram.Boko Haram-linked insurgents on Monday killed a kidnapped female humanitarian worker after the government missed a deadline to meet their demands.

Hauwa Mohammed Liman, only 24, accordibg to report was shot at close range by her captors making good Sunday threat.

It is was a sad day for Nigerians, and many have taken to social media to express their pains, frustration and disappointment at the Nigerian government for not being able to rescue the young midwife, who worked to help people displaced by Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria but had her own life cut shot instead.

See some reactions below

Hauwa Liman's tragic end is quite a traumatising story, for someone who put herself in harm's way to contribute to solving our humanitarian crisis. May her family find the strength to overcome this huge loss, this other betrayal of a citizen by the Nigerian state.  Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) October 15, 2018

Hauwa Muhammed Liman, 1994-2018 When humanity called on her, she answered When she called on humanity, she got no reply #RIPHauwa  nafiiu (@nafeezi) October 15, 2018

I feel weak. We knew Hauwa Liman was abducted. We knew they gave the country a deadline. We knew they kept to their deadline & executed Saifuwa. We did nothing till Hauwa was killed. Just like that. There is a deep sadness in my soul. The terror she must have felt. We failed her.  Chioma Agwuegbo (@ChiomaChuka) October 16, 2018

https://twitter.com/missiyyah/status/1051982679414059011?s=19UK opens investigation into audit market

After months of debate, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has decided to investigate the auditing market following the scandal over KPMGs contract with construction company Carillion, which collapsed earlier this year.

If the many critics of the audit process are right, it is not just the companies which buy audits that lose out; it is the millions of people dependent on savings, pension funds and other investments in those companies whose audits may be defective, said Andrew Tyrie, chairman of the CMA.

The CMA has set a deadline of October 30 for the UKs biggest firms to provide feedback and the watchdog aims to release provisional findings before Christmas. The Big 4 have broadly welcomed the competition review after several months of private talks on audit reform.

We are supportive of measures that encourage choice as well as a robust audit market, said Stephen Griggs, managing partner of audit at Deloitte. Achieving this will be complex and any future framework also needs to include a focus on audit quality across all listed companies.

Bill Michael, UK chairman at KPMG, said: We all want to build trust in corporate Britain and be part of an environment that delivers the right results for capital markets, investors and society.

The CMA views this investigation as the next step from Sir John Kingmans independent review of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). The regulators are considering banning accounting firms from providing consulting services to audit clients.

We continue to identify problems with insufficient challenge of management and professional scepticism exercised by auditors when auditing key judgement areas (for example, goodwill impairment or long-term contracts), the FRC told the press.

At the centre of the debate on auditing is the potential for conflicts of interest in the accounting industry. However, the CMA has hinted it will not support breaking up the Big 4 due to concerns this would undermine the quality of audit services in the UK.

Were up for change and were up for more choice in the audit market, but breaking up firms does not improve audit quality, said Kevin Ellis, UK chairman at PwC. We need to think through changes that create choice but do not damage quality.

This may limit the UK to a few options, including a market share cap to reduce concentration or an independent public body to appoint auditors for the biggest companies. Given that the Big 4 count most of the UKs largest companies among their client bases, this is no small matter.

Even mid-tier firms like Grant Thornton and BDO, who stand to gain from reforming the market, part ways over the details of what the reforms should look like.

Were not in favour of a market share cap alone to address the high levels of concentration, said Jon Roberts, head of audit at Grant Thornton. We need some kind of market management with an independent body.

A cap on the number of companies that any one firm can audit will inevitably result in an increase in audit quality, argued Gervase MacGregor, head of advisory services at BDO. Having a public body policing auditor selection may deliver change, but it would be deeply unpopular with the buy-side.

Meanwhile, the Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has ordered a separate investigation into the accounting industry and its regulatory standards. We need a complete overhaul of the entire regulatory framework for finance and business, to promote openness, transparency, accountability and  yes, where necessary  to impose appropriate punishments, he told the press.

Long-term critic Professor Prem Sikka is chairing the inquiry and the report may be out before the end of 2018. This may add to the pressure on the CMA to find answers sooner rather than later.

At the start of 2018, there was near certainty about what the audit market would look like for years to come. Now the terrain is starting to shift underneath the feet of British accountants just as the year has entered its final months.

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Share this articlemexico

Image taken from the Regional Economies Report JanuaryMarch 2018 issued by Banco de Mexico (http://www.banxico.org.mx/dyn/publicaciones-y-prensa/reportes-sobre-las-economias-regionales/recuadros/%7B20867F6A-F174-04D0-9A04-BB846DB7EFC3%7D.pdf)

Puerto Chiapas

Coatzacoalcos

Lazaro Cardenas  La Union

Progreso

Salina Cruz

Dos Bocas

Champoton.

As stated in the October 11 2017 newsletter, SEZs are geographically defined areas with natural and logistical advantages. This allows them to be turned into highly productive areas offering business opportunities to investors drawn to the government's tax benefits.

The tax benefits applicable in the SEZs include:

Exemption of income tax for the first 10 years;

Fifty percent reduction of income tax for the next five years;

Zero percent value-added tax (VAT) when acquiring goods for use in the SEZs;

Zero percent VAT on services rendered to an Investor; and

Goods imported to Mexico to be used exclusively in the SEZs are not treated as imports.

Activities that may be performed in a SEZ include manufacturing; agribusiness; processing, transformation and storage of feedstock and materials; scientific and technological innovation and development; and provision of support services to productive economic activities such as logistics, financial services, informatics and professional services, as well as the introduction of goods for such purposes. These SEZ benefits do not apply to any businesses related to hydrocarbons.

While some of the decrees were published last year, no permissions for exploiting a SEZ have yet been granted. However, the government expects to grant at least one permission by the end of the year. The government is encouraging both Mexican and foreign investors to move their operations to the SEZs. To do so, permission for operating in the SEZs needs to be obtained through public bids.

Despite all the benefits that these regions offer, potential investors have expressed concerns about the continuity of the decrees, as in December 2018 the new political party, Morena, will take power and control the congress. However, party officials have stated on many occasions that the SEZs are important for the country, and the party is not expected to decrease the benefits offered in the decree. Rather, they have said that they will continue encouraging investors to conduct business within these areas in order to develop them.

On September 13 2018, a licenses and permissions committee was established to bring certainty and transparency to the process of assigning the SEZs. The committee was formed by the Federal Authority for the Development of Special Economic Zones executive secretary, and promotion and investment personnel and will give their opinion regarding the necessary conditions to grant a license or permit, as well as being in charge of public bids.

The committee is expected to underline Mexico's commitment to creating, maintaining and promoting the SEZs, as it depends directly on the federal authorities to develop the SEZs. Therefore, even if the new government retracts what it has already stated about continuing to encourage investment in the SEZs, the development plan is covered by federal law and national authorities.

The benefits that the SEZs bring to companies are quite appealing, and there are many regions that may be of interest to investors seeking to develop long-term business in Mexico.

This article was written by Santiago Llano Zapatero and Alberto Anguiano Pineda of Ritch, Mueller, Heather y Nicolau, SC.

Santiago Llano Zapatero ( sllano@ritch.com.mx )

Alberto Anguiano Pineda ( aanguiano@ritch.com.mx )

Ritch, Mueller, Heather y Nicolau, S.C.

www.ritch.com.mx

The material on this site is for financial institutions, professional investors and their professional advisers. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws.  2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQ.

Share this articleOpinion Policies

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Column Policy

Columns are hyper-specific to opinion and are written by only columnists employed by the Iowa State Daily. Columnists are unique because they have a specific writing day and only publish on those writing days. Each column undergoes a thorough editing process ensuring the integrity of the writer, and their claim is maintained while remaining research-based and respectful. Columns may be submitted from community members. These are labelled as Guest Columns. These contain similar research-based content and need to be at least 400 words in length. The following requirements should be met: first and last name, email and relation or position to Iowa State. Emails must be tied to the submitted guest column or it will not be accepted or published. Pseudonyms are prohibited and the writer will be banned from submissions.

Read our full Opinion Policies here. Updated on 10/7/2020Image courtesy of OSTEN BIENNIAL of DRAWING 2018

OSTEN BIENNIAL of DRAWING  MAIN AWARDS

OSTEN is a Cultural Institution for Museum and Gallery activities from Skopje, Macedonia with a great tradition  it exists for 70 years now (established 1.1.1945). Dedicated of creating and preserving art on paper, OSTENs main (but not limited to) interest is DRAWING in its widest interpretation. The drawing was evolving through the time parallel with the technology, so today, it can be almost everything the artists want to be  and we respect that! Thus, we encourage the participants to submit works with most creative and innovative ways of drawings interpretation.

OSTEN BIENNIAL of DRAWING is one of the main activities of OSTEN. The Biennial of Drawing has double mission  to put together already established, celebrity artists and the new comers and to nurture and foster the drawing as a basis for every art creation.

Image courtesy of OSTEN BIENNIAL of DRAWING 2018

OSTEN  WORLD GALLERY of ART on PAPER unites the main activities of OSTEN:

WORLD GALLERY of CARTOONS (established in 1969)

OSTEN BIENNIAL of DRAWING

OSTEN BIENNIAL of Awarded Artists

According to its statute, the advisory body of OSTEN  the Assembly of Ambassadors of OSTEN (consisting of artists, curators, cultural workers, intellectuals, art lovers etc.) decides for the MAIN AWARDS.

The structure of the Assembly of the OSTENs Ambassadors:

Pierre SOULAGES  artist

Tony CRAGG  artist

Marina ABRAMOVIC  artist

CHRISTO  artist

Vladimir VELICKOVIC, Serbia | France  artist

Vasko TASKOVSKI, Macedonia  artist

Stoimen STOILOV, Bulgaria/Austria  artist

Pavle PEJOVIC, Montenegro  Director of the National Museum of Montenegro

Venceslav ANTONOV, Bulgaria  Director of International Print Biennial Varna

Leng MU, China  cartoonist and Director of googlM Museum of Cartoons

Maria KLING, Sweeden  President of Apollonia Foundation

Gorgi FILIPOV, Macedonia  ex. Ambassador of Macedonia in Austria and writer

Dana and Jozef BRAUN, Czech Republic  ex. Ambassador of Czech Republic in Macedonia and art lovers

MAIN AWARDS on the OSTEN BIENNIAL of DRAWING:

GRAND PRIX for LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT (to an artist who during his professional life has reached the peak of his work and has made a significant impact on world art).

WORLD CULTURAL HERITAGE AWARD (to a deceased artist whose works represent the highest achievement in world art production)

The holders of the MAIN AWARDS of the OSTEN BIENNIAL of DRAWING Skopje 2018 are:

Pierre SOULAGES, France  GRAND PRIX for LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Henry MOORE, UK  WORLD CULTURAL HERITAGE AWARD

Image courtesy of OSTEN BIENNIAL of DRAWING 2018

Henry Moore biography

B. 1898, CASTELFORD, YORKSHIRE, UK

D. 1986, MUCH HADHAM, HERTFORDSHIRE, UK

Henry Spencer Moore was born on July 30, 1898, in Castleford, Yorkshire. Despite an early desire to become a sculptor, Moore began his career as a teacher in Castleford. After military service in World War I he attended Leeds School of Art on an ex-servicemans grant. In 1921 he won a Royal Exhibition Scholarship to study sculpture at the Royal Academy of Art in London. Moore became interested in the Mexican, Egyptian, and African sculpture he saw at the British Museum. He was appointed Instructor of Sculpture at the Royal Academy in 1924, a post he held for the next seven years. A Royal Academy traveling scholarship allowed Moore to visit Italy in 1925; there he saw the frescoes of Giotto and Masaccio and the late sculpture of Michelangelo. Moores first solo show of sculpture was held at the Warren Gallery, London, in 1928.

In the 1930s Moore was a member of Unit One, a group of advanced artists organized by Paul Nash, and was a close friend of Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, and the critic Herbert Read. From 1932 to 1939 he taught at the Chelsea School of Art. He was an important force in the English Surrealist movement, although he was not entirely committed to its doctrines; Moore participated in the International Surrealist Exhibition at the New Burlington Galleries, London, in 1936. In 1940 Moore was appointed an official war artist and was commissioned by the War Artists Advisory Committee to execute drawings of life in underground bomb shelters. From 1940 to 1943 the artist concentrated almost entirely on drawing. His first retrospective took place at Temple Newsam, Leeds, in 1941. In 1943 he received a commission from the Church of St. Matthew, Northampton, to carve a Madonna and Child; this sculpture was the first in an important series of family-group sculptures. Moore was given his first major retrospective abroad by the Museum of Modern Art, New York, in 1946. He won the International Prize for Sculpture at the Venice Biennaleof 1948.

Moore executed several important public commissions in the 1950s, among them Reclining Figure, 1956-58, for the UNESCO Building in Paris. In 1963 the artist was awarded the British Order of Merit. In 1978 an exhibition of his work organized by the Arts Council of Great Britain was held at the Serpentine in London, at which time he gave many of his sculptures to the Tate Gallery, London. Moore died in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, on August 31, 1986.

Image courtesy of OSTEN BIENNIAL of DRAWING 2018

Pierre Soulages biography

B. 1919, RODEZ, FRANCE

Pierre Soulages was born on December 24, 1919, in Rodez, in the south of France. As a child, he was fascinated by the Celtic carvings in the local museum and the architecture of the abbey of Sainte-Foy in nearby Conques, and these early impressions would continue to surface throughout his career. In 1938, inspired by the works of Paul Cezanne and Pablo Picasso, he enrolled in the Ecole nationale superieure des beaux-arts, Paris, but he was disappointed by the traditional instruction and soon moved back to Rodez.

In 1946, having served in the military during World War II, Soulages returned to Paris and set up a small studio in Courbevoie. He began to paint in a wholly abstract style, producing canvases with overlapping black, barlike strokes on a glowing white, or sometimes colored, ground, which he exhibited at the Salon des Independants in 1947. Though his rejection of bright color in favor of black set him in opposition to the major trends in French abstract painting of the time, Soulages was nevertheless a prominent exemplar of the Jeune Ecole de Paris (Young School of Paris), an umbrella term for the gestural or post-Cubistabstraction produced by artists like Hans Hartung and Soulages. Though superficially similar to the work of Abstract Expressionist artists such as Franz Kline, Soulagess paintings are very different in execution: in contrast to the gestural approach of his American counterparts, Soulages deliberately constructed his compositions to create a formal balance.

Soulages generally titles each of his works Painting. He has exhibited widely since his first solo show at the Galerie Lydia Conti, Paris, in 1949. His first retrospective was presented at the Museum Folkwang, Essen, West Germany; Gemeente Museum, The Hague; and Kunsthaus Zurich, Zurich (1960-61), and his most recent took place at the Musee national dart moderne, Centre Pompidou, Paris (2009-10). In 2001 Soulages was the first living artist to exhibit at the State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg. He lives and works in Paris.

Image courtesy of OSTEN BIENNIAL of DRAWING 2018

The holders of the main awards on the OSTEN BIENNIAL OF DRAWING are ones among the most famous artists of the world and they become the Ambassadors of OSTEN by default. They recognize OSTENs enthusiasm and dedication, and they are cooperating with us with a great pleasure.

Awarded artists with the MAIN AWARDS on the previous editions of the OSTEN BIENNIAL of DRAWING:

Tony CRAGG  Grand Prix for Lifetime Achievement 2016

Marina ABRAMOVIC  Grand Prix of Lifetime Achievement 2014

CHRISTO  Grand Prix of Lifetime Achievement 2012

Vladimir VELICKOVIC  Grand Prix of Life Achievement, 2010

more. www.osten.mkWe're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

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In this Sept. 17, 2017 file photo, Alec Baldwin poses in the press room with the award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for "Saturday Night Live" at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. Baldwin says voters should see the Nov. 6 midterm elections as an opportunity to peacefully "overthrow the government of Donald Trump." Baldwin spoke Sunday night, Oct. 14, 2018, at a fundraising dinner for the New Hampshire Democratic Party a night after returning to "Saturday Night Live" to portray the president. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)Sebelum Anda bermain, Anda perlu mengetahui apa yang Anda butuhkan untuk masuk ke dalam permainan roulette kasino online ini. Jika Anda sudah mendaftar di situs judi casino online dan sudah memberikan user ID, login terlebih dahulu dan pilih menu live casino yang tertera di situs judi tersebut. Pertama pilih dealer dan putuskan sendiri, lalu pilih meja atau kursi di dalam ruangan. Jika namanya tertera dan berwarna coklat, maka kursi tersebut sudah ditempati oleh pemain lain, dan pilihlah kursi kosong berwarna hitam.

Kasino Roulette adalah salah satu permainan paling populer di situs perjudian kasino. Jadi dalam permainan ini kamu harus menebak angka berapa yang akan keluar. Ada 36 nomor berbeda dalam permainan populer ini di mana sebuah bola kecil diputar dan dilemparkan ke dalam mesin roulette. Anda harus menebak dari mana bola kecil itu masuk dan di nomor berapa ia berhenti. Ada banyak jenis pilihan angka dari 0-36, dan mereka dihitung secara berbeda. Sebagai agen casino terpercaya, panduan permainan roulette ini juga memberikan informasi tentang jenis pilihan dan nama permainan roulette casino online sebagai berikut:

Jika Anda ingin bermain roulette di situs kasino online, caranya sangat sederhana. Anda dapat bermain di Kasino ION, Kasino Sbobet, dan Situs Kasino. Di bawah ini adalah artikel panduan bermain di mana Anda dapat mempelajari roulette langsung dan memainkannya di situs judi online mana pun.

tangkapan layar

Sebelum Anda bermain, Anda perlu mengetahui apa yang Anda butuhkan untuk masuk ke dalam permainan roulette kasino online ini. Jika Anda sudah mendaftar di situs judi casino online dan sudah memberikan user ID, login terlebih dahulu dan pilih menu live casino yang tertera di situs judi online tersebut. Pertama pilih dealer dan putuskan sendiri, lalu pilih meja atau kursi di dalam ruangan. Jika namanya tertera dan berwarna coklat, maka kursi tersebut sudah ditempati oleh pemain lain, dan pilihlah kursi kosong berwarna hitam.

Panduan Bermain Online Kasino Roulette

Kasino Roulette adalah salah satu permainan paling populer di situs perjudian kasino. Jadi dalam permainan ini kamu harus menebak angka berapa yang akan keluar. Ada 36 nomor berbeda dalam permainan populer ini di mana sebuah bola kecil diputar dan dilemparkan ke dalam mesin roulette. Anda harus menebak dari mana bola kecil itu masuk dan di nomor berapa ia berhenti. Ada banyak jenis pilihan angka dari 0-36, dan mereka dihitung secara berbeda. Sebagai agen casino terpercaya, panduan permainan roulette ini juga memberikan informasi tentang jenis pilihan dan nama permainan roulette casino online sebagai berikut:

1. Straight Up: Penempatan angka tunggal dari 0 hingga 36. Contoh perhitungan straight up adalah mengalikan taruhan dengan 35. Ini adalah jenis taruhan tertinggi dalam permainan roulette kasino, jadi 50 dikalikan dengan 35 memberi Anda 1750, mengapa jenis taruhan ini menghasilkan pengembalian yang begitu tinggi? Hal ini karena tidak mudah untuk memenangkan pilihan nomor dengan memilih hanya satu nomor dari banyak.

2. Taruhan split: Jenis taruhan yang ditempatkan pada dua angka atau di antara dua angka yang berbeda. Misalnya, menempatkan di sela-sela angka 9 dan 12 atau 13d dan 14 dihitung sebagai jenis taruhan split. Setiap nomor dapat ditempatkan dalam jenis ini selama nomor tersebut berdekatan dan persis seperti Gambar A dan B. Untuk taruhan ini, jika Anda memenangkan contoh dan mengalikannya dengan 850, Anda akan menerima jumlah taruhan yang dikalikan dengan 17. .

3. Taruhan jalanan: bertaruh dengan 3 angka ke bawah, misalnya 1,2,3 atau 10,11,12. Semua taruhan jalan akan menerima kemenangan dikalikan dengan 11. Misalnya, 50 dikalikan 550.

4. Taruhan sudut: Jenis taruhan di mana empat angka ditempatkan saling berhadapan, seperti 13,14,16,17 atau 19,20,22,23. Semua angka valid karena terdiri dari 4 angka yang diisi seperti kotak dan taruhan dikalikan 8 (misalnya 50 kali 800).

5. Taruhan baris: Atau, Anda dapat mengatakan bahwa ada 6 jenis taruhan yang terdiri dari 2 baris, tetapi 6 poin dengan 2 peregangan, seperti taruhan jalanan. Misalnya, jika Anda memilih angka 7 hingga 12 dan 13 hingga 18, taruhan 50 adalah 5 kali dan kemudian dikalikan dengan 250 kemenangan.

6. Kolom Inner Bet: Jenis taruhan vertikal dengan 12 poin berturut-turut, seperti kolom numerik 1,4,7,10,13,19,22,25,25,28,22,24,34 atau kolom lainnya. Dan jika dia memenangkan kolom, 50 taruhan digandakan dan 100 taruhan.

7. Lusin : Jenis taruhan menempatkan 12 angka tetapi menempatkannya pada kotak berbentuk seperti contoh Kolom A dengan angka 1 sampai 12 dan odds dengan kolom lain untuk dipilih dengan memilih 1 kotak pertama untuk Kolom A. Kalikan dengan 2, 50 taruhan 100.

8. Zero part : Cara bertaruh 0.1,2,3 sama persis seperti di gambar, karena berdekatan dengan angka 0, anda hanya bisa bertaruh 0.1,2,3. Menempatkan taruhan ini mengalikannya dengan 50. hingga 8.

9. Zero Corner: Bertaruh pada angka 0.1,2 atau 0.2,3 adalah dua pilihan karena Anda hanya bertaruh mendekati angka nol. Jenis taruhan ini dikalikan 11 jika taruhan menang.

10. Two Dozen: Jenis taruhan dengan hanya dua pilihan: 1-18 atau 19-36. Jika taruhan Anda adalah 50, itu dikalikan dengan 1 hingga 50 jika Anda menang.

11. Merah atau Hitam: Masukkan taruhan Anda dengan memilih Merah atau Hitam sebagai warna angka yang muncul saat taruhan 50.

12. Genap/Ganjil: Pilih angka yang menghasilkan jumlah jenis taruhan ganjil.MOWER COUNTY, Minn.  Three people suffered injuries in a three-vehicle crash Monday night.

The Minnesota State Patrol said the accident occurred at the intersection of Highway 218 and County Rd. 22. A 2002 Buick Rendezvous driven by 39-year-old Nathan Christianson, of Austin, was traveling southbound when it was rear-ended by a Jeep Wrangler driven by 28-year-old Nathan Williamson, of Lyle. The Buick was pushed into the northbound lane where it collided with a GMC Yukon, which was driven by 40-year-old Raymond Proctor, of Nevada, Missouri.

Proctor, nine-year-old Payton Christianson and Williamson were all transported to Mayo Clinic Health Systems-Austin with non-life threatening injuries.

The accident was reported at 6:56 p.m. and everyone involved was wearing a seat belt.ST. PAUL, Minn.  Minnesota is suing Americas three major makers of insulin.

State Attorney General Lori Swanson accuses Sanofi-Aventis, Novo Nordisk, and Eli Lilly and Co. of deceptively raising the list prices of insulin, making it less affordable to patients in high deductible health plans, the uninsured, and senior citizens on Medicare.

Insulin is a life-or-death drug for people with diabetes, says Swanson. Many people cant afford the price hikes but cant afford to stop taking the medication either.

According to Swanson, nearly 10 percent of Minnesota residents have diabetes, which is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Doctors say diabetics who dont take their insulin may face kidney damage, heart attacks, nerve damage, and ketoacidosis.

The list price of some insulin products has more than doubled since 2011 and tripled since 2002, even though the original patent for insulin was sold for $1 in 1922 because the inventors wanted the drug to be widely available.

Swanson filed the lawsuit Tuesday in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and seeks injunctive and monetary relief for Minnesota residents who paid out-of-pocket for their insulin.CERRO GORDO CO., Iowa - From temperatures reaching in to the 90s, to cold winds and snow, 10,000 pairs of hands are carrying the American Flag from coast to coast. Monday the Old Glory Relay was in Cerro Gordo County.

"Felt good, couple aches and pains, but you know, you just work through it and keep pushing on, said Jason Virkus of the Twin Cities.

Virkus is a veteran himself and ran more than 10 miles with the flag in hand.

It makes you so proud to be able to carry it and represent something so much bigger than yourself, he said choking back tears.

The hope is to bring veterans and community members together to realize the need for community support, something Dennis Clark of Waterloo lives on a daily basis.

I had the opportunity to work with nearly 100 wounded veterans coming back from operation Iraq, he said. It is just an honor to be able to do things for a larger veteran population.

Weather and bike issues aside: We drove all the way up here and didnt think about how the cold would impact the air in the tires, he said. We have probably done about 15 miles on a flat tire.

Clark said veterans like Virkus need the support.

Its an honor and a privilege, he said. You dont have to be a veteran. You can be a civilian. You cant engage in the community if you just have veterans.

The tour is just over half way through. The final stop will be in San Diego.DECORAH, Iowa  A woman accused of hitting and starving her three-year-old daughter is pleading guilty.

Monica Flores, 28 of rural Cresco, entered a guilty plea Tuesday in Winneshiek County District Court to aggravated misdemeanor child endangerment. The criminal complaint states that Flores daughter was found to have major bruising on her neck, torso, and legs and the bruising looked to have occurred over a length of time. Authorities say the girl also appeared to be malnourished.

Fores has been sentenced to two years of probation.OSAGE, Iowa  Parents in Osage said they were shocked Tuesday after learning more details about a threat at the Middle School Friday evening.

Its a small town, said Chris Meirick. Everybody knows everybody.

Kinda shocked me that something that would happen in a small town like this, said Billy Roll.

The Osage Police Department said two middle school students were questioned after the district was made aware of a gun threat to students and staff.

I was concerned something was going to go wrong, said Meirick.

Law enforcement said they did arrest two juveniles and bring them to a detention center. They are currently facing charges of terroristic threats, a Class D Felony.

The police and everyone involved are taking care of things, said Meirick.

Lieutenant Jeremiah Johnson said when they first received the call it was something they had to take seriously.

Nowadays you cant take any threats lightly, said Lt. Johnson. We wanted to conduct an investigation and conclude it as soon as possible.

Lt. Johnson said there is no threat the students or staff, which is putting those in Osage at ease.

Theyre a good department, said Roll. Theyll get to the bottom of it and straighten it out. Hopefully everything goes back to normal.

Those with the police department said the situation is still under investigation but more information is likely not going to be made public because the case involves two juveniles.ROCHESTER, Minn.  A man who admitted to trying to strangle his girlfriend is going to prison.

Samuel Alexander Carlson, 37 of Rochester, pleaded guilty to one count of domestic assault and two counts of violating a no contact order. Olmsted County sheriffs deputies arrested Carlson on June 10 after they say he repeatedly assaulted his girlfriend and threatened to kill her.

On Monday, Carlson was sentenced to three years and three months for the assault charge and one years and one day for violating the no contact orders. Those sentences will be served consecutively for a total of four years, three months, and one day. Carlson will get credit for 127 days already served.FOREST CITY, Iowa - Recently, a developer approached the City of Forest City to build a convenience store at John K. Hanson Drive and West J Street, across the street from the recently completed Boman Fine Arts Center in what's called a Residential Multifamily Optional zone, or RMO. At a meeting earlier this month, a public hearing was held regarding amending RMO Districts to allow a convenience store/gas station as a special exception use. The first reading of the ordinance passed at that meeting with a 4-3 vote.

During a packed city council meeting on Monday, in which a majority of those in attendance largely spoke against the store, the ordinance did not pass the second reading and the proposal was declared dead, due to no motion.

Concerns brought up by those in attendance include noise, traffic, lighting and aesthetics. In addition, council member at large Karl Wooldridge expressed concern over the accepted standard definition of a convenience store.

Donald Erickson of Forest City is against the store, and says it would not be beneficial for the neighborhood, which is also close to the YMCA and Forest City Schools.

"It's just a super area, and I don't think we need a convenience store out there that's...a gas station that sells liquor."

He adds that if a store were to be built in the future, it would be a better fit further west, away from the Boman Center.

"I think 8 blocks to the west is some farm ground right on the edge of town that if you wanted to put a convenience store, that would be a good place for it."

Mayor Ruiter tells KIMT that the city is still looking to develop the parcel of land the store would have been located on.MASON CITY, Iowa  It is comething every home or property owner fears; losing everything in a fire.

Its a reality that hits all too close to home for those affected in a fire last Friday night in Mason City.

The Salvation Army is available to assist victims who have been displaced from their homes.

Captain Kenyon Sivels tells KIMT there is a variety of ways they are able to offer help.

If its really bad, people need a new place to live so we will often help with first months rent, or well give referrals as well. As well as once they are in their apartment, whether we help them get in or not, we will help them with household items, dishesthose kinds of things, said Sivels.

Sivels says the Salvation Army has been working with one of the individuals affected by Friday nights fire.



During a reception in Hanoi on October 15th for President and CEO of the Shinhan Card Co., Ltd. Lim Young-jin, Mr Hue welcomed RoK firms, including Shinhan Card, to increase investment in Vietnam.

He lauded their successes, saying that they have contributed to Vietnams social welfare and economic development.

The Deputy PM hailed Shinhan Cards purchase of Prudential Vietnam Finance Co., Ltd. affirming that the State Bank of Vietnam will offer early feedback on the deal.

Lim, for his part, said Shinhan Card has been operating in finance-banking and securities in Vietnam, considering the country its largest foreign market.

He said Shinhan Card plans to do long-term business in Vietnam, adding that all of its profits in the country will be re-invested here, instead of being transferred to its parent company in the RoK.

According to him, Shinhan Card has developed payment card services and signed a contract to buy Prudential Vietnam Finance Co., Ltd. in early 2018, thereby developing consumption finance in the country.

He vowed to focus on financial technology to make more contributions to the Vietnamese economy in the future./.Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Choi Jong-ku / Courtesy of FSC



By Park Hyong-ki



The Financial Services Commission (FSC) announced Tuesday that it will impose steeper penalties on any investors caught short-selling stocks without borrowing them first  a procedure known as naked short-selling.



The regulator's move is in tandem with its ongoing investigation into Goldman Sachs for engaging in the practice, and increasing complaints from retail investors over such illicit trading.



FSC Chairman Choi Jong-ku reiterated to reporters that naked short-selling was illegal here, and the financial authorities and lawmakers have agreed to introduce a law revision that will specify stronger punishment of perpetrators.



"Should we uncover that Goldman Sachs has indeed engaged in naked short-selling, the authorities will impose the strongest sanctions," Choi said.



"I do not think this country's rules on naked short-selling are looser than others," he added.



The FSC chairman said the Securities and Futures Commission, an internal body at the regulator, will start reviewing investigative reports and potential evidence against Goldman Sachs filed by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), Oct. 17.



Even though Goldman Sachs International issued a statement saying that it had made an error in its short-selling orders placed with its Seoul branch, the FSS has been looking into all its transactions from late May to early June.





Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein / Courtesy of Goldman Sachs

By Kang Aa-young





Designer Woo Young-mi speaks to the audience after her Solid Homme runway show at the Opening Ceremony of the Hera Seoul Fashion Week at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Monday. Courtesy of Seoul Design Foundation

Designer Woo Young-mi, who created the menswear label Solid Homme, raised the curtain on the 2019 Spring-Summer Hera Seoul Fashion Week at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, Monday, with her runway show featuring "future-oriented" coats and jackets.



Woo was chosen by the fashion week organizers as one of two honorary designers. The other is Park Chun-moo.



One hundred models presented Woo's chic, contemporary "100 creatures" for the grandiose opening of the nation's largest fashion show, which has drawn attention from global fashion gurus in recent years.



Woo, 58, said she was "honored" to celebrate her fashion label's three decades at the Opening Ceremony of the fashion week.



Mentioning that Solid Homme has survived a turbulent 30 years of men's fashions here, the designer said celebrating the anniversary at the globally emerging fashion week allowed her to have a life-time experience.



"I hope the Hera Seoul Fashion Week can become a venue where local designers can try out their fashion experiments," she said.



Starting from Monday, the fashion week will run until Saturday.



At the opening ceremony, the veteran designer revisited an anti-war concept for the 2018 fall-winter season through a visual interpretation inspired by the global peace movement.





A model presents a creation by designer Woo Young-mi for the SOLID/BEYOND 30 during the 2019 Spring-Summer Seoul Fashion Week, at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Seoul Design Foundation.



The setting of the show, inspired by a rural district of Yen Bai Province, about 280 kilometers from Hanoi in Vietnam, saw the ground covered in sand and featured cardboard stair like seats for spectators, creating a view reminiscent of that of the mountainous district, which is well known for its splendid rice terraces.



The show featured military elements throughout the collection in vinyl, man-made and iridescent materials, while large forward-facing pockets and canvas material accessories, reflecting an era of re-appropriated garments by a war-torn population trying to rebuild their everyday lives.



The tropical climate was reflected in the show's color palette where light khaki was contrasted with bright neon accents. New season accessories such as neutral canvas bucket hats and tanned leather satchels offered that rare bit of harmony in the troubled environment of the time.



The collection finished with light and cool materials set against oversized wool overcoats, showcasing Vietnam during the 60s and 70s.



The response from the audience was more than enthusiastic, with its 1,300 seats filled with fashion gurus, press and foreign buyers.





Models walk down the runway at the SOLID/BEYOND 30 show at 2019 Spring-Summer Seoul Fashion Week at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Seoul Design Foundation.By Jon Dunbar





Expat metalhead Dan Orozco at GBN Live House on Dec. 30, 2017. / By Jon DunbarInfluenza victims crowd into an emergency hospital near Fort Riley, Kansas, in this 1918 file photo. AP



Spanish flu wiped out up to 100 million lives. Experts warn it could happen again



By Jung Min-ho





Hakim Djaballah

One hundred years ago, a deadly infectious disease spread across the globe, infecting 500 million people  about one-third of the world's population at the time  and killing at least 50 million.



At minimum, the Spanish flu killed three times as many as died in World War I (17 million). At worst (100 million), it was more lethal than World War II (60 million)  and even both wars put together.



As historians mark the centenary of the flu outbreak, two important questions arise today: is any similar outbreak possible and, if so, how much are we prepared?

According to Hakim Djaballah, former CEO of Institut Pasteur Korea, it is foolish to think that the world is now safe from another pandemic on that scale.



"As an example, there are still many war-torn regions in the world, where the viral/pathogen landscape must be thriving and evolving," Djaballah told The Korea Times. "Many people are being pushed out of their lands to other countries, which could potentially launch a global pandemic. If it happens, it will be much more devastating than the 1918 pandemic."





Michael GalePrime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is welcomed at IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems of Austria on October 16th (Photo: VNA)



The PM set off for Brussels to attend the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM12) Summit and pay official visits to Belgium and Denmark.

Before leaving, PM Phuc visited the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems (IMC Krems) of Austria on the morning the same day.

Talking to the universitys lecturers and students, he said the Vietnamese people always keep in mind the support of the Austrian youth during the countrys fight against foreign invaders in the 1960s. In the 1970s, Austria was one of the first western nations to set up diplomatic ties with Vietnam.

Over the last four decades, friendship and cooperation between the two nations have developed in multiple areas, especially economy. Vietnam has maintained its position as Austrias largest Southeast Asian trade partner, while Austria has remained Vietnams top 10 export markets within the European Union.

Austrias development assistance in healthcare, the railway sector, and vocational training has been effective in helping Vietnam improve peoples living standards, he noted.

PM Phuc added after over the last 30 years of reform, Vietnam has been developing dynamically, with its young population holding strong aspirations to study and become established in the global community. It considers education a top priority and a breakthrough to maximising learners chances. Education is also a priority field of cooperation between the two countries for the time ahead.

Emphasising the opportunities and challenges facing Vietnamese and Austrian youth, the PM said the Fourth Industrial Revolution is creating opportunities for the two countries to become closer, improve mutual understanding, and increase the sharing of global community responsibilities.

Although peace and development are still a dominant theme, the use or threat to use force and the emergence of unilateralism continue to jeopardise international peace and security. War and conflicts, religious and racial conflicts, separatism, and terrorism still exist in many places around the world, noted the PM.

Additionally, there are other global challenges like unsustainable development, climate change, wealth inequality, gender inequality, environmental degradation, unemployment, and social crimes. They have been threatening efforts towards sustainable development with younger generations among the most vulnerable groups, he said.

The leader expressed his belief that the young people of Vietnam and Austria will be one of the bridges enhancing bilateral friendship and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, development, and prosperity in their respective regions.

On this occasion, PM Phuc witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between IMC Krems and the Vietnam University of Commerce.

Also on October 16th, he visited Austrias BIOMIN Research Centre./.

By Kang Seung-woo



Buffet restaurants will be strictly banned from reusing leftover food even if the food was only displayed and was not taken by customers, the nation's food regulator said, Tuesday.



But they will be allowed to reuse some leftover food that will not cause hygiene-related problems, such as raw vegetables, unpeeled fruit and even kimchi.



The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety plans to roll out sanitation guidelines for buffet and other restaurants by the end of this month, outlining what can be reused and what cannot.



The instruction comes after a Todai Korea store in Pyeongchon, Gyeonggi Province, was found, in August, to have reused leftover sushi to make rolls and fried dishes. Controversy rose at the time because reusing displayed food was not illegal.



According to the new guideline, restaurant operators cannot reuse the food which customers did not finish as well as food that has been displayed. It also bans the reuse of food that is seasoned or peeled.



Leftover raw fish, sushi and gimbap and sliced fruit still cannot be reused, while cakes, cream-stuffed breads and fried dishes that are exposed to the air for many hours will be prohibited from being reused.



Those violating the rule can face up to a 15-day suspension of operations, up to three years in prison or a maximum 30 million won ($27,000) fine, according to the Food Sanitation Act.



The new guideline says vegetables and fruit that are unseasoned or uncooked will be reusable if they undergo an extra washing process. Fruit such as bananas, tangerines and lychees and nuts including peanuts and chestnuts can also be used again if they have not been peeled.



Those that can be reused also include dried processed food such as canned nuts, cookies, chocolate and bread; and kimchi and rice that are served in containers with lids and touched by customers with tongs.



Also, the ministry has ordered buffet restaurant operators to leave at least 20 centimeters of space between foods on display to prevent cross-contamination and dispose of food that is displayed for more than two hours.

Korea Legacy Gala





The nonprofit Korea Legacy Committee (KLC) is celebrating its third anniversary with a gala at the Four Seasons this Friday from 7 p.m. until midnight. The 3rd Anniversary Korea Legacy Gala is said to be one of Korea's premiere charity events led by young professionals to empower the next generation of Korean leaders.







The KLC, created in 2015, is a team of social entrepreneurs who work hard to create awareness of issues regarding the elderly population and is dedicated to supporting them through volunteer events and fundraisers. Their mission is to engage, educate and inspire a new generation of Koreans on the issues that face the country's elderly.







All proceeds from this special black tie event will go towards the Seoul Senior Welfare Center, Seoul's largest nonprofit dedicated to supporting impoverished elderly.







The gala promises delicious cocktails, special musical guests and a night full of fun and dancing. Tickets for the event range from 40,000 won for students, 80,000 won for distinguished guests and 150,000 for VIPs. The ticket price includes an open bar, light dinner and complimentary parking.







Visit fb.com/korealegacy for more information and ticketing.









Digital Innovation Seminar





Research Direct International (RDI) will be hosting a Digital Innovation Seminar with Damian Madden, the global digital manager at Woolmark Company. The seminar titled "How to Build a Culture of Innovation in Your Company" will take place tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Pivot Point Biz Center of ASEM Tower in southern Seoul.







Madden is an award-winning global digital innovation leader and has worked on advertising, digital, brand and tech campaigns for some of the world's biggest brands. He specializes in the integration of new technologies in the luxury, fashion tech and fine art sectors. The seminar will cover "changing mindsets to unlock innovation," "ways of working together to empower innovative teams" and "learning to embrace the unknown to create magic."







RDI is an HR consultancy that delivers bespoke HR programs to corporations in Korea to help achieve their business objectives, engage workers and drive sustainable growth.





Visit

for more information.

























A civic group calls on the government to investigate possible school record manipulation and exam leaks at all high schools across the nation in a rally in front of the Government Complex in Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap



By Kim Jae-heun



Public distrust is growing over schools' academic records after a police investigation confirmed allegations that an exam was leaked at a girl's high school in southern Seoul were true.



A growing number of people say they cannot trust the evaluations conducted at schools, including exam results and other non-academic achievements, which have become standard for students' college applications.



These people are urging the government to abolish the portfolio-based evaluation for college admissions and instead increase the ratio of college scholastic ability tests (CSAT).



A civic group held a press conference in front of the Government Complex in central Seoul to call for a thorough investigation into all schools nationwide for possible irregularities regarding academic records.



"This is an important issue that affects the education system in college admissions," the group said in a statement.



"School records take up 80 percent in early admission. Students and parents are angry over the exam leak case and we do not trust school records-based assessments.



"The government has to investigate all corruption cases throughout the nation and eradicate irregularities to prevent similar cases."



The exam leak case took place at Sookmyung Girl's High School in southern Seoul in July. A teacher allegedly showed exam papers to his twin daughters who were attending the same school. The girls' school records had not been good in previous years, but they suddenly aced the final exam to finish the semester with outstanding results.



Parents suspected the girls' father had shared the exam paper with them in advance, but the teacher and his daughters denied this.



Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education conducted a special inspection the following month, and police also investigated. Police searched the school and confiscated the mobile phones of the father and the twin girls, securing critical evidence.



"We have found that the teacher shared exam papers with his twin daughters through his phone. We booked him and the two daughters as suspects," Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Lee Ju-min said on Monday.



The teacher and his daughters are still denying the allegations.



After the allegations emerged, the Ministry of Education said in July it would strengthen guidelines to prevent further leakage of exam papers.



It said all schools would be required to install surveillance cameras in rooms where the exam papers were printed, and that a parent would not be allowed to teach at the same school as their children.



The Sookmyung case was not the first time an exam has been leaked through teachers.



This year, an administration chief at a high school in Gwangju went on trial for allegedly leaking mid-term and final exam papers to parents. There were two more cases in Seoul where teachers allegedly leaked exam papers.

By Park Si-soo







Police are seeking an arrest warrant for a teacher at a Seoul school for the disabled for allegedly assaulting two mentally challenged students.







The teacher, 46, surnamed Lee, is suspected of hitting the students, both aged 13, with a broomstick on 12 occasions and spraying water, which was a violation of the Child Welfare Law.







The teacher reportedly admitted the offences, but claimed the incidents were disciplinary, without malicious intent. He reportedly told police he had "lost composure and became violent after seeing the children misbehaving."







Police started an investigation on June 20 based on a written complaint from the students' parents who saw CCTV footage in which another teacher, 39, surnamed Oh, was assaulting a student inside a school elevator.







Police analyzed a vast volume of footage recorded between May and July and concluded that 12 teachers, including Lee and Oh, were involved directly or indirectly in the violence. Some teachers were found to have overlooked the violence, said investigators.







Police have not yet decided how to deal with the other teachers involved.







"We reported the case to the education authorities, which I think would take disciplinary action against the teachers," said an investigator familiar with the case.





By Kang Seung-woo







A naked intruder accused of masturbating at Dongduk Women's University in Seoul has been detained.







According to the Jongam Police Station, Tuesday, police caught the 28-year-old, identified as Park, near an apartment at Gwangjin-gu, eastern Seoul, on Monday night after securing and analyzing surveillance footage captured around the university.







Police plan to have the prosecution request an arrest warrant for him for trespassing and circulating obscene materials online.







Park, who intruded on the campus, Oct. 6, recorded himself masturbating and took naked pictures of himself in empty classrooms and corridors of the school building before posting them on Twitter.







As part of a move to suspend his Twitter account, police sent a search and seizure warrant to the headquarters of the San Francisco-based social media platform.







Meanwhile, on the news of Park's detention, a public petition posted to the website of Cheong Wa Dae is demanding his identity be revealed to the public.







"We need to know the face and identity of such a pervert who committed such shameful acts at an educational facility to avoid the recurrence of this happening again," the petitioner said.







As of Tuesday, more than 14,000 people signed the petition. The presidential office makes it a rule to reply to a petition that gains more than 200,000 signatures within 30 days of a proposal being registered.









Pierrot Shopping attracts a huge crowd. Yonhap



By Lee Min-young



E-mart's Pierrot Shopping will make its way into the heart of Myong-dong, the main shopping district in downtown Seoul.



The shop has been introduced to Seoulites with a concept of "Fun & Crazy," meaning that the store offers a variety of "fun" products with a "crazy" price tag.



E-mart announced on Tuesday it would set up the store in the area. The store will have four stories with a total of 1,284 square meters.



"We hope the store will appeal to the many foreign tourists who come to Myeong-dong," an E-mart spokesperson said. "The Myeong-dong branch will likely open sometime around December."





Pierrot Shopping store in COEX, southern Seoul. YonhapBy Lee Min-hyung





The Kremlin plans to host North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for a possible summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Russian government.







"The North Korean leader has an invitation to visit Russia," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday. "The dates and the place will be agreed upon through the diplomatic channels."







Russia has in recent months made concerted efforts to realize the Moscow-Pyongyang summit. In May, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov gave Putin's invitation to Kim Jong-un on a visit to Pyongyang.







Both sides are underway discussing schedules for Kim's possible visit to Russia, according to the Kremlin. North Korea has yet to report any stories on the young leader's Russia visit.







The invitation comes at a crucial time when the North Korean leader is engaging in a hectic diplomatic schedule with his overseas counterparts.







Starting this year, Kim met with his southern counterpart President Moon Jae-in three times to discuss denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. In June, the North also had a first-ever summit with the United States.







Washington and Pyongyang are also in talks to hold their second summit no later than the end of this year, but a specific timeline for the possible meeting between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump has yet to be fixed.







For rapid and smooth progress of the ongoing denuclearization talks with Washington, Pyongyang also needs assistance from its Asian counterparts, which may be prompting Kim's visit to Russia, analysts said.







Meanwhile, Russian local media recently reported that Kim may visit Moscow or Vladivostok sometime between late October and early November.







President Moon also hinted at the possibility for Kim's potential Russia visit soon.







"Aside from the second Washington-Pyongyang summit, Kim Jong-un is expected to visit Russia in the near future," Moon said in a Cabinet meeting earlier this month.





US apparently displeased with Seoul's peace drive



By Park Ji-won





The U.S. Department of Defense reiterated its firm stance of maintaining sanctions on North Korea right after the two Koreas agreed at high-level talks Monday to reconnect railways and roads.



This is the latest sign of a row between Seoul and Washington over how to handle North Korea as the former is pushing for eased sanctions to reactivate inter-Korean projects.



According to Radio Free Asia, U.S. Pentagon Spokesman Christopher Logan said, "The United Nations Command (UNC) will ensure compliance with the Armistice Agreement and its implementation under current circumstances considering the spirits of the inter-Korean and Singapore summits."



On whether the South had discussed with the UNC or the Pentagon about a joint inspection in North Korea for connecting the railways which is scheduled to start late this month, Logan said, "We are not going to comment on individual aspects of the agreements or speculate on future events."



His remarks indicate the Trump administration is not yet willing to soften or lift sanctions on North Korea.



The U.S. has been insisting on continuing the pressure unless the North takes some tangible measures regarding denuclearization.



According to U.N. Security Council Resolution 2397, all member states shall prohibit the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to North Korea, of all industrial machinery, transportation vehicles, iron, steel, and other metals.



Media reported that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed discontent over the South's move during a recent phone conversation with Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa.



Kang said during a National Assembly audit last week that the sanctions imposed against Pyongyang were under review. Her remarks drew criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump immediately.



"They won't do it without our approval. They do nothing without our approval," Trump said.



Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon later emphasized the alliance with the U.S. by saying "South Korea never considered lifting sanctions against North Korea." Also, after Monday's meeting with the North, Cho said "(we are) closely discussing (with the UNC.)"





Diplomacy for N. Korea?



Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in went to European countries to call for international cooperation to ease sanctions against North Korea but adjusting his remarks in a way to emphasize the North's willingness to scrap all nuclear facilities and missile test sites rather than merely seeking to lift sanction.



"During the summit, President Moon told Macron that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un offered to completely dismantle all his regime's nuclear weapons and material. The North Korean leader also said he will scrap all nuclear facilities and missile test sites," chief presidential secretary Yoon Young-chan said in a media briefing after the South Korea-France summit.



Experts point out the possibility that the South's "verbal only" mediator role could lead the country to become isolated from the international community by failing to directly urge the North to denuclearize. South Korean companies could get into trouble by going around the U.S. sanction.



"If the U.S. considers South Korea to be violating the sanctions against the North and ignoring the U.S.'s warning, some say although relations between the South and the U.S. are okay as they are allies, the U.S. can still impose sanctions against South Korean companies," said a researcher at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.



"Moon adjusted his remarks with the consideration that there might be a possibility to cause conflict between Seoul and the U.S. Basically the government will not risk violating sanctions while still wanting economic cooperation between the two Koreas."



"It is the reality that South Korea should tell the North to denuclearize. It is okay for now as there is a deterrent, which is the South-U.S. alliance. But if the alliance weakens, foreign companies will withdraw their money from South Korea."









By Lee Min-hyung



The two Koreas and the United Nations Command (UNC) discussed disarmament of the Joint Security Area (JSA) Tuesday amid expectations for unarmed soldiers to "guard" the inter-Korean border area in a near future.



"The three-way consultation body had negotiation on measures on having a weapons-free JSA, including the withdrawal of firearms and guard posts," the Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.



Army Colonel Cho Yong-geun headed the South's three-member delegation, with the North led by Colonel Om Chang-nam, according to the ministry. United States Army Colonel Burke Hamilton also represented the UNC for the hours-long discussions.



The trilateral meeting is aimed at finalizing details to realize complete disarmament at the JSA. The two Koreas reached a consensus over the plan by signing a joint military agreement during an inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang last month.



The three parties are expected to have narrowed their differences on specific timelines to implement disarmament measures in the area, but they did not reveal any details.



Earlier this month, Seoul and Pyongyang started removing landmines and explosives in the JSA, as part of efforts to ease decades-long military tension, and continue building momentum for peace on the Korean Peninsula.



Under the joint military agreement, Seoul and Pyongyang also pledged to remove 11 guard posts each located within one kilometer of the border by the end of the year.













Aside from the military side, the two Koreas plan to allow civilian tourists to visit Panmunjeom without any restrictions on their clothing. So far, the military had banned people from wearing shorts or miniskirts from enter the border area.



But the two Koreas are expected to face a rough road ahead in fulfilling their bilateral pledge to disarm the JSA, as it requires consent and support from the UNC, which retains jurisdiction for the southern side of the JSA.



For this reason, both concerns and expectations have arisen over the three-way meeting, in that this is a rare occasion for the UNC to actively participate in inter-Korean military negotiations.



One pessimistic scenario is that the U.S.-led UNC may continuously take issue with North Korea during upcoming negotiations in consideration of the ongoing political tug-of-war between Washington and Pyongyang.



The U.S. and the North are still in a war of nerves over denuclearization talks. Washington wants the North to take more concrete steps for denuclearization, while Pyongyang is urging the former to take corresponding steps in return for a series of its own steps for nuclear disarmament, which includes the dismantlement of its Punggye-ri nuclear facility.



President Moon Jae-in is seeking to ease international sanctions on North Korea, as the latter has repeatedly expressed its firm determination to realize complete denuclearization of the peninsula.



In inter-Korean high-level talks, Monday, both Koreas agreed to start reconnecting railways and roads sometime between November and early December this year, as part of efforts to proceed with their reconciliatory momentum and enhance inter-Korean exchanges.



The agreement, however, raised concerns that the international community  including the U.S.  may view the joint project as the South breaching United Nations resolutions to cut off funding for Pyongyang.



For this reason, the role of the U.S. and other U.N. member countries is becoming more crucial for the two Koreas in implementing their joint agreements.



On Monday, President Moon asked his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron to persuade the U.N. Security Council to ease sanctions on the North in consideration of the regime's ongoing efforts and promises for complete denuclearization.Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung walks out of Ajou University Hospital in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday, after getting his body checked for a "big mole" actress Kim Boo-sun claimed was on his body. The doctors said they found no mole or any signs of removal treatment in the specified area. Yonhap



By Lee Suh-yoon



Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung had his body checked out by doctors, Tuesday, to disprove an allegation that he had a "big mole" on his body  a claim put forth by actress Kim Boo-sun in a leaked voice recording as proof that she had an affair with him.



Lee has repeatedly rejected Kim's claims that he had a 15-month liaison with her starting in December 2007. The results of the checkup were in his favor and this is expected to help Lee have the upper hand in the years-long dispute with the actress over her claims of a close relationship.



"There were no signs of a mole in the specified area," said doctors at Ajou University Hospital in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. "There was no mole, or signs of laser or surgery treatment that could have removed it."



The procedure took seven minutes. Three reporters were also present to witness the proceedings.



The controversy started from a leaked recording of a phone call between Kim and her friend, novelist Gong Ji-young, in which Kim claimed there was a round mole on a certain area of the governor's body.



Saying the mole was key evidence of their affair, Kim said she planned to use it as a last resort if the case went to court.



Lee said on Facebook, Saturday, he would reveal his body "so the issue would not damage my management of Gyeonggi Province and the lives of 13 million people here."



He asked the police to inspect his body, but the police refused, so instead he opted for a checkup at the hospital.



"Having proven the claims by Kim Boo-sun to be false, we hope there will be no more useless debate on the issue, allowing Governor Lee Jae-myung to focus on running Gyeonggi Province," Lee's spokesman Kim Yong said after the check.

The 31 officers belong to the level-2 field hospital, going to South Sudan together with 30 tons of goods and medicine, to connect with the 32 officers who came to South Sudan 2 weeks ago.

The hospital will replace the second-level field hospital of the UK army in Bentiu, South Sudan, to provide medical care for staffers of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan within one year.





Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of National Defence, saw out the officers.

The level-2 field hospital staff before the departure

Major Bui Thi Xoa (L), the most elderly of a group of female officers, cares for her colleague before boarding the plane.

Captain Nguyen Thi Thu Ngan prepares her luggage.

Female officers

Officers on board, preparing to fly to South Sudan for the mission



Hyundai Motor's Nexo fuel-cell electric vehicle



Hyundai to export 5,000 FCEVs to France by 2025



By Nam Hyun-woo



President Moon Jae-in tested the Hyundai Motor fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) Nexo during his state-visit to France, Sunday.



During the event, the President called for enhanced collaboration between Korean and French automakers to develop hydrogen ecosystems in their respective countries.



Following Moon's test, the carmaker will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with two French firms to export 5,000 hydrogen cars to France by 2025.



According to Hyundai Motor, President Moon tested the Nexo with first lady Kim Jung-sook in Paris. The FCEV was the first Nexo the auto giant exported to France.



After riding to a hydrogen charging station near the Alma Bridge, Moon observed a Tucson FCEV taxi driver charging the vehicle.



The FCEV taxi is operated by French startup named STEP (Societe du Taxi Electrique Parisien).



After launching its FCEV taxi business with five Tucson FCEV taxis in 2016, STEP garnered keen attention as an environmentally friendly form of urban transportation. The startup has 62 Tucson FCEVs.



The first FCEV charging station in Paris was established by Air Liquide, a France-based multinational industrial gases and services company.



Unlike electric vehicles, which take at least 30 minutes to charge, hydrogen-powered FCEVs take an average of 3 minutes to refuel.



"Unlike Paris, which has hydrogen charging stations downtown, charging stations in Korea are located on the outskirts of the city because of our misunderstanding on hydrogen energy and safety regulations," Hyundai Motor President Chung Jin-haeng said.



"Korea needs to benchmark France in this case."



As part of enhancing its cooperation with French companies, Hyundai Motor will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Tuesday with Air Liquide and Engie, another French electric utility company, to help expand hydrogen car infrastructure in France.



According to the carmaker, the MOU contains details on Hyundai Motor exporting 5,000 FCEVs, including both passenger and commercial vehicles, to France by 2025.



Also, the three firms will expand infrastructures for hydrogen cars by jointly developing business and investment models for hydrogen charging facilities, and cooperating with European governments to help draw policies on subsidies.



Under the MOU, Air Liquide also promised to expand hydrogen charging and producing infrastructure in Korea via a domestic special purpose company (SPC).



The SPC, which is expected to be launched in November, will be formed by 15 companies and state-owned enterprises, including the Korea Gas Corp., Korea Expressway Corp., Hyundai Motor, SK Gas, Hyosung Heavy Industries and Air Liquide Korea.



With 200 billion won ($176.5 billion) in capital, the SPC aims to set up 100 hydrogen charging stations here by 2022.



Air Liquid is also expanding its presence in Korea, signing a 130 billion won deal with South Jeolla Province to build an industrial gas plant.



"As the government has recently shown keen interests on hydrogen economy, ignited by FCEVs, there will be momentum in exporting domestic hydrogen car technologies and expanding infrastructure in Korea," an official at a carmaker said.



Despite being the frontrunner in making FCEVs, Korea lags far behind other countries in terms of infrastructure for hydrogen cars.



While Korea has only eight fuel-cell charging stations, Japan, home to FCEV powerhouse Toyota, has 92 as of March 2018 and plans to double that amount by 2021.



According to McKinsey's report, hydrogen car technology will emerge as one of the key auto segments with more than 400 million passenger cars, 20 million trucks and 5 million buses powered by hydrogen by 2050.



Compared to electric vehicles, FCEVs have the advantage in long traveling range and shorter charging time.



This is because hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells have high energy density, suitable for public transportation and logistics. Also, it is regarded as more eco-friendly than EVs because FCEVs can generate electricity on their own with fuel cells using oxygen from the air and compressed hydrogen supplied from charging stations.







By Jhoo Dong-chan







Global Friends leader Choi Kyou-taek has led volunteer activity in a rural area in Vietnam for 12 years.







Starting the non-governmental organization's charity activity in 2006 to help bereaved family members of the Vietnamese War, Choi has since led volunteer medical services, offered scholarships and donated personal computers to rural communities in Xuan Son and Yen Ky, Phu Tho Province.







Choi and Global Friends continued their charity this year as well for three days from Oct. 11, and workers from the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) and a local Korean community participated in the good cause.







"Global Friends isn't a large charity group, but has conducted volunteer activity for more than 10 years in the Southeast Asian country," Choi told The Korea Times.







"Not many charity groups in Korea volunteer in a certain country for more than 10 years."







Recognizing Choi's efforts, the IBK and the Hanoi Korean community jointly donated more than 7 million won worth of overcoats and food for middle school students in Phu Tho Province.







Five workers from IBK's Hanoi office also joined the charity group's three-day volunteer activity in the area.







"More than 80 percent people in Phu Tho Province are farmers. We suffered a great deal because of floods in April. Basic infrastructure such as electricity and roads were destroyed," said Minh Yen, reporter of Vietnam City Farmer News.







"They came from 150 kilometers from the metropolitan area to help young students and farmers from minority groups in the region. They donated money, food and livestock, but what they really gave was hope."







Organized to help bereaved family members of the Vietnamese War, Global Friends was founded in 2006.







It has since visited various regions in Vietnam, including Sonla, Lao Cai, Nghe An and Dien Bien Province, to help not only the bereaved family members there but also those who need medical attention.







"Global Friends has a plan to provide education service for students from multicultural families in Korea," Choi said.







"It also aims to conduct an overseas education program in Southeast Asian countries for those students. Korean firms such as IBK promised to help us."



By Lee Seong-hyon





WASHINGTON D.C.  Marcus Borg, the author who penned, "Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time," engages in a thoughtful inquiry that is both intellectual and spiritual. He compares the popular image of Jesus with the "real" Jesus. In the end, he sums up everything about being Christian this way: "The key aspect of it consists of believing that Jesus was who he said he was," letting go of our previous conception about him.



Can we do a similar exercise with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un? Can we look at Kim without any preconception, as if it were our first time to meet him? This imaginary exercise is warranted because Kim suffers from a very serious credibility deficit and image problem in the international community. And it's in his family.



The Kim family has ruled North Korea for 70 years through a repressive system built on fear. For the young Kim, particularly, what he did to his uncle, Jang Song-thaek and what he did to his older brother, Kim Jong-nam, dealt a crippling blow to his international image. "How can I trust Kim for denuclearization? He murdered his uncle and brother. He is as brutal as his father and his grandfather," said a Washington-based North Korea watcher.



A key question is whether this Kim is any different from the other two Kims  his father and grandfather. If our analysis of him leads us to conclude that he is the same as his Kim Jong-il and Kim Il-sung, then the current Kim's public display of willingness to denuclearize is likely to be a gimmick. However, there is no definitive evidence to preemptively conclude as such. Killing family members is a grave human rights violation. Yet, there is no logical connection that a leader who murdered a family member is inherently incapable of making a denuclearization deal.



In addition, we know very little about Kim before the beginning of his public activity. Ko Yong-suk, Kim's maternal aunt, who defected to the United States, recalled that Kim lived in Switzerland from 1996 to 2000. If so, Kim was exposed to the Western-style life for four years during his formative period. But then, there is no logical connection to link his early exposure to the West to the likelihood of his pursuing denuclearization either.



But what is certain is that Kim's negative image is partly a family inheritance. What his father and grandfather did to the country and its people, as well as the regime's past cheating on nuclear negotiations, has largely shaped the public perception of Kim III. People tend to judge the young Kim based on their preconceived notion of his father and grandfather as a mirror image. Scholars who have researched Kim's nuclear intention tend to look at what his father and grandfather said about nuclear weapons.



Kim, on his part, expressed his frustration to President Moon Jae-in about the international community's continuing mistrust over his denuclearization. "We need to assure Kim Jong-un that he made the right decision in deciding to denuclearize," said Moon in his interview with French newspaper Le Figaro this week.



Pessimists argue, "This is the same old North Korea." Optimists believe, "This is a new opportunity." Pessimists think those who believe Kim will denuclearize are naive. Optimists think pessimists are ideologues. Here in Washington, professional pessimism prevails over political optimism. The majority of the Washington establishment remains in their steadfast belief of disbelief about Kim's denuclearization.



The silver lining is that those few who have met with Kim in person said he has the "will to denuclearize." That's propitious. But then, these small numbers of people, including Moon, are having a hard time convincing the rest of humanity. In the end, Kim has to show his will to denuclearize with "actions," not words.



Meanwhile, it should be also reminded that until fairly recently, Kim was an unknown quantity. From the popular image of him as an abnormal leader in an abnormal country, Kim's expression of willingness to denuclearize was unexpected and unbelievable.



He is the first North Korean leader to have come this far. He is a new phenomenon. If we apply the same old frame of analysis to him that was used for the previous Kims, we'll arrive at the same old conclusion. Jesus said new wine should be kept in a new pouch. While we should approach Kim with eyes-open skepticism, we should be also open to new interpretations. The ethos of American education is to "think outside the box." Curiously, when it comes to the Kims, we are boxed.





Lee Seong-hyon (sunnybbsfs@gmail.com), Ph.D., is the director of the Center for Chinese Studies; and also the director of the Department of Unification Strategy at the Sejong Institute.



France is ready to help in North Korea's denuclearization efforts, but Pyongyang must first show some detailed commitments and real desire to dismantle its nuclear and ballistic arsenal, President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday (October 15).

France, a nuclear power and permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is not directly involved in talks between North Korea, South Korea and the United States to work towards the region's denuclearization.

However, diplomats have said that given Paris' nuclear know-how it could play a role in the dismantling of nuclear warheads or receiving nuclear materials.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump pledged at a landmark summit in Singapore in June to work towards denuclearisation.

On Brexit, Macron said he was going to speak to British Prime Minister Theresa May later on Monday in preparation for a European Summit, adding France was prepared for any outcome to Brexit negotiations. (Reuters)President Moon Jae-in takes a photo with BTS members after their performance in Paris. Yonhap



By Kim Yoo-chul



PARIS -- BTS performed in Paris ahead of President Moon Jae-in's second summit with French President Emmanuel Macron.



The "Korea-France Friendship Concert," held at an art performance theater in central Paris, was attended by President Moon, first lady Kim Jong-sook and about 400 others including students and musicians, Cheong Wa Dae said Sunday.



Moon's stop in Paris is part of his trip to Europe that will continue until Oct. 21.



The theme of the concert was "The Cry of Korean Musicians," with performances by traditional Korean musicians on the "geomungo" -- a traditional Korean string instrument -- and "pansori" -- traditional musical storytelling with a vocalist and a drummer -- as well as a fusion of modern instruments with traditional Korean sounds.



BTS is on the European leg of its world tour





BTS performs in Paris.





President Moon Jae-in signs his autograph on his gift watches to BTS members. Yonhap







By Grace Oh





On a Sunday afternoon, my friend and I were scrolling through Instagram and Snapchat, and she asked me a question, "Do you know how these free apps make so much money?"



Although I have been active on social media for a long time, I have never thought about the strings attached with the freebie. Sure, these apps provided me an easy way to chat with friends and show my daily life by posting pictures and thoughts, I have never asked, "What's the catch?"



One day, I scrolled through Pacsun, an online clothing website, and selected two black long sleeves and one pair of white shorts that I really liked. I put them in my cart to ask my mom later for her permission to buy the clothes. Meantime, I switched to YouTube to watch videos on skincare. When I clicked the video, something immediately appeared on the side panel, which drew my attention. It displayed the exact clothes I had placed in my cart at Pacsun website. I was confused. How did it happen? How did YouTube know I had just looked at the same clothes? Was it a coincidence?



Little did I know at the time how websites could track my every move online. Websites used cookies to track and record my activity on their site, so when I revisited their site, I didn't have to go all the way back from the start. Everything that I did on a website was not erased but imprinted on the web forever. Even more shocking, websites sold my personal information for marketing purposes to other companies and businesses. Even though many websites stated that customer's information was confidential, in many cases, it was not.



I read several articles about how e big companies such as Facebook, Twitter, and other social media apps make money off us. An illustration stuck with me that stated, "Media companies [are] renting [our] eyeballs to its advertisers." All of these apps were using us and our information to make money every single day behind our backs. I used to believe that we were lucky that we did not have to pay anything for the social media apps.



After discovering the reality behind social media, I thought to myself, "If I don't like the way social media is using me, then why don't I just stop"? My cell-phone has already taken over my world.



While I was waiting for my friend to meet me at the mall, I felt awkward just standing around and doing nothing, so of course, I sat on a bench and started scrolling through social media. I decided to watch Snapchat stories and scroll through Instagram, but a Pura Vida bracelet ad popped up and interrupted me. Unconscionably, I clicked and scrolled through the variety of bracelets.



Seconds later, two thoughts merged: Did I just contribute to economic growth? Or am I just a dumb consumer?





Grace Oh (Grace27sw.oh@gmail.com) is a student at the International School, Bellevue, WA.



Saudi Arabia's 33-year-old de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, paints himself as reformist. He has allowed women to drive, reined in the kingdom's religious police and permitted movie theaters to open.



Those reforms, however, mask a regime that routinely arrests its critics and prosecutes a bloody, Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen that continues to yield mounting civilian casualties.



Now the Western world fears that track record may include assassination. Evidence continues to build that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi succumbed to a vile death plot carried out by a team of Saudi agents at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.



Early on the afternoon of Oct. 2, Khashoggi, 59 and a resident of the U.S., walked into the consulate to retrieve documents he needed for his upcoming wedding. His fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, waited until after midnight outside the consulate for him to come out. He never did.



Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, wrote critically about Prince Mohammed and the Saudi regime.



Through a steady stream of leaks and videos, Turkish officials have laid out their allegations against the Saudis: A team of 15 Saudi intelligence agents, including an autopsy expert, arrive in Istanbul, murder Khashoggi at the consulate, dismember his body and return to Saudi Arabia.



Several media outlets report that Turkish officials have audio and video recordings of Khashoggi's murder at the consulate. Riyadh has stuck to its assertion that Khashoggi left the consulate alive, but it hasn't provided security video or other evidence to back that claim.



Turkey has pressed the Saudis to explain what happened. The response from President Donald Trump, who has coddled and courted the Saudi royal family, has been conspicuously timid. In an interview Thursday with "Fox & Friends," he described relations with the Saudi kingdom as "excellent."



In Congress, calls grow for sanctions against the Saudi regime, as well as a halt to U.S. arms sales to Riyadh. Trump bristled at that idea. "What good would it do us?" he said.



Well, Mr. President, it would send a clear message to the Saudis that business as usual isn't going to happen with a regime that silences its critics in violent, gruesome ways.



Maybe Trump the businessman should look for inspiration from other U.S. and Western business leaders, who in reaction to what happened to Khashoggi are rethinking ties with the Saudis.



Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi pulled out of an upcoming government-sponsored investor conference in Riyadh, the Wall Street Journal reports. Viacom's CEO, the New York Times and The Economist also pulled out. One invitee who still plans to attend: Trump's treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin.



Prince Mohammed may be miffed at the Western world's recoiling, but he shouldn't be surprised.



Western CEOs and investors are right to think twice about doing business with a government that wants and needs strong ties with the West yet increasingly looks and acts like other, brutish regimes now branded as pariahs.



If the crown prince wants the West's seal of approval, he should come clean about the fate of Jamal Khashoggi.





The above editorial appeared in the Chicago Tribune. It was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.



By Alex Gratzek





Following the end of the Cold War, it appeared as if capitalism was the undisputed victor.



However, since the Great Recession of 2007-08, capitalism has come increasingly under strain as it becomes evident that the huge wealth created by it is not spread evenly enough throughout society.



The gap between the elites and masses is increasingly turning into an unbridgeable chasm.



In a 2012 survey of 1,000 Americans, a staggering 45 percent wished they could skip Christmas because of the financial pressures they faced, while six in 10 didn't have savings to cover an unexpected bill between $500 and $1,000.



For a large percentage of Americans, their economic situation is tenuous at best while for those at the top of the economic pyramid, things continue to improve.



The same goes for Korea. Young adults are increasingly unable to find decent jobs and are living longer at home with their parents. When the time comes to strike out from the nest, parents are often needed to provide money to their children so they can obtain housing or furnish any homes they can find because the costs are so prohibitive.



On the other hand, people born into families related to the leaders of chaebol or other elites are set for life, regardless of their ability or temperament.



One only has to look at the cashew nut lady on Korea Air or the girl who obtained entry into Ewha Womans University because of her mom's connections to impeached former President Park Geun-hye. These elites are succeeding because of connections, not through their own ability.



In both Korea and America, success in life is not determined by ability but by the sheer happenstance of being born from the appropriate womb. Such a system, where working hard does not give one a leg up in society, is not one built upon strong foundations.



The delusion of being able to work to achieve success in life is increasingly being undercut by the grim realities that unfettered capitalism has created.



This disappointment in the system is manifesting itself throughout the world. A large number of Obama supporters switched over to support Trump in the latest U.S. election, while in Europe, the far left and far right have seen significant gains at the expense of the center.



In 2012 and 2016, Mitt Romney and Hillary Clinton were rejected because they were seen as manifestations of the status quo. Obama and Trump, despite being on opposite sides of the ideological spectrum, found victory because they were seen as outsiders.



In the aftermath of the 2008 Great Recession, the average person lost a significant amount of wealth  whether it was their houses or savings  while bankers, the ultimate creators of the mess, retired with "golden parachutes." The average person suffered with no bailouts or relief, while those who were already the "haves," thrived.



After President Park's impeachment for corruption and influence peddling, Moon Jae-in was elected president. When he ran for the presidency, he ran on a platform of widespread economic appeal; taxing the wealthy, raising wages, increasing the housing supply, expanding the social safety net, while increasing money for job training and education.



He was seen as a relatively clean candidate, free of the taint and corruption which permeates Korean politics; allowing him to win.



Moon and Trump's success can be ascribed to anger at the corruption democracy has seemed to spread. The elite are increasingly able to buy influence and increase their own personal wealth, clout and benefits in society at the expense of all others and the health of the society itself.



There is coming a point where the system needs to either correct this through the democratic process or a more dramatic reckoning will occur. It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when.



One needs to look at the examples of England and France. The English allowed for the gradual expansion of the vote to the under-classes and created regulations to prevent their exploitation by factory owners.



In France, the elites tried to keep a complete monopoly on political power, an inequitable system, and the result was the French Revolution.



The police become absolutely necessary, only at the juncture in human society where there is a split between those who have and those who don't. This gap can never be completely done away with but when the gap becomes too large, the police aren't able to maintain order.



At that moment, the result is either revolution, rule at the point of a bayonet as towards the end of Czarist Russia or the implementation of reform to gradually reform society as did the English.



It is natural for capitalism to create a system where a child born into a certain area is more likely to succeed than a child born in another area. But when the situation arises where a child born into a certain area or segment of society is unable to escape it, regardless of effort or ability, is where problems arise.



Capitalism has allowed for the creation of mind-boggling wealth along with an unfathomable distribution of this wealth. Eight people own as much as $3.6 billion. The problem is it promotes the pursuit of wealth at the expense of individuals' wellbeing.



Americans have been waiting for a chicken in their pots since Hoover ran for the presidency in 1928. Since then, the national wealth of America has skyrocketed but there are increasing numbers of empty pots.



The crucial issue for the future is addressing these shortcomings of capitalism. Democracy and capitalism "won" the Cold War.



However, if these imbalances aren't addressed, then communism or socialism might very well be the victor. Although capitalism seemed unquestionably the ultimate success, it is increasingly under siege.





Alex Gratzek is an American who has lived, studied and worked in South Korea. Contact him at ajgratzek@gmail.com.

Authorities should take fundamental approach



The government appears set to reduce the fuel tax temporarily. While in Indonesia to attend the meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank heads, Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon said, "The government is considering lowering oil taxes for a limited time.



Officials say fuel surcharges will likely go down by 10 percent early next month. The government can apply a flexible tax rate of up to 30 percent on petroleum products if deemed necessary to stabilize prices and balance supply and demand.



The administration is pushing to reduce the taxes, concerned that the continuous rise in international oil prices has increased the financial burden on households and businesses, adversely affecting the economy. That is good news for consumers when energy experts predict global crude prices could re-enter the range of $100 per barrel.



One can't help but feel something is lacking, however. Above all, the proposed tax cut is far from the fundamental change of the nation's distorted oil price structure, in which taxes constitute a larger share than that of production costs.



Out of the current gasoline price of about 1,500 won ($1.3) per liter, various taxes, such as ones for transport and motor fuel, account for 900 won, or 60 percent of the total. Korean motorists have to pay the fixed taxes regardless of the ups and downs in international crude prices.



The reduction of the tax rate has always been a source of controversy whenever global oil prices have jumped or plunged. The government should overhaul oil taxation fundamentally to enhance energy welfare, rather than giving itself credit for offering temporary tax cuts.



Oil taxes have been imposed as a special excise tax but face public complaints asking "Until when should fuel be regarded as a luxury item?" Officials have since changed the name of the oil tax to the transport tax, and then to energy tax and environment tax.



A permanent reduction of oil taxes may likely invite another criticism for running counter to the worldwide trends of saving energy and preventing global warming. Still, the nation can ill afford to sit and watch the abnormal oil price structure where the tail wags the dog.







Skepticism rises over inter-Korean railway project



The two Koreas agreed to speed up economic cooperation during high-level talks at the Peace House on the South's side of the border village of Panmunjeom, Monday.



Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon and his North Korean counterpart Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, took part in the talks. They have met multiple times this year, most recently at the 11th anniversary of the Oct. 4 Declaration in Pyongyang earlier this month. After getting together many times, the minister said the North felt like a "neighbor."



Despite the friendly mood at the inter-Korean talks, there is rising skepticism with the speed of the economic cooperation between the two Koreas, which agreed to begin inspections of sites for re-linking railways and roads this month. In a joint statement, the two sides said that they will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for rail and road links in late November or early December.



For many Koreans, the rail and road link with North Korea is seen as a strong symbol of inter-Korean reconciliation. The problem is that these costly inter-Korean projects may violate the international sanctions against North Korea.



The timing for initiating such a project is not good because the U.S. is still insisting on maintaining strong sanctions against North Korea until it shows clear signs to denuclearize. Concerns are rising over the growing rift between South Korea and the U.S. over the sanctions. After his third summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un last month, Moon has been stressing the need to relieve sanctions in media interviews. In an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro ahead of his European tour, Moon said North Korea is experiencing "huge economic difficulties because of the continued economic sanctions imposed by the international community."



During his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron during their summit at the Elysee Palace late Monday, Moon asked the French leader to persuade the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to modify sanctions on Pyongyang. But Macron said North Korea must first show "precise commitment" for dismantlement of its nuclear and missile programs.



More Koreans are becoming upset with Moon, who is increasingly being criticized for speaking too much about the North's position. His rush to engage in inter-Korean projects is also not taken positively by the international media.



President Moon should take to heart the criticisms of his overly enthusiastic efforts for economic integration with North Korea and adjust the pace of inter-Korean projects.



Ambassador Vu Anh Quang (Photo: VNA)

Ambassador Quang: The visit has 3 main purposes looking towards Vietnams 3 important partners.

Firstly, he will attend the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit held in Brussels on October 18th-19th, with the participation of heads of state and government of 51 member nations. Under the theme Europe and Asia: global partners for global challenges, Asian and European leader will discuss opportunities and challenges that the two continents are facing, and put forth big orientations to increase dialogue, cooperation and links for addressing common challenges.

Vietnam attaches special importance to the role of ASEM. During the 12th ASEM, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will deliver an important speech at the first session, highlighting Vietnams proposals to increase Asia-Europe links. The Prime Minister will also have a series of meetings with member nations leaders to boost bilateral relations.

Secondly, the Prime Minister will pay an official visit to Belgium from October 16th-17th during which he is expected to meet with King Philippe, Prime Minister Charles Michel, President of the Chamber of Representatives Siegfried Bracke, Minister-President of Flanders Geert Bourgeois, and Minister-President of Wallonia Willy Borsus  the two largest regions in Belgium that have multilateral relations with Vietnam.

Thirdly, PM Phuc will have talks with President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, meet with European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, and with Chairperson of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) Bernd Lange, in order to boost the Vietnam  EU relationship. Promoting comprehensive partnership and cooperation with the EU - one of the leading economic and political centers of the world - is always a strategically important priority in Vietnams external and international integration policies.

Reporter: In your opinion, what are outstanding points in the relationship between Vietnam and Belgium in particular, and the EU in general?

Ambassador Quang: Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucs visit to Belgium takes place in the year the two countries are celebrating the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the bilateral relationship developing in all areas, of which cooperation for sustainable development is the key. Belgium is Vietnams 7th largest trading partner in the EU, with two-way trade reaching USD2.7 billion in 2017. As of August 2018, Belgiums investment in Vietnam was valued at USD900 million, while the cooperation among localities are developing well. Belgiums Antwerp Port, the second largest in the EU, is an important gateway for Vietnamese goods to penetrate Belgium and the EU.

Many cooperative agreements will be signed during this visit, especially the Vietnam-Belgium strategic partnership in agriculture and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between Vietnam and Flanders, Belgiums most developed region that leads the country in cooperating with Vietnam.

On the Vietnam-EU relations, the two sides ratified a Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) in late 2016 and are carrying out the agreement. They also completed negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and an Investment Protection Agreement (IPA). They are working towards the signing and ratification of the two agreements. Therefore, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucs meetings with EU leaders are of great significance in pushing the signing and ratification of the FTA and IPA.

The visit will be an important milestone in the bilateral Vietnam  Belgium cooperation, as well as the Vietnam  EU comprehensive partnership and cooperation.

Reporter: Could you please talk about the assessment of the relationship between Vietnam and Belgium and the EU after Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucs visit?

Ambassador Quang: There are a lot of cooperative opportunities between Vietnam and Belgium. The relationship between the two sides will have new steps of development in economics, trade and investment, especially in areas that Belgium is strong at, including hi-tech agriculture, environment, clean energy, logistics services, and training high quality human resources.

The EU is Vietnams second largest trade partner and export market, with bilateral trade of USD50 billion in 2017 and predicted to hit USD63 billion in 2018. EU is also the 5th largest investor in Vietnam capitalized over USD44 billion. The bloc is Vietnams fifth biggest investor, with a total capital of 44 billion USD. When FTA and IPA go into effect, the two-way trade between Vietnam and EU, including Belgium, will sharply increase and there will be a new flow of investment from EU countries to Vietnam./.

Reporter: Thank you very much!Kang In-sik, managing director of media content at KT's Media Business Division, speaks during a media conference at the firm's headquarters in Seoul, Tuesday, explaining new services on the Kids' Land 2.0, which offers IPTV content for children. / Courtesy of KT



By Jun Ji-hye



KT released upgraded services for children on its internet protocol television (IPTV) Olleh TV, Tuesday, in a bid to attract more users and widen its lead over competitors in the domestic IPTV market.



The firm said Kids' Land 2.0, an improved version of Kids' Land 1.0 launched in May, enhanced content for parents who have difficulty in infant care as well as content helping children to improve their TV viewing habits.



The nation's second-largest mobile carrier said Kids' Land has been well received in the market thanks to its differentiated content created in cooperation with companies specializing in child education such as Daekyo.



The service has attracted 3.6 million users in five months since its release.



During a media conference held at its headquarters in Seoul, the telecom company said one of the major upgrades was the launch of a mobile version of Kids' Land, which enables users to enjoy watching content they used to watch on IPTV on their mobile phones.



The mobile version offers 13 channels and 10,000 videos on demand for children.



The firm noted that there have been concerns over indiscriminate commercials and provocative content in existing video streaming apps, which could have a harmful impact on children.



The company said there are no ads or provocative content on its mobile version.



KT has also created its original programs offering parents counseling on the difficulties of infant care.



A mental health professional, famous for infant care and child education, appears in counseling programs created based on difficulties that parents have experienced.



Other new content includes popular character "Pororo" answering children's questions.



"This content will help parents cope better with the barrage of questions their children ask," said Kang In-sik, managing director of media content at KT's Media Business Division.



The firm also began a campaign helping children have better TV viewing habits, with popular characters such as "Pororo" and "Pink Pong" encouraging children to take a step backward from a television.



A function that blocks blue light has also been added as there is a growing concern about blue light exposure from screens on electronic devices.



"We expect Kids' Land 2.0 to be an essential item to help parents resolve troubles in infant care," said Kang. "KT will continue to release services for children as well as for parents through cooperation with premium content companies."

Samsung Electronics' Exynos Auto chip Courtesy of Samsung Electronics



By Baek Byung-yeul



Samsung Electronics launched new automotive semiconductors Tuesday, seen by analysts as the first step to nurture auto chips as its next growth engine.



During the IZB 2018 International Suppliers Fair in Wolfsburg, Germany, Samsung introduced the Exynos Auto, an automotive processor, and the ISOCELL Auto for automotive image sensors.



Samsung said it will begin supplying the new chips to clients starting at the end of the year. With the new brands, Samsung said it will diversify its business portfolio into the automotive market.



This is the first time Samsung has come up with a detailed vision for its automotive semiconductor business, in which the firm is heavily investing. Samsung announced August that it would invest over 25 trillion won ($22 billion) in four key areas including artificial intelligence (AI), electronic components for future cars, bio technologies and fifth-generation (5G) networks through 2020.



The company explained it decided to launch the new automotive chips to bring its market-proven technologies to the automotive sector.



"Samsung's new Exynos Auto and ISOCELL Auto chips, bring Samsung's market-proven technologies to automotive applications with enhanced features and durability required by the market," said Kenny Han, vice president of the Device Solutions division at Samsung. "With fast telecommunication, accurate sensing and powerful processing capabilities, Samsung's Auto-branded chips will provide a new driving experience in next-generation smart vehicles."



The chipmaker launched its system-on-chip brand Exynos for mobile devices in 2011. System-on-chip is an integrated circuit that synchronizes all the components of a computer or other electronic systems.



Samsung said the Exynos Auto brand will "meet industry requirements for harsher environments, allowing automotive manufacturers to develop cutting-edge applications such as infotainment, advanced driving assistance systems and telematics."



The firm also has used the ISOCELL brand for its mobile image sensors since 2017. Samsung rebranded its mobile sensors as ISOCELL to catch up with market leader Sony's Exmor brand.



The company expects its ISOCELL Auto sensors "will provide greater visibility of the road and surroundings even in low-light environments, while enabling more precise identification of objects."



Thanks to the emergence of self-driving and smart vehicles, the global automotive semiconductor market has been witnessing strong growth.



According to data from market researcher IHS Markit, the automotive semiconductor market was worth an estimated at $37.5 billion last year, a 15 percent increase from 2016. With a healthy annual growth of 6.7 percent, the market will grow to $58 billion by 2024.



While Samsung is the world's largest memory chip maker, it is behind market leaders in the automotive chip industry. According to data from Strategy Analytics, Dutch semiconductor manufacturer NXP led the market with a share of 12.5 percent last year, followed by Infineon with 10.8 percent and Renesas with 10 percent

Seen is a Nolboo restaurant selling "bossam," boiled pork belly, and "budae jjigae," sausage stew. / Courtesy of Nolboo





Nolboo CEO Ahn Se-jin / Courtesy of NolbooAustralian wildlife carers Jim and Linda Smith are lucky to be alive, an ambulance official said, after they were attacked by a kangaroo in northeastern Queensland state.

The Smiths were feeding wild kangaroos on their property in the Darling Downs when a grey kangaroo buck struck out at Jim Smith, knocking him to the ground.

The kangaroo attacked his wife, Linda, when she ran to help him, leaving her with a collapsed lung, broken ribs, cuts and scratches.

"It's scary, it knocked me over once or twice and once they grab you, you can see what they do", Jim said, showing his injuries.

It was only when their son came out and hit the kangaroo with a piece of wood that the marsupial stopped the attack and returned to nearby bushland, Australian media reported.

Linda Smith was taken to Toowoomba Hospital, where she underwent surgery, media reports said.

"If the kangaroo was able to continue to inflict further injury, her life was, yes, in danger," Queensland Ambulance Service's senior operations supervisor Stephen Johns said.

Australia has roughly 45 million kangaroos and it is not unusual for them to come into conflict with people as housing has expanded to areas where the marsupials live.

They are even more likely to be driven into populated areas in search of food and water in drought-stricken areas. (Reuters)Angola, IN (46703)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 38F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 38F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers after midnight. Low near 40F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers after midnight. Low near 40F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.Freely accessible local news is vital. Please power our reporters and help keep us independent with a donation today.

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WE'RE ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS ABOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THAT KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT. IF YOU HAVE ONE, ASK IT HERE.

The towering apartment building on Sunset Boulevard and Gordon Street in Hollywood has 299 dwelling units as well as office and retail space, a ground-floor restaurant and a public park. Too bad it's been sitting empty for three years.

Following landowner changes, legal battles with a neighborhood association, environmental reports and tenant evictions, the 22-story high-rise at 5929 W. Sunset Blvd. was vacated in 2015, and the roughly half-acre public park was closed off.

An LAist reader asked us the status of the development and if it will ever reopen. Here's what we know.

FIRST, SOME BACKGROUND

(Courtesy Christopher A. Joseph & Associates)

The development was approved back in July 2008, when Portland-based real estate firm Gerding Edlen was behind the project. Homeowner groups took the city to court, stalling the project and leading to a notice of default on the $9 million land loan.

Fast-forward to 2011, when the land was sold to the CIM Group. That developer started building and eventually opened the high-rise, a parking structure and a public park. Then came another lawsuit from the La Mirada Avenue Neighborhood Association.

If that name sounds familiar, that's because it's also the group that led the charge to stop construction on Hollywood's infamous Target husk, which has been sitting half-finished on Sunset, several blocks east of the Sunset Gordon tower. A recent reversal on a court decision means the development could soon become a real Target.

At the heart of La Mirada's lawsuit was "the fact that some permits were issued in violation of project approvals," according to Lauren Alba, a spokeswoman for L.A.'s Department of City Planning.

CIM had demolished the site's Old Spaghetti Factory building, which it was required to preserve as part of the project's approval. Built in 1924, the Spanish-style structure existed first as an auto showroom and later as the studios of KNX radio before becoming a restaurant.

A replica facade of the demolished Old Spaghetti Factory building was constructed in 2014.(Courtesy city of Los Angeles)

A Superior Court judge ruled for the La Mirada group in 2014. The Court of Appeal reaffirmed that ruling in 2015 and the city's Department of Building and Safety issued residents with an Order to Vacate. Since the park was part of the development, it too was closed, and the high-rise has been a 22-story blight in Hollywood ever since. But that may be about to change.

The public park at the Sunset Gordon apartment tower has been closed off since 2015. (Courtesy city of Los Angeles)

WHAT NOW?

Things are looking up for the Sunset Gordon tower -- and the public park. L.A.'s planning department recently re-approved the project plans -- with a few amendments. Those include increasing the number of affordable housing units, from 15 to 30, and nixing a proposal to build a new automated steel parking structure on top of the existing one because the city says it wants to avoid more excavation.

The developer will also be required to create a replica of the demolished Old Spaghetti Factory and preserve "key elements" of the 1924 building.

Lauren Alba said final approval of the project will be decided by the City Council, where it's scheduled to go before the Planning and Land Use Management Committee on Nov. 6. If they approve it, the proposal goes to the full council for a vote.

If you're wondering why there's a helipad on the roof (as I was), that's because the city code requires every high-rise in L.A. to construct a "Emergency Helicopter Landing Facility" for fire department helicopters in case of an emergency, like, say, a fire in a high-rise. (Courtesy city of Los Angeles)

So, if the city gives the project the greenlight, when can people start moving back in? That's up to CIM, Alba said.

"Once the decision becomes final, (CIM) is responsible for obtaining building permits and a Certificate of Occupancy before the units can be occupied again," she said.

It's unclear how much the apartments would rent for, but the L.A. Times talked to one soon-to-be-evicted tenant in 2015 who was paying $2,295 for a one-bedroom. It's hard to imagine prices have gone down.

If you have another question to ask LAist, leave it here.

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THIS STORY IS PART OF HOW TO L.A., OUR ONGOING SERIES OF PRACTICAL GUIDES FOR DAY-TO-DAY LIVING IN LOS ANGELES.

Ceviche is so ubiquitous in some of Los Angeles's Latino-dominated neighborhoods that many people think it's a Mexican dish. Actually, it originates in South America, probably Ecuador or Peru, although its precise origins are murky.

Made from raw fish marinated in lemon or lime juice and typically mixed with chopped onions, cilantro, chili peppers and seasonings, ceviche dates back nearly 2,000 years. Culinary historians think it originated in the Moche, a coastal civilization that flourished near the coast of northern Peru from 100 to 700 A.D. By the 1980s, the popular seafood dish had broadened its horizons, expanding to Colombia, Chile, Honduras, El Salvador, Belize, Guatemala, Panama and Mexico.

In Peru the dish is so popular it's celebrated with a national holiday on June 28. It's usually made with aji amarillo peppers, rocoto peppers, canchitas (corn nuts), yuca, sweet potato, onions and banana chips.

That's very different than what you'll get on the streets of Southern California. In the San Fernando Valley, we're blessed. A boom in mariscos trucks means there's a passable ceviche vendor on almost every block. Here are some of the best.

Mariscos el Bigoton

On the corner of Arleta and Osborne in Pacoima, between a 7/11 and a laundromat, Mariscos el Bigoton sells some of the best tostadas de ceviche, second only to the ceviche my aunt makes. What makes it so good? The tilapia is marinated in the juice of key limes, making it one of the most citrusy ceviches on the list. A pescado (fish) tostada costs about $2.50 while camaron (shrimp) costs $5 -- and the portions are very generous. If you're stopping by at lunchtime on the weekend, you might face a 20 to 30-minute wait. Fortunately, micheladas are the perfect companion to mariscos and Bigoton sells a premade mix. You will, however, need to provide your own beer. Pro Tip: After buying the michelada mix, customers will sometimes sneak back to their cars, add beer and drink their michelada as they wait for their food.

13504 Osborne St., Arleta. Open Monday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.

5458 Whittier Blvd, East L.A. Open Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Ceviches

Tucked in a small parking lot on Maclay Ave. in San Fernando, Ceviches is a hidden gem of a restaurant, serving Nayarit-style ceviche. The fish ceviche is finely minced and less lemon-y than most. Instead, the intense flavor comes from the addition of carrots (which also add crunch) and Nayarit-style purple onions. The prices -- $2 for a fish ceviche tostada and $3 for shrimp -- can't be beat. The tostadas are small, so you'll probably want more than one. Although you're about 30 miles from the Pacific, Ceviches tries to make your experience feel as beachy as possible. So grab a seat on under a palm tree umbrella planted on artificial turf and take the advice of a sign that reads, "Relax, you're on beach time."

313 N. Maclay Ave., San Fernando. Open every day except Tuesday, 11 a.m. - 7 or 8 p.m.

Rosarito Fish Market

Rosarito Fish Market is on the pricier side -- a fish ceviche tostada costs $4.99 and shrimp costs $5.99 -- but it's worth the splurge. Topped with thick avocado slices, the pescado ceviche bursts with lime without being soggy. It's the perfect balance. The restaurant is large so you can bring your whole crew. If you're committed to riding the seafood and beer wave, the menu includes cevicheladas, a michelada with tortilla chips on the rim holding up fish or shrimp ceviche. Again, beer is not included.

1534 San Fernando Rd., San Fernando. Open Monday-Sunday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Mariscos el Tiburon

Down Tujunga Ave., past Sherman Way before you hit the railroad tracks in Sun Valley, a lonely white truck on the side of the road serves some of the best cocteles de mariscos -- peeled shrimp served cold with a tomato juice blend similar to Clamato. Unlike ceviche, cocteles are usually eaten without tostadas. Imagine tostadas de camaron, without the tostada and swimming in tomato juice seasoned with onions, lime and topped with avocado chunks. Mariscos el Tiburon also sells ceviche, $3 for fish and $7 for shrimp. The ceviche here is on par with Mariscos el Bigoton and it's on the crunchier side as it's packed with cucumber chunks.

7100 Tujunga Ave., Sun Valley. Open Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5:40 p.m.

Mariscos El Mazatleco

If you're in the mood for mariscos estilo Mazatlan, head to the shuttered Toys R' Us on Woodley and Sherman Way, and look for the bright blue truck painted with a parrot and a cartoon shrimp. You can buy a single fish ceviche tostada for $8 or a full order for $14. That may sound spendy but it's a mountain of ceviche topped with avocado slices and large chunks of cucumber. (You can also order a party tray for delivery.) In addition to its traditional ceviche, Mariscos El Mazatleco offers creative variations, like ceviche de mango and their ceviche especial, topped with fresh scallops. Woodley Ave. and Sherman Way, Van Nuys. Open Monday-Sunday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Mariscos el Patron

Owner Juan Valentin, aka Patron, is from Michoacan but he tells LAist that his ceviche style "is straight from Pacoima." His fish ceviche tostada, made with tilapia, chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice and shredded carrots, sells for $3 and shrimp goes for $4. Both come with three tostadas, and their signature salsa roja. On weekends, it's best to show up before 4 p.m. because they're known to sell out of ceviche. Valentin also owns a well known taco truck, Tacos el Patron, that serves some of the best tacos, burritos and quesadillas in Pacoima. He expanded into the mariscos business in April and has already cultivated a loyal following. You can spot Mariscos el Patron's shiny blue truck in front of the Superior grocery store on Laurel Canyon and Osborne St., a couple blocks away from El Bigoton. Laurel Canyon and Osborne St., in front of Superior Grocers, Pacoima. Open Sunday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

La Barquita Mariscos y Tacos

If you're willing to go deep into the SFV, La Barquita Mariscos y Tacos awaits you in Chatsworth. Situated inside a plaza, between Leslie's Pool Supplies and a Foot Massage Parlor, La Barquita isn't a large restaurant but it's also not a hole-in-the-wall. Modern and clean, it serves tacos, shrimp cocktails and can accommodate groups, if you find yourself craving seafood and a live banda performance. You'll pay $11.99 for camaron ceviche and $9.99 for pescado. Both are cured in lime and tossed with cucumber and onions then drizzled with their housemade salsa negra and garnished with avocados and an orange slice.

20539 Devonshire St., Chatsworth. Open Monday-Sunday, usually from 10:30 or 11 a.m. until between 8 and 11 p.m.

You made it! Congrats, you read the entire story, you gorgeous human. This story was made possible by generous people like you. Independent, local journalism costs $$$$$. And now that LAist is part of KPCC, we rely on that support. So if you aren't already, be one of us! Help us help you live your best life in Southern California. Donate now.I think about how sometimes I feel so lonely talking to the people I love, and sometimes I feel so lonely talking to the people I hate, thinks Alexa, the young, queer narrator of Mattilda Bernstein Sycamores new novel. And sometimes I just feel so lonely.

Sketchtasy, published today by Arsenal Pulp Press, follows Alexa and her friends as they navigate the Boston gay nightclub scene in the 1990s. Their lives are focused on drinking and doing just about every drug in the book; theyre all trying desperately to forget their own traumas, and the pain of being queer in a city thats hostile to their very existence.

Sycamore is a longtime activist who has worked with groups like ACT UP and Fed Up Queers. Shes also the author of two previous novels, Pulling Taffy and So Many Ways to Sleep Badly, as well as a memoir, The End of San Francisco.

Sycamore, who lives in Seattle, spoke to The Times via telephone from Baltimore, where shes researching her next book. This interview has been edited and condensed.

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Can you talk about the origins of Sketchtasy, set in the queer scene in Boston in the 1990s?

I lived in Boston the same time that the novel takes place. I was really living inside gay culture, in terms of all of the hypocrisy, and all of the mimicry of the worst aspects of straight, normative culture. In the past, I had lived in queer radical culture. It was a formative moment for me, and I had these stories of that time of Boston gay club culture in all of its grandeur and also its suffocation. But I didnt know what I wanted to do with them. And then I was done with The End of San Francisco, and I thought, Well, let me just start and see what happens. In a way, it started from my own personal memories of that time period in Boston. I started with these over-the-top stories of late-night club culture, but what came through for me was the trauma: the trauma of living in a city, Boston, that was rabidly afraid of difference; the trauma of growing up in an abusive family and trying to escape; and the trauma of a gay culture that doesnt really do anything to nurture. And then also the trauma of growing up with AIDS defusing your desires, and not being able to imagine a way out.

The 90s were kind of an odd time in gay culture, because there was this greater acceptance by the mainstream community, but it was still very much a homophobic time.

Definitely. Theres always been, within gay culture, a kind of struggle between a more liberationist kind of politics, and a more assimilationist politics. I think the 90s really marked the time when the assimilationist politics triumphed. And that did allow for more visibility, but it also put a clampdown on all of the radical, challenging and transformative aspects of gay and queer culture.

Theres a scene in the book where the characters talk about the red AIDS awareness ribbons. Do you think of those ribbons as emblematic of a kind of shallow, performative empathy on the part of non-queer people?

Absolutely. I think the red ribbon is kind of the ultimate symbol of charade pity, a kind of emblem of alleged liberal compassion, but its really just symbolic with nothing behind it. Especially in that moment, like any of these things, I think a lot of gay people swallowed that myth of tolerance. So at that time, youd have, like, Cybill Shepherd with the red ribbon, and everyone was like, Oh, my God, I love Cybill Shepherd! Shes my hero! [Laughs] So it became a currency for straight people to gain fans through, in some ways, this death and disappearance of queer lives.

A book cover for Mattilda Bernstein Sycamores Sketchtasy. Credit: Arsenal Pulp Press (Arsenal Pulp Press)

Do you think theres a possibility that queer culture in America, as we knew it in the 80s and 90s and before, is in danger of getting erased by assimilation into the broader culture?

Yes, absolutely. I think in many ways it already has been erased in favor of this smiley, happy, Were just like you myth of acceptance at any cost. We have this centrality of marriage and military inclusion as a central dominant focus of the mainstream gay movement, and what could be more conservative than becoming part of the military, the dominant institution of oppression in the world? And marriage is the central symbol of straight conformity. So if marriage and military inclusion are the center of the movement, then theres really nothing behind it. And simultaneously, gay people of power and privilege have really pushed aside anyone who isnt willing or able to conform to these tacky, outdated straight, middle-class norms.

Alexa and some of the other characters in the book are unapologetic in their queerness, and the 90s were a time when a lot of gay men put a premium on being straight-acting. Do you think that emphasis on acting masculine is a form of self-hatred for some gay men, something that Alexa and her friends were maybe rebelling against?

I think everyone in the book, in many ways, especially the queens in the book, are intensely damaged by the insistence on adhering to backward norms of masculinity. And they all either resist or fall into that, in whatever ways possible. Part of that is the lure of gay club culture, because you go out, youre up when everyone else is asleep, youre putting on elaborate outfits and living in your own world. And it is a world almost entirely bonded by drugs, but the drugs offer an escape from all the pressures of conformity, and unfortunately, mainstream gay culture is very insistent on those norms. So queers and queens and transfeminine people really take the brunt of violence both inside gay culture and outside in the dominant world.

I think also what happens is that people internalize that violence, and thats whats happening a lot in the book. People dont have the possibility of expressing the trauma thats going on in the world, whether thats the trauma of straight bashers, or the trauma of gay people who are so self-loathing that the only status they crave is the status of inclusion in straight normalcy, or whether thats the violence of people dying everywhere from AIDS. For the people in the book, theres a lot of internalization of that trauma because theres no way to express it, because if you express the trauma, then youre more vulnerable, and they dont want to seem vulnerable, because then they succumb to the trauma. So its kind of a catch-22 because theres no real way out, and I think in many ways, that is the narrative of the book, being increasingly trapped inside the gay culture that offers pageantry without promise, trapped in Boston at this particular time period, and trapped in this particular historical moment.

Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore says that Sketchtasys main character Alexa has a radical queer politic, but shes living in a world where there isnt really the possibility to actualize that. (Jesse Mann)

Some of the characters in the book, including Alexa, are queer people who use she/her pronouns. Do you think any of them would consider themselves trans women if they were in this era, when it seems like maybe people are slightly more enlightened about trans issues?

From our point of view today, they would all be on the transfeminine spectrum somewhere. I think in this particular moment that the book is taking place, theyre all queens, and I think some of them lean in different directions at different times, depending on the time of day, the mood, the drugs that are involved. I think everyone is basically trying to figure themselves out. And they dont really have a place or space to claim femininity in a way that doesnt immediately face either scorn, violence, derision or social ostracism. Theyre trying to create a new world, but I think theyre also failing a lot.

What do you think made Boston queer club culture so distinct from the culture in, say, San Francisco or L.A. at the time?

Boston is a very cloistered town. Its very self-satisfied, its very smug and theres a very old New England preppiness, and the gay culture there in particular, whatever people could use as power over one another, theyd use it, whether its about class, about race, or AIDS [status]. I think Boston is a super segregated, super racist city, and that was mimicked in gay culture. Gay culture there was completely segregated on all levels, not just racially, but in terms of gender, in terms of sexuality, in terms of class, and everyone was striving for the most conformist attitude possible. Unfortunately, this is true in gay culture across the board, but its more magnified in Boston, and some other cities. Ironically, I live in Seattle now, and Seattle is a very different city than Boston, but Seattles gay culture is not that different, and not in a good way. In these days of the shiny happy people vision of gay inclusion, that type of mentality in gay culture has not really changed in most places. In San Francisco in the 90s, there was definitely a radical queer culture that existed and had its own institutions, neighborhoods and aesthetic. And that did not exist in Boston at that time at all.

Alexa is a survivor of child sexual abuse, and shes also a prolific user of drugs and alcohol. In your mind, is there a connection between those two things?

Sure. For Alexa, she wants to live outside of both straight and gay normalcy. She has a radical queer politic, but shes living in a world where there isnt really the possibility to actualize that. And so drugs really offer a way to create that, in a sense. And the community that shes able to find and create is entirely bonded through drugs. I dont think thats only a negative thing, but it definitely has its limitations. [Laughs] I think, as a survivor of sexual abuse, shes looking for whatever escape that she can find, and drugs are the escape that is most acceptable in the culture in which she lives.

The passages where Alexa and her friends are using drugs, and there are a lot of them, you mimic through your prose what it feels like to be high, that sort of manic feeling. Was that a difficult thing to write?

No, I loved it. [Laughs] For me, basically it got me high, and I wanted to show how the drugs change the language. I wanted, through the changing of the language, to really create that disorientation, and that feeling of floating 5 feet above the ground. I think it gave a certain kind of glow to the narrative, and it shaped the prose and shifted not just the perception of the characters, but also my perceptions of what I wanted to happen in the book.

The book is so evocative not just of Boston, but of the 1990s in general.

One thing in setting the book in the 90s and being really meticulous about all the specifics, both in terms of the music, in terms of the landscape of Boston, in terms of the experiences, in terms of the language, one thing I really wanted to work against was nostalgia. Because I think right now there is this really intense nostalgia for the 90s but its only kind of surface, like, Nirvana T-shirts and nothing much beyond that. For me, that kind of nostalgia creates its own violence, because it camouflages the actual lived experiences and the depth of feeling and emotion and intensity.

Schaub is a writer in Texas.The nations top health official proposed Monday that pharmaceutical companies be required to include the list price of medicines in advertisements to consumers  the boldest element in a series of efforts by the Trump administration to curb drug spending.

Under a major change laid out by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and drafted as a new federal rule, drug manufacturers would need to state the list price of a 30-day supply of any drug that is covered through Medicare and Medicaid and costs at least $35 a month.

Sometimes it takes government to make the first move, to disrupt a broken system and to lay down new rules of the road, Azar, typically an advocate of market-based approaches, said in a speech Monday before the National Academy of Medicine.

The shift, which will now become fodder for months of debate before the proposed rule change takes final form, intensifies a tug-of-war between the pharmaceutical industry and a Health and Human Services secretary who emerged from the industrys ranks and has strived to dispel any perception of alignment with his former drugmaker colleagues.

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The proposed regulation is the latest effort by the Trump administration and some members of Congress to compel drug companies to disclose the list prices of medicines in television ads  a strategy that would test proponents premise that consumers would become more price sensitive, in turn slowing the rise in pharmaceutical charges that in recent years have been a main driver of the United States uncommonly high healthcare spending.

Hours before the HHS secretarys speech, the pharmaceutical industrys major lobbying group announced a new voluntary action that would instead point viewers of TV commercials to company websites with pricing information.

The announcement by PhRMA, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, was seen by experts as an attempt to fend off more aggressive federal regulation. Azar released a statement before his speech, saying that the drug industry remains resistant to providing real transparency around their prices and that the government needed to go beyond what he called the industrys small step in the right direction.

The industry has also faced pressure from Congress. A bipartisan proposal that would have required drug prices to be included in TV ads passed the Senate but was removed from a House appropriations bill last month.

The voluntary action by the industry, which will go into place by April 15, would give patients a variety of pricing information, including the list price of a drug, the expected out-of-pocket costs of the drug and the patient assistance programs available.

Steve Ubl, president of PhRMA, argued that disclosing only the list price of a medication in a television ad would be very confusing, misleading, lacks appropriate context and isnt what patients want or need. He predicted that the price  which wouldnt reflect what most people would pay, because patients out-of-pocket costs vary depending on their insurance plans  might deter patients from seeking medical care.

Rachel Sachs, an associate professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, said it is unclear how or why the disclosure of prices in ads would reduce drug prices.

Still, What PhRMA is doing here is obviously an attempt to preempt some of the public concern, Sachs said. Realistically, how many patients are going to the website? And if they do go, the additional pieces of information could be even more confusing.

Many questions remain about the website approach: The list price of a drug can vary depending on the dosage and formulation of a medicine, and companies would have to choose how to report the price in that case. The out-of-pocket costs of medicines can vary depending on a patients plan, sometimes ranging from zero to the full price of the medicine, so it is unclear how meaningful an estimated price range or average cost would be to patients.

Ubl said during a press call that there would be potential 1st Amendment and legal concerns if the administration were to put forward a rule that required pricing information to be in an ad, signaling that proposing such a requirement might set up a protracted legal fight between the U.S. government and one of the countrys most powerful lobbies.

Sachs said that if the matter does come to a legal fight, it could siphon energy from the administrations larger effort to reduce the cost of medicine, which included a blueprint with dozens of policy ideas.

Its unfortunate if the agency chooses to spend its legal capital on regulations that dont obviously have an impact on drug pricing, Sachs said. There are so many actions the administration could take ... that would make a significant difference for patients.

Goldstein and Johnson write for the Washington Post.A judge on Tuesday approved a $40-million settlement by Tesla Inc. and Chief Executive Elon Musk with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, resolving government claims that Musk misled the public with a flurry of tweets about a plan to take the electric-car maker private.

U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan signed off on the accord after Tesla, Musk and the regulatory agency said in a detailed joint filing that the deal was in the best interest of investors. The company and Musk will each pay $20 million.

The judges decision was largely expected, even after Musk muddled the process by insulting the SEC in a series of tweets a few days after reaching the settlement deal.

The ruling lets Palo Alto-based Tesla resolve an unwelcome distraction as its core business of making electric vehicles is improving. The company hit its targets for production and deliveries in the third quarter as its Model 3 sedan climbed the ranks of the top-selling cars in the U.S. market. Total output of the model probably exceeded 100,000 last week, according to Bloombergs tracker.

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An SEC spokeswoman didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The SEC investigation was triggered by Musks Aug. 7 tweet that he had funding secured to take Tesla private. Tesla shares surged until trading was halted temporarily. Within hours, questions began to swirl around Musks claims, and the SEC quickly opened an investigation. The agency moved with unusual speed, questioning Musk, Teslas board and other executives.

Musk and Tesla agreed to resolve the allegations without admitting or denying wrongdoing. The plan called for their combined $40 million in penalties to be distributed to harmed shareholders through a court-approved process, the SEC has said.

It also called for Musk to step down as Teslas chairman for at least three years, though it allowed him to remain as CEO. And it called for the naming of two new independent directors.

Within days of agreeing to the proposed settlement, Musk shot off a tweet referring to the SEC as the Shortseller Enrichment Commission and sarcastically praising the regulators work. Experts said the tweet could be viewed, problematically, as a denial of wrongdoing by Musk, but they said it wasnt likely to derail the deal.

UPDATES:

2:40 p.m.: This article was updated with more information about Model 3 production.

This article was originally published at 7:10 a.m.L3 Communications Inc. and Harris Corp. have agreed to merge in an all-stock deal, the two companies announced this week, creating a $33.5-billion military technology company.

The combined company would be called L3 Harris Technologies and based in Melbourne, Fla., the home of Harris. The deal is expected to close next year, pending a review by the Defense Department.

L3 Harris Technologies will possess a wealth of technologies and a talented and engaged workforce, L3 Chief Executive Chris Kubasik said in a news release. By unleashing this potential, we will strengthen our core franchises, expand into new and adjacent markets and enhance our global presence.

Both companies have built military communications empires focused on networking and surveillance capabilities that are built into larger defense systems.

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Harris handles complex military communications networks for battlefield management and in military aircraft. It is also known for a brand of Stingray cellphone trackers used by U.S. law enforcement. And it has made inroads in the space industry thanks to a recent classified contract win, executives said in a recent call with investors.

New York-based L3 Communications most visible products are the 360-degree scanners that travelers encounter when they go through airport security, part of a $170-million line of business with the Department of Homeland Security. It also makes night-vision equipment and sensor systems used in military aircraft. Under the stewardship of Kubasik, a former Lockheed Martin chief operating officer who took the helm at L3 last year, the company has established new business units around next-generation military technologies such as undersea drones.

Under a succession plan agreed to as part of the deal, Harris CEO William Brown would serve as chief executive of the combined company for two years after the close of the merger. Then, Kubasik is to become chief executive in the third year, according to an announcement from both companies.

In Sundays announcement, Kubasik said the transaction is intended to create a sixth prime government contractor. The five largest defense contractors  Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics  have dominated the U.S. defense market for years, each of them taking in more than $10 billion a year from the federal government.

L3 Technologies and Harris took in a combined $8.3 billion from the federal government last year, making the combined company the seventh-largest recipient of 2017 U.S. contract dollars behind the five major defense contractors and McKesson Corp., a drug company.

At $16 billion in projected 2018 revenue and about 48,000 employees, the new L3 Harris Technologies would be able to boast that it is the sixth-largest U.S. defense company. It would be bigger than shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls and BAE Systems.

The combination is the latest in a flurry of mergers and acquisitions among government contractors, which are taking advantage of a frothy stock market and favorable defense spending to pursue new opportunities.

Last year, Northrop Grumman bought Orbital ATK, a contractor focused on the space industry, for $7.8 billion in cash. United Technologies Corp. bought aircraft parts manufacturer Rockwell Collins for $30 billion.

Deal making accelerated at the beginning of 2018 after a 2019 defense budget facilitated a healthy jump in spending and Congress lifted the sequestration caps that have hobbled the industry since 2013. In February, a small government contractor called ECS Federal was bought for $775 million by On Assignment, a Calabasas recruiting firm, in a rare instance of a commercially oriented technology company entering the government market. In spring, General Dynamics bought a midsize information technology contractor called CSRA for $7.2 billion.

The merger of L3 and Harris also represents a further step in hollowing out the middle of the U.S. defense market, as large and middle-tier government contractors are finding they can climb the ladder more quickly by joining forces.

The Defense Department could block the merger of L3 and Harris depending on the results of its review, though it has taken a hands-off approach to recent mergers.There is something of a charade going on in the title of Can You Ever Forgive Me? Its not that the protagonist of this smart, bleakly comedic film hasnt done things that need forgiving, its that indications are shes serenely indifferent as to whether you forgive her or not. This is who I am, she insists to the world, and if you cant stand the heat get the hell out of the kitchen.

Starring Melissa McCarthy in a finely nuanced dramatic performance that is quite different from the comedic roles that made her famous, Can You Ever Forgive Me? is a dramatization of a double life revealed by writer Lee Israel in a 2008 memoir of the same name.

The caustic, acerbic Israel, a woman who liked cats more than people  a lot more  started her Manhattan literary career as a nonfiction writer in good standing. She turned out well-regarded biographies of Tallulah Bankhead and Dorothy Kilgallen and a book on Fanny Brice was in the works.

But by 1991 Israels book on Estee Lauder had tanked and bills began piling up. Drinking and cursing  things she often did to excess  get her fired from a copy editing job in the films opening scene, and her life is in general teetering toward ruin.

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A wry and melancholy narrative written with tart insight by Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty and quietly but faultlessly directed by Marielle Heller (The Diary of a Teenage Girl), Forgive begins with Israels downward slide.

Clearly not a kind soul in the best of times, someone who would as soon give you a hard time as look at you, Israel does not react well to adversity.

Three months behind in the rent for a studio apartment cluttered enough to give Marie Kondo heart failure, Israel is so in debt she cant even come up with the overdue $41 she needs to get her vet to run much-needed tests on her beloved elderly cat.

Israels agent, Marjorie (a no-nonsense Jane Curtin), still invites her to literary parties (where she quietly runs amok), but with no serious publishing prospects on the horizon even her patience is at an end.

You have destroyed every bridge I have built for you, Marjorie forcefully tells her obdurate client. Either become a nicer person or make a name for yourself. As an unknown you cant be such a bitch.

There turns out to be another way out, one that arrives out of nowhere. Hardly a sentimental soul, Israel sells a thank you note that Katharine Hepburn once wrote her. In an effort to get more money, Israel pilfers a typewritten Fanny Brice letter from a library, adds a snappy postscript to fetch a higher price and a scheme is born.

Richard E. Grant and Melissa McCarthy in Can You Ever Forgive Me? (Mary Cybulski / Twentieth Century Fox)

Part of the pleasure of Can You Ever Forgive Me? comes from the artful details director Heller provides to illustrate the specifics of how Israel goes about her larcenous work.

The forger buys old paper and bakes it in the oven to age it to perfection. She figures out a way to trace signatures. She even buys a range of vintage typewriters to better duplicate the ones the famous writers she channels actually used.

The kicker in this story is that Israel was a successful forger  with hundreds of sold letters to her credit  because she was a good writer, flawlessly creating copy in multiple voices. When she says Im a better Dorothy Parker than Dorothy Parker, she knows what shes talking about.

Though McCarthy is the films centerpiece, it has other unforeseen pleasures, like the way cinematographer Brandon Trost and production designer Stephen H. Carter lovingly re-create a bookstore-centric Manhattan that is fast disappearing.

Perhaps not unexpected, given a filmography that includes everything from Logan to The Age of Innocence and the classic Withnail and I, but still a treat is the wonderful supporting work of Richard E. Grant as perhaps Israels only friend, the amoral Jack Hock.

A gay man given to wearing jaunty hats and bolo ties, Hock is buoyant despite having no fixed address, ever confident in the power contained in sparkling blue eyes and a little bit of street smarts.

This odd couple connect (where else but) in a bar. When their first meeting ends, Israel pays him her ultimate compliment: Jack, this was not unpleasant. But neither one of these folks is really built for personal attachment, so you can be sure there are stormy waters ahead.

Though there is a softer side to Israel  which peeks out in a potential deeper friendship with a bookseller named Anna (a fine Dolly Wells)  the writer makes sure to keep that well-hidden, and the film does as well.

Can You Ever Forgive Me? demands not our love for this supremely difficult person but rather our respect for her defiance of an unsympathetic world. With such an impeccable presentation of such an intransigent personality, it is hard to deny her that.

------------

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Rated: R, for language including some sexual references and brief drug use

Running time: 1 hour, 46 minutes

Playing: Opens Friday at Arclight, Hollywood; Landmark, West Los Angeles

kenneth.turan@latimes.com

@KennethTuranRobert Forster vividly recalled the time veteran character actor Pat OBrien was a guest on the 1972-73 NBC detective series Banyon. Forster was starring in the series as a John Garfield-esque 1930s L.A. gumshoe and OBrien was playing a political bigwig.

At 10 oclock, when they took their break and the big door opened [on the sound stage] and the sun came shining in, somebody brought over a chair,  the open and engaging actor said recently.

OBrien sat down, sipped some coffee and was about to read the newspaper when little by little, from all over the lot, guys who had worked with him came over to pay respects. I said to myself, Boy, I hope I last in this business enough to run into people that I have known for a long time.

Now 77 and still an in-demand actor  especially since his supporting actor Oscar nomination for Quentin Tarentinos 1997 hit Jackie Brown  Forster has been in the business even longer than OBrien had when he appeared on Banyon. He knows everybody, and everybody knows him.

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You reach a tenure of some sort, he said with a smile.

Now, he feels like hes beginning a third act in his career with his latest movie, the indie drama What They Had, which opens Friday.

Based on the lives of the grandparents of first-time writer-director Elizabeth Chomko, What They Had revolves around a family in crisis. Forster plays Burt, a devout Catholic with a history of heart attacks. His wife, Ruth (Blythe Danner), has Alzheimers, but he refuses to put her in a memory care program, insisting she should stay with him.

After Ruth wanders off in the middle of the night during a blizzard, their daughter Bridget (Hilary Swank) returns home on her brothers (Michael Shannon) insistence to convince Burt that he can no longer take care of her. Forsters performance is haunting, funny and filled with pathos.

Ive been in some nice pictures, said Forster. Ive had nice parts, but at the end of the career, this is something great. It gives me a feeling of completion and freedom. I hope I can stretch this out.

Forster was Chomkos first choice to play Burt. They were just wonderful people, she said of her grandparents. They were so full of love and joy and laughter. My grandfather was just one of my favorite people. So, I wrote the script in his voice. I shared it with a friend of mine who is also a producer. He said, You know, you should look at Robert Forster.

Chomko recalled how impressed she was with him in Alexander Paynes 2011 The Descendants.

He plays a sort of that guy with that very solid moral structure in that film. she noted. It just felt like that texture I was looking for from the Midwest, the simplicity of that loyalty to God and your parish and your family. You put your head down and do the right thing.

Forster and Danner also had a history together, appearing as husband and wife in the Showtime series Huff.

For his part, Forster said he had no problem stepping into Burts shoes.

I understood him totally, and right from the beginning, he said. Im a father, for 200 years, Id like to say, if you count up the ages of my children. I have four kids, and theyre all grown up now. And Ive got grandchildren.

Forster noted that he had a household full of kids for a long time.

I was a single father from the time my son came to live with me when he was just 9, until the time my middle daughter went to New York City, he added.

And he had only one firm edict for his kids: I will clean up my own mess immediately, plus 10%, said Forster, who has been divorced twice. If you know that you are bound to clean up your own mess immediately, you dont make as much mess. Listen, if one person is sloppy, its no matter. If two people are sloppy, it is intolerable. 

What They Had was shot in just 22 days, without the benefit of rehearsals. But all the actors were really seasoned people, and everybody knew what to do, Forster said. We all did what the actor is supposed to do, achieve intimacy on the first moment.

Robert really put his whole heart into my hands and sort of led all of us as the leader of this family, because, of course, we became this little family, said Chomko.

Two-time Oscar winner Swank noted that it was a gift to work with Forster, whom shed admired since she was a youngster.

We clicked from the moment we met, because hes so present and a genuine giver, she said. He wants to help in every way  when hes off-camera too.

A particularly challenging scene between the two of them takes place when Burt is folding clothes in his bedroom. He was so patient with me and my process, Swank said. Hes a genuine human. When he speaks, hes straight from the heart. Hes old school-in the good way.

Forster has been working almost nonstop since playing bail bondsman Max Cherry in Jackie Brown. But that wasnt the case for the 25 years before he got the role. Although he had started out hot in Hollywood, making his film debut in John Hustons 1967 Reflections in a Golden Eye, as well as starring in Haskell Wexlers acclaimed 1969 Medium Cool, his career went into a slide after the failure of Banyon to last an entire season.

One person who never gave up on him was his father, Robert, who had been an elephant trainer for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus when he was young man.

Forster did circus things every year during the last decade of his fathers life. He came out for the last time to San Francisco, went to the circus [fan] convention and came to Los Angeles and the set of Jackie Brown.

I got him to the airport after all this night of work and he said. Bob, this guy is good and is going to do you some good.

After Forster finished the film, he went to his hometown to Rochester, N.Y., to take care of his father for the last month of his life.

Though the elder Forster never got to see his sons comeback, his did get to see some of the movie. Quentin Tarantino cut some of the scenes quickly together and put them on videotape and sent them to me. So Quentin did something for my dad.

Blythe Danner and Robert Forster in a scene from the movie What they Had. (Bleecker Street Media)

calendar@latimes.comWith each movie hes made  from his low-budget 2009 directorial debut, Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench, to his 2014 breakthrough Whiplash to his 2016 smash musical La La Land  director Damien Chazelle has taken a step forward in terms of scale and technical difficulty.

But in tackling the story of Neil Armstrongs mission to the moon with his latest film, First Man, Chazelle knew he would need to make a giant leap.

Having never really worked with visual effects in any significant way, Chazelle, 33, wasnt certain at first how he would pull off something as challenging as replicating Armstrongs 1969 Apollo 11 mission to the moon. (Needless to say, with a reported production budget of $70 million, actually going there was not an option.) But hoping to create a visceral, cinema verite experience for the audience, Chazelle knew he wanted to avoid digital effects as much as possible in favor of a more analog approach.

Some of that has to do with the style of the film, but a lot of it I think is just that I have a particular aversion to very noticeable CG, especially for this subject matter, Chazelle says. Part of the point of the story we were telling was how much these people were able to accomplish with sort of rudimentary technology by todays standards. It felt like we should be able to tell that story with pretty old-school methods.

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Of course, that was easier said than done. In their pursuit of authenticity, Chazelle and his visual effects team ultimately employed a mix of cutting-edge technology and old-fashioned filmmaking techniques that wouldnt have been out of place in Armstrongs day to re-create one of the most famous events in human history.

The standard approach to filming the space-travel sequences in First Man would have been to film actor Ryan Gosling, who plays Armstrong, and his costars on a set against a green screen and then digitally add their surroundings  the Earths atmosphere, stars, the moon, etc.  later in post-production. But before filming began, Chazelle and his team settled on a method that essentially flipped that around.

Along with his team, visual effects supervisor Paul Lambert, who won an Oscar for his work on Blade Runner 2049, constructed an enormous 35-foot-tall, 65-foot-wide LED screen onto which they could project some 90 minutes worth of digital imagery they created for the film. A replica of the spacecraft would then be mounted on a gimbal and synchronized to move in sync with the footage on that screen, allowing the astronauts surroundings to be captured by the camera in real time.

A slate from First Man showing how a replica of the Gemini 8 module was filmed against an LED background. (Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures)

It helped the actors and also the crew to understand what the heck was going on  Ryan is acting to something he can actually see rather than just a green screen, Lambert says. And because we did a lot of close-ups on the actors faces in the capsule, every now and then youll actually see reflections in their eyes and in their visors of the CG content on that screen.

Starting early in the process, Chazelle and his team worked to track down every bit of archival NASA footage they could find to get visual references for the Gemini and Apollo missions depicted in the film. After almost a year of digging, that hunt led to the discovery of about 200 cans of 70-mm footage at the Marshall Space Center in Alabama that had not been seen in decades because the equipment to view it no longer existed.

A frame from archival 70-mm NASA footage from the Marshall Space Center, showing the liftoff of a Saturn rocket. (Universal Pictures / DreamWorks Pictures)

The same image as above, as seen in First Man after being cleaned up and digitally augmented by the films VFX team. (Universal Pictures / DreamWorks Pictures)

We basically took a magnifying glass on a light box and were looking at the frames and were immediately like, Wow, this is extraordinary stuff,  says visual effects producer Kevin Elam. We thought, If we could make this work for the movie, it would be so much more real. 

Lambert, Elam and their team digitally processed and cleaned up some of that NASA footage  including shots of engines igniting and a wide shot of the Saturn rocket leaving the launch pad (which actually came from the Apollo 14 mission)  and in the end a number of those shots made their way into the finished film. Other exterior shots involving spacecraft, such as the stages of the Saturn V rocket falling away, were achieved using models built to varying scales depending on the specific needs and then augmented with digital effects.

When it came to the actual Apollo 11 lunar landing that (spoiler alert!) marks the films climax, Chazelle knew that  as with Armstrongs mission, albeit with less risk to life and limb  there was no room for error.

Its the most famous part of our movie and its the most readily accessible in terms of the recordings of it, Chazelle says. We wanted the whole movie to be accurate and authentic, but with the moon landing in some ways you have an even higher bar because its so iconic. You really cant muck around with history too much there.

After a long search for a location that could stand in for the moon, Chazelle and his team settled on the Vulcan Rock Quarry just south of Atlanta. There, production designer Nathan Crowley and his crew sculpted some five acres of the landscape to replicate the Sea of Tranquility, where Armstrong and Aldrin first stepped onto the moon. The surface of the quarry had this kind of gray palette that matched the moon very well, Chazelle says.

 This behind-the-scenes clip from First Man shows how visual effects artists digitally removed extraneous shadows, mounds of gravel and a wire-rig system to create the illusion that the Apollo 11 astronauts were walking on the lunar surface.

Shooting outside in the quarry rather than on a soundstage involved risks  on the first day, snow fell on the set, requiring the schedule to be pushed back a week. But it was the only way the filmmakers felt they could accurately re-create the vast scale and extreme lighting conditions of the lunar surface.

Shooting at night with IMAX cameras, Chazelle and cinematographer Linus Sandgren needed to figure out a way to accurately simulate the effect of sunlight hitting the moons surface. Normal film lights couldnt cast a strong enough light, so Sandgren had a roughly 15-foot-long, 200,000-watt lamp  double the brightness of the most powerful film lights normally used  specially built and placed some 500 feet above the set.

Unfortunately, it exploded after about an hours work because of the freezing temperatures, says Lambert. (Fortunately, there was a backup.) It was highly experimental. But when that 200,000-watt bulb was working, I felt myself getting chapped lips. I actually got sunburned because it was so strong.

We tried to set it up as realistically as possible, says Sandgren, who won the cinematography Oscar for his work with Chazelle on La La Land. We positioned the lamp in the same position as the sun was on the real moon landing. We turned the craft so that the ladder was in shadow just like it was in the real moon landing. The whole idea was just to try to get it as authentic as we could.

All told, First Man ultimately involved 619 digital effects shots  just a fraction of the nearly 3,000 used in a CG-heavy space film like Guardians of the Galaxy. But for the entire visual effects team, the emphasis on practical effects over digital razzle-dazzle that Chazelle had insisted on from the beginning proved refreshing.

It all had to feel real and visceral, and thats really exciting for visual effects people, says Elam, whose credits include Battleship and Interstellar. We do so many comic-book movies and absurd things that to be able to do something like this is such a breath of fresh air and so thrilling.

ALSO

For Ryan Gosling, the approval of Neil Armstrongs sons was a giant leap in bringing First Man to the big screen

La La Lands Damien Chazelle and Spotlights Josh Singer return to the Oscar race with First Man

Review: First Man, starring Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong, thrills, moves and perplexes

josh.rottenberg@latimes.com

Twitter: @joshrottenbergAnswering the unasked storytelling question of What if Training Day got older and way more sentimental? ABCs newcomer The Rookie follows a recently divorced man who trades his small town life for the big city adventures of the LAPD.

Premiering Tuesday, the series centers on the specifically surprising if generally familiar midlife reinvention of fortysomething John Nolan (Nathan Fillion), a trope smartly acknowledged through his skeptical sergeant (Richard T. Jones) as an Eat Pray Love path.

Though self-aware enough to appear as a teen fantasy version of himself in the Netflix animated series Big Mouth, Fillion still has the handsome version of what casting directors call an everyman quality; he looks as natural in a pickup truck as a uniform, and he can appear beleaguered but quick-witted and earnest as well as anyone on TV.

Fillions strengths are key, because despite the shows best efforts to drape multiple dramatic storylines around him in the one episode ABC made available to review, theres just not a lot that stands out otherwise.

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RELATED: Castle may be over, but Nathan Fillion is back on ABC as The Rookie 

Reuniting Fillion with his Castle executive producer Alexi Hawley, the show is set in motion by a chance encounter at a bank in Nolans small Pennsylvania town, during which a conversation about his next move is thrown into stark relief by a robbery attempt. Stammering, Nolan tells the thief his life story, offering a suitable distraction before the police save the day. That next move, it seems, is made clear.

Nine months later, in sunny Los Angeles, we meet Nolan the rookie (or, in LAPD parlance, boot) as he reports for duty alongside two fellow academy graduates in Officer West  the overachieving, by-the-book son of an LAPD commander (Titus Makin), and Officer Chen (Melissa ONeil), a therapists daughter with something to prove who is one of Nolans confidants.

The show fragments as each rookie pairs off with his or her training officer  Chen with the hard-nosed Bradford (Eric Winter), West with the ambitious Lopez (Alyssa Diaz) but neither is as interesting as Fillions Nolan.

Promisingly, the show brushes against a few real issues as Bradford hints at racist views under the guise of live training with a truckload of Spanish speakers, and Chen mentions challenges that she faces as a woman on the force.

Otherwise, the series seems content to follow the cop-show playbook. Body cameras are used in frequent cutaways in a distracting effort to heighten the shows tension, and the LAPD is uniformly populated by dedicated public servants who sing karaoke after their shifts and shoot-to-wound. Jones sergeant says things like protocol and tradition are the metal from which every cop in this city is forged in declaring himself Nolans biggest obstacle toward acceptance. And for all of Bradfords bullying, his posturing unsurprisingly conceals a heart of gold that Chen sees during a chance encounter with a woman from his past while theyre on patrol.

Even Nolans potential fish-out-of-water move to L.A. is cushioned by his living in an unseen college friends guest house, a glass-enclosed palace with coastal views.

Long proved adept with comedy, Fillion claims some solid one-liners in the first episode  You know why I do this job, Officer Nolan? his gruff sergeant asks. Because youre a people person? Nolan replies, deadpan  but he is frustratingly under-utilized.

Its a breezy drama that doesnt demand much from the viewer, but Fillions easy charm is tough to dismiss. We are in this moment together, Nolan says in a standoff with a man holding a knife to a womans throat. I became a cop to help people not kill them.

Its an empathetic, unconventional approach that ultimately works. The Rookie should consider more of them.

#######

The Rookie

Where: ABC

When: 10 p.m. Tuesday

Rated: TV-14-LV (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 14, with advisories for coarse language and violence)

chris.barton@latimes.com

Follow me over here @chrisbarton.

ALSO:The time traveling cultural tour that is ABCs family of family sitcoms  Fresh Off the Boat, The Goldbergs, black-ish, Speechless, et al.  adds a new stop Tuesday with The Kids Are Alright, which brings us a big Irish Catholic family in 1972 suburban Southern California. With eight sons, ranging from 20 down to infancy, it is a brood unrivaled in size since Eight Is Enough (also on ABC) went off the air. Even The Waltons managed only seven kids. (Reality shows do not count.)

ABC mounted an earlier Irish Catholic family sitcom The Real ONeals, in 2016, on which Kids creator Tim Doyle was a consulting producer. Its twists were a gay teenage son and separating parents; the twist here, besides the period setting and the size of the household, is  not much twist.

Scheduled to follow The Conners in a sort of meat-and-potatoes programming bloc, this is a solidly old-school show  with a little wicked modern attitude  as might be expected from a man whose resume as a writer, producer and/or showrunner covers three decades of TV comedy, including Dinosaurs, Grace Under Fire, Ellen, Sports Night, Still Standing, Aliens in America, The Big Bang Theory, Rules of Engagement and the original Roseanne.

If there is nothing formally to distinguish The Kids Are Alright from that mass of American sitcoms, if it is modest in its ambitious and familiar in its beats, it has energy, plenty of well-milled jokes and a fine cast of actors that sit convincingly in their parts from the start.

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Starring Mary McCormack and Michael Cudlitz as Peggy and Mike Cleary, respectively, it recalls yet another ABC series, also set during the Nixon administration and narrated wisely from the present day: The Wonder Years. Like Fred Savages Kevin Arnold at the start of that earlier show, central character and Doyle stand-in Timmy Cleary (Jack Gore), is 12, with a father working for a defense contractor. And like The Wonder Years, Kids is out to mine comedy, and a little poignancy, from family relations in a changing time, from what stays and what goes.

Mary McCormack plays the mother of eight sons on the new ABC situation comedy The Kids Are Alright. (Richard Cartwright / ABC)

Timmy, described by his adult self as the needy middle child, wants to be seen; he regards himself as creative, a star in waiting. This carries little weight in a household where the children, by virtue of being so numerous, are routinely kept, if not quite in place, at least away from anything that will require extra money or attention.

Honestly, Timmy, Peggy tells him, if you had any talent at all, I think I would have noticed.

We hear of Dacron and velour, Woodsy Owl and the ecology, Waldorf salad and farmworker strikes. Sometimes the writing trips in time, as when No. 4 son Joey (Christopher Paul Richards) uses the phrase take a chill pill a decade before that was something people said. And Mikes reaction to Watergate takes a pointed leap into a farther future: You know what I call Watergate? Its phony news.

But this is less a crash course in the 1970s than a little comic exploitation of a world before smartphones. It was the Wild West, says Timmys future adult self, looking back, inexactly. Bike helmets hadnt been invented yet, or car seat belts or nutrition, or even normal adult supervision. It was the best worst of times.

It seems possible that Mike and Peggy do not love all their children equally, as parents are more or less forced to say they do, and similarly, in any series with so many regular characters, some are going to get lost. Still, one manages to distinguish among them fairly quickly. Among the more distinct are oldest brother Lawrence (Sam Straley), who returns home for the summer from the seminary with hair like Jesus wore it to be his fathers political foil; third son Frank (Sawyer Barth), a middle child among the older siblings and a bitter, meddling snitch; Joey, who is a quiet trouble; and Pat (Santino Barnard), the next-to-youngest, small and fearful.

Andy Walken as William Cleary listens to brother Timmy (Jack Gore) sing in the pilot episode of ABCs The Kids Are Alright. (Tony Rivetti / ABC)

What The Kids Are Alright has going for it most of all is McCormack, who makes the most of a role cut to her talents. Peggy has certain native ideas about what works for her, and therefore for her family, and certain received ideas about whats right in the world, which she is also willing to bend to her needs. (A domestic improviser, she admires her clever sons more than the merely good ones.) The actress combines these qualities into an original character whos strict and surprising by turns, dismissive and caring, more fluid than fixed.

Many of her lines turn on a subtle shift of expectations, as in, Frank, about you being such a big tattletale  thank you. Or, responding to Timmy, who suggests he could take a bus to Hollywood, or hitchhike, You know, I dont approve of that  wasting good money on buses. But even when a joke is obvious, her readings never are.

As with the Roseanne revival, and given that Doyle was the showrunner on Last Man Standing, with its conservative lead character, some might be inclined to regard The Kids Are Alright as a bone thrown toward the right. But Doyle wants to build a bridge, not a wall: People remember the 1970s as a tense and a divisive time, he says himself at the end of the pilot episode, proposing that maybe tense times are just something we have to go through once in a while, to come out the other side a changed, more accepting world.

Good luck with that. But on television, at least, everything is fine.

The Kids Are Alright

Where: ABC

When: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday

Rating: TV-PG-D (may be unsuitable for young children with an advisory for suggestive dialogue)

ALSO:

ABCs new fall schedule looks to build on the success of Roseanne with a focus on the family

Mary McCormack on her In Plain Sight character

In The Real ONeals, the family that goes cray-cray together stays together

TV review: New comedies prove good actors cant save bad material

robert.lloyd@latimes.com

Follow Robert Lloyd on Twitter @LATimesTVLloydThis article was originally published in the newspaper El Universal in Mexico. It is the second in a series produced by Human Rights Watch evaluating the human rights record of President Enrique Pena Nieto.

The most remarkable and remarked upon fact about Mexicos drug war is the staggering number of homicides in the country. Indeed, according to official figures, more than 240,000 people have been killed since this war began in 2006.

Less frequently remarked upon but also staggering is how little is known about these killings. More than a decade after President Felipe Calderon began this ill-fated war, basic questions remain unresolved for the vast majority of the cases: Who committed them? Under what circumstances? Why?

Through the first five years of his presidency, Calderon offered a simple answer: 90 percent of the killings related to the drug war were criminals killing each other. He repeated this claim as the number of organized crime-related homicides grew to a cumulative 34,000 by 2011. A Human Rights Watch delegation met with him that year in Los Pinos to present a report about systematic abuses committed by police and armed forces during his presidency. Among our findings: he had no credible basis for his 90 percent claim.

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During his presidency, the federal prosecutors office had opened investigations into fewer than 1,000 of the killings, filed charges against 343 suspects, and obtained convictions against only 22. State prosecutors may have also prosecuted a fraction of the 34,000 cases. But the vast majority had not been resolved. They had not even been investigated.

In lieu of proper judicial investigations, the Calderon administration had released, in January 2011, a database of the 34,000 homicides it attributed to violence involving organized crime. It was a database with minimal data. It indicated the month and the municipality in which killings had occurred, but nothing else. Nothing about the killers, the victims, the circumstances, the motives. And nothing to substantiate the conclusion that 90 percent were cases of killings between criminal groups.

This isnt to suggest there werent many killings between criminal groups. Undoubtedly there werealong with cases of victims who werent involved with organized crime and, of course, police and soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

What was missing was reliable information regarding the nature and circumstances of the killingsneeded both to bring perpetrators to justice and to assess the effectiveness of public security policies.

President Pena Nieto had an opportunity to set a new course for Mexico and ensure proper investigations of the killings, publicize the results, and promote justice. Instead, his administration chose to shift attention elsewhereas if by not talking about the bloodshed, it would go away. That, obviously, did not happen. The number of homicides decreased from 2012 to 2014, but then climbed by more than 60 percent over the next three years, reaching above 25,000 in 2017, the highest number in two decades.

Security forces continued to commit atrocities. And the authorities continued to make negligible progress in resolving these cases. The federal prosecutors office only opened 217 homicide investigations between December 2012 and January 2018, much less than during the previous administration. And it obtained convictions in only 4 cases.

President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has pledged to promote public debate regarding the future of the countrys drug war. New policies are clearly needed to rein in the violence. But for a public debate to be productive, it will require a well-informed public. And that will require the new government to do far more than its predecessors to generate and share information regarding the violence the drug war has unleashed.

A Vast Cover-Up

The lack of reliable information regarding the violence in Mexico is no accident. It is, rather, the product of an array of practices by multiple government institutions that have the cumulative effect of a vast cover-up.

The cover-up sometimes begins in the immediate aftermath of a killing, when security forces disregard their legal obligation to preserve the crime sceneor, worse, intentionally alter evidence that they themselves may have broken the law. In a majority of the extrajudicial execution cases documented in our 2011 report, soldiers or police manipulated, concealed, or destroyed evidence to make it look like their victims had been armed aggressors or were the casualties of shootouts between rival cartels.

These dissimulations dont require much effort, as the odds of a rigorous investigation by authorities are extremely low. In many cases, investigations are opened but go nowhere, as investigators fail to take such basic steps as conducting ballistics tests and interviewing witnesses. Or worse still, investigators resolve cases with confessions and testimonies that are obtained through torture and are therefore unreliable and invalid.

This failure to conduct proper investigations is encouraged by two fundamental biases that are common among justice officials. One is a bias against the victims of violence. As the mother of one victim told us: [T]he official stance is: if something happened to you, its because you were involved in something bad. Its essentially the same stance that President Calderon took when claiming that 90 percent of the deaths were cases of killings between criminal groups. Not only was the claim unsubstantiated, it was insidious. Why seek the truth when the essential facts are already known? Why seek justice when the victims were, themselves, criminals?

A mas de una decada de que el presidente Felipe Calderon iniciara la desventurada guerra contra el narcotrafico, subsisten preguntas basicas que no han sido resueltas: Quienes cometieron estos crimenes? En que circunstancias? Por que? (TOMAS BRAVO / REUTERS)

The second bias is one in favor of government authorities. Officials accept as fact whatever they are told by other officials. For weeks after the Tlatlaya massacre, for example, the government maintained that the killing of 22 people by soldiers was the result of a gun battle with a criminal gang, despite compelling evidence that there had been extrajudicial executions. Prosecutors waited more than two months to open an investigation, after independent journalists reported that survivors said they had witnessed executions and had been tortured to exonerate the military.

During a meeting with Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam at the time, I asked whether prosecutors were also investigating the possible role of military and civilian officials in covering up the crime. What cover-up? he responded indignantly. The officials had merely reported what the commander had reported, he said. The prosecutors, he claimed, had to presume good faith on the part of other state institutions.

This presumption of good faith is not uncommon among government officials the world over. What makes it especially problematic in Mexico is how its appliedeven to institutions with track records of abuse and cover-upwith a fervor typically associated with authoritarian states, in which the primary function of the justice system isnt to procure justice but to reinforce and protect the authority of the regime.



Mexican soldiers patrol the entrance to the Tlatlaya community where 22 people, alleged members of the Drug Cartel, were killed in a confrontation with soldiers of the Mexican Army. Military troops targeted by armed assailants who were guarding a warehouse returned fire June 30, 2014, killing 22 suspects. (BEATRIZ RODRIGUEZ / AFP/Getty Images)

The truth about the violence

There have been some efforts during the Pena Nieto presidency toward uncovering the actual truth regarding the violence. But its come primarily thanks to civil society, not the government. Human rights advocates, journalists, scholars, and independent investigators have managedin the face of often daunting obstaclesto obtain, analyze and disseminate information that the authorities sought to cover up or simply failed to provide.

Civil society has repeatedly debunked the official accounts of killings by security forces in Tlatlaya and other well-known cases. In addition to exposing atrocities, they found evidence that perpetrators acted under orders from their superiors. In 2016, the journalist collective Cadena de Mando published interviews with soldiers facing criminal proceedings who said it was standard practice for their commanding officers to instruct them to execute detainees. [T]he commander tells you dont worry, kill them, dont leave anything alive, one soldier said. That was rule number one, the dead dont speak, the dead dont testify.

Other independent investigators have found evidence that the extrajudicial executions by security forces may have been systematic. In 2014, researchers affiliated with the Centro de Investigacion y Docencia Economicas (CIDE) and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) obtained official data regarding confrontations between federal security forces and presumed members of organized crime. They found that, between 2007 to 2014, for every alleged aggressor that soldiers injured, on average, they killed another eight. One would expect to find such numbers if orders to execute injured and detained peoplesuch as those described by the soldiers that Cadena de Mando interviewedwere commonplace.

In the early weeks of the Pena Nieto presidency, CIDE obtained a treasure trove of official data from an anonymous source on more than 40,000 homicides that occurred between 2007 and 2011. The investigators spent several years sorting through the data and produced a series of studies that painted a devasting picture of Mexicos war on drugs. One study examined the impact of armed confrontations between security forces and civilians at the municipal level and found that, on average, each confrontation caused an increase in the local homicide rates.

Another looked at the circumstances in which security forces engaged in armed confrontations with civilians and found that in most cases (84%), the encounters were precipitated by the actions of the security forces themselves, not the alleged aggressors they shot. In only a tiny fraction (2%) of these encounters had the security forces been acting upon an arrest warrant or other judicial order. In other words, the security forces werent acting as mere auxiliaries of the criminal justice system. They were engaging in armed combat. And they were the ones taking the battle to their enemy.

When these studies appeared, a few critics questioned whether the data presented were sufficient to support the authors conclusions. Yet the studies themselves emphasized the limitations of the available data, and the authors were careful to point out that some of their findings regarding the legality of the use of force were tentative. In fact, one of their main conclusions was that much more information was needed to be able to assess the performance of the countrys security forces.

Instead of providing more information, the Pena Nieto administration opted for greater opacity. Instead of examining and explaining the tally of homicides related to organized crime, it simply chose not to tally them at all. Instead of investigating the suspiciously disproportionate lethality rates, the Defense Ministry announced it was no longer recording the number of civilians its troops killed. And instead of promoting greater transparency, the president secured the passage of the Interior Security Law with provisions that could dramatically restrict Mexicans ability to obtain information about the countrys security forces, thus transforming the politics of opacity into a legal mandate.

Relatives of missing people from Michoacan, Sinaloa, Nayarit and Mexico states hold portraits of their loved ones as they protest outside the Institute of Forensic Sciences, where two trailers remain with 444 unidentified corpses, in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco State, Mexico on Sptember 21, 2018. (ULISES RUIZ / AFP/Getty Images)

If Lopez Obrador hopes to rein in the violence, he should make it a priority to end this opacity. Moreover, he should design an effective mechanism to properly investigate the homicides of the last years. Creating better and more professional public security forces will require policymakersand the publicto have a far better understanding of what has worked so far,aa and what has not. Where and how have security forces or other government entities succeeded in reducing the violence? Where and how have they made it worse? How can the successes be replicated and failures and abuses be avoided?

Answering these critical questions will require having more complete and reliable answers to basic questions about the violence: Who has been killing whom, under what circumstances, and why?

* Daniel Wilkinson is the managing Americas director at Human Rights Watch.Twenty-nine Los Angeles firefighters who helped Porter Ranch residents after a well blew out in October 2015, resulting in the largest methane leak in U.S. history, filed a lawsuit against Southern California Gas Co. on Monday, saying the utility consciously exposed them to hazardous levels of toxins.

The 56-page complaint, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, says exposure to materials such as benzene and formaldehyde  known carcinogens  has caused firefighters to suffer from severe headaches, nosebleeds, skin rashes, dizziness and breathing difficulties. Some firefighters also are battling cancer, according to the complaint.

SoCalGas chose to lie to us, mislead us and put us in harms way without giving us the chance to warn others, Daniel Mehterian, a recently retired firefighter who is part of the lawsuit, said in a prepared statement. They robbed us of the chance to help save lives further, and instead chose to hide the truth and cover their own butts.

Southern California Gas Co. said in a statement Tuesday it is aware of the lawsuit but has not been served with the complaint and have not yet had the opportunity to review it.

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The utility initially detected the leak Oct. 23, 2015, when a well at an underground natural gas storage facility in Aliso Canyon sent an invisible plume of fumes to nearby homes in Porter Ranch. Residents reported symptoms such as headaches and nausea, and thousands living near the facility evacuated.

At the time, the utility assured the public and firefighters that the gas leak did not pose an imminent threat to public safety, so firefighters entered the area without any protective gear, the complaint says.

For nearly four months, firefighters were tasked with helping utility employees, contractors and residents who became sick during the blowout. Representatives from the utility and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health met with firefighters after they requested air purifiers for their station in December 2015 to assure them the gas was not toxic, according to the complaint.

SoCalGas engaged in a massive disinformation campaign to understate the risks by telling residents and public agencies: Scientists agree natural gas is not toxic,  the complaint states. SoCalGas assurances were knowingly false or made with a reckless disregard for the truth.

The firefighters are seeking unspecified damages and attorneys fees.

In the months following the discovery of the leak, researchers calculated the well released about 97,100 tons of methane  a greenhouse gas many times more potent than carbon dioxide  as well as 7,300 tons of ethane. The amounts are equal to about a quarter of the methane and more than half of the ethane released in the Los Angeles Basin in an entire year.

The leak already has cost the utility more than $1 billion, an amount that may increase given hundreds of outstanding lawsuits pending against the company, according to recent financial disclosures.

In August, officials announced the utility would pay $119.5 million to settle claims lodged by city, county and state officials that Southern California Gas violated the states health and safety laws by failing to promptly control the leak and alert authorities. The money will fund a long-term health study and environmental projects.

Southern California Gas Co. paid $4 million in 2016 to settle separate litigation brought by Los Angeles County prosecutors. The gas company also agreed to an $8.5-million settlement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District over violations during the leak.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahnfryTo hang on to state funding, Los Angeles will eliminate a disputed requirement that gave city politicians the power to block funding for homeless housing in their districts.

The decision ends a longstanding practice that has drawn criticism from nonprofit groups that assist poor and homeless people: Under city regulations, L.A. has required developers seeking funding for homeless and affordable housing projects to obtain a letter of acknowledgment from the City Council member who represents the area.

If a council member declined to provide the letter, a proposed project could not get crucial funding from the city. The Times found that council members have withheld the letter to block homeless housing projects in the San Fernando Valley, South Los Angeles and Westlake. In other cases, officials have used the letter as leverage to push developers to make changes to their building plans.

Council members argued that the letter gave them a valuable opportunity to raise neighborhood concerns and build community support for proposed projects early in the development process. Critics sued the city over the rule, denouncing it as an unfair and arbitrary pocket veto that could quietly squelch housing for the poor.

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Then the state stepped in: California legislators passed a new law, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last month, that will soon ban state money or tax credits from being awarded to any housing development that is saddled with such a requirement. The new rules take effect in January.

In response, Council President Herb Wesson proposed that the requirement be removed from city regulations for Proposition HHH, a $1.2-billion bond to fund homeless housing, along with other funding streams for affordable housing. The council voted 11 to 0 on Tuesday to do so, instructing the housing department to take any steps needed to eliminate the requirement.

After both a lawsuit and legislation, today the city finally took action to rescind an illegal requirement that has for years stopped, delayed and altered desperately needed housing for homeless and low-income residents, Public Counsel staff attorney Faizah Malik said in a statement following the Tuesday vote.

But Malik and other attorneys with Public Counsel, which helped represent the community group that sued L.A. over the rule, were concerned that the council had also directed the housing department to come up with new recommendations for how council members and neighborhood councils could provide meaningful input on proposed funding for housing projects in their area.

In a letter to Wesson this week, Malik warned that coming up with a new kind of pocket veto over homeless or affordable housing would be illegal. Los Angeles needs to do more than simply roll back the requirement, which does not remedy against past harms, protect against new backroom vetoes, or ensure that subsidized housing wont be treated differently from other housing, Malik said Tuesday.

It needs to stop discriminating against these projects and assure that they are not illegally blocked, conditioned or delayed, Malik concluded.

emily.alpert@latimes.com

Twitter: @AlpertReyesArthur T. Leahy, the chief executive of Metrolink, said he will retire in January after four years overseeing commuter rail service in six Southern California counties.

During Leahys tenure, Metrolink became the first American commuter railroad to fully install a collision avoidance system called positive train control, which can automatically apply a trains brakes in an emergency.

Leahy also oversaw the drafting of a $10-billion plan to improve commuter rail service that is aimed at drawing commuters off freeways in Metrolinks service area and helping visitors travel through Southern California during the 2028 Summer Olympics.

California transportation officials awarded Metrolink $875 million this year, the largest grant in the agencys history, to begin the plans upgrades, including grade separations and new stretches of track.

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Finding a new chief executive as Metrolink begins its improvement work will be very exciting, board chairman Andrew Kotyuk said in a statement.

Metrolink operates on 512 miles of tracks and serves about 39,000 riders per weekday. Trains run through Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties.

Previously, Leahy was the Metropolitan Transportation Authoritys chief executive from 2009 to 2015, overseeing the planning, construction and ribbon-cuttings for the first projects funded through Measure R, the half-cent sales tax increase that county voters approved in 2008.

Leahys last day at Metrolink will be Jan. 4, spokesman Scott Johnson said, and the agency will conduct a nationwide search to replace him.

Leahy, 69, grew up in Highland Park and began his career as a bus driver. He did not return a request for comment through a spokesperson.

laura.nelson@latimes.com

For more transportation news, follow @laura_nelson on Twitter.Police detectives are interviewing a man in Fresno in connection with a homicide in a Santa Ana motel, authorities said Tuesday.

A Fresno-area law enforcement agency contacted Santa Ana police to request they perform a safety check at the Sunshine Village Motel in the 1400 block of East 1st Street, said Cpl. Anthony Bertagna, a spokesman for the Santa Ana Police Department. When officers arrived about 5:45 a.m., they found the body of a woman in one of the motels rooms, he said.

Details about the woman who was not identified, werent immediately available, Bertagna said. The room was not registered in her name, so police had to get a search warrant to collect evidence, he said.

Santa Ana detectives later traveled to Fresno to interview a man who had been detained about 3:40 a.m. near Tipton on suspicion of driving under the influence, said Steven Beal, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol Visalia station. Beal did not say how the man may be linked to the motel homicide.

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Homicide detectives on scene waiting for search warrant. Believe victim is a female, detectives en route to Fresno area to interview male detained in this case. pic.twitter.com/BBMSpYhBnw  SantaAnaPD (@SantaAnaPD) October 16, 2018

alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com

Twitter: @r_valejandra

UPDATES:

2:35 p.m.: This article was updated with the circumstances of the mans detention in Fresno.

This article was originally published at 1:05 p.m.A federal appeals court made it easier Monday for people snagged in reverse sting operations to seek evidence that the government targeted blacks and Latinos.

The 2-1 decision by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals portrayed a troubling effort by federal law enforcement to lure blacks and Latinos to participate in purported robberies of fictitious stash houses.

There is no legitimate dispute that these stings primarily affect people of color, but the government has steadfastly resisted any defense attempt to determine whether enforcement is racially biased, Judge Jacqueline H. Nguyen wrote in a concurrence. Nguyen also wrote the majority decision.

The case was brought by Daryle Lamont Sellers, an African American man who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery as a result of 2012 stash house reverse sting.

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Sellers argued that he was targeted based on his race and presented evidence that the overwhelming majority of the defendants targeted by law enforcement in similar investigations are African Americans or Latinos.

To prevail, Sellers must show that the operation not only resulted in discrimination but that it also was motivated by bias.

A district judge denied Sellers discovery motion for government evidence. The 9th Circuit overturned that decision, saying it was based on bad law, and told the lower court to reconsider.

The 9th Circuit traced the evolution of the reverse stings to Miami in the early 1990s. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms decided to stage them in response to drug cartels moving huge amounts of cocaine through South Florida.

That movement attracted freelance criminals who tried to poach the shipments, often resulting in shootouts or attacks on innocent people, wrote Nguyen, an Obama appointee.

Eventually, the reverse stings spread to at least 22 states, including California.

Typically in the stings, the amount of cocaine that targets are told will be stolen exceeds 5 kilograms, an amount that triggers a 10-year minimum sentence, Nguyen said.

Targets also are encouraged to bring guns, zip ties or duct tape, evidence that shows intent to participate in a conspiracy and also allows for the charging of additional crimes, Mondays decision said.

In the operation that netted Sellers and dozens of others, the ATF set up the reverse sting near downtown Los Angeles.

An undercover agent posing as a disgruntled drug courier recruited others to help rob a house where his purported employer was stashing lots of drugs. In fact, there was no stash house or drugs.

The agent who ran the operation later testified that more than 55 of the approximately 60 indicted in his stash house operation were racial minorities.

Nguyen said courts should recognize that the choice of locations for these operations, usually in neighborhoods with large black and Latino populations, may be evidence of discrimination.

She said the government typically allows an informant to decide whom to target, introducing a host of biases and bad incentives into the process.

Sellers was sentenced to 96 months in prison.

Not surprisingly, Nguyen wrote,  given the way in which they are selected, targets of stash house stings and their co-conspirators sometimes have modest criminal resumes. She said that 90% of those convicted nationwide in stash house stings have been black and Latino.

Law enforcement agents  whether consciously or not  appear to primarily target racial minorities, she wrote.

Carl Gunn, who represented Sellers before the 9th Circuit, said the defense community has long railed about these operations

These are horrible cases, Gunn said. They dangle tens of thousands of dollars in cocaine in front of people with virtually no money.

He said Sellers had never been involved in a stash house robbery when he was recruited.

The federal prosecutor who argued the case before the 9th Circuit referred questions to a press officer, who declined comment.

Judge Susan P. Graber dissented, contending the district court relied on correct legal principles when denying the discovery request.

She said the evidence offered by Sellers was insufficient to raise an inference of discrimination.

ATF agents testified that they pursued violent offenders with experience in the drug trade, wrote Graber, a Clinton appointee. Sellers, she said, was recruited into the conspiracy by a co-conspirator.

maura.dolan@latimes.com

Twitter: @mauradolanIt is a settled principle of 1st Amendment law that judges cant bar journalists (or anyone else) from reporting what they see and hear in open court. So its astounding that a Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Wednesday ordered The Times not to publish information as basic as the physical description of a criminal defendant who was appearing in his courtroom.

A few weeks earlier, the same judge granted permission to photograph another defendant  but then tried to block The Times from publishing the photos. Both gag orders were impermissible and deeply disturbing prior restraints on speech.

Judge Gustavo N. Sztraicher reversed himself in both cases after The Times objected, so one might be tempted to conclude, No harm, no foul.

But there is indeed serious harm every time a judge disregards or misunderstands the 1st Amendment and the strict limitation it places on the governments power to prevent a person or news outlet from repeating or reporting what goes on in open court.

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It is a settled principle of 1st Amendment law that judges cant bar journalists (or anyone else) from reporting what they see and hear in open court.

The Times was following the two cases in Sztraichers courtroom, so it knew about the improper orders and was able to challenge them. But in other cases and in other courtrooms where judges issue unconstitutional prior restraints against citizen journalists who might lack the resources or legal knowledge to object, freedom of speech and of the press are in jeopardy. Each bad ruling chips away at the bedrock of fundamental American liberties, as well as the press crucial role as the publics witness.

Perhaps the Superior Court should take a few days off to present its judges a 1st Amendment refresher. It could at least send around a copy of the 1976 U.S. Supreme Court opinion in Nebraska Press Assn. vs. Stuart, which confirmed that prior restraints on news coverage of criminal proceedings are unconstitutional.

In the first case, back in September, Sztraicher approved requests from The Times and other news organizations to photograph and film a hearing for Ramon Escobar, the suspect in the killings of several men who appeared to be homeless. In the midst of proceedings, however, the judge ordered the journalists to stop filming and photographing (and a sketch artist to stop sketching) and not to publish what theyd recorded. He later reversed himself.

Judges dont have to allow cameras in their courtrooms in California, but once they grant permission, it is practically unheard of  and almost certainly unconstitutional  to try to block publication.

Sztraicher on Wednesday granted an attorneys request to disallow photos in the courtroom and to block publication of the descriptors of murder suspect Dejone Wright on the argument that the images and words could influence potential witnesses. Pretty much everything about Wrights appearance  as with all county jail inmates  is already publicly available on the sheriffs online site.

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion 

The judge reversed the order Friday after the attorney made clear what he meant by descriptors: physical attributes of the defendant, such as gender, race, height and hair color, visible to anyone in the courtroom.

As a former criminal defense lawyer, Sztraicher may be receptive to a defendants desire to avoid release of information. But Sztraicher is now a judge. He must defend the Constitution and not just one party.

In case it seems as though Sztraicher is the only judge with a 1st Amendment blind spot, lets not forget U.S. District Judge John Walter, who in July ordered The Times to alter an already published news story. That action  just like Sztraichers  was an unwarranted attack not just on journalists 1st Amendment rights, but also on the rights of every American to prompt reporting on their justice system, and on the judges who are supposed to protect it.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand FacebookImagine that you have two finalists for a senior job on a bridge-building project. One of the applicants has more than two decades of experience in the field, doing exactly the kind of work required for this very project. The guy is smart, thoughtful and has well-informed ideas about improving the engineering process.

The other applicant has neither an engineering degree nor any relevant experience. But he has read books about engineering and has had enlivening conversations with real engineers. And now he has some enthusiastic, if half-baked, ideas about how to build that bridge.

Assuming you dont want the bridge to crumble, which one do you hire? Its a silly question, we concede. But this is essentially the question being put before voters in the California governors race: One of the two candidates on the Nov. 6 ballot is more than ready; the other almost comically unqualified.

In this case, the experienced and prepared candidate is Gavin Newsom. The Democratic lieutenant governor has spent more than 20 years in public office, starting with his first unglamorous gig on the San Francisco Parking and Traffic Commission in 1996. Although he had (and no doubt used) certain political connections through his father, Newsom climbed the political ladder the old-fashioned way. He started at the bottom, learning the business and working his way up through San Francisco city politics, becoming a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and ultimately the citys mayor in 2004. Currently, Newsom is serving the final months of his second term as lieutenant governor.

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Newsom is ready to be Californias next governor. Cox is not. Its that simple.

The other guy? Thats Republican businessman John Cox, whose political resume is limited to waging a number of unsuccessful campaigns (including a brief foray into the 2008 Republican presidential primary and several efforts to win office in Illinois, where he was born and lived before moving to California in 2011). Not only are a couple of long-shot campaigns an inadequate substitute for public service, but Cox doesnt seem to have used his time between them to develop concrete ideas about governing. His platform consists mainly of cataloging and overstating the states ills and offering vague promises that help is on the way. (Thats actually his campaign slogan.)

But he offers few specifics. Instead, he flogs the usual conservative themes: high taxes, over-regulation and the perils of immigration. His few fleshed-out policy statements are worrisome: He supports President Trumps boondoggle of a border wall and wants to stop enforcing the states so-called sanctuary laws. He has yet to articulate anything suggesting he could effectively govern an enormous and complex state.

How did such an unqualified candidate get so far? Hes wealthy and hes willing to spend his fortune in pursuit of the job. Apparently, thats what it takes in the California GOP these days.

Newsom, by contrast, has a broad and deep understanding of Californias policy challenges, from the looming problems in public employee pensions to the changing nature of the labor market to what it will take to reach the states carbon emission goals. His grasp of the granular facts and figures of government is impressive. And unlike his rival, Newsom has already wrestled with some of the thorniest issues that public officials have to face. As mayor of San Francisco, he grappled with homelessness, budget shortfalls, pension reform and gay marriage. In 2004, the world was mesmerized when Mayor Newsom ordered the city clerk in San Francisco to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion 

Even as lieutenant governor, a largely ceremonial job, Newsom was able to use his position to persuade voters to pass ballot measures to tighten state gun controls and to legalize recreational marijuana. As an ex officio member of the University of California Board of Regents, he distinguished himself by consistently opposing tuition increases and pushing budgeting efficiencies.

As governor, he says, it would be a priority to establish universal preschool and expand prenatal care as part of a package to improve educational outcomes for Californians.

Readers may recall that the Los Angeles Times editorial board endorsed former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in the June gubernatorial primary. But Newsom was a close second choice. Our quibbles  about his squishiness on high-speed rail and the future of single-payer healthcare in the state, among other things  remain. We noted that some critics called him a whirlwind of ambition, and that some wondered just what he stood for. We hope he will buckle down in this job and articulate a clear and achievable agenda for the state.

The next governor will face a severe housing crisis, crumbling infrastructure, enormous unfunded pension liabilities, failing schools, rampant homelessness and regular mudslides, floods and mega-fires. California cannot afford a dilettante or an amateur. It needs a seasoned leader who is savvy and charismatic, politically adroit, compassionate and innovative.

Newsom is ready to be Californias next governor. Cox is not. Its that simple.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and FacebookIn the wake of the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a lot of people are suddenly very mad that the Senate is undemocratic. Im unmoved.

My objection is twofold. First, this alleged outrage fits a time-honored tradition of progressives declaring illegitimate everything that is inconvenient to their agenda. Second, this is mostly about California being a big baby.

Lets start with the first point. Like other progressives, Woodrow Wilson started out arguing that Congress should be the center of power, but switched lanes once the White House was in his sights. After the Republicans took back both branches, progressives argued that disinterested administrators and bureaucrats, immune to the demands of the public, should man the tiller of the state.

When FDR was elected  for life, as it would turn out  the presidency was supreme again. And when the Supreme Court stood in FDRs way, he tried to pack it with cronies.

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If liberals really want a more democratic Senate, they should call for California to be sliced up into three or four states.

Later, the courts became the most useful path for progressive victories, and so their moral authority became inviolate. Now that the courts look less amenable to progressive lawfare, the Supreme Court is either illegitimate or disposable, while others say the real problem is the undemocratic nature of the Senate.

Its all a bit reminiscent of the intellectual riot against the electoral college in the wake of the 2016 election. For years, Democrats boasted of their advantage in the electoral college. The vaunted blue wall consisted of 18 states where Democrats consistently won from 1992 to 2012, adding up to 242 of the 270 electoral votes needed to win.

The moment Donald Trump won, the electoral college went from being a sign that history was on the Democrats side to not just undemocratic but outright racist. It was fine for Democrats to rely on a tool of white supremacy  but only when it worked for them.

Which brings me to my problem with California. First, lets be clear: The Senate is democratic. Voters in each state elect their senators.

Its just that its not as democratic as critics would like, because states with very small populations get the same number of senators as states with very big populations. (This arrangement is what made ratification of the Constitution possible in the first place.)

Thus the Washington Posts Phillip Bump writes that Kavanaugh was confirmed with support from senators representing only 44.2% of the country.

And New York Times columnist David Leonhardt argues that the Senate boils down to affirmative action for white people because overwhelmingly white states have representation in the Senate equal to larger, more diverse states like California. (California has far greater representation in the House, of course.)

The results, Leonhardt writes, are pretty outrageous. The average black American has only 75% as much representation as the average white American. The average Asian American: 72%. The average Latino American: 55%.

This is a ludicrous way to think about it.

First, these voters certainly dont care that much, or theyd move to places like Wyoming or Rhode Island to maximize their electoral power. Normal people dont think like that. If you start from the proposition that every hue and ethnicity be perfectly represented in Congress, wed have to get rid of states and congressional districts too.

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion 

As political consultant Luke Thompson notes, most of these statistical games are a result of the fact that California is huge and hugely Democratic. Take its near 40 million people out of the equation, and the Senate becomes pretty representative. Most of the other big states are swing states.

The Senate was created to represent the interests of states as sovereign entities in our republican order. To argue that the Senate is structured unfairly is to argue that states are a relic with no inherent value.

If California thinks its California-ness is special and worth preserving, it should suck it up and take one for the team. And if liberals really want a more democratic Senate, they should call for California to be sliced up into three or four states.

jgoldberg@latimescolumnists.com

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or FacebookTurkeys allegation that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was tortured, killed and dismembered inside Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul did something unusual: It shocked the global conscience.

That wasnt the case for other foreign journalists killed in the last year. Not Indian television reporter Sandeep Sharma, killed when a truck rammed into him in March. Not Hector Gonzalez Antonio, a Mexican journalist whose bludgeoned corpse turned up on a dirt road in May. Not Maltese investigative reporter Daphne Caruana Galizia, who died in a car bombing one year ago. Not for more than 40 others just so far this year.

The furor over Khashoggis fate is striking given this backdrop. Its broken through as a major news story even as authoritarian regimes are increasingly indifferent to criticism on human rights. Western governments are less and less willing to raise such issues, which might distract from their trade or security objectives. Shaming by human rights organizations, foreign officials and the media  the traditional tactics for defending the lives of journalists and dissidents  has lost much of its potency.

Even the heart-rending individual cases that historically put a face to human rights abuses and kindled global outrage seem scarcely to register amid the distractions of our rapid-fire news cycle. Chinese Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo was diagnosed with liver cancer while serving an 11-year prison sentence for penning a pro-democracy charter. Prohibited from traveling abroad for potentially lifesaving treatment, he died in July 2017. Not even the Nobel Prize was enough to render his health crisis a notable international cause.

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The global convulsion over Khashoggi stems from the lurid spectacle.

Oleg Sentsov, a writer and filmmaker from Crimea imprisoned in Siberia, mounted a four-month hunger strike this summer to protest the dozens of Ukrainians being held by Russia as political prisoners. Sentsovs case was not even mentioned when President Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland, three months ago.

Khashoggis case, by contrast, sparked an extraordinary global uproar. It attracted international headlines, threats of economic sanctions, swift bipartisan action by Congress to penalize the alleged perpetrators, and a boycott of a high-profile Saudi investment conference. The chorus of disgust even prompted Trump, who was at first clear hed prioritize U.S. weapon sales to Saudi Arabia over any retribution, to waffle and weave. He simultaneously dispatched the secretary of State to meet with Saudi King Salman, and also mused that Khashoggis disappearance inside the diplomatic compound might somehow be the work of rogue killers.

Several factors account for the Khashoggi clamor. He was a contributor to the Washington Post and the newspaper has put its full weight behind covering the case since his disappearance Oct. 2. The revelations also laid bare how tech moguls, media personalities and Trump consigliere Jared Kushner have courted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, naively imagining that the young royal would prove a reformer. That backdrop made the allegedly state-ordered assassination not only brazen and brutal, but also an embarrassing betrayal for prominent elites.

Above all, though, the global convulsion over Khashoggi stems from the lurid spectacle: his being lured to the consulate the day before his planned marriage, the Saudi agents landing in private jets, one allegedly carrying a medical bone saw.

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion 

Will the fury over Khashoggis fate melt into indifference? The prospect that the Trump administration will reshape the U.S.-Saudi relationship in a gesture of protest on behalf of human rights seems far-fetched. In his own umbrage over Khashoggis disappearance, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would have the world overlook his own track record as the worlds foremost jailer of journalists, one who has used false charges of terrorism to justify prosecuting and jailing journalists and putting the countrys once relatively independent media under the governments firm thumb.

Meanwhile the Saudis will wake up to what fellow authoritarian regimes learned long ago: that even a modest veneer of legality  a show trial, some formal charges  or a modicum of distance from any accused killers can enable them to crush their critics without much fear of consequence. The relentless swirl of the news cycle means that Khashoggi wont remain on the home page forever.

Khashoggis disappearance has prompted people of conscience in capitals, newsrooms and corporate boardrooms around the world to wonder what we have come to. Yet if this tragedy is to prompt a true reckoning, it must encompass not just this singular alleged act of savagery but a much wider, accelerating pattern of intimidation, suppression and abuse of those who dare to dissent, of which the Saudi journalist is but one victim.

Suzanne Nossel is the chief executive of PEN America, which works to protect free expression rights in the United States and around the world.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand FacebookTo the editor: How disappointing to see The Times Editorial Board take the side of self-serving public officials over the Beverly Hills High School students who recently walked out of their classes over the health and safety risks of the Metro Purple Line extension underneath their school.

The editorial is wrong that the district is losing its battle in court.

In 2016, a federal judge determined that the Federal Transit Administration failed to perform a thorough scientific analysis of the environmental impacts of the tunnel or properly consider alternative routes; he ordered the agency to conduct a supplemental environmental review. We believe that review is also flawed because, among other reasons, it relied on pretextual bases in declining to adopt an alternative alignment and construction staging area that would not interfere at all with Beverly Hills High School.

Accordingly, the Beverly Hills Unified School District filed a suit earlier this year challenging the subway alignment and the location of the construction staging area. This federal case is still proceeding, and last month the judge called for court disclosures that we believe will confirm Metro ignored more reasonable routes and staging area locations.

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It is a shame that the editorial board could not support local high school students fighting for their health and safety by exercising their free speech rights.

Lisa Korbatov and Michael Bregy, Beverly Hills

Korbatov is president of the Beverly Hills Board of Education; Bregy is superintendent of the Beverly Hills Unified School District.

..

To the editor: As a senior at Beverly Hills High School, I completely disagree with my peers who walked out of their classes on Oct. 12.

I support people who seek justice after they have been wronged, but what the protesting students are fighting for is silly. Metro has proven time and again that tunneling underneath campus is safe, yet the students choose to ignore basic facts at the encouragement of the district.

What needs to be stressed is that this was not a student-led walkout. This was the district using its students as a propaganda tool to promote its own agenda of moving the Purple Line elsewhere.

What the protesting students do not understand is how vital Metro is to Los Angeles. There are people in Southern California who do not have access to personal transportation and for whom Metro provides a valuable service. This is not an issue for these kids.

Most Beverly Hills students live in a bubble, and when my government teacher read your editorial aloud in class on Oct. 12, I could almost hear the bubble popping. So, I thank you.

Emilie Gibbons, Beverly Hills

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and FacebookTo the editor: For most of the 20th century, the key difference between America and other nations like Russia, China and Germany was that America had a moral conscience that reflected the values of its people (Congress and Western allies demand answers on fate of journalist as Saudi Arabia balks, Oct. 14).

We were driven to do the right thing because of how we defined ourselves as a nation. We werent afraid to speak loudly when other nations engaged in clearly atrocious behavior.

Now we have a businessman president, and businesses do not have a moral conscience. They can ignore dictators human rights violations if they can do business with them. As long as President Trump believes there is money to be made, there will be hardly any consequence for Saudi Arabias alleged murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Tell me, how is Trumps America any different from Vladimir Putins Russia if we have lost the moral high ground?

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David Higgins, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: We should take immediate action to hold Saudi Arabia to account for the apparent death of Khashoggi.

The phrase war on journalism gets thrown around a lot these days. In the case of Saudi Arabias alleged killing of Khashoggi, there is no other way to put it.

Saudi Arabias actions are beyond the pale of all norms of civilized behavior and are a direct affront to democracy, the rule of law and freedom of the press. Khashoggis alleged horrific murder was meant to intimidate journalists and dissidents the world over in order to send a message.

We must send a message back. Saudi Arabia ought to suffer immediate and devastating sanctions, including the freezing of Saudi assets, the removal of diplomats and the halting of further arms sales.

Elliot Gipson, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: Khashoggis disappearance is very serious, and it deserves the most thorough investigation and punishment for anyone involved.

But what about the suspicious death of Fernando Alban? The dissident Venezuelan politician, after returning home from the United Nations general assembly, was arrested at Caracas airport and ended up, 72 hours later, dead from a highly suspicious fall from the 10th floor of the state police agencys headquarters.

Both incidents  Khashoggis disappearance and Albans death  occurred within days of each other, but the latter has been mostly ignored. Why is that?

If we demand justice for one, we must also demand justice for the other.

Raul De Cardenas, Los Angeles

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and FacebookAllies balk at Trump administration bid to block Chinese firm from cutting-edge telecom markets By David S. Cloud Britain and Germany are balking at the Trump administrations call for a ban on equipment from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, threatening a global U.S. campaign to thwart Chinas involvement in future mobile networks. Both countries are expected to limit Huawei and other Chinese companies from providing core components including routers. But other types of Chinese equipment for next-generation, high-speed communications could still be installed on British and German networks, officials and analysts say. The U.S. push to ban Huawei has provoked a global dispute in recent weeks, with senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, publicly urging NATO allies in Europe to exclude the company and warning that the United States might limit its military presence in countries that did not do so. Read More Facebook

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Confucius Institutes: Do they improve U.S.-China ties or harbor spies? By Don Lee Hanging red lanterns welcome visitors to the University of Marylands Confucius Institute, the oldest of about 100 Chinese language and cultural centers that have popped up over the last 15 years on American campuses, subsidized by millions of dollars from Chinas central government. But last fall, when four U.S. Senate investigators walked into the Confucius offices in Maryland and spent hours questioning staff, they werent looking for an educational exchange. The committee has been seeking detailed information from the university about the program, including contracts, email exchanges and financial arrangements that school administrators have kept under wraps since it started in 2004. American colleges once viewed these jointly funded institutes as an economical way to expand their language offerings  one that could also bring warmer ties with China and, importantly, an influx of Chinese international students paying full tuition. Read More Facebook

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U.S. policy toward China shifts from engagement to confrontation By David S. Cloud For decades, China had no closer American friend than Dianne Feinstein. As San Francisco mayor in the 1970s, she forged a sister-city relationship with Shanghai, the first between American and Chinese communities. As U.S. senator, she dined with Chinese leaders at Mao Tse-tungs old Beijing residence. And in the 1990s, she championed a trade policy change that opened a floodgate of Western investment into China. Today the Democratic senator sees China as a growing threat, joining a broad array of Trump administration officials, national security strategists and business executives who once favored engagement with Beijing and now advocate a confrontational approach instead. Read More Facebook

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Mnuchins attempt to calm markets backfires as Trump takes another shot at the Federal Reserve By Jim Puzzanghera An attempt by Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin to calm plunging financial markets backfired Monday, further rattling investors with new fears about whether major U.S. banks have enough cash on top of worries about interest rates, political instability in Washington and a slowing global economy. Adding to the volatile mix was a fresh attack on the Federal Reserve by President Trump, who declared that the central bank was the U.S. economys only problem and that it didnt have a feel for the market. The Fed is like a powerful golfer who cant score because he has no touch -- he cant putt! Trump said on Twitter. Read More Facebook

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He speaks to Democratic hearts. But is Beto ORourke a serious White House contender? By Mark Z. Barabak Hes a failed U.S. Senate candidate with an undistinguished congressional record who, for the moment, is a blazing-hot 2020 presidential prospect  despite the fact that he may not run and faces long odds if he does. Beto ORourke suggests the will-he-or-wont-he speculation is something he himself cant quite fathom. I think thats a great question, he responded in a Dallas Morning News interview when asked whether his unsuccessful November Senate bid merited a promotion to the White House. I ask that question myself. Read More Facebook

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Russian disinformation teams targeted Robert S. Mueller III, says report prepared for Senate By Craig Timberg, Tony Romm, Elizabeth Dwoskin Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. (Associated Press) Months after President Trump took office, Russias disinformation teams trained their sites on a new target: special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. Having worked to help get Trump into the White House, they now worked to neutralize the biggest threat to his staying there. The Russian operatives unloaded on Mueller through fake accounts on Facebook, Twitter and beyond, falsely claiming that the former FBI director was corrupt and that the allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election were crackpot conspiracies. One post on Instagram  which emerged as an especially potent weapon in the Russian social media arsenal  claimed that Mueller had worked in the past with radical Islamic groups. Such tactics exemplified how Russian teams ranged nimbly across social media platforms in a shrewd online influence operation aimed squarely at American voters. The effort started earlier than commonly understood and lasted longer while relying on the strengths of different sites to manipulate distinct slices of the electorate, according to a pair of comprehensive new reports prepared for the Senate Intelligence Committee and released Monday. Read more Timberg, Romm and Dwoskin report for the Washington Post. Facebook

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President Trump announces Mick Mulvaney as acting White House chief of staff By Associated Press President Trump says budget director Mick Mulvaney will serve as acting chief of staff, replacing John F. Kelly in the new year. I am pleased to announce that Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, will be named Acting White House Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly, who has served our Country with distinction. Mick has done an outstanding job while in the Administration....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2018 Facebook

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It aint over when its over: In Michigan, Wisconsin and elsewhere, losers seek to undermine election results By Mark Z. Barabak Democrat Gavin Newsom has yet to become California governor, but already a candidate for state Republican Party chairman is promoting a recall effort. In Michigan and Wisconsin, GOP lawmakers have rushed through legislation to thwart their incoming Democratic governors and hamper others in the opposing party from doing the jobs voters chose them to do. In Congress, GOP leaders have echoed President Trump and sought to undermine the legitimacy of Democrats strong midterm performance, raising unsubstantiated allegations of fraud and political malfeasance. Read More Facebook

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New CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger says she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera On her first full day leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Kathy Kraninger said she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney, the controversial acting director whom she replaced in the powerful regulatory position. To underscore that point, the former White House aide said she would even reconsider a Mulvaney action that critics saw as a gratuitous jab at Democrats who championed the agencys creation: changing its name to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. Kraningers declaration during a meeting with reporters Tuesday addressed one of the main criticisms of her selection. She is considered a protege of Mulvaney, her boss at the White House Office of Management and Budget who has executed a dramatic, industry-friendly shift at the watchdog agency. Read More Facebook

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Trumps pick for chief of staff, Nick Ayers, out of running By Associated Press Nick Ayers, right, with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, at the funeral service for George H.W. Bush on Dec. 3. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Associated Press) President Trumps top pick to replace John F. Kelly as chief of staff, Nick Ayers, is no longer expected to fill that role. Thats according to a White House official who is not authorized to discuss the personnel issue by name and spoke on condition of anonymity. Ayers is Vice President Mike Pences chief of staff. The official says that Trump and Ayers could not agree on Ayers length of service. The father of young children, Ayers had agreed to serve in an interim capacity though the spring, but Trump wanted a two-year commitment. The official says that Ayers will instead assist the president from outside the administration. Trump announced Saturday that Kelly would be departing the White House around the end of the year. Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @VP, and my great colleagues for the honor to serve our Nation at The White House. I will be departing at the end of the year but will work with the #MAGA team to advance the cause.  #Georgia  Nick Ayers (@nick_ayers) December 9, 2018 Facebook

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U.S. hiring slows to 155,000 jobs, unemployment rate holds at 3.7% By Jim Puzzanghera Job growth slowed significantly in November but still was solid, indicating the economy remains in good shape but not expanding so quickly that it will lead to sharply higher interest rates. U.S. employers added 155,000 jobs last month, well below analyst expectations and a steep decline from Octobers strong 237,000 figure, the Labor Department reported Friday. Still, monthly job gains are averaging 206,000 this year, the best since 2015. Even the slower pace of 170,000 over the last three months is close to last years average of 182,000 and well above the amount needed to keep up with population growth. Read More Facebook

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Trump is expected to pick State Department spokeswoman for U.N. ambassador By Associated Press Heather Nauert at a briefing at the State Department on Aug. 9, 2017. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President Trump is expected to nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Two administration officials confirmed Trumps plans. A Republican congressional aide said the president was expected to announce his decision by tweet on Friday morning. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly before Trumps announcement. Trump has previously said Nauert was under serious consideration to replace Nikki Haley, who announced in October that she would step down at the end of this year. Trump has been known to change course on staffing decisions in the past. Nauert was a reporter for Fox News Channel before she became State Department spokeswoman under former Secretary Rex Tillerson. Facebook

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Senate confirms new consumer financial protection chief: Kathy Kraninger, protege of industry-friendly Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera The Senate, in a party-line vote Thursday, confirmed White House aide Kathy Kraninger to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and experts predicted a continuation of the industry-friendly shift it has taken since President Trump installed an acting director last year. Kraninger is a protege of acting director and White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney, an outspoken critic of the agency that was created in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis to prevent predatory lending and other abuses that led to it. Democrats and consumer advocates have denounced him for sharply departing from the aggressive watchdog role the bureau had pursued under its first director, Obama-appointee Richard Cordray, including scaling back enforcement and moving to reassess tough new rules on payday loans and narrow the definition of abusive practices by banks and other firms. Read More Facebook

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Shutdown postponed by two weeks under plan approved by Congress By Erik Wasson Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), shown at the Capitol on Tuesday, says President Trumps border wall is a waste of money. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Congress passed a two-week stopgap spending bill that will delay the chance of a partial government shutdown until Dec. 22 as lawmakers and President Donald Trump negotiate over his demands to pay for a wall on the southern border. The House and Senate passed the measure Thursday without dissent, and Trump has indicated hell sign the bill before the current shutdown deadline of midnight Friday. Negotiations were delayed by memorial services this week for former President George H.W. Bush. The temporary measure gives Democrats and Republicans more time to find a resolution to their biggest hurdle: funding a wall on the U.S. Mexico border wall. Trump says he wants $5 billion for parts of a concrete wall on the southern border and is willing to shut down the government if he doesnt get it. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has said Democrats will provide no more than $1.6 billion for border security, because the wall is a waste of money. The presidents demands for wall funding from Congress come after he said during the campaign that Mexico would pay for it. This week he said on Twitter that a $25 billion border wall would pay for itself in two months, without providing evidence. Most of the U.S. governments $1.2 trillion discretionary budget has been appropriated already by Congress for the fiscal year that began on Oct. 1. Departments at a risk of a partial shutdown late this month include the departments of State, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Treasury and Homeland Security. Talks to resolve the differences have been on hold since a meeting among Trump, Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California originally slated for Dec. 4 was postponed due to Bush memorial events. The three are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby of Alabama told reporters the rest of the seven-bill spending package being negotiated is basically done. Shelby in recent weeks had tried to broker a compromise in which Trumps $5 billion request would be split over two years, but Schumer has rejected that. Some Democrats have been willing to trade border wall funding for deportation protections for young undocumented immigrants. Pelosi ruled out such a deal in remarks to reporters Thursday. The stopgap government funding measure also would extend the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides subsidized coverage for homes in flood-prone areas, to Dec. 21. Facebook

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Bipartisan Senate group wants to formally blame Saudi crown prince for journalists killing By Karoun Demirjian Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires. (Associated Press) A bipartisan group of senators filed a resolution Wednesday condemning Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, directly challenging President Trump to do the same. This resolution -- without equivocation -- definitively states that the crown prince of Saudi Arabia was complicit in the murder of Mr. [Jamal] Khashoggi and has been a wrecking ball to the region jeopardizing our national security interests on multiple fronts, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a statement accompanying the release of the resolution. It will be up to Saudi Arabia as to how to deal with this matter. But it is up to the United States to firmly stand for who we are and what we believe. The resolution put forward by Graham and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who are expected to lead the Judiciary Committee together next year, comes just one day after CIA Director Gina Haspel briefed leading senators about the details of the agencys assessment that Mohammed ordered and monitored the killing and dismemberment of Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Senators emerged from that closed-door briefing furious not only with Saudi Arabia, but Trump as well for dismissing the heft of the CIAs findings. You have to be willfully blind not to come to the conclusion that this was orchestrated and organized by people under the command of MBS and that he was intricately involved in the demise of Mr. Khashoggi, Graham said following the briefing, referring to Mohammed by his initials. He added that Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, who briefed senators last week, were at best being good soldiers and at worst were in the pocket of Saudi Arabia for presenting the evidence of Mohammeds involvement as inconclusive. The release of the resolution condemning Mohammed also comes as the Senate is preparing to move ahead with debate on a resolution to curtail U.S. support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. Though the Yemen resolution does not directly address Khashoggis murder, its popularity is a sign of how strained the United States patience with Saudi Arabia is on multiple fronts, including its role in worsening the civilian cost of the war in Yemen, cited by the United Nations as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Last week, the Senate voted 63 to 37 to advance the Yemen resolution past an opening procedural hurdle. But Graham and Feinsteins resolution on the crown prince has the potential of drawing broader support, especially from Republicans, who are deeply divided about how fiercely to punish Saudi Arabia over Khashoggis killing. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who has been an outspoken advocate for human rights and is seen as one of the more influential foreign policy voices in the GOP, did not vote for the Yemen resolution last week or sign on to a bipartisan measure last month to sanction Saudi officials and cease weapons transfers to the kingdom. But he is an original co-sponsor of the resolution condemning Mohammed over Khashoggis death. So is Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), who represents the other end of the GOP spectrum in terms of recent Saudi-related votes and endorsements. Young was an initial co-sponsor of the bill Graham wrote with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) to sanction Saudi officials deemed responsible for Khashoggis killing and stop the sale of anything but exclusively defensive weapons to the kingdom until it ceased hostilities in Yemen. Young also voted to advance the Yemen resolution  something Graham did as well, though Graham has signaled he will not be lending any similar support to the measure, fearing it may establish a precedent of invoking the War Powers Act too broadly. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) are listed as original co-sponsors of the resolution condemning Mohammed, which also urges Saudi Arabia to negotiate with Houthi rebels to end the Yemen war, work out a political solution to its standoff with Qatar and release political prisoners. But how much sway the resolution has probably comes down to how forcefully the administration decides to heed it -- and thus far, Trump has not shown any interest in condemning the crown prince the way the senators hope he will. Demirjian reports for the Washington Post. Facebook

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Los Angeles County offices and U.S. Postal Service closed Wednesday in honor of George H.W. Bush By Brian Park The Honor Guard carries the casket of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush following his funeral on Dec. 5 in Washington, DC. (Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images) The U.S. Postal Service will suspend regular mail delivery Wednesday, which President Trump has declared a national day of mourning in honor of former President George H.W. Bush. All retail postal outlets will be closed, and package delivery will be limited. In Los Angeles, all nonessential county departments, offices and libraries will be closed for the day, L.A. County officials said. The Los Angeles County Library said no overdue fines will be assessed for books, and due dates will be moved forward one week. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offices also are closed Wednesday. The Sheriffs Department, Fire Department, clinics and hospitals will continue to operate, the county said. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health clinics are being operated with reduced staffing, and the department asked patients to confirm or reschedule any appointments. All county courts and the disaster recovery centers for the Woolsey fire in Malibu and Agoura Hills will remain open. Larger federal government operations will be closed Wednesday. To honor the life and legacy of President Bush, the Postal Service will observe the National Day of Mourning. Learn how Postal operations will be affected. https://t.co/Mffch7bPCh pic.twitter.com/vG46BsIOpm  U.S. Postal Service (@USPS) December 4, 2018 L.A. County offices and libraries will be closed tomorrow (Dec 5) in observance of the #NationalDayOfMourning for President George H. W. Bush.



The Countys Disaster Recovery Centers in Malibu & Agoura Hills will remain open from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. pic.twitter.com/Sv1J7GoJ7T  Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) December 4, 2018 @LAPublicHealth offices will be closed tomorrow December 5 in observance of the national Day of Mourning for President George H. W. Bush. Essential Services including clinics and other services will remain open: https://t.co/tZGoGGHRlg pic.twitter.com/ypXsV6vlYY  LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) December 4, 2018 Facebook

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Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to skip 2020 White House race, sources say By Associated Press Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick speaks during an interview in Boston on Dec. 15, 2014. (Elise Amendola / Associated Press) Former Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts will soon announce he wont launch a 2020 presidential campaign, according to three sources familiar with his plans. They did not say why the Democrat decided against a run. A formal announcement was delayed as the country observed a day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush, one source said. News of Patricks plans was first reported by Politico. Patrick, 62, served two terms as governor, from 2007 to 2015, was assistant attorney general for civil rights in the Clinton administration and since leaving the governors office has been a managing director for Bain Capital. Patrick traveled the country in support of Democratic candidates in the recent midterm election. Earlier this year, some of Patricks supporters and close advisors started the Reason to Believe political action committee, a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing a positive, progressive vision for our nation in 2018 and 2020. Reason to Believe PAC had been holding meetups across the country, including in early presidential primary states. While Patrick is opting against a 2020 run, dozens of Democrats are considering jumping in, including nearly a half-dozen members of the Senate, several House members, and other Massachusetts politicians. On Tuesday, Michael Avenatti, the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels and a vocal critic of President Trump, said in a statement that he would run. Patrick had previously expressed some concerns about breaking through if he sought the nomination, telling David Axelrod, a former advisor to President Obama, that he wasnt sure he could stand out in such a large field. Its hard to see how you even get noticed in such a big, broad field without being shrill, sensational or a celebrity, and Im none of those things and Im never going to be any of those things, Patrick said in a September interview with Axelrod. Facebook

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Former Trump adviser Roger Stone invokes 5th Amendment right and wont testify before Senate Judiciary Committee By Associated Press Roger Stone in 2017. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) Roger Stone, an associate of President Trump, says he wont provide testimony or documents to the Senate Judiciary Committee. An attorney for Stone said in a letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the committees top Democrat, that Stone was invoking his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination in refusing to produce documents or appear for an interview. Stone has been entangled in investigations by Congress and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III about whether Trump aides had advance knowledge of Democratic emails published by WikiLeaks during the 2016 election. Stone has not been charged and has said he had no knowledge of the timing or specifics of WikiLeaks plans. In the letter to Feinstein, Stone said the committees requests were far too overbroad, far too overreaching and far too wide-ranging. Facebook

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Watch live: Vice President Pence and lawmakers honor George H.W. Bush at the U.S. Capitol before he lies in state Facebook

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Rebuilding crumbling infrastructure has bipartisan support. But who gets to pay for it? By Jim Puzzanghera The grades for major U.S. infrastructure would give any parent indigestion if they were on a childs report card. Roads: D; bridges: C+; dams: D; ports: C+: railways: B; airports: D; schools: D+; public transit: D-. The nations overall grade: D+, which translates to being in fair to poor condition and mostly below standards with significant deterioration and a strong risk of failure, according to an evaluation last year by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Read More Facebook

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Trump calls former lawyer Michael Cohen a weak person who is lying By Associated Press President Trump says his former lawyer Michael Cohen is lying to get a reduced sentence. The president is reacting to Cohens guilty plea Thursday to lying to Congress about work he did on a Trump real estate project in Russia. During a surprise court hearing, Cohen admitted to lying in testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee about a plan to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. Cohen in his guilty plea said he made the false statements to be consistent with Trumps political message. Cohens lawyer says he continues to cooperate with special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation into Russian election interference and possible coordination with Trump associates. Facebook

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As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Mark Z. Barabak When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook

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As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Sarah D. Wire When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook

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Michael Cohen, President Trumps ex-lawyer, pleads guilty to lying to Congress about Trump real estate project in Russia By Associated Press Michael Cohen, President Trumps former personal lawyer, pursued a Russian real estate project on candidate Trumps behalf well into the 2016 campaign, he said Thursday while pleading guilty to lying to Congress. Cohen had previously said that the project was abandoned in January 2016, but he now admits he continued to pursue a deal and says he updated Trump and members of his family about the negotiations, according to a new court document. Read More Facebook

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James Comey says acting Atty. Gen. Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer By John Wagner Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker speaks at the Justice Department in Washington on Nov. 14. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) Former FBI Director James B. Comey apparently isnt too impressed with the mental prowess of President Trumps acting attorney general. Matthew Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, Comey said during a radio interview on Monday night in which he sized up the man Trump installed this month to replace ousted Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions. Comey was asked by WGBH News in Boston if he thinks Whitaker could derail the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Whitaker has spoken critically of the probe, and Trump  as recently as Tuesday  continues to call it a witch hunt. I think its a worry, but to my mind not a serious worry, Comey said. The institution is too strong, and [Whitaker], frankly, is not strong enough to have that kind of impact. He may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, but he can see his future and knows that if he acted in an extralegal way, he would go down in history for the wrong reasons, and Im sure he doesnt want that, added Comey, who was fired by Trump last year and later wrote a book that portrays the president as an ego-driven congenital liar. Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney in Iowa, was Sessions chief of staff before being picked by Trump to lead the Justice Department. Trump has called Whitaker a very smart man. Earlier this year, Trump called Comey an untruthful slime ball. Wagner writes for the Washington Post. Facebook

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Interior Department watchdog clears Zinke in investigation of Utah national monument By Juliet Eilperin Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, third from the left, and Gov. Jerry Brown tour fire damage in Paradise, Calif., on Nov. 14. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The Interior Departments Office of Inspector General has cleared Secretary Ryan Zinke in a probe of whether he redrew boundaries of a national monument in Utah to aid the financial interests of a Republican state lawmaker and stalwart supporter of President Trump. In a Nov. 21 letter to Zinkes deputy, David Bernhardt, Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall wrote that her office found no evidence that the secretary or his aides changed the boundaries of Utahs Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in an effort to help former Utah state representative Mike Noel, who serves as executive director of the Kane County Water Conservancy District. Last December, Trump shrank the monument, first established by President Clinton in 1996, by 46% based on Zinkes recommendation. Noel owns 40 acres that had been surrounded by the monument, but now lies outside its boundaries. The new boundaries also would make it easier to construct the proposed Lake Powell Pipeline, which would deliver water to sites in Kane County that include Noels property. Earlier this year, the Interior Department had proposed selling off 120 acres of federal land from the former monument that lay adjacent to some of Noels land holdings, but later reversed the plan. We found no evidence that Noel influenced the DOIs proposed revisions to the [monuments] boundaries, that Zinke or other DOI staff involved in the project were aware of Noels financial interest in the revised boundaries, or that they gave Noel any preferential treatment in the resulting proposed boundaries, Kendall wrote. Neither the Interior Department nor the inspector generals office would release the actual investigative report. In the letter, Kendall writes that her office will provide the report to Congress no sooner than 31 days from Nov. 21, when it is provided it to Zinkes office. The Associated Press first reported the inspector generals conclusions Monday night, but did not provide details from the report itself. Noel emailed Zinke about the effort to alter Grand Staircase-Escalante, according to emails released by Interior under the Freedom of Informational Act. But those emails do not make references to Noels land holdings. Noel also pushed to rename a Utah highway in honor of Trump, but abandoned that effort in March after some of his fellow Republicans objected to the idea. Noel did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. The inspector generals office still has at least two ongoing probes of the secretary, including one focused on his real estate dealings in Whitefish, Mont., and another regarding his decision to deny a permit to two Connecticut tribes who were hoping to jointly run a casino after MGM Resorts International lobbied against it. Interior Department spokeswoman Heather Swift welcomed the watchdogs conclusions. The report shows exactly what the secretarys office has known all along  that the monument boundaries were adjusted in accordance with all rules, regulations and laws, she said in an email. This report is also the latest example of opponents and special interest groups ginning up fake and misleading stories, only to be proven false after expensive and time consuming inquiries by the IGs office. But Kendalls spokeswoman, Nancy DiPaolo, defended the inquiry, even though she said the report has not been publicly released and we will not be speaking specifically about the matter at this time. The OIG opens investigations based on credible allegations and reports our findings objectively and independently, DiPaolo added. Any time or resources spent investigating conduct or activity that may be a violation of law, regulation or policy is a service to the public, Congress and the Department. Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement that he still intended to investigate the way Zinke and his colleague redrew the boundaries for Grand Staircase-Escalante and another Utah national monument, Bears Ears, next year. I have great respect for the inspector general, and I accept these findings, but Secretary Zinke should have known the people he listened to while destroying our national monuments had disqualifying conflicts of interest, he said. Should I chair the Natural Resources Committee in the next Congress, the process he and President Trump used to destroy Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante will be front and center in our oversight and investigations efforts. We need to know why they ignored overwhelming public expressions of support for both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, why they ignored Native American tribes throughout their decision-making, and why they removed protections on parcels of land with known mineral deposits. Eilperin and Rein report for the Washington Post. Facebook

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Trump advisor Larry Kudlow says China must do more to end trade war By Jim Puzzanghera Larry Kudlow, President Trumps top economic advisor, said Tuesday that Chinas response to U.S. efforts to rework the two economic superpowers trade relationship has been extremely disappointing but the planned meeting this weekend between the nations leaders is an opportunity for a breakthrough. They have to do more. They must do more, Larry Kudlow, director of the White House National Economic Council, told reporters ahead of a Saturday dinner between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 Summit in Argentina. I think the president is exactly right  to show strong backbone when prior administrations did not, to break through these Chinese walls, Kudlow said. Theyre so resistant to change. We have to protect the country. We have to protect our technology, our inventiveness, our innovation. Read More Facebook

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Watch live: White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders holds a media briefing amid tensions at the border By Los Angeles Times Staff Facebook

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Democrat TJ Cox grabs lead over Republican David Valadao in nations last remaining undecided House race By Maya Sweedler Democrat TJ Cox slipped past Republican incumbent David Valadao on Monday to take the lead in the countrys sole remaining undecided congressional race, positioning Democrats to pick up their seventh House seat in California and 40th nationwide. Cox, who trailed by nearly 4,400 votes on election night, has steadily gained as ballot counting continues nearly three weeks after the Nov. 6 election, a pattern consistent with the states recent voting history. On Monday, he pulled ahead by 438 votes after Kern County updated its results. Read More Facebook

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Former CIA director Michael Hayden hospitalized after suffering a stroke By Deanna Paul Then-CIA Director Michael Hayden testifies before a Senate committee in 2008. (Saul Loeb / Getty Images) Former CIA Director and retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke, his family said Friday. He is receiving expert medical care for which the family is grateful, according to a statement issued by his namesake organization. The General and his family greatly appreciate the warm wishes and prayers of his friends, colleagues, and supporters. Hayden, 73, served as director of the CIA and National Security Agency during the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. He retired from the CIA in 2009. Hayden has been a vocal critic of Donald Trumps campaign and presidency. Earlier this year, after Trump decided to revoke the security clearance of former CIA director John Brennan, Hayden was one of several former intelligence leaders who signed a statement in opposition. Criticizing the president for crossing a line, he quickly became one of the individuals whose security clearance Trump threatened to review. Deanna Paul writes for the Washington Post. Facebook

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Trump tells troops hes thankful for what hes done for the U.S. and rails against courts and migrants By Associated Press President Trump talks with troops via teleconference from his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Thanksgiving. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump used his Thanksgiving Day call to troops deployed overseas to pat himself on the back and air grievances about the courts, trade and migrants heading to the U.S.-Mexico border. Trumps call, made from his opulent private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., struck an unusually political tone as he spoke with members of all five branches of the military to wish them happy holidays. Its a disgrace, Trump said of judges who have blocked his attempts to overhaul U.S. immigration law, as he linked his efforts to secure the border with military missions overseas. Trump later threatened to close the U.S. border with Mexico for an undisclosed period of time if his administration determines Mexico has lost control on its side. The call was a uniquely Trump blend of boasting, peppered questions and off-the-cuff observations as his comments veered from venting about slights to praising troops  You really are our heroes, he said  as club waiters worked to set Thanksgiving dinner tables on the outdoor terrace behind him. It was yet another show of how Trump has dramatically transformed the presidency, erasing the traditional divisions between domestic policy and military matters and efforts to keep the troops clear of politics. You probably see over the news whats happening on our southern border, Trump told one Air Force brigadier general stationed at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, adding: I dont have to even ask you. I know what you want to do, you want to make sure that you know who were letting in. Later, Trump asked a U.S. Coast Guard commander about trade, which he noted was a very big subject for him personally. Weve been taken advantage of for many, many years by bad trade deals, Trump told the commander, who sheepishly replied, Mr. President, from our perspective on the water  we dont see any issues in terms of trade right now. And throughout, Trump congratulated himself, telling the officers that the country is doing exceptionally well on his watch. I hope that youll take solace in knowing that all of the American families you hold so close to your heart are all doing well, he said. The nations doing well economically, better than anybody in the world. He later told reporters, Nobodys done more for the military than me. Indeed, asked what he was thankful for this Thanksgiving, Trump cited his great family as well as himself. I made a tremendous difference in this country, he said. Facebook

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Trump contradicts CIA assessment that Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi killing By Josh Dawsey | Washington Post (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump on Thursday contradicted the CIAs assessment that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, insisting that the agency had feelings but did not firmly place blame for the death. Trump, in defiant remarks to reporters from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, defended his continued support for Mohammed in the face of a CIA assessment that the crown prince had ordered the killing. He denies it vehemently, Trump said. He said his own conclusion was that maybe he did, maybe he didnt. I hate the crime .... I hate the cover-up. I will tell you this: The crown prince hates it more than I do, Trump said. Asked who should be held accountable for the death of Khashoggi, who was killed at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey, Trump refused to place blame. Maybe the world should be held accountable because the world is a very, very vicious place, the president said. He also seemed to suggest that all U.S. allies were guilty of the same behavior, declaring that if the others were held to the standard that critics have held Saudi Arabia to in recent days, we wouldnt be able to have anyone for an ally. Trumps remarks came after he held a conference call with U.S. military officers overseas, during which he repeatedly praised his administration and sought to draw the officers into discussions of domestic policy. Facebook

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Former FBI Director James Comey gets subpoena from House Republicans By Bloomberg Former FBI Director James B. Comey said he has received a subpoena from House Republicans, according to a Twitter post on Thursday. Bloomberg News reported last week that Comey would be receiving a subpoena alongside former Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch as part of continuing probes into their handling of investigations into Hillary Clinton and Russian election meddling, according to a top House Democrat. Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. Im still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a closed door thing because Ive seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Lets have a hearing and invite everyone to see.  James Comey (@Comey) November 22, 2018 Read More Facebook

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Republican David Valadaos lead slips to 447 votes over Democrat TJ Cox in still-undecided Central Valley House race By Mark Z. Barabak Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), right, finds himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox. (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) On election night, it looked like Rep. David Valadao had survived a close shave and was destined to return to Washington for his fourth term. But on Wednesday, when Fresno County announced its latest vote totals, the Hanford Republican found himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox, with his lead in the Central Valley district shrunken to 447 votes. Thousands remain to be counted. Valadao, a repeated Democratic target, finished election night with a lead of nearly 4,440 votes. Cox, an engineer and a business owner who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2006, has steadily gained ground in the 21st Congressional District ever since. The trend is consistent with historic patterns showing Republicans in California tend to vote early and Democrats later, meaning their mail ballots continue to stream in past election day. Under California law, ballots postmarked up to midnight on Nov. 6 will be counted. Democrats have already picked up six House seats in California. They ousted Reps. Dana Rohrabacher, Mimi Walters, Steve Knight and Jeff Denham and won the seats of retiring Reps. Ed Royce and Darrell Issa. All six represented districts that backed Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016. Valadao was the seventh California Republican in a district Clinton won, though his previous successes  he last won reelection by a 14-point margin  suggested his ouster was a longer shot for Democrats. If Cox prevails, it would give Democrats a 40-seat gain nationwide, far more than the 23 seats needed to take control when Congress reconvenes in January. Facebook

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Trump says no new punishments against Saudi Arabia in Jamal Khashoggi murder By Eli Stokols In this Oct. 25 photo, candles are lit in front of a photo of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Lefteris Pitarakis) President Trump made it clear on Tuesday that he does not intend to punish Saudi Arabia or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an American resident killed by Saudi officials in Turkey in October. In a remarkable statement replete with exclamation points, Trump cast doubt on the CIAs reported conclusions that it has a high degree of confidence that the crown prince ordered Khashoggis murder and sent his closest allies to Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul to carry it out. Read MoreThis article has been updated with staff. Facebook

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Sixteen House Democrats vow to oppose Nancy Pelosi as next speaker By Mike DeBonis | Washington Post House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Sixteen House Democrats said Monday that they will vote to deny Rep. Nancy Pelosi another stint as House speaker, a show of defiance that puts her opponents on the cusp of forcing a seismic leadership shake-up as their party prepares to take the majority. Their pledge to oppose Pelosi (D-San Francisco), both in an internal caucus election and a Jan. 3 floor vote, delivered in a letter sent to Democratic colleagues, comes as Pelosi has marshaled a legion of supporters on and off Capitol Hill to make her case. But her opponents said Monday they are convinced it is time to select a new leader. We are thankful to Leader Pelosi for her years of service to our Country and to our Caucus, they wrote. However, we also recognize that in this recent election, Democrats ran on and won on a message of change. Pelosi has expressed complete confidence that she will retake the speakers gavel in January  eight years after she lost it following massive Republican gains in the 2010 midterms and 16 years after she was first elevated to the top Democratic leadership post in the House. Come on in, the waters fine, she said Friday about a potential leadership challenge. The signers might not be able to force Pelosi out themselves. The size of the Democratic majority remains in flux, but Democrats have already won 232 seats, according to the Associated Press, with five races still undecided. All those races have Republican incumbents, but the Democratic challenger is ahead in only one of them. If the leads hold in the uncalled races, Democrats would have won 233 seats, a 16-seat majority. That means Pelosi could lose as many as 15 Democratic votes when she stands for election as speaker on Jan. 3. Read More Facebook

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Democratic senators sue over Whitakers appointment as acting attorney general By Associated Press Acting U.S. Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker (Nicholas Kamm / AFP/Getty Images) Three Senate Democrats filed a lawsuit Monday arguing that Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and asking a federal judge to remove him. The suit, filed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, argues that Whitakers appointment violates the Constitution because he has not been confirmed by the Senate. Whitaker was chief of staff to Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions and was elevated to the top job after Sessions was ousted by President Trump on Nov. 7. The Constitutions Appointments Clause requires that the Senate confirm all principal officials before they can serve in their office. The Justice Department released a legal opinion last week that said Whitakers appointment would not violate the clause because he is serving in an acting capacity. The opinion concluded that Whitaker, even without Senate confirmation, may serve in an acting capacity because he has been at the department for more than a year at a sufficiently senior pay level. President Trump is denying senators our constitutional obligation and opportunity to do our job: scrutinizing the nomination of our nations top law enforcement official, Blumenthal said in a statement. The reason is simple: Whitaker would never pass the advice and consent test. In selecting a so-called constitutional nobody and thwarting every senators constitutional duty, Trump leaves us no choice but to seek recourse through the courts. The lawsuit comes days after a Washington lawyer challenged Whitakers appointment in a pending Supreme Court case dealing with gun rights. The attorney, Thomas Goldstein, asked the high court to find that Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and replace him with Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Rosenstein, the second-ranking Justice Department official, has been confirmed by the Senate and had been overseeing special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker is now overseeing the investigation. The Justice Department issued a statement Monday defending Whitakers appointment as lawful and said it comports with the Appointments Clause, the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and legal precedent. There are over 160 instances in American history in which non-Senate confirmed persons performed, on a temporary basis, the duties of a Senate-confirmed position, Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said. To suggest otherwise is to ignore centuries of practice and precedent. Facebook

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Gov. Rick Scott says Sen. Bill Nelson concedes Florida Senate race By Associated Press Republican Senate candidate Rick Scott speaks with his wife, Ann, by his side at an election watch party in Naples, Fla., on Nov. 7. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas Republican Gov. Rick Scott says incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson called him to concede defeat in their extremely tight race. Scott issued a statement Sunday saying Nelson graciously conceded their Senate race shortly after the states recount ended. The final results show Scott defeated Nelson by just over 10,000 votes out of 8 million cast. Nelson is scheduled to release a videotaped statement later Sunday. The defeat ends Nelsons lengthy political career. The three-term incumbent was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000. Before that he served six terms in the U.S. House and as state treasurer and insurance commissioner for six years. Scott spent more than $60 million of his own money on ads that portrayed Nelson as out-of-touch and ineffective. Nelson responded by questioning Scotts ethics and saying he would be under the sway of President Trump. Facebook

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Orange County goes blue, as Democrats complete historic sweep of its seven congressional seats By Michael Finnegan Gil Cisneros defeated Republican Young Kim on Saturday in the last of Orange Countys undecided House races, giving Democrats a clean sweep of the states six most fiercely fought congressional contests and marking an epochal shift in a region long synonymous with political conservatism. With Cisneros victory, Democrats will constitute the entirety of Orange Countys seven-member congressional delegation, the first time since the 1930s that the birthplace of Richard Nixon, home of John Wayne and spiritual center of the Republican Party will have no GOP representative in the House. Sitting back in the 1960s, I would never have believed this would happen, said Stuart K. Spencer, a party strategist who spent more than half a century ushering Republicans, including President Reagan, into office. Read More Facebook

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Going, going ... with midterm wipeout, California Republican Party drifts closer to irrelevance By Michael Finnegan For a party in freefall the last two decades, California Republicans learned that its possible to plunge even further. The GOP not only lost every statewide office in the midterm election  again, in blowout fashion  but Democrats reestablished their supermajority in Sacramento, allowing them to legislate however they see fit After major defeats in Orange County and the Central Valley, two longtime strongholds, Republicans will have a significantly smaller footprint on Capitol Hill. (Democrats hold both Senate seats.) When the vote-counting is finished, the GOP may not even have enough lawmakers in Californias 53-member House delegation to field a nine-person softball team. Read More Facebook

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Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter says she will support Rep. Nancy Pelosi for speaker By Maya Sweedler Democratic Rep.-elect Katie Porter is congratulated by volunteers at her campaign headquarters in Irvine. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter said she plans to support Rep. Nancy Pelosis bid for speaker of the House and will make campaign finance reform her top priority when she enters the chamber in January. Im going to continue to have conversations, but so far I feel like Leader Pelosi is definitely making the things that were a priority to the families that elected me her priorities, including announcing her support for campaign finance reform and anti-corruption as HR1, Porter said in her first public appearance since being declared the winner in Californias 45th Congressional District on Thursday evening. It means a lot to me that she is a Californian. She understands our state, Porter added. When we talk about environmental protections, this is a person who understands as a Californian how fragile our environment is and whats at risk in things like drilling off our coasts. Porter, a law professor at UC Irvine, defeated two-term Republican Rep. Mimi Walters. The 45th District, covering inland Orange County, has never been represented by a Democrat. Porter became the third Democrat to claim a Republican-held seat in Orange County, following the victories of Harley Rouda in the 48th District and Mike Levin in the 49th. A fourth, Gil Cisneros, is running slightly ahead of his Republican opponent in the race for the open seat in the 39th District, which extends into Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Porter attributed the massive political shift in the county, for decades a conservative stronghold, to increased levels of political engagement. Folks here care about education, they care about the environment, they believe climate change is real, they want healthcare that protects preexisting conditions, they want a tax system that doesnt punish California, they want our schools and places of worship to be safe from gun violence, she said. Those are the issues we campaigned on, and to the extent that Donald Trump and Mimi Walters were on the wrong side of those issues, the voters have made clear what direction they want us to go. Porter was flying back from the East Coast when her race was called, she said. She turned on her phone to find 167 text messages from friends and supporters. Among them was Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who was one of Porters teachers in law school and with whom she has remained close. The pair spoke via FaceTime this morning, she said. Facebook

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Bitter battle for Senate seat in Florida goes to hand recount By Associated Press Employees look through damaged ballots during a recount Thursday in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas acrimonious battle for the U.S. Senate headed Thursday to a legally required hand recount after an initial review by ballot-counting machines showed Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson separated by less than 13,000 votes. But the highly watched contest for governor between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum appeared to be over, with a machine recount showing DeSantis with a large enough advantage over Gillum to avoid a hand recount in that race. Gillum, who conceded the contest on election night only to retract his concession later, said in a statement that it is not over until every legally casted vote is counted. The recount so far has been fraught with problems. One large Democratic stronghold in South Florida was unable to finish its machine recount by the Thursday deadline due to machines breaking down. A federal judge rejected a request to extend the recount deadline. We gave a heroic effort, said Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher. If the county had three or four more hours, it would have made the deadline to recount ballots in the Senate race, she said. Meanwhile, election officials in another urban county in the Tampa Bay area decided against turning in the results of their machine recount, which came up with 846 fewer votes than originally counted. Media in South Florida reported that Broward County finished its machine recount but missed the deadline by a few minutes. Counties were ordered last weekend to do a machine recount of three statewide races because the margins were so tight. The next stage is a manual review of ballots that were not counted by machines to see whether there is a way to figure out voter intent. Scott called on Nelson to end the recount battle. Its time for Nelson to respect the will of the voters and graciously bring this process to an end rather than proceed with yet another count of the votes  which will yield the same result and bring more embarrassment to the state that we both love and have served, the governor said in a statement. The recount has triggered multiple lawsuits, many of them filed by Nelson and Democrats. The legal battles drew the ire of U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker, who slammed the state for repeatedly failing to anticipate election problems. He also said the state law on recounts appears to violate the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that decided the presidency in 2000. We have been the laughingstock of the world, election after election, and we chose not to fix this, Walker said during a morning hearing. Walker vented his anger at state lawmakers and Palm Beach County officials, saying they should have made sure they had enough equipment in place to handle this kind of a recount. But he said he could not extend the recount deadline because he did not know when Palm Beach County would finish its work. This court must be able to craft a remedy with knowledge that it will not prove futile, Walker wrote in his ruling turning down the request from Democrats. It cannot do so on this record. This court does not and will not fashion a remedy in the dark. The overarching problem was created by the Florida Legislature, which Walker said passed a recount law that appears to run afoul of the 2000 Bush vs. Gore decision by locking in procedures that do not allow for potential problems. A total of six election-related lawsuits are pending in federal court in Tallahassee as well at least one lawsuit filed in state court. Walker also ordered that voters be given until 5 p.m. Saturday to show a valid identification and fix their ballots if they have not been counted due to mismatched signatures. Republicans appealed the ruling, but an appeals court turned down the request. State officials testified that nearly 4,000 mailed-in ballots were set aside because local officials decided the signatures on the envelopes did not match the signatures on file. If those voters can prove their identity, their votes will be counted and included in final official returns due from each county by noon Sunday. Walker was asked by Democrats to require local officials to provide a list of people whose ballots were rejected. But the judge appointed by President Obama refused the request, calling it inappropriate. Under state law, a hand review is required with races that have a margin of 0.25 percentage points or less. A state website put the unofficial results showing Scott ahead of Nelson by 0.15 percentage points. The margin between DeSantis and Gillum was at 0.41 points. The margin between Scott and Nelson had not changed much in the last few days, conceded Marc Elias, an attorney working for Nelsons campaign. But he said that he expected the vote tally to shrink due to the hand recount and the ruling on signatures. The developments fueled frustrations among Democrats and Republicans alike. Democrats want state officials to do whatever it takes to make sure every eligible vote is counted. Republicans, including President Trump, have argued without evidence that voter fraud threatens to steal races from the GOP. Facebook

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Democrat Gil Cisneros pulls ahead of Republican Young Kim as more votes are tallied in Orange and San Bernardino counties By Michael Finnegan Congressional candidate Gil Cisneros (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Democrat Gil Cisneros pulled ahead of Republican Young Kim in one of Californias undecided congressional races Thursday, an ominous sign for a GOP already reeling from its loss of four House seats in the state. In updated vote counts released by the registrars for Orange and San Bernardino counties, Kim fell 941 votes behind Cisneros in the contest to succeed Republican Rep. Ed Royce in Californias 39th Congressional District. The 39th straddles Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties. In another unresolved House race, Democrat Katie Porter pulled further ahead of Republican incumbent Mimi Walters in the 45th District, which includes Mission Viejo, Tustin, Irvine, Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Hills. Porter, a consumer attorney and UC Irvine law professor, is now 6,203 votes ahead. The Nov. 6 midterm election has been devastating to Republicans in California. If Cisneros and Porter win, the party will have lost six of its 14 House seats in the state, essentially a wipeout in every contest that both parties spent heavily to win. The three Republicans already bounced from Congress are Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa, Steve Knight of Palmdale and Jeff Denham of Turlock in the San Joaquin Valley. Democrat Mike Levin won the seat of retiring GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of Vista in the fourth district flipped so far. Facebook

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Florida Senate race likely headed to second recount By Associated Press A Palm Beach County Sheriffs deputy walks past boxes of ballots before a recount on Nov. 15 in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee) Unofficial Florida election results show that the governors race seems to be settled after a machine recount but the U.S. Senate race is likely headed to a hand recount. Republican Ron DeSantis is virtually assured of winning the nationally watched governors race over Democrat Andrew Gillum. Florida finished a machine recount Thursday that showed Gillum without enough votes to force a manual recount. Unofficial results posted on a state website show the margin between U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott is still thin enough to trigger a second review. State law requires a hand recount of races with a margin of 0.25 percentage point or less. Counties have until Sunday to inspect the ballots that did not record a vote when put through the machines. Those ballots are re-examined to see whether the voter skipped the race or marked the ballot in a way that the machines cannot read but can be deciphered. The election will be certified Tuesday. Read More Facebook

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Pelosi says she has the votes to become the next House speaker By John Wagner Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi speaks during a news conference in Washington on Nov. 14. (Susan Walsh) House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi insisted Thursday that she has the votes to become the chambers speaker despite solid opposition from more than a dozen Democrats who want fresh leadership when the party takes control next year. I have overwhelming support in my caucus to be speaker of the House, the San Francisco lawmaker told reporters. I happen to think at this point, Im the best person for that. A vote within the Democratic caucus is scheduled for Nov. 28. The full House votes on Jan. 3 to elect a new speaker. During her remarks, Pelosi touted the size of the Democratic victory in the midterms, which she called almost a tsunami. With a few races still to be decided, Democrats are poised to pick up close to 40 seats in the chamber. Pelosi called that the biggest victory for the Democrats since 1974, when the Watergate babies came in. Pelosis comments come as she faces solid opposition from at least 17 Democrats, setting the stage for a battle over who will ascend to one of the most powerful positions in Washington. After a campaign in which some Democrats prevailed in competitive districts by promising to oppose her, a coalition of incumbents and newly elected members has denied her a smooth path to the speakership. The defections, if they stand, would leave Pelosi, who has led the Democrats for more than 15 years, several votes short of the 218 she would need when the full House votes for speaker Jan. 3. However, no Democrat has stepped forward to run against her for a job she held from 2007 through 2010. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) told reporters Wednesday that shes being encouraged to stand for speaker if Pelosi doesnt have the votes. In an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday, she said she has been overwhelmed by the support from many of her colleagues for her possible entry into the race for House speaker. Over the last 12 hours, Ive been overwhelmed by the amount of support Ive received, Fudge said, adding that there are probably closer to 30" Democrats who have privately signaled that they are willing to oppose Pelosi. Things could change rapidly, Fudge said. Fudge, 66, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said she is building a diverse coalition as she mulls a speaker run, talking with allies in the caucus, moderate Democrats and newly elected members. To this point, Pelosi has enjoyed the strong backing of the Congressional Black Caucus. On Thursday, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), one of its members, wrote a letter to colleagues praising her insight, fortitude and strategic thinking and urging support for her speakership bid. Former Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr., an African American who is contemplating a 2020 presidential bid, also voiced support for Pelosi, praising her in a tweet as an architect of the recent midterm success. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a leader of the resistance to Pelosi, said during an interview on CNN on Thursday that Fudge is the kind of new leader that we need in this party. Shes in touch with middle America. She understands what the American people want. Shes a next-generation leader that people will look to and say, Thats the future of our party, thats the future of our country, and thats exactly the kind of leader that I want to see as our next speaker. Wagner reports for the Washington Post. The Posts Robert Costa, Erica Werner, Mike DeBonis, Paul Kane and Elise Viebeck contributed to this report. Facebook

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GOP Rep. Jeff Denham concedes to Democrat Josh Harder in Central Valley race By Maya Sweedler Rep. Jeff Denham (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) Republican Rep. Jeff Denham has conceded to Democrat Josh Harder in the race to represent Californias 10th Congressional District in the San Joaquin Valley. It has been an absolute honor to serve our community and represent the Central Valley in Congress over the past eight years, the 51-year-old congressman said. The enormity of the responsibility was never lost on me. My wife Sonia and I look forward to starting the next chapter of our lives. Harder said he had spoken with Denham and the two were committed to a productive transition. Denham, an Air Force veteran, previously represented the region in the state Senate for eight years and founded a company specializing in plastic packaging used in agriculture. While a member of Congress, he sat on the Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans Affairs and Agriculture committees. First-time candidate Harder was born and raised in the district. After graduating from Stanford University, he served as vice president of a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. Since moving back, he has been teaching at Modesto Junior College. Denhams House seat is one of four in California that Republicans lost in the Nov. 6 election, with two contests in Orange County still undecided as of Thursday morning. Jeff Denham called me this morning and we had a very productive conversation. I'm honored that I've been chosen to serve our community in Congress, and we're both looking forward to a productive transition that best serves the people of District 10.  Josh Harder (@JoshHarder) November 14, 2018 Facebook

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Democrat Katie Porter now nearly 3,800 votes ahead of GOP Rep. Mimi Walters By Maya Sweedler Rep. Mimi Walters thanks all of her supporters as she watches election results in Irvine on Nov. 7, 2018. (Alex Gallardo / Associated Press) Democrat Katie Porter opened a 3,797-vote lead Wednesday over Republican Rep. Mimi Walters in Orange Countys 45th Congressional District. In the neighboring 39th, Democrat Gil Cisneros has nearly tied the race against Republican Young Kim. Cisneros now trails Kim by a razor-thin margin of 122 votes. The 39th District straddles Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties; Wednesdays updated ballot counts came from the latter two. There are more than 202,000 ballots left to count in Orange County, which includes parts of seven congressional districts. The 45th is entirely in inland Orange County. In California, the ballots counted first tend to lean Republican and those tallied later skew Democratic. In the Central Valleys 21st Congressional District, Democratic challenger TJ Cox has pulled within 2 percentage points of Rep. David Valadao, who is serving his third term. The Associated Press had projected a win for Valadao on election night, but his 4,839-vote advantage has shrunk to 2,090. Back in CA-21, Valadao (R) wins a batch of ballots from his stronghold in Kings Co., but by a considerably smaller margin (14 points) than his previous ~30-point margin in the county. We're moving to Lean R from Likely R; today a bit scary for Valadao.https://t.co/WqJVUVkqGW  Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) November 15, 2018 A spokesman for Valadao told the Fresno Bee that the changes were expected and that [s]tatistically, David Valadao has won this race. Democrats in California have already flipped four House seats, defeating three Republican incumbents and claiming an open seat previously held by the GOP. Reps. Steve Knight of Palmdale, Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Jeff Denham of Turlock have already lost their races, and retiring Rep. Darrell Issas San Diego County seat was claimed by Democrat Mike Levin. Facebook

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Trump aide departs West Wing after rebuke from Melania Trump By Associated Press First Lady Melania Trump. (Alain Jocard / AFP-Getty Images) Deputy national security advisor Mira Ricardel is leaving the White House, one day after First Lady Melania Trumps office issued an extraordinary statement calling for her dismissal. No replacement was named. Aides said Ricardel clashed with the first ladys staff over her visit to Africa last month. Yet it is highly unusual for a first lady or her office to weigh in on personnel matters, especially the presidents national security staff. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Ricardel would have a new role in the administration. On Tuesday, Stephanie Grisham, the first ladys spokeswoman, released a statement saying, It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House. President Trumps White House has set records for administration turnover. Ricardel was the third person to hold the post under Trump. An ally of national security advisor John Bolton, Ricardel began her service in the Trump administration as associate director in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, then moved to the Commerce Department last year. Bolton brought her into the West Wing shortly after taking the job in April. He is traveling in Asia this week alongside Vice President Mike Pence. Facebook

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Race for House Minority Leader is Kevin McCarthys to lose By Associated Press (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is running to take over next years shrunken caucus in closed-door elections that will set the tone for the new Congress. The race for minority leader is McCarthys to lose Wednesday. But the California Republican, who is an ally of President Trump, must fend off a challenge from conservative Jim Jordan of Ohio. Jordan is a leader of the House Freedom Caucus. The two encountered questions and finger-pointing during a private meeting with lawmakers Tuesday night as the GOP sorted through the midterm defeat that put Democrats in the majority next year. Elections Wednesday will also determine party leadership in the Senate. Voting for the biggest race, Nancy Pelosis bid to return as the Democrats nominee for speaker, is later this month. Read More Facebook

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Melania Trump calls for the firing of deputy national security advisor By Justin Sink First Lady Melania Trump arrives at the Chateau de Versailles outside Paris on Nov. 11. (Alain Jocard / AFP/Getty Images ) First Lady Melania Trumps office said she wants Mira Ricardel, the deputy national security advisor, ousted from the White House. It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House, Trumps spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement in response to a question about reports the first lady had sought Ricardels removal. Ricardel is the top deputy to national security advisor John Bolton. She drew the first ladys wrath after threatening to withhold National Security Council resources during Melania Trumps trip to Africa last month unless Ricardel was included in her entourage, one person familiar with the matter said. Grishams statement comes as several media outlets have reported that President Trump is considering a broader shakeup of his administration, including ousting Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Sink and Jacobs report for Bloomberg. Read More Facebook

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CNN sues Trump over the suspension of Jim Acostas White House press credentials By Jim Puzzanghera CNN said Tuesday that it is suing President Trump and other administration officials over the decision to suspend the White House press credentials of correspondent Jim Acosta after a conflict at a news conference last week. The suit, to be filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, escalates an ongoing battle between Trump and the cable news outlet that he frequently accuses of disseminating fake news for its aggressive coverage of him and his administration. The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acostas 1st Amendment rights of freedom of the press, and their 5th Amendment rights to due process, CNN said in a written statement. If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials. Read More Facebook

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Maxine Waters to take aim at Wells Fargo and Deutsche Bank as new head of House Financial Services Committee By Jim Puzzanghera Rep. Maxine Waters plans to zero in on two big banks  Wells Fargo & Co. and Deutsche Bank  when she becomes head of the powerful House Financial Services Committee. The Los Angeles congresswoman, now the committees top Democrat, is widely expected to gain the gavel after her party won control of the House in last weeks elections. While Waters has outlined a wide-ranging agenda, she said her focus on bank oversight will target two large institutions she has been tangling with for a while  including one, Deutsche Bank, that spills into her bitter feud with President Trump. With Trump in the White House, I know that our fight for Americas consumers and investors will continue to be challenging. But I am more than up to that fight, Waters wrote in a letter last week to her Democratic colleagues on the committee that was obtained by The Times. Read More Facebook

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Heres how a controversial voting system will decide a congressional race in Maine By Kurtis Lee For the first time in U.S. history, a controversial voting system known as ranked choice is being used to decide a federal election. Its happening in Maine, which adopted the system in 2016. Rather than marking a single candidate, each voter ranks them all, assigning a first-place vote, a second-place vote and so on down the ballot. Read More Facebook

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ACLU files suit to stop Trumps new asylum limits By Associated Press A group of Central American migrants march to the office of the U.N.'s humans rights body in Mexico City on Nov. 8. (Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press) The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a legal challenge to President Trumps order denying asylum to migrants if they cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. The lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court in San Francisco and argues the new rules are against the law. Attorney Lee Gelernt said the regulations will put families in danger. The suit seeks to declare the regulations invalid and wants a judge to stop the rules from going into effect while the litigation is pending. The new rules were spurred in part by caravans of Central American migrants slowly moving north on foot, but officials say they will apply to anyone caught crossing illegally. Officials say about 70,000 people who enter the country illegally claim asylum. The order invoked the same national security powers Trump used to push through his travel ban. Read More Facebook

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Trump on new acting AG: I dont know Matt Whitaker By Associated Press President Trump talks with reporters before departing for France on the South Lawn of the White House on Nov. 9. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) President Trump is moving to distance himself from Matthew Whitaker as he faces criticism over his choice for acting attorney general. Trump told reporters Friday that I dont know Matt Whitaker and said he didnt speak with Whitaker about special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker has made public comments critical of Muellers investigation, and critics have called on Whitaker to recuse himself from oversight of the inquiry. Under former Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, the investigation was overseen by Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Of the scrutiny Whitaker is facing, Trump said: Its a shame that no matter who I put in they go after. He also called Whitaker a very highly respected man. Whitaker was Sessions chief of staff before Trump made him Sessions interim replacement. Facebook

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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg out of hospital after fall By Associated Press The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is home after being released from the hospital. She had been admitted for treatment and observation after fracturing three ribs in a fall. The court said Ginsburg was released Friday. Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg says she is doing well and working from home. The court had previously said the justice fell in her office at the court on Wednesday evening and went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook

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Gun-control activist Lucy McBath defeats GOP Rep. Karen Handel in Georgia By Associated Press Lucy McBath speaks during a rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams on Nov. 2 at Morehouse College in Atlanta. (Alyssa Pointer / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Democratic gun-control activist Lucy McBath has defeated Republican Rep. Karen Handel of Georgia in a suburban congressional district long considered safe for the GOP. Handel had to seek reelection after winning her seat last year in a close special election race against Democrat Jon Ossoff. McBath became an advocate for stricter gun laws after her son, Jordan Davis, was fatally shot at a Florida gas station in 2012 by a man angry over loud music the teenager and his friends were playing in a car. McBaths margin of victory was narrow enough for Handel to have requested a recount. The Associated Press declared McBath the winner Thursday after Handel conceded. Handel conceded in a statement Thursday morning, stating that after reviewing all of the election data, its clear she came up a bit short in Tuesdays vote. Handel congratulated McBath, offering good thoughts and much prayer for the journey that lies ahead for her. McBath, who is African American, declared victory Wednesday. Facebook

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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hospitalized after fracturing 3 ribs in fall By Associated Press Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fractured three ribs in a fall in her office at the court and is in the hospital. The court says the justice went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. The court says the fall occurred Wednesday evening. Ginsburg was admitted to the hospital for treatment and observation after tests showed she fractured three ribs. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She has had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook

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White House suspends press pass of CNNs Jim Acosta after heated exchange with Trump By Associated Press The White House on Wednesday suspended the press pass of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta after he and President Trump had a heated confrontation during a news conference. They began sparring after Acosta asked Trump about the caravan of migrants heading from Latin America to the southern U.S. border. When Acosta tried to follow up with another question, Trump said, Thats enough! and a female White House aide unsuccessfully tried to grab the microphone from Acosta. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement accusing Acosta of placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern, calling it absolutely unacceptable. The interaction between Acosta and the intern was brief, and Acosta appeared to brush her arm as she reached for the microphone and he tried to hold onto it. Pardon me, maam, he told her. Acosta tweeted that Sanders statement that he put his hands on the aide was a lie. CNN said in a statement that the White House revoked Acostas press pass in retaliation for his challenging questions Wednesday, and the network accused Sanders of lying about Acostas actions. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. It is also completely disrespectful to the reporters colleagues not to allow them an opportunity to ask a question. President Trump has given the press more access than any President in history.  Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Contrary to CNNs assertions there is no greater demonstration of the Presidents support for a free press than the event he held today. Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters...  Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 As a result of todays incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice.  Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Sanders provided fraudulent accusations and cited an incident that never happened. This unprecedented decision is a threat to our democracy and the country deserves better, CNN said. Jim Acosta has our full support. Journalists assigned to cover the White House apply for passes that allow them daily access to press areas in the West Wing. White House staffers decide whether journalists are eligible, though the Secret Service determines whether their applications are approved. Facebook

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Trump spars with reporters at post-election news briefing, ordering several to sit down By Associated Press  President Trump assails CNNs Jim Acosta at a White House news conference. President Trump sparred with reporters at his post-election news conference, ordering several to sit down and telling another hes a rude, terrible person. He told another reporter hes not a fan of yours, either. The presidents mood turned sour Wednesday after reporters pressed him on why he referred to a migrant caravan making its way to the U.S. on foot through Mexico as an invasion. Trump ramped up his anti-immigrant rhetoric against the caravan in the final days of the midterm elections. Trump was also pressed on why his campaign aired an ad featuring a Mexican immigrant convicted of killing American police officers and linking the mans actions to the caravan. Several television networks pulled the ad after airing it or declined to air it at all. Facebook

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Im living one hour at a time at this point By Christine Mai-Duc Republican congressional candidate Young Kim and gubernatorial candidate John Cox campaign in Rowland Heights. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Republican congressional candidate Young Kim greeted gubernatorial candidate John Coxs giant campaign bus, the words HELP IS ON THE WAY emblazoned across it, as it rolled into the parking lot outside her Rowland Heights field office. Standing beside Cox on Saturday, Kim predicted that a string of GOP victories Tuesday would start with voters repealing the gas tax hike. Can you imagine Gavin Newsom being our governor? Can you imagine Gil Cisneros being your representative? Kim asked the crowd, to loud boos and cries of Nooo! The former state assemblywoman who worked for retiring Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) is vying for his seat with Democrat Gil Cisneros. She led the crowd in chants of Enough is enough! and, though short-lived, Drain the swamp! Ive served you in Sacramento and Ive seen dysfunction personally, Kim continued. We cannot continue that route. She urged her supporters to stay and help make phone calls or walk neighborhoods. Lets get out there  the 72 hours is really critical. Its all going to come down to a few votes, it could be your vote, she said pointing to her left, then pivoting right, it could be your vote. So dont sit back and do nothing. Every night I go to sleep thinking, OK, how many more votes can I get or how many more people can I call tomorrow? Kim said. It can be physically exhausting but Im mentally, emotionally very energized. She listed off her events so far that day  and the next one she was heading to. Thats just what I can remember, she said. Im living one hour at a time at this point. Kims campaign invited press to two of her events on Saturday. After she was whisked away to her next event  a high tea fundraiser in Walnut, a couple dozen volunteers remained. John Freeman, a statewide field manager for the state Republican Party, tried to pump them up. This is the Super Bowl. Were not in an NFL stadium, were not getting paid millions of dollars, but you know what? Freeman said. Were walking on the field right now. This is that high-stakes-level game. Facebook

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Its going to be tough out there Democratic candidate Katie Porter speaks to volunteers in Mission Viejo. Jon Bauman, Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na, is in the background. (Victoria Kim / Los Angeles Times ) Judging from the cheers in the crowd, about half those assembled at Katie Porters campaign headquarters in Mission Viejo Sunday morning were old enough to remember 70s rock n roll star Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na. Jon Bauman, as Bowzer is known off stage, said it was her position on senior issues including retirement and social security that has him out supporting Porter over her opponent, incumbent Rep. Mimi Walters. I want you to make sure every phone is called and every door is knocked, he told the crowd of about 80 volunteers. There has never been a more important election. Both Bauman and his nephew, California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman, were interrupted by yells from Trump supporters coming from an adjoining hillside. We love Trump, the voice cried out. We love him too, he makes great fodder, the younger Bauman retorted, before introducing Porter. Porter, a UC Irvine law professor and first-time candidate, acknowledged the uphill battle some of her canvassers might face in this more conservative end of the long-red Orange County district. I know its going to be tough out there, she said, motioning to the hillside. But she said the attacks meant the other side viewed her campaign as a significant threat. This election is going to be close, she said. If we dont fight all the way to the finish line, until 8 oclock on Tuesday, this could slip away. Bowzer then took to a keyboard piano to lead the crowd in a reworded rendition of the song Good Night Sweetheart: Good night, Mimi Walters, he crooned. A woman in a black tank top, jeans and flip flops holding a cup of coffee later joined the crowd with her two sons, 17 and 14, the younger one wearing a Trump 2016 T-shirt. She declined to give her name, saying she was concerned about being attacked, but said she lived up the hill and said she had been the one yelling. She said she was encouraging her sons to talk to people on both sides and make up their own minds. We need to have a government that runs the way government teachers are telling kids its supposed to be run, said the woman, a retired registered dental assistant who voted early for Mimi Walters. Referring to Democrats, she said: Theyve had control over all these years and Californias gone to crap. Among those canvassing was Stacie Campbell, 37, who was at the launch with her husband Jerome and three children, the youngest of whom was 2 months old. Campbell, a Mission Viejo resident who runs a business, had never canvassed or volunteered for campaigns before, and her husband is a French citizen and unable to vote. She said they had been talking to their children  the older ones are 5 and 2  about the presidency and the government since Trumps election. Together, they worked on homemade Katie Porter lawn signs and put them up around town. This is the first time its felt like a big deal and there isnt a president up for election, she said. Because her city is a mix of conservatives and liberals  her next-door neighbor is an NRA-supporting Republican  she the race felt mDefense Secretary James N. Mattis said President Trump gave him a vote of confidence after Trump earlier suggested that Mattis might soon leave the Pentagon.

He said, Im with you 100%, Mattis said Trump told him in a phone call Monday from a U.S. Air Force plane carrying the Pentagon chief to Asia.

Mattis future was thrown into question by Trumps interview with CBS 60 Minutes that aired Sunday in which the president speculated Mattis might depart and might be a Democrat.

Mattis said he has not talked with Trump about stepping down, adding that he had never in his life registered as a member of any political party.

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Im on his team. We have never talked about me leaving, Mattis said. We just continue doing our job.

Trump called him in flight to discuss the Pentagons response to the hurricane that hit Florida and other states last week, Mattis told reporters traveling with him.

Mattis said he did not watch the 60 Minutes interview and hadnt spoken to Trump until their phone conversation Monday.

Mattis has been dogged by questions in recent months about how long he will stay at the Pentagon amid indications that his relationship with Trump is not as warm as it was during the first year of the administration, when Trump seemed to revel in the 68-year-old former Marines reputation as a battle-hardened warrior.

I have some people that Im not thrilled with, Trump said in the interview.

After interviewer Leslie Stahl suggested Mattis might be leaving, Trump did not rule it out.

It could be that he is, he said. I think hes sort of a Democrat, if you want to know the truth. But Gen. Mattis is a good guy. We get along very well. He may leave. I mean, at some point, everybody leaves. Everybody. People leave. Thats Washington.

Trump has overruled Mattis on several policy issues, including on the administrations plan to create a new military branch called the space force. Mattis opposed the idea last year but has since endorsed it.

The tensions have grown since John Bolton joined the White House as national security advisor this year and began staking out hard-line positions on China, Iran and Syria, officials said.

Trump said during the interview that he knew more about NATO than Mattis, who held a senior command in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization before retiring as a four-star general in 2013.

Mattis is in Ho Chi Minh City for talks with defense officials from Vietnam. He heads to Singapore on Wednesday for a meeting of defense ministers from Southeast Asia.This summer, with the midterm elections only months away, Democratic pollster Celinda Lake worried that her party was failing to capitalize politically on the investigation of Russian interference in the last presidential election. So she pitched liberal groups on a series of online surveys and focus groups.

The idea went nowhere.

We couldnt get anyone to fund it, Lake said.

The disinterest is emblematic of how most Democratic campaigns have handled the years most hotly covered story line: steer clear.

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The Russia investigation, which has swept up several of President Trumps former top associates, has been grist for endless news coverage and talk-show speculation, but its been mostly absent from campaign advertisements, stump speeches and debates. Democrats have occasionally sold themselves as a counterweight to Trump in Washington, but theyve talked little about how, if they retake control of the House of Representatives, they could quickly rev up congressional probes that have withered under Republican leadership.

Instead, theyve focused on more traditional issues, especially affordable healthcare. Many commentators have compared the Russia investigation to the Watergate scandal, which brought down President Richard Nixon, but most consultants and pollsters dont see it as a deciding factor in the midterms.

All our research shows is that it is not yet a top-tier concern, even among Democrats, said Jeremy Rosner, managing partner at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, a Democratic polling firm.

Related: Everything you need to know about whos been charged in the Russia case 

A focus group the firm conducted in August 2017 set the tone when even fiercely partisan Democrats said they werent ready to make up their minds about the investigation led by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III.

They would go, Wait a minute, we dont know all the facts yet, Rosner said.

Much has changed since then:

Trumps former national security advisor, Michael Flynn, pleaded guilty to lying about his conversations with the Russian ambassador during the presidential transition.

More than two dozen Russians have been indicted in the hacking of Democratic emails and spreading misinformation on social media.

Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign chairman, stood trial for tax evasion and bank fraud, allegations connected to his work for the since-deposed pro-Russian government in Ukraine. He was convicted and later pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges to avoid a second trial.

But even so, the investigation hasnt cracked the campaign-trail conversation.

By and large, were not seeing it much at all, said Travis Rideout, co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project, which tracks campaign advertisements. Where I am seeing a few mentions are in digital advertising.

And frankly were not seeing very much in digital either, he added.

There are notable exceptions in a small number of California races.

Andrew Janz, a Fresno County prosecutor, has pummeled Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare), a close Trump ally, over the House Intelligence Committees response to the Russia investigation. Nunes, who chairs the committee, has been widely blamed by Democrats for prematurely ending the panels examination and focusing more on probing the Justice Department than Russian malfeasance.

Janz has raised record amounts of money to pursue his campaign against Nunes, but still trails the incumbent in polls of his heavily Republican district.

Another example involves Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa), the rare congressman who has openly expressed affection for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although Rohrabacher has not been accused of wrongdoing, hes surfaced in the background of the investigation, providing grist for campaign attacks from his Democratic challenger.

Orange County residents are tired of being represented by a man who favors Russia over our national interests, HarleyRouda said in an August fundraising message that asked supporters to chip in $3 apiece.

But those specific circumstances of Republican incumbents closely tied to the Russia investigation dont reflect the Democrats larger message.

One reason for the Democratic reticence: Muellers probe is talked about so much, candidates dont feel a need to bring it up on their own.

The Russia investigation and the other Trump administration scandals are like the background music for every campaign in the country, said Jesse Ferguson, a Democratic political consultant. You dont have to run ads to tell people that Trump is under investigation.

In addition, the twists and turns of the Russia investigation are tough to squeeze into a 30-second advertisement or a bumper sticker. Not only has Trump denied colluding with Moscow, Mueller has not accused any Americans of knowingly working with the Russians.

Follow the latest news of the Trump administration on Essential Washington 

Candidates and campaigns dont want to tell a complicated story, because then you lose voters, said Melissa Michelson, a political science professor at Menlo College in Atherton, Calif., who studies voter mobilization. Its much easier to focus on messages where its easy for voters to see the connection to their everyday lives.

The question of whether to capitalize on the Russia investigation during midterm campaigns also highlights a debate about how Democrats can best claw their way back to power in Washington.

Lara Brown, who directs George Washington Universitys Graduate School of Political Management, said it would be risky for Democrats to focus on the probe when trying to win congressional districts that were carried by Trump just two years ago.

I dont think its helpful to have a conversation with a voter where youre essentially speculating about an investigation and reminding them that they have been fooled in the prior election, either by the Russians or the Republican campaign, she said.

By contrast, Tom Steyer, a major Democratic donor who has his own national political organization, has championed a campaign, Need to Impeach, that focuses heavily on the Russia case.

Kevin Mack, the lead strategist for Steyers campaign, said the call for impeachment is the best way to motivate the liberal base Democrats need.

The whole party moderates itself to speak to a small number of people, he said. Its just a losing formula.

Mack said the campaigns numbers show its message is successfully motivating voters, pointing to the high rate at which people who signed Steyers impeachment petition turned out during two special elections this year.

Were filling a void, Mack said.

Lake also still believes Democrats should be talking more about the Russia investigation. Part of Trumps appeal is his unabashed nationalism, she said, but his coddling of Putin undercuts that message.

In addition, she believes the midterms will largely hinge on older voters  a much more reliable presence at the polls than their younger counterparts  who have clear memories of duck-and-cover drills when the country feared nuclear war with the Soviet Union.

Our leaders are supposed to be wary of Russia, she said. Not friends of Russia.

chris.megerian@latimes.com

Twitter: @chrismegerianIn a glittering ballroom in rural New Hampshire, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) riffed about President Trump to the Portsmouth Democratic Club recently, and then with a laugh, accepted their thank-you gift: a guide book on how to compete in the New Hampshire presidential primary.

Schiff dodged the bigger question as he stepped off the stage: Is he running for president?

Im only running for the House, but Im honored to be asked the question, Schiff said.

Does that preclude a run in the future? I would never say never to something, Schiff said, again skirting the question. Its fun coming up here, and I enjoy the idea that I might cause certain heads at Fox News to explode [if I ran.]

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Once a well regarded, but little-known representative, Schiff catapulted into the national spotlight as the highest ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, becoming a ubiquitous figure talking about the Russia investigation on cable news. The White House was apparently so annoyed by Schiff, that officials kept a spreadsheet about how much time he spent on air and shared it with reporters.

Its also a horribly kept secret in Washington that Schiff is interested in a higher position. The question is what role that might be, and whether Schiff will risk his safe House seat to try for something bigger.

Schiff has raised nearly $5.5 million for candidates and the Democrats House campaign arm this cycle, according to his campaign, more than any House member outside of the congressional leadership. Hell be campaigning for candidates in Florida this week and in California, New Jersey, New York and North Carolina in the weeks after that.

So far, however, Schiffs plays for higher office have ended almost before they began.

The latest from Washington 

When former California Sen. Barbara Boxer announced that she would not run for reelection after 25 years in Washington, Schiff considered a bid to replace her. But when now-Sen. Kamala Harris entered the race, the entire field of serious challengers, including Schiff backed down.

When rumors circled last year that Sen. Dianne Feinstein might follow Boxer into retirement, Schiffs was among the first names floated as a possible successor. He began building his war chest. When Feinstein decided to run for a fifth full term, Schiff backed her immediately. Some party strategists say he may be hoping she gives up the seat early, allowing him to be appointed to fill out the term.

When House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-New York) lost his primary this summer, Schiff told The Times he could be interested in a position in House leadership. But so far he hasnt formally joined the field of candidates, and his office has tamped down expectations he will.

Schiff may be feeling boxed in as a white, male politician with limited chances for higher office in an increasingly diverse California, according to Bill Whalen, a fellow at the Hoover Institution think tank.

Harris will hold the U.S. Senate seat as long as she wants, he said. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, if elected as expected in November, will probably be governor for the next eight years. And it might not make sense to wait and see if Feinstein, who is also expected to win in November, retires before the end of her six-year term, Whalen said. There is no guarantee the next governor would appoint Schiff to the job.

Where do you go? said Fiona Hutton, president of Los Angeles strategy firm Fiona Hutton & Associates. A lot of doors have closed, and there are a lot of talented people in politics.

That could explain Schiffs recent flirtation with jobs on the national level.

Rumors that Schiff was seriously considering a bid for president began circulating in Southern California political circles last spring. Some predict he may also be biding his time until the next Democratic White House, hoping for a Cabinet appointment.

For now, Schiff is crisscrossing the country, living out of a suitcase, to stump for local candidates. Its the kind of quiet, local politicking that could make a difference if he decides to go for a bigger position.

When the New Hampshire dinner wrapped up late in the evening, Schiff hopped on a bus to Boston to catch a flight to Texas for campaign events there. Hes stumped for candidates in 23 states this year, including Arizona, Massachusetts, Missouri and New Mexico, according to his campaign.

Whalen said Schiff appears to be someone who enjoys serving in public office more than campaigning for it. He is somebody who thrives on the concept of the great mention, Whalen said.

But several Democratic strategists attributed the missed opportunities to Schiffs deliberative nature more than an inability to commit to a tough race.

He doesnt reach for the brass ring just because it is there, said Glenn Gritzner, a partner at the public strategy firm Mercury.

Any decision on what to do next seems contingent on the midterms.

Staying put in the House, especially if Democrats retake control of the chamber, could be an attractive option.

You could argue the fact that its good for the Democratic Party, that its good he is where he is because hes done a very good job, said Bob Shrum, a former Democratic operative who is co-director of the Center for the Political Future at USC.

Schiff has consistently been reelected in his Hollywood-area district with more than 75% of the vote, and if Democrats take back the House in November, Schiff is in line to lead the Intelligence Committee. That would not only raise his public profile, it would allow him to conduct the kind of Russia investigation that he says House Republicans have refused to do.

If there is a House leadership shakeup in November, he could still seek a new role in the leadership structure, though such a move often precludes a run for higher office. He backs House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for speaker, calling talk about the leadership race simply a distraction from the midterms.

But if Democrats dont win the House, Schiffs presidential calculation could shift again. Even the notoriety of losing a presidential bid might be better than two more years in the House minority. Democrats have controlled the House for only four of Schiffs 18 years in Washington.

If Democrats dont take the House, then all bets are off. If you are him, and youve been there as long as he has, and Congress doesnt turn  you might look around, Gritzner said.

If he is interested in a presidential run, hes not breaking through yet. His foray to New Hampshire was mostly ignored by national media. But Schiff must have known the trip to the state with the nations first primary would raise speculation.

Its a risk for anybody who comes here, said retiring Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, who said she warned Schiff to expect questions about his future plans. People are going to ask him. He has to make his own decision.

More stories from Sarah D. Wire 

sarah.wire@latimes.com

Follow @sarahdwire on TwitterPresident Trump on Tuesday criticized rapidly mounting global condemnation of Saudi Arabia over the case of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, warning of a rush to judgment.

Trump compared the situation to the allegations of sexual assault leveled against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing.

I think we have to find out what happened first, he said. Here we go again with, you know, youre guilty until proven innocent. I dont like that. We just went through that with Justice Kavanaugh and he was innocent all the way as far as Im concerned.

Trump spoke Tuesday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Monday with King Salman. He said both deny any knowledge of what happened to Khashoggi, who entered their countrys consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago and hasnt been seen since.

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In Turkey earlier Tuesday, a high-level Turkish official said police investigators searching the Saudi Consulate had found evidence that Khashoggi was killed there.

Trump said that his own comment Monday about possible rogue killers behind Khashoggis disappearance was informed by his feeling from his conversation with Salman, and that the king did not use the term.

Also Tuesday, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with the king and crown prince in Riyadh and said later that the kingdom had made a serious commitment to hold senior leaders and officials accountable if implicated in Khashoggis death.

Trump said he hopes the Saudis own investigation of Khashoggis disappearance will be concluded in less than a week.

In the meantime, international leaders and business executives are severing or rethinking ties to the Saudi government after Khashoggis high-profile disappearance. Trump has resisted any action, pointing to huge U.S. weapons deals pending with Saudi Arabia and saying that sanctions could end up hurting the American economy.

He said it was too early to say whether he endorsed other countries actions. I have to find out what happened, he said. But his complaint about guilty until proven innocent and comparison to the Kavanaugh situation suggested he was giving the Saudis more leeway than other U.S. allies.

Trump said Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchins trip to attend a Saudi investment conference is still on, but that it could be canceled by Friday depending on what the investigation finds.

In that case, he said, I think well also be guided by what other countries are doing.President Trump called porn actress Stormy Daniels Horseface in a tweet Tuesday, an extraordinary provocation even for a man whose habit of denigrating the appearance of women draws frequent accusations of misogyny.

Trumps insult came a day after a federal judge in Los Angeles dismissed a defamation suit that Daniels filed against the president. The judge ordered her to pay Trumps legal fees.

Great, now I can go after Horseface and her 3rd rate lawyer in the Great State of Texas, Trump tweeted.

Daniels alleges that Trump, who will hold a campaign rally Monday in Houston, had sex with her in 2006. The presidents former personal lawyer Michael Cohen says Trump approved an illegal $130,000 payoff to Daniels just days before the 2016 presidential election to keep her from talking about the affair.

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Federal Judge throws out Stormy Danials lawsuit versus Trump. Trump is entitled to full legal fees. @FoxNews Great, now I can go after Horseface and her 3rd rate lawyer in the Great State of Texas. She will confirm the letter she signed! She knows nothing about me, a total con!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2018

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, responded to Trumps insult on Twitter, saying hed demonstrated his hatred of women and lack of self control.

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present your president. In addition to his...umm...shortcomings, he has demonstrated his incompetence, hatred of women and lack of self control on Twitter AGAIN! And perhaps a penchant for bestiality. Game on, Tiny. https://t.co/6DpDD5ELtj  Stormy Daniels (@StormyDaniels) October 16, 2018

Trumps attack came three weeks before a midterm election that is largely a referendum on the president, with polls showing women turning strongly against his Republican allies in Congress.

Daniels lawyer, Michael Avenatti, a potential candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, called Trump a disgusting misogynist and an embarrassment to the United States.

You are a disgusting misogynist and an embarrassment to the United States. Bring everything you have, because we are going to demonstrate to the world what a complete shyster and liar you are. How many other women did you cheat on your wife with while you had a baby at home? https://t.co/npOKOEFju6  Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) October 16, 2018

Trump has a long history of making demeaning remarks about women.

He once called Rosie ODonnell fat, ugly and disgusting. He criticized Cher for massive plastic surgeries that didnt work. He praised the ex-husband of Arianna Huffington for leaving her for a man, calling her unattractive both inside and out.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, he insulted GOP rival Carly Fiorina, saying: Look at that face. Would anyone vote for that?

In an Access Hollywood audio recording released just before the 2016 election, Trump was heard boasting in 2005 that women let him grab their crotches because he was a star.

In June 2017, Trump tweeted that MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski was bleeding badly from a face-lift on a visit to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. More recently, he called former White House aide Omarosa Manigault Newman a dog.

Shortly before he attacked Daniels on Tuesday, Trump twice called Sen. Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas on Twitter, reprising an insult that many consider racist to mock the Massachusetts Democrats release Monday of a DNA test showing a bit of Native American blood in her ancestry.

In an interview later on Fox News, Trump gloated about getting Daniels and Avenatti to pay his legal fees in the defamation case. Theyll pay a lot, he told anchor Trish Regan.

On Monday, Judge S. James Otero of U.S. District Court in Los Angeles dismissed Daniels lawsuit alleging Trump defamed her on Twitter. His April 18 tweet mocked her story of a man confronting her years ago in a Las Vegas parking lot and warning her to keep quiet about Trump.

A total con job, Trump tweeted.

As a public official attacking the credibility of a political adversary, Otero ruled, Trump had a 1st Amendment right to challenge Daniels allegation that she was threatened.

michael.finnegan@latimes.com

Twitter: @finneganLAT

UPDATES:

3:45 p.m.: This article was updated with President Trumps comments to Fox News and his tweets about Elizabeth Warren.

10:20 a.m.: This article was updated with more details on the defamation lawsuit.

10 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details on President Trumps history of insulting women.

This article was originally published at 8:35 a.m.After years of enduring Pocahontas gibes from President Trump, Sen. Elizabeth Warren has begun playing offense, trying to turn their scrap over her ancestry claims into a weapon as she gears up for a possible presidential run against him.

On Monday, the Massachusetts Democrat not only released DNA test results showing that she likely has trace Native American heritage, along with a stinging video in which her brothers defend the family lore, but also demanded that Trump now make good on his suggestion hed pay $1 million to charity if she took the test.

While Trumps offer was never firm  he joked at a summer rally that if Warren ran for president, he would toss her a DNA test kit at a debate and donate to the charity of her choice if she took it  her bid to call his bluff with her own tweeted barbs shows her intention to try to match his attention-grabbing theatrics.

Warrens latest tack reflects a belief among some Democrats that the best defense against Trump is an aggressive counteroffensive, underscoring how the former reality TV star has reset the terms of engagement. More particularly, it demonstrates the extent to which Warren has started openly pursuing her 2020 agenda, even as many Democrats want to keep the focus on next months elections, with control of Congress and governors offices at stake.

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Trump can say whatever he wants about me, but mocking Native Americans or any group in order to try to get at me, thats not what America stands for, Warren says in the video, which includes footage of Trump calling her Pocahontas  a moniker that tribal groups have said is racist  and of a Trump surrogate at a rally patting his hand against his mouth in a mock American Indian war whoop.

Warren, who had resisted requests for a DNA test since the heritage issue surfaced in her 2012 Senate race, tweeted Monday that she wants Trumps donation to go to the National Indigenous Womens Resource Center.

Asked about it by White House reporters, Trump denied making the $1 million offer and dismissed Warrens test with a Who cares? As he has before, he touted her as a Democrat he wants to face for his reelection race.

The president later denied he owes Warren an apology: I owe her? She owes the country an apology. Whats the percentage, 1/1000th?

Warrens efforts to reclaim her past, and to showcase her combativeness , accelerated in recent months as shes made other moves toward a presidential run.

Late last month, just before announcing she would take a hard look at running for president, Warren returned to her high school in Oklahoma City to deliver her first public speech in her hometown since she was elected to the Senate. Her theme was a familiar one about fighting villains: billionaires, giant corporations, hungry politicians and their rigged system.

Warrens modest upbringing here among Oklahomas oil derricks and rural flatlands is the source of her connection to the heartlands working-class voters and a potential selling point in a national campaign. Yet her personal story has been clouded by the controversy that erupted during her 2012 Senate race over her undocumented claims to Native American ancestry.

Yeah, we got a fight on our hands, she told her audience, slipping into a stronger Southern accent as she stirred a mostly female crowd that was already on its feet. A tough fight.

And heres the deal, she continued. They have more money than we do. They already run big chunks of government. But heres the thing I want you to think about: Theres a whole lot more of us than there is of them.

This was the Warren who many liberals were clamoring to see on the presidential stump in 2016, a Democrat who would go to the countrys deep-red middle and sell her progressive version of prairie populism. Instead, Vermonts independent Sen. Bernie Sanders swooped in to capture the partys left while Trump claimed populism for the right.

Her visit, to speak at a rollicking rally sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, was an opportunity to seize upon progressives excitement following a nine-day strike this spring. Here within the white and purple brick walls of the cafetorium at Northwest Classen High School, where Warren was known as Liz to her classmates a half-century ago, she now shouted, Hello Okies!

She recalled the high school debate team that taught her how to argue. While students at the public high school were known as silkies because they came from the fancy part of town, Warren has said her family struggled along the ragged edge of the middle class, fearful of losing their home after her fathers a heart attack.

Among the gifts collected by her aides was a patterned blanket that came, they said, from the governor of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes.

The DNA results showed her Native American ancestry to be from 1/64th to 1/1024th, depending on how many generations it went back  a level that is likely to keep the controversy festering among Warren detractors, as Trump showed.

DNA tests for Native ancestry tend to be less accurate than for other groups because of relatively limited data from Native populations. The Cherokee Nation criticized Warren, who is not enrolled in a tribe, saying in a statement that she is undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage.

Recently, Warren gave the Boston Globe extensive personnel records. The newspaper, after also interviewing dozens of people involved in hiring decisions throughout her career, concluded last month that her ethnicity claims played no role in her getting jobs at various law schools, including Harvard University.

She also has released 10 years of income tax returns, a rejoinder to Trumps failure to release his. And Warren has taken steps to help Democrats around the country, donating to every state party committee while speaking for candidates in competitive elections.

Yet she has at times rankled fellow Democrats. Earlier this year, she went after politically vulnerable colleagues who voted with Republicans to roll back provisions of the Dodd-Frank financial regulation law enacted after the 2008-09 financial crisis. In 2014, she brought the government to the brink of a shutdown over a similar issue, before relenting.

Ive gone out and worked for the team, and Ill continue to do that, Warren said in an interview. But at the same time, Im going to fight hard for what I believe in. Its not good for American families when Wall Street calls the shots in Washington.

Warren would loom large in a fierce presidential primary debate between those, like her, who want to move the party to the left and those who believe they can peel off Republican moderates and even some Trump supporters with a more centrist message.

If we get more people to turn out and vote, we win, Warren said. This is all about giving people a reason to turn out, a reason to get in the fight, a reason to knock on doors, a reason to run for office, a reason to drag your friends and your family and your neighbors and your co-workers down to the polls on election day.

She harnesses the anti-Trump anger on the left to bolster her argument for a more activist party: Theres no more, you know, Youre a good citizen because once every two years you show up there and vote. Nope. Citizenship in the Trump era has changed. People are coming off the sidelines saying, My country needs me, and my voice will be heard in Washington.

Warren wont answer whether she should have come off the sidelines in 2016, and whether she might have prevented the same Trump era that she and other Democrats rail against. Yet in a business said to be all about timing, some question whether Warren missed her moment.

Colin Reed, formerly an aide to her 2012 opponent, former Sen. Scott Brown, and leader of an opposition research group that targeted her, said she had improved as a candidate. He gives her credit for influencing her party.

But sometimes, you only get one chance at this, he said. In 2016, she would have had more of the left-wing populist lane to herself, whereas in 2020 she would have to share that lane with Sen. Sanders and slew of other candidates.

Belying a public image as hard-charging and at times unapproachable, Warren posed for cellphone pictures at her old high school for more than an hour. While supporters expressed excitement about a Warren 2020 run, others wore Sanders shirts  a pink one said Talk Bernie to me. A few expressed concerns about Warrens age and electability.

I would vote for her, but I think its time for us old folks to step aside and let the young crop have a chance, said Lisa Lunsford, a 58-year-old Oklahoma City banker. She called Warren a hero but approvingly named two other Democratic senators who are prospective candidates  Cory Booker, 49, of New Jersey and Kamala Harris, 53, of San Francisco.

Warren, at 69, is still younger than Trump, 72, as well as Sanders, 77, and former Vice President Joe Biden, 75. But she would certainly be on the older side of what is expected to be a crowded field.

Follow the latest news of the Trump administration on Essential Washington 

noah.bierman@latimes.com

Twitter: @noahbiermanWith the results of Sen. Elizabeth Warrens DNA test stirring up controversy in the White House and beyond, the definition of what it means to be Native American has come into the spotlight. In this 2005 report, Times staff writer Karen Kaplan explores how the then-new commercial availability of DNA testing can challenge peoples perceptions of race and identity, particularly within native communities. This article originally ran in the The Times on Oct. 30, 2005.

Marilyn Vann can trace her Cherokee roots back more than 200 years through generations of Native Americans and the descendants of black slaves who lived among them.

She has mountains of paper -- birth certificates, tribal enrollment cards, land deeds, affidavits, yellowing photographs -- documenting her familys life within the tribe.

But when the engineer from Oklahoma City asked to join the 250,000-strong Cherokee Nation four years ago, she was rejected by tribal officials here who declared her black, not Indian.

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The truth, she believes, is in her blood.

Vann turned to a technology that is roiling Indian tribes nationwide -- DNA testing.

From California to Connecticut, tribes and would-be members are grappling with the ramifications of a science that is able to demystify someones genes for as little as a few hundred dollars.

Modern genetic tests can detect traces of ancestors by looking for mutations that pass from generation to generation in specific racial groups.

More than half a dozen companies have sprung up in the last five years. Many report their most eager customers are people seeking to prove Indian heritage.

Some tribes are welcoming the new science.

The Meskwaki Nation in Tama, Iowa, began requiring DNA testing this spring to screen out pretenders seeking to cash in on the tribes casino profits.

It was something we needed to be in place to protect the tribe, said tribal council member Keith Davenport. People are looking for an easy ride.

But the DNA tests have opened fresh wounds throughout Indian country, unmasking complicated family relationships and turning the unspoken bonds of community into impersonal laboratory results.

Inevitably, DNA raises a delicate question: What does it mean to be Indian?

What is up for grabs is how we define race, said Jenny Reardon, who studies genome sciences and policy at Duke University in North Carolina. Tribes are dealing with these issues first, but it doesnt mean that every American might not have to deal with these issues in one way or another.

Marylin Vanns father and his sisters. The Vann family is black with Cherokee blood, but the Cherokee Nation is denying Marylin citizenship. (Kelly Kerr / For the Times)

Vann has never been uncertain about who she is.

She spent much of her childhood surrounded by Cherokees in eastern Oklahoma and enrolled in programs for Indian students at school. Her late father, George Musgrove Vann, grew up in Cherokee country attending stomp dances and speaking some Tsalagi, the official Cherokee language. He received 110 acres from the federal government in compensation for lands confiscated from the tribe when it was forcibly relocated to Oklahoma from Georgia on the Trail of Tears in the late 1830s.

It was only later in her adult life, after her daughter was nearly done with school and her career as a petroleum engineer was well established, that she contemplated a way to give back to the tribe that loomed so large when she was a girl.

In 2001, Vann applied for membership.

She got a letter back stating that her father was listed on the crucial 1907 tribal roll not as Cherokee but as Freedmen -- a descendant of the former slaves who came to Oklahoma with the tribe.

Under the rules of the Cherokee Nation, Vann could become a member only if she was directly descended from someone listed on the 1907 rolls with a fraction to denote the proportion of their blood that came from Cherokee ancestors.

According to this racial accounting, Vanns father was 1/64 Cherokee. But the record-keeping of the time wasnt terribly precise, and he was listed only as a Freedman.

My ancestors helped build this tribe, Vann said. My father and my grandfather enjoyed Cherokee citizenship. Ive been kicked out, with no say-so in the matter.

The rules for tribal membership vary with each of the 562 federally recognized tribes.

In some cases, all it takes is having a parent who is a member of the tribe. Other tribes allow only mothers or fathers to pass down membership to their children. Sometimes applicants must have a full-blood Indian ancestor within four or five generations, but many dont care if their members are blond and blue-eyed with the tiniest fraction of Indian blood.

Overall tribal enrollment has been rising steadily for at least a decade. In 1995, when the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs began keeping an official tally, tribes had 1.4 million members listed on their rolls. By 2001, the most recent year for which statistics are available, that number had topped 1.8 million.

The growth has prompted some tribes to tighten their membership rules, especially when casino money is at stake.

The Meskwaki Nation has been flooded with applications for tribal enrollment since 1994, the year the casino in Tama began sharing its profits with members, said council member Davenport. Membership swelled from 1,000 to more than 1,300.

The tribe didnt change its enrollment criteria -- membership is still passed down from father to child. In simpler times, all it took was a signature to vouch for paternity. Now the tribe requires a 16-factor DNA paternity test, Davenport said.

At the Mashantucket Pequot tribe, which operates the lucrative Foxwoods Resort Casino near Norwich, Conn., enrollment clerk Joyce Walker regularly fields inquiries from people who say DNA tests prove they are Native Americans.

People say, I just found out Im Indian and I want to know how I can start receiving my profits,  Walker said.

She tells them to take another DNA test to prove they are the offspring of a tribal member. The news is rarely welcome.

Casino profits arent the only reason people want to join tribes. Card-carrying members qualify for care from the federal Indian Health Service. Some tribes offer allowances for school clothing, vocational training, aid for the elderly and other services.

Vann neither wants nor needs any of those material things.

I have a respectable job. I have three homes, and two of them are paid off, she said in her lakefront house in Oklahoma City. I did not go to the Cherokees to get anything. I went to offer my services.

Last year, an opportunity presented itself to prove what Vann thought was obvious -- that after 200 years, Cherokee and Freedmen blood had become inextricably mixed.

Rick Kittles, a genetic anthropologist, was interested in comparing the DNA of African Americans from different parts of the country. He offered to swab cells from inside the cheeks of about 150 Freedmen free of charge and tell them what proportion of their genes came from Indian ancestors.

Such tests are being offered by private companies with names like GeneTree and Family Tree DNA. Their home testing kits promise to reveal the secrets of ancestry for $200 to $400.

The genes can be examined in several ways. The most straightforward tests compare the DNA of a parent and child to confirm a biological link. When the question is racial heritage, other tests can find clues in DNA.

Of the roughly 30,000 genes spelled out in the human genome, ancestry tests focus on about 225 mutations called single nucleotide polymorphisms that arose thousands of years ago and tend to be linked to specific continents.

By examining what kind of mutations a person has, scientists can get an idea of whether ones ancestors came from Africa, Europe, Asia or North America.

These sequences provide a record of the history of those populations, said Kittles, an associate professor at Ohio State University and scientific director of African Ancestry Inc., a Washington, D.C., company. They run in families, which run in communities, which run in different geographic regions.

But genetic and genealogical ancestry arent in perfect sync. Although every person has four grandparents, their DNA isnt passed down in equal proportions. As many as 35% of ones genes can be traced to a maternal grandfather, for example, while as few as 15% may come from the other grandfather, said Tony Frudakis, chief scientific officer of DNAPrint genomics Inc., a Florida company that offers genetic testing products.

Nor are the results foolproof. Some legitimate descendants of Native Americans may not have enough Native American genes to show up on a test, especially if their last Indian ancestor was five or more generations back. On the flip side, some people could acquire a telltale mutation through random chance.

Even those who do have Native American genes cant tie them to the Sioux, Navajo or any specific tribe, said Ripan Malhi, a molecular anthropologist at UC Davis who specializes in Native American DNA. Tribes havent spent enough time in isolation to develop unique mutations.

Weve had a couple of tribes come to us and ask if we can come up with a genetic signature of a tribe that they could use for tribal enrollment, said Malhi, co-founder of Trace Genetics Inc. in Richmond, Calif. The answer is no, you cant do that.

Indians are quick to point out that traditional tribal records are rife with flaws. Government census takers often glanced at a persons skin tone and guessed whether he was 25%, 50% or 100% Indian. Siblings who shared the same parents were recorded as having different degrees of Indian blood. Indians often told federal officials they were white because they feared their land would be confiscated.

Sometimes, even the unreliable documents are out of reach.

One of the courthouses burned down, and they had all the records from the 1880s, said Kenn Davin, a member of the United Eastern Lenape tribe in eastern Tennessee. A lot of this stuff we cant check out.

The search for genetic truth, however, has some Indians worried about the consequences.

If tribes started accepting DNA, theyd want to DNA test everybody, and everybody with a card is not going to come back positive, said Vicky Spits Fire Garland, a Cherokee who is vice president of the Tennessee chapter of the Trail of Tears Assn. Are they going to throw those people out?

DNA testing could also reveal some unexpected family relationships.

Theres a huge queasiness ... because of the social structure of Indian country, said Laura Wass, a member of the Mountain Maidu tribe near Mt. Lassen in Northern California. Its going to open a lot of deep closets. A lot of children were raised by other families.... You bring in DNA and now a child finds out, Well, Im not who I thought I was. 

For some, the idea of analyzing blood to distinguish some Indians from others threatens to undermine the fabric of the community.

To define someone by blood quantum is the very definition of racism, said David Cornsilk, a member of the Cherokee Nation.

Among the Mashantucket Pequot in Connecticut, a few tribal members have bristled at the tribes required genetic testing of all newborns. They say, Youve seen me pregnant, and suddenly I have a baby in my arms. Why should I have to take this test?  said Walker, the enrollment clerk. We say were only trying to be consistent.

For all the precision of the technology, sometimes it leaves more questions.

Kay Yellow Horse, who was adopted nearly 50 years ago and raised by white parents, ordered a DNA test from Seattle-based Genelex Corp. after seeing an ad at a powwow last year. The Denver writer hoped the results would tell her if there was a genetic basis for her affinity for Native Americans.

Ten weeks later, a fat enveloped arrived in the mail, confirming her Native American heritage. She burst into tears.

My entire life I had felt like a mutt from the pound, said Yellow Horse, who changed her last name after a divorce. After getting those results, now I feel like a pedigreed show dog. Its given me a feeling of authenticity.

Though she was grateful to learn something about her roots, the results have left her wondering about her past.

Do I have my fathers eyes? she asked. The hair color from my mom? Am I the product of a rape, the product of an illicit affair, or who knows what?

Marilyn Vanns genes told her everything she wanted to know about her ancestors.

It turns out that 3% of her genes come from Native Americans. Another 39% are from Europeans, who likely intermarried with Indians over hundreds of years; 58% of her genes originated in Africa.

The numbers roughly matched the facts in her stacks of paper. An 1835 tribal roll shows that Rider Fields, her great-great-great-grandfather, was 25% Cherokee. Other rolls from the 1800s list her great-great-grandmother and great-grandmother with Cherokee blood.

Vann has made the three-hour drive to the Cherokee Nation headquarters in Tahlequah to argue that if only her father had been properly listed on the key 1907 census, she would have her membership card and the right to vote in tribal elections.

Cherokee spokesman Mike Miller acknowledged the 1907 rolls werent perfect, but said it wasnt practical for the tribe to tinker with it 100 years after the fact. As for her genetic test, Miller said it had nothing to do with the criteria for membership.

Vann has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to compel the U.S. Interior Departments Bureau of Indian Affairs to enforce her tribal voting rights.

She remains hurt and indignant that the Cherokee Nation will not acknowledge her roots.

On a recent visit to Tahlequah, she stopped by tribal headquarters, a concrete building emblazoned with the words Welcome to Your Cherokee Nation in English and Tsalagi. Although it was closed, she was wary.

I dont want to get spotted by the security camera, she said, shooting glances over her shoulder -- still an outsider in a world she has known all her life.The Burbank Chamber of Commerce in January will launch a new nonprofit to help build and support the citys job base.

The goals for the Better Burbank Corp. include attracting new businesses to the city and retaining the ones that are here, said Tom Flavin, the chief executive of the local chamber.

Flavin, a Burbank native and former mayor, said he recognizes how strong the citys job base is, even after then-Lockheed Corp. decided to leave for Georgia in the mid-1990s.

He himself moved out of Burbank in 1994 and lived and worked in Colorado, Seattle, Palm Springs and Ventura. After moving back to his hometown in 2014, Flavin said it was apparent how much more robust Burbanks job base is compared to the other cities hes lived in.

Im very impressed with the caliber of companies Im seeing, Flavin said. I and the Chamber have recognized that we dont want to take our employers for granted because theres a lot of competition for these jobs.

One objective for the Better Burbank Corp. will be to provide one-on-one assistance with employers that are looking to keep their business within the city.

The nonprofit also aims to help the city grow the citys General Fund tax base. Flavin said Measure P  an upcoming ballot initiative that asks Burbank voters if a three-quarter-cent sales tax should be implemented in the city  is a tool city officials are hoping to use to address the systemic budget deficit.

Officials estimate Burbank will be facing about a $14.2-million shortfall during the 2022-23 fiscal year, so city leaders are hoping that Measure P, which is projected to generate about $20 million annually, can answer the citys budget woes.

However, Flavin said it is going to take more than a sales tax measure to get the city out of its financial rut.

We dont believe its the total solution to the problem, he said. We need to have a plan to intelligently grow our tax base here, so were looking to support quality private investment in the community.

Flavin said he also wants the nonprofit to have the ability to accept grants and donations to monetarily assist the city with economic development activities, which is something the chamber of commerce cannot do.

Since Burbank, like many cities, lost the ability to use funds from redevelopment agencies, the city has struggled to address its degrading infrastructure, according to Flavin.

By being able to raise funds, Flavin said the nonprofit could go after grants with local match and bring in outside sources to assist the city in building a more robust economic development plan.

A lot of chambers in California have recognized that they dont have the resources to really play a substantive role in economic development, Flavin said. Ive been thinking about doing something like this three or four years ago.

anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpioWhen the Orange County Buddhist Church was established more than 80 years ago, it was a refuge for Japanese immigrants and their families.

Especially after World War II, when 120,000 people of Japanese descent were held in concentration camps, the church was a place of safety, where the community could practice and preserve many of the religious rituals of its ancestral land.

But as Buddhism has gained popularity in the United States, the historically Japanese temple in Anaheim has become increasingly diverse, so that today an estimated one-quarter of OCBC congregants are not Japanese. In addition to a growing number of white practitioners  according to the Pew Research Center, 44% of American Buddhists are white  OCBC is now also home to a burgeoning group of Latino Buddhists.

What many people like about Buddhism is that we dont have a lot of rules about how you should live your life, said the Rev. Jon Turner, a minister at OCBC. We dont have a lot thats black and white. So if you dont fit the mold in Christianity, where do you go? A lot of times theyll come to Buddhism as an alternative.

This was the case for Hector Ortiz, who grew up Baptist, but as a gay man struggled with his churchs teachings on sexuality. Buddhism seemed like a better fit.

For me, spiritually, what makes sense is that Im responsible for my own actions and how I interpret the world, (as) opposed to looking to others for happiness or seeking it outward, Ortiz said. I was drawn to the personal responsibility, seeking happiness inward and the acceptance. It felt like a place I was arriving home to, spiritually.

But becoming Buddhist didnt mean leaving everything from his religious past behind. Ortiz plays piano and cello for OCBCs weekly services  something he used to do at the Baptist church he attended as a child.

It was a nice crossover for me, he said.

Ortiz, who is Mexican American, also sees similarities between his heritage and Japanese culture. Both are family-oriented, he said, which served as a bridge for him when he started attending the temple a decade ago and didnt know much about the customs.

The Orange County Buddhist Church in Anaheim is an historically Japanese temple in Anaheim that is becoming increasingly diverse. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer)

For Andy Saldana, it was familiarity with Japanese culture that came first.

After marrying a Japanese American Buddhist woman three decades ago, Saldana, who is Mexican American and was raised Protestant, started going to Buddhist temples for weddings and family events. In the 1980s, he was stationed in Japan for two years as a Marine and went to Buddhist festivals and temples almost every week.

So Saldana was already familiar with Buddhism when he joined OCBC five years ago, a decision he said was based in part on the religions emphasis on inquiry.

When I grew up, 17 years in the church, you werent allowed to ask things, he said. You werent allowed to question the religion, the books, the teachings  anything. Its sacrilege. But in Buddhism, you should be questioning.

Turner said that OCBCs long history has helped it draw a diverse group of practitioners.

Since the temple has been in Orange County for several generations, it primarily operates in English, unlike many other Buddhist temples in the area that serve newer immigrant communities and conduct services in languages such as Chinese or Vietnamese.

We try to have a form of Buddhism thats Americanized so it appeals to a fourth-generation Japanese person and also a Latino coming to the temple for the first time, Turner said. We have to be able to reach both or were not going to be able to make it.

OCBC teaches Shin Buddhism, the most widely practiced denomination in Japan.

Marcia Taborga, whose family is from Bolivia, said that while Buddhism is a break from the Catholicism she grew up with, in some ways, the religion of her upbringing prepared her for OCBC. Rituals, prayers  and the idea of taking things on faith  were easier for her because she was familiar with these practices in Catholicism, she said.

I was totally surprised that I would have to take anything on faith in Buddhism, she said. But I was OK okay with that, and I think part of that came from Catholicism.

Despite these connections between Buddhism and Catholicism  and the budding congregation of Latinos at OCBC  Buddhism is still rare in the Latino community.

According to the Pew Research Center, Latinos make up 12% percent of the American Buddhist community, but Joe Garcia, a Mexican American who has been attending OCBC for five years, said that Latinos generally dont have much exposure to Buddhism.

I dont think its on most Hispanics radar that its even a possibility, said Garcia, who is married to Taborga. And yet I know that in the United States, theyve been largely moving away from Catholicism, some of them in droves. They end up going to Protestant denominations or dropping out of religion altogether. So I wish there was a way that more Hispanics could be exposed to Buddhism  to give them an alternative.

Caitlin Yoshiko Kandil is a contributor to Times Community News.Despite having local and state approvals to cultivate or distribute medical marijuana on the site of his boat factory in San Bernardino County, Newport Beach Mayor Marshall Duffy Duffield says he isnt a pot farmer. Rather, he says, he sought the entitlements to make the property more attractive to buyers so he can move his factory to Utah.

Duffield said in a statement emailed to the Daily Pilot on Sunday that he split his 4.7-acre property in Adelanto into thirds and sought a cannabis distribution permit from the California Bureau of Cannabis Control to take advantage of increased property values that followed Adelantos passage of a medicinal cultivation ordinance in 2015 and creation of a cultivation zone in 2016 that later expanded to include the factory site.

As a property owner, I am trying to maximize the value to sell the land, not grow pot, Duffield said. I am actively manufacturing electric boats at the plant and there is no room to be growing pot.

The statement confirmed that he tapped the services of Newport Beach City Council colleague Scott Peotter, who works as an architectural and development consultant, to do the legwork on parceling the property. That arrangement is outlined in records obtained from the California secretary of states office and the city of Adelanto.

Peotter made at least $10,000 from DC Developments, a Duffield-associated company, according to Peotters state-required economic interest forms.

Duffields statement Sunday did not address any possible conflicts of interest in paying his fellow councilman to do the work, and neither Duffield nor Peotter immediately responded to requests for follow-up comments.

The legality of such a business relationship is unclear. The city charter is silent on intracouncil financial conflicts of interest, and state conflict-of-interest laws dont address one council member employing another.

Speculation that Duffield and Peotter quietly had a business relationship surfaced in August, though neither directly answered questions about it at the time. At an August council candidates forum, Duffield  who is seeking reelection  would not answer a question from his District 3 challenger, Tim Stoaks, about whether he has ever employed Peotter while they have served on the council. After the forum, Peotter said he doesnt respond to rumors.

In September, local activist Susan Skinner filed a complaint with the California Fair Political Practices Commission seeking an investigation into the possibility of a Duffield-Peotter employment arrangement, arguing that it would be a conflict of interest.

Duffield regularly recuses himself from City Council votes on Newport Harbor matters because of potential business conflicts related to his Duffy Electric Boat Co., which has a harborfront office on West Coast Highway. Peotter does not recuse himself from those votes.

Skinner argued in her complaint that if Duffield is a source of income for Peotter, Duffields conflicts of interest are also Peotters.

City Atty. Aaron Harp has had no public comment about the situation since receiving the records about the councilmens business relationship from the Daily Pilot on Thursday.

Duffields statement said he has been working for three years to move the Duffy factory from Adelanto  about 40 miles north of San Bernardino  to Ogden, Utah, where he said he is in line for free land and forgivable loans.

Adelantos cultivation rules were prescient a year before Californians voted to legalize recreational marijuana. Land values in the marijuana zones increased nearly 1,300% in the year and a half after the city passed the initial cultivation ordinance, the Victorville Daily Press reported last spring.

But Duffield said he has been stymied in his attempts to sell his land, which fell out of escrow three times because of buyers lack of funds. Meanwhile, he said, most of his neighbors have sold their land, and as more cities begin allowing marijuana growing, the sale prices are dropping.

Peotter  representing architectural and development consultant Aslan Cos., of which he is chief executive  appeared before the Adelanto Planning Commission in September 2017 on behalf of DC Developments, a company that runs properties including the Duffy boat factory on Muskrat Avenue. Duffield is listed as a manager/member of DC Developments, according to the secretary of states office.

According to a city staff report for the Planning Commission meeting, Peotter asked for permission to subdivide the parcel into three lots and added that Duffield planned to apply for a state permit to cultivate cannabis on the site. The citys permission for the subdivision and a state license for distribution of medicinal marijuana were granted late last year. The Bureau of Cannabis Control issued the distribution license to Muskrat Consultants LLC, of which Duffield also is a manager/member, according to secretary of state records.

Two years earlier, in November 2015, Duffield and Peotter were part of a unanimous Newport council vote to ban medical marijuana cultivation, processing and delivery in Newport Beach.

hillary.davis@latimes.com

Twitter: @Daily_PilotHDA decade ago, Newport Beach had minimal debt on its balance sheet. Between 2007 and 2014, the city then took on hundreds of millions in debt for the Civic Center and Marina Park and had an enormous unfunded pension liabilities. Debt fatigue set in. At the same time, the city lost millions in off-balance sheet income. Led by the former city manager, the former City Hall site sat rotting for years. The property should be sold immediately, the proceeds used to reduced our debt.

A new City Council was elected in 2014 and 2016 that ran on a platform opposing debt. They have been successful. Theyve stemmed the tide on pension liability. They have paid down the Civic Center debt each year. Most importantly, they havent taken on any new debt and have instead used existing resources to build a new fire station and library in Corona del Mar and capped the Balboa Island seawall.

Now challengers want to take the city back. Back to where? This City Council has voted consistently with its platform. Lets not forget to vote for Marshall Duffy Duffield, Kevin Muldoon and Scott Peotter.

Roger D. Lockhart

Newport Beach

Diane Dixon is an independent council voice

During this election season there has been a lot of talk about replacing Team Newport  a group of candidates who ran as a slate during the Newport Beach City Council election in 2014. While some of those team members usually vote together, Councilwoman Diane Dixon studies the issues. She has held town hall meetings to confer with the residents, and she votes independently. Please dont lump her in with the other incumbents when placing your vote for City Council.

Nancy J. Smith

Newport Beach

Brenners intelligence, warmth are evident

By the second time that I was in Joy Brenners presence, I was able to observe how naturally she interacted with people and how eloquently and candidly she spoke. I decided very quickly that she was the perfect City Council member for our fair city. Since the time I met Brenner and talked with her, I have seen her on several occasions, frequently enough to also appreciate her intelligence, her warmth and her work ethic. Joy is not afraid to speak and write openly about her feelings and vision for Newport Beach. And her strength of spirit is always evident in her speeches to the council and to civic groups.

Lynn Lorenz

Newport Beach

Keep Newport from becoming Irvine

I am afraid that Councilman Kevin Muldoon, along with incumbents Scott Peotter and Marshall Duffy Duffield, are steering the city in an urban city direction instead of keeping us a town of villages. One only has to look at Muldoons disastrous Museum House fiasco vote, yes vote on Measure Y and his letter as mayor of Newport Beach supporting Irvines effort to lure Amazon.

Was Muldoon not thinking of the residents that he is supposed to serve, as Amazon coming to Irvine would have been disaster for our city with unmitigated growth and an expanded John Wayne Airport? Residents of Newport Beach cannot continue to have the Team Newport incumbents vote as a bloc and have Newport Beach start to look like Jamboree Road in Irvine.

Roy Englebrecht

Newport Beach

The writer is a candidate in City Council District 4.

They wouldnt get Reagans approval

Councilman Scott Peotter and Mayor Marshall Duffy Duffield like to claim to be some sort of extreme Republicans, but as someone who knew Ronald Reagan personally and worked with him for eight years, I can tell you the Gipper would be outraged by their behavior. We need a change to restore honesty and propriety to the City Council. I will be voting for Tim Stoaks and Joy Brenner.

Rush Hill

Newport Beach

The writer is a former Newport Beach mayor.

How to get published: Email us at dailypilot@latimes.com. All correspondence must include full name, hometown and phone number (for verification purposes). The Pilot reserves the right to edit all submissions for clarity and length.As local school board elections approach, a key issue that candidates have been addressing is school safety.

A rash of school shootings across the nation have put us all on edge. Voters naturally want to know what measures district officials have taken to keep students as secure as possible and how they plan to improve safety going forward.

While this is a difficult issue for many reasons, and one that must be addressed, its not the only aspect to student safety that warrants attention.

There are many other ways that schools are called upon to keep children safe, whether the threat comes from drugs, mental illness, bullying or a host of other problems. And when it comes to addressing these safety-related concerns, one question can be particularly confounding:

How much do we hold schools responsible for what students do and say while theyre off campus?

Until recently, schools were held to a straightforward standard: They were responsible for students door to door  that is, from the time students leave home to attend school or school-related functions, until they return home.

In decades past, schools did sometimes wrestle with how far their authority could stretch to include policing the speech and behavior of students beyond school boundaries.

In one landmark ruling from the 1960s, for example, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that a schools attempt to punish students for wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War violated the students free speech rights.

In another influential case in the 1980s, the Supreme Court placed some limits on student speech, ruling that the use of sexualized messaging related to a student government campaign went too far.

Court decisions, however, historically tended to err on the side of limiting schools ability to extend their discipline policies to conduct off campus. Many rulings concluded that districts overstepped, upholding the concept that disciplinary power should only apply to actions and speech that directly and demonstrably effect the learning environment.

But times have changed, and questions about school authority that once appeared more clear cut are now anything but.

Thats because the internet age has brought with it many complicating factors for educators, not the least of which are such activities as online bullying, harassment and threats.

Because bad behavior so often now does not involve a physical presence, school administrators and teachers are left to grapple with how to respond when such activities originate, or are largely carried out, online. After all, social media follow kids around all day long; it makes no difference where posts are entered.

Muddying the picture further is our ongoing philosophical debate about the very role of schools.

Should schools exist merely to educate students in basic curricula? Or is it appropriate for them to fill a broader role  as counselors, social workers, babysitters or even surrogate parents?

School leaders, while acknowledging the blurred lines in these complicated times, now view their responsibilities as requiring them to intervene in cases in which a students behavior outside campus violates school policy, disrupts the educational process, results in bullying, or of course, carries the risk of violence.

The Orange County Department of Educations code of conduct, for instance, includes the following line:

Students also may be subject to discipline, in accordance with law, Orange County Department of Education policy, or procedure, for any off-campus conduct during non-school hours, which poses a threat or danger to the safety of students, staff, or Orange County Department of Education property, or substantially disrupts school activities.

It is a different era, said Phil DAgostino, Newport-Mesa Unified School Districts director of student and community services.

Now were seeing a lot of activity that doesnt fall under that door-to-door behavior, he said. The pressure on educators to be in a parental role has never been more serious or demanding.

Administrators now feel obligated to investigate whenever reports come to them about online bullying or shaming, threats of violence or inappropriate sexual messaging. Those investigations can lead to schools taking disciplinary measures, or to counseling services referrals. Sometimes information is shared with law enforcement.

If there is a connection between the normal operation of a school and what happens outside of school, the law obligates administrators to take action, DAgostino said.

The changing landscape has also forced schools to take a more proactive role, spending greater amounts of time and resources on education campaigns that inform students and parents about everything from how to reduce cyber bullying and harassment to depression and suicide.

These problems are exacerbated, DAgostino said, because students are being given cell phones at younger and younger ages, often without appropriate guardrails.

On the internet, most bullying occurs when theres no supervision, he said.

We dont want to be the policemen of the internet, he said, but if more parents were informed and vigilant, schools would have less cause to fill that role.

But the reality is that schools are increasingly expected to do more when it comes to creating a safe and secure environment, both in school and out, and that pressure will only increase.

Thats not to suggest that we let schools off the hook. Instead, parents and other community members must look to how we can best partner with and support school leaders as they try to navigate through these turbulent and dangerous times.

Patrice Apodaca is a former Newport-Mesa public school parent and former Los Angeles Times staff writer. She lives in Newport Beach.High winds reaching 47 mph blew through La Canada Flintridge and neighboring foothill communities early Monday morning, downing trees, damaging properties and causing more than 3,800 businesses and households to be without power for most of the day, officials reported.

La Canada High School lost power shortly before noon, but students remained on campus throughout the school day, administrators said. Meanwhile, La Canada City Hall was without Internet service as Public Works employees worked to assess damages in town.

Southern California Edison spokeswoman Mary Ann Milbourn said crews were responding to five outages in La Canada affecting a total of 3,821 customers.

Weve had so many outages today across our territory, its becoming a blur, the spokeswoman said, adding that 69,000 SCE customers were without power.

Though Milbourn could not say when power would be restored, she assured local residents linesmen were steadily being dispatched throughout Los Angeles County, where the National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory until 3 p.m. Tuesday.

According to reports from weather service Weather Underground, La Canada Flintridge reached peak wind speeds of 47 mph at 6:53 a.m. Paired with a relatively low humidity of 9%, the Santa Ana gusts present an extra fire risk.

A red flag warning issued by the National Weather Service is expected to be in effect until 8 p.m. Tuesday, indicating an extreme fire danger for northern parts of L.A. County, including La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose and Pasadena.

While word spread Monday that Edison could invoke a public safety power outage in communities from Santa Clarita to Pasadena to minimize fire risk, Milbourn said that option was not likely.

Weve had two in the last 10 years, and both were in Idyllwild, she said of the unincorporated mountain town in Riverside County. It really is a last resort.

Patrick DeChellis, La Canada Flintridges director of public works, said in an email a staffer from his department had been dispatched to survey infrastructure throughout the community for damage, which will be reported as it becomes available. A list of private property damages is being compiled by the citys planning department, DeChellis said.

According to La Canada High School 7/8 Principal Jarrett Gold, parents were notified of the outage on campus but were informed classes would not be dismissed.

Still no power, Gold wrote at 1:40 p.m., in response to a reporters email, but we are powering through it. Staff is still teaching and students are in good spirits.

sara.cardine@latimes.com

Twitter: @SaraCardineThis year, Halloween in Las Vegas will see the debut of zombie-filled Dead City Vegas and the demise of the 15-year Fright Dome.

Across the city, expect to find costumed characters lurking in darkened corridors eager to make you squirm and scream.

A new character named Billy joins the haunts at Saw Escape Room Las Vegas, an attraction based on the popular Saw horror films. (Egan Escape Productions)

You wont find the Fright Dome among the choices this year. For 15 years, it was a wildly popular attraction that took over Adventuredome at Circus Circus.

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However, Halloween impresario Jason Egan and officials at MGM Resorts couldnt agree on terms for 2018, so Fright Dome vanished.

The Saw Escape Room Las Vegas is designed to look like a meatpacking plant. (Egan Escape Productions)

Egans Halloween creativity is still on display at the year-round attraction, Saw Escape Room Las Vegas, based on the Saw horror films.

In this immersive attraction, visitors will find themselves in a meatpacking plant after hours and have to solve puzzles created by the movies infamous Jigsaw Killer before they can go free.

The escape room is open Wednesdays through Sundays. Admission costs $49.99. Guests younger than 18 need to present a waiver signed by their parents or guardians; not recommended for children 16 and younger. Info: Saw Escape Room Las Vegas, (702) 625-8716

Visitors queue to enter Coven of 13, one of three haunted houses collectively called the Trilogy of Terror. (Freakling Bros.)

One of the best of the haunted house attractions in Las Vegas is Trilogy of Terror from Freakling Bros.

This years themes are Castle Vampyre, Coven of 13 and Gates of Hell. Billed as the only R-rated haunted house in Nevada, Gates of Hell requires guests to be at least 17 years old. (Teens 13 to 16 years old may enter if accompanied by an adult.)

The frights will be doled out nightly through Oct. 31. Tickets are only available at the door and cost $15-$17 per house or $39 for all three.

Info: Trilogy of Terror

A zombie looks for victims at Dead City Vegas, a new Halloween attraction for 2018. (Apocalypse Vegas)

The new Dead City Vegas bills itself as The Only Haunted House Where You Can Fight Back. Zombies roam through the darkened maze looking for you. Your only hope is to grab hidden airsoft guns to combat the undead. The guns, used by gamers, only fire blanks.

The experience is open Thursdays to Sundays through Oct. 28. Tickets cost $29.99 and can be purchased on the website.

Info: Dead City Vegas, (855) 219-4479.

Come in costume to the free Rock of Horror in downtown Las Vegas. (Fremont Street Experience)

The downtown Fremont Street Experience will transform itself into Rock of Horror, which a news release describes as a mischievous haunt, from Oct. 26 to 31.

Designed with grown-ups in mind, there will be roaming, costumed actors; flash mobs and a pop-up haunted house. Visitors are encouraged to come in costume and prizes will be awarded.

Rock of Horror will feature live musical and theatrical productions.

Admission is free.

Info: Rock of Horror

The El Cortez Hotel & Casino opened a block east of the Las Vegas Strip in 1941. (El Cortez Hotel & Casino)

When downtown, consider dropping by the El Cortez, which has been around for more than seven decades. There are no guarantees, but if you believe in hauntings and ghosts, this may be a place to check out.

Serious ghost hunters might want to check in to Room 2258 in the hotels old wing. Thats where supposed supernatural experiences involving gangster Fat Irish Green have been reported. Green was given free room and board by his boss, mob kingpin Benjamin Bugsy Siegel, who once owned the place.

Adding to the creepiness, the cremated remains of former hotel workers are kept in the hotels basement. Longtime El Cortez owner Jackie Gaughan would cover the cost of an employees funeral. If no one came to claim the ashes, he would store them in the basement. The hotel manager says some workers still refuse to go down there (the basement is off limits to the public).

Info: El Cortez Hotel & Casino, (800) 634-6703

ALSO

Armenia is emerging as a hiking destination. Its not quite there, but oh, the views

Tax troubles may mean passport troubles. How a law can trip up your trip abroad

In London, small rooms, big savings and lots of luxury

travel@latimes.com

@latimestravelA U.S. serviceman was killed in Ukraine on Tuesday when a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 fighter jet crashed during large-scale training exercises in the embattled former Soviet republic.

The Ukrainian military issued a statement that said both pilots  one Ukrainian, one American  were killed when the jet crashed in the Vinnytsia region, about 140 miles southwest of Kiev, Ukraines capital.

We are sad to report that according to the search-and-rescue group, the bodies of two pilots were found, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense said in a statement posted to its website.

The pilots were taking part in a training and combat flight as part of multinational military exercises with the United States and seven other NATO countries. The exercises, called Clear Sky 2018, include members of the Californias National Guards Fresno-based 144th Fighter Wing group, according to a Facebook post. The post showed F-15C Eagle fighter jets arriving in western Ukraine a week ago.

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The U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, which is overseeing the American component of the training session, said it was still investigating the crash.

We have seen reports claiming a U.S. casualty and can confirm a U.S. service member was involved in this incident, it said in a statement posted to its website. It is currently under investigation and we will continue to provide more information as it becomes available.

The United States and some of its European allies have been conducting military training exercises in Ukraine since 2015 in support of the countrys ongoing war with Russian-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country. This was the first combat air training between U.S. and Ukrainian forces since those exercises began.

Armed rebel groups backed by Moscow took over large swaths of Ukraines industrialized eastern regions in 2014 just weeks after Moscow annexed Crimea. Ukrainian forces were ill-prepared to battle the Russian-backed separatist forces, which created a self-declared republic now heavily financed by the Kremlin.

Despite a ceasefire, daily casualties continue to mount on both sides. More than 10,000 people have been killed, mostly civilians, and more than 1.2 million people have been displaced as a result of the conflict.

The United States blames Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, for continuing to support the rebel forces and not doing enough to end the bloody conflict, now in its fourth year.

The military exercises have infuriated the Kremlin, which sees them as Western powers fermenting the war between Russian-backed rebel fighters and Ukrainian national troops.

The United States this year began sending Javelin antitank missile systems to Ukraine, angering Moscow. Washington fiercely debated whether to send the lethal weapons to Ukraine for months, with the Trump administration initially reluctant to make the decision. The first Javelins arrived in April.

sabra.ayres@latimes.com

Twitter: @sabraayres

Ayres is a special correspondent.Stock Market News

US Economic Data - US Treasury yields move higher ahead of fresh economic data 16-10-2018 03:00



Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.ukJazzebres mascot

Photo: Tony Dudley-Evans



Jazzebre Festival

(Perpignan, France, 12-14 October 2018. Report and pictures by Tony Dudley-Evans)

I have come to regard the French jazz scene as one of the most interesting and varied in Europe, so I was delighted to receive an invitation to the Jazzebre Festival in Perpignan, which is right down in the South East of France near the Spanish border. Its so close, in fact, that I flew into and was picked up in Girona in Catalunya.

Jazzebre was this year celebrating its 30th anniversary; it runs for a whole month, this year from 22 September to 21 October with mostly weekend concerts all programmed by the festivals very astute artistic director Yann Causse. The name is taken from the zebra and the main stage has on it a model of a zebra. I did not find out why!

Artistic director Yann Causse

Photo: Tony Dudley-Evans

My highlights were two bands with something of a regional focus. The Florent Pujuila Quartet is led by Florent Pujuila, mostly on bass clarinet, but also soprano saxophone and clarinet. Hes from the region and is probably best known as a classical player, but he is also a fine jazz composer and soloist. The rest of the quartet has three members of the current Orchestre National de Jazz: trumpeter Fabrice Martinez, bass player Bruno Chevillon and drummer Eric Echampard. I enjoyed Pujuilas intricate and varied compositions, and, in particular, the interestingly complex writing for the rhythm instruments. Solos from Pujuila and Martinez were engaging, and this, plus the writing, made for an absorbing and stimulating set.

The second group to impress was the oddly named Ostaar Klake Quintet. Their set moved between atmospheric pieces full of interesting textures and more energetic tunes that seemed to draw inspiration from the work of Pharoah Sanders and the Art Ensemble of Chicago. The players are all based in the South East, particularly in Toulouse, and are led by the bass player Lina Lamont, but the main inspiration seems to be baritone saxophonist Marc Demereau, a veteran of the Toulouse scene. I particularly enjoyed the passages with a double baritone sax frontline when Demereau was joined by fellow saxophonist Florian Nastorg (he also played alto); this resulted in a very special and distinctive sound. I was also impressed by the way the quintet was happy to focus in the quieter tunes on the sounds and textures of the music rather than having to build up to a climax. There were, however, plenty of climaxes on the full-on pieces and lots of drama.

Louis Sclavis played from his Characters On A Wall material, with each piece inspired by a particular artwork which Sclavis described in words before playing the piece. The writing is very beautiful, but somehow the quartet with Benjamin Moussay on piano, Sarah Murcia on bass and Christophe Lavergne on drums seemed rather subdued for much of the set, only coming to life on the last three numbers.

Papanosh were there with their project involving New Yorker Roy Nathanson and beat boxer Napoleon Maddox. There was lots of humour and fun in the music, but the set did not really cohere. It moved constantly from one focus to another and never settled. I suspect the band found the formality of the large hall and the lack of response from the audience a bit daunting.

Artist-in-residence Christophe Monniot

Photo: Tony Dudley-Evans

Alto saxophonist Christophe Monniot has been artist-in-residence this year, working on a repeat performance of his major commission, the Jericho Sinfonia. The piece is inspired by the Bible story of the collapse of the walls of Jericho as a result of the playing of trumpets round the walls, and the piece includes extensive use of recordings of experts and others discussing the story and the possibility that it could be true. I found this very difficult to follow in French and even those who could follow it agreed that these sections made the whole piece rather disjointed and certainly very long. Nonetheless, the writing for the 11-piece ensemble was strong and dramatic, and the integration of the very strong solos from most members of the group into the writing was very effective. Monniots own solos on alto sax were particularly strong and dramatic.

Monniot had also worked with a group of students from the jazz course in the citys conservatoire, and they played one of the sections of the commissioned piece. They did this with great conviction and impressive soloing.

Andre Invielle played a solo set based on song, percussion and a limited use of electronic sounds. His performance is based largely on word play and from the reaction of the audience it is clearly very witty. Im afraid my French again was not up to it.

Sadly the jazz picnic scheduled for the Sunday had to be cancelled because of heavy rain.

Employees are the beating heart of every business. Without them, no business would be a success. Look at Amazon, for example. The idea came from Bezos, but without the willingness of his early employees and his current ones, the business would never have grown to the size its at right now. Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, and countless other global brands are a testament to how important it is to hireWashington : Saudi Arabia is preparing a report in which it is likely to admit that dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, missing since October 2, died during an interrogation at its consulate in Istanbul, according to a media report. Khashoggi, 60, is feared to have been killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The incident has resulted in a global outrage, more so in the US as he lived here as a legal permanent resident and worked for 'The Washington Post'.

Khashoggi, a US resident, vanished on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Turkish authorities suspect he was abducted and murdered by the Saudis. But Riyadh insists that the journalist, a known critic of Saudi King Salman, had left the building and that murder claims are "baseless". US lawmakers have been demanding scrapping of the USD 110 billion mega defence deal with Riyadh, whereas heads of several companies, CEOs, newspapers have announced not to attend an upcoming finance conference in Saudi Arabia.

President Donald Trump on Monday talked to the Saudi King, during which the latter flatly denied having any knowledge of the missing journalist. Officially Saudi Arabia has insisted that the journalist left its consulate, but so far has not been able to give any proof of it. Trump, who has warned Saudi Arabia of severe consequences, has dispatched his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for talks with the Saudi leader. Amidst global outrage, CNN on Monday reported that the Saudis were preparing a report that will acknowledge that Khashoggi's death was the result of an interrogation that went wrong. ptiRings, investment, dental fillings  gold is always in demand. But where does it actually come from? Our reporter has been to the Andes, where workers mine the metal, in terrible conditions, at more than 5,000 meters.

The road to the highest town on earth takes you through a rubbish dump. The waste is heaped up on either side of the road; the minibus proceeds at walking speed. This potholed track is the only access road to a town with an estimated 60,000 inhabitants, which exists for only one reason: gold. The sign at the entrance to the town says: La Rinconada. 5015 meters (16,453 feet) above sea level. After that, the road continues a little further uphill.

Forty-five-year-old Fidel Chipanas has grown accustomed to the altitude. The miner has been living here for nine years now in the hope of striking it rich. The worst thing up here isnt the cold or the hard work, its the stench, he says. Sewage runs right down the middle of the street. At least the frost keeps the stink down, says Chipanas.

Informal small-scale mining in Peru

Peru is the biggest gold producer in Latin America. With an annual output of 150 tonnes (165 tons), the Andean country is also the sixth-largest producer in the world. Informal small-scale mining may contribute only a small percentage of this, but tens of thousands of people earn their living from it. In Perus Amazonian regions, illegal gold prospectors pan for the precious metal in rivers. In the Andes, they dig mines in the mountains. Above them, perilously close, looms the glacier they call the Sleeping Beauty. They just hope she doesnt wake.

Places like La Rinconada should not in fact exist. The Peruvian government has been trying unsuccessfully for years to persuade the prospectors to go legal. People resist it, though, because they think they wont earn enough, says the engineer Jesus Alvarez Quispe from the Puno region Mining Ministry. He has six colleagues to help him monitor 80,000 gold miners in southeastern Peru: A sheer impossibility, he says.

Exploitation of both people and nature

The idea that you can strike it rich in La Rinconada is just a legend. The miners work according to the so-called Cachorreo system. For 30 days in a row, they mine for one of the many subcontractors, without receiving a wage. Then, on the 31st day, theyre allowed to keep everything they find in the mine. Its a promise that lures in thousands of people. The problem is, though, that on the crucial day the men are usually sent to areas where theres nothing to find, says the miner Chipanas. NGOs describe it as modern slavery.

Theres also the extensive environmental pollution. Chipanas indicates the rock-grinding mills of the trapicheros, the men who separate gold from the lumps of rock via the amalgam process. One miner is handling mercury without wearing gloves. On this particular day, they get less than eight grams (.28 ounces) of gold out of 10 tonnes of rock. The mine yields less and less each year, says Chipanas. Theres also been a sharp drop in the price of gold in recent months. The tough struggle to survive here has got even tougher.

It takes days of hard work to get just 8 grams of gold from 10 tonnes of rock

La Rinconada doesnt benefit from the gold

The only company with a governmental license to mine in La Rinconada is called Corporacion Ananea. The firm is based in Juliaca, about a three-hour drive from the mines. No one there is prepared to give an interview. A secretary, who wants to remain anonymous, estimates that there are around 350 subcontractors supplying the company with gold. Theyre the ones who employ people according to the Cachorreo principle.

Vast riches are taken from the mine here every day without any of it benefiting our community, says Neciforo Quispe. Hes the deputy mayor of La Rinconada, and he feels let down by the government in Lima. Corporacion Ananea hasnt done anything for the town yet, either, he says. La Rinconada still has neither a sewage system nor garbage collection.

Environmental organizations warn that sewage and mercury may have been flowing into nearby Lake Titicaca for some time now. The lake is considered to be the cradle of Inca culture. A woman who grew up in La Rinconada says the rivers below the mines are already so polluted that the fishermen have had to abandon their trade.

The highest town in the world  and not an easy place to live

A lawless town

As if all this werent bad enough, La Rinconada is also one of the most dangerous places in Peru. The miners often steal from one another. You can buy guns all over town, says the policeman Jorge Pinto. His little, unheated police station is the last bastion of the Peruvian state; in other respects, it has long since given up on this place. Instead of law and order, the nightlife here is characterized by alcoholism and prostitution, says Pinto: Anyone whos found gold takes the proceeds straight to the nearest bar.

How do people live here? Fidel Chipanas says hell keep on working until hes found enough to pay for a decent education for his son. You can find several grams of gold in a single lump of rock, he says, chewing coca leaves.

Thats what everyone here is hoping for. But the majority of prospectors leave La Rinconada as poor as they were when they arrived.Tec Stocks Sector Set For A Rebound?

There has been quite a bit of chatter about the FANG stocks recently. In fact, the entire Technology Sector has taken a beating over the past 30+ days. Our research team, at Technical Traders Ltd., believes the Technology sector is setting up for a 15%+ price rebound from these recent lows and we want to alert our followers to be prepared for this move.

Lets start by taking a look at a 1 Month S&P Heat Map showing just how distressed certain sectors are in terms of price valuations. The Brighter Red highlighted symbols represent a price decrease of at least -6.7% to well above -10% over the past 30 days. It is pretty easy to see the entire Technology, Technology Services, Financial, and Consumer Goods sectors are all under some pricing pressure. What interests us is we call the capital shift that has been taking place over the past 4+ years.

We have authored research posts suggesting that a global capital shift has been taking place on the back of multiple global QE attempts to support the global economies. The premise of our theory is that capital is constantly seeking the safest locations to be deployed with the highest potential for returns. Prior to the US Fed raising interest rates over the past 14+ months, the US Real Estate market was a perfect example of this shift in capital. Additionally, over the past 3+ years, the US Technology sector has been another great example of this shift in capital. As the Emerging Market boob cycle went bust, capital went in search of better targets. As the Oil market went bust, resulting in currency pricing pressures, capital continued to search out the best, most stable, investments and growth opportunities. Our opinion is most of that capital found its way into the US stock market (into technology, biotech, finance, and healthcare).

We believe this capital shift is now under pressure across the globe to identify and execute for longer-term returns and we believe the recent price rotation in the US Equities markets may give this capital further incentive to redeploy into the US Equities market.

Capital MUST find suitable locations for growth, protection, and healthy longer-term returns. One cant simply keep moving billions of dollars of capital around to various investments every few weeks. Currency concerns are constantly a worry for global investors. Placing your capital into the wrong investment could result in a net loss because currency valuations may destroy your trading profits if you are not cautious. Global concerns regarding the Arab nations, oil production, Asia/China trade/economic issues and the never-ending European Union issues really only leave one location on the planet that is somewhat immune from extended risk  the US Equities market.

Our research team believes this recent price rotation will turn into an excellent buying opportunity for select sectors over the next 60+ days. The trick to being successful with this move is the proper timing of the trades. If you really want to know when is the best time to pull the trigger, then you really want to follow our research and consider joining our other member/subscribers because we provide them with much more detail than is included in these public posts. Still, we believe the charts are screaming at us to consider the longer term capital shift that is taking place and to understand the true nature of price  it always seeks out new highs or new lows and capital is always seeking the best returns in the safest environment (away from extreme risk).

Take a look at these charts.

First, the Weekly QQQ. The price channel is clear. The Support level is clear. The lows of February 2018 are the critical price levels that we want to be concerned with. The current price rotation falls to just below the lower YELLOW price channel and stalls. As long as our critical support level is not breached, the QQQ should set up an extended, yet volatile, price bottom before the end of this year and begin to rally back up toward the $190 price level.

This Weekly TECL chart shows a similar picture to the QQQ chart. The price channels are clear. The Support level is clear. The lows of February 2018 are still acting as deeper price lows that indicate we should consider these levels critical to see any major price reversal to the downside. Our critical support level is just below recent price lows, thus we should be expecting the price to stall near this level and the upside price target near $172 is close to $50 away. As long as this support holds and the price continues to hammer out a bottom near or below the $130 level, this rotation could play out for a very nice 20~30% upside price move.

We are not urging our followers to BUY anything just yet. Certainly, be aware of the potential for an upside move as this price bottom plays out over time. Use your own skills to find and execute proper trades or visit www.TheTechnicalTraders.com to learn our team of professionals can assist you.

Our proprietary price modeling systems will tell us exactly when and how to enter these trades and we want our followers to understand the type of rotation that we believe is currently playing out in the markets. We believe this recent move to the downside was the result of very mild volatility prior to this move, computerized trading models setting large sell orders near the 2715 price level on the S&P in preparation for just this type of move. Once the price reacted to the US Fed, general price rotation and selling pressure and fell below 2715, the sell programs kicked in and drove the price down to levels near support. So far, prices have not attempted to move much lower and that is a very good sign for the current trend channels and upside price trend. Watch how this plays out and get ready for some great trades over the next 6+ months.

Please take a moment to visit www.TheTechnicalTraders.com to see how we can help you find and execute better trades. Our team of researchers and technical traders follow these markets every day to try to find and understand the dynamics at play globally. Take a minute to read how we predicted this downward market move 3+ weeks before it happened with our predictive modeling systems. If you dont think it is possible to know what the markets are going to do weeks in advance, then take a minute to review our work and see for yourself how we predicted this move to the 2700 level in the S&P. Now, get ready for some great trades that will be setting up over the next 4+ months. Q3 and Q4 of 2018 are going to set up some really big opportunities for skilled traders.

Chris Vermeulen

www.TheTechnicalTraders.com

Chris Vermeulen has been involved in the markets since 1997 and is the founder of Technical Traders Ltd. He is an internationally recognized technical analyst, trader, and is the author of the book: 7 Steps to Win With Logic



Through years of research, trading and helping individual traders around the world. He learned that many traders have great trading ideas, but they lack one thing, they struggle to execute trades in a systematic way for consistent results. Chris helps educate traders with a three-hour video course that can change your trading results for the better.



His mission is to help his clients boost their trading performance while reducing market exposure and portfolio volatility.



He is a regular speaker on HoweStreet.com, and the FinancialSurvivorNetwork radio shows. Chris was also featured on the cover of AmalgaTrader Magazine, and contributes articles to several leading financial hubs like MarketOracle.co.uk

Disclaimer: Nothing in this report should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any securities mentioned. Technical Traders Ltd., its owners and the author of this report are not registered broker-dealers or financial advisors. Before investing in any securities, you should consult with your financial advisor and a registered broker-dealer. Never make an investment based solely on what you read in an online or printed report, including this report, especially if the investment involves a small, thinly-traded company that isnt well known. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report has been paid by Cardiff Energy Corp. In addition, the author owns shares of Cardiff Energy Corp. and would also benefit from volume and price appreciation of its stock. The information provided here within should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. The authors views and opinions regarding the companies featured in reports are his own views and are based on information that he has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content of this report, nor its fitness for any particular purpose. Lastly, the author does not guarantee that any of the companies mentioned in the reports will perform as expected, and any comparisons made to other companies may not be valid or come into effect.

Chris Vermeulen Archive

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.



This weekend, 19-21 October, sees a highlight of any radical activist's calendar: Revolution 2018  a three-day festival of Marxist ideas, hosted in London by Socialist Appeal and the International Marxist Tendency.

This annual gathering has become a key event for the revolutionary left. Hundreds are expected to attend this year's festival, with people coming from across Europe for a weekend of exciting discussions on history, philosophy, economics, and contemporary issues.

This year's event commemorates the revolutionary events of 1968  a year that saw massive movements and protests by workers and students across the world: from the civil rights movement in the USA, to the dramatic events of May '68 in France.

This year's event commemorates the revolutionary events of 1968  a year that saw massive movements and protests by workers and students across the world / Image: Jacek E. Giedrojc Gallery

50 years on, with the status quo collapsing all around us, these movements provide important and inspiring lessons for activists looking to organise, fight, and transform the world today.

For a full programme of talks, and to buy your ticket for this exciting Marxist festival, head to www.revolutionfestival.co.uk now!

19-21 October, Student Central, Malet Street London

Facebook event

Topics include:

Rosa Luxemburg and the 1918 German Revolution

The French Revolution of May 68

Martin Luther King and the black struggle

The Suffragettes and the fight for equality: a century of struggle

The Vietnam War

How do we fight the far right?

Artificial intelligence and nature of consciousness

The first 100 days in power: what should Corbyn do?

From barter to Bitcoin: what is money?

From abortion rights to feminist strikes

Trade wars  what are they good for?

The 2008 crash to now  a decade of crisis

Dialectics: from Hegel to Marx

The crisis of liberalism

Freedom and slavery: the birth of capitalism

Oliver Cromwell and the English Revolution

James Connolly and the struggle for Irish independence

Speakers include:

Alan Woods  author of Reason in Revolt

Rob Sewell  author of Germany: from Revolution to Counter-Revolution

Marie Frederiksen  author of Reclaiming Rosa Luxembourg: a true revolutionary

Steve Hedley  senior assistant general secretary of the RMT union

Fred Weston  editor of In Defence of Marxism

Adam Booth  author of Understanding Marx's Capital

Daniel Morley  regular writer for www.socialist.net

Natasha Sorrell  NEU activist

Full programme and timings are available on the Revolution Festival website.

E-mail contact@socialist.net for more information or to book your place.

Please note: accommodation is available on a first come, first served basis. This will be provided in hostels and on spare beds, sofas, and extra mattresses, on the basis of needs. If you require accommodation, please add an accommodation ticket (or two) to your order, available for 5 per ticket (one ticket = one night of accommodation).

If you have space available to accommodate other attendees, please contact james@socialist.net.

We also ask that all those attending from London add an additional 10 donation to their order. This is to help subsidise the extra costs involved for those travelling from further afield.Ted Sprague explains how the mighty Indonesian Communist Party was defeated and destroyed in 1965 by Suharto's forces of reaction, resulting in the murder of millions of communists and their sympathisers. This historical tragedy, the consequence of the political and theoretical errors of the Communist Party's Stalinist leadership, is rich with lessons for Marxists today.

In the dead of night on 30 September 1965, a small group of middle-rank officers quietly moved through the streets of Jakarta and kidnapped six army generals. The generals were brought to a swampy region on the outskirts of Jakarta, known as Lubang Buaya (Crocodile Hole), and executed, with their bodies dumped into wells. In the morning, the group of officers took over the national radio station. The nation was greeted by a radio broadcast from these officers who proclaimed themselves as the 30 September Movement (Gerakan 30 September or G30S), announcing that they had thwarted a planned coup by the six army generals and thereafter formed a revolutionary council.

Within the next few hours, Major General Suharto and his troops arrested these mutinous officers and put the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI, which the US State Department estimated had 2 million members at the time) at the centre of the G30S as a pretext to crush it. What happened next has come to define the national consciousness of the Indonesian people: the rise of Suharto and his New Order regime on top of the bones of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of PKI members and sympathisers.

On the day after the G30S, President Sukarno tried to downplay the significance of this event by saying that it was nothing more than a ripple in the wide ocean of the Indonesian Revolution. Unbeknownst to him, this ripple quickly turned into a wave that drenched the whole nation in blood and changed the course of not only Indonesian, but also world history.

The 30 September Movement was exploited as an excuse to liquidate the PKI / Image: public domain

It is impossible to understand the defeat of the PKI without looking at its history, for the partys defeat lies not in the genius of Suhartos manoeuvre and the brutality of the army, but in the PKIs policies of class struggle: or to be more precise, the lack thereof. The fall of the PKI was prepared not by its enemies, but by its leaders. The G30S was that trigger, but that was only a matter of necessity expressing itself through accident. As we shall see, even the road to this event was paved by the mistakes committed by the leadership of the PKI in the previous period.

Indonesia and the Cold War

At the height of the Cold War, the thought of Indonesia going communist kept many bourgeois strategists awake at night. The U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia in 1965, Marshall Green, opined that here was what is now the fourth largest nation in the world [by population] it was about to go communist, and almost did. [1]

A CIA report, prepared in early September 1965, made the case that Sukarnos Indonesia already acts in important respects like a Communist state and is more openly hostile to the U.S. than most Communist nations. [2] The report warned that the Indonesian government would become completely dominated by the PKI within two or three years, and that in the short term, Indonesias formal accession to communism would have a heavy impact on world politics. It would be seen as a major change in the international balance of political forces and would inject new life into the thesis that communism is the wave of the future. The defeat of the PKI was therefore not just a defeat for the forces of communism in Indonesia, but also for the whole worlds revolutionary movement.

Within the Domino Theory, Indonesia was considered to be the largest and most strategically placed piece in Southeast Asia. Its importance was highlighted by Richard Nixons speech in 1965, justifying the bombing of North Vietnam as a way to safeguard Indonesias immense mineral potential. Robert McNamara, the secretary of defense during the Vietnam War, wrote in his memoir that the demise of the PKI should have signalled the U.S. to de-escalate its military involvement in Vietnam. [3] George F. Kennan, the architect of the policy of containment of Soviet expansion, argued at Senate hearings on 10 February 1966 that there had been an enormous reverse in Indonesia: fewer dominoes now existed, and they seemed much less likely to fall. [4] But the Vietnam War had developed its own logic. As President Lyndon B. Johnson, who oversaw the escalation of the Vietnam War, himself admitted, I don't think it's worth fighting for and I don't think we can get out. And it's just the biggest damn mess that I ever saw. [5]

The U.S. overplayed its hand in the Vietnam War and was alarmed at the idea of Indonesia (the fourth-most-populous nation on earth) "going communist" / Image: public domain

The Vietnam War had strayed from the Domino Theory and become more about preserving the image of the U.S. government, which could not be seen as losing a war it had invested so much into. In a memorandum, John McNaughton, assistant secretary of defence, said that US war aims in Vietnam were 70% to avoid a humiliating US defeat, 20% to keep SVN (and then adjacent) territory from Chinese hands and only 10% to permit the people of SVN [South Vietnam] to enjoy a better, freer way of life. [6] The U.S. overplayed its hand in the Vietnam War, and almost sparked a revolution at home as anti-war sentiment quickly acquired an increasingly radical tone.

Indonesia was also of importance to the new structure of post-war, global capitalism because of its abundance of natural resources. After the end of World War II, U.S. strategists developed a grand design, whereby Indonesia would be under Japans economic sphere of influence. Cheap access to Indonesias vast mineral and natural resources was expected to support Japans industrialisation, which the U.S. believed would be crucial to keep Japan safely in its camp and under its control. George Kennan, the arch-realist of the post-war U.S. empire, summed up U.S. policy of domination in Asia quite succinctly at a 1949 meeting of the Policy Planning Staff which he headed:

You have the terrific problem of how the Japanese are going to get along unless they re-open some sort of empire to the south [read Southeast Asia]... If we really in the Western world could work out controls... foolproof enough and cleverly enough exercised really to have power over what Japan imports in the way of oil and other things... we could have veto power over what she does. [7]

As can be gleaned from Indonesias export statistics post-1965, Japan became the main export destination of Indonesian products, from around 3-7 percent export share in 1958-1962 to around 50 percent in the 1970s and 80s. [8] It was also reflected in Japanese direct foreign investment in Indonesia, making up 33 percent of the cumulative total in the period of 1969-1984. [9] This in turn translated into the dependency of Indonesian capitalists on their Japanese overlords. What Emperor Hirohito could not accomplish militarily in 1942-1945 during Japans occupation of Indonesia had now been accomplished economically, though Japanese imperialism had to be content being under the thumb of U.S. imperialism, which had veto power of what she does.

Sukarno, the Bonapartist

The colonial revolutions that were sweeping the whole world after the end of World War II put a hold on the imperialist grand design of re-dividing the spoils of war. The Allied forces thought Indonesia would easily fall back into their laps after they defeated Japan, which wrested control of Indonesia from the Dutch in 1942. But they were faced with a mass uprising of the oppressed, whose national consciousness had been aroused. At the head of this nationalist movement were bourgeois nationalist leaders like Sukarno and Hatta, though we shall see later that reluctance, vacillation, and indecisiveness coloured their policy every step of the way.

With the physical annihilation of the PKI in 1927 by the Dutch colonial government (read The First Period of the Indonesian Communist Party: 1914-1926), the leadership of the national liberation struggle was occupied by the emerging national bourgeoisie. After a period of semi-reaction following the defeat of the PKI, the Indonesian nationalist movement gained momentum in 1942, when three-and-a-half centuries of Dutch colonisation were ended by the arrival of Japanese forces. But the type of nationalism that emerged was a bourgeois nationalism that was strictly controlled by Japan within the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, with its slogan: Asia for the Asians. The Japanese took under their wing prominent nationalist leaders, amongst whom Sukarno and Hatta, in order to gain support from the Indonesian masses for their war machine and to help defend their conquered territories from the Allied forces. In the meantime, other leaders who showed pro-socialist leanings were ruthlessly crushed.

From early on, it was clear that Indonesias bourgeois nationalist leaders were ready to collaborate and bargain with this or that imperialist depending on the direction of the wind. The kind of nationalist leaders that were being groomed by the Japanese showed their true colours when the decisive moment came. Even after Japan surrendered unconditionally on 15 August 1945, Sukarno and Hatta were afraid to proclaim Indonesian independence without first consulting their defeated master. In essence, they did not have faith in the masses.

When confronted by a group of militant youth who were pressing them to proclaim Indonesian independence, Sukarno refused and replied:

Your handful is not enough against the armed might and total preparedness of the Japanese army. What can you show me? What is your actual strength? What are your security measures for our women and children? How do you propose to defend this freedom once you claim it? [10]

All these questions were answered decisively by the Indonesian masses in the next four years of their war for independence, which claimed the lives of more than 200,000 Indonesian fighters. The people were ready to fight for their freedom and proved willing and able to defend this freedom once they claimed it. But this war could have been shorter and less bloody had the people had a decisive leadership. Instead, they were led by individuals who were always unsure of themselves, thus trying at every step of the way to make concessions to the imperialists.

The incomplete national-democratic revolution resulted in an ongoing social crisis, which gave rise to the Bonapartist Sukarno / Image: public domain

At the end of the independence war, Sukarno had sold out the whole of Indonesia by agreeing to return all Dutch companies agricultural lands and mines, and pay war reparations to the sum of 4.3 billion guilders. Indonesia gained formal independence, but its economy was completely subordinated to imperialist interests. The national revolution was betrayed, but it had yet to lose its momentum. The incomplete tasks of the national-democratic revolution  the establishment of a democratic parliament, agrarian reform (especially crucial in a peasant-dominated country like Indonesia) and a fully sovereign nation-state  resulted in an ongoing social crisis, which opened the next chapter of Indonesian revolution. It is in this context that the Bonapartist Sukarno arose.

Bonapartism is a phenomenon that arises out of a social crisis, when the class struggle has been fought to a stalemate and neither of the contending classes is able to decisively take power and ensure stability. On the one hand, the proletariat has waged a mass revolutionary movement that shakes the whole society from top to bottom, but find itself unable to bring the movement to its final conclusion: the revolutionary conquest of power. On the other, the bourgeoisie is too weak to defeat the proletariat and bring order to a society ripped apart by intense class struggle. Under these conditions, the state can rise above society, appearing as an independent, national arbiter to bring about stability, although it is still a class state: in the service of one class against another. A Bonapartist regime then emerges, with a strongman at the top. Engels in his Origin of Family, Private Property, and the State explained the nature of Bonapartism:

Exceptional periods, however, occur when the warring classes are so nearly equal in forces that the state power, as apparent mediator, acquires for the moment a certain independence in relation to both. This applies to the absolute monarchy of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, which balances the nobility and the bourgeoisie against one another; and to the Bonapartism of the First and particularly of the Second French Empire, which played off the proletariat against the bourgeoisie and the bourgeoisie against the proletariat. The latest achievement in this line, in which ruler and ruled look equally comic, is the new German Empire of the Bismarckian nation; here the capitalists and the workers are balanced against one another and both of them fleeced for the benefit of the decayed Prussian cabbage Junkers. [11]

Such was the situation in Indonesia after the Second World War. While the Sukarno-Hatta government managed to beat back the revolutionary movement, marked by the annihilation of PKI forces in the 1948 Madiun affair and the following crackdown on all revolutionary opposition forces, the national bourgeoisie was too weak to establish a stable regime, precisely because of their betrayal of the national idependence revolution on 17 August 1945 and the subsequent war of independence from 1945 to 1949, a period known as the August Revolution. Constitutional crises followed one after another. Cabinets were put together only to be dismantled immediately. From 1949 to 1959, there were 10 different cabinets. It took six years after the end of the independence war for the government to hold an election, which was to be the only election under Sukarnos 20-year presidency from 1945-1965. The result was certainly not stability. No political party received more than a quarter of the votes  not even Sukarnos party: the Indonesian National Party. The uncertain situation resulted in a series of short-lived coalition governments. Ongoing political instability finally led Sukarno to scrap the 1950 Constitution, dissolving the Constitutional Assembly that had become rife with political deadlocks due to its inability to formulate a new constitution, and to declare in 1959 a regime of Guided Democracy. In the chaos of constitutional crisis, parliamentary deadlocks, and the constant coming and going of cabinets, an immovable pivot had to be designated around which everything revolved: a role filled by Sukarno.

The so-called Guided Democracy was an attempt by Sukarno to solve the political deadlocks and instability that was resulting from them. Blaming these deadlocks on the western values of liberalism and parliamentarism, that did not fit with the Indonesian character, Sukarno argued the solution lay in the so-called Indonesian values of musyawarah and mufakat (consensus building), under the guidance of village elders. Presidential power  and in general the executive power of the government  was strengthened at the expense of the parliament (the legislative power). Of course the village elder, in essence the Bonapartist, would be Sukarno himself. Sukarno even hinted that, under Guided Democracy, there would be no need for multiple political parties, but he was forced to retreat on that idea in the face of protests from the PKI and other mass political parties.

The so-called Guided Democracy was an attempt by Sukarno to solve the political deadlocks and instability that was resulting from them / Image: public domain

With Guided Democracy, the state was acquiring independence from the society, from the very class that it was based on: the bourgeoisie. Power concentrated not only in the person of Sukarno, but also in the bourgeois state as a whole. As observed by Rex Mortimer, a renowned historian of Indonesian communism:

Guided Democracy brought with it substantial augmentation of bureaucratic power... and produced a rapid and marked reversion to centralizing tendencies in government... The decline in the importance of the political parties as channels for the articulation and bargaining of social interests further enlarged the role of the bureaucracy; ceasing to be subject to any weighty outside pressures and controls, it arrogated to itself many of the political functions of interest representation and decision-making... [The Guided Democracy strengthened] pro-leadership sentiment which served the cause of the pamong pradja [aristocratic civil servants drawn from the priyayi or upper class], the administrative corps which combined with itself the cultural ethos of ancient Javanese aristocratic rule and the bureaucratic technique introduced by the Dutch... the pamong pradja now found its power confirmed and strengthened. [12]

Together with the Guided Democracy came Sukarnos Political Manifesto (Manipol), which laid down the general guidelines for the development of Indonesias economy and other spheres. The Political Manifesto was revolutionary-sounding on the surface, but in reality it was hollow. It proclaimed as its goal the establishment of a socialist society. But before this could be achieved, the country had to complete its national revolution. This was almost a carbon copy of the Stalinist two-stage theory, of which D.N. Aidit, the PKI chairman, approved wholeheartedly:

Both [politics and national defence] have to follow the general strategy of Indonesian Revolution that is outlined in Manipol, which says that today the Indonesian people have to complete their national democratic revolution as a foundation to then enter the second phase or stage of Indonesian Revolution that is socialistic. [13]

However, the Manipol turned out to be just another revolutionary phrase-mongering statement from Sukarno the Bonapartist, written in a vague-enough fashion to be accepted by everyone  including the anti-communist, pro-U.S. high command of the Indonesian armed forces  and could be interpreted however one wished. This ambiguous formulation and programme papered over the contradictions in society, only to prepare for a bigger conflagration: that of 1965. Mortimer highlights the vagueness of Manipol:

The generality of this program, and the vagueness of provisions relating to such contentious issues as the roles of foreign capital and private enterprise, ensured that it was acceptable to the varied groups associated with the regime. The rejection of liberalism in favor of an interventionist role by the state was clear; but there was still ample room for interpretations to fit the interest of all the parties and factions that, in the characteristic Sukarno fashion, had been involved in the formulation of the program and were therefore committed to whatever it should prove to mean in official terms. [14] [My emphasis]

Indeed, in the characteristic Sukarno fashion, he was balancing different social forces and antagonistic interests. In the last analysis, he sought to channel the revolutionary aspirations of the workers and peasants, mainly through a slew of bombastic statements and revolutionary-sounding policies, while at the same time placating the capitalists and the landlords by promising that nothing fundamental would be done to disturb their economic interests. Hence, his constant insistence that the revolution was not socialist in character, but only national  an idea that the PKI also espoused.

But a Bonapartist regime is a not a regime of stability. It is in essence a regime wrought with unsolvable contradictions. Even though Sukarno gained cult status  attaining an almost mythical status amongst the people  this mostly likely only deluded him, and also the PKI leaders, into believing that he had firm grip on the situation. In fact, he led a government of crisis. A resolution to the crisis had to be found: the victory of revolution or the victory of reaction. History demanded another Bonapartist leader who could bring a resolution in favour of reaction: to finish the job that Sukarno had started but was never quite able to finish. For this role, General Suharto stepped in: unlike his predecessor, a man of few words, but swift and decisive in action.

Popular front with the bourgeoisie

One part of the equation that allowed for Bonapartism to develop in Indonesia was the inability of the proletariat to bring the white-hot class struggle to its conclusion: dictatorship of the proletariat. The leadership of the PKI was largely responsible for this failure. Through its popular front with the bourgeoisie it had rendered the working class ill-equipped to win the revolution, and thus paved the way for the 1965 reaction.

The idea of the popular front  and with it the two-stage theory  is repeated in many of Aidits works. It was particularly elaborated in the PKIs main political perspective document, Indonesian Society and the Indonesian Revolution, which dictated the partys strategy and tactics until its demise in 1965. The document reads:

The Indonesian national bourgeoisie class remains extremely weak in political, economic and cultural affairs [It] displays two features. As a class that is also suppressed by imperialism and whose development is also stifled by feudalism, this class is anti-imperialist and anti-feudal, and in this respect it is one of the revolutionary forces. But on the other hand, this class does not have the courage fundamentally to fight imperialism and feudalism because economically and politically it is weak and it has class ties with imperialism and feudalism. The dual character of the national bourgeoisie is the reason why we have two sets of experiences with them, that is, at certain limits, this class can take part in the revolution against imperialism, against the compradors and against the landlords (for example during the August Revolution), but at other periods they trail behind the comprador bourgeoisie and become their ally in the counter-revolutionary camp (for example, during the Madiun Affair in 1948 and during the August Mass Arrest in 1951)... In such specific circumstances, the Indonesian proletariat must build unity with the national bourgeoisie and preserve this unity with all its strength... Because of the weakness of the Indonesian national bourgeoisie economically and politically, under certain historical circumstances, the national bourgeoisie which is by nature wavering, can vacillate and betray. In facing the wavering characteristics of the Indonesian national bourgeoisie attention should be paid to the fact that it is precisely because it is politically and economically weak that is not very difficult to pull this class to the left to make it stand firmly on the side of the revolution so long as the progressive forces are large and the tactics of the Communist Party correct. This means that the wavering nature of this class is not fatal, it is not insurmountable. But on the other hand, if the progressive forces are not large and the tactics of the Communist Party not correct, than this economically and politically weak national bourgeoisie can easily run to the right and become hostile to the revolution. [15]

There you have it. The national bourgeoisie are weak in political, economic and cultural affairs, have been suppressed by imperialism and stifled by feudalism and lack the courage fundamentally [!] to fight imperialism and feudalism, meaning they can vacillate and betray. To this we agree. Aidit was also correct to point to the reason why this class was weak and cowardly in nature: because economically and politically it is weak and it has class ties with imperialism and feudalism.

But from this correct appraisal of the fundamental nature of the national bourgeoisie, he somehow found a way to make an intellectual somersault to a wrong conclusion: that it was therefore the task of the Communist Party to build unity with the national bourgeoisie and preserve this unity with all its strength and pull this class to the left to make it stand firmly on the side of the revolution. According to this formulation: what was needed were correct tactics on the part of the Communist Party, which meant not scaring away the bourgeoisie with talk of socialism, class struggle, and dictatorship of the proletariat. In effect, this meant a policy of class collaboration and the subordination of class struggle to a national struggle. We are reminded of Plekhanov and the Mensheviks, who were chastising Lenin and the Bolsheviks for scaring away the liberals.

PKI chairman, D.N. Aidit's embrace of two-stage theory and popular frontism prepared the party for disaster / Image: public domain

Aidit then proceeded to list a number of historical events that showed the vacillation and betrayal of the national bourgeoisie, such as the Madiun Affair in 1948, when the Sukarno-Hatta government sent their army to crush the PKI for their opposition to the concessionist policy of Sukarno-Hatta to the Dutch. It was not just the PKI forces that were crushed by the armed forces. The government also made sure to crack down on other revolutionaries who fought valiantly against the Allied powers and also against nationalist leaders who sought to capitulate to the imperialist powers and return all Dutch assets, which practically meant subordinating Indonesia economically to the Dutch.

As if to cleanse the bourgeoisie of their sins, Aidit then tried to list the success stories of the national capitalists. But those success stories were few to begin with, and thus he was only able to list one: the August Revolution, in which the national capitalists took part. Aidit could not even say that the national bourgeoisie led the August 1945 independence movement. Furthermore, the national bourgeoisie had to be literally dragged into participation. Sukarno and Hatta had to be kidnapped and forced by a group of radical youth  mostly communists  to proclaim Indonesian independence. They were too afraid to proclaim even what had been become a fact: that Japan had been defeated and independence was there to be taken. Already, in another work, Aidit condemned the Indonesian bourgeoisie for their failure to lead the August 1945 Revolution:

The failure of the August 1945 Revolution shows that the Indonesian bourgeoisie were unable to lead the bourgeois democratic revolution in the era of imperialism, or the bourgeois democratic revolution of a new type. [16]

Thus, Aidit himself recognised that there had yet to be any historical precedence to back up his claim that there was such a thing as a progressive national bourgeoisie making up one of the revolutionary forces in Indonesia.

Precisely because the national bourgeoisie was weak and disorganised, vacillating and unsure of itself, it was prone to betrayal when it came to fulfilling what was supposed to be its historical task: the national democratic revolution. Their weakness did not mean they were easily pulled to the left as Aidit hoped, but all the readier to swing to reaction. The 1965 episode added to the list of times the national bourgeoisie found themselves in the counter-revolutionary camp. The PKI leaders had done everything they could to rally the workers and peasants to build unity with the national bourgeoisie and preserve this unity with all its strength and pull this class to the left to make it stand firmly on the side of the revolution. But the national bourgeoisie had always known that its class interests were diametrically opposed to those of the workers and peasants. PKI leaders remained steadfast in their loyalty to Sukarno, whom they saw as the personification of the progressive national bourgeoisie, but that class had abandoned Sukarno for another Bonapartist who could restore order and ensure the normal functioning of capitalism: General Suharto.

There was no progressive national bourgeoisie, and the Indonesian working class had to pay dearly for this lesson. The only revolutionary class that could complete the national democratic tasks was the working class in alliance with the peasantry. But the working class, in leading the national democratic revolution, could not stop there. It would be forced to begin solving tasks of the socialist revolution and in practice establish the dictatorship of the proletariat. This is contrary to what Aidit had in mind: that the task of the PKI was to form not a government of the dictatorship of the proletariat but a government of the dictatorship of the people. This government does not have to carry out socialist changes but democratic changes. [17] Aidit continued:

The task of our Party at the present stage of the revolution and in the future becomes clear. Our party has a dual task in leading the Indonesian revolution. Firstly, under the slogan Fulfill the demands of the August Revolution in their entirety, we carry out to their completion the task of the bourgeois-democratic revolution; secondly, after the first task has been carried out, we carry out to their completion the task of the revolution which is proletarian-socialist in nature. [18]

Such was the classic two-stage theory that had been handed down to the leadership of the PKI  and all other communist parties around the world  by their Stalinist overlords in the Kremlin. This theory tied the PKI hand and foot to the national bourgeoisie, whereby they put the class struggle to one side by subordinating it to the national struggle. The PKI refused to recognise the class struggle, but eventually the class struggle caught up with them, and did so violently.

A state with two aspects

In early 1963, Aidit came up with a novel theory in another attempt to fit reality into his scheme. In addition to the two types of capitalists  the progressive capitalists and the comprador or bureaucratic capitalists  he introduced another innovation, discovering that there are two types of people: the pro-people people, and the anti-people people:

In the political power of our country now there are not only compradores, bureaucratic capitalists, and landlords, but also people who are pro-people, who are supported by workers, peasants, democratic intellectuals, and other democrats. Thus, political power in our country has two aspects, that is a pro-peoples aspect and an anti-peoples aspect. [19]

These two types of people, in their dealing with the state, resulted in a state that will also have two aspects: the pro-people aspect and the anti-people aspect. In a lecture he gave in Beijing to Central Committee members of the Chinese Communist Party in September 1963, he elaborated this state-with-two-aspects idea:

The state power of the Republic of Indonesia is a contradiction between two opposing aspects: The first aspect is that which represents the interest of the people. The second aspect is that which represents the interests of the people's enemies. The first aspect is embodied in the progressive attitude and policy of President Sukarno which enjoys the support of the CPI [PKI] and other sections of the people. The second, aspect is embodied in the attitude and policy of the rightists and the diehards; they are the old established forces. Today the popular aspect has become the main aspect and plays a leading role in the state power of the Republic of Indonesia, meaning that it guides the course of the political development in the state power of the Republic of Indonesia... On the other hand, the anti-popular aspect has ceased to be the main aspect and no longer guides the course of development in the contradiction. However, it is still the dominant aspect... But in any case the state in the Republic of Indonesia as a whole, is now led by the forces which represent the interests of the people, or in other words it is led by the popular aspect. [20]

From such analysis, Aidit surmised, in a second lecture in Beijing, that the task of the PKI in regards to such a state is:

... to enable the popular aspect to grow increasingly strong and to take a dominant position and, on the other hand, to exclude from state power the forces which oppose the people. Such is the content of the people's demand for the reorganization (of the state organs), and for a Gotong Royong cabinet with NASAKOM as the fulcrum... Indonesia's revolutionary tasks are to set up state power, not of one class, one stratum or one political party, but of the whole people, the Gotong Royong state power. [21]

Therefore, according to Aidit:

...the important problem in Indonesia now is not to smash the state power as is the case in many other states, but to strengthen and consolidate the pro-peoples aspect... and to eliminate the anti-peoples aspect. [22]

This is truly a major and fatal departure from the Marxist theory of the state. The class content of a state is erased and replaced with a vague notion of people, the members of which are determined arbitrarily by the political expediency of Aidits class collaboration policy on any given day. As Engels explained in The Origin of the Family, Private Property, and the State, the state can only be an institution in service of the interests of the ruling class against the oppressed class. He wrote quite clearly about this:

As the state arose from the need to keep class antagonisms in check, but also arose in the thick of the fight between the classes, it is normally the state of the most powerful, economically ruling class, which by its means becomes also the politically ruling class, and so acquires new means of holding down and exploiting the oppressed class. The ancient state was, above all, the state of the slave-owners for holding down the slaves, just as the feudal state was the organ of the nobility for holding down the peasant serfs and bondsmen, and the modern representative state is the instrument for exploiting wage-labor by capital. [23]

Here we have Aidit conjuring up a non-class state that represents the whole people: the peoples state. However, Aidit would have been surprised to learn that such a peoples state was not a novel creation of his. The idea of a peoples state has festered in the working-class movement since its inception. At the height of the Russian Revolution, when the question of the state became concrete, Lenin took the time to reiterate again for his comrades the Marxist theory of the state in order to prepare the Bolsheviks and the working class for power. In his seminal work The State and Revolution, he attacked those who were playing around with the peoples state catchword as philistine:

The free peoples state was a programme demand and a catchword current among the German Social-Democrats in the seventies. This catchword is devoid of all political content except that it describes the concept of democracy in a pompous philistine fashion... every state is a special force for the suppression of the oppressed class. Consequently, every state is not free and not a peoples state. [24]

Aidit at the height of the Indonesian Revolution, fell backward on this question. He had definitely read Lenins works on the question of state, or at least was familiar with Lenins basic conception, as he took the opportunity to tell us that V.I. Lenin taught us, The state is a machine for maintaining the rule of one class over another. However, he quoted Lenin just before going on with his anti-Leninist notion of a peoples state. We are entitled to question whether Aidit ever learned anything from Lenin. In fact, just like all Stalinists of his time who had vulgarised the teachings of Marx, Engels and Lenin, his reference to Lenins State and Revolution was ritualistic, aimed at throwing dust into the eyes of the working class so that he could sneak in his philistine idea of the peoples state. This method of quoting the great teachers as a means to smuggle in alien class ideas was pioneered by Bernstein, developed further by Kautsky, and perfected to an art later by Stalin and his epigones. This episode also showed the theoretical bankruptcy of the Chinese Stalinists. The whole membership of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party did not say even one word when Aidit presented his idea of the non-class state.

Aidit paid lip-service to Lenin, while totally subverting his teachings on the state / Image: public domain

The Chinese Stalinists were not in a position to correct Aidit, having themselves already butchered the Marxist theory of the state by adopting their bloc-of-four-classes state conception. They found also difficult to explain why the Chinese state gave no sign of dying away many years after the Revolution, but quite the opposite. It is a fundamental part of Marxs and Lenins theory of the state that the workers state is a special kind of state which would begin to wither away, as the productive forces develop and the class antagonisms in society are overcome. However, under socialism with Chinese characteristics the bureaucratic machinery of the state, just like its counterpart in the Soviet Union, had grown into a hitherto unheard-of apparatus of compulsion with no intention of dying away.

The Chinese bureaucrats would quote Lenin in their defence, as he correctly said that only under communism  a society of superabundance run according to the principle from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs  would we reach a stateless society. But they argued that until then there would still be the need for a strong state as an organ to suppress the exploiters. At what stage would the state as an oppressing machine wither away was left to anyones guess. However, they neglected to mention that Lenin never left the question of what would happen to the workers state during the transitional period to a distant future. Here is what Lenin wrote:

During the transition from capitalism to communism suppression is still necessary, but it is now the suppression of the exploiting minority by the exploited majority. A special apparatus, a special machine for suppression, the state, is still necessary, but this is now a transitional state. It is no longer a state in the proper sense of the word; for the suppression of the minority of exploiters by the majority of the wage slaves of yesterday is comparatively so easy, simple and natural a task that it will entail far less bloodshed than the suppression of the risings of slaves, serfs or wage-labourers, and it will cost mankind far less. And it is compatible with the extension of democracy to such an overwhelming majority of the population that the need for a special machine of suppression will begin to disappear. Naturally, the exploiters are unable to suppress the people without a highly complex machine for performing this task, but the people can suppress the exploiters even with a very simple machine, almost without a machine, without a special apparatus, by the simple organisation of the armed people. (Our emphasis)

These were Lenins clear thoughts on the role of the state in the transition from capitalism to communism. Instead of becoming a simpler machine, the Chinese state became a sophisticated all-encompassing state apparatus in defence of the privileges of the bureaucracy. Incidentally, we can now say that it was that same parasitic bureaucratic state that would become the principal motor force of capitalist restoration in China and, with very little modification, can now be described as a capitalist state (read: Chinas long march to capitalism).

Aidits lectures about the peoples state with pro-people and anti-people aspects were thus received with warm applause by the Chinese Stalinists. Aidit did not just stop at the idea of the peoples state. Once he began there, he was also forced to do away with any class terms in politics, hence the pro-people and anti-people aspects. Here the state was seen merely as a collection of individuals who could be grouped into two camps of opposing views, not as a historically established institution resulting from the class antagonism of society. This is simply a modification of the popular front strategy of allying with the progressive national bourgeoisie and other progressive forces (intellectuals, advanced aristocratic elements, patriotic elements, etc.). But Aidit took it a step further, expunging even class terms or concepts from the Stalinist class collaborationist policy of the popular front.

Aidit referred to the progressive policies and anti-imperialist stance of the Sukarno government as a manifestation of the pro-people aspect. Shallow impressionism substitutes for Marxist analysis of class struggle. In the midst of a revolutionary period, when the class struggle reaches a stalemate, a Bonapartist can emerge and pose as a power standing above society: an arbiter of the national interest. Such was the situation in Indonesia after 1945, with a series of revolutionary ebbs and flows, where the capitalists were not strong enough to complete the national democratic revolution and establish order for the normal functioning of capitalism because of the recurrent mass movement. Meanwhile, the mass movement was not strong enough to take power decisively into its hands.

In this situation arose the Bonapartist Sukarno, appearing as a father of the nation, calming his squabbling children. The situation required a figure like Sukarno: a charismatic individual with a penchant for dramatic flair, skilful in the art of persuasion and political dealing, principled enough to be seen as a strong figure, but also flexible enough to allow him to move between classes, balancing one against another. This fatally mistaken analysis by the PKI leadership would be paid for dearly by the Indonesian revolutionary workers and peasants, who looked to the powerful PKI for leadership in the revolution.

Marx once said that force is the midwife of every old society pregnant with a new one. He was referring to the employment of the power of the State, the concentrated and organised force of society, to hasten, hot-house fashion, the process of transformation of the feudal mode of production into the capitalist mode, and to shorten the transition.

This was done particularly through a system of colonial exploitation that led Marx to conclude that capital comes [into the world] dripping from head to foot, from every pore, with blood and dirt, [25] the former statement retains its general validity in a revolution that will overthrow capitalism. This naturally flows from the stubborn resistance of the status quo and its defenders to change.

However, it would be a great folly for any serious Marxist to preach to the masses that a socialist revolution has to be a bloody violent affair. The ruling class is always trying to frighten the workers by associating socialist revolution with violence and civil war. We should not behave like ultra-left sectarians who feel the need to assert their revolutionary credentials by displaying their enthusiasm for bloody revolution and the inevitability of violence. We insist that Marxists are in favour of a peaceful socialist transformation of society, which would be perfectly possible on condition that the leadership of the working class mobilises the full force of the working masses. We also explain to the masses that history has shown time and time again that no ruling class has ever surrendered their power without a fight. The responsibility for any possible violence therefore falls squarely on the shoulders of the ruling class and their state apparatus.

The working class has the right to defend its revolution and the subsequent gains it has won. In many cases we have in fact seen throughout history that the old power merely crumbles without a fight before the might of the working class, provided that the working class possesses a leadership that is decisive and resolute enough to carry the struggle to the end. In fact, the October Revolution was won with very minimal bloodshed because the Bolsheviks had prepared the workers for power through patient explanation of the slogan All power to the soviets. Violence only visited the Revolution later on the active instigation of the ruling class.

The slogan of All power to the soviets was not a call for a civil war. The imperialists and capitalists inflicted this on Russia / image: Yanachka

The slogan of All power to the soviets was not a call for a civil war. In his report to the Seventh All-Russian Conference in the Bolshevik Party in April 1917, Lenin said: To speak of civil war before people have come to realise the need for it is undoubtedly to fall into Blanquism. We are for civil war, but only civil war waged by a politically conscious class The government would like to see us make the first imprudent move toward revolutionary action, as this would be to its advantage. [26] Hence the slogan All power to the soviets aimed at educating the working class that power was already theirs to begin with in the form of the soviets, and that they only needed to be politically aware of this fact and wield it for their own class interests.

Numerous times the Bolsheviks had to reject accusations from the ruling class and their Menshevik-SR allies that they were out for blood. Here is how Lenin skillfully responded to such accusations:

You are lying, Mr. Minister, worthy member of the peoples freedom party. It is Mr. Guchkov who is preaching violence when he threatens to punish the soldiers for dismissing the authorities. It is Russkaya Volya, the riot-mongering newspaper of the riot-mongering republicans, a paper that is friendly to you, that preaches violence. Pravda and its followers do not preach violence. On the contrary, they declare most clearly, precisely, and definitely, that our main efforts should now be concentrated on explaining to the proletarian masses their proletarian problems, as distinguished from the petty bourgeoisie which has succumbed to chauvinist intoxication So long as you, capitalist gentlemen, who are in control of the army command, have not yet begun to use violence, it is our tactics, the tactics of all Pravdists and of all our Party, to fight for influence among the proletarian masses, to fight for influence among the Soviets of Workers and Soldiers Deputies. [27]

Lenin put the responsibility of violence squarely where it belonged, on the shoulders of the capitalist gentlemen who were in control of the apparatus of violence, and the reformist SR-Mensheviks who, by their refusal to claim power that was already in their hands, rendered a violent conflict inevitable. Two subsequent episodesthe July Days where several hundred demonstrators were gunned down, and the Kornilov military coup that was defeated by the massesshowed clearly before the eyes of the masses who the real instigators of violence were. The working class learns from experience, and from these two episodes they became resolute in their conviction to overthrow capitalism through mass revolutionary actions.

Lenin put the responsibility of violence squarely on the shoulders of the capitalists and reformists / Image: public domain

Lenin, however, while explaining that the working class simply had to take the power, he never sowed any illusions amongst the proletariat about the peaceful nature of the ruling class. One only needs to compare this to Aidits conception of the peaceful road to socialism for Indonesia. In 1960, he said in an interview with a Western correspondent that the prospects for a peaceful transition to socialism, as laid down by Khrushchev at the Twentieth Soviet Party Congress, are the brightest and the opportunities most bountiful in two countries, namely, Cuba and Indonesia. [28] He elaborated this further in another interview in 1964:

When we complete the first stage of our revolution, which is now in progress, we can enter into friendly consultation [!] with other progressive elements in our society and, without an armed struggle, lead the country towards Socialist Revolution. After all, the national capitalists in our country are both weak and disorganised. At present, in our national democratic revolution, we are siding with them and fighting a common battle of expelling foreign economic domination from this soil. [29] (Our emphasis)

The reporter was shrewd enough to ask what would happen if the national capitalists developed a class character and opposed any kind of socialism. Aidit answered:

The chastening effect [of the present stage of the revolution] would maintain a kind of revolutionary pressure on Indonesias national capitalists There will be no armed struggle unless there is foreign armed intervention on the capitalists behalf and, when we successfully complete our present national democratic revolution, the chances of any foreign power interfering with Indonesias internal affairs will become extremely remote.

The difference between Lenin and Aidits so-called Leninist conception is stark. Aidit developed the idea of an a priori peaceful path to socialism in such a way that completely disarmed the working class, by placing their trust blindly in other progressive elements and the national capitalists. Lenin, on the other hand, argued that the Bolsheviks and the working class desired for peaceful transfer of power to the soviets as long as the Mensheviks and SRs, who were then at the heads of the soviets, were ready to do so. But he never harboured one iota of trust in the bourgeoisie, whom he constantly exposed as the side that was riot-mongering. Through consistent and persistent propaganda work, the Bolsheviks politically prepared the working class for a class independence policy of taking power.

Let us investigate the premises of Aidits peaceful road to socialism:

1) Socialism is a matter of friendly consultation with other progressive elements [read: national capitalists] in our society after the completion of the national democratic revolution.

What Aidit was telling us was that once capitalism had been fully established in Indonesia through the completion of the national democratic revolution, there would no longer be class struggle between the working class and the capitalists. The two classes which Marx and Engels had always maintained to be diametrically opposed to each other and to have irreconcilable interestswould now sit together like two civilised gentlemen to discuss how to reach socialism. Aidit would have made the French utopian socialists very proud.

The utopian socialists before Marx and Engels time believed that socialism was just a matter of convincing everyone, including the capitalists, of the superiority of socialism over capitalism. After all, in the Kingdom of Reason established by the French Revolution, Reason was believed to be the sole measurement of everything. Therefore friendly consultation with all sides using Reason was enough to reach socialism. But the French utopian socialists could be excused for their mistake, as history had yet to furnish them with the proletariat, and class conflict between the capitalists and the proletariat had yet to take a definite shape. Theirs was a mistake of being too ahead of their time. But things were very much different by the mid-20th century, when class conflicts had not only taken shape but also plunged the whole world into two global wars, revolutions, and counter-revolutions.

Marx and Engels had from the beginning warned the workers of the reactionary characters of those who advocate the old ideas of utopian socialism today:

The significance of Critical-Utopian Socialism and Communism bears an inverse relation to historical development. In proportion as the modern class struggle develops and takes definite shape,  [the ideas of Utopian Socialism] lose all practical value and all theoretical justification. Therefore, although the originators of these [Utopian Socialist] systems were, in many respects, revolutionary, their disciples have, in every case, formed mere reactionary sects. They hold fast by the original views of their masters, in opposition to the progressive historical development of the proletariat. They, therefore, endeavour, and that consistently, to deaden the class struggle and to reconcile the class antagonisms they are compelled to appeal to the feelings and purses of the bourgeois. By degrees, they sink into the category of the reactionary [or] conservative Socialists depicted above, differing from these only by more systematic pedantry, and by their fanatical and superstitious belief in the miraculous effects of their social science. [30] (Our emphasis)

As such, Aidit and the leadership of the PKI had turned themselves into reactionary and conservative socialists. The bourgeoisie have a penchant and centuries-old-sharpened skills for tricking workers that it stands for democracy, that it is flying high the banner of Liberte, Egalite, et Fraternite, so that workers entertain the illusion that their interests could be served through some sort of mature friendly negotiation with the capitalists in a parliament. The task of any revolutionary is to lift this facade and expose the real nature of bourgeois democracy.

2) The national capitalists are weak and disorganised, and hence the road to socialism will be peaceful.

The Indonesian capitalists might be weak and disorganised, but that is only in relation to their ability and willingness to complete the tasks of the national democratic revolution: establishment of a democratic parliament; agrarian reform; independence from foreign imperialism. This is because they are indissolubly tied to foreign capital and landlordism by a thousand threads. Furthermore, the sight of the proletariat strikes fear in them, far more than being under the thumb of foreign capital. For that reason, when it comes to defending their class interests, profits, and ownership of the means of production, they will not be weak and disorganised.

The bourgeoisie has in its hands a statewhich in the last analysis is made up of armed bodies of men and womenbuilt specifically to maintain wage-labour exploitation by capital. This state was not by any means weak and disorganised. It had been used numerous times since its formal establishment on August 17, 1945 to crush the working class movement.

Immediately after independence, the Indonesian bourgeoisie sought compromise and rapprochement with the imperialists / Image: public domain

Immediately after independence, the nascent Indonesian bourgeoisie sought compromise and rapprochement with the imperialists. Sukarno and Hatta promised that all foreign assets would be returned, which in Indonesia meant all the main levers of economy would be under the control of foreign capital. This was not the vision of independence that the people had been fighting for. Meanwhile, independence had unleashed a social revolution with demands that had gone beyond the goal of formal sovereignty and sought to uproot all old structures of privilege. The people were demanding 100% independence, expropriating all foreign assets, which the Indonesian masses rightly saw as ill-gotten properties from 350 years of brutal colonial occupation. Complete expropriation of all Dutch and foreign assets would have meant the Indonesian revolution taking the first step toward socialism. This put the nascent bourgeoisie and their newly founded state at violent odds with the aspirations of the toiling masses. Troops were sent to hunt down and annihilate forces that opposed the government policy of conciliation with imperialism.

The Madiun affair in 1948, mentioned by Aidit above, was one of the flash points of this clash between the revolutionary wing and the conciliationist wing of the independence movement. After a series of clashes, manoeuvres, and provocations, on September 18, 1948, the city of Madiun fell into the hands of the PKI-led coalition quite unexpectedly. The Sukarno-Hatta government quickly capitalised on this episode as a pretext to crush the PKI. Speaking on the radio with his usual dramatic flair, Sukarno accused the PKI of treason and engaging in looting, robberies, kidnapping, mental terrorisation against the labourers, peasants, mobilizing criminal gangs to plunder and commit robbery intensively day and night. [31] He went on to give two choices to the people: follow the Musso-led PKI, or follow him.

The PKI fell into this provocation and prematurely called for a seizure of power. Musso in his reply to Sukarnos radio broadcast announced that Madiun was a signal to the whole people to wrest powers of the state into their own hands... The people of Indonesia were asked by Sukarno to choose Sukarno or Musso! The people should answer back: Sukarno-Hatta, the slaves of the Japanese and America! Traitors must die! [32] The government sent in their troops and crushed the PKI, not only in Madiun but all over Indonesia. A White Terror was unleashed. Thousands of PKI cadres were executed. The Madiun affair was also used by the government to crack down on all opposition, including Tan Malaka, who was captured and executed without trial in 1949. The Sukarno-Hatta government showed that the national capitalists were clearly not weak and disorganised in their brutality to crush the Communists.

The PKIs policy of supporting Sukarno was first formulated and implemented by Stalin in the 1920s in the form of the popular front in China / Image: public domain

Later on, Aidit, in his attempt to find the progressive national bourgeoisie in the person of Sukarno, tried to distance the latter from his responsibility in the Madiun affair. The massacre of communists in Madiun, according to Aidit, was wholly led by the comprador bourgeoisie, in the person of Hatta:

On September 19, 1948, President Sukarno gave a speech that called the people to band together [to] annihilate the rebels, [by] which he meant annihilating Communists and other progressive forces physically. I would say that the full responsibility of this was in the hands of Hatta, because Hatta was the Prime Minister at that time. But, because Hatta knew that his influence in the armed forces and other state apparatus was very small, especially amongst the people, then Hatta used Sukarnos mouth and borrowed Sukarnos authority to kill Amir Sjarifuddin and thousands of sons of Indonesia from Java. [33]

If Sukarnos voice and authority could be so easily used by the so-called comprador bourgeoisie, that said a lot about the reliability and independence of the so-called progressive bourgeoisie. The progressive bourgeoisie is therefore a left cover for the true nature of the bourgeoisie, which makes the former even more dangerous. Yet, here is what Sukarno himself had to say about the Madiun affair later in his autobiography, which is clearly at odds with Aidits wishful historical revisionism:

It was Sukarno who squashed the Communists in 1948. ... I was not about to let them or anyone else throw God out of my beloved country I sent in our crack Siliwangi army division. They did the rest. Within days the back of the rebellion was broken... Let nobody say Sukarno flinched in crushing the Communist uprising. [34]

The Indonesian Stalinists learned well from their mentors in Moscow. The PKIs policy of supporting Sukarno was first formulated and implemented by Stalin in the 1920s. While the Russian Stalinists found themselves inviting Chiang Kai-shek, the would-be Chinese reactionary dictator, to the great hall of the Comintern, lavishing him with praise just months before he soaked his hands in the blood of Shanghainese Communists, [35] the Indonesian Stalinists outdid even their mentors. They not only dutifully washed the blood of Madiun Communists from Sukarnos hands after the betrayal, but also placed the fate of the Indonesian revolution in those same hands. The student had truly become the master.

There is one little detail that is worth mentioning here from the above quote. Sukarno knew full well that the PKI never had a political programme of abolishing religion, nor do any communists for that matter. But he felt the need to accuse the PKI of wanting to [over]throw God and used this common red-baiting prejudice in Indonesia to attack the PKI. This fits perfectly with his role as a Bonapartist, a shrewd politician skillful in balancing antagonistic interests of various classes and social forces, until of course it all crumbled in 1965.

Aidits historical revisionism did not stop here. He had to establish the presence of the ever-elusive progressive national bourgeoisie as far back as 1945. After Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945, both Sukarno and Hattawho in the past three years had obsequiously served the Japanese occupation forceswere infected with a paralysing fear of proclaiming Indonesian independence without consulting the Japanese beforehand. They were unsure of themselves, reflecting their class basis, and had to be kidnapped by a group of youth and pressured. A decade later, Aidit was recounting a different story: that it was now only Hatta who had opposed the immediate proclamation:

For the first time I would like to say that for a long time I have felt guilty for taking part in the movement to force Hatta [to] sign the 17 August 1945 Proclamation of Independence. Hatta since the beginning was stubbornly opposing the proclamation of the August Revolution. He fully hung the fate of Indonesian Independence on the mercy of Saiko Shikikan (Japanese High Army Command) that never arrived. [36]

3) The revolution would put some kind of pressure on the capitalists, taming them and rendering the transition to socialism peaceful.

The reporter for the Far Eastern Review magazine clearly had a better understanding of the class struggle than Aidit. He was insightful enough to ask Aidit what would happen should the national capitalists develop a class character and oppose any kind of socialism. To this, Aidit answered that the chastening effect [of the present revolution] would maintain a kind of revolutionary pressure on Indonesias national capitalists. He would soon find out that the revolution did not chasten the national capitalists. It did just the opposite. A mass revolutionary movement, as we saw in the period of 1955-1965, might deal a blow against the ruling class and disorient it momentarily, pressuring it to retreat and make some temporary concessions, but it would never quell its class instincts. Once the chastening effect of the revolution wore off, the bourgeoisie would hit back vengefully to make sure that the masses never dared to utter the word revolution again.

Aidits undying faith in the progressive national bourgeoisie led him to disaster / Image: Davidelit

What Aidit refused to understand is that a revolutionary period does not last forever, for the same reason that a society cannot be in the white heat of class struggle all the time. The toiling masses cannot be in a state of mobilisation day in and day out. They must see that the struggle will ultimately end in a fundamental change to their lives for the better. It was, in fact, truly amazing that the Indonesian masses remained in the throes of revolution for almost a decade. The tragedy was that their leadership could never lead them to the final conclusion of a revolution: the conquest of power. Thus, while it is true that a revolution might put pressure on the capitalists, forcing them to retreat, once the capitalists regroup and find their bearing, and once the revolution starts losing its momentum, the whole process will recoil violently.

Aidits undying faith in the progressive national bourgeoisie led him to theoretical twists and turns. In order not to scare away the bourgeoisie, he would have to convince not only them, but also himself and the whole working class of the peaceful path to socialism. Within a year of the above interview, an armed struggle did indeed erupt, but it proved to be a completely one-sided affair where the arms were concentrated in the hands of the ruling class, and the other side, the workers and peasants, were unarmed and unprepared, and were about to be led to the slaughterhouse in their millions without any resistance.

From the renunciation of mass revolutionary struggle for socialism, which had now been replaced by friendly consultation with the national bourgeoisie, it naturally flowed that the only acceptable method of struggle from the point of view of the PKI leaders was skilful political manoeuvring at the top.

Furthermore, since the working class, bound by their loyalty to the popular front with the national bourgeoisie, had been barred from taking power, their role had now been limited to attending mass rallies with all the fanfare involved.

The workers and peasants had been instructed not to take any direct actions that went beyond the national democratic revolution, which could be construed as striving for power and could scare away the national bourgeoisie. Mass actions such as strikes, factory occupations, land occupations, organisation of workers groups for self-defence, etc. were off limits.

Living through that period, anyone would have been amazed at the ability of the PKI to hold mass rallies of tens of thousands of people at will. But these mass rallies turned out to be paper tigers. They were more like large festivals, celebratory in nature. They were organised as a show of force to prop up the PKIs political manoeuvring at the top, not as a show of force for the working class to realise their own strength and ability to take power. Didnt the Second International also hold mass rallies of tens, if not hundreds of thousands?

Imagine the following scene. On 23 May 1965, at Indonesias largest stadium, the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, which could hold 110,000 people sitting, the PKI held its 45th anniversary celebration. The stadium was filled to capacity. Another 100,000 supporters who couldnt get into the stadium were milling about outside in the parking lot and nearby streets. Red flags and big billboards of Marx, Engels and Lenin lined the streets of Jakarta. It was truly a glorious sight to behold. Just three weeks earlier, in the same stadium, the PKI had celebrated May Day in a similar fashion. The ruling class looked upon these mass gatherings of communists with fear. But as events would prove later on, the ruling class could count on the PKI leaders, with their mistaken theories, to hold back the movement from taking power. This was confirmed when the PKI, with its million-strong membership, crumbled to dust without any resistance in the face of reaction.

Prior to 1965, the PKI could hold mass rallies of tens of thousands of people at will. But these mass rallies turned out to be paper tigers / Image: public domain

By 1965, the political atmosphere had reached boiling point. Everyone could feel that a final showdown was imminent. Revolution or counter-revolution was on the order of the day. Joesoef Isak, a prominent journalist close to the PKI, just two months before the G30S, was informed by the party through his source that something big was about to happen:

I was told that in just a little while the whole situation would change. I understood that there would be a massive movement. It would be the final blow. I kept bugging the party [meaning his briefer, Nursuhud, a Central Committee member], asking when? You said in just a little while, well, its been a week, a month, and still nothing has happened. I kept going after the party, asking when... The party told me, We will raise the revolutionary actions all the way up to their peak. We will lynch the capitalist bureaucrats and the counter-revolutionaries. I asked, how are you going to do that? Descend into the streets, that was the story told to me, descend into the streets. We are going to go directly into the offices of the ministers, the directors general of government departments, and grab them. We are going to take Chairul Saleh [Sukarnos third deputy prime minister] out and dunk him in the Ciliwung river. [37]

Thus, the whole question of a decisive moment in a revolution was answered with a light-minded call to descend into the streets and dunk officials in a river. But of course, Isak and the workers as a whole would learn very quickly that there would be no descending into the streets or dunking officials for a final blow against the ruling classes. There was actually no plan at all that involved the masses, hence such a hand-waving response. It would be the workers in their hundreds of thousands who would end up descending into concentration camps and having their bodies dunked in the rivers, so numerous that stories abound of how rivers in Java were clogged by the sheer number of corpses.

We cannot here help but be reminded of the revolutionary phrase-mongering of the leaders of the Second International. In the years before the outbreak of the First World War, resolutions and announcements against the impending imperialist war from the Second International and its many national sections filled the air, announcing that they would turn the imperialist war into a class war to overthrow their respective governments. The congress of the Second International at Basel in November 1912 passed a manifesto that proclaimed: In case a war should break out anyway, it is their duty to intervene for its speedy termination and to strive with all their power to utilise the economic and political crisis created by the war to rouse the masses and thereby hasten the downfall of capitalist class rule. This turned out to be hollow, holiday speechifying. At the moment of truth in 1914, the Second International capitulated to the patriotic chauvinistic pressure and opened the way for some of the worst bloodletting of the working class ever seen.

In fact, the reformist leaders of the Second International had abandoned any thought of revolution, of taking power, and thus had to cover their reformist cowardice with chest-thumping revolutionary phrases. The matter was not much different with the PKIs hollow, revolutionary phrase-mongering, used to cover their reformist politics and refusal to lead workers into taking power. At a decisive moment, when Aidit and co. caught wind of a right-wing military plot, instead of issuing an open call to the masses for a general strike and to the rank-and-file soldiers to disarm reactionary officers, they resorted to a conspiratorial palace revolution. Aidit mobilised his clandestine organisation, known as the Special Bureau, to kidnap and physically remove anti-communist generals.

The Special Bureau was the PKIs clandestine organisation responsible for infiltrating the military. Known in the party as the Military Section of the Organizational Department, it was tasked with recruiting military members, maintaining networks of sympathetic military officers, and gaining valuable intelligence from them. Due to its nature, the detailed workings of this unit and its members were known only to Aidit and a select few party members in the top leadership.

There was nothing wrong in principle in operating a clandestine unit. Manoeuvring and trickery are part of politics as we aim to stay ahead of our class enemy. However, there is a danger in such manoeuvring when it involves losing sight of the working class who are to be the main motor force of revolution. Leon Trotsky spoke of the use of trickery in the October Revolution:

Resorting to trickery in politics, all the more so in revolution, is always dangerous. You will most likely fail to dupe the enemy, but the masses who follow you may be duped instead. Our trickery proved 100 percent successful  not because it was an artful scheme devised by wily strategists seeking to avoid a civil war, but because it derived naturally from the disintegration of the conciliationist regime with its glaring contradictions. [38]

The October Revolution was a mass movement, not a conspiratorial coup as bourgeois historians would like us to believe. The Bolsheviks never hid their intention to lead the masses toward the revolutionary seizure of power, and openly prepared the masses toward that aim. But there was an element of manoeuvring in it as well, where the Bolsheviks tricked their enemies, the conciliationists, into the trap of soviet legality, and to synchronise the seizure of power with the opening of the Second Soviet Congress. But, Trotsky added: they [the conciliationists] yearned to be deceived and we provided them with ample opportunity to gratify their desire. In short, like Trotsky said above, the trickery was successful because it derived naturally from the disintegration of the conciliationist regime with its glaring contradictions.

On the other hand, the 30th September Movement that was set in motion by the Special Bureau was an artful scheme devised by wily strategists seeking to avoid a civil war, and precisely because of that it proved not only 100 percent unsuccessful but also fatally catastrophic. The leadership of the PKI was doing everything they could to postpone the seizure of power by the toiling masses, to postpone class struggle in the name of national struggle, to avoid a civil war. If the PKI had mobilised the masses to defeat the anti-communist forces in the army, it would have meant setting in motion a revolution that could have ended up in the revolutionary seizure of power by the working class, a prospect that did not fit the PKIs aim of propping up the government of Sukarno. As such, the mobilisation of the Special Bureau to precipitate the 30th September Movement was not a whimsical irresponsible decision of Aidit aloneas many would like us to believebut naturally flowed from the whole political programme of the PKI since the beginning.

The method of the Special Bureau was a logical conclusion of the PKI policy of gradually eliminating anti-people elements and introducing more pro-people elements into the state. Aidit and his Special Bureau team imagined that they could neutralise the counter-revolutionary threat simply by replacing anti-communist generals with ones who were more sympathetic to the PKI, or at least neutral. Revolution was seen from a very administrative point of view instead of as a struggle of living forces.

It is instructive to briefly look at the character of Sjam, the leader of the Special Bureau, the man Aidit trusted to carry out the 30th September Movement. According to one former high-level member of the PKI, Sjam never read books and barely read the party literature... [cannot] be bothered with theory... he operates by a simple principle: follow Aidit... Sjam was a classic apparatchik... [who] would have grasped Machiavelli better than Marx. [39] Furthermore, captured in 1967, knowing that the party he served was now in ruins, Sjam betrayed many of his former comrades to save his own skin. This arch-Machiavellian justified his cowardice and treacherous actions by saying, Each person has a right to defend his right to life. Hence, the fate of the Indonesian revolution was left in the hands of this philistine, ignorant, and cowardly apparatchik. And yet Sjam was just an accidental figure expressing the necessity, a catastrophic necessity prepared by decades of Stalinist vulgarization of Marxism. His philistinism, ignorance, and cowardice were merely the faithful reflection of Stalinist theories of two-stage-revolution and the bloc of four classes.

The massacre: a multigenerational trauma

The 1965 massacre in Indonesia registers itself as one of the bloodiest events in the modern history of humanity. From late 1965 to mid-1966, hundreds of thousands of people accused of being directly or indirectly affiliated to the party were rounded up by the army and its supported militias and massacred. Mass graves littered the country, particularly in the islands of Java and Bali. Estimates of the death toll range from 100,000 to two million, with a consensus amongst historians that it is probably closer to 500,000. But as Robert Cribb says in his study How many deaths? [40] this estimate of half a million comes solely from a sense of moderate judgment [that] has nothing to do with accuracy and everything to do with scholarly and personal respectability and that it is chosen because it seems to register serious concern without requiring outrage. But only outrage is fitting for such a bloody defeat of the working-class movement.

Lieutenant General Sarwo Edhie Wibowo, who led the annihilation operation (Operasi Penumpasan), was reported to have admitted that he oversaw the killing of three million PKI members. This number might be an exaggeration aimed at intimidating the people that the army is capable of committing an unheard-of atrocity against those who dare to defy them. But this figure is not without its merit. The Communist Party of Indonesia was a party of millions of members with deep roots in various layers of the toiling masses. Prior to its destruction it claimed three million members. It had under its wing many front groups of a mass character: Pemuda Rakyat (People's Youth) with 1.5 million members, SOBSI (Indonesian Centre of Workers' Organizations) with 3.8 million members (out of a total of seven million organized workers), the BTI (Peasants Front of Indonesia) with five million members, and Gerwani (Indonesian Women's Movement) with 750,000 members. [41] In short, about one in ten Indonesians was associated one way or another with the PKI, and to uproot this mass party and its influence, nothing short of a genocidal massacre was needed.

The 1965 massacre in Indonesia was one of the bloodiest events in modern history / Image: public domain

Furthermore, to destroy the largest communist party in the world outside China and the USSR required a certain brutality. The killing needed to inflict a national multi-generational trauma, to remind the working class that this was the price they would pay for daring to stand up and challenge capitalism. It was not just the number that would intimidate workers and peasants, but also the methods which were carefully chosen. Horrifying stories abound in many villages where these massacres happened: the piling of corpses onto rafts, the nailing of genitalia of male communists to shop fronts, beheadings, etc. The army and reactionary militias were particularly innovative in the act of killing when it came to the communists.

A news report in August 1966 by renowned Australian journalist and historian Frank Palmos, who was among the first foreigners in the world to witness the purge, had this to say about the killings:

At least 800,000 were killed in the area investigated. In the PKI triangle stronghold of Bojolali, Klaten and Solo, nearly one-third of the population is dead or missing. Farther east, in the 12-mile radius of Kediri, killing was abnormally high. Startling tolls took place in the residency of Banjumas, geographical centre of Java.

The news report continues:

Researchers added these points, believed to be contained in the various detailed but uncollated reports: Most of the killing was by militant youth groups, often appointed by military or village authorities. Youths were armed and encouraged by these authorities, and in the triangle area, were given drill and weapons training. Once the killing started, the youths were uncontrollable. Scores of champion killers were found. One boy interviewed killed 135, then lost count. Beheading was the most common form of killing, but for large scale executions shooting was normal. Killing was invariably late at night, far away from villages where the victims lived. Although thousands of women were killed, almost none were raped or abused before being put to death. [42]

The latter account about the absence of rape and sexual abuse of women victims was later discredited by testimonies of survivors. It has now been established beyond doubt that sexual violence was a reality for most of the women victims of the 1965-66 massacres, as much as it was used as a method of intimidation.

Another personal witness account by Robert Macklin, a journalist for the Australian newspaper The Age, provided a vivid detailed picture of the killings he and his wife witnessed in Denpasar, Bali:

The man's screaming and the gathering of a large crowd of school children from a nearby playing field attracted us to the army headquarters post. A Communist was being interrogated in Denpasar, the capital of Bali, Indonesia, on the ground floor verandah. We stood silently with the children as the man was bashed and dragged away We do not know how many Communists were killed but it is plain that Communism as a political force in Indonesia is at least temporarily finished. The way of its going was a brutal one. We saw four villages where every adult male had been killed. We saw trucks of villagers returning to the hills after making trips to the compound where they were given a ration of Communists to kill. We saw mass graves in each of which up to 10 Communist men and women had been packed after being stabbed to death. We saw literally hundreds of houses which had been burned to the ground. [43]

More accounts of gory violence have been documented since the fall of Suharto and they are not for the weak-hearted. The ruling class of all epochs have always been characterised by their vicious brutality against those who dare to defy them. The Roman Empire, after crushing the Spartacus slave uprising, had 6,000 slaves crucified along the 200-km Appian Way that connected Rome and Capua. The Paris Communards were executed by the thousands. Vae victis!Woe to the vanquished! The history of class societies is soaked in the blood of those ruled and defeated.

The crushing of the PKI was a massive victory for the forces of imperialism / Image: public domain

The crushing of the PKI and the accompanying massacre was a massive victory for the forces of imperialism, as the Indonesian revolution was at the forefront of a movement against U.S. imperialism. Indonesia was the biggest and most decisive domino piece in Southeast Asia. With the removal of the PKI, the threat of a communist tide in the region was greatly reduced. Time magazine reported it as the best news for the West in Asia for many years, while The New York Times offered the headline A glimmer of light in Asia. The Liberal Party Prime Minister of Australia at the time, Harold Holt, summed up the sentiment shared amongst world leaders when he addressed his colleagues at the River Club in New York in July 1966: With 500,000 to one million Communist sympathisers knocked off, I think it is safe to assume a reorientation has taken place. [44]

The party paralysed

The PKI was never ready for revolution, and for exactly that reason it was not ready for a counter-revolution. It was completely paralysed in the face of reaction. The wave of violence against PKI members that swept the nation met no resistance at all, except in a few isolated PKI strongholds.

Seeing the collapse of the 30th September Movement, Aidit immediately left Jakarta and flew to Central Java where the party had the strongest base. But he did not give any order to the party as to what to do. He remained undergroundincommunicado until his arrest and summary execution two months laterand patiently waited for Sukarno to stabilise the situation, in accordance with the party programme of remaining under his guardianship. Once again, Aidit was afraid to call the masses to action to resist the army. He could have issued an order to the railway workers to halt trains carrying Suhartos troops; to mechanics to sabotage army jeeps, trucks, and tanks; to peasants to block roads to and from army barracks; to party members and workers to form self-defence militias and arm themselves; to sympathetic rank-and-file soldiers to turn their guns against their commanding officers. With such calls Suhartos troops would have melted away. But all this would have meant going onto an offensive, transcending the limits of national democratic revolution toward the dictatorship of the proletariat. It would have meant Trotskyism: a sin far greater than anything else in the eyes of Stalinists.

Other PKI leaders were also equally paralysed. Njoto and Lukmanmembers of the Politburomet with Sukarno at the cabinet meeting on 6 October. Sukarno urged the PKI to remain calm, that he wouldin his usual Bonapartist mannertake care of everything and protect the party from the army. This urging to remain calm meant that the PKI should not call the masses to resist the White Terror unleashed by Suhartos army. Njoto and Lukman, and the rest of the PKI leadership, were hoping that Sukarno would use his authority to rein in Suharto, but it turned out that the emperor had no clothes.

The PKI was never ready for revolution, and was not ready for a counter-revolution / Image: public domain

In fact, on the day previous to this cabinet meeting, the PKI Politburo had already issued a statement declaring its support for the guidelines laid down by Sukarno for solving the problem and called on all members and followers to help carry out the terms of the presidents message. [45] Thus, while the army and reactionary militias were rounding up the Communists, the PKI leadership instructed the masses to obey Sukarno, and the latter told the masses to remain calm, which effectively disarmed them. As a consequence, in the initial months, many Communists willingly turned themselves in to army installations and police stations, believing that Sukarno would protect them. They believed all the pronouncements from their leaders and Sukarno that the PKI as an institution had nothing to do with the 30th September Movement, and thus if they were innocent there was no reason to hide. They did not expect to be detained indefinitely, and were never to be heard from again.

One by one, PKI leaders went into hiding while still hoping that Sukarno would sort everything out like the great arbiter they believed him to be. The leadership was, for all intents and purposes, deactivated. The millions of people who followed the PKI could not hide and were left in confusion without any leadership. The following account by a PKI member and wife of a Central Committee functionary provides an illustrative example of how paralysed the party and their cadres were:

After September 30, we went on with our work for some days in the normal manner, but no one with whom we came in contact was able to inform us as to what happened or what we expected to do. As the atmosphere in Jakarta grew worse, we just sat at home and waited for instructions. My husband had been given no guidance about what to do in such an eventuality. We did not expect things to turn out so badly; we thought there would be a setback for the party but that eventually it would be sorted out by Sukarno. That is why the party disintegrated. There were no orders, and no one knew who to turn to or who to trust, since arrests had started and we knew there had been betrayals. ... [Party leaders] sent words to wait. [46]

And they waited and waited for some salvation, and the only thing that came was their turn to be slaughtered. If this was how a party functionary in Jakarta felt, one can only imagine the utter confusion amongst hundreds of thousands of rank-and-file members of the PKI in the regions and the millions of non-party workers and peasants who supported the PKI. They were fed with the illusion that eventually it would be sorted out by Sukarno, an illusion that bound them hand and foot ready to be delivered to Suharto the executioner.

At that same cabinet meeting, Sukarno proposed that all newspapers, including the PKIs Harian Rajat (Peoples Daily), should be allowed to resume publication. The military refused to permit this, and with that single act of defiance the army showed who really held power. Over the next two years we witness similar stories repeated again and again: Sukarno making bombastic statements from his presidential palace with his usual flair, making bold orders to restore his authority and undermine the army, and the army general staff simply refusing and strengthening their position every step of the way. There was nothing that The Supreme Commander of the National Armed Forces could do. In March 1967, he formally surrendered his power to Suharto, power that he had lost de facto immediately after G30S. Sukarno was simply kept as a titular president, long enough to lull and disarm the communists.

The heaviness of the defeat of the Indonesian proletariat lies not only in the fact of the brutality of the militarys bloodletting, but alsoand perhaps more importantlyin the paralysis and inability of its leadership, the PKI, to offer any resistance. The latters kowtowing to the national bourgeoisie had robbed the proletariat of its class vigilance and its fighting capacity. The mass rallies often displayed in years before the G30S turned out to be hollow and for show only.

Much has been said about the systematic, brainwashing propaganda machine and the terror the New Order launched that created todays deep-seated anti-communist sentiment that penetrated deeply into the psyche of the masses. But this was only possible because of the grave disappointment the masses had in the PKI, whose false policy literally led millions to the butchering house. The false policy of the leadership of the PKI was responsible for sullying the banner of communism in the eyes of the Indonesian toiling masses for generations, who had looked upon their leaders to lead them not to a bloody reaction, but to a victorious revolution.

Moving forward

A party tempers itself by learning from its mistakes. Even after committing a disastrous mistake, a party can still maintain its core cadres and rebuild its forces if it is capable of drawing all the necessary lessons and charting a new course to reorient itself in a new situation that it finds itself. But those are the two things that the PKI found itself wanting.

Sudisman, one of the main leaders of the PKI who managed to go underground before being captured in 1967, wrote a self-criticism document while in hiding. [11] The document identifies one of the main mistakes of the leadership of the PKI, him included, which is entrusting the fate of the Party and the revolutionary movement to the policy of President Sukarno. This is correct, but he still deemed to be absolutely correct the policy of forming a united front with the national bourgeoisie. Sudisman reiterated many times that the party still had to make continuous efforts to win the national bourgeoisie over to the side of the revolution. He imagined that it was possible for the proletariat to form a united front with the national bourgeoisie without undermining its own class independence. What he could not understand was that in order to win over the national bourgeoisie as an additional ally in the peoples democratic revolution the proletariat and its party would have to subordinate class struggle to the interests of the bourgeois class. You cannot have one without the other.

The only solution to the problems of Indonesian society lies in the struggle for the dictatorship of proletariat  or genuine workers democracy to express its true meaning  under a clean banner of class independence, drawing behind it the poor peasants. The workers have to be taught to never trust the bourgeoisie and keep their banners separate from those of their class enemies. Such is the necessary lesson that should have been drawn by the PKI, but alas Sudisman, as the only surviving senior Politburo member at that time, could not even see this.

By refusing to break with Sukarno, the PKI left themselves defenceless against Suharto / Image: public domain

Sudisman then turned to what he thought to be organisational weaknesses that allowed for this Right opportunism to take hold of the party: lack of critical attitude towards the leadership, the lack of courage to express a stand that was not in disagreement with the line followed by the leadership and lack of freedom to express the views and feelings of the cadres. But all of these were the natural conditions of a party educated and nurtured in the methods of Stalinism. Communist party leaders all over the world could not pretend to be blind to the fact that Stalin and Mao Zedong, whom they regarded as paragons of Marxism-Leninism, employed the crudest methods of expulsion, intimidation, and physical extermination to deal with anyone who dared to harbor critical attitudes against the infallible wisdom of the leadership. These methods are at odds with genuine Bolshevism, with the healthy internal democracy of the Party of Lenin and Trotsky, where sharp disagreements were debated openly, without fear of repercussions. Stalinist methods had been exported to every Communist Party around the world for decades, and served as a filter to select party leaders who would be uncritical yes-men and women, and utterly bureaucratic in the way they dealt with any disagreement. Sudisman was such a bureaucrat, who for decades had never even once raised any opposition to Aidit but then suddenly found that the party leadership had been committing errors in all fundamental questions. Such hindsight is truly cheap.

Sudisman now appealed for party democracy, to make the question of the principal means and the main form of struggle of the Indonesian revolution a problem which concerned the whole Party... [not just] a problem which concerned a few persons among the leadership and certain cadres in the Party. But party democracy is not a well of wisdom that can be drawn on at any moment. Neither is it a panacea that can be summoned at ones convenience to correct mistakes of the leadership. If the leaders are already embarking on an incorrect course, thus drawing behind them the whole party toward the same direction, it would be folly to expect that party democracy could somehow instantly correct the course. One would fall into crude democratism. A party can break from the mistakes of the old leadership only if it has inherited from the previous period strong revolutionary cadres that can counterpose themselves to the old leadership. A new leadership cannot be improvised at will, but is a product of a drawn-out struggle inside the party, a result of a healthy party regime, which was precisely what was lacking in all the Stalinist parties.

The self-criticism document then charted a new course for the party, and it was an equally disastrous course that bore no connection at all with reality. Sudisman called on the party members to begin organising peasant armed struggle along the lines of the Maoist peasant army and to turn their attention to transform the backward Indonesian villages into great and consolidated military, political and cultural bastions of revolution, or soviet zones. In the usual zigzag manner, which was characteristic of all Stalinists, after burning their fingers with the opportunist policy of the peaceful road toward socialism the leadership now swung in the opposite direction and adopted the ultra-leftist madness of armed struggle of the peasants. Nothing of the sort ever materialised. Party organisations in the rural areas had already been smashed and rural populations were mobilised by the reaction to turn against the PKI. It was mainly in the rural areas where massacres of unheard-of brutality unfolded. The immediate task ahead should have been to retreat in good order, slowly reorganise underground party organizations that would open the possibilities of establishing legal and semi-legal work amongst the masses, and putting forward democratic slogans against the rising regime of military dictatorship (freedom of press, free elections, trade union legality, etc.) while maintaining working class independence and exposing the constitutional and democratic illusions of the petty-bourgeois reformists.

Sudisman also underestimated the extent of the reaction:

The military dictatorship of the Right-wing army generals which is now in power is also a paper tiger. In appearance they are powerful and terrifying. But in reality they are not so powerful, because they are not supported but, on the contrary, are opposed by the people.

The military had won decisively. With the blood of hundreds of thousands of Communist cadres on their hands they were a real tiger, not a paper tiger. Through their systematic propaganda machine, the army had mobilised a significant layer of the people against the PKI. A certain period of economic and political stabilisation was on the order of the day. Believing in the fantasy that the enemy was weak, Sudisman imagined that he could arouse the demoralised party members. He continued this fantasy by making the following absurd assertion:

From the strategic point of view, imperialism and all reactionaries are weak and consequently we must belittle them. By belittling the enemies strategically, we can build up the courage to fight them and the confidence to defeat them... The vicious and savage massacre and torture against the hundreds of thousands of Communists and democrats which they are still continuing today, will not be able to prevent the people and the Communists from rising up in resistance. On the contrary, all the brutalities and cruelties will certainly arouse the tit-for-tat resistance struggle of the people. (Our emphasis)

The massacre of hundreds of thousands of Communist cadres resulted in a multigenerational trauma, a historical shock to the consciousness of the people. It did not arouse the masses for a tit-for-tat resistance struggle but demoralised them for decades to come.

This self-criticism sealed the fate of the PKI as the revolutionary party of the proletariat. Instead of correcting its past mistakes, it piled up even more mistakes. It charted a new course  peasant armed struggle and the establishment of Soviet zones  that was at odds with reality. It underestimated the military dictatorship and the extent of the defeat suffered by the working class.

The young generation of Marxists in Indonesia today must be taught the lessons of 1965, i.e. the treacherous class-collaborationist policy of a united front with the bourgeoisie  or with the so-called progressive bourgeoisie as opposed to the reactionary or comprador bourgeoisie  that robbed the proletariat of its class independence and completely disarmed it, rendering it ill-equipped to lead a victorious revolution and opening the way to bloody reaction. This class-collaborationist policy comes in many forms and terms: revolutionary united front of all anti-imperialist and anti-feudal classes and groups, democratic peoples state, peoples democratic revolution, new-type bourgeois democratic revolution, but they serve the same purpose of undermining class struggle and subordinating the interests of the proletariat to those of the bourgeoisie. It is an expensive lesson paid dearly by the Indonesian working class, and we should honour their sacrifice  albeit a truly unnecessary sacrifice which was the result of a treacherous leadership  by investing the necessary time and resources to learn tPhoto taken on Oct. 15, 2018 shows the outside of Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. A Turkish team entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Monday evening to conduct a search over the disappearance of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, live broadcast showed. (Xinhua/He Canling)

ISTANBUL, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Turkish team entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Monday evening to conduct a search over the disappearance of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, live broadcast showed.

The Turkish delegation, including police officers and crime scene investigators, came to the front of the consulate building in seven to eight vehicles, including a forensic van, according to the live broadcast by private Demiroren agency.

Police have increased the security measures around the neighborhood, cordoning off all roads leading to the mission.

Hours earlier, a Saudi team of 15 people arrived at the consulate building, after meeting with Turkish authorities at the Istanbul security headquarters.

The two countries agreed last week to work together on the case and conduct a joint search in the consulate, where Khashoggi was last seen on Oct. 2.

Meanwhile, Turkish police increased security measures around the area and sealed off the entrance to the mission.

Turkey believes the journalist was murdered with his body removed, while Saudi Arabia has dismissed such allegations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud spoke on the phone about the issue on Sunday evening.

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[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan (R, front) meets with attendees of the sixth China-France young leaders' forum in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 15, 2018. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan on Monday met with attendees of the sixth China-France young leaders' forum in Beijing, calling for more exchanges between young people of the two countries.

"Human society has many common opportunities, risks and challenges, which no single country can handle alone, as economic globalization is the inevitable trend," Wang said.

The two sides should strengthen understanding, dialogue and cooperation in all fields, realize the blueprint of China-France relations in the new era mapped out by the two leaders, and make joint efforts to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, said Wang.

He said the young people of the two countries should continue to strengthen exchanges, enhance understanding and deepen cooperation, so as to contribute to building more dynamic and sustainable bilateral ties.

The attendees said the forum is an important platform for exchanges between the young people of the two countries and will continue to gather consensus, promote cooperation, and push for the progress of China-France relations and world peace and development.

The forum is co-hosted by the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA) and the France China Foundation. The first forum was held in France in late August 2013.

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[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message.In this aerial photo taken on Sept. 25, 2018, workers building the Pingtang Bridge of the Pingtang-Luodian expressway in southwest China's Guizhou. The height of one of the bridge's towers measures 328 meters. Once completed, the Pingtang Birdge will be the highest concrete bridge in the world. In southwest China's Guizhou Province, where endless karst hills dominate the land, modern transportation is made possible thanks to more than 20,000 bridges that cross over the valleys. The province easily justifies itself as a museum of bridges: among the world's 100 highest bridges, 46 are located in Guizhou. Over the four decades since China's reform and opening-up, generations of bridge builders have created various engineering miracles while battling technological challenges on tricky terrains. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

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[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]Farmers shell bamboo shoots in Lianhua Village of Baoyuan Township, Chishui, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Oct. 14, 2018. There are 1.32 million mu (0.88 million hectares) of bamboo forests in Chishui. The bamboo-related industry has become an income booster for the locals. (Xinhua/Wang Changyu)

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[ Editor: zyq ]Co-organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Oganisations (HUFO) and the Vietnam-France Friendship Association, the exhibition features 42 art works, including paintings in oil, acrylic and lacquer, and sculptures in ceramic, by five French and 14 Vietnamese painters and artists. The works feature images of people, landscapes and still life.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Huynh Van Muoi, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association, said it is the fourth joint Vietnam  France art exhibition to be held in Ho Chi Minh City.

Through the event, Vietnamese and French artists have a chance to share experience in painting, thus contributing to further tightening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Previously, three joint art exhibitions between Vietnamese and French artists were held in Ho Chi Minh City.

The exhibition runs until October 25.This article originally appeared in the Dec. 2012 issue of Next Gen Mobility Magazine.

A while back, I commented in my TMCnet blog on rumors of a Sprint takeover by Google (News - Alert). At the time, many thought the idea was crazy. Fast forward a few years, tens of thousands of Android devices and a Motorola Mobility acquisition later, and Google is now reportedly in talks to launch a wireless service with a number of companies including Dish Networks.

As you may recall, Steve Jobs too wanted to launch a wireless network, and if Google is seriously exploring this option, this means Apple has to be doing the same.

The next frontier of advertising revenue for Google is mobile, and if carriers and Apple decide to lock the company out of this lucrative market (even partially), they have no choice but to own the wireless pipes.

Now the question of spectrum comes into play. Is T-Mobile too expensive? Is Sprint worth another look? What about SoftBanks big investment in the company?

All of this shows the future for all successful companies is to own everything  at least they think this is the case. Just look at Apple, which owns chips to distribution. This counters much of what we saw in the PC space in the nineties when Dell bought off-the-shelf components and cleaned Compaqs sales clock in the process.

At the time, Compaq was meticulously designing components at high cost to extract a bit more performance than what you could buy on the open market from common component suppliers. Dell showed Compaq and others that it made more sense to become a marketing machine and sell computers based on commoditized parts.

Today, the target is Apple. Amazon designs its own tablets because of Apple. Microsoft is in retail in malls because of Apple. Almost every phone maker has its own music store because of Apple. Microsoft Surface was a response to Apple.

If Google does indeed want to get into the wireless business beyond the Wi-Fi hotspots it offers around the country, it is probably because the company heard Apple was about to do the same.

Speaking of the key players in wireless, its also interesting to note that while profits from the top eight mobile vendors over the past five years have risen from $5.3 billion to $14.4 billion  for a whopping increase of $9.1 billion  more than 67,000 people have been laid off in this arena.

How is this possible?

I posited a similar query a few months ago regarding Cornings (News - Alert) shares losing value  even while the company supplies Gorilla Glass to much of the booming mobile market.

Alcatel-Lucent, Google/Motorola (News - Alert) and RIM also have each announced plans to shed thousands of jobs, while Nokia has eliminated 10,000 jobs and Nokia Siemens Networks disposed of 17,000 jobs.

AT&T (News - Alert), Verizon and many other carriers around the world are benefiting tremendously from the massive spending on wireless connectivity from customers, yet this money is not reaching the majority of equipment providers or device manufacturers.

The challenge is the wireless market has a lack of competition for now. When the PC market was thriving there were hundreds of companies providing computers  some which you put together yourself and others that were bare bones models at discount prices. But now, prohibitive marketing budgets, the need for a patent arsenal, and carrier relationships have made it difficult for a no-name company to become a market leader overnight.

Apple and Samsung (News - Alert) are so dominant that the other players have to eke out a living in the shadows. Google and Amazon, meanwhile, can afford to lose money in mobile for as long as they need to in order to further their core businesses.

Another challenge is that organizations like Apple and Samsung are so large they can afford to design, and in Samsungs case, manufacture their own mobile chips. What this means is typical suppliers to a thriving market like Texas Instruments have trouble making a living. This is why TI announced that it, too, is laying off 1,700 wireless employees.

The growth in wireless seems to be in the aftermarket space  meaning ecosystem plays. Apps makers, hardware add-on companies like Square, and case making are the angles to play to generate big money in wireless. For traditional hardware arms suppliers like NSN and TI, mobile is not your fathers tech space.

Edited by Braden BeckerEducation

Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu.

Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu.

Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events:

International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu.

EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu.

Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale  an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s  will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets  June Homecoming: Participant  $18 per person; Sustainer  $25 per person; Benefactor  $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler  Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events:

SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available  for information call 610-275-1960

Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above)

SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m.

Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.  4 p.m.  computers are available during those hours.

Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863.

Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376.

Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com.

The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes:

Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at

other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020.

CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313.

The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events:

Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m.

Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m.

Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30.

Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301.

For Kids & Families

The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443.

Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950.

Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required.

The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950.

Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus.

Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage.

Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun.

Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train.

Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world!

Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class.

Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org.

Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583.

Community Events at the Ambler Y:

-YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register.

Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org.

Health

Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot.

The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information.

Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245.

Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net.

Spring Aquatic Programs  UDHS Pool:

-Summer is just around the corner  Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required.

 Shallow Water Aerobics  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR.

 Adult Swim Instructions  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR

-Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21.

-Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday  Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m.

-Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons.

-Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates.

Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994.

SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com.

Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org.

Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs:

FITNESS CLASSES

Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month.

Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30  9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000.

Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30  7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047.

New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m.  12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30  4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931.

Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325.

Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes.

Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com.

Librarytalk

Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744

www.upperdublinlibrary.org

APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS:

Storytimes: Please register in the library.

o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m.

o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m.

o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m.

o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6.

APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS:

North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee

APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS:

NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org.

One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register  contact info above.

Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744.

o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register.

Meetings:

Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m.

Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m.

Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org.

For children and teens at Blue Bell:

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m.

* May 14  Despicable Me

* June 11  Alpha and Omega

* Special Events

* April  watch for date of spring/Easter events

* April 14 at 4:30 p.m.  Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children.

* April 14 at 7 p.m.  Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided.

* April 16 at 1 p.m.  Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King.

* April 16 at 1:30 p.m.  Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes?

* April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button.

* April 30 through May 3  Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults.

* May  sign up for Science in the Summer

* June  sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children

* June  sign up for Summer Reading, all ages

For adults at Blue Bell:

* Daytime Book Discussion Group  fourth Tuesday, Jan  April at 1:30 p.m.

* April 26  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Night-time Book Discussion Group  third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.

o April 19  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges

o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked?

*Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs

* Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class.

* Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class.

* Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m.

* Giant Book Sale, April 29  May 3

o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults!

o Held during library hours.

o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m.

o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join.

* Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series

o May 11 at 1 p.m.  Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society

* Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room.

* Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read.

* Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome.

* Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome.

*Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older.

* Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours

* Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours

* Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday!

Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library.

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* For adults:

* Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn.

* Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net

* Special Events:

* April 14 at 1:30 p.m.  Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian.

* April 19 at 7 p.m.  Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m.

* April 21 at 7 p.m.  Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades.

*May 2 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

*May 10  Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*May 12 at 1:30p.m.  Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman.

*May 17  Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*June 13 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

Meetings and Lectures

The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833.

The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200.

The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/.

LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings.

Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org.

Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org)

-Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them.

The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter.

For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps.

Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin.

Special Events

The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County.

The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065.

Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members.

Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex.

The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com.

The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348.

The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org.

Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163.

The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu.

The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com.

The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net.

Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages.

13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries.

Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family.

The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler.

JPRN  Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them  Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike.

Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies.

Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately.

Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways.

Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table.

Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp  Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall:

-Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store.

Music and Theater

The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220.

Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html.

Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free.

The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org

Religious News

The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276.

Reunions

St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net.

Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572.

Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779.

Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net

Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net

The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411.

Support

New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149.

PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931.

The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296.

Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656.

Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group  every other Wednesday, 7  8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support  second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner  Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers  Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information.

CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7  8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich,PLYMOUTH  Its been a busy year for Harmonville Fire Company, and not just when it came to responding to fires and highway rescues. Despite the pandemic, the company was able to welcome in 18 new members, all of who...The event was attended by Lao Deputy Prime Minister Bounthong Chitmany, ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General AKP Mochtan, and the leaders of justice and law ministries and attorney generals of the ASEAN member countries.

In his opening remarks, Lao Deputy PM Bounthong Chitmany stressed that in intra-ASEAN cooperation, one of the important characteristics of the ASEAN Political-Security Community pillar is to build ASEAN into a rules-based, people-oriented, people-centred community, with a focus on protecting and promoting peace, stability and cooperation for the development within Southeast Asia and around the world.

He highlighted the significant role played by the ALAWMM in regulating the parties concerned in order to bring the aforementioned goal to fruition.

After the opening session, participants discussed, considered and approved the report of the 18th meeting of the ASEAN Senior Law Officials (ASLOM), which took place in Vientiane from October 9 to 10.

On the same day, Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long was involved in a bilateral working session with his Cambodian counterpart, Angvong Vathana, on the sidelines of ALAWMM 10.

At the meeting, the two ministers exchanged views on the judicial work of each country, reaching a consensus on the organisation of the second judicial conference between the border provinces of Vietnam and Cambodia in 2019.

Both sides expressed their belief that the cooperation between the two Justice Ministries would continue to thrive in a stronger and more extensive manner, aiming to meet the socio-economic development requirements of the two countries and contributing positively to strengthening the fine neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive, sustainable and long-term cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia.Veterans Day program at Pennridge North Middle School thanks those who servedBlair Mill Elementary students Fun Run raises more than $5,000 for schoolFriends on the Run hit the trail againOctober 16, 2018

Coverup Deal Will Blame Khashoggi Death On Extreme Torture

The coverup of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, killed on behalf of the Saudi clown prince Mohammad bin Salman, proceeds apace. It is part of a deal between Turkey and Saudi Arabia under the aegis of the United States. The haggling over the details will take a while.

Several media report of a test ballon, floated to find out if an 'alternative' story will fly:

Saudi Arabia was preparing an alternative explanation of the fate of a dissident journalist on Monday, saying he died at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago in an interrogation gone wrong, according to a person familiar with the kingdoms plans. In Washington, President Trump echoed the possibility that Jamal Khashoggi was the victim of rogue killers.

...

[O]n Monday, a person familiar with the Saudi governments plans said that Mr. Khashoggi was mistakenly killed during an interrogation ordered by a Saudi intelligence official who was a friend of the crown prince. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Prince Mohammed had approved interrogating or even forcing Mr. Khashoggi to return to Saudi Arabia under duress. But, the person said, the Saudi intelligence official went too far in eagerly seeking to prove himself in secretive operations, then sought to cover up the botched job.

One might expand on that fairytale: "The Saudi general who allegedly botched the interrogation of Jamal Khashoggi mysteriously died in a Saudi air force plane crash on the same day the coverup story was floated." But that would probably take it too far.

The floated story will of course not be believed. A deadly interrogation - extreme torture - in the Saudi consulate is not plausible. One does not need to fly in 15 operators, including a specialist for autopsies, to twist someone's arms and ask a few questions. The intent was either to kidnap the guy or to outright kill him.

The trial ballon seems to come from U.S. sources, not from the Saudis. Trump yesterday spoke of "rogue killers" who may have caused the incident. No one near Mohammad bin Salman dares to go rogue. It's a deadly sin. U.S. intelligence services seem to believe that Khashoggi was indeed killed. The Wall Street Journal reports that Turkey provided its evidence:

The Turkish government has shared with U.S. officials what it describes as audio and video recordings purporting to show that Mr. Khashoggi was killed in the building, people familiar with the matter said.

The Trump administration will have to sell the story not only to the public, but also to the Turkish President Erdogan and to the Saudi King.

Both seem to prepare for a deal. After two weeks of denial that anything happened to Khashoggi the Saudis finally reacted:

King Salman ordered the Saudi public prosecutor to head a probe to determine responsibility for who was responsible for Mr. Khashoggis disappearance, people familiar with the matter said Monday. Probe results could be announced within days, and lead to some Saudi individuals being held accountable for Mr. Khashoggis death, one of the people said.

The Turkish side is also preparing to accept the coverup:

On Monday Turkish investigators  who had been willing to talk for much of the past nine days  were now more cautious. So too were Turkish journalists, one of whom said that his outlet had been instructed to focus less on the apparent crime and more on the political settlement.

The Turkish President Erdogan may agree to a 'political settlement' but the price the Saudis will have to pay for that will be very high. Erdogan again made clear that he aims at nothing less than neo-ottoman leadership in the Arab world:

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday said that Turkey was the only country that could lead the Muslim world. Turkey, with its cultural wealth, accretion of history and geographical location, has hosted diverse faiths in peace for centuries, and is the only country that can lead the Muslim world, he said in a meeting with religious officials.

The "Custodian of the two Holy Mosques" (in Mecca and Medina) is the official title of the Saudi king. It implies leadership within the Muslim word. Since Saladin the title was used by many Islamic rulers, including the Ottoman Sultans. Erdogan wants it back. His aspirations pose an open challenge to the Saudi rulers.

But when a deal has to be made, a deal will happen. Even it it takes some time.

Whatever the deal might be Jamal Khashoggi's children will protest against it. They demand "an independent and impartial international commission to inquire into the circumstances of his death". The Washington Post, where Khashoggi worked, and some Congress members will likely support them. But there is little chance that Trump or the Saudis will agree to any independent inquiry.

An open question is the future of clown prince Mohammad bin Salman. The 'deep state' wants him to leave. The uncontrollable guy - only a heartbeat away from becoming king - proved to be too dangerous to be allowed in such a position.

This detail is therefore intriguing:

The Saudi ambassador to the United States, Prince Khalid bin Salman, left Washington last week, returned to Riyadh and will not be returning, a current and a former American official said on Monday. It was not clear when he might be replaced, or by whom. Prince Khalid is the crown princes younger brother.

Did clown prince Mohammad bin Salman recall his brother because he feared that he plotted against him? Or did King Salman order him back to replace MbS as crown prince?

Mohammad bin Salman is already damaged goods. I find it unlikely that he will be allowed to stay in his position. Several high level U.S. congress people, including top Republicans, want him to go. The CIA's darling, Prince Muhammad bin Nayef, will likely regain the crown prince position.

On Monday, while the cover up story was thought out, Turkish investigators were finally allowed to enter the Saudi consulate. Before they arrived a cleaning crew entered the building (vid) to prepare the presumed crime scene.

Trump sent Secretary of State Pompeo to facilitate negotiations between the Saudis and Turks. Ambassador James Jeffrey, the special representative for Syria engagement, is joining him in the endeavor. The Saudis finance the Kurdish proxy force the U.S. uses for its occupation of northeast Syria. One of Erdogan 's demands will be that any such support ends.

Trump is a businessman. The U.S. help for cleaning up the mess MbS caused will not come cheap. He will press the Saudis to sign more weapon deals. He will urge them to stick to random killing of Yemeni civilians.

In the view of the Washington establishment causing the famine of millions of dark skinned people is a lesser sin than touching a journalist and operative they perceive as one of their own.

Posted by b on October 16, 2018 at 10:28 UTC | Permalink

Comments

next page The yearly event, the seventh of its kind, was jointly held by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC) and the Laos Academy of Social Science (LASS).

It offered an opportunity for scientists from the three countries to exchange and share information on issues of mutual concern in the triangle, in the region and around the world, as well as strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the three agencies, contributing to promoting the traditional, long-term and comprehensive friendship and cooperation.

According to Vice President of the VASS, Bui Nhat Quang, the three countries always stand side by side and cooperate closely in the struggle for national independence, construction and defence. At present, the socio-economic, cultural, political and security cooperation among the three nations has been intensified in an increasingly cohesive and reliable manner.

The event was also an important chance for experts and policy makers from the three countries to jointly identify and evaluate the impact of regional and international factors on the cooperation of the three countries, thus proposing measures to promote cooperation in a stronger and improved manner, to ensure the development, peace, prosperity and sustainability of each country and the whole region.

Over the past 30 years, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos have achieved positive achievements in socio-economic development. The three countries have set up the "Development Triangle" mechanism, while actively participating in regional and international cooperation mechanisms, playing an important role in bringing the cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion, the ASEAN Community and many other links in Southeast Asia, to a new stage of development.

At the workshop, participants discussed the content of identifying the new context in the cooperation of the three countries, in addition to assessing the shortcomings in the past and proposing orientations and solutions to confirm the role and significance of cooperative relations in the process of economic development of each country in the near future.

Delegates stated that the new development stage requires all three countries to promote sustainable economic cooperation for the benefit of each country and contribute to building a stronger, stable and sustainable ASEAN Economic Community.

In order to promote and increase the effectiveness of economic cooperation among the three countries, they suggested that the three governments continue to support business development, regularly maintain a dialogue mechanism among the authorities concerned and accelerate the update and finalisation of trade and investment agreements, as well as encouraging all economic sectors to participate in trade and investment activities among the three countries.Welcome to Morningstar.co.uk!

You have been redirected here from Hemscott.com as we are merging our websites to provide you with a one-stop shop for all your investment research needs.To search for a security, type the name or ticker in the search box at the top of the page and select from the dropdown results.Registered Hemscott users can log in to Morningstar using the same login details. Similarly, if you are a Hemscott Premium user, you now have a Morningstar Premium account which you can access using the same login details.Dayton Dia De Muertos (Day of the Dead) Parade and Celebration

Dia de Muertos is a unique and colorful holiday observed across Mexico, the southwestern United States, Latin America and right here in Dayton, Ohio. During Dia De Muertos people reminisce on the lives of loved ones who have died by creating and sharing ofrendas (Day of the Dead alters), food, sugar skulls, papel picado banners, processions, calaveras (skulls) music, traditional dance while wearing sugar skull painted faces and bright costumes.

The Dayton parade and celebration will include all of these traditional Mexican traditions with some unique Gem City twists.

Expect more than a thousand people to participate in this free and family friendly event. October 21st 2  8 PM.

2 pm Gather for the Pre-Parade activities at the Yellow Cab 700 E. 4th Street Dayton, OH 45402. There will be storytelling, games, Rev. Cool of WYSO spinning Latin music, great food, expert face painting and the NEW Dayton Dia De Muertos T-shirt for sale.

4 pm The Dayton Dia De Muertos Parade departs the Yellow Cab and loops through the Oregon District in Downtown Dayton to trek down the middle of E. Fifth Street and back to the Yellow Cab.

The celebration begins when the parade returns to the Yellow Cab Tavern:

Authentic Mexican folkloric Dia De Muertos dancers from ORGULLO MEXICANO Authentic Mexican folkloric Dia De Muertos dancers from

Traditional rancheros from the father and daughter singing team of LESLIE PEREZ AND THE ALACRAN DE DURANGO

n famed and mysterious original Lucha mask-wearing rockers TEAM VOID . Daytons own famed and mysterious original Lucha mask-wearing rockers

REV. COOL of WYSOs Around the Fringe show will MC the event and DJ high energy traditional and not so tradition Latin dance beats between sets and to end up the evening.

Traditional homemade Mexican food will be provided by the families of St. Marys Church on Xenia Ave in Dayton. El Mesons food truck will also be there.

Traditional Dia De Muertos ofrendas (alters) will also be on display.

Dayton Dia De Muertos t-shirts and stickers will be available.Hanoi is accelerating the implementation of a project to sustainably develop smart urban area until 2025, he said, stressing that a steering board for information technology application was set up while the city has worked to complete residential database to serve local people, enterprises, and the citys management activities.

In addition, an information system on education and training and healthcare has been accomplished, he said.

Mika Lintila, for his part, spoke highly of the friendship between Vietnam and Finland, and underlined that both sides pose huge potential for further collaboration.

Holding strengths in infrastructure development and settlement of environmental pollution, Finish firms stand ready to share experience with Hanoi in building a smart city in the coming time, he said.

At the event, 17 Finish enterprises briefed the Hanoi leading official on their strengths in water management technology and cyber space security, expressing their hope that the visit will open new cooperation opportunities for both sides.Lelectricite est devenue, de nos jours, un besoin dune importance majeure, et cela, dans tous les domaines dactivite. Que ce soit dans les maisons ou []The opening ceremony will be held on October 25 with the participation of nearly 150 delegates. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will deliver a keynote speech at the event.

Ha said the event aims to foster cooperation in ensuring gender equality and increasing female empowerment in the region.

Themed Social Security for Women and Girls Towards ASEANs 2025 Vision, ministers at the event will discuss regional and global measures to ensure social welfare for women and girls towards realising the ASEAN declaration on enhancing social security.

The event is due to issue a joint statement for submittal to the 33rd ASEAN Summit scheduled for later this year.

Before the third AMMW, the 17th meeting of ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) and the meeting of the ACW+3 with China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea will also be held.

Conferences and dialogues of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children, as well as those between ACW, the European Union, and partners, on enhancing economic empowerment and raising public awareness of gender inequality in communications are also planned for.

The third AMMW takes place in the context that further attention is paid to delivering commitments and priorities regarding social welfare, women, and gender equality.

Due to shortcomings in relevant policies, women still find it hard to access social welfare services. The rate of women working in the informal sector remains high, while they continue to receive a much lower wage than men.

Vietnam has proposed initiatives to improve womens status, including forming a network of ASEAN female entrepreneurs.I did not get the real ...The meeting aims to implement the process of introducing personnel of the executive board, the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the VNFU Central Committee in the seventh tenure; recapitulate opinions of farmers' committees and party committees of provinces and cities on the draft report of the VNFU Central Committee in the sixth tenure at the seventh national congress of the VNFU for the period from 2018 to 2023 and the drafts of some amendments and supplements to the VNFU Charter.

At the meeting, Party Central Committee member Thao Xuan Sung, who is Chairman of the VNFU Central Committee said that the implementation of the personnel process has special significance in the leadership and direction of the VNFUs movement in the coming term.

The seventh national congress of the Vietnam Farmers Union (VNFU) is expected to take place from December 11 to 14.The article, which was written by Egyptian reporter Kamal Gaballah and published on October 14, aimed to celebrate 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The reporter emphasised his impression on President Ho Chi Minh through information of his visits to Egypt, in 1911 and 1946, as well as his ability to lead Vietnamese people in fighting against French and US invaders.

The article has noted that President Ho Chi Minh has left a special love with Egypt and was admired by millions of people in the world, particularly Egypt.

Egypt is one of the first countries in the world to establish full diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1963. Two leaders Gamal Abdel Nasser and Ho Chi Minh nurtured the friendship between the two nations.

The Vietnam  Egypt bilateral relationship has witnessed the development, particularly in 2017 and 2018, through high-level visits and agreements.

Many Vietnamese companies are committed to investing in Egypt in the fields of agriculture, fisheries and shipbuilding as well as boosting cooperation in tourism, education and culture.By PTI

NEW DELHI: Women farmers are playing a significant role in the development of the farm sector and more females should be appointed in extension services to empower them further, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said Monday.

Addressing an event to mark Mahila Kisan Diwas here, the minister said women farmers have to be empowered for the growth of the agriculture sector and the rural economy.

About 400 women from 26 states participated in the two-day event that started on Sunday.

Mahila Kisan Diwas is celebrated on October 15.

Singh said of the total farmers in the country, about 14 per cent are women.

The minister lauded the contribution of women in the development of agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry and beekeeping sectors.

Singh pitched for appointing more women in agriculture extension service and said the Centre would write to states on this matter.

In order to bring women in the agriculture mainstream, he said the government has allocated more than 30 per cent of funds for women under various major schemes/programmes and development related activities.

The minister informed that a research by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) conducted in nine states shows that the participation of women is 75 per cent in the production of major crops, 79 per cent in horticulture, 51 per cent in post-harvest work and 95 per cent in animal husbandry and fisheries.

Singh said special importance is being given to the role of women in achieving the goal of doubling farmers' income by 2022.

He said women are trained under various farm schemes.

Under the National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), 38.78 lakh women have been trained in the last two years.

Similarly, 6.07 lakh and 7000 women have benefited through KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendra's) and skill training respectively.

A total of 53.34 lakh women have benefited during the year 2016-17 and 2017-18.By PTI

NEW DELHI: Congress leader and industrialist Naveen Jindal, an accused in a coal scam case, has been allowed by a special court to travel abroad for business purposes.

Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar on Monday allowed the plea filed by Jindal, seeking the court's permission to visit Japan from October 15 to 19.

The court, however, imposed certain conditions on him after the application was opposed by special public prosecutor N K Matta and advocate Samvedna Verma on behalf of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Also Read | Delhi court grants bail to industrialist and Congress leader Naveen Jindal

The council said that the relief may result in delay in trial and Jindal may misuse the permission and not return to face the trial.

The former parliamentarian has been asked to inform the investigating officer and the court about the details of the places visited within seven days of his return.

"He shall not tamper with evidence, nor try to influence any witness in any manner and will not use the permission granted to him contrary to the rules," the court said.

Jindal was on Monday granted bail by the court after imposing several conditions.

The case pertains to money laundering in relation to the alleged irregularities in the allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand to Jindal Steel and Power Ltd and Gagan Sponge Iron Private Ltd.By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Rs 2.50 per litre relief given on retail fuel rates by way of an excise duty cut and subsidy has come to nought in just 10 days as prices continued to rise unabated. Mondays price hike of 8 to 9 paise a litre has taken rates to Rs 75.46 per litre in New Delhi, a paisa more than what it was when finance minister Arun Jaitley announced the price cut on October 4.

The Centre had cut excise duty on fuel by Rs 1.50 per litre and had asked oil marketing companies (OMCs) to subsidise petrol and diesel prices by Rs 1 a litre. However, the retail selling price of diesel continued to rise after the excise duty cut was announced, and in the last 10 days it has increased by Rs 2.51 per litre in New Delhi.This is also the fastest increase in rates since oil firms implemented daily price revision in mid-June last year.

Similarly, in Chennai, diesel was selling at Rs 79.80 per litre on Monday, a paisa more than the October 4 price (Rs 79.79), while in Kolkata it was selling at Rs 77.31 as against Rs 77.30 on October 4. In Mumbai, however, the diesel price remained lower than the October 4 level as the state government had similarly reduced the duty. On Monday, diesel was selling at Rs 79.11 per litre in Mumbai as against the October 4 price of Rs 80.10 per litre.

While in Delhi and a few other states diesel prices are at their highest level, in most other states they are lower than the peak level as some state governments (mostly of the NDA) had matched the Centres move to cut excise duty and the oil companies subsidy by a cut in local sales tax or VAT. Meanwhile, petrol prices remained stagnant across the four metropolitan cities on Monday.

Petrol was selling at Rs 82.72 per litre in Delhian increase of Rs 1.22 per litre since October 4, when it was selling at Rs 84 per litre. In Mumbai, it was selling at Rs 88.18, in Chennai it was Rs 85.99, and in Kolkata it was Rs t84.54.The reduction in excise duty, the second in four years, wil

Centres revenues to take a hit

The reduction in excise duty, the second in four years of NDA rule, will dent the Centres revenues by J10,500 crore and was aimed at cooling retail prices.l dent the Centres revenues by Rs 10,500 crore. The Centre had raised excise duty on petrol by Rs 11.77 a litre and that on diesel by Rs 13.47 a litre in nine instalments between November 2014 and January 2016.The statement was made by Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the EU Vu Anh Quang in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, on the occasion of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc's visit to Belgium and the EU from October 16-19.

The Ambassador said that during the PM's four-day visit, he will attend the 12th ASEM Summit (ASEM 12) in Brussels on October 18-19 alongside heads of States and Governments of 51 member countries.

Vietnam attaches special importance to the role of ASEM and the country hosted the ASEM Summit in 2005. PM Phuc will deliver a speech at the first working session of this year's Summit which will highlight Vietnam's initiatives and proposals to boost cooperation and linkages between Asia and Europe.

The Vietnamese Government leader is also scheduled to hold a series of meetings with PMs and leaders of other countries to foster the bilateral relations.

The PM will also pay an official visit to Belgium on October 16-17 and is expected to meet King Philippe of Belgium, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, and other Belgium senior officials.

PM Phuc also plans to hold talks with President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, and Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade Bernd Lange with the aim of promoting the relationship between Vietnam and the EU.

According to Ambassador Vu Anh Quang, the relations between Vietnam and Belgium have seen increasing development in all areas with the focus on the cooperation on sustainable development goals.

Belgium is the seventh largest trade partner of Vietnam among 28 EU countries and the two-way trade revenue reached US$2.7 billion in 2017. Belgian enterprises have invested approximately US$900 million in Vietnam. Belgium's Antwerp port, the second largest in Europe, is an important gateway for Vietnamese goods to enter Belgian and European markets, Quang noted.

During the PM's visit to Belgium, a number of agreements are expected to be signed between the two sides including the Vietnam-Belgium Strategic Partnership Agreement in Agriculture and the Memorandum of Understanding on the cooperation between Vietnam and Flanders region, the most developed region of Belgium.

The Vietnamese PM's meetings with EU leaders are of great importance in order to promote the early implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between Vietnam and the EU and speed up the signing and approval of the EU-Vietnam Free Trada Agreement (FTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (IPA). These agreements are believed to create a solid political and legal framework for the deeper and more practical bilateral between the two sides.

The EU is the second largest trade partner and the second largest export market of Vietnam. The two-way trade revenue was reported at US$50 billion in 2017 and is anticipated to hit US$55 billion in 2018.

Ambassador Quang said that there are huge opportunities for bilateral relations between Vietnam and Belgium and the two sides will witness new strides in economics, trade and investment, particularly after the signing of the Vietnam-Belgium Strategic Partnership Agreement in Agriculture, the Memorandum of Understanding on the cooperation between Vietnam and Flanders region, and the three-year cooperation programme between Vietnam and Wallonie region in the 2019-2021 period.By Express News Service

BENGALURU: High-rise buildings like apartment blocks and commercial complexes could soon be asked to install electric-vehicle charging points if the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) has its way.

The electricity distribution utility, which launched its second electric vehicle charging point in the premises of the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission at Millers road, will send a proposal to the KERC to implement this move.

BESCOM already operates a charging station with two fast chargers and a slow charger at its Corporate offices at KR Circle. In six months, the company is targetting to commission 11 points across the city. However, if the proposal by BESCOM comes through, it could be a game changer for the electric vehicle industry in the city which has traditionally seen low adoption due to lack of charging infrastructure.

We will send a proposal to Urban Development Department through KERC to make provisions for electrical points to charge electric vehicles in high rise buildings, said BESCOM Managing Director C Shikha at the launch of the charging point. KERC has spoken in support of electric vehicles and had even fixed a separate tariff for these points.

KERC Chairman M K Shankarlinge Gowda on Monday reiterated his support for electric vehicles and said, When rates of fossil fuels become high, electric vehicles will be the future.

He also reacted positively to BESCOMs proposal, a statement from the company said.

Only 1,400 electric vehicles were sold across the state in 2017-18 according to industry body Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles. Out of this number, only 250 are cars.By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: A Lucknow realtor and son of a former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader was booked for brandishing a handgun in the foyer of a five-star hotel in south Delhi, the police said on Tuesday.

The man, identified as Ashish Pandey, is the son of former MP Rakesh Pandey who was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2009 from Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. His brother, Ritesh Pandey, is a sitting MLA from Jalapur constituency in Ambedkar Nagar.

The incident, which happened over the weekend, came to light on Monday night after a video of it went viral. The police then intervened, and the assistant security manager of the hotel lodged a complaint at the R K Puram police station.

#WATCH A man brandishes a gun outside a 5-star hotel in Delhi on October 14. A case has been registered in connection with the incident. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/G14eqVJU0U  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2018

A case, under sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, was registered subsequent to the video. Section 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), Section 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), Section 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and Section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the IPC have also been added to the complaint, DCP (southwest) Devender Arya said.

ALSO READ | Airports alerted as cops close in on BSP neta's son who brandished gun during Delhi hotel brawl

In the clip that went viral, Ashish is seen brandishing a gun and threatening a couple outside the Hyatt Regency hotel in Delhi. Another woman and a security guard are seen holding him back, and trying to calm him down.

The quarrel began after the woman Pandey was seen threatening allegedly objected to him entering the womens washroom, the police said. A Look Out Circular has been issued against him.By Express News Service

KOCHI: The district-level inauguration of the mobile app 'Sagara', which aims at ensuring security of fishermen, was held on Monday. K J Maxi MLA launched the app at a function at Thoppumpady.

The app  a Digital Kerala initiative by the Department of Fisheries and National Informatics Centre, Kerala  focuses on monitoring fishing vessels and registering the crew venturing into the water for fishing. It is available on the Google Playstore.

An awareness class was held to familiarise the fishermen community with the mobile app. Senior officers of the Fisheries Department, Matsyafed, Coastal Police, Marine Enforcement Wing and representatives of boat owners and workers took part in the class.

The app will primarily act as a form of communication between fishermen and government entities to monitor the fishermen and vessels. It will help the Fisheries Department to keep an up-to-date log of the exit and entry of vessels and fishermen who venture into the sea for fishing and return.

To use it, the users have to download the app from the Playstore and register themselves. The app supports multiple languages, allowing the vessel owners/representatives to select their preferred language and register the entry and exit details of the vessels and passengers.

For the app, the details of the fishing vessels and fishermen had been collected from different harbours of the state.By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : SAMAM, a progressive forum formed in the state to fight for gender equality and create awareness among women about their constitutional rights, will ensure the protection of women who are willing to go to Sabarimala. The forum, which vows to support young voices, was introduced by K, assistant professor, Sanskrit University, author Echumukutty, and Meera Velayudhan, CDS research fellow, at a press meet here on Monday.

READ | Woman slut-shamed, abused online for announcing plans to visit Sabarimala Temple

The forum is not here to argue on the issue of whether a female should be allowed in the temple or not. We are here to ensure the protection of those women who are willing to go to Sabarimala, said Echumukutty. We stand for womens independence. Many women in the state are still unaware of their rights and depend completely on men.

The forum aims to make them aware and fight for their rights. We believe that three breakthrough verdicts of the Supreme Court were in support to the constitutional rights of women and the transgender people, said Divya. Members said Samam is formed to discuss and resolve the issue on gender equality.

Women from all walks of life, including the believers, are part of the forum. A letter was handed over to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to inform the formation of the forum on Monday.The communitys first programme will be organised at Manaveeyam Veedhi on Tuesday.By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: Machavaram police arrested a five-member gang of vehicle-lifters here on Monday and recovered eight cars from their possession.

Presenting the accused before the media during a press conference on Tuesday, deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Gajarao Bhupal said the gang had committed vehicle thefts in various police station limits of the city and in Eluru town of West Godavari district.

Of the five accused, four, identified as Sanikommu Srinivas Reddy (32), Odigantu Srinu(19), Pithani Sivaraj (45) and Akula Saimani Teja (20) hail from West Godavari district, while one Pithani Sairam (32) is a native of Vijayawada. Addicted as they are to a variety of vices, the accused stole cars parked in residential areas with duplicate keys to meet their expensive lifestyle, the police said.

When the accused were found roaming suspiciously near the ESI hospital in Gunadala, the Machavaram police picked them up.

During interrogation, the accused admitted to their crimes. The gang had stolen a total of eight cars  seven in Vijayawada and one in Eluru. We have recovered all the cars and came to know that some of them are being used for cab services, said DCP Bhupal. Worth of the recovered vehicles was valued `20 lakh.By Express News Service

The new schedule of Prabhas' much-awaited Saaho will commence in Italy on October 21. The Baahubali actor, who recently wrapped up a schedule for his upcoming period love story Jaan, is camping in the European country to resume shooting for the Sujeet directorial.

As a surprise treat for fans, the makers are planning to release a making video of Saaho on Prabhas' 39th birthday on October 23. "A making video showing the filming of action sequences shot under the supervision of international stunt choreographer Kenny Bates in Dubai will be released. The makers have spent Rs 90 crore for this part alone," informs a source.

Produced by UV Creations, the action-adventure being made in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi has Shraddha Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Evelyn Sharma and Mandira Bedi in pivotal roles. Saaho has music by the composer trio ShankarEhsaanLoy.

(The story first appeared in Cinema Express)By PTI

NEW DELHI: Several media bodies on Monday demanded an "impartial probe" into all allegations of sexual misconduct against Union minister MJ Akbar and said he should step down from his post till such an investigation is completed.

Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC), Press Club of India, Press Association and South Asian Women in Media issued a joint statement saying that Akbar is a "senior functionary of the government and his response should reflect the responsibility that is thus bestowed on him".

Allegations against Akbar have been levelled by several women journalists under social media campaign #Metoo against sexual misconduct.

The Minister of State for External Affairs has denied the allegations and on Monday filed a private criminal defamation complaint against one of the scribes, Priya Ramani.

"We the undersigned journalist organisations have been deeply concerned over the overwhelming complaints of sexual harassment in the media," the joint statement said.

"We recognise that sexual harassment at workplace is a worrisome reality and that media organisations and managements have been unable to put the systems in place which would have ordinarily addressed complaints of sexual harassment," the statement said.

The joint statement said an impartial probe should be conducted "into all the complaints without fear of threat or intimidation to the complainants more so as the accused party is an influential minister in the present government".

ALSO READ | #MeToo: Disappointed, but ready to fight MJ Akbar's defamation complaint, says journo Priya Ramani

"We also feel that in the interests of a fair probe, moral and public propriety, it is only proper and appropriate that the minister step down from his post till as such time the probe is completed," it said.

The statement also alleged that sexual harassment at the workplace is a "pervasive phenomenon" and has "continued with impunity" despite the enactment of a tough law to prevent, prohibit and redress it.

"The inability of women to speak out about such harassment needs serious introspection and redressal. We hope that employers in media organisations and the government will look into this with the seriousness it deserves and not treat the incidents as motivated complaints," it said.By PTI

HYDERABAD: A 20-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment by a court here for raping a one-year-old girl at Secunderbad in 2016.

Deep Singh, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, was held guilty by the First Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge for trial of cases under the POCSO Act on Monday.

Holding that the offence committed against a tender baby was heinous, the court refused his prayer for a lenient view and sentenced him to life imprisonment, the public prosecutor said.

The judge also slapped a fine of Rs 2,000 on Singh, who was convicted under the relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code.

According to the prosecution, the accused was working with the victim's father, who is into corn vending business, and staying in his house.

On September 6 night, Singh had taken the baby girl who was sleeping with her mother to a bathroom and raped her.By Online Desk

KOLKATA: Central intelligence agencies have alerted West Bengal Police about possible bomb attacks by Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in north Bengal during the ongoing Durga Puja festivities, according to a media report.

The intelligence report says JMB may carry out subversive activities in Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, Coochbehar and Alipurduar.

The report added that two operatives of the terror outfit have already entered India from Bangladesh and are camping in Dinhata red light area in Coochbehar district.

Two other JMB operatives are on their way and will enter India in the next two days.

Four JMB operatives have planned for destructive activity during Durga Puja. Their target is to carry out sabotage attacks at Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, Zee News quoted the intelligence report as saying.

The terrorists could have sneaked explosives into India after procuring them in Nepal, the intelligence report adds.

West Bengal figured prominently on the terror map in 2014 after a JMB module was discovered in the state following an accidental blast during Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengals Burdwan district on October 2 of that year.

During its investigation, NIA found JMBs involvement in the blast and explained how the terror outfit had managed to create its sleeper cells in the state.By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Hours after Union minister M J Akbar, accused of sexual harassment by former colleagues, on Monday filed a criminal defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani, who was the first to out him, she said absolute truth would be her only defence.Akbar engaged top law firm Karanjawala & Co to file the plea in a local court here.

The vakalatnama names 97 lawyers, who have been authorised by Akbar to represent him.

ALSO READ: Probe #Metoo allegations against MJ Akbar, he should step down till investigation ends: Press bodies

Priya Ramani

Ramani shot back saying, I am deeply disappointed that a Union minister should dismiss the detailed allegations of several women as a political conspiracy. By instituting a case of criminal defamation against me, Mr Akbar has made his stand clear: rather than engage with the serious allegations that many women have made against him, he seeks to silence them through intimidation and harassment.

Akbar accused Ramani of wilfully, deliberately, intentionally and maliciously defaming him, claiming the very tone and tenor of the allegations were scandalous and ex-facie defamatory. The courtroom will surely witness a bitter battle with several prominent journalists and others tweeting support to Ramani and offering help to crowd-fund her legal fight to the finish.The Vietnamese delegation was led by Nguyen Xuan Thang, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council and Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics. The Japanese side was headed by Tanaka Yu, member of the Standing Executive Committee and Deputy Head of the JCP Central Committees Secretariat.

In his opening remarks, Thang said the eighth theoretical exchange workshop between the two parties takes place at a time when the Communists and Marxists around the world are celebrating Karl Marxs 200th birthday and the 170th anniversary of the first publication of the Communist Manifesto.

The workshop is an opportunity for the two sides to review the vitality of Marxism and share the outcomes of researches on Marxist theory and practice, thus having a better insight into the value of Marxist philosophy, he noted, adding that this would inspire the two parties to remain consistent for the ideology they pursue and the path towards socialism in the 21st century.

Thang further said that what Vietnams achievements over the three decades of Doi Moi (reform) have resulted from the CPVs Marxism-based leadership which was also a decisive factor for all victories of the countrys revolution. The exercise of Marxism and Ho Chi Minhs thought was a prerequisite for the success of socialism building in Vietnam, he stressed.

Yu, for his part, stressed that Marxism is the guideline for the JCP on its path to push for reform. He spoke highly of Vietnams victories in the past national struggle for independence as well as the countrys current reform policy and international integration.

Earlier the same day, Thang hosted a reception for Yu during which the two officials highly valued the development of relations between the two parties in recent years, particularly in theoretical exchange.

They agreed to further enhance collaboration and exchange activities between the CPV and JCP in order to promote Vietnam-Japan ties for peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world as well.By IANS

NEW DELHI: Union Minister MJ Akbar's defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani, who had accused him of sexual harassment, will be heard on Thursday, October 18.

"The defamation case will be heard by a magisterial court in the Patiala House court complex on October 18," Akbar's Counsel Sandeep Kapur said on Tuesday.

Akbar has been accused of sexual harassment by several women journalists who had worked under his editorial leadership at various publications. He has denied the charges as "false, wild and baseless".

Akbar, in his complaint, said that it was apparent that the false narrative against him was being circulated in a motivated manner and for the fulfilment of an agenda.

Around a dozen women journalists have accused Akbar of sexual harassment and molestation, triggering demands for his ouster as the Minister of State for External Affairs.

Countering the charges, Akbar claimed that the false and defamatory statements that were widely published in the media had caused irreparable loss to his reputation.By PTI

NAGPUR: A teenager has allegedly committed suicide after reportedly experiencing psychological distress from witnessing a road accident earlier that killed a minor boy, Nagpur police said Tuesday.

Engineering student Saurabh Nagpurkar (18), who hanged himself at his home in Teen Nal Chowk area here Sunday, left behind a suicide note to this effect, police said.

Police said that Nagpurkar, while going to college, had witnessed a road accident about a month ago in which a minor boy lost his life.

Nagpurkar also met with two minor road accidents which, according to his suicide note, were "caused" by the boy, killed in the earlier accident, "obstructing" his path, police said.

He took the extreme step apparently due to distress over these events, police added. He is survived by his parents and elder sister, the official said.

Tehsil police have registered a case of accidental death and are probing further, he informed.By PTI

NEW YORK: Minister of Railways and Coal Piyush Goyal will receive the University of Pennsylvania's top prize in energy policy for his leadership in reforming India's power sector, spearheading efforts to fast-track electrification of thousands of remote villages and expanding renewable energy in the country.

The Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design will award its fourth annual Carnot Prize to Goyal, the former minister of power and renewable energy, on October 19.

According to a press release from The Kleinman Center, Goyal is being recognised for directing a fast-track effort to electrify 18,000 villages in remote parts of India, helping bridge the country's vast energy divide.

READ| Rahul Gandhi a serial liar: Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Rafale charges

It said Goyal has also been instrumental in reforming India's power markets and expanding renewable energy, in an effort to meet the country's Paris Agreement targets. It lauded Goyal for successfully retiring outdated coal plants while launching an ambitious renewable energy expansion programme.

"Although India is the world's fourth top CO2 emitter, the country is currently at 20 per cent renewables and is on solid footing to reach a 40 per cent renewable mix by 2030," it said.

Founding faculty director of the Kleinman Center Mark Alan Hughes said Goyal's efforts "demonstrate what it takes to create a just energy transition" courage amidst complexity.

Providing power to the world's energy poor turns on the lights and also empowers education, sanitation, and healthcare. It closes the gap between the haves and have-nots.

While at Penn, Goyal will also meet with Penn students with interests in energy and India.

The Consulate General of India in New York said in a press release that during his visit to the US from October 19 to 22, Goyal will interact with members of Indian diaspora during an event in New Jersey and speak on growth and economic reforms in India at Columbia University.

The Carnot Prize is named in memory of French scientist Sadi Carnot, who in 1824 published Reflections on the Motive Power of Fire, which is recognised as the first statement of what is now known as the second law of thermodynamics.

Carnot recognised that the power of the steam engine would produce a great revolution in human development. The Carnot Prize is intended to honour those leading revolutions in energy policy to further progress and prosperity.Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGIRH: Self-styled godman Rampal and fourteen others were given life term for the murder of four women and a child in Satlok Ashram in Barwala in 2014. The Additional District and Sessions Judge of Hisar DR Chalia pronounced the verdict in this 2014 murder case.

While pronouncing the punishment, the court said that Rampal will remain in prison until the end of his life. All the convicts have been asked to pay a fine of Rs 2.05 lakh each in addition to the jail term.

Rampal and his followers were charged with murder and wrongful confinement after four women and a child were found dead in his Satlok Ashram spread over 12-acres, some three kilometres from Barwala town on Hisar-Tohana road in Hisar on November 19, 2014.

The quantum of punishment will be announced on October 17 in the other case relating to the death of a woman in his ashram. In both the cases Rampalarged for murder and criminal conspiracy. Rampal, head of Satlok Ashram was held guilty in these two cases of murder on October 12.

A makeshift court had been set up within the premises of Hisar Central Jail iwhere Rampal is being brought for both the verdict and for the announcement of the quantum of punishment. In 2014 the Haryana Police went to arrest Rampal following directions from the Punjab and Haryana high court over contempt of court case.

Then thousands of his followers clashed with the police who were inside his ashram. Thus the authorities were forced to cut off power and water supply to force them out. He was arrested on November 19, 2014 on charges of murder, attempt to murder, conspiracy, holding illegal weapons and abetting suicide.

Who is Rampal?

Rampal is the head of religious sect called Kabir Panth and is popularly referred to by his followers as 'Jagatguru Rampal Ji'. The 63-year-old used to work as a junior engineer in the irrigation department in Haryana and left his job in 1996.

Born at Dhanana village in Sonepat district, he is married and has two sons and as many daughters. The Satlok Ashram was founded in 1991 in Karotha village of Rohtak district. In 2006 during clashes between his followers and those of the Arya Samaj, one person was killed and 59 others were injured.

Subsequently, the district administration attached these properties. He then moved to his another ashram near Barwala in Hisar. The ashram was closed after the clashes in 2014. At present, two of his ashrams are operating in Bhiwani and in Delhi.By IANS

NEW DELHI: A panel of female journalists has written to President Ram Nath Kovind demanding the dismissal of Union Minister MJ Akbar who has been accused of sexual harassment by a dozen women in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

"We are extremely concerned that he continues to be a minister in the Union council of ministers even as he pursues whatever legal course of action he plans.

"You will agree this is highly unethical and improper and would cast a cloud over any investigation of his alleged misdeeds, besides undermining the independence, justice and fair play that any citizen can expect from such proceedings," the Network of Women in Media in India (NWMI) said in the letter to the President on Monday.

Akbar, the Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, has sued the woman who had first named him in the #MeToo campaign -- journalist Priya Ramani, for defamation.

READ| Disappointed, but ready to fight MJ Akbar's defamation complaint, says journo Priya Ramani

NWMI said that a criminal defamation charge is "a clear attempt to bully, intimidate and silence those who are bringing to light systemic abuse of women by men in powerful positions".

"It is designed to push women back into silent compliance and will silence the voices of the many who have not yet spoken up," it said.

The panel demanded that Akbar should submit himself to an independent investigation and that the Ministry of External Affairs should ask him to step down from office pending investigation.

READ| Probe #Metoo allegations against MJ Akbar, he should step down till investigation ends: Press bodies

Requesting that the case against Ramani be dropped, the panel wrote: "We would like to point out that Section 499 of the IPC (Indian Penal Code), which pertains to defamation, cites exceptions in case of 'imputation of truth which public good requires to be made or published'."

It said that all support should be extended by the government to women in their struggle for justice and that Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj should "take workplace harassment seriously and not encourage intimidatory tactics against women who have complained".By Express News Service

BHOPAL: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Madhya Pradesh Police will jointly probe a recently busted international cyber racket that allegedly duped Americans by posing as officials of US law enforcement agencies.

In September, the MP police cyber cell had arrested eight men from Gujarat, Bhopal and Jaipur, who were a part of the gang of cyber fraudsters who operated an illegal call centre in Bhopals Indrapuri area.

The men, aged between 19 and 29, targeted loan defaulters and duped them in the name of settling their loans with threats of criminal prosecution and arrest. A team of cyber cell led by investigating officer in the case, Inspector Abhishek Sonekar, and Sub Inspector Anuj Samadia recently met with FBI agents at the US Embassy in New Delhi and shared the details of the case.

While appreciating the efforts of the cyber cell in cracking the racket originating from Bhopal, the FBI officers discussed the entire case with us for over two and half hours, after which they agreed to aid us in digging deeper into the racket, Sonekar told TNIE on Tuesday.

The FBI agreed to help the cyber cell in locating the actual victims in the US and also to ascertain the actual amount which they were made to pay into multiple accounts. They will also enable us in verifying the documents prepared by the fraudsters for duping and pressurizing the US citizens to pay money in virtual currency. Also, the verification of notices and arrests warrants prepared by the fraudsters can only be done through the FBIs help.

The FBI agents will also aid the investigators in ascertaining the actual sum accumulated through the cyber fraud dating back to over a year and also people living in the US, who were local players of the racket.

According to Sonekar, it will be perhaps the first time that the FBI will work in tandem with any police force in Central India in a major international fraud case. Prior to this, the FBI is believed to have supported the Maharashtra Police in another major case originating from Thane.

Sources told TNIE that the FBI and the Madhya Pradesh police have decided to crack the case in three months.Richa Sharma By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The environment ministry's expert panel has approved field demonstration for genetically modified mustard at two places in the country to assess its impact on honeybees and other pollinators, one of the major concerns raised by civil society and farmers' organizations opposing commercialization of GM mustard.

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) of the environment ministry has approved an application by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants, University of Delhi, for conduct of field demonstration studies on honeybees and other pollinators at Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, and Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, on five acres each.

"The GEAC members noted that the total area for conduct of these demonstration studies in each location, including GM and non-GM plantation, could be up to an area of five acres only. It was agreed that any pesticide that adversely impacts honeybees should not be used," said the minutes of the meeting.

The Committee also deliberated on the issue of requirement of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from state governments for conduct of these field demonstration studies.

"Considering that these field demonstrations studies are in continuation of Biosafety Research Level (BRL)-I and BRL-II trials, for which the two states concerned had already given NOC earlier to the applicant, the members agreed that the state governments of Delhi and Punjab may be suitably informed by the applicant," the committee added.

Several scientists, farmers' organizations, and civil society groups have registered their concerns over the commercial release GM mustard on the grounds that not enough research has happened on claims of high production, and impact on indigenous high-yielding varieties of crop plants.

At present, GM cotton is the only genetically modified crop commercially allowed in India. If given the go-ahead, GM mustard would become India's first GM food crop. The GEAC had cleared GM brinjal in 2010, but the then environment minister, Jairam Ramesh, had not cleared it after protests erupted against it across the country.Ramananda Sengupta By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: In another twist to the Rafale controversy, a French aviation portal has published a document which Dassault Aviation COO Loik Segalen presented to a confederation of French trade unions, explaining why Rafale had tied up with Reliance as part of their offset obligations.

Mediapart, a French online journal, had last week cited what it described as an internal document allegedly proving that the partnership with Reliance was obligatory and mandatory for Dassault Aviation to sell Rafale jets to India.

The new article, written by Yves Pagot, a former French Air Force official and defence writer, says the document is actually the unions summary of a mandatory discussion with Segalen, where he explained that Dassault was shifting its production of Falcon business jets to Nagpur in India under the DRAL (Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd) joint venture because of its obligations under the offset clause.

The report caused a political storm in India, with the Congress saying it proved that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made it obligatory for Dassault to partner with Reliance.

ALSO READ | Rafale deal: Dassault claims it 'freely' chose Ambani's Reliance for partnership

Dassault CEO Eric Trappier then told AFP that the document refers to Indias offset clause and shifting of a part of the work to India as a mandatory part of the 36 aircraft deal, and that Dassault has freely chosen to make a partnership with Indias Reliance Group.

Dismissing claims that the document proved effort to browbeat Dassault into accepting Reliance as a partner, a senior Indian official said, Assuming that Reliance is the sole beneficiary of the `30,000, or approximately $5.4 billion which has to be reinvested in India under the offset clause is totally wrong. It is not just Dassault, but three other French outfits involved in building the Rafale jet who are all part of the offset clause. They are Thales, which makes radars and avionics, Safran, which makes engines and electronics, and MBDA, which makes the aircrafts weapons.

According to the official, all of them are scouting for and negotiating with possible Indian partners  including DRDO, L&T and even HAL to fulfill their part of the offset deal. Dassault may eventually only account for anything between 3 to 10 per cent of the total offset deal, he said.

The offset is only a business proposition, the companies involved have to make it commercially viable, said Claude Arpi, a French journalist, author and historian based in India. Dassault or Thales or Safran will never share important papers with journalists. It is just not possible.

They know the factual position. During Antony's days they had selected Mukesh for the offsets because Reliance is a reliable commercial partner. When Modi decided to buy 36 Rafales off the shelf as stop gap, Anil was selected by Dassault."By Express News Service

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated three schemes of power department, including the one that aims at providing power to farmers during the day-time.

Another scheme for installing 1 lakh solar powered agriculture pumps too got a Cabinet nod on Tuesday.

The Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana, which aims at providing solar water pumps to farmers in areas difficult to cover under regular power supply scheme, the High Voltage Distribution Scheme (HVDS) to provide appropriate voltage supply and the electric vehicle charging stations were the schemes inaugurated by Fadnavis at a function in the Mantralaya.

Under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana, 7.50 lakh farmers will get electricity during daytime. By providing electricity to the farmers at lower tariff, the burden of subsidy on the industrial consumers will also be reduced, Fadnavis said, after he inaugurated the scheme.

The CM said the farmer-centric schemes would enrich lives of farmers, while schemes for the appropriate voltage supply and electric vehicles charging centre would help the industry as well as the environment and also boost employment potential of the state.

Meanwhile, the state government also approved scheme for redevelopment of Dharavi slums spread over 576 acre. Even after five extensions and two tenders since 2007, the scheme had not been able to take off. The government has now granted a special project status to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) and it will be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle model.

The government expects investment of Rs 20,000 crore in the project that shall rehabilitate about one lakh structures, housing minister Prakash Mehta said. The project will take seven years to complete and the Railways has in-principle agreed to allocate 90 acre for the project, he added.By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Anitha Kumaraswamy is richer than her husband Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy. On Monday, while filing her nomination papers to contest assembly by-poll from Ramanagara, she declared total assets worth Rs 124 crore, including a Harley Davidson bike and a vanity van.

In comparison, Kumaraswamys assets are worth Rs 42.9 crore.

The bypoll in the constituency was necessitated after Kumaraswamy vacated Ramanagara seat. Anita is facing BJP candidate.

L Chandrashekar, who quit Congress last week to contest bypolls.

Anitha has Rs 42.35 lakh cash in hand, while the CM has Rs 12.34 lakh.

She has deposits in various banks cooperatives institutions running up to Rs 1.90 crore. Investments in banks and shares in various companies is worth Rs 68.75 lakh. She has lent loans to the tune of Rs 17.60 crore to various institutions and individuals.

While Anita has declared that she owns a Harley Davidson bike worth Rs 8.29 lakh and a vanity van worth Rs 20 lakh, her husband Kumaraswamy doesnt have any vehicle registered in his name.

He owns large tracts of agricultural land at Ketheiganahalli near Bidadi, a house in JP Nagar in Bengaluru and other immovable properties worth Rs 35.10 crore.

She has declared liabilities of Rs 93.39 crore, while Kumaraswamys liabilities are Rs 2.94 crore. She has taken personal loans from many, including her husband and son.

In 2017-18, she had declared income of Rs 76.35 lakh, while her husbands income was little over Rs 15 lakh. Of that, Rs 12.46 lakh was from agriculture and Rs 3.06 lakh regular income.

BJP candidate L Chandrashekar declared assets worth Rs 6.80 crore and Rs 3 crore assets in his wifes name. He has liabilities of Rs 65 lakh, loan taken from a nationalised bank. He has Rs 2 lakh cash.Welcoming Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Vienna on October 15 afternoon (local time), President Van der Bellen expressed his satisfaction with the fine development of bilateral relations in numerous fields, particularly economics, trade, education and training and development cooperation.

He said that the establishment of a representative office of the Austrian Economic Chambers (WKO) in Ho Chi Minh City demonstrates the attention Austria pays to the Vietnamese market.

PM Phuc thanked the President for supporting the development of multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. He hopes that the Austrian leader will soon visit Vietnam.

Both sides emphasised the need for more measures to tighten bilateral collaboration, and agreed on the necessity to encourage Austrian enterprises to invest in the fields that are essential for Vietnams industrialisation and modernisation process.

PM Phuc proposed Austria consider putting Vietnam in a list of countries prioritised to receive the countrys aid, and support Vietnam build a high-quality educational system, especially in vocational training.

The two leaders shared views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea issue, cooperation in the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meeting, and between the ASEAN and the European Union.

They stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and aviation and navigation safety and freedom in the East Sea, and affirmed the principle of solving disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.Ajith M S By

Express News Service

MYSURU: The world famous Dasara festival in Mysuru suffered a dent in its image as several women complained of molestation during one of the events held on Saturday. After many of them shared their horrific accounts of physical and verbal abuse on social media, minister H T Devegowda directed police to launch an investigation but police said they have not received any written complaint yet.

The shocking incidents took place when a huge crowd, comprising both locals and tourists, gathered to witness cultural events organised as part of the Open Street Festival on Krishnaraja Boulevard.

Taking advantage of the crowd, the perverts went berserk, passing obscene comments, groping and molesting at will. The incidents led to outrage on social media as many women took to online platforms to narrate their horrific experience in a city known for its civility and friendly people.

When I was walking near the stalls, a man touched me inappropriately and vanished into the crowd. It came as a shock to me and I could not even respond. My friends searched for him in the crowd but we could not find him, a girl, who did not wish to be identified, told TNIE. In another incident, a girl who had come from Bengaluru and her cousins from Mysuru were molested.

We had to encounter multiple men brushing against us and groping us. One of them grabbed my cousin, she said.

We immediately left the street after the incident. I have cancelled my plans to attend the other Dasara events, she said.

According to sources, a mother-daughter duo were stalked till their house by a group of youths, who allegedly misbehaved with them at the festival.

The women approached the police with details of the car in which they were followed. An anonymous online post said: A guy spanked my back so hard that I fell on my face. This happened when I was with my brother.After coming to know of the incidents, Higher Education Minister G T Devegowda, who is also in charge of Mysuru district, asked the city police commissioner to launch an investigation.

Delay in switching on streetlights added to trouble, says open street event organiser

Higher Education Minister G T Devegowda, who is also in charge of Mysuru district, said I have directed the police commissioner to nab the miscreants at the earliest.

According to the minister, the venue chosen for the event was too small to accommodate the large crowd that gathered, making it easy for perverts to take advantage of the crowd and harass women. He said the next year the event will be held on a wider road.

The firm managing the event reported three incidents of misbehaviour to the police. We had installed 72 CCTV cameras in the area and the footage has been handed over to the police to help identify miscreants, Prashanth of Center Stage, which managed the event, said. According to him, the delay in switching on the streetlights added to the trouble.

We had asked the people concerned to switch on the streetlights early in the evening, but they switched them on only after 7pm, he said.

Police Commissioner A Subramaneyshwara Rao said his team is looking into the social media posts for any specific information that can help them identify the miscreants.

We have not received any written complaint yet. It is not possible to take any action based on social media posts that do not have any specific information about the incidents, he said. A member of the event management team said there werent enough police personnel to manage the crowd.

As per the original plan, 400 police personnel were to be deployed at the venue, but only 40 were manning the crowd, he said.

The Karnataka State Womens Commission has said it will initiate a suo motu case in this regard. Commission chairperson Nagalakshmi Bai said, Such incidents should not have happened, especially during Dasara. She encouraged the women to reveal the details of the harrasment to bring the culprits to book.MG Chetan By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Controversial self-styled Godman Nithyananda is in the news again for all the wrong reasons. One of his old devotees, who was allegedly a victim of sexual assault by Nithyananda, has accused him of uploading a porn video on YouTube.

The police have registered an FIR in this connection.

The 45-year-old woman, who is a resident of Chennai, lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime police last week. According to her complaint, she came to know from an acquaintance that a video named porn star was available on YouTube and the video had her face morphed with an obscene content.

Read | Vocal chords for monkeys, bulls to talk in Sanskrit, Tamil: Self-styled godman Nithyananda's claims go viral

As the video was also available on other online platforms, viewers are posting abusive and vulgar messages about me and I am being harassed online, she stated, adding that Paramahamsa Nithyananda of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam in Bidadi and his followers, on his instigation, had uploaded the video.

The police, who took up her complaint, registered an FIR under section 67A (publishing or transmitting of material containing sexually explicit act) of the Information Technology Act, and sections 354C (voyeurism) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the IPC.

However, Nithyananda has not been named as an accused in the FIR, and his name features only in the complaint summary.

As part of the probe, the police will summon Nithyananda and other suspects for questioning if their preliminary probe points to their involvement behind the offence.

We have received the complaint and registered an FIR. We can not name anyone as accused till we get some evidence against him, a Cyber Crime police official said.

2010 case under trial

The woman, who has filed the case, is a witness in the 2010 case in which Nithyananda is accused of raping some of the devotees, including the complainant. The complaint was filed by Lenin Karuppan and the case is under trial in a Ramanagar court.By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sasikumar Varma, president of the Pandalam Palace Coordination Committee, has said that royals should not be blamed if devotees block the way of women pilgrims who come to the Sabarimala shrine on Wednesday.

Varma made the statement after the meeting between Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and representatives of various outfits including members of the royal family failed.

When both sides hardened their stance on the issue of the entry of women after the Supreme Court's nod, the representatives of the royal family and the Hindu outfits walked out of the conciliatory meeting.

Varma said the meeting failed to reach a consensus over a host of issues raised by the devotees. The first and foremost demand of the devotees and the royal family was the immediate filing of a review petition against the Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all age groups to offer worship in Sabarimala.

ALSO READ: Sabarimala issue: Nilakkal tense as women devotees begin protest; Govt to ensure safety of pilgrims, says Pinarayi

The TDB refused to heed the request of the devotees and sought time till Friday to take a decision. We cant afford to buy time at a critical point of time as there are only a few hours left for the opening of the hill shrine. Further, the Board has also rejected the stance of the royal family that the 1991 Justice K Paripoornan verdict upholding the restriction on women of a particular age group trekking up the holy hills and offering worship at the shrine is still maintainable. And the second issue we raised was the continuance of the status quo till the apex court took a decision on the review petition.

"But as the TDB rejected the proposal of the immediate filing of the review petition, there was no scope for holding a talk over maintaining the status quo at the temple, Sasikumar said.

He also said that a meeting of priests and representatives of various outfits including the Pandalam Palace, the Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sanghom and the Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Samajom would be convened soon to decide the next course of action.

Sasikumar further said they have no plans to block the pilgrims who come to the shrine.

Meanwhile, TDB president A Padmakumar said the adamancy of the representatives of devotees to file a review petition on Tuesday itself led to the failure of the meeting. The TDB is ready to hold another round of discussion with various stakeholders involved in the issue, he said.By Express News Service

KOCHI: The High Court on Monday quashed the Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance Special Court order for a probe against Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala in a case related to the appointment of N Shankar Reddy as the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau director by the previous UDF Government.

Justice P Ubaid observed it was not known how the promotion given by the Government to four police officers involved elements of corruption or what exactly was the misconduct.

The promotion under service laws was the governments prerogative and it was well settled seniority alone shall not be the criterion for promotion in any sector. If the process involved any illegality or violation of the provisions of the law governing service, the aggrieved person could challenge it before the appropriate forum, he said.

Now, we have tribunals and also constitutional courts like the High Court and Supreme Court to deal with such matters. Such an exercise cannot be undertaken by the special courts and the legality or propriety of the promotions granted by the government to public servants cannot be enquired or investigated by the police machinery, the court observed. It also said the entire case was a typical instance of abuse of legal and judicial processes.Shan A S By

Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the Sabarimala temple is set to open for Thulam pooja on Wednesday, the police are on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents. Though senior officers are of the view that the Supreme Court verdict is unlikely to sway many young women to visit the shrine, they are not leaving anything to chance and will extend protection to female pilgrims.

If they come, we will give them protection. We will go by the SC order, said state police chief Loknath Behera. However, female cops are unlikely to be deployed beyond Pampa. Female officers will be deployed as in previous seasons. However, no decision has been taken on posting female officers in Sannidhanam, said a top cop.

READ | Woman slut-shamed, abused online for announcing plans to visit Sabarimala Temple

The police are on their toes as protests and counter protests triggered by the SC verdict are getting stronger. Hindu organisations and the BJP oppose the SC verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the temple and have been organising protests, while the CPM is bracing to counter them by using the party machinery. This development has put the police in a tight spot as they fear the protests could evolve into street brawls, said sources.

There is no specific alert indicating any violence between the two fronts. However, general reports have been there which suggest that there could be law and order problems arising out of the Sabarimala issue, said sources.

ALSO READ | Long NDA march against Sabarimala verdict sees huge female participation

Meanwhile, the quarterly crime review meeting of top police officers, scheduled to be held in the capital on Monday, was postponed. The move was due to fears about the security in three key districts  Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Alappuzha  in the absence of police chiefs.

If the three district chiefs and the Inspector General, who is in charge of the Sabarimala hill shrine, are not present in their jurisdiction, then it might reflect in the law and order situation of those places. Thats why the meeting was postponed to another date, said sources.

Read | Kerala government will be washed away in devotees anger, warns BJP

Behera said he is monitoring the law and order situation. The district police heads have been asked to ensure that law and order should not suffer due to the protests, he said. He said all arrangements are in place and more cops will be deployed in Sabarimala as per requirement.

No digital darshan

The decision to set up digital darshan for devotees has been cancelled, said sources. Instead, the Virtual Q of the police will be put in place to manage the crowds. The decision was taken during a meeting here on Monday.

All eyes on Nilakkal



Sabarimala: The Ayyappa temple will open on Wednesday evening for poojas for the Malayalam month of Thulam. Selection of the melshanthi will also be done during the monthly pooja. However, all eyes are now fixed on Nilakkal, which is the main gateway to the hill shrine.

A team of female devotees, stationed in Nilakkal for the past one week, is preventing female police officers and other female devotees, between the ages of 10 and 50, from entering the temple. They check all vehicles arriving at Nilakkal to see if they carry women of restricted age. They are also supported by the tribal people from Sabarimala Poonkavanal.

Its learnt that all organisations related to the Sabarimala agitation will reach Nilakkal on Wednesday and Thursday to protest against the state governments decision to allow women of all ages to enter the temple. Police officers said they will provide additional security at Nilakkal, Pampa and Sabarimala.

Women who value traditions wont visit temple: Sudhakaran



KANNUR: Women who adhere strictly to the customs and traditions of Hinduism wont go to Sabarimala, said KPCC working president K Sudhakaran. Speaking to the media on Monday, he said Sabarimala is not the place to show ones persistence and obstinacy.

If women say they are going to Sabarimala, there must be some political motivation behind that, he said.

The Congress will stay with the devotees and oppose the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all ages to enter Sabarimala, he said.

Govt will provide all possible protection to pilgrims: Jayarajan



KANNUR: The state government will provide whatever protection is required for the devotees who come to Sabarimala this year, said Industries Minister E P Jayarajan.

While speaking to reporters during a function in Kannur on Monday, Jayarajan said that all believers have the right to go to the temple.

The Sangh Parivar outfits and the Congress are trying to create trouble in the state in the name of the Sabarimala issue, he said.

The present stand taken by the Congress in this issue will destroy the party, said Jayarajan.By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While uncertainty continues to prevail over the proposed foreign tours by ministers to drum up funding for the Rebuild Kerala initiative, the state government is expecting a green light from the Centre by Tuesday.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had received the Central nod earlier, will leave for the UAE on Tuesday night.According to Agriculture Minister V S Sunil Kumar, who will be flying to Canada, all procedural clearances including embassy approvals for all the ministers were issued by Monday evening. Now, only a political nod from the Centre is pending and this was expected by Tuesday.

Following the delay in getting central nod, the Chief Secretary has been pursuing the matter with the External Affairs Ministry on a daily basis. Recently, the government had also written to the ministry urging the Central Government to speed up the process. They have not said no. All the required documents are with the ministry along with the recommendations. We are optimistic of getting the approvals, M V Jayarajan, private secretary to the Chief Minister, said. So far, the Centre has issued a conditional nod only to the Chief Ministers proposed tour of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah in the UAE from Tuesday to October 21.

While the tour plans of the ministers and the large posse of officials have already invited criticism, the government has justified the decision saying it proposes to use these trips to  interact and seek cooperation and assistance from Malayali populace, NRK organisations and members of Loka Kerala Sabha in various countries, as part of engaging the Malayali diaspora spread across the globe in the rebuilding process of post-flood Kerala.

All expenses are being borne by the state government undertaking NORKA-ROOTS. According to the government orders on the trips, all ministers are expected to start the tours of the respective countries by the coming Saturday.

Meanwhile, NORKA-ROOTS CEO Harikrishnan Namboothiri said the government was hopeful of getting the central nod. CM and his Cabinet colleagues are visiting UAE, Sri Lanka, Maldives, the US, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Netherlands, Singapore, Bahrain, Qatar and the UK.

Home affairs

If the ministers travel plans get the central nod, for most of this week and early next week the state will be left without the majority of its ministers. Only three ministers will be left behind - K K Shailaja, C Raveendranath and K Raju. Rajus latest trip abroad had kicked up a row as it was in the midst of the flood crisis. After the untimely trip kicked up a row, the CPI had ordered him to return. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who will tour the UAE, is expected to be back by Monday.By Express News Service

PATHANAMTHITTA: Tense situation prevailed at Nilakkal, base camp of Sabarimala, after thousands of women pilgrims on Tuesday began their protest preventing entry of women to Sabarimala following the Supreme Court verdict.

ALSO READ: Women devotees stopped from entering Sabarimala even as Kerala CM reiterates implementation of SC verdict

A high-level police team led by Thiruvananthapuram Range Inspector General Manoj Abraham is taking stock of the situation as more and more protestors are reaching the spot to provide support to the protestors. The police have deployed a women battalion at the spot to ensure law and order situation. Police have been strictly directed to keep restraint to ensure that the situation remains peaceful.

Police officers said they are conducting random checks on vehicles carrying devotees and also asked all women to go back. Reports said a group of college students from Bengaluru was sent back by the protestors. The protestors are also checking buses and other vehicles reaching Nilakkal to proceed to Sabarimala.

Though the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has called for a meeting with the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam on Tuesday, the details of the meeting have not yet come out.

We will not allow anyone to take law into their hands: Pinarayi

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reiterated the state government's stand that it will ensure facilities to all women devotees who wish to go to Sabarimala. "We will not allow anyone to take law and order into their hands. Those who wish to visit Sabarimala for worship are free to go there. The government will not submit a review petition against SC verdict," he added.

Referring to an incident where women were blocked at Nilakkal on Tuesday, Pinarayi said government would ensure that such incidents are not repeated. No one has the right to inspect vehicles to find out who's visiting the shrine, he added.

The government is trying to provide safety and assistance to devotees. Anything that will impede its action will not be tolerated. The rights of devotees to visit the temple will be protected, Pinarayi said.

Responding to questions, Pinarayi said he's not in a position to know whether women are scared of visiting the shrine. The government cannot take responsibility for issues created by people who had threatened of dire consequences if they dare to go to Sabarimala.

SC Verdict to be implemented

The state government will go ahead with implementing the Supreme Court verdict on allowing women of all ages into the shrine, said Pinarayi. He also added that the government is not planning to bring in any legislation to overcome the verdict.By Online Desk

Eight people preventing entry of women to Sabarimala were arrested by the police at Nilakkal base camp on Tuesday evening following multiple incidents of protesters stopping vehicles and forcefully sending back of women passengers.

More police force, including female personnel, have been called in as situation remain tense in the area.

ALSO READ | Nilakkal tense as women devotees begin protest

The protesters had earlier stopped female journalists and travellers crossing their 'check post' - before searching a police van for women officers.

There were also reports of a Tamil couple from Chennai on their way to the hill shrine being manhandled by the same mob. Minor clashes between the police and the protesters were reported as Pazhani (45) and his wife Panchavarnnam (40) were moved to safety.

Videos of people, mainly women, searching bus and even private vehicles for female passengers and forcing them to either get down or go back were doing the rounds on social media.

ALSO READ | Don't blame us if women devotees to Sabarimala are stopped: Royals

All the range IGs have been ordered to take strict action against anyone who disturbs traffic in the region. Nobody will be allowed to take law into their own hands, ADGP Anil Kanth was reported as saying by TNIE's Malayalam portal Samakalika Malayalam.

The group, under the banner of "Ayyappa Samrakshana Samiti" is expected to intensify their protests as the Sabarimala shrine opens on Wednesday for the pilgrimage season.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reiterated the state government's stand that it will ensure facilities to all women devotees who wish to go to Sabarimala.

"We will not allow anyone to take law and order into their hands. Those who wish to visit Sabarimala for worship are free to go there. The government will not submit a review petition against SC verdict," he added.

(With inputs from Express News Service)By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: The Gujarat Government on Monday extended formal invitation to Governor Ganeshi Lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for inauguration of the worlds tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Ahmedabad on October 31.A team led by Gujarat Labour and Employment Minister Dilip Kumar Thakor met the Governor and the Chief Minister and requested them to attend the unveiling of the Statue of Unity by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Gujarat Minister accompanied by party MP Ramsinh Rathava, State legislator Bharatsinh Dabhi and a couple of Gujarat cadre Odia bureaucrats told reporters here that iron used for the foundation of the statue was collected from across the country.

After completion, the statue will generate approximately 15,000 direct jobs for tribal people every year, he said.

The Minister said the `29.9 billion Statue of Unity, one of the tallest statues in the world, overlooking Sardar Sarovar Dam as a pet project of the Prime Minister and it will attract hordes of tourists in the same way as the Statue of Liberty does. Seen as a symbol of the countrys unity and integrity, the 182 metre high (600 ft) Statue of Unity will be twice the size of New Yorks Statue of Liberty, Thakor said.Welcoming Dutch Ambassador Els Beth Akkerman, the Acting President affirmed that the Vietnamese people always keep in mind the sentiment and support from the Dutch people during the war years, especially the doctors from the Medical Committee Netherlands-Vietnam, which still operates effectively to this day.

She emphasised that the Vietnamese Governments decision to award the Friendship Order to the committee demonstrates Vietnam's appreciation of its active contributions to the care of Vietnamese people's health, as well as the nations poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Acting President Thinh asked the two sides to continue to closely and effectively coordinate in their strategic partnership, while calling for support from the Netherlands to promote the early signing and approval of the EU Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and strengthening cooperation in the field of sustainable development.

Dutch Ambassador Els Beth Akkerman said that the two countries share many similarities, such as having developed agriculture and paying attention to water management and sustainable development. She emphasised that they will be the key areas of cooperation between the two countries in the near future.

Meeting with Belgian Ambassador Paul Jansen, the host affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to promoting its cooperation with the Kingdom of Belgium, a founding member and important voice in the EU.

Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (R) and Belgian Ambassador Paul Jansen. (Photo: VNA)



She stated that the two sides have much potential for further cooperation, while calling on the diplomat to coordinate with the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other related agencies during his term in order to increase the delegation exchanges between the two countries, especially high-level visits.

Highly appreciating the effective cooperation between Vietnam and Belgium at multilateral and international forums, the Acting President expressed her hope that Belgium would continue creating favourable conditions for businesses from both sides to meet, exchange and seek opportunities, especially in the fields of Vietnams need and Belgiums strengths, such as agriculture, seaports, logistics, renewable energy and mining.

Belgian Ambassador Paul Jansen praised the outcomes in the cooperation between the two countries in economic, educational and development cooperation. He also expressed his sincere thanks to Vietnam for its support of Belgium's candidature for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for the 2019-2020 term, while affirming that Belgium supports Vietnam in running for the seat for the following term.

At the reception for Danish Ambassador Kim Hojlund Christensen, Acting President Thinh expressed her pleasure at witnessing the recent positive development of the Vietnam-Denmark relationship in all areas, especially since the two sides established the Strategic Partnership on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Green Growth in 2011 and the Comprehensive Partnership in 2013.

Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (R) meets with Danish Ambassador Kim Hojlund Christensen in Hanoi, on October 16. (Photo: VOV)



She praised the two sides for maintaining the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially at a high-level, and the active cooperation in regional and international forums. The host was also pleased to see that bilateral trade and investment cooperation has developed strongly, with two-way trade turnover in 2017 reaching US$664 million. At present, many Danish companies are present and operating effectively in Vietnam.

Acting President Thinh expressed her belief that the forthcoming EVFTA will open up new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries' business communities. She also entrusted that the new ambassador, with his experience in diplomacy and the close cooperation between both sides ministries and localities, would make practical contributions to boosting the cooperation between the two countries in the near future.

Danish Ambassador Kim Hojlund Christensen said that the two countries have a fine cooperative development history. He emphasised the importance of the establishment of the comprehensive partnership in 2013, allowing the two countries to shift their traditional relations to multi-faceted cooperation in politics, investment, energy, education, agriculture and healthcare.

The Danish ambassador stated that Vietnam has always been Denmark's priority in development cooperation, adding that his country would further support Vietnam in agriculture, education, energy, healthcare and climate change.C Shivakumar By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The State government may delay ordering the second consignment of sand imported from Malaysia after the first consignment of 56,750 tonnes of imported sand that arrived last month has failed to pick pace with only 418 trucks shipping out 4,413 tonnes of sand.

The sales started on October 8 initially with 24 trucks loaded with 287 tonnes of sand.

On October 13, it rose to 135 trucks loading 1,350 tonnes of sand and we expected it to rise substantially. But it has yet to pick up, said Kamarajar Port officials.

Although the cost of sand is cheap and priced at Rs 10,350 per unit (of 4.5 tonnes) at Ennore Port, the real challenge is the price of transporting it. S Ram Prabhu, secretary, Builders Association of India, told Express that the cost including freight charges comes to nearly Rs 15,000 which is more or less the price of sand available locally.

As a result, most of the developers are happily going for the local sand rather for the Malaysian sand, he said, stressing the need for the government to bring down the freight charges to make it cheaper. Ajit Kumar Chordia, president, Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India, (CREDAI), Tamil Nadu, says that the lack of demand for imported sand could be attributed to developers going for m-sand.

He says that in his construction site, 90 per cent of work is being carried through m-sand. Interestingly, the biggest challenge before the government is to win the confidence of developers in buying imported sand.

It is learnt that the second consignment initially planned within a month is now being delayed as officials are hoping to sell the sand procured during the first consignment.

Interestingly, the sand crisis in the state has hit not only the construction sector but also the road construction projects and the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has allowed contractors to go for bituminous roads with a shelf life of 15 years.By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Following the alleged opposition to the appointment of a Dalit cook in a government school in Salem, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has directed the District Collectors of Tirupur and Salem to send warning notices against discrimination to all schools.

In July last year, parents of a Tirupur school students objected to a Dalit preparing noon meal.

Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting held to review the implementation of policies for the Scheduled Castes (SC), L Murugan, Vice-Chairman, NCSC, said the notices being issued in these two districts were the first step to fighting discrimination against Dalits in schools across the State.

On the recovery of Panchami land, Murugan said government officials had identified 1.50 lakh acres of Panchami land although activists estimate it to be up to 12 lakh acres.

We inspected around 17 districts and identified around 6,000 acres ourselves. Out of these, we identified 1,000 acres of encroachments, Murugan said.

In Ariyalur, a company was found built on Panchami land and government itself had encroached on a piece of Panchami land in Coimbatore, he said.

We will ask the District Revenue Officers to send us reports on the category of land, extent, and details of encroachments, if any, Murugan added.

On the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan, he said that the funds allocated under the scheme should be utilised for schemes dedicated to people belonging to SC category by the state government and not for general schemes.

Addressing the issue of fake student rolls, Murugan said, in Salem, we visited an SC/ST hostel for college girls. The student roll showed a strength of 200 girls but there were only 30 actually present.

The allocation of funds per student ranges from Rs 700 to Rs 1,000, he said.By UNI

BEIJING: Chinese live-streaming celebrity Yang Kaili has been detained for five days for 'insulting' the country's national anthem.

Yang Kaili, a 20-year-old with tens of millions of followers, had appeared on camera singing the anthem while flailing her arms around.

The live-streaming platform, Huya, had earlier taken down her video and banned her channel.

Ms Yang, who is also known as Li Ge, has since publicly apologised.

The Shanghai Police Department said in a statement on Saturday that she had violated China's National Anthem Law.

"The national anthem is a symbol of the country, all citizens should respect [it] and safeguard [its] dignity," it said.

"Live-streaming platforms are not above the law - the law and moral standards similarly apply there."

Under China's National Anthem Law, which came into force last year, those who sing the anthem in a 'distorted or disrespectful way' can be detained for up to 15 days.

"Li Ge's act violates the National Anthem Law," the company said in a statement last week.

"Huya has decided to ban her channel. We are committed to spreading positive energy and... safeguarding the dignity of the national anthem."

The decision to jail Ms Yang has drawn both praise and criticism from users on Weibo, a Twitter-like platform.

"The law is the law, some things should be treated with respect," said one commenter.

"This is shameful. She is insulting the anthem and breaking the law," another added.

However, others disagreed.

"I don't think she was purposely trying to insult the anthem," one person said.

"It's a bit wrong to impose such harsh punishment," said another.

Ms Yang has since apologised on Weibo, saying she was 'ashamed' for making a 'stupid mistake'.

"I sincerely apologise for the fact that I did not sing the anthem seriously. The anthem is sacred and my behaviour hurt everyone's feelings," she said, adding that she would "stop all live broadcasting work".By IANS

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad expects that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would regain pace after Prime Minister Imran Khan visits Beijing next month with the signing of a framework agreement on industrial zones, progress on agricultural cooperation and addition of a social sector joint working group.

A senior government official told Dawn news on Monday the Khan's visit to China would reinvigorate the CPEC implementation that had slowed down over the past several months owing to political transition in Pakistan.

READ| China-Pakistan Economic Corridor focus must be on job creation, agriculture: Imran Khan

During the visit, the two sides would formally ink a framework agreement on industrial zones and set in motion on-ground development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) starting with Rashakai near Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

They would also formally sign documents to include Social Sector Joint Working Group of the Joint Coordination Council (JCC) of the CPEC. He said officials from the two governments were currently in the process of sharing final documents.

A Chinese delegation led by M.A. Aiguo, Vice Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, are currently in Pakistan to explore areas of mutual interest in the agriculture sector, considered by the two governments as key to employment generation and increase in crop output.

The delegation had a meeting with Privatisation Minister Khusro Bakhtiar on Monday and was given an overview of Pakistan's agriculture sector that employed 45 per cent of manpower, contributed about 24 per cent to GDP, 20 per cent to total exports and provided livelihood to 64 per cent of the country's rural population, a statement said.By PTI

WASHINGTON: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is understood to be preparing a report in which it is likely to admit dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi died during an interrogation at its consulate in Istanbul, according to a media report.

Khashoggi is feared to have been killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

The incident has resulted in a global outrage and more so in the US as he lived here as a legal permanent resident and worked for The Washington Post.

US lawmakers have been demanding scrapping of the USD 110 billion mega defence deal with the Saudis, whereas heads of several companies, CEOs, newspapers have announced not to attend an upcoming finance conference in Saudi Arabia.

ALSO READ: US President Trump vows 'severe punishment' if missing journo Jamal Khashoggi killed by Saudi Arabia

President Donald Trump on Monday talked to the Saudi King, during which the latter flatly denied having any knowledge of the missing journalist.

Officially Saudi Arabia has insisted that the journalist left its consulate, but so far has not been able to give any proof of it.

Trump, who has warned Saudi Arabia of severe consequences, has dispatched his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for talks with the Saudi leader.

Amidst global outrage, CNN on Monday reported that the Saudis are preparing a report that will acknowledge that Khashoggi's death was the result of an interrogation that went wrong.

The interrogation was intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey, the news channel said citing two unnamed sources.

"One source says the report will likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held responsible," the news channel reported, cautioning that things could change as the report is still being prepared.

Earlier in the day, Trump told reporters that it is possible that some "rogue element" within the government could have carried out this inhuman act.

Some of the lawmakers criticized Trump for such a statement.

"President Trump's suggestion that Khashoggi's elaborately planned murder in the Saudi's own consulate was orchestrated by 'rogue killers' defies reality," said Senator Chris Van Hollen.

"Orders must have come from the top. The US must not be complicit in an effort to cover up this heinous crime," he said.

"This is not leadership. We need answers from the Saudis about Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance.

The President should be leading that effort and standing up for human rights," Senator Mark Warner said.

"Trump accepting Saudi Arabia's #Khashoggi story without a thorough, independent investigation only enables authoritarian behaviour," said Senator Ed Markey.

Senator Dick Durbin called for a strong response from the US.

"I cannot support President Trump's proposed arms sales given the fact that Saudi Arabia is apparently complicit in the disappearance of Khashoggi," he said.

"Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin should cancel his participation in the Saudi investor conference and it's long overdue that the Trump Administration nominate a US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Durbin said.

A day earlier he called on Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Ambassador to the United States.

"I told Ambassador bin Salman that he should expect a very negative response from both sides of the aisle in Congress if Mr. Khashoggi was in fact kidnapped and murdered. And if that is the case, I do not believe the US should continue to be party to supporting the Saudis in the bloodshed in Yemen -- a halt that is long overdue given the humanitarian disaster resulting from that conflict," Durbin said.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post and Politico reported that two lobbying groups - BGR and Glover Park - have said that they would no longer represent Saudi Arabia.

Several organisations and individuals have announced that they will not attend the mega summit in Saudi Arabia as a mark of protest.

These include the World Bank, The New York Times, Bloomberg, CNBC and Uber.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, KKR executive David Petraeus and Ford Motor Chairman Bill Ford have also said that they will not attend the Saudi event.

Senator Richard Blumenthal in a tweet alleged that Trump is giving the Saudis a pass on Khashoggi murder maybe because he continues to benefit from Saudi rentals, hotel bookings and other payments to the Trump Organisation.

"Saudi govt payments violate our Constitution's chief public corruption prohibition. Our lawsuit holds Trump accountable," he said.The PM set off for Brussels to attend the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit and pay official visits to Belgium and Denmark.

Before leaving, PM Phuc visited the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems (IMC Krems) of Austria on the morning the same day.

Talking to the universitys lecturers and students, he said the Vietnamese people always keep in mind the support of the Austrian youth during the countrys fight against foreign invaders in the 1960s. In the 1970s, Austria was one of the first western nations to set up diplomatic ties with Vietnam.

Over the last four decades, friendship and cooperation between the two nations have developed in multiple areas, especially economy. Vietnam has maintained its position as Austrias largest Southeast Asian trade partner, while Austria has remained Vietnams top 10 export markets within the European Union.

Austrias development assistance in healthcare, the railway sector, and vocational training has been effective in helping Vietnam improve peoples living standards, he noted.

PM Phuc added after over the last 30 years of reform, Vietnam has been developing dynamically, with its young population holding strong aspirations to study and become established in the global community. It considers education a top priority and a breakthrough to maximising learners chances. Education is also a priority field of cooperation between the two countries for the time ahead.

Emphasising the opportunities and challenges facing Vietnamese and Austrian youth, the PM said the Fourth Industrial Revolution is creating opportunities for the two countries to become closer, improve mutual understanding, and increase the sharing of global community responsibilities.

Although peace and development are still a dominant theme, the use or threat to use force and the emergence of unilateralism continue to jeopardise international peace and security. War and conflicts, religious and racial conflicts, separatism, and terrorism still exist in many places around the world, noted the PM.

Additionally, there are other global challenges like unsustainable development, climate change, wealth inequality, gender inequality, environmental degradation, unemployment, and social crimes. They have been threatening efforts towards sustainable development with younger generations among the most vulnerable groups, he said.

The leader expressed his belief that the young people of Vietnam and Austria will be one of the bridges enhancing bilateral friendship and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, development, and prosperity in their respective regions.

On this occasion, PM Phuc witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between IMC Krems and the Vietnam University of Commerce.

Also on October 16, he visited Austrias BIOMIN Research Centre.The event was attended by former President, Tran Duc Luong, and featured the participation of over 500 scientists and managers from the ASEAN members and developed countries such as the US, the UK, Germany, Russia, Japan, Denmark, Canada and China.

During the two-day congress, discussions focused on the latest achievements in basic geological surveys, the exploration and exploitation of natural resources of the earth and forecasting and mitigating the impact of geological hazards in the context of climate change.

The delegates also introduced the scientific basis and proposed the building of appropriate policies related to the management of mineral resources and energy towards sustainable development.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Tran Hong Ha, said that with the diversification of geology, mineral resources and renewable energy sources, Vietnam is willing to implement cooperation projects in this field with international organisations, countries and scientists.

The inaugural GEOSEA was held at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1972. Vietnam joined the GEOSEA in 1978.Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low near 50F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low near 50F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%.Biden: 'Your Life Is Going

to Change for the Better'The signing ceremony took place as part of an ongoing visit to Vietnam by Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintila and a business delegation.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh said that joint work in these areas is key to turning the cooperation potential and opportunities between the two countries into reality, especially as the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement will soon be signed and take effect, bringing practical benefits to Vietnamese and Finnish businesses and enterprises.

The European Union, of which Finland is a member, is the biggest non-refundable aid provider of Vietnam in recent years, he said, noting that the Vietnam-Finland Innovation Partnership Programme (IPP) has helped Vietnam boost its innovation capacity, build a healthy startup ecosystem, grow its economy, and improve its ranking on the global innovation and competitiveness index.

The minister highlighted that the freshly signed MoU is an outcome of bilateral efforts to open a new cooperation chapter and capitalise on the two countries strengths to benefit their science-technology bodies, research institutes, universities, enterprises, and people.

The deal offers a chance for both sides to take part in technology transfer projects, join research programmes, and boost the commercialisation of their research outcomes based on win-win principles.

Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintila said the IPP has successfully completed its first and second phases, expressing his belief in the programmes positive impact on business growth.

Finland hopes for stronger cooperation programmes with Vietnam in tackling global issues like climate change and resource depletion, he said, considering the signing of the MoU as specific evidence and commitment for the two countries to join hands together in global issues.

He said the pact will create favourable conditions for the development of innovation and cooperation between Vietnamese and Finnish enterprises.

Earlier, Minister Anh had a working session with the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment delegation to discuss bilateral collaboration.(Newser)  Feel like being ill? You could always visit the Disgusting Food Museum in Malmo, Sweden. Opening later this month, it will display 80 "disgusting" foods from around the world like Japanese cod sperm, Mexican tree-ant larvae, Chinese mouse wineand classic American fare like Twinkies and root beer, the Washington Post reports. "If you give root beer to a European, they're gonna spit it out and say 'This tastes like toothpaste, it's disgusting,'" says museum founder Samuel West, known for his Museum of Failure. "I want people to question what they find disgusting and realize that disgust is always in the eye of the beholder." Even rotting food like fermented shark meat from Iceland can appeal to the right person, he points out. Which raises the question: Why do we feel disgust?

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"The original evolutionary function of disgust is to protect us from dangerous, toxic foods, but disgust becomes so much bigger than that," he tells Vox. Indeed, some visitors may be grossed out by foie graswhich requires ducks to be force-fed until their livers are vastly swollenfor purely moral reasons. Others might reconsider their diet of environmentally unsustainable meat, says West, though he's neither vegan nor vegetarian himself. Either way, people can smell, taste, and occasionally touch the museum's food, per the Local. But beware balut, the boiled Philippine dish that includes a partly developed duck fetus and amniotic fluid. West tried it: "I vomited," he says. The museum will run from October 31 to the end of January. (Elsewhere in Sweden, a girl found an ancient sword in a lake.)(Newser)  Saudi Arabia is preparing to say that Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi was killed by mistake during an interrogation that went too far, CNN reports. According to two unidentified sources, the Saudis will claim that Khashoggi was interrogated without clearance, and those behind it will be held responsible. But one source says the Saudi report is still in progress and might change. CNN's story adds to an earlier New York Times report that Saudi Arabia plans to blame Khashoggi's death on a "tragically incompetent" intelligence official. That official wasn't identified but is apparently a friend of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

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"We are hearing from the sources at this stage that [the operation] was not carried out with the proper clearance," says CNN's Clarissa Ward on the air, per the Hill. "There will be plenty of people who will have difficulty swallowing that narrative, [saying] it's hard to believe anything of this nature, of this sensitivity, could possibly take place without those in power in Saudi Arabia  being privy to it on some level." Trump said earlier Monday that "rogue killers" may have murdered the journalist, whose death was apparently recorded on his Apple watch. (Read more journalists killed stories.)(Newser)  Sen. Elizabeth Warren has released a DNA test that shows "strong evidence" of at least some Native American ancestrybut the Cherokee Nation is not impressed. Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskins Jr. said in a statement Monday that a DNA test is "not evidence for tribal affiliation," Time reports. "Using a DNA test to lay claim to any connection to the Cherokee Nation or any tribal nation, even vaguely, is inappropriate and wrong," Hoskins said. The Oklahoman calls the statement a "rare rebuke" to Warren from the tribe, whose chief, Bill Baker, is a fellow Democrat. Warren has said family lore tells of connections to the Cherokee and Delaware tribes. The test found that her DNA is mostly European, but there is evidence of a Native American ancestor six to 10 generations ago.

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In a tweet Monday, Warren said she took the test because she won't "sit quietly" for the "racism" of President Trump, "but DNA & family history has nothing to do with tribal affiliation or citizenship, which is determined only  only  by Tribal Nations. I respect the distinction, & don't list myself as Native in the Senate." She went on to slam Trump in more than a dozen tweets, calling him a "cowardly elitist." She reminded Trump on Monday of his promise to pay $1 million to charity if she took a DNA test, but he made it clear he had no intention of paying up. He told reporters he would "only do it if I can test her personally," and added it "will not be something I enjoy doing, either." (Warren has said she will consider challenging Trump in 2020 after the midterm elections.)(Newser)  Ecuador's embassy in London says Julian Assange can have his Internet access restored, but if he wants to carry on staying under their roof, he's going to have to behave himselfand do his chores. According to a nine-page Spanish-language memo leaked to a news outlet in Ecuador, Assange, who sought asylum in the embassy in June 2012, has been ordered to avoid political activity, especially "interfering in the internal affairs of other states," Deutsche Welle reports. He has also been told to keep his bathroom clean, and warned that if he doesn't take proper care of his pet cat, it will be confiscated and taken to an animal shelter.

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Assange had his Internet privileges at the embassy cut off in March after violating an earlier agreement not to get involved in the affairs of other countries. The leaked memo tells Assange that he is only allowed to use his personal computer and phone to access the Internet, and any use of unauthorized equipment by Assange or his guests will be considered a "security breach and reported to the competent British authorities." Carlos Poveda, Assange's lawyer, complained Monday that the rules were too strictand that Assange still hadn't had his Internet access restored. "It's virtually a prison regime," Poveda tells the Guardian. "This new regime goes against his basic human dignity." (Leaked documents show Assange tried to get a Russian visa in 2010.)(Newser)  Idaho Gov. Butch Otter says he has asked for, and received, the resignation of a wildlife official who was heavily criticized for sharing graphic photos of his kills after a hunting trip in Africa. Fish and Game Commissioner Blake Fischer, who boasted about killing a family of baboons, failed to "exercise good judgment," the governor's office said in a press release. The governor's office says that out of 1,134 emails it received about Fischer, only nine were positive. In his resignation letter, Fischer admitted he had failed to "display an appropriate level of sportsmanship and respect" for the animals he "harvested" during the trip to Namibia, the Idaho Statesman reports.

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Fischer sent the graphic photosin which he and his wife posed with dead animals including a giraffe, a leopard, a warthog, an impala, and the four baboonsto more than 100 friends and acquaintances, including former commissioner Fred Trevey. Trevey told Fischer that he was dismayed by the email, especially since Idaho's hunter education manual advises youth to "refrain from taking photos of the kill and from vividly describing the kill within earshot of non-hunters." Former commissioner Keith Stonebraker tells NBC he found the email "nauseating." "I thought, 'Why in the world would anybody want to kill a family of baboons?'" he says. "It just made no sense at all." (This Kentucky woman sparked outrage by posing with a giraffe she killed in South Africa.)(Newser)  An unvaccinated child in Florida has become the first death of flu season, officials say. The child, whose age and hometown has not been disclosed, died between Sept. 30 and Oct. 6 of influenza B, ABC reports. Officials say the child was otherwise healthy, with no underlying conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some 80,000 Americans died during the brutal 2017-18 flu season, including 183 children who died from flu or flu-related causes, the highest number since the CDC starting keeping records on nationwide pediatric influenza deaths in 2004. Around 80% of the children who died had not received the vaccine.

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Health officials recommend flu vaccines for anybody at least 6 months old. The CDC's vaccination fact sheet suggests people get vaccinated in early fall. The death of the Florida child should be a wake-up call for parents, says CBS medical contributor Dr. Tara Narula. This "is a strong clear message to parents about the importance of vaccination," she says. Despite misconceptions, she says, "this vaccine is safe. It is the most effective tool we have. And we know of the pediatric deaths last year, 80% were in kids who were unvaccinated." A recent study found that more than 50% of parents believe that the vaccine can give their child influenza, and 28% believe it can lead to autism. (Last year's vaccine was unusually ineffective, though experts said it was still far better than having no vaccine at all.)(Newser)  A Tennessee official says a mother and four children have been found dead at a home in Columbia. Maury County District Attorney Brent Cooper says the family died in an apparent murder-suicide, the AP reports. The dead children, who ranged in age from 8 to 16, and woman were found by a family member Monday evening. The Maury County Fire Department says it responded to a report of a shooting at the home that night and alerted law enforcement. Maury County Sheriff Bucky Rowland says the childrenthree girls and one boywere homeschooled, and there were no previous reports of violence at the home. Authorities haven't released the identities of those involved. (Read more Tennessee stories.)(Newser)  The tapes are out from Florida police, and now the world can see more of the story behind the fatal shooting of Christobal Lopez. The 50-year-old was killed Oct. 3 in a Vets Army Navy Surplus Store in Lakeland while there with his fatherboth transients, police say, per the New York Timesand the person who shot him with a Glock handgun, store co-owner and City Commissioner Michael Dunn, is relying on the state's "stand your ground" law in explaining why he shot Lopez. Dunn's attorney has claimed Lopez was trying to shoplift a hatchet, and when Dunn, 47, confronted Lopez, who was said to still be holding the hatchet, Dunn feared he'd be hurt or even killed, per the Tampa Bay Times. But surveillance video of the shooting released by authorities on Monday is making it more of a "tough call," an attorney not involved with the case says.

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"It appears in the video that all the force is being used by the commissioner," another defense attorney adds. In one clip (shown here, but be warned: It's graphic), Dunn can be seen grabbing the shirt sleeve on Lopez's left arm as Lopez tries to leave the store, and Lopez's arm lifts up during an apparent attempt to break free. That's when Dunn fires. No one is seen attempting to give Lopez first aid in the video, which goes on for about three more minutes in a longer, police-released version. Although the video has caused some legal experts to wonder if the shooting was justified, another tells the Ledger that at the very least Dunn may be able to argue self-defense. "If Lopez tried to brush away the gun with his hand, he may have invited deadly force," a defense lawyer says. No charges have yet been filed. (A "justifiable" shooting by an Uber driver.)(Newser)  Conservators repairing a masterpiece of the Dutch Golden Age will have the added pressure of crowds watching their every move. Beginning in July, Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum will display the restoration of Rembrandt van Rijn's 1642 masterpiece "The Night Watch" from within a specially designed glass chamber in its Gallery of Honour, entered by 2 million annual visitors. "Because it's such an amazingly important painting and so many people want to see it, we feel we have to keep showing it to the public even as we're restoring it," General Director Taco Dibbits tells the Guardian, noting the restoration of the massive painting, almost 12 feet high and more than 14 feet long, will be streamed online.

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"This is a [once-in-a-lifetime] opportunity for the public" as "it's unlikely to happen again for the next few generations," Dibbits adds. The process, expected to take years, will focus on deteriorations since the painting was last restored in 1975, following a knife attack. Most notably, the figure of a dog in the lower right of the painting of civic guardsmen has turned white, per the BBC. The masterpiece will be showcased on its own for several months beginning in February, as the museum commemorates the 350th anniversary of Rembrandt's death. It will then be scanned and mapped before a restoration plan is agreed upon. (This painting could be mistaken for a lost Rembrandt, for good reason.)(Newser)  President Trump has mused it might have been "rogue killers" who murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi, while other sources are buzzing that Saudi Arabia plans to admit Khashoggi was accidentally killed during an interrogation. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo got directly on the case Tuesday in Riyadh, where he was sent by Trump to meet with King Salman and Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, Reuters and CBS News report. After that sit-down, Pompeo was expected to dine later Monday with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (aka MBS), who's been linked to an order to abduct Khashoggi, an ex-senior US official tells the New York Times. Pompeo's meeting with the king was "hastily arranged" and "short"; CNN estimates it lasted just 15 minutes, based on motorcade arrival and departure times.

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State Department rep Heather Nauert didn't reveal much about the meeting, other than Pompeo thanking the king "for his commitment to supporting a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation." Meanwhile, witnesses tell Reuters that Turkish crime scene officials scoured the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, where Khashoggi was last seen, for more than nine hours Monday, and a Turkish government rep says police are expected to go back Tuesday. CNN reporters noted that before investigators descended upon the consulate, they'd seen a cleaning crew head inside. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered a bit of eyebrow-raising insight into what authorities are focusing on. "The investigation is looking into many things such as toxic materials and those materials being removed by painting them over." (Did Khashoggi's Apple Watch record his own death? Some aren't so sure.)The two-week exhibition displays 68 documentary photos capturing the significant milestones during the visits made by the Vietnamese and Cuban leaders to each others countries and activities held to tighten the bilateral cooperation, as well as images of Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro and people in the two countries.

The exhibits also introduce the beauty of the culture, land and people of Cuba, as well as cultural and arts exchange activities between the two peoples.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Nguyen Van Manh, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh Union of Friendship Association, the exhibitions organiser, said that the photos on display once again illustrate the Vietnamese peoples gratitude for the enthusiastic support from Cuban friends during Vietnams hardest historical period.

He reaffirmed that the traditional friendship, solidarity and cooperation between the two nations will continue to develop sustainably.

Indira Lopez Arguelles, Cuban Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, spoke highly of the organisation of the exhibition, which contributes to promoting the image of Cuba, while tightening Vietnam  Cuba friendship and solidarity.

She also expressed her belief that the bilateral relations would grow further in the future.(Newser)  A Maryland police officer has been stripped of his badge amid charges that he raped an undocumented immigrant during a traffic stop. Ryan Macklin, a six-year veteran of the Prince George Police Department, was suspended without pay hours after the woman showed up to police headquarters to report the incident, reports WUSA. She said Macklin forced her to perform a sex act in her car in a parking lot in Langley Park after he pulled her over around 1am Thursday, per NBC Washington. "I want to praise this woman for coming forward," said Chief Hank Stawinski. He added that police suspect "there may be additional people impacted by this officer's conduct," and are asking anyone with information to call 301-772-4795, per CNN.

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Macklin was in uniform and in a marked patrol car for the traffic stop, during which police say he ordered the woman to move her car behind a store. A witness and video evidence back up the assault claim. Macklin, who was named patrol officer of the month at least two times in 2014, is charged with first-degree rape, second-degree rape, perverted practice, second-degree assault, and fourth-degree sex offense. "He is no longer a police officer," a department rep says. "He can't act as a police officer. His police powers have been suspended." A bond hearing is set for Tuesday, reports Fox 5. (A teen who reported a rape was essentially abandoned by her town.)(Newser)  It's "almost like a murder squad," an incredulous former CIA official told BuzzFeed News. The site had called him for comment as it dug into a potential bombshell of a story: that former elite US special operations fighters were assassinating high-profile figures in Yemen, but not as part of a military operation. Rather, the targeted killings allegedly came at the request of the United Arab Emirates, which had engaged the private US company the former fighters now work for. The CIA official told BuzzFeed this simply wasn't possible. Then he asked around and called back: "There were guys that were basically doing what you said." So what is BuzzFeed saying? Aram Roston centers much of his lengthy piece around what he says was a planned Dec. 29, 2015, hit, staffed by employees of the Delaware-incorporated Spear Operations Group.

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Spear's founder is Abraham Golan, "a charismatic Hungarian Israeli security contractor who lives outside of Pittsburgh," whose employeesa former Green Beret and former Navy SEALs among themwere to kill Anssaf Ali Mayo, a key figure in a political party the UAE sees as having terror ties (critics counter this). Roston recounts Golan and his team flying to the UAE and receiving a 23-person hit list while on board; Golan viewed the targets as "legitimate," as Roston puts it, because the UAE selected them, and the US backs the UAE's military efforts. Things went awry with Mayo; they managed to bomb the party's HQ, but had no proof Mayo was dead, and he seems to still be alive. But Roston sees the attempt on his life as an opening salvo, with "members of Al-Islah, and other clerics in Aden [subsequently] dropping dead at an alarming pace." Golan says his team was behind a number of those hits. Read Roston's full piece, which explores the "surprisingly unclear" question of whether Spear's alleged actions are illegal under US law. (Read more Longform stories.)(Newser)  Reminder to self: When setting up booby traps in your home, make sure you don't accidentally set them off yourself. One North Carolina man failed to heed that advice and ended up getting shot Monday morning, the Gaston Gazette reports. Police say Edwin Smith, 68, had rigged a shotgun facing his back door. After going outside to feed squirrels around 11:30am, he opened the door and the gun fired, hitting him in the right arm. It's not clear whether he forgot about the booby trap or if the trap malfunctioned. Either way, "I've never seen anything quite like this," a captain with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office says.

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"I blew my arm off," Smith can be heard saying in a 911 call obtained by WCNC. First responders, who went through the home carefully to make sure there were no other booby traps, found him severely wounded but alert, and he was transferred to a hospital in nearby Shelby. One of his neighbors says Smith "stood up for our neighborhood when drugs and bad people started moving in," and WCNC also has a photo of a large sign on Smith's property warning "crack heads, meth heads, heroin users, drug dealers," "anyone doing criminal activity," and "illegal aliens" to "stay the hell out & off this private road." (A pot farmer was done in by his own booby trap.)(Newser)  Back in April, a "caravan" of immigrants marching across Central America toward the US border drew the attention of President Trump. Now comes round two. On Tuesday, Trump issued a warning to Honduras, where most of the immigrants in the latest group are from: "The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!" Background and developments:

The caravan: This one started last week with about 160 people in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, which the AP calls one of the most dangerous places in one of the most dangerous countries. As the group began walking out of the country, others joined, and most estimates put the current number near 2,000. The Washington Post, however, notes that volunteers suggest it's closer to 3,000, bigger than April's group.

This one started last week with about 160 people in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, which the AP calls one of the most dangerous places in one of the most dangerous countries. As the group began walking out of the country, others joined, and most estimates put the current number near 2,000. The Washington Post, however, notes that volunteers suggest it's closer to 3,000, bigger than April's group. The path: The group already has crossed the border into Guatemala, after police in the latter country didn't do much to stop them, reports the Guardian. Then it will be on to Mexico and the US, though if history holds, many of the migrants will break off and remain in Central America. Unlike in April, Mexico has warned that this time it will turn back anyone with improper visa requirements.

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Why: Here's how one Honduran congressman puts it in a (Spanish-language) tweet: "They are not seeking the American dreamthey're fleeing the Honduran nightmare." The group includes children and pregnant women, and members generally travel light, taking shelter where they can. Along the way, locals often help them with food and water.

Here's how one Honduran congressman puts it in a (Spanish-language) tweet: "They are not seeking the American dreamthey're fleeing the Honduran nightmare." The group includes children and pregnant women, and members generally travel light, taking shelter where they can. Along the way, locals often help them with food and water. The history: As the New York Times notes, these mass migrations aren't unusual, with the migrants choosing to travel in groups for safety. "Such caravans have been something of an annual event for years and have mostly happened without much fanfare or international attention," the story notes. But that changed in April, when US officials including Trump called attention to the group marching toward the border. In the end, hundreds were allowed to petition for US asylum, though it's unclear how many were successful.

As the New York Times notes, these mass migrations aren't unusual, with the migrants choosing to travel in groups for safety. "Such caravans have been something of an annual event for years and have mostly happened without much fanfare or international attention," the story notes. But that changed in April, when US officials including Trump called attention to the group marching toward the border. In the end, hundreds were allowed to petition for US asylum, though it's unclear how many were successful. The aid: The US is set to give impoverished Honduras $66 million in aid in fiscal 2019, and that money is now at risk, per the Wall Street Journal. One problem for Honduran officials is that there may not be much they can do now that the caravan has crossed into Guatemala. Still, VP Mike Pence warned Central American nations last week about this, reports Politico. "Tell your people: Don't put your families at risk by taking the dangerous journey north to attempt to enter the United States illegally," Pence said.

The US is set to give impoverished Honduras $66 million in aid in fiscal 2019, and that money is now at risk, per the Wall Street Journal. One problem for Honduran officials is that there may not be much they can do now that the caravan has crossed into Guatemala. Still, VP Mike Pence warned Central American nations last week about this, reports Politico. "Tell your people: Don't put your families at risk by taking the dangerous journey north to attempt to enter the United States illegally," Pence said. Catch and release: The caravan is what we see day-in and day-out at the border as a result of well-advertised and well-known catch-and-release loopholes," says State Department spokeswoman Katie Waldman. It's a reference to the policy of detaining asylum seekers briefly at the border, then releasing them into the US with ankle bracelets for their pending court cases, per the Post.

The caravan is what we see day-in and day-out at the border as a result of well-advertised and well-known catch-and-release loopholes," says State Department spokeswoman Katie Waldman. It's a reference to the policy of detaining asylum seekers briefly at the border, then releasing them into the US with ankle bracelets for their pending court cases, per the Post. Honduras: Why are people desperate to leave? Gang violence, one of the highest homicide rates in the world, political unrest, high unemployment, rampant corruption, etc., reports BuzzFeed. "Honduras is a pressure cooker in every single aspect," says Bertha Oliva of the Committee for Families of the Disappeared and Detainees in Honduras. "We are seeing an unprecedented violation of human rights."

One Honduran girl became a cause celebre, though her story got distorted . (Read more Honduras stories.)(Newser)  A supposedly dead Ukrainian fugitive was found earlier this month living like a king, literally. French police detained the manlaw enforcement authorities say he is a "high-profile" person but identified him only as "King of the Castle"on Oct. 5 near Dijon, where he had been living "lavishly" in a 12th-century castle furnished with Salvador Dali artwork, Bloomberg reports. In all, officers seized $5.3 million in property, also including jewelry and a vintage Rolls-Royce Phantom. "The suspect is thought to be behind a complex case of international fraud and money laundering," according to a statement from Europol, the European Union's law enforcement agency. He is accused of forging death certificates to evade authorities.

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Authorities started investigating in January after the castle was purchased by a Luxembourg company that was ultimately found to be owned by a Ukrainian citizen suspected of large-scale corruption in his native country. Europol coordinated with French, Ukrainian, and Luxembourg authorities to determine the supposedly dead suspect was actually alive and to track him down in France. He was detained along with three accomplices. Though Europol isn't giving his name, the office of Ukraine's prosecutor general says it is preparing to extradite a Dmytro Malynovskyi from France, referring to him as a "'resurrected' citizen." And French police name the castle he was living in as the Chateau de La Rochepot near Chassagne-Montrachet. Corruption remains a big problem in Ukraine, the Los Angeles Times reports. (A journalist faked his own murder using pig's blood.)(Newser)  For the first two minutes, everything was going "great." Then, he started getting shaken side to side "fairly violently." Soon, an alarm and warning lights made it clear there was an emergency. "It went from normal to something was wrong pretty quick," NASA astronaut Nick Hague tells NBC News days after what was supposed to be his first space voyage went terrifyingly wrong. He and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin were forced to make an emergency ballistic descent after a failure with the Russian rocket meant to carry them to the International Space Station Thursday. "Training really takes over  training for every scenario that they can think of, and this is one of those," Hague said. He adds, in an interview with the AP, "We knew that if we wanted to be successful, we needed to stay calm and we needed to execute the procedures in front of us as smoothly and efficiently as we could."

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Hague, an Air Force veteran, says he's been working on developing the skills to handle an emergency like this for years. "My eyes were looking out the window, trying to gauge exactly where we were going to be," the 43-year-old notes. "Were we going to end up landing in water? Were we going to be on the Steppes of Kazakhstan? ... Luckily for us, it was smooth flat terrain. It worked out as a pretty smooth landing." They came down in the Kazakh countryside, and he and Ovchinin "started cracking a few jokes between us about how short our flight was," he says. And then, "everything that ... the training lets you kind of put to the side and focus on the mission at hand, all that starts to well up" once he was safely reunited with his family, to whom he described the aborted launch as a "wild ride." Ovchinin expressed similar sentiments in an interview with Russian TV, per the New York Post: "There was actually no time to be nervous. We had to work." (Much more on the failed launch here.)While congratulating the honourees, Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat Tran Quoc Vuong said that the winning projects expressed womens creativity, activeness and aspiration for innovation and developing their trades in different fields and areas.

He spoke highly of the VWUs achievements throughout its establishment and development, calling for womens associations at all levels to renovate their operation and encourage womens further participation in boosting their localities socio-economic development.

He asked the VWU to provide prompt support for women who are living in difficult circumstances and those in need of special care.

He also requested Party committees at all levels, local authorities, ministries and sectors to make greater efforts to realise the national target of gender equality.

Launched in 2002, the Vietnam Womens Awards aim to encourage creativity, determination and energy. It also certifies womens devotion, talents and innovation in the process of national construction and defence.His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister yesterday retweeted a remark made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing Bahrain as the land of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Mr. Modi had posted a video link along with his tweet which showed Bahraini artist Noor singing a song that portrayed Indian heritage. The song, Vaishnava Jana To is one of the most popular Hindu bhajans, written in the 15th century by the poet Narsinh Mehta in the Gujarati language. The bhajan, which was very close to the heart of Indias father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, speaks about the life, ideals, and morals to be followed in ones life.

Bahrain is a model of religious moderation and peaceful coexistence where Mahatma Gandhis principles are embodied. The walls of Arad Castle were chanted with Noor singing, Mr. Modi tweeted.The labourers and free-visa workers living in dilapidated buildings and congested labour accommodations in Manama and Salmaniya area are unwilling to move out of the place as they believe it would affect their livelihood.

There has been a huge demand from the part of lawmakers, councilors and social workers to move the labour accommodations out of Manama to different places across the Kingdom. While the demand highlights the safety of workers, the workers are worried about losing jobs and income as people from across the Kingdom come searching for workers in Manama and nearby areas. Speaking to Tribune, a worker said on grounds of anonymity.

I dont work for a particular company. People approach us for various kinds of work and if we are shifted to some other place they will lose access to us. And this would adversely affect our livelihood. Four people died and more than 30 were injured after a building collapsed in a gas cylinder blast in the Salmaniya area last Tuesday.A mental evaluation confirmed that the suspected mosque imam murderer is responsible for his actions, while the High Criminal Court decided that it will issue its ruling on October 31, 2018. The 35-year-old Bangladeshi defendant admitted earlier to murdering Bahraini imam Abduljaleel Hamood before the High Criminal Court.

He appeared before the High Criminal Court alongside another man accused in the case. However, the latter, also from Bangladesh, pleaded not guilty, stating that he wasnt aware of his co-defendants intention to murder. According to the prosecution, the suspect killed the imam by hitting him with an iron rod in the head. He then cut the imams body into pieces along with the co-defendant before dumping it in plastic bags near the scrapyard in Askar, according to sources.The Indonesian Embassy in collaboration with Indonesia Business Friendship Society and ASEAN Bahrain Council (ABC) is inviting Bahrain businessmen to participate in the Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI), in Jakarta, which is to be held from October 24 to 28. The 33rd Trade Expo Indonesia is one of the biggest business-to-business export product exhibitions in Asia, which will have 1,100 exhibitors, 28,000 visitors from 125 countries, with a USD1.5 billion in transaction value.

It will showcase a lot of Indonesian premium export products and services divided into eight zones, which are culinary, craft and lifestyle products, furniture, creative products and services, manufacturing products, strategic industry products, food, and beverages products.In happy tidings for Bahrains tourism sector, authorities here revealed yesterday that the footfall of foreign tourists in the Kingdom has gone up by nearly 6 per cent. The number of foreign tourists visiting the Kingdom rose to 5.9 million in H1 2018, an increase of 5.8pc from the same period a year ago, according to a new Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority statistics. The report says 5,287,717 tourists entered Kingdom through King Fahad Causeway, while 570,074 flown in via. Bahrain International airport. A total of 49,864 visitors landed in the kingdom from luxury liners.

The statistics for the first half of 2018 further states that the increase in footfall has resulted in generating a total revenue of BD812.4 million, with the average expenditure per visitor being BD76 per night/day. The increase has also resulted in a 16pc increase in the average length of stay per visitor to 3.2 night per tourist, from the yearago period. While 73pc of the visitors chose to stay in hotels during their stay in Bahrain, 14pc of the visitors elected to stay in furnished apartments. Ten pc of the visitors tagged along with their relatives, while a minor 2pc preferred to stay in their own apartments.

When it comes to occupancy rates, 50pc of the visitors choose to stay in four-star hotels, while 48pc chose 5-star hotels during their stay in the Kingdom. The meeting, third of the year and headed by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani, was held on Sunday at the Ministrys headquarters. The board also reviewed and discussed several topics on the agenda including reviewing the financial reports dated up to 30 September 2018.Bahrain Institute of Hospitality and Retail (BIHR), a division of the Dadabai Group, hosted its second graduation ceremony at Wyndham Grand Hotel, Bahrain. Thirty students received their awards after successfully completing 24 months of training in the hospitality sector. All of them are employed by Bahrains Top Hospitality Sector, said BIHR in a statement.

The programme helps young Bahraini Nationals in their decision to climb up the ladder in the hospitality sector, said Ali Sulaibeekh, Director of BIHR in an address on the occasion. Under the patronage of Jameel Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development for HTMI Swiss Diploma in International Hotel and Tourism Management, the graduation ceremony was held on 11 October 2018.

The diploma was awarded by the top Hospitality School in Switzerland - Hotel & Tourism Management Institute (HTMi), International Accrediting body for Bahrain Institute of Hospitality and Retail. Thanis Na Songkhla, Thailand Ambassador, Alfonso Ver, Philippines Ambassador, Humbert Vincent Buemi, the Swiss Honorary Consul General to the Kingdom and Ian Larmour, Managing Director and Head of Academics  HTMi Switzerland were also present.Did you recently watch the video of a man in Arab robes trying to waft across the mountains somewhere in the Middle East (find it on #newsofbahrain) on a cheap camping chair dangling from a load of balloons? If the answer is yes, I am sure you would have had enough laugh for the rest of your life. I thought UP the animated movie might have inspired him until it crashed into one of the rocky mountains after which he was airlifted by a rescue team to safety. Many commented on this viral video as utter nonsense. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread is what we think when we see such howlers. I had the same feeling for this man until I read about the British adventurist Tom Morgan who managed to fly nearly 14 miles in two hours across Africa.

The only difference, I believe, is that the British adventurer had applied his basic knowledge of science and common sense to his budget air, before the take off! Risk plays a major role to achieve success. The successful entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg once said that the biggest risk is not taking any risk! We still remember and admire great adventurers from Marco Polo, James Cook, Ibn Battuta, David Livingstone, Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus, Edmund Hillary, Robert Peary to Steve Irwin for the risk they took in their lives by sailing against the adversities.

For sure, initially some might have made fun out of them for making such foolish decisions. But as time passed, they might have realised the contributions these risk-takers managed to bring to their country. We love balloons; its unique and colourful; it flies exploring endless possibilities. However, balloons symbolise the dreams in us as well. It can burst and disappear suddenly like a short-lived bubble, quite similar to our dreams. When someone fails to fulfil the dreams, we blame them for being foolish, and if they succeed we call them leaders.

Dubai economy always has many critics. They say its a bubble filled with unrealistic dreams. When the recession hit Dubai nearly a decade ago, many so-called experts predicted a total collapse. But within no time, Dubai would recover and resurge with exciting projects. It was really unbelievable. The exciting projects and dreams they sold made them survive through such turmoils.

The mantra behind any successful person or a country is nothing but creating continuous strings of excitements while running at a faster pace to change dreams into reality. Right now, people in Bahrain seem to be a bit worried about the implementation of VAT. Should we really worry about that? I believe soon we would get used to it, it is just a matter of time. The new campaign #Team Bahrain initiated by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa has inspired many. It has undoubtedly received an overwhelming response. Its the latest talk in the town, even for expats. The hashtag has created lots of excitement and confidence among entrepreneurs.

We definitely need colourful balloons filled with dreams and aspirations in life. Let it fly high, carrying with it positive messages and risk-takers. The simple economics in a turbulent economy is nothing but let the rich spend lavishly and the low-income guys work a bit hard while cutting their cost of living.

Its all about teaming up, creating excitement, marketing potentials and building confidence. Are you still wondering about the fate of that crazy man sitting in that plastic chair hoisted by balloons? Then let me break the excitement. It is just a promotion advertisement of Harbour Views created for Emmar Dubai, a real estate developer based in the UAE! The excitement this video created on promoting this project is beyond words. Believe it or not, sometimes our perceptions may go wrong. What we considered nonsense may be known sense while nuisance could turnout to be new sense.The direct daily flight connecting Da Nang and Bangkok is the 7th route connecting Vietnam and Thailand, in line with the most routes and frequency between these two countries including Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Da Lat, Da Nang to Bangkok, direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai and Phuket.

The daily flight service from Da Nang to Bangkok departs Da Nang at 13:35 pm and arrives in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi airport) at 15:15 pm, while the flight in the opposite direction departs Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi airport) at 11:10 am and arrives in Da Nang at 12:50 pm (All in local time). Each flight takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.

On the occasion, Vietjet is offering three thousand shock fare tickets with the campaign Its time to Vietjet! with one-way price from only VND 68,000 (excluding taxes, fees) only for booking from October15 - 17, 2018, during the golden hours from 12:00 to 14:00 (GMT+7) on the airlines website: www.vietjetair.com (also compatible with smartphones at https://m.vietjetair.com) or www.facebook.com/vietjetthailand (just click the Book Now tab). Payment can be easily made with international debit and credit cards, including Visa/ MasterCard/ AMEX/ JCB/ KCP/Union. The promotion is valid for travel from October 16, 2018 to March 30, 2019.This has resulted in species adapted to tropical rainforests, coastal mangroves, temperate forests and even mountains covered by snow for half the year.



As human populations expand, the need for more land and space grows with it, and people are encroaching into all of these environments. The main outcome of this is that many species of monkeys and apes are being pushed closer to the edge of extinction.

But evidence suggests that this phenomenon is not entirely new.

The current wealth and variety of primates is thought to be only a shadow of the diversity that once existed in Asia just a few thousand years ago.

Historic declines

Several dynasties ago, at the same time the Roman Empire was dominating Europe, communities were often still based around small homesteads and villages. In the productive river basins and mountains of eastern Asia entire cities were flourishing, bustling with millions of people.

Then, as now, these thriving epicentres of human activity had major impacts on the environment.

The first species of primate that is known to have gone extinct as a direct result of human activity is the gibbon Junzi imperialis, the bones of which were only recently discovered in an ancient tomb in China.

Dr Samuel Turvey, from the Institute of Zoology at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), says, 'Our discovery and description of Junzi imperialis suggests that we are underestimating the impact of humans on primate diversity.'

This is likely only a part of the story of extinctions to have swept the region. Fossil remains in the humid tropics are scant, but there are other ways to delve into the past.Director of Media of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Festus Keyamo, has accused the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic...





Director of Media of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Festus Keyamo, has accused the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, of failing in the management of public institutions during his tenure as Vice President between 1999 to 2007.





According to him, Atiku cannot run based on his achievements as a private businessman, but on his records as a government official, which he described as a colossal failure.





How did Atiku Abubakar create jobs when he was Vice President? What we saw was a colossal failure in terms of management of public institutions.





Under the privatisation programme, NITEL became a disaster. I will give you an example of one of the things he did while he was in power. That is the record we are running on, Mr Keyamo said on Monday, during an appearance on Channels Televisions Sunrise Daily.





He made the comments in response to the Spokesperson for the Atiku Campaign Organisation, Segun Sowunmi, who believes Atiku deserves to become President of Nigeria in 2019.





According to Sowunmi, Atiku has the ability to address some of the nations major problems ranging from security to unemployment and job creation, especially based on his success as private businessman





Keyamo, however, stressed that the reverse is the case, adding that the PDPs presidential candidate cannot run on mere promises.





He said, One of the best things that has happened to us as a party and to President Buhari is the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the PDP and why is this so?





It is so because Atiku Abubakar cannot run on promises and that is the picture my friend has tried to create. That he is coming with loads of promises, he has been a businessman, created jobs and all of that and they want to ride on the emotions of the people because of the unfortunate slump in the economy due to the slump in oil prices from which we are pulling out of now and they want to ride on these emotions to ride to power but then they have reached a dead end because Atiku Abubakar has a record in public office and in the creation of jobs.





I want everybody to get it clear this morning that Atiku Abubakar cannot run on promises of this whole thing about running a private business.





He is not Donald Trump that came all the way from private business straight into the presidency of America.





He has been Vice President, he claimed those records because he keeps saying when we were in power, so if he wants to take the credit of that period, he also has to take the liability of that period.



A faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has executed another aid worker with the International Commit...

A faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has executed another aid worker with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), abducted in March this year.





The terrorists killed Hauwa Liman after a deadline they gave to the Federal Government to meet their demands expired, online news organisation, TheCable reported on Monday.





The online platform, which said its correspondent saw a clip of the execution, quoted ISWAP as saying, We have kept our word exactly as we said, by killing another humanitarian worker, Hauwa Liman, who is working with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that were abducted during a raid on a military facility in Rann, Kala Balge in March 2018.





Saifura and Hauwa were killed because they are considered as Murtads (apostates) by the group because they were once Muslims that have abandoned their Islam, the moment they chose to work with the Red Cross, and for us, there is no difference between Red Cross and UNICEF.

If we see them, we will kill the apostates among them, men or women, and chose to kill or keep the infidels as slaves, men or women.





LEAH AND ALICE WILL BE OUR SLAVES

Meanwhile, ISWAP has threatened to keep Sharibu as a slave.





She is the only Christian among the 110 girls abducted at the Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe state, on February 19, 2018.





While other girls were released, she was kept back because she refused to renounce her Christian faith.





There has been a global plea for her release.





The group said in the statement that Alice Ngaddah, a Christian who works with UNICEF, will also be kept as a slave.





From today, ISWAP said, Sharibu, 15, and Ngaddah, a mother of two, are now our slaves.





Based on our doctrines, it is now lawful for us to do whatever we want to do with them, the group further said.





TELL MY PARENTS IM IN TROUBLE

In the audio sent to one of her male friends when she was captured in March, Leman, who spoke in Hausa, said her parents should be informed that she had been kidnapped.





Running and panting, the victim said: We are under attack in Rann. They are shooting everywhere please pray for me; please go and tell my parents that I am in trouble.





Please, look for Fatima and tell her they are taking us away. They have entered here now



During the phone call, the two leaders emphasized the importance of forming a joint working group to make investigation on the case, the report cited Turkish presidential source as saying.

Saudi King Salman also affirmed his country's solid ties with Turkey, saying no one could undermine the strength of their bilateral relationship, the Saudi Foreign Ministry tweeted after the phone conversation.

Khashoggi, journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, has been missing since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

Unconfirmed reports said that Khashoggi was likely killed inside the compound, which was denied by Saudi officials as "baseless."

Erdogan urged Saudi Arabia to explain the fate of Jamal Khashoggi, saying the kingdom's consulate should provide evidence that Khashoggi exited the building after entering.

A Saudi delegation arrived in Turkey on Friday to discuss the case with Turkish authorities, following Turkish presidential spokesperson announced to form a joint Turkish-Saudi investigation team upon the kingdom's request.The newly inaugurated Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, on Tuesday declared that his administration was not interested in going ...





The newly inaugurated Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, on Tuesday declared that his administration was not interested in going after the administration of his predecessor, Ayodele Fayose.





Speaking during his inaugural speech in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, the former Minister of Solid Minerals, however, said his administration would expose documents of what transpired during the immediate past government.





Fayemi maintained that his administration would be thorough and ensure that the state is moved forward from where it is currently.





According to Fayemi, Today, we reclaim our land from those that have held us hostage. We will thoroughly reveal and distribute documents of what happened in our state during the past administration.





This state was during the past administration owing salaries of about eight months.





We are not interested in trial by the media or witch-hunting but will we will say the truth before our people.





We may not belong to the same political party, but never again should we allow politics in Ekiti State to be left in the hands of people who dont understand governance. Never again should we give up our status as honourable men for stomach infrastructure.





We are focused on areas of development which include Agriculture, social investment and entrenching our economy into becoming great. Our greatest resources are our people.





I will not rest until the burning issue of workers salaries is promptly addressed.



The Ekiti states economy is heading for a state of emergency with a huge debt of N120 billion, the new governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said on Tuesday in his inauguration speech in Ado-Ekiti.The governor appealed to the federal government for assistance to bail out the state through the Economic Stabilisation Fund.While committing to address the problems of unpaid salaries of workers, Fayemi said: We should join hands to resuscitate the ailing economy.He also called on investors and multi-national corporation to return to Ekiti.The governor said the state was currently battling with more than N170 billion debt piled up by the government of former Ayodele Fayose.The state, he said, would embark on social investment, education, agriculture and rural development.We are ready to work with everyone to create a landmark progress.We are committing to world best practices and deploy all skills to honestly work for the progress of the state.We will work to integrating the aspiration of the state to the programme of the federal government.He said the state would return to the fold of other states in the west to fast track economic development.We will take full ownership of the challenges ahead of us.The federal government has charged Ademola Adeleke, senator representing Osun west, and four others before the federal high court, Abu...





The federal government has charged Ademola Adeleke, senator representing Osun west, and four others before the federal high court, Abuja, for allegedly engaging in examination malpractices.





Adeleke and four others were accused of fraudulently registering as students of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, Osun state, to enable them sit for the National Examination Council (NECO) of June/July 2017.





Named alongside Adeleke in the charge are Sikiru Adeleke, his brother, Aregbesola Mufutau, principal of the school, Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo, the registrar, and Dare Olutope, a teacher.





Adeleke, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Osun governorship election, was absent when the case was brought up in court on Monday.





Alex Izinyon, Adelekes lawyer, said his client took ill on Friday and had been stooling, saying a copy of a medical report was available to that effect.





He sought a postponement of the arraignment.





Simon Lough, the prosecution lawyer, said he had received the medical report.





Consequently, IE Ekwo, presiding judge, adjourned the case to October 31.





The prosecution is ordered to ensure the defendants are in court at the next date, to take their plea, he said.





In September, prior to the governorship election in Osun, the police had asked the senator and four others allegedly involved in the malpractice to report to the force headquarters in Abuja for immediate arraignment in court.



Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye has explained that he escaped being assassinated at midnight through e...





Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye has explained that he escaped being assassinated at midnight through earlier hints he got while in his village.





Speaking through order 14 of the Senate rules on Tuesday, he said, a detachment of anti-robbery squad and Mobile Police from Kogi State Command invaded his home at Aiyetoro-Gbede, Ijumu Local government Area of Kogi State.





He accused the governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello of being the brain behind the assassination attempt on him, stating that he spent over three hours in Lokoja on that day, only for security agents to start looking for him that night.





Mr President, distinguished Colleagues, I want to bring to the notice of Nigeria Senate of how I was to be assassinated in the midnight at home, Aiyetoro-Gbede.

I left Abuja and stopped over at Gegu-Beki, Koton-Karfi and GRA, Lokoja and I proceeded to my hometown where my teeming supporters welcomed me.





I got a hint at about 7pm that day at Aiyetoro-Gbede that O/C SARS, 2/iC SARS, 2i/c mopol and the Security Adviser to the governor of Kogi State, Commander Jerry Omodara were coming after me in the night.





I left the town immediately and by 1.00am, they stormed my place and were shooting sporadically till 3.00am before leaving.





Dino further stressed that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ali Jaga at a press conference the following day admitted that they invaded his house.





He called on the Senate to intervene in the continuous attacks on him.





Senator Biodun Olujimi representing Ekiti South Senatorial district called for a lasting solution, adding that the case would become an albatross to the Senate if nothing was done to stop attacks on the lawmaker.





Senator Ali Ndume suggested that the leadership of the Senate should intervene before discussing the matter on the floor, adding that the case between Dino Melaye and Yahaya Bello was personal.





Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki asked the Committee on Police Affairs to interface with the Inspector General of Police over the conduct of his officers.



A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers state, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has alleged that Governor of the State, N...





A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers state, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has alleged that Governor of the State, Nyesom Wikes attempt to destroy the party became pronounced after his bid to become Governor Tambuwals vice failed.





Eze said that Senator Magnus Abe has been working hard to destroy the APC having been promised by Wike to take over as Governor in 2013.





He said that Wike was venting his frustration on the APC after he failed to install Tambuwal as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who had allegedly promised to make him his vice.





According to Eze, in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday, the recent court judgement nullified the indirect governorship primary that produced Tonye Cole as the partys standard bearer and ceaseless peddling of falsehoods immersed with propaganda were handiwork of Abe and Wike mainly targeted to ridicule Pastor Tonye Cole, the flag-bearer of APC in the 2019 general elections.





He said that the plot was hatched by the duo to weaken APC in the state, ensure it has no candidate to fly its governorship flag next year and secure an effortless victory for Wike to continue as governor of the state.





Sadly, Wike found solace in the political misfortune of Senator Magnus Abe whose political blunder have placed him in quagmire and awkward situation to be used as a destructive tool to achieve what is currently happening in Rivers State today, he noted.









The plot became more pronounced, important and a do-or-die project for the duo immediately Governor Wikes scheme to become the vice presidential candidate of the PDP failed with the failure of the Sokotos state governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, to clinch the presidential ticket of the party then the plot for easy clinching of a second term for Wike and to pass the baton on to Magnus Abe in 2023 becomes deadly and imperative.





This has resulted to the desperation by the duo and their misguided aides that cajoles up all sort of funny and falsehoods in order to ruin the person and personality of a world respected and renowned figure like Pastor Tonye Cole the divinely anointed next Governor of Rivers State come 2019.





The devious plot will surely run into the rocks as the coming of Tonye Cole wasnt man-made but divinely set up to rescue Rivers State from the hands of confused elements whose major aim is to loot the common patrimony of Rivers State with impunity and ensure insecurity as a means of governance.





This notwithstanding, the fact remains that if this plot is not arrested now and those involved in the devious moves punished accordingly, it might snowball into a political crisis, which may affect the 2019 elections in the State.





Eze, a former Spokesperson of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, also condemned the protest by some persons allegedly identified as supporters of Senator Abe, on Friday, at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.





He continued, What is the essence of the protest after Senator Abe and his misguided group were celebrating the judgement that placed Rivers State as a laughing stock before the International community indicating that the so called judgement has no bearing or effect on with the State structure of the party or the election of Pastor Tonye Cole as the APC Flag-Bearer or any candidate of the party in the 2019 general elections.





I note with happiness that not minding all these unwarranted distractions by Abe, the APC Rivers state Chairman, Ojukaye Amachree has presented candidates of the party with their certificate of return and INEC form CF1 for the 2019 general elections, he said.



The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday spoke on the possibility of former President Olusegun Obasanjo returning to its fold a...





The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday spoke on the possibility of former President Olusegun Obasanjo returning to its fold almost four years after quitting his membership of the party.





Kola Ologbondiyan, the partys National Publicity Secretary, in a statement, said the former presidents endorsement of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDPs presidential candidate was not an indication that he had returned to the party.





He, however, stated that if Obasanjo decides to join the PDP today, a new membership card will be issued to him immediately.





He said: On the issue of giving former President Olusegun Obasanjo a new party membership card, we are not there yet. Former President Obasanjo said he is a statesman. And he has not indicated his desire to return to our party. I am sure if he does it today, he will be issued a party card immediately.





The desire to remove Buhari from power is a pan-Nigerian movement. Many Nigerians from all walks of life are eager to remove him from office because of his incompetence and because his presidency has failed Nigerians.





So, the decision has no party bearing. It is a pan-Nigerian movement but because the task can only be achieved through a political party and because the PDP has repositioned itself, having being rebranded and reformed, Nigerians are rallying across party lines to our party in order to remove President Muhammadu Buhari from power through the ballot box.



President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has condemned the murder of Hauwa Leman, an aid worker with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), by Boko Haram insurgents.Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, noted that humanitarian workers who work in crisis zones to provide necessary support for victims are most selfless and courageous persons and therefore should never be targets of harm.Also, the Senate on Tuesday observed a two-minute silence in honour of Leman. This followed a motion raised by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and subsequent debate on the issue where the Senate resolved to pay official condolence visit to the family of the deceased.The Upper Chamber also resolved to ensure that the Federal Government, through its security agencies, take necessary measures to secure the freedom of both Leah Sharibu and other surviving members of the ICRC being held hostage by the insurgents.Speaking on the resolution, Saraki said: Distinguished Colleagues, irrespective of the decision that we have taken, I believe that our committees on defence and security, as part of their own responsibilities, should engage with the security agencies to find out if there are other issues that need to be addressed in order to prevent the reoccurrence of such sad incident.He also commiserated with the family of the deceased and the ICRC over the unfortunate incident and stated that the Senate will continue to work with the nations Armed Forces to stop the killings and improve security across the country.Saraki had earlier in a tweet on his personal handle, @bukolasaraki, wrote that: I join Nigerians and the international community in condemning the murder of Hauwa Leman  an aid worker with @ICRC, by Boko Haram.As I said on the 18th of September 2018, humanitarian workers who go into troubled spots to alleviate peoples suffering are some of the most courageous and selfless people on the planet. They are #NotATarget.My colleagues and I in the Nigerian Senate remain committed to continue working with our Armed Forces to find a lasting solution to these senseless killings by insurgents and improve our security infrastructure, he stated.Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Tuesday said that despite his promise to turn himself in to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja, the agencys men still cordoned off his street on Tuesday morning.He said he reported at the EFCC office in accordance with his promise.The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Fayose arrived at the EFCC Annex in Wuse II at exactly 12.59 p.m., a minute before the 1p.m. he had promised to report at the Commission.He was accompanied to the EFCC by Rivers Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike; and a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.Fayoses tenure as governor ended on Monday midnight, and he had, on Saturday, presented a handover note to the Secretary to the Ekiti State Government.Speaking to newsmen on arrival at EFCC office, the former governor said, I am here in line with my promise that I will be here on the 16th of October.And, like I said to EFCC, they should await my arrival. This morning, they have been to my house; they cordoned off my street, which I feel personally was unnecessary. It was unwarranted.When a man says he is coming, Nigerians should be given benefit of the doubt.I had led Ekiti, and the best I could give, I have given. Therefore, every question, whatever they need to ask today, I will be able to respond appropriately.He had, in a letter to the EFCC sometime ago, said his term of office to which I enjoy immunity against investigation and prosecution shall lapse on Monday, October 15, 2018.As a responsible citizen of our great country who believes in the rule of law, I wish to inform you of my decision to make myself available in your office on Tuesday, 16th October, 2018 at 1pm.It is to clarify issues or answer questions within my knowledge.One of those who accompanied him to EFCC office, Rivers State Governor Wike, said, He wrote a letter to EFCC that he will submit himself on October 16.He is hale and hearty and I believe that EFCC should know he is well. Our fear from the present report that we have is that he may be harmed.But, let Nigerians know that he came by himself to the EFCC without anybody harassing him. So, that is why I brought him here today.On his part, Fani-Kayode said, We are here to stand in solidarity with our friend and brother. He is going in hale and hearty; we trust God and we believe he will come out the same way.And, as authority, we take note of the fact that the international community and the whole world is watching what is going to happen here; what they are going to do to him.Fayose wore a T-shirt with inscription: EFCC, I Am Here. He clutched a small travel bag and also bore a backpack as he was led into the Commission by EFCC officials.Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his party on the appointment of the Senate President Bukola Saraki as the Campaign Director-General.Frank, who warned the ruling party not to contemplate rigging in the 2019 general elections, said with the team put together by the PDP defeat is already imminent for President Buhari and his party.Reacting in a statement on Tuesday to the official statement announcing Dr. Bukola Saraki as Atiku Campaign DG, Comrade Frank said because of the popularity and love Nigerians have for most of the PDP figures in the campaign team, victory is assured for the opposition party in the coming general elections.Some other names announced as zonal coordinators by the PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, include; governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto, North-west), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe, North-east), Samuel Ortom (Benue, North-central), Nyesom Wike (Rivers, South-south) and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi, South-east). Former Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, would coordinate the South-west.Ologbondiyan also said Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, was appointed Chairman of Fund Raising Committee, while former presidential aspirant, Alhaji Taminu Turaki, would head the legal committee.While warning the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government not to contemplate rigging the next election, Frank said Nigerians will protect their votes and ensure that their votes count.I join other well-meaning Nigerians to congratulate the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki on his appointment as campaign DG. Dr. Saraki and other appointees have proved their competency to deliver and I believe that their current assignment will ensure a safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari to Daura while his party retun to opposition after 2019 general elections.I also call on other PDP leaders, most especially all other presidential aspirants to join hands with Senator Saraki during thethe campaign to solidify the acceptability of PDP and its presidential candidate.The federal government has condemned the execution of Hauwa Leman, an aid worker with the International Committee of the Red Cross (IC...





The federal government has condemned the execution of Hauwa Leman, an aid worker with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), by The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram.





Lai Mohammed, minister of information, said the government did everything any responsible government should do to save Leman and Saifura Ahmed, another aid worker that had been killed in similar circumstances.





Leman was killed on Monday. According to a video seen by TheCable, she was forced to kneel down, with her hands tied inside a white hijab which has a crest symbol, and then shot at close range.





Reacting via a statement, Mohammed said the government is deeply pained by the incident.

He also said the government kept negotiations open, trying to rescue the women, and had acted in the best interest of the women and the country.





It is very unfortunate that it has come to this. Before and after the deadline issued by her abductors, the federal government did everything any responsible government should do to save the aid worker, the statement read.





As we have been doing since these young women were abducted, we kept the line of negotiations open all through. In all the negotiations, we acted in the best interest of the women and the country as a whole.





We are deeply pained by this killing, just like we were by the recent killing of the first aid worker. However, we will keep the negotiations open and continue to work to free the innocent women who remain in the custody of their abductors.





The insurgents had threatened, on Sunday, to kill Leman by Monday.





Toafic Toure, ICRC operational communication delegate, Maiduguri sub-delegation, subsequently pleaded with the federal government to avert Lemans killing as the Monday deadline approached.



Chinese President Xi Jinping [File photo: Xinhua]

BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for a stronger sense of mission for deeper military-civilian integration.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while presiding over the second session of the Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development, which he also heads.

He asked for a stronger hold on the implementation of the integration, strengthened role of rule of law, deeper reform of system, and further coordinated innovation in science and technology.

The meeting deliberated and passed a guideline on strengthening the development of rule of law in integrated military and civilian development.

Wang Huning and Han Zheng, both members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy heads of the Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development, also attended the meeting.

Attendees of the meeting stressed the implementation of the guideline, the improvement of the legal system and further legislation on military-civilian integration, in order to ensure the legislation covers all major areas.

The system and mechanism for the integration should be enhanced to make sure that issues are mulled over, decisions are made and tasks are handled within the ranges of law.

A fairer market environment must be built to push forward competitive procurement, to guide state-owned military industrial enterprises to open up in an orderly manner, and to increase the ratio of civilian and private enterprises that take part in such competition, it was agreed at the meeting.

Noting that building major strategic projects is an effective way to promote sci-tech innovation, attendees of the meeting called for making breakthroughs in key and core technologies.

Building projects should play a leading role in the process, while advantages and strength should be concentrated and coordinated to make breakthroughs as soon as possible, according to the meeting.

The participants also called for the strengthening of the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, giving full play to the political advantage of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics capable of pooling all necessary resources to solve major problems, coordinating major relevant projects and plans, as well as mobilizing necessary human, financial and material resources.

Party committees and governments at all levels should take it as a major political responsibility to implement the military-civilian integration, be brave to reform and innovate and work hard to make new progress in deeper development of military-civilian integration, according to the meeting.Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte hold a joint press conference in The Hague, the Netherlands, Oct. 15, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

THE HAGUE, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- China and the Netherlands on Monday appealed for global efforts to promote free trade and safeguard multilateralism in order to tackle the common challenges confronting the world.

In a joint press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in The Hague, visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that the two countries will cement consensus and work together with all sides to boost free trade and further improve the multilateral trading system against the backdrop of growing uncertainties.

"Free trade is not a rejection of fair trade," Li said. "Without free trade, there is no fair trade; while without fair trade, free trade will not gain sustainable development."

As for multilateralism, Li said, it does not mean disrespect for country-to-country relations, but a promotion to the democratization of international politics.

Li reiterated China's determination to be more open to the world, saying that his country will continue to expand its markets for Dutch investments in such areas as agriculture and services.

Answering a question on a recent China-Germany agreement over the building of a chemical production site in China, Li said China's new policy to further open up its basic manufacturing sector by removing foreign ownership restrictions is applicable to all.

"The policy is not just for some specific companies of some specific countries," he said, adding that some European enterprises are among the first that benefit from the policy.

China will further liberalize its financial services market and expand market access in manufacturing and services industries, Li told the press.

He said he hopes that companies from all over the world can seize the opportunities brought by the new round of reform and opening-up in China so as to achieve win-win results and common development.

Under the current circumstances, Li said China and the Netherlands need to open markets wider to each other, deepen cooperation in traditional industries including agriculture and energy, and seek new cooperation in such fields as hi-tech manufacturing and services.

During their talks, the two leaders agreed to further enhance cooperation between their countries against climate change, population ageing and other global challenges.

China is willing to discuss with the Netherlands to open its senior service industry, Li said.

For his part, Rutte urged all big countries to work collectively on an open, fair and multilateral trading system, saying that the Netherlands and China will make joint efforts to cope with global challenges.

"Free and fair trade is about not only how we can share the cake, it is also about how we can make the cake bigger," Rutte said.

Speaking highly of the two countries' fruitful cooperation in various areas and joint efforts in dealing with challenges such as climate change, Rutte said the Netherlands will work with China to further promote bilateral ties and cooperation.

Li is on an official visit to the European country. During his three-day stay, he will also meet with Dutch King Willem-Alexander as well as parliamentary leaders. The premier is also set to visit a hi-tech exhibition and address a business forum in The Hague.

The visit to the Netherlands is Li's first as Chinese premier and also the first by a Chinese premier in 14 years.WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai has voiced China's position on issues of mutual concern with the United States, dismissing recent accusations against China as "groundless."

TRADE DISPUTES

Cui made the remarks in an interview with Fox News Sunday which was aired on Sunday.

Commenting on U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's tough words on China, Cui said "all these accusations are groundless."

"One of the fundamental principles in China's foreign policy is non- interference in the internal affairs of other countries. And we have been consistent in this position. We have a very good track record," Cui said.

The ambassador noted that Chinese media were just learning from American media, buying commercial pages from newspapers to make their views known, or to cover what is happening here. "This is normal practice for all the media," he said.

Referring to the ongoing trade disputes between the two sides, Cui said China does not want to have any trade war with any other countries, including the United States.

"But if somebody started a trade war against us, we have to respond and defend our own interests," the Chinese envoy said. "So this is tariffs for tariffs. It's for nothing else," he said.

BILATERAL TIES

China and the United States, as the two largest economies in the world, have the responsibility to make sure that they have a positive and constructive relationship, said Cui.

"That will enhance people's confidence in the prospects of the global economy," he said.

Referring to accusations that China steals intellectual property and forces technology transfers from U.S. companies that invest in China to Chinese companies, Cui said those accusations about how China has developed are groundless and not fair to the Chinese people.

"It would be hard to imagine that one fifth of the global population could develop and prosper, not by relying mainly on their own efforts, but by stealing or forcing some transfer of technology from others. That's impossible," he said. "The Chinese people are as hard-working and diligent as anybody on earth."

When asked about the recent incident between Chinese and U.S. warships in the South China Sea, Cui said the incident took place in the South China Sea. "So its at China's doorstep."

"It's not Chinese warships that are going to the coast of -- of California or to the Gulf of Mexico. It's so to the Chinese islands and to -- it's so to the Chinese coast. So who is on the offensive? Who is on the defensive? This is very clear," Cui said.

Responding to the question on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Cui said "this is a very good example of American intervention into Chinese internal affairs."

On the expected meeting between the leaders of the two countries in Buenos Aires at the G20 Summit next month, Cui said it was so clear that such top-level communication plays a key and irreplaceable role in guiding the relationship forward.

"There's a good mutual understanding and good working relationship between the two (leaders), I hope and I'm sure this will continue," the ambassador added.

KOREAN PENINSULA ISSUES

In the interview, Cui also reiterated China's stance on Korean Peninsula issues.

"China and the United States, we do have a shared goal, which is denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. And we both want to have lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula," he said.

"That's why we welcome and support the summit in Singapore" between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and "we very much look forward to their second meeting," Cui said.

"I think in order to achieve the goals, we have to have coordinated, phased and step-by-step approach," the ambassador noted.DAMASCUS, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- After years of isolation, Syria's border crossings are under the spotlight again with some of them reopened as the Syrian government has regained the upper hand in the more than seven-year-long war.

On Monday, the key border crossing of Nasib between Syria and Jordan was reopened for the first time since its closure in 2015, when the rebels took control of the town of Nasib and the crossing, which is under the same name, in the southern province of Daraa.

The Syrian Army captured Nasib in July after dislodging the rebels from the southern province of Daraa.

The crossing is the only conduit between Syria and Jordan and is also considered one of the most important land crossings in the Middle East as it was the main crossing for exports from Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria to the Gulf states and vice versa.

The crossing brings billions of U.S. dollars in trade revenue to Syria as well as neighboring and regional countries.

Tens of people crossed the border to Syria on Monday after it was officially reopened. Also, economic delegation exchanged visits through the crossing.

State news agency SANA said the Syrian side entered truckloads of 21 tons of fruits as a gift to the economic delegations in Jordan and in return, the Jordanian side entered a truckload of dates to Syria.

Also Monday, Syria has officially reopened the crossing between the southern province of Quneitra and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

The Quneitra crossing was the only crossing for the Syrians in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights to enter Syria but not for the Syrians inside Syria as they are not allowed to enter the Israeli-occupied territory.

Syrian students from Golan Heights had used this crossing ahead of the Syrian crisis to study in Syria as the government has provided them with exceptional facilitations to seek education in their motherland.

Also, marriages had taken place between Syrians in Golan and Quneitra in the past.

There had been instances ahead of the Syrian war when apples harvested in Golan would be sold inside Syria through the crossing.

As the crossing has been officially reopened, Golan students are expected to visit Syria through Quneitra after they had gone through long trips through Jordan to come to Syria by airplanes.

The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) has also returned to the disengagement zone after leaving it in 2014, as the separation line between the Bravo gate on the Syrian side and the Alpha gate on the Israeli side is an activity zone for the UNDOF.

The rebels withdrew from Quneitra in July this year, after the Russians reached a deal with the Israeli side for restoring the situation in Quneitra to the pre-Syrian wartime and reviving the treaty of 1974 that ended the Yom Kippur war and designated the lines of separation between Israel and Syria.

Khaled Abaza, secretary of Syria's Ba'ath Arab Socialist Party's branch in Quneitra, told Xinhua that "the reopening of this crossing is reviving the lifeline between our people who are under occupation and on their homeland."

"This crossing is a lifeline for university students and also farmers who want to sell harvest and marketing it in Syria," he said.

Meanwhile, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem and the visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said in a press conference Monday in Damascus that the border crossings between Iraq and Syria should be opened soon after the major defeat of the Islamic State (IS) in both countries.

Al-Jaafari said there is no reason not to open the border crossings between both countries, saying efforts are being exerted to reopen them as soon as possible.

For his part, Muallem said that the terror groups were controlling the crossings, accusing the countries backing them of standing against the opening of the crossings.

He also noted "we hope that the crossing between the Syrian city of Abu Kamal and Iraq would be reopened soon."

Both ministers did not say when the crossings will be reopened but said it should not take long.

Expectations for reopening the border points came as the Syrian army has cleared large swathes of border areas between Syria and Iraq from the presence of IS.

In July, the Iraqi forces worked to enhance the security situation on the border with Syria, installing cameras and flying drones to ensure the security against any threat from IS.

The border crossing that would be reopened is the al-Qa'im which is located in the southeast of Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zour in the city of Abu Kamal.

Al-Qa'im crossing is considered as one of the major supply routes across the Middle East, which connects the town of Abu Kamal in Syria's Deir al-Zour to the city of Husaybah in the Al-Qa'im District of Iraq's Anbar Governorate.Photo taken on Oct. 15, 2018 shows the outside of Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. A Turkish team entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Monday evening to conduct a search over the disappearance of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, live broadcast showed. (Xinhua/He Canling)

ISTANBUL, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Turkish team entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Monday evening to conduct a search over the disappearance of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, live broadcast showed.

The Turkish delegation, including police officers and crime scene investigators, came to the front of the consulate building in seven to eight vehicles, including a forensic van, according to the live broadcast by private Demiroren agency.

Police have increased the security measures around the neighborhood, cordoning off all roads leading to the mission.

Hours earlier, a Saudi team of 15 people arrived at the consulate building, after meeting with Turkish authorities at the Istanbul security headquarters.

The two countries agreed last week to work together on the case and conduct a joint search in the consulate, where Khashoggi was last seen on Oct. 2.

Meanwhile, Turkish police increased security measures around the area and sealed off the entrance to the mission.

Turkey believes the journalist was murdered with his body removed, while Saudi Arabia has dismissed such allegations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud spoke on the phone about the issue on Sunday evening.China's new policy to further open up its basic manufacturing sector by removing foreign ownership restrictions is applicable to all, Premier Li Keqiang said Monday.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Dutch counterpart, Mark Rutte, jointly meet with the press in The Hague, on Monday, October. 15, 2018. [Photo: gov.cn]

The remarks were made when Li and his Dutch counterpart, Mark Rutte, jointly met with the press during his official visit to the Netherlands starting Sunday.

"The policy is not just for some specific companies of some specific countries," Li said in response to a question on a recent agreement between China and German which will see German chemical giant BASF invest 10 billion U.S. dollars to build a Verbund chemical production site in China.

The chemical complex will be wholly owned by BASF.

Dutch companies are welcome to make such large-scale investment in China to establish enterprises wholly owned by themselves, Li told the press.

"Our opening-up policy is consistent and applicable to all without discrimination," Li said.

Li arrived in the Netherlands on Sunday for an official visit, the first such visit by a Chinese premier in 14 years.The 14th Beijing-Tokyo Forum wrapped up Monday in Tokyo, with experts, former officials and private sector representatives from China and Japan discussing key issues affecting bilateral relations in order to enhance ties.

The forum this year focused on the theme of "Deepening mutual trust and cooperation, sharing responsibility for peace and development in Asia and the world, and exploring the practical significance of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan."

The 14th Beijing-Tokyo Forum wraps up in Tokyo on Monday, October 15, 2018. [Photo: people.com.cn]

More than 100 guests from political, business, academic and media circles of the two countries held discussions on bilateral relations, political mutual trust, economic and trade cooperation, security assurance, media responsibility, innovation and other major issues.

Xu Lin, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the State Council Information Office of China, said at the opening ceremony of the forum that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship as well as the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, and the two anniversaries provided a lot of precious inspirations for developing the China-Japan ties.

The most important one of the inspirations is that the two sides should stick to peace, friendship and cooperation in developing bilateral ties, he said.

Yasuo Fukuda, former Japanese prime minister, said that the world order including economic globalization suffered turbulences, and as Asian countries including China and Japan have achieved development under the current world order, China and Japan should work together to shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding and improving the world order which is in the interests of Asia and even the world.

The forum also adopted the Tokyo Consensus in which the two sides agreed to jointly safeguard regional peace, prosperity, stability and development and enhance bilateral and multilateral trade and economic cooperation, as well as boosting people-to-people exchanges to promote continued improvement and development of bilateral ties.

Beijing-Tokyo Forum was launched by China Daily and non-profit Japanese organization Genron NPO in 2005. The forum was cosponsored by China International Publishing Group and Genron NPO since 2015.

The forum, held alternately in Beijing and Tokyo, aims to improve bilateral relationship and deepen mutual understanding between China and Japan.China's central state firms continued to see strong revenue growth in the first three quarters of the year, official data showed Monday.

Aggregate revenues of the country's nearly 100 centrally-administered state-owned enterprises (SOEs) increased 11 percent year on year to 21.1 trillion yuan (3.05 trillion U.S. dollars) in the January-September period, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) said.

The revenue growth picked up from 10.1 percent in the first half of the year. "There has been a continued steady trend," SASAC spokesperson Peng Huagang said at a press conference.

In September, 19 central SOEs posted revenue improvement of more than 20 percent from a year ago.

Peng said the central SOEs also saw better profitability as their combined profits expanded 21.5 percent in the first nine months. Industrial companies, with profits surging 33.7 percent, contributed more than 80 percent to the total profit growth of central SOEs.

A series of other financial indicators of central SOEs were also released, including a further drop in the debt-asset ratio, vigorous fixed-asset investment, and an upsurge in cash flow.Level-playing ground the rule for firms of all kinds, regulator says

China will maintain its neutral stance for market competition and offer companies of all categories of ownership a level playing ground, the regulator of Chinas State-owned assets and enterprises said on Monday.

Peng Huagang, spokesman for the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, said the target of the countrys State-owned enterprises reform and reshuffling is to turn SOEs into independent entities that are truly self-managed, self-disciplined and able to assume full responsibility for their own profits and losses.

Peng was responding to recent media speculation that some giant SOEs are taking advantage of difficulties experienced by some listed private companies by acquiring or merging with them at bargain prices.

Some media have claimed that SOEs are expanding while private firms are shrinking.

SOEs have no intention to acquire or merge with listed private companies in a fair market environment regardless of the circumstances, Peng said at a Beijing news conference.

Instead, a total of 2,618 SOEs such as Shanghai Baosteel Gases Co, have transferred the majority ownership to private companies under the policy guide in recent years, Peng added.

He said that the government will also remain neutral toward companies of all categories of ownership, standing against the practice of applying different rules for companies of different ownership.

China also is against the idea of discriminatory restrictions on SOEs and supports the principle of competitive neutrality, Peng said.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, competitive neutrality means that state-owned and private businesses compete on a level playing field.

This is essential for the effective use of resources within the economy and therefore the achievement of growth and development.

While the principle of competitive neutrality is gaining wide support around the world, obtaining it in practice is a much more difficult question, said analysts.

Xiang Anbo, a researcher of enterprise development at the Development Research Center of the State Council, noted Chinas economic policy transformation from emphasizing industrial policy to focusing on competitive policy.

During this process, the government has already begun to push forward substantive reform in its SOEs to adapt to the new policy environment and take the initiative to become compatible with the regulation of competition policy, Xiang said.

Also, the competition policy should take into account that China has a large number of State capital investment and operating companies, and the country should hold the principle of competitive neutrality, provide adequate room for the performance of SOEs and enable them to play a positive role, Xiang added.

Yi Gang, governor of the Peoples Bank of China, the central bank, said the country is considering promoting SOE reform based on the competitive neutrality principle. He made the comment at the annual International Banking Seminar of the Group of Thirty on Sunday in Bali, Indonesia. The group is an international body of leading financiers and academics.

For the next step, China will accelerate reforms and opening-up to solve the structural issues in its economy, as well as enhance intellectual property protection, Yi said, adding that the country will further promote the opening of the service industry, including that of the financial sector.

The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commision said profit growth in Chinas centrally administered SOEs accelerated in this years first three quarters.

Combined profits reached 1.35 trillion yuan ($195 billion) between January and September, up 21.5 percent year-on-year, while their cumulative business revenue rose 11 percent year-on-year to about 21.1 trillion yuan, about 0.9 percentage point higher than the growth rate of the first half of 2018.

The growth figures show that Chinas central SOEs have moved to meet the requirements of the competition policy to optimize overall economic efficiency and maximize social welfare, said Li Jin, chief researcher at the China Enterprise Research Institute. In the long term, they will continue to focus on capital management and mixed-ownership reform to further improve their earning ability.

Among financial indicators for central SOEs also released on Monday were a further drop in debt-asset ratios, vigorous fixed-asset investments and an upsurge in cash flow.An over 20,000-hectare forest of Euphrates poplar trees decorates the landscape with golden fall foliage in Karamay, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Euphrates poplar trees are known for their tenacity and resilience, just like Karamy, which transformed from a desert to a modern oasis.Employees of Ele.me handle a customer's order in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo by Long Wei / for China Daily]

Online food delivery platform Baidu Waimai has been rebranded as Star.Ele.me, which will operate as a subbrand of Ele.me offering premium food and local services from selected vendors, after being acquired by its major rival over a year ago.

The rebranding came after Alibaba Group Holding Ltd announced on Friday it had merged two of its food review and delivery-related businessesEle.me and Koubeito better compete with Tencent Holdings Ltd-backed Meituan-Dianping in the increasingly competitive Chinese on-demand services market.

Wang Lei, CEO of Ele.me, said the company would accelerate its digitalization plan with partners in the catering industry to provide a higher-quality and faster food delivery service, covering Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Tianjin.

Wang added that the launch of Star. Ele.me is the first step in upgrading Ele.me's overall strategy and Alibaba's local service strategy, adding that China's food delivery sector is still in an initial stage, and offers huge development potential.

Ele.me purchased its rival Baidu Waimai in August 2017, and said the latter would continue to operate as an independent entity, and its operations team would remain unchanged. In April, Alibaba announced it had acquired Ele.me, as the e-commerce giant aims to enhance the last-mile delivery capacity crucial to its New Retail strategy.

According to a report released by research firm Trustdata, Meituan-Dianping had a 59 percent share of the domestic online food delivery market in the first half of this year, compared with Ele.me's 41 percent and Baidu Waimai's 3 percent.

Industry insiders said the move could be another step in the heated battle between Alibaba and Tencent, leaving them as the only two major players in China's food delivery sector.

"Baidu Waimai's rebranding means that the dual-brand strategy previously stated by Ele.me will not exist. However, the operating concept will not be changed as Star.Ele.me remains targeted at the high-end market, with an emphasis on high-quality service," said Yang Xu, an analyst at Beijing-based internet consultancy Analysys.

Food delivery, which has become an important part of daily life in China, is supported by numerous online food delivering platforms. The market size is expected to reach 204 billion yuan ($29.5 billion) this year, up 23.1 percent year-on-year, according to iiMedia Research.Lu, 28, and his Russian wife. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Having been happily married for one year, a man surnamed Lu began to look for Mr. Right for his Russian mother-in-law.

Lu, 28, opened his own media company in Changchun, capital of southeastern Jilin province, after graduating from Changchun University in 2013.

Early in 2017, he met with Valentina, a Russian woman, on social media.

The couple expressed admiration to each other after two weeks' online conversation.

Lu's mother-in-law [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"I can't speak Russian while she knows little Chinese. Furthermore, neither of us is good at English, so it was a little difficult to communicate at the beginning," said Lu. "Thanks to translation software, we could understand each other."

Three months later, Lu got the chance to go to Russia for business.

After finishing his business, Lu visited Valentina and won her heart. After a short meeting, they had to bid farewell.

To Lu's surprise, Valentina came to Changchun in August without informing him in advance.

They got married immediately and welcomed their baby in May.

"I really love China and my mother also enjoys the life in China," said Valentina. "My parents got divorced when I was 4, so I hope she can begin her new life by my side."

"My mother-in-law is graceful and we decided to look for her Mr. Right through internet which offers a broad platform," said LuSouthwestern Chinas city of Chengdu plans to launch its illumination satellite, also known as the artificial moon, in 2020, according to Wu Chunfeng, chairman of Chengdu Aerospace Science and Technology Microelectronics System Research Institute Co., Ltd.

Wu made the remarks at a national mass innovation and entrepreneurship activity held in Chengdu on Oct. 10.

The illumination satellite is designed to complement the moon at night. Wu introduced that the brightness of the artificial moon is eight times that of the real moon, and will be bright enough to replace street lights.

The satellite will be able to light an area with a diameter of 10 to 80 kilometers, while the precise illumination range can be controlled within a few dozen meters.

The idea of the "artificial moon" came from a French artist, who imagined hanging a necklace made of mirrors above the earth, which could reflect sunshine through the streets of Paris all year round.

The testing of the illumination satellite started years ago, and now the technology has finally matured, explained Wu.

Some people expressed concern that the lights reflected from space could have adverse effects on the daily routine of certain animals and astronomical observation.

Kang Weimin, director of the Institute of Optics, School of Aerospace, Harbin Institute of Technology, explained that the light of the satellite is similar to a dusk-like glow, so it should not affect animals routines.Houston using drainage fee for debt relief

As the City of Houston begins drainage projects in Forest Cove to re-establish roadside ditches, many Kingwood residents are wondering why it has taken so long to begin these and other projects, particularly since Hurricane Harvey. After all, the city has collected millions of dollars in dedicated drainage fees over the last few years.

Houstonians across the city are wondering the same thing. Many neighborhoods have seen little visible progress in drainage improvements, either before or after Hurricane Harvey. City records show many drainage projects with a funded status, but for a large number of those projects, construction hasnt even started. Other multi-million-dollar drainage projects already in progress have been delayed for significant periods of time, sometimes one or more years. Why?

 Residents wonder where the money is? 

Answering that question requires a look back to 2010, when voters approved Proposition 1 to add a small fee to Houston water bills to help pay for drainage infrastructure projects. The program was approved in 2010 and fully funded in 2012 under Mayor Bill White, and continued under mayors Annise Parker and Sylvester Turner. The effort is better known as Rebuild Houston, the city initiative to improve the quality of life and mobility for residents of the city by rebuilding our drainage and street infrastructure. Each household is charged a small fee ($0.032 cents per square foot of a homeowners property for curb drainage, $0.026 for open gutter drainage). For a 1,500 square-foot house, the fee amounts to about $50 per year, but when one considers that every household in Houston is taxed, these fees add up to millions of dollars. Other funds also feed Rebuild Houston, including city grants, developer impact fees, and a portion of the city property tax.

How has the city performed over the last near decade since the fee was enacted?

The city gives itself more than a passing grade on drainage efforts. They report that since the start of the program, ReBuild Houston has improved over 900 miles of drainage across the city, including both repair and reconstruction.

However, the city has spent less, not more, on street drainage and other projects. City records show that less than half of the $781 million collected to date has actually been used toward drainage projects and street improvements.

The program was designed as a "pay-as-you-go" approach, so projects do not start until there is enough money for them. But shouldnt there be enough money for them, given that nearly $800 million has been collected since 2010?

Well, no. Turner explained that one of the provisions in the Rebuild Houston effort was to first pay down city debt, so that has superseded the citys ability to make more progress on drainage projects.

Turner has been assuring Houstonians at town hall meetings, saying, We just have to finish paying down the debt and then you'll see those numbers substantially increase. Turner said the city has already paid down $1.1 billion in debt, but the city controllers (Chris Browns) office says the number is much lower  about $625 million: The controller's office cannot attest to the claim that Rebuild has paid down $1 billion of city debt. The city has paid down $622,962,600 of Rebuild Houston related debt per the ... finance department.

In fact, the citys debt is just as large today as it was prior to the approval of Rebuild Houston. While the city has paid down debt on street and drainage projects, the city administration has simultaneously increased the debt for other public improvement projects. Turners team says that more money to buy city cars and trucks has been needed, as well as astronomical increases in housing spending and garbage collection. The mayor's team is quick to point out that the city isn't borrowing any more money specifically for drainage, but it is borrowing money for all manner of other public improvements.

The end result is that the city still has a debt of about $2.5 billion for all public improvement. This is exactly what the citys debt was in 2010 when Houstonians voted for the drainage fee. Brown says that it will be 2021 before this debt payment dips below pre-2010 levels.

Residents Revolt

In 2011, a group of Houstonians successfully sued the city over use of misleading ballot language for the drainage fee. The 2010 Proposition 1 asked voters if they supported a drainage improvement through a dedicated fund, but never mentioned that taxpayers would be the source of that dedicated fund via the extra water bill fee. Even with the shifty wording, voters narrowly approved the measure by 51 percent.

In 2015, the Texas Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the plaintiffs. The city was ordered to hold a new election with clearer ballot language. But the city made a pre-emptive strike before the court ruling. The city council passed an ordinance formally implementing the fee, and stated that the Supreme Court ruling only weighed in on the vote and not the ordinance, so the fee continues to this day.

The lawsuit is still active, and plaintiffs say that they feel justice will prevail and that the 2010 election as well as the ordinance will be ruled invalid. If that happens, the city may be compelled to return about $840 million in collected fees. The city is sure that their ordinance will survive any legal challenges; one state district court has ruled in the citys favor. The plaintiffs are sure that the Texas Supreme Court will overturn that ruling, just as they did in 2015.

Diverted Funds?

Shortly after the drainage fee was implemented, nearly $1 million was apparently diverted from Rebuild Houston to Renew Houston, another fund designed to build new hiking and biking trails under Mayor Parkers tenure. The funds were definitely co-mingled, making it difficult to separate out how the money was actually spent, but Parker remained steadfast that drainage fees were not spent on trail projects.

Even though the citys own Rebuild Houston website says that these funds will be placed in a dedicated fund and cannot be diverted towards any other city purpose, the drainage fee money has been alleged to have been diverted to pay city salaries. Well-known Houstonian Bill King says that much of the documentation is missing on how the drainage money has actually been spent. King ran against Turner in the last mayoral election, losing by a slim margin. King says that records from 2012 were the last time the money was tracked closely. At that time, records indicated that the funds were being used to pay city hall bureaucrats, King said. The whole reason the city was even able to levy the drainage fee is because a Texas statute authorizes cities to establish a drainage utility, but requires the money to be held in a segregated account. King contends Houston has never done this. Instead, the money goes into the Rebuild Houston effort along with other funds, including Metro and even general funds. King reports six different funds, all with complicated accounting, and all with money moving here and there with little to no transparency. King also says that in 2012, the city moved nearly all of its 500-plus employee salaries over to the Rebuild Houston effort. In 2012, the Public Works head count went from 507 down to just 9 employees. The city says that drainage fee funds are used on street and drainage projects and the employees who carry out the projects.

How Does Flooding Factor In?

King and others state that homeowners were never told that the funds would pay for salaries. Instead, the funds were actually sold to pay for flooding. The advertisements in favor of the 2010 Proposition 1 were indeed all about flooding, and the ballot language did say the collected monies could be used for flooding. Advertisements said that the funds would be used so that Houston would not experience the flooding problems of 1983 and 2001. An excerpt from one of the commercials stated, water got so high, police and fire couldnt get through, and thats why Im voting for Proposition 1 to finally rebuild our streets and fix these drainage problems. Naturally, opponents of the 2010 proposition feared the money would go to other projects.

November Ballot

What makes this all the more interesting is that the Nov. 6 ballot contains yet another drainage fee item on which to vote. The vote is not about whether the fee stays or goes. The fee will stay per the 2010 ruling and will stay in place while the lawsuit makes its way through the court systems. Rather, the 2018 Proposition A is a way to vote on how the fees are used.

The only thing that we are doing with this vote is reinserting that lockbox, said Turner, meaning the funds would no longer be diverted to other projects should voters wish for that.

Once again, the wording of the proposition is more than a little tricky. If you vote no on Prop. A, it is not a vote to repeal the tax. A no vote would remove restrictions on the way the fee is used. A yes vote would hold the city accountable to only use the fee on actual drainage projects  in other words, the city would have to spend the money the way it was originally intended to all along since 2010. A no vote would allow the city to continue to divert money to the general fund and use it for other projects that have nothing to do with drainage and flooding. However one votes, it is important to know what no and yes really mean.

Local residents Bob Rehak and Barbara Hilburn have been instrumental in Kingwood grassroots efforts to prevent future flooding. Hilburn has focused her efforts on improving area drainage, and has concerns about the underground outflow ditches and the new problems that appear to be occurring with even just heavy rain, like the tremendous pooling of water that happens in the front of Kingwood near the railroad tracks  a pool that Hilburn affectionately refers to as Lake Randall.

Rehak stated that Proposition A may be Kingwoods best chance to ensure that monies are spent on things like additional flood gates for Lake Houston, and said that voting no on Proposition A would allow the city to spend money on other things.

Election day is Nov. 6, with early voting beginning Oct. 22.Litton seeks Congressional seat

Its not a surprise that Todd Litton is running for Texas Congressional District 2.

I became interested in politics as a kid, says the Democratic candidate running for retiring Congressman Ted Poes seat.

Litton recalls how heated it got around the dinner table every four years.

Mom is a Democrat. Dad is a common-sense Republican, he said, but we grew up understanding that political differences didnt mean you couldnt respect or even love another person.

- Ill work in a Ill work in a non-partisan way -

Litton earned his bachelors degree in English from Duke University, his law degree from the University of Texas, and his MBA from Rice University. After practicing law and working in investments, it was a fellowship at the Aspen Institute that opened his eyes to his present career.

That fellowship made me realize that I could make a bigger impact helping nonprofits break out of their silos and work with other nonprofits to bring about bigger changes, he said.

Litton describes what he does for a living as building bridges between the business community, the education system, and the nonprofit community.

And now hes ready to take his bridge-building skills to Washington D.C.

I see a way we can work together to find solutions to get things done, he said. Thats what we do in Houston. Its not about scoring cheap political points or stoking fears, or yelling partisan talking points at one another.

Litton said he'll work urgently for funding Lake Houston needs to get anti-flooding projects started and finished quickly and on budget. Hell work in a non-partisan way, partnering with Democrats, Republicans and Independents to find the solutions needed.

Littons infrastructure and flooding plan is outlined in detail on his website. He promises to work transparently and hold quarterly meetings, so residents can see and understand where we are on our progress and raise any questions, concerns or opportunities.

In addition to repairing from Harvey and preparing for future floods, Litton identifies three top priorities: health care, the economy and jobs, and broken Washington, D.C.

I support protecting the ability for those with pre-existing medical conditions to get health insurance. I will fight to get the cost of prescription drugs down, he said. Also, with increased automation and continued outsourcing, we need to build a pipeline of lifelong learning, so people can find careers to provide for themselves, their families, our community and our country, and I will work across the aisle in a non-partisan way to build on opportunities based on common sense.

Litton says many District 2 constituents mistakenly believe he wants to take their guns away.

I dont, he said. I do want universal background checks to buy a gun, however.

Todd Littons parents are his role models, in their marriage, their faith and how theyve served their community. He is celebrating 20 years of marriage to Jennifer, a breast cancer doctor and researcher at Duke University when they met. They have twin daughters and a son and have lived in the district for almost 20 years.

His political career really took hold in 2016 when Litton saw Vice-President Joe Biden in Houston discussing the cancer moonshot.

Biden spent most of his time praising President George H.W. Bush, Litton said, noting that they often disagreed strongly but always respected one another and never questioned their patriotism or desire to do whats best for America.

Litton wants to bring that Houston-style common sense and bipartisan civility to Washington, D.C.

Jennifer and I have big concerns for the future, for our kids and for our country, he said. Im running to represent everyone in the district and to take our Houston way of doing things up to D.C.

To learn more about the Todd Litton campaign, visit toddlitton.com.

The Tribune asked Litton about five controversial topics. His unedited responses are:

NAFTA: Our states biggest trading partner is Mexico, and our third biggest is Canada. Since the passage of NAFTA in 1994, our community has grown significantly and many people and businesses depend on free trade with Mexico and Canada to provide for their families. The presidents playing fast and loose with a treaty as important to our state and our region as NAFTA is very troubling. I would work to check and balance any actions by this president, or any president, that threaten to unravel this vital free-trade agreement for our region.

Funding a wall: We need to secure our borders but building a wall wont work, and it will be a massive waste of time (to access the land) and money. We can secure the border with a lot less money by using technology and hiring more CBP agents. If were going to build any walls, lets look at building a coastal spine to protect our coast and our port from flooding.

#MeToo movement: Every woman, every person, should be able to live their lives without fear of sexual harassment or assault. Period. The gross mistreatment of women in the workplace and in colleges and schools must stop. Shining a light on the perpetrators of such crimes will be the quickest way to start to create change. The women must be heard.

Medicare for all: Health care is among the top three issues facing residents and businesses of our district. I support everyone having access to affordable health care, but I dont see how we can afford to expand Medicare for All when our overall health-care costs are so high. We spend way too much on health care in the U.S.; about 17 percent of our GDP on health care versus eight to 10 percent for other developed countries. We have to drive health-care costs lower for people and for businesses. I will work to allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices.

The bullet train to Dallas: The proposed terminal for the bullet train in the Houston area will be in our district. Obviously, some of the train's route will come through the district. We need more transportation options in our state, and as this train is privately funded I'm supportive of it proceeding. I believe we have to ensure landowner rights, too, and fairness in how any compensation and remediation occurs in a transparent and fair manner.Mothers Against Cancer celebrates 30 years at December luncheon

When Dylan Probe lost her lower right leg to Ewings Sarcoma in the spring of 2017, her family wondered if her life would ever be the same.

A little more than a year later, thanks to a new prosthetic leg, the sixth-grader at Woodcreek Middle School in Summerwood is indoor rock climbing, bouncing at the trampoline park, even jumping from a bridge into the Medina River.

Nothing can stop Dylan now, said Ginger Bertrand, executive director for Mothers Against Cancer (MAC), and the most exciting news is Dylan is celebrating her sixth month being cancer free!

- Fall Creek girl honored Fall Creek girl honored at annual luncheon -

Dylan, daughter of Megan and Chip Probe of Fall Creek, is the honoree for the Mothers Against Cancers 30th annual luncheon to be held Monday, Dec. 3, at the Humble Civic Center.

The pearl is the gemstone for a 30th anniversary, said Bertrand, so we thought it would be appropriate for our theme to be Pearls of Hope  Celebrating 30 Years of Giving.

In addition to honoring Dylan, the group will present the Ann Denman Award to Glenda Gordy, a longtime luncheon supporter and former member who continues to support MAC.

Nothing can stop Dylan Probe, honoree of the Mothers Against Cancers 30th annual luncheon. Dylan lives the life of the typical active sixth-grader thanks to her new prosthetic leg.

Mothers Against Cancer was founded in 1989 when the parents and friends of Ann Denman established the nonprofit foundation as a fitting memorial to the little 2-year-old from Kingwood who lost her battle with leukemia.

Because of their annual luncheons, Mothers Against Cancer has donated more than $6 million to Texas Childrens Hospital for childrens cancer research.

We fund pediatric cancer research in hopes for a cure, said Bertrand. Our donations have been used for testing new anti-cancer agents against tumors, drug development and long-term survivor studies, drug development for brain tumors, and safer ways to provide chemotherapy, and thats just a partial list.

In addition to their luncheon donation, MAC members visit patients at Texas Childrens Cancer Center four times a year to distribute parking passes for the parents, knitted caps for the patients, and books donated by the Robert Everlanka family.

We visited the hospital in July, said Bertrand, and each patient received an age-appropriate bag of goodies assembled by Jacqueline Widman. The parents received a Vera Bradley tote bag filled with essential items like laundry soap, a memo pad, pen and the like.

It is especially heartwarming to see their faces when we tell them about the parking pass, added Bertrand, and in December, well present a check to the hospital for pediatric cancer research.

The December luncheon will include raffles as well as and silent and live auctions.

And, once again, our raffle tickets remain $1 each, a Mothers Against Cancer tradition for all those wonderful packages we have, said Bertrand.

The luncheon will be catered by Tonys of the Vallone Restaurant Group. The Rev. Beth Chenault of Strawbridge United Methodist Church in Kingwood will give the invocation. Johnny Bravo, formerly a KSBJ Radio disc jockey, will be the auctioneer. FOX 26 morning anchor and health reporter Melissa Wilson will emcee. Wilsons son is a cancer survivor as well.

The luncheon is organized by the 64 members of Mothers Against Cancer with Bertrand at the helm. Terrie Lee chairs the Virginia Gandy Run which will be held April 27, 2019. Candice Perkin is chair of the sponsors committee, Kristen Price is treasurer, Kendall Robnett is chair decorations chair, Babe Turner is past executive chair, Michelle Wilson is secretary, Go Gold liaison Pam Wilson is raffle co-chair, and Margo Wyatt is communications chair.

The luncheon is open to everyone, said Bertrand.

For more information about Mothers Against Cancer or to purchase tickets (starting at $125) or sponsorships for the Pearls of Hope Gala, visit mothersagainstcancer.org.We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.One of the biggest names trending at the moment is Richard Mille, what with the announcement that 2019 would be its last SIHH fair. Since then, its been a guessing game as for what Richard Mille will do next, and punters may want to look to last week, at Londons Frieze art fair, where Richard Mille emerged as a new partner of the modern and contemporary art fair.

The house showed six historic, limited edition watches that date from the past decade, and which notably, save for one, are now in the hands of private collectors and no longer available. They sold out very quickly and basically disappeared. The clients didnt want us playing, touching or photographing their watches, said company spokesperson Theodore Diehl. Some of us at Richard Mille have never even seen some of these pieces.

Richard Mille showed at Frieze Masters  the sister fair that features art from antiquity to 2000, and in all collecting genres  with some designs, like the vibrant RM 68-01 Tourbillon an obvious, literal choice. The watch was made in tandem with the French graffiti artist Cyril Phan, street name Kongo, who lent his hand-painted, kaleidoscopic brush strokes, usually reserved for large buildings, to each watchs baseplate, movement bridge and wheel. Limited to 30 pieces, each is a unique piece of art.

RM 68-01  Richard MiIlle

Richard Mille in essence was displaying horological art in the form of its unique watchmaking savoir-faire, both aesthetically and mechanically. Take the 3D-style RM 19-02 Tourbillon Fleur, for example, which features a slowly blooming mimosa thats engraved entirely in gold and crafted in grand feu enamelling. The sculptural flower opens to reveal a flying tourbillon, which is powered by an automaton mechanism featuring free sprung balance with variable inertia, which offers ultra shock resistance and precison, and a functionality that was a real tour de force for the watchmakers, said Diehl.

RM 19-02 Tourbillon Fleur  Richard MiIlle

The watch was inspired by 18th century automata, as was the fittingly-named RM 69 Tourbillon Erotic. Created as a 21st century interpretation of ancient erotic watches, the RM 69 features an oracle complication where three panels of text rotate to create a total of 218 different erotic sentences (all of which were written by Richard Mille, apparently). This roller system, however, is not the watchs most complicated feature; that goes to a pusher activated minute hand  which as it rotates can block the text  that can jump to the 3 oclock position, disengaging from the movement yet all the while keeping the time.

RM 69 Tourbillon Erotic  Richard MiIlle

Only one watch, RM 07-02 Pink Lady Sapphire, is still available to buy (from 952,000), its presence at the fair highlighting once more Richard Milles pioneering way with materials. Not only was the sapphire specially produced  with tiny bits of colour added to the growing crystal to create a bespoke, transparent shade of pink  but drilling the sapphire itself was another feat. As the second hardest material after diamond, the sapphire had to first be cut down roughly to shape before it was grinded to perfection for some 40 days and nights. Several drilling tools were supposedly destroyed in the process.

RM 07-02 Pink Lady Sapphire  Richard MiIlle

With some 450 visitors to the stand on Friezes opening day, Richard Mille may be onto something here. Indeed art collectors dont seem to shy away from the houses often-complex philosophy  at least not the serious ones. Were talking about very high end collectors, not only with the pockets to deal with it, but the intellect to deal with it, says Diehl. They may not be watchmakers or even watch collectors, but they immediately grasp whats going on. They can see the details - the complicated concepts being worked out, the combination of mechanical, sculptural and 3-dimensionality, the traditions of timekeeping.... Its all woven into a complicated ball and they like that.Sometimes, that NRA, Gun-Loving Nut Turns Out To Be One of the Best Guys on the Planet

By Dustin Rowles | TV | October 16, 2018 |

About two and a half years ago, I moved into a new house in a new neighborhood here in Portland, Maine. A day or two after wed moved in, and while we were still unpacking, a guy knocks on my door. He says his name is Wayne. Hes a new neighbor, and hes brought us this beautiful little basket that he made out of pine needles in his yard. I think, Well, thats nice, and my wife and I thank him. It was a really well-made basket, and we were both kind of shocked that this could be done by hand. .

Anyway, Wayne gets to chatting, and I think he wants to look around the house a little, because he was close with the previous owners. So, we invite him in, and I dont know exactly what was said, but over the course of the first five minutes, we find out that Wayne is a member of the NRA and that he is or was a shooting instructor. My wife and I give each other a look that basically says, Oh shit. Our neighbor is a Republican.

Wayne seems like a Mainer. Like, a real Mainer, not a hipster Portland guy. To be honest, he struck us as the kind of guy that might vote for Paul LePage, you know? Heres Wayne with his family from a few years ago.

Anyway, at some point, Wayne asks me where I am from. I say I am from Arkansas originally, and he says, Oh. Arkansas, huh? We dont like your laws down there. I think thats weirdly presumptious, but I say, Oh, I dont either. It strikes me as odd, however, that the NRA guy would say that. He goes on to say that hed just written a Letter to the Editor or something to the NYTimes about something or another in Arkansas, and he speaks with the kind of authority that leaves me a little baffled. Thats when I think, Oh! Waynes a crackpot! I bet he writes a lot of letters to the NYTimes.

At this point, my wife and I are just kind of humoring Wayne. I think he asks me what I do for a living. I say I write about movies and television, and he says, Oh really! I recently had a meeting with ABC about doing a sitcom about my family. And thats when I think, Oh shit! Waynes a nutter! Oh god! What have we done in moving here?

Anyway, after a few more minutes, we say we needed to get back to unpacking, and Wayne leaves. About 20 seconds after that, a lightbulb goes off in my wifes head. Oh! Thats Wayne Maines! she says. I shrug my shoulders. I have no idea who Wayne Maines is.

I know much more about him now, but mostly I know about his daughter. On Sunday night, she became televisions first trans superhero.

Her name is Nicole Maines. Shes playing Nia Nal in Supergirl (although, at the moment, shes mostly playing a protege to Kara Danvers). Her family has a hell of a story, and it would have made an amazing ABC sitcom. In fact, its encapsulated in a book called Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family. Its about a conservative family with identical twins, Jonas and Wyatt. Early on, however, Wyatt identified as a girl, and while her mother was almost immediately accepting, it took her father a while to come around. However, when he did, he really came around, testifying in front of the Maine legislature when they tried to pass a bathroom bill, and later suing the school board in a more conservative town in northern Maine that tried to deny Nicoles access to the girls bathroom. It was a seven-year legal battle, the first of its kind in the nation. They won.

Its a spectacularly remarkable story, both about Nicole and her father, and her entire family. For me, its another lesson in how not to judge a book by its cover. Wayne, who moved with his family to Los Angeles a few months ago, also turned out to be one of the nicest human beings on the planet. Just truly, truly good people.

 Review: Documentary 'Tea With the Dames' is Mostly Soothing, Often Hilarious | Bryan Singer and the 'Bohemian Rhapsody' Problem 

Dustin is the founder and co-owner of Pajiba. You may email him here, follow him on Twitter, or listen to his weekly TV podcast, Podjiba.

Header Image Source: The CWWith the dust of 2019's spring/summer fashion month finally settling, we've been thinking a lot about our favorite beauty trends that emerged this season. From tin-foiled lips to braids and culturally specific hairstyles actually making a full-fledged high fashion appearance, the vast range of trends spotted on this season's runways proved that the dismantling of beauty boundaries in fashion has officially begun. And just as there was plenty of variety when it came to hair, nails and makeup, so too did the catwalk finally feel home to greater diversity and intersectionality, with more ages, skin colors, hair types and body types than it seems we've seen previously. (There was even a pregnant modelhey Slick!) While fashion still has a long road ahead before it's truly an industry that welcomes all types, this season felt like a positive step in the right direction.

Take a look at some of our favorite beauty moments below:



Clockwise from left: Jeremy Scott, Halpern, Valentino



All That Glitters Glitter and diamonds were definitely a girl's best friend this fashion month. Whether it was Isamaya Ffrench's glittery, mod eyelids at Halpern, Heather Reynosa's diamond thimble claws at Libertine, popping lips for Jeremy Scott by Kabuki, or Paul Hanlon's glitter hair at Giambattista Valli, we left more than convinced that what glitters is always gold. Oh and let's not forget, Pat McGrath's magnificent rhinestone-kissed eyes for Valentino.

Clockwise from left: Dior, Cortazar, Anna Sui

Liner Outside the Lines A fresh canvas is every makeup artist's dream and that's just what models were this season. Unlike the usual graphic liners with defined beginnings and clear endings, artists like Pat McGrath and Peter Phillips at the Anna Sui and Dior and Dries Van Noten shows, respectively, took a different approach by using free form brush strokes that showcased creative freedom and nuanced beauty.

Clockwise from top left: Alexander McQueen, Nicholas Kirkwood, Gypsy Sport

Bring On the Braids When it comes to these looks all we can say is yes. Braids and other types of protective hair styles that many women of color have worn for ages haven't always had a place in the luxury fashion world. That changed this season. Shows like Gypsy Sport, Alexander McQueen, Savage X Fenty embraced long, neon green and earth tone beaded box-braids, sleek three-strand braids, and a chunky dutch braid for the win. Legendary hairstylist and Princess Diana's tress maven, Sam McKnight, also brought a futuristic take on the timeless French braid for Nicholas Kirkwood, making it clear that form and function can indeed combine in luxurious new ways. Chanel and Chloe also weren't too far behind, embracing natural hair cornrows in Paris.



Clockwise from top left: Nicopanda, Marc Jacobs, Junya Watanabe



Technicolor Tresses It wasn't just bold braids that ruled the runwayscolor took a vibrant, front-and-center turn at shows like Marc Jacobs, where hair stylist Josh Wood dyed models' hair shades of pastel blues, pinks, greens and vibrant oranges. Elsewhere, Ashley Williams worked with McKnight to achieve frosted purples, yellows and hot pinks, coupled with an ode to 90s Troll Dolls. Meanwhile, Nicopanda made a bold statement and let us know that natural-haired girls do have a place in fashion, featuring a pink bantu knots look on the runway.

Clockwise from left: Chanel, Proenza Schouler, Burberry

Easy + Breezy Beachy, windswept hair paired with soft, natural skin dominated runways from Proenza Schouler, who showed off clean skin enhanced by their new makeup collaboration with Lancome, to Burberry, who kept it polished with a mixture of dewy skin and soft winged liner by Pat McGrath, while Guido Palau kept hair softly tucked away into low buns. Sam McKnight took beach glam to Paris for Chanel, with luxurious undone waves while Chloe followed suit with bohemian, effortlessly tousled hair and lightly bronzed skin.

Clockwise from left: The Blonds, Fendi, Molly Goddard

Knot Nice Who doesn't love a sleek top knot? Fendi, Molly Goddard, and The Blonds all managed to pull off this classic look while also putting their own spins on it. McKnight for Fendi took his top knot and finished it off with soft face-framing baby hairs while models at Molly Goddard's show came through with a twisted knot that was left hanging over the forehead. The Blonds on the other hand, added long purple, red, green and even platinum and black extensions to theirs, giving us an ombre pony that you could whip.

Clockwise from top left: Saint Laurent, Prada, Givenchy

Mod Bobs Subversive, boyish, dramatic haircuts popped up at Givenchy and Prada, who both worked with the legendary Guido Palau to create retro microbangs and androgynous pixie cuts. Saint Laurent partnered with hairstylist Duffy to create a diverse set of looks, from dramatic bowl cuts to sharp, eye-covering bangs. Finally, Hedi Slimane's Celine show did not disappoint in the retro beauty department, featuring vintage-inspired, wavy unisex lobs and soft short curls.

Clockwise from left: Libertine, The Blonds, Libertine

Maximalist Nail Art From Rodarte's three-dimensional, crystal-embellished silver and gold metallic manicures to Libertine, The Blonds and Adeam's ornate manicures decorated with pearls, gemstones and gold beads, several shows this season took nail opulence to new lengths.

Clockwise from top left: Maison Margiela, Balmain, Saint Laurent

Slick and Sleek Slicked, wet-looking hair has had its fair share of fashion week moments and this season proved to be no different. In London, Ashish had models drenched in water backstage to achieve an authentically wet look and styled with stringy damp hair guarding their faces. Rochas, Saint Laurent and Margiela similarly kept models in stringy, soggy hair, but loosely pulled it back. Balmain and Dior, meanwhile, kept wet hair neat and tightly slicked away from the face.

Clockwise from top left: Dolce & Gabbana, Ashley Williams, Saint Laurent

Statement Hair Accessories For many brands, the biggest statement on the runways seemed to be coming from models' heads. Ashley Williams styled her models with sky-high, slicked ponytails decorated with signature slogan hair clips. Dolce & Gabbana and Rodarte models sported bouquets of flowers atop their hair. Gucci kept things slightly more conventional with wide brimmed hats, headbands, and dramatic diamante tiaras while Chanel and Miu Miu added feminine touches with rhinestone bows, headbands and brooches. Saint Laurent embellished models' heads with metallic, mesh headbands.Seven years after the release of its "White" womenswear collection, ASOS has launched a menswear counterpart. The British ecommerce site's head of menswear design James Lawrence has elevated the label's cool, malleable aesthetic for its growing male customer. Fittingly, the collection is rendered in a neutral color palette in hues from navy and black to stone, lilac, and heather gray  no bright animal prints or arty motifs as seen in its popular "reclaimed vintage" program. The 90-piece collection features generously cut knits, wool suiting, denim, and outerwear and edited range of accessories (with belt-bags, of course) and shoes.

With sizes that accommodate plus and tall customers and prices ranging from $23 to $198, the 18-year-old brand (which is already at the top of WWD's list of most visited ecommerce sites) could make a major dent in Zara and H&M menswear sales this year.

See more piece from the collection, below.

Photos courtesy of ASOS



The late French designer Sonia Rykiel opened her first boutique in 1968 on Paris's Left Bank. Her claim to fame was a body-skimming sweater that became a key part of fashion's move toward ready-to-wear. In addition to an haute couture debut and the inauguration of Allee Sonia Rykiel, creative director Julie de Libran is celebrating the label's 50th Anniversary with a limited-edition collection called "Generous Sweaters."

Related | Sonia Rykiel Got a Street Named After Her In Paris

The Participants Julie de Libran

De Libran and seven powerhouse women  from actors Kirsten Dunst, Sofia Boutella, and Kristin Scott Thomas to PAPER cover star Liya Kebede and Japanese architect Kazuyo Sejima  designed a range of knits that will benefit a charity of their choice. The proceeds from Korean ballerina Sue-Jin Kang's dance-inspired ribbed trousers and multi-colored, wrap sweater will go to the Children's Hospital of Seoul National University, while American artist Langley Fox's rainbow sweater will raise funds for Le Refuge, a French organization that provides shelter for LGBTQ youth facing persecution.

"They have all shown extraordinary commitment to the project and been so generous with their time and input," de Libran says of the participants. Alongside an eggshell sweater with a kaleidoscopic pattern of herself dancing nude, Kingsman star Sofia Boutella  who often wore Sonia Rykiel as a backup dancer for Madonna  created a crocheted butterfly style based on one of her own illustrations. Informed by a shirt a sweater she borrowed from her father as a young model touring the world, Liya Kebede's longline sweater (featuring handwoven fabrics from her Ethiopia-based foundation and brand Lemlem) is also rooted in personal experiences.

The capsule, now available at 10 Corso Como New York, will come to Sonia Rykiel boutiques and SoniaRykiel.com later this month.Maria Cornejo's unwavering dedication to sustainability is as well-known as her sensual (and sensible) silhouettes informed by art, geometry, and powerful women.The Chilean-born, New York-based designer has used eco-friendly materials including used waste cashmere and viscose made of wood pulp in her collections which are colored with environmentally-conscious dyes. In a new sustainable collection exclusive to Barney's New York, Cornejo address the toxicity of the production process.

Maria Cornejo prepping her collection for preview at Premiere Vision New York earlier this year.

Made of fabrics produced in a mill that adheres to the "Bluesign System" (a program that eliminates harmful substances from start of the manufacturing process), the five-piece capsule marks the designer's first foray into performance-wear. A red, cocoon-like windbreaker made predominantly of merino wool and a polyamide spun from nylon waste like discarded fishing nets features bio-foam padding made of renewable resources. Bonded, black scuba shrugs, coats, and trousers punctuated by reflective tape are crafted using Swiss firm Schoeller Textile's e3 knitting method, making them water-repellant, elastic, and as wind-protectant as they are breathable.

Produced in New York City, like most Zero + Maria Cornejo garments, the line is available beginning today at Barneys both in store and online.

Lead Image: Courtesy of Bibi Cornejo Borthwick; Images Courtesy of Zero + Maria CornejoIn January 2017 Patently Apple posted a report titled "The U.S. Fair Trade Commission Sues Qualcomm for Forcing Apple to use its Chips in iDevices." The ruling for that case was close at hand when Qualcomm and the FTC asked the judge to delay his ruling as the two parties try to find a settlement.

Patently Apple has covered the recent Qualcomm-Apple battles in Germany via FOSS Patent reports. Last week we posted a report titled "A Huge win: Munich Court Throws out Qualcomm Patent Infringement Lawsuit against Apple." Not much of late has been going Qualcomm's way and so a settlement with the FTC may be sought to avoid another outright loss.

Today Reuters is reporting that in a joint filing in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Jose, Qualcomm and the FTC asked a judge to delay ruling on the FTC's motion for partial summary judgment for 30 days.

Settling with U.S. regulators would be a turning point for the San Diego company, which has been defending its business model amid a barrage of lawsuits from large customers such as Apple Inc and Huawei Technologies Inc, as well as dealing with regulatory challenges to its practices around the world.

At issue in the civil litigation and regulatory disputes is whether Qualcomm's patent licensing practices, when combined with its chip business, constitute anticompetitive behavior. Regulators in South Korea and Taiwan initially ruled against Qualcomm, but it has appealed the rulings and settled some of them." For more on this, read the full Reuters report here.



A back door deal with the FTC wouldn't be good for Apple or Intel. A ruling finding that Qualcomm abused their monopoly position is the verdict that would help major industry players. Will the FTC stand their ground or buckle with the allure of Qualcomm's money? Here's to hoping that the FTC will stand by their moto of "Protecting America's Consumers." A ruling against Qualcomm would be a bullet in Qualcomm's legal battle with Apple.



Following a record-breaking Spring auction season, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, the global market leader in collectors watches, unveils highlights from The Geneva Watch Auction: Eight. Featuring over 220 lots, the auction will consist of two Evening Sessions, on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 5pm on November 10-11, 2018. The sale will take place at the Hotel la Reserve, in Geneva. It is free and open to the public.

Rolex Rolex Jean-Claud Killy, reference 6236 Dato-Compax in stainless-steel  Phillips

As ever, collectors will discover a selection of vintage watches, including a collection of early Rolex chronographs, from the early cushion-shaped examples made in the 1930s to the Oyster Cosmograph Daytonas of the 1960s, offering a retrospective highlighting the companys relationship with the complication. Leading this group of chronographs is possibly the best-preserved example of a Rolex Jean-Claude Killy reference 6236 Dato-Compax in stainless steel.

Rolex Sea Dweller Single Red prototype  Philips

Phillips will present also a Rolex Single-Red Sea-Dweller prototype without helium valve, which features in John Goldbergers latest book, A Journey into the Deep, written in collaboration with Daniel Bourn.

Also on offer is a large selection of military-issued watches from various makers, including watches made for pilots, divers and decorated veterans from the Italian, American, Peruvian, Argentinian, UAE, Pakistani, and Israeli armed forces.

Rolex Rainbow Daytona, reference 116595 RBOW in pink gold  Phillips

Further highlights include three of the most in-demand contemporary watches of 2018. Making their auction debut are two watches launch at Basel 2018 - the new Rolex Rainbow Daytona reference 116595 RBOW in pink gold and the new Rolex Pepsi Bezel GMT reference 126710 BLRO in stainless steel. These will be offered alongside a newly made Patek Philippe reference 5711 in stainless steel with Tiffany-signed dial.

Omega Speedmaster, reference 2915-1  Phillips

In addition, Phillips will present a full set of Omegas original Holy Trilogy composed of first generation Broad Arrow models including a Seamaster reference 2913-3, a Railmaster reference 2914-1, a Speedmaster reference 2915-1 and a Speedmaster reference 2915-2  as well as a rare Ranchero reference 2990, also known as the Fourth Musketeer. Possibly, this is the first time these four pieces have been presented in a single auction in such original condition. Complete set of Omegas original Holy Trilogy.

F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Souscription  Phillips

Highlights from Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, and other high-end manufacturers will complete the Geneva Watch Auction: Eight catalogue, including a selection of watches from the most coveted contemporary makers, such as Kari Voutilainen, Vianney Halter, and F.P. Journe, who will be represented in the sale by one of his original Tourbillon Souverain Souscription, a watch that helped launch the watchmakers brand.

All highlights will be available to the public during a lengthy world tour, with pre-sale exhibitions opening in Asia, North America, and Europe. Following previews in Taipei and Hong Kong, highlights will be on display in New York between October 19-22, London between October 26-29, and finally Geneva between November 8-11.

Phillips invites all watch collectors to come admire these fine and rare timepieces ahead of The Geneva Watch Auction: Eight.

The online catalogue is now accessible here.India, Iran to speed up Chabahar plan before US sanctions take effect

10/16/18

Source: Press TV

Indian media have quoted informed officials as saying that the country plans to speed up the development of Iran's Chabahar port before the new round of US sanctions against Tehran is put into place.





India's PM Narendra Modi with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani

After signing documents for Chabahar port development.

Tehran, February 2018



The Economic Times quoted unidentified officials as saying that Tehran and New Delhi would rush to complete the first berth of Chabahar port to make it operational within the next weeks.



Earlier reports said that India had pledged $500 million for the port, which would become operational by 2019. The port would allow Indian shipments to bypass Pakistan on the way to Afghanistan and farther into Europe.



In May 2016, India Ports Global Private Ltd and Iran's Arya Banader had signed a commercial contract for the development and operation of Chabahar port.



According to the contract, India would construct two terminals (five berths) at the port with an investment of $85 million for procurement of port equipment. In addition, India would provide Iran a $150 million loan through the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) for the project.



In February, Iran signed an agreement to lease the operational control of phase one of Chabahar port to India for 18 months.



The project would provide India with an easier land-sea route to Afghanistan. Last November, India sent its first cargo of wheat to Afghanistan through the same port in what appeared to be a run dry of a multi-modal connectivity route. The cargo was shipped from India's western port of Kandla, was unloaded at Chabahar and eventually taken to Afghanistan's Nimroz province by trucks.

The project to develop Chabahar port started in 2007 through an investment that officials previously said already amounted to $1 billion.



The annual cargo tonnage of the port which is Iran's only oceanic facility has now almost tripled to reach as high as 8.5 million tonnes.



It can also accommodate 100,000-tonne ships - what officials say can help promote the country's international trade activities.



The overall development project is planned in four phases and is expected to bring the port's total annual cargo capacity to 82 million tonnes.



A rail link between Chabahar and Zahedan and thereon to Afghanistan is a crucial part of India's extra-regional connectivity ambitions over which Tehran, New Delhi and Kabul have signed a basic agreement.President Akufo-Addo has launched Ghanas first Oil and Gas Licensing Round at a ceremony in Accra attended by stakeholders in the Energy Industry.



The move forms part of efforts by the Ministry of Energy to increase transparency in the Oil Industry.



President Akufo-Addo addressing the gathering said Government was working to ensure transparency and value for money in the Oil and Gas Sector.



He said government was using the countrys oil revenue to create assets and not waste it on consumption and the accumulation of debt.



We are investing revenues from oil in one of the most ambitious social programmes of our countrys history, i.e. the Free Senior High School Programme which received GH 455.9 million of Petroleum revenues in the 2018 budget, he said.



According to him the Free SHS policy is ensuring that the countrys oil revenues were being equitably distributed to the people of Ghana and not ending up in the pockets of a few.



President Akufo-Addo told the gathering, countries that have benefited immensely from their oil and gas resources were those that implemented policies to accelerate value additional activities in their economies, through the development of forward and backward linkages and by investing oil revenue in strategic social and economic programmes.



He charged the Ministry of Energy and its implementing agencies as well as the Licensing Rounds Committee to cooperate and ensure that activities under the maiden oil and gas licensing round are carried out in a transparent and efficient manner.



Current oil status and prospects



Ghana currently produces 200,000 barrels of oil per day led by its flagship Jubilee field which produces about 100,000 bpd. The West African nation, which became a significant oil producer in 2010 when it began pumping from the offshore Jubilee field, is keen to unlock its vast oil and gas resources.



Global oil majors like BP, Shell and some independent producers have shown interest in acquiring a stake in oil assets in Ghana. Ghana would put up another six offshore blocks for auction next year following the successful launch of todays licensing round.



Drawn to Ghanas hydrocarbon potential, ExxonMobil Corp recently signed a deal with Ghana to explore for oil in the Deepwater Cape Three Point offshore (DWCTP) oilfield.



Exxon is doing due diligence to find a local partner to explore the block, a condition required to operate a field in Ghana.









































Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoMoneyGram, a leading global money transfer service in Ghana, has been recognized for its innovation in money transfer with the Mobex Africa Innovation in Money Transfer Award.



The award acknowledges MoneyGrams continuous innovation in enabling remittances directly to bank accounts and into mobile wallets, which were both introduced this year.



MoneyGram was selected from a competitive nominee pool including major players like GHIPSS, Expresspay, Ecobank, Barclays Bank & Alexpay.



Remittances are key to the Ghanaian economy, and MoneyGram is a leader in this market, said Patrick Appiah, MoneyGrams regional head of Anglophone West Africa. Over the past year, we have invested heavily in this market and now are proud to offer multi-channel convenience to our receivers in Ghana.



From Paga to Accra, or Elubo to Aflao, customers can receive money from loved ones abroad either in any of our 2,000 partner locations with banks in Ghana, or direct into their bank account or mobile wallet.



The Mobex Innovation Awards is organized by Coasters Company, to honor excellence, innovation and creativity of companies & individuals helping transform lives with the use of technology. Coasters Company also organizes the annual Mobex Africa ICT & Technology Expo in Ghana & Liberia.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoAs part of efforts to provide digital platform for small and medium-scale enterprises to market their goods and services to both local and international markets, a Ghana Online Market has been launched.



The initiative was jointly launched by the Ministry of business development and national entrepreneurship and innovation plan (NEIP).



CEO of NEIP, lawyer John Kumah said government would support 10,000 businesses with full directory, product images and brief videos onto the digital platform from October to December this year under the first phase of the project and that 8,000 jobs were expected to be created in a year.



Ghana Online Mall is a business development and marketing digital platform to help small and medium-scale enterprises to use technology to market their products and services to the global community.



The online platform comprised four digital platforms namely; Ghana Online Mall, Africa Online Mall, NEIP e-Mall and NEIP Marketplace. It will be a business directory for all businesses that will be hooked onto the platform to trade among themselves, showcase and sell their products to the global community.



He further explained that, interested persons and businesses could visit the homepage of the digital platform through www.ghanaonline.com to register their businesses, market their goods and services for free, as well as identify potential businesses for investment relationship and funding.



He also revealed that the platform will also help start-ups and small and medium-scale enterprises to access funding and global market as 500,000 businesses are expected to be hooked onto the platform in a year. He said,



It forms part of the NEIPs mandate to provide three key support services to entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ghana-Business Advisory Services, Access to Funding and Access to Local and International Market.; Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Labour and Employment Minister, Ignatius Bagffour Awuah said, The online mall platform which will be a pool of services providers with diverse backgrounds is an avenue for job creation especially for our students, unemployed graduates, busy mums, artisans and all those who can offer some form of services in the comfort of their homes.



This will further boost trade with other African countries within the context of the Continental Free Trade Area Agreement signed by 50 African countries this year, he said.



In addition, the online mall platform, which will be a pool of service providers with diverse backgrounds, is an avenue for job creation, especially for our students, unemployed graduates, artisans, and all those who can offer some kind of services in the comfort of their homes. 8,000 jobs are expected to be created in the first 12 months.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoFrom all indications, it appears the Akufo-Addo government is hell-bent on pressing the self-destruct button politically, even before the next General Elections in 2020 considering its dogged determination to rollout the unpopular Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) policy; so says some business association groups.



According to these groups, aside the obvious insurmountable battle against the wanton sleazes and corruption incidents that have assailed the senses of Ghanaians for years, Kelni-GVG wahala, the goodwill and support the President and his government enjoyed when it took over is all but eroded, largely because of governments actions or inactions, the arrogant posture of some appointees and the failure to fulfill promises made in opposition.



But the rollout of the CTN is what will bite the NPP hard in the not too distant future, they assert.



The Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) requires importers to provide real-time information on all consignments to Ghana to a global monitoring platform.



Criticisms against the introduction of the CTN in the form being advertised, with regards to revenue generation and trade facilitation notwithstanding, government contends it (CTN) will enable Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to close the information gap between Ghana Customs and trade partners, and ensure the correct classification and valuation of all imports.



This system, government believes, will prevent clearing agents and some importers from colluding to provide false invoices which leads to huge revenue losses to the state, estimated at some US$8 million monthly.



However, business association groups including the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Association of Custom House Agents of Ghana (ACHAG), Freight Forwarders Association of Ghana, the Custom Brokers Association of Ghana (CUBAG), Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) and the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana, have openly voiced out their objection to government's decision to effectuate the policy.



The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), the umbrella body of traders in the country, also wants government to reconsider its decision or face their wrath.



Eventhough GUTA is against the implementation of the CTN, its front appears divided over the issue.



Peacefmonline is reliably informed that without the consent of the other executive members and stakeholders, two members of GUTA agreed to specific terms including the full implementation of the CTN on October 15.



The two executives, David Amoateng, a Deputy Public Relations Officer and Emmanuel Nana Opoku Acheampong, a Deputy General Secretary, have been suspended from engaging in further discussions on CTN until the matter is properly determined.



National Organizer for GUTA, Clement Boateng, who confirmed this in an interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on PeaceFM's "Kokrokoo" Morning Show, revealed that a similar policy was laid before Parliament under the erstwhile Mahama regime, but it was shot down due to certain anomalies that were discovered.



"We cannot prevent from talking, but on issue of the CTN, we say no so that we can all (collectively) lay our concerns before government," he stated.



Wondering why the current administration led by President Nana Akufo-Addo would implement the policy without giving ear to the concerns raised by GUTA and the other stakeholders, Clement Boateng told the host that it will cost a trader an additional US $200 to 500 to import goods from Europe and Asia which will impede trade.



"Who will bear such cost? Is it the trader or government? It hasn't be made clear yet", he stated.



He further noted that per regulations by the World Trade Organization, any measures which will threaten trade facilitation shouldn't be accepted or encouraged; hence the Association doesn't support the government's initiative in regulating cargoes at the port.



Clement Boateng claimed the CTN which commenced on Monday, October 15, 2018, "has no legal backing since it hasn't been laid before the Legislative House".



In a related development, President of GUTA, Joseph Obeng has expressed disgust over the CTN implementation saying "for us as traders, we do not subscribe to the implementation of the CTN. We are asking the Vice President and government to rethink their decision to implement the CTN else they will face our wrath".

Touching on the suspension of two of their executive members who held contrary opinions on the rollout of the CTN in an interview with Kwame Nkrumah Tikesie on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he stated; "we are still in consultation with government but the public display of these two members on CTN does not make us united for a common cause."



In the face of this row, political watchers argue that though the reasons why the opposition wins and incumbent loses an election is but an art and science, the agitation emanating from all stables is indicative of the fact that retaining power in 2020 will be a difficult task for the NPP.



Background



The seven associations in the shipping business on Monday, August 27, 2018, threatened to shut down their operations at the countrys ports in protest against the implementation of the CTN system which was expected to have taken off on September 1, 2018.



The action was necessitated by what the businesses described as governments failure to heed concerns on the policy which impedes trade facilitation.



But President Akufo-Addos interventions compelled the Associations to halt the intended strike and demonstration for further deliberations before the implementation.



The implementers therefore shifted the commencement date to October 16, 2018.



Lawsuit and agitations



Meanwhile, a freight forwarder, John Kwame Adu Jack has sued the GRA over the CTN policy.



Kwame Adu Jack wants the court to declare the planned implementation of the CTN illegal, and had also sought an injunction on the implementation of the system.









Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoA series of resignations have rocked the Asokwa and Ejisu Divisional Commands of the Ghana Police Service, with three junior police officers resigning from the service.



Messrs John Kwesi Debrah and Christian Yeboah are said to have resigned from the Police Service from the Asokwa Division, a development the Asokwa Divisional Police Commander, ACP Michael Awunmey, declined to comment on, when contacted.



In the Ejisu Divisional Command in the Ashanti Region, D/Cpl Michael Sarfo, with service number 42202, has also resigned.



Investigations by The Chronicle have established that maltreatment of junior staff by their superiors in discharging their duties in the service is compelling them to leave the service at a young age.



Lack of promotion was also cited as a leading factor in the spate of resignations that has rocked the service lately.



Investigations by The Chronicle established that Christian Yeboah has stopped going to work for the past three months.



Speaking to John Kwesi Debrah, he confirmed to The Chronicle that, indeed, he had resigned from the Police Service.



According to him, he resigned willingly and has no qualms with any superior in the service.



The three resignations follow the recent resignation of D/Cpl Cephas Kanyiri Bayora a few months ago.



Meanwhile, impeccable information emanating from the corridors of the Inspector-General of Ghana (IGP), Mr. David Asante-Apeatu, has established that the police chief has invited the former officer of the Ghana Police Service over his resignation.



The Chronicle has gathered that the IGP would like to open an inquiry into the circumstances which led to the resignation of D/Cpl Cephas Kanyiri Bayor



Information available to this paper has is that the IGP, through the Superintendent of the Anti-Robbery Unit (AARU)/CID-Headquarters, C/Supt. Felix Anyidoho, has extended an invitation to Bayor.



A few months ago, D/Cpl Cephas Kanyiri Bayor filed a letter to the IGP, announcing his resignation from the service, after ten years of service.



His resignation comes on the heels of an alleged assassination attempt and armed robbery tag against him.



When The Chronicle called the Director-General of the Ghana Police Service, ACP David Eklu, about Mr. Asante Apeatus invitation to his former subordinate and the resignation of some junior officers, he told this reporter he was on leave and that this reporter should submit a formal letter through Whatsapp to enable him forward it to his office for a response.



Five working days after the submission of questionnaire to the police, The Chronicle has had no response.







Source: The Chronicle









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoMohammed Dewji, who is Africa's youngest billionaire, was kidnapped in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania last week



The 43-year-old Tanzanian tycoon was walking into the Colosseum Hotel and Fitness Club in Oyster Bay, Dar es Salaam for his routine gym session during the early hours of Thursday, October 11, 2018, when two white men and an unknown number of accomplices in two cars waylaid him and quickly drove away with him.



The police have reportedly arrested more than 20 people in connection with the abduction. But both the motive for the kidnapping and his whereabouts are still unclear.



Police believe that two white men were behind Mr. Dewji's disappearance.



According to BBC, the family of Tanzanian billionaire Mohammed Dewji, has offered a 1bn Tanzania shilling ($440,000; 330,000) reward for information that would lead to his rescue.



The family hoped that the reward will help the police's investigation, spokesperson Azim Dewji told a packed press conference.



"We want to assure anyone with the information about the whereabouts of our son to come forward and we will treat their information as secret," he said.



Financial magazine Forbes puts his wealth at $1.5bn (980m) and has described him as Tanzania's only billionaire. In a 2017 report, it said Mr. Dewji, 43, was Africa's youngest billionaire.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoOn Monday, Egypts top appeals court upheld a three-year prison sentence and hefty damages on deposed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi on charges of insulting the judiciary, state media reported.



The Court of Cassation also confirmed the same sentence for 19 other defendants in the same case. The initial sentence was issued in 2017 by the Cairo Criminal Court that convicted Morsi of defaming the judiciary in a televised speech he made in 2013 when he was in power.



In his speech, Morsi accused a judge of overseeing fraud in previous elections. The criminal court had also ordered Morsi to pay one million Egyptian pounds (56,270 dollars) in damages to that judge. Five other defendants were ordered to pay a fine of 30,000 Egyptian pounds each in the case. They include Alaa Abdel-Fatah, a leading pro-democracy campaigner, who rose to prominence during the 2011 uprising that toppled long-time dictator Hosny Mubarak. Morsi, Egypts first democratically elected president was toppled by the army in mid-2013 following mass protests against his rule.



He has been tried in several different cases since his ouster. Morsi is serving a final sentence of 20 years in prison in a separate case related to inciting deadly attacks on anti-Islamist protesters in 2012. In 2017, the Court of Cassation upheld a separate 25-year jail sentence for Morsi on charges of harming national security by leaking secret state documents to his ally Qatar while he was in office.

Source: ABC News









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoFormer President Jerry John Rawlings appears to mock at some of the aspirants in the upcoming flagbearer race of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).



Mr Rawlings thinks that some of the aspirants including those who are nursing ambitions as running mates are not persons who should be entertained at the presidency since they have nothing to offer.



To him, those people spend a little too much time grooming their moustache and dyeing their hair.



In a tweet on Monday, Mr Rawlings questioned whether the presidency is not too busy for such individuals.



He quipped, Isn't the Presidency too busy a place for hopefuls/running mates who spend a little too much time grooming their moustache and dyeing their hair?



While Mr Rawlings names no names, his Monday tweet points to the fact that the former President thinks that some of the flagbearer aspirants cum potential running mates should spare the presidency of their desires.



A total of 13 aspirants have as of now declared interest in the vacant flagbearer position of the main opposition political party ahead of Election 2020.



They are former President John Dramani Mahama, Professor Joshua Alabi, Ekwow Spio Garbrah, Sylvester Mensah, Alban Bagbin, Goosie Tanoh, Kojo Bonsu, Elikplim Lorlormavor Agbemava, Nurudeen Iddrisu, Kweku Ricketts Hagan and Stephen Atubiga.



Jerry John [email protected]

Isn't the Presidency too busy a place for hopefuls/running mates who spend a little too much time grooming their moustache and dyeing their hair?

2:03 PM - Oct 15, 2018



None of the aspirants have named a running mate yet but there is talk of some of the contestants' joining the main race for secure bargaining rights to be considered for the running mate slot.



Ahwoi and Mahama



Other names such as former Minister of Agriculture and Ghanas Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi has come up as a possible running mate to MrMahama.



Mr Ahwoi himself has not publicly declared interest in either the presidency or the running mate position but there are strong indications he has been penciled for the running mate position with Mr Mahama.



But Mr Rawlings has also tied in the possibility of running mates being the target of his tweet.



The NDC has planned to go to congress in December 2018 to elect a flagbearer and that is expected to happen after the November 17, 2018 congress which would elect new national officers.



But before that, the party has allowed flagbearer hopefuls the opportunity to declare their interests in writing and go ahead to meet delegates to campaign.





Writer's email: [email protected]

Source: Graphic.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoThe high-end watch exhibition held every year at the St. Regis Hotel in Mexico City is the perfect platform for launching unique pieces. The well-informed and demanding customers attending the show are always on the look-out for something different and Ferdinand Berthoud has something special for them this year in the form of a one-off version of its award-winning FB1 Chronometer.

Chronometre FB1 Malaspina Edition  Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthoud

The Ferdinand Berthoud FB1 Chronometer picked up the Aiguille dOr, the most coveted prize in watchmaking, at the Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneve in 2016. Since then the watch has gone from strength to strength, with the collection now comprising five references, including a captivating movement architecture using sapphire crystal bridges. Having combined the traditional and modern in cases using both precious metals and ceramic inserts, this new unique piece uses a case made entirely out of 18-carat rose gold. To complement the warmth of this classical design, subtle blue accents have been added to the satin-brushed silver-toned brass dial. They are found on the galvanic blue subdial at 12 oclock that displays the hours and minutes and a peripheral disc around the edge of the dial with the seconds scale (unusually for a tourbillon, the FB1 has a separate central seconds hand, in keeping with the tradition of marine chronometers, and the tourbillon carriage itself does not display the seconds).

 Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthoud

As the people at Ferdinand Berthoud continue to trawl through the huge legacy left by the prolific watchmaker, they are unearthing ever more interesting facts about him. As a result, this particular model can be tied conveniently to the exploits of Captain Alessandro Malaspina, an Italian who joined the Spanish Navy in 1774 at the age of 20. On his second round-the-world voyage, on which he set off in 1789 aboard the Descubierta, he took with him two Ferdinand Berthoud marine chronometers (numbers 10 and 13, which were part of a consignment of 11 Ferdinand Berthoud timepieces ordered by the Spanish government between 1774 and 1803). The fact that the movement of the FB1 Chronometer is so closely aligned with technical drawings supplied by Ferdinand Berthoud for these two marine chronometers (and unlike anything else currently available) is a great testament to the desire of Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, president of Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthoud, to reinterpret the Ferdinand Berthoud legacy in a modern way.

Traite Des Horloges Marines, planche XX, Horloge marine

The Calibre FB-T.FC-2 movement inside this chronometer is built around a network of pillars, just as Ferdinand Berthouds marine chronometers were. The hand-wound movement features no fewer than 15 separate bridges in nickel silver. A further three half-bridges complete the movement, all held in place by polished titanium pillars. The sapphire bridges are particularly noteworthy, since they have polished and bevelled edges that are fiendishly difficult to create. Similar attention to detail is paid to the tourbillon, whose blue-steel bridge has a mirror-polished upper surface, straight-grained flanks and polished bevels. All levels of the titanium tourbillon carriages are bevelled and polished. The movement is also fitted with a fusee and chain mechanism to ensure a constant force. The chain itself is 285 mm long and consists of 790 individual steel components, each of which is finished by hand. The edges and studs are satin brushed and the flat surfaces are polished. Four portholes in the side of the gold case offer additional ways of admiring the impressive attention to detail lavished on this movement.

Calibre FB-T.FC-2  Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthoud

The price of perfection? In this case its 225,000 Swiss francs, which is a relatively modest premium over other models in the collection, given this watchs unique credentials.Chief Constable Adam Palmer, President of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police arrives for a news conference in Vancouver, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. Palmer assured that police forces across the country are ready for the legalization of cannabis which will happen nation wide Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan HaywardA view of the Saudi Arabia consul's residence, in Istanbul, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. A high-level Turkish official says police who searched the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul found evidence that Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi was killed there. Authorities meanwhile prepared to search the consul's residence nearby after the diplomat left the country. State media say security forces began setting up barricades in front of the residence just hours after Consul Mohammed al-Otaibi flew out of the country on a 2 p.m. flight. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)Saudis vow to retaliate and threat to use oil as a weapon

Reuters



Political tension between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia may have the potential of spilling over into global oil markets. Saudis Begin Internal Probe Into Khashoggi Disappearance. Trump send Pompeo to Saudi Arabia as King denies Khashoggi link - Play video -



- Riyadh vows to retaliate to any measures using economic clout

- Market is skeptical Saudis would actually use oil as weapon

By Javier Blas



LONDON

Petroleumworld 10 16 2018

For 45 years, it's been considered out of bounds for Saudi Arabia. But all of a sudden, Riyadh made what many read as a veiled threat to use the kingdom's oil wealth as a political weapon -- something unheard of since the 1973 Arab embargo that triggered the first oil crisis.

Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, said on Sunday it would retaliate against any punitive measures linked to the disappearance of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi with even stronger ones." In an implicit reference to the kingdom's petroleum wealth, the statement noted the Saudi economy has an influential and vital role in the global economy.

Roger Diwan, a longstanding OPEC watcher at consultant IHS Markit Ltd., said the Saudi comments broke an essential oil market taboo.

While few think that Saudi Arabia is prepared to follow through, even the suggestion of using oil as a weapon undermines Riyadh's long-standing effort to project itself as a force for economic stability. Jeffrey Currie, the head of commodities research at Goldman Sachs Inc., said Middle East tensions impacting the oil market have now "broadened to include Saudi Arabia."

The anxieties were exacerbated by an opinion piece penned by Turki Al Dakhil, who heads the state-owned Arabiya news network and is close to the Royal Court, in which he openly talked about using oil as a weapon.

If President Trump was angered by $80 oil, nobody should rule out the price jumping to $100 and $200 a barrel or maybe double that figure, he wrote.

The Saudi embassy in Washington later said Al Dakhil didn't represent the official position of the kingdom and Saudi officials, speaking privately, said there wasn't a change in the long-held policy that oil and politics don't mix. On Monday, Khalid Al-Falih, the Saudi energy minister, used a speech in India to soothe concerns, pledging his country will continue to be a responsible actor and keep oil markets stable.

"I want to assure markets and petroleum consumers around the world that we want to continue support the growth of the global economy, the prosperity of consumers around the world," Al Falih said.

Yet the fact that the Arabiya article was published only minutes after Saudi Arabia's press release was issued led many to conclude it was either a message conveyed outside diplomatic channels or a trial balloon that quickly went flat.

Oil rose in early trading, with Brent crude, the global benchmark, rising as much 2 percent to $81.92 a barrel. Prices later pared gained as concerns about global growth hit global equity markets.

Saudi Arabia also said it's begun an internal investigation into the disappearance Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate and could hold people accountable if the evidence warrants it, according to a Saudi official.

Whatever the Saudi leadership intended with it Sunday statement, it broke with the kingdom's diplomatic orthodoxy: oil and politics are separate.

For example, during a recent diplomatic spat with Canada, Al-Falih reiterated the kingdom had a "firm and long-standing policy" that petroleum exporters are not mixed with political considerations. Saudi state-owned company Aramco continued to supply a refinery in Canada despite Riyadh severing most other economic links.

While the mere hint of Saudi Arabia using oil as an economic weapon still brings back memories of queues at the pump and stagflation in the Western world, there are good reasons why Saudi Arabia hasn't wanted to brandish oil-market power as a political tool. Essentially, it has lots in common with another relic of the 1970s: the Cold War doctrine of mutually assured destruction.

True, Riyadh can bring the global economy to its knees in the short-term by cutting output and sending prices sharply up. The kingdom pumps one-in-ten oil barrels produced worldwide, and holds nearly all the spare capacity available to respond to any supply outage. Even just hinting that it won't replace the barrels lost from Iran due to U.S. sanctions could be enough to push prices toward $100 a barrel.

But if the Saudis retaliate using oil, it would lead to calamity, said Stephen Innes, Singapore-based head of Asia Pacific trading at Oanda Corp. This would be so destabilizing for global markets that it would make the current trade tensions between the U.S. and China look like a game of Axis & Allies.

Over the medium-term it would lead to massive oil demand destruction and an accelerated race into renewable energy and electric cars. The 1973-74 embargo, and the second oil crisis in 1979, destroyed oil demand for ever as industrialized countries taxed gasoline and diesel and embarked on conservation policies. Oil consumption is lower today than in 1974 in Germany, Japan, France, Italy and the United Kingdom.

 With assistance by Heesu Lee

_________________________



Story by Javier Blas from Bloomberg News.



bloomberg.com 10 15 2018

_________________________

It is common for companies to organize various informal events where workers can come with their partners. One of those...Shortly after the crash, the deputy's vehicle burst into flames and engulfed the house. Photo: Sonoma County Sheriff's Office

A deputy's vehicle crashed into a house and burst into flames during a high-speed chase in Sonoma County, CA, early Sunday morning, reports ABC 10.

It happened in Bodega Bay, CA, around 5 a.m. According to a report, the deputy was searching for suspects involved in recent thefts in the area. When the deputy spotted a vehicle believed to be involved in the crimes, authorities say the driver took off, reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour during the pursuit.

The deputy reportedly lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a house on State Highway 1. Luckily, the deputy was able to get out of his vehicle with non-life-threatening injuries.

Shortly after the crash, the deputy's vehicle burst into flames and engulfed the house. The injured deputy and a second deputy at the scene were able to get all the people inside the home out safely.Two undercover officers with the Atlanta (GA) Police Department were investigating a complaint of drug activity when shots were fired at their unmarked patrol car on Monday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Captain Reginald Moorman told Channel 2 News that the officers saw the suspect pull out a rifle: "At that point, he started firing at the officers. The officers were not able to return fire. They actually removed themselves from the situation and called for additional units."

Several rounds struck the vehicle, but the officers were unhurt.

A standoff subsequently ensued.

Police eventually detained a total of six people and arrested one on an outstanding warrant for something unrelated to the shooting, according to WSB-TV.

Investigators are still trying to determine who was the shooter or if that person got away.An off-duty Fayetteville, NC, police officer was shot in Sampson County on Monday night, and the alleged shooter was later shot and wounded when he drove toward officers, authorities said.

The Sampson County Sheriff's Office reported that the Fayetteville officer was shot off Maxwell Road in the Clement community around 8:50 p.m. ABC11 reported that the shooting occurred when a man got into an argument with the Fayetteville officer at the officer's home, reports the Fayetteville Observer.

The officer was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville with serious wounds, the Sheriff's Office said. Sgt. Shawn Strepay, a Fayetteville Police Department spokesman, said the officer remained at the hospital Tuesday morning in stable condition "and we're just looking for a full recovery."

The shooting suspect was found in his vehicle in the middle of Dunn Road in Sampson County a short time after the Fayetteville officer was shot, the Sampson County Sheriff's Office said.

McQuillan said the driver refused orders to leave his truck. Instead of surrendering, the man drove at Sampson County deputies and N.C. Highway Patrol troopers in an attempt to ram them, the Sheriff's Office said. But he ran over the stop sticks the officers had set up.

The deputies and troopers also fired their guns at the driver, McQuillan said. "He was shot, and he ran off the road, and then the trailer [he was pulling] became detached from his truck," she said.Forty years ago, on October 16, 1978, Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtya was elected to the papacy, adopting the name John Paul II. He was the 264th pope and the first non-Italian pope in 456 years.

Regarded as one of the major players in the overthrow of communism in Eastern Europe, John Paul II is also remembered for his many reassuring words to the Polish people in their final years under communism. John Paul II is held to have helped end communist rule in his native Poland and subsequently all of Central and Eastern Europe.

Photo by: PAP/Tomasz Prazmowski

John Paul II's over 26-year pontificate was marked by many changes, the most notable of which included his strivings to bring the papacy closer to common people as well as unite different religions. He especially pursued closer ties to Judaism and Islam, and is remembered for achieving visible progress in inter-religious dialogue.

One of his main goals was to transform the Catholic Church, which he expressed by the wish "to place his Church at the heart of a new religious alliance that would bring together Jews, Muslims and Christians in a great religious armada".

During his pontificate, John Paul II issued 14 encyclicals, 14 adhorations, 11 apostolic constitutions and 43 apostolic letters, he also nominated 240 cardinals, including 5 from Poland, and 2,500 bishops, and canonised 478 saints, including 10 from Poland.

During his 104 foreign journeys, John Paul II often visited the sick and poverty-stricken, he also held frequent meetings with young people worldwide. He was also a committed mediator for peace, especially in major conflicts.

John Paul II died on April 2, 2005, a month and a half before his 85th birthday, prompting a spontaneous world-wide surge of mourning. He was canonised by Pope Francis in 2014.

President Andrzej Duda in a letter marking the anniversary wrote: "We, Poles, owe especially a lot to John Paul II. His words encouraged us during the struggle for freedom and were a signpost for us in the difficult process of building an independent state,"

The president recalled that Karol Wojtya took office "during a difficult moment of history, when our world was plunged into the darkness of the Cold War and divided by the Iron Curtain", but thanks to "his unwavering faith, he remained a man of extraordinary courage, which he made the guiding slogan from the first day of his pontificate."

Andrzej Duda thanked John Paul II for what he did for Poland and the whole world. "I am deeply convinced that his election as pope was one of the most important events of the 20th century: Saint Pope John Paul II will forever remain a model of patriotism and humanity rooted in the world of Christian values," he stressed. (PAP)PUNE, India, October 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Ms. Kinshuk Apoorv, a student of grade X of Global Indian International School (GIIS) Chinchwad, has been honoured with the 'Women of the Future' award 2018, by the Indian-born movement, the 'Women of the Future Awards'. Ms. Kinshuk was awarded under the young star category (below 25 years of age) for winning over 145 awards and recognitions in various fields of art, culture, writing, singing, oratory skills, skating, archery, among others, as well as her exemplary work towards charity. Ms. Kinshuk was felicitated by Bollywood actress Tabu, in a glittering ceremony in the presence of various other dignitaries.

Ms. Kinshuk earned her place among the 52 winners, who were awarded out of 450 nominations received from Indian women across the world. These winners were carefully chosen by an unbiased jury comprising eminent achievers from all walks of life.

On this occasion, Dr. Amrita Vohra, Principal of GIIS, Chinchwad, said, "Kinshuk has always been an all-rounder student and also very sensitive to needs of the society. We are extremely proud of her achievement and we believe she truly represents the woman of the future. She will remain a shining star of GIIS Chinchwad and make waves in the real world. We will continue to encourage and support all our students to not only excel in academics but pursue their passion and interests for holistic development."

Expressing her gratitude, Ms. Kinshuk expressed, "I am very pleased that my efforts have been recognised by an elite platform like the 'Women of Future Awards'. Such achievements encourage me further to be determined and work hard towards my individual goals and the betterment of our society. Being acknowledged at such podiums also inspires other girls of my age to come forward to participate beyond academics for social benefit."

The 'Women of the Future Awards' is an attempt to showcase and empower female talent. It aims to acknowledge the inspirational stars of tomorrow from diverse sectors of the society, across countries. It is awarded to commendable Indian women across the globe that have made a difference to the society with their exceptional work.

Global Indian International School (GIIS) Chinchwad, a CBSE-based ISO certified institute, is a part of Global Schools Foundation. In their early achievements, the school has also been ranked as the second best school in Pune City by the Education World India Ranking 2017 in the Day Co-ed category. The school is a proud recipient of the prestigious International School Award bestowed upon by the British Council, UK. The school has also been awarded by the India Today Group for excellence in CBSE education, Pune and also by the Worldwide Archivers Group for Best school in Western India for Extracurricular activities.

About Global Indian International School (GIIS):

GIIS, Chinchwad is a part of the Singapore-based Global Schools Foundation (GSF) network, which was founded in 2002. Since its inception in 2011 in Chinchwad, Pune, GIIS has earned a reputation of one of the most prestigious international schools now offering CBSE, Montessori and CAIE curriculums while serving a diverse body of over 4700 students from kindergarten to class 12. The curriculum emphasizes on experiential learning where new and innovative methodologies are introduced to enrich students' learning process.

The school is driven with a mission to cultivate and nurture young minds by providing a dynamic framework of holistic learning. The journey of the students is shaped with a unique approach that introduces them to cultures and educational practices from across the globe, thus preparing them to grow to be tomorrow's successful global citizens.

For more information, please visit : http://www.giischinchwad.org.

SOURCE Global Indian International School (GIIS) ChinchwadNEW DELHI, October 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Launches Fourth Tapps Franchise in Hyderabad

Tapps, an all-inclusive shoe manufacturer and India's first exclusive online shoe portal, launched its fourth franchise in Hyderabad on Oct 15th, 2018. Following the success of its existing online stores in New Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, the new online store offers the complete range of footwear - formal shoes, casual shoes, exclusively handcrafted leather shoes.

Tapps provides unique solutions to every Indian looking for attractive and durable shoes in an affordable price range and high quality. The new collection draws inspiration from the latest fashion trends and comprises of stylish casuals, lightly textured shoes, slip-on shoes and a wide range of shoes that are made to move away from the usual pairs flooding the market.

Based on its thorough experience in the footwear industry, Tapps analyzed that most big names in the market are focusing only on formal shoes. The manufacturing of casual shoes has not been paid attention yet. Even if the loafers are being manufactured, they fall out of the affordable price brackets of a huge segment of the society. With a vision to bring in affordability and an equal buying opportunity for all, Tapps boasts of manufacturing exceptionally durable and attractive loafers consisting of varied styles for every fashion statement that exists.

Commenting on this milestone, Mr Udai Singh, Founder of Tapps stated, "Since the launch of the first Tapps online store, our experience has been extraordinary. We are passionate towards delivering the highest quality footwear to our customers. Presently, Tapps has a manufacturing capacity of 2 Lac pairs of shoes per month. We are happy to welcome our customers to the new store located in Hyderabad and we believe we will live up to their expectations. Furthermore, we want to enable all the Indian customers to buy the best of today's trends- loafers. Our vision of providing high quality in modest pricing seems to be coming true."

On asking, Mr Udai said, "We at Tapps, have come up with an unprecedented business opportunity. Unlike ever heard before, Tapps provides a minimum monthly business guarantee with 20% profit margins to each one of our franchise partners. It is a 100% secure entrepreneurship avenue to sell our footwear in exclusive Tapps stores." He further added, "We try our best to keep our customers updated about our wide collection of shoes via our website and social media handles. We are humbled at the feedback received from them."

About Tapps:

Tapps is an emerging leader in the footwear industry, providing durable and exclusive designs for men and women. The company is outperforming all its peers in North India and it is looking further to expanding its reach via franchise business partners from other parts of the country. It is planning to open 50 more online stores PAN India within the next two years.

For more details visit http://www.tapps.in

For franchise enquiries, visit http://www.tapps.in/partner-with-us/



Media Contact:

Udai Singh

[email protected]

+91-7503745275

Director

Tapps Shoes Pvt Ltd

SOURCE TappsBANGALORE, India, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- TUV Rheinland, a global leader in independent technical services, announced its Gurgaon, India, product testing lab has now been recognised by the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), Government of India, to conduct testing of telecom equipment, under Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE). Under MTCTE program, the testing is to be carried in conformance to Essential Requirements for the equipment by labs designated by TEC and based upon the test reports certificate will be issued by TEC.

The Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 mandates that every telecom equipment imported and manufactured in India must undergo testing and certification prior to sale. The detailed procedure for complying with MTCTE under these rules have been notified separately. Testing for conformance to Essential Requirements for telecom equipment is to be conducted by Indian accredited laboratories designated by TEC. TEC shall then issue product certificates based on test reports from these accredited laboratories.

"We are proud to be associated with TEC and to help them in their implementation of specifications and standards for the telecommunication sector in India. In addition to our state-of-the-art laboratory in Bangalore which is already an designated CAB of TEC, Gurgaon laboratory is also capable of carrying out independent tests that contribute to the development of modern and efficient telecom networks in India and use of standard, compliant devices and their interoperability, as per MTCTE. We possess the infrastructure and required competencies to support OEMs, designers and manufacturers, enable them to reduce product developmental cycles and improve speed-to-market," said Thomas Fuhrmann, Managing Director, TUV Rheinland India.

"After BIS CRS scheme, this is a significant development by TEC to regulate telecom equipment in India. The Essential Requirements for telecom products are based on EMI/EMC testing, safety, technical and other requirements, as prescribed by TEC. Our laboratories have advanced and latest testing equipment to test products in accordance with TEC," said, Kalyan Varma, Vice President, Business Stream Products-IMEA, TUV Rheinland. "TUV Rheinland is dedicated to support TEC in their Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment regulation. We are adept at handling multiple requests for product testing from both local as well as international manufacturers of telecom equipment," added Mr. Varma.

TUV Rheinland has been operating in India since 1996. Today, its nationwide presence includes over 100 locations providing testing, training, inspection, and certification services to nearly every industry, with over 2,500 technical services.

About TUV Rheinland

TUV Rheinland is a global leader in independent inspection services, founded 145 years ago. The group maintains a worldwide presence more than 20,000 people; annual turnover is nearly EUR 2 billion. The independent experts stand for quality and safety for people, technology and the environment in nearly all aspects of life. TUV Rheinland inspects technical equipment, products and services, oversees projects, helps to shape processes and information security for companies. Its experts train people in a wide range of careers and industries. To this end, TUV Rheinland employs a global network of approved labs, testing and education centres. Since 2006, TUV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption. Website: www.tuv.com

About TUV Rheinland India

TUV Rheinland India is a subsidiary of the TUV Rheinland Group, Germany. As part of the India, Middle East, Africa & Asia Pacific Group, it caters to the Indian market as well as global markets. With its local headquarters in Bangalore, TUV Rheinland India is active in more than 100 locations in India. As a prominent service provider in the testing, training, inspection, and certification industry (TIC), it has one of the most advanced testing capabilities in India, including electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility, IoT/wireless, material testing, reliability, solar photovoltaic, material testing, IT telecom, household/luminaries, medical devices, automotive components, /accessories, toys, textile, leather and product safety laboratories, all of which cover an area of more than 200,000 sq. ft.

Related Links

http://www.tuv.com



SOURCE TUV Rheinland Singapore Pte LtdIf you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found hereWelcome Guest! You Are Here:Marathon 2021 Runners of all racing stripes took part in the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon on November 7. Racing categories in this, the largest marathon...

Mount Sinai Queens Opening New Infusion Center The last week of October was marked by an expansion of health care capacity in the borough, as Mount Sinai Queens celebrated the opening of...

The Unofficial Election Results The unofficial election results from the general election on November 2, 2021, with well over 90% of scanners reported: MAYOR: Eric Adams (D) decisively...Ex-Transaero receiver detained till mid-December as part of embezzlement case

 RIA Novosti, Natalia Selivestova

18:30 16/10/2018

MOSCOW, October 16 (RAPSI)  Moscow's Meshchansky District Court on Tuesday ordered detention of the former court-appointed receiver of Transaero air carrier Mikhail Kotov, who stands charged with embezzlement and abuse of office, until December 15, the court's spokesperson Yulia Kotomina told RAPSI.

According to investigation, Kotovs action resulted in embezzlement of the airlines property worth over 1 billion rubles ($15.3 million). Moreover, he forged some documents to suppress crimes allegedly committed in conspiracy with the former Transaero CEO Alexander Burdin, the statement reads.

Burdin was reportedly arrested in absentia this August. According to investigators, he caused damage estimated at more than 1.7 billion rubles ($26 million).

Transaero found itself unable to pay its debts valued at 250 billion rubles (about $4 billion) in 2015. The government-approved plan of transferring 75% of companys shares to Aeroflot failed. Its problems resulted in a large number of flight cancels and delays.

In October 2015, Sberbank and Alfa Bank filed bankruptcy petitions against the troubled airline. The Commercial Court of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region initiated bankruptcy procedure against Transaero on December 16. The Commercial Court of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region declared Transaero air carrier bankrupt in September 2017.



Bill on release of seriously ill prisoners passes first reading in State Duma

 RIA Novosti

17:15 16/10/2018

MOSCOW, October 16 (RAPSI)  A bill simplifying a procedure for release of seriously ill convicts from serving sentence passed its first reading in the State Duma, Russias lower house of parliament, on Tuesday.

The bill would authorize the government to enact a regulation determining a procedure of medical examination for inmates applying for release because of serious illness.

Currently, Russias Justice Ministry and Federal Penitentiary Service do not have powers to determine a procedure of grave ill prisoners health examination.

Moreover, under the draft law, if convicts are unable to file a motion for release with court themselves, chiefs of prisons or penitentiary bodies would have a right to lodge an appropriate petition.

The initiative has been drafted based on the results of the law enforcement monitoring of prisoners health care maintaining.Russian Justice Ministry proposes softened parole conditions for convicted pregnant women

 RIA Novosti

17:43 16/10/2018

MOSCOW, October 16 (RAPSI)  Russias Justice Ministry has drafted a bill mitigating requirements for the release of convicted pregnant women on parole, a statement on the ministrys website reads.

The document itself has been published on the federal website of draft laws and regulations.

The bill also envisages softened parole conditions for women with children under the age of three years placed in the penitentiary facilities infant homes.

According to the bill, pregnant women and mothers of children of tender years would receive a right to apply for parole or replacement of an unserved part of punishment with a reduced sentence after completion of no less than one quarter of their sentence for minor crimes. Currently, they may seek parole after serving of one third of punishment.

Amendments are proposed to the Criminal Code of Russia.LUKE SKYWALKER

Solo: A Star Wars Story Action Figure

The Luke Skywalker action figure featured on this page debuted in the third wave of action figures in Hasbro's Solo branded Star Wars Universe Force Link 2.0 3.75-inch collection. It began hitting shelves in September 2018 along with a debut sculpt A New Hope Darth Vader and the Force Link 2.0 version of the previously released The Last Jedi Rey (Jedi Training) along with the First Order Stormtrooper Officer created with existing tools.

This figure was made available previously as a Force Link figure in the Emperor Palaptine, Luke Skywalker, & Emperor's Royal Guard three pack from The Last Jedi Star Wars Universe collection from 2017.Did men and women of redoubtable experience and public service, upholders of the country's steel frame and paragons of corporate governance, never smell a rat? asks Sunil Sethi.

Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

The collapse of development conglomerate Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) is one of the gripping financial whodunits of our time.

It brings to mind a popular Sherlock Holmes mystery in which a prize-winning race horse goes missing before an important race, and its trainer also vanishes.

The entire story hinges on the 'curious incident of the dog in the night-time'. If the nefarious goings-on happened in the presence of a watchdog, why didn't the dog bark?

That, concludes Holmes, is precisely the point.

The intruder was known to the dog.

The curiosity of the mismanagement at IL&FS, of Titanic-sized proportions that's gone down with a debt of Rs 910 billion, is that there were watchdogs aplenty.

Its independent directors, now sacked, included stellar names of Indian industry such as Maruti Chairman R C Bhargava and former banker and IT entrepreneur Jerry Rao.

Public sector behemoths such as Life Insurance Corporation and State Bank of India, custodians of the savings of millions, are among its owners.

No one protested or resigned as the ship began to sink though there is finger-pointing now at obstructionist shareholders and unreliable auditors.

Several high-ranking civil servants were on its payrolls.

While some quit government to join as paid-up IL&FS employees on fancy salaries others such as D K Mittal and Aruna Sundarajan, later banking and telecom secretaries, respectively, had their moment in the sun on deputation to the company.

Did these men and women of redoubtable experience and public service, upholders of the country's steel frame and paragons of corporate governance, never smell a rat?

Did they not ask how IL&FS secured endless state government projects, virtually from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, in building everything from tunnels, toll bridges and hi tech cities to verticals in water, power and engineering?

Or some of the unscrupulous ways and means by which it made money and spent it before going belly-up?

If the company's large network of political, bureaucratic and banking connections reeks of favour-trading, conflict of interest and dereliction of duty, not much is known about its creator, Ravi Parthasarathy, who presided over a byzantine maze of several hundred subsidiaries and joint ventures for two decades.

Other than he enjoyed smoking pipes, was a Wimbledon fan and rewarded himself with a fat pay hike, the IIM-Ahmedabad graduate and former banker is an enigmatic figure; more so since he left for London after stepping down, citing health problems before the approaching storm.

Whether the authorities -- now embarked on a fraud inquiry -- can bring him back, or he will join stayers-on like Lalit Modi, Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi is an open question.

Although IL&FS had its tentacles everywhere Mr Parthasarthy is said to have run a tight ship.

The business analyst Sucheta Dalal gives examples of the company's 'flamboyant, high-spending ways' and its complex, pyramid-like structure with a few cronies pirouetting at the apex like obsolete managing agency-style bosses -- shades of long-nationalised firms like Andrew Yule and Bird & Co.

Land from state governments was often acquired at throwaway prices, then 'any cost or fee that could be pushed past the state government was loaded on to the project' before it even got off the ground.

Ms Dalal quotes instances of the Tirupur water project in Tamil Nadu and the Tamil Nadu Road Development Company where huge profits were skimmed off and ended in litigation.

Justice V Ramasubramanian of the Madras high court noted: 'Investing more money just for the purpose of servicing a debt is neither a prudent business decision nor in the interest of the public.'

Mr Parthasarathy was kicked out of the roadways joint venture and the government took over.

The case of the NOIDA Toll Bridge company was as flagrant.

IL&FS sold part of the government land for a nice profit but when costs escalated it sought to increase the concession period from 30 to 100 years!

It was only when the toll-fee paying public woke up to the jiggery-pokery that the Supreme Court intervened to abolish the toll.

Pride of its partnerships is the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, a 359-hectare smart city development on the Sabarmati's banks, better known by the ironic acronym GIFT.

However, GIFT's head auditor D C Anjaria alleged in 2016 that the Rs 700 billion venture was practically a gift to IL&FS and cause of heavy losses to the Gujarat exchequer.

As in the twisted Sherlockian mystery of the disappeared race horse and its trainer, the puzzle is that none of the guard dogs barked at the growing IL&FS debt on loan defaults.

Of this distinguished assembly of captains of industry, civil servants and bankers were also representatives of public sector shareholders and foreign investors.

Yet they blindly followed the old axiom: Government and management are always right.

Except management is wrong when government says so.

The watchdogs that didn't bark have now come back to bite the government -- at the taxpayers' expense of course.The airline has informed its flight attendants that they would be eligible for leave without pay between November 1 and December 20

Jet Airways is offering up to 50 days of leave without pay to its flight attendants.

While Jet called it an employee-friendly step, the move will help loss making airline it to save cash.

Leave without pay for minimum 15 days was introduced for cabin crew operating the Boeing 737 planes in October and the same is now being extended to crew of wide-body Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s in November and December.

In its latest communication, the airline has informed its flight attendants that they would be eligible for leave without pay between November 1 and December 20.

Crew based in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru can apply and leave would be granted on first-come, first-served basis.

The scheme is optional and in-flight supervisors are not eligible to seek leave under this scheme.

Jet has over 4,000 people working a cabin crew, which is said to be excess of its current requirements.

The airline has a fleet of 125 planes, including a mix of turboprop, narrow-body and wide-body planes and operates over 650 daily flights.

Cabin crew earn Rs 50,000-120,000 per month, depending on seniority and the pay packet includes a basic component and flying allowance.

Quite often crew are called to airport as stand by.

In that case, they are paid a stand-by allowance and also offered transport to airport and back.

With the leave without pay scheme, the airline would be able to save on basic component plus allowances and transport charges.

On its part the airline said the leave without pay is an employee-friendly initiative and same is not launched for cost savings.

Typically, with multiple crew bases, crew rostering during the festive season (October-December), is better planned if leave requests are budgeted well in advance. Based on feedback received, we have therefore opened this up for our crew to apply, as yet another employee-friendly initiative.

"This particular time the window for this category leave taken is up to 50 days. The objective of the initiative is to achieve a better equilibrium between work/life balance and operational commitments, the airline said in an email response.

Cash crunch has also led Jet management to delay salaries of pilots, engineers and senior management and ground two wide-body planes, including an Airbus A330 and a Boeing 777.

The groundings have also resulted in changes in aircraft being deployed on routes like Mumbai-Singapore and also routes to Gulf.

In its response Jet said one of its Airbus A330 plane is scheduled to undergo engine replacement.

Such occasional aircraft/engine changes form a routine part of airline's maintenance schedule, it said.

The airline management has not given any date for payment of September salary to its senior management, pilots and engineers.

In a staff communication, the airline said it was working towards a solution for payment but did not give any specific date.

Photograph: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters'These atheist people wanted to finish the progress of Sabrimala temple devotees and now they are using this (the Supreme Court verdict) as a weapon to destroy the believers.'

IMAGE: Ayyappa devotees protest against the Supreme Court verdict on the entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple in New Delhi, October 14. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo

Since the Supreme Court's historic judgment allowing women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple, Kerala has been witnessing a series of agitations by various devotee groups and Hindu outfits against the verdict.

Holding placards bearing pictures of Lord Ayyappa and chanting his hymns, the faithful, a large number of them women, have been demanding that the sanctity of the temple rituals be protected and women of menstrual age must be kept out.

As the temple complex opens on Thursday, October 18, for the monthly rituals, the Bharatiya Janata Party's Kerala's president P S Sreedharan Pillai tells Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf, "The Sabrimala pilgrimage is bigger than Mecca, and Kashi too, as five crore (50 million) people come every year. These Marxist people tried their level best to destroy it."

The BJP protest march on Monday to the state secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram turned out to be very big.

Yes, and now the CPI-M government of Kerala has changed its attitude because this is the largest gathering ever seen in Kerala.

Our march is largest in the history of the state.

People have decided to have their own faith and beliefs, so why is this atheist government opposing it?

We are only supporting the believers.

Why are you opposing the Supreme Court judgment?

The judgment is there, but then, there is a review petition too which is pending.

These atheist people since the last 50 years wanted to finish the progress of Sabrimala temple devotees and now they are using this (the verdict) as a weapon to destroy the believers.

We are only supporting the believers. That's all.

Women of all ages can enter the Sabrimala temple from Thursday. Will you stop them?

Let that be decided by the believers.

We have not started the agitation, 50,000 women started this agitation.

We are only supporting them.

Were you surprised to see such a large number of women participate in your rally?

That is faith.

Communists don't understand it. Communists want to finish the faith.

Sabrimala is the largest pilgrimage centre in the world.

The Sabrimala pilgrimage is bigger than Mecca, and Kashi too, as five crore (50 million) people come every year.

These Marxist people tried their level best to destroy it.

We are only supporting the people.

Beyond our expectations people are coming out and supporting us.

What is the BJP's stand on the Supreme Court verdict?

I told you that the BJP is standing along with believers.

Believers are fighting for their fundamental rights.

This is a peculiar kind of temple where the deity is Brahmachari, a celibate.

This is the only temple where such a custom exists.

Why was this fact not placed before the Supreme Court of India?

Here worshipping in the temple is not like in North India.

In North India, you can touch the idol, but not here.

Therefore, 90 per cent of Kerala's Hindu women are not supporting the Supreme Court judgment.

They are not even supporting the (state) government's view.

That is why the CPI-M was forced to conduct house level meetings on this issue to convince them.

But the people were not interested.

What, in your view, should the Kerala government have done after the Supreme Court verdict?

The appeals are pending now.

Let the final outcome come.

Isn't the judgment final?

The attorney general of India has taken up this matter.

Women have come out openly to oppose the verdict.

Only 250 women came for the CPI-M rally.

Malayala Manorama (the largest circulated newspaper in Kerala) interviewed those women and even in those interviews women said that they stand for Sabrimala Ayyappa and not with the CPI-M.

This is the reality.

Now the CPI-M is repenting. So let them suffer.

It looks like you are trying to score political points over the issue.

No. We didn't start this.

The Congress party started the agitation and later on withdrew Why?

Because, the CPI-M and the Congress don't care for the interests of believers.

Throughout the world, believers are opposing the judgment. In the USA, Germany, Delhi and everywhere.

You cannot play with the beliefs of people.

The CPI-M is now facing an embarrassing situation.'Nowhere is it written in the Constitution that Ravan's effigy must be burnt.'

Photograph: Mukesh Gupta/Reuters

The Bhim Army led by Chandrashekhar Azad 'Ravan' has demanded a ban on the 'Ravan Dahan' (burning of Ravan's effigy) in Maharashtra this Dussehra.

"It is only now that we have come to know that the upper castes have taught us wrong history," Ashok Kamble, the Bhim Army chief in Maharashtra, tells Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf.

Why are you seeking to stop the burning of Ravan's effigies during Dussehra?

We have said that Ravan's story is of many years ago. At that time the upper castes were ruling India.

These upper caste people say Ravan abducted Sita, but they do not tell you why he did that.

He did that because his sister Surpankha's nose and ears was cut by Lakshman.

As a brother, Ravan was bound to get angry, therefore he kidnapped Sita.

And he did that because he could not find Ram and Lakshman.

We feel that burning Ravan's effigy is wrong as in Sri Lanka and many places in South India, people worship Ravan.

In Maharashtra, in places like Akola, Amravati, even in Nashik, there are temples of Ravan.

People worship Ravan in temples in Maharashtra?

Yes, people pray to Ravan. Go to Akola, you will find out.

In Jharkhand 10 days ago, there was a protest to demand that the burning of Ravan's effigy must be stopped.

In Uttarakhand too, people protested against the burning of Ravan's effigy.

In Palghar (Maharashtra) two days ago, there was a meeting where they said Ravan is their kuldevta (clan deity) and the Constitution has given us this right that our sentiments must not be hurt.

If our sentiments are being hurt, then this tradition of burning Ravan's effigy has to be stopped.

For so many years no one has thought about this. Why do you have a problem now?

Earlier, the voice of Adivasis was weak. Now they are getting united so their voice is being heard.

Why are you creating a new narrative of Ravan worship?

This is not a political stunt. The Bhim Army is a social organisation.

We are saying this because history has projected Ravan wrongly.

Ravan was a villain. Everyone knows about it.

When the Ramayana was written, only the upper caste people had the right to read. Others were not allowed to read or write.

So these upper caste people wrote their own history.

Now when others have started reading and writing, they are coming to know about true history. And they want to correct all those wrongs.

You read books by Periyar (E V Ramasamy Naicker, the late Tamil social activist). He wrote that the way Ravan has been depicted is wrong. The real face of Ravan was something different.

When Sita was kidnapped she was kept in the Ashok Vatika by Ravan. He had women as her guards, not men.

He kidnapped Sita because he could not find Ram and Lakshman.

You are giving a new twist to the Ramayan.

Read all the books on the Ramayan and you will find the truth.

Lanka under Ravan was a happy place. There was no injustice under Ravan's rule.

People were happy under Ravan's rule. Only because of this incident (the war with Ram) you cannot say he was a demon.

Who started the war? It was Lakshman. He cut Surpankha's nose and ears.

But...

(Interrupts) By saying all this I do not want to instigate hatred. We believe in the Constitution and we work according to the Constitution only.

Nowhere is it written in the Constitution that Ravan's effigy must be burnt.

Why are you meeting police officers over this issue?

We are meeting police officers in 36 districts in Maharashtra to tell them to stop the burning of Ravan's effigy.

You are saying this after 70 years of Independence!

I was born in 1986. It is only now that we have come to know that the upper castes taught us wrong history.

What will you achieve by not allowing the burning of Ravan's effigies?

There will be brotherhood between the Adivasi samaj and upper caste people.

There have been no protests against the burning of Ravan's effigy by the Adivasis.

It happens, but no newspaper covers such news.

It is only now when the Bhim Army raised this issue that the electronic and print media are speaking about this issue.

You go to Palghar district. You will see that the Adivasis have been protesting against the burning of Ravan's effigy for so many years. There has also been a petition filed in Nagpur.

This time we are taking a pro-Ravana rally in Kandivli (north west Mumbai).

You are unnecessarily instigating people.

I don't think that way. What is wrong is wrong and that needs to be corrected.Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi while apparently referring to the allegations of sexual harassment against Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.

IMAGE: Congress president Rahul Gandhi addresses a public meeting, in Sheopur. Photograph: PTI Photo

Modiji says beti padhao, beti bachao but it so happens that when complaint against his minister comes, he keeps quiet, Gandhi said while addressing a public meeting in

Joura area of Morena district of Madhya Pradesh.

The Congress leader did not name any minister but was apparently referring to Akbar who is in the thick of a storm because of allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by a number of women journalists.

Akbar, a former journalist, has rejected the allegations against him and has filed a defamation case against one of the complainant journalists.

Gandhi, in his address, went on to attack Modi over various other issues.

When an Uttar Pradesh MLA rapes a woman, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi (Adityanath) keeps quiet and the prime minister keeps quiet. Their true slogan should be beti padhao aur beti ko BJP ke neta, mantri aur MLA se bachao, he said.

Gandhi is on a two-day tour of Madhya Pradesh where assembly polls are scheduled to take place on November 28.

WATCH: Rahul Gandhi mimics PM Modi

Significantly, Tuesdays public meeting in Joura was attended by senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh, who had been conspicuous by his absence during most of the programmes and rallies addressed by Gandhi in Madhya Pradesh over the last few weeks.

Among the state leaders, Gandhi has been mostly accompanied by state Congress president Kamal Nath and the partys campaign committee chief Jyotiraditya Scindia during his programmes in Madhya Pradesh.

Earlier in the day, a video went viral in which Digvijay Singh is heard saying that his partys votes get reduced if he campaigns for it.

Continuing his tirade against the prime minister, Gandhi said Modi had claimed that he wants to be a chowkidar (watchman of the country) but he actually proved to be a chowkidar of Anil Ambani, Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi and has been working for them since last four years.

He said the cost of petrol and diesel has shot up drastically. They pull out money from your pocket and put it in the pockets of 15-20 big businessmen, he said.

I have not come here to make false promises. You have got in the habit of hearing lies from Modiji and Shivraj ji (Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan). But I assure you that Rahul Gandhi does not speak lies from the stage but makes honest promises which I am going to fulfil, he said.

Later, the Congress president conducted a road show from Joura to Morena.

Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh are due on November 28 and the counting of votes will take place on December 11.The Delhi Police said an FIR has been registered and lookout notice has also been issued.

The son of a former Bahujan Samaj Party MP was booked for allegedly brandishing a gun at guests and threatening them in the foyer of a five-star hotel in New Delhi, a video of which went viral on social media.

The accused, Ashish Pandey, hails from Lucknow and is the son of former BSP MP Rakesh Pandey. His brother, Ritesh Pandey, is a sitting MLA in Uttar Pradesh.

The Delhi Police said an FIR has been registered under the Arms Act and sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those related to causing hurt (323), criminal intimidation (506) and using force with the intent to outrage the modesty of a woman (354).

Initially, the case was registered under the Arms Act and sections of the Indian Penal Code were added later, police said, adding that they have also reached out to their Uttar Pradesh counterparts.

The police have registered a case. We are coordinating with the Uttar Pradesh Police and teams are looking out for him, Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Ajay Chaudhary said.

WATCH: Ashish Pandey pulls a gun at guests at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in RK Puram

We have added the relevant sections based on the video. A Look Out Circular has been opened up for him, he said.

A team of Delhi Police reached Lucknow on Tuesday in connection with the investigation into the incident.

The Delhi police team has arrived here in connection with investigations in the case and the UP police is extending full cooperation, Deputy Inspector General (law and order) Pravin Kumar said.

The Delhi Police said the complaint about the incident was received on Monday from the assistant security manager of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in RK Puram.

The Hyatt Regency in Delhi maintained that it is taking the incident seriously and will cooperate with the authorities in the investigation.

Latching on to the incident, the Aam Aadmi Party targeted the Centre, which controls the Delhi Police, over the law and order issue in the national capital.

Party spokesperson Dilip Pandey said the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre should answer why it has no control over the system, which it supervises through the lieutenant governor, and asked what steps are being taken by police to check growing crime in the city.

BJP Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari said there is evidence in the form CCTV footage of the incident and a proper investigation should be conducted for appropriate action.

After the video of the incident went viral, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the police had initiated action in the case.

The Delhi Police has initiated action on this incident which is also being shown in the media. An FIR has been registered under the Arms Act and the IPC. Strong and appropriate action will be taken. Also verifying the identity of others, the minister tweeted.

Meanwhile, the BSP distanced itself from the controversy.

Ashish Pandey is not a BSP leader or a member. There is a law and order machinery and action should be taken against anyone who breaks law, party leader Sudhindra Bhadoria said.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhis son-in-law Robert Vadra also expressed serious concern over the law and order situation in the city following the incident.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, the police said.

In the video, Ashish Pandey can purportedly be seen brandishing a gun in the foyer of the hotel, a police officer said.

One of the victims told a news channel that the accused, who held the gun, walked up to him and hurled abuses.

A man with a gun hurled abuses at us and walked up threateningly. I was intimidated and scared. The hotel staff was present at the spot. They tried to intervene but could not as they were also scared, the victim claimed.

Ex-Congress MLA Kanwar Karan Singh said his son, who was shown a gun by Pandey, was in trauma after the incident and that was the reason why he did not inform the police.

Singh said his son has recorded his statement with the police and the family had full faith in the law of the land.

Police said the security staff of the hotel told them that the accused and the victims were partying at a nightclub in the hotel.

The victims female friend was throwing up in the womens washroom and he had gone to check on her which is when Pandeys women friends also came there and started fighting with them, the police said.

They came out and the argument continued, following which Pandey got the gun from his BMW car and threatened the other party.

A woman accompanying the accused abused the victims and called them transgenders, a senior officer privy to the probe said.

It is suspected that both the parties involved were drunk at the time of the incident, he said.

No PCR call was made by any of the parties or even the hotel authorities. It is negligence on part of the hotel as something major could have happened, another officer privy to the probe said.

We are exploring legal options in the matter and will also inform our licensing branch that will see what action can be taken against the hotel, he said.

The officer said after the video went viral, police contacted the hotel authorities and then they lodged the complaint.

No complaint was lodged by the victim and the hotel staff on the same day. There is negligence on the part of three parties -- the victim, hotel authorities and the accused, Chaudhary said.

Police said it will be known whether the accused was carrying a licensed weapon or not after he is caught.The 108-carat Kohinoor diamond was surrendered by the Maharaja of Lahore to the Queen of England and not handed over to the British nearly 170 years ago, according to an Right to Information Act reply.

The information was given by the Archaeological Survey of India in response to a query by a Ludhiana-based activist, as to whether the precious gem was a gift to the British or its possession was transferred for some other reason.

Incidentally, the written response from ASI, dated October 10, is divergent from the Centres version in the Supreme Court in April 2016.

The Kohinoor diamond, estimated to cost over $200 million (Rs 1,465 crore), was neither stolen nor forcibly taken by British rulers but given to East India Company by erstwhile rulers of Punjab, the government had told the apex court.

Rohit Sabharwal on Tuesday said he had filed an RTI query about a month ago, seeking the answer from the Prime Ministers Office. I did not know that the query was forwarded to the ASI, which eventually responded to the query.

As per the records kept in the National Archives of India, New Delhi... the Lahore treaty held between Lord Dalhousie and Maharaja Duleep Singh in 1849, Kohinoor diamond was surrendered by the Maharaja of Lahore to the Queen of England, according to the reply.

Kohinoor, which means Mountain of Light, is a large, colourless diamond that was found in Southern India in early 14th century. The precious gem, which came into British hands during the colonial era, is the subject of a historic ownership dispute and claimed by at least four countries, including India.

The reply gives an extract of the treaty which reads, The gem called Kohinoor which was taken from the Shah-Suja-Ul-Mulk by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh shall be surrendered by the Maharaja of Lahore to the Queen of England.

According to the reply, the content of the treaty indicates that the Kohinoor was not handed over to the British on the wishes of Duleep Singh. Moreover, Duleep Singh was a minor at the time of the treaty.

Sabharwal said he had gone to England recently and there I saw the Kohinoor in a museum, and the information that I was given was that, it was a gift.

So, after returning to India, I decided to file the query to get the answer, he said over phone from Ludhiana.

He said the response of the ASI and the Centre in 2016 are contrary to each other and therefore the central government must look into it.

Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar in 2016 had told a bench headed by the then Chief Justice T S Thakur, Kohinoor cannot said to be forcibly taken or stolen as it was given by the successors of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to the East India Company in 1849 as a compensation for helping them in the Sikh wars.National Students' Union of India national president Fairoz Khan has stepped down from his post following charges of sexual harassment, sources in the Congress said on Tuesday.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has accepted his resignation, the sources told PTI.

Khan, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir, submitted his resignation on Monday evening, saying he quit keeping in mind the party's interests.

According to sources, Khan said in his resignation letter that he has decided to step down since the charges against him are hurting the party's image.

He, however, has denied the charges against him.

The Congress had set up a three-member committee to look into the issue after a woman, a party worker from Chhattisgarh, levelled charges of sexual harassment against the chief of its students' wing.

The panel, which is talking to all the concerned parties, is yet to give its report, the sources said.

The woman had first complained against Khan in June.

She had then met Gandhi and other senior leaders of the party demanding action against the NSUI president, who, she alleged, had sexually harassed her and her sister and some other women from the party.

She also lodged a complaint against him at the Parliament Street police station in September, saying that she feared for her life and security.

The allegations against Khan have come in the midst of the #MeToo movement gathering pace in the country.

The Congress was under pressure to act against the NSUI chief as the party is seeking action against Union minister M J Akbar, who has been accused by several former women colleagues of sexual harassment when he served as editor at various media organisations.

The opposition party has attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for keeping quiet about the allegations against Akbar and has demanded the latter's resignation.IMAGE: A demonstrator holds picture of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a protest in front of Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul. Photograph: Osman Orsal/Reuters

Saudi Arabia is preparing a report in which it is likely to admit that dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, missing since October 2, died during an interrogation at its consulate in Istanbul, according to a media report.

Khashoggi, 60, is feared to have been killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

The incident has resulted in a global outrage and more so in the United States as he lived in Washington, DC as a legal permanent resident and worked for The Washington Post.

Khashoggi, a US resident, vanished on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Turkish authorities suspect he was abducted and murdered by the Saudis.

But Riyadh insists that the journalist, a known critic of Saudi King Salman, had left the building and that murder claims are 'baseless'.

US lawmakers have been demanding scrapping of the $110 billion mega defence deal with the Saudis, whereas heads of several companies, CEOs, newspapers have announced not to attend an upcoming finance conference in Saudi Arabia.

President Donald Trump on Monday talked to the Saudi King, during which the latter flatly denied having any knowledge of the missing journalist.

Officially Saudi Arabia has insisted that the journalist left its consulate, but so far has not been able to give any proof of it.

Trump, who has warned Saudi Arabia of severe consequences, has dispatched his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for talks with the Saudi leader.

Amidst global outrage, CNN on Monday reported that the Saudis are preparing a report that will acknowledge that Khashoggi's death was the result of an interrogation that went wrong.

The interrogation was intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey, the news channel said citing two unnamed sources.

"One source says the report will likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held responsible," the news channel reported, cautioning that things could change as the report is still being prepared.

Earlier in the day, Trump told reporters that it is possible that some rogue element within the government could have carried out this inhuman act.

Some of the lawmakers criticised Trump for such a statement.

"President Trump's suggestion that Khashoggi's elaborately planned murder in the Saudi's own consulate was orchestrated by 'rogue killers' defies reality," said Senator Chris Van Hollen.

Orders must have come from the top. The US must not be complicit in an effort to cover up this heinous crime," he said.

This is not leadership. We need answers from the Saudis about Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance. The President should be leading that effort and standing up for human rights," Senator Mark Warner said.

Trump accepting Saudi Arabia's #Khashoggi story without a thorough, independent investigation only enables authoritarian behaviour, tweeted Senator Ed Markey.

Senator Dick Durbin called for a strong response from the United States.

"I cannot support President Trump's proposed arms sales given the fact that Saudi Arabia is apparently complicit in the disappearance of Khashoggi," he said.

"Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin should cancel his participation in the Saudi investor conference and it's long overdue that the Trump Administration nominate a US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Durbin said.

A day earlier he called on Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Ambassador to the United States.

"I told Ambassador bin Salman that he should expect a very negative response from both sides of the aisle in Congress if Mr Khashoggi was in fact kidnapped and murdered.

"And if that is the case, I do not believe the US should continue to be party to supporting the Saudis in the bloodshed in Yemen -- a halt that is long overdue given the humanitarian disaster resulting from that conflict," Durbin said.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post and Politico reported that two lobbying groups -- BGR and GloverPark -- have said that they would no longer represent Saudi Arabia.

Several organisations and individuals have announced that they will not attend the mega summit in Saudi Arabia as a mark of protest.

These include the World Bank, The New York Times, Bloomberg, CNBC and Uber.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, KKR executive David Petraeus and Ford Motor Chairman Bill Ford have also said that they will not attend the Saudi event.

Senator Richard Blumenthal in a tweet alleged that Trump is giving the Saudis a pass on Khashoggi murder maybe because he continues to benefit from Saudi rentals, hotel bookings and other payments to the Trump Organisation.

"Saudi govt payments violate our Constitution's chief public corruption prohibition. Our lawsuit holds Trump accountable, he said.Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, however, told reporters that no one would be allowed to block anyone from proceeding to the shrine.

IMAGE: Devotees stop a car to check if any women of menstruating age are headed towards the Sabarimala temple, at Nilakkal Base camp in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. Photograph: Sivaram V/Reuters

Kerala on Tuesday waited with bated breath for the opening of the gates of Sabarimala temple on Wednesday, the first time since the Supreme Court allowed women of all age groups to enter the shrine, under the shadow of ominous warnings of mass suicides and threats of disruption.

The last gasp effort by the Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the temple, to defuse the situation came to nought with the Pandalam royal family and other stakeholders walking out of a meeting called by it over its reluctance to discuss the issue of filing a review petition against the apex court order.

Meanwhile, hundreds of women devotees of Lord Ayyappa, the eternally celibate deity of Sabarimala, picketed the road to the hill shrine and prevented women they suspected were of menstrual age from proceeding to the shrine some 20 km away.

Lustily chanting Swamiya Saranam Ayyappa hailing the Lord, the devotees checked buses and private vehicles for girls and women of the banned age group and forced them to abandon their journey.

Among those was a woman journalist Ritu, who claimed she was heading for the temple on assignment and had no intention of entering the shrine, something that could have offended the religious sensibilities of Ayyappa devotees.

No woman belonging to the banned age group of 10-50 will be allowed to travel further from Nilackal and offer prayers at the shrine when it opens for the monthly pooja tomorrow evening, asserted a woman protester as tempers ran high at Nilackal, the gateway to Sabrimala.

A small police contingent looked the other way.

Television channels showed some college students, including young girls wearing black dresses, being ordered to get down a bus.

WATCH: Sabarimala devotee attempts suicide to protest against SC verdict

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, facing a tough time tackling the highly emotive religious issue which has also acquired political overtones, issued a stern warning to those who dared block devotees from entering the temple.

We will ensure security to all. Nobody will be allowed to take law into their hands. My government will not allow any violence in the name of Sabarimala, he told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram as followers of Lord Ayyappa virtually besieged Nilackal, about 225 km from the state capital.

Stern action will be taken against anyone who prevents devotees from going to Sabarimala, he warned, and ruled out any rethink of his governments decision against seeking a review of the Supreme Court order.

We will go by what the Supreme Court says, he asserted.

IMAGE: Devotees, mostly women, take part in the namajapa (chanting the name of Lord Ayyappa) march against the Supreme Court verdict on the entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala Temple, in Ernakulam. Photograph: PTI Photo

The Travancore Devaswon Board, meanwhile, went into a huddle with stakeholders, including the Pandalam royal family representatives and priests, to soothe frayed tempers amid escalating protests by the Hindu right and common Ayyappa devotees. There was, however, no breakthrough.

The meeting also attended by Ayyappa Seva Samajam and Yoga Kshema Sabha ended in a deadlock as the TDB stuck to its stand of not filing a review petition.

It is very painful and we cannot agree. We wanted a decision on filing the review petition to be taken today itself, but the board said it can be discussed only at the next meeting of TDB on October 19, Shashikumar Varma, a member of the Pandalam royal family said.

We all wish that Sabarimala should not be made a war zone, Varma, the president of Pandalam Royal Palace Trust, told journalists after walking out of the meeting in a huff.

TDB president A Padmakumar, however, dismissed suggestions that the meeting was a failure.

What they (stakeholders) wanted was to file the review petition now itself. But the Supreme Court is closed till October 22. They also wanted to maintain the status quo

on the customs and traditions.

As the Supreme Court has passed a verdict, what can the board do? But the board will continue to talk with them to resolve the issue, Padmakumar said. He said the October 19 meeting will take up the issue of the review petition.

Kerala has witnessed a series of protests and prayer marches over the last few days over the governments decision to enforce the Supreme Court order.

The Shiv Sena recently warned of mass suicides if women of menstrual age were allowed into the temple. Some other organisations have said women and girls aged between 10 and 50 years will have to tread on them before entering the

temple.

Actor-turned-Bharatiya Janata Party politician Kollam Thulashi went to the extent of saying women of banned age visiting the shrine should be ripped apart.

Even though Kerala is on edge a day before the temple gates open, some intrepid women like Reshma Nishanth, a 32-year-old Kannur native, has decided to offer prayers there despite being slut-shamed.

Claiming she is an ardent Ayyappa devotee, she said she had started the 41-day vrata (penance) to trek to the forest temple during the annual pilgrimage season beginning on Wednesday. She wears the bead chain and locket with the image of Lord Ayyappa as part of the customary rituals before proceeding to Sabarimala.

A large number of people have extended support for my decision to visit the shrine. But slut-shaming and body shaming are also going on, she said Monday.

Bindhu, a young homemaker from Kozhikode also plans to visit the shrine with 30 other women during the three-month-long Mandala-Makaravilakku season.

The TDB, meanwhile, covered a signboard at the base camp in Pamba which said the entry of women of menstrual age into the temple was prohibited.

The multi-lingual board reading Women between 10-50 are not allowed to visit Sannidhanam (Sabarimala temple) was covered in the evening with a plastic banner that said: Use of plastic is prohibited here.Seventeen female journalists have also urged the court to hear their testimonies against the union minister, claiming that some of them suffered sexual harassment at his hands and others have been a witness to it.

IMAGE: Minister of State, External Affairs M J Akbar has denied all allegations and has filed a defamation suit against journalist Priya Ramani. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo

A day after Union minister M J Akbar filed a defamation case against a journalist, two more women came forward with their accounts of alleged harassment by him, undeterred and unafraid as the #MeToo juggernaut continued to roll on Tuesday.

Akbar, who has engaged a top law firm to file a criminal defamation suit against journalist Priya Ramani, lauded the Modi government for its implementation of the National Food Security Act in a tweet.

However, he had more to reckon with as new allegations tumbled out of his 1990s cupboard when he was editor of several publications.

In an article in the Scroll.in (external link), Tushita Patel, a journalist, recounts her first meeting with the Union minister when she was a trainee in the Telegraph back in 1992. She writes that Akbar had found out her home phone number and would call her incessantly asking her to meet him.

She writes that after being worn down, she finally gave in. You opened the door dressed only in your underwear. I stood at the door, stricken, scared and awkward. You stood there like the VIP man, amused by my fear. I did go in and carried on blabbering out of fear till you finally put on a bathrobe, she writes in her harrowing account.

In the same article, Patel has accused him of molesting her twice while she was working in Hyderabad in the Deccan Chronicle in 1993.

She writes about being summoned again to Akbars hotel room. Suddenly you got up, grabbed me and kissed me hard -- your stale tea breath and your bristly moustache are still etched in the recesses of my memory. I wriggled out and ran till I reached the road, jumped into an auto rickshaw and started crying, Patel further elaborates.

It happened again the next morning, said Patel. You ushered me into the empty conference room, grabbed me again and kissed me.

She concludes her ordeal by writing, Defeated, humiliated, blinded by hurt and tears, I stayed in that room till I stopped crying. I waited till you had left the building, went to the bathroom, washed my face and carried on to finish my page.

Patel said the minister should stop lying and show some contrition. So please stop with the lying. Stop lying about your plywood and glass cabin in the Asian Age... And enough with the legal intimidation -- we can see you in court too. The same sisterhood of solidarity that held our hands through the darkest times of our lives will come out only because you continue to be brazen. We are not confused, conflicted or vulnerable any more. Our time to speak is now  when we dont have to run to a police station to lodge a complaint before anyone would give us a hearing.

Businesswoman Swati Gautam, writing for The Quint (external link), claimed Akbar met her in his hotel room dressed only in his bathrobe when she was a student in Kolkata and went to invite him as a guest speaker for an event at St Xaviers College.

The door opened and the Bathrobe welcomed me. Mr Bathrobe was on the bed while I was kind of squirming on the single sofa in the room, unable to exactly fathom what in hell was the matter with the world which seemed perfectly normal sometime back, writes Gautam in her article.

Gautam alleged that Akbar rolled a glass down to her, suggesting she make a drink for him.

When my initial shock wore off, I too bent down and rolled it back at him. That buoyed me up. Giving him a hard stare, I got up and walked out of that dratted room and as far away as I could from The Bathrobe..., she said.

In a letter to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the Indian Womens Press Corps said it was deeply dismayed the government has not instituted any formal inquiry despite the long list of complaints involving the minister of state in the ministry of external affairs.

We very strongly feel that the continuation of the minister in his position only sends out the wrong message that the government is apathetic to these serious concerns, the organisation comprising women journalists said without naming Akbar.

Standing their ground

Seventeen women journalists who have worked with The Asian Age newspaper, came out in support of their colleague Priya Ramani who has accused Union minister M J Akbar of sexual harassment, said a joint statement issued by them.

The journalists have urged the court to hear their testimonies against Akbar, claiming that some of them suffered sexual harassment by the minister and others have been a witness to it.

Ramani is not alone in her fight. We would request the honourable court hearing the defamation case to also consider the testimonies of sexual harassment of some of us at the hands of the petitioner, as also of the other signatories who bore witness to this harassment, the journalists said in the joint statement undersigned by them.

Meenal Baghel who worked for Asian Age (1993 to 1996), Manisha Pande (1993-1998), Tushita Patel (1993-2000), Kanika Gahlaut (1995-1998), Suparna Sharma (1993-1996), Ramola Talwar Badam (1994-1995), Hoihnu Hauzel (1999-2000), Aisha Khan (1995-1998) and Kushalrani Gulab (1993-1997) have signed the statement.

Kaniza Gazari (Asian Age 1995-1997), Malavika Banerjee (1995-1998), A T Jayanthi (1995-1996), Hamida Parkar (1996-1999), Jonali Buragohain, Meenakshi Kumar (1996-2000), Sujata Dutta Sachdeva (1999-2000) and Sanjari Chatterjee are the other journalists to sign the statement.

What Akbar has demonstrated through his legal actions is his refusal to introspect, acknowledge or atone for his actions that have caused immense pain and indeed harm to many women over the years. He himself, in the meanwhile, continues to enjoy enormous power and privilege as minister and Member of Parliament, the statement said.

When Ramani spoke out against him in public, she spoke not only about her personal experience, but also lifted the lid on the culture of casual misogyny, entitlement and sexual predation that Akbar engendered and presided over at The Asian Age, it said.

Ramani on Monday asserted that she was ready to fight the defamation complaint filed against her, and expressed disappointment over the ministers statement, saying it paid no heed to the trauma and fear of the survivors.

I am ready to fight the allegations of defamation laid against me as truth and the absolute truth is my only defence, she had said.

-- With inputs from PTIIMAGE: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya perform aarti on the banks of Ganga in Allahabad. Photograph: Jitendra Prakash/Reuters

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday adopted a proposal to rename the historic city of Allahabad as Prayagraj, a move opposed by the opposition parties in the state.

But the state government said it is restoring an old name for the city.

Today, the BJP government has rectified the mistake made by Akbar, a state BJP spokesperson said.

Keeping in view the feelings and emotions of the people, Allahabad has been renamed Prayagraj by our government. Five hundred years ago the name of the place was Prayagraj as it is at the Triveni Sangam (a confluence of three rivers), Adityanath said later in Gorakhpur.

Those who are opposing this are not aware of their history, culture and traditions and we cant have hopes from them, he told reporters during at visit to the Budhiya Mata temple in Gorakhpur.

There are many Prayags on the bank of the sacred rivers coming from the Himalayas but this place is Prayagraj (the leading one among them), the chief minister said.

The proposal will now go to the Centre before the city is officially renamed even though an Uttar Pradesh minister seemed to suggest the change has already come into effect.

I am happy to say Allahabad will now be known as Prayagraj, senior UP minister Siddhartha Nath Singh told reporters after the Cabinet meeting chaired by the chief minister.

The government has announced this decision. It has come into effect from today, Singh said.

But he added, There is a process to carry out changes and the departments concerned will undertake it. The state government will write to the Centre, he said.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has earlier criticised the move.

The Congress has also opposed it, saying the name change ignored the history of Allahabad, which played a significant role during the Independence struggle.

Congress spokesperson Onkar Singh said the region where Kumbh Mela is held is already called Prayagraj.

The state government can make that a separate city but Allahabads name should not be changed, he added.

However, Minister Siddhartha Nath Singh said the move will help highlight Indian culture at the international level.

Rig Veda, Mahabharata and Ramayana also mention Prayagraj, he said. He said Adityanath had recalled a proposal to rename Allahabad ahead of the 2019 Kumbh Mela when he visited the city on Saturday and chaired a meeting on the event.

The seers there had given their unanimous approval when Adityanath brought this up, the minister said.

On objections to the proposal, Singh said, Prayagraj is a name which was there for a long time. But almost 500 years ago, someone changed the name. You have been given a name by your parents. Imagine if that name is changed how will you feel?

UP Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Manish Shukla said, The mentality with which Mughal emperor Akbar changed the name of the city is being opposed by the people.

Today, the BJP government has rectified the mistake made by Akbar, he added.With cruise missile and air strikes being India's most likely response to a hypothetical Pakistani terrorist outrage in the future, retaliation from the Pakistan air force is inevitable.

That is where the S-400 will come into play, says Ajai Shukla.

Addressing a parade at Hindon to mark the 86th anniversary of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa welcomed the $5.43 billion (about Rs 38,000 crore/Rs 2380 billion) purchase of five regiments of S-400 surface-to-air missiles from the Russian air defence specialist, Almaz-Antey.

When the long-range S-400 enters service in 2021, it will greatly enhance the IAF's capability for national air defence -- its primary responsibility to detect, intercept and shoot down enemy aircraft attempting to penetrate Indian airspace.

Given the IAF's depleted numbers -- it has just 31 fighter squadrons against an authorised 42 -- the S-400's capabilities are essential.

With cruise missile and air strikes being India's most likely response to a hypothetical Pakistani terrorist outrage in the future, retaliation from the Pakistan air force is inevitable. That is where the S-400 will come into play.

Experts regard India's current air defence set-up as weak, with numerous gaps that a skilled adversary would exploit.

Besides the shortage of fighter aircraft, India's radar network -- which should ideally detect PAF fighters as soon as they take off from their bases -- has insufficient range and gaps in coverage.

The IAF's Soviet-era and Russian-origin SAMs, such as the Pechora SAM-3 and the OSA-AK SAM-8, have inadequate ranges of under 35 kilometres.

By 2021, when the S-400 enters service, India's air defence will be improving.

The IAF will by then have its full compliment of 272 Sukhoi-30MKIs, and the first Rafale squadron and two Tejas squadrons would have entered service.

Simultaneously, the capable Indo-Israeli medium range SAM (MR-SAM) -- with a detection range of 150 kilometres, a strike range of 70 kilometres and a far higher hit probability than current missiles -- would be getting inducted in significant numbers.

The IAF, which funded 90 per cent of the MR-SAM's development cost of Rs 100.75 billion, has ordered 18 units.

Meanwhile the Akash SAM, developed by the Defence R&D Organisation and built by Bharat Electronics Ltd, is also being inducted into service in numbers.

The Akash has a range of just 25 kilometres, but there is a project to upgrade that.

National air defence includes multiple layers of surveillance sensors and strike capabilities -- both defensive and offensive.

The most offensive air defence option, and one to which the IAF would allocate most aircraft at the start of a campaign, is to knock out enemy fighters on the ground.

This requires IAF strike aircraft to penetrate deep into enemy territory after jamming enemy radars, drop cluster bombs to destroy enemy aircraft and destroy runways with deep penetration bombs.

The Israeli air force knocked out almost the entire Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian air forces on day one of the 1967 Six Day War, but this is unlikely in the India-Pakistan context.

Therefore, the IAF's air defence plan must also cater for retaliatory strikes by Pakistan air force fighters.

Multiple layers of sensors detect incoming fighter strikes.

Amongst the most reliable, surprisingly, is a chain of 'mobile observation posts' (MOPs) all along the border -- each one a single human with a radio set, trained to identify and report enemy aircraft flying across the border.

Behind the MOPs, a chain of surveillance radars looks into enemy airspace to detect aircraft activity.

Looking even deeper are 'Airborne Early Warning Command and Control (AEWC&C) systems, like the IAF's three Phalcon systems, mounted on Russian IL-76 transport aircraft.

From on high, where the earth's curvature does not obscure visibility, they detect even low-flying aircraft at ranges of 400 kilometres and direct IAF fighters precisely onto them.

All these air defence elements are networked through data and voice communication channels to an autonomous 'integrated air command and control system' (IACCS), which also links with civilian air traffic control radars.

The S-400 is designed as a stand-alone system, with its own radar, missiles, logistics and data networks.

Therefore, each S-400 unit will provide an extra layer of protection to pre-designated high-value targets -- the national capital or the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai.

However, the S-400 units will not operate autonomously, but will be quickly plugged into the IACCS. This will enhance surveillance and strike capabilities and also cross-verification of inputs across the system.

"We are old hands at networking systems from diverse sources, enabling them to inter-operate. We have done it with our AEWC&C system. On board our warships, weapons and sensors from many different countries operate seamlessly. The S-400 will fit smoothly into the IACCS," says a senior air marshal.

Each S-400 unit consists of a 91N6E Big Bird acquisition radar that detects targets, and a 55K6E command post that autonomously makes decisions relating to engagement.

It would allocate each target to one of six 98Zh6E fire units, each having 12 'transporter-erector-launchers' (TELs), with four missiles on each TEL.

Once a missile is launched, the fire unit's 92N6E Grave Stone multimode engagement radar guides it to the target.

Finally, each S-400 fire unit has a 30TS6E logistical support system with missile storage, test and maintenance equipment.

The entire S-400 unit is highly mobile, being carried by all-terrain, wheeled vehicles with autonomous power supply, navigation and geo-location systems, communications and life support equipment.

Given that, it is ideally suited for safeguarding the mechanised units in army strike corps from enemy air attacks.

With the United States trying to wean India's military away from Russian equipment, media reports have speculated that Washington offered India its Theatre High Altitude Air Defence System (THAADS) as an alternative to the S-400.

However, the THAADS is primarily an anti-ballistic missile system, whereas the S-400 is optimised as an anti-aircraft system.Rachakonda Police Commissioner Mahesh Bhagwat has thrice been awarded by the International Association of Chiefs of Police for his unusual efforts in community policing and welfare.

The only Indian police officer to be honoured thus.

IMAGE: Police Commissioner Mahesh Bhagwat started a school programme for children of Odia brick kiln workers to prevent them from working as child labourers in Telangana. Photographs: Kind courtesy Mahesh Bhagwat

Last week, Mahesh Bhagwat, commissioner of police, Rachakonda in Telangana, could have been in Orlando receiving an award at a conference addressed by United States President Donald J Trump.

But he could not despite the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference offering a fraction of the ticket fare and three days hotel accommodation.

"The state election has been announced and I am bound by the model code of conduct," Bhagwat -- an Indian Police Service officer who was awarded the IACP's Leadership in Human and Civil Rights Award -- tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih.

The award was in recognition of his initiative in setting up schools for the children of Odia migrant workers employed in brick kilns in two districts of Telangana.

This was the third time Commissioner Bhagwat received the IACP award for community work.

He had attended the two previous ceremonies in Boston and Los Angeles in 2004 and 2006.

Hollywood star-turned California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was the guest of honour at one of them.

In 2004, he won the award for community policing in the Naxal-affected areas of Adilabad. In 2006, he was honoured for an anti sex-trafficking project in Nalgonda.

"Law enforcement agencies from all over the world send entries about the work undertaken by them. There were more than 100 countries and more than 3,000 police officers," says Bhagwat who began his IPS career in 1995.

He entered the award category and sent the details of the school initiative which was scrutinised by the IACP. In August, he received a letter informing him that he was a winner. The award will be sent to him by post.

IMAGE: 889 children have received education in the last two years. Teachers were brought from Odisha to teach the children in their native language.

Last year, Bhagwat received the US State Department's 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report Hero Award for prevention of forced labour.

Ivanka Trump, President Trump's daughter and senior advisor, presented the award in Washington, DC and mentioned Bhagwat's effort in rescuing 350 children. Since he could not travel to the US last summer, the award was presented to him by the US consul general in Hyderabad.

He is the third IPS officer to receive the award. Amod Kanth and S Umapathi are previous recipients.

Bhagwat, who has also done relentless work to prevent sex trafficking, started the school initiative for migrant workers last year.

889 children have received education in these two years through Operation Muskan.

"Brick kiln workers come in November and return in May. Children come and work with the parents and just get Rs 10,000 for 6 months. It is more like bonded labour," Bhagwat says over the phone from Hyderabad.

The children engage in drying, flipping and moulding bricks. The older ones carry brick loads on their heads.

Mostly hailing from western Odisha, the children were deprived of education and health care.

IMAGE: Commissioner Bhagwat was awarded by the US State Department in 2017. The award was presented to him by the US consul general in Hyderabad.

Bringing them back to school brought together departments of the state, a non government organisation and brick kiln owners.

Classes between 1 and 4 were set up on the premises of three government schools for 6 to 7 months. Midday meals, Rs 1 per kg of rice were provided by the district administration, while transport for the children, uniforms and teachers's salaries were provided the Brick Kiln Owners Association.

Teachers were brought from Odisha so that children could be taught in their mother tongue.

NGO Aide et Action mobilised and trained the teachers from Odisha, provided books and continues to track the children on return to their home state.

"The next group of migrant workers will arrive in November. The labour department of Odisha and Aid et Action will keep tabs to ensure that they continue their education," says Bhagwat.

Classes for the next batch of children will be set up in December.

"Nobel Laureate Kailash Sathyarthi has seen this initiative and said he will talk about this in different fora because migrant workers are everywhere," says Bhagwat whose Project Aasra in 2005 rescued many sex workers.

"Many were rehabilitated by self help groups, some got married," he says about Project Aasra.

IMAGE: The initiative is a fine example of how government departments and NGOs can come together to better the lives of Indians.

Last year, he started the 'SHE for HER' programme in colleges to educate girls to report crimes against women.

Under the programme, SHE teams can be contacted through Whatsapp groups and on the phone. 500 students have been trained in 250 colleges. 25 cases have been reported and solved, according to Bhagwat.

The officer, who was involved in social work before joining the IPS, has also been mentoring civil service aspirants for the last three years.

He has also formed Whataspp groups to help selected candidates before the main interview.

"I especially help them for the personality development before the main interview and devote two to three months after work and holidays talking to them on the phone."

With his efforts to rescue children from bonded labour, women from sex trafficking and mentoring civil services aspirants, Mahesh Bhagwat is infusing humanity into policing.

It is a lesson many of his colleagues could learn from.Yueqing City, Zhejiang -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/15/2018 --Many companies, no matter what space, try to just get the most out of their workers with no concern for their health or happiness, despite the proof that this ultimately leads to lower levels of production. The good news is the leading secondary power distribution product manufacturer and distributor, China-based Orecco Electric, takes the complete opposite approach, highly valuing the hard work done every day by all the members of their team.



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Thailand is a popular tourist destination for both Chinese citizens and those from around the rest of the world famous for its rich culture, friendly people, fine cuisine, and beautiful natural sites. All this and more were enjoyed by the Orecco Electric team for a full five days of fun in the sun.



Staff member Andrew Ni, remarked, "It was a wonderful time for an organized tourist trip to Thailand. I am the engineer in compact substation department. I have worked seven years in this department for Orecco Electric, and now I can enjoy tourism like this every year because of Orecco's winning philosophy. I love this company, I love this family!"



Contact person: Tony Wang

Contact details: oreccoelectric@gmail.com

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As a result, all those who are interested in getting home security in Burbank and Los Angeles California installed or in search of the highly developed security system can call the professionals of D&S Security at 323-224-6700. The company can also be reached on the toll-free number 800-521-1958, and the professionals here are available 24*7.



About D&S Security

D&S Security provides the top quality security systems solutions for the residents around Torrance, Long Beach, Anaheim, Burbank, and Los Angeles in addition to the nearby areas.St. Albans, WV -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/16/2018 --Evans Insurance Agency has been serving the customers since the year 1981 and is recognized for offering world-class insurance policies for the families residing in Charleston, Hurricane, Kanawha County, Nitro, Putnam County, in addition to St. Albans, WV. Evans Insurance Agency offers the top quality life insurance in Charleston and Hurricane West Virginia. The company knows that life insurance is significant for protecting the financial prospect for an individual, and therefore they offer an extensive collection of insurance policies to help the customers build a security plan that is both inexpensive and clear-cut. Evans Insurance Agency provides numerous life insurance options which may include permanent, universal, whole, term, fixed annuities, return of premium term, and many other life insurance policies.



Evans Insurance Agency does not endorse any specific insurance company but rather shop on behalf of the customers so that they can get top quality insurance policies that will meet their requirements and needs. Besides offering the best quality life insurance, the company also offers a vast range of other policies which include homeowner's, commercial as well as car insurance in Hurricane and Charleston West Virginia.



Being one of the most reliable independent insurance agency, Evans Insurance Agency brings their know-how to work for the customer with trustworthy, established insurance companies and even direct the clients so that they can purchase the policies at the most competitive rates. To get in touch with the knowledgeable and competent agents here, one can at once call the company at 304-722-6443. Besides, the company can also be contacted on the toll-free number which is 800-439-6442. One can also visit the website of the company to get quotes without paying anything. The professionals within the company are always ready to assist customers with the top quality services.



About Evans Insurance Agency

Evans Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agency that offers services to the Putnam and Kanawha Counties, in addition to the adjoining regions of Hurricane, West Virginia, St. Albans, Nitro and Charleston.The following are some of today's top gainers in the pharma/biotech sector.

1. Krystal Biotech Inc. (KRYS)

Gained 27.55% to close Monday's (Oct.15) trading at $20.00.

News: The Company announced positive interim results from its ongoing placebo-controlled phase I/II clinical trial of KB103 to treat dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, or DEB.

DEB is an incurable, often fatal skin blistering condition caused by a lack of collagen protein in the skin. It is caused by mutations in the gene coding for type VII collagen, or COL7.

In the study, two adult DEB patients aged 35 and 28 years old have completed treatment with topical, gene therapy candidate KB103 to date. Results on the 2 patients met all primary efficacy and safety endpoints in topically administered KB103 wounds.

The phase I/II study is scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2019, and a pivotal phase III study is anticipated to commence in 2H 2019.

To know more about KRYS, please visit our "In the Spotlight" column.

2. XTL Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. (XTLB)

Gained 23.33% to close Monday's trading at $2.96.

XTL Biopharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for autoimmune diseases.

News: No news

3. Cronos Group Inc. (CRON)

Cronos Group is a globally diversified and vertically integrated cannabis company with a presence across five continents.

Gained 19.07% to close Monday's trading at $11.74.

News: The Company has entered into a sponsored research agreement with the Technion Research and Development Foundation of the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology to explore the use of cannabinoids and their role in regulating skin and skin disorders.

The preclinical studies will be conducted by Technion over a three-year period and will focus on three skin conditions namely, acne, psoriasis and skin repair.

4. Anixa Biosciences Inc. (ANIX)

Anixia, formerly known as ITUS Corp., is a biotechnology company focused on using the body's immune system to fight cancer.

Gained 14.26% to close Monday's trading at $6.33.

News: The Company has filed an IVD pre-submission with the FDA for use of its Cchek artificial intelligence based cancer detection , as a prostate cancer test.

A face-to-face meeting with the FDA has been sought by the Company to discuss the agency's feedback on the proposed preclinical and clinical performance testing plan required to support a pre-market application, and to determine the appropriate regulatory path for Cchek.

5. Canopy Growth Corp. (CGC)

Canopy Growth is a diversified cannabis and hemp company, offering distinct brands and curated cannabis varieties in dried, oil and Softgel capsule forms.

Gained 14.24% to close Monday's trading at $56.89.

News: The Company has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of ebbu Inc., an Evergreen, Colorado-based hemp research leader. In exchange for the assets being acquired, Canopy Growth will pay C$25 million in cash and issue 6,221,210 Company common shares to ebbu.

Near-term Catalyst:

The Company is slated to release financial results for the second quarter fiscal 2019 ended September 30, 2018 on November 14, 2018.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business NewsOil prices fell on Tuesday, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that "rogue killers" could be responsible for the disappearance and presumed murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who hasn't been seen since entering the Istanbul consulate on October 2.

Coming after a 20-minute phone call with Saudi Arabia's King Salman, Trump's comments on Monday implied that the U.S. is a long way from taking any punitive action against the kingdom.

Global benchmark Brent crude for December delivery fell by 66 cents or 0.82 percent to $80.12 per barrel while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for November delivery were down 0.92 percent at $71.14 a barrel.

Investors also shrugged off media reports suggesting that Iranian crude exports have fallen further in the first two weeks of October.

The sanctions on Iran's oil sector will go into effect on Nov. 4. The United States has done most of the things it could do, and there is not much left to do against Iran, the country's oil minister Bijan Zanganeh was quoted as saying today by the semi-official ISNA news agency.

The American Petroleum Institute's inventory data is due for publication later in the day.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market AnalysisGold prices rose on Tuesday despite the U.S. dollar edging higher on firmer Treasury yields.

Amid recent geopolitical turmoil and market fluctuations, it appears that the previous metal is regaining some of its safe haven lure.

Spot gold was up nearly 1 percent at $1,229.64 an ounce after having touched as high as $1,233.26 on Monday, its highest level since July 26. U.S. gold futures were up 0.20 percent at $1,232.80 an ounce.

With tension brewing between the U.S. and China over trade tariffs, investors remain concerned about the harm to global growth.

Political uncertainty is also increasing as a result of expectations about the U.S. midterm elections in November.

Also, there is a risk-off mood in the global after the disappearance and presumed murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who hasn't been seen since entering the Istanbul consulate on October 2.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market AnalysisAmazon.com Inc. (AMZN) will continue to work with the U.S. Department of Defense or DoD despite criticism from its employees and privacy activists, the company's Founder and Chief Executive Jeff Bezos said Monday.

"If big tech companies are going to turn their back on the DoD, this country is going to be in trouble," Bezos said during the Wired25 conference in San Francisco.

"We are going to continue to support the DoD, and I think we should. One of the jobs of senior leadership is to make the right decision, even when it's unpopular," Bezos added.

Amazon has already worked on projects with the DoD. The company's facial recognition software - Amazon Rekognition - has been used by several law enforcement agencies.

Amazon employees and civil liberties organizations have criticized the company for providing the software to police departments, saying that the facial recognition software could be used to violate human rights.

In May, the American Civil Liberties Union or ACLU and other privacy activists urged Amazon to stop selling its facial recognition software to police departments. The privacy activists claim that the " poses a grave threat to customers and communities across the country."

Amazon is currently seen as a top contender for the Pentagon's multi-billion dollar cloud computing contract. Amazon Web Services or AWS is the only company approved by the U.S. government to handle secret and top secret data.

The Pentagon's Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure or JEDI cloud contract could be worth up to $10 billion over a decade if all options are exercised.

Amazon's rival Google has decided not to compete in the cloud computing contract, saying last week that the project might not align with its artificial intelligence or AI principles.

In addition, Bezos' space startup Blue Origin has recently won a major contract to provide engines for a new rocket being designed by United Launch Alliance or ULA.

ULA is a venture co-owned by U.S. government contractors, Boeing Co. (BA) and Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) to launch high-priority national security satellites for the U.S. government.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business NewsPresident Donald Trump said in a post on Twitter on Tuesday that Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has once again denied knowledge regarding the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

The tweet from Trump came as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo traveled to Riyadh to meet with the Crown Prince and his father King Salman to discuss Khashoggi's disappearance.

"Just spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia who totally denied any knowledge of what took place in their Turkish Consulate," Trump tweeted.

"He was with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during the call, and told me that he has already started, and will rapidly expand, a full and complete investigation into this matter," the president added. "Answers will be forthcoming shortly."

A statement from the State Department said Pompeo reiterated Trump's concern with respect to Khashoggi's disappearance during a meeting the Crown Prince.

Pompeo welcomed Saudi Arabia's support of an investigation by Turkish authorities and agreed with the Crown Prince on the importance of a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation, the State Department said.

The latest developments come following recent reports suggesting Saudi Arabia planned to claim Khashoggi was accidentally killed during an interrogation.

In remarks to reporters on Monday, Trump stressed King Salman's "strong" denial that he had any knowledge about Khashoggi's disappearance.

"His denial to me could not have been stronger that he had no knowledge," Trump said. "And it sounded like he, and also the Crown Prince, had no knowledge."

Trump has received some criticism for seeming to accept the Saudi royal family's denials at face value despite widespread skepticism about their claims.

(Photo: Gage Skidmore)

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political NewsCrude oil futures ended marginally up on Tuesday, after having declined a bit sharply early on in the session amid concerns about economic growth and likely drop in oil demand.

However, prices rose subsequently on reports that Iranian crude exports dropped in the first two weeks of October.

Crude oil futures for November ended up $0.14, or 0.2%, at $71.92 a barrel. Oil futures scaled a low of $71.03 and a high of $72.27 a barrel.

Oil prices eased earlier in the session, with traders reacting to the U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks that "rogue killers" could be responsible for the disappearance and presumed murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who hasn't been seen since entering the Istanbul consulate on October 2.

Trump came up with these remarks after a 20-minute phone call with Saudi Arabia's King Salman, raising hopes that the U.S. is unlikely to take any punitive action against the kingdom.

The sanctions on Iran's oil sector will go into effect on November 4. The United States has done most of the things it could do, and there is not much left to do against Iran, the country's oil minister Bijan Zanganeh was quoted as saying today by the semi-official ISNA news agency.

The American Petroleum Institute's inventory data is due for publication later in the day. The official crude oil report from the Energy Information Administration is due tomorrow morning.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business NewsThe Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the state government to frame guidelines to regulate burning of effigies of Ravana and bursting of firecrackers during Dussehra, but it refused to stay practices of "Ravana Dahan" this year.

A division bench of Justice S. Ravindra Bhat and Justice A.K. Chawla asked the government to frame policy in this regard as such practices also cause air pollution.



However, the court declined to pass any interim order on the plea seeking stay on burning of Ravana effigies this year, observing that current festival has already advanced on and a regulation cannot be made now by the government to regulate the practice.





The court order came on an oral submission by an auto driver who apprised the court that around 10,000 effigies are burnt in various part of the national capital.



The auto-driver, who hails from Chapra in Bihar, told the court that only one effigy of Ravana is burnt in his state but in Delhi several effigies are burnt in different parts.



Countering his submission, the Central government's counsel Ajay Digpaul told the court that "Ravana Dahan" is part of people's sentiments and sacraments.



The court directed the government to file an affidavit indicating the steps taken on framing the policy and listed the matter for further hearing on November 22.



Meanwhile, the Central Government told the court that the levels of PM10 and PM 2.5 have shown significant reduction this year as compare to last year.



Rs 591.65 crore has been allocated to Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi under the scheme on Promotion of Agriculture Mechanisation for in-situ management of crop residue, it said.



Western Peripheral Expressway is likely to become operational from November 1, while Eastern Peripheral Expressway is operational since last week of May 2018 which will help in diverting non-destined trucks entering Delhi.



From September 15, 41 Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) teams have been deployed in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad for monitoring and supervision of dust mitigation and other air pollution abatement measures.



"At sanitary landfill sites, CCTVs have been installed, fencing has been done and guards have been deployed to ensure that no fire take place at these sites," the Centre said.Re: Bullying tactics, church, desperation and hypocrites

The two pillars collided head on according to the article; Church and State, but if you look closely to the epic conflict, its the Protestants against the ruling Catholic P.M.

Is this the revival of the old sectarian divide?

I hope not, because if history repeats its self, then it will not be good for our people. Living under a Police State type of government dictated by a shadow entity that we owe too much money to is the reason I believe for the forceful over taxation of our people.

And the nationalization of our land under the Torrens System through registration is another way of confiscation of our land and moving us closer to a Feudal System under Church and State. (The Mother Church of Rome) which states that we the people dont own anything, God owns everything.

And since God is not here on earth, the Pope is the Vicar of Christ. The separation of Church and State was the key principle in the founding of the U.S. Constitution which was then a free country from the money machine ruling elite of Europe until they were infiltrated once again in 1913 by the Bankers.

What does this have to do with Samoa? We are under the same threat from the same money machine that has financed the emergence of China. Wake up and know thyself.

Leituala Roger B.Australian Labour mobility executives were in Samoa last week.

They were here as part of Pacific Trade Invest (P.T.I.) Australias Business mission. Last month at the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum in Nauru, Samoa signed an agreement with Australia to join Australias Pacific Labour Scheme, which will provide semi-skilled Samoans a new pathway to work in Australia on a three-year visa.

The new labour mobility scheme is an integral part of Australias efforts to promote greater economic cooperation with the Pacific.

For three of P.T.I. Australias Labour Mobility delegates, this was their first trip to Samoa. As part of their tailored programme the executives have been visiting with key government representatives and organisations including the Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour, Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell and the Australian High Commissioner, Sara Moriarty and stakeholders. The delegation also had the opportunity to meet and interview potential candidates that can take advantage of the new pathway.

Allan Renkema, Executive General Manager, Human Resources at Mulpha Australia Limited was part of P.T.I. Australias labour mobility delegation.

One of Mulphas assets is Hayman Island on the Great Barrier Reef in Northern Australia. In 2016 P.T.I. Australias Trade & Investment Commissioner, Caleb Jarvis facilitated a labour mobility mission to Kiribati where 29 i-Kiribati were offered positions on Hayman Island under the Pacific Microstates  Northern Australia Worker Pilot Programme.

The recruitment of i-Kiribati has been successful for both Mulpha Australia Limited and the recruits who were able to use their salaries to build homes in Kiribati and support their extended families.

The Hayman Island resort is reopening in July 2019 and with the success of the i-Kiribati employees Mulpha are actively looking to recruit in the Pacific under Australias Pacific Labour Scheme.

It was Mr. Renkemas first-time to Samoa and through P.T.I. Australias Business Mission he has gained a deeper appreciation of both the Samoa culture and its people.

Samoa is stunning, Ive been taken by the beauty of the island and the hospitality of its people, he said.

P.T.I. Australias Business mission has enabled us to maximise our time (three days) in Samoa and start the conversation with key people and also begin our interview process. Ive been really encouraged by the attitude of the candidates weve meet so far. Its really exciting as this is truly the start of Mulphas recruitment journey in Samoa.

Founded in 1979, P.T.I. Australia is an agency of the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat and is the Pacific regions lead export and investment facilitation agency; funded by the Australian Government.The Samoa Water Authoritys (S.W.A.) plan to write-off $2.6 million in outstanding water bills has been rejected by the Parliamentary Infrastructure Sector Committee.

The position of the Committee was highlighted in a report that it compiled based on the Annual Report of the Samoa Water Authority for the financial years 2016-2017.

Coming under the recommendations section of the Committees report, the Committee recommended that the Government direct the Authority to enforce the collection of aging debts before considering a write-off.

The Committee conveyed that they did not agree with the (Samoa Water Authority) Boards decision to write-off of $2.6 million during the financial year under review, the report reads.

This is due to it not only being a hefty amount, but also most businesses and individuals are still in the country. It is in the opinion of the Committee, that this be of priority so as to ensure that it will not affect the cash flow for the Authority later on.

The Committee also asked that the Government direct the Authority to review its current policies in relation to the writing-off of old debts and consider putting in place extensions to time and revocation of the current mandate of 12 months.

The Committee stated that the standard timeframe of 12 months is a loophole which can be exploited and result in the loss of revenue for the Revenue.

Attempts by Samoa Observer to contact the Samoa Water Authority Chief Executive Officer Seugamalii Jammie Saena were unsuccessful as the C.E.O. is currently on duty travel.

When this newspaper contacted the Assistant Chief Executive Officer and Acting C.E.O., Tafeamaalii Philip Kerslake, he declined to comment.

Im sorry but it is best to leave it to Seugamalii as I am not aware of the issue, so no comment, he said.

According to the Financial Year 2015-2016 Report, significant emphasis has been placed on collections and revisiting accounts that were marked for disconnection. This was due to the lack of response as well as the metering of customers that were charged on flat rate but continued to receive treated water supply.

These efforts have resulted in the increase of revenue by 6 percent compared to last year and collections have increased by 23percent.

Further service improvements is expected as more customers will be on treated supply in the following year from the new Treatment Plants to be completed in October.

Expenses on the other hand, although reduced by 1% compared to last year the drive to improve services and collect water arrears resulted in the increase in net loss by $158,526.

A lot of effort still remains in improving collections but prioritising works, to control expenditure and still provide reliable water supply to the majority of our customers.

Furthermore financial indicators for Budget Support were met during the financial year in compliance with donor funds under the Water Sector to ensure inflow of funds for the planned improvements of water systems, stated the annual report.There is potential for Samoans to work remotely in the country for overseas technology firms, due to the upgrading of Samoas submarine cable system which will provide affordable high-speed internet.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Afamasaga Rico Tupai, said as many as five technology companies from New Zealand and Australia are in discussions with his Ministry on hiring locals to do remote work for them.

He said the hiring of locals to work in Samoa is the basis of the contract discussions, as he does not want to see overseas companies recruit Samoans and take them abroad.

Our preference as a country is to keep our people here to drive our economy forward."

We cant be benefiting if we send our people off overseas, they need to be based here, hence the discussion with those overseas companies, he said.

The five companies, which Afamasaga would not name until the contracts are confirmed, are being offered an office space adjacent to the cable landing, where they would face minimal risk to their internet connection as possible.

Increasing Samoas internet capacity and connectivity has been a priority for Afamasaga, and it is how Samoa can do more business with companies around the world.

What are the needs out there that we can service from here."

Our current biggest asset we have is our connectivity within our submarine cable pipes, we have very fast internet right now and this is how we are marketing ourselves to the world, he said.

That high speed internet and communication technology is how Afamasaga hopes to improve employment and quality of life in Samoa.

We want to not only attract companies to come in and create employment, create our digital economy and help drive us forward but also to help train the capacity of our locals so that we can be employed from here using our connectivity which is well in place at the moment.

Afamasaga said the idea is to utilise Samoas growing connectivity and internet capacity, thanks to the submarine cables, to attract overseas companies to set up shop on shore.

If it all comes through, the initial employment will number 60 and then in the next two years could go up to 200, he said.

The Ministry is currently approaching overseas businesses on a promise. Currently there is no office space, or tech savvy locals ready and waiting to sign contracts with these companies, and the Minister said this is a calculated risk.

Its more like a presale kind of concept, he said.

We are saying to these companies, we are going to have this space if you are interested and as soon as you say okay, we are going to build it.

Afamasaga said the project should take six months to complete. There is no building company lined to build the space, but the task will be up for tender in due course, he added.

As to who will staff these tech companies, Afamasaga said it will be up to the companies to train their own employees, not the Government.

But the Government is investing in increasing the amount of technology for abled people in Samoa, such as the convening of a call-centre training workshop held at the National University of Samoa recently.

According to Afamasaga, the need for I.T. skills in Samoa is so great he does not believe there are any such qualified people unemployed, but if there are, they should go and see the Ministry.

I encourage anybody reading this article, sitting there unemployed to come in and show yourself, and put your name down.

As part of its long-term plan, the Government hopes to introduce more computer skills training into the primary and secondary school syllabuses.Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi has again cautioned the public against investing in the One Coin cryptocurrency.

We have had people from overseas who came here to promote this scheme and we had them visit the Central Bank of Samoa (C.B.S.) and the end result was that this is just that  a scheme."

The Central Bank cautioned against the One Coin scheme and we should avoid it, he said.

Tuilaepa said people are easily attracted with the end result of an investment and it should be avoided at all costs.

Earlier this year Central Bank Governor, Maiava Atalina Ainuu-Enari, explained that the scheme is alleged to involve people and organisations in Samoa, who use local agents to collect peoples money in the hope of windfall returns.

You invest $1,000 and then in four months, your cash is 10 times more, which means you cash in $10, 000. This is a snare that is used to catch peoples money.

In assuring that they mean business, the Central Bank of Samoa issued a directive to all financial institutions (predominantly commercial banks and money transfer operators) to block all foreign exchange transactions relating to Onecoin/ Onelife cryptocurrency promotion.

It has come to our attention that there are still a large number of people wanting to remit or transfer money out of Samoa to invest in this Onecoin cryptocurrency promotion."

This is despite warnings by Central Bank of Samoa that there is a very high risk that Onecoin cryptocurrency promotion is a pyramid scheme (an illegal money making investment).

Under Samoas Exchange Controls Regulations 1999, one one can take money out of Samoa without the approval of the Central bank of Samoa."

As a result the Central Bank of Samoa has decided to block all approvals for any transactions relating to the Onecoin cryptocurrency.The Government will stand by its original offer of $30 per square meter to the village council and families of Tiavea for the land to build the countrys newest airport.

This is according to the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi during a recent press conference at his office.

Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Papalii Niko Lee Hang, told Samoa Observer recently that the Government will not pay $5.58 million and the project could be cancelled if the villagers continued to push for $60 per square meter.

Last month, Tiavea village mayor, Sola Siuele Seiuli, told this newspaper that the Government is offering $30 per square meter but the families from the village want $60 per square meter.

The Prime Minister said the Government has many other options in terms of securing land for the proposed project.

However the priority is given to Tiavea given its close proximity to Tutuila and the Government will stand that by that decision, he said.

Papalii has indicated that the price that the villagers are asking for the 23-acre size land is beyond the Governments budget.

They stand to benefit from this airport with the developments in their village yet they want a ridiculous that is not going to happen. The Government will not pay that amount, may as well not build that airport, he said.

Attempts by this newspaper to get comments from Sola have been unsuccessful.Unemployed women from Afega, Magiagi, Safotu and other villages are gathering this morning for the official opening of their three-week training in creative crafts and sewing skills at the Moanalisa Hotel.

After a successful programme last year, the government of China has invested $1.2 million into a Training Course on Creative Crafts and Sewing Skills.

The course reaches 20 women in each of the five villages taking part, and they each receive a sewing machine to learn on, food during the training course and an allowance of T$10 per day.

China has sent six teachers and five interpreters to train the women to use electric sewing machines and pedal sewing machines, and will focus on cutting and sewing clothes for all ages and people, and even how to package clothes for sale.

At a ceremony in Afega earlier this month, Chinese Ambassador Wang Xuefeng said the aim was to train women to enable them to generate income from their new skillset.

We want to offer assistance that is close to the life of ordinary people in Samoa, he said. For the ladies to make dresses, and make some money, that is a good thing.

The women who will receive training will also learn how to repair their machines if necessary and will eventually go on to share their learning with other women in their home villages.McDonalds has decided to jump on the cold brew coffee craze  at least in San Diego, where it started testing this week two new iced caffeinated beverages that could potentially be rolled out nationwide.

More than 70 McDonalds franchisees will be offering the new cold brews, sourced, no less, from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms in Guatemala. Part of the McCafe menu, one offering will be a straight cold brew coffee that can be customized with vanilla, caramel or hazelnut flavors, and the other, dubbed McCafe Marble Cold Brew, comes with a creamy syrup and swirls of light cream.

If the test is successful, the burger chain behemoth could be positioning itself for a major competitive run at Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts, which is soon to lose Donuts from its branding as it moves increasingly into the coffee space.

McDonalds may be following an already well-trod path toward elevating coffee drinks, but its still ahead of its fast food brethren, says restaurant chain consultant John Gordon.

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Because its so large, McDonalds generally lets taste preferences develop in society and then follows behind, said Gordon, of San Diego-based Pacific Management Consulting Group. But they do appear to be the first in the quick-serve burger space to be doing this. Customers may still go to Dunkin or Starbucks or Coffee Bean or Tea Leaf, but this test allows those McDonalds customers that might want to trade up for a slightly more refined drink to do so.

Regular, medium-sized iced coffee drinks currently sell for $2, while the same size cold brew, including the sweetened, creamy version, will go for $2.49.

The chain differentiates its cold brew beverage from the regular iced coffee, based on the more intensive brewing process. Its made by steeping premium coffee grounds in low water temperatures, and it goes through longer brewing cycles than traditional hot coffee. The result is a smoother, rounder taste than hot brewed coffee that is poured over ice, McDonalds says. For the sake of efficiency, the cold brew coffee is prepared offsite.

Testing this in the San Diego area is our latest way to commit to giving customers what they want, said Elina Veksler, senior director of menu brand and innovation for McDonalds. We know from our own research that there is a certain set of customers looking for a smooth and strong coffee experience. Its catering to the next generation of coffee drinkers, the millennials.

Veksler said there is no end date for the test run, although the cold brew offerings will be advertised over the next four weeks.

San Diego, no stranger to McDonalds menu testing (think all-day breakfast in 2015), was chosen, in part, because of its residents fondness for coffee, Veksler said.

We worked very closely with our independent franchisees and selected San Diego because it is a city of coffee lovers, she said. And San Diego has actually been a test site for many of our other products.

The latest San Diego test doesnt mark the first time McDonalds has toyed with the idea of breaking into the cold brew market. During the summer, it introduced for a limited time a new line of cold brew frozen drinks  Cold Brew Frozen Coffee and Cold Brew Frappe.

The chain appears to be leveraging a cold brew market that appears poised for meteoric growth. According to market research firm Mintel, total U.S. retail sales of refrigerated cold brew coffee grew 460 percent between 2015 and 2017.

Whether or not the cold brew experiment is a success or a dud, it is a sign that McDonalds remains committed to its McCafe business, having relaunched last year with a new look and expanded retail offerings. And this year, it began a partnership with Coca-Cola to sell a line of bottled McCafe Frappe beverages.

While relatively close-lipped on McDonalds caffeinated future, Veksler said of the reinvigorated McCafe brand: Stay tuned for whats to come.

Business

lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-2251

Twitter: @loriweisbergA couple of tech investors in San Diego have opened a new startup incubator to exploit the citys bulk of engineering talent, teaming up with technologists to help them build companies around their inventions.

The new incubator, called The Sandbox, is already home to three startups. Co-founder Shayne Skaff says he plans on hunting down three or four more companies to bring under its roof.

Skaff is best known for founding a software company called MaintenanceNet back in 2004, which later sold to tech giant Cisco Systems for $139 million in 2016. Just after, Skaff formed an investment group called Mooring Ventures, which provides startup capital to early stage software-as-a-service companies.

Through his investment group, Skaff said he kept encountering startups  or even solo engineers  who were too early in development (or too inexperienced) to make good investments.

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We came into contact with engineers that could create products, but they didnt have a business plan, they didnt understand product development and didnt know how to optimize commercialization, Skaff said.

So together with Mooring Ventures co-founder Scott Herron, Skaff founded The Sandbox to help ready promising engineers for primetime. The incubator takes a small equity stake (5-7 percent) in exchange for space and mentorship. Skaff said the company also helps its startups find investment money, if needed. Of course, the accelerator could potentially feed new investments for Skaffs own investment group Mooring Ventures, but he said The Sandbox also connects startups with other investors who might be a better fit.

Unlike many San Diego accelerators and incubators that serve the regions science and biotech community, The Sandbox is honing in on technology only. Specifically, Skaff is looking for software-as-a-service, business-to-business plays.

The Sandbox just opened a few weeks ago, Skaff said, and has office space in Torrey Pines. Their new digs will be home base for the opening reception of a local tech conference called 0111 next week, an annual event specifically for chief technology officers put on by seven CTOs. The conference goes from October 24-25.

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brittany.meiling@sduniontribune.com 619-293-1286 Twitter: @BrittanyMeilingJust days before her mother died, Lannette Cornell Bloom heard her mom ring the bell.

At that point, her mother couldnt speak. So Bloom, who had quit work as a nurse to take care of her as she slowly slipped away from pulmonary fibrosis, gave her a small bell. It sat on a table next to the bed she could no longer leave. When she needed something  water, a tissue  she rang and her daughter came.

This time, when Bloom hustled from across the house, she found her mom smiling at her. She hadnt needed a thing. She just wanted to see her daughter.

Ten years after her mothers death, its one of countless moments she savors from the year she spent as her caregiver. Losing her mother was terrible. There were times she wept and felt the sharp stab of loss. But she also recalls how her mom wanted to watch comedies about death  like Weekend at Bernies or Death at a Funeral  and laughed hard.

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Or how she beamed  a smile that could light up any room, says Bloom  when her husband and family gathered around her bed with champagne to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary.

Four years after her mothers death, Bloom one night dreamed she should write about her experience. So, the next morning she bought a pen and a notebook. Over six months, she filled 300 pages with memories of that year by her mothers side. In September her memoir, Memories in Dragonflies: Simple Lessons for Mindful Dying, was published.

Bloom, 59, who lives in La Jolla with her husband, says she wants other caregivers to know her story and the lessons she learned. She considers that year of caregiving a gift. If living mindfully should be a goal for all of us, so should dying mindfully. Her message is simple: Dont miss all the little things: the smiles, the conversations, the stories, the touches, the laughs, the closeness, the love.

Paying attention to all the little moments, all the hidden little gifts of beauty or comedy, humor that might be just sitting around, she says. A joke thats told. Even to the point where my mom couldnt talk, just laying with her and listening to her breathe, that was how she communicated, and it was beautiful.

Hearing bells ring. She rang her little bell and now when I hear church bells ring  which they ring in La Jolla  I love it. I stop and I just listen.

So, its just the pause. The stop. Being aware. The awareness of the air going by you, of a butterfly going by.

Family record keeper and storyteller

Bloom has kept a journal for most of her life. Shes been her familys record keeper and storyteller. She laughs, admitting she not only kept detailed scrapbooks about her two daughters when they were babies, but continued documenting their lives monthly as they grew. One daughter, Melissa, says her mom often has given blank journals to friends and family so they, too, can write about their lives.

So, when Bloom had her dream that she should write about that year, it felt natural. Of course she would. By that time, too, the grief and pain were gone. She realized caring for her mother had been positive. Her mom always had been spiritual and often had tried to get her to slow down and be more mindful. In her year with her, she learned how.

I didnt have any negative thoughts or any sad things, she says. It was all these beautiful moments, these humorous moments and things she did.

At first, she had no idea it would become a book. She simply felt compelled to write her memories. Later, encouraged by Melissa, she took steps to turn it into a book that could possibly help other caregivers to be mindful even while immersed in stress and grief. Originally, she called her book Mom and Me. She says Memories in Dragonflies is more beautiful.

The title comes from a moment late that year when a spiritual counselor from hospice came to her mothers front door. When Bloom opened the door, the counselor pointed to a red dragonfly hovering over her shoulder.

The dragonfly is here to give you this message, she said. So just remember to let go of your anger, now or whenever you feel it. And in the future, if you see a red dragonfly, take it as a sign.

In the years since, Bloom has seen dragonflies everywhere. Shed never noticed them before.

After this, I just look at the beauty of life, she says. The appreciation of light coming through the window. Pausing and enjoying moments that I maybe would have been so busy that I didnt realize were there. When I see a dragonfly now I stop and I actually will put my hand out to them. More times than not, they will come near my hand.

As a registered nurse, Bloom has years of experience working with all kinds of patients. She contrasts her years in pediatrics, when babies were met with joy, with the taboos about death in our culture. Many people dont even want to discuss it with dying mothers and fathers.

She hopes when people read her book, some of those barriers will fall. She urges people  especially in caregiving situations  to take advantage of the time they have with dying loved ones, to have honest conversations and treasure the moments theyve been given.

And when it comes to dying, its not like anyone has a choice to opt out.

Were all going to die, Bloom says. So why cant we look for those beautiful, positive moments? Because in any process of it happening they will be there. Somewhere, theyre going to be there.Voters in La Mesa will decide on Nov. 6 whether to approve Measure V, a proposed law that would allow the city to tax commercial cannabis businesses and take a percentage of their gross receipts.

If approved, the city hopes to reap $1.5 million to $2 million annually.

Under the measure, the city could tax commercial cannabis growers and manufacturers at an annual rate not to exceed $10 per square foot of office space.

Voters will also decide if the city can ask for 6 percent of gross receipts from those selling cannabis-based products. Gross receipts would not include sales from qualified patients, primary caregivers or other persons who purchase cannabis products for medical use.

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Patients need a San Diego County-issued California Department of Public Health Medical Marijuana Identification Card to purchase products in La Mesa.

Businesses selling cannabis in California cannot charge sales tax to those who have the official medical marijuana ID card. About 400 people in San Diego County have been issued the state medical card.

Money raised from the tax would help offset the citys expenses related to marijuana businesses, such as additional public safety needs, public works efforts and code enforcement.

The tax would also offset costs for shutting down illegal cannabis dispensaries, regulating legal medical cannabis businesses and fund other general municipal expenses.

Voters in 2016 approved Proposition 64, a statewide initiative that gave local governments an option to allow retail sales, cultivation and manufacturing of recreational marijuana.

Larry Fennell and Maureen Davis of The Grove, a medical marijuana store in La Mesa, look over some cannabis products for pets. (Karen Pearlman/U-T)

La Mesa voters that same year passed Proposition U, which legalized medical cannabis businesses in the city. That includes retail sales, cultivation, manufacturing and testing of products such as edibles and tinctures.

All stores must meet certain standards and obtain a conditional-use permit.

There was no tax element attached to the 2016 proposition, which was crafted by cannabis proponents.

The gross receipts element of the 2018 measure looks to be paving the way for the city to tax customers purchasing non-medical cannabis products. The city currently only allows medical marijuana to be sold in city-approved stores.

There is only one legal cannabis store open for business, The Grove, on Center Street in the citys industrial area.

Sean McDermott is the owner and operator of The Grove, which opened its doors this summer. McDermott is also close to opening a second medical marijuana business on Federal Boulevard in neighboring Lemon Grove.

He likened the tax the city wants to impose to the sin tax many jurisdictions put on cigarettes and alcohol.

He said that if and when the city legalizes all marijuana sales, he will be able to stop turning away those who inquire about purchasing recreational products at his store.

Im excited for the opportunity, McDermott said. I think its great for the city, great for residents of East County and great for my business.

La Mesa has several cultivation conditional use permit applications being considered and several manufacturing permit applications being processed.

karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.comAs it has for the past several years, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce is looking for donations of food, clothing and health care items for 24 senior citizens.

The chamber annually adopts seniors during the fall and has the La Mesa Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol deliver gift baskets and a hot dinner to the seniors toward the end of the year.

La Mesa Chamber CEO Mary England suggested items such as canned soups, canned vegetables, canned fruit, packets of crackers, boxes of pasta or macaroni and cheese, socks, soap, toothpaste, tissues, bottles of hand sanitizers, bottles of hand soaps, packs of tissues, pens and pads of paper.

England asked those who donate make sure the dates are not expired on the food items. She also said gift cards from Walmart, Target or any grocery store would be helpful.

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If you have another item you believe will put a smile on their faces, by all means drop it off, she said.

Items can be delivered to the La Mesa Chamber office at 8080 La Mesa Blvd., Suite 212 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday until Nov. 30.

karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.comThe school board in National City voted unanimously last week to extend the contract of Superintendent Leighangela Brady, through June 2021, and authorize a pay raise for both administrators and teachers.

Brady will receive a 2.5 percent raise  retroactive to July 1  that will bump her annual salary to $205,360. She also will receive a monthly $275 allowance for mileage expenses.

It is the second raise for Brady since she was given a three-year contract in August 2016. Trustees approved a 1.7 percent pay increase in April 2017.

The most recent raise, approved Oct. 10, comes on the heels of what National School District administrators described as a successful evaluation of Brady. The district did not release details of the evaluation, which covered the 2017-18 school year.

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Bradys amended contract also includes a second 2.5 percent raise next July, subject to a positive evaluation for the current school year.

Brady said she was thrilled to have the boards support and sees room for growth.

Im so proud of our students and the advancements theyve made over the past three years, and am grateful for our exceptional, dedicated teaching staff, she said in a statement. I am looking forward to launching new initiatives throughout the district, including innovative programs and learning spaces.

During the Oct. 10 meeting, trustees also approved a 6 percent raise retroactive to July 1 and another 6 percent raise next July for assistant superintendents: Christopher Carson of the Business Services department, Leticia Hernandez of the Human Resources department and Sharmila Kraft of the Educational Services department.

The increase sets their annual salaries at $166,770, a figure that will jump to $176,780 after the second raise next July.

Trustees also approved a three-year contract between the district and the teachers union. The agreement includes raises of up to 4 percent retroactive to Oct. 1  under changes to the pay scale  and a 2 percent raise for the 2019-20 school year. The salary increases cover teachers, psychologists, speech language pathologists and counselors.

The contract with the National City Elementary Teachers Association was reached on Sept. 18 after seven rounds of negotiations in recent months.

Union President Christina Benson said members are very pleased with the negotiated contract.

We do agree that job salaries and pay should be comparable to surrounding school districts, she said, speaking in general terms about the pay raises the board approved last week.

However, she said she took issue with what she described as a lack of communication between the board and the teachers union over the raises for administrators. She said she was unaware trustees were considering the raises until the boards agenda was released.

Meanwhile, at the Oct. 10 meeting, trustees tabled a contract with the California School Employees Association for non-teaching employees. The move is intended to give the union time to vote on the tentative agreement, which includes a 4 percent raise retroactive to Sept. 18 and a 2 percent raise for the 2019-20 school year. The school board will consider the contract on Oct. 24.

The National School District serves about 5,600 students at 11 elementary schools and a preschool.

Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com

Phone: (619) 293-1876

Twitter: @D4VIDHernandezWhen Lilian Vanvieldt-Gray was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in July 2017, the news rocked her to the core. But when she learned in the ensuing weeks that several genetic warning signs had been pointing her in that direction all along, she got motivated.

Vanvieldt-Gray, and her husband Douglas Gray, have turned their private health struggle into a public platform to encourage and help other black women and men with a high risk factor for breast cancer to get mammograms and screenings.

A mammogram saved my life, she said. Our goal is to raise money for (mammogram) grants. I cant prevent people from being affected by cancer but I can prevent people from being forced to make a life or death decision due to finances.

Vanvieldt-Gray, 53, is Susan G. Komen San Diegos 2018 Honorary Breast Cancer Survivor. As a vocal advocate for breast cancer awareness, she will speak at the opening ceremonies for Komens 2018 Race for the Cure, a fundraising walk on Nov. 4 in Balboa Park.

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Her husband is equally involved in the fight. In 2017, he organized Lilians Lovelies, a team of more than 50 walkers who raised more than $33,000 for Komen programs. Hes now working on assembling an even bigger team for this falls Race.

Shaina Gross, president and CEO for Susan G. Komen San Diego, said the couple has helped her expand outreach in San Diegos under-served black community.

They deserve a lot of credit, Gross said. Too often people dont talk about this, so for her to be so open with her story is incredible. Shes not only fighting for her own life, shes using it to make sure other people in the same situation are getting tested and being cared for. I think its such a gift to the community.

Black women have a lower incidence of breast cancer than Caucasian women, but their mortality rate is 40 percent higher. This is due, in part, to black women tending to be diagnosed at later stages of the disease and to having a higher rate of aggressive tumors.

Besides her ethnicity, Vanvieldt-Gray had two other dangerous risk factors. She has dense breast tissue, which studies have shown can mean a four to five times higher risk of cancer. She also has a family history of prostate and breast cancer. After her diagnosis, she discovered she carries the BRCA II genetic mutation, which increases the risk of breast cancer by 45 percent to 65 percent.

Because of her dense breast tissue, Vanvieldt-Gray had been diligent about getting annual mammograms, but she had no idea until last summer how steep the deck had been stacked against her from birth in other ways.

She underwent a double mastectomy and endured nearly a year of aggressive chemotherapy and a grueling cycle of radiation and subsequent burn therapy. Since June she has been cancer-free but remains at risk of developing different cancers.

I never experienced anything like the fear we had, she said. Its the first time I ever met with my mortality and realized that I may die. It was intense.

Lilian Vanvieldt-Gray, who is the Susan G. Komens honorary survivor for the 2018 Race for the Cure. Lilian and her team, raised more than $33,000 for breast cancer research at last years race and she has become a speaker and advocate for breast cancer awareness. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune)

Vanvieldt-Gray grew up in the South American country of Guyana where her father was a customs official. Economic and political turmoil in the country led her mother to immigrate to America in the early 1970s where she worked as a live-in maid and raised money to bring her family members, one by one, to the United States. Vanvieldt-Gray was 10 years old when she arrived in Los Angeles in 1975.

My parents worked so hard. They told us we didnt come here to play, she said. They expected their children to work hard in school and succeed.

During her teen years in Pomona, Vanvieldt-Gray said she was taught by her parents to give back as thanks for the opportunities they found in America. Her mother started the Guyana Nurses Association and Vanvieldt-Gray regularly sends money home to needy Guyanese relatives.

Ive been blessed and highly favored, she said of her charity efforts.

In 1982, Vanvieldt-Gray was accepted to UCLA, where she studied economics and history. She ran the Student Education Exposure Project, which encouraged underprivileged youth to attend the university. She also honed her public speaking skills as a member of the Bruin Belles, a womens student group who represented the school at public events.

Since college, she has spent more than 20 years in the insurance industry, most of them at Alliant Insurance, where she is a senior vice president. She met her husband, a San Diego insurance industry executive, at a party in January 2008. After three years of dating, she moved from L.A. to join him here in 2011. They live downtown.

The couple is inseparable. Theyre known to dress in coordinating colors and can finish each other sentences. After her diagnosis  which he refers to as when we got cancer  he was the one who recommended she contact Komen. He also came to all of her chemotherapy treatments.

It was at those hourslong appointments that Vanvieldt-Gray first started advocating to anyone within listening range for Komen, particularly its Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnostic fund, which provides grants for mammograms and other exams to the needy and under-insured.

She wants to make lemonade from lemons. She wanted to be herself and do something personal that helped empower a lot of people. It empowered me and were both stronger for it, said Gray, 56, who is president of Compliance Hub, a software subscription company.

Vanvieldt-Gray said in the first month after her diagnosis, her insurance co-pays topped $3,000. She also paid $3,000 out of pocket this past summer for her final PET scan.

We are fortunate to have the means to pay but other women do not have that option, she said. This is the primary reason we are so passionate about raising funds for Komen San Diego.

Seventy-five percent of the money Komen San Diego raises stays in San Diego. The rest goes to international research. Over the past five years, Komen San Diego has spent more than $1.2 million on 8,000 screenings and diagnostic services and more than $700,000 in financial assistance for rent, food, prescriptions and more.

Gross said fear can be a big factor in leading many women  particularly those with lower education and income levels  to avoid getting screened. She said Vanvieldt-Grays volunteer efforts have helped put a face on the need for expanding outreach to these communities.

I believe in creating possibilities. I have decided that I am going to live, Vanvieldt-Gray said. But getting used to a new normal is challenging. We must do more. We need more research. We need more support services.

Susan G. Komen San Diego 22nd annual Race for the Cure

When: 7:30 a.m. Nov. 4

Where: Balboa Park, 6th Avenue at Palm Street, San Diego

Registration: komensandiego.org/walk

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.comOctober 16, 1952 The San Diego Union

The San Diego Union-Tribune will mark its 150th anniversary in 2018 by presenting a significant front page from the archives each day throughout the year.

Thursday, October 16, 1952

In October 1952 Madge Bradley became the first woman to sit as a superior court judge in the history of San Diego. Bradley was appointed by Presiding Judge Arthur L. Mundo to sit pro tem  temporarily  for a single trial. She served with the consent and approval of the attorneys involved.

The following year California Gov. Goodwin J. Knight named Bradley to the San Diego County Municipal Court to succeed the late A.F. Molina.

Bradley won re-election to the bench in three uncontested elections and retired in 1971.

During her 18-year tenure as a judge she was the only woman on the bench in San Diego County.

Previously she had worked as a deputy county clerk for San Diego County and then opened her own law offices shortly before the United States entered World War II.

Bradley passed away in San Diego in 2000. She was 95.

Judge Bradley was inducted into the San Diego County Women's Hall of Fame in 2002.

Here are the first few paragraphs of the story:

First Woman Named Superior Judge Here

First woman ever to sit on the superior court bench in San Diego County will be Miss Madge Bradley, who started her career in legal work as a deputy county clerk. Arthur L. Mundo, presiding judge, yesterday announced Miss Bradleys appointment as a judge pro tem in a jury trial opening next Wednesday.

The judge gave two reasons for the appointment.

First, the shortage of judges because of vacations has made it imperative to appoint some member of the San Diego bar a judge pro tem.

Secondly, Judge Mundo said, theres the womens angle. Other cities have women judges, why not San Diego? Women are entitled to consideration.

Miss Bradley was a deputy county clerk 12 years, in charge of naturalization and passport work. She was admitted to the bar in 1933, but didnt start her practice until 1940.

As an attorney, she has specialized in domestic relations, adoptions and probate work.

The case over which she will preside involves a young girl, but that is merely coincidental to Miss Bradleys appointment, Judge Mundo said.

Attorneys in the case gave their approval first, as in all pro tem appointments, before Judge Mundo mad his selection.

View anniversary front pages online at sandiegouniontribune.com/150-years. For more from the Union-Tribune digital archives, go to newslibrary.com/sites/sdub. Searching is free, with registration. A fee is required to view full stories.A 19-year-old Orange resident helped himself to milk and cookies before burglarizing college students homes, leaving semen on one victims laptop, Orange County prosecutors said Monday.

With the help of a new rapid DNA program that used a sample from the semen, officials said they were able to identify and arrest Jonathan Jose Ruiz about a week after the crimes. He was charged Monday with burglary and vandalism, according to the Orange County district attorneys office.

Prosecutors say Ruiz entered the home of four female college students through a window while they were attending an event on Oct. 4. He ransacked their rooms, authorities said, scattering their underwear throughout the home.

Ruiz used one victims laptop to download images of the woman and browse pornography websites, prosecutors said, and left semen on the laptop. Investigators also found a milk container on the kitchen counter and evidence that he had eaten multiple cookies.

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When Ruiz was arrested on Oct. 11, prosecutors say he was in possession of multiple items belonging to the four women, including two pairs of underwear.

Orange Police Sgt. Phil McMullin said Ruiz did not know the victims. Ruiz was in the district attorneys offices DNA database because he had previously been sentenced in a misdemeanor vandalism case, prosecutors said.

If convicted on all counts, Ruiz faces up to six years and eight months in prison.

alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com

Twitter: @r_valejandraAt least one person has spent more than five years in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody at the Otay Mesa Detention Center, according to data obtained through a records request by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse of Syracuse University.

TRACs report gives a snapshot of who was held in immigration detention on June 30. At that time, six people had been at the San Diego facility for more than three years.

The man with the longest time inside had been in ICE custody since May 2013, according to TRAC. The man, a citizen of Mexico, has a burglary conviction.

ICE is not authorized to hold people as punishment. It detains people waiting for immigration hearings if it believes they wont show up to court or are dangerous.

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The majority of immigrants held at Otay Mesa Detention Center have no criminal convictions, according to the data.

Of the 956 people in ICE custody at the detention facility at the end of June, 561 had no criminal convictions documented in their records.

For those who did have criminal histories, based on TRACs analysis of the most severe criminal conviction for each detainee, DUI was the most common offense.

Illegal entry was the second most common, probably because of the Trump administrations zero tolerance policy that greatly increased the number of prosecutions of illegal border crossings. Hondurans make up the largest group with illegal entry convictions at 17, followed by Guatemalans at 9.

ICE spokeswoman Lauren Mack said that an analysis done by the agency around the time of the report showed that 54% of detainees had either a criminal conviction or pending charge.

These figures reflect appropriate allocation of limited resources, Mack said, noting that many in ICE custody remain there because immigration law says their detention is mandatory.

At least 12% of the people held at the Otay Mesa site are asylum seekers. TRAC reported that ICE frequently doesnt fill out this information in a detainees record, meaning the number could be higher.

Only seven people held at the Imperial Regional Detention Facility were marked as asylum seekers. None of the detainees from India were labeled as asylum seekers even though many recently recounted their journeys to request asylum.

While Indians make up the largest group of detainees at the Imperial facility, they represent about 4% of the population at Otay Mesa.

Immigrants from Mexico make up 40% of the detainees at the Otay Mesa Detention Center. Hondurans, Salvadorans and Guatemalans are the next largest groups, followed by people from Eritrea, India and China.

At least 2% of those at Otay Mesa have green cards. TRAC also reported that ICE doesnt input this information into all detainee records.

kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com

Morrissey writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.Californians are likely to vote for the repeal of the gas tax this November, with nearly 60 percent of likely voters saying that theyll do so.

This years ballot comes chock-full of measures, ranging from Daylight Savings Time to regulations for dialysis centers. The San Diego Union-Tribune joined several TV stations in surveying California voters about what they planned to vote for.

Poll conducted Oct. 12-14 and has a margin of error of +/- 4.9 percentage points.

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For a complete list of questions and crosstabs, click here.

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Reach the writer at: daniel.wheaton@sduniontribune.com or @theheroofthymeThree apartment buildings expected to open in Otay Mesa next July will provide some relief for area families in need of affordable housing and also answer a pressing need to help people with mental health issues live independently.

Pacifica at Playa del Sol in Otay Mesa will include 42 affordable apartments for qualifying tenants, with 12 units specifically for low-income residents with developmental disabilities.

This will be the third project built in a public/private partnership in the county that has included the units for people with developmental disabilities.

Lately weve begun to make some tremendous inroads into the field of affordable housing, San Diego Regional Center Executive Director Carlos Flores said at a Monday groundbreaking ceremony for the project.

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The center services 27,000 people with developmental disorders in San Diego County and another 2,000 people in Imperial County.

Flores said there has been more progress made in creating housing for people with developmental disabilities in the past five years than over the past few decades. He credited that progress to collaboration with groups such as the Southern California Housing Collaborative, which provided a $750,000 loan for the Otay Mesa project, and Chelsea Investment Corporation.

While low-income families across the county are struggling to find affordable housing, the conditions faced by people with developmental disabilities can be even more dire.

Too many people live in less-than-desirable places and less-than-desirable locations because its all they can afford, Flores said about adults with developmental disabilities who often live on less than $1,000 a month from Supplemental Security Income.

San Diego Regional Center will help provide assistance to them in a variety of ways, Flores said. That assistance may include transportation, employment opportunities and lessons in cooking, budgeting and cleaning.

Adults with developmental disabilities desire what we all desire, Flores said. Good jobs, benefits, good pay and a nice, affordable place to live.

A similar partnership in 2015 led to the opening of Independence Point, a 32-unit project with 25 apartments set aside for people with development disabilities.

About 18 months later, Ouchi Courtyard opened with seven out of 42 units set aside for people with developmental disabilities. Both are near Lincoln High School in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of southeastern San Diego.

Another project with 17 out of 48 units set aside for people with developmental disabilities opened in Imperial County late last year.

The Otay Mesa units are part of Pardee Homes Playa de Sol townhomes community south of Ocean Views Hills Parkway.

Rent will range from $730 to $1,500 a month for the units, which range from one to three bedrooms, and will remain affordable for 55 years. Eligible tenants will have household incomes up to 60 percent of the San Diego area median income, currently at $58,380 annually for a family of four.

Chelsea Investment Corporation is developing the project in collaboration with the county of San Diego, San Diego Housing Commission, the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities, Pardee Homes and Banner Bank.

The Housing Commission authorized $10.8 million in tax-exempt Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds for the projects total cost of $17.3 million

Funding also included a $1.5 million loan from the countys Innovative Housing Trust Fund.

This project is an example of what we need to do more and more of in San Diego County and the region, county Supervisor Greg Cox said.

The development is one of six projects supported by the Innovative Housing Trust Fund, which Cox said is part of a $25 million investment to create 523 affordable units from Vista to South County.

People interested in the development should call Southern California Housing Collaborative at (858) 514-7009. More details about the development will be posted in about four months on ConAms website, aptsinsocal.com.

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gary.warth@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @GaryWarthUT

760-529-4939

UPDATES:

This article has been updated to correct the phone number previously given for people to call if interested in applying to live in Pacifica at Playa del Sol. The correct number is 858-514-7009A federal judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit from adult film actress Stormy Daniels that claimed President Donald Trump defamed her when he suggested she had lied about being threatened to keep quiet about their relationship.

Federal District Judge S. James Otero in Los Angeles had indicated during a late September hearing that he was skeptical of Danielss claim on First Amendment grounds. The ruling ordered Daniels, whose given name is Stephanie Clifford, to pay Trumps legal fees.

Trump attorney Charles Harder cheered Oteros decision and said the amount of legal fees owed would be determined later.

No amount of spin or commentary by Stormy Daniels or her lawyer, Mr. Avenatti, can truthfully characterize todays ruling in any way other than total victory for President Trump and total defeat for Stormy Daniels, Harder said in an emailed statement.

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The ruling is a blow for Daniels and her lawyer, Michael Avenatti, who has raised a national profile from his legal battles against the president and is contemplating a presidential bid in 2020.

Avenatti called the ruling limited on Twitter and said it did not affect Danielss primary case against Trump and his former attorney Michael Cohen, which seeks to invalidate her 2016 nondisclosure agreement.

Daniels other claims against Trump and Cohen proceed unaffected, Avenatti tweeted.

Trumps contrary claims are as deceptive as his claims about the inauguration attendance. We will appeal the dismissal of the defamation cause of action and are confident in a reversal, he tweeted.Two American women and a Chilean man were found dead in Chile after an apparent fall at a national park.

The bodies of Rose Simonsen Franke, 23, and Hannah Lov Bozzy, 25, were found along with the body of a man believed to have been leading them along the Laja River, Biobio reported.

The two women were reportedly camping and enlisted a local man, Abdala Huenchunao, 21, to guide them around the area.

The group was exploring waterfalls about 250 miles south of Santiago on Saturday, when they were reported missing.

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All three bodies  found on Monday  showed signs of bruising, suggesting they fell from height, according to Antuco fire chief Jorge Gomez, Biobio reported.

They were flown to a nearby medical facility where the causes of death will be determined.

Medical personnel were at the scene preparing to transport the bodies, video shows.

Its unclear if the two women were visiting or living in Chile.

The U.S. Embassy in Santiago is aware of the deaths and is monitoring local authorities investigation.Two months after a Portland protest, police revealed Monday that a group of armed members of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer had stationed themselves on a downtown rooftop during the event.

The Portland Police Bureau discovered individuals who positioned themselves on a rooftop parking structure in downtown Portland with a cache of firearms, Mayor Ted Wheeler said at a press conference Monday, according to The Oregonian.

Assistant Police Chief Ryan Lee said that all of the Patriot Prayer members had concealed weapons permits and no arrests were made.

Portland has been the host for several violent clashes between right-wing groups like Patriot Prayer and the Proud Boys and liberal protesters.

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During the August demonstrations, a counter-protester was almost killed when a police flash bang grenade hit him in the back of the head; he survived only because he was wearing a helmet.

Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson told the Oregonian that he did not know about the guns until Monday.

Hindsight is always perfect, Police Chief Danielle Outlaw said when asked why officials took two months to inform the public about the threat.

At the same press conference, Wheeler proposed an ordinance to require protesters with a history of violence to stay contained in a designated area during supposed non-violent events.

I will not allow continued, planned street violence between rival factions to take place in Portland, Oregon, he said. I have also asked my staff to evaluate options to hold accountable those who recklessly drain our public safety resources by using our city as a venue for planned street violence.

The ACLU said it has serious concerns about the proposed restrictions.

The proposed ordinance raises many constitutional concerns. The mayors proposal grants broad authority to the mayors office to regulate constitutionally-protected speech and assembly with no meaningful oversight for abuse, Mat dos Santos, the legal director of the Oregon chapter, said in a statement.

Perhaps worse than the legal issues it raises, is that this ordinance is being sprung on the public with little notice as an emergency measure that will take effect immediately. This action by the mayor demonstrates a lack of trust in the public and is an end-run around our usual democratic processes. We suspect that this rushed proposal will be met with public outcry and demonstrations. And, inevitably, this ordinance will get challenged in court. To be clear, we already have laws against street fighting and violence.More than 390 shell casings were found outside the South Carolina home where seven police officers were ambushed last week.

Fred Hopkins, 75, was charged with one count of murder and six counts of attempted murder after he gunned down officers serving a search warrant at his home in the Vintage Place Community. The warrant concerned his son, Seth Hopkins, who was accused of sexually assaulting a minor.

Investigators believe Hopkins used one rifle and two pistols to shoot at officers as they approached the home on Oct.3, firing about 39 rounds, Lott said Tuesday.

He had a stockpile of more than 126 weapons inside his home.

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This was a planned ambush, Lott said Tuesday at a press conference. The officers had no chance whatsoever.

Hopkins, his son, and two minors were in the home during the two-hour standoff.

Florence County officer Sgt. Terrence Carraway died from his injuries that day.

Two Florence County sheriffs deputies remain in critical condition and a third deputy who was injured in the attack has been upgraded to stable condition.A Florida man was arrested last week on multiple drug charges, but not before he attempted to hide behind his 5-year-old son.

Fredrick James, 30, was arrested Friday after police searched his West Palm Beach apartment and found heroin and cocaine.

When officers entered the apartment, James used his son as a shield, carrying him against his chest, according to WPTV.

The young boy was released without being harmed, but police found packets of heroin and fentanyl hidden on him. He was taken to a neighbors apartment to be showered and decontaminated.

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Two other children in the house were also hospitalized for decontamination.

James was charged on multiple counts including the sale of cocaine and heroin near a church or school, possession, tampering with evidence, resisting arrest and child endangerment.Voting advocates and civil rights groups have homed in on Gwinnett County and what they deem to be its excessive rejection of mail ballots because of voters innocent errors and discrepancies.

Late Monday, a new lawsuit was filed U.S. District Court in Atlanta against Secretary of State Brian Kemp, the state elections board and the Gwinnett County elections board over the issue. The suit, brought on behalf of five plaintiffs and underwritten by the Coalition for Good Governance, asks a judge to order that all rejected absentee ballots and absentee ballot applications be reviewed and be reinstated if at all possible.

A separate letter sent to Gwinnett County officials by the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law made similar suggestions.

Both actions come amid media reports, including those by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, that found Gwinnett County was throwing out a disproportionate number of such ballots.

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Through Sunday, Gwinnett County had rejected about 8.5 percent of such ballots, an AJC analysis found. Across Georgia, less than 2 percent had been rejected.

Gwinnetts 390 rejected ballots accounted for about 37 percent of the total rejected ballots statewide.

Analysis by the Lawyers Committee suggested that the rejections also affected Asian, black and Latino voters at greater rates than white voters. More than 60 percent of Gwinnett residents are non-white.

Gwinnett County has denied any wrongdoing.

The most frequent reason Gwinnett election officials rejected absentee ballots was for insufficient oath information, which is where voters fill out their signatures, birth dates and addresses on the envelope used to mail their ballot.

The penalty for even the smallest clerical error or a question about the voters signature is disenfranchisement, with no meaningful opportunity to cure any perceived discrepancy, the lawsuit says.

The suit alleges that Georgia, and Gwinnett in particular, have a history of rejecting an alarmingly high percentage of mail ballots. It asks for a number of preliminary and permanent remedies to be ordered by a judge.

Those include that any mail ballot that was previously rejected for the sole reason of an incorrect of missing year of birth be reinstated, and that such ballots not be rejected in the future.

The suit also asks a judge to require rejected voters be notified by one-day business mail, telephone and email, and for counties to form bi-partisan signature review teams to weigh in before ballots are rejected due to potential signature inconsistencies.

Further, it asks for voters to be given until the Friday after Election Day to resolve any  mail ballot eligibility questions.

Advance in-person voting for Nov. 6s general election began Monday.

We are asking the Court to intervene to stop these unjust actions in advance of the November election, Marilyn Marks, executive director of the Coalition for Good Governance, said in a news release. Certain Georgia laws and policies prevent the counting of valid ballots cast by eligible voters merely trying to exercise their right to vote.

Gwinnetts comments on the situation have been limited, but the county has said it is following state law. It declined Tuesday to comment on the new lawsuit, citing a policy not to comment on pending litigation.

On Monday, the Secretary of States Office said its up to individual counties to decide how to process its absentee ballots. A spokeswoman did not immediately comment on the new litigation Tuesday morning.

Kemp  who is also the Republican candidate in a hotly contested race to be Georgias next governor  and his office were already being targeted for perceived voting rights issues.

News emerged last week that more than 53,000 Georgia voter registrations were on hold because of discrepancies between registration applications and government records. Under the states exact match law, registration applications can be put in pending status even for small inconsistencies, such as a missing hyphen in a last name or a typo.

Potential voters whose registrations are pending can still cast ballots if they verify their information with a state drivers license or other form of photo ID.

Several groups sued the state over the exact match law, alleging it disproportionately harms minority groups.

Multiple plaintiffs, including the Coalition for Good Governance, have also previously sued Kemps office in a quest to conduct elections with paper ballots.

Even before litigation was filed, theories abounded about why Gwinnett County appears to reject a disproportionate number of absentee ballots.

Gwinnett elections board chairman Stephen Day, a Democratic appointee, said he does not believe elections staff has enacted any kind of nefarious scheme. He said he is still investigating the issue but did throw out at least one potential explanation.

Is it possible Gwinnett is strictly following the letter of the law and other counties use more subjective judgement (sic) in deciding whether or not a ballot should be rejected? he wrote in an email to The AJC. Yes, it is possible that other counties may be operating on the premise that if other information on the ballot application or ballot oath firmly identifies the voters as is claimed, then the clerical errors should be overlooked. I have no proof of that, that is just a possible explanation.

Michael McDonald  a University of Florida political scientist who runs the United States Elections Project, which provides data about elections across the country  has developed another theory.

Gwinnett is the only county in Georgia that, because of its high share of Latino residents, is federally mandated to provide elections materials in both English and Spanish. The current election season is just the second time that such bilingual materials are being utilized.

In attempting to comply with Section 203 (of the federal Voting Rights Act), Gwinnett County election officials appear to have created a confusing envelope, which places English and Spanish directions side-by-side when requesting a key piece of information, a voters year of birth, McDonald said. As a result, Gwinnett has rejected 180 or more absentee ballots because voters failed to provide a correct birth year. This is far more than any other county reports.

McDonald said that, while he believes the envelope design could be the most plausible explanation, rejected ballots would have to be reviewed to confirm his suspicions.A grandmother is in custody in Mississippi after her toddler grandchild was stabbed, placed in an oven and baked.

The body of a 20-month-old girl was found by police and sheriffs deputies in Bolivar County, Miss., after authorities received a 911 call Monday from a family member, the Bolivar County Sheriff Kelvin Williams told WTVA.

The grandmother has not been charged with a crime, but is being held at the Bolivar County Regional Correctional Facility.

The toddlers body has been sent for an autopsy to the state crime lab to determine whether she died before or after she entered the oven, Mississippi Department of Public Safety spokesman Warren Strain said.

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Williams did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

With Wire News ServicesA newborn baby was found dead at a garbage facility in Connecticut early Tuesday, according to authorities.

An employee at City Carting garbage in Stamford found the body just before 9 a.m., according to the Stamford Police Department.

Investigators are hoping an autopsy will provide some answers. Officials are unsure if there will be surveillance video available.

An investigation is ongoing.President Trump said Tuesday that people are rushing to blame Saudi Arabia for the disappearance and likely murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Here we go again with you know youre guilty until proven innocent, the President said. I dont like that. We just went through that with Justice Kavanaugh and he was innocent all the way as far as Im concerned. So we have to find out what happened.

Brett Kavanaugh faced multiple allegations of sexual assault, including attempted rape, ahead of his nomination to the Supreme Court. A brief FBI investigation found no corroboration of the accusations.

Khashoggi was last seen on Oct. 2, entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain official documents for his wedding, but never left the building and has not been seen since.

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Saudi officials are set to admit that he had been killed in an interrogation gone wrong, CNN reported Monday, although the report has not yet been released.

Trump cited the denials by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as proof that Saudi Arabia was not behind Khashoggis disappearance. Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trumps husband, has long had a close relationship with the crown prince.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement late Tuesday that the crown prince conveyed that a serious and credible investigation is already underway.

He pledged that the work of the Saudi public prosecutor will produce a full and complete conclusion with full transparency for the world to see, Pompeo said of bin Salman. My assessment from these meetings is that there is serious commitment to determine all the facts and ensure accountability, including accountability for Saudi Arabias senior leaders or senior officials.

The President previously suggested that rogue killers could be responsible for Khashoggis death.

We are going to leave nothing uncovered, he said outside the White House Monday. With that being said, the king firmly denies any knowledge of it. He didnt really know. Maybe  I dont want to get into his mind  but it sounded to me like maybe it could have been rogue killers, who knows? Were going to try to get to the bottom of it very soon but his was a flat denial.

Officials previously told the Washington Post that audio and video recordings confirm Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate.

You can hear his voice and the voices of men speaking Arabic, the source said. You can hear how he was interrogated, tortured and then murdered.

With News Wire ServicesPolice released footage of a gun-loving city commissioner in Florida who fatally shot and killed a man he suspected of shoplifting a hatchet.

Michael Dunn, 47, suspected Christobal Lopez, 50, of shoplifting from Vets Army Navy Surplus store in Lakeland on October 3.

Lopez was in the store with his father. Dunn claimed he saw Lopez take the hatchet while Lopezs father was making a purchase.

Dunn  who held a counter rally in July to protest gun control efforts following the deadly Stoneman Douglas High School shooting  stopped Lopez to ask if he was going to pay for the item, and a confrontation ensued.

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Video shows Dunn grabbing Lopezs left arm as he exited the store and pulling on his shirt. Lopez attempted to break his grasp, and Dunn shot Lopez.

Lopez fell to the ground just outside the store as Dunn stood inside holding the gun.

As Lopez lay sprawled on his stomach, shaking and bleeding, Dunn paused before walking outside, resting the door on the dying mans leg.

There were two other employees in the store at the time of the incident but they were not involved in the shooting, Public Information Officer Gary Gross said in a video released by the LPD.

Although the investigation is ongoing, footage from the store was released in the interest of transparency.

In a statement, Lakeland Police Chief Larry Giddens said it would be inappropriate to comment further until the investigation is finished.

LPD told the Daily News on Tuesday there were no updates on the investigation but more information may be released at the end of the week.Dennis Hof, the flamboyant pimp, reality television star and Republican nominee who was expected to win a seat in the Nevada Assembly next month, was found dead at his Nye County, Nev., brothel Tuesday morning by a male porn star, authorities said.

He was 72.

It was a startling turn of events coming less than one month before the November election. Hof was poised to be the first brothel owner elected to the Nevada Legislature in the modern era and begin another chapter in his colorful, high-profile life.

I was really looking forward to seeing what he would stir up in the capital, campaign manager Chuck Muth said. It wouldve really been something.

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Hof had celebrated his birthday over the weekend  a two-day affair at his brothel in northern Nevada before heading to Pahrump on Monday for a campaign event. Two controversial figures from the right  former Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist  spoke at the event.

Arpaio, who had just arrived in Phoenix on Tuesday afternoon, said he was shocked to find out Hof was dead.

After I spoke, I said good night to him at his table and went up to my room. That was the last time I saw him, he said in an interview. Ive done thousands of speaking engagements and never had anything like this happen before. Its very sad.

Nye County spokesman Arnold Knightly said Hofs death was announced during the County Commission meeting by Chairman John Koenig, who told the room that Hof went to sleep last night and didnt wake up this morning.

Muth said Hof was found by Ron Jeremy, the porn star who was a close friend of the brothel owner and had earned an entire chapter in Hofs book, The Art of the Pimp.

Hofs eyes were not full and his skin felt cold, Jeremy told the Associated Press. He was totally stiff. And Im saying, Honey, we really have a problem here.

The two had a such a close rapport that Hof jokingly referred to Jeremy as she and the porn star called Hof daddy, according to the book.

Detectives and deputies were at the Love Ranch brothel in Crystal, outside Pahrump, on Tuesday investigating the death. Clark County Coroner John Fudenberg said Nye County had requested an autopsy.

Its the owner of the Lakers JOHNNY BUSS and my birthday party! It is Misty Matrix To its a private party get your invitation from your bunny or @MadamSuzette pic.twitter.com/WPQYwnoHbm  Dennis Hof (@DennisHof) August 30, 2018

Hof garnered national attention in June by unseating a three-term incumbent in his overwhelmingly Republican rural district. He billed himself as the Trump of Pahrump.

Even though Hof was the favorite to win in November, some establishment Republicans refused to campaign with him. Neither Nevada Atty. Gen. Adam Laxalt, the GOP nominee for governor, nor Republican Sen. Dean Heller would endorse him.

But Hof refused to let that bother him and began running ads featuring the names of Laxalt, Heller and Hof on mobile billboards.

He also faced scrutiny over allegations of sexual assault, including an ongoing state investigation of a claim that was made against him by a woman over Labor Day weekend.

Hof never appeared bothered by controversy, and often seemed to embrace it. He referred to himself as a pimp, showed up at events with women from his brothel and would often hand out merchandise  including coffee mugs with dollar bills that featured his face on them.

He scrapped with county government officials, who twice shut down his Love Ranch brothel  one of several he owned  over violations ranging from improper construction on the site to paying his license fees late. But Hof prevailed in both instances and the Love Ranch reopened.

He also was known to host celebrities at his properties, often going to lengths to protect their identities. Sometimes, however, things got away from him.

In 2015, former Lakers player Lamar Odom was found unconscious at the Love Ranch after ingesting cocaine and numerous doses of a medication for erectile dysfunction. He recovered.

The reality television show Cathouse, which debuted on HBO in 2005, was a no-holds-barred romp that featured Hof partying with his girls and making sure customers were getting their moneys worth.

But eventually, politics beckoned.

In 2016, he ran as a Libertarian candidate for the state Assembly seat that spans three rural counties  Nye, Lincoln and a small piece of Clark  and lost to the Republican, James Oscarson.

This year, he took on Oscarson directly  challenging the GOP incumbent while hewing closely to President Trump in tone, style and substance. On the night of the primary, Hof sat mostly in the back of the Nye County Republican headquarters as returns came in. He was accompanied by former madam Heidi Fleiss.

He won handily.

Oscarson said Tuesday he was shocked by the news of Hofs death.

My condolences and thoughts go out to his family, he said. I want to give his family time to grieve.

Fleiss, who was at the Love Ranch on Tuesday, seemed shaken by his death. Outside the brothel, a small group of news trucks was parked in the dirt and gravel lot. Muth stood outside and spoke with reporters. He said several of the working girls were grieving. The brothel was closed Tuesday, and because its licenses were issued specifically to Hof, its unclear when or if it can reopen.

Christina Parreira, a sex worker who met Hof five years ago, choked up as she talked about him. She said she came from Connecticut to study sex workers as part of a sociology degree and wanted to interview women who worked at brothels.

Hof was the only brothel owner who would meet with her, she said.

I had seen his television show and Ill admit at first I was a little starstruck, she said. He puts on this image, but as a person, he was one of the kindest, sweetest gentlemen Ive ever met.

In a statement, Gov. Brian Sandoval offered condolences.

Wayne Thorley, a spokesman for the Nevada secretary of state, said Hofs name would remain on the ballot and, if he were to win, the three county commissions that make up the Assembly seat would convene and select someone to fill the vacancy.

He said this happened in Nevada just a few weeks ago, when a candidate for the Independent American Party running for a state Senate seat died.

But Hof was much bigger, with name recognition that went well beyond Nevada.

Hof, who was born in Arizona to parents who immigrated from Germany and Italy, seemed to always know he wanted to be a businessman. In his book, he reflected on his childhood and how it led him to where he was in Nevada.

At age 10, I started working at the local Dairy Queen, sweeping the parking lot, and the manager told me I was the best parking lot sweeper hed ever seen, Hof wrote. I put most of my money into pinball machines and thats when I first became aware of the connection between money and pleasure: If you had money, you had a good time. If not, you didnt.

UPDATES:

8:15 p.m.: The article was updated extensively with reaction to Hofs death and details about the circumstances.

1:50 p.m.: The article was updated with additional information about Hof.

12:44 p.m.: The article was updated with Los Angeles Times staff reporting.

The article was originally published at 12:10 p.m.San Diego is paying $1.4 million to cover flood damage in early 2016 to a single-family home in La Jolla Shores, damage that is being blamed on a clogged city storm drain.

The payout is one of many by San Diego related to its aging storm drain system, which the citys independent budget analyst has urged city officials to upgrade to reduce liability from property damage and potential sinkholes.

The house at 8554 El Paseo Grande was flooded in January 2016 during a severe rainstorm, according to city documents.

The flood was caused by a section of storm drain pipe becoming offset at a joint uphill from the property on La Jolla Shores Drive. The pipe became plugged with debris, which caused runoff to bypass storm drain inlets and flow down into the property, city documents say.

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The payout will be divided between Lexington Insurance, which will receive $1.2 million, and property owner E.S. Holdings, LLC, which will receive $200,000.

The City Council unanimously approved the payout on Tuesday, one month after voting in favor of the payout in a session closed to the public.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrickSan Diegos Ethics Commission is levying a $4,000 fine on unsuccessful City Council candidate Bryan Pease for accepting an illegal campaign contribution and failing to disclose the contribution before the June primary.

Pease, who finished third behind Lorie Zapf and Jennifer Campbell in the primary for council District 2, has agreed to pay the fine rather than demand a hearing to dispute the charges.



For the record: This story has been amended from its original posting, which used an incorrect name for APRL Fund Inc.

Pease used an organization affiliated with a nonprofit environmental group he leads to pay for a $10,300 phone poll of District 2 voters last December, instead of paying for the poll with funds from his campaign.

The citys campaign laws prohibits accepting contributions from businesses or organizations, even non-monetary contributions such as paying for a poll and providing it to a campaign for free.

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Campaigns can only receive contributions from individuals and political parties.

Pease also failed to disclose the non-monetary contribution on a disclosure statement submitted in April. The contribution came from the APRL Fund, which gets its name from the nonprofit Animal Protection and Rescue League that Pease created, but is a separate entity.

Beginning in May, Ethics Commission staff urged Pease to file an amended disclosure reflecting the contribution so voters would be aware of it, but he didnt do so until after the June 5 primary.

Pease said by email on Tuesday that he didnt believe the poll needed to be funded by his campaign because it didnt support or oppose any particular candidate.

There was no attempt to hide the poll or who was behind it  in fact I immediately published it on my website, he said.

In addition to paying the fine, Pease also personally contributed $10.300 to his campaign fund so it could reimburse the nonprofit.

The Ethics Commission noted that Pease has a history of failing to comply with the citys campaign laws.

He paid a $200 fine one year ago for failing to timely file a campaign statement connected to his unsuccessful run for city attorney in 2016.

In addition, an Ethics Commission audit of his unsuccessful 2012 campaign for council District 1 showed that he failed to adequately maintain campaign records or include a paid for by disclosure on a newspaper campaign advertisement.

Pease, who first came to local prominence by fighting to protect seals in La Jolla, founded the nonprofit to protect the rights and habitats of all animals through outreach, education, lobbying, and litigation.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrickSan Diego plans to crack down on local Segway tour operators in the wake of a $1.7 million injury settlement in June and another lawsuit filed last spring claiming a protruding sidewalk caused the death of a Segway rider two years ago.

An ordinance proposed by city officials would require Segway tour companies to apply for special permits, follow safety procedures and obtain commercial liability insurance of at least $2 million per case and $4 million per year.

The ordinance, which the City Councils budget committee is scheduled to discuss on Wednesday, aims to shrink the number of injury crashes and limit the citys vulnerability to large payouts when injuries occur.

In the case that led to the $1.7 million settlement, the tour company that rented out the Segway didnt contribute to the payout because it didnt have liability insurance and the companys owner had limited assets.

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Invented in 2002, Segways are two-wheeled motorized vehicles that carries one person standing upright. Segway is the name of the leading company in the industry. In order to make sure the citys new law would also apply to competitors, it refers to the vehicles as electronic assistive personal mobility devices.

The new law would not apply to the electric scooters that have become increasingly popular in San Diego this year. City officials are exploring separate legislation for those devices.

The ordinance would require Segway tour companies to obtain a special permit requiring them to have adequate insurance and follow new safety procedures.

Those would include prohibiting Segway use by intoxicated people, requiring users under 18 to be accompanied by an adult, requiring tour guides to have a drivers license and conducting on-site training for all riders before tours.

Companies would have to pay a $48 annual fee for a permit.

The new legislation was prompted by a $1.7 million payout by the city to a woman who suffered a shattered pelvis in a Segway crash on a La Jolla street three years ago.

The settlement includes $1.5 million for Regina Capobianco and $200,000 for her husband, Christopher Capobianco, because her injuries damaged their marriage.

Regina Copabianco was injured when she drove a Segway over a large area of broken and damaged street on Camino de la Costa at Winamar Avenue in July 2015.

Her shattered pelvis needed immediate surgery that required doctors to screw in metal plates.

Copabiancos lawsuit, filed in July 2016 after the city rejected a claim for damages in April 2016, said she needs intense physical therapy and relies predominantly on a wheelchair to get around.

In addition to money for medical expenses and to cover pain and suffering, her lawsuit sought compensation for lost wages because Capobianco can no longer perform the full-time job she had before the Segway crash.

The crash took place in a residential part of La Jolla one block from the ocean.

A few months before the city settled that case in June, the family of Jeff Hassett filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city blaming protruding sidewalk in Old Town for his eventual death.

The suit, filed by Hassetts four siblings, claims Hassett struck a 3-inch to 4-inch concrete stub in the sidewalk while riding a Segway in March 2016. The stub was created by the removal of a light pole on Taylor Street near Congress Street.

Hassett suffered broken ribs, a toe injury that required amputation and damage to an internal heart defibrillator. The heart issue and an infection eventually caused his death in May 2016.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrickA proposition to repeal the so-called gas tax enacted by the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown last year in order to fund transportation projects is winning by a 2-to-1 margin, according to the results of a new statewide poll released Tuesday.

But that measure, backed heavily by GOP gubernatorial candidate John Cox, hasnt translated to Coxs campaign as he is trailing Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, by a 52-35 percent margin.

The SurveyUSA poll, commissioned by the San Diego Union-Tribune, 10News and other media organizations, asked 762 likely voters in California last week about their thoughts on statewide issues and candidates as early voting gets underway for the Nov. 6 election.

Republicans had hoped that Proposition 6, as the effort to repeal the gas tax is called, would get more conservatives to the polls. The measure would undo a fuel tax of 12 cents a gallon and diesel fuel tax of 20 cents a gallon  money that Democrats says would help raise more than $5 billion annually toward road and bridge repair projects as well as mass transit improvements. The law also created a yearly vehicle fee ranging from $25 to $175.

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Republicans, including Cox who is chairman of the Prop 6 committee, have argued that previous gas taxes and vehicles raised enough to make necessary repairs to the states transportation infrastructure.

Besides a repeal, Prop 6 also requires any future fuel taxes to be approved by voters.

That message appears to be sticking, with 58 percent giving support to Prop 6, versus 29 percent rejecting the repeal and 13 percent undecided.

Still, Newsom is leading the polls to replace his boss, two-term Gov. Brown. Forty percent of voters say they have a favorable opinion of Newsom, a candidate who has had much more time in the public eye in California, versus 34 percent who have a favorable opinion of Cox, a lawyer and financial adviser who hails from Chicago and now lives in Rancho Santa Fe.

In another major race, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has strong support to hold on to her seat, with 40 percent of Californians saying they are giving their vote to her versus 26 percent to opponent and fellow Democrat Kevin de Leon. However, a large portion  35 percent  remain undecided. Of those undecideds, 65 percent are Republicans who will have to determine which Democrat is the least painful choice.

No doubt coloring Feinsteins chance for re-election is her role in the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The five-time senator had a starring role in the partisan showdown as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

She has been both criticized and defended for holding on to a letter written by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford alleging a sexually assault by Kavanaugh when they were both teens. Ford first brought her allegation to a state representative and to the Washington Post, and then wrote a letter to Feinstiens office in July with the request that Feinstein keep the accusation  and Fords identity  confidential.

Feinstein said she kept her word, but news of the letter detailing Fords allegations were leaked to the press. What followed was the explosive televised confirmation hearing featuring Fords testimony and Kavanaughs fiery denials.

Looking back, just a week after Kavanaugh was ultimately confirmed, Californians who were polled gave Feinsteins handling of the issue a mixed review, with slightly more  38 percent  giving her an A or B grade and 34 percent grading her with a D or F.

De Leon, president pro Tempore of the state Senate and known for authoring the California Values Act that gave protections to unauthorized immigrants, hasnt seemed to elicit strong reactions from voters. While getting a 24 percent favorable rating, over half  56 percent  gave him a rating of neutral or had no opinion either way.

Another hot topic among Californians  housing  is also being represented on this ballot.

Proposition 10, which would repeal a state law and allow local governments to enact rent control in particular geographic regions, does not appear to be winning over voters, with 46 percent saying they dont support a repeal, compared to 35 percent who do.

The repeal is more popular with younger voters who are likely having trouble finding affordable housing, while voters over age 50 favor keeping the law as is.

Proposition 1, or the Veterans and Affordable Housing Act of 2018, which would allow the state to borrow $4 billion to spend on low-cost housing and low-cost loans for military veterans, is leading by a 3-to-1 margin, with 62 percent planning on yes votes. Not surprisingly, more than half  56 percent  of those in favor of the measure live in active-duty military or veteran households.

The survey also asked about job approval ratings for others in office.

More than half of Californians polled  57 percent  disapproved of President Donald Trumps performance, a rating that falls mostly along party lines.

Voters gave Brown a 46 percent approval rating, with another 39 percent disapproving.

And former state Attorney General Kamala Harris, nearly two years into her term as a U.S. senator, has an approval rating of 46 percent with another 28 percent disapproving and almost as much  26 percent  not sure.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @kristinadavisA 29-year-old man died hours after he was arrested on suspicion of attacking officers in Chula Vista last week, and police are investigating the incident, authorities said Monday.

Police first made contact with the man, identified as Jason Watts, at the 7-Eleven store at Third Avenue and G Street on Friday, said Chula Vista police Capt. Phil Collum. Two people, including the store clerk, had called 911 about 11:45 p.m. after Watts refused to leave the store.

Watts, who appeared to be under the influence of drugs, had also called 911 to report that people outside the shop were threatening to shoot him, Collum said.

When officers arrived, Watts refused to leave the store, ran behind the clerks counter and refused to comply with repeated orders from police. Collum said police tried to talk with Watts in an attempt to calm him, but, during the conversation, Watts punched a cash register and lifted it as though preparing to throw it at officers.

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The officers used a Taser and pepper spray on Watts in an attempt to take him into custody, Collum said. When Watts continued to fight with police, he was placed in the Wrap, a restraint system made up of a stiff nylon blanket and straps. He was eventually arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer.

Even after the arrest, Watts continued to violently resist the officers, Collum wrote in a statement. Officers called for paramedics to evaluate him.

Paramedics took Watts to Paradise Valley Hospital, where medical staff determined he was suitable for incarceration. However, when Watts arrived at jail, officials said he could not be booked in his current condition, Collum said.

Watts was again taken to a hospital, this time to the UC San Diego Medical Center, where he began suffering from unspecified complications.

He was treated by staff members, but died about 12:20 p.m. Saturday, about 12 hours after his arrest. The Medical Examiners Office has not determined his cause of death. He was a Spring Valley resident.

Chula Vista police are working with the District Attorneys Office as they investigate the incident.

Twitter: @LAWinkley

(619) 293-1546

lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.comFor the lawyers at the San Diego-based California Innocence Project, it never made sense why Horace Roberts would murder his mistress in 1998, leave her body near a Riverside County lake and then abandon his truck near the crime scene.

As lawyers and law students dug deeper into the case after taking it on in 2003, more evidence piled up in favor of Roberts, who had lived in Oceanside for 10 years before his arrest.

Then in March, the Innocence Project lawyers got the break theyd been seeking for the past 15 years when improved DNA testing showed that crime-scene evidence not only pointed away from Roberts, but toward the victims husband and her husbands nephew.

Googie Rene Harris, Sr., left, and Joaquin Lateee Leal, right. (Courtesy of Riverside County District Attorneys Office)

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On Monday, a Riverside County judge declared Roberts factually innocent in the April 1998 strangling of Terry Yvette Cheek, and Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin announced murder charges against 62-year-old Googie Rene Harris, Cheeks husband, and 52-year-old Joaquin Lateee Leal, Harris nephew.

What happened to Mr. Roberts is tragic, Hestrin said in a statement. We as prosecutors always strive to be vigilant and follow the truth. Once I learned of the new DNA findings, I immediately directed that all charges be dismissed.

Roberts, 60, was released from prison Oct. 3  an Innocence Project video posted Monday showed him throwing his prison clothes in the trash  and brought to Ocean Beach, where his lawyers put him up for a week before flying him back to South Carolina, where he was reunited with his wife, three children and a grandson whom hed never met.

It was just amazing, Michael Semanchik, managing attorney for the Innocence Project, said in a phone interview Monday. He was nervous about how his family would receive him  but it went exactly how we thought it would  They were all so ecstatic.

Terry Yvette Cheek (Courtesy of Riverside County District Attorneys Office)

Roberts was convicted in 1999 of second-degree murder in the death of Cheeks, a mother of two and a co-worker with whom hed been having an affair. Cheek had sought a divorce from Harris the summer before her slaying, and Harris knew about the affair, said Semanchik.

Googie Harris set Roberts up, Justin Brooks, director of the Innocence Project, said in a statement. Its the oldest story there is in the murder business. Husband kills wife who is cheating on him. The twist in this case is that the husband then set up the lover to go to prison for the rest of his life.

Harris testified at all three of Roberts trials  two ended in hung juries before his conviction and sentence of 15 years-to-life in prison  and attended a hearing to oppose Roberts parole in 2011.

The California Innocence Project, based at the California Western School of Law in downtown San Diego, took on Roberts case in 2003 at his request, one of about 2,500 claims it receives from inmates each year. Roberts is the 29th prisoner freed by the group since its inception in 1999.

Roberts defense team  which over the years included four staff attorneys and 15 law students  first sought to retest DNA in 2007 with technology that wasnt available in 1998. But because of several delays, those test results werent returned until 2011. At that point, the results only showed that the DNA didnt belong to Roberts, which wasnt enough to clear him of the crime.

Late last year, the Innocence Project lawyers decided to test the DNA again; this time results came back just months later.

DNA from under the fingernails on Cheeks left hand matched Leal, a convicted sex offender, and DNA under the fingernails on her right hand and from a bloodstain on her pants matched an unknown man, according to the Innocence Project.

No one had any idea who Leal was since his name did not appear in any of the case files, Semanchik said in a statement. Ultimately, the investigation led back to both (Harris and Leal) committing this murder and leaving Cheeks body on the side of the freeway.

Semanchik presented the findings in May to a Conviction Review Committee that Hestrin established after his 2014 election as district attorney. With the new DNA results, the committee decided to reopen the investigation, and ultimately to recommend Roberts exoneration.

This district attorney has been phenomenal, said Semanchik, who said it is rare for conviction review units to work so well. A district attorney should be after the truth, not convictions.

With the declaration of factual innocence, Roberts arrest records will be destroyed and hell receive $140 from the state for each day he was wrongfully imprisoned, which will amount to about $1 million.

As for the truck  that key piece of evidence that always made the defense lawyers doubt Roberts guilt  Semanchik and his team believe that when she was killed, Cheek was likely borrowing the vehicle, as she often did.

Twitter: @Alex_Riggins

(619) 293-1710

alex.riggins@sduniontribune.comA 28-year-old man was arrested Monday afternoon on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman as she cleaned a business in Little Italy over the weekend.

Officers arrested Christopher Merron on Fenton Parkway near Northside Drive about 1:20 p.m., police said.

He was expected to be booked into jail on suspicion of a slew of charges including assault with intent to commit a sex crime, sexual battery, false imprisonment, burglary, brandishing a deadly weapon, criminal threats and auto theft.

Its unclear what led investigators to Merron.

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The woman was going about her janitorial duties when Merron is suspected of walking into the business on India Street near West Date Street about 4:30 a.m. Sunday, police said.

Merron allegedly pushed the woman into a back room where he brandished a weapon and tried to sexually assault her, police said. The woman managed to fight him off and ran.

Merron is then suspected of stealing the womans tan 1998 GMC Jimmy and speeding away, headed north on India Street.

The SUV and the weapon suspected of being used in the attack were also recovered, police said.

Anyone with information about the attack was asked to call the detectives at (619) 531-2210 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (888) 580-8477.

Twitter: @LAWinkley

(619) 293-1546

lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.comA fire that started in a rooftop storage area of a Mission Beach mixed-use building early Tuesday morning caused $600,000 in damage and left one person hospitalized, fire officials said.

Arson investigators are trying to determine what caused the fire, which was reported shortly after 6:50 a.m. at a building on Ventura Place near Strandway, near Belmont Park.

Firefighters arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the second floor and roof of the building, which has residential units on the top floor and two ground-floor businesses: Dreyers Ice Cream and Kojacks. The two businesses sustained water damage but no fire damage.

San Diego Fire-Rescue spokeswoman Monica Munoz said a second alarm was called shortly after 7 a.m.

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A San Diego firefighter works to knock down flames on the roof of a multistory building in Mission Beach that caught fire early Tuesday. (John Gibbins / San Diego Union-Tribune)

The fire sent up a huge plume of smoke that Battalion Chief Ed Kinnamon saw clearly as he drove in from Bay Park.

A lifeguard who arrived quickly to the fire knocked on doors, helping to wake up residents and get them out of the building.

So did Kristen Amy McElhaney and her boyfriend, Jared Irby. They came upon the building after having their morning coffee and hurriedly knocked on windows and doors to try to alert residents to the fire.

McElhaney, who is visiting San Diego from Mobile, Ala, said they and another man rushed into the burning building and found a man in a second-floor apartment, still in bed.

His cat had woken him up. The cat is named Smoky, she said. He told the cat to go away. Next thing he knew, a bunch of people were inside his apartment.

By time they were leaving, the stairwell up to the roof was engulfed in flames, McElhaney said. After they got outside, they went to wake up people in the next building because it was so close.

Im just really thankful that we were able to help a little bit, she said.

Firefighters initially had difficulty gaining access to the building because a downed power line was touching the buildings external metal staircase. They ended up using ladders to access the fire.

Crews were concerned about climbing up there and getting electrocuted, so for our safety thats why we (used) the ground ladders, Kinnamon said. As you can tell, it was an intense fire.

Two people were injured, including a man found on the second floor by firefighters. Paramedics performed CPR on the man, and he was transported to a trauma hospital. The extent of his injuries was not released. The other injured person elected not to be transported to the hospital, fire officials said.

Firefighters did an aggressive attack, Kinnamon said, and were able to contain the blaze to the single building, which is close to many other structures in the dense beach neighborhood.

They had the fire knocked down in about a half hour and then checked to make sure no fire was still in the buildings plaster walls.

A two-alarm fire damaged a multistory building in Mission Beach and left two people hurt early Tuesday. (John Gibbins / San Diego Union-Tribune)

Munoz said a chaplain was sent to the fire scene to provide emotional support to fire personnel. A structural engineer was requested to assess the condition of the building.

In addition to the ice cream shop, a restaurant on the ground floor of the building may have been damaged, Munoz said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, she said.

Twitter: @karenkucher

(619) 293-1350

karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com

UPDATES:

1:40 p.m.: This story was updated with a revised damage estimate.

11:10 a.m.: This story was updated with additional details on the arson investigation and an estimate of damage caused by the fire.

8:10 a.m.: This story was updated with additional details.

This article was originally published at 7:25 a.m.BANGOR, Maine  A hazardous materials team was called Monday to investigate a suspicious letter sent to the home of Republican Sen. Susan Collins, officials said.

Police and fire vehicles were parked outside her home, and several people in hazmat suits were seen entering the home. Yellow police tape was wrapped around the perimeter of the property.

The senators husband, Thomas Daffron, was at home, but Collins wasnt there at the time.

Shes on her way home, said Collins spokeswoman Annie Clark.

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Critics have vowed Collins will face a tough re-election race in 2020 for voting to confirm Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

It was unclear who sent the letter and why. Bangor Police Sgt. Wade Betters said the public isnt believed to be in any danger.

Contents of the letter were being analyzed by law enforcement officials.President Trump should consider getting off his high horse and focusing on things more important than Stormy Daniels appearance.

The President on Tuesday scraped the bottom of the barrel when he dubbed Daniels, with whom he famously had an alleged tryst in 2006, horseface as he celebrated the fact that her defamation lawsuit against him had been tossed by a judge.

Its not the first time Trump has insulted a womans appearance, but perhaps the leader of the free world has more pressing issues to ponder than coining insulting nicknames.

Daniels defamation lawsuit against the President was tossed by a judge. (Markus Schreiber / AP)

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Storm over Stormy

Hurricane Michael touched down in the Florida Panhandle last Wednesday and has since claimed at least 19 lives in four states.

Officials in Bay County said that every school in the area was damaged and all have been closed until further notice, while hundreds of thousands in the Sunshine State remain without power.

Trump paid a visit down South on Monday and promised farmers at Charlie Stewart Farms in Georgia that his administration was working on it and that the farmers would be fine. He later continued on to Florida, where he boasted that his team is doing more than has probably been ever done as he handed out water bottles.

Saudi Arabia and the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi

Trump has repeatedly echoed Saudi Arabias claim that it had no involvement in the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but it seems the country is ready to change its tune  and Trump should be paying attention.

CNN reported Monday that Saudi officials are set to admit that Khashoggi was killed earlier this month in an interrogation gone wrong that was reportedly approved by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a close ally of Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Earlier Monday, Trump suggested that Khashoggis disappearance was the work of rogue killers.

Gender gap

Instead of trashing women, perhaps Trump should be investing his time into appealing to women  it could be in his favor.

A recent CNN poll revealed a 20-point difference between Trumps job approval among men and women, and as the battle for control of the House of Representatives heats up, female voters could give his party the edge it needs.

Right now, CBS News reports that 53% of women believe Trump and the GOP are working against womens issues  and that women are supporting Democrats by 12 percentage points.

Climate Change

Trump has long held a controversial stance on climate change  he has a well-documented history of denying the existence of global warming, and in 2017, announced hed withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 Paris Agreement.

But if hed take a break from Twitter, perhaps hed have time to read up on what scientists have been saying as of late  like the ominous UN warning that we have just 12 years to curb climate change before we see disastrous effects.

I think somethings happening. Somethings changing and itll change back again, he said on 60 Minutes on Sunday. I dont think its a hoax, I think theres probably a difference. But I dont know that its man-made.

Prince Harrys baby news

Sure, there are plenty of political topics Trump should be focusing on instead of feuding with Daniels, but why not try helping his comment karma?

The President could have used his Twitter account for good with a congratulatory message to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who announced Monday that theyre expecting their first child.The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board recommends yes votes on county ballot Measures A, B, C and D, four good-government proposals.

Measure A makes minor changes in the county charter to bring county election laws in compliance with state and federal law and to formally recognize that the county Fire Authority answers to the countys chief administrative officer.

Measure B tweaks redistricting guidelines to maintain the practice of making sure at least three of the five supervisorial districts include unincorporated areas and two have substantial portions in unincorporated areas. It seems reasonable to ensure that the 500,000-plus county residents who dont live in cities have someone to represent them.

Measure C would amend the county charter to prevent the siphoning of funds set aside for future pension costs for other purposes. Given the nightmares that the city of San Diego has faced because of its history of intentionally underfunding pensions, the case for Measure C is obvious. Elected officials have a long and self-serving history of making expedient decisions on fiscal matters that help them in the short term but arent in the long-term best interests of the public. Putting up obstacles to such decisions is sensible.

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Measure D would change the rules to require the two candidates with the most votes in countywide primary elections to face off in general elections rather than let candidates with a majority of the vote win outright in the primary. This is plainly a partisan effort to help Democrats, who generally have better turnout in November than in June. But we supported the same change in city of San Diego elections in 2016 on the grounds that the election with the highest turnout should be the decisive one.

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & OpinionRe One good reason to vote for Duncan Hunter  (Oct. 16): The three generals who wrote a letter in support of Duncan Hunter are right about one thing. There is a national security risk in the election. Only theyre wrong about who.

The security risk is the incumbent, Hunter.

As a retired naval officer, one of my military jobs was security manager for my ship, managing the security clearances for the crew. Getting indicted on federal charges would be one sure way to have your national security clearance revoked.

Meanwhile, Campa-Najjar has cleared background investigations into his ties and received a national security clearance anyway. His familys been looked into. The FBI decided theres nothing there.

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This isnt a time for Hunter supporters to hold their nose and vote for him anyway. Its a time to wake up and smell the coffee. Sadly, Hunter lost his way. You need not vote for an alleged criminal.

James Seddon

Santee

Re Hunter campaign raises national security issues (Oct. 16): As Duncan Hunter continues to lose ground in the polls his attack ads against Ammar Campa-Najjar are becoming more desperate, claiming that Campa-Najjar would be a national security risk.

As Michael Smolens (Duncan Hunters Red Scare Oct. 14) has pointed out, of the two candidates, only Campa-Najjar, who was thoroughly vetted for security clearance by the FBI when he worked in the White House, would likely qualify for clearance.

Hunter on the other hand has been indicted, accused of stealing $250,000, and will be going to trial soon. So who exactly is the security threat? Hunter, because of his felony indictment would not qualify for a security clearance.

Any decent person would find Hunters xenophobic and racist attacks against Campa-Najjar disgusting. People in the 50th Congressional District hopefully are better than this.

Lidia Chang

Mt. Helix

Boy did you get played. The three generals who issued an alert to voters in indicted Rep. Duncan Hunters district are actually three lobbyists who lobby Hunters House Armed Services Committee. You didnt explain that the three generals are actually three lobbyists until the 10th paragraph.

Politics aside, this is the sloppiest, most misleading journalism Ive seen in quite a while and well below the standards of the Union-Tribune.

Jan Percival

University City

Letters and commentary policy

The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below.

Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook.Featuring a fleet of luxury cars and private boat share, along with a premier downtown location that provides quick access to public transportation, Pacific Gate offers residents the luxury of convenience.

Residents are increasingly drawn to the downtown San Diego neighborhood for its walkability and effortless access to a variety of transit options, said Bemi Jauhal, Bosa Developments vice president of sales and marketing.

The iconic 41-story luxury tower is situated in an ideal urban location, drawing buyers who want stunning views, exceptional interior design and unparalleled amenities and services. (Vittoria Zupicich)

The location, as well as a fleet of luxury cars and a private boat share for trips across the bay, allows Pacific Gate residents to leave their car keys behind.

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Residents of the architecturally iconic 41-story waterfront high-rise from Bosa Development also are close to the San Diego International Airport, Coaster, Amtrak, trolley, and even the ferry to Coronado.

In addition, easy access to North County via the Coaster and Amtrak means that Pacific Gate residents can avoid the freeways and easily reach the North Coastal communities, as well as Orange County and Los Angeles.

According to Jauhal, Pacific Gates ideal urban location has fueled strong interest in the community  illustrating the demand for prime residential living in downtown San Diego, especially among those who seek premier views, exquisite interior design, and unparalleled amenities and services.

To learn more, visit pacificgatebybosa.com or call (619) 795-3612. The Pacific Gate sales gallery and model residences are open daily for viewings from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment. Pacific Gate is located at 888 W. E St. at the corner of Pacific Highway.The devil winds whipped San Diego County Monday, then quickly and mysteriously moved on, sparing the region the sort of hellacious horrors that the Santa Anas often bring in autumn.

Having been told to brace for trouble, San Diegans collectively shrugged, sighed and went about their business.

Most were unaware that the region was the beneficiary of timing and topography.

The National Weather Service had expected that pressure system that produced the winds would slump a little farther south and cause potentially damaging Santa Anas to roar out of the countys canyons. A red flag fire weather warning was issued. And on Sunday night, forecasters reminded the public that the winds could whoosh out of the canyons at the south end of Camp Pendleton on Monday morning, making it hard to drive on nearby Interstate 5.

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The winds did gust to the 30s near the coast, and to the 40s inland. But they were expected to be almost twice as strong  possibly hitting hurricane force at Sill Hill in East County.

But the weather system arrived a little early, a little out of place, and instead sent hot blasts through the north-facing canyons of San Diego, the gusts shot out of the northeast-facing canyons of Orange County, and parts of the Inland Empire.

A eucalyptus tree snapped in Tustin and fell on a vehicle, killing a woman as she was pulling out of her car port.

Those winds could have happened down here, said Mark Moede, a weather service forecaster.

The threat of trouble did, in fact, seem real and imminent on Sunday night. SDG&E decided to temporarily turn off power to about 360 customers in the Palomar Mountain area. The utility was concerned that downed trees could knock out powerlines, sparking a wildfire.

The utility also put out a warning Sunday night, alerting 4,700 customers in the backcountry mountains and foothills that their power may be shut off as a safety measure.

The weather service was equally concerned, issuing a red flag fire weather warning for North and East county, and a wind advisory for the coast. Forecasters told reporters that the Santa Anas could roar out of the canyons in south Camp Pendleton and batter vehicles along Interstate 5.

The warnings were ominous, and a bit hard to swallow.

Only two days earlier  on Friday night  a freakish storm off Baja California rumbled into San Diego County with rain, thunder, lightning and a bit of hail. The rains lasted well into Saturday.

It seemed like the risk of wildfires had been alleviated.

To a degree, that was true. The weak lashing from the winds lifted peoples spirits further.

But as San Diegans were breathing a sigh of relief Monday, Moede offered up words of caution:

This is only one event in the Santa Ana wind season. And our weather is going to be Santa Ana-ish for the rest of the week.

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.Brooklyn, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/15/2018 -- Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Energy Harvesting System for Wireless Sensor Network Sales Market Report 2018 to its huge collection of research reports.



This report studies the global Energy Harvesting System for Wireless Sensor Network market status and forecast, categorizes the global Energy Harvesting System for Wireless Sensor Network market size (value & volume) by key players, type, application, and region. This report focuses on the top players in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia India and Other regions (Middle East & Africa, Central & South America).



This report study the Energy Harvesting System for Wireless Sensor Network. In a typical energy harvesting system, energy is generated from motion, a thermal source, a photoelectric source, or magnetic activity. This energy is then captured, stored, managed, and fed to a sensor for transmission.



Click here to get a FREE sample report in your inbox: https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1850183&type=S



In the coming years there is an increasing demand for energy harvesting system in the regions of North America and Europe that is expected to drive the market for more advanced energy harvesting system. Increasing of automotion fields expenditures, more-intense competition, launches in introducing new products, increasing of spending on general industry, retrofitting and renovation of old technology, increasing adoption of energy harvesting system will drive growth in China markets.



Globally, the energy harvesting system industry market is concentrated as the manufacturing technology of energy harvesting system is relatively higher than some traditional equipment. And some enterprises, like STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments and EnOcean GmbH, etc. are well-known for the wonderful performance of their energy harvesting system and related services. At the same time, Europe, occupied 36.26% production market share in 2017, is remarkable in the global energy harvesting system industry because of their market share and technology status of energy harvesting system.



The consumption volume of energy harvesting system is related to downstream industries and global economy. As there will always be some uncertain in the global economy in the following years, the growth rate of energy harvesting system industry may not keep that fast. But with the growth of the building and home automation application and loT market, the energy harvesting system will be much promising.



The global Energy Harvesting System for Wireless Sensor Network market is valued at 320 million US$ in 2017 and will reach 550 million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of 7.2% during 2018-2025.



The major players covered in this report

STMicroelectronics

Texas Instruments

EnOcean GmbH

Fujitsu Limited

Cypress

ABB Limited

Laird Plc

IXYS Corporation

Microchip Technology

Murata Manufacturing

Powercast

Alta Devices

Adamant Namiki

Lord Microstrain

Cymbet Corporation



Get more information from Table of Content: https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-energy-harvesting-system-for-wireless-sensor-network-sales-market-report-2018.htm/toc



Geographically, this report studies the key regions, focuses on product sales, value, market share and growth opportunity in these regions, covering

United States

Europe

China

Japan

Southeast Asia

India



We can also provide the customized separate regional or country-level reports, for the following regions:

North America

United States

Canada

Mexico

Asia-Pacific

China

India

Japan

South Korea

Australia

Indonesia

Singapore

Rest of Asia-Pacific

Europe

Germany

France

UK

Italy

Spain

Russia

Rest of Europe

Central & South America

Brazil

Argentina

Rest of South America

Middle East & Africa

Saudi Arabia

Turkey

Rest of Middle East & Africa



On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into

Light Energy Harvesting

Vibration Energy Harvesting

Thermal Energy Harvesting

Others



On the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate for each application, including

Building and Home Automation

Consumer Electronics

Industrial

Security System

Others



Read Detailed Research Study at: https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-energy-harvesting-system-for-wireless-sensor-network-sales-market-report-2018.htm



The study objectives of this report are:

To analyze and study the global Energy Harvesting System for Wireless Sensor Network sales, value, status (2013-2017) and forecast (2018-2025);

To analyze the top players in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, to study the sales, value and market share of top players in these regions.

Focuses on the key Energy Harvesting System for Wireless Sensor Network players, to study the sales, value, market share and development plans in future.

Focuses on the global key manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis.

To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region.

To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.

To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth.

To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments.

To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the market

To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market

To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.



In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Energy Harvesting System for Wireless Sensor Network are as follows:

History Year: 2013-2017

Base Year: 2017

Estimated Year: 2018

Forecast Year 2018 to 2025



For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2017 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.



Key Stakeholders

Energy Harvesting System for Wireless Sensor Network Manufacturers

Energy Harvesting System for Wireless Sensor Network Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers

Energy Harvesting System for Wireless Sensor Network Subcomponent Manufacturers

Industry Association

Downstream Vendor mailto:sales@qyresearchreports.com s



About QYResearchReports.com

QYResearchReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYResearchReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.



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Blog: https://reportanalysis.blogspot.inPhoenix, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/16/2018 -- The rise in African American travel over the past 6 years due to increased education and income led to the creation of travel companies, such as Travel Noire, NoMadness and Tastemakers Africa. "Although international travel for African Americans is rising, there still seems to be a gap left in the market," Paris Taylor, I.C.E Many travelers have already benefited from the development of the black travel movement. "When you speak to the tourism boards on the African continent, they will tell you that their market is middle aged, retired Europeans, so the industry is built around them," Cherae Robinson, Tastemakers Africa. "They are looking for Safari." We've tapped into a wave of African Americans wanting to see different representations of themselves, and people from elsewhere who want authentic experiences. The Real South Africa agrees with Cherae Robinson, that African American travelers are looking for more authentic experiences. People are curious  the company's emergence is the link between being curious and going there and experiencing it yourself.



The Real South Africa offers curated experiences for the traveler who seeks to know who they are traveling with prior to landing on the continent.



With authenticity, The Real South Africa, designed a luxury tour that offers itineraries that brings things African Americans care about most to their experiences. In doing so, The Real South Africa combines everyday travel with attention to detail, so travelers can enjoy the experience without compromising.



As Black Travel social networks and travel agencies grow their engagement, commercial partners are beginning to emerge. The Real South Africa has partnered with Trip Advisor, South African Tourism and is a member of the Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa.



The Real South Africa, is a luxury travel brand and has tour dates for November 2018-2019. All official dates are listed on their website. http://www.therealsouthafrica.com



About The Real South Africa

The Real South Africa is US based travel company that is owned and operated by husband and wife entrepreneurs, Mark and Dr. LaTasha Blanton. Mark is an avid international traveler due to his prior careers in the U.S Army and United States Secret Service. The Blanton's have conducted trips to South Africa in small groups previously and decided to expand to a greater audience since the selling of their primary business in early 2018. Their focus is to deliver authentic intimate experiences that are full of luxury, culture and couture. Listen to them weekdays on the Voice America Variety Channel at 6am PST/ 9 am EST on Everyday NEWS with the Blantons.'



Contact Information:

The Real South Africa

www.therealsouthafrica.com

Mark Blanton and LaTasha R. Blanton

info@therealsouthafrica.com

844-925-2632

Twitter: @RSouth_Africa

Facebook: The Real South AfricaUK Minister for Maritime Nusrat Ghani opened the first meeting of the Clean Maritime Council, which comprises clean maritime experts, with an aim to develop a Clean Maritime Plan for the country.

The plan will include a strategy to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from shipping and improve the air quality around ports, waterways and sea lanes. The plan will be published next year.

Sign up for the seminar - Can going green save the green? - at Seatrade Maritime Middle East

Minister Ghani said: The UK maritime industry has a vital role in improving air quality on and around water, and Council members will be looking at innovative and practical ways to reduce emissions from the sector.

The Clean Maritime Plan will bring new opportunities for Britains businesses to design, develop and sell green solutions to this global challenge.

Read more: Revolution needed in marine propulsion to meet IMO's 50% greenhouse gas reduction target

The Department for Transport highlighted a number of initiatives already underway including hybrid ferries using battery power between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight and in Scotland, cold ironing shoreside power facilities at Portsmouth (MOD), Fraserburgh and Brodick, and Innovate UK is funding for a project in Orkney to directly inject hydrogen into the fuel supply of a ferry.

Baroness Bryony Worthington, Executive Director of Environmental Defense Fund Europe, said: The UK has always been a proud maritime nation and with the launch of the Clean Maritime Council, has signaled its intention to lead the way in services, technology, fuels and research into zero emissions shipping. Environmental Defense Fund Europe are proud to be part of the Council and will work with the government to ensure the UK becomes synonymous with leadership in sustainable, future-proof shipping.

The UK is not the first country to aim for zero emissions from shipping, Norway has stated a similar aim and has been leader in developing clean maritime technology such as battery powered ferries.

Read more: Norway seeking zero emissions from shippingNew Zealand is heading into a gas supply gap and will need a new discovery to arrest the production decline it is on now, MPs heard yesterday.

The country has just seven years firm supply, and production is forecast to start falling away from 2021, according to Patrick Teagle, a New Zealand-based executive for Austrian oil and gas company OMV. Teagle was talking to Parliaments environment select committee.

The company, soon to take over operatorship of the Maui and Pohokura gas fields, will work to mitigate the decline in production from those fields as a priority, he said. But that will only slow the decline.

What the country needs is a new discovery, just when the governments proposed ban on new offshore exploration is discouraging the potential partners that OMV and other firms will need if they are to explore offshore, he said.

It needs to be understood that demand will outstrip supply and we are heading towards a gas supply gap in New Zealand, Teagle said.

We have real concerns about our ability to maintain security of supply over the next decade.

The committee is hearing submissions on legislation the government is pushing through to effect the ban on new offshore exploration it announced in April. The ban, intended to allow a managed transition away from fossil fuels as part of the countrys 2050 targets, also bars onshore exploration outside Taranaki but keeps intact all rights to develop discoveries made in existing permits.

The clash of viewpoints among the 12 submitters was stark. Government MPs didnt appreciate being told the ban would increase emissions rather than reduce them, that the ban had already halted some investment, and that reduced domestic gas supplies would increase electricity costs for all consumers and sacrifice opportunities to reduce coal use and replace higher-emitting imports  like fertiliser  with lower-emission local production.

Supporters of the bill tended to want tougher action, with several seeking the immediate revocation of existing permits. They focused on the scale of global hydrocarbon reserves that cant be burned in order to limit global warming, while largely ignoring domestic energy security and non-transport uses of oil and gas as industrial feed stocks.

The oil and gas sector was to blame for climate change  which governments had denied for too long - and for creating the societal structures that made individuals so reliant on their products for transport.

Their time is finally up, Low Carbon Kapiti chair Jake Roos told the committee.

Adding to the pile of fossil fuels we plan to set on fire is madness.

Committee chair Deborah Russell asked New Zealand Oil & Gas executives how they could claim to have been caught by surprise by a change that was always coming for the sector.

The Labour-led government has leaned heavily on its claims that the 100,000 square kilometres of existing exploration acreage is sufficient to ensure on-going gas supplies during a managed, 30-plus-year transition.

Official advice issued last month estimated the potential loss of Crown revenue at $1.2 billion to $23.5 billion out to 2050, and warned of a potential increase in global emissions if locally-made petrochemical production was replaced with product made offshore.

John Carnegie, responsible for climate change policy at BusinessNZ, told the committee the proposed legislation is bad law based on scant evidence. The impacts of the ban include higher emissions, increased energy costs, reduced competitiveness for New Zealand firms, and worsening balance of payments.

Those are far wider than just the oil and gas sector per se.

In a testy exchange with Labour MP Kiri Allan, he said the impact of the ban had been immediate. He cited the decision of Ballance Agri-Nutrients not to proceed with an expansion at its Kapuni plant due to the lack of certainty over long-term gas supplies.

Its not a 30-year transition, he said.

We are now in that transition.

OMVs Teagle told the committee the governments transition timeframe appeared to be based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the exploration process.

Firms target the most attractive potential prospects. Acreage that does not show promise in early drilling  typically at the end of the first five years, or early in the second five years  will most likely be surrendered.

In the current environment the chances of further exploration drilling in those permit areas is very, very low, he said.

New Zealand Shipping Federation executive director Annabel Young silenced the committee with a detailed explanation of the challenge ship owners will face if they cant access locally-made methanol  made from gas - to meet new international fuel pollution standards.

News that Methanex may start cutting production as soon as 2026 due to the tightening gas market had been a shock, she said. Refining NZ, operator of the Marsden Point oil refinery, is still not clear on whether it will be viable for it to make the ultra-low sulphur marine fuels the sector will need otherwise, she said.

Paul Goodeve, chief executive of pipeline operator First Gas, said the shipping issue illustrated the complexity of climate change policy and the risks of unintended consequences.

He said the gas sector has an important role to play in lowering emissions in New Zealand and longer-term, while options like hydrogen  either as a stand-alone fuel or blended with natural gas - are developed. Access to fast-start thermal back-up is also essential in a renewable generation sector increasingly reliant on solar and wind.

Goodeve said the ad hoc exploration ban  in an otherwise sensible policy framework  risks distracting from or slowing the major near-term opportunity to reduce emissions by electrifying transport, he said.

Trying to shut down gas, coal and fuel oil at the same time risks "sinking" the country under the cost of the new generation, distribution and transmission that would be required.

Forest & Bird climate advocate Adelia Hallett told the committee the strategy of using gas to replace higher emitting fuels may have worked 30 years ago. Inaction during that time means the world now needs to make significant reductions in the next 10 to 14 years.

The cuts we need to make now are harder and faster.

NZOG managing director Andrew Jefferies said the debate wasnt about climate change, but over which are the best tools to address it.

Another billion people joining the world population need low-emission energy. New Zealand can help meet that directly with exports of gas or methanol, or by using gas locally to replace imports of fertiliser and other products made from higher-emission sources and then shipped here, adding further emissions.

If countries like New Zealand stop exploring for gas, higher emitting hydrocarbons like Canadian tar sand or Venezuelan bitumen, will continue to be extracted, he said.

If you vote against gas you are voting for coal and bitumen and tar sands, NZOG external relations manager John Pagani told the committee.

The hearings are scheduled to continue for the rest of the week.

(BusinessDesk)

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First NZ Capital expects to see weaker earnings at Michael Hill International but says there is still potential for the share price to rise.

Michael Hill yesterday reported an 8.8 percent slide in September sales to A$112.2 million and said its transition away from discount pricing was harder than anticipated. The shares sank 24 percent to 74 cents on the NZX yesterday, and recovered 2 cents in early trading today at 76 cents.

FNZC expects Michael Hill to generate a net profit of A$29.3 million in the year ending June 30, down from a previous forecast of A$36.3 million. Analyst Andrew Steele said the first quarter is typically a trough period for the retailer, and he reduced his revenue forecast by 5.8 percent to A$557.6 million.

Steele also cut his target price for the stock to $1.01 from a previous target of $1.35 due to the lower earnings forecast. Given yesterday's slump in the share price, he retained an 'outperform' rating, although he doesn't anticipate the market will regain its confidence in the stock in the near term.

"This poor sales result was driven by the companys shift away from reliance on discount-based pricing; however, this change was made without sufficient levels of marketing and promotional activities to drive top-line sales," Steele said in a note to clients. "We would caution against extrapolating out one weak, low-profit quarter across the full year."

Michael Hill is overhauling its business after giving up on a decade-long attempt to crack the US market and winding up its Emma & Roe sub-brand. That cost the retailer A$25.5 million in one-off costs writing down the value of the assets and paying fees to exit leases. It now plans to invest additional capital in its Australian business, which accounts for more than half its sales.

Former chief executive Phil Taylor stepped down from the role after two years in the top job due to health concerns. The long-serving executive will stay on as a consultant for the next six months to help ease his replacement into the job. Retail veteran Daniel Bracken - previously the head of Specialty Fashion Group - took over the reins yesterday.

Michael Hill shareholder Kingfish today said Taylor's tenure was short and difficult, encompassing a period of change for the retailer. Kingfish is a listed investment entity managed by Fisher Funds. Its shares fell 0.7 percent to $1.36.

"Brackens superior expertise as a retailer will be welcome in improving performance in the slimmed-down core business, although we are wary of expecting too much too quickly," Fisher Funds senior portfolio manager Sam Dickie said in its latest monthly update.

(BusinessDesk)

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New Zealand Steel has paid a 17 percent premium for a blocking stake in distributor Steel & Tube Holdings, the latest move in an ongoing tussle for the Lower Hutt-based steel products supplier.

NZ Steel, a unit of BlueScope Steel and operator of the Glenbrook steel mill, has agreed to pay $45.98 million  or $1.75 each - for 26.3 million shares in the Steel & Tube. The purchase of almost 16 percent of the company from three funds managed by Milford Asset Management was agreed yesterday and is expected to settle on Friday.

Steel & Tube shares jumped 7.4 percent to $1.60.

NZ Steel, which acquired Fletchers Pacific steel and rolling mill in 2014, is a major supplier of long products, reinforcing, and coloured roofing. Its brands include Colorsteel, Axxis and Zincalume.

Parent company BlueScope today said it has no intention of taking over Steel & Tube.

NZ Steel is paying a small premium to the $1.70 Fletcher Building offered for the business in early September as part of its plan to deepen its steel distribution activities and widen its product range.

Milford had been a backer of Fletcher's bid, which Steel & Tube rebuffed. Fletcher improved its offer to $1.90, and left scope for a 5 cent special dividend, but withdrew that on Monday after the Steel & Tube board again rejected it pending commissioning of an independent appraisal.

NZ Steel reported an 11 percent increase in sales to A$833.6 million in the year ended June 30. Earnings before interest and tax rose 28 percent to A$111.7 million on stronger domestic and export prices and about A$40 million of cost savings.

(BusinessDesk)

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Dissident National Party MP Jami-Lee Ross will resign from Parliament on Friday, triggering a by-election in the safe National electorate seat of Botany in east Auckland.

In an extensive statement to reporters at Parliament, Ross also accused party leader Simon Bridges of corruption in the way he'd handled the offer of a $100,000 donation to the National Party by an unnamed Chinese businessman in May this year. He vowed to lay a complaint with the police tomorrow and would release a secret recording of a conversation which he claimed would prove Bridges had planned to subvert provisions of the Electoral Act.

Ross continued to deny leaking Bridges' travel expenses after an investigation by audit firm PwC and John Billington QC. Billington's report, published yesterday, found Ross was the most likely person to have leaked the details of the costs Bridges racked up on a nationwide tour earlier this year after he took the leadership following Bill English's resignation.

Ross also revealed that Bridges and deputy leader Paula Bennett had sought to sack him, claiming they had received reports from four women that he had sexually harassed them.

Ross denied those claims and likened his situation to that of newly appointed US Supreme Court judge Brett Kavanaugh, who was facing Senate confirmation hearings where claims of sexual attacks were being heard at the same time as Bridges came to Ross with the harassment allegations.

He said he intends to stand as an independent candidate in Botany, a seat he has held since he replaced Pansy Wong in a by-election in 2011.

His statement came ahead of a National Party caucus meeting at which Ross faced censure and possible ejection from the party. That could have made him the first MP to be caught under the recently passed 'waka-jumping' legislation to prevent MPs leaving their political party and staying in Parliament.

The by-election has no impact on the balance of government. In the unlikely event that someone other than Ross or the National Party's candidate were to win the by-election, it could increase the government's majority.

Ross said it was true that he had suffered a "medical emergency" at the time Bridges stripped him of his portfolios and put him on medical leave as part of what Ross described a "dramatic falling-out" with Bridges.

"A doctor has said I'm fit to make decisions and to speak publicly," Ross said.

He said the recording he had of a conversation with Bridges would show that he had been enthusiastic about a $100,000 donation from a Chinese businessman and that he wanted the donation split into amounts that would limit its public disclosure.

"I can no longer serve in a political party led by a corrupt politician," Ross said.

(BusinessDesk)

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Women's rights activist Vani Subramanian told the media she is not surprised by Akbar moving court as "such people tend to react in this way when their power and entitlement is challenged".

: Some women activists termed as not surprising Akbar's decision to move court against journalist Priya Ramani, saying he was "not the first man to not accept his mistakes" and won't be the last.

"He is not the first man to not accept his mistake and unfortunately he wouldn't be the last man to not admit his mistakes," she said.

Kavita Krishnan, the secretary of All India Progressive Women's Association, said Akbar retaining his position as a Union minister is a "slap" on the face of all women not only by him but also by the government.

"Akbar remaining a minister and intimidating victims with defamation cases is a slap on the face of all women - not by Akbar alone but by the Modi government too. This is Modi's version of (US President Donald) Trump's move to confirm Michael Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court, mocking women who accused him of assault," she said.

Ranjana Kumari, the director of the Centre for Social Research, said that as an individual, Akbar has every right to move court but the case is not between him and a journalist but "14 other media persons" have accused him.

"He is in a position of power and he can influence people," Kumari alleged.US alarmed by China's 'predatory' practices: Mattis



Hanoi, Oct 16 (AFP) Oct 16, 2018



The United States is alarmed by China's increasingly muscular military presence and "predatory economic practices" towards smaller countries in Asia, defence chief James Mattis has said on his way to the region.

Speaking as he flew out for a diplomatic tour that will take him to Vietnam and Singapore, the US Defense Secretary said Washington was not trying to hold back its Pacific rival.

"Obviously, we're not out to contain China," he told reporters. "We'd have taken an altogether different stance had that been considered."

"We're two large powers, or two Pacific powers, two economic powers. There's going to be times we step on each other's toes, so we're going to have to find a way to productively manage our relationship," he said.

But he highlighted key sticking points with Beijing, remarking that the same issues have also rattled some of China's neighbours.

"We remain highly concerned with continued militarisation of features in the South China Sea," Mattis said on a flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the former capital of the US-backed southern regime.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea -- building a growing roster of military installations on reefs and artificial islands there -- even though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of strategic waterway.

Washington regularly conducts freedom of navigation exercises in the sea and earlier this month US defence officials said a Chinese warship sailed within yards of an American destroyer forcing it to change course.

Mattis also singled out what he described as "predatory economic behaviour" by Beijing "where massive debt is piled on countries that fiscal analysis would say they are going to have difficulty, at best, repaying in the smaller countries".



- Escalating tensions -



Sri Lanka famously gave Beijing a 99-year lease to a deep sea port after it was unable to pay back Chinese loans for the $1.4 billion project.

Mattis's visit comes amid escalating tensions between the two superpowers over trade, Beijing's growing military might and allegations by the US that China is interfering in the American electoral process.

His visit to China scheduled for later this month was cancelled because of those tensions.

Trump has levied billions of dollars in tariffs on Chinese imports as he presses Beijing to change restrictive trade practices that he says unfairly hurt American businesses, prompting fears of a shock to the global trade system.

Vietnam is eager to bolster military ties with the United States amid its ongoing dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea, which Hanoi says it has historic rights to.

In March Vietnam hosted a US aircraft carrier in Danang in what analysts said was a clear show of strength and a veiled message to Beijing.

This is Mattis's second trip to Vietnam this year after a visit to Hanoi in January, and the defence chief is slated to go to a former US air base as part of a dioxin remediation program.System error

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New York, Oct 16 (AFP) Oct 16, 2018



Uber is eyeing a valuation above $100 billion for its much-anticipated share offering due in 2019, which would be the biggest-ever in the tech sector, sources familiar with the plan said Tuesday.

The sources told AFP the global ridesharing giant is considering speeding up its plans for an initial public offering (IPO) to the first half of 2019, rather than the second half of the year.

Uber, which operates in over 60 countries, is already the largest of the venture-backed "unicorns" valued at more than $1 billion, which until recently was considered rare without tapping stock markets.

Its most recent investment -- a $500 million injection from Japanese auto giant Toyota -- was made at a reported valuation of $72 billion.

Earlier Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that bankers were proposing a valuation as high as $120 billion for Uber, which has been a disruptive force in many cities where regulators and taxi operators have challenged its business model.

Uber offered no comment on the IPO plans.

Sources told AFP the timing of the IPO will depend on market conditions and that Uber was in talks with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to be lead underwriters. The two firms declined comment.

Uber is due to make a market debut by the end of 2019 as part of an investment deal with Japan's SoftBank, which has a stake of some 15 percent.



- Heated race -



The ridesharing group last year hired a new chief executive, Dara Khosrowshahi, who has vowed to fix the company's work culture and business practices after a series of missteps and scandals over executive misconduct, a toxic work atmosphere and potentially unethical competitive practices.

Under Khosrowshahi, Uber has moved to boost transparency and become more accountable. Last month, it settle an investigation into a 2016 data breach with a payment of $148 million, and earlier this year reached a settled with former Google car unit Waymo over allegedly stolen trade secrets.

Uber reported a loss of $891 million in the second quarter as revenues jumped 63 percent to $2.8 billion, with bookings hitting $12 billion.

As it expands its ridesharing services, Uber is also seeking to become a major player in autonomous cars, and has agreed to buy and adapt vehicles from Volvo to begin operating self-driving taxis.

Uber briefly suspended tests of self-driving cars in March following a fatal accident in Arizona. It resumed testing in Pennsylvania in July, but with a driver behind the wheel at all times, the company said.

If its valuation tops $100 billion, Uber would be worth more than the combined value of the three big automakers General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Separately, Uber rival Lyft had selected JPMorgan Chase as the lead underwriter, a source told AFP.

The Wall Street Journal first reported JPMorgan had been chosen along with Credit Suisse and Jefferies Group for its IPO next year, which could value the company at some $15 billion.

The two San Francisco firms have been in a heated race in the US market. Lyft has discussed international plans but so far has expanded only to a handful of cities in Canada.US defence chief Mattis says Trump is '100 percent' with him



Ho Chi Minh City, Oct 16 (AFP) Oct 16, 2018



US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said President Donald Trump has assured him of his full support, one day after Trump appeared to cast doubt over the Pentagon chief's fate.

Speaking to reporters as he flew from Washington to Ho Chi Minh City at the start of a week-long Asia trip, Mattis said he had spoken directly to Trump by phone late Monday morning, Washington time.

"He said, 'I'm 100 percent with you'," Mattis said.

His remark comes after US broadcaster CBS on Sunday aired an interview with Trump, in which he suggested Mattis may be headed out the Pentagon door.

"It could be that he is. I think he's sort of a Democrat, if you want to know the truth," Trump said.

"But General Mattis is a good guy. We get along very well. He may leave. I mean, at some point, everybody leaves."

Earlier on in the 20-hour flight to Vietnam -- before he'd spoken to Trump -- Mattis was asked what he'd made of Trump's comments.

"Nothing at all," Mattis said.

"I'm on his team. We have never talked about me leaving. And as you can see right here, we are on our way, we just continue doing our job... no problem."

He added that he had never registered with any political party, and that those in the military are "proudly apolitical".



- Cabinet reshuffle -



Mattis's fate has been the subject of intense speculation for months.

It reached fever pitch in September, when veteran journalist Bob Woodward published a book giving an inside glimpse into a chaotic White House and said Mattis had questioned Trump's judgment, likening his understanding to that of a 10- or 11-year-old child.

Mattis, a buttoned-up former Marine Corps general, is loathe to discuss politics or his relationship with Trump, and the president is widely reported to bristle at unfavourable comparisons to Mattis, who has broad bipartisan support.

The Woodward book details a number of times Mattis or Trump officials are said to have slow-walked orders from the president, such as in the aftermath of Trump's tweets last year that said all transgender personnel would be banned from the military.

Trump is looking to reshape his cabinet after the mid-term elections, which will determine whether the Democrats can regain some degree of power after a total and humiliating defeat in 2016.

The president has already cast off many of his original top-level picks, including former secretary of state Rex Tillerson and Lieutenant General HR McMaster, who had been national security advisor.

Last week, his ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, announced her resignation, effective at the end of the year.

She gave no reason for the surprise move, but observers have noted that the ascension of John Bolton as national security adviser and Mike Pompeo as secretary of state have shifted the power dynamics on Trump's national security team.

The many ways the scholarly Mattis's worldview contrasts with that of his boss is an evergreen subject of stories in Washington, a fact that rankles the Pentagon chief, who says he despises being portrayed as an "adult" compared to Trump.

wat/jv/jtaUS defence chief Mattis says Trump is '100 percent' with him



Ho Chi Minh City, Oct 16 (AFP) Oct 16, 2018



US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said President Donald Trump has assured him of his full support, one day after Trump appeared to cast doubt over the Pentagon chief's fate.

Speaking to reporters as he flew from Washington to Ho Chi Minh City at the start of a diplomatic tour that will take him to Vietnam and Singapore, Mattis said he had spoken directly to Trump by phone late Monday morning Washington time.

"He said, 'I'm 100 percent with you'," Mattis said.

His remark comes after US broadcaster CBS on Sunday aired an interview with Trump, in which he suggested Mattis may be headed out the Pentagon door.

"It could be that he is. I think he's sort of a Democrat, if you want to know the truth," Trump said.

"But General Mattis is a good guy. We get along very well. He may leave. I mean, at some point, everybody leaves."

Earlier on in the 20-hour flight to Vietnam -- before he'd spoken to Trump, who himself was flying on Air Force One to Florida -- Mattis was asked what he'd made of Trump's comments.

"Nothing at all," Mattis said.

"I'm on his team. We have never talked about me leaving. And as you can see right here, we are on our way, we just continue doing our job... no problem."

He added that he had never registered with any political party, and that those in the military are "proudly apolitical".



- Cabinet reshuffle -



Mattis's fate has been the subject of intense speculation for months.

It reached fever pitch in September, when veteran journalist Bob Woodward published a book giving an inside glimpse into a chaotic White House and said Mattis had questioned Trump's judgment, likening his understanding to that of a 10- or 11-year-old child.

Mattis, a buttoned-up former Marine Corps general, is loath to discuss politics or his relationship with Trump, and the president is widely reported to bristle at unfavourable comparisons to Mattis, who has broad bipartisan support.

The Woodward book details a number of times Mattis or Trump officials are said to have slow-walked orders from the president, such as in the aftermath of Trump's tweets last year that said all transgender personnel would be banned from the military.

Trump is looking to reshape his cabinet after the mid-term elections, which will determine whether the Democrats can regain some degree of power after a total and humiliating defeat in 2016.

The president has already cast off many of his original top-level picks, including former secretary of state Rex Tillerson and Lieutenant General HR McMaster, who had been national security advisor.

Last week, his ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, announced her resignation, effective at the end of the year.



- China strains -



Speculation of Mattis's future in the Trump administration loomed over his arrival Tuesday in Ho Chi Minh City for a week-long trip likely to be dominated by escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing over a roster of issues.

En route to Vietnam, Mattis blasted China's increasingly muscular military presence in the South China Sea and "predatory economic practices" towards smaller countries in Asia.

But after weeks of worsening military-to-military strains with China as a trade war with the US slogs on, Mattis said Washington was not trying to hold back its Pacific rival.

"Obviously, we're not out to contain China," he told reporters. "We'd have taken an altogether different stance had that been considered."

The defence chief's Asia trip initially included a leg in Beijing, but that fell through after China declined to make Mattis's counterpart available for him to meet.

Mattis's trip to Vietnam is his second to the country after his visit to Hanoi in January.

Such visits by US defense secretaries have until now been exceedingly rare, and Mattis's presence strongly signals the importance Washington sees in further enhancing ties with a former foe amid rising tensions with China.

wat/jv/gleAt least 11 Iran troops seized on Pakistan border



Tehran, Oct 16 (AFP) Oct 16, 2018



At least 11 Iranian security personnel, including Revolutionary Guards intelligence officers, were abducted on the southeastern border with Pakistan on Tuesday, state media reported.

The Guards blamed "terrorist groups that are guided and supported by foreign forces" for the abductions and demanded action from Pakistan.

State news agency IRNA said 14 troops were seized, while local media and other sources gave the number as 11.

The force was "abducted between 4 am and 5 am in the Lulakdan area of the border by a terrorist group", IRNA said.

Lulakdan is a village 150 kilometres (90 miles) southeast of Zahedan, capital of Sistan-Baluchistan province which has seen a long-running separatist insurgency.

The abduction was carried out by "infiltrators linked to anti-revolutionary groups", the Guards said in a statement on their website.

They said operations were underway to find those responsible and called on Pakistan "to stamp out terrorists that are stationed near the border" and help recover the captive Iranians.

The unit was involved in "a security operation" and included two members of the elite Revolutionary Guards intelligence unit and seven Basij militiamen as well as regular border guards, said the Young Journalists' Club (YJC), a state-owned news website, in an article that was later deleted.

Pakistani security officials told AFP they had been informed of the abduction by Iran.

"We are in contact with local tribal people and are looking into it so that we can take timely action for their recovery," said a senior security official based in Quetta.

Sistan-Baluchistan has long been a flashpoint, with Pakistan-based Baluchi separatists and jihadists carrying out regular cross-border raids against Iranian security posts.

On September 28, the Guards said they had killed four militants who had slipped across the border.

The province has a large, mainly Sunni Muslim ethnic Baluchi community which straddles the border.

Sunni extremist group Jundallah (Soldiers of God) launched a bloody insurgency in the province in 2000 targeting the security forces and officials of Iran's Shiite-dominated government.

The campaign peaked with a spate of deadly attacks from 2007 -- including twin suicide bombings of a Shiite mosque that killed 28 people -- but abated after the group's leader was killed in mid-2010.

In 2012, Jundallah members formed a successor organisation called Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice), which has carried out a spate of attacks on the security forces.

Iran has alleged that the group has received support from the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia, with the complicity of Pakistan.Dozens dead in Niger/Nigeria crackdown on criminal gangs



Niamey, Oct 16 (AFP) Oct 16, 2018



At least 30 "bandits" have been killed during a crackdown by the armies of Niger and Nigeria in their troubled frontier where kidnappings and cattle rustling are rife, Niger's interior minister said Tuesday.

Criminal gangs had been operating in a "sanctuary" of dense forest between the Maradi area of southern Niger and the Nigerian border, Bazoum Mohamed said.

A three-week operation by the two armies meant authorities were now "fully in control" of the region.

"No fewer than 30 bandits were killed, a dozen taken prisoner and twelve of their bases have been dismantled," he said on local television, adding that the bases were in Nigeria.

He said the groups kidnapped for ransom, robbed traders and stole cattle "on a large scale" to drive into Nigeria.

"The situation had worsened to the point" where the leaders of both countries had agreed to the security crackdown, Bazoum Mohamed said.

"We are in the midst of clean-up operations," he said.

In August, Niamey had announced it was sending security reinforcements to the Maradi area on the southern-central part of the border, which abuts the northwestern Nigerian state of Zamfara.Islamic State Ahvaz 'mastermind' killed in Iraq says Tehran



Tehran, Oct 16 (AFP) Oct 16, 2018



An Islamic State mastermind, named as Abu Zahi and linked to a deadly attack last month in southern Iran, was killed along with "four other terrorists" in Iraq Tuesday, the elite Revolutionary Guards said in a statement.

The five were killed "during a reconnaissance and surprise operation by forces of the resistance this morning in Iraq's Diyalah province," northeast of Baghdad, the statement said.

The "resistance" is a term used for militias operating in Iraq and Syria with Tehran's support, and trained by the Revolutionary Guards.

Abu Zahi was "the mastermind of the recent terrorist crime in Ahvaz," the statement added.

The attack on a military parade in the mainly ethnic Arab city of Ahvaz in southwestern Iran left 24 people dead last month.

Claims of responsibility for that attack were posted by both the jihadists of the Islamic State group and by a separatist group calling itself Ahvaz National Resistance.

On October 1, Iran said it had struck jihadists in Syria with ballistic missiles and combat drones in retaliation for the September attack.Anti-Democratic Tendencies Germany Considers Monitoring Right-Wing AfD

Germany's domestic intelligence agency is wary of officially monitoring the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany party. But there is plenty of cause for concern. Extremist ideas are present at all levels within the AfD. By DER SPIEGEL StaffNew York, Oct 16, 2018 (SPS) - The Permanent Representative of the Republic of Costa Rica to the United Nations, Ambassador Rodrigo Alberto, affirmed the support of his country to the United Nations efforts to find a just and lasting political solution to the conflict in Western Sahara.

In his intervention during the deliberations of the Fourth Committee on Decolonization at the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Costa Rican Ambassador expressed his support for the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, and his Personal Envoy, Mr. Horst Koehler, to reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which guarantees the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination in accordance with the principles of international humanitarian law.

Several States such as Uruguay, Guatemala, Ecuador and the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States expressed their unanimous support for the efforts of the United Nations to find a just and political solution to the conflict that will guarantee the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and independence. SPS

125/090/TRANew York, Oct 16, 2018 (SPS)  the first secretary of mission of the Republic of Botswana to the United Nation, Ms. Lorato L Motsumi has reaffirmed Botswana's unwavering support for the aspirations of peoples under colonial rule to exercise their right to self-determination, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and its relevant resolutions.

I take the floor today to speak on matters related to the issue of decolonization. In this connection, I reaffirm Botswana's unwavering support for the aspirations of peoples under colonial rule to exercise their right to self-determination, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and its relevant resolutions. Lorato L Motsumi says in her intervention at the deliberations of the Fourth Committee during the 73rd Session of the General Assembly.

The Botswana diplomat has expressed her country support to the people of Western in their quest for self- determination and independence, noting with deep concern the continued stalemate in the resolution of the question of Western Sahara as well as reports of human rights abuses in the occupied territories and the continued illegal exploitation of their natural resources.

She has welcomeed the renewed efforts by the African Union and the United Nations led by the Secretary General's Personal Envoy to Western Sahara, Horst Kohler, to resume negotiations between the Frente POLISARIO and the Kingdom of Morocco, calling for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that fulfills the will of the people of Western Sahara

She went on saying that the Sahrawi people have the right to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination through a referendum wherein the Sahrawi could freely choose their future. In this context, urging the international community to continue to support such efforts without preconditions, with a view to create a conducive living environment for the Sahrawi People.

It is our long-held view that as long as there are people living under colonial and foreign occupation and domination, there will be no peace, development, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. With that in mind, we implore the United Nations to fulfill its responsibility and expedite the process of decolonization towards the complete eradication of colonialism. Lorato L Motsumi stresses in her address SPS

125/090Wet weather and high winds failed to dampen spirits at another highly successful fixture at the UKs leading dog sale venue, when Scottish buyers in particular were out in force.

The 7,000gns sale fell to County Antrims Daniel McAllister, from Cargan, a village at the foot of Slievenanee in Glenravel  locally known as The Tenth Glen  with his 13-month-old slate and white dog, Torr, acquired last October from Scottish breeder Alan Frame, who farms near Mid Quarter, Hamilton.

Twelve months later, Mr Frame, accompanied by close friend Ian Fleming, who farms near Lanark, travelled down from Lanarkshire purposely to watch Torr put in a sparking performance in extremely tricky conditions on the trials field - and it was Mr Fleming, who farms near Lanark, who was the successful bidder. He actually ran Torrs mother, Jill, at last years winter nursery trials, being placed on two occasions.

By Tweedale Buzz, from another well-known Scottish breeder Dean Aitken, of Lockerbie, bidding for the top price performer first opened at 3,500gns and he went on to sell for exactly double that price when returning to Scotland with Mr Fleming, who will not only put him to work on his flock of 3,000 Scottish Blackface sheep, but will also use Torr as a trials dog. He has another litter brother at home.

While Mr McAliister sold another dog at Skipton for 4,600gns in May this year, this was by far the highest price ever achieved by the Irish handler, who only keeps a few sheep at home and describes himself as a hobby trialist, though he has several Intermediate and other wins under his belt.

Next best at 4,600gns was a 16-month-old black and white bitch, Glan y Gors Erin, from Brian White and Aoife Smith, a young Irish couple from Naul in North County Dublin, who have a spectacular sales record at Skipton of late, having gained some extremely high prices with several of their first-rate charges, including one at 9,200gns last year.

Erin was bought privately at 11-weeks-old from her North Wales breeder Ian Carroll. She is out of his quality bitch, Nell, and by the legendary Sid, bred in County Donegal by Irish team member and former World Sheep Dog Trials champion James McGee, of Glencregg Sheepdogs in Creggan, Ballybofey.

Sid was also responsible for another Irish dog, Cap, which sold at Skipton two years ago for 14,100gns, which remains a world record price for a working sheep dog at an official sale.

A highly promising trials prospect, Erin was claimed by a familiar face and regular top price buyer at Skipton, renowned Welsh handler and triallist Nigel Watkins, of Panthowell, Llanoldewsant, Llangadog, At Skipton in July last year, Mr Watkins also paid 7,200gns top price for another top dog from Brian and Aoife, which went on to qualify for the Welsh National team.

Aside from their dogs, the Irish couple farm pedigree Simmental cattle and Texel-cross and Suffolk-cross ewes. Like many sheep dog vendors these days they make good use of social media to promote their dogs widely pre-sale via facebook and youtube.

They returned to the Skipton trials field later in the day with a second dog, the 19-month-old tri-coloured Jim, by another Jim, Welsh nursery champion in the hands of Kevin Evans, by D Edwards Tysswg Lass, which sold for 2,650gns.

Next best on price with a 4,500gns sale was Kieran McFadden, from Derryreel in Co Donegal, with his 16-month-old tri-coloured dog, Duke, out of his own Open trial-winning bitch Nell, by fellow Irish breeder James McCloskeys Open and International trials-winning dog, Sweep.

Mr McFadden, a part-time sheep farmer who has been breeding dogs for 15 years, was selling for only the second time at Skipton, returning after also doing well at the previous fixture in July with a 4,900gns sale. He saw his latest frontrunner join Ian Lockhart, of Dalrymple in Ayrshire, who will put Duke to work on his hill sheep flock

Fourth top call of 3,900gns was achieved by Michael McAlister, of Glenariffe in Co Antrim, with a dog that had exactly the same breeding as the top price Torr. The former jump jockey took to the field late in the day with his August, 2017, black and white dog, Ross, which was claimed by regular buyer Joe McRoberts, of Cheviot Sheepdogs at Fingland, near Biggar in Lanarkshire.

Mr McAlister also achieved 2,200gns with his brown, white and mottled bitch, Nell, exactly 11-months-old on sale day and fully home-bred by Irelands John Kinney.

Catching the eye with two dogs acquired as eight-week-old pups was local breeder and handler Beverley Fort, of Brighton House Farm, Steeton, who has made a real impression since starting to operate under her own Beverton prefix several years ago.

She hit 3,300gns with a very promising trials prospect, the nine-month-old black and white dog, Bill, by Northumberland shepherdess Emma Grays 2016 Nursery Champion, Tweedale Jamie, whose grand sire was Littledale-based Ricky Hutchinsons much celebrated International Supreme Champion, Sweep, who has bred numerous trial winners across the globe. The buyer of what was the highest priced dog under 12 months was Red Rose trialing legend, Jim Cropper, from Bacup.

Beverley also stepped forward with a second Sweep grandson, the 14-month-old black and white Max, by Brendan McAllisters multiple trials winner, Spot, out of Chris McNaughtons Sal. Max, whose aunt, Flo, topped the Skipton sale 12 months earlier at 9,500gns in the hands of top Irish triallist, County Antrims Michael Gallagher  he was also top dog on price in July with another 6,200gns sale - was another dog to find a new home north of the border with Sharon Baxter, from Marshall Walker Farms in Maud, near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, at 2,900gns. Max will be put to work on their predominantly Mule-cross sheep flock.

Making 3,100gns was yet another Sweep grandson, Moss, from Welsh handler and trialist Brynley Williams of Ysceifiog, near Holywell in Flintshire. This one also found a new home north of the border when joining sheep farmer Norman McEwan, of Glenesk, near Brechin in Angus.

Welshman Kevin Evans, of Penclyn Farm, Modrydd, Brecon, Powys, another well-known handler and top trialist who regularly buys and sells quality dogs at Skipton, successfully sold a quality trio at the October fixture.A CAIC Z-10 attack helicopter is seen at an expo on the achievements of integrated military and civilian development in Qingdao, Shandong province, Oct 10, 2018. [Photo/IC]

Meeting chaired by Xi urges more civilian-military integration

Participants in a top-level meeting requested on Monday that important research and engineering programs adopt more domestically developed technologies and equipment to boost the nations capability in science and technology.

The meeting of the Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development of the Communist Party of China Central Committee stressed that research and engineering programs with strategic significance can effectively cultivate innovation in science and technology.

Top leaders at the meeting asked researchers to make all-out efforts to develop key technologies and concentrate their strength to make breakthroughs.

These programs should be based on domestically developed equipment, which can be continuously upgraded, according to a statement published after the meeting, which was presided over by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

Meeting participants demanded that government departments streamline procedures to facilitate private enterprises participation in the defense industry. Authorities should create a fair and open market for private firms to take part in competition for defense contracts, and should also protect private enterprises lawful rights, according to a statement.

They requested acceleration of legislation for civilian-military integration and said outdated terms should be changed or abolished. The leadership by the CPC Central Committee over important programs must by enhanced to better coordinate input of resources, they said.

The Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development was founded in January 2017 by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, marking the first time the top leadership established a dedicated body on civilian-military integration.

However, State-owned defense contractors still dominate the research, development and production of weapons and equipment for the Peoples Liberation Army. Xi has repeatedly stressed the significance of integration, saying it concerns national security and development. Under his instruction, civilian-military integration has been raised to a national strategy.

Since late 2012, when Xi was elected the Partys top leader, the number of private companies with a license to design and build military equipment has increased by nearly fivefold, from about 500 to more than 2,400.

The PLA now publishes its needs in technology, equipment and services on a procurement website regularly. Many private firms have been given military contracts.

The State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, which oversees Chinas defense industries, has also reduced restrictions on private businesses in the defense sector.Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money.

Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists.Iconic U.S. retailer Sears, which at one time was the world's largest chain of stores, filed for bankruptcy Monday as it struggles to stay in business.

The company is worth about $7 billion, but lists more than $11 billion in liabilities. It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday, the day a massive payment to its creditors was due.

As part of its plan to stay afloat, Sears will close 142 of its remaining stores, leaving about 500 locations still open -- down from a one-time high of 4,000 stores.

"It's a shame," President Donald Trump said Monday. "Somebody that is of my generation, Sears Roebuck was a big deal. So, it's very sad to see."

"Where America shops" was one of the slogans Sears used throughout its 132-year history. But in recent years, Americans found other places and more modern ways to shop, and Sears, which focused on traditional brick-and-mortar department stores, could not keep up.The mayor of Alcester is urging the county council to grit the road outside two busy schools, warning that the situation is an accident waiting to happen.

Cllr Andrew Foster launched an online petition earlier this month calling for the council to grit St Faiths Road, on which St Nicholas C of E Primary and Our Ladys Catholic Primary School are based.

The road is also a bus route, which has only increased calls for it to be gritted.

The petition on change.org has already been signed by more than 260 people, smashing its original target of 200 and is now aiming to reach 500.

To view the petition visit www.change.org and search Include St Faiths Road, Alcester as a route for gritters.

For more on this story, read the Herald here.The plaque was unveiled by Cllr Harry Knight, chairman of Bidford Parish Council, right, pictured along with Mark Shaddick, chairman of Bidford and District History Society, Wendy Shaddick, chairman of the history society's research group, Elisabeth Uggerloese, clerk to the parish council, and Bob Marshall, history society researcher. Photo: Mark Williamson B52/10/18/9834

BIDFORDS fallen First World War servicemen have been honoured with the unveiling of the villages new war memorial plaque.

The memorial is inscribed with the names of all those who died in the First World War and thanks to the efforts of the Bidford and District History Society, has been updated with the names of six servicemen who were not included on the original memorial.

Mark Shaddick, chairman of the society, said: It was whilst researching a book we are writing about Bidfords First World War servicemen that we found out about these six local men who were not included on the original memorial. They were all very young, between the ages of 18 and 31 and we approached the Parish Council to jointly fund this new plaque.

We had a small service for the unveiling and it was pleasing to see so many people attending, especially in the poor weather, which seemed to reflect the sombre nature of the occasion. This is a fitting tribute to Bidfords fallen just in time for the 100th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities. The plaque was unveiled by the chair of Bidford Parish Council Cllr Harry Knight, using a Union Jack, exactly how the original war memorial was unveiled in 1923.

The Bidford and District History Society will publish its book on Bidfords fallen First World War servicemen, entitled Have you Forgotten yet? on 3rd November.U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Monday designated five groups, including the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Central American street gang MS-13, as "top transnational organized crime threats," targeting them for stepped up prosecutions by the Justice Department.

Sessions identified the other three groups as Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, a Mexican criminal group; the Sinaloa Cartel, an international organized crime syndicate based in Mexico; and Clan del Golfo, a Colombian drug cartel, Sessions said.

Speaking to a group of law enforcement officials in Washington, Sessions described the designations as "our next steps to carry out President [Donald] Trumps order to take MS-13 and other [transnational criminal organizations] off of our streets."

"Taking on transnational criminal groups like the cartels is a priority for this president and for his administration," Sessions said. "The same day I was sworn in as Attorney General, President Trump ordered me to disrupt and dismantle these groups."

Session said the five organizations had been identified by the FBI, DEA, the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), and the Justice Department's criminal division.

A task force of prosecutors organized into five committees has been created to "coordinate our efforts and develop a plan to take each of these groups off of our streets for good," he added. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein will head up the task force.

Each subcommittee will be led by a prosecutor experienced in investigating and prosecuting the target group.

President Moon Jae-in on Monday asked his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron to help accelerate North Korea's denuclearization through the easing of UN sanctions.

France is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

The two presidents met in Paris, where Moon is on a state visit. Moon also asked Macron to help win an exemption for South Korea from the EU's planned safeguard duties on steel imports.

In a joint statement, they also agreed that Korea and France, a startup powerhouse in Europe, should join efforts to find new growth engines.

Regarding the recent popularity of K-pop and Hangeul in France, they agreed to try to promote Korean language education in France and French in Korea.

France put on a great deal of pomp and circumstance for the Korean visitor. Earlier that afternoon, Moon attended an official welcome ceremony in front of the Arc de Triomphe and laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier.

The Unification Ministry on Monday banned a Chosun Ilbo reporter who is a North Korean defector from a four-member pool of South Korean journalists covering talks with North Korean officials.

The ministry only told Kim Myong-song of its decision at 6:30 a.m., an hour before the reporters were set to leave for the border truce village of Panmunjom, where the talks were held.

Around 15 minutes before heading to the talks, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon met with Kim and the head of the pool and said, "The decision was made considering various factors, including the fact that this is Panmunjom and that high-level inter-Korean talks are involved. I take full responsibility" for the decision.

Kim settled in South Korea in 2002 and joined the Chosun Ilbo in 2013, where he has been assigned to cover the Unification Ministry. But the ministry apparently felt that sending a defector would be seen by the North as a slap in the face.

Ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun said, "The reporter's active track record has made him well known. We don't mean to restrict the press, but due to the special circumstance we took necessary steps."St. David was built in 2008 by Italian shipyard Benetti and was awarded Best Charter Yacht by Robb Report in 2009. Just one look at her stand out exterior, toys and tenders and stylish interior space, it is easy to see why.

Since being listed with West Nautical in 2015, St. David underwent an extensive six-month refit in Carrara Italy in 2017 to provide maximum versatility and operational efficiency, revamping her with a welcomed update for the superyacht world. She has been maintained in pristine condition following new paintwork, all new glass, polished interior marble and fresh varnish work, renewed sundeck areas along with new exterior marble countertops and additional extensive technical work. Gleamingly updated and raring to go, it is no surpise St. David caught the eye of her new owners.

A step inside, the vessel really comes alive. Think a geometric interior and streamlined exterior styled by English yacht designer, Andrew Winch. In typical Winch fashion, she features three stunning teak decks with significant volume and a carefully designed arrangement that feels both homely and inviting as well as glamorously adorned.

Intricate details throughout continue to showcase Winch craftsmanship; beautiful mosaic floors, sculptured tables that rise and fall, detailed marquetry and a magnificent sweeping spiral staircase. The Baroque style architecture and Italian Riviera resonance create a lavish atmosphere on board. A floating staircase spanning three decks is topped by a skylight that peeks into the bottom of the sun-deck pool, whilst pops of colour create a balanced composition.

St. David can accommodate up to twelve guests in a luxury six-stateroom layout including a master suite, one VIP stateroom and four double guest retreats. The superyacht features an outdoor cinema, a private nightclub, sun deck pool, large sun lounging area and an extensive list of tenders and toys, perfect for a family at sea.

Gathering a profusion of public interest at the Monaco Yacht Show 2018, St. David was sold to her new owner swiftly.

Kurt Fraser, Commercial Director of West Nautical shares a statement; "St David has been a wonderful yacht for West Nautical to represent and we are thrilled that the new owner has chosen West Nautical to continue operational management and that we will have an opportunity to participate of his and his familys enjoyment of what is a beautiful and very popular yacht.

He continues; The yacht will now undergo a short technical refit in Carrara Italy and will then reposition to the Indian Ocean where the owner intends to spend some time on board, make her available for charter, and then decide on what enhancements he would like to make.

We can't wait to see her stunning silhouette underway in this arresting destination and look forward to embarking on St. David's charter adventures in the near future.The government has decided to postpone testing of a long-range surface-to-air missile called L-SAM that is being developed to thwart a North Korean missile attack. Cheong Wa Dae canceled tests that were scheduled for April and June due to the inter-Korean summit. Yet North Korea has deployed hundreds of mid- and long-range missiles capable of striking targets in the South, so it seems a bizarre decision to delay testing of a missile that could intercept and destroy them 40 to 60 km in the air. There is no telling when the development of the L-SAM will get back on track given the rose-tinted spectacles every member of this government seems to be wearing.

The Defense Ministry said the tests were postponed due to "technical issues" such as conditions at the launch site, but that sounds implausible. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration has already admitted to lawmakers that the tests were postponed due to the April 27 inter-Korean summit and June 12 U.S.-North Korea summit. Fresh tests are now scheduled for October and November, but another delay is possible if another U.S.-North Korea summit materializes.

If North Korea scraps its nuclear weapons and bio-chemical arsenal, of course it could be necessary for South Korea to cut down on its own weapons development plans. But this weapon is being developed precisely to protect Seoul from hundreds of North Korean Rodong and Scud missiles raining down on it. Why should it worry about North Korea's feelings in developing such necessary defense systems?

The South Korean military is disarming left, right and center. Rather than preparing for the worst, troops are left hoping for the best. Their ability to monitor North Korea's maneuvers is being seriously hampered under a cross-border military agreement, and now the two Koreas are to discuss the issue of arms production. Conditions are becoming more and more difficult to bolster even conventional weapons even as the North blithely holds on to its weapons of mass destruction.

Denuclearization talks with North Korea could drag on indefinitely. Judging from previous negotiations, they can very easily break down at some point, returning everyone to square one. Is there anyone in the government who is concerned about defending the nation?

Bishnu Kumari Gurung, 45, along with many others from Rainaskot, Lamjung lost their homes to the 2015 earthquake.

With most of the youth already settled in larger cities in the country, the earthquake gave the rest of the villagers a reason to move out. But rather than going away, they decided to stay put. Little did they know that this decision would pay dividends. Rainaskot has turned a page in its history. The people, who struggled to sustain themselves with subsistence agriculture, have a profitable business: homestays next to the Himalayas.

The days after the earthquake were tough. The earthquake didnt hurt people physically but we were mentally traumatised. Our houses were badly affected and we were too scared to get in which is why we lived in tents used to cover tomatoes, says Gurung.

While the villagers were struggling to cope with the impacts of the earthquake, Bibek Kumar Pandit, a young boy from a neighbouring village showed up with relief materials. He brought us some relief materials which helped a lot in the initial phase. And when we asked if he could help us rebuild our village, he said he would try, adds Gurung.

Rebuilding Rainaskot

Pandit, 27, was in India when the earthquake happened and came back to Nepal to offer help. He contacted Natasha Wozniak, 42, an American national who had stayed with his family in 1995.

I stayed in Dura Danda, during my time in college and was really worried about Bibek and his family. When he said they were alright and he was on his way to Nepal to help with the relief work I decided to chip in by sending some money which would help him buy immediate relief items, says Wozniak.

Pandit also asked Wozniak if there was any way she could help with the reconstruction of these houses. We would talk for hours about it. We didnt stop to draw up a plan or to think about what it would take to get it done, we just began the conversation and committed to the task. We quickly put together a proposal, found a team of engineers, planned fundraisers, and announced our intentions to the world.

By May 2015, Pandit and Wozniak had some concrete plans. The first part of the plan was to gather funds and that was what Wozniak started to do in the US. Then they had to find engineers willing to help in this noble cause. After finding a few willing people, the project started to take shape by October 2015.

I think the donors and the young engineers have been the backbone of this project and without them, I dont think this would have been possible.

As a foreigner, she couldnt just give the money to villagers as it had to be done through an NGO and that is why she formed Sangsangai USA as a branch of Sangsangai Nepal, led by Pandit.

Sangsangai then collaborated with Sarvodaya Sewashram, an organisation looking to promote the village of Rainaskot for the last few years. Sangsangai raised over $200,000 which was used to buy raw materials.

The chairman of Sarvodaya Sewashram Krishna Raj Oliya, had a lot of contacts from where were got bricks, cement, rods, sand and tin at affordable rates, adds Wozniak.

Sangsangai, however, didnt pay for the labour cost and the villagers didnt complain. We paid the labour cost ourselves because they had done a lot for us, adds Gurung who shares that many in the village would have left if not for the help from Sangsangai and Sarvodaya Sewashram.

Problems during reconstruction

Most rebuilding projects are often hindered by various issues and this one was first obstructed by the economic blockade. We had got a lot of items before the earthquake but didnt know if it was feasible to continue with the reconstruction because we didnt when it would end, adds Wozniak.

After the blockade, they faced another problem when one of the villages water sources dried up. The earthquake must have blocked it and that meant the villagers had to carry water from halfway up the hill which did stall the project a bit. But the resilient villagers didnt give up as they setup a 17 km-long water pipe which then continued the project. The pipe leaked every other day and the villagers had to walk downhill to check where the pipes were leaking.

The final problem they faced in the reconstruction was the roads. The roads were horrible back then. Even the tractors found it tough to get up the hill which did give a bit of a problem.

Even though they faced multiple problems the project didnt stop. Any time a problem arose they villagers came up with plans. With a bright smile on their face they helped out in any way possible, shares Wozniak.

Birth of the Homestay project

Wozniak mentions that her initial plan wasnt to help establish a homestay. I wanted them to be sustainable. They used biogas and were involved in agriculture but that wouldnt help them earn money which is why when Krishna brought the idea of a homestay I thought why not, shares the American.

Krishna over years has always wanted to make Rainaskot a tourism destination which is why he proposed we think about building homestays in the village, adds Wozniak.

The village, which sits on the lap of the Himalayas, now has 13 houses that run the community-based homestay project. These houses can accommodate up to 70 people. To make sure which house keeps the guests, a committee has been formed makes sure it runs smoothly.

We live in a community and share guests accordingly. Everyone helps one another and when we get large guests we share them amongst all 13 houses, adds Gurung who is the Vice-Chairman of the committee.

Impact on villagers

The project was handed over by Sansangai to the villagers a year ago and since then they have received over 4000 guests. They come from all over Nepal. They come to take a break from the crowded city and to enjoy this historical village which was a strategic point during Drabya Shahs rule, adds Gurung.

She further adds that they are now planning a marketing campaign which will help bring more people to the village.

The homestay has helped us a lot, adds Lal Maya Gurung. Before our only source of income was agriculture and we had to wait for 6-8 months to see money. But since this has started, we get to see money on a regular basis, she says adding that households earn nearly Rs. 20,000 a month and even more on other good months.

What makes this place stand out from other homestays in the regions is its natural beauty. The sunrise is a thing of beauty. The view of the early morning sun hitting the vast mountain range is quite majestic. Their food is organic as everything is grown in the village itself. Even the rice is grown by the villagers themselves.

This project has helped us a lot, adds 76-year-old Manmaya Gurung. The earthquake gave this village new life. Sometimes I sit and think if not for this earthquake I wouldnt be able to see so many different people. Its given us a lot of opportunities and has also given us a base where our children who had left are deciding to come back to the village.#Gimhae Mandatory virus tests for foreign children raises concerns over xenophobia The government of the southeastern city of Gimhae has ordered mandatory COVID-19 testing of foreign children registered at the city's daycare centers, raising concerns of xenophobi...Donald Trump surveys hurricane damage in Florida



Panama City, United States, Oct 15 (AFP) Oct 15, 2018



President Donald Trump on Monday toured areas of Florida devastated by Hurricane Michael last week, and met some of the thousands of people still struggling to survive without running water or electricity.

Flying in the Marine One presidential helicopter over Mexico Beach, one of the towns worst hit by the Category 4 storm, Trump surveyed uprooted trees, rows of roofless homes, some of them torn from their foundations, downed water towers and a parking lot where 18-wheel trucks had been scattered like children's toys.

"It is incredible, the power of the storm," Trump said in televised remarks. "Somebody said it was like a very wide, extremely wide tornado. That's really what this was. This was beyond any winds that they've seen."

Michael smashed into Florida's western coast on Wednesday, packing winds of 155 miles (250 kilometers) per hour as it began a northern march through several states on the United States' southeast coast, killing at least 17 people.

Trump was accompanied by his wife Melania and Florida's outgoing Republican governor Rick Scott and Kirstjen Nielsen, the head of the Department of Homeland Security, as he inspected damaged homes and businesses.

The president praised Scott -- who is running for the Senate in next month's mid-term elections -- for "doing an incredible job."

The governor thanked Trump for federal aid, saying that everything the state asked for had been delivered.



- 'Just survival' -



Florida's Panama City, along with the smaller resort of Mexico Beach, were left particularly devastated, with thousands of homes and businesses destroyed.

Power lines and telephone networks remained out of service in many neighborhoods, with only major highways cleared.

"You wouldn't even know they had homes," Trump said of people whose houses were swept off their foundations as the monster storm hit.

Relief workers who arrived in the aftermath of the hurricane set up water and food distribution centers, as cars formed long queues in front of the few gas stations open for business.

More than half of Bay County, which includes Panama City, was still without electricity Monday morning, while several inland counties were more than 80 percent cut off, according to emergency service officials.

"Right now it's just survival," said Daniel Fraga, a resident of Panama City. "The good thing is we all came together, we all help each other. We are in this together."

The US Army, National Guard and police have been crisscrossing the area, which at dusk goes dark.

Tyndall Air Force Base, located between Panama City and Mexico Beach, suffered extensive damage and reports had speculated on the fate of a number of F-22 fighter jets that could not be flown out ahead of Michael's arrival.

The unit cost of the aircraft is around $150 million, which soars to over $330 million when research and development are priced in.

"Visually, they were all intact and looked much better than expected considering the surrounding damage to some structures," the Air Force said in a statement.

"Our maintenance professionals will do a detailed assessment of the F-22 Raptors and other aircraft before we can say with certainty that damaged aircraft can be repaired and sent back into the skies."

Trump's tour took him past the base before he took off again in Air Force One for Georgia, which also suffered damage as the storm plowed across the southeast of the country.Climate change? It comes and goes, Trump says



Macon, United States, Oct 15 (AFP) Oct 15, 2018



President Donald Trump, a longtime climate change skeptic, said Monday on a tour of hurricane damage in the southern United States that "something" is happening -- but that the change is not permanent.

"There is something there, man-made or not. There is something there. It is going to go back and forth," Trump said while visiting Georgia, which was damaged by Hurricane Michael last week.

Trump, who earlier inspected devastation left by the storm in Florida, said "we have been hit by the weather, there is no question about it."

However, he noted that there had been violent hurricanes, causing widespread destruction, in the past.

"Fifty years ago, it was brutal. (The) 1890s were brutal. You have different times," he said.

"The one that they say was worse, two or three (times) worse -- one was in the 1890s and one exactly 50 years ago. Winds were 200 miles (322 kilometers) an hour. Who knows? That's what the numbers are."

Trump in the past has dismissed claims -- backed by an overwhelming international consensus of scientists -- that greenhouse gases caused by human activity are responsible for a rapidly warming planet, triggering ever more extreme weather.

He has even dismissed international pushes to reduce greenhouse gases as a hoax invented by rival China to cripple US industrial might.

On Sunday, Trump said in an interview with CBS that he does not consider climate change made-up, but is not convinced that human activity, such as industry and agriculture, is to blame.

"I think something's happening. Something's changing and it'll change back again," he said on CBS.

"I don't think it's a hoax. I think there's probably a difference. But I don't know that it's man-made. I will say this: I don't want to give trillions and trillions of dollars. I don't want to lose millions and millions of jobs."

On Monday, Trump told journalists that he is "truly an environmentalist."

"A lot of people will smile when they hear that," he said, before claiming that he wants "the cleanest water on the planet" and the "cleanest air."

Last week, Trump said he had not yet started to read a major new UN report calling for urgent and radical measures if the Earth is to avoid a catastrophic further increase in temperature.

Again, Trump suggested he was skeptical about the findings, which were reported by the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC).

"It was given to me and I want to look who drew it, you know -- which groups drew it, because I can give you reports that are fabulous and I can give you reports that aren't so good," he said.Trump questions climate change during hurricane damage tour



Panama City, United States, Oct 15 (AFP) Oct 15, 2018



President Donald Trump on Monday met with victims of Hurricane Michael in devastated areas of Florida and Georgia but again cast doubt on the scientific consensus that climate change is caused by human activity.

Flying in the Marine One presidential helicopter over Florida's Mexico Beach, one of the towns worst hit by the Category 4 storm, Trump surveyed uprooted trees and rows of roofless homes, some of them torn from their foundations.

"It is incredible, the power of the storm," Trump said in televised remarks after witnessing downed water towers and a parking lot where 18-wheel trucks had been scattered like children's toys.

"Somebody said it was like a very wide, extremely wide tornado. That's really what this was," he said. "This was beyond any winds that they've seen."

Michael smashed into Florida's western coast last Wednesday, packing winds of 155 miles (250 kilometers) an hour as it began a northern march through several states, killing at least 18 people, according to US media reports.

Trump was accompanied by his wife Melania , Florida's outgoing Republican governor Rick Scott and Kirstjen Nielsen, head of the Department of Homeland Security, as he inspected damaged homes and businesses.

The president praised Scott, who is running for the Senate in next month's tense midterm elections, for "doing an incredible job."

The governor thanked Trump for federal aid, saying that everything the state asked for had been delivered.



- 'Something there' -



Trump, a longtime climate change skeptic, said he does believe the climate is shifting, but argued that any worsening may not be permanent, as well as questioning the overwhelming scientific agreement that global warming is caused by human activity.

"There is something there, man-made or not. There is something there. It is going to go back and forth," Trump said while visiting Georgia, which was also damaged by Hurricane Michael last week.

"We have been hit by the weather, there is no question about it," he said.

However, he noted that there had been violent hurricanes, causing widespread destruction, in the past.

"The one that they say was worse, two or three (times) worse -- one was in the 1890s and one exactly 50 years ago. Winds were 200 miles (322 kilometers) an hour. Who knows? That's what the numbers are."

Trump has previously openly dismissed claims -- backed by the vast majority of important scientific bodies -- that greenhouse gases caused by human activity are responsible for a rapidly warming planet, triggering ever more extreme weather.

He has even dismissed international pushes to reduce greenhouse gases as a hoax invented by rival China to cripple US industrial might.



- 'Just survival' -



Florida's Panama City, along with the smaller resort of Mexico Beach, were left particularly devastated, with thousands of homes and businesses destroyed.

Power lines and telephone networks remained out of service in many neighborhoods, with only major highways cleared.

"You wouldn't even know they had homes," Trump said of people whose houses were swept off their foundations as the monster storm hit.

Relief workers who arrived in the aftermath of the hurricane set up water and food distribution centers, as cars formed long queues in front of the few gas stations open for business.

More than half of Bay County, which includes Panama City, was still without electricity Monday morning, while several inland counties were more than 80 percent cut off, according to emergency service officials.

"Right now it's just survival," said Daniel Fraga, a resident of Panama City. "The good thing is we all came together, we all help each other. We are in this together."

The US Army, National Guard and police have been crisscrossing the area, which at dusk goes dark.

Tyndall Air Force Base, located between Panama City and Mexico Beach, suffered extensive damage and reports had speculated on the fate of a number of F-22 fighter jets that could not be flown out ahead of Michael's arrival.

Each of the aircraft costs around $150 million, or more than $330 million when research and development are priced in.

"Visually, they were all intact and looked much better than expected considering the surrounding damage to some structures," the Air Force said in a statement.

"Our maintenance professionals will do a detailed assessment of the F-22 Raptors and other aircraft before we can say with certainty that damaged aircraft can be repaired and sent back into the skies."

Trump's tour took him past the base before he took off in Air Force One for Georgia.Know how to communicate it and spread the word

Marianne Fernandez finds out more about Dominio de la Vega, a cava producer prominent in Belgium and Holland

Alejandro Martin Dominio de la Vega

What are the defining elements at Dominio de la Vega?

We take pride of our ancestral viticultural heritage, the authenticity of our grapes and focus on the essence of making an honest and singular wine.

Who are your main clients? Who do you mainly export to? Could you walk us through the different markets per product, especially cava?

Our main clients for cava are Belgium and Holland, and for the past few years it has been Spanish speaking South American countries. For our still wine, but partially also our cavas, the Asian markets have had an increasing interest, especially China, Japan and South Korea. We are now seeing a rise of cava consumption from many different levels, from very young cavas to cavas reservas and in more mature markets as well as emerging and newer markets. This clearly shows the versatility that cava has when it comes to immersing itself in a greater sales market.

What is your method of production for cava?

Our method of production and that of all producers in the DOP Cava regions is the traditional method which is a mandatory process, similar to the methode champenoise. The difference with Cava however is that Cava requires a minimum of nine months of ageing on its lees, in riddled bottles.

In Dominio de la Vega, we have particularly focused on delivering aged cavas (translated to crianza in Spanish) between 18 and 36 months, where we expand our cavas reservas portfolio.

What are the defining elements of your terroir? The geography, the climate, the people, the traditions which define and explain Dominio de la Vega?

Terroir is a key concept for us. Terroir is the base of our viticulture and oenology.

Our highest priority is the expression of our land, our varieties and our vintage. For this, we ferment all our plots separately, which is the only way to taste and appreciate the singularity of each and every one of them. In a cava we will taste limestone, in another we will notice Xarello, in a third nuances of fresh harvest and even perhaps in an Anada 2016 we will savour the concentration of three years of draught.

Who are the key people behind the brand?

We are a family, more specifically we are three families of viticulturists who joined at the end of the 1970s being pioneers of the Utiel-Requena region for the development of cava and the local variety Bobal. The three families are called Exposito, Pardo and Faubel.

Why and how is Dominio de la Vega different and unique?

We are different because each wine and each cava are unique. At least, we try to make them unique.

Where does the company see itself in the future? What are the ideas of development?

The company aspires to be a traditional cellar, influencing the region but keeping the modern and latest technologies and the knowledge of its surroundings. Our development is very much linked to our region and the greater understanding of the life cycle of the vineyards, as well as their changing environment and natural processes of winemaking. All research projects follow this path.

What are the family values and are they still applicable nowadays? What changes from one generation to another?

We are lucky to have several generations working side by side every day. They enhance one another with the key words: serenity, seriousness and commitment.

Will the future generations continue the traditions and how will they introduce the innovation?

Paradoxically, market trends are actually inspired by the traditional techniques. We have been pioneers in the bottling of Bobal, pioneers in the cava making, pioneers in the adoption of viticulture and oenological techniques for minimising the non-beneficial effects of climate change on the vine and wine, and we will continue highly to maintain this innovative spirit.

You also sell products online: how has online sales impacted the company?

We diversify sales and understand the importance of e-commerce, especially in the Asian merging markets. However, we respect the traditional sales channels through wine professionals. Anyone can come to our cellar seven days a week and buy a case of cava or wine at Dominio de la Vega.

You organise guided tours of your cellar and vineyards, as well as serving brunch  what are the objectives behind these experiences?

The guided tours are the most direct actions of transparency in which anyone is welcome to see the different projects happening at Dominio de la Vega. These experiences offer a visual illustration of the essence of our wines and the people working for our brand.

Speaking generally  where do you see the cava market and the sparkling wines in general?

The consumption of sparkling wines is clearly expanding, both due to its refreshing and lighter character, as well as its more playful connotations and celebrations.

Paradoxically, our goal is to take it out of the image of just being an appetiser or dessert  as it happens in Spain  and introduce it more and more in the gastronomic pairings.

There is a great future for sparkling wines and the cava has great opportunities due to the uniqueness of its traditional process and the quality. Additionally, a new horizon is opening up, giving more and more attention to the terroir  it is the only denomination of origin which leads to an impressive diversity of terroirs. Cava de Paraje is one of the best sparkling wines in the world and has had an impact on the cava market bringing many benefits to the cavas being aged for more than 36 months.

With this in mind  what are the challenges and opportunities for brands like yours in the current market?

The opportunity is obvious, we have the best vineyards in Europe in terms of the sparkling wine making thanks to our traditional method.

The DOP Utiel-Requena has an average of 50 years old which is one of the oldest in the world. The Bobal territory is a candidate to be a Unesco World Heritage Site due to the discovery of the pilillas  cellars from 6 B.C. We have tradition, historical heritage, great vineyards, ancestral varieties, great wines and cavas. The challenge is clear: know how to communicate it and spread the word.

17 October 2018Northern Illinois University seeks an Assistant Professor with expertise in Critical Race Theory. The successful candidate will be a joint appointment tenure-track faculty member in the Center for the Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality, with a possible tenure home in the College of Law. The faculty member will begin in Fall 2019.

Northern Illinois University Center for the Study of Women, Gender & Sexuality

Job Ad

Assistant Professor  Critical Race Studies (#33609)



Function of the Job



The interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality at Northern Illinois University is looking for a dynamic scholar to fill the position of Assistant Professor to begin in the fall of 2019, with expertise in Critical Race Theory. The successful candidate will be a joint appointment tenure-track faculty member in the Center for the Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality, with a tenure home in an appropriate academic department (open). The candidate will be expected to teach courses to both undergraduate and graduate students in both units, as well as engage in an active research agenda and perform professional service in keeping with rank and position. Applications are invited from those whose research and teaching interests focus on Critical Race Theory in the context of any of the following: A) intersectional feminist, queer, and/or trans* theories, B) women, gender, and/or sexuality in social and political movements, or C) feminist, queer, and/or trans* research methods. The typical teaching load is two courses per year in the Center, and two courses per year in the tenuring department.Despite all the unfounded fear on the left and all the equally unfounded euphoria on the right, there will be no wholesale revamping by the Supreme Court of the liberal social order that is now deeply rooted in our culture and among our people. The conservative justices ethos of evolution over revolution will forestall any such outcome.

There is an amusing, somewhat cynical song in that old hit Broadway musical 1776 entitled Cool, Cool, Considerate Men. The catchy lyrics are an ironic paean to cold-hearted conservatives: To the right, ever to the right, never to the Left, forever to the right. Let our creed be never to exceed regulated speed. Well, at least for the last 63 years the exact opposite has been true of the Supreme Court. Replace right with left and left with right, and we have a snapshot of the Supreme Court since the era of modern judicial activism began under former Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren in the early Fiftiesthat is, an extended period of unregulated speed in changing the American political landscape and social order.

Whether one abhors or applauds this 63-year track record of judicial activism, it remains a genuinely remarkable achievement. (And I confess, in some areas, especially free speech, privacy, and racial equality, I have quietly favored the courts activism despite its sometimes-strained interpretations of the Constitution.) The Courts success in re-making America in so many ways, over such a relatively short period of time, is staggering especially when one considers the math. The math is thus: from 1954 to 2017, the Republicans held the White House for 35 years and Democrats only 28 years. Far more astounding, during this same time period Democratic presidents appointed only eight Supreme Court justices, while Republican presidents appointed 18 Supreme Court justices, more than twice as many justices as Democrats! And yet, and yet despite all these Republican-appointed justices, the liberal tide continues, albeit sometimes slowed and narrowed by a conservative tilt on some issues now and then.

How Did We Get Here

I suspect that there are several reasons why the Court continues to be activist, but the primary reason is that those who attain power have a hard time not wielding it. Americans have become accustomed to being told what to do and even what to believe by those nine unelected wisemen and wisewomen, and those nine wise counselors have become so accustomed to directing affairs of state and society rather than just interpreting the Constitution, that even some conservative justices find themselves irresistibly drawn to activism.

A second reason, perhaps a corollary to the first, has been an intriguing inclination among judges to become more liberal upon reaching the Supreme Court. This is fascinating because it turns on its head the widespread truism that in general as people grow older, they grow more conservative. The truth of this assertion is demonstrated by the fact that almost every Republican president since Eisenhower has been disappointed in at least one of his Supreme Court appointees. This has not been the case with any of the Democratic presidents.

There is a delightful, although probably apocryphal, story that when asked if he had made any mistakes as President, Eisenhower replied, Yes, two, and theyre both on the Supreme Court. He was referring to both Earl Warren, the former Chief Justice, and Associate Justice William J. Brennan. Brennan, interestingly, was chosen in part because he was Roman Catholic, and Eisenhower mistakenly assumed that his personal faith would guide him toward more conservative rulings.

Eisenhowers frustrations with Warren and Brennan were soon experienced by all but one of his Republican successors. Former president Nixon had a pair of his own mistakesHenry Blackmun, who wrote the majority opinion in Roe v. Wade, and Lewis F. Powell, who wrote the majority opinion in California v. Bakke, which twisted the Constitution sufficiently to allow for reverse discrimination in the university selection process. Former president Ford did no better with his sole Supreme Court appointee, John Paul Stevens. While many conservatives would thoughtlessly applaud Stevens dissent in Texas v. Johnson, in which the majority (including Justice Antonin Scalia) sensibly held that the burning of the American flag was protected under the First Amendment, most would oppose his support in Wallace v. Jaffree, which ruled unconstitutional a moment of silence in public schools, and his dissent in District of Columbia v. Heller, which expanded the Second Amendment right to bear arms. The same fate befell former president Reagan, when his appointee, Sandra Day OConnor, reaffirmed the constitutionality of reverse discrimination/affirmative action in Grutter v Bollinger, while Anthony Kennedy, another of his appointees, wrote the majority opinion in United States v. Windsor, which endorsed gay marriage. And finally, former president George H. W. Bush appointed David Souter, who joined in the plurality opinion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which upheld the essential ruling in Roe v. Wade, albeit narrowing its scope.

and Where are We Going?

Of all the Republican presidents since 1954, only George W. Bushs two appointees seem to have evadedthus fara fundamental change in perspective. I say thus far because there are some indications that Chief Justice John Roberts is now emerging as a balancing force on the Court, siding often with the conservative wing but other times with the liberal wing. His surprising support for the constitutionality of Obamacare strongly suggests that even with the addition of Brett Kavanaugh to the Court, there is unlikely to be a rapid and overwhelming change in direction. This highlights another reason why conservative justices can often appear more liberal once they reach the Supreme Courttheir innate conservatism and deeper commitment to the principle of stare decisis will prevent them from causing serious societal or political disruptions. While all lawyers learn a certain respect for precedent, that respect is primarily intellectual, whereas with conservatives, it is a more visceral commitment. That is, being conservative, it will go against their very nature to eagerly tear down the huge edifice of opinions and expectations that have developed over the course of the last 63 years. While the new conservative majority will likely overturn some of the more egregious liberal excesses (such as the decision in Kelo v. City of New London), for the most part the principle of stare decisis will serve as a greater break on conservative activism than it ever did on liberal activism over the last six decades.

Despite all the unfounded fear on the left and all the equally unfounded euphoria on the right, neither the Republic nor the rights that have judicially developed during the post-World War II period are going to unravel. From Miranda and Wainwright to Tinker and Reynolds to Griswold and Roe, there will be no wholesale revamping of the liberal social order that is now deeply rooted in our culture and among our people. The conservative ethos of evolution over revolution will forestall any such outcome.

A Plague on Both Their Houses

Whether the Court finally starts to lean more right after a 63-year hiatus or continues its leftward leanings, is of lesser import than preserving the credibility of the Court itself. This grows more difficult with each passing year and the Kavanaugh debacle risks eroding respect and trust in the Court much further. Listening to the politicians berating Judge Kavanaugh was almost as bad as watching the newest member of the Court appearing petulant and teary-eyed. Is that not the very definition of what some Republicans often term a snowflake? I suspect I am not alone in finding not just the Democrats and Republicans, but also the accuser and accused, untrustworthy. She had a fear of flying but somehow was able to fly anywhere at any time, except to Washington? And he never, ever, never got so drunk as to not recall what he might have said or done? That they both spoke with such conviction and credibility speaks more to their acting skills than their sincerity. In truth, because of the excessive politicization of the Kavanaugh nomination process, the greater threat to society and the effectiveness of the Supreme Court remains the deepening suspicion on both the left and the right that the Court is not as august, neutral, or legitimate an arbiter as it once seemed. Having neither the purse nor the sword as Alexander Hamilton put it, makes it especially crucial for the vast majority of Americans to revere and respect the Court.

The Imaginative Conservative applies the principle of appreciation to the discussion of culture and politicswe approach dialogue with magnanimity rather than with mere civility. Will you help us remain a refreshing oasis in the increasingly contentious arena of modern discourse? Please consider donating now.

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Linkedin Editorial Board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, October 16, 2018 08:18 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777d4655 1 Editorial anies-baswedan,Jakarta-governor,#Editorial Free

Many describe Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedans victory last year as the result of him riding the Islamist wave. A year has gone by and many have yet to forget this, as expressed through social media. Some are legitimate criticisms, others are just noise.



To evaluate the governors first year is to first filter out all this noise and look at how he fulfills his promises (or not), and whether he has lived up to fears about him being a divisive leader.



Central to the first year is the role of the Urban Poor Network (JRMK)  including the Jakarta Pedicab Driver Union (Sebaja) and Ancol Street Vendors Association (KOPEKA Ancol)  as well as the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC) and Ciliwung Merdeka in shaping Jakartas politics and civil society. These groups represent fewer than 100,000 people in Jakarta, a few in a city of some 10 million inhabitants. However, their political contracts with Anies have been a fascinating subject for domestic and international researchers.



For the JRMK and UPC, Anies has made at least three achievements: his urban kampung revitalization programs; the establishment of pedicab waiting areas in Teluk Gong, North Jakarta, and mapping their operational routes in 16 areas; and guaranteeing security for KOPEKA vendors who operate inside Ancol Dreamland Park.



If Anies is consistent with this approach, Jakarta may see the slums becoming decent neighborhoods for the citys hard workers.



The urban poor, however, say they have to work hard to be regarded equal by lower-level bureaucrats who still use a top-down approach. Ciliwung Merdeka, a community in Bukit Duri, South Jakarta, has experienced the same thing. And Anies did not always allocate time to ensure his subordinates really work to fulfill his promises to evicted residents, who still face high uncertainty about their future.



The Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta), however, noted that the urban poor outside these networks have fallen through the cracks. The institute recorded 91 forced evictions in Jakarta since Anies assumed office precisely one year ago; 79 have occurred in 2018 and affected 1,141 households and businesses.



Anies has also failed at gaining the trust of religious and ethnic minorities, especially after he delivered a speech during his inauguration ceremony on Oct. 16 last year saying it was high time for pribumi (native Indonesians) to become the masters in their own land. So far, he has not proven fears stemming from this speech that he is divisive, but of course, it has been only a year.



Other than fulfilling the promises of his political contracts and helping host a relatively successful 2018 Asian Games and Asian Para Games, Anies has yet to show much. His promise of zero-downpayment housing has run into one snag after another. His policy on clean water has shown that he can pay attention to crucial matters in Jakarta, but progress has been slow.



Also, there has been no breakthrough with regard to Jakartas chronic traffic congestion, flood management and garbage problem.



But, again, it has only been a year, and Anies still has a lot to prove.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Kornelius Purba (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, October 16, 2018 09:08 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777d6d17 1 Opinion #commentary,Anwar-Ibrahim,Mahathir-Mohamad,malaysian-parliament,Prime-Minister Free

Newly installed member of the Malaysian parliament Anwar Ibrahim and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad are two brave-hearted leaders Malaysians can be proud of! Not just that, the two are respected statesmen who will resist any temptations that could imperil their ambition of leaving an everlasting legacy for their countrys future generations.



Anwars years-long political imprisonment has not diminished the nations confidence in him. This is crucial for him now that he is very close to the prime ministers post. He, his wife, their five daughters and one son have been humiliated by his political opponents, but Mays election proved that the Malaysian people remain respectful of the family.



Assuming office as the prime minister is just a matter of formality and technicality for Anwar now.



I will bet on this conclusion although you may dismiss it as naive and illogical. I have reasons to support my confident assertion. As prime minister in the 1990s, Mahathir was so eager to jail his deputy Anwar on sodomy charges that Indonesians derided Mahathirs actions as triggered by overzealousness.



Both Anwar and Mahathir will prove that all fears and pessimistic predictions and more importantly the high hopes of the new opposition  that they will renew their past political spat are totally unfounded.



I do believe they will mainly focus on how to leave a long-lasting legacy for their country rather than pursuing vested interests like the other powers-that-be. This is partly because of their age, Anwar is 71 years old and Mahathir is 94.



For his part, as a former dictator, Mahathir has achieved all his political ambitions. Now he is the worlds oldest democratically elected leader. This is perhaps the last chance for him to be remembered as the beloved Grandfather of Malaysia.



One of my reasons for optimism about the two figures is the new governments courage not only to bring former prime minister Najib Razak and his wife to justice, which is a popular act with minimum risk, but more importantly to renegotiate questionable projects worth billions of US dollars signed during Najibs tenure. The Mahathir government has to deal with Chinas signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).



The new Malaysian government is daring to take risks to realize its election promises. These actions include the cancelation and renegotiation of mega projects with China, the delay and the rearrangement of a high-speed train project with Singapore. Few people had expected that Mahathir would succeed in persuading Chinese President Xi Jinping to soften his stance on Chinas globally strategic projects, but they were wrong. Against the odds, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has also agreed to delay the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore railway project for two years.



And last week, the Cabinet of the Muslim-majority state of Malaysia, surprised the world by announcing the abolition of the death penalty; mandatory hanging for those convicted of murder, drug trafficking, treason and waging war against the king. Although this radical policy was part of the ruling coalitions campaign platform, it clearly failed to gain adequate attention from the voters. The personal goal of Anwar is no longer how to eventually to realize his long-overdue dream of becoming prime minister or for Mahathir to cling on to power despite his two-year tenure commitment. I dont think they have any intention of renewing the fight and use old dirty tactics (including sodomy allegations) to defeat one another. Their past feud is now part of history, and it is more than enough for Malaysia, which is taking on a debt crisis.



After his swearing-in as a member of parliament representing his Port Dickson constituency on Monday, Anwar reiterated that he fully honored his commitment to supporting Prime Minister Mahathir in ruling the country for two years. In return, Mahathir will fully engage Anwar in the daily activities of the government, including through Anwars wife, Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.



The international media  or more precisely the non-Malaysian press  may be pessimistic about the future relations between Mahathir and Anwar, while at the same time the Malaysian media has to readjust itself to a totally new landscape. For years they used to defend the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) by all means and criticize the opposition. Now they have to change their attitude toward Anwar and, to a certain extent, Mahathir.



Sweeping reforms occurred in neighboring Indonesia more than 20 years ago. Angered by massive corruption and abuses of power allegedly practiced by long-time ruler Soeharto, his family and cronies, the people forced the self-promoted Army five-star general to end his dictatorship in May 1998.



On May 9 of this year, reform-demanding Malaysian voters granted an overwhelming victory to the opposition coalition. They severely punished the ruling UMNO and its Barisan National coalition.



It is very likely that Mahathir will transfer power to Anwar in less than two years. For Anwar, laying a strong foundation for a sustainable democracy in predominantly Muslim Malaysia will be much more challenging than just becoming a national leader.



To realize their visions, the two brave-hearted statesmen deserve support from their people.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Lily Widiastuti (The Jakarta Post) Irvine, California  Tue, October 16, 2018 17:26 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777ea98c 3 Opinion #MeToo,Me-Too,hoax,Ratna-Sarumpaet,sexual-violence,gender-based-violence,women-empowerment Free

Indonesian netizens were all abuzz with the newest trending topic hitting the Twittersphere earlier this month. No, it wasnt the earthquake and tsunami that ravaged the island of Sulawesi, it was something far more sinister yet unimportant. It was the news/hoax of the playwright Ratna Sarumpaet lying about being physically assaulted by unknown persons. From my understanding, this hoax was perpetuated and given life by current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Russian President Vladimir Putins number one fan, Fadli Zon. After it was proven that Ratna lied about the cause of her swollen face (it was actually due to facial surgery, as she acknowledged), the Deputy Speaker along with everyone else in the opposition got righteously indignant about being lied to, demanded an apology from Ratna, and were then engaged in a convoluted mental and word gymnastics to justify why they fell for her lie in the first place.

Im an outside observer and the farthest thing from a political analyst as you can get. One thing to examine is Ratnas motive in creating such a lie. Was she ashamed of the swelling that is a side effect of liposuction? Or was she ashamed of getting facial surgery? Its her right as a human being with complete autonomy of her body to do so at her and her physicians discretion. What I take issue with is lying about it and letting the lie perpetuate with no intention of ever telling the truth for unknown reasons. This incident utterly decimates her credibility. As a public figure and an activist, credibility is one of the most important qualities needed for such a career. While her compatriots at the Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno camp were busy coming to her defense with one outlandish defense after the other (from feelings before facts to Im a doctor and I still got duped), the damage to her and Prabowo-Sandiaga camps credibility has been done. Ratna herself only offered as an explanation: That was just a delusion inspired by Satan.

Her allegations of a non-existent assault have more repercussions than one could imagine, particularly to her fellow women. The #MeToo movement is a grassroots movement established by survivors of sexual harassment and sexual assault, intended to empower survivors to come forward and to raise awareness on the prevalence of sexual harassment and abuse. Victims of sexual assault and violence, mostly women, are often reluctant to come forward and report the crime due to various reasons. These reasons can range from fear of retaliation from the perpetrator, being led to believe that the assault was the victims fault, to the fear that even if the crime is reported nobody would believe that it even occurred. This last point is the main reason why victims dont report the crime. Nobody would ever make such a serious allegation unless this traumatic event happened to them.

Recently the United States government was locked in a battle for the Supreme Court. With the retirement of Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy, a moderate justice who is key swing vote in many landmark cases, Republicans seized the chance to put a conservative Judge on the Supreme Court. Since Supreme Court justices are appointed for life, the appointment of one justice is sufficient to have a lasting impact on the US way of life for generations to come. While Democrats opposed the judge nominated by President Donald Trumps nominee, everyone thought that he would be in the Supreme Court by the end of September, securing the conservative majority longed for by the Republicans. However, a woman accused the judge of sexually assaulting her when they were both in high school. Suddenly the envisioned conservative majority was in jeopardy. The Senate Judiciary committee called for a testimony from the accuser, as well as the judge, to determine whether the allegations are credible.

During her testimony in front of the Senate Judiciary committee, the accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, detailed the assault that occurred 35 years ago with clarity and called for an FBI investigation on the matter. She also expressed her willingness to cooperate with any investigation. However, the accused, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, never called for an investigation and was disrespectful to the Democratic committee members. After the testimony, there was unanimous agreement that Blasey Ford was a credible witness and is now an icon of the #MeToo movement.

The point of this long backstory is that one of the reasons the #MeToo movement works is due to the credibility of the people involved in it. Consequently, the credibility of the women accusers as well as the accusations are of critical importance for the success of the movement.

The above incident has not only destroyed Ratnas credibility. It has also destroyed the credibility of other women who are actual victims of assault, be it sexual violence or not. Our still patriarchal society does not have the best track record in advocating victims of assaults. Imagine now what would happen if another woman comes forward with an assault allegation?

People may just say, She probably lied too. The harsh reality is women have always been held to a higher standard compared to men. Its not enough for a woman to say that an assault has happened, a woman must also be able to prove it happened, why it happened and that the assault is not a result of whatever she did (not her fault).

The #MeToo movement may not have quite started in Indonesia. But Ratna has killed it before it even started. Ratnas actions have just lent credence to the internalized belief that assault victims sometimes lie about what happened to them. Because of her actions, it is now even harder for female assault victims to seek justice.

If the whole incident is just part of a political game, then it is truly a Machiavellian scheme that even Machiavelli would object. If its part of an elaborate attention-seeking scheme, then congratulations ibu Ratna, you have successfully diverged the netizens and the nations attention away from our brothers and sisters who are suffering in Donggala and Palu. Ratna may have issued an apology to Prabowo and blamed Satan for the fallout of her lies. She might not have envisioned the fallout of her lies, but as one known as a human rights activist, her actions are an anathema of who she is supposed to be.

***

The writer is a PhD student studying cell and molecular biology at the School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, United States. The above article is a shorter version of the original piece published in her Facebook account.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin - (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia  Tue, October 16, 2018 08:51 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777d5611 4 Inforial Free

The Jakarta Post, Bali

State-owned lender Bank Mandiri has continued to accelerate the development of infrastructure projects as part of an attempt to increase connectivity and cut the cost of goods and services distribution. The company will channel a syndicated loan for state-owned construction firm PT Hutama Karya to build a 185-kilometer toll road connecting Terbanggi Besar in Central Lampung and Kayu Agung in South Sumatra.

The syndicated loan is worth Rp 2.041 trillion. Twenty-two percent of the total syndicated loan will come from a financial institution at home, worth Rp 9.17 trillion.

Apart from the syndicated loan, PT Hutama Karya will also get a Rp 5.2 trillion credit default swap (CDS) facility to ensure the project's continuity.

A signing ceremony for the credit agreement was attended by Bank Mandiri large corporate banking SEVP Dikdik Yustandi, Bank Mandiri corporate banking director Royke Tumilaar and PT Hutama Karya managing director Bintang Perbowo in Bali on Thursday.

Royke said Bank Mandiris participation in the syndication had indicated the company's consistency in supporting synergy between state-owned companies in strategic government programs, particularly to speed up main infrastructure projects in the country.

"Bank Mandiri has a strong commitment to the development of important infrastructure projects such as toll roads, airports and seaports. Therefore, we have some financial products that could be used, including in the land acquisition phase, construction phase and operational phase," Royke emphasized.

At the same occasion, Bank Mandiri and its subsidiary companies, Mandiri Sekuritas and Mandiri Manajemen Investasi, in cooperation with state-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga (Persero) Tbk, also issued Kontrak Investasi Kolektif Dana Investasi Infrastruktur (KIK-DINFRA), collective investment contracts for infrastructure funds targeted at both domestic and global investors. The newly launched investment product received approval from the Financial Services Authority (OJK) on Oct. 11 and will be traded on the stock market with a target of raising Rp 1.5 trillion.

Bank Mandiri and Mandiri Sekuritas helped PT Jasa Marga issue on the international stock market Komodo bonds worth Rp 4 trillion at the end of last year, as well as limited participation mutual funds (RDPT) to fund toll road expansion programs of the company.

It is hoped that the alternative infrastructure financing through the capital market could be used by infrastructure companies to get effective financial support with a measurable cost.

On a separate occasion, Bank Mandiri gave a credit facility worth Rp 2.5 trillion for special transactions to PT Indonesia Infrastruktur Finance. The special transaction credit is a three-year tenor credit facility.

Bank Mandiri also gave a short-term credit facility worth Rp 500 billion, at a one-year tenor. The bank also has treasury line facility worth US$100 million over a five-year period.

"Bank Mandiris support toward Indonesias infrastructure finance was a show of our seriousness in boosting Indonesias economic growth through infrastructure development," he said.

In the infrastructure sector, Bank Mandiri gave a total of Rp 165.8 trillion in financial support per June 2018. Of the total amount, Rp 39.3 trillion was allocated for transportation development including airports and seaports, Rp 36.8 trillion for power plants, Rp 24.1 trillion for fuel and gas projects and renewable energy, Rp 18.3 trillion for toll roads and construction, and the remaining for the development of telematics, houses, city facilities and other sectors.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (Inquirer.net/Asia News Network)  Tue, October 16, 2018 07:02 1128 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777d27e5 2 Health obesity,life-expectancy,health Free

New Australian research has found that people who are obese during their 20s and 30s could risk losing up to ten years in life expectancy, with men at risk of losing more years than women.

Carried out by researchers at The George Institute for Global Health and the University of Sydney and published in the International Journal of Obesity, the new study used a microsimulation model of obesity progression in Australia to calculate the expected amount of weight that adults will put on every year depending on their age, sex and current weight.

For the study, the researchers used a nationally representative sample of 12,091 adults aged 20 to 69 to represent a population of 14.9 million.

After taking into account the current life expectancy in Australia, and the higher mortality of people with who are overweight and obese, the model predicted the remaining life expectancy for people in their 20s, 30s, 40, 50s and 60s in four different Body Mass Index (BMI) categories; healthy, overweight, obese and severely obese.

The model also calculated the number of years lost over the lifetime for people with excess weight in each age group, compared to those with a healthy weight.

The findings showed that on average, healthy weight men and women in their 20s can expect to live another 57 and 60 years, respectively.

However, for those carrying extra weight in early adulthood, life expectancy dropped. Women who are classified as overweight in their 20s and 30s are predicted to lose up to six of years of life and men to lose eight, while women classified as severely obese are expected to lose eight years with men losing ten.

Read also: Too fat to fight: Pentagon grapples with obesity epidemic

The team also found that although carrying excess weight affected the life expectancy of every age group, the risk of death appeared to decrease with age.

The model showed that obese women in their 40s will experience a reduction of 4.1 years in life expectancy, while obese men will lose 5.1 years, and for those in their 60s, women are estimated to lose 2.3 years and men 2.7 years.

There is the assumption that overweight and obesity is a problem for people in middle age, and that people in their 20s and 30s are in the prime of their lives. Yet currently, only 43 percent of Australian men in their 20s and 34 percent in their 30s are in a healthy weight range, which is worrying, said co-author Associate Professor Alison Hayes.

We know that excess weight has an impact on your health, but to have excess weight as a young adult is really significant on life expectancy. We are talking about losing up to 10 years of your life, added lead author Dr. Thomas Lung.

Our model predicts adult obesity prevalence will increase to 35 percent by 2025. We need to act now and have an obesity prevention strategy targeting adults at all ages and in particular young adults, concluded Dr. Lung, with the researchers also noting that the findings are also relevant to other high-income countries.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Elin McCoy (Bloomberg)  Tue, October 16, 2018 05:03 1128 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777d0cc7 2 Food Madeira,172-year-old-wine,wine Free

In a chilly wine warehouse in the Bronx two weeks ago, a famous Portuguese winemaker pried ancient corks from 5-gallon glass demijohns of 19th century Madeira. Was the wine inside still drinkable? Madeira ages longer than other wines, but 150-plus years?

I wont keep you in suspense. Amazingly, the answer was yes.

One demijohn held a dry sercial Madeira from 1846. Dry, spicy, tangy, and rich, it had piercing acidity and fresh, spicy aromas that lingered even in an empty glass. Another from the same era, a medium-dry apricot-colored verdelho, smelled like apricot, tobacco, and rose petals, and still had an opulent, multi-layered fruitiness that made you want to take another sip. And both are more than 170 years old.

The wines are from a collection of 18th and 19th century Madeiras discovered last year during a renovation of the Liberty Hall Museum in New Jersey. And on Dec. 7, Christies will offer them along with some regular-sized bottles of Madeira dating from 1796, at a sale in New York.

Francisco Albuquerque, winemaker for the Madeira Wine Company, along with cork experts from Apcor, the Portuguese Cork Association, and wine specialists from Christies were gathered at the warehouse to oversee the opening and recorking of the demijohns, and check to see that the wine was still alive and kicking.

But surprise! The liquid in four of the demijohns turned out to be old bourbon, not Madeira. Edwin Vos, Christies head of wine for Europe and a Madeira expert, first thought it might be rum. The bourbon will go under the hammer, too. Smooth and round, the one I tasted was excellent, but not nearly as complex and delicious as the Madeiras.

So how did these bottles get saved from oblivion? Thank Google.

Liberty Hall, originally constructed in 1772, was expanded to a 50-room family residence by the prominent, politically active Kean family, which owned it from 1811. When John Kean Sr. inherited it 12 years ago, he began turning the building into a museum, which he now heads.

Last year, during a renovation, they discovered one of the largest collections of 18th and 19th century Madeira in the United States in the attic and behind a wall in a dirty, cobwebbed cellar. It included about 42 demijohns and a couple of dozen bottles of Lenox Madeira, imported by the late Robert Lenox in 1796, and probably hidden during Prohibition. Some were empty, some were not.

I knew wine deteriorated in hot conditions, so I thought the wine in the demijohns would all be spoiled by spending so many years in the attic, admits Kean. I was prepared to give them to staff members to use for making lamps.

Luckily, a young museum docent Googled up information about old Madeiras and some of the names on the bottles, and convinced Kean they could be worth something.

Enter Christies. When the auction house heard about the discovery, an excited Vos, Christies Madeira expert, visited and put in an auction proposal. Theres not a lot of old Madeira available, he says. And you could say its the most underrated fine wine in the world. Some was on offer in Christies very first auction in 1766.

Besides some bottles of 1796, Vos selected eight demijohns that seemed in the best shape and had some indication of age, as he explained while showing me a photo of the attic on his iPad. One demijohn was dated by the original paper tag tied around the neck on which 1846, recorked in 1871 was written in faded copperplate hand.

Madeira comes from steep vineyards on the mountainous, volcanic island of the same name about 400 miles west of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean. Like Port, its a fortified wine, which means its dosed with a dollop of brandy during fermentation. Long, long ago, producers discovered that unlike ordinary vino, its improved by heat and in fact, seems nearly indestructible.

Which is why the liquid inside at least some of these demijohns survived in the attic of Liberty Hall for decades.

To preserve the longevity of aromas and flavors, Vos says Madeira bottles should be recorked every 20 to 30 years.

Its a delicate operation.

At a table covered with white cloth, Albuquerque carefully cut the wax seal, wiped the top of the cork and removed it carefully with a two pronged corkscrew known as an Ah-so, then examined it for tiny insects. (Yes, really.) Microscopic analysis can prove the actual age of the cork, which would have been harvested about 18 months before its use.

Apcor was tasked with providing the right corks, requiring precise measurement of the bottleneck. A single cork usually contains 800 million cells, the almost perfect corks were using today contain many, many more, explained Carlos de Jesus, operating director of Apcor. There was no worry about cork tainta new recently invented software technology is able to guarantee corks free of taint. But the corks will have to be redesigned; temporary ones were inserted instead.

Back in the day, Madeira was the prestige drink for wealthy Americans, reportedly used to toast the signing of the Declaration of Independence and popular in Washington long before bourbon became a Congressional drink.

Read also: Vintage 1774 French wine sells for record 103,700 euros

American financier John Pierpont Morgan liked to sip old vintages while cruising on his yacht Corsair. The oldest Ive ever sampled was a Borges Bual Madeira from 1780, a vintage which could have been drunk by Thomas Jefferson. It was still delicious, with flavors of caramel and bright candied fruit, its lively acidity intact after more than two centuries.

Sadly, though, Madeira went through a century-long slump, only emerging again in the past few years. The chance to taste history has been inspiring new group of collectors to seek out old Madeiras. In 2017, a Dutch collector paid the record sum of $39,000 for one bottle from 1715. Christies has made rare Madeira a regular fixture in its final round of wine auctions before Christmas.

Its easy to see the appeal of a single bottle of Madeira. But who wants to buy a heavy demijohn that would be a struggle to pour from? Vos admitted that his original preference was to rebottle the wine from each demijohn into individual bottles. Thats what nineteenth century importers did, but today regulations dont permit it without a bottling license.

Still, I get the appeal: As I sipped the 1846 I was thinking that was the year the U.S. government annexed Texas and Sonoma started a rebellion against Mexico and proclaimed the Bear Flag Republic of California.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Frederik Balfour (Bloomberg)  Tue, October 16, 2018 17:06 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777e9bd4 2 Lifestyle Bulgari,AMAN,super-rich,House,lifestyle,luxury-brand Free

The super rich frequently want to dress themselves head-to-toe in luxury labels. Theyre also increasingly snapping up multi-million dollar residences branded by the likes of Armani, Bvlgari and Four Seasons.

There are more than 400 branded projects worldwide, with buyers willing to pay premiums of up to 132 percent in Bangkok and 69 percent in Kuala Lumpur over non-branded dwellings, according to a report by property consultancy Knight Frank LLP. In Thailand, almost 40 percent of all new developments are now branded, the report said.

Many of the most-coveted addresses are hotel-branded residences by JW Marriott, the Four Seasons, Versace and Aman Resorts. They offer service levels on a par with their best hotels, including private chefs, the ability to order off a room-service menu and 24-hour concierge services.

Dubai has the highest concentration of branded residences, attracting operators including The W, Jumeirah and Bvlgari. According to Piers Schmidt, a luxury brand consultant at The Luxury Consultancy, thats down to the fact that developers and promoters have a need to differentiate: you can build it taller, make it revolve and shimmer, but when you get inside an apartment, having a brand gives an advantage.

Read also: Aman debuts skincare products to mark 30th anniversary

In Europe, the branded concept is still quite small, accounting for only 7 percent of branded residences. In Australia, thats also the case although Sydney shows promise. The harbor-side city attracts a significant proportion of the 10,000 high-net-worth individuals flowing into the country each year.

All the evidence we have to date from marketing One Barangaroo is that a premium of 25 percent to 35 percent ahead of comparable non-branded product is where the market will sit, Erin van Tuil, a partner at Knight Frank, said.

Liam Bailey, global head of research at Knight Frank, said such properties can also be a handy investment, and one that can be rented out when not in use. Whats more, they tend to hold their value better in market downturns, he said.

One case in point: A penthouse at One Hyde Park, which contains Mandarin Oriental-branded residences, changed hands for 160 million pounds ($211 million) this month.Many photographers rely on printed photographs to display their works. For Aditya Ditto Birawa's debut solo exhibition, however, augmented reality technology is the medium of choice.

The exhibition, Mugejeg (the Mentawai word for "traveling"), runs from Oct. 14 to 27 at Galeri Foto Paramata in Tebet, South Jakarta. Mugejeg displays 22 of Dittos works that came from his adventures in Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, which he visited on and off from 2013 to 2016.

I used the technology because its effective, efficient and has lower cost of mobility, Ditto told The Jakarta Post in a phone interview.

To enter the venue, visitors are required to have the Picta app to scan a provided QR code. From then on, they can view photos and their captions on their smartphones. The customized Picta app was developed by four people, including Ditto. It is available on the Google Play Store and currently waiting for approval from Apple's AppStore.

Dittos non-traditional way of presenting his works may raise eyebrows, especially from other photographers. Photography [...] can be presented using a projector, a piece of paper or a smartphone. In the end, its still a photo, he said, adding that going paperless was part of his campaign to fight against illegal logging, mainly in Mentawai.

Read also: The last Mentawai tattoo bearers

Dittos interest in Mentawai grew after he found that the tribe  one of the oldest in the country  strongly embraced a traditional way of living despite existing in a modern era. They wear clothes, but their houses don't have electricity and there is no mobile phone signal, said Ditto, the owner of photography studio Birawa Photo-Motion. They keep pigs underneath their houses, eat sago and bath in a river.

Reaching Mentawai is not easy. Visitors need to travel from West Sumatra using either a ferry or a speedboat. It takes four to 10 hours to reach the islands, depending on the weather. The time has to be exact. Its difficult for boats to sail in the dry season, but its also impossible to sail during the rainy season due to flooding, Ditto explained.

After landing on Siberut Island, part of Mentawai Islands, Ditto had to walk 60 kilometers to reach the nearest uma (traditional Mentawai house), where a single family lives. He has traveled to Mentawai four times, with each length of stay lasting no more than 14 days.

Ditto said that although it was easy to bond with members of the Mentawai tribe, he advised that visitors hire a guide. Theyre very warm and welcoming to travelers, but they cant speak Indonesian, Ditto said. I stayed under the same roof with them to understand how they felt. I also joined them in hunting for dinner, sailed on a boat and entered the forest.

Ditto said he wanted to look deeper into Mentawai tattoos for his forthcoming project and travel to Merauke regency in Papua, Maluku, and Timor in East Nusa Tenggara. He plans to document his journey, including his time in Mentawai, in a book about Indonesia. (wng)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Tarko Sudiarno (The Jakarta Post) Pekanbaru  Tue, October 16, 2018 08:54 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777d639b 4 Environment #environment,environment,#forest,forest,Sumatran-tiger,wildlife,conservation Free

The public toilets at Sultan Syarif Kasim Airport in Pekanbaru, Riau, feature dozens of neatly arranged posters and photos about damaged forest in the region.

Despite the posters and photos, their message seems to go unheeded.

The destruction of Riaus environment as frequently reported by the media with its notorious haze engulfment, has become the norm.

This year alone, dozens of hot spots, most of them triggered by illegal practices, have emerged in Riau. These practices recently resulted in the death of a pregnant tiger with her unborn cubs after she was caught in a trap at Bukit Rimbang Bukit Baling Wildlife Sanctuary.

The death of an already endangered female Sumatran tiger was another episode that seemed to confirm the lack of concern when it comes to the environment and natural wildlife habitats in Riau.

Febri Anggriawan Widodo of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Indonesia, who witnessed the necropsy of the trapped female tiger, described its condition as very tragic.

It took a long time to untie the Sumatran tiger as the rope was so strong. Both its eyes were bulging and its tongue was sticking out. The animal must have suffered great pain before dying, Febri said.

Save the forest: Posters and photos about saving the environment grace the walls of the public toilets at Sultan Syarif Kasim Airport in Pekanbaru, Riau. (The Jakarta Post/Tarko Sudiarno)

Had the tiger not died, and survived to deliver her cubs, it would have been a blessing amid the endangered status of her kind.

The sanctuary, or Rimbang Baling Forest as local people call it, is located in the downhill area of the Bukit Barisan mountain range in Riau and West Sumatra provinces. It constitutes the last bastion of the habitat of Sumatran tigers.

Based on our survey carried out from 2012 to 2015, only slightly more than a dozen Sumatran tigers were left in Rimbang Baling, meaning they were on the threshold of extinction and categorized as critically endangered. One level below and they would totally vanish, Febri, who joined the expedition to the forest, said.

According to Febri, unless the Indonesian government and its relevant institutions seriously tackle the case, the Sumatran tigers will be lost and future children will only be able to see the fantastic beast in books.

We need only to wait for the time when Sumatran tigers are gone after the extinction of Javanese tigers, he said.

For the rescue of Sumatran tigers in Rimbang Baling, Febri has invited several state agencies and NGOs to form a consortium called the Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Program (ITHCP/IMBAU), with the main aim of saving Sumatran tigers habitat.

The consortium also provides guidance and training for people living around the sanctuary zone to encourage them to care for the environment.

Sing along: Locals living in Bukit Rimbang Bukit Baling Wildlife Sanctuary engage in various activities such as art performances initiated by the Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Program (ITHCP/IMBAU) consortium. (The Jakarta Post/Tarko Sudiarno)

The consortium means an appeal to the public to be concerned about environmental conservation, he explained.

In mid-September, an ITHCP/IMBAU team and The Jakarta Post cruised along Subayang River, which parts the Bukit Rimbang Bukit Baling Wildlife Sanctuary.

No less than 10 villages are in the protected forest, and in their history many conflicts of interests have arisen between forest administrators and local economies, involving illegal logging, fishing, killing of protected species including Sumatran tigers and random expansion of plantations.

On the banks of the Subayang, rubber estates and traces of illegal logging can be found.

In the rainy season when the level of Subayang River rises, people carrying forest wood are frequently seen passing the river, because this stream serves as a major means of transportation for the local community, Agustinus Wijayanto, the field Manager of ITHCP/IMBAU, said.

The consortium, therefore, encourages people in the forest buffer zone to become engaged in various activities to promote their economic wellbeing as well as art and cultural recreation so as to prevent them from entering the sanctuary. This way, the pressure of forest squatting in the protected zone will be reduced and the conservation of Sumatran tigers habitat will be indirectly safeguarded.

By involving local village figures, we provide estate business guidance covering wood management, organic vegetable crop planting, natural manure making, ecotourism spot organization and community radio studio operation, Agustinus said.

With the various efforts already undertaken to rescue Sumatran tigers and the tropical forest of Bukit Barisan, the killing of the pregnant tiger seems to render the endeavors futile.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Chicago, United States  Tue, October 16, 2018 23:05 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777f7a98 2 Art & Culture Chicago,united-states,Opera,strike,music,Lyric-Opera-of-Chicago Free

The show will go on again this week for one of America's premier arts institutions after Lyric Opera of Chicago made a deal with its orchestra to end a week-long strike.

The action had threatened the company's performance season just as it had been getting under way, with the musicians complaining of cost-cutting efforts they said would reduce quality on stage.

Performances of Puccini's La Boheme and Mozart's Idomeneo were canceled last week -- but will resume after the company compromised over its belt-tightening.

An agreement ratified Sunday allows for the full-time orchestra to shed four players, instead of the reduction of five proposed by the company.

Management held on to a reduction of the operatic performance calendar from 24 weeks to 22 but agreed to increase pay for musicians who perform in musical theater shows.

Read also: Top US opera company's musicians go on strike

Lyric has reduced opera performances over the last decade from 86 a year to 56, and added musical theater to its repertoire to generate new interest.

Musicals usually employ a much smaller orchestra than operas.

"In the end, both parties compromised," the musicians said in a statement.

They added that a longer strike would have been destructive to the 65-year-old company and its workers -- including the chorus and technical crew who have already reached separate union contracts with management.

"These agreements will protect the artistic brilliance on our stage while also helping to ensure Lyric's long-term financial security," the management said in an emailed announcement.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Dian Septiari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, October 16 2018

The ASEAN Secretariat gathered dozens of organizations associated with the regional bloc, ranging from youth organizations, professionals, government and private institutions, as well as veterans communities, in a bid to build a sense of unity in the region.

Over 80 participants representing ASEAN bodies attended the second Forum of Entities Associated with ASEAN on Monday.

ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi said such entities should be considered as part of the ASEAN family. Our engagement with entities, along with the centers, in itself showcases the people-oriented side of ASEAN, he said in his opening speech.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, October 16, 2018 15:15 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777e430f 4 Business exports,September,Sri-Mulyani-Indrawati,perry-warjiyo,comments Free

Although the country booked a trade surplus of US$230 million in September, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani said exports had not met the governments expectations.

Imports started to decrease, lower than exports. But we hope exports continue to increase, Sri Mulyani said after a hearing on the state budget at the House of Representatives building in Jakarta on Monday.

Statistics Indonesia (BPS) said exports decreased 6.58 percent month-to-month(mtm) to $14.83 billion in September, from the figure in August, which was recorded at $15.82 billion, while imports were recorded at $14.60 billion, a decrease of 13.18 percent mtm from the figure in August.

However, the trade deficit stood at $3.78 billion from January to September.

Sri Mulyani, however, expected the trade surplus to continue in order to maintain the current account deficit until the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjoyo saw the trade surplus as a positive sign, although he did not expect the current account deficit to narrow to below 3 percent of gross domestic product this year.

Speaking about the slow import growth, Perry explained that demand for crude palm oil (CPO) was still weak in the international market, particularly from traditional markets such as China.

With the slow economic growth in China, demand for the commodity is still weak. Therefore, we cannot rely on that commodity to boost exports, he added as quoted by kompas.com. (bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, October 16, 2018 11:32 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777ddddf 1 National meikarta-bribery-case,GolkarParty,corruption-case,KPK,billy-sindoro,Febri-Diansyah Free

The Golkar Party has suspended Bekasi Regent Neneng Hasanah Yasins membership after the latter was named a suspect in a high-profile bribery case concerning the issuance of property permits for the modern city of Meikarta.

Neneng, who was the Golkar chairwoman for the Bekasi regency chapter, allegedly accepted bribe money to issue operational permits for project  a flagship project of diversified conglomerate Lippo Group. The project runs in Cikarang, Bekasi regency, West Java. The case is currently being handled by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Golkar has imposed a firm sanction on Neneng [by] suspending her membership and official roles on the management board, Golkar central executive board member Ace Hasan Syadzily said on Tuesday.

The sanction is based on an integrity pact signed by all regional leaders from the party in February.

If Neneng is proven guilty, she will be dismissed from the party.

[A members involvement in a graft case] can ruin the party's image. The party may also lose trust from the people, while were facing the 2019 legislative election, Ace said.

According to the KPK, the group promised Neneng Rp 13 billion (US$854,175), but had only given Rp 7 billion to several executives with the Bekasi regency administration.

Previously, the KPK arrested several officials from the administrations Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Agency.

On early Tuesday, a suspect, Neneng Rahmi, the Bekasi regency PUPR Agencys spatial planning division head, surrendered to the KPK after fleeing the scene as the KPK investigators caught her red-handed while allegedly receiving bribe money at a toll gate in Cikampek. She is undergoing questioning at the KPK headquarters, KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah said.

The KPK has arrested and named as a suspect Billy Sindoro, the operational director of Lippo Group, and Henry Jasmen, an employee with the company.

The antigraft body also named two consultants working for the company, Taryudi and Fitra Djaja Purnama, suspects in the case. (swd)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Marchio Irfan Gorbiano (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, October 16, 2018 10:36 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777dcb22 1 Business foreign-debt,government,bank-indonesia,private-sector,August-2018 Free

Indonesias foreign debt  which includes debts from central banks, governments and the private sector  stood at US$360.7 billion in August, growing by 5.14 percent year-on-year (yoy), driven by growth in private sector debt amid slowdowns in government and central bank debt.

Bank Indonesia (BI) said in a statement that the structure of Indonesias foreign debt remained healthy as 86.8 percent of the debt had a long-term maturity period.

With the latest figure, Indonesias foreign debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio stood at 34 percent, relatively better than peer countries, said BI.

BI and the government continue to coordinate to monitor the developments of foreign debt from time to time to optimize its role in supporting the financing of the developments without incurring risks that would harm the stability of the economy, the central banks statement read.

The private sectors foreign debt, which also includes debt from state-owned enterprises, was recorded at $179.4 billion, growing by 6.7 percent yoy in August compared to 6.49 percent growth in the previous period.

BI explained that the increase in the private sectors external debt in August was driven by firms in the financial services and insurance, manufacturing, electricity and gas as well as mining sectors.

The government and central banks external debt, meanwhile, was recorded at $178.1 billion in August, growing by 4.07 percent yoy.

The debts increased on a monthly basis as a result of net loan withdrawal, including from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the purchase of sovereign bonds by foreign investors. (bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, October 16, 2018 16:39 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777e6af3 1 Business IRRI,annual-funding,Crop-Trust,world-food-day Free

The Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) will receive annual funding of US$1.4 million from the Crop Trust for the conservation and sharing of 136,000 varieties of the staple crop that feeds over three billion people worldwide, including 267 million in Indonesia.

The permanent funding agreement was signed during an international rice conference in Singapore on Tuesday, which also coincided with World Food Day, the IRRI and the Crop Trust said in a joint press release from Singapore.

Scientists worldwide use the seeds stored at the IRRIs high-tech facility in Los Banos, the Philippines to develop improved rice varieties that can withstand the impacts of climate change  such as severe flooding and drought  while keeping pace with the growing world population, the IRRI said.

By 2050, annual global rice consumption is estimated to rise from 450 to 525 million tons. Asians eat more than 90 percent of this rice, and the regions 515 million hungry are particularly dependent on the staple, Ruaraidh Sackville-Hamilton, the biologist who manages the IRRI genebank was quoted as saying.

Scientists at the IRRI have used the rice samples stored in the bank to develop rice varieties tailored to climate extremes such as drought and flooding, which are already threatening production in key rice-producing regions, including India, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia.

One major innovation is set to benefit farmers tending to some 20 million hectares of rice land across Asia regularly hit by flooding.

Conserved in the IRRI genebank are the ancestors and descendants of IR8, the worlds first high-yielding rice, which has also been widely grown across Indonesia. (vin/bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, October 16, 2018 17:27 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777eb214 1 City Jakarta-administration,Jakarta-council,regulation,revision Free

The City Council has refused to discuss the planned revision of Jakarta Regulation No. 8 / 2007 on public order, which was set to allow becak (pedicabs) to operate in Jakarta.

The Jakarta administration had submitted the draft revision, but City Council speaker Prasetio Edi Marsudi declined to review the draft, saying legalizing becak would be a setback for the city.

I believe we shouldnt downgrade Jakarta residents, Prasetio said on Monday as quoted by kompas.com.

People in Jakarta should be encouraged to use good quality mass public transportation, such as the Transjakarta bus, commuter line and later MRT, he said.

Inside neighborhoods, residents could use environmentally friendly gas-powered bajaj (three-wheeled taxis), Prasetio added.

We have to encourage people to use proper public transportation, Prasetio said.

In the late 1960s the Jakarta administration excluded becak from the masterplan of the citys transportation system. Former governor Ali Sadikin prohibited the introduction of new becak in 1970.

The City Council passed a total ban on becak in 1988. Former governor Sutiyoso partially lifted the ban to help the city mitigate the impact of the Asian financial crisis in 1998, but the policy lasted for less than a week. (cal)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, October 16, 2018 11:35 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777de056 1 National #Surabaya,#Crime,baby,trafficking,Instagram,arrest Free

The Surabaya Police have arrested a man, identified only as MN, for allegedly buying an infant via Instagram.

MN was arrested at his house on Jl. Karah in Jambangan district in Surabaya, East Java, on Sunday. He was found to have paid some Rp 3.8 million (US$250) for a baby boy when he was only three days old.

Surabaya police chief Sr. Comr. Rudi Setiawan said recently that the transaction was conducted in Semarang, Central Java, on Sept. 23. The babys parents live in Tangerang in Banten.

The baby is now safe with the Surabaya administration, Rudi said on Monday, as quoted by kompas.com.

The child trafficking arrangement was facilitated by an admin of Instagram account @konsultasiprivat, Alton Phinandita Prianto. Alton, who has been named a suspect, connected potential sellers and buyers through the account.

According to Anton's testimony, three infants had been sold illegally via his service.

So far, five people have been arrested in connection with the child trafficking network. All of them will be charged under Article 83 of Law No. 35/2014 on child protection, with carries a maximum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment. (vny)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, October 16, 2018 17:29 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777eb89d 4 Business ride-hailing-application,Regulations,draft-revision,transportation-ministry Free

The Transportation Ministry has prepared two draft regulations on ride-hailing apps after the previous regulations were annulled by the Supreme Court in September.

We just had a meeting with the transportation minister. I have prepared two draft ministerial regulations, said the ministrys land transportation Director General Budi Setiyadi in Jakarta on Monday as quoted by kompas.com.

He explained the first draft regulation was related to the implementation of specific ride-hailing apps and another draft regulation was on minimum service standards.

One of the new items in the minimal service standard regulation is the requirement for ride-hailing app providers to provide a panic button in the application as an additional security and safety feature for customers, Budi said.

Budi added he would take the two drafts to a focus group discussion (FGD), which will be held from Oct. 18 to 24, to seek input from all ride-hailing app stakeholders.

After being discussed in the FGD, we will discuss the drafts further with app providers, representatives of drivers and the government. We will involve all parties in the discussions about the drafts, Budi said, adding that the government would take its time before turning the drafts into official regulations.

He said the government had 90 days to amend the regulation from its annulment.

The new draft regulations will be improved to avoid more protests from stakeholders, Budi said, adding that the new regulations would start to take effect on Dec. 20. (bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Fachrul Sidiq (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, October 16, 2018 09:09 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777d7c46 4 City anies-baswedan,#AniesBaswedan,Jakarta-administration,governor,Jakarta-governor Free

Last year, Anies Baswedan started his job as Jakarta governor amid controversy. Shortly after being inaugurated on Oct. 16, 2017 by his former boss President Joko Jokowi Widodo, Anies sparked controversy with his racially infused speech in which he used the term pribumi (indigenous).



Many lambasted him given the sectarian tensions that had dogged the divisive 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election. But he shrugged off the concerns and set out to convince the people of the city that he aimed for reconciliation and a united Jakarta. Under the Move Forward slogan, Anies, with former deputy governor Sandiaga Uno, laid out his priority programs in a list of 23 pledges he made on the campaign trail. One year in, he has checked several off the list, but questions remain as to how he will transform Jakarta for the better.



The former education minister gained praise from supporters for revoking reclamation permits for 13 man-made islets in the controversial project in Jakarta Bay as one of his pledges. He has also been lauded for repealing the business permit of the notorious Alexis hotel and providing shelters for residents of evicted Kampung Aquarium in North Jakarta. On Friday, he also launched 780 apartment units in Pondok Kelapa, East Jakarta, under his zero down-payment housing program, which will provide affordable housing for residents.



However, there has been little progress in addressing Jakartas perennial problems such as flooding, traffic gridlock, waste disposal and housing, experts say.



Suryono Herlambang, an urban expert from Jakarta-based Tarumanegara University, said that while the first year of leadership was crucial in forecasting the direction of the city, what Anies had done so far had yet to reflect a vision to improve the city.



Theres a certain pattern, in which regional heads use the first year of their leadership to capture peoples attention by creating something visible only rather than addressing the core problems, Suryono told The Jakarta Post on Monday. It would be concerning if what Anies did was all about political implications, he added.



He pointed out that Anies had invested much time in addressing partial problems, like Tanah Abang market and traffic management, when he was supposed to address the bigger picture of street-vendor management in the city.



Anies, who frequently criticized his predecessor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama for the latters eviction policy, has failed to eliminate the practice, albeit greatly reducing it, under his leadership, according to data from the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta).



Rita Padawangi, a senior lecturer at Singapore University of Social Sciences, praised the governor for keeping the promises to his constituents, particularly to groups such as the Network of Urban Poor (JRMK) and Jakarta Pedicab Driver Union (Sebaja), which made political agreements with him during the election. However, she added that Anies needed to do more to ensure a commitment to protecting the rights of the poor in the city.



I have yet to see a long-term vision to protect the citys kampungs, she said.



The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction at the Jakarta Legislative Council slammed Anies for failing to fulfill his campaign promise to side with ordinary people, as the policies he had introduced had not benefited them.



The party pointed out that six of Anies flagship programs, OK OCE, OK OTrip, the zero down-payment housing scheme, river revitalization, pedicab operations and public service improvement, had all been backpedaled on with no significant progress.



The PDI-P said the OK OCE, a program aimed at creating at least 200,000 new entrepreneurs by 2022 had failed to reach a target. As of this month, only 1,811 business units have obtained permits. Similarly, only a small number of angkot (public mini van) operators have been integrated into the OK Otrip public transportation scheme, which has been rebranded as Jak Lingko.



The zero down-payment housing scheme is not targeting the poor but the middle class who earn at least Rp 4 million [US$263] monthly. So it wont solve the citys housing backlog, PDI-P faction head Gembong Warsono said on Monday.



The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), which backed Anies and Sandiaga along with the Gerindra Party, came to Anies defense saying that it would not be fair to judge Anies based only on his first year.



It is important for a leader to fulfill their promises. I believe what he has achieved so far is the foundation for greater improvement in the future, councilor Abdrrahman Suhaimi said.



Anies did not make any statement on Monday regarding his first anniversary, which will fall on Tuesday.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, October 16, 2018 18:54 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777efad0 1 City river,river-normalization,Ciliwung-river,Ciliwung-riverbank,East-Jakarta Free

A number of residents of Cililitan in Kramatjati, East Jakarta, flocked to the Jakarta Water Resource Agency in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, demanding the agency compensate them for giving up their land for a past river-restoration project.

A resident named Ratna Sari, 41, said she and other residents went to the agencys office to urge the city administration to pay the compensation as soon as possible. The city had acquired the land for the project in 2013, but there was no clarity as to when when residents would get paid.

[The city] has been saying that they will pay us in December for years. So many Decembers have passed, weve received nothing, she said as quoted by kompas.com.

The 41-year-old claimed that she had given up two plots of land, which were worth Rp 1.2 billion (US$ 79,025) and Rp 112 million. Without the compensation from the city, the residents said they did not have enough resources to move to new places.

My neighbors house has subsided after being eroded by floods. They should immediately move, but they dont have money to find a new place to live, Ratna said.

We support the citys plan. But wheres our money? she added.

The agencys land procurement unit head Yunaldi said he would coordinate with other agencies to speed up the compensation process.

I hope that we can disburse the compensation in mid-December, he said. (vla)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Istanbul, Turkey  Tue, October 16, 2018 22:55 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777f7921 2 World #SaudiArabia,#Turkey,Saudi-Arabia,Consulate-General,missing,journalist Free

Saudi Arabia's consul to Istanbul on Tuesday left the Turkish city bound for Riyadh on a scheduled flight, reports said, as Turkey prepared to search his residence in the probe into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Consul general Mohammed al-Otaibi took off for Riyadh on a 1400 GMT flight from Istanbul, the Haber-Turk newspaper reported on its website. The state-run Anadolu news agency also reported he had left Turkey.

The website of Ataturk International Airport showed a flight of flag-carrier Saudia took off for Riyadh at 1400 GMT and other Turkish media reports indicated he had taken this flight.

"We did not send him out. He left Turkey of his own accord," CNN-Turk cited a Turkish foreign ministry source as saying.

The consul used the VIP exit at the airport, Haber-Turk said.

Turkish police and prosecutors searched the Saudi embassy Monday after Riyadh gave the green-light amid global uproar over Khashoggi's disappearance since October 2.

The same team were due to search the residence of al-Otaibi later on Tuesday.

The search comes as some US media said Saudi Arabia is preparing a report that admits Khashogghi died during an interrogation that went wrong. The kingdom has until now insisted the journalist left the consulate safely.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Hanoi, Vietnam  Tue, October 16, 2018 23:11 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777f805d 2 World #USA,#China,USA,warning,China,military Free

The United States is alarmed by China's increasingly muscular military presence and "predatory economic practices" towards smaller countries in Asia, defence chief James Mattis has said on his way to the region.

Speaking as he flew out for a diplomatic tour that will take him to Vietnam and Singapore, the US Defense Secretary said Washington was not trying to hold back its Pacific rival.

"Obviously, we're not out to contain China," he told reporters. "We'd have taken an altogether different stance had that been considered."

"We're two large powers, or two Pacific powers, two economic powers. There's going to be times we step on each other's toes, so we're going to have to find a way to productively manage our relationship," he said.

But he highlighted key sticking points with Beijing, remarking that the same issues have also rattled some of China's neighbours.

"We remain highly concerned with continued militarisation of features in the South China Sea," Mattis said on a flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the former capital of the US-backed southern regime.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea -- building a growing roster of military installations on reefs and artificial islands there -- even though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of strategic waterway.

Washington regularly conducts freedom of navigation exercises in the sea and earlier this month US defence officials said a Chinese warship sailed within yards of an American destroyer forcing it to change course.

Mattis also singled out what he described as "predatory economic behaviour" by Beijing "where massive debt is piled on countries that fiscal analysis would say they are going to have difficulty, at best, repaying in the smaller countries".

- Escalating tensions -

Sri Lanka famously gave Beijing a 99-year lease to a deep sea port after it was unable to pay back Chinese loans for the $1.4 billion project.

Mattis's visit comes amid escalating tensions between the two superpowers over trade, Beijing's growing military might and allegations by the US that China is interfering in the American electoral process.

His visit to China scheduled for later this month was cancelled because of those tensions.

Trump has levied billions of dollars in tariffs on Chinese imports as he presses Beijing to change restrictive trade practices that he says unfairly hurt American businesses, prompting fears of a shock to the global trade system.

Vietnam is eager to bolster military ties with the United States amid its ongoing dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea, which Hanoi says it has historic rights to.

In March Vietnam hosted a US aircraft carrier in Danang in what analysts said was a clear show of strength and a veiled message to Beijing.

This is Mattis's second trip to Vietnam this year after a visit to Hanoi in January, and the defence chief is slated to go to a former US air base as part of a dioxin remediation program.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, October 16, 2018 19:48 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777f4539 1 City eviction,market,West-Jakarta Free

The West Jakarta Public Order Agency will dismantle some shops in Jabon Market in Kembangan on Wednesday and Thursday. A warning letter that states the market is located on land owned by the city administration was disseminated a few days earlier.

Community unit (RW) 01 head Matsani said the merchants had emptied their shops.

I suggested that they stop operating at the moment to avoid conflict. Theyre still selling their goods this afternoon but will empty their shops at night, Matsani said as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com on Tuesday.

Representing Jabon Market traders, Matsani called on the administration to prioritize assistance instead of dismantling the market right away.

Without elaborating on the plan, North Meruya subdistrict head Pangestu Aji Swandhanu said the market would be dismantled soon.

The decision was made in a meeting on Monday and we have reported it to the mayor of [West Jakarta], he said. (vla)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Hanoi, Vietnam  Tue, October 16, 2018 18:06 1127 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777ed7dc 2 SE Asia #SoutheastAsia,#Vietnam,Vietnam,police,raids,methamphetamine Free

Vietnam police discovered a massive haul of suspected methamphetamine worth an estimated $3 million after pulling over a speeding truck, authorities said Tuesday, the latest major bust in a country where synthetic drug use is on the rise.

Two men managed to escape the scene but one of them who was arrested later, a Laotian, said he was promised $10,000 to deliver the drugs to Danang city, a tourist hub on Vietnam's central coast.

Police are still searching for the second suspect who is a Vietnamese national, an officer told AFP Tuesday.

"We found 12 green bags containing small packets of a white substance weighing a total of 309 kilograms (680 pounds)," the officer said.

Though Vietnam has some of the toughest drug laws in the world, it is a popular transport hub and destination market for narcotics smuggled in from the notorious "Golden Triangle" lawless border zone that straddles Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

Opium and heroin have long been the drug of choice among older users, but young people are increasingly turning to lab-made pills and powders such as Ecstasy, ketamine and meth.

Many synthetic drugs enter Vietnam from neighbouring countries, though police in recent months have busted several local labs.

There are 220,000 registered drug users in the country, according to official data, and the use of synthetic substances rose seven percent between 2001 and 2016.

Officials and advocates have warned against the dangers of drug use after seven Vietnamese people died from overdoses at an electronic music festival in Hanoi last month.Image courtesy of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Starring four actors, who multiroled throughout, the play opens with Annie Fitzmaurice playing writer Leo Butler as he describes his play to Professor Nut (George Potts), and the process it went through to be performed on the Rep stage. This initial dialogue, accompanied with Sophie Mercell appearing from a gap in the stage to recreate a phone call Leo had with the Rep, establishes much of plays tone. Indeed, the metatheatrics started on quite a humorous note with Jack Hunter appearing amidst the conversation as the personification of the 90s psychedelics scene (a.k.a. Dr Timothy Leary) when mentioned, or much later as Leos parents with lines such as, Oh stop doing that fourth wall shit, they were doing that in ancient Greece. But this style descended into tedium at certain points, especially with the scene in which (to demonstrate the effects LSD has on time perception) Fitzmaurice and Potts repeated a short dialogue three times. Very much in the vein of, Very clever, but we get it now, the play did feel like a series of sketches or drama exercises fashioned together with quite crafty transitions.Arguably, if the same amount of thought was given to the overarching structure as was to the transitioning, it would be much easier to give this play a better rating. A notable example includes a flashback with Sophie Mercell, possibly the strongest of the cast, playing the enthusiastic Dr Albert Hofmann (the creator of LSD) and, as they walked backwards and monologuing about their first acid trip, their words were echoed by Professor Nutt who took their place on stage reading from Hofmanns memoirs in the present day.The play really shone for this kind of fluidity and the speed with which they assembled visual gags, like Dr Hofmans stimulated bicycle ride where Mercell climbed over a spinning wheel, which was part of the set, and had her lab coat fanned out by one actor as the others floated past random objects like a cauliflower and a furry caterpillar. However, beyond the structural issue, the script itself felt like it needed re-editing. As well as numerous historical figures and Leos own life, there was a confusing side-plot which drew in characters from Alice in Wonderland. Initially, the play introduced the white rabbit, who was barely seen again, as well as Alice (Mercell) whose entire role seemed to be wordlessly flitting between scenes whilst gasping with a doll-like expression. Other thematic elements were scattered in, like Dr Learys Mad Hatter top-hat and Leos daughters Wonderland cot-mobile, but their purpose, other than having the aesthetic surface appeal of being from a story linked with sensory-altering substances, was entirely lost on me. Maybe it was making a link between drug-induced hallucination and a childs imagination which was briefly mentioned at the end, but the reference was so vague that they could have replaced Alice in Wonderland with anything related to drugs, like Trainspotting, and it would have had the same impact. I really wanted to like this play because it had so many great moments, from the surreal comedy of Leo falling out a window whilst high to the heartfelt death of Aldous Huxley, but it still felt like an unfinished piece. With revisions to structure, and some liberal pruning, All You Need Is LSD has the potential to really make a statement about psychedelics and where they go from here.Discarding that which was useful, he instead devoted himself to what was beautiful. Throughout his time he ignored professors' advice, arrived late to a start of term, was caught 'about the streets all evening', and took up a serious hobby of smoking: in short he was an exemplary student.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

Wilde's time at university was a time of internal tension. Torn between various tendencies, it manifested itself in a struggle between his intended conversion to Catholicism and his love for the Hellenic spirit. This conflict was personified by two tutors he respectedPrater and Ruskin, localized in his visits to Greece and Rome, and eventually quelled by an embracing of such internal conflict. As Richard Ellmann concludes about Wilde's university days in his biography, Wilde had learnt to ignore the simplicity of dogma, and in doing so became a dramatist. Finally graduating with a puff of smoke in the face of life, Wilde's time at university cannot be confined to his fretful thoughts.Boyish playfulness and adolescent insouciance are in some ways the hallmark of Wilde's comedic writing. He properly brought this to the ancient halls of Oxford, in many ways anticipating a little of Bertie Wooster and a little of Jeeves in the same personage. In one night at a performance of travelling yodelers, Oscar and his brother Willie jumped on stage in front of the curtain that had closed and began playing a Strauss waltz on the piano. After being forcibly removed by stage hands they continued their revelries in the streets. This spirit in action was articulated in writing when he wrote "progress in thought is the assertion of individualism against authority". Forever opposed to the two excess of authority and hedonism, puritanism and sensualism, Wilde maintained the unfettered joy of youth alongside the maturing intellect of his age. This self-confidence appeared in his academic life when, having won the Newdigate award for poetry, he was obliged to sit with the Professor of Poetry Shairp and listen to his suggestions for its upcoming recital. Having obliged the professor, Wilde left the poem as it was; always confidant in the genuine individual over compromised hand of committee. It is clear however the subject that Wilde devoted most of his time and energy to was Beauty. To him it was far from an abstract, it was a tendency to which he endeavoured to imbue in each conversation, fashion choice, and action he embarked upon. His famous quote which made its way around Oxford during his time, "I find it harder and harder to live up to my blue china", speaks to his preoccupation with beauty in the person and outside it. The interest in the aesthetic lead later in life to provide a theme in The Picture of Dorian Gray, a man whose fate revolved around his portrait. Employing the maxim of Victor Hugo that "the beautiful is as useful as the useful... perhaps even more so" Oscar Wilde cut through the modernity of an industrial England and its overly utilitarian character. While Oscar Wilde can be remembered for more than any biographer can capture in a single book, his university days provide an example of what is important over what is useful. Surrounded by the modern university's stress on 'useful' skills, 'employable' traits, and 'responsible' behaviour Oscar Wilde points to those precepts and giggles. The proper engagement of a university student is not mindless activity, but thoughtful idleness.You have permission to edit this article.

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Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.Ethiopia gets its first Female and Muslim Defense Minister

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Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appoints ten females to his cabinet which is fifty percent of the newly formed cabinet.

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Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appoints ten females to his cabinet which is fifty percent of the newly formed cabinet. The Ethiopian prime minister also reduced the number of cabinet members from 28 to just 20 members.

There are two firsts in this new appointments, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali appointed Ms. Aisha Mohammed as the next Minister of Defense making Ms. Aisha Mohammed the first female and Muslim Defense Minister in Ethiopian history. The second first is Dr. Abiy divided the Ethiopian cabinet half and half between men women members which is delighting to news.

Prime Minister Abiy also consolidated many of the previous ministries into the remaining 20 eliminating many repetitive once. He also created a new minster of peace which would be led by former house speaker Ms. Muferiat Kamil.

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Following is the list of the ten women ministers

Muferiat Kamil -Minister of Peace Aisha Mohammed  Minister of Defense Adanech Abebe  Minister of Revenue Fetlework Gebregziabher  Minister of Trade and Industry Dagmawit Mogess  Minister of Transport Hirut Woldemariam (PhD)  Minister of Science and Higher education Yalem Tsegaye Assfaw -Minister of Womens, Childrens and Youth Ergoge Tesfaye (PhD) -Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Hirut Kassaw (PhD) -Minister of Culture and Tourism Fitsum Assefa (PhD)  Minister of Planning and Development Commission

Tigrai Online is happy to see the number of women increased to fifty percent of the cabinet. We think the reshuffling should have been done first after the new prime minister came to power.

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MBABANE  The Swaziland Water Services Corporation (SWSC) intends to award a E4.1 million contract to Afritool.



The contract is for the supply of drilling materials. This is according to an intention to award posted on the Swaziland Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (SPPRA) website, in terms of Section 45 93((b) of the Public Procurement Act No.7 of 2011.

The proposed contract price is E4 115 787.59.

The total evaluation score received by Afritool, a local company, was said to have been low cost based.



Fifteen other companies were unsuccessful in their tender bids for the contract, according to the document.

Nine of the companies were disqualified for reasons which were not mentioned. These include Sibongakonkhe Investments, Buildco Projects, Duzas Investments and Hancy Investments.



The SWSC said in terms of Section 45(2), the contract award did not constitute a contract. The company also notified all tenderers who submitted bids, that they were allowed to submit any application for review in a period of 10 working days from September 19, 2018.



The SWSC according to their website, is a body corporate duly established under the Water Services Corporation Act No.12 of 1992, as the sole provider of water services in the urban areas (water supply, and sewage treatment and disposal) and to control the abstraction of raw water from boreholes in those areas for which it is responsible. SWSC is a category A Public Enterprise in terms of the Public Enterprise (Control and Monitoring) Act No.8 of 1989 and therefore, it is wholly owned by government.

MBABANE  A lifetime experience for MTN BUSHFIRE Festival goers. As an MTN BUSHFIRE Festival goer, whether you are camping, glamping or staying in a five-star hotel, MTN BUSHFIRE has announced that accommodation options are as varied as the acts at the festival.

The range of accommodation options include on-site camping and camping prices are now available.

Wandile Dlamini, who is the Communications Officer at House on Fire, said the public could access all information regarding the festival through their active website and also the local print media.



Camping at any festival enhances the overall festival experience and with the variety of options available to campers, MTN Bushfire is no exception, said Dlamini



Interested



Dlamini further said the official MTN BUSHFIRE campsite leads directly into the main festival site, and there are many options available for those interested, whether they have their own equipment or not.

As in previous years, only those with full festival tickets will be permitted to enter the campsite, said Dlamini.



Next year will be different, due to demand; it will only be possible to purchase ready ejected gear or buy your own camping spots in advance of the festival. As said by Dlamini, it will no longer be possible to purchase camping spots on arrival and these are expected to sell out at least a week in advance of the festival.

Dlamini added that the MTN BUSHFIRE campsite, run by All Out Africa, has great facilities.MBABANE  A State wit- ness in the murder case of police officer Mdudu- zi Schaza Matsebula has been forced to go on special leave following allegations that he was wanted dead.

The State witness is none other than police officer Ngcebo Ver- maak, who is expected to testify against suspect Lucky Obama Matsenjwa in the murder case of Matsebula. Matsebula was a witness in the case of officers, among them be- ing Matsenjwa, who were charged for allegedly partaking in the ille- gal deletion of fingerprint records for convicts who wanted to be cleared so they could be employed or needed the clearances for other purposes. Vermaak became a State witness after he gave information to in- vestigators on the circumstances leading to Matsebulas death last year.

Hired This newspaper has gathered from impeccable sources that Vermaak was granted the spe- cial leave after authorities at the Royal Eswatini Police Service allegedly received a tip-off to the effect that there were men who had been hired to kill him.

According to the sources, the authorities received the tip-off two weeks ago after which they en- gaged Vermaak and deliberated on how his safety could be ensured. The informant allegedly in- formed the authorities that the plot to kill the officer was linked to him being a State witness in Matsenjwas murder case. The matter is said to have been kept under wraps as the authorities feared that investigations could be jeopardised.

The authorities at the head- quarters received news that some hit men were on their way from neighbouring South Africa to kill Vermaak. They then informed him of the situation and advised that he should go on leave to ensure he was safe, the sources alleged. Vermaak is said to have heeded the advice and his whereabouts are currently unknown. When this newspaper made attempts to get hold of him, his phone rang unanswered for the better part of yesterday. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Super- intendent Phindile Vilakati reluc- tantly confirmed the matter when called yesterday.

There are allegations of that sort which have reached the po- lice, which we are looking into. However, for now there is nothing that has confirmed their credibili- ty. What we can emphasise is that State witnesses are safe and there is nothing that can cause them to fear or panic in any way, she said. Asked on the allegations that Vermaak was currently not at work, Vilakati said he was actu- ally having normal off-days just like all other employees and that there was nothing sinister about him being away. It is an undeniable fact that Matsebulas death dealt the Crown a major blow as his ev- idence was vital for it to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt against the accused per- sons in the fingerprints case.

This is because he was the one who had information on the mo- dus operandi allegedly employed when clearing the criminal re- cords. He also allegedly knew the amounts that were paid by some of the convicts, who had their criminal records cleared, by the accused law enforcers. After Matsebulas death and Matsenjwas subsequent arrest, Vermaak assisted the police dur- ing the investigations into his (Matsebula) and recorded a state- ment. Schaza was discovered dead in a river in May last year by chil- dren who were going to church.

Lifeless When his lifeless body was dis- covered, it had missing body parts and it was suspected that animals in the river had eaten his mouth and nose. A week after his death, Matsen- jwa was arrested at the Ngwenya Border Gate upon his return from neighbouring South Africa. During his application for bail, Matsenjwa claimed that a certain officer was in fact the one who was last seen with Mastsebula.

He contended that if the infor- mation the officer gave to the investigators on the circumstances leading to Matsebulas death was anything to go by, he must have acted in common purpose with him and he should be arrested. Even though he did not mention the name, it was common knowl- edge that officer Vermaak was the one who came out to state that he was allegedly sent by Matsenjwa to call Matsebula.

As a means of clearing his name, Vermaak even granted this newspaper an interview where he clarified speculation that was doing rounds that he had also been arrested. He further put it on record that he never colluded with the suspect (Matsenjwa). It should be noted that in June last year, it was submitted in court that Matsenjwa allegedly threatened to kill more witnesses, especially police officers, in the fingerprints clearance case.

Opposing These submissions were made by Mbabane Desk Officer Assistant Superintendent Solomon Mavuso who was opposing Matsenjwas application for bail at the time. Mavuso informed the court that there was enough evidence im- plicating Matsenjwa in the com- mission of all the offences and he had no bona fide defence.

He alleged that Matsenjwa was at Solanis in Mbabane at the time Matsebula was called from his house by a certain person, believed to be Vermaak, on the accused persons instructions. The senior law enforcer con- tinued to state that evidence showed that Matsenjwa had been requesting Vermaak to make some arrangements for him to meet with Matsebula. Matsenjwa, according to Mavuso, disclosed the purpose of such meeting to the witness.

Assistant Superintendent Ma- vuso went on to tell the court that there was also evidence which revealed that Matsenjwa was the one who organised a car to collect Matsebula from the gate, where he was waiting since Matsebula told Vermaak that he had no form of transport to go to Solanis.LAS Monaco a annonce le forfait de Kevin NDoram (22 ans) pour les rencontres a venir.

Le milieu de terrain souffre dune plaie au coude, consecutive a  une altercation survenue ce week-end suite a un accident de la circulation . Il sera indisponible durant 3 ou 4 semaines.Based on final data by the Bank of Greece, the balance of travel services in January-June 2018 posted a surplus of 3,693 million, up 17.4% from a surplus of 3,147 million in January-June 2017. This development was due to the stronger increase in travel receipts (up 700 million or 17.2%) than in travel payments (up 154 million or 16.5%). The rise in travel receipts in January-June 2018 relative to the same period of 2017 stemmed from a 22.9% increase in the number of non-resident inbound visitors, as average expenditure per trip fell by 22 or 4.7% (January-June 2018: 453, January-June 2017: 476).

Specifically, expenditure per overnight stay rose by 1.0% (January-June 2018: 69, January-June 2017: 68), while the average length of stay fell by 5.6% year-on-year to 6.6 nights (January-June 2017: 7.0 nights). The number of overnight stays increased by 16.0% to 69,429 thousand in January-June 2018, from 59,859 thousand in January-June 2017.

Travel receipts

In January-June 2018, travel receipts totalled 4,777 million, up 17.2% relative to the same period of 2017. This development was driven by a 25.1% increase in receipts from residents of the EU28, which came to 3,321 million or 69.5% of total travel receipts, and by a 2.2% rise in receipts from residents outside the EU28 to 1,305 million.

In particular, receipts from euro area residents increased by 25.9% year-on-year to 2,064 million, while receipts from residents of non-euro area EU28 countries also rose, by 23.9% to 1,257 million.

Among major countries of origin, receipts from Germany rose by 40.6% to 945 million and receipts from France rose by 9.9% to 271 million. Receipts from the United Kingdom also increased, by 6.0% to 701 million. Turning to non-EU28 countries, receipts from Russia fell by 19.9% to 103 million, whereas receipts from the United States increased by 14.4% to 313 million.

Travel receipts by trip purpose

Looking at the breakdown of non-resident expenditure in Greece by trip purpose, trips for personal reasons represented the bulk of receipts in January-June 2018, with a share of 92.0% in total expenditure, unchanged from the same period of 2017, while the corresponding receipts increased by 17.1%. Within this category, leisure accounted for the largest share of total expenditure (January-June 2018: 80.4%, January-June 2017: 80.7%), with the corresponding receipts increasing by 16.8% to 3,843 million. Trips for the purpose of visiting family, with a share of 6.8% in total expenditure, showed a rise of 36.2% in corresponding receipts. Receipts from trips for health purposes decreased by 15.0% to 20 million. Finally, receipts from business trips increased by 17.6%, but their share in total receipts remained unchanged at 8.0% in January-June 2018.

Inbound traveller flows

As already mentioned, the number of inbound visitors in January-June 2018, increased by 22.9% to 10,536 thousand, from 8,574 thousand in January-June 2017. Specifically, visitor flows through airports increased by 18.3%, while visitor flows through road border-crossing points increased by 22.2%. Visitors from within the EU28 accounted for 63.9% of the total number of visitors, while visitors from outside the EU28 accounted for 25.9% (1). In January-June 2018, visitors from the EU28 increased by 26.2% relative to the same period of 2017. This development is attributed to an increase in the number of visitors from euro area countries (up 22.3% to 3,504 thousand), as well as to a rise in the number of visitors from the non-euro area EU28 countries (up 30.6% to 3,222 thousand). The number of visitors from non-EU28 countries rose by 4.6% to 2,731 thousand.

In particular, visitors from Germany increased by 38.9% to 1,456 thousand, as did visitors from France, by 11.0% to 459 thousand. Visitors from the United Kingdom also increased, by 10.5% to 1,058 thousand. Finally, turning to non-EU28 countries, the number of visitors from Russia fell by 18.7% to 152 thousand, while the number of visitors from the United States rose by 16.5% to 348 thousand.

Overnight stays

In January-June 2018, the number of overnight stays in Greece totalled 69,429 thousand, up by 16.0% from 59,859 thousand in January-June 2017. This reflected an increase of 24.1% in nights spent by residents of the EU28, as nights spent by residents of non-EU28 countries declined by 2.6%. The rise in overnight stays by residents of the EU28 is attributed to increases by 24.9% in nights spent by residents of the euro area and by 22.8% in nights spent by residents of non-euro area EU28 countries. The number of overnight stays increased by 38.7% for German residents, by 20.3% for French residents and by 1.6% for UK residents. Turning to non-EU28 countries, the number of overnight stays by Russian residents declined by 14.6%, while overnight stays by US residents rose by 20.5%.

Cruises

Since 2012, the Bank of Greece conducts a Cruise Survey in order to enrich the data collected through its Border Survey. Following a standardised methodology, detailed cruise data for the period January-June 2018 were collected from 16 Greek ports, covering 86.5% of all cruise ship arrivals.

The period under review saw 1,118 cruise ship arrivals (January-June 2017: 1,178) and 1,637 thousand cruise passenger visits (January-June 2017: 1,565 thousand). According to the Cruise Survey, 90.4% of all cruise passengers were transit visitors, with an average of 1.5 stopovers at Greek ports of call (down from 2.3 stopovers in January-June 2017).

Total receipts from cruise passengers in January-June 2018 rose by 2.4% year-on-year to 167 million. Of this amount, 15.4 million were already captured in the Border Survey data, as they represent receipts from visitors leaving the country through Greek last ports, while the remaining 151.1 million concern additional receipts data recorded by the complementary Cruise Survey.

The port of Piraeus ranks first with a share of 45.6% in total cruises receipts, followed by the port of Corfu with 15.8% and the port of Santorini with 9.1%. The seven most important cruise ship ports account for 91.1% of total cruise receipts and 85.1% of total cruise passenger visits.

In the period under review, total overnight stays ashore increased year-on-year by 6.2% to 1,796 thousand, while the total number of cruise visitors rose by 66.3% to an estimated 1,110 thousand, with a positive impact on cruise receipts.

Balance of travel services by region

As shown by the Border Survey, travel receipts in the period January-June 2018 amounted to 4,626 million. Five regions accounted for the bulk (88.1%) of total receipts, namely: the Southern Aegean (1,176 million), Crete (1,005 million), Attica (876 million), Central Macedonia (552 million) and the Ionian Islands (464 million). The remaining regions (the Peloponnese, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Epirus, Thessaly, Western Greece, Central Greece, the Northern Aegean and Western Macedonia) together accounted for 553 million.

Visits to Greece (all 13 regions combined) in January-June 2018 totalled 10,828 thousand. The number of visits exceeds the number of inbound visitors, as travellers may visit more than one region in the course of one trip.

The six most popular regional destinations, accounting for 86.7% of total visits, were: Attica (2,363 thousand visits), Central Macedonia (2,350 thousand), the Southern Aegean (1,790 thousand), Crete (1,555 thousand), the Ionian Islands (720 thousand) and Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (614 thousand). The remaining regions (Epirus, the Peloponnese, Western Greece, Thessaly, Central Greece, Western Macedonia and the Northern Aegean) together accounted for 1,435 thousand visits.

The number of overnight stays in Greece in the period under review totalled 67,981 thousand. According to the breakdown into the 13 regions, five regions accounted for 86.8% of total overnight stays, namely: the Southern Aegean (14,490 thousand visits), Crete (14,062 thousand), Attica (13,100 thousand), Central Macedonia (11,151 thousand) and the Ionian Islands (6,209 thousand). The remaining regions (the Peloponnese, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Epirus, Thessaly, Western Greece, Central Greece, the Northern Aegean and Western Macedonia) together accounted for 8,969 thousand overnight stays.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism reportInternational Space Summit is held by the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO) as part of CSEOs ongoing efforts to develop the sector on the island

Top scientists from around the planet will gather this week in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia for an International Space Summit.

The International Space Summit is held by the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO) as part of CSEOs ongoing efforts to develop the sector on the island.

The summit will be attended by top-level scientists, such as the Chief Scientist of NASA James Green, the Director of Space Research Institute of Russia, the Minister of State of Advanced Sciences of the UAE, and other top officials and scientists from Europe, India and China.

Source: C.N.A.

Read more at greekreporter.com

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report"If we don't reform, we will sink," Yiannis Retsos, president of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) declared on Tuesday, addressing the annual congress on "Tourism in Transition: #someTHINKdifferent".

Addressing executives of the tourism industry, Retsos pointed out that the tourism sector was at a crucial crossroads where the future of tourism demands innovative strategies and detailed planning to exploit all the opportunities arising. "The road towards the future requires knowledge and expertise," he noted, adding that tourism will be at the forefront of a digital transformation of the Greek economy.

Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura, in her address, said that digital transformation was a government priority and underlined that through the implementation of innovative products a further increase in tourist arrivals can be achieved. She presented the ministry's actions in this direction and referred to the support of startup companies, coding of tourism legislation and digitalisation of tourism education. Kountoura said that the Greek Tourism Organisation will soon launch its new digital portal, Visit Greece, in 10 languages.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism reportIts a question that pops up between Greeks: who makes the best Spanakopita and now Boston public TV and radio WGHB is taking it to a contest as one of the categories in their Food and Wine Festival featuring 20 chefs.

They include Brenan Pelley  shortened from his grandfathers name of Pelekasis  who drew raves for modern concept Greek dishes at his Wink and Nod restaurant.

My grandfather on my dads side is Greek and he passed all of his family recipes to my mom when she married into the family, and she passed them on to me. Ive been cooking Greek food since I was a kid, he told the station. Hell have tough competition from chief Chef Michele Ragussis, who also has Greek heritage and a strong background in food shows. Let the best spanakopita win.

Read more at thenationalherald.com

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism reportThe island group of Cyclades is the top hoice for hotel investment in Greece according to a joint report conducted as a collaborative project between Tranio and MR&H with the aim to explore international investors sentiment in the Mediterranean resort and hotel real estate market.

The survey analysed the responses of more than 60 participants over the period of one month. The survey was taken by real estate agents, investors, developers and industry experts in the region, all partners of Tranio and MR&H.

Key findings from the report

The majority of respondents (86%) note that the activity of international investors is increasing in the region

Spain, Greece and Italy top the ranking as the most attractive countries for investors

The main factors contributing to a countrys popularity among investors area stable economy and low bank charges (Spain, Italy, France), residency or citizenship by investment programmes (Spain, Portugal, Cyprus), and a growing market with high yield prospects(Greece).

55% of the respondents named the Cyclades Islands: Thir (Santorini), Mykonos and Paros as the most popular locations among investors in Greece

39% of the respondents believe that the Costa del Sol and other locations on the Andalusian coastline (Malaga, Marbella, Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Fuengirola) are particularly attractive

3/4star hotels and resorts are the most popular investment types among international investors

The two main motivations for investing in hotel real estate are for personal use (as holiday/second homes), as well as portfolio diversification of investors

72% of respondents believe that an investment in hotel real estate in the Mediterranean becomes unprofitable because of ineffective asset management

More than half of the respondents surveyed by MR&H (57%) believe that resort and hotel real estate is the most popular, or one of the most popular, categories of investment properties in the Mediterranean region. At the same time, only 34% of Tranios respondents share this opinion, and about half of the respondents indicate that interest in resort and hotel real estate is at an average level versus other types of income property. In both cases, only a small proportion of those surveyed consider this category unpopular.

The factors which make a country popular among investors are a stable economy and low bank charges (Spain, Italy, France), the residence permit for investment programmes (Spain, Portugal, Cyprus), and a growing market with high yield prospects (Greece). According to some respondents, investor interest in Spain temporarily stopped increasing after real estate prices hit rock bottom and bank charges began to rise. And if we take Greeces case, one of the respondents noted that investors in Greece are buying up distressed assets for redevelopment or conversion, but shy away from any greenfields. The investment environment is complicated by protracted judicial procedures.

Nevertheless, if the whole bureaucratic climate improves, so will investment. As to the locations popular among investors in Greece, 55% of the respondents named the Cyclades Islands, namely Tyr (Santorini), Mykonos and Paros. Many also consider Athens (36%) and Crete (27%) promising, while some respondents mention Rhodes and Halkidiki. In Spain, 39% of the respondents believe that the Costa del Sol and other locations on the Andalusian coastline (Malaga, Marbella, Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Fuengirola) are particularly attractive. Barcelona is preferred by 22% of those surveyed, and the Balearic Islands (primarily Ibiza) and Costa Brava are among the other locations mentioned. Finally, Rome, Milan and Puglia were each named by 18% of the respondents as preferred destinations.

Answering the question of who are the top nationalities investing in Mediterranean resort and hotel real estate, respondents said that nationals from Russia, the United States, China and the Arab countries, and other countries of the former Soviet Union, top the list. However, both Tranio and MR&H respondents differ in their views as to the ranking of the investors regarding their nationality. According to the respondents, in Greece, real estate funds from the United States, as well as British private equities, stand out among investors.

The most popular types of resort and hotel real estate are 3/4star hotels and resorts. Hotels top the list of Tranio respondents (33% of the votes), while resorts lead the MR&H rating (38% of the respondents votes).

One of the respondents said that the concept of vacations has completely changed over the last few years. Tourists are searching for new destinations in the Mediterranean peninsula, looking for a more authentic and "local" experience. So, traditional "big" hotels are facing a challenge whereas the new type of hotels like serviced apartments, which offer a more authentic experience most of the time, are gaining ground. It is worth mentioning that a number of traditional hotels have changed into serviced apartments.

Almost half of the respondents (46%) believe that the main reason for buying resort and hotel real estate in the Mediterranean is a desire to have their own housing where they can take a vacation. However, almost the same number of the survey participants (41%) think that investors are buying such properties to diversify their portfolios.

About Tranio

Tranio is an international real estate platform with a dedicated and independent team of analysts and real estate investment experts. The company publishes daily news, local property market reports, analysis on overseas property investors, expert advice for first-time buyers and investment tips.

About Questex Hospitality Group

Questex Hospitality Group serves the worldwide hospitality, travel and related industries that together contribute over $6 trillion to global GDP. Through our innovative platform of targeted solutions, the group serves the sectors entire ecosystem from tourism and hotel development and investment to hotel design, purchasing, management and operations. The Questex Hospitality+Travel Group serves every B2B segment of the industry via our proven demand generation, learning, loyalty and rewards solutions as well as our network of live events. For more information visit https://www.questex.com/markets/hospitality.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: pixabay.comThe Senior Commercial Officer of the US Embassy to Greece, Keith Silver, reaffirmed the profound US commercial and financial interest in Greece, on the sidelines of a visit by diplomats and trade attaches to western Macedonia, a mission organised by Enterprise Greece and the Western Macedonia Region.

Speaking to Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA), Silver noted that the US is seeking elements from western Macedonia that will further enhance trade and economic relations between the two countries and conveyed the satisfaction of US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross over his last meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in New York, as well as his visit to the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) in September.

He added that in scheduled meetings with the representatives of Greek enterprises, he wants to monitor the common ground and the interests between the two sides and to 'present our innovative ideas and products that could help SMEs on the other side and see which of those enterprises could expand to the US market".

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe countries that have seen the greatest growth in flight bookings from travelers in Italy in the last 12 months are the United States of America (USA), China and Turkey, according to an analysis conducted by Travelport, the leading travel commerce platform.

From 1 October 2017 to 30 September 2018, bookings made in Italy through all global distribution systems (GDS) to the USA increased by close to 30,000, up 5% on the previous 12 months. Bookings to China from Italy over the period rose by 26,366, up 9%, and to Turkey by 18,098, up a significant 27%.

Global distribution systems (GDS) are vast hi-tech reservation networks that allow travel agents, travel management companies and large corporations, among others, to search and book airline seats, hotel rooms, rental cars, and other travel related items. Globally in 2017, Travelport alone processed 1 trillion transactions through its platform.

Sandro Gargiulo, Travelports Country Manager for Italy and Malta said: Its interesting to see that flight bookings to the USA and China, two of Italys top trading partners outside of Europe, have grown so significantly over the past year. We know that business is one of many reasons people choose to travel. Increases in flight capacity from airlines such as Air Italy will also have played a role. The company reported just last month, for example, that its new intercontinental flights from Milan Malpensa to Miami and New York had already reached load factors of more than 90%, despite only being launched in June. Turkeys tourism industry continues to go from strength-to-strength. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, income from the sector increased by 30%, year-on-year, in the second quarter of 2018. The growth were seeing from Italy to Turkey is of course helped by the increasing number of short, affordable and direct flights to the country.

India and Greece completed the top five positions in the table compiled by Travelport. India saw an increase of 16,020 (+11%) in bookings made from Italy through all GDS, while Greece recorded a rise of 15,516 (+13%).

Mr. Gargiulo added: Travelport has invested significantly in developing cutting-edge analytics products for travel agents and airlines because we recognize the impact they can have on their revenue. Even relatively straight forward booking analysis, like we have done here, can help travel agents evolve the packages they offer in line with traveler demand and support airlines in identifying needs to increase or decrease flight capacity on certain routes.

Later this week, Travelport will hold its exclusive Travelport LIVE Europe event in Rome. The event will bring together over 200 business leaders from across the region to discuss the challenges and opportunities disruptive technologies, like big data, pose to the travel industry in Europe. It will include presentations and panel discussions featuring global, regional and local leaders from Travelport, as well as noteworthy third-party speakers such as Bibop G. Gresta, Chairman and Co-Founder of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies.

Read more at rustourismnews.com

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism reportADCorp, the first ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market)-based Islamic financial institution, has announced the appointment of Mohammed Al Khaja as the companys senior executive officer.



Al Khaja will report directly to ADCorps Board of Directors. He will have overall responsibility over the companys activities, driving the strategy as set out by the board and leading its strategic and operational activities.



Al Khaja brings over 18 years of experience in financial advisory, asset management, wealth management, private banking, compliance and operations, having held senior management positions at Credit Suisse AG-Bahrain and Dubai, Merrill Lynch-Bahrain, and most recently Osool Asset Management in Bahrain.



Jassim Alseddiqi, executive chairman of ADCorp, said: This is a very exciting time for ADCorp as it enters its next stage of growth. We are delighted to have Mohammed Al Khaja join the team to lead the business through its continued development. Mohammed brings with him strong expertise in the banking sector, gained from well-regarded regional and international institutions, along with strong leadership skills. We are confident that he will significantly contribute to the future growth of the company.



Al Khaja said: I am extremely pleased to be joining ADCorp and look forward to working with the Board to drive the business forward in the coming years. With strong partners, a focused approach and a healthy deal pipeline, there is a wealth of opportunities that will allow us to create value for our shareholders.



ADCorp has set up offices in Abu Dhabi Global Markets, the regions newest international financial centre and a strategic location for ADCorp. The company is primarily focused on providing financing to companies that require funding in accordance with Sharia principles.  TradeArabia News ServiceOman and Saudi Arabia are racing to complete the work on the first-ever direct land link between the two neighbouring countries by the end of this year, said a report.



The project has been termed as an engineering marvel, having been built through the sands of the Empty Quarter, which is the largest contiguous sand desert in the world, reported Times of Oman.



The existing 52-km one-way road from Hafeet to Wadi Saa will be transformed into a dual carriageway.



The Empty Quarter had stood for centuries between these neighbours, and with this road project, the first-ever land link will be a reality for the citizens of both Oman and Saudi Arabia, it stated.



More than 130 million cu m of sand were removed as the sultanate gears up to open the 680-km-long 'engineering marvel to the public, said the report, citing the Saudi ambassador Eid Al Thaqafi.



"Its about to be completed. There were some delays in road works. From the Omani side, the road work has been completed as the distance is shorter compared to the Saudi Arabian side. For the Saudi side, the road passes through a very tough geographical area, which is the Empty Quarter," explained Al Thaqafi.



Presently, the quickest route between the two countries is the 1,638-km-long road passing through the UAE which takes about 16 to 18 hours. Once the new road opens, it is expected to save more than 800 km of the journey, said the report.



In Oman, the road begins from the area of Tanam in Ibri, continuing through the oilfields until it reaches the Empty Quarter, where the Oman-Saudi border is located, it added.Huawei, a leading global provider of ICT infrastructure and smart devices, held an Artificial Intelligence (AI) conference at their third annual Innovation Day on the sidelines of the ongoing Gitex Technology Week 2018 in Dubai, UAE.



The event attracted industry experts and government leaders, including the guest of honour and keynote speaker, Mothanna Hamdan Gharaibeh, Jordan Minister of ICT, to strategize on the best path forward to bringing AI to the Middle East.



Mothanna Gharaibeh said: Investing in AI is an investment in the future. AI has the potential to solve many intractable challenges we are facing across industries today, by transforming the way we approach problems, and completing tasks more effectively and efficiently than humans can. It will also free people from spending our labour on tedious and repetitive tasks, allowing us to use our minds to engage in high-level activities.



Investing in Jordan ICT is not only valuable, it is also smart; Jordan is perfectly poised to benefit from the opportunities of AI  we have at our disposal a population of talented and innovative entrepreneurs. By continuing to invest in progressing the ICT industry, and its next evolution in the form of AI, we will open new venues of innovation and economic growth for organizations, and uplift the Kingdom to new heights of prosperity.



Anwaar Al Shimmari, chief innovation officer, Ministry of Infrastructure Development, UAE, gave a keynote about the benefits of AI in meeting global infrastructure demands and the ability of robots to deliver information faster, reduce costs and risks. She said: Robots will use building facility management and asset management concepts to monitor and control infrastructure assets.



The Middle East is one of the first regions worldwide to import Huaweis recently-unveiled revolutionary AI products and solutions. The AI conference was held just a week after Huawei Rotating Chairman Eric Xu announced the global launch of Huaweis AI strategy, as well as its full-stack, all-scenario AI portfolio.



Huaweis AI portfolio includes its new Ascend series of AI chips  the worlds first AI IP and chip series designed for a full range of scenarios. The portfolio also includes new products and cloud services that are built on Ascend chip capabilities. With its full-stack AI portfolio, Huawei aims to provide pervasive intelligence to help drive industry development and build a fully connected, intelligent world.



Huawei predicts that by 2025, the world will see upwards of 40 billion personal smart devices, and 90 per cent of device users will have a smart digital assistant. Data utilization will reach 86 per cent and AI services will be readily available, as prevalent as the air we breathe. According to Huawei, AI has become a new general purpose technology and will change all industries and organizations on earth.



Alaa El Shimy, managing director and vice president at Huawei Enterprise Business Group, said, AI is on the verge of transforming industries and organizations across the world, and we are committed to helping our customers and partners make the most of the technologys potential to unlock innovation and economic growth.



Right now the priority is for industry and government leaders to discuss which challenges and opportunities AI can most immediately address, to convert this cutting-edge technology into profitability for organizations. This AI conference will help us, and regional governments, succeed in our mission to position the Middle East for success in the age of AI.  TradeArabia News ServiceSaudi Arabia has started implementing a long-awaited overhaul of its power sector to curb rising demand and promote competition, according to Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (Apicorp), the multilateral development bank focused on the energy sector.



This comes at a time when the demand has been growing 6.6 per cent annually for the last 12 years, stated Apicorp in the latest research report published on October 16.



This months report discusses how Saudi Arabia urgently needs to resolve the imbalance of current demand for power as against, and assesses possible options.



Demand for electricity in Saudi Arabia has risen by 6.6 per cent every year since 2006, and while the government has previously invested in installed capacity to increase it from 60 GW in 2010 to 82 GW currently, it is not sustainable.



It puts unmanageable pressure on the state energy budget, and Saudi Electric Company (SEC), the state utility is also borrowing at all-time highs, said the report.



The government has therefore begun plans to reform the sector. Having seen a third consecutive year of budget deficits, it is keen to have a more sustainable resource allocation plan. This also comes at a time when the kingdom is pursuing an ambitious plan to diversify its economy and allow for greater participation from private sector. The power sector is perhaps one of the most suitable industries for privatisation.



The government previously announced that it would break SEC up into four power-generating companies, one transmission and one distribution company. This is a first step towards market liberalisation, which has long been overdue, said Apicorp in its report.



Much uncertainty remains on the timing of these reforms, which were first announced to take place by the end of 2016. The plan will centre on allocating SECs power-generating assets to four companies, with the likelihood that these companies will be offered to local and international investors.



The new market structure implies that the government will keep the single-buyer model and maintain its monopoly in the transmission and distribution networks. This will make the power-generating element of the sector more competitive and could eliminate some of the inefficiencies prevailing in the current model where the state owns most of the power-generating capacities, said the report.



However, reform could also come in the form of a multiple buyer approach - where wholesale buyers compete amongst themselves to purchase power from generators.



In this structure, wholesale buyers sell their electricity to one or more transmission/distribution companies who then sell to consumers. Multiple buyers will enable price signals to work and government involvement will be reduced as the market becomes more liquid.



According to Apicorp, integrating renewable energy in the new market structure will also be important.



The kingdom announced plans to seek $30 to 50 billion in investments by 2023 to help meet the 9.5 GW target for solar and wind energy, and the first utility-scale solar project was recently awarded to Acwa Power.



The 300-MW Sakaka photovoltaic (PV) project  to be located in the Al Jawf region - achieved a world-record price of $0.02342/kWh and will operate under a long term PPA.



The government also introduced a series of price reforms to help reduce demand growth. It first raised electricity prices at the end of 2015 by up to 100 per cent for some consumption brackets, although the final price was still very low.



A second round of price hikes followed in 2017. This inevitably has had an impact on electricity demand growth.



Mustafa Ansari, senior economist at Apicorp, said: "The government has begun a process of overhauling the power sector. On the supply side, a market structure reform with the breakup of SEC is imminent while on the demand side, the government will try to tackle rising demand by liberalising electricity prices and introducing efficiency measures."



"While these reforms are long overdue, they are certainly a step in the right direction. But the lack of clarity on how consumers will respond to price hikes, as well as the unclear future structure of the power sector and uncertainty surrounding the renewable-energy integration form the key challenges," he added.-TradeArabia News Service5G could generate almost $270 billion for the regional ICT sector in the next decade, according to new research conducted by ICT leader Huawei in partnership with Analysys Mason, a global consulting and research firm.



Titled Unlocking Digital Opportunities with 5G, the White Paper takes a deep look at the impact 5G will have in the GCC, comparing the country readiness of five different markets with key international benchmarks, and makes recommendations on how operators and governments can capitalize on the technology.



The data leaves no doubt that investing in 5G is worthwhile: in the GCC alone, 5G will provide a cumulative new revenue opportunity over ten years totalling $269 billion, with about 50 per cent of this addressable by operators, and the rest by other ICT players.



To arrive at this sum, Analysis Mason and Huawei identified the top fifty use cases for 5G, splitting them into short-term and long-term. For the first phase, enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), connected health, connected cars and smart city applications were the most common sectors to be at the centre of the 5G business plan.



After that, robotics and drones, VR and transportation move into the top priorities, along with continued enhancement of MBB. Overall, VR for on-demand video streaming and VR for 4K/8K live video streaming use cases have the most potential to profit operators in the region.



Given 5Gs wide-ranging applicability, the Whitepaper makes the case that a digital, sliceable platform is critical to 5G success, as it offers agility and adaptability. Flexibility to address new use cases, even unforeseen ones, as they emerge, quickly and cost-effectively, is critical to commercial success in the 5G era. In line with this necessity, the paper advises regulators to promote policy neutrality and open spectrum to accelerate commercial deployment.



The research finds that the GCC is well poised to deploy 5G, with the UAE in particular being the most 5G-ready country in the region. In order to strengthen this position, the Whitepaper calls for collaboration between operators and vertical industries.



Those operators which develop close relationships with the industry sectors, such as enterprise and healthcare to trial projects, will be first to unlock profit from 5G.



The paper was unveiled at the 5G Ecosystem Conference hosted by Huawei on the sidelines of the 3rd annual Middle East Innovation Day in Dubai, UAE.



Under the theme 5G is Now, Sailing to New eMBB Horizons, the conference promoted a 5G Ecosystem in the Middle East by bringing together operators, regulatory agencies, industry leaders and other stakeholders to discuss 5G from a business, policy, and industry perspective.



Opening the conference, Bocar BA, CEO, Samena Telecommunications Council said: Samena Council is engaged and working closely with Huawei, telecom operators, governments regulatory authorities and international organizations to create the enabling environment for the development of the 5G ecosystem.



Todays conference by Huawei has been a successful effort toward this objective, and it will bear positive impact on our industrys pace of 5G development and launch. 5G is highly important for the regions digital economy and, being so, will carry tremendous ramifications for socioeconomic progress in the region, for fostering improved understanding and collaboration among the stakeholders, and for enabling the fulfilment of the global sustainable agenda.



Tariq Al Awadhi, executive director Spectrum Affairs, UAE TRA, said: Our stakeholders have been the key success. They have brought the knowledge and the expertise together to help us succeed in our endeavours."



During the event, Huawei organized live trials of the most cutting-edge 5G uses cases. These included drone taxis, a Virtual Room (VR) showroom, and tele-operated driving. Huawei also signed memorandums of understanding (MoU), with key partners to strengthen the 5G Ecosystem, including with Media Pro, Orange Business Service, and TPCast. Certificates were awarded to Internet of Things (IoT) organizations who have demonstrated outstanding value in the field of IoT.



An Jian, President of Carrier Network Business Group, Huawei Middle East, said: 5Gs impact will be far-reaching, profiting not only operators but also enterprises, consumers, and society through digital transformation.



Investing in 5G is thus an economic and social imperative. Todays 5G Ecosystem Conference is part of our effort to map out the industry blueprint for a fully connected, intelligent world driven by ICT. Our goal at Huawei is to provide strategic insight  and foresight  to our partners in both the public and private sectors, so that together we can navigate the Digital Transformation journey seamlessly, in an integrated and profitable manner.



As a major telecommunication solutions supplier, Huawei has setup strategic partnership in 5G areas with carriers, and signed six 5G commercial contracts in the Middle East out of 18 globally. In 2018, Huawei has formed a series of strategic partnerships with telecommunication operators in Kuwait, and has accomplished some significant 5G progress in the country, he added.



In addition, a panel discussion titled Promoting the growth of 5G Industry and Ecosystem in ME was held to discuss the acceleration of the release of new spectrums for 5G deployment, the current regional 5G policies, the advantages of forming a 5G ecosystem, and the role of carriers in 5G enabling vertical industries.  TradeArabia News ServiceCrypto Derivatives Exchange Awaits Regulatory License

Quedex Limited, a cryptocurrency derivatives exchange, is expected to shortly receive regulatory approval in Gibraltar which should encourage trading from institutional investors.

Wiktor Gromniak, director and chief executive of Quedex Limited, told Markets Media that the company is based in Gibraltar as the jurisdiction has been forward thinking about the regulation of cryptocurrency and digital assets.

Quedex is a crypto-centric derivatives exchange listing futures and European vanilla options. The firm secured $888k of seed financing in 2016 and a test version of the exchange was launched in December last year. Gromniak said smaller firms have been trading.

Large institutional investors are interested in using the exchange and waiting for our regulatory approval, he added. We are in the final stages of our license application and the process should be complete in the coming weeks.

The US exchanges, Cboe Global Markets and CME Group, started trading Bitcoin futures in December last year. Rival US exchange, ICE, is also due to launch physically settled bitcoin futures next month.

Gromniak said he did not see these larger exchanges as direct competitors.

He said: We are a crypto-centric exchange with bitcoin as our home currency for cash settlement, and the US dollar underlying our derivatives, so they can be used for hedging. CME and Cboe contracts offer the opposite and so are used for speculation.

Quendex derivatives are margined and settled in bitcoin and only bitcoin is deposited and withdrawn, with clearing and settlement in-house. Gromniak continued that Quedex also trades 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Custody

One of the main hurdles holding back the institutional trading of cryptocurrencies is the lack of trusted custody solutions according to GreySpark Partners. The consultancy said in a report last month: The market is waiting for big houses such as State Street and Northern Trust to take on this role. Difficulties in accessing liquidity or finding capital-efficient instruments for short or hedge positions is also an issue.

Gromniak said Quedex will also be regulated as a custodian of crypto assets.

Security is a priority and we have a proprietary solution, he added. We achieve ultimate security by using multi-signature cold storage for cryptocurrencies and end-to-end encryption for communication with the exchange engine.

Axel Pierron, co-founder and managing director at consultancy Opimas, said in a recent report that custody is often used in the sense of safekeeping for digital assets , without including the additional services that traditional bank custodians provide to clients.

Pierron said: Given the sensitivity and importance of the crypto wallet private key and the numerous reported hacks and thefts of coins, this aspect of the value chain is of great strategic importance to the development of this industry.

He continued there are two main methods of safekeeping. Hot storage is online, which is convenient but vulnerable to theft and hacks, as the private key and wallet are connected to the network. Cold storage is offline, and so is safer and more secure, but takes more time to access funds.

As is often the case in the digital asset world, participants end up with a trade-off between speed and security, said Pierron.

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For more information on related topics, visit the following channels:Crypto Valleys Top 50 Companies Have $44B Market Cap

The number of companies in Crypto Valley working with blockchain technology is growing rapidly. As of September 30, 2018, a total of over 600 blockchain related companies in Switzerland and Liechtenstein were registered on CV Maps, an online directory of the blockchain industry created and maintained by CV VC. The number is nearly double that recorded in the spring of this year.

CV VC, a blockchain-focused investor and incubator in Zug, has worked with PwC Strategy& Switzerland and the information management firm inacta to identify the top 50 Crypto Valley companies based on CV Maps data.

Strong capital base

Companies qualifying for this crypto super-league must meet three criteria: Firstly, blockchain technology has to be part of the companys core business, secondly, it must employ more than one person in Switzerland or Liechtenstein, and lastly, it should make some contribution to the blockchain ecosystem and the wider Crypto Valley community. There are three additional criteria, at least one of which must be fulfilled: Funding in excess of US$10 million, a valuation of more than U$10 million or the provision of at least 10 full-time positions in Switzerland or Liechtenstein.

CV VC's report sheds light on the various sub-sectors of the industry, their market capitalization and their headcount. Some highlights at a glance:

- At the end of September 2018, CV Maps directory contained over 600 companies working with blockchain technology (directly, or as a service provider, such as specialized consultancies, law firms, blockchain organizations and academic institutions).

- According to CV Maps database, Blockchain companies employ around 3000 people in Switzerland. The Top 50 alone counts 443 employees. Most companies employ many more people abroad.

- The Top 50 companies together have a market capitalization of around US$ 44 billion, however the consolidated value of the sector overall can only be estimated, as many companies do not publish exact data.

- The Top 50 companies have a very strong capital base, especially compared to other startups. Many of them have funding in the tens or hundreds of millions.

- Five Blockchain Unicorns are either based in or have originated from the Crypto Valley: Bitmain, Cardano, Dfinity, Ethereum and Xapo.

Crypto Valley contains a large subset of the blockchain industry, from health tech to data analytics to e-government. Two secondary areas feature in the top 50 list: the first is broker, trade & exchange and the second is platform & protocol. Each is represented by 11 companies. Other sub-sectors that include many companies are hardware & middleware as well as community, P2P & loyalty.

In addition to CV Maps own databases, data used to compile the Top 50 was drawn from information provided by the companies themselves, from crypto exchanges, media reports and social media such as LinkedIn. Where no information was available, estimates were made and declared as such in the CV VC Report. Estimates of worth were rounded into four categories: $10 million, $25 million, $100 million and $1000 million ($1 billion).

"The Top 50 report shows that Crypto Valley has retained its appeal as a location for blockchain companies from all sectors" said Ralf Glabischnig, founder and managing partner of information management firm inacta, which built the CV Maps database.

The new information provided by CV Maps sheds light on the rapid growth rate of Crypto Valley. At the time of its April 2017 launch, the online directory contained 350 companies, just over half as many as there are today.

Partnership with PwC

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For more information on related topics, visit the following channels:Fidelitys Entrance into Institutional Crypto Could Blaze New Trails

Sometimes all it takes is one to get things started.

And in the crypto universe, which has seen limited institutional investment due to several issues, such as custody questions, liquidity and major sponsorship, things might might have just taken a huge turn as Fidelity Investments announced it was entering the space. The global asset manager, with over $7.2 trillion of assets under management and currently serves more than 13,000 institutions announced its building out a whole new crypto service targeting the buy-side.

"Our goal is to make digitally native assets, such as bitcoin, more accessible to investors," Fidelity Investments Chairman and CEO Abigail Johnson said in a press release. "We expect to continue investing and experimenting, over the long-term, with ways to make this emerging asset class easier for our clients to understand and use."

About two years ago Fidelity opened its platform to retail investors in cryptocurrencies held on held on Coinbase on Fidelitys website. The money manager has also been testing bitcoin and its underlying technology blockchain internally. But now, the foray into the institutional space could really give the nascent asset class legitimacy with such a trailblazing player involved and at the vanguard with a huge investor base.

Fidelity plans to achieve all this via its newly launched subsidiary - Fidelity Digital Assets, which will be based in Boston and provide enterprise-grade custody solutions, a crypto trading desk and advisory services. Tom Jessop will head the new group, which is reported to have 100 employees already.

One of the biggest drawbacks to date for institutional investors when it comes to crypto trading has been the custody issue. Who is going to hold the asset? Where will it be held? Is the keeper secue enough in this day and age of cyberterror? Fidelitys technological prowess and enormity make it a natural to satisfy investors. Custody services are being designed give institutional investors a compliant way to secure their assets by holding them in a physical vault. Other crypto companies Coinbase, Gemini, BitGo and others are also working on custodial services as are Nomura. According to CNBC, Goldman Sachs and Northern Trust are reportedly exploring custodial services.

Also, Fidelity will be handling its crypto trading in-house, another major plus for smaller institutional investors such as hedge funds and small family offices. The trading desk will employ an internal crossing engine and smart order routing technology tapping into multiple liquidity pools. One trader that Traders Magazine spoke to said that this electronified trading desk could be bringing algorthms to the sector soon too.

With smart order routing and crossing engines, you have to wonder if they dont already have some type of algo in the works, the trader said. With their resources and strategic view of the market, Id bet money on the fact theyve got and algorithm already in the skunk works. Its just a matter of time and testing.

As for timing, Fidelitys move could be perfect as it taps into the current crypto craze and zeitgeist. LendEDU just released its most recent crypto study this week which gauged investor interest in the sector. LendEDU surveyed 1,000 adult American investors that are not currently invested in virtual currency to gauge if the traditional investor would ever take the plunge into virtual currency.

A few of the reports highlights included:

52% of respondents said that if their brokerage account offered a virtual currency investment option (at the time of polling, no respondent's brokerage had such an offering) than they would invest in virtual currency. 55% of those respondents even said they would scale back their other investments to invest heavily in virtual currency.

41% of respondents would trust a traditional brokerage more than Coinbase in handling their virtual currency investments, while 14% would trust Coinbase more.

Further, 39% would trust Amazon more than Coinbase in handling virtual currency investments, while 15% opted for Coinbase in that scenario.

48% of respondents said they would consider moving their portfolio to a brokerage account that allowed them to invest in both traditional investments and virtual currency.

32% of respondents were disappointed that their brokerage account does not offer a virtual currency investment option, while 26% were not sure if they were or not.

Check out the full LendEDU report here: https://lendedu.com/blog/brokerage-accounts-investing-in-crypto-survey/

At the end of the day, this is a major development in the crypto universe, said another trader in New York. The whole sector might have just been propelled into a whole new trajectory.

For more information on related topics, visit the following channels:ON THE MOVE: BTIG Nabs Pair; IEX Alum to CoinList

BTIG hired Courtney Rudnick for its Fixed Income Credit team. She will focus on high-yield and distressed-debt sales. Rudnick joins as a Managing Director, based in New York. Prior to BTIG, she spent twelve years as a Partner and Managing Director within Institutional Capital Structure Sales at Imperial Capital. Previously, she was a High-Yield Research Analyst at Goldman Sachs and Barclays Capital. She will report into Drew Doscher and Darren Haines, Managing Directors and Co-Heads of Fixed Income Credit at BTIG.

The firm also hired Amanda Murphy for its Research and Strategy division. As a senior equity research analyst focused on the biotechnology sector, Murphy specializes in gene therapy, gene editing and cell therapy for both burgeoning private and established public healthcare companies. Prior to BTIG, she was a Partner and Healthcare Analyst at William Blair & Company, focused on diagnostic services and life sciences. Previously, Murphy was a Business Analyst at Caremark and a Senior Consultant within the Strategy Consulting division at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Based in Chicago, she will report into David Lenchus, Director of Research at BTIG.

If you have a new job or promotion to report, let me know at jdantona@marketsmedia.com

Rob Salman, previously on the business development team at IEX, onboarded with crypto startup CoinList as its head of product development, according to people familiar with the situation. Founded in 2017, CoinList provides a platform for companies to conduct token sales, a crypto-twist on the initial public offering process.

State Street Corporation has appointed Angela Summonte as senior vice president and head of Asset Owner and Official Institutions Sector Solutions for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). In her new role, Summonte will be responsible for leading the firms sales strategy for the asset owner and official institutions sectors across EMEA. She joined State Street from BNP Paribas Securities Services in Germany where she held various sales roles in the banking, global custody, and fund administration sectors over a 14 year period. Based in Frankfurt, Angela will report to Maria Cantillon, head of Sector Solutions for EMEA.

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For more information on related topics, visit the following channels:Congolese expelled from Angola push a rented bicycle to transport their children and belongings to Tshikapa, near the border with Angola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Reuters/Giulia Paravicini

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is concerned by a fast-developing humanitarian situation in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo sparked by mass returns from Angola over the last two weeks.

Congolese government officials estimate that some 200,000 nationals have arrived in Kasai Province alone, with more arrivals reported in neighbouring Kasai Central Province. Their arrivals follow an expulsion order by the authorities in Angola targeting migrants. The Congolese were working in the informal mining sector, in the northeast of Angola, before being asked to leave.

UNHCR is appealing to the governments of Angola and the DRC to work together to ensure a safe and orderly population movement. Mass expulsions are contrary to obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and we ask both sides to respect the human rights of those affected. Without such cooperation the returns could easily create a humanitarian crisis in the already fragile Kasai region.

There have been reports of violent clashes in some areas of Angola as law enforcement agents have attempted to enforce the leave order. The deadline for compliance with this order expired yesterday (Monday 15 October 2018).

With the deadline having passed, thousands of returnees are on the Congolese side of the border. More were seen walking towards the DRC border or arriving by cars, bus, minibuses or trucks on the Angola side of the border from where they walk to cross taking their belongings with them.

People have been arriving in DRC through different border points with whatever belongings they can bring. We have heard complaints of violence, including sexual violence and harassment, bodily frisking and theft of belongings, at the hands of security forces on both sides of the border.

The Congolese are returning to a desperate situation, looking for safety and aid. With more arriving every day, thousands are reported to be stuck at and near the border, with limited means to travel onwards to their home places. In addition, many are likely to face difficulties due to destruction caused by recent conflict in the area. Ethnic tensions still run high since the Kasai conflict in 2016 and 2017.

The town of Kamako in Kasai Province, on the border with Angola, is over-crowded with people staying overnight outdoors, in host families, church compounds, and on streets.

UNHCR teams are currently working with UN and other partners in the region to assess humanitarian needs, trying to ensure those most at risk  including unaccompanied children  are taken care of. New arrivals need food, water, shelter and other basic services both at the border and once they arrive in their villages of origin. A primary need raised by new arrivals is transport to their homes. Local authorities in the region have requested international assistance.

UNHCR is also concerned on the reports that the new arrivals may have included a small number of refugees, caught up in the mass movement and forced to return to the DRC. We are working to verify these reports. UNHCR is screening returnees at the border, working closely with the Government of Angola, to prevent forced refugee returns.

Angola currently hosts some 68,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, primarily from DRC.

For more information on this topic, please contact:Olena Abaveya knew her autistic son would struggle after they fled their conflict-torn home in eastern Ukraine. With treatment facilities limited, the teacher and psychologist decided to take action herself.

I believe that no matter how difficult a situation is, things can be resolved with hard work and a positive approach, she says. "But I would not have achieved anything only by myself. I believe that we only can achieve great things together with other people. Every meeting, every acquaintance, a telephone conversation or just an occasional meeting mattered."

By the end of 2014, Olena, 38, had opened a treatment centre for special needs children in the internally displaced and local communities. It helped children to learn, communicate with peers and independently manage their everyday lives.

"We only can achieve great things together

with other people."

When we first met Olena two years ago, my five-year-old son could not walk properly or feed himself, says Oleksandra, the mother of a child who regularly visits the centre. I had to use a wheelchair to transport him. Today, he walks by himself. I am very happy to see how fast hes developed.

By June 2017, six child psychologists, speech therapists and other health professionals were working at the centre. Demand was high and a new, bigger location became necessary.

Olena turned to Sumys local council for help. To her relief, they provided a new site, but it was in poor condition and needed renovation. Work went ahead with the help of the NGO CrimeaSOS, a partner of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

When I learned about the decision of the local council, I felt so happy, recalls Olena. I was almost running home to tell my family. A few days later, we had a meeting where we informed the team. It was a very happy moment!

A psychologist works with six-year-old Vlad at the center.  UNHCR/Anatoliy Rabizo

Olena and her family at the centre, which opened in Sumy with the help of UNHCR.  UNHCR/Anatoliy Rabizo

Staff help children with special needs to learn and communicate.  UNHCR/Artem Rudenko

World of Happy Children now has space to accommodate 15 children per day. Children from socially vulnerable families can attend free. Olena has seen for herself how life-changing it can be.

My son has a very difficult diagnosis. His condition can never be fully treated. But I know that at least with all the great work we did for him, he has realized his potential.

Since 2014, when conflict broke out in eastern Ukraine, UNHCR has been supporting about 1.6 million internally displaced people (IDPs), with the help of partners, government and civil society. Almost 65,000 IDPs in Ukraine live with disabilities.

As part of the UNs global commitment to promote equal rights and raise awareness of the skills and capacities of people with disabilities, UNHCR is striving to support IDPs with disabilities in Ukraine through cash grants, repairs to homes and improvements to living conditions.

See also: Life is a daily battle for families in Ukraine conflict zone

At UNHCR, we often see that social integration projects are only possible when there is close cooperation between local authorities, donors, NGOs and civil society, says Pablo Mateu, UNHCR representative in Ukraine. One of the principles underpinning the work of the United Nations is that of leaving no one behind. This ensures better integration and protection of affected populations, and works towards a more inclusive society.

Olena is determined that her centre and the children she helps will be a part of that.

We help children to become more confident with their families and peers, she says. But they grow up and will soon face many difficulties. So now we are thinking how to prepare them better for it. Maybe we will open a center for teenagers, which will provide them with the opportunity to integrate into wider society, learn new skills and professions."Published: October 16, 2018

University of Tampa Incubator Company Wins Health Care Pitch Competition

Lauren Wright, co-founder of a company called Natural Nipple and a participant in the The University of Tampas Lowth Entrepreneurship Center Spartan Incubator program, won first place and $10,000 recently in the Florida Blue Statewide Heath Care Innovation Pitch Competition.

Wrights company is currently working to promote prolonged breastfeeding by creating a nipple and bottle prototype designed after mothers nipple types and actual maternal lactation flow rates.

Breastfeeding can prevent anxiety and depression in mom and developing children, Wright said. I want to empower mothers to give the next generation the best possible start to life by engineering a product that revolutionizes breast to bottle continuity, promotes bonding and optimizes wellness for mothers and babies worldwide.

Wright, a nurse practitioner and doctoral student, also said the company is creating a movement where mothers feel comfortable discussing their barriers to breastfeeding and seeking assistance from other mothers and even scientists and researchers.

The pitch competition was held last week at the GuideWell Innovation CoRE in Orlando's Lake Nona Medical City. The competition was open to all undergraduate and graduate students at any university or college in Florida, and sought innovative solutions that support the treatment of anxiety and depression through improving access to therapies, reducing the stigma of treatment, increasing engagement treatments, personalizing treatment access and options, improving convenience of treatments or encouraging ongoing mental health wellness.

The Florida Blue Health Innovation Pitch Competition is available thanks to contributions from the University of South Florida Center for Entrepreneurship at the Muma College of Business, Florida Blue and the GuideWell Innovation CoRE.

For more information, visit UTs Lowth Center for Entrepreneurship Center in the Sykes College of Business.(Oct. 16, 2018)  UTSA art students are making their mark on San Antonio Zoo with a new, vibrant mural on one of its exhibits.

UTSA students and faculty spent hundreds of hours creating the two-story mural entitled The Marketplace on the Africa Live! building.

Zoo guests can now enjoy a very colorful depiction of animals indigenous to the Savanna region of Africa. Zebras, lions, aardvarks, warthogs and elephants can be seen coexisting in harmony in a fictionalized trading village.

Andrei Renteria '15, M.F.A. alumnus and a mural painting instructor in the UTSA Department of Art & Art History, coordinated the project and said hes extremely proud of his students and the volunteers involved for bringing their vision to life on this more than 800 square foot space during the ten-week semester project.

Renteria said his art students had to design, produce, and present their ideas to the zoo. They had to research and study the animals, cultures, colors, and patterns of the region and received helpful input on the design from the African Student Association at UTSA.

The students had to meet clients and come up with a proposal and budget. Its helpful to learn this process, if they want to turn their art into a business. This project gives them that opportunity to practice, said Renteria. Most of our students are trained as individual painters but for this public art project they got to collaborate and share their talents with the community.

UTSA students Katie Bollman, Elizabeth Camilletti, Jake Herrera, Rebekah Hurst and Sonya Marie Sky worked together on this mural.

My art is a part of the community now and my name is out there. Im just glad that Im a UTSA student because I dont think I would have gotten this opportunity elsewhere, said Bollman. I remember going to the zoo as a kid and Im glad I can help create those happy memories for children and their families.

Tim Morrow 97, CEO and executive director of San Antonio Zoo, said hes proud of the work UTSA students put into this mural.

This year were excited to partner with the Department of Art & Art history to help give a beautiful facelift to one of our most iconic buildings, said Morrow. Im particularly excited about this partnership because Im an alumnus of UTSA and many of us who work at the zoo are.

When Tim Morrow invited us to participate in this project, he tapped into what we call the COLFA signature experience, said Daniel J. Gelo, dean of the UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Stumberg Distinguished University Chair. Its the concept whereby every student that we teach has an opportunity to apply their learning to an experience in the community.

UTSA alumni, Martin 94 and Rebecca J. Salinas 00, 11, sponsored the project. The couple has generously supported UTSA in the past. They created the Jesus Rodriguez and Lorenzo Salinas Endowed Fellowship in the College of Business and the Angie Martinez Memorial Scholarship in the College of Education and Human Development.

This mural is the first of four phases of student artwork that will cover the Africa Live! building.

This project is the second collaborative initiative between UTSA and San Antonio Zoo. During the 2018 spring semester, students enrolled in a UTSA Honors College course designed and installed three enrichment devices for the zoos elephants.

San Antonio Zoo is one of the many partners in the UTSA Classroom2Career program, which offers opportunities for experiential learning in real world businesses and careers. Classroom2Career provides students with opportunities to serve the local community, expand knowledge in their fields of study and fine-tune their hands-on skills prior to graduation.

UTSA is ranked among the nations top five young universities, according to Times Higher Education.Safe Treat at UW Oct. 31

The popular communitywide Safe Treat returns to the University of Wyoming for another year of games and treats Wednesday, Oct. 31, in the lower level of Washakie Dining Center and on UWs Fraternity and Sorority Row.

UW, in conjunction with Fraternity and Sorority Life, and Residence Life and Dining Services, sponsors the event. Trick-or-treating, face painting, storytelling, movie viewing, mazes and games will take place from 4-7 p.m.

Events hosted by UWs recognized student organizations and UW departments are free and open to the community for a safe and dry evening.

For up-to-date information about Safe Treat, visit www.uwyo.edu/union/communityevents/ or follow the Wyoming Union on Facebook.UW Graduates First Group of Students in Health Administration Masters Program

A new University of Wyoming masters degree program in health care administration has helped advance the expertise and career prospects for a dozen Wyoming professionals and 20 people from outside Wyoming.

The Master of Science in Health Services Administration (MSHSA) Program, offered through UWs School of Pharmacy, produced its first group of graduates over the spring and summer. It is for new or midcareer pharmacists or other health professionals looking to advance their careers in the pharmaceutical and health care fields.

My overall experience was positive, and I am proud to have completed my degree, says Kari Quickenden, chief clinical officer at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County in Rock Springs. I believe this degree will make me a stronger leader in my current position as well as benefit me in pursuing future career advancement.

Overall, this was a good experience, and I was able to learn about some topics that have changed my views on the current status of health care in the U.S., says Kelli Perrotti, manager of the Wyoming Trauma Program in the state Department of Healths Office of Emergency Medical Services in Cheyenne. I am pleased to have the honor of being accepted and completing this program.

Launched in 2016 as a two-year, part-time program, the MSHSA Program features courses that are mostly taught online, with students traveling to the UW campus twice for intensive weekend seminars -- once during their first semester and once during their last semester in the program. There are three program tracks: biopharmaceutical regulatory compliance, health institution leadership and pharmacoeconomics.

In addition to the 12 students from Wyoming, the first group of graduates included students from 12 states, including Colorado, Montana, Texas, New York, California, Alabama, Maine, Pennsylvania and Florida.

Were delighted that we were able to serve students in Wyoming and across the country to help them advance into management within the health care field, says Alyssa Sudermann, the programs director of recruitment and student retention. Were now the third largest online program at the university, and we will be offering a number of new tracks to meet the needs of students from diverse backgrounds.

To qualify for admission, a student must have a bachelors degree in any field, a masters degree in any field or a doctoral degree with an upper-division grade-point average of 3.0 or better.

Quickenden graduated from UWs School of Pharmacy in 1997 with a bachelors degree and from the University of Florida in 2006 with her pharmacy doctoral degree. She was attracted to the UW program because of its cost, while noting that the curriculum compared favorably with traditional Master of Health Care Administration programs across the country.

I also was looking for a program that did not require extensive on-campus attendance, as I work full time and have a family, says Quickenden, who completed the health institution leadership track in 20 months. I completed a previous online degree while working full time, so I was prepared for the reality that time needs to be set aside to study, complete assignments and attend online classes. I have a demanding job in hospital administration. I was able to keep pace with the coursework, and I found that the course schedule consisting of different classes in a semester kept the program interesting.

Quickenden says the programs instructors were responsive, engaged and invested in ensuring the success of the students in the program.

Perrotti, who received her bachelors degree in nursing from UW, says she had been looking for online masters degree programs in health or hospital administration when she learned UW was launching the MSHSA Program.

I was extremely interested in the program because it was through the University of Wyoming, where I had received my nursing degree, and I could be sure I would receive a legitimate degree, says Perrotti, who also pursued the leadership track.

It took her three full semesters and two summer semesters to complete the degree, with one in-person seminar.

We were supposed to have a second in-person seminar in March 2018 but, due to scheduling conflicts internal to the program which hampered my ability to attend, I was able to complete this section online, Perrotti says. The program chair was able to work with those of us who were unable to reschedule our professional lives because of the internal conflicts. This showed me that the program was interested in our success as students who currently have jobs that are not easily scheduled around.

Other graduates from Wyoming in the spring and summer, listed by hometown, are:

-- Casper -- Jonathan Beattie, Raven Beattie, Eric Schlidt and Michelle Sherwin.

-- Cheyenne -- Nathan Newman.

-- Cody -- Kelly Martin.

-- Evanston -- Caitlyn Frakes.

-- Green River -- Yurika Hill.

-- Lander -- Contessa Bonds.

-- Laramie -- Carlos Chavez.

Students can begin the program in the fall or spring semester. The program is open to spring applicants now. For more information, go to www.uwyohealthadminms.org/.UWs Fisher Innovation Launchpad Announces 10 Finalists

Ten innovative businesses created by UW graduate students are finalists that will compete for $125,000 in seed funding to grow their businesses during the Fisher Innovation Launchpad. Teams will make their presentations Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in the Wyoming Union Ballroom. (Logo courtesy of WTBC)

Ten innovative businesses formed by University of Wyoming graduate students are finalists that will compete for $125,000 in seed funding to grow their businesses.

They range from a company that reduces dependence on beehive yields by modifying an oil-seed plant to another business creating diagnostic software to treat a common autoimmune disease.

Teams will make their presentations during the Fisher Innovation Launchpad Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in the Wyoming Union Ballroom.

Weve slightly rebranded the program this year, from Challenge to Launchpad, says Fred Schmechel, assistant director of UWs Wyoming Technology Business Center. We did this because inclusion is important to us and, while the Challenge has always referred to a deeply personal and internal process that our entrepreneurs go through, we learned that there were some students who were turned away by this language.

Reframing the program to the Launchpad helps these UW students understand that this isnt a competition against others, but rather an ongoing program to help them find the support and resources they need to build innovative companies here in Laramie.

The Fisher Innovation Launchpad, which began in 2016 as the Fisher Innovation Challenge, is for new, independent businesses -- in the seed, startup or early-growth stages -- focused on technology and/or innovation. The seed fund was made possible through the financial gift of Donne Fisher, the Launchpads namesake, and was matched by the UW Office of Research and Economic Development.

The Wyoming Technology Business Center (WTBC), a business development program of UW that has business incubators in Laramie, Casper and Sheridan, is administered by the UW Office of Research and Economic Development. The WTBC is a not-for-profit business incubator that provides entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and tools necessary for success.

The Fisher Innovation Launchpad is a natural applied outcome of a students education at UW, says Dave Bohling, the WTBC interim director. Its an opportunity to take what they have learned here in classes and build something tangible with it.

The qualifying businesses named finalists are as follows:

-- PenBox, founded by Jacob Wild, a masters degree student from Laramie majoring in computer science, and Mike Borowczak, a UW assistant professor of computer science. Cybersecurity solutions generally target large entities and can be very expensive to implement. This leaves small to midsize companies vulnerable. PenBox proposes a hardware/service business model where a physical box probes likely security access points (Penetration Box), and the principals then make integrated solutions available to mitigate those access points.

-- Brass Genes, founded by Marcus Brock, a postdoctoral research associate in botany. This company has a concept for modifying a trait of a commercially important oil-seed plant to potentially dramatically enhance natural pollination. This would reduce the dependence on commercial beehives for increasing seed yield.

-- ASIMICA, founded by Nikolai Mushnikov, a graduate student in molecular biology from

St. Petersburg, Russia, and Grant Bowman, a UW associate professor of molecular biology. Industrial production of biomolecules in the pharmaceutical industry is commonly performed using stirred tank reactors in batch processing. This uses bacteria or algae as the factory units for producing the final protein or chemical product.

Unfortunately, the produced material is often toxic to the factory biology in high concentrations, so that biology is susceptible to mutations and complete loss of production. ASIMICA has a concept for altering the factory bacteria/algae to enable continuous cyclic production of target products.

-- CS3, founded by Behzad Reza Ahrabi, a staff scientist in mechanical engineering, and Dimitri Mavriplis, a professor in mechanical engineering. The product is a software package that is used for physical simulations. It has been designed primarily for compressible flow simulations over complex geometries. However, various components of this package can be used for many other applications.

-- Deep Winter Games, of which Spencer Ollila, a senior from Laramie majoring in computer science, is one of the collaborators. The main vector for customers will be a tool set enabling multiplatform compatibility for small and independent game companies. This will allow them to offer similar functionality that larger game development companies have, without the significant overhead costs involved in developing a game for multiple platforms at once. Marketing of this tool set will be complemented by the further development of a cart-racing game, which will help fund the company in its early stages.

-- TABI, of which Ph.D. ecology students Mallory Lai, of Denver; and Maya Gans, of Hollywood, Fla., are collaborators. The TABI product is probabilistic diagnostic software aimed at assisting general physicians in diagnosing and treating the most common autoimmune disease, Hashimotos thyroiditis. The product will be a user-friendly app that uses statistical inference given patient data. Doctors will be able to input symptoms, laboratory tests and patient demographics into the software as a service platform to receive real-time probabilities regarding a Hashimotos diagnosis and patient response to treatment.

-- VisibleFlow, whose collaborators include Ben Noren, a UW chemical engineering graduate student from Ironwood, Mich., and Leann Bentley, a recent UW graduate in marketing from Laramie. VisibleFlow aims to rapidly prototype complex microfluidic chips. A microfluidic chip is a stamp-size system that is used in many different industries, including biomedical, pharmaceutical, engineering and diagnostics. These microfluidic chips are popular because they enable better data quality, with less material and maximal ease of use. One of the drawbacks to microfluidic chips is that they are extremely difficult to make due to time-consuming manufacturing and the danger of harsh chemicals. VisibleFlow aims to change the paradigm of the microfluidic chip landscape by significantly simplifying the process while providing greater design complexity. VisibleFlows process is faster, safer and more environmentally sustainable.

-- Agate, founded by Feng Guo, a UW graduate student from Nei Mongol, China, majoring in chemical engineering, and Saman Aryana, a UW assistant professor of engineering, focuses on indoor air pollution. Agate plans to build both a filter and filter-housing module that incorporates active photocatalytic breakdown of volatile organic compounds in household, factory or automobile cabin air.

-- Deep Belief, founded by Spencer Sharpe, a lead data scientist from UL LLC and a graduate student from Cheyenne majoring in electrical engineering. The Deep Belief service intends to visualize data through semantic clustering, enabling customers to quickly and deeply navigate and understand the datasets analyzed.

-- SciTech Energy, of which Morteza Akbarabadi, a postdoctoral research associate in petroleum engineering from Chaloos, Iran, is a collaborator. Enhanced oil recovery techniques (EOR) boost the hydrocarbon production by increasing the oils mobility. To find the best choice of EOR techniques for each field, specific experiments need to be performed. SciTech Energy designed a benchtop unit that will be able to measure and calculate the essential pore-scale parameters that lead to the best choice of EOR techniques for each oil field.

The panel of judges includes business leaders Teresa Nealon, Christine Langley, Mike Kmetz, Sarah Reese and Jerad Stack.

Were very excited about our judging panel this year, Bohling says.

Six teams will receive business counseling, one year of free rental space in the incubator and the opportunity to approach the Fisher Innovation Fund for startup capital. The four to six teams not funded by the fund will still receive space, rent-free, in the incubator for a year, and business counseling.

In the past two years, the Fisher Innovation Launchpad has launched more than a dozen startup companies here in Wyoming, Bohling says. A quick survey of our winners shows that they have created about a dozen jobs so far, and they are continuing to get grant funding and develop new technologies and intellectual property as they do it. This year, we have 10 viable companies that could launch, whether they receive a portion of the $125,000 or not.On 4 October 2018, the White House published the new  National Strategy for Counterterrorism  [1]. This document is presented as a split from what has been achieved so far in the matter  the last text, dating from the Obama administration, was published in 2011. In reality, this is a compromise between President Trump and the Pentagon.

Introduction

Terrorism is a method of combat to which all armies reserve the right. The five permanent powers of the UN Security Council made a targeted use of terrorism during the Cold War.

At that time, terrorist acts were either messages sent by one state to another, or secret operations aimed at inhibiting a protagonist. Today, they have become generalised. They no longer have a place in the secret dialogues between states, but are intended to weaken them.

As an example for our French readers, lets remember that during the civil war in Lebanon, President Francois Mitterrand ordered the attack against the Office of Military Conscription in Damascus, causing 175 deaths, in response to the assassination of Frances ambassador in Beirut, Louis Delamarre. Or again, in 1985, President Mitterrand ordered the destruction of the Rainbow Warrior, a ship belonging to the Greenpeace organisation, because its presence prevented the continuation of nuclear testing in the Pacific. The attack caused one death.

Ambiguities

Three ambiguities have persisted in US rhetoric since 2001 :

 The notion of a  Global War on Terror  (GWOT), formulated by George Bush Jr., never made any sense at all. The word  terrorism  does not define enemies, but a method of combat. The  war on terrorism  makes no more sense than a  war against war . It was a way of announcing what Donald Rumsfeld called the  endless war  - in other words the strategy by Admiral Arthur Cebrowski for the destruction of the state structures of countries which are not connected to the global economy.

 The development of Muslim organisations which practise terrorism is based on an ideology, that of political Islam, which is defended and spread by the Muslim Brotherhood. Simultaneously, a variant of this ideology is propagated by certain Iranian currents, even though they use terrorism very infrequently. There is no point fighting the symptom (the multiplication of terrorist acts) without fighting the disease itself (political Islam).

 The word  terrorism  has become pejorative. It is often used to describe organisations which use this method of combat only rarely, but which the White House wishes to demonize (for example, Hezbollah).

The evolution of counter-terrorism

 Launched by President Bush Jr. after the attacks of 11 September 2001, the Global War on Terrorism has not attained its declared objective. On the contrary, the number of terrorist acts in the world has been increasing constantly. This whole mess was simply an excuse to install a generalised surveillance of US citizens US (the Patriot Act and the creation of the Secretariat of Homeland Security) and to justify wars of aggression (Afghanistan, Iraq).

 President Obama polished up this system. He put an end to certain practices (for example the use of torture) and abstained from using this rhetoric to justify the aggressions against Libya and Syria. He buried the disagreements about the attacks of 9/11, maintained the Patriot Act, and developed the agencies which spy on the population. He only spoke of the war on terrorism in order to create a vast system of targeted assassinations, often carried out by drones. At the same time, he directed the  death  of Oussama Ben Laden in order to reintegrate his companions into the initial system of the CIA, thereby relying on Al-Qaida for ground operations in Libya and Syria. Finally, he supported the creation of a Caliphate straddling Iraq and Syria, while pretending to combat Daesh.

 President Trump, who had planned to end the use of terrorism by the Allies, was obliged to modify his objectives after the forced resignation of his National Security Advisor, General Michael T. Flynn. Finally, he forced the Gulf countries to cease their financing of terrorist armies, put an end to the Caliphate as a state, and introduced the war against terrorism into the objectives of NATO.

The new US counter-terrorist strategy

The new US doctrine attempts to conciliate the objective of  America first!  and the tools of the federal state. It therefore implies that from now on, Washington will only fight the terrorist organisations which attacks its interests  but lets remember that it defines the word  interests  in the widest possible sense  including Israel.

In order to justify this strategic annexation, it recycles the rhetoric of Bush Jr., proclaiming the necessity of defending the United States - including Israel - because they are the  vanguards of liberty, democracy and constitutional governance  (sic).

President Trump therefore designates as the organisations which must be opposed -

 groups such as Al-Qaida, Daesh, Boko Haram, Tehrik-e-Taliban, and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, insofar as they continue to encourage their soldiers to attack US interests ;

 groups which resist Israel (Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas) ;

 other extremists (neo-Nazis of the Nordic Resistance Movement and the National Action Group, Sikhs of the Babbar Khalsa, also the specists).

No-one has failed to notice that the designation of Muslim and Sikh groups based in Pakistan is probably preparing for an operation of destabilisation of this country. After Daesh in Palmyra, the Nazis in the Ukraine and the  revolution  in Nicaragua, Pakistan could be the fourth site for the hindrance of the Chinese  Belt and Road Initiative .

The Priorities

The continuation of the new strategy is a description of the acts which need to be implemented. President Trump willingly admits that the United States can not do everything at once, and therefore defines his  priority choices  ; an elegant way to stipulate what should not be done.

Lets note that at the same time, President Trump validates the detention of jihadists in the name of the laws of war ; a detention which could be life imprisonment, taking into account the impossibility of ending the war in a reasonable delay.

The three major innovations are :

 The system created in the USA for the surveillance of entries into the territory and the filing of suspects should be extended to all of the allied countries.  America first!  does not mean  USA alone! . Whether the White House likes it or not, the Pentagon will attempt to re-establish the  American Empire  by pretending to coordinate the war on terrorism.

 While until now there existed propaganda to combat the enrolment of new jihadists, the Pentagon and the Secretariat of Homeland Security are now authorised to transform it into a State ideology in order to mobilise the whole society. Counter-terrorism is now slated to become what anti-Communism was during the time of Senator Joseph McCarthy.

 While fighting groups qualified as  terrorists , the Pentagon will now consider that it cannot prevent all the attacks on its territory. It will therefore develop a programme for the repair of damages. This is a complete change of mentality. Until now, no enemy had been able to reach the territory of the United States, and US armies are currently deployed all over the world to impose the law of Washington. The Pentagon is beginning to consider itself as a force for the Defence of the homeland.

To resume, this new National Strategy for Counter-Terrorism is a long way away from the analyses formulated during the electoral campaign by Donald Trump and Michael T. Flynn. It will have little impact in the sector of terrorism. Its usefulness must be understood elsewhere. Step by step, the President is recalibrating the security apparatus of the federal state. If it is applied, the text will have profound consequences in the long term. It will play its part in the desire to transform imperialist armed forces into organs of national Defence.Joint statement by Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian of France and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas of Germany:

 Defending freedom of expression and a free press and ensuring the protection of journalists are key priorities for Germany, the United Kingdom and France. In this spirit, light must be shed on the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whose family has lost contact with him since October 2nd.

 Germany, the United Kingdom and France share the grave concern expressed by others including High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini and United Nations Secretary General Guterres, and are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness. There needs to be a credible investigation to establish the truth about what happened, and  if relevant  to identify those bearing responsibility for the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, and ensure that they are held to account.

 We encourage joint Saudi-Turkish efforts in that regard, and expect the Saudi government to provide a complete and detailed response. We have conveyed this message directly to the Saudi authorities.PRIME MINISTER: Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Tremendous news yesterday overnight and obviously we are looking forward to celebrating that good news while they are enjoying their stay here in Australia. They will be neighbours of Jenny and I, for the next week or so Im sure we will take the opportunity to congratulate them both in person.

But today, on a more serious note, I wanted to make a number of statements with the Foreign Minister in relation to our Governments position on Israel and issues in the Middle East. Now, the first thing I want to stress very strongly is the Governments commitment to a two-state solution in the Middle East remains, has always been and I believe always will be Australias policy in relation to the resolution of issues with Israel and Palestine. We are committed to a two-state solution and nothing has changed when it comes to the Governments position on this matter.

In dealing with the matters though that are coming up this week in the United Nations General Assembly and particular in relation to the vote that will be held on Wednesday morning regarding concessions and conference of official status on the Palestinian Authority to chair the G77, this is a significant vote. Our Government will be voting against that resolution. We wont be abstaining. We will be voting against that resolution because we dont believe that conferring that status, especially at this time, would add to the cause of moving parties towards the two-state solution. This is our objective. This is what were seeking to achieve. In the context of that decision, as a new Prime Minister, I believed it was important to ensure that Australians and others had a much clearer picture of my broader position on these issues that are raised in relation to the Middle East and the many particular points of policy that relate.

First of all, there is the issue regarding the Iran nuclear deal and the joint comprehensive plan of action that has been in place and that Australia has voiced support for over the last three years. There are also issues that go to the question of the capital which come up quite regularly in these discussions around policy relating to Israel. There is also a long-standing and improving greatly defence relationship with our ally in Israel and the defence industry cooperation that has only been improving, particularly in more recent years as Australia has significantly recapitalised our defence forces. So taking each of those issues in turn, we share serious concerns about potentially destabilising behaviour in the Middle East when it comes to the activities of Iran and the Government has taken the decision to review, and I should stress without prejudice, review without prejudice, the Iran nuclear agreement, the JCPOA, to determine whether our current policy settings remain fit for purpose. Now this review will include an assessment of the IAEA and other agencies advice on Irans compliance with the agreement and on whether the JCPOA can meet our long-term objective of preventing Iran from having the capability to develop nuclear weapons. Now, there are matters that currently exist outside that arrangement which have been noted and we need to be working with our other allies including the United States to determine how we can best address those other issues outside that agreement regarding terrorism and matters of that nature and how theyre financed and sponsored and these things need to be brought into that discussion and we think thats very important to resolution of issues and creating a safer and more peaceful Middle East.

In relation to defence engagement with Israel, I spoke to the Israeli Prime Minister last night and proposed that we appoint defence attaches in each of our embassies of Australia in Tel Aviv and of course Israel in Canberra and that will only further enhance the cooperation on defence matters and security matters, but also on the defence industry collaboration. Now, in relation to our diplomatic presence in Israel. What I have simply said is this - were committed to a two-state solution. Australias position on this issue has to date assumed that it is not possible to consider the question of the recognition of Israels capital in Jerusalem and that be consistent with pursuing a two-state solution.

Now, Dave Sharma, who was the Ambassador to Israel, has proposed some months ago a way forward that challenges that thinking and it says that you can achieve both and indeed by pursuing both, you are actually aiding the cause for a two state solution. Now, when people say sensible things, I think it is important to listen to them. And particularly, when they have the experience of someone like Dave Sharma. We are committed to a two-state solution, but frankly, it hasnt been going that well. Not a lot of progress has been made. And you dont keep doing the same thing and expect different results. And so when sensible suggestions are put forward that are consistent with your policy positioning, and in this case pursuing a two state solution, Australia should be open-minded to this and I am open-minded to this and our Government is open-minded to this. The proposal that Dave spoke about in his article back in May provided the opportunity for a capital for a Palestinian Authority in East Jerusalem and one for Israel in West Jerusalem. The whole point of a two-state solution is two nations recognised living side by side. And so, opening up that discussion does provide us with the opportunity, I think, to do what Australians have always done and that is to apply a practical and common-sense and innovative role in trying to work with partners around the world to aid our broader objectives, in this case a two-state solution.

So Australia and I as Prime Minister, am open to that suggestion. What Ill do in the months ahead is obviously confer with Cabinet colleagues. I will obviously take the opportunity during the upcoming summit season to confer with other leaders around the world and gauge their perception about this and to make the case that Dave himself has made about whether this can actually provide an alternative way forward and aid the cause that I believe all of us are interested in pursuing. So, no decision has been made in regarding the recognition of a capital or the movement of an embassy, and I should be clear  those two things, they are the two issues. You can recognise a capital, the issue of the real estate and your embassy is a separate one and as Dave argues in his article, those things can be dealt with sequentially. But at the same time, what we are simply doing is being open to that suggestion as a potential way forward and Im not going to close my mind off to things that can actually be done better and differently to aid the great cause of Australian foreign policy and thats all we have said today. Were open to that discussion and I look forward to pursuing that with people and colleagues and leaders around the world.

So Im happy to take questions as is Marise. Obviously we have been in the process over the last 24 hours of informing and briefing allies and partners and that process will continue.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, Dave Sharma wrote his article in May. As recently as June you were emphatic about not moving the embassy. Is this decision motivated by Wentworth or keeping the conservatives in your party happy, or both?

PRIME MINISTER: It is not motivated by either. Its motivated by a commitment to a two-state solution, and listening to practical suggestions about how we can achieve it. In June I articulated the Governments policy. I was the Treasurer. The Treasurer is not responsible for matters of Foreign Affairs. It is my job to articulate and speak to Government policy as it existed at the time.

JOURNALIST: Is it the governments position to support the Its Ok to be white motion?

PRIME MINISTER: Why dont we stay with Israel and Foreign Affairs for a while and Ill come back to that.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, one of the biggest supporters of Donald Trumps move to move the embassy to Jerusalem was American evangelical Christians. Do you believe as a Christian that the restoration of the Jewish temple in Israel in Jerusalem, is a precondition to the return of Jesus?

PRIME MINISTER: My faith and my religion has nothing to do with this decision.

JOURNALIST: Nothing at all?

PRIME MINISTER: None.

JOURNALIST: I have a question for the Foreign Minister actually, because I think if you have been talking to neighbours and other national leaders or other foreign policy ministers, can I ask what would the reaction be from Israel be sorry, from Indonesia be to this move? Wouldnt Indonesia object to this position by Australia?

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, THE HON. MARISE PAYNE: Well, the Prime Minister can speak to his engagement with President Widodo, but we have obviously briefed the Indonesian ambassador here in Australia and communicated through our embassy in Jakarta with the Indonesian Foreign Minister and well continue those conversations.

JOURNALIST: Are they happy with it?

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, THE HON. MARISE PAYNE: I think its a conversation that were having. We have to explain and we are doing that this morning with the release of a press statement and this press conference this morning and we will continue those conversations.

PRIME MINISTER: And the key point I made in my connection with President Widodo, is that the Australian Government has not changed its policy on a two-state solution. The Australian Government has not made a decision to actually recognise Jerusalem as the capital or to shift our embassy. We have not made a decision to change our policy when it comes to it the Iran nuclear deal. All we have said is that consistent with our commitment to a two-state solution, we are A) reviewing without prejudice the Iran nuclear deal and we are open to the arguments that have been made by our former ambassador to Israel about how we could progress that issue in the context of the two-state solution. So the nuances of this, the calibration of this, is what we are doing.

I also want to make this point - Australia, our Government, I have made this decision without any reference to the United States. It has not come up in any discussion I have had with the President or with officials. Marise has just recently been in the US. There has been no request and there has been no discussion with the United States. Australia makes its decisions about its foreign policy independently. We do so in our own national interests, consistent with our own beliefs and our own values.

JOURNALIST: Given the fact that there has been no discussion or no request from the United States and other allies, doesnt that only add to people who are questioning the timing of this announcement given that it is just a few days before a by-election which our former ambassador to Israel is running behind in?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, I think the point you overlook is that Australia has no control over when votes are scheduled in the United Nations General Assembly. There is a vote tomorrow morning, on Wednesday. Australia will be voting no. Now, that is a significant decision and in my view as a new Prime Minister of only just over seven weeks, that would raise questions about where do I stand on a range of other issues? And I thought it was important that that context be provided straight away. Look, Im being up-front with Australians. Im being upfront with leaders and others around the world. This is our thinking on this issue. We think after three years of the Iran nuclear deal, it is timely to have a good look and see whether it is meeting our objectives. Is it adding to greater stability or is it not? I think they are fair questions and I think if were going to say internally that were going to look at this question again that we should say publicly that were doing that. Equally, on the question of the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital, I do find those arguments persuasive that Dave has put forward, but are they achievable, can they be taken through? Is there a consultation process that we now need to follow, particularly with regional leaders and other leaders? Of course, there is. But I am signalling that I think it is a conversation worth having. A discussion is not a decision, but I think Im being up-front with people. Im being very clear about what my dispositions are and how Im forming these decisions and thats how I want to deal with the Australian people and others. I think people know where I stand and I think that can be a great comfort when people know where their Prime Minister stands on these sorts of questions.

JOURNALIST: So the fact that Wentworth has a large Jewish community has not been a factor of your thinking at all?

PRIME MINISTER: No. I have obviously over the last seven weeks had a number of discussions, not just in Sydney, but Melbourne and other parts of the country about these issues. And people from the Jewish community have been raising this with me from day one. From day one. It was literally put to me in the first couple of days of me becoming Prime Minister and Im not rushing into anything here. But what I am doing today is recognising what is a real concern in the Jewish community in Australia, whether it is about the Iran nuclear deal which is an item of great concern to that community, or it is on this broader question of the two-state solution and how with go about achieving it. See, we want to see a two-state solution achieved and sometimes to achieve that you have got to think about doing things differently. The orthodoxy thats driven this debate which says issues like considering the question of the capital are taboo. I think we have to challenge that. Australians are pretty up-front people and I think we have to show the courage of our convictions in saying were prepared to talk about other ways about achieving this goal because frankly the other ways have not been getting us there terribly successfully.

JOURNALIST: What about the concern in the Palestinian community when America moved their embassy. There was obviously a large outbreak in violence. Are you concerned about a potential outbreak of protest here, demonstrations or violence or retributions against Australia?

PRIME MINISTER: Well obviously we have been taking advice on those matters and assessments and processes are being followed. But again, this is why Im urging a full appreciation of the position Im putting forward. We are having a discussion about this. We are opening up a new discussion which is consistent with what I believe those who are committed to peace in the Middle East, whether from a Palestinian perspective or an Israeli perspective, we are committed to a two-state solution. Im not doing this because I think it will take us away from that outcome, Im doing it because I believe it will take us towards that outcome and that I think we need to be prepared, to be open-minded about new ways of achieving this. And Australia, I think, has always demonstrated a preparedness to show innovativeness and innovation in thinking when to comes to addressing these global issues.

JOURNALIST: Secretary Frances Adamson described the American move as being unhelpful back when that was made. Have you sought her advice?

PRIME MINISTER: The Government listens to all its officials but the Government is the one that is elected. The Government, and I as Prime Minister, is the one that has to articulate policy and the position of our Government. We will listen to all of our officials obviously but I must, and Im not making any comment on any particular advice which we have received from any part of the public service, but I havent finished my statement. But what I am saying though is that we want to see the outcome of a two-state solution. And following the orthodoxy of positions past I dont believe has been making enough progress. So Im prepared to challenge those positions wherever they may be put, and we may be standing amongst a very small number of countries who actually think this may be a better way to achieve this. But we are passionate about achieving it, and our passion is demonstrated I think in the courage of being able to identify there may be better ways about getting to this goal.

JOURNALIST: Senator Payne, your predecessor Julie Bishop, when Donald Trump walked away from the Iran nuclear deal, your predecessor warned that that could imperil efforts to reach a nuclear treaty with North Korea. Is that a concern you share or is that no longer a concern?

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, THE HON. MARISE PAYNE: Well we have an obvious focus, as we have continually, on complete, verifiable, irreversible disarmament, nuclear disarmament in North Korea, in Iran and other countries who would pursue the same polices. That is an absolute focus of our national interest and the review the Prime Minister has announced is I think after three years operation of the JCPOA, a timely look about whether it is actually achieving the outcomes it is intended to do. We are not a party to the JCPOA but I think we have every opportunity here to review its progress, to review its status and to ensure it is delivering on those outcomes. This is a good time to do that, it fits with the Prime Ministers review of these other issues and I am confident that we will be able to engage with that in a very constructive way.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister

PRIME MINISTER: Before I go, because I know that other question whats yours on, mate?

JOURNALIST: The issue

PRIME MINISTER: The issue of the day?

JOURNALIST: The issue the question is are you going to be looking at a solution on the treatment of children on Nauru and whether they can get any medical treatment in Australia? Thats been raised by some of your MPs.

PRIME MINISTER: Yeah it is, and I have been meeting with those colleagues as have the relevant Ministers and we have been acting on those issues. We have been acting on these issues. We havent been doing it by making public statements about it every day but we will always consider each and every case on its merits and in the interests of the child and we will continue to do that. I did make the point yesterday in relation to the New Zealand arrangement that there is a Bill still sitting in the Senate from 2016 that would close the back door for New Zealand to Australia which is opposed by the Labor Party and the Greens and the crossbench Senators which is preventing that protection being put in place. Now I would urge them to reconsider their position on that, but on the other issue?

JOURNALIST: Was there a directive from the Attorney-General Christian Porters office that the Government should support this Its Ok to be White motion in the Senate?

PRIME MINSTER: Well Im sure all Australians stand against racism against whatever form it takes. But I believe the Leader of the Government in the Senate will be making a statement about that.

JOURNALIST: Is that the Government position

PRIME MINISTER: Im saying that the Leader of the Government in the Senate will be making a statement about that later today.

JOURNALIST: Was it a mistake by Pauline Hanson? Was that wrong opponents say this is straight out of the extreme right playbook, others say that there is nothing wrong with this motion. What is your position?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, I found it regrettable but the Leader of the Government in the Senate will be making a statement on that shortly. Thank you.Photo: Getty Images

Imagine being a horror fan and telling yourself, You know what? I want to make a Halloween movie. And I want my movie to obliterate the decades worth of sequels that came after the revered original, and I want to make it with Jamie Lee Curtis in the starring role, and I want to get John Carpenters blessing. Now imagine that person is Danny McBride, the man who brought you Vice Principals and Eastbound & Down, and it all starts to feel a little more believable.

Somehow, that plan actually worked. With his longtime friend and frequent collaborator David Gordon Green, McBride wrote a continuation of one of the greatest horror stories ever told onscreen, and got Carpenter, Curtis, and Hollywoods busiest little shop of horrors, Blumhouse, to make it with them. In the 2018 version of Halloween, Michael Myers never made a break for it. Instead, he was captured by the Haddonfield police and taken into custody, landing in a psychiatric care facility that would house him for the rest of his life  or at least until now. Forty years after he terrorized teenage Laurie Strode, the Shape is breaking free to finish what he started decades ago. But this time, Laurie isnt just ready for him. Shes been waiting, training, and even hoping her bogeyman would return so she could personally rid the world of Michael Myers once and for all.

McBride is positively gleeful talking about his new movie, and he recently chatted with Vulture about the sequence hes always wanted to see in a Halloween, letting his inner fan run wild, and what would have happened had Curtis turned them down.

As I was leaving a screening for the movie a guy next to me shouted Halloweeeeen! and then he said he wanted to go jerk off into a jack-o-lantern. So I think he liked it!

[Laughs.] Thats the reaction we were looking for!

I asked David if he had to compartmentalize his inner fan to approach the movie more objectively, and he said neither of you did that at all. So conversely, where did you indulge yourself most as someone who loves the genre and the franchise?

I agree with David. I dont think we ever turned our fan side off. It felt like it was the greatest tool that we could have, because we knew exactly what it was that we liked about it and what made us want to keep watching it. The fact that were filmmakers, we understood how we could translate that. For me, I like having that long sequence work. Michael walking from house to house, murdering people! I felt like Ive always wanted to see this in a Halloween movie and I never have, just him going door to door and wrecking shop!

It seems like you really got to let yourselves go crazy the way you wrote Lauries house, too.

It was awesome. Every time I see that secret entrance open up it just like makes me giddy. I love shit like that in movies, and even just her going through the house and stalking Michael. Michael Simmonds, who shot it, I think he made the movie look so beautiful. Those scenes just lit by just the flashlight, I love stuff like that. Even the way David covered it reminds me of the climax of Silence of the Lambs. You can kind of feel everybody in the theater watching her walk around this house and not see anything, and its just like, Whens it gonna happen? Wheres he at? Wheres he coming out? Its just fun [laughs].

Ive read, too, that you continued rewrites all the way through production.

We never stopped writing. Even when we were shooting, we were constantly changing things and evolving things. Usually that process stops as soon as youre done filming, and it was cool to be able to watch it all and then say, You know what? I would make that character not do that here, and be able to adjust things. Another way that Blumhouse operates, which I thought was interesting, was that they put aside money specifically for reshoots. Not even looking at it from the standpoint of, Well, if you fuck this up, you can reshoot it, but more to put aside money and see what the audience is responding to, and then be able to give them more of what they want. It was awesome. We havent really had that before on anything weve worked on.

Since you were working with the woman who originally created the lead role, was there any specific feedback you got from Jamie Lee that informed how you wrote Laurie?

No one knows the character better than Jamie does, and she just has an incredible energy. Her understanding and even the idea of her acceptance of us  you know, letting two jackasses like us come up to the table and say, Hey, this is what we think this character that you created would do next. She was always just so kind and embracing of what we were trying to do. When we were auditioning for the gig we knew that we had to get through Carpenter first. That process was so intimidating and awesome, and the fact that he responded to what we did was mind-blowing. Then the next one was like, Weve got to get through Jamie. We have to show her why it would make sense for her to step back into this again.

So we set the goal of lets make this worth her time. Lets not just bring her back to pass the baton on. Lets make this story about her. Thats whats going to make this movie fun for fans, make it interesting, and give us the most layers. So we just never accepted a version of this movie that she wasnt going to be in. We just put all of our efforts into crafting Laurie in a way we hoped would appeal to her. Then if Jamie said no it would turn to Lawrence Strode, and David would try to get me in the film, and we wouldnt be having this interview right now, because it would have never got made. [Laughs.]

Horror is built on well-worn tropes, and thats not a bad thing. Playing with the tropes is what makes for a lot of the fun in good horror movies, and I wanted to know what elements of the genre you guys wanted to either adhere to or to break.

We were coming from this angle of, lets just show the effect of these horror movies. You know, so many times you see these people in their moments of sheer panic, running for the hills. What happens after thats done? How could we craft a character who represents that and shows what happens to them after this sort of trauma, how it shapes them, and how it changes the way they view the world around them. The idea was to make a slasher movie, but to not make our main characters just be basically pawns and puppets to be tossed around and scared.

The crux of this Halloween is really the three generations of Strode women dealing with this trauma together. The term Final Girl is a flawed but enduring one, and I wanted to know how you guys modernized your heroines.

We were operating on a lot of different levels just trying to put depth into them. Thats the beauty of David, and thats what I like about what he brings to drama or comedy. Hes an actors director and he is able to like to find that depth, to root things in reality and make these characters pop off the screen. So for us, having three Strode women, it was almost a way to kind of analyze all three versions of Laurie. With Allyson you have the innocent version of Laurie, who she was similar to when we met her in Halloween. Through her daughter, played by Judy, I feel like thats if Laurie never would have felt that trauma. Then Laurie now has met Michael Myers, and this is what shes become. In a way it was sort of to unify all of those, and to keep all of those different versions of Laurie together, and ultimately what helps Laurie get through the trauma is her family. Its the other women shes involved with. Its kind of hard to put it all into words.

Its even what we try to do with our comedies  create characters that people will invest in or care about, because ultimately that just makes the journey better. And in a horror movie it makes the stakes way better, because youre seeing someone that you identify with or you admire or you like or theres something about them that makes you root for them. Its just finding an angle on these characters thats going to make the audience identify with them and want them to get through the night alive.

This interview has been edited and condensed.Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for ELLE Magazine

Someone just wants to take another look at Lady Gaga, and its not Bradley Cooper. Its Christian Carino, a Hollywood agent and her boyfriend of two years  and now, Gagas fiance. At Elles 25th Annual Women in Hollywood Celebration in Los Angeles on Monday, she thanked my fiance Christian during her speech, alerting the world to their recent engagement.

According to People, industry insiders have suspected that the couple has been engaged for some time, though none had commented on it. One source said, Christian is a good, grounding force and understands her career. Shes in a great place now.

Lady Gaga confirms her engagement to Christian Carino last night as she thanks him as her "fiance" during her Women in Hollywood speech! pic.twitter.com/u0Kqy6zN0k  Lady Gaga Media  (@GagaMediaDotNet) October 16, 2018

Back in August 2017, Gaga spoke about her relationship with Page Six mid-tour. When I went backstage, Christian was by the stairs making sure I was okay, she said. The best part about being in love with someone is having them there to catch you if you fall. Cue single teardrop.Salt Fat Acid Heat host Samin Nosrat. Photo: Netflix

Every highfalutin foodie docuseries has a few sequences that feel almost obligatory. The trip to the best Parmesan factory in all of Italy, followed by the shot of a knife breaking off a shard of unimaginably beautiful cheese. The stroll through a Japanese fish market, musing about and ogling various silvery bodies stretched out over heaps of ice. The snap of ripe fruit being pulled directly from a tree branch. Its a familiar language for anyone who watches lots of these shows: Chefs Table, Ugly Delicious, Cooked, the legacy of Anthony Bourdains No Reservations. They play with a set of tropes thatve coalesced into a recognizable genre, and Netflixs Salt Fat Acid Heat hits all of the same buttons. The slo-mo footage of salt streaming into a boiling pot of water, the expression of ecstasy as host and creator Samin Nosrat takes a bite. They are beautiful images, even if theyre now routine.

But Salt Fat Acid Heat doesnt just deploy those familiar images as a box-ticking exercise to produce pleasant TV. It is a celebration of Nosrats food ethos, while also being the kindest, gentlest, most warm and welcoming rebuff to food-porn exclusivity. So many of those other series are set in restaurants, or feature the glorification of exotic ingredients, or wax rhapsodic about un-replicable techniques for the home cook. So many of them throw tidbits of fact at the viewer without connecting the fact to a broader explanation, or using an individual recipe as an entrance into deeper knowledge. So many of the experts, not coincidentally, are men. When Nosrat shakes her handful of salt over a pot of boiling water and shares the experience with other people, nearly all of them women, its not just a rehashing of every food series youve seen before. It is an alternate vision of whats possible in food culture.

Like Nosrats cookbook of the same name, the docuseries divides its four parts into four areas of cooking that provide the foundation for how to make delicious food. It begins with Fat, an installment that takes Nosrat to Italy to explore cheese and olive oil, the role of eggs in making pasta, and the way fat in meat creates flavor. Salt is a trip to Japan, where Nosrat fishes seaweed out of ocean beds and marvels as factory workers extract their salts to become seasonings. Acid takes her to Mexico, where she explores ingredients like the sour orange and extracts lemony honey from rare, stingless bees. In Heat she goes back to home territory in Berkeley, California  where she worked at Alice Waterss Chez Panisse for four years before apprenticing with Benedetta Vitali in Florence and then returning to Berkeley where, among other things, she taught Michael Pollan to cook  and watches one of her mentors sear steaks over a roaring fire in Chez Panisse. Theres no shortage of travel food voyeurism, in other words: Nosrat does not shy away from discussing ingredients no American home cook could readily access (like melipona honey from stingless bees in Mexico, or brick-red miso paste thats been aged in a clay pot for years), nor does she eschew the kinds of food snobbery we use to differentiate the dinner in 30 minutes or less crowd from the serious chefs.

That may seem like more box-ticking, but it has a different valence coming from Nosrat. In Ugly Delicious, David Chang ventures to a home in rural China to watch a grandmother cook dumplings, and although hes absolutely doing so as an act of veneration, theres still a palpable space between Chang and that grandmother. Heres how she does it, he says, and now lets watch how its done in a professional kitchen. He always puts his own spin on it, because otherwise what is he adding to the culinary world? Whats his legacy? The implication is not buried very deeply: Chang, his genius, and his role his food culture are always at the center. And try though he might, theres a gendered dynamic to his suggestion that while grannies make real dumplings, his are the bad-boy-ified, elevated version.

Nosrat also puts her own spin on every dish she makes in Salt Fat Acid Heat. This is no surprise: The recipes are hers, the aesthetic and the emphasis and the joy are hers. But her ego is less central, and subordinated to something she cares about far more than her own legacy: your ability to cook well in your own home. Thats not to say that the series is a step-by-step how-to; anyone trying to follow along with her buttermilk chicken as she makes it in Heat will be immediately flummoxed. From the point of view of pure pedagogy, youre much better off using the series in combination with Nosrats book, where youll find all the measurements and gorgeously illustrated sequential directions your heart desires.

What makes Salt Fat Acid Heat feel so gently revelatory is its nonchalant, cheerful integration of its highbrow visual flourishes and remote global flavors with quotidian rules of thumb for everyday cooks. You dont come away from her buttermilk chicken sequence with any measurement for how much buttermilk to use (and indeed, she happily glugs buttermilk into plastic bags direct from the carton, no liquid measures anywhere in sight). But you do get a very snappy, thorough explanation for why the back of your oven is always the hottest spot, and how you should use that information when youre cooking anything at all.

Its never as explicit or clunky as And now that weve seen this technique in the Yucatan, heres how to bring those flavors to your own home! Its more basic, and more encouraging than that. Its, Heres why funky flavors like yogurt and lime are useful tools. Or Heres what happens if you roast too many vegetables in the same pan. Or Heres the difference between two commonly available brands of grocery store salt, and heres why that information is worth knowing. Nosrat, whose Chez Panisse roots are mentioned more than once, is as pedigreed and well-traveled and the snobbiest TV chef around. But her message is less David Chang (or Massimo Bottura, or Juan from Documentary Nows food-TV spoof episode Juan Likes Rice and Chicken), and more a Julia Child throwback. Be informed! Cook well! But also, dont stress. Use a pot from TJ Maxx. Enjoy yourself.

Speaking of which, a word on the ingredient in Salt Fat Acid Heat that I found most delicious, and most impressive: Samin Nosrats laughter. Lots of TV chefs laugh. Bourdain laughed regularly, often most sincerely when he was surprised by something he loved. Chang laughs a lot too, typically when being served food by someone else or watching someone else execute something in a way he loves. Nosrat laughs at all of those moments, and also, fantastically, while she herself cooks. She is breathless with appreciation in the kitchen: In one moment, Parmesan actually brings her to tears. But in this series, Nosrats default emotion is almost always somewhere between respectfulness and a burbling, delighted laughter.

Among the cohort of food shows featuring oh-so-masculine bravado, airless exclusivity, and the suggestion of auteurist brilliance, theres nothing so happily and revolutionary as Nosrat, standing together with another woman  whether its a friend, a teacher, or a mentor  laughing and cooking together. It is a stake in the ground. Not just a we belong here flag, but a reminder that women have always been in the kitchen, laughing and cooking. And the food they make is amazing.From Fireflies, at the Atlantic. Photo: Ahron R. Foster

Donja R. Loves Fireflies, now at the Atlantic under the assured direction of Saheem Ali, is a play about the landscape of internalized trauma. Its language and design create a fearful panorama, a world where the sky is on fire, bombs resound in the not-so-distant distance, and hope is envisioned as a long road covered in heartache or as the highest mountain, on whose steep paths you might well meet death before you reach the summit. Set in the South in 1963  just after the Birmingham church bombing that killed four black children  the play is the second in a trilogy meant to explore queer love at critical moments in black American history. (Its predecessor, the Civil Warera Sugar in Our Wounds, played at MTC last summer, and the triptychs third play, In the Middle, takes place in the now of the Black Lives Matter movement.) The production is anchored by smart design and two excellent performances, and its a tricky one for me to reflect upon, springing, as it does, from a sensibility very far from my own.

Im not referring to the fact that Im straight and white  though I know that I bring my own identity and experience to each piece of art I encounter, that not all art is made for me, and that part of my responsibility is to consider the effect of my engagement with a piece of work. I also know my own taste, and in the case of Fireflies, what I find myself outside is a kind of soaring purple tone, a style of storytelling thats half soap-opera and half sermon. This is language as lush catharsis, language as endurance, language as empowerment, and its combined with a set of circumstances so earnestly dire that it often borders on the salacious. It feels like going to church  the kind of church where the minister thunders and rhapsodizes, aiming both to appall and exalt. It might well transport many, and the fact that it leaves me at the station doesnt mean its not doing what it set out to do. I never did do well in church.

The evangelical fervor in Loves language springs partly from context. Fireflies centers around a stormy 48 hours in the life of a preacher, active in the civil-rights movement, and his wife, the unfulfilled, fiery intellect who actually writes his sermons. Charles Emmanuel Grace (Atlantas Khris Davis) is a virile, charismatic community leader, called upon with horrible consistency to preach at the funerals of black men, women, and children killed by white supremacist violence. His wife, Olivia (DeWanda Wise, of Spike Lees revamped Shes Gotta Have It), waits at home while her husband is away, keeping house and doing the legwork (and brain work) behind his ministry. But Olivias ability to play the brave, supportive spouse is cracking. As Loves play begins, she stands tense and exhausted on her front porch, surrounded by red, rolling sky, pulling on a cigarette and staring into the void. She speaks aloud a letter shes writing to someone called Ruby, then falters, turns the paper over, and begins to write to God instead. (Loves play features an epigraph from Alice Walkers The Color Purple, and the novels influence is present throughout, especially in Olivias apostrophes to God.) The sky rumbles and flashes. God, she pleads, I keep hearing these bombs. When will it stop?

Olivia has taken the seemingly endless violence of the outside world into her body, and Ali and his designers have done an ingenious job of turning that process of painful assimilation back around. Theyve built and scored a space that physicalizes Olivias trouble in mind. Arnulfo Maldonados set suspends the Graces kitchen as a realistically furnished island in a sea of empty space, surrounded by a slice of curving backdrop where projections designer Alex Basco Koch gives us swirls of sky, often bloody in color and disturbed by the flicker of imagined  or perhaps real  bombs. Justin Ellingtons sound design elegantly merges strains of soul music with the threatening hum and thunder of both Olivias and the worlds cruel disquiet. As much love and labor as Charles and Olivia have put into it, their home cant keep that world out. Where they exist at all, their walls are permeable, and the pain seeps in. It seems, Charles shivers, like death is always greeting a colored person at their front door.

Fireflies unfolds in the brief time between Charless arrival home from Birmingham, where the church bombing has just occurred, and his return to that city to preach at the funeral of the four young victims. In the interim, Love lets loose with the domestic melodrama. Charles drinks openly, Olivia smokes secretly; Charles cheats, Olivia dreams of someone other than her husband; Charles struts and moralizes and demands that his wife be more ladylike, while Olivia fulminates with unrealized potential. I dedicated so much to this movement, she finally bursts out to her husband, I poured all of me into it  into you. My whole world is you. My life is you. I dont even know who I am  I cant help but ask myself  Was losing me in all of this, in you, worth it?

Olivias terror at her lost sense of self is only multiplied by the fact that shes carrying a child. Our little miracle, Charles calls it, but his wifes eyes are sharp with panic. This world aint no place for a colored child to call home, she says to him. And with God shes even more blunt. Dear God, she begins another letter, I dont want this baby. I never did  Youre taking this thing back.

Love takes every opportunity to weave new horrors into the plot, from rapes and murders to grisly hints at self-induced abortion. We should shudder at each new and awful twist, but as the hits keep on coming, they become weirdly cloying. Again, like a stereotypical Baptist preacher, Fireflies aims for an emotional forte early on and doesnt often vary its pitch. Its a devilish target to aim for: Olivia is bone-weary from being a colored woman  making something out of nothing everyday, and no doubt Love means to convey the full weight of her struggle, but somehow the plays lurid flights hinder our ability to feel honestly moved. Its like a very rich meal, eventually dulling the very senses it seeks to sharpen and satisfy.

The actors, and especially Wise, are what keep us invested. Davis skillfully finds the balance between Charless charisma and his weakness. Despite his many flaws  including the imbedded patriarchal presumptions of a man of his time  the Reverend Grace is playful and appealingly earthy. We can see what it is that drew Olivia to him, and that keeps her with him, despite everything. Theirs is a real love  perhaps not a love that should have led to marriage, but no less profound for that. And while Daviss Charles is, in his messy mix of innocence and guilt, deeply human, Wises smoldering, taut-as-a-bowstring Olivia is almost part animal. Its an electrically charged performance, the kind that you imagine an actor passing out after. Wise has extraordinary bright hazel eyes, cat-like in their intensity: Theyre the eyes of a domestic creature that should have been wild, a creature thats never at rest, whose small body contains a whole history of life before walls, before cages, before dependence.

Its the magnetic Wise who elevates Fireflies out of soap-opera territory. Her presence is so big that at one point  when Davis picked her up in a tender slow-dance, and she let herself lean into him, her tiny feet hovering above the floor  I was shocked at how slight she actually is. In a sense, Fireflies is her coming-out story, her journey from the brutal trap of her own mind, and her own home, back out into the world: a place no less brutal, but whose assaults she will face by having rediscovered her own soul.

What makes Fireflies part of Loves trilogy is that, despite her marriage and the baby shes carrying, Olivias soul is queer. (Shes also a descendent of Henry, a character in Sugar in Our Wounds who, like Olivia, will ultimately bring forth offspring despite his true orientation.) Her bond with Charles is real, but shes never been able to feel the way [she] did when, for a brief time, she was around the addressee of her many secret letters, the enigmatic Ruby. It may be either a feature or a bug that Fireflies story of queer love is a muted one, mostly subsumed inside the story of a fraught straight relationship  which already has plenty of reasons for its fraughtness outside of Olivias longings. Stories of the closet appeal to our sense of historical accuracy, and weve certainly seen plenty of narratives involving the gay husband in a straight marriage, but Im not sure that that assumption of accuracy doesnt sometimes limit our imaginations. Part of me wanted to see the play that comes after Fireflies, the play where Olivia tries to live as a queer single mother and radical female preacher in the 1970s. Thats a play I havent seen. And despite the fine performances that drive Fireflies forward, its tone and trajectory ultimately left me feeling like it was one that I had.

Fireflies is at the Atlantic Theater Company through November 11.Women and Power is a series about women and their relationship to power: how they get it, how they lose it, how they wield it, what they sacrifice for it, and what they hope it will help them achieve. Marsha Vlasic. Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Marsha Vlasic wont tolerate bullshit, and shes seen it all. For over 40 years, the veteran music executive has wielded her power and influence to steer the careers of Neil Young, Elvis Costello, the Strokes, and Iggy Pop. In 2014, Vlasic left ICM Partners after six years to become president of Artist Group International, where she now represents everyone from Billy Joel to Cyndi Lauper to Metallica, and shows no signs of slowing down. Im gonna rock till I drop, she tells New York over the phone in her thick, vintage Brooklyn accent. New York spoke to Vlasic about breaking ground in the music business as one of the first-ever female agents, falling out with Lou Reed, speaking out against Grammy president Neil Portnow, and the power of saying no.

What do you think was one of the first career moves you made that got you to where you are today?

Those particular maneuvers I never dreamed would be the maneuvers that would get me to where I am. There wasnt a road that was paved out that I followed, or an imprint or a plan. I feel like I was at the right time and place. I guess that being an assistant to three crazy agents in the early 70s prepared me to take the leap of faith and become an agent.

Were these crazy agents all men?

Yes, they were. At that time, I became one of three women agents in the entire business. And there werent women in record companies and publishing. Maybe a few in PR, but as far as agents, there were only three of us. At the time, I was given the opportunity because one of the three crazy agents I was working for was leaving to go manage one of his bands, and he assumed I was coming with him as his assistant. I was given the choice of  did I want to stay and take his place? It was an unbelievable opportunity.

Since there were no other women agents to look up to when you first got started, how did you end up in this career? Its hard to see yourself as something when there isnt a precedent for it.

I didnt think at that time, Im a woman, and I dont belong in this industry. Im a woman, why would I try to be in an industry thats all men? It was just an opportunity, and I loved it. It was sex, drugs, and rock n roll  what else would have I been doing? I was up for the challenge to convince men  managers at that time  that I could actually give them the information and provide them with whatever they needed to know. That was a big challenge.

How did you get through the door in the first place to become an assistant?

Thats a funny story. I was dating a musician who was performing at the Copacabana, which was a huge club at the time, and if you went to hang out there, you werent allowed to be in the actual club. You were in this adjoining bar. I befriended one of these go-go dancers, and she said to me one time that I definitely had to meet her managers because they could use me. Because I was working at the time as an assistant to the playwright Frank Loesser. But I really wasnt his assistant, I was working in the bookkeeping department or something very unimportant. I went and met her managers. They were crazy. I mean, really very nuts. It was Spinal Tap. They had the producers, they had the casting couch, they had go-go dancers. It was really a different world. I started to work for them. They didnt even know about taking taxes out. It was just crazy. And from there, I started to meet other people, and thats when I got a job at American Talent International working for these three crazy agents.

While climbing that ladder, when did you first start to feel like you had power and influence?

When you dont have to beg for the right credentials, you know you have power. When you can get into a venue and people are waiting for you to arrive, thats one of them. Also, the power to say no, to make choices. The power to represent someone or not represent them and say, This relationship is not working, and I think we should not be together.

Do you remember one of the first times you felt like you were in a position to say no?

Ill tell this just because hes not with us anymore, so I feel like Im not talking out of school, but Lou Reed and I were very close, we had a great relationship. But then when he would get kind of unreasonable  Im saying that kindly  I did one time say to him, Lou, I cant do this anymore. I just cannot. And he was so upset by it that we resolved it. But there were times like that that were really hard.

You told him flat-out that you didnt think you could continue representing him if things didnt change?

Yes. I didnt realize it would hurt him that much. He really was hurt by it, and it moved me. As tough as everybody may think I am, Im very sensitive and emotional.

If you were in that situation 10 to 15 years prior, do you think you wouldve had the authority to stand your ground with the same conviction?

Probably not.

How did you gain that confidence?

I believed in myself, totally. I was a risk-taker. Even on the telephone, when someone would say to me, How much would so and so cost for so and so? I would name a price that I would cringe myself at and not believe that I would actually say.

Were there times when taking a risk backfired and you had to accept defeat?

Yeah, but not easily. I go down fighting pretty hard.

How do you navigate situations when you know a colleague, maybe even a male superior, is wrong and youre right, but you have to concede to their argument?

It happens daily with artists who dont wanna take your advice. But you basically work for them, and if you believe in them, youll give up the challenge. And if it doesnt work, I would never say, See I told you so. Ill always protect my artists as if theyre one of my children. Ill never let them fail.

How do you tow that delicate line between protecting and coddling? It must feel sometimes like you have to assume the mother-figure role and baby these artists, especially men.

I wish I felt free enough to give you this example you would love to hear. But the thought process is, agan, I can only lead the horses to water. I cannot drink it for them. Im very fortunate as an agent that I have these direct relationships with my artists, which is not usual with an agent. But whether I am that older woman and there is that feeling of mentoring or mothering, whatever the case may be, 95 percent of my artists feel comfortable and free enough to talk to me directly. And the managers dont feel threatened by that. This particular artist, whom I cant mention, I have sat with many times and said, You cant do it this way; it makes no sense. Youre going to lose money. We can do it this way. And give him the options. And its no go. So then I say, Okay, Ill take this roller-coaster ride with you and do it your way. Youve heard my way and feel this strongly. I believe in you as an artist. You want me to believe in you. I dont write the songs. I dont give them the stage. So there has to be that kind of respect.

It almost feels like you have to alter your language to make them feel reassured that theyre heard, not the other way around.

Oh, sure. Its like children. Different children need different things. Same for husbands.

Is there a difference working with male clients versus female?

No, and I represent many female artists. With the whole #MeToo movement, theres more of a stress on the sex. Of being a female versus male, and is that the reason for such and such. But for all the years that I was coming up and working through this all, it wasnt as featured that way. There wasnt that much emphasis on do you feel that way because shes a woman or because hes a man.

Do you feel that its better that conversations are being framed that way now?

Its very healthy that its a topic of conversation. But what I feel very strongly about is, I dont want to see millennial women using this as an excuse to be victimized. A lot of young girls, when Ive given talks and done panels, theyll come up to me after and say, Its so hard for us women. And Im like, Wait a minute, honey. This is 2018. You dont know what hard is. You have an open door  walk through it, fight through it, power through it.

Speaking of #MeToo, you were one of the many female record execs who signed a letter demanding that Grammy president Neil Portnow resign. What motivated you to sign it, and do you feel like thats something you wouldve had the power to do even 10 or 15 years ago?

I definitely wouldve 15 years ago. It wouldnt have bothered me. I thought what he said was a terrible thing, very inappropriate and just horrible. I just felt, Why should he be able to get away with something like this? People make mistakes, true, but what he said was just out and out wrong.

Was there any fear among the group of women who signed it that doing so might get you blacklisted, or was there strength in numbers?

I never thought it could hurt me in any way. I felt very confident about it, and I felt confident about my colleagues being part of it. I never even thought for a minute, Is this the right thing for my reputation? I felt strongly that this man was wrong.

If you feel comfortable talking about this, have you ever personally experienced any form of misconduct in your years in the music business?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Is that something youre willing to talk about?

No. That Im not. But it wasnt anything that was shattering to me, lets put it that way. It was intimidation and a certain amount of harassment. But, again, in those days it was sex, drugs, and rock n roll.

Have you found that those are common unspoken experiences among many women in the industry?

Its not spoken about that much because there were so few women. You have this movement now because it involves so many women. We were a minority then. At the time, if anybody had said, Hes really, really out of line, it probably wouldve been you accused of causing it. You were flirting. You were not dressed appropriately. The woman wouldve been blamed far more than people opening their eyes to it.

Has being ballsy been a double-edged sword in your career? It gives you a competitive edge, but it can also hurt you.

When a woman is tough and strong, men hear her screaming and yelling when she hasnt even raised her voice. Thats what I found hardest. Yes, I did have to yell louder. Yes, I did have to make my point harder to be heard. I had to fight to be heard.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.The World Customs Organization (WCO), within the framework of the agreement signed between the WCO and Bahamas Customs and Excise Department (BCED), organized a National Train the Trainer Workshop on Rules of Origin for Bahamas Customs. This Workshop, conducted in Nassau from 8 to 12 October 2018, was attended by 8 officials.

The Bahamas is part of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) which has concluded Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and the EU. In order for the Bahamas to benefit to the maximum extent possible from the FTAs while securing revenue collection, participants have been equipped with international tools and technical know on how to ensure a sustainable ability to maintain and pass on international standards in relation to rules of origin. During the Workshop they have become more familiar with instructional materials and international capacity building standards.

Topics discussed during the Workshop included the key concepts for proper origin determination, related operational and procedural issues, the establishment of an efficient origin management and provision of effective training and private sector outreach.

Participants discussed specific areas of concern, including the low level of knowledge and use of the FTAs and challenges linked to administrative cooperation. Discussions also emphasized the importance of verifying the originating status of goods, rather than merely checking the authenticity of the certificate of origin.

The knowledge and experience gained from the Workshop will assist the Administration in the correct application of the Free Trade Agreements and will lead to a reduction in the number of instances of rules of origin based disputes. This will help the Bahamas benefit from the regional economic integration, promote exports of originating products and ensure the correct application of preferential treatments for importations.Date: Thursday, November 15, 2018 Location: The University of The Bahamas. Harry C. Moore Library Lecture Hall.

The Nassau Institute & Templeton Religion Trust, in Collaboration with the Banking Economics & Finance Department & The Economics Society of The University of The Bahamas

Present

Art Carden

Speaking on: Leave Me Alone and Ill Make You Rich: How the Bourgeois Deal Made the Modern World.

Lecture Summary

Things like natural resources, free trade, science, and thrift are great to have, but they only explain a small part of the Great Enrichment that has happened since the middle of the 18th century.

Other explanations for why the west is rich like slavery, colonialism, and empire also dont do the job. Drawing on my collaboration with Deirdre McCloskey titled Leave Me Alone and Ill Make You Rich: How the Bourgeois Deal Made the Modern World (currently in progress), I argue in this talk that the modern world emerged from a combination of institutional, ethical, and rhetorical changes that revalued commercial society.

About the speaker

Art Carden is an Associate Professor of Economics at Samford Universitys Brock School of Business. In addition, he is a Senior Research Fellow with the Institute for Faith, Work, and Economics, a Senior Fellow with the Beacon Center of Tennessee, and a Research Fellow with the Independent Institute.

His research has appeared in the Journal of Urban Economics, the Southern Economic Journal, Applied Economics, Public Choice, and Contemporary Economic Policy, and his commentaries have appeared in Forbes, Productive!, USA Today, Black Belt, and many other outlets.

He earned a BS and MA from the University of Alabama and an AM and PhD from Washington University in Saint Louis.

Before joining the faculty at Samford, Art taught economics at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. He lives in Birmingham, Alabama with his wife and three children.

Sponsored By:

Templeton Religion Trust

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Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required.Free Screening of "In Country" film at Maiden Alley, with Book's Author, Bobbie Ann Mason

Oct. 15, 2018

By Oct. 15, 2018

As "The Wall That Heals" - a traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial - comes to Paducah later this month, a local theatre will offer a free screening of a movie that was filmed in Paducah and western Kentucky, and the author of the original book will attend.



Milner and Orr Funeral Home, which is bringing the wall to Paducah, is partnering with the McCracken County Public Library and Maiden Alley Cinema to show, "In Country," at 6 pm on Wednesday, October 17.



Andrea Orr of Milner & Orr Funeral Home explains, We just felt like the tie-in was too perfect not to re-visit the book and movie in light of our upcoming hosting of The Wall That Heals Vietnam Memorial Replica. She adds, Since many veterans in our region participated in some way in the filming, we thought they might appreciate seeing it on the big screen one more time.



The 1989 motion picture starring Bruce Willis and Emily Lloyd was based on the 1985 book by Bobbie Ann Mason, who is originally from Graves County. She will attend the screening, and the first 25 attendees will receive a copy of the novel signed by the author.



Mason will participate in a discussion after the screening along with local Doctor Gordon Williams, a clinical psychologist and Vietnam veteran who served as the film's technical director and appeared in the film, and Robert Worden, a Vietnam veteran and department service manager for the Disabled American Veterans.



I was gratified the movie was filmed in my home region, said Mason. Most of all, I was pleased that the filming brought attention to the local Vietnam veterans, who participated as advisers and actors.



"The Wall That Heals," a three-quarter scale replica of the memorial in Washington, D.C., will be in Paducah October 25-28 at Carson Park.Advertisement

By Mike Cooper/Bill Hughes

Oct. 16, 2018 | PADUCAH

By Mike Cooper/Bill Hughes Oct. 16, 2018 | 02:26 PM | PADUCAH

McCracken County Sheriff Matt Carter held a press conference Tuesday to announce the cooperation of multiple agencies in Kentucky and Illinois to arrest eight people and seize what he called large quantities of illegal drugs and firearms.



On September 20, the newly formed Paducah Post of Duty office of the DEA, along with state and local authorities, arrested Joshua Fox, Zachary Lawson, Sheri Lester and Justin K. McClain at a Graves County home. They seized firearms, approximately 2.5 pounds of methamphetamine, and $7,730 in cash. The following day, DEA intercepted a parcel intended for Fox that contained an additional 2.2 pounds of methamphetamine that was to be delivered to a home in Tennessee.



A separate investigation regarding meth trafficking into western Kentucky, southern Illinois and southeast Missouri led to the identification of Shawn Tarver of Cairo as an alleged source. Search warrants were executed October 12, where police seized approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine, five pounds of marijuana, as well as heroin, firearm ammunition, and over $7,000, believed to proceeds from illegal drug sales. Shawn Tarver, a self-admitted Vice Lord gang member, was arrested.



Two days later, Roberto Alderete of Fresno, California, and Ulice Sanchez of Southgate, California, were arrested as they traveled into Paducah to sell methamphetamine and collect money from prior sales. A search of their vehicle revealed approximately 2 1/2 pounds of methamphetamine and a pistol Sanchez allegedly threw under a vehicle as police approached.



DEA agents followed up at a Tennessee hotel where they seized over $20,000 that allegedly belonged to Alderete and was proceeds from illegal drug sales. The investigation revealed that he had distributed hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine and marijuana in western Kentucky and southern Illinois since December 2017.



On October 5th, a McCracken County Grand Jury indicted Erik Cooper for trafficking in methamphetamine. He allegedly sold several ounces of methamphetamine in August. Cooper was arrested on October 15th.



Along with the eight arrests, police say they seized multiple firearms (some of which had been defaced), 17 pounds of methamphetamine, and over $50,000 in drug money. The street value of the methamphetamine is over $700,000.



Carter, US Attorney Russell Coleman and other law enforcement officials stressed that this collaboration will continue to get drugs and guns off the streets.Advertisement

By Mike Cooper, West Kentucky Star Staff

Oct. 15, 2018 | PADUCAH

By Mike Cooper, West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 15, 2018 | 09:15 PM | PADUCAH

Retired Circuit Court Judge and McCracken County Judge Executive-Elect Craig Clymer was honored Monday afternoon with his portrait unveiling at the McCracken County Courthouse.



Speaking at the ceremony were McCracken County Bar Association President, Adam Futrell, the children of Judge Clymer, Aimee Clymer Hancock and Sam Clymer, and special guest, Kentucky Supreme Court Justice, Bill Cunningham.



The portrait, which will hang in Courtroom A at the McCracken County Court House, was unveiled by Judge Clymer's grandchildren, Blain Douglas Oliver, Kathleen Boldrick Hancock, and William Craig Clymer Hancock, with assistance from his children, Aimee Clymer Hancock and Sam Clymer.



Judge Clymer told West Kentucky Star that "the fact that this portrait is going to be hung in this courtroom where I devoted so much of my life, 17 years in this courtroom, and before that, six years in District Court, is just an incredible honor."



He also commented on his upcoming position as McCracken County Judge Executive. "It will be an extremely different position, in that as a law judge, I was prohibited from talking to the public, and in the Executive branch, I will be more accessible to the people, and they will be expecting to be able to talk about what's of interest to them, and I'll need to be addressing that."



Judge Clymer also added that he is interested in helping the county with economic development in his new position.Reward offered for firearms theft at Mayfield True ValueAdvertisement

By The Associated Press/West Kentucky Star Staff

Oct. 15, 2018 | FRANKFORT

By The Associated Press/West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 15, 2018 | 07:35 PM | FRANKFORT

Security researchers say an estimated 35 million voter records from 19 U.S. states have been offered for sale on a dark web online forum.



The researchers said Monday the offering does not mean voter databases have been breached. The records could have been stolen from resellers who buy voter data from states for use by campaigns and get-out-the-vote efforts.



Policies vary by state on who can buy such records, which typically include phone numbers and addresses, sometimes voting histories. Commercial use and publication are generally prohibited.



Andrei Barysevich of Recorded Future says his company was among those that discovered the offerings.



Prices vary from $150 for Minnesota voter records to $1,300 for Texas to $12,500 for Wisconsin. Kentucky's records were priced at $2,000 on the raidforums website.



Barysevich says state-backed hackers set on election meddling wouldn't be selling such data, but rather looking to buy it.



Experts say the main risk is of identity theft.



Kentucky's Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes issued a statement Monday afternoon, saying she is working with agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, to investigate the matter.



Grimes said, "At this time, I have no reason to believe Kentucky's voter registration system has been compromised," but that the State Board of Elections should move quickly to put new defenses in place.Although only 225 rare Alexander Archipelago wolves remain on Prince of Wales Island, the Alaska Department of Fish & Game and the U.S. Forest Service announced Friday that hunters will be allowed to hunt and trap 45 wolves on Prince of Wales and associated islands this fall and winter hunting season, and on federal lands no less.Any hunting or trapping of these rare wolves is already controversial.The Alexander Archipelago wolf is a genetically distinct subspecies of gray wolf that dens in the roots of old-growth trees in the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. Its populations are already fragile, threatened by logging and hunting.Three years ago, after a 60% drop in the population in just one year, the wolves were feared endangered and twice petitioned to be listed under the Endangered Species Act. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed that protecting them under the ESA may be warranted.Despite this, Alaska Department of Fish and Game will allow hunters to hunt and trap 20% of the Alexander Archipelago wolves on Prince of Wales while U.S. Department of Agriculture is working to undermine safeguards for the Tongasss centuries-old trees  the only home for these wolves and their prey.(Canis lupus ligoni ) is a highly threatened subspecies of the Grey Wolf (Canis lupus). Smaller than most wolves, the Alexander Archipelago Wolf typically measures 3  feet long, 2 feet high, and weigh 30-50 lbs, with black or other dark colored fur. Their primary prey is the Sitka black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis), but they will also prey on moose, mustelids, small mammals, birds, and salmon.They require dense undeveloped, old-growth temperate rainforest for their habitat and for raising their young. They are found on the southeast coast of Alaska, as well as on Alaskas major islands in the Alexander Archipelago. The wolves travel freely between the various archipelago islands, making it difficult to keep track of their population. Their primary habitat largely falls within Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in North America.WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind (WLFI) - Hoosier farmers are set to see record crop yields this year. According to the USDA, soybean and corn yields will be at an all-time high for Hoosier farmers.

Studies estimate Hoosier farmers will bring in 194 bushels of corn per acre. According to Agricultural Economist Chris Hurt, these numbers are well above initial estimates. Those are about ten to twelve percent above what we would have expected at the start of the year, said Hurt.

Soybean production is also on the rise. 60 bushels per acre are expected to be harvested. USDA studies show 4 of the past 5 years have been record setting years.

But what are some of the factors to the recent success? "There is a lot of technology that goes into crop production now. That includes seed technology, machinery technology and all that the farmer brings, said Hurt.

The increase began at the right time, as farming incomes were down. "Incomes have been down 50 percent from an average of the previous seven or eight years, said Hurt.

The increase in yields have started to turn the tables. This year, Hoosier farmers could see an additional 60 to 70 dollars in revenue per acre for corn and soybeans.FLORA, Ind. (WLFI)  Flora Police are expanding its search area in the disappearance of Kyra Boehning. The 25-year-old was reported missing last week.

Flora PD, Clinton County Sheriff's Department, Rossville PD and the National Guard have been actively searching for her since she went missing. Flora PD said its exhausted all options such as the use of drones, cadavers dogs and a helicopter.

This is not a criminal investigation.

Anyone having information on Kyras location or having contact with her is asked to contact the Flora Police Department, 574-967-4457; Carroll County E911 Center, 765-564-2413, option #1; Indiana State Police-Lafayette, IN district, 765-567-2125, or the nearest law enforcement agency.PERU, Ind. (WISH) -- A Northern Indiana man was arrested in North Carolina in connection to the August kidnapping and rape of a woman in Tippecanoe County, Indiana State Police said on Monday.

Officers with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and a local sheriff's office served an arrest warrant to 35-year-old Dustin Day, of Peru, on Friday in Norwood, North Carolina, alleging felony charges of rape and kidnapping. On Monday, he was being held on a $250,000 bond in the Stanly County Jail on a fugitive charge.

On Aug. 6, Day allegedly got into a 26-year-old woman's car near her Tippecanoe County residence, a state police investigation revealed. Uninvited and armed with a handgun, Day allegedly drove the woman to a rural Cass County road and raped her, according to state police. He also allegedly held her against her will for 17 hours.

Day was expected to appear in court in North Carolina on Monday.LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)  WLFI News 18 is continuing our Breast Cancer Awareness month series with help from our partners at IU Health Arnett. At the IU Health Arnett Cancer Center, doctors are using a tool called precision genomics to tackle breast cancer.

The process makes sure a patient's treatment plan is best suited for them with the least amount of side effects.

The Precision Genomics Technology uses a sample of a patients breast tissue with cancer for detailed analysis. The physician at the center work with the precision genomics team in Indianapolis where 20 IU Health experts from across the county examine the tissue.

They look for changes in DNA unique to your cancer and then a targeted agent or drug is recommended to the patient to target that very specific mutation.

"So there may be a treatment for this mutation that this patient has, but the patient with the exact same diagnosis doesn't have that mutation so that treatment isn't going to work for them," said Ti Jones an Oncologist with IU Health Arnett.

With help from precision genomics, doctors can better persevere a patient's quality of life during treatment.WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)  Plans are in the works to implement a new policy at Purdue that protects students and graduate students who either become pregnant or wish to adopt children.

Right now, if students miss class for either of those reasons, the absences are not excused. Members of the University Senate are working on a document that would make maternity, paternity and adoption leave part of Purdue's policies.

Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, David Sanders said parental leave absences will be modeled off the university's military leave policy.

"This is something that we have heard from the students that is a concern so we feel that we should get up front and address it now," said Sanders.

The next step is for the University Senate to request a resolution.LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)  Sallie Fahey is celebrating her 45th year with the Tippecanoe County Area Plan Commission.

After graduating from Purdue, Fahey started out as a planning technician in 1973.

She's originally from a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio but ended up staying in Greater Lafayette after college.

Fahey currently serves as Excutive Director of the APC.

She said she never imagined Tippecanoe County would look the way it does now.

"Here's a good example, Creasy Lane which is one of our busiest roads was gravel for a large part of it," said Fahey.

She said she doesn't have plans to retire just yet.

"As long as I'm having fun and as long as I feel like I make a difference, then I would keep working," said Fahey. "But I do think about things I could do with volunteer time and things my husband and I could do together."

Fahey said she's proud of what the APC has accomplished in her time with the county.

The commissioners announced her anniversary with the county at their meeting Monday morning.



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Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home pageHow do you think Wrexham Council can look after and preserve our local heritage?

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Oct 16th, 2018

UPDATE: Wrexham Council have since been in touch to say a change of date meant this consultation closed yesterday. We were made aware of this change this morning.

ORIGINAL: Members of the public are being invited to have their say on how Wrexham Council can look after and preserve our local heritage.

Wrexham County Borough is full of heritage  from historic buildings in the town, two National Trust sites, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Wrexham Musuem, two Victorian Markets, Brymbo Steelworks and many more buildings, landmarks and objects.

Across Wales the heritage sector supports close to 40,000 jobs and generates 749m a year. It is also one of the reasons North Wales is a top visitor destination (it was recently cited by Lonely Planet as the fourth best place to visit in the world).

It has been 13 years since the local authority published its last heritage strategy, however pressure on public spending has been cited as a reason for the closure of some local sites.

Now the Wrexham public are being invited to have their say on a new draft strategy, which aims to preserve and develop a distinct heritage brand for Wrexhams history.

The vision of the new strategy, which would be in place up until 2028, is To enable the full potential of our heritage to flourish, so that it can make the maximum possible contribution and enrich all aspects of life in the County Borough, for the benefit of local residents and visitors alike.

Within the consultation members of the public are asked whether they agree or disagree with plans to create The Wrexham Heritage Partnership to drive forward the strategy and identify and seek funding for key developmental opportunities.

Other suggestions include:

 Undertake an audit of key monuments in order to identify and cost their conservation needs. Funding will then be applied for to support a rolling programme of work over the life of the strategy.

 Establish a network of Heritage Hubs and seek new and imaginative ways of linking heritage sites with associated services and businesses.

 Develop a distinct heritage brand for Wrexhams heritage and seek new and imaginative ways that the brand can be marketed and promoted.

 Identify key educational opportunities to increase the number of school visits to key sites.

There is also the chance to feedback on what you think should be included in the strategy and what, if anything, you think is missing from the process.

Councillor Hugh Jones, lead member for people, said: Heritage helps define us as individuals, as a community, and as a nation. Its also an important part of the economy in Wales, supporting jobs and investment.

Our heritage in Wrexham comes in many forms  from castles, stately homes and former coal mines, to the words and objects from the past that are cared for in our museums.

Its important we look after our heritage, so please take a look at our new strategy and tell us what you think. If we want to get the most from our past, we need a good plan for the future.

The draft strategy will be presented to the executive board for consideration later this year.

The draft heritage strategy can also be viewed here.Roughly two weeks have passed since Amazons announcement that it would increase the base pay at Amazon workplaces in the United States and the UK. The changes, which involve an increase in base pay to $15 per hour in the US, will go into effect on November 1.

Amazon has waged a major public relations campaign around its purported pay increase, which enjoyed the full-throated endorsement of Bernie Sanders and the Democratic Party. The new base pay was presented as a miraculous change of heart at Amazon. It was as if the worlds richest man, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, in the manner of Ebenezer Scrooge, had been persuaded by the ghosts of Christmas to renounce his evil ways and dedicate himself henceforth to a life of charity and compassion. We listened to our critics, thought hard about what we wanted to do, and decided we want to lead, read a heavily promoted statement by Bezos.

But many Amazon workers do not share in the celebratory atmosphere being whipped up by Amazon, Sanders and the Democratic Party. Amazon workers, through bitter experience, have learned that this company touts every tyrannical policy as some sort of favor or benefit. Like all contracts with the devil, it is necessary to read the fine print.

As a preliminary matter, the new base pay affects Amazon workers in the US and the UK only. It has no effect on the hundreds of thousands of wage slaves employed by Amazon in Europe and Asia. Amazon contract workers in India continue to earn as little as 12,000 rupees a month, or around $163. This translates to around $1 per hour for a full-time worker. At the outset, it is clear that Amazons supposed change of heart has a limited geographic scope.

In addition, in both the US and the UK, the change of the base pay from $12 to $15 will be accompanied by major cuts to benefits and incentives. As the WSWS has reported, the pay increases in the US and the UK will be accompanied by the elimination of Variable Compensation Pay (VCP) incentives together with a stock vesting program.

Amazon whistleblower Shannon Allen, who attracted worldwide attention when she began posting videos on YouTube documenting her descent into homelessness after being injured at Amazon, has been critical of the changes, which in her case she suspects of amounting to a pay cut. A few simple calculations bear out this suspicion.

When Shannon was hired at Amazon, the base pay was $12 per hour. For working weekends, she received an additional $0.50 per hour, and another $0.50 per hour for working the night shift. On top of this, she had received two 25-cent raises together with a global 35-cent raise that was implemented across the company earlier this year, bringing her current pay rate to $13.85.

Under the new pay system, based on the information that has been made available so far, Shannons hourly rate will go up to $16, representing the new $15 base pay plus the additional 50 cents each for nights and weekends. The three previous raises will be dissolved into the new rate. Accordingly, her new hourly rate is $2.15 higher. Multiplying this difference by 40 hours a week and 50 weeks a year, she will see an increase of around $4,300 annually.

But the VCP incentives that workers were accustomed to receive will be eliminated. Shannon estimates that these amounted to roughly $250 per month for workers whose performance and attendance satisfied all of the minimum requirements. Thats your gas money, your utility bills, your rent money, Shannon said.

At the rate of $250 per month over 12 months, the elimination of these benefits amounts to a pay cut of up to $3,000 annually.

On top of this, Shannon and other workers who joined around the same time were enrolled in a stock vesting program pursuant to which workers received one or more shares of Amazon stock per year of working at Amazon. The current price of Amazon stock is over $1,700. This benefit will be eliminated under the new framework. Stocks that were scheduled to vest in 2019 and 2020, which workers could see on their online portfolios, are now showing a vesting date of the year 2100. Workers are being told that these stocks are being replaced with an option to buy the same stocks.

In sum, in Shannons case, the increase in hourly wages of approximately $4,300 annually will be accompanied by a cut in VCP benefits of around $3,000 and a cut of at least $1,700 in the stock benefits per year. If the current information is accurate, this means Shannon will face a net loss of at least $400 per year. Indeed, in Shannons case, her contract provides that she is entitled to receive two additional shares of stock, which were scheduled to vest in 2019. Amazons cancellation of these shares will translate into a loss of thousands of dollars in the year the change goes into effect.

It makes me so mad, Shannon said. I want to know who Bezos asked about doing this. Bezos said that he supposedly heard from his workers. Who did he ask? It wasnt me. We didnt get to vote. They didnt pass out a ballot. Nobody asked me. Now I have an option to buy my own stock. It just pisses me off.

Amazon workers have reported to the International Amazon Workers Voice that the pay changes have been accompanied by a general tightening up of the tyrannical internal regime in the warehouses. There are more write ups for time off task and failure to make rate. More workers are being hired on a temporary basis instead of as full-time blue badges. Workers who get up to use the restroom face discipline. One worker reported being confronted by a manager over a trip to the restroom; she asked if he wanted her to pee in a bottle.

For the past year, Bernie Sanders has been posturing as a critic of Bezos. In Web segments with titles such as Faces of Greed, which have been seen millions of times, Sanders portrayed Bezos as a callous villain. Sanders contrasted the desperate poverty faced by warehouse workers with footage of the oblivious billionaire musing about where he would spend his Amazon winnings.

Sanderss millions of social media followers must have experienced something akin to whiplash when they logged on two weeks ago and discovered Sanders and Bezos engaging in a mutual love-fest. Sanders praised Bezos to the skies, and Bezos made clear that the admiration was mutual.

Today I want to give credit to where credit is due, and I want to congratulate Mr. Bezos for doing exactly the right thing, Sanders proclaimed in a speech at the US Senate. What Mr. Bezos has done today, Sanders tweeted, is not only enormously important for Amazons hundreds of thousands of employees. It could well be, and I think it will be, a shot heard around the world.

Further, Mr. Bezos has indicated his support for raising the national minimum wage, Sanders added. And as someone who has introduced the $15 an hour federal minimum wage, I very much look forward to working with him in this area. Mr. Bezos and Amazon are now leading the way.

Bezos tweeted his appreciation to Sanders. Thank you @SenSanders. Were excited about this, and also hope others will join in.

The pay raise, of which Sanders was no doubt made aware in advance, was designed in part to boost the electoral prospects of the Democratic Party in the upcoming midterm elections. The Democratic Party and its pseudo-left periphery have made the so-called Fight for $15 a prominent slogan.

Shannon reacted to mention of Sanderss speeches about the pay raise with disgust. Fifteen dollars is nothing. Working conditions are still intolerable. You are still sweating for 10 hours straight. Workers are still homeless. Injured workers are still getting the run-around. If anyone wants to know how much Amazon cares about its workers, look at how they treat the people who get injured. We get injured, and they wont allow us to get any medical treatment. All they care about is money, money, money, money, money.The death toll from Hurricane Michael continues to mount as rescue and recovery crews work through the vast area along the coastline of the Florida panhandle and further inland that was laid waste by the gigantic storm, the third strongest ever to strike the mainland of the United States.

The official toll was 18 as of Monday, when President Trump and his wife Melania visited the disaster zone briefly as part of a stage-managed political tour, where he stayed as far away from actual victims as possible, while praising his political ally, Republican Governor Rick Scott of Florida, and hailing the work of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The attitude of residents of the area was summed up in the comments of one survivor, 57-year-old Sheila Vann of Panama City, who spoke to the Associated Press in her garage, where she and her husband Joseph were cleaning up after the hurricane tore off most of the roof of her home, collapsing the ceiling. Four freezers filled with fish and meat were starting to rot since power has not been restored. You want to see the president? she asked her husband, adding, I aint got time unless he wants to help us clean up.

Another survivor, Nanya Thompson, 68, of Lynn Haven, said of Trump, Hes doing this, I believe, to project a different image of himself because of all the bad publicity hes had. Hes not going to get into the sewage water with other people and start digging. If this is just going to be another reality show, I dont think he should come.

Trump actually flew over the disaster zone in an Air Force helicopter, but his political handlers ensured that there would be no photographs of the president looking down on the wreckage, which would evoke the indelible memories of President George W. Bush peering down through the window of Air Force One on devastated New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Trump and his wife then walked quickly through one wrecked neighborhood near Panama City, before moving on to Tyndall Air Force Base, which sits on a spit of land projecting into the Gulf of Mexico and suffered a direct hit from the eye of the storm. The presidential party then moved on to southwestern Georgia, which suffered tremendous damage when struck by Hurricane Michael after it moved inland, still a Category Three storm.

Like any major disaster, Hurricane Michael has laid bare the class contradictions in American society, showing how the social organism as a whole functions under conditions of colossal stress, in this case driven by natural causes, although, like all extreme weather events in the era of global warming, social processes are at work as well.

The official death toll is 18, similar to that declared for Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico at the time Trump made his notorious visit to the island last year, when he was filmed throwing rolls of paper towels to a crowd of survivors, and boasted that the low death toll showed that Puerto Rico had avoided a Katrina-like catastrophe.

Subsequent studies have revised the death toll upwards enormously, to nearly 3,000, even greater than Katrina, mainly due to the prolonged cutoff of electrical power, in some areas as long as a year, which had a devastating impact on the survival rate among the sick and elderly throughout the island.

The death toll may not increase as much in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia, because of the more advanced economic conditions on the mainland as opposed to the island of Puerto Rico, but it could well rise into the hundreds. Some 1.8 million are still without electrical power in the region swept by Michaels high winds and heavy rains. And the area devastated by the stormthe Florida panhandle, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgiais already one of the poorest regions of the United States.

In an indication of the likely undercounting, the official death toll in Mexico Beach, where Michael came ashore in Florida, remains at one, even though the town was completely obliterated, with only one sizeable structure intact in a town of about 1,200 year-round inhabitants, with facilities for as many as 15,000 residents during the summer tourist season.

Town officials initially said that 285 people were unaccounted for because they had stayed behind during the storm, unable or unwilling to act on the evacuation orders from state and federal agencies. This number was lowered to 46 people missing, after accounting for those who left at the last minute, when Hurricane Michaels rating was raised from Category Three to Category Four just before it made landfall. But that figure suggests that there may be dozens dead in Mexico Beach alonea town that accounts for less than 0.3 percent of the population of the region directly hit by the storms fury.

Nongovernmental organizations said that state and federal authorities were not allowing them to enter Mexico Beach and Panama City, the two worst-hit towns, slowing down significantly the process of finding the living and dead. Geaux Rescue, a Louisiana-based search-and-rescue group, said it had 433 requests from family members looking for loved ones in the two coastal towns, but could not act on them.

While there is considerable official and media attention being paid to the coastal area most visibly devastated by the hurricane, the conditions inland are equally dire, and many of those who survived the storm find themselves trapped and completely isolated. This reality was demonstrated by a family who arranged downed trees to form the word HELP on the open ground in front of their home in rural Youngstown, northeast of Panama City.

The appeal was sighted by relatives on an interactive map produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)an agency that has been targeted for savage budget cuts and gag orders by the Trump administration and its gang of climate-change deniers. A rescue team then cut through downed trees and reached the isolated home, rescuing three people. There are undoubtedly dozens if not hundreds of such families at risk throughout the area hit by the storm.

Florida Governor Scott, like Trump, is a climate-change denier. Under his eight-year administration, Florida state officials have been forbidden to use terms like climate change or global warming in official reports dealing with such phenomenon as beach erosion, the red tide catastrophe on the Gulf Coast, and more frequent and catastrophic weather events, all linked to the warming of the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean.

Whatever the death toll from the storm itself, the death toll from the aftermath began to rise with the shooting death in Panama City of an alleged looter by Florida State Fire Marshals. A dawn-to-dusk curfew is in effect throughout the disaster area, enforced not only by local police, but by 4,000 National Guard troops and another 2,200 federal troops.

These forces have been mobilized, nominally for rescue and recovery operations, but also, as the New York Times reported Saturday, because Some local officials were worried about the possibility of social unrest in the areas where the poorest residents had not stocked up with multiple days worth of supplies.

Conditions throughout the region are likely to deteriorate further once the national spotlight is removed. In Bay County, Florida, for example, where Mexico Beach and Panama City are located, every single public school building has been damaged, and schools are closed indefinitely for 26,000 children. Some buildings will require extensive repairs.

Much of the population of the region lived in mobile homes before Hurricane Michael made landfall. Many of these were destroyed, in some cases picked up as in a tornado and flung long distances.

There is also the spreading economic cost of the disaster. Much of southwest Georgias crop of sweet pecans and cotton was destroyed. Georgia is the second largest cotton-producing state, after Texas. Insurance companies have given an initial estimate of the insured losses at $6 billion to $8 billion, with projections that uninsured losses will be even greater.

There are ample resources in American society to make good the losses of the working people and small businesses of the region, and to rebuild the housing stock and other structures in ways that will better resist the impact of severe storms. But under the control of the American capitalist class, these resources will never be made available to meet such social needs, because there is no profit to be made.

The sums required for hurricane relief and rebuilding are dwarfed by the hundreds of billions squandered on the US military machine. Tyndall Air Force Base alone, with its armada of 55 F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets, each one purchased at a cost of $339 million, accounts for $18.6 billion in federal spendingmore than the estimated cost of all the damage caused by Hurricane Michael.In the latest quarterly report of NHS Improvement (NHSI), the combined forecast deficit of NHS trusts stands at a staggering 519 million.

NHSI is responsible for overseeing foundation trusts and NHS trusts, as well as independent providers operating within the NHS. This figure has been deemed unaffordable by NHSI. Trusts across England were already at a total deficit of 814 million at the close of June, roughly 80 million worse than the same time last year.

NHSI has noted that providers, for the first time, are carrying an underlying deficit of around 4.3 billion, if the non-recurrent provider sustainability fund is discounted.

The report details how successful trusts have been in trying to mitigate the continued cutting back of resources and the challenges facedespecially the continuation of the three-year trend in increased demand of an ageing population. The report details a 3.7 percent increase of A&E [Accident and Emergency] admissions from the same quarter in 2017/18.

Despite claims that two thirds of providers met budgeted targets last year, the deficit at the end of 2017/18 came in at 966 million. With the declaration by NHS Improvement that the current target is insufficient, the report states, NHS Improvement and NHS England regional colleagues have been working with the most challenged health economies to identify actions to close the residual local planning gap. In other words, already punitively reduced services need to be cut back even more.

The Kings Fund charity has demonstrated the impact of austerity measures on the NHS since they began to take effect in the financial year 2009-10.

The think tank reported that in financial year 2010-11 only 5 percent of NHS trusts overspent their annual budget. In 2015-16, an overwhelming 66 percent of trusts were overspending their annual budgets. The figures throw into sharp relief the true impact of the austerity measures on the NHS. An additional 1.8 billion was made available to the NHS in 2016-17 in the form of the Sustainability and Transformation Fund, but 44 percent of trusts still posted deficits for the following two financial years.

Acute hospitals comprised almost 90 percent of those in deficit. The latest predictions would see an increase of trusts reporting overspending, affecting up to 49 percent of all trusts.

Any minuscule funding given by the Tories to the NHS is massively offset by the spending cuts. By 2021 under the governments Forward View, the NHS must save 22 billion in efficiency savings. Moreover, most of the cash granted in the provider sustainability fund, currently set at 2.45 billion, is allocated to acute trusts providing emergency care, but receiving it depends on them agreeing and meeting stringent financial and performance targets.

NHSI suggests ways to make further cuts by considerably reducing long-stay patients (those in hospital for over 21 days) in acute hospitals. NHSI has called for a 25 percent reduction of long-stay patients by December 2018. This was a reaction to the crisis at the start of the yearbrought on by government cutswhereby collectively the countrys 137 trusts were reporting an average bed occupancy rate of 91.7 percent (above the recommended safe level of 85 percent).

In January, 68 senior doctors issued a letter declaring that they had insufficient hospital and community beds and staff of all disciplines. In addition, cuts in social care means patients who could be looked after in the community have to stay in hospital.

The report includes an operational performance overview, revealing that against all the principal metrics that NHS England/NHS Improvement are measured against, the bodies are underperforming. This is with an exception of the 31-day wait from diagnosis to first treatment. These indices highlight the inability to process patients in sufficient timeframes.

Another revelation in the report is the almost 10 percent increase in NHS staff vacancies across this quarter. By the end of June, a total of 107,743 vacancies existed out of the 1 million staff employed by the NHS. According to predictions, this number will continue increasing throughout the financial year. With a staggering 41,772 nursing vacancies alone, the NHS is on a verge, as expressed by Siva Anandaciva of the Kings Trust charity, of a national crisis. The last three months alone saw an increase in nursing vacancies by 17 percent.

Royal College of Nurses (RCN) director Tom Sandford declared, This report paints a bleak picture of rising demand and unsustainable workforce shortages, and betrays a huge over-reliance on bank and agency staff in England.

The continued reliance on agency and bank staff is due to the rapidly increasing number of vacancies that are left unfilled. The use of agency staff is a major contributor in the overspending of acute hospitals. As NHS Improvement notes, The overspending against pay budgets was caused by increases in temporary staffing with bank staff overspending against plan by 102 million and agency staff by 32 million. This continues the trend identified in 2017/18 of increasing use of temporary (especially bank staff) by trusts to manage workload in the face of increased demands, high levels of vacancies, sickness/absence and staff turnover. As a result of these pressures, overall spending on bank and agency staff is up by 134 million (11 percent) on the same period in 2017/18.

A recent letter submitted by an anonymous nurse to The Plymouth Herald gives some indication why nursing staff are leaving the NHS in droves. It describes the experiences and the pressures felt by nursing staff. The nurse explains why she moved into the occupation and her love for the job, but that something has changed within the NHS, community beds have been lost, smaller hospitals have been closed, mental health services have been starved of funding and jobs cut, funding has been cut year on year, these are just a few examples I can give. The numbers of acutely unwell patients coming into the emergency departments is increasing but the services and facilities available to us is [sic] declining.

The letter continues, You inform management about the unsafe nature of the unit and they give you a sympathetic look, there is nothing they can do, every ward is exactly the same, there is no one to help.

She adds, You have no time to eat or even go to the toilet as your colleagues are just as busy as you are and they cannot cover your work load or cope with any emergency situations whilst you leave the unit, this has an effect on your own physical and mental health.

The viciously cyclical nature of the predicaments facing the NHS and its workers are not merely symptoms of mismanagement. They are the outcome of a systemic attack on a public health service provider with the intent of bringing the 70-year-old institution into private hands. Huge chunks of NHS provision are already in private hands such as those under Richard Bransons Virgin Care, which has won over 2 billion in NHS contracts.

The unions have not only proven ineffective in combatting attacks on the NHS but are complicit in them. As the WSWS reported, the best deal in eight years touted by the unions was a fraud. The subsequent anger and rebellion by NHS staff at the blatant sellout pay deal resulted in the resignation of the RCNs chief Janet Davies, after an initial apology failed to placate hostile rank-and-file members. But the resignation and resulting standing down of the RCNs leadershipafter a no confidence vote in them by the membershipis simply an appeasement maneuver. The leadership insisted that it would not reopen a pay agreement that sees NHS workers forced to undergo an effective pay cut for a further three years.

The fight to defend the NHS cannot be conducted within the constraints of bureaucratic unions but must be organized independently of these appendages of management. Health workers should contact NHS FightBack to discuss taking this fight forward through the building of rank-and-file committees, independent of the unions and the development of a socialist programme to defend the right to free, high-quality health care for all.

For further information visit: nhsfightback.org and facebook.com/Fight4theNHSAfter a decade of severe austerity imposed on millions of people across the UK, by the year 2021 there will be 37 billion spent less on working age social security compared to 2010,

This is the estimation of a report produced by the House of Commons library. The figures were obtained by Frank Field, the former Birkenhead Labour MP, who now sits as an Independent. They reveal the staggering level of cuts to welfare benefits that have pauperised millions, including the most vulnerable in society.

Half of these cuts will come from the freezing of working age benefits that has occurred since 2016 and will deliver cuts of nearly 16 billion.

They include cuts to disability benefits, including Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) that together will have been cut by 5 billion, or 10 percent, since 2010.

Other cuts include: Universal Credit, (3.6 billion), Tax credits, (4.6 billion), Child benefit, (3.4 billion), Housing benefit, (2.3 billion), disability benefits, (2.8 billion), ESA, and Incapacity benefit, (2 billion).

The cuts to welfare spending come at a time when costs for the poorest families have risen, leaving many having to spend a greater amount of their income on food, child care and housing.

A study carried out this year by the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (Feantsa) found that for some of the lowest earners in Britain, the cost of a home has risen faster than anywhere else in Western Europe, increasing homelessness. Freek Spinnewijn, the director of Feantsa, said: Housing exclusion and homelessness have taken on dramatic proportions in the UK.

The Europe-wide investigation found that the costs of housing for those earning an average 16,000 a year increased by 45 percent between 2010 and 2016. This is compared to just 10 percent for low earners across Europe. On average, poorer households in the UK spend 47.4 percent of their average disposable income on housing costs.

Spending above 40 percent of ones income on housing is defined as housing cost overburden, and is generally accepted as the benchmark above which general welfare and standard of living are threatened. This number falling into this category has increased by 70 percent since 2010.

A study by the Social Metrics Commission (SMC) think tank found that more than 14 million people, including 4.5 million children, are now living below the breadline. Up to 50 percent of those have been trapped in persistent poverty for years.

The SMC is a cross-party body that works alongside representatives from charities and the Institute for Fiscal Studies. It was founded by Conservative Party member Baroness Stroud. It has developed a more accurate measure of material disadvantage in the UK. The SMC defines poverty as the extent to which people have the resources to engage adequately in a life regarded as the norm in society.

While devising a more accurate system of measuring poverty, Stroud is now documenting the terrible levels of poverty she and her party were instrumental in causing. With the election of the Tories in 2010, Stroud was appointed as a Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, tasked with creating and ensuring the imposition of the Tories scorched-earth policy on welfare spending. Another of the SMC commissioners is David Laws, who played a central role for the Tories coalition partners in that government, the Liberal Democrats, as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Schools Minister and Cabinet Office Minister from 2010 to 2015.

The system developed by SMC takes into account factors such as the impact on a household of a disabled child, the impact of poverty in one parent family households, and a household where no one works, or where a household is dependent for income on irregular hours or zero hours contracts.

The system includes measuring core living costs such as rent and childcare costs and recognises that even a family described as living on a relatively comfortable income has no guarantee that they will be able to meet basic material needs, if it is consumed by unavoidable weekly outgoings.

The measurement examines the depth and severity of disadvantage, concluding that 12 percent of the total UK population is in persistent poverty, defined as having spent all or most of the last four years living below the breadline.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies predicts that the numbers of children living in poverty will rise to 5.2 million over the next five years, as government welfare cuts take effect, reversing any progress that has been made in the last 20 years.

The cuts to welfare spending and the implementation of Universal Credit (UC), due to be rolled out nationally next year, have had a catastrophic effect on some of the most vulnerable in society.

The National Audit Office report on UC published earlier this year paints a damning picture of the benefits system. Eight years in development, UC has already consumed 1 billion of public spending in its implementation. Many have tried and failed to claim UC. Many who have been able to make a claim have faced huge problems, with figures showing that 113,000 UC benefit claimants were paid late in 2017.

The attacks on the poorest people are having a devastating impact. Recently published figures by the Office of National Statistics show that Britains improvement in life expectancy has slowed down at the fastest rate of any leading industrialised nation, excluding the US. Since 2011, the rate of improvement for women has collapsed by over three quarters.

Earlier this year a number of academics demanded a public inquiry into the worst slowdown in life expectancy improvements in the last 120 years.

An article published last year in the British Medical Journal Open concluded that severe public spending cuts in the UK were associated with 120,000 deaths between 2010 and 2017.

The collective impact of welfare spending and budget cuts to services at the local authority level is leaving many areas of Britain resembling areas of the USwhere there was no comprehensive welfare state historicallywith the decimation of essential services.

Knowsley, a working-class and impoverished area in the city of Liverpool, has seen its budget cut by nearly half. Liverpool has suffered cuts of nearly two thirds, representing its largest source of discretionary funding. Many other areas of the UK have seen similar cuts.

CEO of the Child Poverty Action Group, Alison Garnham, said, Cuts and freezes have taken family budgets to the bone as costs rise and there is more pain to come as the two child limit for Tax credits and universal credit, the bedroom tax, the benefit cap, and the roll out of universal credit push families deeper into poverty.

After the financial crash of 2008, those in power were telling everybody we are all in this together, even as they handed over a 1 trillion to bail out the banks at the expense of the public purse. As all figures attest, 10 years on, the cost of this exercise in mass theft has been paid for through the imposition of austerity and impoverishment of millions of people.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Duke Energy is providing flexible bill payment arrangements to customers experiencing financial hardship due to Hurricane Michael.

On Tuesday, Duke Energy announced that it would provide flexible bill payment arrangements to customers experiencing financial hardship due to Hurricane Michael.

In addition, the company will waive late-payment charges for up to two months for customers who experienced significant property damage. The company also will hold bills for certain customers in the hardest-hit counties to allow those customers to focus on more immediate concerns.

Many of our customers were impacted by Hurricane Michael and will experience financial difficulty in the days, weeks and possibly months ahead. We encourage affected customers to call us so we can offer flexible payment arrangements to assist them during this time of need, said Lesley Quick, Duke Energys vice president of revenue services.

The company recently awarded almost $300,000 to relief organizations in Florida, and also is matching donations, dollar-for-dollar, from Duke Energy employees.

Customers who need assistance or have questions can call Duke Energy at the following numbers:

Residential customers  800.700.8744

Business customers  877.372.8477

You can view an online map that provides the most current estimated power restoration times here.

Below is the latest power restoration information, by geographical zone.

Zone 1  Taylor, Madison, Hamilton, Suwannee, Lafayette, Dixie and Gilchrist counties: Power has been restored to all customers whose properties can receive power.

Zone 2  Jefferson and Leon counties: Power has been restored to all customers whose properties can receive power.

Zone 3A  Wakulla County: Power has been restored to all customers whose properties can receive power.

Zone 3B  Franklin County communities of Carrabelle, Lanark Village, Panacea and Alligator Point: Power has been restored to all customers whose properties can receive power.

Zone 3C  Franklin County communities of St. George Island, Eastpoint and Apalachicola: The majority of customers whose properties can receive power will have service restored no later than 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 17. Visit https://www.duke-energy.com/outages for details.

Zone 4  Communities in this zone are located where the center of the hurricane made landfall, causing massive destruction. The majority of Gulf County customers whose properties can receive power, except for those in St. Joe Beach, can expect to have service restored by 11:59 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 18.

Duke Energy currently is unable to provide an estimated power restoration time for Bay County and Dog Island. The company is working hard to determine that information as soon as possible. Many parts of this area are difficult to access or totally inaccessible. Some areas will require extensive reconstruction of the electric system.

Visit https://www.duke-energy.com/outages for details.GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Gadsden County has changed the county-wide curfew time for all residents and businesses.

The curfew has now been changed to 10:00 p.m. through 6:00 a.m.

GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Gadsden County is still imposing a county-wide curfew for all residents and businesses.

Gadsden County Commission Chairperson Brenda Holt and Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young said to ensure the safety of residents, they are continuing to enforce the mandatory curfew until further notice.

Due to downed power lines and road blocks due to debris, residents are to remain in place.

They also stated roads are not safe and emergency crews may not be able to respond quickly.

GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Gadsden County has imposed a county-wide curfew for all residents and businesses.

Brenda Holt, Chairperson of the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners and Gadsden County Sheriff Morris A. Young, have imposed a county-wide curfew for all businesses and residents that begin Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.

They said residents who have not evacuated the county or gone to a local shelter must find a safe place in their home for the duration of the storm.

Gadsden County officials will notify the public when the curfew is lifted. The restriction does not apply to any law enforcement officers, military personnel or emergency management staff assigned to hurricane disaster duties.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Governor Rick Scott has announced that Florida has been awarded federal National Dislocated Worker Grants to provide temporary employment to Floridians affected by Hurricane Michael.

For those who have lost their jobs due to damage from Hurricane Michael, Gov. Scott announced Thursday that Florida has been awarded National Dislocated Worker Grants.

The grants offer temporary employment opportunities helping affected communities rebuild.

Governor Scott said, As communities in the Florida Panhandle continue to recover from Hurricane Michael, we are doing everything we can to help families and businesses return to normal. These grants will provide Floridians who may have lost their jobs due to this devastating storm temporary employment opportunities and will allow them to support themselves and the ongoing recovery efforts in their communities."

Disaster relief employment supports projects that provide food, clothing, shelter and other humanitarian assistance for disaster victims and projects that involve demolition, cleaning, repair, renovation and reconstruction of damaged structures and facilities.

Individuals who qualify for disaster relief employment are people who are temporarily or permanently laid off as a consequence of the disaster, dislocated workers including the self-employed who have lost work due to the hurricane, and individuals who have been unemployed long-term.

There is an urgent need for cleanup, recovery and reconstruction efforts in multiple counties devastated by Hurricane Michael," said CareerSource Florida President and CEO Michelle Dennard. "These funds will help Floridians immediately assist their neighbors while providing wages essential to supporting families affected by the storm.

To look for employment opportunities to help rebuild Floridas communities after a disaster or to post disaster-related jobs where a labor force is needed, visit Floridas Disaster Recovery Jobs Portal here.

For information regarding National Dislocated Worker Grants, visit your local career center here.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (The News Service of Florida) - State agencies and home builder groups are all warning Floridians hit by Hurricane Michael to be very careful when selecting someone to do home repair work.

All construction contractors working in Florida are required to be registered with the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

However, unlicensed contractors and scam artists often attempt to take advantage of consumers following a disaster.

Many crooked contractors have little to no insurance and will ask for payment up front and pressure homeowners into quickly signing a contract on the spot.

Florida Home Builders Association CEO, Rusty Payton, said the volume of repair work that needs to be done in the Panhandle means that property owners need to be extra certain that they are hiring a licensed contractor.

He said repair companies who are pushy or give quotes that seem too good to be true may be a warning sign that you need to look elsewhere.

All too often, what happens is people will say oh, this is a cheaper alternative. But, that alternative often comes at a risk," said Payton. "If they are not licensed, you cannot go after them.

According to Payton, there are roughly 80,000 licensed contractors in the state of Florida, including 5,600 based in the Big Bend and Panhandle regions, which were most affected by Hurricane Michael.

Consumers should always read any paperwork they are signing before repairs begin, and potential fraud can be reported by calling the states anti-fraud hotline at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO. To check the license of any contractor, visit www.MyFloridaLicense.com.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 02:16:36|Editor: xuxin

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said that "rogue killers" could be responsible for the disappearance and alleged death of a Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Speaking to the media at the White House's South Lawn before departing to Florida, Trump said that he had talked for about 20 minutes with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who denied having any information about Khashoggi's case.

"The king firmly denied any knowledge of it," Trump said. "It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. I mean, who knows? We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial."

"It sounded like he, and also the Crown Prince, had no knowledge," he said.

"I've asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to immediately get on a plane, to Saudi Arabia, go to other places if necessary, which he probably will. But with regards to this, go to Turkey if necessary," Trump added. "The King told me that Turkey and Saudi Arabia are working hand-in-hand, very closely, on getting to the bottom of what happened. So we'll see what happens."

Earlier on the same day, Trump tweeted that Khashoggi is not a U.S. citizen and "I am immediately sending our Secretary of State to meet with King!"

A separate brief statement issued by State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert also said that "the President has called for a prompt and open investigation into the disappearance of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi."

Last week, Trump said during an interview that he will impose severe punishment if Saudi Arabia is confirmed to be behind Khashoggi's alleged death.

However, he refused to tell what measures he would take, only saying that he would not choose to impose sanctions on the country for fear of losing its military sales orders with U.S. companies.

Saudi Arabia on Sunday strongly warned against any threats to exert economic sanctions or political pressure on the kingdom, saying it will respond to any action with greater action as the kingdom plays an influential and vital role in the regional and global security and economy.

Speaking on Monday about the potential cost for Saudi Arabia, Trump only told the media that "the world is watching. The world is talking. And this is very important to get to the bottom of it."

When asked about whether the United States will take the arms deal off the table with Saudi Arabia, Trump said "I'm not taking anything off the table. No, we're going to try and find out."

Also on Monday, investigators entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. A Saudi delegation reportedly had entered the consulate one hour before the Turkish police arrived and appeared still to be inside as the search was conducted.

A Saudi delegation arrived in Turkey on Friday to discuss the case with Turkish authorities, following a Turkish presidential spokesperson's announcement that a joint Turkish-Saudi investigation team would be formed upon the kingdom's request.

Khashoggi, a journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, has been missing since he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.

Unconfirmed reports said that Khashoggi was likely killed inside the compound, which were denied by Saudi officials as "baseless."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on late Sunday held a phone talk with the Saudi King to discuss Khashoggi's disappearance, when he urged Saudi Arabia to explain Khashoggi's fate and provide evidence that Khashoggi exited the building after entering.

France, Germany and Britain on Sunday have expressed concerns over the case, calling for "a credible investigation" into the incident.

In a joint statement, the top diplomats of the three European countries stressed that "all the light must be shed on the disappearance of... Khashoggi," and that "there needs to be a credible investigation to establish the truth about what happened, and, if relevant, to identify those responsible ... and ensure that they are held to account."Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 02:21:36|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TRIPOLI, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Libya's eastern-based parliament on Monday held a formal session to discuss the security situation in southern Libya.

"After discussion and deliberation on the situation in southern Libya, especially the security situation, it was agreed that the parliament speaker would communicate with the concerned parties to provide security and stability in the south," said Abdullah Bhelig, spokesman of the House of Representatives.

A day earlier, clashes took place near the southern town of Umm Al-Aranib, some 950 km south of the capital Tripoli, between local security forces and Chadian opposition militants, killing four securityy personnel, local media reported.

Following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime, Libya has been suffering escalating violence and chaos, as well as political division.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 02:46:40|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DUBAI, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The expanding non-oil economy in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the main driver for its global trade despite the tailwinds brought by the rising oil prices, a UAE business official said on Monday.

The remarks were made by Ahmad Al Haddad, chief operating officer of Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority, at an Economic and Trade Promotion Conference of China's Changshu Garment Town in Dubai.

More than 200 delegates attended the conference to promote the garment from Changshu, a county-level city under China's eastern city of Suzhou.

"The share of oil in the UAE economy is less than 30 percent and sinking. From Dubai you reach two thirds of the world's population within eight hours and this region needs investments," Haddad said.

The oil price hit a four-year high last week, easing pressure on the UAE fiscal balance, which the International Monetary Fund says will return to a surplus in 2019.

China is the UAE's largest trading partner, with more than 4,000 Chinese businesses operating in the Gulf Arab state.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 04:37:02|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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MADRID, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish economy is likely to grow by 2.6 percent in 2018, according to predictions published by the Spanish government on Monday.

The latest prediction is 0.1 percentage point lower than the previous estimate and was announced in a press conference held after a cabinet meeting.

For 2019, the Spanish government predicted growth of 2.3 percent, which is also 0.1 percentage point lower than the previous estimate.

The government blames the lower expectations on the export sector, which will see a contraction of 0.1 percent in 2018 and which will not contribute to growth in 2019.

Despite the more pessimistic expectations for 2018 and 2019, Spain remains optimistic that the number of people out of work will continue to fall, with an unemployment rate of 15.5 percent at the end of the current year, which will fall to 13.8 percent by the end of 2019.

Meanwhile, the deficit will end 2019 at 1.8 percent of GDP, before falling to 1.1 percent in 2020 and going down to 0.4 percent by the end of 2021.

Spanish Economy Minister Nadia Calvino explained that the predictions were "prudent" and that they also bore in mind the possible effects of Brexit and other problems which could arise in the international markets.

The new predictions form part of the new Budget proposals that the Spanish government also presented to the European Union on Monday.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 04:57:05|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BANJUL, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Gambian President Adama Barrow presided on Monday over the swearing in of eleven commissioners to fill the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) which is set up to investigate the human rights atrocities perpetrated under the former regime of Yahya Jammeh.

President Barrow said the commission has given the Gambians a historic opportunity to heal following decades of repressive rule.

"The TRRC serves as an opportunity of a rebirth and healing to the nation and to the victims. It provides an opportunity to establish the truth with regards to what they went through." said Barrow.

Chief Prosecutor of International Criminal Court (ICC) Fatou Bon Bensouda has said they will follow the Commission's progress with "keen interest".Children are seen eating at Mangaten camp in Juba, capital of South Sudan, Sept. 14, 2018. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan and humanitarian agencies have relocated about 3500 internally displaced people from the UN Protection of Civilians site (POCs) in Juba to Mangaten in the community. (Xinhua/Denis Elamu)

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The UN envoy for children and armed conflict on Monday deplored as dismaying the level of violence and brutality endured by children in South Sudan as shown in a new UN report.

According to the secretary-general's report on children and armed conflict in South Sudan, over 9,200 children of the unrest-ridden country were verified by the United Nations as victims of grave violations in the nearly four years it covered (Oct. 2014 - June 2018).

"Grave violations against children were often interconnected: abduction took place for the purpose of recruitment, boys and girls recruited were killed or maimed or sexually abused," said Virginia Gamba, special representative of the UN secretary-general for children and armed conflict.

"Many children were also used to commit atrocities against civilians and other children, thus perpetuating the cycle of violence," she added.

Across the country, more than 5,700 children were verified as having been recruited and used. In addition, almost 2,000 were abducted and more than 980 children were killed or maimed, both by government forces and armed groups, the report said.

Moreover, sexual violence, including against children, was used as a tactic of war and as a form of collective punishment.

More than 650 children were verified as sexually abused during the reporting period, with 75 percent of the cases involving gruesome gang rapes, the report said, noting the actual numbers were likely to be higher due to underreporting in fear of stigmatization.

Efforts to protect children, such as the UN's implementation of the Action Plan with the Sudan People's Liberation Army, was seriously disrupted by the outbreak of conflict during the reporting period, the report pointed out.

"It is urgent to address impunity for perpetrators and revise the existing Action Plan into a comprehensive one to end and prevent all grave violations against children," Gamba said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 05:17:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WARSAW, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Migration policy, Brexit and the EU budget were among the themes of talks between Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and his Czech counterpart Andrej Babis on Monday in Warsaw, ahead of Thursday's EU summit in Brussels.

Morawiecki said his talks with Babis mainly concerned the agenda of the coming EU summit. He stressed that the positions of Poland and the Czech Republic are very consistent in, among other areas, the field of migration policy.

"The Czech Republic and Poland hold the unequivocal position that sovereign decisions on the protection of our borders are the most important in this context and there is no chance that we will be forced to accept migrants," Morawiecki told a joint press conference with Babis.

Among the other topics discussed was Brexit. Morawiecki said the Polish government wants to maintain a "golden mean" and a compromise between the EU and Britain after the latter leaves the EU.

He said Poland wants to guarantee the rights of Polish citizens in Britain, British citizens in Poland and to secure the interests of Polish entrepreneurs.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 05:47:17|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ALGIERS, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- A cooperation agreement between the African Police Cooperation Mechanism (Afripol) and the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) will be signed in January, said an African Union (AU) official on Monday.

The AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Smail Chergui made the announcement in an opening speech at the second Afripol General Assembly in Algiers.

Chergui said that a cooperation agreement will be signed next January between Afripol and Interpol, in a bid to reinforce their partnership and coordination in terms of combating prevailing scourges such as terrorism and organized crime.

He hailed "the tremendous progress achieved by Afripol within a year of existence."

Chergui stressed that Afripol is key mechanism in maintaining peace and security, adding that the main challenges are "combating terrorism, transnational organized crime, as well as cyber security and capacity-building and training."

Algerian Interior Minister Noureddine Bedoui said that Afripol "made tangible progress within the priorities of its work plan of 2017/2019," urging for comprehensive and unified work to address security challenges prevailing in the continent.

Afripol is a technical body of the African Union which aims at adopting comprehensive vision to improve the effectiveness of African police agencies through sharing information and enhancing coordination.

The organization was created on Dec. 13, 2015 in Algeria and includes 41 African countries with its headquarters based in Algeria.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 07:57:52|Editor: xuxin

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A Palestinian protester uses a slingshot to throw back a tear gas canister fired by Israeli soldiers on a beach near the border with Israel, in the northern Gaza Strip, Oct. 15, 2018. A total of 34 Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire on Monday evening during clashes on the border between the northwestern Gaza Strip and Israel, the Gaza health ministry said. (Xinhua)Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 07:24:23|Editor: xuxin

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Military vehicles take part in the "Velebit 18-Joint Force" military exercise in a training area near Slunj, Croatia, on Oct. 15, 2018. The biggest-ever military exercise in Croatia's history ended on Monday. The exercise "Velebit 18-Joint Force" started on Saturday and lasted without a break for 72 hours. It took place at 11 locations throughout Croatia, involving 5,500 soldiers and reservists of all army units. (Xinhua/Goran Stanzl)In this file photo taken on Jan. 24, 2017, a man enters the U.S Treasury Department building on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C.,the United States. (AFP Photo)

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. budget deficit rose to 779 billion U.S. dollars in the fiscal year 2018 ending Sept. 30, the highest since 2012, according to a report released by the U.S. Treasury Department on Monday.

U.S. government spending grew by 3.2 percent compared with the previous fiscal year, while government receipts rose by 0.4 percent. The budget deficit as a share of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) rose to 3.9 percent, up from 3.5 percent in the previous fiscal year, the report said.

Analysts said the Trump administration's tax cut and increased government spending have contributed to the rise of budget deficit in Donald Trump's first full fiscal year as U.S. president.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has warned that growing budget deficits would boost U.S. public debt sharply over the next 30 years if current laws generally remained unchanged.

The public debt could approach 100 percent of U.S. GDP by the end of the next decade and 152 percent by 2048, reaching the highest level in the U.S. history, according to the CBO.

"The President is very much aware of the realities presented by our national debt," Mick Mulvaney, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, said Monday in a statement.

"This fiscal picture is a blunt warning to Congress of the dire consequences of irresponsible and unnecessary spending," Mulvaney said.

Kevin Hassett, chairman of the White House's Council of Economic Advisers, said last week that the Trump administration would unveil measures soon to address the federal government's big budget deficit.

"You' ll start to see things in the next few weeks -- then you'll see a much more aggressive stance" in tackling it, he said, but declining to give details of the administration's budget plans.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 07:57:37|Editor: Liangyu

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) meets with Dutch King Willem-Alexander in The Hague, the Netherlands, Oct. 15, 2018.(Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

THE HAGUE, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met here Monday with Dutch King Willem-Alexander, urging the two countries to enhance cooperation in various areas and defend multilateralism and free trade.

Li first conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to the Dutch king.

In recent years, China-Netherlands relations have developed rapidly, Li said, noting that the exchange of visits by the two countries' heads of state has opened up broad prospects for bilateral ties.

The development of China-Netherlands ties not only benefits both nations, but also bears major significance for China-Europe relations, he said.

China, Li said, is willing to work with the Dutch side to deepen cooperation in various fields, including investment, financing and inclusive finance, and create favorable conditions for their companies, especially those small- and medium-sized ones, to conduct cooperation.

Dutch companies, he added, are welcome to make investment in China.

Speaking of the international trade system, Li said it is encountering some difficulties.

He called upon the two countries, both being open economies and major global traders, to support the rules-based international political and economic order, abide by commonly accepted norms, work together to defend multilateralism and free trade, and inject more certainties into the world.

For his part, King Willem-Alexander said close high-level exchanges over recent years have boosted bilateral ties and facilitated mutually beneficial cooperation and two-way corporate investment between the two countries.

In face of the challenges besetting today's world, the Netherlands and China have even more reasons to enhance unity and cooperation, so as to jointly address risks caused by uncertainties and safeguard the international trade system and the world's stability and development, said the king.

Li arrived in the Netherlands on Sunday for an official visit, the first by a Chinese premier to the European country in 14 years.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 08:07:38|Editor: Yang Yi

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BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- In its recent round of mud-slinging against China, the United States has once again resorted to such hackneyed charges as "forced technology transfer" and "intellectual property theft."

Those allegations are detached from the facts, insulting to China's technological achievements, and nothing but a pretext for the global hegemon to stymie the ascent of the world's largest developing country.

China's remarkable scientific and technological development allows no belittlement. It stems from the hard work of generation after generation of Chinese researchers, and benefits from international cooperation under the country's long-standing opening-up policy.

China has indeed learnt a great deal from developed countries, but that is just like what the United States did from the 19th century to World War II, when it attracted talents from across the world and acquired advanced technologies from Europe.

Nowadays, the United States outperforms other countries in basic research, while China excels in applied research. That is the reasonable result of the two countries' respective strengths in talents, markets and other resources.

However, in a major speech on Washington's China policy earlier this month, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence recycled the repeatedly disproved claim that China has been forcing foreign companies to transfer technology and stealing intellectual property.

The accusation is so groundless that even sober minds in the United States are not buying it. Larry Summers, a former U.S. Treasury secretary under Bill Clinton and an economic advisor to Barack Obama, said in June that China's technological progress is coming from "terrific entrepreneurs who are getting the benefit of huge government investments in basic science," and "an educational system that's privileging excellence, concentrating on science and technology, ... not from taking a stake in some U.S. company."

In a recent hearing held by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative regarding proposed tariffs on Chinese products, many U.S. companies testified that they had never been forced to transfer any technology to Chinese entities.

Meanwhile, as witnessed by the international community, China has made great strides in formulating and improving its laws and regulations on intellectual property rights (IPR) protection in recent years.

World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Francis Gurry said just two months ago that in the past 40 years, China has established a high-level IPR protection system that regards intellectual property as the driving force for innovation and economic development and treats Chinese and foreign companies equally.

Without any doubt, technology transfer abounds between Chinese and foreign entities, but that is rooted in the transferring parties' pursuit of maximum profits.

As a matter of fact, U.S. companies have made huge gains in China over recent years from technology transfer and licensing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, China paid 7.95 billion U.S. dollars in 2016 and 8.76 billion dollars in 2017 to the United States for the use of intellectual property.

Thus, such condemnation of normal commercial practices is a mockery of the spirit of contract. More ironically, one of Washington's frequently used weapons to curb other countries' development is to impose high-tech export bans.

Authoritative research reports have repeatedly suggested that should the United States relax its strict restrictions on high-tech exports to China, its trade deficits would decrease significantly. But Washington has continued to be obstinate.

As many have pointed out, the ongoing trade frictions between China and the United States betray Washington's anxiety over China's increasing scientific and technological strength.

That angst is self-inflicted. Beijing is committed to peaceful development and win-win cooperation. What's more, if China and the United States, the top two economies and investors in scientific and technological research on the planet, can join forces, the whole world will benefit, including both countries.

Given that, it is high time that Washington abandon its zero-sum mentality and embark upon the path of win-win cooperation instead.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 09:02:46|Editor: xuxin

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SYDNEY, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Royal watchers have flocked to the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday, following the announcement that Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are expecting a baby.

Kensington Palace has announced the pregnancy that the couple touched down in Sydney to kick off a 16-day tour revolving around the Invictus Games, a competition for sick and injured service personnel which the prince established in 2014.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will spend their first full day in Sydney by visiting the city's Taronga Zoo where they will meet native Australian wildlife, before travelling by boat to the Sydney Opera House to address fans.

A new royal baby, due in the northern hemisphere's Spring of next year, has boosted excitement surrounding the visit which will also include Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand later in the itinerary.

The Invictus Games will take place in Sydney from Oct. 20 to Oct. 28.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 09:02:46|Editor: xuxin

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TOKYO, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened higher Tuesday as the yen's softer tone versus the U.S. dollar encouraged investors to buyback issues oversold the previous day when the Nikkei closed almost 1.9 percent lower.

As of 9:15 a.m. local time, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 39.78 points, or 0.18 percent, from Monday to 22,311.08.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, gained 2.68 points, or 0.16 percent, at 1,678.12.

Mining, real estate, and information and communication-oriented issues comprised those that gained the most in the early minutes after the opening bell.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 09:37:49|Editor: xuxin

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's right-wing presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro slightly widened his lead in polls ahead of the Oct. 28 run-off, a polling firm said on Monday.

The Brazilian Institute of Public Opinion and Statistics (Ibope) said Bolsonaro, with 59 percent support among the electorate, has an 18-point advantage over rival Fernando Haddad who has 41 percent.

Ibope's survey queried 2,506 voters in 176 cities over the weekend, and has a two-point margin of error.

The Ibope poll appears to confirm a trend in favor of the conservative candidate, following the results of last week's survey by another pollster, Datafolha, which showed Bolsonaro had 58 percent support and Haddad had 42 percent.

Bolsonaro easily won a first-round vote on Oct. 7, garnering 46 percent of the votes in a field of 13 candidates. Haddad was the runner up with over 29 percent, according to the national electoral body.

As neither of the pair reached the 50-percent threshold to claim an outright win, a run-off has been set for Oct. 28.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 09:47:54|Editor: xuxin

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UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday expressed his sadness over reports of deaths and injuries caused by cyclone Titli in eastern India, said his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

The UN chief extended his condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of India, and wished the injured a speedy recovery, Dujarric said.

Cyclone Titli hit Odisha and the neighboring Andhra Pradesh Thursday before it weakened into a deep depression.

At least 21 people died in floods and heavy rains triggered by cyclone Titli in Odisha, officials have said.

Millions of people have been affected in Odisha, mainly in the worst-hit districts of Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada, and thousands of houses were damaged in Andhra Pradesh.

Cyclone Titli also disrupted road and telecommunications networks and power supplies.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 10:17:59|Editor: xuxin

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CANBERRA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said he regrets that his government supported a "white supremacist" Senate motion.

The motion, which was moved by right-wing Senator Pauline Hanson, sought to recognize the "deplorable rise of anti-white racism" and acknowledge that it is "okay to be white."

Despite government senators voting in support of the motion, it was defeated by 31 votes to 28 after the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and Greens Party opposed it.

Addressing the vote on Tuesday, Morrison said it was "regrettable" that the government had supported Hanson.

"I'm sure all Australians stand against racism in whatever form it takes," he said.

There were reports that the government senators supported the motion after being instructed to do so by Attorney-General Christian Porter, but Mathias Cormann, the minister for finance and leader of the government in the Senate, said the support was due to an "administrative process failure."

"Yesterday, as a result of an administrative process failure, the government senators in the Chamber ended up on advice voting in support of the motion. As leader of the government in the Senate, I take responsibility for that error," he told reporters on Tuesday.

However, Porter took to social media following the vote on Monday night to boast that "actions in the Senate this afternoon confirm that the Government deplores racism of any kind."

Richard Di Natale, leader of the Greens, said that the "it's okay to be white" phrase "has got a long history in the white supremacist movement."

"It's not just okay to be white in Australia, it's actually the ticket to winning the lotto," he said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 10:33:02|Editor: xuxin

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YANGON, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Myanmar government has appointed three new deputy ministers and one Nay Pyi Taw Council member to reinforce its cabinet, according to an order of the President's Office late Monday.

U Kyi Min was named as deputy minister of religious affairs and culture, while Dr. Ye Myint Swe as deputy minister of natural resources and environmental conservation and U Hla Maw Oo as deputy minister of ethnic affairs.

The presidential office also appointed U Nyi Tun as a member of Nay Pyi Taw Council.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 10:53:05|Editor: xuxin

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HAVANA, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Cuba seeks to expand opportunities to attract foreign investment with a new business portfolio that will be presented at the 36th Havana International Trade Fair (FIHAV 2018) to be held from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2.

Cuba has updated its business opportunities portfolio with the largest number of projects for foreign investment and this new opening will be presented at the event, said Cuba's Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca during a press conference with local media on Monday.

"This year's trade and business fair will show the trust and consolidation of foreign investors in the Cuban market with the participation of companies from over 60 countries and 20 high-level delegations including ministers," said Malmierca.

He pointed out that as usual, the island's top business partners such as Venezuela, China and Russia will have an outstanding participation, with the most represented country being Spain.

Other nations such as Brazil and Italy will have a prominent presence, he said. The fair will contribute once again to promoting the country's economic relations with the world, he added.

"Our main business and trade partners will have greater representation at this year's fair, a sign that our market is one of the most important in the region," Malmierca said.

The fair will also host the third edition of the Cuban business opportunity forum which aims to provide businessmen with information about foreign investment on the island and networking with local partners.

Malmierca said the nation's business portfolio adds new proposals under a foreign investment law approved in 2014 and includes all priority sectors to the island such as tourism, renewable energies, oil exploration, food imports, nickel and mining development.

"This forum is a real opportunity to nail down important trade deals for Cuba and also to increase future foreign investment in the island," he said.

Cuba plans to showcase its goods and services in a pavilion that will house more than 350 companies and entities from all economic sectors, including the Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM), the government's flagship project to attract foreign capital, said Orlando Hernandez, president of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce.

A keynote presentation by the ZEDM director will update participants on the development of the area and provide foreign companies with useful information in order to increase investments in the zone.

FIHAV 2018 will be the largest of these fairs in terms of exhibition area, covering 25,000 square meters. It will take place at a convention center on the outskirts of Havana.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 11:08:07|Editor: xuxin

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TOKYO, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe departed Tuesday for a European tour that will see him visit Spain, France and Belgium for a series of summit talks and to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Belgium.

Prior to his departure, the Japanese leader said that he will during his five-day trip underscore the importance of a "free, fair and ruled-based economic order," amid rising concerns about global protectionism.

The first stop for Abe will be Spain, where he is scheduled to meet with both Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and King Felipe VI before heading to France on Wednesday.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron will host Abe, with a number of pertinent issues including Japan's free trade agreement with the European Union and Japan's push for fair and open trade likely to be high on the agenda, sources here said.

On Thursday, Abe will visit Brussels in Belgium to attend the two-day ASEM summit, which is held every other year with Asia and Europe alternating as hosts.

A number of issues are slated to be traversed at the ASEM summit this year including those related to cybersecurity, environmental protection and female empowerment.Afghanistan's Charlie Chaplin, Karim Asir performs during a show at a local school in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Oct.10, 2018. (Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah)

by Farid Behbud

KABUL, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- In a country like Afghanistan that routinely witnesses insurgency, fierce explosions and suicide bombings, the ability to make people smile, as Afghanistan's "Charlie Chaplin" does, is a commendable initiative.

Afghanistan's "Charlie Chaplin," whose real name is Karim Asir, is determined to provide reasons for his countrymen to ignore the pains and grievances of war and make them laugh.

Wearing a black bowler hat, baggy pants and oversized shoes and acting silently, Asir, 25, usually appears performing in public events.

During his childhood, after fleeing the Taliban rule in 1996, he enthusiastically watched the old classic performances of Charlie Chaplin on Iranian TV. He decided he wanted to perform like him when he was older and make people smile, the "Afghan Chaplin" told Xinhua recently.

Afghanistan's Charlie Chaplin, Karim Asir performs during a show at a local school in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Oct.10, 2018. (Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah)

"It was inspiring for me when my university teacher said I was walking like Charlie Chaplin, when I was a student in the theater department of the Fine Arts Faculty of Kabul University," said Asir who is now being trained by Assistant Professor Abdul Haq Haqju, director of Parwana Institute, of Parwana Cultural and Artistic Theater Organization, an independent association.

After returning home, despite his parent's apprehension, he wanted to recreate Charlie Chaplin's characters to give his war-affected people a chance to smile and to send a positive message to Afghans.

"My reason is clear, since the security situation is at its worst, I want to give my people a chance to forget the problems of war and insecurity, and my gift to them is the chance to smile while I impersonate Charlie Chaplin," said Asir.

Asir has amassed around 1,000 live and video-clip performances in public sites, such as parks, schools, orphanages, private parties and at charity events.

Afghanistan's Charlie Chaplin, Karim Asir performs during a show at a local school in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Oct.10, 2018. (Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah)

Speaking of China, Asir said he has never been there, but hoped to one day visit and hold performances there as Afghanistan's Charlie Chaplin.

"China is a country of colors and has a variety of cultures. My favorite color is red, which is common in China. I also love and am inspired by The Great Wall of China. China and Afghanistan also share some cultural commonalities," said Asir.

Charlie Chaplin's performances can be seen in silent, black-and-white video-clips. Asir follows the same methodology as he wants to maintain the integrity of the art, and hence refuses to use color.

One of his sweetest memories was the end of his performances four years ago, in the Badam Bagh of Kabul, where more than 2,000 visitors attended a great annual agricultural exhibition, Asir recalled.

"I was nearly trampled on by my fans who rushed towards me to take selfies," he said.Chinese ambassador in India Luo Zhaohui (1st L) attended the opening ceremony of a ten-day training program for ten Afghanistan diplomats jointly undertaken by China and India at Delhi-based Foreign Service Institute in New Delhi, India, on Oct. 15, 2018. (Xinhua/Zhang Qiujie)

NEW DELHI, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- China and India jointly undertook a ten-day training program for ten Afghanistan diplomats at Delhi-based Foreign Service Institute on Monday.

This is the first such joint initiative being undertaken by India and China for Afghanistan.

Chinese ambassador in India Luo Zhaohui read out a message from Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the occasion.

The message read: "The launch of this program today marks an important step forward. It reflects the closer coordination and cooperation between our two countries on regional affairs and represents a positive development in China-India relations."

"Afghanistan is an important country in our region. China and India have been active supporters of Afghanistan's peace, and reconstruction process. This Joint Capacity Building Program is an essential part of the international efforts to assist Afghanistan, and marks the start of China-India-Afghanistan cooperation," it added.

On this occasion, the Chinese ambassador said that: "China and India share a lot of common interests and similar stance on Afghanistan issue. Both of us support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace reconciliation process. Both of us uphold that Afghanistan should realize peace, stability and prosperity. Both of us are against terrorism."

Luo also suggested that China-India cooperation could be extended from Afghanistan to other countries, such as Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Iran and Myanmar.

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's message, read out on the occasion, said that the seeds for joint cooperation in Afghanistan were sown at the informal summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping when they met in Wuhan in April 2018.

"Today, we see it blooming with the initiation of this training program. This marks the beginning of what we visualize as a long term trilateral partnership for the benefit of Afghanistan," she added.

The Afghan diplomats attending the training program felt elated and excited to undertake the first-of-its-kind training program which, they said, would help them in understanding the issues confronting their country from an international perspective.

Jahan Zeb Salimankhil, a diplomat serving in Afghanistan's foreign ministry for the past six years, said that it was a good and unique experience for them.

"It is a unique experience for all ten of us, of undertaking training at India's 'Foreign Service Institute'. It is all the more important as this is a joint training program of India and China, the two great countries in this part of the world."

According to Salimankhil, after completing this training in New Delhi, they will go to China to undertake a similar ten-day long training program.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 12:23:19|Editor: xuxin

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SINGAPORE, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Enterprise Singapore, a government agency that champions enterprise development, and Singapore Standards Council announced on Tuesday they have developed the Standards Mapping for Singapore Smart Industry Readiness Index (SmS).

The SmS maps relevant national and international standards to the Singapore Smart Industry Readiness Index, and provides the manufacturing industry with good practices to address key requirements for interoperability, reliability, safety and cybersecurity.

It is expected to make it easier for enterprises to identify relevant standards that can be used to upgrade their Industry 4.0 capabilities.

The first edition of the SmS is mapped to the eight pillars of focus of the Singapore Smart Industry Readiness Index, which include operations, supply chain, product lifecycle, automation, connectivity, intelligence, structure and management, and talent readiness. The index is an Industry 4.0 tool developed by the Singapore government to enable the transformation of industrial sectors, at both the enterprise and national levels.

The SmS will be reviewed and upgraded regularly to ensure its relevance to enterprises, according to a media fact sheet from both Enterprise Singapore and Singapore Standards Council.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 12:28:20|Editor: xuxin

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NAY PYI TAW, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The first day of the peace talks between the Myanmar government, the army and the 10 nationwide ceasefire accord (NCA)-signatory ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) worked on ways to attain basic principles in future 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference.

The forthcoming 4th session of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference is set to be held later this year and the next two similar sessions to be held next year.

The trilateral peace talks kicked off in Nay Pyi Taw on Monday.

According to the meeting sources, Monday's discussions covered making the current dialogue simple and easy and a model to be followed after reaching agreements between leaders at political dialogue as well as seeking cooperation in inclusiveness of all EAOs who have not yet signed the NCA.

At the opening of the trilateral peace talks, Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also chairperson of the National Reconciliation and Peace Center, called for joint efforts to overcome difficulties and challenges in implementing the NCA between the government and the NCA-signatory EAOs through discussion and negotiation.

Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Chairman of the Kayin National Union (KNU) Saw Mutu Sae Poe also attended the event.

The four-day talks, marking the third anniversary of the signing of NCA, is aimed at overcoming bottlenecks occurring at various levels of political discussions.

The event also came three months after the third session of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference in July.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 13:08:24|Editor: Yang Yi

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AYBAK, Afghanistan, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least seven Afghan police officers were killed following clashes with Taliban militants in northern province of Samangan overnight, local police said Tuesday.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 13:18:25|Editor: Yang Yi

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CANBERRA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- A record number of elderly Australians are living in poverty, debt assistance services have warned.

The National Debt Helpline (NDH), the government's financial counselling service, is on-track to receive a record number of calls in 2018 and staff have observed a marked increase in the number of older Australians who cannot pay their rent or mortgage.

"Call volumes are huge," Karen Cox, a coordinator with the Financial Rights Legal Centre, which runs the NDH, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Tuesday.

"We're at capacity in terms of the number of calls we can take."

The NDH data is in line with that of the Salvation Army's financial counselling service, Moneycare, which saw an 18 percent increase in calls in the 2017-18 financial year.

The proportion of people accessing the service aged 55 and older has increased 37 percent since 2008.

"I think it's the change in circumstances," Moneycare financial counsellor Kristen Hartnett said.

"People hit retirement, and they're still carrying heavy debt with mortgages and credit cards."

Hartnett said that there had been a big increase in the number of callers considered to be in "severe debt," which is defined as debt worth more than six times a person's disposable income.

"The trigger may be someone who can't afford hot water, that's when they connect with us," she said.

"For someone else it might be legal action, or someone says they can't afford the next bill.

"People are trying to do the best they can, but we want them to connect with us so that we can see what they can do to take some of that stress off them."Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 13:33:27|Editor: Yang Yi

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AYBAK, Afghanistan, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least seven Afghan police officers were killed following clashes with Taliban militants in northern province of Samangan overnight, local police said Tuesday.

"Deputy provincial police Chief Khawani Tahari and six police officers were killed following a Taliban ambush attack in Dara-i-Suf Payyan district Monday night," provincial police spokesman Munir Rahimi told Xinhua.

The police unit was travelling to provincial capital Aybak city after inspecting security checkpoints in Dara-i-Suf Payyan but the clashes took place after the unit came in contact with the militants in Zarakai locality of the district, the spokesman said, adding that three policemen were also injured in the gunfight.

More than 30 Taliban militants were also killed and injured after the fighting, he added.

The violence has been on the rise as Afghan security forces struggle against a surge in attacks by militants when the country is preparing for parliamentary elections scheduled to be held on Saturday, Oct. 20.

During the upcoming polls, more than 54,000 Afghan army soldiers and police personnel would be deployed to provide security for 5,100 polling centers across the country.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 13:38:27|Editor: xuxin

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YANGON, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Two military jet fighters crashed in Minbu township in Myanmar's Magway region Tuesday morning, killing two pilots, according to the Myanmar Air Force.

A female student on the ground died of being hit by pieces of wreckage in the incident.

The most-edged jet fighter, on its flight to a ground to air launching field in Ann township, Magway region, hit a tower pole and its wing clapped with that of another aircraft, thus crashing together, according to initial report.

The local police force is undertaking investigation on the tragedy.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 13:43:28|Editor: xuxin

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NEW DELHI, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- India's Zika virus outbreak is turning out to be worse this year, with 72 people being diagnosed with the infection.

"With 12 fresh cases in the past 24 hours, the number of Zika infected patients has now touched 72. All these patients are from the western Indian state of Rajasthan's capital Jaipur, barely 300 km from the national capital," a senior health official said Tuesday.

A number of victims are migrant workers from eastern Indian states, while others are local people, the official added.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan's top health official Veenu Gupta has said that of the 72 cases, 60 patients have recovered, while 12 are still under observation. To counter Zika, fogging and anti-larvae activities have been intensified in the city, she added.

"More than 280 teams of the health department are conducting door-to-door survey and so far 96,000 houses have been surveyed. More than 244,000 containers were checked and larvae found in more than 55,000 containers, which were treated," Gupta told the media.

Alarmed at the rising number of Zika cases, the Indian Health Ministry has already set up a control room at the National Centre for Disease Control to undertake regular monitoring of the situation in Rajasthan.

"India's additional secretary (health) Sanjeeva Kumar Monday held a video conferencing with top health officials of all states and asked them to curb mosquito breeding and also intensify vector control strategies to contain Zika outbreak," another health official said.

The Health Ministry has also directed states to adhere to the norms of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme for controlling Zika. "However, there is no need to panic as it's not fatal," the official added.

Zika virus disease is spread by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes. Its symptoms include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, and headache.

This is the third Zika virus outbreak in India since January 2017.

The first outbreak of Zika was reported in India in January 2017 in the western state of Gujarat, while the second outbreak was reported in the southern state of Tamil Nadu in July 2017. Both these outbreaks were contained.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 14:43:35|Editor: xuxin

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KABUL, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The domestic observers, as well as candidates' agents and political party monitors will play an important role in the upcoming Afghan parliamentary elections scheduled on Saturday, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said Tuesday.

On Monday, Tadamichi Yamamoto, special UN envoy and head of UN mission, met with some domestic observers in Kabul and noted the critical role that each observer can perform in the upcoming elections in deterring and preventing fraud, UNAMA said in a statement.

"Extensive and informed coverage by Afghan non-partisan observers and candidates' agents at the more than 5,000 polling centers is crucial," Yamamoto told the meeting.

"Their presence represents one of the most effective instruments to detect and deter fraud," he said.

The statement added that "more than 250,000 domestic observers, candidates' agents and political party monitors have sought accreditation to scrutinize the elections on 20 October. UNAMA encourages all eligible actors to actively engage in observing the elections and welcomes the high numbers of domestic observers that will be active on election day - among them several thousand who are women - along with party monitors and candidates' agents."

It said that all agents and observers should be well trained on the polling and counting procedures and adhere to the law and Code of Conduct while present at the polling stations.

"Afghan observers are the guardians of the electoral process," said Yamamoto, "while candidates bear the primary responsibility for preventing fraud by instructing their supporters not to commit fraud in their names."

"The United Nations is mandated to support Afghan authorities in technical issues around the electoral process. The UN in Afghanistan has no monitoring or observation mandate in the 20 October parliamentary election," the statement noted.

More than 2,500 candidates from 33 out of 34 provinces, excluding Ghazni, will stand for the parliament's 249 seats.

During the upcoming polls, nearly 9 million registered voters, including 3 million women, will cast their ballots to elect members of the Lower House of parliament for a five-year term.

Election officials recently canceled district councils election which was expected to be held together with the parliamentary polls.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 14:53:37|Editor: xuxin

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SEOUL, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- South Korea and the United States on Tuesday started talks on how to share the defense costs of U.S. forces stationed in South Korea, according to Seoul's foreign ministry.

The two-day negotiations were launched in central Seoul to reach a new deal on South Korea's financial contribution to the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).

The negotiation period can be extended, if necessary, as the current deal was set to expire by the end of this year, the Seoul ministry said.

In consideration of the time needed for the parliamentary approval, the talks are required to be wrapped up within this month.

South Korea paid about 960 billion won (850 million U.S. dollars) this year to share cost for the U.S. troops stationed here, but the U.S. side demanded raising the share to as much as 1.5 trillion won (1.3 billion U.S. dollars), according to local media reports.

About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea as a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended with armistice.

The South Korean side was led by Chang Won-sam, a career diplomat who served as ambassador to Sri Lanka, and the U.S. side was headed by Timothy Betts, deputy assistant secretary of state for plans, programs and operations.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 14:53:40|Editor: xuxin

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NEW DELHI, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and many others injured Tuesday after a bus fell into a canal in India's eastern state of West Bengal, officials said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 15:13:47|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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SUVA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Fijian Elections Office has approved a total of 234 candidates for the island nation's general elections on Nov. 14.

According to Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) on Tuesday, Fiji's Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem has confirmed that they received 243 candidate nominations from political parties, but did not approve nine nominations.

On Sept. 30, Fijian President Jioji Konrote announced to dissolve the parliament for the general elections.

This is the second time for Fijians to head to polls under the 2013 Fijian Constitution.

Currently, Fiji has a population of over 880,000, with more than 630,000 registered voters.

The number of polling venues has increased from 1,361 in 2014 to 1,435 in 2018.

Fiji's latest general election was held in 2014.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 15:13:48|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Five people were injured in a blast that rocked Faizabad district in Afghanistan's northern Jawzjan province on Tuesday, a police official Kamaludin Yawar said.

"Five innocent children were passing a street in Faizabad district this morning when a mine planted by militants went off and injured the innocent children," Yawar told Xinhua.

Without providing more details, the official said that an investigation was underway.

Taliban militants who are active in the area and are largely relying on the suicide and roadside bombings haven't commented on the incident.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 15:28:51|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis on Monday denied that he had registered for the Democratic Party, something that U.S. President Donald Trump suggested in an earlier interview.

"I've never registered for any political party," Mattis told reporters, adding that he had been "apolitical" since joining the Marine Corps at the age of 18.

The remark came in response to Trump's earlier comment saying that Mattis was a "sort of a Democrat" during an interview Sunday. Trump also said that Mattis "could be" leaving the administration, which Mattis also denied.

"I'm on his team. We have never talked about me leaving. And as you can see right here, we're on our way. We just continue doing our job," he told reporters.

Mattis said he had not talked to Trump after the interview had been aired.

Rumors about a potential exit for Mattis, often labeled a grown-up figure in the Trump administration, have been circulating in Washington for weeks. Mattis was put into the spotlight by a book published earlier that shed light on the inner workings of the Trump administration.

Inside the book, written by veteran journalist Bob Woodward, Mattis was said to have brushed off a directive from Trump to assassinate Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Although Mattis denied remarks attributed to him in the book, the impression that Mattis and Trump shared different views on certain issues lingered.

Mattis, 68, a four-star Marine Corps general until he retired in 2013, was one of the first officials to be confirmed to Trump's cabinet.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 15:28:52|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- China has held 6,219 officials in 10 provincial regions accountable for environmental damage after inspections by central authorities from May 30 to July 7, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said Tuesday.

A total of 610 people have been detained and 710 million yuan (about 102.6 million U.S. dollars) of fines imposed following the environmental inspections, the ministry said in a statement.

The inspected regions were Hebei, Henan, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan.

Inspectors uncovered a slew of problems, including inadequate implementation of measures to improve environmental protection.

The ministry is preparing for another round of inspections, according to the statement.

The inspections are part of China's campaign to fight pollution and environmental degradation as decades of growth have left the country with smog, polluted water and contaminated soil.

Tackling pollution is one of "the three tough battles" that China aims to win within three years.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 15:53:57|Editor: Liangyu

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TIANJIN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Volkswagen Group China registered strong sales in the Chinese market in the first nine months of the year, the company announced Monday.

The company, along with its two joint ventures in China -- SAIC Volkswagen and FAW-Volkswagen -- delivered a total of 3.04 million automobiles to the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong between January and September, up 50 percent year on year.

In breakdown, Volkswagen sales reached 2.24 million units, up 1.9 percent year on year. Sales of Audis posted record-high growth of 15.4 percent to reach 483,000 units, and sales of Porsches topped 56,300 units in the same period.

Volkswagen Group China President and CEO Jochem Heizmann said that the sales of the company saw steady growth in the first nine months, with SUVs the strongest growth driver.

He said that this year marked a milestone for the company, as it rolled out a number of new vehicle models and stepped up efforts to develop electric vehicles. Meanwhile, the company set up its third joint venture in China, JAC Volkswagen, and launched four new plants in China.

Volkswagen Group is the largest automotive manufacturing company in Europe, with 12 vehicle brands including Audi, Lamborghini and Bentley, delivering to more than 150 countries and regions worldwide.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 16:19:03|Editor: Liangyu

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Chen Xi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Committee Organization Department, meets with Bashiru Ally, secretary general of Tanzania's ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), who is leading a delegation of Tanzania's national executive committee seminar, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2018. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Chen Xi on Tuesday met with Bashiru Ally, secretary general of Tanzania's ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), who is leading a delegation of Tanzania's national executive committee seminar.

Chen said that China attaches great importance to the all-weather friendship with Tanzania, and is willing to promote the China-Tanzania comprehensive cooperative partnership to play a leading role in the construction of the China-Africa community with a shared future.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of relations between the two parties. Chen said China hopes the two sides will work together to plan for and promote the continuous development of relations between the two parties and the two countries.

For his part, Bashiru said Tanzania is willing to promote relations between the two parties and deepen cooperation of mutual benefit between the two countries.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 16:24:04|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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ISTANBUL, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkish prosecutors issued detention warrants for a total of 84 soldiers on Tuesday over their alleged links to a group believed to be behind a failed coup bid in 2016.

The state-run Anadolu Agency said simultaneous operations were launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Office in 23 provinces across the country to catch 34 soldiers, some of whom have been actively serving in key units of the Turkish armed forces.

At a separate investigation, prosecutors in the capital Ankara ordered detention of 50 gendarmerie personnel, the agency added, noting 35 of them were in active duty.

Ankara blames Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based Turkish cleric, and his network of leading the July 2016 putsch, in which 250 people were killed.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 16:44:11|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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SINGAPORE, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Enterprise Singapore, the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and German Accelerator Southeast Asia (GASEA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to boost startup collaboration between Singapore and Germany.

The document signing makes Germany the newest addition to the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) network for Singapore, and will support Singapore-based startups in their expansion to Germany and Europe, according to a joint statement released on the sidelines of the Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC 2018.

The joint statement said GASEA would partner Enterprise Singapore and EDB to organize a two-year program, named Scalerator, to support more than 40 Singapore-based startups in entering Germany, and access the local and wider European markets. The program is specifically curated for Singapore-based startups, and will commence in the first quarter of 2019.

Jonathan Lim, Enterprise Singapore's Director for Startup and GIA, said Germany was an innovation hub and home to world-renowned companies and research institutions, making it a strategic base for Singapore deep tech startups to access the European market.

Lim said the partnership with German Accelerator marks the launch of Singapore's GIA network in Germany, which would enable Singapore startups to leverage on Berlin and Munich to identify business and co-innovation opportunities for Germany and the European market.

GASEA set up its first Asia office in Singapore last November to support the entry of German startups into Singapore, and scale up to the region. Through a specially curated program, GASEA has successfully supported eight German startups since March 2018.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 17:09:26|Editor: Liangyu

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ULAN BATOR, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia is planning to export live sheep and goats from the first quarter of next year, the government's press office said on Tuesday.

The construction of a complex which is responsible for disinfecting male sheep and goats to be exported is 50 percent complete, the press office said in a statement.

The complex covering an area of 600 hectares in Zamiin-Uud soum (administrative subdivision) in the southeastern province of Dornogovi is expected to be commissioned within the first quarter of next year.

According to the authorities, the complex will have the capacity to export about 5,000 sheep and goats per day.

The work is part of the government's efforts to diversify its mining-dependent economy and support nomadic herders.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 17:19:30|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- A 5.4-magnitude earthquake hit Jinghe County in Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture of Bortala, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, at 10:10 a.m. Tuesday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter, with a depth of 10 km, was monitored at 44.19 degrees north latitude and 82.53 degrees east longitude, the center said in a statement.

The quake shook several townships within 50 km of the epicenter, although no casualties have been reported.

The pendant lamps started to shake very strongly, and there were cracks in the walls, said a local resident.

The quake also halted three trains running in Xinjiang, according to the region's railway authorities.

Hundreds of firefighters are heading toward the quake-hit area as part of the region's rescue efforts.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 17:29:33|Editor: Liangyu

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RIYADH, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on Tuesday to hold talks with Saudi officials over the missing journalist, Al Arabiya local news reported.

According to the U.S. State Department, Pompeo would travel to Turkey after his current visit to Saudi.

Pompeo is expected to discuss the case of the Saudi national journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has been missing since Oct. 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Turkey.

His disappearance attracted negative criticism against Saudi with claims that he might be killed or arrested, which was denied by the kingdom as "baseless."Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 17:34:34|Editor: Liangyu

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TEHRAN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- 14 Iranian border guards were kidnapped by an armed group in Mirjaveh border point in Iran's southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan Province on Tuesday, official IRNA news agency reported.

The Iranian security forces were kidnapped at early hours of Tuesday morning, an informed source told IRNA.

No further details are available about the incident, the report said.

Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan Province, bordering Pakistan, is the locus for frequent armed clashes between the Iranian security forces and armed rebels or smugglers.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 17:54:36|Editor: Liangyu

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CAIRO, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank (WB) has agreed a new financing deal of three billion U.S. dollars with Egypt, Egyptian Investment Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The deal came in light of the WB's trust in the economic reform measures in Egypt and the bank's keenness to continue support for Egypt in implementing its current social and economic reform, Minister of Investment Sahar Nasr said.

Egypt secured a loan of similar size in 2016 from the WB.

WB Chief Executive Officer Kristalina Georgieva voiced support for the Egyptian efforts in the process of the economic and social transaction and for the government's steps in luring foreign investments.

She stressed the bank gives priority for some sectors like developing Sinai Peninsula and the infrastructure, transportation and agricultural projects.

In 2016, Egypt has started a strict three-year economic reform program based on austerity measures including fuel and energy subsidy cuts and tax hikes, after several years of instability due to turmoil that caused economic recession.

The liberalization of the Egyptian pound's exchange rate encouraged the International Monetary Fund to support Egypt's economic reform plan with a 12-billion-dollar loan, two thirds of which has been delivered to the North African country.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 18:04:37|Editor: Liangyu

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DOHA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Qatar is working on plans to achieve self-sufficiency in goods and products as well as to develop natural resources, state-run Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported on Tuesday.

The remarks were made by Minister of Municipality and Environment, Mohammed bin Abdullah al Rumaihi, while celebrating the World Food Day on Tuesday.

"Qatar's celebration of the World Food Day is a confirmation of the importance of food and the need to provide it to everyone living on its land," the minister said.

Al Rumaihi added that Qatar has adopted plans and strategies to increase the production of agricultural commodities in the country, according to QNA.

He also said that the agricultural sector was able to make a great leap to cover the requirements of the local market and raise the self-sufficiency in plants, animals and fish sectors.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Qatar on June 5, 2017 over unsubstantiated claims that it has backed extremism and fostered relations with Iran.

Doha denied the allegations.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 18:19:40|Editor: Liangyu

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CAPE TOWN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has postponed a scheduled visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to an upper-respiratory-tract infection, the Presidency said on Tuesday.

Ramaphosa was due to travel to Kinshasa on Monday, but was advised by doctors to recover from an upper-respiratory-tract infection before undertaking prolonged travel, presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko said.

The president "is receiving medical attention and making a good recovery," Diko said.

The South African government has been in communication with the DRC government regarding this change in Ramaphosa's schedule, Diko said.

Ramaphosa and his DRC counterpart, Joseph Kabila, had been expected to ratify the agreements reached between the two countries at the 11th Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) currently underway in Kinshasa.

The two leaders will ratify the agreements at a future stage, according to Diko.

The South African government has expressed its appreciation for the DRC's hosting of the official and ministerial deliberations that have taken place in Kinshasa in preparation for the participation of the two heads of government in the BNC, Diko said.

The BNC was established in 2004 to promote political, economic, and social cooperation between the two countries.

Since the establishment of the BNC, the two countries have strengthened their bilateral cooperation in various fields, resulting in 33 agreements having been signed.

These legal instruments cover a wide range of areas, including agriculture, defense, trade and investment, health, police, energy, public service and administration, cooperative governance, transport, and immigration, according to the Presidency.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 18:19:40|Editor: Liangyu

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FARAH, Afghanistan, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- About 16 Afghan security personnel were killed and 17 others wounded in separate militants' attacks in two provinces, officials said Tuesday.

In one incident, eight national army troops, three policemen and two local uprising personnel were killed and 13 others wounded after Taliban militants, equipped with guns and heavy weapons attacked security posts in Kijran district of central Daykundi province on Monday evening, Ali Akbar Nateqi, the provincial government spokesman, told Xinhua.

He said the militants have also seized some government forces' equipment and destroyed the remaining, after they took control of several security checkpoints in the district.

Elsewhere in the western Farah province, three national army troops were killed and four others wounded in areas close to the provincial capital Farah city, spokesman of 207-Zafar Corps, Nurul Haq Khaleqi confirmed, adding that seven militants were also killed and 11 others wounded in the clashes.

The violence has been on the rise as Afghan security forces struggle against a surge in attacks by militants when the country is preparing for parliamentary elections scheduled for Saturday.

During the upcoming polls, nearly 9 million registered voters, including 3 million women, will cast their ballots to elect members of the 249-seat lower house of parliament for a five-year term.

Election officials recently canceled district councils election which was expected to be held together with the parliamentary polls.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 18:19:40|Editor: Liangyu

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WELLINGTON, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government is focusing on reducing complexity and cutting unnecessary red tape in attracting foreign investment, Associate Finance Minister David Parker said here on Tuesday.

While launching the second chapter in its rewrite of the Overseas Investment Act by the Labor Party-led coalition government, it aims to ensure investments are consistent with New Zealand's national interest.

The first phase included the ban on foreign buyers acquiring existing homes, which takes effect on Oct. 22, as well as measures to encourage foreign investment in forestry.

"By preventing foreigners from buying existing homes, the government has completed the most significant reform of the act in more than a decade," Parker said.

"In the second phase of our reform, we will ensure New Zealand remains an attractive destination for beneficial, long-term foreign direct investment, while examining ways to ensure prospective foreign investments are consistent with New Zealand's national interest," he said.

"Many of our closest allies have the ability to block significant investments that are inconsistent with their national interests. New Zealand currently cannot," he added.

It is likely that a broad, but rarely used, discretion to decline approval for significant foreign investment, such as infrastructure assets with monopoly characteristics, will be introduced, Parker said.

He noted that legislation to implement the changes is expected to be completed by 2020 when the next elections are scheduled to take place.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 18:39:43|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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DHAKA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Two suspected members of a banned militant outfit were killed on Tuesday in a raid in Bangladesh's Narsingdi district.

The raid was launched by Bangladesh law enforcers on two militant hideouts in the district, some 51 km east of capital Dhaka, Monirul Islam, counter-terrorism unit chief of Bangladesh Police, told journalists.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 18:54:47|Editor: Yamei

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PARIS, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday named Christophe Castaner interior minister to replace Gerard Collomb, whose surprise resignation had put the head of state in the hot seat.

In a statement, the president's office, the Elysee, said "following the proposal of Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, the President of the Republic, named Christophe Castaner as interior minister."

The nomination of Castaner, one of the president's earliest backers, came shortly after the outgoing Collomb handed in his resignation two weeks ago.

Castaner had been Macron's spokesperson during his campaign for the presidential election in 2017 before being appointed secretary of state for parliamentary relations.

In Macron's first cabinet after winning the election, the 52-lawyer was named leader of the ruling camp "Republique En Marche" party. He also served a few months as the government's spokesman.

In the cabinet reshuffle, the fourth since he took power in May 2017, Macron had brought in new names with different political views, hoping to regain his footing and inject fresh air into his administration amid falling public support.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 19:14:51|Editor: Yamei

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YAOUNDE, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Cameroon's Constitutional Council on Tuesday began hearing petitions for nullification of the Oct. 7 presidential election, as the country eagerly awaits proclamation of the final results of the poll.

Eleven judges of the Constitutional Council are hearing the petitions. It is unclear how long will the Council take to rule on the petitions, but final results of the election are expected to be declared by Oct. 22, according to the Electoral Code.

Police has tightened security around the Conference Center in the capital, Yaounde, where the hearings are unfolding, witnessed a Xinhua reporter.

Latest official figure shows that a total of 18 petitions have been filed by voters and candidates asking for the election to be either partially or totally annulled, according to the Constitutional Council.

Opposition candidates, including Joshua Osih from the leading opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF), Maurice Kamto from the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), and Cabral Libii from the UNIVERS, said their teams observed "irregularities" and "disregard of electoral law" during the polling.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 19:14:52|Editor: Yamei

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YANGON, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Two military fighter jets crashed in Minbu township in Myanmar's Magway region Tuesday morning, killing two pilots, according to the Myanmar Air Force.

A female student on the ground died of being hit by pieces of the wreckage in the incident.

The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services attributed the incident to bad weather, saying that two out of four jet fighters crashed while returning to Magway air base after flight training at 7:30 a.m. local time.

Despite successful landing of the first two fighters amid bad weather condition, the two others failed with one crashing near Sapwet creek bridge, south of Minbu, while the other near a field, 1 km west of Tanatpinsu village.

The pieces of the wreckage of the fighter that crashed near Sapwet creek bridge, hit a female high school student who died at the hospital with injury.

According to an initial report of the Air Force, one fighter jet hit a tower pole and its wing clapped with that of another aircraft, thus crashing together.

The local police were investigating the incident.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 19:19:53|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Yang, a former member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and former head of the CMC Political Work Department, was expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) for multiple violations.

The property involved in Zhang's case will be confiscated in accordance with laws and disciplines, said a military statement released Tuesday.

The CMC had previously decided to expel Zhang from the military and strip him of his rank of general, it said.

Zhang committed suicide at his home in Beijing on Nov. 23, 2017, after authorities launched an investigation into his links to two corrupt former senior military figures Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 19:31:12|Editor: Liangyu

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Aerial photo taken on Sept. 27, 2018 shows fields at Xiaogang Village in Fengyang County, east China's Anhui Province. Xiaogang is in Fengyang (phoenix) County. The county, like its mythological namesake, has gone through hundreds of reincarnations over the centuries, as communities like Xiaogang battle a fickle environment to eke out enough food to survive. In 1978, 18 farmers came together for a covert meeting in one of the village's mud hut home, and finally agreed to sign the secret agreement to divide communally owned farmland into family plots. The family land contract responsibility system that derived from Xiaogang was spread nationwide by 1984. The name of Xiaogang has since been fixed in the nation's memory as the start of China's reform. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 19:29:56|Editor: Yamei

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PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Three civilians were killed as a bomb blast rocked Pul-e-Khumri city, the capital of Afghanistan's northern Baghlan province on Tuesday, provincial police spokesman Zabihullah Shija said.

"The blast orchestrated by the anti-government rebels in Kartai Itefaq neighborhood of Pul-e-Khumri city claimed three lives, including former anti-Taliban commander Faizullah today," Shija told Xinhua.

All the victims were civilians, the official said.

Taliban militants are yet to make comment on the attack.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 19:29:57|Editor: Yamei

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DHAKA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Two bodies suspected to be militants were found Tuesday after Bangladeshi security forces stormed a hideout of the JMB (Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh) members in the country's Narsingdi district, police said.

Monirul Islam, counter-terrorism unit chief of Bangladesh Police, told journalists that "two suspected JMB members were killed" in the district, east of the capital Dhaka's northeastern region.

Security forces surrounded two buildings in two separate places in the district since Monday night.

After the first operation on Tuesday, "two bodies were found scattered at the first militant den," Islam said.

No further details were immediately available.

Security has been tightened in Bangladesh since militants attacked a Spanish cafe in Dhaka's Gulshan on July 1, 2016, killing 22 people mostly foreigners.

Since the cafe attack, Bangladeshi police have conducted series of large-scale operations against militants.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 19:29:58|Editor: Yamei

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THE HAGUE, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam will start the restoration of Rembrandt's masterpiece The Night Watch in July 2019, the Dutch museum announced on Tuesday.

More than 40 years ago the last major restoration of The Night Watch took place, following an attack on the painting in 1975. The next restoration will be done in front of the public eye, as people are invited to watch the restoration process at the museum and online. The year 2019 marks the 350th anniversary of the artist's death.

"The Night Watch is one of the most famous paintings in the world," Taco Dibbits, general director of the Rijksmuseum, said in a press release. "It belongs to us all, and that is why we have decided to conduct the restoration within the museum itself, and everyone, wherever they are, will be able to follow the process online."

The Night Watch belongs to the city of Amsterdam and is part of the Rijksmuseum collection since 1808. It was Rembrandt's first and only painting of a militia group, commissioned in 1642 by the mayor and leader of the civic guard of Amsterdam, Frans Banninck Cocq, to create a group portrait of his shooting company.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 19:34:58|Editor: Yamei

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SINGAPORE, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC 2018, organized by SingEx Exhibitions with Deutsche Messe as international partner, kicked off in Singapore on Tuesday.

The three-day event, labeled as Asia-Pacific's leading trade event for Industry 4.0 by its organizer, is expected to welcome more than 10,000 attendees from over 30 countries and regions.

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said at the opening ceremony that collaboration between nations and industries is needed to harness the full potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0.

He added that it is also necessary to create high-quality jobs outside the manufacturing industry so as to ensure a job-rich future, with quality jobs in every sector of the economy.

More than 260 companies from 22 countries and areas will showcase their Industry 4.0-related products, technologies and solutions across a space of 20,000 square meters at the event.

Joseph Huang, marketing director of Zhejiang Keyway Lighting and Appliances, told Xinhua that the company's products are targeting at the specific market niche that has higher requirements on buttons and signal lights, which will not change for Industry 4.0 and even for future's industrial revolutions.

He said the event is a professional platform that gives the company access to the big Southeast Asian market. "I have met several visitors from Singapore, Vietnam and Philippines since this morning, and they all expressed intention to be our local distributors," Huang added.

Singapore's Economic Development Board (EDB) launched the Index Partners Network to help manufacturers accelerate the execution of their Industry 4.0 initiatives through building a community of technology, financing, talent development and training partners.

Also at the event, the Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), the National University of Singapore, the Nanyang Technological University, the Singapore Institute of Technology and three leading pharmaceutical companies, which are GlaxoSmithKline, MSD International and Pfize, jointly signed a 34-million-Singapore dollar (24.72-million-U.S. dollar) consortium agreement to transform the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

Besides, on the sideline of the event, Enterprise Singapore, EDB and German Accelerator Southeast Asia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost startup collaboration between Singapore and Germany.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 19:40:01|Editor: Liangyu

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JUBA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's participation in the first China International Import Expo early November provides enormous opportunities for the east African country to boost its export capabilities and explore more investment opportunities, a senior government official has said.

Christine Jino Okena, director of trade exhibition at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and East African Community Affairs, told Xinhua that Juba's presence at the expo will help tap its investment potentials, especially in the areas of agriculture, culture, and mining, among others.

"The Chinese government has invited our companies from here, and that is a great recognition. These companies are going to expose South Sudan to the world and that means many people will come to discover and invest in South Sudan," Okena said.

The Chinese government early this year invited South Sudanese businesses to showcase their products during the first China International Import Expo, scheduled for Nov. 5-10 in Shanghai.

Okena said three South Sudanese companies were selected to represent the world's youngest nation, adding that it would help boost the market of South Sudanese products in China.

"We have a lot of resources but we have not exposed them to the rest of the world," Okena said.

According to statistics from the Chinese embassy in South Sudan, annual trade between Beijing and Juba stood at about 12 billion U.S. dollars in 2017, 92 percent of which being South Sudanese exports to China.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 19:50:02|Editor: huaxia

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LAGOS, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian police on Tuesday confirmed reports that four travelers were killed and four others injured in an attack by some youths at Bali village in Adamawa state, northeast Nigeria.

State police spokesman Othman Abubakar called for calm, saying that the police has started investigation into the incident.

"We are doing everything to bring suspects to book. There is no need for reprisal attack as two wrongs don't make a right," Abubakar said.

A witness in Bali village told Xinhua that some angry youths accosted and accused the travelers of planning to attack their village. They descended on the travelers, killing four and injuring four others, while seven others were missing.

"All efforts to save the travelers from the youth by a traditional ruler was in vain," the witness said.

"Travelers had abandoned this road for long due to such attacks, until recently when assurance came that things have normalized, but here we are again," the witness added.

Meanwhile, officials of Adamawa State Muslim Council have visited the area to evacuate the dead for burial. EnditemSource: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 19:50:02|Editor: Lu Hui

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by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkey has considerably raised pressure on Saudi Arabia over the mysterious disappearance of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on its soil, yet trying not to make it a full blown crisis with the Gulf kingdom amid already cold bilateral ties.

The investigation over the case of Khashoggi, who has not been seen since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, started on Monday with a search in the consulate premises.

The relations between Ankara and Riyadh have worsened in recent years, thickening the fog surrounding the whereabouts of the missing Saudi journalist amid fears that he had been assassinated in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Turkish security officials believe the journalist, a critic of Saudi policies, was murdered by a team of Saudis who flew to Istanbul on Oct. 2, the day Khashoggi entered the consulate for paperwork related to his re-marriage.

ERDOGAN CHALLENGES RIYADH

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly challenged Saudi Arabia for an explanation about the journalist's disappearance.

During a phone conversation on Sunday evening with Erdogan, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud expressed appreciation for the establishment of a joint investigation team with Turkey, saying "no one will undermine the strength" of Saudi-Turkish relations.

The Gulf kingdom has denied allegations of its involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance as "baseless," but failed to provide any meaningful evidence.

"Rest assured, we will get at the bottom of this and all the details will be shared with the international community. Turkey can not remain silent if the evidence tells us that he has been killed there," a Turkish government source told Xinhua.

"Everyone is watching our country in this incident and we are conducting a very thorough and comprehensive investigation with all concerned security parties," the source said on condition of anonymity.

The shocking incident has sparked international outcry, including Washington, ally of both Turkey and Saudi Arabia, as the missing journalist was in exile in the United States.

In a television interview during the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump said his country would get to the bottom of what happened to Khashoggi, vowing "severe punishment" if he were found to have been killed.

SAUDI ARABIA FIRES BACK

The U.S. threats to impose sanctions infuriated Riyadh, which vowed on Sunday to "respond with greater action," as it plays "an influential and vital role in global economy."

The seemingly cordial relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia have become more complicated since the Arab Spring in 2011.

Turkey has close ties with Iran, Saudi Arabia's arch rival in the Middle East, and Qatar, a Gulf nation boycotted by a Saudi-led Arab quartet over a bitter political dispute.

In addition, Erdogan, a steadfast supporter of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, believes Saudi Arabia was a key player in the ouster of former Egyptian democratically elected President Mohammed Morsi back in 2013.

However, economic considerations play an important role in the Turkish strongman's apparent reluctance to escalate tensions with Riyadh, as Saudi Arabia has become a major investor in Turkey and Saudis are among the top foreign buyers of Turkish real estate.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

"This case looks like a very bad James Bond film. It has been conducted in a very amateurish way and Saudi Arabia also did very bad PR," Oytun Orhan, a researcher at the Ankara-based Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies, told Xinhua.

Orhan believes Turkey is playing on the international sensitivity in order to build a concerted front against Saudi Arabia.

If Khashoggi was confirmed dead, Turkey won't turn a blind eye to such a heinous crime on Turkish soil, but it will choose to act as part of a consortium of outraged nations, the Turkish expert explained.

Serkan Demirtas, a political analyst and journalist, echoed Orhan's arguments about Turkey's approach to the mysterious missing-person case.

"On the political side, Ankara seems to refrain from turning this incident into a long-term bilateral tension with Riyadh. It tries to arouse the international community for a more concerted action if Khashoggi was proven to be killed or forcefully apprehended," Demirtas told Xinhua.

Turkey itself is not running out of options. Its next steps could be expelling the Saudi diplomatic mission, calling back the Turkish ambassador and even cutting diplomatic ties.

"That would show to the rest of the world that Turkey is not a country where death squads can roam and kill dissidents," said Demirtas.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 20:00:04|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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CANBERRA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday that he is "open" to following the United States by moving the country's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Morrison credited the idea to Dave Sharma, the governing Liberal Party's candidate in Saturday's Wentworth by-election and former ambassador to Israel.

Morrison dismissed suggestions that the announcement was influenced by his faith or by Saturday's crucial by-election in Wentworth, in which the Liberal-National Coalition could lose its governing majority.

The opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP) said it would oppose the proposal in the immediate aftermath of Morrison's announcement.

Penny Wong, the ALP's spokesperson on foreign affairs, described the announcement as "dangerous and deceitful word games."

"Foreign policy and Australia's national interest are far too important to be played with in this fashion," Wong said in a statement.

"Scott Morrison is now so desperate to hang on to his job, he is prepared to say if he thinks it will win him a few more votes - even at the cost of Australia's national interest."Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 20:30:09|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Philippine officials will meet to discuss the South China Sea issue later this week, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang told a daily press briefing on Tuesday.

The third meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea, scheduled on Oct. 18, will be held in China. The two sides are to exchange views over the current situation in the region as well as each others' concerns, and deepening maritime cooperation including joint oil and gas exploration, according to the spokesperson.

"The delegations of the two sides will be headed by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou and his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo, respectively," Lu said, adding that the attendees will include officials from sectors such as national defense, natural resources and environmental conservation, fishery, transportation, energy, and coast guard.

Early in 2017, China and the Philippines established the BCM, choosing to settle maritime issues through negotiation.

"Thanks to this platform, the two countries have made positive progress in properly settling divergences, forestalling and managing maritime incidents, and advancing pragmatic maritime cooperation," Lu added.

"We believe that the success of the meeting will contribute to the sound development of China-Philippines relations as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea," Lu said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 20:35:10|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that since the establishment of the new Pakistani government, China-Pakistan relations have continued to maintain a sound momentum of development.

"China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners, and bilateral relations have been operating at a high level in recent years," spokesperson Lu Kang said at a daily press briefing when answering a related question.

Lu said that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have sent messages of congratulation respectively to Pakistani President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan. The two prime ministers also held a telephone conversation. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Pakistan on the occasion of the establishment of the new Pakistani government.

"In the next stage, there will be important high-level exchanges between China and Pakistan," Lu said, adding that the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and pragmatic cooperation in various fields continue to advance, people-to-people and cultural exchanges become closer, and good communication and coordination on important international and regional issues between the two countries have been maintained.

"We believe that with the concerted efforts of the two sides, the China-Pakistan relations will keep making progress," Lu said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 20:39:09|Editor: Yamei

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A worker prepares packs of bread at a bakery on the World Food Day in Quezon City, the Philippines, Oct. 16, 2018. World Food Day is celebrated every year on Oct. 16 to commemorate the founding of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 20:45:11|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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BEIRUT, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Tuesday that Lebanon is looking forward to boosting its ties with Iraq on all levels, Lebanon's presidency website reported.

Aoun's remarks came during his meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister, Ibrahim Al-Jaafari, at Baabda Palace in Beirut who was on a three-day official visit to discuss ways of strengthening relations between the two countries.

Jaafari said he hopes to boost his country's relation with Lebanon which will serve as an example for other countries to follow.

"We want to improve our relations with Lebanon in a way that would serve the interests of both countries," he said.

Jaafari will also visit Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 20:55:13|Editor: Yurou

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Aerial photo taken on March 22, 2018 shows the Boao Forum for Asia International Conference Center in Boao Town of Qionghai, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- China unveiled a detailed plan on Tuesday to establish the country's southern province Hainan as a free trade zone (FTZ), in its latest move to open up the economy.

The plan, issued by the State Council, China's cabinet, mapped out the target and scope for the FTZ development while identifying key industries that will see fewer foreign investment restrictions.

"The development of the Hainan FTZ is a key measure for making new ground in pursuing opening up on all fronts. The move shows China's resolution and confidence to open wider to the world," said Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen, at a press conference.

The release of the plan followed the announcement of the decision in April to develop Hainan into an FTZ, the country's 12th and largest.

By 2020, the plan aims to build Hainan into a high-quality FTZ that promotes trade and investment facilitation, provides an excellent legal environment, thorough financial services, efficient regulation, a favorable ecological environment, and boosts the development of surrounding areas.

FEWER RESTRICTIONS

Foreign investors will have wider access in a number of key areas including tourism, education, and telecommunications, according to the plan.

A negative list approach, which outlines economic areas restricted for foreign investment, will be adopted in the Hainan FTZ.

As part of its opening-up policies, China unveiled a new negative list in June for foreign investment in FTZs, with the number of items down to 45 from 95 in the previous version.

Foreign investment caps in areas including the breeding of new vegetable varieties and their seed production as well as international maritime transport businesses will be lifted, according to the plan.

The plan also gives Hainan more autonomy in granting foreign investment access. International businesses providing value-added telecommunication services will no longer need to go through central authorities to enter the market, according to the plan.

To promote international trade, data-based systems will be put into use to improve customs efficiency while multinationals and trade companies are encouraged to treat Hainan as the center of their global or regional trade network.

In addition to the measures detailed in the plan, the provincial government of Hainan has drafted an action plan to create a better business environment, which is vital for attracting foreign investment, said Shen Danyang, vice governor of Hainan.

"One of the key agendas for the FTZ development is the innovation of mechanisms. We have to establish innovative mechanisms for a fair and efficient market environment," Shen said.

Amy Cai, board director of PwC Advisory Services (Hainan) Co. Ltd said the demand to create a better business environment provided opportunities for professional service agencies such as PwC.

"We look forward to more detailed measures. We hope Hainan will further improve investment transparency and attract more foreign investment," Cai said.

STRONGER SERVICE SECTORS

One of the key features of the Hainan FTZ development plan was that it took into consideration Hainan's distinct characteristics, according to Wang.

Specific service sectors, including medical and tourism, will receive a significant boost, analysts said.

"Generally, FTZs tend to develop manufacturing and intermediary trade, but the Hainan FTZ will be a pioneer in developing service trade," said Chen Yao, a researcher with the Hainan Provincial Academy of Social Sciences.

Domestic and foreign shipping companies will be encouraged to set up operational or regional centers in the FTZ, as part of the efforts to build the area into an international shipping hub, according to the plan.

More cruise lines that include Hainan as a destination will be developed to foster the local tourism industry, the plan said.

Known for its sandy beaches and resort-lined coast, Hainan is already a global tourist hotspot. Some 67 million people visited the island in 2017.

Tourists from 59 countries can travel visa-free if they start or transit in countries and regions with direct flights to Hainan.

The development plan also builds on Hainan's established strength in medical services.

The island is drawing a number of cutting-edge medical institutions and foreign doctors thanks to relaxed rules on importing foreign medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, as well as visa policies rolled out in recent years.

"We are investing in Hainan because of its preferential policies and good environment that is suitable for health care services and medical tourism," said Qi Nianming, chairman of Spring New Life International Stem Cellular Therapy Clinic, a subsidiary of Hong Kong firm Asia Stem Cells.

Qi's hospital was among the first group of Hong Kong-invested firms to settle in Lecheng international medical tourism pilot zone, set up in 2013 in Bo'ao, a town near Hainan's east coast.

In the pilot zone, patients can get medicine and medical equipment accredited by EU, Japan, and U.S. authorities before they have been officially accredited by the Chinese government.

This provides an opportunity for hundreds of thousands of Chinese patients traveling abroad to receive treatment. In 2017, the number was around 600,000.

According to the plan, tariffs for some medical equipment will be cut in the pilot zone.

"With the FTZ development, we expect more scientific institutions, capital, and talent to come to Hainan," said Qi, "We are confident about the future of the island."

(By Xinhua writers Lu Yun, Peng Peigen, and Wang Yaguang. Xinhua reporters Zhou Huimin and Wu Maohui in Hainan contributed to the story.)

(Video editor: Zhang Yucheng)Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 21:00:15|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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BERLIN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- German industrial gas producer Linde Group offered U.S. antitrust regulators further concessions in a bid to win their approval for its planned 42-billion-dollar merger with U.S. rival Praxair, it announced on Monday night.

According to Linde, the two companies reached a preliminary agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States on the divestment of further business units. The development was widely seen in German press as being likely to alleviate fears among investors that the closely-watched deal could unravel in the 11th hour.

"Linde Aktiengesellschaft" (Linde) confirms that Praxair, Inc. and Linde aligned on Oct. 1, 2018 with the staff of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission regarding the required sales of business activities in the United States and related commitments and that such remedy package has been submitted to the FTC Commissioners for their decision," a statement published on the website of the Munich-based company read.

Linde and Praxair face a looming legal deadline in Germany for the successful finalization of the merger on Oct. 24. The two companies initially granted each other the right to cancel the deal to create the world's largest industrial gas producer at the last minute if antitrust authorities demand that they divest business units worth more than 3.7 billion euros (4.3 billion U.S. dollars).

The statement noted that "successful completion" of the corporate fusion now hinged on securing the FTC's formal approval for the proposed sales and commitments by Oct. 24. Linde added that whether the deal actually materialized was also dependent on the "timely receipt of the required buyer approval by the European Commission".

The European Commission has said that it will allow the transaction on the condition that Praxair sells its entire European gas business and gives up local helium subscription rights. The Brussels-based competition authorities argued that customers would face risks of shouldering higher prices due to the small number of alternative suppliers otherwise.

"There are very few companies in the world capable of supplying all these gases," EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager explained.

While Linde and Praxair have already agreed to Vestager's demands, they must now still obtain a final green light from regulators in the United States as the biggest remaining obstacle to the merger.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 21:05:17|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIRUT, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Wang Kejian offered on Tuesday 100 English and Arabic books to Lebanese National Library of Baakline, Lebanese National News Agency reported.

"The books cover the cultural, social and artistic aspects of life in China," said Wang, adding that they will make Lebanese readers know more about China.

Abdallah Ghosaini, director-general of the library, praised this initiative by saying that it helps in strengthening cultural ties between the Lebanese and Chinese people.

This is not the first cultural initiative that China has launched in Lebanon.

One of its latest moves is a conservatory which will be implemented soon at a value of 31.9 million U.S. dollars, covering 25,000 square meters in the northern Beirut suburb of Dbayeh.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 21:35:22|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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NAIROBI, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan manufacturers on Tuesday called for tax breaks to boost the competitiveness of the sector.

Sachen Gudka, chairperson for Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), said that the current production costs in Kenya are approximately ten percent higher compared to other low-cost manufacturing nations.

"We are therefore urging the government to lower taxes so that we can manufacture products that can compete in the region," Gudka said during the fourth annual tax summit.

The three-day event brought together over 100 policy makers and tax experts to review ways to widen Kenya's tax base.

Gudka said that Kenya used to be a key exporter of manufactured goods to the East and Central African region but rising costs have made Kenya gradually lose the market.

Gudka said that tax breaks will provide incentives for manufacturers to expand their production capabilities. According to KAM, the manufacturers sector currently provides about 300,000 direct jobs.

"With additional incentives, we can double the number of jobs in the next five years," he said.

He said that Kenya is not competitive in industrial sectors that are highly dependent on affordable electricity.

The chairperson noted that the agro-processing, textile, apparel and leather sectors represent industries with biggest potential in Kenya.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 21:50:26|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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PARIS, Oct.16 (Xinhua) -- Alain Goma, French national, who has been in captivity in Yemen for more than four months, was released on Tuesday, the French presidency announced.

"Our compatriot Alain Goma, who has been held for over four months and half in Yemen, was released today," the Elysee said.

In a press release, Macron "congratulates all those who contributed to this happy outcome," and thanked the Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said al-Said and the Saudi authorities "for their decisive commitment."

On June 3, Goma, on sailing trip, was abducted by Houthi rebels when he had been forced to dock in Yemeni port of Hodeida due to damage on his ship.

The 54-year-old sailor will return home "shortly," according to the Elysee.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 21:55:27|Editor: Yang Yi

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Former Dean of the Kennedy School of Harvard University Professor Joseph Nye delivers a speech during a forum on "China's Economic Development and China-U.S. Relations" at Harvard University's famed Loeb House in Cambridge of Massachusetts, the United States, Oct. 15, 2018. Joint efforts have to be made by both the United States and China to maintain the healthy and stable development of bilateral cooperative ties, which are not only mutually beneficial but crucial for a stable world order, top American and Chinese experts said here Monday. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

by Xinhua writers Yang Shilong, Chang Yuan

BOSTON, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Joint efforts have to be made by both the United States and China to maintain the healthy and stable development of bilateral cooperative ties, which are not only mutually beneficial but crucial for a stable world order, top American and Chinese experts said here Monday.

Considering the changing dynamics of the global political and economic order, China and the United States should not be a threat to each other but explore how they rely on and compete with each other for the benefit of both countries and the world as a whole, said professor Joseph Nye at a forum held at the Loeb House, Harvard University.

"And I fear that what we are going through now in the current time of trouble is that we're going to lose some of that capacity to appreciate each other's soft power, and thereby jeopardize some of our longer-term capacity to cooperate," he said. "China and the United States can work together, and we are not going to have an international order where either country can prevail."

Nye, who coined the term "soft power" in the late 1980s, said that much of the current rhetoric in the United States and the West regarding China's use of soft power is based on misperceptions.

For a stable international order that is beneficial to all parties, the world's two largest economies have to cooperate with each other and use their soft power for the common good of mankind, said Nye, who served as chair of the National Intelligence Council and assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs in the Clinton administration.

"If China and the United States are going to cooperate on major problems of the future, such as climate change or rules for cyberspace or pandemics, we're going to have to have an attitude towards each other of being able to cooperate," he said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 22:25:38|Editor: Yamei

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RIYADH, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met on Tuesday with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to discuss bilateral ties and the recent row over the disappearance of a Saudi journalist in Turkey.

During the meeting, King Salman and Pompeo reviewed the "historic relationships" between the two countries and discussed "current situations in the region and joint efforts being exerted towards them," the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Pompeo visited Riyadh as Saudi Arabia and Turkey launched a joint investigation into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on Oct. 2.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement on Monday that Pompeo visited Saudi Arabia at request of U.S. President Donald Trump, who "called for a prompt and open investigation into the disappearance" of Khashoggi.

The SPA report did not mention if the king and Pompeo discussed the case of Khashoggi, who is a strong critic of Saudi government.

But the U.S. State Department said in a statement on Tuesday that during the meeting, Pompeo thanked King Salman "for his commitment to supporting a thorough, transparent and timely investigation of Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance."

Pompeo and his Saudi counterpart Abdel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir also held a meeting Tuesday to discuss a range of regional and bilateral issues. The top U.S. diplomat "reiterated U.S. concern" over Khashoggi's disappearance, the State Department said in another statement.

Khashoggi's disappearance has aroused criticism about Saudi Arabia, as some unconfirmed reports said that he might be killed or arrested, which were denied by the kingdom as "baseless."Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 22:40:40|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TRIPOLI, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya Ghassan Salame on Tuesday underlined the mission's keenness to establish stability and security in Libya.

Salame made his remarks during a meeting with newly-appointed Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha in the capital Tripoli, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

He stressed the mission's willingness to "provide more support in various forms to ensure security and stability in the country and overcome this critical stage."

For his part, Bashagha confirmed the ministry's support for all regional and international efforts, as well as promoting a culture of tolerance among the people and concepts of genuine reconciliation, and return of internally and externally displaced people to their homes.

Bashagha, along with two other ministers, was appointed last week by the UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez Serraj, a move opposed by the parliament, or the eastern-based House of Representatives.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 22:40:40|Editor: Yang Yi

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The oceanic research vessel Tansuo-1 returns to the home port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 16, 2018. A team of 59 Chinese researchers returned Tuesday to Sanya from the Mariana Trench after completing a 54-day, 7,292-nautical-mile deep-sea research mission. (Xinhua/Liu Deng)

SANYA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- A team of 59 Chinese researchers returned Tuesday to Sanya in southern Hainan Province from the Mariana Trench after completing a 54-day, 7,292-nautical-mile deep-sea research mission.

Researchers have achieved fruitful results in a mission that includes a deep-sea equipment test and scientific research in disciplines such as geophysics, marine geology, geochemistry and marine biology, according to Bao Gengsheng, chief scientist of the expedition.

During the expedition, two 7,000-meter-class deep-sea gliders operated continuously for 46 days, making it the only abyss-class glider in the world that can work continuously for that period of time.

A magnesium seawater-fuel cell carried out two tests and became the first new metal seawater-fuel cell tested in the 10,000-meter abyss in the world.

In addition, researchers also used a remote-controlled robot to complete a high-definition live-streaming 10,000 meters under the sea.

"The expedition shows that China is capable of carrying out comprehensive equipment test and scientific research in deep sea and abyss," said Ding Kang, director of the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 22:55:43|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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SINGAPORE, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Singapore Business Federation (SBF) will lead a delegation of nearly 350 senior business representatives from over 80 prominent Singapore enterprises to participate in the first-ever China International Import Expo (CIIE).

According to a Tuesday's press release issued by the SBF, this is the largest delegation from an ASEAN nation to CIIE, which will take place on Nov. 5 to Nov. 10 at Shanghai's National Exhibition and Convention Center.

The Singapore Commercial Pavilions will occupy the largest space in the Trade in Services hall of the expo, they will also have a presence in the halls of Food and Agricultural Products and High-end Intelligent Equipment, featuring Singapore goods and services across logistics and transportation, financial and banking, education, healthcare and F&B sectors.

On the sidelines of the CIIE, SBF will hold two business activities, namely, the Singapore-China Trade and Investment Forum (SCTIF), as well as an exclusive business matching session for Singapore exhibitors co-organized with Bank of China.

As the facilitator of CIIE's business matching sessions and the SBF-appointed Sole Financial Services Partner for the SCTIF, Bank of China is pleased to co-organize with SBF a special business matching session customised for Singaporean companies at the exhibition, said Deng Lei, Assistant General Manager of Bank of China Singapore Branch.

SBF Chairman Teo Siong Seng said, "As a third country collaborator, Singapore is well-positioned to help Chinese companies to penetrate ASEAN markets and beyond, through our strong regional connection, technological expertise, multicultural talents and sophisticated legal framework."Mogadishu residents and government officials gather to attend the 1st anniversary of the truck bombing in Mogadishu, Somalia, Oct 14, 2018.(Xinhua/Faisal Isse)

MOGADISHU, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Somali security forces were deployed across major installations in the restive capital Mogadishu as the Horn of Africa nation marked the first anniversary of October 14, 2017 bombing attack that left hundreds of people dead.

According to the UN and Somali government, the explosion killed at least 587 people and ranks as one of the deadliest ever terrorist attacks in Africa involving the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Another 316 people were injured in the blast, and among the fatalities was a United Nations program worker.

Local people including those who bear the scars of the bombing gathered at the intersection where the horrific attack took place to mark the anniversary.

The government said security would be beefed up in the area where a monument has been erected, to allow residents to commemorate their fallen family members and friends.

A massive car bomb detonated outside the entrance to a hotel in the city's K5 junction, which is home to government offices, hotels and restaurants. Later in the day, a second bombing was reported in the city's Madina district.

In his statement to mark the anniversary, Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, expressed his solidarity with the victims of a devastating suicide bombing in central Mogadishu a year ago during a brief ceremony on Sunday at the main UN compound in Mogadishu.

Haysom called upon the forces of violent extremism to refrain from using IEDs as a weapon of insurgency.

"Owing to the indiscriminate nature of IED attacks, most of the victims are usually innocent civilians -- men, women and children. No political purpose can ever be served by the random killing of civilians," he said.

The UN also lauded the resilient spirit of the Somali people and noted how the country's progress towards peace and prosperity has continued unabated despite sporadic incidents of terrorism.

"Our thoughts also go out to those survivors of the explosion whose lives were irreversibly altered by the terrible events of October 14, 2017. May they and their loved ones find the strength to overcome the lasting physical and mental scars left by this heinous attack," Haysom said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 23:15:50|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Stephen Perry, chairman of Britain's 48 Group Club, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday reiterated China's commitment to free trade and economic globalization while meeting with Stephen Perry, chairman of Britain's 48 Group Club in Beijing.

Briefing the guest on the Chinese people's pursuit for its "two centenary goals" as well as China's history, Xi said the great achievement of economic and social development in the past 40 years has strengthened China's determination of reform and opening up.

The "two centenary goals" refer to China's aspiration to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by the time the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrates its centenary in 2021 and turn the People's Republic of China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious by the time it celebrates its centenary in 2049.

"Under the current world circumstances, China is even more determined to support trade liberalization and economic globalization," Xi said.

"We advocate that countries should enhance exchanges, cooperation, understanding and mutual trust, and avoid suspicion, prejudice and misunderstanding in international affairs," he said.

Xi said China will not seek hegemony even if it grows stronger, but will steadfastly safeguard world peace and uphold the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Xi hailed the "ice-breaking trip" made by Jack Perry, Stephen Perry's father, together with a group of far-sighted people from the British business community in spite of lots of obstacles in the early 1950s. He said the China-UK friendship has been deeply rooted in the peoples of the two nations today, and it has become a consensus shared by the two governments and peoples to develop the "Golden Era" of bilateral ties.

"I'm very glad to see the spirit of the 'ice-breaking trip' is being carried forward from generation to generation," Xi said, referring to the 48 Group Club's continuous enthusiasm for China-UK friendship.

Lauding China's tremendous development achievements and the ambitious blueprint made at the 19th National Congress of the CPC, Perry said he is sure that China will achieve its goals.

Perry said the 48 Group Club is committed to enhancing the exchanges between China and other countries, and is ready to participate in China's process of development and rejuvenation.

Perry spoke highly of the Belt and Road Initiative and the notion of building a community with a shared future for humanity raised by Xi. He said the 48 Group Club will continue supporting globalization and an open world economy and promoting the UK-China cooperation within the Belt and Road framework with the spirit of the "ice-breaking trip."Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 23:15:51|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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GENEVA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, said Tuesday it is concerned by a fast-developing humanitarian situation in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) sparked by mass returns from Angola over the last two weeks.

"Congolese government officials estimate that some 200,000 nationals have arrived in Kasai Province alone, with more arrivals reported in neighboring Kasai Central Province," said UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch at a media briefing here.

Their arrivals follow an expulsion order by the authorities in Angola targeting migrants. The Congolese were working in the informal mining sector, in the northeast of Angola, before being asked to leave.

UNHCR is appealing to the governments of Angola and the DR Congo to work together to ensure a safe and orderly population movement.

Mass expulsions are contrary to obligations under the African Charter and we ask both sides to respect the human rights of those affected. Without such cooperation, the returns could easily create a humanitarian crisis in the already fragile Kasai region, said UNHCR.

There have been reports of violent clashes in some areas of Angola as law enforcement agents have attempted to enforce the leave order, it said.

The deadline for compliance with this order expired Monday.

With the deadline having passed, thousands of returnees are on the Congolese side of the border. More were seen walking towards the DR Congo border or arriving by cars, bus, minibuses or trucks on the Angola side of the border from where they walk to cross, taking their belongings with them.

"The Congolese are returning to a desperate situation, looking for safety and aid," said Baloch.

UNHCR teams are currently working with UN and other partners in the region to assess humanitarian needs, trying to ensure those most at risk, including unaccompanied children, are taken care of, said the UN agency.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 23:25:57|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BERILN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Germany will deliver electricity to Belgium in order to help prevent black-outs from occurring in its neighboring country during the winter, German economy minister Peter Altmaier announced on Tuesday.

Speaking after a meeting with Belgian minister of energy, environment and sustainable development Marie-Christine Marghem, Altmaier said that Germany stood at Belgium's side as it sought to overcome difficulties stemming from simultaneous maintenance work at several of its nuclear power plants.

"We have both set a goal of guaranteeing electricity supply in Belgium at any given time," Altmaier told press.

Towards this end, Germany will transport electricity to Belgium via the Netherlands for lack of existing direct German-Belgian power links which could make up for potential losses from power plant outages.

Marghem welcomed the German offer of assistance which she said came at a difficult time for her country. She expressed confidence that her government could now rest assured that it would have "sufficient help in the winter."

Earlier, France also said that it would provide additional electricity supply to Belgium.

Belgium faces the threat of shortages of electricity supply this winter as a consequence of necessary maintenance work at the controversial Doel and Tihange nuclear power plants. Belgian authorities already reached a decision back in 2003 to exit nuclear power generation entirely by 2025 but have since postponed deadlines to shut down the oldest nuclear facilities.

Altmaier also announced that Berlin and Brussels would seek to intensify their energy cooperation more generally and would complete construction of a first direct electricity line between the two countries by late 2019 or early 2020.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 23:25:58|Editor: Li Xia

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BERLIN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- German carmaker Audi was handed an 800-million-euro (927.8 million U.S. dollars) regulatory fine by the Munich State Prosecution Office in the course of "dieselgate" investigations, Volkswagen AG, the mother corporation of the luxury carmaker, announced on Tuesday.

"Audi AG has accepted the fine and hence accepts its responsibility", a statement by Volkswagen read.

The official reasoning for the fine was provided with Audi's "divergence from regulatory requirements" in its production of certain diesel motors. The exact sum was arrived at from the combination of a punitive penalty of five million euros, the highest which can be awarded under German law in such cases, and an estimated 795 million euros in additional earnings which the Ingolstadt-based company had derived from the illicit behavior in question.

Volkswagen predicted that the development would have an immediate effect on its own financial performance and that of its subsidiary in 2018. "Taking special one-off effects from the fine order into account, the Audi corporation will underperform key financial targets from its forecast for the 2018 fiscal year significantly", Volkswagen wrote.

Porsche SE, the holding company of the Porsche-Piech family which owns the majority of publicly-listed Volkswagen Group shares, also expects net profits for this year to fall by around 900 euros to between 2,5 and 3.5 billion euros as a consequence.

Volkswagen Group, the world's largest carmaker by sales, admitted to manipulating exhaust system testing results in more than 10 million vehicles as early as September 2015 and has since had to pay more than four billion euros in legal settlements with customers there. In Germany, the Brunswick State Prosecution has already ordered the mother corporation to pay one billion euros in fine to plaintiffs during the summer in a similar case to the one now concluded at Audi.

Nevertheless, Justice Minister Katarina Barley has called for an overhaul of German law which would allow judicial authorities to punish corporations for criminal wrongdoing more effectively rather than just being able to prosecute individual members of staff.

Referring to the "dieselgate" scandal specifically, Barley argued that the government should create possibilities to take a more aggressive stance against businesses where fraud or corruption were "systemic" issues. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollars)Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 23:25:59|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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KIEV, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine has suffered losses to the tune of 2 billion U.S. dollars due to incidents at ammunition depots in the past two and a half years, a senior security official said on Tuesday.

Sergei Pashinsky, the head of the parliamentary committee on national security and defense, told a parliament coordination board that Kiev must "radically transform" its method of ammunition storage to prevent incidents at ammo depots in the future.

On Oct. 9, a fire started at an ammunition depot near the town of Ichnya, about 170 km east of Kiev, triggering a subsequent massive detonation of the ammunition.

Efforts are still underway to fully extinguish the fire and the explosions at the depot which contains about 69,500 tons of ammunition.

This marked the fifth such incident in Ukraine since 2015. The previous four blasts occurred in ammunition depots in the Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkov regions in eastern Ukraine and the Vinnytsya region in central Ukraine.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 23:31:02|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DUBAI, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday launched Madrasa, a free e-learning platform for Arab students in the world, state news agency WAM reported.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, unveiled Madrasa, meaning "school" in Arabic, the report said.

Madrasa is "a revolutionary new project" created under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, it added.

The platform, which offers 5,000 Arabic educational videos on subjects including science and mathematics, targets all levels of school students from kindergarten to grade 12.

The project provides educational materials in Arabic online free of charge to over 50 million Arab students around the world.

The launch coincided with the ongoing Gitex Technology Week, the biggest informational tech event in the Middle East.

Sheikh Mohammed, the first Arab head of government who communicated to the public through social media channels, said "building a better future for our region starts in the classroom and e-learning can bridge the knowledge gap in the Arab world."

"Technology can offer millions of Arab students the opportunity to develop their scientific capabilities. We aspire to provide a world-class education to every Arab child," he said.

The e-learning platform is the first outcome of the Translation Challenge initiative, launched by Sheikh Mohammed in 2017, with the aim of providing millions of students in the Arab world with easy access to advanced, engaging and accurate audiovisual educational materials in Arabic.

Madrasa is a result of thousands of hours of hard work by translators, proofreaders, designers, technicians, and voice-over artists, who volunteered for the Translation Challenge initiative.

"My message to the Arab students is, education is your future and your weapon to navigate life," Sheikh Mohammed said, while inviting all Arab students to use the Madrasa platform.

Under the scheme UAE Centennial 2071, the year when the Gulf state will mark its 100th anniversary of its foundation, the UAE government aims to eliminate its reliance on oil by transforming the state into a knowledge-based economy.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 23:46:07|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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HELSINKI, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Finland on Tuesday welcomed the European Commission's decisions to control fisheries in the Baltic Sea and to actively prohibit unlawful fishing.

Finland had been seeking a reduction of the authorized catches of Baltic Sea salmon, while the European Commission had suggested an increase.

In their meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, European Union (EU) ministers for agriculture and fisheries decided to keep the salmon quota for the main Baltic basin and the Gulf of Bothnia at 91,000 as before.

The authorization was reduced slightly to 9,700 salmon for the Gulf of Finland. The International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) had called for a major cutback down to 65,000 salmon.

On Tuesday, Finnish minister for agriculture and forestry Jari Leppa highlighted the decision to prohibit Baltic sea trout fishing in high seas during 2019. "This makes it impossible to camouflage fishing of salmon through reporting it as trout," Leppa explained.

Leppa also welcomed the commitment of the Baltic Sea countries and the European Commission to take measures to eliminate unauthorized fishing in the Baltic area.

Leppa elaborated that the international expert authority has estimated that illegal secret fishing of salmon has amounted to around 40,000 annually, which is almost half of the legal total.

"The European Commission is now prepared to sanction countries that allow unlawful fishing in the Baltic Sea," Leppa noted.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-16 23:46:08|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department said here on Tuesday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo agreed with Saudi Arabia on the importance of conducting a "thorough, transparent, and timely" investigation of the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

According to a statement issued by State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert on Tuesday, Pompeo met earlier with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Riyadh during his stay in Saudi Arabia.

Pompeo thanked the king for Saudi Arabia's strong partnership with the United States, Nauert said, adding that the two leaders had discussed a number of regional and bilateral issues.

Pompeo "also thanked the King for his commitment to supporting a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation of Khashoggi's disappearance," the statement read.

In a separate statement issued on the same day, Nauert said Pompeo had also met with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir.

Pompeo "thanked the foreign minister for his continued partnership and he and the foreign minister followed up on a range of regional and bilateral issues discussed at the UN General Assembly," the statement read.

He reiterated U.S. concern over Khashoggi's disappearance, Nauert said, adding that both foreign ministers had "agreed on the importance of a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation."

Also in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Pompeo met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, when he "reiterated the President's concern" over Khashoggi's disappearance, as well as "the President's desire to determine what happened."

Pompeo welcomed Saudi Arabia's support of the Turkish authorities' investigation, the State Department said, noting that both agreed on the need for an investigation "that provides answers."

The case of Khashoggi, a journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, has become a major source of tension between the Kingdom and the West.

Khashoggi has been missing since he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.

Unconfirmed reports said that Khashoggi was likely killed inside the compound, a claim denied by Saudi officials as "baseless."

Earlier on Monday, investigators entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. A Saudi delegation reportedly had entered the consulate one hour before the Turkish police arrived and appeared still to be inside as the search was conducted.

A latest AP report said that the Turkish police had found evidence in Saudi consulate that Khashoggi was killed there.

Also on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump denied having any financial interests with the Saudi side, to which the U.S. media had attributed the president's ambiguity towards the case.

Last week, Trump said during an interview that he will impose severe punishment if Saudi Arabia is confirmed to be behind Khashoggi's alleged death.

However, he refused to list what measures he would take, only saying that he would not choose to impose sanctions on the country for fear of losing its military sales orders with U.S. companies.

On Monday, Trump went on to say that "rogue killers" could be responsible for the disappearance, as Saudi king had denied having any information about Khashoggi's case during his call with Trump.

"I mean, who knows? We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial," he said. "It sounded like he, and also the Crown Prince, had no knowledge."

Saudi Arabia on Sunday warned against any threats to exert economic sanctions or political pressure on the kingdom, saying it will respond with greater action given the kingdom's outsized role in the global economy.

U.S. media reported on Monday that Saudi Arabia would admit that the disappearance and alleged death of Khashoggi was the result of an interrogation gone wrong.

A report by CNN quoted two sources as saying that the Saudi side is preparing a report to acknowledge that the interrogation of Khashoggi had been intended to abduct him from Turkey, but went wrong and lead to his death.

The Saudi report would likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held accountable, CNN reported.

It added that the report was still being prepared and things could change.

France, Germany and Britain on Sunday expressed concerns over the case, calling for "a credible investigation" into the incident.

In a joint statement, the top diplomats of the three European countries stressed that "all the light must be shed on the disappearance of ... Khashoggi," and that "there needs to be a credible investigation to establish the truth about what happened, and, if relevant, to identify those responsible ... and ensure that they are held to account."Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 00:01:14|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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NAIROBI, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Standard Chartered Bank called for more private sector investments on Monday in infrastructure projects connected to the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

"The BRI is becoming more and more open, and we think that public-private partnerships (PPP) are one of the options to implement the projects," Jean Lu, managing director, head of Global Banking Corporate and Institutional Banking Standard Chartered Bank (China), said at a media briefing in Nairobi.

Lu said that currently most of the BRI infrastructure projects are financed by governments and require huge financial outlays, adding that the use of PPP could be an avenue to reduce government debts.

"I have talked to a number of Chinese firms who also agree that PPP is the way to go," she said.

The Standard Chartered Bank official noted that the use of private sector funds for BRI projects has numerous advantages.

"Before commercial banks finance projects, they are screened to ensure that they commercially viable and hence ensure that debt is sustainable," Lu added.

Standard Chartered Bank, with 70 percent of its global footprint overlapping with BRI countries, has committed to financing BRI projects to the tune of 20 billion U.S. dollars by 2020.File Photo: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Riyadh , Saudi Arabia April 29, 2018. (Xinhua/REUTERS)

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department said here on Tuesday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo agreed with Saudi Arabia on the importance of conducting a "thorough, transparent, and timely" investigation of the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

According to a statement issued by State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert on Tuesday, Pompeo met earlier with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Riyadh during his stay in Saudi Arabia.

Pompeo thanked the king for Saudi Arabia's strong partnership with the United States, Nauert said, adding that the two leaders had discussed a number of regional and bilateral issues.

Pompeo "also thanked the King for his commitment to supporting a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation of Khashoggi's disappearance," the statement read.

In a separate statement issued on the same day, Nauert said Pompeo had also met with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir.

Pompeo "thanked the foreign minister for his continued partnership and he and the foreign minister followed up on a range of regional and bilateral issues discussed at the UN General Assembly," the statement read.

He reiterated U.S. concern over Khashoggi's disappearance, Nauert said, adding that both foreign ministers had "agreed on the importance of a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation."

Also in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Pompeo met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, when he "reiterated the President's concern" over Khashoggi's disappearance, as well as "the President's desire to determine what happened."

Pompeo welcomed Saudi Arabia's support of the Turkish authorities' investigation, the State Department said, noting that both agreed on the need for an investigation "that provides answers."

The case of Khashoggi, a journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, has become a major source of tension between the Kingdom and the West.

Khashoggi has been missing since he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.

Unconfirmed reports said that Khashoggi was likely killed inside the compound, a claim denied by Saudi officials as "baseless."

Earlier on Monday, investigators entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. A Saudi delegation reportedly had entered the consulate one hour before the Turkish police arrived and appeared still to be inside as the search was conducted.

A latest AP report said that the Turkish police had found evidence in Saudi consulate that Khashoggi was killed there.

Also on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump denied having any financial interests with the Saudi side, to which the U.S. media had attributed the president's ambiguity towards the case.

Last week, Trump said during an interview that he will impose severe punishment if Saudi Arabia is confirmed to be behind Khashoggi's alleged death.

However, he refused to list what measures he would take, only saying that he would not choose to impose sanctions on the country for fear of losing its military sales orders with U.S. companies.

On Monday, Trump went on to say that "rogue killers" could be responsible for the disappearance, as Saudi king had denied having any information about Khashoggi's case during his call with Trump.

"I mean, who knows? We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial," he said. "It sounded like he, and also the Crown Prince, had no knowledge."

Saudi Arabia on Sunday warned against any threats to exert economic sanctions or political pressure on the kingdom, saying it will respond with greater action given the kingdom's outsized role in the global economy.

U.S. media reported on Monday that Saudi Arabia would admit that the disappearance and alleged death of Khashoggi was the result of an interrogation gone wrong.

A report by CNN quoted two sources as saying that the Saudi side is preparing a report to acknowledge that the interrogation of Khashoggi had been intended to abduct him from Turkey, but went wrong and lead to his death.

The Saudi report would likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held accountable, CNN reported.

It added that the report was still being prepared and things could change.

France, Germany and Britain on Sunday expressed concerns over the case, calling for "a credible investigation" into the incident.

In a joint statement, the top diplomats of the three European countries stressed that "all the light must be shed on the disappearance of ... Khashoggi," and that "there needs to be a credible investigation to establish the truth about what happened, and, if relevant, to identify those responsible ... and ensure that they are held to account."Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 00:16:21|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LONDON, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Around 30 of Britain's largest companies, from financial services to high street retailers, have unveiled plans to help cut emissions, from installing solar panels on office roofs to provide power for thousands of homes, to overhauling fleets of diesel trucks, the government said on Tuesday.

Among these companies, HSBC has pledged an investment of 250 million pounds (330 million U.S. dollars) in solar parks and wind farms, while the John Lewis Partnership has committed to overhauling 500-strong fleet of diesel trucks.

Amazon also announced it had signed a deal to power its UK buildings with 100 percent renewable energy as well as planning to deploy up to 20 megawatts of large-scale rooftop solar systems on 10 of its fulfillment centers in the UK over the coming 18 months, generating the equivalent amount of electricity required to power over 4,500 UK homes.

These pledges come as the government pushes for a greener economy. Britain has cut emissions by more than 40 percent since 1990, and the number of "green collar" job opportunities could reach 2 million by 2030, according to government figures.

"Governments cannot confront this unprecedented global challenge alone," said Britain's energy and clean growth minister Claire Perry.

"We need businesses around the world to step up to the mark and today our largest companies are leading the way, making significant pledges worth millions to cut emissions while continuing to grow the green economy," Perry also said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 00:16:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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MOGADISHU, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- United States military said Tuesday its special forces conducted an airstrike in the vicinity of Harardhere town in Mudug region of central Somalia on Oct. 12, killing 60 al-Shabab terrorists.

The United States Africa Command (Africom) which oversees American troops on the African continent said this airstrike was the largest airstrike against the militants since November 21, 2017, when American forces killed about 100 terrorists in an airstrike against the insurgents' camp.

"We currently assess this airstrike killed approximately 60 terrorists. We also currently assess this airstrike did not injure or kill any civilians," Africom said in a statement.

Africom has vowed to work with its partners to transfer the responsibility for lasting security from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to the Somali government and its member states.

"Alongside our Somali and international partners, we are committed to preventing al-Shabab from taking advantage of safe havens from which they can build capacity and attack the people of Somalia," the statement said.

"In particular, the group uses portions of southern and central Somalia to plot and direct terror attacks, steal humanitarian aid, extort the local populace to fund its operations, and shelter radical terrorists." it said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 00:21:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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JUBA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 17 civilians have been killed and several others injured in clashes between two rebel factions in South Sudan's border town of Yei in the southwest of the country, the police said on Tuesday.

Police spokesman Daniel Justine said the latest fighting between the main rebel group, the Sudan People's Liberation Army-In-Opposition (SPLA-IO) and National Salvation Front (NAS) in the border town of Yei has also caused mass displacement of civilians into the bushes in the area.

"We regret the loss of lives of our people at a time when the country is in full gear of peace implementation, it is very painful," Justine told Xinhua in Juba.

He said local authorities and national government are supporting the displaced population with food assistance, saying the army has been told to be on high alert to protect the lives of civilians in the area.

Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLA-IO deputy military spokesman, blamed NAS forces loyal to General Thomas Cirilo Swaka for attacking their base in Minyori and Logo in Yei area respectively.

"On Monday, the forces of the National Salvation Front attacked our position in Yei killing five civilians and injured dozens of others," Lam said in a statement.

"This is a direct declaration of war by the forces of General Cirilo against the signed revitalized agreement since he refused to sign it in September," he added.

Lam also accused the government troops based in Mboro, Wau State in the western part of the country of constant offences against his faction in Ngisa, Tado, and Ngoku since the beginning of this month, an allegation denied by a South Sudan's army spokesperson.

"These attacks have been premeditated and planned by commanders of the regime in Juba to widen their territory and deny any establishment of cantonment sites in the area," he stressed.

The fighting comes after President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar inked in September the revitalized peace deal mediated by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an east African bloc.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 00:46:32|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LUSAKA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Tuesday assured foreign investors of the safety of their investments and that they should not be swayed by negative sentiments being portrayed in some media about the country's economy.

Zambia, he said, was ready to receive investors from any part of the word, adding that the government's management of the economy and public finances was based on laid-down systems and guided by sound fundamentals.

The Zambian leader said the country's enemies have embarked on a campaign to undermine the economy and malign it in order to create uncertainties among investors.

But Lungu, in remarks delivered at the official opening of new headquarters of French oil giant, Total, in Lusaka, the country's capital, urged investors to ignore the critics as they were only interested in undermining the economy.

According to him, there were some publications that were sponsored by the government's enemies to dent the country's economic position to the outside world.

"We shall see off all these lies and innuendos. Let me take this opportunity to assure all other investors that Zambia is open, safe and ready to receive any investor from any part of the world," he said.

The Zambian leader further expressed gratitude that the French oil giant had continued to invest in the country, especially in the energy sector where it has invested over 30 million U.S. dollars in the last three years to expand and modernize its facilities.

Pierre Yves-Sachet, the chairman of the French firm assured Lungu of the company's continued investment in Zambia.Turkish Police wait for the forensic experts to arrive at the residence of Consul General of Saudi Arabia Mohammad al-Otaibi in Istanbul, Turkey on October 16, 2018. (REUTERS)

ISTANBUL, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia's Consul General Mohammad al-Otaibi left Turkey on Tuesday for his home country ahead of a search of his residence, Turkish media reported.

Al-Otaibi left Istanbul on a commercial flight from the Ataturk Airport, as Turkish and Saudi teams were prepared to search his residence over the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the NTV broadcaster reported.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said earlier that a Turkish team would expand its investigation to include a search of al-Otaibi's residence and vehicles of the consulate.

A Turkish team, including police and crime scene investigators, conducted a nine-hour search at the Saudi consulate building on Monday, which lasted until early Tuesday.

Turkey and Saudi Arabia agreed last week to work together to investigate Khashoggi's disappearance and conduct a joint search of the consulate where he was last seen on Oct. 2.

Some media reports speculated that Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi government, was murdered in the consulate with his body removed, but Saudi Arabia has dismissed the allegations.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 01:16:43|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DUBAI, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday expressed the keenness to further develop its ties with Romania, during a visit by Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila.

UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum welcomed Dancila's visit during a meeting that reviewed the bilateral relations and ways to enhance them in varied fields, the state news agency WAM reported.

The Romanian prime minister emphasized her country's desire to boost cooperation "in various domains" with the UAE.

She also wished that the bilateral relations would witness further development and progress.

Dancila praised UAE's pioneering roles in regional and global arenas, while confirming her country's participation in Expo 2020 Dubai.

The expo will be held from Oct. 20, 2020 till April 10, 2021 under the theme "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future."Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 01:31:51|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for better management of natural resources to reduce violent conflict across the globe.

"The exploitation of natural resources, or competition over them, can and does lead to violent conflict," Guterres told the Security Council. "Preventing, managing and resolving such conflicts is one of the major and growing challenges of our time."

UN studies have shown that more than 40 percent of internal armed conflicts over the last 60 years have been linked to natural resources.

"Unfair distribution of natural resources, corruption and mismanagement can and do lead to conflict, especially in countries with weaker institutions," Guterres said, adding these pressures can also exacerbate existing ethnic or religious divides within societies and across borders.

Moreover, since 1990, 75 percent of civil wars in Africa have been partially funded by revenues from natural resources.

Taking the Democratic Republic of the Congo for example, the UN chief said natural resources has generated almost a billion dollars in revenue for rebels and criminal groups.

Likewise, in the Central African Republic, he said the illicit exploitation of minerals by numerous armed groups and militias has contributed to sustain and prolong the conflict.

"More needs to be done to regulate the provenance, sale and trade of minerals through cooperative arrangements involving civil society, governments and regional and international organizations," Guterres said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 01:41:56|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ALGIERS, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel on Tuesday held talks with South African Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Luwellyn Landers on issues related to security cooperation and illegal migration.

Messahel told reporters that he discussed with Landers on bilateral cooperation, especially in the fields of security coordination, and fighting violent extremism and illegal immigration.

He further hailed Algeria's ties with South Africa as "good and strategic," noting that the latter has been playing a "key role" in Africa as it is due to become a non-permanent member at the UN Security Council to represent the continent.

The top Algerian diplomat also discussed with Landers the bilateral coordination within the African Union and the United Nations on defending their interests as partner countries and those of the African continent in the international arena.

For his part, Landers noted that "some recommendations we drawn up during my talks with Messahel will be submitted for discussion at the next meeting of the foreign ministers of the two nations."

Messahel announced that South African Foreign Minister Lindiwe Sisulu will pay a work visit to Algeria late November or early December.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 01:57:01|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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SHANGHAI, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Singaporean companies have expressed great enthusiasm in seeking business opportunities and partnership at the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE), said representatives from the Singapore Business Federation.

The federation will lead a delegation of nearly 350 senior business representatives from over 80 enterprises from Singapore to attend the expo, to be held in Shanghai on Nov. 5-10.

The enterprises will showcase Singaporean goods and services in sectors such as logistics and transportation, finance and banking, education and healthcare, according to the federation.

Teo Siong Seng, chairman of the federation, said he has strong confidence that Singapore and China will continue to enhance economic cooperation and boost investment as the two countries push ahead with their economic transformation.

"We are here not only to seek more opportunities in the Chinese market, but also to find Chinese partners for exploring third-country markets," said Teo.

"Singapore is well-positioned to help Chinese companies to penetrate ASEAN markets and beyond, through our strong regional connection, technological expertise and multicultural talents," Teo added.

Loo Choon Yong, executive chairman of Raffles Medical Group, said as more Chinese are seeking personalized and comprehensive care, his company is able to offer quality medical care at international standards to the Chinese people.

Pek Ee Perh Thomas, managing director of Tai Hua Food Industries Pte Ltd, said the company is committed to working with Chinese partners in promoting China's food industry both regionally and globally.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 02:02:02|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LONDON, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- A five-star bed and breakfast hotel in London that created wizard-themed chambers to cater for Harry Potter fans was Tuesday named as one of the three independent hotels in the British capital to gain a coveted Rose award.

The Georgian House, tucked away in the picturesque streets of Pimlico, combines boutique chic with quintessential Victorian charm.

The Grade II-listed property includes themed rooms, including its popular wizard rooms, with occupant rates rocketing because of popularity of boy wizard Harry Potter, star of the famous books and films by J.K. Rowling.

ROSE Awards, which have been presented to 100 recipients across England, throws the spotlight on accommodation providers who provide visitors with the warmest of welcomes. They recognise the owners, management and employees of establishments that go above and beyond, making customers' experiences extra special, irrespective of star rating, style or accommodation type.

The Georgian House has created seven Wizard Chambers for families and groups of friends while enchanted chambers offer a cosier experience for two people.

"They are more popular with Harry Potter fans or anyone else looking for a different experience," the hotel told Xinhua Tuesday, "all the rooms are decorated in a magical Gothic style."

The Enchanted Chamber which has two single four poster beds for a real dormitory feel, while one of the wizard chambers can sleep six people.

The hotel entices guests, young and old, posing the question, ever wondered what it's like to sleep as a wizard?

It's facilities include a Wizard Chamber to transport people to a world full of magic and marvel, entered through a concealed bookcase door.

It allows curious guests to enjoy venturing to the Wizard Chamber on the lower ground floor of the 19th century hotel, treading along a portrait-lined passageway bathed in candle light that casts dancing shadows across the walls.

"Created to conjure a mysterious and gothic feel, each room features faux castle details such as stained glass windows, stone walls, archways, trunks, cauldrons, four-poster beds hung with velvet curtains. Wood burning stoves, cauldrons in fireplaces and tapestries complete the look, says the hotel.

One Aldwych, a hotel in central London which boats a private collection of over 400 pieces of art and sculpture works, and the Barons serviced apartments at Twickenham also collected Rose awards.

In every region accommodation providers based in farmhouses, holiday cottages, old manor houses and village inns, were celebrating receiving awards.

VisitEngland Director Patricia Yates said: From Bed and Breakfast accommodation in beautiful countryside and glamorous glamping to boutique hotels to quintessentially English pubs with rooms, a range of outstanding accommodation providers right across the country are being recognised today. It is the human touch that these people provide that make visitors' experiences memorable, ensuring repeat business and helping the industry thrive."Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 02:07:02|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BELGRADE, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Transport cooperation between China and Central and East European Countries (CEEC) within the 16+1 mechanism should be strengthened so that interconnection would accompany the trend of increasing trade among these countries, China's Transport Minister Li Xiaopeng made the suggestion at the 3rd China-CEEC Meeting of Ministers of Transport here on Tuesday.

The Chinese minister especially mentioned the cooperation in water transport, logistics and human resources.

Speaking at a press conference together with Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister Zorana Mihajlovic after the first session of the meeting, Li pointed out that the increase in overall trade between China and CEE region created an urge for stronger interconnection.

He illustrated that last year the overall trade between China and 16 countries summed up to 68 billion U.S. dollars, while its share in the overall China-EU trade increased from 9.3 to 11 percent.

"Our wish is to achieve further development, together with CEE countries, as well as to strengthen the cooperation in transport and infrastructure within the 16+1 mechanism, along with strengthening political ties in order to achieve long-term cooperation," Li said, reminding that the cooperation within the 16+1 mechanism is based on mutual benefit of its participants and win-win cooperation.

Li gave four suggestions to deepen the China-CEE transport cooperation: that each country strengthens its support to infrastructure interconnection, to further develop cooperation in the area of water and maritime transport, to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in logistics and finally to advance management by strengthening capacity of human resources in this area.

In the name of the host, Mihajlovic, also the minister of construction, transport and infrastructure said that participants "not only exchanged experiences from each of the individual countries about our development of infrastructural projects, but also talked about the ways to improve interconnection, and to jointly influence in order to decrease non-physical obstacles that exist among the countries of this region, which also means increasing the flow of goods and people across borders".

"CEE countries established this mechanism together with China, and from the perspective of Serbia it has so far fulfilled all our expectations. I think that we can continue to make progress in this regard in the following years, because each additional interconnection through infrastructure, whether energy or transport, will definitely bring additional investments, new jobs as well as better living standard for citizens, which is in fact - sustainable growth," Mihajlovic pointed out.

She reminded that since the establishment of the 16+1 mechanism, Serbia has attracted 16 billion euros of investments, of which almost 9 billion are joint investments with China in infrastructure and other projects.

The meeting of transport ministers came together with the 3rd China-CEEC Capital Mayors Forum at the Palace of Serbia with the presence of delegations from 17 countries, members of the Serbian government and the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic.

At the joint opening ceremony, President Vucic spoke highly of the 16+1 mechanism and the Belt and Road Initiative, from which Serbia achieved a great benefit from dozens of projects with China.

"The participation in the Belt and Road initiative brings benefit to all participants... Serbia's drop in unemployment to 11.9 percent, its GDP growth of 4.9 percent in first six months... trajectory of the public debt is in decrease despite all factors... Despite all great infrastructural projects our debt, which was 79 percent of GDP when I became the prime minister in 2014, will drop to 48 percent on Jan. 1, 2019," he said, adding "Serbia would not achieve such good economic results if it weren't for the assistance of China and regional countries."

Vucic underlined that without cooperation with Chinese friends and their positive pressure to "build something, to bridge the rivers, to build new roads, we would never have succeeded ourselves," encouraging regional countries to interconnect through infrastructure and to make use of the Belt and Road Initiative.

At the plenary session of the ministerial summit, participants discussed the possibilities for improving coordination in the planning, evaluation and implementation of transport infrastructure projects in the region in order to better connect Europe and Asia.

The participants also exchanged views on new opportunities that could advance the process of cooperation within the 16+1 mechanism, with the expectation that an agreement on a proposal for a single China-CEEC priority list of transport infrastructure projects could be achieved, encompassing all the countries of this group before the next ministerial meeting to be held in Croatia in 2019.

The meeting also emphasized that long retention at border crossings diminishes the efficiency of investments in infrastructure, which is a problem that needs to be addressed as a priority. In this respect, it is proposed to intensify cooperation in relation to the achievement of more efficient border procedures, with the development of infrastructure where necessary, to establish a one-stop shop system and integrated border crossings with as few border-stops as possible.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 02:22:04|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BUDAPEST, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Hungarian Parliament adopted a resolution here on Tuesday condemning the Sargentini report of the European Parliament, which triggered procedures under Article 7 against Hungary.

The Members of Parliament approved the resolution with a vote of 129 for, 26 against and 18 abstentions.

The procedures under Article 7 could ultimately strip Hungary of its EU voting rights, citing the "existence of a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded".

But in order to engage the sanctions, a unanimous vote is needed within the European Council of the heads of state or government of the EU, and Poland and Hungary have already declared on several occasions that they would never vote against one another.

On Oct. 15, the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto declared that "the Hungarian and Polish governments would not vote on any sanctions against one another during the procedures under Article 7 of the European Union (EU)."

The resolution, submitted to lawmakers by Mate Kocsis and Gergely Gulyas, members of the governing party Fidesz, stated that the Sargentini report "attacked the decisions taken by the democratically elected Parliament of Hungary".

Adopted on Sept. 12, the Sargentini report enumerated a number of concerns concerning the rule of law in Hungary, the changes to its electoral system without the approval of the opposition parties, the independence of the judiciary, namely the decrease of power of the Constitutional Court, corruption issues, freedom of expression, assembly and religion, as well as the rights of minorities and asylum-seekers.

The report has "exceeded its jurisdiction and violated Hungary's sovereignty," the resolution adopted Tuesday added.

"We reject the report because it attacks Hungary on the grounds that it did not take in migrants, refused to accept mandatory resettlement quotas, closed its border and criminalized the organization of illegal migration," the resolution detailed.

"Only the Hungarians may decide with whom they do or do not want to live," the resolution concluded.

Besides the resolution adopted Tuesday, the Hungarian government already took legal measures against the report, which had been adopted in a "fraudulent" manner, according to Budapest.

On Sept. 19, the Hungarian government declared it would be contesting the European Parliament vote on the Sargentini report at the European Court of Justice (ECJ), arguing that the vote condemning Hungary for the non respect of EU values had been conducted in an "irregular" manner.

"The government will be contesting the European Parliament vote on the Sargentini Report at the European Court of Justice in view of the fact that a two-thirds majority was achieved by ignoring the votes in abstention, in violation of the Treaty of Lisbon," according to the Hungarian government.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 02:42:07|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LIMA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Peru's central province of Chanchamayo makes the world's most expensive organic coffee, with the help of a raccoon-like animal native to South America, according to producers.

After the long-nosed, bushy-tailed mishascho, or coati, that eats the beans and expels them as excrement, gives them a richer taste in the process, the coffee, named Misha, can sell for as much as 1,400 U.S. dollars a kilo.

Though the coati can't digest the beans and expels them whole, their passage through the animal's digestive system creates a mellower, fruitier bean, say experts.

"It's a product that is processed in a natural way inside the animal's digestive tract," Jose Durand, manager of the Chanchamayo Highland Coffee company said.

"And because of the small amount produced, this coffee is very expensive," he added.

Each year, only about 450 kilos of Misha is processed.

The company keeps 106 domesticated coatis that were raised on site since they were small. The animals are released into the countryside and return to feed on coffee three times a day.

In Chanchamayo, some 306 kilometers east of Lima, coffee plantations thrive on the eastern slope of a mountain range known as Selva Alta, at an altitude of 1,800 meters above sea level. Together they cultivate some 60,000 hectares of coffee.

"The entire production is biodynamic and the operation is very organic," said Cesar Marin, marketing director at a company called Dago.

Biodynamic agriculture goes beyond organic, meaning no artificial chemicals are used, to incorporate the cycles of "the astronomical lunar calendar" in this case, Marin explained.

Coffee is one of Peru's main agricultural exports, generating 800 million U.S. dollars in revenue in 2017 and expected to surpass 1 billion U.S. dollars this year, according to the Agriculture and Irrigation Ministry. The goal is to reach 2 billion U.S. dollars by 2021.

There are some 150,000 coffee growers throughout Peru, planting some 330,000 hectares, according to the ministry.

Peru's coffee industry began in the 18th century with the arrival of French immigrants. At the end of the 19th century, production arrived in Chanchamayo, which became known as a coffee growing region by 1930.

Peruvian coffee beans are exported to 54 international markets, with a little more than half of production going to Europe, another third to North America and the remainder to South American countries.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 02:52:10|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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NICOSIA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Both Greek and Turkish Cypriots on Tuesday welcomed an assertion by the United Nations (UN) that prospects for a comprehensive solution to the long standing Cyprus problem "remain alive".

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council in a report on Monday that he would continue his Cyprus mission by undertaking a new sounding out of parties involved in the issue.

He said he would instruct his special envoy on the Cyprus dispute, Jane Holl Lute, to "continue discussions to gauge the true extent of convergences on key issues and the willingness of the sides to incorporate novel proposals as part of an overall solution toward a common future that they themselves can envisage".

But he warned against continued support for a horizon of endless process without results.

The Security Council is expected to sanction his new mission after discussing his report on Oct. 30.

Commenting on the Guterres report, the Cypriot government said that the most important and indisputably positive elements in it was instructing his personal envoy to make another round of visits for consultations with key players.

Lute visited Cyprus for talks with Greek and Turkish Cypriot officials and also Greece, Turkey and Britain, as guarantor powers of Cyprus, as well as Brussels.

She submitted a report to Guterres on her findings, which led him to the conclusion that much preparatory work lay ahead before full-fledged negotiations could start.

Cypriot government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said the Guterres report answered fears that there cannot be a viable and functional agreement to reunite the eastern Mediterranean island.

He also expressed the government's satisfaction that the Secretary General repeated his set of six parameters for a Cyprus solution and his assertion that the 44-year-long status quo cannot be the final solution.

"Turkey cannot flirt with the idea of continuing the status quo in Cyprus after the Secretary General's statement," he said.

Turkish Cypriot officials of the so-called government in the occupied part of Cyprus which is recognized only by Turkey, said the Secretary General's report was an important and realistic document.

Political analysts in Nicosia said they put their stakes on an upcoming meeting of Cypriot President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci at the end of this month.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 02:57:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian police on Tuesday released 19 suspects out of 26 who were being held in connection with the abduction last week of the east African nation's young billionaire, Mohammed Dewji.

"The 19 suspects were released on bail on Monday after interrogations. We are still questioning the remaining seven suspects," said Lazaro Mambosasa, the Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander.

Dewji, 43, also known as MO, was kidnapped around 5:35 a.m. on Thursday last week when he was about to enter a hotel gym for his routine workout in the leafy Oysterbay area in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

The family of the young business tycoon on Monday offered one billion Tanzanian shillings (about 438,000 U.S. dollars) for anyone that will give information on their missing son.

Azim Dewji, spokesman of the family, said the reward was aimed at enhancing search for the billionaire.

"The family promises that the source of the information and the information itself will remain confidential between the family and the source," Azim Dewji told a news conference in Dar es Salaam.

Soft-spoken Dewji is the chief executive and leading shareholder of the MeTL Group, a family-owned Tanzanian conglomerate with operations in manufacturing, agriculture, haulage, trading and real estate.

It is one of the largest industrial conglomerates in east Africa, with annual revenues hitting about 1.5 billion U.S. dollars and a workforce of more than 20,000 people.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 03:32:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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PRAGUE, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Czech President Milos Zeman appointed Tomas Petricek as the new foreign minister on Tuesday, filling the diplomacy position in the minority coalition government of Prime Minister Andrej Babis three and a half months after it was appointed.

Prior to Petricek's appointment, Social Democratic (CSSD) chairman, deputy PM and Interior Minister Jan Hamacek had to head the foreign ministry temporiarily after Zeman refused to appoint the CSSD's original nominee, Miroslav Poche, to the post in June.

Zeman said he would not appoint Poche because of his pro-migration stances and his position on Israel as well as his previous work in Prague politics, among other reasons.

Poche currently works at the foreign ministry as a political secretary, but Zeman made Petricek's appointment conditional on Poche's departure from his current post.

The 37-year-old Petricek has worked at the foreign ministry since August when he became deputy foreign minister. He was Poche's assistant in the European Parliament since 2014.

After the appointment, Zeman said he hopes to cooperate with Petricek and that Czech diplomacy will be unified. "If we are speaking in different voices, no one will take us seriously," Zeman was quoted as saying.

The appointment of Petricek resolved "the petty problem" that had burdened the political scene in the country of late, said Zeman.

The appointment of Petricek is the third personnel change since the appointment of Babis' government in June. Former justice minister Tatana Mala and former labor and social affairs minister Petr Krcal stepped down in July over plagiarism of their university thesis.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 03:37:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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NEW YORK, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices kept rising on Tuesday, as investors worried that U.S. sanctions on Iran and tensions between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia over the disappearance of a Saudi Arabian journalist could affect global crude supplies.

Reports that Iranian exports of crude oil may be falling faster than expected ahead of new U.S. sanctions on Tehran from Nov. 4 provided support to the oil prices.

According to media reports, in the first two weeks of October, Iran exported close to 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude, which is a sharp drop from 2.5 million bpd in April before U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from a nuclear deal with Iran in May and ordered the re-imposition of sanctions.

Meanwhile, traders kept a close eye on the relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia after the disappearance of the journalist.

Traders worried that worsening tensions between the two nations could result in a curtailment of global crude production.

The West Texas Intermediate for November delivery rose 0.14 U.S. dollar to settle at 71.92 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for December delivery added 0.63 dollar to 81.41 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 03:42:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LJUBLJANA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Slovenian defense minister Karl Erjavec announced disciplinary proceedings on Tuesday against three members of the Slovenian Armed Forces who are suspected of stealing ammunition from a Slovenian army truck in Germany.

According to the Slovenian Press Agency STA, Erjavec said he had informed the parliamentary commission about the theft, which took place at the beginning of October as the truck was on its way to the Leipzig airport.

The incident was also discussed by the commission for the oversight of the Intelligence and Security Service, he said.

The minister said Slovenian police had started investigation into the theft, and that he had ordered a review of the prescribed procedures for the transport of hazardous goods.

The Slovenian Armed Forces revealed on Oct. 3 that a part of the cargo from the truck transporting ammunition for Slovenian soldiers serving a mission in Mali had been stolen.

However, both the Slovenian minister and the STA report failed to mention the response to the incident from the German side.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 03:42:24|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (2nd L) arrives in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 16, 2018. Li Keqiang arrived here on Tuesday for a working visit to Belgium and the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

BRUSSELS, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived here on Tuesday for a working visit to Belgium and the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit.

This is the third visit to Belgium by the Chinese premier in four years.

During his visit, Li will hold talks with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel. The two heads of government will also jointly meet the press and witness the signing of a series of documents on cooperation between the two sides.

Peace, development, opening-up and cooperation remain the mainstream of our time despite the complicated changes and uncertainties the world is facing, Li said upon arrival.

He suggested that Asia and Europe, as two major economic blocks and stabilizing forces in the world, enhance dialogue and cooperation, safeguard world peace, jointly meet challenges and pursue development.

Noting that Belgium, where the EU headquarters is located, has been a staunch supporter and participant of the European integration, Li said he is looking forward to having an insightful exchange of views on bilateral ties as well as China-Europe relations with the Belgian side.

Li also called on the two sides to cement political mutual trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and work to bring the China-Belgium all-round partnership of friendship and cooperation up to a new level in line with the principles of mutual respect, equal treatment and mutual benefits.

At the ASEM summit, Li is scheduled to exchange in-depth views with Asian and European leaders on jointly safeguarding multilateralism, building an open world economy as well as facilitating connectivity and people-to-people exchanges between the two continents.

"Li will also propose China's initiatives on Asia-Europe cooperation and share views on international and regional hotspot issues," Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Hanhui said at a press briefing ahead of the visit.

Launched in 1996, the biennial ASEM summit has served as a venue for dialogue between Asian and European countries.

This year's summit, themed "Europe and Asia: global partners and global challenges," is expected to bring together leaders from over 50 Asian and European countries and representatives from international organizations.

This is the third stop of Li's Eurasian trip from Oct. 11 to 19. He has paid official visits to the Netherlands and Tajikistan, and attended the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Tajik capital Dushanbe.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 03:52:25|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ANKARA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Tuesday said Turkey may interrogate officials at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul if needed.

"It is the responsibility of the Chief Prosecutors' Office to decide whom to interrogate or the questions to be asked ... The prosecutors may ask for the testimony of [any Saudi officials at the consulate] if needed," he said at a news conference in Ankara.

Cavusoglu underlined the importance of a transparent investigation into the case of Khashoggi.

Khashoggi, journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, has been missing since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.

Cavusoglu also said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will bring more information on the issue when he pays a visit to Turkey on Wednesday.

On the same day, the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) Party spokesman Omer Celik said Turkey will do everything to solve the missing Saudi journalist's case.

On Monday, Turkish investigation team conducted a nine-hour search in the Saudi consulate building in Istanbul, after Turkey and Saudi agreed to work together on the probe.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 04:07:28|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a keynote speech at the China-Netherlands Business Forum in The Hague, the Netherlands, Oct. 16, 2018. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte also attended the forum. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

THE HAGUE, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday called on Dutch enterprises to explore the Chinese market and partner with Chinese enterprises for innovation cooperation.

"The Chinese economy is going through a stage of transformation and upgrading. The growth of better quality calls for international innovation cooperation," Li said at the China-Netherlands Business Forum during his official visit to the Netherlands.

The Chinese premier said some Dutch enterprises have demonstrated their innovative products and technologies such as high-precision medical equipment, integrated system of equipment and information system for cancer treatment, manufacturing and repair nanotechnologies for aircraft engines, and green agriculture.

These enterprises have expressed their wish to seek cooperation in China, Li said, adding that Dutch enterprises, both large and small, are welcome to explore the Chinese market and find Chinese business partners.

China is implementing its innovation-driven development strategy, with a boom of new growth drivers now contributing to some two thirds of the newly created employment, the Chinese premier said.

With a population of 1.4 billion, China has a vast market. Consumption is in the process of becoming the main growth driver of the Chinese economy, which creates enormous potential for the innovative products of Dutch enterprises in China, Li said.

He also encouraged Chinese enterprises to partner with the Dutch enterprises in innovation.

Li's official visit to the Netherlands from Sunday to Tuesday is the second stop of his Eurasian trip from Oct. 11 to 19.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 04:42:37|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Officials at UN Headquarters are waiting for further developments in the disappearance -- and feared slaying -- of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi before commenting further on the case, the chief UN spokesman said on Tuesday.

"The more facts we're able to get the more we would be able to comment," the spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, told reporters at a regular briefing.

When asked if UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had any personal contact with principals in the case, Dujarric said, "We're following the situation very closely. We're hearing the same reports that you are (hearing)."

"Once something official comes out from one party or another we will be able to comment further," he said. "At this point what is important is for the truth to be established for us to understand what has happened to Khashoggi."

The Washington Post columnist entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 to obtain documents relating to the planned marriage of fiancee, Hatice Cenzig, of Turkey, according to published reports. She waited hours outside for Khashoggi's return but he never showed and he ultimately was declared missing.

Now, it has been alleged the journalist was killed in the consulate and his remains, in pieces, taken out of the country under diplomatic seal by a Saudi hit squad.

Earlier Tuesday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) Michelle Bachelet in a statement issued in Geneva sought the lifting of diplomatic immunity of Saudi officials in the Turkish consulate.

"In view of the seriousness of the situation surrounding the disappearance of Khashoggi, I believe the inviolability or immunity of the relevant premises and officials bestowed by treaties such as the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations should be waived immediately," she said.

"Under international law, both a forced disappearance and an extra-judicial killing are very serious crimes, and immunity should not be used to impede investigations into what happened and who is responsible," Bachelet said. "Two weeks is a very long time for the probable scene of a crime not to have been subjected to a full forensic investigation."

"Given there seems to be clear evidence that Mr. Khashoggi entered the consulate and has never been seen since, the onus is on the Saudi authorities to reveal what happened to him from that point onwards," the high commissioner said.

She noted that Saudi Arabia and Turkey are both parties to the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

As such, they are obliged to take all measures to prevent torture, enforced disappearances and other serious human rights violations, to investigate allegations of acts constituting these crimes, and to bring to justice those suspected of committing them, UNHCHR said.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that he spoke with Saudi Arabia's King Salman by phone and that the monarch vehemently denied any knowledge about what happened. Trump also said he sent Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet with the king to discuss the disappearance.

Trump added that perhaps "rogue killers" were responsible.

Khashoggi, a Saudi national, has the status of permanent residence in the United States.

According to published reports, Pompeo said he had a "candid" meeting with the king and that the secretary of state was heading to Turkey.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 04:57:39|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DAMASCUS, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish intelligence apparatus continue to exert efforts to persuade extremist groups out of Syria's demilitarized zone, as the extremists have rejected to leave according to a Russian-Turkish plan, a war monitor reported on Tuesday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Turkish intelligence is continuing its "undeclared" efforts to push the ultra-radical groups out of the demilitarized zone in northern Syria, which should have been done by Oct. 15.

It said calm prevailed the demilitarized zone on the second day of its supposed implementation.

The Britain-based watchdog group said the Russian-Turkish deal to impose a buffer zone between the Syrian army and the rebel groups in northern Syria has been partially implemented in terms of pulling out heavy weapons from the zone.

However, the second stage of the deal is for the ultra-radical rebel groups to withdraw, which did not happen as such groups, mainly al-Qaida-linked groups, have rejected to pull out.

The planned demilitarized zone stretches from the northeastern countryside of Latakia province to the northern countryside of the province of Hama and western countryside of Latakia as well as areas in the countryside of Idlib province in northwestern Syria.

The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, otherwise known as al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, is considered as the most powerful among the rebel groups in Idlib province, the last major rebel stronghold in Syria.

The deal for imposing a demilitarized zone was reached in September between the leaders of Turkey and Russia, aiming at averting Idlib province from a wide-scale offensive by the Syrian army.

The Syrian government has welcomed the deal but noted that it was only temporary.

Turkey's task in the deal is to persuade the rebel groups in Idlib to abide by the plan as Ankara enjoys sway over the militants there.

The Observatory said that no Turkish-Russian patrols have yet started in the demilitarized zone as planned.

A day earlier, Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said that there should be more time to judge the success or failure of the deal, and that the Syrian army is standing by around Idlib should the rebels fail to abide by the plan.

The Syrian government officials repeatedly said that the demilitarized zone should end after Idlib and the surrounding rebel-held areas return under the government control.

In his remarks on Monday, al-Muallem was confident that Idlib will return under the government control, adding that the next goal of the Syrian government is to restore areas on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, which is under the sway of the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Throughout the crisis, Idlib has emerged as the major destination and stronghold of the Syrian rebels fleeing other parts of the country after deals or surrender.

Idlib is now in a state of severe lawlessness characterized by assassinations, explosions and infighting.

The major rebel group in Idlib is the Nusra Front and its umbrella of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

The group has vowed not to surrender, saying it will keep on fighting the Syrian army.

Idlib is of strategic significance as it shares a border area with Turkey in the north, and neighbors the coastal province of Latakia, hometown of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Notably, the namesake capital city of Idlib lies close to the international road linking the capital Damascus with the northern province of Aleppo.

Idlib is home to around 3.5 million people, including those evacuated after the surrender of rebels in other Syrian areas.

Muallem said in his Monday remarks that the government prioritized resolving the situation in Idlib through reconciliation to spare the lives of people in Idlib.

However, the minister noted that the Syrian army cannot stand indifferent about the situation in Idlib if it wasn't resolved as up to 50,000 rebels are believed to be positioned there.The Saudi Arabia's consulate is cordoned off by Turkish police in Istanbul on Oct. 15, 2018 during the investigation overmissing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (AFP Photo)

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Officials at UN Headquarters are waiting for further developments in the disappearance -- and feared slaying -- of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi before commenting further on the case, the chief UN spokesman said on Tuesday.

"The more facts we're able to get the more we would be able to comment," the spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, told reporters at a regular briefing.

When asked if UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had any personal contact with principals in the case, Dujarric said, "We're following the situation very closely. We're hearing the same reports that you are (hearing)."

"Once something official comes out from one party or another we will be able to comment further," he said. "At this point what is important is for the truth to be established for us to understand what has happened to Khashoggi."

The Washington Post columnist entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 to obtain documents relating to the planned marriage of fiancee, Hatice Cenzig, of Turkey, according to published reports. She waited hours outside for Khashoggi's return but he never showed and he ultimately was declared missing.

Now, it has been alleged the journalist was killed in the consulate and his remains, in pieces, taken out of the country under diplomatic seal by a Saudi hit squad.

Earlier Tuesday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) Michelle Bachelet in a statement issued in Geneva sought the lifting of diplomatic immunity of Saudi officials in the Turkish consulate.

"In view of the seriousness of the situation surrounding the disappearance of Khashoggi, I believe the inviolability or immunity of the relevant premises and officials bestowed by treaties such as the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations should be waived immediately," she said.

"Under international law, both a forced disappearance and an extra-judicial killing are very serious crimes, and immunity should not be used to impede investigations into what happened and who is responsible," Bachelet said. "Two weeks is a very long time for the probable scene of a crime not to have been subjected to a full forensic investigation."

"Given there seems to be clear evidence that Mr. Khashoggi entered the consulate and has never been seen since, the onus is on the Saudi authorities to reveal what happened to him from that point onwards," the high commissioner said.

She noted that Saudi Arabia and Turkey are both parties to the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

As such, they are obliged to take all measures to prevent torture, enforced disappearances and other serious human rights violations, to investigate allegations of acts constituting these crimes, and to bring to justice those suspected of committing them, UNHCHR said.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that he spoke with Saudi Arabia's King Salman by phone and that the monarch vehemently denied any knowledge about what happened. Trump also said he sent Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet with the king to discuss the disappearance.

Trump added that perhaps "rogue killers" were responsible.

Khashoggi, a Saudi national, has the status of permanent residence in the United States.

According to published reports, Pompeo said he had a "candid" meeting with the king and that the secretary of state was heading to Turkey.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 06:07:56|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ALGIERS, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The African General Assembly of the African Police Organization (Afripol) on Tuesday decided to set up three working groups dedicated to combating cross-border crime, cybercrime, counter-terrorism and violent extremism.

The African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security Smail Chergui made the remarks at the end of the second General Assembly of Afripol, held on Monday and Tuesday in Algiers.

He said that member countries agreed to establish three task forces to combat three main scourges, namely transnational crime and cybercrime, while the third group is tasked with the mission of combating and preventing terrorism and violent extremism.

It was also agreed to hold meetings of the General Assembly every year in order to draw up common African positions and strategies at the annual conference of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security noted.

Chergui announced on Monday that a cooperation agreement between the Afripol and the Interpol will be signed on January.

"A cooperation agreement will be signed next January between Afripol and Interpol," in a bid to reinforce their partnership and coordination in terms of combating prevailing scourges such as terrorism and organized crime, he said.

Chergui stressed that Afripol is a key mechanism that contributes to regional peace and security, adding that the main challenges are "terrorism, transnational organized crime, as well as cyber security and capacity-building and training."

He further warned that African countries are facing complex and growing cross-border threats such as human trafficking, drugs, weapons and terrorism, as well as the illegal exploitation of natural resources.

Afripol is a technical body of the African Union which aims at adopting comprehensive vision to improve the effectiveness of African police agencies through information sharing and coordination.

The idea of setting up this mechanism was suggested during the 22nd African Regional Conference of the INTERPOL held in September 2013 in the Algerian city of Oran.

The organization was created on Dec. 13, 2015 in Algeria and includes 41 African countries, and its headquarters are based in Algeria.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 06:07:56|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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GABORONE, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi became the fourth African head of state to join the Giants Club when he signed the forum's declaration last Thursday in London, according to a press release on Tuesday.

In the press release, the Giants Club said Masisi has joined Presidents Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, to head the Giants Club. Botswana's former president Ian Khama acts as president emeritus.

Together, these individuals combine their exceptional political muscle, extensive financial resources, pioneering scientific expertise, and global reach and influence to fulfill the club's goal of effectively protecting half of Africa's elephants by 2020.

The Giants Club is an initiative of the international conservation organization Space for Giants that unites the leaders of African elephant-range states with international financiers, conservationists and celebrities.

Together their nations are home to more than half of Africa's 415,000 remaining elephants.

Botswana alone hosts between 130,000 and 150,000 elephants, mostly on the Okavango Delta in its north.

President Masisi formally joined the club during a private dinner it held at Spencer House in London attended by President Museveni, President Bongo, Kenya's First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, and several of the club's members.

The Giants Club Declaration sets in writing the support that the club will offer its presidents as they commit their governments to significant international elephant protection mechanisms.

The Giants Club membership is dedicated to supporting its presidents to achieve their domestic conservation agendas, funding Space for Giants to give technical guidance or to deliver active conservation programs.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 06:12:57|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. State Department said on Tuesday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to Turkey to discuss the cases about a missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the just released U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson.

A statement issued by State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said that Pompeo will travel to Ankara, Turkey on Oct. 17 to meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu.

Pompeo will "welcome the decision to release Pastor Andrew Brunson and to discuss other issues of bilateral importance," the statement read.

It added that he "will also discuss the Jamal Khashoggi case and reiterate the U.S. offer to assist Turkey in its investigation."

The U.S. Department of State said earlier on Tuesday that Pompeo agreed with Saudi Arabia during his stay in the country on the importance of conducting a "thorough, transparent, and timely" investigation in the disappearance of Khashoggi.

U.S. President Donald Trump later said that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had denied any knowledge of the disappearance of Khashoggi.

Trump tweeted that he "just spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia who totally denied any knowledge of what took place in their Turkish Consulate."

"He was with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during the call, and told me that he has already started, and will rapidly expand, a full and complete investigation into this matter," he said. "Answers will be forthcoming shortly."

The case of Khashoggi, a journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, has become a major source of tension between the Kingdom and the West.

Khashoggi has been missing since he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.

Unconfirmed reports said that Khashoggi was likely killed inside the compound, a claim denied by Saudi officials as "baseless."

Turkey on Friday freed the long detained U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson. He later on the same day left Turkey for Germany and the United States. On Saturday, he arrived at the White House, where Trump met him.

His release has removed a major irritant in Ankara-Washington ties, as the United States has punished Turkey in August by imposing sanctions on two Turkish ministers and doubling tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from Turkey.

Turkey then retaliated by raising tariffs on U.S. imports and boycotting U.S.-made electronics, sparking one of the worst diplomatic rows between the NATO allies.

However, Trump on Monday denied the possibility of relaxing sanctions against Turkey over the release of U.S. Brunson, saying "that was not part of the deal."

"We had no deal with Turkey. We don't make deal -- any deals for hostages or prisoners," he said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-17 06:22:58|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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YAOUNDE, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Cameroon Constitutional Council on Tuesday overruled 16 out of 18 petitions demanding the partial and total annulment of the Oct. 7 presidential poll in the country.

Lawyers of Cabral Libii, opposition candidate of Univers party, argued that the election should be totally nullified because it was "neither free, fair nor transparent".

Justice Clement Atangana, president of the Constitutional Council, dismissed the case on grounds that the "petition was not submitted on time" and the arguments "have no legal backing and sufficient proofs".

The Council also overruled the petition of Maurice Kamto, opposition candidate of Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), questioning the competence and impartiality of six members of the Constitutional Council.

"Only the President of the Republic who appoints members of the Council has the jurisdiction to sack or question the neutrality of the Council members," Atangana said, "so the petition is inadmissible."

Other petitions were filed by Bertin Kisob, president of Social Justice party, and Rigobert Aminou Gabanmidanha, a voter. They demanded complete cancellation of the vote, citing "irregularities, disregard of electoral code and rigging" they observed during the poll.

Quoting the Electoral Code, Atangana said their petitions were "inadmissible" because the Council rules only on petitions filed by candidates, political parties which took part in the election or any person serving as a representative of the administration for the election.

"You were not a candidate. You were not a representative of the administration for the election. Therefore, you have no quality to petition the Council," Atangana said, dismissing the petitions as "null and void".

The hearings unfolded for over 10 hours in the capital Yaounde's Conference Center where police tightened security, a Xinhua reporter saw.

The deliberations were adjourned to Wednesday during which the Council will hear the petition of Joshua Osih from the leading opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF) calling for the total nullification of the election. It will also pass judgment on another petition by Maurice Kamto demanding the annulment of the vote in seven out of 10 regions of the country.

According to the Electoral Code, the decision of the Constitutional Council is final, and the final results of the election are expected to be declared by the Council by Oct. 22.Migration is not a human right and people do not have a fundamental right to cross borders illegally or arbitrarily select countries in which to settle, Peter Szijjarto, the foreign minister, said in Luxembourg.

Whenever the European Union takes steps on the issue of migration, it must take international law as its starting point, and this does not state that migration is a human right, the minister said.

In the break of a one-day meeting of EU and Eastern Partnership foreign ministers, Szijjarto told journalists that Hungary has made it clear that it is not taking part in the process of adopting the United Nations Global Compact for Migration.

Other countries are likely to have joined Hungarys stance by the end of the year, he added. The migration compact cannot be accepted since it poses a threat to the world and it goes against the interests of Europe, he said.

It is shameful, and that is why we are disappointed in terms of the way the European Union represented, or rather failed to represent, Europes interests in negotiations on the UN migration package, Szijjarto said.

Federica Mogherini, the EUs high representative, had no basis for saying that economic migration is the right response to the demographic and economic challenges, he said. Hungary does not think in this way.

It wants neither demographic nor labour market challenges to be resolved by migration, and this must be respected by everyone, he said. Hungary can give the right responses to these issues in the areas of education and family policy, and it reserves the right to make these decisions on its own, minister added.



MTI Photo: KKMRegulations banning rough sleepers from public areas, effective from Monday, are aimed at saving lives, a state secretary of the human resources ministry said.

The new rules are instrumental in preventing homeless people from freezing in public spaces in winter and help all those living in the street to homeless shelters, Bence Retvari said.

He insisted that there have always been enough beds at those facilities. Homeless facilities will help clients to social services, clothing, (regular) jobs or participation in public works schemes, or training, the official said, adding that it is obvious that the way out of homelessness is through these temporary shelters.

According to Retvari, the government is spending 9 billion forints (EUR 28m) on homeless services this year and is in cooperation with several hundred charity organisations. Retvari said that the new rules were necessary because earlier regulations were unsuitable to eliminate homelessness.

Hajnalka Juhasz, MP of the co-ruling Christian Democrats, told a press conference that homeless shelters were prepared for the winter season with a total of 19,000 beds, complete with facilities for personal hygiene and health services.

She said that the shelters were open around the clock and added that apart from police officers, social workers also facilitate communication with the homeless. The government wants the homeless feel that they are not abandoned, the deputy said.

The opposition Parbeszed party said it would appeal to the Constitutional Court, arguing that destroying the possessions of homeless people, as facilitated by the new rules, would be wrong. Fidesz has declared war against homeless people rather than homelessness, Bence Tordai, a deputy for the party, told a press conference.

He added that the government needed a new enemy to replace the now distressed image of migrants. An appeal to the top court requires the support of 50 MPs.Pro-government sites claim that extreme right-wing Ukrainian organisations which publish the addresses of ethnic Hungarians denouncing them as traitors are being supported by the government in Kiev.

A liberal weekly accuses the Hungarian government of playing into Moscows hands with its attitude towards Ukraine.

On 888, Daniel Bohar warns that the Ukrainian authorities are progressively cutting back the rights of the national minorities.

Ukraine is waging an unsuccessful war against Russian separatists in the East of the country and the authorities tend to compensate the moral loss there by attacking the small, hundred thousand-strong Hungarian minority in the West, he claims.

Public television broadcasts reports from the Transcarpathian region almost daily, to illustrate how poorly ethnic Hungarians there speak Ukrainian.

So far, Bohar writes, such hate mongering has not had any effect on the good relations between Hungarians and Ukrainians locally, but he fears that the increasingly large drops of poison being administered might eventually prove fatal.

Pesti Sracok suspects that the latest campaign against Hungarians in Ukraine must have been supported by official institutions.

Earlier this autumn, a secretly recorded video was published on a nationalist site showing Ukrainian citizens taking the Hungarian citizenship oath at the Hungarian Consulate in Beregove. Dual citizenship is not permitted under the Ukrainian constitution, but only draws sanctions in the case of public officials.

Still, the Consul was expelled, whereupon a Ukrainian Consul was expelled from Hungary in retaliation. The same extreme right-wing site, Mirotvorets (Peacemaker) then started publishing the names of ethnic Hungarians who had allegedly become Hungarian citizens as well.

The site also published their addresses and passport numbers, and Pesti Sracok is convinced that such information could only originate from the authorities. In addition, the sites founder is a deputy Cabinet Minister, while its manager is a former secret service official.

Mirotvorets has by now published the names and addresses of 500 Hungarians whom they call traitors. On the site of the Ukrainian Parliament, an extremist organisation has begun collecting signatures under a petition demanding the expulsion of ethnic Hungarians from Ukraine.

In a lengthy analysis in Magyar Narancs, Andras Radnoti believes that Hungary should have withdrawn the Hungarian Consul to avoid further confrontation with Ukraine.

He suspects however that the Hungarian government intends to increase the tension in an attempt to portray itself as the protector of fellow Hungarians. This is why, he believes, Hungary has vetoed the convocation of the NATO-Ukraine council for the sixth time since the Ukrainian Parliament approved an Education Act which bans the teaching of most subjects in minority languages after the first four years of elementary school.

The law contains a clause under which exceptions can be made with the languages of EU member countries, and Radnoti thinks Hungary should have used that clause to circumvent the law, rather than demanding its withdrawal.

He suspects that over and above serving its own political interests at home, the Hungarian government also serves the interests of Russia. Although, he writes, it would be in Hungarys best interest to have a strong and democratic Ukrainian government in place in Kiev.

This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher. Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online Click here to Share Your StoryPrimarul Cristian Matei: Noi investitii in sectiile cheie de la Spitalul Municipal Turda

In acest an mai multe sectii din cadrul Spitalului Municipal au fost dotate cu aparatura de ultima generatie care imbunatatesc actul medical prin diagnosticarea si tratarea pacientilor in cele mai... Acesta este doar un [citeste mai departe]Stiri pe aceeasi tema

- The Finance Ministry raised on Monday 573 million lei from banks through a benchmark bond issue with a residual maturity of 75 months, at an average yield of 4.82 ppa, the National Bank of Romania (BNR) announced. The face value of Monday's issue was 400 million lei, and banks submitted bids

- Greenpeace disapproves of the "experimental" Romania-US nuclear project and stresses that Romania "would become a guinea pig for insufficiently tested nuclear technologies," according to an organization's release sent to AGERPRES on Wednesday. "President Klaus Iohannis continues, step by step, to

- The first 1,000 Dacia Spring vehicles have already been delivered to Romania, less than a month after the start of sales, the Mioveni-based carmaker announced in a press statement released on Tuesday, agerpres reports. According to the company, almost a third of the delivered vehicles went to buyers

- Vicepresedintele PSD Mihai Tudose a declarat luni, la Romania TV, ca partidul este dispus sa intre la guvernare dar nu oricum. Pana la ministri, negocierea e pe programul de guvernare, pe ce bugete sunt la ministerele respective. Ca daca nu ai bani sa faci nimic si te pun acolo ministru

- The U.S. Department of State announces that the DV-2023 registration period begins on October 6, 2021 and runs through November 9, 2021, the American Embassy in Bucharest said in a release. The DV-2023 program is entirely electronic and there is no fee for entering the program. Entries

- President Klaus Iohannis said Tuesday at the UN General Assembly that in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, global challenges require common solutions, solidarity and cooperation, emphasizing that Romania "strongly believes that democratic values and a rules-based international order, with the

- A new agreement on non-repayable assistance provided to Moldova by Romania will be made "as soon as possible," before a joint meeting of the national governments of the two countries, Romania's Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu said on Tuesday. He held a joint news conference with his Moldovan

- Prime Minister Florin Citu said on Tuesday that energy prices will not be capped in Romania, insisting that Romania needs energy independence. "There is growing public concern over energy prices, especially because the winter season is coming - the payment of energy bills - and so we have to comeStiri pe aceeasi tema

- Imobilul comercial din orasul turc Malatya s-a parbusit marti seara in timp ce in interior se aflau in jur de 20 de oameni, dupa cum a declarat guvernatorul provinciei, Aydin Barus, citat de presa locala, relateaza AFP, potrivit Agerpres.13 persoane au fost salvate si transportate la spital, in timp

- The Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Daniel Petrescu, pays an official visit to the Republic of Poland from Wednesday to Friday, at the invitation of the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, General Rajmund T. Andrzejc, agerpres reports. The agenda of the meeting includes

- Cancelarul german Angela Merkel l-a salutat inca o data, sambata, pe presedintele turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan, "un partener important" pe care ea l-a aparat adesea in Europa, scrie AFP.Sosita vineri, cancelarul, care intreprinde un turneu de adio dupa 16 ani in

- The interim Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, had a work meeting on Tuesday, with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Nicolae Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, during which the special relation, of strategic partnership, between the two countries,

- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) celebrates, on Thursday, 25 years since the signing of the Treaty of Understanding, Cooperation and Good Neighbourliness between Romania and the Republic of Hungary (Timisoara, 16 September 1996), context in which Minister Bogdan Aurescu is talking about consolidating

- Cel mai titrat boxer din Moldova Veaceslav Gojan, Maestru Emerit al Sportului, cistigator al medaliei de bronz la Jocurile Olimpice (Beijing 2008), campion european (Ankara 2011), i-a felicitat pe toti pugilistii, antrenorii si amatorii acestui tip de sport frumos cu Ziua Internationala a Boxului. El

- Romania, through the National Emergency Management Committee (CNSU), will send to the Republic of Moldova 100,000 COVID-19 quick antigenic tests. "The National Emergency Management Committee approved Decision no. 64 regarding granting international assistance to the Republic of Moldova, with 100,000

- One of the crossing points along the border with Hungary faces traffic jam on Friday morning, with the wait time for control of documents and transit at the Nadlac II crossing point (the pan-European highway) being of at least one hour, although the number of control lanes has been supplemented.Stiri pe aceeasi tema

- The number of arrivals of tourists at Romania's borders in the first nine months of 2021 was 5,131,300, up 24.9% from the same period in 2020, according to data with the National Institute of Statistics (INS). Most foreign visitors came from European countries (95.7%), with the largest share

- The EU Member States agreed on Friday, October 15, at the first meeting of the Digital Europe Program Committee, the work program for the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) for the next 3 years, the Authority for the Digitization of Romania (ADR) announced on Monday. At national level,

- MEP Nicu Stefanuta announced on Friday that Romania will receive oxygen concentrators from the Netherlands and Poland, but also medicines for COVID-19 patients offered by Germany, through the European Civil Protection Mechanism and the RescEU Program. Also, our country will receive support

- Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) deputy Biro Rozalia, chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, said on Monday that he has recently proposed the establishment of a Carpathian Mountains brand at the Economic Forum in Karpacz, Poland. "I mentioned in this

- With a 1.1 billion euro budget from European funds, the Danube Delta has become in recent years Romania's largest investment project, shows a Sierra Quadrant expert analysis released on Monday. According to the cited document, more than 900 projects in the private sector and 123 public administration

- Autoritatile bulgare au revizuit conditiile de intrare in Bulgaria, in contextul pandemiei de COVID-19, iar noile masuri se aplica incepand de ieri, astfel ca romanii trebuie sa prezinte la frontiera anumite documente, a anuntat Ministerul Afacerilor Externe (MAE). Pana acum, romanii puteau merge in

- Ministerul Afacerilor Externe a anuntat ca autoritatile de la Sofia au revizuit conditiile de intrare in Bulgaria, in contextul pandemiei de Covid-19, iar noile masuri se aplica incepand cu data de 1 septembrie 2021. Romanii pot intra in Bulgaria doar daca prezinta certificat digital european COVID-19

- Noi conditii de intrare in Bulgaria: Ce trebuie sa stie romanii care vor sa mearga in tara vecina Ministerul Afacerilor Externe a anuntat, in cursul zilei de luni, 30 august, ca romanii pot intra in Bulgaria doar daca prezinta certificat digital european COVID-19 care sa ateste vaccinarea, testareaA telecommunication tower with panel antennas and radio antennas and satellite dishes for mobile communications. Telecom companies are seeking ways to rapidly deploy 5G technology but there are many critics. Read more

Pennsylvania's legislation to put up thousands of devices for super-fast 5G wireless service flickered out in Harrisburg despite a flurry of lobbying. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Frank Farry (R., Langhorne) promised to take it up again in early 2019.

Supporters, including Farry, said the legislation ran out of time and no companion bill was introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate. The House Consumer Affairs Committee in August held a public hearing on the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, but it wasn't voted out of the committee. Barring a last-minute change, the legislature's final voting day in its two-year session is Wednesday.

"We continue to talk with the stakeholders to come up with a solution," Farry said Monday.

The proposed legislation would make it easy to put thousands of small cell antennas on utility poles, buildings, traffic lights, or other public property for 5G services, which will lead to faster internet services and streaming video. Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T have said they would offer 5G.

The boxy 5G equipment sprouts five-foot antennas and will proliferate like weeds throughout the nation over the next decade. Telecom companies may deploy 800,000 of them across the United States.

But local political opposition in Pennsylvania boroughs has hardened in recent weeks.

The mayors of Hatboro, Collegeville, Conshohocken, West Conshohocken, Bridgeport, Ambler and others have come out against the proposed legislation, calling it a give-away to wireless and infrastructure companies. The companies want to quickly expand advanced wireless services through small cell antennas on publicly owned rights of way, with minimal red tape and fees.

The legislation also would strip towns of local control over zoning for the placement of these small cells, they say.

"The telecom companies want to expand 5G as fast as they can and as cheaply as they can," Lansdale Borough Mayor Garry Herbert said Monday.

Herbert held a news event last Thursday in Lansdale, publicizing his opposition  and the opposition of other borough mayors  to Farry's H.B. 2564.

The borough mayors also said the proposed legislation would take away municipal zoning powers in their rights-of-way.

Because homeowners and other property owners pay taxes on rights of way, they would be subsidizing telecom companies, said Ed Troxell, director of government affairs for the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs.

Farry has expressed frustration at the borough officials and said the legislation has broad support.

In public hearings, some consumers also have voiced concerns over the possible health effects of the powerful 5G wireless services.

The Pennsylvania activity is part of a state and national lobbying blitz by telecommunications companies. Last month, the Federal Communications Commission voted to make it easier and cheaper to place an estimated 800,000 small antennas for 5G services on utility poles, traffic lights, sidewalks, and other public areas  rules very similar to the ones considered in the Pennsylvania legislation.

The FCC said the new rules could save telecom companies $2 billion in costs associated with 5G deployment. Philadelphia, Seattle, and other cities have opposed the FCC's new rules.

Borough officials said Farry's legislation would set fees for small cell antennas lower than the new FCC rules.

On Monday, the lobbying group Pennsylvania Partnership for 5G met in Harrisburg with state lawmakers. The group had five meetings scheduled on Monday and seven on Tuesday, said the group's spokeswoman, Ashley Henry Shooks. Crown Castle, a wireless infrastructure company with about 1,000 employees in Western Pennsylvania, financially supports the lobbying group.

The group supports "statewide legislation that sets uniform standards for fees and provides a streamlined and transparent permitting process across all municipal jurisdictions," the partnership said in a statement.

"Municipalities that oppose HB 2564 or that may seek a carve-out are jeopardizing their community's timely access to 5G," the group added.Male medicine doctor hands hold jar of pills and type something on laptop computer keyboard. Panacea and life save, prescribing treatment, legal drug store, take stock, consumption statistics concept Read more

Is the state of Pennsylvania paying far more than it should for prescription drugs?

The auditor general is looking into that possibility, and a hearing Tuesday before the state senate health and human services committee will examine the companies at the center of the inquiry: the pharmacy benefit managers that handle many aspects of prescription benefits for health plans, including Pennsylvania's Medicaid program.

The Department of Human Services reported that it paid pharmacy benefit managers $2.84 billion in 2017, compared with $1.8 billion in 2013, according to the auditor general's office.

"It concerns me that basically billions of dollars are flowing to these pharmacy benefit managers. Some may be doing a great job, some may not be," said Auditor General Eugene DePasquale. But because the companies are subcontractors  hired by the managed-care organizations that contract with the state to run the bulk of the Medicaid program  DePasquale says he doesn't have the ability to audit them. "I have significant concerns about that arrangement, and the lack of accountability there."

The state has already moved to change its contracts with the managed-care organizations to make them more transparent  after receiving complaints from independent pharmacists, who said they were being reimbursed too little by the pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, and sometimes even losing money in filling a prescription for a Medicaid patient.

"We don't know if we have a problem, but we know we don't have the full picture, because we don't know in every case what the pharmacy was paid," said Terri Cathers, pharmacy director for the Department of Human Services.

PBMs play the role of classic middlemen, and the industry says they save money for consumers and health plans through skilled and confidential negotiations for rebates and discounts. PBMs have leverage with drug makers because they decide which prescription medications will go on a health plan's formulary  the list of drugs the plan will cover  representing a huge concern for patients. The PBMs also issue contracts to pharmacists who want to participate in the plan's network.

"The main focus for state policymakers around the country should be scrutinizing brand drug makers, who set and continue to raise drug prices," said Greg Lopes, a spokesman for the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, an industry trade group for PBMs. Health plans aren't required to hire a PBM, Lopes said, but "they choose to because PBMs typically reduce drug costs by 30 percent."

Research published by the trade group estimates that PBMs will save Pennsylvania's Medicaid program $1.6 billion between 2016 and 2025.

Under the revised contracts, the Department of Human Services will require managed-care organizations to report what the PBM paid to the pharmacy and what the managed-care organization paid to the PBM for the same claim.

The difference between those two amounts is called the spread, and it has become a thorny issue for an industry under scrutiny at both state and federal levels. A report by Ohio's state auditor, in August, found that the spread over the course of a year in the state's Medicaid managed-care plan came to $224.8 million, illustrating the "profit-making potential for PBMs."

Ohio's auditor also noted an outside analysis in his report that prescriptions could be administered for about a third of that amount  an estimate that "suggests Ohio's current spread may be excessive and warrants the state taking further action," he wrote.

State Rep. Seth Grove (R., York) highlighted the Ohio findings in a request last month to the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, asking for a review of spread pricing by PBMs across state government agencies. He said that because Pennsylvania and Ohio have similar demographics, the spread here could be similar. (Ohio has 2.4 million people enrolled in Medicaid managed care, according to federal data, and Pennsylvania has 2.3 million, according to the state.)

"That's $200 million that we've got to figure out," said Grove, who led a bipartisan call last spring for the auditor general to look into PBMs. "Was it supposed to go to pharmacies? Was it supposed to come back to taxpayers? Something in between the two?"

DHS said its own investigation found that five managed- care organizations use spread pricing and that three use what's known as a transparent "pass-through" pricing model, meaning that they tell DHS what a pharmacy is paid. But Cathers said the department doesn't know whether transparent pricing would save DHS money.

"We're definitely going to be looking closely to see if there are cost savings opportunities there," Cathers said.

The department's main concern, she said, is that patients have access to the medications they need. "We don't have any evidence that patients don't have access to covered outpatient drugs," she said, adding: "That is what the department holds MCOs [managed-care organizations] accountable for. The department does not get involved in dictating rates to any partners," such as pharmacies.

Independent pharmacists have for years said pharmacy benefit managers have exerted too much control over their business. But last fall, reimbursement cuts by CVS Caremark  one of the nation's largest PBMs  elevated pharmacists' complaints to a new level. Grove and two colleagues, in an April letter to the auditor general, described the cuts as a "drastic step" that reduced reimbursements "substantially below" pharmacists' purchase price.

A CVS spokesman said the company raised rates for some generic drugs after lowering them last fall, but "it cannot be our responsibility to subsidize pharmacies at the expense of patients, payers, and in the case of government programs such as Medicaid, taxpayers."

For his part, DePasquale said he was worried about pharmacies going out of business, and what that would mean for patients. He has conducted five hearings in communities around the state as he assembles a report, due out in late November or early December, that he intends as a guide for lawmakers weighing legislation about PBMs in the next session.

"It's very clear that the independent pharmacies don't have the same negotiating tools as some of the larger chain organizations," DePasquale said.

"The big PBMs are taking chunks out of the system," added Robert Frankil, who owns Sellersville Pharmacy in Bucks County. "They don't return it to you, or me, or the federal government, or the commonwealth  and it's driving up the cost of prescription drug expenses."Mount Airy-based developer Ken Weinstein, 53, is on the roof of the Marv Levy building overlooking the intersection of Wayne Avenue and Berkley Street, an area he plans to redevelop. Read more

Long after the area around Wayne Junction station in North Philadelphia lost its industrial-era bustle, it still had the Wayne Junction Diner, a 1950s eatery turned ruin-porn landmark that was demolished in 2008.

Mount Airy-based developer Ken Weinstein is now returning a diner to the station's blighted midst as part of his plan to transform the enclave of vacant factories and warehouses into apartments, restaurants, and offices.

A vintage Mountain View Diners Co. car acquired by Weinstein's Philly Office Retail LLC is on its way from Connecticut to a vacant parcel near the core of what the developer hopes will become a lively commercial district joining Germantown and Nicetown.

In all, he said, about $12 million is being spent by Philly Office Retail to purchase and renovate seven properties encompassing nearly 123,000 square feet on streets west of the station and along Germantown Avenue to its north. Construction is to begin in early 2018.

Working in his favor are the potential retail and restaurant patrons, office tenants, and residents fed by Wayne Junction station  among the region's busiest  and by U.S. Route 1, which has an on-ramp barely a half-mile away, he said.

"It really is a unique site, with such an active train hub and easy access to the highway," said Weinstein, who plans to formally announce his vision Tuesday. "It just seemed like an obvious choice."

Weinstein has developed properties throughout the region, with a focus in Germantown and Mount Airy. His Trolley Car Diner & Deli has spawned sibling cafes in East Falls and  soon  University City. He also runs a training program for aspiring developers in underserved communities known as Jumpstart.

His Wayne Junction plans most closely echo his work more than 20 years ago in Mount Airy, when he helped spark a neighborhood retail-strip renaissance by filling blighted properties on Germantown Avenue between Mount Pleasant Avenue and Allens Lane with shops and restaurants. The blocks are now home to the Earth Bread & Brewery pizzeria and the upscale Cresheim Valley Grain Exchange restaurant.

Weinstein acknowledged that the swath of Mount Airy he helped revive is not directly comparable to the less affluent Wayne Junction area, but he said he's up for the challenge.

He's also not starting at Wayne Junction from scratch, with SEPTA having completed a $31.5 million station renovation in 2015. And just east of the station, the Nicetown Court I and II mixed-use developments have brought in apartments and businesses.

"I'm glad there's someone who has the capacity to improve the conditions of the neighborhood and help revitalize it and improve the economy," said Majeedah Rashid, chief operations officer for Nicetown Court developer Nicetown Community Development Corp. "Those are a lot of the same things that we're doing."

Also buttressing Weinstein's efforts is West Philadelphia-based Mosaic Development Partners, which plans to convert a former 40,000-square-foot medical supply manufacturing facility at Wayne Avenue and Apsley Street into a complex of 29 apartments with a daycare center, a High Point Cafe, and another restaurant.

Mosaic co-founder Leslie Smallwood-Lewis said she hadn't been aware of Weinstein's plans when her company began working in the neighborhood but was glad to learn of them.

"It's great synergy," said Smallwood-Lewis, whose company plans to spend $7.4 million on what it's calling Golaski Park. "It helps both of us to have both our companies investing time and resources into the community."

The centerpiece of Weinstein's plan involves the conversion of a former pencil factory at 137-45 Berkley St. into offices and restaurant space for a Deke's Bar-B-Que, which also will continue operating its existing location in Wissahickon. Also planned for the building, across the street from the still-functioning Wayne Mills textile plant beside the rail station, is a microbrewery or craft distillery, Weinstein said.

On an empty lot beside that building, Weinstein plans to install the vintage diner car, which will be named the Wayne Junction Diner in tribute to its demolished forerunner. While the diner is a near-identical model to the one that houses his Trolley Car eatery in Mount Airy, he has no plans to run this one himself.

Also part of Weinstein's plan is the conversion of the three-story 1902 warehouse at near Roberts and Wayne Avenues, where the Max Levy Autograph Inc. precision instruments business once operated. It will house 21 apartments.

And about two blocks to the north on Germantown Avenue, across the street from Loudoun Park, Weinstein is renovating the 140-year-old former Charles Schaeffer School to accommodate his own offices, which will relocate from Mount Airy, as well as coworking spaces for his Jumpstart program.

"It's important to show a commitment, not just with investment dollars, but also with our personal presence," he said. "I wanted to invest somehow that I could make money, but also to satisfy a need."With Sears selling its Kenmore appliances on Amazon.com, the company needs to have better service. Read more

Richard Byrne remembers the family trips to the Sears on Roosevelt Boulevard and the smell of soft pretzels and salted nuts on the ground level. The Byrnes would make the long walk from their Philadelphia home to browse through the first department store he had ever seen.

"The Sears experience was still a really powerful middle-class experience," said Byrne, now 52 and living in Washington. Upon hearing that Sears had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday after 125 years, Byrne said he "recalled what a formative part of my childhood" the store was.

He wasn't the only person with strong memories tied to the once fabled American retailer that has been crumbling for years under controversial CEO Eddie Lampert. Families recalled how the arrival of the Christmas catalog in the mail marked the beginning of the holiday season; former employees reminisced about decades spent working for a company they thought would never fail.

"What's happening to Sears is probably happening to a lot of other retailers, though probably not as severe," Olbrysh said. "People are shopping differently today."

In recent years, the once ubiquitous store, along with its corporate sibling Kmart, has failed to keep up in a fast-changing environment dominated by online seller Amazon.com and beleaguered by giants like Walmart. Sears customers have complained of a lack of merchandise and ill-kept stores. Closings have become commonplace while management seemed more interested in monetizing the real estate underneath the stores than revitalizing its wares.

Regina Kay Lucas, 83, of New Castle, Pa., still regularly meets with a group of former Sears employees at an Eat'n Park restaurant every other first Thursday of the month.

"Sears provided me with the job that I needed," Lucas said, referring to her part-time job with the retailer while also raising four sons. "If you spend 25 years and they provide for you a job when you're a mother and a wife, I can't say anything except I think it's sad."

The neo-Gothic Sears Tower at Adams Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard became a Philly landmark, employing people for Sears' regional administrative headquarters, a retail store, a mail-order service, and distribution for other stores. The last employees left in 1993, and when it was demolished in 1994, hundreds of people gathered to watch the building come down in seven seconds.

For Bernice Byrne, the 77-year-old mother of Richard Byrne, the company was personal. Her father worked at Sears and her parents would take her to the store. She remembered how her children would look through the Christmas catalog with the same excitement as her younger siblings did when they were kids.

"Sears went on for generations," Bernice Byrne said. "I went there so frequently with my parents, you can tell I just continued that as I married. Sears was the place for me to go.  It just had that family feeling."

Jerry Conway, 75, started as a clerk at Sears on Roosevelt Boulevard and eventually became a buyer for the catalog business. Though he worked at Sears in the 1960s, '70s, and '80s and now lives in Largo, Fla., with his wife, he still runs into other former Sears employees.

"No matter where you went, you mentioned that you worked at Sears if you were in a group, someone else worked at Sears. It was a very strange phenomenon," he said. "We still do that even though we've been retired for many years."

His wife, Marie, 68, began her Sears career in the customer relations department, the same place where her mother worked. She lived in Northeast Philadelphia at the time, about a mile from the tower and the catalog order plant, where she worked for more than 22 years.

She started at Sears after high school because her mother told her: "Go there  it will be around forever."

This article includes reporting from Tribune News.Tariffs are having an effect all over Corporate America.

Companies such as Ford, Harley Davidson, Whirlpool, and Walmart have warned of pending layoffs and/or price increases due to the higher costs to buy steel and aluminum or products from Chinese suppliers, reflecting the ongoing trade dispute between the two countries. And while U.S. Commerce Chief Wilbur Ross says that "nobody's going to actually notice it at the end of the day," many economists believe otherwise.

But what about small businesses? Are we as concerned about the President's trade policies? Apparently not. In fact, most support them.

That's according to the annual 2018 Buyer-Seller Confidence Index, a study of more than 2,000 entrepreneurs that was recently released by business marketplace provider BizBuySell. The study found that three out of four business owners are in favor of U.S. trade tariffs.

Of course, there are plenty of small businesses that do suffer from being in the middle of the growing trade war.

Those are the ones providing products and services to companies in industries like the ones mentioned above that are on the wrong end of tariff policies. Wholesalers that purchase much of their inventory from China, manufacturers that include Chinese materials in their products  particularly steel and aluminum  as well as small farmers and assembly-makers of specialty products are also feeling the pain.

In Pennsylvania, tariffs are adding costs and uncertainty. "Business will go down," Steve McGowan, a vice president at frame and wall decor supplier MCS Industries said at a town-hall meeting organized by retailers and agricultural companies last week in Philadelphia. "So we've put expansion of our Easton distribution center on hold and it could be going away."

But for most of the small business owners I know, the tariffs aren't such a big deal. In fact, 60 percent of the respondents to the BizBuySell survey said that the tariffs would have "no impact" on their business and half of the approximately one third of business owners who admitted that tariffs could negatively impact their business still supported the President's trade policies. An August survey of 300 business owners by investment firm UBS Warburg also found that 71 percent approved of tariffs on China.

Why such indifference? Most small businesses are too far down the food chain to feel an impact. And those that have bought and sold products in China weren't exactly thrilled with the experience and I get that. They  like many of my clients  feel that something needs to be done about what they view as an imbalanced trade relationship between the U.S. and China that's been going on for too long. 88 percent of the respondents in the UBS Warburg survey felt that China engages in unfair trade practices.

"Although these tariffs will have a negative impact on our business now, I do feel strongly that we have been taking a weak position on trade to avoid this issue and kicked the can down the road for decades," one business owner said in the BizBuySell report. "This is very tough to go through but it will be better in the long run."Teresa Klein, dubbed Cornerstore Caroline, came under fire for her treatment of a young black boy in Brooklyn. Read more

If we've learned nothing else from the myriad incidents in which white people have called police on black people who were engaging in everyday activities, we've learned that African Americans have come to depend on laughter to cope with racism.

Laughter, after all, is the only reasonable response to those who would call law enforcement when a family barbecues with charcoal instead of gas, or when a child sells water without a permit, or when a boy inadvertently touches a woman with his backpack, or when a man tries to enter the building where he lives.

Black folks understand that, in many cases, these kinds of calls are driven by the racist assumption that blacks do not belong in white spaces, or by the harmful biases that assume black criminality. But after suffering through centuries of racism, we've learned to chuckle at these kinds of slights  even going so far as to give our tormentors nicknames like Cornerstore Caroline, Permit Patty, or Barbecue Becky.

Beneath the laughter, however, is the potential for danger, because when such people are entering our homes, denying us access, even shooting us in our own apartments, black lives are at stake. And if we truly want these incidents to stop, the perpetrators must be prosecuted for the crimes they commit when they make false police reports, harass law-abiding citizens, or make terroristic threats.

It's no longer enough to shame them on social media. If they don't face real criminal consequences, they'll continue until someone is killed.

And that's not hyperbole. Inviting police into a benign situation involving a black person is dangerous, because an unarmed black person is 2.5 times more likely than his white counterpart to be shot and killed by police. Even without the police, there is an innate danger when whites make accusations against blacks, since not so long ago, such accusations often led to a death sentence through lynching.

That's what I thought about when I watched the video of a white woman named Teresa Klein calling the police on a black boy who she claimed had just sexually assaulted her at the Sahara Deli Market in Brooklyn.

Video surveillance from the store indicated that the incident began when Klein was bent over in front of the store counter. The boy, since identified as 9-year-old Jeremiah Harvey, was with his mother and younger sister when he walked by and his book bag accidentally touched Klein, who turned around and falsely claimed that the boy had grabbed her buttocks.

As the argument escalated, Klein and the family went outside. The boy's mother defended her children. But as Klein loudly said that the boy had sexually assaulted her, and called the police on her cell phone, the children began to cry.

That's when my heart broke, because watching this white woman rage against a little black boy was like stepping into a time capsule.

I was watching Teresa Klein hurl false accusations against a black boy in a New York deli. But, in my mind, I was witnessing a white woman named Carolyn Bryant tell lies on Emmett Till in a store in Money, Miss.

In the video, I was watching Teresa Klein frighten children as they tearfully clung to their mother. But, in my mind, I was witnessing enslaved children being sold off from their families in the American South.

In the video, I was watching Teresa Klein falsely claiming that she was a police officer, but, in my mind, I was reliving the terror of escaped slaves eluding the deadly slave patrols that were the predecessors to modern police.

I only wish Teresa Klein was a relic of American history. Unfortunately she's the reality of the moment. It is a moment in which the political and social climate of the country has emboldened white people who harbor resentment against people of color. It is a moment in which such people use police as a tool of racism.

I'm grateful that when Teresa Klein was raging on the street, a younger white woman confronted Klein and challenged her shameful behavior. I'm glad that when video footage showed that Klein was wrong, she broadcast an apology.

But even when Klein apologized to that little boy, she refused to apologize to the mother who stood up for her child.

Klein can afford such arrogance, because in too many of these cases, people like her lose nothing more than a job. That's what happened to Hilary Brooke Mueller after a viral video showed her blocking a black man from entering the building where he lived.

But losing a job is nothing compared with losing one's freedom. That's why, next time we see a white person call police on a black person for nothing, we should demand that she be prosecuted for filing a false police report.

To borrow one of Donald Trump's favorite campaign phrases, "Lock her up!"

I bet they'll stop calling the cops after that.

Solomon Jones is the author of 10 books. Listen to him weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon on Praise 107.9 FM. sj@solomonjones.com: @solomonjones1The late great gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson once famously wrote that failed 1972 presidential candidate Ed Muskie "talked like a farmer with terminal cancer trying to borrow money on next year's crop." One can only imagine what the Rolling Stone scribe might have said about Pennsylvania's Gov. Wolf as he talks in his flat monotone about the inferno-like crises facing our state, our nation, and our world. An insurance underwriter who mixed up his heart medication with Quaaludes, maybe?

Wolf  who drives a Jeep but seems cruising to a November reelection with all the excitement of a Dodge minivan  swung by the Inquirer and Daily News last week to meet with my colleagues from the editorial board. One of the things the governor's inquisitors wanted to gauge was his zeal for fighting on climate change  a timely subject, indeed.

A major global scientific panel just predicted a catastrophic world of droughts, floods, and disappearing coastal cities if leaders don't take drastic action in the next 12 years. In Florida, a storm that was on no one's radar became a monster Category 4 hurricane in a couple of days over hot Gulf waters, and wreaked widespread devastation. But when asked about Planet Earth's raging brushfire, Wolf delivered, in so many words, a crop report.

Pennsylvania's 47th governor did predict a fading future for fossil fuels  not so much as the great moral imperative of our times but because, in his words: "According to the economists, it's hard for power-generation companies to get capital in the capital markets for a fixed-site centralized power-generation plant right now." Wolf did say solar power is the future, and he talked about how his recent move on "closing borders"  a complicated concept most voters aren't familiar with  will help Pennsylvania generate more sun power right here. OK, that's good. So this was his kicker: "We are moving  I think  into a sustainable energy future. The question is, what are we doing in the meantime?"

I'm not sure either I or the state electorate knows the answer. Neither do many of Pennsylvania's environmentalists, who looked toward Wolf with great hope when he was first elected in 2014 with promises of an 180-degree reversal from the reign of Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, who was deeply indebted to Big Oil and Gas. In his first term, the York Democrat kept some of his promises for tighter regs on pollution in the fracking industry but backpedaled, or watered down, or even forgot about others. Full-time environmentalists say they're disappointed. Some citizen activists in the heart of fracking country are livid.

"On climate, he could be working for the Trump administration," Karen Feridun, founder of the grassroots anti-fracking group Berks Gas Truth, told me. Like many Pennsylvania activists, Feridun has looked at governors from different parties on each side of the Keystone State  New York's Andrew Cuomo to the north and Maryland's Larry Hogan to the south  who've banned fracking in their states and wonders why that's not even on the table here. "Wolf must become the climate leader he isn't," she said, "by leading the transition [from fossil fuels], stopping all fracking, developing plans to retrain workers, and preparing the state to adapt to changes we can't avoid."

Action on the state and local level has become America's great hope in making any progress against greenhouse-gas pollution in an era when the president of the United States is willfully stupid about the science  President Trump says climate is changing but "will change back again," a view not shared by any top climatologists  and his government is rolling back environmental regulations faster than Big Pollution's lobbyists can look them up.

It's not surprising perhaps that liberal-leaning California  by itself one of the world's largest economies  has approved a plan to reduce carbon pollution by 40 percent by 2030, the deadline for urgent action recently set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC. But here in the Northeast, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative has already boasted considerable success in limiting greenhouse-gas pollution from power plants, with ambitious plans to do more. Its members are Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Notice who's missing? Wolf is also one of only three Democratic governors to not join the U.S. Climate Alliance, which includes state leaders from both parties opposing Trump on withdrawing from the Paris climate accord. The Pennsylvanian called that fight "a symbolic gesture."

Wolf actually promised in his platform on his 2014 website  as reported earlier this year by StateImpact Pennsylvania  that he would push for the state to join the Northeastern anti-pollution compact. But then we didn't. And when Wolf was asked about that at a January news conference, he claimed: "I don't remember making that promise. In fact, I do remember  I didn't make that promise"  even though he clearly did.

The climate contradiction is the kind of thing that Wolf's election opponent should have a field day with. But his GOP foe is former State Sen. Scott Wagner, who once suggested humans' "warm bodies" are contributing to climate change and called a voter expressing global-warming concerns as "young and naive." To be fair, Wagner has somewhat backed away from complete climate denial, but the bottom line remains: The world is on fire, and Pennsylvania's extinguisher-in-chief will be either Wolf's Tweedledee or Wagner's Tweedle-dumb. We deserve much better.

It didn't have to be this way. Wolf came into office in January 2015 with a firebrand environmental commissioner, plans for tougher regs, some stiff fines for polluters, and a scheme to take on Big Oil and Gas with a severance tax meant to aid Pennsylvania's underfunded schools. But the best legislature that massive oil-and-gas campaign contributions could buy refused to budge.

And so the commissioner was ousted. The biggest fine for a fracker was undone. Elsewhere, it's been one step up and one step back. A proposed deal for that severance tax also took a fox-guarding-the-henhouse approach to help Big Oil and Gas get permits (the deal never happened anyway.) Innovative regs to fight methane pollution from fracking rigs have taken two years to draft and don't cover existing sites. And that severance tax, which seemed like a good idea in 2014 (and which Wolf promises now to keep fighting for)? It would make school dollars dependent on keeping those fracking pads up and running  right when other states are looking at how to get out of the fossil-fuel business altogether.

"Pennsylvania alone produces 1 percent of the world's greenhouse gases," said Joe Minott of the Philadelphia-based Clean Air Council, who called it "too bad that climate change has not been more of an issue in this campaign." He urged the winner in the governor's race to push to cap methane pollution from existing fracking sites and also for a trading system to reduce carbon pollution. "We do not have the option of doing nothing."

Yet a lot depends not so much on the governor race but elections for the state legislature, especially the state House, where Democrats believe anger over Trump's policies in the Philadelphia suburbs gives them an outside shot at reclaiming a majority. If that fails  with a continued pro-fracking GOP legislature and without a shot of adrenaline directly into the heart of the Wolf administration  then the short-term forecast looks bleak, with a guaranteed two years of climate denial in D.C., and meaningful changes in Harrisburg on hold until the next governor arrives in January 2023. By then, according to the climate experts, we'll already be underwater. Figuratively, not literally. Not yet, anyway.Keystone Exams, the controversial Pennsylvania high school graduation requirement, are about to get much less important.

State lawmakers this week passed legislation that would push back Keystone graduation requirements until 2022 and allow seniors to demonstrate mastery in other ways, such as gaining acceptance to a four-year college, securing full-time employment post-graduation, completing an internship, or earning a to-be-determined score on the SAT.

High school students across the commonwealth now take the exams in English, biology, and algebra.

It's a major shift for a state that once put a high priority on the tests, first proposed in 2009, originally supposed to be a graduation requirement for the Class of 2017, then pushed back for the Class of 2019.

Pennsylvania spent $70 million developing the exams, which were designed to prove students' readiness for college and career success.

"Requiring every student to pass the same type of exam wasn't working," said State Sen. Tom McGarrigle (R., Delaware County), a sponsor of the bill that passed Monday. "Each child learns differently, each child has a different career path."

The law doesn't do away with accountability, McGarrigle said, but allows students flexibility. Why, he said, should a student in a vocational program have to pass a biology exam if it has nothing to do with his or her chosen career path?

Teachers and administrators helped drive the policy, lawmakers said: Many school staffers have been clear about their disdain for the one-size-fits-all exams. (McGarrigle said he first decided to work on the legislation after listening to people at a Tredyffrin/Easttown school board meeting voice their concerns about the Keystones.)

"It didn't make sense for the poorer schools, and it didn't make sense for the wealthier schools," said State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D., Chester), a vocal opponent of Keystones and sponsor of the bill. He called the tests "phony accountability that doesn't further our educational goals."

High-achieving districts resented the time the tests took, and felt the quality of their students' education spoke for itself. Keystones did not work for low-wealth districts either, Dinniman said.

"I thought it was outrageous that we would stamp 'failure' on the back of those students and teachers, when it was we in the legislature who created the problem in the first place by not properly funding schools in Philadelphia and other poorer districts in the commonwealth," Dinniman said. "How can you judge the worth of a student in three snapshots?"

Gov. Wolf is expected to sign the bill into law soon, a spokesperson said. It's part of a shift away from the importance of standardized tests: Last year, Wolf reduced the time Pennsylvania students spent taking the exams.

"Preparation for 21st century success cannot be measured just by performance on high-stakes tests," the governor said in a statement. "In an economy which demands multiple skill sets and includes varying educational pathways to good-paying jobs, students should have multiple ways to demonstrate that they are college- and career-ready."When Nile Rodgers' Chic released It's About Time, the disco-era outfit's first album in 26 years, the man known for producing platinum hits for David Bowie ("Let's Dance") and Madonna ("Like a Virgin") and for collaborating with Daft Punk ("Get Lucky") and Avicii ("Lay Me Down") added some Philly soul to his mix.

But that's nothing new. "Gamble and Huff were always an inspiration to Chic, and me, where orchestration, rhythm, and melody was concerned," Rodgers said.

Influence aside, Rodgers and his Chic partner, the late Bernard Edwards, wrote and produced Philadelphia's most famous expression of love and sorority, "We Are Family," with this town's heavenly harmonists, Sister Sledge. The 1979 We Are Family album  complete with the smashes "He's the Greatest Dancer," "Lost in Music," and "Thinking of You"  will be rereleased this month on the Rhino label's The Chic Organization 1977-1979.

It's a big deal to have one artist's boxed set  featuring Risque (which yielded dance-floor classics such as "Good Times" and "My Forbidden Lover")  have another artist's work in it. But this 1979 Sister Sledge album is as much a part of Rodgers' artistry as it is the Philly sisters'. Rodgers said, "This Sister Sledge album is just as much Chic as Chic, and the new heavy vinyl sounds just like we played it live in the first place. I was there. I should know, right?"

Rodgers and Chic's new It's About Time has two Philly through-lines. Rodgers credits Philadelphia-born jazz pianist McCoy Tyner with guiding his hand, literally. "My guitar style is based on McCoy; my right hand emulates his piano lines," said Rodgers.

The second Philly connection is when guest vocalist Elton John hits the microphone on "Queen," an It's About Time song that Rodgers wrote and arranged to emulate his love of orchestrator and songwriter Thom Bell, the third architect of the soulful Sound of Philadelphia. "That song is total Bell-level TSOP," said Rodgers. "I even used Bell's signature sitar sound."

As to why he chose Elton John for his R&B expression of womanly admiration and adoration, Rodgers recalled The Thom Bell Sessions, a Philly soul EP John recorded with Bell at 12th Street's Sigma Sound Studios in 1977 (home of Gamble, Huff, and Bell's best-known productions), that went unreleased until 1979. "That gritty soulful Elton  that's the voice I wanted for 'Queen,' " said Rodgers.

Kathy Sledge knows that Nile Rodgers knows a soulful voice when he hears it. "Nile's got the best ears," she said from her Los Angeles home (she still has a place outside Philly) before heading to a studio where she's writing music with Jimmy Jam of Jam & Lewis fame and bassist Stanley Clark. (She is also working on a theatrical musical about growing up with her sisters  her sister Kim is working on a film about the life of Sister Sledge. "There is madness in ours, as with any family, but we're still sisters," Sledge said. "When people nitpick, I just ask, 'Well, what's in your wallet?' "

" 'We Are Family,' as a song, is universal, and I'm asked to sing that and so many others around the world," said Sledge. "Life is a process, and I'm just processing it."

She's excited that "We Are Family" is getting new life with The Chic Organization box and remembers the story as though it happened yesterday. "Probably because I stay in touch with [former] Atlantic label president Jerry Greenberg, to the point of having lunch tomorrow," she said, laughing.

"Chic  Nile and Bernard  was hugely successful and were at a challenging part of their career. They didn't want to be seen as one-hit wonders and quickly offered hit songs to other artists on other labels. Atlantic, their home label, said, 'What about us?' and Chic wanted to see the roster. We were on that roster."

Sister Sledge had a few overseas hits for the label around 1977 and '78, but nothing yet in America, and they were ready for a great song, or eight. "I wasn't even 16 yet but wound up at the right place at the right time," said Sledge. "We had heard at that time Atlantic wanted Chic to produce the Rolling Stones but, instead, Nile wanted someone new, obscure, fresh. They wanted audiences to know that what they did was a hit because of them, not Mick Jagger's name. That was genius on Nile's part."

From there, Rodgers and Edwards began talking to the sisters about how "the birds of a feather flocked together," and Sister Sledge got themselves a custom-made hit based on their family life. And then they got seven more songs after "We Are Family."

Sledge mentions how Nile and Bernard were more spontaneous and free in the writing and production method than other producers Sister Sledge had worked with. "I was used to taking home material and working on it," she said. "Not with these guys. They believed in doing everything on the spot, and I never heard 'We Are Family' or any of the songs on that album until it was time to record it. I learned 'The Greatest Dancer,' as I was recording it. Sing a line. Cut. Sing a line. Cut. They were tough. But genius. That was the magic."

Rodgers and Sledge are still part of each other's lives  beyond the boxed set  with the nonprofit We Are Family Foundation that seeks to empower youth. "Nile will always be in my life, just as my sisters will, as the ultimate family," she said. "And it all started in Philly."Coun Perez reiterates warning to barangay leaders involved in drugs

07 Aug 2017 Hits:37 Comments(0)

Liga ng mga Barangay President, Councilor Jerry Perez yesterday reiterated his warning to all barangay officials from using or selling drugs. Perez said he is closely monitoring the activities of all the barangay officials and vowed sanctions against erring leaders. Aqui gane na mio barangay ya quita ya iyo na puesto cunel dos barangay leaders quien mas temprano ya sale positivo na...PATNA: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday attached assets worth Rs 10 crore belonging to Bihar toppers scam mastermind Baccha Rai.

At least 28 assets of Rai were attached by the agency, according to news agency ANI.

Bihar: Enforcement Directorate attaches 28 assets worth Rs 10 crore of toppers scam mastermind Baccha Rai  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2018

The Enforcement Directorate had earlier attached assets worth 4.53 crore, including 29 plots and deposits in ten bank accounts, of Rai - the main accused in the Bihar topper scam that had rocked the State in 2016.

The action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against the Secretary-cum-Principal of Vishun Roy College in Vaishali district, Baccha Rai alias Amit Kumar, was taken shortly after two CBSE question papers of Class X and XII were leaked.

The agency then said it has attached 16 plots in the name of Baccha Rai in Lalganj, Mahua, Bhagwanpur and Hajipur and 13 plots in the name of his wife Sangeeta Rai.

Bank deposits in the name of his daughter Shalini Rai, a flat in Patna and a two-storey house in Hajipur of the Rai family were also attached.

The ED had registered a money laundering case last year to probe alleged irregularities in this case, related to the State school examination board, taking cognisance of Bihar Police FIR and the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe the scam.

The scam had rocked Bihar in June 2016 after Ruby Rai, a student of Vishun Roy College in Vaishali district who had topped in the arts category, failed to answer basic questions and went on to describe political science as prodigal science that taught cooking.

Embarrassed by the irregularities, the State government had ordered a SIT probe in the matter.

It was alleged in the police charge sheet, the ED said, that Baccha Rai used to receive huge cash as illegal gratification from students for manipulating their results with the help of officers and staff of the Bihar School Education Board (BSEB) including the then Chairman Lalkeshwar Singh.

The Central probe agency said its probe found that Baccha Rai has laundered his illicit wealth by acquiring huge properties in his name and that of his wife and daughter, which could not be explained by them.

The ED alleged Baccha Rai and his wife manipulated their Income Tax returns and their agricultural income was declared almost 70 times more after the scam broke, as compared to previous years.

The agency had booked a total of eight people, including former BSEB chairman Prasad and four principals.

(With Agency inputs)New Delhi/Mumbai, Oct 15 (PTI) As many as 80 per cent players in the payment industry, including Amazon, Paytm and WhatsApp, have complied with the norms for local storage of data, with RBI's deadline coming to close on Monday, sources said.

However, they said some debit/credit companies are yet to comply with data storage norms and have reportedly sought more time.

The Reserve Bank is not contemplating review of its notification on data localisation norms, the sources said.

In April, the central bank had given six months to global payment companies to store transaction data of Indian customers within India.

Although 80 per cent of the players operating in India have complied with the Reserve Bank directive, some global financial technology companies have reportedly sought an extension to the October 15 timeline.

"The RBI will look at things on a case-to-case basis from tomorrow while handling the subject," one of the sources said, without mentioning if the central bank would take action or impose penalties for non-compliance.

Digital payments platform PhonePe said it has informed the Reserve Bank of India of its full compliance with the data localisation mandate to ensure payments data of Indian users is stored within the country.

The central bank's data localisation policy had elicited mixed response from the payment services industry. While some of the prominent domestic payment companies like Paytm and PhonePe have been supportive of the dictum, global players like Google (that offers Google Pay) had argued for free movement of data.

Some international players have appealed for more time for compliance and also asked that they be allowed to mirror the data.

Paytm, which had vociferously supported data localisation, said critical data must not be allowed to go out of the country, not even for processing.

"We have complied to this mandate since day one and have welcomed this initiative right from the beginning. It is important that we do not become mere internet colonies for global companies, and make every organisation accountable towards the security and privacy of data of our fellow countrymen," a Paytm spokesperson said.

US-based messaging platform WhatsApp has already said it has developed a system to store payments-related data in India.

An Amazon spokesperson said "compliance with local laws and regulation is a top priority for us in all the countries we operate in. We continue to work closely with the regulators towards this".

Google is learnt to have agreed to follow the RBI's local data storage norm for payment services but has asked for time until December to ensure compliance, a government source had indicated recently.

Critics of data localisation argue that the move would have negative effects on the ability of companies to do business in India.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley recently held a meeting with RBI Deputy Governor BP Kanungo and others to discuss the data localisation norm for global financial technology companies.

IT industry body Nasscom said access to information can be ensured irrespective of location of the data.

"Access can be provided even if the data is stored outside India. It is not clear how this (data localisation mandate) ties in with the overall objective of ensuring enforcement," Nasscom Senior Director and Head Public Policy Ashish Aggarwal said.

Moreover, the instances of problems being faced in accessing data need to be seen in the larger perspective of total number of transactions.

Nasscom has favoured free flow of data, Aggarwal said adding that imposition of conditions that are "onerous and unnecessary" may trigger a retaliatory measures from other countries.

In its April monetary policy review, the RBI had said that in order to ensure better monitoring of payment service operators it was important to have "unfettered supervisory access to data stored with these system providers as also with their service providers/ intermediaries/third party vendors and other entities in the payment ecosystem".

"All system providers shall ensure that the entire data relating to payment systems operated by them are stored in a system only in India," it had said.

The RBI had further said that data should include the full end-to-end transaction details, information collected, carried, processed as part of the message, payment instruction.Absconding industrialist Vinay Mittal, wanted in seven bank fraud cases worth Rs 40 crore, has been extradited to India from Indonesia, officials said Tuesday.

His name had figured in the list of prominent fugitive economic offenders of the Government which contained names of Vijay Mallya, Nitin Sandesara, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Jatin Mehta among others.

The agency had registered cases against Mittal in 2014 and 2016 on the request of Corporation Bank and Punjab National Bank, which is reeling under Rs 13,000 crore bank fraud allegedly perpetrated by Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, they said.

The agency had filed seven charge sheets in courts of Delhi and Ghaziabad against him after which he purportedly escaped from the country. The court has declared him as absconder and the agency issued a Red Corner Notice against him, the officials said.

After a hectic search, he was traced along with his family in Bali, Indonesia. He was arrested by Indonesian authorities in January 2017 on the basis of Red Corner Notice.

Recently, Indonesian President had cleared his extradition to India following which he was sent to India this month.

He has been arrested upon arrival and sent to judicial custody, they said.

After his extradition earlier this month, the agency achieved another success in the form of Mohammad Yahya who was deported from Behrain. He was wanted in a Rs 46 lakh bank fraud case.New Delhi: Infosys Tuesday said it will comply with the arbitration award asking the company to pay Rs 12.17 crore and interest to its former chief financial officer Rajiv Bansal.

In September, the Arbitral Tribunal of Justice (retd) R V Raveendran had communicated the decision with regard to the dispute between Infosys and Bansal, Infosys said in a regulatory filing.

"The company has received a legal advice and will comply with the award and make the necessary payments," it added.

Infosys had lost the arbitration over the severance package to Bansal and had been asked to pay outstanding amount of Rs 12.17 crore with interest.

The company had earlier stated that "while the award acknowledges that Infosys had bona fide disputes, its counter claim for refund of previously paid severance amount of Rs 5.2 crore and damages, has been rejected".

It had also added that it will take legal advice for further action on the issue.

The IT firm had agreed to pay Bansal a severance amount of Rs 17.38 crore or 24 months of salary when he quit in 2015, but the company suspended payments after he got Rs 5 crore. This was done after co-founder N R Narayana Murthy and others had raised objections to the severance pay terming it excessive.

Following this, Bansal had dragged his former employer to arbitration to claim the remaining Rs 12 crore of his severance pay.

Bansal's severance payout has been one of the issues that Infosys founders had raised to allege governance lapses at the Bengaluru-based firm.Panaji: In a fresh twist to the ongoing saga of political instability in Goa, two Congress MLAs who left the coastal state for Delhi late on Monday, may have been "taken" by the BJP, Congress leader A. Chellakumar said here on Tuesday.

The two legislators -- Subhash Shirodkar, a former minister and Dayanand Sopte -- were expected to meet Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah in the national capital on Tuesday.

Congress Committee Secretary in-charge for Goa Chellakumar also said the two were intimidated by Shah and poached by Health Minister in the BJP-led coalition government Vishwajit Rane, who is angling for the Chief Minister`s post, in case sitting Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar steps down owing to his health condition.

"I got a message that Vishwajit Rane was the man who has convinced and taken them to Delhi and he has bargained with the BJP high command, that if he got the two Congress MLAs he should be made the Chief Minister.

"On that note, money power and official machinery, they have taken these two MLAs," Chellakumar told reporters.

The Congress official also alleged that the Congress MLAs were a victim of "fear psychosis" due to constant threats from the BJP.

Rane said that Chellakumar`s statements reeked of "frustration" as the Congress was bleeding MLAs. Rane, himself a former Congressman had joined the BJP in 2017.

Resignations of Congress`s Sopte and Shirodkar from MLA-posts, was expected to blunt Congress` efforts to cobble together numbers for the formation of a coalition government.

The resignations were also expected to do away with the Congress` strategic advantage as the single largest party in the 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly, bringing its legislative strength on par with the BJP at 14 MLAs.

The incumbent BJP-led coalition government has 14 BJP MLAs, supported by three MLAs each from the Goa Forward, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, three Independent MLAs and Nationalist Congress Party MLA Churchill Alemao.PANAJI: Two Goa Congress MLAs  former minister Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte  joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday. More legislators may switch sides, hinted the duo.

We are joining the BJP today. We expect two to three more MLAs to come, not today but in the coming days, said Shirodkar.

The two MLAs announced their move after meeting BJP President Amit Shah in Delhi earlier in the day.

Congress Committee Secretary in-charge for Goa Chellakumar alleged that two legislators were intimidated by Shah and poached by Health Minister in the BJP-led coalition government Vishwajit Rane.

The BJP is trying to bring its strength in the Assembly on par with the BJP at 14 MLAs, in case sitting Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar steps down owing to his health condition, further alleged Congress.

With this, the current house tally stands at:

BJP - 14

Congress - 14

Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party - 03

Goa Forward- 03

Independent - 03

NCP - 1

Total - 38

The latest spell of political instability in Goan politics has been triggered by an ailing Parrikar, with coalition allies beginning to clamour for meaty portfolios.

Parrikar returned to his home state on Sunday night after being discharged from Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where he was admitted for a pancreatic ailment since September 15.

The 62-year-old leader is now undergoing treatment at his private residence at Dona Paula in Goa, where a team of doctors from the state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) have set up make-shift medical facility.

"The chief minister is recovering now. He will take rest for two days, before meeting party office-bearers and government officials," Tendulkar said after the meeting of the BJP legislature party.

With agency inputsNEW DELHI: The political fight over the legacy of top national leaders who played a major role in the country's freedom movement is likely to intensify as the ruling BJP has now decided to celebrate the 75th foundation day of the Azad Hind Fauj or the Indian National Army (INA) raised by 'Netaji' Subhas Chandra Bose on October 21.

According to reports, the party has planned to organise various events from New Delhi to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands to celebrate the platinum jubilee of the INA on October 21.

Survivors of the INA, Indian armed forces veterans and followers of 'Netaji' Subhas Chandra Bose will unfurl the national flag at the Red Fort on October 21 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Azad Hind Government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly agreed to attend the event and unfurl the Tricolour at the Red Fort on October 21.

PM Modi will also inaugurate the Azad Hind Museum to mark the occasion.



Netajis grand-nephew and BJP West Bengal vice-president Chandra Kumar Bose and the chairman of SNSMT Suparno Satpathy had earlier requested the PM to inaugurate the Azad Hind Museum at the Red Fort on October 21 and hoist the Tricolour to commemorate the occasion.

The record of India needs to be set correct; our first Government came into being on October 21, 1943 and not on August 15, 1947, socio-political leader and chairman of SNSMT Suparno Satpathy had said.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had established the provincial Azad Hind Government in Singapore on October 21, 1943. On August 14, 1944, the Bahadur Brigade of the INA, led by Colonel Saukat Ali Malik, captured Moirang - a town in Manipur on the Indo-Myanmar border.

Moirang remained under the control of the Azad Hind Government for nearly four months during which its currency and stamps too were used.

The Azad Hind Government had then been recognised by 11 countries and it had its embassies in other countries too.

INA members who are still alive, including Lalti Ram, Jagir Singh, Pramanand, Jag Ram and Ram Gopal, will be among those who will attend the event in the national capital.

Veterans of Indian armed forces will be led by the highly decorated Major General (retd) GD Bakshi who has also authored the best-seller book 'Bose or Gandhi - Who got India her freedom? '

On December 30, PM Modi will arrive in Port Blair where he will unfurl a 150-foot-long national flag as part of the celebrations to mark the platinum jubilee of the establishment of the INA.

PM will also issue a postal stamp and a coin in the honour of 'Netaji' and later visit the Cellular jail, where several freedom fighters were kept during the British Rule.

On this day in the year 1943, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the National Flag for the first time at the Gymkhana Ground (present Netaji Stadium) in Port Blair. He also announced the Islands, the first Indian Territory freed from the British rule.

The BJP's move to hold big-ticket celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of INA comes at a time when the clamour for declassifying confidential files related to Netaji's mysterious death has become louder.

Netaji's family members and his followers have been demanding the government to bring his ashes back to India from Japan and unravel the mystery behind the iconic leader's death.

By raking up the Netaji card, BJP wants to strike an emotional chord with voters in West Bengal, where the saffron party has gained some ground and hopes to challenge the Trinamool Congress led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is a vocal critic of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.BrahMos Aerospace engineer Nishant Agarwal, who has been arrested on charges of spying, was on Tuesday sent from police custody to judicial custody. According to news agency ANI, the bank accounts of the engineer are being investigated.

Agarwal was arrested earlier this month in a joint operation by the anti-terrorist squad (ATS) units of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, following which the UP ATS was granted his transit remand.

Nishant Agarwal was taken from Nagpur to Lucknow, where he was interrogated. He was in touch with suspected Pakistani intelligence operatives through two Facebook accounts with names  Neha Sharma and Pooja Ranjan.

These accounts, based out of Islamabad, are believed to be run by Pakistan's intelligence operatives, the ATS officer said.

Such fake accounts are reportedly used to approach senior officials in India and Agrawal too was approached by those operating these two Facebook accounts, the IO told the court.

Agrawal was arrested from BrahMos' Wardha Road facility for allegedly leaking "technical information" to Pakistan.

BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the 'Military Industrial Consortium' (NPO Mashinostroyenia) of Russia.

Agrawal, despite being engaged in "highly sensitive work", was "casual" on the internet and made himself an "easy target", the ATS officer said. He said Agrawal was active on LinkedIn also.

Top classified information had been loaded on the accused's personal laptop, the officer said.

The engineer has been charged under sections 3,4, 5 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act, sections 419,420, 467, 468, 120 (B) and 121 (A) of the Indian Penal Code as well as 66 (B) of the Information Technology Act.

Nishant Agrawal's father Pradip Agrawal said he did not believe that his son was guilty and has faith in the judiciary.

"I don't think he is guilty. But if he is found guilty and system proves that he is guilty, then yes he is guilty," Pradip Agrawal said on his son's arrest.Delhis Hyatt Regency hotel is in the line of fire over the incident of former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Rakesh Pandeys son brandishing a gun outside the hotel. The incident, which was caught on camera, reportedly occurred on October 14.

While the Delhi Police registered a case under the Arms Act against former BSP MPs son Ashish Pandey, it also questioned the hotel authorities over allegedly not reporting the incident to the police.

Special Joint Commissioner, Delhi Police, said, We have asked the 5-star hotel authorities why they did not report the incident to the police.

Reacting to it, the hotel released a statement, assuring support and cooperation in any further investigation into the case. It, however, asserted that adequate security measures are already in place in the hotel premises.

The statement read, At Hyatt Regency Delhi and Hyatt Hotels and Resorts across the world, the safety and security of our guests is our primary concern. To that end, we employ a wide range of physical security measures and security protocols customised to the needs and the environment in which each hotel is operating. We take the incident that occurred at Hyatt Regency Delhi on seriously and have been working with the local police authorities on the same. We assure our support and will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities in reference to any further investigation on this matter.

The police has taken suo moto cognizance of the incident. Delhi Police Special Joint CP said, "During an argument between two groups, a man threatened others with a gun. An FIR has been registered."

The officer also said that the Delhi Police is in touch with the Lucknow Police and assured that the accused will soon be arrested.

Meanwhile, a lookout cicular has been issued for the former BSP MP's son.Google doodle paid homage to Lachhu Maharaj, an Indian tabla player, on his 110th birthday on October 16, Tuesday.

Born as Lakshmi Narayan Singh, Lachhu Maharaj also featured in several movies and was the maternal uncle of Bollywood actor Govinda.

Interestingly, he was nominated for the civilian award the Padma Shri, but refused to accept it since he felt audience's appreciation is enough.

Maharaj trained under the Banaras gharana and began performing at an early age.

According to reports, he played the tabla inside the prison during Emergency as a mark of protest.

Singh died in Varanasi on July 28, 2016, due to cardiac arrest in Varanasi. He was 72. His wife and daughter both live in Switzerland.A group of vehicles accompanying former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar was on Tuesday attacked near Dahia village in Begusarai district in Bihar. According to news agency ANI, some vehicles were vandalised in the attack. There were reports of some injuries as well.

This comes just days after an FIR was filed in Phulwari Sharif police station in Patna against Kanhaiya Kumar and his supporters for allegedly indulging in scuffle with junior doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Patna.

The junior doctors had alleged that the altercation was triggered when Kanhaiya, along with his supporters, tried to enter the trauma emergency unit where AISF Bihar president Sushil Kumar was undergoing treatment. They were at first stopped by the guard on duty, who was allegedly manhandled.

Junior doctors who were on duty inside the ward then tried to stop Kanhaiyas supporters from entering. This led to an altercation between the AISF supporters and junior doctors, who decided to stop working at 10 pm on Sunday.

After requests from the hospital administration, the doctors resumed their duty at night. However, all the junior doctors went on a strike at 11 am on Monday.

Kanhaiya Kumar is expected to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as a Mahagathbandhan candidate from Begusarai constituency. While he will contest the election on a CPM ticket, he will be fielded as a joint candidate of Mahagathbandhan, comprising the RJD, Left parties and the Congress.New Delhi: Delhi Police on Tuesday night issued a show cause notice to Hyatt Regency asking them the reason for the delay in informing them about an incident which involved a politician's son wielding a gun on the hotel premises. While a hunt has also been launched for the accused, cops - in the show cause notice - have also asked Hyatt why their lodging licence shouldn't be cancelled.

A video of Ashish Pandey, son of former BSP MP Rakesh Pandey, brandishing a gun and hurling abuses at a couple went viral on social media on Tuesday. Pandey can be seen and heard using expletives galore before getting into his luxury car with his women friends. While Hyatt issued a statement saying that hotel authorities will fully cooperate into the investigations, Special Joint Commissioner, Delhi Police, said, We have asked the 5-star hotel authorities why they did not report the incident to the police.

Delhi Police issues a show cause notice to hotel Hyatt Regency asking why their lodging license should not be cancelled in light of the incident where Aashish Pandey, son of former BSP MP Rakesh Pandey, was seen brandishing a gun on October 14. pic.twitter.com/PCbJhcbaxD  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2018

Meanwhile, the whereabouts of Pandey was unknown at the time of filing this report. Delhi Police has said that all precautions are being taken to ensure he does not flee from the country. "Police took suo motu cognizance of the video and after verification from Hyatt Regency, a case was registered against Aashish Pandey. Border check post has been put on alert along Uttar Pradesh-Nepal border. Lookout circular has been opened in all airports in the country," read a statement.

Delhi Police has also registered a case under the Arms Act against Pandey and details of his arms license was collected with the process to getting it cancelled having been initiated.New Delhi: The 108-carat Kohinoor diamond was "surrendered" by the Maharaja of Lahore to the Queen of England and "not handed over" to the British nearly 170 years ago, according to an RTI reply.

The information was given by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in response to a query by a Ludhiana-based activist, as to whether the precious gem was a gift to the British or its possession was transferred for some other reason.

Incidentally, the written response from ASI, dated October 10, is divergent from the Centre's version in the Supreme Court in April 2016.

The Kohinoor diamond, estimated to cost over USD 200 million, was neither stolen nor "forcibly" taken by British rulers but given to East India Company by erstwhile rulers of Punjab, the government had told the apex court.

Rohit Sabharwal Tuesday said he had filed an RTI query about a month ago, seeking the answer from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). "I did not know that the query was forwarded to the ASI, which eventually responded to the query."

"As per the records kept in the National Archives of India, New Delhi... The Lahore treaty held between Lord Dalhousie and Maharaja Duleep Singh in 1849, Kohinoor diamond was surrendered by the Maharaja of Lahore to the Queen of England," according to the reply.

Kohinoor, which means 'Mountain of Light', is a large, colourless diamond that was found in Southern India in early 14th century. The precious gem, which came into British hands during the colonial era, is the subject of a historic ownership dispute and claimed by at least four countries, including India.

The reply gives an extract of the treaty which reads, "The gem called Kohinoor which was taken from the Shah-Suja-Ul-Mulk by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh shall be surrendered by the Maharaja of Lahore to the Queen of England."

According to the reply, the content of the treaty indicates that "the Kohinoor was not handed over to the British on the wishes of Duleep Singh. Moreover, Duleep Singh was a minor at the time of the treaty".

Sabharwal said he had gone to England recently and "there I saw the Kohinoor in a museum, and the information that I was given was that, it was a gift.

"So, after returning to India, I decided to file the query to get the answer," he told PTI over phone from Ludhiana.

He said the response of the ASI and the Centre in 2016 are "contrary to each other" and therefore the centra government must look into it.

Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar in 2016 had told a bench headed by the then Chief Justice T S Thakur, "Kohinoor cannot said to be forcibly taken or stolen as it was given by the successors of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to the East India Company in 1849 as a compensation for helping them in the Sikh wars".An MA 1st year student at Coimbatore's Government Arts College was reportedly suspended for celebrating the birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh.

Malathi has accused the college administration of suspending her for celebrating the birth anniversary of the freedom fighter even though she had asked permission for it. "For a week I kept on going for classes but my teacher kept me out. On the ninth day, I was told that I am suspended" she was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Malathi has defended her right to celebrate a key figure in India's independence struggle. "I went to the Principal to seek her permission to celebrate Bhagat Singh's birth anniversary but she refused and asked me to speak to my HOD. As HOD was on leave, I asked my tutor. Even he denied permission. So, I decided to celebrate it as a history student."

While there has been an outpouring of support for Malathi, the suspension - which came into effect from October 1 - has not yet been revoked. The college administration too had not given any explanation at the time of filing this report.Suspension of two Kashmiri students, who were booked on sedition charges for allegedly trying to hold a prayer meeting for slain terrorist Manan Wani, of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) was revoked on Tuesday. Another student from Kashmir has been booked on charges of sedition.

AMU PRO Omar Peerzada told news agency ANI that the decision to revoke the suspension was taken after a three-member committee looked into the issue.

"A 3-member committee was constituted. Fact-finding committee looked into the entire matter. It was concluded from evidence that suspension will be harsh for their act and conduct. So we revoked it," he said.

The development comes after hundreds of students, studying at the AMU, held a silent protest march demanding the withdrawal of case against the three Kashmiri students. The protesting students held a march outside the AMU campus carrying placards reading Being a Kashmiri is not a crime.

The silent protest was held during a function held for alumni of the reputed university.

Notably, the AMU administration had earlier clarified that no Namaz-e-Janaza was held on the AMU campus after the terrorist was gunned down by forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

The killing of Manan Wani, a PhD scholar-turned-terrorist, by security forces in an encounter has triggered political debate as well. On Monday, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti took to microblogging site Twitter to say that Wani was a victim of relentless violence in the Kashmir Valley. She had also demanded that sedition case against AMU students must be withdrawn.

"Pushing youth to the wall will be counter-productive. Centre must intervene in withdrawing cases against students & AMU authorities must revoke their suspension. The respective State governments outside JK should be sensitive to the situation?& prevent further alienation," Mehbooba had tweeted.

Former J&K chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah had lashed out at Mehbooba Mufti, accusing her of showing fake sympathy for Kashmiri students in AMU.

He had tweeted, How short Ms Mufti's memory is! She forgets that she was the architect and beneficiary (it kept her allies in good humour) for her entire period in office. She is in no position to criticise anyone for 'relentless violence'.NEW DELHI: Delhi's Patiala House will hear the case related to Union minister MJ Akbar and journalist Priya Ramani on Thursday, October 18.

The Minister of State for External Affairs has been accused of sexual harassment by more than 12 women journalists in the ongoing MeToo movement on social media, including Ramani who worked with under him more than 15 years ago.

Akbar has denied all charges calling them "false, wild and baseless" and slapped private criminal defamation complaint against Ramani.

Ramani, who had accused Akbar of sexual misconduct, asserted that she was ready to fight the defamation complaint filed in court against her and expressed disappointment over his statement, saying it paid no heed to the "trauma and fear of the survivors".

She also said Akbar was seeking to "silence" the survivors through "intimidation and harassment".

"I am deeply disappointed that a Union minister should dismiss the detailed allegations of several women as a political conspiracy," Ramani said in a statement.

"By instituting a case of criminal defamation against me, Akbar has made his stand clear: rather than engage with the serious allegations that many women have made against him, he seeks to silence them through intimidation and harassment," she added.

"Needless to say, I am ready to fight the allegations of defamation laid against me as truth and the absolute truth is my only defence," Ramani said.Self-styled godman Rampal and 14 of his followers were sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday by a sessions court in Haryana's Hisar in connection with two murder cases. Rampal, who ran the Satlok ashram, and the other convicts have been fined Rs 1 lakh each too. The convicts were found guilty of charges under Indian Penal Code Sections 302 (punishment for murder), 343 (wrongful confinement for three or more days) and 120 B (punishment of criminal conspiracy).

Heavy security was deployed in Hisar and neighbourhood areas ahead of the pronouncing quantum of sentence. The 67-year-old founder of Satlok ashram in Hisar was found guilty of two murders and other offences, including wrongful confinement of his victims at his hermitage.

Hisar Additional District and Sessions Judge D R Chaliya had pronounced the judgement after nearly four-year-long trial in a makeshift court inside the Hisar district jail. The quantum of sentence in the murder case of one more woman will be pronounced on October 17, Wednesday.

Rampal and his followers have been lodged in the jail since their arrest in November 2014.

The two cases against Rampal and his followers were lodged at Barwala police station on November 19, 2014. The first one was lodged on the complaint of Shivpal of Mithapur near Badarpur in Delhi, while the second one was lodged by Suresh of Jakhora village of Lalitpur district in Uttar Pradesh.

Both of them had complained that their respective wives had been murdered inside Rampal's ashram at Barwala village where they had been held captive by the godman and his followers.

On the day of judgement, Section 144 was imposed across Hisar district and around 2000 police personnel have been deployed, according to Ashok Kumar Meena, the District Collector.

With agency inputsJAMMU: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference chief Omar Abdullah has accused PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti of showing 'fake sympathy' with sedition case accused Kashmiri students of Aligarh Muslim University and shedding crocodile tears over the encounter of slain Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Mannan Wani.

"How short Ms Mufti's memory is! She forgets that she was the architect and beneficiary (it kept her allies in good humour) for her entire period in office. She is in no position to criticise anyone for 'relentless violence'," Omar wrote on Twitter.

How short Ms Muftis memory is! She forgets that she was the architect & beneficiary (it kept her allies in good humour) for her entire period in office. She is in no position to criticise anyone for relentless violence. https://t.co/Q2z6Hyj7cZ  Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 15, 2018

It may be recalled that Mehbooba Mufti has come out in support of three Kashmiri students of the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) who have been charged with sedition for trying to hold a prayer meeting for slain Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Wani.

"Pushing youth to the wall will be counter-productive. Centre must intervene in withdrawing cases against students & AMU authorities must revoke their suspension. The respective State governments outside JK should be sensitive to the situation?& prevent further alienation," Mehbooba had tweeted.

Pushing youth to the wall will be counter productive.Centre must intervene in withdrawing cases against students & AMU authorities must revoke their suspension .The respective State governments outside JK should be sensitive to the situation & prevent further alienation . 1/2  Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 15, 2018

The PDP chief also described Wani as a "victim of relentless violence in Kashmir".

"It will be a travesty to punish them for remembering their former colleague who was a victim of relentless violence in Kashmir," she said in another tweet.

It will be a travesty to punish them for remembering their former colleague who was a victim of relentless violence in Kashmir. 2/2  Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 15, 2018

Wani, a research scholar-turned-terrorist Mannan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces last week.

Abdullah's remarks came shortly after Mufti described Wani a "victim of relentless violence".

Omar was responding to Mehbooba's tweets in which she called for wthe ithdrawal of cases against Kashmiri students studying in the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and described Wani as "a victim of relentless violence in Kashmir".

Omar said Mehbooba headed the Unified Command which "directed the security forces to execute 'Operation All-out' and she famously justified the killing of young protestors in 2016 saying 'they aren't coming out to buy milk or toffees'.

"Ms Mufti's Govt (government) made every effort to trap and kill Manan Wani coming close a few times. Her fake sympathy and crocodile tears for dead Kashmiri militants worked for a few years, they won't work again," the NC leader added.

Ms Muftis Govt made every effort to trap & kill Manan Wani coming close a few times. Her fake sympathy & crocodile tears for dead Kashmiri militants worked for a few years, they wont work again.  Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 15, 2018

The fresh war of words between the two erupted after a group of Kashmiri students studying at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Uttar Pradesh threatened to leave for their homes on October 17 if the sedition charges pressed against them are not dropped.

AMU students' union former vice-president Sajjad Rathar had written a letter to the AMU vice-chancellor in which he said that more than 1,200 Kashmiri students will leave for their homes in the Kashmir Valley on October 17 ''if this vilification does not stop''.

Rathar also termed the sedition charges slapped against three Kashmiri students as "vendetta".

In his letter, Rathar said, ''The option of holding Namaaz-e-Janaza (prayer meeting) in absentia was dropped after the AMU authorities did not give the permission."

"If no prayer meeting was held as confirmed by all official agencies, the slapping of a case of sedition against three Kashmiri students is simply a vendetta, harassment and denial of justice," he alleged.

Rathar's letter was handed over to AMU Proctor Mohsin Khan in presence of a large number of Kashmiri students at his office on Saturday night.

AMU spokesman Shafay Kidwai rejected the Kashmiri students' charges of harassment and stressed that "no innocent would be framed".

Prof. Kidwai also made it clear that "there is zero tolerance for any anti-national activity on AMU campus".

Three Kashmiri students of AMU were booked on sedition charges for allegedly for raising "anti-India" slogans and trying to hold a prayer meeting for Hizbul Mujahideen commander Manan Bashir Wani on October 12.

Twenty-seven-year-old Wani, pursuing a Ph.D course in Allied Geology at the AMU, had quit the university and joined militant ranks in January this year. He was killed in an encounter at Shatgund village in Handwara area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district on Thursday.

Aligarh's Senior Superintendent of Police Ajai Sahni said police took the action after a video surfaced showing the three Kashmiri students raising "anti-India" slogans.

"Police have filed an FIR against Wasim Malik, Abdul Mir and one unnamed person. They have been identified on the basis of a video recording," he said.

Prof Kidwai said show-cause notices have been issued to nine students for trying to hold an unauthorised gathering on Thursday. The university has also set up a three-member inquiry committee to probe the incident.

The panel has been asked to submit a report in the next 72 hours. The three students were suspended from the AMU earlier.

The matter came to light after some AMU students from Kashmir gathered near Kennedy Hall on the campus to hold funeral prayers for Wani, following which the varsity staff and the students union leaders had rushed to the spot and tried to stop them.

(With Agency inputs)Thiruvananthapuram: Travancore Devaswam Board, which manages Kerala`s Sabarimala temple, will hold a meeting with all stakeholders on Tuesday to discuss 'various aspects', including preparations for the annual pilgrimage season which begins next month.

Importantly, the doors of the revered shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is scheduled to open on October 17, implementing the recent Supreme Court`s verdict that lifted a ban on entry of women aged between 10-50 years into the temple.

According to reports, the board has extended its invitation to the representatives of Pandalam Royal Family, Sabarimala temple priests and their organisation and Hindu outfits for a meeting on Tuesday.

The meeting will be held at Devaswom board office in Trivandrum, said TDB president A Padmakumar.

During the meeting, which is scheduled to begin around 10 AM at the Devaswam Board`s office in Thiruvananthapuram, the current situation surrounding the uproar among a section of followers against the apex court ruling will also be discussed.

On September 28, the apex court allowed women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple saying that "no physiological and biological factor can be given legitimacy if it doesn`t pass the test of conditionality".

Although many, including the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government, have welcomed the decision, a section of followers has been staging protest across the country opposing the ruling.

Meanwhile, the BJP has set a 24-hour deadline for the Kerala government to resolve the Sabarimala temple row or be prepared to face consequences.

Chanting mantras of Lord Ayyappa and waving party flags, thousands of BJP workers on Monday trooped into the Kerala capital demanding that the Left Front government file a review petition against the Supreme Court verdict allowing female devotees of menstrual age to offer prayers at the shrine.

With the contentious issue fast acquiring political overtones, BJP workers and sympathisers, including a large number of women, laid a virtual siege to the state secretariat in a massive show of strength against the government which has said it would enforce the apex court's order and not go for a review.

The protesters, some clad in black and many others carrying garlanded pictures of the eternally celibate deity, had begun the "Save Sabrimala March" from Pandalam in Pathanamthitta district to Thiruvananthapuram, a distance of around 90 km, on October 10.

Addressing the gathering outside the secretariat, BJP general secretary P Muralidhar Rao assailed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for the government's decision against filing a review petition.

"Ayyappa devotees not only in Kerala but across the country are disturbed by the recent developments. The state government is responsible for the crisis," he said.

The protest march concluded just two days before the Sabarimala shrine opens to the public on October 17.

It would be closed on October 22 after the five-day monthly puja during the Malayalam month of Thulam.

Enforcing the Supreme Court order allowing girls and women between 10 and 50 years of age into the shrine could be a daunting task for the government with several religious outfits threatening protests.

The state's Industries Minister, E P Jayarajan, meanwhile, accused the 'Sangh Parivar' and the Congress of trying to incite violence over the emotive issue.

"The Congress and the Sangh Parivar are deliberately trying to trigger violence under the cover of the Supreme Court verdict on the entry of women into the Sabarimala temple," he said and added it was the government's duty to implement the court's order.

He, however, noted the government does not want any confrontation with Ayyappa devotees. He said women in the state were being "misled" by people with "vested interest".

The BJP, a marginal player in Kerala politics, has been extremely critical of the Communist government's decision against seeking a review of the Supreme Court order, while the Congress, which earlier welcomed it, changed tack and said it was with the Ayyappa devotees.

Politics in Kerala has been dominated for years by the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front spearheaded by the Congress, and political power has alternated between the two for decades.

The divergent stand of the Left and the Congress, which may seek to align at the national level before or after the Lok Sabha polls next year, stems from their adversarial relations in Kerala politics.

The BJP, despite expanding its presence in the state over the last few years, largely remains a fringe player.

The BJP and its local partner Bhartiya Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) pocketed over 14 percent votes in the 2016 assembly polls but the saffron party could manage to win just one of the 140 assembly seats.

The BJP-RSS cadre is locked in bloody feuds with the CPI(M) for quite some time, leaving scores of people dead over time.

Addressing Monday's gathering outside the secretariat, speaker after speaker claimed there was a "conspiracy" to destroy the tradition of the hill shrine to which lakhs of devotees flock every year during the pilgrim season beginning in the middle of November.

Several NDA leaders including actor-turned-MP Suresh Gopi, Nalin Kumar Kateel, BDJS chief and Rajya Sabha MP Thushar Vellappally and state BJP president P S Sreedharan Pillai were at the forefront of the march.

"We will meet each villager in Kerala and chalk out a massive agitation plan to protect the Sabarimala Temple, its centuries-old traditions and the sentiments of Lord Ayyappa devotees," Pillai asserted.

He said if the government failed to resolve the issue "in the next 24 hours", the NDA will formulate an elaborate programme to "reach our goal".

(With Agency inputs)Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Tuesday reiterated that it will fully implement the Supreme Court order allowing women of all ages to enter the revered Sabarimala temple and no warned that no one will be allowed to take the law into their hands.

''We will not allow anyone to take law and order into their hands. The government will ensure facilities to devotees visiting the Sabarimala Temple to offer prayers. The government will not submit a review petition. We've said in court that we'll implement the order,'' Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.

We will not allow any one take law & order in their hands. The government will ensure facilities to devotees to go to #SabarimalaTemple and offer prayers. Government will not submit a review petition. We've said in court that we'll implement the order: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan pic.twitter.com/TgyZnc0xOO  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2018

The remarks from Vijayan came even as the Sabarimala Temple board began talks with all stakeholders to resolve the issue and discuss various other aspects related to the annual pilgrimage season which begins next month.

Travancore Devaswam Board, which manages Kerala`s Sabarimala temple, had invited the representatives of Pandalam Royal Family, Sabarimala temple priests and their organisation and Hindu outfits for a meeting on Tuesday.

The meeting began at Devaswom board office in Trivandrum around 10 AM.

Importantly, the doors of the revered shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is scheduled to open on October 17, implementing the recent Supreme Court`s verdict that lifted a ban on entry of women aged between 10-50 years into the temple.

During the meeting, the current situation surrounding the uproar among a section of followers against the apex court ruling was discussed, according to TDB president A Padmakumar..

On September 28, the apex court allowed women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple saying that "no physiological and biological factor can be given legitimacy if it doesn`t pass the test of conditionality".

Although many, including the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government, welcomed the decision, a section of followers has been staging protest across the country opposing the ruling.

Meanwhile, the BJP had set a 24-hour deadline for the Kerala government to resolve the Sabarimala temple row or be prepared to face consequences.

Chanting mantras of Lord Ayyappa and waving party flags, thousands of BJP workers on Monday trooped into the Kerala capital demanding that the Left Front government file a review petition against the Supreme Court verdict allowing female devotees of menstrual age to offer prayers at the shrine.

With the contentious issue fast acquiring political overtones, BJP workers and sympathisers, including a large number of women, laid a virtual siege to the state secretariat in a massive show of strength against the government which has said it would enforce the apex court's order and not go for a review.

The protesters, some clad in black and many others carrying garlanded pictures of the eternally celibate deity, had begun the "Save Sabrimala March" from Pandalam in Pathanamthitta district to Thiruvananthapuram, a distance of around 90 km, on October 10.

Addressing the gathering outside the secretariat, BJP general secretary P Muralidhar Rao assailed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for the government's decision against filing a review petition.

"Ayyappa devotees not only in Kerala but across the country are disturbed by the recent developments. The state government is responsible for the crisis," he said.

The protest march concluded just two days before the Sabarimala shrine opens to the public on October 17. It would be closed on October 22 after the five-day monthly puja during the Malayalam month of Thulam.

Enforcing the Supreme Court order allowing girls and women between 10 and 50 years of age into the shrine could be a daunting task for the government with several religious outfits threatening protests.

The state's Industries Minister, EP Jayarajan, meanwhile, accused the 'Sangh Parivar' and the Congress of trying to incite violence over the emotive issue.

On the other hand, the BJP, a marginal player in Kerala politics, has been extremely critical of the Communist government's decision against seeking a review of the Supreme Court order, while the Congress, which earlier welcomed it, changed tack and said it was with the Ayyappa devotees.

Politics in Kerala has been dominated for years by the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front spearheaded by the Congress, and political power has alternated between the two for decades.

The divergent stand of the Left and the Congress, which may seek to align at the national level before or after the Lok Sabha polls next year, stems from their adversarial relations in Kerala politics.

The BJP, despite expanding its presence in the state over the last few years, largely remains a fringe player.

The BJP and its local partner Bhartiya Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) pocketed over 14 percent votes in the 2016 assembly polls but the saffron party could manage to win just one of the 140 assembly seats.

The BJP-RSS cadre is locked in bloody feuds with the CPI(M) for quite some time, leaving scores of people dead over time.

(With Agency inputs)BHOPAL: Congress chief Rahul gandhi, who is on a two-day trip to poll-bound Madhya Pradesh will visit a Gurudwara, interact with party workers and hold a roadshow in Gwalior.

Congress chief took to Twitter to announce his schedule for today.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi will be in Gwalior, Morena, and Sheopur for Day-2 of #CongressSankalpYatra. Watch this space for more! pic.twitter.com/1ZgUEvN0wa  Congress (@INCIndia) October 16, 2018

According to reports, the Congress president will pay a visit to Gururdwara Data band Sahib around 10.45 AM.

Around 12 PM, he will arrive in Sheopur for a public rally on Mela Ground.

Around 2.30 PM, the Gandhi scion will address a public rally in Sambalgarh Mandi Ground.

The Congress chief will later hold a 26 km-long roadshow which will begin from Jaura to Morena, covering Bilgaon, Bagchini, Mungawali and Morena.

Around 7.45 PM, the Congress president will leave for Delhi.

Rahul Gandhi had on Monday alleged that Prime Narendra Modi disregards the poor but has close proximity to businessmen like Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi and Anil Ambani.

On a campaign trail in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh (MP), he again took on PM Modi over the Rafale jet deal.

"The Prime Minister does not have the courage to reply why the offset contract for the French aircraft was "snatched" from the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and instead, given to Ambani's firm," he said.

Taking a swipe at BJP's assurance on women's safety, Gandhi, without naming anyone, said there is a "need to save our daughters from BJP MLAs".

Notably, an MLA in Uttar Pradesh (UP) was earlier accused of raping a minor girl in Unnao district.

"Prime Minister addresses Mehul Choksi as Mehul bhai (brother), Nirav Modi as Nirav bhai and Anil Ambani as Anil bhai but he never addresses a labourer, a poor and a farmer as bhai or hugs them. There is no place for them in his heart. One who doesn't wear suit-boot is not a bhai for him," Rahul said addressing a public gathering here in Madhya Pradesh.

He charged the Prime Minister does not speak when Dalits and minorities are attacked in Gujarat or on atrocities against women and the weaker sections.

The PM had said before the 2014 polls that he wanted to be a "chowkidar" (guard), but only 15-20 industrialists of the country benefitted under his government, instead of farmers, he alleged.

"The Prime Minister let jeweller Nirav Modi escape with Rs 35,000 crore, which is equal to the entire budget of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)," Gandhi further charged.

He was referring to the PNB banking fraud allegedly involving Nirav Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi and others.

Firing a fresh salvo at the prime minister amid the furore over the multi-billion dollar Rafale jet deal, he alleged that the PM ensured the offset contract to Anil Ambani, "who owes Rs 45,000 crore to public sector banks".

"The Prime Minister could not look me in the eye (during debate in Parliament). The PM gives speeches but no answers...He doesn't have the courage to reply as to why the contract was snatched from HAL and given to Anil Ambani," he said.

Led by the Congress, the Opposition parties have been attacking the Modi government alleging it is procuring 36 Rafale jets from France at an exorbitantly high cost.

The Modi government has denied allegations of irregularities in Rafale deal and Amban, too, has dismissed the Congress's allegations that he got any undue benefit.

Gandhi also accused Narendra Modi of "insulting every Indian by mocking the governance of other parties during 70 years, before the BJP-led NDA came to power.

"From the Red Fort, Modi (during his Independence Day speech) said the country was sleeping before he took over as country's Prime Minister. This is not an insult to Congress leaders. This is insult of the country's people," Gandhi said.

There was no infrastructure, road, rail line, university or college when the country got independence, he said.

"Your (people's) ancestors, who worked hard to develop this country. This is an insult to farmers, labourers, youths, small traders and people who toiled hard to build this country. This is an insult to your mother and father," he told the gathering.

Taking a dig at the ruling party over the issue of women's safety, he said, "The BJP gave a good slogan 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' (save and educate daughters).

"But in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi saved a rape accused BJP MLA. The PM didn't speak a word," he alleged.

Gandhi is on a two-day visit to the central state which will go to polls on November 28.

(With Agency Inputs)MUMBAI: A twenty-year-old man, Muzammil Ibrahim, has been arrested for the murder of Mansi Dixit, Mumbai-based model whose body was found stuffed inside a travel bag recovered from the roadside in Malad, Mumbai.

He has been sent to police custody till October 22.

Ibrahim was reportedly studying with the victim and was a friend. A resident of Hyderabad, the accused lived in Millat Nagar, Andheri (West).

Dixit's body was found inside a travelling bag from bank road, near at Mindspace, a commercial hub in Malad (West).

Ibrahim had called the model to his flat. Within minutes of their meeting, the duo had a heated argument. A scuffle followed, after which the accused killed Mansi with a heavy object.

Preliminary investigations reveal, Muzammil then stuffed the dead body in a travel bag and booked an Ola to Mumbai international airport. Midway, he asked the driver to take the back road of Mindspace in Malad West, which is reportedly isolated. He got off near Mindspace, after telling the driver he needs to cover the rest of the distance on the rickshaw.

The accused then allegedly dumped the bag near a bush and took a rickshaw to return home.

After some time, the Ola driver who happened to drive through the same road spotted the bag. He immediately alerted police and the accused was held within four hours.

A case has been registered by the police.MUMBAI: The body of an aspiring model, stuffed inside a large suitcase, was found from the roadside in Malad, Mumbai, on Monday.

Day after murdering Mumbai model, accused posted photo online with caption 'Never miss party'\

Mansi Dixit, aged around 20 years, had moved from Kota, Rajasthan, to pursue her dream of modelling in the maximum city. She was a student and was involved in other business ventures such as event management, designing, etc alongside. Her office was situated next to the Infinity Mall in Andheri.

The police have arrested 19-year-old fellow student Muzammil Sayyed, a resident of Hyderabad, who lives in Millat Nagar, Andheri (West), for the murder.

On Monday afternoon, the travelling bag containing the model's body was recovered from bank road, near at Mindspace, a commercial hub, in Malad (West).

According to police, the accused and victim knew each other.

Muzammil had called the model to his flat. Within minutes of their meeting, the duo had a heated argument. A scuffle followed, after which the accused killed Mansi with a heavy object.

Preliminary investigations reveal, Muzammil then stuffed the dead body in a travel bag and booked an Ola to Mumbai international airport. Midway, he asked the driver to take the back road of Mindspace in Malad West, which is reportedly isolated. He got off near Mindspace, after telling the driver he needs to cover the rest of the distance on the rickshaw.

The accused then allegedly dumped the bag near a bush and took a rickshaw to return home.

After some time, the Ola driver who happened to drive through the same road spotted the bag. He immediately alerted police and the accused was held within four hours.

A case has been registered by the police.

A forensic team arrived on spot to recover the body and transferred it to the hospital for postmortem.

According to police, the victim's hands and neck were tied with rope.

Officials of Bangurnagar police station are conducting the further probe.

Under Bangur Nagar police station limits, the body of a woman was found inside a suitcase. On the basis of evidence, we have arrested a 19-year-old man who is a resident of Hyderabad. Further investigation is underway, SP Nishandar, DCP Zone -11, told ANI.New Delhi: Google on Tuesday honoured noted tabla maestro Lachhu Maharaj on his 110th birth anniversary by dedicating a doodle to the musician.

Born in Varanasi on October 16, 1944, as Lakshmi Narayan Singh, Lachhu Maharaj was known for his proficiency in playing the tabla as part of the Benaras Gharana- one of the six most common styles of playing the tabla, which was developed nearly 200 years ago.

Apart from his performances, he also featured in a plethora of films.

However, he refused to accept the accolade. Lacchu Maharaj passed away in July 2016 in Varanasi at the age of 72 after a prolonged illness.New Delhi: The MeToo movement in Bollywood, which started after Tanushree accused senior actor Nana Patekar of harassing her in 2008, has started showing its effect.

With more and more women are coming forward to seek justice, several associations and panels have served notice to alleged offenders and have in some cases, even asked them to step down from their current positions.

After from actors, names of casting directors and talent head of production houses too came up in the list of alleged offenders. Ashish Patil, the Vice President, Brand Partnerships and Talent Management & Business and Creative Head of Yash Raj Films, too was accused of sexual misconduct and now the production house has terminated his services.

On Tuesday, the official handle of Yash Raj Films announced that the company has decided to terminate the service of Ashish and has fired him with immediate effect. Check out their post here:

Patil came under the scanner after an aspiring actress anonymously accused him of sexually exploiting her.

On his part, Patil had denied the allegation last week, calling them 'untrue, fabricated, extremely defamatory and agenda-driven'. "I urge this woman in question to kindly step forward and produce all facts because I cannot prove my innocence to a nameless, faceless, anonymous person... I will fully cooperate in any inquiry from any authorities to bring the truth out and completely clear my name," Patil had said in a statement shared on social media on October 10.

In the recent time, celebrated names like Alok Nath, Rajit Kapoor, Sajid Khan, Kailash Kher, Chetan Bhagat, Zulfi Syed among several others were named and shamed on social media.New Delhi: After creating a storm in the West, MeToo movement has hit Bollywood. In the past few days, several biggies from the Hindi film industry have been named by fellow co-workers accusing them of sexual harassment. Celebrities such as Subhash Ghai, Alok Nath, Vikas Bahl, Rajat Kapoor and Kailash Kher among others have been accused as alleged sexual predators.

In the wake of MeToo movement, actors like Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar have taken a stand and refused to associate with the venture and the person in question till the time truth unfolds.

Aamir and wife Kiran Rao's joint statement came soon after MeToo campaign caught momentum. The actor backed out of producing Mogul, a film which was to be helmed by Subhash Kapoor, whose name had earlier popped up in a sexual harassment case.

Now, the buzz is strong that Aamir will return with the new season of his much talked about show 'Satyamev Jayate' in January next year. According to DNA, this time the show might address the issue of MeToo at work place. 'Satyamev Jayate' focusses on social issues and was well-received by the audiences.

Quoting a source, the report states that the show will open with the episode on MeToo movement. Previously, grave issues like female foeticide and rape have been discussed on the show.Allahabad has got a new name. The historic city will now be called Prayagraj. The proposal to change the name was approved by the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet at a meeting on Tuesday. The Cabinet has said that instructions will be sent to all concerned departments and institutions to follow the new order.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had earlier on Saturday said that the name of the city will be changed if there is a consensus on the same. "Ganga aur Yamuna do pavitra nadi ka sangam ka sthal hone ke nate yahan sabhi prayago ka raaj hai, isiliye Allahabad ko Prayag raj bhi kehte hain (Two holy rivers, Ganga and Yamuna, join in Allahabad and hence theres raj of all prayag (confluence of rivers). And therefore, Allahabad is also known as Prayag Raj)," he had said.

"It might be the wish of many people that Allahabad can be renamed as Prayagraj. I think that it will give a very good message. If everyone agrees, we should know this city as Prayag Raj and it can be a good start," he added.

As per some reports, banners for the upcoming Kumbh Mela in 2019 mention the name of the city as Prayagraj instead of Allahabad. The renaming might take place before the Kumbh Mela begins in Allahabad on January 15, 2019.

The proposal to change the name was floated by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Siddharth Nath Singh a few months ago where he recommended that Allahabad should be renamed as Prayagraj.ALIGARH: Hundreds of students studying at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on Tuesday held a silent protest march demanding the withdrawal of sedition case against three Kashmiri students who held a prayer meet for slain Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Mannan Wani last week.

The students marched outside the varsity campus carrying placards, which read: ''Being a Kashmiri is not a crime.''

The students also pasted posters on the walls of the varsity demanding the withdrawal of the sedition case against three students and their suspension.

Aligarh: Students from Kashmir, studying at AMU, hold a silent protest during a function held for alumni of the University. AMU's 3 Kashmiri students were booked on sedition charges for trying to hold a prayer meeting for terrorist Manan Wani who was killed in an encounter in J&K pic.twitter.com/HNvZPKxfsG  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 16, 2018

The silent protest was held during a function held for alumni of the reputed university.

All this happened shortly after former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference chief Omar Abdullah accused PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti of showing 'fake sympathy' with sedition case accused Kashmiri students of Aligarh Muslim University and shedding crocodile tears over the encounter of slain Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Mannan Wani.

"How short Ms Mufti's memory is! She forgets that she was the architect and beneficiary (it kept her allies in good humour) for her entire period in office. She is in no position to criticise anyone for 'relentless violence'," Omar wrote on Twitter.

It may be recalled that Mehbooba Mufti has come out in support of three Kashmiri students of the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) who have been charged with sedition for trying to hold a prayer meeting for slain Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Wani.

"Pushing youth to the wall will be counter-productive. Centre must intervene in withdrawing cases against students & AMU authorities must revoke their suspension. The respective State governments outside JK should be sensitive to the situation & prevent further alienation," Mehbooba had tweeted.

The PDP chief also described Wani as a "victim of relentless violence in Kashmir".

"It will be a travesty to punish them for remembering their former colleague who was a victim of relentless violence in Kashmir," she said in another tweet.

Wani, a research scholar-turned-terrorist Mannan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces last week.

Abdullah's remarks came shortly after Mufti described Wani a "victim of relentless violence".

Omar was responding to Mehbooba's tweets in which she called for the withdrawal of cases against Kashmiri students studying in the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and described Wani as "a victim of relentless violence in Kashmir".

Omar said Mehbooba headed the Unified Command which "directed the security forces to execute 'Operation All-out' and she famously justified the killing of young protestors in 2016 saying 'they aren't coming out to buy milk or toffees'.

"Ms Mufti's Govt (government) made every effort to trap and kill Manan Wani coming close a few times. Her fake sympathy and crocodile tears for dead Kashmiri militants worked for a few years, they won't work again," the NC leader added.

The fresh war of words between the two erupted after a group of Kashmiri students studying at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Uttar Pradesh threatened to leave for their homes on October 17 if the sedition charges pressed against them are not dropped.

AMU students' union former vice-president Sajjad Rathar had written a letter to the AMU vice-chancellor in which he said that more than 1,200 Kashmiri students will leave for their homes in the Kashmir Valley on October 17 ''if this vilification does not stop''.

Rathar also termed the sedition charges slapped against three Kashmiri students as "vendetta".

In his letter, Rathar said, ''The option of holding Namaaz-e-Janaza (prayer meeting) in absentia was dropped after the AMU authorities did not give the permission."

"If no prayer meeting was held as confirmed by all official agencies, the slapping of a case of sedition against three Kashmiri students is simply a vendetta, harassment and denial of justice," he alleged.

''It's very unfortunate and highly deplorable that universities are now being turned into war zones. The kind of vilification that is witnessed on AMU recently, is now getting reflected on the Kashmiri students who are studying in AMU by the mainstream media. It is very disturbing,'' he said in a statement.

In a secular, democratic republic, freedom of expression is being muzzled en masse. It's a concern for all the individuals who believe in the democratic institutions and the constitution.

Rathar's letter was handed over to AMU Proctor Mohsin Khan in presence of a large number of Kashmiri students at his office on Saturday night.

AMU spokesman Shafay Kidwai rejected the Kashmiri students' charges of harassment and stressed that "no innocent would be framed".

Prof. Kidwai also made it clear that "there is zero tolerance for any anti-national activity on AMU campus".

Three Kashmiri students of AMU were booked on sedition charges for allegedly for raising "anti-India" slogans and trying to hold a prayer meeting for Hizbul Mujahideen commander Manan Bashir Wani on October 12.

Twenty-seven-year-old Wani, pursuing a Ph.D course in Allied Geology at the AMU, had quit the university and joined militant ranks in January this year. He was killed in an encounter at Shatgund village in Handwara area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district on Thursday.

Aligarh's Senior Superintendent of Police Ajai Sahni said police took the action after a video surfaced showing the three Kashmiri students raising "anti-India" slogans.

"Police have filed an FIR against Wasim Malik, Abdul Mir and one unnamed person. They have been identified on the basis of a video recording," he said.

Prof Kidwai said show-cause notices have been issued to nine students for trying to hold an unauthorised gathering on Thursday. The university has also set up a three-member inquiry committee to probe the incident.

The panel has been asked to submit a report in the next 72 hours. The three students were suspended from the AMU earlier.

The matter came to light after some AMU students from Kashmir gathered near Kennedy Hall on the campus to hold funeral prayers for Wani, following which the varsity staff and the students union leaders had rushed to the spot and tried to stop them.

(With Agency inputs)The Military Prosecutor's Office plans to learn from Israel and the U.S. how to stop the negative consequences of the post-traumatic stress disorder of the soldiers

Open source

Since the beginning of the Donbas Conflict, almost 900 soldiers died due to the suicides and intentional homicides. Anatoly Matios, the Military Prosecutor General of Ukraine claimed this as 112 Ukraine reported.

"Having analyzed the state of the non-combat irreversible losses during the whole period of the military actions, from 2014 until 2018, we faced the horrible statistics that forced us to seek for the solution how to prevent them. Almost 900 Ukrainian soldiers died as the result of the suicides and intentional homicides. These terrible losses are almost two full-fledged battalions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," he said.

Matios emphasized that the main reason for this was post-traumatic stress disorder. According to him, now the Military Prosecutor's Office plans to learn the experience of Israel, the U.S., Canada and the U.K., which faced the necessity to stop the negative consequences of this disorder.

On September 19, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko reported that 2,911 soldiers died in Donbas since the beginning of the conflict.

In early June, Ukraines Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin stated that since the beginning of combat actions in the east of Ukraine, more than 240 children have died.

Earlier UN reported that at least 2, 523 civilians died since the beginning of the armed Donbas conflict (April 14, 2014  November 15, 2017). According to the information, there were 1399 men, 837 women, 91 boys, 47 girls, and 149 unidentified people among the perished. Also, 298 civilians that died as the result of the MH17 plane crash were included in this list.

Related video:Open source

Since morning till the late hours of Tuesday, the troops of Russian militants have attacked the emplacements of the Ukrainian military six times. The government forces sustained no casualties over the mentioned period. The HQ of the Joint Fores Operation reported this on Facebook.

In one case, the enemy used Minsk-banned large-caliber mortar, as 120 mm mines hit the Ukrainian positions near Vodyane.

In all other cases, pro-Kremlin mercenaries opened fire from small arms, heavy machine guns, and grenade launchers. Skirmishes were observed in the areas of Stanytsia Luhanska, Chermalyk, Hnutove, Vodyane, Lebedynske, and Shyrokyne.

A tragedy occurred earlier on Tuesday in Vinnytsia region, central Ukraine; Sukhoi Su-27 fighter aircraft crashed during the Clear Sky drills, with the Ukrainian and the U.S. pilots dying in the accident. The investigation is underway.Over 500 delegates - CEO, owners, top-managers shall discuss global transformations of energy sector and their influence on Ukraine

Open source

The 10th International Forum and Trade Show of Central and Eastern Europe SEF 2018 KYIV kicks off today, on October 16, in Kyiv.

10th Sustainable Energy Forum of Central and Eastern Europe is the premier business event and a platform for doing business with the emerging markets of Europe. It takes place in Kyiv and it is the largest event devoted to renewable energy, energy efficiency and new energy tech in Ukraine and in the whole region. It is the only industrial event in Ukraine, which is in the marketing and business development plans of the leading international market players of the sustainable energy industry.

Over 500 delegates - CEO, owners, top-managers shall discuss global transformations of energy sector and their influence on Ukraine, distributed generation, energy storage, artificial intellect and blockchain technology as new components of energy market, participation of financial institutions in the development of Renewable energy in Ukraine.

Hennadiy Zubko, Vice-Prime Minister of Ukraine, Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities of Ukraine, Stefan Gsanger Secretary General of the World Wind Energy Association.

By 2030, local decentralized energy systems will be created in each region of Ukraine, the stability of it will be secured by high-power storage devices (energy storages) and virtual regulators based on blockchain technology. At 50-90% of the electricity generation will be provided by renewable sources, mainly solar and wind power plants. The rest of the electricity will be generated by large hydroelectric power plants, thermal and nuclear power plants, whose capacity will significantly decrease over 12 years.Open source

The historic decision in Constantinople (Istanbul) at the synod of the Orthodox Church to grant Ukraine autocephaly (independence) from the Russian Orthodox church has geopolitical ramifications for Europe.

Russia's control over religious life was the last vestige of soft power Russian president Vladimir Putin exercised over Ukraine.

Putin's annexation of the Crimea and military aggression against eastern Ukraine, where his occupation forces remain ensconced, produced the opposite to his intention of clawing back what he considers to be a rebellious 'Russian' province that belongs in the 'Russian world'.

Instead, over the last four years, Russian soft power has disintegrated in five areas under the impact of Ukrainian public opinion turning radically against Russia, the collapse of economic, trade and family ties, and the determination of president Petro Poroshenko to make this process irreversible.

Five impacts

The first is the collapse of pro-Russian forces and unavailability of pro-Russian voters.

The Party of Regions, Ukraine's only political machine, disintegrated in early 2014 while the Communist Party was banned a year later under Ukraine's de-communisation laws.

Meanwhile, 16 percent of traditionally pro-Russian voters, and 27 election districts, are in Russian-occupied territories and cannot participate in elections.

Pro-Russian forces are therefore discredited and weak and unable to come to power.

The second area is the direct impact of the war on identity and increasing Ukrainian patriotism.

Over three-quarters of Ukrainians believe Russian objectives are to destroy the Ukrainian state.

The same number hold negative views of Putin and do not believe normalisation of Ukrainian-Russian relations are possible while he is in power but only when Russia returns the Crimea, ends military aggression in eastern Ukraine, pays compensation and ends interference in Ukrainian affairs.

Russia is associated in the eyes of Ukrainians with "aggression" (66 percent), "cruelty" (57 percent), and "dictatorship" (57 percent).

The biggest impact of the war has been on Russian-speaking Ukrainians - the very people Putin claimed to be defending - compromise the bulk of the 1.7 million internally displaced people, and 10,000 civilian deaths.

With 60 percent of Ukrainian troops Russian speakers, it is not surprising they have borne the brunt of military casualties.

Dnipro (formerly Dnipropetrovsk), neighbouring the Donbas, has four times the number of military casualties of any Ukrainian region.

In 2014, Ukraine had a non-bloc status which failed to prevent Russian aggression. Little wonder backing for Nato has tripled and for EU membership solidified as opposition in eastern Ukraine disintegrated while support for Eurasian integration collapsed.

The third area is economic and trade ties and their links to corruption.

Russia launched a trade blockade against Ukraine in summer 2013 to pressure then president Viktor Yanukovych to dump the EU Association Agreement in favour of Eurasian integration.

Russia's continued trade restrictions and economic collapse in war-torn Donbas has led to a collapse in trade and made Ukraine's biggest trading partner the EU.

A major soft power hold Russia had over Ukraine was in corruption in the energy sector which has evaporated due to energy independence from Russia (Ukraine does not import Russian gas since 2016) and importantly, extensive energy reforms have turned around Naftohaz Ukrayiny state gas company from a corrupt cash cow for presidents into the biggest taxpayer into the state budget.

Ukraine's once powerful 'gas lobby', which backed Yanukovych, is no longer influential and gas mogul Dmytro Firtash is fighting US and Spanish extradition charges holed up in Vienna's Ritz Hotel.

Fourth, Russian soft power - in terms of broadcasts of Russian television channels, social media, and books - is no longer available.

As recorded by the EU's Disinformation Review, Ukraine has borne the brunt of aggressive Russian information warfare over the last five years giving the Ukrainian authorities little choice but to ban them.

A recent poll showed Ukraine second only to the US as a threat to Russia, with 78 percent of Russians viewing the US as hostile towards Russia, 49 percent viewing Ukraine in this manner and 38 percent the UK.

Fifth, with the loss of half of its parishes to an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the power and influence of the Russian Orthodox church, and thereby Russian influence, is significantly eroded in the Orthodox world.

Church cut to size

Henceforth, the Russian Orthodox church will be similar in size to the Romanian and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches.

As important to Russian leaders is the loss of the heritage of Kiev after centuries of corporate raiding Ukrainian history claiming the 'Russian' people began their life in Kiev.

Two years ago, in Moscow Putin unveiled a monument to grand prince Volodymyr who brought Christianity to Kiev in 988AD, in just the latest example of 'fake history' complimenting Russia's 'fake news'; Moscow was founded nearly two centuries after his rule.

Putin's annexation and military aggression doomed Russian soft power in Ukraine, providing President Poroshenko with the window of opportunity to ensure the irreversibility of Ukraine's integration into Europe and withdrawal from the Russian World.

Read the original text here.According to media, the representatives of the Russian authority came to Syria yesterday to sign the agreement on cooperation

Sergey Aksyonov, so-called "Head of Crimea," appointed by Kremlin, met Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria as the press service of Aksyonov reported on Facebook.

The details of the negotiations were not reported.

According to Radio Liberty, the representatives of the Russian authority headed by Aksyonov came to Syria on October 15. They plan to sign a few agreements on the cooperation with Syria, particularly, the agreement on the supply of the grain from occupied Crimea to Syria.

Earlier Aksyonov asked the District Administrative Court of Kyiv to cancel the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) on the imposing of the sanctions against him.

Crimea was annexed by Russia by way of the illegal referendum, held at the peninsula in March 2014. Earlier the Russian militaries that stayed there without any marking conquered all strategic military objects and building of the force and state bodies. The results of the referendum were not recognized by Ukraine and the world society. The number of the European and world countries, including Ukraine imposed the economic sanctions against Russia.

Related video:Open source

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law, which forbids citizens with unexpunged or outstanding conviction conduction of independent anti-corruption expertise of laws and regulations and their drafts and non-profit organizations  foreign agents, as Interfax reports.

According to the law, the international and foreign organizations lose an opportunity to conduct such expertise. The citizens who were fired because of loss of trust for committing a corruption crime and were included in a respective registry of people dismissed for loss of trust are also not allowed to carry out this expertise, the message says.

Citizens who work in state authority bodies, local government entities, state corporations, who conduct such expertise themselves, will not have an opportunity to hold it.

In 2017, Russian State Duma people deputies adopted an amendment on the possibility to recognize international media as foreign agents if they are being funded from abroad.According to Mustafa Dzhemilev, Russia can release the political prisoners only because of sanctions  it doesnt understand another language

Mustafa Dzhemilev, former Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, Ukrainian MP and the presidential envoy for the affairs of Crimean Tatar people, stated that Kremlin needs Ukrainian hostages to have exchange material. He said it in an interview for Priamy.

Roughly speaking, Putin always has exchange material. I mean, it doesnt matter whether they committed something or not  he is just gathering these people. After releasing one or two persons today, he will take ten more tomorrow, or maybe more, Dzhemilev said.

According to him, Russia can release the political prisoners only because of sanctions  it doesnt understand another language.

Sentsov, Balukh  these are completely innocent people. They are the patriots of their country. They never committed any crime, against Russia particularly. They just oppose Crimeas occupation. And they are detained, Dzhemilev said.

64 Ukrainian political prisoners are kept in Russia and annexed Crimea. 27 of them are on the Russian territory.

Related video:The aircraft crashed during the Clear Sky drills held in Vinnytsia region, central Ukraine; the Defense Ministry did not confirm that one of the pilots was the U.S. citizen

Su-27 at RIAT air show, Fairford, UK, July 2017 YouTube screenshot

Both of the pilots of Sukhoi Su-27 fighter deceased in the crash that occurred in Vinnytsia region, central Ukraine on Tuesday. Bodhan Senyk, the spokesman of Ukraine's Defense Ministry said that in the commentary for 112 Ukraine TV channel.

The search and rescue group found bodies of two servicemen, the official confirmed.

Senyk could not confirm the information about one of the pilots being the U.S. citizen.

Fighter aircraft Su-27 crashed in Vinnytsia region, central Ukraine on Tuesday as the press service of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. 'Today, about 5 p.m., near Ulanov village (between Berdychiv and Khmelnyk) during the performance of the training-combat flight, the fighter aircraft Su-27 crashed. The search and rescue events take place,' the message said.

According to Ukrainian military portal, the fighter participated in the international drills Clear Sky 2018.Last week, the patrol police verbally warned about the impermissibility of the violation of the speed regime

In Ukraine, on October 15, the pilot project during which the drivers who exceed the speed limit were not fined but verbally warned about the consequences of such actions has ended. Since October 16, the police begin to fine such drivers as Oleksiy Biloshytsky, the First Deputy Head of Patrol Police reported on Facebook.

The fine for the speeding more than for 20 km per hour is $9 and for more than 50 km per hour is $18.

Biloshytsky also published a map with the places where the speed control devices are used and promised that the places will be changed and the map will be renewed and edited.

Reportedly, since October 8, Ukrainian police has been monitoring the road traffic in Kyiv and in many regions across the country, using the TruCam surveillance systems.

The TruCam devices are set next to the road signs warning of photo and video recording of safety violations, on the certain sections of international highways and in the cities where the high level of road accident hazard is observed. Service transport vehicles with blue flash beacons will be there, too.

Related video:Pavlo Klimkin urged to be ambitious and to react to the aspirations of the partners

Ukraines Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin stated that it is important to enhance the cooperation between the EU and three associate partners with its further sectoral integration to the Union within the development of the Eastern Partnership after 2020. He said it at the ministerial meeting of the Eastern Partnership in Luxembourg, as Foreign Ministry press office reports.

The Minister called the EU to be ambitious, to react to the aspirations of the partners, provide specific projects to the tenth anniversary of the Eastern Partnership with maximum results for the community and to start discussing the future of the Eastern Partnership.

Klimkin highlighted major efforts of Ukraine within the priorities of the Eastern Partnership, paying special attention to the results of the anti-corruption fight.

Foreign Minister has also noted that it was important to enhance the security dimension and activation of the cooperation towards counterwork of hybrid and cyber threats, in particular, from Russia. It is rather significant due to the elections in Ukraine and EU.In this appeal, the parliament is asked to adhere to the real freedom of speech and do not impose sanctions on Ukrainian broadcasters

Thirteen European parliamentarians appeal to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to revoke the decision on imposing sanctions on 112 Ukraine and NewsOne TV channels. 13 deputies have already signed the address. Representatives of both channels have met with them in Brussels.

The leaders of 112 Ukraine and NewsOne channels arrived in Brussels personally to talk to the parliamentarians and get their support. The issue of freedom of speech in Ukraine is raised at the international conferences, forums and in the offices of European parliamentarians. The deputies carefully study the situation regarding sanctions against Ukrainian broadcasters, and sign the petition.

In this appeal, the parliament is asked to adhere to the real freedom of speech and do not impose sanctions on Ukrainian broadcasters.

As we reported earlier, Ukraines Verkhovna Rada urges the countrys National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to introduce sanctions against several Ukrainian TV channels. 229 MPs supported the draft law No. 9157 on 'Approval of recommendations to introduce personal special economic sanctions and other restrictive measures (sanctions)'.

CEO of 112 Ukraine TV channel Yegor Benkendorf stated that the attempt to stop the operation of 112 Ukraine is a part of a large-scale process and concerns an unsatisfactory situation with the respect of freedom of speech in Ukraine. According to him, 112 Ukraine TV channel has to confirm the impossibility to protect its rights independently by legal tools, and soon, it might lead to cessation of the broadcasting.

The appeal was sent to the President of the European Commission Donald Tusk, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjrn Jagland, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Liliane Maury-Pasquier, President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe Marija Pejcinovic Buric, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, Coordinator of the Europe and Central Asia Program of the Committee to Protect Journalists Nina Ognianova, General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists Anthony Bellanger.

112 Ukraine TV channel emphasizes again that it was following the principles of the journalistic work, giving an opportunity to express ones opinion for all the Ukrainian politicians, the representatives of the governmental bodies and independent experts during its existence. Also, the channel does not avoid covering acute political and social issues, and such position of the TV channel cases and will cause opposition from individual politicians and political forces.In Vinnytsia region, on October 16, the fighter aircraft Su-27 crashed as the press service of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

"Today, about 5 p.m., near Ulanov village (between Berdychev and Khmelnyk) during the performance of the training-combat flight, the fighter aircraft Su-27 crashed. The search and rescue actions take place," the message said.

According to Ukrainian military portal, the fighter participated in the international drills "Clear Sky 2018." The destiny of the pilots remains unknown.

Preliminary, the wreckage of the plane was already found.

Earlier, U.S. Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagles and Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules arrived in Ukraine to take part in international military exercises Clear Sky 2018, the purpose of which is the consolidation of peace and security.

Clear Sky 2018 is a joint and multinational exercise, where 950 officers from nine countries will take part, including Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, the UK, and the U.S.

Related video:Russian Orthodox Church decided to completely cease the Eucharistic relations with the Patriarchate of Constantinople

Ukraines Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin called Russian Orthodox church a dissident because it ceased eucharistic relations with the Constantinople Patriarchate.

Russian Orthodox church decided to terminate its eucharistic relations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which, by authentic historical and canonical documents proved that Ukraine is its canonical territory. Anyone doubts who is a dissident in world Orthodoxy? he wrote on Twitter.

Reportedly, the Russian Orthodox Church decided to completely cease the Eucharistic relations with the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

We reported that Ecumenical Patriarchate's decision to grant Ukraine the autocephaly is definitely a setback for the Kremlin, and the historical win for Ukraine. Kurt Volker, the U.S. special envoy to Ukraine, said this in his interview with UNIAN news agency, as he shared his vision on granting Tomos for Ukraine's Orthodox Church.

'They (Russian leaders - Ed.) are driving the Ukrainian people away from their historic relationship with Russia. Ukraine today is more unified, more nationalist, more oriented toward Europe and NATO and the West than it has even been true before, and that's a direct result of Russia's intervention in Ukraine and killing of Ukrainians,' he said as quoted by EUObserver.

Reportedly, the Ecumenical Patriarchate decided to grant the autocephaly for Ukraine's Orthodox Church. The respective document appeared on the official website of the Patriarchate. This outraged the Russian Orthodox Church, which already promised 'a tough and decisive response.'

Related video:The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko will propose to the Verkhovna Rada to give the St. Andrew's Church in Kyiv for the permanent use to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This was reported by the representative of the president in parliament and people's deputy from the Petro Poroshenko Bloc Iryna Lutsenko during the conciliatory board of the Verkhovna Rada on October 16, on air of the official TV channel Rada.

"The president supports the aspiration to receive Tomos as soon as possible, and as the sign of solidarity with this process he makes a symbolic gesture. The bill, by which President Poroshenko proposes to transfer the St. Andrew's Church to the permanent use of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as a reminder that St. Andrew once baptized Ukraine, will be a symbolic gesture of unity with the Mother-Church," Iryna Lutsenko said.

According to her, Poroshenko calls on parliamentary factions to support this bill.

As it was reported earlier, the Ecumenical Patriarchate decided to grant the autocephaly for Ukraine's Orthodox Church. The respective document appeared on the official website of the Patriarchate. This outraged the Russian Orthodox Church, which already promised 'a tough and decisive response.'

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate struggled for the autocephaly since the country gained independence in 1991. For his firm stance in this regard, Patriarch Filaret, the current leader of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate was stripped of his orders in 1992, as the Russian Orthodox Church imposed the anathema on him. Most recently, the Ecumenical Patriarchate lifted it from him. This decision, and the subsequent decision to grant Ukraine Tomos outraged the Russian Orthodox Church, which already promised 'a tough and decisive response.'

The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople can provide the Tomos on autocephaly to Ukrainian Orthodox Church at Synod that will take place in the second half of November 2018.Ukraine's President hopes that Russia would not bring the situation to a complete split

Russian Orthodox Church follows the self-isolation and conflict path with the entire worlds orthodoxy, as Ukraines President Petro Poroshenko said at the meeting with exarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Kyiv.

As Russia opposes itself to the whole world in the issues of Russian aggression on the east of our state, illegal annexation of Crimea, concerning Abkhasia, Ossetia, Transnistria, Russian church, unfortunately, puts itself on the path self-isolation and conflict with the whole international orthodoxy, the President said.

Poroshenko hopes that Russia would not bring the situation to a complete split.

I hoped that it would not happen, but we have to be ready to that and, at the same time, we prayed for having autocephaly from God through the hands of His Holiness, the President concluded.

Reportedly, the Russian Orthodox Church decided to completely cease the Eucharistic relations with the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

On October 11, the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate supported that the autocephaly provision for Ukraine is prolonged. Also, it has officially approved Constantinople as Ukraines mother-church. Besides, the Synod lifted the anathema from Filaret, the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate, and Makariy, the Primate of Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. Filaret stated that a united Jubilee Bishops' Council would take place soon to create a unified Ukrainian local church.

In addition, the Ecumenical Patriarchate recognized Russias Orthodox Church annexation of Kyiv metropole in 1686.

Related video:The Prosecutor General did not ask to provide the agreement for the detention and arrest of MPs

Open source

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine did not allow the prosecution of MPs and representatives of "Opposition Block" Olexandr Vilkul and Dmytro Kolesnikov as 112 Ukraine broadcasted.

In response to the evidence of Yuriy Lutsenko, the Prosecutor General, Vilkul came forward to accuse the Prosecutor General's Office in the violations.

"Now it is my turn for accusations, I accuse as the citizen of Ukraine, as MP, an one of the victims of the criminal activity of the prosecutor's office. I demand to prosecute the officials of the Prosecutor General's Office, as the signs of the number of the crimes provided by the Criminal Code of Ukraine can be seen in their actions," Vilkul said.

He called such violations the abuse of power or official position, forgery, prosecution of a person known to be innocent, intentional criminal actions that aim to seize another's property by abuse of official position, tortures, abuse of official position. Also, he claimed about the obstruction of his activity as Ukraine's MP, lifting the confidentiality of the investigation and telephone conversations of the public figure.

"All that I say is supported by the proper documentation and will be proved at the court if it takes place. I claim that such behavior of the prosecutor's office is a dangerous precedent and manipulation of human rights. I am ready to defend my reputation in both, Ukrainian courts and European Court of Human Rights. But I will also aim the prosecution of the forgers and criminals in uniform in any possible way.

Talking about Kolesnikov, Lutsenko said that he signed the documents that led to the illegal alienation of the state property in the sum of $598,000. The Prosecutor General's Office sees the abuse of power or official position that led to the serious consequences in his actions.

"I cannot accuse and I am not accusing Mr. MP in the privatization of the state enterprise. We accuse him of the opening of the gates by the provision of the legal possibility for the further criminal actions of other officials despite keeping watch of the property of the strategic meaning entrusted to him," Lutsenko said.

In his turn, Kolesnikov claimed that he has no relevance to the alienation of the state property.

"The property of the institute was not withdrawn from the state property for the rental. Any decisions on the change of the property status were made by me. From December 2012, I was working as the regional state administration chairman. All events we are talking about took place in 2013.

On October 8, the regulatory committee recognized the petition of the Prosecutor General for lifting of the immunity from Dmytro Kolesnikov, later the same decision was made against Olexandr Vilkul.

As we reported Ukraines Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko presented a filing petition to the Verkhovna Rada on limiting immunity and prosecution of Oleksandr Vilkul, Dmytro Kolesnikov and Serhiy Dunayev, tne MPs of Opposition Block.

Later the Verkhovna Rada Committee has recognized legal and grounded the appeal for the removal of immunity from the member of the Opposition Bloc Serhiy Dunaev.

Related video:This exhibition coincides with an book on Agnes Martins artistic and life philosophy, titled Travels with Agnes, revealing visual relationships between Martin and Yank.

This exhibition is extremely significant and personal. Simultaneous with an upcoming book project on Agnes Martins artistic and life philosophy, titled Travels with Agnes, Yank and Turner Carroll present an exhibition that reveals visual relationships between one of New Mexicos most well-known contemporary artistsAgnes Martin, and the student she mentored for the last 17 years of her lifeNew Mexico sculptor Karen Yank.

Agnes and Karen met in 1987 at Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, in Maine. They met at a critical time in both of their lives. Yank had just graduated from art school, beginning her artistic career. Martin was at the end of her teaching career, and chose Yank as the human receptacle for her philosophies about art and living. She regarded Karen Yank as her true student on a profound philosophical level. As in John Steinbecks Travels with Charley, Martin had taken off in her truck, driving all over the U.S., ultimately choosing New Mexico as her home. Yank had chosen New Mexico as home, as well. Martin and Yank continued their close friend and mentor relationship after their return from Skowhegan to New Mexico, for the remainder of Agnes Martins life.

Martin unabashedly advised Yank on her sculptural works. She reminded Yank that we are unfolding flowers. We need to listen to life and let life tell us what is next, relinquishing control and opening ourselves to true inspiration. In the early years of Yanks career as an artist, Martin rejected the circle as too expansive because Martin, herself, had not been drawn to it as a vehicle for her own inspiration. One of the greatest insights in both Martins and Yanks artistic development was Martins response to Yanks circular, banded discs, created from steel in the late 1990s. Martin amazed both Yank and herself by declaring these circular shapes Yanks vision and her mature voice in her art. Martin said the circle was an obviously good choice for Yank and not for her, because Yanks use of metal made the circular works more object oriented than illusional. The expansiveness of the circular shaped sculptures helped reverse their object-ness and enable the viewer to enter into the various planes and energetic fields of the works.

Agnes Martin also shared much of her wisdom about how an artist could best conduct daily life. She pointed out to Yank some decisions she had made in her life that she later regretted. Some of the decisions Martin regretted are surprising, like her famous choice to cut herself off from society and live an isolated, solitary life. She encouraged Yank to fully engage, only pulling back from the outside world when she was deeply inspired to create her work, and then to partake again in the social life.

Toward the end of Agnes Martins life, she asked Yank to keep Martins artistic philosophies alive by conveying her teachings to younger artists. She believed Yank could continue her admonitions to younger artists to remain true to their artistic convictions and allow themselves to mature and unfold. She believed artists have to find meditative purity in their artistic practice, to achieve the peace and solid framework for their works. Martin wanted Yank to teach young artists generously, as she had taught Yank, as she grew from young to senior artist.

Yank has let Martins teachings ruminate in her mind since Martins death over a decade ago. She seen other books emerge about Martin, and she sees that Martins teachings have not yet emerged. She now feels like its not her choice, but her duty to her friend and mentor, to preserve Martins philosophies of art and life so other artists can benefit from her as she did.

Over the 17 years Martin and Yank spent together, Martin taught Yank to notice the small details of life, and to strive for contentment in every moment. In my life Agnes and I had a unique relationship. May she live on through her paintings, her teachings, and those who truly understand her genius.Ofir Raul Graizers tender debut about Thomas, an acclaimed baker, finding himself enchanted by traveling salesman, Oren, who takes his coffee at Thomas bakery with increasing frequency.

The chocolate cake and delicate cinnamon cookies arent the only thing to delight in Ofir Raul Graizers tender and thoughtful debut, THE CAKEMAKER. Thomas, an acclaimed Berlin baker, finds himself enchanted by the friendly traveling salesman, Oren, who takes his morning coffee at Thomas bakery with increasing frequency. Oren and Thomas find themselves in an unexpected and passionate relationship, but all changes when Oren dies suddenly in a car crash back home in Jerusalem. The bereaved Thomas travels to Jerusalem to learn more about Thomas life, and in the process finds his widow, Anat, and their family. In Jerusalem Thomas begins working in the Kosher bakery operated by Orens widow, without revealing his previous relationship with Oren.

THE CAKEMAKER is a moving debut by Graizer and masterfully unfolds the tale of three complicated and passionate relationships split by cultures and geography. Graizers film is more than a love story, but a musing on contemporary German-Israeli relations and the present and past ghosts that haunt those relationships. Thomas private, meticulous approach to his pastries contrasts with the religious and communal traditions that shape Oren and Anats culinary traditions in Jerusalem. In THE CAKEMAKER, food is not only the bridge between cultures,butthe bond connecting lives in the midst of change and loss.



TICKET PRICES: $11.00 General Admission $9.00 for WOW Members

Tickets purchased online will be held at will call of the venue of your first screening. Punch-cards and passes purchased online will have to be picked up starting September 29th at Self Serve Toys located at 3904B Central Ave SE (505-265-5815). You will NOT receive your pass or punch-card in the mail or at the venues. To pick up your online order, we ask that you bring along a picture ID to redeem your purchases. Simply showing up with a printout or a confirmation number isn't enough. :     ,          

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The rise of over 50% over the average figure was recorded less than a week after Lima's Fifth Criminal Court decided to revoke a resolution that required Venezuelans to present a passport to enter Peruvian territory.





Since the Judicial Resolution was implemented, over 18,000 Venezuelan citizens have entered through CEBAF, 35% of them did so by presenting their ID cards.





As is known, the passport requirement was stipulated as Venezuelan ID cards are very easy to falsify since they lack security measures and online verification, which prevents authorities from certifying the identity of its holders.





Several Venezuelans had been caught using forged documents to enter Peru and some of them had been arrested in unlawful situations.





It must be noted that pregnant women, minors accompanied by at least one parent, adults over the age of 70, and people with serious illnesses were exempt from the passport requirement.





After this measure came into effect, the average daily influx slid from 3,500 to 1,300.





Last week, Interior Minister Mauro Medina indicated his portfolio was considering appealing the judge's decision.





By the end of September 2017, 460,000 Venezuelan citizens had entered the Inca country, thus becoming the second-largest recipient of Venezuelan migrants after Colombia (1 million).





(END) NDP/MAO/DTK/RMB

The Tumbes crossing has seen an increase in Venezuelan arrivals from 1,300 to 2,000 per day, on average, after passport requirement to enter Peru was annulled, Tumbes region's Binational Border Attention Center (CEBAF) informed.Published: 10/15/201817:26 | Lima, Oct. 15.

The event will be held in Peru's capital city, Lima, on October 17.

"The participation of some 750 entrepreneurs and over 2,000 potential visitors is expected to generate S/2 million (around US$600 million) in business deals and sales," Canatur Head Carlos Canales informed.

Exhibitors include hotels, airlines, land transport authorities, restaurants, travel agencies, tourism associations, regional governments, and suppliers.

Canales informed the fair will include innovative ideas and urged attendees to take advantage of offers and discounts for their next trips to the Inca country.

As for the seminars, they are aimed at proprietors, managers, administrators, travel agents, tourism industry professionals, and the general public.

The exhibition will cover different topics including natural protected areas; big data and open data for tourism; as well as tourism and new technologies.

This will be a large gathering, he said, as it will bring all Peru Regions ' offers and ideas together in the same place.Yuja Wang

Piano, passion, and percussion

by arwulf arwulf

From the October, 2018 issue

Early footage of Yuja Wang as a diminutive child prodigy dressed in white satin shows the young pianist waltzing with the spirit of Chopin, her delicate hands floating gracefully over the keys. Born in Beijing, the child of a ballet dancer and a rhythmically exacting percussionist, she is now an internationally celebrated virtuoso who has tackled some of the most challenging works in the classical piano repertoire.



Far too much media attention has been focused on this artist's glamorous wardrobe. Granted, her couture represents personal and professional empowerment; she has freed herself from the constraints of the classical music performance dress code. But what matters most and makes her so exciting in concert are the sounds she draws from the piano, the breathtaking delicacy and lightning-quick intensity of her technique, and the passionate absorption that is visible on her face during a live performance.



Wang's phenomenal success is the result of a deeply ingrained work ethic, maintained over the years with Olympic perseverance. She recalls her first encounter with Prokofiev's Second Piano Concerto as a mind-expanding revelation, and compares the task of mastering Beethoven's "Hammerklavier" Sonata to a daunting Himalayan ascent.



Wang describes the art of learning a musical composition as a metabolic transformation. Communing with the thought processes of the composer, she digests the work's every note and nuance until it manifests in her bloodstream, possesses her heart, and ultimately alters her DNA. The pianist fully embodies the music and says she loves to feel it playing through her.



When Wang returns to Hill Auditorium on October 24, it will be in the company of Martin Grubinger Jr.'s Percussion Planet Ensemble. They will perform Stravinsky's Rite of Spring and Bartok's Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, using arrangements tailored for this ensemble by Martin Grubinger Sr. The program also includes DanzOn no. 2 by Mexican composer Arturo Marquez, and One Study One by New Zealand's John Psathas. This multinational mix reflects Grubinger's worldview: He's written that "percussion

...continued below...

thrives on its universality. It recognizes no borders or racial divisions."busily showcases marimba and junk percussion, their rattling motoric rhythms triggering memories of Max Roach's M'Boom Re: Percussion Troupe and Roy Brooks' Detroit-based Aboriginal Percussion Choir. Poised in the eye of this expertly coordinated hurricane, Wang ferociously attacks the ivories with unerring rapid-fire hammer strokes. Marveling at the blur of her hands flying over the keyboard, I'm reminded of jazz historian Val Wilmer's oft-quoted description of the late Cecil Taylor handling the piano as if it were "eighty-eight tuned drums." [Originally published in October, 2018.]YEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS. On October 15, minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Artsakh Masis Mayilian received Board Members of the International Francophone Press Union, who arrived in Artsakh on a familiarization visit, the Artsakh foreign ministry told Armenpress.

FM Mayilian welcomed the delegation's visit to Artsakh, noting that it is a good opportunity to get acquainted with the history and culture of Artsakh, as well as the daily life of the people of Artsakh.

During the meeting, Masis Mayilian briefed on the priorities of the foreign policy of Artsakh. In particular, he touched upon the current stage of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict settlement and Artsakh's position on the issue, as well as the achievements in the international recognition of the Republic and the development of foreign relations.

Masis Mayilian noted that Artsakh attaches great importance to the development of Francophone, with an aim of getting closer to the French language and culture and becoming part of the Francophone family. In this context, the foreign minister stressed that the people of Artsakh fully share the ideas and values of Francophone, in particular, the principles of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Masis Mayilian also answered the numerous questions of the participants of the meeting.

On October 9-12, within the framework of the 17th International La Francophone Summit in the Republic of Armenia, the 47th Conference of the International Francophone Press Union took place.

Edited and translated by Aneta HarutyunyanYEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Foreign minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan delivered remarks at the Eastern Partnership Foreign Ministers meeting, the ministry told Armenpress.

In his remarks the minister touched upon the cooperation prospects within the frames of Eastern Partnership, the recent domestic political developments in Armenia and the priorities of the governments national development agenda. As for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the Armenian FM noted that the status and security of Artsakh are Armenias key priorities.

I join you today for the first time in this format and also immediately after the Summit of the International Organization of La Francophonie, which gathered last week its 84 member, observer and associate states in Armenia, with about 40 delegations represented at the level of heads of state or government. The Yerevan Declaration of the Summit underlines the values of peace, solidarity, democracy and human rights, as well as shared adherence to the legitimate aspirations of our peoples, especially youth and women, to sustainable development, as well as to the protection of the environment. The objectives of La Francophonie and its motto Vivre Ensemble are very much familiar to our objectives in the Eastern Partnership.

2018 is very special for Armenia, a year of fundamental democratic transformation manifested by the peaceful Velvet Revolution, in which the Armenian public resolutely rejected the entrenched negative practices of the past and decisively embraced reforms aimed at fighting corruption, strengthening the justice system and the rule of law, the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and securing equal opportunities in social and economic life to promote sustainable development. The Velvet Revolution has demonstrated the considerably high degree of political maturity and legal literacy of the Armenian public, of all its segments and institutions. Of particular significance is the distinctly strong role of the youth and women, who stood at the forefront of the Revolution. The Secretary General of the United Nations has recently specifically identified the role of the youth in Armenia in what he described as a fantastic example of peaceful transfer of power. The strong support of the Armenian public rendered to the Prime Minister of Armenia and to the Government is both inspiring and hugely obliging.

The peaceful democratic transformation opens up new avenues of cooperation within the framework of the Eastern Partnership. The targets identified by the "20 Deliverables for 2020", particularly in such areas as advancing the economic development and market opportunities, strengthening institutions and good governance, fostering connectivity, energy efficiency, mobility and people-to-people contacts, the protection of the environment are such areas, and they are also among the many priorities, main priorities of the new Government of Armenia.

In the previous five months the Government of Armenia has been specifically focused on the objectives of fostering the rule of law, fighting corruption and strengthening democratic institutions. In our actions and activities by far we have a good measure of tangible results, as well as strong recognition of the imperative of continuity and sustainability of such efforts. Equally important is the priority of fostering our national development agenda.

The results of the municipal elections in Yerevan in September manifest the continued strong public support and mandate rendered to the political base of the Prime Minister and our Government. The popular demand for conducting extraordinary elections defines the present political momentum. Elections are expected in December 2018. As was the case with the municipal elections, the conduct of genuinely free and fair general elections is the absolute priority and the strong political will of this Government. The Government welcomes and appreciates the technical and financial support of the European Union and its member states for the conduct of elections.

The Government is equally resolute in reinforcing its reform agenda for development. Modernizing Armenias economy with particular emphasis on advancing information and communication technologies, amplifying the growth of start-ups, supporting SMEs, fostering innovation and creative education define the nature and the direction of our development agenda. It aims at embracing the national talent as the drivers of smart development. Conducive environment for innovation, creative thinking, the use of technologies, investing in young peoples skills and entrepreneurship are amongst the strategic priorities of this Government, which embrace the bottom up dynamics and successful examples of business and impact investment initiatives, the spread of state-of-the-art creative education and technology centres across the country. We intend to stimulate the cooperation within different platforms afforded by the EU and the Eastern Partnership in this regard - Horizon 2020, Erasmus Plus and other such platforms. The EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement is a truly significant framework of multidimensional cooperation with the EU in support of our national development agenda.

We are willing to build on the existing positive record of cooperation and support for the advancement of smart public administration. To date, the EU support includes the introduction of an electronic document-management system in the Armenian government institutions, including e-system for submitting tax statements; an electronic civil status registry, a one-stop-shop vehicle registration system, an automated drivers license issuing system, online e-police, e-visa system, and an online business registry.

Armenias Velvet Revolution has been strictly homegrown and is of an exclusively domestic nature. Both in its programme and in the actual conduct of policies the Government has been distinctly adhering to continuity of its foreign policy, both at bilateral and multilateral levels, aimed at the promotion of regional and international peace, stability and mutually reinforcing cooperation. Armenias foreign policy is strictly Armenia-centred.

On Nagorno Karabakh, I do agree with my colleague Elmar about the good dynamics in meetings. We had two opportunities to meet in these past five months. There was a good meeting between my Prime Minister and President of Azerbaijan, which rendered good dynamics, and we are keen to build on this. The elections in Armenia, of course, are going to happen soon, possibly in December. At the same time, an equally important priority concerns sustaining focus on establishing and promoting an environment conducive to peace, which includes many things  confidence building measures, including the implementation of previous agreements on this, risk reduction measures against escalation - we need to focus on that- and genuine efforts to prepare the populations for peace on all sides of the conflict. Much important priority is abandoning bellicose rhetoric and hate speech.

Status and security of Nagorno Karabakh are our top priorities. Nagorno Karabakh is a party with the decisive voice in the peace settlement and should have a more immediate engagement. And we are talking about this of course.

As we are approaching the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership, we should pay attention to not repeating the mistakes of the past and preserving the Initiative to what it is: first and foremost a partnership of people for improving lives in our countries and bringing our societies closer together. In this context I would also emphasize the very important priority of visa liberalization, which we are pushing forward with EU countries, he said in his remarks, according to the foreign ministry.

Edited and translated by Aneta HarutyunyanYEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS. The United States is ready to assist Armenia in different sectors, including education, culture, economy, George Kent  US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, told reporters in Yerevan on October 16, reports Armenpress.

He said the upcoming meeting of the inter-governmental group, which will be held during 2019, will observe the further process of the Armenian-American relations in a new way.

The United States is ready to work with Armenia. We are also ready to continue the support to Armenia in fight against corruption, the US official said.

He stated that during his visit he had a discussion with the Armenian-American chamber of commerce about the opportunities existing in Armenia. We are also ready to work on the direction of diversification of Armenias economy, creation of new jobs. The American University of Armenia can prepare specialists of next generation, he added.

George Kent also attached importance to the US investments in Armenia in the fields of hydropower and mining industry.

He informed that this is his second visit to Armenia during which he met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, state officials, as well as civil society and business community representatives.

Edited and translated by Aneta HarutyunyanYEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS. During todays Cabinet session Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan presented clarifications over the decision to appoint former deputy police chief of Armenia Hunan Poghosyan as governor of Syunik province, reports Armenpress.

You know that Mr. Poghosyan was serving for a long time as a first deputy police chief of Armenia under the previous government, the previous leadership. In some sense this offer may seem strange, therefore I want to present clarifications. During my remarks at the swearing-in ceremony of the Yerevan Mayor I said, outlined the logic of post-revolutionary times. The key task for us is that after the snap elections the peaceful, velvet revolution must be considered as completed, and the potential of the Armenian people must be involved in Armenias development process. In this sense I consider important the fact that no one should consider his/her life as ended in Armenia as a result of the revolution. We must prevent development of a phenomenon in this logic which can be called a political racism when people are subjected to persecutions for holding office previously or having ties with the former governments. Today there are people in the government who had such ties. Its time to be united, the PM said. We have stated that all are equal before the law and this relates to everyone. But this doesnt mean that we are closing the logic of optimization and having more effective governance system. Today as well 90% of the governance system is the same like previously, and our conclusion is not to dismiss these people and bring new ones, but also it is not to leave untouchable.

I consider symbolic the appointment of three governors today: one of them is among the active participants of the revolution, Hunan Poghosyan was on the other side of the barricades, and the third governor, Mr. Matevosyan, is a figure with no political preferences, from a neutral political atmosphere. In this sense we also outline our visions on future. None of us, no citizen is untouchable in Armenia, holding office by any of us cannot be interpreted as an advantage, defect or vulnerability before the law. I think we are moving on the right path to unite our potential and serve it for our states future, PM Pashinyan said.

During todays session Davit Gevorgyan was appointed governor of Aragatsotn, Hunan Poghosyan  governor of Syunik, Hambardzum Matevosyan  governor of Armavir.YEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS. During the meeting between US President Donald Trumps national security advisor John Bolton and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan issues relating to Pashinyan-Trump possible meeting will be discussed, George Kent  US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, told reporters in Yerevan, reports Armenpress.

He assured that the meeting of the Armenian PM and the US President will take place, but couldnt say for sure the place and the date. We, as diplomats, always support meetings between our leaders. I think this issue will be discussed during the discussions of PM Pashinyan and Ambassador Bolton, he said.

John Bolton will visit the region on October 20.

Edited and translated by Aneta HarutyunyanYEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS. The United States, as a OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairing country, has always supported and continues supporting in order for the NK conflict parties to speak to each other and for contacts between the leaders of the countries to take place, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the U.S. State Departments Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs George Kent told reporters today in Yerevan.

The Unites States, France and Russia, are OSCE member countries together with Armenia and Azerbaijan, and we all accept the Madrid Principles, the main clauses of which are the non-use of force, territorial integrity and the self-determination right, he said.

Kent reminded that the US helped to organize a meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreigh ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, which was followed by the Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting in Tajikistan.

Leaders of both countries find this contact to be positive, he said.

Edited and translated by Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS. The Eurasian Week business forum, which will be held in Armenia from October 22 to 24, will begin with a plenary session during which the achievements of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), prospects and steps on forming favorable business environment within the Union, directions aimed at promoting and strengthening the production ties will be discussed, reports Armenpress.

Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Tigran Sargsyan, Chairman of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission, Russias first deputy prime minister, minister of finance Anton Siluanov, Armenias deputy prime minister Mher Grigoryan, deputy prime minister of Belarus Igor Petrishenko, first deputy PM of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin and vice PM of Kyrgyzstan Jenish Razakov have been invited to participate in the October 22 plenary session.

During the plenary session the practical steps aimed at forming favorable business environment in the EAEU, the obstacles on this path, actions for eliminating them, the problems on the way of promoting industrial production in the EAEU, issues on engaging investors in the real sector of the economy, as well as the positive and negatives sides of the integration process in terms of attracting investments and developing export to third countries will be discussed. The policy of the EAEU member states aimed at raising the cooperation attractiveness will also be discussed.

A great attention will be paid on the possibilities to introduce modern digital decisions in business. The event participants will be introduced on successful examples of similar decisions.

Strong economic, working and cultural ties between the members of the Eurasian Economic Union have become the foundation for the creation of the Union, the member states of which have got a qualitatively new environment for running business and developing entrepreneurship. Thanks to the creation of the Eurasian Economic Union, commercial and administrative barriers between the countries have been eliminated, B2B and B2G mutual cooperation has been simplified for the economic activity participants, transport infrastructures and logistics are developing. The further development and strengthening of the Union demands great work. Considerable increase of investment and export potential of the Unions member states will serve as a result of it, EEC Board Chairman Tigran Sargsyan said.

Edited and translated by Aneta HarutyunyanYEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Ten people have been detained by Yerevan police officers in the Republic Square at 19:10, October 15, is suspicion of armed assault and battery.

The detainees are boys and young men aged from 16 to 24.

Police said the suspects were causing public disturbances and misdemeanors in the central plaza. Two of the suspects stabbed each other during the brawl.

An investigation is underway.

Edited and translated by Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, 16 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 16 October, USD exchange rate down by 0.71 drams to 484.57 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.46 drams to 560.79 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 7.40 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.68 drams to 639.68 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 131.06 drams to 19161.74 drams. Silver price up by 1.85 drams to 229.64 drams. Platinum price up by 89.93 drams to 13164.5 drams.On October 11, the Lithuanian Armed Forces received 54 Unimog U5000 trucks manufactured by Daimler AG. The successful collaboration with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) continues to be demonstrated. Lithuania already received 88 such trucks under an agreement signed with NSPA in 2015.



Unimog U5000 of the Lithanian army (Picture source : Lithuanian army / Master Sergeant Gintautas Mauricas)

On October 11, the Lithuanian Armed Forces received 54 Unimog U5000 trucks manufactured by Daimler AG. The successful collaboration with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) continues to be demonstrated. Lithuania already received 88 such trucks under an agreement signed with NSPA in 2015.



The Defence Materiel Agency under the Ministry of National Defence is planned to sign an updated agreement on Unimog procurement in 2019 with NSPA in late October. On preliminary data, Daimler AG is planned to contract to deliver another 110 trucks to the Lithuanian Armed Forces by September next year. The remaining 142 trucks can be ordered and delivered to Lithuania in 2020-2021. The newly delivered 5-ton capacity tactical trucks are assigned to the Lithuanian Land Force and other units.

The Lithuanian Armed Forces signed an agreement with the German manufacturer Daimler AG in 2015 for the acquisition of 340 Unimog trucks in order to update its truck fleet. The contract foresees logistical support over the first 15 years of operation, specialised tools and testing equipment. The total value of the agreement is roughly Eur 70 million.The Australian dollar continued to push higher on Monday, briefly hitting a two-week high against the greenback before trimming gains into the close.

There was little reaction to mixed US economic data or news that the US government deficit ballooned to the highest level since 2012 in the 2018 fiscal year.

The economic calendar is busy today with major releases scheduled domestically and abroad. Italian fiscal concerns could reemerge as the nation submits its figures to the European Commission.

The Australian dollar continued to push higher on Monday, briefly hitting a two-week high against the greenback before trimming gains into the close.

Here's the scoreboard at 8am in Sydney.

AUD/USD 0.7131 , 0.0014 , 0.20%

AUD/JPY 79.69 , -0.17 , -0.21%

AUD/CNH 4.9364 , 0.0104 , 0.21%

AUD/EUR 0.6157 , 0.0003 , 0.05%

AUD/GBP 0.5422 , 0 , 0.00%

AUD/NZD 1.0879 , -0.0056 , -0.51%

AUD/CAD 0.9265 , 0.0003 , 0.03%

After sliding briefly below the .7100 level in Asian trade as losses in stocks accelerated across the region, the AUD/USD staged a recovery in European trade, rising to .7148, the highest level since October 3.

There was no distinct catalyst to explain the move, although it did correspond with a rebound in European stocks which rallied after trading in the red in the early parts of the session.

One suspects that stretched short speculative positioning, and an absence of any new negative news, may have prompted some short covering from traders. One look at the performance of the New Zealand dollar -- the top performing G10 currency for the session -- only adds to the view that the Aussie's move may have been driven by a rethink of previously-placed bearish bets.

Despite the release of mixed US data during the session, the AUD/USD couldn't sustain its push higher, pulling back modestly to close the day at .7130.

US retail sales underwhelmed market expectations in September, lifting by just 0.1% compared to forecasts for a gain of 0.6%. The data was likely impacted by Hurricane Florence with spending in food service establishments sliding 1.8% during the month.

Story continues

Adding to evidence the sales slowdown may have been driven by temporary factors, spending in the retail control group -- that which feeds into household consumption in US GDP -- rose by a significantly faster 0.5% over the month.

US business inventories also grew by 0.5% following a 0.7% increase in August.

The net effect of the data releases saw the Atlanta Fed's GDPNow forecast model trim its expectations for economic growth in the September quarter to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4%, down from prior estimates of 4.2%.

A downgrade, but still a fast clip nonetheless.

The US dollar also showed little reaction to news that the US government deficit ballooned to $779 billion in the 2018 fiscal year, the largest in six years.

US bond yields were also little changed on the news.

Turning to the session ahead, there's a plethora of major data releases scheduled both in Asia and abroad.

In Australia, the main highlight will come from the release of the minutes of the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) October monetary policy meeting at 11.30am AEDT. There was little market reaction to the monetary policy statement released two weeks ago, so a similar outcome could well be seen today.

Markets will be paying attention to the bank's commentary on current lending conditions, as well as updated views on the housing market.

Regionally, New Zealand Q3 CPI will be released at 8.45am AEDT. A quarterly increase of 0.7% is expected, above the 0.4% lift forecast by the RBNZ in its latest forecasts.

Elsewhere, Chinese CPI and PPI data for September will arrive at 12.30pm AEDT. These releases have lost their market-moving clout in recent years. Chinese monetary growth data for September, including new bank loans and total social financing, could also arrive at any point this week.

Later in the session, highlights include German import prices and ZEW investor confidence, UK unemployment, Eurozone trade data along with industrial production, JOLTS job openings and NAHB home builder sentiment from the United States.

On the political front, all European governments  including Italy  will submit their budget figures for the years ahead to the European Commission ahead of a two-day European Union Summit beginning on Wednesday.Armenia's reformist Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday announced his resignation on television, paving the way for snap elections. "My dear and proud people, today I tendered my resignation," Pashinyan said, pledging to "ensure the free expression of (the) people's will during snap parliamentary elections." Pashinyan's resignation is seen as a manoeuvre to return ultimately as prime minister and with control of parliament. He came to power in May after spearheading weeks of mass anti-government rallies which toppled veteran leader Serzh Sarkisian. Pashinyan has since reshaped the Caucasus nation's political landscape, ousting many of the old elites from power. The new government quickly found itself at loggerheads with the majority of lawmakers who are allied with ex-president Sarkisian and have stood in the way of Pashinyan's reform drive. Pashinyan, a 43-year-old former journalist, aims to hold snap polls before the end of the year in an attempt to weaken the influence of Sarkisian who was ousted after a 10-year stint as president. Parliamentary elections are not scheduled until 2022. Pashinyan's resignation could trigger snap polls -- but only if MPs twice fail to select a new prime minister over the next two weeks, resulting in the dissolution of parliament. During a meeting with his party members on Tuesday, Pashinyan said that he planned to put forward his candidacy for the prime minister's post -- but "with the aim not to get elected" so as to spark the snap poll. All the opposition factions in the parliament have agreed they will not nominate their own candidates for prime minister. "Pashinyan's resignation is aimed at artificially creating a situation leading to snap polls, which he needs to complete the revolutionary process," political analyst Arman Boshyan told AFP. Pashinyan and his ministers will continue as an acting cabinet until a new prime minister is elected. According to the Armenian constitution, snap legislative elections must be held between 30 and 45 days after parliament is dissolved. - At peak of popularity - In a move that triggered new street protests by Pashinyan's supporters, the Armenian parliament passed on October 3 a bill making it harder to dissolve the assembly and hold snap elections. Pashinyan accused MPs of stabbing him in the back, saying the adoption of the bill was nothing short of a "counter-revolution". He then fired six ministers from the Prosperous Armenia and Dashnaktsutyun parties who backed the controversial bill which was sponsored by Sarkisian's Republican Party. The Republican Party has said it is not against holding snap polls but wants them to be called no earlier than in May or June so the parties have time to prepare for the campaign. Analysts said that Pashinyan, who has campaigned against corruption and for economic reform, is seeking new elections while he is at the peak of his popularity. "He is in a hurry because he knows that his popularity -- which is at its peak right now -- might dwindle," said Boshyan. On September 24, Pashinyan's bloc won a landslide victory in municipal elections, getting over 80 percent of the vote in the capital Yerevan where nearly 40 percent of the country's population lives. Armenia's reformist Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced his resignation, paving the way for snap pollsEmbarrassed officials scrambled Tuesday to explain how members of Australia's conservative government backed a parliamentary motion declaring "it is okay to be white", blaming the decision on an "administrative process failure". The resolution, tabled in the Senate on Monday, was drafted by populist firebrand Pauline Hanson and railed against what it described as "the deplorable rise of anti-white racism." The motion was narrowly defeated 31-28, with several government ministers voting in favour, including its top official for indigenous affairs. It emerged Tuesday that Attorney General Christian Porter had issued instructions to senators from the governing Liberal party to back Hanson's motion. Following the vote, Porter tweeted, "The Government Senators' actions in the Senate this afternoon confirm that the Government deplores racism of any kind." The vote in favour of what many see as a white supremacist slogan sparked a furious backlash and demands for the resignations of ministers who backed the motion. On Tuesday, Porter issued a statement saying he had not been aware of an email sent by his office advising senators to back the motion, which he said had been "interpreted in my office as a motion opposing racism". Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, who is the head of government business in the Senate, also tried to walk back the move. "Yesterday, as a result of an administrative process failure, the government senators in the chamber ended up, on advice, voting in support of the motion," he said. "I?m sorry that happened. This is indeed regrettable... It slipped through. It shouldn?t have," he said. Hanson's One Nation party quickly fired back, saying the government had "woken with white guilt" to back down from their motion. "If I had said it's ok to be black, every single senator in the chamber would have voted for it," Hanson lamented in the statement. Although one-in-two Australians has a parent born abroad, racial inequality and public discourse on the issue is fraught. Australia's treatment of its indigenous population has long been a festering historical and political sore. The Aboriginal population, who have occupied Australia for 50,000 years, were dispossessed of their lands by the arrival of settlers two centuries ago. They remain among the most disadvantaged Australians. They were believed to have numbered around one million at the time of British settlement, but now make up only about three percent of the total population of 25 million. One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson drafted the resolution, which railed against what it described as 'the deplorable rise of anti-white racism'Facing a domestic backlash and the threat of foreign trade retaliation, Australia's Prime Minister on Tuesday appeared to slow-peddle a controversial decision to move the country's embassy to Jerusalem, saying he would first consult with allies. As Scott Morrison stood accused of ditching 70 years of Australian foreign policy and reports emerged that Indonesia may suspend a planned bilateral trade deal, the prime minister told parliament no firm decision had been taken. Hours after first floating the idea, Morrison said he would "canvass views" from regional leaders about the decision to follow US President Donald Trump's lead and move the embassy from Tel Aviv "before the government forms a particular view on this issue". Jerusalem is claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians. Most foreign nations have avoided locating embassies there for fear of prejudging peace talks on the city's final status -- until Trump unilaterally moved the US embassy there earlier this year. Officials said the decision to move the Australian embassy has been under consideration for months. But Morrison's announcement was timed to coincide with a make-or-break moment for his fledgling premiership. On Saturday voters in a key Sydney electorate will go to the polls, with Morrison's Liberal party candidate, a former ambassador to Israel, trailing in the final stretch. Defeat for Morrison's candidate -- in a constituency with a sizeable Jewish population -- would spell the end of his government's parliamentary majority and a bleak future for his months-old stint at the top of Australia's rough-and-tumble political heap. Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Morrison's initiative, the response from neighbouring Indonesia -- the world's largest Muslim nation -- was less welcoming. Australia would be "violating international law" and UN security council resolutions if it proceeded with the embassy move, said Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki, who was in Jakarta on an official visit Tuesday. "Australia is risking (its) trade and business relationship with the rest of the world and particularly the Muslim world," he added. "I hope that Australia would reconsider that decision before it takes such action for election purposes." Australian state-backed broadcaster ABC reported a senior official in Jakarta saying a landmark trade deal between the two countries may now be put on ice. Officials from Indonesia's foreign and trade ministries told AFP they were unaware of any plans to suspend talks on the agreement, but Morrison indicated he had discussed the issue with President Joko Widodo in a series of calls. "We will continue to work closely and cooperatively with our allies and our partners all around the world on these issue," Morrison told parliament. - 'Open-minded' - Morrison earlier said he was "open-minded" to "sensible" proposals to formally recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move his nation's embassy to the holy city, a sharp break with the policy of successive Australian governments. "We're committed to a two-state solution, but frankly it hasn't been going that well, not a lot of progress has been made, and you don't keep doing the same thing and expect different results," Morrison said. "Scott Morrison is now so desperate to hang on to his job, he is prepared to say anything if he thinks it will win him a few more votes -? even at the cost of Australia's national interest," said opposition Labor party foreign policy spokeswoman Penny Wong. Morrison came to power in August after a revolt by hardline conservatives in the Liberal party ousted his more moderate predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull. Turnbull's government had explicitly distanced itself from the decision by Trump to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, branding it "unhelpful" to the peace process. Australia's prime minister says he is considering moving its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem, a sharp break with the policy of Australian governments for decades Most foreign nations avoided locating embassies in Jerusalem for fear of prejudging peace talks on the city's final status until President Donald Trump unilaterally moved the US embassy there earlier this year Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the Australian initiative but the response elsewhere has been less welcoming Prime Minister Morrison indicated he discussed concerns about the embassy move with Indonesia's President Joko Widodo after reports Australia's northern neighbour would suspend a planned bilateral trade dealIslamic State-allied Boko Haram jihadists have killed another kidnapped female Red Cross worker in northeast Nigeria in a "despicable act of cruelty", the agency said on Tuesday, a month after militants murdered one of her colleagues. Three female health workers were kidnapped on March 1 during a Boko Haram raid on the remote town of Rann, in Borno state, that killed three other aid workers and eight Nigerian soldiers. Two of the kidnapped women, Hauwa Liman and Saifura Khorsa, worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), while the third, Alice Loksha, worked for the UN children's agency, UNICEF. The ICRC said on Tuesday it had received information that Liman had been killed by her captors, without giving further details. The government had also earlier announced news of the second killing. "The news of Hauwa's death has broken our hearts," ICRC's Regional Director for Africa, Patricia Danzi said in a statement. "We appealed for mercy and an end to such senseless murders. How can it be that two female health care workers were killed back-to-back?" Amnesty International called her killing a "war crime" and said: "Under international humanitarian law, all aid workers must be protected from attack." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "strongly condemns" the killing, his spokesman said. Guterres also called for the immediate release of the other hostages and for all sides to protect aid workers. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said "we fervently hope that these series of sad events, leading to the painful loss of their staff, will not discourage the ICRC from working in Nigeria." Dozens of people gathered in the capital Abuja to mourn Liman. There had been no news of the trio until last month when the ICRC said it had received footage of Khorsa's killing from the IS-backed Boko Haram faction Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). ISWAP then threatened to kill Liman and Loksha, as well as a 15-year-old Christian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu who was kidnapped from the town of Dapchi, in Yobe state, in February. The ICRC last weekend appealed for their release, underscoring that they were "doing nothing but helping communities" in the conflict-riven region. Nigerian Information Minister Lai Mohammed announced the latest death as a deadline expired and said the government was "shocked and saddened" at the killing, calling it "dastardly, inhuman and ungodly". He did not initially identify the victim but later added in a tweet that he "commiserated with the family of Hauwa Liman". - Line open for negotiations - "It is very unfortunate that it has come to this. Before and after the deadline issued by her abductors, the federal government did everything any responsible government should do to save the aid worker," he said. He said officials continued to work to free the others from captivity. More than 27,000 people have been killed in northeast Nigeria since the Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009, while nearly two million others remain homeless due to the conflict. Nigeria's military and government maintain the Islamist rebels are weakened to the point of defeat but fighters from the IS-backed faction have conducted repeated raids on military bases in recent months. ISWAP split from the faction led by long-time Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau in August 2016 in protest at the latter's indiscriminate targeting of civilians in raids and suicide bombings. Analysts say they believe the switch by militants from attacking "hard" government and military targets to killing hostages is the result of a hardline takeover of the IS-backed faction. Boko Haram has used kidnapping as a weapon of war during the conflict, abducting thousands of women and girls, and forcing young men and boys to fight in their ranks. The mass abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls from the Borno state town of Chibok in April 2014 brought global attention to the insurgency and was widely condemned. Some 107 girls have since been released or found. Nigeria's information minister Lai Mohammed (C) described the killing of an aid worker by Boko Haram as "dastardly, inhuman and ungodly", and vowed to push for the release of two remaining female captives who have been held since earlier this year Nigeria's military and government maintain the Islamist rebels are weakened to the point of defeat but fighters from the IS-backed faction have conducted repeated raids on military bases in recent months.

A newlywed Sydney bride has suffered multiple strokes just days into her honeymoon in the US.

Joseph and Francheska Bechara got married on October 7 before heading to New York for their honeymoon.

But on the second day of their dream trip, Mr Bechara discovered his partner of eight years unconscious in the gym and she was rushed to hospital.

Joseph and Francheska Bechara got married on October 7 before heading to the New York for their honeymoon. Source: GoFundMe/ Bride has Stroke on Honeymoon Fund

The doctors told Joe that Francheska had suffered from multiple strokes, a GoFundMe page set up for the couple reads.

Francheska has undergone three major brain surgeries to reduce the swelling, which is now only the start of the recovery.

Mr Bechara has been told it will take three to four months for his wife to fully recover and travel is also impossible.

Family friend Rooney Farah wrote on Facebook Ms Becharas illness was tragic and unthinkable.

Ms Bechara was found unconscious in a gym. Source: GoFundMe/ Bride has Stroke on Honeymoon Fund

God bless her and the family during this hard time also give her strength and much needed help, he wrote.

With healthcare in the US also expensive, family and friends are appealing for help to cover any accommodation for Mr Bechara along with rehab costs for his wife.

The couple have had to stay in the US while the bride undergoes medical treatment. Source: GoFundMe/ Bride has Stroke on Honeymoon Fund

Joe also just bought their first home in Sydneys west as well which they were planning to move into after their honeymoon, the page reads.

This is another cost he has to think about while he is looking after his bride.

DFAT has been contacted for comment.Cuban diplomats shouted slogans and noisily pounded tables at the United Nations on Tuesday, disrupting a meeting organized by the United States on the plight of Cuban political prisoners. The diplomats managed to drown out the US representative, Kelley Currie, during her remarks at the UN's Economic and Social Council, prompting her to demand that security guards remove them from the hall. The diplomats shouted "Lift the blockade of Cuba!" and "Cuba yes, blockade no". One of the protesters slammed a large book on the tables while another used a wooden mallet to drown out the US diplomat. "Can you please remove them from the room," Currie said. "I'm going to pause while security removes the disruptive elements from the room." UN security guards repeatedly asked the diplomats to stop their protest, but they pressed on throughout the meeting. Currie later told reporters that the Cuban representatives had behaved in a "thuggish" manner that was "really shocking and disturbing." "It makes you wonder that if the diplomats of this government behave this way, how do the police behave?" she said. The head of US affairs at the Cuban foreign ministry, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, took to Twitter to declare that the raucous protest was a "victory" and that Washington's bid to "manipulate the UN had backfired." - Political comedy - The United States had organized the event entitled "Jailed for What?" to draw attention to the plight of an estimated 130 political prisoners held in Cuba. Cuban Ambassador Anayansi Rodriguez Camejo slammed the meeting as "political comedy," telling reporters that it was "based on fake arguments involving actors with dark pasts, at the service of a foreign power." The ambassador had formally protested the meeting, sending a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres requesting that it be canceled because it was in violation of UN rules about the use of its premises. UN rules are vague and specify only that meetings and events held on UN premises must be "consistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations" and be non-commercial. The meeting came just weeks before the General Assembly is scheduled to hold its annual vote on ending the US embargo on Cuba, which last year was adopted by a vote of 191 to 2, with only the United States and Israel voting against. In 2016, the US abstained, marking a major shift as the administration of former president Barack Obama worked to end decades of enmity with Havana. This year, the vote will be closely watched to see if there will be abstentions from countries on the measure condemning the US embargo on Cuba. Cuban diplomats, pictured protesting at the United Nations, demanded an end to the "blockade of Cuba." Cuban diplomats were accused of behaving in a "thuggish" manner for staging a protest during a event at the United Nations organised by the United States.

A two-year-old girl had to be treated for second-degree burns after she was badly burned by a slice of piping hot pizza.

Koddi and Wade Dunn of Cornelia, Georgia, in the US, were driving home from a visit to their childrens grandmother on Friday night when they decided to stop for pizza at Little Caesars in Lawrenceville.

The family placed a drive-through order for a Hot-N-Ready pepperoni pizza, which is cooked at a temperature of 550 degrees, according to a 2013 post on the companys Facebook page.

After paying for their food, Koddi Dunn passed the box to her sons in the back seat, warning them to be careful.

However, when one of the boys lifted a slice, a glob of piping-hot sauce and cheese fell on his little sister, Jordyn, who was sitting next to him in her car seat.

A two-year-old girl had to be treated for second-degree burns after she was badly burned by a slice of piping hot pizza. Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

Suddenly, this piercing scream came from my baby girl, Ms Dunn, 40, said.

She dove into the back seat while her husband pulled over to the side of the road.

Seeing the skin on Jordyns hand blistering from the heat, they immediately drove to Gwinnett Medical Centre, where she was treated for second-degree burns.

Ms Dunn called the restaurant and said she was told that after Hot-N-Ready pizzas are removed from the oven, theyre placed in 160-degree warmers.

But the employee said they were really backed up that night, so customers were handed pizza straight from the oven, she said.

Our pizza was not ready to be eaten  it was falling apart to the touch.

The skin on Jordyns hand began blistering from the heat. Source: Yahoo Lifestyles

Ms Dunn says a simple warning from the employee could have prevented her daughters injuries.

Jordyns wounds were cleaned and medicated, and her arm was bandaged.

The family spent about $1400 in urgent-care fees and expects to incur more costs for future treatments at a local burns centre.

Tina Orozco, the director of communications for Little Ceasars, sent a statement to Yahoo saying: The safety of our customers and employees is our highest priority.

We are aware of this unfortunate incident.

Our hearts go out to Jordyn and her family and we wish her a speedy recovery.

Story continues

We are continuing to work with the customer and the franchisee of this store. At this time, we believe that all procedures were followed.

As a precaution, we have a warning label on our pizza boxes. Our customers expect to receive fresh, hot pizza out of the oven.

Little Caesars released a statement saying they had followed all procedures correctly. Source: Inquisitr

Ms Dunn says that a manager left her a voicemail Monday night.

There was no apology or compassion for what happened to my daughter  my family is traumatised, she says.

We change Jordyns bandages twice a day and she screams.

We try to distract her by pretending the medical tape is fingernails and playing her favourite movie, Annie.Since picking up a wrench as one of the first female car mechanics in conservative Pakistan, Uzma Nawaz has faced two common reactions: shock and surprise. And then a bit of respect. The 24-year-old spent years overcoming entrenched gender stereotypes and financial hurdles en route to earning a mechanical engineering degree and netting a job with an auto repairs garage in the eastern city of Multan. "I took it up as a challenge against all odds and the meagre financial resources of my family," Nawaz told AFP. "When they see me doing this type of work they are really surprised." Hailing from the small, impoverished town of Dunyapur in eastern Pakistan's Punjab province, Nawaz relied on scholarships and often skipped meals when she was broke while pursuing her degree. Her achievements are rare. Women have long struggled for their rights in conservative patriarchal Pakistan, and especially in rural areas are often encouraged to marry young and devote themselves entirely to family over career. "No hardship could break my will and motivation," she says proudly. The sacrifices cleared the way for steady work at a Toyota dealership in Multan following graduation, she adds. Just a year into the job, and promoted to general repairs, Nawaz moves with the ease of a seasoned pro around the dealership's garage, removing tyres from raised vehicles, inspecting engines and handling a variety of tools -- a sight that initially jolted some customers. "I was shocked to see a young girl lifting heavy spare tyres and then putting them back on vehicles after repairs," customer Arshad Ahmad told AFP. But Nawaz's drive and expertise has impressed colleagues, who say she can more than hold her own. "Whatever task we give her she does it like a man with hard work and dedication," said coworker M. Attaullah. She has also convinced some of those who doubted her ability to make it in a male-dominated work environment, including members of her own family. "There is no need in our society for girls to work at workshops, it doesn't seems nice, but it is her passion," said her father Muhammad Nawaz. "She can now set up the machinery and can work properly. I too am very happy." Pakistani motor mechanic Uzma Nawaz, 24, fixes a car at a workshop in Multan Uzma Nawaz spent years overcoming entrenched gender stereotypes and financial hurdles en route to earning a mechanical engineering degree and netting a job with an auto repairs garage Uzma Nawaz's father seems happy with his daughter's choices, saying fixing cars 'is her passion' Women have long struggled for their rights in conservative patriarchal Pakistan, and especially in rural areas are often encouraged to marry young and devote themselves entirely to family over careerForeign fighters continue to flow into Syria to join the Islamic State group despite its forces being largely decimated, Pentagon Joint Chiefs chairman Joe Dunford said Tuesday. Even though the jihadist group's territory has shrunk to a fraction of what it once was, new followers arrive, mostly over the Turkish border, at a rate of about 100 a month, Dunford said. While that is down from a peak of about 1,500 a month three years ago, it shows that Islamic State's ability to attract followers remains potent, he said. "It's the flow of foreign fighters, the ability to move resources, and the ideology that allows these groups to operate," Dunford said, opening a conference on countering violent extremism. Dunford also said that the inflow adds to the mounting problem of how to handle hundreds of captured foreign fighters whose home countries will not take them back. He said the Syrian Democratic Forces are holding more than 700 Islamic State fighters from around 40 countries. "The progress of returning these fighters home for prosecution has been delayed by political considerations and inconsistent legal frameworks." Britain, for example, has refused to repatriate the two remaining men of the IS unit dubbed the "Beatles," which kidnapped, tortured and beheaded a number of foreigners including journalists. London stripped them of their citizenship and has said it does not want them back. The United States has repatriated one of its IS foreign fighters to stand trial, but has not divulged the fate of any others thought to be held in Syria or Iraq. Dunford said not dealing with the captured foreign fighters correctly will make it harder to eventually extinguish the attraction of the Islamic State ideology. A critical factor, he said, "is how we identify, prosecute, deradicalize and reintegrate foreign fighters." "We need to find a way to address this challenge and prevent the detainees from becoming the leaders of tomorrow's extremist organizations," Dunford said. General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says Islamic State continues to replenish its decimated ranks in SyriaStephen Hawking's final work, which tackles issues from the existence of God to the potential for time travel, was launched on Monday by his children, who helped complete the book after the British astrophysics giant's death. Hawking was forever being asked the same things and started work on "Brief Answers to the Big Questions" last year -- but did not finish it before he died in March, aged 76. It has been completed by the theoretical physicist's family and academic colleagues, with material drawn from his vast personal archive. "He was regularly asked a set of questions," his daughter Lucy Hawking said at the Science Museum in London. The book was an attempt to "bring together the most definitive, clearest, most authentic answers that he gave. "We all just wish he has here to see it." Hawking, who was wheelchair bound due to motor neurone disease, dedicated his life's work to unravelling the mysteries of the universe. The cosmologist was propelled to stardom by his 1988 book "A Brief History of Time", an unlikely worldwide bestseller. It won over fans from far beyond the rarefied world of astrophysics and prompted people into asking the mastermind his thoughts on broader topics, answered in his final work. - The big questions - The 10 questions Hawking tackles are: -- Is there a God? -- How did it all begin? -- What is inside a black hole? -- Can we predict the future? -- Is time travel possible? -- Will we survive on Earth? -- Is there other intelligent life in the universe? -- Should we colonise space? -- Will artificial intelligence outsmart us? -- How do we shape the future? - Multiple challenges - In his book, Hawking says humans have no option but to leave Earth, risking being "annihilated" if they do not. He says computers will overtake humans in intelligence during the next 100 years, but "we will need to ensure that the computers have goals aligned with ours". Hawking says the human race had to improve its mental and physical qualities, but a genetically-modified race of superhumans, say with greater memory and disease resistance, would imperil the others. He says that by the time people realise what is happening with climate change, it may be too late. Hawking says the simplest explanation is that God does not exist and there is no reliable evidence for an afterlife, though people could live on through their influence and genes. He says that in the next 50 years, we will come to understand how life began and possibly discover whether life exists elsewhere in the universe. "He was deeply worried that at a time when the challenges are global, we were becoming increasingly local in our thinking," Lucy Hawking said. "It's a call to unity, to humanity, to bring ourselves back together and really face up to the challenges in front of us." In his final academic paper, Hawking shed new light on black holes and the information paradox, with new work calculating the entropy of black holes. Turned into an animation narrated by Hawking's artificial voice, it was shown at the book launch. "It was very emotional. I turned away because I had tears forming," Lucy Hawking told AFP on hearing her father's voice again. "It feels sometimes like he's still here because we talk about him and hear his voice -- and then we have the reminder that he's left us." Stephen Hawking's final book tackles issues from the existence of God to the potential to time travel Hawking's daughter Lucy said the scientist was regularly asked a set of questions and the book was an attempt to answer them in the clearest wayA prestigious Hungarian university on Tuesday blasted a government decree that prohibits gender studies courses as a "major infringement" on academic freedom. The decree, signed by Prime Minister Viktor Orban and in force since Saturday, dropped the subject from a list of masters degree programmes entitled to official accreditation and financial support. Institutions are also now barred from launching new courses in the discipline, although students who have already begun courses may complete their studies, according to the decree. "This is a major infringement on academic freedom and university autonomy," said the Budapest-based Central European University (CEU) in a statement. "Eliminating this programme will be a significant loss to the Hungarian scholarly community and for democratically-minded public policy," said the CEU, one of only two universities in Hungary that offered gender studies degrees. The decree is seen by critics as the latest attack by Orban's right-wing government on both university independence and political opponents of its socially conservative policies. Orban's tough rhetoric and anti-immigration measures alarm critics but have bolstered his populist support at home and won him praise from other hardline European leaders. In June a magazine owned by a close ally of Orban published a list of researchers at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, accusing them of working on "gay rights and gender science". Orban's deputy Zsolt Semjen said later gender studies "has no business (being taught) in universities," because it is "an ideology not a science". Labour market demand for gender studies graduates was also "close to zero," as "no-one wants to employ a gender-ologist," Semjen said. The CEU, where gender studies has been taught for over two decades, is also embroiled in a bitter administrative dispute that the university says could drive it out of the Hungarian capital, its home since 1993. A higher education law placing tough new requirements on foreign universities which passed last year was also seen by critics as targeting the CEU, founded by liberal US billionaire George Soros. Attracting students from over 100 countries and also offering US-accredited programmes, the university has long been seen by Orban as a hostile bastion of liberalism. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has long seen Central European University as a bastion of liberalismNick Kyrgios said he was "surprised" to be cheered by the home crowd as he beat Russian youngster Andrey Rublev 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the Kremlin Cup first round on Tuesday. The temperamental Australian, seeded fifth in Moscow, fired 24 aces to win his first-ever meeting with the 20-year-old Rubvlev. "I love to play indoors and we played a lot with Andrey in juniors. He's going to have a great career," Kyrgios said. "I was surprised that the public cheered me here. It's nice. Normally when I'm not at home I'm not the most loved person but it was nice to hear some cheering. I felt almost at home here." The 23-year-old Kyrgios, who has slumped to 37th in the world rankings after struggling for form and fitness this year, will meet Mirza Basic in the last 16, after the Bosnian saw off Tunisia's Malek Jaziri 7-6 (7/4), 6-2. Reigning champion Damir Dzumhur saw his title defence come to an abrupt halt with a first-round loss to Belarusian qualifier Egor Gerasimov. The Bosnian, who won both the St Petersburg and Moscow tournaments last year, slumped to a 6-1 6-7 (5/7), 6-2 loss to the world number 217. Gerasimov will next face charismatic Frenchman Benoit Paire for a place in the last eight. Paire, who has not reached a quarter-final since February, beat Mischa Zverev 7-6 (8/6), 2-6, 6-1. "It was a good match. I wasn't doing well at the beginning but then I got much better," Paire said. In the women's draw, former world number two Vera Zvonareva set up a second-round meeting with second seed Karolina Pliskova. The 34-year-old Zvonareva, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, saw off fellow Russian qualifier Irina Khromacheva 6-3, 6-3. Top seed Simona Halep, who secured the year-end world-number-one ranking on Monday, pulled out of the tournament earlier on Tuesday to rest a troublesome back injury. "While it's disappointing to withdraw, I know it's important to put my health first," she said. Australia's Nick Kyrgios said he was surprised Russian fans had got behind him at the Kremlin CupA Sydney accountant running for the federal seat of Wentworth has called for a nightclub-like security system to keep western suburb residents away from Bondi Beach.

Robert Callanan, who was last week dumped as the candidate for Bob Katters Australian Party over his ties to a Sydney brothel, said that he would like to build a Donald Trump-inspired wall to help keep the westies away from the iconic beach.

I think that the people who come to Bondi Beach cause some significant issues, they fight with the lifeguards and things like that, Mr Callanan told KIIS FMs Kyle and Jackie O.

Its an issue  I have witnessed some of the activity, I think it is inappropriate and it needs to be addressed.

Those wanting to head across the city to Bondi Beach would need to scan their ID like a nightclub under Robert Callanans plan. Image: Getty

If I was Trump, I would probably build a wall, but Im not Trump so it is a little bit difficult.

Despite KAPs disendorsement, Mr Callanan is still contesting Saturdays by-election as an independent in the seat left vacant by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.

When asked if he could think of any non-wall related security measures, he explained to listeners that Bondi Beach could be managed like a nightclub.

There could be a thing put in place where its just like going into a nightclub where you swipe your ID and then if youre an unsavoury person, they wont let you in, he explained.

Mr Callanan said if elected he would create a large-scale water infrastructure project out in the western suburbs that would employ 20,000 and move people away from major cities.

Some of the westies might move out there and get a job, he added.

Robert Callanan is running for the federal seat of Wentworth left vacant by Malcolm Turnbull. Image: Facebook/Robert Callanan

Enraged listeners flooded the radio phone line, looking for clarification while also encouraging Mr Callanan to consider a career change.

Everyone thinks youre a flop brother, one Bankstown resident told Mr Callanan.

Robert, what an impressive resume you have, what a shame you cant back it up with any articulation or worldliness, Kellyville resident Kylie added.

You want to give people a card that labels them an unsavoury person, I think there are more important things for you to worry about than people going down to the beach and punching on with the lifeguards  theres probably four or five occurrences of that a year and thats what you want to focus on?

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Robert Callanan said he was fed up with seeing people trying to fight the lifeguards down at Bondi Beach. Image: Getty

Mr Callanans website says he is also campaigning for an immigration plebiscite that lets the Australian public decide on who is allowed to enter the country.

This will lead to safer Eastern suburbs, lessening the need for the armed guards that patrol our streets, protecting Jewish buildings, his campaign advertisement reads.

Mr Callanans chances of winning Saturdays by-election appear slim, with the latest polling figures suggesting it is a three-horse race between Liberal candidate Dave Sharama, Independent Kerryn Phelps and Labors Tim Murray.

The Liberals need to retain their former leaders seat to hold onto their one-seat majority in parliament.

Yahoo7 News has contacted Mr Callanan for comment.For people living in and around the Drummully Polyp, a squiggle on the map of the Irish frontier, life without an open border is unimaginable and a reminder of the bad old days of checkpoints. Threaded through emerald farmlands with serpentine disorder, this section of the border all but hems in locals in this part of Ireland surrounded by British-ruled Northern Ireland. "There's no border in our eyes because it's a road that you travel every day," said Bernie McElwain, 40, who has lived her whole life astride this peculiar boundary. With only a 100-metre (-yard) narrow tract of impassable countryside linking the Polyp to the Republic, it is accessible only by crossing through Northern Ireland. This cartographic curiosity is officially called a "pene-enclave" and explains why the handful of locals -- no more than 200 souls -- jokingly refer to their home as "the island". Only a line in the tarmac, a change in road markings and a shift in signage from miles to kilometres delineates north from south on the patchwork of roads that criss-cross the border up to four times in a 10-minute journey. - 'We don't want it' - When Brexit comes this boundary will be the new frontier between the UK and the EU -- and could mean new controls. For locals that would make life here difficult -- potentially marooning them in their homes. "Really and truly it's not feasible, and we don't want it," lifelong Polyp resident John Connolly told AFP, overlooking the sprawling borderlands on a blustery afternoon. The peacefulness of the landscape belies growing unrest among locals, aimed at politicians governing Britain's withdrawal process. Post-Brexit the EU, Britain and Ireland have pledged to preserve "frictionless" movement between the North and the Republic but as the deadline approaches little progress has been made. "They don't really know what the border is," said Connolly, 59. "They just think there's a road and it's a crossing. It's a whole different scenario when you're on the ground." - 'Mood is not good' - Nearby, local businessman Eamon Fitzpatrick runs a hardware store and petrol station which thrums with steady traffic from the north and south. The border cuts directly through his forecourt, but for now the only indication is a notice on the till saying both pounds and euros are accepted. In a single day Fitzpatrick can cross the border up to 25 times, often passing in and out of the Polyp, which covers no more than 10 square kilometres (less than four square miles). "We can hop into the car now and we can go north, south, and there is no hassle," he said. McElwain was born in the Republic and raised in the family home in the North, before moving south once more. Her mother still lives in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, on the outside cusp of the Polyp, but is considering building a new house in the Republic as she approaches retirement -- fearful that a border will separate her from family. "The mood is not good on the ground," McElwain said during a tour of the border crossings. - 'Working for Irish unity' - These borderlands are also freighted with a history of conflict. Older residents remember The Troubles -- the 30-year conflict between Protestants and Catholics that formally ended with a 1998 peace deal -- when crossings were militarised and armed republicans fought unionists and the British to unite the north and south. Portions of the land inside the Polyp were then left under-farmed, as the ordeal of trips through border controls made the exercise cost-prohibitive -- a demonstration of the very real cost a hard border could bring to the local farming economy. For some, the chaos of Brexit contains a glimmer of political opportunity. Local Sinn Fein councillor Pat Treanor recalls the cat-and-mouse games that he and others played with the British army, tearing down border controls as fast as it could erect them. Treanor lost a finger at the height of the tensions after Irish Republic Army (IRA) paramilitaries ambushed a police car, not realising he was being detained inside. "They forget that in this region, should they proceed with a border, they're wrecking people's lives," he said. But this time round he believes the border issue may further his party's aim of uniting Ireland. "Sinn Fein do want to see and have been working for, and are working for Irish unity and independence. The focus on partition helps that debate." With Brexit, this boundary will be a new frontier between the UK and the EU -- potentially marooning locals in their homes "It's not feasible, and we don't want it," said lifelong Polyp resident John Connolly of the possib The border cuts directly through the forecourt of Eamon Fitzpatrick's Hardware and Fuel store. In a single day he can cross the border up to 25 times Local Sinn Fein councillor Pat Treanor, shown here in the nearby town of Clones, believes the border issue may further his party's aim of uniting IrelandUS Defence Secretary Jim Mattis toured a former Agent Orange storage site in southern Vietnam on Wednesday, revisiting one of the war's darkest chapters that lives on among a million Vietnamese with severe birth defects, cancers and disabilities linked to the toxic defoliant. Standing near a weedy field contaminated with dioxin, Mattis surveyed a map of the Bien Hoa airport outside Ho Chi Minh City, one of the main staging grounds for Agent Orange that was hastily cleared by soldiers near the war's end more than four decades ago. US forces sprayed 80 million litres (21 million gallons) of Agent Orange over South Vietnam between 1962 and 1971 in a desperate bid to flush out Viet Cong communist guerrillas by depriving them of tree cover and food. At Bien Hoa the spillover from the clearing operation is believed to have seeped beyond the base and into the ground water, rivers and the local food chain and is linked to severe mental and physical disabilities across generations of Vietnamese -- from enlarged heads to deformed limbs. Under a 10-year remediation effort led by development agency USAID, work is set to start next year on cleaning up Bien Hoa, one of the largest dioxin "hotspots" remaining in Vietnam. "We hope to have shovels in the ground next year sometime," said a USAID official who was not authorised to be quoted by name. Vast amounts of Agent Orange had been stored at Bien Hoa in large fuel containers during the war, and under a 1972 operation called Pacer Ivy the US military began pulling the chemical from Vietnam for storage and disposal outside the country. "In that operation of repackaging, there was a lot of spillage obviously and so that is what we are faced with," the official said. - 'Keeping our promise' - The pledge to clean up the site came under the administration of Barack Obama, and will cost some $390 million, officials said. Hanoi says up to three million Vietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange, and that one million suffer grave health repercussions today, including at least 150,000 children with birth defects. An attempt by Vietnamese victims to obtain compensation from the United States had little success, and the US Supreme Court in 2009 declined to take up the case while neither the US government nor the chemical manufacturers have ever admitted liability. Mattis said visiting the site was part of a US commitment to make amends for parts of the bloody and bitter war that killed an estimated three million Vietnamese. "We had promised to help... so this is America keeping her promise to remediate some of the past," Mattis, whose older brother served in Vietnam during the war, told reporters this week. "I just want to get eyes on (the site) so when I go back and I talk to Congress, I can tell them my impression with actually having seen the site," Mattis said ahead of the trip. He spent only a few minutes at the site meeting with Vietnam military officials near a "hazardous material" warning sign. - Bury the hatchet - Ties between the former foes have warmed considerably since the end of the war and today Washington is one of Hanoi's closest political and military allies and trading partners. This is Mattis's second trip to Vietnam this year after a January trip to Hanoi, which was followed by a historic visit by a US aircraft carrier in March, the first to Vietnam's shores since the war in a symbolic burying of the hatchet for both sides. In addition to Bien Hoa, the US and Vietnamese have identified two other "dioxin hotspots" -- Danang and Phu Cat airbases. A project to clean up Danang has just been completed at a cost of $110 million. The Bien Hoa clean up operation is four times the size of the one in Danang, the USAID official said. Chuck Searcy, a US veteran who served in Vietnam 1967-68 and now lives in Hanoi, said he was happy Mattis's trip included a stop at Bien Hoa and hoped it would lead to more funding for the dioxin clean up. "His visit is important because it reflects a commitment on the part of the Department of Defense to be involved with this issue in a positive way," said Searcy, who works with Project RENEW which clears unexploded ordnance in Vietnam. "A lot of us have been waiting for that to happen for quite a long time, so this is encouraging," he told AFP. US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis was greeted by Vietnamese officials at the contaminated Bien Hoa airbase A Vietnamese soldier runs past the dioxin contaminated area on Bien Hoa airbase Defense Secretary Jim Mattis meets with Ho Chi Minh City's communist party chief Nguyen Thien Nhan A Vietnamese person suffering the affects of Agent Orange interacts with a US Navy sailor during a visit by the crew of USS Carl Vinson in Danang on March 7, 2018Mongolia has invited Kim Jong Un to visit the nation's capital, which once hoped to host the historic summit between the North Korean leader and US President Donald Trump, an official said Tuesday. The invitation comes amid expectations that Kim and Trump, who met in Singapore in June, will hold a second summit -- a time and location for which have yet to be determined. According to Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga's office, the invitation was sent to Kim on October 10, though no specific date was proposed. The North Korean leader can visit "whenever he feels convenient", an official from the president's office told AFP, confirming a report published Monday by North Korea's KCNA state news service. Mongolia had offered to host Trump and Kim for their landmark summit in June, but they ended up picking Singapore, where they agreed to a vaguely worded statement on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. Trump said last week that three or four unspecified locations have been short-listed for their next meeting, but it would "probably" not be in Singapore again, and he did not give a date. Kim's only other known foreign trips since taking power in 2011 are three visits to China this year. He has also met South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the Demilitarized Zone separating their countries, where he momentarily crossed into Pyongyang's southern neighbour. Mongolia, a democratic nation wedged between China and Russia, is one of the few countries that has normal relations with the authoritarian regime in North Korea. The two countries celebrated 70 years of diplomatic ties this year. Kim's grandfather, North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung, visited Mongolia when it was still a Soviet state in 1988. In October 2013, Mongolia's then-president Tsakhia Elbegdorj visited Pyongyang but was snubbed by Kim, who had succeeded his late father Kim Jong Il two years prior, and the pair did not meet. Almost 1,200 North Koreans were living and working in Mongolia at the end of last year, before UN sanctions against Pyongyang required them to leave. The invitation comes as Kim Jong Un is expected to hold a second summit with US President Donald TrumpA desperate search is underway for a 13-year-old girl after her parents were found dead inside their family home.

Authorities went to the home in Barron, Wisconsin, after dispatchers received an emergency call from an unknown person on Monday afternoon.

Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said it was there they found the bodies of Jayme Closs parents.

He also said there had been gunshots, but he stopped short of saying thats how the couple died.

Deputies searched the area around the familys home with drones and infrared equipment, but they didnt find any clues as to her whereabouts.

Sheriff Fitzgerald said investigators were frustrated they had not turned up any leads and asked for the publics help with any information about what could have happened to the girl.

He said Jayme was not considered a suspect in her parents deaths.

There are serious fears for the safety of missing teenager Jayme Closs after her parents were found dead in their Wisconsin home. Image: AP

Investigators do not have any leads or suspects, but they have enlisted the help of the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and the FBI, which has agents who specialise in missing children cases, the sheriff said.

At the end of the end of the day, I want a 13-year-old here safe and sound. Thats our goal. Thats our only goal right now, Sheriff Fitzgerald said at a news briefing.

Officers also were at Jaymes middle school talking with her friends and acquaintances, hoping to develop some leads, officials said.

Sheriff Fitzgerald said an amber alert had not been issued because no suspect had been identified in her disappearance.

She is described as 1.5 metres tall and about 45 kilograms, with strawberry-blonde hair and green eyes.Nicaragua's government on Monday freed 30 protesters who had been detained in a violent police intervention as they tried to march in Managua. The arrests Sunday triggered a wave of criticism of the government of President Daniel Ortega, who has faced steady protests and calls for his resignation in a grassroots drive that began in April. More than 320 people have died in unrest associated with the movement. Ortega, who led the Sandinista revolution in 1979, has been back in power since 2007 and is accused of running a corrupt and cruel leftist dictatorship along with his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo. Human rights groups welcomed the release of the detainees but said another 500 people also arrested after protesting against the government are still in prison. In Sunday's violence, police wielded clubs and hurled stun grenades to break up the demonstrators gathering at a shopping mall parking lot, beating men, women and even elderly people. Some of those freed Monday from the maximum security prison known as El Chipote raised their fists in the air and shouted, "Long live free Nicaragua!" They hugged relatives waiting for them outside the jail. "It is clear that no evidence of any crime was found, and here we are, free. We wish this were the case for other political prisoner," said Ana Vigil, leader of a dissident group called the Sandinista Renewal Movement and one of those freed from the prison. Police had argued that the protesters did not have the permit they needed to stage a march. The arrests drew condemnation from the Organization of American States and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, among other organizations. Anti-government demonstrations began on April 18, initially protesting changes in the social security system. Since then they have grown in size and the protesters are calling for the resignation of Ortega and Murillo. Police arrest a demonstrator in the Nicaraguan capital ManaguaA photo of flight attendants appearing to sleep on an office floor has caused a stir online.

Jim Atkinson shared a picture of a Ryanair 737 crew based in Portugal on Twitter.

Mr Atkinson said the flight attendants were forced to sleep on the floor of the Ryanair crew room in Malaga, Spain, after being stranded due to storms.

He tweeted the photo to chief operations officer Peter Bellew.

This is a Ryanair 737 crew based in Portugal, stranded in Malaga, Spain a couple of nights ago due to storms. They are sleeping on the floor of the Ryanair crew room. RYR is earning 1.25 billion this year but will not put stranded crews in a hotel for the night. @peterbellew ? pic.twitter.com/lILWZVqqGj  Jim Atkinson (@Jimbaba) October 14, 2018

RYR is earning 1.25 billion (A$2b) this year but will not put stranded crews in a hotel for the night. @peterbellew? he tweeted.

Mr Bellew responded saying unfortunately all the hotels in Malaga were booked out.

The storm created huge damage in Portugal, he tweeted.

Later after this the crew moved to VIP lounge. Apologies to the crew we could not find accommodation.

Mr Atkinson wrote the pilots arent buying it and included a text message purportedly from a pilot in disbelief over a lack of hotels.

The pilots arent buying it! pic.twitter.com/OJRKfwyAUm  Jim Atkinson (@Jimbaba) October 14, 2018

Fernando Gandra, a representative for SITCPLA  the Portugese airline workers union  told News Corp it was a bank holiday in Spain and while hotels around the airport and the city may have been full it would have been possiblw to find accommodation elsewhere.

Story continues

The picture has been retweeted more than 1700 times with many angered by the purported conditions the cabin crew had been subjected to.

Surely a crew resting in these conditions cannot be classed as rested within legal parameters to fly and be cabin safety? one man wrote.

What are you doing @Ryanair? As Union Rep for truckers I would not recommend a member drive a truck knowing they had rested like this! This is disgusting.

Some have slammed Ryanair over the purported treatment of the flight attendants. Source: Getty Images (File pic)

However, one man wrote the picture needed to be looked at closely, noting the crews faces were all covered.

The woman at the front looks like she is smirking, he tweeted.

They are lined up in a way their identities are kept anonymous. Its staged at best.

Mr Atkinson claimed the people pictured did it as a protest to show they had nowhere to stay between 1am until 6am.

They wanted to communicate to the world that Ryanair provides no bed to stranded overnight crews, he tweeted.From a university student to a middle-aged housewife, Afghans planning to vote in the October 20 parliamentary election say they are willing to risk their lives for democracy. Nearly nine million people have registered to vote, but far fewer are expected to turn out on polling day due to threats of violence and expectations for massive fraud. Six people across the war-torn country explain why their vote matters. - Omaid, the artist - Out with the old and in with the new is Omaid Sharifi's hope for the legislative election. The 32-year-old artist, who is voting for the first time, wants to see a new generation of politicians take their seats in the next parliament. Sharifi, co-founder of Kabul-based street art collective ArtLords, was inspired to vote by the large cohort of young, educated candidates among the more than 2,500 contesting the ballot. "I am concerned (about security) but I think this is the price of democracy we have to pay," he said. - Fatima, the housewife - First-time voter Fatima Sadeqi wants to stop criminals, thieves and corrupt people from entering the next parliament. The 55-year-old housewife and her eight family members plan to support the same candidate in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif. "We are tired of poverty and insecurity," she said. "I hope the new parliament is a better place, full of good people." - Shirin, the potter - Shirin Agha wants his 10 children to grow up in a peaceful Afghanistan -- and he is willing to die to help make that happen. The 45-year-old potter in the eastern city of Jalalabad is a first-time voter and plans to back "a good Muslim and an honest person". "I want the new parliament to bring fundamental changes to the economy, education and security so that our children can live in peace," Agha said. "If my vote can bring these changes I will take any risk. I will either die or vote." - Zahra, the university student - A sense of "duty and responsibility" is pushing English literature student Zahra Faramarz to vote -- but she admits being "anxious" about security. Faramarz's polling station is located in a heavily Shiite neighbourhood of Kabul where the Islamic State group has carried out devastating attacks in recent months. But the 21-year-old said it was important to vote to ensure her community has a voice in the lower house. "If we don't, someone else will select the candidates... that is not good for us," she said. - Ghulam, the public servant - After disappointing results in the previous two elections, Ghulam Farooq Adil hopes it will be third time lucky on October 20. The 29-year-old public servant from the western city of Herat plans to vote for an "honest" candidate who can help bring peace to Afghanistan. "I want the new parliament to come up with a solid plan to end the war," Adil said. "I need to see changes, at least for the future of my son." - Abdul, the retiree - Abdul Karim believes voting is a religious obligation for Muslim men and women. "They must vote," said the 85-year-old retiree in Kabul, who is voting for only the second time in his life. But in return, the next parliament should "serve our nation, serve our land and provide" job opportunities for the poor, he said. "We vote for Afghanistan and we expect our incoming MPs to make solid decisions for our nation's well-being." strs-bur-amj/ds/mtp Bloody violence threatens this weekend's parliamentary election in Afghanistan, but potter Shirin Agha, 45, says he is determined to cast his ballot Omaid Sharifi, 32, worries about the possibility of violence during this Saturday's election, but believes it is a risk worth taking Housewife Fatimah Sadeqi is 55 years old, but has never voted before Factfile on Afghanistan, ahead of the parliamentary election on October 20. Kabul university student Zahra Faramarz, 21, believes she has a 'duty and responsibility' to vote on Saturday Public servant Ghulam Farooq Adil wants the new parliament to come up with a proper plan to bring the war to an end Abdul Karim, 85, who will be voting for only the second time in his life, believes casting a ballot is a religious duty for MuslimsRussian President Vladimir Putin will attend a November 11 ceremony in Paris marking 100 years since the end of World War I, his advisor Yuri Ushakov said Tuesday. The ceremony will be attended by a number of other heads of state including US President Donald Trump, it was earlier confirmed. "On November 11 we are planning to fly to Paris. We will take part in the ceremony on the Champs Elysees," Ushakov told journalists. Putin will go to a working breakfast organised by French President Emmanuel Macron and later lay flowers at a monument to Russian soldiers in the capital, he added. Trump confirmed his attendance at the event in August. The US leader had been planning to hold a parade in Washington but criticised local politicians who he said were asking for too much money for the event. Ushakov on Tuesday also confirmed that US National Security Advisor John Bolton would be in Moscow at the start of next week for talks with his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev. However Bolton will not meet Putin, and the arrangement of direct talks between the Russian and US presidents is not on the agenda, Ushakov said. He said there were currently no plans for Putin and Trump to meet in Paris. The pair last met in Helsinki in July, after which Trump came under fire for accommodating his Russian counterpart. Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the ceremony on the Champs Elysees on November 11Orthodox Church leaders from numerous countries on Tuesday called for unity and raised fears of further discord after the Moscow branch announced it would break ties with the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate, in what has been described as one of the gravest crises in the church's history. The rupture on Monday came after the Istanbul-based clerics agreed to launch the process of recognising the independence of the Ukrainian Church, a move Russia has long campaigned against. Constantinople's decision last week ended more than 300 years of Moscow's control over Orthodox churches in Ukraine and affects millions of believers in Russia and Ukraine. While the Patriarch of Moscow up to now has formally overseen Orthodox churches in Ukraine, the country has two other Orthodox authorities which have splintered off without being recognised by Constantinople -- until last week. The religious split comes amid deep political tensions, with Ukraine opposing Russia's 2014 annexation of its Crimea peninsula and fighting a Moscow-backed uprising in its east in which more than 10,000 people have been killed. The Russian Orthodox Church's head, Patriarch Kirill, is seen as a close ally of President Vladimir Putin. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that the Kremlin was watching developments "very carefully and with a great deal of worry". Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko meanwhile said the Russian Orthodox Church was following the Kremlin down a path of self-imposed isolation. "Just as Russia opposed itself to the entire world community with its aggressive imperial policy, now the Russian Church is on the path of self-isolation and conflict with the world Orthodoxy," he wrote on his Facebook page. The Ukrainian president and lawmakers have backed independence for the country's divided Orthodox Church and see it as striking a blow against Moscow's influence in Ukraine. While the conflict grew out of the turbulent relations between Ukraine and Russia, a complete breach between the churches in Moscow and Turkey could threaten the integrity of the Orthodox Church as a whole, which has some 250 million believers around the world. - 'Further splits possible' - The various Orthodox churches are already divided on the issue. Serbian Patriarch Irinej said in an interview with a local news site: "We don't think in terms of 'for' and 'against'." "We are for the unity of the Church, harmony, responsibility for canonical order, and against everything that divides and leads to the risk of schism." At the same time he said that the recognition by Constantinople of an independent church in Ukraine was "a move that leads to schism" and opens up the possibility of new splits within other Orthodox churches. Stevo Vucinic, vice-president of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church metropolis' council, welcomed the decision by Constantinople as of "historical importance" and slammed what he called a "political dispute" led by Moscow and Belgrade. The Bishops' Conference of the Finnish Orthodox Church said the decision by Moscow was "unilateral, sad and very unfortunate" and hoped the patriarchs would resolve the conflict in mutual negotiations. However Metropolitan Rostislav of the Orthodox Church in the Czech Lands and Slovakia wrote to Patriarch Kirill condemning "any attempt to legalise Ukrainian schismatics". The Georgian Patriarchate said it would summon its Holy Synod shortly to decide on its position. - 'Two warring Orthodox worlds' - Even Kremlin-loyal Russian media stressed that Moscow's move could lead to dire consequences. The Izvestia newspaper, which strongly supports the Kremlin line, wrote that Monday will enter Orthodox history as "one of its darkest days". The split between the Constantinople and Moscow Churches -- the highest-status and largest Orthodox Churches respectively -- followed on from the two greatest upheavals in Christian Church history, it wrote. The front-page article referenced the Protestant Reformation of 1517 and the schism between the Eastern and Western Christian Churches in 1054. Now each of the branches of the Orthodox Church "will have to choose with whom to be -- Constantinople or the Russian Orthodox Church," Izvestia wrote. The RBK business newspaper warned of a "war between (Holy) Synods" on its front page, referring to the Churches' ruling bodies. A Russian expert on religion, Roman Lunkin, told RBK that Moscow's move has created "two warring Orthodox worlds". Russian media including government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta wrote with regret that Russians will no longer be able to go to pray at Mount Athos in Greece, an important destination for pilgrims and tourists that is under the jurisdiction of Constantinople. burs-rco-am/dl A meeting of the Holy Synod of Russian Orthodox Church in Minsk, shown in a picture distributed by the Moscow Patriarchate press service The Russian Orthodox Church's head, Patriarch Kirill, is seen as a close ally of President Vladimir PutinHe may be behind bars, but a former police chief still strikes fear into the highest levels of the Spanish state thanks to his covert recordings of compromising conversations with the all-powerful. Spain's socialist justice minister Dolores Delgado is the latest high-profile personality to be embarrassed by leaked recordings of a past conversation with the "blackmailer," as Jose Manuel Villarejo is now known. The monarchy also recently saw red after Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, former mistress of ex-King Juan Carlos I, allegedly revealed that he used her name and that of a cousin to hide property in Morocco and Swiss bank accounts, according to another leak. The 67-year-old retired police superintendent is suspected of large-scale corruption, having allegedly done dirty work, such as blackmail or threats, on behalf of companies or rich individuals for decades. - 'Tip of the iceberg' - "Villarejo led a parallel police force that worked to manipulate the justice system, erase or modify legal cases, for big corporations and millionaires," says investigative journalist Carlos Enrique Bayo, former director of the Publico daily which in 2015 revealed information about his shady activities. For him, "most shocking is that it represents the tip of the iceberg of a state network created when the transition (to democracy in 1975) began and lasted forty years." A stocky, bespectacled man with a penchant for flat caps, Villarejo joined the police in 1973, two years before dictator Francisco Franco died. He has been in preventative custody since November 2017, accused of being part of a criminal organisation, money laundering and subornation. But even behind bars, he strikes fear among those who once had a conversation with him. For decades, he secretly used recorders in his informal chats with politicians, judges, businesspeople, police officers and prosecutors. - Prostitutes - Justice minister Delgado was recorded over dinner when she was a prosecutor in 2009. In the recently leaked recordings, she apparently used a homophobic term to refer to her openly gay colleague Fernando Grande-Marlaska, now interior minister. The recordings also appeared to show her accusing judges and prosecutors of being accompanied by under-age girls during a trip to Colombia. In the conversation, Villarejo allegedly boasted about having used "a modelling agency" to get "vaginal information," meaning secrets revealed to prostitutes by politicians or business executives. Spain's opposition has called for Delgado to resign. But Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has stood by her, saying his government will not accept "blackmail from anybody." - 'State gutters' - Speaking to a parliamentary commission, Delgado accused the opposition conservatives of having used and protected a man who belonged to "the state gutters." She said that "according to anti-corruption prosecutors, Villarejo's mafioso police clan tried to influence national security policies and relied on civil servants, lawmakers, the media and people in the judicial administration" to do so. Bayo said Villarejo allegedly "created an institute for legal studies where magistrates from the highest judicial bodies earned 600 euros ($700) an hour to give lessons," allowing him to "have exceptional ties" with them. The former policeman stored his information meticulously. This, said Delgado, allowed investigators to find the equivalent of "three months of uninterrupted radio programmes" in recorded information. When Mariano Rajoy was conservative prime minister, Villarejo is suspected of having taken part in "operation Catalonia" with the aim of fabricating "fake information against separatist parties" and also far-left party Podemos, Delgado told lawmakers. Villarejo allegedly earned considerable money by threatening or blackmailing people. Rajoy was ousted in a no-confidence vote in June, partly seen as a censure for his handling of the Catalan independence crisis but also amid a perception that he had been weak on rooting out corruption. - 'Thought he was untouchable' - According to the El Pais daily, Villarejo is suspected of having received millions to create a damaging case against a son of Equatorial Guinea's leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema, a minister who was in conflict with his own brother, the vice-president. Several months before being detained, Villarejo gave an interview to the Sexta television channel, in which he revealed the names of several high-ranking police officers who he said had given him orders. He admitted managing a dozen private companies, which he said allowed him to "act like an infiltrated agent" in cases where "the state couldn't intervene." "Villarejo thought he was untouchable," said Bayo, who in 2017 caught Villarejo at his own game by secretly recording him. In that recording, Villarejo is allegedly heard saying that if lawmakers forced him to testify in an investigative commission, they would "really have problems." "If Villarejo starts revealing things about the Socialists, he will destroy them, but if he reveals things about the conservatives, he will destroy them" too, said Bayo. Spanish justice minister Dolores Delgado has ignored calls for her resignation Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, former mistress of ex-King Juan Carlos Justice minister Dolores Delgado apparently used a homophobic term to refer to her openly gay colleague Fernando Grande-Marlaska, now interior minister.

A terrified Melbourne father says he feared for his life after being attacked by nine thugs during a frightening home invasion.

To make things worse, the gang allegedly returned to the scene of the crime while the victim was in hospital to steal his car.

The victim, David McGregor, became hostage to home invaders in his Narre Warren living room.

A foot came to the left of me and hit me, something else hit me on the side but I didnt see what it was, Mr McGregor said of the vicious attack.

It was a blur.

David McGregor re-enacts the moment a gang of thugs attacked him in his own home. Source: 7 News

Shortly before 10pm on Monday, up to nine males charged at the 59-year-old after he answered a knock at the door.

He was then shoved into his kitchen, where the gang screamed at him for his money.

I even told them Id had a heart attack and a stroke and they still beat the s*** out of me, he said.

The father-of-two said he was repeatedly struck to the head with a length of metal before being kicked.

He believes most of the gang were of an African background and at least one had a New Zealand accent.

The impact the attack had on the victim has prompted police to give priority to tracking down the culprits.

The victim was also attacked with a length of metal, which left him in hospital. Source: 7 News

It can have an impact, in the safety of their own home, thats why were treating it so seriously, Victoria Police Detective Senior Sergeant Brad Sprague said.

To help identify the suspects, police will be checking the list of recently-released prisoners with a history of this type of crime.

They will also explore any possible links to another home invasion at Hampton Park on Saturday.

The victims stolen Commodore was recovered not far from where it was taken  but David McGregor has decided its time to find a new home.

I want to get out of here, yeah, he said. I want to get out of Narre Warren.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.American Airlines announced Monday that it would offer more daily flights to Cuba, by 2019, despite US restrictions on Americans traveling to that country. "We have recently started a fifth daily flight between Havana and Miami, and next year (in May) we will inaugurate a new daily flight between Miami and Santiago de Cuba, our sixth destination in the country," Ramon Jimenez, AA's manager in Cuba, said in a statement. The airline currently has 10 flights a day to the island, half of which are between Miami and Havana. The rest go to provincial cities such as Camaguey, Holguin, Santa Clara and Varadero. The number of daily flights will rise to 11, AA said. American Airlines has also signed an agreement with Cuban state-owned Havanatur, which will sell airline tickets in its 80 branches across the country. US airline flights were reinstated in August 2016 amid the diplomatic rapprochement between the two former Cold War foes, when Barack Obama was president. At the moment, a full US economic embargo remains on Cuba, the only Communist, one-party state in Latin America. So far, the United States has allowed Americans to visit Cuba for cultural, educational, sports-related or humanitarian reasons only -- not on package tours or as regular tourists. In 2017, Cuba welcomed 619,523 American tourists, up 217 percent over 2016, while 453,905 Cubans living in the United States visited their native country, an increase of 138 percent over a year. An American Airlines jet arrives at Havana's international airport last year for the first time in decadesPresident Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Honduras he will cut millions of dollars in aid if a group of about 2,000 migrants is allowed to reach the United States. The migrants, forming what is known as "a caravan," set out Saturday from the impoverished, violence-plagued country and were headed north on the long journey through Guatemala and Mexico to the US border. Trump, who has made cracking down on illegal immigration a keystone of his presidency, tweeted that US aid to Honduras, which is planned to reach nearly $66 million in 2019, would end. "The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!" he said. Guatemala announced it would stop the group from entering if they did not have the proper visas. However, the migrants -- including children -- managed to reach a shelter in the southwestern Guatemalan city of Esquipulas on Monday, according to local media reports. Rights organizations called on the Guatemalan government to guarantee the migrants safe passage. "The government of Guatemala is responsible for the security and integrity of the people who are on its territory and their human rights should not be violated for any reason," a statement by 18 migrant support groups said. "We demand the cessation of all police and administrative action that restricts their fundamental rights," the groups added. Mexico has also said it would block members of the caravan from entering its territory if they did not have permits. The migrants, forming what is known as "a caravan," set out Saturday from the impoverished, violence-plagued country and were headed north on the long journey through Guatemala and Mexico to the US borderSome 12 million Yemenis could soon be on the brink of famine if the security and economic situation in the war-ravaged country does not improve, the UN warned Tuesday. "Yemen is currently facing the world's worst hunger crisis, with almost 18 million people throughout the country not knowing where their next meal is coming from," World Food Programme (WFP) spokesman Herve Verhoosel told reporters in Geneva. Over eight million people are already considered to be on the brink of famine in Yemen, he said, adding that the situation was being exacerbated by sky-rocketing food prices, which have soared by a third in the past year alone. "If the situation persists, we could see an additional 3.5 million severely food insecure Yemenis, or nearly 12 million in total, who urgently require regular food assistance to prevent them from slipping into famine-like conditions," he warned. This means the UN agency will need more funding, Verhoosel told AFP, pointing out that "the more people (who need help), the more money is needed". WFP is in the process of scaling up its activities in Yemen to provide emergency food assistance to some eight million of the country's hungriest people each month, Verhoosel said. But he lamented that due to the dire security situation in the port city of Hodeida, the UN agency still did not have access to some 51,000 tonnes of wheat stocks at its Red Sea Mills facility there, which would be enough to feed 3.7 million people for a month. "We are doing everything we can to ensure access to these wheat stocks," Verhoosel said. Yemen's air, land and sea ports are currently functioning, so WFP had several ships filled with aid headed towards Yemen, and is working to reposition stocks in case routes are cut off, he said. The agency has also begun using the port of Salalah in Oman as a supplementary route, he said. WFP currently has enough grains in Yemen to help 6.4 million people for two months. But Verhoosel warned that distribution across the country was difficult at best, insisting that aid workers need access and guarantees that their neutrality will be respected. "We need an end to the fighting," he said. Yemen's brutal conflict has since 2015 left some 10,000 people dead and has created what the UN has dubbed the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Yemen's conflict has since 2015 left some 10,000 people dead and created a hunger and health crisis. This child, in the capital Sanaa on October 10, is suspected of being infected with choleraThe UN special envoy for Venezuelan migrants called Tuesday for international donations to help South American countries deal with an "avalanche" of migrants from the crisis-wracked country. "We will be appealing to donors... who can channel this emergency aid in the shortest time possible," Eduardo Stein said during a visit to the Colombian border city of Cucuta -- the main point of entry for Venezuelan migrants to the country. "Colombia has been using its regular budgets" to address "the human avalanche coming from the neighboring country" but it is no longer enough, said Stein, UN special envoy on the crisis. He said donations are needed because of the delay in approval of resources from international organizations. "These financing processes take several months and this situation needs urgent help," he said, after visiting the Simon Bolivar international bridge that separates Colombia from its crisis-torn neighbor. Stein, a former Guatemalan vice president, was jointly appointed as special envoy for Venezuela's migrants by the UNHCR and the UN's migration agency in September. Colombia has taken around half the nearly two million people the UN says have exited Venezuela since 2015, driven by economic collapse which has led to dire shortages of food and medicine. President Ivan Duque has called for international help to deal with the crisis, saying it was costing his government about 0.5 percent of GDP -- or around $1.3 billion. El enviado especial de las Naciones Unidas para la migracin venezolana, el guatemalteco Eduardo Stein(C), y el directtor de Migracin Colombia, Christian Kruger (I), caminan por el puente internacional Simn Bolvar en Ccuta, Colombia, en la frontera con Venezuela, el 16 de octubre de 2018US officials announced Tuesday negotiations for separate trade agreements with Britain, the European Union and Japan as part of efforts by President Donald Trump's administration to rebalance global commerce. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the administration notified Congress of its intent to negotiate the three separate trade agreements. "We are committed to concluding these negotiations with timely and substantive results for American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses," Lighthizer said. The move follows the Trump administration's renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico and its push to correct what Trump maintains is an unbalanced trade picture. In the notifications to Congress on Japan and the EU, Lighthizer cited "chronic US trade imbalances" and said that US exporters have been long "challenged" by tariff and non-tariff barriers in Japan and in Europe. The goal, he said, is to achieve "fairer, more balanced" trade with the US trading partners. Lighthizer said the US would seek a trade agreement with Britain as soon as it exits the European Union in 2019. The letter to Congress said Washington would seek to address tariff and non-tariff barriers and achieve "free, fair and reciprocal trade" with the United Kingdom. Trump has been playing hardball with US trading partners, using tariffs and threats in an effort to boost US exports and curb the longstanding deficit in merchandise trade, despite warnings from many US lawmakers and the International Monetary Fund. "We need to work together to de-escalate and resolve the current trade disputes," IMF chief Christine Lagarde said at an IMF and World Bank gathering in Bali last week. Trump has levied or threatened tariffs on goods from economies around the world, notably China, but also on traditional allies such as the European Union. More tariffs and their countermeasures "could lead to a broader tightening of financial conditions, with negative implications for the global economy and financial stability," the fund warned. President Donald Trump has been playing hardball with US trading partners, using tariffs and threats in an effort to boost US exports and curb the longstanding deficit in merchandise trade, despite warnings from many US lawmakers and the IMFRomania's world number one Simona Halep on Tuesday withdrew from the Kremlin Cup, a joint WTA and ATP event, due to concerns over an ongoing back injury. "I tried everything I could to be ready here as I really wanted to play," Halep said. "But unfortunately the back is still causing me pain and I don't want to take any unnecessary risks." The 27-year-old's appearance in Moscow and the WTA Finals had been in doubt when she withdrew from Beijing two weeks ago and was diagnosed with a herniated disk in her back. Halep, who has already qualified for the WTA year-ending finals in Singapore, said she needed more time to recover completely from her back injury. "While it's disappointing to withdraw, I know it's important to put my health first," she added. Halep this year played two Grand Slam finals, winning the French Open crown at Roland Garros, and won titles in Shenzhen and Montreal, leading the rankings for 40 weeks this year. Simona Halep (R) receives medical treatment during her match against Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia at the WTA Wuhan Open.U.S. Rep. John Katko on Monday accused Democratic challenger Dana Balter of misleading 24th Congressional District voters about her ties to central New York after the release of a new campaign commercial over the weekend.

The first half of the 30-second TV ad features Balter, D-Syracuse, discussing why she moved to the region.

"I chose to make central New York my home 15 years ago because I love it here," she said. "It's why I'm running for Congress."

But Katko, R-Camillus, raised questions about Balter's background in a lengthy statement Monday afternoon.

"Dana Balter likes to tell voters she's lived in central New York for 15 years. That's simply not true," Katko said. "As it stands today, voters have absolutely no idea how long Dana Balter has lived in central New York."

When Balter announced her candidacy last year, she said she moved to Syracuse in 2003. She also mentioned a head injury that forced her to postpone her studies at Syracuse University.

In his statement, Katko acknowledged that the injury "is more than a legitimate reason to take time off and seek care." But, he added, Balter has "repeatedly been dishonest about how long she's lived here, and what she was doing while out of town."

A timeline provided by Balter's campaign details when the Syracuse Democrat lived in central New York. She moved to the region in 2003 and enrolled at Syracuse University. She suffered a head injury in 2004, and continued to live in Syracuse through 2005 and 2006.

In 2007, she moved to Pennsylvania to live with her sister. She remained there through 2009.

Balter moved to Florida in 2010, where she lived at a condominium in Naples owned by her brother. She lived there through 2011 and in 2012, moved back to Syracuse and bought a house on Lorraine Avenue. She re-enrolled at Syracuse University that August.

Based on the campaign's timeline, Balter has lived in Syracuse and studied at Syracuse University since returning in 2012. She became a visiting assistant teaching professor in 2017.

Balter responded to Katko's accusation with her own claim that the GOP congressman is misleading voters. She said she's been open about her situation since the beginning of her congressional campaign.

"I moved to Syracuse in 2003, fell in love with central New York and decided to make it my home," Balter said. "I spent five years, 2007 to 2012, living with family while recovering from a serious illness. As soon as I was able, I returned to Syracuse because this is my home."

The exchange is reminiscent of Katko's criticism of then-U.S. Rep. Dan Maffei during the 2014 campaign. Katko repeatedly questioned Maffei's ties to central New York. During one speech in Auburn, he remarked that the only district Maffei cared about was the District of Columbia.

Katko went on to win that election by 20 points.

As a challenger in that race, Katko said his background was examined. He noted that Balter's campaign has focused on accountability and transparency, then accused her of misleading voters about her background.

"Voters deserve to know basic information about a candidate," he said. "Questions like, 'How long have you lived here?', seem reasonable."

Balter responded, "I have given the congressman ample opportunities to ask me questions about this in open public forums but he has declined to join me. If he had joined me, we could have settled this matter long ago."

The two are locked in a competitive race for the 24th district seat. One election forecaster, Cook Political Report, rates the race "lean Republican." Earlier this month, Balter announced she raised $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2018  a record for this Syracuse-area congressional district.

Katko is favored to win. There hasn't been a public poll released since late August, when a Siena College survey found he led Balter by 15 points, 54 to 39 percent.

Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 3Count John Mannion among the educators offended by state Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan's comment Monday describing the teachers union as one of the "forces of evil" against the Republicans.

Flanagan, R-East Northport, made the remark during an appearance on "The Capitol Pressroom" radio program. He referred to outside groups spending millions on state Senate races that "have now become almost like the forces of evil."

When Susan Arbetter, the host of "The Capitol Pressroom," asked Flanagan who he believes is a force of evil, he mentioned New York State United Teachers, a union representing 600,000 members.

"They don't like the way things are going," he said. "They spent $5 million in the last cycle. They gratuitously go after members of our (Republican) conference. They've gone after me."

Flanagan acknowledged that there are good teachers, and focused his criticism on the union. But Mannion, the Democratic candidate in the 50th Senate District race, chided the majority leader for blasting NYSUT and labeling the union as one of the "forces of evil."

Mannion is an Advanced Placement biology teacher at West Genesee High School in Camillus.

"It is outrageous that Bob Antonacci's political boss, (Flanagan), called thousands of hardworking educators 'forces of evil.' This offensive rhetoric and unwarranted attack on public school teachers, bus drivers, teacher aides and other hardworking people should be immediately called out by Bob Antonacci," Mannion said.

He added, "We need to make sure Albany gives our central New York public schools and educators the state aid and support they deserve, and that clearly won't happen so long as John Flanagan and his allies run the state Senate."

NYSUT has endorsed Republicans for state Senate before. In 2016, the union backed state Sen. John DeFrancisco in the 50th district race. DeFrancisco, R-DeWitt, is retiring this year. Antonacci, a Republican, and Mannion are vying to succeed him.

The union's relationship with Flanagan, though, hasn't been strong. NYSUT pushed for legislation that would alter the state's current teacher evaluation system. It was supported by 55 state senators in the 63-seat chamber. Flanagan, a former chair of the Senate Education Committee, introduced his own bill that included many of the same provisions. However, he also wanted to increase the cap on charter schools  a concept the union vehemently opposes.

The legislation to revamp the teacher evaluation system didn't advance in the state Legislature.

NYSUT responded by endorsing several state Senate candidates and withholding support from others, including incumbent GOP senators, who voted for Flanagan's teacher evaluation reform bill.

Mannion has been endorsed by NYSUT. The union was one of his earliest supporters.

Republicans have filed a complaint accusing NYSUT and other unions of illegally coordinating with super political action committees they created to support Mannion and other Democratic state Senate candidates. Fighting For Our Future, a NYSUT-affiliated super PAC, has funded mailers, phone calls and television commercials to support Mannion in the 50th district race.

NYSUT and the other unions have denied wrongdoing.

Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0Wells College will kick off its 150th anniversary celebration with a panel discussion featuring NPR education correspondent Caludio Sanchez from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, in Phipps Auditorium in Macmillan Hall on the Aurora campus

Sanchez, contributor to "Morning Edition," "All Things Considered" and other NPR flagship programs, will be interviewed on stage by Wells President Jonathan Gibralter and Dean Cindy Speaker. Topics will include the future of higher education in the United States, the impact of changing socioeconomic trends on students' ability to acquire an education, and more. A Q&A will follow.

The celebration will continue at the college every day through Sunday, Oct. 21. Highlights include the Wells Got Talent competition at 9 p.m. Friday, fireworks at 9;15 p.m. Saturday and games all weekend.

Events are free and open to the public.

For more information, including a full schedule of celebration events, visit wells.edu/150.

Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0Cayuga County Administrator J. Justin Woods last week released the organizational structure and rationale of a proposed Department of Public Works for the county in advance of a public hearing on the proposal.

In a memo available on the official county website, Woods details the organizational and management structure of the proposed department, which would bring the Highway Department, Buildings and Grounds; Parks and Trails; and Weights and Measures into one department with the goal of increased efficiency and integration.

A public hearing on the local law to create such a department is scheduled for Oct. 23 during the monthly meeting of the full Legislature. Woods is also set to explain the proposal more fully to legislators at Tuesday's meeting of the Ways and Means committee.

The proposal was one of several priorities identified by a consultant's report to the Legislature, which voted in April for county staff to draft the law to create the department.

At Legislature committee meetings last week, several legislators asked Woods to develop such a memo in order to provide clarity, both for themselves and the public, ahead of the public hearing.

Some questions from legislators included the reasoning behind the proposal and what the potential financial impact would be.

According to the memo, the financial impact of the proposal would be an additional $20,000-$30,000 in salary costs. The superintendent position is currently budgeted for $78,000, Woods said at the Public Works committee meeting, with an estimated salary for the director position of $90,000 to $110,000.

The higher end of that range would be "a worst case scenario," Woods told the Legislators, but even that would put the position in a similar pay range, but with more responsibilities, to just a highway superintendent of other comparable counties.

Chemung County, for example, which is another one-city county with a similar population, pays its Public Works Commissioner $135,000 a year.

Additionally, the memo also anticipates that better management will produce additional savings. While Bill Dashnaw, the former St. Lawrence County highway superintendent who has been acting as a consultant for the department since February, is still compiling an update on the cumulative savings from management decisions in the department, Woods did share one example with the committee.

By switching to a process of vendor-placed road paving, the county was able to free up hundreds of man hours and approximately $840,000 worth of labor for county staff to work on more critical infrastructure and maintenance work, Woods said.

Besides the labor savings, the switch also allowed for the department to train staff in work that was previously contracted for, like box culvert replacement, as well as preparation work that will allow for even more roads to be paved next year, according to Woods.

"We've done far more work this year than has been done in recent years because of how we've deployed our labor force," Woods said.

Any candidate considered for the director position "would have to have that kind of knowledge" of management and organizational planning that would result in savings and efficiencies for the county, Woods said.

The Legislature's Ways and Means committee meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Legislature Chambers of the Cayuga County Office Building in Auburn.

Staff writer Ryan Franklin can be reached at (315) 282-2252 or ryan.franklin@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @RyanNYFranklin

Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1Cayuga County's E-911 center has been awarded more than $800,000 as part of a state program to enhance public safety and emergency communications statewide, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday.

Under the NYS 2018 Statewide Interoperable Communications program, Cayuga County was awarded $806,629 in funding that can be used for a variety of different functions, chiefly ones centered around supporting first responders.

"Keeping our responders safe is our primary goal," Cayuga County's E-911 Administrator Denise Spingler said in a press release. "Having the infrastructure and technology to keep them safe is key."

The state program, which is funded by cellular phone surcharge revenues, according to a release from the governor's office, helps counties pay for projects such as installing new equipment at towers and antennas to expand radio coverage, implementing new 911 technologies and standards, supporting dispatch center operations, and more.

"In an emergency, every second counts and it's critically important that first responders have the tools and resources they need to receive information fast to help New Yorkers in their time of need," Cuomo said in the release. "This funding will help us create a stronger, safer New York for all."

Cayuga County's award is part of a total $45 million in state grants awarded to New York's 57 counties and New York City for emergency communications.

"Being able to expand our emergency response capabilities is potentially lifesaving for our residents," Cayuga County Legislature Chair Patrick Mahunik said. "We are grateful for the state's support of this crucial public safety function."

Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0SKANEATELES  After receiving feedback from residents, Skaneateles' town board decided to postpone the public hearing on Local Law 2018-C during its regular meeting Monday night.

The local law was introduced in an Oct. 1 town board meeting, and sought to amend the definitions of "light industry" and "agriculture" in a section of Skaneateles' town code for clarification. The law, as introduced, would require that anyone who wished to engage in "light industrial activity," as related to processing raw logs into firewood, wood pellets or lumber for sale, would need a special permit if they don't live in the industrial district.

"It was not the intent of the town board to restrict anyone from cutting firewood on their own property and for their own use," Town Supervisor Janet Aaron said Monday. "I think some of the wording has been interpreted that way."

While Aaron said she still believes amendments need to be made to the town's code, she would like for there to be more time for the planning and zoning boards to review the update and look at how the wording of the local law can be restructured.

The town board voted to cancel the public hearing originally slated for Nov. 19 indefinitely while the various town boards continue to review the legislation.

"I don't want to upset people unnecessarily, and I think there's been some misinterpretation that has not been what the town board intended," Aaron said. "So I want to continue to look at this ... to work together to come up with something that is clear."

In other news:

The town made a negative declaration on a State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) for the town's Transfer Station community solar project.

"This project involves no significant adverse (environmental) impacts," Aaron said before the board voted.

On a roughly 72 acre parcel at 1676 Old Seneca Turnpike, Abundant Solar will install 915 solar tables  with 16-18 panels per table  on about 25 acres of land, said town attorney Brody Smith. The panels will be surrounded by a 6-foot tall chain link fence.

The Central New York Regional Planning and Development board started the whole project and selected Abundant Solar as the best company to do the project, Aaron said. The land was previously used as a landfill and wasn't currently in use for anything, she added.

The town, through being the landlord for Abundant Solar which will operate the solar field as a tenant, will get a much lower, fixed electric rate for town facilities as exchange for rent, Smith said. The lease and power-purchase agreement have yet to be finalized.

Staff writer Megan Ehrhart can be reached at (315) 282-2244 or megan.ehrhart@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter @MeganEhrhart.

Love 0 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NW Natural Water Company, LLC (NW Natural Water), a subsidiary of Northwest Natural Holding Company (NYSE:NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), through a subsidiary has signed an agreement with Sunriver Resort LP to acquire Sunriver Water, LLC and Sunriver Environmental, LLC.



Sunriver is located near Bend in Central Oregon and is one of the largest resort communities in the Pacific Northwest. The water and wastewater utilities serve a combined 9,400 connections and employ 21 people across both companies.

This is an important acquisition and an exciting step in building our water business, said David H. Anderson, NW Natural Holdings president and CEO. We were attracted by these companies legacy of high-quality service, talented workforce and expertise in wastewater operations. We look forward to providing safe, reliable and affordable service to the Sunriver community, just like we do every day for our natural gas and water utility customers.

Were pleased to partner with NW Natural Water in this transaction. They have an excellent reputation and commitment to the communities they serve, and will bring value in providing a vital public service to Sunriver, said Tom OShea, managing director of Sunriver Resort LP. Meanwhile, this sale will allow us to focus long term on our core business of resort operations, club management, real estate and development.

The transaction is subject to certain conditions, including approval by the Oregon Public Utilities Commission for the water distribution acquisition, and is expected to close in the first half of 2019.

This marks NW Natural Waters fifth announced acquisition within the past year, and its first in the wastewater sector. It recently completed its acquisition of Falls Water Company in Idaho, and has additional acquisitions pending in Oregon and Washington. To date, these transactions represent approximately $67 million of cumulative investment in the water sector and total more than 16,700 connections. These aggregate acquisitions are projected to be accretive to NW Natural Holdings earnings per share in the first full year of operations.

ABOUT NW NATURAL HOLDINGS

Northwest Natural Holding Company, (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and owns a 159-year-old regulated natural gas local distribution company, NW Natural Gas Company (NW Natural), NW Natural Water Company, and other business interests and activities.



NW Natural currently provides natural gas service to approximately two million people in more than 140 communities through 740,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural consistently leads the industry with high J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction scores.

NW Natural is currently constructing a 2.5 Bcf regulated gas storage expansion of its 16 Bcf facility in Oregon to support renewables. NW Natural Holdings subsidiaries own and operate 31 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity.



NW Natural Water currently provides water distribution service to more than 17,000 people through 5,300 meters. To date, NW Natural Water has acquired one water distribution system with four additional acquisitions pending. Cumulatively, the company has pending or closed acquisitions in the water and wastewater industry operating in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

Additional information is available at nwnatural.com.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report, and other presentations made by NW Natural Holdings from time to time, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "believes," "estimates," "expects" and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following: plans, objectives, goals, strategies, assumptions, estimates, expectations, expenses, future events, investments, customer growth, the likelihood, timing, and success associated with any transaction, financial results, accretion or financial projections, strategic fit, financial position, targeted capital structure, revenues and earnings, performance, timing or effects of future regulatory proceedings or future regulatory approvals, and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts.

Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. We caution you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are discussed by reference to the factors described in Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors," and Part II, Item 7 and Item 7A "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk" in Northwest Natural Gas Companys most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by subsequent filed reports, and in Part I, Items 2 and 3 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk," and Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in such company's quarterly reports filed thereafter.

All forward-looking statements made in this report and all subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of NW Natural Holdings, are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for the company to predict all such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Investor Contact: Nikki Sparley, 503-721-2530, nikki.sparley@nwnatural.com

Media Contact: Melissa Moore, 503-220-2436, melissa.moore@nwnatural.comDomestic violence impacts families across the state and the nation. Its effects are far-reaching, crippling and too often, lasting. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time for us to make an extra effort to consider the devastating impacts of in-home violence and work toward protecting those who suffer at its hand.

The New York State Assembly Minority Conference recognizes the damage created by domestic violence and staunchly supports empowering law enforcement and victims to take the needed steps to mitigate its awful effects. Our Conference hosted a series of regional task force forums around New York State to address domestic violence in our communities. As such, we have advocated for a number of legislative solutions to help prevent instances of domestic violence. Our report, Helping Abuse Victims and Enhancing Protections, enumerates our strategy to prevent violence and support victims.

This year, national Wear Purple Day is Thursday, Oct. 18. With an emphasis on recognition, prevention and healing, it is a day not only to reflect on the pain domestic violence brings to victims, but also an opportunity to confront it and move toward a healthier solution.

THERE ARE FAR TOO MANY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS

The statistics surrounding domestic violence are eye opening. Physical and emotional abuse is, sadly, widespread. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in the United States:

On average, almost 20 people each minute are physically abused by a partner. That means more than 10 million men and women each year are abused.

Intimate partner violence represents 15 percent of all violent crimes.

Only 1 in 3 victims seek medical care for their injuries.

These numbers are devastating. The scope of domestic violence is astounding and, quite frankly, unacceptable. I have continually pushed for a registry of violent offenders to help alleviate instances of domestic violence by giving families the information they need to keep themselves safe. If enacted, Brittanys Law would be a life-saving tool for New Yorkers.

BRITTANYS LAW COULD PREVENT TRAGEDY

Brittanys Law is named after Brittany Passalacqua, who was only 12 years old when she and her mother, Helen Buchel, were murdered in 2009. Their killer, John Edward Brown, Helens boyfriend at the time, was on parole following his incarceration for violently assaulting his infant daughter in 2003. Had Helen been able to access information about Browns violent past, this tragedy could have been avoided.

Brittanys Law is a personal and professional priority of mine. It is my sincere hope the law is considered and passed once the Legislature reconvenes; Brittany and her family deserve no less. This October, I ask policy advocates, lawmakers and residents to consider ways to eliminate domestic violence. Through legislation like Brittanys Law, emotional support and teamwork, we can overcome this terrible infliction.

What do you think? I want to hear from you. Send me your feedback, suggestions and ideas regarding this or any other issue facing New York State. You can always contact my district office at (315) 781-2030, email me at kolbb@nyassembly.gov, find me by searching for Assemblyman Brian Kolb on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0Dana Balters nonsense in this race is starting to become unbearable for voters. After Congressman Katko and Balter both mutually agreed upon four debates, Balter has now moved the goal posts, and has begun demanding that he agree to more. Congressman Katko works full time in Washington, representing us. Unlike Balter who is a part time professor at Syracuse University.

Given that Balter recently attended a fundraiser in New York City instead of joining Congressman Katko at the Manlius Chamber of Commerce candidate forum, her concern for more debates doesnt exactly seem genuine. If she were serious about public discourse, wouldnt it make sense for her to attend public forums like this one?

As our congressman, I have always applauded Katko for steering clear of political games like these. With Balter, its a whole other story. She has shown time and time again that she is much more interested in starting partisan fights than actually trying to understand the issues that are important to central New Yorkers.

Chantell Hotaling

Brutus

Love 6 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1This Nov. 6, voters in New York have the chance to end corruption in Albany, once and for all.

They have the chance to end the pay to play culture that is systemic in awarding public contracts.

They have the chance to end three men in a room legislative and budget deals.

They have the chance to close the LLC political contribution loophole that allows political dark money to corrupt and pollute the campaign finance process.

In order to do so, voters have to elect a truly independent candidate for Governor.

That candidate is former Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner, who is running on the Serve America Movement line, which will appear at 1-I on the ballot.

Miner is the only independent minor party candidate who has had executive experience governing the States fifth largest city for eight years.

As we watch leaders from both major parties get sentenced to prison terms at the close of this year, it is apparent that blind loyalty to the two major party candidates will produce only more of the same corruption.

To those who say that voting for an independent candidate for governor is a wasted vote, I would respond that you are wasting your vote by voting for more of the same corruption.

It is often said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

The only sane choice for governor is Stephanie Miner located at 1-I on the ballot.

Joseph E. Fahey

Syracuse

Joseph E. Fahey is a retired acting justice of the state Supreme Court and Onondaga County Court.

Love 0 Funny 4 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0Miner offers best choice for NY

This Nov. 6, voters in New York have the chance to end corruption in Albany, once and for all.

They have the chance to end the pay to play culture that is systemic in awarding public contracts.

They have the chance to end three men in a room legislative and budget deals.

They have the chance to close the LLC political contribution loophole that allows political dark money to corrupt and pollute the campaign finance process.

In order to do so, voters have to elect a truly independent candidate for Governor.

That candidate is former Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner, who is running on the Serve America Movement line, which will appear at 1-I on the ballot.

Miner is the only independent minor party candidate who has had executive experience governing the States fifth largest city for eight years.

As we watch leaders from both major parties get sentenced to prison terms at the close of this year, it is apparent that blind loyalty to the two major party candidates will produce only more of the same corruption.

To those who say that voting for an independent candidate for governor is a wasted vote, I would respond that you are wasting your vote by voting for more of the same corruption.

It is often said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

The only sane choice for governor is Stephanie Miner located at 1-I on the ballot.

Joseph E. Fahey

Syracuse

Joseph E. Fahey is a retired acting justice of the state Supreme Court and Onondaga County Court.

Thurston ready to be next judge

We write in support of David Thurston for Auburn City Court judge.

We have known David his entire life and have watched him grow into an outstanding lawyer and jurist, a community-minded citizen, and a dedicated husband and father. We can attest, without hesitation or reservation, to Davids integrity, fair mindedness, thoughtfulness, and dedication to justice, all of which are critical attributes for the position he seeks.

Since 2014, David has served ably as a part-time city court judge, earning the respect of those who have appeared before him. He is ready and prepared to be Auburns next city court judge. We urge the community to support him.

Richard and Deborah Hole

Skaneateles

Balter misleads on debate claims

Dana Balters nonsense in this race is starting to become unbearable for voters. After Congressman Katko and Balter both mutually agreed upon four debates, Balter has now moved the goal posts, and has begun demanding that he agree to more. Congressman Katko works full time in Washington, representing us. Unlike Balter who is a part time professor at Syracuse University.

Given that Balter recently attended a fundraiser in New York City instead of joining Congressman Katko at the Manlius Chamber of Commerce candidate forum, her concern for more debates doesnt exactly seem genuine. If she were serious about public discourse, wouldnt it make sense for her to attend public forums like this one?

As our congressman, I have always applauded Katko for steering clear of political games like these. With Balter, its a whole other story. She has shown time and time again that she is much more interested in starting partisan fights than actually trying to understand the issues that are important to central New Yorkers.

Chantell Hotaling

Brutus

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0English French

LeddarTech accelerates the development of its automotive LiDAR development platform, through organizational enhancements and the investment in two new engineering facilities in Toronto, Canada, and in Linz, Austria.



QUEBEC CITY, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LeddarTech, which develops a high-performance, cost-efficient solid-state LiDAR development platform for the automotive industry, is pleased to announce that it has greatly increased its automotive and semiconductor expertise through the hiring of two groups of world-class engineers to complement the existing engineering division. The company has recently expanded its operations to accommodate this growth in its new research and development office in Linz, Austria, as well as in its new Automotive Center of Excellence in Toronto, Canada.

This key expansion brings to the Linz research and development office highly specialized engineering resources focused in microelectronic activities in support of the companys LeddarCore systems-on-chip (SoC) integration programs.

In Toronto, the Automotive Center of Excellence (opening on October 29, 2018) will accommodate a team of automotive industry experts entirely dedicated to enabling active safety and autonomous driving solutions, with core expertise that includes, namely, vision sensors and fusion, machine learning and deep learning, software development, system engineering and ISO 26262 compliance.

LeddarTech is proud to attract top talent and our investment in world-class technical expertise in Linz and Toronto is a testament to our commitment to delivering the most versatile, flexible and architecturally scalable LiDAR development platform in the industry to our customers, stated Charles Boulanger, CEO of LeddarTech. Mr. Boulanger added, We are excited to have these experienced engineers on board and are confident that these highly skilled and qualified technical individuals will take LeddarTechs automotive LiDAR development platform solutions to the next level by accelerating design and time to market.

These senior automotive and semiconductor experts bring with them valuable experience and know-how in developing automotive-grade solutions that meet the industrys stringent FUSA requirements, stated Antonio Polo, LeddarTechs Vice-President of Engineering. Mr. Polo continued, This new expertise also supports our long-term technology development roadmap and enhances the organizations capability to support our customers LiDAR solutions through the integration of our unique Leddar Engine for autonomous driving applications.

About LeddarTech

LeddarTech is an industry leader in the development of the most versatile and easy-to-use automotive LiDAR development platform based on the unique Leddar Engine, which consists of a suite of automotive-grade and functional safety certified SoCs working in tandem with Leddar SP software. The company is responsible for several technological innovations in cutting-edge mobility remote-sensing applications. Automotive active safety, autonomous driving, intelligent transportation, inner-city fleet vehicles, and more, are being enhanced using patented LeddarTech technologies.

Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.LeddarTech.com, and on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.

LeddarTech, Leddar, LeddarCore Leddar Engine and LeddarTech logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Inc. All other brands, product names and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.



In celebration of the first-ever Danish Week on the Great British Bake Off tonight, weve scoured the archives to find five interesting facts about Nordic pastries and rising trends.

From market value to the nations bestsellers as well as the definition of a true Danish, heres what you need to know about those breakfast favourites:

Danish pastry is an Americanism

The term Danish pastry does not necessarily mean the pastries originate from Denmark  it simply means a multi-layered, laminated sweet pastry made in the Viennoiserie tradition.

Traditionally the Danes would not recognise the concept of Danish pastry, as this is an Americanism, says bakery scientist Stan Cauvain, director of consultancy BakeTran. In common parlance the concept of Danish pastry refers to puff pastry that has been enriched with sugar and egg, and will be yeast-raised.

He adds that Danish pastries have to be proved and will likely have fewer fat layers than puff pastry.

Brits spend 60m on Danish pastries every year

Those cinnamon swirls and maple pecan plaits grabbed for on-the-go consumption at breakfast add up, as UK consumers eat more than 69 million sweet Danish pastries a year.

This adds up to a whopping 62m spend on Danish pastries in 12 months [IRI 29 September 2018].

The nations favourites

The UKs three top-selling Danish pastries are part of Lantmannen Unibake UKs Schulstad Bakery Solutions. They are: Maple Pecan Plait (pictured above), Cinnamon Swirl and Vanilla Creme Crown, according to the manufacturer, which notes due to their wide distribution they are Lantmannens top three bestsellers and, by default, the UKs as well.

Offering advice to retailers and foodservice operators, Lantmannen Unibake UK marketing manager Kate Sykes says: Consumers love choice, so we recommend stocking a range of flavours. However, to maximise their sales opportunity, its crucial that operators stock the best-sellers. Most retailers would be unlikely to consider a drinks fixture without Coca-Cola and its the same with pastries.

Bigger isnt always better

Miniature formats of Danish pastries are growing in popularity as they allow consumers who are concerned with portion control to still indulge in a sweet treat, adds Sykes.

Lantmannen, for example, offers a Mini Danish Selection that features smaller versions of its bestsellers as well as a Raspberry Crown and Apple Coronet.

Smaller portions also have the added bonus of being ideal for sharing and snacking on throughout the day, meaning they are able to expand outside of the breakfast occasion.

A taste of the exotic

A comforting hit of cinnamon or maple and pecan might be a familiar breakfast time treat, but some manufacturers are getting experimental, offering more exotic and, in some cases seasonal, flavours.

Aryzta, for example, recently rolled out a trio of pastries comprising a Lemon Danish Plait, a Mango & Passion Fruit Danish Crown and a Wild Canadian Blueberry Danish Crown (pictured above).

The Co-op, meanwhile, has taken inspiration from popular coffee shop flavours debuting a seasonal Caramel Latte Crown late last year, which followed in the footsteps of 2016s Mincemeat Danish.

All these build on flavours that are familiar to consumers without being too far outside the box that only the really adventurous would want to try them.Should Beaufort County's commissioners be resolved to ask the federal government to defend our Southern Border by ending the Biden /Harris Open Border policy in regards to that one border that is intentionally made wide OPEN?

Yes, Illegal Migrants are a huge expense to local governments.

No, the cost of Undocumented Immigrants is insignificant in our providing a pathway for Dramatic Demographic Upheaval..Legislative leaders plan to allocate $794 million for Hurricane Florence disaster relief when they return to special session on Monday, Oct. 15.Most of the money will come from the $2.1 billion Rainy Day Fund Republicans built up over recent years to prevent tax increases or major budget shuffles during emergencies.On Wednesday, Gov. Roy Cooper recommended $1.5 billion to cover the state portion of nearly $13 billion in storm losses, $750 million of it immediately. Republican lawmakers acknowledged in a press release issued Saturday, Oct. 13, more than the governor's initial proposal was needed.Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, said in the joint release.The lawmakers echoed Cooper's desire for bipartisan cooperation.they said.said senior Senate Appropriations Chairman Harry Brown, R-Onslow.Senior House Appropriations Chairman Nelson Dollar, R-Wake, said a top priority is immediate help to speed repairs to hard hit schools.According to the news release:If approved, the appropriation would increase the amount designated for hurricane recovery to $850 million since Sept. 14, when Florence made landfall. The latest round of funding would boost total hurricane response since 2016 to more than $1.2 billion.The N.C. Office of State Budget and Management offered lawmakers guiding with their funding plan. State Budget Director Charles Perusse briefed lawmakers and staff Thursday.OSBM staff said the initial estimate is considered a five-year plan, but it may change. The assessments were made using computer modeling, and the total spending may change once actual data are gathered.The most recent report on Hurricane Matthew funding says about $124 million has been distributed, $115 million has been awarded, and $121 million remains available from the $360 million set aside since 2016 for disaster recovery.James McKinney Jr.

Shemar Pope Jayquan Taylor



Sheriff Ernie Coleman

Beaufort County Sheriff's Office

An argument between two 18 yr old Chocowinity men that began on social media, turned violent Wednesday night when one of the 18 yr. olds and his 20 yr. old cousin, also from Chocowinity, were shot in the front yard of a residence on the Gray Road.Beaufort County Sheriff's Deputies were called to the shooting at 1082 Gray Road at about 6:40 pm on October 10, 2018. When they arrived they learned 2 men had been shot and already transported to Vidant Beaufort ER by a private vehicle. Sheriff's Investigators also responded to the shooting scene and the emergency room and began piecing the facts together.An argument between Shemar Leslie Pope, age 18 and Desmond Trieke Gorham, also age 18, escalated when Pope and 3 others showed up to fight with Gorham. After a brief verbal altercation, one of the 4 opened fire, discharging 6 - 7 rounds, hitting Gorham and 20 yr. old Kyale Devon Gaskins Jr. All four fled the scene immediately after.After processing the crime scene and taking statements from both victims and eyewitnesses at the scene, Investigators began their search for the suspects. However Pope turned himself into the Sheriff's Office on the same night. The next day James Lee Mc Kinney Jr. age 19 of Edward, NC and Jaquan Maliak Taylor age 16, of Washington were identified as suspects and arrested by Deputies.Pope, Mc Kinney Jr. and Taylor were all charged with 2 counts each of Assault With a Deadly Weapon With Intent to Kill, Inflicting Serious Injury. Pope's bond was set at $40,000.00, Mc Kinney's bond was set at $50,000.00 and Taylor's bond was set at $30,000.00. The investigation is on-going and more arrests are possible in this case.Gorham was treated and released on the same night. Kyale Gaskins was transferred to Vidant Pitt with non-life threatening injuries. His current condition is unknown.Over the past few days, President Trump has rightly singled out high-ranking Democratic support for a mob mentality. Speaking in Iowa, President Trump told a crowd of 9,000 that the Democrats were an "angry mob" pushing "policies of anger, division and destruction." He explained, "You don't hand matches to an arsonist and you don't give power to an angry left-wing mob, and that's what the Democrats are."Democrats accurately fired back that Trump has spent much of his political career operating off of anger, and that he hasn't been averse to using violent rhetoric when it seems useful. But that's just a form of whataboutism, and an insufficient response to the Democrats' open embrace of mobbing over the past few weeks. In the last 24 hours alone, Hillary Clinton has called for an end to civility with Republicans, former attorney general Eric Holder has said, "When they go low, we kick them," and Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) has refused to push back against Leftist activists who confront Republicans in restaurants.Those latest examples follow hard on Democrats like Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) openly encouraging confrontation in public spaces with Republicans.Americans can see the effect of Democrats' decision to tut-tut mobs. We can see it in the thousands of people who showed up to occupy the Senate Hart Building in order to harass senators. We can see it in the mobs braying and pounding against the doors of the Supreme Court. We can see it in the groups who have hounded Republicans ranging from Ted Cruz to Kirstjen Nielsen to Sarah Huckabee Sanders to Mitch McConnell in public spaces.But the media are now engaging in a rather incredible gaslighting tactic: they're claiming that even as top Democrats wink and nod at the mob, there's no such thing as a Leftist mob. Thus, CNN's Brooke Baldwin reacted with utter incredulity at the idea that mobs had anything to do with the Brett Kavanaugh saga:CNN's Don Lemon did the same, yelling at anyone who would claim that Democrats were acting in moblike fashion:These same members of the media were more than happy to label the Tea Party a mob repeatedly - and Democrats characterized the Tea Party as terrorists repeatedly as well.According to many members of the media, there is no such thing as a Left-wing mob - those are just angry people. And there is no such thing as a Right-wing protest - there are only angry, racist mobs. For those who didn't believe in media bias, this week's "mob" controversy should be an eye-opener.VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chemesis International Inc. (CSE:CSI) (OTC:CADMF) (the Company or Chemesis), announces its intention to enter the recreational and medical cannabis market in Canada. The Company is reviewing possible joint ventures, agreements or acquisitions in distribution, manufacturing, and product development spaces. Chemesis intends on leveraging its assets, brands, and management expertise to gain market share in Canada. Chemesis is presently performing due diligence on fully licensed and operational cannabis companies in Canada.



Canada has significant opportunity in both recreational and medical markets, with the Canadian cannabis market expected to generate up to $7.17 billion CDN in 20191. The Company sees major opportunities in Canada from high-quality manufacturing to brands that have developed a strong presence in the market. Chemesis aims to introduce Canadian consumers its portfolio of brands which includes California Sap , the Companys flagship brand. California Sap has been recognized in California since 2012, with 25 gold rankings for best CO, best topical, best product, best concentrate, best cartridge, highest terpene and more.



1 Deloitte  2018 Cannabis Report



The Company is looking at multiple opportunities in Canada that will allow us to enter the market and gain a strong presence with minimal regulatory hurdles, said CEO, Edgar Montero. Chemesis is only evaluating businesses that have met regulatory and compliance standards. This allows the Company to enter into the market with our assets, and expertise without unnecessary delay. The introduction of California Sap and our other brands will allow Canadians the ability to purchase premium brands, that are extremely accomplished in California. As we continue to execute our business plan, Chemesis will look for acquisitions and partnerships that bring growth and shareholder value.

About Chemesis International Inc.

Chemesis International Inc. is a vertically integrated global leader in the cannabis industry, currently operating within Puerto Rico, and California.

Chemesis is developing a strong foothold in key markets, from cultivation, to manufacturing, distribution, and retail. Chemesis has facilities in both Puerto Rico and California, allowing for cost effective production and distribution of its products. In addition, Chemesis leverages exclusive brands and partnerships and uses the highest quality extraction methods, to provide consumers with quality cannabis products.

Chemesis will add shareholder value by exploring opportunities in emerging markets while consistently delivering quality product to its consumers from seed to sale.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Edgar Montero

CEO and Director

INVESTOR RELATIONS:

ir@chemesis.com

www.chemesis.com

1 (604) 398-3378

Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to statements regarding the Company's business, products and future the Companys business, its product offerings and plans for sales and marketing. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance and developments to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, the risks that the Company's products and plan will vary from those stated in this news release and the Company may not be able to carry out its business plans as expected. Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation and does not intend, to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information in this news release. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct and makes no reference to profitability based on sales reported. The statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release.

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this press releaseSouth Dakota Gets $500K+ in Uber Data Breach Settlement

While Uber may still not even be operating in the state of South Dakota, that didn't stop the state from getting its piece of the Uber data breach settlement pie.

The settlement stems from a 2016 data breach where hackers stole private information for 600,000 Uber drivers, then ransomed that information back to the company. Unfortunately for the company, not disclosing the data breach until 2017 led to public outrage, and, not to mention, several states filing lawsuits resulting in the $148 million settlement.

SD Drivers Get No Pie

Interestingly, though Uber hasn't moved into South Dakota yet, the state still had 71 Uber drivers living there whose data was compromised in the 2016 breach. Pursuant to state law, those data breaches needed to be disclosed within 60 days. And though there were less than 100 Uber drivers in the state subject to the breach, the state's will receive $573,000.

South Dakota law imposes civil penalties of $2,000 per "deceptive act" as well as a $10K per day fine for each day a defendant fails to notify the public about such a data breach. Sadly for those 71 drivers in the state, they won't see any of the settlement. The money will go to the state's attorney general's office.

Uber drivers in other states more substantially affected may be a little bit luckier. For instance, in Ohio, Uber drivers whose information was compromised will receive a $100 payment (out of the state's $5.6 million portion of the $150 million settlement).

Uber Mistake

When this data breach was initially reported in November 2017, Uber had known about it for a year. Making matters even worse for the tech giant, Softbank was in the process of negotiating a substantial investment into Uber. As a result of the breach, Softbank's valuation of the company changed, and their offer decreased by nearly 30%.

Related Resources:English French

Credit Agricole Assurances signed an agreement with Seguradoras Unidas to acquire a 25% stake in GNB Seguros. Post closing, Credit Agricole Assurances would therefore increase its stake from 50% to 75% of GNB Seguros, the remaining 25% stake being held by the Portuguese banking Group Novo Banco. The transaction is subject to approval by Portuguese authorities. This operation confirms Credit Agricole Assurances's willingness to go on developing its non-life business in Portugal and to reinforce its partnership with Novo Banco. Following the announcement in July 2018 of a partnership in life insurance with the Italian bank Credito Valtellinese, this transaction also confirms Credit Agricole Assurance's strategy to develop partnerships with external banking groups to strengthen its international presence.

From Seguradoras Unidas's perspective, "the sale of the 25% share in GNB Seguros will allow the Company to further focus on its key distribution channel - the Agents and Brokers Networks."

Founded in 1996, GNB Seguros is the 13th non-life insurance player in Portugal with more than 77m gross written premiums at the end of 2017. GNB Seguros' main product lines are home, auto and health insurance. It also provides unemployment (mainly credit linked), repatriation and accident policies. Its products are mainly distributed in Novo Banco's large retail network and, more recently through Credibom, Credit Agricole's portuguese entity for consumer finance.

Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank acted as the sole financial advisor to Credit Agricole Assurances on this transaction.A new report from the San Francisco County Transportation Authority attributes the majority (51%-73%) of the prodigious 2010-2016 increase in San Francisco traffic congestion on Uber and Lyft; the rideshare companies dispute the finding and say that it's really down to increased Amazon Prime delivery vehicles and Lyft has offered to work with the city on "congestion pricing" whereby use of the public roads are taxed at the same rate for both the city's incredibly wealthy tech elite and struggling underclass, with the intention of limiting private vehicle use.



The companies have agreed to a 3.5% tax on single-rider trips to fund public transit, which will only go into effect if it is ratified by ballot initiative in 2019.

San Francisco's public transit is markedly over capacity; it's been years since I last got a seat on a BART train and I frequently have to wait for multiple trains to go by before I find a car with enough space to board.

By contrast, the French city of Dunkirk made its public transit free and increased service levels and saw a massive decrease in private vehicle use and traffic congestion; riders have discovered a newfound socialibility with their neighbors that they find delightful.

"In the stories that are told all the time, blanket statements are made," says Joe Castiglione, the deputy director for technology, data, and analysis at the SFCTA. "That really ignores a lot of the reality of the situation: Not that these impacts are spread everywhere in space or time, but that, in fact, they are highly concentrated in space and time." Castiglione and his colleagues will present the report to the city's Board of Supervisors, its main legislative body, on Tuesday morning. It will be up to the board to decide how to use the data. In fact, the board just struck a deal with the ride-hailers: This summer, after a protracted negotiation with the city, both Uber and Lyft agreed to a proposal for a new 3.25 percent tax on net rider fares for each solo trip, and a 1.5 percent tax on shared rides. Government officials say the money raised from these new taxes will county transit uses. The agreement has to be affirmed in a ballot measure by two-thirds of city voters, who will decide on the proposal next year. And it's always worth remembering, as transportation professionals say again and again, that congestion can be a sign that your city is thriving. "Congestion arises because we have people, and people go out and do things and they have jobs," says Castiglione. Fighting congestion is good. But expecting traffic to disappearor blaming it all on one or two playersisn't realistic.

Uber and Lyft Made Traffic Worse in San Francisco. But It's Complicated [Aarian Marshall/Wired]

(Image: Zzyzx11, CC-BY-SA)

Tech-sector workers have enormous market-power: companies find it easier to raise cash than to use it to hire qualified developers.



Almost every business  not just Big Tech  is bidding on tech talent. People mock Google's "Don't Be Evil" motto, but when you're courting workers who have their pick of employers, offering a chance to do meaningful, ethical work is a huge differentiator that can mean the difference of tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. The poorly understood corollary of this is that whenever Google contemplates something evil, those same developers walk off the job, and those potential millions leave with them. Google's leadership knows this, and while it doesn't prevent them from doing evil, it does change the internal calculations when evil is on the table: when evil costs you something, it needs a much bigger upside before it is profitable enough to pursue.





Every tech company has its own version of "don't be evil" (Facebook's is "bring the world closer together"). Even if the corporate leadership pays lip service to this motto, the all-important workforce sometimes takes it to heart.

Ever since big tech's leaders attended a meeting at Trump tower with a newly elected fascist who wanted to deport huge slices of their workforce and use big data to create concentration camps, big tech's workforce has been up in arms, founding groups like the Tech Workers Coalition and connecting their work to the problems in the world around them.





From Microsoft to Google to Salesforce to Amazon and beyond, the tech industry's workforce has become a pitiless and unstoppable force against big tech itself.





The tech industry as we know it today owes much of its existence to the rejection of militarism in technology (Vietnam's data-driven bombings, etc) and the growth of a "tech counterculture." Today, a new counterculture is a-borning.



Tech workers are fighting for their own interests, too. Last year, a female engineer at San Franciscobased Lanetix, which makes software for the shipping industry, was fired after she reportedly began speaking up about workplace issues, such as paid time off and opaque promotions. Her fellow software engineer Bjorn Westergard says the dismissal kicked off months of strife that inspired staffers to unionize. Just before the hearing to schedule union elections in January, Lanetix fired the entire engineering staff. (Lanetix did not respond to Fast Company's request for comment.) It was a reminder that employee activism has its limits. However, all of the highly skilled engineers found new jobs within a few months. "Tech workers [have felt] disempowered at their workplace, [like they] don't have control over their work, over what they're building," says Ben Tarnoff, a Cambridge, Massachusettsbased product manager and journalist, who covers the tech-worker movement. Tarnoff also belongs to the reemerging Democratic Socialists of America organization, which has found a toehold among Silicon Valley progressives. DSA tech workers in San Francisco have been key supporters of local policy efforts, such as a ballot initiative to increase funding for subsidized housing and homeless assistance, and are active in many of the protests over government contracts.



How tech workers became activists, leading a resistance movement that is shaking up Silicon Valley [Sean Captain/Fast Company]

OG riot grrrl Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre has launched a new t-shirt line with all the money going to Peace Sisters, a non-profit that helps pay school tuition for underprivileged young girls in the West African nation of Togo. The shirts feature the likes of Kim Gordon, Jill Soloway, Chuck D (all seen below), Patton Oswalt, W. Kamau Bell, and Carrie Brownstein. The money from each $40 t-shirt sends a girl to school for a year. Buy 'em at Tees 4 Togo.





From Rolling Stone:

Hanna devised the concept after meeting Peace Sisters founder Tina Kampor. A former teacher in Togo, Kampor immigrated to Pasadena 15 years ago, where she would become a full-time registered nurse. Still, she could not forget her students back home: "[Tina] grew up there and she just saw all these girls who weren't able to go to school," explains Hanna. "A lot of them are orphans, or very poor. Past the fifth grade in Togo, you have to pay for [education]. She saw all these girls dropping out in the sixth grade. So when she came to California she started sending money home, then opened it up for other people to help. She's put 130 girls through school herself and supported members of her family at the same time. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and [said], 'I want to be a part of this!'"If you're not pissed off at the assassination of The Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, you should be.

As a permanent resident of the United States, Khashoggi should be protected by the U.S. Government, just like any United States citizen. But, instead of pouring pressure on Saudi Arabia to bring the perpetrators of Khashoggi's slaughter to justice, there's nothing but the flapping of gums over "rogue killers." Money, as always, is being put ahead of the sanctity of human life and the rule of law. Khashoggi's murder is also an attack on the freedom of the press. His brave, unwavering reports on corruption and human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia made him a target for the Saudi royal family and the nation's intelligence apparatus. He was killed for telling the truth. We can't force our governments to take action over Khashoggi's murder. But we can make our outrage known to those responsible for doing business with Saudi Arabia.

The Future Investment Initiative (FII) is a conference being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 23rd. Rich people will talk about rich people things to make themselves even more rich. The event is the work of Public Investment fundone of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world. The PIF is a mechanism by which our aforementioned invest in things that only rich people can afford to spend their money on in order to be even more rich. The FII's October 23rd event is an orgy of money-grubbing elitists talking about how to secure further funding, build assets, and control even more of the world's wealth than the ultra-rich already do. Since Khashoggi's disappearance and the credible report of his death at the hands of Saudi government officials, a number of high profile individuals and organizations have announced that they want nothing to do with the FII event in Riyadh. It's an important gesture. The more high profile individuals and companies that boycott the event, the worse it looks for the Saudi government. It translates into less business being done on Saudi soil, less investment in Saudi business. For a kingdom that rises and falls on the amount of gold in its coffers, this translates into being hit right where it hurts.

The Stop The Future Investment Initiative is a website that provides us with all of the tools needed to make the public lives of the individuals and companies still associated with the event in Riyadh as unpleasant as possible. The site provides the Twitter contacts for all of the FII's speakers and those of any companies that will be in attendance. It also has a repository of graphics, in multiple languages, for social media-savvy droogs like you to voice your displeasure with one penny more of anyone's cash going towards a kingdom that feels it can murder journalists with impunity.

Get on it. Get involved.

Image via StopFII.comWhen security researchers report on the ghastly defects in voting machines, the officials who bought these machines say dismiss their concerns by saying that the tamper-evident seals they put around the machines prevent bad guys from gaining access to their internals.

But University of Michigan grad student Matt Bernhard has demonstrated that he can bypass the tamper-evident seals in seconds, using a shim made from a slice of a soda can. The bypass is undetectable and doesn't damage the seal, which can be resecured after an attacker gains access to the system.

Fred Woodhams from the Michigan Secretary of State's office dismissed Bernhard's warning: "the seal that is shown in the video was not affixed to anything, and the video does not represent a real-world scenario of how seals are used and affixed."

"The seal that is shown in the video was not affixed to anything, and the video does not represent a real-world scenario of how seals are used and affixed," spokesman Fred Woodhams said in an email to Motherboard. "The video also provides no context about the sum total of security measures for tabulators and sealed ballot containers, which are stored in locked area within a clerk's office, among other security measures that help prevent election tampering. I would note that the sealed ballot containers store ballots that already have been counted." Bernhard, however, said that although voting machines may be locked when they are stored in the county clerk's building, they are left unattended for days at polling placeshigh school gyms, churches, and community centersprior to elections. Often times they're left out in the open or in rooms that don't have locks. Even when they are stored in rooms that have locks, those locks can be defeated as easily as the seals. And although some of these facilities may also be monitored by surveillance cameras, cameras can be defeated as well he notes. "Seals [and ties] make machines a little bit more secure because attackers have to do a little more work [to get to the machines]," he said, but not much. Even more advanced tags made from steel can be defeated, though it might take a little longer to do so. "It takes 5 minutes vs, 20 seconds [for the plastic ones]," he said.

Security Seals Used to Protect Voting Machines Can Be Easily Opened With Shim Crafted from a Soda Can [Kim Zetter/Motherboard]In the late 2000s, Jamaican authorities launched a crackdown on drug dealers, extraditing the country's most notorious crime-bosses to the USA; the power-vacuum was filled by telephone advance-fee fraud (419/Spanish Prisoner/etc) scammers who targeted American victims, bringing an estimated $300,000,000 to Montego Bay and its region, the epicenter of the scam.



The crime syndicates that run the scams are in open war with one another; three of Jamaica's largest districts have been under a state of emergency since January, occupied by armed soldiers. The soldiers arbitrarily detain and brutalize young men, and have collaborated with law enforcement in schemes to rob the scammers and keep the money  one group was convicted of stealing $5.6 million this way.

Montego Bay has a storied history as a tourist destination and Jamaican tourist authorities continue to promote it as a tranquil holiday spot.



One of the founding fathers of Jamaican lotto scamming exemplified the corruption. Kenrick Stephenson, otherwise known as Bebe, was facing several lawsuits for fraud while also serving as vice chair of the People's National Party constituency in his home area of Granville. Bebe had a highly unusual lifestyle. Not only was he a lotto scammer-cum-politician  he was also openly gay in a country notorious for rampant homophobia. But he wielded the power to rearrange some of the country's norms. He dressed femininely and threw wild drag parties, an unheard of thing to do in Jamaica. He was murdered in 2014 at the gates of his mansion in the upper-class area of Ironshore, in a suspected gang-related killing. Prominent politicians, gay rights activists, and community members all attended his funeral, where rumors circulated that his casket was made of gold. The bloodshed reached crisis point earlier this year. On January 16, outside Sangster International Airport, next to the Friendly City billboard, three men wielding AK-47s strolled across the main road and, in broad daylight, unloaded more than 70 bullets into a silver Nissan Tiida car. One man died, and another three were injured in what was believed to have been a gang-related attack. Two days later the government declared the state of emergency.

How Phone Scamming Has Fueled a State of Emergency in Jamaica's Tourist Capital [Summer Eldemire/The Intercept]- The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced that they have a baby on the way

- Prince Harry and Megan Markle are currently touring Australia, and she is already starting to show signs of a baby bump

- The Duchess honoured the late Princess Diana by wearing some of her jewellery when they broke the news of the royal baby

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Prince Harry and Megan Markle have embarked on their first trip abroad after confirming that they will be expecting their first child together.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently in Sydney, Australia and we cant help but notice that Megan is starting to show her baby bump.

The royal couple were rumoured to be having a baby, but now it is official, and the word has spread like wildfire.

During their meeting with the Governor-General of Australia, Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife, the couple were gifted with new shoes and toys for the baby on the way.

PAY ATTENTION: Save mobile data with FreeBasics: Briefly is now available on the app

The parents-to-be were showered with gifts upon their arrival to Australia. Image Credit: Getty Images

Source: Getty Images

Prince Harry seemed delighted to receive the Ugg boots from Cosgrove and his wife, so there might be a scuffle about who gets to keep them.

Megan was also given a kangaroo toy, which she announced was the first gift that they had gotten for their little bundle of joy and it certainly wont be their last.

Once the Duke and Duchess are finished their tour of Australia, they will then move on to Fiji, New Zealand and Tonga.

It has been advised that Megan stay away from Fiji and Tonga due to the outbreak of the Zika virus, but she has decided to carry on with the rest of their tour.

READ ALSO: Nambitha Ben-Mazwi completely slaying her big role in Diamond City

The Duchess has already started showing signs of a baby bump. Image Credit: Getty Images

Source: Getty Images

According to the BBC, Prince Harry thanked everyone who took the time to meet with them and they couldnt think of a better place to announce to the public that Megan was expecting.

Briefly.co.za learned that the Duchess payed homage to Prince Harrys late mother, Princess Diana by wearing a pair of earrings and a bracelet that used to belong to her.

E! News reports that Megans dress was designed by an Australian designer, Karen Gee who was thrilled to have the chance to have dress the Duchess, especially when she had such exciting news to announce.

Congrats to the royal couple!

Do you have a story to share with us? Inbox us on our Facebook page and we could feature your story.

Watch the animated video and head over to Briefly South Africas Youtube channel for more.

To stay up to date with the latest news, download our news app on Google Play or iTunes today.

Source: Briefly.co.za- Prince Mohammad Salman of Saudi Arabia wants to buy Manchester United

- He is a 33-year-old man who owns the world's most expensive home

- His family are said to be worth close to 1 trillion

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Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on Monday, October 15, signified serious interest to buy Premier League campaigners Manchester United from the Glazers' family.

Many Manchester United fans would be wondering if the 33-year-old prince is really capable of buying the Red Devils, but he is one of the richest men in the world who gets anything he wants for himself and his family.

Prince Mohammad Bin Salman is the son of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

At the age of 33, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia is already a multi billionaire who reportedly worth 850bn and also owns the world's most expensive home in the world.

Apart from being a rich man and a prince, Mohammad Bin Salman is also a close pal to some of the world's richest leaders such as Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron.

Briefly.co.za learned that there is no place in the world prince Mohammad Salman cannot visit considering how rich he is.

He married Sarah Bint Mashhoor in 2008 and have four children, but he likes to keep his family affairs private as hardly will you see him in public with his wife.

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See below some of his properties

Prince Mohammad Salman owns the world's most expensive home

Source: Depositphotos

Mohammed bin Salman reportedly paid 230m for Chateau Louis XIV

Source: Depositphotos

READ ALSO: Kanye West lands in Africa to record music for his new album

Built across 50,000 sq ft, it has 10 bedrooms, an indoor and outdoor pool and a moat circled by an aquarium

Source: Depositphotos

Mohammad bin Salman splashed over 380million on his superyacht

Source: Depositphotos

He reportedly splashed 340m on a rare Leonardo da Vinci painting

Source: Depositphotos

Mohammad bin Salman has friends all over the world, including Vladimir Putin

Source: Depositphotos

Donald Trump and Mohammad bin Salman are friends

Source: Depositphotos

READ ALSO: Thembi Seete shocks Mzansi with her flawless makeup-free face

The Queen meets Mohammad bin Salman

Source: Depositphotos

Earlier, NAIJ.com had reported how Premier League giants Manchester United have reportedly emerged as a target for Saudi Arabian billionaire Mohammad Bin Salman who wants to buy the club.

According to the report, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad Salman is worth around 850bn. It added that he is ready to sanction a bid by an individual or a move backed by the money of the oil-rich state to take a stake in United or ideally to buy the club outright

Do you have a story to share with us? Inbox us on our Facebook page and we could feature your story.

Watch the animated video and head over to Briefly South Africas Youtube channel for more.

To stay up to date with the latest news, download our news app on Google Play or iTunes today.

Source: Briefly.co.zaNews / National

by Staff reporter

There is a drastic increase in motor vehicle imports through Beitbridge Border Post as dealers are rushing to buy cars in South Africa, amid speculation that Government will soon demand payment of duty in foreign currency instead of bond notes.It is understood that the dealers went into panic mode after the announcement of the monetary policy and the introduction of a 2 percent tax on RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlements) related transactions.Dealerships on the South African side of the border, where most pre-owned vehicles from Japan, the United Kingdom (UK) and Singapore are bought and shipped to Zimbabwe, said they have been recording brisk business since October 2. There are over 27 dealerships selling second-hand vehicles on the South African side of the border.The Herald is reliably informed that the vehicle import documents being processed at both Manica and Malindi transit sheds in Beitbridge have increased by 100 percent."A few weeks ago we used to acquit an average of 80 vehicles per day, but that has doubled to 180," said an official from Malindi transit shed who preferred anonymity."We understand people are panicking because there is a rumour that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development (Professor Mthuli Ncube) will introduce the payment of duty in foreign currency for all vehicle imports soon."Border authorities also confirmed that the number of vehicle Certificates of Customs Clearance (CCC) produced per day had increased."We are capturing more than double the number of CCCs daily as a result of a sudden increase in vehicle imports from South Africa," said a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) official at the border.In separate interviews last week, the car dealers in the neighbouring country said they were now selling between 30 and 40 vehicles per day compared to five prior to the announcement of the new monetary policy.A sales manager at one of the biggest dealers (Wright Cars), Mr Clemence Mabidi, said there was a sudden demand for cars with bigger engines such as Mercedes-Benz, Toyota Prado, Toyota Quantum, BMW, Honda CRV (RD7), Toyota Hiace, Mark X and Volvo."We used to sell around less than 20 vehicles per day and now sales have increased to 40," he said."There is a marked increase on the demand for vehicles with bigger engines, a deviation from the previous norm where people were buying smaller (light) vehicles which are fuel savers."You will note that there are 27 dealers around this area and others are contemplating leaving Durban to set shop here. As a result of the demand we have also increased our prices, but still the cars are selling like hot cakes."For instance, we used to sell a Honda Fit for $1 800. The same car now costs $2 300. Those with bigger engines are being sold between $8 000 and $10 000."Mr Mabidi said even the small car dealers who used to sell between five and 10 cars per day were now selling up to 20 vehicles. Major car dealers at the South African border include Quest Royal, Wright Cars, Car Cade, Murree Motors, Noble Motors and KDG.News / National

by Staff reporter

PARLIAMENT has gazetted the Companies and Other Business Entities Bill, 2018, which will, among other issues, update the archaic 67-year-old Companies Act which was legislated way back in 1951.The Bill, if passed, will improve corporate governance practices in the private sector, and regulate how directors interact with the companies they superintend.Clerk of Parliament, Kennedy Chokuda last week invited input on the Bill from the public and the business community, as stipulated by section 141 of the Constitution, which requires that Parliament must facilitate public involvement in its legislative and other processes.The new features include the introduction of an electronic registry for the incorporation and registration of domestic and foreign companies and private business corporations.Other new features are additional measures to protect shareholders and investors, in particular minority shareholders and investors."The Bill will update and modernise the Companies Registry by re-registering all existing companies and private business corporations and removing all defunct companies and private business corporations within 12 months of the date of commencement of the Act resulting from this Bill," the memorandum of the Companies and Other Business Entities Bill read."It will make new provision for the merger and takeover of companies and other business entities, and make the beneficial ownership of companies more transparent."In terms of clause 207(1) of the Bill, it proposes to prohibit financial assistance to directors, and will make it illegal for a company to make a loan or render other financial assistance to any person who is its director or a director of its holding company or to enter into any guarantee or provide any security in connection with a loan.Other new provisions are measures to protect shareholders and investors, in particular minority shareholders and investors.The new proposed law will also provide criminal penalties for making false statements by directors and other officers or responsible persons of companies and private business corporations."If any person in any statement, return, report, certificate, statement of financial position or other document required or for the purpose of any provisions of this Act makes a statement false in any material particular, knowing it to be false, he or she shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level seven or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or to both such fine and such imprisonment," clause 66(1) of the Bill reads.The Bill (Clause 4) will, however, not apply to banks, building societies, co-operative societies, insurers and other entities, whose formation is subject to other laws, and it will also not apply to trade unions and employers organisations.Guavus is unique in offering AI-based analytics solutions across CSP Customer Care, Marketing, Networking and Security operations



SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In Heavy Readings new  Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Telecom Operations: Opportunities & Obstacles  report, Guavus is profiled as a leading AI-based analytics solution provider for communications services providers (CSPs) and highlighted as the only vendor of 16 profiled to have AI-based solutions across Customer Care, Marketing, Networking, and Security operations. These are 4 major areas of business operations where CSPs are using or are planning to use AI, according to research by Heavy Reading.

The complexity of communications networks seems to increase inexorably with the deployment of new services, such as SD-WAN and 5G, and new technology paradigms, such as NFV. To meet ever-rising customer expectations, CSPs need to increase the intelligence of their network operations, planning and optimization. AI and machine learning will be key to automating network operations and enhancing the customer experience, says James Crawshaw, Heavy Reading Senior Analyst and author of the report.

The Heavy Reading report provides an overview of AI and machine learning (ML), outlines the key telecom use cases, quantifies the level of adoption in CSPs today, and discusses the challenges of applying AI/ML to the networking domain. It also provides real-world examples from 10 CSPs using AI/ML and profiles key vendors that are specialists in telecom AI/ML. Of the 16 vendors profiled, the report shows that only Guavus is applying AI to Customer Care, Marketing/CRM, Networking/IT Ops, and Fraud/Security.

The report outlines products from Guavus that address these key areas of CSP operations:

Live Ops: adaptive analytics to correlate separate data sources (call logs, trouble tickets, service calls, network and equipment change records, etc.) to identify and understand customer impacting events in real time and then recommend steps to repair.

adaptive analytics to correlate separate data sources (call logs, trouble tickets, service calls, network and equipment change records, etc.) to identify and understand customer impacting events in real time and then recommend steps to repair. Proactive Ops: proactively anticipate events that may cause network problems, identify which ones will have the biggest customer impact and take automated actions as needed.

proactively anticipate events that may cause network problems, identify which ones will have the biggest customer impact and take automated actions as needed. Security Intelligence: automatically detects anomalous behavior to show security analysts where threats may be imminent, without overwhelming them with false positives.

automatically detects anomalous behavior to show security analysts where threats may be imminent, without overwhelming them with false positives. Smart Care: integrates with existing customer care systems and recommends resolutions through advanced predictive algorithms and AI.

integrates with existing customer care systems and recommends resolutions through advanced predictive algorithms and AI. Marketing Insight: dynamic customer segments can be created based on particular campaigns and targeted offers presented in real time to increase acceptance rates.

dynamic customer segments can be created based on particular campaigns and targeted offers presented in real time to increase acceptance rates. Smart Industry & IoT: an out-of-the-box solution that can run at the edge or in a central location to automatically pinpoint customer behaviors and preferences, classify asset usage, identify performance issues and root causes, and take closed-loop actions.

an out-of-the-box solution that can run at the edge or in a central location to automatically pinpoint customer behaviors and preferences, classify asset usage, identify performance issues and root causes, and take closed-loop actions. Alarm IQ: harnesses the power of AI to eliminate alarm noise without requiring changes to NOC operator workflows.

The report does an excellent job of helping CSPs navigate AI use in telecom operations, with very specific examples and recommendations. Were honored to be profiled in it, said Stephen Spellicy, Guavus Vice President of Products and Marketing.

As James Crawshaw says in the report, Guavus supplies 6 of the 7 top telecom providers and 3 of the 4 top MSOs globally. We have a long track record of working with service providers to apply AI and advanced analytics to key areas of their business. Were seeing CSPs use our solutions to improve customer experience and enable their own digital transformation as well as to dramatically reduce costs, achieve the scale and address the security required for IoT.

About Guavus

Guavus is at the forefront of AI-based big data analytics and machine learning innovation, driving digital transformation at 6 of the 7 world's largest telecommunications providers. Using the Guavus Reflex solution, customers are able to analyze big data in real-time and take decisive actions to lower costs, increase efficiencies and dramatically improve the end-to-end customer experience  all with the scale and security required by next-gen 5G and IoT networks.

Guavus enables service providers to leverage both customizable self-service analytics and out-of-the-box analytics applications for advanced network planning and operations, mobile traffic analytics, marketing, customer care, security and IoT. Discover more at www.guavus.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn .

Media Contact:

Laura Stiff

Guavus PR & Analyst Relations

+1.408.827.1242News / National

by Staff reporter

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has announced a reconfiguration of party structures, including doing away with Chitungwiza and Midlands South provinces to align it with the national architecture of 10 provinces.Unlike the ruling Zanu-PF party whose provinces reflect the country's constitutional 10, the MDC structure has always had 12 provincial executives since its formation in 1999.The party - then led by its founding president, the late Morgan Tsvangirai - split its Midlands province into two as well as adding Chitungwiza and some parts of Mashonaland West such as Mhondoro and Norton as an independent provincial executive.However, since Chamisa took over the party's leadership following Tsvangirai's death in February, the party has been undergoing a radical metamorphosis.MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume told the Daily News that the decision to revert to a ten provincial executive was a resolution of the party's previous congress in 2014."The changes have to be done before our congress due next year because it was resolved at the last congress to do so," Mafume said.Mafume said the party had realised the necessity of having the party structures "work in tandem with the national architecture"."This will make it easier for the party to effectively administer the party and provided services to its supporters," he said.The development comes as the party is also considering coming up with a war veterans' wing at its next congress.Mafume said after Chamisa indicated that he was willing to accommodate former freedom fighters who defected to his party form former vice president Joice Mujuru's National People's Party (NPP) by setting up a wing to represent them, the MDC was now walking the talk."There was a suggestion when president (Nelson) Chamisa was welcoming NPP members, some of whom are war veterans, to the MDC that there is need to have a war veterans wing in the party," he said."Obviously, it is a process. It is something that will be submitted to our organs to see how it can be worked out, the modalities and framework for a war veterans' wing".The MDC recently welcomed back its former secretaries-general Welshman Ncube and Tendai Biti into the party after they were appointed vice president and deputy national chairperson respectively.Former deputy national chairperson Morgen Komichi was also promoted to the position of the other of the three MDC vice presidents.Ncube - who was among the MDC founding members before his acrimonious fallout with Tsvangirai in 2005 - was part of a grouping that contested the July 30 electionunder the MDC Alliance banner.Biti broke ranks with Tsvangirai following the 2013 elections loss and formed the People's Democratic Party.In Egypt, Women Are Being Jailed for Sharing their #metoo Stories

Seven years ago, social media users spurred Egypts civil war. Now, one womans disparaging post on Facebook has landed her in a Cairo jail cell. A recent feature in WIRED details the plight of Mona Mazbouh, a 24-year-old from Lebanon who was visiting friends in Egypt.

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In a Facebook video, uploaded to Mazbouhs private account, Mazbouh railed against the sexual harassment she experienced in Cairo, which was designated by a Thomson Reuters Foundation poll last year as the most dangerous megacity in the world for women.

The following day, her post had gone viral. Concerned friends feared for her safety. Death threats flooded the videos comments. A month later, Mazbouh was in a jail cell. She was sentenced to eight years in prison, convicted of "deliberately broadcasting false rumours which aim to undermine society and attack religions.

Mazbouhs ordeal is one example of the Egyptian governments crackdown on women who protest sexual harassment through social media. This past summer Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisis signed legislation giving the government control of websites critical of the government, under the guise of targeting false news. Under these laws, even visiting a flagged site can warrant an arrest. Social media users with over 5,000 followers are treated as media organizations on pair with major publications  thus subject to censorship.

The broad security laws have swiftly targeted women attempting to bring #MeToo into Egypts digital conversation. According to the Wall Street Journal, in May Egyptian actress and activist Amal Fathy was also arrested after she posted a video to Facebook. In the video, she curses Egypt and protests her harassment by a Cairo police officer. Fathy was charged with illegally possessing indecent material and, like Mazbouh, of spreading fake news.

This is a stark difference to role Facebook and Twitter played during the Arab Spring in Egypt. In 2012, the Facebook page, We Are All Khaled Said  created to protest the killing of 28-year-old Khaled Said, who had been beaten to death by the Egyptian police  gathered 250,000 likes. Their outrage culminated in the historic rally at Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, a pivotal protest leading to the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

Social media proved an oasis, and rallying point, for the anxieties of the Egyptian generation coming-of-age during the Arab Spring. Abdel Fatah al-Sisi gained power in 2013 after the military coup with substantial support the aftermath partly from women hungry for reform. In his early presidency, he promised to crackdown on sexual harassment in Egypts cities. In 2014, he even visited a woman who had been attacked in in Tahrir Square by a group of men celebrating his inauguration.

That same year, the government passed a law making sexual harassment punishable by up to five years in prison. Despite the criminalization, Al-Jazeera reports many women feel the law is not widely enforced. A UN survey in 2013 reported that 99% of Egyptian women had experienced a form of sexual harassment. Though, according to the Guardian, Maya Morsy, the president of the national council for women, has claimed only 9.6% of women in Egypt have faced sexual harassment. Another poll conducted by the UN reports that almost 65 percent of men acknowledged harassing women.

Its an apt time for Egypt to have its own #MeToo Movement, but the current regime has proved outcry can expect retribution.

Top Image: Wikimedia Commons / Gigi Ibrahim

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Tessa is a puertorriquena / Syrian gal interested in race, women, and the arts - more specifically, their intersections. Follow her on Instagram @tessa.sol and Twitter @tessa_solo. She lives in Brooklyn.Kathleen Hanna Continues To Fight For Women With TEES 4 TOGO: BUST Interview

With just one $40 T-shirt purchase, you can send a girl in Togo, West Africa to school for a year. Sound awesome? Kathleen Hanna thinks so, too.

When the musician, activist, and riot grrrl revolutionary first came across Tina Kampor and her nonprofit Peace Sisters, she was instantly drawn to the cause. [Tina] had a lot of really personal stories because she was a teacher in Togo for many years before she moved to California, and she saw girls constantly dropping out of school, Hanna tells BUST. When she moved to California, for 14 years, by herself on a nurses salary, she was sending money home. She sent 130 girls to school by herself.

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Hanna met Kampor at an event in Pasadena, and was moved by the work that shed been doing on her own for young women in her hometown of Dapaong. She was finally like, hey, Im doing this, and I need help. I need to open this up to other people. Thats really inspirational to me, to see another woman say, Ive already been doing this on my own, and Im going to ask for help, because what Im doing is worthwhile, says Hanna. Shes taught me a lot about what it was like for her growing up in Togo, and what its like to be a girl there, and I just feel really lucky that shes taken the time to let me be a part of her project.

Tina Kampor by Jason Frank Rothenberg

Hanna, who now works as a Peace Sisters Ambassador, had the idea of designing shirts to benefit the nonprofitand from that, Tees 4 TOGO was born. The images on the shirts include drawings of artists including Carrie Brownstein, Patton Oswalt, Joan Jett, Adam Ad-Rock Horovitz, W.Kamau Bell, and Jill Soloway, created by other performers including Seth Bogart, Kim Gordon, and Hanna herself. Each shirt is made sweatshop-free, and 100% of the profits go to Peace Sisters.

Up next, Hanna will head to Togo with Kampor and the Peace Sisters team in 2019. On last years trip, Kampor brought over tuition funds and solar lamps. It turned out these lights illuminated the whole room, Hanna says. So even something as simple as Peace Sisters donating these lights helps the entire family, because it means people can cook, people can read, people can do things in the houseand the girls can keep studying.

Just as the lamps help entire families and greater communities, the far-reaching impact of education for young women is apparent in other areas, too. According to Peace Sisters website, research shows that more schooling for girls typically produces more social mobility, increased participation in local government, smaller and larger-scale economic growth, and significantly reduced incidents of female genital mutilation.

Image by Jason Frank Rothenberg

For those familiar with Hannas careernamely, her history of advocating for feminism and highlighting female voicesTees 4 TOGO makes sense as a passion project for the multihyphenate. Everyone has been watching the #MeToo movement happen, watching Times Up happen, and its great to hear so many womens voices, but whose voices are those voices, and whose voices are the ones that the medias going to spotlight? she says. I just think that its really important to know that were not going to hear women from Africas voices if theyre not getting educated. And if kids dont learn to read and write, how are they going to write that novel? How are they going to write that play? How are they going to write that song or do that thing in their community that will propel other people forward? So thats what part of this is about for mehow do I play a small role in helping young women find their voices? I think education is a huge part of that.

This focus on prioritizing all womens voices is one that isand always has beenimportant to Hanna. I just love to see that [younger feminists today] are not just saying, oh, Im intersectional, thats important to me, but theyre acting on it, Hanna tells BUST. The feminism that I see now is saying, this movement isnt feminism if it isnt intersectional. It isnt about white women getting their rights to oppress other people. Its about people of color, its about disabled people, its about the LGBTQ communityits about everybodys rights and everybody having equality. Because when women have equal access, that means all womenthat means trans women, women of color, poor women, all women. When all women rise up, all people rise up.

Buy your own shirt on Tees 4 TOGOs website, or check out PeaceSisters.org for more information on the cause, and to donate more, if you so desire. Peace Sisters also has a mailing list, but as Hanna said, the best way to help outbesides buying a shirt or twois just spreading the word.

Its a horrible moment for women in general, she says. But its a great, great moment for activism.

Top photo by Jason Frank Rothenberg

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Lydia Wang is a writer, a Pisces, and one of BUST's digital editors. Find her on Twitter or say hi: lydiaw@bust.com.Donald Daters Is A Dating App For Those Who Love President Trump

Trending News: Make Dating Great Again With This Trump Dating App (Or Don't)

America is as divided as it has been in generations, and that can make meeting other humans a challenge, let alone dating them. So as with other niche dating apps like that one for Kanye West fans or that app for dog lovers, someone has come up with a service that's sure to make every liberal's blood curdle.

Donald Daters is aimed at people who feel left out of popular dating apps because of their pro-Trump views.

Related: The Niche Dating Sites You Need To Try If You Have... Unique Tastes

"For many young Trump supporters, liberal intolerance has made meeting and dating nearly impossible. Support for the president has become a dealbreaker instead of an icebreaker. That's why we created a new platform for Trump supporters to meet people without being afraid of talking politics," said Emily Moreno, CEO of Donald Daters, in a statement.

The app received a lot of buzz this week, for obvious reasons, but also for not so obvious ones. The day that the app launched, it leaked its entire database of users, Mashable reports.

Hi @FoxNews and @realDonaldTrump supporters, You should not use this app. In 5 minutes, I managed to get:

- the list of all the people registered

- name

- Photo

- personal messages

- token to steal their session Thread ai https://t.co/72KdNJTrmk  Elliot Alderson (@fs0c131y) October 15, 2018



The app's CEO said they're working on the problem:

We have taken swift and decisive action to remedy the mistake and make all possible efforts to prevent this from happening again, Moreno said. Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily suspended the chat service on the app while we implement new security protocols. We are also taking immediate steps to engage a leading, independent cybersecurity firm to pressure test the system to ensure it is secure against other vulnerabilities.

This isn't the first Trump Dating app, nor is it the first to be entrenched in scandal early on. The face of an app called Trump Dating, was a North Carolina conservative activist named Barrett Riddleberger, who had been convicted of filming himself having sex with a 15-year-old girl, Fox News reports.

You Might Also DigStudy Says Beer Prices Are Set To Rise With Climate Change

Trending News: Climate Change Will Increase Beer's Cost, Study Finds

Sure, the planet is throwing more natural disasters at us and essentially melting us into butter thanks to how we've been treating it  but now climate change has seriously gone too far.

A new study found that as global temperatures get hotter, we're going to see beer prices skyrocket like a SpaceX ship to Mars.

Related: Wait - Can Drinking Beer Actually Be Good For You?

The study published in the highly credible journal Nature Plants found that beer prices could rise as much as 200% because warm temperatures are harming the world's barley supply. And without barley, we'll have a real hard time making beer, at least in its current form.

At the end of the day, were really dependent upon favorable weather conditions, and farmers have located in places where conditions tend to be favorable, said Nathaniel Mueller, one of the study's coauthors, according to an in-depth Mashable article. As the climate changes around them, theyll be increasingly exposed to these extreme events.

Any hope of navigating the looming barley crisis will involve throwing our faith into technology. Classic. Farmers will have to come up with ways to grow barley in harsher conditions, as they did 5,000-years-ago. Alternatively, we could start seeing more rice in our beer, as is done with Budweiser, but let's be honest, nobody wants that.

So that's it, folks. No more fumbling with climate change legislation, we need to save the planet. The price of a six-pack depends on it!

You Might Also DigBUDAPEST (Reuters) - A tough new law that bans homeless people from sleeping on Hungary's streets came into force on Monday, prompting criticism from human rights groups who say it is inhumane. The law, which follows a constitutional amendment approved in June that brands rough sleeping a crime, empowers police to order homeless people to move into shelters. If they disobey three times within a 90-day period, the police can detain them and destroy their personal belongings. Prime Minister Viktor Orban's right-wing government has said the new law aims to provide proper living conditions for the homeless and has set aside money to help them. But Gabor Ivanyi, who leads the group Oltalom (Shelter) which operates homeless shelters with 600 beds in Budapest, said the government had failed to conduct a proper dialogue with charity organizations before it passed the legislation. "This law serves the aim of scaring the homeless to prompt them to flee (the streets)," Ivanyi said. "They are scared and don't know what to do now. We don't know what will happen tomorrow." Homeless people had all but disappeared on Monday morning from underpasses in central Budapest where there would normally be plenty. The government says it has allocated about 9 billion forints ($32.17 million) to homeless care in its 2018 budget plus an additional 300 million forints to expand shelter capacities. "We believe we need to give additional help and not additional rights to homeless people," Bence Retvari, state secretary, told reporters on Saturday according to a video posted on HirTv website. Retvari said further help would be available from Monday, without elaborating. On Sunday around 500 protesters demonstrated against the law outside the Hungarian parliament. "I believe this is shameful... that they criminalize the impossible and helpless situation that these people are in," said Agnes Merenyi, one of the demonstrators. An activist group called "Varos Mindenkie" (which means "the city is for everyone") said in a statement: "(The constitutional amendment) allows the authorities to persecute the most helpless people with a wider range of police tools from Oct. 15." Last month the European Parliament voted to sanction Hungary for flouting EU rules on democracy, civil rights and corruption in a move the Orban government said was an attempt to punish Budapest for its anti-migration stance. Orban's Fidesz party won a third consecutive four-year term on a landslide in an election in April. (Reporting by Krisztina Fenyo, Writing by Krisztina Than; Editing by Gareth Jones)The Liberal government is moving to end the use of solitary confinement of federal prisoners.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale tabled legislation Tuesday to establish penitentiary units, called Structured Intervention Units (SIU), that will house inmates separately while still giving them access to rehabilitation, mental health care and other programs.

Goodale was scheduled to hold a news conference to discuss the details at noon ET, and CBCNews.ca will carry it live.

Under the new SIU model, inmates who can't be safely managed in the mainstream population will receive interventions and programs tailored to their needs. They will also be allowed outside their cell for four hours each day (compared to two under the current administrative segregation model) and will have the opportunity to have two hours a day of "meaningful human contact."

Eliminating segregation is part of a multi-pronged bill that also brings in measures to boost victims' supports and address the specific needs of Indigenous offenders.

"We are committed to ensuring that we not only have the tools to hold guilty parties accountable for breaking the law, but (to a system that) also creates an environment that fosters rehabilitation so that we have fewer repeat offenders, fewer victims, and ultimately, safer communities," Goodale said in a statement.

"This new approach to federal corrections will protect the safety of our staff and those under their care by allowing offenders to be separated as required, while ensuring those offenders receive more effective rehabilitative programming, interventions and mental health support."

Other proposed reforms in the bill include:

Ensuring systemic and background factors unique to Indigenous offenders are considered in all correctional decisions, and replacing the word "Aboriginal" with "Indigenous" in CSC directives and programs.

Authorizing the use of body scan imaging technology to help prevent contraband such as drugs and weapons from entering prisons, as an alternative to more invasive strip searches.

Increasing victims' access to audio recordings of parole board hearings.

Providing greater autonomy and clinical independence to health-care professionals working in prisons, and allowing for patient advocates as was recommended by the coroner's inquest into the death of Ashley Smith.

Calls for tighter restrictions over solitary confinement grew louder after that high-profile inquest into the death of the teen prisoner. Smith died in a segregated prison cell at the Grand Valley Institution for Women in Kitchener, Ont., in 2007.

Story continues

A coroner's jury ruled that her self-inflicted choking death was a homicide and made 104 recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future.

The Liberal government has faced legal challenges over Correctional Service Canada's administrative segregation policies, with prisoner advocates calling prolonged use of segregation "cruel and unusual punishment."

Last year, the government presented to Parliament a bill to cap the use of segregation at 15 days, with an 18-month transition period.

There will be no hard cap under the new model.

A senior government official said an offender would be moved to an SIU if they posed a danger to themselves, another offender or staff member or the institution itself. They could also be moved there if their presence in the general population could interfere with a criminal investigation.

Safety remains the top priority, but the goal is to give offenders the supports, programs and professional help they need to address their underlying issues that led to their behaviour.It may be a country that gave rise to Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, but Canada's top ballet dancers wowed a Moscow audience as it opened its first-ever tour of Russia with a program of contemporary dance.

"I loved it," said Elena Odours, who says she comes to the ballet often, after watching the opening performance.

"It was classic but the movements were very modern," added fellow audience member Pyotr Chernov. "The fact that we don't travel a lot is a good opportunity that a performance from Canada has come to Moscow."

Karolina Kuras/National Ballet of Canada

An almost-100-strong contingent of dancers and staff with the National Ballet of Canada arrived in Russia's capital over the weekend ahead of their first performance at the Stanislavsky Theatre on Monday night.

The trip comes at the invitation  and the sponsorship  of pre-eminent Russian ballerina Diana Vishneva, who hosts a festival called Context.

Russia is most famous for its classical ballet performances, but through her five-year-old festival, Vishneva is trying to expose Russian audiences to more contemporary themes, says the National Ballet's artistic director Karen Kain.

The Canadian company was a perfect fit.

Karolina Kuras/National Ballet of Canada

"The stars aligned. Diana is someone I trust a lot. And she has a very open mind about the value of contemporary dance and she's trying to share it," said Kain, who first visited the country as a young dancer in 1973. (She's been back many times since.)

"They are tremendous fans of the art form. It's great Diana has this vision of sharing where ballet is going, which is different from the Sleeping Beauties and Swan Lakes, which we all love. But she has a very special mission."

The National Ballet of Canada is performing three contemporary dances during its Russian tour: Being and Nothingness by Guillaume Cote, Emergence by Crystal Pite and Paz de la Jolla by Justin Peck.

Frosty politics

The tour comes at an unquestionable low point for political relations between Russia and Canada.

Story continues

Diplomacy has been especially frosty since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, when Western countries accused Vladimir Putin's government of waging a proxy war in eastern Ukraine.

Canada has slapped economic sanctions on many Russian officials and state-run industries, and earlier this year, expelled four Russian diplomats from the country. In hosting the G7 leaders' summit this past summer, the Trudeau government flatly rejected Donald Trump's calls to have Russia reinstated to the group of industrialized nations.

Russia has retaliated with its own measures; Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland is among the Canadians that Russia says are unwelcome here.

Chris Brown/CBC

But Kain says politics aren't relevant to the National Ballet of Canada's visit here.

"I think arts transcend politics  and they have to be separate," she said. "We share this art form that we all love."

Discovering Canada

For Quebec-born principal dancer Guillaume Cote, who choreographed Being and Nothingness, having the entire Canadian company in Russia for the time speaks to the interest in Canadian dance internationally.

"I think this is really telling to how advanced the culture is in Canada," he said.

"Russia has been a really wonderful centre of classical dance for a long time. But now they are discovering contemporary dance and developing it in a new way. To be here with the entire National Ballet and representing contemporary dance in Canada is very special."

Karolina Kuras/National Ballet of Canada



Cote's Being in Nothingness is an exploration of the work of French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre and features dancers in domestic settings: a couple on a bed, a single dancer near a sink, and another couple having an animated discussion in a living room.

Cote specially created the lead role for Greta Hodgkinson, an American-born dancer who has been with the National Ballet for 28 years, 22 of them as principal dancer.

"I feel like I am bringing something deeply personal to the stage," she said. "We are here as Canadian ambassadors representing our country, but we come displaying our art form."

Chris Brown/CBC

Russian audiences appreciate ballet like few other countries, and on the stage, political differences aren't important, says Cote, who has danced in Russia on several occasions at the invitation of Russian dance companies.

"Every time I come, I see a new hunger for something new and dynamic, contemporary and change," he said.

'Fascinating' culture

For first soloist Tanya Howard, dancing before a sold-out Russian audience in the heart of Moscow is akin to playing for the NHL's Stanley Cup.

"Wrapping your head around something like this is incredible," she said. "It's indescribable. They have such as reverence and such a respect for the art form and its purity. This is what you dream of doing."

Aleksandar Antonijevic/National Ballet of Canada

First soloist Chelsy Meiss, who joined four others to pose in front of Moscow's famed Red Square in their stage dress, said she "never dreamed" she would one day be performing in the influential Russian city.

"Oh my gosh, [it is] absolutely fascinating," she said. "You are literally a part of a different culture and a different history."

The National Ballet will hold another performance in Moscow on Tuesday evening, before moving to St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre for a final performance on Friday.PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- McAdam, a boutique financial services firm headquartered in Philadelphia, has been recognized by three independent firms in 2018 as being one of the best or top financial advisors or financial services firms in markets in which it serves. SmartAsset, Three Best Rated, and AdvisoryHQ each independently found McAdam to be a leading financial services provider this year. McAdam is built on the strength of client relationships and satisfaction. McAdam isnt just a small step forward in financial adviceits Financially Advanced. The firm differentiates itself through its unwavering commitment and focus on what matters most to its advisors and clients.



Michael McAdam, Chief Executive Officer, stated, I am proud of this recognition and all the work our advisors and staff have put into serving clients exceptionally well. They work hard every day for our clients to achieve peace of mind with their investments and financial planning. Consumer awareness of the McAdam brand has been growing steadily - one client interaction at a time. Inclusion in several of the 2018 ranking and review lists highlights the growing community of McAdam brand advocates. The firms increasing presence in the industry has been noticed by not only clients, competitors and trade publications, but now by a series of independent consumer facing rating and review organizations. The company believes that the external recognition is a reflection of the consistency of which the McAdam advisors deliver on the promise to serve clients and offers insight on how the firm built its reputation the right way  based on ethical client service and industry expertise.

Smart consumer financial decision making often begins with the choice of what financial advice to follow or which financial firm or advisor to work with. Finding the right financial firm is an important first step and can make all subsequent financial decisions much easier. At McAdam financial plans even come with a money-back-guarantee. If you are not satisfied with your financial plan, McAdam will refund your fee.

Phil Simonides, CFP, Senior Vice President at McAdam, said, McAdam empowers its financial advisors by providing the freedom and support to run and grow their practices efficiently while developing deep relationships with their clients. As a consequence of the growing need for more financial advisors in the industry we are continuing to bring on new talent in all of our offices. Individuals can schedule a free consultation to discuss their financial plans with any of our advisors directly or by going through our local office contacts listed on our website https://mcadamfa.com/contact-us/ .

About McAdam LLC.

McAdam is an independent financial advisory firm with a nationwide network of hundreds of advisors operating out of five offices in Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, Tysons Corner and Central New Jersey. McAdam has developed an intelligent advisory model known as its Advanced Advisory Model. This model integrates all three areas of financial planning: the financial, the personaland the professional, to help McAdams clients achieve their goals. With the firms advanced knowledge and experience they help professionals make informed decisions and provide a new level of clarity and control.

About SmartAsset

SmartAsset is a financial technology company that empowers people with automated personalized financial advice. Its proprietary technology, industry leading research and patent-pending Automated Financial Modeling software forecast the impact of different decisions on peoples personal finances, enabling millions of people to make smart financial decisions. Its SmartAdvisor service connects consumers with financial advisors. For more information, visit www.SmartAsset.com. To learn more about SmartAdvisor, visit https://SmartAsset.com/Financial-Advisor/.

About Three Best Rated

Three Best Rated was created with a simple goal to find you the top 3 local businesses, professionals, restaurants and health care providers in any city. Our employees handpick top 3 local businesses. We check business's reputation, history, complaints, ratings, nearness, satisfaction, trust, cost, general excellence, reviews using our 50-Point Inspection. We display only businesses that are verified by our employees. You can call it "Due Diligence." or "Common Sense." We call it "Hard Work." Our website is updated on a regular basis for quality and latest business information.

About AdvisoryHQ

AdvisoryHQ News Corp was founded on April 03, 2015, and is owned by Market Consensus, a Nevada corporation. AdvisoryHQ News Corp is based in California, and operates in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia. Each year, AdvisoryHQ's editorial, research, and ranking teams conduct extensive due diligence to identify, select, and rank the top companies in various industries, including financial services, wealth management, banking, investment management, accounting, consultancies, retail, financial advisory, and education, amongst others.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION



Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended and/or undertaken by McAdam LLC (McAdam), or any non-investment related services, will be profitable, equal any historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. McAdam is neither a law firm, nor a certified public accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this document serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from McAdam. Please remember that it remains your responsibility to advise McAdam, in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services, or if you would like to impose, add, or to modify any reasonable restrictions to our investment advisory services. A copy of our current written disclosure brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request. The scope of the services to be provided depends upon the needs of the client and the terms of the engagement.



Please Note: Limitations: Neither rankings and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations, nor the achievement of any designation or certification, should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if McAdam is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Rankings published by magazines, and others, generally base their selections exclusively on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized adviser. Rankings are generally limited to participating advisers (see link as to participation data, to the extent applicable). No ranking or recognition should be construed as a current or past endorsement of McAdam by any of its clients. ANY QUESTIONS: McAdams Chief Compliance Officer remains available to address any questions regarding rankings and/or recognitions, including providing the criteria used for any reflected ranking.It will be cooler than usual in City of Vancouver buildings thanks to measures officials are taking to reduce natural gas use due to last week's pipeline rupture north of Prince George.

The city says it has lowered thermostats in all city-staff occupied buildings, recreational centres and Vancouver Public Library branches.

The decision came after one of Enbridge's pipelines exploded and caught fire northeast of Prince George on Oct. 9.

The Park Board says it has not reduced temperatures in pools or arenas or childcare centres.

FortisBC has asked British Columbians to reduce natural gas usage when possible due to the incident.

Several school districts  Burnaby, Surrey, Langley, North Vancouver and Delta  have also cut down on natural gas use by lowering their thermostats to 19 C and reducing hot water use.

There is currently no timeline for a fix on the main line.

Social, housing services not impacted

In a statement, the city says it "does not foresee an impact to its housing operations or social service centres.

"We will continue to assess the situation and work to ensure that services for the city's most vulnerable residents are not affected," it read.

Nevertheless, it said it encouraged all residents to reduce natural gas usage when possible by turning down thermostats, reducing the use of gas-powered hot water and cooking appliances and turning off gas fireplaces.Widow of Nigerian man who died while being deported 'frustrated' body is still not home

The widow of a Nigerian man who died while being deported from Canada is upset his body still hasn't been returned home and is calling for an independent investigation into his death.

"She's very, very frustrated," said Elias Munshya, who is the lawyer for Bolante Alo's widow, Oluseun.

Bolante Alo was on board a KLM flight destined for Amsterdam on Aug. 7 when he was involved in an altercation with two Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers. The plane was forced to return to the gate, where the Calgary police airport unit was called to the scene.

Officers found the 49-year-old in medical distress. He was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He left behind his wife and two sons in Nigeria.

KLM tweeted after the incident that, "the behaviour of a passenger led to a severe incident on board."

His death is being investigated by the Calgary police homicide unit.

'She can't leave the house'

Oluseun is Yoruba, which is an ethnic group in Nigeria. According to Yoruba custom, a grieving widow must stay inside the home until her husband has been put to rest. So she has been waiting and praying for his return.

"She can't leave the house, so there is some urgency there," Munshya said. "What the family needs right now is the body to be returned."

He said the chief medical examiner in Calgary and the Alberta Health Services Calgary region have released the body, but they are waiting on the Nigerian government to issue a waiver for the body's transportation into the country.

The church Bolante attended in Calgary had raised funds to pay for his body to be returned to Nigeria for burial.

Oluseun is also calling for the release of her husband's cause of death.

An initial autopsy was inconclusive and Munshya said he was told recently it will be still be a number of months until that information is made available.

Bolante had fought to remain in Canada through multiple claims for refugee status and humanitarian and compassionate grounds for 13 years, saying his life would be in danger if he returned to his home country.

Story continues

He was being detained in advance of his deportation as CBSA officers believed he likely wouldn't appear voluntarily for his flight, due to comments he made saying he wouldn't allow himself to be removed from Canada.

CBSA said they were unable to comment on the incident as it's currently under investigation by police.

Munshya said the family plans to call for an independent investigation into the death, but the first priority is ensuring the body is sent home.

He said they still haven't heard from a single person who was on flight KL678 on Aug. 7.

"She wants people with knowledge to come forward," he said.

An Alberta social justice organization, Ribbon Rouge Foundation, is also calling for an independent investigation into Alo's death through an online petition.

Munshya said while the group did speak to Oluseun, the petition is not an official request on behalf of the family.

The petition also calls for an overhaul of Canada's detention and deportation process, and a freeze on all current detentions and deportations until the investigation takes place.

CBC has reached out to Ribbon Rouge for comment, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.A middle school in Virginia has banned songs mentioning "Jesus" from its annual Christmas concert as part of an effort to be "more sensitive" toward the increasingly "diverse population" of its student body.

"We had a few students who weren't comfortable singing a piece I have done many times in the past, but it is of a sacred nature and does mention Jesus," the choir teacher at Robious Middle School in Chesterfield said in an email to a parent who was concerned about the changes to the winter concert program, NBC News affiliate WWBT has reported.

Parent David Allen said the public school's efforts to encourage diversity while at the same time being exclusionary doesn't seem rational.

"It just seems like ... everywhere you look everyone's afraid of stepping on someone's toes or everything is being so sensitive," Allen told NBC News affiliate WWBT. "They were unable to [sing this song] because the word Jesus was in there and apparently someone assumed it was of a sacred nature."

News of the censorship of Jesus songs at Robious Middle School has garnered attention at multiple conservative websites.

Public schools in the United States have often seen their share of controversy over the extent to which they can reference Christmas in general and the Gospel story of Jesus' birth in particular.

For example, in December 2016, a judge in Texas ordered a school district to restore "A Charlie Brown Christmas" display after it had been taken down by administrators because it featured a Bible verse.

Bell County State District Judge Jack Jones had issued a temporary injunction against the Killeen Independent School District from enforcing its decision to prohibit the Christmas decoration.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose office backed the display, released a statement at the time expressing support for the injunction.

"I am glad to see that the court broke through the Left's rhetorical fog and recognized that a commitment to diversity means protecting everyone's individual religious expression," Paxton said at the time.

Courtesy of The Christian PostPhoto - NZ dining car

Tourism has been part of the Well-Being Australia arenas of ministry since its inception and this has taken many different routes one of which was Australia's Bush Orchestra in Moruya on the NSW south coast.

This experience was a nature walk under a canopy of bell-minar's (Bellbirds) with plaques detailing the stories of great Christian leaders with a steady stream of interested people coming through.

Chaplains in major chain tourist hotels and resorts is another avenue of ministry along with seminars and workshops on the theological and philosophical parameters of tourism as a ministry.

Then the essence of the Laguna Quays Respite missionary cottage on the Whitsundays doubles up as a home base for some tourist excursions which might include the Whitsunday Islands, Peter Faust Dam near Proserpine, Gunyarra WWII secret warfare experiments site, Bowen and its fabulous lookouts, Eungella national forest and its platypus and Crediton's famous dairy district.

So tourism is of great interest to us and therefore where the tourist dollar is spent is also of much fascination as its never as clear as it might seem.

Photo  NZ Rail Christchurch to Greymouth (NZ Inside Carriage)

Tourism groups

For some years I served as the Chairman of Moruya Tourism and the only funding that came our way from the Eurobodalla Shire Council was a paltry few dollars to pay for the annual print run of a flyer that was handed out at the supermarkets and the shops in town.

Batemans Bay and Narooma got the bulk of the Eurobodalla Tourism Board funding and yet what those towns had to offer was little different to Moruya, other than they were both on the ocean. Moruya had a river.

Multiply that notion to the major tourism market centres and you have a dog's breakfast of cat-flights for those dollars and what projects and who should have authority over such expenditure.

Photo  NZ Rail Christchurch to Greymouth open carriage

Railway tourism

Railway tourism is huge business. The Ghan and The Indian Pacific to name just two major tourist trains cater for the reasonably well healed and mostly the retired.

Today, some railway lines once disbanded are being given a new lease of life for big business (coal, wheat and freight) and sadly these are costing an arm and a leg to bring that back up to speed.

Some railway lines have been converted into cycle tracks which is now being realised by many as having been short sighted. In 2009 Delma my wife and I visited Wahgunyah on the Victorian border with Coorowa where the Victorian line was ripped up for a cycle track. It's now a case of spot the cyclist!

New Zealand is now being faced with such a cycle way proposition for their Napier to Gisborne rail line which has been closed since 2012 after a wash away. There are some 79 bridges, 20 tunnels (one of which is 3.2 kilometres long) along this 200km train track and I for one hope they see some sense in fixing the line and put it back in service.

There is a bit of a trend to close rail lines in New Zealand for cycle tracks, one of which is at the top of mountain up from Dunedin which is a tourist train run. But from there across to Queenstown is now a cycle path once a railway line.

All these issues regarding tourism are as much a matter of public comment for Tourism Ministry as it is for any business or other lobby group. We as Christians need to get involved and express our views  we just might have some very good insights.

Photo - Arthurs Pass between Christchurch and Greymouth

Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand.

Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.htmlIRVINE, CA, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Campus Technology, published by 1105 Public Sector Media Group, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2018 Readers Choice Awards.

For Campus Technologys annual Readers Choice Awards, education technology professionals across the United States voted for the software, hardware, and services they consider most vital to the mission and business of higher education.

We asked Campus Technology readers about the best tools and tech for higher education  and they delivered, on everything from learning platforms and classroom tech to administrative systems and the latest hardware, said Rhea Kelly, executive editor of Campus Technology. Congratulations to all of our Readers' Choice winners!

2018 Readers' Choice Award Winners:

Most Valuable in the Institution This Year

Top 5 Favorite Technologies Currently Used

Learning Management Systems & E-Learning Platforms

E-Portfolios

Other Instructional Tools

Student Information Systems

Enterprise Resource Planning

Constituent Relationship Management

Student Success/Retention

Content & Website Management

Student Response Systems & Classroom Engagement

Lecture Capture

Projectors

Interactive Whiteboards, Displays, Flat Panels & Kiosks

Videoconferencing & Web Conferencing

Virtual Classroom/Meeting Software

Captioning Tools

Classroom Presentation Software

Office/Productivity Suite

Multimedia Authoring Suites & Creative Software

E-Learning Authoring

Media Tablets

Chromebooks

Windows Tablets

Convertible Notebooks/2-in-1 Notebooks

Notebooks

Virtual Desktops and Thin Clients

3D Printers

Wireless Access Points & Hotspots

Mobile Device Management

Firewall Hardware/Appliance

Antivirus Tools

Emergency Notification Services





The awards will be highlighted on CampusTechnology.com and in the October/November issue of Campus Technology.





About Campus Technology

Campus Technology is one of higher educations top information sources, with distribution across a website, monthly digital magazine, newsletters, webcasts, and online tools. It's the go-to resource for campus professionals, providing in-depth coverage on the technologies and implementations influencing colleges and universities across the nation. Content includes valuable hands-on articles, best practices, industry trends, expert advice, and insightful articles to help administrators, campus executives, technologists, and educators plan, develop, and successfully launch effective IT initiatives. https://campustechnology.com



About 1105 Public Sector Media Group

1105 Public Sector Media Group, a division of 1105 Media, Inc., provides information, insight and analysis to the Government IT and Education IT (FED/SLED) sectors. Our content platforms include print, digital, online, events and a broad spectrum of marketing services. http://1105publicsector.comMONDAY, Oct. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Nations that officially frown upon hitting kids as a form of punishment appear to have teens who are less prone to violence, new research suggests.

In countries that have a complete ban on corporal punishment (spanking and slapping), the rates of physical fighting among teens are as much as 69 percent lower than in countries without such a ban, the study found.

What isn't clear from this research is whether or not a spanking ban directly caused a reduction in violent behavior.

Study author Frank Elgar, an associate professor of psychiatry at McGill University in Montreal, said there are several possibilities for the association behind spanking bans and lower violence rates among youth.

"There may be some influence of these legal bans that promotes changes in culture. Kids that grow up with this experience -- not getting smacked or spanked -- is one possibility for the association," he said.

Another possibility, Elgar noted, is that there may be something about the country's culture that discourages violence in the first place, and that's why they chose to implement a spanking ban.

But he said there was a significant diversity in the countries that had bans on spanking and slapping.

"We were very surprised looking at countries with a ban on spanking or slapping, that countries that have decided that this is the way parents want to discipline was really a mixed bag. It wasn't based just on economic or cultural factors," Elgar said.

Corporal punishment is defined an adult's use of physical force to correct or control a child's inappropriate behavior. The punishment is meant to be painful, but not to physically injure the child. About 17 percent of teens reported experiencing corporal punishment at school or in the home in the past month, the study team reported.

The researchers looked at 88 countries participating in long-term research on youth violence. Teens in these countries represented nearly half of the world's adolescents.

Thirty countries had full bans on spanking and slapping children at home or in school. Some of the countries with a ban include Estonia, Finland, Honduras, Kenya, New Zealand and Portugal.

Thirty-eight countries, including the United States and Canada, had partial corporal punishment bans, with spanking or slapping banned in schools but not at home. Twenty countries had no bans.

The study defined frequent teen violence as four or more physical fights within the past year.

Rates of frequent teen violence varied widely between countries. Teen girls in Costa Rica had the lowest rates, with 1 percent. Teen boys in Samoa had the highest, at 35 percent.

Teen boys in countries with a full ban were 69 percent less likely to be involved in frequent teen violence compared to countries without a ban. For teen girls, that number was 42 percent less, the researchers reported.

In countries with a partial ban, the rate of frequent violence was only lower among young women.

Elgar said the researchers controlled the data for a number of factors, such as a country's wealth and homicide rates.

He noted that this subject is a divisive one, and said he doesn't expect this study will change anyone's mind, but he hopes to conduct further research to see if the downward trend in violence continues.

Although the United States only has a partial ban on spanking, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against the use of physical punishment, explaining that it teaches kids aggressive behavior.

Dr. Victor Fornari, director of child and adolescent psychiatry at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, N.Y., said, "Children learn from their parents. If parents use force, children learn force. If parents use reasoning and calm, children learn reasoning and calm."

Fornari, who was not involved with the study, suggested that parents remain calm when young children misbehave.

"Offering a warning is very useful. If the child continues to not listen, a brief timeout may be helpful as long as the child was informed that the timeout would follow the warning," he said. If a youngster continues to misbehave, he suggests a consequence such as no TV or video games for a day.

Fornari also suggested that parents know when to ask for help. "A tired and frustrated parent is not in a good position to discipline a child," he said.

The study was published Oct. 15 in the journal BMJ Open.

More information

Read more about the case against spanking from the American Psychological Association.Binance Tests Its First Fiat-Crypto Exchange in Uganda, Zambia Warns

There has been mixed news for African cryptocurrency enthusiasts so far this week  as Uganda welcomed news of the opening of exchange platform Binance, while Zambias central bank issued a firm warning against the risks of crypto trading. Uganda flag. Source: iStock/Renato Arap

Binance Uganda launched its website on October 15, and in an official statement, claimed it was now accepting account applications, with a view to allowing deposits in shilling, as well as Bitcoin and Ethereum as of October 17. This is their first fiat cryptocurrency exchange and is being tested in the country with population of almost 45 million. The platform also launched Twitter and Facebook accounts, as well as a Telegram channel.

Binance, one of the worlds biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, has been keen to establish operations in Uganda since at least April, and Changpeng Zhao, the founder and CEO of the company earlier this year met with Ugandas crypto-keen president Yoweri Museveni. The government is also known to be keen on adopting blockchain technology to boost efficiency in the public sector.

Source: The World Bank

Meanwhile, in Zambia, a country with population of almost 18 million, the central bank late last week issued a statement warning that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in the country, and that trading in tokens is unregulated and performed at owners risk.

And per media outlet Lusaka Times, the central bank has since teamed up with the countrys Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) to hit a cryptocurrency company named Heritage Coin Resources Limited with money laundering charges. The company describes itself as active in the digital currency financing and cryptocurrency sectors, but regulators claim it is not licensed to perform financial services. The move may set a precedent for further scrutiny of crypto-ventures in the country.

A DEC official stated, per the same media outlet, [Heritage Coin] has been offering financial services and collecting deposits from members of the public. The official claimed the company had also violated Zambian banking and financing laws.The 6th Interregional Ministerial Meeting of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was held in Singapore. The meeting was reviewed after 6th RCEP ministerial meeting held in August 2018. In this meeting, all partner countries agreed to finalize trading deal by the end of this year. From Indian side, Minister of State (MoS) for Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution C. R. Chaudhary had attended the meeting.

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

RCEP is a proposed proposed free trade agreement (FTA) or comprehensive regional economic integration agreement between the 10-ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and its six FTA partners (Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Japan and Korea).

The negotiations for this mega trade deal were formally launched at 2012 ASEAN Summit in Cambodia. It aims to cover goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights under its ambit.

Till 2017, 16 RCEP member states accounted for population of 3.4 billion people with total GDP (in terms of PPP) of $49.5 trillion, approximately 38% of the worlds GDP (combined GDPs of China and India makes up more than half that amount) and 29% of world trade.TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Power Workers Union believes the recent decision by Ontario Power Generation to close the worlds largest generating station to be converted from coal to advanced biomass in Thunder Bay, is short-sighted.



It will ultimately lead to the disappearance of the regions established biomass innovation cluster and most importantly the significant economic, environmental and social benefits it provides, stated PWU President, Mel Hyatt. We believe its time to grow these benefits, not kill them.

Over the last decade, Ontario invested about $200 million (M) dollars in the regions biomass innovation cluster, most of it for the conversion of the publicly-owned Thunder Bay and Atikokan stations to biomass. Millions of dollars were also invested in innovative biomass research at Confederation College, Lakehead University and the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-economy.

About 230 jobs are supported in local communities: 124 in electricity production; 50 wood pellet manufacturing: and in forestry, transportation and R&D. Taxes paid to local communities for Atikokan GS approximate $2M dollars a year and about $4M a year for Thunder Bay GS.

With a contract that expires in 2024, Atikokan Generating Station is North Americas largest generating station to be converted from coal to 100% carbon-neutral white pellet biomass. Unfortunately, the heat output at both stations is wasted.

Power contracts with Ontarios Independent Electricity Operator (IESO) govern the operations of the two stations. While both can provide reliable base (24/7) and rapidly meet peak electricity demand, their capacity is underutilized. This under-utilization reduces purchases of locally-produced wood pellets.

We support the northern stakeholders who believe a strong business case can be made for strategic investments in this cluster that will provide greater benefits to the region," said Hyatt. It starts with better power contracts for both stations.

Sustaining these local resources ensures regional energy security for meeting forecast demand growth from remote grid connected communities, the Ring of Fire, and other mining projects in the region.

OPG claims closing Thunder Bay GS will save about $40M annually. This saving does not include the substantial costs for decommissioning the facility or the lost revenue from this ratepayer/taxpayer owned asset.

An independent analysis indicates that any peak capacity supply gap would likely be supplied by import-dependent, natural gas generation plants in southern Ontario, at a cost of $7M to $24M more a year.

In the short-term, the PWU and others in the community are calling for the IESO contracts for both stations to be expanded and include utilization of the waste heat. Thunder Bay GS waste heat could be used in an adjacent greenhouse complex to supply fresh local produce year-round. The wasted heat could also help make wood pellets and or heat buildings. The same could be done at Atikokan.

Take a look at Europe and Asia and the rapidly growing global marketplace for high-value biomass-based products and services," stated Hyatt. We have vast renewable, carbon-neutral biomass resources, we have the people and expertise to make this region a leader in world-class biomass innovation.

Investing in biomass generation and the dependent cluster economy is supportive of what local leaders want for the north. Such investments are also consistent with Ontarios forestry strategy to create jobs and economic prosperity for the North and the federal governments Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario.

Now is the time to reverse the closure decision and move forward with a business case that secures regional energy security and economic growth while maintaining jobs in the north.

Learn more: www.poweringthenorth.ca

For media enquiries please contact:

Paul Reece

Chief of staff

Power Workers Union

905-308-1602Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Diglipur fisherman reunited with family after 75 days

by NITISH KUMAR TIWARI

October 16,2018 | Source: The Echo of India

For Vishwanath Roy Verma, the 55 year old resident of Diglipur, who drifted away to Myanmar (formerly Burma) two and half months ago while out for fishing, reuniting with his family was the most joyous moment, which he will cherish throughout his life. On hearing the news that Vishwanath, after completing his exile in Myanmar is returning back on Sunday, his entire family were at Veer Savarkar airport, anxiously waiting for his arrival. The moment he alighted from the departure gate, the reunion was gripping. The entire families were in tears, kissing and hugging Vishwanath.



It may be recalled that on 1st August 2018, Vishwanath Roy who ventured out in sea for fishing drifted away in rough sea and reached Myanmar. He stayed in a temple there and later on was able to contact the Indian High Commissioner in Myanmar. The efforts of the Indian Ambassador in Myanmar made his return possible. During his hard time, he constantly remained in touch with his family. But surviving in a foreign soil far away from home was a horrific for this Diglipur resident.



After staying for over a month in Myanmar, he returned to Kolkata on 4th October and finally was back to Port Blair on 14th October. After returning to Port Blair, he narrated his horrific stories of his two and half month struggle which he said was filled with pain and agony. In fact I left all hope that someday I will be able to return home and reunite with my family. My return was possible only because of the support and assistance from the local residents and my family and friends, said a tired and exhausted Vishwanath. Narrating his horrifying story, he told EOI that he remained drifted in sea for 17 days.



During these days, he managed to survive on raw fish and the leftover. With tears in his eyes, he told that while drifting in the sea, he saw a Thai boat but when he asked for help, they refused. They even beat him and flee away taking all his rations leaving him high and dry in the mid-sea. After the incident, he drifted for 11 more days and could find a Myanmarese boat approaching him. When the boat came near him he could find out that the boat belongs to a Myanmarese Police. The Myanmarese Police took him to the Police Station.



Vishnathan told that he was released on bail with the support of a person who hails from the Tamil community. He supported him a lot and arranged his shelter in a temple which was his shelter for a period of one month. The people residing near the temple provided him food and gave him money to cloth and return tickets.India: Must consider drones and data analytics to secure its coast

October 16,2018 | Source: Hindustan Times

Since the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, Pakistan-based militant outfits have reportedly begun to see Indias coastline as the weak point in the countrys border defences. This renewed maritime interest may reflect a desire for Rawalpindi to inflict pain on India while avoiding the international interest that fighting along the Line of Control attracts. While Indias coastal defences are in much better shape than they were in 2011, it is true Indias 7,500 kilometre-long coast is hardly proofed against terrorist infiltration. The second line of defence, the state coastal police, is particularly wanting.



After Mumbai 26/11, New Delhi rolled out a coastal security scheme, the second part of which will end in 2020. The scheme has accomplished a number of goals: beginning the process of tagging fishing boats; infusing training and equipment into Indias derelict coast guard; and setting up an extensive network of radars, cameras and other sensors along the coast. Many of these programmes are ongoing. Thus the coast guard still has less than half the aircraft it needs. Identifying and persuading fishermen to put location beacons on their boats is almost as much a social movement as a technological fix. However, the open seas that met the Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives in 2008 are a thing of the past.



But there are several lacunae. There continues to be far too many government agencies involved in coastal and maritime security. At last count, 15 different bodies had some jurisdiction in the matter. Coordination will remain a challenge and will be sorely tested when the next attack comes. The response of state governments has been varied: Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have been exemplary; other states treat the matter lightly. Goa has seven coastal police stations for its roughly 100-kilometre long shore. Karnataka, with four times the coastline, has only eight. In any case, many of these coastal stations are unmanned or poorly maintained. The original requirement that only vessels over 20 metres long need tracking beacons should be reconsidered  tens of thousands of vessels are outside the security net as a consequence.



Terrorist techniques do not remain static. The trick is to be a step or two ahead of them. India carried out coastal defence reforms after the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts. Fifteen years later, those were found wanting. India must look to new technologies like data analytics and networked drones to prevent the attacks of the future. As India begins the infrastructural transformation of its east coast, it will need to ensure the new security system it installs  and this includes container inspection and underwater early warning  are driven by the lessons of the past but also the expectations of the future.In an orange jumpsuit and shackled in chains, Australian Lisa Cunningham waved and mouthed the words "I love you" to her 21-year-old daughter in the public gallery.





Mrs Cunningham 43, was then ushered out of the courtroom, and back to jail in Maricopa County Jail, in Phoenix, Arizona.





The mother-of-four is awaiting trial on felony murder and child abuse charges, along with her American husband, former police detective Germayne Cunningham, over the death of seven-year-old Sanaa Cunningham.





Sanaa was Germayne's biological daughter, Lisa Cunninghams step-daughter. The little girl died in February 2017, suffering a head injury, an open wound on her foot and a sepsis infection.





The prosecution also alleges Sanaa had injuries to her wrists consistent with being tied up using zip-ties.





The alleged crime, committed in Arizona, carries with it the death penalty.





The last time a woman was put to death in this state was in 1930; the Maricopa County Attorney believes this case fits the criteria, and the judge agrees. But according to Lisa Cunningham's defence team, the case is not as clear cut as it would seem.





Sanaa Cunningham was a troubled child, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 6, and was prescribed anti-psychotic medication.





Court documents allege at times, the little girl was restrained with an oversized t-shirt tied behind her back.





The defence claims some of Sanaas injuries were self-inflicted.





Defence Attorney Eric Kessler says the parents repeatedly sought medical help for Sanaa, maintaining they took care of her to the best of their ability.





Mr Kessler told the court, shortly before she died, Sanaa was taken to a medical professional, and the parents were not given appropriate advice on how to help their child.





A murder trial for Lisa and Germayne Cunningham is still a long way off, perhaps up to 2 years.





In the meantime, defence counsel is alleging "prosecutorial misconduct" telling the he court, prosecutors told the grand jury "one side of the coin."





"I'm glad that the judge is taking our argument seriously. He's given them great thought and having taken them great thought and having taken the matter under advisement. That means that he is seriously considering remanding this back to the grand jury.





Defence Attorney Eric Kessler says the parents repeatedly sought medical help for Sanaa, maintaining they took care of her to the best of their ability.





Lawyers for the Cunninghams want the judge to send the case back to the grand jury, which in this state, has the role of determining the charges on the indictment.





Defence counsel is claiming a significant discrepancy in the timeline of Sanaa's death, an error of 3 hours, which the grand jury wasn't aware of when they determined Lisa and Germayne Cunningham should be charged with felony murder, a death penalty charge.





The 3 hours is significant according to the defence counsel, because it could have proved to the grand jury there was time for the child to receive medical treatment, and that parents didn't take her to hospital "at the last minute."





If the judge rules the case should be sent back to the grand jury for re-presentation, jurors have the option of coming back with different charges.





Anything less than felony murder and the death penalty comes off the table.

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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar WildeSANDAKAN: The death penalty will be replaced with a sentence of minimum 30 years behind bars said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law), Datuk Liew Vui Keong.





He said in the proposed amendment to Section 39 (B) of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952, for instance, where a convicted offender was subjected to the mandatory death sentence, in addition there are also 17 other criminal offences that imposed the same sentence.





These offences, include waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, terrorism, murder, attempted murder during a life imprisonment, killing victims during kidnapping, possessing and using firearms as well as rape leading to death and rape of minors.





Liew said this in his speech at the Community Combat - DAPS (CCD) program here today.





His speech text was read-out by his political secretary, Martin Tommy.





Liew said based on the Prison Department's record, until October 11, there were 932 prisoners convicted or sentenced to death under Section 39 (B) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.





However, he said, since 2014 until the present, no execution had taken place on those waiting in the death row for the execution of their sentence.





He said execution on those condemned is still pending due to the moratorium imposed on the death sentence as well as no execution warrant being issued for the purpose by the Prisons Department.





"However, on October 10, I had announced on behalf of the government that all offences involving the death penalty, including Section 39 (B) of the Dangerous Drug Act will be repealed and the (death) sentence should not be enforced.





"The bill to repeal (death sentence) will be tabled in Parliament after the memorandum on the matter was approved by the Cabinet," he said.





In this regard, Lim, who is also the Batu Sapi Member of Parliament, called on the Pardons Board to consider suspending the death sentence on those currently convicted and facing execution.





He said that pursuant to Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, the Pardons Board has the authority to grant a pardon, delay the execution of the death sentence in respect of any offence which had been tried by the court without compromising any legal provisions of Federal laws.





"The Pardons Board may also consider releasing prisoners who had been waiting for more than 20 years (for the execution of the death sentence) depending on the situation," he said.





He said that to date, the number of prisoners facing the death penalty for committing an offence under Section 39 (B) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 stood at 1,267.

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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar WildeA Lagos-based human rights group, Legal Defence & Assistance Project (LEDAP), yesterday urged the federal and state governments to put an end to death penalty in the country.





In statement signed by its Senior Legal Officer, Pamela Okoroigwe, to commemorate the 16th World Day against the Use of the Death Penalty with the theme "Living conditions on death row", LEDAP asked government at all levels to put an end to the use of the death penalty.





It said that in the meantime,government should "urgently introduce moratorium on sentencing and execution, and improve the conditions of detentions of death row inmates."





It recalled how it has "consistently campaigned for the abolition of the death penalty by providing direct free legal assistance to death row inmates, supporting legislative enactment on moratorium, conducting public poll survey on the use of death penalty and the inhumane living conditions of death row inmates.





The statement added: "Our findings revealed that death row prisoners are subjected to 2 distinct punishments: the death sentence itself and the prolonged years of living in inhumane conditions that include poor health care, overcrowding, poor feeding and poor medical attention.





"Prisoners on death-row live in a state of constant uncertainty over their possible date of execution. For some death-row prisoners, the anxiety results in a sharp deterioration in their mental and emotional well-being. This manifested in the case of Olatunji Olaide, who was exonerated by the Court of Appeal after spending 24 years on death row. Olatunji died shortly after his release from prison due to his terrible ill health and untreated eye condition from prolonged detention.





"LEDAP is particularly worried that the appalling prison conditions have serious damaging effects on the mental and physical health of the inmates. These conditions further infringe on their rights, particularly right to human dignity and freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. LEDAP believes that the human rights of death row inmates should be protected at all times. The dignity of the human person must be preserved, both within and outside the prison walls."

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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde

The Nation, October 13, 2018President Emmerson Mnangagwa has once again stoked debate on capital punishment after concurring with a European Union position on the emotive matter. The EU said capital punishment had not established any deterrent effect on murderers.





"The death penalty is an affront to human dignity. It constitutes cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and is contrary to the right to life. The death penalty has no established deterrent effect and it makes judicial errors irreversible," the European bloc said on its official Twitter account.





Mnangagwa re-tweeted it, adding: "I agree whole-heartedly."





Contacted for clarity, Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet (Presidential communications), George Charamba said Mnangagwa still needed to convince other stakeholders before there were changes to the law in order to reflect his desire.





"It cannot happen from the President's office but from a legislative perspective. That is the President's own viewpoint, but it still has to find favour in terms of our laws and policies. He has expressed his personal wish, desire, and a personal conviction, but he has to build consensus around his personal view before it translates initially to policy then, secondly, law," Charamba said yesterday.





Mnangagwa's view on capital punishment was a matter of public record. The President escaped the hangmans noose during the liberation struggle after it is discovered that he was under age.





Mnangagwa, who has served as Justice minister under former President Robert Mugabe, is a well-known advocate for the removal of the death penalty.





Mugabe once revealed that he had an altercation with Mnangagwa over capital punishment.





Mnangagwa also differed with Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who openly declared his support for capital punishment.





Zimbabwe has not implemented the death penalty for over 10 years now, with Mnangagwa credited for that.





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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde

newday.co.zw, October 13, 2018DRI officials received a tip-off that a flight arriving from Delhi was smuggling gold and were prepared for it to land at 11 am. (Photo:DC)

Chennai: In a major haul, sleuths of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recovered 6.5 kg of gold worth Rs 2 crore from an aeroplane at the Chennai airport on Monday morning.

DRI officials received a tip-off that a flight arriving from Delhi was smuggling gold and were prepared for it to land at 11 am.

Luggage of all passengers on the flight was checked after they disembarked but nothing was found. They then acquired permission from the airport authorities to check aboard the flight, officials said.

The officials then went on to search on the flight, where they found gold bars hidden under two seats of the aircraft. Six gold bars were wrapped in brown bags and hidden under the seat, they said.

The flight started from Dubai, landed at Delhi and then came from there as a domestic flight, smugglers may have left it on the flight, DRI officials believe. The smugglers may have come to know of checks being conducted at by DRI in Delhi, they said.

Officials seized the gold bars weighing 6.5 kg, which's market value is estimated at Rs 2 crore. DRI officials along with the customs department and airport police are conducting investigations based on CCTV camera footages recovered from the aircraft and the airport to identify the smugglers. DRI officials say that they have identified two possible suspects and will make arrests soon.

The incidents of gold smuggling seem to be increasing at the Chennai airport. The incident comes only a day after a total of 1.75 kg of gold, worth over Rs 53 lakh was seized from passengers aboard three flights arriving at the Chennai international airport on a single day.NELLORE: The state government will extend the retirement age to 61 years instead of the usual 60, for students bagging awards under Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Pratibha Puraskar Awards Scheme, if they secure government jobs.

AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu made the announcement to encourage talented students during the distribution of Dr Kalam Scheme awards to 7,010 students during a programme held at Ongole on Monday.

Meritorious students who have excelled in the SSC Public Examinations will be awarded with a merit certificate, a memento and scholarships to meet the cost of higher education under the scheme.

Addressing students and their parents on the occasion, Mr Naidu said the sky was the limit for the students if they pursued academics with a passion.

Recalling Dr Abdul Kalams advice to students to dream and work towards realising them, he called upon all students to follow in the footsteps of the former President of the country.

He recalled the role he had played in making Dr Kalam the President of India, while stressing that he was proud of his initiative. The percentage of youth in India is much higher than in America, China and Europe. The English speaking population is also high in India compared to the United States. While technology is ruling the roost in the world, Indians have been dictating that technology, the Chief Minister said.

He said they were using technology to contain the death toll during calamities while referring to 2,500 deaths because of hurricanes in 1996, when he was CM and the number coming down to 35 during cyclone Hudhud and 8 in the recent Cyclone Titli in Srikakulam district. He said the major asset of Andhra Pradesh was the states youth, pointing to 81 lakh students in the state.In a surprise turn of events, a little-known united opposition candidate, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, was declared the winner, sparking celebrations across the country. (Photo: File | PTI)

Colombo: Outgoing Maldives President Abdulla Yameen says disappearing ink and specially treated ballot papers were to blame for his heavy election defeat last month.

The strongman leader of the honeymoon island nation had been expected to romp home in the September 23 poll, with opposition leaders jailed or exiled, and warnings that he would try to fix the vote.

But in a surprise turn of events, a little-known united opposition candidate, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, was declared the winner, sparking celebrations across the tropical holiday destination.

Yameen initially said he accepted defeat, and was ready to step down when his term ends on November 17. But last week he launched a Supreme Court challenge, seeking to annul the result.

At a hearing on Sunday, which resumed Monday, Yameen's lawyer Mohamed Saleem accused the printer of coating ballot papers with an unnamed substance to make votes marked in Yameen's box vanish.

Saleem said a "special pen with disappearing ink" had been given to people who were going to vote for his client, a reporter at the hearing said.

A lawyer for the Elections Commission, which Yameen accused of colluding with the printer to ensure his defeat, on Sunday denied any wrongdoing, including using any special ink.

A day ahead of the court hearing in the capital Male, the United States warned "appropriate measures" would be taken if the will of the Maldivian people was undermined.

Europe and India have also issued similar warnings in the past.

The US and its allies have been concerned by growing Chinese influence in the strategically positioned Indian Ocean archipelago, especially under Yameen's authoritarian rule.

Yameen's Progressive Party (PPM) on Saturday said the vote was the "most farcical election in living memory" with the organisation "abysmal" and vote-rigging "rampant".Washington, DC, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) and Educated Eats will celebrate the arrival of the NRAEFs high school culinary and restaurant management program, ProStart, to the District of Columbia.

The celebration will kick off at the Educated Eats Sips & Bites press conference and benefits event for culinary and hospitality education held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center this evening at 5:00 p.m.

ProStart, a nationwide, two-year program for high school students focused on culinary arts and restaurant management, will arrive in three high schools in the District: Roosevelt, Roosevelt S.T.A.Y. and Ballou. The national program works to develop todays top talent into tomorrows restaurant and foodservice leaders, giving high school students a real-world taste of what its like to work inand managea restaurant.



Bringing ProStart to Washington, DC is a huge win for the Foundation, said Rob Gifford, executive vice president of the NRAEF. We are officially in all 50 states, and now, the District of Columbia. Thank you to the team who helped make this possible  we look forward to serving the future leaders of the restaurant industry right here in the Foundations very own backyard.



The timing was right and the need in our industry is real for RAMW to bring the ProStart program back to DC, said RAMW President and CEO Kathy Hollinger. This program will create myriad opportunities for enrolled students by giving them access to accomplished mentors and hands-on work experience in DC restaurants. Their classrooms are training grounds in which they will learn from industry leaders to prepare for long-lasting, fulfilling careers. At the same time, it will benefit DC restaurateurs by providing them with a talented workforce that is crucial to sustaining one of the citys largest industries.

The Foundations ProStart program currently serves 140,000 students in over 1,800 schools. Students enroll in a two-year curriculum, take two national exams, complete a minimum of 400 hours of industry work experience and demonstrate mastery in observable employability skills, allowing graduates to enter the restaurant and foodservice industry right away.

Exemplary ProStart students go on to compete at state and national level competitions  and the 2019 National ProStart Invitational will be held here at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., May 8th  10th.

The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is the regional trade association representing restaurants and the foodservice industry in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Established in 1920, RAMW is an advocate, resource and community for its members.

Visit ChooseRestaurants.org/ProStart to learn more about the ProStart program, the NRAEF and its impact.

AttachmentI am a retired newspaperman. I live in Poca, WV, with my wife of 44 years, Lou Ann. I grew up in Cleveland. Three kids. Grandfather.



Report all errors to DonSurber@GMail.comAustrias main business group will open an office in Vietnam and invite a Vietnamese delegation to visit the European country next year.

This was revealed at the Vietnam-Austria Business Forum attended by visiting Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in the Austrian capital, Vienna, Monday.

The forum was organized by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO), the federal parent organization for the state chambers of commerce and trade associations.

WKO president Harald Mahrer said Austrian businesses are attracted by the potential of the Vietnamese market. He pointed to Vietnams status as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, its increasing number of new businesses and a large population set to reach 100 million soon.

Vietnam also has a young and well-trained labor force with good entrepreneurship, especially in information technology, which interests many Austrian companies, Mahrer said.

VCCI chairman Vu Tien Loc noted the forum is the most significant event ever between Vietnam and Austria and organized before the E.U.-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) comes into effect next year.

PM Phuc said the Vietnamese economy has been achieving high growth for the last 30 years and is set to grow by 7 percent this year.

With young people accounting for 65 percent of the population, a growing middle class and a large ratio of people using the internet and smartphones, the country has great potential in e-commerce, he added.

Vietnam climbed from 77th in 2006 to 55th last year in the World Economic Forums global competitiveness index, and from 104th to 68th in the ease of doing business index, according to the World Bank.

Pointing to these, the PM encouraged Austrian businesses to invest in high-tech agriculture, agricultural processing, manufacturing, high-tech zones, infrastructure, and tourism in Vietnam.

He said the country is willing to sell stakes in state-owned enterprises in telecoms, banking and securities to capable Austrian investors.

Austria, one of the first western countries to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam in 1972, was the sixth largest importer of Vietnamese goods in Europe last year.

Bilateral trade was worth over $4 billion last year, up 42 percent from 2016.

In the first seven months of this year Vietnams exports to the country reached $2.58 billion, up 47 percent year-on-year, while imports fell 16 percent to $167 million.

As of last August Austrian companies had 31 projects in Vietnam with registered investment capital of $143.9 million.The highway, which was opened to traffic on October 10, cuts the Hanoi-Hoa Binh Province travel time by a third. Photo by VnExpress

The realization of the country's ambitious infrastructure development plan depends on how it sorts out issues of profitability and funding.

Vietnam has an ambitious master plan that aims at complete transformation of the nations sluggish infrastructural platforms, so as to attract investment and business, promote its industrial hubs and increase its GDP.

According to Asian Development Bank (ADB), Vietnam is among the top in terms of infrastructure development, with average infrastructure investment taking up 5.7 percent of the GDP in recent years, the highest in Southeast Asia.

The expansion of the nations road network is currently facing financial troubles. Against the cost estimate of $134 billion, only $99 billion has been earmarked so far.

The latest Global Infrastructure Outlook has estimated that Vietnam will only meet 83 percent of its infrastructure needs by 2040.

Looking at some of the major projects and markers of Vietnams infrastructure development can give us an idea of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The big ones

Pursuant to the prime ministerial Decision No.631/QD-TTg in 2014, a number of major national projects have been outsourced for foreign investment and implementation by 2020. As a result, conception and implementation of those projects have been accelerated.

In particular, the Government wants to build the Long Thanh Airport of international standards that will gradually reach the capacity of 100 million customers and 5 million tons of goods per year. Total estimated expenditure equals $16.03 billion (unit price in 2014).

Since the Long Thanh Airport in not expected to commence operations until 2025, the existing Tan Son Nhat Airport in HCMC is to be expanded to accommodate 50 million passengers a year. Adjustment costs for this add up to more than $1.3 billion as per the latest design proposal.

The 3,096 km long North-South expressway, running from Hanoi to the Mekong Delta province of Can Tho, expected to be built in the 2020-2030 period, will cost approximately $37.7 billion.

Despite being previously dismissed, the North-South high speed railway plan is in the picture again and will be presented to the National Assembly in 2019. The estimated length and investment costs are 1,545km and $58.7 billion, respectively.

Likewise, there is considerable investment demand for port construction. As stipulated in the Prime Ministers Decision No.1037/QD-Ttg in 2014, several renovations must be made to the existing ports and future port developments are also expected in the 2020- 2030 period.

A few other major national infrastructure projects including roads, airports and ports are expected to be implemented, according to growing needs of the country.

How is the nation planning to fund these projects?

Investment methods and incentives

Private sector investors, especially foreign investors, enjoy preference and certain favorable conditions under Vietnamese laws.

Private investors can cooperate with the Vietnamese Government to conduct investment projects through public-private partnership (PPP) contracts or completely take up investment through privatization.

The Government is encouraging PPP projects in transportation and other undertakings of national scope in specific sectors, as decided by the Prime Minister.

The current Investment Law provides that development or management of infrastructure works are carried out on business lines with investment incentives.

Infrastructure works are identified as water plants, power plants, water supply and drainage system; bridges, roads, railroads, airports, seaports, river ports; airfields, train stations, and other particularly important infrastructure works decided by the Prime Minister.

Investment preferences under the PPP regime include tax incentives: lower corporate income tax; exemption from import duty on goods imported to form fixed assets, raw materials, supplies and components for implementation of the investment project; and exemption from, or reduction of, land rent, land use fees and land use tax.

Projects requiring investment of at least VND6 trillion ($257 million) are also entitled to tax exemptions on non-agricultural land and import duties.

The Investment Law protects lawful assets of the investors from being nationalized/ confiscated by any administrative measures and allows them to be transferred abroad by foreign investors.

The Prime Minister, on a case to case basis, guarantees contractual obligations of competent authorities or state-owned companies participating in PPPs for infrastructural development.

State-owned enterprises are obliged to supply raw materials, utilize products and services and fulfill other contractual requirements.

Decree 63 further ensures the exercise of land use rights throughout the investment period, foreign currency availability, and provision of public services such as land, roads and other public works. Most importantly, investors under PPP projects shall receive guarantees on ownership of the property.

Parties to a PPP contract involving at least one foreign investor have full autonomy to choose a foreign law to be the governing law if it doesnt contradict Vietnam law; and to select the method of dispute resolution as arbitration.

Actual investment status quo

To take advantage of incentives and realize potentially substantial returns from infrastructure projects, several investors have either proposed to partake of or have actually committed to raise large portions of investment capital for major projects.

The challenges to be addressed, however, are formidable.

Vietnam needs about $480 billion by 2020 for infrastructure investment, with additional projects in the pipeline including around eleven power plants with total capacity of 13,200 MW and about 1,380 km of highway; but the State budget can only meet one third of the actual financial needs.

The long-term nature of such large scale projects, where returns on investment take far longer to realize than those in other sectors, is one of the reasons that make investors hesitate to take the risks involved in them.

According to the ADB, the share of development funding coming from the private sector is less than 10 percent of the national total.

In the road and railway sectors the most obvious payoff is the drastic reduction of time required to travel between major cities.

Most notably, the time from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City will fall from 32 hours to seven hours after the completion of the North-South express railway. Foreseeable beneficiaries are industries with extensive supply chains and complex sourcing needs.

The North-South expressway, therefore, has to potential to expedite business as it is the central route that runs through more than 20 provinces and cities.

Under Resolution No.20/NQ-CP on construction of eight sections of the expressway, investors shall contribute at least 20 percent of the total investment.

The profit margin on feasibility study reports and tendering documents are assessed using the average profits of past build-operation-transfer (BOT) projects.

Therefore, investors can expect the profit ratio to be around 11.77 percent, based on the average derived from around 67 BOT projects already implemented by the Ministry of Transport.

The actual profit rate is to be determined via competitive tendering no earlier than May 2019, and the capricious nature of this arrangement could prove to be an investment deterrent.

Smaller projects promise more bankability to investors, like the National Highway No.1 Project  Phu Ly Bypass Road in northern Ha Nam Province that was been given to Coteccons and FCC.

Logistic costs shall decrease once road quality is enhanced, with traffic jams and bottlenecks becoming less frequent.

After investing in the Tan Son Nhat airport expansion and other airports including Noi Bai, Cat Bi, Chu Lai and Phu Bai, the Airport Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) predicts $702 million in revenues. As of now, remaining portions of the Tan Son Nhat project are awaiting investors.

ACV is also the host investor in the Long Thanh International Airport. At present, constructors are joining the tendering process for pre-feasibility studies. Prices for land around the Long Thanh Airports proposed site have skyrocketed.

The seaport system has been largely privatized since 2014, with the equitization of 432 state-owned enterprises. For example, state-owned shipping giant Vinalines has sold all its shares in Quang Ninh Port.

With Lach Huyen and Cai Mep, the only two deep-water international ports, only the former has been conceived and is now in the final stage of construction with investments from the Government ODA loans, the HITC Company, Itochu and other companies.

IPP Group has promised to make investments worth $50 billion in establishing a special economic zone in the Bac Van Phong area in central Khanh Hoa Province, including but not limited to a smart city, an airport and a seaport.

Because international trade is conducted mainly via marine transport, developing ports with adequate capacity can guarantee reduced transport time and costs.

Hopeful signs

Recognizing that improving infrastructure increases the countrys competitiveness, Vietnam is vigorously revitalizing its infrastructure platforms.

However, with certain national projects of large scope and size, profitability and required capital contribution are potential stumbling factors.

The Government has signed a bilateral cooperation agreement with the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Developing a Self-Reliant Vietnamese Economy to co-operate in seven fields, including infrastructure development.

Furthermore, the establishment of Vietnam Infrastructure Working Group (IWG) is expected to bring leaders, businesses, and scholars to share ideas and initiatives. This is a great opportunity for Vietnam to research and learn from other countries experience as well as attract investment for infrastructure development.

Moreover, a new circular to supplant existing regulations on PPP agreements is currently being prepared.

Therefore, there is that more favorable treatment of investors will speed up major infrastructure development projects, in turn making considerable headway in achieving national goals.

*Vaibhav Saxena is a legal consultant at Vietnam International Law Firm (VILAF)Vietnams per capita GDP long way away from 2020 target

Vietnams GDP per capita is set to increase this year, but its 2020 target of $3,200-3,500 looks distant.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said at a National Assembly meeting Monday that if Vietnams GDP increases by 6.7 percent this year, per capita GDP will reach $2,540, up $155, or 6.1 percent year-on-year, and 1.21 times that of 2015.

However, this figure is still far away from the countrys target of $3,200-3,500 by 2020, he conceded.

According to World Bank Group statistics, Vietnam's GDP per capita in 2017 is $2,343. The figure for Singapore is $57,714, Malaysia ($9,945), Thailand ($6,594), the Philippines ($2,989) and Myanmar ($1,298).

Minister Dung estimated that Vietnams GDP would grow by 6.57 percent on average in the 2016-2018 period, meeting the Nationals Assembly target of 6.5-6.7 percent growth.

However, he expressed concerns about the increasing number of businesses that stopped operations in the first nine months of this year.

While 96,610 new businesses opened, 73,100 closed, up 48 percent year-on-year.

These figures worried government officials at the meeting. Vu Hong Thanh, Chairman of the National Assembly's Economic Committee, said that the goal of having one million businesses by 2020 will be difficult to achieve.

Last year Vietnam had over 560,000 active businesses, up 11 percent year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office.

But in another meeting last week, Deputy Prime Minster Vuong Dinh Hue said that the goal is full of challenges, but achievable.

Hue said that how strong these businesses are and how much they can contribute to the economy is more important.

The government aims to practically improve the business environment by not imposing more conditions, he said.

In the first nine months this year, Vietnams GDP grew by 6.98 percent, the highest nine-month growth rate since 2011. The economy grew by 6.81 percent last year, the highest rate in a decade.Number of Vietnamese students in South Korea grow fastest in the world

Vietnamese high school students and their families attend an international education fair in a file photo by AFP.

Vietnamese students are the fastest growing group in South Korean universities, second only to China in enrollment numbers.

Vietnam sent nearly 15,000 students to South Korea last year, three times higher than the number in 2015, making it the fastest growing market for international education in the Northeast Asian country.

In reporting this information, the Yonhap News Agency cited figures from the National Institute for International Education under the Korean Ministry of Education.

As of April this year, the number of international students registered in South Korean universities and graduate schools jumped to 142,205, a 14.8 percent increase from a year ago. Of these, 70,232 were enrolled in higher education programs and the other 51,856 in non-degree programs.

China has retained the top spot as the country with the maximum number of students in South Korea. At 68,256, Chinese account for 48.2 percent of total foreign students in the country.

Vietnam ranks second with 27,061, accounting for 19 percent of total international students, followed by Mongolia (4.7 percent), Japan (2.79 percent), and the United States (1.93 percent).

For non-degree courses such as Korean language classes at universities, Vietnamese students accounted for 34.3 percent, or 19,260 of the total, surpassing Chinese peers (29.8 percent).

Anticipation is building that Vietnam will beat China to become the largest group of students in South Korea by 2020, the Yonhap reported.

Vietnamese families are spending as much as $3-4 billion each year on sending their children abroad to study, education minister Phung Xuan Nha told the National Assembly session in Hanoi last June.

Last year, there were around 130,000 Vietnamese studying abroad at all levels, and their top five destinations were Japan, the U.S., Australia, China and the U.K., according to government data.Minnesota credit unions joined forces to spread kindness in communities across the state on Monday, Oct. 8.

MAPLE GROVE, Minn., Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TopLine Federal Credit Union was one of the 49 credit unions and partners across the state of Minnesota who participated in an orchestrated day to spread kindness in communities and encourage others to do the same, last week on Columbus Day, Monday, October 8.

TopLine has been participating in this collaborative credit union event since 2016, referred to as  CU Forward Day , which is coordinated by the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN), the state trade association for Minnesotas credit unions. #cuforwardday

TopLine employees volunteered at local non-profit partners, Community Emergency Assistance Programs (CEAP), Junior Achievement of The Upper Midwest and Keystone Community Services . Volunteers made a positive impact in the communities that TopLine serves by providing assistance in a food shelf, teaching youth financial literacy, cleaning the foodmobile  a mobile food shelf  and arranging youth books.

We once again looked forward in taking part in this joint community give-back effort to inspire others to volunteer and give-back across our Minnesota communities, says Tom Smith, TopLine President and CEO. This is an extension of what TopLine , and credit unions, do all year long, and showcases the true power of collectively working together to make a positive impact in our communities.

Credit unions are committed to the foundational philosophy of People Helping People, which is demonstrated by their cooperative structures, support of financial education , and active engagement within their communities. Around the state, 49 Minnesota credit unions and partners dedicated a total of 12,224 volunteer hours in 80 communities with an estimated impact on more than 334,830 people on CU Forward Day.

The cooperative impact of credit unions is larger than each individual branch, said MnCUN President & CEO Mark Cummins. As not-for-profit financial institutions, credit unions work to improve the financial lives of individuals and communities. CU Forward Day is an opportunity for credit union staff to show the people helping people philosophy in action.

CEAP (Community Emergency Assistance Programs), serving Hennepin and Anoka Counties, is a community-based, non-profit agency that partners with other resources to assist people in need. The mission of CEAP is to stabilize individuals and families in financial distress and to maximize their ability to live independently and with dignity. Visit www.CEAP.com to learn more.

Junior Achievement of The Upper Midwest offers financial literacy, college and career readiness and entrepreneurship education to K-12 students in Minnesota, North Dakota and western Wisconsin. Programs are taught in more than 700 schools throughout the upper Midwest by nearly 10,000 community volunteers, reaching over 160,000 students during the 2016-17 school year. Visit www.jaum.org to learn more.

Keystone Community Services , named for the strong connecting stone at the center of an arch, is a community-based volunteer organization in St. Paul, Minnesota that helps thousands of low-income individuals and families in the East Metro Area. The organizations programs include food shelves, a support program for Hmong youth and their families, youth programs and a comprehensive program for seniors. Keystones mission is to strengthen the capacity of individuals and families to improve their quality of life. Visit www.keystoneservices.org to learn more.

TopLine Federal Credit Union , a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesotas 13th largest, with assets of more than $450 million. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit cooperative offers a complete line of financial services, as well as auto and home insurance, from its five branch locations  in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Pauls Como Park  as well as by phone, mobile app and online at www.TopLinecu.com . Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties and their immediate family members. Visit us on our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TopLineFederalCreditUnion . To learn more about the credit unions foundation, visit https://www.toplinecu.com/foundation . #cuforwardday

CONTACT:

Vicki Roscoe Erickson

Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications

TopLine Federal Credit Union

verickson@toplinecu.com

763.391.0872

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1771f69c-08c1-46cc-b4ff-c5309a04a7ac.A Vietnamese national flag is seen at the Flag Tower of Hanoi in a file photo by Reuters.

Vietnam's National Assembly is scheduled to elect the country's new head of state at its upcoming session.

Speaking at a meeting of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Tuesday, Nguyen Hanh Phuc, General Secretary of the assembly, said the presidential election is among new items added to the agenda for the parliaments 6th session that opens next Monday morning.

The election will be held at the start of the session to make it convenient for the discussions of matters under the president's jurisdiction, Phuc said.

According to the schedule, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan will announce the list of nominated presidential candidates on Monday afternoon for members of parliament to discuss the following day.

The parliament will ratify the list of presidential candidates using an electronic voting system before electing a new president by secret ballot.

Following the election, the new president would be sworn in, with the ceremony broadcast live on national radio and television.

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh is currently the acting President, serving as Vietnam's first female head of state, after President Tran Dai Quang passed away September 21 due to a serious illness.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam earlier this month nominated its General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as a candidate for the post. No other candidates have been proposed for the position.

The President is countrys top representative in both internal and external affairs and commander-in-chief of the military. Vietnam is now led by four pillars: its Party chief, president, prime minister and national assembly chair.

If approved, Trong will become the first Vietnamese leader to be the head of state and Party since founding President Ho Chi Minh.

Trong, born 1944 in Hanoi, served as Hanoi's Party Secretary between 2000 and 2006. He became a standing member of the Politburo, the Party's decision-making body, in 1999. In 2011, he became the General Secretary of the Party's Central Committee, and was reelected to the position in 2016.

For several years, Trong has spearheaded a crackdown on corruption that has seen scores of top businesspeople and government leaders face criminal probe or even trial over allegations of financial mismanagement and embezzlement.

"In the past, there were cases left unresolved for years, but a lot has been fixed in the past five years. Any cases that were exposed have been dealt with properly," Trong said during a meeting with constituents in Hanoi earlier this month.

In addition to the presidential election, the upcoming NA session will also discuss ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and related documents, and continued implementation of a pilot project to issue electronic visas for foreign tourists visiting Vietnam.

It is also expected to carry out procedures to officially dismiss Truong Minh Tuan from his positions as Minister of Information and Communications and approve the appointment of his replacement Nguyen Manh Hung.

Tuan has already been suspended from the post and subjected to disciplinary actions for violations in state-owned telecom giant MobiFone's acquisition of private pay TV firm AVG.

Hung, a major general and CEO of military-run telecom giant Viettel, has been serving as the acting Minister of Information and Communications since August. He has also taken over Tuan's positions as head of the ministry's Party Commitee.

Other items on the upcoming parliamentary sessions agenda include discussion and ratification of nine draft laws, commenting on another six law projects, including the amended Anti-Corruption Law, the amended Law on the People's Public Security Forces, the amended Amnesty Law, the Law on Vietnams Coast Guard and Law on Protection of State Secrets.

The 6th session of the 14th National Assembly is scheduled to last 24 days.A section of the Da Nang - Quang Ngai Expressway has been damaged with potholes after a heavy downpour on October 5. Photo by Dac Thanh

Officials are squarely blaming poor quality construction for cracks and potholes on a section of the Da Nang  Quang Ngai Expressway.

The entire expressway fully opened to traffic just last month, but the section that had opened in August 2017 is now undergoing repairs.

Officials have blamed the investor for poor quality construction, but the latter has tried to pass the buck on to inclement weather.

Construction of the first ever expressway in the central region, connecting Da Nang City and Quang Ngai Province, began in 2013. A part of it was opened to traffic last year and the new road fully opened to traffic just last month.

However, early this month, cracks and potholes were seen in the aftermath of a heavy downpour in the area. They were hundreds of square centimeters wide and 5-10 centimeters deep.

On the Transport Ministrys orders, Vietnamese construction firm Tuan Loc, began repairing the road on Sunday.

The ministry has blamed both the projects main investor, Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) and the contractor for the damage.

The VEC and relevant parties incapability to maintain traffic safety could risk the safety of their employees and vehicles using the expressway, which may result in public outrage, the ministry said in a statement.

It also demanded that VEC supervises other investors in identifying the damaged sections and fixing them, and said the corporation cannot toll fees on the expressway until it is fully prepared.

Nguyen Tien Thanh, director of the expressway management board, claimed that the damage was caused by heavy rain and the fact that heavy trucks were using it, and not because of poor construction work.

However, VEC director Tran Van Tam said Monday that the rain was only a contributing factor to the damage. He said repair work would be completed before Wednesday noon.

Meanwhile, several officials have questioned both Thanh and Tams claims.

Tran Chung, former head of the State Agency for Construction Quality Inspection under the Ministry of Construction, said that the expressways investors should have taken weather conditions into account when building the expressway.

The expressway was damaged because its construction itself had problems, he said.

Tran Dan, an engineer and vice president of Da Nangs Bridge and Road Association, said the VEC was simply finding a way to deny their responsibility for the expressway damage. He backed Chungs statement that the damage was the result of improper construction.

Nguyen Ngoc Long, Vice President of Vietnams Bridge and Road Association, also said the damage was 90 percent the result of improper construction.

He also said that the repair work should be overseen by the State Agency for Construction Quality Inspection, not the VEC.

The expressway has cost over VND34.5 trillion ($1.4 billion) to build. Its damaged part opened to traffic in August 2017 and the remaining part, 74 km long, opened last month.Surveillance camera footage shows a scaffolding outside the Saigon River Tunnel collapsed after being hit by a truck on Monday morning.

A truck driver says he was unaware of the scaffolding collapse that triggered a massive traffic gridlock in HCMC Monday.

He also said he was not guilty of breaking any traffic law, and that his truck was not above the prescribed maximum height.

Ho Vu Linh Thuy, 40, said he was carrying oranges from the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long to Dong Nai Province, which neighbors HCMC, and reached the Saigon River Tunnel at around 5 a.m. on Monday.

"I had no idea that the truck had hit the scaffolding, which is why I kept driving," Thuy said.

He said he only learned about the incident four hours later, after his employer called.

Thuy, who has been driving for 17 years, asserted that he had broken no law.

"Before entering the tunnel, I saw two barriers limiting the height at 4.2 meters, and my truck went through just fine, so the fact that it caused the scaffolding collapse really surprised me, he said.

The scaffolding that Thuy hit was being used to build an overpass running beyond the Saigon River Tunnel, which connects District 1 and District 2.

It stood about 50 meters ahead of the tunnels mouth.

Truck driver says unaware of scaffolding collapse outside Saigon tunnel River tunnel blocked, traffic chaos as truck hits scaffolding in Saigon

Ngo Hai Duong, an official from the citys transport department, told VnExpress Monday morning that the cargo truck was higher than the regulated height for the tunnel, which is 4.2 meters.

But the police have now said the truck is only four meters high with a loading capacity of 17.6 tons.

Thuy said he was driving his truck at 30 kilometers (less than 19 miles) per hour.

After he was informed of the accident, Thuy checked the back of his truck and found that the canvas had been torn, several screws had bent and some oranges were damaged.

He left his truck halfway to Dong Nai and took a bus to return to HCMC to present himself to the police, he said.

An overpass is under construction over the Saigon River Tunnel. Photo by Huu Khoa

Following the scaffolding collapse, police had to block the entire tunnel, causing massive traffic jams lasting five hours.

The overpass that is being built will link to a street that runs into the Thu Thiem New Urban Area in District 2, which is being developed as a new financial and cultural hub.

District 2 is an area heavily favored by expatriates in HCMC.

The project's investor has not commented on Mondays accident.

Opened in late 2011, Thu Thiem is the only river tunnel in Vietnam and the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia. It is 1.49 kilometers (less than one mile) long, 33 meters wide and nine meters high with six lanes, apart from two emergency exit lanes.

More than 47,000 cars and 230,000-270,000 motorbikes use the tunnel each day.Can Tho prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for a police officer accused of beating a drunk suspect to death.

Bui Duc Nghia will be placed under criminal investigation after 29-year-old Nguyen Chi Hieu died from multiple injuries sustained while in police custody in O Mon District in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho last August.

Nghia will face charges of "intentionally inflicting injuries or causing harm to the health of other persons leading to human death," a crime punishable by up to 15 years of imprisonment under Vietnams Penal Code.

Investigators are also questioning one of Nghias colleagues suspected of involvement in Hieus death.

Initial findings are that the district traffic police asked Hieu to stop for an alcohol test after finding him driving under the influence.

However, Hieu failed to submit to the test and refused to sign the police report on his violation. He was taken to the police station and beaten ferociously for not cooperating with the police.

He returned home the next morning and felt pain all over his body, and was taken to the local hospital where he was found to have sustained severe injuries.

He died on August 13, four days after being interrogated by the police. His family demanded an investigation into his death.

Several instances of suspects dying in police custody have been reported across Vietnam in recent years.

Five policemen in Ninh Thuan Province last month were jailed for three to seven years for beating a male prisoner to death.

In 2016, a court in Ho Chi Minh City sentenced a former traffic police officer to 12 years in prison for asking thugs to beat a traffic violator to death, following an argument.

In late 2012, the World Bank released the results of a survey in which 5,460 Vietnamese respondents overwhelmingly identified the traffic police as the most corrupt group of individuals in the country.An Australian falls in love, renounces home and career for a differently-abled Vietnamese woman with an indomitable spirit.

No encounter with 31-year-old Nguyen Thi Van is uneventful.

Most people are awed and enchanted by her unbreakable, can-do spirit.

No one can testify to this better than 51-year-old Neil Bowden Laurence - an expert in telecoms, cyber security and cybernetics working for the Australian Government  who gave everything up so that he would not lose her.

Struck by the wide grins plastered on Vans Facebook wall, he commented: You have a very nice smile; You look so beautiful when you smile; and so on.

Neill often carries his wife when they go out or simply go for a walk. Photo courtesy of Neil and Van.

Van was not above engaging in a bit of flirting.

Busy as she was, as the director of the Vigor of Life Center in Hanoi, which provides vocational education, training for people with disabilities, and owner of a graphic design company, she had time to spend on herself.

"I had seven boyfriends before I met Neil...so it was normal for me to playfully drop romantic hints at men," Van said, tongue firmly within cheek.

It is not normal that a person paralyzed by spinal stenosis, which compresses the small spinal canal and shrinks the whole person, boasts of her amorous conquests.

But Van is not an ordinary person. She has never restrained herself from doing that a modern woman would do, whether it is dyeing her hair, going bar hopping and pursuing the men she liked.

One time, she posted a Facebook status: "Having tea alone, join me if you are free. The post caught Neils attention, who responded: "Can I?" Van replied: "OK whenever you come to Vietnam, Ill make tea for you."

Much to her surprise, Neil booked a flight to Hanoi, asked for her address and made it to her place, to meet a woman who would never walk, needed a constant caretaker, and weighed a paltry 20 kilograms.

"Typically, visitors to Vietnam will go sightseeing and enjoy the food, but he was different. He always said: "I come to hang out with you". I thought to myself this guy must be crazy because nobody would be like that, Van told VnExpress with a big grin on her face.

In the three weeks that he spent on his first visit, Neil paid close attention to her and what went on around her. One day, he offered to help her stand up comb her hair.

"He offered to buy stuff for my room, but I did not allow that. He cleaned the kitchen spotless and fixed all the broken electrical appliances in the house. He showed everyone in the house how to clean it quick and neat. He knew that I did not like the paint in my room so he repainted all four walls," Van said.

"For the first time, 12 years after my divorce, I felt a real vibration in front of a special girl like Van," Neil recalled.

After three weeks in Vietnam, he returned to his hometown. But just three months later, he returned, indefinitely this time.

Neil spent most of his time tending to Van, engaging in numerous projects with her, and teaching English for free at her center.

After three months of living together, Neil said he wanted to take care of Van for the rest of her life. Vans heart skipped a beat but she quickly returned to reality and gave Neil a critical analysis of her situation and life in Vietnam. She wanted him to think twice before committing himself.

"He said that after divorcing his ex-wife, hed had his fair share of affairs with other women, but when he was with me, he felt happy. I saw the sincerity in him. It is not that there is something wrong with him, its just that what he values in life different from others," Van said.

A shock and a life-changer

After spending time together, Neil thought he had captured the heart of the little woman, but was shocked at what she said.

"What will happen when I leave? Neil asked Van. She answered: "I will still go to work, still have friends and still flirt with boys.

Neil asked again: "Next time when I visit, will you still welcome me?

If my house can accommodate you or if my new boyfriend approves.

The very next day, Neil submitted his resignation and sent Van a message: "Wait for me, I will quit my job to be with you.

In early April 2018, Neil officially departed his hometown to start a life with Van in Hanoi. They registered their marriage two months later.

Explaining why he quit a good career to live in Vietnam, Neil said: "When I first met Van, I saw that her work changed the lives of many people around her, even the most unfortunate found it extremely meaningful. I was doing my job for 15 years and I couldnt help as many people as she did. So I wanted to be her support. When she's in good health and helping a lot of people, I feel that Im also indirectly helping them."

Neil likes his life in Vietnam and loves his wife's grin. Photo courtesy of VnExpress/ Phan Duong.

After getting married, he bought a new house and Van bought new furniture. They rarely have conflicts but vigorously debate each other on various topics.

Van told VnExpress that she used to nag him about how he pushed her wheelchair at top speed and even carried her up the stairs without asking for help.

"I had to sit down and explain to him if he kept carrying me around like that, people around us will not feel the need to feel help people with disabilities. The more he does this, the less they would support the construction of pedestrian walkways for persons with disabilities. This will further distance the disabled from engaging in social life, Van said.

Now Neil walks much slower with Vans wheelchair and always asks people around for help in front of a staircase.

Since he began sharing a home with Van, Neil doesnt get enough sleep. Every hour or so, he gets up to turn his wife over, since she cannot do so on her own.

While he was prepared to do anything for her and she appreciated his dedication, Van decided to hire a caretaker to ease his burden.

"I dont want to become his burden. Besides I still have my agency, Van said.

Shell get what she wants

Director Le My Cuong, a filmmaker and Vans close friend, told VnExpress: "She is a special disabled person, because she lives like a normal person. Van is confident, ambitious, a go-getter who, once she has her eyes on something, will achieve it, step by step.A street in Saigons District 10 is the go to place when people crave the Thai sweet soup.

The Thai sweet soup is usually identified with aromatic fruit including durian, longan, taro, sweet potato and so on, but the durian is the biggest draw. Foodies in Saigon unfailingly make their way to Nguyen Tri Phuong Street in District 10 to satisfy their sweet tooth.

Around five sweet soup restaurants on this street are always filled with customers and their chit chat, and agile waiters with practiced efficiency weave among the tables, taking and serving orders. Each restaurant employs dozens of staff, including waiters, cooks and guards. The crowd is the biggest on weekend nights.

Le Thuy Phuong, 57, one of the pioneering vendors in the area, has been running her store for 18 years. She said that when she started out, her customers were mainly locals and residents in the neighborhood. Now, people come from all over and we have to constantly change our ingredients, and keep the standards and quality to best serve our customers.

Over the last few years, Thai sweet soup has become a craze among the Vietnamese, along with bubble tea and the khuc bach (milk jelly) sweet soup.

In her 18 years of selling Thai sweet soup, maintaining the business has not been easy, Phuong said. When the popularity of bubble tea and other desserts peaked, that of Thai sweet soup seemed to decline before picking up again.

Phuong said the sweet soup is loved for its fruity components, mostly durian, jackfruit and longans. She said the fresh fruits are purchased directly from farms.

The dish may look simple, but it has a surprising number of ingredients and toppings. A typical dish has durian paste, jackfruit, logan, thymos nuts, four to five kinds of jelly and condensed milk.

Many people think coconut water is the most important component, but its balance and the milk are the true stars of the dish, said Phuong.

The milk I use here is imported. And every dish has to have a balance," she said.

The price for a serving of Thai sweet soup is around VND25,000 ($1.07). Customers can also find a variety of other sweet soups in the area, including lotus seed soup, Ginkgo soup, coconut jelly soup, grapefruit soup and fruit yoghurt.

The shops also cater to a lot of people who want takeaways. As soon as a customer stops by the sidewalk and gives their order, the staff go into action, and in a few minutes, the packages are hung onto hooks on the side of their motorbikes.Those stunning terraced fields are not just used to farm rice, but also fish. Try catching some at Hoang Su Phi.

Fish feeding and farming has become a tradition among farmers in Hoang Su Phi Districts terraced rice fields in the northern province of Ha Giang. In fact, this mostly hidden vocation is done on a large scale, increasing incomes and alleviating poverty in the area.

In Hoang Su Phi, there are a total of 3,570 hectares of terraced rice fields. The watered area makes up 500 hectares, but only 255 hectares of the terraced fields are utilized during the spring planting season.

Therefore, Hoang Su Phi authorities have promoted the model of carp farming, generating stable incomes for each household. In Ban Luoc Commune, many families engage in carp catching as a tourism attraction during the harvesting season.

The water level in the field reaches around 20-30 centimeters, a suitable habitat for small carp. It also allows farmers to easily observe the fish when they grow. When the fish has grown, they are usually caught with bare hands.

The fish can be harvested after three months. The farmers usually release the fish into the fields in June and catch them in September right before they reap the rice, when the terrace fields start to turn yellow.

"It is not difficult to catch the fish here, whenever there are tourists who want to experience catching fish, our family always welcome them," said Trieu Mui Lieu, a farmer in Ban Luoc Commune.

Fresh water fish has a clean, bright white color.

"The fish eat pests, clean the mud, kill weeds and provide good fertilizer for the rice. When people fertilize the rice, they provide food supplements for the fish. When they harvest the rice, the fish will eat broken rice and straw," said Dang Van Nam, another resident

The fish in the field weigh only about 200 to 300 grams.

Many tourists enjoy the fish catching experience.

A golden coloured fish harvested from the rice field.

The harvested fish will then be cooked along with the traditional dishes of the ethnic minorities who live here. The fish has soft bones, a greasy texture, and is delicious to taste.The equivalent of three months of rainfall was dumped overnight in the Aude region in just a few hours. Photo by AFP

At least 11 people died when violent rainstorms turned rivers into raging torrents in southwest France on Monday.

The equivalent of three months rainfall was dumped overnight in the region of Carcassonne in just a few hours, sending rivers over their banks, including the Aude, which reached levels not seen in 100 years.

Local authorities in the Aude department said 11 people were killed, a second reduction in the official toll which had earlier stood at 13, a figure given by the interior ministry.

Two people were still missing with eight others seriously injured, authorities added.

President Emmanuel Macron, whose office said he will soon visit the affected areas, offered "the sympathy and solidarity of the entire nation for the victims of the Aude flooding and their families."

The rescue operations appear to have delayed an expected announcement on a government reshuffle, triggered by the sudden resignation of interior minister Gerard Collomb nearly two weeks ago.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who is acting as interim interior minister, said the government would ask insurers to process disaster claims and payments "as quickly as possible" while he assessed the damage in the region.

'There's water everywhere'

One of the overnight victims was an 88-year-old nun who was swept from her room by floodwaters at the Burning Bush priory in the village of Villardonnel, north of the fortress city of Carcassonne.

Some 600 firefighters rushed to help evacuate residents. Photo by AFP

"The water crashed through the building's main door and on through the door to her room, the lowest in the convent," said Sister Irene, the mother superior.

Elsewhere, flash floods overturned cars, gutted streets and battered buildings and bridges, especially to the north of Carcassonne where authorities ordered bridges closed.

The Aude's levels were expected to peak late Monday evening. Evacuations were still being carried out in several towns in the afternoon, local authorities said.

"There's water everywhere in the house. Everything is flooded," Helene Segura told AFP by telephone from the hard-hit village of Villegailhenc, where at least one small bridge had collapsed.

"Rescue teams were deployed as quickly as possible, but operations have proved to be complicated," said interior ministry spokesman Frederic de Lanouvelle.

In the town of Trebes, near Carcassonne, the Aude rose eight metres (26 feet) in just five hours, officials said.

Hundreds evacuated

According to the latest toll figures from the regional authorities, a total of six people died in Trebes, which made headlines earlier this year after a jihadist attacker killed four people in a shooting spree, including a police officer who took the place of a hostage.

Two elderly residents died overnight in Villegailhenc, where the main bridge collapsed, and one person was killed in Villalier.

Authorities also rushed in helicopters to assist with rescue operations. Photo by AFP

On Monday evening the body of another victim was found in Carcassonne making this one of the deadliest storms in France for a decade.

With many roads impassable, helicopters were used in the rescue operations.

Around 1,000 people were evacuated from the area of Pezens, also near Carcassonne, amid fears that a nearby dam could burst, and thousands of homes throughout the area were without electricity after strong winds brought down power lines.

The storms were triggered when a front of warm and humid air from the Mediterranean Sea slammed into colder air around the Massif Central mountain range, inundating an area from the eastern Pyrenees to Aveyron further north.

This well-known weather pattern occurs three to six times a year in the region and nearly always triggers flash flooding.

But the French weather forecasting service, Meteo France, suggested these episodes had recently become more frequent and more severe.

An unrelated storm on Sunday also hit Portugal, leaving 28 people with minor injuries and hundreds of thousands without power amid flooding in the region around the capital Lisbon.

The heavy rains, which later rolled on through Spain, were the tail end of Hurricane Leslie in the Atlantic, which weakened to a post-tropical storm as it made landfall.

Last week, another weather system moving across the Mediterranean left 12 people dead on the Spanish island of Majorca as well as two people in southeast France.

Further north, nearly 100 people have been evacuated because of flooding in Norway, where heavy rainfall has been accompanied by warm temperatures that have melted snow.Klimkin predicts serious results of EU roaming charges scrap as early as next year

According to the foreign minister, issues remain over the position of certain mobile operators, as well as those with the implementation of EU legislation.

If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+EnterUkraine needs more policy changes for Chinese investors to come.

Ukraines alluring green tariff on electricity generated from renewable energy sources and the effective Association Agreement with the European Union heightened the interest of China, the global leader in clean energy.

Wang Qi, regional manager at China Energy Engineering Group, said that the Asian country considers investing into construction of solar, biomass, nuclear, and hydro power stations in Ukraine as well as into modernization of the existing Soviet-era heating and electricity plants, according to the Kyiv Post.

But Ukraine needs more policy changes for Chinese investors to come.

Payback risks are the biggest concern for us. We need guarantees that our investment will return, she said at the Horasis Meeting in Kyiv on Oct. 15.

Read alsoThree decades after nuclear disaster, Chornobyl goes solar  media

Ukraine has attracted $1.3 billion of investment into renewables over the last three years, according to the State Agency for Energy Efficiency, owing to its feed-in tariff for electricity generated from renewable energy sources.

But a new draft bill envisions transition from feed-in tariff to auctioning when green energy producers will propose their prices on electricity. The new rule will apply to solar and wind power plants with a capacity of over 10 megawatts commissioned after July 1, 2019.

Qi said the auction scheme does not guarantee payback because the price on electricity will be known after the construction of a plant.

We have to know whether our investment will return before we start building plants, she said.

Read alsoShare of renewables in Ukraine's electricity output on rise

She added that Ukraine also needs to simplify visa and work permit procedures for foreign workers and lower taxes.

Boosting political ties between the two countries is important too.

As a state-owned company we are influenced by the policy of our government. If (a countrys) political relations are good (with China), we will devote more (attention) to that market, she said.

At the moment there are not many Chinese projects in Ukrainian energy sector.

Read alsoEnergy Efficiency Fund to be launched in Ukraine in late 2018 - Deputy PM

Chinas National Building Materials Group Corporation (CNBM) owns 10 solar plants in Odesa and Mykolayiv regions with a total capacity of 267 megawatt.

China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) signed an agreement with Ukrainian DTEK to build a 200 megawatt solar power station in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Another promising project is the construction of a 250-megawatt wind power station in Kherson Oblast by an Oslo-based NBT and Shanghai Electric Power Construction Co., Ltd. and PowerChina Fujian Engineering Co., Ltd.Dallas, TX, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Istation, a Dallas-based education technology company, has taken top honors for its Spanish language learning program in the 22nd annual Education Software Review Awards, also known as the EDDIE Awards.

Istation Espanol won the award in the Upper Elementary category. ComputED Gazette presents the EDDIE Awards annually in an effort to target innovative and content-rich programs and websites (including apps for iOS and Android) that augment classroom curriculum and improve teacher productivity, providing parents and teachers with the technology to foster educational excellence.

Fostering educational excellence is in our DNA, said Richard H. Collins, Istation Chairman and CEO. Our work in reading, math and Spanish language programs are designed to give teachers and students the tools they need to ensure every child can reach their potential. We are honored by this award and are very pleased our work to improve education is recognized.

Spanish language educators designed Istation Espanol and ISIP Espanol, Istations Indicators of Progress assessment that measures student growth with engaging, computer-adaptive diagnostic and screening programs.

Istations Spanish program is a dual-language product that promotes literacy in both the Spanish and English languages for native speakers in both languages, said Viviana Hall, a member of the team who created Istation Espanol. Our program is both culturally relevant and authentic, meaning we do not translate existing English-language lessons. This gives the teacher a means to evaluate students progress in both their native language and a second language. The result is educators can better prepare interventions based on language and literacy targets.

This is not the first EDDIE Award Istation has won. In 2016, the companys reading and math programs were honored in the Early Elementary category, while their early reading program was honored in the Early Learning category. Istation products have now won EDDIE Awards at every educational level at which they are used.

Istations innovative reading, math and Spanish programs are aligned with state educational standards and use award-winning animations and content to immerse students in an engaging and interactive environment that inspire them to learn.

Istation is available across a number of platforms, meaning that households with just about any type of computing capacity can access lessons at home. In addition, Collins said dual-language learning is not just for students who come to school speaking Spanish; it helps native English language students too.

-###-

About Istation

Founded in 1998 and based in Dallas, Texas, Istation (Imagination Station) has become one of the nations leading providers of richly animated, game-like educational technology. Winner of several national educational technology awards, the Istation program puts more instructional time in the classroom through small-group and collaborative instruction. Istations innovative reading, math and Spanish programs immerse students in an engaging and interactive environment and inspire them to learn. Additionally, administrators and educators can use Istation to easily track the progress of their students, schools and classrooms. Istation now serves over four million students throughout the United States and in several other countries. The company is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2018.

AttachmentA legal battle between Russia and Ukraine is an unprecedented instance of war by other meansand an example that others will soon follow.

In the four years that Russia and Ukraine have been at war, the front line has hardly shiftedand when it has, it has generally been in Russias favor, as when the town of Debaltseve was seized in February 2015. Last month, however, Ukraine finally notched a major victory. It wasnt the result of fighting in Donbas but rather a ruling by the Court of Appeal in London.

The fact that a London courthouse has become one of the key battlefields of the war underscores that theres far more at stake in the Russia-Ukraine war than territory in eastern Ukrainethe fate of the international financial system, at least in its current shape, also hangs in the balance. The only thing that is certain is that, as a result of the war in Ukraine and the ongoing court case it has produced in London, the global financial system will never be the same, according to Foreign Policy.

The international financial system as it exists today was designed to sever questions of global economic policy from parochial political disputesor, if necessary, to reconcile themby establishing and empowering technocratic international institutions. The system was established in the aftermath of World War II, as the Bretton Woods Agreement effectively made the U.S. dollar the worlds reserve currency, and also led to the establishment of the World Bank (the worlds leading development bank) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which came to serve as the lender of last resort to sovereign states. A series of other institutions sprang up around these to serve the same technocratic ends, such as the Paris Club, which has come to oversee most restructurings of sovereign-to-sovereign loans.

Russia has supported the global financial order when it serves its own political interests, as demonstrated by a recent effort to use some of its own sovereign bond issuances as a tool to repatriate capital. But the Kremlin has simultaneously always complained that the allegedly nonpolitical system was designed by the United States and Europe to structurally advantage their own interests over those of other countriescomplaints that have only grown more vocal in recent years amid the imposition of international sanctions against Moscow.

Russia and Ukraines battle over a bond in Britain represents Moscows latest challenge to the international financial system, and its ostensible separation of economic disputes from political ones, by brazenly seeking to entangle the two, and tempting Kyiv to respond in kind.

Read alsoUkraine's Finance Ministry notes significant victory in $3 bln bond litigation with Russia

The dispute began when Ukraines then-president, Viktor Yanukovych, flew to Moscow in December 2013 to meet his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, as protests against his decision to abandon an association agreement with the European Union raged in central Kyiv. Yanukovych and Putin announced a bilateral action plan that included $15 billion in loans from Russia to Ukraine. One week later, the first loan was issued as Ukraine sold a dollar-denominated bond issued under English law directly to Russias National Wealth Fund.

On the face of it, this was not unusual. Emerging markets often issue dollar bonds under English or New York law. Ukraine had used almost the exact same structure to sell debt to private investors many times before.

It is unprecedented in modern history, however, for one country to loan to another directly through such a bond, which is typically an instrument of private-to-sovereign loans. Structuring the loan in this way had several advantages for Russia. First, it allowed Moscow to weaken the international financial system by highlighting its limited reach; the Paris Club has traditionally been the venue for sovereign-to-sovereign debt restructurings, but Russia simply chose not to file its Ukrainian bond there. This approach also allowed Russia to intervene in Ukraines private debt market. The latter effort was telegraphed by the fact that the legal wording in the bond was nearly, but not entirely, the same as in Ukraines previous bond issuances. These terms granted the bonds holder, the Kremlin, significant leverage over Kyiv by effectively allowing it to trigger default any time it saw fitagain, not unusual in the case of a private bond holder, but certainly so when borrowing from a sovereign government.

Read alsoAvakov: One of Salisbury poisoning suspects identified as participant in Yanukovych's escape

The only reason Ukraine would have considered such a loan was the fact that it was relatively cheapYanukovychs teetering government needed money urgently, and the cost of servicing Russias bond was well below the market rate from private investors at the time. Putin nevertheless claimed the bond sale was commercial and said $12 billion in further loans, using the same structure, was in the offing.

Those loans never arrived. Although Yanukovychs government filed plans to sell an additional $1.98 billion in debt on Feb. 17, 2014, Yanukovych fled Kyiv for Russia five days later. The Euromaidan revolution brought his political opponents into government, who vowed they would sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and reject Putin and Yanukovychs bilateral plans. Moscow then moved to annex Crimea and fomented a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine.Fugitive oligarch Kurchenko's property arrested in Switzerland

The funds in the amount of $2 million were frozen at the request of the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office.

If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+EnterDeficit of Ukraine's foreign trade in goods grows by 1.5 times

Ukraine traded with partners from 215 countries and regions.

If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+EnterHUNTINGTON, W.Va., Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Generation West Virginia (GWV), alongside program partners and committed employer partners, announced in a press conference the launch of a six-month intensive technology training program, NewForce, and is now accepting applications. Developed in partnership with Mountwest Community and Technical College in Huntington, NewForce is a tuition-free, in-person, team-based intensive tech training program created by employers, community colleges, and nonprofits to ensure West Virginians have the right tech skills for companies who are ready to hire in the Mountain State.



At Generation West Virginia, we dont think you should have to leave home to find a job you love. We are committed to developing programs so more people can stay and succeed in the Mountain State, said Natalie Roper, Executive Director of Generation West Virginia.

Through the intensive six-month curriculum, NewForce students work together, receive mentorship, and graduate with in-demand software development skills and direct connections to jobs. The program finishes with a Job Interview Day where the programs employer partners - Advantage Technology, Core10, Mountain Leverage, N3, Sparksoft, and Strictly Business Computer Systems - interview NewForce graduates for open positions. Workforce West Virginia labor trends data indicates that software developers in West Virginia make between $47,000 and $90,000 per year, depending on experience.

NewForce will be instrumental in helping us connect with software development grads who are the right fit for our dynamic culture, said Lee Farabaugh, Co-founder of Core 10. We are already believers in the Nashville Software School model, having hired numerous grads from that program and we cant wait to expand this type of technology skill development in West Virginia.

We are excited to be joining NewForce as an Employer Partner because our success as a company depends on our ability to hire highly qualified team members and get the job done, said Steve Platz, Director of Acquisitions at Advantage Technology and NewForce Employer Partner.

This program is made possible through support from Generation West Virginia, in-kind statewide outreach and applicant support from Jobcase, in-kind proven curriculum and advising from Nashville Software School, and support from Mountwest and the West Virginia Community and Technical College System.

It has been apparent to me for some time that higher education needs to teach IT programming differently, said Sarah Tucker, Chancellor of the West Virginia Community and Technical College System. I couldnt be more excited to help bring this opportunity to West Virginia.

The NewForce program partnership holds great promise for our region and potentially for the entire state. This innovative model will quickly increase the areas trained workforce in software programming which will draw new employers to the area, said Dr. Keith Cotroneo, President of Mountwest Community and Technical College. Mountwest has phenomenal IT faculty who are excited about building this new model. We look forward to working with Generation WV, in-state employers, and other partners to establish Huntington as a technology hub in the eastern US.

Jobcase, a key outreach partner for NewForce, is the social media platform for the future of work and serves a community of over 90 million members across the U.S. In West Virginia, Jobcase connects hundreds of thousands of residents to online job listings, career assistance, resume tools, and peer-to-peer advice.

As a free and open community, Jobcase empowers individuals and groups to get the support they need to succeed. Were thrilled to be working together with Generation West Virginia and local organizations to expand economic opportunity in the Mountain State, said Christopher Scranton, Director of Nonprofit & Government Partnerships at Jobcase, Inc.

NewForces curriculum is based on a time-tested model from Nashville Software School, a leader in employer-driven technology training and a partner of the program. NewForce graduates will possess comprehensive knowledge of in-demand software development languages including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript as well as deep knowledge of Microsofts C#/.NET software stack.

"Nashville Software School has been refining our immersive, hands-on web development bootcamp curriculum for over six years with almost 700 successful graduates. The program is longer and more comprehensive than most because our 250+ employer partners asked for more in-depth training than typical bootcamps. We are proud that Generation WV invited us to share our proven program as a NewForce program partner," said John Wark, Founder & President of Nashville Software School.

There is no requirement for experience in coding, software development, or math to be eligible to apply for NewForce. Prospective students can learn more about the program and apply at www.newforce.co.

About Generation West Virginia

Generation West Virginia is the statewide organization dedicated to attracting, retaining and advancing young talent in the Mountain State. For more information, visit www.generationwv.org or contact info@generationwv.org.

About Jobcase

The Jobcase mission is to empower American workers. Jobcase.com is the free open-access social media platform where over 90 million registered members manage all aspects of their work lives. Jobcase technology also powers over 100 job sites and many non-profit driven activities via its Jobcase network. Jobcase has emerged as one of the fastest growing technology companies in Boston and is an industry-affiliated partner of MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, CSAIL. For more information, visit www.jobcase.com or contact LaunchSquad for Jobcase.



Statement of the MFA of Armenia

Ookla has awarded Ucom with The fastest fixedline network in Armenia award

UCOM keeps on supporting the 42 YEREVAN programming school

Recognizing the One-Year Anniversary of the Ceasefire Declaration Between Armenia and Azerbaijan

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Humanitarian and human rights protection needed following the 2020 outbreak of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh

Galaxy Group of Companies expands its activities in Belarus: a new TIME and Pandora store launched

I think its a good moment to invest in Armenia. Head of Markets at Symbiotics Vincent Lehner

Ameriabank has Raised USD 17.5M Tier 2 Capital

UNIGHT TO UNITE. UCOM CELEBRATED ITS REBIRTH

Ameriabank and HSBC Armenia to provide their customers access to each others ATMs without additional fees

Ameriabank. 62.5% Growth in Taxes YOY

Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans have provided 300 million AMD to overcome the infertility in Armenia

UCOM has officially launched the sale of IPHONE 13

Six servicemen were wounded by the attack of the Azerbaijani armed forces in Artsakh, two of them in critical condition

S&P Improved the Outlook on Ameriabank to Positive

Google Ad

Ararat Mirzoyan to visit to Minsk

Foreign Minister of India visits the Memorial of Armenian Genocide

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Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia

Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group

At UCOM only: Tv sets at 10% discount + 1 month free UMIX package + 4k tv channel

Ameriabanks Special Offer for New Clients of Hrazdan Branch

"Fall forward": Gurgen Khachatryan, the Co-Founder of the Galaxy Group of Companies, addressed a message to young people in Armenia

UCOM hosted interns of Russian CBOSS corporation for a month

The 20-episode Bloody bet thriller to be broadcast on Ucom's Armenia Premium TV channel

Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group

UCOM offers affordable gadgets at bigger discount

Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan will pay a working visit to New YorkThe existence and joy of children with special needs are a criterion for us - pedagogue of Zatik Children's Support Center

The participants of the one of the next events dedicated to the 2800th anniversary of Yerevan were children with blood cancer, mental and physical disabilities, as well as children from needy families. Avetis Varosyan, director of the "People" Care Service, mentioned that the participants of the event are from the different development centers such as Zatik Children Support Center, "Sos Children's Villages" charitable organization, "Lusavor-Hayastan" (Bright Armenia) Charity Foundation, "Hay Dzmer Pap" (Armenian Santa Claus) Charity Foundation Foundation, children from the blood center and from needy families. Avetis Varosyan mentioned that they have done everything to make the children happy and enjoyable. "We decided to dedicate the event to the children and share with them the holiday of Yerevan. Such children will always be in the center of our attention, and we will do all possible and impossible things for making their social integration as much as possible." Participants of the event mentioned that they spend good and happy times. Little Victoria Grigoryan liked the performance of the dog with the clown. "I love animals very much, my home is like a zoo." Gasparyan Astghik mentioned that she is having an unforgettable time with her friends. "I enjoy the fact that I'm here because everything is fine and interesting." Melanya Minasyan, a pedagogue of the Zatik Children's Support Center, mentioned that there is a need for such events and it is commendable that there are centers that help children with special needs. "The expectations are more justified, the children are very happy, the children's existence and joy are a criterion for us," Melanya Minasyan said.VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sonoro Metals Corp., (TSXV: SMO | OTCQB: SMOFF | FRA: 23SP), (Sonoro and the Company), announces the appointment of John M. Darch as a director and Executive Chairman of the Company. Over the past 35 years, Mr. Darch has identified and secured funding for the exploration, development and operations of many diverse mining and energy related projects worldwide, in private and public companies. He has been actively involved in all aspects from concept, creation, structure and financing, to development and operations. Such ventures include; gold (Canada, Greenland & Africa), diamonds (Botswana & South Africa), geothermal (Canada), oil & gas (USA), coal, antimony, nickel, and copper (Africa, Zambia & Philippines) and tin (England), as well as the Asia Pacific Resources discovery and development to the pre-feasibility stage of one of the worlds most significant high-grade potash deposits located in Northern Thailand. He has successfully secured over USD 300-million in private and public funds from North America, UK and Europe, through listings on the Stock Exchanges in Canada, USA, UK, Germany, Norway and South Africa.

We are pleased to augment the Board with the wealth of experience that John brings to Sonoro, said Kenneth MacLeod, President & CEO of Sonoro. I have had the privilege of working with John in the past and can attest to his ability to be an enthusiastic and visionary partner as we increase shareholder value with our highly prospective gold exploration projects in Mexico.

Mr. Darch has been engaged by Sonoro under a services agreement having an initial term expiring May 31, 2020 for a fee of $10,000 per month, to serve on a full-time basis in the capacity of Executive Chairman to assist the Company with sourcing, negotiating and securing funds for the continuing exploration and development of the Cerro Caliche and San Marcial projects in Sonora, Mexico. He brings to Sonoro extensive expertise in raising public equity, corporate development, project planning, organization, management, budgeting, market analysis, research and strategic communications services.

To partially facilitate the granting of stock options to Mr. Darch, a director of Sonoro has cancelled 225,000 previously granted options, enabling the Company to grant an aggregate of 325,000 incentive stock options to Mr. Darch at an exercise price of $0.13 per share for a period of two years from the date of grant.

About Sonoro Metals Corp.

Sonoro Metals Corp. is an exploration and development company with two precious metals properties in Sonora, Mexico and one in Alaska, USA. Sonoros skilled exploration team in Mexico is headed by Hermosillo-based geologist Melvin Herdrick, with 45 years of mine related experience, including 10 years as Chief Geologist for Phelps Dodge, Mexico and 7 years as Vice President, Exploration for Pediment Gold in Mexico until its takeover by Argonaut Gold in 2011. Sonoros Chief Geologist and Qualifying Person is Stephen Kenwood, with over 20 years of experience in mineral exploration and development.

On behalf of the Board of SONORO METALS CORP.

Per: Kenneth MacLeod

KENNETH MACLEOD

President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

Sonoro Metals Corp. - Corporate Communications:

Bill Campbell  Tel: (604) 565-5609

Email: bill@sonorometals.com

THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH JURISDICTION.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin and European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic discussed in Luxembourg on October 15 the question of "what to do next with trilateral negotiations" on gas with Russia.

"Our position there is very clear. We need European rules, and only this is a guarantee of energy security of our country and the European Union," Klimkin said on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the Eastern Partnership initiative, while commenting on this meeting.

He did not specify other details.

As reported, trilateral ministerial gas talks resumed in the middle of July to discuss prospects for natural gas transit through Ukraine after 2019. The round of talks at the level of experts was held in late September, to be followed by a regular ministerial meeting. In early October, the Russian side expected such negotiations to take place this month.The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is working on the launch of the bioenergy program in Ukraine in 2019, under which it is planned to finance around 10 or 15 projects for the amount of EUR 70-80 million, EBRD Associate Director for Energy Efficiency and Climate Change in Ukraine, Poland and Caucasus Sergiy Maslichenko has said at the 10th Sustainable Energy Forum (SEF) 2018.

"Understanding that solar and wind energy are developing normally, we focused primarily on bioenergy. And here we are talking not only about bioenergy plants, but about the entire chain - from the field to the end user. Ukraine, as an agrarian country, has large production residues, but now they remain in the fields, and therefore we are working on such a project," he said.

Maslichenko said that the program will be financed jointly with the Global Environment Facility, as well as the Clean Technology Fund.

"We hope to launch the program next year. To do this, we attract donor co-financing - Global Environment Facility. In addition, there is a Clean Technology Fund and, of course, the bank will provide its own funds. We expect that the total funding of the program will be about EUR 70- 80 million," he said.

The representative of the bank said that at present the project is at a preliminary stage of consideration.

He said that due to the current logistical problems in Ukraine in the field of bioenergy, part of the projects of the program will be aimed at solving them. Also, attention will be paid to projects on biomass, second-generation bioethanol, biogas, including bio methane.

"Regarding the latter, this is a new topic. We intend to work on improving the regulatory field in this area. We see the potential for our partners in the agricultural sector to prepare for these projects soon, and we will eventually help them with grants. These projects are more complex, they may take two to three years, but the systemic substantial work has already begun," he said.

As reported, earlier Maslichenko said that the EBRD hopes to organize financing of up to 20 bioenergy projects in Ukraine in coming four years.Ukrainian lawmakers have not given their consent to prosecute a co-chair of the Opposition Bloc faction in parliament, Oleksandr Vilkul.

According to an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent, only 137 deputies voted for the offer at a plenary meeting on Tuesday, with at least 226 votes needed to make a decision.

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko noted during his speech in parliament that the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor's Office was conducting a pretrial investigation in criminal proceedings under Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code (abuse of office).

Earlier, at a meeting of the parliament committee on rules of procedure, Lutsenko said that based on the investigation materials, in 2011, Vilkul, while serving as head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration, leased land plots to Ordzhonikidze Mining and Processing Plant, which the regional administration had no right to dispose of as these lands were collectively owned.

According to Lutsenko, with one order Vilkul transferred 15 hectares of collective owned land, with one more order - 1.8 hectares, and with another one - 1.15 hectares. According to the expertise, two thirds of the transferred lands were subsequently virtually destroyed by quarries and cannot be used for agricultural purposes.

These actions, according to the prosecutor general, caused losses to the state in the amount of UAH 486,000.

The second episode of Vilkul's illegal activity, according to Lutsenko, also concerns land in Dnipropetrovsk region: "Realizing criminal intent aimed at changing the purpose of land that was owned by Artland LLC [...] Vilkul gave verbal instructions to head of Dnipropetrovsk district state administration Kobyliansky [...] to resolve the issue regarding land plots [...] without checking the technical documentation."

The prosecutor general said that the said head of the Dnipropetrovsk district administration had admitted his guilt in criminal negligence when signing documents and the case against him was closed due to the expiration of the statute of limitations under a court decision in March 2018.

"Vilkul [...] issued an order on changing the target destination of 26 hectares and 14 hectares of land [...] the difference, which was not received in full as compensation, was UAH 5.139 million," Lutsenko said.At the EU summit on internal security, which will take place on October 17-18, European states will pledge to response firmly to any threats, a senior European official told the press in Brussels on Tuesday on condition of anonymity.

The official said this will be done in the context of attacks on the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague and the European elections of May 2019.

The Council of the European Union is considering ways to avert cyber attacks with restrictive measures, the official said.

The official lauded the European Commission's initiative to combat misinformation in the light of the European elections of 2019.

According to summit materials, the European leaders will discuss the EU's resilience to various threats.

The official told the press there has not been word that any EU country objects to countermeasures against cyber attacks.

The official said there are no plans to discuss any particular attack, but that the EU would be provided with the tools it needs to avert cyber attacks in the future.

The official said that the initiative was met with broad support at meetings he or she held with EU ambassadors last week.

The press asked whether the new restrictions might be used as a pretext to resume dialogue on additional sanctions against Russia, as some attacks "either came from Russia or supported by it."

The official said the EU's intentions were clear: it needs a set of tools it can use to deter such attacks, no matter who orchestrates them. This measure is not targeted at Russia; the idea is to arm the EU to deal with future attacks, the official said.The total cost of ammunition from the arsenals of the Defense Ministry, which have been destroyed in Ukraine in recent war years, according to the parliamentary committee on national security and defense, is estimated at more than $2 billion.

"I officially inform that over the past two and a half years, starting with Svatove [fire of ammunition in the arms depot in Luhansk region on October 29, 2015], and ending with Ichnia [fire in the ammunition depot in Chernihiv region on October 9], more than $2 billion worth of ammunition was destroyed. I want everyone to hear this figure," Serhiy Pashynsky, head of the committee, member of People's Front faction, said during the parliamentary conciliation council in Kyiv on Tuesday.

Already on Wednesday, October 17, he said, the relevant parliamentary committee at its meeting will analyze the ammunition problems, including the availability of ammunition in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the current system of their storage.Munich police have opened a case in connection with an act of vandalism over the grave of the leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) Stepan Bandera carried out by British journalist Graham Phillips, who collaborated with the Russian TV channels Russia Today and Zvezda, Ukraine's Consulate General in Munich has said.

On October 15, the Consulate General immediately contacted the Munich Police Department with information about the incident and a request for an appropriate response, as a result of which the case was opened and the necessary operational investigative and procedural actions were carried out. The investigation is being conducted, after which the materials will be handed over to legal assessment of the offense, the Consulate General said on Facebook Tuesday.

Diplomats said the Consulate General is in contact with the Munich law enforcement agencies and keeps the case under special control.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said that the incident was the work of Russia.

"The Russian Empire fought with Ukraine and, accordingly, with the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, then killed Bandera. They now destroy his grave with the hands of propagandists-provocateurs. The Ukrainian fighting spirit still does not give them peace, because it inspires us to go ahead! And impartial German prosecutor's office gives a legal assessment," the minister wrote on Twitter.

Phillips tore the flags from the grave of the OUN leader Stepan Bandera in German Munich. He published the corresponding video on YouTube. He also attached a banner, reading "Ukrainian Nazi Stepan Bandera is buried here."President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Rasa Jukneviciene, at a meeting with Ukrainian parliamentarians, has stressed the importance of securing the European and Euro-Atlantic course of Ukraine in the Constitution, and the parties discussed the issue of holding a spring session of the Assembly in Kyiv in 2020.

"Today, a meeting has been held with President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Rasa Jukneviciene, who has made her first visit to Kyiv in the new status. Madam President regards support and solidarity with Ukraine as a priority. During the meeting, they discussed the issue of holding a spring session of the NATO PA in Kyiv in 2020," head of the parliamentary delegation of Ukraine to the NATO PA Iryna Friz (Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction) said on her Facebook page.

According to the parliamentarian, Jukneviciene stressed the importance of consolidating the European and Euro-Atlantic courses in the Basic Law of Ukraine, which would make any manifestations to change the foreign policy vector impossible. She also called on the political forces of Ukraine to consolidate in defending democracy and Euro-Atlantic integration during elections in 2019.

Friz also said that at the meeting first deputy chairwoman of the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Gerashchenko appealed to the leaders of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly regarding influence on Hungary, which continues blocking Ukraine's cooperation with the Alliance at the Ukraine-NATO commission level.On Thursday, October 18, at 11.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference entitled "Public Procurement: ProZorro Effect. Price Trends of Commodity Groups in 2013-2017." All those present at the press conference will receive a book with the full text of the study as a gift. Participants include YouControl founder and CEO Serhiy Milman; YouControl financial analyst, study co-author Roman Kornyliuk; blogger and public activist, study co-author Karl Volokh (8/5a Reitarska Street). Press registration by phone: (067) 468 85 80 (Antonina Riakhovska), pr@youcontrol.com.ua.Australia will consider reviewing its support for the Iran nuclear deal and recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and shifting its embassy there from Tel Aviv, Australia's Prime Minister said on Tuesday.

The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest obstacles to a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel regards all of the city, including the eastern sector that it annexed after the 1967 Middle East war, as its capital.

Last December, U.S. President Donald Trump reversed decades of U.S. policy by recognizing Jerusalem, enraging the Palestinians and upsetting the Arab world and Western allies.

Australia was firm in its refusal to follow suit at the time, however Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in parliament he was now "open-minded" about doing so, while not changing Australia's policy of support for a Palestinian state.

"No decision has been made in regarding the recognition of a capital or the movement of an embassy ... but at the same time, what we are simply doing is being open to that suggestion."

Morrison also said Australia would review its support for the Iran nuclear deal, under which sanctions were lifted in return for restraints on its nuclear program "to determine whether our current policy settings remain fit for purpose".

Trump decided in May to abandon the pact and to restore economic sanctions on Iran, including those that seek to force the OPEC member's major oil customers to stop buying Iranian crude.

Australia was not a party to the nuclear deal, which was signed by three European powers, Russia, China, the U.S. and Iran. But if Australia withdraws its support from the deal, it would give the Trump administration a much needed Western ally in the dispute.

Regarding Jerusalem, Morrison said the idea was suggested to him by a former ambassador to Israel, Dave Sharma, who is a candidate for the ruling conservative Liberal Party in a by-election Saturday in a Sydney electorate with a large Jewish population.

At stake is the government's single-seat majority in the House of Representatives and Morrison's ability to retain power without doing deals with independent lawyers.

Reporting by Reuters and APIrans Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, IRGC says that it has increased the range of its ballistic ground-to-sea missiles to 700 KM, or 435 miles.

General Amirali Hajizadeh, the commander of IRGCs aerospace forces said October 15 that these ballistic missiles  as distinct from cruise missiles  were developed on the orders of Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He explained that hitting targets at sea requires complex technologies that Iran has been able to develop.

Hajizadeh, speaking at a gathering of political commissars of the armed forces, claimed that Iran ranks first in the region in missile power and seventh or eighth in the world.

The IRGC general who has held the aerospace command since 2009, told the gathering that all of Irans missiles with the range of 200-2,000 KM are precision weapons.

Hajizadeh also said that for battles in Syria, IRGC has developed shorter range missiles for targets within 23 KM (roughly 15 miles), on the request of its special Qods force commander, Qassem Soleimani. He added that these missiles have been used in Syria in the last two years, according to Tasnim news agency.

The IRGC commander also claimed that a visiting Russian general was surprised at Irans audacity to fly drones over U.S. Navy ships. We told him that Russia should also challenge American warships since the U.S. would be afraid to respond. They tried it a few times and as you know, it was all over the media.

With tensions running high between Iran and the U.S., Iranian officials have often tried to boast of their military capabilities in recent months.CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) Board announced today that David Erickson, President and Chief Executive Officer, will resign from the organization, effective January 31, 2019. Mr. Erickson joined the AESO in 2003 as Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer in 2009.



Mr. Erickson led the organization through a period of significant change as the electricity industry evolved over the past decade. Most importantly, he ensured the fulfillment of the AESOs mandate to provide reliable power to Albertans through the operation of the provincial power grid.

David has fully committed himself to serving Albertans above all else. His strategic visionary skills, combined with the ability to successfully execute, are only enhanced by his steadiness in the face of challenge, and his understanding that inspiring people is the best way to move results forward, said Linda Chambers, AESO Board Chair. The AESO Board wishes David and his family well with his future plans, and thanks him for the legacy he leaves behind for current and future Albertans.

Among its responsibilities, the AESO manages a multi-billion dollar wholesale electricity market and plans the transmission system. Between 2009 and 2014, Mr. Erickson and his team, in concert with multiple stakeholders, led industry oversight on both new build and replacement of aging transmission infrastructure, such that Alberta now has one of the most modern, congestion-free electricity transmission networks in North America.

Most recently, Mr. Erickson has been instrumental in leading the execution of key aspects of a restructured industry framework. The AESO has completed a highly successful competitive bidding process for renewable generation, resulting in the development of multiple renewable power projects across the province, as well as foundational work on a complex capacity market design for Alberta. The capacity market design is intended to ensure reliable electricity supply for the province well into the future. Mr. Ericksons involvement in the key design phases has been essential to laying the groundwork for a framework that will ensure reliable, cost-effective power for Albertans.

To ensure a seamless transition of this critical work, and as a result of many years of deliberate succession planning, the AESO Board is pleased to announce that Mr. Michael Law will assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of the AESO, effective January 31, 2019, following Mr. Ericksons departure.

Mr. Law is currently the Senior Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the AESO, where he oversees the capacity market transition, grid operations, the Renewable Electricity Program, transmission planning and Infrastructure Technology. He has been an executive of the organization since 2009 in a variety of increasingly responsible roles and has an 18-year background in the electricity industry, including past roles in energy trading, marketing and retailing companies. Mr. Law has a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters of Business Administration in Finance, both from the University of British Columbia.

The AESO is deeply involved in a number of complex issues including system integration of new generation and electricity storage technologies into the power system, while ensuring the stability of the system as it migrates away from coal generation.

The AESO Board has a high degree of confidence in Mikes ability to assume the President and CEO role, said Mrs. Chambers. This transition has been planned over time, and we believe Michael will continue to deliver the AESOs current mandate seamlessly, while bringing his own unique perspectives to the future on behalf of Albertans.

More information on the AESO can be found at www.aeso.ca

The Alberta Electric System Operator is responsible for the safe, reliable, and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. We provide open and non-discriminatory access to Albertas interconnected power grid and we also facilitate Albertas competitive wholesale electricity market.

For more information, contact:

Mike Deising

Director of Communications

Phone: 403-651-0512Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei's has revealed his vision for the Islamic Republic in the year 2065 in a document published on his official website. His solutions for the problems ahead, however, look more mystical rather than practical.

According to Khamenei, the document officially called the "Islamic-Iranian Blueprint for Progress" (IIBP), "has laid the main foundations and ideals of progress and has drafted the ideal horizon of the country for the five decades to come."

Based on IIBP, Iran must be one of the worlds five leading advanced countries in the world in terms of "thought, science and technology."

Elsewhere in the document Khamenei wishes that "by 2065 Iran would be one of the world's top ten largest economies, one of the four top Asian countries and one of the top seven countries in the world as far as progress and justice are concerned."

Yet another far-fetched goal in Khamenei's vision for 2065 is "uprooting poverty, corruption and discrimination in Iran." However, he did not mention how Iranians can tolerate poverty, corruption and discrimination for another five decades.

Iranians have reacted to the lofty document in funny or critical ways. Abolfazl Ahmadi tweeted that "When Khamenei publishes his vision for the next 50 years, this means there is no deadlock and there will be a regime change."

The IIBP is a sequel to a previous 20-year vision document which was officially called "The Outlook document. It was published in 2005 and was supposed to make Iran a developed country by 2025.

Experts contend that not only none of the previous documents cultural, scientific, economic, social and political goals have been attained, but corruption, lack of social justice and various forms of discrimination as well as the most biting economic crisis in the country's history has brought the Islamic Republic on the verge of an implosion as the world has already seen two rounds of nationwide unrest as well as several other politically and economically motivated protests in Iran since January.

Setting another deadline for the next five decade, and abandoning the previous document may signal the failure of the 20-year outlook.

Meanwhile, Khamenei's office has called on the country's elite as well as the administration and Parliament to review the IIBP, and has set up a center headed by his cousin Sadeq Vaez Zadeh to prepare a revised version of the document within two years.

This comes while the administration and the parliament have been criticized for the incapability to sort out the country's economic crisis and major foreign policy issues.

While the document released on October 14 does not offer any details on the practicality of the ideas meant to bring about development and progress for the deeply troubled Islamic Republic, it offers some vague theoretical "foundations, ideals and prudence," about matters such as "a parallel metaphysical world that exists next to the material world."

The document says progress can be attained via "resorting to divine guidelines" and "the leadership by innocent Imams," as well as "paying attention to the eternal materialization of Allah's word."

The document states elsewhere that "divine revelation flourishes wisdom. Therefor creating a civilization and bringing about Islamic progress is reliant on Islamic principles, values and teachings which are also based on human wisdom and knowledge."

The ideals defined for 2065 in Khamenei's vision includes, among other things, "belief in the occult, compassion and brotherhood with Muslims and powerful confrontation with the enemies."

In the chapter entitled "prudence," some of the requirements for making Iran "one of the top four Asian countries as well as one of the top seven countries in the world" include "strengthening monotheistic culture and belief in resurrection and the occult."

The document's publication comes at a time when Iran's economy is languishing in a bottleneck because of mismanagement and sanctions while the country's top officials deny a crisis or a deadlock exists.

In the meantime, Iranians on social media, where they can express their views with relative freedom have criticized the 2065 vision document.

Abolfazl Ahmadi tweeted that "When Khamenei publishes his vision for the next 50 years, this means there is no deadlock, but there will be a regime change."Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

Trend:

Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 29 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Oct. 16.

Armenian armed forces were using heavy machine guns.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:

Germany is ready to contribute to the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Vice-President of the German Parliament Thomas Oppermann said when making speech at a conference on "Azerbaijani-German relations: a common history and future prospects" held in Berlin.

The conference was held with the organizational support of the German-Azerbaijani forum and the NUMOV (German Near and Middle East Business Association) society and the support of the Agstafa Agro-Industrial Complex LLC.

Speaking at the event, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Germany Ramin Hasanov appreciated the current state of relations between the two countries, noting the political dialogue at the highest level, the visit of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Germany, the visit of Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel to Azerbaijan.

The ambassador also touched upon the fair position of Azerbaijan on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

In turn, Thomas Oppermann emphasized the geo-strategic and economic importance of Azerbaijan for Europe. He called Azerbaijan an exemplary country of the Islamic world thanks to its traditions of tolerance.

Then the event continued with panel discussions.

In discussions on peace and security in the South Caucasus, the Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament, the Deputy Chairman of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Azay Guliyev stressed the importance of implementing the principles of international law in resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

He noted that if Armenia does not want peace voluntarily, pressure should be put on it. Guliyev also noted the importance of more active participation of Germany in the settlement process as a member of the Minsk Group.

The Member of the German Parliament, the Chairman of the Germany-South Caucasus Parliamentary Friendship Group Johannes Kars said that it is necessary to increase diplomatic efforts for the peaceful solution of the conflict.

He added that in the process of resolving the conflict, apart from the parties to the conflict, there are other interested parties, which makes it difficult to resolve it.

Former State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Member of the NUMOV Societys Advisory Council Wolf Rutold Born, stressed that the principles of international law were violated in this conflict, and noted the importance of observing the Madrid principles when resolving it.

The book in German by Mamed Alizade entitled as "Golden Pages of History", which tells about the history of German settlements in Azerbaijan, was presented at the event.

The event was attended by members of the Azerbaijani Parliament, representatives of the German Parliament, the Foreign Ministry and other German government agencies, employees of the Azerbaijani embassy to Germany, as well as representatives of Germanys political, economic, cultural and media circles, representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

Trend:

The ceasefire monitoring exercise on the Azerbaijan and Armenia state border, in the direction of Gazakh district, held in accordance with the mandate of Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on October 16, ended without incidents, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan said in a message on Oct. 16.

The field assistants of the personal representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Gennady Petrika and Simon Tiller conducted the monitoring on the part of Azerbaijan.

The field assistants of the personal representative Mikhail Olaru and Ognjen Jovic conducted the monitoring on the part of Armenia.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Fikret Dolukhanov  Trend:

Armenia will have to make compromises with Azerbaijan for resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, US Ambassador Richard Mills said in an interview with the Armenian website EVN Report.

Although the diplomat is hoping that the transition in Armenia will generate more discussion on what Armenias options are and what Armenia is prepared to accept, Mills says he is been struck by how little discussion there was in Armenia about what would have been or is an acceptable solution and compromise.

Mills said that he was surprised when he first got there and found out that most Armenians he met adamantly opposed returning the occupied territories as part of a negotiation settlement.

He noted that return of land was one of the core principles of the Madrid Principles.

The reality is that any settlement is going to require the return of some portion of the occupied territories, he added.

In 1997-1998, then President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan proposed a plan to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, implying the demilitarization of the occupied territories and the return of a number of settlements to Azerbaijan.

As a result, Prime Minister Robert Kocharyan, Minister of Internal Affairs and National Security Serzh Sargsyan and Minister of Defense Vazgen Sargsyan, dissatisfied with such a plan, actually forced him to resign before the completion of his term of office - February 3, 1998.

This led to 20 years of the Karabakh clan rule in Yerevan, which showed no intention to compromise and was incapable of conducting constructive negotiations.

Nikol Pashinyan, who became prime minister of Armenia as a result of a velvet revolution, who was sometimes considered a protege of Ter-Petrosyan, stayed in people's memory in 2015 by his statement about the need to return the occupied districts around Nagorno-Karabakh.

Since the moment of coming to power, Pashinyan changed the rhetoric and has already started to talk about the "need for representatives of the separatist regime to participate in the talks".

But in his recent interview with France 24, he stated that Armenia has not raised and does not raise the issue of changing the negotiation process on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"The negotiation process must continue in the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship format," Pashinyan said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanovBaku, Azerbaijan, Oct.16

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

Azerbaijan is one of most reliable allies of US on world stage, Rob Sobhani, director general of the Caspian Group Holdings, wrote in his article published in The Washington Times.

This secular Muslim country of 9 million is one of Americas most reliable yet underappreciated allies on the world stage, he wrote.

Speaking about the upcoming visit of the Assistant to US President for National Security Affairs John Bolton to Azerbaijan, Sobhani notes that Bolton should use his visit to this geopolitically significant country to reiterate Washingtons unwavering, strong and unabashed support for Americas ally.

Further, he points out that Azerbaijan shares Americas goal of uninterrupted exploration, development and transportation of Caspian Sea energy resources to customers around the world.

Under President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has assumed its role as the regions most reliable export corridor and as such, has become the linchpin of diversifying oil and gas exports, said the article. Bolton should applaud Azerbaijans contributions to enhancing Western energy security, according to the author.

The author notes that President Aliyev has succeeded in realizing his vision to make Azerbaijan stable, independent, prosperous, religiously tolerant and modern and also one that shares many of Americas foreign policy goals and cultural values.

Azerbaijan is home to the one of the worlds oldest Jewish communities and its leaders proudly proclaim that if any Jew anywhere in the world feels unsafe they should move to Azerbaijan, says the article.

Sobhani notes that Bolton should use his visit to recommit the United States to a speedy and fair resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_ZeynBaku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:

The occupant Armenia, which is experiencing an economic and political crisis, is unable to hold a serious international event, so it was no big surprise for anyone that Yerevan, in order to hide its predatory essence, would turn the Francophonie summit into a cheap political show, Azerbaijani MP, Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Azay Guliyev, told Trend Oct. 16.

He was commenting on the Francophonie summit held in Yerevan October 11-12.

Therefore, such events, except for festivities and dances of a group of people, are not remembered by anything, he said. The Francophonie summit held in Armenia was of no serious importance either in its essence or in terms of respecting the international community. However, the significance of this event was diminished not only by its holding in Armenia, but also the words of Michaelle Jean, who for many years headed this organization, which she called a moribund organization, which has no precedent in the international arena when secretary general speaks about her organization in this way.

Imagine that the organizations secretary general calls the structure a moribund organization, that is, meaningless and unnecessary, he noted. I think no comments are needed, and this proposal alone, that the secretary general tweeted, can be considered the most accurate and correct assessment of the essence of the Francophonie summit in Armenia. One may ask: why do we consider it necessary to pay attention to such a meaningless event? The answer is simple. Thats because Armenia, using this event, again tried to deceive the international community and provide falsified information about the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Undoubtedly, these attempts and steps should not and will not remain unanswered.

The MP noted that when hosting such events, Armenia has a number of goals.

Firstly, with the help of such events, Armenia is trying to get out of self-isolation, to collect benefits and donations from foreign countries, he said. Secondly, based on its two-faced nature, Armenia is trying to differently present and justify the continuation of the aggression policy against Azerbaijan, and thus is zealous in order to gain international support in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in its favor. The fact that the Nagorno-Karabakh region was represented by the Armenian pavilion at the event also proceeded from this essence. Finally, having held this event, Armenia was trying to demonstrate that it allegedly respects the humanistic values and is committed to them. That is, Armenia, as always, acted hypocritically.

But its attempts failed again, Guliyev added. Armenia has not achieved anything and cannot achieve at least because practically all the countries participating in the summit know very well Armenias true colours and aggressive nature."

Most of 58 member-states of the organization and 24 countries with observer status in various international organizations supported the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, recognized Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven adjacent districts as an integral part of Azerbaijan, voted and signed the appeals and resolutions addressed to Armenia on the withdrawal of its armed forces from these territories, he said.

"If you noticed, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan tried to provoke French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to get their support related to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, but none of them went to these provocations, he said. They did not want to spoil relations with Azerbaijan and even did not make a statement on the conflict. This is a fiasco for Armenia. The only soothing for Pashinyan was that both individuals danced for a few minutes to the stolen Azerbaijani music."

Guliyev stressed that one of the main goals of the Francophonie summit is to promote the principles of humanism, peace, human rights and freedoms in the world.

"From this point of view, the very fact of the holding of the Francophonie summit in Armenia is full of paradoxes and contradictions, he said. The holding of the Francophonie summit propagandizing humanism, peace and human rights in Armenia, notorious in the world as a mono-ethnic and racist country, which deported representatives of all other nations, in particular Azerbaijanis, occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories, made 1.200 million of our compatriots refugees and internally displaced people, carried out a policy of ethnic cleansing against our fellow citizens, which was accused of numerous crimes against humanity and finally which committed the most brutal crime of the 20th century - the Khojaly genocide is an insult to humanistic values.

Therefore, the Armenian Francophonie is nonsense not only from the point of view of humiliation of humanistic values, but also respect for the modern system of international relations, human rights and freedoms," Guliyev added.

In conclusion, Guliyev stressed historical words by Secretary General Michaelle Jean about the International Organisation of the Francophonie.

Pinning hopes with such dead organizations, Armenia will never be able to correct its ruined international image, get out of the self-isolation and legitimize the ongoing aggressive policy, Guliyev said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

Trend:

Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) celebrated 70th anniversary of legendary Azerbaijani cinema and theatrical actor, Peoples Artist of the Azerbaijan Republic, holder of Sharaf and Shohrat Orders and Presidential Stipendiary Rasim Balayev. The special event on this occasion was held at the BHOS Congress Hall. It was also dedicated to the 45th anniversary of the release of Nasimi, a biopic film shot in 1973. The gathering was attended by BHOS Rector Elmar Gasimov, the Peoples Artist Rasim Balayev, Deputy of Milli Majlis Aydin Mirzazada, Director of the film studio "Azerbaijanfilm" named after Jafar Jabbarli Mushfig Gatamov, prominent national artists, the Higher Schools professors, teachers and students.

BHOS Rector Elmar Gasimov opened the meeting and on behalf of all the staff members extended his heartfelt congratulations to Rasim Balayev on his 70th anniversary. In his words, although it was a debut of the young artist in a big movie, Rasim Balayev who was playing the leading role in Nasimi became a notable actor after the films release. In 1974, during 7th Soviet film festival in Baku, the film was awarded Prime Award for Best Historical Film and Rasim Balayev received Best Actor award.

The famous actor expressed his gratitude to the BHOS Rector for the interest and attention to his work. Rasim Balayev said that this was his second visit to the Higher School and added that it would always have a special place in his heart. The Peoples Artist told about his filmography and professional activities and shared memories on the most interesting moments of his biography.

Elmar Gasimov awarded Rasim Balayev a memorable plaque on his 70th anniversary and in recognition his outstanding achievements. At the event, segments of movies with the eminent actor were shown.

Speaking at the gathering, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Defense, Security and Combatting Corruption of the Milli Majlis Aydin Mirzazada, Peoples Artist of Azerbaijan Abdul Makhmudov, Director of the film studio "Azerbaijanfilm" Mushfig Gatamov and Honored Artist of the republic Khalida Guliyeva told about Rasim Balayevs multi-faceted creative activities and his contribution to the national culture. Then the actor answered numerous questions asked by the students.

In conclusion, Nasimi, a historical drama movie directed by Hasan Seyidbeyli was shown. It depicts the life of the great Azerbaijani philosopher and poet Nasimi, who was played by Rasim Balayev.Lithium Werks BV, a startup founded by Dutch entrepreneur Kees Koolen, said on Tuesday it had signed a 1.6 billion euro ($1.85 billion) deal to build a new storage battery plant in China, Reuters reports.

Koolen told the agreement included project financing of 15-30 percent by Chinese or regional financing sources, 50 percent from development banks, and the remainder by Lithium Werks and its equity investors.

The factory will be able to produce batteries with 500 GWh storage capacity per year by 2030.

Theres a big appetite from investors for such projects and such companies, so we have a lot of people interested to make sure we have enough equity, Koolen said in a telephone interview.

This is just the first project were going to do.

The agreement is one of several commercial deals announced as Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met on Tuesday in the Hague.

Koolen has invested 41 million euros into Lithium Werks and currently holds a 50 percent stake, though he expects that to be diluted as it grows.

The companys focus is on lithium iron phosphate batteries which are the size of shipping containers. They are quick to charge and suitable for a variety of uses, including solar or wind farms, or in the shipping industry.

Koolen predicted the battery storage market would eventually be far larger than the market for electric cars.

He said that European governments were also interested in supporting his company, which has received investments from the University of Twente in the Netherlands and Dutch development agency Oost NL.

But other potential projects are moving more slowly due to red tape, Koolen said.

The factory is to be built on a 60 hectare site in the Yangtze River Delta in cooperation with Chinas Zhejiang Jiashan Economic and Technological Development Zone Industry Corporation.

Koolen, a partner at investor EQT Partners and an adviser to Uber International, held key positions at Booking.com in the early days of its transformation into the worlds largest hotel booking site.Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Ilkin Shafiyev - Trend:

The assets of enterprises worth 530 million manat have already been accepted into the authorized capital of Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation OJSC (AIC), director of the AIC Kamran Nabizade said.

He made the remarks at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to results of socio-economic development in the nine months of 2018 and objectives for the future, chaired by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

The market value of the assets of enterprises, which should be transferred to the balance of the agro-industrial complex in the first tranche, has already been determined, he said.

"The total amount of these assets is 668 million manat. As of today, assets worth 530 million manat have already been taken to the corporations balance sheet, and work continues on accepting the remaining assets to 138 million," Nabizade added.

Local specialists are engaged in assessment. Our task is to rationally use these assets to make an even greater contribution to the economic development of the country. Currently, there are 17 enterprises operating on the balance sheet of our corporation, where a corporate governance system and a corresponding accounting system are implemented, he added.

Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation Open Joint-Stock Company was established in November 2017.

The establishment of the state-owned Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation aims to increase effectiveness of public property management, set up accountability and control systems based on corporate management principles and build favorable cooperation between government bodies.Nairobi, Kenya, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Representatives from over 45 countries in Africa convene today in Nairobi to discuss one of the greatest challenges, and opportunities, facing the continent: how to support the proper nurturing of children during the most pivotal days of their lives. This historic event on early childhood development, taking place from October 17  19 and entitled The Africa We Want: A Better Future Now will involve over 500 participants from all over Sub Saharan Africa including government ministers, African Union delegates, NGOs, and regional and local practitioners.



Lynette Okengo, Executive Director of the Africa Early Childhood Network, which is organizing this historic event, said: By 2050, more than 40 per cent of the children in the world will live in Africa. This population growth offers an economic opportunity for Africa but reaping the benefits of this demographic dividend can only be achieved by nurturing children in the early stages of their development. We must ensure that our children not only survive, but thrive



Early childhood development is one of the most pressing issues facing the African continent today. Research shows that over 90 per cent of a childs brain develops by the time they reach age five. In Sub Saharan Africa, 66 per cent of children under the age of 5 risk failing to reach their developmental potential because of poverty, poor health and nutrition, and lack of early stimulation.



The Africa We Want: A Better Future Now aims to strengthen advocacy for holistic approaches to early childhood development. It will see the launch of the African Union Commissions Early Childhood Education and Development Cluster roadmap, and provide a platform to discuss the Nurturing Care Framework, launched during the World Health Assembly in May. With a program of interactive sessions, enlightening talks and inspiring debates this event will provide an opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and the development of skills, with a strong focus on strengthening partnerships and building new collaborations.



Lynette Okengo, Executive Director of the Africa Early Childhood Network (AfECN), says:



The huge participation in this event, including everyone from high level Kenyan delegates to early childhood practitioners  from Mozambique to Liberia to Ethiopia - shows that early childhood development is truly on the agenda in Africa. If we are to reach our Sustainable Development Goals and the African Unions Agenda 2063 we need a fully rounded approach to supporting children, families and communities.



Need further information?Write to the Africa Early Childhood Network (AfECN) at conference@africaecdnetwork.org



Registration and accreditation for a press pass?Please bring your media credentials and identification documents to The Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi.



ABOUT NURTURING CARE FRAMEWORK:



In recognition of the importance of the early years, WHO, UNICEF and the World Bank, in collaboration with the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, the Early Childhood Development Action Network and many other partners, have developed the Nurturing Care Framework that was launched during the World Health Assembly in May, 2018. The framework adopts a whole-society approach that guides families, policy makers, public and private practitioners on providing environments that will ensure that children not only survive but thrive and are able to play their part in transforming their communities (For further reading, visit here.) Implementation of the Nurturing Care Framework will play a critical role in advancing achievement of the SDGs 2030 and African Union Commission Agenda 2063.



AFRICA EARLY CHILDHOOD NETWORK:Africa Early Childhood Network is a professional network established in 2015 to serve as a platform for the promotion of excellence and collaboration in protecting childrens rights, influencing policy and practice through advocacy, strengthened partnership and sharing of experience and knowledge. AfECN, a regional coordination group, works closely with Early Childhood Development Network for Kenya.



On 4 September, 2018, AfECN was endorsed as Coordinator for African Union Commissions (AUCs) CESA ECED cluster. This was adopted during a convening by AU member states, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and key ECD stakeholders at the AUC headquarters in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, to launch the ECED Cluster. A



ECD NETWORK FOR KENYA (ECDNEK)Kenya recognizes that Early Childhood (0-8) years is the most rapid period of development in a human life, serving as the most important years for survival, growth and development. It is within these years that a child develops the building blocks for cognitive, social, moral and emotional development. A child is most vulnerable at this stage to the risks of malnutrition, toxic stress and lack of stimulation, which negatively affects brain architecture and compromises learning and performance in later years.



Kenyas constitution, under Article 53, guarantees the rights of the child to free and compulsory basic education, nutrition, shelter, health care and protection. The national government has developed robust Early Childhood policy frameworks; service delivery, however, falls under the jurisdiction of each of Kenyas 47 county governments. More efforts are needed to improve on coordination, human resource capacity development and financing the successful implementation of high-quality, affordable Early Childhood programs across the country.



In this regard, Ministry of Healths Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health Unit convened the 2nd National ECD Stakeholders Conference in partnership with Ministry of Education (MOE), and Early Childhood Development Network for Kenya (ECDNeK) three months ago. 260 delegates from 26 counties and over 50 organizations, government agencies at National level, UN agencies, private sector, Philanthropists, donor communities and academia congregated at Kenyatta University, Nairobi - Kenya, for the 2nd National Early Childhood Development (ECD) Stakeholders Conference that was held on 25 - 26 July 2018, themed Accelerating Early Childhood Development through partnerships.



(Endorsed stakeholders communique of 26, July 2018 is attached)Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Rashid Shirinov  Trend:

Azerbaijan Micro-finance Association (AMFA) is negotiating with foreign investors to raise funds for the country's micro-credit market, AMFA Executive Director Zhalya Hajiyeva told Trend on Monday.

She said that AMFA held talks with about 20 investors from the Netherlands, Germany, France and the U.S. One of the Azerbaijani non-bank credit organizations (NBCO) has achieved attracting reinvestment.

"We hope that next year the volume of reinvestment will increase. We are holding talks in this direction," Hajiyeva noted.

She added that some foreign investors are in the position of waiting for the improvement of the situation in the micro-credit market.

"They expect that next year, after the market situation improves, they may show interest in reinvesting their funds in Azerbaijan," the executive director said.

It is worth noting that according to the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, as of September 1, 2018, the loan portfolio of NBCO amounted to 401.1 million manats, which is 11.32 percent less than in the same period last year.

In the reporting period, the share of NBCO in the credit market of Azerbaijan decreased from 3.7 to 3.3 percent.

The official exchange rate on October 16 is 1.7 AZN/USD.Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Matanat Nasibova  Trend:

The Zagatala hazelnut processing factory will sign a contract to export its products to Switzerland, director of the enterprise Ramazan Garajayev told Trend.

He said that the company is engaged in processing hazelnuts, which is intended mainly for export to foreign markets.

"At present, our products are exported to Italy and Russia, and soon we plan to export hazelnut kernels to the Swiss market. The initial supply volumes will be relatively small, but we will expand production from the beginning of next year. Now our capabilities allow us to export approximately 1,000-1,500 tons of finished products, but we can double this figure. In the future, the export volumes can reach 2,500-3,000 tons of finished products annually," he said.

Garajayev noted that the state pays great attention to the development of hazelnut growing, since this industry is a traditional and profitable area of agriculture.

"With the state support, we participate in various international exhibitions several times a year. For example, last year our products were presented in Germany, this year we also met with our partners in Russia. Before the end of this year, we were invited to participate in international exhibitions in Shanghai and France. Within the framework of such events, we not only advertise our products, but also find potential buyers," Garajayev said.

Due to their quality and taste, our products are in high demand in Italy, and the next month, we plan to sign a new contract with Italian partners. At the moment, the negotiations are underway, we are negotiating the supply volumes and financial issues, Garajayev said.

He noted that the products of the factory have a certificate of conformity issued by the State Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Patents of Azerbaijan.

"We also have a confirmation code under the number AZE 6231 120 for exporting products to the countries of the European Union," the director of the factory said.

The modern equipment made in Turkey is used at the company.Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

PASHA Bank, the largest corporate bank in Azerbaijan, has provided its clients with the opportunity of round-the-clock currency exchange via the Internet banking service.

Director of the Treasury Department of the Bank Jeyhun Hajiyev talked about the benefits of the new service and how the exchange process will be carried out in an interview with Trend.

- What is the advantage of carrying out currency exchange operations via the Internet banking service in comparison with the physical exchange in the bank branches?

- The main advantage is that the client does not lose travel time to the branch of the bank, does not spend his time in the queue: the transaction is carried out as quickly and safely as possible - using a computer or smartphone. It is just enough to go to the appropriate section of the banks website, enter username and password and begin to make transactions for the sale of currency.

A client can choose accounts from and to which the money will be transferred, the amount and the currency into which funds will be converted. Thus, actively introducing digital solutions into the daily lives of its customers, the Bank strives to save their time as much as possible, thereby providing them with a competitive advantage.

What opportunities does a 24-hour currency exchange service offer business?

Imagine a situation when, for some reason, the client did not manage to complete the transaction and purchase a certain amount in foreign currency for his business needs before the end of the business day at the bank. In this case, the client will have to wait until the next day, but it is quite possible that the new exchange rate will be less profitable or not profitable for his business in the framework of the planned deal. Therefore, the main competitive advantage provided by PASHA Bank with this service to its customers is the opportunity not to be tied to the timeframe of the trading day and conduct currency exchange operations at any time convenient for the client in accordance with the exchange rate set for that day.

What currencies are available for round-the-clock currency exchange service?

Our clients can open accounts in any currencies that are quoted by the Central Bank of Azerbaijan. According to our statistics, most often clients open accounts in US dollars, euros, rubles, Turkish liras and British pounds. Currently, the round-the-clock currency exchange service applies only to US dollars and euros, since the demand for them among our customers is the highest.

What rate will be used for currency exchange and will there be a fee for the service?

As you know, the rate is regulated on the basis of supply and demand in the foreign exchange market. Accordingly, at night or after the close of a banking day, the rate can either rise or fall. There is no additional service charge.

What category of customers can use round-the-clock currency exchange service?

All our clients including both legal and physical persons can use this service. I think this service will be very popular among all categories of our customers, especially among those whose business is related to the import of products, and who, accordingly, have a constant need to purchase foreign currency.Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Ilkin Shafiyev - Trend:

Azerbaijan has every opportunity to significantly increase the volume of cargo transit through its territory, National Secretary of the Transport Cooperation Program (TRACECA - Transport Corridor Europe Caucasus Asia) for Azerbaijan Akif Mustafayev told Trend.

It is necessary to solve several issues in order to achieve this goal, he noted.

"One of the tasks is to attract carriers from other countries, for example, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. Azerbaijan and other countries need to work to improve the border crossing procedures," Mustafayev said.

"Also relevant is the issue of changing wheels of trains at the border of Georgia with Turkey, because a wide railway track is used in Azerbaijan and Georgia, and a narrow railway track is used in Turkey and European countries. This increases the period of transportation," the national secretary added.

"Also the introduction of a single tariff for transportation from China to Europe through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey is under discussion. This will allow shippers to pay a single tariff to a single operator for transportation," Mustafayev said.

"In short, there are deficiencies which should be eliminated, but the prospects of cargo transportation through Azerbaijan by means of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars corridor are great. This can be judged at least by the fact that the volume of traffic is constantly growing," the national secretary noted.

Earlier, it was reported that Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine may establish a joint venture to introduce the principle of "single window" in the processing of goods transported along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR).

It is expected that this year, new competitive tariffs will be imposed on cargo transportation through TITR. At the same time, the volume of cargo to be transported through TITR during 2018 has been approved at more than 3.5 million tons, while about 15,000 containers are planned to be transported from Turkey to Kazakhstan, Central Asia and China.

The national secretary stressed that the volume of supplies from China to Europe will allow loading all available routes.

"Azerbaijan has recently put into operation the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. I note that Azerbaijan does not need to compete with Russia. There are lots of cargoes in Asia, especially in China, and they will be more than enough for all," the national secretary added.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @IlkinShafiyevBaku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Taleh Mursagulov - Trend:

Next year, Azerbaijans insurance market will undergo changes, which will lead to the decrease in premiums on certain types of insurance, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Insurers Association (AIA) Mustafa Abbasbayli told Trend.

He noted that the development of the market next year can be promoted by such types of insurance as agricultural insurance or insurance against accidents at work.

In particular, if the law on agricultural insurance is adopted, next year, premiums on this type of insurance are forecast at 70-100 million manats, he said.

"We have recently signed a memorandum with Azerbaijans Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population on the insurance against accidents," he added. "After this memorandum, next year we expect premiums on this type of insurance to grow 60 million manats."

As for the possibility of raising the minimum capitalization requirements for insurance companies against the background of serious growth in the market, Abbasbayli stressed that such issues are not being considered.

Presently, the capital requirement is 5 million manats for the existing companies and 10 million manats for the new ones.

In January-August 2018, insurance companies operating in Azerbaijan collected premiums worth 517 million manats, which is 40 percent more than in the same period last year.

Payments of the insurance companies over the same period amounted to 169 million manats, which is 1.2 percent more than the figure for the first eight months of 2017.

(1.7 manats = 1 USD on Oct. 9)Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Fikret Dolukhanov  Trend:

Uzbekistan and Qatar intend to expand trade and economic cooperation and achieve sustainable growth in mutual trade, the Foreign Trade Ministry of Uzbekistan stated.

According to the information, Deputy Foreign Trade Minister Sahib Saifnazarov held talks with representatives of Qatars business community headed by Chairman of the Barwa Group of Companies Sheikh Mohammed Hamad Al-Thani.

The parties discussed possibilities of trade and economic cooperation in the spheres of logistics, transport, textile industry, production and export of fruits and vegetables.

Representatives of the Qatari delegation noted that development in the trade, economic and investment sectors of Uzbekistan contributes to improvement of bilateral cooperation and expressed interest in increasing cooperation with the country.

The Qatari delegation will also hold meetings in Tashkent and Bukhara with representatives of numerous ministries, departments and industrial companies of Uzbekistan.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanovBaku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

In January-September 2018, the number of Turkish citizens arrived in Russia through the Turkish Employment Agency (ISKUR) in search of work fell by 16.09 percent compared to the same period in 2017, ISKUR told Trend on Oct. 16.

In January-September 2018, 2,127 Turkish citizens arrived in Russia through ISKUR, which is 408 citizens less compared to the same period in 2017.

In September 2018, 387 Turkish citizens visited Russia through the Turkish Employment Agency.

In September 2018, via ISKUR, a total of 2,010 Turkish citizens went abroad searching for work.

According to the agency, in January-September 2018, 16,781 Turkish citizens left the country via ISKUR, which is 14.14 percent more compared to the same period in 2017.

In September 2018, 105,892 Turkish citizens were provided with work in Turkey, which is 9.7 percent more compared to the same month 2017.

In Turkey, in September, among those provided with job men formed the majority with 66 percent, while the number of women accounted for 34 percent.

A total of 3.133 million people were registered as unemployed in Turkey in September 2018. Fifty-two percent of them are women and 48 percent are men.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizogluBaku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Fikret Dolukhanov  Trend:

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will allocate the first syndicated loan worth up to $20 million to the Uzbek Joint-Stock Commercial Bank Ipak Yuli for lending to small and private businesses, the press service of the Uzbek bank said.

The corresponding agreement was signed by the parties on Oct. 15.

The syndicated loan consists of two parts. The first part of up to $10 million will be allocated from the EBRDs own funds and the second part of the loan ($10 million) by the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO).

The agreement also provides that Ipak Yuli Bank will receive special technical assistance covering various areas of lending to small and private businesses, as well as risk management as part of the program to develop financial institutions in Uzbekistan.

The Uzbek bank began cooperation with the EBRD in 2001 from provision of technical assistance to the bank for implementation of the Microcredit Program for micro and small enterprises.

Ipak Yuli Bank is a universal commercial bank, founded in 1990. As of Oct. 1, 2018, the total assets of the bank amounted to 3.3 trillion soums, and the current balance of loans issued by the bank reached 2.4 trillion soums. The branch network of the bank includes 15 branches and 53 express centers throughout the country.

(8208.04 soums = 1 USD on Oct. 16)

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanovBaku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Matanat Nasibova  Trend:

Until the end of the year, Azerbaijan's Goychay dairy factory may sign contracts for the export of fruit juices to one of the Baltic countries, chief accountant of the company Abulgasym Karimov told Trend.

The chief accountant noted that as of today Estonia acts as a distributor of the company in Europe, and most likely, the contracts for the supply of fruit drinks to this country can be signed before the end of this year.

"Along with milk and dairy products, we also produce fruit juices, which are popular not only in the domestic market, but also outside the country due to their quality and taste. As for the dairy products of the factory, they are designed to cover only the domestic demand of the population in Azerbaijan. Presently, we are not exporting dairy products, and so far this has not been included in the company's plans," said Karimov.

He went on to add that at one time, Goychay dairy factory was the first milk exporter to the neighboring Georgia.

The factory has an ISO9001: 2008 certificate, as well as a Certificate of Conformity issued by the State Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Patents and the Hygienic Certificate issued by the Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan.

For productions, the company is using Swedish and Italian equipment.Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

Trend:

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved the agreement between the governments of Uzbekistan and Russia on cooperation in construction of a nuclear power plant on the territory of Uzbekistan, Uzbek media reported.

The document was signed on Sept. 7 in Moscow by the prime ministers of the two countries, following the 19th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation.

The agreement provides for cooperation in design and construction of a nuclear power plant consisting of two power units utilizing a water-cooled power reactor of the Russian design with a set capacity of each power unit up to 1.2 gigawatts.

Earlier it was reported that the area near Lake Tudakul on the border of Navoi and Bukhara regions had been chosen as a potential site for construction of a nuclear power plant.

An official visit to Uzbekistan by Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled for Oct.18-19.English French

- Dr. Onye Nnorom to deliver Keynote Address on how Racism Impacts Health -



GATINEAU, Quebec, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dealing with systemic racism in Canadian healthcare is a fact of life for Indigenous Peoples, people of colour, and newcomers to the country according to University of Torontos Dr. Onye Nnorom, a family doctor and a public health & preventive medicine specialist.

Dr. Nnorom will deliver the opening keynote address at the 17th Annual Canadian Association of Midwives Conference being held October 1719 at the Hilton LacLeamy in Gatineau, Quebec.

Social issues, including economic inequality and cultural biases, are contributing factors to the systemic racism present in Canadian healthcare, explained Dr. Nnorom. The challenge, however, that we face in Canada is we dont systematically collect race or ethnicity information in healthcare. If were going to produce more positive health outcomes we need to be able collect data to pinpoint where disparities exist.

U.S. and U.K. researchers have studied how the stress of systemic racism and interpersonal racism in healthcare can affect maternal and fetal outcomes. We should be doing the same in Canada.

ADVOCACY & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Ongoing advocacy, research, and political will are needed to address an uncomfortable issue like systemic racism in midwifery and healthcare in general, said Katrina Kilroy, President of the Canadian Association of Midwives. As the national voice for midwives it is our responsibility to be a strong voice for addressing systemic racism. Whether its intentional or not, unconscious bias and discrimination should be identified and removed from our work and that of others in the healthcare system.

ROLE OF RACISM IN THE HEALTH & WELL-BEING OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

In Canada and internationally, colonization has a fundamental impact on the health of Indigenous peoples. Nathalie Pambrun, a Metis midwife from the National Aboriginal Council of Midwives and President Elect of CAM, touches on the importance of individual advocacy for clients who experience oppression and racism in the healthcare system.

To truly address systemic racism, we must recognize how colonialism has eroded traditional Indigenous social structures, said Pambrun. There are few policies that actually protect or reflect Indigenous worldviews, let alone serve the best interest of Indigenous people with regards to their health.

An important part of Indigenous midwifery care is advocacy. CAM Treasurer, Sara Wolfe, an Indigenous midwife and a founding partner of Seventh Generation Midwives Toronto, is one of those advocates. She was one of the lead researchers on a project called Our Health Counts Toronto collecting data about Toronto's urban Indigenous communities.

"Data collection is vital if were going to bring about substantive change," said Wolfe. We cannot allow people to be missed or to fall through the cracks. Data that accurately shows the experience of Indigenous people can be an important part of shaping policy to help communities to begin overcoming systemic barriers. We need more comprehensive studies of this kind across the country.

Statistics Canada's 2011 National Household Survey found Toronto had an Indigenous population of 19,265. The Our Health Counts study, meanwhile, estimated it to be between 34,000 and 69,000.

The CAM Conference offers midwives an opportunity to tackle critical issues, learn new clinical skills, get up to date on the latest research and practices, and contribute to the future vision of midwifery. New this year, attendees are also invited to participate in a Global Symposium on the first day of the conference.

About CAM

The Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM) is the national organization representing midwives and the profession of midwifery in Canada. CAM supports the National Aboriginal Council of Midwives (NACM) as the voice of Aboriginal midwifery. The mission of CAM is to provide leadership and advocacy for midwifery throughout Canada as an autonomous, self-regulated, publicly funded and vital part of primary maternal and newborn care. CAM promotes the development of the profession in the public interest and contributes the midwifery perspective to the national health policy agenda.

The vision of the Canadian Association of Midwives is that midwifery is fundamental to reproductive, maternal and newborn health services, and that everyone in Canada will have access to a midwifes care for themselves and their baby.

Contact:

Eby Heller

Director of Policy and Communications

Canadian Association of Midwives

eheller@canadianmidwives.org

Cell: 514 585-2760Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Huseyn Valiyev  Trend:

Azerbaijan is among those few countries in the world with space programs, rector of the Azerbaijan National Aviation Academy, chairman of the Council for Space Affairs, academician Arif Pashayev said at the event organized on the occasion of awarding the winners of the CanSat Azerbaijan 2018 competition.

Greeting the guests, Pashayev briefly talked about the competition, stressing that the idea belongs to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Education and Azercosmos OJSC.

"About 200 students from 11 universities of the country took part in the CanSat Azerbaijan competition, he said. Sixty-six of 200 students became finalists. There are no losers in this competition as the participants got a lot of experience as designers and programmers. I wish all finalists new victories."

The jury, headed by Professor of the US University of Maryland, prominent scientist in the field of space research, academician Roald Sagdeev has a great merit in holding the competition, Pashayev added.

During the event, Sagdeev also offered to hold CanSat Azerbaijan competition among the Azerbaijani secondary schools.

It will be possible to attract schoolchildren to this competition, which will be another step taken by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Education together with Azercosmos, he said.

"Several years ago, teams from the Azerbaijan National Aviation Academy participated in the US CanSat competition, Sagdeev said. The students from ADA University also took part in this competition. The teams from Baku participated quite well. Afterwards, at the initiative of Azercosmos, the idea was implemented in Azerbaijan."

He stressed that 61 years ago the first satellite was launched, and even then the designers, project managers knew that it was good to attract more people, young people, and in particular, radio amateurs for monitoring the first satellite.

Radio amateurs worldwide could receive signals from this satellite, Sagdeev added. This tradition continues. As the space program was developing, many enthusiasts - rocket engineers have emerged. NASA specialists had the idea to organize special competitions among students in the US, and some time later, students from other countries were invited to participate. The competition was named CanSat."

The task of the competition participants was to fit the satellite into a small jar, with all its functioning electronics, with the ability to conduct research (temperature and pressure measurement, image taking, etc.), he said.

"The competition gained great popularity, and some time later, on the initiative of Moscow State University, the competition was organized in Russia, which still gathers a big number of young people, Sagdeev added. Eleven universities participated in the CanSat Azerbaijan competition. The teams had to first think over the design of the microsatellite, which then had to be created in the form of a mockup and to be demonstrated to the jury.

It was also the design with which they were to participate in the competition, he said. According to the results of the first stage, 10 teams were invited. Microsatellites were launched in September. Despite weather was windy and there were many obstacles, the competition was successful. The participants fulfilled all the conditions of the competition. There are no losers in this competition. This creative competition will become a tradition and the number of participants will be increasing."Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Oct. 16

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev in a phone conversation noted solid potential for building up interaction in the economy, the Turkmen government said in a message.

The sides stressed that the two neighboring countries reached a qualitatively new level of relations.

This is evidenced by the important agreements aimed at achieving concrete results, as well as the bilateral Strategic Partnership Agreement, signed last year in Ashgabat, the message said.

At the same time, the parties noted solid potential for increasing interaction in such sectors of the economy as transportation and communications, as well as agriculture.

Berdimuhamedov noted that the Uzbek agricultural equipment demonstrated good performance in the soil and climatic conditions of Turkmenistan, and the country intends to continue purchasing the equipment, the Turkmenistan State News Agency reported.

The parties also exchanged views on topical issues of the regional and global agenda.

Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, which have impressive reserves of hydrocarbon resources, favor diversification of energy flows.

The implementation of the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China Gas Pipeline project, which was put into operation in 2009, is a good example of this.

Recently, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited businessmen of Uzbekistan to participate in the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project. Construction of the Turkmen section of the pipeline started in December 2015.

Uzbekistan was also invited to start developing oil and gas fields on the Turkmen shelf of the Caspian Sea.

Ashgabat is ready to intensify cooperation in a project on supply of electricity from Central to South Asia through the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan route.

At this stage, the two countries are also discussing a project to establish the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman transport route. It will significantly increase international transit traffic and provide a new corridor to world markets.Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

Trend:

Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of North Carolina, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Aziz Sancar, at the invitation of the National University arrived in Uzbekistan, according to Xalq so'zi (Peoples Word) newspaper.

Uzbek Minister of Higher and Secondary Special Education Inomjon Majidov has received the scholar, with whom they visited the memorial complex of first Uzbek President Islam Karimov.

During the visit, Professor Sancar will deliver an online lecture on DNA repair, cancer and chemotherapy for students, graduate students, doctoral students and researchers, which will be broadcast at the country's universities.

Moreover, the professor will deliver a report entitled "Science and national development" to young scholars.

Sancar will also take part in the opening ceremony of the Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Molecular Biology at the National University.

On October 7, 2015, Sancar was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.Despite the difficulties hindering joint cooperation, the Italian economy is eager to cooperate with Iran, said Italian ambassador in Tehran Mauro Conciatori, IRNA reports.

Conciatori made the remarks during the opening ceremony of a Joint Iran-Italy Chamber of Commerce in Tehran where Gholam-Hossein Shafei, the head of Irans Chamber of Commerce, was also present.



As of November 5, the European companies will exactly know what route to take in their cooperation with Iran, Conciatori said.



However, he noted that the Italian commercial sector and the countrys negotiators have been making efforts from long ago to consider ways for cooperation with Tehran.



On May 8, US President Donald Trump announced his countrys unilateral withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal  a hard-won multilateral agreement with Iran over its nuclear program.



Trump said Washington would impose two rounds of sanctions on Tehran. The first round of sanctions was imposed in early August and the second round is expected on November 4.



Officials at the Italian embassy are seeking cooperation with Iran not only in Tehran, rather they are visiting different Iranian provinces in a bid to find cooperation opportunities, the Italian ambassador said.



Conciatori said that Italy supports Iran nuclear deal and the other agreements reached.



The ambassador said that the European Union hopes that Iran will pursue two issues: first of all abiding by the nuclear deal and continuing to cooperate with UN nuclear agency and secondly announcing final decision on reforming banking standards in accordance with internationally-accepted standards and Financial Action Task Force (FATF).



The head of Irans Chamber of Commerce, for his part, said that other than Iran nuclear deal, the US president have also pulled out of many other international accords and organizations, whose measures have discredited the international mechanisms, particularly the UN Security Council.



EU members reaction to the US measure and their effort to save Iran nuclear deal was a true decision, Shafei said, adding that Iran will do its best to remain committed to its pledges under the pact.Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said the country is in talks with the Serbian officials on Iranians' travel to Serbia, IRNA reports.

The two countries have held talks on the issue and tomorrow is the last day of visa free travel to Serbia for the Iranians, Bahram Qasemi noted in a weekly press briefing.



Abolishment of visa-free travel for the Iranian citizens has different causes but it was predictable for the Foreign Ministry because Belgrade is an EU membership candidate, he said.



Qasemi noted that Serbia is adopting reforms to become a member of the European Union (EU).



He referred to the misuse of visa-free travel by some Iranian travelers and said this was another source of problem for continuation of the visa regime between Tehran and Belgrade.



Belgrade and Tehran abolished reciprocal tourist visas last August.



Serbia abolished vise-free travel with Iran apparently in response to European Union pressure after the system was abused by migrants trying to reach the bloc, the Associated Press said in a report.



According to the report, the EU officials have reportedly been considering canceling visa-free entry for Serbias citizens unless the Balkan country reintroduces visas for Iranians. Serbia is an EU membership candidate.Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Elnur Baghishov - Trend:

Iran's agricultural sector has been under pressure for the last ten years, Chairman of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Gholamhossein Shafei said during the official breakfast with Mahmoud Hojjati, Irans Minister of Agriculture, Mehr news agency reported.

Although the minister of agriculture has put forward some requirements to the Currency and Credit Council of Iran, the Iranian government does not pay enough attention to agricultural sector, Shafei noted.

Shafei said the volume of banking services in the agricultural sector has continuously decreased during 2006-2016.

The decrease of volume of these services is as follows: 14.8 percent in 2006, 10.4 percent in 2013, and 8.8 percent in 2016, the chairman added.

Shafei noted the water supply problem as one of the countrys topical problems: this problem exerts negative influence on agriculture, whereas, the agricultural sector is one of the pillars of the national economy.

The major part of Irans non-oil exports falls to the share of agricultural products, Shafei continued.

Just for this reason, economic activists suffer many blows from ill-judged hastily-taken decisions, the chairman concluded.Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Elnur Baghishov - Trend:

Four people were injured in an explosion at a plant in Irans Garmsar County, Mojtaba Khaledi, spokesman for Irans national emergency services, told ILNA.

He said that considering the scale of the incident, one helicopter, one ambulance bus and 10 ambulance cars were sent to the scene.

He added that the number of the victims hasnt yet been confirmed.Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Elkhan Alasgarov:

Political violence and terrorism is accompanying Armenian history, the crown of which is the bloody crimes of ASALA. Despite the fact that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is trying to present himself as a moderate leader who opposes violence and his spouse as a peacemaker, in reality, a card which is dangerous for the entire region is being played in the occupied territories - the creation of a new hotbed of international terrorism.

Pashinyan initiated the release of the Sasna Tsrrer terrorists from prison, who on July 17, 2016 stormed territory of a police station in Yerevan.

They were sentenced to 10 years in prison for the murder of three police officers and terrorism during the years of the Serzh Sargsyan regime. However, for the support of Nikol Pashinyans authorities with one stroke of a pen, 27 terrorists were released from prison. They were not only released, but with the consent of Pashinyan, they set up to form a party, which will also function in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

Thus, Pashinyan and the forces behind him decided to revive ASALA under the roof of Sasna Tsrrer, as evidenced by the composition of the initiators of the idea.

The Armenian terrorist groups ASALA that appeared in the region during the Karabakh war shed a lot of blood and committed atrocities not only in Azerbaijan, but also in Armenia. Two groups, "Aramo" and "Arabo", led by the famous terrorist Monte Melkonian, participated in the genocide of Azerbaijanis in Khojaly in February 1992. For the most part they come from Middle Eastern countries, including members of ASALA Jirair Sefilian, Alec Yenikomshian, Varuzhan Avetisyan and others.

As prime minister, Pashinyan sent condolences on the death of ASALA - Sasna Tsrrer terrorist Arayik Khandoyan, a.k.a. Lone Wolf. Pashinyan considered it his duty to officially condole with the family and friends of this scum, and at the same time the entire terrorist community.

However, there is a weak link in this undertaking of the Armenian Prime Minister. The official goal of the ASALAs newly-minted party of terrorists, Sasna Tsrrer, is the unconditional accession of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan to Armenia.

Being confident of their impunity and Pashinyan's support, the terrorists do not bother to search for at least some legal basis, do not talk about the self-determination of the Karabakh Armenians, etc.

With their ultimatum demands, they are driving Pashinian's diplomacy, and in the future they will lead Armenia into a dead end, from which it will not be able to get out on its own.

http://bakunetwork.com

https://twitter.com/BakuNetwork

https://www.facebook.com/BakuNetwork

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp5ic7mhc6rZF6w0TQWqtmg

Elkhan Alasgarov, PhD, Head of Baku Network

Phone: (+994 12) 465 99 42, mob (+994 51) 515 02 15

Email: [email protected]Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

Trend:

Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has resigned for conducting snap parliamentary election in December, Armenian media reported.

Pashinyan announced his resignation in a televised address to the Armenian people.



Earlier he told France 24 that an election is expected to be held December 9-10.

For it I must step down by October 16, Pashinyan said.



Under the Constitution of Armenia, the parliamentary factions are entitled to nominate prime minister candidates within seven days after the incumbent tenders his resignation or the post remains vacant otherwise.

In case of a failure to elect a chief to cabinet, the National Assembly conducts a new voting allowing only the candidate enjoying no less than a third of the parliaments support to vie for the top government office. If no candidate is elected with a general majority of votes, the National Assembly is dissolved.Armenian President Armen Sarkissian accepted on Tuesday the resignation of the government, Sputnik reports according to the presidential press service said.

To accept the resignation of the government of the Republic of Armenia, the decree, posted on the presidential website, says.

The Armenian president's statement comes following prime minister's Nikol Pashinyan resignation from his post earlier in the day in a move to create a formal reason for the dissolution of the current parliament and to pave the way for early parliamentary elections in the country.

"I am resigning," Pashinyan said in a statement aired by the Public Television of Armenia.

He added that he resigns in order to hold early parliamentary elections, and will act as the head of the Cabinet until then.SEATTLE, WA, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TDWI Research has released its newest Best Practices Report, Multiplatform Data Architectures. This original, survey-based report looks at how and why organizations are modernizing their data environments, by complementing traditional enterprise data and platforms with new ones for big data and the cloud. The report looks at the opportunities and challenges posed by modern data and its management, and it explores the scale, scope, complexity, and hybrid architectures of todays data ecosystems and the mix of platforms and tools used.



According to the TDWI survey, multiplatform data architectures are known by a variety of names, such as distributed data architectures and hybrid data environments. Enterprises are clear about how they rank MDA goals. At the top of the list: enterprises are looking to get more business value from their data, whether in operations or analytics. They also want to expand their analytics into more advanced forms such as machine learning and AI. Eighty-three percent of respondents say that MDAs are extremely or moderately important to their organizations data strategy success.

Report author Philip Russom, senior director of TDWI Research for data management, explains the potential benefits of MDAs. He notes that survey respondents had the highest hopes for MDA use for advanced analytics. This is not a surprise given that one of the leading business goals relative to data today is to expand analytics programs from older approaches (OLAP and SQL-based practices) to newer ones (such as mining, statistics, machine learning, clustering, and graph).

Self-service data practices can also benefit from MDAs, thanks to modern approaches to metadata and cataloging, plus more business-friendly tools. Because of new data management platforms, users are executing an unprecedented amount of data exploration and discovery without time-consuming aid from IT or data teams.

Russom also explores whats holding enterprises back from realizing the benefits of MDAs, from concerns about governance (granting users access to more data) and data management (data integration and metadata management) to the lack of tech skills and poor data quality.

Report Highlights

This comprehensive report reveals:

Nearly six in ten respondents say that MDAs have improved their business results

Three quarters of respondents say that it is increasingly difficult to fit new data types and data sources into relational databases and other traditional platforms

The largest group of respondents are dealing with 10 to 99 TB of data today and expect that to grow to 10 terabytes or even 1 petabyte within three years

Russom also reveals which group within an organization owns and maintains MDAs, the job titles of people who create and manage MDAs, and how organizations hire and train for MDA skills.

This research was sponsored by Datometry, SAP, SQream Technologies, StreamSets, and Talend.

About the Author

Philip Russom, Ph.D., is senior director of TDWI Research for data management and is a well-known figure in data warehousing, integration, and quality, having published over 550 research reports, magazine articles, opinion columns, and speeches over a 20-year period. Before joining TDWI in 2005, Russom was an industry analyst covering data management at Forrester Research and Giga Information Group. He also ran his own business as an independent industry analyst and consultant, was a contributing editor with leading IT magazines, and a product manager at database vendors. His Ph.D. is from Yale. You can reach him at prussom@tdwi.org, @prussom on Twitter, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/philiprussom.

About TDWI

For 20 years, TDWI has provided individuals and teams with a comprehensive portfolio of business and technical education and research about all things data. TDWIs in-depth, best-practices-based knowledge can be quickly applied to develop world-class talent across your organizations business and IT functions to enhance analytical, data-driven decision making. TDWI offers four major conferences as well as topical seminars, onsite education, membership, certification, live webinars, resource-filled publications, industry news, and in-depth research. See tdwi.org or follow us on Twitter @TDWI.

About 1105 Media

1105 Media, Inc., is a leading provider of integrated information and media in targeted business-to-business markets, including specialized sectors of the information technology community; industrial health, safety, and compliance; security; environmental protection; and home healthcare. 1105's offerings span print and online magazines, journals, and newsletters; seminars, conferences, and trade shows; training courseware; and web-based services. 1105 Media is based in Chatsworth, California, with offices throughout the U.S.



###

AttachmentU.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in Riyadh on Tuesday, reporters traveling with the envoy said, to discuss the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul two weeks ago, Reuters reports.

The two were chatting amicably when we walked in, then they stopped talking and sat in silence till we left, a reporter said. Pompeo is expected to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman later, the reporter said.U.S. carmaker Ford Motor Co (F.N) unveiled a new China sport utility vehicle (SUV) on Tuesday, and said its plan to release a spate of new models will help turn around tumbling sales in the worlds top auto market from the start of next year, Reuters reports.

Ford, fighting to recover from a severe sales slump in China, will start selling the entry-level SUV, called the Territory, early next year. The car is jointly developed with local partner Jiangling Motors Corp Ltd (JMC) (000550.SZ).

The car, based on a no-frills model from JMC, is aimed at appealing to consumers in Chinas smaller, so-called lower-tier cites, which have been a major engine of growth in the market over the last decade. It would compete with models from local firms like Geely (0175.HK) and Great Wall Motor (601633.SS).

The SUV is one of the 50 new or redesigned vehicles Ford has said it plans to launch in China starting this year and through 2025, which include the redesigned Ford Focus car due to hit showrooms later in 2018.

All these vehicles - the Ford Territory, the Ford Focus and the Ford Escort... they will all start to make their volume retail contributions in the first quarter (of 2019), Peter Fleet, Fords China and Asia chief, told reporters on a call.The Georgia Investors Day conference was held at the London Stock Exchange , with Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia, opened the trading, GeorgiaToday reports.

The event was organized by Galt&Taggart and saw 130 large investment companies in attendance.

The Georgian PM addressed the audience and spoke about the investment climate in his country and the already implemented and planned reforms. The macroeconomic indicators were presented by Giorgi Kobulia, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

"It was a very good opportunity for us to share information with investors on the reforms implemented in Georgia and the ambitious plans that we have towards transforming Georgia into a regional hub, the PM noted. Great interest has been clearly seen in investing in Georgia and it will enable more Georgian companies to be traded at the London Stock Exchange. Our key goal is to integrate the country more effectively into the global economy.

According to Nikhil Rathi, CEO of the London Stock Exchange, Bakhtadzes opening of the trading was an honor. He emphasized that the London Stock Exchange has a long history of successful cooperation with both large and small Georgian companies.

I believe that this partnership demonstrates that the global markets concentrated in London are excited by the existent opportunities in Georgia as well as its prospects for economic growth. It is a country with 5% economic growth, low tax rates, a low debt level, a highly skilled population and with a strong focus on renewable energy. We are excited to cooperate with the Government of Georgia, Prime Minister Bakhtadze and his team, Rathi said.Prime Minister Theresa May will discuss Brexit with her ministers on Tuesday, under pressure to rethink her plans from both some members of her Conservative Party and the European Union, Reuters reports.

A day before May heads to Brussels for a summit, a senior EU official again made clear that parts of Mays plan could not work and said the time was right to step up plans for Britain leaving the bloc without a deal.

With less than six months before Britain leaves the EU, Brexit talks have reached a stalemate over the so-called Irish backstop, a fallback plan to ensure there is no return to a hard border between Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland.Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday pledged to go ahead with an increase in the national sales tax next October, Reuters reported.

Abe said the government will consider tax breaks for durable goods purchases, such as cars and homes, and come up with a scheme to ease the burden on small companies and small retailers once the sales tax is raised to 10 percent from 8 percent.

The government will exempt food from the tax hike, but there are still lingering concerns that higher taxes will hurt consumer spending and curb economic growth.

We are scheduled to raise the sales tax to 10 percent from 8 percent in October 2019, Abe said, according to a statement.

We have to face the problems caused by our ageing society and build a welfare system that is fiscally sound.

The government needs extra tax revenue to pay for ballooning healthcare costs for its rapidly ageing population.

Japan has the worlds largest debt burden, at more than twice the size of its $5 trillion economy, leaving its public finances in a precarious position.

However, even the slightest increase in tax rates can have deep and long-lasting consequences for Japans price-conscious households.

In addition to food, the government will exempt sold beverages from the tax increase, meaning retailers can continue to sell these goods at the current 8 percent tax rate.

The tax on most goods will rise to 10 percent, so retailers will have to deal with the burden of managing multiple tax rates.

The government will use half of the revenue generated from the tax hike to subsidize education costs, Abe said in the statement.

Earlier on Monday, the government approved 936 billion yen ($8.38 billion) extra budget for reconstruction following a strong earthquake in the northern island of Hokkaido and severe flooding in western Japan.

Abes decision on the tax hike comes amid increasing concern that the trade war between the United States and China will hurt the global economy.

The prime minister has twice postponed the tax hike after the last increase, to 8 percent from 5 percent in 2014, dealt a blow to private consumption, which accounts for about 60 percent of the economy.

This tax hike is only 2 percentage points, but we have to use our experience from the previous tax hike and make every effort to ease the impact on the economy, he said.

Abe has entered his final three-year term in office after he won a ruling party leadership vote last month, putting him on track to become Japans longest-serving premier.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday here that his country is to continue trade talks with China, Xinhua reported.

Trudeau made the remarks at 2018 Fortune Global Forum, which kicked off on Monday.

The three-day forum has brought together the CEOs of the world's biggest corporations-the Fortune Global 500-with innovators, builders, and other selected experts to explore the key issues shaping global business.

"Let's talk about where we can work together, in areas that makes sense for both of us that will benefit Canadians. Certainly, discussions are continuing with China on moving forward on various trade opportunities," Trudeau said in an interview with The Globe and Mail before attending the forum Monday afternoon.

He said the U.S. put forward a proposal during the negotiations that would have restricted Canada's ability to negotiate trade agreements with China, but that section was watered down in the final agreement.

"They put forward a proposal in the USMCA originally that was very, very rigid on trade with China, he said. "We got them to a place where we agree to mutually discuss trade negotiations we might make with China, which is positive for us."

Canada has secured continued access to the all-important U.S. market in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

In a phone call last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Canadian counterpart, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland that Beijing hopes Ottawa will "advance the establishment of a China-Canada free-trade zone" and "take practical actions to protect the global free-trade system with China."

Trudeau said that one of the lessons of the long and contentious negotiations to salvage the North American free trade agreement is that Canada is too reliant on the U.S., the destination for nearly three-quarters of Canadian exports.

"I think we've all recognized that diversifying our trade is extremely important and we're happy to continue to engage with the Chinese, there's no question about that," Trudeau said.

Trudeau said the decision earlier this month by LNG Canada to press ahead with a long-planned liquefied natural project in the northern B.C. community of Kitimat is a "concrete illustration" of the message Ottawa has been sending resource companies for nearly three years.

"If you want to get a project done and be safe from court challenges and get that public support, you need to be really thoughtful about environmental impacts and about indigenous partnership, and that is something that LNG Canada has really done right," added the Canadian prime minister.

The Kitimat project is the centrepiece of an investment of 40-billion Canadian dollars by LNG Canada' s five co-owners - Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Malaysia's state-owned Petronas, PetroChina, Japan's Mitsubishi Corp. and South Korea's Kogas.Russian-Pakistani military drills "Friendship 2018" will be held in the mountains of Pakistan from October 21 until November 4, head of the Russian Southern Military District Vadim Astafyev told on Tuesday, TASS reports.

"The joint drills of units of the Russian and Pakistani armed forces 'Friendhsip 2018' will be held from October 21 until November 4 at the training range of the National Counter-Terrorist Center in Pakistan's Pabbi. More than 70 mountain shooters from Karachay-Cherkessia will take part in the drills," Astafyev said.

The servicemen from the two countries' armed forces will perform tasks at the altitude of 1,400 meters above the sea level.

Astafyev reminded that "Friendship" drills have been held since 2016. In 2017 over 200 servicemen took part in the drills. The military exercise was held in the North Caucasus on the altitude of 2,300 meters above the sea level.Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev will meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Tuesday. Al-Sisi is currently in Russia on a three-day visit on the invitation of the Russian president. The Russian government's press service said that talks will begin on Tuesday, October 16, when the Russian prime minister will discuss the Egyptian president the implementation of joint projects, TASS reports.

"Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi plan to discuss the state and prospects of developing bilateral trade and economic cooperation with an emphasis on large-scale joint projects in energy, industry, agriculture and other spheres," the press service said.

Talks between Putin and al-Sisi will start in the evening on Tuesday in the informal format, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. "We will have a bloc related to the visit of Egypt's President al-Sisi to the Russian Federation. These contacts will happen in Sochi," Peskov said. The Kremlin spokesman stressed that "this is a very effective format for talks, which allows the heads of state to discuss the most pressing issues tete-a-tete before the start of official talks."

Full-format talks are scheduled for October 17. The Kremlin press service said earlier that "the leaders will discuss the key issues of broadening Russian-Egyptian cooperation and will exchange opinions on the relevant matters on the international agenda."

Several joint documents are expected to be signed after the talks. In particular, the official portal of legal information has earlier published the presidential decree approving the signing of an agreement on partnership and strategic cooperation with Egypt.The entry of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) into force is a priority of Russias foreign policy and Moscow will continue supporting efforts in this area, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday, TASS reports.

Russias top diplomat made this statement at a meeting with Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Lassina Zerbo.

"We highly value your personal commitment and those efforts, which you are taking to support the CTBT and move along the way towards its ratification and entry into force. This is also one of the priorities of Russias foreign policy, which was confirmed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2016 when he spoke on the occasion of the treatys 20th anniversary," Russias top diplomat said.

We will be interested to hear your assessments about where we stay with regard to the efforts to ensure that the remaining states join the treaty through the corresponding procedures. We will continue supporting your efforts both politically and technologically and in terms of personnel," Lavrov stressed.

On his part, Zerbo stressed that he had come for advice to understand how to move forward on the issue of the treaty in the complex geopolitical circumstances.

The executive secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization said he saw support from the Russian team and from Russias president, noting that he would like to understand how it is better to move forward together.

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty was approved by the UN General Assembly in September 1996. However, 44 states possessing nuclear weapons or the potential of their creation (their list was compiled using the data of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the IAEA) must ratify the document so that it can enter into force. From this list, 36 states, including Russia, the UK and France, have ratified it. Five more countries - the United States, China, Egypt, Israel and Iran - have signed but have not yet ratified the document while India, North Korea and Pakistan have not signed it.Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 16

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit Turkey, the Turkish media reported Oct. 16. Pompeos visit to Turkey will be a one-day visit and will take place on October 17 of this year, the message says.

During his visit to Turkey, Pompeo will meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, and during this meeting, a number of issues including the disappearance of Saudi reporter Jamal Khashoggi will be discussed.

Earlier, the Turkish police entered the building of the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in the framework of the investigation into the disappearance of Saudi reporter Khashoggi.

On Monday, a joint Turkish-Saudi working group on this case held its first meeting in the Istanbul police department, after which the members of the working group from Saudi Arabia entered the consulate.

Earlier, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Walid Bin Abdul Karim El Khereiji, was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

"If the Embassy of Saudi Arabia claims that Khashoggi disappeared after leaving the embassy building, they must prove it," a message quoted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying earlier.

Earlier Erdogan said that the Turkish intelligence is investigating the disappearance of the Saudi reporter Khashoggi.

The president of Turkey said this issue is under his personal control.

On Oct. 2, Khashoggi went to the consulate general of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul for some documents. His fiancee was not allowed into the building, and five hours later she was informed that he had already left. She later stated that she did not trust the information and did not know about Khashoggi's whereabouts.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizogluMINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Edge Legal Marketing, Inc., a Minneapolis-based public relations and marketing firm serving the needs of organizations in the legal industry, is recognized among the top three law firm advertising agencies by readers of the New Jersey Law Journal, according to the results of the newspapers Best of 2018 survey. The survey was launched in July when readers were asked over a three-week period to cast their votes for the best legal industry product and service providers across a range of categories.



According to New Jersey Law Journal, Best Of was developed to help lawyers identify the finest legal products and service providers and to showcase their top picks in one annual edition. A ballot was crafted with several dozen categories for lawyers and firm administrators to cast their votes on a number of areas critical to practicing law and managing their personal and professional life. From data technology products and banking services to real estate brokers and power lunch locations, Best Of showcases the businesses that stand out among their competitors in providing lawyers with the essentials they require to compete in todays legal market.

We are proud to be recognized by the New Jersey Law Journal readers among the best in this reader survey. The continued success of our agency is a testament to the entire team, the quality services they deliver to our clients and the relationships weve maintained in the legal services industry for more than 20 years, says Edge Legal Marketing CEO Amy Juers. Every award or client endorsement is validation of the work we do, and we dont take them for granted.

A full listing of the newspapers Best of 2018 survey results can be found here .

About Edge Legal Marketing

Edge Legal Marketing delivers marketing and public relations expertise to entities in the legal market. The company helps B2B businesses market and sell their products and services to corporate legal departments, law firms, federal and state courts and legal associations. Edge Legal Marketing services include strategic planning, marketing and e-marketing action plans, alliance building, website development, market research, public relations and advertising (concept and media plans). To learn more visit www.edgelegalmarketing.com .KYODO NEWS - Oct 16, 2018 - 14:26 | All, Feature, World

Japan's fresh eggs can for the first time be exported to the United States after a restriction on their shipment was lifted on Tuesday, the farm ministry said.

Tokyo had been requesting that Washington allows raw egg exports since 2004. Previously, eggs shipped to the United States were limited to those sterilized with heat, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Fresh egg exports to Hawaii and other places at a relatively short distance from Japan can now be expected, the ministry said.



(File photo of fresh eggs ready to be exported to Singapore from Chubu airport)

To be exported, eggs need to be chilled at a temperature below 7.2 C from 36 hours after being laid until their arrival at a U.S. destination, it said.

In 2017, 3,891 tons of raw eggs, or 0.15 percent of domestic production, were exported for a total value of 1 billion yen ($8.9 million) with most of them destined for Hong Kong.KYODO NEWS - Oct 15, 2018 - 21:25 | World, All

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has insisted that Pyongyang has made "many concessions" to Japan over the abduction issue, arguing Tokyo is to blame for the deadlock in talks on the matter, a person familiar with the situation said Monday.

Kim expressed the view to U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae In, Choi Song Ryong, head of the South Korean Families of Abducted and Detained in North Korea, quoted sources in Pyongyang as saying.

That view is shared among officials of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, according to Choi, who has unique sources of information in Pyongyang.

Japan officially lists 17 of its citizens as having been kidnapped by North Korean agents and suspects Pyongyang's involvement in many more disappearances of Japanese nationals.

Of the 17, five were repatriated in 2002, but North Korea has claimed eight of them died and the other four never entered the country.

Kim has held talks with high-ranking U.S. and South Korean officials several times this year.

On such occasions, Kim has emphasized that North Korea admitted to having abducted the Japanese and apologized in 2002, that it allowed the parents of Megumi Yokota, a symbol of the abduction issue, to meet their granddaughter in Mongolia in 2014, and that it agreed with Japan to reinvestigate the matter in Stockholm in 2014, Choi said.

Kim has said that Japan has rejected receiving the findings of the reinvestigation, according to Choi. Tokyo has maintained that no explanations were made.

Japan has recently sounded out North Korea about a plan to establish a liaison office in Pyongyang to resolve the long-standing issue of past abductions of Japanese nationals by the North.

North Korea, however, is unlikely to resume any negotiations on the matter unless Tokyo accepts the results of its investigation into the Japanese abducted in the 1970s and 1980s that it previously provided to Japan following their talks in Stockholm in 2014.

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in an interview aired on Monday that it is important to discuss how to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula through multilateral frameworks such as the long-stalled six-party talks.

Abe also noted in the interview with Hong Kong's Phoenix TV, recorded Friday, that he is eager to "break the shell of mutual distrust and come face-to-face" with Kim to resolve issues of bilateral concern.

The prime minister has said that tackling the abduction issue is his "life's work."

The six-party talks including the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and Russia started in 2003 but have been deadlocked since late 2008 against a backdrop of disputes over the verification of the North's denuclearization.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in September that the six-party talks, chaired by his country, "would continue to work as an indispensable multilateral framework" to resolve issues related to North Korea.

Abe is scheduled to visit China for three days from Oct. 25 to talk with Chinese high-ranking officials including President Xi Jinping. Abe is expected to raise the abduction issue in talks with Chinese officials, given Beijing's special ties with Pyongyang.

Japan has no diplomatic relations with North Korea.Pinarayi hinted that KIIFB resources were necessary to improve the faculty and infrastructure facilities like labs and libraries in the higher education sector.HERNDON, Va., Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unissant, Inc, an advanced data analytics and business solutions provider, announced today that it was selected by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to provide technical architecture and a road map for both the current and future state of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Data Warehouse and Data Marts.



OPM serves as the chief human resources agency and personnel policy manager for the Federal Government. It directs human resources and employee management services, administers retirement benefits, manages healthcare and insurance programs, oversees merit-based and inclusive hiring into the civil service, and provides a secure employment process.

We are excited about working closely with OPM, said Unissant President Ken Bonner. The OIG Data Warehouse Modernization project houses 5+ Billion records of critical claims data from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Were looking forward to a long-term relationship with OPM and supporting their mission.

Unissant will be providing Business Intelligence System Architecture, Data Architecture and Data Modelling services, as well as security access controls architecture for safe guarding the data and for providing role-based data access.

About Unissant Inc.

Unissant is an advanced data analytics and business transformation services provider with expertise in healthcare and health IT, finance, national security, and energy. The company delivers innovative solutions to assist government agencies and private sector businesses in tackling their biggest challenges. Founded in 2006, Unissant is a prime contractor on various government vehicles such as CIO-SP3, GSA PSS, GSA HealthIT SIN, and GSA 8(a) STARS II and is a CMMI Level 3, ISO 9001 & 27001 certified company headquartered in Herndon, Virginia with a satellite office in San Antonio, Texas. In March 2017, Unissant received the Government Project of the Year award by Small and Emerging Contractors Advisory Forum (SECAF).Artificial intelligence leveraged to deblur and dehaze photos and videos with exceptional quality



AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SoftServe , a leading digital authority and consulting company, announced its researchers won second place at the Samsung AI Challenge 2018 with innovative neural image restoration enhancement for mobile and embedded devices.

Artificial intelligence is at the center of future-proofing technologies for many businesses today, said Serge Haziyev, senior vice president for Advanced Technology at SoftServe. The opportunities for AI are endless and we are proud of our team and their commitment to creating an innovative AI algorithm that pushed the boundaries of existing deblurring and dehazing technologies as part of Samsungs AI Hackathon.

The winning team, made up of SoftServe research engineers, Volodymyr Budzan and Orest Kupyn, participated in the worldwide event developing a solution that uses state-of-the-art deep learning and computer vision algorithms to deblur and dehaze photos and videos with exceptional quality. The solution can also be used as an anti-fog and anti-dust vision solution for cars, construction workers, police, rescue and military operations, pilots, airport services, and more.



As part of the challenge, participants were asked to submit a white paper describing an AI solution along with a video demo. Next, 22 teams were selected to present their ideas via an online interview with just 10 teams selected for a final, face-to-face presentation in Seoul, Korea. The winners were announced during Samsungs Global AI Forum in Seoul.Okaloosa County (Florida) [India], Oct 16 (NT): United States President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump landed in Okaloosa County on Monday (local time) to take stock of the smash up left behind in the consequences of Hurricane Michael. Florida's Governor Rick Scott and Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Brock Long amongst other officials who received the US President and the First Lady at the Eglin Air Force Base.

Trump and Melania began their visit by taking an aerial survey of the areas that have been damaged by Hurricane Michael, which made landfall in the northwestern parts of Florida on October 10. US president expressed his gratitude to the law enforcement, first responders, state, local and Federal officials who are helping in recovery efforts after -Hurricane Michael that has been hailed as the worst of its kind in 50 years.

"First responders, @fema, the job they've done is incredible," the US President stated while taking a tour through affected neighbourhoods in Florida, The White House wrote in its official Twitter handle.

Trump and Melania met affected by the hurricane citizens and handed out relief material, as the CNN reported. The reports added that US President and his wife headed to a Red Cross centre in Georgia and they spoke with state and local officials, and local farmers to talk about the impact of the hurricane.SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RHC Capital Corporation (RHC or the Company) (TSXV: RHC) announces that it and Skrumble Technologies Inc. have agreed to terminate the proposed reverse takeover transaction dated August 20, 2018. RHC, through its wholly owned subsidiary Royal Helium Corporation, will operate and continue with the exploration and development of its substantial helium land holdings in southern Saskatchewan.



Royal Helium Corporation

Royal Helium has 572 sections (366,217 acres) of prospective helium land in Saskatchewan that were acquired based on detailed evaluation of the highest known helium concentrations from existing well and geological data in Saskatchewan.

All of Royal Heliums lands are in close vicinity to highways, roads, cities and importantly, close to existing oil and gas infrastructure. With stable, rising prices and limited, non-renewable sources for helium worldwide, Royal Helium intends to become a leading North American producer of this high value commodity.

For more information, please contact Andrew Davidson, Chairman of the Company.

Andrew Davidson, Chairman

RHC Capital Corporation

1 (306) 281-9104

adavidson@royalhelium.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.PASCAGOULA, Miss., Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division officially started fabrication of the America-class amphibious assault ship Bougainville (LHA 8) on Monday. The start of fabrication signifies that the shipyard is ready for sustained production and ready to move forward with the construction of the ship.



Our shipbuilders are proud to continue Ingalls legacy in amphibious shipbuilding, said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. The start of Bougainville, our 16th large-deck amphib, allows us to continue the serial production of these great ships. Working with the Navy and Marine Corps, we will take advantage of our hot production line and a healthy nationwide supplier base to continue providing these much-needed ships for the defense of our nation and the worlds sea lanes.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: https://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/file?fid=5bc6369d2cfac22d0efb33da .

Bougainville will retain the aviation capability of the America-class design while adding the surface assault capability of a well deck. The well deck will give the U.S. Marine Corps the ability to house and launch two landing craft air cushion (LCAC) hovercraft or one landing craft utility (LCU) as needed during their maritime missions. Other additions to Bougainville include a larger flight deck configured for Joint Strike Fighter and Osprey V-22 aircraft, which can be used for surface and aviation assaults. The additional area on the flight deck comes in part from a smaller deck house and an additional sponson.

LHA 8 will be the second Navy vessel to bear the name Bougainville. The name commemorates the Bougainville Campaign that took place during World War II. During the campaign, which lasted from 1943 to 1944, Allied forces secured a strategic airfield from Japan in the northern Solomon Islands, helping the allies break the Japanese stronghold in the South Pacific.

Huntington Ingalls Industries is Americas largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of professional services to partners in government and industry. For more than a century, HIIs Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. HIIs Technical Solutions division provides a wide range of professional services through its Fleet Support, Mission Driven Innovative Solutions, Nuclear & Environmental, and Oil & Gas groups. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs more than 40,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit:



HII on the web: www.huntingtoningalls.com

HII on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HuntingtonIngallsIndustries

HII on Twitter: twitter.com/hiindustries

Contact:

Bill Glenn

william.glenn@hii-co.com

228-935-1323Argonne awarded funding to partner with industry to advance the use of high performance computing in manufacturing.

The use of supercomputers can advance innovation in U.S. manufacturing through simulations and modeling. These methods can enable predictive design that minimizes traditional trial and error prototyping, optimizes product properties and improves estimates of product lifetimes.

The High Performance Computing for Manufacturing (HPC4Mfg) Program, operated by the U.S. Department of Energys (DOE) Advanced Manufacturing Office within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), leverages world-class technical expertise with high performance computing to tackle manufacturing challenges uniquely solved by computer modeling. DOEs Argonne National Laboratory and industry partners were recently awarded funding for four of the 13 projects under the program.

The company researchers will work with scientists in Argonnes research divisions and at the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF), a DOE Office of Science User Facility that provides supercomputing resources and expertise to the scientific and engineering community. ALCF computing resources are 10 to 100 times more powerful than systems typically used for scientific research and are available to researchers from universities, industry and government agencies.

Argonne has made it a core R&D thrust to align its computing expertise with Argonne researchers who develop advanced manufacturing technologies to help U.S. companies increase their competitiveness. Argonne plans to expand facilities for collaboration on early-stage innovation in manufacturing science and engineering.

This is the fifth round of selectees for the HPC4Mfg Program. The program, established in 2015, unites DOEs supercomputing capabilities and expertise with U.S. manufacturers to optimize production processes, enhance product quality and speed up design and testing cycles while decreasing energy consumption. Participating DOE laboratories include Argonne, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

We are pleased with the growing involvement by multiple national laboratories in this program, said Lawrence Livermore National Laboratorys Robin Miles, interim director of the HPC4Mfg Program. The world-class expertise in scientific and engineering computing available at our leading institutions can make a significant difference to enhancing the competitiveness and efficiencies of U.S. industry.

Each project will receive up to $300,000. Some projects are also co-funded. Each participating private entity or consortium was required to contribute at least $60,000 of in-kind funds.

The research planned at Argonne is as follows:

VAST Power Systems will work to optimize gas turbine combustors through a partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Prithwish Kundu in Argonnes Energy Systems division. Project will be co-funded by the Office of Fossil Energy and the Advanced Manufacturing Office.

The Steel Manufacturing Simulation and Visualization Consortium and ArcelorMittal USA aims to optimize reheat furnace efficiency in steel manufacturing through work with May Wu in Argonnes Energy Systems division.

Transient Plasma Systems Inc. will partner with Riccardo Scarcelli from the Argonnes Energy Systems division to optimize the characteristics of non-equilibrium plasmas for more efficient and cleaner internal combustion engines. This project will be co-funded by the Vehicle Technologies Office and the Advanced Manufacturing Office.

3M is seeking to optimize the fiber spinning manufacturing process used in filters, fabrics and insulation with the help of Ian Foster in Argonnes Data Science and Learning division.

Since it began, the HPC4Mfg Program has funded a total of 60 industry projects, ranging from improving the reliability and lifetime of wind turbines to studying how to mitigate defects in the 3-D printing of metal parts to reducing emissions from semiconductor processing that could potentially harm the ozone layer.

EEREs Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) supports early-stage research to advance innovation in U.S. manufacturing and promote American economic growth and energy security.

The U.S. Department of Energys Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) supports early-stage research and development of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies that make energy more affordable and strengthen the reliability, resilience, and security of the U.S. electric grid.

Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nations first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance Americas scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energys Office of Science.

The U.S. Department of Energys Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit the Office of Science website.

###New observations suggest that kilonovae -- immense cosmic explosions that produce silver, gold and platinum--may be more common than thought

On October 16, 2017, an international group of astronomers and physicists excitedly reported the first simultaneous detection of light and gravitational waves from the same source--a merger of two neutron stars. Now, a team that includes several University of Maryland astronomers has identified a direct relative of that historic event.

The newly described object, named GRB150101B, was reported as a gamma-ray burst localized by NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory in 2015. Follow-up observations by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and the Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT) suggest that GRB150101B shares remarkable similarities with the neutron star merger, named GW170817, discovered by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) and observed by multiple light-gathering telescopes in 2017.

A new study suggests that these two separate objects may, in fact, be directly related. The results were published on October 16, 2018 in the journal Nature Communications.

"It's a big step to go from one detected object to two," said study lead author Eleonora Troja, an associate research scientist in the UMD Department of Astronomy with a joint appointment at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "Our discovery tells us that events like GW170817 and GRB150101B could represent a whole new class of erupting objects that turn on and off--and might actually be relatively common."

Troja and her colleagues suspect that both GRB150101B and GW170817 were produced by the same type of event: a merger of two neutron stars. These catastrophic coalescences each generated a narrow jet, or beam, of high-energy particles. The jets each produced a short, intense gamma-ray burst (GRB)--a powerful flash that lasts only a few seconds. GW170817 also created ripples in space-time called gravitational waves, suggesting that this might be a common feature of neutron star mergers.

The apparent match between GRB150101B and GW170817 is striking: both produced an unusually faint and short-lived gamma ray burst and both were a source of bright, blue optical light and long-lasting X-ray emission. The host galaxies are also remarkably similar, based on HST and DCT observations. Both are bright elliptical galaxies with a population of stars a few billion years old that display no evidence of new star formation.

"We have a case of cosmic look-alikes," said study co-author Geoffrey Ryan, a postdoctoral researcher in the UMD Department of Astronomy and a fellow of the Joint Space-Science Institute. "They look the same, act the same and come from similar neighborhoods, so the simplest explanation is that they are from the same family of objects."

In the cases of both GRB150101B and GW170817, the explosion was likely viewed "off-axis," that is, with the jet not pointing directly towards Earth. So far, these events are the only two off-axis short GRBs that astronomers have identified.

The optical emission from GRB150101B is largely in the blue portion of the spectrum, providing an important clue that this event is another kilonova, as seen in GW170817. A kilonova is a luminous flash of radioactive light that produces large quantities of important elements like silver, gold, platinum and uranium.

While there are many commonalities between GRB150101B and GW170817, there are two very important differences. One is their location: GW170817 is relatively close, at about 130 million light years from Earth, while GRB150101B lies about 1.7 billion light years away.

The second important difference is that, unlike GW170817, gravitational wave data does not exist for GRB150101B. Without this information, the team cannot calculate the masses of the two objects that merged. It is possible that the event resulted from the merger of a black hole and a neutron star, rather than two neutron stars.

"Surely it's only a matter of time before another event like GW170817 will provide both gravitational wave data and electromagnetic imagery. If the next such observation reveals a merger between a neutron star and a black hole, that would be truly groundbreaking," said study co-author Alexander Kutyrev, an associate research scientist in the UMD Department of Astronomy with a joint appointment at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "Our latest observations give us renewed hope that we'll see such an event before too long."

It is possible that a few mergers like the ones seen in GW170817 and GRB150101B have been detected previously, but were not properly identified using complementary observations in different wavelengths of light, according to the researchers. Without such detections--in particular, at longer wavelengths such as X-rays or optical light--it is very difficult to determine the precise location of events that produce gamma-ray bursts.

In the case of GRB150101B, astronomers first thought that the event might coincide with an X-ray source detected by Swift in the center of the galaxy. The most likely explanation for such a source would be a supermassive black hole devouring gas and dust. However, follow-up observations with Chandra placed the event further away from the center of the host galaxy.

According to the researchers, even if LIGO had been operational in early 2015, it would very likely not have detected gravitational waves from GRB150101B because of the event's greater distance from Earth. All the same, every new event observed with both LIGO and multiple light-gathering telescopes will add important new pieces to the puzzle.

"Every new observation helps us learn better how to identify kilonovae with spectral fingerprints: silver creates a blue color, whereas gold and platinum add a shade of red, for example," Troja added. "We've been able identify this kilonova without gravitational wave data, so maybe in the future, we'll even be able to do this without directly observing a gamma-ray burst."

###

This press release was adapted from text provided by NASA.

In addition to Troja, Ryan and Kutyrev, co-authors of this paper affiliated with the UMD Department of Astronomy include Adjunct Associate Professor S. Bradley Cenko, Graduate Student Pradip Gatkine, and Professor Sylvain Veilleux.

The research paper, "A luminous blue kilonova and an off-axis jet from a compact binary merger at z=0.1341," Eleonora Troja, Geoffrey Ryan, Luigi Piro, Hendrik van Eerten, S. Bradley Cenko, Yongmin Yoon, Seong-Kook Lee, Myungshin Im, Takanori Sakamoto, Pradip Gatkine, Alexander Kutyrev and Sylvain Veilleux, was published in the journal Nature Communications on October 16, 2018.

This work was supported by NASA (Award Nos. HST GO-13941, HST GO-14087, and HST GO-14357) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (Award No. 2017R1A3As3001362). The content of this article does not necessarily reflect the views of these organizations.

Media Relations Contact: Matthew Wright, 301-405-9267, mewright@umd.edu

University of Maryland

College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

2300 Symons Hall

College Park, MD 20742

http://www.cmns.umd.edu

@UMDscience

About the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

The College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland educates more than 9,000 future scientific leaders in its undergraduate and graduate programs each year. The college's 10 departments and more than a dozen interdisciplinary research centers foster scientific discovery with annual sponsored research funding exceeding $175 million.Two leaders in Ferris State Universitys Center for [email protected] Studies were to be honored on Friday, Oct. 12 as members of the inaugural class of Top 50 Latinas in Michigan. CLS Executive Director Kaylee Moreno and Program Coordinator Jessica Ledesma were named as recipients of this tribute earlier in the week, by the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan.

The commission, which is chartered under the state of Michigans Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, said the Top Latinas awards were established to recognize women who have distinguished themselves in their organization, profession and community. Award recipients in the 2018 class come from universities, colleges and public education, local government, corporations, nonprofit organizations and private businesses.

Moreno and Ledesma were among those scheduled to be recognized at the statewide Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Oct. 12 at the Horizons Conference Center outside Saginaw. The Top Latinas award is one of seven categories that will be recognized at the celebration, and 10 Hispanic/Latino students will receive $1,000 2018-19 Future Leader Scholarships at the event. All recipients were nominated for consideration by the HLCOM.





PHOTO CAPTION: Center for [email protected] Studies Executive Director Kaylee Moreno (left) and CLS Program Coordinator Jessica Ledesma (right) have been named as part of the inaugural Top 50 Latinas in Michigan, with recognition for the recipients on Friday evening, Oct. 12, as part of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration hosted by the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan near Saginaw.MADRID (Reuters) - A fire broke out at an ArcelorMittal factory in northern Spain on Tuesday, prompting an evacuation but causing no injuries, the world's largest steel producer said on Twitter.

Fire services were working to put out the flames which started at the feeding belt of a coke facility at the plant in Aviles, the company said, adding the cause was unknown.

An ArcelorMittal spokesman said it was too early to say whether the fire would affect production at the plant, which has capacity to produce around five million tonnes of steel a year.

(Reporting by Emma Pinedo, writing by Isla Binnie; Editing by Susan Fenton)(Adds details on BlackRock-Saudi relationship, Fink's quote)

By Trevor Hunnicutt

Oct 16 (Reuters) - BlackRock Inc Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink said on Tuesday that he would not cut ties with Saudi Arabia even as pressure mounts on the country to explain the disappearance of a prominent critic.

Fink is one of several top business executives, including JPMorgan Chase & Co's Jamie Dimon and HSBC Holdings plc CEO John Flint, who pulled out of a major investment conference in Riyadh after Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who has been critical of the country's policies, went missing.

Khashoggi, a U.S. resident, vanished after entering the consulate. Turkish officials say they believe he was murdered there and his body removed, which the Saudis strongly deny.

Asked on CNBC if he would cut off all business ties with Saudi Arabia if it became clear that King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered Khashoggi's murder, Fink said, "No."

BlackRock, the world's largest fund manager with oversight of more than $6.4 trillion in assets, is widely followed by investors and economists for its influence at many of the world's public companies and it also has a foothold with governments around the globe.

Fink has long had relationships with Saudi officials and one year ago announced plans to open offices within the country. Relationships with the business and investment community are essential to the country's Vision 2030 push to diversify the economy away from oil. The plan has grabbed attention for its big-ticket initiatives, such as a $500 billion business zone and a plan, now shelved, to sell part of the state oil firm.

Story continues

But the journalist's disappearance on Oct. 2 created a complex calculus for BlackRock, whose chief executive has worked to present it as socially conscious.

In a letter to top corporate executives earlier this year, Fink wrote that to "prosper over time, every company must not only deliver financial performance, but also show how it makes a positive contribution to society."

Fink told CNBC he wanted the conference delayed until the end of an investigation into the journalist's disappearance but that he had not been successful. At that point, he said, he had only one choice and that was to withdraw.

"We needed to be thoughtful and mindful how to navigate this," Fink said.

"I wanted to preserve the relationships that we'd worked so long for." (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Additional reporting by Diptendu Lahiri in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Nick Zieminski)NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brookfield Investment Management Inc. will host a webcast for the Center Coast Brookfield MLP & Energy Infrastructure Fund (NYSE: CEN) (the Fund) on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 2:00pm ET. Brookfield will provide an update on the Fund and on general market conditions. There will be an opportunity to ask questions about the Fund during the call.



Date Time Registration and Webcast Link Dial-In ID October 23, 2018 2:00pm ET https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/1858892/27690228A83873067EC3C1C517BEB8C0 1-866-521-4909 or 647-427-2311 7288775

Brookfield Investment Management Inc. (the Firm) is an SEC-registered investment adviser and represents the Public Securities platform of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., providing global listed real assets strategies including real estate equities, infrastructure and energy infrastructure equities, multi-real-asset-class strategies and real asset debt. With approximately $19 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2018, the Firm manages separate accounts, registered funds and opportunistic strategies for institutional and individual clients, including financial institutions, public and private pension plans, insurance companies, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds and high net worth investors. The Firm is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., a leading global alternative asset manager with over $285 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2018. For more information, go to www.brookfield.com.

The Center Coast Brookfield MLP & Energy Infrastructure Fund is managed by Brookfield Investment Management Inc. Investment involves risk. The Fund uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding the Fund is routinely posted on and accessible at www.brookfield.com .

Foreside Fund Services, LLC; distributor and sub-placement agent.

COMPANY CONTACT

Center Coast Brookfield MLP & Energy Infrastructure FundBy Ricardo Brito

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian police have referred two former executives of food processor BRF SA <BRFS3.SA> to federal prosecutors in an investigation into food safety that disrupted meat production in 2017, documents seen by Reuters showed on Monday.

The allegation is that former BRF Chairman Abilio Diniz and former Chief Executive Officer Pedro de Andrade Faria did not disclose damaging information when they were at the company.

According to the documents, among the evidence that police collected were a series of WhatsApp messages and emails exchanged between the two executives.

Diniz did not immediately respond to a request for comment and Faria declined to comment.

It will be up to federal prosecutors whether to file a complaint based on the police findings, whether to ask for additional investigation or whether to end the inquiry based on a lack of evidence for criminal charges.

Allegations have been made against 41 other people in the investigation known as "Weak Flesh." The scandal disrupted production and caused the temporary closure of export markets to certain Brazilian meat producers early in 2017.

In a statement, BRF said it had "zero tolerance" for unethical conduct and that it had suspended all persons mentioned in the police report while facts are clarified.

Diniz's asset management firm Peninsula Participacoes said in a statement that Diniz "did not commit any infraction as chairman at BRF."

Diniz is now a board member at Carrefour SA <CARR.PA>. Carrefour in Brazil <CRFB3.SA> declined to comment.

(Reporting by Ricardo Brito; Additional reporting by Gabriela Mello in Sao Paulo; Writing by Carolina Mandl and Gram Slattery; Editing by Grant McCool and Leslie Adler)SAO PAULO, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Brazilian state-run oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro SA and a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) have signed an agreement to study the economic viability of completing construction of the Comperj refinery in Rio de Janeiro.

Petrobras, as the firm is commonly known, said once the studies are completed, the two parties aim to form a joint venture to complete the refinery. Petrobras would hold an 80 percent stake and the CNPC subsidiary, China National Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Co, would take a 20 percent stake.

(Reporting by Gram Slattery; Editing by Susan Fenton)Montevideo (AFP) - As Canada prepares on Wednesday to become only the second country in the world to legalize the use of marijuana, experts in Uruguay say its pioneering move three years ago helped to reduce drug trafficking in the South American nation.

While the public initially rejected the project first introduced by iconic leftist president Jose Mujica, who was in power from 2010-2015, attitudes have gradually changed, with the population now largely supportive of the move.

Uruguay legalized the production, distribution and sale of marijuana for recreational purposes in December 2013, before allowing the drug to be sold in pharmacies from July 2017.

Things seem to be going well in the country of 3.5 million people, just 10 percent that of Canada's population.

There are three ways to access cannabis in Uruguay: growing it at home, with a limit of six plants per person; growing it in a club as part of a cooperative; or buying it in the pharmacy.

Fear-mongers who predicted the project would lead to a deluge of doped-up lay-abouts have so far been proved wrong, according to Monitor Cannabis.

The academic group that studies the government's marijuana project says that cannabis use has "shown an increase that isn't extraordinary with respect to the trend" observed prior to legalization.

The main difference between the illegal and legal periods is that it has become easier to track the evolution of marijuana usage.

Official statistics from the Cannabis Regulation and Control Institute (IRCCA) show that 54 percent of those who consume cannabis regularly do so through legal means, something that previously wasn't available to them.

Four types of marijuana are available in Uruguay, sold in five gram (0.18 ounces) packets costing $1.40 per gram. Registered users -- either citizens or foreign residents -- can buy up to 40 grams a month.

- Logistical difficulties -

It's not been entirely plain-sailing, though, logistically.

Story continues

There have been many challenges, from problems with harvests to banking system limitations imposed on companies working in the cannabis sector due to United States legislation.

But Uruguay has 7,000 registered cultivators, 107 cooperative production clubs, 28,500 registered buyers and 17 distributor pharmacies.

The banking restrictions, a fear of attracting crime due to the presence of drugs in stores, and the simple opposition of some pharmacists to the project has resulted in only a small number of pharmacies opting to sell marijuana.

But between July 2017 and July 2018, 100 percent of the 1,200 kilograms (2,645 pounds) of marijuana produced was sold to the public.

Buyers would even queue up outside pharmacies once stocks were replenished, alerted by the pharmacists themselves.

Production, though, is not satisfying demand, meaning some people continue buying the drug through illegal means, even when they would rather not.

"The priority is to increase the system's reach," sociologist Sebastian Aguiar says in his publication: "A year of advances and opportunities."

If every registered buyer could purchase the maximum allocation of 40 grams, "50 percent of the total annual demand for cannabis would be taken from the illegal market, equivalent to $22.5 million."

That's especially relevant since, when presenting his plan, Mujica said the legalization strategy was aimed at combatting illegal drug trafficking.

However, not everyone wants to encourage greater use of marijuana.

President Tabare Vazquez launched a campaign on October 1 called "Regulating is being responsible," which aims to provide education about "the risks, effects and potential damages" provoked by the use of cannabis.(Adds further details from court hearing, background on case, paragraphs 5-6, 9-15)

By Nate Raymond

BOSTON, Oct 16 (Reuters) - A former State Street Corp executive was sentenced on Tuesday to 18 months in prison after being convicted of taking part in a scheme to overcharge customers of the bank by applying secret commissions on billions of dollars' worth of trades.

Ross McLellan, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston after a federal jury in June found the one-time State Street executive vice president guilty of charges including conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud.

"The issue here is you can't lie," Sorokin said. "Truth matters. You can't tell people you're going to charge one thing and charge another."

Prosecutors had sought five years in prison, saying McLellan oversaw a scheme that defrauded institutional clients including Irish, British and Dutch pension funds and the Kuwait Investment Authority out of millions of dollars.

McLellan's lawyers sought a one-year prison sentence. In court, McLellan asked Sorokin for mercy, saying the case had hurt his family and ended his career.

"It pains me to be here," he said. "It is obviously an extremely difficult time for my family."

The case followed a 2014 settlement between State Street and the UK Financial Conduct Authority in which the bank paid a fine of 22.9 million pounds, or $38 million at the time, for charging six customers mark-ups on certain transactions.

In 2017, Boston-based State Street agreed to pay $64.6 million to resolve related U.S. criminal and civil investigations and entered a deferred prosecution agreement.

Story continues

Prosecutors said that from 2010 to 2011, McLellan with others conspired to add secret commissions to trades made for six customers using the bank's "transition management" business.

The service helps large institutional clients like pension funds move investments between and among asset managers or liquidate large investment portfolios. The goal is minimizing costs of transitioning the investments.

Two former State Street executives, Edward Pennings and Richard Boomgaardt, pleaded guilty to participating in the scheme and testified against McLellan at his trial.

Boomgaardt was sentenced to probation in July. Pennings has yet to be sentenced.

Prosecutors also claimed McLellan defrauded a unit of insurance company AXA SA by applying hidden fees to trades conducted on its behalf. Jurors acquitted McLellan on that charge.

Another ex-State Street employee, Kevin Walker, was also charged over the AXA scheme.

Walker entered into a non-prosecution agreement in September and agreed to not work with any broker for five years. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by David Gregorio)By Alastair Macdonald

BRUSSELS, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Failure to agree a "backstop" mechanism on Northern Ireland's land border with the European Union has thwarted hopes of a Brexit deal this week. This is what it is and why it matters:

BOTH SIDES WANT TO AVOID A "HARD BORDER" - WHAT'S THAT?

In 1998, Britain and Ireland made the Good Friday agreement to end 30 years of violence in Northern Ireland over whether it should stay British or join the Irish republic to the south. That ended controls along the 500-km (300-mile) land border and set up all-Ireland rules and institutions that make Northern Ireland special within the United Kingdom. Brexit means the north also leaving the EU, possible new checks along the border and different trade rules that could inflame tensions once more.

SO THE SOLUTION IS...?

British Prime Minister Theresa May says a special customs and trade arrangement with the EU, to be negotiated during a 20-month status-quo transition period, will ensure seamless borders between the whole of the United Kingdom and EU -- so there will be no need for intrusive checks on goods at the Irish border.

THAT SOUNDS FAIR - SO WHAT'S THE CATCH?

The Irish government, backed by the rest of the EU, wants an insurance policy in case those future trade talks fail.

AND THAT INSURANCE POLICY IS WHAT?

Early this year, EU negotiator Michel Barnier proposed that, if a better solution involving the whole UK is not found before the end of transition in 2020, Northern Ireland alone would effectively remain in the EU economic space "unless and until" there is a better solution.

Story continues

BUT BRITAIN OBJECTS, RIGHT?

Yes. May and her vital allies in a pro-British Belfast party reject any trade barriers between two parts of the UK. Northern Irish unionists fear it would push the province toward a merger with the republic. Britain suggested applying a backstop customs deal to the mainland too. Brussels dismissed that as a dodge to get British goods into the single market by a back door.

SO WHAT HAPPENED AT THE WEEKEND?

EU negotiators tried to take the sting out of the backstop by stressing it might never be triggered, checks on intra-UK trade would be discreet and transition could be extended by a year to Dec. 31, 2021 to give more time to clinch an EU-UK trade deal which would keep the Irish border fully open anyway.

British negotiators insisted that a permanent EU-UK customs arrangement was the answer -- a position EU officials see as keeping the UK in the EU customs union but using a different name because May and many of her allies have ruled that out.

The EU response was that such a customs union is possible but it can only be negotiated and agreed after Brexit and in any case not in the next few weeks -- hence the EU demand that a legally binding backstop in the withdrawal treaty must remain.

Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab flew in to confirm the impasse with EU negotiator Michel Barnier on Sunday evening -- and also raised new problems that EU negotiators thought were settled.

AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

May is sounding out her allies ahead of a trip to Brussels from Wednesday to Friday for summits with EU and Asian EU ministers meet in Luxembourg on Tuesday to prepare the agenda for a dinner of the other 27 EU leaders in Brussels on Wednesday. leaders. Barnier will brief them and the leaders, also taking account of any new signals from May, will take a view on how best to proceed on Brexit -- notably on whether to step up talks on future EU-UK trade and on whether to step up preparations for a "no deal".

Further talks on future relations, intended to agree a non-binding declaration of intent to accompany the Brexit treaty, had been conditional on progress on the withdrawal agreement. Some states, notably France, are arguing that May must be put under more pressure at the summit to drop her objections. (Editing by Robin Pomeroy)Paul Clement of Kirkland & Ellis.



The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday denied review in a closely watched pair of cases brought by major corporations challenging liability under California nuisance law for their long-ago promotion of lead pigments in house paints.



The cases, ConAgra Grocery Products v. California and The Sherwin-Williams Company v. California, seemed like possible cert grants in part because they raised free speech issues. The companies claimed that California imposed millions of dollars in damages because of their advertising and promotion decades ago.



The linchpin for imposing this massive liability was petitioners speech, not their paint, wrote Kirkland & Ellis partner Paul Clement, counsel of record for ConAgra in the case.



Santa Clara County launched the litigation in 2000, resulting in a $1.15 billion judgment against the companies for endangering the states residents through exposure to their products, which they promoted as safe as far back as 70 years ago Last November, California's Sixth District Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment but limited the abatement costs to homes built prior to 1951.



The defendants petitioned the California Supreme Court to overrule the decision, but the states high court declined in a Feb. 14 split decision. Sherwin-Williams and Conagra also backed a ballot initiative for this falla political move that two California counties tried to stop with a petition for writ of mandate before the California Supreme Court. The companies later dropped the proposal, which would have asked taxpayers for more than $2 billion.



Michael Carvin of Jones Day, counsel for Sherwin-Williams, said the cases highlighted runaway tort liability claims by states against companies. They are seeking to invent tort liability for companies that are producing products that for whatever reason they don't likefossil fuels, prescription drugs, guns and things like that, Carvin said in a news conference last month. They've designed tort liability theories to go after them in a way that avoids normal statutes of limitations and all kinds of normal tort defenses.



Sherwin-Williams said in a statement Monday:





Story continues

"While we are disappointed, the Supreme Court reviews very few cases. Its decision not to review is not a ruling on the merits of the important constitutional issues raised by defendants. Californias decision is an outlier and at odds with courts across the country which have correctly held that companies should not be held retroactively liable for lawful conduct and truthful commercial speech decades after they took place."





A U.S. Chamber of Commerce brief on behalf of the companies also stated: Just in the last twelve months, in federal courts alone, at least 80 new public nuisance cases of this sort have been filed by states and other government entities against American businesses, all seeking to impose sweeping liability based on similarly novel theories. The brief also said: The recent avalanche of public nuisance claims under the new California doctrine will bury American business in even greater litigation costs and burdens. King & Spaldings Jeffrey Bucholtz is counsel of record in the brief.



Michael Rubin of Altshuler Berzon, lawyer for 10 California county counsel and city attorneys, told the high court that petitioners alarmist predictions about the future of public-nuisance litigation are also overblown, as the lower courts conscientiously applied long-standing public nuisance statutes that codified common law principles dating back centuries.







Read more:



Lead Paint Companies Were 'Stuck With the Bill,' Says SCOTUS Briefs



Awaiting a Ninth Justice, Supreme Court Tinkers With Its DocketVANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Candelaria Mining Corp. (TSXV:CAND, OTC PINK:CDELF) (the Company) has filed a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report regarding the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for its Pinos Gold Project (Pinos), which was announced on September 13, 2018. The Pinos project is located at 140 kilometers east of the capital Zacatecas in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico. The project is district scale consisting of twenty-nine contiguous mining claims and covering 3,816 hectares, with easy access to infrastructure, labour and supplies.



The technical report is available for download on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Companys website at www.candelariamining.com .

Technical Information

Mineral resources referenced herein are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral resource estimates do not account for mineability, selectivity, and mining loss but do include a dilution factor of 10%. The mineral resource estimates include inferred mineral resources that are normally considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is also no certainty that these inferred mineral resources will be converted to measured and indicated categories through further drilling, or into mineral reserves, once economic considerations are applied.

The Company cautions that a PEA is preliminary in nature and that it relies upon mineral resource estimates which have the considerations noted above applied to them. There is no certainty that the PEA will be realized or that any of the resources will ever be upgraded to reserves.

Mr. Jose Antonio Olmedo, Eng. Geol. MSc. is an Independent Consultant, located in Mexico City, Mexico, who is an Independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and the lead person responsible for completing the Pinos resource has reviewed this press release as it relates to the Pinos project.

Mr. David Salari, P.Eng. of DENM Engineering Ltd. located in Oakville , Ontario, Canada, who is an Independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and the lead person responsible for reviewing the metallurgical work for the Pinos resource has reviewed this press release as it relates to the Pinos project and has overseen the metallurgical and recovery methods and infrastructure.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Curtis Turner

Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

Email: info@candelariamining.com

Phone: 604-349-5992

Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC)

Preparation and assaying of samples from Candelaria's Pinos project are done with strict adherence to a Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) protocol. The custody of the samples are in charge of ALS Minerals from project to the ALS Minerals' preparation facility in Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico. Quality-control (QC) samples are inserted in the sample stream every 20 samples. QC samples include standards and blanks. Sampling analysis certificates, halved drill cores, chip samples and rejects are stored for future checking and control purposes.

About Candelaria Mining

Candelaria Mining is a Canadian-based gold development and exploration company with a portfolio of highly prospective projects in Mexico, one of the worlds best mining jurisdictions. Candelarias 100% owned Caballo Blanco Project hosts NI 43-101 Indicated Resources of 521,000 ounces of gold and 2,170,000 ounces of silver (31,220,000 tonnes grading 0.52 g/t gold and 2.16 g/t silver) and Inferred Resources of 95,000 ounces of gold and 590,000 ounces of silver (8,630,000 tonnes grading 0.34 g/t gold and 2.14 g/t silver). Potential exists to increase these estimated resources through continued drilling and exploration. For more information on resource estimates, please see the Companys website, www.candelariamining.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Candelaria Mining Corp. (Candelaria or Candelaria Mining). Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to estimation of mineral resources at mineral projects of Candelaria; the realization of mineral reserve estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; economics of production; success of exploration activities; estimated production and mine life of the various mineral projects of Candelaria; the future price of gold and silver; synergies and financial impact of completed acquisitions; the benefits of the development potential of the properties of Candelaria and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to Candelaria, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as plan, expect, project, intend, believe, anticipate, estimate and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions may or will occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Candelaria and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct.

Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include variations in metal grades, changes in market conditions, variations in recovery rates, risks relating to international operations, fluctuating metal prices and currency exchange rates, changes in project parameters, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated.

These factors are discussed in greater detail in Candelaria's most recent Management Discussion and Analysis filed on SEDAR, which also provide additional general assumptions in connection with these statements. Candelaria cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. Candelaria believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Candelaria undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or managements estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws.

Although Candelaria has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Statements concerning mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed.ISTANBUL (AP)  The latest on the disappearance of a Saudi writer who Turkish officials fear was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul (all times local):

6:30 a.m.

The International Monetary Fund says its managing director Christine Lagarde is deferring her trip to the Middle East. A brief statement by an unnamed IMF spokesman Wednesday did not elaborate.

Lagarde had said earlier during the IMF and World Bank's annual meeting in Bali, Indonesia, last week that she was "horrified" by the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi but still intended to attend an investment conference in Saudi Arabia later in the month.

She told reporters, "I have to conduct the business of the IMF in all corners of the world and with many governments. When I visit a country I always speak my mind. You know me I always do."

Turkish officials have said there's evidence the U.S.-based writer for The Washington Post was killed and dismembered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

___

2:25 a.m.

Foreign ministers from the G-7 group of industrialized nations say they are very troubled by the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and say those responsible must be held to account.

The statement from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and United States as well as the European Union affirms their commitment to defending freedom of expression and protection of a free press.

The statement issued Tuesday says they encourage Turkish-Saudi collaboration and look forward to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conducting a thorough, credible, transparent and prompt investigation.

Turkish officials have said there is evidence that the U.S.-based Khashoggi was killed and dismembered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Saudi Arabia has called the allegations "baseless."

Story continues

___

12:50 a.m.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Saudi Arabia has made a "serious commitment" to hold senior leaders and officials accountable in the case of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Pompeo was in Saudi Arabia for meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He offered his assessment after talks with the Saudi leadership and said the crown prince again denied any knowledge of what happened to Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Turkish officials say there is evidence that the U.S.-based writer for The Washington Post was killed and dismembered at the consulate.

Saudi Arabia has called the allegations "baseless." Pompeo's statement said the Saudis acknowledged that something had happened to Khashoggi but were not specific.

___

11:40 p.m.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions says "serious evaluation" is being given over whether U.S. law enforcement officials will aid in the investigation of the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

But Sessions said at an unrelated news conference on Tuesday that he would not comment further on the matter.

Sessions also declined to say whether he had any concerns over the current investigation.

President Donald Trump said Saudi Arabia's crown prince denied knowledge of what happened to Khashoggi, who went missing after visiting the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

Khashoggi had written columns for the Washington Post that were critical of the crown prince.

Sessions said there is "an unacceptable trend" of journalists being killed across the world.

___

10:45 p.m.

Iraq's populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is accusing President Donald Trump of feigning concern over the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi while ignoring other forms of injustice.

Al-Sadr called Trump a "Pharaoh" and "tyrant" who speaks out about injustice when it suits him.

The message, published by his office Tuesday, appeared critical of Saudi Arabia as well, at a time when Iraq's politicians are finding themselves courted by the Gulf state and its rival, Iran.

Iraq is in the process of forming a new government after national elections last May.

Al-Sadr incorrectly identified Khashoggi as a U.S. national. He is Saudi journalist who was living in self-imposed exile in the United States, where he wrote opinion columns in the Washington Post that were critical of Saudi policies.

He went missing during a visit to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.

___

10:05 p.m.

The U.N. special investigator on torture says if Turkey and Saudi Arabia can't conduct "a credible and objective investigation" into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi then there may be a need for international involvement.

Nils Melzer told a news conference at U.N. headquarters in New York that "we should give the involved states time, and under proper scrutiny, to come to a conclusion that they want to address this problem."

But Melzer said if at a later stage "we can see that one of the involved states does not fulfill its international obligations in regard to being cooperative in investigating this case, then obviously it might be an occasion where I could intervene also publicly and call on the involved states to fulfill their obligations."

Jens Modvig, chair of the committee that monitors implementation of the U.N. convention against torture, said both Saudi Arabia and Turkey have ratified it.

He said the committee considered a report from Saudi Arabia in 2016, and that one concern it raised "is whether human rights defenders and journalists can operate freely or whether they risk scrutiny or reprisals for their legitimate actions."

Modvig said the committee follows up on recommendations but he couldn't say whether it would look into the Khashoggi case.

___

10 p.m.

President Donald Trump says Saudi Arabia's crown prince is denying knowledge of what happened to a Saudi journalist who went missing after visiting the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, saying answers will be coming "shortly."

Trump tweeted Tuesday after a phone call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the fate of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, who was last seen entering a Saudi consulate in Turkey Oct. 2. Khashoggi had written columns for the Washington Post that were critical of the crown prince.

Trump said the Saudi heir to the throne "totally denied any knowledge of what took place in their Turkish Consulate."

He adds that the crown prince "told me that he has already started, and will rapidly expand, a full and complete investigation into this matter. Answers will be forthcoming shortly."

A high-level Turkish official told The Associated Press Tuesday that police searching the Saudi Consulate found evidence that Khashoggi was killed there.

___

9:30 p.m.

Turkey's ruling party says a "whitewash" of the investigation into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is out of the question.

Justice and Development Party spokesman Omer Celik said Tuesday that Turkey was determined to shed light on what happened to Khashoggi, who went missing after he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago.

Celik told reporters: "Our priority is to find out what happened, how it happened and who did it."

A high-level Turkish official told the Associated Press earlier Tuesday that Turkish police have found "certain evidence" showing that the journalist was killed inside the consulate. The official said the evidence was recovered during the hourslong search of the diplomatic mission that ended early Tuesday.

Police were expected to also search the nearby home of the Saudi consul, who left Istanbul for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Asked about the departure, Celik said Turkish authorities could not prevent him from leaving because of his diplomatic immunity.

___

6 p.m.

Turkey's state-run news agency says the Saudi consul to Istanbul has left for Saudi Arabia, hours after Turkey said his official residence would be searched in connection with a Saudi writer's disappearance.

The Anadolu news agency reported Tuesday that Consul Mohammed al-Otaibi flew out of the country on a 2 p.m. flight.

Saudi Arabia had no immediate comment on his departure.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry says police will search his official residence and vehicles belonging to the consulate. Authorities have offered no timeframe for those searches.

Turkish forensic teams finished a search of the Saudi Consulate early Tuesday, two weeks after Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi vanished. Turkish officials fear Saudi agents killed him in the consulate and disposed of his body.

Saudi Arabia previously called the allegation "baseless," but U.S. media reports suggest the Saudis may acknowledge Khashoggi was killed there, perhaps as part of a botched interrogation.

___

5 p.m.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham says he believes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had a U.S.-based journalist "murdered" in the Saudi consulate in Turkey and has "tainted" his country as a result.

The influential Republican and ally of President Donald Trump says the crown prince "has got to go." Graham says he will not return to Saudi Arabia while the prince is in power.

Graham says he has been the "biggest defender" of the kingdom, but that he now plans to "sanction the hell out of Saudi Arabia."

The senator spoke Tuesday on "Fox & Friends." He cited published reports that Prince Mohammed had approved an interrogation or rendition of Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia, and that an intelligence official who was a friend of the crown prince had killed the journalist.

Khashoggi vanished after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.

Turkey has said it fears Khashoggi was killed by a Saudi hit team. Saudi Arabia has denied that, but published reports have said the kingdom may be preparing to acknowledge killing the journalist during an interrogation gone wrong.

___

4:45 p.m.

A high-level Turkish official says police have found "certain evidence" during their search of the Saudi Consulate showing that Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi was killed there.

The official did not provide details on the evidence that was recovered during the hourslong search at the diplomatic mission that ended early Tuesday.

The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation.

Turkish officials say Saudi agents killed and dismembered the writer at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Saudi Arabia previously called the allegation "baseless," but U.S. media reports suggest the Saudis may soon acknowledge Khashoggi was killed there, perhaps as part of a botched interrogation.

 Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey

___

4 p.m.

Turkey's foreign minister says consulates shouldn't be places where people are interrogated.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also said on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia hadn't offered any confession to Turkey over its alleged involvement in the disappearance and feared slaying of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

Asked about a New York Times report that Saudi Arabia might say Khashoggi was killed in an interrogation gone wrong, the minister said: "We have not received such information."

He added: "Consulates aren't places to hold interrogations. Interrogations should take place in courts, (by) judiciary authorities."

The minister also confirmed that Turkish authorities would search the Saudi consul's residence in Istanbul and vehicles belonging to the consulate. He offered no timeframe for those searches.

Turkish forensic teams finished a search of the Saudi Consulate early Tuesday, two weeks after Khashoggi vanished. It was not clear if any significant evidence has been found.

___

3:10 p.m.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the disappearance and alleged slaying of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

Prince Mohammed said during the meeting on Tuesday: "We are strong and old allies. We face our challenges together  the past, the day of, tomorrow."

Pompeo thanked Prince Mohammed for hosting him.

The meeting came two weeks after the disappearance of Khashoggi, who went into a self-imposed exile in the United States amid Prince Mohammed's rise.

Turkish officials fear Saudi officials killed and dismembered the writer at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Saudi Arabia previously called the allegation "baseless," but reports suggest they may acknowledge Khashoggi was killed there.

___

3 p.m.

France's foreign minister is warning of possible "consequences" for the disappearance and suspected slaying of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

Jean-Yves Le Drian on Tuesday called the disappearance "extremely serious" and said France is pushing, with other countries, for "the greatest clarity on what took place."

He added that "if these alleged serious actions were committed, there should be consequences."

Le Drian said he discussed the case Tuesday with the visiting foreign minister of Germany, Heiko Maas.

___

1:50 p.m.

The U.N. human rights office is calling for the immediate and "absolute" lifting of diplomatic immunity enjoyed by any officials or premises in the investigation into the disappearance and suspected slaying of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

U.N. rights chief Michelle Bachelet said the "inviolability or immunity" of people or premises granted under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations "should be waived immediately."

She said Tuesday the "onus is on the Saudi authorities" to reveal what happened, and insisted "no further obstacles" should be placed in the way of a quick, thorough, impartial and transparent investigation.

Bachelet stopped short of calling for an international investigation.

Rights office spokesman Rupert Colville said "we hope the lifting of immunity is absolute" and that "investigators need to be able to investigate everything they may wish."

___

1:30 p.m.

Turkish media are quoting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying police investigators have searched for traces of "toxic materials" at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul where Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared two weeks ago.

NTV television says Erdogan made the comments to a group of journalists on Tuesday.

Turkish officials believe Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the consulate. Saudi Arabia previously called the allegation "baseless," but reports suggest they may acknowledge Khashoggi was killed there.

Turkish forensic investigators searched the consulate overnight. A Turkish official said on Tuesday the top Saudi diplomat's residence in Istanbul would also be searched.

State-run Anadolu Agency quoted Erdogan as saying Turkey wished a "result that allows us to reach an opinion" as to what happened to the journalist.

___

12:30 p.m.

A Turkish Foreign Ministry official says Turkish authorities will search the residence of the top Saudi diplomat in Istanbul over missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance.

The official did not say when the search of the consul's home would take place. The official spoke on Tuesday on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations.

Khashoggi disappeared two weeks ago on a visit to the consulate. Turkish officials fear Saudi officials killed and dismembered the writer inside the mission. Saudi Arabia previously called the allegation "baseless," but reports suggest they may acknowledge Khashoggi was killed there.

Overnight, Turkish forensic teams searched the consulate building in Istanbul where Khashoggi was last seen entering. Turkish officials have not said if any significant evidence was found.

Surveillance footage leaked in Turkish media shows vehicles moving between the consulate and the consul's home after Khashoggi's disappearance.

Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey;

___

12:05 p.m.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is meeting now with Saudi King Salman over the disappearance of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

Pompeo arrived at a royal palace in Riyadh on Tuesday. The king greeted Pompeo by saying: "I hope you are comfortable here."

Pompeo responded: "Thank you for accepting my visit on behalf of President (Donald) Trump."

Pompeo is to also meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom Khashoggi wrote critically about in The Washington Post and whose rise in power saw the writer go into a self-imposed exile in the U.S.

Khashoggi disappeared two weeks ago at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Turkey fears Khashoggi was killed and dismembered at the consulate. Saudi Arabia previously called the allegation "baseless," but reports suggest the kingdom may soon acknowledge the writer was killed there.

___

11:45 a.m.

The United Nations' high commissioner for human rights is urging Saudi Arabia and Turkey to "reveal everything they know about the disappearance and possible extrajudicial killing" of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

Michelle Bachelet made the comment on Tuesday as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Saudi Arabia to talk to King Salman about Khashoggi's disappearance.

Meanwhile, Turkish forensic investigators overnight searched the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, where Khashoggi disappeared Oct. 2.

Bachelet said: "Given there seems to be clear evidence that Mr. Khashoggi entered the consulate and has never been seen since, the onus is on the Saudi authorities to reveal what happened to him from that point onwards."

___

9:55 a.m.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has arrived in Saudi Arabia to meet with King Salman over the disappearance and alleged slaying of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

Pompeo landed on Tuesday morning in Riyadh and was to immediately meet the king over the crisis surrounding Khashoggi, who disappeared two weeks ago on a visit to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

Turkish officials say they fear Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the consulate. Saudi officials previously have called the allegations "baseless," but reports in U.S. media on Tuesday suggested the kingdom may acknowledge the writer was killed there.

___

7:20 a.m.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is on his way to Saudi Arabia to speak to its king over the disappearance and alleged slaying of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

Pompeo was in the air when a Turkish police forensics team wrapped up its hourslong search of the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul early Tuesday morning.

Khashoggi vanished on a visit to the consulate two weeks ago. Turkish officials fear he was killed and dismembered. Saudi Arabia has called those allegations "baseless," but has been unable to explain what happened to him.

Reports overnight by U.S. media suggest Saudi Arabia soon may concede Khashoggi was killed at the consulate in an interrogation.

The kingdom has not responded to repeated requests for comment from The Associated Press.(Adds further details on complaint, comment from Eli Lilly and Sanofi)

By Nate Raymond

Oct 16 (Reuters) - Minnesota's attorney general on Tuesday filed a lawsuit accusing drug manufacturers Sanofi SA, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Co of deceptively raising prices for insulin.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Trenton, New Jersey, Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson took aim at the companies after the list price for some insulin products more than tripled since 2002.

The lawsuit alleged that companies fraudulently set artificially high list price for their products while offering rebates to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in exchange for them covering the drug on behalf of health plans.

PBMs negotiate drug prices for employers and health plans and typically demand hefty discounts off list price from drugmakers in exchange including the medicines on their preferred formularies.

The lawsuit contended that the list prices the drug companies set were so far from those net prices that they did not accurately approximate the true cost of insulin and were deceptive and misleading.

The practice made insulin less affordable for diabetes patients in high deductible health plans, the uninsured and senior citizens covered by the government Medicare healthcare program, the suit contended.

"Many people cant afford the price hikes but cant afford to stop taking the medication either," Swanson said in a statement.

Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk in a statement said it was "committed to ethics and compliance in how we support patients." French drugmaker Sanofi and Indianapolis-based Lilly in separate statements said they believed the case was without merit.

Story continues

The lawsuit comes amid continued concerns about rising U.S. drug costs, particularly for insulin, a hormone needed by many people with diabetes to control blood sugar levels.

Swanson's lawsuit marked the first by a state to target pricing practices of insulin manufacturers. The case was filed in New Jersey, where a similar proposed class action lawsuit is pending.

Two other states, Washington and New Mexico, have been conducting similar investigations, according to Novo Nordisk.

Novo's insulin products include Levemir, whose cost according to Swanson has risen from $120.64 per vial in 2012 to $293.75 in 2018. There have been similar price hikes for Lilly's HumaLog and Sanofi's Lantus, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction preventing the companies from disseminating misleading list prices for insulin products. It also seeks damages for Minnesota residents who paid out-of-pocket for their insulin.

But it comes a day after the U.S. government said it would propose requiring drugmakers to include the list price of prescription medicines in television commercials.

The case is State of Minnesota v. Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC, et al, U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, No. 18-cv-14999. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by David Gregorio and Bill Berkrot)United States Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin speaks during an interview with Reuters at the International Monetary Fund - World Bank Annual Meeting 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, October 12, 2018. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo

By David Lawder and Leika Kihara

NUSA DUA, Indonesia (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday that Washington wants to include a provision to deter currency manipulation in future trade deals, including with Japan, based on the currency chapter in the new deal to revamp NAFTA.

The remark drew concern in Japan, where local media ran front-page stories questioning whether this would give Washington the right to label as currency manipulation any future foreign exchange market interventions by Tokyo to keep sharp yen rises in check.

The yen is often regarded as a "safe-haven" currency in Asia, attracting capital inflows during times of market distress that can spike its value for short periods, hurting exports.

Mnuchin told reporters at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings in Bali that Washington views the currency chapter in the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) as a model for future trade deals to deter trading partners from currency manipulation.

"Our objective would be that the currency issues ... We'd like to include (them) in future trade agreements. With everybody. I'm not singling out Japan on that," Mnuchin said, when asked whether the United States will discuss currencies in trade negotiations with Japan.

"We haven't had specific conversations on that. We obviously continually have conversations with my counterparts about currency. But that is the model we'd like to incorporate going forward," he said.

Mnuchin has criticized China for recent declines in the yuan's value, and said Washington also wants to make currency issues a central part of any talks to resolve the U.S.-China trade conflict.

Story continues

Japan's Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who oversees trade talks with the United States, said on Sunday he had so far made no discussions on currencies with his counterpart, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.

"If discussions on this subject become necessary, they will be made by the finance ministers of both countries," Motegi said in a television program, in response to Mnuchin's remark.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed in September to start trade talks in an arrangement that, for now, protects Japanese automakers from further tariffs.

Along with fears of being slapped with higher tariffs on its auto exports to the United States, Japan worries about having its hands tied on addressing sharp yen rises that hurts its export-reliant economy.

Trump in the past has criticized the Bank of Japan's ultra-easy monetary policy, saying it was aimed at weakening the yen, a claim the central bank dismisses.

NEW NAFTA CURRENCY CHAPTER

Democrats in the U.S. Congress have long called for enforceable currency provisions in trade deals and were disappointed in 2015 when one was not included in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, which President Donald Trump abandoned last year.

In the Sept 30 deal to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement, the United States, Canada and Mexico agreed to "avoid manipulating exchange rates or the international monetary system in order to prevent effective balance of payments adjustment or to gain an unfair competitive advantage."

The United States has not complained about Canada's and Mexico's free-floating currencies, but sought the chapter to deter manipulation in future trade deals.

The USMCA requires the three countries to disclose monthly data on international reserve balances and intervention in foreign exchange markets, along with quarterly balance-of-payments data and other public reporting to the International Monetary Fund.

Each of the three countries will be represented on a monetary committee that will meet at least annually to monitor the chapter's implementation. If one party believes another is in violation of the pact, it can initiate bilateral consultations and the IMF can be invited to mediate disagreements.

Ultimately, they can turn to the USMCA's country-to-country dispute resolution mechanism if the dispute cannot be resolved bilaterally.

(Additional reporting by Kazuhiko Tamaki in Tokyo; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)Chevron (CVX) is selling its interests in Norway, while Petrobras (PBR) entered into a strategic joint venture with Murphy Oil Corporation (MUR) in the Gulf of Mexico.

It was a week where oil prices took a hit but natural gas futures rallied to their highest levels since January.

On the news front, Chevron CVX is selling its interests in Norway, while Petrobras PBR entered into a strategic joint venture with Murphy Oil Corporation MUR in the Gulf of Mexico.

Overall, it was a mixed week for the sector. While West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell about 4% to close at $71.34 per barrel, natural gas prices edged up 0.6% to $3.161 per million Btu (MMBtu). (See the last Oil & Gas Stock Roundup here: Drilling Industry Enjoys M&A Boom)

The U.S. crude benchmark dropped for the first time in five weeks after the Energy Department's inventory release showed that stockpiles recorded another large build. On a further bearish note, OPEC and Russian oil output rose in September that more than offset the loss in Iranian output. Surging production in the United States and a cut in oil demand growth forecast also played spoilsport.

Meanwhile, natural gas jumped to its highest in nearly nine months as inventories remain significantly below their five-year average ahead of the upcoming winter.

Recap of the Weeks Most Important Stories

1. Chevronis set to sell its last stake in the oil exploration license offshore Norway, becoming the first oil supermajor to exit the Norwegian continental shelf. The company will offload its 20% interest in the PL859 exploration license in Norways Arctic to a Norwegian company DNO. The financial terms of the transaction have been still kept under wraps. Subject to satisfactory conditions and regulatory approvals, the deal is set for closure in a few months.

The deal brings Chevron a step closer to its intention of withdrawing from the aging North Sea, in a bid to streamline portfolio. The move is part of the Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) companys strategic review of global portfolio to determine the competitiveness of all its projects. The decision seems to be a prudent one, as extracting oil from North Sea is not so economical since production costs are much higher than returns. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Story continues

Notably, output from North Sea accounts for just about 3% of Chevrons total production, providing around 50,000 barrels of oil and 155 million cubic feet of natural gas a day. (Read more Chevron Bids Adieu to Norway Amid Wider Exodus From North Sea)

2. Petrobras and Murphy Oil Corporation have entered into a joint venture (JV) agreement for deep-water oil exploration operations in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). The JV will comprise GoM producing assets from both Murphy Oil and Petrobrass subsidiary PAI. The transaction, with an effective date of Oct 1, is expected to close by the end of this year. Murphy Oil will be the chief operator of the JV, with 80% stake.

The deal is expected to boost Murphy Oils production in the GoM by 41,000 net barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boe/d). Post the completion of the deal, Murphy Oils total output is likely to be approximately 60,000 net barrels. The JV will help Murphy Oil collaborate with the global leader in deep-water developments, leading to shareholder value creation and robust cash flow generation for the company.

Murphy Oil will be paying $900 million in cash to PAI for the formation of the JV. Additionally, Petrobras can earn $150 million if certain price and output limits exceed in the time frame of 2019-2025. On the other hand, the cash consideration is likely to strengthen the balance sheet of Petrobras. (Read more Petrobras and Murphy Oil Form JV for GoM Operations)

3. Nine Energy Service, Inc. NINE agreed to acquire Magnum Oil Tools International, LTD, for roughly $493 million. The transaction comprises cash consideration of approximately $334 million along with stock consideration of 5 million Nine Energy shares. the cash transaction will likely be financed by Nine Energy  an oilfield services firm  through note offerings, cash balances along with borrowings under new credit facility.

The acquisition reflects Nine Energys intention of gaining access to premium equipment or downhole tools of Magnum that are utilized for more efficiently drilling oil and natural gas wells as well as for well completion activities.

Notably, Nine Energy believes that the acquisition will likely place it advantageously in shale resources, especially Permian basin, where there is a constraint in labor supply.

4. Cabot Oil and Gas Corporation COG recently trimmed its daily production growth forecast for 2018 to 7-8% from its prior guided range of 10-12%. This revised guidance reflects the impact of lower-than-expected production in the third quarter.

Notably, during the last reported quarter, Cabot announced that it anticipated net production in the range of 2,100-2,200 million cubic feet equivalent a day (MMcfe/d) for the third quarter. However, it recently issued a statement, expecting its output for the third quarter to stand lower at 2,029 MMcfe/d. Delays in the in-service date of Atlantic Sunrise pipeline project  chiefly operated by Williams Companies  along with slight changes in the timing of pads being placed on production in the third quarter are mainly responsible for lower-than-expected output.

However, the expected production of 2,029 MMcfe/d still represents 7% and 19% increase on a sequential and yearly basis, respectively. (Read more Cabot Slashes Output Guidance, Provides Other Updates)

5. Baker Hughes, a GE company BHGE plans to buy 5% stake in Abu Dhabi National Oil Companys (ADNOC) drilling business for $550 million. The strategic partnership makes Baker Hughes the first foreign company to buy interest in the UAE-based state-run energy companys any of the units. The move is expected to enhance Baker Hughes presence in Middle East, where oil and gas operations are rapidly increasing, and entitle it to secure a seat in the Board of Directors of ADNOC Drilling.

The deal values ADNOC Drilling at $11 billion and provides it access to the technical expertise of Baker Hughes, which can aid in making the former an international player. The knowledge that ADNOC will gain from Baker Hughes will enable it to increase drilling efficiencies and well economics, as well as unlock greater value from its conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources.

The deal is anticipated to aid Baker Hughes to generate predictable revenue streams for a long term from operations in the Middle East. The partnership is expected to slash ADNOCs drilling time by 30% within 2019-end. The deal is expected to close in the final quarter of this year and operations will likely start next year. (Read more Baker Hughes to Acquire Stake in ADNOC Through $500M Deal)

Price Performance

The following table shows the price movement of some the major oil and gas players over the past week and during the last 6 months.

Company Last Week Last 6 Months XOM -4.6% +2.9% CVX -6% -3.1% COP -5.4% +10.2% OXY -5.5% -12.6% SLB -5.8% -13.1% RIG -3.4% +11.3% VLO -7.6% -1.6% MPC -5.2% +0.4%

Reflecting the weeks bearish oil market sentiment, the Energy Select Sector SPDR  a popular way to track energy companies  generated a -5.4% return last week. The worst performer was oil refiner and marketer Valero Energy Corporation VLO whose stock fell 7.6%.

Longer-term, over six months, the sector tracker is essentially unchanged.

Whats Next in the Energy World?

As usual, market participants will be closely tracking the regular releases i.e. the U.S. government statistics on oil and natural gas - one of the few solid indicators that comes out regularly. Energy traders will also be focusing on the Baker Hughes data on rig count.

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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment ResearchTULSA, OK, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Laredo Petroleum, Inc. (NYSE: LPI) ("Laredo" or the "Company") will host a conference call on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 to discuss its third-quarter 2018 financial and operating results. The Company also announces preliminary results for its commodity derivatives for third-quarter 2018 and its basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding.



Third-Quarter 2018 Earnings Conference Call

Laredo plans to release third-quarter 2018 earnings on Monday, November 5, 2018 after the market close and the Company will host a conference call on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 7:30 a.m. CT (8:30 a.m. ET) to discuss its third-quarter 2018 financial and operating results. Individuals who would like to participate on the call should dial 877.930.8286 (international dial-in 253.336.8309), using conference code 4686158 or listen to the call via the Company's website at www.laredopetro.com, under the tab for "Investor Relations." A telephonic replay will be available approximately two hours after the call on November 6, 2018 through Tuesday, November 13, 2018. Participants may access this replay by dialing 855.859.2056, using conference code 4686158.

Commodity Derivatives Update

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, Laredo expects to report a loss on derivatives of approximately $32.2 million, including approximately $9.3 million net cash paid on settlements of matured derivatives and premiums paid. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, Laredo expects to report a loss on derivatives of approximately $69.2 million, including approximately $20.9 million net cash paid on settlements of matured derivatives and premiums paid.

Laredo records all derivatives on its balance sheet as either assets or liabilities measured at their estimated fair value. Laredo has not designated any derivatives as hedges for accounting purposes and Laredo does not enter into such instruments for speculative trading purposes. Gain (loss) on derivatives is reported under "Non-operating income (expense)" in Laredo's consolidated statement of operations.

Laredo maintains a disciplined hedging program to reduce the variability in its anticipated cash flow due to fluctuations in commodity prices or their relationship to the markets in which the Company's products are sold. The Company evaluates its hedging needs on an ongoing basis and regularly increases hedge positions based on future production expectations.

Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding were approximately 230.605 million and 231.639 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding were approximately 233.228 million and 234.207 million, respectively.

About Laredo

Laredo Petroleum, Inc. is an independent energy company with headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Laredo's business strategy is focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties, and the transportation of oil and natural gas from such properties, primarily in the Permian Basin in West Texas.

Additional information about Laredo may be found on its website at www.laredopetro.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any oral statements made regarding the subject of this release contain forward-looking statements as defined under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities that Laredo assumes, plans, expects, believes, intends, projects, estimates or anticipates (and other similar expressions) will, should or may occur in the future, including, but not limited to, the share repurchase program, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on management's current belief, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events.

General risks relating to Laredo include, but are not limited to, the decline in prices of oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas and the related impact to financial statements as a result of asset impairments and revisions to reserve estimates, the increase in service costs, hedging activities, possible impacts of pending or potential litigation, the suspension or discontinuance of share repurchases at any time and other factors, including those and other risks described in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and those set forth from time to time in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") including, but not limited to, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018. These documents are available through Laredo's website at www.laredopetro.com under the tab "Investor Relations" or through the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering and Analysis Retrieval System at www.sec.gov . Any of these factors could cause Laredo's actual results and plans to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, Laredo can give no assurance that its future results will be as estimated. Laredo does not intend to, and disclaims any obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statement.

Contacts:

Ron Hagood: (918) 858-5504 - RHagood@laredopetro.com

18-10Saudi Arabia could hike oil prices over the Khashoggi case. Here's why it would backfire

Fears are spreading that Saudi Arabia, amid the growing global outcry caused by the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, may hit back at potential economic sanctions by weaponizing its oil dominance.

A look at history and geopolitics suggests that while a Saudi-driven oil price spike would bring pain for much of the world, it would ultimately backfire on itself.

Turkish officials allege that Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and Washington Post contributor, was murdered on orders of the Saudi government. The Saudis have fiercely denied this claim.

Fears are spreading that Saudi Arabia in retaliation against the growing global outcry caused by the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi , may hit back at potential economic sanctions by weaponizing its oil dominance.

Saudi Arabia's not-so-veiled threat issued in a government statement Sunday emphasized its "vital role in the global economy" and that any action taken upon it will be met with "greater action". But as oil ticks upward, a look at history and geopolitics suggests that while a Saudi-driven oil price spike would bring pain for much of the world, it would ultimately backfire on itself.

"If this is something the Saudis were allowed to do, they'd be really shooting themselves in the foot," Warren Patterson, commodities analyst at ING, told CNBC's Squawk Box Europe on Tuesday. "In the short to medium term we'll definitely see an incremental amount of demand destruction, but the bigger issue is in the longer term."

Any action in withholding oil from the market, he said, "would only quicken the pace of energy transition."

The crisis began after Turkish officials alleged that Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and Washington Post contributor, was murdered on orders of the Saudi government after he was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. The Saudis have fiercely denied this claim, but have so far provided no evidence to the contrary, sparking furor in Congress, where momentum is building to impose sanctions on weapons imports to the kingdom. Media companies and corporate executives are pulling out of Saudi Arabia's annual investment conference , scheduled for late October, in droves.

Story continues

And Saudi markets are already feeling the impact  its benchmark Tadawul index tumbled 7 percent on Sunday, and fell 4 percent on opening trades Tuesday.

An incendiary op-ed published in Saudi news outlet Al Arabiya on Sunday threatened "economic disaster" if countries came down on Saudi Arabia over the Khashoggi case. "If the price of oil reaching $80 angered President Trump, no one should rule out the price jumping to $100, or $200, or even double that figure," the outlet's general manager Turki Aldakhil wrote.

Trump has already chastised the Saudis on Twitter for high oil prices, demanding they up production to bring prices down ahead of the November midterm elections.

As OPEC's largest producer and the force behind more than 10 percent of the world's crude demand, a Saudi move to withhold production would rock markets and send prices far above their current four-year highs. Brent crude recently broke $86 a barrel and prices initially rose Monday after the Saudi statement, though they backed down on news that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was being dispatched to Riyadh for talks.

A lesson from history

But the extraordinary move to place a stranglehold on oil markets  one not taken since the Arab oil embargo of 1973  would ultimately backfire on Saudi Arabia, leading many analysts to believe it's not a likely course of action.

"Riyadh would be hesitant to go down this route. While there would probably be a significant near-term boost to the Kingdom's oil income, pushing oil prices higher would only serve to rile President Trump," London-based research consultancy Capital Economics wrote in a client note Monday. "The Saudis are determined to remain close with Washington to preserve its 'anti-Iran' axis."

What's more, if history is any guide, oil embargoes are self-defeating. The 1973 oil embargo, imposed by Arab OPEC members on countries supporting Israel during that year's Yom Kippur war between Israel and several Arab states, quadrupled oil prices and led to shortages across the U.S. But it failed to diminish support for Israel and only spurred the development of alternative energy research and increased exploration in other markets.

"In addition," Capital Economics wrote, "higher oil prices would simply encourage other producers to raise output and grab market share from Saudi Arabia."

Oil price 'could easily hit $200'

With the already massive outages in the oil market resulting from Venezuela's collapsing economy and impending U.S. sanctions on Iranian exports, any Saudi move to curtail supplies would jolt prices upward.

This would also trigger demand destruction, particularly in large emerging market importers like India and East Asia, said Helima Croft, head of global commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets.

But the real cost, Croft emphasized, would be the U.S.-Saudi relationship. "This would raise the very real prospect of a host of U.S. sanctions and you would likely hear members of Congress questioning why we are spending so much money of providing a security guarantee for the country."

Still, the threat follows a series of aggressive foreign policy moves from Riyadh and the country's young and assertive crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman

In June of 2017, bin Salman led a region-wide blockade of Qatar , and last fall rounded up scores of Saudi royals and businessmen for detention in what he called a "corruption crackdown" but what critics allege may have involved torture. The Saudi government was later accused of kidnapping and detaining Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, and more recently set off a diplomatic spat with Canada over a tweet about human rights. So at this point, a combative backlash is not off the table.

"If the Saudis were to withhold supply from the market, the price oil could easily hit $200 (per barrel)," warned John Kilduff, founding partner at commodities investment firm Again Capital. "How high prices go would depend on the amount withheld. The Saudis have avoided using oil as a weapon, but, depending on how cornered Mohammed Bin Salman feels, anything is possible."

"I sense that this episode will be his Waterloo, which will only add to the rising security premium in oil prices."

As the market tightens with the loss of other major exporters, the stakes are only moving higher, he added. "A material loss of supply from Saudi Arabia could not be replaced."





More From CNBC

By Julie Gordon

GROUNDBIRCH, British Columbia, Oct 16 (Reuters) - At a massive natural gas field in northern British Columbia, Royal Dutch Shell Plc is using new technologies and processes to cut emissions to address public and environmental group concerns that Canada's nascent liquefied natural gas export industry could be a climate time bomb.

The Groundbirch project, perched above Canada's richest shale gas deposit some 1,110 kilometers (684 miles) northeast of Vancouver, includes four gas plants and 500 wells dotted over an area the size of New York City.

Shell has already slashed project emissions by moving its newest gas plant to hydro-electric power and replacing diesel with natural gas in drilling, and is now tackling methane with new electric components and a fuel cell trial.

There is a considerable body of research showing natural gas is far cleaner than coal, but only so long as methane emissions are contained. Methane is many times more potent than carbon dioxide, though the industry produces far less of it.

Groundbirch will eventually send gas hundreds of miles west to the Shell-led LNG Canada export terminal approved this month, where it will be cooled for exporting. LNG Canada is being touted as the world's cleanest major LNG plant.

LNG demand is booming, as countries like China swap out coal plants for gas in the battle against choking pollution. But environmental groups say exports will boost carbon emissions in Canada, both through gas extraction and the liquefaction process. They warn that this could derail British Columbia's pledge to cut greenhouse gases by 40 percent by 2030 and test Canada's vow to cut emissions nationwide by 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030.

Story continues

"There's no way to produce energy using gas without emissions," said Jens Wieting, a campaigner with Sierra Club BC. "Considering methane leakage, it's very difficult to make any statement that gas is any better than coal."

Methane, the main component in natural gas, is released into the atmosphere mostly from the venting of unburned gas and through leaks in gas infrastructure like wells or pipelines.

Estimates of the carbon impact of LNG Canada from wellhead to port vary; the British Columbia government pegs it at 3.45 million tonnes (Mt) per year, while environmental groups say it could be as high as 12 Mt. The province expects to cut emissions to about 40 Mt by 2030 and 13 Mt by 2050 from 61.6 Mt in 2015.

Gas from several Canadian producers will eventually feed LNG Canada, with roughly 40 percent coming from Shell's Groundbirch project.

Shell last month announced a plan to limit methane emissions at its assets around the world and is implementing a global methane monitoring program. Last year it set a goal of halving its global carbon emissions by 2050.

In Canada, Groundbirch's methane intensity, a measure of methane emitted compared to total volume of product produced, is 0.1 percent, already half the new 0.2 percent by 2025 target set by the Anglo-Dutch company.

MAKING CHANGES

At one of Groundbirch's newest well pads, two hulking trailers hold thermal electric generators that power the batteries that run the pad's equipment.

"They are efficient, but they do produce combustion emissions. So what we're looking at is finding new technology to replace that," said Chang Liu, a facilities engineer-in-training at Groundbirch.

The company is testing whether methanol fuel cells, which have no carbon emissions, could be used in the next generation of well pads, eliminating vented methane. For now, the latest generation of well pads use electric valve actuators, cutting methane emissions.

Such actions are a "fantastic" first step, said Duncan Kenyon of the Pembina Institute, an energy policy think-tank, but he said not all Canadian producers are following through on pledges to reduce emissions.

"What we need is regulations that lock some of these volunteer commitments in place," he said. (Reporting by Julie Gordon, Editing by David Gaffen and David Gregorio)ISTANBUL (AP)  Police searching the Saudi Consulate found evidence that Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi was killed there, a high-level Turkish official said Tuesday, and authorities appeared ready to also search the nearby residence of the consul general after the diplomat left the country.

The comment by the Turkish official to The Associated Press intensified pressure on Saudi Arabia to explain what happened to Khashoggi, who vanished Oct. 2 while visiting the consulate to pick up paperwork he needed to get married.

The crown prince "told me that he has already started, and will rapidly expand, a full and complete investigation into this matter. Answers will be forthcoming shortly," Trump said in a tweet.

The president later appeared to take a stronger stance in defense of Saudi Arabia, criticizing the global condemnation against the kingdom and comparing it to the allegations of sexual assault leveled against now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing.

"Here we go again with you're guilty until proven innocent," Trump told AP in an interview.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo traveled to Saudi Arabia to talk to King Salman and the 33-year-old crown prince about the fate of the journalist who wrote critically about the Saudis for The Washington Post.

While it was all smiles and handshakes in Riyadh, one prominent Republican senator said he believed that the crown prince, widely known as MBS, had Khashoggi "murdered."

Story continues

"This guy has got to go," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, speaking on Fox television. "Saudi Arabia, if you're listening, there are a lot of good people you can choose, but MBS has tainted your country and tainted himself."

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said "serious evaluation" was being given to whether U.S. law enforcement officials would aid in the investigation of Khashoggi's disappearance. He declined to comment further, or to say whether he had any concerns with the current investigation.

Saudi officials have called Turkish allegations that a team of 15 Saudi agents killed Khashoggi "baseless," but U.S. media reports suggested that the kingdom may acknowledge the writer was killed at the consulate, perhaps as part of a botched interrogation.

The close U.S. ally is ruled entirely by the Al Saud monarchy, and all major decisions in the ultraconservative kingdom are made by the royal family.

Washington Post Publisher and CEO Fred Ryan said the Saudi government "owes the Khashoggi family and the world a full and honest explanation of everything that happened to him," noting that Tuesday marked two weeks since the disappearance of the 59-year-old journalist.

"The Saudi government can no longer remain silent, and it is essential that our own government and others push harder for the truth," Ryan added.

The high-level Turkish official told the AP that police found "certain evidence" of Khashoggi's slaying at the consulate, without elaborating. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.

Police planned a second search at the Saudi consul general's home, as well as some of the country's diplomatic vehicles, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. Leaked surveillance video shows diplomatic cars traveled to the consul general's home shortly after Khashoggi went into the consulate.

Consul General Mohammed al-Otaibi left Turkey on Tuesday afternoon, state media reported, just as police began putting up barricades around his official residence. Saudi Arabia did not immediately acknowledge he had left or offer a reason for his departure.

Earlier in the day, U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said the "inviolability or immunity" of people or premises granted under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations "should be waived immediately." That convention covers diplomatic immunity, as well as the idea that embassies and consulates sit on foreign soil in their host countries.

"Given there seems to be clear evidence that Mr. Khashoggi entered the consulate and has never been seen since, the onus is on the Saudi authorities to reveal what happened to him," Bachelet said.

Turkey had wanted to search the consulate for days. Permission apparently came after a late Sunday night call between King Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Certain areas of the consulate were to remain off-limits, although officials would be able to inspect surveillance cameras, Turkish media reported.

Erdogan told journalists Tuesday that police sought traces of "toxic" materials and suggested parts of the consulate had been recently painted, without elaborating.

In Riyadh, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir greeted Pompeo at the airport. The former CIA chief didn't make any remarks to the media.

Soon after, Pompeo arrived at a royal palace, where he thanked King Salman "for accepting my visit on behalf of President Trump" before the two went into a closed-door meeting. Pompeo then met a smiling Prince Mohammed, the heir apparent to the throne of the world's largest oil exporter.

"We are strong and old allies," the prince told Pompeo. "We face our challenges together  the past, the day of, tomorrow."

Pompeo later said that Saudi Arabia had made a "serious commitment" to hold senior leaders and officials accountable in the case, and said the crown prince again denied any knowledge of what happened to Khashoggi.

Pompeo was to have a dinner Tuesday night with Prince Mohammed and was expected to fly to Turkey on Wednesday.

Trump had previously warned of "severe punishment" for the kingdom if it was found to be involved in Khashoggi's disappearance, which has spooked investors.

Trump's warning drew an angry response Sunday from Saudi Arabia and its state-linked media, including a suggestion that Riyadh could wield its oil production as a weapon. The U.S. president has been after King Salman and OPEC to boost production to drive down high oil prices, caused in part by the coming re-imposition of oil sanctions on Iran.

On Monday, however, Trump offered a different theory after speaking by telephone with King Salman.

"It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers," Trump said. "I mean, who knows? We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial."

The New York Times and The Washington Post have reported, citing anonymous sources, that Saudi officials may soon acknowledge Khashoggi's slaying at the consulate but blame it on a botched intelligence operation.

That could, like Trump's comments, seek to give the kingdom a way out of the global firestorm of criticism over Khashoggi's fate.

"The effort behind the scenes is focused on avoiding a diplomatic crisis between the two countries and has succeeded in finding a pathway to deescalate tensions," said Ayham Kamel, the head of the Eurasia Group's Mideast and North Africa division.

"Riyadh will have to provide some explanation of the journalist's disappearance, but in a manner that distances the leadership from any claim that a decision was made at senior levels to assassinate the prominent journalist."

Nils Melzer, the U.N. special investigator on torture, said that if Turkey and Saudi Arabia can't conduct "a credible and objective investigation," then international involvement may be needed.

___

Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey, and Gambrell from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Jamey Keaten in Geneva and Jill Colvin and Matthew Pennington in Washington contributed to this report.The cannabis industry reached a major milestone last week after Canopy Growth Corp (NYSE: CGC) oversaw what it considers to be the first legal cannabis export from Canada to the U.S.

What Happened

Canopy shipped cannabis from Canada to the U.S. for medical research with the full knowledge of the U.S. government and approval from the Drug Enforcement Agency. Canopy's partner on the American side has yet to be announced but can now conduct medical research and has permission to conduct clinical trials, Canopy Growth CEO Bruce Linton told CNBC's Jim Cramer Friday.

"We shipped, for the first time, legally  and I highlight 'legally'  cannabis from Canada to the U.S,"

Cannabis products have a wide range of medical benefits and can "really disrupt" the health care market, Linton said. For example, cannabinoid therapies can be used to help people suffering from arthritic conditions, people with sleeping problems or those undergoing cancer treatment.

Why It's Important

Cannabis has the potential to disrupt $500 billion in global markets, Linton said. The pharmaceutical benefits, coupled with the potential to take market share from alcohol and cigarettes, means the figure is "not crazy," he said.

What's Next

Canadian law will change Wednesday and permit full recreational use of cannabis. If Canopy is able to "do it right" in the Canadian market, then over time global governments will become more comfortable with the industry, the company's CEO said.

"All of a sudden, you add a zero or two to the number of people we're trying to serve."

Related Links:

Cramer's Cautious Take On Cannabis Stocks: 'Your Gains Could Go Up In Smoke'

BNN Bloomberg: Diageo Wants Its Own Cannabis Deal In Canada

See more from Benzinga

 2018 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Winston-Salem, N.C., Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- When Michael Myers quietly stalks the neighborhood streets of Haddonfield on October 19, it will be for the first time in 40 years. The latest film in the iconic horror franchise, simply titled Halloween, is a homecoming for Myers and protagonist Laurie Strode.





It is a return to a form that tunes out the convoluted storylines of the previous nine installments. UNCSA School of Filmmaking alumni Jeff Fradley (98), Danny McBride (99) and David Gordon Green (98) penned the screenplay, with Green at the helm as Director. Together, these friends and self-proclaimed film nerds bring a new, terrifying energy to a much-anticipated chapter in the Halloween saga.



Green, McBride and Fradley returned to UNCSA to screen Halloween a week before its world premiere, giving students the opportunity to ask questions about the journey from film school in Winston-Salem to tackling one of the most famed horror anthologies of all time.

Return to Haddonfield

A film marked by many homages to the past, perhaps the most lauded returns for 2018s Halloween were that of John Carpenter and Jamie Lee Curtis. Carpenter revisited the series for the first time since 1982, serving as executive producer alongside Green and McBride. He also lent support as creative advisor and as composer of a modernized version of his infamously chilling Halloween score.

Encouraged by friend and formidable horror producer Jason Blum, Fradley, McBride and Green pitched their story to Carpenter, who liked their vision to return the film to its roots, picking up with the same characters and storyline from the 1978 original. Im going to help to try to make the 10th sequel the scariest of them all, said Carpenter, who admittedly has not watched some of the previous sequels.

Another major coup? Inspired by an impactful script and Greens enthusiasm, Jamie Lee Curtis signed on to portray Laurie Strode for the first time since 2002s Halloween: Resurrection. In a recent Den of Geek interview, Curtis drew parallels between Carpenter and Greens approaches to storytelling: To me, the parallels of these two movies are wild, because at the helm were these two Southern boys who were film geeks and love it, so everyone who wants to work with them loves it.

Without Carpenter and Curtis aboard, the film would have been a major risk, according to Green. The retconned story finds Curtis character, Laurie Strode, simultaneously overcome with debilitating fear and erratic anticipation for the possibility of a final confrontation with Michael. Her paranoia has strained relationships with her daughter and granddaughter, who all but dismiss her previous trauma. Though some Halloween iterations have strayed to California locales, Fradley, McBride and Greens story places Myers and Strode in their unassuming hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois.

McBride spoke about the decision to anchor Halloween in its original suburban setting:

Sometimes, when you have a really heightened horror movie that takes place in some extreme location its kind of hard, when the movie is over with, to be frightened by it because youre not in that situation. But everybody sits at home in the house alone at night and thinks they hear a noise outside. Thats kind of what Halloween taps into so effectively.

Film school network

Though Haddonfield bears the force of Myers murderous rampage on screen, Halloween was filmed in and around Charleston, South Carolinathe town that is home to a recently relocated Rough House Pictures, the production company Green and McBride co-founded with fellow UNCSA alumnus Jody Hill.

The three lived in the same dorm on campus. Green, a year ahead of McBride and Hill, shared his first-year student film, Will You Lather Up My Rough House, with them, and the trio became fast friendsa bond that remains unchanged 20 years later.

Rough House has made a name for itself in the comedy genre over the past decade, backing McBrides recognizable Eastbound and Down and Vice Principals for HBO and a slew of independent comedies and dramas, including The Catechism Cataclysm, Manglehorn, Joe, Flower, and The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter. Halloween is the companys first foray into horror, but likely not its last.

With an air of excitement around UNCSA's Film Village, students and faculty lined the studio backlot street to greet Green, McBride, and Fradley on Oct. 12. Some students quoted fan-favorite films from Green and McBride, like Your Highness and Pineapple Express, many clutched Halloween posters. A vintage marquee brightly advertised the 7 p.m. film screening.

Alumni guest artists and feature film screenings are a staple at UNCSAs School of Filmmaking, and it hosts many screenings for Winston-Salems RiverRun International Film Festival. But few films screened on campus have drawn as demanding of a crowd as Halloween. The 300-seat Main Theatre quickly filled to standing room only, and a second, late screening was added to accommodate overflow.

After the credits rolled and cheers subsided, Green, McBride and Fradley took questions from students, reflecting on their time at UNCSA, the collaborative nature of their work, the Halloween franchise and how they continue their working relationships with fellow alumni after graduation.

Pickle expertise

Though 2018s Halloween was conceived by a trio of UNCSA alumni, many other pickles (the Fighting Pickle is UNCSAs proud mascot) contributed to the film. Collaboration isnt uncommon amongst students in UNCSAs five arts conservatories. This extends to the working world, where pickles often hire other pickles because they are confident theyve received the same level of training and carry an expected degree of expertise.

For the new Halloween chapter, Dylan Arnold (Drama 16) was cast as Cameron Elam, a friend of Laurie Strodes granddaughter, Allyson. Arnolds character was a planned Easter Egg for fans of the franchise who remember bully Lonnie Elam from the original film.

Film alumnus Richard A. Wright (99) was Production Designer for Halloween. He re-joined his fellow alumni after previously collaborating on a slew of projects with Green and McBride, dating back to George Washington, Greens feature film debut.

Another frequent collaborator, DeVoe Yates (98), came on board as Music Supervisor. Yates recently served as Music Supervisor for Oceans Eight and Arizona, starring McBride. Michael Brake (95) and Will Files (02) were tapped as Music Editor and Supervising Sound Editor, respectively. Christof Gebert (00) stepped in as Production Sound Mixer and Dylan Trivette (00) was EPK (electronic press kit) camera operator.

Filling sets and post-production suites with pickles is a no-brainer for Green, who told the Winston-Salem Journal, Theres a lot of like-minded artists and technicians that we went to school with. Green is already set to executive produce McBrides The Righteous Gemstones, which will premiere on HBO in 2019 and will no doubt boast a crew of UNCSA alumni.

Fradley, McBride and Greens Halloween creates a trail for Myers and Strode to find their way to each other for a final standa satisfying moment for fans of the franchise. Their homecoming to UNCSA demonstrates a respect for their formal training and an appreciation for industry collaboration and connection, which continues to inspire them as artists and as storytellers.

AttachmentAfghan aid workers have witnessed a dramatic increase in combat deaths in a restive southeastern province where the Taliban militants control most of the countryside while Afghan forces defend the provincial capital and a patchwork of small towns and outposts.

Abdul Aleem Noori, head of the Afghanistan Red Crescent Society in Ghazni, says that compared with previous years they have recorded a manifold increase in combat casualties as their organization often performs the grim task of transporting the dead bodies of the warring sides.

Compared with previous years, we have seen a large increase in deaths on the battlefield this year, he told Radio Free Afghanistan. This year, we have so far handled 415 corpses of combatants, which is a staggering increase compared with 60 or 70 dead bodies in the previous years.

Noori says the number is even large because these 415 deaths are separate from the hundreds of civilians and combatants killed during the fighting when the Taliban briefly overran the provincial capital, also called Ghazni, in August.

Strategically located, the historic region borders eight Afghan provinces and is near Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. One of Afghanistans major roads connects the capital Kabul to the second city Kandahar in the south through Ghazni.

Currently one of the most volatile regions in the country, Ghazni was home to the resurgence of the Taliban a couple years after a U.S.-led military intervention toppled their hard-line regime for hosting Al-Qaeda terrorists in late 2001 following the 9/11 attacks in the United States.

Last month, insecurity in the region forced Afghanistans Independent Election Commission to cancel voting in the region for this weeks parliamentary election.The November election is less than a month away, and if you're an active and registered voter, you should be receiving your ballot in the mail this week.

The Gazette Voters Guide is here to help.

The Gazette and Colorado Politics have teamed up to create a comprehensive guide to help Colorado voters learn more about the candidates, ballot issues and voting process for this year's midterm election.

Learn more about what's at stake in the election, read candidate profiles, get a rundown of the statewide and county issues you'll be seeing on your ballot and find useful resources, including a link to the "Blue Book," district maps and more.

Another resource to help you make the most informed decision this November: full coverage from Saturday night's State Debate.

If you missed it: The Gazette, Colorado Politics and KOAA News5 hosted candidates for governor, attorney general, secretary of state and state treasurer. Those who attended or tuned in got to see the candidates express their views on a live stage at the Penrose House in Colorado Springs.

You can find complete coverage of the debate, including the full live recording, highlights, stories and video profiles of the candidates here.

Find The Gazette's voter guide at gazette.com/2018-voters-guide.NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP announces that investigations have commenced on behalf of shareholders of the following publicly-traded companies.



Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPB)

Levi & Korsinsky announces it has commenced an investigation of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. (Spectrum or the Company) (NYSE: SPB) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.

On April 26, 2018, Spectrum issued a press release disclosing disappointing second quarter 2018 results, and that the Company had lowered its fiscal year 2018 adjusted EBITDA guidance from $657-$674 million to $600-$617. In the same release, Spectrum announced that Executive Chairman David M. Maura was named Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Maura stated that the Company faced challenges related to our two greenfield manufacturing and distribution projects.

To obtain additional information about the Spectrum Brands investigation, go to: https://www.zlk.com/pslra-1/spectrum-brands-holdings-inc-loss-form

AmerisourceBergen Corporation (NYSE: ABC)

Levi & Korsinsky announces it has commenced an investigation of AmerisourceBergen Corporation (NYSE: ABC) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.

To obtain additional information about the ABC investigation go to: https://www.zlk.com/pslra-1/amerisourcebergen-corporation-loss-form

You have until the lead plaintiff deadlines to request the court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesnt require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

Levi & Korsinsky is a national firm with offices in New York, California, Connecticut, and Washington D.C. The firms attorneys have extensive expertise and experience representing investors in securities litigation, and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Levi & Korsinsky, LLP

Joseph E. Levi, Esq.

55 Broadway, 10th Floor

New York, NY 10006

Tel: (212) 363-7500

Toll Free: (877) 363-5972

Fax: (212) 363-7171

www.zlk.comAn 18-year-old Pine Creek High School student was arrested at school Tuesday on suspicion of sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact and harassment of male and female classmates. Colorado Springs police have declined to identify the suspect, but Ryan Maikell, 18, was booked into El Paso County jail on suspicion of sexual assault and harassment, sheriff's spokeswoman Jacqueline Kirby said. He is being held without bond, according to jail records. Police had been investigating the Pine Creek senior since the end of February, when Pine Creek Theater Director Carrie Barnhardt-Roberson was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with Maikell.Colorado gubernatorial candidates Walker Stapleton, left, and Jared Polis debate Saturday night at the Penrose House. The pair will face off for the states top political position in the Nov. 6 midterm election.Tony and Denise Burditus attended the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas. Shortly after this photo was taken, Denise was killed by a gunman in the nations deadliest mass shooting committed by an individual.TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. (CSE: SNA) (CSE: SNA.CN) (OTCQB: SNAVF) ("Star or the Company) is pleased to announce that, effective October 1, 2018, Mr. Viraf S. Kapadia, founder and long-time CEO of the Company, has returned from medical leave to resume his responsibilities as Chairman and CEO of Star.

The Board of Directors welcomes Mr. Kapadias return and looks forward to his leadership. It also wishes to thank Mr. Jean-Louis Larmor for his support and guidance as Interim CEO during Mr. Kapadias absence. Mr. Larmor has resumed his duties as Chief Operating Officer.

This Press Release Is available On The Company's CEO Verified Discussion Forum , A Moderated Social Media Platform That Enables Civilized Discussion and Q&A Between Management and Shareholders. https://agoracom.com/ir/StarNavigationSystems/forums/discussion

About Star Navigation:

Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. owns the exclusive worldwide license to its proprietary, patented In-flight Safety Monitoring System, STAR-ISMS, the heart of the STAR-A.D.S.  System. Its real-time capability of tracking performance trends and predicting incident-occurrence enhances aviation safety and improves fleet management while reducing costs for the operator.

Stars M.M.I. Division designs and manufactures high performance, mission critical, flight deck flat panel displays for defence and commercial aviation industries worldwide. These displays are found on aircraft and simulators, from P-3 Orion and C-130 aircraft, to Sikorsky and AgustaWestland helicopters, as examples.

Certain statements contained in this News Release constitute forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words may, would, could, will, expected and similar expressions, as they relate to Star or its management are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect Stars current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause Stars actual performance or achievements to vary from those described herein. Should one or more of these factors or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Star does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this release.

Please visit www.star-navigation.com or

Viraf S. Kapadia, (416) 252-2889 Ext. 230

C.E.O.CHICAGO, Oct. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amlan International, a global leader in developing advanced solutions to enhance intestinal health and productivity in livestock, will host leading global experts on antivirulence therapy for enteric disease control at the 2018 Poultry Science Associations Latin American Scientific Conference, November 68, 2018, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.



The symposium , titled Disarming the Enemy  A Novel Approach for Enteric Disease Control by Targeting Bacterial Virulence Factors, will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, in Imperial Ballroom F at the Royal Palm Plaza Hotel in Sao Paulo. The session will be chaired by Dr. Luiz Caron, a leading researcher and lecturer in microbiology and veterinary vaccinology at the Universidade Federal do Parana  Brazil, and will feature leading scientific authorities on targeting bacterial virulence factors as a strategy for enteric disease control. A full list of Amlans invited speakers can be found here .

A key part of the symposium, Hongyu Xue, MD, PhD, Director of Life Sciences for Amlan International , will give a presentation titled Enteric Bacterial Toxic Neutralization and Quorum Quenching by Activated Calcium Montmorillonite. In his presentation, Xue will present new research that demonstrates the performance of Amlans activated mineral technology in quenching quorum-sensing molecules.

Quorum sensing is a signaling system used by intestinal bacteria to communicate with each other and monitor cell population density. Activated mineral technology is one of the functional ingredients in Varium, an intestinal health product with antivirulent attributes that neutralize quorum-sensing signal molecules to reduce the harmful effects of pathogenic bacteria.

We are excited to bring these leading experts from across the globe to share information about this promising alternative strategy for disease control, Xue says. Advancing the understanding of host-pathogen interaction and adoption of antivirulence strategies such as quorum quenching is the next generation of technology to minimize the effects of bacterial disease in order to promote intestinal health and improve the immune system of the animal.

To register for the symposium, visit this link . Interested media can contact Amlan International for a summary of the event and on-site or post-event interviews at press@amlan.com .

For more information about Amlans portfolio of intestinal health products, visit Amlan.com .

About Amlan International

Oil-Dri Corporation of America (NYSE: ODC), doing business as Amlan International, has grown its product offering across the intestinal health and AGP-alternative market, driven largely by the research conducted at its laboratory campus in Vernon Hills, Illinois. In 2017, the company added the Richard M. Jaffee Laboratory for Applied Microbiology to the campus. In 2013, the companys global reach expanded with the establishment of its China subsidiary in Shenzhen. Further information on Amlan International is available at Amlan.com .

Amlan International sells animal health products outside of the United States. Product-associated claims may differ based on government requirements and product availability may vary by country.

Reagan B. Culbertson

Media Contact

press@amlan.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eac55f31-1b4e-4516-b783-4d8fcca23b3cEnglish French

PRESS RELEASE

Klepierre holds Investor Day in the Netherlands

Paris, October 16, 2018

Klepierre, the pan-European leader in shopping centers, is holding its Investor Day in Amsterdam and Utrecht today.

The Klepierre Executive Board and other members of the management team will present the company's strategy to financial analysts and investors. The presentations are available on the Klepierre web site at: http://www.klepierre.com/en/finance/investor-relations/presentations/

ABOUT KLEPIERRE

Klepierre, the pan-European leader in shopping malls, combines development, property and asset management skills. The company's portfolio is valued at 24.6 billion at June 30, 2018 and comprises large shopping centers in 16 countries in Continental Europe which together host 1.1 billion visitors per year. Klepierre holds a controlling stake in Steen & Strm (56.1%), Scandinavia's number one shopping center owner and manager. Klepierre is a French REIT (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris and included in the CAC Next 20, EPRA Euro Zone and GPR 250 indexes. It is also included in ethical indexes, such as DJSI World and Europe, FTSE4Good, STOXX Global ESG Leaders, Euronext Vigeo France 20 and World 120, and figures in CDP's "A-list". These distinctions underscore the Group's commitment to a proactive sustainable development policy and its global leadership in the fight against climate change.

For more information, please visit the newsroom on our website: www.klepierre.comEnglish French

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Despite widespread misperceptions, every province already provides prescription drug coverage to help Canadiansparticularly seniors and lower-income Canadianspay for pharmaceuticals, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.



Much of the discussion about a possible national pharmacare plan seemingly assumes theres no existing government help for Canadians to pay for medicines they needbut thats just not true, said Bacchus Barua, associate director of health policy studies at the Fraser Institute and co-author of Provincial Drug Coverage for Vulnerable Canadians .

The study summarizes provincial drug programs across the country and finds that, while levels of coverage vary by province, three key vulnerable groups, namely lower-income Canadians, seniors, and Canadians on social assistance have access to prescription drugs, paid in full or in part by provincial governments.

Provincial governments across Canada also provide drug coverage to select populations who may face considerable hardships as a result of either their medical care costs or other factors including the severely disabled and those diagnosed with conditions like multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis.

Crucially, provinces are able to establish prescription drug plans to suit their particular priorities, population age, income levels and other factors, which differ from province to province. This customization would likely be lost or at least diluted if Canada adopts a national program.

Provinces can tailor drug plans to suit their individual needs, but a single-payer national pharmacare system would put an end to that, said Yanick Labrie, a senior fellow with the Fraser Institute who specializes in health and pharmaceutical economics.

Instead of a drug program modelled on our inflexible health-care system, we should instead seek to understand what gaps exist in our provincial plans and target resources to Canadians who need assistance.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Yanick Labrie, Senior Fellow

Fraser Institute

To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact:

Bryn Weese, Media Relations Specialist, Fraser Institute

Tel: (604) 688-0221 Ext. 589

E-mail: bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org

Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter and FacebookTORONTO, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A small village in Haiti will have hope renewed when poverty begins to recede, through the development of agricultural projects, the building of homes and water wells, and the installation of street lights.



Food For The Poor Canada hosted their annual Thanksgiving and Fundraising Luncheon this past weekend, officially launching the It Takes a Village to Build a Village campaign. Working with its village of Canadian donors over the next nine months, the goal is to raise $1,000,000 to build 60 much-needed homes that will have water, sanitation and solar lights; also in the works are two community wells, solar street lights, and a series of sustainable-livelihood projects, including the raising of dairy cows, egg production, beekeeping, and other agricultural projects.

Bishop Oge Beauvoir, Executive Director of Food For The Poor Haiti, was to attend the luncheon; ironically, a natural disaster interfered. There was an earthquake in Haiti within days of his planned trip. He sent his regrets as well as stories of needneed for the everyday aid Haiti can always benefit from, as well as that necessitated by yet another disaster. Despite his absence, luncheon attendees experienced a virtual but vivid tour around a Haitian village.

Also during the luncheon, Dominica Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, honoured Food For The Poor and its donors by recognizing its role in assisting after Hurricane Maria with the provision of food, emergency supplies, and rebuilding materials. 114 shipping containers of life-saving, life-changing goods were sent, and Prime Minister Skerrit travelled from Dominica to Toronto to acknowledge this important aid.

Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director of FFPC, states: The village is one in a series being built across Haiti by Food For The Poor donors in Canada and the US; this will raise a community out of poverty in a sustainable way, by creating strength and prosperity. Through the compassion and generosity of our Canadian donors, the campaign It Takes a Village to Build a Village is off to a great start, with the funds raised at the luncheon.

About Food For The Poor Canada:

Food For The Poor Canada (FFPC) empowers communities in Haiti and Jamaica through five areas of programming: food, housing, education, health and livelihood. Through basic aid and sustainable development, FFPC responds to urgent needs while building community and social infrastructure. FFPC utilizes the pre-existing infrastructure of local affiliated organizations, so as to better sustain and grow the communities they serve. FFPC is part of the Food For The Poor family of charities; the founding organization in the USA is Food For The Poor, an interdenominational Christian organization that works in 17 countries in the Caribbean and Latin America.

For More Information Contact:

Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director

Food For The Poor Canada

647.350.7269

SamanthaM@FoodForThePoor.com

www.foodforthepoor.ca

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3fdb933-c2bb-42bf-8845-b3ef9268f59a

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4f88cf0b-bab6-41ba-9bba-64013ace4871TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



HIGHLIGHTS

Ten (10) year binding Offtake Agreement signed with a prominent Japanese Graphite Trading Company (Japanese Partner) to purchase 20,000 tonnes per annum of Molo SuperFlake graphite for use in battery anode applications for electrical vehicles (EV).



The Japanese Partner is a major supplier of flake graphite to Japans largest battery processor and manufacturer of graphite anode material in lithium ion batteries (LiB) for electric vehicle applications. This battery anode manufacturer currently has over 50 percent market share of premium-grade graphite anode production in Japan for electric vehicle battery applications. Its EV automotive customers are global.



Currently, the majority of the Japanese Partners flake graphite purchases are used to supply Japanese battery anode producers for EV applications.



The major Japanese electric vehicle anode producer has verified that NextSources SuperFlake graphite concentrate achieved superior test results compared to the current graphite material it sources for LiB in EV automotive applications.



The Offtake Agreement represents more than the initial Phase 1 mine production plan of 17,000 tonnes per year. As such, NextSource will begin internal discussions regarding moving straight to Phase 2 expansion tonnages.



Further significant business opportunities remain between NextSource and its Japanese Partner. Both parties have agreed to commence discussions regarding potential supply chain collaboration, including partnering on value-added, downstream products using SuperFlake graphite concentrate.



Further opportunities remain available in the Asian and European markets, with NextSource having achieved very advanced product qualification with other potential partners toward supply agreements.

OFFTAKE AGREEMENT

NextSource Materials Inc. (TSX:NEXT) (OTCQB:NSRCF) (NextSource or the Company) is pleased to announce the signature of a binding Offtake Agreement for the supply of NextSources SuperFlake graphite concentrate with a prominent Japanese Trading Company that is a primary supplier of flake graphite to a major Japanese electric vehicle anode producer. To protect certain confidential aspects of the Offtake Agreement, the Japanese Trading Company and the Japanese electric vehicle anode producer have requested not to be identified at this time.

KEY TERMS

The Offtake Agreement is for a period of ten (10) years and activates on the commencement of commercial production at the Molo project, with an automatic renewal for an additional five (5) years. The Japanese Partner will have the exclusive right to import and sell SuperFlake graphite concentrate in Japan. Provided that commercial production commences within 3 years, following the ramp up period, the Japanese Partner will purchase 20,000 tonnes of SuperFlake graphite per annum. Product prices will be negotiated on a per order basis between the parties and will be based on the floating market prices (FOB basis) prevailing in the region.

INTEREST IN ADDITIONAL TONNAGE

The Company has been advised that the primary customer of the Japanese Partner is a major global battery anode material manufacturer in Japan who has qualified Molo SuperFlake graphite for battery requirements with its automotive customers. Additionally, the Company has been advised that product testing by this battery anode material producer has verified that NextSources SuperFlake graphite concentrate achieved superior test results compared to the current graphite anode material it sources for use in LiB for EV applications.

The Japanese partner has indicated that all 20,000 tonnes per annum of NextSources SuperFlake graphite concentrate will be used specifically for use in EV applications, and that the Japanese partners intention is to purchase additional tonnage in various size fractions for specific high-end application markets, such as expanded graphite (graphite foils) for the consumer electronics and fire retardant industries.

President and CEO, Craig Scherba P. Geo., said This offtake partnership is a significant achievement for NextSource and is the culmination of more than four years of extensive product testing of our SuperFlake graphite with major Japanese material manufacturers. This offtake agreement allows NextSource to gain an immediate foothold into the high-growth markets for electric vehicles, as well as the burgeoning energy storage market that will be reliant on graphite anode material. Our partnership with such an established trading partner positions NextSource to be a significant and dominant future supplier of high-quality flake graphite to major battery anode and graphite foil customers globally.

FURTHER PARTNERSHIP & VALUE-ADD OPPORTUNITIES

Separate from the Offtake Agreement, NextSource and the Japanese Partner have agreed to immediately commence discussions regarding additional supply chain cooperation. Specifically, the parties have initiated discussions regarding a potential partnership for the production of value-add, downstream products using SuperFlake graphite concentrate. This would include, but not be limited to, the processing of NextSources SuperFlake graphite concentrate into spherical and purified graphite (SPG), both uncoated and coated, and expanded graphite for use in graphite foils in a separate and dedicated facility in a location that would best optimize the Japanese Partners customer base. NextSource and the Japanese Partner have begun organizing logistics towards meetings this November in Asia.

NextSource has made significant progress qualifying its SuperFlake graphite concentrate with other major graphite end-users around the world, who have undertaken extensive product testing as part of their due diligence process for offtake agreements. The Company looks forward to updating the market on the progress of developments with other potential customers as soon as details are finalized.

STRONG DEMAND FOR GRAPHITE IN EV APPLICATIONS

Benchmark Minerals Intelligence has reported that natural flake graphite prices for all sizes fractions at 95 percent carbon purity and greater are nearing all-time highs. According to Roskill Information Services, a leading UK-based market and metals research firm, demand for natural graphite in LiB is expected to grow at 28% per year until 2027. Current global graphite anode consumption is estimated to be between 90,000 to 110,000 tonnes per year and predicted to reach 800,000 tonnes per year by 2027.

The spheronizing process when producing graphite anode material is a very inefficient one, with average yields of between 30 percent and 40 percent. Therefore, it takes approximately three tonnes of natural flake graphite to produce one tonne of graphite anode material. Today, the largest consumption market for flake graphite is for its traditional use in refractories, a crucial component in the steel making process. However, the flake graphite market is expected to double by 2025 based on the demand for LiB in EVs alone, which represents a 40 percent to 45 percent consumption share of flake graphite globally.

ABOUT MOLO SUPERFLAKE GRAPHITE

As detailed in the Companys June 2017 Feasibility Study, NextSources SuperFlake graphite concentrate can achieve 98% carbon purity with standard mineral processing (flotation), has excellent thermal expansion, can be easily upgraded to 99.97% purity (battery grade) and contains no deleterious substances. The SuperFlake graphite concentrates flake size distribution is well above the global average, with 46.4 percent being classified as the premium-priced +80 (large), +65 (extra large) and +48 (jumbo) mesh flake size. Specifically 23.6 percent of SuperFlake graphite concentrate is +48 mesh and greater in size.

As previously reported, significant independent testing of the pilot plant material already completed by various key global offtakers and graphite end-users has confirmed that Molo SuperFlake graphite concentrate meets or exceeds quality requirements for all major end markets for natural flake graphite - anode material for lithium-ion batteries, refractories and specialty graphite foils. Molo SuperFlake has also been verified for graphene ink applications.

ABOUT NEXTSOURCE MATERIALS INC.

NextSource Materials Inc. is a mine development company based in Toronto, Canada, that is developing its 100%-owned Molo Graphite Project in southern Madagascar. The Molo Graphite Project is a feasibility-stage, shovel-ready project that ranks as one of the largest-known and highest quality flake graphite deposits in the world and the only project with SuperFlake graphite.

For further information contact: +1.416.364.4911

Brent Nykoliation, SVP, Corporate Development at brent@nextsourcematerials.com or

Craig Scherba, President and CEO at craig@nextsourcematerials.com

Safe Harbour: This press release contains statements that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the terms of the Offtake Agreement, results of the updated 2017 Feasibility Study, any and all product test results and product analysis, any statements relating to the further partnership and value added opportunities, production at the Molo project, delivery of the material and pricing terms. These are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions, and although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, actual results or developments may vary and, in some instances, differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive there from. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.HOUSTON, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sysco Corporation (NYSE: SYY), announced today that the Company will donate $50,000 to the American Red Cross North Florida Region chapter to support relief efforts following Hurricane Michael.



Sysco is committed to supporting the communities where we live and operate, said Tom Bene, president and chief executive officer, Sysco. We have a long-standing partnership with the American Red Cross, an organization that shares a commitment to providing support to communities and individuals in times of need, including many of our associates and customers. One of Syscos top priorities during this time continues to be making deliveries to critical customer locations by working diligently to get water, food and other supplies to our customers affected by Hurricane Michael.

In addition to the donation to the American Red Cross, the Company is utilizing the Sysco Disaster Relief Foundation to provide immediate needs assistance to impacted Sysco associates to help with the storms aftermath. Funds will be used for shelter, food, clothing, transportation and other short-term needs.

About Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 67,000 associates, the company operates approximately 330 distribution facilities worldwide and serves more than 600,000 customer locations. For fiscal 2018 that ended June 30, 2018, the company generated sales of more than $58 billion.

For more information, visit www.sysco.com or connect with Sysco on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SyscoCorporation or Twitter at https://twitter.com/Sysco . For important news and information regarding Sysco, visit the Investor Relations section of the companys Internet home page at investors.sysco.com, which Sysco plans to use as a primary channel for publishing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information. Investors should also follow us at www.twitter.com/SyscoStock and download the Sysco IR App, available on the iTunes App Store and the Google Play Market. In addition, investors should continue to review our news releases and filings with the SEC. It is possible that the information we disclose through any of these channels of distribution could be deemed to be material information.Yangling, Shaanxi, China, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kiwa Bio-Tech Products Group Corp. (OTCQB: KWBT) (Kiwa Bio-Tech or the Company), an emerging agriculture technology company that develops and manufactures microbial fertilizers in China is pleased to announce that the Company has signed a three-party strategic cooperation agreement with Yangling Living Green Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. (hereafter as Living Green), and Shenzhen Huaguoshan Fruits Mountain Technology Co., Ltd. (hereafter as Fruits Mountain). Pursuant to the agreement, the strategic cooperation is focused on promoting Kiwa Bio-Techs microbial fertilizers to the regional supreme grade fruits growers, increasing the fruits quality and quantity and raising the economic returns for fruits growers. Fruits Mountain will become one of the major fruits distribution platforms for the growers who use the Companys microbial fertilizers.

Shenzhen Huaguoshan Fruits Mountain Technology Co., Ltd is a leading Fruits Supply Chain and Supply Chain Technology Company in China. In 2017, Fruits Mountain sold approximately $70 million dollars of supreme quality fruits. Fruits Mountains revenues have increased more than 10 times over the past three years, which has made it one of the fastest growing companies in the supreme grade fruits distribution industry in China. Fruits Mountain has successfully integrated its online and offline fruits supply chains and flat marketing model, which benefit both fruits growers and the end consumers the most throughout the nation.

Yangling Living Green Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. is a high-quality agricultural products sales company that has had a long-term cooperative relation with Kiwa Bio-Tech. Kiwa Bio-Tech has set up 4 retail outlet stores in the supreme grade fruits planting areas, covering approximately 233,333 hectares of farmlands with approximately $412 million USD fruits supply annually. By Fruits Mountains joining, now the retail outlet stores not only promote and sell Kiwa Bio-Techs bio-fertilizers, but also purchase back the supreme grade fruits from the growers that use Kiwas fertilizers and better sell those high grade fruits to the domestic market in China.

Yangling is currently the only Agricultural Free Trade Zone in China. It is also the first Agricultural High-Tech Industrial Demonstration Zone in China. There are over 300 planting bases covering approximately 4.4 million hectares of farmlands in Yangling, which will demand over $3.6 billion USD chemical fertilizers and $7.8 billon USD microbial fertilizers every year. Kiwa Bio-Tech will significantly tap this fertilizer market in the next several years.

Kiwa Bio-Techs CEO Ms. Yvonne Wang states, Relying upon Fruits Mountains well established national online and offline market channels, we believe that we will be able to support the growers who have purchased our fertilizers in the sale of their supreme quality fruits, which should also support increasing their income.

About Kiwa Bio-Tech Products Group Corp.

Leader in Eco-friendly Agricultural Industry Chain

Kiwa Bio-Tech Products Group Corp. (KWBT) is a publicly traded company with corporate headquarters in the Yangling, Shanxi, China. The company develops, manufacture, markets and distributes innovative and environmentally safe bio-technological products for agriculture. Kiwas focus is to positively impact the environment by reducing the amount of chemical fertilizers that are being used by agricultural growers in China.

Kiwa Bio-Tech Products Group Corp. products are covered by patent protection and are designed to enhance the quality of human life by increasing the value and productivity of agricultural crops.

For more information on Kiwa Bio-Tech Products Group Corp. or its bio-fertilizer products and smart soil remediation technology, please refer to the Companys website at www.kiwabiotech.com or the Company filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains information that constitutes forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any such forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results described by the forward-looking statements. Risk factors that could contribute to such differences include those matters more fully disclosed in the Companys reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking information provided herein represents the Companys estimates as of the date of the press release, and subsequent events and developments may cause the Companys estimates to change. The Companys actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements depending on a number of risk factors including, but not limited to, the following: general economic, business and environment conditions, development, shipment, market acceptance, additional competition from existing and new competitors, changes in technology, the execution of its ten-year growth plan, the foreign exchange risk amid the unexpected announcements by the PRC government and various other factors beyond the Companys control. Kiwa Bio-Tech Products Group Corp. specifically disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking information in the future. Therefore, this forward-looking information should not be relied upon as representing the Companys estimates of its future financial performance as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Schweitzer & Schweitzer, PC has turned 100 years oldan accomplishment that third-generation Manhattan prosthodontist Daniel Schweitzer, DDS, FACP remarks is an extremely rare achievement for any dental practice. Schweitzer & Schweitzer, PC is unique in that since its inception, the practice has always maintained specialization in prosthodontic treatment, which mainly focuses on the reconstruction and replacement of badly damaged or missing teeth. Currently, Drs. Daniel Schweitzer, Kenneth Schweitzer, and Sameet Shethall respected prosthodontists who are leaders and educators in the fieldprovide care at the practice, continuing the tradition of clinical excellence and expertise established a century ago by founder Dr. Jerome M. Schweitzer.



As Dr. Daniel Schweitzer points out, reaching a centennial anniversary is no small feat, and Schweitzer & Schweitzer, PC has many people to thank for their vital commitment and support. The entire team expresses their gratitude for the founders and principle leaders of the practice, as well as the continued loyalty of staff and patients over the years. Dr. Daniel Schweitzer adds that it is the combined effort and dedication of everyone involved in the practice that has led to its lasting success.

Schweitzer & Schweitzer, PC has been fortunate to remain at the forefront of the evolving field prosthodontics through active participation in academia, research, and prominent professional associations like the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP). Their current practice location in Midtown Manhattan demonstrates a commitment to honoring tradition and integrating state-of-the-art innovation to deliver a wide range of custom-tailored restorative, esthetic, and implant dentistry solutions. The all-in-one facility features modern operatories, diagnostic imaging, and an on-site dental laboratory , which allow patients to complete all phases of their treatment plan under one roof.

The prosthodontists of Schweitzer & Schweitzer, PC are thrilled to share this momentous 100-year milestone with all of their patients and team members. They wish to provide ongoing inspiration, guidance, and quality services to all those who continue to help the practice thrive.

About Schweitzer & Schweitzer, PC

Located in Midtown Manhattan, Schweitzer & Schweitzer, PC offers a diverse range of advanced dental services. Drs. Daniel Schweitzer, Kenneth Schweitzer, and Sameet Sheth are dedicated to providing comprehensive, detail-oriented care that leads to optimal dental form, function, health, and esthetics. The practice includes an on-site dental lab with experienced ceramists who create a wide array of custom restorations, including dental implant prosthetics, porcelain veneers , crowns, and bridges. The team at Schweitzer & Schweitzer, PC welcomes patients with a broad spectrum of complex dental concernstheir specialized expertise, technology, and experience helps them rebuild smiles that have been badly damaged by decay, trauma, disease, and other factors.

For more information about Schweitzer & Schweitzer, PC, please visit schweitzerdental.com and facebook.com/Schweitzer-Schweitzer-PC-204702349543412/.

To view the original source of this press release, click here: https://www.schweitzerdental.com/practice-news/new-york-city-prosthodontics-practice-celebrates-100-year-anniversary/

Contact

Schweitzer & Schweitzer, PC

133 East 58th Street

Suite #803

New York, NY 10022

(212) 759-4969

Rosemont Media

(858) 200-0044

www.rosemontmedia.com



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f774014f-7688-45bc-bb5f-8650dce83863Anaheim, CA , Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LiveWire Ergogenics, Inc. (OTC: LVVV) announced today that its subsidiary GHC Ventures has been granted a Distribution License by the California Bureau of Cannabis Control. LiveWire Ergogenics, Inc. is a company focused on the acquisition, licensing and management of special-purpose real estate properties and the development of turnkey production facilities for licensed cannabis-based operators.



This license positions GHC Ventures in a critical role in the safe and secure distribution of commercial cannabis goods between licensees throughout California. The license allows the company to purchase and sell cannabis goods between licensees and takes on the responsibility to arrange for third-party testing and quality assurance review of packaging and labeling. In addition to the States Track-and-Trace requirements, GHC will also implement LiveWires 7X Pure Cannabis Compliance and Verification System on products distributed through the supply chain and capitalize on the branding opportunity it affords.

Bill Hodson, CEO of LiveWire stated, A State distribution license is a key component in the advancement of our unique business model and supports our efforts to become a prominent force in the California cannabis marketplace. We now have the ability to distribute not only a portfolio of quality brands, but also a full spectrum of products from multiple third party, licensed cultivators and manufactures and establish an additional revenue stream for the Company.

Distribution is another crucial step in LiveWire's plans to establish one of the first vertically integrated and "closed-loop" cannabis operations in the State of California. This license establishes LiveWire in a strategic industry position as a potential partner for other State licensed operators.

About LiveWire Ergogenics, Inc.

LiveWire Ergogenics, Inc. (LVVV) specializes in identifying and monetizing current and future trends in the health and wellness industry. The Company is focused on acquiring, licensing and managing specialized turnkey cannabis real estate locations of fully compliant and permitted turnkey facilities for the production of cannabis-based products and services in California. The Company is also establishing select research partnerships to explore the application of cannabinoid-based products to target specific ailments or conditions with large sufferer populations for human and veterinarian applications. This includes dosing verification of zero pesticide products for quality brands via its 7X Pure Cannabis Dosing and Verification System, and development and licensing of legal, high-quality cannabinoid-based products and services. LiveWire Ergogenics does not sell or distribute products that are in violation of the Unites States Controlled Substance Act and is only associated with companies that produce legally compliant products.

For more information about LiveWire Ergogenics, visit http://www.livewireergogenics.com . For non-material updates, follow LiveWire Ergogenics on Twitter @livewireLVVV . Download the Stockwatchindex Research Report at www.swiresearch.com/report-index

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, financial projections, statements regarding the plans and objectives of management for future operations, the development, regulatory approvals and commercialization of the Companys products, or any of the Companys other proposed products, systems or services. Such forward-looking statements are not meant to predict or guarantee actual results and performance, events or circumstances and actual events may differ considerably. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any projections may include, without limitation, the Companys inability to obtain additional financing, delays in the development of its products, the impact of significant new or changing government regulation in the cannabis industry, existing or increased competition, results of arbitration and litigation, stock volatility and illiquidity, and the Companys failure to implement the Companys business plans or strategies. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this release.Louisville, KY, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Appriss Health, provider of the most comprehensive platform for substance use disorder in the U.S., today announced that it has partnered with HIT Commons, a shared public/private governance model between the Oregon Health Leadership Council and the Oregon Health Authority, to oversee the initiative to integrate PDMP information into the electronic health Record (EHR) and pharmacy management systems of all prescribers and pharmacists in Oregon with Appriss Healths PMP Gateway solution. The Oregon PDMP Integration Steering Council is responsible for guiding a successful implementation and adoption of this initiative. This initiative aligns with broader state and federal efforts to increase the use of PDMPs to reduce inappropriate prescriptions, improve patient outcomes, and promote more informed prescribing practices.



For providers, PDMP information is best leveraged by integrating it into the existing electronic health record, said Lee David Milligan, M.D., Vice-President/Chief Medical Information Officer, Asante, and Member, OHAs Oregon Opioid Prescribing Guidelines Task Force. Logging into one system allows for seamless access to the right information at the right timethus ensuring appropriate opioid prescriptions make it into circulation and greater coordination among healthcare providers. If necessary, this single system will also help providers treat potential opioid addiction with more effective solutions.



The statewide integration of the Oregon PDMP platform into EHRs and pharmacy management systems at the point-of-care increases the ease of access and use of PDMP information for making critical clinical decisions, including the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances, as well as patient care and safety. Prior to this integration initiative, prescribers and pharmacists had to log in to separate systems to query patient information which took important time away from patient care. Integrations simplify the patient query process by making the PDMP platform directly available to prescribers and pharmacists in their daily workflow.



In a complex information system where providers are seemingly endless clicks away from critical information, integration of the PDMP information not only improves patient care, but also helps tackle provider click fatigue, said Saleen Manternach, M.D., FACEP, Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University. When the relevant information you need is all in one place and easily accessible, it translates into improved and efficient care. The goal is to streamline the process, so everyone benefits.



This integration initiative also further enables PDMP information and more to be delivered through Collective Medical. The Collective network enables care teams to identify complex and vulnerable patients and collaborate on their care. Along with PDMP information, insights including patient utilization activity and collaborative care plans are delivered to care teams through the Collective network via real-time, risk-adjusted event notifications.



Recently, CDC estimated that more than 71,000 people in the U.S. died from drug overdose death in the 12-month period ending in January 2018.



From April to June of 2018, nearly 380,000 queries were made to the Oregon PDMP from more than 23,000 registered users.



Since their inception, PDMPs have proven to be effective in combating prescription drug misuse, abuse, overdose and death nationwide. However, integrating PDMP information, analytics, insights, and resources into EHRs and pharmacy management system workflow is a critical step in the progression of optimizing the use of PDMPs.



Oregon, along with Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia have all aligned with Appriss Health to sponsor state-wide adoption of PDMP integrations for all prescribers and pharmacists. State-wide sponsorship is by far the most cost effective, efficient and secure method of enabling PDMP integrations in clinical workflow available today.



Appriss Healths PMP Gateway solution is now live in 36 states and processes more than 21 million transactions per month in partnership with our 100-plus EHR and pharmacy management systems vendors. PMP Gateway is the industry standard and most widely-deployed solution for integrating PDMP information and much more into clinical workflow to provide clinical decision support, patient support, patient engagement, and care team coordination efficiently to providers all across the nation.



For more information and/or for healthcare entities to request an integration in Oregon, please visit http://www.orhealthleadershipcouncil.org/pdmp-integration/.



Integration of PDMP information and more into provider workflow is a critical component to expanding the usage and usefulness of the PDMP and it will make an impact on the health and well-being of millions of patients and their families across Oregon going forward, said Rob Cohen, president of Appriss Health. We sincerely hope that every prescriber and pharmacist in Oregon will participate in, and benefit from, this integration initiative. We are very proud to partner with Oregon as they enable this technology for good today to solve real-world problems in the fight against the opioid epidemic.



About HIT Commons

HIT Commons is a public/private partnership designed to accelerate and advance health information technology adoption and use across the state. It is co-sponsored by Oregon Health Leadership Council and Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and is jointly funded by OHA, hospitals, and health plans. HIT Commons supports two major initiatives: EDIE/PreManage and Oregon Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Integration. The Commons convenes the Oregon PDMP Integration Steering Council to guide the successful implementation and adoption of this initiative. For more information, visit http://www.orhealthleadershipcouncil.org/hit-commons/.



About the Oregon PDMP

Oregon has consistently supported electronic access to PDMP data including sharing data with other state PDMPs. All prescribers in Oregon are mandated to enroll in the PDMP and become authorized users. OHAs Public Health PDMP staff authorize users, manage the PDMP registry, and work to connect to other states PDMPs. To date, Oregons PDMP team has connected to five other state PDMPs, with three more in process. For more information, visit www.orpdmp.com . To learn more about the PDMP tool, please visit http://www.orpdmp.com/healthcare-provider-faq.html .



About Appriss Health

Appriss Health provides the nation's most comprehensive platform for early identification, prevention and management of substance use disorder (SUD). We provide state government agencies with the most advanced repository of controlled substance dispensing information, and deliver real-time clinical decision support, critical insights and interventions to physicians, pharmacists, and care team members through millions of patient encounters each year. Our solutions enable healthcare providers, pharmacists, and care team members to assess and manage clinical risk in order to positively impact patient safety and population health outcomes. For more information, please visit www.apprisshealth.com.MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harbert United States Real Estate Fund VI, L.P. (HUSREF VI) has purchased 5 Central, a 140-unit Class A multifamily asset located in the Minneapolis suburb of Osseo. Developed in 2015, the property was 97% occupied at closing. The sale was an off-market transaction.



HUSREF VI formed a joint venture with Chicago based Magellan Investment Partners to purchase the property. New ownership will implement a light renovation program to upgrade unit interiors and common areas, including a clubhouse and outdoor courtyard refresh, and the addition of package lockers. The property will be managed by Pinnacle and maintain the 5 Central name.

Located in one of the most desirable communities in the State of Minnesota, 5 Central is located at the center of downtown Osseo and 15 miles northwest of the Minneapolis central business district. The property benefits from its location within an educated community near large corporate employers and an excellent public school system. Located near the confluence of I-494 and I-94, 5 Central enjoys mobility across the entirety of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro.

We are very pleased to announce our second joint venture with Magellan Investment Properties and the successful closing of 5 Central, HUSREF Managing Director Adam Krug said. As HUSREFs second investment in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul market in the last year, we recognize the robust economic growth and deep talent pool that characterizes this market. 5 Central presents an exceptional opportunity to partner with a proven team to create value through hands on asset management and light capital infusion.

About Magellan Investment Partners

Magellan Investment Partners (MIP) is the acquisition platform of Magellan Development Group. The principals of MIP are David Levin and Marc Swerdlow, multifamily industry veterans with each having over 25 years of commercial real estate investment experience. MIPs portfolio consists of over 2,500 units totaling $390 million in acquisitions. MIP also has the benefit of the entire Magellan Development Group, a vertically integrated development firm. Magellan Development Group has developed 28 high-rise projects comprised of 9,611 residential units.

About Harbert United States Real Estate Fund VI, L.P.

Harbert United States Real Estate Fund VI, L.P. is an investment fund sponsored by Harbert Management Corporation (HMC) which closed to new investors in October, 2017. HMC, as a whole, has approximately $5.9 billion in regulatory assets under management as of September 30, 2018, allocated across a series of diverse and independent investment strategies. One of these investment strategies, United States Real Estate, has offices in Dallas, TX, San Francisco, CA, and Birmingham, AL (Headquarters). The group has extensive investment experience in the Southeast, Southwest, and Mid-Atlantic and is currently investing its sixth investment opportunity fund in the past 20 years.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/68b98176-3db1-4c33-b633-c4dc2073d7c2TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nutritional High International Inc. (the "Company" or "Nutritional High") (CSE: EAT, OTCQB: SPLIF, FRANKFURT:2NU) is pleased to provide an update on its operations in California. The Company owns assets in multiple verticals in the California value chain including extraction through its subsidiary, Pasa Verde, LLC which operates its FLI NorCal production facility, and distribution through its subsidiary, Calyx Brands (Calyx).

Calyx Update

The Company is pleased to announce that Calyx has grown rapidly under Nutritional Highs leadership. Calyx has generated over USD $7.4 million in top line revenue and incurred approximately USD $6.1 million cost of sales in the six and a half months (March 15th, 2018, through September 30th, 2018) since it was acquired by the Company (see press release dated March 16th, 2018). In addition, Calyx services over 450 dispensaries covering the entire State. Company management is investing heavily in expanding distribution infrastructure to maximize efficiencies and its reach across California in the near term.

As compared to previously disclosed revenue metrics from some of our competitors, these sales metrics place Calyx among the largest distributors in the California cannabis market, commented Dakota Sullivan, CEO of Calyx. We are very encouraged by the sales growth Calyx has been able to drive since being acquired by Nutritional High and we look forward to building on this momentum. The California market presents a massive opportunity for us and we will continue to execute on our strategy of providing innovative value-added products and superior service across the state to drive further market share.

The top line revenues for Calyx reported here are not an indication of profitability, or the sustainability of its revenues. The cost of sales disclosed above excludes the overhead, interest, depreciation and tax. Calyx financial results will be reported in a more fulsome manner as part of Nutritional Highs financial statement reporting, the next report due being for its year ended July 31, 2018.

Jim Frazier, CEO of Nutritional High, commented: We are proud of the growth of Calyx over this short time. The Calyx team has done a tremendous job of increasing market share in a rapidly changing California market. While others are losing ground and struggling to gain traction, Calyx has grown exponentially.

As we now commence production in the FLI NorCal facility, we look forward to leveraging the strong distribution channels built by Calyx to roll out new products in underserviced market segments, Mr. Frazier added. Our recently announced addition of FLI Mini-Mints, FLI High Terpine Vape Cartridges and Oil Syringes and FLI Select (high THC) Vape Cartridges and Oil Syringes are all examples of products being positioned for underserved market niches identified by Calyx management.

Calyx Acquisition Payment

Further to the terms of the acquisition of Calyx, the Company was required to make a residual payment, subject to a working capital adjustment. The Company and Calyx entered into an amending agreement whereby certain Calyx shareholders elected to convert a portion or all of their final payment to shares of the Company, or elected to take deferred payments, in exchange for the Nutritional High foregoing the working capital adjustment. In this regard, the Company has paid the following amounts to Calyx shareholders (all figures in USD):

$550,657 in cash;

486,500 common shares in the Company.

In addition, the Company is obligated to pay an additional $172,499 in cash on September 15th, 2019.

About Nutritional High International Inc.

Nutritional High is focused on developing, manufacturing and distributing products under recognized brands in the cannabis products industry, with a specific focus on edibles and oil extracts for medical and adult recreational use. The Company works exclusively with licensed facilities in jurisdictions where such activity is permitted and regulated by state law.

The Company follows a vertically integrated model with a fully developed strategy for acquisitions in extraction, production, sales, and distribution sectors of the cannabis industry. Nutritional High has brought its flagship FLI edibles and extracts product line from production to market through its wholly owned subsidiaries in California and Oregon, as well as Colorado where its FLI products are manufactured by a third-party licensed producer. In California, the Company distributes its products and products manufactured by other leading producers through its wholly owned distributor Calyx Brands Inc. The Company also owns a 50% interest in The Clinic Effingham (an Illinois dispensary), and is entering the Nevada, Washington State and Canadian markets in the near future.

For updates on the Companys activities and highlights of the Companys press releases and other media coverage, please follow Nutritional High on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and Google+ or visit www.nutritionalhigh.com .

For further information, please contact:

David Posner

Co-Chairman of the Board

Nutritional High International Inc.

647-985-6727

Email: dposner@nutritionalhigh.com

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR OTC MARKETS GROUP INC., NOR THEIR REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDERS HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. The statements relate to potential market expansion and the use of the proceeds of the Offering. Risks that may have an impact on the ability for these events to be achieved include completion of due diligence, negotiation of definitive agreements and receipt of applicable approvals. Although such statements are based on managements reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

The Companys securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or U.S. Persons, as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking information expressed in this press release include, but are not limited to: obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals including acquiring and renewing U.S. state, local or other licenses, the uncertainty of existing protection from U.S. federal or other prosecution, regulatory or political change such as changes in applicable laws and regulations, including U.S. state-law legalization, market and general economic conditions of the cannabis sector or otherwise.Re: Google Inc. accused rival Microsoft Corp.s Bing Search of copying its [ #permalink

Google Inc. accused rival Microsoft Corp.s Bing Search of copying its internet search results. To prove its claim, Google did a series of tests. As an example, in one of the tests, it changed its algorithm to show a link to the website for Blackberry maker Research In Motion Ltd if users searched for "mbzrxpgjys", a result that was essentially irrelevant. When this test was executed, the same result showed up on Bing. In fact, Google found such copying in nine out of 100 different search queries it tested.



Analysis-

> G accused M for copying search results

>An irrelevant search was adopted by G to prove the copying by M

> Results match

> 9/100 cases show copying





If Googles claim that Microsoft is copying its search results is true, what else must be true?



Question analysis- GIVEN- M copied G results. Also must be true?



Pay attention to the given data in question as it makes our belief in passage concrete.

This is an ALSO must be true.



A.

Users who typed "mbzrxpgjys" found the link to the website of Research In Motion Ltd. useful.

- WRONG- how the data was useful is out of scope



B.

If two search engines return the same search results for 9 or more out of 100 search terms, then one search engine must be copying the other.

- WRONG-cause and effect is not given. This is just in Google's case. This answer choice makes a general causal (if ...then.) statement which is too broad to be true.



C. It is highly unlikely that the irrelevant results from two different search engines would match unless one copied the other.- CORRECT- the question tells us that M copied G. So it is HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THE TEST RESULTS ARE INDICATIVE OF COPYING. Now the conclusion made in the question statement is based on the research done so the research data is conclusive enough to prove the conclusion . SO THIS MUST BE TRUE ,otherwise the conclusion in question statement may not hold.



D.

The number of search queries for mbzrxpgjys did not increase tremendously in the time period when Google carried this test out.

- WRONG-no relationship between no. Of results and time period- out of scope



E.

Copying irrelevant results is as severe a crime as copying relevant search results.

- WRONG-crime - OUT OF SCOPE



Posted from my mobile deviceBunuel wrote:





(A) 25

(B) 36

(C) 38

(D) 42

(E) 45



Diagnostic Test

Question: 14

Page: 22

Difficulty: 650 Of the 84 parents who attended a meeting at a school, 35 volunteered to supervise children during the school picnic and 11 volunteered both to supervise children during the picnic and to bring refreshments to the picnic. If the number of parents who volunteered to bring refreshments was 1.5 times the number of parents who neither volunteered to supervise children during the picnic nor volunteered to bring refreshments, how many of the parents volunteered to bring refreshments?(A) 25(B) 36(C) 38(D) 42(E) 45

Of the 84 parents who attended a meeting at a school, 35 volunteered to supervise children during the school picnic and 11 volunteered both to supervise children during the picnic and to bring refreshments to the picnic.

The number of parents who volunteered to bring refreshments was 1.5 times the number of parents who neither volunteered to supervise children during picnic nor volunteered to bring refreshments

How many of the parents volunteered to bring refreshments?

VERY COMMON

Another approach is to use the Double Matrix Method. This technique can be used for most questions featuring a population in which each member has two characteristics associated with it (aka overlapping sets questions).Here, we have a population of baseball players, and the two characteristics are:- supervised children or did not supervise children- bring refreshments or didn't bring refreshmentsSo, we get the following:If we let x = the number of parents who neither supervised not brought refreshments, then1.5x = the number of parents who brought refreshmentsIn other words, what is the value of 1.5x?Notice that, if we add the two boxes in the right-hand column, then we see that 24+x = the total number of parents who DIDN'T bring refreshments.At this point, we know that 1.5x = the number of parents who brought refreshments, and 24+x = the number of parents who DIDN'T bring refreshments.We can write: 1.5x + (24 + x) = 84 (the total number of parents)Simplify: 2.5x + 24 = 842.5x = 60x = 24We already know that 1.5x = the number of parents who brought refreshments1.5(24) = 36So, 36 parents brought refreshmentsAnswer: BThis question type ison the GMAT, so be sure to master the technique.To learn more about the Double Matrix Method, watch this video:One practice question:_________________Hi ankvatsa3,Many Schools are open to the idea of receiving 'updates' to an application (such as a more recent, higher, GMAT Score or some type of other noteworthy achievement - a promotion at work, receiving an Award, etc.), so you might be able to simply contact the School with your new GMAT Score. That having been said, you're ultimately asking Admissions questions, so you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile and plans. There's a Forum full of those Experts here:GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,Rich_________________CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trican Well Service Ltd. (Trican) (TSX: TCW) intends to release its Third Quarter 2018 results on Thursday, November 8, 2018 before the open of the market.

The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. MT (12:00 p.m. ET) to discuss the Companys results for the 2018 Third Quarter.

To listen to the webcast of the conference call, please enter the following URL in your web browser: https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/pgfai7bq .

You can also visit the Investors section of our website at www.tricanwellservice.com/investors and click on Reports.

To participate in the Q&A session, please call the conference call operator at 1-844-358-9180 (North America) or 478-219-0187 (outside North America) 15 minutes prior to the call's start time and ask for the Trican Well Service Ltd. Third Quarter 2018 Earnings Results Conference Call.

The conference call will be archived on Tricans website at www.tricanwellservice.com/investors

Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Trican provides a comprehensive array of specialized products, equipment and services that are used during the exploration and development of oil and gas reserves.

Requests for further information should be directed to:

Dale Dusterhoft

President and Chief Executive Officer

E-mail: ddusterhoft@trican.ca

Michael Baldwin

Senior Vice President, Corporate Development

E-mail: mbaldwin@trican.ca

Robert Skilnick

Chief Financial Officer

E-mail: robert.skilnick@trican.ca

Phone: (403) 266-0202

Fax: (403) 237-7716

2900, 645  7th Avenue S.W.

Calgary, Alberta T2P 4G8

Please visit our website at www.tricanwellservice.com

PDF available: http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/cc55d951-3f99-439f-80a2-934470691856Adds Technology Insight

SEATTLE and AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DigitalTown (OTC:DGTW)  with its blockchain-based Platform as a Service (PaaS) technology that supports local-first commerce and community building  announces the appointment of Austin-based technology expert Karen Robinson to the Board of Directors, effective October 15, 2018.

Former Chief Information Officer for the State of Texas, Karen is the first woman to join the DigitalTown Board and brings a wealth of experience in information and communications technology planning, procurement, service delivery and leadership. The Board position follows her recent appointment as a strategic advisor, in July 2018.

DigitalTown CEO, George Nagy , comments: Karen is a strong addition to the DigitalTown Board as we focus on our pilot project in Austin. Karens technical know-how, her business acumen and vast experience of executing successful projects in Texas and globally, is an invaluable resource from which DigitalTown will benefit greatly. It is also a wonderful development for the company to appoint its first female Board Member.

Newly appointed DigitalTown Board Member, Karen Robinson, says: The companys success at the recent Austin Mayors Blockchain Challenge is testimony to the positive impact DigitalTown can have. The companys solutions for vulnerable members of society, allow us as a city to pay it forward and contribute to important, worthy causes in secure and simple ways. Just the possibility for the homeless to receive donations via a printed QR Code linked to their DigitalTown identity and SmartWallet, can benefit many lives.

DigitalTown holds great potential for Austin, and for the world. Providing technology that connects local, independent businesses with residents and visitors with Blockchain-based technology, is being well received. I am eager to dive right in and to help Austin become a successful use case for DigitalTown, adds Karen Robinson.

George Nagy concludes: Karens insight into Austin and Texan culture and entrepreneurship make her the perfect choice for the Board of DigitalTown. We warmly welcome Karen and we look forward to working with her.

The DigitalTown Blockchain-based platform makes it easy and convenient for cities to get online without investing in expensive custom systems. With DigitalTown, merchants are eligible for a free online storefront and receive business tools that allow them to build relationships with their customers. Payment processing fees and commission rates are some of the lowest available today. Everyone receives a free SmartWallet for carrying out transactions. The DigitalTown mobile App grants users the ability to manage their digital identity, pay participating merchants and send funds to other SmartWallet holders.

About DigitalTown

DigitalTown, Inc . (DGTW) powers Smart Cities to succeed in the Digital Age. It provides turn-key hosted solutions to power "Digital Towns", which improve Quality of Life for residents and visitors with solutions for economic development, civic engagement and digital inclusion for cities around the world. You can download the free DigitalTown App for iOS and Android.

Contact

George Nagy, Chief Executive Officer

+ 1 703 835 3122 george.nagy@digitaltown.com

Karen Floyd, Chief Brand Officer

+34 692 336 787 karen.floyd@digitaltown.com

Disclaimer - Forward Looking Statement

Safe Harbor Language: Any statements contained herein related to future events are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. DigitalTown, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any such statements to reflect actual events.This item has been supplied by a forage marketer and has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hay & Forage Grower.

The Sinch Bale Feeder feeds out up to 10 large square bales fast and easy. Designed for larger operations the feed out unit is mounted to trailers with or without flakers to peel off hay and silage. It also comes in a 6 bale detachable model that can sit on any flatbed trailer or truck.

Kenna came up with the idea of a cable winch powered feeding out system. Initially he says it worked OK but there was a few headaches and the cable needed replacing each year. Also another hydraulic motor was needed to bring the pushing arm back. After 4-5 years of refinements he came across a chain, drive sprocket from the mining industry & hydraulic gearbox. This development proved quite a breakthrough. There needed to be only one motor, 2 hoses & the chain had a load rating 7 times what was needed. Kenna came up with the idea of a cable winch powered feeding out system. Initially he says it worked OK but there was a few headaches and the cable needed replacing each year. Also another hydraulic motor was needed to bring the pushing arm back. After 4-5 years of refinements he came across a chain, drive sprocket from the mining industry & hydraulic gearbox. This development proved quite a breakthrough. There needed to be only one motor, 2 hoses & the chain had a load rating 7 times what was needed. Mounted in a channel running front to back & centered on the trailer the continuous chain pulls a pushing arm that moves the bales to the rear. The arm gradually pushes off bales on one side, returns to the front & is swung over to push off bales on the other side of the platform. After cutting the twine the sections of silage/hay gradually fall off and the twine is collected on a continuous looped rope tied to the pushing arm. This is a great feature because you dont have to pull any strings & you always know you have them all. The optional flakers provide more control by regulating flake size. Mounted in a channel running front to back & centered on the trailer the continuous chain pulls a pushing arm that moves the bales to the rear. The arm gradually pushes off bales on one side, returns to the front & is swung over to push off bales on the other side of the platform. After cutting the twine the sections of silage/hay gradually fall off and the twine is collected on a continuous looped rope tied to the pushing arm. This is a great feature because you dont have to pull any strings & you always know you have them all. The optional flakers provide more control by regulating flake size.

The simple unit requires only 2 hoses, one motor & one lever in the cab. Even lubrication is kept to a minimum with one grease zerk on the basic model & a total of 5 with flakers. The simple unit requires only 2 hoses, one motor & one lever in the cab. Even lubrication is kept to a minimum with one grease zerk on the basic model & a total of 5 with flakers. As the farm began using it, Kenna reports the biggest surprise was a straight up saving in labor. One person could do what required several in the past in reduced time. As the farm began using it, Kenna reports the biggest surprise was a straight up saving in labor. One person could do what required several in the past in reduced time. One customer in New South Wales who feed out 180 bales per week reported going from 6 workers involved to one says Kenna. One customer in New South Wales who feed out 180 bales per week reported going from 6 workers involved to one says Kenna. The safety of the system with just an operator sitting in the cab was the next biggest thing. The safety of the system with just an operator sitting in the cab was the next biggest thing. Another surprise was the systems versatility. Sinch Systems are adaptable to a variety of trailers & truck beds. Another surprise was the systems versatility. Sinch Systems are adaptable to a variety of trailers & truck beds.

Utah rancher Charles Redd was the first North American buyer. He decided to install a 10 bale Sinch System on a 40 feet goose neck. Kenna travelled to the ranch & went through the drawings & components with a local welding firm. Utah rancher Charles Redd was the first North American buyer. He decided to install a 10 bale Sinch System on a 40 feet goose neck. Kenna travelled to the ranch & went through the drawings & components with a local welding firm. Within a month they had it operational says Kenna. I was amazed at the suitability of USA goose neck trailers for our product. We wish we had trailers like them in Australia Within a month they had it operational says Kenna. I was amazed at the suitability of USA goose neck trailers for our product. We wish we had trailers like them in Australia Several introductory offers are available.

In 2006, we wanted to somehow bring back silage to our 500 cow dairy farm 16 miles from our farm in Victoria, explains Gerard Kenna Sinch Bale Feeders. There werent many big square bales in use at the time, or ways to feed them out. It was first developed for silage but then found it was perfect for hay also.New York State Department of Health Warns More Potential New Measles Exposures in Rockland County

New Cases Linked to International Travelers

State Working with County and Community to Identify Potential Exposures, Provide Vaccine, Prevent Further Spread

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 16, 2018) - The New York State Department of Health today announced that additional measles cases linked to international travelers returning from Israel have been confirmed in Rockland County.

Like many European countries and parts of the world, Israel is currently experiencing a high number of measles cases. In the most recent data compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO), 339 cases have been reported in Israel from March through August of 2018.

To help prevent secondary cases of measles, the state Department of Health is working with the Rockland County Department of Health and Refuah Health Center to identify those potentially exposed and provide information on the importance of vaccination.

A measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine clinic for those who are not immune to measles will be held on Thursday, October 18, from 4:30 p.m. 6:30 at the Community Outreach Center located 21 Remsen Avenue in Monsey.

In addition to supporting the county by providing MMR vaccine, the state Department of Health is testing samples at its Wadsworth Laboratory in Albany, and assisting with community outreach and contact investigations. This includes working with the Rockland County Department of Health to identify unvaccinated students at any impacted schools, and taking the appropriate actions to minimize the risk to other students.

For those who believe they may have been exposed and have further questions, a toll-free hotline has been established: 1-888-364-4837. The hotline is available Monday  Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Individuals are considered protected or immune to measles if they were born before 1957, have received two doses of MMR vaccine, have had measles, or have a laboratory test result confirming immunity. Individuals who are not immune to measles and were exposed are at risk for developing measles. Preventive treatment for measles is recommended for those without evidence of immunity as follows: MMR vaccine can be given to eligible exposed individuals within 72 hours of exposure OR immune globulin can be administered within 6 days of exposure.

All individuals who think they may have been exposed to measles, particularly those without immunity or who are not sure if they have been vaccinated, should contact their health care provider if they develop measles symptoms. Symptoms include a fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis or runny nose. Symptoms usually appear 10-12 days after exposure but may appear as early as 7 days and as late as 21 days after exposure.

To prevent the spread of illness, the Department is advising individuals who may have been exposed and who have symptoms consistent with measles to contact their health care provider, a local clinic, or a local emergency department before going for care. This will help to prevent others at these facilities from being exposed to the illness.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people. People first develop a fever, then may have a cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by appearance of a rash. People are considered infectious from four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash.

The single best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated. Individuals should receive two doses of MMR vaccine to be fully protected. If a person is unsure if they are immune they should contact their healthcare provider. Typically, the first dose of MMR vaccine should be given at 12-15 months of age and the second dose should be given at four to six years of age (age of school entry), although individuals may also be vaccinated later in life. In New York State, measles immunization is required of children enrolled in schools, daycare, and pre-kindergarten. Since August 1990, college students have also been required to demonstrate immunity against measles.

More information about measles can be found at https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2170.pdf.Three-day partner event will give APAC technology solution providers the opportunity to learn and network with peers and product experts

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Plans for the first-ever IT Nation Connect in APAC have been unveiled by ConnectWise , a software company that connects technology teams to the solutions, services and resources necessary for success. The 25-27 March conference on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, will provide technology solution industry professionals with three days of business best practices, hands-on product training, networking opportunities and a keynote address from ConnectWise CEO Arnie Bellini.

Stuart Applegate, Director, IT Nation International Community for ConnectWise, said the idea to bring the popular IT Nation Connect gathering to APAC was inspired by the companys Australia and New Zealand partners. He said those who have travelled to IT Nation events in the United States and those who attend local IT Nation Share (formerly ConnectWise Users Groups) meetings have been vocal about their desire to have an IT Nation Connect event closer to home. When combined with the results of a recent survey in which 95 percent of respondents indicated they would be interested in attending an event of this type in Australia, the decision to organise an APAC-based IT Nation Connect conference was easy.

We debuted our first IT Nation partner conference in the United States 14 years ago and have watched the annual event in Orlando, Florida, grow into one of the largest gatherings of IT professionals in the world with its more than 3,000 attendees, Applegate said. Were excited to add an Australian event to give IT service providers who live and work in the APAC region the opportunity to more easily access the innovative ideas and educational opportunities that have been available to their peers in the United States.

Dean Calvert is one of ConnectWises Australia-based partners who has travelled to Orlando on several occasions for its annual conference. The Managing Director of Calvert Technologies said he is looking forward to an event designed especially for partners in the APAC region.

Spending time with other ConnectWise users and experts who are willing to share their knowledge and ideas about how to grow an IT services business was both inspiring and beneficial, Calvert said. The fact that ConnectWise has listened to its partners and is bringing us together in Australia clearly demonstrates how ConnectWise understands its community.

IT Nation Connect attendees will experience three impactful days of speakers, sessions and peer networking opportunities focused on in-depth product training, business best practices and thought leadership that drives business growth. The conference will include at least 30 hours of breakout sessions and two keynote addresses.

Applegate said he expects more than 300 professionals to attend the inaugural IT Nation Connect conference in Australia to connect, collaborate and grow with the best minds in the industry. We are incredibly excited about providing our partners around the world a community that gives them the tools and knowledge they need for their businesses, he said.

To register or to learn more about APACs inaugural IT Nation Connect conference next year, click here . Details about the upcoming IT Nation Connect in Orlando, scheduled for Nov. 7-9, are found here .

Follow ConnectWise

LinkedIn

ConnectWise Blog

Twitter

Facebook

YouTube

About ConnectWise

ConnectWise is a software company that connects technology teams to the solutions, services and resources necessary for success. Our award-winning business management platform automates the full lifecycle of technology service delivery, from sales and service to project tracking and back-office functions, for more than 22,000 partners in more than 70 countries. We believe in an open ecosystem, the power of choice and providing a single pane of glass view. With more than 35 years of experience, ConnectWise software solutions deliver the support companies want at each step of their business journey. For more information, visit www.ConnectWise.com .VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sirona Biochem Corp . (TSX-V: SBM) (Frankfurt: ZSB) (the Company) announced that it has closed a private placement (subject to TSX.V approval) in the amount of 7,095,100 units at $0.10 per unit for total gross proceeds of $709,510. Each unit consists of one common share and one transferable share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable into one additional common share of the Company for a period of three years, from the date of issue, at a price of $0.18 per share.



The Company paid a total of $9,532 in finders fees in connection with the placement.

We are very pleased that we have ongoing support from our existing shareholders as well as interest from new parties, said Howard Verrico, CEO. The funds will go toward the upcoming clinical trial, international partnering activities, paying off a portion of existing convertible notes, as well as general operating expenses.

All securities issued under the placement are subject to statutory hold periods expiring on February 16, 2019.

The Company also announced that it extended $443,600 of the $665,360 convertible notes that matured August 31, 2018. Each Note will be extended for a 12 month term, convertible at the option of the holder into one common share of the company at a conversion price of $0.14 per share.

The Notes will bear interest at the rate of 12% per annum, payable quarterly, until the Notes are converted or repaid. The company will be entitled to repay the principal amount of the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, at any time commencing four months after the date of issuance, subject to giving the holders prior notice thereof to permit holders to convert during the notice period. The Notes are unsecured and transferable, subject to resale restrictions under applicable securities laws and TSX Venture Exchange requirements.

About Sirona Biochem Corp.



Sirona Biochem is a cosmetic ingredient and drug discovery company with a proprietary platform technology. Sirona specializes in stabilizing carbohydrate molecules with the goal of improving efficacy and safety. New compounds are patented for maximum revenue potential.

Sironas compounds are licensed to leading companies around the world in return for licensing fees, milestone fees and ongoing royalty payments. Sironas laboratory, TFChem, is located in France and is the recipient of multiple French national scientific awards and European Union and French government grants. For more information please visit www.sironabiochem.com .

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information regarding this press release, please contact:

Christopher Hopton, CFO

Sirona Biochem Corp.

Phone: 1.604.282.6064

Email: chopton@sironabiochem.com

Sirona Biochem cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon current expectations and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of release of the relevant information, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, Sirona Biochems forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Sirona Biochems business including, without limitation, statements about: the progress and timing of its clinical trials; difficulties or delays in development, testing, obtaining regulatory approval, producing and marketing its products; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of its products that could delay or prevent product development or commercialization; the scope and validity of patent protection for its products; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies; and its ability to obtain additional financing to support its operations. Sirona Biochem does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law.The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoards Dairyman.

Renewable Dairy Fuels (RDF), a business unit of Amp Americas , announced today that its second biogas facility producing Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) from dairy waste is now operational and has begun delivering RNG into the NIPSCO natural gas pipeline system to be used as transportation fuel. The facility is located in Jasper County, Indiana and is now the largest dairy project of its kind in the country.

The Jasper County site will convert 945 tons of manure per day generated from 16,000 head of milking cows from the Bos, Herrema and Windy Ridge dairy farms into 100 percent renewable transportation fuel. The new facility is 50 percent larger than RDFs first operation at Fair Oaks Farms in Indiana which has been online since 2011 and was the first (and the largest until today) dairy biogas-to-transportation fuel project in the country.

Amp Americas also announced today that former Camco Clean Energy executive Andy Dvoracek has joined Amp Americas as vice president of business development. Dvoracek will be responsible for new growth and expanding the companys dairy RNG project portfolio.

Prior to joining Amp Americas, Dvoracek was vice president of development at Camco Clean Energy, a global leader in sustainable energy project development, where he managed origination and investment in carbon asset management projects and biogas development. In his role with Camco, he worked closely with Amp Americas and Fair Oaks Farms (site of Amps initial RNG project) for several years. He holds a BA from Saint Johns University and an MPA in Environmental Science, Policy and Management from Columbia.

Andy has as much experience in RNG and working with dairy farms to reduce carbon emissions as anyone in the industry, said Grant Zimmerman, CEO of Amp Americas. Weve worked extensively with Andy through our long-term partnership with Camco, one that will become even stronger with Andy on our team. With his wealth of valuable knowledge and strong network within the industry, he will be instrumental in helping us develop future dairy RNG projects.

A pioneer in the renewable transportation fuel industry, Amp Americas continues to expand its national footprint and to invest heavily in dairy RNG projects by partnering with dairy farmers across the country to bring more ultra-low CI gas to market. Amp Americas is already producing at an annual rate of over 4 million gallons of RNG, and working on projects that will increase that rate in 2019 and beyond. In addition, the companys network of high performance, ultra fast-fill CNG fueling stations is now up to twenty and continues to grow. The company supports some of the largest CNG fleets in the country including UPS, US Foods and Dairy Farmers of America.

RNG reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 100 percent when compared to diesel. In addition to improving air quality and sustainability, converting dairy waste into transportation fuel improves farm profitability, creates well paying rural jobs and saves fleets money, said Grant Zimmerman, CEO at Amp Americas. Theres an abundance of dairy waste on farms all over the country that could be better leveraged to meet the demand for RNG.

Cow manure from four farms is collected from the barns and delivered to tanks where it is heated to facilitate a process called anaerobic digestion. Much like digestive bacteria and enzymes in a cows stomach, microbes inside the tanks work to break down the waste and release methane, a form of renewable natural gas. The biogas is captured, purified, and compressed to become RNG that is then injected into the pipeline.

About Amp Americas

Amp Americas operates three business units: Renewable Dairy Fuels (RDF), Amp Renew and Amp CNG. RDF produces 100% renewable natural gas from dairy waste. RDF's anaerobic digester at Fair Oaks Farms in Indiana received the first dairy waste-to-vehicle fuel pathway certified by California's Air Resources Board (CARB). The project was also awarded a CI score of -254.94 gCO2e/MJ, the lowest ever issued by CARB. Amp Renew sources renewable gas from RDF and third party RNG developers to supply fuel to fleet customers through both owned and contracted station infrastructure. A member of the Department of Energys National Clean Fleets Partnership, Amp CNG builds, owns and operates a growing network of CNG fueling stations for long-haul trucking fleets. Visit www.ampamericas.com.Jon McCourt, who has been a peace activist in Derry, Northern Ireland, for more than 30 years, will present The Force of Argument is Greater Than the Argument of Force: How 40 Years of Conflict and Community Reconciliation Work in Northern Ireland Influenced Government on Monday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. at Hope College in room 102 of VanderWerf Hall.

The public is invited. Admission is free.

As a young man, McCourt went on the first civil rights march in Derry in October 1968 and was actively engaged in the conflict, including the Battle of the Bogside and Bloody Sunday, when 14 people died at the hands of the British Army. Since 1978 he has worked at building bridges between the two major communities in Derry. His story was one of several featured in the film We Carried Your Secrets.

He has also worked with those involved in conflicts in other areas of the world, including Bosnia, the Middle East, Ukraine and Africa. He will discuss struggle, loss, division, polarization, hope and healing, and share personal moments and reflections.

McCourt has met with Hope students in Belfast on the Celtic May Term for the past six years, and while on campus will also be meeting with classes. He previously spoke at the college in September 2016.

VanderWerf Hall is located at 27 Graves Place, between 10th Street and Graves Place (11th Street) and Central and College avenues.



IceViking strongly condemns physical attacks and harassment directed towards them.





They are also often victims of the Islamic idea. This is true when it comes to the cruel and tragic treatment of Muslim women and children when it is in accord with the Koran, the example of Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia, which may be applied regardless of where a Muslim male may find himself in the world, whether in a Muslim or non-Muslim country.





However, in no way, shape or form should one judge all Muslim men because of what is in Islamic scripture and what constitutes the Islamic law, Sharia.





"Race", ethnicity or basically anything that you are "merely" born with should never be a basis for bigotry and discrimination.





Apostates from Islam have been executed for 1400 years in accord with the Koran and the words and actions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia.





They should be lovingly helped.





Furthermore, approximately as many as 11,000,000 Muslims may have been killed by other Muslims since 1948.





To quote the website The Religion of Peace (TROP), edited by Glen Roberts:





While it may be safe to say that a true Muslim would not intentionally kill another true Muslim ( 4:92-93 ), the Quran places no such value on the life of a Muslim who is not true. Consider verse 9:73 :

Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell.

The Arabic for strive hard uses the same root as Jihad - and the context in this sura is holy war (see v. 86 and 91). Thus, there are two distinct classes of people that a true Muslim is to target with harshness: disbelievers and hypocrites.



A disbeliever obviously refers to a non-Muslim, so a "hypocrite" must be a Muslim of some sort. In fact, hypocrites are those who say they believe, but do not act as they should. In other words, they are "Muslims", but not true Muslims. They will go to hell just as unbelievers do, and so, according to the verse, their lives matter for naught.



The same sura says that a hypocrite can be recognized not just by lack of piety (reluctance to follow Sharia), but by fear of death ( 9:56 ), reluctance to fight ( 9:44-45 ) and even friendliness toward non-believers ( 9:67 ). A true Muslim would thus be a pious person who relishes martyrdom, is eager to fight, and shuns non-believers.



Even the Quranic passage that warns against killing "believers" ( 4:88-94 ) is more complicated than it first appears. It never says that a true Muslim is incapable of killing another Muslim, just that it should not be done. In fact, it makes exceptions for the unintentional killing of "believers" in war and mandates the killing of "hypocrites."



Verse 17:33 says, "Do not kill anyone which Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause" . The greatest cause of all is that Islam be superior ( 9:33 ), which is exactly what Islamic terrorists say is their goal. Thus believing Muslims are allowed to be collateral damage in the war on unbelievers.









There is sadly a phenomena that I`ve noticed in Sweden and elsewhere of people using true facts about Islamic doctrine and history as a cover for all sorts of irrational targeting of Muslims, ranging from xenophobia and racism to verbal abuse and physical attacks.





This is strongly condemned by this website and does not in any way serve serious criticism of orthodox Islam and other important work.





It`s also important that one tries to express oneself in a civilized way. Words matter.





In this bloggers humble opinion the root cause of the problem is the ancient doctrine of orthodox Islam.













In simple terms a non-Muslim is a Kafir.





" The Koran defines the kafir and kafir is not a neutral word. A kafir is not merely someone who does not agree with Islam, but a kafir is evil, disgusting, the lowest form of life."





An exact quote, as stated in the writings of Dr. Bill Warner in the article "Kafir" at http://www.politicalislam.com/kafir .





In the perfect Koran (Allah`s direct and literal word as revealed to Mohammed through the angel Jibril), Muslims are told 89 times to emulate Mohammed in all ways (see Koran 33:21 for instance).





Mohammed`s example, the Sunna, is found in the Hadith (stories of what Mohammed said and did) and the Sira (biographies of Mohammed).





Islamic law, Sharia , is directly derived from these unchanging scriptures. It is based on the Koran`s numerous commands to obey Allah and obey the Messenger, that is Mohammed (see Koran 4:59 for instance).









Islam is Sharia. Sharia is Islam.





It is a capital crime for Muslims to deny Sharia in any way.





A Muslim is someone who submits to Islam and submitting to Islam means obeying the Sharia of Allah.





Sharia law includes pronouncements for both Muslims and non-Muslims (Kafirs).









Islam is a "complete way of life", a "complete code of life", a "complete system of life".





Islam is not just a religion but also a comprehensive ideology.





Islam is a supremacist ideology.





Islam is a totalitarian and imperialistic ideology akin to Communism and Nazism.





Islam is a civilization.

Islamic law, Sharia, is a manual for a civilization.





Islamic law, Sharia, governs every aspect of life.

It has a say about every conceivable human act .





Non-Muslims are morally and legally inferior in Islam. Women are morally and legally inferior in Islam.

























The History of Jihad: From Muhammad to ISIS by Robert Spencer is the first one-volume history of jihad in the English language and a great book on the topic.





Allah guarantees Paradise to those who "kill and are killed" for him (Koran 9:111).





A hadith depicts a Muslim asking Muhammad: "Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad (in reward)." Muhammad replied, "I do not find such a deed." (Bukhari 4.52.44)





Muhammad himself said:

I have been commanded to fight against people so long as they do not declare that there is no god but Allah, and he who professed it was guaranteed the protection of his property and life on my behalf except for the right affairs rest with Allah. (Sahih Muslim 30)









Freedom of speech, human rights, democracy, science and human lives are all at stake in the fight against the Islamic Jihad.



As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQWashington, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Witt OBriens, LLC (Witt OBriens), a subsidiary of SEACOR Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CKH ) announced today the public release of a first-year progress report on the United States Virgin Islands recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria.



This report was issued by the Government of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), with the support of Witt OBriens, its lead recovery consultant. The report is available at https://www.wittobriens.com/usvi-recovery-progress-report/ .

In September 2017, these two Category 5 hurricanes devastated USVI. The territory lost power and communications, roads were washed out or blocked, and more than half the homes were damaged, leaving residents unsheltered. The economy came to a near standstill. In total, damage to the territorys housing, infrastructure and economy has been estimated to be $11 billion.

Key achievements during this first year of recovery include the following:

Power was restored within 100 days of the storms

Airports and cruise ship terminals reopened within 60 days of the storms

Public water distribution resumed within one month of the storms

Almost 1 million cubic yards of debris were collected within 6 months of the storms

Emergency repairs have been made to over 5,000 homes

Critical healthcare services were restored through emergency repairs and temporary modular centers

Students returned for the 2018-19 school year in repaired school buildings and new modular classrooms

First response communication systems were restored, private sector voice and data providers re-established most of the territorys pre-storm capabilities

Tourism has rebounded quickly; reconstruction jobs and new industry are contributing to economic recovery

A key part of the recovery program is to enhance USVIs resilience to future disasters, through hazard mitigation and infrastructure hardening

The Federal government has committed over $8 billion in recovery assistance, from Homeland Security (FEMA), Housing and Urban Development and over a dozen other agencies

As this report demonstrates, we have made outstanding progress over the past year, including the courageous initial response to the disaster by our residents, local first responders, businesses and non-government organizations, and our Federal partners, said USVI Governor Kenneth Mapp. But rebuilding will not be easy, and a complete recovery will take years as we work to completely rebuild some of the most critical aspects of our infrastructure. An incredible amount of planning and coordination continues to take place as we prepare our Territory for the vast construction and rehabilitation ahead.

Virgin Islanders should be extremely proud of their recovery just one year after being hit with back-to-back Category 5 hurricanes, added Brad Gair, Witt OBriens lead executive for USVI recovery. Having led many large-scale disaster recovery efforts, including Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Hurricane Sandy in New York City, I am extremely confident that the Virgin Islands will seize this transformational opportunity to build true resilience to future storms.

###

About Witt O'Brien's

Witt O'Brien's builds resilience. We offer a full range of crisis and emergency management solutions to prepare your organization before disaster strikes, and to help you respond and recover more quickly if it does. This includes unrivalled experience recovering from manmade and natural disasters, including Hurricanes Michael, Florence, Maria, Irma, Harvey, Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike and Sandy. To learn more about our real-world experience and innovative solutions, please visit us at wittobriens.com . Witt OBriens is a subsidiary of SEACOR Holdings Inc.The mayors of Columbus and Bloomington are partnering to spur economic development across south central Indiana.

Columbus Jim Lienhoop joined Bloomingtons John Hamilton on Facebook Live Tuesday at City Hall to talk about the joint venture.

Lienhoop says the two cities complement each other in a way that could bolster high-tech startups.

Given the proximities of our communities, and the notion that we have very complimentary economies and complimentary communities in many ways, it just makes sense for us to try and partner, Lienhoop says.

The cities are raising $1 million with the goal of leveraging up to $1.5 million from Indianapolis development organization Elevate Ventures. Hamilton says they will help develop co-working and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Well be sharing the revenue, well be sharing the Entrepreneur in Residence whos kind of a mentor, its a three year agreement and I really look forward to our communities collaborating more closely, Hamilton says.

Just next door, Dimension Mill is preparing for an October 31st ribbon cutting ceremony. The Trades District is a 12-acre portion of Bloomingtons downtown certified Technology Park.

The Entrepreneur in Residence will spend half of their time there and the other half with the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce.

Lienhoop says for the past two years his city and Bloomington have been looking for opportunities to collaborate.

Our economy in Columbus has been very manufacturing based for the last 50 to 60 years and were convinced that manufacturing will continue for some time, I mean, its not going away any time soon," Lienhoop says. "But there will be a high-tech component to this.

Lienhoop says supporting multiple business start-ups with up to five employees is something they can manage. Its his hope a few of those will eventually grow to become a 200 employer business.

The official launch of the partnership is scheduled for December 6.Indiana University is continuing to impound electric scooters left in improper locations around campus.

IU spokesperson Chuck Carney says that the number of impounded scooters has climbed to 276 and that scooter companies Bird and Lime are well aware of the situation.

"Every time there is an impoundment theres an email that goes to the companies so they know about every single one of these scooters as soon as theyre impounded," Carney says.

Bird and Lime will have to pay a fine to get each scooter back based on where they were improperly left.

Carney says that scooters left in the middle of the sidewalk might cost a scooter company $40.

If a scooter is found to be blocking a wheelchair ramp or similar handicapped access, its a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and carries a fine of more than $100.

Carney says that IU moved to clarify existing rules for so-called "Personal Conveyance Vehicles" rather than create new regulations for the scooters.

IU wants students to ride scooters on the street, exercise caution, wear helmets, and leave scooters at bike racks.LOS ANGELES, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP (GPM) announces an investigation on behalf of Jianpu Technology Inc. investors (Jianpu or the Company) (NYSE: JT ) concerning the Company and its officers possible violations of federal securities laws.



If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.



Jianpu operates a mobile platform that recommends loans underwritten by Chinese subprime lenders, including Qudian Inc. (Qudian), and PPDAI Group Inc. (PPDAI).

On November 16, 2017, Jianpu conducted its initial public offering of American depositary shares at a price of $8.00 per share.

On November 21, 2017, however, Chinese regulators banned the issuance of new online peer-to-peer licenses, citing improper and illegal practices by lenders such as Qudian and PPDAI. On this news, Jianpus share price fell more than 30%, to close at just $4.90 per share on Nov. 24, 2017, thereby injuring investors.

Follow us for updates on Twitter: twitter.com/GPM_LLP .

If you purchased Jianpu, have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Lesley Portnoy , Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to shareholders@glancylaw.com , or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com . If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

Contacts

Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, Los Angeles/New York

Lesley Portnoy, 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224

shareholders@glancylaw.com

www.glancylaw.com



Indiana University President Michael McRobbie says the university is working to address more than 140 reports of mold in campus residence halls.

During his State of the University address Tuesday, McRobbie said IU has provided temporary housing to affected students.

He says the university is working to remediate the problem and plans to reimburse affected students for any medical expenses.

The president also discussed the universitys upcoming bicentennial celebration, which begins next July.

"A particular focus of the bicentennial campaign is through raising the funds to endow chairs and professorships that will help IU help recruit and retain the very best and creative faculty who are the innovators and leaders in their disciplines," McRobbie says.

He says the university has raised more than $2.6 billion as part of the bicentennial fundraising campaign. The goal is to raise $3 billion by the end of the bicentennial year.

McRobbie also touted the universitys efforts to diversify its student population and cater to the needs of a variety of students.

He says for the second consecutive year the IU study body has consisted of more than 20,000 minority students.Tennessee regulators have rejected a plan to move Valparaiso University's struggling law school to Middle Tennessee State University.

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission voted 8-5 Monday to deny the law school's transfer to the Tennessee college's Murfreesboro campus.

The vote came after the two schools' governing boards endorsed the transfer agreement earlier this month.

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee says the commission's decision "denies a legal education to Nashville-area students financially unable to attend an expensive, nearby accredited private institution" or unable to move to a university hundreds of miles away, in Knoxville or Memphis.

A message seeking comment was left Tuesday for Valparaiso University officials.

Officials at the private northern Indiana college announced last November that its law school was facing severe financial challenges.Unlike many opposition groups around the world, the MEK is ready and willing to usher in a new Iran once this regime falls; an Iran that would be democratic and free. Given that the Iranian mullahs, besieged by domestic and international pressures, will soon fall, it seems only right to look at the 10-Point political platform that was adopted by the MEK and the rest of the democratic Iranian Resistance.

1. Free and Fair Elections: The MEK believes that the ballot box is the only way to political legitimacy, so the MEK seeks universal suffrage and democratic elections.

2. Pluralism: The MEK wants a free society, with respect to all individual freedoms. This means freedom of parties, assembly, expression, the media, and the internet.

3. Death Penalty: The MEK is committed to the abolition of the death penalty. Currently, Iran is the worlds leading executioner by capita.

4. Separation of Religion and State: The MEK believes that the current relationship between religion and government in Iran should end. This would also involve the removal of Sharia law and the ending of discrimination against followers of any religion and denomination.

5. Gender Equality: The MEK believes in total gender equality across all areas of life and would ban any form of discrimination against women. The MEK champions the equal participation of women in political leadership and believes that they should be free in marriage, divorce, education, clothing, and employment.

6. Judicial System: The MEK believes in the rule of law and wants to establish a modern judicial system, based on the presumption of innocence, with the rights of the defendant protected, including the right to a defence and the right to be tried in a public court. The MEK also seeks judges who are independent of the legislative branch.

7. Human Rights: The MEK is committed to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and international covenant and conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture, and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women.

8. Equality: The MEK is committed to the equality of all nationalities in Iran, including the autonomy of Iranian Kurdistan, which was adopted as a plan by the National Council of Resistance of Iran. The MEK wrote: The language and culture of our compatriots from whatever nationality, are among our nations human resources and must spread and be promulgated in tomorrows Iran.

9. Market Economy: The MEK believes that all Iranian people must enjoy equal opportunity in employment and in business ventures, which is why the MEK recognizes private property, private investment and the market economy.

10. Foreign Policy: The MEK will base their foreign policy on peaceful coexistence, international and regional peace and cooperation, as well as respect for the United Nations Charter. They also want a non-nuclear Iran, free of weapons of mass destruction.During a recent congressional hearing on US policy in Syria, Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said: These countries [Russia and Iran] are digging into Syria preparing for the long haul, and the implications for the US interests and those of our partners are still coming into focus.

She explained that as Iran shows no signs of leaving Syria anytime soon, the US must find a coherent and comprehensive strategy to counteract Iranian influence in the Middle East.

These concerns were echoed by Majid Rafizadeh, president of International American Council on the Middle East, who also called for the US to prevent Iran from taking over the region.

He said: Iran is solidifying its presence in Syria in three different approaches: militarily, economically and politically.

Tehran is sealing long-term deals and agreements with the weak Syrian state to reconstruct the Syrian military industry. This will give the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp], the Quds Force and Irans intelligence the perfect excuse to remain in Syria, set up more military bases, and further infiltrate Syrias security apparatuses.

Iran first inserted itself into Syria at the start of the civil war in 2011 by providing military advisers to the Bashar Assad regime, but this soon became a full-scale military intervention where Iranian proxies fought alongside Assad. The Iranian Regime has spent about $16 billion, according to the US State Department, to prop up the Syrian Regime and fund proxies in Yemen, Iraq and Syria.

Following a meeting between Amir Hatami and Ali Abdullah Ayoub; the Iranian and Syrian defence ministers, it was announced that Iranian advisers would remain in Syria indefinitely.

US officials have told Iran to retreat, but the mullahs insist that they are there at the request of the Syrian government. The US has responded by telling Syria that it will not receive US aid for reconstruction if Iranian troops remain.

Even if Syria agrees to this, it will take time to remove Iran, but there are steps that can be taken to contain Irans influence in the meantime, like containing Hezbollah in Lebanon, working with regional allies, cutting Irans land bridge across the continent, and bringing a political change to Syria.

Why the US Would Lose A Trade War with China



Anatole Kaletsky









LONDON  The United States cannot win its tariff war with China, regardless of what President Donald Trump says or does in the coming months. Trump believes that he has the upper hand in this conflict because the US economy is so strong, and also because politicians of both parties support the strategic objective of thwarting Chinas rise and preserving US global dominance.



But, ironically, this apparent strength is Trumps fatal weakness. By applying the martial arts principle of turning an opponents strength against him, China should easily win the tariff contest, or at least fight Trump to a draw.



Economists since David Ricardo have argued that restricting imports reduces consumer welfare and impedes productivity growth. But that is not the main reason why Trump will be forced to back down in the trade war. In handicapping the US-China conflict, another economic principle  rarely used to explain the futility of Trumps tariff threats  is much more important than Ricardos concept of comparative advantage: Keynesian demand management.



Comparative advantage certainly influences long-term economic welfare, but demand conditions will determine whether China or America feels more pressure to sue for trade peace in the next few months. And a focus on demand management clearly reveals that the US will suffer from Trumps tariffs, while China can avoid any adverse effects.



From a Keynesian perspective, the outcome of a trade war depends mainly on whether the combatants are experiencing recession or excess demand. In a recession, tariffs can boost economic activity and employment, albeit at the cost of long-term efficiency. But when an economy is operating at or near its maximum capacity, tariffs will merely raise prices and add to the upward pressure on US interest rates. This clearly applies to the US economy today.



US businesses could not, in aggregate, find extra low-wage workers to replace Chinese imports, and even the few US businesses motivated by tariffs to undercut Chinese imports would need to raise wages and build new factories, adding to the upward pressure on inflation and interest rates. With little spare capacity available, the new investment and hiring required to replace Chinese goods would be at the cost of other business decisions that were more profitable before the tariff war with China. So, unless US businesses are sure the tariffs will continue for many years, they will neither invest nor hire new workers to compete with China.



Assuming that well-informed Chinese businesses know this, they will not cut their export prices to absorb the cost of US tariffs. That will leave US importers to pay the tariffs and pass on the cost to US consumers (further fueling inflation) or to US shareholders through lower profits.



Thus, the tariffs will not be punitive for China, as Trump seems to believe. Instead, the main effect will be to hurt US consumers and businesses, just like an increase in sales tax.



But let us concede that the tariffs may price some Chinese goods out of the US market. Where will the competitively priced imports that undercut China come from?



In most cases, the answer will be other emerging economies. Some low-end goods such as shoes and toys will be sourced from Vietnam or India. Final assembly of some electronic and industrial machinery may relocate to South Korea or Mexico. A few Japanese and European suppliers may displace high-end Chinese suppliers. Thus, to the very limited extent that tariffs do prove punitive for China, the effect on other emerging markets and the global economy will not be damaging contagion but a modest boost to demand that results from displacing Chinese exports to the US.



True, Chinese exporters may experience modest losses as other producers take advantage of the US tariffs to undercut them. But this should have no effect on Chinese growth, employment, or corporate profits if demand management is used to offset the loss of exports. The Chinese government has already started to boost domestic consumption and investment by easing monetary policy and cutting taxes.



But Chinas stimulus measures have so far been cautious, as they should be considering the negligible impact that US tariffs have had on Chinese exports. If, however, evidence starts to emerge of export weakness, China can and should compensate with additional steps to boost domestic demand. In principle, China can avoid any damage at all from US tariffs simply by responding with a full-scale Keynesian stimulus. But would the Chinese government be willing do this?



This is where bipartisan US support for a containment policy toward China paradoxically works against Trump. Chinas rulers have so far been reluctant to use overt demand stimulus as a weapon in the trade war because of strong commitments made by President Xi Jinping to limit the growth of Chinas debt and to reform the banking sector.



But such financial policy arguments against Keynesian policy are surely irrelevant now that the US has presented the battle over Trumps tariffs as the opening skirmish in a geopolitical Cold War. It is simply inconceivable that Xi would attach higher priority to credit management than to winning the tariff war and thereby demonstrating the futility of a US containment strategy against China.



This raises the question of how Trump will react when his tariffs start to hurt US businesses and voters, while China and the rest of the world shrug them off. The probable answer is that Trump will follow the precedent of his conflicts with North Korea, the European Union, and Mexico. He will make a deal that fails to achieve his stated objectives but allows him to boast of a win and justify the verbal belligerence that inspires his supporters.



Trumps surprisingly successful rhetorical technique of shout loudly and carry a white flag helps to explain the consistent inconsistency of his foreign policy. The US-China trade war is likely to provide the next example.





Anatole Kaletsky is Chief Economist and Co-Chairman of Gavekal Dragonomics. A former columnist at the Times of London, the International New York Times and the Financial Times, he is the author of Capitalism 4.0, The Birth of a New Economy, which anticipated many of the post-crisis transformations of the global economy. His 1985 book, Costs of Default, became an influential primer for Latin American and Asian governments negotiating debt defaults and restructurings with banks and the IMF.- Meghan Markle honors the late Princess Diana after announcing her pregnancy

- She wore the earrings and bracelet Princess Diana used before

- Princess Harry and Meghan Markle are in Australia for a royal visit

PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed!

The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle has shown a simple yet touching honor to Prince Harrys late mother, Princess Diana amid the public announcement of her pregnancy.

KAMI has learned from E! Online that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Australia as part of their royal tour. Markle was wearing a white fabulous dress. She matched her outfit with fancy accessories which turned out to be Princess Dianas butterfly earrings and bracelet.

Photo from E! Online

Source: Facebook

Photo from E! Online

Source: Facebook

When the royal couple went to the Admiralty House to meet with Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Lynne Cosgrove, they were given presents such as a kangaroo stuffed toy and a pair of Uggs or mini boots. According to Markle, it was the first baby present to them.

PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data!

As previously reported by KAMI, Kensington Palace has announced through Twitter that Meghan Markle is pregnant and expecting first baby with Prince Harry. Markles due date is expected in Spring 2019.

As part of their royal tour as a couple, they will be flying as well to Fiji, New Zealand and Tonga.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot back in May 2018. They started dating since 2016 and got engaged in 2017.

Can Filipinos sing? We are going to check it in this episode of HumanMeter! How will we do it? The answer is Filipino karaoke right in the streets! You know, there is a stereotype that Filipinos are amazing singers. But nobody has checked that before! Thats why weve decided to go into the streets of the Philippines and ask random people to stop for a while and sing karaoke.  on KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel!

Source: Kami.com.phThe relevant bill will soon be registered in the Verkhovna Rada.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has proposed that the St. Andrew's Church in Kyiv be handed over for permanent use to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.

"The president supports the aspiration to get a tomos [on the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church] as soon as possible. In solidarity with this move, he makes a symbolic gesture. Shortly, the Verkhovna Rada [Ukraine's parliament] will register a presidential bill, which proposes to pass the St. Andrew's Church to the Ecumenical Patriarch for permanent use," Ukrainian MP, representative of Ukrainian president in the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Lutsenko said during the Conciliation Council of the chairs of factions and parliamentary committees on October 16.

According to the lawmaker, it "will be a symbolic gesture of unity with the mother of churches."China says it is saving Muslim ethnic minorities from religious extremism by teaching them to speak Mandarin Chinese and accept modern science.

A senior Chinese official made that argument in a report Tuesday. The report marks Chinas latest effort to defend its mass detention of ethnic Uighurs, Kazakhs and others in reeducation camps.

The official Xinhua News Agency published the report. It said the ruling Communist Partys plan includes teaching ethnic minorities Chinese culture, language and history. It said such efforts would help prevent extremism and teach them a modern way of life.

A United Nations group and human rights experts have estimated that around 1 million Uighurs and other Muslims have been detained in extrajudicial camps in western Chinas Xinjiang region.

About 11 million Uighurs live in Xinjiang. They have long faced restrictions on their religious activities, cultural traditions and the use of their language. They also say they face widespread job discrimination in Xinjiang.

In the Xinhua report, Xinjiang leader Shohrat Zakir described the camps as a network of free vocational training centers. He said people there learn skills that will help them find work in manufacturing or in food and service industries. He said they earn some money during the training and receive free food and rooms.

Some former camp detainees have described the conditions inside the camps to Associated Press reporters and human rights organizations. They have explained the reasons for why they were detained. The reasons include praying, looking at a foreign website, teaching in the Uighur language and communicating with people  including family members  who live outside of China.

In Tuesdays report, Zakir said the vocational training centers were for those suspected of minor criminal offenses who do not need criminal punishment. He also said the trainees had been living in poverty before and were open to the influence of terrorists. He suggested the measures were within Chinas anti-terrorism laws.

Maya Wang is a senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch. She said the camp system refused detainees basic protections in the criminal justice system, including the right to see a lawyer.

Omir Bekali is a Kazakh citizen who was born in Xinjiang. He was detained in a reeducation camp. He told AP reporters that he and others in the heavily guarded camp were forced to reject their Islamic beliefs, criticize themselves and loved ones and give thanks to the Communist Party.

If Bekali refused to follow orders, he said he was forced to stand in front of a wall for five hours at a time. At times he was not given food for 24 hours.

He said he was kept in a locked room with eight other detainees. They shared beds and an unclean toilet. A camera was put on the toilet. Bathing, he said, was rare.

In a Human Rights Report last month, other former detainees described similar treatment and poor living conditions inside the camps.

Zakir appeared to try to deny such conditions, telling Xinhua that trainees took part in physical exercise and cultural activities. The eating areas provided them healthy, free food. And, he said, the rooms at the center had televisions, air conditioning and bathing areas.

Zakir added that the teachings they received would put the trainees on a path toward a modern life and help them feel, in his words, confident about the future.

Im Ashley Thomson.

The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

_______________________________________________________________Cuba does not have public opinion studies, campaigns or large independent media groups. But meetings about reforming the countrys constitution have launched an unusual public debate.

Cubas government has organized the meetings. They are part of a nearly two-month period during which Cubans are invited to discuss a draft of the countrys new constitution.

Cubas National Assembly and ruling Communist Party have already approved the draft. Government officials are expected to review the publics comments and add the ideas into a final constitution. The public will then have a chance to approve it next February.

But it is unknown how many and which ideas will be included. Cubas single-party government does not have a history of showing the people how it works or giving them a strong voice.

Direct elections and same-sex marriage

However, as a result of the meetings, everyday people are formally talking to each other about Cubas political system and values. Some are calling for direct election of the president and other officials.

We dont need multiparty democracy, but we should have direct elections, Reinaldo Gonzalez said during a meeting in Havana.

Currently, members of the National Assembly choose the president of Cuba. And government-controlled groups choose the members of the National Assembly.

Many Cubans are objecting to a constitutional amendment that would permit same-sex marriage. Hilario Brache, who calls himself a loyal revolutionary, said, Nature says marriage should be between a man and a woman.

However, the daughter of Raul Castro, the countrys Communist Party leader, strongly supports the amendment. Mariela Castro leads the countrys institute of sexual health and education. She has pushed for increased rights for homosexuals.

But most of the proposed changes are not major reforms. For example, the draft identifies roles for foreign investment and private property. These reforms have already been part of a slow move over the last 10 years toward a more market economy.

Other changes deal with the countrys large government structure. They suggest creating the positions of a prime minister and area governor.

Reporters from the Associated Press have been attending some of the meetings. They say many Cubans believe the new constitution aims to make the current situation in the country official. They note that many people in the government were revolutionary fighters with Fidel Castro. Those officials may want to make sure things stay the same before they retire or pass away.

The meetings have shown that Cubans are informed, interested and excited to talk about their country. Citizens meet in public areas and parks across the country. Many carry cards with the 224 articles of the proposed constitution. They stand for the national song. Then, they share their opinions while someone takes notes. The comments are later sent to the constitutional reform commission, which is led by Raul Castro.

Arturo Lopez-Levy was born and educated in Cuba, and is now an international relations professor in the United States. He said the debates have demonstrated that people in other countries underestimate the extent of debate and popular feedback in the Cuban system.

Constitutional lawyer Julio Fernandez Estrada noted that the meetings have been extremely good and useful. However, he is worried about how much of the publics opinions might actually be included in the final draft of the constitution.

Im Dorothy Gundy.

Kelly Jean Kelly adapted this story for VOA Learning English from the Associated Press. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

draft  n. a version of something (such as a document) that you make before you make the final version.

commission  n. a group of people who have been given the official job of finding information about something or controlling something

extent  n. the point or limit to which something extends

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.Japans navy has been taking part in military exercises in the South China Sea over the past two months.

The exercises are evidence of increased Japanese activity in an area where Japan has long-term interests, including controlling Chinas influence.

In September, a Japanese submarine, helicopter carrier and two destroyer warships explored parts of the South China Sea.

The exercises are part of a two-month program called the Indo Southeast Asia Deployment 2018. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense forces say it is designed to support the interoperability of our partner navies.

Last week, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promised to work with Vietnam on security in the waterway. That statement followed a beach landing exercise involving forces of both Japan and the Philippines.

Japan does not claim territory in the South China Sea, as do Vietnam and the Philippines. However, the Japanese do want to keep the sea open to international shipping. Chinas military buildup in the waterway, then, is a concern.

China has been developing man-made islands in the area for its military. Some of these islets now have runways for large military airplanes. Some are defended with missiles.

Japan is an ally of the United States. The Japanese also have a territorial dispute with China in the East China Sea.

Jeffery Kingston is a history teacher at Temple University in Japan. He told VOA, Clearly Japan wants to send a message to Beijing that China doesnt get to do anything it wants in the South China Sea.

Kingston added that Japan is developing relationships with other nations in East Asia, and the exercises are likely to continue.

These exercises are going to become the new norm, he said.

Japanese interests expand in Southeast Asia

Japan started intensifying ties with Southeast Asia about 20 years ago, when China began expanding its own economic relations in the area. Since 1999, Japan has cut back on its development aid to China.

In March, Japan announced plans to lend money to the Philippines for Manilas first subway system. Japan also has helped rebuild Marawi, a Philippine city partly destroyed by civil war in 2017.

Last year, Japan also promised to work closely with Australia, India and the United States to keep the South China Sea open to shipping.

Stephen Nagy is an associate professor in politics and international studies at the International Christian University in Tokyo. He said Japan wants other countries to agree on international maritime norms.

Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines all claim parts of the South China Sea.

In June, Japan offered a $23 million grant to Indonesia for building ports that face the sea. Two years ago, Japan offered loans and grants to the Philippines for naval patrol ships. And last month, a Japanese submarine visited Vietnam.

Nagy said Southeast Asia looks to Japan as a counterbalance to China. He said Japan and its allies are trying to develop an agreement on how international law should be obeyed by countries within the region.

China has protested Japans recent submarine activity, saying it took place in Chinese waters. The state-operated website Chinadaily.com said the activity was testing one of Chinas redlines, meaning one of its sensitive areas.

Some observers say China may try to build stronger ties with Japan because of its trade dispute with the United States. This year the U.S. government ordered tariffs on some imports, requiring taxes on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods.

Kingston said China hopes to turn down the heat on Japan because the United States is Chinas biggest headache now.

Im Mario Ritter.

Ralph Jennings wrote this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

interoperability  n. the ability of a system to work with and use parts of another system

norm  n. something that is usual or expected

maritime  adj. related to sailing or doing business on the sea

consensus  n. a general agreement on something; an idea that is shared by all members of a group

grant  n. a gift for a set purpose

counterbalance  n. a weight that balances another

headache  n. a very difficult problem or situation

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Ronald Reagan

The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.

Albert Einstein

If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack.

Winston Churchill





It isnt so much that liberals are ignorant. Its just that they know so many things that arent so.

With integrity nothing else counts; Without integrity nothing else counts.

Winston Churchill





Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself.

Harvey S. Firestone





It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office. H. L. Menken



Referenda insure all have a voice in land use decisions.

U.S. Supreme Court

Listen carefully to first criticism of your work. Note just what it is about your work the critics don't like - then cultivate it. That's the only part of your work that's individual and worth keeping.

Jean CocteauAUSTRALIAS foreign minister said yesterday her countrys alliance with the United States had never been more vital in an era of escalating challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

In her first major policy speech since she took over the foreign ministry in August, Marise Payne told an Australian Institute of International Affairs conference that Australia needed to defend its interests in a period of strategic uncertainty.

The former defense ministers staunch declaration of support for the United States, a treaty defense partner since 1951, came after the Chinese Communist Party-owned newspaper China Daily accused Australia and Japan in an editorial last week of jumping on the U.S. bandwagon to contain China.

We have no doubt that the U.S. will remain an enduring presence in our region, Payne said. Other powers will rise, rivalries may intensify, but the United States will be here.

The challenges in the Indo-Pacific render our alliance as vital as it has ever been, she added.

Australia was also committed to constructive collaboration and engagement with China, its most important trade partner, Payne said.

But she said the region would be safer and more prosperous if differences were managed by agreed rules rather than an exercise of power  an apparent reference to the Chinese militarization of the South China Sea where China claims almost all the territory.

The China Daily called on Australia and Japan to work with China to address security challenges, instead of letting the U.S. lead them by the nose.

Mistrust on the scale of the Cold War will create a fragile peace that risks being shattered by the slightest misstep, the newspaper said.

Relations between the U.S. and China have deteriorated, as escalating trade disputes and tariff hikes have been exacerbated by a newly announced U.S. military equipment sale to Taiwan and some recent military operations. In past years, military ties have been somewhat stable, but a series of events this year have roiled the waters.

China protested a recent mission by nuclear-capable U.S. B-52 bombers over the South China Sea, calling the flights provocative. Two weeks ago, the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Decatur sailed close to Chinese-claimed islands in the South China Sea. APVeteran U.S. screenwriter and director Paul Schrader will be a member of the Macau International Film Festivals jury. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Schrader will join the panel which includes Chen Kaige (president), Hong Kong filmmaker Mabel Cheung, Indian actress Tillotama Shome and Australian producer Paul Currie. Schraders career includes screenwriting credits for several classic Martin Scorsese films, including Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and The Last Temptation of Christ. The film festival will take place between December 8 and 14.

30 evacuated due to blaze

A blaze at R. de Horta e Costa yesterday led to the evacuation of approximately 30 people. The incident was first reported to the Fire Services Bureau (CB) around 6:30 a.m. The fire occurred in a 3-storey building near the Mercado Municipal Horta da Mitra. The fire alarm was triggered on the second floor of a restaurant. No injuries were reported and the CB reported that the cause of the fire is still being investigated.

STDM to operate Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal

The Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau, S.A. (STDM) will operate the Macau Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal, according to an executive order published yesterday in the Official Gazette. Earlier, three companies were invited to submit a tender for the ferry terminals operation. STDM offered the highest monthly remuneration at 1,8 million patacas, against the 350,000 patacas of CSI group and the 500,000 patacas of CCCC Third Company of Macau Limited. Previously in 2011, the local government had decided not to renew STDMs contract.

Radio Taxi submits tender for 200 special taxis

Macau Radio Taxi Services Limited (Radio Taxi) submitted a tender for the operation of an additional 200 special taxis over an eight-year period. All of these taxis have to be electrical vehicles. Currently, Radio Taxi is operating 100 special taxis, with the company hiring approximately 170 drivers. About 35 percent of service requests were answered by Radio Taxi, with passengers successfully picked up. The company expressed confidence in winning the tender. The tender session closed at 5 p.m. yesterday. Radio Taxi believes it can break even by operating 200 more taxis.

PSP expands again

The Public Security Police Force (PSP) is expanding its labor force again, following their last expansion on November 1 last year. This expansion will result in PSP having a total of 6,027 staff members. Among them, the number of police officers on the basic level, including sheriffs and deputy chiefs, will increase by 379 more people to 5,859, representing a 7 percent growth. One more chief of police and one senior level superintendent will be appointed. The deputy superintendent will work with an additional eight people.

200 demand to move into affordable houses in 2018

On Sunday, a group of 200 residents held a demonstration expressing their request to move into affordable houses. These residents are candidates who have been on the waiting list of the affordable house project Edificio do Bairro da Ilha Verde. The group wants to move into the building within the year. Due to Typhoon Hato last year, the government announced that the building would undergo half-year long repairs. This year, the government once again announced a maintenance scheme for the project due to the course of Typhoon Mangkhut.A family of six lost children lives quietly in a small apartment among strangers in this northern Iraqi city. The man of the house, an 18-year-old, heads out each morning looking for day labor jobs to pay the rent. His 12-year-old sister acts as the mother, cooking meals, cleaning and caring for her young siblings.

Their home village is less than an hours drive away, but they cant go back  Shiite militiamen burned down their house because their father belonged to the Islamic State group. And they fear retaliation by their former neighbors, so deep is the anger at the militants who once ruled this area.

So the Suleiman children are left to fend for themselves. Their father is in prison. Their mother died years ago. They are traumatized by deaths of loved ones in the war and by their own family turmoil. In their temporary home, they lie low, worried their new neighbors will learn of their familys IS connection.

I am tired, said the 12-year- old, Dawlat, a slim girl whose face is almost unshakably solemn. My mother visits me in my dreams. I get scared when the power is out at night. I would love my father and mother to be here next to me.

Thousands of children of Islamic State group members, many of them abandoned like Dawlats family, are the innocent victims of the brutal rise and destructive fall of Daesh, the acronym by which IS is known. The stain they carry points to how thoroughly Iraqs social fabric was torn apart by the militants nearly 3-year-rule over much of the countrys north and west.

When the Sunni Muslim IS took over those territories in a 2014 blitz, it massacred Shiite Muslims, Kurds, Christians, Yazidis, Sunni Muslim fighters and members of the police or military who fell into its hands. And it drove out others, often either destroying or giving away their homes.

It inflicted a radical version of Shariah law on fellow Sunnis, killing many who violated it or those who opposed their rule. Some Iraqi Sunnis joined the group, either out of conviction or because of the economic benefits membership brought. Many more were its victims. Informants turned in neighbors, leading to punishments ranging from lashings to a bullet in the head in a public square.

Now that IS has been driven out of almost all its territory, many of its victims want vengeance. A senior police officer in the northern province of Nineveh said he knew of at least 100 homes in and around the city of Mosul that have been demolished by tribesmen angry over IS members living there. Daesh- linked families have been shot at and had grenades thrown at their homes, he said. Members of the Yazidi religious minority  whom the militants singled out for some of their worst brutalities, massacres of the men and enslavement of the women  have retaliated by destroying homes in Arab villages in their heartland in the Singar area, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with his agencys regulations.

Thousands of Iraqis are in prison over suspected IS ties and an unknown number of Daesh members were killed in the war. That leaves potentially tens of thousands of children without male heads of households and often without female ones.

The stigma against the children is powerful. Even extended families in some cases refuse to take in abandoned children of IS members, said a relief official with an international agency that has worked to find homes for such children. The relatives may worry about being tainted themselves or come under pressure from their tribes not to accept the kids, she said, speaking on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to talk about the agencys work.

Most children of Iraqi IS members live mingled among the hundreds of thousands still languishing in camps for those displaced by the three years of fighting that brought down IS. More than 1,000 live with incarcerated mothers in overcrowded jails or juvenile detention facilities.

A few dozen are in orphanages. One, in Baghdad, houses the children of foreign jihadis who came from abroad to join the IS and are now dead or imprisoned.

Police have set up checkpoints on all streets leading to it. There has already been at least one foiled attempt to attack the orphanage.

The children at the center of this resentment are often profoundly traumatized, whether from their lives with the Islamic State group or from the war itself.

At another orphanage, in Mosul, a 9-year-old Iraqi girl named Amwaj said her father was killed fighting for IS. Then her home was hit by shelling, killing her mother and three of her siblings. She watched her mothers body being dug from the rubble.

Her face was covered with blood, she said, her hands spread over her cheeks to demonstrate.

The girl, whose name means waves in Arabic, looked haunted, her eyes wandering and often near tears, her voice barely audible. In the orphanage, she takes care of her three surviving brothers, 10-year-old Mohammed and Hashem and Tahrir, both younger than her.

She said she remembers her father giving her money to buy chips and soda. She dreams of him coming to the orphanage to take her home. She dreams of her mother brushing her hair.

Dawlat, her 18-year-old brother Saleh and their siblings  Abdullah, 16; 8-year-old Adam; a 6-year-old sister, Umaimah; and 4-year-old Dawoud  carry on their shoulders the multiple tragedies they endured from the time IS took over their hometown, outside the city of Hawija, in 2014.

They suffered at the hands of Daesh, at the hands of Daeshs enemies and at the hands of their own father.

Their father joined the group and worked repairing generators for the militants. An older brother also joined and was killed fighting for IS. An older sister was killed by a roadside bomb as she tried to flee IS territory.

Family turmoil also tore them apart: It emerged that their father abused one of his daughters. Saleh confronted his father and they lived for months as enemies under one roof. They came to blows several times. Saleh said he even thought of killing his father at night  but he was awake with his gun next to him.

In retaliation, Saleh said, the father turned him in to Daesh for selling cigarettes, which were banned under IS. The militants flogged Saleh. The teen fled to Kurdish-held territory in March 2016, only to be held for six months by Kurdish fighters on suspicion he belonged to Daesh. Saleh said they hung him from the ceiling by his hands and beat the soles of his feet with a hose.

The abused sister was married off to an IS fighter, who was later killed; now 14, she is married again, the second wife of a policeman, and living in a displaced camp.

Meanwhile, Daesh found a new wife for their father, forcing a Shiite woman to marry him. The woman, whose own husband had been killed, brought her own four children with her.

Two months later, Iraqi forces overran Hawija. The father shaved his beard to shed signs of his IS allegiance and fled with his family, hiding among the tens of thousands of others escaping the city.

But his new wife turned him in, telling Kurdish fighters at a checkpoint that he was Daesh. The fighters beat him, then dragged him away  the last any of his family has seen him. The new wife left with her children. She was with them so briefly and wanted so little to do with the family she was forced into that Dawlat and her siblings dont even know her name.

The kids were shunted into a camp for the displaced, where they lived for nearly a year. Finally, the husband of another of their sisters arranged an apartment for them in an impoverished Kurdish neighborhood of Kirkuk.

Surrounded by neighbors belonging to a community persecuted by IS, Saleh fears being found out. At the same time, members of their extended family have warned them its not safe to return to their home village, where other relatives might support them. The husband of another of their sisters was arrested a month ago after someone recognized him in the streets as a Daesh member. Im often close to tears. Im exhausted. I feel like Im 30 after everything Ive gone through, Saleh said.

Dawlats childhood has been stripped away. At their apartment in Kirkuk, she cooks three meals a day; while the younger children are at school, she cleans the house, makes the bed, washes dishes and does laundry. She boasts she can now cook lentils and potatoes and chicken, though she admits she doesnt always get the rice right.

There are moments when a smile illuminates Dawlats face, temporarily sweeping away her perpetual haunted look. She talks of how she once loved school and still hopes to become a doctor or teacher.

More immediately, she hopes to get married. In rural Iraq, marriage of young girls is common. Once married, she said, it would be religiously permitted for her to wear make-up. Id like to go to a hairdresser. I have never been to a hair salon, she said. I like my hair long, but I would like to dye it a different color.

But then she reverts to the little girl she is  longing to play, regretting her burdens and, despite everything, missing her father. He is so dear to me. [] I want him back with us, she whispered, so Saleh could not hear. APAn illegal dental clinic operating without any staff qualification licenses in the Iao Hon area was dismantled by the Public Security Police Force (PSP), the police informed yesterday during a press conference.

According to the case report, police were alerted to the situation by a complaint on October 11 and deployed officers, assisted by the Health Bureau Northern District Inspection Team, to the apartment building where the alleged clinic was operating.

Located at Rua Um do Bairro do Iao Hon, authorities were received by a man dressed in a medical gown who was allegedly responsible for the clinic. The man, a Vietnamese resident in his 40s, handed police a non-resident work permit (commonly known as a blue card) which stated that he had been hired as a domestic helper by a local employer.

The man told police that with the help of friends, he had found the employer who signed his domestic work contract, for which he paid MOP35,000 for.

He arrived in Macau in July and, in fact, started to work for the employer but left after five days.

He then rented the apartment in Iao Hon with the help of his girlfriend, also Vietnamese and working in Macau. He used the apartment to establish the dental clinic.

Although the man had no qualifications, he said he had previously been doing similar work in Vietnam.

According to the PSP investigation, he would have tended to around 30 patients and earned around MOP20,000 through the illegal job.

When asked about the dental equipment and medicines found in the apartment, the man revealed he had acquired the dental chair on the internet for VND40 million (approximately MOP13,840). The medicines were obtained with the help of friends in Vietnam who shipped them to Macau.

The police are also seeking information on the man who had employed the suspect. The suspect told police that he had left his post after only five days and he was never paid any salary, which was why he had not cancelled his blue card.

The suspect has already been presented to the Public Prosecutions Office under usurpation of functions charges.

In a separate case, a group of four women, all Vietnamese nationals aged 20 to 30 years old, were accused of attacking a fellow Vietnamese co-worker.

The case occurred in the early hours of Sunday, when the victim in her 20s was leaving after her shift at a club in a hotel unit in Taipa.

She was then attacked by the group of four, who punched and kicked her. The main suspect used a pair of scissors and stabbed her in the waist.

With the help of the victim, the police managed to identify and locate the four women.

The main suspect admitted to the PSP that she had done it due to a workplace conflict between them. The other three women were said to be friends of the main suspect and helped her perform the attack.Flash floods tore through towns in southwest France, turning waterways into raging torrents that killed at least 13 people, nine of them in just one town, authorities said yesterday. People had to be helicoptered to safety from the roofs of their homes as overnight storms dumped the equivalent of several months of rain in just a few hours.

Worst hit was the town of Trebes, east of the medieval walled city of Carcassonne. The rains that swept in from the Mediterranean killed nine people there, Interior Ministry spokesman Frederic de Lanouvelle said.

He told BFMTV that the floods in the Aude region also killed four other people in other locations, left one person missing and seriously injured five others.

In the town of Villegailhenc, witness Ines Siguet said the waters rose so quickly that people were stranded on the roofs of their homes and had to be helicoptered to safety. She posted video of a ripped-up road where a bridge used to be, torn away by a flood torrent that cut the town in half.

Theres nothing left. Theres just a hole, the 17-year-

old resident told The Associated Press. It was very violent.

Other roads also were flooded, leaving the town cut off, she said. Siguets school was shut down amid the destruction. Two people were killed in the town, according to the Aude regional government.

Alain Thirion, the prefect of Aude, said some of the dead appeared to have been swept away by floodwaters. In the town of Conques-sur-

Orbiel, the river rose by more than six meters (20 feet), he said.

Floodwaters were in some cases too powerful for emergency services to get through, even on boats, he said.

Television images showed waters coursing through towns and villages, with cars stranded in the floods and piled up on top of each other like childrens toys.

The French government rushed hundreds of rescue workers into the flood zone and helicopters buzzed overhead. Schools were closed and authorities were urging people to stay home. APJapans foreign minister raised concerns yesterday about the high levels of debt accrued by some Pacific Island nations and said his country wants to help resolve the problem.

Foreign Minister Taro Kono made the comments while visiting New Zealand, where he met with his counterpart Winston Peters.

Some observers have become alarmed at the growth in Chinese lending in the Pacific and worry that small countries such as Tonga and Vanuatu are becoming beholden to China because of their high debt levels.

Kono didnt mention China specifically in his comments. But he said the Pacific region was important in a strategic sense to both Japan and New Zealand.

Peters said New Zealand was also concerned about the loans and the ability of small island nations to repay them.

Were looking very seriously at that, saying What does it mean for us when those nations may forfeit the very asset value that theyve sought to develop, and have it owned by some other country? he said.

Peters said neither Japan nor New Zealand had gone so far as to offer to repay the loans directly.

We understand the problem, Peters added. Weve got our eyes wide open.

Konos visit to New Zealand was the first by a Japanese foreign minister in five years. It marks a warming relationship between the two nations over the past year since Jacinda Ardern became New Zealands prime minister.

Kono thanked New Zealand for deciding last month to deploy a maritime patrol plane to Japan as part of an effort to enforce U.N. sanctions against North Korea.

Australia, Canada and the U.S. are also helping Japan monitor offshore ship-

to-ship transfers of oil allegedly involving North Korean ships, which would violate U.N. sanctions imposed over the Norths nuclear and missile programs.

Regarding the situation in North Korea, we reaffirm our cooperation to achieve a complete, verifiable and irreversible disposal of all the weapons of mass destruction and the ballistic missiles of all ranges, Kono said through an interpreter.

Kono said he was concerned about the developing trade war between the U.S. and China, and hoped the issues could be resolved through the World Trade Organization.

Kono met with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne last week before traveling to New Zealand. Nick Perry, Wellington, APKorean Air Lines Co. Chairman Cho Yang-ho is set to stand trial in an embezzlement case, adding to troubles faced by a family thats been at the center of rage-driven scandals.

Indicting Cho, prosecutors said he pocketed 19.6 billion won (USD17 million) in fees meant for the carrier from maintenance and duty-free operations in the five years through 2018, a spokesman at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office said yesterday. The company will present facts at the trial, a Korean Air spokeswoman said.

The move by the authorities against Cho, 69, is part of efforts by South Korean President Moon Jae-in to crack the whip on cozy ties between the countrys industrial giants and the government, which the leader has called deep-rooted evil. Chos trial follows last years conviction of Samsung Groups de facto chief Jay Y. Lee in a bribery case, and sends a strong message to businesses and executives that breaking laws will no longer be tolerated.

Cho, who is the head of Hanjin Group, was also investigated for suspected tax evasion, prosecutors dropped those charges after time limits passed in March 2014.

Chos eldest daughter made it to the front page of media around the world about four years ago, when she forced a plane she was on to return to the gate because she wasnt happy with the nuts that Korean Air served her. Earlier this year, her younger sister allegedly threw water in the face of an advertising agency worker during a business meeting.

Prosecutors, however, didnt indict the daughter at the center of the water incident because the victim didnt want to file charges. BloombergLawmaker Ip Sio Kai, who is also Chairman of the Macau Association of Banks, admitted that many disadvantages preventing Macau from developing wealth management and financial leasing schemes still exist.

Yesterday, on the sidelines of the 2018 Annual Management Conference at the Macau Tower, Ip remarked that the disadvantages include a shortage of relevant laws and financial organization elements.

Macau has mainly banks, in addition to a few insurance companies. But [there are] no other financial organization elements, including funds, bonds, said Ip. When there is a [large] economy, when there is a legal system and when there is [capital] security people will come to invest, with capital being collected abundantly.

Another weakness Macau has in regard to characteristic finance development is the financial market.

According to Ip, Macaus own financial market, which consists of approximately 600,000 local residents, cannot support Macau in becoming a regional service platform. Ip hopes that through Macaus position as the platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, its financial market can expand to further countries, such as those in Southeast Asia.

We might need to think about how can we attract them [investors from other countries] to come to Macau. Can Macau meet their demands in terms of wealth management preservation and appreciation? Ip asked.

In order to attract investors from all of Macaus neighboring regions, according to Ip, Macau needs better policies regarding talented human resources and needs to conduct regional promotional campaigns to support the markets expansion.

Besides the aforementioned factors, Macau also lacks a trust law which can give investors the confidence when investing their money in Macau.

However, completing the development of wealth management schemes will not be an outcome of this Macau government, said Ip.

This [development] is continuous. If you take a look at other financial centers, their development did not take just five or 10 years. It possibly took decades. Macau also needs a long time to achieve such a thing. It is not [just] this government [who should develop the characteristic finance]. Every term of the government should do it, declared Ip.

The Chairman of the Macau Association of Banks proposed that Macau should consider trying Southeast Asia, since the wealth of overseas Chinese population there is rather concentrated.

In the 2016 Policy Address, for the first time the government proposed the development of the financial leasing sector with hopes of diversifying the economy. Last June, two laws aiming at easing restrictions over financial leasing were passed.By making a rare second trip this year to Vietnam, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is signaling how intensively the Trump administration is trying to counter Chinas military assertiveness by cozying up to smaller nations in the region that share American wariness about Chinese intentions.

The visit beginning today also shows how far U.S.-Vietnamese relations have advanced since the tumultuous years of the Vietnam War.

Mattis, a retired general who entered the Marine Corps during Vietnam but did not serve there, visited Hanoi in January. By coincidence, that stop came just days before the 50th anniversary of the Tet Offensive in 1968. Tet was a turning point when North Vietnamese fighters attacked an array of key objectives in the South, surprising Washington and feeding anti-war sentiment even though the Norths offensive turned out to be a tactical military failure.

Three months after the Mattis visit, an U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, made a port call at Da Nang. It was the first such visit since the war and a reminder to China that the U.S. is intent on strengthening partnerships in the region as a counterweight to Chinas growing military might.

The most vivid expression of Chinese assertiveness is its transformation of contested islets and other features in the South China Sea into strategic military outposts. The Trump administration has sharply criticized China for deploying surface-to- air missiles and other weapons on some of these outposts. In June, Mattis said the placement of these weapons is tied directly to military use for the purposes of intimidation and coercion.

This time Mattis is visiting Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnams most populous city and its economic center. Known as Saigon during the period before the communists took over the Republic of South Vietnam in 1975, the city was renamed for the man who led the Vietnamese nationalist movement.

Mattis also plans to visit a Vietnamese air base, Bien Hoa, a major air station for American forces during the war, and meet with the defense minister, Ngo Xuan Lich.

The visit comes amid a leadership transition after the death in September of Vietnams president, Tran Dai Quang. Earlier this month, Vietnams ruling Communist Party nominated its general secretary, Nguyen Phu Trong, for the additional post of president. He is expected to be approved by the National Assembly.

Although Vietnam has become a common destination for American secretaries of defense, two visits in one year is unusual, and Ho Chi Minh City is rarely on the itinerary. The last Pentagon chief to visit Ho Chi Minh City was William Cohen in the year 2000; he was the first U.S. defense secretary to visit Vietnam since the war. Formal diplomatic relations were restored in 1995 and the U.S. lifted its war-era arms embargo in 2016.

The Mattis trip originally was to include a visit to Beijing, but that stop was canceled amid rising tensions over trade and defense issues. China recently rejected a request for a Hong Kong port visit by an American warship, and last summer Mattis disinvited China from a major maritime exercise in the Pacific. China in September scrapped a Pentagon visit by its navy chief and demanded that Washington cancel an arms sale to Taiwan.

These tensions have served to accentuate the potential for a stronger U.S. partnership with Vietnam.

Josh Kurlantzick, a senior fellow and Asia specialist at the Council on Foreign Relations, said in an interview that Vietnam in recent years has shifted from a foreign and defense policy that carefully balanced relations with China and the United States to one that shades in the direction of Washington.

I do see Vietnam very much aligned with some of Trumps policies, he said, referring to what the administration calls its free and open Indo-Pacific strategy. It emphasizes ensuring all countries in the region are free from coercion and keeping sea lanes, especially the contested South China Sea, open for international trade.

Vietnam, leaving aside Singapore, is the country the most skeptical of Chinas Southeast Asia policy and makes the most natural partner for the U.S., Kurlantzick said.

Vietnams proximity to the South China Sea makes it an important player in disputes with China over territorial claims to islets, shoals and other small land formations in the sea. Vietnam also fought a border war with China in 1979.

Traditionally wary of its huge northern neighbor, Vietnam shares Chinas system of single-party rule. Vietnam has increasingly cracked down on dissidents and corruption, with scores of high-ranking officials and executives jailed since 2016 on Trongs watch.

Sweeping economic changes over the past 30 years have opened Vietnam to foreign investment and trade, and made it one of fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia. But the Communist Party tolerates no challenge to its one-party rule. Even so, the Trump administration has made a focused effort to draw closer to Vietnam.

When he left Hanoi in January, Mattis said his visit made clear that Americans and Vietnamese have shared interests that in some cases predate the dark period of the Vietnam War.

Neither of us liked being colonized, he said. Robert Burns, Washington, APFormer lawmaker Leonel Alves, a heavyweight in the legal and political community, is throwing his support behind the list of incumbents at the Lawyers Association (AAM) in the upcoming elections for the barristers board and the Advocacy Council. He admitted, however, that Sergio de Almeida Correias bid was positive and made a splash.

In a phone interview with the Times yesterday, Alves said that he supports continuity in the AAM for this years election because there are no conditions for summoning a credible alternative list at this point, alluding to Correias candidacy.

The idea isnt bad. It is actually good in subjective terms, but not in objective terms [at this time], he said.

The prominent lawyer cum politician elaborated, saying: the renovated candidacy must be worked up and better developed. It requires time to create a credible list which has considered the idiosyncrasy of Macau, with capable leaders and be joined by lawyers in their forties [to have] a relevant intervention in society.

Alves firmly rejects the idea that renewal should come from within, with the support of long- time president Jorge Neto Valente as some lawyers have advocated. Not at all! We are all lawyers, we think by ourselves. We dont need [support] canes!

When questioned if he himself would be a leader for change in the association, Alves said, Not for now. I have given a lot of my time, decades, to public life. Now is time to pause and receive  I have people working for me now, he remarked with a laugh.

Alves admitted, however, he may return to public service after some years, without rejecting the idea of being part of a solution in two-years-time.

Almeida Correia announced at a press conference in mid-September that he decided to run for the top barristers post after Valente asked for a total renovation of the AAMs board during an interview with Radio Macau last May.

Valente reversed his previous stance on the matter by saying that the reason behind his decision to re-run was Correias candidacy precisely.

In an announcement on TDM-TV, two weeks ago Valente called Correias bid one of confrontation and rupture, while labeling the challenger as radical and corrosive in his political commentary.

A week later, Correia responded to the criticism on TDM-TV, saying that Valentes words were inadequate and a possible violation of lawyers ethics, which states that lawyers should be civil and avoid personal attacks among peers. He reaffirmed that he was running to fill a void left precisely by constant calls for change in the AAM board by the top barrister and his inability to promote that change.

Some lawyers publicly expressed their support for Correia, while others welcomed the challengers bid.

Alves is among the latter, telling the Times yesterday that Correias candidacy was a splash in the water.

Correias candidacy was positive and had the merit of launching a serious debate on the renovation of AAMs bodies, Alves said.

There was a lot of talk about a challenge for many years but nobody until now had the courage to come forward, challenging the status quo like Mr. Almeida Correia did.

Moreover, Alves said that things wont just die in this election.

We have many years ahead of us to work on the renovation of the board, for the betterment of both the association and Macau, in order to solidify and protect the Rule of Law.

The elections for the AAM board and the Advocacy Council will be held on the first fortnight of December. The deadline for list submission is October 31.Rescuers hampered by difficult, remote terrain took two days to recover the bodies of nine climbers, including one of the worlds best, who hoped to map a new route to a Himalayan peak in Nepal that hasnt been scaled in eight years.

Local police chief Bir Bahadur Budamagar said a group of villagers reached the climbers camp site on Saturday on Gurja Himal, a less-popular but pristine mountain in the shadow of Dhaulagiri, the worlds seventh-

highest peak and a days walk from the nearest village.

The climbers included Kim Chang-ho, the first South Korean to summit all 14 Himalayan peaks over 8,000 meters without using supplemental oxygen, who was leading the expedition with four other South Koreans and four Nepalese guides.

Wangchu Sherpa of the Trekking Camp Nepal agency in Kathmandu, which equipped and organized the expedition, said since achieving the feat in 2013, Kim had been concentrating on climbing routes that hadnt been tried before.

Nepal offers hundreds of mountains to climb, and mountaineers generally choose those where the routes and conditions are well known.

Only 30 climbers have ever reached the peak of the 7,193-meter (23,590-foot) Gurja Himal, government tourism director Surendra Thapa said, and Kim was not among them.

Many climbers are discouraged from the mountain at least in part because of a legal requirement to have at least three trained Nepalese guides along to receive a permit, Thapa said.

These people like to go to mountains which are not crowded and there are no commercially organized expeditions of big groups. On the bad side, they are also far from getting help when in trouble, said said Jiban Ghimire, who organizes expeditions for the Kathmandu-based company Shangrila Nepal Trek.

The damage to the climbers bodies, including broken limbs and smashed skulls, indicated a violent wind carrying chunks of ice swept them away from their camp site, Budamagar said. The bodies were found spread in a 1.5 kilometer (1 mile) radius.

The battered pieces and tents and other equipment were scattered even further away, Budamagar said.

The bodies of Kim and four other South Koreans who were killed will arrive in South Korea on Wednesday, according to an official from South Koreas Corean Alpine Club.

Rescuers retrieved the climbers bodies on Sunday after the weather cleared. The body of one of the guides was taken to his village, while the eight others were flown to Kathmandu.

It was the worst mountaineering disaster in Nepal in recent years and an unimaginable one, said Rameshwor Niraula of Nepals Mountaineering Department, which issues climbing permits and monitors expeditions.

Niraula said officials were still gathering details of what exactly happened, but from what rescuers described, the climbers were blown over by the blast of the blizzard-like wind conditions.

Word of the destruction got out Saturday morning, and helicopters were sent. They were not able to land due to the continuing bad weather but spotted the bodies.

Spring and autumn are the optimal climbing seasons in Nepal between the harsh winter and summer monsoon.

One Korean member of the climbing team had become ill and was in a village far below the base camp during the storm.

The Corean Alpine Club official, who didnt want to be identified because she wasnt authorized to speak to reporters, identified the other South Korean victims as Yu Yeong-jik, Im Il-jin, Jeong Jun-mo and Lee Jae-hoon.

Yu was reportedly in charge of equipment for the team. Im was a filmmaker who specialized in documentaries of mountain climbers. South Koreas Yonhap news agency said senior CAC member Jeong wasnt part of Kims team but was visiting them when the accident happened.

It was the deadliest climbing disaster in Nepal since 2015, when 19 people were killed at Mount Everest base camp by an avalanche triggered by an earthquake that devastated the country. The previous year, an avalanche above Everests base camp killed 16 Nepalese Sherpa guides.

The Himalayan range includes all 14 of the worlds peaks that rise above 8,000 meters, and only a few dozen climbers have made verified, successful ascents of them all. Kim achieved his feat in 2013.Binaj Gurubacharya and Emily Schmall, Kathmandu, APChinese Premier Li Keqiang reaffirmed pledges yesterday to open up his country to foreign investment as a way of promoting commerce between his country and the Netherlands.

However, Li said nothing about trade policies that are the target of U.S. and European complaints and have triggered a damaging trade war with Washington.

Pointing to deals done in July with German companies, Li said his government would fast track Dutch applications to establish themselves in China.

We will remove foreign equity restrictions to Dutch companies as well, he said. If there is any Dutch company that is interested in operating a fully-owned venture in China like the German companies, the Chinese government welcomes that and we will approve the application as quickly as possible.

Li said he expects contracts worth USD10 billion (8.6 billion euros) to be signed between Dutch and Chinese companies during his two-day visit to the Netherlands.

Li spoke after a ceremonial welcome at the Dutch parliament and talks with Prime Minister Mark Rutte. He was to meet King Willem-Alexander later in the day.

Li and Rutte said they discussed multilateral trade but not specifically Beijings trade dispute with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The feud has been fueled by U.S. accusations that China engages in cyber-theft and coerces foreign companies into handing over technology in return for access to the Chinese market, as well as by Trumps anger over Chinas trade surplus with the U.S.

China is ready to work with the Netherlands to address the challenge of unilateralism in todays world, Li said, without providing details. Were also ready to work with the Netherlands to further discuss how we can better improve the global trading regime. APThe ongoing trade war with the U.S. is hitting Chinese consumers psychologically, causing a slowdown for luxury goods in the second half of the year, said Italian menswear maker Ermenegildo Zegna Group.

In the past few months, I would say there has been a slowing down of consumption, and probably the consumer is becoming more careful in what he or she does, Chief Executive Officer Ermenegildo Zegna said in an interview in Shanghai.

In response to that, the family-run luxury suit brand is turning cautious and is planning a more conservative budget for investment in China next year, he said Sunday. Though China is among its biggest markets, it will not expand store count much, he said.

The global luxury sector now depends on Chinese demand for over a third of sales, making marquee brands vulnerable to any hint of a downturn in sentiment among the worlds biggest consumer pool. Last week, global luxury stocks including Prada SpA and Kering SA tumbled across Europe and Hong Kong on fears that Chinese authorities were cracking down on travelers returning home loaded with branded purchases.

I am more cautious than three months ago. For next year, we are going to plan a conservative budget because there are many uncertainties in the air and you have to be realistic, said 63-year-old Zegna, who heads the chain known for upscale mens clothing and accessories. You have to be ready for the worst and act accordingly.

Still, theres good news for Zegna, he said. In addition to stricter border checks, Zegna said that the weak yuan is also making Chinese shoppers buy more at home rather than abroad, a trend that he said benefits the brand since it has established a wide network of 50 stores across China. The turmoil has worked partially at least in our favor, he said. Zegna has kept sticker prices in China stable despite the weakening currency.

The Milan-based group, which earlier this year took control of U.S. brand Thom Browne  a favorite of former First Lady Michelle Obama and other celebrities  for around half a billion dollars, said that its focused on growing footwear and accessories in China, where millennials are the biggest spenders.

Zegna, who is the grandson of the companys eponymous founder, said that it has no intention of going public. BloombergIf the first term of this current legislature is to be remembered at all, it will probably be remembered for the Sulu Sou saga.

Despite his suspension  and therefore absence  for seven of the first 12 months of his term, the youngest lawmaker in Macau SAR history was one of the most vocal and active among his 32 peers.

The 27-year-old politician yesterday convened a press conference at the New Macau Associations Inner Harbor office to review the first year of the current legislative term and outline his objectives for the second.

The democrat lawmaker spent more than half of his first year in a state of suspension; still allowed to attend sessions, but with most of his legislative powers revoked. He and his lawyers maintain that the process leading to his suspension by and from the legislature was unlawful.

In the first legislative session  for the first time ever  the legislature voted to suspend my mandate, said the lawmaker during yesterdays press conference. During my suspension period, I was prohibited from participating in any meetings, legislating, and prevented from submitting questions and motions.

A mechanism that is supposed to protect the independence and dignity of the legislature was used as a tool to [suspend me] and [deprive me] of my political rights, he argued.

With few friends in the Legislative Assembly (AL) and several criminal cases pending against him, Sou admitted yesterday that the possibility of another suspension was very real.

Going into his second year, which formally begins today, the lawmaker faces what some are describing as unprecedented hostility from a coalition within the pro-establishment camp, including previous heated exchanges with Ma Chi Seng and veteran legislator Vong In Fai.

Sou was criticized on several occasions in the last legislative year for what his opponents said was provocative and even disrespectful behavior. In one recent example, Sou described the legislature as a trash assembly, earning the disapproval of Vong In Fai and reproach from AL President Ho Iat Seng.

But the democrat lawmaker said yesterday that many in Macau society shared the sentiment. Even if they punish me [for that statement], it will not halt public criticism of legislators, he maintained, adding that a general impression was taking root among residents that not all of the citys lawmakers were taking their duties seriously.

I think many citizens are very worried about the governance of Macau, said Sou. My feeling is that we [the Legislative Assembly] are in a very passive position in terms of legislation. Out of the 28 bills introduced in the first session, only one was introduced by legislators. This is cause for the [public understanding] that legislators enjoy very little power in proposing bills.

As for the second year of the legislature, Sou has four major objectives: pressing for greater transparency in committee meetings; heightened supervision of government policies; resource support for legislators in conducting community services; and pluralistic and professional input in legal technical discussions.

With regards to the latter objective, Sou made mention of Paulo Cardinal and Paulo Taipa  two long-standing legal advisors of legislature who were suddenly and unexpectedly dismissed by bodys president in August. The lawmaker was reluctant to acknowledge that their dismissal was due to their opposition to his suspension, but promised to closely monitor the situation in the coming months.

For sure, pushing for improvement in the legislature will invoke a strong response from the vested interest. But this will not stop [the New Macau Association] from striving for the betterment and sustainability of our city.

Sou also said he is determined to continue advocating for democratic reform in the year ahead, including changes to how lawmakers and the Chief Executive are elected. At the same time, the lawmaker admitted that the recent crackdown on democrats in neighboring Hong Kong had made significant democratic development in Macau not likely.

The Hong Kong factor is a serious factor affecting Macaus democracy process, he said. However, this is a suitable moment [for us] to promote democracy as a priority and getting the entire legislature directly- elected remains one of our biggest goals.

Police reaction to Au Kam Sans comment ridiculous

During yesterdays press conference, Sulu Sou described the reaction of the police to a lawmakers accusation of improper detention as ridiculous. Sou was referring to a recent comment from Au Kam San, who accused the police of the illegal interception of a resident who had planned to burn himself inside a police station while he was being interviewed by a local Chinese newspaper. The Judiciary Police (PJ) consider the comment to be slander and have called for the lawmaker to apologize. I think it is a ridiculous reaction from the PJ, said Sou yesterday. Freedom of speech is the most important [freedom]. I dont think the PJ should have such a strong reaction to his comment. If they prosecute Mr Au, it will have a significant impact on society. In a statement issued last week, the PJ wrote, the lawmaker ignored the facts and slandered the police for illegal interception, which is serious slander of the person in charge of the PJ at that time, and severely damages the reputation of the person. Anyway, the existence of the so-called illegal interception situation is absolutely impossible, the police authority added.Prince Harry and his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, are expecting their first child in the spring, Kensington Palace said.

The announcement came hours after Harry and the former Meghan Markle arrived in Sydney at the start of a 16-day visit to Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. Hundreds of people gathered to catch a glimpse of the couple after they landed.

Their royal highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public, the palace said in a statement.

The announcement of the pregnancy confirms weeks of speculation from royal watchers about why Meghan was not joining Harry on his Sydney Harbour Bridge climb set for Friday.President Donald Trump threatened to impose another round of tariffs on China and warned that Chinese meddling in U.S. politics is a bigger problem than Russian involvement in the 2016 election.

Asked in an interview with CBSs 60 Minutes whether he wants to push Chinas economy into a depression, Trump said no before comparing the countrys stock-market losses since the tariffs first launched to those in 1929, the start of the Great Depression in the U.S.

I want them to negotiate a fair deal with us. I want them to open their markets like our markets are open, Trump said in the interview that aired Sunday, while adding that more tariffs might be in the mix. So far, the U.S. has imposed three rounds of tariffs on Chinese imports totaling USD250 billion, prompting China to retaliate against U.S. products. The president previously has threatened to hit virtually all Chinese imports with duties.

Questioned about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlins efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election, Trump quickly turned back to China. They meddled, he said of Russia, but I think China meddled too.

I think China meddled also. And I think, frankly, China [] is a bigger problem, Trump said, as interviewer Lesley Stahl interrupted him for diverting from a discussion of Russia. He didnt provide evidence in the interview of Chinas involvement in the last election or its involvement in the current election cycle.

Trump made similar accusations last month during a speech at the United Nations, which his aides rushed to substantiate by pointing to long-term Chinese influence campaigns and an advertising section in the Des Moines Register warning farmers about the potential effects of Trumps tariffs.

Stahl tried to get Trump to commit to not firing special counsel Robert Mueller, whos leading the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump refused to do so, telling her: I dont pledge anything. But I will tell you, I have no intention of doing that. I think its a very unfair investigation because there was no collusion of any kind.

Discussing Brett Kavanaughs confirmation to the Supreme Court, Trump took credit for getting his nomination through the Senate around Christine Blasey Fords allegations that the judge tried to sexually assault her when they were in high school.

In the interview, the president left the door open to reviving a much-criticized practice of separating migrant parents and their children at the Mexican border, something the Washington Post reported last week was under consideration within the administration.

There have to be consequences [] for coming into our country illegally, he said, arguing that part of the reason, I have to blame myself, the economy is so strong that everybody wants to come into the United States.

Pressed again, he added: You cant say yes or no. What I can say is this: There are consequences from coming into a country, namely our country, illegally. MDT/BloombergPresident Donald Trump is backing off his claim that climate change is a hoax but says he doesnt know if its manmade and suggests that the climate will change back again.

In an interview with CBS 60 Minutes that aired yesterday [Macau time], Trump said he doesnt want to put the U.S. at a disadvantage in responding to climate change.

I think somethings happening. Somethings changing and itll change back again, he said. I dont think its a hoax. I think theres probably a difference. But I dont know that its manmade. I will say this: I dont want to give trillions and trillions of dollars. I dont want to lose millions and millions of jobs.

Trump called climate change a hoax in November 2012 when he sent a tweet stating, The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive. He later said he was joking about the Chinese connection, but in years since has continued to call global warming a hoax.

Im not denying climate change, he said in the interview. But it could very well go back. You know, were talking about over a  millions of years.

As far as the climate changing back, temperature records kept by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show that the world hasnt had a cooler-than-average year since 1976 or a cooler-than-normal month since the end of 1985.

Trump, who is scheduled today to visit areas of Georgia and Florida damaged by Hurricane Michael, also expressed doubt over scientists findings linking the changing climate to more powerful hurricanes.

They say that we had hurricanes that were far worse than what we just had with Michael, said Trump, who identified they as people after being pressed by 60 Minutes correspondent Leslie Stahl. She asked, What about the scientists who say its worse than ever? the president replied, Youd have to show me the scientists because they have a very big political agenda.

Trumps comments came just days after a Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a warning that global warming would increase climate-related risks to health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security and economic growth. The report detailed how Earths weather, health and ecosystems would be in better shape if the worlds leaders could somehow limit future human-caused warming.

Citing concerns about the pacts economic impact, Trump said in 2017 that the U.S. will leave the Paris climate accord. The agreement set voluntary greenhouse gas emission targets in an effort to lessen the impact of fossil fuels.

On a different topic, Trump told 60 Minutes that hes been surprised by Washington being a tough, deceptive and divisive place, though some accuse the real estate mogul elected president of those same tactics.

So I always used to say the toughest people are Manhattan real estate guys and blah, blah, he said. Now I say theyre babies.

He said the political people in Washington have changed his thinking.

This is the most deceptive, vicious world. It is vicious, its full of lies, deceit and deception, he said. You make a deal with somebody and its like making a deal with  that table. APAn enraged livery driver was caught on video beating an elderly pedestrian in the middle of a Brooklyn street on Sunday morning. In the graphic video, police say driver Farrukh Afzal can be seen beating 62-year-old Lipa Schwartz at the intersection of 13th Avenue and 46th Street in Borough Park. The assault occurred around 7:30 a.m., when Schwartz was reportedly en route to synagogue.

I'm horrified by this unprovoked vicious assault on an elderly member of our community. Justice needs to be served swiftly and fully. Thank you @BPShomrim and @NYPD66Pct for the quick response. pic.twitter.com/ET9ReklotR  Barry Spitzer (@bspitzer) October 14, 2018

In the footage, Afzal can allegedly be seen throwing Schwartz, wearing traditional Hasidic dress, to the ground and striking him repeatedly in the head. Afzal only lets up when another man approaches, at which point he allegedly takes off after the bystander, leaving an opening for Schwartz to escape. Police said they arrested Afzal at the scene on Sunday, while Schwartz was taken to Maimonides Medical Center, "conscious and alert with bruising to the head."

Schwartz told BoroPark24 that he was walking down 13th Avenue when he heard a car stop and its driver get out. He said he "froze."

"I feared for my life. I knew it's either I fight myself out of this, or I might be dead," Schwartz said. "Burich Hashem I'm out of the hospital with some minor bruises, but the trauma of being attacked by someone who seemed to want revenge will stay with me forever."

Prosecutors told the NY Post that Afzal and Schwartz got into an argument when Afzal honked at Schwartz as he crossed the road, as an audible nudge to walk faster. Schwartz and Afzal reportedly began shouting at one another, and Schwartz allegedly thumped the vehicle's window. At that point, Afzal got out of his car and allegedly went after Schwartz.

Speaking to ABC 7, Schwartz said he suspected Afzal attacked him because he is Jewish. The outlet notes that authorities initially suspected anti-Semitic animus may have motivated the driver, but eventually settled on road rage.

According to CBS New York, police also believed Afzal mistook Schwartz for someone else. Speaking to Gothamist, the NYPD listed the charges against the driver as hate crime assault, criminal mischief, and harassment. At Afzal's arraignment on Sunday, however, he was ultimately charged with second-degree attempted assault, third-degree assault, and harassment and menacing.Dispensaries selling various strains of marijuana and high-potency extracts, called budder and shatter, have opened on main streets. Regular pop-up markets like the one in Hamilton have sprouted, to the point vendors can attend five a week in the Toronto area.

Cannabis lounges have expanded, offering not just a place to smoke and take hits, but classes on growing cannabis at home and making cannabis creams. Cannabis-infused catering has gone so mainstream that the national association of food service businesses, Restaurants Canada, is hosting a seminar on it. Cannabis tour companies have opened, as have cannabis bud-and-breakfasts.

Universities and colleges across the country have introduced courses on cannabis business, investing, retail and cultivation.

Newspapers, which have hired full-time cannabis reporters, have published cannabis sections, filled with editorial ads by government-licensed producers advertising lines of cannabis-infused beverages, coffee and dog chew toys they are developing for when such products become legal.

Ms. Roach see cannabis becoming almost like corn in its derivative form, threaded through everyday Canadian consumer products. Although people eat a minimal amount of corn each day, she said, theres corn syrup in everything.Aaron Doctor, a bright and ambitious young African-American man, grew up in a black community in South Carolina's Lowcountry, but he was 21 years old the first time he met a black doctor, a man whose wife was also a physician.

"I didn't think black people could be doctors," said Doctor, 29.

Doctor, as his name aptly suggests, is a fourth-year student at the Morehouse School of Medicine who wants to become a physician specializing in women's health in underserved communities. The number of people who look like Doctor pursuing careers as physicians across the nation, though, is declining, which is creating a public health problem.

A 2015 Association of Medical Colleges study shows that between 1978 and 2015, the number of black males entering medical school dropped from 1,410 to 1,337, even as the number of black men earning college degrees rose.

During those years, the numbers of Asian and Latino male doctors rose.

The year 1978 also served as a 36-year high in the number of African-American, 542 men to graduate from medical school. Only 515 graduated in 2014. Although African-American men make up six percent of the country's population, they make up fewer than two percent of the nation's 18,000 medical school students257.

There are various reasons for the falling numbers, say medical and education leaders who are issuing a call to action. For example, black students are not being groomed to study and excel in science, and black men are more often opting for other college degrees such as business. Also, a higher percentage of African-American families, compared to whites, don't have the wealth to finance up to 10 years in school, and some students are affected by ongoing issues with racism.

The decline is important for two larger questions of public health and the African-American community. Black male doctors have an outsize impact in communities that have limited medical services. They tend to serve those communities more than their colleagues.

And black male doctors have an outsize impact on the health of black males, a particular underserved population. African-American men have the shortest life span of any demographic group. And poor or poorly educated black men have higher rates of chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease, which can be effectively treated if caught early. Many black men don't visit doctors or don't get the medical care they need. At the same time, a recent survey found black males are more receptive to medical recommendations from another black man.

"We all tend to connect with someone we have something in common with," said Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, president of Morehouse School of Medicine, where 25 percent of its 541 students are African-American men.

Rice is raising awareness about the need and importance of African-American male doctors and is helping develop a local pipeline program to bring men into the profession. MSM is working in the Atlanta Public Schools system to steer more black students toward careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). And Rice has been speaking about the issue in recent months at local Rotary clubs and to national organizations.

Norma Poll-Hunter, the Association of American Medical Colleges's senior director of human capital and the author of the 2015 study, called the organization's report a "clarion call."

"We talk a lot about impact of diversity on the physician workforce," she said. "We know that black doctors made a difference in the health-seeking behavior of black men. We know that black male doctors are more likely to work in under served communities. We have significant health disparities, and if we had more individuals, we could put a dent in that."

GEORGIA BETTER OFF THAN MOST

When Kia Smith's son Cameron Bothwell turned 18 and enrolled as a freshman at Morehouse College this fall, she went looking for a doctor she could trust and that they both felt comfortable with Cameron going to alone.

That meant a black male doctor. She is still looking.

"I am looking for someone who he can relate to and who can ask him questions around his sexual health in a way that he feels comfortable," Smith said. "I know my child, and I know that he is not good at asking the questions, unless he feels comfortable."

Chances are, with Smith living in Atlanta, she will be able to find a black male doctor. More than half of the state's 1,189 black male doctors are in five metro Atlanta counties. The task is more difficult in other parts of Georgia. There are at least 50 counties with no black doctors.

Nationally, there are 16 states with fewer than 100 black doctors.

Georgia is also second in the U.S. in the percentage of all doctors who are African-American at 12.7 percent. Only Washington, D.C., with 14.5 percent of doctors being black, has a higher percentage.

"Why it is important to have black males?" asked Dr. Art Raines, an orthopedic surgeon in Atlanta who also serves on the admissions committee of the University of Michigan's medical school. "I can tell you that we relate differently and are more sensitive to the needs of our black patients. We look at minority patients more as human beings rather than just a shoulder, a knee, or someone with an illness. Our patients sense that. There is a need for us. The more of us out there, the more visible we are, the more impact we can have on our communities."

WHY FEWER BLACK MEN?

The reasons for the small percentage of African-American men going to medical school and becoming doctors often begins early in life.

Dr. G. Richard Olds, who is white, has been working for 40 years to train doctors, particularly first generation college students or those from traditionally under-served communities. Olds, president of Saint George's University in Grenada, said the gap begins in middle school. African-American students aren't taking, or aren't being encouraged to take enough math and science courses.

Once African-American students enroll in college, more women earn degrees in careers that could lead to becoming a doctor, some research shows.

The National Science Foundation tracked the percentage of African-American students who pursued college degrees in science and engineering in a 2012 study. Although more male students said upon entering they planned to get degrees in those subjects, more African-American women earned degrees, by a 2 to 1 ratio.

"The sisters have been really good about staying more focused and keeping their noses to the grindstone, better than the brothers," Raines said.

In 2014, 62 percent of African-Americans who applied to medical school were women, far outpacing any other ethnic gender group. That aligns with data from the National Center for Educational Statistics, showing that 64 percent of all African-American undergraduate students are women.

The cost of medical school is also a factor in losing students to other professions. The average graduating debt of medical school students is $183,000, and with interest and payments, an MD can easily run up to a half-million dollars.

Dr. Anwar Osborne, Emory University's assistant residency director and an emergency room doctor at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Ga., said the cost can push smart kids into fields with quick paydays like business and finance.

"So where do the smart brothers go after high school? If you are bright on paper, you have a lot of options," Osborne said. "There are a lot of things about medicine that are not great."

Osborne said on top of that, he still supports his mother, while many of his non-black colleagues are supported by their families.

"I gave up 10 years of my life to pursue this through medical school and my residency program," Osborne said. "That is a big ask for people who don't have much generational wealth, So a lot of people that are bright just don't get the opportunity. It even takes money to take an SAT prep course."

Many medical schools select students solely on their grade-point average, not whether the student has the temperament to be a good doctor, Olds said. Most black students Olds said he's encountered enroll in medical school with a mission to serve in their communities.

"Remember, we're talking about someone who received a 3.9 (grade-point average) versus a 3.7," he said. "There's not really a big difference."

ARE YOU ON THE KITCHEN STAFF?

Raines, who is a partner at Atlanta's Resurgens Orthopaedics, said another problem is the lack of empathetic educational support and mentors for black men in college.

"At the majority schools, the few blacks that are there are discouraged from applying to medical school," Raines said, adding that when he asks black premeds about coming to medical school, they often tell him that advisors have already told them that the chances of them getting admitted are slim. "The counseling is different at HBCUs and majority schools."

The majority of top African-American medical school applicants come from HBCUs like Xavier University, which sends more African-Americans to medical school than any other school in the country, and Ivy League schools.

Between 2010 and 2014, more black men from Morehouse College, 148, applied to medical school than any other undergraduate program in the countryfollowed by the University of Florida, Howard University, and Xavier.

"Was it difficult? Yes. Is it still," said Dr. Philippe Zamor, a Charlotte-based hepatologist who attended medical school at Boston University. "I felt isolated in medical school. We had a strong network, but having gone to a non-black medical school, I found my experiences isolating."

Even seemingly small things could be a challenge, Zamor said. Like not having access to exams and study guides that were passed down to white and Asian students from predecessors that he didn't have access to.

"Or, during my residency when I would walk into a patient's room for an exam and they thought I was part of the kitchen staff," Zamor said. "I remember telling a classmate, an Asian girl from California, and she was in utter disbelief. It was her surprise that I found so stark."

Remedies have included more mentoring and outreach to get students interested in science at an earlier age. Olds said medical schools need to recruit more students from diverse backgrounds, particularly rural communities.

Once every three months, Morehouse School of Medicine does an activity with students from Atlanta's Tuskegee Airmen Global Academy to encourage the students in STEM. MSM also has summer camps and Saturday STEM academies to create the pipeline that may someday create more black doctors.

Raines said the lack of black doctors creates a lack of role models to emulate.

Raines' first doctor, pediatrician James Collins, the former associate dean of students at Wayne State Medical School in Detroit, mentored him almost from birth. Like Collins, Raines also got his medical degree from the University of Michigan.

"I always wanted to be a doctor, and Uncle Jim counseled me. I was told what to do," Raines said. "We see that all the time with our white colleagues. We are not even a generation removed from blacks being denied staff privileges at hospitals."

Doctor, the MSM student, is doing his own pipeline work. He mentors students in his southwest Atlanta neighborhood, encouraging them to consider careers in science or medicine. He hopes to be one of many black male doctors young people in his community will meet before they become adults.

He is also the student director for the medical division of Hosea Helps, a non-profit that works in underserved Atlanta communities. He recalled being at an event where an older woman he previously helped called out for him.

"I want that guy to see me," she said. "He's my doctor."

Doctor smiled when asked about the encounter.

"It gave me a sense of pride."

Explore further Proportion of black males in US medical schools dropping

2018 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, Ga.)

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.In this Oct. 4, 2018, file photo, Thomas Clarke poses for a photo outside his cannabis store, THC Distribution, in Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, Newfoundland and Labrador. On Wednesday, Oct. 17, Canada becomes the second and largest country with a legal national marijuana marketplace. Clarke will be among the first to legally sell so-called recreational marijuana when his shop opens at midnight. (Paul Daly/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

Tom Clarke has been dealing marijuana illegally in Canada for 30 years. He wrote in his high school yearbook that his dream was to open a cafe in Amsterdam, the Dutch city where people have legally smoked weed in coffee shops since the 1970s.

Turns out, Clarke didn't have to go nearly so far to open his own retail cannabis outlet.

On Wednesday, Canada becomes the second and largest country with a legal national marijuana marketplace. Uruguay was first. Clarke, 43, will be among the first to legally sell recreational marijuana when his shop opens at midnight in Newfoundland, Canada's easternmost province.

"I am living my dream. Teenage Tom Clarke is loving what I am doing with my life right now," he said.

At least 111 legal pot shops are planning to open across the nation of 37 million people on the first day, according to an Associated Press survey of the provinces. That is a small slice of what ultimately will be a much larger marketplace.

No stores will open in Ontario. The most populous province is working on its regulations and doesn't expect stores until next spring.

Canadians everywhere will be able to order marijuana products through websites run by provinces or private retailers and have it delivered to their homes by mail.

Canada has had legal medical marijuana since 2001, and amid excitement over the arrival of legal recreational pot, many in the industry spent the last days of prohibition on tasks familiar to any retail businesscompleting displays, doing mock openings and training employees to use sales-tracking software.

Members of the media attend a preview for one of Quebec's new cannabis stores in Montreal, Tuesday, Oct.1 6, 2018. Canada will become the second and largest country with a legal national marijuana marketplace when sales begin on midnight Wednesday. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)

"It's been hectic," said Roseanne Dampier, who joined her husbandboth former weldersin opening Alternative Greens, a licensed store in Edmonton, Alberta. "We have been extremely busy just trying to be able to meet that deadline."

Canada's federal government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, spent about two years planning for legalization, fueled by a desire to bring dealers like Clarke out of the black market and into a regulated system.

Canada's national approach has allowed for unfettered industry banking, inter-province shipments of cannabis and billions of dollars in investmenta sharp contrast with national prohibition in the United States. Nine U.S. states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, and more than 30 have approved medical marijuana.

A patchwork of regulations has spread in Canada as each province takes its own approach within the framework set out by the federal government. Some are operating government-run stores, some are allowing private retailers, some both.

Alberta and Quebec have set the minimum age for purchase at 18, while others have made it 19.

The provinces also have been able to decide for themselves how much to mark up the marijuana beyond the 10 percent or $1 per gram imposed by the federal government, and whether to allow residents to grow up to four plants at home.

Steve Hawkins, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, a Washington-based lobbying organization that has been pressing for legalization since 1995, said it is time for the U.S. to follow Canada's lead.

Members of the media attend a preview for one of Quebec's new cannabis stores in Montreal, Tuesday, Oct.1 6, 2018. Canada will become the second and largest country with a legal national marijuana marketplace when sales begin on midnight Wednesday. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)

"Canada is setting a strong example for how to end marijuana prohibition at the national level and replace it with a system of regulated production and sales that is largely governed at the local level," he said. "The U.S. and other countries grappling with the complexities of such a significant policy shift will have an excellent opportunity to learn from the Canadian experience."

As Canada welcomes legalization, supply shortages could develop, as happened in some U.S. states when legalization arrived.

Trevor Fencott, chief executive of Fire and Flower, said his company has 15 Alberta stores staffed and ready to sell marijuana, but the province has supplied only enough product to open three of them Wednesday.

"We're aware of some of the kinks or growing pains that come with creating an industry out of whole cloth in 24 months," Fencott said.

Clarke and Brenda Tobin, who is opening a store in Labrador City in Newfoundland and Labrador, expect to sell out quickly after not getting as much from licensed producers as they ordered.

"We expect to run out. I don't know the first day, but I don't expect we'll have it too many days," Tobin said.

Tobin and her son Trevor plan to open their pot shop at 4:20 p.m., a reference to 420, slang for the consumption of cannabis. Tobin, a longtime convenience store owner, said they will be cutting a ribbon and cake.

Members of the media attend a preview for one of Quebec's new cannabis stores in Montreal, Tuesday, Oct.1 6, 2018. Canada will become the second and largest country with a legal national marijuana marketplace when sales begin on midnight Wednesday. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)

"We are just ecstatic," she said.

She doesn't expect to make much money off the pot itself, noting Newfoundland's 8 percent cap on retail pot profits. She hopes to make money from pipes, bongs and marijuana paraphernalia.

"There's no money in the product itself," she said. "You got to sell $250,000 worth of product in order to make $20,000. That's not even paying someone's salary."

Ontario won't have any stores open until April, after the new conservative government scrapped a plan for state-owned stores in favor of privately run shops. British Columbia on the Pacific Coast will have just one store open on Wednesday, but many more are expected to open in coming months.

Brittany Guerra, 30, shut down her illegal dispensary in Hamilton, Ontario, last month so she could open a legal store next year. She has been a pot activist for more than a decade and never thought this day would come.

"Everybody would say, 'It's never going to be legal, you are dreaming,'" but obviously it worked," she said. "We do feel vindicated."

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 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.A study conducted in Germany draws attention to the fact that the socio-economic burden of cancer is real in Europe too, and not only in the context of the US healthcare system where it has been associated with higher morbidity and mortality. The results to be presented at the ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich show that income loss is the main source of perceived financial hardship, and that this is associated with adverse psychological effects in patients.

The work also highlights the absence of clear definitions and valid instruments with which to examine this issue. Prof. Eva Winkler, study author, medical oncologist at the National Centre for Tumour Diseases (NCT) in Heidelberg, explained the background: "We conducted a systematic literature review of the tools used to measure the subjective financial burden of cancer patients: of the 39 studies we found, most came from the USA, and the instruments they used were either not transferrable to the German context or not sufficiently focused on the subject," she said.

Study co-author Dr. Katja Mehlis from the NCT added: "We were, however, able to identify three broad dimensions through which subjective financial burden could be assessed: material aspects, psychological effects and behavioural changes such as support seeking and coping strategies. Based on this, we developed our own, yet non-validated set of questions covering income, cancer-related out-of-pocket costs, distress and lifestyle changes."

A total of 247 patients, 122 diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours and 125 treated for colorectal cancer, responded to the survey between November 2016 and March 2017. The results brought to light financial impacts in a significant proportion of patients: 80.6% of respondents stated that they faced higher out-of-pocket costs related to their illness.

Although most medical costs in Germany are covered by a person's health insurance, patients do have to contribute co-payments for prescription drugs. Cancer patients may additionally face travel expenses to get to the hospital or medical centre, as well as potentially having to pay for care, housekeeping or childcare. For over three quarters of the patients who responded to the survey, disease-related out-of-pocket costs amounted to less than 200 euros monthly.

Cancer-related income loss was reported by 37.2% of survey participants. "In our study, this effect was more serious than out-of-pocket costs, as the suffered losses exceeded 800 euros per month in almost half of cases. They were mainly due to patients being unable to work or forced to reduce their working hours," said Mehlis.

The analysis further showed that high financial loss relative to income was significantly associated with a lower estimation of patients' quality of life and more distress. "The financial impacts that a majority of these patients experienced seem to have contributed to the burden of their disease: the bigger the loss was in proportion to their previous income level, the more negatively they rated their personal situation," Winkler observed.

"More research is needed to determine what actions are necessary at the system levelfor example an extension of the period of eligibility for sickness benefitsor at the individual level, like targeted consulting and support services," she said. "To do this, we will need a valid instrument to measure 'subjective financial burden' in the German context, based on a precise definition of the concept."

Dr. Dirk Arnold of Asklepios Tumorzentrum in Hamburg, Germany, commented for ESMO: "There have been efforts in Germany, including by national entities like the Federal Joint Committee and the Robert Koch Institute, to look at the costs of oncology treatment for cancer patientsbut they have focused only on drug and procedure-related expenses. With this new study, we can see not just that the financial implications of a cancer diagnosis are much broader, but also that the monetary losses associated with this disease have significant psychosocial consequences."

"We should draw lessons from these findings: just as cancer patients receive consultations about lifestyle issues, like nutrition, so too should the financial aspect somehow be integrated into the social counselling programmes we offer them," Arnold continued. "The fact that medical expenses for patients in Germanyand Europe more generallyare relatively low compared to other parts of the world, should not lead us to underestimate the importance of their perceived financial burden and leave them alone with it. Going forward, it would be interesting to see if assessments of this burden in other European countries produce similar results."

Arnold added: "Alleviating the financial burden of cancer: is one of ESMO's key commitments: earlier this year, ESMO issued a paper on this subject in the context of the implementation of the 2017 World Health Assembly Resolution on Cancer prevention and control."

This paper is the first to articulate the response and commitment oncologists to advance global cancer control through the framework of the 2017 WHA Cancer Resolution and universal health coverage. It addresses key topics like cancer prevention, timely access to treatment and care, palliative and survivorship care, as well as comprehensive data collection through robust cancer registries. The authors also offer a concrete set of actions and policy recommendations for improving patient care.

ESMO's commitment to lessening the burden of cancer is not new: sustainable cancer care is one of the three pillars of the Society's 2020 Vision, and various initiatives have been launched in this field over the years. Among other things, ESMO contributed in 2016 to the revision of the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines - the list of vital medicines that should be available to patients everywhere for free or at affordable pricesand added 16 anti-cancer drugs including targeted therapies. With the introduction of its own classification tool, the ESMO Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale, (8) the Society provided a standardised, evidence-based approach to evaluating cancer medicines, thus helping to guide health systems in their decision-making and resource allocation. In collaboration with the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), ESMO also published in 2017 a report (9) on the shortage of inexpensive cancer medicines in Europe, raising awareness for a critical issue that has immediate consequences for patient care and treatment outcomes.

Explore further Metastatic breast cancer patients report high level of financial impact

More information: Abstract 1576P_PR 'Financial toxicity in German cancer patients. How does a chronic disease impact the economic situation?' will be presented by Eva Winkler during the Poster Display Session on Monday, 22 October 2018, 12:45 to 13:45 (CEST) in the Poster Area Networking Hub - Hall A3. Annals of Oncology, Volume 29 Supplement 8 October 2018 Journal information: Annals of Oncology Abstract 1576P_PR 'Financial toxicity in German cancer patients. How does a chronic disease impact the economic situation?' will be presented by Eva Winkler during the Poster Display Session on Monday, 22 October 2018, 12:45 to 13:45 (CEST) in the Poster Area Networking Hub - Hall A3., Volume 29 Supplement 8 October 2018Hannah Salapas research may improve multiple sclerosis treatments. Credit: Dave Stobbe

"Determining the mechanism that may be contributing to nerve cell damage could help us develop new drugs that better treat the disability caused by multiple sclerosis," said USask neurology professor Dr. Michael Levin, Saskatchewan Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Research Chair.

Levin and his Ph.D. student Hannah Salapa have been the first to identify that stress granules found in nerve cells of MS brains may contribute to patients' permanent disability by damaging nerves through inflammation of brain and spinal cord. The findings have been published in the Journal of Neuroimmunology and were presented at a major international conference in Brisbane, Australia, in August.

MS, which can include symptoms such as visual loss, paralysis, pain and sexual dysfunction, may impair a person's ability to walk, drive or maintain a job. The disease strikes women twice as often as it does men, and often affects young people. In rare cases, MS may lead to death.

"Seeing my grandparents both affected by incapacitating neurological diseases really motivated me to jump into scientific research to help find a cure or more effective treatments," said Salapa, a student from the United States.

Saskatchewan has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, with about 3,200 people living with the disease. MS-related healthcare costs in Canada are projected to reach $2 billion by 2031.

By analyzing a cell line model, Salapa and Levin found that nerve cells in MS patients contain a protein called A1 that does not work properly.

Hannah Salapa (right) and Michael Levins research may improve multiple sclerosis treatments. Credit: Dave Stobbe

When functioning normally, the protein is vital to maintaining the health of brain cells, but when it doesn't function, it spurs the formation of abnormal stress granules that may contribute to brain cell degeneration. The researchers have found the granules both in cell lines and in the brain of an MS patient who donated his body to science.

The team's results show that the combination of A1 protein antibodies and immune molecules called inflammatory cytokines causes the protein to act abnormally. This results in damage to the brain and spinal cord.

"Knowing how the A1 protein dysfunction works may help us find treatments to reverse the effects of the A1 antibodies and inflammatory cytokines, so that we could reduce the disability caused by multiple sclerosis," said Levin.

Similar stress granules are found in patients with diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) and other forms of dementia, but this is the first time that the granules have been detected in an MS patient.

Levin cautions that even though these results are encouraging, more research is needed before developing new therapies.

"Our next step is to determine which molecular pathways lead to nerve damage and study what is the difference between healthy brains and MS brains so that we can prevent the disruption from happening," said Salapa.

Explore further New immunotherapy targeting blood-clotting proteinCommunity members, local politicians, and the family of Jeremiahthe 9-year-old boy who was wrongly accused of groping a white woman inside a Flatbush bodega last weekgathered outside the Sahara Deli Market for a rally and "community conversation" on Monday evening. The small rally created an opportunity for residents to vent their frustrations about this incident and rising tensions in rapidly-gentrifying neighborhoods.

"This has to stop," said Jason LittleJohn, the man who took the video. "I mean we don't mind the gentrification, but the racismwe will not tolerate this in our town. We should have not been out here crying that day. She has to leave the neighborhood, we will force her out of here. She does not belong in this neighborhood. I'm sorry this happened to you Jeremiah, I'm sorry this happened."



(Ben Yakas/Gothamist)

More than 60 people showed up for the event, which was organized by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. "Our goal is to hear your voices and let everyone know what's happening," he said at the start. Well over a dozen people were given the chance to speak, including kids from Jeremiah's school. Some of the adults were angry about gentrification, some invoked the legacy of Emmett Till (the African-American child who was lynched in 1955 after being accused of offending a white woman in her family's grocery store). Other locals were angry at the politicians for their lack of action on another viral video incident from this summer, the one in which a fight broke out in an East Flatbush nail salon after a customer complained about a $5 eyebrow job.

But almost everybody expressed empathy for and anger on behalf of Jeremiah, the boy caught in the middle of everything. One of Jeremiah's peers named Jordan said, "I don't know why she thought a 9-year-old could harm her."

State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte choked up as she spoke: "We know what happened to Emmett Till," she said. "We are not gonna relive this today, no way Jose. We are not, over our dead body. We are not going to let people come in and tell us how to live our lives." Bichotte added that lawmakers in Albany are drafting new legislation that would strengthen current laws against making false reports to 911. "I cannot imagine how traumatized this young boy is. Innocent, coming from school. And having to live this, having to live 1955, having to live the Jim Crow laws, having to live racism every day."

"If you want to raise your children together with our children, you are welcome," said Gerard Cadet, vice president of local union 1199. "If you think you are going to chastise our kids, you need to get the hell out." Another woman who identified herself as a teacher and anti-racism activist said, "We put a bunch of people in a melting pot without a proper understanding or ways to relate to each other, we get anti-black rhetoric or behavior projected onto us and our children."

Eventually, Jeremiah's mother, who ABC identified as Someko Bellille, spoke, describing taking her kids to the store last week when "this lady proceeded to intimidate, harass and antagonize me and my children."

"What happened to us respecting one another, having unity and being neighborly, did we forget that? With that day, this fear was placed into my children's heart," she said. "Having to explain to your 9-year-old son what assault means, what sexual assault means, and having to go over the term with him, what racism is. And having to witness and see he's crying all over again." She added that she didn't accept Teresa Klein's apology to her son: I dont forgive this woman at all. I think she was crazy. I think she had something going on with her."

Jeremiah, who was front and center for the entire event, broke out in tears multiple times over the course of the evening. Toward the end of the event, he spoke as well: "People should be treated equally," he said. "Treat people the same way you want to be treated."

After the event, Adams said Bellille had been reluctant to come forward due to the press attention, but he encouraged her to do so so the community could rally behind Jeremiah. "People need to vent," he said. "They need to be able to verbalize their pain, verbalize their anger. Because if you hold it in, then it could turn into a powder keg. And I've seen that throughout my years in policing...and we're going to do a series of these. We're going to go around and just get people to engage in dialogue."

Adams said he had not been in contact with Klein, but had spoken with the NYPD and DA's office, which are said to be investigating whether there was any criminality during the incident. That seems to hinge on whether anyone impersonated a police officerKlein told Gothamist that Bellille had flashed a badge and threatened to arrest her, which is why she called police. But many locals, and Adams, allege that Klein was the one who was impersonating an officer, which seemed to be based on an interpretation of the dialogue in the videoKlein insists she said she was calling 911 "on a cop," not a child, and was quoting Bellille allegedly saying she was a cop.

When asked about Bellille allegedly flashing a badge, Adams said: "As the investigation goes its course, we're going to see that, based on what the mother's profession is, if she didI don't know if she didbut if she did, she was in the right." Pressed on this, Adams wouldn't say what Bellille's job was: "I think that's part of the investigation. I don't know if doing that's going to tamper with the investigation. But I can tell you this: she did not do anything that was in violation of any rules or procedures. I know that for a fact. Now if the woman who was showing hostility, if she identified herself as a police officer or peace officer, she broke the law."

Adams also said he was underwhelmed by Klein's apology to Jeremiah: "She needs to start from a place of apology, an authentic apology[she can't] apologize to the son but not to the mother. That is not an apology. You apologize to someone you identify you did something wrong to, and then you can start that conversation of healing. She's not even at the place of having a real apology for what she did."



Jason LittleJohn, who took the viral video of the incident, speaks (Ben Yakas/Gothamist)

The storywhich has been compared to other viral videos of white women, including Barbecue Becky" and "Permit Patty," who called the police on African-Americans for specious reasonswas also featured on a segment on The Daily Show last night.Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Australians who have higher incomes and greater wealth are more likely to experience better mental health throughout their lives, new research led by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre has found.

The research, published in the journal Health Sociology Review, examined data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey and found both income and wealth were associated with people's perception of economic security and a range of mental health outcomes, but had no bearing on physical health.

Lead author Dr. Garth Kendall, from the Faculty of Health Sciences at Curtin University, said previous research suggested that those with higher incomes had better health and lived longer at a population level.

"There is ample evidence that inequalities in income, such as employment, business, investments and allowances, and net wealth, such as housing, superannuation and financial equities, are increasing in both high and low income countries throughout the world," Dr. Kendall said.

"We wanted to determine whether the socio-economic gap seen in many health outcomes in high-income countries, such as Australia, is best explained by differences in individuals' perceived economic security as determined by their levels of income and wealth.

"We found that income and wealth both influenced mental health, but a person's perception of their economic security is better explained by income than wealth. This is because income can be used to purchase goods and services to fund consumption on a day-to-day basis, which is more likely to affect one's perception of economic security on a day-to-day basis."

Dr. Kendall said policies that seek to reduce unequal access to opportunities to earn income and wealth would likely reduce the socio-economic gap in health that currently exists globally in both low and high-income countries.

"Further research is needed to evaluate the role of economic security in physical health outcomes. Our findings are likely due to the fact that many of the participants were not at an age where they would experience symptoms," Dr. Kendall said.

"For this reason, we have suggested the use of biomarkers, used to measure biological processes, in future research to measure an individual's underlying pathology as a more sophisticated measure of health."

The research analysed data from the HILDA (Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia) Survey, which started in 2001 and follows the lives of more than 17,000 Australians each year, limiting their analysis to 2002, 2006 and 2010.

The research, funded by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, was co-authored by Mr Ha Nguyen from the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre and Professor Rachel Ong ViforJ from the School of Economics, Finance and Property at Curtin University.

The study is titled "The association between income, wealth, economic security perception, and health: a longitudinal Australian study."

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More information: Garth E. Kendall et al. The association between income, wealth, economic security perception, and health: a longitudinal Australian study, Health Sociology Review (2018). Garth E. Kendall et al. The association between income, wealth, economic security perception, and health: a longitudinal Australian study,(2018). DOI: 10.1080/14461242.2018.1530574This photograph depicts Clostridium difficile colonies after 48hrs growth on a blood agar plate; Magnified 4.8X. C. difficile, an anaerobic gram-positive rod, is the most frequently identified cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). It accounts for approximately 15-25% of all episodes of AAD. Credit: CDC

Washing contaminated hospital bedsheets in a commercial washing machine with industrial detergent at high disinfecting temperatures failed to remove all traces of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), a bacteria that causes infectious diarrhea, suggesting that linens could be a source of infection among patients and even other hospitals, according to a study published today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

"The findings of this study may explain some sporadic outbreaks of C. difficile infections in hospitals from unknown sources, however, further research is required in order to establish the true burden of hospital bedsheets in such outbreaks," said Katie Laird, Ph.D., Head of the Infectious Disease Research Group, School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom and lead author of the study. "Future research will assess the parameters required to remove C. difficile spores from textiles during the laundry process."

Researchers inoculated swatches of cotton sheets with C. difficile. The swatches were then laundered with sterile uncontaminated pieces of fabric using one of two different methodseither in a simulated industrial washing cycle using a washer extractor with and without detergent or naturally contaminated linens from the beds of patients with C. difficile infection were put through a full commercial laundry where they were washed in a washer extractor (infected linen wash) with industrial detergent, pressed, dried, and finished according to current the National Health Service in the United Kingdom's healthcare laundry policy (Health Technical Memorandum 01-04 Decontamination of Linen for Health and Social Care (2016). Researchers measured the levels of contamination before and after washing.

Both the simulated and the commercial laundering via a washer extractor process failed to meet microbiological standards of containing no disease-causing bacteria, the study found. The full process reduced C. difficile spore count by only 40 percent, and this process resulted in bacteria from the contaminated sheets being transferred to the uncontaminated sheets after washing.

Researchers concluded that thermal disinfection conditions currently required by the UK National Health System are inadequate for the decontamination of C. difficile spores. There may be potential to spread C. difficile back into the hospital environment as linens could be a source for outbreaks at other healthcare facilities through businesses that collect, launder and redistribute rented linens to multiple hospitals and care facilities, as is the case at NHS facilities.

The research team, which also includes Ph.D. student Joanna Tarrant, is working closely with the Textiles Services Association in the UK to continue research to find which combination of laundering parameters will remove C. difficile spores from hospital bedsheets.

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More information: Joanna Tarrant et al, From ward to washer: The survival of Clostridium difficile spores on hospital bed sheets through a commercial UK NHS healthcare laundry process, Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology (2018). Joanna Tarrant et al, From ward to washer: The survival of Clostridium difficile spores on hospital bed sheets through a commercial UK NHS healthcare laundry process,(2018). DOI: 10.1017/ice.2018.255For the first time ever, Mount Sinai researchers have identified a protein as a marker that can indicate whether a cancer patient will develop a reoccurrence of lethal, metastatic cancer, according to a clinical study published in Breast Cancer Research in October.

The researchers found that when cells from a breast cancer patient's original tumor metastasized into the patient's bone marrow with none, or only a small amount, of the protein NR2F1, the patients all soon died. However, patients who had a high concentration of NR2F1 in the cancer cells in their bone marrow did not frequently develop this type of metastatic cancer, and lived longer. The presence of a high concentration of NR2F1 induced dormancy in the cancer cells, essentially deactivating them, so this research shows that survival in these patients is due to the dormancy of the disseminated cancer.

These findings suggest that the absence of this protein in cancer cells that have spread to a patient's bone marrow can reliably signal that the patient will relapse soon and that additional treatment is needed, while if the protein is present, the cancer cells are dormant and the patient can be monitored rather than undergo unnecessary treatment. This research is particularly important because the most common breast type of breast cancer, when it metastasizes, almost always goes to the bone.

The research is especially important in the United States because bone marrow tests, called aspirates, are not used to monitor patients there. The study was a collaboration with physicians and scientists in Oslo, Norway, where bone marrow aspirates are used to monitor patients. The laboratory of Bjorn Naume from University Hospital of Oslo collaborated with the Aguirre-Ghiso and Sosa labs at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and conducted the analysis of the patients' samples from their clinical trials, thus contributing significantly to this research.

Using this research, physicians could monitor their patients with bone marrow aspirates. Tests for the protein could also help clinicians identify patients who may benefit from recently identified drugs that were shown to target cancer cells and render or keep them dormant. Studies have already shown that androgen deprivation treatment, an anti-hormone therapy used in prostate cancer, has been linked to increasing levels of the NR2F1 protein. Mount Sinai, through a trial funded by the V Foundation for Cancer Research and The Tisch Cancer Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine, has already begun recruiting prostate cancer patients for a test of the ability of two drugs to induce dormancy through NR2F1 upregulation. "This research shows that the survival advantage in these patients is due to high levels of this protein. Tests using this protein marker could further improve curative treatment of breast cancer, sparing patients from unnecessary treatments. Identifying patients with disseminated disease that is not yet symptomatic and characterizing it for potential dormancy or metastatic recurrence is a game changer," said lead researcher Julio Aguirre-Ghiso, Ph.D., Director of Solid Tumor and Metastasis Research, Director of Head and Neck Cancer Basic Research, and Professor of Oncological Sciences, Otolaryngology, and Medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology) at The Tisch Cancer Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine. "Improved techniques to assess the population of patients with residual disease and their dormant or reactivating state will be key to identifying the risk of future metastasis despite undergoing standard treatment. This opens the way for testing new treatments that prevent metastasis by inducing dormancy or eradicating the dormant disseminated cancer cells that have not yet initiated metastatic growth."

Explore further Protein produced in gut could stave off deadly bone marrow transplant complicationCredit: CC0 Public Domain

Pregnant women in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are more likely to express preference for cesarean section (CS) as their mode of delivery later in pregnancy and postpartum, as compared to early in pregnancy, according to a study published this week in PLOS Medicine. The study, conducted by Qian Long of Duke Kunshan University in China, and collaborators, found that fear of pain, antagonistic relations with providers, and beliefs of deteriorating quality of care during labor and vaginal birth contributed to perceptions of planned CS as preferable.

The CS rates in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are roughly or over 30% according to recent studies, though WHO research has shown that population-level CS rates higher than 10% are not associated with reduced maternal or newborn mortality. To understand why, Long and colleagues conducted a mixed-methods systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies that investigated preferences for CS among women in these settings. The researchers found that in longitudinal studies, the pooled proportions of preference for CS reported by women were 14% in early or middle pregnancy (95%CI 12-17%) and 21% in late pregnancy (95%CI 15-26%). In cross-sectional studies, the proportions were 17% in early or middle pregnancy (95%CI 14-20%), 22% in late pregnancy (95%CI 18-25%) and 30% at postpartum (95%CI 19-40%). Women's preferences for CS in longitudinal studies were found to rise as pregnancy progressed (mean difference 7%, 95% CI 1%-13%). Qualitative data indicated that women who prefer CS in China are informed by healthcare system interactions, unsatisfactory relationships with providers, concerns about quality of care during labor and vaginal birth, and social support for the right to choose CS.

Study limitations include heterogeneity and potential biases among the reports reviewed, which were not population-representative. However, results across 66 longitudinal, cross-sectional, and qualitative studies were concordant. The authors state, "both quantitative and qualitative findings in this review suggest that women's request for CS on the basis of genuine preference for this mode of delivery is unlikely to be the major driver of high CS rates and that women's preference may underscore health systems deficiencies and sub-optimal relationships with health professionals."

In an accompanying Perspective, Mairead Black and Sohinee Bhattacharya of the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom, discuss possible benefits of planned CS where only one child is planned, emphasize the importance of Chinese data to clarify the outcomes of planned CS, and argue for a woman-centric approach to facilitating birth choices in China following the end of the one-child policy.

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More information: Long Q, Kingdon C, Yang F, Renecle MD, Jahanfar S, Bohren MA, et al. (2018) Prevalence of and reasons for women's, family members', and health professionals' preferences for cesarean section in China: A mixed-methods systematic review. PLoS Med 15(10): e1002672. Long Q, Kingdon C, Yang F, Renecle MD, Jahanfar S, Bohren MA, et al. (2018) Prevalence of and reasons for women's, family members', and health professionals' preferences for cesarean section in China: A mixed-methods systematic review.15(10): e1002672. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002672 Black M, Bhattacharya S (2018) Cesarean section in China, Taiwan, and Hong KongA safe choice for women and clinicians? PLoS Med 15(10): e1002676. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002676 Journal information: PLoS MedicineCannabis was considered a medicine for millennia until it was banned in much of Western Europe in the 1930s, following pressure from the USA who wanted to limit its recreational use. Credit: Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

The issue of drug use and harm is one of the most compelling challenges of the current era. The so-called "war on drugs," in which the UN has tried to stamp out recreational drug use through attacking drug suppliers and drug users, has been fought for over 40 years at great economic social and human costs and despite being widely discredited it is still ongoing.

One less discussed impact of making drugs "illegal" under the UN Conventions and national legislation is the hugely negative impact this has had on research and clinical innovation, where illegal drugs can no longer be studied or used to develop medical treatments.

For many years I have argued that this impact is the worst censorship of research in the history of science and medicine, and that a more enlightened approach to "illegal" drugs will revolutionise medical science.

Banning drugs in the UK made them more popular

The premise that banning certain drugs for medicinal use will reduce their recreational use is clearly flawed, yet it still underpins current UN and almost all national regulations. This applies to the control of many drugs that have proven medical benefits, such as cannabis, psychedelics, and MDMA (the chemical name for the recreational drug called ecstasy).

Cannabis was considered a medicine for millennia, when in the 1930s, following pressure from the USA, it was decided that it should be removed from medicine in a vain attempt to limit recreational use.

In the ensuing 80 years, the number of people using cannabis in the western world increased at least twenty-fold, proving the premise underpinning the ban to be utterly wrong.

In reality there was never significant diversion from medical use to recreational use of cannabis nor is there ever likely to be. Similar social trends have been seen in all western countries and yet only The Netherlands has had the courage to face the facts and keep cannabis as a medicine. Though Germany, Belgium, and Spain, have recently allowed it.

Drug ban has limited research and treatments

The banning of the psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD plus MDMA was also largely a gesture to pressure from the US and the UN, fuelled by media hysteria over grossly exaggerated harms.

There is little, if any, evidence that the ban reduced recreational use and yet it has severely impeded these drugs from being used as medicines and research tools.

Today, LSD is illegal in over 200 countries that have signed up to the UN Conventions. But before this, studies have shown that LSD treatment is more effective than any other current treatments for alcoholism. Credit: Shutterstock

Before their ban, both psilocybin and MDMA were used successfully in therapy. But the case of LSD is perhaps the most outrageous.

LSD: most effective treatment for alcoholism

Today, LSD is illegal in over 200 countries that have signed up to the UN Conventions.

Before it was banned in the late 1960s the US government had funded over 130 separate studies on LSD, with positive outcomes in many psychiatric disorders including anxiety, depression, and alcoholism in particular.

The founder of Alcoholics Autonomous (AA), Bill Wilson, achieved abstinence from alcoholism through a psychedelic experience. After this, he strongly supported the use of LSD to allow alcoholics to break free from the chains of their addiction.

Due to his enthusiasm, six trials of LSD to treat alcoholism were conducted. These have recently been subjected to modern statistical analysis by two Norwegian researchers who showed that the LSD treatment was more effective than any current treatments for alcoholism.

But since the 1967 ban, not a single person in the world has been allowed this treatment because all countries have signed up to the UN Conventions that state LSD has no medical value, and it was placed in Schedule 1 [the most severely controlled section] of the regulations, meaning that research was virtually impossible.

As well as being blatantly dishonest, these Conventions stopped all research in this area, for since the ban neither the US or UK governments have funded a single study on LSD.

Currently, more than three million people a year die prematurely from alcohol misuse according to WHO. Based on these figures I estimate conservatively that since 1967 over 100 million people world-wide have died prematurely from alcoholism, a disease that typically reduces life expectancy by 15-20 years. If LSD treatment had been continued we might expect at least 10 per cent of these to have become abstinent, saving around 10 million premature deaths.

Meanwhile, MDMA, which is illegal across all the world for recreational use, has recently been shown to have efficacy in the treatment of severe PTSD, where other conventional treatments have failed. Here again, just two MDMA sessions has been shown to produce powerful benefits lasting many years.

Reverse the ban on Schedule 1 drugs

I would argue that the UN Conventions preventing such therapeutic benefits is the worst censorship of medicine in history, and totally disproportionate to the perceived benefits of the ban.

So how can we overturn this block on research and clinical treatments with these Schedule 1 drugs?

I believe that the way forward is to use a mixture of science and clinical trials. And in recent years a few scientists have tried to swing the pendulum back.

Our brain imaging studies of psilocybin (magic mushrooms juice) and LSD have shown the profound effect of these drugs to disrupt potentially maladaptive brain circuits and thinking processes that are now known to underlie disorders such as depression, addiction, and OCD.

These discoveries led us to apply for  and obtain  the first ever grant awarded by the UK Medical Research Council to study psilocybin. This allowed us to conduct a study of people with resistant depression and we found a very powerful and enduring antidepressant effect with just a single active dose.

Two similar studies (here and here) in the USA have also found a similar efficacy in people with end of life depression and anxiety.

Time we all reconsidered

In light of these exciting and powerful findings I think it is time that all countries reviewed their own (seemingly) unthinking support of the current UN approach to recreational drug control, including the Nordics.

The war on drugs does much more harm than good and is hugely detrimental to medical research.

It is time for the people who might benefit from a repeal of these Schedules in all countries, to call on their politicians to review their national laws on these drugs and empower much more research in this area.

Let logic and evidence prevail!

More information: David J. Nutt et al. Effects of Schedule I drug laws on neuroscience research and treatment innovation, Nature Reviews Neuroscience (2013). David J. Nutt et al. Effects of Schedule I drug laws on neuroscience research and treatment innovation,(2013). DOI: 10.1038/nrn3530 David Nutt. Illegal Drugs Laws: Clearing a 50-Year-Old Obstacle to Research, PLOS Biology (2015). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002047 Journal information: Nature Reviews Neuroscience , PLoS Biology

This story is republished courtesy of ScienceNordic, the trusted source for English-language science news from the Nordic countries. Read the original story here.Beth (Some names have been changed) is a social worker based in the USA. As I interview her over Skype, she rifles through paperwork looking for an envelope with the name Toby* on it, which contains a photograph, a funeral card and some drawings. One of the things on Beth's busy desk is a stone, which she tells me Toby had liked to hold while he was in group therapy sessions or 1:1s. Toby had been Beth's patient, and he died from suicide seven years ago.

"I'll never forget," she says. "It was a Friday."

Toby was a day patient on a programme for young people with complex mental health problems.

"He was refusing to leave my office," says Beth. "He was holding his head in his arms and crying and saying 'make it stop'."

Toby was up against a constellation of difficulties. He had been adopted as a baby by a family with strong religious beliefs that he did not share, and he struggled with school. He was experiencing low moods and paranoid thoughts, and had taken overdoses. Nonetheless, he was attending the programme, taking medication and engaging in talking therapies.

"He was sad," says Beth. "But he was also funny and sarcastic and a skateboarder and into rock music. He was the cool kid but also incredibly vulnerable. He was lonely."

In the weeks before his death, Toby had become preoccupied with unusual explanations for his adoption. "He was really just trying to learn something about being loved and being not loved and being abandoned," says Beth.

That Friday, Beth was very worried. "I went to the psychiatrist and said, 'We either need to send him to the emergency room or try to admit him to hospital,'" she says.

Toby was assessed but not admitted overnight. Other team members thought it would be better for Toby to be at home, with the option of returning if needed. This sort of clinical decision-making can be excruciating, balancing positive risk-taking with keeping a young person safe. Members of a team don't always agree on which way to err, and Beth disagreed.

"When his parents came to pick him up, I said, 'Toby has had a really hard day, he's not doing well, you may want to keep an extra eye on him,'" recalls Beth. "I said, 'Don't hesitate to call or bring him to the emergency room.' He left and I said, 'I'll see you soon.'"

Beth was on call that weekend.

"I got a call first thing Saturday saying, 'He's in the intensive care unit, will you come?'"

On Friday night, while his family were eating downstairs, Toby had gone to the bathroom and shot himself. He survived, but with severe brain damage, and a few days later his life support was turned off.

Although recent figures are scarce, it is estimated that approximately half of psychiatrists and 1 in 5 psychologists in the USA experience a patient dying by suicide. In the UK last year there were 5,821 suicides registered: 10 deaths per 100,000 people. We know that the effects are devastating for family and friends left behind. Less is known about the reactions of professionals. What if the person who has died is your patient?

The ripples of feeling that radiate out from a suicide spread widely. "Often people think that only a handful of close family members are impacted," says Professor Julie Cerel, President of the American Association of Suicidology and a suicidologist at the University of Kentucky. "In fact, our work has found that 135 people are exposed to each suicide; that is, they know the person who died. And up to a third of those are profoundly impacted."

Beth's initial reaction was to throw herself into work, but the emotional repercussions were huge. "I was tremendously sad and shocked and guilty. I just remember crying a load. I felt shame. I wasn't sleeping well. Then for a year or so afterwards I was unable to make decisions I checked so much with other people. I also would worry about what I'd have for dinner, because what if I made the wrong choice? And it took me a while to realise: wow, this is because I feel like I made a wrong decision even though the decision wasn't solely mine."

There's a lack of research into clinician reactions to patient suicide, and one big reason is reluctance to talk about it. Self-blame, shame and  particularly in the USA  fear of legal action can all be silencing.

"Professionals often feel the same emotions as other people who have losses, and have the added burden of guilt," says Cerel. "But the guilt, which is often similar to family members' reactions of wishing they could have done more, can be construed as admission of not doing enough clinically and could lead to litigation. Most clinicians do not feel they can be open about their reactions to patient suicide."

Despite low levels of research, there's a growing body of evidence around professional grief. Dr. Jane Tillman, a psychologist at the Austen Riggs Center in Massachusetts, conducted an early qualitative study in the field. She interviewed 12 therapists, and found eight common themes in their reactions to patient suicide, including trauma responses, emotional grief reactions, a sense of crisis, effects on relationships with colleagues, and effects on work with other patients.

One participant described feeling "deeply traumatised", Tillman recalls. "He noticed that every time the phone rings in the middle of the night or at some unexpected time, he gets this rush of adrenaline. He says, 'That's not even how I found out about the death of the patient, but even years later, I think a patient has killed themselves.'"

Larger studies show approximately 40 per cent of bereaved therapists report a patient suicide as traumatic. Common reactions include shame, self-blame, horror and a feeling of loss of hope, or else thinking that they were somehow naive or grandiose for thinking they could help.

Tillman thinks that talking is vital  for trainees and qualified professionals. "I often say in workshops, 'Raise your hand if you're a supervisor,'" she says. "Lots of people raise their hand. 'Raise your hand if you've had any training on what to do if your supervisee has a patient kill themselves?' No one raises their hand.

"This is not an unexpected horrible thing that only happens to bad clinicians," Tillman continues. "This is part of being in the field, and we have to find ways to learn about it, so people don't feel so alone. It's not unusual to be distressed; it's not a weakness. It's a terrible part of professional life."

Cerel thinks grief following suicide is "similar to grief following other sudden deaths, but different in that the people left behind often feel like there is something they could have directly done to prevent the death. They ask why for extended periods of time."

Beth still thinks about Toby, but didn't feel safe to talk about him at work. "I don't think I felt the right to process it as a personal traumatic loss. It was a professional traumatic loss but it felt very personal."

For all the professional and theoretical frameworks, ultimately, losing a patient to suicide is a bereavement, albeit in a complicated situation. It brings with it the messy human emotions of any grief.

Beth understands that, and wants other professionals to as well. "We enter into human relationships," she says. "We bring our whole selves to them and so when we have a loss we feel it with our whole selves too, and that's OK. People should know it's OK to grieve and to feel it."

"How do you recover?" asks Beth. "You don't. But holding in mind, 'What do you need as an individual when you're grieving?'  there should be some normalisation around that."

*Some names have been changed.

Explore further Coping with suicide loss

Provided by Mosaic

This article first appeared on Mosaic and is republished here under a Creative Commons licence.

Credit: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers

Acupuncture is an increasingly important and effective component of chronic pain management and other areas of care in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Over the past 7 years, the number of VHA facilities offering acupuncture has increased from 42% to 88%, according to an article published in a special issue on the use of acupuncture in the Veterans Health Administration in Medical Acupuncture.

A guest editorial called "Acupuncture and Whole Health in the Veterans Administration," was coauthored by Guest Editors Kavitha Reddy, MD, ABoIM, VA St. Louis Healthcare System, Veterans Health Administration, and Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO); David Drake, MD, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center (Richmond, VA), Integrative Health Coordinating Center (Washington, DC), and Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA); and Benjamin Kligler, MD, MPH, Integrative Health Coordinating Center (Washington, DC) and Veterans Health Administration (Brooklyn, NY).

The Guest Editors point to chronic pain management as a prime example of how "the current model of healthcare delivery is ineffective, costly, and not sustainable," and describe acupuncture as "one of the most promising nonpharmacologic approaches to pain management." In 2015, the VHA partnered with the Department of Defense on a program to train practitioners to perform auricular acupuncture. More than 1700 practitioners have now been trained. This Special Issue includes reports of some of the early outcomes of their deployment.

In the editorial entitled "Medical Acupuncture: The Department of Veterans Affairs," contributed by Medical Acupuncture Editor-in-Chief Richard Niemtzow, MD, Ph.D., MPH, he says, "Acupuncture is becoming well-established in the Department of Veterans Affairs." The VA is expanding and embracing its use of acupuncture, with auricular acupuncture at the forefront, he notes. This special issue details "the acupuncture-research initiatives that clinicians are performing in such areas as: chronic pain; insomnia; pain reduction during colonoscopy; and auricular acupuncture use prior to Botulinum toxin A administration." Dr., Niemtzow states that "Having licensed acupuncturists in the VA system is becoming a reality."

Explore further Acupuncture may cut arthralgia from aromatase inhibitors

More information: Kavitha p. Reddy et al, Acupuncture and Whole Health in the Veterans Administration, Medical Acupuncture (2018). Kavitha p. Reddy et al, Acupuncture and Whole Health in the Veterans Administration,(2018). DOI: 10.1089/acu.2018.29096.rdkNewsletter

Subscribe now to get updates from armenian media & videos...From now until Election Day, The Brian Lehrer Show is hosting a series called 30 Issues in 30 Days. The idea is to dive deep on one issue a day to give voters a sense of what candidates are saying about the policies that affect their lives. This week the series is looking at how Democrats would try to change policy if they won Congress. First up: Infrastructure.



When he was first elected president, Donald Trump called infrastructure the easy issue, and said he was saving it for last after he got done cutting taxes for wealthiest Americans and eradicating the Affordable Care Act. We're going to have tremendous Democrat [sic] support on infrastructure, Trump predicted at the tail end of 2017. But when the administration finally got around to addressing infrastructure, a full year after the election, it was less like the gooey best last bite of a Cinnabon bun, and more like a year-old sandwich no one wanted to eat. The original $1 trillion plan Trump had campaigned on was whittled down to $200 billion, a sum Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called paltry and an insult to the working people of America.



Why does this matter in November?

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said if Democrats win control of the House, passing an infrastructure bill will be among its first priorities. Its likely the version brought to the table will be a variation of a plan released earlier this year in A Better Deal, a package of proposals put out by House Democrats around issues like labor, federal housing and pensions (note whats left out: more inflammatory issues like immigration and health care, on which Democrats seem more divided and have trouble establishing a party line).

The Democrats proposal on infrastructure would cost the federal government $1 trillion divided among a diverse range of projects$140 billion for roads and bridges, $30 billion in railways, $115 billion for water and sewer infrastructure and $50 billion to rebuild schools. It would also allocate money to less conventional areas$80 billion to upgrade the countrys energy grid and $40 billion to build high-speed Internet connections in hard to reach areas.

This isnt your grandfather's plan, Schumer said at the launch of the proposal. FDR said every rural home should have electricity. We think that every rural home, and inner city home, should have high speed internet.

The Democrats estimate the plan will create 10 million jobs, and to pay for it they propose rolling back the recently passed Republican tax overhaul and reinstating a top income tax rate of 39.6 percent, along with restoring the individual alternative minimum tax, reversing cuts to the estate tax, and raising the corporate income tax from 21 percent to 25 percent. Sounds like the Republicans would be cool with that ha ha, right? Other ideas include imposing a federal gas tax.

But could a massive infrastructure bill pass?

This may be an issue where the President himself is more in line with Democrats than with his own party in Congress. He wanted his infrastructure proposal to include more federal funding, but then-economic advisor Gary Cohn talked him into backing a public-private modelwhich Republicans were more comfortable withwhere the federal government only pays $200 billion, and private businesses and local governments kick in more.

In an interview in September, Cohn told Reuters that if Democrats win they House, he expects them to introduce infrastructure legislation first and predicts the President to revert to earlier form. I think they'll do a trillion dollars, trillion and a half dollars of infrastructure, and the president will sign it."

"Another trillion dollars of debt, here we come," he added.

But, of course, the bill will need some bipartisan support, and at least in the Senate, the idea of repealing the hard fought for tax bill induces foot-stamping and eye-rolling. Speaking on the floor of the Senate in March, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell scoffed, Repeal all these bonuses, pay raises, new jobs, and new investments? Talk about a nonstarter.

For more on the infrastructure issue, listen to Brian Lehrer's 30 Issues in 30 Days segment:

Loading...New York's Republicans are divided on whether or not it was a good idea to invite Gavin McInnes and his frequently violent gang of Proud Boys to the Metropolitan Republican Club, after the appearance sparked street clashes between protesters and the far right hate group in the Upper East Side on Friday night.

After initially blaming the violence on "radical leftists," GOP gubernatorial candidate Marc Molinaro acknowledged in an interview with the Daily News on Tuesday that he is "a bit ashamed" by the Metropolitan Republican Club's decision to invite McInnes. Molinarowho uses the Metropolitan Club as his campaign headquartersaccused McInnes of inciting violence, adding that "the institution was wrong [to invite him] and I think we were wrong not to call it out for what it is."

In addition to espousing racist, misogynistic and Islamophobic views, McInnes has repeatedly encouraged members of his group to commit violence, and bestows the highest rankings on Proud Boys who have beat up left wing protesters. He was initially invited to the Republican club to perform a skit depicting the killing of Japanese socialist Inejiro Asanuma, whose murder on live television in 1960 is considered an "inspiring moment" by the Proud Boys founder.

Other GOP leaders, meanwhile, have been far less willing to distance themselves from the Proud Boys' brand of belligerent ultranationalism. A state Republican party spokesperson, Jessica Proud, told Gothamist, "we condemned ALL political violence and the views of McInnes. Antifa is by no means an innocent party here." For the most part, Ed Cox, Chairman of the state GOP, has directed his anger toward Governor Andrew Cuomo's perceived indifference about the vandalism of the club.

Republican Chairman Ed Cox reacts to Cuomo blaming the Proud Boys-related violence on the GOP inviting Gavin McInnes to speak: pic.twitter.com/SFAVQlYUoI  Nick Reisman (@NickReisman) October 14, 2018

The Metropolitan Republican Club has stood perhaps most forcefully behind McInnes and the Proud Boys. On Sunday, the group put out a statement touting their support for free speech, adding that "Gavins talk on Friday night, while at times politically incorrect and a bit edgy, was certainly not inciting violence."

Members of the club have also come to the defense of McInnes's First Amendment rightsdefined, in this case, as his right to reenact a political assassination in front of a paying audience at the New York City Republican headquarters. During a press conference held by City Council Speaker Corey Johnson on Monday, an irate state Senate candidate and Metropolitan Club member, Pete Holmberg, interrupted Johnson to declare, "I hate Gavin McInnes, but I will defend his right to speak! Thats the First Amendment, Corey."

While both Cox and Molinaro have stressed that it was the Metropolitan Club's decision to invite McInnes, the close connection between the club and the GOP establishment has continued to generate controversy for local Republicans. On Tuesday, Bklyner revealed that Ian Reilly, Executive Committee Chair of the club, also works for state Senator Marty Golden's reelection campaign. Reilly previously defended the decision to bring McInnes to the club, telling Gothamist last weekbefore the eventthat he had no misgivings about the invitation because the Proud Boys founder is "part of the right."

Asked whether the campaign took any issue with Reilly's support for McInnes, a spokesperson for Golden's office said they were not concerned.

"Ian Reilly is the Campaign's Office Manager, and will continue to serve in that role, as he has capably and professionally for several months," said Michael Tobman, a campaign spokesperson. "He is also Executive Committee Chair of the Metropolitan Republican Club, an old & distinguished political club. Mayors, Governors, and Presidents have been active in the institution. Ian is also, and has proven himself time and time again, my friend."

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Over the last decade, under Jacob Zumas leadership, SOEs like Eskom, Prasa, SAA, and the SABC have been gutted by corruption and mismanagement.

It became so bad that ratings agencies like Standard & Poors pointed to SOEs as a major reason for the downgrade of South Africas credit rating.

Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene, for example, said Eskom is the single biggest risk to South Africas economy.

Even the ANC government admitted the dire state of these companies, with President Cyril Ramaphosa describing SOEs as sewers of corruption.

The government is now trying to fix these companies, but considering the loss of skills and the systemic corruption, it is a near-impossible task.

To see what the government is up against, this article provides a quick overview of the losses of prominent SOEs in their last financial year.

As a concerning addition, we added how much money each of these institutions loses per second.

SAA  R5,670,000,000 loss

In March this year, South African Airways released its financial results for 2017, which revealed a loss of R5.7 billion.

This huge loss was almost R3 billion more than predicted.

Eskom  R4,608,000,000 loss

Eskom released its financial results for the 2017/2018 financial year in July, which revealed a loss of R4.6 billion.

What was particularly disturbing was that the power utilitys irregular expenditure rose from R3 billion to R20 billion over the last year.

Prasa  R928,000,000 loss

In September, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) presented its 2016/17 financial results, revealing a loss of R928 million.

Prasa board chairperson Khanyisile Kweyama said: We came into an organisation that is broken. We are here to fix a broken organisation.

SABC  R622,000,000 loss

In September, the SABC reported a loss of R622 million for the year ended 31 March 2018.

Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu said the SABC was commercially insolvent as it was unable to pay its debts on time.

Now read: South Africa is going to get a lot worseProject Bloodhound, which aims to build a supersonic vehicle capable of breaking the world record for land speed, is seeking new investment to avoid bankruptcy.

Bloodhound Programme Ltd.  the company behind the project  needs to raise $33 million to keep its project going.

The company developed the Bloodhound SSC, which they designed to reach 1,000mph (1,609.3km/h). However, their first aim is to beat the previous world record of 763mph (1,227.93km/h).

The project aims to break the land speed record at a track in Hakskeen Pan, a dry mud and salt pan in the Kalahari Desert of the Northern Cape.

The company has already constructed a vehicle, which they have used in low-speed tests of up to 200mph (320km/h).

They plan to break the previous record by strapping an EJ300 jet engine to the land vehicle, which  combined with three Nucleus motors  will help propel the vehicle to the necessary speed.

After years of research and development, however, the company has exhausted its resources.

With the right support, we have no doubt that the project will achieve its aims and could be racing for the record in as little as ten months, said Mark Chapman, the chief engineer of Project Bloodhound.With the midterm elections just three weeks away, lots of money is still pouring into congressional races. But some Democrats are focusing on a different strategy that could have more of a long-term impact: Giving money to local races that have the potential to flip state legislatures from red to blue.

"In my time as a state legislator, I spent a lot of time trying to get people excited about state government," said Daniel Squadron, a former New York State Senator who represented parts of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. "You can imagine how well that went."

It went something like this: Squadron was first elected in 2008, on the eve of his 29th birthday, making him the youngest member of the State Senate. Then, in the summer of 2017, after a nearly decade-long stint in Albany, he abruptly quit in frustration. He talked about his disillusionment with the status quo in an op-ed for the Daily News. But he never lost faith in the idea that state legislatures are where voters can, most reliably and most affordably, make demands of their representatives.

"I saw the potential in state government here in New York that was just about never achieved, but also just how achievable it was," Squadron told WNYC. "A relatively small number of people can have an outsized impact. And the same is true on the electoral side-relatively small amounts of dollars have an outsized impact."

So Squadron founded the Future Now Fund with entrepreneur Adam Pritzker and economist Jeffrey Sachs. It provides support and funding for progressive candidates running for state legislatures around the country.



Daniel Squadron (Shumita Basu / WNYC)

Races for state-wide or federal seats can cost millions of dollars. Compare that to around $100,000-200,000 needed for state legislative races. Thats why, Squadron says, small-dollar donations have more bang for the buckespecially if your state legislature is within spitting distance of flipping the majority from one party to the other.

Future Now Fund has identified five states as reasonably "flippable" this year, based on campaign finance laws in each state and the number of seats Democrats need to gain the majority. As for the money, Future Now Fund raises it through Giving Circlesfundraising groups made up of regular people raising money through their social networks. Future Now Fund encourages group members to be involved in choosing where to send their money and which candidates to support.

The members of one group in Manhattan call themselves the Downtown Nasty Women's Giving Circle. They're mostly women, connected through their kids' schools or neighborhood groups, who found each other in the aftermath of the November 2016 presidential election. They've been marching and organizing ever since.

"The Giving Circle is really special because it's not just writing a check. You're engaged in the process," said Molly Sellner at a recent group meeting in her home in Chelsea. Sellner is an immigration lawyer by day, and a steering committee member of the Downtown Nasty Women's Giving Circle by night.

"But it's also social. It's fun!" Sellner said, gesturing to the twenty or so people occupying every couch, chair, and square of carpet in her living room. Many were drinking wine or helping themselves to fruits and vegetables on the coffee table. A dwindling pile of prosciutto slowly revealed the design of the tray underneath, bearing the likeness of President Obama's birth certificate.



(Shumita Basu / WNYC)

Daniel Squadron was perched on a step at one end of the living room. Earlier in the summer, this group took a vote and chose Michigan as their state. Squadron showed up in August to discuss the next step: which candidates the Giving Circle should support.

"I can report that along with the other giving circles that have committed to Michigan, we are one of the largest funders of statehouse activity in the state of Michigan, full stop," said Squadron to the group. "Which is pretty, pretty amazing."

Money aside, zeroing in on state-level seats is a pretty smart strategy. State legislatures are where the real down-in-the-trenches, hand-to-hand combat of political warfare takes place.

Listen to WNYC's Shumita Basu discuss giving circles:

Right now, there are 26 states where the governor and legislature are controlled by Republicanscompared to eight controlled by Democrats, including New Jersey. The rest have divided governments.

The party that's in the majority in a state gets the final say on important decisions like drawing district lines. If you've ever looked at your district on a map, you may have noticed it's almost never shaped like a neat rectangle. Squiggly borders are often drawn specifically and nefariously to give one party the advantagethat's known as gerrymandering.

Michigan is one of the most gerrymandered states in the country. It's about evenly divided between Democratic and Republican voters, but Republicans control the governor's mansion and both chambers of the state legislature. Democrats need to gain nine seats to be in the majority in the house.

Katie Fahey of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is an organizer who made it her mission to call attention to gerrymandering in her state. She says gerrymandering makes it difficult for Michiganders to hold their politicians accountable for things like the state's emergency manager law, which led to the water crisis in Flint.

"The people of Michigan actually voted to repeal that, and then right after the last redistricting cycle, our newly gerrymandered legislators reinstated it," said Fahey.

After the 2016 election, she started a grassroots advocacy group called "Voters Not Politicians" and collected over 425,000 signatures to get a proposal on November's ballot to change the way the state draws district lines. The lines get redrawn once a decade, after the census.

"If people of Michigan vote yes on that, we will be having an independent citizen's redistricting commission draw the lines instead of the politicians getting to pick and choose who they want their voters to be," Fahey told WNYC.



The Giving Circle (Shumita Basu / WNYC)

Most of the members of the Downtown Nasty Women's Giving Circle didn't know about Michigan's gerrymandering problems when they targeted the state. Many of them had no experience in politics or organizing or even fundraising before they joined the group.

Kim Beck, who lives in NoHo, says she wasn't very politically active until the 2016 election. Since then, she's become a member of this Giving Circle's steering committee and got elected to the Manhattan County Committee. She says asking her friends and acquaintances for money was a new exercise for her, but she felt compelled to push through the discomfort.

"It's still shocking to me that 52 percent of white women voted for Trump," said Beck. "And maybe we feel some sort of obligation that even if we didn't vote for him, you know, our demographic is partly responsible for him being in office."

In Michigan, Mari Manoogian is one of the young, progressive candidates benefiting from that guilt. She's 26 years old, a first-time politico running for office in a district about 20 miles northwest of Detroit. She's received $10,000 from the Giving Circles, which she described as a "pretty sizable amount" for a campaign of her size.

"It essentially helps us afford to hire a field director," Manoogian told WNYC.

She says the thought of a group of people in New York fundraising for her and other Michigan candidates is pretty humbling.

"What it really signals to me...is that a lot of the really big, important battles for how we live our day-to-day lives as Americans are going to be fought in the state legislatures."

For members of the Manhattan Giving Circle, the next meeting spot is Michigan, where some group members will be volunteering on the ground before November 6.

Shumita Basu is a host, producer, and reporter on WNYC. You can follow her on Twitter.

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Shumita Basu is a host, producer and reporter in the newsroom. You can follow her on Twitter @shubasu.Reader: My workplace is casual, by design. Our stated dress code is vague at best: Appropriate office attire is required. Be guided by common sense and good taste.

There are a couple of 20-something women just out of college, and theyre still dressing like theyre at school. Super-skinny jeans; tops that expose shoulders, back, chest, upper arm; stiletto heels; sheer garments; very short shorts and skirts. I am not their supervisor, but I am senior management and am aware of the image that we need to present to the public.

One of our male employees was asked by his female supervisor to stop coming to work in sweatpants. He complied, and that was the end of it.

Ive spoken to HR about my concerns. HR is concerned that in light of the #MeToo movement, any counseling of these women would be viewed as hostile and sexist.

Karla: For those who havent heard, #MeToo refers to a social movement sparked by unprecedented numbers of sexual assault victimsmostly womengoing public with stories of how powerful celebrities, executives and other professionals harassed them, perhaps by trapping them in hotel rooms and offices or advising them to dress more modestly.

In addition to making clear the pervasiveness of sexual aggression and assault and empowering its victims, #MeToo has also inspired employers and individuals to examine their own behavior and assumptions and ask, Am I doing my part to prevent this? But, according to surveys from the Pew Research Center, LeanIn and Survey Monkey, and NBC News, among others, #MeToo has also been cited as an excuse for inaction or overreaction, with men expressing reluctance to mentor, hire or even talk one-on-one with women out of fear theyll be accused of misconduct. And, evidently, citing #MeToo is how your HR department rationalizes failing to do its job.

As Ive said in previous columns, employers have the rightand obligationto impose and enforce a dress code in line with their business purposes. The more detailed the dos and donts, the easier it is to detect and discipline violations consistently. (And, of course, the dress code cant impose unlawfully discriminatory rules on employees of different sexes, faiths or races; deny reasonable medical or religious accommodations; or be based on gender stereotypes or assumptions.)

I dont know how much clout, if any, you have in persuading HR to tailor its loosely defined standards to better fit your casual-but-not-collegiate workplace. But since fostering gender equality is paramount in light of the #MeToo movementright?HR might consider the problems that could arise if anyone thinks to question why a casually clad male employeebut not his arguably equally underdressed female colleagueswas singled out for a dressing-down.

PRO TIP: Whether youre a policymaker or organization leader looking to combat the culture of sexual harassment, or a victim or bystander wondering what to do about a specific situation, check out #NowWhat: The Sexual Harassment Solutions Toolkit, a comprehensive and practical blueprint from the Better Life Lab at New America.

Miller offers advice on surviving the ups and downs of the modern workplace.

Miller offers advice on surviving the ups and downs of the modern workplace.Whimsical, educational, and easy to read, Passion for Wine is a new book on wine basics for sommeliers, wine drinkers, and winemakers, by vintner Jean-Charles Boisset and sommelier Marnie Old.

Weve made Passion approachable, appealing, and concise. You can read about organic farming or how to make sparkling wine in two pages. Yet the book is good for winemakers also. I use the book as a reference a great deal, said Boisset, who is president of Boisset Family Estates and owner of JCB Tasting Salon in Yountville.

Passion guides the reader through the winemaking process, the fundamentals of wine tasting, the noble grape varieties, and sources of wines diversity. The book contains easy-to-read graphics and short yet thoughtful explanations of concepts like terroir and the ripening process.

The book begins with an introduction to wine history, emphasizing Frances role in winemaking and how French wines rose to prominence. The book also includes a good amount of information about American viewpoints on the winemaking process and California wine.

Passions guide to Zinfandel introduces it as the historic red grape of California, often sourced from plots of so-called old vines that were planted before Californias fine wine boom in the 1960s. The discussion includes a graphic explaining why old vines can improve wine quality: They have multi-faceted flavors that display more maturity and personality.

The book also highlights some of the vineyards and practices in Boissets own wineries, including Raymond Vineyards in St. Helena and Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma.

Boissets parents, Jean-Claude and Claudine Boisset, founded the familys first winery in Burgundy, France, in 1961. Today, the Boisset Collection operates 24 wineries in California, France, and Canada, including Lyeth Estates in St. Helena and Domaine de la Vougeraie in France.

Boisset said he had the idea for the book 20 years ago. He has been working on it for the past four years.

Many wine books are encyclopedic, comprehensive wine bibles. I wanted to write a wine book that was democratic, easy, and unassuming. My life is wine. I talk about wine 16 hours a day. It was somewhat easy for me to do because I know what questions I get asked all the time, said Boisset.

One of the most practical chapters is The Art of Wine Living, which focuses on entertaining with wine, dining with wine, and matching wine and food. Boisset said this chapter is really about the American way of seeing wine, with a modern, purposeful eye.

Another helpful section of the book is the appendix, which explains how to read American labels, styled in the modern varietal format, and French wine labels, styled in the traditional regional format. The American approach emphasizes the wines main grape variety as an indicator of the wines flavor or style. The French approach names a wine for its region of origin, linking wine quality to regional specificity. The appendix also provides short guides to winemaking regions in France and the U.S., including Sonoma County and Napa Valley.

Boisset injected some of his personal interests into the book by covering topics he holds dear, such as biodynamic farming, a practice that treats the vineyard as a self-contained ecosystem and focuses on sustaining healthy life cycles for all organisms in the vineyard.

Another favorite subject is bubbles. Passion contains a whole page on the Champagne method and a short discussion of the Prosecco Method and the Asti Method, the other two ways to make sparkling wine.

The photo spreads are colorful and luxurious. Yet, the book is not Napa or North Bay-centric. Boisset and Old set out to create a general book for the layperson that makes wine tasting and wine drinking very accessible.

One of the most unique traits of Passion is its characterization of wines with qualities like those of famous female movie stars, such as voluptuous, like Marilyn Monroe; elegant, like Audrey Hepburn; sensuous, like Sophia Loren; and powerful, like Elizabeth Taylor.

Personifying the wines and describing them with markers like golden, sun-kissed, barrel-fermented, and splurge-worthy, for voluptuous, helps the reader develop a deep understanding of a wine. The reader can then correlate traits like low acidity and high oak flavor with a wine type, such as high-quality whites.

We wanted to capture wines joie de vivre and help people understand it from their own perspective. Our goal is to instill a little bit of confidence in everyone, Boisset said.

He also said he and Old worked on the book at all times everywhere.

I wrote in airports, my house, and from my bed. I had to do tons of research at the library in Burgundy, at the Wine Institute, in my own wine libraries, and online, Boisset said. The hardest part of the process was limiting the amount of graphics. We took images from stock libraries like Getty. Marnie and I also designed a lot of the drawings ourselves.

Boisset said he relied on an internal team to assist with production. He had a few people outside the team read the draft.

After I finished the book, I presented it to my mother. She said, I wish we had the book 60 years ago when we started the winery, said Boisset.

He also said he developed a few favorite vintages to drink as he wrote.

I really enjoy Buena Vista Winerys Sonoma Chardonnay, which is light and elegant. I also enjoy DeLoach Vineyards Pinot Noir, from Santa Rosa and the Russian River. Its deep and dark. I like the Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon too. It has that Napa intensity, said Boisset.

Boisset said he and Olds collaboration came naturally, and he is now working on a second book by himself.

It will be called The Alchemy of Senses. Its coming out around mid-December or January. I traveled around 15 cities to promote it. Its all about your senses. We go very deep into learning about you as a reader. Its incredibly introspective, interactive, and playful. Its about celebrating yourself, said Boisset.

Boissets advice for first-time authors is to commit to a project.

Writing a book is a phenomenal experience. You learn a great deal. You think you know a topic. But until you start writing, you dont really know. Im so glad I did it. I recommend it to anyone who has an idea, Boisset said.

The book is available at my.boissetcollection.comOUT OF THE ASHES

Land Trust of Napa County Stewardship Program Manager Mike Palladini explains how the agency has begun monitoring the ecological effects of the fires, with a particular emphasis on recovery of our fire-adapted native plant communities, during a presentation at the St. Helena Library, 1492 Library Lane, on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. This presentation will show some of the amazing adaptations native plants have developed to survive, and even benefit from wildfire, while also highlighting some of the stunning species thriving in recently burned areas. Palladini will also talk about ongoing Land Trust efforts to restore degraded serpentine prairie using prescribed fire. Info, shpl.org.

WHATS NEW AT THE CAMEO

The Old Man and the Gun closes its run at Cameo Cinema, 1340 Main St., on Thursday, Oct. 18. Documentary Somm 3 debuts on Friday, Oct. 19. A Star is Born, starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, joins the scheduled lineup on Friday, Oct. 26. Info, CameoCinema.com; 287-4172.

MIKE GREENSILL PERFORMS

St. Helena pianist Mike Greensill performs from 5-7 p.m. Thursdays at Silos, 530 Main St., Napa. Free admission. Info, silosnapa.com; 251-5833.

COMING SOON TO BLUE NOTE

Blue Note Napa is a live music jazz club/gourmet restaurant venue occupying the first floor of the historic Napa Valley Opera House, 1030 Main St., Napa. Upcoming acts include Rachel Eckroth (Oct. 18); Stanley Jordan Trio (Oct. 19-20); Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers (Oct. 24); and James Henry Hands on Fire (Oct. 25) For tickets and additional information, call 880-2300 or visit bluenotenapa.com.

ST. HELENA FARMERS MARKET

The St. Helena Farmers Market is held Friday, Oct. 19, at Crane Park, 360 Crane Ave. St. Helena, from 7:30 a.m.-noon, rain or shine. Info, sthelenafarmersmkt.org.

MUSIC ON THE TERRACE

David Ronconi performs live music at Merryvale Vineyards, 1000 Main St., St. Helena, on the terrace on Friday, Oct. 19, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Free admission. Info, merryvale.com; 963-7777.

CREATING CLAIRE

Upstage Napa Valley presents Joe DePietros Creating Claire from Friday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Oct. 28 at Grace Episcopal Church, 1314 Spring St. in St. Helena. Showtimes are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 5 p.m. Tickets are $25; $15 for students. Info, upstagenapavalley.org

COMPASSIONATE ACTS

Actor and activist Peter Coyote and vintner and humanitarian Dick Grace discuss how to turn compassion into action as the Napa Valley Museum continues its In Conversation: Compassionate Action series on Friday, Oct. 19, at 6 p.m. The Napa Valley Museum is located at 55 Presidents Circle in Yountville. Admission is $20-$35. Info, napavalleymuseum.org.

OPEN HOUSE

The 24th annual open house of the St. Helena Fire Department will be from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20 at 1480 Main St. All are welcome.

ST. HELENA HOMETOWN HARVEST FESTIVAL

St. Helena Hometown Harvest Festival returns on Saturday, Oct. 20. The festivities kick off at 8 a.m. with the Fun Run, followed by the Pet Parade at 9:30 a.m. The festival runs from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and includes live music, a kids carnival, a wine lounge, a food alley, and an array of arts and crafts. The festival is held on Oak Avenue and Adams Street. Info, 967-2736; amaliak@cityofsthelena.org.

ATTENTION VINYL RECORD AFICIONADOS

Napa Valley College (Upper Campus), 1088 College Ave., St. Helena, hosts a vinyl record swap meet on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Connect with other music lovers, swap some records, and take a turn on the turntable. Admission is $5. All vendors must register in advance no later than Oct. 15 by calling 967-2901. Vendor fees apply. Info, napavalley.edu/CommEd/Pages/UVC-Special-Events.aspx.

ARTISTS RECEPTION IN CALISTOGA

Sofie Contemporary Arts, 1407 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, hosts an artists reception for the new exhibit Flora, Fauna and Other-Worldly Visions from 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. The exhibit features the work of Lisa Beerntsen, John Kraft, Susan Stover and Becky Wells. The exhibit will run through Dec. 2. Info, sofiegallery.com; 942-4231.

KIDS MATINEE AT THE LIBRARY

The St. Helena Public Library, 1492 Library Lane, screens a family movie each Wednesday at 3 p.m. as part of its ongoing Kids Matinee series. On Oct. 24, the library screens Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. Free admission. Info, shpl.org; 963-5244.

MYSTICAL POETRY AND MUSIC SALON

Pastor Burke Owens hosts a Mystical Poetry and Music Salon, featuring medieval Christian and Zen poets, at the Saint Helena United Methodist Church, 1310 Adams St., on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. This weeks subject is about Han-Shan and Shih-Te, two wild, mountain zanies who helped birth Zen Buddhism. $15 donation includes sweets and wine. Info, 339-0766; shofficeumc@aim.com.

YAPPY HOUR AT CHARLES KRUG

A dog-friendly "Howl-loween" party on the patio at St. Helena's Charles Krug Winery will be held from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 25. The event includes a puppy costume contest, goodie bags for your pup, a donation raffle and wine and pizza for sale. Proceeds from raffle benefit We Care Animal Rescue. RSVP to CKYAPPYHOUR.eventbrite.com or 967-2229.

MEET & GREET ST. HELENA'S TOP COP

All are cordially invited to meet Tim Foley, the city of St. Helena's interim chief of police, from 5-6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 25 at the St. Helena Public Library, 1492 Library Lane. Info, 968-2742.

MODERN ART AND TRIBAL CULTURES

The de Young Museum delivers a presentation about modern art and tribal cultures from Africa and Oceania on Thursday, Oct. 25, at the St. Helena Library, 1492 Library Lane, at 7 p.m. Modern artists often look to ancient and ethnic antecedents to create their work. Artists like Picasso, Matisse and Cezanne, all took design, composition, and color directly from Oceanic cultures. In the early years of the 20th century, the aesthetics of traditional African sculpture became a powerful influence among European modern artists. Join this presentation for a walk through the modern art of the 20th century and see if your favorite artist has roots in Africa or Oceania. Info, shpl.org.

HOWL-O-WEEN

Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch hosts its trick-or-treat fundraising event at Evil Vines Cemetery, 2110 Euclid Ave., Napa, from 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. Each October the Evil Vines Cemetery appears, filled with tricks and treats for all ages. Evil Vines Cemetery is a free, outdoor yard haunt. Guests may brave a trip to the treat bowl and venture through eerie cemetery paths. Howl-O-Ween continues on Wednesday, Oct. 31, from 6-9 p.m. Free admission. Info, facebook.com/EvilVinesCemetery.

SOL FLAMENCO

Romantic, sensual and passionate, Mark Taylor and his ensembles Sol Flamenco will re-create the authentic feeling of the great flamenco on the White Barn stage, 2727 Sulphur Springs Ave., St. Helena, on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30. Info, thewhitebarn.org; 987-8225.

40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Silverado Orchards, 601 Pope St. in St. Helena, will celebrate its 40th anniversary with an Open House luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 28. Join in the fun for live country music, lunch and personal tours of the facility. For details call 963-3688 or retire@silveradoorchards.com.

THE TALLPIAN PRINCESS

St. Helena native and author Lailand Oberschulte hosts a launch party for her new book The Tallpian Princess on Sunday, Oct. 28, at Cook St. Helena, 1310 Main St., from noon-3 p.m. Bites and bubbles will be provided and there will be a Q&A about the book. Info, https://bit.ly/2Eqoy2S.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION

The 11th Annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration, sponsored by the UpValley Family Center and Nimbus Arts, will be presented from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at the Upper Valley Campus, Napa Valley College, 1088 College Ave. in St. Helena. The event features music, dancing, arts & crafts, food, face painting and traditional altars for those we have lost.

'SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE'

St. Helena Drama Department presents its fall play, "Shakespeare in Love" opening at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 1. It runs through Sunday, Nov. 4. All performances are at the St. Helena Performing Arts Center, 1401 Grayson Ave. Advance tickets, sthelenadrama.com

SERENDIPITY

Caldwell Snyder Gallery, 1328 Main St., St. Helena hosts an opening reception for painter Siddharth Parasnis on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 4-6 p.m.. Free admission. Info, caldwellsnyder.com; 200-5050.

STAND-UP COMEDY

Stand-up comedian Billy Anderson performs at Charles Krug Winery, 2800 Main St., St. Helena, on Friday, Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Summer 2018 Stand-Up Comedy Series. Tickets are $28. Info, thelaughcellar.com.

CINEMABITES AT CAMEO CINEMA

Cameo Cinema, 1340 Main St., hosts another installment of its CinemaBites series on Monday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m. Theater of Life is a documentary about the remarkable story of how renowned chef Massimo Bottura, joined by 60 of the worlds top chefs, transformed food destined for the dumpster into delicious and nutritious meals for Italys neediest. Tickets are $45. Info, CameoCinema.com; 287-4172.

NAPA VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL

The Napa Valley Film Festival returns Nov. 7-Nov. 11. This years festival features 90 independent films to be screened in Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. St. Helena venues include Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, Native Sons Hall, and Cameo Cinema. Festival passes are on sale now. Info, nvff.org.

To include your event in the St. Helena Star community calendar, submit details online at napavalleyregister.com/calendar or contact online editor Samie Hartley at shartley@napanews.com.The wine industry scored a small win in Sacramento recently, bringing a handful of post-Prohibition laws up to date in the age of social media.

Signed by Gov. Brown in late September, Assembly Bill 2452, which takes effect in January, will let wineries freely use social media to promote certain events hosted by retailers that plan to feature their wines. The bill was the work of Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, state Sen. Bill Dodd and the Napa Valley Vintners trade group.

The existing rules, called tied-house laws, have long kept wineries and other suppliers from advertising events being held by retailers like restaurants and wine shops. The new bill amends several exceptions in the laws that previously allowed wineries to promote events like winemaker dinners or instructional tastings hosted by retailers, but also limited what a winery could include in its promotion.

Whereas previously a winery could promote such an event, for instance at a restaurant, it could not use a picture of the restaurant in its advertisement, and could not include an email address for the restaurant, or its web address.

The rules around how suppliers could communicate about these events that they were authorized to have were really limited, said Michelle Novi, associate director of industry relations at the Napa Valley Vintners. Novi managed the Vintners effort to bring the reforms into law.

Theyre still limited, dont get me wrong, Novi added. But, she noted, the new law now allows wineries to use pictures of the retailer premises in their posts. They can also now provide the retailers email and web addresses.

Essentially what weve done is weve made it a little bit easier for wineries to communicate more authentically in the online space using images and information, Novi said.

Tied house laws were designed to prevent unfair business practices between alcoholic beverage manufacturers and retailers, in part by limiting the influence the former can have on the latter. In this, the laws have blocked suppliers from giving retailers anything of value, including free advertising.

In the age of social media, those laws have extended to block wineries from posting about such events on any of the many platforms at hand.

For wineries that slip up, the cost can be steep. In 2014, a Sacramento-area winery landed in hot water with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control after tweeting about an upcoming event at a Sacramento SaveMart. As reported in the Sacramento Bee, the winery was given a choice of a 10-day suspension of its liquor license that would have amounted to thousands of dollars of lost revenue, or probation for a year, during which time another slip up would result in that 10-day suspension.

Even with the new law, some restrictions are still in place. For one, a winery can make no laudatory statements about a retailer in a post. Videos also remain prohibited.

But at least now when they make their Instagram posts or create their Facebook notification, they can put a picture of the venue in to show what the atmosphere is like and potentially entice them to attend, Novi said.

At the end of the day, tied house is all about keeping suppliers and retailers separate, she added. And what we know is in 2018, the wine world is about relationships. So its challenge because youre existing in this space thats very visual and communicative and relationship-based, but you have all of these rules placed on you, limiting how you can express yourself.

The Napa Valley Vintners will host a workshop in November to bring member wineries up to speed on the new law.

Pop the cork on Napa Valley wine! Discover the hidden stories of Napa Valley wine and the people behind it -- plus expert analysis from our columnists and more with our weekly email newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.An MCE official calls the California Public Utilities Commissions decision last week to require customers to pay more in exit fees to investor-owned Pacific Gas & Electric Co. a flawed approach that unfairly shifts costs to customers.

But CEO Dawn Weisz said it wont deter the community-choice aggregator from its core mission of providing cleaner power at stable rates, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and investing in local programs.

Formerly known as Marin Clean Energy, MCE has seen sharper increases in the exit fee in past years, Weisz said. In January 2016, the PUC approved nearly a doubling of the fee.

Weve always maintained competitive rates with a lot of stability, Weisz said, and well continue to do that.

Supervisor Damon Connolly, who formerly served as chairman of MCEs board, wrote in an email, At a time when we are seeking to incentivize people to sign up for clean energy sources like MCE Clean Energy to meet Marin and Californias ambitious climate goals, this decision goes in the opposite direction by making it harder to do so.

Richmond Mayor Tom Butt, an MCE board member, said, All the community-choice aggregators are trying to do the right thing. They are on the front line addressing climate change and to get whacked down by a public agency, particularly in California, is really disappointing.

The CPUC is basically a surrogate of the investor-owned utilities, Butt said. They have huge power over the CPUC commissioners, and I dont know why. These people all get appointed by the governor, and the governor is supposed to be friendly to people who are trying to do something about climate change.

When a PG&E customer switches to MCE or another community choice supplier, PG&E is permitted to charge that customer an exit fee to compensate it for the power contracts it previously entered into to supply that customer electricity. The fee was imposed by the California Public Utilities Commission to ensure that customers remaining with the utilities do not end up footing the entire cost of the contracts.

Weisz, however, says that PG&E shareholders should bear more of the cost for the utilitys poor decisions in building power plants and purchasing power. For example, Weisz said that in the early 2000s PG&E built a number of natural-gas-fired power plants that now might not be needed.

There should be some shareholder risk involved in choosing to build a facility, Weisz said, but unfortunately this latest decision by the PUC means that all customers will be covering the cost of those assets.

Weisz said the new CPUC decision contravenes an earlier CPUC policy that the costs of building utility-owned generation after 2002 would be recovered over a 10-year period.

Weisz also said the exit fee is unnecessarily high because PG&E in many cases dumps its excess energy contracts on the spot market where they sell for less than they are really worth.

In an email, Marin Supervisor Kate Sears, who currently heads MCEs board, wrote, Community choice aggregation (CCA) customers will have to pay for poor investor-owned utility portfolio management and load forecasting decisions and profit-making utility assets for decades to come. This does not treat CCA customers fairly.

But in an email, PG&E spokeswoman Lynsey Paulo wrote that if the exit fee is not set correctly, remaining PG&E customers pay more  residents in communities not served by a CCA  not PG&E corporation or its shareholders.

Paulo wrote that in 2017, due to the current outdated methodology for calculating the exit fee, CCA customers paid approximately 65 percent of their share of above-market costs.

This shifted approximately $180 million in costs to PG&E customers who were not part of a CCA, Paulo wrote.

In PG&E service territory currently, 27 percent of customers that PG&E procures energy for are on the CARE low-income rate, Paulo added, while only 13 percent of customers served by a CCA are on a CARE low-income rate.

Mindy Spatt, communications director with the Utility Reform Network, known as TURN, said, The problem here was that the costs that were being allocated were going to be paid by consumers one way or another. So the best we could hope for is an equitable distribution of the responsibility among all customers.

We would have loved to have seen investors pick up more of the burden but that wasnt one of the choices, unfortunately, Spatt said.

In an email, Jim Phelps of Novato, a longtime critic of MCE, wrote, As consumers awaken to being in these CCA programs as costs increase, they will seek to opt out.

Butt, however, said, I dont think this is a crisis. I think there is a pretty good chance that we can still deliver electrical power cheaper than PG&E can. If we cant, it will be very close to the same price.

MCE customers who have switched from PG&E since 2017 are paying about $15 a month in exit fees, while MCE customers who made the switch earlier are paying a bit less. PUC Commissioner Carla Peterman has estimated the newly approved increase in exit fees will result in a 1.68 percent increase in the monthly bills of MCEs residential customers, but Weisz said MCE believes it may be closer to a 2 percent increase.

MCE says its residential rates are currently 3 percent to 4 percent lower than PG&Es.

According to a website where MCE and PG&E jointly report their rates, a typical residential MCE customer (based on estimated usage of 450 kilowatt hours per month) was paying an average of $123.94 per month as of March 1, compared with an average PG&E residential customer who was paying $126.89 per month.

MCE says 60 percent of its energy comes from renewable sources, while PG&E says 33 percent of its energy comes from renewable sources.

MCE has about 450,000 customers. Only 16 percent of its potential market has taken the initiative of opting out to remain with PG&E.

The jurisdictions MCE serves include all of Marin County and Marins 11 municipalities; Napa and Contra Costa counties; and the municipalities of Richmond, Concord, Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, San Ramon, San Pablo, Benicia, El Cerrito, American Canyon, Calistoga, Lafayette, the town of Napa, Saint Helena, Yountville, Pinole, Oakley, Moraga, Martinez and Danville.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Napa High School students Loraine Sepulona and Jeremy Tsujihara are among those youths who are so eager to vote when they turn 18 that theyve already pre-registered.

Its a definite (in) 2020, said Sepulona, who turns 16 this week.

Voter turnout for last Junes gubernatorial primary election was 49.22 percent in Napa County, the registrars office said. If that sounds low, it shattered the statewide turnout of 37.54 percent.

Contrast those numbers with the energy in a packed auditorium of Napa High School students on Monday. The student-organized event amounted to a pep rally for civic engagement, with the mention of voting drawing loud applause.

People have bled to make sure you all have the right to vote and the right get involved, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, told the students. Dont let them down.

Applause.

Youth voice is where the solutions at, Napa Valley Unified School District Superintendent Rosanna Mucetti said. Lets promote it today at NVUSD.

Applause.

Thompson mentioned gun violence prevention, climate change and the cost of higher education as some of the issue in which students have a stake.

Your getting involved is going to be critical as to what happens with those issues and others, Thompson told students.

Secretary of State Alex Padilla  who was scheduled to attend the event but tended to a family emergency insteadis promoting pre-registration for 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds. These youths can do the paperwork now so they are set to vote at age 18.

State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, challenged the students and other citizens to do more than vote. He suggested they attend city council meetings, volunteer for political campaigns and call elected representatives about legislation and policies.

Yes, registering to vote and actually voting is key, Dodd said. But its just the tip of the iceberg.

Thompson tried to demonstrate that the concept every vote matters is more than a cliche or platitude.

He talked about a 2017 race for a Virginia House of Delegates seat that ended in a tie between a Republican and a Democrat. The state broke the tie by drawing lots, with the Republican winning. That gave Republicans control of the House by one vote.

The Virginia House of Delegates Democrat leader told him that as a result, the minority Democrats couldnt bring to vote legislation on the minimum wage, voter suppression prevention and gun violence prevention, Thompson said.

Your vote makes a difference, Thompson told students. Your involvement makes a difference. Your future is on the line, and the future of your friends and future generations.

Sepulona and Tsujihara didnt need convincing, though Sepulona said the school event made her even more excited about voting and spreading the word others.

Tsujihara said hes most interested in voting on the national level to address such issues as climate change.

Im big in environmental policy and I think that mainly needs to be done at the national level, so everyones on the same page, Tsujihara said.

Tsujihara pre-registered to vote the previous week when student leadership explained the opportunity in his advanced placement government class. Other students pre-registered and registered after Mondays event.

Hes doing more than just waiting for the day he can vote. The 17-year-old said he discussed with his family the pros and cons of the state propositions on the Nov. 6 ballot, even though he must sit that election out.

Sepulona said shes most interested in voting on local issues. In leadership class, she does such things as volunteer to plant trees and serve people who need help.

Napa High School Principal Annie Petrie said the schools Leadership Academy Youth Leaders in Action group and other groups organized Mondays event; its goal being to show that students voices matter, she said.

Also on Monday, Justin-Siena High School in Napa hosted an event to encourage students to pre-register to vote and get involved in the electoral process. Napa Countys Registrar of Voters John Tuteur gave a presentation.

Napa County has 82.09 percent of it eligible voters registered to vote, he said. That compares to the statewide average of 75.81 percent and is the eighth highest out of 58 counties.

Of registered Napa County voters, 9.87 percent are younger than age 26, according to the Secretary of States office. That compares to the statewide average of 12.08 percent. Napa County overall population has a higher median age than the state.

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.CALISTOGA  PG&E pulled the plug on Calistoga Sunday night, de-energizing power lines as part of a new program intended to prevent a repeat of last Octobers devastating wildfires.

The planned outage closed Calistogas public schools and left businesses in town shuttered Monday morning. As the day progressed, owners grumbled about mounting business losses and questioned the need for the cutoff.

The intentional shutoff Sunday night, affecting about 5,700 customers in Napa County, was called because of the extreme risk of fires due to strong winds and exceptionally dry conditions, PG&E said.

PG&E said lines would be re-energized starting mid-day Monday after they were individually inspected. Inspections were being made by helicopter, driving and on foot, spokeswoman Deanna Contreras said.

Power to 70 percent of customers in Northern California was to be restored by midnight Monday, Contreras said. In Calistoga, police predicted full restoration by 8 p.m. Monday.

Also affected by the shutoff in Napa County were customers in Angwin, Deer Park, Lake Berryessa, Pope Valley and rural areas outside St. Helena, the utility said.

Shutdown hurts business

The cautionary electrical shutdown angered Michael Dunsford, owner of the Calistoga Inn. The burden and cost of this effort (to prevent fires) is falling on the shoulders of small businesses, and that is unacceptable, he said.

Dunsford estimated that the shutdown will cost him between $5,000 and $10,000 and is costing about 15 workers a days pay because he cant open for lunch. Guests in three rooms demanded refunds Sunday night and left, and three more were talking about doing so Monday morning. The onsite brewery has six tanks with beer in production with no way to control the temperature, threatening several batches of fresh beer.

Where some restaurants closed early on Sunday, Dunsford chose to stay open since PG&E gave no specific time for a possible shutdown. When the power went down after 8 p.m., there were at least 75 guests in the restaurant, and a number of employees in the kitchen in the dark. He had deployed a generator, but a technical problem prevented him from turning it on, leaving everyone in the dark, including hotel guests who were using candles to get to their rooms and the bathrooms.

Dunsford said PG&E should have given a more specific estimate for the time of a shutdown, or waited until a later hour when most restaurants would have been closed anyway.

Dunsford, who is also the citys vice mayor, said he did not feel any winds even remotely comparable to last Octobers firestorms. He also worried that if PG&E is too aggressive in turning of power in the late fire season, it would deter tourists from coming to Calistoga in the heart of harvest season.

The chef of an iconic Calistoga restaurant is planning a block party to feed the stressed out community if power were not restored soon.

All Seasons chef Kevin Kathman said at mid-day that about $12,000 worth of food would spoil Monday if his refrigerators remain out of service.

Rather than toss the food, Kathman said he would grill over fire and tap warming kegs of beer for worried neighbors, including winery owners in the middle of their annual grape harvest.

Kathman says he understands Pacific Gas & Electrics new strategy of cutting power when weather conditions heighten the wildfire risk. But he questions the need to cut power on Monday, saying there was almost no wind blowing in Calistoga.

Andee Beresini, who has owned Sugar Daddys consignment store on Lincoln Avenue for 16 years, asked, Why would they (PG&E) volunteer to turn off the power? I can see if it was warranted.

Matt Shimetz, manager at Mount View Hotel said since the outage most guests have stayed on, but I doubt anyone is going to check in. Were trying to hang on to the ones we have. Were disappointed but we understand what they (PG&E) have to do. But couldnt they have given us a reprieve? Its sending a message that October is a scary time to come here.

Visitors looking for something to eat were being sent to the next nearest town, St. Helena.

At All Seasons Bistro, Kathman said that everyone in the world had been in to talk to him Monday about the outage, including NBC, ABC, and the Associated Press.

Kathman had all of the restaurants perishables packed in coolers and on ice, something he was embarrassed to show the world.

Even if the power comes on in the next couple of hours, we cant pull everything together for dinner, he said, including gathering employees back to work.

Employees at Cal Mart said they couldnt remember the last time the store was closed due to a power outage. Last year, during the wildfires and Calistogas evacuation, Cal Mart remained open, feeding the first responders.

At Calistogas Mount View Hotel on Lincoln Avenue, coffee had been brought in from Santa Rosa, and croissants had been delivered as usual, said general manager Derrick Dumont.

City of Calistoga public works crews had put up stop signs at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Washington Street to control traffic as of about 7:30 a.m., and there were three television trucks parked near the intersection to cover the intentional blackout.

Pacific Union College in Angwin has its own power system and was not affected by the PG&E outage. Classes and activities went on as usual on Monday, and the College Market remained open, officials said.

Pope Valley Elementary School cancelled classes on Monday. The school is running on generators, but many of the students and faculty were without power at their homes, said Superintendent/Principal Ken Burkhart.

Were closed until the power comes back on, he said.

The National Weather Service said winds blew furiously atop Mount St. Helena Sunday night, with one gust registered at 77 mph. At between 2,000 feet and 3,000 feet, winds topped 50 mph at times, said Roger Gass, a Weather Service meteorologist.

Sunday nights winds in the highest elevations were the strongest so far this season, Gass said. Most of Napa County did not receive extremely strong winds, he said. On the floor of the Upvalley, gusts were around 35 mph.

Last October, when wildfires raged on three sides of the Napa Valley, winds were much stronger on the lower elevations , Gass said.

PG&E is now cutting power in high winds because of last Octobers firestorms in which PG&E lines, brought down by tree limbs and snapping on their own, were found to contribute to at least 12 wildfires.

Insurance claims against PG&E for last Octobers fires exceed $9 billion, putting pressure on the utility to adopt new procedures. PG&E has established weather stations in the region so it can better predict extreme weather.

While mild weather is predicted for this coming week, the risk of extreme fire conditions exists until there is sufficient drenching rain to end the fire season, Gass said. Such rains are not in any immediate forecast, he said.

All told, the utility turned off power Sunday to 17,500 customers in Napa, Lake and Sonoma counties, and another 42,000 customers in extreme fire-risk areas of the Sierra foothills in Amador, El Dorado and Calaveras counties, Contreras said.

Dave Stoneberg and Jesse Duarte of the St. Helena Star and Kevin Courtney of the Napa Valley Register contributed to this story.A Sonoma County sheriff's canine team helped arrest a Napa man Friday on suspicion of stealing a motorcycle in San Francisco, sheriff's officials said.

Deputies were alerted to the 2005 BMW motorcycle with a stolen vehicle recovery system around 5 p.m. on the second floor of a parking garage at the Graton Resort & Casino near Rohnert Park.

Casino security notified the sheriff's office at 5:45 p.m. that the motorcyclist was starting to drive away, and deputies sealed off exits from the parking garage with their patrol cars.

The motorcycle driver, identified as Timothy Miller, 43, of Napa, tried to drive around the patrol cars by driving over a curb and through a dirt path with shrubs, but he lost control of the bike and ran, according to the sheriff's office.

The deputy and a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois named Mako gave chase. Mako caught up to Miller, bit his hand and pulled him to the ground.

Miller was taken into custody and was found in possession of two bags of cocaine and four bags of heroin, sheriff's officials said.

Miller also had four arrest warrants from three different counties for vehicle theft, narcotics and weapons offenses.

He was booked under $195,000 bail in Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, resisting arrest, evasion and driving on a suspended license.After watching the lock-stepped un-parliamentary indignities before me on cable television, coming from the debatable land (commonly known as D.C.), I now await the un-rhetorical analysis including ad homonym blame games concerning the recent  Judges to Rushment ( no Limbaugh pun intended, Rush) episodes.

Some may blame Trump's ghostwriter for omitting Bland Withdrawal from his Art of The Deal. (But a ghost of a chance). Some will invoke the Good Man theory, short of evoking Tristam or Lochinvar, while others may invoke the Lost Doves defense ( Lady Raleigh, so long at London's Tower). Too bad Mr. Kavanaugh, alum of DKE, couldn't have merely found a brother across the aisle and gained a fond fraternal handshake, although some would make alum a bad word.

But there will be no answers, as despite ad homonym claims, we have too few individuals left in the senatorial wing of the congressional building . John McCain quite possibly been one of the last true individuals, surviving the set and subset of which a variety of announcers categorize as tribal. Tribal? Not in the First Nations sense. How about Nativistic: in a country facing the Crude, rude and bumptious behaviors as we return to Frances Trollope's Domestic Manners of the Americans (1832), followed by the later Know Nothing Party. Let us not make America unctuous again.

Yes, America has a problem with dispute resolution, complicated by a systems problem, centered, not exclusively upon its major political parties but manifested there in the recent senatorial Advise & Consent activities, where cognitive dissonance approached a state of Stockholm syndrome.

The systems problem will not take care of itself, but will eventually require a formal process of group facilitation of change, including, but not limited to a grieving process whereby the old dysfunctional ways are given a hardy kick of good-bye ( Likely a probationary, but appreciable latter-day Goodbye when organizational creep shows its ugly sign.)

As to the primal issue of dysfunctional dispute resolution: Win-Lose simply put is short-termed and simply does not produce comity (one of Lincoln's favorite words) in government or international relations. My grandfather Frank Wells, VP of a large corporation, always advised that a good agreement is one in which both parties perceived mutual benefit.

Win-Win has been around for an appreciable period of time and articulated in the 70s by Gerard Nierenberg's Creative Business Negotiations .

This concept was amplified a few years back by one of Napa's great individuals, County Counsel Cliff Loeber, who in mediating a dispute advised in any given dispute there are at least two sides of the issueeither or both could be right.

Although at the time, I didn't know the source of Loeber's quotation, but the mediation proved a success. And I later used it myself. Finding this non-syllogistic logic somewhat freeing from those otherwise locked into positions. A Mindfulness moment one might say.

Giving the body politic its body scan. I recently found an expansive source of Loeber's statement in Finding Zero, by author Amir D. Acel. We in the West are sometimes throwing zeroes cavalierly about-- Zero  Tolerance (sometimes actually intolerance) ; Zero-Based Budgeting (good concept); the motion picture 10 (careful , if you're a candidate for Justice, avoid this one). We sometimes forget the historical importance of Zero, one of its primary focuses is in separating positive from negative numbers, enabling out computer-driven templates and higher mathematics.

The concept which I traced from Equire Loeber's earlier statement is found page 140 of Acel's Finding Zero: In early Buddhist logic, it was standard to assume that for any state of affairs there were four possibilities that it held, that it did not, both or neither (the tetralemma -- more horns than a dilemma).

Hopefully this could lead us to something like zero-based bargaining and free us from lock-step. In any given dispute there are at least two sides of the issueeither or both could be right.Contract soldier Meruzhan Harutyunyan died in hostilities

Armenia Ambassador stresses need for targeted condemning calls during talk with Amanda Sloat

Earthquake hits 10 km northeast from Armenia's Tashir, felt in Lori and Tavush Provinces with 3-point magnitude

Minister: Armenian Nuclear Power Plant has major toolkit to protect itself from potential military attacks

US calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to 'resume substantive negotiations'

Armenia ruling party MP: At end of day, Azerbaijan lost advantages it had, Armenian army retrieved many positions

His Holiness Aram I: Silence of Armenia's allies and friendly countries is strange

Pashinyan to Putin: Actions of Azerbaijan are aggression against Armenia's sovereign territory

Russia Ambassador to Armenia fails to comment on current situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border

UN calls on Yerevan and Baku to show restraint

US Ambassador to Armenia on escalation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border: We're trying to stabilize situation

Meeting with foreign ambassadors at Armenian MFA is over

France is concerned about escalation of situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border

Russian MOD: Armenia and Azerbaijan took measures to stabilize situation after talk with Sergey Shoygu

Firing in eastern direction of Armenia's border stopped starting from 6:30 p.m. through Russia's mediation

Azerbaijani and Turkish defense ministers discuss escalated situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border

Iran MFA calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to show restraint

Russian MFA: Moscow is in contact with Yerevan and Baku to move escalated border situation to peaceful path

CSTO hasn't received official applications from Armenia for assistance with regard to border escalation

Putin, Pashinyan discuss current situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Opposition 'Armenia' Alliance issues statement on situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border and solutions

Sergey Shoygu calls on Armenian and Azerbaijani MODs to stop operations inciting escalation

Armenia PM holds phone talks with Charles Michel

Armenia PM delivers speech at Security Council session (LIVE)

Republican Party of Armenia demands that authorities stop adventurism and apply to Russia through legal procedure

Armenia Ombudsman: Azerbaijan's attacks of terrorist nature have endangered life and health of civilians

Armenia Ambassador presents situation on Armenian borders to Dereck Hogan

Armenia Ambassador discusses situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border with U.S. Co-Chair of OSCE Minsk Group

Morgan Stanley predicts growth in luxury brand sales in the Metaverse

UN Security Council still hasn't planned discussion on current situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border

Armenia President and PM discuss situation on border

Jon Inarritu calls on international community for measures against continuous provocations of Aliyev regime

BREAKING on Azerbaijani-Armenian border: 12 Armenian soldiers captured

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin calls on intl community, religious structures to suspend Azerbaijan's encroachments

Opposition Homeland Party: All healthy national forces of Armenia need to gather and support army

Armenia MOD releases new footage showing how Azerbaijani armored vehicles are struck

Head of Armenia's Geghamasar: Situation is tense, enemy has accumulated a lot of armored vehicles on border

Armenia's Yolyan Hematology Center says blood donors are needed

Armenia MOD Suren Papikyan holds phone talks with Russian counterpart

Armenian National Committee of Europe: We urge the EU to put political pressure on Azerbaijan

Armenian political party leader: Armenia needs to address US, France and UN Security Council as soon as possible

Baku is putting the blame on Yerevan

Armenia minister: Unpredictable processes are unfolding after Karabakh war

Armenia Security Council Secretary discusses situation on border with US Ambassador

Armenia Security Council Secretary meets with Iran Ambassador, situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border discussed

Charles Michel calls for urgent de-escalation of situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border

Employees of Armenia's Sotk gold mine are evacuated

Armenia MP: We are anticipating more active steps from our strategic ally

Armenia ruling party MP calls on CSTO to issue statement on situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border

RFE/RL: Armenia parliament committee chair: Armenian side has 15 casualties, 7 soldiers are captured

Armenia MOD: 12 Armenian servicemen captured, intensity of battles not weakening

Dollar drops in Armenia

Android banking apps and crypto wallets are under threat

Ambassador: Russia, Armenia are holding consultations over escalation of situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border

BREAKING: Armenia has casualties, 2 military posts lost, 6 soldiers reportedly captured

Opposition MP: Faction of 'Armenia' Alliance is holding urgent and ongoing sessions and discussions

Opposition MP on possibility of Armenia exiting Collective Security Treaty Organization

ARF-D Armenia Supreme Body convenes urgent session

Ruling party MP: Azerbaijan has launched armed attack against sovereign territory of Armenia

Armenian army units destroying adversary's armored vehicles that invaded Armenia's territory on Nov. 16

Republican Party of Armenia vice-president: I told you a hundred times that the war is not over

Republican Party of Armenia and Prosperous Armenia Party convene urgent sessions

Armenian military-political figure Samvel Babayan: Enemy is trying to meet two objectives

Ann Linde shares deep concern over situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armen Grigoryan: Pashinyan received Biden's invitation to participate in Summit for Democracy, confirmed participation

WSJ: Ohio attorney's office sues Meta for $ 100 billion

NEWS.am 16.11.21 BREAKING: Situation is tense on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia Security Council Secretary receives France Ambassador

Armenia MOD: Armenian side has casualties and injured, there is news about loss of two military posts

MFA: Armenia, in accordance with the UN Charter, has the right by all means to reflect the use of force by Azerbaijan

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan Defense Ministry is trying to blame Armenian side for its large-scale provocation

Armenia Ombudsman: Azerbaijani armed forces invaded and unlawfully deployed near Armenian communities

Armenia Security Council Secretary: There are injured and casualties

Security Council Secretary: If Armenia fails to resolve crisis via Russia and CSTO, it will have to use other mechanisms

Armenia MOD: Situation hasn't changed essentially, adversary has major losses of armored vehicles and manpower

Newspaper: Armenian side has 10 casualties as a result of exchange of fire

Russian and Iranian presidents discuss situation around Nagorno-Karabakh

Security Council Secretary: We are applying to Russia with call to protect Armenia's territorial integrity

Bitcoin price collapsed

Armenian Defense Ministry on situation on Azerbaijan border: Local battles are ongoing

Armenia MP calls on CSTO, OSCE, PACE and EU to implement necessary acts of restraint

Armenia recalls Ambassador to Brazil, Colombia and Bolivia

TASS: Yerevan applying to Moscow with the call to protect Armenia's sovereign territory

Issue on fate of Armenian captives removed from Armenia parliament's agenda, main speaker was absent

Majority faction MP: Armenia has suffered positional losses

Hraparak.am: Azerbaijanis capture 6 Armenian servicemen

Deputy Mayor: Gunshots being fired can be heard in Goris

Armenia parliament speaker, UK ambassador confer on aggravation of border situation in recent days

Armenia MOD: Situation at eastern part of border with Azerbaijan remains tense

Networking capacity of office of high commissioner for Armenian diaspora to be expanded

Armenia Security Council chief, Russia ambassador discuss situation on border with Azerbaijan

MOD: Azerbaijan armed forces fired at Armenia positions

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan, ex-deputy PM now lawmaker Gevorgyan case court session put off for 1 month

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan, former deputy PM now MP Gevorgyan criminal case court hearing reconvenes

Biden expresses concern over China's actions regarding Tibet and Hong Kong

Oil is getting more expensive

5 more persons die of coronavirus in Karabakh

Armenia ex-defense minister: Yerevan-Goris highway is, in fact, under Azerbaijan control

Turkish lira hits record low against dollar

Acting mayor appointed to Armenias Artik townState Senator Simcha Felder's chief of staff has been placed on leave following allegations that he drunkenly groped and sexually harassed a woman at a Republican fundraiser last weekbehavior that was corroborated by two witnesses, and that one acquaintance says is "typical for him."

The Times Union reports that Rodney C. Powis approached a female lobbyist at an Albany county campaign event for GOP Senator George Amedore last Thursday, and repeatedly made "aggressive and unsettling comments" about her status as a single mother. After allegedly suggesting that she have sex with another man at the event"it was like he was trying to sell me to him," the woman recalledPowis allegedly put his hands on the woman's right breast and buttocks, according to at least two others who say they were at the table at the time of the alleged groping.

"Then he announced to the table, 'I just grabbed her boob,'" the victim told the Times Union. "I looked across the table to a woman who was with us and I mouthed the word 'help.'" She says she left the table along with another woman, though Powis continued to pursue her until she was escorted from the event by the woman and her husband.

The husband, who reportedly knows Powis from their shared vacation destination in Lake George, told the Times Union that such behavior is "typical for himhe has one drink too many and goes over the edge." Powis earns around $119,000 annually as chief of staff and lead counsel for Felder, a Brooklyn Democrat who caucuses with Republicans, who previously gave the GOP a one-vote margin in the 63-member body. Powis also works as an attorney at a private law firm in Rensselaer County, though it's believed that he attended the event as a representative for the state Senator.

A spokesperson for Felder tells Gothamist that the office is following "standard Senate procedure," and has placed Powis on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation. These are serious allegations and were reported immediately," Communications Director Sheri Tov said in a statement. "I cannot comment any further at this time."

State Senator George Amedore initially told the Times Union that he couldn't talk about the accusations because "I don't know enough about it right now." After the story was published, Amedore claimed that he reported the incident to Senate leadership, but would not specify when.

The state Senate's sexual harassment policy likely requires an investigation into the allegations, because both Powis and the victim are "involved in the operation of the New York state Senate." The Republican-led body has faced criticism over the last year for its handling of sexual harassment complaints, after Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan announced that state Senator Jeff Kleinthe former IDC leader who was recently ousted by primary challenger Alessandra Biaggiwould not face an investigation into reports that he forcibly kissed a staff member.

Spokespersons for Flanagan, and for the Republican Senate Majority as a whole, did not respond to Gothamist's request for comment. Felder is up for election in November after fending off a vigorous primary challenge last month.The probable end of State Senator Tony Avellas one-of-a-kind political career, in retrospect, was never going to be so simple. Last month, the renegade Queens Democrat was defeated in a Democratic primary by John Liu, the former city comptroller and mayoral contender. It all seemed to be over.

Except Avella is still going. On October 8th, Avella took to Twitter to declare he was running in the general election on two dubious third parties lines, the Womens Equality Party and the Independence Party. Avella, who reviles Liu and has repeatedly attacked him for a fundraising scandal that derailed Lius 2013 mayoral bid, tweeted that many people in the district feel John Liu is an embarrassment to the community and are very afraid of the negative impact on the community if he is elected.

Avellas chances of winning are exceedingly slim, though not impossible. Vickie Paladino, the unknown Republican candidate who has not-so-subtly broadcast her affinity for right-wing extremist groups, has little chance of victory in a district that has an overwhelming Democratic registration advantage. Avella has strong enough name recognition to at least force Lius campaign to keep working.

We have no money. My campaign has no money, Avella freely admitted, telling Gothamist he barely has enough left to print another palm card. Its just grassroots. (Avella has $17,000 in the bank, according to the latest filing.)

Liu, who had unsuccessfully challenged Avella in 2014 after Avella joined a breakaway group of Democrats in Albany known as the Independent Democratic Conference, almost didnt run again. But in the wake of Donald Trumps election, the IDC faced new scrutiny over their decision to form a power-sharing alliance to keep Republicans in the State Senate majority. Progressive activists in the district urged Liu to run; after Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs stunning upset over Rep. Joe Crowley in June, Liu leaped into the race, hoping to capitalize on the newfound energy.

Liu did.

I didnt tell anybody, but I felt we were going to lose. I actually felt that, Avella said. I saw the wave, so to speak. There were lot of anti-IDC people. People really didnt like the Independent Democratic Conference. (In an interview with Gothamist in August, Avella flat-out denied that his reelection campaign was about his IDC membership, and called the rage against the breakaway Democrats "national hype.")

Avella was one of six former IDC members (the conference formally dissolved this year) defeated on September 13th. Several, like Avella, occupy third party ballot lines, thanks to New Yorks peculiar fusion voting system, which allows candidates to run on multiple party line at once.

The dynamics of the 2014 and 2018 contests proved to be quite different. While some progressives and the Queens Democratic establishment resented Avella for jumping to the IDC four years ago, the breakaway group was rather obscure and activists paid it relatively little attention.

Initially, in 2014, Liu was backed by several major labor unions and the Working Families Party. Then the IDC tentatively agreed to rejoin the regular Democratsif the unions and WFP stopped helping Liu. Many of them withdrew their support for Liu, and Avella narrowly defeated the former comptroller by a little less than 900 votes.

That fall, the Republicans picked up enough seats to outright control the Senate without the IDCs help, but kept the renegade group in the governing majority, believing they would likely need their help again. The deal between the IDC and the Democrats was dead.

This year, rage against the IDC boiled over. Activists in the district and beyond were ready to go to the barricades for Liu. The WFP and other unions were in full support.

Liu won by over 1,000 votes as turnout spiked tremendously in the 11th Senate District, as it did across New York City. Just under 23,000 people voted in the 2018 rematch. A little under 15,000 voted four years ago.

Avella is the only defeated ex-IDC member who has vowed, so publicly at least, to press on.

Do I respect John Liu? No, I dont. Ive known him for a long time, Avella said. I find his ethics totally irresponsible. I find the fact hes not owned up to his campaign finance violations disgraceful.



John Liu wooing a potential voter outside a Key Foods in Whitestone, Queens (Scott Heins / Gothamist)

Avella and Liu have a long history, and each can claim singular, only-in-New York political careers. For eight years, they served together in the City Council in neighboring northeast Queens districts.

Liu primarily represented Flushing as the first Asian-American elected to New York City office, and in 2009 made history again when he was elected city comptroller, the first Asian-American to hold a citywide post. That same year, Avella made a quixotic bid for mayor, losing the Democratic nomination to Bill Thompson. (He aborted another mayoral run in 2017.)

Lius mayoral ambitions were more serious. Viewed as a front-runner going into 2013, Liu would finish a distant fourth in the Democratic Primary after his campaign treasurer was convicted of using straw donors to circumvent campaign finance laws. Liu was never charged, but his treasurer went to prison.

Avella, then and now, was a pugnacious lawmaker with few political allies. Fiercely anti-development and defensive of the suburban, home-owning character of his district, he opposed Mayor Bloombergs property tax hikes after 9/11, fought Council Speaker Christine Quinn when she collaborated with Bloomberg to overturn the citys term limits law, and opposed long-sought plans to build housing and retail developments at Willets Point.

Other crusades included a race-baiting push to fine businesses that didnt post English-language signage, targeting the many Chinese and Korean businesses in the area. Avella has also railed against the expansion of homeless shelters in Queens and expressed few reservations about Trumps ICE targeting undocumented immigrants.

In 2014, in a move that is likely to spell the end of his political career, he joined the IDC. His staff budget grew, his clout in Albany increased, and Democrats remained locked out of the majority.

Avella, however, said he fought hard for his districtand claimed Liu wont do the same.

I dont think hes going to be that attentive to quality of life issues and he turned a blind eye to overdevelopment, Avella said. They like that suburban life in the City of New York. Thats one of the major aspects of my job, to preserve the character here. A lot of people are concerned he doesnt share that philosophy for the neighborhood.

Speaking with Gothamist, Liu was dismissive of Avellas many charges.

Its totally within his character or lack thereof, Liu said. I never expected him to stop campaigning. This is a man who has nothing else other than to cling on to his old seat.

If Liu can defeat Avella for good in November, he will bring a more left-leaning voice to northeast Queens and possibly join a united Democratic majority next year. Unlike Avella, Liu supports legalizing marijuana, rolling back stop-and-frisk entirely, and is an unabashed critic of Trumps immigration policies.

Im very confident Democrats will be in the majority. Well have new blood, fresh energyits going to be a very powerful and dynamic combination, Liu said. New York is in for a real treat.

Ross Barkan is a political journalist who recently tried his hand at politics: last month he lost the Democratic primary for State Senate in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Read more about his run here.

Loading...YEREVAN.  One can expect active exchange during national security adviser John Bolton's visit to Armenia about positive developments in bilateral relations and challenges to regional stability, George Kent, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the European and Eurasian Bureau, told reporters in Yerevan.

Asked about relations with Iran, which is an important country for Armenia, Kent said the U.S. understands Armenia was blessed with wonderful people, but difficult geography.

We understand the challenges for Armenia in terms of regional trade, he said, adding that Washington remains very concerned about the behavior of some military elements of the Iranian state that lead to regional instability.

He went on to say the U.S. sanctions against Iran are specifically targeted against certain companies and certain sectors.

The issue is not about small traders engaged in trade, but Armenian companies just like Georgian and Azerbaijani companies need to understand who their customers are. We are encouraging the companies not to trade with certain Iranian entities because they may be subject to the sanctions, the State Department official said.

Kent believes that some US officials engaged in sanctions would visit next month to continue conversations with Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.YEREVAN.  The director of the National Security Service Artur Vanetsyan had to explain his previous statement in connection with the weapons and ammunition found at the plant owned by the brother of former Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan.

The National Security Service has never put pressure on an expert body to get the desired results, Vanetsyan told reporters on Tuesday.

The head of the Special Investigation Service Sasun Khachatryan earlier said that the weapons found was irrelevant to the March 1 case.

Commenting on his own statement, made on August 9, 2018, Vanetsyan assured that he meant only possible involvement of the weapons.

I said that the weapon could have been used in March 1, 2008 events, an examination is being carried out, on the basis of which it will be determined whether the weapons were used or not. Now, after the examination, the head of the SIS stated that the weapon is not related to the events of March 1, Vanetsyan explained.The circle behind the wiretapping of the telephonic conversation between Armenias National Security Service (NSS) Director Artur Vanetsyan and Special Investigation Service Head Sasun Khachatryanthat is, who had wiretapped and ordered this wiretappinghas been determined, whereas the method of this wiretapping is being determined.

NSS Director Artur Vanetsyan on Tuesday told about the above-said to reporters.

Asked whether the person who had given the directive for this wiretapping was someone whom the public knows, Vanetsyan smiled and said, He has a wide recognition.

In his words, this person is from Armenia.

The client is only one, Artur Vanetsyan added. But that clients involvement, the documentation and the substantiation is very difficult, very, very difficult, which, sadly, isnt happening at this phase.

The NSS chief stressed that the objective of this wiretapping was to pull off his resignation.

In their wiretapped telephonic conversation which was posted on the internet on September 11, Vanetsyan and Khachatryan were discussing some particulars of the criminal cases which have been launched into the events that had occurred in capital city Yerevan in March 2008. Also, they had mentioned the name of the judge who later granted the petition to remand second President Robert Kocharyan in custody along the lines of a criminal case into those events.

On March 1 and 2, 2008, the then authorities of Armenia used force against the opposition members who were rallying in downtown Yerevan, and against the results of the then recent presidential election. Eight demonstrators as well as two servicemen of the internal troops were killed in the clashes. But no one had been brought to account for these deaths, to this day.Grand Old Partisan salutes Sidney Clarke, born into an abolitionist Massachusetts family this day of 1831. His first political affiliation was to the Free Soil Party. He edited a newspaper before relocating to Kansas in 1859. During the Civil War, this young Republican served as a provost marshal and state representative. He chaired the state GOP in 1863, and the following year won the first of three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. His first speech there backed voting rights for African-Americans in the nation's capital.

Clarke moved to Oklahoma in 1889, promoting railroad construction and becoming an early leader of the statehood movement. While a territorial legislator, he effectively lobbied administration officials and congressmen. Retirement was devoted to the Oklahoma Historical Society.

Here is a Video Version of this article on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xwhehiOCaYo

Michael Zak is author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party, a history of GOP civil rights achievement.

Each day, his Grand Old Partisan blog celebrates more than sixteen decades of Republican heritage. And, see Speech Raves for audience feedback from his presentations in thirty-one states so far.

Clarence Thomas cited Back to Basics for the Republican Party in a Supreme Court decision.

Buy the book at Amazon

See www.youtube.com/q?v=IzxKCiXc5Qc for a brief video of a Texas Republican praising Back to Basics for the Republican Party.

"This is the most amazing book about politics that I have ever read. The Overview should be required reading for anyone with even a minor interest in government. The remainder is an enthralling history lesson that I will never forget. For years, we have all been misled about the true nature of the GOP. This is the real deal! Read it and be proud!"

"Michael Zak wrote the definitive history of the GOP."

"Back to Basics for the Republican Party is the most significant contribution to the Republican Party in the last twenty years apart from Ronald Reagan."

"Back to Basics for the Republican Party is more important to our party now than ever before."

and

"one of the best books I ever read"Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills said that he had seen absolutely no evidence of corruption by Lydian, the investment company running the Amulsar mine.

Im not aware that they have violated environmental norms, the Ambassador said in an interview with EVN Report , adding that what is disturbing is that the company has not even done any mining at the site. The diplomat also added that there 27 other mines in Armenia and none of them are being shut down.

Mills said that if Armenia decides it doesnt want mining in the country, thats their prerogative, but that the mining sector is one of the few resources Armenia has.

Mills said that businesspeople and investors in the U.S. are sophisticated enough and would understand if the Armenian government reevaluated the project if there was evidence of something askew.

But theres none of that and theres a feeling that this is being done somehow without due process and without the rule of law and thats very concerning, he explained. It does create an investment concern and thats not a threat, its not something that Im going to be pleased to say. But my first responsibility is to U.S. interests and U.S. citizens and investors and if they ask me Im going to say, well you need to know that this thing has happened to Lydian and you draw your own conclusions, but I fear the conclusion theyll draw.

This is particularly concerning, Mills noted, because following the Velvet Revolution there is heightened attention on Armenia and many people are giving it a second look, therefore how this case is handled is particularly important. I know the Prime Minister is aware of this, I know his team is aware of this, theyre trying to balance interests and thats a tough part of being a leader but thats what it means, you inherit a lot of things, he added.Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain.

Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred.

For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here.







Korean Air Lines Co Ltd Chairman Cho Yang-ho was indicted on Monday on charges including embezzlement and breach of trust, South Korean prosecutors said, adding to a string of woes at the country's biggest airline group.Cho is the latest head of a big business group, or chaebol, to face legal challenges in South Korea since President Moon Jae-in took office in 2017 with a pledge to curb the excessive power of family-owned conglomerates and improve their governance.Earlier this month, an appeals court found the chairman of retail-to-chemicals conglomerate Lotte Group, Shin Dong-bin, guilty of charges including bribery and breach of trust for his role in an influence-peddling scandal that led to the ouster of the country's former president, Park Geun-hye.Samsung Group's de facto leader Jay Y. Lee was also convicted of corruption in the same bribery scandal. Both Lee and Shin are currently awaiting rulings from the country's top court after their jail terms were suspended by a lower court.A Seoul prosecutors' office on Monday said Cho took 19.6 billion won ($17 million) commission from 2003 through 2018 by setting up a trading company to broker aircraft equipment and in-flight duty-free goods purchase deals for Korean Air, causing the same amount of loss to the airline.Korean Air declined to comment and did not make Cho available for comment.Also on Monday, Emily Cho, the chairman's youngest daughter, was cleared of all charges related to her allegedly throwing a drink at two business meeting attendees in April, because the attendees did not want to press charges, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' office said.That incident re-ignited public resentment toward the perceived unchecked behavior of some chaebol family members, leading to investigations of alleged wrongdoing by other family members.Chairman Cho's elder daughter, Heather Cho, was jailed in 2014 for demanding a Korean Air Lines plane return to its gate at a New York airport due to the way she was served nuts in first class.Shares in Korean Air fell 0.6 percent on Monday, while its parent Hanjin Kal Corp, in which chairman Cho has a 17.84 percent stake, lost 2 percent.REUTERSAfghan Taliban Describes Meeting with U.S. Delegation in Qatar as "Pivotal Path" and American Acceptance of LossLearning about aviation careers  Students interested in aviation and SIU Carbondales nationally recognized aviation program arriving for the United Airlines-SIU Aviation Career Day in April 2017. The 20th year will be celebrated Saturday with nearly 120 high school and community college students on campus.

United Airlines-SIU Aviation to host career day Saturday

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill.  When United Airlines Capt. John White and first officer Alicia Edmondson pilot the Airbus A320 into Southern Illinois Airport on Oct. 20, a tradition that began nearly 25 years ago will continue.

Nearly 120 high school and community college students will have the opportunity to see first-hand what White, Edmondson and thousands of other students have experienced as a part of Southern Illinois University Carbondales nationally recognized aviation programs.

Participating Southern Illinois University Carbondale aviation alumni, including United Airlines pilots, dispatchers, mechanics, flight attendants and others volunteer for the flight from Chicagos OHare International Airport. They will accompany just over 100 Chicago area high school students on the flight. In addition, 15 spring and fall 2019 students will be driving in with parents for the event.

Media Advisory

Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to attend the United Airlines-SIU Aviation Career Day, participate in courtesy flights, and interview students, faculty and alumni. The plane will land at about 8:45 a.m. For more information, contact Michael Burgener, chair of the Department of Aviation Technologies and interim chair of the Department of Aviation Management and Flight at 618/536-3371 or burgener@siu.edu.

Collaboration started in 1994

This is the 20th year for the United Airlines-SIU Aviation Career Day. The program was suspended after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks but resumed in 2007. SIU Carbondale is the only university that works with a major airline to fly students to its campus for an aviation career day.

Capt. Clarence Copping, a Boeing 777 captain and line check airman instructor who graduated from SIUs aviation management program in 1977, noted the importance of the corporate-sponsored event for alumni.

They donate their time to share their professional knowledge and career paths with the student guests, he said. This is a very unique travel opportunity for the students and is eagerly anticipated each year.

Will bring his experience full circle

White, originally from Normal, Illinois, graduated from SIU in 1988 with a bachelors degree in aviation management and a minor in aviation flight. He also attended the United Airlines intern program and was hired in January 1989. He has attended a few United-SIU Aviation events, but this is his first as a crew member.

Whites son James, a senior at St. Charles North High School, who is also interested in a career in aviation, is one of this years students on the trip. White said he wants to convey to students the rewarding careers within the aviation field that are available.

It is quite exciting to be the captain on the flight and it brings the experience full circle, from coming to SIU as an aspiring commercial pilot and then returning 30 years later as the captain of the United-SIU flight, he said.

Wants to share with students her love of flying

Edmondson was a corporate pilot prior to coming to United Airlines 21 months ago. A 1998 SIU graduate with a degree in aviation management, Edmondson, who is originally from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, selected SIU Carbondale due to its outstanding aviation flight program.

I knew I wanted to be a pilot from a very early age and started to fly when I was 16. I think that achieving your goals and or dreams can be accomplished with hard work and determination, she said.

Excellent future career potential

The 2018 Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook projects a robust demand for people seeking careers within the aviation industry over the next 20 years. Experts predict a need for 790,000 new civil aviation pilots, 754,000 new maintenance technicians and 890,000 new cabin crew for a worldwide fleet in commercial and business aviation and civil helicopter industries.YBNL boss who many refer to as a trend setter has not only shown his worth by churning out chart-topping singles, hes also shown leadership in the industry by lifting others.

A few days ago, a video went viral of a boy (Picazo) enthusiastically free-styling to Chinko Ekuns Able God and as expected, it went everywhere with many giving rave reviews.

Following the heat that heralded the viral video, Olamide linked up with Picazo and his buddy Yomi Blaze and got them signed to one of Nigerias biggest labels, YBNL.

Talking about the power of the social media, Olamide has successfully used it to grow his brand.

Olamide wastes no time as he has decided to keep firing all cylinders, taking advantage of the hype to share a massive YBNL collaboration/cypher titled Juju, Guns & Roses.

http://jaguda.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Juju-Guns-and-Roses-YBNL-Mafia.mp3

DOWNLOADHome | News | General | FG reacts to Boko Harams killing of Red Cross aid worker

The federal government has expressed shock over the killing of Hauwa Leman, a Red Cross aid worker killed by Boko Haram terrorists.

Hauwa was killed by the terrorists on Monday, October 15 and in a statement by Alhaji Lai Mohammed who is the minister of information and culture, he said the government was saddened by it.

The government said it tried all it could to facilitate her release.

READ ALSO: Enduring another 4 years with Buhari better than 8 years with Atiku - Okorie

The statement reads:

The Federal Government is shocked and saddened at the killing of another aid worker by Boko Haram on Monday, despite the actions taken by the government and the widespread appeal to save the young woman.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, described the killing as dastardly, inhuman and ungodly, saying nothing can justify the shedding of the blood of innocent people.

He commiserated with the family of Hauwa Leman, noting that the Federal Government did all within its powers to save her life.

It is very unfortunate that it has come to this. Before and after the deadline issued by her abductors, the Federal Government did everything any responsible government should do to save Hauwa.

As we have been doing since these young women were abducted, we kept the line of negotiations open all through. In all the negotiations, we acted in the best interest of the women and the country as a whole.

We are deeply pained by this killing, just like we were by the recent killing of Saifura Ahmed, the first aid worker. However, we will keep the negotiations open and continue to work to free the innocent women who remain in the custody of their abductors, the Minister said.

He thanked all the friendly governments that have continued to work with Nigeria for the safe release of the abducted women, and the clerics across religious lines who have been pleading for their release.

Source: Naija.ng

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | EFCC to arrest Fayose by midnight, detain him indefinitely - PDP raises allegation

- The PDP claimed the EFCC has been ordered to arrest Fayose

- The opposition party said the ploy is to detain the outgoing governor indefinitely\

- The party said this is due to Fayoses criticism against the government

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the presidency has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and detain Governor Ayodele Fayose indefinitely.

This is contained in a statement released by the spokesperson of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan on Monday, October 15.

He claimed the plot against the outgoing governor was due to his criticism against the Muhammadu Buhari government.

READ ALSO: Breaking: Boko Haram allegedly kill Red Cross worker, give message on Leah Sharibu

Read the statement below:

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the Presidency has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to incarcerate, indefinitely, the outgoing governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

In a statement issued today in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary, of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said information at the partys disposal and all over the social media indicate that the Presidency has put the commission on alert to arrest the governor at midnight today and detain him indefinitely.

The alleged directive by the Presidency is not unconnected with the plot to use the EFCC and other security agencies to incarcerate the governor owing to his persistent criticism of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government.

This uncompromising stands of the outgoing governor against the present administration was the reason Ekiti State was invaded and taken by force during the last governorship election.

By 12 midnight, the governors residence is expected to be surrounded by armed men of the EFCC under the pretense that they had information of his plot to escape. This is to achieve their plan to humiliate the governor and portray him in bad light to the public by dramatising his arrest.

Nigerians can recall that it was the governor who offered to submit himself to the EFCC despite the commissions clear display of bias and partisanship as demonstrated in its various actions, especially its tweets and putting the governor on security watch-list.

The EFCC even unprofessionally showed its bias in deriding the governor, making light of a very serious matter by mocking him and asking him to come before his tenure elapsed, which the governor declined in line with the constitutional immunity.

It is now beyond dispute that Governor Fayose is not a scoundrel running away from justice. Whatever the EFCC, APC, and the Presidencys spin-doctors may say, it is also clear to everyone that Fayose is not a coward; neither is he afraid of the EFCC.

Fayose is prepared and ready to defend himself in the court of law. Neither the Presidency nor EFCC is a court of law. Since the EFCC said it had dusted up Fayoses files, it should be ready to take him to court once he presents him at the agencys office on Tuesday.

Governor Fayose has offered to walk to the EFCC office by himself and nothing must happen to him tonight. The PDP condemns this resort to fascism by the APC government, saying the whole world should be at alert to see another demonstration of crude disrespect for the rule of law and rights of Nigerians.

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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that the outgoing Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, who left the state promised to continually be by the side of the people of the state.

The Punch reports that Fayose made this known during a thanksgiving service held in his honour at the Government House chapel after which he traveled out of the state.

The outgoing governor embarked on a Thank you walk around major streets of Ado Ekiti where he received accolades from traders, artisans and other residents of the state.

Governor Fayose Warns Nigerian Youths Ahead of 2019, Tells Them What to Do | Naij.com TV:

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | President Buhari has addressed critical challenges in southeast - Nwamkpa

- Chief Donatus Nwamkpa commended President Buharis performance in south east

- The Abia APC chairman the south east has become much better

- He said Atiku will not boost the chance of the PDP

Chief Donatus Nwamkpa, the Abia state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said that President Muhammadu Buhari had addressed critical challenges in the South-East to deserve the zones support in 2019.

Nwankpa said this on Monday at a news briefing in Umuahia while reacting to alleged media report that South-east would not vote for Buhari in 2019.

READ ALSO: Breaking: Boko Haram allegedly kill Red Cross worker, give message on Leah Sharibu

He said that Buhari had addressed issues affecting the zone, including infrastructure deficit and the second Niger Bridge within in his first tenure.

Nwamkpa also said presidents performance in the zone, in his first tenure, surpassed what the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did in the zone for 16 years.

The devastation and deterioration of infrastructure in the South-East started in 1999 and lingered for 16 years.

Today, the zone has become much better and we cannot be vulnerable elements to be used by somebody in 2019, he said.

The state chairman warned the people not drag the zone into unnecessary crisis with the presidency.

Nwankpa said that the state of road infrastructure in the South-East, South-South and South-West had improved tremendously with an attendant ease in transportation.

He, therefore, dismissed the alleged media report as baseless and inconsequential.

South-East has benefitted so much from the APC administration and will reward the party with massive support in 2019. The zone does not belong to PDP.

Nwankpa said the emergence of former Vice President Abubakar Atiku as PDP flag bearer would not enhance PDP chances in 2019 election.

Atikus emergence will not boost the PDPs electoral fortunes. There is nothing spectacular about Atiku, he does not have the magic wand to win elections.

On the choice of former Gov. Peter Obi as Atikus running mate, Nwanpka said Obi did not enjoy wide popularity in the zone as presumed.

The party chairman described APC as the fastest growing party in the South-East, saying that it would take over the zone in 2019.

Speaking on the partys governorship primaries, Nwankpa said that efforts were being made to assuage the feelings of members who were aggrieved with the outcome of the exercise.

He said that the party could not zone the governorship to Abia south, in line with the agitation that the zone should be allowed to complete its second tenure after Gov. Okezie Ikpeazus first tenure.

He said that what was paramount to the party was to elect a candidate that had the capacity to wrestle power from the lacklustre Ikpeazu-led administration.

Nwankpa said that the party had presented a candidate with a transformational agenda to liberate Abia and take it to higher height.

Abias problem has gone beyond clannish consideration and administrative governance.

He appealed to those who were not satisfied with the outcome of the primaries to bury their sentiments so that the party would form a common front, ahead of 2019 general elections.

Nwankpa allayed the fear that APC was banking on federal might to take over Abia in 2019, saying that the party believed in one man, one vote.

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We believe the peoples votes will count. We have no plans to rig the polls but we will not allow any party to rig us out.

NAIJ.com had also reported that the founder and presiding bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedpo, debunked rumour that he endorsed the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, for 2019 presidential election.

Oyedepo who spoke at a Sunday church service in Canaan Land Ota, Ogun state, said he does not belong to any political party.

Buhari to Contest for Presidency in 2019! NAIJ.com TV

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Just in: Nigerian troops, C-JTF rescues 12 victims abducted by Boko Haram (photos)

The Nigerian Army said in the evening of Monday, October 15, that its troops of the 121 Battalion Pulka rescued 12 victimsof the Boko Haram insurgency in Shave Village located in Borno state.

The success was achieved in conjunction with members of Civilian Joint Task Force.

READ ALSO: Buharis executive order is constitutional - Presidency

Troops of 121 battalion in conjunction with members of Civilian Joint Task Force and some vigilantes, on a clearance operation along Maiduguri Bama Pulka axis today, 15 October 18, rescued 12 people (five women and seven children) who were abducted by BHT at Shave village.

The rescued victims and the troops during the operation on October 15, 2018. Credit: Nigerian Army

Source: UGC

During the operation, 2 BHT were neutralised. Items recovered include 2 locally made dane guns and a first aid box.

The COAS has commended the gallant troops and directed them to continue with the clearance operations on other flanks, a statement from the Nigerian Army said.

NAIJ.com earlier reported that a faction of the Boko haram terrorist group, the Islamic State West Africa Province reportedly killed Hauwa Leman.

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Leman was an aide worker with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The group also reportedly threatened to keep Leah Sharibu as a slave for life.

Nigerian Women Hustling to Keep Their Families Together | Naij.com TV

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | 10 psychiatric hospital staff urge FG to enforce their reinstatement

By Alemma Aliu

BENINNo fewer than 10 reinstated staff of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu in Benin City have called on the federal and Edo State governments to prevail on the management of the hospital to implement a directive for their reinstatement.

A letter to President Muhammadu Buhari through their counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi lamented that the management of the hospital was deliberately flouting the directives of the presidency.

When contacted yesterday, Chairman of the Board of the hospital, Mr. Edobor Ukpebor did not pick his call.

Some of the affected staff were suspended indefinitely, while others were dismissed from the hospital since November 2014.

The letter of their reinstatement signed by one Alhaji Halad Keana on behalf of the Minister of Health was issued in November 2017.

The aggrieved staff in a statement yesterday said: The current state of affairs might compel us to seek judicial intervention to compel those concerned to obey the Presidential directive for our immediate reinstatement. We challenge the Board to communicate to us or our counsel why they are hesitant to obey the Presidential directive for our immediate reinstatement.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Buhari's minister drags NYSC to court, seeks legal interpretation after skipping scheme

- Adebayo Shittu has asked a court to prevent the NYSC from calling him to serve in the scheme

- Shittu is also asking the court to order NYSC to issue him an exemption certificate

The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, on Monday, October 15, filed a suit before the Federal High Court, Ibadan, seeking legal interpretation of non-participation in the one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister personally filed the suit, FHC/IB/CS/111/2018, in which the Director-General and State Co-coordinator of the NYSC were named first and second defendants respectively.

Other mentioned as third and fourth defendants are the NYSC and the Attorney-General of the Federation respectively.

READ ALSO: EFCC to arrest Fayose by midnight, detain him indefinitely - PDP raises allegation

Shittu is seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining all the defendants from calling on him to serve in the NYSC scheme.

Shittu also wants the court to restrain the defendants from imposing any liability on him or make him suffer any liability, be it civil or criminal, on account of his purported non-service under the NYSC scheme.

The plaintiff prays for an order directing the first, second and third defendants to issue the plaintiff with a certificate of national service, having served the nation as a member of the House of Assembly of Oyo state, immediately after his graduation from the Nigerian Law School.

Or, in the alternative, an order directing the first, second and third defendants to issue the plaintiff with a certificate of exemption from national service under the degree, having served in an alternative capacity as a member of the Oyo state House of Assembly, he stated in his originating summons.

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NAN recalls that the minister was recently disqualified as a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State for failing to present an NYSC exemption or discharge certificate.

Shittu had defended himself by saying that his service as a member of the state house of assembly should serve as his NYSC certificate.

According to him, by the time he left office as a member of the state assembly in 1983, he had already crossed the age bar of 30 years to participate in the NYSC scheme

NAN reports that no date has been fixed for hearing.

NAIJ.com earlier reported that Shittu filed a lawsuit against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC) for disqualifying him from the governorship primaries in Oyo state.

The minister, who claimed he was treated unfairly and disqualified illegally, asked the court to declare that the submission/presentation of NYSC discharge certificate to APC is not part of the requirements for him to participate in the primary election for nomination of Governorship candidate of the party in Oyo state for the 2019 General Election.

What Should President Buhari do to Adeosun Over Alleged Certificate Forgery? | NAIJ.com TV

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Missing General: We have pictures of all suspects - Army

- The Nigerian Army says it knows the culprits involved in the disappearance of General Idris Alkali

- The Army also said investigation is ongoing to get the culprits arrested

The GOC 3 Army Division in Rukuba Plateau state, Major-General Benson Akinroluyo, said the military has pictures of suspects involved in the disappearance of General Idris Alkali whose car was recently found in Dura Du pond in Plateau state.

Daily Trust reports that Akinroluyo also said the Army had the pictures of all the suspects, and investigation was still ongoing to fish them out.

READ ALSO: Court blocks INEC's accounts over refusal to pay N17.3b debt

Akinroluyo, who spoke at the pond site while receiving the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Anthony Ojokwu, urged the people of the community not to run away from their houses in fear of any military onslaught.

Ojokwu while responding to the GOC, said it was imperative that innocent people did not suffer in the search for the general, noting however that the actual culprits should be brought to book.

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NAIJ.com earlier reported that the Nigerian Army said its search and find operation for the missing retired Major General Idris Alkali at Du village of Jos South local government area of Plateau is by no means a punitive expedition as being expressed in some quarters.

It said its attention had been drawn to unfounded and unsubstantiated news about the search and find operation trending on several platforms.

A statement issued by Major General Nuhu Angbazo, the Chief of Military/Civil Affairs, on Wednesday, October 10, said rather, the intensified effort was aimed at locating the retired senior officers whereabouts in line with the Armys cherished core values and global best military practices.

Nigerian Air Force Day Celebration 2018 (54th Anniversary) - on NAIJ.com TV

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | FG charges Senator Adeleke for alleged exam malpractice

- Four persons including a principal of the Ojo-Aro community grammar school in Osun state, are accused of colluding with Senator Ademola Adeleke to commit examination malpractice

- Senator Adeleke is absent at the court proceeding on Monday, October 15, due to a reported health issue

- The trial judge, Justice Ekwo, adjourns the matter for further hearing on October 31, 2018

Senator Ademola Adeleke and four others have been charged before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the federal government with alleged examination malpractices.

The charge suit accused some official of the Ojo-Aro community grammar school in Osun state of fraudulently registering some persons as students to enable them sit for the National Examination Council (NECO) examination of June/July 2017.

READ ALSO: I dont care how long EFCC will decide to keep me - Fayose

The Nation reports that those named in the action filed against the senator on Monday, October 15, include: Sikiru Adeleke, Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau (the principal of the school), Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo (school Registrar) and Dare Samuel Olutope (a teacher).

However, Adeleke was absent in court on health grounds. His counsel, Alex Izinyon, told the court that his client took ill and had been stooling.

Izinyon sought a postponement of the arraignment which the prosecution lawyer, Simon Lough, an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) agreed to.

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The trial judge, Justice Ekwo then adjourned for further hearing on October 31.

NAIJ.com had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the inspector-general of police, Ibrahim Idris, to halt the alleged examination malpractices suit against the Senator Ademola Adeleke pending the conclusion of the Osun state governorship election which the lawmaker was contesting on the platform of the People Democratic Party (PDP).

It was learnt that the order of the president was to forestall any incident that could hinder the smooth outcome of the Osun election.

Meanwhile, Senator Ademola Adeleke has vowed to use both physical and legal means to upturn the results in his favour. He has also thanked Nigerians and members of the media for their enthusiasm in support of the democracy.

He alleged that he was robbed at the polls, assuring that no effort would be spared in the effort at upturning the results.

Osun Election 2018: Electorate accuses INEC ad hoc staff of taking bribe | NAIJ.com TV

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | 2019: We'll resist attempt to impose a governor in our state - Benue Youth Forum

- The Benue Youth Forum has said it will resist any attempt to impose a governor in the state

- The forum was reacting to an endorsement of the APC governorship candidate by Alhaji Garus Gololo

- Gololo had said the endorsement was on behalf of all Fulanis nationwide

The Benue Youth Forum has warned it will resist any attempt to impose a governor in the state during the 2019 general elections.

The forum was reacting to an endorsement of the APC governorship candidate, Mr Emmanuel Jime, by Alhaji Garus Gololo.

Gololo had said the endorsement was on behalf of all Fulanis nationwide, boasting that come 2019, they as a group will change the political leadership in Benue for daring to enact a law prohibiting open grazing of livestock in the state.

Speaking a press briefing in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, the president of the forum, Comrade Terrence Kuanum said there is a planned invasion of their ancestral homes in collaboration, with our vulnerable brothers to attempt to change the leadership in the state.

READ ALSO: We did everything any responsible government should do - FG reacts to killing of Hauwa Leman

He said: In as much as we would have loved to stay out of partisan politics, we can't shy away from defending our people when our enemies attempt to kill us, mock us and cripple our economy rendering over 500,000 homeless and the enemies have the guts to boast that they will install a governor of their choice in this state so that the evil they plan against our people will come to pass.

We also frown at the response that came from the APC in Benue state. We had expected the party to compel Mallam Gololo to denounce the statement credited to him or have him sued to court.

On the contrary, the Jime campaign team chose to politicise their response and took to blame games which, by our assessment, rather made them complicit.

We wish to state categorically clear that we as a forum will not hesitate at any point to defend our people. Benue is our state and we have nowhere else to go.

We maintain that Benue people must be allowed to willingly choose their leaders in 2019 general election. Our people must not be intimidated or coerced into accepting a governorship candidate imposed on them by enemies of the state. We will resist any form of imposition or plot to cause political instability in Benue state.

We will resist with equal vigour, any attempt to influence next year's elections to favour one political party in Benue state.

For Garus Gololo and his sponsors in Abuja, their plan to change the political leadership in Benue in 2019 too will fail just like the plan of taking over our land also failed. This is our ancestral land given to us by God and they can't have it for whatever reason.

The forum stated that Governor Samuel Ortom had stood firmly with his people in ensuring that security is provided by the Federal Government, adding that he deserves to be commended not betrayed.

The group further commended the governor, for the courage he has demonstrated in defending our people and we assure him of our esteemed support.

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Meanwhile, Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Thursday, October 11, received the report of the judicial commission of inquiry into civil disturbances in Dekina, Omala and Bassa local government areas, vowing that his administration will bring perpetrators of the heinous crime to book.

Receiving the report from the chairman of the commission, Justice Josiah Majebi, the governor promised to ensure the safety of lives and property of residents of the state adding that his administration would not play politics with the lives of the people.

The governor emphasized that he is ready to hunt and bring to book those responsible for the mayhem.

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Court blocks INEC's accounts over alleged refusal to pay N17.3b debt

- A Court has ordered the temporary blockage of two INEC accounts in the Central Bank of Nigeria

- The Court has also ordered the Federal Ministry of Finance to temporarily withhold money already appropriated for INEC

- This judgement was delivered after INEC's failure to settle a judgment debt of N17.258billion

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that two banks acounts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Central Bank of Nigeria be suspended till November 8, 2018 over alleged failure to settle a judgment debt of N17.258billion.

The Nation reports that the court also ordered the Federal Ministry of Finance to temporarily withhold money already appropriated for INEC, whether already disbursed or yet to be disbursed.

Justice John Tsoho gave the orders yesterday in a ruling on a motion ex-parte for garnishee orders nisi brought by a firm, Bedding Holdings Limited, who, on January 28, 2014 got a N17.3billion judgment against INEC.

READ ALSO: I dont care how long EFCC will decide to keep me - Fayose

The affected accounts are: 002-01224-42021, 002-01224-41032, held by INEC in the CBN.

Justice Tsoho equally granted a garnishee order nisi attaching all money, including, but not limited to foreign accounts attached to current accounts of the 1st judgment debtor in the possession of the garnishees/respondents (CBN and Federal Ministry of Finance) bearing the name of the 1st judgment debtor (INEC).

The orders are to subsist until November 8 when the garnishee are expected to show cause why the orders made nisi should not be made absolute, by which the court will direct the deployment of funds in the judgment debtors account to settle the judgment debt.

Moving the ex parte motion for garnishee nisi on Monday, another of Bedding Holdings lawyer, James Odibah, urged the court to strike out similar orders made on May 24, 2018.

Odiba said the earlier orders were made against parties wrongly joined as respondents in the garnishee proceedings.

He said: We shall be asking this honourable court for the withdrawal of our earlier ex parte order of this court dated May 24, 2018.The reason for this is that, in our earlier motion we brought parties.

In line with the new policy of TSA (Treasury Single Account), those parties were not the proper parties. This motion is supported by a 39-para affidavit sworn to by Dr. Sylvester Osadolor Odigee, the Group Executive Chairman of the applicant.

Attached to the motion, are nine exhibits. We humbly rely on the exhibits. We urge your lordship to strike out our earlier ex parte motion and the order granted on May 24, 2018 which is still subsisting.

My lord, this is to ensure that all the relevant parties are brought to court. We have removed all the impediments to the granting of this motion by withdrawing our earlier motion, Odiba said.

In his ruling, Justice Tsoho said on the strength of the information brought before the court by the applicant via the ex parte motion dated and filed on September 26, 2018, the prayers sought therein, are granted.

Bedding Holdings had, in 2010 sued INEC and some others for infringing on its exclusive Patent Rights No: RP16642 and Copyrights Design No: RD13841 in and over Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Boxes (ECTBB) and Patent Rights No: NG/P/2010/202  Proof of Address System/Scheme (PASS)  Embedded with the Concept of the Coded Metal Plate.

In the suit marked:FHC/ABJ/CS/816/2010, the firm claimed that the inventions, which its exclusive patent and copy rights covered, were deployed by INEC and the other defendants for the production of voters register for the 2011 general elections, among other elections, without its prior license, consent and authorisation.

In a judgment on January 28, 2014, then Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, agreed with Beddings Holdings claims and granted all its declaratory and monitary reliefs.

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Justice Auta ordered among others, that BHL is entitled to 50 per cent of the total contract sum of N34, 517,640,000.00,(which is N17,258,820,000.00) being the minimum reasonable royalty accruable to the plaintiff for the production, procurement, supply, acquisition, importation, purchase, receipt, sale of the Direct Data Capturing Machine, laptops and/or any other equipment ancillary to, or associated with the process and application of the said products for the registration of voters and or the collation/compilation and production of the voters register for the 2011 general elections and any other elections by the defendants, without first seeking and obtaining the consent of the plaintiff.

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com earlier reported that the Senate approved the sum of N234.51 billion for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of 2019 general elections. The approved amount is about N7.9 billion less than the N242.45 billion requested by President Buhari.

Governor Fayose Warns Nigerian Youths Ahead of 2019, Tells Them What to Do | Naij.com TV:

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Alleged presidential travel ban on 50 prominent Nigerians sparks legal battle

- Two Nigerian lawyers, Kenneth Udeze and Ikenga Ugochinyere, are seeking an injunction to restrain the federal government or its agents from giving effect to an executive order reportedly restraining 50 Nigerians from travelling out of the country

- The litigants fault Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court for failing to nullify the executive order which they argue violates the rights of citizens

- Femi Falana, a senior lawyer and human rights activist, says the executive order allegedly imposing a travel ban on some Nigerians is a violation of the law

Two Nigerian lawyers, Kenneth Udeze and Ikenga Ugochinyere, have reportedly instituted an action at the Court of Appeal in a bid to reverse the executive order 6 which reportedly banned 50 prominent Nigerians from travelling out of the country.

The Nation reports that the initiators of the suit on Monday, October 15, asked the Court of Appeal to set aside October 11 judgement of the Federal High Court upholding the constitutionality of the presidential order.

READ ALSO: I dont care how long EFCC will decide to keep me - Fayose

They are also seeking an injunction to restrain the president and the attorney general of the federation (AGF) or their agents from giving effect to order pending the determination of the appeal.

In the suit, the plaintiffs faulted the decision of the Federal High Court in validating the order, arguing that the trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, erred in law when she ruled that the order did not violate the rights of citizens to own property.

The litigants also faulted the judge for declaring that the powers of the attorney general as regard enforcing the order, must be exercised in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, instead of nullifying the order.

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The lawyers contented that none of the persons being restricted by the order had been found guilty as charged, as their respective trials are still ongoing in various courts in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Femi Falana, a senior lawyer and human rights activist has said the travel ban placed on 50 high-profile Nigerians by President Muhammadu Buhari would expose the current administration to ridicule.

The Cable reports that Falana in a statement on Sunday, October 14, said the directive which is backed by an executive order signed by the president was a violation of the law.

The senior lawyer stated that only the courts and anti-corruption agencies could impose restrictions on persons in the country.

He called on the federal government to withdraw the ban without any delay, noting that the ban was a reminder of how the military imposed restrictions on political opponents by seizure of their passports and restricting their movement.

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Court resumes hearing of ex-governor Shemas case over alleged N11bn missing fund

- The Katsina high court has resumed the hearing of former governor, Ibrahim Shema

- Shema is standing trial over alleged misappropriation of N11 billion government fund

- Shema's counsel rejected the continuation of the case saying an appeal has been filed before the Court of Appeal

The Katsina state high court, on Monday, October 15, resumed the trial of former governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina state, over alleged financial misappropriation of N11 billion during his tenure.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Shema is standing trial before Justice Ibrahim Maikaita over alleged misappropriation of N11 billion.

Counsel to Shema, Joseph Daudu (SAN), rejected the continuation of the case, saying they had filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal, Kaduna against exhibits two and three tendered before the High court by the first principal witness, Ibrahim Dabo.

READ ALSO: EFCC to arrest Fayose by midnight, detain him indefinitely - PDP raises allegation

Daudu, who was represented by Adedayo Adedaji, prayed the court to adjourn the matter until after October 26, 2018, which would give them chance to know their stand after the outcome of the appeal they had filed.

The prosecution counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), however, objected to the request, and urged the court to allow the second witness from Keystone Bank to testify.

The Judge dismissed the request of the defendants and allowed the branch Manager of Keystone Bank, Abdulmalik Iyal to testify.

Iyal presented the account opening package, statement of account and certificate of identification of Katsina State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as evidence before the court.

Justice Maikaita thereafter adjourned the case to Oct. 16, for continuation of hearing.

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NAIJ.com earlier reported that following the indefinite suspension of N7.6 billion fraud trial of ex-governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu, some leaders in Abia state have protested the decision of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The leaders under the aegis of Coalition of Concerned Abia Stakeholders vowed to mobilise one million-man street match against the Federal High Court.

The EFCC stage a walk against corruption - on NAIJ.com TV

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | 2019: APC says it will feed candidates for Zamfara despite INEC disqualification

- The All Progressives Congress (APC) said it will feed candidates for 2019 elections in Zamfara

- This was after INEC disqualified the party from presenting candidates in Zamfara for 2019 general elections

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it will field candidates for all elective positions in Zamfara in the 2019 general elections, despite its alleged disqualification by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mallam Lanre Onilu, the partys National Publicity Secretary, stated this while reacting to the insistence of INECs Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Monday, October 15, in Abuja on the issue.

READ ALSO: Breaking: Boko Haram allegedly kill Red Cross worker, give message on Leah Sharibu

Yakubu had said that the commission stands by its decision to bar APC from fielding candidates for all elective positions in Zamfara come 2019, for failing to conduct primaries within the time stipulated in the election timetable.

The electoral body had earlier written to the APC, notifying it of its inability to conduct primaries for the 2019 polls in accordance with the commissions approved deadline of Oct. 7.

On Zamfara, nothing has changed. We have said it and we have earlier issued a statement on the position of things and that still remains our position, Yakubu said.

He made the emphasis while speaking on the sideline of the ongoing three-day validation workshop on the cost of election in the ECOWAS region.

The APC spokesman, however, said the party would go ahead to submit list of its candidates for all positions for Zamfara.

He added that the party would meet all requirements for submission of candidates from Zamfara state.

INEC cannot say that we dont have candidates for election until the deadline has expired.

We have options of consensus, direct and indirect primaries and we are going to apply, like we have done in other states, our energies, time and concerns to pick our candidates.

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I can assure you that before the October 18 deadline, we are going to meet all INEC requirements and we are going to submit names of all the candidates for not only Zamfara but the 36 states and the FCT, he said.

The APC spokesman also dismissed the suggestion that the party might sue INEC, saying: It is not yet something for the party to take legal action.

Nothing calls for that. We would not be reacting to what INEC said in the public, he said.

He explained that after the party got a letter from INEC, it replied it but was yet to receive a reply from the commission.

We are on the side of the law, we had a primary in Zamfara. We are operating within the guidelines of INEC and the Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria.

We believe that INEC does not have the correct information on what happened in Zamfara and this we have stated in our letter to the commission.

They havent replied our letter, we also ask INEC that if they need more information from us, that we will be ready to offer it, Onilu said.

NAIJ.com earlier reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday, October 15, said it stands by its statement that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not field candidates for the 2019 general elections in Zamafa.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of INEC, stated this on the sideline of the opening of a two-day validation workshop in Abuja.

We have issued a statement on Zamfara and nothing has changed. We stand by the statement that we issued, he said.

Can Sowore Break APC/PDP Stronghold on Nigerians? 2019 Election - Nigeria Street Gist |

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Aquadana supports children living with cancer

By Samson Echenim

ASHMINA Limited, makers of Aquadana, one of Nigerias premier brand of table water, has supported the Children Living with Cancer Foundation to show love to children living with the disease in Nigeria.

Speaking at the Childhood Cancer Awareness Walkathon organised by the Children Living with Cancer Foundation in Lagos , Glory Esen, Senior Sales Manager of Ashmina Limited said, not many are aware that there are children living with cancer and this platform provides such great opportunity to create further awareness not just about cancer but as it concerns people, particularly children, living with it.

We also supported the foundation earlier to organize a quiz completion and art exhibition. Children from various schools in Lagos joined these afflicted children in the contest and in an effort toward making the children feel a sense of belonging in the society. Children are the worlds most valuable resource and we believe that a great way to show love to them is to support and partner initiatives like this.

International Childhood Cancer Day is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer, and to express support for children and adolescents living with cancer and their families.

Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Top men of integrity in Nigeria

In this article, we want to talk about people of integrity in Nigeria. We have a list of very influential persons who are considered trusted and honest politicians and public figures. See these 5 examples and share with us your opinion.

List of people of integrity in Nigeria

There are some famous people who were recognized as those who have disciplined character, integrity and honesty.

Muhammadu Buhari

Photo: trends44.com

READ ALSO: President Muhammadu Buhari biography

He is recognized as a man of integrity, and it is confirmed by the election in 2015. The president of the country and ideological leader of the country. He was unsuccessful at the presidential election in 2003, 2007, and 2011. But in 2014 he won the election as candidate from All Progressives Congress. And it was a first time in the history of Nigeria when an opposition candidate won the presidential election in a peaceful way.

He calls himself "converted democrat," and he says that he takes responsibility for the time of his military rule. Muhammadu Buhari has many awards as a politician, and one of them is a Global Seal of Integrity (GSOI). This is an award by nonprofit, independent organization that tracks governance and corruption trends around the world. The award from this organization is considered to be an acknowledgment of the integrity of the politician.

Alhaji Lateef Jakande

Photo: uhurutimes.com

Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande is known as a journalist who became a successful politician and public figure. He was governor of Lagos State between 1979 and 1983. He was also Minister of Works between 1993 and 1998. Now the politician is 89 years old, and he is still considered as one of the men of integrity in the country.

He began a career of as a journalist in 1949 at the Daily Service. He was editor-in-chief of Nigerian Tribune, his articles were factual and forthright. His political career started in 1979 when he won the election and became the governor of Lagos State.

Alhaji Jakandes administration was effective, he worked to solve educational and housing programs. Alhaji Lateef Jakande established the Lagos State University. This is just a few points of the long list of his social-oriented projects.

Later Alhaji joined All Nigeria Peoples Party as a senior member. During his career, Alhaji Lateef Jakande became a very respected and trusted person and considered as a man of integrity in Nigeria

Nuhu Ribadu

Photo: naijanews.com

READ ALSO: What is the full meaning of EFCC and its functions?

This politician is known as anti-corruption official, the pioneer of Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the organization that fights corruption and fraud in the country. He was also an Assistant Inspector General of Police. He was the man who told BBC about 380 billion dollars that were stolen by unfair Nigerian politicians. EFCC fought the corruption at all levels of Nigerian government organizations.

Nuhu Ribadu inspired youths to overthink their life choices and possible future. He has many awards, including international ones, that confirms his successful struggle against corruption and integrity.

Abubakar Dangiwa Umar

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The politician was a governor of Kaduna state between 1985 and 1988. He is the founder of political party "Movement for Unity and Progress" and social critic. Abubakar held various military positions during his military career. He held governance in the time of religious crisis in Kaduna State. Later he became known critic of the Abacha regime, Abubakar Dangiwa Umar was outspoken on many issues.

In 2015 he opposed forced retirement of Central Bank governor. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar supported Nuhu Ribadu in his fight against corruption. Now the politician is 69 years old, and for his merits, he considers as one of the people of integrity.

Prince Chibudom Nwuche

Photo: newsexpressngr.com

READ ALSO: Top 10 richest kings in Nigeria

The Rivers Restoration Movement proclaimed a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives a man of integrity. The politician was born in a royal family of Clifford Cheta Nwuche. During his political career, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, as a trusted person held many important positions.

Chibudom Nwuche has led several delegations of various International conferences, he is also a sponsor of a number of charity projects in Nigeria. The prince is honored and awarded person because of his political and social projects aimed to help and support people.

Of course, there can be different opinions about the integrity of some politicians, and we are not aiming to convince you of anything. Here are just some facts that characterized these public figures as men of integrity.

READ ALSO: Richest pastors in Africa 2018

Source: Top 5 Nigerian Politicians With Great Character, Integrity And Honesty

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | List of medical universities in Canada for international students

Here we have for you the list of best medical universities in Canada for international students. Read on to see the main information about the institutions. Choose the best place to receive a quality education.

List of medical universities in Canada for international students

It should be said that the admission in medical universities of Canada is extremely competitive.

Trent University

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READ ALSO: Short courses in Canada for international students

The university is situated in Ontario city. The institution is considered as number one undergraduate university of the state. There are international students from over 80 different countries.

Ryerson University

Photo: ryerson.ca

It is situated in Toronto, the institution offers renowned degree and professional experience. Top-quality study programs provide students with qualitative knowledge.

Carleton University

Photo: carleton.ca

This is a great example of a medical university in Canada for international students. The institution is based in Ottawa city.

Western University

Photo: lfpress.com

The institution is situated in Ontario. The teachers help students to achieve their academic and professional goals. Here are a big number of programs from bachelor to doctoral degrees. The 1200-acre campus is ready to accept international students.

University of Alberta

Photo: mhinnovation.net

It is one of the worlds top 100 universities. Here you can find 250 undergraduate programs, and 170 graduate programs. There is also a strong international student community.

Dalhousie University

Photo: torontosun.com

It is located in Nova Scotia, there are also campuses in Halifax, and Bible Hill. This is one of Canadas oldest universities. Now, there are 18,200 students from around the world and 180 degrees.

University of Saskatchewan

Photo: canadianarchitect.com

This is a famous research-intensive university, it has a variety of accredited programs. The institution welcomes numerous international students from around the globe.

Laurentian University

Photo: onfr.tfo.org

The main campus is situated in Sudbury. There are 94 undergraduate programs and around 9,500 students, including international ones.

University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)

Photo: upei.ca

The institution has exchange programs and diverse multi-cultural campuses. It provides a vibrant learning experience to the students and helps them to become a qualitative professional.

University of Victoria

Photo: oneclass.com

This is one of the best Canadian universities. There are a variety of accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programs, and the number of international students is around 1,600 people from 100 countries.

University of Regina

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READ ALSO: 22 affordable universities in Canada

One of top 10 universities of Canada. There are students from 90 countries around the world and over 70 undergraduate programs.

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

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The institution is based in Oshawa in Ontario, 43 undergraduate and 27 graduate programs are open for international applicants.

Brock University

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One more university from Ontario, it offers numerous programs at 600 faculties for around 8,000 students. Brock University is in the list of Canadas top medium-sized universities.

Thompson Rivers University

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It is located in Kamloops city, it provides 140 on-campus programs from 9 faculties

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)

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READ ALSO: List of universities in Australia offering scholarship

The campuses are situated in Surrey, Richmond, Cloverdale, and Langley. There are more than 200 programs and 17,500 students in the institution.

Mount Royal University

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It is based in Calgary, Alberta. The school has about 12,000 students from around the world. The university provides a big variety of undergraduate degrees, diplomas, and certificates.

Wilfrid Laurier University

Photo: cud.ac.ae

It is also known as Laurier, and has two primary campuses, one in Waterloo and the other in Brantford. World-class academic programs, high-professional professors and skilled graduates, are the symbols of this institution.

University of Northern British Columbia - UNBC

Photo: physicaltherapy.med.ubc.ca

The institution is one of Canadas best small universities, it offers high-quality and affordable education to its students. It has undergraduate and postgraduate programs in such fields as Arts, Medicine, Sciences, Social Work and Fine Arts.

Capilano University

Photo: straight.com

It is based in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. There are 7,800 students, and 760 of them are international students who came from 57 different countries.

Cape Breton University

Photo: capebretonpost.com

Source: UGC

The institution is situated in Nova Scotia. Student can find here various programs including engineering, biology, ethnomusicology, marketing, nursing, education and so on.

Acadia University

Photo: universitystudy.ca

It is based in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. The institution is also known for research activities, in different fields including medicine.

University of Toronto

Photo: dailyhive.com

The institution is from leading research-intensive universities. It provides 700 undergraduate programs and 222 masters and doctoral programs in various subjects. Here one can meet students from 160 countries around the world.

University of British Columbia

Photo: grad.ubc.ca

The institution is ranked as one of the top 40 universities in the world.

McGill University

Photo: usnews.com

Source: UGC

The institution is situated in Montreal, it provides high quality education in 11 faculties and 11 professional schools. There are 300 programs and nearly 39,500 students. This is considered one of the best medical university in the country.

McMaster University

Photo: macleans.ca

The institution has 125 years of academic excellence, there are six faculties and a huge number of programmes. The university welcomes students from 92 countries.

Concordia University

Photo: mtlblog.com

This public university based in Montreal provides 500 degree programs and 7,000 course options.

University of Manitoba

Photo: oneclass.com

READ ALSO: Canada visa application in Nigeria: form, fees, online tracking & requirements

This is Western Canadas first university with 137 years of experiences. It offers over 100 degrees, diplomas, and certificates to 30,000 students from different countries.

University of Lethbridge

Photo: uleth.ca

This is one of the top research intensive universities in Canada. The institution offers more than 150 undergraduate programs and more than 60 graduate programs in six faculties. The University of Lethbridge has a strong community of students from India, China and Bangladesh.

University of Winnipeg

Photo: winnipegfreepress.com

The institution is situated in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The University of Winnipeg offers undergraduate and postgraduate program

Universite de Sherbrooke

Photo: macleans.ca

The French-speaking institution is situated in Quebec. There are more than 1600 foreign students from 120 countries in the school. The institution offers international students introductory and advanced language programs.

READ ALSO: Diploma courses in Canada for international students

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | AUC commissioner re-iterates commitment to sustainable agricultural mechanization

By Jimoh Babatunde

The African Union Commission, AUC, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Amb Josefa Sacko, has reiterated the importance the Commission places on sustainable agricultural mechanization in African agriculture as a critical factor in realizing the commitments of the AU Malabo Declaration on agriculture transformation.

She spoke at the launch of the Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization Framework for Africa, in Rome recently.

The African Union Commission is collaborating with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), on the framework which has priority elements that will guide AU Member States when developing their national strategies for sustainable agricultural mechanization and implementing mechanization programmes at country level.

She further stressed that We will not be able to achieve the laudable objectives that we have set for ourselves if agriculture continues to be saddled with the heavy drudgery of both farm and off-farm activities in the sector, she said. Efforts to attract youths to agriculture will also remain an illusion.

South African Airways Celebrates 20 Years of Excellent Service In Nigeria With Remarkable Global Recognition.

In a release made available to Vanguard by CAADP Communications person, Ms. Carol Jilombo, the AUC Commissioner announced that she together with Angolan First Lady, Ana Afonso Dias Lourenco, would inaugurate the first Hand-Held Hoe Museum in Angola; building on the initiative by the former Chairperson of the AUC, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who championed the campaign to relegate the hand-held hoe to the museum and replace it with tillers, a symbolic effort to emphasize the importance of removing the drudgery from agriculture, and thereby improving labour productivity, especially for women.

The Permanent Representatives to the Rome-based UN Agencies, from Ethiopia, Ghana and Cote dIvoire, shared their respective country experiences on agricultural mechanization and lauded the effort by the AUC and FAO to develop the framework.

Obaseki launches agric cluster for 200 farmers, activates food sufficiency plan

In her closing remarks, the Deputy Director-General of FAO, Maria Helena Semedo said she was pleased that the joint effort between FAO and AUC had given birth to a new baby which had been out-doored.

She expressed the hope that the same commitment would be provided to facilitate implementation of the strategy Framework, and help transform agriculture in Africa.

Agricultural Mechanization

The African Union Commission (AUC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) view agricultural mechanization in Africa as an indispensable pillar for attaining the zero Hunger Vision by 2025, as stated in the Malabo Declaration of 2014, Aspiration 1 of the AUs Agenda 2063, and Goal 2 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Doubling agricultural productivity and eliminating hunger and malnutrition in Africa by 2025 can only be possible if mechanization is accorded the utmost importance.

This includes enhancing access to mechanization services, improving access to quality and affordable inputs, such as seed and fertilizer, and delivering efficient water resources and management systems including irrigation.

Mechanization in the twenty-first century must follow some core principles. It must be built along the entire agricultural value chain, private sector driven, environmentally competitive and climate-smart, and economically viable and affordable, especially to small-scale farmers who constitute the bulk of African farmers.

Mechanization must target youth, specifically to make agriculture more attractive for employment and entrepreneurship.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Igbo cultural group says Obi perfect choice as Atikus running mate

Izu Umunna Cultural Association of Nigeria, an Igbo think tank group, has lauded the choice of former Anambra governor Peter Obi as PDP candidate Atiku Abubakars running mate in the 2019 presidential race.

The group gave the commendation in a statement signed by its President, Dr. Patrick Ihekuna, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, on Tuesday in Jos.

We commend the former vice president for selecting Mr Peter Obi as his running mate.

We believe that the duo shall form a great team and Nigeria will be better for it, the statement said.

The group appreciated the views of those who felt they were not fully consulted, but explained that there was enough room and time for further consultations.

The statement urged Nigerians to sacrifice personal concerns for the corporate interest of the larger society, saying that the Atiku/Obi ticket was a truly redemptive team for our country.

The group said that Igbo communities resident in the north would reward Atiku for choosing Obi by voting massively for the ticket in the 2019 general elections, and opined that Atiku had the experience to make Nigeria a better country.

Newsmen report that Atiku, who picked the PDP presidential ticket at the partys Oct. 6 national convention in Port Harcourt, picked Obi as his running mate last week.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Hoodlums harass girl for indecent dressing in Lagos

Lagos  Some traders in Balogun Market on the Lagos Island Local Government Area of Lagos have expressed mixed reactions to the increasing rate of indecent dressing among young female Nigerians.

Extreme dressing by students on campus

The traders expressed their feelings in an interview on Tuesday after hoodlums harassed a girl in the market for dressing indecently, touching her body and booing her with all sorts of names.

The ruffians who clapped their hands called Asewo, Oloshi and Olosho N50 meaning she sells her body for N50.

The traders, who spoke , said that they saw one Miss Chidinma Okonkwo, early on Tuesday while she was being harassed by some ruffians because of her indecent dressing.

Two men rape 9-month-old baby

A cloths trader, Mr Tunde Azeez, who believed that Chidinma dressed indecently, said he was disappointed at the rate girls dressed exposing their bodies when they go out, especially when they come into the market.

This is the reason why there are rape incidents and some men look down on women as sexual objects.

Some of these girls dressed this way believing it to be the trending fashion with no regards to how they appear, therefore, the girl deserve what she got, he said.

A food seller, Mrs Chinyere Ogbonna, said she was not happy with the way Chidinma was harassed but it was her fault and she advised young people to dress well.

Nowadays, we see girls dressing indecently in `half made dresses` and this does not portray good morals.

My advice is that people should learn to dress decently as their appearance describes who they are, especially young girls in order to avoid harassment or even rape, she said.

Miss Blessing Nwata, a shoe trader who said she was in support of Chidinma, expressed the belief that she had not dressed indecently and therefore should not be harassed.

The girl was not dressed indecently, besides even if she was, that should not be an excuse for harassment from the ruffians, she said.

Miss Chidinma who was harassed told NAN that she was not dressed indecently and complained that she and some of her friends were always harassed by the ruffians no matter how they dressed.

It is becoming a norm. This is not the first time I would be harassed, though I have got used to it.

I am always harassed by these ruffians no matter how I dress, besides harassment of women should be stopped; indecent dressing should not be a reason for harassing females, she said. (NAN)

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Kidnappers abduct police superintendent in Delta

By Emma Amaize

ASABA  KIDNAPPERS have abducted a female Superintendent of Police in Delta State.

The senior police officer, said to be the second-in-command at one of the police divisions in Asaba, the state capital, was allegedly kidnapped along Ogwashi-Uku-Asaba Road on her way to work on Monday. 40 Kaduna Kidnappers: Police Public Relation officer Jimoh Moshood displaying weapon recovered from 40 suspected kidnappers and Armed Robbers at Rijanah Kaduna State. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan

Detectives have been on the manhunt for her abductors since the incident on Monday, but as at the time of filing this report, Tuesday morning, she has not been seen.

Our dependable source said: The police officer is still with the kidnappers, nobody knows for now where they took her to.

A dependable police source told Vanguard: The Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Mustafa, has given directive that everywhere should be combed for the abducted police officer and the kidnappers. Nobody is at rest now for the CP says he wants her out of anywhere she was taken to.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Delta Command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, could not be reached for comment on the development.

Last month, six suspected kidnappers stormed a shop located at Spirit and Life Bible Church, Akpu Junction, Asaba and whisked a housewife, Mrs. Francisca Semiteje, to an unknown destination in her black Toyota Corolla car.

Her vehicle was recovered a day after she was abducted at Ani Edozie Street, Off Asaba Secondary School, Asaba, while she was released after payment of ransom by her family.

Similarly, 39-year-old principal and resident priest of Aghalokpe Secondray School, Aghalokpe, Okpe local government area, Rev Fr. Christopher Ogaga, was abducted September 1.

The abductors called with the victims phone demanding N15 million ransom, but the priest later escaped from their den.

However, detectives/operatives of the Eagle Net Special Squad trailed the suspects and arrested three of them, Friday, whose phone was used to demand ransom, Tony and Erasmous.

Another priest, Rev Father Louis, who was kidnapped in Warri, September 15, also bolted away from his abductors, same day.

Also, four suspected robbers/kidnappers ambushed a 27-year-old lady while driving along Ezenei Junction, Asaba at about 11.05 pm, pushed her down and sped away with her fiance, Ifeanyi Uzomor, early last month. They later dropped him along Issele-Azagba, near Ogwashi Uku

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Togolese rapes, sodomises 6 minors in Lagos

Its the devilSuspect

organises orgies with them, pays each N50

By Esther Onyegbula

A 31-year-old Togolese, Dominic Samson, has been arrested for raping six underage girls in Ejigbo area of Lagos.

The victims, aged between 12 and 15 years, revealed that he normally raped them under the staircase and in the toilet of their building on Olusesan Street.

Thereafter, the suspect, a father of two, would give them N50, with a threat to kill them if they mentioned it to anyone.

However, he met his Waterloo after one of the girls opened up to her parents, who subsequently alerted the Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Ejigbo, CSP Olabisi Okufowobi.

During interrogation, the teenager alleged that the suspect did not only defile her, but also sodomised (penetration through her anus) in the toilet.

Confirming the arrest, spokesman for Lagos State Police Command, CSP Chike Oti, said: She named five other girls, who are within 13 and 15 years age bracket. All the victims, except the sixth, have been identified, interrogated and their statements recorded.

The girls revealed that the suspect sometimes brought all of them together in one room for an orgy and, thereafter, gave them a cash reward of N50 each.

The girls, as gathered, were taken to the Mirabel Centre, where doctors report confirmed that there was penetration in their vaginas and anuses.

When accosted, the suspect blamed his indulgence on the devil.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | President Buhari speaks about 2019 elections, what Nigerians should expect

- President Buhari assured Nigerians the 2019 elections will be fair

- He said the political atmosphere has also improved

- The president said this is evident in the number of political parties

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians and the international community that the 2019 general elections will be free and fair.

This was contained in a statement by Femi Adesina on Tuesday, October 16.

The president said the 2019 election will also usher another clime of maturity, peace and unity.

READ ALSO: Breaking: Fayose arrives EFCC office accompanied by Governor Wike (photo, video)

He noted that there was more political consciousness in the country evident by the increased number of registered political parties.

The statement reads:

President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja assured Nigerians and international community that the forthcoming general elections in 2019 will be free and fair, saying it will usher the country into another clime of maturity, peace and unity.

President Buhari, who received Letters of Credence from four ambassadors at the State House, including the Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of Japan, Mr Yutaka Kikuta, said the countrys political and electoral institutions have continued to evolve in strength, skill and experience after each election.

We are currently at the threshold of another general election and after five general elections in the country since 1999, we expect that the 2019 elections will be free and fair.

The political system is good and if people work hard they will succeed, the President said.

President Buhari also said the increase in number of political parties that will field candidates in 2019 elections indicates more democratic consciousness among Nigerians and willingness to serve the country.

Receiving Letter of Credence from the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Alexey Shebarshin, the President noted that discussions on reviving the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, partnerships in agriculture and other bilateral interests in trade and economic development will be sustained, commending the country for always standing by Nigeria.

We have opened discussions on the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, and we will continue, President Buhari added.

The President told the Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Richardo Guerra De Araujo, that the historical ties between both countries and the shared potentials for growth will be further explored, with strong emphasis on economic and social development.

He said the number of Nigerians in Brazil already provide a strong reason for deeper and richer discussions for both countries.

Receiving the Letter of Credence of the Ambassador of United Arab Emirates, Fahad Al Taffaq, President Buhari assured him that Nigeria remains committed to strengthening the bilateral relationship that has existed between both countries for many years.

The President said the courtesies extended to Nigerians in the United Arab Emirates was commendable, assuring the envoy that his administration will continue to strengthen business and trade relations between both countries.

In his remarks, the Ambassador of Japan said his country remained grateful for Nigerias concern and support during the flooding that devastated the country, promising to work hard to further enhance relations in technology, agriculture and trade.

The Ambassadors of Russia, Brazil and United Arab Emirates assured the president that they will work hard to ensure improved relations in key sectors of the economy, while wishing Nigeria the best in the forthcoming elections.

Meanwhile, the national chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has called on Nigerians to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari rather than bringing in Atiku Abubakar for another eight years.

In an interview with Vanguard, Okorie noted that the Buhari administration has done its best although this may not be enough. He however said it was better to stick with Buhari than bringing in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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He said: Nigeria is still a work in progress but its unfortunate that we are in election mood. While those in government are busy convincing Nigerians that they have done enough to be re-elected, those willing to take over from them believe differently. But for me, the government has not met the expectations of Nigerians since the end of the civil war.

The deplorable state of our economy, the poverty level, the low GDP and the very embarrassing low power supply and corruption in the country among others have retrogressively worsened over the years. We dont have any period since the end of the civil war which also marked the end of the First Republic which we will remember with certain nostalgia and wish to be like that period.

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Why my name was not included in the travel ban list - Omisore opens up

- Osun SDP governorship candidate, Iyiola Omisore, has explained the reason why his name was not included in the list of 50 Nigerians banned from travelling abroad

- He said he is not facing any corruption case either from the EFCC or any other anti-graft agency

- A Yoruba youth group had earlier criticised the federal government for not including Omisores name in the list

The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Osun state, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has said that he has no case of corruption in any court or with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Punch reports that Omisore said this in his reaction to the Yoruba Youth Socio-Cultural Association, which criticised the federal government for excluding him and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro from the travel ban list issued against 50 prominent Nigerians.

The former deputy governor of Osun state, in a statement issued by his media aide, Jide Fakorede, on Tuesday, October 16, said he had no corruption charges against him anywhere and that he should not be included in travel ban list.

READ ALSO: Saraki, Tambuwal, Dankwambo get new PDP appointment

He described the YYSA as a faceless group which he said was being used by some politicians who are not happy with the role he played during the rerun election in Osun state.

The statement read: This fictitious group is a creation of those who were not happy with the recent political developments in Osun state and who, obviously, do not mean well for the state but only trying to mutilate the high integrity of Senator Omisore.

We have no doubt of the existence of some failed politicians who have scores to settle with the former Osun state deputy governor but are now feeling frustrated with his continuous rise in the political firmament of the country, despite all their pull him down effort.

This set of persons represents retrogression, deliberate falsehood and underdevelopment. Again, they have failed.

Lets face the facts squarely: Senator Iyiola Omisore was wrongly accused in 2016 and he surrendered himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for investigation and was given a clean bill of health by the anti-graft body after a thorough investigation.

It is on record that no case was instituted against him in any court of our land and neither was he arraigned before any court. He has been enjoying his freedom and has even presented himself for election into public office, passing through all security screenings. So, we ask, what is the noise about?

The basis for placement on the watch list and travel ban is to ensure that those answering EFCC charges are held within the country; and for someone not having a current case with the anti-graft agency, there may be no basis to restrict his movement.

Fakorede said Yoruba youths all over the world were known to be intelligent and industrious, saying they would never subject themselves to being used by political jobbers and rejected politicians for any reason.

He added that genuine Yoruba youths would never make reckless statements like the one issued by the YYSA.

Senator Omisore is busy with the arduous task of building alliance across different political parties, with the aim of developing Osun state and using his contacts from his extensive network garnered over the years in the course of his private practice as a successful chartered engineer; and will not allow distractions from fake group like this to discourage him, Fakorede said.

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Meanwhile, the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the political group Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) have condemned the travel ban slapped on 50 high-profile Nigerians by President Buhari.

In separate statements released on Saturday, October 13 shortly after Presidency announced the bans through spokesman Garba Shehu, PDP and CUPP expressed worries over the move.

The PDP statement signed by its national spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan accused the APC of trying to intimidate the opposition ahead of 2019.

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Police arrest 4 robbery suspects, recover guns

- Four suspected armed robbers in Gwaram local government area of Jgawa state

- The criminals were arrested by the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) following a tip-off

- According to the police, the gang was responsible for several robbery attacks on Ranbazau, Yadda and Sara villages in the area

The Jigawa police command on Tuesday, October 15, said it had arrested four suspected armed robbers in Gwaram local government area of the state.

The commissioner of police in the state, Mr Bala Senchi, announced this at a news conference in Dutse, and said that the suspects had been terrorizing residents of the locality.

Senchi said that operatives of the commands Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) arrested the suspects on Sept. 26, following a tip-off from reliable sources.

READ ALSO: Fayose arrives EFCC office accompanied by Governor Wike (photo, video)

He said that four of the gang members who escaped arrest would be brought to justice, adding that their alleged offence contravened Sections 96 and 296 of the penal code law.

Senchi added that the gang was responsible for several robbery attacks on Ranbazau, Yadda and Sara villages in the area, where they carted away cash and property.

He listed some of the items recovered from the suspects as two locally-made guns and two AK 47 rifles.

The police boss appealed to the public to continue to furnish the command with information that would help in clamping down criminals in the state. He assured that all information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

The command will also continue to bring to book criminals to maintain the serene atmosphere of the state, he added.

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NAIJ.com had reported that one Sharif Audu, 18, a suspected motorcycle thief, admitted to stealing a Bajaj motorcycle in order to raise money for his girlfriends upkeep.

According to Punch, quoting Northern City News, a team of police detectives from the Niger state Police Command apprehended the suspect after he dispossessed one Yakubu Ndanusa of his motorcycle.

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Senate observe 2-minute silence for Hauwa Lenan, call for rescue of Leah Sharibu

The Nigerian Senate has observed a 2-minute silence in honour of Hauwa Lenan, who was an aid with the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC).

Lenan was killed by Boko Haram terrorists on Monday, October 15.

READ ALSO: Breaking: Fayose arrives EFCC office accompanied by Governor Wike (photo, video)

The deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, raised a motion for the debate on the issue.

He called for an official visit to the family of the deceased and called on the federal government through security agencies to do whatever possible to rescue Leah Sharibu and other hostages.

Senate president, Bukola Saraki in his reaction said: Distinguished Colleagues, irrespective of the decision that we have taken, I believe that our committees on defence and security, as part of their own responsibilities should engage with the security agencies to find out if there are other issues that need to be addressed in order to prevent such reoccurrences.

Meanwhile, the federal government has expressed shock over the killing of Hauwa Leman, a Red Cross aid worker abducted by Boko Haram terrorists.

Hauwa was killed by the terrorists on Monday, October 15 and in a statement by Alhaji Lai Mohammed who is the minister of information and culture, he said the government was saddened by it.

Mohammed, described the killing as dastardly, inhuman and ungodly, saying nothing can justify the shedding of the blood of innocent people.

He commiserated with the family of Hauwa Leman, noting that the federal government did all within its powers to facilitate her release and save her life.

"The federal government is shocked and saddened at the killing of another aid worker by Boko Haram on Monday, despite the actions taken by the government and the widespread appeal to save the young woman.

It is very unfortunate that it has come to this. Before and after the deadline issued by her abductors, the Federal Government did everything any responsible government should do to save Hauwa.

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"As we have been doing since these young women were abducted, we kept the line of negotiations open all through. In all the negotiations, we acted in the best interest of the women and the country as a whole."

Boko Haram Kidnappings: Dapchi Protests Abduction of Their Daughters by Boko Haram - On NAIJ.com TV

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | 2019: Former APC chieftain lauds appointment of Saraki as Atiku campaign DG

- The inauguration of the PDP presidential campaign council continues to generate reactions

- Former APC deputy spokesman, Timi Frank says the appointment of Dr Bukola Saraki is a good choice

- Frank said the defeat of the ruling APC is sure in the 2019 polls

Former deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has commended the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his party on the appointment of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki as the campaign director general.

In a statement sent to NAIJ.com on Tuesday, October 16, Comrade Frank said with the team put together by the PDP, defeat is already imminent for President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, APC.

He further said because of the popularity and love Nigerians have for most of the PDP figures in the campaign team, victory is assured for the opposition party in the coming general elections.

READ ALSO: Campaign council: PDP is anti-south west - Yoruba group

Some other names announced as zonal coordinators by the PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, include; Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto, north-west), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe, north-east), Samuel Ortom (Benue, North-central), Nyesom Wike (Rivers, south-south), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi, south-east), while Former Ekiti state governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, would coordinate the south-west.

Ologbondiyan also said Akwa Ibom state governor, Emmanuel Udom, was appointed chairman of the fund raising committee, while former presidential aspirant, Alhaji Taminu Turaki, would head the legal committee.

His words: I join other well meaning Nigerians to congratulate the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki on his appointment as campaign DG.

Dr. Saraki and other appointees have proved their competency to deliver and I believe that their current assignment will ensure a safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari to Daura while his party return to opposition after 2019 general elections.

I also call on other PDP leaders, most especially all other presidential aspirants to join hands with Senator Saraki during the campaign to solidify the acceptability of PDP and its presidential candidate.

Meanwhile, Comrade Frank has joined other prominent Nigerians in condemning the Executive Order 06 signed by President Muhammadu Buhari recently.

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In a statement sent to NAIJ.com on Sunday, October 14, Comrade Frank stated that the order is aimed at stifling opposition party chieftains ahead of the 2019 general elections.

He specifically mentioned that the order is targeted at politicians, traditional rulers, businessmen and women sympathetic to the quest by Atiku Abubakar emerge president in the general elections.

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Army restates commitment to protecting lives, property

The Nigeria Army on Tuesday reiterated its commitment to the protection of lives, property and nations territorial integrity.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, made this known in a statement in Maiduguri.

Chukwu disclosed that Brig. Gen. Abdulmalik Biu, Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division, gave the assurance when the Country Director, Centre for Civilians in Conflict, Mr Tunde Ojeo, visited him.

He quoted Biu as saying that protection of persons in conflict was one of the core mandates of the Nigerian Army.

Conflict is inherent in human existence and no individual, organisation or nation can tackle it alone, the fight against insurgency is a non-conventional war.

7 soldiers, 76 Boko Haram terrorist die in Borno battle

Boko Haram activities are total war against the Nigerian state; their cardinal principle is to instil fear in the people by attacking soft targets, the statement quoted Biu as saying.

He stressed the commitment of the army to work within its professional mandate to protect lives and property of the citizenry and urged the people to be law-abiding and support the military to win the insurgency war.

Dozens dead in Niger/Nigeria crackdown on criminal gangs

He further called for collaboration between the army and the organization, to combat the security challenges in the country.

Earlier, Ojeo had lauded the army over the successes recorded in the campaign against insurgency, saying it enabled his organisation to implement its programmes in the state.

He said that the visit was to familiarise himself with the Division and strengthen existing cordial relation.

According to Ojeo, our organization is working closely with the army in Bama, Dikwa and Damboa resettled communities.

NAN

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Media Advocates file lawsuit against Trump for Stifling free speech

Several U.S. Media Advocates have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump accusing him of stifling free speech in violation of the Constitution.

This is according to a Court document that was filed in a Federal Court in Manhattan on Tuesday.

Trump

This complaint arises out of official acts by the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, intended to stifle exercise of the constitutional protections of free speech and a free press, said the lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit that was filed by the literary group PEN American Centre, along with the nonprofit Protect Democracy and the Yale Law School Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic.

IMF charges Nigeria to use external reserves judiciously

The lawsuit accuses Trump of making credible public threats to use the powers of his government against news organisations and journalists, in violation of the First Amendment and Trumps oath to uphold the Constitution.

The suit seeks to stop President Trump from using the machinery of government to retaliate or threaten reprisals against journalists and media outlets for coverage he dislikes, PEN said in a statement announcing the complaint.

The plaintiffs argue that Trumps repeated attacks on journalists have created a culture of hostility toward the media, and have led to an increase in attacks on members of the press.

3 dead as aircraft crashes into crowd in Germany

The media advocates are not seeking any financial damages, but rather are asking the court to issue an order declaring that Trumps actions violate the First Amendment.

Similarly, he is been enjoined to refrain from directing officials in his administration to retaliate against journalists, who provide coverage that he does not like, according to the lawsuit.

Since taking office in January 2017, Trump has had a stormy relationship with major U.S. media outlets, several of which he has branded fake news.

NAN

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | Lagos records 5 cases of domestic violence daily  Prof. Badru

By Gabriel Olawale

Professor of Sociology at the University of Lagos, Prof. Fatai Badru, has disclosed that not less than five cases of domestic violence were being reported daily in Lagos.

Badru who spoke at a symposium organised by Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) to commemorate the 2018 Domestic and Sexual Violence Month in Lagos, said recent doctoral studies showed that domestic violence was more prevalent in the urban areas than the rural areas.

According to the DSVRT statistics, there has been an increase in domestic violence daily in Lagos. At least, a minimum of five incidences of domestic violence are reported daily.

The sociologist attributed the high level of domestic violence in urban areas to psychological factors and stressful living conditions.

People with disabilities are also highly vulnerable to violence.

Both men and women with disabilities are vulnerable to domestic and family violence at higher levels than men and women without impairments.

Women with disabilities experience higher level of sexual abuse, Badru said.

Speaking on the theme, Securing the Home Against Violence, he advocated the protection of persons with disabilities from domestic violence.

The sociologist reiterated the need to understand the gendered nature of domestic violence as well as the factors that make individuals vulnerable to domestic violence.

A key barrier to seeking help in domestic violence is when the survivor depends on the perpetuator for upkeep and survival.

The principle of respect and value for one another should be reinforced throughout the community.

This should be done by the education system, community leaders, social and sporting organisations and leaders of faith.

Securing the home against violence is everyones responsibility,  he said.

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, at the event, highlighted the role of the home in the upbringing of wholesome children.

Represented by Mrs Joyce Onafowokan, his Special Adviser on Social Development, the governor said, The home is the first place the child lives.

The parents are the primary educators of the children and the home is the first place of security of the children.

Every kind of behaviour begins from the home; it is from our behaviour that children learn, and they are the direct representatives of who we are.

He said parents should be cautious in bringing up children because of the effect it has to the larger society.

Also, Justice Sybil Nwaka of the Lagos Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court said the Lagos State Judiciary was taking up the fight against sexual and domestic violence.

Domestic and sexual violence cases are being expressly disposed of and justice is being served.

The Lagos State Government and Justice Sector are coming to the doorsteps of people, creating awareness, encouraging survivors to come forward and not be afraid of stigma, Justice Nwaka said.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | We have assurance of wining Lagos State -PDP governorship candidate

The Peoples Democratic Party Governorship Candidate in Lagos, Mr Jimi Agbaje, has said that the party had assurance of winning the state governorship election in 2019.

Agbaje said this in an interview with newsmen at the partys National secretariat on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that coming out of the partys national convention stronger and united, with its presidential candidate and his running mate, the PDP was getting seriously ready for the 2019 general elections including those of Lagos.

Jimi Agbaje

This time around, we intend to take over Lagos in 2019. The campaign for Lagos is set for us.

It is clear to us in Lagos that what Lagosians are looking for is freedom from the vested interest that have gripped Lagos for nearly 20 years.

We have a situation where it had been under the grip of one or two persons and we are tired of that.

Gov. Umahi rewards athlete for winning African Youth Games bronze

We believe Lagos is doing well compared to other states; but it can do much better than it is doing now; but it is being crippled by vested interests.

Things that could have been done differently are being done in a manner that is slowing down the progress and that is what the campaign is set against.

Free Lagos campaign is a campaign that Lagos can be better and that the alternative can be, a lot more, better than it is today.

The structure is being put in place and I am sure that at the end of the day, it is going to be victory for PDP in Lagos and at the centre and in most of the states that we lost, he stated.

Agbaje said that although the PDP had been opposition party in Lagos since 1999, the party base still remained intact and PDP was working to expand it.

There is a lot of confidence and dont forget in 2015 and irrespective of what happened, that base we had in 2015 still remains intact. Those that voted for us are still there for us.

The strategy is to expand that base in a way that we have every assurance that we are taking Lagos.

Anambra PDP thanks Atiku for choosing Peter Obi

Asked if the defection of the Chairman, PDP Lagos State, Chief Moshood Salvador, to the All Progressives Congress would affect PDP performance in the state, Agbaje said his defection had no impact on the party.

He left on his own. If you go alone, I dont know how that will affect the party in any way.

If he was really somebody that has a structure or followership, you will expect the followership to go with him but when you leave as one person it means you are of no effect on the party.

We have not felt anything with his departure and it will not affect us. We have not had defections from the PDP in the last few years.

On his relationship with Chief Bode George, Agbaje said that George remained the leader of PDP in Lagos State and I dont think anybody is going to doubt that.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | NMA, PSN call for synergy among health workers

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) have called for synergy among health workers to ensure effective healthcare delivery in the country.

The NMA President, Dr Francis Faduyile and PSN President, Ahmed Yakasai, made the call at an advocacy and interactive session between NMA and PSN on Tuesday in Abuja.

Faduyile, who stressed the need for change of tactics in the area of health-care delivery, added that we need to change our tactics, the era when medical doctors take care of everything is gone for good.

Dozens dead in Niger/Nigeria crackdown on criminal gangs

According to him, everybody in the medical profession must key into the new spirit of togetherness and Nigerians must know that health workers are united.

He said that showing everybody that they were together would curb the perceived friction, stressing that the Nigerian health situation should compel stakeholders to avoid frosty relationship.

Nigerias health data unreal, inaccurate  NHMIS

Faduyile added that although the duty of medical doctors was to examine patients and prescribe drugs, some pharmacists had taken over the job of prescription.

The NMA president said that henceforth such pharmacists who encroach on the duties of medical doctors would be sanctioned.

The PSN president emphasised that the two bodies must work in harmony and mutual respect.

Buhari, Atiku, others for Handshake across Nigeria Summit

According to him, every organisation has its lane and responsibilities, noting that peaceful negotiations remain the best way to handle any differences.

We should not allow anyone to divide us, we have many common grounds, we should come out with modalities to solve our problems and challenges.

He said the PSN would endeavour to actualise the prescription policy to forestall any acrimony.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | News | General | 2018 Felabration : Foreign tourists express enthusiasm to learn more of Nigerian culture

Lagos  Some Foreign tourists at the ongoing 2018 Felabration on Tuesday expressed their interest to learn more about Nigerian culture.

In separate interviews in Lagos that they were enticed to attend Felabration due to the love they have for Nigerian culture and the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

NAN reports that 2018 Felabration will hold from Oct.15 to Oct. 21, featuring Fela artwork competition, symposium, music concert and afrobeats dance competitions.

An Australian, Pip Ryan, said she wanted to learn more about Nigerian dance.

The late legendary musician projected the most interesting part of Nigerian culture; this culture is fascinating and I am glad to be here to learn more of this beautiful culture, she said.

Another Australian tourist, Joana Tyler, said late Fela, who fought against depression, was greatly admired because of his uniqueness in exhibiting the difference between wrong and right in politics.

How to stop your data from running fast

Tyler said that Nigeria was a place to be to get entertained.

Felas music, which showcased freedom, anti-corruption for all, was loved by most Australians, because of the truthfulness and spirit of oneness in his music, she said.

Similarly, Greg Cook, an Australian, said Nigerian culture was very rich and inexhaustible, adding that the week-long event would educate him more about Nigerian culture.

I am here purposely because of Felabration. I have been listening to Felas music for long and I enjoy his rhythm, lyrics and messages.

I have been to most African countries, I love Nigeria because there is so much love in the country right from the airport, he said.

A Canadian, Hugh Campbell, who attended Felabration with his wife, said he had been in the country since 1979.

Campbell said that no country was as resilient and welcoming like Nigeria, having stayed in the country for over 30 years.

I am here with my wife and I really appreciate Nigerians for their dynamism and rich culture.

Fela gave his life for the great country; he is 80 today and I wish him a happy post humors birthday, he said. (NAN)

PTB/GOK

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: GeneralHome | World | Africa | Bulawayo firms' tenders 'very poor '

BULAWAYO town clerk, Christopher Dube, has said local business people were failing to come up with competitive tenders, which leads to them losing out to Harare-based firms.

Companies in Bulawayo have accused the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) of deliberately awarding tenders to Harare-based firms.

But responding to questions from businesspeople who attended the local authority's 2018 budget consultations recently, Dube said companies in the city had themselves to blame as their tenders were poor.

"We are a local authority and we should also, as much as possible, try and protect our local businesspeople because if we (don't do) that, we will have businesses that benefit people from other local authorities," Dube said.

"But, however, let me also indicate to you that tenders by their very nature are competitive. You will just have to compete and win. The biggest problem is that our local businesspeople, when it comes to tendering  their tenders, are very poor."

Dube said it was not the local companies' problem alone, but theirs as a local authority because "we have got a business desk; we also have a procurement management unit which should also reach out to the community to tell them what is expected of tenders so that you are able also to compete with other businesses from other local authorities."

Dube said crying foul would not help the local businesspeople.

"It's a competitive world. Crying at this age does not help us, but do corrective measures," he said.

Dube said they intended to practice "segregation" during tendering to benefit local business people.

"The segregation I'm talking about here is that of tendering, to say if we are making a tender as local authority, we should actually give advantages for that tender to local business people," he said.

"To say maybe if there is a difference of 5% in the value regardless of the 5% higher bid for the local tender, let's take the local one but that needs to be done properly in terms of the law, have a policy of council adopted by a way of a resolution. Once that is done then we can do it. That I promise you we will do."

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: AfricaHome | World | Africa | Foreign investment and the IMF will cripple Zimbabweans

Our government and the new Finance Minister have swallowed the myths of foreign aid, investment and the IMF as solutions to Zimbabwe's economic problems. And, unless these are exposed, Zimbabwean citizens will continue to be in the morass of extreme poverty for decades longer. As if 38 years has not been enough.

We hasten to say is not their fault because all African nations have been brainwashed by the West into believing that aid, foreign investment and its unholy partners globalisation and free trade, are the solutions to poverty.

We fully understand why they have accepted the West's policies because it is only the developed nations, which are primarily Western, that have the practical experience and knowledge of how to take their citizens from poverty to affluence. So our nations have had no choice but to trust them (or, more particularly, their global agencies the UN, World Bank, IMF and World Trade Organization or WTO) to show us the way.



Unfortunately, what the UN, World Bank, IMF and WTO have preached to Africa has been disastrous

The fact is that, had African nations been given the right advice immediately after colonialism ended, there is no doubt at all that their citizens would by now have been rapidly approaching Western standards of living, if not actually already there.

And Zimbabweans would have had the knowledge to see the flaws in Mugabe and ZANU PF's management of both Zimbabwe and its economy many years ago (not least, because all the Western agencies would have been drumming it into them), and they, too, would have got rid of poverty years ago.

First, we will dispense with the idea that the IMF and World Bank will help Zimbabwe  or any African country. Supported by the UN, what they will do is to impose what is called a Structural Adjustment Programme or SAPs on Zimbabwe. But you only have to study what SAPs has done to every other nation  and there are dozens of them in Africa, South America and, most recently, Greece  to realise what a diabolical programme it is. It is not exaggerating to say SAPs has caused absolute mayhem in every country in which it has been used.

If you want proof that the UN, World Bank and IMF are not really interested in eradicating poverty, despite their frequent assertions, you only need to look at SAPs. Without any doubt at all, the effect has been to make things even worse for those in extreme poverty. And to make it far less likely they will ever escape it.



If the Zimbabwean government submits to SAPs, then Zimbabwean citizens will be even worse off than they are now, if that is possible.

But what is wrong with foreign investments? Since the end of colonialism, these have been based on paying African staff and workers at well below what is legally allowed in the West, and they are not interested in investing in any business that is aiming to take Africans out of poverty, and certainly not to Western-style incomes. While Western investors hide this bitter truth under a pretence of "fighting poverty", China is at least honest in saying it has no interest whatsoever in helping ordinary African citizens to escape extreme poverty.

David Barber, one of the authors of this article, has personal experience of this. As he explains:

"I planned to set up a business in Africa manufacturing portable solar lamps. But, unusually, my plan was to pay Western wages to the staff and workers. Every potential investor (Black or White) was prepared to back me, but without exception they would only do so only on condition that I dropped the pay scales to the usual African poverty rates which are only a fraction of their Western counterparts.

"After a while, the realisation of what foreign investment is really doing to Africa hit me. So somewhat tongue in cheek (because I knew by then I was not going to get the investment I needed on my terms), I asked them to put their offers in writing, recording that they were conditional upon my dropping the pay scales to typical African rates. Surprise, surprise, they all refused  they certainly were not going to commit anything so damning to writing! Although some did write to say that they would invest subject to the conditions as verbally discussed'.

"When my plan became known to the ruling elite, I was forced to close down and leave the country. I was similarly stopped in another country. I also received threats from Western MNCs to desist from offering Western rates. It was very clear to me that Western commercial and financial organisations have no interest in helping Africans escape poverty, never mind to have Western-quality lifestyles."

The AU (like many of the better informed African activists and campaigners) is fully aware of the appallingly detrimental effects of Western loans and investments on Africa. In its Agenda 2063 and the accompanying First Ten-Year Implementation Plan 2014-2023, it insists that Africa has to become "self-reliant", that is, to no longer depend on Western or Chinese aid and loans. It wants foreign aid cut by 75% by 2023, and it also wants to "minimize Africa's dependence on the global financial system", cutting foreign investment to no more than 10-25% of the total.

To achieve this, the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan gives African governments a step-by-step plan for taking their citizens from poverty to affluence or what it calls being "amongst the best performers in global quality of life measures". As "the best performers" are the developed nations, its aim is therefore for all Africans to have a Western-quality lifestyle.

Now the point is this: the ZANU PF government signed Agenda 2063 some time ago. So it is fully aware of the AU's very workable plan. So why is the government not implementing the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan?

We can tell you why. Agenda 2063 would involve the government having to work very hard at generating other available sources of revenue with which to back and support Zimbabwe's entrepreneurs and businesspeople, and this would leave very little room for corruption. Whereas foreign aid and investment leave lots of room for "backhanders", diverting funds and fraud.

One obvious and extremely large source of funds for investment is for the government to take back the illegally acquired assets that corrupt politicians and businesspeople have acquired, much of it now abroad. For instance, Mugabe is estimated to be worth around US$10 billion, and that alone would go a very long way to financing the business base Zimbabwe needs. It is an utter disgrace that he is allowed to live in luxury and collect a huge pension while 90% of Zimbabweans live on less than US$1.90 a day. However, there is no way a corrupt government would take such a drastic step because it would be shooting itself in the foot if it did.

We said at the start that "had African nations been given the right advice immediately after colonialism ended, there is no doubt at all that their citizens would by now have been rapidly approaching Western standards of living". We need to explain that. If we look at how what are now the developed nations took their citizens from poverty to their present affluence, every single one, WITHOUT ANY EXCEPTION, used exactly the same formula. This formula is well-known to the UN, World Bank, IMF and WTO  as well, of course, to the governments of all developed nations, because they all followed it.

We should also say that EVERY country that has followed this formula, has taken its citizens from poverty to affluence. In other words, it has had a 100% success rate, which is pretty amazing, don't you think?

Also, all the "miracle" successes since World War II used exactly the same formula to develop their economies. These countries are Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan.

On the other hand, NO country that has used any other formula has managed to take its citizens out of extreme poverty.

Now, given this evidence you would have thought the Western agencies would have taught African nations to follow the same provenly successful formula  or, more to the point, the ONLY formula that has ever worked in the history of nations. Yet, for some reason, not only have they not done that, they have actually make it impossible for any African country to apply the formula.

It also needs to be pointed out that NO country has ever managed to escape poverty by using the aid/globalisation/free trade policy the West keeps imposing on the developing world.



In fact, the results of the West's formula has been disastrous

Every developing country (and this includes every African nation) that is following the plan of the UN, World Bank, IMF and WTO is actually falling further and further behind the developed world. And we can prove that by using the figures for GDP per capita, which are the official and internationally recognised measure for a country's economy.

In 1968, the GDP per capita for each African citizen was US$191. For each UK citizen, it was $1,896. So each African citizen was $1,705 behind.

In 2017, the GDP per capita for each African citizen was $2,423. For each UK citizen, it was $39,720. So each African citizen is now $37,297 behind - a massive increase in the gap between African and Westerner.

And that gap is still growing. Since the year 2000, the GDP per capita for each African citizen has increased by an average of US$81 a year. Each UK citizen averaged $900, or 11 times more a year! On this basis, it means Africans can NEVER catch up with Westerners.

But even if the UK were to stop growing entirely (which is extremely unlikely) so Africans could catch it up by $81 a year, it would still take Africans 460 years to eventually attain a Western-quality lifestyle!

The message to our government and our new Finance Minister could not be clearer. You need to stop wooing the West, and definitely avoid the IMF and World Bank like the plague. You need to start implementing Agenda 2063. And you need to learn the formula  the only formula that has ever worked to take the citizens of a nation from poverty to affluence - and apply it to Zimbabwe. And if you want advice on this, contact us as below.

David Barber and Tendai Ruben Mbofana are Co-Principals of The Arise-Africans Initiative

Contact David Barber on dbarber@arise-africa.info. Tendai Ruben Mbofana on WhatsApp: +263715667700, or (calls ONLY): +263782283975

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: AfricaHome | World | Africa | Pokello parties with new love

Socialite Pokello Nare was over the weekend partying with her new love - Ronald Muzambe - while her divorce case is still pending at the Harare High Court.

The lovebirds were part of the crowd invited for Genius Kadungure's traditional all-white birthday party held in South Africa.

Nare has a son (her second) with her Ghanaian husband of three years whom she met in the Big Brother Africa house, Elikem Kumordzie, but the marriage went sour, prompting Kumordzie to file for divorce with the Zimbabwean courts.

Pokello and Kumordzie have been on separation for the past year, residing in different countries and the Ghanaian wants a divorce decree order and that custody of their minor child be awarded to Pokello with him exercising reasonable access on agreed holidays paying $500 as maintenance.

Over the weekend however, Muzambe - known as "Rondontharon" - and the "Queen of Swagger" could not help but gush over each other with Muzambe posting a video referring to Pokello as "mai mwana" in one of his Instagram stories.

In the Shona culture, "mai mwana" is used when referring to a female partner or wife.

Muzambe posted a video of Pokello sitting in the car as his camera went up and down in show-off style.

He also posted a short video clip on their shoes with red bottoms.

Apart from the two, several other Zimbabwean socialites also attended the party in full force including, Jackie Ngarande, Tazvi Mhaka (Chief Jose), Russell Goreraza, Luminista Dumbisa, Uncle Rolen, among others as well as some DJs and South African businessman Kenny Kunene.

Pokello and Muzambe also attended an all-white yatch party last year which created havoc on social media after Pokello was called out for allegedly "cheating" on her husband.

Though she previously posted Muzambe on her Instagram, the socialite went on to delete the picture and has been low-key on the relationship.

The pair has even holidayed together in the Maldives according to pictures posted on their social media pages and have been seen at various spots together.

On the other hand, Kumordzie has previously described his marriage to the Zimbabwean as a mistake.

Pokello and Elikem married in 2015, two years after meeting in the Big Brother Africa competition.

The rumour of Pokello and the Ghanaian's split started in November last year after he got several birthday messages from fans and friends on social media except from Pokello, which was strange as it seemed to have been a yearly ritual.

The two have a baby boy named Tristan, Pokello's second child.

Elikem's visit to the southern African nation seems to have also stopped unlike before where Zimbabwe had become his second home.

Kumordzie on his part posted a short video of an engagement ring with a big rock recently with the caption: "I'm definitely not making a mistake on the next one. The right one".

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: AfricaBeaver Dam, WI (53916)

Today

A few showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low 41F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

A few showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low 41F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%.(Bloomberg) -- Saudi Arabian equities slumped on concern the nations relationship with the U.S. may sour over the disappearance of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

The Tadawul All Share Index sank as much as 7 percent, the most since 2016 on a closing basis, before trimming its decline to 3.5 percent at the close. All but seven of the gauges 186 members fell, led by Saudi Telecom Co. and Jabal Omar Development Co. The number of shares exchanged was more than double the 30-day average.

President Donald Trump said the U.S. could take very, very powerful, very strong, strong measures against the country if its leaders are found responsible for the Saudi citizens fate. The kingdom, which denies involvement in Khashoggis disappearance, announced it would retaliate against any punitive measures with an even stronger response, the Saudi Press Agency reported, citing an official it didnt identify.

The escalation in tension between the two allies, and growing calls for Saudi Arabia to explain what happened to the missing writer, have raised concerns whether the kingdom can attract foreign investors needed to overhaul its economy. The nation has been reforming its financial markets and has won inclusion in FTSE Russell and MSCI Inc. indexes for emerging markets.

You are talking about a geopolitical situation becoming even worse and Saudi Arabia is going to show its stubborn attitude again, said Naeem Aslam, the chief market analyst at Think Markets UK in London. This is not going to sit well with foreign investors. From where we sit, we dont see any demand for Saudi equities at all.

Some company leaders have backed away from the Davos in the Desert event later this month intended to showcase Prince Mohammed bin Salmans modernization plan for his nation. Still, Trump said the U.S. would be foolish to cancel large arms deals with the Gulf state.

The Tadawuls main index has almost erased its year-to-date gain amid a four-day sell-off, sinking to the lowest level since January. Saudi Telecom declined 6.2 percent, Jabal Omar lost 6 percent and Saudi Basic Industries Corp. retreated 1.9 percent.

Story continues

Saudi is one of the worlds top oil producers, so one cant sanction Saudi in the same way that one could sanction Iran, Richard Sneller, the head of emerging-market equities at Baillie Gifford & Co. in Edinburgh, said last week. Having said that, there are aspects of the Saudi regime that some people find less palatable and there are competing interests within Saudi as well. This is a very complicated country.

MIDDLE EASTERN MARKETS:

In Saudi Arabias stock exchange 251m shares change hands, more than twice its 30-day averageSeven stocks were down the the limit 10%Index has fallen 8.5% in four days; still up 0.6% year-to-dateNOTE: Saudi benchmark fell 3.9% on Oct. 11, when the MSCI Emerging Markets Index plunged 3.2%. The MSCI EM gauge recovered part of that loss on Friday, when it gained 2.7%Benchmark gauges in Kuwait and Dubai drop 1.9% and 1.5%, respectivelyIn Kuwait, all but one of the 16 members of the Boursa Kuwait Premier Market Price Return Index fall, dragging the measure down the most in almost a yearIn Dubai, Emaar Properties and Dubai Islamic Bank are the biggest drag on the index, which closes at the lowest level since January 2016READ: Insurance Stocks Provide Haven in Stormy Year for Dubai EquitiesAbu Dhabis ADX General Index slips 0.7%Telecom service provider Etisalat climbs 0.4% after saying its board approved voting rights for foreign shareholdersMORE: Abu Dhabis Cepsa IPO Said to Face Muted Investor AppetiteEgypts EGX 30 rises 1.9%Medinet Nasr advances 10% after Six of Octobers board approved a tender offer for Medinet Nasr. Sodic gains as much as 10%, before trimming the increase to 6.1% at closeMORE: Egypts Sodic to Buy at Least 51% of Medinet NasrThe Egyptian market has been falling for a long time, and was waiting for any positive news like the deal to rebound again, says Sherif Shebl, head of GCC sales at Pharos Holding for Financial InvestmentIn Israel, the TA-35 advances 0.9% as of 4:03 p.m.MORE: U.A.E. Enacts Law That Would Allow It to Sell Sovereign Bonds

--With assistance from Shaji Mathew.

To contact the reporters on this story: Filipe Pacheco in Dubai at fpacheco4@bloomberg.net;Ben Bartenstein in New York at bbartenstei3@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Celeste Perri at cperri@bloomberg.net, Dana El Baltaji, Todd White

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

2018 Bloomberg L.P.Perfect

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Iconic

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Hillary, come on. Really? REALLY?

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FUCK OFF! It was an abuse of power. She was a 22 yr old intern and he was PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

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bell hooks said that patriarchy has no gender and hillary clinton is the example of that. she doesn't care about abuse victims, women of color, and poor people. given her record of warmongering, supporting and pushing for imperialist war and foreign policy, this isn't surprising.



she needs to go away forever.



Edited at 2018-10-16 12:39 am (UTC)

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I think she cares generally about those groups. But she's unwilling to critically examine things that are uncomfortable to her personally which means she doesn't care ENOUGH.

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i was too young to understand this when it was happening so all i remember is hating that my name is monica because everyone in school would call me lewinsky but my parents wouldnt explain why she was so famous



ON REFLECTION: she was treated like trash, and hillary was complicit af

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i remember being pretty young too but the famous soundbit "i did not have sexual relations with that woman" kinda gave it away.

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She must really love Bill because I dont think there is a brand left to protect anymore.

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I was in jr high when that was going on & all the gross jokes came out. My mom was upset when I said something about one of my classmates bringing a Star Wars-cigar poster "because I and other parents were trying to keep that from you kids. I never wanted you to hear about that."

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i wasn't alive when any of this happened, so my opinion was formed by hearing other ppl talk about it and i was team bill until recently. the abuse of power didn't even occur to me until like last year

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Oh Hillary, when it comes to Bill I think she's in denial.



I was surprised Meghan admitted she does the whataboutism thing, maybe she's grown up a teeny tiny bit.

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I don't have enough brain juice for this. I don't have enough brain juice for this.

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i don't understand why she'd say this at all, least of all now. couldn't she wait until december if she wanted to talk nonsense?



i could never tell whether she actually believes this, whether she's just been misted by bill all these years, or what.

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"It wasn't an abuse of power?" Clinton said, "No. No," adding that Lewinsky "was an adult."

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mmm, yes. she gave the answer for the question she has an answer to -"was it illegal?" - and not the question she doesn't want to have the answer to - "was there a power imbalance?"

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Hillary has her majorly problematic areas and her going to bat for her husband's bullshit is near the top of the list. It still doesn't change that she is more qualified and we'd all be better off with her being President \_()_/

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Better than Pussy Grabber with poo for brains isn't much of an accomplishment.

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If you think they are even remotely comparable, you're as smart as his supporters.

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She IS accomplished though. Let's not act like she's one of us.

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that's not really what this is about though

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And we'd all be better off if the Democrats had a different candidate go against Trump. But that's not the point of this post.

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I have so much respect for how Monica handled and is still handling herself through all of this. She is such a gem to follow on Twitter.

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Funny how these black folks suddenly realize that people are entitled to their own opinion when its time to call out their own friends. Fucking hypocrites.

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I thought this article was about Chrissy Teigen?

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Chrissy is black now?



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lol mte

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lmao

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LMAO

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lmao mte I thought I was losing it

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Ummm Chrissy is only black by injection. . We black folk excommunicated Kanye.

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lmao no

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oh fuck off Chrissy

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Of course. "Woke" people are critical about conservatives and Trump supporters until they turn out to be their close friends and then they can't read suddenly, they don't know etc

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Come on Chrissy, your friend is a tool.





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lol mte

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MTE "Different views" are whether or not someone likes pineapple on pizza, not whether or not to support bigoted predatory dictators.

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yep

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mte

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MTE. Even large vs. small government is an agree to disagree topic. The current president? No.

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EXACTLY!!



i just dont understand how these ugly celebrities cant see that



youre literally compensating everything you have stood for.. for what?? why would you even want to be with friends with someone who supports such horrible views?

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mte. i feel like i would never fall into a friendship with a trump-supporter in the first place (whether they had slowly turned into one or always been one) because there isn't a single trump-supporter who you can divorce from their views. that mindset that causes them to vote for trump permeates into their day-to-day interactions.

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THIS



I do think there are varying levels of Trump support therefore different degrees to which one cottons to a certain belief system. But for me, any amount of too much but not all are beyond persuasion. It just aint my job.

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i've noticed since the 2016 election that people either doubled down on their conservatism or they've managed to shift away from it. i used to be able to tolerate having a republican friend. now, if you support trump i don't want shit to do with you.

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yes

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100% agree

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Yup

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Preachhh

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The double standards

mess

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Kanye and John can go on tour and it can be called This Ain't It.



She can sell her cookbooks in the parking lot

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Goodbye.... what about all the people shes gone in on on Twitter? They arent entitled to their opinions too?

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lol so fucking true.

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yup



dumb af lol

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mte

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Exactly. She's a hypocrite.

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lmao

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Right on the money sis

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Lmao just say youre a hypocrite and move on

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On one hand, you should be critical of people's shitty "opinions" or "beliefs," which can absolutely be wrong, but on the other, it can be really exhausting trying to change someone's mind, especially when they're as stubborn and off-their rocker as Kanye.

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What a cop out. You dont get to go after Trump and then when your friend sides with him say, Hes entitled to his own opinion. BULL SHIT.

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LinkKazakhstans wholly state-owned uranium mining giant is capitalizing on high prices for its wares by announcing plans to list on the London Stock Exchange.

The Financial Times reported on October 15 that Kazatomprom will sell off a 25 percent stake through an instrument called depository receipts. Rather than selling stock to investors directly, Kazatomprom will rely on a depositary bank that will hold the asset while selling certificates.

No timeline has been provided for when the listing might occur.

Uranium is on something of a high at the moment, having risen by 30 percent, to $27.40 per pound, since April, according to the FT report. This marks a return to health for uranium, which has suffered from reduced demand since Japan's Fukushima accident in 2011.

A key factor in reviving prices has been the contraction in production among major producers, including Kazatomprom, on paper at least. The company, which is the largest producer of uranium in the world, said it reduced output by 10 percent last year and then followed up by contracting output by 20 percent as it sought to help prop up prices.

And yet, company chairman Galymzhan Pirmatov reported to Kazakhstans President Nursultan Nazarbayev last month that Kazatomproms uranium sales in 2018 will exceed the average for the preceding three years.

"We have carefully analyzed the current situation in the world nuclear industry and adopted a new development strategy. During 2017 and [eight] months of this year, the company has attained all of its output and financial targets. It is expected that this year the dividend payout will more than double as compared to the previous year," Pirmatov was cited as saying by state news agency Kazinform.

At a presentation to investors in London around the same period, Pirmatov bragged that Kazatomprom has been increasing production by 15.4 percent annually, ensuring its global preeminence in the sector. This aggressive production-focused policy has not been greeted positively by some privately owned market peers, however, who have had to contend with sluggish prices amid the supply glut. Related: Are Natural Gas Prices Set To Spike?

Since Kazatomprom is apparently in such good financial shape, the logic underlying the IPO appears to go beyond mere fundraising. The government has for years been talking about undertaking a broad privatization program as part of a multi-goal agenda. One aim is to reduce the states overwhelming involvement in the economy and another is to encourage local investors to buy into national champions as a way of cultivating a domestic investor class.

Kazatomprom had planned to hold an IPO in the spring but was forced to postpone over concerns at low uranium prices. But things have been looking up in recent weeks. Fitch ratings agency reported on October 5 that it was confirming the companys long-term issuer default rating at BBB- with a stable outlook. With no firm details available on when the IPO will take place, however, some market watchers are concerned that the date could come later rather than sooner if the market behaves in an adverse manner.

At the moment though, the market indicates renewed confidence in demand for uranium, and Kazatomprom believes that dynamic is secure for the coming decade, given that countries like China are looking to build atomic power plants.

By Eurasianet.org

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:Iran is raking in more cash from oil exports thanks to higher prices despite the decline in amount of oil exported, the countrys Vice President Eshaq Jahagiri told Iranian media, as quoted by Radio Free Europe.

America thinks Saudi Arabia can replace this oil. But right now Irans oil has reached more than $80 [per barrel], and with half the previous exports we will have the same income as before, Jahagiri said, adding that while some of Irans oil clients had stopped buying its crude oil, the country had taken on some new buyers.

"On the other hand, we have also negotiated with traditional customers to find solutions for cooperation," the vice president said, as quoted by state news agency Shana. It's not strange for countries that are being sanctioned to look for ways to circumvent sanctions.

Radio Free Europe notes that Jahagiris remarks are in essence an acknowledgement that Irans oil exports had shrunk by half from 2.5 million bpd exported before President Trump pulled the United States out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly called the Iran nuclear deal. Related: Are U.S. Oil Exports Really Unstoppable?

Yet, caution is advisable when drawing conclusions about Iran. Some perceptive observers have already noted that Iran has a vested interest in keeping prices as high as possible amid the preparations for U.S. sanctions, which will snap back in November. In other words, Iran would say its exports are falling by a lot even if they are not falling by that much. This suggestion is supported by the practice among Iranian oil tankers to turn off their geolocation equipment, effectively becoming invisible to trackers until they reach their destination, skewing shipping data released in the period while they were invisible.

Ironically, in the last few days oil prices have received strong support from allegations that Saudi agents killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi, creating tension between Washington and Riyadh, Tehrans arch-enemy in the Middle East. Still, the effect of this tension seems to have been temporary: at the time of writing, Brent and WTI were both trading down slightly from yesterdays close, at US$80.74 and US$71.65, respectively.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:There are some early signs that the U.S. shale industry is starting to show its age, with depletion rates on the rise.

A study from Wood Mackenzie found that some wells in the Permian Wolfcamp were suffering from decline rates at or above 15 percent after five years, much higher than the 5 to 10 percent originally anticipated. If you were expecting a well to hit the normal 6 or 8 percent after five years, and you start seeing a 12 percent decline, this becomes more of a reserves issue than an economics issue, said R.T. Dukes, a director at industry consultant Wood Mackenzie Ltd., according to Bloomberg. As a result, you have to grow activity year over year, or it gets harder and harder to offset declines.

Moreover, shale wells fizzle out much faster than major offshore oil fields, which is significant because the boom in shale drilling over the past few years means that there is more depletion in absolute terms than ever before. A slowdown in drilling will mean that depletion starts to become a serious problem.

A separate study from Goldman Sachs takes a deep look at whether or not the shale industry is starting to see the effects of age. The investment bank says the average life span for the most transformative areas of global oil supply is between 7 and 15 years.

Examples of these rapid growth periods include the USSR in the 1960s-1970s, Mexico and the North Sea in the late 1970s-1980s, Venezuelas heavy oil production in the 1990s, Brazil in the early 2000s, and U.S. shale and Canadas oil sands in the 2010s. Each had their period in the limelight, but ultimately many of them plateaued and entered an extended period of decline, though some suffering steeper declines than others. Related: Oil Prices Under Pressure As U.S. Shale Supply Soars

U.S. shale is entering the lower end of this range at about 7 years. While shale is still growing, there are some signs that the Shale Tail, which Goldman says is the phase when shale becomes a less meaningful driver of global oil supply, may not be that far off.

Goldman lays out the five signals to watch out for, which would indicate that the glory days of shale are over. Although Goldman says the real trouble may be a few years off, there is some evidence that some of those dynamics are beginning to occur. The investment bank offers a breakdown as follows:

1. When inventory is being revised down, not up. This is already occurring in some areas, such as the Eagle Ford. Goldman notes that EOG Resources inventory fell in the Eagle Ford in the second quarter, with the company having drilled more wells than it added in new areas.

2. When well productivity stops improving. This one is inconclusive although perhaps it is beginning to become a concern. Goldman notes that the industry posed explosive productivity gains in 2017, but those gains slowed this year. Decline rates have accelerated in the Eagle Ford and Delaware Basin, but in the aggregate, there may still be some room for improvement for a little while.

3. When supply cost rises for structural reasons. Costs have climbed recently, but largely because of cyclical reasons, Goldman argues. High rates of drilling have created bottlenecks and pushed up costs, but those would come down if the cycle soured. It is still early for this metric.

4. When capital shifts to other regions. This looks the least threatening of the five warning signs. U.S. shale remains a top priority and the oil majors have stepped up their spending in shale, pivoting out of other regions. Spending on non-OPEC non-shale crashed post-2014 and hasnt recovered. There has been some shifting of capital within shale plays  such as from the Permian to the Eagle Ford and the Bakken  but this is mostly due to pipeline constraints.

5. When growth is no longer impactful/meaningful (lagging indicator). Goldman Sachs still sees U.S. shale adding 1 million bpd+ at least through 2020. This indicator wont become clear until the production gains actually start slowing down. Related: Are Natural Gas Prices Set To Spike?

The investment bank says that shale-focused companies are still a solid bet through the early 2020s, and it singles out companies like Concho Resources or Pioneer Natural Resources, two large Permian drillers. But by 2025, shale E&Ps will begin to see their stars fade.

At that point, Goldman warns investors to pivot out of shale pure-play companies and focus either on diversified companies that have assets outside of shale, or on the integrated oil majors. [W]e believe future resource additions outside shale deemed low on the cost curve will likely be positively received by investors, Goldman stated, citing Hess Corp. as a company that might fit this description because of the huge oil fields it is developing with ExxonMobil in offshore Guyana.

Put another way, depletion will become a greater theme in the future, so companies that are sitting on assets that deplete quickly will fall out of favor. Those that can stave off declines will fare much better.

The investment bank still expects U.S. shale to add around 1 million barrels per day each year through 2021 at least. But with early signs of strain, limits on productivity and steeper decline rates, it is clear that the industrys glory days are numbered.

By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:The big story in oil markets this week has been the escalating tension between the United States and Saudi Arabia, with many analysts suggesting that crude prices could head even higher if the fued reaches a boiling point.

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- U.S. nuclear plant outages were relatively low throughout the summer, but spiked last month. Nuclear plants tend to go offline for maintenance, often during spring and winter months and often to coincide with the refueling cycle, but the 14.5 GW that went offline in September was larger and earlier than usual.

- The temporary shutdown of a plant related to Hurricane Florence magnified the disruptions.

- The outages put more pressure on natural gas to pick up the slack, and with natural gas inventories already at their lowest levels since 2005 heading into winter, the nuclear outages helped tighten the gas market and push up prices.

Market Movers

 Energy Transfer Partners (NYSE: ETP) said its West Texas Gulf pipeline will resume operations this weekend after the pipeline spilled water with non-toxic green dye and residual fuel oil in Abilene, TX. The pipeline runs from Colorado City, TX to Longview, TX.

 Electrobras, the state-owned Brazilian utility, could be privatized under Jair Bolsonaro, should he win Brazils upcoming second round presidential election. Bolsonaros top economic advisor favors selling off the company.

 Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY) saw its shares plunge on Monday after reports that Qatar Petroleum would take over management and operation of the Idd El-Shargi North Dome offshore oil field after the production sharing agreement expires next year.

Tuesday October 16, 2018

Ongoing production gains in the U.S. are putting some downward pressure on oil prices. The EIA said that it expects large gains from the shale patch next month (more below). Shale oil production continues unabated in the United States, said Carsten Fritsch, commodities analyst at Commerzbank. Rising U.S. oil production is one key reason why the global oil market is likely to be amply supplied next year.

Saudi threatens oil weapon against U.S., but both sides eager to tamp down tension. Saudi Arabia shocked the oil world by seeming to threaten to engineer a price spike if the U.S. took action against Riyadh over the apparent murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. However, President Trump does not appear interested in taking action over the incident, taking Saudi assurances at face value. Sec. of State Mike Pompeo traveled to Riyadh to meet with the Saudi king, and all signs suggest that both sides are eager to put the issue behind them. Related: High Prices Benefit Iran Despite Lost Oil Exports

Iran says bullying wont bring oil prices down. Irans oil minister Bijan Zanganeh said that the U.S. wont bring global oil prices down by bullying other nations. The oil market is suffering from short supply and this cannot be resolved by words. Trump thinks he can bring the oil prices down by bullying, Zanganeh said. He added that the rise of oil prices was a self-inflicted pain caused by U.S. sanctions and that the U.S. has done most of the things it could do, and there is not much left to do against Iran.

Iran exports falling in October. In the first two weeks of October, Irans oil exports averaged 1.3 million barrels per day (mb/d), down sharply from the 1.6 mb/d it averaged in October, and down from the recent peak of 2.5 mb/d in April. Sanctions on Iran take effect on November 4, and most analysts see exports falling further over the next few weeks.

Signs of Permian overheating. Bloomberg reported on the signs that the Permian basin is overheating, including high costs for frac sand, six-figure salaries for truck drivers, and clogged roads from truck traffic make West Texas one of the deadliest places to drive in the country. Output is still growing, but pipeline bottlenecks have cut the monthly growth rate down by three-quarters. Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB) has warned producers that drilling wells too closely together has led to lower productivity, raising the prospect that drilling efficiencies are bumping up against their limits.

U.S. to add 98,000 bpd in November. The latest Drilling Productivity Report from the EIA shows strong gains expected for next month. The EIA predicts the U.S. will add 98,000 bpd in November compared to a month earlier. Unsurprisingly, the Permian leads the way with 53,000 bpd in growth, followed by the Eagle Ford (+15,000 bpd), the Bakken (+13,000 bpd) and smaller contributions from the Anadarko, Appalachia and Niobrara.

DOEs coal bailout put on ice. The U.S. Department of Energy has gone to great lengths to bail out aging coal and nuclear power plants, digging up obscure statutes related to national security to justify subsidizing them. But the DOE proposal has apparently run aground at the White House, according to Politico. The White House does not think the proposal is on solid legal ground, and perhaps more importantly, intervening in electricity markets to prop up coal has angered the oil and gas industry, as well as environmentalists, consumer advocacy groups and free market proponents. For now, the initiative appears dead.

AMLO tells oil companies to show results. Incoming Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has reiterated his support for existing oil contracts with foreign companies, but pressed them to hurry up and show results, according to Reuters. We know we have to exceed expectations and were trying to make sure we do that, Talos Energy (NYSE: TALO) CEO Tim Duncan, one of the executives who attended a September meeting with AMLO, told Reuters.

Nigeria shut key oil pipeline. Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. shut down a key oil pipeline network, the NNPC System 2E, due to an explosion triggered by oil thieves. The outage has interrupted operations at the 210,000-bpd Port Harcourt refineries, according to S&P Global Platts.

Oil companies pursue augmented reality technologies. The Houston Chronicle reports on how the oil industry is using new technologies, such as augmented reality, in order to cut costs. Maintenance and management decisions can be made remotely, speeding up decision-making and defraying expenses. Its somewhat of a merger between Silicon Valley and Big Oil. We have some experts that travel a half-million miles a year, Ed Moore, Chevrons enterprise architecture and strategy manager, told the Houston Chronicle. Theres a lot of opportunity to make savings.

Related: Are Natural Gas Prices Set To Spike?

U.S. oil exports to China fall to zero. Chinese companies are cutting back in the midst of the U.S.-China trade war, scrambling the flow of oil around the world. In August, Chinas purchases of oil from the U.S. fell to zero, after China had been the largest buyer of American crude in the first half of the year. U.S. producers are still finding buyers, but are having to look elsewhere. Meanwhile, Russia and Saudi Arabia are replacing the U.S. as the main suppliers to China.

Venezuela has $949 million bond payment due. Venezuela has a $949 million bond payment due on October 27, and analysts believe it will meet the payment schedule since the bond is backed by a majority stake in Citgo Holdings. Instead of letting creditors lay claim to Citgo, Venezuela will likely pull out all stops in order to meet the payment, analysts believe. Venezuela is already late on some $7 billion in bond payments and is dangerously low on funds.

Oil sands companies scrambling amid $50-per-barrel discount. Canadian oil companies are hedging production, booking oil-by-rail shipments and otherwise scrambling to find storage as Western Canada Select (WCS) suffers from a price discount as large as $50 per barrel below WTI. The pipelines out of Alberta are full and those without pricing protection are getting slammed.

By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:Vietnams economy is this year set to exceed the governments growth forecast, which was predicting a healthy rise of 6.7 percent, VOA reported recently, citing a government statement. The reason this will be possible is oil prices. Thats right. Few of us would think of Vietnam when the benefits of oil production are discussed, but there you have it: this tiny producer is raking in the cash and will continue to rake it in even if Brent falls back to US$65.

To get an idea of just how much oil this new Asian tiger pumps, here are the figures for September and January to September this year: 910,000 tons (6.67 million barrels) for September and 9.04 million tons (66.26 million barrels) for the first nine months of the year, according to government statistics quoted by Reuters. Whats more, the nine-month figure was down 11.7 percent on an annual basis and the September figure was down 14.2 percent. Still, Vietnams economy is getting enough fuel from oil sales, it seems, to hit on all cylinders.

Exports of oil have also been on the decline this year. For the nine months so far, crude exports dropped by a hefty 45.2 percent on the year and September exports shed 21.1 percent. The reason is trivial: natural decline at mature fields. At the same time, new fields are in geologically challenging areas, according to state oil company PetroVietnam, as quoted by S&P Global Platts earlier this year, when June exports took a 67.5-percent nosedive. And still the outlook for the countrys economy is bullish.

Over the first nine months of this year, the Ministry of Finance has calculated oil export revenues at US$3.13 billion. That would be 42.5 percent more than oil revenues for the comparable period of 2017, VOA reports. Put simply, higher oil prices are more than making up for the production decline, at least for the time being. Related: Goldman Sachs: This Is The Next Big Risk For Oil

If this state of affairs continues, Vietnam plans to start building more refineries. To date, the country relies on imported fuels for 70 percent of its consumption and, naturally, wants to change things. However, this may take more time than the government would like.

There are two operating refineries in Vietnam at the moment, with a combined capacity of 330,000 bpd of crude. One large-scale refinery project, the Nam Van Phong, was first approved in 2008 and it has yet to be built. With a price tag of US$4.4-4.8 billion, thats hardly surprising. Another petrochemical project, worth US$3.7 billion, has also been put on hold as state companies participating in these projects found themselves unable to provide the capital required. This has opened up the door for foreign investors to step in, but it is too early to say if these two refineries will see the light of day.

Declining production seems to be the biggest problem for Vietnams oil industry. Reversing the decline would require a lot of investment, as would exploration for new reserves, especially since some of these reserves are in disputed areas of the South China Sea. In this context, high oil prices gain even greater importance for Vietnams budget. Count it among the producer group that is keeping their fingers crossed for the rally to last longer.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:Natural gas storage is at record low levels but prices are falling going into winter heating season. Markets seem to be betting that wellhead supply will be sufficient to cover demand this winter. That may be but at what gas prices? This is a game of natural gas risky business.



Natural gas 6-month calendar spreads moved in backwardation in early September and climbed to +$0.57 on October 9. Henry Hub spot prices reached $3.28/mmBtu but both spreads and price have fallen since then (Figure 1).

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Figure 1. Natural gas 6-month closing spreads & price reached maximum levels of +$0.57 and $3.28/mmBtu during week ending October 12 but have fallen since. Source: Barchart, Quandl and Labyrinth Consulting Services, Inc.

The upward movement of prices and spreads were a long time coming considering the massive storage deficit that began in October 2017 (Figure 2). Current storage is -493 bcf less than the 5-year average and we are only a few weeks away from the beginning of the 2017-2018 winter heating season. Storage is an almost unbelievable -693 bcf less than during the same week in 2017 and yet, markets are seemingly unfazed!

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Figure 2. Natural gas comparative inventory (C.I.) deficit began in October 2017. Current storage is -493 bcf less than the 5-year average. Source: EIA and Labyrinth Consulting Services, Inc.

What, me worry?



This has led to the lowest end-of-storage (EOS) level in history. October working-gas-in-storage (WGIS) is only 3.29 tcf and a projected monthly average C.I. of -400 bcf is also the lowest in history for October (Figure 3).

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Figure 3. October 2018 working gas in storage (WGIS) lowest ever (3.29 tcf). Comparative inventory also forecast to be lowest ever at (-440 bcf). Source: EIA STEO and Labyrinth Consulting Services, Inc.

On the other hand, the 2017-2018 increase in U.S. production has also been the largest in history. Dry gas production has increased +14 bcf/d over the last 20 months, an impressive +0.7 bcf/d per month (Figure 4).

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Figure 4. 2017-2018 U.S. gas production increase largest on record: 14 bcfd/20 months0.70 bcfd/month. Source: EIA STEO and Labyrinth Consulting Services, Inc.

That gas output surge has given markets comfort that wellhead supply may be adequate to compensate for the storage deficit during the coming winter. The problem with that logic is that gross gas supplyproduction minus exportsis not very comforting. Related: Goldman Sachs: This Is The Next Big Risk For Oil



LNG (liquefied natural gas) exports by tanker and pipeline exports to Mexico and Canada have been steadily increasing. Exports reached 3.25 bcf/d in September and are projected to increase to almost 9.5 bcf/d by November 2019.



The result is that despite growing production, gross gas supply may have already peaked and is on track to decline going into winter (Figure 5).

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Figure 5. Gross natural gas supply may have peaked at 81.88 bcf/d despite production increases because of increased exports. Source: EIA STEO and Labyrinth Consulting Services, Inc.

It is unclear why markets are making what seems like such a risky bet on supply when history suggests a clearly negative outcome for price.



Perhaps the impact of Winter 2017-2018 gas consumption has not been fully appreciated. November 2017 through April 2018 gas use was 16.5 tcf or 91.1 bcfd (Figure 6).

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Figure 6. Record 16.5 tcf/91.1 bcf/d 2017-18 gas consumption in a slightly warmer-than-normal winter (+2%) reflects higher consumption baseline for all categories of use. Source EIA STEO and Labyrinth Consulting Services, Inc.

That exceeds the previous Winter 2013-2014 record by 0.8 tcf or 4.3 bcf/d. During that winter, weekly average Henry Hub prices reached $6/mmBtu.

January 2018 gas consumption was a remarkable 107 bcf/d!

It is unlikely that the U.S. will have an overall gas shortage this winter but it is probable that prices will move higher as inventories are consistently drawn down. A normal winter will lead to short-term price spikes in local markets similar to what occurred last winter. History suggests that prices will almost certainly reach $4.00 to $4.25 weekly averages during the coming winter, and that much higher prices are possible.



Americans have considerable faith in the wisdom of markets. It is worth noting that what markets do best is to force efficiency. That sometimes comes only after they occasionally get things wrong.

By Art Berman

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:After the resurgence of the U.S. oil industry in recent years due to hydraulic fracking and the shale oil revolution, most thought the days of Middle Eastern oil producers, Saudi Arabia in particular, being able to threaten use of the so-called oil weapon as geopolitical leverage or even coercion were over. But that couldnt be further from the truth.

Even though the U.S. is pumping oil at record levels, hitting 11 million barrels of oil per day, a rate that should have negated such a threat from ever resurfacing, it seems that Washington has also arguably shot global oil markets in the foot by re-imposing economic sanctions against Iran, with more sanctions slated to hit the Islamic Republics energy sector in just a matter of weeks.

The loss of Iranian barrels from global oil markets has already pushed prices well past $80 per barrel recently, and prices could break into the $90 plus range after November. Added to the fray are long term production problems in major OPEC producers Venezuela, Nigeria and Libya - in effect offsetting the ramp-up in U.S. production and the ability for shale producers to play the coveted role of oil markets swing producer. Now Saudi Arabia has taken at least marginal control of oil markets back again - not a comforting prospect for many. Related: Goldman Sachs: This Is The Next Big Risk For Oil

Saudi Arabia said on Sunday it would retaliate against any punitive measures from the U.S. linked to the disappearance of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi with even stronger ones. In what Bloomberg News called an implicit reference to the kingdoms petroleum wealth, the Saudi statement noted the Saudi economy has an influential and vital role in the global economy.

1973 oil embargo remembered

While many analysts doubt that Saudi Arabia would use oil as a geopolitical retaliatory weapon if forced into a corner, history dictates otherwise. A flashback to 1973 and long lines stretching as far as the eye could see at petrol stations not only in the U.S. but across much of Europe should be a reminder of Saudi resolve.

However, the Saudis for their part, should also consider how the U.S. and its allies responded to that infamous embargo. Demand destruction set in amid then-historic oil prices, the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) was formed to help monitor oil markets for its member states, the U.S. and others established strategic petroleum reserves, and governments passed fuel efficiency standards that eroded oil demand to the point that it eventually hurt participating oil producers as much or even more than the intended victims.

Some naysayers also claim that too much has changed in the past 45 years for that to happen again, but that is also likely shortsighted. For one, oil remains the top source of revenue for Saudi government coffers, despite the kingdoms ongoing attempts to diversify its economy - something that will take considerable time, foreign investment and global political goodwill - something the Saudis, if implicated in wrongdoing over the Khashoggi incident, will find themselves short of.

Second, Saudi Arabia was for all practical purposes embarrassed by its ill-fated attempt to regain control of an oil market in serious supply overhang in late 2014 when it decided to forgo decades of oil market wisdom and pump at all costs, first to maintain oil market share and also, though still vehemently denied by Riyadh, to drive prices down and force U.S. shale oil producers - whose oil production break even points were exceedingly high - out of business. Related: This Giant Gas Field Is Rising From The Dead

However, it didnt work as planned and forced the Saudi economy into a tailspin with threats of economic collapse. Though they may deny it, regained control of global oil markets, even the well-being of the global economy, would bring respect back to the countrys storied but now slightly tarnished oil production legacy.

Geopolitical and diplomatic dysfunction

Of course, the fallout from any kind of punitive actions against Riyadh from Washington would be cataclysmic for stability in the already turbulent middle east. It would effectively see Washington not only have sanctions in place against Saudi regional arch rival Iran but also against longtime ally Saudi Arabia itself - perhaps an unprecedented situation in terms of geopolitical and diplomatic dysfunction.

It would also strain U.S.-Saudi ties, complicate matters in Syria and Yemen and in joint efforts to reign in Irans nuclear development plans, ballistic missile program and regional hegemony ambitions. In short, what an infuriated U.S. Congress should take into account before it forces President Trumps hand over any punitive actions against Riyadh is the end game. How could this play out over the next few years in both oil markets, global economic growth and even American national security? Without a strong U.S.-Saudi alliance, a power vacuum will open up in the Middle East that a host of players, mostly with nefarious ambitious, will seek to fill.

By Tim Daiss for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:The number of casualties after an oil product pipeline explosion in Nigeria has reached 200, local media report, as people from local communities have gathered to protest the negligence of the Nigerian national Petroleum Corporation, which, they said, was the reason for the explosion.

The pipeline exploded after it caught fire near the Aba Depot last week. NNPC at the time blamed the explosion on oil theft, which is still rampant in the Niger Delta despite many attempts by the government to put an end to the dangerous practice. The cause of the fire, the company said, could have been oil thieves trying to divert some of the fuel flowing along the pipeline from Port Harcourt to Aba.

Protesters, however, claim that NNPCs negligence led to leaks in the pipeline and it was these leaks that caused the explosion. Some 2,000 young people from communities in proximity to the pipeline system gathered at the Aba Depot and barricaded its entrance with a coffin containing the remains of one of the victims of the blast, Nigerias Vanguard reported.

The latest update from Reuters, however, puts the number of fatalities resulting from the pipeline blast at 60, as announced by the National Emergency Management Agency. Meanwhile, the System 2E pipeline system of which the exploded pipe is part, has been shut down, but will soon be up and running again.

We will resume the pumping of products very soon, Reuters quoted an NNPC spokesman as saying. We had put out the fire. We are now pumping water in the pipeline to detect other possible areas of leakages.

The System 2E network carries fuels from the two refineries in Port Harcourt to the southeastern and northern parts of Nigeria. The refineries, Reuters notes, have a capacity of 210,000 bpd but are operating at run rates that are a lot lower than this capacity.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:Libyas National Oil Corporation (NOC) warned on Sunday that it could suspend operations at the Zawiya oil refinery if competent authorities fail to address recent security incidents at the 120,000-bpd refinery west of Tripoli.

The Zawiya refinery supplies western and southern Libya with fuel and the port at the refinery exports crude oil from Libyas large Sharara oil field.

NOCs board of directors have alerted the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) and competent authorities that protection and security at the refinery have been lacking recently, the company said in a statement, citing two incidents over the past two weeks.

The most serious incident was an attack on October 2 on employees at the refinery, NOC said, adding that one employee had been kidnapped and later released, and company cars and personal property had been stolen. Then a group of gunmen attacked the refinery on October 10, attacking industrial security personnel in an attempt to break open the oil mixing facility for personal gain - stealing a company vehicle in the process, NOC said.

The NOC board warned that any continuation or failure to address this situation, to ensure staff and site protection and increase security, will affect ongoing operations and result in their suspension, the Libyan state oil company said.

This situation is not sustainable, either from a worker security or production standpoint. We expect the most basic principles of security to be upheld by those guarding NOC facilities, and call upon the relevant authorities to remedy this inadequacy immediately, NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla said in the statement.

The latest incidents at Libyan oil facilities highlight the fragile state of the oil industry in the North African OPEC member, where attacks and blockades on oil facilities have frequently shut in oil production and exports.

Libyas oil production was severely curtailed in June and July due to blockades on four ports, but output had recently recovered after the turbulent summer. Libyan oil production rose by 103,000 bpd from August to average 1.053 million bpd in September, as per OPEC secondary sourcesthe highest level since the middle of 2013, although still way off the 1.6-million-bpd production from before the civil war that began in 2011.



By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:Mexico wants Big Oil to start producing from the recently discovered oil fields in Mexico as soon as possible, incoming President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told foreign executives at a recent meeting, Reuters reported on Tuesday, quoting sources and executives who attended the meeting.

In this first meeting with major international oil companies operating in Mexico, however, the president-elect didnt give any indication whether new oil blocks will be offered and oil tenders held, according to attendees who spoke to Reuters.

Outgoing Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto opened up the energy sector to foreign investment in 2013, ending 70 years of state monopoly. Since then, Mexico has held several successful auctions that have attracted oil majors to its oil and gas exploration industry.

However, incoming president Lopez Obrador, who takes office in December, has been critical of the energy reform and has vowed to review the contracts that foreign firms have already signed with Mexico.

In July, Mexicos energy regulator postponed two oil auctions that were set for September and October to February 2019, after Lopez Obrador takes office this December. Then in August, reports emerged that the incoming administration was thinking of indefinitely halting competitive tenders for oil and gas in Mexico.

Last month, the incoming administration began the review process for a contract with a consortium led by U.S. Talos Energy.

Talos Energys chief executive Tim Duncan was one of the executives who met with Lopez Obrador at the first meeting with foreign oil firms at the end of September.



Related: The Oil Markets Are At A Confusing Crossroads

We know we have to exceed expectations and were trying to make sure we do that, Duncan told Reuters.

Lopez Obrador wants to reverse a decline in Mexicos oil production as many oil fields are maturing. Mexicos current oil production stands at about 1.84 million bpd, of which 60 percent is exported.

Lopez Obrador signaled at the meeting that he would put around 20 currently idle drilling rigs of Mexican oil service firms to work for state energy firm Pemex, three executives who attended the meeting told Reuters.

The incoming president still needs to show that he is on board with foreign investments and still needs to hold tenders if he is to meet his goal of reversing the slide in production.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has shut down a key oil product pipeline after late last week a fire broke out along the pipeline route, which the company said was likely to have been caused by an explosion triggered by suspected oil thieves.

On Friday, NNPC said that it was moving to contain a fire outbreak along the Osisioma axis near Aba Depot in its System 2E pipeline network.

The corporation said the incident might have been caused by suspected oil thieves who had hacked into the line to intercept flow of petrol from Port Harcourt to Aba. NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, confirmed fatalities and loss of properties in the ensuing inferno, NNPC said in a statement on Friday.

According to Nigerian media, the death toll is said be 24, although Eze Ikechukwu Chiavoghilefu, chairman at the Osisioma Local Government Traditional Rulers Council, says that the fatalities are 150.

NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, expressed shock at the wanton willful destruction of lives and properties occasioned by the incident, the Nigerian company said in its Friday statement.

On Monday, a spokesman told S&P Global Platts that The oil pipeline fire outbreak along the Osisioma axis near Aba Depot might have been caused by suspected oil thieves who had hacked into the line to intercept flow of petrol from Port Harcourt to Aba.

Petrol [gasoline] was being pumped from the Port Harcourt depot when the fire occurred, so the pipeline was shut down as a safety measure, the spokesman said, adding that 16 people had died.

The shutdown of the 2E pipeline network disrupted over the weekend the supply of imported gasoline as well as the flow of gasoline that the 210,000-bpd Port Harcourt refineries pump to southeast and north Nigeria, the spokesman told Platts.

Nigerias four refineries have a combined capacity of 445,000 bpd, as per Platts figures, but the inefficient refineries in need of upgrades and revamps are unable to meet domestic fuel demand, so Nigeria has to import gasoline.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals, a subsidiary of Indias Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), expects India to receive this month a waiver from the U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil, Mangalores Managing Director M. Venkatesh said on Tuesday.

It is important for India to get some barrels of crude from Iran otherwise if Saudi and major producers are not able to jack up their production, it will impact prices, Reuters quoted Venkatesh as saying on the sidelines of an India energy forum.

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals will be looking to purchase crude oil from Iraq to replace oil from Iran, the official said.

The company has already paid for some Iranian oil purchases in Indian rupees, he added.

India is Irans second-largest single oil customer after China and was expected to cut back on Iranian oil purchases, but it is unlikely to cut off completely the cheap Iranian oil that is suitable for its refineries.

India wants to keep importing oil from Iran, because Tehran offers some discounts and incentives for Indian buyers at a time when the Indian government is struggling with higher oil prices and a weakening local currency that additionally weighs on its oil import bill.

But the United States continues to insist that it expects Iranian oil buyers to bring their purchases down to zero.

Last week, Indian officials said that they hoped India could secure a waiver from the United States, because it has significantly reduced purchases of Iranian oil. Earlier this month, the United States hinted that it was at least considering waivers.

Recent reports have it that India is also discussing ditching the U.S. dollar in its trading of oil with Russia, Venezuela, and Iran, instead settling the trade either in Indian rupees or under a barter agreement.

Meanwhile, Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook is touring India and Europe to discuss U.S. foreign policy toward Iran, the U.S. Department of State said last Thursday.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:Islamic State-allied Boko Haram jihadists have killed another kidnapped female Red Cross worker in northeast Nigeria in a "despicable act of cruelty", the agency said on Tuesday, a month after militants murdered one of her colleagues. Three female health workers were kidnapped on March 1 during a Boko Haram raid on the remote town of Rann, in Borno state, that killed three other aid workers and eight Nigerian soldiers. Two of the kidnapped women, Hauwa Liman and Saifura Khorsa, worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), while the third, Alice Loksha, worked for the UN children's agency, UNICEF. The ICRC said on Tuesday it had received information that Liman had been killed by her captors, without giving further details. The government had also earlier announced news of the second killing. "The news of Hauwa's death has broken our hearts," ICRC's Regional Director for Africa, Patricia Danzi said in a statement. "We appealed for mercy and an end to such senseless murders. How can it be that two female health care workers were killed back-to-back?" Amnesty International called her killing a "war crime" and said: "Under international humanitarian law, all aid workers must be protected from attack." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "strongly condemns" the killing, his spokesman said. Guterres also called for the immediate release of the other hostages and for all sides to protect aid workers. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said "we fervently hope that these series of sad events, leading to the painful loss of their staff, will not discourage the ICRC from working in Nigeria." Dozens of people gathered in the capital Abuja to mourn Liman. There had been no news of the trio until last month when the ICRC said it had received footage of Khorsa's killing from the IS-backed Boko Haram faction Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). ISWAP then threatened to kill Liman and Loksha, as well as a 15-year-old Christian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu who was kidnapped from the town of Dapchi, in Yobe state, in February. The ICRC last weekend appealed for their release, underscoring that they were "doing nothing but helping communities" in the conflict-riven region. Nigerian Information Minister Lai Mohammed announced the latest death as a deadline expired and said the government was "shocked and saddened" at the killing, calling it "dastardly, inhuman and ungodly". He did not initially identify the victim but later added in a tweet that he "commiserated with the family of Hauwa Liman". - Line open for negotiations - "It is very unfortunate that it has come to this. Before and after the deadline issued by her abductors, the federal government did everything any responsible government should do to save the aid worker," he said. He said officials continued to work to free the others from captivity. More than 27,000 people have been killed in northeast Nigeria since the Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009, while nearly two million others remain homeless due to the conflict. Nigeria's military and government maintain the Islamist rebels are weakened to the point of defeat but fighters from the IS-backed faction have conducted repeated raids on military bases in recent months. ISWAP split from the faction led by long-time Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau in August 2016 in protest at the latter's indiscriminate targeting of civilians in raids and suicide bombings. Analysts say they believe the switch by militants from attacking "hard" government and military targets to killing hostages is the result of a hardline takeover of the IS-backed faction. Boko Haram has used kidnapping as a weapon of war during the conflict, abducting thousands of women and girls, and forcing young men and boys to fight in their ranks. The mass abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls from the Borno state town of Chibok in April 2014 brought global attention to the insurgency and was widely condemned. Some 107 girls have since been released or found.CABINET Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. left his post on Tuesday, October 16, as he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for governor in Bohol.In a phone-patch interview, Evasco confirmed that he submitted

CABINET Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. left his post on Tuesday, October 16, as he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for governor in Bohol.

In a phone-patch interview, Evasco confirmed that he submitted his COC on Tuesday morning.

Evasco is automatically considered resigned from post since he already filed his candidacy for a local post in the 2019 midterm elections.

"I decided to run after a long, long [contemplation] kasi gusto ko talagang baguhin 'yung sa Bohol (because I really want change for Bohol) and people really requested for change," Evasco said.

Evasco said he already informed President Rodrigo Duterte about his political plans.

He added that Duterte had promised him to campaign for his election bid.

"Nagkausap na kami ni Presidente (I already talked to the President) but I have to discuss with him next week my campaigns... [The President was] smiling [when I told him about it]," Evasco said.

"Sinabi lang niya sa akin na, 'I will campaign for you.' Pero yung mga details mag-uusap pa kami (He told me that he will campaign for me. But we have yet to discuss the details with regard to my candidacy)," he added.

Evasco served as a three-year term mayor of his hometown Maribojoc in Bohol prior to his stint as Cabinet secretary.

Under the Duterte administration, Evasco was also previously tapped to lead the National Food Authority Council and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. (SunStar Philippines)Papua New Guinea has reportedly bought three Bentley limousines to use at an Asia-Pacific summit next month, in a move set to rev-up further outrage after the purchase of 40 Maseratis for the same event. The Bentley Flying Spur luxury cars ordered for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Port Moresby cost more than Aus$320,000 ($228,000) each, the Australian newspaper reported. It said the cars were en route to the poverty-stricken Melanesian nation by sea, publishing an invoice purportedly detailing the purchase from a Malaysian company, South Pacific Ventures. Prime Minister Peter O'Neill is already under fire after splurging $6.4 million on the fleet of Maseratis to chauffeur dignitaries around Port Moresby, where half the population live in squatter settlements. Critics say the money could have been better spent dealing with chronic social problems in a developing nation where diseases such as polio and TB have recently re-emerged. Opposition lawmakers are threatening a national strike over the issue, saying it symbolised government corruption. "We are disgusted," opposition politician Bryan Kramer posted on social media Monday after meeting fellow MPs to discuss the issue. "We agreed that we are sick to death of seeing our people suffer while our own members of parliament... (collude) with overseas opportunists only to steal from our people." The strike was originally scheduled for this week but Kramer said it had been deferred to October 25 to avoid clashing with school exams. The PNG government says the luxury cars are needed for a prestige event like APEC and the cars would be sold on to the private sector after the summit finishes. It says buyers are already lined up, a claim disputed by the opposition.CEBU Archbishop Jose Palma has urged the faithful to pray for the blessings they received in 2018 and for President Rodrigo Duterte.He appealed to the public not to cheer on the chief executives unflattering

COMMUNIST insurgents were lacking ability to topple the Duterte government, Malacanang said on Tuesday, October 16, as the supposed "Red October" plot meant to unseat President Rodrigo Duterte this month seemed to be fizzling out.

Speaking to Palace reporters, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo shrugged off the possibility that another ouster move was brewing.

"Hindi naman ako magtataka na palaging mayroon (I will not be surprised if there's always a) plot because that's precisely the rationale of the creation of the Communist Party of the Philippines -- to oust the present government," Panelo said.

"So kataka-taka kung hindi sila nagpaplano ng ouster move every day. Eh 50 years na nilang pinaplano pero so far, nabibigo naman sila (It's more surprising if they are not planning for an ouster move every day. They have been doing it for 50 years but so far, they do not succeed)," he added.

In July, the military unearthed the ouster plot dubbed as "Red October," based on the retrieved documents and testimonies of former communist rebels.

Duterte in September revealed that the communists are conniving with opposition groups, including the Liberal Party and Magdalo group, to boot him out of office.

On Saturday, October 14, Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison slammed the military for claiming that they successfuly foiled "Red October," a plot he stressed was merely "invented" by the government.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Bigadier General Edgardo Arevalo on Monday, October 15, said another destabilization move may yet be mounted by December, the month when the communist rebels mark the 50th anniversary of the CPP.

Rift between the Duterte administration and the CPP continues to grow after Duterte delayed the scheduled resumption of peace talks in June.

Irked by Duterte's postponement of peace dialogue, Sison had said the communists would no longer negotiate with the current administration and would instead seek Duterte's ouster.

Story continues

Asked if the government is still open to possible revival of peace negotiations with the communists, Panelo said certain conditions need to be met first.

Panelo, however, noted that Duterte is "always open to reconciliation."

"Eh sa ngayon, hindi dahil hindi nga nila tinutupad 'yung mga napag-usapan nung nakaraan (As of now, no, because they are not complying with the conditions previously set for the revival of talks)," he said.

"But definitely the President, his mind is always open to reconciliation. As he said, hindi pupwedeng tayong mga Pilipino nagpapatayan (Filipinos should not kill each other)," he added. (SunStar Philippines)Shareholders who vetoed HNA units sale of Beijing office building to China Vanke want better deal

Shareholders who rejected a plan by troubled HNA Groups flagship airline to sell a Beijing office block as part of its efforts to reduce a mountain of debt said they are hoping for a better deal.

They voted overwhelmingly on Friday to pull the plug on Hainan Airlines Holdings sale of the Beijing HNA Plaza for 1.299 billion yuan (US$190 million) to property giant China Vanke.

The shock result was the first time one of embattled HNA Groups many recent fire sales has been blocked by shareholders.

Shareholders think the sale is not the best plan. They hope the company can present a better plan that is in the best interests of the company and the shareholders, the airline said in a filing on Tuesday, without further elaboration.

Hainan Airlines shares rose for the first time in five days on Tuesday morning, gaining by as much as 1.7 per cent in Shanghai to an intraday high of 1.83 yuan.

Shareholders vetoed the proposal to sell the 39,000 square metre building in Beijings bustling Sanyuanqiao area in a landslide 93 per cent vote at an extraordinary meeting last Friday. HNA had agreed to sell it to China Vanke on September 21, by selling its entire stake in the property unit whose sole asset is the office complex.

Embattled Chinese conglomerate HNA Groups Hong Kong property unit to return HK$800 million

The Vanke deal is among a flurry of asset sales that have been carried out by HNA Group at home and abroad as it tries to pay down debt that was standing at 541.6 billion yuan (US$79 billion) at the end of June, according to Bloomberg.

In August it offloaded the site of its original headquarters, Wang Hai Technology Plaza, in Haikou, to the developer Sunac China for 981 million yuan.

It also put nine overseas properties on the market in cities including London and New York.

The Vanke deal was the first time shareholders had spurned one of the sales.

Such shareholder independence is not commonplace in China and would be new to HNA. What a rejection displays is that HNA may be losing its formerly firm grip on its rapid reorganisation, said Brock Silvers, managing director of Kaiyuan Capital, a China-based investment advisory.

Story continues

Shareholders are undoubtedly aware of HNAs balance sheet realities, and now HNA is aware that shareholders may be ready to add to the companys financial complexities.

One interpretation of the rejection is that the shareholders considered the selling price too low, even at a time the conglomerate is in financial difficulties.

The 1.299 billion yuan price tag works out as 33,200 yuan per square metre, lower than recent deals in the area.

Chinas debt-laden HNA looks to sell more assets as pressure to repay debt weighs

Chinese developer Greenland Holdings in February 2015 bought a plot of land for office use there for 46,337 yuan per square metre.

In January, TPG Capital and its Chinese partner paid 36,500 yuan per square metre for a hotel in Sanyuanqiao. Hotels are generally cheaper than offices.

Details of the transaction were not disclosed so it is unclear whether Vanke is also prepared to pay the 443.7 million yuan liability of the HNA subsidiary that owns the building. But even with that included, the price is just 44,570 yuan per square metre.

The market price of A-graded, brand-new offices in Sanyuanqiao area is around 80,000 yuan per square metre. The current sale price is indeed quite low, said Zhang Ping, standing director of the International Federation of Finance and Real Estate.

This article Shareholders who vetoed HNA units sale of Beijing office building to China Vanke want better deal first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A controversial and unproven gene-editing technology touted as a silver bullet against malaria-bearing mosquitos could wind up being deployed first in commercial agriculture, according to experts and an NGO report published Tuesday.

So-called "gene drives" force evolution's hand, ensuring that an engineered trait is passed down to all or most offspring, and from one generation to the next.

If that trait is being male or female, for example, genetically altered specimens released into the wild could lead to the local extinction of a targeted species within a dozen generations.

For health campaigners battling malaria, which kills nearly half-a-million peoplemostly in Africaevery year, and conservationists desperate to save island birds decimated by avian malaria and invasive rodents, gene drive seems almost too good to be true.

It just may be, say some scientists.

"The use of CRISPR-based gene drive could lead to an ecological cacophony," said Virginie Courtier-Orgogozo, a biologist at the Jacques Monod Institute in Paris, referring to the underlying gene-editing technique that has revolutionised the field.

"We could see every interest group in the agro-food industry editing the genome of those they call pests, spreading various mutations through gene drive and causing long-term effects on the ecological dynamics of ecosystemsalong with the human populations depending on them," she wrote recently in the journal EMBO Reports.

Critics calling for a moratorium on the release of gene drives in the wild fear they could mutate, jump to other species, or spread far beyond target areas.

And yet, in the absence of national or international regulations, the technology could be used on large-scale farms or orchards within a few years.

Cherry picking

"Gene drive is headed toward agriculture," said Jim Thomas, research director at ETC Group, a Canadian-based NGO that tracks potentially dangerous bio-technologies, and lead author of a report on the technology's inroads into Big Agriculture.

In the United States, at least, it already has a foothold.

Associations representing the US citrus and cherry industries, for example, have commissioned tailor-made gene drives to combat the pests threatening their cropsand their bottom lines.

In January, the California Cherry Board noted "considerable progress" in developing a "functional" gene drive system for the invasive spotted wing fruit fly (Drosophila suzukii), which has devastated cherry, peach and plum orchards.

"Our plan it still to continue with caged trials and ultimately wild releases," the group noted in its annual review.

With funding from the cherry growers, scientists at the University of California in San Diego set up a pair of companies last year to commercialise gene drives, with one focused on insects and plants, and the other on engineering lab mice and possibly pet dogs.

Agri-chemical and GMO giants such as Monsanto-Bayer, Syngenta-ChemChina and Dow Dupont, meanwhile, are reportedly tracking the technology's emergence.

"Gene drives offer agribusiness new potential opportunities to generate income from the problems faced by farmers," Thomas said.

But with a new twist: rather than making plants pest-resistent, gene drive technology alters the pests, rendering them harmless or programming their extinction.

A temporary moratorium

That potential was clear early on.

One of the cornerstone patentsco-owned by Kevin Esvelt of Harvard University, often described as one of the inventors of gene drivelists dozens of agricultural applications.

Esvelt has retreated somewhat from his initial blanket enthusiasm.

"Given recent history, it's clear that early commercial applications in agriculture would seriously jeopardise popular acceptance of the technology as a whole," he told AFP, noting that public health aims should take priority.

"A temporary moratorium on commercial applications of gene drive wouldn't be a bad idea."

The gene drive issue will be front-and-centre when the 195-nation UN Convention on Biological Diversity meets in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt next month.

A preparatory meeting in July of the Convention's science and technology advisory board "was an almighty fight and circus around gene drive," said Thomas, a member of the board's Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Synthetic Biology.

A petition released on Tuesday, World Food Day, by nearly 200 civil society and small-farmer groups call for "a global moratorium on any release of engineered gene drives," a position supported by numerous developing countries.

There is also a fairness issue for local communities in the regions where gene drives might be released, Thomas said.

"This isn't just about environmental impact, it's also about consent," he said by phone.

Gene drive technologies have been funded to the tune of several hundred million dollars by a handful of backers, including the US military, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, India-based Tata Trusts, and the Facebook-backed Open Philanthropy Project.

Explore further Genetic tool that can doom a species under UN review

 2018 AFPAre there greener pastures ahead for gas? Credit: Shutterstock.com

Australia's report card on reducing its greenhouse gas emissions is not exactly glowing, but there are ample opportunities to get it on track during this period of rapid change in the energy sector. Greater use of renewable electricity sources like wind and solar are playing a large part in reducing emissions, and gas can also lift its game.

Gas provides nearly one quarter of Australia's total energy supply. Around 130,000 commercial businesses rely on gas, and it delivers 44% of Australia's household energy to more than 6.5 million homes which use natural gas for hot water, domestic heating, or cooking.

Gas has lower greenhouse emissions than most other fuels, and the gas used in power generation has about half the emissions of the current electricity grid.

Even so, natural gas can do more to help Australia meet its carbon-reduction targets.

An industry document released last year, Gas Vision 2050, explains how new technologies such as biomethane and hydrogen can make that happen, by replacing conventional natural gas with low-emission alternative fuels.

Around the world

Worldwide, renewable natural gas is dominated by biomethane, which can be generated from organic materials and residues from agriculture, food production and waste processing.

The top biomethane-producing countries include Germany, the UK, Sweden, France and the United States, and many others are planning to use renewable gas more widely.

A 2017 report suggests that renewable natural gas could meet 76% of Europe's natural gas demand by 2050.

What is biomethane?

Biomethane is a clean form of biogas that is 98% methane. Also known as green gas, it can be used interchangeably with conventional fossil-fuel natural gas.

Biogas is a mixture of around 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide, plus traces of other contaminants. Turning biogas into biomethane requires technology that scrubs out the carbon dioxide.

Multiple products of anaerobic digestion. Credit: Modified from ADBA with permission

Biomethane's benefits include:

Net zero emissions

Interchangeability with existing natural gas usage

Ability to capture methane emissions from other processes such as landfill and manure production

Potential economic opportunity for regional areas

Generation of skilled jobs in planning, engineering, operating and maintenance of biogas and biomethane plants.

Australia's potential for biomethane

While Australia currently does not have any upgrading plants, the production of biomethane can provide a huge boost to Australia's nascent biogas industry.

The main use for biogas in Australia is for electricity production, heat, and combined heat and power.

Australia's biogas sector has more than 240 anaerobic digestion (AD) plants, most of which are associated with landfill gas power units and municipal wastewater treatment. They also include:

about 20 agricultural AD plants, which use waste manure from piggeries

about 18 industrial AD plants, which use wastewater from red meat processing and rendering as feedstock for biogas production;

There is also manure from around one million head of cattle in feedlots, which is currently not used to produce biogas, but is stockpiled for use as fertiliser on agricultural land.

There are untapped opportunities to produce biomethane using municipal sewage sludge, red meat processing waste, residues from breweries and distilleries, food waste, and poultry and cattle manure.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency is currently supporting the Australian Biomass for Bioenergy (ABBA) project. The Australian Renewable Energy Mapping Infrastructure (AREMI) platform will map existing and projected biomass resource data from the ABBA project, alongside other parameters such as existing network and transport infrastructure, land-use capability, and demographic data.

This topic and many others related to biogas and bioenergy more widely will be discussed at this week's Annual Bioenergy Australia conference.

Of course, biomethane is just one way in which Australia can make the transition to a low-emissions future. But as natural gas is already touted as a "transition fuel" to a low-carbon economy, these new technologies can help ensure that existing gas infrastructure can still be used in the future.

Explore further Renewable energy initiative moving to turn wastewater into fuel

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.An agent-based computational model simulates the progression of intracellular molecular gradients and resultant differentiation patterns that emerge within a multicellular system. Credit: Chad Glen, Georgia Tech

Using a combination of computational modeling and experimental techniques, a research team has developed new information about how intercellular communication affects the differentiation of an embryonic stem cell colony over time.

By providing new information about the role of communication among cells, the research could lead to a better understanding of how multicellular organoids form from colonies of independent cells. The information could lead to new methods for controlling how multicellular constructs develop, and that could have applications in regenerative medicine, pharmaceutical testing and other research areas.

The research resulted from collaboration between the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Gladstone Institutes, and was reported October 5 in the journal Nature Communications. The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Emergent Behaviors of Integrated Cellular Systems Science and Technology Center (EBICS) supported the research.

"The goal is to control a system of cells like this to direct tissues to take on different phenotypes, to develop into different complex mixtures, and to self-assemble and emerge into very complicated structures," said Melissa Kemp, an associate professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University. "For developing tissues that could be used as surrogates for screening drugs or as eventual implants for therapeutic purposes, we need to how to control and direct them properly."

Scientists believe that the patterning of stem cell differentiation affects what kinds of cells will ultimately emerge from the differentiation process.

Despite the importance of local cell-to-cell interactions in evolving multicellular systems, little has been known about how the overall system regulates its morphological processes. To learn more about this, the paper's first author, Chad Glen, studied how communication between adjacent cells informs the fate of those cells. Beyond understanding this communication, Glen discovered a potential mechanism for "braking" the rate of differentiation without affecting the overall patterning of the resulting multicellular tissue.

An agent-based computational model simulates the progression of intracellular molecular gradients and resultant differentiation patterns that emerge within a multicellular system. Credit: Chad Glen, Georgia Tech

"The amount of coordination among cells that are tightly coupled gives us an idea about how they work as a group," said Todd McDevitt, senior investigator at the Gladstone Institutes and a professor of bioengineering and therapeutic sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. "This reflects the behavior of a team versus individuals. They really do coordinate activity in a rapid way. This study shows how quickly some important cell behaviors are mediated by gap junction communication."

Glen, a recent Ph.D. graduate of Georgia Tech, began the project by studying communication between pairs of adjacent cells, which have pores that allow small molecules to enter. By introducing a signaling molecule into a colony containing hundreds of these homogeneous mouse stem cells, the researchers observed that differentiation began with a change in a single cell. That cell triggered a pattern of differentiation that flowed through the cells and eventually led to changes in the entire colony.

On a larger scale and in three dimensions, such changes lead to development of bodily organs. Understanding how that happensand how it could be controlledcould be key to directing this transition from individual cells.

Based on experimental observations, Glen developed a model of the process, which allowed the researchers to study the impact of a series of inter-related variables that would have been impossible to study experimentally. The modeling of several hundred individual cells led to specific predictions that the researchers then tested experimentally.

To understand and measure the cell communication process, the researchers used a fluorescent dye to show when signaling molecules had moved from one cell to its neighbors. They then used a laser to bleach the dye from a single cell. Measuring how long it took for the dye to be replaced showed the permeability of the cell membraneand how well the cell was communicating with its neighbors.

"If you zap a cell and it immediately returns to green, you know there is a lot of fluidity and cross-talk between the cell membranes," Kemp explained. "If you zap a cell and it stays dark, the cell is effectively isolated and has no communication with its neighbors."

Image shows colony patterning and morphology after 24 and 48 hours of retinoic acid exposure, respectively, with adenylyl cyclase or gap junction inhibition compared to the vehicle control. Credit: Chad Glen, Georgia Tech

By partially blocking communication between cells and otherwise perturbing the communications, the researchers slowed the differentiation processbut didn't change its pattern. "We were able to shift the way the cells were behaving to slow things downeffectively 'braking' the processwhile preserving the spatial information," said Kemp. "Cells that were at 48 hours in the process could look like 24-hour cells."

The combination of computational modeling and experiment allowed the research team to arrive at answers that neither technique by itself could have provided, McDevitt noted.

"With modeling, you can study a much larger set of conditions and parameters than we could experimentally," he said. "The model could make predictions that we could go back and study experimentally to see how those conditions actually affected the behaviors. The behaviors we measured experimentally matched what the computer predicted, and validated that we had a robust model."

McDevitt and Kemp have been studying this system of embryonic stem cells for several years, and the new study moves them closer to a more complete understanding of the complex system.

"We have demonstrated in a series of papers over the past six years that this system's complexity can be modeled," he said. "This paper represents a further step toward the greater goal of integrating information about this system. With each of these steps, we are much closer to taking a bigger leap into potentially controlling these systems."

Explore further Scientists mimic the earliest stages of human development

More information: Chad M. Glen et al, Dynamic intercellular transport modulates the spatial patterning of differentiation during early neural commitment, Nature Communications (2018). Journal information: Nature Communications Chad M. Glen et al, Dynamic intercellular transport modulates the spatial patterning of differentiation during early neural commitment,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06693-1Credit: George Hodan/public domain

A new book edited by a University of Illinois scholar who studies the intersection of family law and religion examines the clashes between religious liberty and the personal realm of the family  from birth, marriage and child-rearing to end-of-life decisions.

The space where people's religious identities matter the most to them isn't in their actual, physical place of worship. It's typically in their own homes and with their families, said Robin Fretwell Wilson, the Roger and Stephany Joslin Professor of Law at Illinois and editor of the book "The Contested Place of Religion in Family Law."

"For religious people in the U.S., there are strange crosscurrents in the country right now. We have cases from the Supreme Court that decide  correctly I believe  that institutions where religious values have traditionally had tremendous influence, like marriage, don't belong to religious people to decide for the rest of the country," she said. "At the same time, a decision like Hobby Lobby  the 2014 Supreme Court decision that allows businesses to cite religious beliefs to exclude contraceptives from insurance plans  has left some in the faith community believing they have an unfettered right for their religious beliefs not to be burdened.

"Together, those decisions have sparked a sense among religious people that they've lost control over much that is deeply important to them."

The book, published by Cambridge University Press, features original scholarship by Wilson, University of Illinois law professors Richard Kaplan and Robin Kar, and national and international scholars on the tension between religious freedom and the state's protective function. It also features an introduction by U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch.

"It brings together scholars to talk about the post-Hobby Lobby landscape in the U.S., in which religious claims can come up across the entire lifecycle of the family, from birth to death," Wilson said. "In America, we've mostly focused on the birth side, with the battle over contraception and abortion rights. We haven't focused as much on things in the course of a person's life, like what happens when an inter-faith marriage breaks up and each parent wants to raise their children in their respective religion. How does the law resolve that problem?"

After the 5-4 decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, it was thought that "this cultural moment had passed or waned in intensity," Wilson said.

"But it hasn't. You still have people who don't want to prescribe contraceptives for others, for instance, and who believe the court is going to back them up on that by using the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act," she said. "That law does not reach many actions in the states. And in Mississippi, Missouri, Indiana and other state legislatures, lawmakers have introduced legislation that tries to push the envelope of religious exemptions even further."

The collection explores the idea of the family as "a buffer" against the state  "a shield or a bubble that people can seek to erect around religious practices and say 'Stay out' to the government, a notion that ripples through our Constitutional jurisprudence," Wilson said.

The latitude to follow one's faith in one's family is an existential question for faith communities because, for them, religion and religious tradition is how they transmit values across generations, Wilson said.

"They have a legitimate concern about whether they're going to be able to do certain things, provided it doesn't harm other people," she said. "Families that wish to homeschool, for example, because they have religious values and they feel as though the culture at large taints them, would be a good example. Faith communities like the Islamic and Jewish orthodox communities that circumcise male children for religious reasons fear the kind of regulation that New York and Germany have both explored to different degrees.

"But are faith healers allowed to claim the same exemption from laws designed to protect vulnerable people? And what about the potential harms surrounding the practices of polygamy and corporal punishment? A lot of those issues have threads that run through the Hobby Lobby decision, and these are all issues we explore in the book," Wilson said.

The volume doesn't strive to reach any grand conclusions, but functions more as a dialogue, said Wilson, who also is the director of the Epstein Health Law and Policy Program at the College of Law.

"It's the first significant piece of scholarship to come out of the combined efforts of the Epstein and Family Law programs, and if you care about these issues, it's a good place to begin to understand how the law implicates questions that are really central to members of a faith community or to those who don't really like where the culture wars have led us."

Explore further New book examines what religious Americans think about science

More information: Robin Fretwell Wilson. The Contested Place of Religion in Family Law, (2018). Robin Fretwell Wilson. The Contested Place of Religion in Family Law,(2018). DOI: 10.1017/9781108277976Credit: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC)

Scientists of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) have identified the hotspots where competition over the use of shared water resources could lead to disagreements between countries.

The new study aims to facilitate the implementation of strategies to encourage cooperation between countries.

The combination of climate change and demographic growth is likely to exacerbate hydro-political issues

Water conflicts are more likely to occur in areas that are already under water stress

The most vulnerable areas are around the Nile, Ganges-Brahmaputra, Indus, Tigris-Euphrates, and Colorado rivers

Competition for limited water resources will be one of the main concerns in the coming decades.

Scarce water resources can generate or exacerbate political tensions, regional instability and social unrest.

New scientific methods for early identification of risk areas

JRC scientists used a new machine-learning approach to investigate the pre-conditions and factors that are likely to lead to water management issues in shared water bodies.

They carried out an innovative analysis of past episodes of conflict and cooperation over transboundary water resources, and studied the links with freshwater availability, climate stress, human pressure on water resources and socio-economic conditions.

"The scope of our study is two-fold. First, we wanted to highlight the factors which lead to either political cooperation or tensions in transboundary river basins. And second, we wanted to map and monitor the likelihood of these kinds of interactions over space and time and under changing socio-economic conditions," explains JRC researcher and lead author of the study, Fabio Farinosi.

Determining factors

Scarcity of water, high population density, power imbalances and climatic stressors are the main factors which push countries towards either political cooperation or tensions in transboundary river basins.

The Nile, Ganges-Brahmaputra, Indus, Tigris-Euphrates and Colorado rivers are "water hotspots," where "hydro-political interactions"are most likely to occur.

These areas are already under water stress, and future demographic and climatic conditions are expected to exert further pressure on scarce water resources.

The changing socio-economic and climatic factors will increase the pressure on water resources worldwide.

This is likely to increase competition between countries for water.

Globally, the combined effect of climate change and population growth can increase the likelihood of water-related interactions in transboundary river basins by between 74.9 percent and 95 percent.

"This does not mean that each case will result in a conflict. It depends on how well prepared and equipped the countries are to cooperate. This is where we hope our research can help, by raising awareness of the risks so that solutions can be sought early on," Farinosi says.

New tools for monitoring hydro-political dynamics

Based on this research, JRC scientists developed an index and a model which help detect areas in the world that are at high risk of hydro-political conflicts.

These tools can prompt policymakers to design and implement strategies that encourage cooperation between countries before conflicts occur.

The tools also provide an additional method for monitoring the hydro-political dynamics under Target 6.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aims to enhance Water Resources Management and transboundary cooperation.

The index and model complement the SDG indicator "6.5.2 Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation," by providing additional intelligence on important contributing factors that are not yet included in the current SDG monitoring framework.

The JRC is in the process of developing a more detailed analysis of the largest river basins in Africa in collaboration with the local institutions.

EU action

This study, which builds on the 2013 Council Conclusions on EU water diplomacy, will further inform the EU's work on water diplomacy and transboundary water management.

The EU is engaged in contributing to peace and security in priority regions such as the Nile basin, the Central Asia region and the Mekrou River Basin, with a number of projects aimed at developing mechanisms for cooperative and knowledge based water management in order to avoid conflicts, and to sustain common water resources for sustainable development.

In 2018, the EU worked to promote global membership to the UNECE Water Convention.

The aim was to underscore the EU's belief in the shared value of international agreements on global water cooperation in order to foster development and peace in a context of increasing tensions over water.

Chad has been the first non UNECE country to join the UNECE Water Convention, and Senegal has followed.

Other African countries are also taking steps towards accession to this international legal instrument which promotes international water governance.

Explore further New assessment identifies global hotspots for water conflict

More information: F. Farinosi et al. An innovative approach to the assessment of hydro-political risk: A spatially explicit, data driven indicator of hydro-political issues, Global Environmental Change (2018). F. Farinosi et al. An innovative approach to the assessment of hydro-political risk: A spatially explicit, data driven indicator of hydro-political issues,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2018.07.001

Provided by European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC)Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Google wants to do more than just organize the world's information. It wants to infuse itself into our lives and replace several of our daily tasks robotically. That, clearly, is the goal, as outlined this week.

Forget about those shiny new Pixel phones, tablets and speakers that Google announced this week at a splashy event in New York. Or a new talking video speaker that takes on Amazon's Echo Show with a focus on Google visuals like mapping, calendar, and, of course, all that YouTube content.

That's cool. But the stuff we care aboutyou and Ithat we would actually use, comes down to Google's attempts to clone us.

Consider some of the artificial intelligence advancements that the company touted this week.

Google will soon be able to:

Make calls for you

Screen your calls and transcribe them on your behalf, in real time.

Take pictures, without your having to bother snapping the shutter, when it senses that your subject is smiling or making a goofy face. (All of these, only if you have a Google Pixel phone.)

Let's begin with Duplex, the controversial new AI tool that has Google placing calls to restaurants and hair salons, to set up appointments without you having to do it.

First announced in the spring, Google said this week that Duplex will begin tests this month for Pixel owners in four citiesSan Francisco, New York, Atlanta and Phoenix.

Think about this for a minute: You announce, "Hey, Google, call the Chart House and get me a table for two at 7 p.m.," and your phone then does the work for you, having the Google Assistant app's robot call the restaurant in the background. You soon get a notification confirming the reservation. (Or get informed that 7 p.m. was busy and you were pushed up to 8 p.m.)

There's two minutes saved.

Cool for you, but weird for the restaurant staff that already gets too many odd phone calls. Now, a computer is calling and sounding awfully realistic.

In a note to businesses this week, Google said they'll always be able to tell that they're speaking to a robot, and that there will be an opt-out feature to refuse the calls.

Speaking of calls we don't want, here comes Google's Call Screen.

This is aimed at scaring away telemarketers. Instead of hanging up immediately on them, as so many of us do, Google has another idealet the Google Assistant take care of these rodents.

Get a caller you don't recognize?

Click a button and let Google figure out who is on the other line, and whether you really want to take the call. It's a variation of the old screening of calls picked up by answering machines that we used to do.

Here's what the caller will see: "Hi, the person you're calling is using a screening service from Google, and will get a copy of this conversation. Go ahead and say your name and why you're calling."

In real time, you will get a transcript and that chance to decide whether or not to pick up. I love this and hope Apple feels inspired to steal it for iPhones. But let's be real: This isn't going to solve the problem.

Telemarketers will hang up immediately, and the real culprit is the automatic robocalls, which the Call Screen feature won't be able to help with.

But it's a start in the right direction.

So, if you're keeping score, Google has already introduced "Smart Compose," to automatically fill in your e-mails in Gmail with suggested words, to have Google fill in for your brain and take the work out of composing. It will make calls and screen them for you. It now automatically tells me every day how long my commute will be, based on my driving history (thank you, Google) and autoplays me endless videos it knows I like on YouTube without my having to ask. (And it is usually right on with my tastes.)

But we still have to do the basics with Google. In searches, we type or say queries aloud. No robots have swept in yet to replace our curiosity. But give Google a few years, right?

2018 USA Today

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.A central Illinois pork-processing plant last year discharged more nitrogen from animal waste into waterways than any other slaughterhouse in the country, according to a report published Thursday.

In an assessment of water pollution produced by 98 large meat-processing facilities across the United States, the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Environmental Integrity Project found that a plant in Beardstown, Ill., owned by meat-processing giant JBS released about 1,850 pounds of nitrogen on average each day into a tributary of the Illinois River. That's the amount contained in raw sewage produced daily by a city with the population roughly the size of Evanston, the report says.

The facility, about 240 miles southwest of Chicago, is within its permitted discharge limits under the Clean Water Act, but the disclosure raises questions about the stringency of federal water pollution standards surrounding meatpacking plants.

Illinois is the fourth-largest producer of pork, and it shoulders a significant share of environmental problems as a result. A Chicago Tribune investigation found that between 2005 and 2014, pollution incidents from hog confinement operations killed at least 492,000 fish and impaired 67 miles of the state's rivers, creeks and waterways.

"Butchering so many animals under one roof is inherently messythat's no surpriseand that makes them very, very large sources of water pollution," said Eric Schaeffer, director of Environmental Integrity Project. "Those pollutants include nitrogen, which is a chronic water pollutant across the U.S., especially in rural areas."

Each day, nearly 20,000 pigs meet their end in Beardstown at the 630-acre complex, which churns out over 1 billion pounds of pork annually. Though it's not a long-term confinement facility, the plant is bordered by lagoons that hold millions of gallons of animal waste similar to hog farms.

That slough of pig waste courses through a series of drainage ditches, canals and eventually into a tributary of the Illinois River, a waterway already tainted by pollutants associated with meatpacking facilities. While this wastewater typically passes through a treatment facility, residual nutrients like nitrogen can stimulate algae blooms that deplete oxygen levels when they decompose, suffocating fish and resulting in dead zones. Wastewater also can diminish water quality, in part, by contributing to levels of fecal bacteria.

The report considered only one avenue of pollution: pipeline discharges. But Schaeffer said waste from these facilities can also be dumped into local waterways during stormwater overflows and runoff from farm fields where it sometimes is used as fertilizer.

In March 2015, one of the lagoons failed and 29 million gallons of partially treated wastewater spilled into a drainage ditch near the Beardstown plant and flowed 2.6 miles into Muscooten Bay. Afterward, Illinois biologists counted nearly 65,000 dead fish in the waterways that feed into the Illinois River. Cargill owned the plant at the time but sold it to Brazil's JBS later that year.

Despite its rank as the top polluter in Thursday's report, the facility has not exceeded its permitted limit since 2016. Schaeffer, who served as director of civil enforcement at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the late 1990s, said that finding underscores the need to revisit national limits on slaughterhouse waste that were last modified in 2004.

"If you've got a generous limit that gives you a lot of headroom and lets you pollute more, you're less likely to violate it," Schaeffer said. "What we're seeing is that permit limits are too relaxed."

Wide-ranging regulations across the country have resulted in some plants with strict discharge limits being in violation while other plants with looser limits remain blemish-free.

"In some cases, the limit is so high it's kind of hard to violate it. Nitrogen limits for a pork or beef plant are very high. They are much higher than those that you would see from a municipal sewage plant."

JBS officials disputed the discharge numbers cited in the report, saying they were inconsistent with the company's internal data. The company also argued that it was improper to imply that the plant was discharging every day when it actually only discharged 295 days in 2017.

"The JBS Beardstown pork facility is well within its permitting requirements and has achieved improved environmental compliance since our acquisition of the facility in late October 2015," the company said in a statement Thursday. "The facility has not experienced a water noncompliance issue since December 2015."

Since October 2016, however, JBS, has failed to submit discharge monitoring reports that are required by the Clean Water Act, according Kim Knowles, staff attorney with the Illinois-based nonprofit Prairie River Network.

"This means we don't know what they are discharging," Knowles said. " ... I think we should stop sacrificing our water to prop up the meatpacking industry."

The Beardstown plant is a large polluter because it is an unquestionably large operation, producing more than 2 million gallons of wastewater a day, according to state records. But the plant also frequently releases water close to the mandatory limit of nitrogen concentration per liter each month, a finding Schaeffer believes is more reflective of its treatment process than its size.

The federal standards for nitrogen concentration are 134 milligrams per liter of water for slaughterhouses. By comparison, sewage treatment plants typically have a target goal of 10 milligrams per liter, Knowles said.

"These are notably different industries with different regulations, but one has to wonder about the policy choices being made here and the resulting cost on others," Knowles said.

Leslie Harris, mayor of the rural town of 5,500, said Beardstown has recovered from the devastating spill three years ago, and JBS has been a part of the solution.

Since taking ownership of the facility, JBS made repairs to its lagoons and coordinated with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Lost Creek Drainage District in an effort to restock a nearby pond with fish.

The State Journal-Register has reported that the Beardstown Sanitary District has received federal funding to renovate its water treatment facility, and local officials were hopeful that would remove more phosphorous and nitrogen from its wastewater.

"The vegetation is growing. The fish are there. They have corrected that problem," Harris said. "They (JBS) are doing everything they can to keep in compliance and we appreciate their cooperation. They are very good to our community. If something wasn't right, I'm sure the Illinois EPA and the U.S. EPA would've notified the city of Beardstown, but we've not received any notification."

Harris described JBS as a "good corporate citizen." The plant, which has around 2,000 workers, is by far the town's largest employer. Asked about the plant's title as the top nitrogen polluter, Harris said:

"I would be concerned, but yetif the state's monitoring it and they don't have any problems with it ... I would like to see what the state would say about it before I make any comment."

The Environmental Integrity Project report indicates that 74 of the 98 facilities surpassed their permitted limits for pollutants like nitrogen or fecal bacteria at least once between January 2016 and June 2018. Although the Beardstown plant had no discharge violations in that period, a Tyson Fresh Meats beef-processing plant in Joslin, Ill., which ranked as the seventh-largest nitrogen polluter in 2017, had three such violations.

Tyson spokesman Worth Sparkman argued that the report contained errors "in analysis and methodology" but declined to elaborate.

"We want people to know that the water we use in our meat and poultry plants is essential for producing safe food," Sparkman said in an email. "It is returned to streams and rivers only after it's been properly treated by our wastewater treatment systems, which operate under government permits."

Mark Dopp, senior vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs for the North American Meat Institute, said the EPA data cited in the report is misleading, emphasizing that companies typically share wastewater treatment solutions with each other to improve environmental stewardship.

"Meat processing plants are large and complex facilities with many outfalls," Dopp said in a statement emailed to the Tribune. "It is not uncommon to have isolated hiccups in these large wastewater systems. The report treats a single isolated exceedance the same as a facility with a chronic problem. If the report had included a wider representation of facilities and focused only on chronic issues it would be far more valuable. Instead the so-called Environmental Integrity Project provides its own data analysis, offering limited insight into how it reached conclusions and not distinguishing between violations of nitrogen limits and other, unrelated issues.

"Members of the meat and poultry industry recognize they have an ethical responsibility to protect the environment in which they operate."

Even when a plant is found in violation, enforcement and penalties are rare. The federal Clean Water Act allows courts to fine plants that pollute more than their permit allows, up to $46,129 per day for each separate violation. But the Environmental Integrity Project identified at least 18 slaughterhouses that accumulated more than 100 days of violations from 2016 to 2018, only 10 of which paid any fines at all.

A Keystone Protein plant in Pennsylvania, which violated discharge limits for more than 1,000 days, paid only $1,030 since 2016, the report says.

"What you hear is, 'Well we just want to get them back in compliance,'" Schaeffer said. "My quick reaction, thinking like an ordinary taxpayer, is when I get pulled over for speeding, it's not like I'm going to tell a cop, 'I'm trying to get back into compliance so if you don't mind just give me a warning.' He'd laugh."

Typically, enforcement falls to a state's attorney general to take polluters to court. Attorney General Lisa Madigan named Cargill and JBS in a lawsuit after the 2015 spill.

Cargill and JBS were ordered to pay $150,000 in civil penalties to the state EPA and $34,000 to the state Wildlife and Fish Fund, in part to recoup the value of the bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish killed in the incident. Neither acknowledged a role in the allegations leveled by Madigan's office.

Thursday's analysis determined that the worst polluters released about 30 times more nitrogen concentration than the cleanest slaughterhouses. Schaeffer said it shows that cleaner technology is available to make these facilities more capable of removing nitrogen, but it may come down to states or federal lawmakers to motivate the industry.

"Every several years, the EPA is supposed to look back at the standards and decide is this up to date," Schaeffer said. "You don't want to freeze standards to what they are 20, 25 years ago. Looking at this data, industry is capable of doing more, and the EPA should update that and essentially lower the floor, establish a new set of minimum requirements that are more stringent. And they can point to the industry's own data when they do that."

Explore further Software tool can show when a city's wastewater treatment will fail

2018 Chicago Tribune

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Credit: Earth100/Wikipeidia

The wild rice consumed by our Neolithic ancestors was very different from the domesticated rice eaten today. Although it is unclear when humans first started farming rice, the oldest paddy fieldsin the lower Yangzi River Valleydate back to 4000 BC. During its long history of cultivation, rice plants with traits that reduce yield or impede harvest (e.g., grain shattering) were weeded out, whereas those with traits that increase yield (e.g., highly branched flowering structures) were selected and propagated. Although the resulting rice plants are super-producers that feed much of the world's population, they rely on human assistance and cannot withstand harsh environmental conditions.

Scientists can examine the genetic basis for some of the changes that took place during rice domestication by comparing genes in cultivated rice plants with those in their wild rice relatives. Using this approach, several key genes that were altered during domestication, such as those affecting grain shattering, have been identified and studied. Most of these genes encode transcription factors that bind to other genes and regulate their activity.

A team of researchers from the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in India led by Dr. P.V. Shivaprasad wondered whether another type of molecular regulator, named microRNAs, also contributed to the domestication of rice. MicroRNAs regulate specific target genes by binding to RNA copies of the gene and, together with other molecules, blocking their activity or chopping them into tiny fragments. In special cases, the resulting RNA fragments trigger a silencing cascade, shutting down the activity of genes that are similar to the initial target gene.

The researchers compared the microRNA populations of high-yielding indica rice lines with those of wild rice and several traditional rice varieties. One microRNA species stood out: miR397 accumulated to high levels in the flag leaves of wild rice, but was barely detectable in the other plants analyzed. The scientists showed that miR397 silenced several members of the laccase gene family via a silencing cascade. Laccase genes, of which there are 30 in the rice genome, encode proteins that promote woody tissue formation, thereby providing mechanical strength. By silencing a subset of these genes, miR397 greatly reduced the formation of woody tissue. Furthermore, when the scientists transgenically expressed the gene encoding miR397 in domesticated rice, the resulting plants were more similar to wild rice plants than to domesticated ones, with long, spindly stems; narrow, short leaves; few flowering structures; and hardly any rice grains. In effect, the team partially de-domesticated rice by increasing the levels of a single microRNA species.

These findings raise intriguing questions. If silencing several laccase genes by increasing miR397 levels negatively affects yield, would upregulating the expression of this same set of laccase genes boost grain production? In addition, would reducing the levels of miR397 in wild rice plants, and thereby lifting the repression of the laccase genes, improve yields, while retaining the traits that allow wild plants to thrive in harsh environments? "miR397 and laccase genes overlap with unknown genomic regions predicted to be involved in rice yield. Modifying their expression in wild species and cultivated rice would be useful in improving yield and other beneficial characters. We hope that our finding promotes future research to identify other changes associated with domestication of plants, spearheading further improvement in crops for the future," states Dr. Shivaprasad.

Explore further Gene's past could improve the future of rice

More information: Chenna Swetha, Debjani Basu, Kannan Pachamuthu, Varsha Tirumalai, Ashwin Nair, Melvin Prasad, and P. V. Shivaprasad. (2018). Major Domestication-Related Phenotypes in Indica Rice are Due to Loss of miRNA-Mediated Laccase Silencing. Plant Cell doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00472 Journal information: Plant Cell Chenna Swetha, Debjani Basu, Kannan Pachamuthu, Varsha Tirumalai, Ashwin Nair, Melvin Prasad, and P. V. Shivaprasad. (2018). Major Domestication-Related Phenotypes in Indica Rice are Due to Loss of miRNA-Mediated Laccase Silencing.The spiral wavefront of the elliptically polarized light hits the lens at a slight angle, leading to the impression that the source of the light is somewhat off its actual position. Credit: IQOQI Innsbruck/Harald Ritsch

Scientists at TU Wien, the University of Innsbruck and the OAW have for the first time demonstrated a wave effect that can lead to measurement errors in the optical position estimation of objects. The work now published in Nature Physics could have consequences for optical microscopy and optical astronomy, but could also play a role in position measurements using sound, radar, or gravitational waves.

With modern optical imaging techniques, the position of objects can be measured with a precision that reaches a few nanometers. These techniques are used in the laboratory, for example, to determine the position of atoms in quantum experiments.

"We want to know the position of our quantum bits very precisely so that we can manipulate and measure them with laser beams," explains Gabriel Araneda from the Department of Experimental Physics at the University of Innsbruck.

A collaborative work between physicists at TU Wien, Vienna, led by Professor Arno Rauschenbeutel, and researchers at the University of Innsbruck and the Institute of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, led by Rainer Blatt, has now demonstrated that a systematic error can occur when determining the position of particles that emit elliptically polarized light.

"The elliptical polarization causes the wavefronts of the light to have a spiral shape and to hit the imaging optics at a slight angle. This leads to the impression that the source of the light is somewhat off its actual position," explains Yves Colombe from Rainer Blatt's team.

This could be relevant, for example, in biomedical research, where luminous proteins or nanoparticles are used as markers to determine biological structures. The effect that has now been proven would possibly lead to a distorted image of the actual structures.

Any kind of waves could show this behavior

More than 80 years ago, the physicist Charles G. Darwin, grandson of the British natural scientist Charles Darwin, predicted this effect. Since that time, several theoretical studies have substantiated his prediction. Now, it has been possible for the first time to clearly prove the wave effect in experiments, and this twice: At the University of Innsbruck, physicists determined, through single photon emission, the position of a single barium atom trapped in an ion trap. Physicists at Atominstitut of TU Wien (Vienna) determined the position of a small gold sphere, about 100 nanometers in size, by analyzing its scattered light. In both cases, there was a difference between the observed and the actual position of the particle.

"The deviation is on the order of the wavelength of the light and it can add up to a considerable measurement error in many applications," says Stefan Walser from Arno Rauschenbeutel's team. "Super-resolution light microscopy, for example, has already penetrated far into the nanometer range, whereas this effect can lead to errors of several 100 nanometers."

The scientists believe it is very likely that this fundamental systematic error will also play a role in these applications, but this has yet to be proven in separate studies. The researchers also assume that this effect will not only be observed with light sources, but that radar or sonar measurements, for example, could also be affected. The effect could even play a role in future applications for the position estimation of astronomical objects using their gravitational waves emission.

Explore further Entangled atoms shine in unison

More information: G. Araneda et al, Wavelength-scale errors in optical localization due to spinorbit coupling of light, Nature Physics (2018). Journal information: Nature Physics G. Araneda et al, Wavelength-scale errors in optical localization due to spinorbit coupling of light,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-018-0301-yOne of the petrified remains of a victim of the eruption of Vesuvius volcano in 79 BC

A newly-discovered inscription at Pompeii proves the city was destroyed by Mount Vesuvius after October 17, 79 AD and not on August 24 as previously thought, archeologists said Tuesday.

Archeologists recently discovered that a worker had inscribed the date of "the 16th day before the calends of November", meaning October 17, on a house at Pompeii, the head of archeology at the site, Massimo Osanna, told Italian media.

Pompeii and Herculaneum were previously thought to have been destroyed by the massive eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24, based on contemporary writings and archeological finds.

Nevertheless, evidence such as autumnal fruits on branches found in the ashen ruins had suggested a later date since the 19th century, Osanna said.

"Today, with much humility, perhaps we will rewrite the history books because we date the eruption to the second half of October," said Italy's Minister of Culture Alberto Bonisoli.

Pompeii is the second most visited tourist site in Italy, after the Colosseum in Rome, with more than three million visitors in the first eight months of this year.

Explore further Ancient skeleton of child found in ruins of Pompeii's bath

 2018 AFPCredit: CC0 Public Domain

Environmental scientists argue that societies should embrace population aging and decrease in an opinion appearing October 16 in the journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution. They cite multiple reports of the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of population aging, mortality-related decrease, and shrinking workforces due to retirement and maintain that, contrary to some economic analyses, costs associated with aging societies are manageable, while smaller populations make for more sustainable societies.

"In many countries, stable and declining populations due to demographic aging are often reported by the media as a problem or crisis," says Frank Gotmark, co-senior author and biologist at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. "But the alternativeendless population growthis not ecologically possible. Overpopulation leads to serious problems, including excessive consumption, deadly conflicts over scarce resources, and habitat loss leading to species endangerment."

The United Nations' population report from 2017 states that 14 percent of countries currently have declining populations, including Japan, Estonia, and the Czech Republic. The report projects that 32% of countries will have shrinking populations by 2050. But aging and decreasing populations may have social benefits. Gotmark and his co-authors cite Japanese economist Akihiko Matsutani as evidence that shrinking labor pools mean rising wages for individual workers and therefore greater wealth per capita. And smaller populations also mean less crowding, which can cut commute times, reduce stress, maintain green areas, and improve quality of life, according to Israeli environmentalist Alon Tal.

In countries with aging and declining populations, some fear societal challenges that come with population aging, but the authors contend that these fears are overstated. They found no evidence to support the popular belief that population aging leads to worker shortages. They acknowledge that healthcare spending does increase in aging populations, citing work from the National Bureau of Economic Research. But the authors suggest that this increase is manageable, and they argue that societies should invest more in preventative care to reduce future age-related healthcare spending.

Increasing population numbers through policy measures appears to have only a small and temporary effect on the proportion of people 65 and older. Rather than fighting aging, the authors say that societies should allow their population numbers to ebb naturally or face environmental and social consequences, such as conflicts over resources.

"If we don't reverse overpopulation, what happens next will be a sad story," says Gotmark. "We have to recognize that continued population growth is a global threat. Short-term economic concerns, while valid, cannot be prioritized over the long-term health of our environment and our societies."

More information: Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Gotmark et al.: "Aging human populations: good for us, good for the earth" DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2018.08.015 , Gotmark et al.: "Aging human populations: good for us, good for the earth" www.cell.com/trends/ecology-ev  0169-5347(18)30208-8Bumblebee foraging on a cup plant. Cup plants attracted the most bees to wildflower strips, according to a survey done by Cornell researchers. Credit: Heather Grab

With bee pollinators in decline and pesky crop pests lowering yields, sustainable and organic farmers need environmentally friendly solutions.

One strategy is to border crops with wildflower plantings to attract pollinators and pest predators. But scientists have suggested that such plantings may only be effective when farms are surrounded by the right mix of natural habitat and agricultural land.

For the first time, a Cornell University study of strawberry crops on New York farms tested this theory and found that wildflower strips on farms added pollinators when the farm lay within a "Goldilocks zone," where 25 to 55 percent of the surrounding area contained natural lands. Outside this zone, flower plantings also drew more strawberry pests, while having no effect on wasps that kill those pests.

Still, more pollinators in this ideal landscape zone boosted strawberry yields overall.The analysis has implications for many types of state and federal programs in the United States and abroad that promote establishing pollinator habitats on farms.

"We're investing huge amounts of money on these programs and right now it's not part of the policy to think about the landscape context of where these habitats are placed," said Heather Grab, Ph.D. '17, the paper's first author and a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Katja Poveda, associate professor of entomology and a co-author of the study.

The paper, "Landscape Context Shifts the Balance of Costs and Benefits From Wildflower Border on Multiple Ecosystem Services," published Aug. 1 in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, suggests targeting wildflower borders to farms with the right conditions and modifying wildflower plant species could maximize success.

The rationale behind the Goldilocks zone theory: wildflower strips surrounded by too much natural land would not add additional beneficial insects, because ample habitat would drown out a small strip of flowers. On the other hand, farms surrounded by other farms are already low on natural habitat and beneficial insects, making a wildflower strip too small to attract more insects.

"It's in this zone in the middle, where there's enough natural habitat around, and there are beneficial insects there, and you can attract them [insects] from the natural habitat into the crop habitat to actually see a benefit in terms of crop production," Grab said.

In the study, the researchers planted strawberry plots on 12 small New York state farms that represented a gradient of landscapes, from farms surrounded by natural habitat to farms next to agricultural lands. Each farm had two strawberry plantings, one plot bordered by a wildflower strip, and another control plot on the other side of the farm, edged with mowed grass.

The researchers conducted surveys of pollinators, pests, wasps that parasitize pests, fruit yield and fruit damage over three years. The tiny parasitizing wasps lay their eggs inside tarnished plant bug nymphsa pest that costs New York strawberry growers 30 percent of their annual yield. When the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the nymphs.

The wildflower strips were increasingly effective at attracting pollinators as each year passed. The result that "between 25 and 55 percent [surrounding natural landscapes] was the best range in terms of promoting bees," closely matched what the Goldilocks theory predicted, Grab said.

But when it came to pests, wildflowers outside the Goldilocks zone attracted the most pests and didn't add more wasps. "It suggests the parasitoids are not responding to wildflower strips at all," Grab said. More study is needed to understand why.

Analyses revealed many wildflower species attracted both pests and bees, but some species like fleabane (Erigeron annuus) lured the most pests and were least effective at drawing bees.

"If you wanted to optimize the wildflower patches, I would suggest we eliminate some of those from the list of recommended species in the plantings," Grab said.

Future work will investigate how floral habitats influence pathogen transmission for bees, the leading driver of bee declines.

Bryan Danforth and Greg Loeb, Cornell professors of entomology, co-authored the study, which was funded in part by a Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant.

More information: Heather Grab et al, Landscape context shifts the balance of costs and benefits from wildflower borders on multiple ecosystem services, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2018). Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B Heather Grab et al, Landscape context shifts the balance of costs and benefits from wildflower borders on multiple ecosystem services,(2018). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1102A freesia's root architecture helps the plant store food to survive seasonal weather conditions. Credit: Brian Atkinson

We should breed new varieties of crops based on their root architecture rather than just focusing on the top half of the plant, according to scientists looking at how to cultivate plants that use water more efficiently and better withstand drought conditions.

Yellow, parched fields were a common sight in Europe this summer. The severe 2018 drought caused damage to wheat, maize and barley crops, with harvests down in many EU countries. And climate scientists predict that European crops will suffer from more frequent and extreme heat in the coming years.

The most visible signs of heat stress and water shortages are seen in leaves, but plant scientists have begun looking for solutions in 'the hidden half'  the roots.

'You could argue that for the last 10,000 years, we have selected crop varieties on the basis of the upper half, and not focused on this hidden part of crops,' said Malcolm Bennett, professor of plant science at the University of Nottingham, UK. 'If we could select new crop varieties based on root architecture, we could significantly improve their ability to forage for water.'

Roots absorb water and nutrients from soil and store food for the plant. Deeper rooting cereal crops could suck up water from further underground, or dense shallow roots might better capture nutrients like phosphorus that gather at the surface.

Plants can have a similar biomass of roots to the part that is above groundthe challenge is how to see living roots in order to analyse them.

Prof. Bennett has found a solution. He now scans roots growing through soil using X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro CT), the same technology routinely used by doctors to see inside patients. His machine, though, is a colossus, three to four times bigger than a typical medical scanner and a one-of-a-kind in Europe for life sciences.

It's so big that a new building  the Hounsfield Facility  was constructed to house the giant scanner, which is encased in 20 tonnes of lead. A heavy-lifting robot installed it onto a specially reinforced floor. 'Scanners (of this size) are normally used in the car and aerospace industries, where they are used to scan engine and wing parts for faults,' Prof. Bennett explained. 'Ours allows us (to) image living roots.'

The researchers grow wheat in one-metre high PVC plastic tubes, and then image their roots throughout their life span. Over 8,000 X-ray snaps are taken and computer algorithms stitch these sections together to create a 3-D image of roots growing in soil at a single point in time. Because plants can withstand more X-ray power than humans, the resolution is much higher and can reveal even the thinnest of root hairs. Scanning can be done repeatedly to image the growth of roots.

Thirst

Through a project called FUTUREROOTS Prof. Bennett's group has scanned hundreds of varieties of wheat to see how they respond to thirst. They compared those excellent at using limited water with those that are poor.

'We noted something fascinating. Plants that were most efficient at using water changed the angle of their roots when you applied drought stress,' said Prof. Bennett. 'Steeper rooting angles allowed them to forage for deeper sources of water.'

With US and Chinese collaborators, Prof. Bennett has recently identified master genes that control root angle in maize and rice.

This may sound trivial, but it matters hugely for food production. In the UK, for example, most cereals like wheat are grown in the east of the country, which receives less rain and suffered water shortages this summer.

'To maintain wheat yields here (in the UK), we need to have new varieties with roots that grow an extra half metre at least,' Prof. Bennett explained. Other parts of Europe are similarly concerned about water shortages and its effect on crops.

Breeding crops with better root systems could also lower the amount of nitrogen fertiliser applied by farmers. Nitrogen is expensive and excess nitrogen runs off and pollutes rivers and lakes, so improved roots could lower costs for farmers while helping the environment. A win-win.

'We could optimise crop root systems to take up nutrients more efficiently, such as selecting deeper rooting varieties to capture nitrogen as it moves deeper into soil,' said Prof Bennett. 'The idea of selecting new varieties based on root architecture is gaining support amongst breeding companies and researchers.'

Studying the roots of weeds can also give insight into how to breed more resilient crops. Plant scientists in France recently scrutinised a little weed called Arabidopsis, commonly known as Thale cress, to better understand the way roots make best use of scarce water. Arabidopsis is the plant most popular in research, a sort of lab mouse in the plant world, and their project DROUGHTROOT studied root architecture, plant hormones and special water channel proteins in cells known as aquaporins.

The Montpellier-based scientists discovered that plants have a plan A and plan B for a lack of water. 'One strategy is to grow more roots and better take up water, but under severe drought the plants takes an alternative strategy. It downregulates its root hydraulic system and tries to protect itself from dehydration,' explained project coordinator Dr. Christophe Maurel, plant scientist at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). This research, for which Dr. Maurel is preparing a manuscript for publication, unearthed genes, proteins and hormones that contribute to a plant's response to drought.

Drought

Dr. Maurel is now taking these lessons from the lab weed and applying them to a major crop  maize. Maize is an economically important crop in Europe, and is grown especially in France, northern Italy, Germany and Eastern Europe. It can be susceptible to drought in Europe because it flowers in summer, unlike wheat, which flowers earlier.

Dr. Maurel is studying the growth of this crop's roots and the genes behind its response to drought in a project called HyArchi, which he hopes will serve up knowledge that will help crop breeders develop plants, or cultivars, better suited to drought conditions in specific regions.

'We've been able to measure the performance of different maize cultivars. We see some nice differences and we see genetic variability in root hydraulics. This is important and makes me optimistic that we can take advantage of its genetics (to breed new varieties),' Dr. Maurel said.

In September, the group reported that they had found a master gene in Arabidopsis involved in making the vessels that transport water inside roots. Tweaking this gene boosted the number of vessels. This could be good news for drought conditions. But there was a catch.

'The more vessels at the root tips, the more susceptible they were to invasion by soil bacteria,' Dr. Maurel said, meaning there is a trade-off between a better ability to withstand drought and vulnerability to infection.

Dr. Maurel points out that this type of fundamental research takes a long-term view. 'We might help breeders not in five years, but maybe 10 to 20 years,' he said. 'Anyway, in 10 to 20 years we will be facing even stronger challenges with drought and climate change.'

Explore further Groundwork for playing with the architecture of plantsCredit: CC0 Public Domain

When they first set out to follow grey reef sharks around the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Darcy Bradley and her colleagues intended to survey their movement in the protected waters there. What they found was a disturbing development for the Pacific island nation.

"It's not the study we expected," said Bradley, a postdoctoral researcher at UC Santa Barbaras's Marine Science Institute and at its Bren School of Environmental Science & Management. "Instead, we uncovered a high level of illegal shark fishing from within the Marshall Islands shark sanctuary."

Indeed, of the 15 adult grey reef sharks they satellite tagged to follow around the Marshall Islands' Exclusive Economic Zoneroughly 2 million square kilometers of which has been declared a safe haven for sharkseight were suspected of having been illegally fished from the RMI "shark sanctuary."

"There was nothing 'sharky' about the movement patterns we were tracking," Bradley said. Instead of staying relatively close to shore, the tags had moved thousands of kilometers across the Pacific Ocean at speeds much faster than a reef shark is able to sustain, she explained. Some tags even ended up in local ports in both Guam and the Philippines.

It was a worrisome situation, according to the researchers, especially since RMI in 2011 adopted sweeping protections for its sharksbecoming among the first in the world to do so. Based on this recent incident, if the observed rate at which the sharks were captured (and presumably killed) were to occur over a large spatial area, the researchers estimated that even a healthy population would collapse to less than 10 percent of its unfished state in fewer than five years.

The group's paper, "Leveraging satellite technology to create true shark sanctuaries" is published in the journal Conservation Letters.

Despite the good intentions and expansive protections for sharks in the RMI sanctuary area, as well as the high risk involved in illegal shark fishing, the high value of these sharksboth commercial and black marketmay have proved too tempting for those who engaged in the suspected illegal shark fishing event. The incident also verified a notion many marine conservationists have held for a while: For an area to be a "true" shark sanctuary, active monitoring and enforcement need to be part of the system.

"A 'shark sanctuary' is not a no-take marine protected area," Bradley pointed out. "It is an area that bans the commercial fishing of sharks specifically." Industrial fisheries almost always operate within the borders of shark sanctuaries, and multiple countries fishing in these areas are expected to comply with the no-shark rule.

However, Bradley continued, monitoring and enforcement are currently the sole responsibility of the host nation. For countries such as RMI with vast and remote ocean territories and limited resources to develop and support monitoring and enforcement protocols, that means it is lucrative and relatively easy for fishers to fly under the radar and target sharks for commercial and black market sales.

"Nearly all parts of the animal can be sold: meat, cartilage, liver, leather and of course fins, which can sell for hundreds of U.S. dollars per kilogram," Bradley said.

Enter satellite technology. Thanks to existing and emerging satellite-based technologies, such as vessel tracking systems and automatic identification systemsalready in use for purposes of collision avoidance, navigation and maritime securitythe researchers contend that it is possible to track fishing vessels over a large swath of ocean at a relatively low cost compared to traditional on-the-water, from-the-air or land-based methods. And the benefits would extend beyond protections for sharks.

"The ability to 'see' all boats in all places in near real-time using satellite tracking technology would provide a means to monitor for compliance with multiple fisheries management goalsbe they combatting illegal fishing, monitoring transshipments, identifying fishing activity in high bycatch areas and more," Bradley said.

The data sharing capabilities enabled by these systems also could improve the agreements between sanctuary nations and entities that fish in their watersan important element in the successful enforcement of fishing regulations for sharks and other protected species. Satellite identification and monitoring of vessels known to have engaged in illegal fishing could curtail such activity, as the technology could track vessels through a unique identifying number that persists despite any attempts to change the vessel name, flag or ownership.

The researchers also recommend partnerships between international groups, stakeholder nations, nonprofit and private sector entities, and local-level participants to find consensus, adopt strategies and advance policies that would result in more effective shark sanctuaries.

Nearly a quarter of all shark populations are threatened with extinction, and fishing is largely to blame, Bradley said. Shark sanctuaries serve to provide blanket protection for all sharks as a potentially less complex way to combat shark overfishing.

"But for the shark sanctuary model to work, we need to think creatively about ways to closely monitor all fishing activities within sanctuary borders," Bradley said. "Currently, we have the technology to make this happen, we just lack the buy-in."

Explore further Pacific nation of Kiribati establishes large shark sanctuaryThis artist's rendition depicts NASA's Mars 2020 rover studying a Mars rock outrcrop. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Hundreds of scientists and Mars-exploration enthusiasts will convene in a hotel ballroom just north of Los Angeles later this week to present, discuss and deliberate the future landing site for NASA's next Red Planet roverMars 2020. The three-day workshop is the fourth and final in a series designed to ensure NASA receives the broadest range of data and opinion from the scientific community before the agency chooses where to send the new rover.

The Mars 2020 mission is tasked with not only seeking signs of habitable conditions on Mars in the ancient past, but also searching for signs of past microbial life. The landing site for Mars 2020 is of great interest to the planetary community because, among the rover's new medley of science gear for surface exploration, it carries a sample system that will collect rock and soil samples and set them aside in a "cache" on the surface of Mars. A future mission could potentially return these samples to Earth. The next Mars landing, after Mars 2020, could very well be a vehicle that would retrieve these Mars 2020 samples.

"The Mars 2020 landing site could set the stage for Mars exploration for the next decade," said Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "I'm looking forward to the spirited debate and critical input from the science and engineering community. Whichever landing site is ultimately chosen, it may hold the very first batch of Mars soil that humans touch."

The workshop begins with an opening address by the lead scientist for NASA's Mars Exploration Program, Michael Meyer. After project status, engineering constraints, and site-assessment criteria are discussed come the presentations. Fair warning: Expect plenty of technical jargon as terms like biosignatures, geochemical conditions, impact deformation, biogenetic potential, olivine lithologies, and serpentinization and its astrobiological potential roll off presenters' tongues.

"We have been doing these workshops in support of 2020 landing site selection since 2014," said Matt Golombek, cochair of the Mars Landing Site Steering Committee from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. "At our first workshop, we started with about 30 candidate landing sites, and after additional orbital imaging and a second landing site workshop, we had a recommendation of eight sites to move forward for further evaluation. There were so many great locations to choose from, the whittling-down process was tough. This time around, with four finalists, it promises to be even more difficult. Each site has its own intriguing science potential and knowledgeable advocates."

Credit: Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Champions for four landing options will take their turn at the podium, presenting and defending their favorite parcel on the Red Planet. It is one more site than was expected after the completion of the third workshop, in 2017, where three locations on Mars were recommended for considerationColumbia Hills, Jezero Crater and Northeast Syrtis.

"At the end of the workshop in February of 2017, there were only three sites on our radar as potential Mars 2020 landing locations," said Ken Farley, project scientist of Mars 2020 at JPL. "But in the ensuing months, a proposal came forward for a landing site that is in between Jezero and Northeast Syrtis. Our goal is to get to the right site that provides the maximum science for Mars 2020, and this new sitedubbed 'Midway' - was viewed as worthy of being included in the discussions."

On the final day, after all presentations have concluded, workshop participants will weigh the positives and negatives of each site. The results of these deliberations will be provided to the Mars 2020 Project, which will incorporate them into a recommendation to NASA Headquarters in Washington, where final selection will be made. The announcement of the Mars 2020 landing site is expected to come by the end of the year.

"I have attended all the workshops so far, and none have disappointed when it comes to intelligent advocation and lively debate," said Farley. "But this is what science is all aboutthe cogent and respectable exchange of ideas. The passion of the participants shows just how much they care about Mars exploration. They know they are playing a key role in the process, and they know how important the landing site for Mars 2020 will be."

Mars 2020 will launch on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida in July 2020. It is expected to reach Mars in February 2021.

The rover will conduct geological assessments of its landing site on Mars, determine the habitability of the environment, search for signs of ancient Martian life, and assess natural resources and hazards for future human explorers. Scientists will use the instruments aboard the rover to identify and collect samples of rock and soil, encase them in sealed tubes and leave them on the planet's surface for potential return to Earth on a future Mars mission.

Explore further Next NASA Mars rover reaches key manufacturing milestone

More information: For more information on Mars 2020, go to For more information on Mars 2020, go to mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/Credit: CC0 Public Domain

House mice carrying a specific selfish supergene move from one population to another much more frequently than their peers. This finding from a University of Zurich study shows for the first time that a gene of this type can influence animal migratory behavior. It could help in dealing with invasive plagues of mice.

Usually the cooperation of genes helps an organism to grow and flourish. But some genes are pursuing a different agenda: Their aim is to propagate themselves by eliminating other genes. One of these selfish supergenes is called the t haplotype. It's a complex of various inherited genes that occurs naturally in house mice. "When it comes to heredity, this supergene gains an unfair advantage over other genes," explains Jan-Niklas Runge, first author of the study and a doctoral candidate in evolutionary biology at the University of Zurich. Any gene should actually have a fifty-fifty chance of being transferred to offspring. But sperm that carry the supergene poison rival sperm of the same animal to increase their probability of fertilization to 90 percent. Similar mechanisms can be found in other organisms such as fruit flies and corn.

The researchers have now conducted a long-term study to find out how this supergene affects the migratory behavior of house mice. This involved keeping precise records of comings and goings in four groups of free-ranging wild house mice in a barn near Zurich. With the help of genetic analyses, radio transmitters and regular headcounts, they were able to demonstrate that carriers of the t haplotype were more likely to switch between groups or leave the barn completely. The probability of migration of this sort was almost 50 percent higher than with normal animals. The study focused on young individuals representing the typical age group for house mice when they migrate.

The scientists believe that the supergene manipulates the mice's behavior in this way to enable it to propagate further and further. Moreover, this migration probably also ensures that the t haplotype is preserved in the house mice's gene pool: If the supergene gets the upper hand in a population, it can lead to its own eradication. For example, mice that receive two copies of the supergene (from their father and their mother) are no longer viable.

Apart from this, supergene sperm have trouble asserting themselves in competition with normal sperm if a female mates with several males during the same ovarian cycle. "This means that large populations with a lot of competition for females that are ready to mate, and populations with a high percentage of t haplotype carriers, are fairly bad for the supergene," explains Runge. "This is probably why carriers of the supergene emigrate and join populations where they have a better chance of propagation."

This hunch is confirmed by the study findings: The larger the population, the more pronounced the migratory behavior observed. This would also explain why despite all the handicaps, the supergene has managed to survive in the mice's genetic material for some two million years. The UZH researchers are now working on computer simulations and additional experiments to verify this hypothesis.

Biologists in other research groups are already planning to use this supergene to control invasive house mice. If these animals multiply uncontrolled in places where they're not indigenous, they can throw the entire ecosystem out of balance. For this reason researchers want to manipulate the genetic material of these mice to make them infertile. The idea is that the supergene would then help this modification spread within the population as quickly as possible. "Our insights are very important in this context, and could help develop a safe and reliable method to combat invasions of this sort," says Runge.

More information: Jan-Niklas Runge et al. Carrying a selfish genetic element predicts increased migration propensity in free-living wild house mice, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2018). Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B Jan-Niklas Runge et al. Carrying a selfish genetic element predicts increased migration propensity in free-living wild house mice,(2018). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1333One of the big problems with math education in the United States is an overemphasis on memorization of procedures. Credit: iStock.com/AlexRaths

"Horrendous" is a word James Stigler uses to describe how little math many U.S. students learn in middle schools and high schools. He should know; Stigler, a UCLA professor of developmental and cognitive psychology, has been studying how much math and science students have been learning since the late 1970s.

Based on placement tests, a staggering 60 percent of U.S. students who enter community colleges are not qualified to take a college mathematics course, even though they have graduated high school, Stigler said.

"Many of them never graduate for that reason," he said.

Stigler has also analyzed how other countriessuch as Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the Czech Republicteach math and science, which, he says, helps us understand U.S. teaching practices more clearly.

"American students think math is about memorizing procedures," Stigler said. "They're not learning in a deep way. They think learning is supposed to be easy. That's really not what learning is about. Students need practice in the things they can't learn by doing a Google search. They need to think and strugglelike when they are practicing a sport or a musical instrument."

In other countries, students are asked to work on a variety of problems. In the U.S., students work on many repetitions of, essentially, the same problem, making it unnecessary for U.S. students to think hard about each individual problem. We teach math as disconnected facts and as a series of steps or proceduresdo this, and this and thiswithout connecting procedures with concepts, and without thinking or problem-solving. "Don't just memorize it and spit it back on the test," Stigler said.

American eighth graders, for example, rarely spend time engaged in the serious study of mathematical concepts, Stigler said. Japanese eighth graders, in contrast, engage in serious study of mathematical concepts and are asked to develop their own solutions for math problems that they have not seen before.

Stigler thinks this memorization of facts and procedures applies to the teaching of many subjects in the United States.

Improving teaching has proven to be extremely difficult, and efforts to do so have achieved only limited success. But this disappointing record has not discouraged Stigler.

One of his projects, funded by a grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, is to create and continually improve a university course. The course, which focuses on introductory statistics, includes an online, interactive "textbook" with more than 100 web pages and about 800 assessment questions. Stigler began creating the course in 2015 in collaboration with Ji Son, a professor at Cal State Los Angeles, and Karen Givvin, a UCLA researcher and adjunct professor of psychology. He taught the course for the first time last spring and is doing so again this quarter.

As students work their way through the course, Stigler and his team collect all the data and can see what the students are learning and what they are not learning.

"Most professors don't realize how little information we have about how much students are learning," Sigler said. "I observed a professor once give a lecture where not a single student said anything. I asked him afterwards how he thought it went, and he thought it was great. But how could he tell if it was clear to the students without eliciting any information from students?"

With his interactive course, Stigler can get real-time information. He offers his statistics course for free to any instructor in exchange for getting access to the data showing what, and how, students are learning.

His goal is incremental improvement in teaching, believing that rapid, dramatic results are not realistic. "I want millions of students to get one percent better every year in what they learn," Stigler said.

Precision Institute will test innovative teaching ideas

Stigler and Givvin are playing leading roles in a new organization, the Precision Institutecreated by National University to test innovative teaching ideas and collect data with the goal of helping to solve some of the most challenging issues in higher education. Stigler is one of the institute's first fellows. National University, a San Diego-based non-profit, offers more than 100 programs, both online and at more than two dozen locations in California and Nevada, and has more than 150,000 alumni.

Through the Precision Institute and its National Precision Research and Innovation Network, National University gets researchers to address its educational challenges, while researchers get to test their education theories in real time in a university setting.

Stigler hopes to add his statistics course to the National University curriculum. Ideas that work can be implemented at National University right away.

Students in the same course can be randomly assigned to use different materials, and Stigler and his team can analyze data and figure out which approach is more effective. Stigler will soon do this in his UCLA undergraduate statistics course and will bring this approach to the National University project as well.

"We're improving the course while students are taking the course," said Stigler, who believes strongly in the importance of collecting data to see what actually helps students learn. "We're trying to measure what they actually learn and figure out how we can help them to learn more."

Any academic content area could profit from this approach, and the intent of Stigler's research team is to broaden its application in the future.

"I don't know what the answers are and don't have an ax to grind," Stigler said. "I don't want to argue in the abstract about theories of education. Let's test ideas on the ground and see which ones help students."

Teaching is hard to change. Stigler and Givvin are struck by how similar teaching methods are within each country they have studied, and the striking differences in methods they observed across countries. While the United States is very diverse, the national variation in eighth grade mathematics teaching is much smaller than Stigler and Givvin expected to find.

"The focus on teachers has some merit, of course," Stigler said, "but we believe that a focus on improving of teachingthe methods that teachers use in the classroomwill yield greater returns.

"Even the countries at the top are trying to improve teaching and learning," Stigler said. "It is a central problem faced by all societies."

Explore further Let's teach students why math matters in the real worldWhy Purchase ?

Great brand recognition and memorability from advertising, marketing, and your web site landing pages.

This domain is likely to hold and increase its value over time. Poor domain names lose traffic and new customer conversions to better domain named companies, Microsoft Research calls this effect "domain bias in web search." is a category killer domain that may be commonly used around the world. Such a name offers your company a clear competitive advantage online and off.Enjoy a flight over a place that as beautiful as it may seem, has a dark history. We fly over the settlement of "Dionysos" near Sitia, Crete. In the late 1990's SOE company presented the ambitious plan for the creation of this settlement.

The settlement began to be built, but soon there were quarrels as, among other things, the Analouka Beach next to the settlement collects the most rubbish of the Aegean Sea and so their plans for "idyllic summers in the sand" were reduced to rubble. The current owners are trying to reform the settlement, but it is a difficult project. Check out the cool view from above!Alleged murder isnt great for businessand alleged dismemberment is even worse, as the Royal Kingdom is now learning, with billionaire Virgin Galactic founder the most recent of three to cancel Saudi deals following accusations that they heinously disposed of a prominent journalist in a Saudi consulate on Turkish soil.

Richard Branson, founder and chairman of the Virgin Galactic space tourism venture, has now announced that his company is temporarily suspending its partnership with the Saudis who have promised a $1-billion investment.

Bransons move follows two others, including that of billionaire tech investor Steve Case, who has put all Saudi business meetings on hold, and Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who was scheduled to speak at a key Saudi business conference this month and has now withdrawn.

"I'm very troubled by the reports to date about Jamal Khashoggi," Khosrowshahi said in a statement late Thursday. "We are following the situation closely, and unless a substantially different set of facts emerges, I won't be attending the FII conference in Riyadh."

Big business is indicating that its ready to put its money where its mouth is, while pressure in mounting on Washingtonwhich has a multi-billion-dollar arms deal at staketo do the same. Usually, its the other way around.

At issue here is the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who is said to have entered the Saudi consulate in Turkey on October 2nd, and then never left. Related: Retail Sales Rebound, But Is It Enough To Post Positive Earnings?

Turkish authorities say they have video footage and audio evidence that Khashoggia critic of the Saudi regime and particularly of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) was murdered inside the consulate by a Saudi hit squad that had been flown in specifically to take the journalist out after luring him into the consulate.

The Saudis vehemently deny the Turkish version of events.

The Turks, meanwhile, have made sure that everyone knows that Washington is aware of the footage at a time when a $110-billion arms deal is at stake.

Last Thursday, Trump wasnt keen to consider giving up this deal at all.

"As to whether or not we should stop $110 billion from being spent in this country knowing that they have four or five alternatives  two very good alternatives  that would not be acceptable to me," Trump said.

Also on Thursday, under mounting pressure from a bipartisan group of senators, Trump said the U.S was launching a probe into the journalists disappearance.

However, by Monday, Trump was back on the Saudi bandwagon, suggesting that the journalist was killed by rogue elements and noting that the denial was very strong.

But its also notable that Trump has been speaking with Saudi King Salman, not MbS, and that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is being dispatched to meet with the King as well, rather than the Crown Prince. To Saudi watchers, this suggests that the situation has gotten out of hand and that the Crown Prince has possibly overstepped, with the Turks suggested he was behind the disappearance.

For now, Bransons break with the Saudis is the most significant, and the least potentially symbolic. Thats because a billion-dollar Saudi investment is at stake from the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Related: Turning Wasted Natural Gas Into Bitcoin

That investment infusion would help Virgin Galactic develop and test its space plane that hopes to take tourists into space for short trips. It would also help the development of a Virgin Orbit rocket that is meant to deploy from the wing of a carrier airplane.

In a blog post, Branson said he had had high hopes for the current Saudi government and MbS and had been delighted to accept two directorships in the tourism projects around the Red Sea.

What has reportedly happened in Turkey around the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, if proved true, would clearly change the ability of any of us in the West to do business with the Saudi Government. We have asked for more information from the authorities in Saudi and to clarify their position in relation to Mr Khashoggi, Branson continued.

While those investigations are ongoing and Mr Khashoggis whereabouts are not known, I will suspend my directorships of the two tourism projects, he said.

By Charles Benavidez for Safehaven.com

More Top Reads From Safehaven.com:You can write me at: James Gurney PO Box 693 Rhinebeck, NY 12572 or by email: gurneyjourney (at) gmail.com Sorry, I can't give personal art advice or portfolio reviews. If you can, it's best to ask art questions in the blog comments.

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Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.'Why not me?' Great-grandmas in New Jersey are getting on board with medical marijuanaWhich University Program in Singapore Offers the Highest Return on Investment?

Attending university is a crucial step for advancing your career and salary potential. With that said, the cost of university education continues to soar and not all programs are created equal in terms of helping students find a job. Given these factors, how can you be sure that going to college actually pays off? To help prospective university students and their parents, we've analysed data from more than 70 programs in Singapore to determine which ones give you the value in terms of expected salary compared to tuition cost.

Median Monthly Salary by Education Level

Computer Science & Nursing Offer Great ROI

Our analysis indicates that nursing and computer Science are two of the best majors for maximising your return on tuition costs. For example, graduates of the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and National University of Singapore's (NUS) nursing and computer science programs are employed at higher rates (82% - 97%) and earn higher starting salaries (S$35,251 - S$44,280) than the average university graduate in Singapore (81%, S$33,248). Additionally, 2-year nursing programs, and other programs that do not require 4 years of study, ranked particularly well in our study given that they tend to cost less than 4-year degrees. It is important to note that we did not consider mid-career salaries, as this data was not readily available, which are important because certain careers may offer different salary trajectories over time. For example, an entry-level position in one industry may see higher salary growth compared to an entry-level job in another industry. We also found it interesting that a variety of majors and schools made it into our top 10 ROI by program list. This speaks to the strong educational offerings available in Singapore. For a look at rankings based on our ROI calculation, please refer to our table below.

Programs with the Highest ROI

Programs with the Highest ROI

Graduates of Lowest Ranked Programs May Have Trouble Finding a Job

Programs with the lowest ROI in our study included NUS's dentistry program and NTU's fine arts, sport science, english and science degrees. Dentistry made this list due to its high tuition cost (S$28,400 per year for Singapore Citizens). However, the other degrees had low ROI scores primarily due to their low employment rates of 49% to 63%, according to the Ministry of Manpower. This suggests that graduates of these programs may find it more difficult to find a job. However, it is also important to consider the fact that graduates of these degrees may be more likely to pursue masters and PhD degrees and therefore potentially less likely to be fully-employed following their undergraduate degree. Additionally, these results should not discourage strong students from pursuing their intellectual interests. Instead, it serves as a reminder that it is important to be fully committed to your studies, given the high cost of attending university, in order to find a fulfilling and well-paying career.

Story continues

Programs with the Lowest ROI

Programs with the Lowest ROI

Methodology & Limitations

In order to determine which major offered the highest ROI in Singapore, we gathered publicly available tuition, employment and salary data for SIT, NUS, NTU, SUTD and SMU. To calculate return on investment, we first calculated the expected median annual salary by program by multiplying the median monthly salary by 12 and then multiplying the result by the proportion of graduates that are employed. Next, we divided the expected median annual salary by the total program cost. We calculated total program cost using tuition for Singapore Citizens. While this method presents a clear ROI comparison between university programs, it is not a comprehensive measure of each programs value. For example, because we could not find sufficient data, the calculation does not consider mid-career salaries, which are an important measure of long-run earning outcomes. Similarly, graduates of some programs may be more likely to return to school for advanced degrees and subsequently earn much higher salaries after the complete their graduate studies. Still, our analysis provides an illustration of how new graduates may fare in the labor force following their university studies.

How to Finance a High ROI University Degree

Whether you are a Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident or foreigner, university in Singapore can be expensive. Some students will be lucky enough to have their tuition paid for by scholarships or by a parent. For less fortunate students, education loans may be a necessary method for financing a university education. We strongly recommend that prospective students compare the cheapest loans available for local and overseas studies as they prepare a plan for paying to attend college. If you are a current or prospective university student, how are you financing your education?

The article Which University Program in Singapore Offers the Highest Return on Investment? originally appeared on ValueChampion.

ValueChampion helps you find the most relevant information to optimise your personal finances. Like us on our Facebook page to keep up to date with our latest news and articles.

More From ValueChampion:Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, October 16, 2018. AAP/Mick Tsikas/via REUTERS

By Tom Westbrook

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, whose government faces a crucial by-election in four days, said on Tuesday Canberra was open to recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital, prompting concern from Indonesian and Palestinian officials.

Morrison's comments about recognising Jerusalem and possibly moving Australia's embassy there, just like U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial decision in December, would reverse decades of foreign policy and inflame tension with some of Australia's Asian neighbours.

Australia is due to a sign a trade deal this year with

Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim-majority country, where the Palestinian question is a sensitive issue and tens of thousands protested against Trumps decision.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, speaking at a joint news conference with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki in Jakarta, reaffirmed Indonesia's support for a two-state solution to the Middle East dispute and warned Australia against the risk of insecurity.

"Indonesia asks Australia and other countries to support peace talks ... and not take steps that would threaten that peace process and stability of world security," Marsudi said.

Morrison told parliament on Tuesday he had been in touch with Indonesian President Joko Widodo to explain his position.

Maliki said he was saddened that Australia might violate international law and disrespect a U.N. Security Council resolution.

"They are risking Australia's trade and business relationship with the rest of the world, in particular (the) Arab and Muslim world," he said.

Ambassadors from 13 Arab countries met in Canberra on Tuesday and agreed to send a letter to Australia's foreign minister expressing their concern, Egyptian ambassador to Australia Mohamed Khairat said.

Morrison's openness to recognising Jerusalem and moving Australia's embassy there comes four days before a by-election in Sydney at which his centre-right coalition runs the risk of losing its tenuous hold on power.

Story continues

The by-election is in the Sydney harbourside seat of Wentworth vacated by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who was ousted in a party-room coup by members of Morrison's Liberal party, the senior partner in a Liberal-National coalition, in August.

Census figures show 12.5 percent of people in Wentworth are Jewish, a significantly larger proportion than elsewhere in Australia. The Liberal candidate contesting the by-election on Saturday, Dave Sharma, is a former Australian ambassador to Israel who has floated the idea in the past.

Morrison will have to negotiate with independent lawmakers in order to continue governing in a minority if the coalition loses Saturday's by-election.

'PRETTY BLATANT'

Morrison said earlier on Tuesday the political orthodoxy that drove such debates suggested that discussion of the Israeli capital was "taboo". He said no decision had been made and he was simply being open to the suggestion.

The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper described his apparent change of heart as "unprincipled and craven".

University of Sydney political analyst Rod Tiffen said the shift in position was being driven by domestic politics.

"It's a big change, it is out of step with everyone, except America," said Tiffen.

"But three days out from the Wentworth by-election, it's pretty blatant ... to the extent that there is a Jewish vote there, it probably helps."

The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest obstacles to a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel regards all of the city, including the eastern sector that it annexed after the 1967 Middle East war, as its capital.

Trump's decision in December enraged Palestinians and upset the Arab world and Western allies. Australia refused to follow its closest ally's example and has so far kept its mission in Tel Aviv.

The apparent change of policy was welcomed by Israel but swiftly criticised by Palestinian representatives.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Morrison had telephoned to explain his shift, said on Twitter he was "very thankful" Morrison was considering the move.

Palestinians, with broad international backing, want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state they hope to establish in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Peace talks between the parties broke down in 2014.

The U.S. Embassy became the only foreign embassy in Jerusalem in May, but Netanyahu has attempted to persuade others to follow suit.

(Reporting by Tom Westbrook; Additional reporting by Ori Lewis in JERUSALEM, Agustinus Beo Da Costa in JAKARTA; Editing by Paul Tait and Clarence Fernandez)Facing a domestic backlash and the threat of foreign trade retaliation, Australia's Prime Minister on Tuesday appeared to slow-peddle a controversial decision to move the country's embassy to Jerusalem, saying he would first consult with allies. As Scott Morrison stood accused of ditching 70 years of Australian foreign policy and reports emerged that Indonesia may suspend a planned bilateral trade deal, the prime minister told parliament no firm decision had been taken. Hours after first floating the idea, Morrison said he would "canvass views" from regional leaders about the decision to follow US President Donald Trump's lead and move the embassy from Tel Aviv "before the government forms a particular view on this issue". Jerusalem is claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians. Most foreign nations have avoided locating embassies there for fear of prejudging peace talks on the city's final status -- until Trump unilaterally moved the US embassy there earlier this year. Officials said the decision to move the Australian embassy has been under consideration for months. But Morrison's announcement was timed to coincide with a make-or-break moment for his fledgling premiership. On Saturday voters in a key Sydney electorate will go to the polls, with Morrison's Liberal party candidate, a former ambassador to Israel, trailing in the final stretch. Defeat for Morrison's candidate -- in a constituency with a sizeable Jewish population -- would spell the end of his government's parliamentary majority and a bleak future for his months-old stint at the top of Australia's rough-and-tumble political heap. Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Morrison's initiative, the response from neighbouring Indonesia -- the world's largest Muslim nation -- was less welcoming. Australia would be "violating international law" and UN security council resolutions if it proceeded with the embassy move, said Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki, who was in Jakarta on an official visit Tuesday. "Australia is risking (its) trade and business relationship with the rest of the world and particularly the Muslim world," he added. "I hope that Australia would reconsider that decision before it takes such action for election purposes." Australian state-backed broadcaster ABC reported a senior official in Jakarta saying a landmark trade deal between the two countries may now be put on ice. Officials from Indonesia's foreign and trade ministries told AFP they were unaware of any plans to suspend talks on the agreement, but Morrison indicated he had discussed the issue with President Joko Widodo in a series of calls. "We will continue to work closely and cooperatively with our allies and our partners all around the world on these issue," Morrison told parliament. - 'Open-minded' - Morrison earlier said he was "open-minded" to "sensible" proposals to formally recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move his nation's embassy to the holy city, a sharp break with the policy of successive Australian governments. "We're committed to a two-state solution, but frankly it hasn't been going that well, not a lot of progress has been made, and you don't keep doing the same thing and expect different results," Morrison said. "Scott Morrison is now so desperate to hang on to his job, he is prepared to say anything if he thinks it will win him a few more votes - even at the cost of Australia's national interest," said opposition Labor party foreign policy spokeswoman Penny Wong. Morrison came to power in August after a revolt by hardline conservatives in the Liberal party ousted his more moderate predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull. Turnbull's government had explicitly distanced itself from the decision by Trump to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, branding it "unhelpful" to the peace process.Chinese government officials are referring to an obscure term promoted by Europe, competitive neutrality, as a new catchphrase to defend the countrys state-owned firms at a time when the United States and the European Union are complaining loudly about distorted competition caused by them.

Beijing is known for giving preferential treatment to state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and has kept a distance from international efforts to draft rules governing such firms, which Chinese President Xi Jinping has hailed as the material and political foundation of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the key power and reliance for the Communist Partys rule of China.

But as trade confrontations with Washington rage on, partly due to divergence over the role of SOEs, Chinese officials have started to cite competitive neutrality to argue there could be a level playing field between state, private and foreign firms in China.

However, Chinas major trading partners are not buying the claims, given that Beijing is trying to portray itself as a market economy. The US has opposed giving China market economy status through the World Trade Organisation.

Xi says its wrong to bad mouth Chinas state firms... but country needs private sector as well

The idea of competitive neutrality is promoted by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)  a club of industrialised countries of which China is not a formal member.

It involves companies of different ownerships being able to compete fairly through improved transparency in policies, to ensure equitable treatment in areas such as subsidies, taxes, trade instruments such as tariffs, and other support mechanisms, and reforming them where they unnecessarily distort competition.

Yi Gang, the Peoples Bank of China chief, told the G30 International Banking Seminar on Sunday that China is considering treating state enterprises in line with principles of competitive neutrality, although he did not elaborate.

Story continues

Peng Huagang, deputy secretary general of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), Beijings watchdog for the countrys state industrial companies, said at a press conference in Beijing on Monday that Chinese SOEs were already integrated into Chinas market economy and should be treated like other types of enterprises.

Chinas SOEs, Peng said, were independent market players that were responsible for their own operation and profitability and no different from enterprises of other forms of ownership.

This is in line with the principles of competitive neutrality, Peng said.

China threatened with isolation by veto written into US-Mexico-Canada trade deal

Zhou Xiaochuan, Chinas former central bank governor, made similar comments at a seminar in Geneva last month, saying Chinas SOEs were normal market players and the government could follow competitive neutrality principles.

Chinas major trading partners remain sceptical about Chinas motives for describing its SOEs as purely commercial entities.

US, EU and Japanese trade ministers last month said they agreed to work to secure a level playing field, because of the challenges posed by third parties developing SOEs into national champions.

In particular, the ministers pledged to address the market-distorting behaviour of state enterprises and harmful subsidy practises, an indirect reference to Chinas SOEs strategy.

US ramps up pressure on China, rejecting market economy status at WTO

Meanwhile, the Business 20  a G20 business advisory group representing the views of the private sector  issued a statement this month calling for an end to state-related competitive distortions, the wording of which met with strong objections from China.

The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, a semi-official Beijing-backed group, even tried to block the communique from being submitted to G20 leaders in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in November and demanded revisions to SOE-related sections in it.

Peng, from SASAC, said the statements policy proposals to the G20 leaders summit  which both Xi and US President Donald Trump are expected to attend  have overlooked the fact that SOEs have fully integrated into the market  and participated in fair market play with other enterprises.

We oppose discriminatory treatment of SOEs in the formulation of international rules, he said.

Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief economist for Asia-Pacific at Natixis, said the new rhetoric from Chinas financial officials could mean China might be ready to discuss joining OECD or accepting policy recommendations, with Beijing fighting to win international support in a trade war with the US.

Meanwhile, although principles such as competitive neutrality, or notions of fair play between state and private firms, are receiving support, it is a much more difficult question to realise it on the ground, according to the OECDs own document on its website.

As trade war escalates, China intensifies role of state-owned enterprises

The existing policy guidelines of the OECD cover issues such as equality in tax, regulatory and debt treatment, but do not include specific issues about Chinese SOEs such as the role of the Communist Party in corporate governance and appointing executives.

Kevin Lai, an economist at Daiwa Capital Markets, said the term competitive neutrality had been borrowed by Beijing to make its own point, but that Chinas SOEs were expected to continue receiving favours through Chinas spending and lower borrowing costs from state banks.

Reforms [in state-owned firms] are moving backwards, he said. Private companies are having a tough time, facing increasing costs of funding. The state comes first, everyone else is second.

This article Can Chinese state firms compete fairly? Beijing claims competitive neutrality first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.A French terror suspect apprehended in raids on a suspected Salafi Jihadi center in Perlis, in the north of the country died en route to Kuala Lumpur, after the police vehicle he was being transported in had a road accident. The incident occurred at 3:30 Friday; however, it is only being reported in the media now.

via 1News Facebook

Mickael Alain Louvier suffered catastrophic injuries to his head and lungs in an accident near Bukit Beruntung. Three other suspected terror suspects, all from France, were in the vehicle at the time and survived the accident. Two police officers also suffered serious injuries in the crash, and are still being treated at Sungai Buloh Hospital and Selayang Hospital.

via 1News Facebook

Last week, eight men were detained by counter-terrorism police after their Islamic learning center in Perlis was found to have links with extremist groups in Yemen, promoting the killing of non-Muslims and Muslims who do not follow their ways. Authorities allege that the men were planning on spreading Salafi Jihadi teachings in the Southeast Asian region, using Malaysia as their base.

Authorities have sent Louviers remains back to Perlis, where he will be buried in a Bukit Ketri cemetery.

The post French terror suspect arrested in Perlis raids dies being transported to KL appeared first on Coconuts.German police said Monday they were not eliminating terrorism as a possible motive for a hostage-taking at Cologne central station that left four people injured. "The investigation is considering all possibilities and we are not ruling out terrorism," said Cologne deputy police chief Miriam Brauns at a news conference. The suspect, who was badly wounded when police stormed the scene, had claimed to be a member of the Islamic State jihadist group, another police spokesman said. He had first hurled a Molotov cocktail inside a McDonalds restaurant, injuring a teenage girl, then taken another woman hostage in an adjacent pharmacy. He was holding a real or replica pistol when commandos stormed the site, said police, adding that the man was also in possession of camping gas containers. Police said they could not yet positively identify the hostage-taker, who was undergoing surgery, but believed he was a 55-year-old Syrian immigrant. Syrian identity documents had been found in the pharmacy, they said.The onset of psychoactive effects can be delayed by up to four hours when cannabis is ingested

Canada on Wednesday will become the second country in the world to legalize recreational cannabis, five years after Uruguay.

The legislation leaves it to the 13 provinces and territories to organize sales and distribution, and some are taking slightly different approaches.

- Who can buy, grow cannabis? -

Adults may possess up to 30 grams of legally purchased cannabis. Households will also be allowed to grow up to four cannabis plants, except in Quebec and Manitoba, where this will be prohibited.

The federal government set the minimum legal age for consumption at 18, but most provinces and territories have raised it to 19, except Quebec and Alberta. In Quebec, a newly-elected government has promised to hike it to 21.

- Where to buy ? -

The provinces and territories will be responsible for setting rules for sales and distribution, which has led to a patchwork of regulations across the country.

Six, including Quebec, will make pot available through government-run stores. Four others will license private retailers, while British Columbia stands out for its mix of both options.

Online mail order sales will be allowed across Canada. In Ontario it will be the only option until retail stores are up and running next year, with a last-minute policy change unveiled by the new government.

According to the federal government, there could be as many as 300 storefronts across Canada selling cannabis by year's end.

- What can be purchased and at what price? -

Canadians will be allowed to buy dried cannabis, oils and seeds.

Sales of derivatives like edibles will be legalized next year, but in the meantime people can make their own cannabis-infused brownies or beverages at home.

Selling prices will depend on the province, ranging from Can$6 to Can$10 per gram, plus excise taxes of about Can$1. Proceeds will be split between the federal and provincial governments, as well as consumption taxes of 10 to 15 percent, depending on the jurisdiction.

- Where can pot be consumed? -

Story continues

Where smoking will be allowed varies greatly from province to province, city to city, and in some cases even neighborhood to neighborhood.

In New Brunswick and Newfoundland, for example, consumers will only be allowed to smoke at home.

Others, like Quebec, will prohibit smoking in and near entrances to schools and workplaces -- including bars and restaurants -- as is the rule for tobacco. Some municipalities are considering going further with an outright ban in all public spaces.

- Who can grow cannabis? -

The federal health ministry is responsible for licensing growers, and to date 120 companies have been granted licenses.

The largest are publicly traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. Some started growing licensed medicinal pot in 2001 and have transitioned to also sell in the recreational pot market.

Hundreds more license applications are currently under review by officials.By Sanjeev Miglani

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India and China launched a programme on Monday to train Afghan diplomats and China's ambassador said it would likely be followed by joint programmes in other fields to help war-torn Afghanistan.

Such cooperation is the first by the two Asian giants which have long been locked in a tussle for influence in a region stretching from Nepal to Sri Lanka and the island chain of the Maldives.

Within Afghanistan, India and the China have been on opposite sides with China relying on its old ally Pakistan as it seeks to stabilise Afghanistan by various means, including brokering talks to end the Taliban insurgency.

India, on the other hand, has invested billions of dollars in economic projects and training of military officers to strengthen the Afghan government in its fight against the Taliban.

For its part, Pakistan sees the expansive diplomacy in Afghanistan by its old rival, India, as a way to encircle it.

China's ambassador to India said the joint training of 10 Afghan diplomats at the Indian Foreign Service Institute was the first step in China-India-Afghanistan cooperation that was agreed at a summit between President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this year.

"This is just the beginning. China and India have respective advantages. For example, India has remarkable edge in agriculture and medical services, and China in hybrid rice and poverty reduction," the ambassador, Luo Zhaohui, said in a speech.

"I am sure that in the future days China-India cooperation in Afghanistan will span from training programme to more concrete projects."

Modi and Xi agreed to handle long-standing political differences peacefully at their summit in China, just months after a dispute over a stretch of their Himalayan border near the tiny state of Bhutan rekindled fears of war.

Luo said India-China cooperation in Afghanistan should be extended to countries such as Bhutan, Nepal, the Maldives, Myanmar and even Iran.

Story continues

In many of these countries, China is helping to build infrastructure as part of its Belt and Road Initiative, which India sees as a bid by China to expand its influence.

China's call for partnership comes just a week after its embassy in New Delhi said India and China must deepen their cooperation to fight trade protectionism, as it criticised the United States for what it termed provoking disputes.

(Reporting by Sanjeev Miglani; Editing by Robert Birsel)Nicaragua's government on Monday freed 30 protesters who had been detained in a violent police intervention as they tried to march in Managua. The arrests Sunday triggered a wave of criticism of the government of President Daniel Ortega, who has faced steady protests and calls for his resignation in a grassroots drive that began in April. More than 320 people have died in unrest associated with the movement. Ortega, who led the Sandinista revolution in 1979, has been back in power since 2007 and is accused of running a corrupt and cruel leftist dictatorship along with his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo. Human rights groups welcomed the release of the detainees but said another 500 people also arrested after protesting against the government are still in prison. In Sunday's violence, police wielded clubs and hurled stun grenades to break up the demonstrators gathering at a shopping mall parking lot, beating men, women and even elderly people. Some of those freed Monday from the maximum security prison known as El Chipote raised their fists in the air and shouted, "Long live free Nicaragua!" They hugged relatives waiting for them outside the jail. "It is clear that no evidence of any crime was found, and here we are, free. We wish this were the case for other political prisoner," said Ana Vigil, leader of a dissident group called the Sandinista Renewal Movement and one of those freed from the prison. Police had argued that the protesters did not have the permit they needed to stage a march. The arrests drew condemnation from the Organization of American States and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, among other organizations. Anti-government demonstrations began on April 18, initially protesting changes in the social security system. Since then they have grown in size and the protesters are calling for the resignation of Ortega and Murillo.The startup that hails from the Philippines is bringing the simplification of car buying procedure through their platform

Christopher Franks and Daniel Scott were both co-founders of Pinoy Auto Trader, an automotive marketplace startup when they realized that the e-car business in the Philippines was missing one important thing: a comparison feature.

This prompted them to build AutoDeal in 2014, making it a lead-generation approach automotive marketplace and focused on its development. There was simply no online platform that allows customers to compare prices and vehicle specification at that time when I went online looking for it, said Franks, whos now also the co-founder of AutoDeal alongside Scott.

Whats in it for customers

Their tagline is Car Buying, Simplified. Pretty much all that customer needs and can get in our platform is presented in the first page of our site, said Scott.

Read Also: Despite ethical concerns with AI, IoT is on rise in healthtech

On their homepage, there is a clear division of each section, from new car promotions, newly launched series of car, available used cars, and cars comparison with breaks containing videos and reviews in between. Customers and auto dealers alike would be able to immediately find what theyre looking for, connect with a sales agent, decide on a dealer after finding the best prices, and make a transaction.

Championing customers convenience, AutoDeal takes upon them to be the overseer from the start to finish of a customers car buying journey. There are hosts of sales agents working with multiple car dealers -350 partner dealers- to be exact, that caters to the automotive needs of the customers through an easier transaction process.

We partner with vehicle manufacturers, car dealers, and banks, providing them with the means to connect with customers on the platform. As a result, we currently have more than 1.7 million monthly visits, explained the co-founders. The company also supports the decision making the process of customers by providing multiple quotations from multiple dealers simultaneously, helping customers to better compare their options.

Story continues

Lead generation-based

There is a clear sales funnel setup that AutoDeal has committed to provide since day one. The lead management technology in an SaaS format is especially beneficial for the companys partners that include sales agents, who can see where in the process customers tend to withdraw from closing the transaction, and for both manufacturers and dealers to get insight about their products and track their performance.

The companys online-to-offline (O2O) conversion approach has been around since 2014, making one of the firsts to do a comprehensive and full-fledged sales automation for partners to better cater to their customers. In four years of operation, it claims to have already tracked billions of pesos worth of vehicle sales provided by 12 manufactures, more than 350 dealers in the Philippines, which makes up more than 50% auto market in the Philippines.

The data is collected from capturing people while they look at multiple vehicle brands on the site. Then, the data from the lead management platform is presented as marketing intelligence data, brand intelligence, and dealer performance data, all accessible through a mobile application.

Not only making sure the service providers and sales have the easiest experience in selling cars, but their platform also monitors simple but meaningful activities like the length of time a dealer take to respond to an inquiry. It allows AutoDeal to capture the quality of the interaction and give their ratings to dealers and sales agents for customer services purposes.

The company thats just received $AUD AUD 3.1 million (US$ million) funding in 2017 from Frontier Digital Ventures -an Australia-based firm- has a partnership with local dealers as well as official dealers of Ford, Isuzu, Chevrolet, and many more.

Facilitating anybody to sell cars

Asked about whats in store next, the co-founders shared about their vision to add capabilities for customers to sell cars instead of just buying in their platform. Right now, its car buying, simplified, but we want to move forward to sales generation, not just lead-generation. We started off with key performance, metric records, without transitioning. Now, we move onto the sales generation, explained Scott.

Adding to that, well be looking more on completing the buying cycles, such as car financing, car insurance, partnering with the providers, Franks added.

To stay ahead, AutoDeal makes sure that the end of a transaction is the actual sales. Not only they help customers to find the best prices and deals through the comparison feature, but they also analyze what factors are being considered before visitors are ready to become buyers and try to close that gap.

The deal value is manage to help the process but ultimately the real value is if we are able to generate a real-world sales transaction, track it, and provide the metric back to the users of the websites, said Scott.

Read Also: Hong Kongs securities watchdog exploring ways to regulate crypto exchanges

Automation in car buying and selling is ultimately the future of automotive transaction everywhere. It seems like the future is already here.



Image Credit: AutoDeal

The post With their platform, AutoDeal Philippines is putting the automation in automotive appeared first on e27.Rep. Marsha Blackburn, running for Tennessees open Senate seat, campaigns in Mount Juliet, Tenn. (Photo: Holly Bailey/Yahoo News)

MOUNT JULIET, Tenn.  Marsha Blackburn was navigating her way from table to table, saying hello to voters inside a small restaurant in this bustling suburb of Nashville before sunrise last Saturday when a man took her hand and offered a distinctly odd greeting.

Thirty-three thousand four hundred, he declared.

Blackburn, the eight-term Republican congressman (her preferred title) from middle Tennessee who is now vying for the states open U.S. Senate seat, broke into a wide smile. Thirty-three thousand four hundred, she replied, with a nod. You got it!

The number has become a shorthand for one of her main arguments against her Democratic opponent, Phil Bredesen, who has made the race closer than expected in the heavily Republican state.

Days earlier, in her final debate with Bredesen, Blackburn had brought up the same talking point again and again, no matter the question or topic. Bredesen, she said, had backed Hillary Clintons presidential campaign in 2016 to the tune of $33,400, a figure she repeated no less than a dozen times in the hour-long debate.

A regular on the cable TV circuit who is known for her strict message discipline, Blackburn was mocked by detractors, especially on Twitter, for the seemingly robotic performance. And by the end of the night, even Bredesen seemed to be losing his patience, the split screen capturing him looking exasperated at his opponents attempts to tie him to Clinton, an unpopular figure in Tennessee who lost the state two years ago by 26 points.

Congressman, Bredesen dryly told Blackburn at one point, I did not think you could possibly beat the number of mentions you made of Chuck Schumer in our last debate, but I believe you have with Hillary Clinton here tonight.

Former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen and Rep. Marsha Blackburn during the 2018 Tennessee U.S. Senate Debate at the University of Tennessee on Oct. 10 in Knoxville, Tenn. (Photo: Mark Humphrey/Pool/AP)

But in this bustling breakfast spot, where Blackburn had at one point gone behind the counter to help dish up heaping plates of bacon and eggs and pancakes to get face time with prospective voters, her strategy seemed to be working. Thirty-three thousand, four hundred came up, unprompted, in at least three exchanges with voters.

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Being repetitive, even if it seemed silly, works, Blackburn said. Thats lesson one of sales and marketing, which was her field before she was elected to Congress 16 years ago. I would always say to people I worked with, Perception is reality, and you have to realize that to get a message through youve gotta say it about 12 times before somebody hears it, and then youve gotta say it another 12 times before they start to repeat it, Blackburn said.

And thats Blackburns strategy heading into the final stretch of a campaign in which she has struggled to hold on to Republicans, especially moderates who have broken with their party to back Bredesen, a centrist Democrat and popular former governor, who is running on a record of fiscal conservatism and working with the GOP.

Blackburn has argued for months that Bredesen is a Democrat and would vote that way, something he says his record belies. And she has sought to tie him to Clinton and to unpopular party leaders like Schumer, the Senate minority leader who helped recruit him for the race. But the contentious battle over Brett Kavanaughs nomination to the Supreme Court appears to have given her campaign new life. A New York Times/Siena College poll last week had her up 14 points among likely voters, a dramatic shift after spending much of the summer in an average 50-50 tie with Bredesen.

Part of the shift is a turnaround with women. Before the Kavanaugh vote, Bredesen led Blackburn by an average 10 points among likely women voters, but the NYT/Siena poll found the congressman with a 3-point edgea result still within the surveys margin of error but a trend that has Bredesen supporters worried. The former governor was attacked by Blackburn for taking weeks to say whether he would support Kavanaughs nomination. And when Bredesen ultimately did say he would have voted for Kavanaugh, he appears to have angered some of his own supporters.

But polls also suggest Bredesen has lost ground with Republicans, who he will need if he has a chance of turning the states senate seat blue. In July, an Emerson College poll found Bredesen with at least 20 point support among likely Republican voters. But the NYT/Sienna poll suggested most Republicans are lining up behind Blackburn, who has been criticized by moderates in the party for being too conservative and partisan.

Rep. Marsha Blackburn, running for Tennessees open Senate seat, campaigns in Mount Juliet, Tenn. (Photo: Holly Bailey/Yahoo News)

To keep the momentum going, Blackburn has seized on the Kavanaugh confirmation to argue to wavering Republicans that a vote for Bredesen is a vote for a Democratic majority in the Senate, and in her stump speech to voters, she has expanded her list of Dem bogeymen. A vote for Bredesen, she said here last week, was a vote for Dianne Feinstein as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Bernie Sanders for chairman of the Budget Committee, Elizabeth Warren for chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, chairman of the Senate Health Committee, would have to surrender his gavel to Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, who is the leading advocate of Medicare for all, Blackburn declared. These are who Phil Bredesen would be joined at the hip with in Washington DC.

The chaos of the Kavanaugh vote, Blackburn said in an interview, had crystallized the stakes of the race for Republicans, who she said were beginning to unite behind her bid. She said she did not believe Tennessee Republicans wanted the state to be the one to possibly hand majority control of the Senate to Democrats. People saw how that would play out through the Kavanaugh proceedings, she said. And I think they said, Nope, cant do it.

But Blackburn also acknowledged the race is far from settled. And at the restaurant here, a visit coming just days before the start of early voting on Oct. 17, she took a small stage in the restaurants back room and began ticking through everything she needed her supporters to do, running through her list like the hyper-organized Girl Scout mom she used to be.

She pointed to a table of Marsha for Tennessee stickers and ordered people to put one on their car. (We need the advertising! If you cant get it on, Ill put it on there for you!) She pointed to the yard signs in the back. (Take them! This is the adopt a yard sign program! They need a home!) And she urged people to start calling everyone they know on her behalf. I need you to go through your address book, and call everybody.  How many of you have a church list? A directory? Call everybody. Your rotary club, call em. Marsha needs your vote.

Before she left, Blackburn said she had just one question for her audience. How much money did Phil Bredesen give Hillary Clinton?, she asked.

A few feet away, the man she had spoken to earlier threw his hands in the air. $33,400! he yelled.

Rep. Marsha Blackburn, running for Tennessees open Senate seat, campaigns in Mount Juliet, Tenn. (Photo: Holly Bailey/Yahoo News)

_____

Read more Yahoo News midterms coverage:The days of building monolithic systems will soon be over, as the government seeks to cultivate an interconnected system of developers both internally and externally

Running a government is not much different from running a mega-corporation; the backbone that holds up the organisation, such as the IT infrastructure, has to function well so various departments can communicate to each other effectively and ensure operations run like clockwork.

The key difference here is that the failure of state systems brings about more catastrophic consequences, such as the collapse of vital infrastructure like electric grids, for example.

Monolithic systems

Singapores legacy government IT systems were built as monolithic structures, that is to say, the applications, supporting infrastructure and data were built independently from other systems. This architecture is self-contained and might not be interoperable with other IT systems (this is also known as the silo model). This model may not an ideal environment for application development that adopts an agile approach for faster delivery of IT solutions.

As the government scales up its public sector digitalisation, a central part of its effort will be to integrate technology and operations to enable digital services to be delivered seamlessly, securely and efficiently to users. This entails a systematic re-engineering of the governments digital infrastructure.

Moving to a collaborative model

For a country to be run well, and for citizens to be able to access government services easily, there needs to be a collaborative framework so applications can be developed, tested and deployed to the public quickly.

To this end, the Singapore government has embarked on building an inter-agency digital platform called CODEX (Core Operations, Development Environment, and eXchange), a move that will reduce and simplify bureaucratic processes significantly.

The CODEX consists of three components. The first is the Government Data Architecture for common data standards and formats that enable data sharing between agencies.

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The second is the commercial cloud. Instead of having each department build and maintain their own IT infrastructure, developers build and applications using a shared cloud commercial platform, similar to those offered by Google Cloud.

Also Read: How Singapore helped a GoBear software developer become MacGyver

Developers will thus have access to more toolkits and can upgrade their applications more easily. Systems can also be scaled quickly by using shared computing resources, and they can be run 24/7 without the need for expensive on-premise expensive backups and hot standbys  this also reduces manpower load.

For applications that require a higher security clearance, the Singapore government has its own cloud systems that are isolated from public services.

The third component is the Singapore Government Technology Stack (SGTS). As opposed to the aforementioned monolith, this takes a vertical approach, allowing software and infrastructure components to be shared, scalable, reusable and interoperable. They include middleware, such as centralised government-wide API exchange and analytics applications for monitoring digital government services.

A few middleware applications have already been developed as a result of SGTS. These include hats (Hive Agile Testing Solution), a tool that automates testing of digital services on multiple browsers and mobile devices simultaneously.

SGTS would also enable a library of micro-services to be developed. These include services such as the National Digital Identity used for citizen authentication. Another example would be MyInfo Bank Pilot, an application that allows banks to speed through the KYC (Know Your Customer) process using government verified citizen data

The SGTS infrastructure allows smaller products to be connected to a bigger product family.

The Singapore government recently introduced a suite of apps and services called Moments of Life. They deliver digital services that citizens require at key events, such as marriages or birth of a child or funerals, on one centralised platform, even though these functions may be handled by different government agencies.

While these micro-services are interconnected, each contains its own code base, operated by small independent teams, and can add value and progress at their own pace  it can govern its own states autonomously and, in case it fails, the overarching service would not be crippled. Of course, some micro-services may require more interdependency and therefore teams to work more closely together to avoid deadlocks.

A better way

The transition to a collaborative model marks a major paradigm shift for the government. Developing micro-services on a central platform will allow agencies to deliver value to their customers or clients more rapidly  and customers gain the convenience of accessing multiple products without having to re-enter their information repeatedly.

Sharing services also lead to a smarter process that enables easier exchange of data, resulting in richer insights for policy and solution development as well as monitoring of operations.

Additionally, developers are freed from having to spend time and resources on managing infrastructure and administrative issues. They can focus on innovating and experimentation on business solutions and use cases.

Of course, all these would not have been possible without cultivating a startup culture, one that encourages teams to take risks and fail fast and learn fast through sprints.

Within the Singapore government, an innovation lab called Hive, is catalysing in this movement. More than just a gathering of like-minded developers, Hive, with its shared spaces, vibrant aesthetics and amenities, provides the perfect environment for co-creation. A big part of Hives ethos is also the use of open source software, which developers configure for government usage.

Also Read: Singapore is the most data literate nation globally, according to new report

To stay ahead of tech disruption in the new economy, the Singapore government needs to experiment with bold and novel ideas. The only way to achieve that is if agencies ditch the ego-centric approach used in the legacy development days and adopt one that is open-minded, liberal and collaborative.

At this years STACK conference, the Singapore government has demonstrated that it is cognizant of the limitations of its old ways and understands that is imperative for the new collaborative framework be implemented across all IT agencies, so that the lives of citizens will be improved.



Image Credit: Leung Cho Pan

The post Singapore government sees collaborative systems as key to its future appeared first on e27.The sole crossing point between Syria and Israeli-controlled territory reopened Monday after a four-year hiatus, as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime bolsters its control in the wake of sweeping advances against rebels. The reopening of the crossing on the Golan Heights was the result of a deal between Israel, Syria and the United Nations, and it will allow UN peacekeepers to monitor the region. Two UN white jeeps crossed into Israeli-controlled territory through the reopened crossing near Quneitra in the Golan Heights, during a low-key ceremony. The Syrian flag was raised on Syria's side of the crossing, an AFP correspondent said. The main border crossing between Syria and Jordan also reopened on Monday. The Quneitra crossing is used primarily by the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which has around 1,000 troops to monitor a ceasefire line separating Israeli-occupied parts of the Golan Heights from Syria. UNDOF resumed its patrols in the area of the crossing point in August, after withdrawing in 2014 when Al-Qaeda-linked rebels overran the area. An Israeli military official said initially the crossing would open twice a day for UNDOF forces, but openings could be expanded in the coming months. - Lifeline - Assad's forces, backed by Russian and Iranian military support, have regained control of large swathes of Syria in the past year, including forcing rebels from the Quneitra region and also along the border with Jordan. Israel seized much of the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move not recognised by the international community. The Jewish state supported some rebel groups in the Golan during the seven-year Syrian civil war, seeking to create a buffer zone against Iranian influence. Last month, it ended its 'Good Neighbour' support programme for rebels in the Golan that saw thousands brought to Israel for medical treatment, as well as aid shipped across the border. It has expressed concern that Iranian-backed groups allied to Assad, including Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, could move into the Golan, creating a threat to Israeli cities. So far there is no Hezbollah presence near the crossing, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, and the Israeli army has said it expects the UNDOF forces to keep "hostile groups" from the region. The United States has hailed the reopening, saying it would "allow UN peacekeepers to step up their efforts to prevent hostilities in the Golan Heights region". Syria and Israel remain technically at war, though the border had been quiet for decades before the Syrian conflict. For Eyal Zisser, director of the Middle East Studies Department at Tel Aviv University, the reopening forms part of a "return to normal". "The border between Israel and Syria was very calm before the start of the Syrian civil war and the return to normal is very convenient for Israel," he said. "There is no Daesh (the Islamic State organisation), no Iranians or Hezbollah, there is a clear address on the other side, that's all that Israel wants," he added. The crossing is also used by Druze families who held onto Syrian citizenship after 1967 but live on the Israeli side to travel to Syria for trade, education, religious ceremonies and weddings. Nazeeh Ibrahim, 65, one of a handful of Golan Druze who witnessed Monday's opening, described the crossing as a "lifeline". "Every (Druze) household in the Golan has family" in Syria, he said. "We want to be with our parents, our families."AFPTV

The colleague of American journalist Danny Fenster, jailed for 11 years by Myanmar's junta talks to AFP. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for him," says Andrew Nachemson, Fenster's friend and colleague at Frontier Myanmar. Fenster was arrested in May as he tried to leave the country to see his family. Last week, a court inside Yangon's Insein prison sentenced him to 11 years for unlawful association, incitement against the military and breaching visa rules -- charges his lawyer and the US government say are unfounded. He is also facing a second trial for sedition and terrorism.The US-China trade wars worst effects will be felt over the long-term and could slow Chinas ability to continue the strong pace of development it has enjoyed in recent decades, according to the International Monetary Funds former representative in Hong Kong.

Shaun Roche, currently chief Asia-Pacific economist at Standard & Poors Global Ratings, said analysts tended to overestimate the short-term impacts of the conflict while underestimating its long-term effects.

Speaking on the sidelines of the International Monetary Funds annual meetings in Bali on Friday, Roche said the short-term economic headwind for the Chinese economy created by the tariffs could be easily offset by a loosening of monetary policy and depreciation of the yuan exchange rate, which the Chinese government had been pursuing.

It would be more difficult for the Chinese government to offset the restrictions put on Chinese firms regarding their investment in the States, and other matters that slow the technology transfer from the US, Europe and Japan into China, he said.

Roche warned the slowing of technology transfer may undermine the whole basis of how China had grown in past decades  adapting and innovating based on foreign technologies  which could significantly erode its growth potential in the future.

Chinese technology share prices already reflect weakening [investor] confidence in the ability of Chinese firms to continue to grow as they have before, he argued, predicting there was likely to be more negative fallout in the longer run.

Roche pointed out that trade tensions were not confined to the US and China, with concerns about structural features of the Chinese economy coming also from Europe and Japan, including the way foreign firms see their propriety technologies unfairly transferred, the lack of a level playing field for foreign firms doing business there, and the dominance by Chinese state-owned enterprises in many business sectors.

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This is a shared concern, he said, noting last months joint statement by trade officials from the US, Japan, and the European Union that focused on the need to address Chinas non-market-oriented policies and practices.

Still, Roche believes there are plenty of things the Chinese government can do to resolve the trade conflict and avoid the long-term negative consequences.

China has to show a [greater] willingness to protect intellectual property, and needs to show more commitment that foreign firms can operate on a level playing field [in China] without seeing tech being unfairly transferred, he said.

More specifically, China needs to better explain its Made in China 2025 strategy to its trading partners, regarding how it is to achieve market share targets while showing it is consistent with a level playing field, as this remains a core concern at the heart of the trade conflict, Roche said.

Made in China 2025 is Chinas 10-year plan to become self-sufficient and dominant all the way up the value chain in 10 cutting-edge hi-tech industries such as artificial intelligence, electric cars, aerospace, and bio-medicine.

The plan has sparked significant concern from the US, with White House trade adviser Peter Navarro saying it seeks to lock US firms out of these future markets.

China has targeted Americas industries of the future  if China successfully captures these emerging industries, America will have no economic future, Navarro said.

In response to these concerns, the US went off by itself at the early stage, Roche said.

But Europe and Japan are working to pull the US back into trying to resolve these shared concerns through the existing World Trade Organisation framework rather than relying simply on unilateral pressure, he added.

Trade tension will probably last for a while, Roche predicted.

Given Chinas attachment to its five-year economic plans, there is little chance Beijing will change its path for the next few years, given its latest five-year plan will end only in 2020, he said.

But we are seeing China moving a little bit more toward the US position. And the US is moving a little bit closer to Europe and Japan now. So probably we are going to see them converge at some point in the future, he predicted.

The short-term effects of the trade war have included a tumble of 9 per cent in the value of Chinas currency against the US dollar in the past six months, approaching the psychologically important level of 7 against the greenback.

On October 7, Chinas central bank announced it would cut the amount of money banks are required to hold in reserve at the central bank, pumping about US$110 billion into the domestic interbank system.

On Sunday, Yi Gang, governor of Chinas central bank, said the government still had plenty of options when it came to stabilising economic growth and dealing with external uncertainties, including further monetary easing.

This article Trade war may undermine Chinas whole basis for future development first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.By Doina Chiacu and Jorge Cabrera

WASHINGTON/ESQUIPULAS, Guatemala (Reuters) - The organizer of a migrant caravan from Honduras was detained on Tuesday in Guatemala after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw funding and aid from Honduras if the flow of migrants north to the United States was not stopped.

Guatemalan police officers detained Bartolo Fuentes, a former member of the Honduran Congress, from the middle of a large crowd he and three other organizers had led from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, since Saturday, bound for Mexico.

The Honduran security ministry said Fuentes was detained because he "did not comply with Guatemalan immigration rules" and would be deported back to Honduras in the coming hours.

Up to 3,000 migrants, according to organizers' estimates, crossed from Honduras into Guatemala on Monday on a trek northward, after a standoff with Guatemalan police in riot gear and warnings from Washington that migrants should not try to enter the United States illegally.

Guatemala's government has not given official figures for how many migrants are in the group.

"The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!" Trump wrote on Twitter.

It was Trump's latest effort to demonstrate his administration's tough stance on immigration.

The message was driven home by Vice President Mike Pence, who wrote in a tweet that he had spoken to Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez.

"Delivered strong message from @POTUS: no more aid if caravan is not stopped. Told him U.S. will not tolerate this blatant disregard for our border & sovereignty," Pence tweeted.

The move could further encourage Honduras to move closer to China because of what the Central American country sees as weak U.S. support, amid intensified efforts by Beijing to win recognition from Central American countries currently aligned with Taiwan.

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Hernandez said last month that cuts in U.S. support for Central America would hinder efforts to stem illegal immigration. He welcomed Chinas growing diplomatic presence in the region as an "opportunity."

In an interview with Reuters, Hernandez lamented that prior U.S. commitments to step up investment in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador had been scaled back since Trump took office.

Honduras is one of a dwindling number of countries that still have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, an island nation off the Chinese coast that Beijing views as a renegade province.

Last week, Pence told Central American countries the United States was willing to help with economic development and investment if they did more to tackle mass migration, corruption and gang violence. Thousands of migrants have left the impoverished region in recent years.

GROWING GROUP

The current group making their way north plan to seek refugee status in Mexico or pass through to the United States, saying they are fleeing poverty and violence.

The group more than doubled in size from Saturday, when it set off from northern Honduras in what has been dubbed "March of the Migrant," an organizer said.

"What Trump says doesn't interest us," organizer Fuentes said in an interview shortly before his detention. "These people are fleeing. These people are not tourists."

He was travelling with hoards of men, women and children, packs in hand, walking northward on a Guatemalan highway about 55 miles (89 km) from the border with Honduras.

Widespread violence and poverty prompt thousands of Central Americans, mainly from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, to make the arduous journey north toward Mexico and the United States in search of a better life.

Guatemala said in a statement on Sunday that it did not promote or endorse "irregular migration." Guatemalan police initially blocked migrants from reaching a customs booth, Reuters images showed.

Trump ran for president in 2016 on promises to toughen U.S. immigration policies and build a wall along the 2,000-mile(3,220-km) border with Mexico.

Illegal immigration is likely to be a top issue in Nov. 6 U.S. congressional elections, when Democrats are seen as having a good chance of gaining control of the House of Representatives from Trump's fellow Republicans.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu in Washington and Jorge Cabera in Esquipulas, Guatemala; additional reporting by Frank Jack Daniel in Mexico City; editing by Frances Kerry and Jonathan Oatis)The UN special envoy for Venezuelan migrants called Tuesday for international donations to help South American countries deal with an "avalanche" of migrants from the crisis-wracked country. "We will be appealing to donors... who can channel this emergency aid in the shortest time possible," Eduardo Stein said during a visit to the Colombian border city of Cucuta -- the main point of entry for Venezuelan migrants to the country. "Colombia has been using its regular budgets" to address "the human avalanche coming from the neighboring country" but it is no longer enough, said Stein, UN special envoy on the crisis. He said donations are needed because of the delay in approval of resources from international organizations. "These financing processes take several months and this situation needs urgent help," he said, after visiting the Simon Bolivar international bridge that separates Colombia from its crisis-torn neighbor. Stein, a former Guatemalan vice president, was jointly appointed as special envoy for Venezuela's migrants by the UNHCR and the UN's migration agency in September. Colombia has taken around half the nearly two million people the UN says have exited Venezuela since 2015, driven by economic collapse which has led to dire shortages of food and medicine. President Ivan Duque has called for international help to deal with the crisis, saying it was costing his government about 0.5 percent of GDP -- or around $1.3 billion.US officials announced Tuesday negotiations for separate trade agreements with Britain, the European Union and Japan as part of efforts by President Donald Trump's administration to rebalance global commerce. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the administration notified Congress of its intent to negotiate the three separate trade agreements. "We are committed to concluding these negotiations with timely and substantive results for American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses," Lighthizer said. The move follows the Trump administration's renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico and its push to correct what Trump maintains is an unbalanced trade picture. In the notifications to Congress on Japan and the EU, Lighthizer cited "chronic US trade imbalances" and said that US exporters have been long "challenged" by tariff and non-tariff barriers in Japan and in Europe. The goal, he said, is to achieve "fairer, more balanced" trade with the US trading partners. Lighthizer said the US would seek a trade agreement with Britain as soon as it exits the European Union in 2019. The letter to Congress said Washington would seek to address tariff and non-tariff barriers and achieve "free, fair and reciprocal trade" with the United Kingdom. Trump has been playing hardball with US trading partners, using tariffs and threats in an effort to boost US exports and curb the longstanding deficit in merchandise trade, despite warnings from many US lawmakers and the International Monetary Fund. "We need to work together to de-escalate and resolve the current trade disputes," IMF chief Christine Lagarde said at an IMF and World Bank gathering in Bali last week. Trump has levied or threatened tariffs on goods from economies around the world, notably China, but also on traditional allies such as the European Union. More tariffs and their countermeasures "could lead to a broader tightening of financial conditions, with negative implications for the global economy and financial stability," the fund warned.New venture partner Arya Masagung has been appointed to helm the fund, which has made its first investment in Indonesia

Regional venture capital (VC) firm Gobi Partners launched its new early-stage fund, the Gobi-Agung Fund, in Indonesia today. The fund size reaches US$10 million, with ticket sizes up to US$1 million for each deal.

The Venture Partner that will helm the fund is Arya Masagung, who joined the firm this year to oversee their early-stage investment strategy in Southeast Asia, with a focus on the Indonesian market.

The University of San Fransisco graduate has previous experiences as Co-Founder in Ebby, a Silicon Valley startup that provides corporate transportation services, and as a business development executive at Verlocal, a hyperlocal marketplace.

Indonesia is in the middle of a growth spurt. No longer is Indonesia a local market, instead we believe it is an international one. Just look at Southeast Asia today, and well find that most of the unicorns are Indonesian companies. Given Gobis experience as a regional player, we are in a unique position to be a bridge for startups in the region. By investing in both inbound and outbound companies, we will be able to utilise our regional ecosystem to its utmost potential in creating value for these companies. With this two-fold strategy, we will ride the waves of Indonesias emerging economy, said Masagung.

Read Also: Hong Kongs securities watchdog exploring ways to regulate crypto exchanges

The Gobi-Agung Fund has already made its first investment in Fastwork, a Southeast Asian freelancing platform headquartered in Indonesia, that was founded in 2015 by a group of engineers and entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley and New York. The company has grown 1,100 per cent in revenue since December 2017, and is currently employing more than 50 people for its operations in Indonesia and Thailand.

The launch of Gobi-Agung fund is a part of key components of Gobis overall strategy for ASEAN. Right before the launch of Gobi-Agung fund for Indonesia, the VC firm also launched Gobi-Core Fund in the Philippines.

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Both investment vehicles will serve as discovery funds for the firm and will be backed up by Gobi Partnerss Meranti ASEAN Growth Fund.

Read Also: Despite ethical concerns with AI, IoT is on rise in healthtech

We can now engage earlier with entrepreneurs and build deeper relationships in the local venture ecosystems. At the same time, we can bring further follow-on funding and Gobis broader resources and networks. Most importantly, we can share some of the lessons that we have learned, said Ku Kay Mok, Gobi Managing Partner for ASEAN.



Image Credit: Gobi Partners

The post VC firm Gobi Partners launches Gobi-Agung Fund in Indonesia appeared first on e27.Another flu season is upon us. Last year was the deadliest flu season in more than four decades, killing an estimated 80,000 Americans.

The Centers for Disease Control put out its annual recommendations for this season, advising everyone over 6 months old to get the vaccine.

Flu is a disease that needs to be taken seriously, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

If youre still second-guessing the shot, heres what you should know:

A flu shot cannot give you the flu, according to the CDC. This is because the vaccine is either an inactivated version of the virus or has no flu vaccine viruses at all.

If you do find yourself sick after you get the vaccine, thats probably because you were already exposed to it or came in contact with a strain of the flu that wasnt included in this years vaccine.

While the Surgeon General urges people to get the shot, its still unknown if President Trump has recently been vaccinated.

Just got my #flu shot and had @Browns legend @joethomas73 stand next to me. I want everyone to know the #flu vaccine is safe, effective, and can save a life. I challenge you to share your pictures with me. #IGetFluShot pic.twitter.com/o5dbhhJ59M  U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) September 27, 2018

Its still unknown if President Trump has recently been vaccinated.

In 2015 he told reporters,  I dont like the idea of injecting bad stuff into [my] body. I have friends that religiously get the flu shot, and then they get the flu

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Historians believe misconceptions about the illness date back to the 1976 swine flu vaccine fiasco.

The government did a massive campaign and even signed legislation to get people vaccinated against what was thought to be a deadlier form of Spanish influenza, but the CDC was wrong about the strain.

After being vaccinated, dozens died and over 400 people came down with the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Even though more is known about viruses today, theres still a long shadow looming from the 1976 debacle.

The CDC warns that the biggest risk is not getting vaccinated at all.Recreational marijuana sales are set to begin in Canada on Wednesday, which will officially make our northern neighbor the worlds second country after Uruguay to formally legalize the drug for non-medical use. But with the historic moment at hand, many are wondering: Will there be enough weed to go around?

Its not just anxious stoners who are concerned. Cannabis producers and market analysts have have been warning for months about the possibility of shortages once legal sales get up and rolling. Growers are still scaling up their crops and production facilities, and likely arent ready to harvest the estimated 655,000 to 926,000 kilograms of dank, sticky green Canadians are expected to consume in the coming year. Researchers from the University of Waterloo and the C.D. Howe Institute, for instance, concluded that legal supply will meet just 30 to 60 percent of total demand early on, while the investment firm Mackie Research Capital has suggested that production wont outstrip demand until 2020. As the CEO of cannabis producer Aphria put it on an earnings call, Unless someones out there hiding 100,000 kilograms, were looking at a real shortfall.

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The government has mostly waved off these worries. Based on current inventory levels and growth in production capacity, the industry is well positioned to supply product as consumers transition to the legal market, a health ministry spokesman told Bloomberg. But its not just the sheer tonnage of marijuana that could be a problem; in many parts of Canada, there simply wont be anywhere to shop for pot, at least at first. In Ontario, the countrys largest province, there will zero retail stores open as of this week. In British Columbia, there will be just one. (Anybody who has ever spent time in Vancouver will understand the absurdity of this situation; imagine if there were only one store that could legally sell bagels in New York, and you get the idea). Canadians will be able to purchase pot through government-run online storesassuming they dont crashbut for many customers, browsing a local dispensary wont be an option until more storefronts can get permits to open. Those who do want a physical retail experience may need to get ready for a long line.

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Canadas new legal weed merchants could of course try to raise their prices to keep inventories from running dry. But there are some reasons that might not be an option. Retailers still need to compete with the black market, where pot is expected to keep selling for cheap, lest customers keep buying from their local dealers. And in some provinces, cannabis will only be sold through state-run shops, the same way as liquor; as Shea Coulson, a Dentons partner who specializes in marijuana law, told me, the standard pricing system those government-operated stores use wont let them charge more for especially popular products, even to keep them from selling out. Other provinces will license private retailers, who will be permitted to mark up their marijuana however much they like. But those stores will still have to compete with whatever price the provincial government decides to sell weed for online.

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Instead of expensive weed, its more likely Canadians could encounter bare shelvesat least in some parts of the country. You could see product shortages differ province by province, Coulson told me, depending on how they handle retail permitting and regulation.

If customers cant find the product they want in stores, chances are theyre going to keep buying the illegal stuff. As Professor Anindya Sen, who co-authored the C.D. Howe study projecting shortages, pointed out, it is trivially easy for Canadians to find black market weed today. Its not like Breaking Bad. You dont have to go in your alleyway. You have apps like Weed maps. Its like TripAdviser, he told me, bluntly. The continued use of the black market, of course, would defeat the entire point of legalization, which is meant to put it out of business. It would mean less tax revenue for the government, too.

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Medical marijuana patients have also expressed concerns that shortages could make it harder for them to obtain the drug. Some patients have reported already having trouble filling their prescriptions in the leadup to legalization, and have said theyre worried producers are diverting their supplies to the recreational market. But those concerns are mostly anecdotal at this point, and the head of the Cannabis Council of Canada has denied that the issues are widespread.

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The good news for Canada is that marijuana shortages seem to be reasonably common once states lift prohibitionand they tend to be short-lived. Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval had to take emergency measures to speed up licensing and keep dispensaries properly stocked last year after the state legalized recreational use. Thanks to regulatory fumbles, the state of Washington was left with a tiny number of dispensaries when the legal market kicked off in 2014, and store-owners complained that they couldnt get their hands on enough product; an estimate by analysts at CIBC suggested that legal weed only captured one-fifth as much of the market as illegal sales had previously done. But since then, the market has grown rapidly, and now producers are worrying about an oversupply of cannabis thats caused prices to crash.

Something similar could easily happen in Canada, once growers finish building out their capacity. The Ottawa Citizen, for instance, reported in August that, based on their corporate statements, the 10 largest cannabis producers in the country were planning to churn out 1.8 million kilograms worth of the plant by around 2020, far more than the domestic market could ever hope to inhale or bake into brownies. There might be shortages now. But they probably wont be chronic.The young, horn-rimmed, punk-era rocker whose bony knees seemed driven to go to war with each other while he spat out barrages of alliterative puns and internal rhymes savaging every existing social structure, whether public or intimate, along with himselfthat Elvis Costello has been mostly gone for a long time. But the mature, song-form-exploring, avuncular craftsman who took his place still has a defiant streak hidden under his many, many hats. Consider that in a time of heightened awareness of both gender injustice and the perils of appropriation, Costello has chosen to sing eight of the 12 songs on his new album, Look Now, from female characters points of view.

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It could be a bad look for a 64-year-old codger to try to slip into the shoes of all these dreamed-up women. Especially Costello, given his early history of sexist-sounding spitefulnesshis 1970s raging-nerd profile would suggest an incel Twitter troll todayas well as his later tendency to muddle his musical narratives with overloads of opaque imagery. But to my ears (cis male ears though they be), Costello carries it off: Look Now happens to be his best album this century, and one of his three or four best in about 30 years.

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It was made partly with his own Imperial Bedroom in mindCostello did a tour centered around that 1982 landmark album last yearand these songs similarly concentrate on intricate portraiture using an expansive sonic palette. The core band is augmented by horn and string sections and Costellos most extensive ever use of group backup vocals, which puts some real-world female voices alongside the ones Costello channels (sometimes even with subtly feminine affectations, his vocal tremors conjuring a grizzled-Brit Judy Garland). The arrangementsco-produced by the Argentine American producer Sebastian Krys, whos won multiple Grammys for his work on Latinx rock and popare carefully designed not to suffocate the songs, which themselves are in the main elegantly delineated, verbally and melodically, rather than overloaded. Its a much less emotionally fraught record than Imperial Bedroom, fittingly sounding older and wiser, though still far from content. Less audaciously thrilling of course, too, but thats to be expected of a later-period Costello record, even if he can still summon it on stage.

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On its face, the albums title is a more positive spin on the name of the second track, Dont Look Now, which is sung in the persona of a fashion model warning her photographer not to get any dodgy ideas. But the phrase Look Now is also a kind of Im back declaration from an artist who hasnt put out a full-length record under his own name since 2010, when he said that, given the economics of the modern music industry, he might never make an album again (though he did continue collaborating on albums, notably with the Roots on Wise Up Ghost in 2013).

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Costello still has a defiant streak hidden under his many, many hats.

Its also his first in a decade with his primary live band, the Imposters, who, except for a crucial change of bass players, are the same group as the classic Attractions, whove been with him since 1977hes said that one of his motivations for making this record was to showcase the emotional range the bands achieved four decades along. On top of that, its Costellos first album since he published his ambitious 2015 memoir, Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink, in which he sometimes grappled with and sometimes avoided the less savory parts of his own history, including with women, both in life and in song. Finally, its his first new music since the news last year that hed undergone (thoroughly successful) surgery for a small but very aggressive cancer.

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And so, Look Now, as in Check me out! But the title does double thematic duty, because so many of these songs are about the way that people, above all men and women, literally look at each otherthe lyrics are full of look and see and gaze and eyeswhether that regard is wary, desirous, regretful, projecting, manipulative, or most often some ambiguous and treacherous combination thereof.

Glances are exchanged like fencing parries in the opening track Under Lime, as a rickety old showman and a young female production assistant negotiate a dubious tryst backstage at a talk show. And in Stripping Paper, where a woman whose marital vows have proved hollow pulls away their homes wallpaper and sees the whole history of the relationship revealed there archaeologically, layer by layer. In Unwanted Numbera girl groupstyle tearjerker that Costello wrote for the 1996 film Grace of My Heart, which is loosely based on Carole Kings life as a Brill Building songwriter in the 1960sa teen whos found herself seduced, abandoned, and pregnant sings about how shes regarded as disposable by her ex-lover, her peers, and her parents. Burnt Sugar Is So Bitter, the song here that Costello wrote with King herself 20 years ago, has a divorced mother reviewing the stages of her ex-husbands vanishing act. In Photographs Can Lie, a young woman stares at a photo of her parents seeming blissful together, when she knows her father was a cheaterWhy cant she see through him?and fears shell someday find herself in a similar picture. And so on, including the only worthwhile bonus track on the deluxe edition, a song Costello composed for the recent movie Film Stars Dont Die in Liverpool, which movingly has a self-conscious older woman telling an infatuated younger man, You Shouldnt Look at Me That Way. (It really ought to be the closing track of the main album.)

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None of this adds up to a grand thesis about the male gaze or sexual politics, thankfully. Costello got out of the business of pointed topicality long ago. In his early stuff, I would argue that many of the songs tagged as misogynist were equally as much about misogyny, from a critical stance (e.g., This Years Girl, currently the theme for the HBO series The Deuce), though dont get me wrong, that line was certainly blurry (e.g., Alison). But here the man born Declan MacManus simply aims for richly empathetic sketches of humans enduring the ordinary ongoing mess and lets his characters pains and confusions speak for themselves. Though this kind of earthy realism is not the trait hes best known for, Costello has long excelled at it when he doesnt let his own cleverness obstruct him. These songs are spiritual sequels to songs like Veronica, the compassionate 1989 hit about an elderly woman with dementia that he co-wrote with Paul McCartney, or The Long Honeymoon, about a womans dawning realization that her husband is sleeping with her best friend, on Imperial Bedroom itself.

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Besides King, Costellos other high-profile collaborator here is Burt Bacharach, revisiting their partnership from the lovely 1998 album Painted From Memory, which Costello has said was another touchstone for this album. The 90-year-old master of easy-listening but complexly constructed songwriting co-wrote three tunes here: Dont Look Now, Photographs Can Lie, and the closing number about a woman justifying to her ex-lover why shes become the mistress of a wealthy older man, Hes Given Me Things. (He plays piano on the first two.) The bright 1950s and 1960s mainstream-pop sound that Bacharach helped birth is one of this albums stylistic modelsWhy Wont Heaven Help Me? verges on Dionne Warwick territoryalong with girl groups, Motown (a Costello constant), post-Motown soul (less so), and Broadway musicals. Theres some rock too, naturally, but the former New Wave icon these days proclaims that rock is a big square thing that fills stadiums with a really square beat and it has never interested me, and he hopes it really is dead.

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One of the reasons Bacharach is present is that he and Costello spent years working on a potential stage production based on their 1998 album and wrote many additional songs for it, likely including the three here. Costello has said hes attempted a couple of other theater projects that didnt come to fruition, along with his currently in-development musical based on the same story as the 1957 Elia Kazan film A Face in the Crowd (which saw a revival of interest in the past few years due to parallels between its main character and Donald Trump). Many of the songs on this album seem to be salvaged from those unrealized projectsmaking them trunk songs, in theater lingoalong with the couple that come from films and the long-unused Burnt Sugar. That connection to stage musicals is significant, because many of the Look Now songs are more linear and direct, exactly the way musicals main numbers tend to be: They lay out a thesis and a central metaphorical device, and then follow it through, sans detours into Dylan-esque tangents.

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Look Now is one of his three or four best in about 30 years.

I love a good Dylan-esque tangent, mind, if its truly good. And there still is some density here, particularly in Under Lime (in which the title refers at once to showbiz limelights, the lime in a mixed drink, and the quicklime used to dissolve a body after a murder), as well as the Beatlesque and Elton Johnesque I Let the Sun Go Down (about an aging Brit clinging to the vestiges of the empire and possibly voting pro-Brexit). But even these songsthough maybe not the ska-soul shuffle (recall that Costello produced the Specials) Mr. & Mrs. Hush, which is about quelling jealousy, possibly, I think?come to sound straightforward enough after a few listens, compared with a lot of Costellos 1990s and 2000s output. And except for the first three bonus tracks, like the hideous broken-French thing Adieu Paris (which Costello tried to pitch to the late Johnny Hallyday), nothing seems like a mere genre exercise.

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Selecting from a decade and mores buildup of songs seems to have been a winning method of quality control. Stripping Paper, Unwanted Number, Photographs Dont Lie, the orchestral Philadelphia soulstyle Suspect My Tearsabout a couple vying to win arguments by out-weeping each other (two hypocrites collide)and perhaps a couple of others earn places on Costellos spinning wheel of classics. And the throughline of vignettes on gender and relationships helps Look Now feel like a defined space one can enter, survey, and contemplate over sustained timenot to analyze current urgencies, but to relate to and reflect on however we might, while enjoying enormously well-realized music. Its not as if Costello would have any revelations rendering him required listening for young fans of, say, Solange or Julien Baker. But for longtime, oft-frustrated lovers of Costellos work, the arrival of a thoroughly satisfying album, a set of sharply beautiful songs also pertinent to everyday concernsrather than padding Costellos quiver of acquired styles or the self-mythology of our Beloved Entertaineris more than enough cause to get happy.With apologies to Donald Barthelme.

Well, we had all these operatives out interrogating dissidents, see, because we figured that  that was part of their education, to see how, you know, the legal system  and also the sense of responsibility, taking care of things, being individually responsible. You know what I mean. And the dissidents all died. They were healthy dissidents. I dont know why they died, they just died. Something wrong with the water possibly or maybe the sodium pentothal we got from the Americans wasnt the best. We complained about it. So weve got thirty operatives here, each operative had his or her own little dissident to interrogate and weve got these thirty dead dissidents. All these operatives looking at these little drowned outside agitators, it was depressing.

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It wouldnt have been so bad except that just a couple of weeks before the thing with the dissidents, the clerics all died. But I think the clericswell the reason that the clerics kicked off was that  you remember, the holding cells were shut down for two weeks because of the riot, and that was explicable. It was something you could explain to the operatives because of the riot. I mean, none of their commanding officers would let them enter a prison riot and they knew there was no running water and what it meant. So when things got started up again and we found the clerics they werent too disturbed.

With the womens rights activists it was probably a case of overwaterboarding, and at least now they know not to overwaterboard. The operatives were very conscientious with the womens rights activists and some of them probably  you know, slipped them a little extra water when we werent looking. Or maybe  well, I dont like to think about rogue killers, although it did occur to us. I mean, it was something that crossed our minds. We were thinking that way probably because before that the poets had died, and the Twelvers had died, and the Seveners had died, and the General  well, now they know not to rendition them in plastic bags.

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Of course we expected the filmmakers to die, that was no surprise. Those numbers, you look at them crooked and theyre in cardiac arrest. But the political exigencies called for a filmmaker roundup at that point, there was nothing we could do, it happens every year, you just have to hurry past it.

We werent even supposed to have a blogger.

We werent even supposed to have one, he was just a student the al-Tubaigy kid found on Twitter one day and he was afraid the Crown Prince wouldnt like what he was saying, so he stuck him in a windowless van and brought him to the consulate with him. So we had this blogger. As soon as I saw the blogger I thought, Oh Christ, I bet he will live for about two weeks and then  And thats what he did. He wasnt supposed to be in the consulate at all, theres some kind of regulation about it, but you cant tell them they cant have a blogger when the blogger is already there, right in front of them, curled up in the fetal position in a puddle of vomit and blood. They named him Edgarthat is, they named him after me. They had a lot of fun running after him and yelling, Here, Edgar! Nice Edgar! Then theyd laugh like hell. They enjoyed the ambiguity. I enjoyed it myself. I dont mind being kidded. They made a little confinement box for him and all that. I dont know what he died of. Asphyxiation, I guess. He probably wasnt very flexible. I got him out of there before the operatives got to the consulate. I checked the confinement box each morning, routinely, because I knew what was going to happen. I gave him to the bone saw guy.

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And then there was this migrant worker that the operatives adopted through the Saudi Vision 2030 program, all the operatives sent her a quarter a month, that was the idea. It was an unfortunate thing, the kids name was Nafeek. The cause of death was not stated in the letter we got, they suggested we adopt another migrant worker instead and sent us some interesting case histories, but we didnt have the heart. The operatives took it pretty hard, they began (I think, nobody ever said anything to me directly) to feel that maybe there was something wrong with the consulate. But I dont think theres anything wrong with the consulate, particularly, Ive seen better and Ive seen worse. It was just a run of bad luck. Weve had an extraordinary number of beheadings, for instance. There were I think four witches and 24 non-violent drug offenders, two maids, and 47 terrorists killed together in a mass execution. One crucifixion. And we had the usual heavy mortality rate at the Ritz Carlton, or maybe it was heavier this year, it seemed so. And finally the tragedy.

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The tragedy occurred when two operatives were rehearsing a speech with the Prime Minister of Lebanon down where theyre excavating for the new sub-basement of the consulate. It turned out there were all these cameras and microphones hidden, you know, inside the walls. Theres a court case coming out of that, the officials are claiming that an Apple Watch did the recording. I dont know whats true and whats not. Its been a strange year.

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I forgot to mention all the Yemeni children who were fatally shrapneled when they grappled with a U.S.-made Lockheed Martin MK 82 laser-guided bomb in their school bus.

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One day, we had a discussion in the consulate. They asked me, where did they go? The dissidents, the General, the filmmakers, Edgar, the Twelvers and the Seveners, the schoolchildren and the maids, where did they go? And I said, I dont know, I dont know. And they said, who knows? and I said nobody knows. And they said, is death that which gives meaning to life? And I said no, oil is that which gives meaning to life.

Then they said, but isnt death, considered as a fundamental datum, the means by which our stranglehold over the global economy may be tightened in the direction of

I said, yes, maybe.

They said, we love it.

I said, thats sound.

They said, its our favorite thing.

I said, mine too.

They said, will you behead Helen (our receptionist) so that we can see how it is done? We know you disapprove of her driving.

I do disapprove of Helens driving but I said that I would not.

Weve heard so much about it, they said, but weve never seen it in person.

I said I would be fired and it was never, or almost never, done as a demonstration.

Helen looked out the window.

They said please, please behead Helen, we require an assertion of value, we are frightened.

I said that they shouldnt be frightened (although I am often frightened) and that there was a private jet waiting to take them back home. Helen resigned. I told her I would not accept her resignation. The operatives were excited. Then there was a knock on the door, I opened the door, and the journalist walked in. The operatives cheered wildly.Last night, The Daily Shows Trevor Noah considered the 2020 presidential election and the possibility that Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren might run. It makes sense, Noah says. Shes progressive, shes popular, and shes scandal-free. That is, except for one thing: Her claim she has Native American ancestry, which led to Trumps notorious nickname Pocahontas, an epithet he loves so much that he once evoked it during a ceremony to honor Native American veterans.

Monday, of course, Warren announced that she had undergone DNA testing and that a researcher had found evidence that supported her claims to Native American ancestry (though some native communities strongly disputed the methods). Oh, snap, DNA plot twist, Noah says, before acknowledging that the results were far from certain: It could be that a Native American just sneezed on someone in her family at some point.

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Still, Noah argued, the text is enough for her to shove in President Trumps face. Fair enough. The senator used the opportunity to remind the president that during a rally in July he said that he would donate a $1 million to charity if she could prove her Native American heritage (on a debate stage but still). In a tweet, Warren asked that Trump send the money to the National Indigenous Womens Resource Center:

By the way, @realDonaldTrump: Remember saying on 7/5 that youd give $1M to a charity of my choice if my DNA showed Native American ancestry? I remember  and here's the verdict. Please send the check to the National Indigenous Womens Resource Center: https://t.co/I6YQ9hf7Tv pic.twitter.com/J4gBamaeeo  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) October 15, 2018

Trump, naturally, is denying he ever offered anything, but The Daily Shows ace video archivists have the receipts.Forgetting someones name is embarrassing, especially when the not-stranger in question remembers yours perfectly well. But since everyone slips up at one time or another, in the grand scheme of things it shouldnt matter that much, right? Unfortunately, thats only half-true according to a new study from researchers at Scotlands University of Aberdeen, which aimed to understand something thats largely been unexplored: the lasting impact of being forgotten.

Published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, the study confirmed that the experience of being forgottenwhether in terms of ones name, personal details like ones birthday, or shared experiencesis fairly ubiquitous. For one of the four experiments covered in the paper, students who were asked to keep online diaries were forgotten on just as many days as they were not forgotten. How these poor Forgotten reacted was mixed. On the one hand, people will try their best to be forgiving, said lead researcher Devin Ray in an interview with the Atlantic, referring to participants tendency to explain away the mistake as being due to situational factors like the forgetter being busy or absent-minded rather than malicious. Despite this generosity, however, the relationship still sustained real damage: Those who were forgotten still felt less close to and perceived themselves as less important to those who had forgotten them.

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The finding that an honest mistake like name forgetfulness can still have a long-lasting negative impact on our relationships resonated strongly with me as a person of color. Getting consistently mixed up with the other person of color in a predominately white setting is a depressingly common experience for us; in fact, in his interview with the Atlantic, Ray said his earliest inspiration for looking into forgetting  came from witnessing a professor constantly mix up the names of two of his non-white graduate students. Though these blunders are very common and rarely malicious, this study affirms the feeling of alienation I so often feel when Im called by the name of another black woman whose only characteristic I share is our race. The fact that those errors arent spiteful often makes the experience even worse: Correcting co-workers or friends of friends and conveying my irritation is either met with guilt-inducing apologies or hand-wavey, panicked assertions of egalitarianism. And though I try to be understanding, underneath this entire interaction is the certainty that if this person really cared about me, they wouldnt make the mistake.

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While the impact of one small incident of, say, forgetting your co-workers favorite song, might fade over time, the cumulative effects of being forgotten or confused for the only other nonwhite person in your office might, in the study authors words, create a downward spiral in which forgetting undermines investment in a relationship. The undermining of that investment will almost certainly have a negative impact on workplace relationships; in the case of the students whose adviser kept mixing them up, theres little doubt that those tiny slights damaged one of the most important relationships you form in graduate school. What makes Rays research so important is that it demonstrates that even when people who are forgotten try to move past the insult, the sting still unconsciously lingers, accumulating over time alongside other forms of discrimination.

There is good news though: The study concluded that being forgotten had little to no bearing on peoples self-esteem. So next time you forget your friends birthday or mix up your two Asian co-workers, take heart in the fact that while you might have irreparably damaged your relationship with them, you probably didnt ruin their life.On Monday, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren took the remarkable step of releasing a DNA test that found strong evidence of Native American ancestry 6-10 generations ago. As the New York Times put it, Just as President Trumps embrace of birtherism led to the remarkable spectacle of President Obamas birth certificate being distributed in the White House, Mr. Trumps unrelenting mockery of Senator Elizabeth Warren as Pocahontasquestioning her claims about having Native American heritage led to Mondays events. The president waved off the test results, but Warrens decision to release them was questioned by some liberals who worried that a finding that she could be as little as 1/1,024 Native American would do nothing to neutralize the question of why, three decades ago, she identified as Native American. Meanwhile, Warren was heavily mocked by conservatives, even those who do not consider themselves supporters of the president. It was only the latest example of the right uniting around perceived political correctness concerning race.

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To talk about Warren, race, and the right, I spoke by phone with David French, a senior writer at National Review, who made headlines during the most recent presidential election as a prominent #NeverTrump conservative and alt-right target. More recently, he has defended Brett Kavanaugh, while continuing to express mixed views about the president. During the course of our conversation, which has been edited and condensed for clarity, we discussed what it is he finds galling about Warrens behavior, how he views Trumps presidency thus far, and whether conservatives should speak out more on the subject of voting rights.

Isaac Chotiner: Why do you think people on the right are angry about Warrens release of her test results?

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David French: I would say there are some voices that are angry. I think it was much more mockery, to be honest. I think that it was mockery on a couple of fronts. One was the idea that Elizabeth Warren had vindicated her decision in any way to hold herself out as Native American by releasing those DNA test results, which demonstrate that her Native American heritage is really far removed, I mean so far removed that the idea that you would tell a legal directory that youre Native American is just ridiculous.

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There was mockery that that would in any way vindicate her, followed by hard-on-heels mockery at media outlets reporting it as vindication. I think that was the dominant strain of it. I dont think it was fury. Maybe some, but I think the dominant strain was this was an own goal. This was ridiculous, and this is something that the media would never fall for if a Republican did the same thing.

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Her actions make absolutely no political sense to me, both in the sense of, one, drawing attention to it, and two, drawing attention to it three weeks before the election, not that people are going to make up their minds based on this.

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You know, thats a mystery. I mean, it was so odd to me that it almost felt like the kind of decision people make in a groupthink atmosphere. That, Oh, look, weve found, weve proven that there is some Native American ancestry, now we can dunk on Trump on Twitter, or something along those lines. It should have been, Look, I was relying on family lore. Im sorry, lets move on. I think that people, all except the folks who are going to hammer it in on the right, who are never going to be her constituency anyway, would have accepted that and moved on, and that would have been that.

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Where are you on the Trump presidency right now?

Thats a great question. I would say Trumps character has in many ways been worse in the presidency than I feared it would be. I thought there was a chance that he might abandon some of the worst habits of the campaign trail.

Oh, David.

I said a chance, I didnt say a probability. I thought there was a chance, and he hasnt, obviously. I feel better than I did at the start of the presidency with some of the personnel around him, in the sense that, you know, remember when he came on board, he had Bannon and Flynn, essentially one at each elbow, which was in my view one of the worst possible outcomes of a presidential election, to have people like that so close to the presidency. I think his personnel has improved considerably, although I am concerned about Nikki Haley leaving.

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Then his policies, overall a mixed bag, but the bottom line is, as far as my thinking about 2020 goes, I have a pretty ironclad test for a politician. One is they have to have not a perfect character, but a good character, and No. 2 is they have to advance policies that reflect my political values. On Point 1, Trump just completely flops. Theres nothing about his presidency that has led me to change my mind about what kind of person he is. On Point 2, hes done marginally better than I thought he would, but for me to support a politician, you have to have both criteria met.

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Do you not think that there are a lot of policies, like child separation, where the values and character are manifesting themselves?

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Well, I mean, child separation while it lasted, 100 percent, yes. That was deeply problematic, vicious, I thought. I was glad to see it end. Im distressed to see that he may be considering restarting it. Im going to wait and see if thats real or not, but Im very distressed by that.

Im very distressed by the embrace of Kim Jong-un. I just find that unconscionable. For those who say, Its just words, its just words: Diplomacy, international diplomacy, depends on words in many ways, and words really matter. We just spent eight years of the Obama administration  you know, many people on the right spent eight years of the Obama administration deeply concerned about the presidents words, about, for example, whether he had used the term radical Islamic terrorists, whether he could, quote/unquote, name the enemy, and now words dont matter. When he talks about his affection for Kim Jong-un, that makes no sense to me.

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There are also things hes done that are better than I thought he would. Hes been much better on judges than I thought he would. I didnt trust him on that point. Hes come through. Some regulatory reform, although that is exaggerated, its effect is exaggerated, its been positive in my view. I was pleased with the tax cut, although that tax bill could have been better. Its not like Im over the moon about the good parts of his policies, except I am pleased about the judges.

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Judges are interesting, because some of us view him as out of control in various ways, which I do think is true, but on the issues where his bread is buttered and where he knows he has to deliver for his political coalition, he doesnt screw around.

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There are two things that really ignite the right. One is judges, and the other is that academic brand of identity politics.  David French

I think on the judges point, he knows that he would not be president but for the Supreme Court.

What does that suggest to you about his character or about the way he is as a politician, or how unstable versus calculating he is?

Well, Ive always thought that Trumpism is  its not an ideology, its a personal ambition of one man. Hes very clearly focused on his self-interests. He may be undisciplined in other areas, but I think hes pretty focused on his self-interests, and he has rightly deemed that it is absolutely in his self-interest to be focused on and to deliver on the court, and hes done that.

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I want to circle back to the Warren thing. As someone who has followed Fox News, talk radio, conservatives on Twitter, for a very long time, it seems that there are a variety of issues involving what they perceive to be political correctness regarding race, and all these issues drive them up the wall. How do you understand that?

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I think its a pretty safe thing to say that there are two things that really ignite the right more broadly. One is the judges that weve been talking about, and the other one is that academic brand of identity politics. Youre not going to find somebody on the right, whether theyre a Trump skeptic, if they still identify on the right, youre not going to find anyone who thinks that that sort of extreme brand of academic identity politics is anything but toxic.

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For an Elizabeth Warren, to see somebody who has seemed to have gamed that system to her advantage, or at least attempted or tried to game that system to her advantage, and then to sort of retreat from it as if it was no big deal, when anybody who knows anything about academic identity politics knows these categories are of extraordinary importance, I think thats one reason why people wont leave it alone. They know that these designations and these listings in these directories, if you have any knowledge particularly of controversies at the time  I was in law school at Harvard when she was a visiting professor. The idea that having a minority female professor was not an extremely big deal at the time is just  its almost ludicrous.

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There is also gaming the system like getting hundreds of millions of dollars from your family and finding tax write-arounds or loopholes or illegal maneuvers to keep your business going. There are all kinds of gaming the system.

Im not going to argue about that.

I know youre not. I just mean there are all kinds of gaming the system, and it does seem to me that theres a certain form of it based around race that really unites all the conservatives. Im just trying to understand culturally what you think thats about.

I would say theres a spectrum on this, OK? I would divide it into three categories: good-faith critique, bad-faith critique, and just apathy and indifference. The good-faith critique of this is what I think youre seeing in a lot of the folks who are opposing Harvards treatment of Asian Americans, and the good-faith critique of this is, Look, we do not deny that there are people who have advantages and disadvantages that are not their faults, or they have advantages that are not due to their virtue, and there are disadvantages that are not due to their vice. Nobody, I dont think any human being, could look at this country and look at reality and not see that as true. What is objected to is the notion that the paramount or the principal way of viewing advantage and disadvantage becomes race, and that the prism of advantage and disadvantage is then viewed primarily, or sometimes almost exclusively, through race, and that that is a very, very blunt instrument and often even a quite divisive instrument, and there are other better instruments for dealing with these advantages and disadvantages. Thats the good-faith critique.

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The bad-faith critique is  and this is something that we saw just emerge on the right quite honestly and openly during the Trump campaign  is white identity politics. Sort of a fixed pie. Youre coming for our culture, youre coming for our economic position, youre coming for our political power, and were just flat out going to resist it. Then theres the indifference section, which I think is an underestimated segment, which is kind of like, Can we just stop obsessing about all this stuff? I dont really care. It annoys me how much people obsess about this.

Youve been following whats going on with voter purges in Georgia?

Yes.

It seems pretty clear what the intent of that is.

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Yeah.

When Trump is the president and when aspects of the Republican Party seem fairly intent on the idea that fewer black people voting is a good thing, I get a lot of the frustrations about PC culture, but I just sort of cant care that much because this stuff seems so much more important, and I wish more Republicans and sane Republicans would denounce it.

Right. Well, you know, I think theres a couple of things on the voting issue. One  is the notion of Im going to gerrymander, say, to maximize Republican votes and maximize Republican power and minimize Democratic power. Is that per se racist? I would say no. I mean, thats just normal gerrymandering. You would see Democrats do it if, say, for example an ethnic minority was heavily Republican. You would see gerrymandering around political lines, and that would be the primary criteria.

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Whats happening in Georgia seems to be an extreme, so extreme that its very difficult to analyze that as, Well, this is just political, this is just, quote/unquote, ballot integrity, or this is simply a political Democratic/Republican kind of maneuver. It seems to be an order of magnitude beyond that, but the question that I have is, as with many of these issues, its very difficult to determine at the end of the day whats going to be the real-world impact. Thats the thing that Im having real trouble discerning. A lot of these voter suppression arguments and vote fraud arguments appear to me to be really at the end of the day sort of tinkering along the edges.

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I agree with you about the impact being uncertain, but people fought and died for the right to vote in this country, especially in the South, and there are black Americans now who are trying to vote in the South whose ancestors and even themselves lived through segregation, and the government is making it increasingly hard for them to be registered to vote. I dont know what the impact is going to be, neither do you, but that seems really like something we should be upset about.

Right. I mean, I think I draw a distinction between, say, purging somebody from the rolls unjustly, which that, to me, theres no excuse for that. That is something that I cannot  I cannot see the excuse for that. The best-case scenario for purging someone from the rolls unjustly, the best case is bureaucratic error, which needs to be and should be corrected immediately. Purging somebody from the rolls as an eligible voter, in my mind that is  I just cant see any excuse for that under any circumstances.

Now, the thing that I differ from a lot of my progressive friends on is when you impose, say for an example, an ID requirement, and then you call that voter suppression. I find it difficult to believe that requiring all people who go to the polls to have a picture ID, a government-issued picture ID, is in any way any kind of material impairment of the right to vote that people died for.A federal judge, on Monday, dismissed a defamation suit filed by former porn star Stormy Daniels against Donald Trump that claimed Trumps tweet calling her assertion that she was threatened when she came forward with the story of their affair a total con job. Daniels lawyer Michael Avenatti argued that the statement was false and defamatory, and that the tweet was defamation  because it charged her with committing a serious crime, District Judge S. James Otero wrote in his opinion Monday. Otero, however, wasnt buying it, writing in his opinion that Trumps tweet amounted to constitutionally protected speech.

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A sketch years later about a nonexistent man. A total con job, playing the Fake News Media for Fools (but they know it)! https://t.co/9Is7mHBFda  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2018

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The Court agrees with Mr. Trumps argument because the tweet in question constitutes rhetorical hyperbole normally associated with politics and public discourse in the United States. The First Amendment protects this type of rhetorical statement, Otero wrote. Otero ordered Daniels to pay Trumps legal fees as part of the ruling.

No amount of spin or commentary by Stormy Daniels or her lawyer, Mr. Avenatti, can truthfully characterize todays ruling in any way other than total victory for President Trump and total defeat for Stormy Daniels, Trumps attorney Charles Harder said in a statement to CNN about the ruling. Avenatti said Daniels will appeal the ruling and that the decision will not affect Daniels other claims against Trump and his lawyer Michael Cohen.As Justice Brett Kavanaugh takes his seat on the Supreme Court, Chief Justice John Robertss job just got harder. Roberts, who claims to be protective of the courts role as an impartial arbiter of law, now must welcome a colleague saddled with credible and compelling allegations of sexual assault (according to President Donald Trump himself) and marred by serious, unresolved questions about his candor, judicial temperament, and partisanship.

The Kavanaugh nomination exposed a remorseless effort by huge Republican interests to confirm this nominee at all costswhich in turn put the spotlight on the courts pre-existing pattern of partisan decisions that serve those huge Republican interests. Whether Chief Justice Roberts wants toor canaddress the issues this pattern raises about the courts independence and integrity is the great question facing his leadership.

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Kavanaugh was in many respects an unsurprising choice. He said all the things conservatives expect to hear from a justice: He would respect precedent; he wouldnt make policy from the bench; he would interpret the Constitution as the founders intended. But for Republican appointees to the court, these platitudes have become doctrines of convenience. With the Republican appointees, it is more important to watch what they do, not what they say.

What the Republican appointees have done, with remarkable consistency, is deliver a distinct pattern of rulings for the big corporate and special interests that are the lifeblood of the Republican Party, often achieving by judicial fiat what the Republican Party could not achieve through democratic means. The Republican appointees have done this not three or four times, not even a dozen or two dozen times, but 73 times. All were 54 partisan decisions, with no Democratic appointee joining the majority. On the way to this Republican judicial romp, the Roberts Five allowed no doctrine, no precedent, no congressional finding to get in their way. As a nominee, Kavanaugh talked about joining a team of nine. In fact, he joins a team of five that reliably delivers big wins for the Republican interests that had such a big role in his selection and confirmation.

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The Kavanaugh nomination was riven with special interest infiltration into the process.

Preparing for the Kavanaugh hearings, we reviewed all the Roberts courts decisions in civil cases. There were 212 54 or 53 decisions. Of those 212 cases, the right wing of the court voted en bloc to form the majority in 79 cases. Of those 79 cases, big Republican interests won 92 percent of the time. Thats 73 cases. In all of those 73 cases, there was a clearly apparent Republican political interest. And in every one of those 73 cases with a political payload, the Republican interest won.

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How were those big Republican interests served? The Roberts Five have opened the floodgates of Republican-friendly unlimited money into our elections, eliminated historic voting rights protections for Democrat-leaning voters, sanctioned voter suppression, and turned a blind eye to partisan gerrymandering, all helping achieve Republican electoral victories. Theyve made it harder for the government to regulate corporations, easier for polluters to pollute, and increasingly difficult for individuals to get their day in court, where a civil jury of ones peers can protect individuals against the excesses of private wealth and power. Thanks to the Roberts Five, it is ever easier to discriminate against minorities, while corporations and right-wing special interests like the National Rifle Association regularly win constitutional protections unimaginable to the founders.

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The Kavanaugh nomination was riven with special interest infiltration into the process. The vetting of potential nominees was completely outsourced to the Federalist Society and its political gatekeeper Leonard Leo. Kavanaugh had given more than 50 speeches to the Federalist Society since becoming a circuit court judge; he auditioned, and he got the part.

The big funders of the Federalist Society show who is behind this judicial nomination assembly line. To the extent its funders are public (many are secret), they come as no surprise: the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Koch brothers, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, and the Scaife Foundationsa whos-who of big Republican influencers.

When the nominee is selected, the political campaigning begins. The multimillion-dollar scorched-earth ad campaign to get senators to vote for Kavanaugh was spearheaded by the dark-money Judicial Crisis Network. JCN promised to spend at least $10 million to get Kavanaugh confirmed and spent heavily in red states with Democratic senators: North Dakota, Indiana, West Virginia, and Alabama. JCN keeps its special-interest donors secret. But we have learned that in 2016, JCN received more than $23 million from the secretive Wellspring Committee, which also funds the Federalist Society.

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The corporate and special interests behind the groups selecting and lobbying for Republican judicial nominees also fund Republican politicians. After the Roberts Fives decision in Citizens United, we have no idea whose unlimited dark money floods our elections. But we do know that groups like the Chamber of Commerce and the Koch brothers spend tens of millions of dollars each election to elect Republicans.

The final special interest play is to turn up regularly in appellate courtrooms, like the D.C. Circuit and the Supreme Court, using one of the worst-policed tools of special-interest influence in America, the amicus curiae brief. Big special interests, directly or through funded front groups, file these briefs as a friend of the court to influence judges as to how they want the court to rule. Its hidden, special-interest, judicial lobbying under a fancy-sounding Latin name.

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Amicus briefs by right-wing special interest groups appear to have disproportionate sway with the Roberts Five. According to an analysis conducted by professor Paul Collins of the University of Massachusetts, in all 54 decisions, amicus briefs supporting the liberal position outnumbered those supporting the conservative position by about 9 percent. In 54 decisions in which the Roberts Five constituted the courts majority, amicus briefs supporting the conservative position outnumbered those supporting the liberal position by about 9 percent.

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But the story is not in the numbers, it is in the outcomes. In 54 decisions in which the Roberts Five constituted the courts majority, they voted in favor of the position advocated in conservative amicus briefs 93 percent of the time. The Chamber of Commerce, in addition to funding the Federalist Society and supporting Republican candidates, also writes amicus briefs. It took positions in 25 of the Roberts Five cases and won every single time.

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As a judge on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, Kavanaugh fell right in line. In civil cases decided by 21 majorities when Kavanaugh was in the majority with another Republican-appointed judge, he voted to advance far-right and corporate interests 91 percent of the time. Kavanaugh reliably voted for polluters, for dark money, and for corporate interestswith a healthy dollop of anti-choice, pro-gun, religious-right politics thrown in. In cases where conservative front groups weighed in with amicus briefs, Kavanaugh reliably sided with them: 91 percent of the time.

So Kavanaugh arrives at the court a known quantity when it comes to results. This record helps explain why Trump, the Republican majority in the Senate, and the big Republican influence groups went to such unprecedented lengths to jam their man through. They want to restart the 54 partisan decision treadmill that cranked out 73 victories for them so far under Roberts.

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For Roberts, this state of affairs presents a dilemma. His Roberts Five is now back to full strength and the Republican romp can continue. But a court whose majority is picked by a narrow group of wealthy special interests, and which rules consistently for those same interests, will not long maintain its credibility in the eyes of most Americans. And its credibility is the source of its authority. Polling shows Americans are already widely concerned that this Supreme Court now favors corporations over individuals. The partisan 54 pattern gives that concern plenty of foundation. And the theatrical, conspiracy-theory, partisan rantings of Kavanaugh will make it hard to obscure the pattern of the treadmill as ordinary business.

Roberts now faces a momentous choice: Does he stem the torrent of 73 partisan 54 decisions benefiting big Republican interests? Or does he double down into a continued payday? The corporate and special interest forces that fashioned this court majority will be watching. So, of course, will history.Americas top diplomat has just told the worlds tyrants that they can do anything they want, even murder a prominent American resident, as long as theyre generous to President Trump.

The message was sent in the form of an official readout from Secretary of State Mike Pompeos meeting on Tuesday with Saudi King Salman:

The Secretary thanked the King for Saudi Arabias strong partnership with the United States. The Saudi and the King discussed a number of regional and bilateral issues. The Secretary also thanked the King for his commitment to supporting a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation of Jamal Khashoggis disappearance.

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Pompeo, you will recall, was dispatched to Riyadh to tell King Salman in no uncertain terms that he had to come clean on what happened to Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist who hasnt been seen since Oct. 2, when he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. It is now all but certain that Khashoggi was tortured and killed.

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Yet now we seefrom the State Department readout and from the photos of the meeting, which show the secretary and the king shaking hands and smiling broadlythat Pompeos mission to Riyadh was nothing more, or less, than a visit of reassurance that everything will soon return to normal as long as the key players devise a cover story that isnt quite 100 percent inconceivable (and 99.4 percent is good enough).

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The story seems to have been written. It started with Trumps remark that maybe Khashoggi was murdered by rogue killers, as if rogues could somehow infiltrate the Saudi Consulate. (Many on Twitter instantly wondered if these rogues were related to the 400-pound couch potato who, Trump once said, might have hacked into Hillary Clinton campaigns emails.) Now the Saudis are putting out the word that Khashoggi was killed, but by accident, during an interrogation that went wrong. Even if one were disposed to believe this, it amounts to an admission that he was torturedwhich, by itself, is nothing that a U.S. president should shrug off.

The Saudis explanation amounts to an admission that he was torturedwhich, by itself, is nothing that a U.S. president should shrug off.

So why, in her readout, did Heather Nauert, the State Department spokeswoman, refer to Khashoggis disappearance and sign off on the incredible notion that the king will conduct a thorough, transparent, and timely investigationmuch less thank him for the pledge?

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The readout is a disgrace from top to bottom. The U.S.-Saudi partnership has been in decline, and properly so, for years. It was founded on nothing more than our dependence on their oil; the dependence has long passed, a reassessment of the relationship is overdue, and the Khashoggi incident should be the occasion for that resetnot for another round of bonhomie and gratitude.

As for the number of regional and bilateral issues that the two discussed, some transparency would be welcome here. Presumably it involved new, less blatant ways of bombing Yemen and plotting regime change in Iranthe two main pillars of our partnership these days. It is time for Congress to step in and cut off sales of ammunition now.

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Lest people suspect Trump has personal motives for brushing this under the rug, he went out of his way Thursday morning to tweet, For the record, I have no financial interests in Saudi Arabia (or Russia, for that matter). Trump has always framed this denial in uncharacteristically careful languagehe doesnt have financial interests in Saudi Arabia or Russia. He has never disputed reports that the Saudis and Russians have investments in him.

At a 2015 campaign rally, Trump boasted of the Saudis, They buy apartments from me. They spent $40 million, $50 million. Am I supposed to dislike them? I like them very much! CNN recently reported that a Saudi lobbying firm paid Trumps hotel in Washington more than $270,000 for stays in the five-month period between October 2016 and March 2017. The Washington Post reported that Trumps hotels in New York and Chicago have had a rush of visitors from Saudi Arabia in recent months.

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Then there is the blatant button pushing. The Saudi royals feted Trump with plush carpets, sword dances, and a major arms deal during his first visit therewhich was also the first foreign trip of his presidency. The deal listed $15 billion worth of U.S. arms, not $110 billion, as Trump has claimed, and only $4 billion worth of actual contracts have been signed. Even so, its worth noting that one purpose of U.S. arms sales over the decades has been to bind the customer to Americas geopolitical interestsnot the other way around.

The Pompeo episode fits a pattern. Trump has shrugged off North Korean leader Kim Jong-uns heinous treatment of his own people, saying that hes a tough guy who took over a tough country, and, besides, hes written Trump beautiful letters. At a rally not long ago, Trump said of his relationship with the Pyongyang dictator, We fell in love.

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Trump has also discounted the murder of Russian ex-spies, at the hands of current Russian spies, on British soil, noting that the killings didnt take place in the United States. So much for close allies, so much for international law, so much for values of any sort that transcend a buck and a round of genuflection, however disingenuous.

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And so much for the notion that a secretary of state should pursue interests broader or deeper than those of the presidents all-too-malleable ego. Many of Pompeos predecessors have treated the Saudis with more respect than was warranted, but, even at the height of our oil dependency, few would have bowed quite so deeply as he did in his meeting on Tuesday with the king. President George W. Bush let a planeload of Saudi citizens make a quick exit from the United States in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, when most other planes were grounded, but neither he nor Condoleezza Rice thanked them for their service on the way out.Saudi Arabias extensiveand expensivenetwork in the D.C. power broker community and in the rest of the Western business and political world has gotten a little smaller. Two major lobbying firms, one more aligned with Democrats and the other with Republicans, dropped or planned to drop Saudi Arabia as a client, the Washington Post reported.

The Glover Park Group, which had been getting paid $150,000 a month, notified the Saudi Embassy in Washington that is was canceling its two-year-old contract to represent the kingdom, the Post reported. The Glover Park Group was founded by former Bill Clinton and Al Gore staffers. BGR, a Republican-aligned firm, dropped its $80,000 per month contract, the Post also reported. These are the second and third lobbying firms to drop Saudi Arabiathe Harbour Group said last week it would no longer represent Saudi Arabia.

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One prominent think tank, the Brookings Institution, dropped its one contract with Saudi Arabia, according to BuzzFeed News, and said it would no longer take money from Aramco, the kingdoms oil company.

This comes after a number of finance and technology executives dropped out of an upcoming investment conference in Riyadh that was supposed to be yet another showcase for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans plans to integrate Saudi Arabia into the world economy as more than just an oil exporter.

President Trumps theory that dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was allegedly murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, might have been slain by rogue killers does not seem to have assured many of Saudi Arabias business and political partners in the U.S.Both Arizona Senate hopefuls stuck to their scripts Monday night during the first and only debate in one of the most hotly contested races of the midterms. Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema repeatedly declared that a vote for her would be a vote for bipartisanship. Rep. Martha McSally was also clear about her opponent: A vote for Sinema, the Republican suggested, would be a vote for Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, George Soros, child prostitution, and treason.

McSally threw that last bomb as the clock was running out. Asked about climate change during the final round of questions, she instead attacked Sinema over an offhand remark she made during a 2003 radio interview while promoting an anti-war protest. After the host had made a hypothetical comment about joining the Taliban, Sinema, then an activist with ties to the Green Party, responded: I dont care if you want to do that, go ahead, as CNN reported late last week. Sinemas campaign has said she was simply trying to steer the conversation back on topic.

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You said it was OK for Americans to join the Taliban to fight against us, said McSally, an Air Force veteran, addressing her opponent directly at the debate. She continued, raising her voice to speak over the moderator: Kyrsten, I want to ask right now as to whether youre going to apologize to the veterans and me for saying it was OK to commit treason.

Sinema, as she did for most of the night, refused to engage. Martha has chosen to run a campaign like the one youre seeing right now where shes engaging in ridiculous attacks and smearing my campaign, Sinema said. And shes just trying to cut, cut, cut, and not show the full picture.

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The treason charge garnered the headlines, but it wasnt the only bombastic claim the GOP congresswoman made on stage. Earlier in the night, McSally suggested that during Sinemas time in the Arizona statehouse, she sided with men soliciting underage prostitutes over their child victims. When she was in the Arizona Legislature when they were trying to hold johns accountable  she was advocating for the johns, saying that the girls, 12- and 13-year-olds, you know, looked older than her, McSally said. Some background: During a hearing on legislation aimed at cracking down on child prostitution, Sinema was one of a number of lawmakers to raise concerns about a provision that would have prevented someone from arguing in court that they could not have reasonably known a prostitute was underage. She ultimately voted for an amended version of the bill that included increased penalties but preserved that legal defense.

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Even the moderators, who spent much of the night trying to stay out of the way, were flabbergasted by that one. Do you believe, do you honestly believe, she was protecting adult men who were molesting children? one of the two asked incredulously. McSally responded by telling people to go to her website to watch the video. She was a defense attorney, so I mean, I guess thats where that comes from, she added.

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The two congresswomen were a study in contrasts all night. Sinema spoke calmly and quietly, describing her attempts to stake out a middle ground in the hyperpartisan wars of Washington, while accusing her opponent of being unwilling to stand up to the GOP. Again and again, the Democrat gave examples of working across the aisle, name-dropping those Republicans lawmakers she teamed up with for good measure. Meanwhile, she limited her criticism of Trump to issues like trade and migrant family separation at the border. I believe its our duty to stand up against the president when hes doing something wrong, but join with him when hes doing something right, like working for veterans, she said.

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Sinema was also noticeably hesitant to say how she would have voted on Brett Kavanaughs confirmation if given the chance, instead merely repeating that she was disappointed in both parties for how the process played out. And when she finally conceded that she would have voted against his confirmation, she focused on Kavanaughs judicial record while barely mentioning the sexual misconduct allegations against him. When she did play offense, Sinema repeatedly jabbed at McSally for moving to the right on things like immigration ahead of her Senate run, but those attacks were relatively mild compared with the incoming fire.

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McSally, meanwhile, talked quickly and often loudly, embracing Trump, toeing her party line on Kavanaugh, touting her support for the GOP tax bill, and suggesting Sinema does whatever Democratic leaders want. She voted against the farm bill in a partisan move because thats what Nancy Pelosi decided to tell them all to do, McSally said early in the debate. Later, she claimed Sinema sided with Senate leader Chuck Schumer in choosing illegal immigrants over our troops during the shutdown fight over funding for Trumps border wall.

So, with three weeks to go until Election Day and the two running neck and neck in the polls, will McSally ratchet up her attacks even further? Its difficult to imagine where she can go from treason and child prostitution. Then again, McSally has a major rally scheduled for Friday. The featured speaker: Donald Trump.Last week, President Trump explained to a crowd in Erie, Pennsylvania, how he decides which polls to trust. I believe in polls, he said. Only the ones that have us up, because theyre the only honest ones. Other than that, theyre the fake news polls. Trump half-grinned, and the crowd laughed. But Trump really does let his beliefs follow his biases. He accepts the word of dictators and police, not of women, immigrants, or elected European leaders. In this way, Trumps statements of fact, which are useless as guides to the truth, are highly useful as guides to his prejudices.

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To understand Trump, you have to start with a distinction drawn by psychologist Thomas Gilovich in his book, How We Know What Isnt So. Gilovich explains that when we want to believe something, we ask ourselves whether, despite contrary evidence, we can believe it. When we dont want to believe something, we ask whether, despite supporting evidence, we must believe it. Each of us sometimes cheats this way, alternating between the two standards. But Trump cheats constantly and spectacularly.

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Consider his interview on Sundays edition of 60 Minutes. Under interrogation by Lesley Stahl, Trump defended autocrats against every accusation. Did the Saudi government kill journalist Jamal Khashoggi? They deny it, and deny it vehemently, said Trump. Did Russia interfere in the 2016 election? They meddled, but I think China meddled too, he said, adding: China is a bigger problem. (Trump refused to affirm Russias interference when he met with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki.) Is Kim Jong-un denuclearizing North Korea? I do trust him, yeah, I trust him, said Trump.

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To these dictators, Trump applies the can-believe standard: Is it possible theyre telling the truth? If so, Trump believes them. But when the conversation turns from tyrants to climate change, Trump switches to the must-believe standard. Stahl asked Trump: What about the scientists who say its worse than ever? Trump replied, Youd have to show me the scientists, because they have a very big political agenda. An agenda of ecology makes your assertions suspect. An agenda of mass murder doesnt.

When Trump doesnt like allegations of conspiracy, he ridicules them. Do you really think Id call Russia to help me with an election? he asked Stahl. (Fact check: In a televised press conference, Trump explicitly asked Russia to hack Hillary Clintons emails.) But Trump is happy to peddle conspiracy theories about people he doesnt like. The European Union was formed in order to take advantage of us on trade, he told Stahl. (Fact check: It wasnt.) He also suggested that the New York Times might have fabricated last months anonymous op-ed by a senior official in the Trump administration representing an internal resistance. Who needs evidence when its conceivable that your allegation might be true?

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Confronted with evidence that challenges his beliefs, Trump retreats to agnosticism. Video shows Khashoggi going into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. No video shows him coming out. From the moment Khashoggi disappeared, intelligence has indicated that the Saudi government targeted him. Did they kill him? Nobody knows yet, Trump told Stahl. What about satellite images that show North Korea continuing to build missiles? We dont really know, Trump shrugged. What about all the people who have pleaded guilty or been convicted in the Russia investigation, often for hiding contacts with Russians? Its a very unfair investigation because there was no collusion of any kind, Trump insisted. Theres always a definition or a standard of certainty that will let the president believe what he wants to.

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Theres always a definition or a standard of certainty that will let the president believe what he wants to.

When Trump thinks he has experts on his side, he exploits them. We have scientists that disagree with ominous climate assessments, he told Stahl. Trump couldnt name the scientistspeople, he called them twice, when Stahl asked who they werebut he invoked their authority anyway. Conversely, when experts disagree with Trump, as nearly all climate scientists do, he dismisses their expertise as fake, partisan, or overblown. Stahl asked Trump whether Defense Secretary James Mattis, a four-star general, had informed the president that NATO was designed to prevent a third world war. In reply, Trump told Stahl: I know more about it than he does.

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In the face of causal arguments he doesnt like, Trump reaches for counterfactual objections. Responding to Stahls simple observationI wish you could go to Greenland, watch these huge chunks of ice just falling into the oceanTrump cautioned, You dont know whether or not that would have happened with or without man. When Stahl claimed that the Western alliance had kept the peace for 70 years, Trump again warned, You dont know that. Theres always an alternate universe, free of NATO or industrial emissions, that could disprove an unwelcome hypothesis.

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But when Trump likes a causal argument, he ignores alternate scenarios and equates sequence with consequence. The day before I came in, we were going to war with North Korea, he told Stahl. What was Trumps evidence for that claim? Just an assertion: I think it was going to end up in war. Trump went on to declare that without his family separation policy, people are going to pour into our country. And he credited his nasty remarks about Christine Blasey Ford, delivered at a campaign rally in Mississippi, for Brett Kavanaughs confirmation to the Supreme Court. Had I not made that speech, we would not have won, Trump insisted.

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Theres no objective way to decide which standardcan-believe or must-believeshould be applied to a particular proposition or piece of evidence. Nor does Trumps pattern of switching between them tell us which of his beliefs are false. But the pattern tells us a lot about Trump. It tells us that when hes applying the can-believe standardfor example, to Putin, Kim, and the very fine people who rallied in Charlottesville, Virginia, to defend Confederate statuesthose are the people Trump likes. Conversely, when hes applying the must-believe standardto the birthplace of Americas first black president, for instance, or to women who claim to have been sexually assaultedthose are the people Trump doesnt like. The way a man chooses to use his brain tells you everything about his heart. Believe it.Few schools offer study abroad program possibilities as extensive as those of the University of Michigan, which includes programs in more than 130 foreign countries, from Argentina to Zambia. To participate, students must complete an application, attend a series of meetings, maintain a minimum grade average, and obtain a short recommendation from a faculty member. It seemed straightforward to an undergraduate named Abigail Ingber, who requested a reference this semester from professor John Cheney-Lippold after taking one of his classes in the Department of American Culture. Although Cheney-Lippold initially agreed to provide the letter, he changed his mind when he realized that Ingber intended to study at Israels Tel Aviv University.

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In an email, Cheney-Lippold explained that he adheres to the academic boycott against Israel, which precludes writing letters of recommendation for students planning to study there. He offered to write other letters for her but rescinded his earlier commitment for reasons of these politics.

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Reactions were predictably mixed when Cheney-Lippolds decision was revealed by the student newspaper, and later in the Chronicle of Higher Education and the national press. Supporters of the Israel boycott movementknown as BDS, for boycott, divestment, and sanctionspraised him for following his conscience in opposing Israels treatment of the Palestinians. Others thought he had crossed a line by placing his political views ahead of obligations to his students. Cal State East Bay history professor Henry Reichman, writing in the Academe Blog of the American Association of University Professors, explained that Cheney-Lippold had violated professional ethics and responsibility.

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Cheney-Lippold is well within his own rights to boycott Israel, but he is quite wrong to insist that solidarity privileges him to withhold a reference from a qualified student.

The university administration came down strongly on the students side. In a sharply worded statement, Elizabeth Cole, interim dean of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, informed Cheney-Lippold that his behavior in this circumstance was inappropriate and will not be tolerated. In the future, she warned, You are not to use student requests for recommendations as a platform to discuss your personal political beliefs.

Cole also imposed disciplinary measures. Cheney-Lippold was informed that he would not receive a merit raise for the next academic year and his scheduled sabbatical was canceled. Cheney-Lippolds job is protected by tenure, but it was recently discovered than an untenured instructor has also refused to provide a reference for the Tel Aviv program. It remains to be seen how the university will address the second case.

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Cheney-Lippold is unapologetic. I cant prevent a student from going to Israel, he told the Washington Post. But everybody has the right to withhold something, and I chose to exercise that right based on what the movement needs from me as a solidarity activist.

Cheney-Lippold is well within his own rights to boycott Israel, but he is quite wrong to insist that solidarity with the BDS movement privileges him to withhold a reference from a qualified student. The Tel Aviv program is officially approved by the University of Michigan, and Cheney-Lippold is not entitled to impede a students access to it, just as he could not bar nonboycotting students from his courses, decline to grade their papers, or refuse to call on them in class. Every instructor has a professional responsibility to treat their students impartially, without regard to personal politics. In a letter to the campus community, President Mark Schlissel and provost Martin Filbert stated unambiguously that faculty members personal political beliefs cannot interfere with their obligations to our students with regard to letter-writing and all other modes of academic support. Withholding students recommendations would violate their academic freedom and betray our universitys educational mission.

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To be sure, the current Israeli administration is no great friend of academic freedom, having recently revoked the visa of Lara Alqasem, an American who had been accepted for graduate study at Hebrew University, alleging that she was banned under a policy that keeps out supporters of the the BDS movement. Although Alqasem had once boycotted Israeli hummus while undergraduate president of the Florida chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, her efforts to enroll at Hebrew University provide ample evidence that she does not support an academic boycott.

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It would be nonsensical to invoke the Alqasem case as an objection to Michigans Israel study program. All eight research universities in Israel have vigorously protested her exclusion, and Hebrew University has joined her appeal. Even Cheney-Lippold would not advise boycotting the University of Michigan to protest President Trumps brutal immigration and family-separation policies.

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Even so, Cheney-Lippolds discipline went too far for a first offense. A reprimand and warning would have been sufficient, and would have avoided raising difficult issues of academic freedom, First Amendment rights, and faculty governance. There is certain to be litigation, in which Cheney-Lippold will argueas explained by one BDS advocatethat participating in boycotts to advance progressive causes has a long and time-honored history in the United States.

There may be a simpler solution. Instructors planning to withhold references should be required to announce their intentions in advance, naming the countries for which they will not provide recommendations and thus providing fair notice before students decide to enroll in their classes. The University of Michigan sponsors programs in authoritarian countries where minorities are oppressed and academic freedom is compromised or unknownincluding China, Russia, and Hungaryand it will be revealing to see whether Israel is singled out for discriminatory treatment. Those who impose political limits on references should not be allowed to teach required courses, or courses for which there is only one available section.

In over four decades of law school teaching, I have written countless reference letters. Never once have I considered a students politics, or a potential employers. Its not that I dont care about my students careers; I freely give advice when requested. Its just that they are entitled to references based on class performance, and their ultimate choices are none of my business.In 2020, 155 million people faced food-related crises, emergencies, or catastrophes, according to the UNa 20 million person increase compared to 2019. More than 41 million people worldwide are at risk of falling into famine or famine-like conditions if they do not receive immediate assistance.

Conflict continues to be the primary driver for food insecurity, affecting 65 percent of food insecure people. However, the economic impact of COVID-19including weakening currencies, rapid inflation, high food prices, widening unemployment, increasing debt, and low purchasing poweris of increasing immediate and long-term concern.It may indicate the environmental vulnerability of the Mayan civilization.

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The perished civilisation of the Mayas was more numerous than it was assumed based on known archaeological discoveries. They used a system of watering and drainage of soil that could maintain millions of people. Scientists from Comenius University along with an international team revealed the principles of Mayan agriculture.

The Mayan civilisation was on the Yucatan peninsula from 1000 BC to 1500 AD. The Mayas are well-known due to their system of writing, art, architecture, astronomy and findings in mathematics. Many aspects of this society were unknown because there are dense primeval forests today in the area where they used to live.

An international team consisting of scientists from the US, France and Slovakia started to research the primeval forests via laser air scan that penetrates under impervious forest surface in 2016, said Lenka Miller from marketing department of Comenius University.

Scientists could identify covered cities, palaces and pyramids and other archaeologically interesting objects from the photos, Miller added. They mapped 2,144 square kilometres of Mayan civilisation in Guatemala and identified 61,450 objects.

We estimated that in the late classical period there lived seven to 11 million people here, said Miller. This huge population required intense work with soil. The research of agricultural principles was one separate analytic topic of the Slovak team led by Milan Kovac.

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Read also: Slovak archaeologists discover a key to understanding the Maya Read more

The research revealed a system of watering terrace fields in mountain areas and drainage of swamps in lowlands.

We were able to identify 5,112 new Mayan constructions from the area we processed separately and 6,080 agricultural terraces in addition, said Kovac. We processed and verified the results using archaeological research in terrain. We succeeded in interpreting the results within a social and historical context at an expert level while those results are among the most important parts of collective research since they prove sophisticated agricultural systems.

The existence of these systems help to clarify high density of population in area and scientists think it can help to understand the so-called collapse of Mayan civilization that happened in the 9th century. It also indicates the environmental vulnerability of the system  the destruction of a watering and drainage system that may have led to a lack of food and wars followed by the civilization's demise.Tips for the top 10 events in the capital between October 19 and October 28, plus regular services in different languages, training, temporary exhibitions and highlights of the year.

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These tips are prepared in cooperation with Eventland. Download the app and see what's going on around you wherever you are (Android, iOS).

Top 10

JAZZ: Bratislava Jazz Days; Starts: Oct 19-21

OPERA: Don Carlos; Starts: Oct 19, 19:00

EVENT: Halloween at the Wave; Starts: Oct 20, 11:00

CONCERT: Kim Wilde; Starts: Oct 20, 21:00

JAZZ: JazzBetween Bratislava; Starts: Oct 20, 21:00

PICNIC: Autumn Picnic in Bratislava; Starts: Oct 20-21

CONCERT: Mac DeMarco; Starts: Oct 21, 19:00

CONCERT: Blues concert on a boat; Starts: Oct 21, 19:00

EVENT: Lucnica; Starts: Oct 23, 24, 25, 19:00

FESTIVAL: Hvalur; Starts: Oct 24-25

Religious Services for non-Slovak speakers

Galleries in Bratislava: Temporary exhibitions

Training in English

Highlights of the year (selection of events for which it's advisable to obtain tickets early)

Top 10

Bratislava Jazz Days

INCHEBA EXPO-Arena, Viedenska cesta, Petrzalka, Bratislava, Friday  Sunday, October 19-21

October 19 - Kennedy Administration (USA), Jamison Ross (USA)

October 20 - Yellowjackets feat Luciana Souza (USA), Stefano Bollani (ITA)

October 21 - The Manhattan Transfer (USA), Peter Lipa band (SK)



More info: goo.gl/G4e3fe.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/fb3noNclHDE

Opera Premiere at SND: Don Carlos

Hviezdoslavovo square, Bratislava, Friday, October 19, 19:00

The opening premiere of the new season of the SND will be the magnificent historical piece by Giuseppe Verdi DON CARLOS. On the 19th and 20th of October, a staggering drama about power, misuse of ideology and the personal tragedy of big players on the political map of the past will be heard on the SND scene. Do not hesitate to come and enjoy this premiere. Admission: 10-30. More info: https://goo.gl/5qemCK.

Halloween at the Wave

River surfing, Cunovo, Saturday, October 20, 11:00

The season is coming to an end, so what can you do to enjoy some last rays of sun? Come enjoy a party full of food and funky drinks. Of course, you can also enjoy the wave. And as Halloween is almost here come in a mask and take part in a competition. More info: goo.gl/dyfWDS.

Kim Wilde

Majestic Music Club, Karpatska 2, Saturday, October 20, 21:00

Kim Wilde is one of the biggest rock-pop idols of the 80s. She released her new album, Here Come the Aliens in March and is now on tour. She will be in Bratislava for the first time as when she was in Slovakia ten years ago, she performed in Kosice. Admission: 7 - 70. Majestic Music Club, Karpatska 2. More info: predpredaj.zoznam.sk.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/WlwW9Vr6Rm8

JazzBetween Bratislava

Metropol bar, Spitalska, Stare Mesto, Bratislava, Saturday, October 20, 21:00

The most entertaining party with the rhythm of fast jazz is returning to Bratislava! JazzBetween Bratislava  the afterparty for the Bratislava Jazz Days will bring an extravaganza of many great DJs, and world dance, which is unparalleled in our country. During the evening, besides great music, you can enjoy the DANCING EXCHANGES between the four invited Russian dancers and the local scene, as well as the BOOGIE WOOGIE DANCE SHOW, the fine drink and the unforgettable ATMOSPHERE. See you at JazzBetween Bratislava! And do not forget, jazz is also for the young! Admission: 5/7. More info: goo.gl/zY7kny.

Autumn Picnic in Bratislava

Tyrsovo nabrezie, Petrzalka, Bratislava, Saturday - Sunday, October 20-21

The Autumn Picnic is a two-day Gastronomic event, at Tyrsovo nabrezie in Bratislava, for everyone who is happy to meet friends and have something tasty to eat and drink. The entrance to the event is free, and we recommend arriving hungry.



What can you expect from the Picnic in Bratislava?

- The best food in Slovakia

- Street Food

- there will be a wide selection of snacks, vegetarian and gluten-free food.

- DJ (jazz, r & b, hip-hop, soul)

- Music program

- Beer & wine zone

- Tombola

(Source: Marko Erd, TASR)

Mac DeMarco

Atelier Babylon, Namestie SNP, Stare Mesto, Bratislava, Sunday, October 21, 19:00

Mac DeMarco for the first time in Slovakia! The Canadian singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist with an unmistakable smile will present his newest album This Old Dog on his first ever show in Bratislava on 21. October 2018. Mac DeMarco will be supported by Aldous RH. Admission: 87-110. More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/182935499093034/.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/NY8IS0ssnXQ

Blues concert on a boat

Tyrsovo nabrezie, Petrzalka, Bratislava, Sunday, October 21, 19:00

A great concert from the "Blues on a Boat" cycle, a lively blues night with excellent musicians. Come and enjoy a good music and spend a nice evening in the top lounge area of the ship, overlooking the Danube. Admission: 8. Reservations: +421 903 449 650 or divadlovpodpalubi@gmail.com

Lucnica - Slovak folklore group

Istropolis, Trnavske myto, Nove Mesto, Bratislava, Tuesday - Thursday, October 23-25, 19:00

The ensemble based in Bratislava represents the top of Slovak folklore and dance art. Lucnica's shows are inspired by national traditions, their outstanding performances, brilliant dance technique and spontaneous performance skills. In spite of the complexity of individual dances which are comparable with top sport mastery the dancers perform the dances with lightness and great enthusiasm. Pretty young girls and skillful dancers present dynamic and poetic dances and songs in colorful handmade national costumes from different regions. Admission: 20 - 26. More info: www.lucnica.sk/2018/09/predstavenia-istropolis-bratislava/

video //www.youtube.com/embed/2faEtaq4qqk

Hvalur festival

Atelier Babylon, Namestie SNP, Stare Mesto, Bratislava, Wednesday  Thursday, October 24-25, 19:00

Hvalur means whale in Icelandic. It tells the story of "whale song" which can travel a thousand miles across the ocean and proves that in the world of music distance does not matter. This magic song is also synonymous with the natural beauty, uniqueness, identity, strength and cohesion of the collective. This festival offers to the Slovak audience the first two-day festival in a tour of the best contemporary Icelandic music. It will be an exceptional festival, essentially the only one of its kind, here in Europe. Admission: 15 - 30. More info: goo.gl/J8o5jG.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/2gX8dvhpIc8

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TRAINING: Pilates in English; Starts: Every Monday evening, 20:30

TRAINING: Yoga in English on Thursdays; Starts: Every Thursday, 18:30

TRAINING: Yoga in English at Indian Embassy; Starts: Monday to Friday, 11:00, 16:00

TRAINING: Pilates in English The class is in English, suitable for men and women, beginners and advanced, Slovaks and foreigners. The venue is equipped with Pilates requisites, a shower and a kitchen. (you do not need to bring a mat). Andreas classes are a mix of Pilates exercises for a strong core and and flexible body, and also Yoga exercises for stretching the stiff muscles caused by a sedentary lifestyle. Her classes end with the all-important relaxation of Body and Mind. She also uses highly qualitative etheric oils (doTerra) during the class. Refreshments, tea, fruits are included in the price. Starts: Every Monday evening, 20:30; Open Mind centrum, Mickiewiczova 2. Admission: 8 (one-time charge). More info: www.internationals.sk.

TRAINING: Yoga in English on Thursdays - You need to make reservation via yoga@internationals.sk. This is a beginners & intermediate class and you do not need any pre-knowledge. We will practice Dynamic Flow yoga. Take a look on one of our sessions: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalsBratislava/videos/1604953649521444/ Tea, water, fruit, showers are available to use for free. In this classes we are going to perform exercises that will make us stronger, more flexible, obtain balance and have fun while doing it. Starts: Thursday 18:30; Open Mind Centrum, Mickiewiczova 2. Admission: 8 (one-time charge) or 59 for a 10 session ticket you can use within 12 weeks. More info: www.internationals.sk.

TRAINING: Yoga in English at Indian Embassy - The Embassy of India in Bratislava is happy to announce the commencement of Yoga classes. The classes will be conducted by Ms. Jaiwanti, Yoga Teacher. The classes will cover Asanas, Pranayama, Meditation and Relaxation techniques. People interested in joining the Yoga Classes are requested to fill in the attached Registration Form. The Registration Form may then be sent to email: eindia.iccr@mail.telekom.sk. For any clarification/further information, you may contact Ms. Jaiwanti at Tel: +421-2-5296 2916/7/8 or email: eindia.iccr@mail.telekom.sk. Admission is free. Starts: Monday to Friday, 11:00, 16:00 Dunajska 4, Bratislava. More info: www.indianembassy.sk

Illustrative Stock Photo (Source: AP/SITA)

SLOVAK NATIONAL GALLERY

The eights; Open: Tue  Wed 10:00  18:00, Thur 12:00  20:00, Fri  Sun 10:00  18:00 until Dec 31, 2018

KUNSTHALLE

Eagles & Doves; Open: Wed 13:00  20:00, Thur  Mon 12:00  19:00 until October 28

Karina Smigla-Bobinsky: ADA; Open: Wed 13:00  20:00, Thur  Mon 12:00  19:00 until October 30

DANUBIANA

50 Years Later...; Open: Tue  Sun 10:00  18:00 until November 11

All Over Again; Open: Tue  Sun 10:00  18:00 until November 11

5th International Triennale Of Textile Art; Open: Tue  Sun 10:00  18:00 from September 8 until November 11

TEMPORARY EXHIBITION IN SLOVAK NATIONAL GALLERY:

The eights - The exhibition project The Eights is unconventionally conceived for the atrium as a series of small exhibitions for the anniversaries of the eights: February 1948, August 1968 and October 1918. The basis of the exhibition is a long, 3-meter high wall - "gallery noticeboard" - on which the visual collages will be rotated according to the anniversaries. The results will be a draft or materialised Pinterest board, a reminder of socialist "noticeboard culture". The collages will consist of artistic materials of various types (paintings, photographs, documents), primarily from the collections of the SNG. The final layout, the conflict of the artworks next to each other, their juxtaposition will speak about the nature of the historical event. Open: Tue  Wed 10:00  18:00, Thur 12:00  20:00, Fri  Sun 10:00  18:00 until Dec 31, 2018. More info: www.sng.sk

TEMPORARY EXHIBITION IN KUNSTHALLE

Eagles & Doves - What form does national identity take today? What influence do various symbols exert upon it? Can we positively identify with a nation without nationalistic and xenophobic overlays? The exhibition Eagles & Doves presents works by contemporary Slovak and German artists who respond to these difficult questions with broad perspective, criticism and humour, in a playful and open manner. Contemporary art can actually be a medium of intercultural communication: the encounter, not the clash, of cultures. The exhibition project was developed in cooperation with the Goethe Institute in Bratislava on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of its foundation in Slovakia. Open: Wed 13:00  20:00, Thur  Mon 12:00  19:00 until October 28, Namestie SNP 12. More info: www.kunsthallebratislava.sk.

Karina Smigla-Bobinsky: ADA - ADA is a post-industrial creature, calling to mind a molecular hybrid created from nano-biotechnology, with a capacity for producing works by an open source method. This is artwork with a soul. ADA is aesthetically complex, interactive, communicative, freely floating through space. It is transparent, in places prickly, making one think of a membrane; a ball filled with helium, whose surface is composed of some dozens of spikes of charcoal. Open: Wed 13:00  20:00, Thur  Mon 12:00  19:00 until October 30, Namestie SNP 12. More info: www.kunsthallebratislava.sk.

TEMPORARY EXHIBITION IN DANUBIANA

50 Years Later... - Muz s odhalenou hrudou pred okupacnym tankom (The Bare-chested Man in front of the Occupiers Tank)  the photograph by Ladislav Bielik from the first day of the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact troops on August 21, 1968, circulated across the globe. It became an iconic image bringing a deep and permanent legacy about the threat of injustice and violence committed by those in power. This photograph and Bieliks other 186 shots of these events still carry the power of utterance, fifty years later. They are not only a visual reminder of this dramatic period in our history, or a means to stir up emotions. For us they represent a deeper and permanent meaning, the legacy of a lived experience which strengthens and helps to enhance ones sensitivity and response to any threat to freedom and independence. Open: Tue  Sun 10:00  18:00 until November 11, Vodne dielo Cunovo. More info: www.danubiana.sk.

All Over Again - Jan Tapak is one of the most distinctive figures of the generation of sculptors which entered the Slovak art scene in the early 1990s. He attracted attention with his spontaneous creativity and perfect technical preparedness, as well as his unique orientation of the content of his works in which he succeeded in transferring things and matters from the ancient past to the present times, to combine hundred year old traditions and the philosophy of modern man and to include the authenticity of his own country in the timeless context of distant cultures and civilizations. Open: Tue  Sun 10:00  18:00 until November 11, Vodne dielo Cunovo. More info: www.danubiana.sk.

5th International Triennale Of Textile Art - Textile Art of Today is an international exhibition project which presents contemporary textile design. It differs from other textile exhibitions in the fact that it has been installed five times in important galleries allowing visitors from the V4 European countries (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary) to see it. Furthermore, the project is being carried out under the auspices of the ministers of culture of the V4 countries. The Textile Art of Today project strives to present textile as a modern and dynamic discipline transcending the limits of the classical perception of textile art. Since the establishment of the event, an international jury awarded it the prestigious Bozena Augustinova Grand Prix, the award named after the significant Czechoslovak artist. Open: Tue  Sun 10:00  18:00 until November 11, Vodne dielo Cunovo. More info: www.danubiana.sk.

Religious Services for non-Slovak speakers

SERVICE: Apostolic Church; Starts: Sundays, 9:30, Bratislava City Church, Trnavske myto 1, English

SERVICE: Gods Service Church (Bozie sluzby); Starts: Sundays 9:30, Mondays 17:00, Maly kostol, Panenska street, English

SERVICE: Brotherhood Church (Cirkev bratska); Starts: Sundays 10:00, Cukrova 4, English

MASS: The Church of Saint Ladislav; Starts: Sundays 11:00, Spitalska, English

MASS: Church of St. John of Matha; Starts: Sundays 9:00 Latin

MASS: St. Martins Cathedral; Starts: Sundays 7:45 German, 9:00 Latin

MASS: Church of the Merciful Brothers; Starts: Sundays 11:30 Italian

SERVICE: Small Evangelical Church; Starts: Sundays 10:00 English, 11:30 German, Panenska Street (entrance from Lycejna Street)

SERVICE: Citylight Church, Starts: Sundays 10:00 English, Namestie 1.maja 1

SERVICE: Bratislava International Fellowship, Starts: Sundays 10:00 English, Trnavske myto 1, (Istropolis)

SERVICE: International Baptist Church; Starts: Sundays 10:00 English, Sulovska 2

JEWISH SERVICE: Synagogue on Heydukova Street; Starts: Friday evening (before twilight), Saturday morning (usually at 9:00), and during feasts, Hebrew

Highlights of the year

CONCERT: Tom Odell; Starts: November 4, 20:00

CONCERT: Nightwish Decades; Starts: November 13

CONCERT: Gregory Porter; Starts: November 15, 19:00

CONCERT: Editors; Starts: November 26, 19:30

CONCERT: Glenn Miller Orchestra; Starts: January 15, 19:00

CONCERT: Steven Wilson: To the Bone Tour 2019; Starts: February 10, 20:00

CONCERT: Nicki Minaj & Future; Starts: February 22, 2019, 19:30

EVENT: Lord of the Dance; Starts: Mar 1, 20:00

CONCERT: Eros Ramazzotti; Starts: Oct 5, 2019

CONCERT: Tom Odell - Tom Odell returns after a year to Slovakia. The British singer and pianist will introduce his new album on tour which should be released in time for his concert but his greatest hits can also be heard at this performance. Starts: November 4, 20:00, HANT arena, Trnavska cesta 29. Admission: 29 - 59. More info: predpredaj.zoznam.sk

CONCERT: Nightwish Decades - Finnish legend Nightwish celebrate 20 years on stage and with an exceptional program, visit Slovakia. The biggest hits and unprecedented feature-length megashow breaks out on November 13, 2018 at the Incheba Expo Arena in Bratislava. The concert, which will also celebrate the 4th Birthday of Radio Antena Rock, will also present a special guest whose name still remains a mystery. Starts: November 13, Incheba Expo Arena, Viedenska cesta, Bratislava. Admission: 34 - 61.5. More info: listocheck.sk.

CONCERT: Gregory Porter  American singer sensation and twice Grammy award winner Gregory Porter is coming to Slovakia as part of the City Sounds festival. He is one of the most deeply felt jazz singers and composers of his generation. He returns to the stage with his last studio album Nat King Cole&Me from 2017 which he recorded with a 70-member bowed orchestra. Starts: November 15, 19:00, ISTROPOLIS, Trnavske myto 1, Bratislava. Admission: 35 - 65. More info: www.ticketportal.sk.

CONCERT: Editors  British band Editors returns to Slovakia after eight years with new songs and new energy. Starts: November 26, 19:30, Refinery Gallery, Bratislava. Admission: 39. More info: www.ticketportal.sk/Event/EDITORS?idp=168054.

CONCERT: Glenn Miller Orchestra - The original American Glenn Miller Orchestra was founded in the thirties of the last century. Founder Glenn Miller is considered one of the greatest shining stars of the American jazz scene for more than 35 years. Glenn's career lasted only five years, but this time was long enough for Glenn Miller to become a leading personality of the world's most popular swing orchestra, which remains under the name of "Glenn Miller Orchestra". Dutch conductor and keyboardist Wil Salden has been conducting the orchestra for several decades. You can enjoy his amazing talent and work live on January 15, 2019 in Bratislava. They will play favourites such as Sunrise Serenade, Moonlight Serenade, Moon Love, Over The Rainbow, Blue Orchids, Careless, When You Wish Onon, and Imagination. Starts: January 15, 19:00, Istropolis, Trnavske myto 1. Admission: 45-59.

CONCERT: Nicki Minaj & Future  World hip-hop icons Nicki Minaj and Future have their first shared tour, NickiHndrxx. The show is great for those who love hip-hop and mainstream music. The several award-winning musicians are well-known for their hits that reach top places in the music rankings. Together, they will bring an unforgettable show to the stage. Starts: February 22, 2019, 19:30, Ondrej Nepelas Winter Arena, Odbojarov 9, Bratislava. Admission: 69-109. More info: www.ticketportal.sk.

CONCERT: Steven Wilson: To the Bone Tour 2019 - Steven Wilson, composer, musician, producer and leading personality of contemporary progressive rock, will perform for the first time in Slovakia. His successful show, To the Bone enriched by Porcupine Tree, will be presented on February 10, 2019 in the Bratislava refinery gallery. Steven Wilson has published more than fifty albums over his thirty-year career. The current, To the Bone, is his most successful record. After being released in August last year, he reached third place in the UK Album Chart, 2nd in Germany, and even in August 2017 his was among the 10 best-selling albums in Europe. To the great pleasure of intelligent progressive rock fans, Steven Wilson continues his successful worldwide tour To the Bone in 2019. Starts: February 10, 20:00, Refinery Gallery, Vlcie hrdlo, Bratislava. Admission: 39.5 - 50.5. More info: https://listocheck.sk/en/detail/steven-wilson.

EVENT: Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games  The Famous Lord of the Dance returns to Slovakia to perform in front of our public. Their last visit in 2017 was rewarded with record audiences. A brand new dancing performance, great visual technology, sound, beautiful costumes, new music by composer Gerard Fahy and 40 talented young artists from around the world are the core of Dangerous Games. Starts: Mar 1, 20:00, Viedenska cesta 3-9, Incheba arena. Admission: 23-78. More info: www.ticketportal.sk.

CONCERT: Eros Ramazzotti  Italian pop-rock star Eros Ramazzotti has announced his world tour and also a new studio album. Slovaks can also look forward to well-known songs such as Fuoco nel fuoco and Piu bella cosa, LAurora, Un altra te, Dove c e musica, Se bastasse una canzone. Starts: Oct 5, 2019, Ondrej Nepelas Winter Stadium. Admission: 39-79. More info: www.ticketportal.sk.This subscription grants access to the locked content of Spectator.sk and SME.sk for only one person through a maximum of three different devices or browsers.

To continue reading the article on this device, please update the list of devices in the profile settings.The verdict was self defence.

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The Bratislava I Regional Court has acquitted a Slovak citizen of Indian origin, Nishit T., in the case of a knife attack that ended with the death of the injured party. Judge Michal Kacani ruled that the act committed by the defendant fulfils the conditions and attributes of self-defence. The verdict is not yet in effect as the prosecutor has challenged. The court simultaneously ordered the release of the accused from custody, the SITA newswire reported.

Read also:

Read also: Police promptly clarified night murder in Bratislava Read more

The incident took place in October 2017, during the night hours, in the centre of Bratislava. The Slovak citizen of Indian origin became embroiled in a physical conflict with two men during which he used a knife, injuring both his attackers. One of the attackers, Branislav, later died from neck injuries. The police detained Nishit T. within minutes of the incident taking place. He was charged with murder and bodily harm. Nishit T. argued in court that it was a racist attack and that he had acted in self-defence

Judge Kacani, in giving the courts opinion, stated that it was obvious that the defendant had been attacked by the damaged parties and that in such a case, it is possible to consider the use of a knife against more than one aggressor to be an appropriate use of force in defence.

The court has not upheld the opinion that this was a racist attack, however, it has not excluded the possibility that the defendant perceived it as such, ruled Kacani, recalling that attacks against persons of different skin colour are nothing exceptional in Slovakia. He also referred to the case of the Filipino expat, Henry Acorda, who died from injuries sustained when he tried to intervene on seeing a man harassing women in the street in the centre of Bratislava .

Read also:Stano Matasovska, who led the news section in public-service radio RTVS, has left her job, citing recent pressure from some politicians as the reason. This may be connected to last weeks controversial handbook on how to make a newscast.

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RTVS radio news section head, Petra Stano Matasovska, resigned from her post on Monday, October 15. RTVS general director Jaroslav Reznik has accepted her resignation, the broadcasters spokesperson Erika Rusnakova told the TASR newswire.

Pressure as motivation for resigning

I decided to offer my resignation to the general director in order to protect RTVS against an unprecedented pressure from some politicians over the past couple of days, Stano Matasovska commented on her step. Although it absolutely wasnt based on the truth, it was harmful to the institutions reputation and cast a bad light on the work of its employees, she summed up, as quoted by TASR.

The reason was a leaked RTVS internal document entitled Short News Service  a reminder of principles to be observed by editors preparing short radio news reports for RTVS. The political opposition viewed the new rules as censorship of parties that are not part of the governing coalition; and Slovak media expressed indignation about the bias, too.

The former head of the newscast rejects the claim concerning a biased processing of information in the radio news service. Its nonsense, fabricated by somebody to damage RTVS and discredit me. Although I didn't write the incriminated section that has been garbled, I decided to take responsibility for it, she stated.

Opposition parties Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), Ordinary People and Independent Presonalities (OLaNO), Sme Rodina / We Are Family and independent MPs around Miroslav Beblavy called for Stano Matasovskas immediate dismissal. The opposition said it plans to initiate further political and legal steps, if she is not dismissed, including filing a criminal complaint and convening a special parliamentary session.

RTVS response

In response, RTVS said that some parts of the published text were inappropriately formulated, and thus gave scope for extensive misinterpretation. According to RTVS, the wording of the text in question was not in line with RTVS internal procedures and values. As a result, Stano Matasovska was given a warning notice.

She had held the post of the RTVS radio news section head since October 2017, according to TASR.

The internal principles for preparing short radio news include a rule instructing reporters not to include opposition draft laws in the newscast unless they make it into their second reading in parliament. According to the RTVS internal document, signed by Stano Matasovska, the opposition bills are often unsystematic and unprofessional, TASR wrote.

UPDATED: Vahram Chuguryan has been authorised to temporarily lead the radio news section. He is the incumbent head of the News and Journalism Section of the Slovak Radio, the Sme daily wrote, citing Erika Rusnakova. The team-leader to deal with daily routine operation is Oto Gorner, she added.The transparency watchdog conducted a survey recently, focusing on peoples trust in municipal governance.

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The Transparency International Slovensko (TIS) watchdog conducted a survey among Slovak citizens, scrutinising their trust in municipal politicians. The results are rather negative, their opinion poll from September 2019 has shown: Almost two-thirds (60.9 percent) think that mayors and local councillors push through their personal interests to some extent in decision-making. In the poll conducted by the Focus agency between September 18 and 25 on 1,015 respondents, 36.2 percent of them are sure that municipal politicians sometimes assert public and sometimes their own private interest. Also, 24.4 percent believe these politicians always pressure voters through their own interests or mostly through the interests of a town or village, the SITA newswire wrote, citing Lubos Kostelansky of TIS.

Worse than 15 years ago

TIS conducted a similar poll with Focus 15 years ago and since then, the reputation of municipal politicians has worsened. In July 2003, only 56 percent saw them as mostly following their own interests. Thus, two thirds of respondents think that the public control in local self-administration needs to be boosted. Only one quarter is of opposite opinion, TIS found.

The poll also found that the public perceives all basic activities of municipalities as troublesome, while the worst sphere is filling the vacancies in local self-administration where 48.8 percent of people see corruption and cronyism. The best situation is in selling municipal flats for private ownership (34.9 percent).

Regional and demographic disparities

Most sceptical are inhabitants of small towns (with 2,500 inhabitants) where 675 percent see politicians private interests as dominant, while in small villages (up to 1,000 people) only 48.4 percent are sceptical.

From the point of view of individual regions, the most alarming situation is in the Bratislava Region (70.7 percent), while the best is in the Presov Region (48.6 percent).

Most disappointed are voters of the extreme right LSNS party (79.8 percent), while the non-parliamentary KDHs voters trust in municipal politicians the most (50.4 percent).

Despite this generally negative mood, satisfaction with services offered by municipalities prevails in Slovakia: in four out of the total seven areas, the satisfaction dominates. People are mostly content with the garbage collection and water-management service; 66.2 percent are absolutely confident, and 62.6 percent are rather satisfied. The biggest discontent prevails in the quality of roads (46.9 percent) and health care (38.8 percent).

Slovaks satisfaction has increased since 2003 in all fields except for education, TIS informed, as quoted by SITA.My names Will Capers. For almost nine years, Ive blogged on various topics. I blogged as Blaque Ink first, and as Brotha Wolf second. The latter had a mu...

2 years agoToday, Huawei has finally unveiled the latest Mate 20 series along with other two products including the Huawei Watch GT and Band 3 Pro the but we'll cover these separately. Powered by the Kirin 980 chipset, a new Nano Memory card and more, the series includes the Huawei Mate 20, starting from 799 (4GB + 128GB, ~RM3837) and 849 (6GB + 128GB, ~RM4078), 1049 (~RM5038) for the Mate 20 Pro, 899 (~RM4318) for the Mate 20X and the Porsche Design Mate 20 RS in two variants - 1659 (8GB + 256GB, ~RM8141) and 2095 (8GB + 512GB, ~RM10062). All the phones except the Mate 20X (26 October 2018) are now available worldwide but we don't have a clear date for Malaysia's release.

The Mate 20 series are going for a shiny curved back with no more camera band, the inspiration for the new rear camera design is apparently from the Porsche 911 Four point headlamps so that all of the Huawei Mate 20 series are essentially sporting Porsche Design elements. They will be coming in black, blue, green, silver and the two tone twilight with shiny diagonal Hyper Optical Patterns that shimmer under the light and are anti-fingerprint (there's a pink version too, but this one isn't expected to come to Malaysia).

Richard Yu showing off the Huawei Mate 20 Pro and Mate 20 smartphones

The Mate 20 Pro in the flesh

Here's one of the newest colour for the Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro, it's called Emerald Green

Mate 20 has a waterdrop notch instead of a wider one

And here's how big the Mate 20X is

Mate 20X in Phantom Silver

The Graphene cooled Gaming Giant

So, as mentioned from our rumours roundup post, the three Mate 20 models really look similar from the back but the Mate 20X is the big one. Designed for gaming as teased from its Twitter account, it features a humongous 5000mAh battery and a 7.21-inch OLED display in a compact body very much smaller than most 7-inch tablets.

It also has an extra accessory, Huawei is dubbing this stylus as the Huawei M-Pen which is meant for scrubbing down quick notes, drawing and it can even take a screenshot from double-clicking it (sounds familiar?). To solve the heating problem from gaming, the company has also installed a Graphene Film and Vapor Chamber Cooling System which when combined with GPU Turbo 2.0 offer no lag gaming.

The Mate 20X in a nutshell, same camera specs and has an IP53 water and dust resistant grade

The M-Pen is quite huge, it should be a separated accessory

5000mAh battery in the house!

Here's how the new cooling system look like within

The main Mate 20s

The Mate 20 has the same design as the Mate 20X but is smaller due to the 6.5-inch display, but both have a Full HD+ pixel resolution. It also retains a 3.5mm headphone jack. You'll be surprised to know that the Mate 20 Pro has a slightly smaller 6.4-inch display but this is mainly because it has a sleeker dual curved edge screen. The Mate 20 Pro goes for the higher-end 2K+ or quad HD+ pixel resolution

The Mate 20 Pro features an in-display fingerprint sensor, a SuperCharge technology with 40watts which allows charging up to 70% in just 30 minutes, a 3D Depth Sensor for facial recognition and 3D Selfie, 15W wireless charging (and the ability to reverse charge Qi wireless chargable devices), wireless easy projection (thanks to a dongle), as well as a new AI Cinema Mode and more.

The battery packs for the Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro respectively

40W SuperCharge technology is only available on the Mate 20 Pro, same goes for the wireless charging with 15W

It can even do reverse wireless charging to other phones and accessories, BURN

Apparently, the 24MP front camera isn't alone on the top notch

Make fantasy a reality. With 3D Live Object on the #HUAWEIMate20Pro you can capture an item and then bring it to life. #HigherIntelligence pic.twitter.com/gaZQjWb2SI  Huawei Mobile (@HuaweiMobile) October 16, 2018

3D Live Emoji is available thanks to the 3D Depth Sensor. To add on, the 3D Live Object as part of their low-energy AR (Augmented reality) feature

We also have a new Nano Memory card (256GB) for the Mate 20 series, interesting

New focus on video recording with a new LEICA Triple Lens rear camera

The AI Cinema Mode is a new video recording feature for the videographers and offers some filters such as nostalgia, Hitchcock, portrait bokeh, and AI Portrait colour with AI Video Zoom technology for tracking the subject in real time. To explain it further, the AI Cinema mode records the subject in colour while the background and other objects are black and white in real-time, no post processing necessary, making it ideal for videographers on the go.

AI Predictive Focus is also there to follow the subject's movement better in video recording, allowing for smoother overall video and photos. The LEICA Triple rear camera has actually changed, with the monochrome sensor being replaced with a 20MP ultra wide 150 degrees lens (for the Mate 20 Pro). When this is combined with the 40MP camera and 8MP telephoto camera, you can now take detailed super wide angle shots or go as close as 2.5cm for really close-up macro shots without needing any extra macro or wide angle lens.

The AI Scene Recognition now recognizes 24 different scene categories for more than 500 different scenarios while the 5x hybrid zoom lets you zoom in without any loss of details. There is also an AI Assisted Composition feature which makes sure you don't accidentally chop off heads when you take pictures.

The Mate 20's triple camera setup

Mate 20 Pro's version, higher specs

Broaden your perspective with the Ultra Wide Angle Lens. The #HUAWEIMate20 has raised the landscape shot game. #HigherIntelligence pic.twitter.com/jnC7ceY6ti  Huawei Mobile (@HuaweiMobile) October 16, 2018

The beauty's in the detail and you can see it clearly with macro shooting on the #HUAWEIMate20. Perfect shots up to 2.5cm. #HigherIntelligence pic.twitter.com/RU63qf3gWL  Huawei Mobile (@HuaweiMobile) October 16, 2018

Give life a splash of colour. With AI Portrait Mode on the #HUAWEIMate20 you can film with a Hollywood effect and create your own work of art. #HigherIntelligence pic.twitter.com/eCdHSDxHG4  Huawei Mobile (@HuaweiMobile) October 16, 2018

Huawei Mate 20 tech specs and features

Kirin 980 processor (7nm SoC), Mali-G76, Dual Neural Processing Unit

4GB and 6GB of RAM

128GB storage (expandable memory available up to 256GB Nano Memory card)

6.53-inch FHD+ RGBW display

Triple rear camera - 16MP (main, ultra wide angle, f/2.2) + 12MP (wide angle, f/1.8) + 8MP (2x telephoto, 5x hybrid zoom, f/2.4)

24MP front camera (f/2.0, HDR)

Features fingerprint sensor (rear), AI scene recognition, AI Cinema Mode, AI Predictive Focus, SuperCharge technology, wireless easy projection

Supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, aptX HD, USB Type-C connectivity

EMUI 9 based on Android 9.0 Pie

4000mAh battery

Huawei Mate 20 Pro tech specs and features

Kirin 980 processor (7nm SoC), Mali-G76, Dual Neural Processing Unit

6GB of RAM

128GB storage (expandable memory available up to 256GB Nano Memory card)

6.39-inch OLED dual curved display in 2K resolution

Triple rear camera - 40MP (main,wide angle, f/1.8) + 20MP (ultra wide angle, f/2.2) + 8MP (3x telephoto, 5x hybrid zoom, f/2.4)

24MP front camera (f/2.0, HDR), 3D Face Unlock

Features In-Display Fingerprint Scanner, IP68 water and dust resistant grade

40W SuperCharge technology, 15W wireless charging, Wireless Reverse Charge

wireless easy projection, AI scene recognition, AI Cinema Mode, AI Predictive Focus, 3D Selfie

Supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, aptX HD, USB Type-C 3.1 (reversible) connectivity

EMUI 9 based on Android 9.0 Pie

4200mAh battery

Huawei Mate 20X tech specs and features

Kirin 980 processor (7nm SoC), Mali-G76, Dual Neural Processing Unit

6GB of RAM

128GB storage (expandable memory available up to 256GB Nano Memory card)

7.21-inch OLED FullView FHD+ display

Triple rear camera - 40MP (main, wide angle, f/1.8) + 20MP (ultra wide angle, f/2.2) + 8MP (3x telephoto, 5x hybrid zoom, f/2.4)

24MP front camera (f/2.0, HDR)

Features fingerprint sensor (rear), Graphene Cooling System, M Pen (accessory)

Dual stereo speaker (Dolby Atmos), SuperCharge technology, wireless easy projection

Supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, aptX HD, USB Type-C connectivity

EMUI 9 based on Android 9.0 Pie

5000mAh battery

Porsche Design Huawei Mate 20 RS tech specs and features

Kirin 980 processor (7nm SoC), Mali-G76, Dual Neural Processing Unit

8GB of RAM

256GB and 512GB storage (expandable memory available up to 256GB Nano Memory card)

6.39-inch OLED dual curved display in 2K resolution

Triple rear camera - 40MP (main, wide angle, f/1.8) + 20MP (ultra wide angle, f/2.2) + 8MP (3x telephoto, 5x hybrid zoom, f/2.4)

24MP front camera (f/2.0, HDR), 3D Face Unlock

Features In-Display Fingerprint Scanner, IP68 water and dust resistant grade

40W SuperCharge technology, 15W wireless charging, Wireless Reverse Charge

wireless easy projection, 3D Selfie

Supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, aptX HD, USB Type-C 3.1 (reversible) connectivity

EMUI 9 based on Android 9.0 Pie

4200mAh battery

So what do you think about the new Mate 20 series? We are pretty stoked about it and can't wait to test out the camera capabilities in the near future. By the way, Huawei Malaysia will also be bringing the notebook series - the MateBook X Pro and MateBook D along with the new Mate 20 series. Stay tuned on 17 October as we will unveil the pricing and availability for Malaysia soon at TechNave.com!"Ladder Climbing with the Snake Robot" is a video that was released last year by Kyoto University's Matsuno Lab, and it is still drawing stares and shivers. Comments on the video have included "Thanks, I hate it."

Popular Mechanics in its headline advised readers that "You can't unsee" it scaling a ladder. Stephanie Mlot in Geek.com described a "slithering cyborg." She noted how "a plasticized serpent noisily wraps itself around each rung, swiftly ascending then descending."

The snake-like robot was shown at IROS in Madrid earlier this month. The team is from Kyoto University and the University of Electro-Communications.

The snake is able to climb ladders that are both inclined and fully vertical, said Future Timeline.

The team behind the robot snake have called attention to a "novel" gait. They said their design method configured the robot form "by connecting simple shapes." They said the climbing motion was executed "via shift control and the corresponding motion required to catch the next step on the ladder."

Diving deep into the robot design, Nkkei Asian Review noted that the device can make its way seamlessly up or down a ladder by altering body shape. "The joints have a 180-degree range of movement, allowing the robot to easily change its shape, while the smooth surface with few protrusions makes it less prone to getting stuck on obstacles."

It has 36 joints, equipped with angle sensors that can gauge the shape of the body, said Nikkei Asian Review. The shapes "securely wrap around each rung as it climbs upwards," said Future Timeline. Sam Blum in Popular Mechanics said, "The machine appears to writhe as it scales the ladder." On flat surfaces, said the Nikkei report, "the robot wiggles its way along in much the same way as a real snake."

The team used a 3D printer for the frame; system components included a PC, gamepad and power supply. "The device is controlled remotely by an operator who can see images from a camera mounted on the tip," said Nikkei Asian Review. "Each joint does not need to be manipulated individually; the operator merely has to input which way the robot should proceed after selecting the appropriate shape."

The motivation to develop the robot snake was not to scare people. Rather, the team focused on search and rescue, said Mlot, and disaster recovery; the robot snake can make its way in small spaces and rough terrain.

Nikkei Asian Review made it clear that the end goal was just that. The report said it could be used "for the inspection of collapsed buildings, according to Fumitoshi Matsuno, the robotics professor at Kyoto University leading the project."

What's next? The team "aims to put the device into practical use within two to three years," said Nikkei Asian Review.

"Matsuno was also involved in the development of the previous version," the report added, " which was designed for use in decommissioning the crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant."

Explore further Flying DRAGON robot can slip through tight spaces

 2018 Tech XploreABCs Ask the Doctor tonight looks at health issues surrounding alcohol and whether bottles should be relabelled with warnings like cigarettes?

Alcohol claims the lives of around 5,500 Australians each year, and three million of us drink at the risky level of more than two standard drinks a day. But what about those who consume less than that? In this timely follow-up to season ones Alcohol episode, the doctors examine the latest research and discover that even small amounts of alcohol can reduce life expectancy. While the dangers of liver disease are more well known, theres alarming new evidence which shows consuming alcohol can lead to cancer. But can the damage be reversed?

Shalin and young mum Simone give up alcohol for one month to see if they can undo the negative effects on their bodies. They enlist the help of Dr Bastian Seidel, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, to monitor their progress. He debunks previous advice that drinking a glass of wine a day was good for your heart as complete and utter nonsense. The alcohol-free experiment yields surprising results, exposing the role alcohol plays in sleep disruptionand weight gain. Shalin goes on to reveal the distasteful truth about alcohols empty calories by demonstrating just how many drinks deliver the same calories as a full meal  without any of the nutritional benefits.

Caroline examines exactly how alcohol can cause cancer of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, breast and bowel  and what we can all do to reduce the risks. She also gives plenty of tips to minimise the harmful effects of alcohol when partaking during social events.

Sandro questions if current Australian warning labels on alcohol bottles and cans are strong enough. He asks if horrific medical images on cigarette packets helped inform consumers about smoking risks and lowered smoking rates  could the same be true for alcohol? When Sandro roadtests confronting alcohol warning labels on the public, a debate ensues as to whether its nannystate stuff or sensible health-risk management.

8pm tonight on ABC.A lawyer for John Jarratt has told a Sydney court today his client will be pleading not guilty to a rape charge dating back to the 1970s.

Jarratt, best known for the Wolf Creek film & TV spin-off, did not appear in person in the Downing Centre Local Court but his solicitor, Bryan Wrench, said his client wanted to put this case in the express lane to a trial date so it could be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Wrench told the magistrate his client was an actor whose career has been put on suspension pending this allegation.

Jarratt was charged over allegations that he sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman at a house in Daintrey Place in Randwick, in September 1976.

Source: ABCSherlocks Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss next drama project Dracula is headed to Netflix in Australia.

The joint BBC  Netflix production comprises 390 episodes, inspired by Bram Stokers classic novel. They will re-introduce the world to Dracula, the vampire who made evil sexy. In Transylvania in 1897, the blood-drinking Count is drawing his plans against Victorian London. And be warned: the dead travel fast.

Moffat and Gatiss, who are co-creators, writers and executive producers, said, There have always been stories about great evil. Whats special about Dracula, is that Bram Stoker gave evil its own hero.

Charlotte Moore, BBC Director of Content, says: Genius duo Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss turn their attentions to Dracula for unmissable event television on BBC One.

Larry Tanz, Vice President, Content Acquisition, Netflix, says: We cant wait to bring Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss brilliant storytelling to our members around the world and we are eager to collaborate on yet another series with the BBC.

Sue Vertue, Executive Producer, Hartswood Films, says: We are absolutely thrilled to be back at the BBC, and also delighted that Netflix are coming on board with Dracula. Theres nothing like fresh blood.

Dates are yet to be announced.When programmers discuss the relative merits of different programming languages, they often talk about them in prosaic terms as if they were so many tools in a tool beltone might be more appropriate for systems programming, another might be more appropriate for gluing together other programs to accomplish some ad hoc task. This is as it should be. Languages have different strengths and claiming that a language is better than other languages without reference to a specific use case only invites an unproductive and vitriolic debate.

But there is one language that seems to inspire a peculiar universal reverence: Lisp. Keyboard crusaders that would otherwise pounce on anyone daring to suggest that some language is better than any other will concede that Lisp is on another level. Lisp transcends the utilitarian criteria used to judge other languages, because the median programmer has never used Lisp to build anything practical and probably never will, yet the reverence for Lisp runs so deep that Lisp is often ascribed mystical properties. Everyones favorite webcomic, xkcd, has depicted Lisp this way at least twice: In one comic, a character reaches some sort of Lisp enlightenment, which appears to allow him to comprehend the fundamental structure of the universe. In another comic, a robed, senescent programmer hands a stack of parentheses to his padawan, saying that the parentheses are elegant weapons for a more civilized age, suggesting that Lisp has all the occult power of the Force.

Another great example is Bob Kanefskys parody of a song called God Lives on Terra. His parody, written in the mid-1990s and called Eternal Flame, describes how God must have created the world using Lisp. The following is an excerpt, but the full set of lyrics can be found in the GNU Humor Collection:

For God wrote in Lisp code

When he filled the leaves with green.

The fractal flowers and recursive roots:

The most lovely hack Ive seen.

And when I ponder snowflakes,

never finding two the same,

I know God likes a language

with its own four-letter name.

I can only speak for myself, I suppose, but I think this Lisp Is Arcane Magic cultural meme is the most bizarre and fascinating thing ever. Lisp was concocted in the ivory tower as a tool for artificial intelligence research, so it was always going to be unfamiliar and maybe even a bit mysterious to the programming laity. But programmers now urge each other to try Lisp before you die as if it were some kind of mind-expanding psychedelic. They do this even though Lisp is now the second-oldest programming language in widespread use, younger only than Fortran, and even then by just one year. Imagine if your job were to promote some new programming language on behalf of the organization or team that created it. Wouldnt it be great if you could convince everyone that your new language had divine powers? But how would you even do that? How does a programming language come to be known as a font of hidden knowledge?

How did Lisp get to be this way?

The cover of Byte Magazine, August, 1979.

Theory A: The Axiomatic Language

John McCarthy, Lisps creator, did not originally intend for Lisp to be an elegant distillation of the principles of computation. But, after one or two fortunate insights and a series of refinements, thats what Lisp became. Paul Grahamwe will talk about him some more laterhas written that, with Lisp, McCarthy did for programming something like what Euclid did for geometry. People might see a deeper meaning in Lisp because McCarthy built Lisp out of parts so fundamental that it is hard to say whether he invented it or discovered it.

McCarthy began thinking about creating a language during the 1956 Darthmouth Summer Research Project on Artificial Intelligence. The Summer Research Project was in effect an ongoing, multi-week academic conference, the very first in the field of artificial intelligence. McCarthy, then an assistant professor of Mathematics at Dartmouth, had actually coined the term artificial intelligence when he proposed the event. About ten or so people attended the conference for its entire duration. Among them were Allen Newell and Herbert Simon, two researchers affiliated with the RAND Corporation and Carnegie Mellon that had just designed a language called IPL.

Newell and Simon had been trying to build a system capable of generating proofs in propositional calculus. They realized that it would be hard to do this while working at the level of the computers native instruction set, so they decided to create a languageor, as they called it, a pseudo-codethat would help them more naturally express the workings of their Logic Theory Machine. Their language, called IPL for Information Processing Language, was more of a high-level assembly dialect then a programming language in the sense we mean today. Newell and Simon, perhaps referring to Fortran, noted that other pseudo-codes then in development were preoccupied with representing equations in standard mathematical notation. Their language focused instead on representing sentences in propositional calculus as lists of symbolic expressions. Programs in IPL would basically leverage a series of assembly-language macros to manipulate and evaluate expressions within one or more of these lists.

McCarthy thought that having algebraic expressions in a language, Fortran-style, would be useful. So he didnt like IPL very much. But he thought that symbolic lists were a good way to model problems in artificial intelligence, particularly problems involving deduction. This was the germ of McCarthys desire to create an algebraic list processing language, a language that would resemble Fortran but also be able to process symbolic lists like IPL.

Of course, Lisp today does not resemble Fortran. Over the next few years, McCarthys ideas about what an ideal list processing language should look like evolved. His ideas began to change in 1957, when he started writing routines for a chess-playing program in Fortran. The prolonged exposure to Fortran convinced McCarthy that there were several infelicities in its design, chief among them the awkward IF statement. McCarthy invented an alternative, the true conditional expression, which returns sub-expression A if the supplied test succeeds and sub-expression B if the supplied test fails and which also only evaluates the sub-expression that actually gets returned. During the summer of 1958, when McCarthy worked to design a program that could perform differentiation, he realized that his true conditional expression made writing recursive functions easier and more natural. The differentiation problem also prompted McCarthy to devise the maplist function, which takes another function as an argument and applies it to all the elements in a list. This was useful for differentiating sums of arbitrarily many terms.

None of these things could be expressed in Fortran, so, in the fall of 1958, McCarthy set some students to work implementing Lisp. Since McCarthy was now an assistant professor at MIT, these were all MIT students. As McCarthy and his students translated his ideas into running code, they made changes that further simplified the language. The biggest change involved Lisps syntax. McCarthy had originally intended for the language to include something called M-expressions, which would be a layer of syntactic sugar that made Lisps syntax resemble Fortrans. Though M-expressions could be translated to S-expressionsthe basic lists enclosed by parentheses that Lisp is known for S-expressions were really a low-level representation meant for the machine. The only problem was that McCarthy had been denoting M-expressions using square brackets, and the IBM 026 keypunch that McCarthys team used at MIT did not have any square bracket keys on its keyboard. So the Lisp team stuck with S-expressions, using them to represent not just lists of data but function applications too. McCarthy and his students also made a few other simplifications, including a switch to prefix notation and a memory model change that meant the language only had one real type.

In 1960, McCarthy published his famous paper on Lisp called Recursive Functions of Symbolic Expressions and Their Computation by Machine. By that time, the language had been pared down to such a degree that McCarthy realized he had the makings of an elegant mathematical system and not just another programming language. He later wrote that the many simplifications that had been made to Lisp turned it into a way of describing computable functions much neater than the Turing machines or the general recursive definitions used in recursive function theory. In his paper, he therefore presented Lisp both as a working programming language and as a formalism for studying the behavior of recursive functions.

McCarthy explained Lisp to his readers by building it up out of only a very small collection of rules. Paul Graham later retraced McCarthys steps, using more readable language, in his essay The Roots of Lisp. Graham is able to explain Lisp using only seven primitive operators, two different notations for functions, and a half-dozen higher-level functions defined in terms of the primitive operators. That Lisp can be specified by such a small sequence of basic rules no doubt contributes to its mystique. Graham has called McCarthys paper an attempt to axiomatize computation. I think that is a great way to think about Lisps appeal. Whereas other languages have clearly artificial constructs denoted by reserved words like while or typedef or public static void , Lisps design almost seems entailed by the very logic of computing. This quality and Lisps original connection to a field as esoteric as recursive function theory should make it no surprise that Lisp has so much prestige today.

Theory B: Machine of the Future

Two decades after its creation, Lisp had become, according to the famous Hackers Dictionary, the mother tongue of artificial intelligence research. Early on, Lisp spread quickly, probably because its regular syntax made implementing it on new machines relatively straightforward. Later, researchers would keep using it because of how well it handled symbolic expressions, important in an era when so much of artificial intelligence was symbolic. Lisp was used in seminal artificial intelligence projects like the SHRDLU natural language program, the Macsyma algebra system, and the ACL2 logic system.

By the mid-1970s, though, artificial intelligence researchers were running out of computer power. The PDP-10, in particulareveryones favorite machine for artificial intelligence workhad an 18-bit address space that increasingly was insufficient for Lisp AI programs. Many AI programs were also supposed to be interactive, and making a demanding interactive program perform well on a time-sharing system was challenging. The solution, originally proposed by Peter Deutsch at MIT, was to engineer a computer specifically designed to run Lisp programs. These Lisp machines, as I described in my last post on Chaosnet, would give each user a dedicated processor optimized for Lisp. They would also eventually come with development environments written entirely in Lisp for hardcore Lisp programmers. Lisp machines, devised in an awkward moment at the tail of the minicomputer era but before the full flowering of the microcomputer revolution, were high-performance personal computers for the programming elite.

For a while, it seemed as if Lisp machines would be the wave of the future. Several companies sprang into existence and raced to commercialize the technology. The most successful of these companies was called Symbolics, founded by veterans of the MIT AI Lab. Throughout the 1980s, Symbolics produced a line of computers known as the 3600 series, which were popular in the AI field and in industries requiring high-powered computing. The 3600 series computers featured large screens, bit-mapped graphics, a mouse interface, and powerful graphics and animation software. These were impressive machines that enabled impressive programs. For example, Bob Culley, who worked in robotics research and contacted me via Twitter, was able to implement and visualize a path-finding algorithm on a Symbolics 3650 in 1985. He explained to me that bit-mapped graphics and object-oriented programming (available on Lisp machines via the Flavors extension) were very new in the 1980s. Symbolics was the cutting edge.

Bob Culleys path-finding program.

As a result, Symbolics machines were outrageously expensive. The Symbolics 3600 cost $110,000 in 1983. So most people could only marvel at the power of Lisp machines and the wizardry of their Lisp-writing operators from afar. But marvel they did. Byte Magazine featured Lisp and Lisp machines several times from 1979 through to the end of the 1980s. In the August, 1979 issue, a special on Lisp, the magazines editor raved about the new machines being developed at MIT with gobs of memory and an advanced operating system. He thought they sounded so promising that they would make the two prior yearswhich saw the launch of the Apple II, the Commodore PET, and the TRS-80look boring by comparison. A half decade later, in 1985, a Byte Magazine contributor described writing Lisp programs for the sophisticated, superpowerful Symbolics 3670 and urged his audience to learn Lisp, claiming it was both the language of choice for most people working in AI and soon to be a general-purpose programming language as well.

I asked Paul McJones, who has done lots of Lisp preservation work for the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, about when people first began talking about Lisp as if it were a gift from higher-dimensional beings. He said that the inherent properties of the language no doubt had a lot to do with it, but he also said that the close association between Lisp and the powerful artificial intelligence applications of the 1960s and 1970s probably contributed too. When Lisp machines became available for purchase in the 1980s, a few more people outside of places like MIT and Stanford were exposed to Lisps power and the legend grew. Today, Lisp machines and Symbolics are little remembered, but they helped keep the mystique of Lisp alive through to the late 1980s.

Theory C: Learn to Program

In 1985, MIT professors Harold Abelson and Gerald Sussman, along with Sussmans wife, Julie Sussman, published a textbook called Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs. The textbook introduced readers to programming using the language Scheme, a dialect of Lisp. It was used to teach MITs introductory programming class for two decades. My hunch is that SICP (as the title is commonly abbreviated) about doubled Lisps mystique factor. SICP took Lisp and showed how it could be used to illustrate deep, almost philosophical concepts in the art of computer programming. Those concepts were general enough that any language could have been used, but SICPs authors chose Lisp. As a result, Lisps reputation was augmented by the notoriety of this bizarre and brilliant book, which has intrigued generations of programmers (and also become a very strange meme). Lisp had always been McCarthys elegant formalism; now it was also that language that teaches you the hidden secrets of programming.

Its worth dwelling for a while on how weird SICP really is, because I think the books weirdness and Lisps weirdness get conflated today. The weirdness starts with the books cover. It depicts a wizard or alchemist approaching a table, prepared to perform some sort of sorcery. In one hand he holds a set of calipers or a compass, in the other he holds a globe inscribed with the words eval and apply. A woman opposite him gestures at the table; in the background, the Greek letter lambda floats in mid-air, radiating light.

The cover art for SICP.

Honestly, what is going on here? Why does the table have animal feet? Why is the woman gesturing at the table? What is the significance of the inkwell? Are we supposed to conclude that the wizard has unlocked the hidden mysteries of the universe, and that those mysteries consist of the eval/apply loop and the Lambda Calculus? It would seem so. This image alone must have done an enormous amount to shape how people talk about Lisp today.

But the text of the book itself is often just as weird. SICP is unlike most other computer science textbooks that you have ever read. Its authors explain in the foreword to the book that the book is not merely about how to program in Lispit is instead about three foci of phenomena: the human mind, collections of computer programs, and the computer. Later, they elaborate, describing their conviction that programming shouldnt be considered a discipline of computer science but instead should be considered a new notation for procedural epistemology. Programs are a new way of structuring thought that only incidentally get fed into computers. The first chapter of the book gives a brief tour of Lisp, but most of the book after that point is about much more abstract concepts. There is a discussion of different programming paradigms, a discussion of the nature of time and identity in object-oriented systems, and at one point a discussion of how synchronization problems may arise because of fundamental constraints on communication that play a role akin to the fixed speed of light in the theory of relativity. Its heady stuff.

All this isnt to say that the book is bad. Its a wonderful book. It discusses important programming concepts at a higher level than anything else I have read, concepts that I had long wondered about but didnt quite have the language to describe. Its impressive that an introductory programming textbook can move so quickly to describing the fundamental shortfalls of object-oriented programming and the benefits of functional languages that minimize mutable state. Its mind-blowing that this then turns into a discussion of how a stream paradigm, perhaps something like todays RxJS, can give you the best of both worlds. SICP distills the essence of high-level program design in a way reminiscent of McCarthys original Lisp paper. The first thing you want to do after reading it is get your programmer friends to read it; if they look it up, see the cover, but then dont read it, all they take away is that some mysterious, fundamental eval/apply thing gives magicians special powers over tables with animal feet. I would be deeply impressed in their shoes too.

But maybe SICPs most important contribution was to elevate Lisp from curious oddity to pedagogical must-have. Well before SICP, people told each other to learn Lisp as a way of getting better at programming. The 1979 Lisp issue of Byte Magazine is testament to that fact. The same editor that raved about MITs new Lisp machines also explained that the language was worth learning because it represents a different point of view from which to analyze problems. But SICP presented Lisp as more than just a foil for other languages; SICP used Lisp as an introductory language, implicitly making the argument that Lisp is the best language in which to grasp the fundamentals of computer programming. When programmers today tell each other to try Lisp before they die, they arguably do so in large part because of SICP. After all, the language Brainfuck presumably offers a different point of view from which to analyze problems. But people learn Lisp instead because they know that, for twenty years or so, the Lisp point of view was thought to be so useful that MIT taught Lisp to undergraduates before anything else.

Lisp Comes Back

The same year that SICP was released, Bjarne Stroustrup published the first edition of The C++ Programming Language, which brought object-oriented programming to the masses. A few years later, the market for Lisp machines collapsed and the AI winter began. For the next decade and change, C++ and then Java would be the languages of the future and Lisp would be left out in the cold.

It is of course impossible to pinpoint when people started getting excited about Lisp again. But that may have happened after Paul Graham, Y-Combinator co-founder and Hacker News creator, published a series of influential essays pushing Lisp as the best language for startups. In his essay Beating the Averages, for example, Graham argued that Lisp macros simply made Lisp more powerful than other languages. He claimed that using Lisp at his own startup, Viaweb, helped him develop features faster than his competitors were able to. Some programmers at least were persuaded. But the vast majority of programmers did not switch to Lisp.

What happened instead is that more and more Lisp-y features have been incorporated into everyones favorite programming languages. Python got list comprehensions. C# got Linq. Ruby got well, Ruby is a Lisp. As Graham noted even back in 2001, the default language, embodied in a succession of popular languages, has gradually evolved toward Lisp. Though other languages are gradually becoming like Lisp, Lisp itself somehow manages to retain its special reputation as that mysterious language that few people understand but everybody should learn. In 1980, on the occasion of Lisps 20th anniversary, McCarthy wrote that Lisp had survived as long as it had because it occupied some kind of approximate local optimum in the space of programming languages. That understates Lisps real influence. Lisp hasnt survived for over half a century because programmers have begrudgingly conceded that it is the best tool for the job decade after decade; in fact, it has survived even though most programmers do not use it at all. Thanks to its origins and use in artificial intelligence research and perhaps also the legacy of SICP, Lisp continues to fascinate people. Until we can imagine God creating the world with some newer language, Lisp isnt going anywhere.

If you enjoyed this post, more like it come out every four weeks! Follow @TwoBitHistory on Twitter or subscribe to the RSS feed to make sure you know when a new post is out.

Previously on TwoBitHistoryIdaho Fish and Game Commissioner Blake Fischer was asked to quit his post after he sent out a mass email describing his killing of numerous African animals in Namibia, attaching photos of himself grinning with the carcasses of the dead animals.

Governor C.L. Otter said in a statement on Monday that Fischer had been asked to resign over the incident and that the commissioner had complied following the scandal. In his resignation letter, Bischer admitted that he had made "poor judgments" in killing the animals.

Fish and Game Commissioner brags of animal killings

The New York Times reports that the hunting done by Blake Fischer was legal in Namibia. However. Otter said they have high expectations and standards for all appointees in state government. He said each member of his administration should exercise good judgment, but Fischer failed to do so.

USA/Namibia



Idaho wildlife official RESIGNS after killing and posing with 14 dead animals during African trophy hunting trip.

Blake Fischer... https://t.co/I569DDyuzZ  WAR-International. (@WildlifeAtRisk) October 16, 2018

Fischer apologized for his poor judgment in his letter of resignation, saying he had not displayed an appropriate level of sportsmanship and had lacked respect for the animals he harvested. He said he fully accepts responsibility for his actions and feels it best to resign his post.

The Idaho Statesman reports that the email with the offending photos of dead animals was sent to over 100 people on 17 September, but the story only surfaced on Friday. The New York Times went on to obtain copies of the email and photos via a public records request.

Fischer describes Namibian trip in email

In the offending email uncovered by the Idaho Statesman, Fischer described the trip he had taken with his wife Beth to Namibia.

Reportedly this was her first visit to Africa. He said on the first day of the trip his wife wanted to watch him to get a feel of the country. Fischer said he went on to kill an entire family of baboons, which he said gave his wife the idea very quickly. A photo of Fischer, smiling next to the family of baboons, which appeared to include a dead baby, was attached to the email.

Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner Resigns Amid Criticism Over African Hunting Photos The commissioner, Blake Fischer, drew ire after he sent a mass email about his hunting trip in Namibia. The email included photos of game he killed.



By MATT STEVENS and https://t.co/UUnP4w6Hcp pic.twitter.com/jqRc7av86S  NewsOftheworld (@newsworldforev4) October 16, 2018

Fischer also attached images of his wife standing next to a dead oryx, antelope and waterbuck. He also attached a photo of a giraffe and leopard he had shot. Speaking of the leopard, he said it was super cool and super lucky to have been able to kill one of Africas famed Big 5.

Commissioners responsibility for fish and game

The Times reports that Fischer was one of seven Idaho commission members whose responsibility was to administer fish and game policy in Idaho.

Within weeks of Fischers email being sent, Fred Trevey, a former Fish and Game Commissioner in Idaho, replied, calling on him to immediately resign. Trevey went on to accuse Fischer of violating the act of responsible hunting, saying he finds it difficult to understand how Fischer could view his actions as being sportsmanlike. He wrote that while the hunt was legal, it doesnt make it right.

"I didn't do anything unethical. I didn't do anything immoral," says #BlakeFischer, who bragged about killing a family of baboons (The account in the article shows what a disgusting human he is). @CNN https://t.co/mGuKEUR8JA  John E Hunter (@John_E_Hunter) October 15, 2018

Trophy hunting season in Namibia reportedly runs from February through to the end of November and all hunters must have permits, including a special permit for big cats. Hunting for trophies is also only allowed on properties where the landowner has granted permission.By Susanna Twidale and Karina Dsouza

(Reuters) - British power producer Drax <DRX.L> has agreed to buy a group of Scottish gas, hydro and pumped storage power plants from Spain's Iberdrola for 702 million pounds ($922 million) as it strives to end coal-based production before a 2025 government deadline.

The plants run by Iberdrola's <IBE.MC> Scottish Power arm include the massive Cruachan pumped storage hydro facility, built inside a mountain near Loch Lomond, as well as a biomass-from-waste facility, which have helped Scotland creep closer to generating all of its power from renewable sources.

The sale, included in Iberdrola's 2018-2022 strategy to rotate assets worth 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion), leaves the Spanish group with only wind power generators in Britain.

Drax CEO Will Gardiner said the deal was a part of his company's strategy to exit coal and provide flexible electricity generation to back-up Britain's growing renewable capacity.

"We see an energy system in 2050 when 85 percent of the electricity comes from wind and solar but there will need to be another 15 percent which we see coming from gas and biomass," he told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday.

Drax, which generates about 6 percent of Britain's electricity, has converted four of its former coal-fired plants to biomass wood pellets, often made from compressed sawdust.

Gardiner said longer term plans to replace the remaining two coal units with gas plants and up to 200 megawatts of battery storage, would be unchanged by the acquisitions.

Drax hopes to end all coal production ahead of the UK government's target of 2025 as it seeks to reduce fossil fuel emissions.

"We are really committed to moving beyond coal ... but at the same time we do have to react to what the market is saying," Gardiner said.

Earlier in October, Britain's National Grid said coal-fired power generation was likely to rise over the winter as high gas prices made coal power plants more profitable.

Story continues

Scottish Power has already closed all of its coal plants, and following the sale will generate 100 percent of its electricity from wind power.

"This is a pivotal shift for Scottish Power as we realise a long-term ambition. We are leaving carbon generation behind for a renewable future powered by cheaper green energy," Scottish Power chief executive Keith Anderson said in a statement.

Drax hopes to complete the deal by the end of the year, subject to shareholder approval.

Drax said it had secured bridge funding of 725 million pounds to finance the deal, and expects no impact on its previous guidance for full-year earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA).

Drax expects the acquired facilities to contribute 90-100 million pounds to the company's EBITDA in 2019.

Shares in UK-listed Drax were up around 4 percent,, while shares in Spain-listed Iberdrola were little changed.

($1 = 0.7607 pounds)

($1 = 0.8636 euros)

(Reporting by Susanna Twidale in London, Karina Dsouza in Bengaluru and Paul Day in Madrid; Editing by Patrick Graham and Mark Potter)Nomura has agreed to pay $480m (364m) to settle US claims relating to the mis-selling of mortgage-backed securities ahead of the financial crisis.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the deal with the Japanese bank related to allegations Nomura misled investors between 2006 and 2007, resulting in them suffering "significant losses".

:: UK recovery is slower than US after Great Depression

The bank disputed the case and is not required to acknowledge any guilt under the settlement.

The DOJ argued the bank's assertion that it's due diligence procedures were "extensive" and "disciplined" was false.

It highlighted evidence collated in the case which included the bank securitising loans as favours to loan originators - including bundles openly described to Nomura as "dogs***".

Officials also claimed to have uncovered an email from a member of the Nomura team stating that "advertising will be a great career when all these loans finally blow up... (I will be selling vacuum cleaners door to door when the market goes by the way)."

The DOJ deal is the latest settlement with a major world bank over the mis-selling scandal.

RBS (LSE: RBS.L - news) agreed a 3.6m payout earlier this year - by far the largest sum for a UK-based financial institution.

Just months earlier, Barclays (LSE: BARC.L - news) settled for 1.4bn while HSBC was handed a 582m penalty a week ago.

Richard P Donoghue, United States attorney for the eastern district of New York, said of the action against the Japanese bank: "This settlement holds Nomura accountable for its fraudulent conduct in connection with its residential mortgage-backed securities offerings, which caused substantial harm to investors and contributed to the financial crisis of 2008.

"The department of justice, this office and our partners will continue to aggressively pursue wrongdoing in our financial markets, including, as appropriate, financial crisis-era misconduct."A Laudamotion Airbus A320 plane is seen at the airport in Vienna, Austria, March 20, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

VIENNA (Reuters) - Ryanair <RYA.L> has appointed a third managing director at Laudamotion, the Austrian carrier said on Monday, tightening its grip on the leisure airline at a time when the Irish company is dealing with unrest among its employees across Europe.

Ryanair holds a 75 percent stake in Laudamotion, whose founder and minority shareholder Niki Lauda is still in hospital after a lung transplant this summer.

Michael O'Leary, the Irish budget carrier's Chief Executive, and Lauda teamed up early this year after the collapse of Air Berlin in an attempt to expand in Germany and Austria and challenge flagship carrier Lufthansa <LHAG.DE>.

Colin Casey, who was a commercial manager for Ryanair, will work together with managing director Andreas Gruber and Lauda, Laudamotion said.

"All three managing directors are only jointly authorised to represent the company," Laudamotion said in a statement.

One of the most pressing issues is negotiations with the Austrian GPA trade union over a collective wage agreement.

A deal, initially envisaged in summer, is now expected in the autumn. So far, Laudamotion passengers have been spared strikes, unlike its Irish partner.

Ryanair, which is Europe's largest low-cost carrier, has struggled with labour relations despite bowing to pressure to recognise trade unions for the first time last December. Industrial unrest has escalated in recent months.

A pan-European body representing Ryanair pilot unions on Friday described the Irish airline's decision to close two bases and reduce its capacity this winter as a "declaration of war" on unions and said the move must be reversed to make progress.

(Reporting by Kirsti Knolle, editing by Louise Heavens and Kirsten Donovan)Moroccan Mounir El Motassadeq is escorted at Hamburg airport as he is released from prison in Hamburg, Germany, October 15, 2018, after serving a 15-year jail sentence for helping hijackers to organise the September 11, 2001 attacks on U.S. targets. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

Thomson Reuters

BERLIN (Reuters) - A Moroccan associate of the Sept. 11 hijackers is being moved from a German prison in preparation for deportation after serving most of a 15-year jail term for helping organize the 2011 attacks on U.S. targets, authorities said on Monday.

Mounir El Motassadeq was a member of a group of radical Islamists based in the northern German port city of Hamburg who helped bring about the suicide attacks with hijacked airliners that killed nearly 3,000 people.

Handed the maximum sentence of 15 years in 2007 for being an accessory to mass murder, Motassadeq is one of only two men convicted to date of involvement in the plot.

"Everything is going according to plan," said a spokesman for the state of Hamburg's interior ministry, declining to give details, other than to say that Motassadeq's release was permissible from Oct. 15 if he was deported immediately.

Photographs showed a man with covered eyes being led by two armed policemen to a helicopter. German media reported that he would be taken to Frankfurt to be deported to Morocco, where his family lives.

The spokesman in Hamburg could not say exactly when his sentence was due to end. German media have reported he was due to stay behind bars until November or early next year.

At his 2007 trial, his lawyers argued that Motassadeq knew nothing about the Sept. 11 plot. But prosecutors said he played a central role in suicide hijacker Mohammed Atta's group by running the financial affairs of some cell members.

Authorities in Hamburg said they would confirm the deportation once it has taken place.

(Reporting by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

See Also:FILE PHOTO: A waitress carries mugs of beer during the opening day of the 185th Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany September 22, 2018. REUTERS/Andreas Gebert/File Photo

Thomson Reuters

By Timothy Gardner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Climate change will brew trouble for beer lovers in coming decades as it shrinks yields of barley, the top grain used to make the world's most popular alcoholic drink, a study published on Monday said.

Extreme weather events featuring both heat waves and droughts will occur as often as every two or three years in the second half of the century if temperatures rise at current rates, the study said.

Average global barley yields during extreme events are expected to drop between 3 and 17 percent, depending on the conditions, said the study, published in the journal Nature Plants.

Less barley will mean beer shortages and price spikes. Under the hottest scenario, China will suffer the most shortages this century, followed by the United States, Germany, and Russia, it said.

Prices will spike the most in Ireland, Italy, Canada and Poland. During the extreme climate events, prices for a 500 milliliter bottle, slightly more than a pint, in Ireland will rise from about $2.50 to $5.00.

Dabo Guan, a professor of climate change economics at the University of East Anglia and the study's lead author, said beer issues pale in comparison to other climate induced problems, including food security, storm damage and fresh water scarcity.

But the threats to a beverage people have enjoyed for thousands of years is an indicator that even consumers in developed countries cannot escape the effects of a changing planet.

"Climate change will affect all of us, not only people who are in India or African countries," Guan said.

The study did not consider climate change's affects on other staple ingredients of beer such as hops.

Consumers in developed countries who want to avoid shortages would be wise to support policies reducing emissions of gases scientists blame for warming the planet, Guan said.

Last year U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to pull the United States out of the 2015 Paris pact on climate, doubting the extent to which human activity is warming the planet.

Story continues

Many companies realize the risks of climate on barley, 17 percent of which is used to make beer. Many countries keep emergency reserves of staple crops such as corn, rice and wheat to stave off price spikes and shortages. But most do not do so for barley, making it vulnerable to climate.

Anheuser-Busch InBev , the worlds biggest brewer, said this year it would cut its greenhouse gas emissions by a quarter by 2025.

Jess Newman, the head of U.S. agronomy for Anheuser-Busch, said the company was experimenting with developing drought-resistant barley and working with farmers to reduce their need for water by, for example, encouraging them to place irrigation sprinklers closer to the ground.

"It's definitely an incremental process but we have many varieties in the pipeline," Newman said when asked how close the company was to breeding a drought-resistant barley in the United States. For several years, Anheuser-Busch has used a winter barley in Idaho that gets moisture from melting snow, cutting the need for irrigation.

(Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Editing by Marguerita Choy)

See Also:KIRKUK, Iraq (AP)  A family of six lost children lives quietly in a small apartment among strangers in this northern Iraqi city. The "man of the house," an 18-year-old, heads out each morning looking for day labor jobs to pay the rent. His 12-year-old sister acts as the mother, cooking meals, cleaning and caring for her young siblings.

Their home village is less than an hour's drive away, but they can't go back  Shiite militiamen burned down their house because their father belonged to the Islamic State group. And they fear retaliation by their former neighbors, so deep is the anger at the militants who once ruled this area.

So the Suleiman children are left to fend for themselves. Their father is in prison. Their mother died years ago. They are traumatized by deaths of loved ones in the war and by their own family turmoil. In their temporary home, they lie low, worried their new neighbors will learn of their family's IS connection.

"I am tired," said the 12-year-old, Dawlat, a slim girl whose face is almost unshakably solemn. "My mother visits me in my dreams. I get scared when the power is out at night. I would love my father and mother to be here next to me."

Thousands of children of Islamic State group members, many of them abandoned like Dawlat's family, are the innocent victims of the brutal rise and destructive fall of Daesh, the acronym by which IS is known. The stain they carry points to how thoroughly Iraq's social fabric was torn apart by the militants' nearly 3-year-rule over much of the country's north and west.

When the Sunni Muslim IS took over those territories in a 2014 blitz, it massacred Shiite Muslims, Kurds, Christians, Yazidis, Sunni Muslim fighters and members of the police or military who fell into its hands. And it drove out others, often either destroying or giving away their homes.

It inflicted a radical version of Shariah law on fellow Sunnis, killing many who violated it or those who opposed their rule. Some Iraqi Sunnis joined the group, either out of conviction or because of the economic benefits membership brought. Many more were its victims. Informants turned in neighbors, leading to punishments ranging from lashings to a bullet in the head in a public square.

Story continues

Now that IS has been driven out of almost all its territory, many of its victims want vengeance.

A senior police officer in the northern province of Nineveh said he knew of at least 100 homes in and around the city of Mosul that have been demolished by tribesmen angry over IS members living there. Daesh-linked families have been shot at and had grenades thrown at their homes, he said. Members of the Yazidi religious minority  whom the militants singled out for some of their worst brutalities, massacres of the men and enslavement of the women  have retaliated by destroying homes in Arab villages in their heartland in the Singar area, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with his agency's regulations.

Thousands of Iraqis are in prison over suspected IS ties and an unknown number of Daesh members were killed in the war. That leaves potentially tens of thousands of children without male heads of households and often without female ones.

The stigma against the children is powerful.

Even extended families in some cases refuse to take in abandoned children of IS members, said a relief official with an international agency that has worked to find homes for such children. The relatives may worry about being tainted themselves or come under pressure from their tribes not to accept the kids, she said, speaking on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to talk about the agency's work.

Most children of Iraqi IS members live mingled among the hundreds of thousands still languishing in camps for those displaced by the three years of fighting that brought down IS. More than 1,000 live with incarcerated mothers in overcrowded jails or juvenile detention facilities.

A few dozen are in orphanages. One, in Baghdad, houses the children of foreign jihadis who came from abroad to join the IS and are now dead or imprisoned.

Police have set up checkpoints on all streets leading to it. There has already been at least one foiled attempt to attack the orphanage.

The children at the center of this resentment are often profoundly traumatized, whether from their lives with the Islamic State group or from the war itself.

At another orphanage, in Mosul, a 9-year-old Iraqi girl named Amwaj said her father was killed fighting for IS. Then her home was hit by shelling, killing her mother and three of her siblings. She watched her mother's body being dug from the rubble.

"Her face was covered with blood," she said, her hands spread over her cheeks to demonstrate.

The girl, whose name means "waves" in Arabic, looked haunted, her eyes wandering and often near tears, her voice barely audible. In the orphanage, she takes care of her three surviving brothers, 10-year-old Mohammed and Hashem and Tahrir, both younger than her.

She said she remembers her father giving her money to buy chips and soda. She dreams of him coming to the orphanage to take her home. She dreams of her mother brushing her hair.

Dawlat, her 18-year-old brother Saleh and their siblings  Abdullah, 16; 8-year-old Adam; a 6-year-old sister, Umaimah; and 4-year-old Dawoud  carry on their shoulders the multiple tragedies they endured from the time IS took over their hometown, outside the city of Hawija, in 2014.

They suffered at the hands of Daesh, at the hands of Daesh's enemies and at the hands of their own father.

Their father joined the group and worked repairing generators for the militants. An older brother also joined and was killed fighting for IS. An older sister was killed by a roadside bomb as she tried to flee IS territory.

Family turmoil also tore them apart: It emerged that their father abused one of his daughters. Saleh confronted his father and they lived for months as enemies under one roof. They came to blows several times. Saleh said he even thought of killing his father at night  "but he was awake with his gun next to him."

In retaliation, Saleh said, the father turned him in to Daesh for selling cigarettes, which were banned under IS. The militants flogged Saleh.

The teen fled to Kurdish-held territory in March 2016, only to be held for six months by Kurdish fighters on suspicion he belonged to Daesh. Saleh said they hung him from the ceiling by his hands and beat the soles of his feet with a hose.

The abused sister was married off to an IS fighter, who was later killed; now 14, she is married again, the second wife of a policeman, and living in a displaced camp.

Meanwhile, Daesh found a new wife for their father, forcing a Shiite woman to marry him. The woman, whose own husband had been killed, brought her own four children with her.

Two months later, Iraqi forces overran Hawija. The father shaved his beard to shed signs of his IS allegiance and fled with his family, hiding among the tens of thousands of others escaping the city.

But his new wife turned him in, telling Kurdish fighters at a checkpoint that he was Daesh. The fighters beat him, then dragged him away  the last any of his family has seen him. The new wife left with her children. She was with them so briefly and wanted so little to do with the family she was forced into that Dawlat and her siblings don't even know her name.

The kids were shunted into a camp for the displaced, where they lived for nearly a year. Finally, the husband of another of their sisters arranged an apartment for them in an impoverished Kurdish neighborhood of Kirkuk.

Surrounded by neighbors belonging to a community persecuted by IS, Saleh fears being found out. At the same time, members of their extended family have warned them it's not safe to return to their home village, where other relatives might support them. The husband of another of their sisters was arrested a month ago after someone recognized him in the streets as a Daesh member.

"I'm often close to tears. I'm exhausted. I feel like I'm 30 after everything I've gone through," Saleh said.

Dawlat's childhood has been stripped away. At their apartment in Kirkuk, she cooks three meals a day; while the younger children are at school, she cleans the house, makes the bed, washes dishes and does laundry. She boasts she can now cook lentils and potatoes and chicken, though she admits she doesn't always get the rice right.

There are moments when a smile illuminates Dawlat's face, temporarily sweeping away her perpetual haunted look. She talks of how she once loved school and still hopes to become a doctor or teacher.

More immediately, she hopes to get married. In rural Iraq, marriage of young girls is common. Once married, she said, it would be religiously permitted for her to wear make-up. "I'd like to go to a hairdresser. I have never been to a hair salon," she said. "I like my hair long, but I would like to dye it a different color."

But then she reverts to the little girl she is  longing to play, regretting her burdens and, despite everything, missing her father.

"He is so dear to me. ... I want him back with us," she whispered, so Saleh could not hear.

___

Associated Press writer Salar Salim in Irbil, Iraq contributed to this report.At least 11 people died when violent rainstorms turned rivers into raging torrents in southwest France overnight Sunday, prompting some of the deadliest flooding in years, officials said.

The equivalent of three months of rainfall was dumped overnight on October 15 in the Aude region in just a few hours, swelling rivers and flooding fields and towns, officials added.

President Emmanuel Macron's office said he would visit the affected areas today, while Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who is also the acting interior minister, headed to the Aude region on Monday.

Philippe said the government would ask insurers to process disaster claims and payments "as quickly as possible" while he assessed the damage in the region.

The rescue operations also appear to have postponed an expected announcement on a government reshuffle, prompted by the sudden resignation of interior minister Gerard Collomb nearly two weeks ago.

One of the overnight victims was an 88-year-old nun who was swept from her room by floodwaters at the Burning Bush priory in the village of Villardonnel, north of the fortress city of Carcassonne.

"The water crashed through the building's main door and on through the door to her room, the lowest in the convent. It carried away her furniture which ended up on the veranda," said Sister Irene, the mother superior.

The nun's body was later found under trees outside the convent.

Elsewhere, flash floods overturned cars, ripped up streets and battered buildings and bridges, especially to the north of Carcassonne where authorities ordered bridges closed because of the rising Aude river.

Authorities rushed hundreds of firemen and half a dozen helicopters to the region to help with rescue operations, particularly in the floodplain of the Aude river which hit its highest level in 100 years, according to the Vigicrues flood agency.

"There's water everywhere in the house. Everything is flooded," Helene Segura told AFP by telephone from the hard-hit village of Villegailhenc, where at least one small bridge had collapsed.

"When I look out the window, I can only see water and mud everywhere. It's sad when you're 70 years old like me and you need to redo your house, change the furniture and all the upholstery," she said.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)FILE PHOTO: Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addresses his country's diaspora, the largest outside Ethiopia, calling on them to return, invest and support their native land with the theme "Break The Wall Build The Bridge", in Washington, U.S., July 28, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Theiler/File Photo

By Aaron Maasho

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia's prime minister created a new Ministry of Peace and handed half the posts in his cabinet to women in a sweeping cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday as he sought to tackle a wave of ethnic violence.

Abiy Ahmed - who has turned the region's politics on its head with a string of reforms since being appointed in April - named new finance and defence ministers in an overhaul that left only four of the appointments unchanged.

"The main problem in this country is the lack of peace. This (peace) ministry will be working hard to ensure it prevails," Abiy told lawmakers.

About 2.2 million people out of a population of 100 million have been displaced by violence since last year, much of it between rival ethnic groups.

The new peace ministry will be led by former parliament speaker Muferiat Kamil, with her office now presiding over Ethiopia's Federal Police Commission, the National Intelligence and Security Service and the Information Network Security Agency, the government said.

Some analysts criticised the new body's composition saying it was dominated by the security services and lacked civilian input. "It is highly dominated by political appointees. While it can contribute a lot, it could do with the expertise of technocrats in the bid to find peace," said Yonas Ashine, a politics lecturer at Addis Ababa University.

Since his appointment, Abiy has made peace with neighbour Eritrea and presided over the partial privatisation of economic sectors such as telecommunications.

The 42-year-old has also extended an olive branch to several rebel groups, promised to follow a policy of reconciliation and rein in the powerful security agencies. Yet the changes have not stopped ethnically-charged violence, some of which escalated since he was named premier.

Former construction minister Aisha Mohammed was named defence minister - the first woman to hold that position in the country.

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Ahmed Shide, who has previously served as a deputy minister of finance and a government spokesman, replaced Abraham Tekeste as finance minister.

The economy has grown by nearly 10 percent on average for the past decade, official data shows, but the recent unrest has led to concerns over its long-term stability.

Abiy merged ministries to cut the cabinet to 20 from 28 and for the first time handed half of the top jobs to women.

He named new ministers of agriculture, culture and tourism, education, labour, mines, planning and development, revenue, science, trade, transport, urban development, and women's affairs - a mixture of new names and reshuffled ministers.

He kept Workneh Gebeyehu as foreign minister, Amir Aman as health minister and Seleshi Bekele as water and electricity minister, as well as Berhanu Tsegaye as attorney general.

(Editing by Duncan Miriri, Andrew Heavens and David Stamp)FILE PHOTO: President of Rwanda Juvenal Habyarimana on a visit to France in this April 2, 1990 file photo, was reported to have been killed when his plane was fired on as it was landing at Kigali April 6

Thomson Reuters

By Emmanuel Jarry

PARIS (Reuters) - A French prosecutor has recommended dropping charges against eight senior Rwandan officials, including the defense minister, who were being investigated over the death of president Juvenal Habyarimana in 1994, a judicial source told Reuters.

The probe, opened in France in 1998 following demands by relatives of the French crew who died when Habyarimana's plane was downed, has led to major tensions between France and Rwanda over the past two decades.

It is now up to investigative magistrates to decide whether to stop the investigation or carry it on and take it to a tribunal. Judges do not necessarily follow prosecutors' recommendations.

Habyarimana's killing triggered a genocide in which ethnic Hutu extremists killed more than 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

The prosecutor made its recommendation to shut the case on Wednesday, saying the investigation had not brought sufficient evidence, the judicial source said.

Rwandan Defence Minister James Kabarebe was one of the officials targeted by the investigation.

Lawyers for the people targeted by the probe welcomed the prosecutor's recommendation, but Philippe Meilhac, a lawyer for Agathe Habyarimana, the former president's widow, criticized it as a political move, which comes at a time when Paris is seeking to mend ties with Kigali.

"This has political motives," Meilhac told Reuters. The prosecutor's office could not immediately be reached for comment.

Rwanda's foreign minister was named head of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) on Friday, a sign of slowly improving relations between Paris and Kigali.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced his support for Louise Mushikiwabo's candidacy during a visit to Paris earlier this year by Rwandan leader Paul Kagame, who has long accused France of complicity in the 1994 genocide.

(Writing by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Richard Lough and Mark Potter)

See Also:It's a case that has caused major tensions between France and Rwanda and goes to the heart of the 1994 genocide. French prosecutors are now seeking the dismissal of a probe into who killed the then Rwandan President.

The atmosphere is tense in Ivory Coast as the country awaits the full results of local elections that took place last Saturday.

And in Mali hip hop is edging out some older dances in the popularity stakes amongst young people.Reuters

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's COVID-19 booster vaccine rollout is to be extended to people aged between 40 and 49, officials said on Monday, in a bid to boost waning immunity in the population ahead of the colder winter months. Currently all people aged 50 and above, those who are clinically vulnerable and frontline health workers are eligible for boosters, and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said that the rollout would be extended. The advice comes as the UK Health Security Agency released data from a real-world study which found the booster gave over 90% protection against symptomatic COVID-19 for people aged 50 and above.SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP)  Macedonia's parliament started Monday to debate constitutional amendments that are part of an agreement with neighboring Greece to rename the country "North Macedonia," changes that would go a long way to ensuring the country can join NATO.

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev's left-led coalition is struggling to get two-thirds of parliament's 120 lawmakers to launch the amendment process, which would take weeks to complete.

Addressing lawmakers, Zaev said the agreement was too good an opportunity for Macedonia to miss, as it would lead to Greece lifting its objections to the country joining NATO and starting accession talks with the European Union.

"A better deal could not be reached," he said. "The choice is between the future and isolation. The choice is whether we will bring Macedonia into NATO and the European Union."

Zaev has staked his political future on pushing through the agreement, which would end a 27-year dispute with Greece. He has said he will call early elections if the amendments are rejected.

His government can't change the constitution without support from opposition parties, which are against the amendments. Apart from the name change, these involve modifying the preamble to the constitution and two articles.

The conservative VMRO-DPMNE party says Macedonians failed to endorse the name change in a referendum last month that was ruled invalid because of a low turnout. Those who did vote overwhelmingly backed the change, though.

VMRO-DPMNE lawmaker Ilija Dimovski insisted Monday that the deal with Greece is dead.

"No lawmaker had promised voters that Macedonia's constitutional name would be changed," he said. "We have no voter's approval to enter this procedure."

If the constitutional changes are adopted, the deal still requires ratification by Greece's parliament. This could topple the coalition government in Athens, as Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' junior partner, the right-wing Independent Greeks, strongly opposes the deal saying it concedes too much to Macedonia.

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Greece says Macedonia's current name implies claims on its own adjoining territory, and on ancient Greek heritage.

Independent Greeks leader Panos Kammenos insisted Monday that his lawmakers would not vote for the agreement, and would leave Tsipras' coalition if the deal comes to parliament.

Without the Independent Greeks, Tsipras would lack a parliamentary majority.Nigerian midwife killed by militants is mourned, Red Cross says it refused to pay ransom

GENEVA (Reuters) - The family and colleagues of a Nigerian aid worker who was killed by her Islamist militant kidnappers mourned her death on Tuesday as the Red Cross said it had refused to pay a ransom for her release.

The Nigerian government said on Monday a medical aid worker held hostage by Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) militants was killed after a deadline they had set expired.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) later named her as 24-year-old midwife Hauwa Mohammed Liman, who worked in a hospital supported by the Geneva-based aid agency.

A senior ICRC official denounced the killing as "a despicable act of cruelty".

But the organisation had decided not to pay a ransom as it would set a dangerous precedent for the 16,000 aid workers it deploys worldwide, Patricia Danzi, ICRC regional director for Africa, told Reuters.

"We are a humanitarian organisation so we cannot enter into such kind of negotiations. So we always ask for unconditional release. And that's what we did. That was the plea," she said.

The agency had issued a public appeal to her captors at the weekend to spare her life after a threat was received.

The slain aid worker's father, Mohammed Liman, told Reuters that his daughter wanted to serve humanity and that was why she went to a remote area like Rann.

"At the time she was going, I said you should go and treat the people over there, and just after 10 days she was abducted. It is now seven months and 16 days only to be told that yesterday she was executed by the insurgents."

Liman and two other Nigerian aid workers, Alice Loksha and Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa, were working in Rann when they were kidnapped by ISWA in March.

Khorsa, also a midwife, was killed in September. Loksha, employed by a UNICEF-supported centre, remains a captive, along with Leah Sharibu, a 15-year-old Nigerian student abducted by the group in a separate incident in February.

PEOPLE NEED HELP

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President Muhammadu Buhari said the government did everything possible to save Liman's life but all efforts turned out unsuccessful.

Buhari urged the ICRC to keep working in Nigeria and said the government would do all it can to protect its staff and other aid workers providing humanitarian services in the northeast.

The ICRC helps 80,000 mainly displaced people in the northeastern town of Rann.

Danzi said the ICRC was not planning to suspend its operations in northern Nigeria or to withdraw.

"We want to be there for the people that still need our help."

ISWA, an Islamic State offshoot, split from Boko Haram, the main Islamic militant group in Nigeria, in 2016. Its fighters have killed hundreds of soldiers in attacks in northeastern Nigeria in the past few months.

At the entrance to the ICRC headquarters in Geneva, a table was set up with a photo of Liman, along with a white orchid plant, a burning candle and a sign asking staff to write their condolences for her family.

"The most painful thing is that Hauwa and Saifura went to provide humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable amongst us. We are simply telling all humanitarian aid workers that if you go out and they capture you there is nothing that we can do," said Bukky Shonibare, a member of the Bring Back Our Girls movement.

(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay, Additional reporting Ahmed Kingimi, Adewale Kolawole in Maiduguri and Abraham Achirga in Abuja, editing by Angus MacSwan)BUCHAREST, Romania (AP)  Romania's government has passed an emergency ordinance requiring prosecutors in key agencies to have a greater number of years of professional activity. The move would hamper ongoing investigations as it would disqualify less experienced prosecutors.

Justice Minister Tudorel Toader said Monday that the chief prosecutors of the anti-corruption agency and the agency that investigates organized crime will need a minimum of 15 years' experience, almost double the current requirement. Regular prosecutors at the agencies will need to have worked for at least 10 years.

But General Prosecutor Augustin Lazar said the measure would hamper many ongoing investigations including a probe into Romania's bloody 1989 anti-communist revolution. He said that an investigation into a violent anti-corruption protest in August that left 450 people needing medical treatment would also be affected.

See Also:WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court is leaving in place a decision that required paint companies to fund the removal of lead paint from California homes.

The Supreme Court on Monday said it wouldn't take up the issue.

Courts previously ruled in favor of 10 California cities and counties that argued ConAgra, NL Industries and Sherwin-Williams knowingly endangered public health by advertising and selling lead paint.

A Santa Clara County judge found lead paint to be a public nuisance and required the companies to pay $1.15 billion for abatement. A California state court of appeal last November upheld the finding of public nuisance but said the companies only have to pay for abatement in homes built before 1951.

The companies had called the previous rulings unprecedented and noted lead paint was lawful at the time.

See Also:HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is receiving treatment in South Africa for injuries sustained in a bombing in June at a campaign rally for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, state newspaper the Herald reported on Monday.

Chiwenga, 61, a former military general who led the coup that ousted long-time ruler Robert Mugabe last November, is widely seen as the power behind Mnangagwa and the front-runner to succeed him.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba told the Herald that Chiwenga flew to South Africa on Tuesday last week.

Charamba did not give details on Chiwenga's condition but told the newspaper the vice president was receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the June bombing at a Mnangagwa campaign rally in Bulawayo that killed two security aides.

"So he flew out last Tuesday alongside his wife who was also due for a review in South Africa, where they then went for medical checks," Charamba told the newspaper.

He added that both Chiwenga and his wife were "in good health" after treatment.

"Barring the unforeseen, we expect the couple back into the country sometime this week."

Charamba could not be reached directly for comment.

Mnangagwa, who took over from his mentor Mugabe, appointed Chiwenga vice president after the coup and retained him following his disputed July 30 election win.

Speculation about Chiwenga's health began circulating two weeks ago when the vice president, frequently seen at Mnangagwa's side, disappeared from public view.

(Reporting by Nelson Banya; Editing by Hugh Lawson)Jackson Arn at The Millions:

In 1930, exactly halfway between the end and the beginning of the end, Mandelstam traveled to Armenia, at the time a semi-autonomous arm of the Soviet Union. The Stalin regime was then in the process of sending writers to freshly annexed parts of the country; it was Mandelstams job to discover the triumphs of Socialism out west, proving that the territorys belonged under Moscows thumb.

The report he would complete in 1933available in a beautiful new edition from Notting Hill, translation by Sidney Monasranks among the weirdest and most enchanting works of 20th-century Russian literature. In an era of crudely complaisant books that trumpeted their patriotism on every page, Journey to Armenia dared to be uncategorizable: a travel journal that barely mentions traveling, written in a form that isnt quite prose or poetry, by an author who hasnt quite made up his mind about Socialisms promises. By emphasizing these ambiguities instead of drowning them in propaganda, Mandelstam captured the USSR at a crossroads in its grim history, when Stalins crimes were already clear enough to many but the utopianism of the 1910s hadnt worn off completelyto put it another way, at the last time when something like Journey to Armenia could be written and published, albeit in a censored form.

more here.Adam Server in The Atlantic:

The Trump era is such a whirlwind of cruelty that it can be hard to keep track. This week alone, the news broke that the Trump administration was seeking to ethnically cleanse more than 193,000 American children of immigrants whose temporary protected status had been revoked by the administration, that the Department of Homeland Security had lied about creating a database of children that would make it possible to unite them with the families the Trump administration had arbitrarily destroyed, that the White House was considering a blanket ban on visas for Chinese students, and that it would deny visas to the same-sex partners of foreign officials. At a rally in Mississippi, a crowd of Trump supporters cheered as the president mocked Christine Blasey Ford, the psychology professor who has said that Brett Kavanaugh, whom Trump has nominated to a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court, attempted to rape her when she was a teenager. Lock her up! they shouted.

Ford testified to the Senate, utilizing her professional expertise to describe the encounter, that one of the parts of the incident she remembered most was Kavanaugh and his friend Mark Judge laughing at her as Kavanaugh fumbled at her clothing. Indelible in the hippocampus is the laughter, Ford said, referring to the part of the brain that processes emotion and memory, the uproarious laughter between the two, and their having fun at my expense. And then at Tuesdays rally, the president made his supporters laugh at her.

More here.David Wallace-Wells in New York Magazine:

Just two years ago, amid global fanfare, the Paris climate accords were signed  initiating what seemed, for a brief moment, like the beginning of a planet-saving movement. But almost immediately, the international goal it established of limiting global warming to two degrees Celsius began to seem, to many of the worlds most vulnerable, dramatically inadequate; the Marshall Islands representative gave it a blunter name, calling two degrees of warming genocide.

The alarming new report you may have read about this week from the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change  which examines just how much better 1.5 degrees of warming would be than 2  echoes the charge. Amplifies may be the better term. Hundreds of millions of lives are at stake, the report declares, should the world warm more than 1.5 degrees Celsius, which it will do as soon as 2040, if current trends continue. Nearly all coral reefs would die out, wildfires and heat waves would sweep across the planet annually, and the interplay between drought and flooding and temperature would mean that the worlds food supply would become dramatically less secure. Avoiding that scale of suffering, the report says, requires such a thorough transformation of the worlds economy, agriculture, and culture that there is no documented historical precedent. The New York Times declared that the report showed a strong risk of climate crisis in the coming decades; in Grist, Eric Holthaus wrote thatcivilization is at stake.

If you are alarmed by those sentences, you should be  they are horrifying. But it is, actually, worse than that  considerably worse.

More here.Getty Images

Health care and Social Security will be the top two issues on the minds of Pennsylvania voters over the age of 50 when they go to the polls on Nov. 6, according to a new Politico/AARP election poll.

Among older voters, 97 percent said health care was their top issue, followed by Social Security (96 percent) and Medicare (95 percent). The vast majority of survey respondents also say elected officials should act to lower health care and prescription drug costs and increase access to health care for Americans.

The Pennsylvania survey is the fourth and final poll in a series that surveyed voters in battleground states about their views on key issues and races in this years midterm state and federal elections. AARP has partnered withPolitico to illustrate how important the 50-plus voter is in determining the composition of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives as well as state offices across the country. The three previous polls, conducted in Arizona, Florida and Ohio, also showed that health care is a top issue in the minds of voters.

If candidates want to win on Election Day, they must pay attention to the voices of the nations most powerful voting group: voters age 50 and up, says Nancy LeaMond, AARPs executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer. History shows older voters are a deciding factor in midterm elections and they have a lot on their minds this year. Candidates would be wise to listen to them.

The survey asked 50-plus voters their views on a number of issues as well as on the political landscape in the Keystone State. Among all Pennsylvania registered voters, 52 percent disapprove of the job President Trump is doing, while 45 percent approve. Voters 50-plus view the president slightly more favorably, with 51 percent disapproving and 48 percent approving. When it comes to the issues voters care most about, survey respondents gave Congress failing grades. A strong majority disapprove of the way lawmakers are handling health care issues (66 percent), drug prices (67 percent) and Medicare (63 percent).

Health Care

Pollsters asked Pennsylvania registered voters several questions about the affordability of health care. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) limited what insurance companies could charge people with preexisting conditions for their coverage. Older voters overwhelmingly (81 percent) say it would be unfair to make people with medical conditions pay more for their health care. And 90 percent say proposals that would allow insurers to charge people ages 50 and older up to five times more for health care would make insurance unaffordable for those who need it most.

More than a third (36 percent) of 50-plus voters also say that, because of cost, they have relied on home remedies or over-the-counter medicines instead of going to the doctor, and that same percentage has skipped dental care or checkups.

Prescription Drugs

Pennsylvanians across parties and age groups overwhelmingly support allowing the Medicare program to negotiate directly with drug companies as a way to drive down prescription drug costs. Most 50-plus voters (86 percent) also believe limiting the amount drug companies can charge for their products would be the most effective way to lower drug costs.

Taxes

Taxpayers will be able to deduct their health care expenses in 2018 if those expenses exceed 7.5 percent of their income as part of the new tax law. Pennsylvanians 50-plus (76 percent) support congressional legislation to preserve that deduction.

The majority of 50-plus voters (80 percent) also support a state measure that would provide a state income tax credit to family caregivers to help with the costs they incur to care for a family member. Such a measure also has nearly equal support (76 percent) among all Pennsylvania voters. State voters of all ages also believe that Pennsylvania lottery funds should be used both to pay for programs that help older residents remain in their homes and communities and for nursing home care.

Morning Consult surveyed 505 registered voters over the age of 50 online on Oct. 1 and 2. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Raise Your Voice on Amazon Alexa and Google Home to get AARPs take on the issues that affect you. Then vote with confidence by signing up to get the latest election updates and reminders.Lamont Gallery undergoes renovations

The renovations were made possible by a donation from the Karl O. Lee estate.Environmental Clean Technologies Limited ( ASX:ECT ) (ECT or Company) is pleased to provide the following update on the progress of its project in India and local activities.Key pointsIndia- Research Collaboration Agreemento ECT Meetings concluded with NMDC CMD N. Baijendra Kumar and NLCIL CMD Rakesh Kumaro ECT Chairman met with Add. Secretary for Ministry of Steel, Rasika Chaube, to present and discuss the India projecto External due diligence report delivered to NLCIL and NMDC ahead of finalisation of the Research Collaboration Agreement (RCA)o NLCIL planning for additional Board meeting before 9th Novembero NLCIL and NMDC representatives invited to attend ECT AGM on 30th of November- Project promotiono ECT presented the India project at NMDC International Conference on October 8th-11tho ECT attended the India-Australia Business and Community Awards (IABCA) as finalistLocal Activities- Steam package contractso Installation of bespoke Coldry solid fuel handling system completedo Commissioning due to commence this weeko Contract steam services due to commence by late Octobero Turnkey solution provides the customer with fixed price steam delivery- Boiler package contractso Coldry solid fuel provides a hedge against rising gas price and the challenges of pure biomass fuel useo Establishment of key service partners to deliver steam and boiler packageso First major tender for boiler package submittedo Feasibility study started for demonstration biomass boiler at the High Volume Test Facility (HVTF) at Bacchus Marsh.Research Collaboration Agreement (RCA)Over the past 2 weeks, ECT Chairman, Glenn Fozard, together with CMD ECT India, Mr Ashley Moore, and Chief Operating Officer, Jim Blackburn have been in India to attend meetings with NLC India Limited (NLCIL), NMDC Limited (NMDC) and Indian Government representatives and to oversee the conclusion of the final compliance and legal review of the Research Collaboration Agreement (RCA) as outlined in the Company's 1 October 2018 announcement.The CMD's of both NLCIL and NMDC continue to express clear, strong commitment to the project, acknowledging that the prospect of the project being the largest ever research and development (R&D) collaboration between Australia and India has the eyes of Government keenly directed towards them, driving the complexity of internal requirements and need to undertake rigorous review.Importantly, ECT has supported this recent review process through the additional support and analysis work provided by ECT's advisers Corrs Chambers Westgarth (Legal advisers, Australia), Grant Thornton (Tax and Accounting, Mumbai) and Induslaw (Legal and Compliance, Mumbai).ECT understands that the RCA review report from external consultant Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (L&S) has been completed, and the three companies (NLCIL, NMDC and ECT) will be meeting in Chennai today, October 16 to finalise discussions and agree on an updated RCA ahead of Board approvals.Commenting from Neyveli, ECT Chief Operating Officer, Jim Blackburn said "As our shareholders are very much aware, this further round of review for finalisation of the RCA has been an important and detailed process, necessary to clear the way for seeking Board approvals from each of the partners scheduled for early in November. While we are aware that NLCIL conducted an earlier Board meeting last Tuesday (9 October 2018) in Delhi to attend to internal compliance matters, we have been told NLCIL will hold an additional Board meeting in the first week of November, seeking approval to proceed. While this is later than the target date previously set by both NLCIL and NMDC (30th October 2018), the parties have agreed that no further extension is required and that the MOU remains on-foot and effective."The Board and Executive of ECT are keenly aware that as we approach these final stages of the contracting process, there is increased attention given by our shareholders and the broader market to each detailed step in reaching financial close for the India project. This is to be expected yet does not detract from the need for management to focus on the project implementation as a whole, as it is this approach which will ultimately drive growth in shareholder value. Each of the parallel processes outlined previously including contracting and governance, financing, engineering, resource planning and the like each play a part in the successful delivery of the Pilot plant project and lay the foundation for our progress into commercialisation."ECT COO, Jim Blackburn remains in India this week, and together with ECT India CMD Ashley Moore and Chairman Glenn Fozard, will ensure on-the-ground representation by ECT through to signing to provide any further support necessary to facilitate the consideration and approval of the RCA by the Boards of NLCIL and NMDC.Prior to, and immediately following the expected partner Board approvals, key processes and milestones for the project will include:- Formal arrangements for the signing ceremony and exchange of project documents expected during the week of the 19th to 24th of November- Banking and transactional arrangements for the transfer of project funds- Establishment and initial meeting of the Project Control Committee- Opening of the ECT operational offices in Chennai and NeyveliSenior delegates from NLCIL have expressed a desire to attend the ECT AGM on November 30, and both NLCIL and NMDC will be invited to attend to jointly present the project to ECT shareholders.Project PromotionAs previously reported (1 October 2018), in the lead up to financial close of the India project, ECT has been active in a number of global forums in response to growing industry and media interest in the project and its Coldry and Matmor technologies.These forums provide an important opportunity to develop key strategic links between the R&D stage of the India project and a future pathway for commercial projects.In addition to media briefings, the following events have recently been completed.- NMDC International Conference on Minerals and Metals; Outlook 2030o 9-10 October 2018o New Delhi, Indiao Ashley Moore (CMD, ECT India) presentingo 400+ delegatesFollowing the Chairman's meeting with the Additional Secretary for Ministry of Steel, Rasika Chaube, she presented to the conference in her closing remarks that, "Indian companies are encouraged to JV with foreign companies, particularly those foreign companies that are able to support technology transfer to India in its pursuit of the country's improving competitive position as the nation seeks to deliver an additional 200 million tonnes of steel output through to 2030."Chairman Glenn Fozard commented, "not only does our collaborative project with NLCIL and NMDC meet 8 out of 10 objectives of the Ministry of Steel's Steel Development Fund's strategic R&D targets, it's also structured under preferred arrangements, as expressed by Ms Chaube, of the Government of India's policy for technology transfer."This outcome is a testament to the collaborative approach ECT has taken in listening to its partners' needs and then converting that into strong commercial structures backed by comprehensive legal and tax planning.- IABCA - India-Australia Business and Community Awardso 12 October 2018o Brisbane, Australiao Delegates included Indian High Commissioner to Australia, Dr Gondaneo ECT was a finalist in the 'Excellence in Innovation' categoryChairman Glenn Fozard commented further in relation to the India project, "The development of this project has been a long and challenging process, and we acknowledge the patience and, often at times, frustration our shareholders have experienced along this journey. But this is not without reason and reflects the nature of our project as being the largest ever R&D collaboration between Indian and Australian companies. Make no mistake, this is not a throwaway comment, and all shareholders should be proud of the company's ability to persist and progress such a watershed project, where the recognition of this achievement, and what it means for our company, should only improve. The enormity of effort and work needed to complete a deal like this is difficult to appreciate and accounts for why no other company has achieved the size of R&D collaboration we are aiming to close on soon. We are acutely aware that there is no second prize in the pursuit of such lofty goals and much of the effort will be wasted if we were not able to finalise the project, but the Company and its Board and executive are confident that this will not be the case."The Company looks forward to providing further updates as the above activities progress.Local ActivitiesSteam Package Contracts - UpdateFurther to the Company's announcement of 9 August 2018 highlighting the signing of a $1.3 million, 5-year deal for the provision of a turnkey solution for steam services to a customer in Victoria, Australia, the Company is pleased to advise the first stage of the contract has been completed.The contract entails:- Installation of an automated Coldry solid fuel handling system- The supply of Coldry solid fuel to power the generation and provision of steam via an existing boiler system- Provision of operating and maintenance services in partnership with Australia's leading 'process steam' system operator, MecrusA key requirement identified during the scoping phase was the need to maximise the operational efficiency of the customer's boiler system, which was originally designed to run on low-grade biomass such as wood chips and briquetted rice husks, rather than higher-energy solid fuel such as Coldry.As such, the first phase of the contract entailed the design, fabrication, installation and commissioning of an automated solid fuel feed system designed to optimise Coldry consumption.Scoping estimates indicate the system will use around half as much Coldry solid fuel compared to biomass. This efficiency is due to Coldry's lower moisture content, and significantly higher energy value and combustion temperature.The feed system (shown in link below) consists of a variable feed-rate hopper and incline screw conveyor, controlled via a computer-automated program.Commissioning of the system will commence this week, with the provision of 'process steam' anticipated to commence under contract in late October.Boiler Package Contracts - UpdateECT COO Mr Jim Blackburn commented "The Victorian energy market has changed dramatically in the past three years, with wholesale electricity prices trebling since 2015(see Note 1 below) and gas prices doubling(see Note 2 below) over the same period. This has driven many businesses, reliant on industrial scale process heat, to seek alternatives."Unfortunately, this has put pressure on local biomass supplies, resulting in shortages and price increases, in addition to existing issues regarding the security of consistent supply. Consumers are turning to expensive stop-gap measures such as diesel. Economically, this is unsustainable, driving business to seek alternative long-term solutions."This problem has created an opportunity to sell product from our Coldry R&D facility. Further, following extensive consultation with consumers, it's clear they want someone to provide a solution that delivers steam, and saves money, allowing them to focus on their core business. This has created an opportunity for ECT, together with leading boiler operator Mecrus, to deliver a turnkey solution tailored to the end user's equipment and needs."Building Strong Relationships with Boiler Manufacturers and Service ProvidersECT is pleased to advise that in support of its strategic boiler and steam package offering to the Victorian and Tasmanian markets, the Company has teamed up with Hi-Tech QLD and John Thompson boilers in addition to Mecrus to provide a complete turnkey solution for biomass boiler systems, specifically designed to accept multi-feedstock fuel, including wood waste, crop stubble and municipal green waste, underpinned by Coldry as the baseload fuel.This has led to ECT's first joint tender submission, along with Hi-Tech and John Thompson for the provision a 10MW(th) boiler system to a customer in Tasmania.ECT is also working closely with these partners to undertake feasibility and pricing for a biomass boiler system on-site at its Bacchus Marsh test facility to replace the current waste oil boiler system.The market for industrial steam and the boilers required to produce this steam are at a significant crossroad. Most users have turned away from 100% coal-based boiler systems, and gas-fired systems have become prohibitively expensive. This has seen the next wave of migration towards biomass fuel solutions.There are still great challenges ahead for users of industrial steam when considering a pure biomass boiler system, including lower efficiency, single fuel dependency, transport and storage issues and shorter equipment lifetime.ECT aims to solve some of these problems by offering a high-quality boiler system that can utilise variable biomass inputs while also using Coldry.The intent behind this approach is to be able to deliver a steam solution that allows users the flexibility to choose the biomass that is most suitable (on the basis of cost, quality and supply), while being underpinned by a fuel stock (Coldry) that serves as a consistent, cost-effective base-load.We expect that at most times, these boiler systems would use <50% Coldry to retain the biomass status, but where quality biomass becomes unavailable, Coldry would ensure continuity of steam production and operations.Chairman Glenn Fozard commented that "there is an absence of a complete turnkey solution in the Victorian and Tasmanian markets that offers 'steam over the fence' to industrial users, while also delivering new equipment and often cheaper monthly operational costs. This requires assembling a high-quality team of end-to-end service providers, covering boiler plant and equipment, installation, operations and maintenance, fuel supply and management and financing. ECT now has that capability."The steam and boiler package approach, coupled with equipment financing solutions via our subsidiary, ECT Finance Limited, looks to deliver reliability and affordability, striking a chord in the local market."Following the successful rollout of our first contract, and the demonstration of our capability to deliver these packages we will continue to market our turnkey solution across Victoria and Tasmania."The Company will provide further updates on its local market activity as projects progress.About ColdryWhen applied to lignite and some sub-bituminous coals, the Coldry beneficiation process produces a black coal equivalent (BCE) in the form of pellets. Coldry pellets have equal or superior energy value to many black coals and produce lower CO2 emissions than raw lignite.About MATMORThe MATMOR process has the potential to revolutionise primary iron making.MATMOR is a simple, low cost, low emission production technology, utilising the patented MATMOR retort, which enables the use of cheaper feedstocks to produce primary iron.About the India R&D ProjectThe India project is aimed at advancing the Company's Coldry and Matmor technologies to demonstration and pilot scale, respectively, on the path to commercial deployment.ECT has partnered with NLC India Limited and NMDC Limited to jointly fund and execute the project.NLC India Limited is India's national lignite authority, largest lignite miner and largest lignite-based electricity generator.NMDC Limited is India's national iron ore authority.Notes:1 Source: Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) - http://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/S4UX88YY 2 Source: Australian Energy Market Regulator (AER) - http://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/BJD1R3OA To view figures, please visit:About Environmental Clean Technologies LtdEnvironmental Clean Technologies Limited (ASX:ECT) is in the business of commercialising leading-edge coal and iron making technologies, which are capable of delivering financial and environmental benefits.We are focused on advancing a portfolio of technologies, which have significant market potential globally.ECT's business plan is to pragmatically commercialise these technologies and secure sustainable, profitable income streams through licencing and other commercial mechanisms.

Contact Glenn Fozard

Chairman

Environmental Clean Technologies Ltd

E: info@ectltd.com.au

WWW: www.ectltd.com.au Glenn FozardChairmanEnvironmental Clean Technologies LtdE: info@ectltd.com.auWWW: www.ectltd.com.au* "Most Popular Intellectual Property Law Blawg" of all time according to Justia rankings , November 2021.

* "Most Popular Copyright Blawg" of all time according to Justia rankings , November 2021.

* PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the World Intellectual Property Review's "Influential Women in IP" of 2020.

* PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2018.

* IPKat founder and Blogmeister Emeritus Jeremy Phillips listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2005, 2011, 2013, and 2014.

* Recommended by the European Patent Office as reading material for candidates for the European Qualifying Examinations, 2013.

* Listed as "Top Legal Blog" in The Times Online, March 2011.

2010 ABA Journal 100. * One of the only two non-US blogs listed in the Blawg100.

* Court Reporter Top Copyright Blog award winner, November 2010.

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* Selected by the United States Library of Congress for inclusion in its historic collections of Internet materials related to Legal Blawgs as of 2010.

* Top Patent Blog poll 2009: 3rd out of 50 in the "Favourite Patent Blog" poll and 2nd out of 50 in the "Most-read" poll.

Blog of the Year, 20 August 2008. * ComputerWeekly IT Law and Governance, 20 August 2008.Gov. Susana Martinez was given the Champion for Charters award on Monday.

Martinez was among 20 bipartisan local, state and federal elected officials who took home the National Alliance for Public Charter School award, which honors those who provided better educational options to students.

The National Alliance is a national nonprofit that advocates for advancing the public charter school movement.

Paul Pastorek, chair of the National Alliance Board of Directors and former Louisiana state superintendent of education, presented the award at newly opened charter school Altura Prepatory School in southeast Albuquerque.

Your governor has performed very, very well, he told a group of Altura students, touting Martinezs legislative efforts for charters.

Christopher Ruszkowski, New Mexicos Public Education secretary-designate, said the governors administration has worked on efforts including maintaining certain funding for smaller schools and being against lease assistance cuts for charters, which the Public School Capital Outlay Council had considered.

Weve always been on the record that our charter law is good, but could be stronger, he added.

Martinez called the award a great honor and thanked the Public Education Department.

Their team has worked really, really hard, she said to the kids and education leaders in the room.

She also highlighted that two out of the states three 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools were charters: East Mountain High School and Anansi Charter School in El Prado. The schools were among 349 others across the country receiving the recognition from the U.S. Department of Education.

Martinez also said state-chartered Altura Prep is in an area with low school grades.

Wherry, Kirtland and Whittier elementaries each have an F school grade and are about a mile away from Altura, which just opened in August and does not have a grade yet.

Many of the schools leading the way are actually charter schools, Martinez said, adding if New Mexico stays the course the charter movement will continue to grow.

As Martinezs time in office dwindles, she called on New Mexicos next governor to also be a champion for charters.SANTA FE  Diego Zamora, a successful Santa Fe trial lawyer known for an everyman courtroom style that allowed him to connect with juries, has died of pancreatic cancer at age 60.

I would say that Diego was a little guy with a big heart, said fellow attorney Ray Vargas on Monday. One of his greatest skills as a lawyer was, he was a real person.

 He wasnt trying to be fancy. He was a real person who connected on a face-to-face level with juries in ways that lawyers can practice their entire careers and never acquire that skill.

Zamoras passing was noted Monday by U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan-Grisham, the Democratic nominee for governor.

I was heartbroken to learn that Diego Zamora passed away last night in Santa Fe, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, she said in a statement.

Diego was a true fighter throughout his entire life, and each challenge he overcame only made him stronger, she said. His compassion and strength defined him, especially in the face of adversity. He will truly be missed.

Zamora, who specialized in personal injury, wrongful death, civil rights and other areas of the law, recently had become something of an issue in the governors race between Lujan-Grisham and Republican Steve Pearce, also a U.S. representative.

After a Pearce television ad accused Lujan-Grisham of self-dealing because of her ties to a company that has a state contract to help run New Mexicos high-risk insurance pool, Zamora appeared in a response ad defending the Democratic nominee, saying her company had helped him get health coverage after his cancer diagnosis and saved his family from bankruptcy. Pearce shot back with another ad going after Zamora, for representing a state senator convicted of corruption and a 20-month disbarment of Zamora in 2001.

Vargas said Zamora was aware of the controversy. His first thought was that he didnt want it to take on a life of its own or become its own issue, said Vargas, who added that Zamora was a lifetime Republican.

He really did appreciate the fact that he was diagnosed with cancer and was able to get coverage he wouldnt have in the past because we had the high risk pool.

John Fox, another lawyer friend, said in an emailed comment that Zamora fought hard for friends and clients. In the last two years, he used that fight to take on cancer and he gave it everything he had. As he fought to stay alive, I think he squeezed out every drop of life that he could and he shared his fire, his passion and, most of all, his love, with friends, family and even his foes.

Vargas said Zamora was one of the funniest, kindest, warmest people you would ever meet, and because he was so unassuming, he had lots of friends who didnt eve know he was lawyer, one with a law degree from Georgetown University. He was a really funny guy who liked to hunt and liked to fish and tell stories.

Zamoras disbarment for pocketing clients money grew out of a substance abuse problem that Zamora acknowledged and sought help for, said Vargas. He was proud of the fact that he made it through to the other side and was able to become a very high performing member of society, Vargas said.

He looked to be an example for other people who suffered from substance abuse.SANTA FE  A Pennsylvania man who was arrested Friday evening for burglarizing Forrest Fenns house told police he believed the famed art and antiquities collectors treasure would be there.

Robert Miller, of Pine Grove, Pa., is charged with residential burglary, breaking and entering and criminal damage to property after he used an ax to break into Fenns Old Santa Fe Trail home.

Miller told a Santa Fe police officer that he flew to Santa Fe because he believed the treasure chest that Fenn says hes stashed somewhere in the Rocky Mountain region, said to be filled with gold coins and other valuables worth more than $1 million, was at the house.

Miller said he needed the treasure to get out of a dire financial situation.

Mr. Miller told me he and his wife only have $130 in their bank account and he wanted to find the treasure to change his families (sic) financial future, the criminal complaint against him says.

According to the complaint, police were called to Fenns home for a burglary in progress around 5:30 p.m. Friday. When an officer got there he saw Fenn, Miller and a woman holding a revolver. She was later identified as Fenns daughter.

She came to the house after her sister had brought Fenn home from a dentist appointment and they found Miller. The daughter with the revolver said Miller was crying and apologizing for breaking into the house.

Miller, born in 1977, told the officer that he kicked in a small wooden gate near the main entrance to get into the backyard. He then took a black ax that he found near an air compressor, broke a door window and entered the house. Miller took a small wooden treasure box he found while searching the house, the complaint says.

Fenn announced in a 2010 memoir that he had hidden the treasure and included a poem said to include clues as to its whereabouts.

There have been several previos break-ins at the house in reference to Fenns poem, one of the sisters told police. Miller told officers he thought the poem references the gate he kicked in to enter the backyard and a electrical breaker box at the Fenn house.WASHINGTON  If there were any doubt before, there should be none now. Solving the global climate change problem may be humankinds mission impossible. Thats the gist of the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations group charged with monitoring global warming.

Unless we make dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions  carbon dioxide, methane and others  warns the IPCC, we face a future of rapidly rising temperatures that will destroy virtually all the worlds coral reefs, intensify droughts and raise sea levels. We need to take action immediately, if not sooner.

The IPCC says that emissions need to be cut 45 percent from present levels by 2030 and virtually eliminated by 2050. This would keep the projected increase in global temperatures since the early 1800s to 1.5 degrees centigrade, or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit. We would escape the worst consequences of global warming.

Its not clear how this would be done. The reality is that global carbon emissions are rising, not falling. Emissions today are about 60 percent higher than in 1990, according to the World Bank.

There are at least three obstacles frustrating the IPCCs agenda.

First, we dont have the technologies to reduce and eventually eliminate emissions from fossil fuels  oil, coal and natural gas. Yes, solar and wind power have made advances, but they still provide only a tiny share of the worlds total energy, about 4 percent. Electric vehicles dont solve the problem, because natural gas and coal are the underlying energy sources for much of the electricity.

Second, even if we had the technologies to replace fossil fuels, its doubtful that we have the political will to do so. Democracies  or, for that matter, dictatorships  have a difficult time inflicting present political pain for future, hypothetical societal gains. Voters abhor higher gasoline and heating oil prices, which are an integral part of most proposed solutions for global warming. They would dampen demand for fossil fuels and spur investment in substitutes.

The clearest proof of Americas political bias against the future is the treatment of Social Security and Medicare. For decades, we have known that an aging population would significantly boost spending for these programs. What did we do to prepare for this inevitability? Not much.

Finally, assuming  unrealistically  that todays advanced societies, led by the United States, overcome these obstacles, its unclear whether poorer and so-called emerging market countries would follow suit. These countries represent the largest increases in fossil-fuel demand as they attempt to raise living standards. Already, China is the worlds largest source of carbon dioxide emissions, nearly twice as high as the United States.

Economic and population increases boost energy demand. Consider air conditioners. The world now has 1.6 billion air conditioning units, reports the International Energy Agency. By 2050, that could triple to 5.6 billion units. People in advanced societies wont abandon air conditioning and people in poorer countries wont surrender the chance to enjoy it. Much of future demand will come from three countries  China, India and Indonesia.

What is to be done?

Maybe nothing. This seems to be the choice made by many Republicans and the Trump administration, which is withdrawing from the Paris agreements commitments to cut emissions. Trumps hostility is not as crazy as it sounds. If suppressing global warming is as hard as Ive argued, one likely response is a series of half measures that dont much affect global warming but do weaken economic growth. The politicians real aim is to brag theyve done something when all theyve really done is delude us. Trump would skip this stage.

My own preference is messier and subject to all the above shortcomings. I would gradually impose a stiff fossil-fuel tax  not a 10 percent or 15 percent tax, but a doubling or maybe a tripling of prices  to discourage fossil-fuel use and encourage new energy sources. In addition, some of the tax revenues could reduce budget deficits and simplify income taxes. With luck, a genuine breakthrough might occur: perhaps advances in electric batteries or storage. That would make wind and solar power more practical.

There are risks. It can be argued that this sort of policy, aside from relying on unpopular energy taxes, would represent a triumph of hope over experience. In the name of fighting global warming, we might justify a host of energy boondoggles.

Combating global warming is a noble crusade, but its much harder than the rhetoric implies. If we were serious about cutting greenhouse gases, we could adopt comprehensive wartime controls that empower the government to mandate changes. Or we could accept a worldwide depression as a way to quash job growth and greenhouse gases. Obviously, neither is in the cards.

Samuelsons columns, including those not published in the Journal, can be read at abqjournal.com/opinion  look for the syndicated columnist link. Copyright, The Washington Post Writers Group.Draw a straight, 2,400-mile line from the tar sands oil extraction fields in northern Alberta, Canada, to the Florida Panhandle, just ravaged by Hurricane Michael, and the halfway point will fall in Clearwater County, Minn., the source of the Mississippi River. Although many miles apart, these places are inexorably linked  by climate change. Fossil fuel extraction from the Alberta tar sands drives global warming, which in turn increases the destructive power and frequency of storms like Hurricane Michael. And rural Clearwater County served as the site of another phenomenon linked to human-induced climate change: resistance. Three courageous citizens engaged in nonviolent direct action broke into a fenced enclosure owned by Enbridge, one of the worlds largest oil pipeline operators, and turned the valves, shutting down the flow of tar sands oil.

On Oct. 11, 2016, less than a month before the momentous U.S. election that delivered the presidency to climate change-denier Donald Trump, these three activists approached a valve station in Leonard, Minn. Emily Johnston and Annette Klapstein, wearing hard hats and bright fluorescent vests, used chain cutters to open the gate and to unlock the hand-operated valves. The third person called Enbridge to let the company know that the pipelines were about to be shut down so they could take immediate action to avoid pressure buildup in the pipeline.

For the sake of climate justice, to ensure a future for human civilization, we must immediately halt the extraction and burning of Canadian tar sands, Benjamin Joldersma said into the phone. For safety, I am calling to inform you that when I hang up this phone, we are closing the valves. Please shut down these two pipelines now, for safety and for our future.

There were three other similar actions that day, in Montana, North Dakota and Washington state, all organized, along with the Minnesota protest, by the group Climate Direct Action. The goal of the four coordinated actions was to shut down all tar sands oil delivery from Canada into the United States, and it succeeded, according to the organizers. Tar sands oil is the worlds dirtiest petroleum; it is energy- and water-intensive to extract, and the sprawling, open-pit mining operations form a gray-black, toxic wasteland in the midst of Albertas vast boreal forests.

This multistate nonviolent civil disobedience had another motive, as well: to attempt to present a defense of necessity  that is, the defendants would acknowledge that they broke a law, but did so out of necessity to prevent a far greater harm from occurring. Valve turner Annette Klapstein is a retired attorney for the Puyallup Tribe and member of the Raging Grannies. Speaking on the Democracy Now! news hour, she explained the theory behind the necessity defense:

The example thats usually used is theres a burning building and theres a child in it. You break in and save the child, but are charged with burglary, and you come out and say, Well, yes, technically I did commit burglary because I had to break in. But I did it to save a childs life. And we have a planet thats on fire. And all of our children are going to burn if we dont do something about it.

Their trial commenced two years later, almost to the day, at the Clearwater County Courthouse in Bagley, Minn. In a major surprise, the judge accepted a defense motion to acquit the defendants. They were declared not guilty before the trial even got going.

Emily Johnston, co-founder of 350Seattle.org, was glad to avoid prison, but disappointed they couldnt put climate change on trial. Among the experts who were slated to testify on behalf of the defendants was climate scientist James Hansen, former head of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

Hansen testified before Congress about the threat of global warming in 1988. He supports civil disobedience to confront the fossil fuel industry and has been arrested five times himself. We see already the beginnings of more extreme events, stronger storms, greater droughts, increasing fires. But these are just a small beginning of whats in store for our children and grandchildren, he said on Democracy Now!, seated next to Johnston and Klapstein.

The day before they were acquitted, just before Hurricane Michael slammed into the Florida Panhandle, the United Nations released a ground-breaking report from the Nobel Peace Prize-winning IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). The nearly 100 scientists who wrote it concluded in no uncertain terms that we have about 12 years to radically reduce our carbon emissions or well be locked into a trajectory that will be devastating to humanity and all life on Earth.

President Trump says the government is doing all it can for the victims of Hurricane Michael. Once again, he is lying. By denying climate change, he is assuring many more increasingly devastating storms and countless victims to come.Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

Voters in a patch of the North Valley and Northeast Heights will help determine this fall whether Democrats expand their majority in the state House, or if Republicans can reclaim it.

The race for House District 15 is wide-open, with the Republican incumbent, Sarah Maestas Barnes, opting against a re-election bid.

Democrat Dayan Hochman, an attorney who specializes in aviation and space law, is making her first run for public office  motivated partly, she said, by a racist encounter she had the day after Donald Trump won office. Hochman is Jewish.

She faces an experienced Republican, Brad Winter, who has repeatedly won over voters as a 19-year member of the Albuquerque City Council. His council district is based in the Northeast Heights but overlaps substantially with the House seat.

Winter said his background as an educator for 30 years  and a one-year stint as New Mexicos secretary of state  would be an asset for him as a member of the state House.

I just consider myself a moderate who does everything I can to serve my constituents, Winter said in an interview. I think I can go up there and hit the ground running.

Hochman said she, too, has valuable experience, having interacted in court with every level of government.

I think in the legal community, Ive established a reputation as being extremely reasonable and fair, Hochman said.

She said she never expected to run for office. But she got involved when  the day after the 2016 presidential election  she encountered a woman who spit on her car and told her that Jews should prepare for another exodus.

I have a fire in my belly burning pretty bright now after the experiences Ive had, Hochman said. I think we need new voices, I think we need new perspectives, and I think we need new energy.

Winter, in turn, said his constituents know he has a track record of working to address local traffic, public safety and other concerns. He is retired from Albuquerque Public Schools  having risen through the ranks from teacher to superintendent  and plans to remain on the City Council if hes elected to the House.

Winter said he has a nonpartisan approach. Hes been elected City Council president four times, with significant support from Democrats.

I think Im very good at working with folks, Winter said.

Hochman has a substantial financial edge. She reported about $52,000 in cash on hand last week, and Winter reported about $18,000.

District 15 is viewed as a battleground for the state House every two years. Maestas Barnes won re-election in 2016 by about 6 percentage points, but a Democrat won the seat as recently as 2012.

Democrats hold a 38-32 edge in the House.

Q-and-As online: To find out a candidates positions on key issues, go to ABQJournal.com/election2018. The site also includes links to Journal stories on statewide, legislative and county-level races, district maps, key election dates and other voter resources. It will be updated regularly with new candidate profile stories and other information.



Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

Albuquerque police plan to poach more than 60 officers from other law enforcement agencies in the coming months as part of an effort to grow the size of the department by 100 officers in the current fiscal year.

New Mexicos biggest police department is expecting to grow from a current force of 853 officers to 973 by next summer, according to a recruiting status report.

Mayor Tim Keller said that will be the closest the department has been to fully staffed in 10 years.

That forecast is taking into consideration that 20 officers are expected to leave the department during the same time.

Keller said hes heard some concerns from municipalities about taking officers from surrounding departments, but he said addressing crime in Albuquerque is his main priority. In 2017, Albuquerque had some of the countrys highest crime rates for a city its size and during that year had a record number of murders.

As Albuquerque crime is dealt with, that is definitely good for the whole state, Keller said recently while signing a bill that will set aside $3 million to fund lateral hires for the rest of the fiscal year. We also have to make up some ground.

Because of the Albuquerque Police Departments pay structure, some of the officers who are leaving other agencies to join Albuquerque police are the most experienced and highly trained officers at their respective agencies, said Deputy Chris Toledo, president of the deputies union at the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office.

Starting pay for an APD officer is $29 an hour, significantly higher than what officers and deputies make in surrounding agencies. And that pay increases as officers gain experience.

The city also has specialty pay and longevity bonuses that can add $100 to $600 to an officers paycheck. Officers from outside agencies will qualify for those bonuses.

Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office deputies make $27.03 an hour. Rio Rancho police officers start out making $20.30 an hour. Santa Fe police officers make about $19 an hour.

Toledo said almost all of the deputies on the BCSOs K-9 unit, who also serve on the SWAT team, have transferred to Albuquerque police. Deputies in the aviation unit have also made the move, he said.

And he said some officers with 13 or more years of experience may make the switch next year if the county doesnt offer deputies similar incentives for training and experience.

Its definitely a start, he said of the exodus. I think it could be catastrophic.

Later this month, Albuquerque will graduate a lateral academy class of 29 officers. Nine of those officers are from the BCSO, and five had worked at the Santa Fe Police Department, according to city documents.

APD also has a lateral police academy class that is projected to graduate in January with 30 officers, and the city is planning for a mixture of about 50 laterals and regular police academy cadets to graduate next summer.

Sheriff Manuel Gonzales said his office remains fully staffed. He said the Sheriffs Office plans ahead to recruit new officers to compensate when deputies leave or retire.

You are always gonna have a concern at a head of an agency when it comes to retention and recruitment, Gonzales said. But I dont think they are leaving in droves. To paint a picture that theyre leaving for morale is not accurate.

Rio Rancho police Capt. Ron Vigil said city and police officials are aware of APDs recruiting efforts and are discussing ways to keep their officers on board.

The Santa Fe Police Department said this month that it is offering new bonuses to new officers and those who transfer to the agency. University of New Mexico police officers recently got a 13 percent pay raise.

It is a topic that we are looking at, Vigil said. It is difficult. Eight to nine dollars an hour is a pretty significant pay disparity.

Its not the first time that APD has grown in size by taking officers from other departments. From 2000 to 2010, the department hired a significant number of officers from outside agencies.

According to a lawsuit brought by the family of Alan Gomez, who was killed by a police officer in 2011, the city did so by violating its standards for hiring officers.

The department allegedly stopped doing independent psychological evaluations of candidates, accepted officers from departments with lower training standards and overlooked prior misconduct cases, according to the lawsuit, which was settled for $900,000 in 2013.

Keller and police officials said they are closely vetting all lateral hires during the current hiring push.

We are fortunate to have more demand  than we can process. That allows us to be more selective, Keller said. Were doing everything we can to pick the best and brightest from other agencies.

Cmdr. Angela Byrd, who oversees the police training academy, said all lateral hires are vetted just as stringently as new hires.

They must pass a psychological evaluation and a polygraph test, even if they already had completed those at their other departments.

Once they are selected, they are put through a nine-week police academy that covers Albuquerque police firearms and use-of-force training. The lateral academy also covers training that is required as part of the citys settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, which aims to correct a pattern of excessive force found during a review of 20 police shootings from 2009 to 2012, and other use-of-force cases that happened from 2009 to early 2013.

Hunter Weaver is one of APDs first lateral hires this year. He has worked as an officer in Farmington and other smaller cities around the state, and will graduate later this month.

Weaver is an Albuquerque native and decided to leave a quieter town for what he expects to be a faster-paced assignment.

In Farmington  you could do what you wanted. You could go out and do traffic stops, look for DWIs or drugs, he said. APD is call volume. But police work is police work.Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

Meteorologists measured a trace of snowfall at the Sunport on Monday morning after the arrival of a cold front that dropped temperatures in metro Albuquerque to about 30 degrees below average.

But areas of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains received 6 inches or more of snowfall on Sunday and Monday morning.

A low temperature of 33 degrees Monday morning at the Albuquerque International Sunport was the lowest temperature observed on Oct. 15 dating back to 1970, according to meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Albuquerque. The record low for the date is 29 degrees, set in 1914.

Residents in northern and central New Mexico will continue to have unseasonably cold weather through the week and into the weekend.

High temperatures in metro Albuquerque will be around 50 degrees today and Wednesday before moderating a bit to reach the mid-50s on Thursday and low 60s on Friday.

Andy Church, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Albuquerque, said a closed low-pressure system spinning over Arizona promises to keep active weather over much of the state today through Thursday.

It will provide enough lift in Pacific moisture that its going to overrun the colder air in the low levels, Church said. Well have rounds of precipitation starting from the southwest (Tuesday) morning and spreading to the remaining portions of the state during the afternoon and evening.

Meteorologists expect freezing temperatures everywhere in the state this morning with the exception of the lower and middle Rio Grande Valley.

Expect low temperatures in metro Albuquerque in the mid 30s this morning.

Areas near and above 8,000 feet could see accumulating snow with icy conditions possible on the east slopes of the central mountain chain and the northeast and central highlands.

Forecasters expect the low pressure system to gradually weaken on Wednesday as it drifts toward the Four Corners area and precipitation coverage to diminish but remain active in the northwest and north central areas as well as along and east of the central mountain chain.

On Thursday, a disturbance aloft will cross the area bringing the possibility of wintery precipitation to the higher elevations of northern New Mexico.

Meteorologists expect a drier and warmer trend on Friday as a weakening upper-level disturbance pulls away from northern New Mexico.

It will start to feel like October again as we head toward the end of the workweek and into the weekend, Church said.Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Early voting is off to a fast start in some New Mexico counties, as hotly contested races for Congress and governor could be driving voters to the polls weeks before Election Day.

Dona Ana County is leading the state in voter turnout, as 3,270 county residents had cast ballots there via in-person voting at the County Clerks Office as of late Monday, with several hundred more already casting absentee ballots.

Turnout is easily outpacing that of 2014, in the most recent statewide election that did not feature a presidential election, as 2,157 residents of Dona Ana County had cast ballots via in-person voting during the first five days of early voting that year.

It seems like voters may be realizing the ease of absentee voting, Dona Ana County Clerk Amanda Lopez Askin said. Were thrilled Dona Ana County is leading the state in terms of participation and democratic engagement.

She attributed the surge in early voting to multiple factors, including increased social media outreach efforts and voter interest in several contested races.

Statewide, 15,971 registered voters had cast ballots through Sunday, according to the Secretary of States Office.

Both Democrats and Republicans have been voting at a higher rate than independents, or those who decline to state a party affiliation. While independents made up 22 percent of the more than 1.2 million New Mexicans registered to vote in this years general election, they represent only 10.8 percent of those who have already cast ballots.

Some political pundits predicted that trend, noting that independent voters are more likely to be younger voters and those with less established voting habits.

In addition to governor, a U.S. Senate seat and three U.S. House seats, this years New Mexico ballot also includes statewide offices, such as attorney general, secretary of state and land commissioner.

There are also two proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot  one that would create an independent ethics commission and another that would allow a shift of the states judicial appeals process. And all 70 state House seats are up for election.

Santa Fe County Clerk Geraldine Salazar said early voting in her county got off to a slower start this year than in 2016, which featured a high-profile presidential race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, but has since picked up.

I see a lot of people wanting to vote and wanting their absentee ballots, Salazar said Monday. The enthusiasm is there.

Another county posting a strong early vote turnout level is Taos County, where 1,021 registered voters had cast ballots as of Sunday. That figure represents more than 4 percent of those registered to vote in the county, as of late September.

Meanwhile, Bernalillo County, the states most populous county, has lagged behind Dona Ana County and Santa Fe County when it comes to early voting.

A total of 1,192 Bernalillo County residents had cast ballots as of Monday, the majority of them registered Democrats. That represents just 0.3 percent of registered county voters.

Early voting for this years general election began Oct. 9 with absentee voting and in-person voting at county clerks offices. It will expand Saturday, when dozens more early voting locations open around New Mexico, and it runs through Nov. 3. Election Day is Nov. 6.

At a glance

Nearly 16,000 New Mexico voters cast ballots during the first six days of early in-person and absentee voting. Heres a breakdown by party:

Democrats: 8,973 (56.2 percent)

Republicans: 5,135 (32.2 percent)

Libertarians: 63 (0.4 percent)

Didnt say: 1,723 (10.8 percent)

Other: 77 (0.5 percent)

Source: New Mexico Secretary of States Office

Q-and-As online: To find out a candidates positions on key issues, go to ABQJournal.com/election2018. The site also includes links to Journal stories on statewide, legislative and county-level races, district maps, key election dates and other voter resources. It will be updated regularly with new candidate profile stories and other information.



ISTANBUL  Police searching the Saudi Consulate found evidence that Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi was killed there, a high-level Turkish official said Tuesday, and authorities appeared ready to also search the nearby residence of the consul general after the diplomat left the country.

The comment by the Turkish official to The Associated Press intensified pressure on Saudi Arabia to explain what happened to Khashoggi, who vanished Oct. 2 while visiting the consulate to pick up paperwork he needed to get married.

The crown prince told me that he has already started, and will rapidly expand, a full and complete investigation into this matter. Answers will be forthcoming shortly, Trump said in a tweet.

The president later appeared to take a stronger stance in defense of Saudi Arabia, criticizing the global condemnation against the kingdom and comparing it to the allegations of sexual assault leveled against now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing.

Here we go again with youre guilty until proven innocent, Trump told AP in an interview.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo traveled to Saudi Arabia to talk to King Salman and the 33-year-old crown prince about the fate of the journalist who wrote critically about the Saudis for The Washington Post.

While it was all smiles and handshakes in Riyadh, one prominent Republican senator said he believed that the crown prince, widely known as MBS, had Khashoggi murdered.

This guy has got to go, said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, speaking on Fox television. Saudi Arabia, if youre listening, there are a lot of good people you can choose, but MBS has tainted your country and tainted himself.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said serious evaluation was being given to whether U.S. law enforcement officials would aid in the investigation of Khashoggis disappearance. He declined to comment further, or to say whether he had any concerns with the current investigation.

Saudi officials have called Turkish allegations that a team of 15 Saudi agents killed Khashoggi baseless, but U.S. media reports suggested that the kingdom may acknowledge the writer was killed at the consulate, perhaps as part of a botched interrogation.

The close U.S. ally is ruled entirely by the Al Saud monarchy, and all major decisions in the ultraconservative kingdom are made by the royal family.

Washington Post Publisher and CEO Fred Ryan said the Saudi government owes the Khashoggi family and the world a full and honest explanation of everything that happened to him, noting that Tuesday marked two weeks since the disappearance of the 59-year-old journalist.

The Saudi government can no longer remain silent, and it is essential that our own government and others push harder for the truth, Ryan added.

The high-level Turkish official told the AP that police found certain evidence of Khashoggis slaying at the consulate, without elaborating. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.

Police planned a second search at the Saudi consul generals home, as well as some of the countrys diplomatic vehicles, Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. Leaked surveillance video shows diplomatic cars traveled to the consul generals home shortly after Khashoggi went into the consulate.

Consul General Mohammed al-Otaibi left Turkey on Tuesday afternoon, state media reported, just as police began putting up barricades around his official residence. Saudi Arabia did not immediately acknowledge he had left or offer a reason for his departure.

Earlier in the day, U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said the inviolability or immunity of people or premises granted under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations should be waived immediately. That convention covers diplomatic immunity, as well as the idea that embassies and consulates sit on foreign soil in their host countries.

Given there seems to be clear evidence that Mr. Khashoggi entered the consulate and has never been seen since, the onus is on the Saudi authorities to reveal what happened to him, Bachelet said.

Turkey had wanted to search the consulate for days. Permission apparently came after a late Sunday night call between King Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Certain areas of the consulate were to remain off-limits, although officials would be able to inspect surveillance cameras, Turkish media reported.

Erdogan told journalists Tuesday that police sought traces of toxic materials and suggested parts of the consulate had been recently painted, without elaborating.

In Riyadh, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir greeted Pompeo at the airport. The former CIA chief didnt make any remarks to the media.

Soon after, Pompeo arrived at a royal palace, where he thanked King Salman for accepting my visit on behalf of President Trump before the two went into a closed-door meeting. Pompeo then met a smiling Prince Mohammed, the heir apparent to the throne of the worlds largest oil exporter.

We are strong and old allies, the prince told Pompeo. We face our challenges together  the past, the day of, tomorrow.

Pompeo later said that Saudi Arabia had made a serious commitment to hold senior leaders and officials accountable in the case, and said the crown prince again denied any knowledge of what happened to Khashoggi.

Pompeo was to have a dinner Tuesday night with Prince Mohammed and was expected to fly to Turkey on Wednesday.

Trump had previously warned of severe punishment for the kingdom if it was found to be involved in Khashoggis disappearance, which has spooked investors.

Trumps warning drew an angry response Sunday from Saudi Arabia and its state-linked media, including a suggestion that Riyadh could wield its oil production as a weapon. The U.S. president has been after King Salman and OPEC to boost production to drive down high oil prices, caused in part by the coming re-imposition of oil sanctions on Iran.

On Monday, however, Trump offered a different theory after speaking by telephone with King Salman.

It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers, Trump said. I mean, who knows? Were going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial.

The New York Times and The Washington Post have reported, citing anonymous sources, that Saudi officials may soon acknowledge Khashoggis slaying at the consulate but blame it on a botched intelligence operation.

That could, like Trumps comments, seek to give the kingdom a way out of the global firestorm of criticism over Khashoggis fate.

The effort behind the scenes is focused on avoiding a diplomatic crisis between the two countries and has succeeded in finding a pathway to deescalate tensions, said Ayham Kamel, the head of the Eurasia Groups Mideast and North Africa division.

Riyadh will have to provide some explanation of the journalists disappearance, but in a manner that distances the leadership from any claim that a decision was made at senior levels to assassinate the prominent journalist.

Nils Melzer, the U.N. special investigator on torture, said that if Turkey and Saudi Arabia cant conduct a credible and objective investigation, then international involvement may be needed.

___

Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey, and Gambrell from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Jamey Keaten in Geneva and Jill Colvin and Matthew Pennington in Washington contributed to this report.The New York Times reports on a revival of the agricultural variety: Finding Lost Apples and Reviving a Beloved Cider.

Mr. Rosen, the former chief executive of a Manhattan advertising agency that promoted Svedka vodka and Mikes Hard Lemonade, wants to reintroduce Newark cider, an 18th- and 19th-century alcoholic drink once famously compared to Champagne.

Newark cider was both a point of pride and big business for the region  requested by name, reportedly lauded by George Washington and produced by dozens of Newark-area cideries with acres of orchards. The secret wasnt a recipe, but the blending of a quartet of superior apples born in the region: Campfield, Poveshon, Granniwinkle and Harrison, the most celebrated of the four.

Im always inspired by these discoveries of lost varietals, which give us the potential of tasting the foods and drinks of the past, while recovering variation that might be useful or valuable again.DALLAS  A Texas man was convicted of capital murder in the beating death of his girlfriends 4-year-old daughter, with the judge telling the defendant he should die in a locked closet for abusing the girl.

Mondays guilty verdict by the Dallas County jury brought with it an automatic life sentence for Charles Wayne Phifer, 36, of Grand Prairie. Leiliana Wright was beaten to death in March 2016.

The girls 33-year-old mother, Jeri Quezada, testified against Phifer, who she said bound Leilianas hands behind her back and strung the little girl up in a closet.

Judge Robert Burns told Phifer, Hanging a little girl in a locked closet was savage. You should die in a locked closet.

During the trial, jurors were shown photos of Leilianas battered body, covered from head to toe in bruises.

Quezada pleaded guilty to felony injury to a child as part of a plea agreement that will send her to prison for 50 years. Shell be formally sentenced Wednesday.

At Phifers trial, Quezada admitted that she would sometimes hit her daughter, saying she used a switch made from bamboo to strike the girls legs.

Defense attorneys argued that Quezada was trying to save herself by blaming Phifer for her daughters death. Prosecutors Eren Price and Travis Wiles argued that Quezada and Phifer were responsible for Leilianas death but that Phifer was the person alone with the child for hours the day of her deadly beating.

Wiles said Quezadas story about the 48 hours or so before Leilianas death is corroborated by cellphone records. Those records showed Quezada was away for much of the day.

Leilianas death exposed failures by Child Protective Services. CPS fired two employees and a third resigned after the agency was accused of failing to prevent Leilianas death.

Reports of abuse had included Leilianas paternal grandmother saying that the girl showed up to a visit in February 2015 with bruises and a busted lip, but CPS rejected that abuse allegation.

The agency had also started looking into the girls wellbeing in the months before her death. But records show a caseworker failed to check on her for more than a month and when a child abuse investigator did check on her, he left her in the care of Quezada despite Leilianas black eye.The FBI and Navajo Nation officials are trying to identify a man found dead underneath a bridge in Mentmore, New Mexico west of Gallup last week.

Frank Fisher, a FBI spokesman, said the mans body was found under the County Road 1 single-lane bridge near the railroad tracks and is believed to have been there for 12 to 24 hours.

Cause of death will be determined by an autopsy. Fisher did not say if authorities suspect foul play.

Fisher described the man as a Native American in his mid-40s, approximately 5 feet 10 inches to six feet one inch tall and weighing 240 pounds. He has a scar on his left cheek and on his left arm from elbow to wrist.

He had neck-length black hair, a mustache, and wispy hair on his chin, Fisher wrote in an email. He had a small circular tattoo on his abdomen. He wore a brown AUI Inc. jacket, a white T-shirt, black pants, and tan work boots. OKLAHOMA CITY  The DNA test that Sen. Elizabeth Warren used to try to rebut the ridicule of President Donald Trump angered some Native Americans, who complained that the genetic analysis cheapens the identities of tribal members with deeper ties to the Indian past.

Warren was born in Oklahoma, which is home to 39 tribes and where more than 7 percent of the population identifies as Native American, one of the highest proportions in the nation.

But shes not a member of any tribe, and many Indians take exception to anyone who claims to be part Indian without being enrolled in a tribe, especially for political purposes.

It adds fuel to that misconception that I can go out, get a DNA test and then, boom, thats all I really need, said Brandon Scott, a Cherokee Nation citizen and the executive editor of tribes newspaper, the Cherokee Phoenix. But the facts of the matter are you need a lot more than that.

The nations 573 federally recognized tribes do not have a single standard for determining membership. Tribes such as the Cherokee Nation use lineal descent, meaning a person is Cherokee if an ancestor is listed on an original tribal roll regardless of their amount of Indian blood. Descendants of black slaves the Cherokee once owned are also members of the tribe.

DNA tests are not typically used as evidence to determine tribal membership.

The genetic results released Monday provide some evidence of a Native American in Warrens lineage, though the ancestor probably lived six to 10 generations ago.

Native Americans also resented Trumps continuing use of Indian heritage as a means to mock Warren, a Democratic senator from Massachusetts who is widely expected to run for president in 2020.

Trumps references to Warren as fake Pocahontas are particularly offensive because they show how pop culture has glossed over the treatment of Native Americans, particularly women, said Chelsey Branham, a member of the Chickasaw Nation.

Its a sore topic to begin with, said Branham, a Democratic candidate for a state House seat in Oklahoma City. Then on top of that, using it as a derisive term to put someone down, its a racial slur. It certainly was offensive to me.

Many Oklahomans take pride in their Indian blood even if, as in Warrens case, they cannot trace an ancestor to the original tribal rolls.

Even in 1907, people were proud of that Indian heritage, said Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, referring to the year Indian Territory was dissolved and became part of the new 46th state of Oklahoma.

Opinion on Warren was not monolithic. The chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians issued a statement Tuesday saying that the senator had not tried to appropriate Indian culture. The tribe described her as an ally who had sponsored legislation to prevent Indian suicides, to identify missing and murdered Native American women and to help tribes reacquire lost lands.

Questions about Warrens heritage first emerged during her race for the Senate in 2012, when reports surfaced that she listed herself as a racial minority in an academic legal directory. Trump then made the Pocahontas jibe a laugh line at his rallies in 2016 after Warren became an outspoken critic.

Warren acknowledged identifying herself as a minority in the directory for nearly a decade. At the time, she said she listed herself as having Native American heritage because she hoped to meet people with similar roots.

She was also listed as a Native American in federal forms filed by the law schools at Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania, where she worked, The Boston Globe reported in 2012.

Warren has denied using her heritage to get ahead, and the Globes research found that it was not considered by the Harvard or Penn faculties or those who admitted her to law school at Rutgers University or offered her jobs at the University of Houston or the University of Texas.

In a slickly produced five-minute video also released Monday, Warren was seen walking through a working-class neighborhood of Norman, Oklahoma, and talking to her brothers about their mothers Native American ancestry.

Im not enrolled in a tribe, and only tribes determine tribal citizenship, Warren said in the video. I understand that distinction. But my family history is my family history.

Claiming Native American heritage is an especially sensitive matter in Oklahoma because of the states history as a relocation spot for Indians who were forced to move from other regions in the 1800s.

After the tribes were placed on reservations in what eventually became Indian Territory, the government decided that their communal property should be divided into individual allotments for members. The goal was to free up more excess land for white settlers expanding westward and to accelerate the Indians assimilation into American society.

Unlike other states where some tribes live on separate, remote reservations, Oklahoma is a checkerboard of land where tribal members lived in the same communities with whites and intermarried over the generations, creating families with varying fractions of Native American heritage.

The tribes reject the idea that, having taken much of their land, others can now claim their ethnic heritage with any DNA connection.

People who casually mention some Indian heritage are dishonoring legitimate tribal governments and their citizens whose ancestors are well documented and whose heritage is proven, said Chuck Hoskin Jr., secretary of state for the Cherokee Nation.

In Oklahoma, some politicians claim Native American heritage but are careful about doing so. Two of the states five House members  Republicans Tom Cole and Markwayne Mullin  are enrolled members of Oklahoma-based tribes.

While there are occasional reports of false claims of Indian heritage, mostly in the art or literary communities, such claims would be terribly damaging in politics, said Keith Gaddie, a political scientist at the University of Oklahoma.

Cultural appropriation is the dumbest thing that anybody can do, but especially a Democrat.

Said Branham: Its not a costume. You cant put on and take off being native whenever you feel like it or whenever it benefits you. Its really actively being a part of that culture.

___

Follow Sean Murphy at www.twitter.com/apseanmurphy .Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that the case is still under investigation and not yet ruled a justifiable homicide.

A man died in the hospital last Friday after police say he was shot by a woman earlier this month at a northeast Albuquerque apartment complex.

Albuquerque police spokesman Simon Drobik said the Oct. 1 shooting of 36-year-old Jason Duran is still under investigation but may be ruled a justifiable homicide.

Officers responded to a shooting at the Sedona Ridge, on Wyoming near Comanche NE, around 1 a.m. and found Duran shot in the neck.

Duran was hospitalized in critical condition, where he remained until Saturday morning when family members say he was taken off life support.

Drobik said detectives spoke to the woman who shot Duran at the scene and she was released pending a review by the District Attorneys Office to determine if the shooting was justified.

He would not give any other details, including what led up to the shooting or how the woman and Duran knew each other.

Durans father, Abraham, said his brother called to tell him Duran was in the hospital.

One of those phone calls that you know, as soon as you get it, somethings wrong, he said.

Abraham Duran said his son was coherent for four days after the shooting, and surgery, before slipping into a coma at University of New Mexico Hospital.

They pulled the plug on him on Saturday morning, Duran said.

Originally from New York, Duran said his son worked as medical supply staff at UNMH, and other local hospitals, for several years.

He knew everybody in there, everybody knew him, he said. He was a colorful character.ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, delivered pep talks to campaign workers, volunteers and local candidates on Tuesday during a swing through Rio Rancho and Albuquerque.

He highlighted the potential for Democrat Deb Haaland to be the first Native American woman to win election to the U.S. House  a distinction she might share, he noted, if fellow Democrat Sharice Davids wins her race in Kansas.

Perez spoke for 20 minutes Tuesday to about 75 to 100 Democrats gathered inside the partys office on Juan Tabo, near Constitution NE, in Albuquerque. He urged them to keep working hard for three more weeks, through the Nov. 6 election.

Its our democracy as we know it thats on the ballot, Perez said.

Perez served as labor secretary under then-President Barack Obama, and he headed the civil rights division of the Department of Justice.

During Tuesdays visit, he mentioned some of his DOJ work touching on New Mexico  including the 2010 prosecution of the first defendants to be charged under a new federal hate-crimes law. Three men pleaded guilty in the case, which centered on the branding of a swastika on the arm of a disabled Navajo man.ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham has been known to make a joke or two about her height. She is, after all, pretty short.

And she isnt afraid to dance in public.

But is she, well, too fun-loving to be governor?

The state Republican Party this week released an ad that questions whether Lujan Grisham is serious enough to handle New Mexicos problems.

The clip includes shots of Lujan Grisham roller blading, dancing at a parade and hula hooping  in between news clips about Albuquerques high crime rate, the number of children in poverty and the death of a boy who didnt get the medical help he needed.

The issues facing New Mexicans are serious, the narrator says. We need a serious leader.

Its a paid digital ad.

The Lujan Grisham campaign didnt take it lightly.

The real question is Steve Pearce serious enough, said Dominic Gabello, campaign manager for Lujan Grisham.

He said Pearce hadnt bothered to be briefed on a landmark court ruling that found that New Mexico had failed to provide a sufficient public education for at-risk students.

If Pearce isnt serious enough to care about the education of New Mexicos children, how can he be Governor? Gabello said.

The advertising war between Lujan Grisham and Republican Steve Pearce is picking up, of course, as Election Day approaches.

Pearce recently aired an advertisement that questions Lujan Grishams tenure as a cabinet secretary for the state Health Department, and Lujan Griham aired one accusing Pearce of misrepresenting her record.12 injured in Chitwan bus accident

At least 12 people were injured in a bus accident on the Bharatpur-Aanptaari-Devghat road section on Tuesday. Two among the injured are in serious condition.CHICO, Calif. - Chico State students are ready to head to the polls, armed with voters' knowledge this November.

Monday night, the college Office of Civic Engagement helped put together a campaign forum, featuring the Chico State Debate Team, local politicians, and a lot of hard work by students, faculty and staff.

"We're non-partisan," Said Hayley Finetti, a member of the National Political Science Honor Society. "It doesn't matter what your opinions are, just that you're aware."

Former Chico Mayor and current Chico City Council member Ann Schwab said sometimes young people get discouraged and overwhelmed when they don't know all the issues, and it may dissuade them from voting.

"Young people feel a bit overwhelmed with the choices they have on the ballot," Schwab said.

Sophomore Connie Quintana said she wasn't sure what to do once her voters' packet arrived in the mail.

"The actual packet was really huge, and I got really freaked out, and I didn't know what the propositions were," she said.

Ryan Cleland, 4-H Community Education Specialist, said voting is the best way to make a point.

"You don't have to engage in the conversations at Thanksgiving or the arguments on TV," Cleland said. "You can quietly vote and make your voice heard."

The election is on Nov. 6.THERMALITO, Calif. - Students at Plumas Avenue Elementary School in Thermalito have lost a big part of their playground to a fire, Sunday afternoon.

The cause of the fire is still unknown and under investigation, but Battalion Chief David Hilson with the city of Oroville, said there are elements that make the start of this fire suspicious.

"The fire was contained in about 5 minutes," Hilson said.

Fire officials received a call around 2:30 in the afternoon on Sunday.

Both Butte County fire and the Oroville fire department arrived on the scene.

"When we arrived we found a mulch bed in the - a rubberized mulch bed in the playground area of the school it was well involved and did damage to the play structure and mulch bed," Hilson said.

The Superintendent of the Thermalito Union School District, Greg Blake said, the school plans to put in a new playground, but not use the same rubber material... they're thinking of going back to wood chips instead.

Blake said their main priority right now is to get the debris cleaned up for the kids.

"So that they can continue to use parts that may be, that they can use otherwise we are looking forward to putting in a new structure as soon as we can and getting in more time for the kids," Blake said.

The playground is open to the public after school hours and on weekends, so they plan to look at their surveillance video and working with the Oroville police and fire department for further investigation.

Blake said even the kids are interested and concerned about who would do this to their playground.

"That's sort of a disappointing feeling for us in our community here, but you know we're trying to make it good for them we're bringing out different kinds of activities during recesses and lunches with frisbees and hoolihoops and trying to make it as comfortable for them as we can," Blake said.

A mother named, Kyle Wills, has a daughter and neice at the school.

When her kids saw their playground charred and burned they were devestated and in tears, that gave Wills the idea to start a GoFundMe Page to raise money to help the school put in a new play area for the kids.

If you're interested in donating, the link is on our website under news links.CALIFORNIA - Thousands of PG&E customers in the north San Francisco Bay Area and the Sierra Region are still waiting to get their power back Monday night.

This weekend PG&E announced it would shut the power off as fire danger went up.

Customers in the North Valley still have their power as of now, but PG&E says there's still a chance they may shut off their power too.

42,000 customers in El Dorado County, Amador County, and Calaveras County had their power turned off around 9 on Sunday night.

These are areas designated as extreme fire risk areas by the California Public Utilities Commission.

17,000 customers in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties had their power shut off around 8 Sunday night.

PG&E hopes to restore power by midnight to 70% of the Northern California customers who had their power shut off.

We have a full list of which areas had their power shut off. You can check it out here.The IKEA store launch in Hitec City, Hyderabad, has been one of the most talked about launches in recent times. A much-anticipated event, the store launch was preceded by the brands first ever communication for the Indian market, created by Dentsu Impact  the creative agency from the Dentsu Aegis Network. The launch also saw some interesting on-ground activations that got people talking.

One may think that such a high impact launch would be followed by a period of quiet from the brand. But not so in the case of IKEA. The brand has now released a series of new films on TV & digital to bring to life some hero products from the brand. Quite literally! Every film has one main hero  an IKEA product itself, and well it is this hero that does all the talking. The treatment is a completely fresh one and the films are nothing like a typical product centric ad you may imagine. The films are all a part of a series and the team promises we will see something fresh in every film, with a different product playing a different character.

Speaking about the films, Ulf Smedberg, Country Marketing Manager, IKEA India said, We at IKEA saw the need early on to find an emotional connection with consumers and their future relationship with our range. In order to de-dramatize and make parts of our range more attractive, inspiring yet even human, we created our new communication campaign which we internally call Talking products. In this series of short films, we let some iconic products speak and express their personality, in a fun and engaging way. The reaction so far been very positive, with people finding them to be surprising yet distinctively IKEA.

Megha Jain Sadhwani, Senior Vice President, Dentsu Impact adds, The reason why IKEA is the worlds most loved Swedish home furnishing brand is its products, they are the heroes that make this brand what it is. The intent behind this series of films is to introduce these heroes to the Indian audience in a typical IKEA style - simple & playful, and what better way to do this than to let the products do the talking themselves, literally!

The films have been released on TV in Hyderabad and are available on the IKEA Facebook page.

Agency credit 

Creative Team:

Chief Creative Officer: Soumitra Karnik

Creative Head, Bangalore: Amish Sabharwal

Associate Creative Director: Prachi Sharma

Group Head: Twisha Ahuja

Creative Supervisor: Pablo Dcosta

Films Team:

Chief Films Officer: Suprotim Day

Account Management Team:

Senior Vice President: Megha Sadhwani

Account Director: Sumedha Sachdeva

Account Supervisor: Gaurisha Singh

Strategic Planning Team:

Associate Vice President: Krittika Chakraborty

Senior Planning Manager: Aanchal Sachdeva

Amish Sabharwal, Creative Head, Dentsu Impact Bangalore spoke about the creative concept behind these films and said, "IKEA is known for great creative formats across the globe. This is our India attempt to add to that stellar reservoir. The products of IKEA are so intuitive, practical and magical that they deserve to be stars of every commercial, who needs celebrities?! That's what we did. Each object has their own character, their own quirk, their own voice and they are unlike any other object you get in the market. The idea is to get audience to enjoy the storytelling and the magic of each product."

Krittika Chakraborty, Planning Head, Dentsu Impact Bangalore explained the strategic intent behind the films. These films exemplify the IKEA brand tonality which is so well-recognized and loved the world over. And the slight edge and playfulness of their execution ensures their suitability to the digital medium, making them the kind of content people want to engage with.Radio City, Indias leading radio network initiated the Navratri festivities in Gujarat with a fun filled 8th Season of the most famous property, Garba Premier League 2018. Radio City celebrates the spirit of festival, dance, fervour and ecstasy with intense Garba competition across various societies in Ahmedabad, Baroda and Surat culminating with a grand finale on the day of Dusshera.

Radio City team along with the RJs will be visiting 40 societies in Ahmedabad, 35 societies in Surat and Vadodra respectively starting 10th October -18th October 2018. Radio City team along with the Radio City RJs will shortlist 5 jodis everyday across each society on the basis of their enthusiasm and Garba talent. The shortlisted teams from each society will compete on the day of Dushhera at the grand finale on 19th October 2018 and the winner couple will be bestowed with grand prizes.

Radio Citys Garba Premier League as a property over the years has garnered immense popularity in Gujarat amongst the listeners and the Garba enthusiasts. The property has imbibed Radio Citys philosophy of Rag Rag Mein Daude City and soaked itself in the local flavour and zest of Gujarat. Radio City wishes all the listeners a happy Navratri and Dusshera 2018.Achyut Wagle holds PhD in economics and is currently a professor at the Kathmandu University School of Management. He is an econo-political analyst, writing for The Kathmandu Post for many years.Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier?

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A child died when a bus knocked him down at Salle in Musikot Municipality-1, Rukum West on Tuesday.Engineering students from nine universities in Egypt spent the last 10 months creating electric vehicles to compete for Egypts first Electric Vehicle Rally, which took place in early October.

The idea for the rally, known by its catchy abbreviation, EVER, comes from the group of graduates of Cairos Ain Shams University, which established the ASU Racing Team in 2010. The organizers are also part of the ASU Faculty of Engineering innovation hub (iHub) and they have participated in electric vehicle (EV) competitions in Manila for the last six years. Since 2010, some 600 students at the university have participated in the construction of electric vehicles, some of which were tested in rallies and competitions abroad.

The team was eager to share this experience with other universities through an inter-university rally involving workshops and mentorship for engineering students that would give them the skills to build electric vehicles. The opportunity came when the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT), which is part of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, announced a tender last year for projects that would encourage development and innovation in the automotive sector.

Teams from nine different universities competed to build the best electronic vehicle and raced their creations in an Oct.13 rally in the countrys New Administrative Capital south of Cairo.

EVER is one of the first steps to introduce [electric vehicles] and help evolve the automotive industry in Egypt, ASRT President Mahmoud Sakr said at the rally. He added that the event showcased Egypt's strength in scientific research and the country's commitment to a local EV industry.

Initially, 26 teams of undergraduate students, representing the faculties of engineering at nine Egyptian universities, signed up for the rally and took a weeklong course in January. They submitted their designs at its conclusion, and 15 were chosen to compete in a final evaluation. A panel representing academia, industry and the media chose the best nine designs. Those designs received funding from ASRT to create an electric vehicle for the October competition.

The selected teams came from the universities of Ain Shams, Helwan, Kafr El Sheikh, South Valley, Suez Canal and Zagazig, as well as the Egyptian-Russian University, the Higher Technical Institute and the Military Technical College.

The teams set to work on designing their prototypes. They developed, built and tested the cars up until mid-September.

We wanted the students to experience a whole product life cycle before they graduate, EVER director and iHub member Ali Hosny told Al-Monitor. The product life cycle consists of finding a need in the market, designing, building and developing it [with the aim of] going to the market, which [in this case] is a competition.

Hosny said the project also aims to increase awareness among Egyptians of clean technologies, explaining, In Egypt, electric vehicles are not really accepted because people are afraid of new things, and EV are new  Where would I fix it? Is it reliable? Why should I invest in it? We are trying to change this mindset.

Few Egyptians use electric vehicles yet, but the government is keen to introduce them. In September it reduced customs on electric cars. Earlier this year, Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Tarek Kabil oversaw the opening of the countrys first new electric car charging unit, calling it the first step toward building Egypt's electric vehicle infrastructure.

Throughout the project, 10 ASU mentors presently working in the automotive industry or with experience in similar competitions advised the student teams. One of them, Mohamed Abdelshakour, told Al-Monitor, At the beginning, we gave them a generic design for inspiration, based on which they could design their car. But they still needed mentorship every step of the way as they developed their own designs and built them.

From the beginning, they taught us the basics that you need to know to build a car, Mostafa Makhlouf, a member of the team that won the rally, told Al-Monitor, adding, It was very interesting because it was a competition in Egypt, where you dont have a lot of automotive competitions. All of them are international.

Tasneem Mohammed, another competitor from the Egyptian-Russian University, agreed, saying, This is the first time that an electric vehicle competition has been held in Egypt, and it has been a great experience because I honestly got a lot of know-how from this project.

On the day of the race, the nine teams took their vehicles through four tests to measure their cars' efficiency, speed, performance and endurance. The last was the longest test in which the cars had to complete 10 laps around the track, a 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) run.

Today we are showing everyone in the world that Egypt is able to manufacture an electric vehicle, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khaled Atef said at the press conference held on the day of the rally. He noted that at least 65% of the cars components were produced in Egypt, adding, This is just the beginning.

The first-place winner, who was awarded a prize of 500,000 Egyptian pounds ($28,000), was the Ain Shams University team, followed by South Valley University and the Higher Technology Institute, which received prizes of 250,000 pounds ($14,000) and 125,000 pounds ($7,000), respectively.

All the teams will keep what they produced to be improved next year, as the organizers intended for them to take what they learned back to their own universities and pass the knowledge on.

The organizers appeared satisfied with the results achieved this first year and encouraged to set more ambitious goals for next time. [The teams] have made tremendous efforts after the academy.  Encouraged, they developed their design, learned more [and worked] as a team, said Hosny, who added, Hopefully next year we will start bringing in teams from abroad.The White House today announced new sanctions on Iran  specifically on the volunteer Basij militia, which operates under the auspices of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The sanctions also target three Iranian banks accused of providing financial support to Basij-controlled companies.

The paramilitary force is tasked with exerting the IRGCs will over Iranian society. But it also fights on behalf of the Bashar al-Assad government in Syria.

Why it matters: The announcement comes as the Donald Trump administration hopes to dissuade other countries from doing business with Iran following the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal. Washington is set to reimpose major sanctions on Irans energy sector next month.

This is the quintessential example of why we still often talk about the dangers of doing business in a country that has widespread malign activity, a senior administration official said on a background call with reporters. There is so much obfuscation in Iran and no transparency, which makes it extremely difficult to know what youre dealing with and what your business activities are actually funding.

Child soldiers: The White House also listed human rights concerns as a further justification for its Basij sanctions.

They engage in violent crackdowns and serious human rights abuses across the country, said the senior administration official. Most disturbingly, they are involved in the recruitment, training and deployment of child soldiers to fight the IRGC-fueled conflicts across the region.

And sanctions for all: The sanctions come as prominent lawmakers have called for sanctions and arms sales holds for Tehrans archrival Saudi Arabia for its alleged murder of exiled journalist Jamal Khashoggi, complicating Trumps efforts to coordinate a regional strategy against Iran.

I think all of our regional partners are extremely important to that effort and the Saudis are an important component, but we have a range of them in the Middle East and the Gulf from Egypt to Bahrain, said another senior administration official.

Whats next: The next round of sanctions will be far more damaging to the Iranian economy. Foreign companies have until Nov. 4 to cease importing Iranian oil or risk being cut off from the US financial system. It remains to be seen which countries, if any, will receive US waivers to keep importing Iranian oil and whether European and Asian efforts to facilitate such transactions will work.

Know more: Stay plugged in to Al-Monitors Washington Pulse for the latest on US action against Iran and its regional proxies.

- Bryant HarrisIrans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is launching increasingly daring operations to degrade the capabilities of armed Kurdish opposition groups. In its latest move, it has deployed thousands of troops to difficult mountain ranges in the western part of the country used as safe havens by the groups for decades. The IRGC's operations have taken on an air of urgency since US President Donald Trump's May 8 announcement that he was withdrawing the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, and re-imposing sanctions against Iran.

The IRGC mobilized thousands of troops, including Special Forces, and on Oct. 3, launched Muharram, a multi-front operation across Irans Kurdish region, employing helicopter gunships, heavy artillery and drones. While the operation was officially described as a drill, IRGC commanders acknowledged that the aim was also to showcase Irans latest sophisticated technology and to reclaim control over several strategic mountain ranges across the Kurdish region. Mohammad Taghi Oslanlou, the IRGC commander in charge of the western Kurdish areas, threatened during the operation to attack any country that supports the armed Kurdish opposition groups, which are based in neighboring Iraqi Kurdistan.

This is the first time since 1979 that Iran has attempted to fully bring the mountain ranges under its full control.

This is a real theater. Today we carry out a drill, but also we will clear these areas completely, an unnamed IRGC second brigadier general shouted into a microphone to some dozen senior IRGC officials watching with binoculars as the second stage of the operation unfolded on Oct. 7.

Live on Iranian television, as helicopter gunships attacked locations where Kurdish rebels were reportedly hiding, plumes of white and gray smoke could be seen rising from the slopes of the Shaho mountain range, a protected wildlife sanctuary that the second brigadier general had helpfully pointed out encompasses 1,400 square kilometers (540 square miles). Iranian-made drones circled overhead as the hammering roar of a 130-mm artillery battery and T72 tanks reverberated across the mountains.

The counter-revolutionaries had a permanent presence here prior to [the Iranian year] 1390 [beginning March 21, 2011], and there was no possibility of  deploying [troops] to these heights, the second brigadier general said.

This is a kind of thorough preparation for the security forces in the region to show that they are ready at all times and for any situation, Bahman Moradnia, governor of Irans Kurdistan province, told a TV crew in the mountains on Oct. 7. As the governor, dressed in military fatigues, spoke, an IRGC banner in the background proclaimed, We will crush America under our feet.

As tensions between Iran and the United States rise over Irans nuclear program and its involvement in several war-torn countries across the Middle East, the IRGC has launched a concerted effort to consolidate its control over the countrys porous western border. Tehran sees the Kurdish opposition groups, which are based in Iraqi Kurdistan and consist of several thousand fighters, as a serious security threat.

The IRGC is concerned in particular about two foes among the Kurdish groups  the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) and the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI)  which have dozens of units roaming the mountain ranges and countryside of western Iran.

Top IRGC commanders are worried about the Kurdish groups being influenced by foreign powers and have repeatedly warned the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia against interfering in Iranian affairs through them and other rebel groups. The Kurds do not hide that they are trying to woo the Trump administration into providing them with support to weaken and eventually topple the Islamic Republic. Indeed, earlier this month, Al-Monitor reported that Komala, a small Iranian Kurdish group with communist roots, had recently registered with the Justice Department to lobby on its own behalf to establish solid and durable relations with the US administration.

Fearing unrest in the Kurdish areas, the IRGC began earlier this year to seriously crack down on PJAK and KDPI units operating in remote mountain areas. The armed groups responded with similar intensity.

The PJAK launched a daring raid on July 21 near the city of Marivan in which 11 Iranian soldiers were killed, and the KDPI has clashed with the IRGC on a number of occasions. In the latest major development, the IRGC on Sept. 8 fired several missiles into northern Iraq, targeting the main KDPI base, and also striking an offshoot of the KDPI, killing a number of senior officials.

The day before the missile attack, two senior members of the PJAK were killed near the Shaho range alongside two other fighters. Iran also executed four well-known Kurdish political prisoners on Sept. 8, prompting the Kurdish groups to call a general strike on Sept. 12 in Irans Kurdish areas.

The IRGC responded to the call for a strike by targeting those thought to be leading it. On Oct. 7, with the last part of the Muharram operation underway in the Shaho range, the unnamed second brigadier general told Iranian TV that on Oct. 3, a group of 1,500 police officers, accompanied by eight Basij battalions as well as four IRGC battalions, had launched a large-scale operation in the city of Sanadaj to thwart another strike.

Fouad Khaki Beygi, KDPI representative in the Iraqi city of Sulaimaniyah, told Al-Monitor, Spending huge sums of money on operations like the one in Shaho at a time when people in Iran are under severe economic pressure is to intimidate the population into submission. Khaki Beygi claimed that his party had not sustained any casualties during the Muharram operation. Al-Monitor attempted to contact a PJAK spokesperson for comment, but received no response.

The battle between armed Iranian Kurdish groups and the IRGC will likely continue for the foreseeable future as US pressure mounts on Tehran. Although it is unclear whether the Kurdish groups will manage to secure US support in their campaign against Tehran, the IRGC is taking no chances and is shoring up its defenses in Irans Kurdish areas.

As it has been repeatedly said, the Iranian nations security is a red line for the armed forces, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, said on Oct. 10 at the border with Iraqi Kurdistan, I am warning the counter-revolutionaries who are based here and are supported by ill-wishers of the Iranian people.In a closed three-hour meeting with 40 Iranian economists on Oct. 15, President Hassan Rouhani insisted that the country's economy is not in crisis, but acknowledged that its not in "normal conditions" either. "Despite the hardships, this period shall pass," Rouhani said, praising his government's "precise planning," which he asserted will counter "US policies in the long run."

Rouhani highlighted the importance of "revitalizing hope in the society to defeat the enemies" in what he described as a "psychological and economic war" waged on Iran. Defending his government's performance, he traced the roots of the economy's "chronic diseases" in the years before he took office, but promised that the nation will face no issues with basic supplies even under tougher circumstances.

Still, Rouhani's remarks and the circumstances surrounding the meeting prompted fury from some hard-liners. "The news coming out of the meeting is all about the president's remarks," complained Javan, a hard-line paper affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Javan's editorial expressed dismay at the perceived media blackout and raised suspicions about the absence of First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri. "Economists who oppose the government's policies were also absent and it's not clear whether they were ignored or whether they decided not to show up. [Even] the top experts supportive of the government were absent and that means [the meeting was about] nothing."

Reform-minded economist Saeed Leylaz was approached for comment by a reporter following the event. "We better just shut up," he was quoted as saying. Later, however, he lashed out at some media outlets for distorting and printing his comments out of context. Separately, he told Iran's Labor News Agency that there is clear evidence and statistics strongly justifying a defense of Rouhani's economic performance.

"Most of the participants were opponents of the government and they expressed some sharp criticism," tweeted economic writer Sadegh Alhosseini. Yet Rouhani dismissed some of those critical comments as irrelevant, he said. The mixed reactions did not end there. Ahmad Tavakoli, a heavyweight conservative economist and politician, noted that some of Rouhani's remarks were backed by "convincing logic."

The Reformist daily Seda-ye Eslahat echoed the hard-liners' anger over the blackout by referring to the event as a "secret meeting." But Khorasan said the president listened to all the biting criticism and responded. According to the conservative Mehr News Agency, for some reason those who attended refused to make any public comments. "They were slightly upset  as they felt the president was there to speak for himself, and just call on them to observe some considerations in their analyses in the media."

All in all, details of the meeting's concrete outcomes, if there were any, remain undisclosed to the Iranian media, which has been mounting pressure on the Rouhani administration over its economic policies. Regardless of whether it was a formality or for serious consultation, the event seems to have been Rouhani's response to several open letters drafted by the country's economists on the urgent need for a strategy to end the economic crisis.Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman announced Oct. 11 that he will seek government approval to build 31 housing units for Jews in the Hezekiah Quarter of the West Bank town of Hebron.

Why now? One might have thought that the escalation in Gaza would be enough, without him escalating the situation in the West Bank as well. Why did Liberman decide now was the time to prove his loyalty to strengthening West Bank Jewish settlement in deeds, not words? One year ago, on Oct. 16, the Israeli planning authorities issued a general building permit for the project. Couldnt he have waited two or three months for US President Donald Trump to present his promised "deal of the century" as a gesture to the supportive American president?

The Hebron issue is close to the heart of Liberman, himself a settler from Nokdim. Shortly before the March 2015 elections, Liberman took his campaign to the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, a site holy to both Jews and Muslims.

There he declared on behalf of Yisrael Beitenu, "We have never given away Hebron; I always voted against the release of terrorists and we have always demanded the elimination of Hamas. We all voted against the withdrawal [from Gaza].  It would be best for all the others [in a future government] to uphold the same principles: eliminating Hamas, capital punishment for terrorists instead of releasing them. Obviously, we will defend our principles: no withdrawal B or withdrawal C plans."

Having failed to deliver on either of those goals, all Liberman can do now is try to pick up votes on the right ahead of the next elections. He is abusing his authority as defense minister to approve construction for Jews in the heart of the predominantly Palestinian West Bank, dashing any remaining prospects of Israeli-Palestinian agreement. That way, he gains on two fronts: First, he distracts the public from the gap between his tough talk of wiping out Hamas in Gaza and the suffering being endured by residents of Israels Gaza border communities at the hands of Hamas. Second, he is pushing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into a corner and forcing him to choose between two unpleasant options. Either he approves the settlement plan, reinforcing criticism against him about sabotaging peace prospects, or he postpones such plans, prompting criticism from right-wing rival parties for damaging the settlement enterprise.

The governments Oct. 14 decision to approve the plans prove that Netanyahu is more concerned about early elections than international criticism.

In 2017, on the day the planning committee of the Civil Administration approved the construction in Hebron, right-affiliated Channel 7 reported that Liberman told close associates he was the one who had promoted the project. He was quoted as saying, Hebron is one of the bedrocks of our existence as a people and a nation, and building there is the realization of the Zionist vision.

But two weeks earlier, that same outlet reported that the building permit was insufficient to start construction and that Netanyahus pledge to approve the Hezekiah project did not include the proper land allocation authorization.

According to the report, at that point two political rivals stepped up to the plate  HaBayit HaYehudi leader Naftali Bennett and ultra-Orthodox Shas chair Arieh Deri. At a meeting of the coalition leaders, Netanyahu promised both ministers that he would approve the construction permit, but they did not know that his approval covered only the construction itself and not the land allocation. Aides to Netanyahu denied that Bennett and Deri had pressured the prime minister over the Hebron project and noted in response to the Channel 7 report, The prime minister already spoke with the Americans about this construction about a month ago.

In January 2017, as Trump was preparing to move into the White House, Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked visited the Israeli settlers in Hebron. I wish to say from this place that in 10 days, all the excuses will be gone. We must build and build, develop Jerusalem as well as Judea and Samaria since it is our home. This is our right, she said, in an obvious reference to Trumps support for the Netanyahu government. Shaked boasted that even as the world was condemning Israel for building in the West Bank, she was leading the drive to turn the Jewish settlement within Hebron into an independent municipal entity. Responding to the Peace Now anti-settlement movement, which reminded Shaked that Hebron was populated by 200,000 Palestinians and a minority of 800 Jews, the minister tweeted, You are right; 800 Jews in the City of our Forefathers is certainly not enough. We are working to obtain additional housing permits for the Hezekiah Quarter. Youre invited to help.

The Hebron plan is not just another construction project approved by Israels right-wing government in a West Bank settlement. If it materializes, it would be the first Israeli building to go up in Hebron in 15 years.

The heads of Israels political right are cozying up to those who consider the Jewish doctor who murdered 29 Muslim worshippers at the Tomb of the Patriarchs in 1994 a saint. The threat of a flare up at the Tomb of the Patriarchs is second only to the explosive situation on Jerusalems Temple Mount. The websites of Israeli human rights and peace advocacy organizations such as Btselem, Yesh Din and Machsom Watch are overflowing with reports of abuse by Hebrons Jewish settlers against their few remaining Palestinian neighbors who have not fled the citys old quarter. Testimony by veterans who served in the territories is piling up in the offices of Breaking the Silence, the organization of veterans dedicated to documenting the abuse of Palestinians by Jewish settlers under the auspices of the Israel Defense Forces.

Libermans 2016 threat to assassinate Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh within 48 hours has long since become a bad joke. An all-out war against Hamas as seen from the defense ministers office is very different from the view from the Knesset opposition benches. However, the threat of being restored to those opposition benches or even failing to pass the Knesset threshold apparently narrow the worldview of certain Israeli politicians.

Yisrael Beitenus grim poll results in comparison to the Likud and HaBayit HaYehudi are once again stirring up exaggerated and dangerous militancy on the part of Liberman and other politicians competing for constituents. The affair of the 31 Hebron housing units is additional proof of the self-proclaimed national camp bloc's allegiance to radical and nationalist sentiment.

As the prime ministers office said it had discussed the issue with the Americans, it would be interesting to know whether the US administration signaled to Netanyahu that expanding the Jewish settlement in the heart of an Arab city promotes peace in the same way it thinks moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem does.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a visit to the Golan Heights Oct. 8 to dedicate the Ein Keshatot National Heritage Site. It was a chance for him to repeat his supposed position on the Golan Heights. After all, Israel is on the verge of an election year. Israels presence on the Golan Heights assures our security, Netanyahu declared. Israels presence there is a fact that the international community must recognize. As long as it is dependent on me, the Golan Heights will remain under Israeli sovereignty. Otherwise we will get Iran and Hezbollah on the banks of the Kinneret [Sea of Galilee].

Not everyone was happy about these remarks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made it clear Oct. 10 that any change in status of the Golan Heights without prior approval from the UN Security Council would be considered a violation of existing agreements. Even the Trump administration was less than thrilled to show its support for Netanyahus statement. The State Department even rushed to announce that US policy regarding the Golan Heights had not changed.

In contrast to the Israeli rights claim that the West Bank is not occupied but disputed territory, since only Britain and Pakistan have recognized Jordanian sovereignty, Israel recognizes that the Golan Heights were subject to Syrian sovereignty until the 1967 Six-Day War. When a 1981 parliamentary blitz led to Israels annexation of the Golan Heights  taking advantage of the situation in which Israel's withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula had yet to be completed, and the belief that Egypt would have to accept the process  the very Knesset members who submitted the law made it perfectly clear that it would not be used to prevent negotiations with Syria over the regions future.

The Golan Heights are not on anyones agenda right now. No one is demanding that we return them to the Syrians at this stage. Nevertheless, nor would anyone in the world be prepared to recognize Israels annexation of the territory, either before or after Netanyahus remarks. As far as Jerusalem is concerned, the Golan Heights are a bargaining chip, which could help Israel to reach an agreement with Syria, Iran and Hezbollah, when the timing is right. Efforts to move masses of Israeli citizens to the Golan Heights have failed, so that there are now more non-Israelis than Israelis there. Demilitarization would be an Israeli condition, but if the Syrians agreed to this, it is reasonable to assume that Israel would be ready to withdraw. Even if the parties continued to dispute Syrias demand to reach the waterline of the Sea of Galilee, this could be resolved by a series of access agreements.

If anyone is aware of Israels ongoing readiness to withdraw from the Golan Heights, it is Netanyahu himself. He engaged in intense negotiations over withdrawal during his first term (1996-1999) through his (then) good friend, American Jewish billionaire Ronald Lauder. People close to Netanyahu claim that he was prepared, as part of these negotiations, to withdraw Israeli forces to the cliff line overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Meanwhile, legendary American Middle East emissary Dennis Ross claims that Netanyahu was prepared for a full withdrawal, but that this was vetoed by then-Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon as soon as Sharon found out about this secret channel of communications.

The person who really began negotiating the fate of the Golan Heights was none other than Yitzhak Rabin, who had declared during his 1992 election campaign that only a crazy person would withdraw from the territory. Rabin did prefer to focus on the Palestinian channel of negotiations. He also believed that it would be very hard to win widespread public support for peace agreements with both Syria and the Palestinians at the same time, given the concessions they would require. Nevertheless, he succumbed to pressure from the Clinton administration to focus on negotiations with Syria. At the climax of this process, he even gave Secretary of State Warren Christopher a commitment to withdraw from the Golan Heights if Israels security demands are met. Syrian President Hafez al-Assads response was ambiguous, and the Oslo Accord was ready to be signed, so Rabin chose to turn back to his original preference of reaching a historic agreement with the Palestinians instead.

Upon becoming prime minister after Rabins assassination in November 1995, Shimon Peres also devoted much of his diplomatic efforts to reaching an agreement with the Syrians. These talks, which took place at Wye Plantation, reached an abrupt end, when the Syrians refused to condemn a series of Palestinian terrorist attacks, following Israels assassination in January 1996 of the Engineer, Hamas Yahya Ayyash.

About four years later, it was Prime Minister Ehud Barak who tried to reach an agreement with Syria in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights. This move, which was discussed during the Shepherdstown talks in 2000, did not go well. This was largely because Barak was concerned about public opinion in Israel, which steadily supported keeping this beautiful area as an integral part of Israel. Barak saw the polls, which proved that this position had not changed, even when Israelis learned that the Syrians were prepared to engage in talks on this very issue between the Israeli prime minister and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa.

Ehud Olmert was the next prime minister to negotiate an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights. He did this through Turkey, which was happy to mediate between the parties. This indirect round of negotiations made significant progress. It was only interrupted because of Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip in December 2008, which infuriated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

All Israeli prime ministers apart from Ariel Sharon conducted direct or indirect negotiations over a withdrawal from the Golan Heights during the last quarter century, and it is reasonable to assume that future Israeli prime ministers will continue to do so, even if they make contrary statements before an election. The Israeli political echelon is well-aware that the Golan Heights are not Israels security cushion, and all of the politicians remember what happened to this part of the country in the early days of the 1973 Yom Kippur War. They are fully aware of the intolerable ease with which Syria took the entire southern half of the Golan Heights, as well as other swathes of the territorys 1,800 square kilometers (695 square miles), so that its troops were positioned face-to-face with Israels settlements in the Galilee. Israels desperate attempt to rescue the childrens homes of the kibbutzim on the Golan Heights before Syrian tanks reached them remains etched in the countrys collective memory. It required plenty of bloodshed for Israel to drive the Syrian forces back.

The conquest of the Golan Heights in 1967 and again in 1973 came at a very steep price for Israel. It can only be justified if the return of the territory to Syria is part of some future peace agreement that provides Israel with real security.BAGHDAD  Nadia Murad, the Iraqi Yazidi, has been awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize. This has raised the expectations and hopes of Iraqi minorities, especially Yazidis, since she is the first Iraqi to win the prize.

Iraqi political leaders welcomed the award as a tribute to the struggle of the Iraqi people against terrorism and extremism.

Iraqi President Barham Salih called Murad on Oct. 5 to congratulate her on the award. The president said the prize was a tribute to the Iraqis' struggle and steadfastness.

Prime Minister-designate Adel Abdul Mahdi congratulated Murad in an official statement. I congratulate Iraq and Iraqis and the Yazidi brothers and sisters and I congratulate Nadia Murad for being awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize. She is the Iraqi Yazidi activist, the goodwill ambassador for the dignity of survivors of human trafficking, one of the victims of terrorism, infidelity, mass murder, captivity and assault on the dignity and the right to life.

He said the prize is the least that can be offered to her after her suffering and struggle along with her sisters and the Yazidi people and the rest of the Iraqis.

Part of the importance of the prize lies in that it was awarded to a female activist and genocide survivor who became the spokeswoman for a religious minority whose members were ethnically cleansed.

Murad Ismail, director of the Yazda Foundation, told Al-Monitor that Nadia Murads award for the Nobel Peace Prize was an exceptional event that has led to inscribing the name of Iraq in the Nobel records through the Yazidi minority community, and particularly through a woman. He believes the prize should carry a strong positive message to Iraq that all ethnicities are important, and that their rights and dignity matter.

Ismail, who accompanied Murad in her regional and international tours as director of her campaign since the end of 2015 until the beginning of 2018, hopes the prize will be the beginning of a new chapter in Iraqs history, where religious minorities will be given sufficient attention so as to preserve their presence.

He said there have been warning signs that these are the last years of having non-Muslim minorities in Iraq and that our country is witnessing the end of religious, ethnic and linguistic diversity.

Omar al-Shaher, a board member at the Al-Rafidain Center for Dialogue, does not share the same enthusiasm as Ismail for the prize.

For a society that had been stricken with many catastrophes and tragedies, what does it matter if one of its many victims was internationally honored? Did Murads prize turn the tragedies of the Iraqi community into an international affair? I dont think so, he said.

Shaher added, The strong internal distinction between the various Iraqi components turns something such as Murads award into anger, even among the Yazidis. Many Yazidis feel angry at Nadia because they think she has risen because of their tragedies, forgetting that she was part of these tragedies.

He said, This event was ignored by the Muslim majority in the country for two reasons. The first is that [people are] bored with the condemnations at home and abroad of what happened four years ago and second is an attempt to get rid of the shame that the Islamic State (IS) brought to the country and the religion of Islam and Sunni Islam, in particular.

Hana Edward, a women's rights activist and secretary of the Iraqi Hope Association, sought to dwell on the prizes possible positive effects on some segments of society, such as women.

She said that Murad, as a woman, gives an example to Iraq as a whole for overcoming the difficulties faced by women in ethnic conflict areas, and also for overcoming the taboo of sexual violence, opening the door to debate and discussions on these sensitive issues in public and on a daily basis. This has happened in a conservative community where issues related to women are often raised in a careful way. She said Murads award provides people with motivation to fight religious extremism and to battle attempts to force Yazidis into converting to Islam.

She provides hope that women can really make a change, Edward told Al-Monitor.

The bishop of Chaldeans in Kirkuk and Sulaimaniyah, Youssef Touma, said Murads kidnapping and survival helped shed light on a religious minority that the world knew little about before the 2014 genocide. However, he said that at the domestic level, the prize has embarrassed some of the political elites, who have to reconsider their policies on minorities. Touma said the genocide that took place was the result of accumulated neglect and lack of protection for minorities.

In 2016, Murad was named the UN goodwill ambassador for the dignity of survivors of human trafficking and was awarded the Council of Europe Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize and, along with fellow Yazidi abductee Lamiya Aji Bashar, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

Her prizes came as a judgment of all the years of oppression and suffering of this minority and other minorities, and a blow to all those who try to empty Iraq of its diversity, the bishop told Al-Monitor.

Murads award may help change the priority of addressing the issues of minorities at the level of state institutions.

Saeb Khadr, a member of the Iraqi parliament for the Yazidis, said Murads prize and her calls for preserving the rights of minorities, and of Yazidis in particular, will make it easier (albeit still complicated) to include this issue on the agenda of the Iraqi parliament and government. He said the same is true for the demands for the return of the displaced to Sinjar, four years after the genocide.

Al-Monitor met with several Yazidi activists in Erbil and Dahuk. Yazidis in the region amount to only a few thousand now, as opposed to 400,000 who lived in Sinjar prior to 2014. The main reason that many are not returning is the political struggle over influence between different political forces over these areas, especially between Baghdad and Erbil, according to Khadr and other activists.

Khadr said Murads award could open the door to the discussion of other issues, such as increasing the number of Yazidi seats in the federal parliament from one to three, holding accountable the perpetrators of the crimes against the Yazidis and working on returning the kidnapped Yazidi women who are still held captive by some IS members.RAMALLAH, West Bank  This year's annual conference of the UK Labor Party could have been promoted as a pro-Palestinian rally in some regards. Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, in his closing speech on Sept. 26 in Liverpool, pledged to recognize an independent Palestinian state if Labor wins in general elections. On other fronts, party delegates passed a motion to condemn Israels use of force in cracking down on protesters in Gaza, to urge more UK funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency and to back a freeze on British arms sales to Israel. Attendees waved Palestinian flags in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Corbyn and his partys stance toward Palestine and Israel follow allegations of anti-Semitism against him and his party over the past few months. Corbyns positions are a first for Britain, where all governments have refused to recognize a Palestinian state and have continued to stand by Israel.

Palestinians attach great importance to Britain in particular recognizing the State of Palestine because of its issuance of the Balfour Declaration in 1917  announcing its support for the establishment in Palestine of a national state for the Jewish people  and its role in the establishment of the State of Israel.

Members of the Palestinian leadership welcomed Labors stated positions and hope that more European countries will follow suit. Nabil Shaath, foreign policy adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, referred to Labor as brave, and told Al-Monitor, Despite some attempts to accuse Corbyn of being anti-Semitic, for his criticism of Israel, he proved to have the upper hand in the party.

Shaath, one of the most senior Palestinian officials with connections to the British party, said that he had participated in 10 Labor annual conferences when he served as Fatahs representative for external relations.

Shaath described this years conference as the most powerful, which was more like a pro-Palestinian demonstration, stressing the importance of the partys support on the Palestinian issue given the partys active role in the international community, international socialist movement and its relations with European parties.

Palestinians will be keeping an eye on any upcoming UK elections with hopes of a Labor victory. The party made remarkable progress in early elections held in June 2017, gaining 30 additional seats in the House of Commons to secure 262 of the 650 seats.

Several countries and parliaments recognized Palestine during the last three months of 2014. In a symbolic move, the British House of Commons recognized the State of Palestine by a 274-12 vote on Oct. 13, 2014. The vote in Parliament stemmed from frustration in regard to Israel issuing new tenders for settlement construction and refusing to release a fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners, a move that effectively brought Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations to a halt. Recognizing states, however, is the prerogative of the UK government, not the House of Commons, so the vote was only a non-binding expression of the deputies aspirations. Shortly thereafter, on Oct. 30, Sweden officially recognized the State of Palestine, making it the 135th member of the United Nations to do so.

Palestinians are hopeful that Labor will back the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement as well as assist Palestinian, Arab and Islamic communities in the United Kingdom, which is one of the areas Shaath said he has been working on since he was appointed by Abbas on Aug. 1 to run the Palestine Liberation Organization's Department of Expatriate Affairs. The goal of the department is to help the Palestinian diaspora in having an effective impact in European countries.

There are four unions among the Palestinian community in Europe, Shaath said. Each union is close either to Fatah, Hamas, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, or Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. So my focus is to unify the unions within a democratic electoral framework so that we have one strong community able to establish close ties with Arab, African and Asian communities in order to generate momentum to vote in favor of the Labor Party.

Palestinians are pinning their hopes on Labor since the Palestinian leadership's strategy is to convince countries, especially in Europe, to recognize Palestine.

Several Spanish officials announced that their government will soon recognize Palestine, which proves that our international movement is achieving results, Shaath said in reference to comments by Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell on Sept. 30 that his government will promote a European consensus to recognize Palestine, adding that if that fails, Spain will consider going it alone.

Mustafa Barghouti, general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative (al-Mubadara), told Al-Monitor, The UK Labor Partys recent positive stance on Palestine is the result of the efforts of solidarity movements with the Palestinian people in Europe.

Barghouti, who is also active in the BDS movement, said that he has known Corbyn for 18 years and noted Corbyn's leadership on recognizing Palestine and calls to suspend arms sales to Israel.

Such decisions demonstrate our ability to achieve great political goals at the European level, as a result of the growing BDS movement at the popular level, Barghouti said. I expect to see Corbyn win the elections and make an official apology to the Palestinian people for the Balfour Declaration.

Barghouti does not believe Corbyn will backtrack on his promises after the elections. The pledges he made are his partys program, and he will go through with them, Barghouti noted.

Ahmed Jamil, a professor of international relations at Birzeit University, told Al-Monitor, There is strong opinion against Israels racism among the Labor Partys leadership and rank-and-file, which was reflected in the general conference and the ensuing decisions. British recognition of Palestine requires the party to win and to form a government with other parties that can be convinced to make this leap of faith.

Zaher al-Birawi, chairman of the European-Palestinian Forum, attended Labor's convention. He told Al-Monitor, The prominent presence of the Palestinian issue on the agenda of the party at the conference is further proof that the Labor Party is committed to supporting Palestine. Labor's support, he noted, is based on the two-state solution and international resolutions.

Birawi further remarked, The partys positions at the annual conference are further proof that [its support] is stronger than ever, despite the campaigns that have been launched against it, accusing it of anti-Semitism. These campaigns only increased Corbyn's popularity as a leader and drew more support for his stances, including with regard to the Palestinian issue.Fulpati, seventh day of Bada Dashain, observed today

Fulpati, the seventh day of 10-day long Dashain festival, was observed across the country on Tuesday.GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  Ziyad al-Nakhalah, the new secretary-general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), gave Oct. 5 his first political discourse. He threatened to respond to the Israeli army killing of peaceful protesters along the border with the Gaza Strip.

Speaking in front of protesters in eastern Gaza, Nakhalah said, The courageous Palestinian resistance has the capacity and capabilities to make the Gaza envelope and the surrounding settlements uninhabitable.  Al-Quds Brigades and [Izz ad-Din] al-Qassam Brigades will not keep mum and will act in the right moment to halt any disdain for the blood of our people.

In his televised remarks, Nakhalah also proposed an initiative to end the Hamas-Fatah divide. The initiative consists of five points, namely convene the PLO's Temporary Leadership Framework, and ensure that the Egypt-mediated truce agreement between Hamas and Israel does not force the PIJ and resistance factions to refrain from military action against any Israeli violation.

Meanwhile, on Oct. 4, Al-Quds Brigades, the PIJs military wing, organized a major military parade in central Gaza City, involving hundreds of gunmen and a new missile, without unveiling its military capabilities and arms ranges.

According to the PIJs Sept. 28 announcement, Nakhalah is set to succeed Ramadan Shalah, who is suffering from health problems. The movement also elected in its first internal elections since its establishment in 1980 new members for its secretly elected political bureau in the Palestinian territories, abroad and in Israeli prisons.

Palestinian media outlets revealed Sep. 27 that Mohammad al-Hindi has taken the position of deputy secretary-general.

In a press conference Sept. 28 in eastern Gaza City, PIJ spokesman Daoud Shihab said, A democratic climate prevailed over the elections. The voter turnout reached 99,3%. Shihab then proceeded to unveil the names of nine political bureau members in the Gaza Strip and abroad. The movement, however, did not reveal to the media the names of the political bureau members in the West Bank, Jerusalem and Israeli prisons for security reasons and out of fear of being chased by Israel.

Nakhalah, 65, served as deputy secretary-general of the PIJ since 1997. He is wanted by the Israeli authorities, and was added to the US list of designated terrorist groups and individuals in January 2014. The United States has allocated $5 million for information that would help arrest him.

A member of the PIJs Central Election Committee told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that the movement has been preparing for the elections for more than a year, setting up an internal electoral system and narrowing down the number of its cadres eligible to vote. He said that the elections were held Sept. 27 in the Palestinian territories and abroad where the movement is present. The electoral process, he noted, started with accepting candidacies and appeals, followed by selecting a new secretary-general unanimously, and electing new members of the political bureau.

According to the source, the political bureau is composed of 15 members, nine of whom were elected by direct ballot, four by acclamation and the remaining two are to be selected by the secretary-general. He noted that the PIJ is slated to hold elections for a new leadership every four years.

The elections, which were held in secrecy away from the media and public, drew criticism from some of the PIJs figures and leaders. Islamic Jihad leader Ibrahim Abu Mur wrote in a Facebook post Sept. 26 that his name was dropped from the candidate list, and noted that this is the result of his positions toward the sloppy leadership.

On the other hand, the Saudi Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper wrote in an article Sept. 29, The outcome of the elections has further strengthened the pro-Iran currents influence over the movements leadership. Iran prefers that Nakhalah takes the mantle of secretary-general without any elections, with Hindi as deputy secretary-general, fearing that the latter might manage to take charge since [Iran believes] he has close ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. The PIJ, in response, attacked the newspaper.

Hindi, a member of the PIJs political bureau, has strong relations with Hamas, which drew criticism against him. He has been residing in Turkey for the past two years.

Hussein Sheikh al-Islam, the adviser to the Iranian minister of foreign affairs, welcomed the PIJ elections. He told Al-Monitor that having Nakhalah as secretary-general will strengthen the resistance movement in the Palestinian territories. Islam stressed that Iran enjoys close ties with the Palestinian resistance movements, including the PIJ, and that these ties are evolving with time.

Ihsan Ataya, representative of the PIJ in Lebanon, told Al-Monitor that several PIJ allies, including Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas and Fatah, congratulated Nakhalah. He said that the elections have produced a new leadership that will be charged with the organization of the movements different institutions.

Ataya noted that the political bureau will hold a meeting soon, without specifying a date, to tackle many internal dossiers, including the electoral system and how it can be further refined, and whether or not an alteration will be made to the movements political document, which was unveiled in February.

He added that managerial tasks will be redistributed among the political bureaus new members.

The deteriorating health situation of Shalah has pushed forward the electoral process in order to rearrange the movements internal affairs. Shalah underwent open-heart surgery in early 2018, but complications have forced him to leave the secretary-general post.

Hasan Abdo, a political analyst and close associate to the PIJ, told Al-Monitor that the most notable thing about the PIJs internal elections is the democratic climate that saw the participation of the majority of the movements political and military personnel.

He stressed that this election refutes the accusation leveled against the Islamic movements around the world about their non-democratic practice, and noted that the PIJ publishing the names of the winning candidates in the media leaves no doubt about the transparency of the electoral process.

Abdo believes that a new stage awaits the PIJ in the wake of the elections and the newly elected leadership, hoping that the movement fosters stronger internal and foreign relations to serve the Palestinian cause.

Imad Ayada, political science professor at Birzeit University, told Al-Monitor, The Islamic movements are adjusting themselves with the ever developing demands of their communities. They are modernizing mechanisms to choose leaderships and organizational structures, gradually coming out of the spectrums of secrecy and ambiguity that have long prevailed. This will result in a transparent and clear work, thereby asserting their position as an active force in the community.

Despite the accusations that the new leadership is close to Iran, considering it to be similar to any other resistance movement in need of backers, Ayada noted, the movements history shows that it has always maintained a balance in its relations and distanced itself from any sectarian or political conflicts.

With the accusations leveled against the new secretary-general by Saudi media outlets, as well as Israeli ones, such as Channel 10 and Kan on Sept. 28, Nakhalah is facing a real test in his new position, which requires him to balance the movements foreign relations in a way to meet Palestinian interests.Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated in a recent interview with Bloomberg that within the next 19 years, Russias role in the oil market might substantially decrease. He even suggested Moscow might stop exporting oil. At the same time, Prince Mohammed praised his own kingdom's supply of hydrocarbon resources, which he said will keep Saudi Arabia a top market player for decades to come.

Unsurprisingly, Prince Mohammed's Oct. 5 interview caused a negative reaction in Russia. Russian officials, supported by a large number of experts, criticized the Saudi prince for what they said is an excessively gloomy prediction. They agree there are some problems in the countrys oil sector, but say they're manageable. On Oct. 9, Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak declared, "Russia is a leader of the global oil industry and, from the long-term perspective, it will retain this status. Our strategy is to keep oil production at the current level" and perhaps even increase it slightly.

As is often the case, there is some truth in both sides' arguments. Yet, for now, the Saudi prince's predictions are much closer to reality than the Russian energy minister's. To begin with, just last month, Russian authorities recognized that, in the long run, they might encounter a severe drop in the level of domestic oil production. Novak said that in 2021, Moscow will be able to produce 570 million tons of oil per year, as opposed to the current 553 million tons per year. Nevertheless, after 2021 the volume of oil extraction will fall gradually, with the risk of sinking to 310 million tons per year by 2035. In other words, initially Novak was even more pessimistic about the prospects of the Russian oil industry than the Saudi prince, who told Bloomberg that Russia could "disappear" as an oil exporter in 19 years. Novak initially gave Russia only 16 years. A leading Russian market analyst, Mikhail Krutikhin, is even more pessimistic, predicting that the drop in oil production may start in 2020.

There are at least several reasons for these negative expectations.

First of all, the main oil fields of western Siberia are gradually depleting. According to some estimates, within the past decade their output dropped 4%, whereas the cost of production increased twofold. If nothing is done, oil production in western Siberia, the main oil-producing region of Russia, might fall from the current 330 million tons per year to 180 million tons, or even 146 million tons, in 2035. Meanwhile, the rising cost of oil production might cut into the Russian budget.

Second, the current system of oil taxation in Russia discourages active oil exploration, technological research and development of new oil fields in areas with difficult extraction conditions  although developing these fields could be one of the main options to sustain the current level of output. Enhanced oil recovery measures demand a more favorable tax structure.

Third, sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States limit the access of Russian oil companies to the equipment and money necessary to develop new oilfields and use enhanced recovery measures.

Currently, the Russian government is working on measures it hopes will help avoid this negative scenario, but their potential for success is questionable. Whatever steps the Kremlin suggests will require technologies previously imported from the West and, more importantly, money. For now, the Russian oil sector is doing fine, more or less. Since 2016, Russia has managed to ensure the stable growth of investments in exploration and upstream development: The ruble's depreciation and rising oil prices have increased the volume of local currency available to Russian oil producers so they can invest in developing new and old oil fields and conduct exploration. Yet the growth of these investments will soon slow.

This year, investments are expected to stay at the same level: $20 billion to $26 billion. However, to sustain the current level of oil output, the volume of investments will have to grow on an annual basis  according to some estimates, by 4-5%. In 2035, to keep up with the 2018 level of output, Russian businesses and foreign investors might have to double the amount they currently invest in oil industry development.

Given the sanctions, Moscow will have to rely more on its own capacities than on foreign investments. And thats where problems start. On one hand, economic problems, sanctions pressure and a budget deficit seriously limit the Russian government's ability to provide additional financial benefits and tax exemptions to the national oil business. Moreover, current tax reform is expected to increase the tax burden on oil producers. As a result, the Kremlin has limited maneuvering space.

On the other hand, the main Russian players such as Gazprom and Rosneft already have huge external debts of billions of dollars. Re-crediting and borrowing from foreign banks have become more complicated for Russian oil producers: Foreign sanctions have either limited their access to external funds or raised the cost of credit. In addition, leading ratings agencies have lowered Russian oil producers' credit ratings. The Russian banking sector is also not an option, as about a quarter of Russian banks are labeled ineffective. Those that remain prefer not to provide credit to the large businesses.

The main question is, what implications will these factors have for Russian-Saudi cooperation? Russias leading market analysts, who spoke with Al-Monitor not for attribution, argued that the vision of Russia as a declining oil power will prevent the Saudis from seeing Moscow as a strategic partner. Instead, any interaction with Russia will be limited by tactical and case-by-case cooperation. These conclusions, so far, seem premature, though they aren't baseless.

The Saudis are also aware that the negative outcomes they predict for the Russian industry could be avoided to an extent. It's not the first time Russian oil producers have encountered serious challenges. Both foreign and domestic analysts have predicted the drastic fall of oil output in Russia several times since 1991, yet their forecasts have never come true. Instead, history shows that when necessary, Moscow can be quite inventive in handling difficulties. Consequently, at least for now, the Saudi leadership will not make any quick and blunt decisions, preferring instead to see whether future Russian efforts to avoid the fall of oil production are going to be successful.

Moreover, cooperation  even with a "declining" Russia  can bring some benefits. Earlier this month, Saudi Minister of Energy Khalid al-Falih visited Moscow to participate in Energy Week, a global forum held Oct. 3-6. During this stay, his statements were quite friendly and his vision of the oil market largely corresponded with Russia's. The Saudi energy minister emphasized that Saudi Arabia is determined to develop cooperation with Russia in oil, gas, petrochemistry and renewable energy. The moment of truth will probably come at the end of the year, when the two countries are expected to finalize a list of joint investment projects in the oil and gas sector. The substance of this list will clearly demonstrate whether Riyadh sees cooperation with Russia as something serious, or just a formality to please a country whose help is temporarily needed to influence the oil market's situation.Saudi Arabias alleged murder of exiled journalist Jamal Khashoggi is causing it to hemorrhage Washington lobbyists.

Both BGR and the Glover Park Group have dropped their lucrative client, the Wall Street Journal and Politico reported this week. And public relations giant Qorvis, which has a $280,000 per month contract with the kingdom, tells Ad Age that it is concerned about the circumstances surrounding Khashoggi's disappearance and is "watching them closely."

The reports come after the Harbour Group announced it was jumping ship last week.

Why it matters: The rapid loss of lobbyists illustrates how toxic of a client Saudi Arabia has become  even for an industry long accustomed to representing foreign dictators. Glover Park had a $150,000-per-month contract with Riyadh while the Harbour Group and BGR Government Affairs each had $80,000 monthly contracts. As investors continue to pull out of Saudi Arabia in the wake of the Khashoggi scandal, the defections from seasoned lobbyists will make it harder to counter the political and public image repercussions in the United States.

Doha ascendant: The backlash against Saudi Arabia could be a boon for Qatar, which drastically increased its lobbying expenditures to $18.5 million last year amid a Saudi-led blockade against the tiny sheikhdom. Combined with Saudi Arabia and its ally the United Arab Emirates, lobbying and PR expenses by the Gulfs Big Three topped $50 million last year.

Lobbying disclosure forms made public this week indicate that Qatar has hired the former national field director for President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign, Stuart Jolly, to help arrange meetings with US officials. Jolly is a consultant with Silversmith Law Offices, which Doha hired earlier this month.

Whats next: The Saudi Foreign Ministry and the royal court still pay for a total of $400,000 in monthly contracts, distributed between Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Hogan Lovells, Squire Patton Boggs and the McKeon Group. It remains to be seen whether these firms determine that the influx of cash is enough to outweigh the cost that keeping Riyadh as a client could have on their public image.

Know more: Keep up to date on the latest Middle Eastern lobbying updates by registering for free with us. That will give you access to our award-winning series The Influence Game as well as our weekly lobbying newsletter, in addition to our entire archive of more than 20,000 articles.

- Bryant HarrisALEPPO, Syria  A damaged public school in the eastern neighborhood of al-Bab city in the Euphrates Shield area in Aleppo countryside has resumed classes following extensive renovation efforts financed by a local Turkish nongovernmental organization (NGO).

Al-Bab local council reopened the public school Sept. 30 in an inauguration ceremony attended by a number of Syrian and Turkish dignitaries and officials. Jamal Osman, the director of al-Bab's local council, and Fawzi al-Sayeh, the council's director of the education bureau, attended the opening.

Since the end of Operation Euphrates Shield, Turkey has been seeking to rehabilitate social institutions in the Euphrates Shield area, and its efforts have been especially focused on the education sector.

The renovated school was named Erzurum Secondary School by the city's local council, after the city of Erzurum in eastern Turkey. The Erzurum Civil Society Platform (ECSP), a Turkish NGO, financed the renovation of the wrecked school building.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony, students presented gifts to the attendants. In turn, the students received new clothes, schoolbags, notebooks, stationery and other gifts.

When the Islamic State (IS) took control of al-Bab on Jan. 14, 2014, it turned the school building into one of its military headquarters. The building was cleared from IS fighters on Feb. 23, 2017, by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions  partaking in the Turkish-led Operation Euphrates Shield  that fought fierce battles with IS.

The school premises were severely damaged, as IS had blown up large parts of the building before pulling out of the city. The school needed extensive renovation works to reopen its doors to students.

Sayeh told Al-Monitor, We organized the inauguration of the renovated Erzurum Secondary School to thank the people of Erzurum in Turkey for paying the restoration costs. Engineers and construction workers from the city carried out the restoration works financed by ECSP. We named the school after the Turkish city to show our appreciation.

In regard to the school curriculum, he said, The Syrian curriculum will be applied under the supervision of the Syrian Interim Government. This curriculum is taught across all schools in the FSA-controlled areas in the Euphrates Shield area. As of the beginning of October, students have been attending classes regularly at Erzurum.

He added, The school will accommodate students from the eastern neighborhood of the city. The other school in this neighborhood can no longer accommodate all students.

While no official statistics are available on the number of internally displaced persons in al-Bab, thousands of people from Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Ghouta in Rif Dimashq have settled in the city.

Sayeh noted, The school can accommodate around 1,500 students in total. Students from first to fourth grade will attend a morning shift, while the afternoon shift will be allocated to students from fifth to 12th grade.

He added that there are 30 schools in al-Bab, which were all damaged by the war. Sayeh said that the Turkish government has helped renovating and equipping 20 of them in the past months. Restoration works of the schools were undertaken by the citys local council with the support of the Turkish government that also pays the teachers salaries.

Schools in the city were heavily bombarded by the regime or destroyed by the battles between the FSA and IS, he said. Most school buildings were seized by IS and turned into military headquarters or storage facilities for ammunition and weapons. Other schools were destroyed by the explosions carried out by IS during the battles.

Sayeh noted that he does not know how much the renovation of Erzurum Secondary School cost.

Erzurum school was equipped with all necessary educational means for students, such as new chairs, tables and learning tools, Kawthar Qshqwsh, an official at the education bureau of al-Bab's local council, told Al-Monitor. Currently 1,250 male and female students are enrolled in the school and 25 male and female teachers of various specializations [are employed].

She stressed the importance of reopening the school, which will allow hundreds of students to get a proper education under appropriate conditions. Schools in al-Bab are overcrowded. This new school will reduce classroom sizes. By the end of October, Qshqwsh expects to know the exact number of students in the city.

Al-Monitor met Maysa Daly, who was displaced from eastern Ghouta and now resides in al-Bab. The recently opened Erzurum school is near my home. I enrolled my three children in it since they had to travel a long distance to reach their old school. They told me that they are very comfortable at their new school and that their teachers are very nice to them.State and city officials from Huntsville are meeting this week in Japan with figures in the Mazda and Toyota companies.

Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and others traveled to Japan this week to huddle with the two companies ahead of construction on the $1.6 billion Mazda Toyota factory, to be built in Huntsville.

Its the second trip by a state delegation to Japan this year. In April, Gov. Kay Ivey, Battle, Canfield and others made the trip, which also included talks with Honda.

Officials from the Alabama Department of Commerce, and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, met this week with officials from Mazda and Toyota in anticipation of the $1.6 billion automobile factory.

In January, the two motor companies announced they would build a factory employing 4,000 in a section of Huntsville located in Limestone County not far from Interstate 565.

Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA, Inc., or (MTMUS), is expected to open in 2021. It will have the capacity to produce 150,000 units of a Mazda crossover model to be introduced to the North American market and 150,000 units of the Toyota Corolla.Alabamas candidates for governor disagree on Statewide Amendment 2, a proposal on the ballot that would add to the state constitution an affirmation of the right to life of the unborn.

Gov. Kay Iveys campaign today sent out a press release criticizing Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox for opposing the amendment.

It's unconscionable to me that Walt Maddox would join abortion rights activists from across the country in opposing this measure that simply recognizes the rights of our precious unborn babies, Ivey said in the press release.

Maddox says he is pro-life but does not support the amendment.

Since it does not contain exceptions for the health of the mother, rape or incest, then I cannot support it, Maddox said today during a campaign stop at Huntingdon College in Montgomery.

Planned Parenthood-affiliated organizations have contributed about $800,000 to a political action committee to oppose the Alabama amendment, which explains Iveys reference to Maddox being on the same side as abortion rights activists.

I dont know about Planned Parenthood, Maddox said. I certainly have had no contact with them. But what I do know is this. We have to have exemptions for health of the mother, rape or incest. And to point to ambiguity and define that as a solution is just unconscionable in and of itself, that the governor would even go down that road.

Voter approval of Amendment 2 on Nov. 6 would not outlaw abortion in Alabama because the Roe v. Wade ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973 protects abortion rights. But the amendment could come into play if the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and allowed states to further restrict abortion.

An alliance promoting passage of Amendment 2 disputes Maddoxs assertion that it would preclude exceptions for rape, incest or the mothers health. They say it would be up to the state Legislature to consider those exceptions if Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Maddox says thats not a sound argument.

First of all, its a constitutional amendment, Maddox said. So, any sort of exemptions that the Legislature could come back with would have to ultimately go back to the vote of the people. And you could apply that standard to any legislation or constitutional amendment thats written.

It doesnt contain those exemptions, period. And to say, well, You can go back to the Legislature and change it, thats just typical Montgomery politics.

The Republican-led Legislature approved Amendment 2 last year, sending it to the ballot for voters. It says:

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended; to declare and otherwise affirm that it is the public policy of this state to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, most importantly the right to life in all manners and measures appropriate and lawful; and to provide that the constitution of this state does not protect the right to abortion or require the funding of abortion."

As for Iveys characterization of his position as unconscionable, Maddox said the governor should say whether she supports the exceptions to abortion restrictions that he mentioned.

Whats even more unconscionable is that the governor will not answer does she believe that a woman should have an exemption in case of rape, health or incest, Maddox said. Has she answered that question?

The Ivey campaign did not immediately respond to that question tonight.

Maddox turned the subject to Alabamas rankings at or near the bottom in statistics such as death rates for babies. Alabama ranked last among states in infant mortality rate in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The unconscionable part is that shes been either lieutenant governor or governor for the last eight years and were still at or near the bottom in everything that matters and people are hurting because of it," Maddox said. "I think thats unconscionable. And if she thinks Im wrong, then maybe we should have a debate.

Ivey has declined requests to debate from Maddox and from the League of Women Voters of Alabama.

Maddox made the stop at Huntingdon as part of his campaign bus tour. The election is Nov. 6, three weeks from Tuesday.A man died in a crash involving a log truck in Monroe County early Tuesday morning, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

The crash happened shortly before 6 a.m. at Alabama 21 and Monroe County 42, troopers said. The crash site was about 10 miles north of Monroeville.

Willie Earl Smith, 79, was traveling west on Monroe County 42 in a 2003 Buick LeSabre when his car was struck by a 2007 Peterbilt log truck traveling northbound through the intersection. A 48-year-old man from Peterman, Mitchell Chandler, was driving the truck, troopers said.

Smith was pronounced dead on the scene. He was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Further details about the crash were not immediately available. The crash remains under investigation.A lawsuit filed Monday in federal court alleges that Prince of Peace Catholic School in Hoover last week removed a black student whose mother posted a video on social media from another student at the school that used a racial epithet.

Marvin and Kenya Marshall, parents of the black student, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the North District of Alabama, Southern Division, with retired federal Judge U.W. Clemon and Richard Rice as their attorneys.

The student who spoke on the video used the N-word and used the phrase escaped my slave house, according to the complaint.

The lawsuit alleges racial discrimination and names the school, Prince of Peace Church Pastor John Fallon, Principal Connie Angstadt, School President Kelly Doss, and Associate Principal Bridget Carter as defendants.

The lawsuit alleges that the black student was subjected to several racial epithets during the 2017-2018 school year, and depicted by name as a monkey in a drawing discovered by a teacher after class. Monkey sounds were made in his presence by white students on two different occasions, the lawsuit says.

John Whitaker, an attorney for the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham, noted that the student who used the slur was Hispanic, his parents were from Colombia, where his father lives, and his mother is here legally; the student who used the slur is no longer a student, he said. A white student took the video and has been disciplined, receiving detention for five days and in-school suspension for two days, Whitaker said. Race had nothing to do with what happened, he said. Rules had everything to do with what happened.

Whitaker issued the following response to the lawsuit:

Recently one of our students was videoed using a racial slur. Although it was impossible to tell to whom the slur was directed, given the ethnic diversity of the school, we took the matter seriously. He had violated school rules and was disciplined accordingly. Sadly, he is no longer a student at this school. The matter was further complicated by one of our parents, Mrs. Kenya Marshall, who took it upon herself to post the slur on her Facebook page and make derogatory comments about both the student and school. In part she claimed the slur was directed at her son, which is not true. Mrs. Marshalls actions violated both a written agreement we make with our parents and rules we have in place to protect our students. Exposure of this childs behavior in such a public forum put the student at risk of harm and other serious negative consequences. Comments and replies to the post became threatening in nature to both the child depicted in the video and the school. When school administration learned of the post, we requested multiple times that she remove it. She declined. Parents requested that she remove the post. She declined their requests. Eventually she did take it down although it reappeared on her sisters Facebook page. The school began receiving calls from concerned parents about their childs safety. Several parents chose to keep their children home from school. The school employed additional security to monitor the situation. The pastor and administration from the school met with Mrs. Marshall and her husband. In that meeting they explained how her actions violated our written Parent/School Partnership agreement in multiple respects and caused great concern to not only the videoed student but also to the school and its other children. Her actions were not acceptable. She was asked to and did withdraw her child from the school. The circumstances of the video were bad enough but made far worse by its publication on social media. Its publication coupled with the unfounded and inflammatory accusations in the post made it impossible to move forward in concert.Federal prosecutors and police around north Alabama have a message for violent criminals and repeat offenders: Were coming for you.

A new task force formed in the Huntsville area is aimed at taking the worst of the worst criminals off the streets, said Jay Town, U.S. Attorney for the northern district of Alabama. The task force, which met today for the first time, aims to preventing violent crime.

Our Mission in this Task Force will be to systematically remove the most violent criminals and repeat offenders from the top down, said Huntsville police Chief Mark McMurray in a news release.

The task force  through information sharing between police agencies  has created a secret list of people who have repeatedly committed violent crimes in the area, authorities said.

The goal is to target these specific repeat offenders, said Huntsville police Lt. Michael Johnson. Weve all come together with one strategic objective  to get them off the streets. Were not going to wait until somebody is killed.

So far in 2018, at least 26 people have died in homicides in Huntsville. Thats up from last year when 22 people were slain in the city.

The Huntsville Public Safety Task Force establishes a relationship between federal and local police agencies, creating the opportunity for more joint investigations. Those investigations can lead to federal charges and federal prison time, Town said. Unlike state sentences, federal prison sentences dont provide the sanctuary of parole, he said

For example, a man arrested over the weekend in Huntsville is now set to face federal charges because of a monthslong joint investigation into threats made on local police, Johnson said. Micah Chisom is currently charged in state court with making a terrorist threata Class C felony charge that carries at most 10 years in prison with the potential for release on parole. Because the feds were involved, Chisom is expected to be charged federally with being a felon in possession of a firearm. For that charge, he faces 10-15 years in federal prison without the opportunity for early release on parole.

When folks start getting plucked away, perhaps other individuals who want to take their place will think twice, Town told AL.com.

Another goal of the task force is to improve relationships between the public and law enforcement. Once community members start to see repeat offenders serving longer prison sentences, they will be more likely to step forward as witnesses to other crimes, Town said.

Town was a prosecutor in Madison County before he was appointed U.S. Attorney. He said Huntsville is a safe place to live, but that law enforcement can always improve its policing and prosecuting.

The Task Force provides a needed platform to target alpha criminals for prosecution in the forum where the sanction is the highest, remove them from our streets with severe punishment, and return our communities back to their rightful owners...the law abiding citizens," Town said in a press release. "Bed space in state and federal prisons awaits.

Along with Huntsville police and the U.S. Attorneys office, the task force includes: Madison County Sheriffs office, Madison Police Department, Decatur Police Department, Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, Huntsville Housing Authority, Huntsville mayors office, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Marshals and Homeland Security Investigations.

The full task force will meet monthly, but Town said smaller groups could meet as often as daily, if needed.

The task force incorporates principles of Project Safe Neighborhoods which is the Department of Justices violent crime reduction strategy. Reinvigorated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions last year, PSN provides funding to local and state agencies to assist them with departmental or agency operational needs, according to the DOJ.Alabama farmers lost an estimated $101 million in cotton alone when Hurricane Michael ravaged the southeast corner of the state, according to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Extension agronomists feared the storm could be devastating for Alabama cotton farmers, and the preliminary damage assessment report prepared by Extension has so far confirmed those fears.

The preliminary assessment report estimates that the Wiregrass region of Alabama lost 106,591,875 lint pounds of cotton, with 100 percent of the cotton crop of Houston County considered a loss. Geneva and Henry Counties were estimated to be 50 percent losses, with Barbour, Coffee, Dale and Russell Counties losing less than half their crop.

Its the worst Ive seen in my 25-year career, regional extension agent William Birdsong said. Ive seen storm-damaged cotton before, but Ive never seen it like this.

That lint cotton is valued at $0.89 per pound, totaling almost $95 million in lost lint production. In addition, the Extension estimates that amount of cotton would include 58,625 tons of cottonseed that has been lost, valued at additional $6.4 million. The total estimated loss of lint and seed is $101,315,577.

In addition to the estimated loss, the Extension said some of the surviving cotton will likely be of lower quality, leading potentially to another $3 million or more in losses, if 30 percent of the remaining harvest incurs quality loss.

The loss also caught the attention of the president, who today visited neighboring states hard hit by the hurricane.

President Donald Trump Tweeted that he was thinking of Alabama farmers as he arrived in Florida today to survey the damage.

Just arrived in Florida. Also thinking about our GREAT Alabama farmers and our many friends in North and South Carolina today. We are with you!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 15, 2018

The estimated price of cotton used in the preliminary assessment includes a $0.06 per pound increase due to Trumps Trade Assistance Program, meant to account for price decreases in cotton due to trade disputes with China. However, Birdsong noted, that premium was based on the amount produced, so will not be helpful to farmers who saw their crops destroyed by high winds and torrential rains of Hurricane Michael.

The 2018 cotton crop in Alabama was projected to be a record-setting year, thanks to a combination of favorable weather conditions during the year and relatively high prices on the market. In south Alabama, Birdsong said the cotton was just reaching maturity when Michael rolled through, the time of year when the cotton is most vulnerable to storm damage.

The timing of the storm really couldnt be much worse, he said.

Many farmers were making investments banking on a large harvest -- and large payoff -- expected this year, that now will not materialize.

In addition, he said the storm caused extensive damage to timber stands, some cattle were lost, and some cotton that had already been harvested was damaged.

State, federal and local officials and elected office holders are meeting Tuesday in the Wiregrass region to discuss the impacts of the storm, Birdsong said.Gore aide held in Dubai

Police transferred Benu Shrestha, an aide of Chudamani Upreti aka Gorethe kingpin in the 33kg gold smuggling case Biratnagar on Monday



The 32-year-old Shrestha, 32, was repatriated to Nepal from United Arab Emirates (UAE) on SundayAccording to newly released state data, 715 same-sex couples married in 2017. The number reveal a divide between urban and rural Alabama as eight counties - most of them southern, rural and Republican - continue to dodge the issue by staying out of the marriage business altogether.

Jefferson County, the states most populous area, married the most last year, issuing 163 licenses for same-sex couples in 2017, according to the Alabama Center for Health Statistics. Jefferson County Probate Judge King says his office issues marriage licenses to citizens outside of the county weekly because their home counties have shuttered their marriage licenses offices.

"Every probate judge in Alabama ran for their job knowing issuing marriage licenses was part of their job," King said. "Quite frankly, you have probate judges who shirked their duties all over this state and they have allowed their personal beliefs to affect their jobs responsibilities.

On Feb. 9, 2015, a federal judge in Mobile struck down the states same-sex marriage ban. Then-Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore commanded probate judges not to issue the licenses a few weeks after. Many probate offices stopped issuing licenses for all couples in response to Moores order, which ultimately led to his suspension in September 2016.

Alabama probate judges presiding over Autauga, Clarke, Cleburne, Covington, Elmore, Geneva, Pike and Washington counties are still not issuing marriage licenses. Those counties continue to rely on a section of Alabama law stating probate judges "may" issue marriage licenses, not "shall" issue.

If they dont want to issue marriage licenses, which includes same-sex marriage licenses, then dont run for the job or resign from the job and give up the job and instead allow someone to be appointed or run for the opposition who will do the job, said King.

Since 2015, Alabama has reported 3,046 same-sex marriages. Thats 1,392 in 2015, and then 939 in 2016. Data for 2018 is not available yet.

Elizabeth Richardson, right, poses with her wife Amanda McDonald, left, during their wedding day on March 1, 2017. Below is Richardson's 8-year-old son, Lee.

Elmore County Probate Judge John Enslen was one of the loudest opponents of same-sex marriage. He said he would rather go to jail than perform a same-sex marriage and demanded then-Gov. Robert Bentley to make an order halting the issuance of gay marriage licenses. Enslen did not return phone Al.coms calls or emails for comment for this story.

As a result of Enslens position, Elizabeth Richardson knew she wasn't going to be able to marry her girlfriend in her hometown in Elmore County. So Richardson married her wife in Montgomery on March 1, 2017.

"It was very common knowledge that if you were to go out there, you would get turned away or there was going to be an altercation," Richardson said of Elmore.

Montgomery County, the fourth most populous county in the state and near three of the counties not issuing licenses, placed second in the state with 91 same-sex marriages in 2017. The county also had the most same-sex marriages per capita. Madison County in north Alabama came in third with 77 followed by Mobile County with 73. Baldwin County on the coast had the fifth-highest amount with 44.

Although she lives in Montgomery, Richardson still visits her home county where her family lives. She still notices the stares she receives while she's holding her wife's hand. She said a man in grocery store once shouted the word "dyke", which is a slur used against the lesbian community. Richardson said it was hard explaining what the word meant to their youngest family member, who was seven at the time.

"That's the day we had to explain that word to our son," said Richardson, who has a child from a previous marriage. "We told him it was bad word like any cuss word, that they meant it to be mean and he wasn't allowed to say it. They said it because mommy and Amanda are together, and some people don't like that."

Defining the slur to her son was only one part of the unsettling moment, Richardson said. The man who used the slur had a young boy with him.

"Homophobia, racism, discrimination in general is taught. Children don't come out hating people. It is what the world is teaching them -- what we teach them -- that forms the way they look at the world," Richardson said. "It's so important that we try to break the cycle. If we can teach people to empathize, be kind to one another and to look for things that are the same instead of our differences, Alabama can be a better place."

The data for Alabama mostly reflects a general split between rural and urban areas, a divide mirrored in recent election results, such as last years special election for the U.S. Senate, when Democrat Doug Jones defeated Republican Roy Moore. Jones won four of the five counties with the most same-sex marriages last year. Moore claimed seven of the eight counties refusing to issue marriage licenses at all.

There are also many rural counties, like Sumter, Wilcox, and Perry, that did not record any same-sex marriages in 2017 despite issuing marriage licenses.

King said there have been times when he disagreed with the law during his almost 18 years as judge but hasn't allowed his belief to change his actions.

If they want to stand behind that code section, thats up to them. I disagree with that. I disagree with that whole approach, King said. A lot of times on the judicial side, I may not agree with how the law is written, but I follow the law and thats what judges do. Either someone is a judge and follows the law, or they ought to go do something else.The Hoover City Council on Monday put a temporary moratorium on new business licenses for certain establishments, including pawn shops, payday lenders and vape shops until the city approves its master plan.

The council also unanimously approved a liquor license for the planned Dave & Busters in the Galleria Mall.

The moratorium was more contentious, narrowly passing in a 4-3 vote.

Many of us campaigned on protecting our older, established neighborhoods, said Councilman Casey Middlebrooks. I think this resolution is one step in fulfilling that promise.

Councilman Derrick Murphy, who voted in favor of the moratorium, said it protects Hoovers family values."

I dont like my government telling me what to do. But in many cases I think capitalism collides with culture, he said.

Murphy said Hoover should control its own cultural identity in response to Councilman Mike Shaw, who argued that businesses affected by the moratorium wont stifle Hoover from attracting tech and high-end businesses Shaw pointed out that Birmingham has vape shops near the critically-acclaimed Highlands Bar & Grill.

We dont have to be like Miami. We dont have to be like Birmingham," Murphy said.

The resolution creating the moratorium cited a proliferation of such businesses popping up in Hoover  language that Councilman Mike Shaw took issue with.

Shaw said there are only 15 businesses in Hoover that would be affected by the moratorium  which also includes adult stores, check cashing places and body art shops -- out of 4,000 businesses.

The premise here that we have a proliferation of these businesses ... I dont think it crosses that threshold, he said.

Councilman John Lyda, who also voted against the moratorium, called the resolution another big government solution looking for a problem.

This really is overreaching government, he said.

Lyda said he was concerned that existing businesses wouldnt be able to get a new license if their shop burns down and they need to relocate under the moratoriums language. The council approved an amendment that would grandfather in Hoovers 15 affected businesses.

Fran Bishop, a past president of the National Pawnbrokers Association and the Alabama Pawnbrokers Association, said the national organization holds its annual meeting in Hoover and spends $5,000 in the city during the event. Asked by Lyda what the chances were that the organization would continue to hold its convention in Hoover, Bishop said, none.

We are concerned that a federally regulated, state-licensed industry has been dropped into a basket of businesses that are seemingly unwelcome and undesirable by the city of Hoover, she said, noting that the two pawn shops in Hoover have been longtime members of the community.

These businesses pay taxes, they employ individuals who live in hoover, they participate in city services and operations, she said. We work with law enforcement on a daily basis. We electronically report all transactions.

Randy Toffel, the owner of the vape shop Vapeology on Lorna Road, said he invited the whole council to his store last month in preparation for the vote but only two of the seven councilors took up his offer.

Now my city is telling me that Im unwanted? he said. That my business is unwelcome?

In other business, the council unanimously approved a liquor license for the Dave & Busters, which is scheduled to open in the Galleria Mall by the end of the year.A Birmingham jury on Tuesday returned a $10 million verdict in the case of a 2014 deadly hit-and-run.

Angela McCall was walking on a sidewalk that August when a speeding driver traveling nearly 60 miles per hour lost control of his vehicle, went over a curb and hit the 34-year-old mother of three in the 9500 block of Parkway East.

Police previously said it was around midnight when an individual was driving eastbound on Parkway East near a man in a Grand Prix who was speeding down the road. The witness drove behind the Grand Prix and honked the car's horn before driving around the car.

The driver of the Grand Prix began driving erratically, around 60 mph, the witness told investigators. The man drove around the witness's car and up onto a curb, hitting McCall.

McCall was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said the driver  Sylvester Taylor who is now 25  threatened a witness with a firearm and later fled.

Taylor surrendered the following month and, in December 2014, pleaded guilty to the reckless manslaughter. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and remains behind bars.

Sylvester Taylor

Lawyers Jerome Tapley, Ryan Lutze and Curt Tanner of the Cory Watson personal injury firm filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Taylor on behalf of the family. They announced the verdict on Tuesday.

This has been a long road for Ms. McCalls family, and as a firm, were happy to find justice and help bring closure to her family and children, Tapley said in a prepared statement.

As a father myself, its difficult to put into words the emotions that you experience when taking a case of this nature, Lutz said in the statement. Even more difficult is explaining to your children that events like this happen at the hands of dangerous people in the world  those who recklessly endanger human life.

The McCall children, now 18, 20, and 23, have since been raised by the family. The attorneys noted that the family recently celebrated what would have been McCalls 39th birthday.

As a firm, we take great pride in representing and fighting for the powerless. This case became a matter of principle within our office over the last four years, Tanner said. Our hope is that todays culminating verdict will help bring closure to this grieving family.The deaths of a Parrish Town Councilman and part-time Jasper police investigator and a Cordova mother have been deemed a murder and a suicide, according to the State Bureau of Investigation.

John Softley, 70, and Monica Graves, 31, were found dead Sept. 11 inside Softleys 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 parked on Sharon Drive under the I-22 overpass at Exit 78.

The bodies were discovered mid-morning that Saturday when an off-duty firefighter was driving on Interstate 22 Saturday and noticed a pickup truck parked under the overpass in Dora. ALEA's Lt. Jon Riley said the firefighter stopped, looked inside, and spotted a man and a woman inside who appeared to be dead. Both had been shot.

Dora police initially responded to the call, along with the Walker County Sheriff's Office and the Walker County District Attorney's Office. At the county's request, the State Bureau of Investigation is leading the probe, with the sheriff's office assisting.

The bodies were taken to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville for autopsies.

SBI Senior Agent Adam Buchanan on Tuesday released this statement: Preliminary results from ADFS indicate that Monica Graves cause of death was a gunshot wound. The report lists her manner of death as homicide. ADFS also reported that John Softleys cause of death was a gunshot wound. The manner of Mr. Softelys death is listed as suicide.

Buchanan said the SBI continues to investigate the events surrounding the deaths of the pair. The information from ADFS, he said, will be taken into consideration as the investigation continues.

I knew it from the beginning, said Monica Graves daughter, 17-year-old Molly. It comes as no surprise to me.

Softley was a retired investigator from the Walker County District Attorneys Office who worked part time as a detective for the Jasper Police Department. Softley was a retired investigator in Walker County who had returned to part time as a detective for the Jasper Police Department. He also was sworn in last year as a member of the Parrish Town Council.

"My heart is broken for everybody involved, for both families,'' Parrish Mayor Heather Hall told AL.com the day after the deaths. Until the state concludes their investigation, Im really limited on what I can say. But I can say this. He was somebody that many of us at Town Hall leaned on.er of the Parrish Town Council.

Monica Graves, her daughter said, was a strong, caring woman who would have done anything for anyone in need. She had worked at various jobs, including at Chevron in Jasper and at a restaurant. ''She was well known,'' she said.

Recently, Monica Graves was hired to work in the coal mines and was supposed to go underground for the first time on Saturday, the day she died.

"She was so excited,'' Graves said. "She said, 'For the first time I'm going to be able to provide for my family without having to ask anyone else for help."

Monica Graves was a mother to four children. Her oldest daughter said she and her mother were close.

"I just want people to know she was a strong woman and she was very loving. She's going to be missed by a lot of people,'' she said. "I was very proud to be her daughter and I'm going to live my life honoring her."

Molly Graves said her mother and Softley were close friends but said she has no idea why this happened. I have no idea, she said. But I trusted John and Ive learned you cant trust everybody, you cant judge a book by its cover.

Molly Graves said shes had a tough time dealing with her mothers killing. It really has messed me up, she said. Im trying my best and trying to do my best.A north Alabama water authority is asking the state of Alabama to join its lawsuit against the 3M Company related to water pollution in the Tennessee River, which is used as a source of drinking water for more than 20,000 water customers in Morgan and Lawrence Counties.

The West Morgan and East Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority mailed a letter to Gov. Kay Ivey and Attorney General Steve Marshall Friday, asking the state to formally join their lawsuit against the chemical giant. The letter was first reported by WHNT TV in Huntsville.

The lawsuit and pollution issues relate to PFOA and PFOS, two man-made chemicals that for years were manufactured at a 3M facility on the Tennessee River in Decatur. In 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a health advisory that those chemicals were linked to human health problems, including cancer and kidney disease, at lower concentrations than previously believed. Eight Alabama water systems, several of which received their water from the WMEL treatment plant on the Tennessee River, tested above the EPAs new advisory limits.

After the advisory, the WMEL advised its customers not to drink their tap water and installed a $4 million temporary filtration system to remove those chemicals from its water supply. It is now suing 3M for damages and to pay for the cost of a permanent upgraded filtration system that can remove those substances from its water. Since then, many north Alabama residents have been afraid to drink their tap water, and many customers of the affected systems have been drinking only bottled water.

In the letter, WMEL general manager Don Sims, said Alabama has not stepped up to help its residents, as authorities in Minnesota, Ohio and New York did when similar issues were discovered in those states. Sims cited a recent $850 million settlement between 3M and the state of Minnesota as an example.

To date, our elected officials in Alabama have not taken up for Alabamians like the officials in Minnesota, and more recently New York, did for their citizens, Sims wrote. The part that is most troubling to WMEL is that 3M never even offered to provide so much as one case of bottled water in Alabama, yet we have discovered the fact that they spent $40 million many years ago to build a new water treatment plant for an authority in Minnesota who faced very similar issues to WMEL.

At the same time that 3M was building a new water plant in Minnesota, they were telling WMEL and [the Alabama Department of Environmental Management] that there was no problem with these chemicals in the Tennessee River.

Spokesmen for Gov. Kay Ivey and Attorney General Steve Marshall did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter.

3M has repeatedly said that it does not believe PFOS and PFOA are harmful to human health or the environment at the levels commonly found in north Alabama.

If elected officials in 3Ms home state of Minnesota were willing to stand up against their states largest company, isnt it time that Alabamas elected officials take action to clean up our states largest river and to protect the Alabamians who rely on the river for their drinking water? Sims wrote.

Read the full text of the letter below.Jamal Khashoggi, a well-known and much respected Saudi war correspondent and columnist, disappeared on October 2 following a visit to the consulate of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul. At the time of his disappearance, he was a well-established critic of the current Saudi leadership and an op-ed contributor to the US newspaper, Washington Post.

Throughout his decades-long career in the media, Khashoggi worked for several Saudi Arabian and pan-Arab newspapers and until 2010 served as the editor-in-chief of one of the most controversial newspapers of his country, Al-Watan.

During his time at Al-Watan, Khashoggi managed to set a benchmark for quality journalism in Saudi Arabia. Under his leadership, the national daily dared to call for reform in the educational system and womens issues and also demanded the government to curb the powers of the religious police.

Khashoggi paid a heavy price for following an independent editorial policy at Al-Watan. He was fired from his role at the newspaper, not once but twice, both times for upsetting the regime and causing controversy. In 2003, he was asked to leave the newspaper only two months after being assigned editor-in-chief, allegedly for pursuing an editorial policy independent of the regime. Khashoggi was reinstated as the editor-in-chief of Al-Watan in 2007, but was fired again in 2010, for pushing the boundaries of debate within Saudi society according to his personal website.

To this day, many Saudi journalists, including myself, remember Khashoggis tenure as the editor-in-chief of Al-Watan with envy and admiration.

Between 2005-2009, I was working for the Saudi newspaper Al-Madina as a reporter in the city of Jeddah. Like all the other national dailies, it was owned by the members of the royal family and an inner cycle of loyalists. It was under the strict control of the Ministry of Media, which in many ways resemble the infamous Ministry of Truth in George Orwells 1984.

In this environment, I started following the work of Khashoggi at Al-Watan closely.

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As a young, female journalist, I viewed Al-Watan under Khashoggis leadership as a perfect example of what a good Saudi newspaper should have been. The newspaper was shedding light on the religious polices abuse of power as well as the epidemic of domestic violence in the country, among other issues.

While Al-Watan was the emerging, brave voice of liberalism in the kingdom, my newspaper, Al-Madina, was a platform for ultra-conservatives who were happy to follow the regimes narratives on every subject. Khashoggis bravery made it impossible for me to ignore the shortcomings of my place of employment, and I started to feel more and more resentful about the censorship my work was subjected to at Al-Madina.

Eventually, I could no longer bow to the oppressive policies of Al-Madinas leadership and the Orwellian Ministry of Media, so I decided to publish my censored articles in other Arabic platforms, based outside the kingdom. But I knew that this idealistic stance was undoubtedly going to endanger my life and freedom in Saudi Arabia, so I decided to leave the country.

The very same fear eventually drove Khashoggi out of the country too. Last year, he chose to leave the kingdom to preserve his intellectual integrity and freedom of expression.

Even though I had been following Khashoggis work for years, I only met him in person earlier this year, in the Norwegian capital, Oslo. In his eyes, I saw a sense of despair about the future of his homeland. He expressed his fears about the possible consequences of Saudi Crown Prince and de-facto ruler Mohammed bin Salmans (MBS) use of divide and rule and You are either with us or against us strategies to manufacture social cohesion. He told me how some members of the establishment, who have contributed to the formation of the country, are now being excluded from reform efforts and are constantly humiliated by the crown prince and his close aides. He painted a grim picture of what he thinks awaits Saudi Arabia in the near future, but also insisted that he will continue to write no matter what, even if it is only to contribute to the historical record.

A major threat to the regime

MBS perceived Jamal Khashoggi as a serious threat to his authority for several reasons. First of all, Khashoggi was not a Western analyst or commentator, so the regime could not dismiss his criticisms as a foreigners smear attempts. Moreover, he was not only a Saudi citizen but also  unlike many Saudi opposition figures who were forced into exile decades ago and have since been detached from the Saudi society  was a prominent member of the Saudi society and establishment until very recently. He had worked in local newspapers for years, was once a trusted adviser to the monarchy and was even settled in the kingdom until last year. As a result, in the eyes of many Saudi citizens, Khashoggi was one of them  someone who loves and wants the best for his country. His image as an establishment insider who is trying to change things for the better gave him an unprecedented credibility and influence among native Saudis. Furthermore, his close links to the members of the old establishment, who are discontent with the direction MBS is taking the country, has long been a cause for concern for the crown prince, who appears to be very cautious about a possible coup detat attempt.

Another reason why Khashoggi became a primary target for the Saudi regime was that he voiced his critique of the regime in the US. Washington has always been an important ally for Saudi Arabia, but ever since MBS became the countrys de-facto leader, relations with the US became even more important for the regime. The crown prince has invested heavily in constructing a reformist image for himself in the US, in an attempt to overcome the crisis of legitimacy he has been suffering at home. He paid for positive ads to be published or broadcast in the US media, invited prominent American journalists to his palace to woo them, put his support behind Saudi lobbying organisations in the US and appointed his younger brother Prince Khaled bin Salman as the Saudi Ambassador to the US. All these efforts had a single aim: to convince the masses back home that he is a legitimate leader that has the backing of a major global power. Through his lobbying efforts in the US, MBS was trying to legitimise his jumping ahead in the line of succession, his attempts to concentrate power in his and his brothers hands and his efforts to force the entire Saudi establishment to embrace his reform blueprint without any discussion or debate.

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However, all these efforts were seriously challenged by the voice of a single influential Saudi citizen, who had already earned his credentials as a patriot and reformist in the eyes of the Saudi public: Jamal Khashoggi.

When Khashoggi called for reform through pages of Al-Watan, he was forced to resign. When he criticised the exclusion of the diverse views of Saudi citizens in MBS 2017 blueprint for reform, he was ordered to remain silent and forced into exile.

Despite all threats, he continued to write, question and criticise.

Now he has disappeared, and if we are to believe the Turkish authorities, has been permanently silenced.

The tragic fate of Khashoggi is frightening for everyone who dares to criticise the Saudi regime. By disappearing Khashoggi, this fascist regime has announced that from now on it will deal with critical voices in anyway it deems fit, ignoring all international conventions on human rights, diplomacy and civility. The regime believes that it can behave in this way, because the international community failed to hold it to account for its previous crimes.

The Saudi regime has long been using its economic and political leverage to terrorise democratic states, track down and harass activists inside the kingdom and abroad, and commit war crimes in Yemen. It has also been incarcerating political dissidents, royalist opponents, reformists, economic/social critics, religious scholars and leaders, human and womens rights activists. The kingdom did not face any serious repercussions for any of these crimes. In the face of these atrocities, the world chose to stay silent and as a result, the regime felt emboldened enough to disappear a well-known and respected journalist like Jamal Khashoggi in its consulate, in foreign sovereignty.

Khashoggis disappearance has to be a turning point. The regime needs to be named and shamed, and it should finally be excluded from international platforms  especially from human rights entities such as the UN Human Rights Council and the Womens Rights Committee on Womens Empowerment and Gender Equality  where it can do much damage.

By disappearing a prominent journalist and one of the strongest critical voices in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom, under the leadership of MBS, once again proved that it is a threat to international values and order. The world can no longer afford to stay silent.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.Inept consultants

Action should be taken against highly paid experts if they goof upPalestinians cant continue to live like this. We need to rise and act before we fall deeper into the abyss.

Today, nearly five million Palestinians who live in the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip are trying to survive day-to-day life, without any real long-term hopes or expectations. In the 25 years since the signing of the Oslo Accords and the founding of the Palestinian Authority, Israel has expanded and entrenched its control over Palestinians lives in every way imaginable and now, it is pushing ahead with a more extreme agenda than ever before  it is hoping to forever eradicate Palestinian hopes of achieving either a sovereign state at the 1967 borders or becoming equal and dignified citizens in a single bi-national state.

A divided West Bank

With the proliferation of Jewish-only settlements, permanent checkpoints, and settler-only roads, the West Bank is no longer a cohesive unit. The looming cleansing of Bedouin communities, such as Khan Al-Ahmar, threatens the permanent dissection of the West Bank into separate units.

Every road that connects major population centres in the West Bank is now dominated by an average of three to five permanent checkpoints. The journey between the cities of Hebron and Ramallah (43km), for example, takes a minimum of two hours for a Palestinian due to the nature of the roads we are allowed to use. For comparison, an Israeli could drive the same distance on wide, safe and well-lit roads in half the time.

With planned settlement expansion in E1 area (Jerusalem), Palestinians will soon be forced to use more remote and treacherous bypass roads. Those roads include Al-Muarajat, Wadi Al-Nar and the new Anata-Ezariye bypass, which were all built to keep Palestinians off Israeli roads that cut through the West Bank, such as Highway 1 and Highway 60.

Forgotten in Jerusalem

In Jerusalem, the governing Israeli authoritys negligence of the Palestinian population of the city is staggering. In the city, 72.9 percent of the Palestinian population lives below the poverty line and less than 10 percent of its municipal funds are spent on the Palestinian residents, despite their high municipal tax contributions. Areas such as Kufr Aqab and Shufat Refugee Camp, which fall within Jerusalem municipal boundaries, are literally walled out and left to rot without any municipal services.

Over 320,000 Palestinians who live in East Jerusalem are not considered citizens by Israel. They are unable to move anywhere else, because if they do so, they may permanently lose their legal right to reside in Jerusalem. They are facing an overwhelming lack of housing, an inadequate school system, high municipal taxes (that they do not see a return on), and an overall rough standard of living.

Palestinians in the city are worried that they may be further victimised in the coming days as result of new Israeli policies regarding municipal boundaries of Jerusalem. They are also concerned that President Trumps looming deal of the century may force them to give up their residency in the city and get full Jordanian or Palestinian citizenship. They fear no one is trying to stop the Israeli efforts to cleanse Palestinians from Jerusalem.

Second-class citizens

Meanwhile, Palestinian and other non-Jewish citizens of Israel are faced with their own wave of discrimination, highlighted most recently by controversial the Jewish Nation-State Law. The law turned their marginalisation into a de jure matter, rather than de facto, as it had been before. By diminishing their status as citizens and stripping Arabic of its designation as an official language, the law left no room for anyone to claim Israel is a democracy that treats all its citizens equally.

The official response by the Palestinian leadership to this law has been weak, to say the least. In the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority failed to put forward a coherent response. So far, it merely engaged in cycles of loyalty campaigns whenever its legitimacy was questioned. Most recently, in the build-up to the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, it repeatedly broadcast slogans emphasizing Palestinians national duty to support the leadership at this historic moment.

The situation in Gaza is even worse. The besieged strips economy is in free fall, says a recent report from the World Bank, citing the 11-year Israeli blockade as the reason, along with internal political rivalries plaguing the strip.

We need to act before we fall deeper into the abyss

The situation, briefly described here, should cause alarm in every Palestinian concerned for the future of their people. Hopelessness felt across Palestine is dangerous, especially as most Palestinians now feel they have no real friends in the international community.

Since the founding of the Palestinian Authority, Israel has been exercising boundless control over Palestinian people and territories, without feeling the need to make any concessions. Sadly, the Palestinian leadership has been actively fighting against any radical change to this desperate state of affairs.

In the West Bank, the Palestinian struggle for freedom has been effectively criminalised by the Palestinian Authoritys own security apparatus. The order the leadership created in the West Bank only serves political, economic and security elite. Years of negotiations and international diplomacy bore little to no fruit. The Israeli government acts as if Palestinians are nonexistent, but at the same time imposes laws and horrific policies that render Palestinians totally powerless.

Palestinians across the board cannot see a scenario on the horizon that could improve their situation significantly. The most realistic vision sees a continuation of the miserable status-quo for a long time, with things slowly getting worse for the Palestinians.

Life in the occupied Palestinian territories is unbearable and hopeless. We desperately need to rise and act before we fall deeper into the abyss.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.Quentin Tarantinos classic 1994 gangster film Pulp Fiction has many memorable scenes but with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo flying out to Riyadh and then on to Turkey, the one that sticks in my mind involves Harvey Keitel and the character he plays: I am Winston Wolfe. We solve problems.

The problem is a dead body that needs to be removed in a hurry. If I was informed correctly, the clock is ticking. Is that correct? says the nattily attired Mr Wolfe to the two hitmen played by John Travolta and Samuel L Jackson. With precise instructions delivered in a staccato monotone, he advises them to move quickly: What you need to take care of are the really messy parts.

The abduction and murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 created a huge mess for Donald Trump and the Saudis, most principally the crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

The Saudis spent two weeks prevaricating, spreading fake news and attempting to smear Jamal Khashoggi using regime friendly columnists in the West, among them the Daily Telegraphs Con Coughlin. It didnt work. Neither did Donald Trumps studied silence in the days immediately after Khashoggi disappeared.

The simple question which the Saudis have never answered is if, as Mohammed Bin Salman claimed in an interview with Bloomberg on October 3, Khashoggi left the consulate after a few minutes or one hour, why did he not immediately meet up with his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who was waiting outside?

As the Turkish authorities continued to release damning evidence  that a 15-strong Saudi hit squad had arrived at the embassy before Khashoggi entered, that among them was a forensic specialist with a bone saw, that they left Istanbul and Turkey the same day  it became increasingly clear that stories such as Qatar being behind the disappearance were not worth the paper they were written on.

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The Saudis threatened to use oil as a weapon against any country who raised questions. And if not oil, then they would take their massive arms budget away and spend it elsewhere with, say, the Chinese or the Russians. They also threatened their own citizens with a five-year prison sentence and fines of $800,000 for spreading rumours while busily and ineffectually attempting to retail a clutch of lies and rumours.

Meanwhile, Western allies and business recoiled in horror as the appalling details emerged: that Jamal Khashoggi was tortured before he was killed and that his body was cut up and removed in separate containers by the hit squad. The Turks are said to possess a video, though they are not saying how they acquired it; most likely it has come from their security services clandestine bugging of the consulate.

Mohammed Bin Salmans Future Investments Initiative conference slated for October 23-25 in Riyadh is now being shunned by major media and corporate sponsors and participants, among them Bloomberg, the New York Times, the Financial Times, Ubers Dara Khosrowshahi, Viacoms chief executive Bob Bakish and the head of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim.

Davos in the Desert, as it has been nicknamed, was supposed to perform like a glitzy hi-tech racing car designed to bring much needed foreign investment into the kingdom to fire up MBSs vaunted overhaul of the Saudi economy Vision 2030. It now looks like little more than a broken-down banger, parked up by the roadside.

As the crown prince cut an increasingly forlorn and isolated figure, Donald Trump, after making vague but threatening noises of punishing those responsible, finally bestirred himself, putting in a call to the princes father, King Salman. After their conversation, Trump said that Salman knew nothing about the Khashoggi affair, which may be a rare moment of truth on the presidents part as the king is often unaware of what his brash and arrogant favourite son is up to.

Trump then threw out a lifeline. It sounds to me like these could have been rogue killers. Who knows? the president mused to reporters on October 15. Ah yes, the old rogue killers ruse. To which Mike Pompeo, aka Winston Wolfe the Pulp Fiction problem solver, will seek to apply the finishing touches.

It will go something like this: rogue elements, 15 of them, within the Saudi security service, acting on their own initiative conducted an unauthorised interview which became a little too aggressive and, most unfortunately, resulted in the accidental death of Jamal Khashoggi.

Utterly unbelievable. MBS has accrued to himself more power than any Saudi leader since the days of his grandfather Ibn Saud, the founder of the modern-day kingdom. Nothing of any significance happens in Saudi Arabia without his direct knowledge and approval. The plot to remove Khashoggi had been brewing for months and included the journalist being wooed by the Saudi ambassador in Washington (and MBSs younger brother) Khalid bin Salman with promises of a welcome home. Significantly, Khalid left Washington, DC, last week and is not expected to return.

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So, the Trump lifeline may, in fact, prove to be a boat anchor that sinks MBS. The key is whether Mike Pompeo is able to secure a buy in to the rogue element narrative from Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when he meets with Erdogans Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara. Erdogan has played a cat and mouse game with the Saudis, using a Turkish media he has already tamed to ratchet up the pressure by, for example, releasing names, photos and CCTV videos of the hitmen while at the same time avoiding a direct condemnation of the Saudis and MBS.

Erdogan has good reason to do so. The Turkish economy is struggling and he is looking for Saudi money to help him through a looming crisis. Squeeze too hard and the Saudis  who are already heavily invested in areas such as Turkish real estate  will retaliate. Squeeze gently and they should come through with significant investments. A delicate and nuanced game to play, but Erdogan has already shown himself to be a master at such games with the Russians and the Israelis.

If Pompeo can solve the mess that MBS made by having the Turks buy into the rogue elements narrative, then perhaps it will somehow go away. The trouble is, the crown prince is already responsible for so many messes: the awful war in Yemen, the kidnapping and forced but temporary resignation of the Lebanese prime minister, the blockade of Qatar, the sweeping arrests of womens rights activists after giving women the right to drive, the diplomatic attack on Canada for having the temerity to protest the arrests of those women, the stalled IPO of Saudi Aramco which was supposed to pour $100bn into Vision 2030.

At least until the November midterm election, Trump does need to keep MBSs head above water, if only to ensure that petrol prices at the pump do not go through the roof. But increasingly, he will look at the crown prince and think loser. Trump wants to keep selling arms to the Saudis, to keep the price of oil down and to keep them onside in the campaign against Iran. At this stage, he is not particularly bothered by who delivers, he just wants them delivered.

In gangster world, thats not a good position for MBS to be in. But this is not a gangster movie. This is real life and a good man and a brave journalist has been foully killed. We must remember Jamal Khashoggi and never forget who ultimately is responsible for his death.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.Agua Caliente, Guatemala  Daysi Pena had a large smile on her face after she crossed the border into Guatemala on Monday with three of her grandchildren.

It was the first of three borders they hope to cross with a migrant caravan from Honduras that now has well over 2,000 people and continues to grow.

I made the decision to join because there is no other alternative. I was overwhelmed by fear, Pena told Al Jazeera after entering Guatemala not far from Agua Caliente border crossing.

Pena has been raising her grandchildren in Chamelecon, a city with one of the highest murder rates in Honduras, which is among the worlds top 10 countries in terms of per capita homicide rates.

Now 12, 14 and 16 years old, the grandchildren she brought with her were abandoned by their mother. Their father has been living undocumented in the US for the past five years and sends money for food when he can.

The family was living in fear of criminal gang activity in their neighbourhood. Gang members tried to recruit the two boys but it was the threat to Penas 14-year-old granddaughter from gang members that prompted her to leave Honduras and travel north.

One of them came over and told me she was going to be his and that if she was not his, she would not be anyones. He would kill her, Pena said. It is not possible to argue with those people.

Pena had planned to leave in December and try to make it to the US. Aside from the children father, she also has a daughter who has been living legally in the US for 25 years.

On Saturday, as she watched the news about the caravan leaving San Pedro Sula, she decided to leave then and there. Pena and her grandchildren, as well as one of her nephews, took a bus on Sunday to meet up with the group in Ocotepeque, 21 kilometres from the Guatemalan border.

We felt more strength. We felt safer, Pena said of the decision to join the migrant caravan instead of waiting to leave on their own later this year.

Group initially stopped by Guatemala

Like Pena, the majority of those at the border only found out about the caravan on Saturday, when the group was leaving San Pedro Sula. Others found out and decided to join a day or two prior to departure.

An initial ad hoc group of fewer than 200 people had been planning the trip over Whatsapp chat groups. The migrant caravan has now well surpassed 2,000 people and hundreds more are on their way from different regions of Honduras.

Among them is William Alvarado, who made the trek seven years ago. Sixteen years old at the time, he set out by himself, eventually making his way across the US-Mexico border without documents. He spent years in the US foster system before obtaining a green card. While on a visit home earlier this year, his wallet, along with his green card, was stolen. Alvarado joined the caravan after US embassy staff told him he should turn himself in at the border as a US immigration court would be able to resolve his case more quickly than they could.

Alvarado, Pena and the rest of the group crossed the border into Guatemala on Monday, but not without difficulty. When the caravan arrived at the Guatemalan side of the Agua Caliente border crossing shortly before noon, they found their path blocked by the Guatemalan national police.

For approximately two hours, dozens of police officers formed lines across the highway while governmental and non-governmental human rights representatives discussed the situation with officials.

Babies cried in the heat and high humidity and, within a span of 10 minutes, two children fainted and were carried up into the area between police lines. Red Cross personnel brought in bags of water, but it was not enough to reach the back of the crowd packed onto the highway.

A Honduran migrant, part of a caravan trying to reach the US, is helped by others after arriving in Esquipulas city in Guatemala [Jorge Cabrera/Reuters]

Eventually, families with infants and small children were allowed to pass. After another 30 minutes, the rest streamed into Guatemala, with many cheering Yes we can! as they marched past riot police.

We want to tell the authorities of Guatemala and tell the president of Guatemala that we are not doing anything wrong, Pena said. Our mission is just to pass through because the goal is to reach the United States.

The group was stopped again as it made it way to Esquipulas, about 10km from the border crossing. For more than an hour, Guatemalan police blocked the highway. A section of the crowd closest to police held their identification documents in the air, requesting passage, which was eventually granted.

It was getting dark by the time the caravan arrived in Esquipulas, winding through the city streets on their way to shelters. Local residents showed up at intersections and in doorways, some to hand out water or express support and others out of curiosity.

Locales brought water to hand out to #Honduras Honduras migrant caravan participants. Passers-by are honking. People are cheering as they walk the Lady stretch to Esquipulas, #Guatemala. pic.twitter.com/q1n0VMwbZx  Sandra Cuffe (@Sandra_Cuffe) October 15, 2018

The caravan was making its way up through southern Guatemala on Tuesday, but the next two borders they eventually plan to cross may prove even more difficult.

Trump issues warning

Both Mexico and the US Embassy in Honduras issued statements over the weekend, saying migrants will need proper documentation to be able to cross their borders.

On Tuesday, Trump warned that if the caravan of migrants were not stopped, the US would cut off millions of dollars in aid to Honduras.

The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately.

The warning came, however, after the caravan had already entered Guatemala.

Honduran migrants, part of a caravan trying to reach the US, arrive at the border between Honduras and Guatemala [Jorge Cabrera/Reuters]

Those travelling as part of the caravan know they may not make it to the US and what it may mean if they do.

Trumps zero-tolerance immigration policy was heavily scrutinised earlier this year when his administration implemented a practice of separating families at the border. Although the president has since put an end to the practice, hundreds of children remain separated from the families as Trump continues to try to make good on his promise of cracking down on immigration, especially as the November US midterm elections approach.

For Pena, the risks far outweigh the potential consequences of staying in Honduras. She said if they dont make it to the US, she has family they could stay with in Mexico. The most important thing, she said, was getting her grandchildren out of their home country.Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has resigned in an attempt to force an early parliamentary election.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Tuesday he was resigning from his post in order for parliament to be dissolved and an early election held.

The PM announced his resignation live on national television.

My dear and proud people, today I tendered my resignation, he was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. He also pledged to ensure the free expression of the peoples will during snap elections.

The former opposition leader swept to power in May following weeks of protests that forced the resignation of his predecessor.

Pashinyan has pushed for an early vote to be held in recent months, in an attempt to unseat his rivals who maintain a majority in parliament.

Early elections are held if legislators fail to appoint a new prime minister and Pashinyan persuaded his opponents not to nominate any candidates.

Earlier this month, he led thousands of his supporters to besiege parliament to pressure his foes to accept an early vote.

On October 10, Pashinyan told broadcaster France 24 that early elections should be held around December 9 or 10, give or take a day. It will be in that timeframe so I will have to tender my resignation by October 16.

Armenia has not held parliamentary elections since Pashinyan took office in May and he has said the parliaments composition does not reflect the countrys political reality.A legion of Cambodians are trapped as debt slaves in the brick-making industry as skylines and climate change expand.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia  Chanmony has spent the last 17 years making bricks used to build luxury condos and office spaces mushrooming across this Southeast Asian nations rising cities.

Although Cambodia is one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, the 42-year-old mother of four has never enjoyed the bounties of the construction boom that has transformed the skyline of the capital, Phnom Penh, where she works at a brick kiln.

But Chanmony  whose name has been changed to protect her identity  is not one to complain and says she has no ability to envy the elites buying the property built on her exploitation.

We only have to be patient and keep working and earn money and it is our fate to keep suffering like that, she says.

This woman is among the legion of workers trapped by the domestic brick-making industry, supplying building materials needed to quench the countrys thirst for bricks.

Although recent figures suggest a slight slowing down of the sectors growth rate, the ever-present construction clamour echoing across the city coupled with unyielding demand for building materials tell a different story.

A truck full of wood is unloaded at a brick kiln on the periphery of Phnom Penh [Thomas Cristofoletti/Royal Holloway]

In 2017 alone, Cambodias imports of construction materials rose 36 percent, while the authorities approved more than 3,000 construction projects, marking an increase of 22 percent compared with the year prior.





Chanmony does not know when shell be able to return to her hometown province of Kampong Cham, where she built a wooden house for her family. At the moment, its empty, she says as she rests on a daybed in front of a corrugated hut, where she lives with her five-person family. Like other kiln workers, she, too, resides on site.

Paying off debt

It is 11am and the woman has just exited a sweltering warehouse lined with infinite rows of brick stacks spread across its vast grounds. Only minutes ago, she was lifting chocolate-coloured blocks off of a noisy conveyor belt and loading them onto a cart manned by her 10-year-old daughter, whose striking biceps are a testament to the strenuous physical work.

I get the brick on the cart and then my husband and my daughter will get the cart and then get the brick under the sun [to dry], she says.

In total the three of us  we can make up to 25,000 to 30,000 bricks a day. Its not only getting the brick from the kiln. The process requires three people to complete.

Together, they earn from $250 to $300 a month with one-third of the income designated to pay back a $1,250 loan Chanmony took out with a microfinance company. She also owes $7,000 to another creditor  the factory owner  who will not let her or her family walk free until she repays it.

I dont know how long [it will take] because I havent paid anything yet, says Chanmony, who has spent almost half of her life working in kilns.

Kiln Nakry stacks fired bricks outside the kiln to dry before they are sold to construction sites [Thomas Cristofoletti/Royal Holloway]

This scenario is not unique to Chanmonys household. According to a study published on Tuesday by researchers from UKs Royal Holloway University, Cambodias brick- making industry relies upon a multi-generational workforce of adults and children trapped in the most prevalent form of modern-day slavery, namely, debt bondage.

Although illegal under domestic law and the international treaties Cambodia is a signatory to, tens of thousands of debt-bonded families, the report says, extract, mould, and fire clay in hazardous conditions.

Climate change and slavery

Aside from shining a light on the working conditions, the research examines the plethora of factors pushing the most vulnerable Cambodians into modern slavery, which the International Labour Organization estimates has trapped 40 million people worldwide. It illustrates how urban development is propelled by unsustainable levels of debt taken out by farmers to cope with the adverse impacts of climate change when their crop fails.

Desperate to support their families financially and left with no other option  Cambodia lacks a social security system and farmers, which make up half of the population, receive no support from the government  many are forced to migrate to brick factories hoping to make ends meet.

Our research aims to show that climate migration is happening in the here and now and that the impacts of climate change are social as well as natural, Katherine Brickell, one of the authors of the study, told Al Jazeera.

The research makes clear that the factors are complex but the poverty and inequality that leads many to the kiln is exacerbated by climate change.

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Just like the kiln workers interviewed for the report, Chanmony, too, was forced to abandon her home in order to survive. A farmer from Kampong Cham province, she travelled to the suburbs of Phnom Penh lured by promises of gainful employment at a brick factory, because her rice field could not sustain her family.

I can only do the rice planting once a year because the rice field that we own is quite small and it cannot support the whole family, she says.

But when she arrived at her new workplace she quickly learned her wages were insufficient to cover daily expenses and became caught up in a spiral of debt.

Working at the factory, I didnt have enough money to support my family, so I got a loan from the old factory owner  but then its still not enough so I had to borrow more money from the microfinance for the family again, she says.

In the end, Chanmony took out multiple loans from microfinancing institutions in order to repay a fraction of her debts.

Treated like animals

Although the welfare of kiln workers, whose exploitation remains largely invisible to most, does not lie within the remit of Sou Chhloungs job, he has turned his attention to their plight.

Brick factory workers  most of the time are treated like animals. They are sold from one factory to another factory. Their debt keeps increasing and [they] are subjected to harassment and violence, the deputy president of building and woodworkers trade union of Cambodia told Al Jazeera.

Since 2017, Chhloung has helped five debt-bonded families, including Chanmonys, to leave abusive employers and move to another factory. But the price workers pay for more humane working conditions is high, he says.

According to my experience, in order to get them out of one factory to a new one, they have to pay between $3,000 to $6,000, he said. Although she remains trapped in debt-bondage, Chanmony says, she is glad her family is no longer mistreated. This new owner is quite kind compared to the previous one.

Her fleeting victory gave Chanmony hope she might one day return to her village.

If I can pay off the debt then I want to go home and have a small business, she says. I really regret [working in the kiln]. I feel the that the more I work, the more I have to pay for the debt I owe.Danske Bank is accused of funnelling $230bn in illicit funds through its Estonian branch. Heres what you need to know.

Danske Bank, Denmarks largest lender, has found itself at the centre of one of the worlds biggest money-laundering scandals.

EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova has described the $235bn of suspicious transactions as the biggest scandal we have now in Europe.

Heres how it unfolded:

What happened at Danske Bank?

The bank is under investigation on both sides of the Atlantic for allegedly funnelling billions of dollars in illicit wealth through its Estonian branch, which it acquired in 2006.

From then until 2015, some 200 billion euros ($235bn) in suspicious transactions passed through the branch.

Danske Bank holds a third of Danish people's savings and faith in the country's financial system is being lost due to the scandal. Maira Martini, knowledge coordinator at Transparency International

The massive sum  10 times Estonias Gross Domestic Product  was paid in by non-residents, with most deposits coming from Russia.

The story broke in March 2017, after the Estonian branch was mentioned by Danish newspaper Berlingske in connection with the Russia and Azerbaijani Laundromat money-laundering operations.

Initially, the sum allegedly laundered was thought to amount to around two billion dollars, however, following investigations by Denmarks Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA) and Danske Bank itself, the figure was realised to be $235bn.

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Experts have been talking about the largest ever money-laundering scandal in history, but we still dont have a full picture, Maira Martini, knowledge coordinator at anti-corruption NGO Transparency International, told Al Jazeera. We know for sure that we are not talking about a few bad apples.

Danske Banks report, released in September 2018, said the accounts of some 15,000 non-resident customers were being investigated.

Of the 6,200 accounts examined at the time of the reports publication, the vast majority were considered suspicious.

It turned out that this was so much bigger than anyone had ever imagined, said David Bentow, the editor of Finanswatch, a Danish financial news website. The report was really a bombshell.

How did it happen?

Warnings from authorities in Estonia and Russia as early as 2007, about suspicious activities in the Estonian branch were apparently ignored, while internal mismanagement allowed the branch to effectively operate under a different set of standards to others in the Danske Bank group.

The Danish press also reported that a whistle-blower inside the bank alerted management to the trouble in the Estonian branch around 2012, but this was also apparently ignored.





Not only did Danske Bank not look carefully enough at this, they were actually aware that there were a lot of suspicious transactions, but they consciously and deliberately chose to look the other way because it was very profitable to manage these types of transactions, Jacob Kirkegaard, a senior fellow at Washington, DC-based Peterson Institute for International Economics, told Al Jazeera.

Non-resident accounts made up the lions share of the branchs profits, according to the internal report, with 99 percent coming from clients outside Estonia in 2013.

There are many reasons to be concerned, said Martini. By enabling or failing to crack down on money laundering, financial institutions and governments are also enabling predicate criminal activities. If a corrupt individual cannot hide illicit funds and cannot spend the money without raising suspicious then stealing public funds also becomes more difficult, she told Al Jazeera.

Who is investigating?

In early October 2018, Danske Bank announced it was cooperating with requests for information from the United States Department of Justice regarding the Estonian branch.

Danske Banks former CEO Thomas Borgen, who stepped down after the internal report, admitted that the bank did not identify or react appropriately to concerns raised about the Estonian branch.

But he denied criminal wrongdoing, a claim analysts consider highly dubious.

Hes saying that because if he is convicted of any criminality he will lose all his stock options, Peterson Institutes Kirkegaard told Al Jazeera.

Now, he has just resigned, he has left the bank with millions of euros in bonuses. He will lose all of this money if the bank and its management is convicted of criminal activity, so he has a very, very strong incentive to say that, Oh, all we did was morally dubious, but not criminal.

Danske Bank has reportedly struggled to find a CEO since Borgen, centre, resigned over the scandal in September [File: Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix via Reuters]

Authorities in Finland, France and the United Kingdom have also launched investigations, joining criminal probes in Estonia and Denmark.

Anti-money laundering regulations in the European Union  which cover both Denmark and Estonia  have been tightened significantly in recent years, meaning that while negligent, it is unclear whether Danske Banks actions were criminal.

Along with the bank itself, auditor Ernst & Young is also under investigation by Danish authorities. The banks internal report revealed it had provided incorrect information to auditors.

We should hope for dissuasive and proportional sanctions against both the bank and its senior management. We also hope that relevant information is shared with authorities in other countries and that there is also a thorough investigation regarding where these suspicious funds came from and who benefited from it, said Martini.

Where is the money now?

The suspicious transactions have so far been linked to clients in Russia, and several former Soviet republics, including Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova.

Among those implicated are a number of Russian oligarchs, including members of President Vladimir Putins inner circle, and several shell companies registered in the UK or its overseas territories.

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From Estonia, much of the money was invested in London and in tax havens, such as the Cayman Islands. Its ultimate destination, however, remains largely unknown.

This is the main advantage of getting your money in Estonia, because it is a euro country you can go more or less anywhere from there, said Kirkegaard.

Along with its global currency, Estonias status as a former Soviet republic, with lasting financial relations, geographical proximity and a shared language made it an attractive destination for Eastern European money launderers.

Whats next?

The scandal has hit Danske Bank hard. Since the start of the year, it has lost 40 percent of its value and analysts say looming fines are likely to run into the billions of euros.

A bigger problem will be removing the whiff of corruption from the bank, which has seen customers flee.

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Danske Bank holds a third of Danish peoples savings and faith in the countrys financial system is being lost due to the scandal, said Martini.

Bentow added that while financial losses to the bank are likely to be minimal, rebuilding credibility would be challenging and likely to take several years.

Meanwhile, criminals will be looking for a new location to launder money.

Its a kind of cat-and-mouse game: if you have billions of dollars that you have acquired through shady origins and you want to be able to invest it around the world, youre constantly looking for ways to do that, youre always looking for the weakest link in the chain, Kirkegaard told Al Jazeera.

Until recently, that was apparently Estonia; thats no longer the case, so now they will be looking elsewhere: it could be Cyprus, it could be Singapore  who knows?Democrats say Khashoggi rogue killers theory defies reality

On Capitol Hill, Democrats and former intelligence officials are angry about Donald Trumps support of Saudi Arabias theory that rogue killers could be behind the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi.The rate of new Ebola cases has more than doubled after rebels forced response efforts to be briefly suspended.

At least 33 people have been infected with the deadly Ebola virus in the past week, 24 of which have since passed away, the health ministry of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) said.

According to the ministry, the cases were discovered between October 8 and October 14.

So far, 211 confirmed and probable cases of Ebola have been reported since early July, when the latest outbreak of the disease started, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

Of those, 138 people have died from the highly deadly hemorrhagic fever.

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All cases have been found in the northeastern region of the central African country, the WHO has stated.

The latest Ebola outbreak started in July and could go on for another three or four months, the WHO has said.

In recent weeks, the rate of new Ebola cases has more than doubled after rebel violence in northeastern DRC caused response efforts to be briefly suspended, health officials said earlier this week.

Most of the new cases have been in Beni, a city of several hundred thousand people, where experts had to suspend Ebola containment efforts for days after a deadly rebel attack killed 21.

The Congolese army has blamed the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a notorious rebel group, for that attack.

With multiple armed groups active in the region, health officials have said they are effectively operating in a warzone.

In a response to the violence, the government said it would deploy security forces to protect teams transporting the bodies of Ebola victims for burial

Earlier this week, the WHO noted that all of the health workers who have caught Ebola in this epidemic  19 so far  have been infected outside of hospitals or clinics, meaning that the virus is spreading in the community.

Following the rapid increase in cases in northeastern DRC, the WHO also warned the disease might spread to neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda, adding that those countries are well prepared but have not yet approved the use of a vaccine.Turkish president says investigators looked for toxic materials in Saudi Arabias consulate in Khashoggi probe.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has raised the possibility that parts of Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul had been repainted since Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi disappeared there.

Speaking on Tuesday after Turkish police entered the consulate for the first time and searched the premises for nine hours, Erdogan also told reporters that they were looking into toxic materials at the mission.

My hope is that we can reach conclusions that will give us a reasonable opinion as soon as possible, because the investigation is looking into many things such as toxic materials and those materials being removed by painting them over, Erdogan told reporters in Ankara.

Turkish officials have told reporters that authorities have an audio recording indicating that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, and have shared evidence with countries including Saudi Arabia and the United States.

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Saudi Arabia has denied any role in Khashoggis disappearance.

A Turkish security official said no conclusive evidence emerged from the overnight search in the consulate.

However, there are some findings and they are being worked on, he said, adding that painting may have damaged some evidence. These cant be fully erased, after all, so the teams will continue to work on this.

A Turkish diplomatic source said the investigators planned to widen their search on Tuesday to the residence of the Saudi consul.

Turkish television channels have previously shown footage of a large vehicle leaving the consulate two hours after Khashoggi vanished and parking at the consuls residence.Fears Brexit could lead to food shortages in EU and UK

The Netherlands, from whence the UK imports many of its vegetables, prepares for the worst-case scenario of a potential failure to reach a Brexit deal.Inmates children arrive at prison for Dashain

Seven children, below age 12, have arrived at Birgunj Prison in Parsa district to celebrate Dashain festival with their mothers serving terms.New search engine dubbed Project Dragonfly has been criticised as it will censor results critical of Chinese government.

Google CEO Sundar Pinchai has said a separate, censored version of its search engine for the Chinese market has undergone several successful internal tests.

The comments are the first time Google has officially confirmed it is working on the search engine, dubbed Project Dragonfly, which has been criticised heavily by human rights organisations.

Pinchai defended the decision of working on a search engine which will censor any results critical of the Chinese government by saying providing some information is better than providing no information at all.

We are compelled by our mission [to] provide information to everyone, and [China is] 20 percent of the worlds population, the Google CEO said during the Wired25 conference, as reported by the organiser, Wired.

People dont understand fully, but youre always balancing a set of values, he continued, adding that the company will try to provide information in any market it enters.

But we also follow the rule of law in every country, hinting at censoring search queries that the Chinese government deems harmful to its citizens.

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Pinchai did not confirm yet that the search engine would actually be deployed in China, but instead said so far Project Dragonfly has only been an internal project.

During the conference, the Google CEO also defended the companys plans by saying that entering the Chinese market would serve them better results for things like cancer treatment.

There are many, many areas where we would provide information better than whats available. Today, people either get fake cancer treatments or they actually get useful information, he said.

The project was made public in August, when worried Google employees took internal documents to the press.

Following the revelation, more than a thousand Google employees signed a letter criticising the companys plan to launch a heavily censored version of its search engine.

Human rights organisations and activists expressed their worry over Googles plans when they were shared earlier last month.

Amnesty International called it a dark day for the internet if Google decided to push through its plans.

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In 2006, the search engine was introduced to Chinese internet users, but after many quarrels with the Chinese government, it moved its servers to Hong Kong, which has fewer restrictions on the internet.

However, eventually, Google pulled out of China completely in 2010 after several large-scale attacks on the company purportedly by the Chinese government.

The Chinese internet is heavily monitored and censored by the government, removing any results that it considers dangerous to its rule.

This includes any mention of democracy, events like the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing, the Falun Gong spiritual movement and images making fun of Chinas leader Xi Jinping.

Many other services, including some international news agencies, Twitter, Facebook and Google services like Gmail and Google Drive, are also blocked in China.Head of government agency that handles refugee services says funding misuse needs to be investigated.

A senior Greek official has described the way the government buys migration-related services as chaos, after Greeces top court ordered an inquiry into the handling of European Union funds paid to Athens to assist with the refugee and migration crisis.

Andreas Iliopoulos, the head of the government agency that registers refugees and migrants in Greece, says Greek and European taxpayers may be subject to fraud because many contracts are awarded directly without going through a competitive bidding process.

[Fast-track procedures mean] I can go directly to interested parties. I can come to you and make a deal without revealing too much information to others, Iliopoulos told Al Jazeera in an exclusive interview.

The so-called fast-track funding was introduced in 2015 at the height of the refugee crisis, but continuing with that policy is harder to justify now, said Iliopoulos.

That makes sense when people are landing on the beach and we have to feed them and there are no obvious means of doing so.

The money that's been spent on NGOs and the state doesn't justify what we're seeing right now Andreas Iliopoulos, former head of Reception and Identification Service

Greece depends on the EU to run services for about 60,000 asylum seekers and migrants who live in the country. The EU covers some 70 to 80 percent of costs.

Athens applies for the EU funding after it has already awarded contracts for services, and it could be months before it finds out if the EU will pay.

Iliopoulos said fast-track claims are more likely to be disqualified by the EU.

When a funding request is rejected, its paid by Greek taxpayers, he said. Right now, its my impression that a sum of about 10 million euros ($11.6m) worth of funding claims may be dismissed for services like catering, sewage treatment and others.

Iliopoulos first blew the whistle on the alleged corruption in the functioning of the Reception and Identification Service (RIS) in an interview with the Fileleftheros newspaper on October 4.

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Four days later, the Greek Supreme Court ordered an inquiry into the handling of European funds paid to Athens to assist the country with the refugee crisis of 2015-16.

The European Commission has allocated $1.8bn to Greece for migration-related costs for the 2014-2020 period, and has earmarked even more.

Its unknown exactly how many Greek contracts the EU has rejected for co-funding.

Profit over quality

Al Jazeera has seen a number of directly awarded government contracts.

We award this contract, through a process of negotiation, without the proclamation of a competitive bidding process, is a typical phrase used to buy catering services and to rent housing.

These contracts can involve substantial sums. A 10-day contract to feed 8,300 people in Moria camp on the island of Lesbos, is worth 415,000 euros, or close to half a million dollars, minus a 4.2 percent tax.

None of the catering contracts seen by Al Jazeera contains specifications as to what food is to be served, only that the contractor must serve three meals a day and 1.5 litres of bottled water; so the contractor is able to expand its profit margin at the expense of providing quality food.

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Asylum seekers frequently complain about the food mess on the islands and use their own money to buy fresh produce to cook.

Iliopoulos says the contracts that brought his biggest disagreements with the government concerned sewage shipments from Moria camp to a treatment plant about four kilometres away.

We cant go on saying catering needs to be contracted under fast-track procedures, or sewage needs to be taken away by trucks at a cost that looks quite impressive on paper. This has to change, he said.

Tents at a makeshift camp next to the Moria camp for refugees and migrants on the island of Lesbos [Giorgos Moutafis/Reuters]

Plans for a pipeline connecting Moria to the plant have been ready for at least two years, said Iliopoulos.

The regional governor for the north Aegean, Christiana Kalogirou, confirmed this, adding that trucks are not sufficient for the job.

Not connecting Moria to [the plant] leads to the sewage being dumped in the surrounding dry river beds, she told Al Jazeera.

We have been forced in the interests of public health and the environment, to impose fines of 50,000 and 80,000 euros ($58,000 and $92,000) on the migration ministry because the water table is being contaminated.

Kalogirou said pipeline construction has now been slated to start in December and is expected to take six months.

Iliopoulos said camp maintenance is sub-contracted to NGOs he cannot probe. Ive asked for the contracts we have with aid groups that receive EU funding, he said.

What do they do, exactly?  Ive asked the [migration] ministry for this information. No one has given me an answer.

Migration Minister Dimitris Vitsas declined to comment on the allegations.

Vitsas previously told a local Greek television channel that he tried to dismiss Iliopoulos after he first blew the whistle.

I called him and told him that we cannot continue to work together  and because I respect him and his rank, I asked him to choose whether to resign or follow the severance procedure which would entitle him to compensation, he said.

Broken system

The launch of a judicial inquiry was the governments second migration-related embarrassment in the past month.

On September 22, Defence Minister Panos Kammenos sued the Fileleftheros newspaper, for alleging that his ministry had mishandled funds for services meant for refugees.

Pictures on national television showed three journalists with their hands cuffed behind their backs being led into the Athens police headquarters. The journalists were released the same day.

The prosecutor threw out the libel charge and ordered a preliminary investigation. He did not charge us, says Fileleftheros editor, Panayotis Lampsias.

Mr Kammenos tried to intimidate us, and through us, to silence the rest of the media. We dont accept these threats. We continue to do our work.

The European Commission said on September 26 that it had not found proof of wrongdoing, but had referred the matter to OLAF, the EU Anti-Fraud Office.

Vitsas defended the government in a second interview on state television on October 9.

In the last three years, catering alone cost over 300 million [euros] ($347m), home rentals cost another 200-300 million ($232m-$347m), and if you add the construction costs for 34 reception centres, which at one point were as many as 40  youll see that the total cost is not only justified, it is more than made up for.

Iliopoulos insisted that the system is broken.

What does this chaos enable? Certainly not oversight and spending money effectively. The money thats been spent on NGOs and the state doesnt justify what were seeing right now.Hindu nationalist government in Uttar Pradesh changes Muslim name of historic city from Allahabad to Prayagraj.

Authorities in Indias most populous state have changed the Muslim name of an historic city to one with Hindu overtones, local media reported.

Allahabad, a city of more than one million people in northern Uttar Pradesh (UP) state, will now be known as Prayagraj, a senior official from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) told reporters on Tuesday.

Siddarth Nath Singh, UP health minister, said the decision to rename the city was made at a cabinet meeting following a proposal by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who heads the state.

All the cabinet members were happy and from today onwards, Allahabads name would change as Prayagraj, he was quoted as saying by the Indian Express newspaper.

The city, home of Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and located 650km southeast of the Indian capital New Delhi, was named Allahabad by Muslim Mughal rulers in the 16th century.

Its new name, Prayagraj, refers to the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, the site of the Hindu mega-festival Kumbh Mela, which is to take place in January.

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More than 100 million people attended the gathering when it was last held in 2013.

Onkar Singh, a spokesperson for the opposition Congress party, has previously said the name change diminishes the citys role during Indias struggle for independence from the British.

He called the city a centre of inspiration, according to the Indian Express, and noted it was the site of several important meetings between Indian leaders in late 19th century, which he said gave shape to the freedom movement.

The citys name change comes amid concern over what critics say is a bid by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist party to erase the countrys diverse history and identity.

Since Adityanath  a priest who has been accused of inciting violence against Indias Muslim minority  was appointed to lead UP last year, he has proposed changing several Mughal-era names of buildings in the state.

Last year, he renamed the Mughalsarai Junction Railway Station after Hindu ideologue Denn Dayal Upadhyaya, and proposed to change the names of airports in Bareilly, Kanpur and Agra to ones with Hindu associations.

Muslims make up 19 percent of the states 220 million population.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, centre, has been accused of inciting violence against Muslims [File: Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP]

Modis BJP won control of UP in March last year, earning the biggest majority in that state for any party since 1977.

Indias 1.3 billion people are about 80 percent Hindu and 14 percent Muslim, with the rest made up of Christians, Sikhs and other minorities.

It is officially a secular nation, but the BJP has for years contested elections on a Hindu nationalist platform, with party members in the past being accused of making anti-Muslim statements to polarise Hindu voters.Revolutionary Guards officers among those kidnapped in attack claimed by al-Qaeda-linked group on southeastern border.

Fourteen Iranian security personnel, including Revolutionary Guard intelligence officers, were allegedly abducted on the southeastern border with Pakistan.

The Revolutionary Guard, Irans top security force, said in a statement on Tuesday that some of its members had been kidnapped by an armed group at a border post in the city of Mirjaveh in Sistan-Baluchestan province.

The Guard did not say how many were kidnapped, but state news agency IRNA quoted an unnamed official as saying 14 troops were abducted between 4am and 5am in the Lulakdan area of the border by a terrorist group.

The group kidnapped was involved in a security operation and included two members of the elite Revolutionary Guards intelligence unit and seven members of the Basij force, a volunteer wing of the Guard, as well as regular Iranian border guards, said the Young Journalists Club (YJC), a state-owned news website, in an article that was later deleted.

An al-Qaeda-affiliated group known as Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a previous abduction, the armed group killed an Iranian officer and released four soldiers after holding them for nearly two months. The captives were reportedly taken to Pakistan.

Pakistan takes notice

The Guard confirmed the latest abductions in a statement on its website, saying the attack was the work of treason committed by infiltrators.

Later on Tuesday, General Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Guards ground forces, called for a joint Iranian-Pakistani operation against those behind the abductions. He said the Pakistani side needs to assume more responsibility in this regard.

We expect Pakistan to confront these terrorist groups that are supported by some regional states, and immediately release the kidnapped Iranian forces, the Revolutionary Guard said in its statement.

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Pakistans foreign ministry expressed its concern over the reported abductions of the border guards and said the director generals of military operations from the two sides were coordinating actions.

Both militaries, under a joint mechanism established since last year, are working to ascertain the whereabouts of Iranian guards, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

No effort will be spared to assist our Iranian brothers in finding the Iranian guards, the statement added.

Sistan-Baluchestan has long been a flashpoint, with Pakistan-based Balochi separatists and armed groups carrying out regular cross-border raids against Iranian security posts.

The province has a large, mainly Sunni ethnic Balochi community which straddles the border, complaining of discrimination at the hands of Irans Shia authorities.

In September, the Revolutionary Guard said they killed four Sunni fighters at a border crossing with Pakistan, including the second-in-command of Jaish al-Adl.At least three bulldozers enter Palestinian Bedouin village, home to 180 people, before a planned demolition.

Israeli forces have entered a Palestinian Bedouin village under imminent threat of demolition in occupied West Bank with heavy equipment and at least three bulldozers, local media reported.

The bulldozers entered the outskirts of Khan al-Ahmar northeast of occupied East Jerusalem for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, levelling ground in preparation for its demolition.

On Monday, at least seven people were injured and four others were briefly detained after resisting Israeli forces who had arrived at the village of nearly 200 people.

The Israeli government plans to relocate those displaced to either the vicinity of a sewage treatment facility near the Dead Sea or about 12km away from their homes, near the village of Abu Dis, which is near a landfill.

Rights advocates say a forcible transfer of the residents would violate international law regarding occupied territory and amounts to a war crime.

Residents and activists had been protesting against the planned demolition of the village for more than 100 days.

Khan al-Ahmar has captured international attention for its years-long legal battle with Israeli authorities over its survival. Israeli authorities set October 1 as the deadline for the residents to dismantle their shacks after the demolition was given a green light by an Israeli court.





The village is situated in Area C, which according to the Oslo Accord is under Israeli civil and security administration.

The Israeli High Court ruled in May that the village and its only school would be demolished, stating that it had been built without Israeli permission. An appeal to that order was rejected by the court last month.

But Palestinians say building permits are impossible to obtain, in contrast to the rapid expansion of illegal Jewish-only Israeli settlements in the same area.

Its location between two major illegal Israeli settlements, Maale Adumim and Kfar Adumim, has been a thorn in the side of the Israeli government, which wants to expand the two in order to build a ring of settlements around occupied East Jerusalem.

The removal of the Bedouin village would also enable the Israeli government to effectively bisect the occupied West Bank.A judge in the US has rejected a defamation lawsuit brought by adult film star Stormy Daniels against President Donald Trump, and ordered her to pay his legal fees.

Judge S James Otero dismissed the suit by Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, filed earlier this year after Trump claimed on Twitter she had invented threats to silence her over an alleged sexual encounter between the two more than a decade ago. She said Trumps tweets made her look like a liar.





Daniels still has a separate lawsuit linked to $130,000 she was allegedly paid by Trumps lawyer shortly before the November 2016 presidential election to keep quiet about the affair.

In the defamation case, the judge ruled Trumps tweet was the kind of rhetorical hyperbole normally associated with politics and public discourse in the United States, and protected under the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

Daniels lawyer has said he will appeal the decision.Several Republican and super PAC ads under fire by watchdogs, fact-checkers and rights groups for false accusations.

This article has been corrected to say that Duncan Hunter was indicted on allegations he illegally used $250,000 in campaign funds, not $250m as previously stated.

A number of midterm campaign ads have attempted to link Democratic candidates in tight Congressional races to terrorism.

Slated for November 6, the midterm elections are largely viewed as a referendum on President Donald Trump. Voters will decide all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the Senate and 39 governorships in US states and territories.

Although campaign ads attacking opponents records are common from candidates on all sides of the political spectrum, a number of ads  many funded by a leading Republican super PAC  have drawn a backlash from watchdogs, fact-checkers and rights groups.

Most recently, California Republican Duncan Hunter, who has been indicted on charges of violating campaign finance laws, has drawn criticism over ads his campaign ran attacking his opponents Palestinian background.

Hunter, who has held Californias 50th districts House seat for the last decade, was indicted in August on charges of using upwards of $250,000 of campaign funds for personal purposes.

In late September, Hunter was leading Ammar Campa-Najjar, the Democratic challenger and former Obama White House aide, by eight points. But a more recent poll, conducted by the University of California, Berkeley for the Los Angeles Times, shows Hunters lead thinning, putting the Republican at 49 percent and Campa-Najjar at 47 percent.

With the race tightening, the increasingly embattled Hunters campaign released controversial ads attacking Campa-Najjar, a 29-year-old Palestinian Mexican American progressive.

In one ad last month, Hunter inaccurately implied that Campa-Najjar was a radical Muslim who sought to infiltrate Congress.

The Republican incumbent also called Campa-Najjar a security threat, attempting to link the Democratic challenger to his deceased grandfather, who was involved in planning the deadly 1972 Munich Olympics attack on Israeli athletes.

A Washington Post article fact-checking Hunters claims deemed them false.

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Campa-Najjar, who was born 16 years after his grandfather, Muhammed Yussef al-Najjar, was killed by Israeli agents, says he was raised by his Mexican mother and identifies as a Christian.

Mike Harris, Hunters spokesman, told Al Jazeera via email that the national security concerns regarding our opponent have absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he has Palestinian heritage, it has absolutely everything thing to do with the fact that Ammar Campa-Najar has current, existing relationships with the PLO and CAIR. Harris did not elaborate.

Campa-Najjar recently told voters that there are two candidates in this race: One of us was indicted by the FBI, the other one was cleared by the FBI to work at the White House, Vox reported.

Trump campaigned on promises to crack down on Muslims, pledging to stop Muslims from entering the US and at one point proposing a database to monitor Muslim Americans. After entering office, Trump introduced a controversial travel ban that blocked entry to the US for citizens of several Muslim-majority countries.

Accusations of terrorism links

Hunters attacks on Campa-Najjar are part of a broader wave of Republican ads alleging their challengers are linked to terrorism.

In Ohio, Representative Steve Chabot, an outspoken supporter of Trumps travel ban, has attempted to link his opponent, Aftab Pureval, to terrorism owing to the 36-year-old Democratic challengers former employment at a law firm that settled terrorism-related lawsuits against Libya.

Pureval was not involved in the settlements, which were approved by Congress, the New York Times reported.

Many other ads, which have been produced by a Republican super PAC, the Congressional Leadership Fund, have also been criticised by fact-checking watchdogs and civil rights groups.

In New Jersey, the Congressional Leadership Fund targeted Tom Malinowski for arguing that Guantanamo Bay detainees should receive due process while he was Washington director of Human Rights Watch.

In one ad, the Super PAC claimed Malinowski criticised America for waging war against al-Qaeda.

In September, Monmouth University released a poll putting Malinowski eight points ahead of his Republican opponent, incumbent Leonard Lance in the states 7th district.

And in Virginia, Abigail Spanberger, a former undercover CIA operative, was targeted over her former part-time teaching job at the Islamic Saudi Academy in Alexandria.

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Spanberger doesnt want us to know that she taught at an Islamic school nicknamed Terror High, a terrorist breeding ground, the ad claims.

She currently leads her incumbent Republican opponent, Dave Brat, 47 percent to 42 percent in Virginias 7th district House race.

A spokesman for Spanbergers campaign dismissed the ads in a statement to local media, saying they were laughable considering Abigails record of service in law enforcement, at the CIA and in our community.

Super PACs are barred from directly coordinating with campaigns.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim civil rights organisation, has criticised several other instances of anti-Muslim sentiment throughout the midterm elections.New Prime Minister Scott Morrison denies controversial decision by US is influencing Canberras possible embassy move.

Australias prime minister said Tuesday he was open to shifting the Australian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in line with President Donald Trumps decision to recognise the contested holy city as Israels capital.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison called a press conference to say he was open-minded to proposals to formally recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move his nations embassy  a sharp break with the policy of successive Australian governments for decades.

Were committed to a two-state solution, but frankly it hasnt been going that well, not a lot of progress has been made, and you dont keep doing the same thing and expect different results, said Morrison.

The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest obstacles to a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.

Israel regards all of the city  including the eastern sector it annexed after the 1967 Middle East war  as its capital while the Palestinians, with broad international backing, want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state they hope to establish in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Deeply disturbing

In a statement, Palestines embassy in Australia called Morrisons announcement deeply disturbing.

It said short-term political gain would surely be outweighed by the detriment both to Australias international standing and in its relations with Arab and Muslim-majority countries.

Ambassadors from 13 Arab countries met in the Australian capital, Canberra, on Tuesday.

We have agreed that we will send a letter to the foreign minister expressing our worries and our concern about such a statement, Mohamed Khairat, Egypts ambassador to Australia, told the Reuters news agency by telephone.

Any decision like that might damage the peace process  this will have very negative implications on the relations between Australia and not only Arab countries but many other [Islamic countries] as well, Khairat said.

Very thankful

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, said he had recently spoken to Morrison and welcomed the Australian policy shift.





Morrison informed me that he is considering officially recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel & moving the Australian embassy to Jerusalem. Im very thankful to him for this, Netanyahu tweeted.

Morrison also announced Australia would vote against a United Nations resolution this week to recognise the Palestinian Authority as the chair of the Group of 77 developing countries.

The opposition centre-left Labor Party denounced Morrisons announcement.

Foreign policy and Australias national interest are far too important to be played with in this fashion, legislator Penny Wong said.

Erratic foreign policy

The Trump administration turned its back on decades of US policy by recognising Jerusalem as Israels capital and moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv in May.

George Browning, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, accused the government of aligning itself with the most erratic, reactionary and bullish US foreign policy ever.

This is an irresponsible policy that compromises the future of millions of people in the Middle East, Browning said in a statement.

But Morrison denied the United States influenced his announcement.

I have made this decision without any reference to the United States. It has not come up in any discussion I have had with the president or with officials, Morrison said.

Australia makes its decisions about its foreign policy independently. We do so in our own national interests consistent with our own beliefs and our own values.Hundreds of people marched to the Australian parliament on Tuesday to demand the government suspend its policy of sending asylum seekers and refugees to remote Pacific territories, and bring children already detained on Manus Island to Australia.

About 500 protesters representing 30 different groups from around rural Australia, including high school students, took part in the rally, amid mounting concern over a five-year-old offshore detention policy that requires any asylum seekers who attempt to get to Australia by boat to be held offshore and banned from ever settling in Australia itself.

The march was organised to focus attention on the plight of asylum seekers and refugees who remain on Nauru and Manus Island, and particularly the need to provide homes and safety for children and their families either in Australia, or in another country that would welcome them, Rural Australians for Refugees said in a statement.

On Monday, nearly 6,000 doctors delivered a letter calling on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to remove children from detention given the serious physical and mental health risks they face.





The medical profession is demanding children and families be moved from Nauru, the Australian Medical Association tweeted on Tuesday. For thousands of doctors to be motivated to take this course of action is testament to the severity and the urgency of this issue.

Three representatives from the ruling Liberal Party also broke ranks to call for the children to be brought to Australia.

About 1,100 people are currently being held on Nauru including 102 children, according to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Single men are detained on nearby Manus Island.

Looming by-election

The fate of the families threatens to become a major political problem for Morrisons government, which has a parliamentary majority of just a single seat and is facing a by-election this weekend in Sydney.

The constituency of Wentworth, which includes the beachfront suburb Bondi and some of the citys wealthiest neighbourhoods, was previously held by Malcolm Turnbull who was deposed by Morrison in late August.

The issue is front and centre of the by-election campaign, said Al Jazeera correspondent Andrew Thomas.

In a close race, the Liberal Party is defending a winning margin of 17.7 percent, which was supported by Turnbulls personal popularity. The electorate is seen as one of the most progressive in Sydney.

Doctors Without Borders (known by its French initials, MSF), which worked on Nauru for nearly a year until it was forced to leave by the islands government last week, said the mental health situation was beyond desperate. The medical group was given just 24 hours to leave.

The mental health situation of the refugees indefinitely held on Nauru is devastating, Dr Beth OConnor, MSF psychiatrist, said in a statement last week. Over the past 11 months on Nauru, I have seen an alarming number of suicide attempts and incidents of self-harm among the refugee and asylum-seeker men, women and children we treat.

Some children were suffering from traumatic withdrawal syndrome and were unable to eat, drink or even walk to the toilet, OConnor added.





The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has also called for the evacuation of the offshore camps given the deteriorating health of those confined there, stressing that Australia has a responsibility to those that seek its protection.

OK to be white

Meanwhile, Morrisons government is also facing ridicule after some of its own members backed a parliamentary motion declaring it is OK to be white.

Officials blamed an administrative process failure after it emerged on Tuesday that the attorney general had issued instructions to Liberal members to back the motion, drafted by right-wing populist Pauline Hanson and railing against what it described as the deplorable rise of anti-white racism.

The motion was defeated 31-28, with several government ministers voting in favour, including its top official for indigenous affairs.Inquiry into rebel commanders killing could stir new tensions between eastern Libya and UN-backed Tripoli government.

Eastern Libyan authorities have resumed an investigation into the unexplained killing of a rebel commander in the 2011 uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, a case that could re-open old wounds.

The killing of Abdel Fattah Younes by suspected fellow fighters caused deep rifts within the rebel camp of the kind that have marked the turmoil and violence gripping Libya ever since.

The investigation risks stirring new tensions between eastern Libya, controlled by the forces of General Khalifa Haftar, and a UN-backed administration in the capital Tripoli.

Haftar ordered the eastern military prosecutor to immediately and urgently reopen the investigation of the killing of Younes and two others, according to a decree posted on Monday.

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A previous investigation launched in 2011 had named as prime suspect Ali Essawi, who was deputy prime minister during the uprising at a rebel transitional authority which took over power from Gaddafi.

A court later dropped the case against Essawi and other suspects. But he resurfaced when Tripoli-based Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj appointed him as economy minister this month.

Al-Serraj met Essawi on Tuesday to discuss economic reforms, the government said, publishing pictures of both men.

His appointment has drawn an angry reaction in the east. Youness Obeidat tribe and a second eastern-based tribe warned in comments published in local media that the move was a provocation.

Both tribes are among the most powerful in the east and allied to Haftar, who has conquered most of eastern Libya.

The United Nations has been trying to mediate between east and west to prepare the North African country for elections.

France had been pushing for the vote in December but recent fighting between rival groups in Tripoli and a lack of a constitutional basis has dimmed the prospect.

Younes was part of Gaddafis inner circle for years. He defected at the start of the uprising in February 2011 and became the military chief of the rebellion.

His death exposed tensions between Islamists  whom Gaddafi had suppressed during his 42-year rule  and more secular and army figures.

Youness assassination revealed a darker undertow to Libyas uprising, said Mary Fitzgerald, a Libya researcher.

Many Libyans say it almost destroyed their revolution. Of the many unresolved killings in Libya since 2011, the case of Younes casts a particularly long shadow because of who he was and what he represented.Nepalis have to pay entry fee to conservation areas

Nepalis will now have to pay entry fees to enter three conservation areas, according to a new directive issued by the government.Above the Rubble: Bedouin schools threatened with demolition

Tents for classrooms, no electricity and no computers and even still theyre threatened with Israeli demolition. We take you to the undersupplied schools for Bedouin children in the occupied West Bank.The US Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on a network of businesses that provides financial support to a paramilitary force in Iran, which allegedly trains and deploys child soldiers to fight with the countrys Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The sanctions, announced in a statement on Tuesday, targets the group of at least 20 businesses and financial institutions known as the Bonyad Taavon Basij.

The Treasury said the network provides financial infrastructure to the Basij Resistance Force, a paramilitary group that works for the elite IRGC and sends child soldiers to Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad.

Steven Mnuchin, treasury secretary, said the international community must understand business dealings with the Bonyad Taavon Basij network have real world humanitarian consequences.

The Basij force was involved in violent crackdowns and serious human rights abuses inside Iran, the Treasury said, and recruited and trained fighters, including children as young as 12.

In addition to Iranians, the Basij force also recruited Afghan immigrants as well as Pakistani nationals, the statement said.





The Basij, a paramilitary force formed soon after the 1979 revolution, is one of the Iranian regimes primary enforcers of internal security, with branches in every province and city of Iran, according to the US Treasury.

The Bonyad Taavon Basij is said to provide social welfare services to the Basij, including housing and financial support, and manages economic activities by funding small companies.

Bonyad Taavon Basij has expanded its reach into Irans economy by establishing several investment firms through its financial and investment offshoot Mehr Eqtesad Bank, the Treasury statement said.

Both Basij groups were targeted by the new sanctions.

The sanctions were imposed on Bank Mellat, Mehr Eqtesad Bank, Mehr Eqtesad Iranian Investment Co and five other investment firms, the Treasury said.

Also targeted was Iran Tractor Manufacturing Co, the Middle Easts largest tractor manufacturer, and Esfahans Mobarakeh Steel Co, the largest steelmaker in the Middle East and North Africa region, the Treasury said.

The measures come two weeks before the US President Donald Trumps administration reimposes some of the countrys harshest sanctions against Iran, focusing on Irans oil exports and financial sector.Tunisia becomes first Arab country to criminalise racial discrimination in move activists hail as historic.

Tunis, Tunisia  When Ghofrane Binous was a child, she was told she was dirty because her skin was black.

Binous, now a flight attendant with Tunisias national carrier Tunisair, recounted how children in her neighbourhood excluded her from their play one day, telling her: All of you is dirty because you are black and your family does not bathe you.

She returned home crying that day and scrubbed her face until it was raw. Later on, she said she started using bleach on her face because she was told it would make her skin lighter.

Many Tunisians are instinctively racist, Binous said, explaining that racism and discrimination are everyday occurrences for many black Tunisians.

In May, Binous made global headlines when a disgruntled passenger on a Tunisair flight called her a racial slur.





She could have criticised Tunisair. Instead, she targeted my person, said Binous. I dont remember ever crying that hard.

The incident prompted the captain to deplane the passenger and sparked outrage on social media. Binous was also called to the parliaments rights committee, where legislators expressed solidarity with her and called for an investigation.

The passenger never faced action, according to Binous.

But that could change now.

Last Tuesday, Tunisias parliament voted to criminalise racial discrimination, in a vote activists hailed as historic in the North African country, where unofficial estimates say 15 percent of the 11.5 million population identify as black.

Under the new legislation, those convicted of racist speech face one month in prison and a $350 fine, while incitement to hatred, making racist threats, or belonging to an organisation that propagates racism can result in one to three years in prison and fines ranging from $185 to $1,110.

The law makes Tunisia the first Arab country, and the second in Africa, to outlaw racial discrimination.

But activists say a lot more is needed to change racist beliefs, which they say remain deeply ingrained in Tunisian society.

Verbal and physical attacks

Tunisia was the first Arab country to abolish slavery in 1846, but black Tunisians remained marginalised socially, economically and politically in the subsequent decades, while racist speech and conduct was passed on from generation to generation.

In Tunisia, the words kahlouch, a pejorative term for black, and woussif, which translates to slave-servant, are widely used to identify a black person. Yet activists say many light-skinned Tunisians do not believe the country has a problem.

When campaigners first started organising public protests against racism in 2013, they said only a handful of people turned up.

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Rania Belhaj Romdhane, an organiser at Mnemty, a prominent minority-rights group, said the public at the time didnt understand what we were saying.

We had to convince Tunisian society that there was a phenomenon to be talked about.

According to Mnemty, black people in Tunisia are frequently the target of verbal abuse, and sometimes, physical attacks because of their skin colour.

In recent years, such incidents have gained media attention, paving the way for the adoption of the anti-racism law.

They include the 2016 cases of segregated buses in the countrys south which carried white and black school children and the stabbing of three Congolese students in a Tunis train station on Christmas Eve.

This August, several young Tunisian men threw stones at a pregnant Ivorian woman near her home in the capital. Her husband and another Ivorian man intervened, and were injured in an ensuing fight.

While these events sparked a national debate, activists said none of them resulted in prosecutions, with authorities citing a lack of laws or a lack of witnesses.

Black people in public life

Meanwhile, very few black Tunisians are represented in the countrys politics and media

There is only one black member of parliament  Jamila Debbech Ksiksi, while the country saw its first black news anchor only in May.

The absence of black people in public life has led black children to think of their skin colour as an obstacle, said Zied Rouin, another member of Mnemty.

If you ask black children here if they like their skin colour they will say, No, said Rouin.

The pervasive racism in Tunisia has begun to affect the countrys image and credibility abroad, said Mack Arthur Deongane Yopasho, a black student leader.





The North African country has long been a popular destination for medical and engineering students from sub-Saharan Africa. However, in recent years, the number of sub-Saharan students dropped by the thousands, from 12,000 in 2010 to 5,000 in 2018.

While some attribute the drop to the political turmoil in the country following the revolution that overthrew long-time President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, Deongane Yopasho believes racism also played a factor.

In addition to verbal and physical abuse, sub-Saharan African students face institutional racism, which includes delays in obtaining visas and difficulties in accessing healthcare and jobs.

It is in Tunisias interests to host [foreign] students, Deongane Yopasho said. And if the country hopes to attract 20,000 Sub-Saharan African students by 2020, as stated by its government, it must apply the new law, he said.

Cultural revolution

Hamza Ben Achour, a black Tunisian music artist, said the new law was just the beginning in the fight against racism.

The law will not change anything. We need a cultural revolution, he said. In 2015, his rap song Kahlouch, which explored how black Tunisians were treated as second-class citizens, sparked an uproar, with many Tunisians denying the existence of any societal prejudice.

He was accused of inciting civil strife; of being sick; of being selfish, he said.

Binous, the flight attendant agreed with Ben Achour.

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She said while the new law would help her if she were to face racial abuse from passengers, much more needs to be done to dismantle and discredit racist beliefs.

I am an adult now, and I can handle humiliation, said Binous. But children cannot.

My sister was playing on the street the other day. An adult man turned to her and said: If God loved you, he wouldnt have created you black. She was 10-years-old, she said.Turkish authorities say prosecutors have found evidence that supports suspicions that missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul.

A source at the Attorney Generals office, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said on Monday that Turkish officials had found evidence that supports their belief that the writer was killed, Al Jazeeras Jamal Elshayyal reported.

This is a significant step forward after several days of an impasse, he said from Istanbul.

The report came hours after Turkish investigators entered the consulate for what officials called a joint inspection of the building where Khashoggi was last seen alive, entering the diplomatic post, nearly two weeks ago.

The source at the Attorney Generals office said their team also found evidence of tampering, Elshayyal reported.





Turkish officials say they believe Saudi agents killed and dismembered Khashoggi and say Turkey has audio and video recordings of it. Saudi Arabia has called the allegations baseless but has offered no evidence the writer left the consulate.

Meanwhile, CNN, citing two unnamed sources, said Saudi Arabia is preparing to admit that Khashoggi was killed as a result of an interrogation that went wrong.

The Saudis launched an internal investigation into the disappearance of Khashoggi earlier on Monday.

After speaking with Saudi Arabias King Salman, US President Donald Trump suggested that rogue killers could be responsible for the disappearance and presumed killing of the Saudi government critic.

Trumps comments came after a 20-minute phone call with Salman in which Trump said the king adamantly denied any knowledge of what happened to Khashoggi.

Trump announced he had dispatched Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to the kingdom, to try and find out what happened to Khashoggi, a Saudi national who had been living and working in the US.

The king firmly denied any knowledge of it, Trump told reporters as he left the White House.

Trump said he didnt want to get into (Salmans) mind, but told reporters: it sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. I mean, who knows? Were going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial.

The US president gave no evidence to support the theory.

The comments marked a break from the Trump administrations previous refusal to speculate over the fate of Khashoggi and came as the US president is under growing pressure to take action on the case.

Khashoggi is a contributor to The Washington Post and has written columns critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The case has provoked an international outcry against Saudi Arabia, the worlds top oil exporter, with more media and business executives pulling out of a planned investment conference there this month.British doctoral student faces UAE trial for jeopardising the military, political and economic security of the state.

A British academic has been charged with spying in the United Arab Emirates, authorities said, five months after he was arrested at the end of a study trip.

Matthew Hedges is to stand trial in the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi on charges of spying for a foreign country, jeopardising the military, political and economic security of the state, according to a government statement on Monday.

The 31-year-old doctoral student at Durham University, who was researching UAEs foreign and internal security policies after the 2011 Arab Spring revolutions, was detained at the Dubai airport on May 5.

UAE Attorney General Hamad al-Shamsi said the charges were based on legal evidence and findings from investigations that were carried out by the public prosecution, according to local media.

He said Hedges had been posing as a researcher to cover his activities, and said the accusations were backed by information taken from his electronic devices.

Hedges wife Daniela Tejada, who has visited him once and spoken to him on the phone several times, said her husband has been kept in solitary confinement since his arrest.





Hedges appeared at a court in Abu Dhabi last week, after a first hearing earlier this month, she said, but was not informed of any charges.

She also said that she had been told his trial would resume on October 24.

Very worried

Matt was in the UAE to carry out academic research for his PhD. Since he was detained on May 5, 2018, he has only ever been granted two consular visits which is in direct violation of his rights, she said.

Last week, Tejada said that her husbands research involved only open resources.

Hes not disclosed anything  classified or confidential, she said, adding that Hedges had lived in the UAE for several years before he returned to Britain in 2015.

British authorities have said they raised Hedges case with the UAE previously.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the AFP news agency last week that he was very worried about Hedges fate.

According to Durham Universitys website, Hedges is a doctoral student in the School of Government and International Affairs whose research interests include civil-military relations, political economy and tribalism.

Last year, he co-authored an article in an academic journal on the Muslim Brotherhood and the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which the UAE is a member.UNICEF: Two million children in DRC are acutely malnourished

On World Food Day, we look at the situation of at least two million children in the Democratic Republic of Congo who face death from malnutrition unless aid reaches them.Senator seen as a potential 2020 challenger to Trump fires off Twitter barrage calling him a racist cowardly elitist.

Senator Elizabeth Warren says President Donald Trumps comment about him personally administering a DNA test to her to prove her Native American heritage is creepy.

Warren, who is seen as a potential 2020 challenger to Trump, appears to have taken a page out of his political playbook, striking back almost instantly on Twitter at the president who continues to ridicule her claim of Native American ancestry.

Trump has called her Pocahontas.

A sharp critic of Trump, Warren wasted little time going after him on Monday.

The president makes creepy physical threats about women who scare him, including her, she said.

We all know why @realDonaldTrump makes creepy physical threats about me, right? Hes scared. Hes trying to do what he always does to women who scare him: call us names, attack us personally, shrink us down to feel better about himself. It may soothe his ego  but it wont work. https://t.co/2rfPSlvlQA  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) October 15, 2018

Native American ancestry

She opened the day by releasing DNA test results that provide some evidence of a Native American in her lineage, though the ancestor probably lived six to 10 generations ago, according to the analysis.





In July, the president offered to donate one million dollars to her favourite charity if a DNA test proved her Native American bloodline.

On Monday, he first denied ever making such a promise, then said later: Ill only do it if I can test her personally. That will not be something I enjoy doing either.

Warren tweeted Trump is a cowardly elitist and she wont sit quietly for Trumps racism so she took the test.

I took this test and released the results for anyone who cares to see because Ive got nothing to hide. What are YOU hiding, @realDonaldTrump? she wrote. Release your tax returns  or the Democratic-led House will do it for you soon enough. Tick-tock, Mr President.

Warren was referring to the November 6 election, when Democrats hope to regain control of the House, which would put them in position to examine and possibly publicly release Trumps returns.

Trump has bucked decades of precedent by refusing to release his income tax returns during the 2016 presidential election, as well as after taking office.The Catholic archdiocese of Washington divulged on Monday the names of 31 former clergy accused of being involved in the abuse of minors over the past 70 years, days after Archbishop Donald Wuerl resigned over the scandal.

Many of the cases appear to have been known, with 16 of the priests and one deacon already exposed publicly, arrested and convicted in courts.

All 31 have been expelled from the church and 17 have died, according to the Archdiocese of Washington.

The list was assembled by Cardinal Wuerl, 77, ahead of his resignation last Friday. Before becoming the archbishop of Washington in 2006, Wuerl was the bishop of Pittsburgh for about 18 years. There, he was blamed for not doing enough to deal with paedophile priests, instead covering up the scandal in the state of Pennsylvania. Wuerl has denied the cover-up any abuse, but recently asked for forgiveness for his errors in judgements and inadequacies.

Wuerl, who was asked by Pope Francis to stay on as administrator in the archdiocese of Washington until another archbishop was appointed, said in a statement that Mondays list is a painful reminder of the grave sins committed by clergy, the pain inflicted on innocent young people, and the harm done to the Churchs faithful, for which we continue to seek forgiveness.

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He also said that the churchs strong commitment to accompany survivors of abuse on their path toward healing is unwavering, adding that there currently is no archdiocesan priest in active ministry who has ever been the subject of a credible allegation of abuse of a minor.

Evaluated, treated  cleared for return

A grand jury report in August revealed credible child sex abuse allegations against more than 300 priests in Pennsylvania.

In the report, Wuerl, is repeatedly cited as one of the church leaders who helped to cover up the scandal.

Wuerls resignation came as Pope Francis continues to struggle with the scandal over covering up priestly abuse of minors which has battered the Catholic Church since the 1990s.

The Archdiocese of Washingtons statement gave a small picture of how many of the cases were handled.

Robert Petrella, a priest ordained in 1964, was accused two years later of abuse. The statement Monday said he was temporarily removed, evaluated and treated and then cleared for return to the ministry.

About 23 years later he was permanently removed after additional abuse was reported. In 1996, he was arrested and sent to trial, where he was convicted.

{articleGUID}

Another, Arthur OBrien, was ordained in 1983 and accused of abuse that year. He too was treated and cleared for return to the ministry, eventually being assigned to Hawaii, where he was arrested and convicted for abuse in 1992.

His predecessor, Theodore McCarrick, resigned from the Vaticans College of Cardinals in July.

McCarrick, one of the most high-profile Catholic leaders to face abuse claims, was accused of sexually abusing a teenager nearly five decades earlier.Yemenis flee across Red Sea to escape war

Thousands of families have made the dangerous trip to Djibouti from Yemen, where the government there allows the refugees to live either in a camp or in the capital city.NOC vows stable fuel supply during holidays

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) on Monday expressed its commitment to maintain smooth supply of petroleum products during the Dashain holidays, the biggest festival of Hindus.Washington Gov. Jay Inslee fired up over U.S. Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinkes proposal.



U.S. Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke has floated the idea of using

military bases or other federal properties to develop export terminals

for coal or gas.

The Associated Press reported Monday

that Zinke told it, I respect the states of Washington and Oregon and

California, but also, its in our interest for national security and our

allies to make sure that they have access to affordable energy

commodities. He added that may require the use of some of our naval

facilities, some of our federal facilities on the West Coast.

AP said he identified one prospect, the former Adak Naval Air

Facility in the Aleutian islands, as a possible site for an export

terminal for natural gas produced in the North Slope of Alaska.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), coal exports from the United States to Asia more than doubled to 32.8 million short tons in 2017 from 15.7 million short tons in 2016.

Transportation costs also need to be low enough to make it

worthwhile for producers to ship U.S. coal to Asia. Approximately 61

percent of U.S. coal exports to Asia originate from Norfolk, Virginia,

and Baltimore, Maryland, a journey of up to 45 days, EIA said.

Coal companies want new terminals to be built on the West Coast, but

are being opposed by environmentalists and politicians who are concerned

about global warming and local pollution near proposed terminal sites.

Washington State politicians denounced Zinkes proposal.

Gov. Jay Inslee blasted the idea in an online video.

There are five major naval stations on Puget Sound, but he called the

idea of using them for exports of coal a harebrained scheme and

another bad idea from the Trump administration.

Our sailors have a national security mission and they do a great

job. They should not have foisted upon them the responsibility of being

coal stevedores. They need to be United States Navy sailors, thats

their job, said Inslee.



Second, the president needs to know he will not be able to subvert our

environmental laws. We are going to protect the clean water of Puget

Sound, we are going to protect our clean air, and he will not succeed in

ignoring our environmental laws. And third, it is more than

disappointing that a week after the United Nations scientific community

came together to warn the world that if we do not act against carbon

pollution and climate change in the next 10 or 12 years we are going to

suffer greatly. The Department of Defense has recognized climate change

is a national security threat. The admirals, the generals understand

what the real security threat is, and thats climate change.

We are going to fight this, said Inslee. I believe we will prevail.

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash, issued a similar statement, saying, The

Trump administration is once again using national security as an excuse

to drive their short-sighted agenda. The reality that this

administration refuses to act on, however, is that climate change is one

of the gravest national security threats facing this country. In 2017, I

led my colleagues passing into law legislation that acknowledges

climate change is a national security threat.

Cesia Kearns, deputy campaign director for the Sierra Clubs Beyond

Coal campaign in the Western region, said Once again, Ryan Zinke is

speaking on matters he does not understand nor does he have a say over.

Infrastructure for coal and gas are being rejected because of their harm

to clean water and direct threats to the publics health  facts Zinke,

Trump and corporate polluters cannot disregard. Zinke and the rest of

the Trump administration can pontificate and attempt to circumvent

federal and state laws, but the facts and the rejection of these fossil

fuel terminals wont change.

Inslee

and other state officials in Washington are being sued by a company

that wants to build a coal export terminal on the Columbia River. Six states  Wyoming, Kansas,

Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Utah  have filed friend of the court briefs supporting Lighthouse Resources, an integrated coal company that wants to build the terminal.

Lighthouse said the Washington governor and other state officials

have unreasonably delayed and denied a number of permits and approvals

for a port facility that would enable the export of coal to U.S. allies

and trading partners in Asia and the states say Washingtons

actions have both the intent and effect of discriminating against and

unduly burdening foreign and interstate commerce, in violation of the

U.S. Constitutions dormant commerce clause, the ICCTA and the federal

Ports and Waterways Safety Act.

In another high-profile controversy, the city of Oakland,

Calif., is trying to prevent a proposed bulk products terminal on

its waterfront from handling coal. The terminal is planned on land owned

by the city and leased to a developer.

The city passed an ordinance banning coal operations, saying they would be a substantial danger to the health of residents.

But U.S. District Court Judge Vince Chhabria ruled in May that the

ordinance was invalid because the city had relied on information in

developing the law that was riddled with inaccuracies, major

evidentiary gaps, erroneous assumptions and faulty analyses. As a

result, he found applying the ordinance to the terminal was a breach of

the development agreement the city had signed.

The city has appealed the ruling to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Ironically, the site of the proposed terminal is the former Oakland Army Base.

Total U.S. exports of coal in 2017 was 97 million short tons, a 61 percent increase from the 2016 level, according to

the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Fifty-seven percent of U.S. coal

exports are metallurgical coal and 43 percent are steam coal, according

to the EIA.

EIA said steam coal, which is used to generate electricity, accounted

for most of the increase in 2017 coal exports. India, South Korea and

Japan were three of the top five recipients of U.S. steam coal exports

in 2017.

India, the largest importer of steam coal from the United

States, imported 7.6 MMst of steam coal from the United States in

2017  nearly three times as much as in 2016  mainly to fuel growing

electricity capacity in the country, EIA said. Coal-fired generating capacity in

India has more than doubled in recent years to meet growing electricity

demand. Although India produces enough coal to meet most of its domestic

needs, a large portion of Indias new coal-fired power plants require

coal with higher quality and energy content than the coal that is

typically produced in India, resulting in these power plants having to

import coal from elsewhere.

EIA said demand in South Korea is growing primarily because of the

countrys plan to transition away from nuclear power, increasing its

reliance on electricity generated from coal-fired power plants.

In Japan, following the 2011 Fukushima disaster, nuclear power plants

have been shut down and EIA said the country now depends on imports

for more than 90 percent of its energy needs, and U.S. steam coal

exports to Japan were 2.7 MMst in 2017, up from 0.6 MMst in 2016.

Supply disruptions can also affect the amount and destination of

U.S. coal exports. In 2017, disruptions to coal supply from Australia

and Indonesia  traditionally the main source of coal for many countries

in Asia  meant that many Asian countries turned to imports from the

United States to offset these disruptions, EIA reported.As the popular saying goes, "hindsight is 20/20." Hence, ten years after the 2008 financial crisis, it's time to look back and reconsider the story you've been told of the "Great Recession."

According to legend, the Great Recession was wrought by big banks' insatiable greed. The fake news media, pompous politicians, and all-knowing elites universally blamed evil fat-cat bankers for the foreclosure crisis that sparked the Wall Street meltdown.

Popular history often casts big banks as the villain and low-income Americans as the victims in this epic saga of greed run amuck. Apparently, big banks preyed upon vulnerable Americans by peddling predatory loans and tricking naive Americans into mortgages they did not want.

However, could it be that "vulnerable Americans" were partially at fault for the housing crisis? How about lawmakers and bureaucrats? What if they were also culpable for the subprime mortgage crisis that fueled the global economic breakdown?

Consider the following scenario: a federal law compels banks to provide home loans to low-income Americans. Millions of Americans willingly take out loans because they want to own a home (or two in some cases)  even though they cannot afford to. In turn, banks pass the risky loans on to foreign banks and taxpayers. Eventually, this house of cards tumbles down, bringing the worldwide economy to the brink of disaster.

What if the real cause of the 2008 financial crisis was not simply big banks' lust for more profits, but a culture of instant gratification gone wild?

The Federal Law that Started It All

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed into law the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), which forced banks to provide home loans to lower-income Americans in predominantly minority neighborhoods.

Upon signing the CRA, Carter stated, "This bill takes a giant step forward and gives me and the administration ... a framework within which we can make great improvements in the housing of our people." No doubt, Carter and Congress believed that the CRA could be a force for good, possibly ending housing discrimination in the United States.

However, might there have been other driving forces behind this law? Is it possible that the Carter administration and Congress craved power and used the CRA to buy votes? Not only is it possible; it's very probable.

Time and time again, politicians have sought to fulfill voters' cravings for instant gratification with a quick-fix legislative solution. However, in the case of the CRA, the short-term desires of politicians (and many American families, too) set in motion a series of events that brought the global economy to the verge of collapse.

In his book The Housing Boom and Bust, Thomas Sowell wrote, "Despite the title of the Community Reinvestment Act, it was not just in particular communities that lenders were pressured to make loans that they would not have made otherwise[.] ... [L]enders were increasingly pressured by federal officials to relax lending standards, so as to make mortgage loans to people whose incomes and credit histories would not make them eligible under the traditional standards."

As with almost every government program in history, the CRA's goals evolved dramatically over time. Indeed, every president after Carter expanded the size and scope of the CRA to continue to satisfy Americans' voracious hunger for housing.

By the time President George W. Bush took office, the CRA had morphed into a government housing giveaway. In fact, between 2005 and 2007, federal government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had acquired approximately a trillion dollars of subprime and non-traditional mortgages, according to Sowell.

In short, the CRA fed an immediate gratification-fueled housing monster that created a trillion dollars' worth of mortgage debt that taxpayers would ultimately be on the hook for.

Low-Income Americans Live the High Life

Historically (pre-CRA), Americans rented and built a large amount of savings before buying a starter home. To purchase a home, one had to fulfill a number of requirements, including a substantial down payment and income certification. However, the CRA swept many of these tried-and-true housing requirements aside. Over the decades, buying a home became as easy as ordering a pizza. By 2004, 69 percent of Americans owned a home, the highest rate in American history.

Whereas past generations viewed home ownership as a privilege that could be earned only with decades of hard work and sacrifice, by the 1990s, many Americans considered home ownership a right. Unfortunately, the CRA enabled this unrealistic (and unsustainable) notion of home ownership to spread like wildfire.

Big Banks Pass the Buck to Taxpayers

If the financial crisis were a three-legged stool  with the CRA as one leg and Americans' ravenous appetite for immediate home ownership as the second  then surely the role of big banks would encompass the third and final leg. The CRA mandated that banks provide loans to low-income Americans, lest they reap the wrath of regulators. Hence, bankers saw the writing on the wall. In the ensuing decades, banks gave loans to millions of Americans, regardless of their credit qualifications.

However, rather than hold these risky loans on their books, banks disguised these loans and sold them to banks overseas. Meanwhile, government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac sucked up more than $1 trillion in subprime loans.

Like a game of hot potato, the question became, who would be left holding these toxic loans when the bubble busted and the economic charade collapsed? Unfortunately, taxpayers were the losers  as usual.

Was the Financial Crisis a Turning Point?

Before the Great Recession, Americans generally practiced delayed gratification. However, by the late twentieth century, many U.S. families had succumbed to the siren call of unaffordable housing. Americans' obsession with instant gratification appears to be getting worse. In 2018, it infects every aspect of American culture.

They say those who don't study history are doomed to repeat it. The same axiom applies when the history being studied is false or misleading. The real history of the 2008 financial crisis is a tragic story of instant gratification run amuck. Americans greedily chose to take on mortgages they couldn't afford, banks greedily passed their bad decisions on to others, and politicians greedily instituted policies they knew were dangerous but were popular with some constituency groups.

Hopefully, future generations will realize the doom that instant gratification wrought on the nation and refrain from repeating it.

Chris Talgo (ctalgo@heartland.org) is an editor at The Heartland Institute. Emma Kaden is an intern at The Heartland Institute.The last week has seen the usual suspects getting miffed when people called out the anti-Kavanaugh "peaceful protesters" as mobs.

Oh, come now, lefty friends. You chaps are as bad as the First Apostle, whom the Son of God famously predicted would deny him three times.

Own up to your genius, which has been to turn the crude bronze implement of "the Mob" into a finely tempered sword of Japanese steel, the disciplined NPCs of the "peaceful protest." Talk about Darwinian evolution: what used to be a "riot" became a "march," then a "demonstration." It has now, finally, reached its full potential as a "peaceful protest." Oh, except when confronting the conservative son of Susan Rice on the campus of Stanford University. That is different.

Back when a mob was a mob, we had the example of Alexander Hamilton, who bravely kept the mob at bay at the front door of the house of Myles Cooper, Loyalist president of King's College in New York City (now Columbia University), while Cooper escaped out the back door.

But by 1820, when the machine-breaking agricultural laborers in southeast England wanted farmers to destroy their job-killing threshing machines, the rioters all signed their non-negotiable demands with the moniker "Captain Swing." It's almost as if someone were organizing their laborer community.

Nearly 20 years later, in 1848, the Chartists marched on London and held a meeting on Kennington Common that was planned as an attack on the Houses of Parliament on the other side of the River Thames. But in the event, the leaders merely presented a petition to Parliament.

You can imagine that this sort of mob action caught the attention of young rich kids with a taste for political power, kids like Marx and Engels. It was their genius to turn the genuine bottom-up working-class movements of the agricultural laborers and urban workers into a top-down politico-religious world movement led by Educated Youth. The vanguard of educated rich scions would use the working class as their political foot-soldiers in a movement to prevent the bourgeoisie from immiserating the planet.

That is what left-wing politics has been about ever since: dressing up the naked fury of the turbulent mob into the decent drapery of the "peaceful protest" and pretending it is all about justice rather than the naked thrust for power.

So, by the 1960s, the protesters were not the wretched of the Earth, workers and peasants, but well born college kids, the radical children of liberal parents , as Midge Decter called them in 1975. Now, in 2018, we have the protesters as obviously well born Special Snowflakes taught their left-wing Catechism by government-paid gender studies professors and the diversity and inclusion bureaucrats of today's university. Hey, rich kids! Don't forget that this is all supposed to be for the victims!

The reason why our liberal friends are so upset about the accusations of their mob action is the outrage of lifting the decent drapery of "peaceful protest" to reveal the nakedness of their power-lust and the fashionable revolutionary politics underneath.

As the cartoonist points out, this lefty war on America has been busily demolishing the pillars of our society for years: freedom of religion, because traditional religions are not allowed to dissent from lefty orthodoxy on race and sex; freedom of speech, because anything the left disagrees with is hate speech; and now due process, because believe all women.

To refresh your memory: Our forefathers invented these freedoms and legal procedures as a way to limit the power of monarchs. It turned out to be just the thing to cool the jets of overenthusiastic political activists and the left in general.

And really, what could be better than to have our lefty friends remind us, with their NPC "peaceful protests," exactly why we have all these institutional safeguards? The whole point of limited government has turned out to be precisely to keep the left from destroying everything we hold dear.

If the American people go out to vote on November 6, 2018, and deliver a sharp rebuke to the radical left Democratic Party, perhaps we can hope the Democrats will swerve to the center a lot quicker than they did after their last leftward lurch in the sixties.

The left is a reactionary movement that wants to return the world to the good old days of the agricultural age, when political power, defending your patch  or your empire  of food-growing land, was everything in life. In those days, a few people were kings and lords and temple priests, but most of us were slaves.

What would it take to persuade the left that political power is a dead letter, the graveyard of hope? I suppose that the only answer is defeat  agonizing, humiliating defeat.

I wish there were another way.

Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill runs the go-to site on U.S. government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also get his American Manifesto and his Road to the Middle Class.Carter Page, the energy consultant and Trump advisor, is finally doing what needs to be done: He's suing the Democratic National Committee.

According to Fox News:

Former Trump campaign official Carter Page announced on Monday a defamation lawsuit against the Democratic National Committee (DNC) over the salacious dossier that claims he has ties to Russia. Page is also suing Perkins Coie and its partners, a law firm that represented Hillary Clintons campaign and hired Fusion GPS, an opposition research firm that hired former British spy Christopher Steele who compiled the unverified dossier concerning Trump, his associates, and Russia. Page told Fox News Hannity on Monday that his lawsuit goes beyond any damages or any financial aspects.

Page, at it happens, was the linchpin that opened the gate to the FISA warrant that enabled the Obama administration to spy on Trump campaign officials. So long as Carter Page, with his business ties to Russia was in it, all of the machinery of government surveillance power was possible to crank into gear in the great Democratic bid to prove Russian collusion to steal the election from Hillary Clinton, supposedly between Donald Trump and his Kremlin masters.

And amazingly, the FBI found nothing on the man, nothing, despite 24/7 surveillance on every last thing he did. They also had intelligence reports suggesting that the Russians considered Page 'an idiot,' so there was plenty of reason to think the dossier was concocted out of thin air to advance Democratic political purposes. As Eli Lake wrote in his essay called 'We Should Care About What Happened to Carter Page,' it is a bigger issue than it looks because Fourth Amendment protections were violated, as Sean Hannity notes, and that can affect all of us:

The current debate over Page is whether the FBI overreached by seeking a warrant to spy on him from the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court at the end of 2016. Republicans claim the FBI improperly relied on the opposition research dossier. Democrats say the Republican memo omits information that would discredit the GOP's case. But that misses a broader and more important point. It's a scandal that the public has known for more than a year that the FBI suspected Page of being a foreign agent in the first place. He has yet to be charged with a crime, but his reputation is in tatters because an element of the bureau's investigation into Russia's influence over the 2016 election has been publicly reported.

Now that he's been found blameless, well, he gets to pick up the pieces.

Page never got the job he likely wanted in the Trump administration, his reputation is ruined, his business is gone, and everyone gets to read the intelligence reports saying the Russians considered him an idiot. Yet amazingly, he never did a thing that was wrong. The FBI takes some consequences for this in the hit to its reputation for protecting informants (Page helped them out on an earlier Russian espionage case a few years ago and then got the Deep State blanket surveillance as if he were a crook, instead of a pleasant FBI courtesy call asking for information). But the DNC, conniving up the fake dossier because they knew of the guy and decided to use him as a linchpin to prise open an attack on Trump, gets off scot-free.

Well, with this lawsuit, not any longer. Page says it's less about money than principle, and he's right. But the only way to get the Democrats' attention is with money, and it's to be hoped he gets some. The lawsuit looks like an immensely winnable one, given the power and ruin they exerted on him, and his complete innocence of any wrongdoing. Let's hope a jury gets them taught a lesson as they pay the piper, before they can do it again to anyone else.Elizabeth Warren was doing a victory dance about her DNA test showing "strong evidence" she may have 1/1,024 or 0.09 percent Native American lineage. In hot pursuit, she called on President Trump to "pay up" with his $1 million offer to the charity of her choice for taking the DNA test he said he would toss to her at a future presidential debate, earlier. As the network press admiringly gushed about the whole "gotcha," she was convinced she had him cornered.

Well, sorry  that debate hasn't happened yet, and now it's doubtful that it ever will, because Warren is hearing from the leaders of the Cherokee nation.

Here is their astonishing rebuke to her for what they rightly view as a shabby little publicity stunt at their expense:

A Cherokee Nation official rebuked Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts after a DNA test report published Monday asserted there is evidence to "strong support" Warren's claim to have Native American ancestors. Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. called the test cited by Warren's report "useless" in determining tribal citizenship and alleged she was "undermining tribal interests" with her "continued claims of tribal heritage." "A DNA test is useless to determine tribal citizenship. Current DNA tests do not even distinguish whether a person's ancestors were indigenous to North or South America," Hoskin said in a statement. "Using a DNA test to lay claim to any connection to the Cherokee Nation or any tribal nation, even vaguely, is inappropriate and wrong[,]" Hoskin added. "It makes a mockery out of DNA tests and its [sic] legitimate uses while also dishonoring legitimate tribal governments and their citizens, whose ancestors are well documented and whose heritage is proven."

They are right to be angry.

The Cherokee nation is likely inundated with white wannabes who keep claiming membership in their much admired tribe. There's a reason the Stanford professor friend of hers, who did the DNA test, was unable to compare Warren's genome to a genuine Cherokee genome and had to use a Latin American one instead as an approximation: the Native Americans don't want that out there. They don't like whites manipulating it to claim membership, because they already know who their members are. If they did, they'd have every idiot out there claiming to have Cherokee blood and a claim on Cherokee tribal membership. Fake Indian and leftist Ward Churchill would be the first in line after Warren.

The Cherokees rightly read the whole thing as a quest by Warren for their political imprimatur to advance her ambitions, which they aren't about to give, particularly given Warren's famous indifference to standing up for their interests.

Be sure to read the whole thing, because it quotes other Native American leaders who consider Warren's behavior during the whole brouhaha as self-serving in the extreme.

It's not just the Cherokees who are disgusted. Leftish Simon Moya-Smith, a Native American member of the Oglala-Lakota tribe, had some harsh words for her, too:

Warren claims now to have Native American heritage. And her claim to having such heritage  versus a claim of actually being Native  feels sneaky to me. Where has she been on these many issues that plague our communities? Although the results from her DNA test are new, her identity claims here aren't. Why has she ignored us for so long? Why only now come around? This latest disclosure lets her save face without having responsibilities to the Native community she's claiming to share heritage with. Furthermore, name me one nation or tribe that claims her. None do. It's obvious to anyone with eyes in their [sic] sockets or brains in their heads [sic]: because Warren needs our stamp of approval and our vote as she contemplates a potential presidential run. That's why.

With the Native Americans weighing in, it's increasingly obvious that Warren falsely assumed their identity to secure plum university jobs at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard, and it came at their expense. No yelling to Trump to "pay up" is going to cover that hard fact up.

Far from Trump paying up, the Cherokees show that it's Elizabeth Warren who needs to pay up. She's now exposed as a fraud, and her career is going to take a hit.

Image credit: ElizabethforMA via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.California congressional candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar, who constantly portrays himself in the press as a moderate Democratic Christian of Mexican-Palestinian origin, has a funny past he might want to address. These days, he's yelling about his opponent Duncan Hunter, Jr.'s ads as, you guessed it, "racist." At the same time, retired generals are warning the public he's a security risk.

Latest out from Breitbart News is that he praised his grandpa, Muhammad Yusuf al-Najjar, the chief of intelligence for the Black September terrorist outfit, as a "legend" to live up to as recently as 2015. Kid you not, here it is, and you can see the actual Instagram post at this link:

Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar referred to his Palestinian terrorist grandfather, Muhammad Yousef al-Najjar, as a "legend" in an Instagram post in 2015  though he told the media earlier his year he condemns his grandfather's actions. Muhammad Yousef al-Najjar, also known as Abu Yusuf or Abu Youssef Al-Najjar, was "a senior member of the Palestinian terrorist group Black September that murdered 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics," according to the Times of Israel. He was assassinated by Israeli commandoes in Beirut in 1973. In addition, Palestinian Media Watch identifies the late al-Najjar as "[Yasser] Arafat's deputy, and commander of operations for the terrorist organization Black September."

The Breitbart post explains that Campa-Najjar's Black September grandpa is still a revered name in Palestinian-world. The odious, brutal terrorist, who played a key role in the gruesome 1972 Munich massacre of Israeli Olympic athletes and got rubbed out by Israeli commandos as a result of it, has been posthumously awarded the "grand star of honor" by the current Palestinian government and got a hospital in Gaza named after him. Legend, indeed. Lot of street cred in that one among the world's terrorist scum. Campa-Najjar's dad, Muhammad Yusuf al-Najjar, declared he was proud of his dad.

Ammar Campa-Najjar had copious praise for his father, so it's pretty natural to wonder what dad taught him derived from the values of Black September grandpa.

Breitbart reports that there are indicators that those creepy ties to one of the top terrorists of the 20th century have continued down the family line, because Campa-Najjar mentioned being fed as a baby by the wife of notorious terrorist kingpin Yasser Arafat. Black September grandpa was Arafat's right-hand man.

Obviously, he was in tight with this group.

Any questions as to why one prominent headline in the San Diego Union-Tribune today is "Three generals join Rep. Hunter's claim that his opponent is a national security risk"?

Campa-Najjar is vigorously protesting that line of argument, which has also shown up in Hunter's ads. But seriously. This guy shows evidence of being more than a little palsy with top terrorists detested by most Americans because obviously, he benefited from it at the time. Why isn't he explaining that to voters instead of yelling racism?

It is a problem, because he might win the election. Although Hunter represents a rare red district in California, he's been indicted on corruption charges, and it doesn't look as if he's going to get out of them. Voting for him is basically voting for his successor. Whoever that is, it's vastly preferable to a leftist who has concealed his terrorist-family past and would have us think he's just Mister Moderate.Oli assures RJP-N on amendments

The government would start amending the constitution before Tihar festival Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has assured leaders of Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N).Many now believe that someone in the Saudi royal circle had journalist Jamal Khashoggi killed. The seemingly universal cry is the Saudi government must pay a price for eliminating one of its most outspoken critics  a critic who was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood and tooled around with al-Qaeda jihadists. As a foe of the Sunni Muslim sect of the Saudi Royal family, Khashoggi said of Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the crown prince, "He treats ISIS and the Brotherhood as the same thing  the only difference being that ISIS tried to create the caliphate immediately by violence while the Brotherhood (supported by Iran) wants to create the caliphate slowly, through democracy." In other words, get rid of the royal family.

There's nothing that will get you in trouble in Saudi Arabia faster than challenging the king  especially if you're doing it on behalf of Iran.

But you can't blame MBS for thinking it was okay to silence those seeking to subvert his country. He had someone show him the way. Someone above reproach. None other than President Barack Obama. He did it with drones. And he killed innocent civilians along the way.

Since 2009, the United States, in the conduct of U.S. counter terrorism operations against al-Qa'ida and its associated forces outside of areas of active hostilities, has specifically targeted and killed one U.S. citizen, Anwar al-Aulaqi. The United States is further aware of three other U.S. citizens who have been killed in such U.S. counter terrorism operations over that same time period: Samir Khan, 'Abd al-Rahman Anwar al-Aulaqi, and Jude Kenan Mohammed. These individuals were not specifically targeted by the United States.

Nor were they suspected of terrorism. But wait: it gets better. The Obama administration drafted a 2010 legal memo justifying the targeting of an American citizen for death by drone strike. The author of the memo, David Barron, was later appointed a federal judge. The result?

Al-Awlaki's 16-year-old son, a U.S. citizen born in Denver, Colo., died Oct. 14, 2011, in Yemen when, the Times wrote, "a missile apparently intended for an Egyptian Qaeda operative, Ibrahim al-Banna, hit a modest outdoor eating place in Shabwa. ... Banna was not there, and among about a dozen men killed was the young Abdulrahman al-Awlaki, who had no connection to terrorism."

So Al-Awlaki was a vocal opponent of the United States. Khashoggi was a vocal opponent of Saudi Arabia. Both used words, not weapons. Both were sanctioned for a hit. The only difference is that Obama took out dozens, including innocent children, while the Saudis took out only the one who was going to sanction the United States?

My advice to President Trump is to let this one go. Blame Obama for giving the Saudis the idea that it is okay to covertly dispatch subversives. Write a sternly worded letter of protest and keep the momentum for peace in the Middle East going forward. Anything else would be a victory for Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood.In short: iFixit has published their teardown of the Google Pixel 3 XL. Typically, the teardown is all about how to repair the phone, and rating how easy it is to repair the particular phone (or other gadget). But sometimes, iFixit will also find some answers to some questions that many users might have for the device. And today is one of those days. With the Pixel 3 XL, Google would not say where the display panel came from, it continued to say that it made the panel, which was not the case. And iFixit found out that this is indeed a Samsung-made AMOLED panel. This is what many people had expected, after seeing how much the display had improved over last years Pixel 2 XL, which had an LG Display panel. iFixit does also mention that because the Pixel 3 XL is using a Samsung display, its going to use the same repair process  if you ever do need to replace the display. But it is still going to be a bit tricky. Speaking of repairability, iFixit gave the Pixel 3 XL a four out of ten. Not a huge surprise, given most smartphones are around four or five these days with the glass and metal bodies.

This teardown also revealed which sensor Google is using on the back of the Pixel 3 XL, which is a Sony IMX363. This isnt a surprise either, given that Sony supplies the majority of smartphone camera sensors right now. The Pixel 3 XL only has a single lens back there, the rest is handled by the Pixel Visual Core, which has been upgraded, after launching on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL last year. iFixit also found that Google used a ton of glue inside the Pixel 3 XL (likely the Pixel 3 as well). There was a ton of glue inside the Pixel 3 XL, particularly for holding the back casing to the rest of the phone. iFixit jokes that Google may have thought the extra glue was needed to get that extra IP point and bring the Pixel 3 XL to IP68 over just IP67 and make it fully waterproof. But many other phones havent needed to use this much glue to achieve a IP68 rating.

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There are some other tidbits found in this teardown, including the new Titan M security chip, Qualcomms Snapdragon 845 chipset and all of its other chips that are inside. The DRAM module is made by Micron, which is pretty common for smartphones. Between Micron and Samsung, they make the majority of the RAM for smartphones these days. Theres also the IDT P221 Qi Wireless Charging receiver found inside on the motherboard, which is what allows the Pixel 3 XL to charge wirelessly and work with the Pixel Stand. This teardown shows that while Google sourced parts from many different partners, it looks like it was completely built and designed in-house. Which is a bit different from the first two generations of Pixel which were made by HTC (Pixel 2 XL made by LG). Though, Google did acquire the designers that worked on Pixel from HTC, so thats not a huge surprise, and it wasnt even that team that worked on the Pixel 3 this year.

Background: iFixit tends to get its hands on virtually every smartphone and tech gadget out there, just to tear it down. Now while many like seeing whats inside each of these smartphones, iFixits purpose here is a bit more serious. iFixit is here to help you repair different parts of your phone. Crack your screen? Just order a new one and iFixit will walk you through the repair process. The repairability score that it provides for every smartphone is also pretty important. As it can lead people to believe that they can fix the phone themselves, or whether they need to get the extended warranty or insurance on the phone. iFixit has become synonymous over the past few years with tearing down smartphones, but unfortunately, smartphones have become harder to tear down, and gotten lower repairability scores. Of course a big reason for this is because the trend in smartphones have moved from plastic with removable backs and batteries, to glass backs with metal frames and non-removable parts. Making it tougher to get inside the device. Smartphone makers have also opted to make the internals more compact, so stuff is harder to get out  but they can fit more hardware in a smaller package.

Not everyone is going to want to go through and fix their device themselves, and they really dont need too. But having iFixit around is a good thing. As there are some issues with smartphones that you can fix yourself, instead of needing to send your phone in for repair and waiting for it to come back. Its also nice to see whats inside these smartphones that companies are not talking about. In the case of the Pixel 3 XL, that would be the Samsung-made AMOLED display panel.

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Impact: Google kept saying that it was its own display, that was being used on the Pixel 3 XL, but it wasnt. We now know that it was made by Samsung Display. Thats not a bad thing at all, seeing as the AMOLED displays that Samsung put out, are some of the best in the business, and consistently achieve the highest grade in Display Mates testing. This time around, Display Mate had teased that the Pixel 3 XL got the highest A+ ranking on any smartphone it had ever tested, when the Pixel 3 XL was announced. So many figured it was likely a Samsung panel, seeing as Samsung always hit the highest A+ ranking for Display Mate, with each flagship smartphone it put out. Lo and behold, it is the case. This does, however, mean that we likely wont see blueshift on the Pixel 3 XL  at least not to the extent of the Pixel 2 XL  and the very fast screen burn in. Which were two big issues last year, and Google wanted to make sure it fixed that. If you are interested in reading iFixits full tear down of the Pixel 3 XL, just hit the link below.Huawei has acknowledged the trouble it has had in the US in the past twelve months, but it is not completely giving up on the market. Huawei is going to continue to sell its products in the US but unsurprisingly, they wont be smartphones. Huawei is going to continue to sell its PCs, tablets, wearables and other products, but as far as the Huawei Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro go, dont expect that to come to the US  at least not officially. On the bright side, Huawei is going to be honoring the warranties on smartphones sold in the US through third-parties, so while it may say no warranty on Amazons listing for its smartphones, that doesnt mean there is no warranty. Huawei has made the conscious decision to still honor those warranties. Huawei also mentioned that the Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro are going to work in the US on AT&T and T-Mobile  with full 4G LTE support. But dont expect VoLTE, HD Voice or carrier aggregation on these smartphones. What this essentially means is that the Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro will work on these networks, but wont do much else to incorporate the technologies that AT&T and T-Mobile use. And dont expect it to support Band 71 (600MHz) for T-Mobile.

Huawei is still hoping that the geopolitical climate will change in the near future  which wont be until at least 2020 when the next US Presidential election takes place. And with President Trump getting into this trade war with China, its not a surprise that he is looking to push out Chinese manufacturers like Huawei right now. Huawei does, however, believe that the US is ripe for disruption, and for more competition, so it is not giving up on the US market, at least not yet. The US is currently mostly dominated by Samsung and Apple, which means that there is plenty of room for other smartphone makers to come in and make a splash. With the Mate 20 Pro sporting a 4200mAh capacity battery and a triple-camera setup, it can definitely give the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 a run for its money. But unfortunately due to politics, many Americans wont be able to use the Mate 20 or Mate 20 Pro, and likely wont even know the phone exists.

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How Huawei Got Put In This Position

The trouble for Huawei really began earlier this year. Huawei has had a stigma of being used by the Chinese government to spy on its customers, for quite a few years. However, there have been a number of investigations  under President Obama, so far none under President Trump  that have turned up no proof of Huawei spying on its customers. In 2018, Huawei was dealt a pretty serious blow, however, just before CES when it was going to announce the Mate 10 Pro launching on AT&T and Verizon (the two largest carriers in the US), the US government forced both carriers to drop those plans. Which meant the day before Huawei was going to announce carrier-support, it had to ditch those plans and only offer the Mate 10 Pro unlocked in the US. That was really only the beginning though. Shortly after that, many retailers also stopped selling Huaweis smartphones. And that included Newegg and Best Buy, leaving just Amazon to purchase Huawei smartphones (though there are some third-party sellers offering the P20 Pro on Walmarts website, but officially, only Amazon is selling Huawei smartphones). That was a pretty big blow for Huawei. After spending years forging these partnerships, to have the government just come in and wipe it all away.

At Mobile World Congress earlier this year, when Huaweis CEO was asked why he thinks the US is pressuring carriers and retailers to stop selling Huawei smartphones, he stated that it was their competitors pushing them out of the market. Claiming that Apple and Samsung were playing politics to keep Huawei out of the US. Now theres has been no confirmation nor denials that this is actually true, but it wouldnt be a surprise if it was. After all, Samsung and Apple basically own the US, and Huawei is breathing down their necks in other regions right now. Huaweis Richard Yu is understandably frustrated with what has been going on between Huawei and the US, especially since this is affecting more than just its mobile division. Huawei also sells networking gear to wireless carriers, which US wireless carriers have been told by US intelligence agencies to no longer use Huaweis networking gear on its networks. Dealing an even bigger blow to Huawei, especially with carriers around the world gearing up for 5G networks. Which means that carriers are spending big money to upgrade their networks, and in the US, Huawei is being left out. While wireless carriers will have to rely on Nokia, Ericsson and Samsung for new networking hardware.

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Huaweis US Future

Not surprisingly, Huawei is not giving up on the US. While many may have expected Huawei to pull out of the US completely, it is not, and it is leaving its branding here as well. This is in hopes of the Huawei name becoming more synonymous with other brands in the US. For now, Huawei is going to be selling its PCs, tablets and wearables here in the US, with smartphones being missing. This is a bit like what Xiaomi did when it first launched in the US a few years ago, though it was only smartphone accessories back then (headphones, battery packs, etc.). Huawei can make a comeback to the US, but its going to be a tough one. After losing its retail and carrier partners, its going to have a tough time getting its smartphones into those stores again. On top of that, its name is tarnished in the US, due to all of the news about Huawei spying on its customers, even though theres been no proof of that happening. Huawei has a long road ahead of itself, if it does want to get back into the US market, and it does definitely want to come back.Samsung recently announced two new semiconductor offerings, known as the Samsung Exynos Auto and the ISOCELL Auto. According to the South Korean tech giant, its two new products offer accurate detection of objects and roadways, fast data connection, and powerful graphics and data processing.

The Exynos Auto is Samsungs application processor lineup for smart vehicles, and it features multiple custom-designed CPU cores and advanced GPU. Samsung claims that its latest chipsets offer sufficient processing power needed to handle multiple operating systems on separate displays while simultaneously delivering a responsive user interface. This chipset can support up to four HD displays at the same time, including the heads-up display and the main infotainment display. The SoC also comes with an integrated LTE modem that supports technologies like carrier aggregation and MIMO antennas for faster data speeds needed by vehicles with telematics systems. The modem can also connect to 2G and 3G networks, and Samsung claims that the future versions of the chipset will include modems that are compatible with 5G networks. Aside from telematics systems, car makers may incorporate the chipset in in-vehicle infotainment systems and advanced driving assistance systems. Earlier reports already stated that Samsung will start the mass production of the processors before the end of the year and it intends to supply the Exynos Auto chipsets to Audi. The German automobile maker previously relied on Qualcomm-manufactured chipsets and rumors indicate that some of Audis 2019 vehicle models will utilize Samsungs processor offering.

Meanwhile, the ISOCELL Auto is a lineup of image sensors that take advantage of an advanced pixel technology for superior light sensitivity and image resolution. This technology permits the sensor to accurately identify objects and roadways even in low-light environments. The image sensor also features wide dynamic range that improves detection of objects in high-contrast environments like when driving through tunnels, and Samsung claims that these image sensors can survive exposure to extreme temperatures ranging from -40 to 105 degrees Celsius. Even before the release of its latest semiconductor offerings, Samsung has already designed and showcased products for smart vehicles. These products include the self-driving platform DRVLINE and the Bixby-powered digital cockpit platform known as QLED Auto.BarcelonaAmnesty International (AI) has denounced the fact that the former president of the ANC, Jordi Sanchez, and the president of Omnium Cultural, Jordi Cuixart, have been in prison for a year, calling for them both to be released. In a press release, AIs Campaigns Director for Europe, Fotis Filippou, declared that there is "no justification" for keeping them in pre-trial custody and repeated the NGOs call for their "immediate" release. He went on to say that "Amnesty International considers their continued detention to constitute a disproportionate restriction on their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly".

In addition, in the same statement, the human rights organization decried the Spanish Supreme Courts recent decision to reject two petitions to release Sanchez and Cuixart and the fact that the Constitutional Court has repeatedly declined requests to temporarily release Jordi Sanchez, the former leader of the ANC and current MP. According to Filippou, "Instead of taking the opportunity to bring an end to the arrests, the judicial authorities have perpetuated this injustice".

In the statement released this Monday, the NGO declared that "according to the information available to Amnesty International, the charges brought against both men are unfounded and ought to be dropped". Nevertheless, it stated that "if it can be shown" that they called on protesters to prevent the police operation taking place at the Ministry of the Economy on 20 September, said action could constitute a crime of public disorder. "However, accusing them of such serious crimes as rebellion and sedition and jailing them for a year is disproportionate", the organization remarked.

On Tuesday, a year after the two Jordis were imprisoned, both stand accused of using their influence within the ANC and Omnium to "mobilize hundreds of thousands of followers to create a force to prevent the police from fulfilling their obligation to stop the illegal referendum from going ahead", according to the list of charges issued by Spains Supreme Court. Sanchez and Cuixart have been in jail since 16 October 2017, first in Madrids Soto del Real prison and now in Lledoners (Catalonia).Bryan Thompson, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: This new addition expands further the network of the Capital airport, to provide our passengers with enhanced connectivity. It also reflects further on the strong global confidence in the Abu Dhabi market, and we hope to continue to build on such partnerships over the coming months and years.



Abu Dhabi Airport, chief commercial officer, Maarten De Groof, said: With a total of 14 flights per week, these new connections reflect Abu Dhabis status as a global hub for travel and business. India has always been one of our largest and most important areas of operations, and we are pleased to welcome these new daily services and to continue meeting the markets growing demand.



William Boulter, chief commercial officer, IndiGo, said: We are delighted to receive a heartening welcome from Abu Dhabi International Airport this morning. IndiGo today operated its inaugural flights from Calicut-Abu Dhabi and Cochin-Abu Dhabi. IndiGo has completed 12 years of successful operations in the India market as a low cost carrier, and adding Abu Dhabi to its network will further augment the regional connectivity that we aspire to provide to our customers.



Boulter further added: Abu Dhabi holds immense potential for IndiGo, and this launch is part of organic expansion within the Gulf for us, as we complement our domestic network with international connectivity. With these non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi and India, IndiGo operates 63 daily non-stop flights between the Middle East and India. IndiGo will continue to provide an on-time, courteous and hassle free service, and affordable fares to our customers, as always.The global ASC network forms an essential component of Rolls-Royces services portfolio for business aircraft and adds to its own existing global aftermarket capabilities. Rolls-Royce now has 76 ASCs in place with key maintenance providers worldwide allowing for rapid response times to its customers needs. The powerful service infrastructure of the ASCs is complemented by On Wing Services specialists in the USA, Europe, Middle East and Asia as well as a number of spare parts, lease engine and storage locations, all placed strategically around the world.



The latest additions to the network include West Star Aviation LLC with its US site in East Alton, Illinois, supporting the BR710A2.



The Gulfstream St. Louis Service Center in Cahokia, Illinois, also becomes a new member of the ASC network, servicing BR710A1/C4, BR725 and Tay 611-8/8C series engines.

Rolls-Royce is also renewing its contract with Metrojet Limited, Hong Kong, supporting the BR710A1/A2/C4, BR725 and Tay 611-8/8C series engines.



Andy Robinson, Rolls-Royce, VP Services - Business Aviation, said: We started pioneering business aviation 60 years ago and have become the leading engine supplier in this market. Our powerful network of strategically placed Authorised Service Centres with key maintenance providers worldwide ensures, we deliver outstanding levels of in-service support. We make sure, our growing customer base can always rely on us, streamlined administration and reduced maintenance times.



With the newly introduced CorporateCare Enhanced standard we are covering an even wider range of service items for our engines, including maintenance for the nacelle, engine build-up and thrust reverser unit-related services for the Pearl 15, BR710 and BR725, he added.Bulgaria`s Ministry of Defense is planning to repair some T-72A main battle tanks and TPD-K1 sights, a Bulgarian military source told TASS.



T-72M2 on Army day parade in Sofia, 2009 (Picture source: Wikipedia/Tourbillon)

"The [Bulgarian] military will overhaul 13 T-72M MBTs and 60 TPD-K1 sighting systems. The MoD will spend EUR5 million [USD4.3 million] to this end through 2023," the source said. "The repair and overhaul works are to be started this year. However, the further usage of the T-72 tanks is being considered," he added. The T-72M is the export version, similar to the T-72A but with thinner armour and downgraded weapon systems. Also built in Poland and former Czech Republic

The Bulgarian military is a long-standing user of Soviet-originated armored vehicles. According to the Military Balance 2018 analytical report published by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Bulgaria`s MoD still operates 90 T-72 MBTs (in particular, the T-72M variant), 90 BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, 20 BTR-60 armored personnel carriers and 100 MT-LB tracked carriers.

The T-72A is the second generation of Soviet-made main battle tank MBT in the T-72 family. The first version of the T-72 entered production in 1970. It is a further development of the T-62 with some features of the T-64A (upgraded version of basic T-64) and has been further developed as the T-90. The T-72A was accepted for service with the Russian army in June 1979 and is a further development of the standard MBT T-72. The T-72 was the most common tank used by the Soviet Army from the 1970s to the collapse of the Soviet Union. It was also exported to other Warsaw Pact countries, as well as Finland, India, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yugoslavia, as well as being copied elsewhere, both with and without licenses.By of the

Developer Rick Barrett was facing a problem with financing the Couture apartment tower proposed for downtown Milwaukee's lakefront.

As Barrett refined his design, and created more detailed cost estimates, he found that the purchase price for the Couture site, Milwaukee County's underused Downtown Transit Center, was too high for the project to be feasible. But county officials wouldn't sell the property at a deep discount if taxpayers were required to make up the estimated $8 million difference to the Federal Transit Administration, which helped finance the bus center with a 1988 grant.

Meanwhile, Mayor Tom Barrett's administration was looking for a way to extend the proposed downtown streetcar to the lakefront.

The result was a suggestion by city Development Commissioner Rocky Marcoux to link the streetcar and Couture, including a city financing plan for both projects scheduled for a Jan. 21 Common Council vote.

Some streetcar opponents have cried foul. They say the two projects are being linked to use the popular Couture proposal to help secure council votes for the streetcar financing plan.

Among other things, they question whether the streetcar link is needed as part of the Couture's transit concourse. Creating that concourse would waive a requirement for the county to pay $8 million to the federal agency, which allows Barrett to buy the 2.2-acre development site for just $500,000. The federal agency won't comment on whether the streetcar is a necessary part of the transit concourse, and city and county officials have different views on that issue.

Also, Rick Barrett said that if the council rejects the Couture and streetcar financing plan, he would try to redesign the 44-story project without the streetcar link. But that outcome would be unfortunate and uncertain, he said, and not result in the site's best use.

Marcoux and other streetcar supporters say the two projects must be linked so the county can avoid making that $8 million payment. Marcoux also said the Couture helps provide an efficient way to extend the streetcar to the lakefront's popular destinations, such as the Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World and Maier Festival Park.

Barrett unveiled the Couture plans in July 2012. The initial conceptual design called for about 180 luxury apartments and a hotel.

In 2013, Barrett and project architect Matt Rinka redesigned the Couture to include a proposed concert hall for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at the building's base.

"The key question is, how do you connect (the high-rise) to the street?" Barrett said in an interview this week. "That's where the magic happens."

But with the MSO facing financial issues, the concert hall was dropped. Barrett also later replaced the Couture's hotel with more apartments as demand increased for downtown rental units.

In early spring 2014, at a meeting with city officials, Marcoux suggested Barrett consider tying the Couture to the streetcar.

Marcoux said the Couture, to be built west of Lincoln Memorial Drive, between E. Michigan and E. Clybourn streets, was in a good location to anchor a route expansion to the lakefront sought by Mayor Barrett.

Also, Gov. Scott Walker and Mayor Barrett in March 2013 had announced the Lakefront Gateway Project, featuring city and state road improvements that include converting a little-used portion of Clybourn St. to a boulevard.

Inspired by Disney World

Under Marcoux's idea, the streetcar would use the improved Michigan and Clybourn streets to reach the lakefront and return to the main line, turning through the Couture. His inspiration: Walt Disney World's monorail, which makes a stop inside the lobby of Disney's Contemporary Resort.

Marcoux also knew that Rick Barrett was concerned about the possibility of paying full cost for the Couture site if the county couldn't get federal permission to waive the $8 million payment.

That full land cost would kill the project, Marcoux said. A report from the county's consultant, Chicago-based S.B. Friedman & Co., said the discounted land cost is needed to help make the project feasible.

The streetcar link to the Couture provides "a grand opportunity" to improve lakefront access and help "get the Couture out of the ground," Marcoux said.

"If Rick had had the money lined up" to develop the Couture, a streetcar link to the development might not have been proposed, he said.

Barrett told Marcoux the idea was intriguing, and the Couture was redesigned to accommodate a transit center that would include the streetcar, the county bus system and links to walking and biking bridges over Michigan St. and Lincoln Memorial Drive. That new design was unveiled in September.

The County Board in December voted 12-4 to grant a purchase option for the transit center to Barrett. Some of the opponents cited Couture's streetcar link, while Supervisor Patricia Jursik, a supporter, said the transit concourse might not need the streetcar to obtain the federal payment waiver.

Feds' stance

The Federal Transit Administration in October 2012 said Milwaukee County could apply the Couture site sale proceeds "to another capital project," according to a letter from the agency. That preliminary response didn't provide specific guidelines because the county hadn't identified a project.

An agency spokeswoman has since declined to comment on whether the project must include a streetcar link, saying federal transit officials cannot dictate what types of services are needed. That decision must be made by local officials, with the agency then evaluating that proposal, she said.

County officials have had talks with agency officials and are "confident the final plan we present to them will satisfy the requirements and will not require any repayment," said Brendan Conway, communications director for County Executive Chris Abele.

When asked if the Abele administration believes the streetcar connection is needed to obtain that waiver, Conway declined to answer, calling it "a hypothetical question."

Abele later said that it was his understanding that the streetcar link wasn't a necessity to obtain the transit agency's approval. Abele is a streetcar supporter.

Marcoux said the transit concourse needs a streetcar spur, along with buses and links to the pedestrian and biking paths, to create a multimodal project that wins the federal payment waiver. The streetcar, he said, would attract riders who would not otherwise use the county bus system.

The streetcar and transit concourse would not only improve the Couture's value, Marcoux said, but also the value of other nearby developments, including the 833 East office building being constructed just west of the Couture site, and the planned nearby Westin Hotel.

The proposal pending before the Common Council calls for spending $31 million from two downtown tax incremental financing districts to help pay for the $124 million streetcar.

Also, $17.5 million from the tax districts would pay for the Couture's transit concourse and other public improvements.

The $122 million Couture would feature 302 high-end apartments, with an average monthly rent of $2,300; about 50,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, and a 570-space parking structure.

If the council rejects the financing plan, would Barrett again redesign the Couture to drop the transit concourse?

"Yeah, I think that's what we would have to do," Barrett said. "I think that would be unfortunate. We have a home run here."

Facebook: facebook.com/JSBusiness

Twitter: twitter.com/TomDaykinAnil Giri is a reporter covering diplomacy, international relations and national politics for The Kathmandu Post. Giri has been working as a journalist for a decade-and-a-half, contributing to numerous national and international media outlets.Baker McKenzie has confirmed that it was involved in raising money to fund a blockbuster deal between Australian and American property investors.

The global firm successfully acted as underwriter counsel to UBS and Moelis Australia on the $276m capital raising by Centuria Metropolitan REIT (CMA) and as underwriter counsel to Moelis Australia on the $100m capital raising by Centuria Capital Group (CNI). The raisings will help fund CMAs $645m acquisition of four office properties from Hines Global REIT.

For the CMA capital raising, $79m is being raised via an institutional placement and $197m is being raised via an accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer (ANREO).One senior partner has exited Ince & Co ahead of a potential merger of the international firm with UK listed Gordon Dadds and it looks like two from Asia Pacific are also set to go.

Inces global head of insurance Joe OKeeffe has joined Stephenson Harwood in London as a partner in the marine and international trade practice.

Along with this confirmed move, we understand that two senior partners from Asia Pacific are also leaving Ince for Stephenson Harwood in the coming months.Power, consent, and my newsroom

The culture of patriarchy and misogyny runs deep and women from all professional fields have experienced sexual harassment and abuse.He said it is paramount that Australia steps up its opposition to the death penalty as the country is faced with the prospect of the execution of some of its citizens abroad.

This is particularly pressing in our own region where some of our neighbours and allies continue to shoot and hang people convicted of crimes, he said. Senator Payne is correct when she says the death penalty is an affront to human dignity. If you believe this, then it is your responsibility to advocate forcefully on a global level and this is exactly what Australia is doing.

He said that international progress is being made, with Malaysia saying last week that it will end the practice.

The Law Council will continue to strongly and consistently argue that no person, anywhere in the world, should ever be subjected to the death penalty. The death penalty is a breach of the most fundamental human right: the right to life, he said. We are extremely pleased that the Australian government is taking a strong position we can all be proud of.Though the scheme was expected to cost 66m overall, it had already delivered 31m through recovery of previous debt. The figure included compensation owed to victims of crime, which were collected using new techniques, the ministry said.

The program was also estimated to return 427m by recovering debt through 2025.

Planned upgrades to the service are no longer affordable within the departments funding allocation, and, after careful consideration, the decision has therefore been taken to suspend the Transforming Compliance and Enforcement Programme, the ministry said.

It also said that limited work will continue to ensure that the program is ready if it is needed in the future.

Improvement work already under way has not been lost and new ways of working, including better enforcement strategies and administration, will continue to apply, it said.

(Wavebreak Media Ltd/Bigstock.com) (Wavebreak Media Ltd/Bigstock.com)

Working in fast food restaurants is popular with students in Australia, but a workers rights organisation is warning those from overseas who may not be familiar with employer regulations not to be taken advantage of.The warning from the Fair Work Ombudsman comes after it announced it has begun legal action against a pizza outlet in Melbourne for underpaying employees and at a time when more students from around the world are opting to study in Australia.The number of international students choosing to study in Australia has surged over the past few years to the point that Australia is overtaking the UK as the world's second biggest destination for international students, behind the United States.New research from University College London's Centre for Global Higher Education, shows that Australia is likely to have already moved into second place when data for 2017/2018 is published.'Australia shares the advantages of all English speaking countries in the global market. Its reputation for quality is not as strong as the UK and the US but it has a favourable climate and proximity to East and South East Asia, and it is closer than the UK to India,' said professor Simon Marginson, the centre's director.'These are the most important source regions for international students. Australia has also been less nervous than the UK about migration in general, and the possibility of international students becoming migrants in particular,' he added.In one of its latest cases the Fair Work Ombudsman received a request for assistance from an employee of the Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar franchise, and inspectors subsequently investigated the Cheltenham Crust outlet owned by Desire Food.The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges that it underpaid several workers a total of $35,725 relating to minimum ordinary hourly rates, casual loadings, annual leave entitlements, a special clothing allowance and penalty rates for night-time, weekend and public holiday work.The Fair Work Ombudsman also alleges that Desire Food breached workplace laws by providing inspectors with false and misleading records that showed employees had been paid higher rates than was actually the case.Further alleged breaches include not paying for meal breaks and a transport allowance, failing to engage casual employees for a minimum of three hours, not issuing pay slips, failing to issue pay slips that complied with the Fair Work Regulations 2009 and failing to adhere to frequency of pay laws.All seven Crust employees worked as delivery drivers or pizza makers and at least three of these employees were living in Australia on student visas, and one was just 17.'The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken a fast food franchisee to court because we have a strong focus on protecting the workplace rights of vulnerable workers in Australia. We are conscious that age, language and cultural barriers, a lack of awareness about workplace entitlements and a reluctance to complain can create difficulties for some workers,' said Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker.'More broadly, it is a priority for the Fair Work Ombudsman to ensure that fast food, restaurant and cafe workers receive their correct wages and entitlements. Improving workplace compliance across the sector will help to eliminate the unfair competitive advantage gained by employers who underpay staff,' she explained.The incident happened last December, in North Hykeham, near Lincoln, UK, but the boy is still on the radar because hes refusing to do the community work hes been assigned, the BBC reports.In addition to the damage he caused to the house, his girlfriend was also seriously injured. She ended up taking up some of the blame, saying that shed been pulling on his arm during the argument, which made him lose control of the car.According to the prosecutor, when the car entered the house, it smashed throughout the entire ground floor and spun around. When first responders arrived on the scene, they found the 2 occupants of the car, driver and passenger, trapped in the wreck.As a result, the boy, whose identity hasnt been made public because he was a minor at the time, was sentenced to 8 months in prison, suspended for 2 years, and 80 hours of unpaid, community work. The sentence was the result of his entering a plea of guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, after the initial charge of attempted murder was dropped.Yesterday, Lincoln Crown Court Judge Simon Hirst heard that the boy has been missing out on his community work because he believes its messing up his social life. Thats not a joke: his attorney actually stood in court and claimed the dude could no longer have a social life and could not hang out with his friends anymore because he had to pay for the crime he had committed.In response, the Judge sentenced him to 30 hours more of unpaid work. Instant karma. If you breach this order again please bring what you need for prison, he told the boy. I took the view a suspended sentence was appropriate. You have not done a very good job in repaying my trust.Jacob Mueller from Collinsville, Illinois, tells KMOV that the accident must have happened in the early hours of Sunday morning  or in the dead of night, if you like to sleep in late. The point is that he woke up on Sunday and went out, only to find his beloved Mercury Sable totaled in his driveway.Whats worse, there was no note explaining what happened or offering information to contact the person responsible.The axel is just completely destroyed, the back drivers side tire is sideways pretty much, the panel is missing, shattered glass, Mueller explains. The damage is so severe that I cant even open the drivers side of it.Like many other people, Mueller depends on his car. He had owned this one for 7 years and had planned to have it hauled to Washington when he moved there for a new job next week. Needless to say, he has nothing to haul there now.The accident wasnt captured by any surveillance camera, but one of the neighbors heard what sounded like a crash at some point. Mueller also found a running board that he believes came off the suspects car: he thinks it could have come off a Ford F-150, but the report doesnt mention whether hes shared this information with the police.Speaking of sharing stuff, thats what most baffles him about the accident. Its one thing to have you car totaled on your own driveway, but its an entirely different matter not to let the owner know what happened. No card was left, no one knocked on the door nothing, he says.What started in Volkswagens back yard in 2015 soon expanded to include pretty much all German carmakers. In Opels case, the KBA suspects the company used a so-called defeat device in some of its diesel cars, a software meant to cheat emissions tests.The problem was discovered earlier this year in Zafira Cascada and Insignia models sold in Europe. According to Opel, as soon as the issue was uncovered, a service update was implemented. The carmaker says there were a little over 30,000 cars initially affected  without saying exactly how many are now, but various sources put that number to 100,000.Even if it acknowledged there is a problem with the cars software, Opel objects to the accusation of having purposely used a defeat device. It also confirmed the public prosecutor's office of Frankfurt raided its headquarters and other sites on Monday.Opel confirms that the public prosecutor's office of Frankfurt is conducting investigations in the course of preliminary proceedings on emissions at the sites in Russelsheim and Kaiserslautern, the carmaker said in a statement.Opel objects to the accusation of using inadmissible defeat devices. Opel vehicles comply with the applicable regulations. Opel also made this clear to the Kraftfahrtbundesamt (KBA) in the ongoing hearing.The Germans also add that the delays in the investigation are not their fault, and warn that should a mandatory recall be ordered they will take legal action to defend itself.The affected cars have been manufactured between 2013 and 2016, with around 31,200 vehicles originally involved in Germany, of which over 22,000 have already been fixed as part of a voluntary recall conducted between February 2017 and April 2018.Reid was on a plane from Los Angeles to New York and she caused a serious disturbance right before take-off, prompting the captain to refuse to put the plane in the air until she was de-boarded. According to TMZ , which obtained video of the incident, Reid flew into a rage over her seat and lack of a pillow, and was proving a huge nuisance.You can see the video at the bottom of the page; it happened on Delta Flight 613 from LAX to NYC. Eyewitnesses claim that Reid was very loud and impolite, complaining about her seat and then about the fact that she hadnt been given a pillow. Flight attendants tried to pacify her, but to no avail.The captain took the plane back from the gate but refused to take it off until Reid was escorted off it . So he had flight attendants inform her that she and her pooch must deplane. Surprisingly, she complied with the demand without causing further trouble.The flight eventually took off for New York with a delay, but no further incidents. The actress waited at the airport until she was able to book a later flight for the same destination.Tara's side of the story is she thought she had a window seat and was upset that wasn't the case. Further, she says she was cramped in her seat because the woman in front of her had reclined, the publication reports.Given Reids history of scandals and addiction, her excuse is falling on (mostly) deaf ears, as shes criticized for delaying the flight for her stupid demands.This year's PIMS sees 17 automakers presenting their latest models and some concepts over the span of five days. Participating brands this year are BAIC, BMW, Daewoo Trucks and Buses, Foton, Fuso, Honda, Isuzu, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, SsangYong, Suzuki, Tata, Toyota, and Volkswagen.

There are only eight days to go before the 7th Philippine International Auto Show opens its doors, showing the public a whole range of all-new and updated vehicles that will soon join the market. Along with those, concept cars will be gracing the show to highlight green technologies of the future.

BAIC will be showing off the BJ20 crossover, which recently made its debut late last month. Honda meanwhile will be displaying their crowd favorites and best-sellers, namely the BR-V, City, CR-V and, of course, the Civic Type R. Isuzu fans will be delighted with the expanded range of the D-Max and Mu-X, consisting of the Mu-X RZ4E LS, Mu-X Luxe, D-Max RZ4E LS, and D-Max 4x4.

Mazda previewed their PIMS lineup last week and these are the facelifted Mazda6, more powerful MX-5, and upgraded CX-9. Mitsubishi on the other hand continues to commit to greener motoring with the Outlander PHEV and the e-Evolution Concept. The same goes with Nissan as they bring in the pure-electric Leaf to the Philippines, along with the Terra, Navara, and X-Trail.

Over to Ssangyong and the Musso nameplate returns to the Philippines as a pick-up this time around. Suzuki will, again, be showing the all-new Swift, second-generation Dzire, and the Vitara. Toyota is taking the concept car route with the TJ Cruiser. For those looking for an affordable automatic sedan, Volkswagen will be introducing self-shifting variants of the Santana, along with the mid-sized Lamando sedan.

Moving on to luxury marques, BMW will launch the 6 Series Gran Turismo and all-new X4, and showcase the latest M5, X2, and M2. Jaguar will put the spotlight on their crossovers and display the F-Pace and E-Pace. Jag's sister company Land Rover are set to highlight the Discovery and Range Rover Velar.

Last but not least are the commercial vehicles that will make their debut at PIMS 2018. At Daewoo, a new bus and truck will be revealed featuring Euro 5 turbodiesel engines. Foton follows suit with seven new vehicles in the light, medium and heavy duty segment.

Mitsubishi's Fuso division will also show their full range of trucks, along with light buses designed in line with the PUV Modernization Program. Not to be outdone, Isuzu will also show their modern PUV concepts and the heavy-duty EXZ QL truck. Tata's Super Ace with a new Euro-IV turbodiesel wraps up the commercial vehicle displays.

Of course, the cars mentioned here are the ones that will surely be displayed in the World Trade Center from October 24 to 28. Will there be surprises in this year's show? We shall found out soon.Aerion Corporation says it will fly its AS2 supersonic business jet in 2023 and will do its first trans-Atlantic flight with the aircraft on Oct. 24 of that year, the 20th anniversary of the last commercial flight of the Concorde supersonic airliner. At a news conference at NBAA in Orlando, CEO Tom Vice said that GE has designed an engine to push the 11-seat aircraft at Mach 1.4 over the ocean and subsonically over land. Vice said the engine was the final piece of a complex puzzle to create an aircraft that would be comfortable, efficient, environmentally responsible and quiet and still meet the speed demands of the new market. This is the first supersonic business jet in history and the first civilian supersonic aircraft in 50 years, said Vice.

Aerion, which is funded by passionate investor Robert Bass, hasnt built any part of the aircraft and has been concentrating on research aimed at making the aircraft fit into the existing airspace and regulatory structure. To that end it has enlisted help from Honeywell for the avionics and other electronic systems and Lockheed Martin for the system integration and overall design through its Skunkworks research and development center. As the final arbiter for all the systems that the complex aircraft will need, Skunkworks project manager Dave Richardson said the engine was the last obstacle. There are no showstoppers, he said.

Vice also elaborated on how the aircraft might be able to use technology to fly supersonically over the U.S. Supersonic flight over the U.S. is now banned by the FAA but the AS2 will have technology on board that will analyze environmental conditions and calculate speeds and altitudes (up to the service ceiling of 60,000 feet) at which it can break the sound barrier without the resulting boom hitting the ground. As for subsonic operations, the aircraft will meet the more stringent Stage 5 noise restrictions that will come into effect in 2022, making it among the quietest aircraft available. It will also exceed emission standards, Vice said.

Aerion plans to build a maximum of 500 of the $120 million aircraft and reinvest the proceeds into follow-on designs that are larger and faster. Vice said there is already a supersonic airliner on the drawing board but it wont be like existing airliners. There is no timeline on the subsequent models.

In a follow-on news conference GE Aviation unveiled the new engine. The Affinity engine is a 16,000- to 20,000-pound medium-bypass design with two shafts and fans. Its built around the core of the ubiquitous CFM 56 engine, which powers thousands of airliners and has accumulated billions of flight hours. To handle the rigors of high speed and high altitude (service ceiling of 60,000 feet) many components had to be beefed up and able to handle the high temperatures of Mach 1.4 operations. At the Aerion news conference, GE spokesman Brad Mottier said the technical challenges have been overcome. Its a remarkable machine for a remarkable aircraft, he said.An accurate tally of the number of U.S. active aircraft equipped with ADS-B is now available thanks to the flight tracking app FlightAware. The company, which started with a single feed from FAA ATC data ten years ago, now offers global flight tracking through satellite and ground stations. It can keep track of which aircraft do and dont emit an ADS-B Out signal. At NBAA-BACE in Orlando, the company released precise data showing about 60 percent of the turbine-powered GA aircraft in the U.S. have met the FAAs Jan. 2020 equipage mandate.

By the end of September, 10,032 of the 17,179 U.S.-registered turbine-powered aircraft currently operating in the U.S. were sending signals to the thousands of little orange receivers Flight Aware has sent to companies, airports, individuals and government agencies across the U.S. The receivers pick up transponder and ADS-B signals from passing aircraft and feed them to FlightAwares enormous data crunching machine and the data is extracted from there. Presumably it has the same information for the piston and helicopter fleet and weve asked for that. You can see a PDF of the turbine tally by clicking the Related File link below this story.Royal crown and other regalia from Shah dynasty on display in museum

The Shah dynasty regalia, including the royal crown, were unveiled at the Narayanhiti Museum formerly Narayanhiti Palace on Monday. The valuable crown jewels and artefacts had been nationalised after the 240-year-old Shah regime was overthrown by the Constituent Assembly in May 2008Starting next year, U.S. astronauts will no longer have to hitch a ride from Russia to reach the International Space Station, says NASAboth a SpaceX rocket and a Boeing spacecraft will provide ISS crew transport. The first human spaceflight aboard a SpaceX rocket to the International Space Station (ISS) is expected to take place in June 2019, while a flight on a Boeing spacecraft is set to follow in August 2019, NASA said last week. Before those launches, each of the vehicles must first complete uncrewed orbital flight tests, and then a crewed flight test, to be certified by NASA for ISS crew missions. NASA astronauts currently travel to the ISS aboard Russian Soyuz spacecraft, and that contract is set to expire in November 2019.

The planned test flight dates are January 2019 for the SpaceX Dragon uncrewed demo, and March 2019 for the Boeing Starliner uncrewed orbital flight test. In June, SpaceX will launch a crewed test, and Boeing will do the same in August. The crewed missions will be the first to launch from the U.S. since the retirement of the space shuttle in 2011. The new system wont provide the smooth runway landings of the shuttleto return to Earth, astronauts will return home in a space capsule beneath a parachute, which can be a bumpy ride. NASA will provide updates to the launch plans online on its new Commercial Crew blog.Bombardier announced at NBAA 2018 in Orlando, Florida, this week that it is nearly 70 percent completed with certification flight testing of two new clean-sheet-design long-range business jetsthe Global 5500 and Global 6500. The new jets in Bombardiers Global family are powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl engines, which are purpose-built for the Global 6500 and 5500. The Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 engine will deliver up to 15,125 pounds of thrust under ISA+15 conditions.

The new jets in the Global series boast significant rangeup to 5700 nautical miles for the Global 5500 and 6600 nautical miles for the Global 6500with top speeds as high as Mach 0.90. In real world ops, thats New York to Cairo in the Global 5500 and Miami to Moscow in the Global 6500.

With newly designed interiors, the new Global series has no shortage of modern styling. At the convention, Bombardier was showing off the patented Nuage seat and Nuage chaise lounge seat for the Global cabins conference suite. Theres also ultra-fast cabin connectivity and a 4-K ultra-high-resolution media suite.

As for avionics, the new Globals will sport Rockwell Collins Vision flight decks, or CVS. Its the only suite for business jets that merges enhanced and synthetic vision in a single view. Theres plenty of power to support the avionics and other cabin techthe new Global aircraft are equipped with four variable frequency generators, in addition to an auxiliary power unit, or APU.

Bombardier is kicking up its support potential, too. At NBAA it announced a new service center at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. Expected to be operational in 2020, the service center will employ nearly 300 people and will be equipped to perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, mods, avionics installations and other support efforts for the Learjet, Challenger and Global model line. This is a $100 million investment, according to Bombardier. The Global 5500 is expected to carry a price tag of around $46 million and roughly $56 million for the Global 6500. Both jets are scheduled for delivery in 2019. For more, visit www.Bombardier.com.Two polls taken ahead of an Oct. 28 presidential runoff in Brazil show far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro with leads of 16 and 18 points over leftist Fernando Haddad, who is backed by jailed former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Why it matters: Many Brazilians fear a Bolsonaro victory, in part because of his history of racist, misogynist and homophobic statements. There was speculation that his support would hit a "ceiling," but according to these polls, nearly 60% of Brazilian voters are willing to cast their ballots for him.Google CEO Sundar Pichai has, for the first time, publicly acknowledged that Google has considered relaunching its search engine in China, stating Monday that the company's mission "is to provide information to everyone."

Why it matters: Since leaks of Google's Project Dragonfly, an internal project prototyping a potential search engine for China, the company has faced criticism for wanting to enter a market that would require it play by the government's censorship rules.

"The reason we did the internal project  it's been years, we've been out of the market ... We wanted to learn what it would be like if Google was in China ... We'll be able to serve well over 99% of queries and there are many many areas in where we would provide information better than what's available. "

 Sundar Pichai, speaking at Wired's 25th anniversary conference in San Francisco Monday

On how it approaches launching projects in any country:

"Our mission is to provide information to everyone ... .every time we work on countries across the world ... We're always balancing a set of values. We're providing users access to information, freedom of expression, user privacy, but we also follow the rule of law in every country."

 Sundar Pichai

Pichai also noted that 20% of the world's population lives in China. Though this fits nicely with the company's mission to offer everyone access to information, it's difficult to ignore what it also means: a huge business opportunity for Google.A day after President Trump's "60 Minutes" interview, in which he said there'd be "severe punishment" if Saudi Arabia were responsible for the alleged murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, he appeared to give the Saudis an out:

"The king firmly denied any knowledge of it. ... It sounded to me like these could have been rogue killers, who knows?"

 Trump to reporters Monday

Between the lines: That a team of "rogue killers" would infiltrate the Saudi consulate and murder an opponent of the regime seems a pretty far-fetched explanation, particularly as the Washington Post has reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman himself sought to lure Khashoggi back to the kingdom for capture. But Trump isn't the only one who seems to be offering the Saudis a graceful way out.

As Soner Cagaptay of the Washington Institute points out, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would need Trump's backing to confront the Saudis head on. Instead, the rogue killers "exit ramp" allows Erdogan to avoid two bad outcomes:

A blow to his strongman image due to an assassination inside Turkey's borders going unchallenged.

An economically damaging rupture with the Saudis if he does call them out.

We seem to be drifting toward the exit ramp. CNN is reporting that "the Saudis are preparing a report that will acknowledge ... Khashoggi's death was the result of an interrogation that went wrong, one that was intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey ... [but] was carried out without clearance and transparency."

The bottom line: The Saudis initially claimed that Khashoggi left the embassy unharmed. There's no reason to believe them now. But even if this is as bogus as it sounds, all three countries involved might decide a politically expedient lie is preferable to an inconvenient truth.

What to watch: Trump has dispatched Secretary of State Pompeo to Saudi Arabia.As India heads for national elections next spring, opposition parties hoping to topple powerful Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are wooing a controversial politician who has built immense power by representing the powerless.

Why it matters: Dalits, members of low castes in the Hindu system who have suffered discrimination and stigma for hundreds of years, are an increasingly coveted swing vote, in part because of rising tensions between them and ruling BJP-affiliated Hindu nationalists (whose conservative views explicitly stigmatize Dalits). Dalit herdsmen and leather traders have suffered numerous attacks by cow vigilantes, and earlier this year violent clashes erupted over the 200th anniversary of a colonial-era battle in which Dalits sided with the British against upper-caste Hindus.

While Modis pledge to expand economic prosperity won him as much as a quarter of the Dalit vote in 2014, that loyalty may now be in question.

Mayawati Das, known as Mayawati, is a former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Indias most populous state. She is also leader of the influential Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which represents the interests of Dalits, once known as untouchables." Today, there are at least 200 million Dalits spread across the country, many of whom refer to Mayawati  who grew up in poverty and famously traveled by bicycle to visit poor voters in Uttar Pradesh  as behenji, or honored sister.

For her part, Mayawati is keen to stage a major political comeback.

In the 2014 general elections, the BSP won the third-highest vote tally but failed to secure a single seat in the lower house of the national legislature because it failed to come in first in any individual district.

the BSP won the third-highest vote tally but failed to secure a single seat in the lower house of the national legislature because it failed to come in first in any individual district. Now, with an eye on 2019, the BSP is building local alliances in more than a dozen states, leaving open the question of whether Mayawati will yet partner with a national party.

the BSP is building local alliances in more than a dozen states, leaving open the question of whether Mayawati will yet partner with a national party. A tie with the Congress Party  which suffered its worst ever defeat in 2014  could pose a stiff challenge to Modi and even lead to a deadlocked outcome in which Mayawati has the role of kingmaker in choosing the next prime minister.

Still, even if Mayawati does jump into the mix, the BJP is heading into 2019 in a commanding position.

A broadly popular Modi can now boast of governing the fastest growing major economy in the world.

Whats more, Mayawati herself is hardly uncontroversial. Despite her humble origins and strong advocacy for Indias poor, she has a personal taste for lavish living and megalomaniacal public works projects (including massive statues of herself) that have prompted accusations of corruption.

The bottom line: As the worlds largest democracy heads for elections next spring, the electoral loyalties of Indias most stigmatized groups could prove decisive. Keep an eye on Mayawati.

Sign up for Signal, a thrice-weekly newsletter from GZERO Media, a Eurasia Group company, and follow @saosasha on Twitter.1 big thing: A second chance for democracy

A tiny tropical nation hopes to set an example for the world on two crucial challenges: reversing authoritarianism and standing up to China.

Why it matters: Democracy appears to be returning to the Maldives six years after the countrys first, short-lived democratic government was toppled. In an election last month that was widely expected to be rigged in favor of strongman President Abdulla Yameen  and which took place with the most prominent opposition leaders in jail  the opposition won a resounding victory. Yameen initially accepted the results but has since reversed course.

Over the last few days, the Supreme Court heard Yameens allegations that he was cheated, four of five election commissioners fled the country after being threatened, and the U.S. State Department warned of appropriate measures against anyone who undermines a peaceful transfer of power.

the Supreme Court heard Yameens allegations that he was cheated, four of five election commissioners fled the country after being threatened, and the U.S. State Department warned of appropriate measures against anyone who undermines a peaceful transfer of power. I sat down with Ahmed Naseem, a former foreign minister who is now serving as President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solihs special representative to Washington, to discuss the challenges the incoming administration faces ahead of the Nov. 17 transition.

Catch up quick: The Maldives is a popular honeymoon destination. It's also situated along key shipping routes and has become a geopolitical battleground for China and India, which is wary of Beijings military ambitions in the Indian Ocean. Yameen steered the country away from India, its longtime ally, and into Chinas orbit by signing massive infrastructure deals Naseem says could push the Maldives into a pit of debt from which we could never escape on our own.

The incoming administration is demanding renegotiations and plans to restore ties with India, which Naseem says has never tried to dominate us.

The things that happened with China, we will investigate, he told me. We expect China to cooperate with us.

Some of these infrastructure investments were useful and some were not. We will find out how much was spent and how much went under the table to different government officials, and well find those corrupt officials and well deal with it. If it was the president who was corrupt, well deal with that as well.

What to watch: Naseem says transitional justice will be a top priority. I asked if Yameen has to fear prosecution after leaving and he didnt rule it out but added, There are too many people to be prosecuted, and Maldives is a very small place.

The bigger picture: Naseem, a veteran of the pro-democracy movement who spent five years in prison, says the democratic breakthrough in the Maldives provides a template that could be followed by many other countries, particularly other Muslim countries.

You dont have to be violent in order to get democracy. ... You will suffer, you will go to jail. You just dont become violent because that gives an excuse to the dictatorial regime to become more brutal and suppress democracy.

We wouldnt have got where we got without Western backing, without the help of the worlds democracies. After that backing faded last time, he says, dictatorship returned. Hes seeking U.S. help to build sustainable democratic institutions.

In the short term, people must see the benefits of democracy.  If anybody comes up and says democracy is useless, the other person should be able say, These are the things democracy brings for us.

The bottom line: There arent many countries that get a second chance at democracy so quickly as the Maldives," Naseem says.The Russian Orthodox Church said Monday that it has severed ties with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the leading authority for the worlds 300 million Orthodox Christians, for supporting Ukraine's successful push for an independent church, reports Reuters.

The details: This is reportedly the biggest split in Christianity in 1,000 years. It comes just a week after the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was approval to split from the Russian Church  a move that sought to prevent Russian from interfering in its affairs. Metropolitan Hilarion, a cleric whos infuriated by Constantinoples decision to support the Ukrainian church's independence, said the Holy Synod had no choice but to completely sever ties.Restrictive voting policies could influence the outcome of 2018 battleground races in at least four states: Georgia, North Dakota, Ohio and Arkansas.

The battle lines: Voting rights advocates say Republicans are trying to prevent minorities, who overwhelmingly vote Democratic, from casting ballots. But Republicans argue that their efforts are meant to increase voter confidence, modernize elections and combat rampant voter fraud  even though numerous studies have found no evidence of widespread voter irregularities in the U.S.

State of play: In North Dakota, Native Americans are working to minimize the effects of the Supreme Courts decision to uphold the states voter ID law, which requires voters to provide identification with their residential address rather than a P.O. box number.

Critics said the high courts move harms Native American voters who live on reservations, where residential addresses largely do not exist. It also threatens the reelection of Heidi Heitkamp, one of the Senates most vulnerable red-state Democratic incumbents, who has received broad support among Native American voters in the past.

In Georgia, a coalition of civil rights groups sued Brian Kemp, the secretary of state and Republican nominee for governor, last week for placing more than 53,000 voter applications on a pending list. The list  created by the voter verification method called exact match, which requires voter applications be perfectly matched with information on file  has a disproportionately high number of black voters.

Kemps spokeswoman, Candice Broce, denied accusations of voter suppression and said those affected will be allowed to cast ballots if they show a photo ID that proves they are eligible to vote.

In Ohio, a voting rights group recently appealed a federal judges decision to uphold the states aggressive efforts to purge its voting rolls. The system, which disproportionately affects minorities and the poor, kicks people off the rolls if they skip a few elections and fail to respond to a notice from election officials.

The appeal seeks to allow purged voters to cast ballots next month in a state that features high-profile races for governor, the U.S. Senate and a few key House seats.

In Arkansas, where Democrats hope to flip a Republican-held House seat, the states highest court upheld a voter ID law that requires residents to show photo identification before voting. But voters can cast provisional ballots without an ID if they sign a sworn affidavit.The Trump administration's plans to directly intervene in power markets to prop up economically struggling coal-fired and nuclear power plants have been "shelved" for now, Politico reported last night.

Why it matters: The story underscores the challenge of finding legally and politically viable policy levers to directly keep these plants afloat, even as the White House pushes ahead with efforts to aid the coal sector by scaling back Obama-era pollution rules.

Where it stands: An Energy Department-led effort has been seeking ways to use sweeping federal national security powers to aid plants facing severe market pressures from cheap natural gas, renewables and regulations.

"But the White House has shelved the plan amid opposition from the presidents own advisers on the National Security Council and National Economic Council," Politico reports, citing 4 sources with "knowledge of the discussions."

The intrigue: Politico reports that one of Energy Secretary Rick Perrys biggest problems is "figuring out who would pay the billions of dollars needed to keep money-losing power plants operating" and the prospect of the plan raising consumer costs.

The big picture: The administration  in an argument hotly disputed by numerous experts  says that it's essential to aid these coal and nuclear plants to ensure grid reliability, especially as officials review gas pipelines' vulnerability to cyber and physical attacks.

The White House did not comment when contacted by Axios last night.

Separately in coal policy, the Associated Press reports:

"The Trump administration is considering using West Coast military bases or other federal properties as transit points for shipments of U.S. coal and natural gas to Asia, as officials seek to bolster the domestic energy industry and circumvent environmental opposition to fossil fuel exports."The double standard of outrage

A profound sense of injustice, an instinct to protect and warn vulnerable women like them, and a blithering refusal to be complicit in the crimes of patriarchy motivates women to come forward. The least we can do is to listen and acknowledge.In a surprise move, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians government on Tuesday appointed a retired general, who was Armenias second most powerful police official during former President Serzh Sarkisians rule, as a provincial governor.

Lieutenant-General Hunan Poghosian was named to run the southeastern Syunik province five months after resigning as first deputy chief of the Armenian police following Pashinian-led mass protests that toppled Sarkisians government. He had held that position since 2010.

Poghosian tendered his resignation immediately after Pashinian appointed one of his subordinates, Colonel Valeri Osipian, as new head of the national police service on May 10. He gave no clear reasons for his exit.

The new governments decision to give the vacant post of Syunik governor to Poghosian therefore took many by surprise. Some Pashinian supporters criticized it, saying that the police general was closely linked to the former ruling regime accused of corruption and human rights abuses.

Pashinian acknowledged that the appointment may seem strange seeing as Poghosian was on the other side of the barricades during his nationwide campaign of anti-government protests. He said it is part of his efforts to consolidate the nation after last springs dramatic upheavals.

I find it very important to ensure that as a result of the revolution nobody feels that their [professional] life in Armenia is finished, Pashinian told a cabinet meeting in Yerevan. Accordingly, we must not allow the emergence of a phenomenon which can tentatively be called political racism.

There are times for building barricades and dismantling them, and I hope that we are getting close to the latter point, he said.

Poghosian, meanwhile, dismissed critics claims that he was a loyal servant of the former ruling regime. Only slavish people can probably think so, he told reporters. I have always served the law and the people.

Im a supporter of New Armenia and I will do everything to help ensure that everything is alright in New Armenia, added the 54-year-old.

Poghosians latest appointment was made possible by Pashinians decision earlier this month to sack all government ministers and provincial governors affiliated with the Prosperous Armenia and Dashnaktsutyun parties. The premier accused his coalition partners parties of assisting Sarkisians Republicans in their efforts to scuttle his plans to force snap parliamentary elections in December.The United States plans to hold early next year strategic discussions with Armenia on ways of strengthening bilateral relations, a senior U.S. State Department official said at the end of a visit to Yerevan on Tuesday.

George Kent, the U.S deputy assistant secretary of state for the European and Eurasian affairs, met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian as well as Armenian parliamentarians, businesspeople and civil society members during the two-day trip. He reaffirmed Washingtons readiness to help the new Armenian government implement sweeping political and economic reforms promised by it.

The U.S. remains ready to be a supportive partner as Armenia moves forward in improving its quality of institutions, Kent told a news conference.

I believe after the [Armenian parliamentary] elections we will hold the next round of U.S.-Armenia Task Force strategic discussions, he said. I expect those will take place in Washington in the new year, perhaps in February. And I think that will be an excellent moment or us to talk about how we can deepen our relationship.

Kent pointed out that the U.S. already provided Armenia with $14 million in additional aid following last springs velvet revolution that brought Pashinian to power. He said it can specifically support the Pashinian governments anti-corruption efforts and programs on ways of diversifying the Armenian economy.

U.S. companies will be prepared to invest in Armenia if the investment climate is supportive of large-scale investment, Kent went on. So it was interesting for me to hear the experience of U.S. companies [doing business in Armenia,] whether they are in hydroelectric power or other areas.

I think there is a lot of discussion now about a large mining investment that is under review, and as I told Armenian political leaders yesterday, its critical that contracts are upheld in order that Armenia can continue to attract investment that will create good jobs and allow Armenians to work with dignity here in Armenia, rather than going overseas, he stressed.

The U.S. official clearly referred to the continuing disruption of operations at the Amulsar gold deposit in southeastern Armenia which was developed by the Anglo-American company Lydian International.

All roads leading to Amulsar have been blocked since June 23 by dozens of people protesting against gold mining operations there which they say are fraught with serious risks to the environment.

Lydian has dismissed these concerns, saying that it will use modern and safe technology. The company, which claims to have invested more than $300 million in Amulsar, has condemned the disruption of its operations as illegal.

The Armenian government, meanwhile, remains reluctant to forcibly unblock the Amulsar roads. Pashinian said late last month that the government is now seeking more evidence that open-pit mining would not contaminate water in the area.

The Amulsar project is strongly supported by the U.S. and British governments. The U.S. ambassador to Armenia, Richard Mills, has repeatedly warned that its possible scrapping would discourage further U.S. investments in the Armenian economy.

As a friend of Armenia, I fear that if this issue is not resolved soon it could put a large cloud over the attractiveness of Armenia as a place to do business, Mills warned last week. He noted the absence of evidence of significant violations of Armenian environmental laws by Lydian.

Pashinian briefed Kent on his governments reform agenda when they met on Monday. He had earlier expressed readiness to strengthen and expand U.S.-Armenian relations.

The Armenian premier briefly chatted with U.S. President Donald Trump at a NATO summit in Brussels in July. He hoped to hold his first talks with Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in late September. The talks did not take place, however.

Im sure there will be a [Trump-Pashinian] meeting but I cant tell you exactly where and when, said Kent. He suggested that Trumps national security adviser, John Bolton, will discuss the matter with Pashinian when he visits Yerevan later this month.

Kent said that Armenias relations with neighboring Iran and renewed U.S. economic sanctions against Tehran will also be on the agenda of Boltons talks.

Trump re-imposed the sanctions earlier this year after pulling out of a 2015 international agreement on Irans nuclear program. The move was criticized by the other world powers that signed it: France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China.

Armenia too continues to support the 2015 deal and has made clear that it will press ahead with joint economic projects with Iran. The Islamic Republic is one of the landlocked countrys two commercial conduits to the outside world.

While we understand the challenges for Armenia in terms of regional trade, we remain very concerned about the behavior of elements of the Iranian military and state in regional instability, not regional stability, Kent said in this regard. So there are questions of legitimate trade but there are also questions of how the [Iranian] Revolutionary Guards and Quds force sponsor terrorism.

So I think you can expect a frank and active exchange of perspectives during Ambassador Boltons visit about positive opportunities in the bilateral relationship and challenges to regional stability, added the U.S. official.By Trend

Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 29 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Oct. 16.

Armenian armed forces were using heavy machine guns.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Sara Israfilbayova

Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation (AIC) is preparing a strategy to expand aluminum production.

Kamran Nabizade, the corporations director general, told reporters that currently, the Ganja Aluminum Plant annually produces 50,000-55,000 tons of aluminum products, mainly aluminum ingots and sheets.

He went on to say that the strategy to which foreign specialists are involved, includes, in particular, the development of the Ganja Aluminum Plant, the creation of an anode block plant in perspective, and an increase in aluminum production to 100,000-110,000 tons per year.

Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation was established in November 2017. The corporation brings unites a number of state-owned enterprises, including those operating in the fields of agriculture, tourism, and the metallurgical industry. The main task of the corporation is to modernize the management systems of these enterprises, increase their profitability, transparency, etc.

Aluminum is the most common metal on the Earth, it accounts for more than 8 percent of the total mass of the earth's crust, and it is the third most common chemical element on our planet after oxygen and silicon.

Aluminium is not found in nature in its pure form due to its high chemical activity. Formally, aluminum was discovered only in 1824, and half a century passed before its industrial production began.

Aluminum has a rare combination of valuable properties. It is one of the lightest metals in nature: it is almost three times lighter than iron, but it is durable, extremely plastic and does not corrode, as its surface is always covered with a very thin but very strong oxide film. It is not magnetized, it conducts electricity perfectly and forms alloys with almost all metals.

The aluminum industry is most developed in Ganja and Sumgait. It includes the stages of production of aluminum oxide and aluminum.

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Sara Israfilbayova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Sara_999Is

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Narmina Mammadova

Azertutun Ltd, part of the Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation (AIC), intends to produce 3,000 tons of tobacco in 2018, AIC Director General Kamran Nabizade told journalists on October 15.

"Azerbaijan plans to produce a total of 6,000 tons of tobacco in 2018, of which 3,000 tons will account for Azertutun. Lands sown under tobacco reached 2,387 hectares this year. Tobacco is stored in the storage point in Balakan region," Nabizade added.

The state aims at the rational usage of the potential of this industry and increase of its competitiveness.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree approving the "State Program for the Development of Tobacco Growing in Azerbaijan for 2017-2021" on August 10, 2017.

According to the order, the State Program is aimed at the development of tobacco growing, deepening the sphere of tobacco processing, increasing profitability and export potential as well as increasing employment of the rural population.

The state program takes into account all the necessary factors for the development of this industry - control over the quality of seeds, phytosanitary. This shows that the state aims to create all conditions and provide targeted support for the development of tobacco growing.

Currently, the country eyes to minimize the import of tobacco products. To this end, the manufacturer of tobacco products Tabaterra will build a factory of tobacco products in the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park. Taking into account the market demand, the factory, capable of producing 10 billion cigarettes, is able to fully meet the countrys demand for tobacco products.

For the first five months of the year, 1,275 billion cigarettes were produced in the country. In the reporting period, the country produced more cigarettes than during the entire 2017, when 1.241 billion cigarettes were produced.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

The assets of enterprises worth 530 million manat have already been accepted into the authorized capital of Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation OJSC (AIC), director of the AIC Kamran Nabizade said.

He made the remarks at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to results of socio-economic development in the nine months of 2018 and objectives for the future, chaired by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

The market value of the assets of enterprises, which should be transferred to the balance of the agro-industrial complex in the first tranche, has already been determined, he said.

"The total amount of these assets is 668 million manat. As of today, assets worth 530 million manat have already been taken to the corporations balance sheet, and work continues on accepting the remaining assets to 138 million," Nabizade added.

Local specialists are engaged in assessment. Our task is to rationally use these assets to make an even greater contribution to the economic development of the country. Currently, there are 17 enterprises operating on the balance sheet of our corporation, where a corporate governance system and a corresponding accounting system are implemented, he added.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Sara Israfilbayova

Next year, Azerbaijans insurance market will undergo changes, which will lead to the decrease in premiums on certain types of insurance.

Chairman of the Azerbaijan Insurers Association (AIA) Mustafa Abbasbayli told Trend that the development of the market next year can be promoted by such types of insurance as agricultural insurance or insurance against accidents at work.

He underlined that in particular, if the law on agricultural insurance is adopted, next year, premiums on this type of insurance are forecast at 70-100 million manats ($41.18-$58.82 million).

We have recently signed a memorandum with Azerbaijans Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population on the insurance against accidents. After this memorandum, next year we expect premiums on this type of insurance to grow 60 million manats ($35.29 million), Abbasbayli stressed.

Speaking of the possibility of raising the minimum capitalization requirements for insurance companies against the background of serious growth in the market, Abbasbayli stressed that such issues are not being considered.

Presently, the capital requirement is 5 million manats ($2.94 million) for the existing companies and 10 million manats ($5.88 million) for the new ones.

In January-August 2018, insurance companies operating in Azerbaijan collected premiums worth 517 million manats, which is 40 percent more than in the same period last year.

Payments of the insurance companies over the same period amounted to 169 million manats, which is 1.2 percent more than the figure for the first eight months of 2017.

Currently, 21 insurance companies are implementing their activities in Azerbaijan.

First top 5 of general insurance companies in January-June 2018 is as follows: AzerInsurance (34.91 million manats-$20.53 million), Ateshgah (19.69 million manats-$11.58 million), Mega Insurance (15.23 million manats-$8.96 million), AtaInsurance (10.35 million manats-$6.09 million).

Among the insurance companies in the first half of 2018, PASHA Life Insurance also made the largest payments, reimbursements of which amounted to 31.65 million manats ($18.61 million) or 26.5 percent of all payments of insurers.

PASHA Insurance became the leader in terms of payments in other types of insurance (25.46 million manats-$15 million). The list of five leading insurance companies in terms of the volume of refunds made in this segment, following the results of the reporting period also included: Ateshgah (9.66 million manats-$5.68 million), AzerInsurance (7.85 million manats-$4.62 million), AXA-Mbask (4.69 million manats-$2.76 million) and AzInsurance (4.17 million manats-$2.45 million).

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Laman Ismayilova

The 14th October edition of the popular "The Concerts at the Quirinale", which are lively broadcast by Rai Radio 3 every Sunday at the Quirinale Palace, official residence of the Italian President, was dedicated to the concert of Azerbaijani music.

It was the first such concert live presented in the program of "Quirinale Concerts" to the large audience, Azertag reported.

Addressing the event, the founder and host of "The Concerts at the Quirinale", professor Stefano Catucci spoke of the centenary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and the 10th anniversary of mughams inclusion in UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

He noted that the concert was jointly organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Azerbaijan National Commission for UNESCO, and Azerbaijans Embassy in Italy.

He also recalled the latest visit of Italian President Sergio Mattarella to Azerbaijan and the visit of Azerbaijani First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva to Italy, stressing that these visits strongly promoted development of cooperation between the two countries.

Professor gave detailed information about the Azerbaijani music, in particular mugham, the classical and modern Azerbaijani musicians, the rich cultural-musical heritage of the country.

Stefano Catucci stressed that Karabakh is the cradle of Azerbaijani mugham and Shusha is the center of Azerbaijani musical art.

Then, the members of "Beljan-Tar", ensemble-honored artist, tar player Sahib Pashazade, cellist Pierluigi Ruggiero, violinist Zoltan Banfalvi, pianist Luciano Di Giadomenico were invited to the stage.

The ensemble performed an overture from the operas "Koroglu", "Arazbaras" by Uzeir Hajibeyli, a waltz from the ballet "Seven Beauties" by Gara Garayev, the composition "Shusha" by Farhad Badalbeyli and other works.

The concert also featured the Azerbaijani mughams and folk songs performed by "Karabakh" Mugham Group.

The artistic performance of the musicians caused great interest of the Italian audience.

At the request of the presenter in the program, compositions that were not included in the concert program were additionally heard. The concert can be listened to on the following link:

https://www.raiplayradio.it/

Recall that a similar concert program took place on October 12 at the Regional Council of Abruzzo.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Laman Ismayilova

A photo exhibition of Andrey Glazkov "Baku streets" will open at Nur Art House Gallery on October 19.

Through his work, the photographer presents his view on the City of Winds, Trend Life reported.

Andrey Glazkov is a travel photographer who has visited many countries in search of inspiration and images. He currently lives and works in Los Angeles.

The main direction in his photo art are street portrait and photography. His works are characterized by fragmentation and extraordinary focus. His photographs have repeatedly won at various international competitions.

At the beginning of the summer, Andrey Glazkov arrived in Baku. This is how his collection of photos dedicated to Azerbaijan appeared. As the photo author said, the collection will be included in a photo project called the Caucasus.

One of the works of the photographer, dedicated to Baku, has already been published in the prestigious network photo gallery Leica.

"I dont ask people to pose for me on the street. All shots should be spontaneous. Of course, when I shoot models, everything is different, but in street photography I dont accept performances. And I dont like to take pictures of everyone," said Glazkov.

"If I shoot people, its more than just a face. This is a situation. This is a story. This is a moment, and a person is part of it, but not the only participant in the frame," the photographer said.

Within the exhibition, Andrey Glazkov will meet with young Azerbaijani photographers. A creative discussion on the themes of "Street photography" and "Leica Optics and modern photography" will be also held as part of the event.

The curator of the exhibition is Vadim Mansurov. The event starts at 19:00. Admission is free.

Address: NUR Art House, Icheri Sheher, 27, Qasr str., (near the Palace of the Shirvanshahs)

Media partners of the event are Azernews.az, Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az, Friday.az.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Laman Ismayilova

A festival "Autumn Gifts of Azerbaijan" will be held in the very center of Moscow, on Tverskaya Square, on October 17-21.

Azerbaijan's rich history and culture will be presented to the residents of Moscow and guests of the city, Report.az informed.

As part of the festival, visitors will be able to purchase various gifts of nature from Azerbaijan, including persimmons, grapes, pomegranates, as well as dried fruits, nuts, juices, jam, dairy products, spices.

Along with this, the festival's participants will taste national sweets and enjoy this oriental tea drinking in a specially opened Tea House.

In addition, various dishes of traditional Azerbaijani cuisine from the best restaurants in Moscow will be presented.

Guests will also enjoy a wide selection of souvenirs, national decorations, textiles and tableware, as well as a rich cultural program - performances by the State Instrumental Ensemble and a group of professional dancers, the group of Enver Sadigov "Gaytagi" and finally a concert led by Shakhriyar Imanov.

In the pavilion "Crafts workshop", free workshops will be held on engraving copper dishes, weaving baskets of reeds and wicker, carpet weaving, painting armudi and making kelagai.

Moreover, little guests will be offered to take part in colorful performances.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzTraders selling NFCs rice at high price

Locals traders in Surkhet have been misusing the subsidised rice provided by Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) for major festivals like Dashain and TiharBy Abdul Kerimkhanov

Azerbaijan will simplify the process of obtaining visas by citizens of the country to travel to foreign countries, director of the e-Government Development Center Fariz Jafarov told reporters on October 5.

An agreement has already been reached with several European Union (EU) countries and a number of other non-EU countries.

Jafarov recalled that ASAN visa was created in 2016 by the decree of President Ilham Aliyev.

"In the initial period, the concept was that foreign tourists applying for a visa using an electronic portal, could obtain it within three days. Then this period was reduced to three hours. From May 15, 2018, foreigners can also get a visa at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport. Presently, visas are issued to citizens of 15 countries not in three days or three hours, but in less than two minutes. We are further developing this concept and are also working to simplify the process of obtaining a visa for Azerbaijani citizens to travel to foreign countries," Jafarov said.

He also noted that, presently, Azerbaijani citizens should go to an embassy, present their passports and other documents in order to obtain a visa.

"This process is quite long. We are thinking about switching to a new, unique model for our citizens to enter the e-government portal and only choose the country where they want to go. And at the next stage, the e-government portal would enter into operation, that is, the E-government Development Center would provide all necessary documents to the relevant embassy," Jafarov added.

He noted that a model of integration is possible directly to consulates or to intermediary companies.

"Each model is reflected in our concept. In this regard, meetings have been held with many embassies. We are considering various formats that would correspond to the legislation of Azerbaijan, as well as the legislation of the other side," Jafarov said.

ASAN Visa portal designed to simplify a procedure for issuing visas to foreigners and stateless persons wishing to visit Azerbaijan, as well as to ensure immediacy and transparency of this process, was presented to the public in 2016.

Electronic visa is a document for one entry, which determines the period of stay in the country up to 30 days. Electronic visas are issued only to the citizens of the countries, approved by the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan, and stateless persons permanently residing in this country.

Also, the ASAN Visa system offers the issuance of group visas to foreign citizens. Group appeals are provided for a minimum of two, a maximum of ten people.

Foreigners and stateless persons, who wish to receive an e-visa, must enter information into the system of ASAN Visa, and, after receipt on acceptance of confirmation, pay online a state fee in the amount prescribed by law "On state duty".

The system of ASAN Visa sends the appeal to the interagency automated retrieval system "Entry-exit and registration". The relevant executive authority verifies the information not later than three days from the time of appeal in "ASAN Visa", checks restriction list of the "Entry-exit and registration".

Then a visa is sent to the e-mail address of the contact person. In case of failure the person is also informed.

The electronic visas are not stuck in the passport but presented together with the passport while crossing the border check-point. Foreigners and stateless persons may apply for a new e-visa only after they will leave Azerbaijan.

Only citizens of 94 countries (or persons residing in these countries) can obtain an electronic visa. The list of countries, which can be found in this link, is approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Elkhan Alasgarov

Political violence and terrorism is accompanying Armenian history, the crown of which is the bloody crimes of ASALA. Despite the fact that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is trying to present himself as a moderate leader who opposes violence and his spouse as a peacemaker, in reality, a card which is dangerous for the entire region is being played in the occupied territories - the creation of a new hotbed of international terrorism.

Pashinyan initiated the release of the Sasna Tsrrer terrorists from prison, who on July 17, 2016 stormed territory of a police station in Yerevan.

They were sentenced to 10 years in prison for the murder of three police officers and terrorism during the years of the Serzh Sargsyan regime. However, for the support of Nikol Pashinyans authorities with one stroke of a pen, 27 terrorists were released from prison. They were not only released, but with the consent of Pashinyan, they set up to form a party, which will also function in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

Thus, Pashinyan and the forces behind him decided to revive ASALA under the roof of Sasna Tsrrer, as evidenced by the composition of the initiators of the idea.

The Armenian terrorist groups ASALA that appeared in the region during the Karabakh war shed a lot of blood and committed atrocities not only in Azerbaijan, but also in Armenia. Two groups, "Aramo" and "Arabo", led by the famous terrorist Monte Melkonian, participated in the genocide of Azerbaijanis in Khojaly in February 1992. For the most part they come from Middle Eastern countries, including members of ASALA Jirair Sefilian, Alec Yenikomshian, Varuzhan Avetisyan and others.

As prime minister, Pashinyan sent condolences on the death of ASALA - Sasna Tsrrer terrorist Arayik Khandoyan, a.k.a. Lone Wolf. Pashinyan considered it his duty to officially condole with the family and friends of this scum, and at the same time the entire terrorist community.

However, there is a weak link in this undertaking of the Armenian Prime Minister. The official goal of the ASALAs newly-minted party of terrorists, Sasna Tsrrer, is the unconditional accession of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan to Armenia.

Being confident of their impunity and Pashinyan's support, the terrorists do not bother to search for at least some legal basis, do not talk about the self-determination of the Karabakh Armenians, etc.

With their ultimatum demands, they are driving Pashinian's diplomacy, and in the future they will lead Armenia into a dead end, from which it will not be able to get out on its own.

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Email: [email protected]

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

The name of the British Foundation for Study of Azerbaijan and the Caucasus has been engraved on the Clarendon Arch.

Rector of the Baku Branch of Moscow State University, vice-president of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), head of the Nizami Ganjavi Scientific Center of the University of Oxford (www.orinst.ox.ac.uk/nizami-ganjavi-programme-study-languages-and-cultures-azerbaijan-and-caucasus) from the Azerbaijani side, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the British Foundation for the Study of Azerbaijan and the Caucasus (www.bfsac.org.uk), Academician Nargiz Pashayeva has been solemnly accepted as a member of the Chancellors Court of Benefactors, led by Chancellor of Oxford University Lord Patten of Barnes.

By an invitation letter from Chancellor of Oxford University Lord Patten of Barnes, Professor Nargiz Pashayeva on October 11 took part in the 28th annual special event of the Chancellors Court of Benefactors to receive this honorary title.

Along with this, a ceremonial execution of the decision, which attracted attention and went down in history of the Oxford University, was held.

Thus, by the decision of the management and the science council of the University of Oxford, the name of the British Foundation for the Study of Azerbaijan and the Caucasus has been engraved on a memorial plaque on the arch of the 17th-century Clarendon Building (www.oxfordhistory.org.uk/broad/buildings/south/clarendon.html) as a permanent member of the Chancellors Court of Benefactors, along with world-renowned scientists, public figures and authoritative organizations.

The University of Oxford has a tradition to constantly promote partners that it values. According to this historical tradition, starting from the 14th century, the names of the most generous benefactors of the university and world-famous people are inscribed on the Clarendon Arch (www.oxfordhistory.org.uk/broad/buildings/south/clarendon.html) at the entrance to the famous Bodleian Library (www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk), the building of prime importance, which is considered the heart of the university.

This building was built in 1711-1715 by Nicholas Hawksmoor. The building was originally intended for the Publishing House of the University of Oxford. Now a part of the Bodleian Library is located here. The Clarendon Building is at the forefront of the list of historical buildings registered in England. As a part of the building was financed by Lord Clarendon, the building was named after him.

So far, the names of the most prominent philanthropists have been inscribed in the Clarendon Arch. It includes the names of the most famous personalities in the history of Oxford University and the world - Sir Thomas Bodley, Elizabeth I of England, John Radcliffe, William Camden, Charles I of England, Elias Ashmole, George I of Great Britain, George Aldridge, Joseph Bowden, Ann Kennicott, Sir Robert Taylor, John Hall, Charlotte Sutherland, John Ruskin, Rebecca Flower Squire, Christopher Evan Welch, Henry Wilde, The Rhodes Trust, The Rockefeller Foundation, Sir Arthur John Evans, Ford Foundation, Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation, as well as Transportation Institute, Action Research, Cancer Research UK, Fereydoon Soudavar, and British Petroleum.

It also includes the names of 230 prominent scholars, public figures and authoritative organizations, perpetuated on a memorial plaque, including such celebrities as the Weston family, Professor Richard Diebold Jr., Sir Ronald Cohen, Leonard Blavatnik.

Professor Nargiz Pashayeva became the first Azerbaijani admitted to the Chancellors Court of Benefactors, consisting of scholars, public figures and reputable organizations with special achievements in the history of the University of Oxford, which according to the latest ratings is considered the leading high school in the world. A special mantle and a hat of the University were presented to Nargiz Pashayeva.

This honor is given to scholars with special merits in the history of the University. This testifies to the assessment given to the work of Professor Nargiz Pashayeva and the activity of the Nizami Ganjavi Scientific Center, created on her initiative at the University of Oxford.

According to the protocol and tradition, the individuals admitted to the Chancellors Court of Benefactors are distinguished from other members by special clothing decorated with gold threads. Thus, the contribution of these members to the academic fields in the University of Oxford is recognized by the University with great respect.

The traditional annual meeting of the Chancellors Court of Benefactors gathers the most prominent and loyal friends of the University of Oxford.

At the event, new members are admitted to the Chancellors Court of Benefactors and a number of important research projects are demonstrated. On this day, the names of the most reputable scholars, philanthropists and organizations, as mentioned above, are inscribed on a memorial plaque.

Presentations on topical issues by famous scholars are heard, discussions are held with the leadership of the University.

By tradition, this year a special ceremony was held in the Divinity School building. Along with well-known scholars and intellectuals, a mantle and a hat were presented to Nargiz Pashayeva as a scholar who has merits in the history of the University of Oxford.

Then, the members of the Chancellors Court of Benefactors and other participants of the ceremony met with Chancellor of the University of Oxford Lord Patten of Barnes and posed for photos.

The 28th annual meeting of the Chancellors Court of Benefactors was held at the famous Convocation House, where the UK Parliament gathered in the 16th century.

At the beginning of the event, a ceremony was held to admit new members to the Chancellors Court of Benefactors. According to the traditions of the University of Oxford, passing through the Wren Door and the Chancellors Court, new and existing members of the Chancellors Court of Benefactors upon the corresponding procedure solemnly entered the Convocation House from the Divinity School building.

After Marshal, Chancellor of the University of Oxford Lord Patten of Barnes, Proctor, Senior Proctor, Junior Proctor, Vice-Chancellor, Proctor Secretary, the current members of the Chancellors Court entered the old ceremonial hall. Among them were Dr. Chung Hon-Dak, Peter Levin, Dr. Kotaro Ono, Sir Howard Stringer, Dr. Robert Easton, Professor Raymond Dueck, Marina Marks, Bernard Taylor, Professor Chas Bountra.

After the current members of the Chancellors Court of Benefactors, along with Professor Nargiz Pashayeva, new members entered the hall. Among them are Sultan Nazrin Muizuddin Shah, Sir Peter Luff, Sir Martin Smith and Lady Smith.

This year only three names have been engraved in the Clarendon Arch. One of them is the British Foundation for the Study of Azerbaijan and the Caucasus, chaired by Professor Nargiz Pashayeva.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Flag Museum in Lerik.

The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the museum.

The Flag Museum and the National Flag Complex, where the flag flies on a 36-meter flagpole, are situated in the Heydar Aliyev Square in the center of the city of Lerik. The construction of the museum started in March 2018 and ended in August.

The museum occupies a total area of 1,200 square meters. The museum has an exhibition hall, the administrative and auxiliary rooms.

The museum's collection features the map and flags of the khanate period in Azerbaijan, medieval warriors' clothing, coats of arms of the Azerbaijani cities dating back to the 19th century, ancient metal coins, constitutions, emblems, flags, postage stamps, orders and medals relating to Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, Azerbaijan SSR and independent Republic of Azerbaijan.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended a ceremony to put a 16.5 MW power station into service in Lerik.

Chairman of Azerenerji CJSC Baba Rzayev informed the head of state of the work done.

The President launched the power station.

The power station has an annual production capacity of 75 million kWh of electricity, which is 40 percent more than the demand for electricity in Lerik and Yardimli.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Abdul Kerimkhanov

The Lankaran State Center for Agrarian Development of the Ministry of Agriculture opened on October 15.

The center will provide services to citizens registered in the city of Lankaran.

The Lankaran Regional Seed Certification Center, which covers the Lankaran, Masalli, Lerik, Yardimli and Astara regions, registers the seed crops and seedlings in these areas, unifies and determines the purity of seed varieties and seedlings of agricultural plants, establishes contamination with their diseases and pests, as well as organizes their certification, provides conclusions for certification of individuals and legal entities wishing to engage in the production of seeds and seedlings.

The goal of creating state agrarian development centers is to organize the management of local departments of the Ministry of Agriculture from a single center, strengthen work with farmers, conduct educational work related to the use of electronic services and innovative technologies.

The organization of the centers creates a number of advantages in the provision of services in the agricultural sector. Among them, it is possible to note the application of the single window principle, the increase in transparency, and the improvement of the mechanism for establishing relations with farmers.

The work carried out in recent years in this area in Lankaran, which is one of the main agricultural regions of our country, is of great importance. From this point of view, the activity of the Lankaran State Center for Agrarian Development is of great interest. Here, the Ministry of Agriculture and the structures subordinate to it provide a total of 63 types of services in crop production, livestock and technical control. The center employs 58 people.

The Lankaran regional agrochemical laboratory was established to improve the quality of services provided to landowners and entrepreneurs, equipped with modern instruments and facilities.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Sara Israfilbayova

The forecast on production for Azerbaijan this year has not changed, Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli, BPs Vice President for Communications, External Affairs and Strategy, said on October 15.

Speaking about Block D230, the agreement on which was ratified by the Azerbaijani parliament last week, he noted that seismic works will be carried out in this block.

Aslanbeyli went on to say that the process will take some time, adding that after ratification, the agreement must be signed by the president and then published in the newspaper.

The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) on joint exploration and development of Block D230 in the North Absheron basin in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea was signed in April in London, in the presence of UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev, by SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev and BP group chief executive Bob Dudley.

Under the PSA, which exists for already 25 years, BP will be the operator during the exploration phase holding a 50 percent interest while SOCAR will hold the remaining 50 percent.

Block D230 lies some 135 kilometres north-east of Baku in the Caspian Sea. It covers an area of some 3,200 square kilometres and has not previously been explored. It has water depths of 400-600 metres and anticipated reservoir depths of about 3,500 metres.

SOCAR is a wholly state-owned national oil company headquartered in Baku, Azerbaijan. The company produces oil and natural gas from onshore and offshore fields in the Azerbaijani section of the Caspian Sea.

SOCAR includes such production associations as Azneft (the enterprises producing oil and gas onshore and offshore), Azerikimya (the chemical enterprises) and Azerigas (distributor of gas produced in the country), as well as oil and gas processing plants, service companies, and the facilities involved in geophysical and drilling operations.

SOCAR established joint companies (including Georgia and Turkey), alliances, operating in various sectors of oil and gas spheres. It has representative offices in Georgia, the U.S., Turkey, Romania, Austria, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Great Britain, Iran, Germany, Ukraine, Belgium and Canada.

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Sara Israfilbayova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Sara_999Is

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Narmina Mammadova

The cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey in the field of energy totals decades.

The implementation of a number of projects involving the two countries, including the construction of the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline TANAP and the launch of the STAR oil refinery, not only strengthened the strategic cooperation between the countries in the energy sector, but also turned Azerbaijan into a major investor in Turkey.

The opening of the STAR oil refinery, owned by the Azerbaijani State Oil Company SOCAR, is scheduled for October 19, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, Turkish media reported on October 16.

Erdogan noted that the STAR refinery is one of the important projects implemented by Turkey and Azerbaijan.

The plant will reach full production capacity in January 2019, CEO of SOCAR Turkey Energy Zaur Gahramanov told Anadolu Turkish agency earlier.

The Star refinery construction project is important not only for Turkey, but also for the entire region. It will also bring the Azerbaijani-Turkish cooperation in the energy sector to a new stage.

In the first five years after the launch of STAR, SOCARs annual income will exceed $ 600 million a year, and over the next ten years, the enterprise will generate more than $ 800 million annually.

The plant will provide Turkey with naphtha, diesel fuel with ultra low sulfur content, jet fuel, petroleum coke, liquefied gas and other products. The refinery will not produce gasoline and fuel oil. The plant plans to process such grades of oil as Azeri Light, Kerkuk and Urals.

STAR Refinery, with a crude oil processing capacity of 10 million tons, will meet more than 25 percent of the processed oil products need of Turkey upon its startup. Certified with the first investment incentive granted by Turkey, STAR Refinery will eventually reduce the foreign-dependency of the country.

Today the share distribution in the project is as follows: 60 percent is owned by Rafineri Holding (100 percent owned by SOCAR Turkey Energy), which previously bought out all 18.5 percent of Turcas Petrol share in the project, and 40 percent - SOCAR.

STAR Refinery, foundation of which was laid in 2011, is located on a 2,400-hectare site on Aliaga Peninsula. The Refinery is underway as the most critical component of SOCAR Turkeys integrated energy solutions and value chain.

As many as 1.6 million tons of naphtha, 5 million tons of diesel, 1.6 million tons of jet fuel, 300,000 tons of LPG, 160,000 tons of sulfur and other products will be produced here.

The construction of the Refinery is undertaken by a multinational consortium, comprised of Tecnicas Reunidas (Spain), Saipem (Italy), GS Engineering (South Korea) and ITOCHU (Japan).

Founded in 2008, SOCAR Turkey, officially titled SOCAR Turkey Enerji A.S., is an affiliate of SOCAR, one of the most well-established oil and natural gas companies of the world.

With its total investment volume of $19.5 billion to be realized by 2020, SOCAR is the biggest foreign investor of Turkey. Similarly, SOCARs group companies in Turkey, namely Petkim, STAR Refinery, Petlim Container Terminal and Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) represent the largest-scale investment Azerbaijan has made to a single country to date.

SOCAR is a wholly state-owned national oil company headquartered in Baku, Azerbaijan. The company produces oil and natural gas from onshore and offshore fields in the Azerbaijani section of the Caspian Sea.

SOCAR includes such production associations as Azneft (the enterprises producing oil and gas onshore and offshore), Azerikimya (the chemical enterprises) and Azerigas (distributor of gas produced in the country), as well as oil and gas processing plants, service companies, and the facilities involved in geophysical and drilling operations.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit Turkey, the Turkish media reported Oct. 16. Pompeos visit to Turkey will be a one-day visit and will take place on October 17 of this year, the message says.

During his visit to Turkey, Pompeo will meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, and during this meeting, a number of issues including the disappearance of Saudi reporter Jamal Khashoggi will be discussed.

Earlier, the Turkish police entered the building of the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in the framework of the investigation into the disappearance of Saudi reporter Khashoggi.

On Monday, a joint Turkish-Saudi working group on this case held its first meeting in the Istanbul police department, after which the members of the working group from Saudi Arabia entered the consulate.

Earlier, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Walid Bin Abdul Karim El Khereiji, was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

"If the Embassy of Saudi Arabia claims that Khashoggi disappeared after leaving the embassy building, they must prove it," a message quoted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying earlier.

Earlier Erdogan said that the Turkish intelligence is investigating the disappearance of the Saudi reporter Khashoggi.

The president of Turkey said this issue is under his personal control.

On Oct. 2, Khashoggi went to the consulate general of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul for some documents. His fiancee was not allowed into the building, and five hours later she was informed that he had already left. She later stated that she did not trust the information and did not know about Khashoggi's whereabouts.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved the agreement between the governments of Uzbekistan and Russia on cooperation in construction of a nuclear power plant on the territory of Uzbekistan, Uzbek media reported.

The document was signed on Sept. 7 in Moscow by the prime ministers of the two countries, following the 19th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation.

The agreement provides for cooperation in design and construction of a nuclear power plant consisting of two power units utilizing a water-cooled power reactor of the Russian design with a set capacity of each power unit up to 1.2 gigawatts.

Earlier it was reported that the area near Lake Tudakul on the border of Navoi and Bukhara regions had been chosen as a potential site for construction of a nuclear power plant.

An official visit to Uzbekistan by Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled for Oct.18-19.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzUpper Dordi to start production in 6 months

The Upper Dordi A, a 25 MW hydropower project based in Dordi Rural Municipality, Lamjung, is all set to start its production in the next six months.By Abdul Kerimkhanov

Nikol Pashinyan, who became Prime Minister by a very "democratic" method, recently announced that he will resign on October 15.

But on October 15, Pashinyan did not resign, and when he does that, only one god knows.

"PM Pashinyan will not resign at the stated time, and when it will be, I cannot say," Prime Ministers press secretary Arman Yegoyan said this week.

There is a famous saying Be slow to promise and quick to perform. Some people are so reluctant to fulfill this proverb and It seems that Nikol Pashinyan also refers to this type of people. Each person should think before saying "Yes, I will do something". If he doubts that he cannot do, then it is better to remain silent. But if you promise and cannot do it, then you will be considered barber's cat. Now it is expedient to remind Pashinyan that Armenian people will believe him once, and then, seeing that a person does not perform, they will recognize him a man who is letting the words go.

In an interview with the French TV channel France24, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that he plans to resign on October 15 to dissolve the parliament and hold early parliamentary elections. In an interview, he noted that the extraordinary parliamentary elections should be held on December 10, in connection with which he will resign on October 15.

Such an unserious attitude of the Armenian Prime Minister to his own statements is caused by the fear of revenge from the former regime. This fear does not give rest to the prime minister, makes him go against the law and look for "extreme" ways of preserving his own power.

On October 2, the parliament passed a bill providing for the prevention of the dissolution of the National Assembly. It was adopted at the initiative of the Republican Party of Armenia, but both the Prosperous Armenia Party and the Dashnaks voted for it. In fact, pressed against the wall by such a step of "counter-revolution", Pashinyan again resorted to the help of the crowd and again seized the initiative. As a result, he achieved promises from other parties not to nominate his candidate for the post of prime minister and announced his resignation.

Despite the signed memorandums and promises, Nikol Pashinyan still fears that he will be left with nothing after leaving the post. The only guarantee of his power is the crowd, but she will not vote in parliament. And how the parliament will vote in the event that the Republican Party of Armenia nevertheless takes and nominates its candidate is a difficult question. And the factor of Robert Kocharyan continues to disturb Pashinyan. Although he is under investigation, although he is deprived of his passport, he still poses a threat to the regime in general or the popularity of Nikol Pashinyan in particular.

Kocharyan recently gave an interview to Bloomberg, in which he very self-confidently talked about future parliamentary elections.

It will be a personal victory for Pashinyan and a serious defeat for our statehood, aysor.am quotes. It must be borne in mind that the Prime Minister was one of the main participants of these events (March 1, 2008), he was the organizer of the unrest. Attempts to rewrite history in a more convenient context, well, the motivation (of Nikol Pashiyan) is obvious. My goal is to actively help restore this balance."

Nikol Pashinyans party has not been formed, its not quite clear how this party is able to take responsibility for the most complex issues of public administration. And, obviously, they dont attract professionals."

Kocharyan is sure that Pashinyans revolutionary romanticism will certainly turn into the flip side of revolutionism.

Nikol Pashinyan himself understands how unstable his position is in the absence of a program in general, a formed party and a professional team.

However, let's wait - maybe Pashinyan has prepared some kind of surprise for political opponents and the world community will once again make sure that Armenian society is at a "special" level of development of democracy.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

The case of the disappearance of Saudi reporter Jamal Khashoggi is under investigation, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, the Turkish media reported Oct. 16.

Cavusoglu noted that this issue is very important for Turkey.

Regarding the visit of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the framework of the investigation, Cavusoglu noted that the position of the United States on this issue is gratifying.

"Turkey is interested in investigating the disappearance of Khashoggi," Cavusoglu said.

The US Secretary of State will visit Turkey on October 17.

During his visit to Turkey, Pompeo will meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, and during the meeting, a number of issues, including the disappearance of Saudi reporter Jamal Khashoggi will be discussed.

Earlier, the Turkish police entered the building of the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in the framework of the investigation into the disappearance of Saudi reporter Khashoggi.

On Monday, a joint Turkish-Saudi working group on this case held its first meeting in the Istanbul police department, after which the members of the working group from Saudi Arabia entered the consulate.

Earlier, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Walid Bin Abdul Karim El Khereiji was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

On Oct. 2, Khashoggi went to the consulate general of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul for some documents. His fiancee was not allowed into the building, and five hours later she was informed that he had already left. She later stated that she did not trust the information and did not know about Khashoggi's whereabouts.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz1. Yes. Council members appear to have taken time to review each section carefully.

2. Yes. The council has set up town halls and a public hearing to inform the residents.

3. No. The council should have set up a charter review committee, including residents.

4. No. Some of the items proposed so far benefit the council more than the community.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say until after the public has had more opportunities to weigh in.

Vote

View ResultsA Tehachapi corrections officer who says she lost her child in part due to a policy prohibiting pregnant officers from getting paid leave or lContributing columnist Justin Salters writes on politics and current events; the views expressed are his own. His column appears on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Reach him on Twitter @justinsalters or email him your thoughts: justin@justinsalters.com.A local Beaumont Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym is raising money in efforts to help another gym in Florida recover from Hurricane Michael, according to the gym owner, Jason Ebarb.

The Texas Punishment Crew Gym will be hosting a benefit seminar Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the TPC gym. To attend participants will be asked to donate $25. The seminar will include a training session taught by two black-belt instructors and is open to members of any gym, Ebarb said.The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday turned down an appeal from a death row prisoner convicted in a quadruple murder during a drug deal more than 25 years ago in southwest Houston.

Arthur Brown, who was sent to death row in 1993, was appealing his case based on claims of false testimony from a Houston police ballistics expert who identified a pair of revolvers as the murder weapons.

Two years ago, a Harris County judge sided with Brown, but the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals disagreed. On Monday, the nation's highest court did, too.

DEADLY USE OF FORCE? Huntsville prisoner handcuffed when he died

At the time of the 1992 slayings in southwest Houston, Brown was part of a cocaine smuggling ring, according to records. He and two other men - Marion Dudley and Antonio Dunson - set up a 3-kilogram buy, then showed up at the seller's home and tied up everyone inside and shot them execution-style.

Jose Tovar, Frank Farias, Audrey Brown, and Jessica Quinones - who was pregnant at the time - all died. Two others survived and later identified the attackers.

One of the men, Marion Dudley, was executed in 2006 for one of the slayings. The third man, Antonio Dunson, was sentenced to life in prison.

In 2013, Brown was scheduled for execution but the date was called off to allow time for more testing on the guns prosecutors argued were used in the crime.

Once the results came back, Brown's attorneys filed a new appeal in which they argued that Charles Anderson - the ballistics expert who testified at trial - was misleading when he said he was certain the two guns were the murder weapons.

DENTAL WORK: More Texas inmates to get dentures

In 2015, a state appeals court sent the case back to Harris County to re-examine Anderson's conclusions. Two other ballistics experts retested the guns and failed to reach the same result. After holding a hearing where all three experts testified, the trial court recommended relief.

But when the case went back up to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the jurists there disagreed with the lower court and said that the false testimony wouldn't have made a difference in the outcome anyway. Instead, in a split decision, they pointed to the survivors' testimony and Brown's alleged admission of guilt to a family member - even though she later recanted and said she'd been coerced.

On Monday, the Supreme Court without comment turned down his appeal. His lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.

Brown is now eligible for an execution date, though one is not currently set.

The Lone Star State has executed 10 men so far this year, and another six are scheduled to die in the coming months.Here are updates on six ASC companies and industry-relevant companies and organizations to note:

KKR completed its acquisition of Nashville, Tenn.-based Envision (AmSurg) Healthcare.

Envision Healthcare bought Villanova, Penn.-based Nova Anesthesia Professionals.

Brentwood, Tenn.-based Surgery Partners plans to raise $115 million in incremental term loans to fund acquisition activity. Read more.

Nashville-based HCA Healthcare donated $1 million to the American Red Cross to assist with Hurricane Michael recovery efforts.

The Texas Department of Insurance fined Humana $700,000 for not maintaining enough physician anesthesiologists in three counties. Read more.

CMS announced 1,299 entities agreed to participate in the agency's bundled payment initiative for certain episodes of care under the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement  Advanced Model.

Hauppauge, N.Y.-based SightMD entered into a strategic partnership with West Babylon, N.Y.-based Lindenhurst Eye Physicians & Surgeons.University of Texas in Houston gastroenterology researcher Keping Xie, PhD, is under investigation for allegedly possessing child pornorgraphy and committing economic espionage, NBC News reports.

Here's what you should know:

1. Dr. Xie is the subject of an FBI investigation because of his alleged involvement in the Chinese government's "Thousand Talents" science recruiting program, which has been linked to espionage.

2. The FBI began investigating Dr. Xie for allegedly tampering with a government record.

3. Police obtained a warrant and searched Dr. Xie's home and office, seizing 88 different technological devices. Two of the devices allegedly contained child pornography.

4. Dr. Xie resigned from his job after his home was searched, but before the alleged images were found by investigators.

5. Dr. Xie faces one state-brought charge of possession of child pornography. Dr. Xie denies the charge, according to his attorney. He surrendered his passport and is out on bail.

6. Dr. Xie's attorney told NBC News he wasn't aware of any investigation regarding espionage. Houston's FBI field office neither confirmed nor denied the investigation to NBC News.During an Oct. 15 Houston City Council meeting, Houston, Mo.-based Texas County Memorial Hospital defended a tax proposal that would help it finish building an on-campus surgery center, Houston Herald reports.

Here's what you should know:

1. Upton County, Mo., resident George Sholtz argued against the hospital's proposal to create a Community Improvement District. In a Community Improvement District, property owners voluntarily tax themselves to fund improvements within the area's boundaries.

2. The Community Improvement District near the hospital campus would temporarily create a quarter-cent sales tax for the completion of a surgery center.

3. Mr. Sholtz presented county commission documents on previous hospital tax issues and said the proposed money was part of a "shuffle game." He asked the council to reject the petition.

4. TCMH CEO Wes Murray said Mr. Sholtz' presentation contained a significant amount of misinformation.

5. Mr. Murray said the surgery center addition would contribute to TCMH's financial health and provide much-needed financing. He described a lack of funds due to higher-than-expected construction bids and explained the hospital also had to give up a grant.by Vladimir Rozanskij

The President of the Constitutional Court Valerij Zorkin pushes for a reform creating a non-elective charge of "leader of the nation", a synthesis of all the aspirations of the Russian people. The figure head would defend Russian sovereignty against sanctions, individual liberalism and international courts such as the Hague Human Rights Tribunal. Putin gets ready.

Moscow (AsiaNews)  The President of the Constitutional Court Valerij Zorkin, from the outset the greatest guardian of Putinism, has proposed a constitutional reform that contemplates the non-elective position of "leader of the nation", in practice an investiture of a sovereign nature.

Already at the head of the Constitutional Court of Russia under Yetsyn in 1991-1993, Zorkin (pictured together with his president) distinguished himself as the only barrier to the complete dissolution of the Soviet system: he broke several legal obstacles to the privatizations of the early post-communist years; he tried to limit the sale of natural resources abroad; with a sensational sentence of 1992 he managed to save the base of the Communist Party from Yeltsins liquidation allowing it to remain in the political arena, even if in a reduced form.

In an article entitled "Letter and Spirit of the Constitution" published in the Rossiskaja Gazeta of 9 October, but re-published and commented on by all the Russian media in recent days, the top Russian jurist proposes to "respond to the concerns and expectations of the population" and to requests for changes with a series of "punctual reforms" of the constitutional charter, which guarantee "greater social justice", the effectiveness of the political system passing to a two-party scheme, and above all to curb "the expansion of the extra-national regulation of conflicts", as for example with the judgments of the Court of Human Rights in The Hague.

Essentially, it is a further "sovereign" interpretation of the legal and institutional structure of the State, on which Zorkin has always insisted. Already in 2016, faced with the "invasive" measures of international courts and the resurgence of sanctions against Russia, he affirmed that "the global legal system is heading for catastrophe, as the Apostle Paul had already announced". In particular, Zorkin's condemnation is directed to the excesses of the "defense of human rights, which leads to the degradation of the moral solidity of society and destroys its religious identity".

In Zorkin's opinion, the defense of "every kind of minority" causes considerable damage to all the other social components. At a conference in Serbia in 2014, he stated that "the old democrats, inspired by the ideals of liberalism, continue to propose new forms of defense of all types of minority, and they often ignore the objections of their own citizens, who are concerned about the consequences of these decisions ".

In his public speeches and in university lectures, the jurist has always openly supported the priority of Russian law over the international one, a thesis that provided the theoretical justification of the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and of various other Russian interventions on the international scene. Even agreements with foreign countries, in fact, cannot in his opinion constitute a delegation to others of Russian sovereignty.

In internal politics Zorkin proposes an institutional form that "synthesizes the idea of individual freedom with social solidarity" that corresponds as much as possible to the "mentality of the Russian people". Recalling the injustices of the privatizations of the 1990s, which caused social imbalances and resentments, in his opinion "we need a correction of the individualistic-liberal approach, in favor of the solidarity collectivism inherent in the Russian soul". This is also because "the model of representative liberal democracy, characteristic for the majority of developed countries, as recognized by the major politicians of Europe and America, today is no longer able to face the challenges of contemporary society".

According to Zorkin, "Russian natural collectivism" is tempered "by the severe climate of nature, by innumerable defensive wars, by the need to unite a multitude of peoples and nationalities in the common destiny of our land".

Combining democracy and differences, collectivism and competition, according to the president of the Russian constitutional court, is possible only if the role of the "national leader for life" is clearly identified, the supreme synthesis of all the aspirations of the Russian people. Putin's spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, has denied that the reform is inspired by the presidential administration itself: "We believe - he said - that Zorkin's article is only an expert analysis of an on the subject".Anthem will pay HHS $16 million to settle potential HIPAA violations related to cyberattacks that compromised the health information of nearly 79 million people in 2015, HHS said Oct. 15.

The payment is the largest settlement the Office for Civil Rights has seen, eclipsing the previous $5.5 million high the office received in 2016.

"The largest health data breach in U.S. history fully merits the largest HIPAA settlement in history," said OCR Director Roger Severino. "Unfortunately, Anthem failed to implement appropriate measures for detecting hackers who had gained access to their system to harvest passwords and steal people's private information."



In addition to the settlement, Anthem agreed to take substantial corrective action to ensure HIPAA compliance.

In January 2015, Anthem discovered cyberattackers gained access to the health insurer's IT system through phishing emails sent to an Anthem subsidiary. Between December 2014 and January 2015, cyberattackers stole the ePHI of almost 79 million individuals. Compromised information included names, Social Security numbers, medical identification numbers, addresses, dates of birth, email addresses and employment information.



In August 2018, a federal district judge in California approved Anthem's separate $115 million settlement to a class-action lawsuit brought by 19.1 million plaintiffs potentially affected by the breach. The approval also marked one of the largest settlements in a consumer data breach case.



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Bad actor infiltration in the supply chain + lack of security awareness: Moffitt Cancer Center's CISO answers 4 Qs on cybersecurity threats

10 informative Q&As with hospital and health system CISOsDave Summitt, chief information security officer and director of cybersecurity operations at Tampa, Fla.-based Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses the importance of proper risk assessment and security awareness in hospital cybersecurity.

Responses are lightly edited for clarity and length

Question: What would you say is the No. 1 threat to hospital cybersecurity today and why?

Dave Summitt: This is a toss-up  for the most part, lack of senior leader buy-in remains to be a problem with most for-profit organizations. Many still see cybersecurity as a liability to the bottom line and would rather take the chance of not having anything happen over protections to prevent something from happening. If I wanted to somewhat shift that responsibility, I would have to say that it then depends on the lack of proper communication of risk from the lead cyber person to those senior leaders. Therefore, one of the main threats is lack of proper risk assessment and security awareness.

Q: What do you see as the next big cybersecurity threat hospitals should look out for?

DS: Bad actor infiltration into the supply chain. Most security teams are already stretched with items and risks inside their organization. Having the bad actors begin to look at ways to take over through vendors or other vendor products is a tough battle. Most of this includes medical device and [Internet of Things] that come in under the radar of the security or IT teams.

Q: What advice would you give to other hospital CISOs or CIOs to get hospital staff on the same page in the aftermath of a cyberattack?

DS: Lessons learning meetings and lots of them. Properly documenting the 'what went wrong' and 'how to fix' is key to preventing the same thing from happening again.

Q: What do you consider to be the most important aspect in hospital data protection?

DS: Leadership buy-in and user participation. Without either of those, the best cyber team in the world will not be able to operate efficiently.

To learn more about hospital and health system cybersecurity, as well as the key trends for CISOs, register for the Becker's Hospital Review 2nd Annual Health IT + Clinical Leadership Conference May 2-4, 2019 in Chicago. Click here to learn more and register.

To participate in future Becker's Q&As, contact Jackie Drees at jdrees@beckershealthcare.comHospitals and health systems still play a largely indeterminate role in population health. Not Kaiser Permanente.

The sprawling Oakland, Calif.-based nonprofit health system has carefully been advancing a population health strategy that touches the social, environmental, economic and physical aspects of health.

To name a few strides this year: In May, the system invested $200 million in programs to prevent and reduce homelessness and address approaches to affordable housing. In April, Kaiser Permanente invested $2 million in gun violence research. In June, it struck a partnership with Atlanta-based Emory Healthcare to reduce healthcare disparities in Georgia. In September, it pledged to go carbon neutral by 2020 to help foster healthier environmental conditions.

"Our line of sight is around population health, individual health and community health," Bernard J. Tyson, chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente, told Becker's Hospital Review. "We know now that creating more health through those vehicles and those opportunities has a direct impact on the individual's health. And when we talk about health, we're talking about physical and mental. Managing to stress and mental challenges is as critically important as managing to diabetes or heart disease."

Becker's caught up with Mr. Tyson to discuss Kaiser Permanente's population health strategy, from prioritizing needs to measuring success.

Note: Responses have been edited lightly for length and style.

Question: Kaiser Permanente has been busy striking partnerships and investing in various population health initiatives and research. What is the overarching strategy driving these investments, and how has that strategy changed in 2018 compared to years prior?

Bernard J. Tyson: We have always been engaged in our communities and we have provided community benefits for years. Our model is set up to build the best health possible for our communities. How we have evolved over time is more the transition from, "How do we contribute?" to "What's our integral role in helping to solve?" In terms of our overall strategy, we believe and know now that health is determined by critical factors outside of the "medical care extreme."

We provide both healthcare and coverage, and we are also a mega-health system. The question is how do we connect our competencies, capabilities and resources to community assets to produce value for the entire community and for the communities in which we serve? Therein lies our strategy for community health. We know where you live matters in terms of the overall effect on your health. We know what you eat matters. If you don't have healthy venues to buy healthy foods, your risk of developing certain illnesses and diseases earlier on in your life is highly probable. We know exercise is critical to maintaining, regaining and having good health. If your environment is such that it's unsafe to go outside to exercise and move freely around, or if the community lacks those kinds of infrastructures, you will have a hard time exercising. It's those kind of direct connections back to healthy lives that we've rallied around.

Q: With so many social, economic and health issues out there to be addressed  and for a system as sweeping as Kaiser Permanente, with a range of needs across markets  how does the health system prioritize issues and communities to invest in?

BJT: There are a lot of commonalities around the factors of good health. The issue is the inequities of our communities around the country. The solutions must be tailored to their priorities and needs. For example, we have a universal, accepted understanding that healthy eating contributes to good health. In some communities, grocery stores and choices of grocery stores with fresh fruit and vegetables and a fresh food selection is a non-issue. In other communities, you can't find them. If we were prioritizing resources, we wouldn't put energy into getting more food in communities where they already have choices. We would put our energy in communities where they don't have any.

The second thing is we regularly complete a comprehensive community assessment across all our markets. We work within our communities, so they never feel like we're the big healthcare organization telling them what they need. It's a very collaborative process in which we're working out of mutual respect, trust and alignment that we're all trying to do the right thing. Community voices are critically important to help to guide how we prioritize our time, resources, energy and effort.

Q: Can you walk me through the decision-making process for these kinds of investments at Kaiser Permanente? I.e. who champions the ideas, who is the final decision-maker, etc.?

BJT: A lot of different people can come up with ideas. We have a fluid process where we encourage and engage ideas from throughout the organization, and an infrastructure for ideas is headed by the chief community health officer [Bechara Choucair, MD], whom I recruited and brought into the organization a couple of years ago. By design, I brought Dr. Choucair into the organization with the clear direction that his responsibility is to represent the voice of the 68 million people who live in the communities in which Kaiser Permanente exists. He works with the teams on the ground to tailor programs to the individual communities. At the very top, there's a community health committee of the board. That's how seriously we take this. It's the board of directors who ultimately makes the decisions for capital and other investments brought to them by the management team. The board plays a critical role in both the strategy and the funding of major initiatives to make sure we are achieving the purposes and mission of the organization.

Q: How does Kaiser Permanente measure and track progress?

BJT: Sometimes we have tangible goals and expected outcomes, and we measure ourselves against them. In other cases, we identify the outcomes we want to impact and we measure those over time to see if we are achieving the results intended. If we're not, then there's the question of why not, and that can present both opportunities and challenges.

We continue to learn when we conduct the community health assessment. After the assessment, we identify the two or three top problems, and then we do another assessment three or four years later to determine whether we've made progress in the hearts, minds and realities of the people we care for. And in some cases, we track ourselves against public data. Did we lower crime in a particular community over a time period? Even though you may not be able to contribute everything to our individual effort as an organization, we track to see if the outcome was achieved. It's often not one solution or answer that solves a problem.

Q: Leavitt Partners published a survey in May that found the majority of physicians believe social determinants of health matter  yet most physicians do not believe it is their responsibility to address them. With that in mind, how should health systems approach population health work?

BJT: That certainly is not the mind, attitude and behavior of our Kaiser Permanente physicians in the Permanente Medical Groups. They lead of a lot this work. I was just reading about one of our areas that's teaching eight-week classes on our eight-step program for healthy eating, meditation and activities for patients with Type 2 diabetes, and this is physician-led.

Q: How does Kaiser Permanente engage physicians around your community health goals?

BJT: They are directly involved. Many of our efforts are inclusive of physician leadership and equivalent. They're in it. They bring their expertise into the communities, into the thinking. It enriches and enhances our messaging, actions, behaviors and credibility. Because the community holds our physicians in the highest regard, it adds to the credibility of what we're trying to accomplish in our communities around the country.

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Chicago health system to add 240+ jobsThe Trump administration chose Maine's former health commissioner to run Medicaid for the nation, according to the Portland Press Herald.

Here are three things to know:



1. Mary Mayhew, who was also a Republican candidate in Maine's gubernatorial race, began her position as deputy administrator and director of Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program Oct. 15. Politico reporter Dan Diamond was among the first to report the news.

2. Ms. Mayhew previously served as Maine's Department of Health and Human Services' commissioner for seven years under Republican Gov. Paul LePage.

3. She has long been an opponent of Medicaid expansion under the ACA. While Maine voters approved Medicaid expansion through a November 2017 referendum, the policy has not been funded and is being legally challenged by Mr. LePage.A looming battle is heating up for market share on the Atlantic Coast of Florida between two healthcare heavyweights: Cleveland Clinic, an internationally renowned nonprofit, and Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, one of the nation's largest for-profit hospital operators, according to the TCPalm.

Cleveland Clinic's flagship facility in Weston, Fla. already competes against 11 HCA hospitals in South Florida, and the rivalry between the two healthcare giants is expected to intensify when Cleveland Clinic assumes control of two more Florida hospitals.

Although the transactions still need regulatory approval, Cleveland Clinic signed formal agreements in early October to take over Stuart, Fla.-based Martin Health System and Vero Beach, Fla-based Indian River Medical Center. If approved, the transaction would intensify Cleveland Clinic's competition against HCA, which owns Port St. Lucie, Fla.-based St. Lucie Medical Center and Port Pierce, Fla.-based Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and Heart Institute, two full-service hospitals on the Atlantic Coast in Florida, known as the Treasure Coast area. The location is attractive for major healthcare providers because the population is relatively affluent and has many senior citizens.

Cleveland Clinic has pledged to invest $750 million into its two newly integrated facilities over the next decade  setting up a battle with HCA that will likely improve patient care in the region, according to several experts, including Steve Ullmann, PhD, chair of the Department of Health Sector Management and Policy at the University of Miami Business School.

"The HCA hospitals tend to try to maintain their competitive abilities in these different marketplaces. HCA has the money to do that if they find a need to," Dr. Ullman told TCPalm. "When you have competitive pressures in terms of quality in one institution, it'll put pressure on another institution to enhance their quality as well. For the Treasure Coast, this is probably all good."

Several experts, including Sean Snaith, PhD, and director of Orlando-based University of Florida Institute for Economic Competitiveness, said Cleveland Clinic is a formidable competitor for HCA, because it can bring cutting-edge research and treatment to the patients in the area.

However, the sheer size of HCA  which owns 49 hospitals in Florida alone  gives it the ability to compete with Cleveland Clinic

"They will all strive to improve. It's the nature of competition," Allen Jones, a retired financial adviser for the Indian River Medical Center told TCPalm. "In my opinion, they will fight to maintain market share by concentrating on improving the most profitable lines of business in their individual local hospitals. I expect an attempt to compete on emergency care to try to drain away market share from Cleveland Clinic."

Beyond the Florida market, competition between HCA and Cleveland Clinic expands as far as London, where HCA owns seven hospitals, and Cleveland Clinic anticipates opening a hospital in 2021.

Read the full report here.

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CVS Health-Aetna deal OK'd by Justice DepartmentOak Lawn, Ill.-based Advocate Christ Medical Center's pharmacy now provides certain emergency department patients with a free naloxone kit before discharge, making Downers Grove, Ill.-based Advocate Health Care the first system in the Chicago area to offer this service, the health system announced Oct. 16.

Every patient who comes to the ED at Advocate Christ or Advocate Children's Hospital-Oak Lawn seeking treatment for opioid use disorder or an overdose receive the kits upon discharge. Any registered patient can also ask for a naloxone discharge kit. However, the patient or a family member must watch an educational video on naloxone before receiving the kit.

The naloxone emergency overdose response kit includes three naloxone vials, three intramuscular syringes, dosing instructions and a community outreach card outlining additional resources.

Advocate Health Care launched the pilot program in partnership with the Chicago Recovery Alliance, which is donating the naloxone discharge kits, along with educational materials on how to inject the opioid overdose antidote.

"While this program is not designed to serve as a substitute for rehabilitation for patients, it will allow a person experiencing an opioid overdose to live another day and hopefully to find the help they need," Diana Bottari, MD, chair of Advocate Health Care's opioid task force, said in a press release emailed to Beckers. "If we simply supply an addict or first-time user with a prescription for naloxone, should another overdose event occur, the chances he or she proactively filled that prescription are small. Its imperative that the patient leaves our hospital with naloxone in hand."

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Pennsylvania moves one step closer to safe injection site: 4 things to knowIn 2017, Pennsylvania hospitals treated about 37,000 patients for opioid use disorder, representing the highest number in a decade, according to The Morning Call.

About 1 in 10 people admitted to a Pennsylvania hospital for opioid use disorder suffered an overdose in 2017.

Carbon County saw 716 hospitalizations per 100,000 residents, compared to the state average of 346 hospitalizations per 100,000 residents, which make it Pennsylvania's highest opioid-related hospitalization rate.

About 20 percent of patients were admitted for mental health problems, 8 percent were admitted for other substance use disorders, and 15 percent were admitted for sepsis and skin infections due to injecting drugs.

"We have to remember to treat all conditions simultaneously and effectively," Thomas Nappe, MD, director of medical toxicology at Bethlehem, Penn.-based St. Luke's University Health Network, told The Morning Call.

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$800K grant awarded to Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University for 1st peer-based addiction intervention studyHospitals in New Hampshire and across the U.S. have stopped delivering babies amid decreased demand, the New Hampshire Union Leader reports.

Four things to know:

1. A study by researchers from the University of Minnesota found 9 percent of rural U.S. counties lost all hospital obstetric services between 2004 and 2014. They also found another 45 percent of rural U.S. counties lacked any hospital obstetric services during that period. Researchers said this means more than half of all rural U.S. counties didn't have hospital obstetric services. According to the report, more women gave birth prematurely or in emergency settings after these counties lost obstetric services.

2. New Hampshire hospitals are among the U.S. hospitals that have eliminated obstetric services. Most recently, Laconia, N.H.-based LRGHealthcare announced in February it would close the maternity unit at Lakes Region General Hospital, also in Laconia, partially due to a decline in the number of deliveries. The closure did not affect prenatal, postnatal, women's health and pediatric care. Mothers may still travel to Concord (N.H.) Hospital to deliver babies. Lebanon, N.H.-based Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in February also announced it would close its maternity ward and transition those inpatient services to Lebanon-based Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

3. Overall, at least seven New Hampshire hospitals have eliminated obstetric services in the last two decades, according to the report. At the same time, the number of births in New Hampshire hospitals fell 8 percent between 2010 and 2017, the New Hampshire Union Leader reports, citing data from the state Vital Records Administration.

4. New Hampshire is not alone. Mesa View Regional Hospital, the only hospital in Mesquite, Nev., announced last month it would stop providing labor and delivery services Oct. 1. At least three other hospitals and health systems made similar announcements this year.

Access the full New Hampshire Union Leader report here.Another 4,109 Medicaid beneficiaries in Arkansas lost their health insurance in October after failing to comply with the program's work requirements for three months, according to the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

The health department said 4,353 Medicaid beneficiaries lost their health insurance in September after failing to comply with the regulation. This brings the total number of beneficiaries who have lost coverage to nearly 8,500, according to The Hill. More than 76,000 beneficiaries were subject to the requirement.



Work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries between the ages of 30 and 49 took effect for an initial group of members June 1 and were rolled out within that subgroup through September. Beneficiaries between the ages of 19 and 29 will face work requirements in 2019 unless they can prove exemption status.



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Here are five things to know:

1. Many drug companies don't bother to make venom-reversing drugs, called antivenins, because they are expensive and complicated to produce. The drugs can also trigger life-threatening anaphylactic shock or hemorrhaging, since they contain horse or sheep proteins.

2. Hospitals usually stock up on various antivenins, but patients must know what type of snake bit them and many die before they reach a hospital.

3. Kenneth Shea, PhD, a chemist at UC Irvine in Orange, is developing hydrogel nanoparticles that are able to cling, bind to and neutralize common poisons produced by numerous snake species. Fellow researcher Jose Maria Gutierrez, PhD, venom specialist at the University of Costa Rica, found the nanoparticles significantly reduced tissue damage in a mice trial without triggering allergic reactions.

4. Dr. Shea's goal is to create a "cocktail of particles" that can be injected "like an Epi-Pen," according to The New York Times. This device would not replace all antivenins, but serve as a temporary treatment until victims can seek medical attention. The nanoparticles do not require refrigeration, making them more practical to have on hand.

5. The U.S. military and some companies from the veterinary industry expressed interest in funding Dr. Shea's research. However, regulatory approval could be far off, as the use of nanoparticles in medicine is a fairly new concept and "there aren't many volunteers" for clinical trials involving snake bites, Dr. Shea told The New York Times.

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GULU: After 52 days in detention, Mr Edward Sebuufu commonly known as Eddie Mutwe, the body guard to Kyandondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi has finally regained his freedom.

Mr Mutwe and his co accused Musa Ssenyange, a machine operator were granted bail by the Gulu High Court Judge Justine Stephen Mubiru on Tuesday morning.

The accused were represented by their lawyers Bugiri Municipality MP Assuman Basalirwa, Henry Kilama and TonnyKitarra.

In their bail application the lawyers contends that it was a constitutional right for the accused to be granted bail as enshrined in Article 23 (6) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.

They also contend that the accused were tortured while in military detention, denied proper medical attention and needed to seek private medical checkups.

Mr Mutwe was arrested by security personnel on August 25 from Semakokiro Plaza in Kamwokya Kampala and detained at Chieftaincy of Military Investigation [CMI] headquarters in Mbuya.

The accused were charged with treason before the Grade One Magistrate Yunus Ndiwalana on September 11 in Gulu town over alleged stoning of president Museveni car in Arua Municipality few hours after the high court in Kampala had ordered for their unconditional release on August 25.

While passing his verdict, Justice Muburi concurred with the defence lawyers saying it was fit and expedient for the accused to be granted bail in the interest of justice.

Justice Mubiru granted a non cash bail of Shs 5 million each to the accused and Shs 10 million noncash bail to their sureties.

The accused are to reappear before the Chief Magistrate Court on December 3 along with the 33 other co accused for mention of their case

Related Stories.

Bobi Wine body guard Eddie Mutwe charged with treason &remandedPennsylvania health officials reported over 302,000 medical errors and hospital-acquired infections in 2017, prompting hospital leaders to discuss best care practices, according to Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority data cited by The Morning Call.

To spark conversations about avoiding patient harm, healthcare administrators from Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Health Network screened "To Err is Human," an 80-minute documentary on fatal medical errors.

The screening was hosted by Lehigh University's healthcare systems engineering program and Lehigh Valley Business Coalition on Healthcare, an organization for lowering healthcare costs and improving care quality.

Hospitals must focus on procedures for identifying human errors, such as checklists, and encourage employees to disclose mistakes, health officials said after the film screening.

The documentary offered solutions to curbing medical errors, including more federal funding for research into best practices in hospitals; technology to reduce mistakes; and transparency in reporting mistakes.A ballot measure calling for mandated nurse staffing ratios at Massachusetts hospitals has sparked a close race among likely voters, according to a recent poll by WBUR, Boston's NPR news station.

The poll, conducted in September among 506 likely Massachusetts voters, found 44 percent of respondents said they will vote "yes" on nurse staffing ratios. That's the same number of respondents who said they will vote "no." Twelve percent of respondents said they were undecided.

Question 1, proposed by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, calls for mandated nurse staffing ratios that would vary by unit, floor or department.

Supporters argue mandated nurse staffing ratios will improve patient care, and opponents say the ratios will worsen nurse care delivery, lead to longer emergency room wait times and hurt community hospitals and mental health facilities.

Voters will decide the ballot measure Nov. 6.

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St. Charles Bend nurses allege unsafe staffing in operating roomA New Jersey judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit between an orthopedic surgeon and Aetna for the insurer's failure to reimburse the surgeon $209,000, according to Law 360.

Here are five things to know:

1. Aetna sought to dismiss the case, siting the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act. However, the judge ruled the state law claims involved in the lawsuit weren't preempted by any ERISA plan.

2. U.S. District Judge Anne Thompson decided in favor of Cary Glastein, MD, stating the orthopedic surgeon's claims didn't require inquiry into the patient's ERISA plan.

3. Dr. Glastein performed medically necessary surgeon in October 2016. Because Dr. Glastein was not in-network with Aetna, the orthopedic surgeon contacted the insurer prior to the surgery. Aetna sent him a written authorization for the procedure.

4. Dr. Glastein then billed Aetna $209,000, which represented "normal and reasonable charges given the complexity of the procedure and plaintiff's qualification," according to Law 360. However, he never received reimbursement.

5. The judge's decision goes against several other New Jersey federal court cases involving surgeons and out-of-network providers. In previous cases, judges have ruled the claims were preempted by ERISA.Bentra Airfield is to become the first WW1 Airfield in Northern Ireland to be officially recognised with a special permanent marker.

Bentra Airfield in Co Antrim is to become the first First World War airfield here to be officially recognised with a special memorial.

The Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust honours historical sites across the UK, with memorials erected at disused airfields.

From 1915 to 1918, Royal Naval Air Service 'blimps' based at Bentra patrolled the waters between Ireland and Scotland, combating German U-boats. Affectionately named 'battlebags' by crews, they protected the cross channel ferry, Princess Maud, as well as convoys.

Mid and East Antrim Mayor Lindsay Millar said: "This is such a brilliant opportunity to honour the rich historical past of this special landmark. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn more about a local site in the borough, which until now has been largely overlooked."Unemployment in Northern Ireland grew by nearly 1% over the summer.

Northern Irelands unemployment rate grew slightly over the summer months to 4.3%  up nearly 1%, latest figures show.

However, the labour market report from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency shows the rate of joblessness was down by 0.4 pps in June to August, compared to the same period in 2017.

Read More

Nisra said it compared with a rate of 5.9% around two years ago.

But Northern Ireland has a more severe problem with long-term unemployment, with around half of the unemployed here on the dole for a year or more, compared to just 25% in the UK.

Northern Ireland has also has the UKs worst economic inactivity rate at 27.5% - with around 322,000 neither in work nor looking for work due to factors including illness, retirement, full-time study or a decision to look after the home.

The figures also show that in September, the number of people claiming out of work benefits, which includes some out-of-work claimants of Universal Credit, was 28,100 (3.1% of the workforce).

That was a fall of 100 from Augusts revised figure.

Tina McKenzie, the policy chair of the Federation of Small Business in Northern Ireland, said: While unemployment has slightly increased this quarter to 4.3%, it is still low by historic standards and employers are reporting difficulty filling vacancies.

And she said businesses would need flexibility post-Brexit so that they could employ workers from the EU where there was difficulty filling vacancies.

Last week, FSB joined with other business organisations calling on the Government to ensure future migration policy is flexible and that business owners can hire the EU workers they need to grow their business.

Northern Irelands rate of economic inactivity, which includes those not in work or seeking employment, remains stubbornly high at 27.5% showing no decrease over the quarter and more than 6 percentage points above the UK average.The Northern Ireland business of manufacturing giant Caterpillar suffered a 20m pre-tax loss last year, new accounts for the company show.

A report covering the 12 months to December 31 2017 reflected a difficult year in which it enacted cost-cutting measures and expressed continued concern about Brexit.

The generator maker, formerly FG Wilson, employs 1,600 people between sites in Larne and Springvale, west Belfast.

In the past two years it has closed a factory in Monkstown, sold part of its Springvale site and announced 250 job cuts.

Turnover has been declining year-on-year since 2012, dropping by 350m over five years.

That trend continued in 2017, with turnover down a further 10m to 445.7m. Pre-tax profits went from 10.1m in 2016 to a 20.9m loss last year.

The company said 4.8m could be directly attributed to its 'factory consolidation process' last year.

The US-owned firm also said currency fluctuations had adversely impacted its accounts to the tune of 11.8m in 2017 when compared to 2016. It said the "small" decline in turnover was caused by the discontinuation of its material handler business.

But Caterpillar's Northern Ireland workforce has also been dropping year-on-year. From a staff of 2,923 people in 2011, that number dropped to 1,598 last year.

Economist John Simpson said: "The trading figures for Caterpillar NI have come as a disappointing report on a difficult year. The scale of the pre-tax losses, even excluding the impact of the discontinued business, show the scale of the task in regaining a profitable sustainable business."

Assessing its performance last year, the company report stated: "During 2017 the business undertook further actions to consolidate manufacturing activity in Northern Ireland and the directors believe the competitive position of the company has significantly improved as a result of these actions."

Caterpillar's involvement in Northern Ireland began in the late 1980s, when it developed a relationship with small generator manufacturer FG Wilson.

By 1999, the American company acquired the Larne-based business outright.

Alongside producing generators, its operations have also included making axles for use in articulated trucks and wheeled material handler machines.

In its latest report, Caterpillar confirmed that its Brexit concerns pre-dated the EU referendum. The company has had a specialist team in place since before June 2016 vote, which continues to assess the potential impact on its business.

"With negotiations still in progress much uncertainty continues to exist and so this work continues, both centrally and within each individual UK business, considering all cases, including 'worst case scenarios' to the business, and will adapt as final details emerge of any final or transnational agreement.

"Caterpillar continues to advocate for the best climate for business."A disused yard at Glenarm harbour is to be redeveloped in a major project aimed at helping the wider area's regeneration.

Expressions of interest are being sought for the 1.2 acre Eglington Yard in the Co Antrim village.

The site is being marketed by agents Lisney under the instructions of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

The agency said an investor could capitalise on the already successful tourist appeal of the area, also home to Glenarm Castle and Glenarm Forest Park.

The site for sale has an open-sided warehouse, outbuildings and a "substantial" yard area.

Andrew Gawley, director at Lisney, said: "Whilst planning permission for a mixed commercial and residential scheme was previously granted for Eglington Yard, we are inviting interested parties to come forward with their own proposals and parties should then make their own enquiries through the planning process."

Eglington Yard faces New Road, part of the Causeway Coastal Route, and is directly opposite the new Tourist Information Office.

Lindsay Millar, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, said she hoped the right buyer and scheme would "return this vacant opportunity to a viable and sustainable jewel in Glenarm's crown".

Another opportunity for developers to benefit from Northern Ireland's growing tourism market is at Lisney-listed Mountfield Lodge site in Omagh, which is on the market for 1.35m.

This includes a detached house on an elevated private estate with 91 acres of woodland, a 12-acre lake and full planning permission for four tourist accommodation units and three residential building sites.

And on 581 Shore Road in north Belfast, a prime development site occupying 1.9 acres, with planning permission for 31 residential properties, has gone on the market for 775,000.

The site, listed by O'Connor Kennedy Turtle, includes permission for one detached property, 12 semi-detached houses and 18 town houses.

In Lisburn, agency Frazer Kidd is selling four shop units - three of which are occupied - at Bow Street and Bow Lane. The sale of all four for 740,000 follows the announcement of the proposed sale of Bow Street Mall for 18m.

And tomorrow, agency Osborne King will host its online auction with bidding starting at 9am. It has also announced its next online auction on December 5.Danish home furnishing store Sstrene Grene is set to open a store in Bangor, creating 10 jobs.

The new branch will open on Main Street, in a location formerly occupied by Dreams, opening its doors before the end of next month.

Selling the aesthetic designs and 'hygge' synonymous with Danish design, the new branch is its third store in Northern Ireland, and adds to stores already open across the United Kingdom, the Republic and mainland Europe.

The company says its stores are "designed to give customers a break from their busy lives, as they search the shelves for new and exciting finds".

Included among its stock are its range of interiors, small furniture, kitchen supplies, craft, and DIY-articles.

The family-owned chain has 220 stories in 16 countries, with major expansion in recent years.

CEO Mikkel Grene said: "The expansion is moving at a fast pace these years, but we are very focused on making sure that our store experience is the same whether you visit a store in Copenhagen, Paris or Belfast.

"For this reason, we take our time in selecting the absolute best locations for our concept. It is not about opening many stores for us; it is about opening the right stores. And I am sure the new store in Bangor will be a great addition to our portfolio."They say there's no friend as loyal as a book (well, Ernest Hemingway did anyway), and that's no truer than with today's breed of self-care related tomes.

Rather than being clinical, self-righteous or heavily peppered with overly earnest cliches, books about mental health now come in all shapes and sizes - and plenty of them are funny, relatable and won't bombard you with confusing self-help jargon.

It's estimated by Mind that a quarter of people in UK experience a mental health problem each year, with anxiety and depression ranking as the most common - yet these issues continue to be largely misunderstood.

While books are no means a substitute for your doctor or a counsellor, a good read can be as soothing as a hot bath on a chilly day - helping to get you back on the mend, inspiring healthy changes or simply reminding you that you're not alone. Better yet, they're always there on the shelf, should you ever need to revert back to them in time to come.

So click on the kettle, switch off Netflix and hunker down this autumn with one of our favourites...

1. Reasons To Stay Alive by Matt Haig (12.99, Canongate)

At the age of 24, writer Matt Haig suffered a breakdown and contemplated taking his own life. In this moving memoir, he explains how he changed his thinking, the process of recovery and everything he's learned about the beauty of life after fixating so intently on death.

As candid as it is touching, this is a book about depression that's refreshingly uplifting, focusing on making the most of your time on earth - even if some days feel worse than others. Keep a pencil at hand: there'll be countless passages you'll want to bookmark and pass on to friends.

2. A Beginner's Guide To Being Mental by Natasha Devon (12.99, Pan Macmillan)

Natasha Devon decided to collate all of the most-asked questions she received from young people about mental health,and turn them into one concise reference book.

Set in a handy A-Z format, this pocket guide explains everything you'll ever need to know about 'being mental', from A (Anxiety) to Z (Zero F**** Given), using experts in the fields of psychology, neuroscience and anthropology. Devon's insights are witty, relocatable and genuinely helpful, whether you suffer with mental illness or you're struggling to understand someone else's condition.

3. We're All Mad Here: The No-Nonsense Guide To Living With Social Anxiety by Claire Eastham (12.99, Jessica Kingsley Publishers)

We've all felt the worry of being judged by other people - but when the feeling takes over, it can make everything from seeing friends to getting on public transport feel impossible.

Here, Claire Eastham gives a brave and funny account of what it's like to be a 20-something living in London and working at her dream job, while secretly battling with a crippling social anxiety disorder. There's sage advice for anyone who's felt the tell-tale dread of 'networking', with no-nonsense tips on how to ease the anxiety of navigating everything from social media and university, to dating and parties.

4. Your Superstar Brain: Unlocking The Secrets Of The Human Mind by Dr Kaja Nordengen (13.99, Little Brown Book Group)

From jealousy and anxiety, to memory and creativity, Dr Kaja Nordengen uses medical science to explain - in layman's terms - how our brains coordinate thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

For anyone that's ever felt their mind is out of their control, this calming and rational book can help you to better understand why your brain makes you who you are, how it learns, and how it can also cause you to make bad or destructive choices by rewarding addictive behaviours.

5. Mad Girl by Bryony Gordon (8.99, Headline Publishing Group)

Telegraph columnist Bryony Gordon has suffered with OCD since childhood and, as she got older, her illness manifested itself in alopecia, bulimia, drug dependency and all manner of complex rules and rituals that inhibited her life. At one point in her 20s, she was even carrying her iron to work every day, so she wouldn't constantly worry that she'd leave it on and burn her flat down.

In her darkly humorous memoir, she talks frankly about how a lack of conversation around mental health left her to suffer alone in shame for years, but how in the process of writing her memoir, she hopes to throw an honest light on the burden of panic and obsession.

6. How To Be Human: The Manual by Ruby Wax (14.99, Penguin Books)

Here, the comedian and mental health campaigner has teamed up with a monk and neuroscientist to explain exactly what makes the mind tick.

Starting with evolution, the book uses science and spirituality (with a good dash of Wax's own experiences) to explain why we think like we do about everything from addiction and love, to thoughts and forgiveness - and how we can train our brains to reach a state of higher self-care.

7. The Anxiety Solution by Chloe Brotheridge (12.99, Penguin Books)

One of the worst things about anxiety is the pervasive feeling that there's something to worry about, even if you can't quite put your finger on what it is. Brotheridge has a clear and simple method to help readers break free from the cycle of panic and dread, by arming them with various tools and techniques. As a clinical hypnotherapist and nutritionist that's treated thousands of patients, she's confident that anyone can get back into the driver's seat and steer their thinking in a more positive direction.We're really bad at looking after our teeth. In 2014, the Irish Dental Association found that 58% of people don't visit the dentist until they need emergency treatment. So what do you need to know about your teeth and why you should look after them? Dentist David Murnaghan has 12 fascinating and shocking facts about teeth.

1 Gum disease is the most common, but among the least acknowledged health problems in Europe - eight out of 10 people aged 35 and over have it. Painful chewing, loose teeth and gums that pull away are signs of severe gum disease, known as periodontitis.

The European Federation of Periodontology says this condition is "significantly and independently associated with the major chronic inflammatory diseases of ageing", including type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, obesity and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

2 It's also been linked to premature birth and low-birth-weight babies. It's thought that in some women, oral bacteria not only enter the bloodstream, they also alert the immune system to send "deliver baby now" signals to the uterus.

3 Gum disease might shorten your odds of stroke and heart disease, Northern Ireland's biggest killers. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream through your gums and join fatty plaques in blood vessels, and inflamed blood vessels can restrict blood flow to your heart and raise blood pressure.

4 Gum disease might cause hip and knee replacements to fail. DNA from the plaque of patients with gum disease was found in their creaking artificial joints and could be the reason why replacements fail when no local infection is found.

5 You have to look after your children's teeth. If you're not sure about what to do your dentist will tell you, and they can also provide safe and painless fissure sealants on your child's back teeth to prevent decay. These plastic coatings stop food and bacteria getting into the tiny grooves in the chewing surfaces. About half of children in Ireland have decay by age five and every year about 10,000 go under general anaesthetic for extractions, with an average age of six - the most traumatic and expensive outcome imaginable.

6 Sparkling water is the lesser of many evils. Acid erodes tooth enamel, but it also gives carbonated water that nice tart taste. It's a minimal amount of acidity: the pH of still water is 7, sparkling water 4, orange juice 3.5 and Coke 2.5. Battery acid is 1. As a child you probably put a dirty penny in a glass of cola overnight and wondered at how it emerged shiny and new. That was carbonation combined with acid at work, which dissolves metal oxides and teeth.

7 If you suffer from terrible headaches and can't find the cause, it might be TMD. Temporomandibular disorder is a jaw condition that dentists see a lot of and we are trying to get the word out to more GPs. It is usually caused by grinding your teeth, a common response to stress which we usually do unwittingly, especially during sleep. Check your canines and see if they are flat at the ends.

If they are you have been grinding. There are simple ways to stop. A novel new treatment is called Cerezen, which you put in your ears. Every time you clench your teeth it feels uncomfortable so you release, which eventually becomes second nature.

8 All restorative dental work, where a damaged tooth is built up to look like new, harms it further. This is especially the case with popular Hollywood-style veneers. Veneers are a bit like getting your nails done in the sense that you have to make room for them by clipping the natural nail back. It's the same with teeth - your dentist must shave back the natural tooth enamel to make room for the veneers. They are wafer thin so it's just a sliver, but nevertheless this is natural enamel you will never get back.

9 No matter how good your dentist is, crowns and veneers don't last a lifetime. In fact the average lifespan of a crown is 10 to 15 years, which means you will need to go through the whole inconvenience and expense again a bit further down the line. This is why dentists go on about good oral hygiene, because keeping your own teeth for life really is the best possible outcome for your health and wallet.

10 Your dentist is a good bet for non-surgical facial aesthetics like Botox and dermal fillers. Why? Dentists carry out facial injections all the time. When someone does injections a lot they get smoother and faster and they learn how to make the patient more comfortable. Dentists are students of facial anatomy and have a knack for enhancing rather than changing your facial features. They are generally risk-averse by nature too - you'd be hard-pressed to find one prepared to accede to your sudden whim for a trout pout.

11 Yellow teeth aren't unhealthy. In fact I've known patients who have regretted going for whiter than white veneers or crowns and unless you are comfortable with drawing stares you too might feel awkward. I usually advise patients to go one or two shades down from the picture in the magazine they've brought in. Teeth yellow with age - it's not a sign of disease. If the artificial teeth in your mouth are extremely white you will have to keep whitening your natural teeth for balance. Having said that, going a few shades lighter with veneers and crowns can look great when done sensitively.

12 Dentistry doesn't always go to plan, so if you are thinking about going abroad to save money on big ticket dental work like implants, factor in the cost of travelling there again in case something goes wrong. If you have been focusing on price alone you might consider that a dentist local to you knows they must sort out any problems, so they will have your best interests at heart.

They won't start treatment until your mouth is ready, whereas there might be pressure on dentists abroad to go ahead prematurely because it takes too long to treat gum disease, and they might try to squeeze too much treatment into a short time frame. The Irish Dental Association says 6,000 patients a year return to local dentists with problems from overseas dental care.

From Queens to health punditry on television

David Murnaghan (34), from Belfast, is a health pundit on TV and radio who won Rising Star at the 2017 Irish Dentistry Awards.

The former St Malachys College pupil qualified from Queens University Belfast in 2006 and completed a dental implant certificate aged 24 in 2007.

David set up the award-winning Boyne Dental and Implant Clinic in 2012 after converting the old courthouse building in Navan into a high tech five-surgery practice. He receives referrals from across Northern Ireland and the Republic for complex dental implant cases.

In a well-known dental case covered widely in the Irish media, he rebuilt the entire mouth of 32-year-old Irish dad Michael Sheridan who teeth had rotted from drinking six litres of fizzy drinks every day.

At the start of this year, Dr Murnaghan helped his wife Carol deliver their son Darragh at the side of the N2 motorway, guided over the phone by his sister Mary Murnaghan, who is a consultant gynaecologist in the Royal Hospital in Belfast.Ruth Anderah.

Out-going Kampala Executive Director Jennifer Musisi has applied to court to issue an order attaching the salary of the Lord Mayor Elias Lukwago that is deposited to an account in Tropical Bank.

Musisi says she has been compelled to file a garnish order against Lukwago after he failed to pay her 47 million shillings being costs of a suit that the High court awarded to Musisi.

In July 2012, the then High court judge Eldard Mwangusya dismissed with costs Lukwagos application that was accusing Musisi of over stepping her mandate and passing off as the city head by convening meetings with city traders.

Musisi then filed a bill of costs that was taxed at 47.5 million shillings; which money she says Lukwago has refused to pay despite repeated demands and reminders.

According to the application filed before the High court -Execution division, through her lawyers of Kasirye Byaruhanga advocates, Musisi says she has reliable information that Lukwago has accumulated amounts of money on his account in Tropical Bank and therefore court should issue an order to attach her 47 million shillings.

This application comes at a time when Lukwago is accusing Musisi before the High court of being one of the people withholding his salary arrears and emoluments amounting to over 536 million shillings.Britain is "more likely than ever before" to crash out of the European Union without a deal, Brussels has warned.

European Council president Donald Tusk was speaking just hours after Theresa May refused to tell MPs when her Irish 'backstop' would come to an end if there was no Brexit deal.

The Prime Minister insisted agreement is still "achievable" despite deadlock in negotiations ahead of a crunch summit.

Mrs May called for "cool, calm heads to prevail" after talks last weekend failed to bridge differences between the UK and EU over the future status of the border in Ireland.

And she warned of the danger that failure to reach agreement over the border could result in the UK leaving the EU without a deal in March next year.

Mrs May said progress had been made on Northern Ireland but two problems remain - the EU's demands over the Northern Ireland backstop and the need for a time limit.

Mrs May's backstop proposal features a temporary arrangement keeping the whole of the UK in a customs union, which she expects to be lifted by the end of 2021. But she refused to give a firm guarantee the backstop would definitely expire by December 2021.

Ex-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was heckled by Opposition MPs before asking Mrs May to confirm the UK would "take back control" in December 2021.

"If that isn't the deadline, could she say when it is," he said.

The PM said: "I continue to believe what we should all be doing is working to ensure the backstop never comes into place and that actually it's not December 2021 we're talking about but January 1, 2021."

Mrs May confirmed that was her "expectation", adding one of the issues still under discussion was "how we can ensure we do reflect the temporary nature of the backstop", which she went on to add should not be necessary.

DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds pressed the PM to reiterate that the UK will leave the EU "together with no part hived off either in the single market or customs union differences".

Mrs May replied: "We will be leaving the European Union together."

Shortly afterwards, Mr Tusk said that while there was good will on both sides, the negotiations have been more complicated than expected.

A group of Cabinet ministers met last night to discuss the developments, with Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Environment Secretary Michael Gove among those who attended.

Mrs May will address the leaders of the remaining 27 EU nations tomorrow before they discuss over dinner without her how to proceed in the talks.

In a letter to EU leaders ahead of the summit, Mr Tusk said: "As things stand today, it has proven to be more complicated than some may have expected. We should nevertheless remain hopeful and determined, as there is good will to continue these talks on both sides.

"But at the same time, responsible as we are, we must prepare the EU for a no-deal scenario, which is more likely than ever before. Like the UK, the Commission has started such preparations, and will give us an update during the meeting."The meeting came as Mrs May prepared to address leaders of the remaining 27 EU states at a Brussels summit on Wednesday (Aaron Chown/PA)

Theresa May has called on her Cabinet to stand together and stand firm on Brexit, after negotiations with the EU stalled in the run-up to a crucial summit.

The Prime Ministers plea came in an extended three-hour meeting of Cabinet at 10 Downing Street, where ministers offered strong support for her insistence any Brexit deal must preserve the integrity of the Union and cannot bind the UK indefinitely into a customs backstop arrangement.

Despite intense speculation over a possible walkout in recent days, no minister indicated they might consider resigning from the Government over Brexit.

Expand Close International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt arrives for the Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street (Stefan Rousseau/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt arrives for the Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The meeting came as Mrs May prepared to address leaders of the remaining 27 EU states at a Brussels summit on Wednesday which had once been billed as the moment of truth for Brexit but now seems certain to pass without agreement on the terms of the UKs withdrawal.

Reports from Brussels suggested senior European Commission officials were casting doubt on the prospect of a special Brexit summit in November if no agreement has been reached by then on the backstop arrangement being sought to avoid a hard border in Ireland.

The EUs chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said we need more time to find an agreement to deliver an orderly UK withdrawal and keep the Irish border open.

We will take this time, calmly and seriously, to find this global agreement in the next weeks, he said.

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Mrs May told Cabinet that progress had been made on a number of issues in negotiations, but two sticking points remained:

 That it would not be possible for her or any other UK Prime Minister to sign up to an agreement that which created a customs border down the Irish Sea;

 That any agreement must ensure that the UK is not kept indefinitely in a backstop arrangement against its will.

Mrs Mays official spokesman said the PM received strong support from Cabinet on these two points.

The Prime Minister told Cabinet she was committed to securing a Brexit that delivers on the referendum result, safeguards jobs and security and preserves the Union, telling ministers: Im convinced that if we as a Government stand together and stand firm, we can achieve this.

Eight Brexit-backing ministers took the highly unusual step of meeting on the eve of Cabinet to discuss, over pizzas, their concerns about Mrs Mays approach.

But two of those present at the pizza summit in the office of Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom played down suggestions of rebellion against the Prime Minister.

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt told Sky News: No-one is planning on resigning. We are all doing our jobs and we are trying to get the best deal for this country, and thats it.

We are approaching the end of negotiations. This is going to be a difficult time, but the whole Cabinet is digging in to get the best deal for this country.

And Mrs Leadsom herself said: The Prime Minister is doing a very, very complicated job and Im fully supporting her in getting that done.

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Also understood to have attended the meeting were Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and staunch Brexiteers Michael Gove, Chris Grayling and Geoffrey Cox, as well as two ministers who backed Remain in the 2016 referendum, Jeremy Hunt and Liz Truss.

Ministers arriving for Cabinet on Tuesday morning were offered sausage and bacon sandwiches.

In Luxembourg, foreign ministers from the remaining 27 EU states were receiving a briefing from Mr Barnier at the General Affairs Council.

Arriving for the meeting, Germanys Europe minister, Michael Roth, said his message to Mrs May was: Take responsibility and be constructive.

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Whatsapp German Europe minister Michael Roth called on Mrs May to take responsibility (European Commission Audiovisual Services)

Mr Roth made clear that Berlin is alive to the problems Mrs May could face in getting any deal through Parliament, telling reporters: I have the impression that it is difficult to secure the appropriate parliamentary majority in Great Britain.

The British side needs support. Without a clear vote in the European Parliament and without a clear vote in the British Parliament, it wont succeed in the end.

Mrs May is due to address leaders of the EU27 on Wednesday evening before leaving them to discuss the next steps on Brexit over dinner in her absence.

With no likelihood of a deal this week, doubts were being raised over the prospect of a special Brexit summit on November 17-18.

This has variously been framed as a final opportunity to reach agreement or as a chance for the 27 to make preparations for a disorderly no-deal withdrawal.

Belgiums foreign minister, Didier Reynders, put the chances of the UK crashing out without a deal at 50/50.

The Prime Minister told the House of Commons on Monday that an exit agreement is still achievable.

And European Council president Donald Tusk urged both sides to keep making every effort to find a deal.

Meeting with @MichelBarnier at critical moment of #brexit talks. To reiterate EU27s full support for his work. And to prepare for our #EUCO discussion Wednesday evening. pic.twitter.com/W72YN1ITb6  Charles Michel (@eucopresident) October 16, 2018

In a letter to EU leaders, Mr Tusk said the Brexit negotiations had proven to be more complicated than some may have expected.

But he added: We should nevertheless remain hopeful and determined, as there is good will to continue these talks on both sides

As someone rightly said: It always seems impossible until its done. Let us not give up.The memorial was vandalised on Monday night.

An attack on a memorial to a civilian killed during a shoot-out between the British Army and the IRA in north Belfast has been described as "appalling".

DUP councillor Dale Pankhurst was speaking after the memorial to William 'Billy' Hanna was vandalised in the Ballysillan area.

Mr Hanna (28) was killed in crossfire between the IRA and the British Army at the Ballysillan Post Office Depot in 1978.

He was walking home with a friend when shooting broke out.

Three IRA men were also killed in the incident.

"Billy was an innocent Protestant shot dead during crossfire between an SAS unit and the Provisional IRA in 1978," Councillor Pankhurst said.

"This memorial is situated at the top of Wheatfield estate. If anyone has any information no matter how big or small, pass it on to the PSNI.

"There can be no room for these sorts of attacks in 2018. Its pathetic and grotesque."The son of a Co Armagh woman who died from the highly contagious winter vomiting bug in hospital while being treated for cancer said his mother could still be alive if more was done to prevent infections spreading.

Ann McEvoy (54) died at Craigavon Area Hospital on January 25, 2016, where she had been receiving chemotherapy for a brain tumour.

Mrs McEvoy's husband John and sons Conor and Ciaran were among the family members who attended the inquest into her death at Laganside Courts yesterday.

Speaking afterwards, Conor said he hoped lessons can be learned from his mother's death.

"Hospitals need to be more stringent when it comes to infection prevention and control. They might put up signs about hand hygiene and visiting restrictions but people don't follow the rules," he said.

"I've learned that the hard way after losing my mum. She could still be here today but unfortunately she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Mrs McEvoy was a patient in the haematology ward, which at the time had been moved to temporary accommodation due to remedial works.

Despite being in a ward side room to avoid the risk of infection during treatment, she was forced to share shower and toilet facilities with 13 other patients, a number of whom had tested positive for the bug.

The court heard that she attended Craigavon on December 16, 2015 with a history of dizziness, headaches and nausea. A CT scan showed she had a brain tumour.

Mrs McEvoy was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She had consented to chemotherapy and was admitted to Craigavon to begin treatment on January 6.

Eight days later an outbreak of norovirus was confirmed after patients began to show signs of vomiting and diarrhoea, at which point the ward was closed to new admissions. However, the virus had been present for three days before it was detected and full infection control measures were implemented.

In her evidence, consultant haematologist Dr Kathryn Boyd said that the facilities offered to patients affected by the ward transfer in the summer of 2015 had not been ideal. She said this was due to a lack of en suite facilities to ensure at risk patients were more isolated.

Dr Boyd said she had only consented to the move on the understanding that it would be for four months, although patients remained in the temporary ward until the following Easter.

The day after the norovirus outbreak Mrs McEvoy began to feel nauseous, but doctors felt that this was a side-effect of her treatment. It was agreed to continue with chemotherapy for fear of compromising her outcome, a decision which Dr Boyd said she now regretted.

Mrs McEvoy was diagnosed with norovirus on January 18 and, despite intensive treatment over the course of the next few days, her condition deteriorated.

It later become apparent that she had contracted a secondary infection, pseudomonas sepsis. On January 22 she was transferred to intensive care, where she died three days later.

Coroner Joe McCrisken found that haematology patients had not been provided with suitable facilities during the ward relocation. He added that hygiene controls put in place during the norovirus outbreak had also not been up to standard.

He said Mrs McEvoy had died as a result of the infections contracted during her treatment.

Mr McCrisken added that patients most at risk must be prioritised, which had not happened in the case of Mrs McEvoy. He said this was down to a systems rather than a staffing issue.A 42-year-old man appeared in court today accused of grooming and inciting a schoolgirl into sexual activity.

John Patrick Clarke, of Claremont Street in Belfast, also faces counts of offering to supply cannabis and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

His lawyer confirmed all of the alleged offences are denied.

Belfast Magistrates' Court heard Clarke is accused of a total of six offences.

The charges include inciting a child under 16 to engage in a sexual activity, and causing her to look at an image for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification.

Further alleged offences involve sexual communications with a child, attempting to meet her following grooming, and offering to supply a Class B drug.

Clarke is then accused of attempting to ask another person to contact the injured party with an instruction, intending to pervert the course of justice.

All of the alleged offences were committed between July and August this year.

Appearing in the dock for the first time, Clarke spoke only to say he understood the charges.

Defence solicitor Feargal MacElhatton said his client "vehemently" denies the charges.

With the case adjourned for four weeks, Clarke was released on continuing bail.Belfast traders have said the city centre has become "a ghost town" since the Primark fire, prompting fears of redundancies and shop closures.

A 30% drop in September footfall was reported yesterday - but several businesses told the Belfast Telegraph their situation was worse.

Michelle McCole, manager of the Havana Bank Sq restaurant on Chapel Lane, said trade was down by 20-30%.

"People are using CastleCourt for pedestrian access but once that closes there's nobody about and it's like a ghost town," she said.

"It's too far for people to walk around the security cordon."

Primark have donated 500,000 to help affected businesses.

"We're looking at that, but we're just outside the cordon and not sure if we're eligible," Ms McCole said.

She also called on Belfast City Council to demolish the Bank Buildings structure.

"If we don't have a good Christmas we might not be here in January," she said. "People need their jobs. If you can't fix it, pull it down and let people get on with it."

Kelly's Cellars manager Kieran Uprichard said it was getting only half of their predicted custom.

"Our footfall is down by 30%, but our business had been growing so we're getting about 50% less than expected," he explained.

"We were helped by students starting back so we haven't had to lay any staff off, but that could change in a couple of months."

Kelly's Cellars is hoping for around 5,000 from the Primark fund to help it improve its outside area with a stretch marquee. "It's not really going to cut it, but we have to do something ahead of Christmas," Mr Uprichard said.

Tony McCallum is co-owner of Executive Barber on Castle Street. He said footfall was now "non- existent".

"It's just regulars only at the moment and has been for the last four weeks, with no passers-by," he said. "If the walkway isn't open by Christmas we'll be thinking about reducing staff.

"If this was a London high street it would have been sorted in a week. The council needs to get moving."

A few doors down, Christine Ossawy and Sinead Seton from the Fruiterama Greengrocers said the loss of trade was crippling.

"I think our business is hit more than 30% - by 4pm Castle Street is dead," Ms Ossawy said.

"Before the fire people making their way home stopped for their potatoes and veg. We're not getting that now and we really need it. It's seven weeks later and we're no further on."

The Picture Gallery on Queen Street has been open since 1976. Sheelagh Caldwell said her footfall has already been declining for two years due to constant building works.

"When people see scaffolding they avoid the area," she said. "That's probably what will happen around Primark so my sympathy goes out to those traders. The cordon needs sorted out now. Primark are a big business, I'm not running them down for it, but they can afford this and small businesses can't."DUP MP Nigel Dodds has welcomed a government decision to back a plan to fortify flour with folic acid after being at the forefront of a campaign very close to his heart.

Medical experts say the change will reduce the number of babies born in the UK with serious birth defects.

The son of Mr Dodds and his wife, DUP MEP Diane Dodds, was born with spina bifida.

Andrew Dodds died in 1998 just before his ninth birthday.

Mr Dodds was the joint convener of a meeting at Parliament in May this year to push for the change and said he's delighted the UK will now be brought into line with other countries around the world. "This is something very close to my heart as my son was born with spina bifida," he told the Belfast Telegraph.

"The importance of raising awareness and campaigning for an increase of the intake of folic acid has been a campaign I have always been passionately involved in.

"The statistics all point to the benefits of taking folic acid and how it can massively reduce the chances of children having spina bifida, if it is taken in advance of conception.

"It's timely that the UK is brought into line with other countries around the world who have taken the practical step of adding the supplement to flour.

"It is a transformative step and campaign groups such as Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Information Networking Equality (Shine) are to be congratulated in their fight to see this measure brought into force."

Spina bifida means (in Latin) 'split spine' with vertebrae overlying the spinal cord and usually bursting through the skin. It is often accompanied by hydrocephalus ('water on the brain') which leads to enlarging of the cranium. Those early years with her son Andrew led Mrs Dodds to campaign for services in her role as an MEP. For decades medical experts have been calling for the UK to follow the lead of 80 other countries, including the US, and start adding the essential vitamin to prevent developmental defects like spina bifida.

The Royal College of Midwives urged the government to introduce mandatory fortification "as soon as possible".

Clare Livingstone, professional policy advisor for the college, added: "This will significantly help to reduce the number of foetal anomalies related to folic acid deficiency. This means fewer babies will be born with neural tube defects (NTD), and the sooner this is done, the sooner this will start to happen."

The new policy, which will be introduced within weeks, comes after ministers were convinced by their own advisers that it would reduce the risk of babies developing spina bifida and other conditions that involve severe disability or death.

Until now, ministers in successive governments have ignored the repeated pleas to embrace mandatory folic fortification but Prime Minister Theresa May, who was opposed, has been persuaded to change her mind.

Kate Steele is chief executive of the Shine charity which helps families affected by neural tube (birth) defects.

"Mandatory fortification will be a game-changer for the UK," she said. "A government decision to introduce mandatory fortification will mean a major positive impact for the health and wellbeing of babies born in the future.

"In many cases, it will be the difference between life and death."

It is estimated that two women a day in the UK have an abortion because doctors have identified an NTD and two children a week are born with an NTD, often spina bifida, which means they are left with substantial health issues and needing the use of a wheelchair.

Britain is believed to have the highest rate of NTDs in Europe.

The Department of Health and Social Care said: "Ministers are considering expert advice and will respond in due course."A new hard-hitting campaign has been launched to convey the "brutal reality" of paramilitary style attacks after 417 over the past five years.

The 'Ending The Harm' campaign is aimed at highlighting the devastating impact of paramilitary style attacks on victims, their families, local communities and wider society.

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It tells the story of a paramilitary style shooting from the points of view of the four people involved: the victim, his mother, the paramilitary gang member and a witness.

The message will be shared through a television, radio and poster advert campaigns, launching at 9pm on Tuesday.

In 2017/2018, 87 people were victims of paramilitary style attacks. 22 people were shot and 65 people were assaulted over a 12 month period. Over the last five years, 417 people have been the victim of such attacks.

Tuesday's launch event included a panel discussion on the issue. The panel members were: Anthony Harbinson, Chair of the Tackling Paramilitarism Programme Board, Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray from PSNI, Sean Holland from Department of Health, Koulla Yiasouma, NI Commissioner for Children and Young People, Arlene Key from the Education Authority, and Paul Smyth from the StopAttacks forum.

Speaking at todays launch, Mr Harbinson said that the campaign was important to ensure that paramilitary style attacks were not simply ignored.

The reality is that the perpetrators of these attacks dont care about people, or justice, or solving social problems. They are only interested in exerting control and exploiting people for their own gain," he said.

They dont offer protection; their sole aim is to terrorise and control, and they use shootings, beatings, drug dealing, intimidation, and protection rackets as their weapons.

PSNI Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray said that the campaign showed the impact of paramilitary style attacks on communities.

Expand Close PSNI statistics on paramilitary attacks in Northern Ireland. PA/PSNI / Facebook

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Paramilitaries dont carry out these attacks to protect communities. Instead, they do it to exert fear and control communities for their own selfish gains. These hypocrites acting as judge, jury and, in some instances, executioner do not represent the interests of any community," Detective Inspector Murray said.

Contrary to the perpetrators rhetoric, not all of their victims have been involved in criminality. When criminality occurs within communities, the Police Service of Northern Ireland is the only legitimate provider of law and order.

"The causes of crime are complex and often linked to an individuals mental health and substance abuse. Beating or shooting people simply makes these issues worse. Evidence suggests that where people have offended, three quarters of people subjected to a paramilitary style attack will go on to re-offend within a year. In contrast, the re-offending rates of people who are dealt with through the criminal justice system are much lower - at less than 1/3 - clearly demonstrating there is a better more effective alternative.

"In simple terms, reporting crime to police is more likely to stop it. In many instances paramilitaries know this themselves but they dont actually want the crime to stop, they simply want to control it or take their cut."

The PSNI head of paramilitary style attacks said that the PSNI would go after those behind the attacks.

There are obvious difficulties in getting victims and witnesses of paramilitary style attacks to come forward due to fear but PSNI are far from powerless when it comes to dealing with these people who are exploiting their own communities," Detective Inspector Murray said.

"We are targeting the groups and individuals we suspect are responsible for the attacks and tackling their wider criminality, be that drug dealing, money laundering, human trafficking or any other illegal activity.

My message is simple. Policing works for communities, particularly for those communities that engage and work with us. Ultimately we all have a role to play in creating a safer society and ending the harm caused by paramilitary style attacks.A tribunal has ruled that a student with autism was "constructively excluded" from a Belfast special school.

Finn Loughran Haye became a student in Park School in the grounds of Ormeau Park after moving to Northern Ireland with his family in 2016.

The BBC, which has spoken with Finn's parents, reports governors of Park School and the Education Authority have been ordered to apologise.

He had previously been living in England with his family and had received a statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) from his local authority in the UK - something which does not have legal status in Northern Ireland.

Finn was attending class three hours a day, with his mother Gillian Loughran waiting in the corridor for him while he attended class.

Following a "heated" discussion between Finn's mother and a teacher in March 2016, Finn was withdrawn from the school and the incident was investigated.

His parents had wished for him to make a return to the school under different teaching arrangements before later making a complaint to the Education Authority.

In a ruling in May, the Special Education Needs and Disability Tribunal concluded Finn was "constructively excluded and this was not a voluntary withdrawal".

The judgement also found that the Education Authority should have better supervised Finn's placement at the school while he was waiting for his assessment.

An Education Authority spokesman said: EA is presently considering the Tribunals decision.By Damali Mukhaye.

The lord mayor of Kampala capital city authority has welcomed the move by the executive director of the authority Jenipher Musisi resigning from her office attacking her for not respecting his colleagues during her seven year term.

Last evening, the Musisi shocked the country when she handed in her 21 resignation letter to president Museveni outlining her achievements and failures in her 7 term resign.

Addressing journalists at city hall, lukwago says that Musis did not respected her colleagues because she knows only president Museveni as her bosses asserting that she did not copy any of her colleagues in her resignation letter.

Lukwago says that he is now settled at his office with the exit of Musisi asserting that what they predicted has come to pass.

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KCCA ED Musisi tenders in her resignationA former Sinn Fein MLA is to receive undisclosed compensation for being referred to as a bigot by an ex-DUP minister, the High Court has heard.

An apology and retraction was also read out to Rosie McCorley as part of the settlement reached in her defamation action against Nelson McCausland.

The Assembly Commission confirmed last night its insurance policy does not cover Nelson McCauslands comments.

Ms McCorley, who represented West Belfast until she lost her Stormont seat in 2016, sued over comments made in a BBC Radio Ulster interview.

A judge was told yesterday that a confidential resolution has been reached in the case.

Under the terms of the settlement, a statement was read out on behalf of Mr McCausland, who served as a DUP MLA for North Belfast for 14 years, and is a Belfast Telegraph columnist.

His barrister told the court: The defendant apologises to the plaintiff for the words he used during an interview on Good Morning Ulster on BBC Radio Ulster on February 16, 2016 wherein he referred to the plaintiff as a bigot.

The defendant retracts his comments in their entirety, and has agreed to pay compensation and the legal costs she has incurred in bringing this action to the plaintiff. No further details were revealed.

Outside court Ms McCorleys lawyer, Nicholas Quinn of OMuirigh Solicitors, said: My client is relieved at the retraction of the defamatory words used, and that the matter can now be put behind her.

The Assembly Commission maintains a combined Employers and Public Liability insurance policy which previously covered MLAs being sued for libel  but this stopped in 2016 after it was revealed that it cost the public purse 30,000 a year.

The amount of money spent on insurance cover came to light in 2013 when the DUPs Paul Givan was sued by former Police Ombudsman Nuala OLoan. The bill for damages was around 50,000.

Former Ulster Unionist MP Tom Elliott and Phil Flanagan were also involved in a libel action involving a tweet which left the Sinn Fein man having to pay compensation to Mr Elliott.

The Assembly said then that the insurance policy did not protect Mr Flanagan because both politicians were MLAs when the libel occurred in 2014.

More than 260,000 was spent between 2008 and 2016.

After the McCausland and McCorley case, a spokesperson for the Assembly said: The Assembly Commission maintains a combined Employers and Public Liability insurance policy. The combined policy does not provide cover of this nature.

A spokesperson told the News Letter more than two years ago that before 2015, the insurance provided cover for personal injury which included libel and slander. On renewal of the policy from April 1, 2015, the Assembly Commission was informed that this aspect would no longer be included as part of the standard policy so cover is not included, they said.DUP Brexit spokesperson Sammy Wilson accused Prime Minister Theresa May of having fallen for a "con trick" by the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in a speech at a Leave Means Leave rally last night.

The East Antrim MP also said that Mr Barnier and Mr Varadkar "didn't just kiss the Blarney Stone, they made love to it" as he addressed a Bournemouth audience at the event. It was attended by two other leading Northern Irish Brexiteers - Wetherspoons CEO Tim Martin and Bournemouth West Conservative MP Conor Burns - and Labour Leave's Brendan Chilton.

Mr Wilson stated: "From the minute that the referendum result was issued and was known there were those who have benefited from EU patronage, who have been able to use EU lobbying for competitive advantage, for those who were able to get grants from the EU, albeit it was our own money back, they've been plotting and planning to overturn the referendum.

"They talk about being democrats but they don't care about democracy."

Mr Wilson claimed that a "cunning plan" had been devised by those who wished to overturn the referendum result.

"The UK couldn't possibly leave the EU because you couldn't catch the taxes on goods that were sold and had customs due to be paid when they crossed the Irish border," he stated.

"You couldn't have goods crossing the Irish border that didn't conform with EU regulations. And anyhow, if you did that and you had to put the arrangements in place, you'd be back to war in Northern Ireland.

"You would be against the Belfast Agreement.

"We've a saying in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland that if you're going to tell a tall story you've kissed the Blarney Stone.

"Well I can tell you, Barnier and Leo Varadkar didn't just kiss the Blarney Stone, they made love to it when they made up this one.

"This is being used by the Prime Minster of the United Kingdom to either keep the whole of the United Kingdom under the bondage of Brussels, or else to break up the United Kingdom by cutting Northern Ireland adrift.

"And that was a choice which Barnier and Co have given the Prime Minister and she has fallen for it because she accepted their con trick."

Mr Wilson said that the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic hadn't closed during the Troubles.

"Authorised economic operators, trusted traders, prior notification - all of this can be captured," he said. "What happens at other entry points into the EU could happen along the Irish border.

"Less than 1% of the trade from the outside world that comes into the EU is actually checked. Now why on earth, when we leave the EU, when we have the same regulations, when we have the history of having shared the same rules, why on earth would every containment and consignment of goods leaving the UK, whether it goes through Dover, Felixstowe or across the Irish border have to be stopped and checked?

"It's a con trick and the sooner we see through it the better."

Mr Wilson pledged that the whole UK would leave the EU together.

"We will not be voting for any deal which keeps this country captive in any way to Brussels and to the EU," he said. "We will not be voting for any deal which calls into question the integrity of the United Kingdom or cuts Northern Ireland free. We voted to leave together, we will leave together, and that's the pledge which I make to you tonight."

Earlier, Nigel Farage said that the Northern Ireland border had been used by Mr Barnier to "trap Theresa May" into keeping the UK in a customs union. During a visit to Dorset, Mr Farage said he believed the "establishment" had been attempting to water down Brexit, but he felt that there had been a shift in the past 24 hours.A man has died from his injuries in hospital after he was involved in a four-car crash in Lisburn last month.

The crash happened on the Hillhall Road in Lisburn on Friday, September 28 at around 1.15pm.

The man was rushed to hospital. Police confirmed he passed away at the weekend.

His grieving family have asked his details not be released.

Officers from the Collision Investigation Unit are investigating and would ask any witnesses to the collision or anyone with dash-cam footage which could assist them with their enquiries to contact them on 101 quoting reference number 592 28/09/18.Undated handout images issued by Four Colman Getty of Anna Burns with the cover of her novel Milkman, which has been longlisted for the 2018 Man Booker Prize. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday July 24, 2018. See PA story ARTS ManBooker.

The Duchess of Cornwall (left) and Anna Burns on stage at the Guildhall in London after she was awarded the Man Booker Prize for Fiction for her novel Milkman. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday October 16, 2018. See PA story SHOWBIZ Booker. Photo credit should read: Frank Augstein/PA Wire

The Duchess of Cornwall (left) and Anna Burns on stage at the Guildhall in London after she was awarded the Man Booker Prize for Fiction for her novel Milkman. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday October 16, 2018. See PA story SHOWBIZ Booker. Photo credit should read: Frank Augstein/PA Wire

The Duchess of Cornwall (left) and Anna Burns on stage at the Guildhall in London after she was awarded the Man Booker Prize for Fiction for her novel Milkman. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday October 16, 2018. See PA story SHOWBIZ Booker. Photo credit should read: Frank Augstein/PA Wire

The Duchess of Cornwall (left) and Anna Burns on stage at the Guildhall in London after she was awarded the Man Booker Prize for Fiction for her novel Milkman. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday October 16, 2018. See PA story SHOWBIZ Booker. Photo credit should read: Frank Augstein/PA Wire

The Duchess of Cornwall (left) and Anna Burns on stage at the Guildhall in London after she was awarded the Man Booker Prize for Fiction for her novel Milkman. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday October 16, 2018. See PA story SHOWBIZ Booker. Photo credit should read: Frank Augstein/PA Wire

Anna Burns on stage at the Guildhall in London after she was awarded the Man Booker Prize for Fiction for her novel Milkman. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday October 16, 2018. See PA story SHOWBIZ Booker. Photo credit should read: Frank Augstein/PA Wire

Anna Burns on stage at the Guildhall in London after she was awarded the Man Booker Prize for Fiction for her novel Milkman. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday October 16, 2018. See PA story SHOWBIZ Booker. Photo credit should read: Frank Augstein/PA Wire

Anna Burns on stage at the Guildhall in London after she was awarded the Man Booker Prize for Fiction for her novel Milkman. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday October 16, 2018. See PA story SHOWBIZ Booker. Photo credit should read: Frank Augstein/PA Wire

Anna Burns on stage at the Guildhall in London after she was awarded the Man Booker Prize for Fiction for her novel Milkman. Pic: Frank Augstein/PA Wire

Northern Ireland author Anna Burns has won the Man Booker prize for her novel Milkman.

A tale of sexual coercion, Milkman is set during the late 1970s and tells the story from the perspective of an 18-year-old-girl.

Known only as Middle Sister the girl encounters sex, sectarianism and social coercion in an unnamed province.

The book charts the course of a young girl with an ambivalent attitude to the paramilitary violence around her, struggling to combat unwanted sexual advances and the pernicious power of gossip.

Names of people and places are deliberately kept vague to cultivate a feeling of uncertainty and universality as the woman tries to navigate her way through a dangerous time. Despite her best efforts, her encounter with Milkman is noticed and rumours start to swirl.

Welcomed as a novel that will "help people think about Me Too", it has also been praised for a unique first-person voice rich in the conversational language of Northern Ireland and its handling of universal problems facing women and outsiders.

"This is a complex read full of convoluted language, and builds up a dark, yet at times comic, picture of Northern Ireland," the judges said.

Judges said they did not consider the current prominence of Northern Ireland or the gender equality debate in their deliberations, nor the accessibility of the book to the average reader.

Anna Burns is the first Northern Ireland author to win the prize and the first UK winner since Hilary Mantel in 2012. She takes home a 50,000 prize.

Milkman - Burns' fourth book - has been hailed as a book that "will last" by the chairman of the panel of judges, philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah, who said the novel was as useful for thinking about fractured societies in Lebanon and Syria as it was for the current gender debate in the West.

Expand Close The Duchess of Cornwall (left) and Anna Burns on stage at the Guildhall in London after she was awarded the Man Booker Prize for Fiction for her novel Milkman. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday October 16, 2018. See PA story SHOWBIZ Booker. Photo credit should read: Frank Augstein/PA Wire PA / Facebook

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The chairman said the panel's deliberations had been friendly and the decision entirely unanimous, adding that there was no need for a vote and the choice was clear for the judges.

Appiah said at a ceremony at the Guildhall in London: "It speaks to the future. I think it's going to last.

"I think this will help people to think about Me Too. It's not just about something that is going on in this moment.

"This is about the way in which men and women put pressure on a young girl to do things sexually that she doesn't want to do. It had to do with a masculine environment.

"This is particular, but it's brilliantly universal. It's in the context of a sectarian, divided society."People Before Profit has slammed an attempt by Sinn Fein "to equate the socialist politics of People Before Profit with the politics of the DUP... and the Tories".

It is the most recent salvo in a row between the two parties over positioning on Brexit, and a poster in west Belfast blaming PBP for a possible hard border on the island of Ireland.

People Before Profit hit out at Sinn Fein over a poster - not marked with Sinn Fein branding - which reads: 'Brexit Hard Border - brought to you by Tories, DUP, UUP, People Before Profit'.

While People Before Profit campaigned in favour of Brexit, the party stated policy is to "reject all moves to re-create a hard border".

The DUP campaigned in favour of Brexit, while the UUP campaigned against it.

The poster was erected outside the office of PBP MLA Gerry Carroll on the Falls Road.

"Truth be told, PBP has always been opposed to partition in Ireland and we are for open borders," Mr Carroll said.

The West Belfast MLA claimed Sinn Fein was attempting to distort his party's position in anticipation of reentering Stormont with the DUP.

Mr Carroll noted his party "are the only all-Ireland party demanding a vote in the North and in the South on the terms of the Brexit deal - Sinn Fein are not", and that PBP is the only party "demanding that Leo Varadkar uses the Irish governments veto on a Brexit deal which includes a hard border - Sinn Fein are not".

Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey did not confirm in his statement whether the poster belonged to Sinn Fein, saying: "The people of the north voted to remain in the EU and that vote should be respected by the British Tory party and by Gerry Carrolls People Before Profit.

"Gerry Carroll is desperate to try to distance himself from the fact that People Before Profit campaigned for Brexit, voted for Brexit and acted as a cheerleader for Brexit," he said.

Mr Maskey added: "In the aftermath of the referendum result, Gerry Carroll said there were reasons to be cheerful about the outcome of the EU referendum.

"There are certainly no reasons to be cheerful about Brexit for the people of the north and for people right across the island of Ireland."Think prison dogs and the image often conjured up is one of a tough-looking German Shepherd guarding the gates. Some 30 canines play traditional security roles in Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hydebank - but some are now being used to help inmates who are struggling with mental health issues, self-isolation or self-harm.

The prisoners can learn crucial social skills, build positive relationships and experience unconditional love through caring for four-legged friends.

At Magilligan Prison in Co Londonderry, inmates are reconnecting with life and society through their canine companions and governor Richard Taylor said dogs are part of the fabric of daily prison life.

But he highlighted how the use of therapeutic dogs has also proved to be hugely beneficial.

"At Magilligan we have a member of our staff who has a Rottweiler called Archie," he said.

"He comes to work with his owner every day and they work within the horticulture unit with those people who, ordinarily, wouldn't be fit to work in the normal workshops or education facilities.

"Archie is a therapeutic dog, he works with people who we may have concerns about relating to mental health or self-harm issues. The dog is trained as a therapy dog so Archie works with the people there on a daily basis."

On top of that, a dog sanctuary brings two dogs into the prison twice a week and runs therapeutic intervention classes for around 20 people.

"In a classroom environment they will work through how you look after the dogs and how the dog will react in different situations," said the governor.

"They bring it all back to how we as individuals act and the dog can perceive that. How we can appear threatening, or how our presentation can determine how the dog reacts to us.

"The dogs are there, in the classroom, and they are interacting with each of the prisoners. They get to walk them, they get to teach them commands. It builds up that one-to-one relationship with them.

"The prisoners become attached to the dogs.

"Not only does it build relationships between one another, there is also a lot of positive interaction.

"We have purchased a Labrador from Assist NI which is going to be assigned to one person in particular, and they will bring the dog in daily and will work along with people here in order to address those mental health issues, or with people who perhaps we feel are at risk.

"We see that evolving also into something bigger."

Mr Taylor said the therapeutic dogs often allow prisoners to think beyond their cell walls and help them to battle addiction.

He explained: "By introducing this type of therapeutic dogs and Archie, it builds those positive interactions that relationships are built through.

"Because the people are patting the dogs and working with the dogs, so it builds good relationships within a custodial environment. Giving someone the responsibility to look after another living being is important."

Mr Taylor told how female prisoners at Hydebank Wood were given the responsibility of looking after two chocolate-coloured Labradors.

"One of the girls was asked why they had such a good relationship with the dog and she said, 'Because the dog gives me unconditional love'," he said.

"It was fantastic how that relationship built up and people who were self-isolating and self-harming suddenly were out walking the dogs, making sure the dogs were out in all weathers being exercised and fed, displaying positive, responsible attitudes.

"Dogs just melt your heart. Prison environments can be difficult and challenging, particularly with people that you don't know what burden they are carrying in their own mind.

"So we would be watching for people who are self-isolating and not coming out of their cells, or not associating with other people, and we would target them with the dogs, getting people involved," Mr Taylor added.

"And even people with severe addictions. Sometimes addictions are formed for the simple reason to get away from normal life.

"Whereas when they get the responsibility of looking after an animal, the addiction takes second place."There were angry scenes as pro-Palestinian protesters confronted the UKs Israeli ambassador at Queens University in Belfast.

A protester was restrained as several attempted to follow Mark Regevs car as he left the historic institution following a visit to speak to students.

Around 70 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Queens on Tuesday as Mr Regev gave a talk to Masters students who study subjects related to politics and conflict resolution as part of a workshop.

Queens defended the invitation to Mr Regev saying it permits freedom of thought and expression.

The spokeswoman added that Queens has also invited the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK to visit the university and engage with students in a similar format.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) maintained a presence as protesters waved Palestinian flags and took part in chants which included Free Palestine and Regev out outside the building.

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Earlier a number of protesters took part in a sit down demonstration blocking a corridor inside the building.

Ahead of the visit, the Queens Student Union President Connor Veighey and People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll called for the invitation to Mr Regev to be rescinded.

Sinn Fein MLA Caoimhe Archibald also expressed concern by the decision to invite Mr Regev.

Queens Student Union Student Activities officer Robert Murtagh and People Before Profit Belfast councillor Matt Collins were among those who addressed the demonstration.

Mr Murtagh said they were protesting against Mr Regev because he is a representative of Israel.

He said the Queens University Students Union backed the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for an international boycott of Israel over the way it treats Palestinians.

We didnt just wake up and decide to protest this, he said.

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It is also policy for NUS-USI and the NUS UK, students across the UK and Ireland have said we want BDS, we are in favour of a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

We oppose the continued occupation of Palestine, we oppose the human rights abuses against the people of the occupied territories and the people of Gaza.

Thanks to those who occupied the corridor earlier as well, these forms of non-violent direct action is how we will win, how we will defeat Israelis, because we will say solidarity to the people of Palestine.

A spokeswoman for Queens said: Queens University Belfast values its role in society as a place of debate and discussion. Academic freedom is enshrined as a guiding principle in the Universitys Charter and Statutes.

On Tuesday 16 October UK Israeli Ambassador Mark Regev met with students who study subjects related to politics and conflict resolution. The students had an opportunity to directly engage with the Ambassador.

The University recognises that students have the right to protest and in order to discuss the matter fully, representatives from Queens have met with the Students Union.

Pleased today to meet with Isaac Herzog, recently retired Opposition leader in the Knesset. Northern Irelands historic links to the Herzog family date to the birth of Chaim Herzog in Belfast 100 years ago last month. He went on to become the sixth President of Israel. pic.twitter.com/uVBEnp18kR  Jim Allister (@JimAllister) October 16, 2018

Meanwhile at Stormont on Tuesday morning, MLAs from a number of political parties, including the Democratic Unionists, Ulster Unionists, Traditional Unionist Voice and Alliance met with an Israeli

delegation including recent opposition leader Isaac Herzog.

Mr Herzog is the son of Chaim Herzog, a former president of Israel who was born in Belfast.

TUV leader Jim Allister said: It was good to meet with the Herzog brothers at Stormont and make clear to them that Israel has some very firm friends in Northern Ireland.

The protest by students at Queens while important in terms of freedom of speech is in the long tradition of pointless left-wing student protests which long predate this visit.

It is noteworthy in this case only because the protesters have exercised a right which they would have in Israel but, tellingly, would not have in any of her neighbours where freedom of speech isnt just disregarded but oppressed.

Mr Allister added he felt the protesters time would have been better employed restoring a blue plaque in Belfast to Chaim Herzog.

The plaque at a property on Clifton Park Avenue in the north of the city was removed following attacks on it in 2014.Co Antrim couple Alastair and Judith say that adoption has transformed their lives

A new campaign to encourage more people to consider adoption has been launched to combat a drop in application numbers.

Figures released at the start of the Adoption Changes Lives initiative show that 3,000 children are currently in care across Northern Ireland.

Almost 700 are under five years of age.

The Health and Social Care Board hopes to recruit new families with its first ever Adoption Week, which started yesterday.

The board says that despite no previous drop in enquiries or interest from adoptive parents, the last two years had presented new challenges and fewer applications.

Jackie Bradley, from Co Antrim, and her husband from adopted four children, all from the same family.

The Bradleys are today celebrating the fifth anniversary of taking their eldest child into their home.

"Initially, my husband and I wanted a large family but due to fertility struggles that wasn't going to happen naturally," said the proud mother.

"We went down the adoption route and with that we always wanted to adopt a sibling group after seeing the benefits of keeping siblings together.

"Life has dealt children in the care system a hard enough blow without separating them from each other."

After fostering the children, adoption was finalised three years ago.

"The permanence, you can't even put into words," Jackie added.

"It has a settling effect in the children because they know for certain that there are definitely no more moves for them.

"Our children actually referred to it as 'Name Change Day' because their surname was being changed. They just wanted to get to that stage."

The three girls plus their brother ranged in age between five and nine, with the middle two aged six and eight.

As for people who may be considering adopting children, Jackie offered this advice: "Go for it. Don't be afraid of it.

"Adoption is all about the child," she added.

"It's not about the birth family, it's not about my desire to be a parent, it's what is best for that child."

Alastair and Judith, adoptive parents from Co Antrim, shared their experience. They said: "We made an initial call to look into adoption and then attended information sessions and training.

"It was a thorough process and we knew that but we completely engaged and found it very beneficial. Meeting our children for the first time was the best day of our lives.

"There was so much anxiety, apprehension and excitement but we fell in love with them at first sight.

"It was easier we found to adopt siblings as they will continue to have each other for the rest of their lives. Adoption has transformed all of our lives."

Director of Social Care and Children with the Health and Social Care Board, Marie Roulston, said: "This campaign is about celebrating adoption and sharing inspirational real-life stories from local families. It is aimed at encouraging more people to think about becoming an adoptive parent and consider whether they can provide a forever home to a child or children."Queen's University have rejected calls to withdraw an invitation to the Israeli Ambassador to the United Kingdom to speak at an event on Tuesday.

The Queen's Student Union President Connor Veighey and People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll have both called for the invitation to Mark Regev to be rescinded.

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Mr Regev is set to give a talk to Masters students who study subjects related to politics and conflict resolution as part of a workshop on October 16.

The Belfast Palestine Solidarity Campaign are holding a protest against the visit from 12:30pm to 2pm at the QUB Human Rights Centre.

A QUB spokesperson has said that they have also issued an invitation to the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Manuel Hassassian to attend a similar event and hope to welcome him in the near future.

"Universities play an important role in society as places of debate and discussion where ideas can be tested without fear of control, where students learn to challenge ideas and think for themselves, and where rationality underpins the pursuit of knowledge," the spokesperson said.

"Queen's permits freedom of thought and expression, within a framework of respect for the rights of other persons, and Academic Freedom is enshrined as a guiding principle in the Universitys Charter and Statutes."

Student Union President Connor Veighey issued a statement on behalf of the union saying that they recognised "the continued suffering of the Palestinian people" and wanted to "highlight the injustices inflicted upon them by Israeli occupation".

"This event highlights a blatant disregard of the university's commitment to equality and social justice," he said.

Mr Veighey said that the event would "normalise the actions of the Israeli government".

The union are planning to meet with the University to discuss the issue.

West Belfast MLA Gerry Carroll will be in attendance at the protest on Tuesday and called on others to come out and support it.

"Not only is Mark Regev the ambassador to a state that practices apartheid on a daily basis and routinely slaughters Palestinians, but he is always wheeled out by the Israeli authorities to defend the latest assault on Palestine, regularly using obfuscation, misrepresentation and blaming the Palestinians for their own oppression," Mr Carroll said.One of the signs being erected on Cave Hill today by Unite the Unions Shankill Community Branch chaired by Steven Pollock

Dean McIlwaine (left), whose body was found on Cave Hill in July 2017, with brother Glenn

A west Belfast group plans to erect 12 permanent signs today aimed at discouraging people from taking their own lives in Cave Hill Country Park - despite the fact that it has not sought permission from Belfast City Council.

Unite the Union's Shankill community branch says the organisation decided to act without informing the local authority as the number of suicides across the city has reached "epidemic" levels and it feared "red tape" would delay or prevent the signs' installation.

Cave Hill is council property.

In January the body of Michael Cullen (33) was found at Cave Hill after a three-week search operation. And in July 2017 22-year-old Newtownabbey barber Dean McIlwaine was found dead there.

Today, the trade union's community branch plans to affix 12 permanent metal and plastic suicide awareness signs to existing posts and gates near all the entrances to Cave Hill.

The signs, which measure around two foot by one foot, bear the words: "It's time to talk about it. Suicide doesn't end the pain, it just passes it on to someone else."

They also feature the phone numbers of five support groups.

Chair of the union's Shankill community branch, Steven Pollock, who lost his uncle to suicide 14 years ago, said Unite had paid 250 for the signs in the hope of saving lives.

"We don't believe that enough is being done to tackle suicides at Cave Hill," he told the Belfast Telegraph. "We are not doing it with the council, there would be too much red tape and too many hurdles to jump through to do something as important as this.

"People are dying from suicide in this community regularly. Lives could be lost waiting for permission. It's not a protest, it's trying to save someone's life.

"If we save even one life we will have achieved our aim."

Dean's grieving brother Glenn (28) said that "anything that could help save a life is worth trying".

"I would welcome this. Maybe if someone walks past these signs, something will click with them," he said.

"I think it's a good idea if it can help people that are going up there in distress. My family is just struggling on, taking each day as it comes. Some days are OK, other days it just hits you, it's a strange feeling."

Unite's regional community coordinator Albert Hewitt added: "This initiative has been taken by members of our union coming from those deprived communities. Unite the Union is proud to back our community members in this initiative."

Belfast City Council said it had not been contacted over the signs.

It said: "This is a very sensitive issue and we have been engaging with local groups and partnerships to look at ways in which we can try to address suicide in public spaces, and provide support and signposting for anyone in distress.

"We are working on a range of ideas including signs with positive messages and information on how to seek help, which we hope to place on Cave Hill as part of a pilot initiative in early November. Last week, to mark World Mental Health Day, the Healthy Living Centre Alliance held a very successful Take 5 event on Cave Hill which was attended by more than 400 people with the opportunity to engage in new activities and enjoy all the good things the park has to offer.

"We have not been approached by Unite regarding its plans to erect signs on Cave Hill. We would encourage them, or any group wishing to engage on this issue, to get in touch with council."By Ruth Anderah.

High Court in Kampala had that president Museveni has summoned one of the beneficiaries of 6 billion shillings presidential oil handshake for a meeting.

Its alleged that the summoned officials include a one Ali Sekatawa formerly lawyer for Uganda Revenue Authority and Attorney General William Byaruhanga.

The summoning was revealed before the High Court in Kampala when the matter had come up for cross-examination of Attorney General, William Byaruhanga in respect of his affidavit in which he made in a case in which Sekatawa is seeking judicial review of the findings and recommendations of Parliament regarding the oil cash bonanza.

To that effect,Brian Kabaiza, the lawyer who represented Sekatawa, told court that his client was absent on grounds that he had got a communication on Sunday together with the AG from the President, summoning them for a meeting.

On September 21, 2017, Sekatawa sued government through Attorney General, Parliamentary Commission and Parliamentary Committee on Statutory and State Enterprises (COSASE).

Sekatawafaulted COSASE for having recommend that the beneficiaries be investigated by the IGG who is also conflicted, having appeared before the same committee and gave her opinion that the President had no power to give a golden handshake under article 98 and 99.

Now the presiding judge, Andrew Bashaija has pushed the case to February 28 next year, insisting that the chief legal government adviser show up and be cross examined.The DUP's Westminster leader Nigel Dodds has threatened to frustrate Theresa May's minority government should any Brexit deal "break up or fracture" the union.

However, the North Belfast MP said they would not go as far to pull the government down.

He was speaking to the BBC's Newsnight after the Prime Minister gave an update in parliament on the progress of the Brexit talks. She is pushing for a deal which would see the whole of the UK in a customs union with the EU in the event of a no-deal and for a time limited period.

However, the EU has said that option as a backstop must be in addition to the original backstop which would see Northern Ireland only remain in the customs union and with no time limit attached.

Nigel Dodds MP has warned the DUP would paralyse the Conservatives domestic agenda but stop short of causing a general election if Theresa May breaks her word on Northern Ireland#newsnight | @NigelDoddsDUP | @nicholaswatt pic.twitter.com/hXQ1vaShzn  BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) October 15, 2018

Dodds said there were "very encouraging noises" from the Prime Minister's statement in the Commons.

However, he said in some of her answers she seemed not to be as clear "causing again some confusion".

"We need to see exactly what it is Theresa May is going to put forward," he said.

"We would certainly not want to pull the plug on the government and allow Jeremy Corbyn to get into Number 10.

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"But under the fixed term parliament act there is a lot we can not support in terms of the government's domestic, financial, welfare and other legislation which does not trigger Jeremy Corbyn getting into Number 10.

"So what I would say to colleagues is, we do not want this. We want to work with the Conservative and Unionist party."

The DUP has a confidence and supply deal with the Tories which see its 10 MPs support the government on crucial legislation.

On Monday evening a group of Cabinet ministers met to discuss the developments, with Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Environment Secretary Michael Gove among those who attended.

Mr Dodds added: "If there was a suggestion the union, 'our precious union' as the Prime Minister described it be broken up or fractured in any way by the Conservative party, then clearly we would have to say 'how can we continue to implement your domestic agenda, your budgets and everything else?'.

"Of course we wouldn't push for a general election but there comes a point when you have to say 'enough is enough'."

Sinn Fein's Brexit negotiator Conor Murphy says the Irish border issue is not a problem that we created for ourselves. We need a backstop arrangement which recognises the uniqueness of our position.@conormurphysf | @MarkUrban01 | #newsnight pic.twitter.com/qgu3eS9q2F  BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) October 15, 2018

Sinn Fein Brexit spokesman Conor Murphy said his party got no further clarity from the Prime Minister after their meeting with her on Monday evening.

"It is the British border in Ireland and it is not a problem we created and we didn't create the problem of Brexit," he said.

"The British Prime Minister and the EU 27 in December recognised the uniqueness of the Irish situation, the border issues, the Good Friday Agreement and the implications for it as a consequence of taking us out of Europe against our will.

Expand Expand Previous Next Close Prime Minister Theresa May with First Secretary of State Damian Green (far right), Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster, and DUP Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds, as DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson shakes hands with Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and Chief Whip Gavin Williamson inside 10 Downing Street in June 2017 to seal the confidence and supply deal. Getty Images Nigel Dodds / Facebook

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Whatsapp Prime Minister Theresa May with First Secretary of State Damian Green (far right), Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster, and DUP Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds, as DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson shakes hands with Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and Chief Whip Gavin Williamson inside 10 Downing Street in June 2017 to seal the confidence and supply deal.

"The realty is we need a backstop arrangement which recognises the uniqueness of our situation. We can't have it time-limited. Brexit is not a one-off event.

"It has huge implications for those that live in my country.. and we want to ensure our rights and entitlement's are protected in those arrangements."

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He said he wanted Brexit to "go well" when asked if a "disorderly" withdrawal would progress Sinn Fein's goal of securing a border poll.

He said he did not want to see peace threatened or the economy destroyed, "which is a real possibility of the consequence of Brexit".

"I think the view in Ireland is changing anyway, I think there is an inevitable drift towards an examination of the constitutional position in Ireland," he added.

"We don't want to see Brexit as a steam train to be driven through our political project on the island which is about reconciliation, about changing the politics of the island and that is why we have been so vociferous in terms of trying to get terms on a particular set of arangements."Ireland's foreign minister has rejected any suggestion considerations were being given to deferring the Irish backstop issue.

He was responding to the Republic's Labour Leader Brendan Howlin who described as "very dangerous" suggestions from Europe that the Irish backstop issue should be postponed or deferred.

"It is something that we have to resist. But it was predictable," he said.

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Mr Howlin described the idea of a time-limited backstop as "bizarre" and any solution had to be permanent until a better arrangement was found.

"There has to be a clear determination set out by the Irish Government on the backstop issue," he added.

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However, Simon Coveney questioned the source of Mr Howlin's claims.

He said: "There is no sense from any conversations Ive had with EU foreign ministers, that anybody is questioning or undermining the EU position on the Irish backstop, quite the opposite in fact."

"Im not sure what sources Brendan Howlin is getting his information from, but I suspect they are not as credible as the assurances were getting from the chief negotiator today."

He said more time was needed on the withdrawal agreement and it was unlikely a deal would be agreed by Wednesday's summit. Instead he said an update would be provided.Theresa May is preparing to update her divided Cabinet on the Brexit deadlock as Brussels warned Britain is more likely than ever before to crash out of the European Union without a deal.

The Prime Minister has insisted an exit agreement is still achievable despite negotiations stalling just days ahead of a crunch summit.

European Council president Donald Tusk said that while there was goodwill on both sides, the negotiations have been more complicated than expected.

There is something of a grisly job to be done here, former Brexit minister Steve Baker says cabinet ministers need to change the prime ministers mind on where she is going.@SteveBakerHW | @MarkUrban01 | #newsnight pic.twitter.com/kWT8CKgDEi  BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) October 15, 2018

A group of Cabinet ministers met on Monday evening to discuss the developments, with Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Environment Secretary Michael Gove among those who attended, the Press Association understands.

Lord Hague, meanwhile, told the PM there was no disgrace in doing some fresh thinking on how to resolve the stalemate.

Mrs May will address the leaders of the remaining 27 EU nations on Wednesday before they discuss over dinner without her how to proceed in the talks.

On a #Brexit deal: It always seems impossible until it's done. Let us not give up. My #euco invitation letter https://t.co/YaVdCF5gyf  Charles Michel (@eucopresident) October 15, 2018

In a letter to EU leaders ahead of the summit, Mr Tusk said: As things stand today, it has proven to be more complicated than some may have expected.

We should nevertheless remain hopeful and determined, as there is good will to continue these talks on both sides.

But at the same time, responsible as we are, we must prepare the EU for a no-deal scenario, which is more likely than ever before.

Like the UK, the Commission has started such preparations, and will give us an update during the meeting.

He added: But let me be absolutely clear. The fact that we are preparing for a no-deal scenario must not, under any circumstances, lead us away from making every effort to reach the best agreement possible, for all sides.

This is what our state of mind should be at this stage.

As someone rightly said: It always seems impossible until its done. Let us not give up.

Former Brexit minister Steve Baker told BBC Twos Newsnight the Cabinet needs to change the Prime Ministers mind on her plans or they will be rejected.

Mrs May called for cool, calm heads to prevail after talks last weekend failed to bridge differences between the UK and EU over the future status of the border in Ireland.

And she warned of the danger that failure to reach agreement over the border could result in the UK leaving the EU without a deal in March next year.

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The European Council meeting this week had initially been pencilled in as the summit where the UKs withdrawal agreement and political declaration on future trade and security relations would be finalised.

Lord Hague said Mrs May was entitled to make clear to EU leaders that she has moved heaven and earth to reach a deal but can only clinch it and have any hope of getting it through Parliament with concessions from them that are wholly reasonable.

There is no humiliation in trying again, he wrote in The Daily Telegraph.

Lord Hague went on to say there is no disgrace in doing some fresh thinking.

The peer said a proposal floated by Tory MP Nick Boles that the UK takes up temporary membership of the European Free Trade Association after withdrawal to allow time for a free trade agreement to be negotiated was worth thinking about.

He said: As an alternative to chaos it could command wide support.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Berlin wants the UKs withdrawal next March to be orderly but not at any price.

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Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar suggested a deal may be delayed as late as December.

But Sammy Wilson, Brexit spokesman for the DUP, which props up Mrs Mays minority administration in the Commons, said a no-deal outcome was now probably inevitable due to the intransigence of EU negotiators.

Talks at the weekend foundered over the EUs demand for a backstop to the backstop designed to ensure the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic remains open under any circumstances.

The PM met with Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and vice president Michelle ONeill and reaffirmed her commitment to there being no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland and no border in the Irish Sea, Downing Street said.

The PM told MPs the Irish issue must not be allowed to derail progress towards a deal, which she said was in the interests of both the UK and EU.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn dismissed Mrs Mays comments as another nothing has changed moment from this shambles of a Government.Theresa May urged her Cabinet to stand together and stand firm on Brexit (PA Wire/PA Images)

The EU is demanding new concrete proposals from Theresa May on how to end the deadlock in Brexit talks, warning that a breakthrough may not be possible without further movement from the UK.

The call from European Council president Donald Tusk came as Mrs May urged her Cabinet to stand together and stand firm on Brexit, after negotiations stalled in the run-up to a crucial summit.

Mrs May will address the remaining 27 EU leaders before Wednesdays Brussels meeting, which had been billed as the moment of truth for Brexit but now seems certain to pass without a deal on the UKs withdrawal.

Speaking after being briefed by the EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier, Mr Tusk said he saw no grounds for optimism ahead of the European Council summit.

As I see it, the only source of hope for a deal for now is the goodwill and determination on both sides, Mr Tusk told a Brussels press conference.

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Whatsapp Donald Tusk called for concrete proposals from Theresa May on how to break the impasse in Brexit talks (European Commission Audiovisual Services)

However, for a breakthrough to take place, besides goodwill we need new facts.

Tomorrow I am going to ask Prime Minister May whether she has concrete proposals on how to break the impasse. Only such proposals can determine if a breakthrough is possible.

Leaders of the EU27 will discuss how to step up preparations for a no-deal Brexit next March at their working dinner in Mrs Mays absence, following her presentation, he said.

Reports from Brussels suggested senior European Commission officials were casting doubt on the prospect of a special Brexit summit being declared for November if there is no movement on the key issue of the Irish border.

No grounds for optimism before #Brexit #EUCO. Only source of hope for now is the goodwill and determination on both sides. For a breakthrough we need new facts.

My press remarks after #TripartiteSocialSummit: https://t.co/iaOG6aDQJ4 pic.twitter.com/usQ2zZ9KEK  Charles Michel (@eucopresident) October 16, 2018

Mrs May won strong support from Cabinet colleagues as she set out two key sticking points preventing the conclusion of a withdrawal agreement.

The issues relate to the backstop agreement demanded by the EU to avoid a hard border by keeping Northern Ireland within the European customs area.

Mrs May has countered by offering to keep the whole UK in a customs union, but only for a temporary period.

The mammoth three-hour meeting came a day after eight Brexit-supporting ministers took the unusual step of meeting over pizzas in the office of Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom to discuss their concerns about the PMs stance.

But despite intense speculation over a possible walkout, no minister at Cabinet indicated they might consider resigning from the Government over Brexit.

Mrs May issued a plea for unity as she said she remained determined to secure a Brexit that would respect the result of the 2016 referendum, protect jobs and security and preserve the Union.

Im convinced that if we as a Government stand together and stand firm, we can achieve this, she said.

The PM said the sticking points were:

 That it would not be possible for her or any other UK Prime Minister to sign up to an agreement which created a customs border down the Irish Sea.

 That any agreement must ensure that the UK is not kept indefinitely in a backstop arrangement against its will.

Her official spokesman later told reporters: The Cabinet strongly supported her on the importance of maintaining the integrity of the Union and agreed that we must ensure we cannot be kept in a backstop arrangement indefinitely.

The Prime Minister said there would no doubt be challenging moments ahead, as that is in the nature of negotiations.

Expand Close The EUs chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said we need more time to reach a Brexit deal (European Commission Audiovisual Services) / Facebook

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Whatsapp The EUs chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said we need more time to reach a Brexit deal (European Commission Audiovisual Services)

But two of those present at the pizza summit in the office of Andrea Leadsom played down suggestions of rebellion against the Prime Minister.

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt told Sky News: No-one is planning on resigning.

We are all doing our jobs and we are trying to get the best deal for this country, and thats it.

We are approaching the end of negotiations. This is going to be a difficult time, but the whole Cabinet is digging in to get the best deal for this country.

And Mrs Leadsom herself said: The Prime Minister is doing a very, very complicated job and Im fully supporting her in getting that done.

Also understood to have attended the meeting were Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and staunch Brexiteers Michael Gove, Chris Grayling and Geoffrey Cox, as well as two ministers who backed Remain in the 2016 referendum, Jeremy Hunt and Liz Truss.

Ministers arriving for Cabinet on Tuesday morning were offered sausage and bacon sandwiches.

In Luxembourg, foreign ministers from the remaining 27 EU states were receiving a briefing from Mr Barnier at the General Affairs Council.

Mr Barnier said that more time was needed to find an agreement to deliver an orderly UK withdrawal and keep the Irish border open.

We will take this time, calmly and seriously, to find this global agreement in the next weeks, he said.

Germanys Europe minister, Michael Roth, said Berlins message to Mrs May was: Take responsibility and be constructive.

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Whatsapp German Europe minister Michael Roth called on Mrs May to take responsibility (European Commission Audiovisual Services)

Mr Roth made clear that Germany is alive to the problems Mrs May could face in getting any deal through Parliament, telling reporters: I have the impression that it is difficult to secure the appropriate parliamentary majority in Great Britain.

The British side needs support. Without a clear vote in the European Parliament and without a clear vote in the British Parliament, it wont succeed in the end.

Belgiums foreign minister, Didier Reynders, put the chances of the UK crashing out without a deal at 50/50.A survey found most Irish people believe Pope Francis did not go far enough on clerical abuse during his recentt visit (Danny Lawson/PA)

Most Irish people believe Pope Francis did not do enough to address clerical abuse during his recent visitd, researchers have said.

The pontiff made his first papal trip to the Republic in August and his many protests and public pronouncements on the wrongdoing helped define the visit.

But a research study from Queens University Belfast said only 30% of Irish people believed he did enough, although half of practising Catholics concurred.

Queens University Belfast researcher Dr Gladys Ganiel said: Francis visit to Ireland has revealed a lot about how people in Ireland think about the Catholic Church.

Even a pope as popular as Francis cannot distract from the widespread dismay about the way that the Church has handled clerical sexual abuse.

At the same time, this survey shows clear evidence that Francis pontificate has had a positive impact on a significant minority of peoples perceptions of the Catholic Church, both since his visit to Ireland and since he became pope in 2013.

For all the respondents except practising Catholics, indifference seems to have trumped anger about abuse as a reason for not attending  although abuse is still the next most significant factorDr Gladys Ganiel

She said indifference was the main reason why attendance at some of the papal events, including the farewell Mass at Phoenix Park in Dublin, was lower than expected.

Dr Ganiel designed the survey, which received 840 responses. She is a research fellow from the Senator George J Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queens.

Key findings included:

 31% agreed the visit had been a healing time for victims and survivors of clerical sex abuse, 36% disagreed and 24% said neither/nor or had no opinion;

 23% agreed the visit had been a healing time for LGBTQI people and their families, 40% disagreed and 37% said neither/nor or had no opinion;

 66% said their opinion of the Catholic Church has not changed since Francis became pope in 2013, with 22% saying their opinion had become more favourable;

 50% agreed that Pope Franciss visit was good for the Catholic Church in Ireland and Ireland as a nation, and 75% of practising Catholics agreed with this statement;

 80% did not attend any of the events surrounding the papal visit, 51% because they were simply not interested and 30% said they disagreed with how the Church has handled abuse.

Expand Close Pope Francis attended the closing Mass at the World Meeting of Families at Phoenix Park in Dublin, as part of his visit to Ireland (Danny Lawson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Pope Francis attended the closing Mass at the World Meeting of Families at Phoenix Park in Dublin, as part of his visit to Ireland (Danny Lawson/PA)

For practising Catholics, 39% said the main reason why they did not attend any of the events was because the travel/walk was too difficult, 22% said they were not interested and 18% said they disagreed with how the Church handled abuse.

Dr Ganiel added: For all the respondents except practising Catholics, indifference seems to have trumped anger about abuse as a reason for not attending  although abuse is still the next most significant factor.Richard Bruton has been appointed Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Richard Bruton has been appointed Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment,/PA)

President Michael D. Higgins has appointed Richard Bruton as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, replacing Denis Naughten after his shock resignation last week.

At a ceremony at Aras an Uachtarain, Mr Higgins also appointed Joe McHugh as Minister for Education and Skills.

Sean Kyne has been appointed Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

At a ceremony at Aras an Uachtarain, President Higgins today appointed new Ministers to the Government.https://t.co/nnLZjyLMer pic.twitter.com/m3S2jFh0eX  President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) October 16, 2018

The Irish Government was called into question last week following the resignation of communications minister Mr Naughten.

Mr Naughten resigned his Cabinet seat amid controversy over multiple private dinners he had held with the head of the last remaining bidder for a multimillion euro state contract for the roll-out of high-speed broadband.

The resignation called into question the confidence and supply agreement between parties Fianna Fail and Fine Gael and the independent support needed for the current government.

However, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin wrote to Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar after the resignation, suggesting that they both commit to maintaining the government in its current form until a Brexit deal has been ratified.

Mr Varadkar at first suggested new confidence and supply talks between the parties could be completed by Halloween, however new reports now suggest the deal will now not be agreed until Christmas.Arlene Foster's message to the Prime Minister ahead of a major EU summit in Brussels is to "trust her unionist instincts".

EU leaders are to meet on Wednesday evening. European Council President Donald Tusk has said he wants "concrete proposals" from the UK warning there was no grounds for optimism and a no deal "more likely than ever.

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Arlene Foster's message comes after the DUP threatened to frustrate the work of Theresa May's government in passing legislation in the Commons should any Brexit deal appear to damage the union.

The DUP leader also rejected reports of a challenge to her own leadership from within the ranks of the party saying she had its full support

On Monday evening and after the Prime Minister updated parliament on the progress of the latest round of Brexit talks, the DUP's deputy leader said he was encouraged by some of the noises from Theresa May's statement but said some of her answers to MPs clouded the situation.

She repeatedly refused to say if any backstop agreement on the Irish border would be time limited.

"If there was a suggestion the union, 'our precious union' as the Prime Minister described it be broken up or fractured in any way by the Conservative party, then clearly we would have to say 'how can we continue to implement your domestic agenda, your budgets and everything else?'" Nigel Dodds said.

"Of course we wouldn't push for a general election but there comes a point when you have to say 'enough is enough'."

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The DUP has a confidence and supply deal with the Tories which sees the party support the minority government on key legislation. As rumours gathered pace the DUP could withdraw support for this month's budget potentially sparking a general election, Mrs Foster said Nigel Dodds was pointing out there were many other options short of a return to the polls.

Arlene Foster - asked by the BBC if she and the party could trust the Prime Minister - said they just wanted a "sensible" Brexit deal.

"It's not a case of trust. It's a case of elucidating what our position is.

"I firmly believe Theresa May is a unionist and her instincts are very good in relation of the union. All we are saying is she should listen to her instincts and not be pulled away from those instincts.

"We are trying to get the message across, not only to Theresa May, but a lot wider, that what we want is a deal that is sensible, that works for Northern Ireland, the whole of the UK and as I said in Dublin, works for our nearest neighbours.

The Fermanagh MLA was asked if her party would vote for the budget. She said the situation was "very fluid" adding: "We shouldn't jump ahead of ourselves.

"We are waiting to see the text that comes forward."

It's been reported Mrs Foster faced criticism from within her party over the unfolding revelations in the RHI inquiry, how special advisers work and her decision to attend a GAA match on a Sunday.

There has also been rumours of a potential challenge to her leadership emerging.

However, the former first minister scotched those rumours, saying she was "confident" of having the support of her party.

"There is no truth in that," she said.Cuts to the defence budget in recent years have left the British Army half as capable as it once was, a former Chief of the General Staff has said.

General Lord Richard Dannatt said there is a very strong case for Britain to increase defence spending, and that the military would benefit from an extra 5 billion a year.

Asked about the current state of Britains military and whether it has been damaged beyond repair, he highlighted how the UK has some very good equipment, but not enough of it.

Gen Dannatt told the Press Association that when he was at the head of the Army in 2009 it was at a size of 102,000 but is now at a level of less than 80,000.

What that represents is a situation whereby 10 years ago we could have five combat brigades rotating through a campaign in Iraq, and at the same time five combat brigades rotating through a campaign in Afghanistan, he said.

We could not do that now. We could do one of those but we couldnt do both.

The figures are actually quite harsh, for a 7% reduction of the defence budget which is what happened in 2010, it resulted in a 20% cut in the size of the Army, and I would actually suggest a 50% cut in what we can actually do.

For a 7% reduction of the defence budget... I would actually suggest a 50% cut in what we can actually doGeneral Lord Richard Dannatt

His comments come ahead of the latest budget, and amid calls to increase spending to above 3% of GDP on top of a black hole in the budget of at least 20 billion over the next decade.

Gen Dannatt, who was head of the Army between 2006 and 2009, highlighted how the UK is meeting the Nato target of spending 2% of GDP on defence.

But looking back in history we have never spent as little as 2%, he said.

During the Cold War years we were spending 5-5.5%, during the 1990s we were spending 4% and until quite recently it was 2.5-3%.

So going down to 2% represents the smallest figure we have ever had, and it is buying us the smallest Navy, Army and Air Force we have had ever had.

That is fine until we have another major conflict somewhere.

Gen Dannatt said we can all hope that will not happen, but a backward glance at history shows the unexpected has a horrible habit of turning up.

There will be a moment where we need more soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines, ships, tanks and aircraft, he added.

Who knows what the next threat is going to be  we are in different times  cyber attack, hybrid warfare these are all threats that we are having to counter.

But unless you have got a full range of capabilities, and you have got a crystal ball that is really accurate and can tell you exactly what the next threat is going to be  if you havent got that full range of capabilities then you may have a gap in your response.

Expand Close Gen Dannatt said Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has made a good case for more cash (David Mirzoeff/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Gen Dannatt said an increase in defence spending would send an important message to Britains European partners, and would be welcomed by the Americans.

And I think it would be a message not lost on Mr Putin or the Kremlin, he added.

With the autumn budget due to be set out by Chancellor Philip Hammond on October 29, Gen Dannatt said Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has made a good case for more cash.

He also stressed the Ministry of Defence, the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have a responsibility to show that the money they are currently getting is being spent well.

I think another 2-4 billion or 3-5 billion a year in addition to the 35-36 billion we are currently spending to get us to around about the 2.5% of GDP that would be right, he said.

Pressed on where he sees conflict heading, Gen Dannatt said it is hard to predict but the challenge from fundamentalist Islam is a challenge that is going to be with us for quite some time.

That is going to manifest itself in other places and in other ways, he added.

An MoD spokesman said: We have the largest defence budget in Europe, and it is increasing in real terms by 1 billion a year during this parliament.

In October alone we have has seen over 2,700 personnel deploy to Norway to train alongside Nato allies and 5,500 troops arrive in Oman for the largest UK exercise in 17 years. This is a capable armed forces operating globally.The trio are known to have links to Glasgow (David Cheskin/PA)

Concerns have been raised over three teenage girls who have been reported missing for almost 24 hours.

Aimee Allan, 13, Cerys Baird, 14, and Courtney Semple, 13, were last seen at around 9.15pm on Monday in Stirling.

Police Scotland has now appealed for those with information about the trios whereabouts to come forward, as fears have been raised over their welfare.

The girls are known to have links to Glasgow.Dame Vivienne Westwood has joined protesters and danced in the road outside a fracking site after the controversial process got under way in Lancashire.

The fashion designer showed off her moves to ABBAs Dancing Queen  which Theresa May danced to before her Conservative party conference speech  as she joined activists outside energy firm Cuadrillas site on Preston New Road in Little Plumpton, Lancashire.

The firm began hydraulic fracturing at the site on Monday  the first time fracking for shale gas has taken place in the UK since 2011, when it was halted after it caused two small earthquakes in Lancashire.

Expand Close Dame Vivienne and her son have long campaigned against the gas extraction technique (PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Dame Vivienne, 77, joined protesters along with her son Joe Corre, a businessman and environmental activist, and brought along prayer flags which she said showed the way climate change could be halted.

She told protesters: Im here guys because Im going to save the world from climate change.

Ive got a plan and Im the only person whos got a real strategy of something easy to do.

She said she had designed a set of playing cards which set out a strategy to stop climate change and one of them, the three of diamonds, represented fracking and showed three snakes heads.

Dame Vivienne said: Snakes are about poison and all the crap that happens every hour of the day, of the week.

Expand Close Dame Vivienne hailed the efforts of campaigners who stayed at the site (PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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This is what it is all about, all the confusion and the poison that we get from fracking.

This is what weve got to stop because we have got to save the world.

She met protesters who have been demonstrating outside the site, some for the last 18 months, and praised their work.

She said: I think its just amazing. I think its absolutely heroic and wonderful.

If I can speak on behalf of the world, I thank them for everything theyve done and every minute of their life that they are doing their heroic protest.

Expand Close Protesters outside energy firm Cuadrillas site in Preston New Road, Little Plumpton, near Blackpool (Peter Byrne/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Cuadrilla plans to continue fracking at the site for three months to test the flow rate of the gas produced.

Police closed off the road outside the site on Monday as activists gathered as the process started at the site.

The work had been due to start on Saturday but was delayed by the effects of Storm Callum.

It followed an environmental campaigner failing in a bid to halt the work at the High Court on Friday.

At the hearing in London, Mr Justice Supperstone dismissed Bob Dennetts application for an injunction preventing the company from fracking the UKs first horizontal shale gas well pending his proposed legal challenge.

Mr Dennett claimed Lancashire County Councils emergency response planning and procedures at the site were inadequate, but the judge ruled there was not a serious issue to be tried which would justify an interim order.A DUP MP has hit out at reality television star Kim Kardashian as he said society was fixated on "skinny living".

Jim Shannon raised concerns over the impact on young people of stars such as Kim Kardashian commenting about her weight loss.

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Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on reducing stigma around eating disorders, Mr Shannon appeared to refer to a video exchange posted earlier this year between the star and her sisters about her appearance.

The MP for Strangford said: "Comments on such programmes as an example Keeping Up with the Kardashians - now I have to say that I don't watch it and I couldn't tell you who they are, or where they're from or anything about them, but I tell you what my parliamentary aide, she won't mind me saying, (much) to her shame watches it - where in fixation on looking skinny and even in one clip being called anorexic as a compliment must be addressed.

"Now in fairness the apology from the Kardashians is wonderful and they are to be commended for realising that these comments came across in a non-healthy way.

"But the fact is that the words said cannot be withdrawn and young women wanting to be more like the Kardashians who seem to have it all are impacted."

Mr Shannon said social media had "a lot to answer for", adding: "It does set a trend, peer pressure."Health officials actions to identify potentially harmful toxins lingering after the Grenfell Tower fire are insufficient, an academic who took her own soil samples has said.

Professor Anna Stec said blood, urine and saliva samples should be taken from survivors, emergency responders and local residents, and added that a recent move by the NHS to fund long-term screening still falls short of what is required.

Tests on soil and dust, by the professor in fire chemistry and toxicity at the University of Central Lancashire, revealed huge concentrations of potential carcinogens around the west London tower block, the Guardian reported on Friday.

Prof Stec said the full extent of her preliminary findings will only become apparent when the work is completed and they are validated.

Weve written to officials in light of the Guardian story reporting toxicity readings on soil tested around Grenfell Tower. We are calling for a public meeting. pic.twitter.com/xoJjX29BXt  Grenfell United (@GrenfellUnited) October 15, 2018

She said: My thoughts are with the people of Grenfell and the surrounding area. Like everyone else, I am anxious to ensure that there are no adverse health effects as a result of the tragic fire.

I believe this can only come about by specific screening of the population for any health effects resulting from exposure to fire products, and detailed analysis of the environment.

Most people are likely to be completely unaffected by any fire-derived toxicants, but while there is a possibility that a small section of the exposed group may suffer some ill-health effects, we need to ensure these are identified and dealt with properly and promptly.

While the recent NHS announcement to fund long-term screening and treatment for those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire is to be welcomed, it still falls short of what is required since no attempt has been made to look at the specific effects of pyrogenic toxicants around the tower.

Saliva, urine and blood samples should be collected and analysed along with other biomarkers, from not only those who were evacuated and other residents in the area, but also firefighters and the other emergency responders who helped during the disaster.

Expand Close Grenfell Tower and the surrounding area (Rick Findler/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Kensington and Chelsea Council (RBKC) and Public Health England (PHE) first became aware of the researchers concerns in February, representatives told residents at a tense meeting on Monday.

They are now urgently seeking a meeting with Prof Stec so they can see her full data and act if necessary.

Joe Delaney, a local community member, said PHE had offered platitudes, contradictions and a dismissive attitude, when residents deserve openness, honestly and an intelligent debate.

He added: They have clearly failed in their duties to the victims of Grenfell and the wider community at risk from these contaminants. They have lost the trust of this community and are risking the health of London residents by not handling this matter with the care and urgency it clearly deserves.

It comes as lawyers representing more than 270 survivors, bereaved and local residents who are core participants in the Grenfell Tower inquiry wrote to PHE urging officials to carry out their own investigations.

Our public health advice following the Grenfell Tower fire can be found here: https://t.co/MkUgwCfNmU pic.twitter.com/WaHHfLZlTu  UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) October 15, 2018

A letter from law firm Bhatt Murphy to PHE chief executive Duncan Selbie advises the agency to take a similar approach to the American response after the attack on the World Trade Centre in 2001, when officials undertook bulk testing of dust samples around Ground Zero.

It recommends officials use the results to establish a health-related benchmark which could show the likelihood of people in the area developing cancer compared with unaffected populations.

While PHE has been regularly monitoring air quality, it has not taken soil or water samples.

A group for survivors and the wider community, Grenfell United, has requested an urgent public meeting.

In response, the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, James Brokenshire, and fire minister Nick Hurd said the communitys health was a consistent priority for the Government.

Their letter added: As in any large city with an industrial legacy, there are potential areas of contamination, but Public Health England has advised that there is very low risk to health.Claire Busby, 46, (left), of Maidenhead, Berkshire, outside the High Court in London, where she is suing Berkshire Bed Company, trading as Beds Are Uzzz, for seven-figure damages, after she was left paralysed after being catapulted from her new bed during a sex session (PA/Stefan Rousseau)

The former lover of a woman left paralysed after she was catapulted from her bed during sex has told the High Court he laughed at her fall  before realising she was seriously hurt.

John Marshall said he saw Claire Busby roll backwards off the bed with her feet in the air in slow motion, as she shifted her position while the pair were having sex.

In a witness statement put before the court on Tuesday, the 55-year-old, from Alloa, Scotland, said: I didnt see how she landed and at first I laughed, not realising that she had hurt herself.

This was the worst thing that had ever happened to me in my life and affected me very badlyJohn Marshall

I was expecting her to get up and when she didnt I laughed and said get up, but she said that she had hurt herself.

When I got up to look over the end of the bed she was laying on her side with her arm underneath her and I thought that she had hurt her arm.

She said she could not feel her arms and legs, I thought she was joking and I laughed. She told me again that she had hurt herself and to call an ambulance.

This was the worst thing that had ever happened to me in my life and affected me very badly.

Ms Busby, 46, of Maidenhead, Berkshire, suffered a serious injury to her spine after falling from the bed in August 2013.

The businesswoman claims the bed was in a defective state at the time of her accident and is taking legal action against Berkshire Bed Company, trading as Beds Are Uzzz, which supplied it.

The firm denies liability for Ms Busbys injuries and is contesting the case, arguing the bed was properly assembled.

The court previously heard the bed was one of five delivered to Ms Busbys then home, Rosewood House in Ockwells Road, in August 2013 when she was renovating the property.

Ms Busby, who used to work in the property industry, was injured a week after the beds delivery.

She told the court on Monday she was kneeling in the middle of the bed and had just finished performing a sex act when she decided to move position.

She said she then swung her legs round from under her to face the top of the bed before laying backwards  at which point, she claims, she was catapulted from the bed and landed on her head.

Ms Busby alleges that the two divans which made up the base of the bed were not properly fastened together and two gliders  or feet  were missing from the end of the bed, creating a height difference between one end and the other.

Her barrister Winston Hunter QC said she expected the mattress to support her weight as she lay back on the bed, but it failed to and she continued moving backwards and downwards.

Mr Marshall said that he did not recall any clips holding the two parts of the bed together and he was able to push them apart to leave enough space for the paramedics to get Ms Busby on to a stretcher.

Lawyers for the bed company argue it was properly assembled at the time of delivery and that, even if the two gliders were missing by the time of the accident, that would not have caused the bed to lose balance in the way suggested by Ms Busby.

Neil Block QC, for the firm, said: It is overwhelmingly likely that, whatever her actions, they were too close to the edge of the bed and she simply lost balance and toppled backwards.

The hearing continues.Andreas Dombret said banks should not fall prey to false hope around a transition deal (PA)

A former board member of Germanys central bank has hit back at suggestions that European regulators are not doing enough to save the financial sector from major business disruption after Brexit.

Andreas Dombret, who served as a Bundesbank board member from 2010 to 2018 and worked with the European Central Bank (ECB), said he was astonished to read comments from UK counterparts.

Its not the intention of Europe not to be prepared. How would that work? Why would Europe want that? Thats not in the interests of Europe, he said.

He said European regulators are in regular discussions with Bank of England staff, which made the comments more surprising.

The Bank of England is a very, very serious supervisor and regulator so I was astonished to read thatAndreas Dombret

Im not in a position to tell you exactly what drove (the Financial Policy Committee) to issue this statement. I could tell you that from the European point of view, there is nobody who wants this project to fail.

The Bank of England is a very, very serious supervisor and regulator so I was astonished to read that, and I still continue to expect that there would be an understanding.

Mr Dombret admitted the ECB had not made it entirely clear what they want but that doesnt mean they cannot make it clear any day.

So they are also waiting for the political decision. Its still a hypothetical case because it is not agreed, and I think I said this also one and a half years ago, its only signed when its signed, its only done when its done.

Mr Dombret was in London to speak at the launch of zebs UK & European Banking Study, which profiles and ranks the top 50 European banks.

Financial institutions must not fall prey to a false sense of security that there will be an agreement and that they have sufficient time left to adapt to the new frameworkAndreas Dombret

His comments come weeks after the Bank of England put the ball in the EUs court over some more complicated financial instruments, calling for timely action from the bloc to protect against disruption to derivatives, insurance contracts and the transfer of personal data.

While the Bank said there has been considerable progress in the UK to address the risks, there has been only limited progress in the EU.

It was the latest warning shot from the Bank after it said in June that the EU needed to do more to prevent Brexit causing havoc in markets.

The UK is passing legislation through Parliament to allow EU-based providers of insurance policies and centrally cleared derivatives to continue to service their UK customers.

But the EU has yet to take similar action.

Mr Dombret also warned banks against falling prey to the false sense of security around a Brexit transition deal, stressing that time is running out to prepare for a no-deal scenario.

Brexit watchers are on tenterhooks ahead of the EU summit this week over whether an exit deal can be struck by negotiators.

We should make no mistake: an agreement at the EU summit this week  as much as one would wish for one  is anything but a sure thing, and even the no-deal scenario remains possible in light of the fundamental differences between the negotiation blocs, Mr Dombret said.

Although Britain and the EU have agreed in principle on a transition deal lasting from Brexit to the end of 2020, it is part of a broader divorce settlement that has yet to be formally adopted, he added.

Financial institutions must not fall prey to a false sense of security that there will be an agreement and that they have sufficient time left to adapt to the new framework.Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye described zero carbon flying as the next frontier in sustainable aviation (Victoria Jones/PA)

Heathrow will scrap a year of landing charges for the first hybrid-electric plane to operate scheduled commercial flights.

The west London hub hopes the offer  worth nearly 1 million based on three landings a day  will encourage the uptake of electric technology to reduce emissions, noise and fuel consumption.

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye described zero carbon flying as the next frontier in sustainable aviation.

I hope this prize will help to make it a reality at Heathrow by 2030, he said.

There are already more than 100 electric aircraft projects underway around the world, according to Heathrow.

A two-seater electric-powered plane was flown around Norways Oslo airport in June.

EasyJet is collaborating with US-based Wright Electric to develop battery-powered planes for short-haul routes such as London to Paris or Edinburgh to Bristol within the next nine years.

The Luton-based carriers chief executive Johan Lundgren said: We firmly believe it is not if, but when, electric commercial aircraft become a reality.

Wright Electric believes electric planes will be up to 50% quieter and 10% cheaper than traditional aircraft for airlines to buy and operate.

This saving could be passed on to passengers through lower fares.

It has built a two-seater prototype and is working towards a fully electric with capacity for at least 120 passengers.Eight people have been arrested in London in connection with a suspected international human trafficking group, the Metropolitan Police said.

Five men and three women, aged between 26 and 50, were detained at addresses in East London on Tuesday by officers from the Mets Modern Slavery and Kidnap Unit.

All eight suspects remain in custody at a police station in central London.

Thirty-three potential victims of human trafficking  24 men, four women and five children  were recovered from four of the raided addresses.

Eight people have been arrested following a series of early morning warrants in east London targeting those suspected to be involved in an international human trafficking group https://t.co/89bFGFAmAt pic.twitter.com/EPM21mLgfy  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) October 16, 2018

They have all been transferred to a place of safety.

A further three men and one woman were arrested after seven arrest warrants were executed in Romania.

The joint arrests were part of an international operation codenamed Operation Cardinas. The investigation team has been made up of the Modern Slavery and Kidnap Unit at the Met, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Romanian Police and Prosecutors, Europol, and Eurojust.

Dan Mihalache, the Romanian Ambassador in the UK, said: Todays activity provides a strong message against any form of exploitation and reiterates the Romanian authorities are committed to fighting modern slavery in close co-operation with European partners.

The Metropolitan Police said: Modern slavery is, and will continue to be, a priority for the Met. We will continue to do everything within our power to identify and apprehend those intent on trafficking human beings, and exploiting them for their own gain.

The key partnerships between the Met, the Romanian authorities, Europol, Eurojust and all of our other partners have been crucial to furthering this investigation into organised people trafficking.

We will continue this valuable work with our international partners to prevent continued exploitation and bring offenders to justice.Stanley Johnson has said irrespective of the solution for the border on the island of Ireland after Brexit if the Irish people "want to shoot each other, they will shoot each other".

Mr Johnson, a former MEP and father to former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, made the comments while appearing on ITV's Good Morning Britain to discuss the possibility of Margaret Thatcher appearing on a 50 note.

The discussion then turned to the current political situation, and negotiations between the UK and EU set to take place in Brussels this week.

"It is quite intolerable that this whole question of a Northern Ireland border has come to dominate a decision about the future of our country," Mr Johnson said.

He was then asked by host Suzanne Reid how former Prime Minister Mrs Thatcher would have dealt with the Irish border issue.

"She would have said: 'look, if the Irish want to shoot each other, they will shoot each other whether there is a hard border or a soft border," Mr Johnson said.

"That it something the Irish will do if they want to do it."

At this point his fellow guest, former Labour MP George Galloway, interjected to say: "It is actually Britain who have shot most Irish people."

Mr Johnson added: "Mrs Thatcher would not have had any truck with this scheme by the EU to elevate the border question into a way of making sure we stay in the EU."

Despite his son Boris being a leading figure in the campaign for Britain to leave the European Union, Mr Johnson backed Remain during the June 2016 referendum.

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He later expressed his frustration at the actions of the European Commission and declared his support for Britain leaving the EU.

In November last year he came to greater prominence as a contestant on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, becoming the fifth person to eliminated from the show.

He served as a Conservative MEP between 1979 and 1984.

Mr Johnson is also the father of Conservative MP Jo Johnson and journalist Rachel Johnson.Cordons were put in place while officers and firefighters made the area safe (Yui Mok/PA)

A 50-year-old man has been arrested after going into a bank and dousing himself in petrol.

Police in Bromley, south-east London said that the man entered Metro Bank in the High Street and covered himself and the bank in the flammable liquid.

Cordons were put in place while officers and firefighters made the area safe.

Update: A 50yr old male has been arrested after entering Metro Bank #Bromley and dousing himself & the bank in petrol. Cordons remain in place while police and @BromleyLFB make the scene safe & investigate. This incident is not being treated as terror related #520PY https://t.co/qA791lct9M  Bromley MPS (@MPSBromley) October 16, 2018

According to the local police Twitter feed @MPSBromley, the incident was not being treated as terror-related.The Government must take urgent action to stop underage puppies and heavily pregnant dogs being smuggled across Europe for sale in the UK, campaigners said.

An undercover investigation by the Dogs Trust found animals were being forced to travel more than 1,000 miles across Europe in "shocking" conditions to meet the demand for fashionable breeds of dogs.

The Dogs Trust said that as the UK leaves the EU, the Government should redraw the non-commercial pet travel rules, which are being exploited to smuggle puppies to the UK from central and eastern Europe.

Since the pet travel scheme, currently governed by the EU, was changed to allow puppies to enter UK at a much younger age, unscrupulous dealers are using the opportunity to make millions of pound from illegally importing them.

Puppies are being sedated in cramped conditions for more than 30-hour journeys, while pregnant dogs are being forced to travel to allow the puppies to be born in the UK, the charity's investigation found.

Dealers claim to evade border controls across Europe, while hundreds of dogs are producing "designer" breeds of puppies including French bulldogs, some of which are advertised for sale in the UK.

The charity also claims corrupt vets are falsifying pet passports, providing fake vaccination stamps to allow puppies to travel when younger than allowed, and supplying sedatives to help smuggle them without detection.

"The Government should reduce the number of dogs allowed under non-commercial movement rules, and require visual checks of all dogs entering the UK," the Dogs Trust said.

Paula Boyden, veterinary director of Dogs Trust, said puppy smugglers were only concerned with making a profit and insufficient penalties meant there was no real deterrent for illegally importing animals.

"With Brexit around the corner this is an opportunity of a lifetime to put robust measures in place that protect dogs and the public," she urged.Prince Charles is set to meet staff at Royal Lochnagar Distillery in Crathie, Aberdeenshire (Andrew Milligan/PA)

The Prince of Wales is to visit a whisky distillery with a historic royal connection.

Charles is set to meet staff at Royal Lochnagar Distillery in Crathie, Aberdeenshire, when he tours the premises on Tuesday.

The distillery opened as under the name of New Lochnagar in 1845, but it was later renamed Royal Lochnagar following a visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1848.

Now owned by Diageo, the base is the smallest of the drinks giants 29 Scotch whisky distilleries and it retains traditional methods of manual production.

The visit comes during a busy spell for the royal family, with the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank last week and the announcement on Monday the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting a baby.

Charles, who has the title of Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, may also get the chance to sample a dram with a special personal connection.

In 1988, a cask of Royal Lochnagar single malt whisky was laid down for him to mark the 140th anniversary of the first royal visit.

On Tuesday, the Duke will have the opportunity to taste the whisky as a 30-year-old, the age at which it will be bottled on his 70th birthday next month.Brexiteers responsible for persuading the British to leave the European Union will never be forgiven for their false promises, Sir John Major has warned.

The former prime minister described the 2016 referendum vote as a colossal misjudgement that would leave the country poorer and weaker.

In a lecture in London, he said that once people understood they had been deceived, those responsible would have much to answer for.

We know the post-Brexit world will be very different from now. It cannot be otherwise, because no form of Brexit will remotely match up to the promises made by the Leave campaign in the referendum: they were vote-gathering fantasies, not serious politics, he said.

Those who promised what will never be delivered will have much to answer forSir John Major

It will damage our national and personal wealth, and may seriously hamper our future security. It may even, over time, break up our United Kingdom. It will most definitely limit the prospects of our young.

And  once this becomes clear  I believe those who promised what will never be delivered will have much to answer for. They persuaded a deceived population to vote to be weaker and poorer.

That will never be forgotten  nor forgiven.

In comments likely to be seen as a thinly veiled sideswipe at Boris Johnson, Sir John  a long-standing opponent of Brexit  hit out at the political princelings vying for the Tory crown.

He warned their belligerent noises off were making Theresa Mays task of negotiating a deal with Brussels even more difficult, while those whose focus was on self-advancement were rarely the most suitable to be entrusted with power.

What government is not about is cheap grandstanding. Its not about deceiving the electorate with slogans, or soundbites, or untruths or half-truths. Its not about windy oratory that says nothing, he said.

And  most emphatically  its not about princelings fighting for the political crown of premiership. Coded messages that shriek Im the one are about as subtle as a punch on the nose.

Our nation should not tolerate the unreasoning antipathy of the extremes  to the EU, to foreigners or to minority groupsSir John Major

Sir John also voiced concern that as the extremes of right and left gained strength, the moderate centre vote would lose its traditional influence over policy.

Our nation should not tolerate the unreasoning antipathy of the extremes  to the EU, to foreigners or to minority groups, he said.

Such antipathy is repellent, and diminishes us as a nation. Softer, more reasonable voices should not be drowned out by the raucous din of the loudest.

I freely confess to a taste for compromise. I have always preferred good old British pragmatism to rigorous ideology. Politics is real life.

It isnt warfare. It isnt a popularity contest. Its about people. Its about four nations who deserve more than an ideological tug-of-war.A union has voted to reject a 350 million local government pay deal and move towards industrial action.

Unite local government staff members voted by 73% in a consultative ballot to reject the revised pay deal from local authority umbrella body Cosla.

Of those who rejected the deal, 88% backed industrial action following the month-long consultative ballot.

Unite members emphatically reject #COSLA pay offer.



73% of Unite members voted to reject the 3% pay increase and of those who rejected 88% indicated support for industrial action.



Read the full story here -> https://t.co/m6fKds4Wmn pic.twitter.com/pYy4De2yhe  Unite Scotland (@UniteScotland) October 16, 2018

A separate consultative ballot for the unions local government craft members is due to close on Friday October 26.

The union, along with the GMB and Unison, recommended members reject the recently revised pay deal from local authority umbrella body Cosla, arguing workers are being offered less than teachers.

They want pay parity across the local government workforce but Cosla said the offer of a 3% increase for those earning up to 80,000 puts staff on a par with those working in the NHS and other parts of the public sector.

Cosla warned any further increase would lead to cuts to jobs and services.

The value of Local Government staff recognised with 350 Million offer to the workforce. A fair deal for those who deliver our #essentialservices say @COSLA @AlisonEvison and @CllrGMacgregor https://t.co/O8dhCXqBKy  COSLA (@COSLA) September 19, 2018

Ann Farrell, Unite Scotlands local authority committee chairwoman, said: Unite members have emphatically rejected the revised pay offer.

This outcome was inevitable in light of Coslas failure to properly and fairly reward the lowest-paid workers in local government.

She said Unite will move towards a legal ballot and will urge members to back industrial action.

Meanwhile, around 80,000 members of Unison are also being balloted on the issue.

The consultative ballot opened on Tuesday and will close on November 7.

Unisons Johanna Baxter said: Our local services are delivered by one team and if Cosla and the Scottish Government really value the contribution all their staff make they must ensure that everyone who works in local government gets a fair and decent pay rise.

Cosla resources spokeswoman, Annandale North Councillor Gail Macgregor, said: I am deeply disappointed that Unison are urging their membership to reject what is a very fair offer of 3% in a one-year deal  backdated to April.

From a personal perspective I am also disappointed that with various ballots now under way and more on the horizon that my own priority of getting the backdated pay rise into the pay packets of our workforce looks unlikely to happen anytime soon.

She said 350m is a massive investment, adding: We asked the trade unions to take a realistic approach and accept our offer and then work together for a fairer local government settlement from the Scottish Government  but obviously this is not something that they are willing to do.The Government should state that a British academic accused of spying in the United Arab Emirates is innocent of the charges, his wife has said.

Matthew Hedges, a 31-year-old PhD student at Durham University who is from Exeter, was held at Dubai airport on May 5 after flying in to interview sources about the countrys foreign policy and security strategy.

He has been held in solitary confinement for almost six months, his family said, and they were concerned he will not have a fair trial as he has had limited access to his lawyer.

His wife, Daniela Tejada, 27, called on the Government to deny he was spying for them.

Expand Close Matthew Hedges with his wife Daniela Tejada (Family handout/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Matthew Hedges with his wife Daniela Tejada (Family handout/PA)

She said: I no longer know what to do to get Matt out of prison in the UAE.

I am calling on the UK Government to clarify publicly that Matt is innocent of the charges and that there have been many falsehoods said about him.

It is the duty of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to protect their citizens abroad.

This horrifying situation has been going on for far too long.

Ms Tejada said her husband only met his legal representative for the first time at court last week.

Expand Close The British student has been held in solitary confinement in the UAE after he was detained without explanation five months ago (Family handout/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook

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She said: The entire hearing was in Arabic, with only the questions directed at Matt being translated into English.

It has now been confirmed to us that Matt was told he was being charged with gathering information and sharing it with a foreign agency  the UK Government.

The case will be back before the court on October 24 to allow him to prepare his defence.

She said: The prosecution has therefore had over five months to come up with a case for trial and Matts court-appointed lawyer has been given two weeks with no further access to Matt.

Expand Close Mr Hedges wife Daniela Tejada says he is being held in solitary confinement and denied access to medical care (Family handout/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook

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To call this a fair judicial process is, to say the least, highly inaccurate.

Matt has never been allowed to speak about his case with anyone.

He was never given the opportunity to look for a lawyer to represent him, especially as it was not known what he needed to be represented for.

The charges against Matt are false and unsubstantiated, as is the purported evidence to support them.

Matt continues to be denied appropriate medical care for his mental health and remains in solitary confinement.

According to a profile on the Durham University website, Mr Hedges research includes Middle Eastern politics, the changing nature of war, civil-military relations and tribalism.

Amnesty International UK also called on the Government to speak out on Mr Hedgess behalf.

The groups foreign affairs spokeswoman Polly Truscott said: Matthew wouldnt be the first person to be arrested in the UAE on baseless grounds and to be detained for a long period without access to a lawyer.

If hes been charged with espionage simply for having conducted academic research into the countrys security services, he should be released immediately.Frances President Emmanuel Macrons government has sought to give itself a fresh start after a difficult summer with a limited reshuffle that included a new interior minister.

The restructuring comes two weeks after the surprise resignation of Gerard Collomb as interior minister, who is responsible for policing including the fight against extremism.

Mr Macron named key ally Christophe Castaner to replace Mr Collomb.

Mr Castaner, 52, was heading Mr Macrons party, Republic on the Move, and was junior minister in charge of parliamentary relations.

Expand Close Newly appointed Interior Minister Christophe Castaner, centre (Thibault Camus/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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In a brief handover ceremony at the Interior Ministry, Mr Castaner said security issues remain the governments priority.

I am thinking, of course, about the fight against terrorism. I am thinking, of course, about the day to day work being done night and day led by the teams from the Interior Ministry to dismantle (the terrorist cells) and to preserve and to guarantee once again, the safety of everyone, he said.

Mr Macrons office said the changes were meant to accompany a new wave of long-anticipated reforms.

The 40-year-old French leader, elected last year on a platform to reform the French economy, has pledged to make changes to unemployment benefits and streamline the pension system by next summer.

Expand Close Newly appointed Interior Minister Christophe Castaner, left background, and Frances prime minister (Edouard Philippe/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Four other government members were replaced, including the culture and agriculture ministers.

The key members of the government, including the finance and foreign affairs ministers, retained their positions.

Mr Macron also appointed new junior ministers focusing mainly on economic matters and fighting poverty.

The new jobs mean the size of the government expands to 34 members, split equally between men and women, from 29 before, excluding prime minister Edouard Philippe.

The reshuffle is seen as an attempt by Mr Macron to regain the initiative following a period during which he has seen his popularity plummet and three ministers, including Mr Collomb, resign.

Expand Close Emmanuel Macron has had a difficult summer (Thibault Camus/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Often perceived as a president of the rich for cutting the taxes of the wealthy and pushing pro-business policies that favour investors and entrepreneurs, Mr Macron is increasingly described by opponents as arrogant and aloof.

Critics also point at the low pace of economic growth and a high unemployment rate that is hovering slightly under 9%.

Mr Macron created a new job of junior minister at the Solidarity and Health ministry that will focus on the fight against poverty.

The Finance Ministry is strengthened with junior ministers focusing on industry policy and the digital economy.

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The position of junior minister for gender equality, Marlene Schiappa, is enlarged to include all fights against discrimination.

The chief of Frances domestic intelligence service, Laurent Nunez, was also named as a junior interior minister.US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, right, greets Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir (Leah Millis/AP)

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has met with Saudi Arabias King Salman over the disappearance and alleged killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, who vanished two weeks ago during a visit to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

Mr Pompeo landed in Riyadh on Tuesday morning and was welcomed by Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir on landing.

Soon after, Mr Pompeo arrived at a royal palace, where King Salman greeted him.

Americas top diplomat thanked the king for accepting my visit on behalf of President (Donald) Trump before going into a closed-door meeting.

Expand Close US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, centre left, talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir (Leah Millis/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Turkish officials say they fear Mr Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the Istanbul consulate.

Saudi officials previously have called the allegations baseless, but reports in US media suggested the kingdom may acknowledge the writer was killed there.

Meanwhile, a Turkish forensics team finished earlier in the morning a search inside the consulate.

Technicians in coveralls, gloves and covered shoes treated the diplomatic mission as a crime scene during their hours-long search.

It was not immediately clear what evidence they gathered.

Mr Trump, after speaking with King Salman, had dispatched Mr Pompeo to speak to the monarch of the worlds top oil exporter over Mr Khashoggis disappearance.

Mr Trump himself said without offering evidence that the killing could have been carried out by rogue killers, offering the US-allied kingdom a possible path out of a global diplomatic firestorm.

However, left unsaid was the fact that any decision in the ultraconservative kingdom rests solely with the ruling Al Saud family.

Mr Pompeo also was to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom Mr Khashoggi wrote critically about for The Washington Post and whose rise to power prompted the writer to go into a self-imposed exile in the United States.

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The effort behind the scenes is focused on avoiding a diplomatic crisis between the two countries and has succeeded in finding a pathway to deescalate tensions, said Ayham Kamel, the head of the Eurasia Groups Mideast and North African practice.

Riyadh will have to provide some explanation of the journalists disappearance, but in a manner that distances the leadership from any claim that a decision was made at senior levels to assassinate the prominent journalist.

CNN reported that the Saudis were going to admit the killing happened but deny the king or crown prince had ordered it which does not match what analysts and experts know about the kingdoms inner workings.

The New York Times reported that the Saudi royal court would suggest that an official within the kingdoms intelligence services, a friend of Prince Mohammed, had carried out the killing.

Expand Close Cleaning personnel enter Saudi Arabias Consulate on Monday prior to the arrival of a search team (Petros Giannakouris/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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According to that reported claim, the crown prince had approved an interrogation or rendition of Mr Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia, but the intelligence official was tragically incompetent as he eagerly sought to prove himself.

Both reports cited anonymous people said to be familiar with the Saudi plans.

Saudi officials have been in and out of the building since Mr Khashoggis disappearance on October 2 without being stopped. Under the Vienna Convention, diplomatic posts are technically foreign soil that must be protected and respected by host countries.

Forensics tests like spraying luminol, a chemical mixture, can expose blood left behind, said Mechthild Prinz, an associate professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice who previously worked at the New York Citys Office of the chief medical examiner.

It depends on how well they cleaned it up, Ms Prinz said.

Obviously, you dont want anybody to have a chance to clean it up, but very often people do miss blood.

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Told that a cleaning crew walked into the consulate before the team arrived, she said: You saw that? Wow. Thats going to be a problem.

Turkey has wanted to search the consulate for days.

Permission apparently came after a late Sunday night call between King Salman and Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In statements after the call, both praised the creation of a joint Saudi-Turkish probe.

The Turkish inspection team included a prosecutor, a deputy prosecutor, anti-terror police and forensic experts, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

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Certain areas of the consulate were to remain off-limits, although officials would be able to inspect surveillance cameras, Turkish media reported.

What evidence Turkish officials gathered at the consulate remains unknown.

Turkeys private DHA news agency said the Saudi consuls office was among the rooms searched.

Mr Khashoggi has written extensively for the Post about Saudi Arabia, criticising its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of womens rights activists after the lifting of a driving ban for women.

Those policies are all seen as initiatives of Prince Mohammed, the son of King Salman, who is next in line to the throne.

Prince Mohammed has aggressively pitched the kingdom as a destination for foreign investment.

But Mr Khashoggis disappearance has led several business leaders and media outlets to back out of the upcoming investment conference in Riyadh, called the Future Investment Initiative.

They include the chief executive of Uber, a company in which Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars; billionaire Sir Richard Branson; JPMorgan Chase & Co chief executive Jamie Dimon; and Ford Motor executive chairman Bill Ford.

Mr Pompeo later met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Prince Mohammed said: We are strong and old allies.

We face our challenges together, the past, the day of, tomorrow.

Mr Pompeo thanked Prince Mohammed for hosting him.US secretary of state Mike Pompeo meets with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Leah Mills/AP)

The US secretary of state met on Tuesday with Saudi Arabias King Salman and his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the disappearance and alleged killing at the kingdoms hands of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi at its consulate in Istanbul.

Mike Pompeo smiled and shook hands with both men, who warmly greeted him just hours after a Turkish forensics team finished a search inside the Saudi Consulate, looking for evidence of the Washington Post columnists alleged killing and dismemberment.

Police plan a second search at the Saudi consuls home in Istanbul, a Turkish Foreign Ministry official said, where leaked surveillance footage show diplomatic cars travelled to shortly after Mr Khashoggis disappearance on October 2.

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Saudi officials previously have called Turkish allegations that the kingdom killed Mr Khashoggi baseless, but reports in US media suggested the Saudis may acknowledge the writer was killed at the consulate.

Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir greeted Mr Pompeo when he landed in Riyadh.

Soon after, Mr Pompeo arrived at a royal palace, where he thanked King Salman for accepting my visit on behalf of President (Donald) Trump before the two went into a closed-door meeting.

Expand Close Mike Pompeo, left, meets with Saudi Arabias King Salman (Leah Mills/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Mr Pompeo then met a smiling Prince Mohammed, the 33-year-old heir apparent to the throne of the worlds largest oil exporter.

Mr Khashoggi fled Saudi Arabia and took up a self-imposed exile in the United States after the princes rise.

We are strong and old allies, the prince told Mr Pompeo as journalists watched.

We face our challenges together, the past, the day of, tomorrow.

Today in #Riyadh @SecPompeo met with Saudi Arabias King Salman to discuss regional & bilateral issues. He also thanked the King for his commitment to supporting a thorough, transparent & timely investigation of #JamalKhashoggi s disappearance. pic.twitter.com/EC1rDSxLXr  Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) October 16, 2018

Mr Trump, who dispatched Mr Pompeo to speak to the monarch over Mr Khashoggis disappearance, said on Monday after talking with King Salman that the slaying could have been carried out by rogue killers.

Mr Trump provided no evidence but that statement potentially offers the US-allied kingdom a possible path out of a global diplomatic firestorm.

The king firmly denied any knowledge of it, Mr Trump said on Monday.

Expand Close The entrance of Saudi Arabias Consulate (Petros Giannakouris/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers.

I mean, who knows? Were going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial.

However, left unsaid was the fact that any decision in the ultraconservative kingdom rests solely with the ruling Al Saud family.

The effort behind the scenes is focused on avoiding a diplomatic crisis between the two countries and has succeeded in finding a pathway to deescalate tensions, said Ayham Kamel, the head of the Eurasia Groups Mideast and North African practice.

Riyadh will have to provide some explanation of the journalists disappearance, but in a manner that distances the leadership from any claim that a decision was made at senior levels to assassinate the prominent journalist.

CNN reported that the Saudis were going to admit the killing happened but deny the king or crown prince had ordered it, which does not match what analysts and experts know about the kingdoms inner workings.

The New York Times reported that the Saudi royal court would suggest that an official within the kingdoms intelligence services, a friend of Prince Mohammed, had carried out the killing.

According to that reported claim, the crown prince had approved an interrogation or rendition of Mr Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia, but the intelligence official was tragically incompetent as he eagerly sought to prove himself.

Expand Close A Turkish forensic police officer shoots video in a room of Saudi Arabias Consulate (Emrah Gurel/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Both reports cited anonymous people said to be familiar with the Saudi plans.

Saudi officials have been in and out of the building since Mr Khashoggis disappearance without being stopped.

Under the Vienna Convention, diplomatic posts are technically foreign soil that must be protected and respected by host countries.

Turkey has wanted to search the consulate for days.

Permission apparently came after a late Sunday night call between King Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Turkish inspection team included a prosecutor, a deputy prosecutor, anti-terror police and forensic experts, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

Certain areas of the consulate were to remain off-limits, although officials would be able to inspect surveillance cameras, Turkish media reported.

Expand Close Cleaning personnel enter Saudi Arabias Consulate on Monday before the arrival of the search team (Petros Giannakouris/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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What evidence Turkish officials gathered at the consulate remains unknown, though Mr Erdogan told journalists that police sought traces of toxic materials and suggested parts of the consulate had been recently painted, without elaborating.

Mr Khashoggi has written extensively for the Post about Saudi Arabia, criticising its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of womens rights activists after the lifting of a driving ban for women.

Those policies are all seen as initiatives of Prince Mohammed, the son of King Salman, who is next in line to the throne.

Prince Mohammed has aggressively pitched the kingdom as a destination for foreign investment.

But Mr Khashoggis disappearance has led several business leaders and media outlets to back out of the upcoming investment conference in Riyadh.

Mr Trump previously warned of severe punishment for the kingdom if it was found to be involved in Mr Khashoggis disappearance, which has spooked investors.

Mr Trumps warning drew an angry response Sunday from Saudi Arabia and its state-linked media, including a suggestion that Riyadh could wield its oil production as a weapon.

The US president has been after King Salman and Opec to boost production for weeks to drive down high crude oil prices, caused in part by the coming re-imposition of oil sanctions on Iran after the US withdrawal from thats countrys nuclear deal with world powers.The incident that claimed the lives of nine climbers on a Himalayan mountain has sparked calls for a weather warning system.

The bodies of five South Koreans killed in a fierce storm last week on a mountain in Nepal were set to head home on Tuesday.

Mountaineers and officials gathered at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu offering flowers and burning incense by the bodies, which were kept in wooden coffins.

Every time there is a disaster on the mountain, we all seek ways to prevent these deaths, but soon we forget about itSanta Bir Lama

The bodies were driven to the airport where they were to be put on a plane to Seoul.

Officials said they would push the government to improve the weather warning systems to prevent disasters and minimise loss of lives in the future.

Every time there is a disaster on the mountain, we all seek ways to prevent these deaths, but soon we forget about it, said Santa Bir Lama, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association.

We are going to ask the government to install equipment to warn about weather conditions on the mountain.

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The five South Koreans and four Nepalese guides died when they were swept by a storm on Gurja Himal mountains base camp on Friday night.

Rescuers only reached the area a day later and took two days to have their bodies recovered and brought back to Kathmandu, Nepals capital.

Mr Lama said there are some weather forecast systems in use, but those are all concentrated on Mount Everest, the worlds tallest peak.

Gurja is not one of the regions tallest or more popular peaks.

The last time climbers were known to be on the mountain was eight years ago.

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I am going take the initiative and demand with the government to install these weather warning systems on smaller mountains, said parliament member Rajendra Prasad Gautam, who was at the hospital on Tuesday.

Among those killed was Kim Chang-ho, the first South Korean to conquer all 14 Himalayan peaks over 8,000 metres (26,250 feet) without using supplemental oxygen.

Mountaineering friends who gathered at the hospital said Mr Kim was a good person and an expert climber who was looking for adventure and challenges.

He was always looking to discover routes that have not been explored and try new things on the mountain, said a Nepalese friend, Ang Dorje, who Mr Kim had promised to meet after returning from the mountain.

Expand Close There is already a warning system on Mount Everest (David Cheskin/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook

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He did not want to do what others did.

He was a pure adventure seeker who loved the mountains and adventure, said Loben Sherpa, who helped Kim during his many trips to Nepals mountains.

It was the deadliest climbing disaster in Nepal since 2015, when 19 people were killed at Mount Everest base camp by an avalanche triggered by an earthquake that devastated the country.

The previous year, an avalanche above Everests base camp killed 16 Nepalese Sherpa guides.US secretary of state Mike Pompeo is set to meet King Salman in Saudi Arabia over the disappearance and alleged killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

The meeting comes as a Turkish forensics team finished its search for evidence in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul where Mr Khashoggi went missing two weeks ago.

Some reports have claimed that Saudi officials may concede the killing took place in the consulate.

Forensic officers treated the consulate as a crime scene during their lengthy search.

After speaking with King Salman, US president Donald Trump said that the alleged murder could have been carried out by rogue killers  offering the kingdom, a US ally and one of the worlds top oil producers, a possible path out of a global diplomatic firestorm.

However, what was left unsaid was the fact that any decision taken in the ultra-conservative kingdom rests solely with the ruling Al Saud family.

Noticeably absent from discussions was Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom Mr Khashoggi wrote critically about for The Washington Post and whose rise to power prompted the writer to go into a self-imposed exile in the US.

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Ayham Kamel, the head of the Middle East and North Africa branch of political risk consultancy the Eurasia Group, said: The effort behind the scenes is focused on avoiding a diplomatic crisis between the two countries and has succeeded in finding a pathway to deescalate tensions.

Riyadh will have to provide some explanation of the journalists disappearance, but in a manner that distances the leadership from any claim that a decision was made at senior levels to assassinate the prominent journalist.

CNN reported that the Saudis were going to admit the killing had occurred but deny the king or crown prince had ordered it  which does not match what analysts and experts know about the kingdoms inner workings.

The New York Times reported that the Saudi royal court would suggest that an official within the kingdoms intelligence services  a friend of Prince Mohammed  had carried out the killing.

Expand Close Mr Khashoggi disappeared two weeks ago (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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According to that reported claim, the crown prince had approved an interrogation or rendition of Mr Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia, but the intelligence official had been too eager to prove himself, with tragic consequences.

Saudi officials have been in and out of the consulate since Mr Khashoggis disappearance on October 2. Under the Vienna Convention, diplomatic posts are technically foreign soil that must be protected and respected by host countries.

Earlier on Monday, a cleaning crew with mops, rubbish bags and what appeared to be bottles of bleach walked into the building past waiting journalists.

Turkey had wanted to search the consulate for days. Permission apparently came after a Sunday night call between King Salman and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In statements after the call, both praised the creation of a joint Saudi-Turkish probe into the matter.

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Mr Khashoggi has written extensively for the Post about Saudi Arabia, criticising its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of womens rights activists after the lifting of a driving ban for women.

Those policies are all seen as initiatives of Prince Mohammed, the son of King Salman, who is next in line to the throne.

Prince Mohammed has aggressively pitched the kingdom as a destination for foreign investment. But Mr Khashoggis disappearance has led several business leaders and media outlets to back out of the upcoming investment conference in Riyadh, called the Future Investment Initiative.

Expand Close Reports have suggested that Saudi officials may concede that Mr Khashoggi was killed at the consulate (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Reports have suggested that Saudi officials may concede that Mr Khashoggi was killed at the consulate (AP)

They include Virgin supremo Sir Richard Branson; the CEO of Uber, a company in which Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars; JPMorgan Chase & Co chief executive Jamie Dimon; and Ford executive chairman Bill Ford.

Mr Trump had previously warned of severe punishment for the kingdom if it was found to be involved in Mr Khashoggis disappearance.

The warning drew an angry response from Saudi Arabia, including a suggestion that Riyadh could wield its oil production as a weapon in retaliation.

The US president has been after King Salman and OPEC to boost production for weeks to drive down high crude oil prices, caused in part by the coming re-imposition of oil sanctions on Iran after the US withdrawal from thats countrys nuclear deal with world powers.President Donald Trump has said that "rogue killers" may be responsible for whatever happened to missing Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

Mr Trump told reporters as he departed the White House en route to Florida that he spoke by phone with Saudi Arabia's King and that "The King firmly denied any knowledge" of the disappearance.

Mr Trump said he did not "want to get" into King Salman's mind, but said: "It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers."

He added: "We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial."

Mr Trump's language was strikingly similar to the language he has used to describe Russian President Vladimir Putin's denials of election meddling.

Turkish officials say they fear a Saudi hit team killed Mr Khashoggi, who has been missing for nearly two weeks.

Mr Trump had earlier tweeted to say that he had spoken with Salman and that he was sending US secretary of state Mike Pompeo to Riyadh.

Mr Khashoggi has not been seen since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul amid speculation he may have been killed.

The US and Saudis are close allies.

Meanwhile, a joint Saudi-Turkish search team has entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

The team arrived yesterday afternoon to the consulate in Istanbul's fourth Levent neighbourhood as journalists filmed and took photographs of their arrival.

It was unclear what kind of search the officials conducted and if it involved forensics, especially since Mr Khashoggi disappeared on October 2.

A cleaning crew walked into the consulate hours ahead of the investigative team's arrival.

Mr Khashoggi wrote columns in the Washington Post that were critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The kingdom has called such allegations "baseless" but has not offered any evidence Mr Khashoggi ever left the consulate.A police officer and a woman walk past the Saudi Arabia consuls residence, in Istanbul, (Emrah Gurel/AP)

The Saudi consul to Istanbul has left for Saudi Arabia, hours after Turkey said his official residence would be searched in connection with a Saudi writers disappearance.

The Anadolu news agency reported Tuesday that Consul Mohammed al-Otaibi flew out of the country on a 2pm flight.

Saudi Arabia had no immediate comment on his departure.

The Turkish foreign ministry says police will search his official residence and vehicles belonging to the consulate.

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Authorities have offered no time frame for those searches.

Turkish forensic teams finished a search of the Saudi Consulate early Tuesday, two weeks after Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi vanished.

Turkish officials fear Saudi agents killed him in the consulate and disposed of his body.

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Saudi Arabia previously called the allegation baseless, but US media reports suggest the Saudis may acknowledge Mr Khashoggi was killed there, perhaps as part of a botched interrogation.

Overnight, Turkish forensic teams searched the consulate building in Istanbul where Mr Khashoggi was last seen entering.

Turkish officials have said evidence was found during the search.

Surveillance footage leaked in Turkish media shows vehicles moving between the consulate and the consuls home after Mr Khashoggis disappearance.Rescue workers retrieve a body from floodwaters in the town of Trebes (Fred Lancelot/AP)

A woman whose husband was killed in an Islamic extremist attack has now lost both of her parents in flash floods that killed at least 13 people in south west France.

Martine Mazieres husband, Jean, was one of four people killed in a carjacking, shooting and supermarket hostage-taking in the Aude region in March.

On Monday, her father and mother were among victims of the flash floods that ripped through area towns.

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The parents deaths were confirmed by the mayor of Trebes, the town hardest-hit by the flooding and where extremist gunman Radouane Lakdim took hostages in a supermarket.

The mayor spoke Tuesday to RTL radio.

Martine Mazieres lives in the nearby town of Villedubert, said town councillor Norbert Acco, reached by phone.

She (Martine Mazieres) immediately told me that she feels as though fate is conspiring against herMayor Marc Rofes

He, too, confirmed that her parents were among the flood victims in Trebes.

Le Parisien newspaper quoted Villeduberts mayor, Marc Rofes, as saying that when he visited Mrs Mazieres, she immediately told me that she feels as though fate is conspiring against her.

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Rescue workers were still searching for three people listed as missing in the floods.

The Aude regional government and the Interior Ministry in Paris said the death toll had risen to 13.

The regions top local official, Alain Thirion, said on BFMTV that flood victims were mainly older people who were surprised by the amount of rain when storms swept in from the Mediterranean and dumped several months-worth of rain in a few hours.

In Trebes, the town with the most deaths, the Aude River quickly swelled from about knee-height to a destructive flood.Is the Prime Minister moving inexorably towards breaking-point? She remains firmly committed to her controversial Chequers proposals for Brexit, while an increasing number of Tories - including some ministers - are calling on her to abandon her plan.

It is like the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object - a political explosion is now beginning to look inevitable, with all the dire consequences that could generate.

On top of all that, a growing number of Tories are demanding a vote of confidence in her leadership - only a handful short of the number required to force such a vote.

To make matters even worse, David Davis, who quit as Brexit Secretary over this very issue, is effectively calling for a mutiny of those Cabinet ministers who do not like her proposals.

Meanwhile, the irrepressible Tory backbencher Nadine Dorries has bluntly called on May to quit and be replaced as interim leader by Davis.

The garrulous Dorries, who can never be accused of mincing her words, has already publicly made clear that she'd like to see Boris Johnson eventually take over her reins permanently.

"I say it (the call to resign) in sorrow, because I was delighted when Theresa May was (made) Prime Minister and I have been saying for many, many months to people: 'Trust her, she will deliver'," Dorries said.

"Sadly, she has let me down and she's let other people down, because she isn't delivering; she isn't delivering, because she has handcuffed herself to this Chequers deal.

"My personal belief is that we need somebody who can invigorate the party, who can articulate the sunny uplands, who can tell us what all the great opportunities that are going to be there. Theresa May is not doing that."

All this leaves the Prime Minister in a "no win" situation. If she backs off, or waters down her Chequers proposals, it will be seen as an act of gross weakness, from which it would be difficult to recover.

Or, if her Tory opponents get even nastier, then her entire political future could be in jeopardy.

The leading Tory Brexiteers challenging her policies continue to insist that they are attacking those policies and not the individual. But they must surely realise that, if she is defeated on a vote of confidence, it could be curtains for her.

It all crucially depends on what Theresa May brings back from the critical EU summit later this week. That could, to mix the odd metaphor, either save her bacon or cook her goose.

So, how is Labour faring in dealing with a Conservative Party at Westminster and beyond in a state of turbulence and shambolic disarray? For them, it should be a glorious open goal.

But they too are engulfed in internal squabbling over the anti-Semitism issue and the actions of the hardcore Left movement Momentum, which appears to be embarking on a course of culling moderate MPs from constituencies and replacing them with Left-wing candidates.

So, what is happening is that Labour are wasting their energies on fighting each other, thus weakening their ability to fight the Tories when they, the Tories, are at their lowest ebb.

The problem is that Jeremy Corbyn appears to be taking little notice of what Momentum is doing, which is hardly surprising because he is hard-Left himself. But Momentum's actions are surely damaging the party by forcing Left-wing majorities on constituency parties and, thus, by political force, changing the face of the future parliamentary party.

When Militant tried to infiltrate Labour in the 1980s, then-leader Neil Kinnock managed, by superhuman efforts, to eliminate them.

But that is not happening today with Momentum - and Labour may pay a high price if their activities are allowed to proceed unchallenged.

They have been warned.

The Prime Minister gleefully announced the end to austerity in her much-acclaimed Conservative Party conference speech. The next we heard were reports that judges are to be given a huge rise.

So, she's as good as her word? Well, I spoke to a district nurse the other day. She said her pay rise amounted to around 30 a month.

Not exactly the end of austerity for her.

Experts have expressed alarm at the state of the fabric of the Palace of Westminster and a multi-billion-pound plan to make the building safe is being drawn up.

But since the problem is supposed to be urgent, why will it still be a few years before the work gets under way?

I know it is a huge job to move out the thousands who inhabit the palace on a daily basis, but if it is as bad as is claimed, why cannot they get the wheels in motion much more quickly?

The place is supposed to be crumbling in parts, so every year that passes unchecked it becomes more dangerous and more expensive to put right.

So, get a move on.Yes, there very definitely will be a Brexit compromise on offer very soon. And it is a very good sign that we are now getting soundings from Brussels that a deal is possible sooner rather than later.

The European Union was set up in 1957 to do deals and avoid the awfulness of the previous centuries of war, horror and hunger. Thats a clue for all of us when we ask if there will be a Brexit deal.

It may well be a clunky compromise, rather far from perfect  but it will very probably have the majority of the peoples interests at its heart.

The tougher and sadder question is: can embattled Prime Minister Theresa May put such a compromise deal through her parliament in London? And what role will the DUP, who prop up Mrs Mays minority Government, play in that difficult process?

As things stand, the DUP is threatening all sorts to pull its prop from under the current Government, as it takes a very one-dimensional stance on the issue. It is a distressing prospect  but something over which politicians in the Republic have only limited control, at best.

But let us also try to learn from that UK/DUP farrago and remember something that often unsung group of politicians  the Irish Members of the European Parliament  have lived by at times of conflict. Over the years the Irish MEPs of all parties during rows over farm funds, regional and social grants, and other issues, have called out as one: Its green jersey time.

Park any notions you may have about a potential cringe factor here and look at the reality. As less than 1% of the EU population, the Republic has few enough options to influence that behemoth of a decision-making machine. So, does it want to dilute the limited oomph that it has?

Or should the Irish parliamentarians go to the various large groups to which they are connected and make the case? As the European Parliament has grown in power and influence, the green jersey factor has also become more important and at times effective.

Back in Dublin, it is a tricky time at Leinster House. There is little doubt that the only questions are now about how and precisely when the current strange Government arrangement will end. But Fine Gael and Fianna Fail must leave their current power dance to one side and make common cause. Let us recall that both parties have pursued identical policies and strategies over the past 45 years of EU membership. Voters will not thank either of them for trying to make short-term political capital out of these Brexit endgame moves.

In Brussels this week things are set to move into overdrive. Throughout Sunday there was a surprise flurry of meetings at the most senior level with EU ambassadors gathering and UK Brexit Minister Dominic Raab engaging in talks at least a day ahead of schedule.

By late that night it was clear Brexit negotiators had some distance to go to seal a deal on EU-UK divorce terms. Everything is about preparations for a decisive EU leaders summit which starts tomorrow evening in Brussels. But already timetables for preparatory meetings have been moved forward, suggesting optimism around a favourable outcome is growing.

Mr Raab went to Brussels after officials indicated that the two sides jointly agreed that face-to-face talks were necessary on the big issues still to be resolved. Central to these is the so-called backstop to prevent a return to controls on the Irish border. The deal, which was agreed in December, would see Northern Ireland mimic the EUs product standards, effectively keeping it inside the EU single market after Brexit.

The DUP has vehemently opposed it, leading Mrs May to reject a detailed legal text on its implementation last March. The current talks turnaround make this option more acceptable.

But all the negotiations are happening in the shadow of huge divisions within the Conservative Party. David Davis, who quit as Brexit Minister in July after objecting to Mrs Mays compromise plan, has now accused her of accepting the EUs language on dealing with the Northern Ireland border.

This is one of the most fundamental decisions that government has taken in modern times. It is time for Cabinet members to exert their collective authority, Mr Davis wrote in the Sunday Times.

He also pressed Mrs May to abandon that Brexit proposal, which includes staying in a free trade zone with the EU for manufactured and agricultural goods. He noted that EU leaders rejected it at a summit in Salzburg last month. The public does not like it. Parliament will not vote for it, he wrote.

The coming two months will be the real test of Theresa Mays mettle. Since her party conference ended earlier this month she has shown few signs of changing her approach. She continues trying to persuade Conservative lawmakers and those in the opposition Labour Party to vote for any deal based on her plan.

In London Mrs May is being lobbied from all sides as a potential deal on a draft withdrawal treaty to cover the divorce terms, a transition period and a solution for Northern Ireland edges closer. Viewed from Dublin, it is all about preventing any return of a hard border in Ireland. But pro-Brexit campaigners fear that a backstop with no expiry date would keep Britain inside a customs union with the EU indefinitely. That begs the question: why leave the EU at all?

Mrs May insists any customs arrangement, as part of the backstop, must be temporary. The EU has refused to set an end date and does not want to extend Northern Ireland concessions to England, Scotland and Wales.

The row continues as UK Health Minister Matt Hancock suggested the backstop could be temporary without an end date. But on the other side of the argument Eurosceptic Tories are still calling for Mrs May to chuck her Brexit plan.

There are different ways to ensure that something is time-limited, Mr Hancock told the BBC. For instance, you can set conditions at the point at which the arrangements come to an end.

However you view things, it all comes back to one end-point. Even if Mrs May reaches a withdrawal agreement, she will struggle to get it through the Commons.

The DUP insists it will oppose other legislation such as the Budget to further its narrow world view. I fully appreciate the risks of a no deal but the dangers of a bad deal are worse, Arlene Foster said.

This backstop arrangement would not be temporary. It would be the permanent annexation of Northern Ireland away from the rest of the United Kingdom and forever leave us subject to rules made in a place where we have no say.Theresa May is performing verbal contortions that would make an Olympic gymnast proud to send different messages to her domestic and EU audiences. The Prime Minister can't win. If she placates Tory eurosceptics and the DUP, she can't strike a Brexit deal with the EU. But if she makes concessions to the EU to get a withdrawal agreement, she runs into trouble at home. That's the phase we are now in.

The evil day can be put off no longer because time is running out to secure a deal. In June, to prevent the resignation of David Davis as Brexit Secretary, May promised that a customs arrangement under the backstop to prevent a hard Irish border would not last beyond December 2021 (Davis resigned the following month over her Chequers plan).

Last week, when May summoned senior ministers to Downing Street, they noticed the end-date was missing from her revised backstop - because the EU will never accept a time-limited guarantee. Now, Number 10 insists the backstop would not be permanent, saying a trade deal that would supersede it "needs to be in place by the end of December 2021 at the latest". But that stops short of a guarantee.

She has repeatedly promised the UK would not remain in a customs union as well as the EU's existing one. She could call her new proposal a "customs arrangement" at home and a "union" when she speaks to the 27 EU leaders over dinner in Brussels tomorrow.

Last week, she called a meeting designed to bind the Cabinet's "swing voters" - such as Sajid Javid, Jeremy Hunt and Michael Gove - into her strategy, so she can win the full Cabinet's support.

May is pulling all the levers of the Whitehall machine. The Cabinet's Brexit subcommittee is out of fashion after she found herself in a five-six minority over her previous customs plan and hasn't met since July.

But the session with a closer, inner Cabinet appears to have backfired: several ministers - including the "big beasts" she desperately needs to keep onside - expressed concern that a customs union would be indefinite.

Although May promised the backstop would have a "review clause", that might not be enough to prevent one or two Cabinet resignations. Her critics fear the UK would be trapped in the EU's orbit, saying the EU would have no incentive to let the UK escape once it signs off its 39bn divorce payment under the withdrawal agreement.

Andrea Leadsom, the Commons leader, and Penny Mordaunt, the International Development Secretary, are top of Number 10's watch-list. Esther McVey, the Work and Pensions Secretary, might also walk. Liam Fox understandably feels the latest proposal would undermine his role as International Trade Secretary by limiting deals with non-EU countries. But his strong personal loyalty to May might keep him inside her tent.

The other one to watch is Dominic Raab, the Davis ally who succeeded him as Brexit Secretary. He told the Commons the backstop would be "limited, finite and temporary".

Although May must sometimes feel she can't win, allies are confident she will win a Brexit deal. The mood music has changed since last month's disastrous Salzburg summit.

I expect some progress, allowing the EU to call a special summit in mid-November to clinch a withdrawal agreement and political declaration on the future UK-EU relationship.

It sounds odd as May struggles to hold her Cabinet together, but the EU deal will be the relatively easy bit. Her biggest hurdle will be the crucial Commons vote on a motion endorsing the deal, probably in early-December.

Loyal Cabinet ministers - there are a few - tell me that landing a deal would give May the precious ingredient of momentum and change the landscape amid relief at avoiding a no-deal departure next March; a bounce in the financial markets and upgraded economic growth forecasts.

They believe this would also change the parliamentary arithmetic - currently stacked against May, especially after the DUP's threat to depose her and end its "confidence and supply" agreement, which gives the Tories a working majority.

I am not so sure. Even if threats of "no Brexit", a general election and Corbyn government burn off half of the 40 Tory eurosceptics, May would still need the support of about 15 Labour MPs.

Without the DUP's backing, the figure would be 25.

The Tories naturally talk up the prospect of winning over 30 Labour backbenchers, but that would be a tall order.

May might get a small number of Labour eurosceptics and MPs representing areas which voted Leave in 2016, but she would also need some pro-EU Labour MPs.

True, some of them would have a dilemma when May presents them with a choice of "my deal or no deal". But they could still reject her agreement and, if Labour and pro-EU Tories stood firm, prevent a no-deal exit too.

How? By voting to extend the March deadline and, possibly, for a final say referendum.Dozens of photographers demand the release of photojournalist Shahidul Alam during a protest rally at the Dhaka University campus, Oct. 16, 2018.

Bangladeshs government has not observed a one-week deadline imposed by a court to explain why it is holding photographer Shahidul Alam indefinitely without bail.

The High Court issued the deadline on Oct. 7 when attorneys for Alam presented his fifth formal bail request. The 63-year-old, one of South Asias most prominent photojournalists, was arrested on Aug. 5 for allegedly violating the nations online defamation law.

A state prosecutor, Bashir Ullah, said the government was not bound to submit a written response to the High Court ruling but would give an oral reply at a hearing on Sunday, Oct. 21.

In our judicial system, the government is not bound to submit any written reply for such court rules. We will make verbal presentation at the hearing on Sunday, Ullah, who is also a deputy attorney general, told BenarNews.

Ullah said the High Court was expected to hear the bail petition in case no problem arises.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam would present the governments opposition to Alams petition for bail, he said.

One of the photographers attorneys, Jyotirmoy Barua, confirmed to BenarNews that the bail hearing would take place over the weekend.

The charges against Shahidul are not correct. So, he must be given bail, Barua said.

Ullah said the government opposed bail for Alam because he had committed a seditious offense.



If found guilty, Alam could get 14 years in prison under Section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology Act (ICT), which criminalizes online defamation, prosecutors said.

Ullah said the section provided no bail for online defamation.

Alam had spread false and fabricated news in August during mass protests demanding road safety, Ullah alleged.

Given the gravity of his crime, he is not entitled to get bail according to legal practice and rule, the deputy attorney general said.

Mentally sick

Alam was arrested after he posted videos on Facebook and gave an interview to Al Jazeera television, in which he criticized the governments violent response to weeklong student-led protests over traffic-related fatalities.

The day after his arrest, a barefooted Alam grimaced and staggered as he was presented to the courthouse by uniformed officers. He loudly told reporters that he had been tortured while under detention.

In a recent interview with Reuters, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described Alam as mentally sick. She said she was convinced he had instigated trouble by spreading what she called false news about the street protests, which broke out after two students were run down by a bus.

Hasina also alleged that Alams great uncle was against the countrys independence in 1971, but offered no evidence.

But Alams wife, Rehnuma Ahmed, rejected Hasinas accusations.

I dont think people in positions of power should be saying things which could be read as attempts to imperil the investigation or to influence the judiciary, she told BenarNews in an email.

Local and international human rights organizations as well as media groups have urged Bangladesh to release Alam.

Earlier, Saydia Gulrukh, one of the directors of Drik, a Dhaka-based multimedia production company founded by Alam, condemned efforts by Bangladeshi authorities to link the photographer with anti-liberation forces.

She said Alam had used his own funds to set up the Drik Gallery in 1989 and actively developed photo archives in support of Bangladeshs war of independence from Pakistan.

On Tuesday, meanwhile, dozens of photographers and students demonstrated at the Dhaka University campus and condemned Alams ongoing detention.

We think the charges against Shahidul Alam are false. So, we demand his immediate release and withdrawal of the false case, Tanvir Murad, one of the rally organizers, told BenarNews.Residents carry a sign that says What happened, Marawi? referring to the destroyed southern Philippine city as they join a protest rally to demand that they be allowed to return to their destroyed homes, Oct. 16, 2018.

Thousands of Filipino Muslims displaced by last years gunbattles in the southern Philippine city of Marawi demanded Tuesday that they be immediately allowed to return to their destroyed homes  one year after the Islamic State-led siege left more than 1,200 people dead and turned the former Muslim trading hub into a virtual ghost town.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared Marawi liberated a year ago following a five-month siege led by Insilon Hapilon, the local head of the IS, who led fighters from the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Middle Eastern countries in taking over the lakeshore city of more than 200,000.

The Philippines, backed by U.S. and Australian intelligence, rained down bombs into enemy positions, scarring the landscape of the only predominantly Muslim city in the Catholic country.

But the militants engaged the security forces in fierce running gunbattles, and prevented the military advance by holding dozens of hostages they used as human shields.

Hapilon, however, was slain exactly a year ago Tuesday, and Duterte had promptly declared the siege over, even as troops continued to take potshots from militants trying to escape from the city for days later.

One year since it was flaunted that Marawi has been liberated, we do not feel liberation, said Drieza Abato-Lininding, a displaced Marawi resident who leads the Bangsamoro National Movement for Peace.

One year since we were promised the rebuilding of our homes and yet we still live in tent cities and temporary shelters, living off the overspent generosity of our relatives until now, he said.

He said the government had assured them that plans were being made for their return to the city, although the government has yet to present concrete plans.

The governments inter-agency Task Force Bangon Marawi (Rise Up Marawi), which was set up to lead the rehabilitation efforts in the city, had earlier said that the citys full rehabilitation would be completed by December 2021.

It had presented blueprints, although choosing the consortium that would lead the rehabilitation had recently come into delays. One consortium that was backed by a Chinese developer was disqualified in June after authorities determined that it did not have the funds to complete the project.

The government selection committee is currently consolidating its due diligence on another Chinese-led group, the Power Construction Corporation of China or PowerChina.

Task force head Eduardo Del Rosario on Tuesday appealed for the publics patience. The ceremonial groundbreaking for the rehabilitation of the 24 villages within a 250-hectare area hardest hit in the fighting would commence this month, he said.

The International Committee of the Red Cross estimates that at least 65,000 Marawi residents remain displaced, either staying with their relatives or in evacuation centers and transitional sites.

Security forces patrol the former main battle area in the southern Philippine city of Marawi, where the military engaged pro-Islamic State militants in five months of vicious clashes last year, Oct. 16, 2018. Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews

IS regrouping?

Col. Romeo Brawner, deputy military chief in Marawi, said there were still many unexploded ordnance in the area, making it dangerous for residents to check their homes.

But, he said, Marawi can now be considered the safest city in the country, the southern third of which remains under tight military control.

We believe the terrorists have already left the city, he said. However, we are not resting and are making sure the city is indeed safe because of the martial law implementation.

But the longer the evacuees remain in transitional sites, the greater the chance that they would be recruited by militant groups, who are known to offer money for jobless youths in the camps to join their cause, authorities and NGO leaders say.

Earlier this month, the International Alert Philippines, an NGO engaged in monitoring peace, warned that the Marawi crisis had shown that extremists had the ability to mount warfare with the government over extended periods of time.

And this likely points to their access to funds from many sources, including shadow economies, the group said, without elaborating.

Their organizational skills suggest some longevity to their actions, the group said in a study.

US envoy unveils project

Also on Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim unveiled the Marawi Response Project, which is backed with $26 million in grant money that would be used to build transitional shelters and jumpstart the local economy through livelihood projects.

We will help youth obtain the skills they need for employment, as well as link them to Mindanaos thriving production and services sector to help them find gainful employment, he said.

The project aims to organize dialogue and to increase mutual understanding to prevent conflict, officials said.

Yes, the US still sees the IS as the number one threat in Asia, Kim said. But we have to maintain a balance between operations and the causes of extremism.

Jeoffrey Maitem in Marawi contributed to this report.Imee Marcos, left, daughter of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, poses with her family upon arrival at the Commission on Elections in Manila to file her candidacy for a Senate seat in the May 2019 midterm elections, Oct. 16, 2018.

Updated at 9:35 p.m. on 2018-10-16

Amid much fanfare, the daughter of deposed leader Ferdinand Marcos filed her candidacy for the Senate on Tuesday, joining several politicians seeking electoral posts in the Philippines' rowdy brand of politics.

Midterm polls officially began late last week, with a slew of colorful nuisance candidates first submitting their candidacies for half of the 24-seat Senate and all 297 seats in the House of Representatives.

About 18,000 local posts across the country are also up for grabs during the elections that would take place in May next year.

The polls are seen as crucial for President Rodrigo Duterte, who won the presidency by a landslide two years ago, but whose popularity has taken a dent due to thousands of killings related to his drug war, a slowing economy and pervasive corruption.

On Tuesday, thousands trooped to the office of the Commission of Elections in Manila to cheer on their candidates, with blaring musical instruments and impromptu prayer rallies in this deeply religious Catholic country.

The day belonged to Imee Marcos, daughter of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, who was accompanied by her mother, Imelda, and brother Ferdinand Jr.

The Marcos family has remained a force in Philippine politics, 32 years after a peaceful people power revolution ended the dictators two decades of presidency, much of it under brutal martial rule.

Marcos was chased into Hawaiian exile, where he died in 1989, Imelda and the rest of the Marcos family were allowed to return years later.



Imelda and her children eventually were elected in government posts and despite the numerous criminal and civil cases filed against them, none of the Marcos heirs have been successfully prosecuted.

Anti-graft investigators say Marcos and his cronies stole about $10 billion from state coffers, much of it hidden in bank accounts abroad.

But on Tuesday, Imee Marcos refused demands by rights groups to apologize for her fathers atrocities, two months after she publicly told the public to move on from what was considered the darkest period of modern Philippine history.

If what they demand is admission of guilt, I think that cannot happen. Why would we admit guilt over something we did not do? Marcos said.

As we all know, these are political accusations that have not been proven in court. I think the country is really prepared to hear a new idea and our side of the story, she said.

Marcoses contributed to Dutertes campaign

Duterte has credited Imee Marcos for contributing to his campaign funds two years ago. He is also openly backing Marcos Jr., who lost his bid for the vice presidency in 2016, but has officially protested the results.

Imees mother, Imelda, plans to replace her as governor in the familys home province. Imees son would be the former first ladys vice gubernatorial running mate, local reports said.

Independent polls indicate Imees likely win, underscoring how the Marcoses went back to positions of political power decades after the military had turned against the former president as he was facing graft allegations and accusations of human rights abuses.

Ironically, Imee filed her candidacy at the same time that Chel Diokno, a human rights lawyer whose father was jailed during martial law, also submitted his bid to secure a Senate seat. Diokno has been condemning the thousands of deaths under Dutertes regime.

Marcos, Hitler, dictator! dozens of Dioknos supporters jeered as Imee walked to the election commissions office.

Asked what she thought of Dioknos candidacy, Imee said: I didnt recognize him. I am sorry I have poor eyesight.

Another senatorial aspirant, opposition leader Mar Roxas, also joined the fray Tuesday, saying that democracy is very much alive in the country, albeit under threat.

I dont have a quit on me. I dont surrender. I dont quit for our country. This campaign is not about 2016. This campaign is about today, about the future, said Roxas, who lost against Duterte two years ago.

Jeoffrey Maitem in Marawi, Philippines contributed to this report.

CORRECTION: An earlier version wrongly identified Chel Diokno's gender.The incident report stated police then viewed surveillance video of the alleged assault. The officer said the teacher is seen dragging the child out of class and then kicking his feet out of the door.He was the first convicted 9/11 terrorist and was imprisoned for 15 years in Hamburg. Yesterday, Mounir el Motassadeq (44) was deported to his home country of Morocco. On a holiday plane!

At 6.03pm, Royal Air Maroc flight AT811 to Casablanca departed from Frankfurt Airport with the terrorist on board.

Motassadeq had been a member of the so-called Hamburg Cell of death pilot Mohamed Atta, who steered one of the two planes into the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001.

Motassadeq knew the attack plans and allegedly managed the attackers finances. He was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment for complicity in murder in at least 246 cases (the number of people who died in the four planes that were crashed on September 11, 2001) and for membership in a terrorist organization.

The schedule of his deportation:

 Last Friday, the surrogate passport for Motassadeq arrives in Hamburg.

Auch Interessant



Handcuffed, blindfolded and earmuffs-wearing Moroccan Mounir Al-Motassadeq is escorted to a helicopter of the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei) in Hamburg Foto: JENS SCHLUETER/EPA-EFE/REX

 At 11.30 am on Monday, the police helicopter Libelle 2 lands in the inner courtyard of Fuhlsbuttel prison in Hamburg. A few minutes later, the helicopter departs again with the terrorist on board.

 At the airport in Hamburg, he is handed over to the federal police at 11.58am. In shackles, handcuffs, and a blindfold, guarded by two special forces officers and snipers, Motassadeq is led to a Puma helicopter. Their next destination is the Frankfurt Airport business terminal. They land at 2.17pm.

 At 5.17pm, Motassadeq is brought to seat 31 E  now without the blindfold, but still in handcuffs. Only now may the remaining 80 passengers board the Boeing 737-800.

 Two federal police officers are sitting next to him during the flight, plus another police officer in front of him and one behind him. He is wearing a red checked lumberjack shirt and metal-rimmed glasses. His beard is long, dark-brown, and groomed  the way fighters in the jihadist scene prefer it.

There is a meal at 7.11pm  chicken and vegetables with still water.

 The Boeing with Motassadeq on board lands in Casablanca at 8.02pm local time.

BILD INTERNATIONAL Osama bin Ladens bodyguard Deport him to Tunisia at last! Sami A. (41) has been living in Germany since 1997. He no longer wishes to return to his home country of Tunisia.

By now, some of the German passengers have realized who has been on board with them. Two business people from Frankfurt turn away and shake their heads. It didnt feel good to fly with someone like this, one of the men tells BILD.

The BILD reporter asks Motassadeq: How do you feel now, in this new freedom? Do you regret anything? The terror planner does not answer. He smiles. It is a chilling grin.Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, the truth about kids and the COVID-19 vaccine.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesFor Immediate Release, Monday, October 15, 2018 Contact: Taylor McKinnon, (801) 300-2414, tmckinnon@biologicaldiversity.org Trump Plan to Ramp Up Fracking, Mining in National Forests Threatens Climate Analysis: Forests' Oil, Gas Could Produce 2.4 Billion Tons of Climate Pollution WASHINGTON The Trump administrations plan to make it easier for industry to frack and mine in national forests would endanger the climate, wildlife and watersheds, the Center for Biological Diversity and other conservation groups said in comments submitted today to the U.S. Forest Service. The Forest Service shouldnt be complicit in the Trump administrations assault on Americas public lands at the behest of fossil-fuel and mining companies, said Taylor McKinnon, a public-lands campaigner at the Center. More fracking and mining, with fewer safeguards, would be disastrous for national forests and watersheds. Instead of weakening protections, Trump should clean up the mess the mining industry has already left behind in our forests. A Center analysis of federal oil and gas volume estimates shows that, outside of wilderness areas and national monuments, national forests contain 1.8 billion barrels of oil and 24 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. That would produce 2.4 billion tons of greenhouse gas pollution if fully developed  the equivalent of annual emissions from 601 coal-fired power plants. The proposed Forest Service oil and gas rulemaking would align its procedures with controversial new Bureau of Land Management policies that have been temporarily halted by a federal court because they prevent public input. The Center and other organizations are calling on the agency to improve transparency and public involvement in decisions about drilling, fracking and mining in national forests. The groups also want the Service to fully account for the toll fossil-fuel extraction and mining would take on public health, public lands, wildlife and the climate. Pushing new fossil-fuel development in our national forests ignores the alarm bells that world climate scientists rang loudly last week, said McKinnon. National forests and public lands are where we should stop fossil-fuel expansion first. On mining, the Trump administration has sought to use policies like critical minerals to justify weakening protections, which would worsen mining pollution.



The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 40 percent of western watershed headwaters, most of which are in national forests, are already polluted with mining waste. The mining industry leads the nation in toxic releases from mines, which create permanent scars on the landscape.Novel coordination of thyroid hormone with zinc promotes slow release of active hormone to supplement standard therapy

A new "metal-coordinated" drug-delivery technology potentially could be used to supplement the standard therapy for hypothyroidism, which affects nearly 10 million Americans, and many more patients worldwide, according to results of a study published in the journal Thyroid this month.

Researchers at Rush University Medical Centre have been pursuing an improved treatment for the minority of hypothyroid patients who don't respond well to the standard therapy. Now, their investigations into the way thyroid hormones given in tablets are absorbed and metabolized by the body suggest that a metal-coordinated molecule could prove to be a more effective therapy for all hypothyroid patients, according to Dr. Antonio Bianco.

He is a professor of medicine at the University of Chicago who was formerly a researcher and clinician at Rush, where the work detailed in the Thyroid paper was completed.

The new drug, poly-zinc-liothyronine (PZL), worked well in laboratory studies, Bianco said. Safety tests in animals and clinical trials in humans must still be conducted, and funding must be obtained to support that work. If all goes well, though, PZL could be offered to patients in only a few years, according to Bianco.

"We know enough about thyroid physiology in rats and humans that we feel confident that this drug is ready for prime time" in terms of working as well in humans as it has in the lab, he said.

The standard treatment for hypothyroidism is levothyroxine (L-T4), a synthetic version of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4), which in a healthy person is secreted by the thyroid gland. However, about 10 to 15 percent of L-T4-treated patients continue to have symptoms of the condition when treated, including weight gain, fatigue, lethargy, mood fluctuations, and problems with memory.

While investigating why minorities of hypothyroid patients still have symptoms even while adhering to the standard L-T4 therapy, these investigators discovered that, in rat models, a steady supply of liothyronine (L-T3) is necessary to "normalize" functional thyroid levels in the blood, and in such tissue areas as the brain, muscles and liver. That discovery gave new urgency to the hunt for a way to effectively deploy L-T3 over time in patients with hypothyroidism.

"A sustained-release L-T3 has been sort of the Holy Grail" in the field, Bianco said -- specifically, one that would perform well in clinical trials. PZL appears to solve that key problem and could be used in combination therapy. Bianco said. "When you take L-T3 alone, it's immediately absorbed. PZL isn't."

With PZL, T3 levels in the blood are "sustained over time with a delayed, but more desirable biological response," the study reported. As a result, PZL "minimizes post-dose peaks in circulating T3 typically seen with L-T3 administration." In other words, not only is PZL effective, but it also is less of a shock to the body.

If [PZL] is deemed to be safe and ready for clinical trial in humans, such trials can help determine if combination therapy can improve the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism.PHFI will provide technical support and hand holding to the state government in carrying out these courses.

The Bihar government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), New Delhi, to carry out medical courses designed to provide expertise to MBBS degree holders.

According to the MoU, the two medical courses, approved by Medical Council of India, which will be offered are CSP (College of Physicians & Surgeons of Mumbai) and DNB (Diplomate in National Board).

The courses will be offered in four subjects namely anaesthesiology, child care, obstetrics and gynecology and bacteriology.

PHFI will provide technical support and hand holding to the state government in carrying out these courses which will be initially started at three district hospitals of Saharsa, Purnea and Nalanda.by Mathias Hariyadi

"The positive impact will result in 6.54 per cent economic growth in Bali province alone", said Minister Pandjaitan. Indonesian companies sign 19 important deals with foreign partners worth a US$ 13.1 billion. Private sector representatives held 2,000 meetings during summit.

Jakarta (AsiaNews)  The Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Indonesia have highlighted the countrys place on the international scene and given a significant boost to its economy.

Delegations from 189 countries and 36,000 participants (finance ministers, governors of central banks, lawmakers, officials and experts) attended the gatherings (8-14 October) in Nusa Dua. In all, Indonesian companies signed 19 important deals with foreign partners, worth a total US$ 13.1 billion.

For Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, the excellent results will raise expectations vis-a-vis Morocco, the next host, and Saudi Arabia, where the G20 will soon meet. "Both countries have come to examine our organisation," the minister said.

Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs General (Ret) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, who organised the meetings, stresses that "the whole world recognises the success of the summit".

The former commander of Indonesias counter-terrorism forces noted that it "will allow the country to attract more foreign investment", which the government will have to protect. "The positive impact will result in + 6.54 per cent economic growth in Bali province alone", added Pandjaitan.

According to the minister, private sectors representatives held about 2,000 meetings. "The agreements signed during the Meetings cover various fields, including finance, infrastructure, prevention of natural disasters, e-commerce and tourism.

Based on the World Banks 'Ease of doing business, Indonesias ranking went from the 102nd to the 72nd position. President Widodo has ordered us to rise above the 50th position, and we are working hard to reach that goal," Pandjaitan explained.

The September 2018 report prepared by the World Bank states that over the past year the Indonesian GDP grew by 5.3 per cent, thanks to government policies and domestic demand.

"We have to admit that the Bali event was strategic to promote our nation and its various assets", said Sri Adiningsih, a member of the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres), speaking to AsiaNews.

For the expert, a professor of economics at the Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, the agreements signed by national companies is very significant.

"The most important thing, she said, is the follow-up to the trade agreements in the near future. Today Indonesia has successfully regained international trust and is ready for new business with foreign partners."PR Newswire

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 15, 2018

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, American Trucking Associations released the list of 34 professional truck drivers named as finalists for the 2019-2020 term of America's Road Team.

"ATA believes the men and women who work safely day after day to deliver our goods  truck drivers  are the best representatives of the trucking industry and we are inspired by the finalists for the upcoming class of America's Road Team," said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. "Throughout the evaluation process, we read and heard stories from truck drivers about pride, courage, and selflessness  the kinds of stories we are excited to share with the public, media and elected officials."

America's Road Team, a group of professional truck drivers with superior safety records, was created in 1986 to represent the trucking industry and is sponsored by Volvo Trucks. Captains, with support from their companies, dedicate a few days each month to attend industry events, speak at schools, or meet policymakers on behalf of the trucking industry.

The 34 finalists advance to the final round of the selection process, being held January 27-30 in Arlington, Virginia. A panel of evaluators, including industry officials and trucking news media representatives will judge the contenders on their knowledge of the trucking industry, dedication to safety, ability to communicate the industry's messages and overall safe driving record. The finalists, with a combined total of 90 million safe-driving miles and 946 years as professional truck drivers, are highway safety experts eager to share their experiences with the motoring public.

The newly chosen 2019-2020 America's Road Team will be announced on January 30 following a ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington. New Captains, after receiving their signature navy blue America's Road Team blazer, will begin working to share the industry's message of safety, essentiality and sustainability with the motoring public, media, business groups, public officials and their fellow truck drivers around the country.

Captains from the 2017-2018 America's Road Team, and previous teams, continue to serve as ambassadors to the industry and are called upon frequently to participate in safety events, speaking appearances and industry conferences.

"The trucking industry has millions of truck drivers who work tirelessly to safely deliver goods to our communities, so it is a major responsibility to represent that workforce as an America's Road Team Captain," said ATA COO and Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs Elisabeth Barna. "These finalists, and all the nominees, are valuable representatives for our industry and we are looking forward to meeting them in January and welcoming a new team to join the proud legacy of being an America's Road Team Captain."

To be nominated to serve as an America's Road Team Captain, professional truck drivers must be employed or leased to an ATA member company. Each nominee should have an excellent safety record, and should demonstrate an ability to communicate his or her commitment to safety and passion for the industry. Nominees should also portray a positive image of the professional truck driver in all that they do.

This year's finalists hail from 22 different states, haul a diverse assortment of products and materials, and range from short haul drivers to over-the-road drivers operating in all of the lower 48 states. The finalists represent a cross-section of the industry with experience ranging from 6 years to 55 years as professional truck drivers with anywhere from 600,000 to 6.9 million safe driving miles.

The finalists include: Ronald Baird, Hoffman Transportation/G&D Trucking; Thorntown, IndianaWilliam C. Bennett III, UPS Freight; Maytown, PennsylvaniaDale Brenaman, UPS Freight; Stamping Ground, KentuckySammy Brewster, ABF Freight; Powder Springs, GeorgiaJorge Chavez, Jetco Delivery; Houston, TexasTimothy Chelette, Big G Express; Murfreesboro, TennesseeJames Clark, Penske Logistics; Otter Lake, MichiganApril Coolidge, USA Truck; Mint Hill, North CarolinaScott Davis, ABF Freight; Kearney, MissouriJesse Wayne Dennis, Prime Inc.; Springfield, MissouriKen Duncan, Walmart Transportation; Gorham, MaineDouglas Frombaugh, FedEx Freight; Carlisle, PennsylvaniaWilliam Goins, Old Dominion Freight Line; Cloverdale, IndianaBilly Hambrick, Werner Enterprises; Yoder, WyomingRussell James, YRC Freight; Bonner, MontanaRonnie Luckadoo, UPS Freight; Forest City, North CarolinaGary Martin, FedEx Ground; Galt, CaliforniaWilliam McNamee, Carbon Express; Christopher, IllinoisDave Peterson, FedEx Ground; Blaine, MinnesotaTine Peterson, FedEx Ground; Blaine, MinnesotaBrian Petrovcic, ABF Freight; McAlisterville, PennsylvaniaRobert Preston, Werner Enterprises; Winder, GeorgiaRoger Price, TCW Inc.; Olive Branch, MississippiJeff Rose, YRC Freight; Creston, OhioRodney Rutledge, FedEx Freight; La Union, New MexicoRichard Slack Jr., TCW Inc.; Savannah, GeorgiaTheldorine Sova, Prime Inc.; Sacramento, CaliforniaJames Starr, Groendyke Transportation; Wichita, KansasClarence Taylor, Walmart Transportation; North Chesterfield, VirginiaPaul Wahlster, Holland; Rolling Prairie, IndianaNicolette Weaver, FedEx Freight; New Bloomfield, PennsylvaniaTodd Wilemon, ABF Freight; Fulton, MississippiJames Gragg Wilson, FedEx Freight; Reno, NevadaRonald Vandermark, UPS Freight; Delran, New Jersey

America's Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks, is a national public outreach program led by a small group of professional truck drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway. Follow America's Road Team on Facebook or Twitter.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ata-announces-finalists-for-2019-2020-americas-road-team-300731481.html

SOURCE American Trucking AssociationsReciba en su email: noticias de ultima hora, analisis tecnicos o el cierre de mercado

Email no valido Nombre requerido Recibira las informaciones mas relevantes del dia en tiempo real Que informacion desea recibir? Noticias de Ultima hora Boletin Cierre de Mercado Boletin analisis tecnico Boletin Fundsnews Debe seleccionar un tipo de boletin Acepto la Politica de privacidad Debe aceptar la politica de privacidad Responsable EMPRESAS DEL GRUPO WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Finalidad La remision de informacion, novedades y promociones Establecimiento o mantenimiento de Relaciones Comerciales. Legitimacion Consentimiento del interesado. Interes legitimo en el desarrollo de la relacion comercial Destinatario Empresas del Grupo WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Derechos Acceso, rectificacion, supresion, limitacion, oposicion y portabilidad Informacion adicional Politica de Privacidad de nuestra pagina Web + INFORMACIONPR Newswire

LONDON, Oct. 17, 2018

LONDON, Oct. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, visited Taronga Zoo to cut the ribbon at the official launch of the brand-new world class Taronga Institute of Science & Learning, a purpose-built research and education centre on site at Taronga Zoo Sydney and the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. This state of the art facility houses the largest conservation science team of any zoo in the southern hemisphere.

Their Royal Highnesses launched the Taronga Institute, which will put science on display, creating an inspiring and collaborative environment for future generations to become champions for change for the environment and the community. The Taronga Institute will enhance and expand Taronga's role as a leader in conservation science for wildlife and habitats.

Alongside the New South Wales Premier, Gladys Berejiklian and Director and Chief Executive, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Cameron Kerr, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were presented with their wedding gift from the people of New South Wales - namesake koala joeys. Following this, their Royal Highnesses were given a tour throughout the brand-new world class Institute, visiting:

Following the tour of the Institute, their Royal Highnesses were gifted platypus pins and a bouquet of native Australian flowers in recognition of the opening, before being invited by Mr Cameron Kerr to cut the ribbon and unveil the plaque, officially opening the Taronga Institute of Science and Learning.

The Taronga Institute is the latest milestone for the Taronga Conservation Society Australia, which also operates Australia's world-renowned Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo in regional NSW.

AssetsB-Roll and still assets can be accessed here.

For media enquiries or more information, contact:Madeleine Hanley, +61-423-366-918, [email protected] Duncan Fredericks, +61-400-447-191, [email protected] Fergus Buncle, +61-452-421-770, [email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/769698/Taronga_Institute_flower_presentation.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/769699/Flower_presentation_Taronga_Institute.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/769700/Industry_Science_Learning_laboratories.jpgHe has been an ambassador of Kazakhstan to Egypt since September 2020, before that, since April 2019, he was Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and even earlier, from October 2013 to February 2019, he worked as Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the UAE.Tuesday, October 16, 2018

A two-year suspension from the Wisconsin Supreme Court

Attorney Wiensch was admitted to practice law in Wisconsin in 1991. He has no prior disciplinary history. He was formerly a partner of Foley & Lardner, LLP, (Foley firm) working out of the firm's Milwaukee, Wisconsin office. At all times material to this matter, Attorney Wiensch worked in the firm's trust and estates practice group.

The representation at issue

While working at the Foley firm, Attorney Wiensch provided estate planning services to a husband and wife who were owners of a privately owned business corporation. Attorney Wiensch prepared a trust under the terms of which the husband and wife were the trust donors and their children were the trustees and beneficiaries. Attorney Wiensch drafted an Installment Sale Agreement, pursuant to which the husband sold most of his stock in the company to the trust in exchange for a promissory note in an amount in excess of $50 million based on the appraised value of the stock sold. The purpose of the stock sale was to transfer wealth to the clients' children, via the trust, free of gift and estate taxes and to ensure that any future appreciation of the stock held by the trust would not become part of the husband's estate.

After the husband died

An IRS estate tax attorney served as the examiner for the IRS in conducting the audit. The IRS attorney corresponded with Attorney Wiensch in an effort to obtain information material to the audit. In September 2012, in response to requests from the IRS attorney, Attorney Wiensch sent the IRS copies of an Installment Sale Agreement, a Collateral Pledge Agreement, and a Guaranty of Specific Transaction. Attorney Wiensch represented to the IRS that the Installment Sale Agreement memorialized the terms of the stock sale and that the Collateral Pledge and Guaranty related to the stock sale. The copy of the Installment Sale Agreement Attorney Wiensch sent to the IRS in September 2012 contained a defined value formula clause. Attorney Wiensch altered and misdated the Installment Sale Agreement he sent to the IRS in September 2012. He did not prepare this document contemporaneously with the stock sale. The Installment Sale Agreement the husband actually executed on an earlier date did not contain the defined value formula clause.

Attorney Wiensch also altered and misdated the Guaranty he sent to the IRS in September of 2012. He did not prepare this document contemporaneously with the stock sale. He copied the signatures of the clients' children from a different document bearing a different date and pasted the signatures on the copy of the Guaranty he sent to the IRS attorney.

The wife died after the IRS had issued a notice of deficiency

In a December 23, 2016, letter from his counsel to the OLR, Attorney Wiensch admitted that he had created the August 1999 Durable Power of Attorney to Make Gifts and the February 2011 Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Matters in late 2015 or early 2016. By email transmitted to the OLR on March 31, 2017, counsel for Attorney Wiensch informed the OLR that Attorney Wiensch conceded that he had altered and misdated the Installment Sale Agreement and Guaranty of Specific Transaction he provided to the IRS in September 2012 in connection with the audit of the husband's estate.

When the IRS pursued the web of deals

Attorney Wiensch created an altered Durable Power of Attorney to Make Gifts dated August 1999 by copying the wife's signature from another document. Attorney Wiensch never informed the IRS attorney or the Foley attorneys that he had altered and misdated the Durable Power of Attorney to Make Gifts that he sent to the IRS attorney in October 2015.

The IRS went to the children and the forgeries came to light

By letter dated August 22, 2016, the Foley firm informed the IRS that Attorney Wiensch was no longer with the firm and that they believed the August 1999 Durable Power of

Attorney to Make Gifts and the February 2011 Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Matters that Attorney Wiensch had provided to the IRS were not authentic and were being withdrawn. The Foley firm subsequently alerted the IRS to the irregularities later discovered with regard to the Guaranty and the defined value formula clause in the Installment Sale Agreement and the firm reported Attorney Wiensch's conduct to the OLR.

The court approved the stipulated sanction

After closely reviewing the matter, we accept the stipulation and determine that Attorney Wiensch engaged in the 13 counts of misconduct alleged in the OLR's complaint. We further conclude that a two-year suspension of Attorney Wiensch's license to practice law is an appropriate level of discipline to impose in view of the serious nature of the misconduct and the various aggravating and mitigating factors present in this case.

(Mike Frisch)

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2018/10/a-two-year-suspension-from-the-wisconsin-supreme-court-attorney-wiensch-was-admitted-to-practice-law-in-wisconsin-in-1991-h.htmlVIRDEN  For the first time since 1995, Virdens election race will include a mayoral competition, with two people vying for the seat.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 16/10/2018 (1127 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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Virden Mayoral candidate Murray Wright addresses the audience during the candidate debate at Tundra Oil & Gas Place on Monday. (Chelsea Kemp/The Brandon Sun)

VIRDEN  For the first time since 1995, Virdens election race will include a mayoral competition, with two people vying for the seat.

Current mayor Jeff McConnell is not seeking re-election, after serving in the position for the last 16 years.

Both mayoral candidates Brock Koop and Murray Wright joined a collection of councillor candidates during an all-candidates forum at Virdens Tundra Oil & Gas Place on Monday night.

"Its amazing to see how many people are actually interested in whats happening here tonight," councillor candidate Grant Gardiner said during the event. "Im really impressed with the turnout."

Gardiner was joined last night by fellow councillor candidates Tara Cowan, Lomer Girardin, Raymond Moorehead, Karel Munchinsky, Travis Penner, Paul Rhodes, Shannon Walowetz, Tina Williams and Whitney Wright, with more than 200 people showing up to hear what they had to say.

Cowan, Girardin and Williams are running as incumbents.

Virden council candidate Paul Rhodes addresses the audience at the candidates debate at Tundra Oil & Gas Place on Monday. (Chelsea Kemp/The Brandon Sun)

There has not been an election in Virden for the past two municipal elections, since all candidates were acclaimed into their roles.

Looking back even further, this months election marks the greatest number of candidates running for council in more than 20 years.

The main talking point coming out of last nights meeting was an emphasis on helping expand business in tandem with improvements to infrastructure and the revitalization of Virdens downtown core.

Council can tackle all of these issues by establishing a clear vision, Walowetz said.

Williams shared a similar sentiment, citing how the current council is working on development plans and planning bylaws to address the growing communitys needs both commercially and in terms of residential development.

"I dont think one is more important than the other," she said, adding that growing these aspects of the community has been seen as a means of developing the tax base without increasing taxes.

"We have to hold taxes where they are," Koop said, adding that they need to spend less on the budget while maintaining the towns growing needs.

The future of downtown was a top talking point on Monday, with various candidates expressing a keen interest in revitalizing the area, which one audience member described as an "eyesore."

"Were not the brightest looking downtown core," Wright admitted, pointing out that this did not necessarily reflect the success.

Dealing with potholes in a timely manner was also brought up by audience members and candidates.

Working with other RMs, such as Wallace-Woodworth, was addressed by candidates via a question from the audience. In the past, the town and the RM have not gotten along, but the current council is looking to work with the RM, Gardiner said.

Partnering with the RM when it comes to water usage and snow plowing were cited as potential opportunities.

Residents will have the opportunity to cast their vote in the general election on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

 ckemp@brandonsun.com

 @The_ChelseaKempBy Padraig Hoare

It is taking more than 200 days before many firms realise they have had a cybersecurity breach plus another 60 to remedy the damage caused, an expert has said.

Ward Solutions chief executive Pat Larkin says research has shown that 75% of firms breached were informed by a third party.

He was speaking as findings from the Magnet Networks Cyber Security Survey revealed more than half of firms do not even realise they have been breached.

Magnet Networks said a third of more than 250 businesses surveyed have no cybersecurity policy in place, with a fifth admitting either their security needs to be tightened or they are completely unsecure.

James Canty of Magnet Networks said: A new generation of cyber threats has meant Irish businesses are constantly under attack and they may not realise it.

The average time it takes a business to identify a cyber breach is 191 days, and in many cases a company may not know they have been affected until their data is sold on the dark web.

Mr Larkin echoed the Magnet Networks warning, saying the statistic on third party alerts was also stark.

He said: If this was a physical threat as opposed to a cyber attack, it would be the equivalent of someone gaining access to your building and roaming around undetected for more than six months, rummaging through your files and stealing confidential data, and then only finding out about it from someone off the street telling you they have noticed something untoward in the building.

The recovery time from a breach was 30 to 60 days, Mr Larkin said.

The breaches include malware being installed on computers, losing a laptop, data being stolen, funds being scammed or major outages.

Firms simply must get used to the formula of protect, detect, recover and respond. The level of sophistication is now such that it is not sufficient any longer to just have protection measures in place.

Between the time it takes to realise there is a breach to the recovery time from such an incident, you could be looking at nine months.

It is no longer a conversation with boards of if, but when a breach will take place, Mr Larkin said.Paddy Power Betfair has been fined 2.2m (2.5m) by Britain's gambling watchdog for a raft of failings including allowing a punter to gamble money stolen from a dogs home.

The UK Gambling Commission found "significant" amounts of stolen money had been gambled with Paddy Power's online exchange Betfair after it failed to carry out proper anti-money laundering checks.

Its investigation also found Paddy Power did not protect three customers showing signs of gambling addiction.

The commission's inquiry centred on five customers in 2016, including two who were allowed to gamble stolen money - one of whom had defrauded his employer, Birmingham Dogs Home.

Simon Price, who was chief executive of the dogs home, and his wife Alayna admitted cheating the charity in an 894,754 (1m) fraud over four years from 2012 to feed his gambling addiction.

Mr Price was jailed for five years at the end of 2017, while Mrs Price was given a two-year suspended term.

As part of Paddy Power's settlement with the Gambling Commission, the money will be returned to the dogs home.

The regulator also found three Paddy Power customers were allowed to bet "extensively" online and through its betting shops despite signs of problem gambling, which were not picked up after failures to interact with the punters.

Paddy Power Betfair will pay out 1.7m (1.9m) to charity Gamble Aware and just under 500,000 (567,000) to victims and impacted parties, as well as 50,000 (57,000) to cover the commission's investigation costs.

Richard Watson, executive director of the Gambling Commission, said: "As a result of Paddy Power Betfair's failings significant amounts of stolen money flowed through their exchange and this is simply not acceptable.

"Operators have a duty to all of their customers to seek to prevent the proceeds of crime from being used in gambling.

"These failings all stem from one simple principle - operators must know their customer."

PABy Geoff Percival

Providence Resources remains open to carrying out a drilling campaign at its highly-rated Newgrange prospect, off the southwest coast, next year.

The Dublin-based explorer has estimated it would cost less than $15m (13m) to drill and said work could begin in either 2019 or 2020, depending on the ability to bring a development partner on board.

At the companys AGM in June chief executive Tony OReilly Jr said farm-in interest, around Newgrange, was strong and that a deal this year would allow for a 2019 drill programme.

Providence is also due to carry out a multi-well drilling campaign at its flagship Barryroe field in the Celtic Sea next year.

While management has suggested there was no rush to finalise a farm-out deal this year, newly-published results from seismic evaluation work, which has been taking place for the last three months, has put the spotlight back on Newgrange.

The seismic survey has suggested hydrocarbon sources.

Providence said discussions with potential third parties are continuing and depending on the outcome of these discussions, drilling could take place in either 2019 or 2020, subject to regulatory consent.

The quantum of current seabed pockmarks, together with the positive geochemical analyses, support the presence of potential active source rocks in the area that could be charging Newgrange with either liquids or gas, said Providences technical director John OSullivan.

While Newgrange is frontier in nature, the material prospective resources and low drilling cost continues to attract industry interest and we believe these new technical data should serve to further bolster that enthusiasm, he said.By Geoff Percival

Analysts see Greencore shares suffering further on investor concern over its growth prospects in the UK.

The groups share price plunged nearly 9%, yesterday, as investors reacted badly to the Irish sandwich makers decision to sell its US business and revert to a sole focus on the UK market.

Greencore hopes to complete the $1.1bn (950m) sale of its US business to Hearthside Food Solutions next month.

The money will partially be used to pay off debt, but Greencore also plans to return cash to shareholders via a 509m (578m) special dividend.

Greencore is seeing around 10% growth in its main food-to-go offering in the UK and has long-term sole supplier status with a number of big-name food retailers.

However, Mr McKinley said the group will need further bolt-on acquisitions and/or the introduction of new product concepts to complement its food-to-go offering in Britain.

In the latter regard, he said Greencore may put some of the market lessons it learnt in the US to work in its UK operations.

Investors are likely to be concerned as to how much more they can grow in the UK, given now that this is the core focus once again, said Mr McKinley.

Greencore chief Patrick Coveney expressed confidence in delivering further growth and returns in what he called a dynamic UK market.

The proposed transaction would enhance our strategic and financial flexibility, which would allow us to build on our industry-leading position in our core UK market whilst also taking advantage of emerging organic and inorganic growth opportunities, he said.Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has backed down on his Halloween confidence and supply deal talks deadline after a senior official u-turned to say the crunch date was "never a deadline and more of a target".

Mr Varadkar's spokesperson accepted defeat on the deadline exactly a week after it was put down, saying while the Taoiseach still wants to secure a two-year deal he accepts it may take until December to forge an agreement.

In an interview with RTE News last Tuesday, Mr Varadkar put down the first significant marker in the confidence and supply deal negotiations by saying he wanted the talks wrapped up as soon as possible.

Dismissing Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin's plan to put forward "a review time-frame running up to Christmas", Mr Varadkar instead said he wanted a deal struck "by the Halloween break".

The deadline became a high-profile sticking point between the two leaders with neither willing to back down in recent days.

However, speaking at the weekly post-cabinet media briefing, Mr Varadkar's spokesperson said the Halloween date is now off the table, claiming "it was never a deadline, it was more of a target" and that the Taoiseach just wants to avoid any "dillydallying".

The u-turn by Mr Varadkar effectively means Mr Martin has won round one in the confidence and supply talks, which are set to begin in earnest next week after both leaders met on Monday night to outline the rules of engagement.

It also came as senior Fianna Fail TD and justice spokesperson Jim O'Callaghan - who is likely to be named on his party's four-TD strong negotiation team later this week - doubled down on Mr Martin's talks schedule, saying he expects a deal to be done by Christmas.

I would hope so, that we would know by then. As you know, I was part of the talks in 2016 at Trinity College. They went on for six weeks or so, maybe seven weeks, of all our lives down there.

"I would hope this process wouldn't take as long and that by Christmas we would be aware of whether it's going to be renewed or not," Mr O'Callaghan told reporters.

Speaking during the same media briefing, the party's Brexit spokesperson Lisa Chambers said: "There is no doubt in my mind London and Brussels are watching us so we need to ensure we do present that united front."

Meanwhile, it has separately emerged that Mr Varadkar has not spoken to ex-communications minister Denis Naughten since the Independent TD resigned from cabinet on Thursday - risking bringing down the Government in the process.

Mr Varadkar's spokesperson also said he did not know who in Government spoke to Independent TD Michael Lowry to guarantee his support at the weekend and rejected claims he has been given a personal deal to keep the Taoiseach in power.

The latest Ipsos/MRBI opinion poll published in the Irish Times placed Fine Gael on 33% and Fianna Fail on 25%, figures which are respectively up 2% and down 1% on the previous poll by the same group.Update; 5.50pm Brendan Howlin has told the Dail that Ireland has three demands in relation to Brexit:

Certainty that we will retain an open border with Northern Ireland

Guarantees for the rights of all Irish citizens in the UK

And a close East-West trading relationship between Ireland and Britain

Meanwhile, Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness has criticised the Labour leader for comments he made this morning.

Mr Howlin claimed a number of European member states are considering trying to kick the issue of the Irish border down the road.

There are no grounds for what Mr Howlin asserted - that suggestions are being made that the Irish backstop issue should be postponed.

"The European Parliament has stressed that it will not give its consent to a withdrawal agreement that does not contain a workable, legally operational and all-weather backstop.

The Brexit talks are at a highly intensive and sensitive stage and those who are engaged in the talks need the support of all responsible politicians who have Irelands and Europes best interests at heart.

Mr Howlin has been evasive about the source of the comments he claims to be hearing.

This is not a time for attempting to gain political capital by attacking the Irish Government position and I would strongly urge Mr Howlin to either back up the statement he made this morning or withdraw it, she said.

Ealier: Labour leader claims other EU states are thinking of postponing border issue in Brexit talks

The Labour leader Brendan Howlin has claimed a number of European member states are considering trying to kick the issue of the Irish border down the road.

It is the key stumbling block that is preventing Brexit talks between the EU and the UK from progressing.

President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, has said it would be a catastrophe if there was no deal on Brexit.

Brexit talks are stalled until tomorrow's EU Council meeting.

The proposed backstop, the deal that would prevent a hard border with Northern Ireland if no new trade arrangement can be reached, is proving contentious.

Mr Howlin has said he is now hearing reports other European countries want to kick to down the road.

He said: "I now hear for the first time that there are actually suggestions being made that the Irish backstop issue should be postponed.

"I think that is very dangerous for us and I think it's something we have to resist."

Fianna Fail's Brexit spokesperson, Lisa Chambers, has said there are lots of rumours flying around when it comes to Northern Ireland, but she maintained the backstop has to be dealt with at this stage of the talks.

Ms Chambers said: "It is my view, and the view of the Fianna Fail party, that if we allow that issue to get kicked down the road, we could find ourselves in a very lonely situation

Tanaiste Simon Coveney is due to meet the EU's Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier in Luxembourg before the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar travels to Brussels tomorrow for the EU Council's Brexit summit.

Digital DeskLee Hae-chan, chairman of South Koreas Democratic Party, is quoted saying that a visit might be possible. It would the first by a pope to North Korea. South Koreas Catholic Church is in favour of the initiative but also call for an improvement in freedom of religion in the North.

Seoul (AsiaNews)  Pope Francis could visit North Korea next spring, after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ardently invited him to Pyongyang, said Lee Hae-chan, chairman of South Koreas Democratic Party without citing the source

"I heard that there is talk that Pope Francis wants to visit North Korea next spring," Lee said at a meeting with senior party officials.

Lee stressed how important it would be for President Moon Jae-in  also of the Democratic Party  to deliver Kim's invitation to Pope Francis next Thursday when he is in the Vatican on a visit.

If the Pope did visit North Korea, it would be a first. For South Koreas Catholic Church, it would another step towards reconciliation and peace in the Korean peninsula.

At the same time, Church leaders said that in case of a visit, they hope to see some improvement in the status of religious freedom in North Korea.A young Irish woman who raised over 700,000 for pioneering cancer treatment in the US is on the way home from Texas.

Shauntelle Tynan confirmed that she was cancer free in August after she was diagnosed with a rare form of the disease in 2015.

Shauntelle moved with her family from Carlow to Houston last year and announced on Facebook this morning that she was finally on her way home.

Shauntelle suffered from a rare form of cancer and stole the hearts of the nation when her video to help get her to America for treatment went viral.

The 20-year-old smashed her original target of 500,000 and went on to raise over 750,000.

After receiving the news that the treatment had been successful, Shauntelle said: "The future obstacles I will face will be worth everything I've been through. Now I truly have a chance at life and will keep you all updated to how I grow in the future."

While she and her family were in Texas, she kept well-wishers up-to-date about her life and the treatment process through her YouTube channel, saying she wants to film the good parts and the bad parts of living with cancer.

In a Facebook post last week, the family said that their journey had been a "rollercoaster like no other".

They said that "against all odds we are taking Shan home in better health than we could ever have envisaged".

The Tynan family thanked everybody at home and in Texas for their help and support and also asked people to consider a small donation to The Gavin Glynn Foundation "who have been such an incredible support to us throughout this journey".

The family said that they are looking forward to "be waking up in our own home all together as a family for the first time in 602 days".

Digital DeskFlood defence barriers costing up to 10m are set to be built in Clontarf in north Dublin.

That is more than twice the cost of the flood defence plan scrapped seven years ago.By Gordon Deegan

A 30-year-old east Clare man has given an undertaking in court to stay away from GoSafe speed detection vans and GoSafe staff while on bail.

At Kilrush District Court today, Shane Malone of Derronan, Derrainy, Whitegate appeared charged with causing criminal damage to a 16 D registered Go Safe van at Cregg, Whitegate on September 30 last.

Mr Malone is charged that without lawful excuse that he damaged a GoSafe van belonging to Go Safe Road Safety Ireland Ltd and intending to damage such property contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act.

Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Garda Iomar McClearn said that Mr Malone replied: Ill pay for any damage that is done.

Sgt Aiden Lonergan said that the State has no objection to bail as long as Mr Malone agrees to certain conditions.

The bail conditions agreed by Mr Malone include that he stay away from GoSafe speed detection vans and GoSafe staff.

Mr Malone has also agreed to be of sober habits, be of good character and to be law abiding.

Sgt Lonergan asked that the case be adjourned to December to allow the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to get directions and there may be other charges being contemplated.

Addressing Mr Malone, Judge Durcan confirmed that the bail conditions provide that he stay away from Go Safe vans and Go Safe staff. Judge Durcan told Mr Malone: You probably never want to see a GoSafe van again.

In reply, Mr Malone said: I hope I never see a Garda station again. Im very sorry to be here today.

Judge Durcan granted legal aid in the case for Mr Malone and he remanded Mr Malone on bail to appear before Killaloe District Court on December 4.

In a recent written Dail reply on the operation of Go Safe, the Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan told Mattie McGrath TD that the Gardai last year paid GoSafe 14.6 million for the operation of GoSafe in 2017.

Minister Flanagan confirmed that the duration of the current contract is six years from May 1, 2017 with the option to extend the contract for an additional 12 months.

Minister Flanagan stated that the total cost of the safety camera contract over seven years is estimated at 100.4 million, including VAT.

He said: This represents a reduction of approximately 14% when compared with the cost which would have arisen over that time based on the charges under the previous contract.

Minister Flanagan explained: Under the current contract, GoSafe will provide an annual minimum of 90,000 hours of monitoring and surveying vehicle speed across 1,031 designated safety camera zones. This equates to a minimum of 7,400 monitoring hours and 100 survey hours a month.

He said: This represents an annual increase of 300 hours on the previous contract. The current contract also contains provisions for up to 1,500 additional monitoring hours within any calendar month and the option to avail of fixed, temporary fixed and average speed safety camera systems.

Minister Flanagan stated: The role of the Safety Camera Contract is critical in the context of road traffic enforcement, improving road safety by changing driver behaviour in order to reduce road traffic fatalities and serious injuries by reducing the incidence of drivers exceeding stipulated speed limits, in circumstances where speeding is known to be a significant factor behind serious collisions. As such, the deployment of safety cameras is determined by road safety considerations as opposed to revenue maximisation.

He added: The safety camera network has made a critical contribution to road traffic enforcement and, by extension, road safety, since its inception, and will continue to provide valuable support to An Garda Siochana in the context of roads policing.By Ruaidhri Giblin

A woman arrested on suspicion of slicing a civil servants throat told gardai that she did it because the Department of Social Protection were supposed to look after people.

Laura Kenna (35), of no fixed abode, is charged with the attempted murder of Fionnuala Bourke as well as assault intending to cause serious harm to the same woman on Lower Drumcondra Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 on January 3, 2017.

Arraigned before a jury at the Central Criminal Court on Monday, Ms Kenna pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to both counts.

Opening the case today, prosecuting counsel, Anthony Sammon SC, said the central issue in the case was the state of mind of Ms Kenna at the time.

Mr Sammon told the jury they would hear evidence from two consultant psychiatrists from the Central Mental Hospital. He said there would be a conflict in the opinions of both doctors and it was for the jury to decide which is more likely to be correct.

He told the jury that Ms Bourke, a civil servant, was walking home from work around 5pm on the day in question when she was attacked by Ms Kenna with a knife. Mr Sammon said Ms Bourkes throat was slit, she suffered severe facial scarring and it was a dreadful thing to happen.

Giving evidence, Detective Sergeant Ken Hoare told Mr Sammon that Ms Bourke was walking along Drumcondra Road away from the city centre on the side of the roadway where traffic was running counter to her.

Det Sgt Hoare said Ms Bourke passed the junction of Clonliffe Road and what is known locally as The Bishops Palace when she noticed a woman, Ms Kenna, sitting on the wall outside one of the houses on Lower Drumcondra Road.

As Ms Bourke approached, Det Sgt Hoare said Ms Kenna sprung up and pushed Ms Bourke backwards onto the grassy area between the footpath and traffic. He said Ms Kenna was on top of Ms Bourke and that Ms Kenna started to stab her.

Det Sgt Hoare said Ms Bourke could feel short, sharp stabs going into her upper body. He said she could feel her face and neck being slashed and she thought she was going to be killed.

The detective said Ms Kenna didnt ask or demand anything from her immediately prior but later said words similar to: If you give me your bag, Ill let you go.

Det Sgt Hoare said Ms Bourke managed to free herself and was at the front of the Bishops Palace trying to stop traffic. She was screaming that she had been mugged, that her bag had been taken and that she had been cut.

Central Criminal Court

He said an ambulance arrived at the scene and Ms Bourke was observed as having a large, deep cut across the front of her neck. It was 8cm in diameter and had penetrated through the muscle. It had cut through to the thyroid gland and there was a suspicion of damage to the oesophagus. Following a medical procedure, Ms Bourke spent time in the Intensive Care Unit.

Det Sgt Hoare said Ms Kenna was arrested the following day in Tallaght for allegedly making a nuisance of herself in Tallaght garda station. She had been identified from CCTV footage in Drumcondra Rail Station and gardai were seeking her as the only suspect.

Upon her arrest in Tallaght, Det Sgt Hoare said Ms Kenna was found to have blood on her clothing, a knife and items of property belonging to Ms Bourke.

The detective said he arrested Ms Kenna on suspicion of assault causing harm to Fionnuala Bourke. Upon being cautioned, he said Ms Kenna replied Im guilty. Yeah, I fucking did it. Is she still alive? Yeah I did it, I sliced her like you would a goat. You couldnt have stitched that up, I cut through her like butter.

Det Sgt Kenna said he cautioned Ms Kenna again so she understood everything she was saying could be used as evidence. He said Ms Kenna told him: She took my house away from me, thats why I killed her. Fuck her, from the Department of Social Welfare (sic), shes meant to look after people.

Counsel for Ms Kenna, Barry White SC, said the defence accepted the injuries sustained by Ms Bourke constituted serious harm.

Under cross examination, Det Sgt Hoare accepted that Ms Kennas comment in relation to the Department of Social Protection was likely to have come from an analysis of documents in Ms Bourkes handbag, after the incident. Thats the conclusion I would have come to, yes.

He told Mr White that the gardai had enquired into Ms Kennas comments regarding the Department of Social Protection to ensure the alleged attack was not related to the injured partys line of work. Det Sgt Hoare said the gardai had found no evidence that Ms Kenna ever had any dealings with Ms Bourke.

He said there was nothing conclusive to suggest the Department of Social Protection or any State agency had previously taken property from Ms Kenna.

When asked by Mr White whether he was aware of the medical evidence that would be heard in the case - that Ms Kenna suffered from a form of schizophrenia, that she was delusional and paranoid - the detective sergeant said he knew there history of mental health in respect of Ms Kenna.

When asked whether Ms Kennas suggestion about State agencies taking property or a home from her indicated some delusional belief on Ms Kennas part, the detective sergeant said that would be a bit of a stretch.

He said Ms Kenna was in receipt of social welfare payments and she may well have had her issues with that Department over the years.

Mr White asked the detective whether he was aware Mr Kenna was involved in another incident, two weeks before the incident involving Ms Burke, where Ms Kenna stabbed another woman which resulted in a jury returning a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. I believe so, the detective sergeant said.

The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Robert Eagar and a jury of seven men and five women.Gardai are appealing for witnesses and information following a shooting incident in Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

At approximately 10.45pm last Sunday a 30-year-old man was shot at Chaplins Terrace. Two men were believed to have been involved in the shooting.

The injured man was taken by ambulance to Tallaght hospital.

His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Investigating Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have information to contact the incident room at Ronanstown garda station on 01-666 7700, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station, they are particularly anxious to hear from motorists including Taxi drivers who have dash cams.

Digital DeskGardai carried out a search warrant at the family home of a man accused of murdering Noel Duck Egg Kirwan and found an envelope containing 3,200 in cash, the Special Criminal Court has heard.

Jason Keating (27), of Lower Main Street, Rush, Co Dublin has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Kirwan.

Detective Sergeant Maeve OSullivan, of Clondalkin Garda Station, told the three-judge court today that she was a member of the search team put together to search Mr Keatings family home on Lissadell Road in Drimnagh, Dublin 12 on May 2, 2017.

Det Sgt OSullivan told prosecuting counsel Paul Greene SC that Mrs Keating, the accused's mother, opened the front door that morning and her husband was asleep in the house at the time.

The witness said she searched a front bedroom in the house and found an envelope with 3,200 in cash inside.

Det Sgt OSullivan said she counted the money in the presence of Mrs Keating and then handed the envelope to the exhibits officer in the case.

She also found three empty mobile phone boxes including a box for an Alcatel mobile phone as well as a car key, she added.

Earlier, the court heard that a search warrant was obtained for the family home of Mr Keating on May 1 and it was executed at 7am the following morning. The accused was not present at the time of the search but his parents were.

Gardai also gave evidence that a Ford Focus car and a blue and grey McKenzie hoodie, both belonging to Mr Keating, were seized from his former partners house in Rush on May 2.

Mr Kirwan was sitting in his new car, a Ford Mondeo, at St Ronans Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 on the evening of December 22, 2016 when a gunman shot him six times with a Makarov handgun which was later recovered at the scene.

The 62-year-old, a long-time friend of Gerry the Monk Hutch, suffered eight gunshot wounds in total to his head, right arm, chest and abdomen. The three-judge court has heard that the murder of Mr Kirwan arose from a "notorious feud" between two criminal factions but the deceased had no connection with either side.

The deceaseds partner, Bernadette Roe, was in the passenger seat of his car at the time of the attack. They had just returned from a Christmas lunch in a restaurant in Crumlin with Ms Roes daughter.

The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Sinead Ni Chualachain and Judge Cormac Dunne.

Digital DeskGardai have detained four people overnight in connection with the murder of Jamie Tighe Ennis.

The 24-year-old from Artane was shot dead in Coolock in North Dublin in October last year.By Gordon Deegan

A judge said today it wasn't a swim job, it was a paddle job after hearing that a nearby river was only one foot deep where Gardai apprehended a 25-year-old escapee.

At Kilrush District Court, Judge Patrick Durcan made his comment after hearing an outline of Kilrush man, Anthony Sweeneys escape from Garda custody at Kilrush District courthouse in July 2017.

Giving an outline of the facts, Sgt Aiden Lonergan of Ennis Garda Station said that on July 18, 2017, Mr Sweeney was in the custody area of the court and was being disruptive.

Sgt Lonergan said that as a Garda prepared to put hand-cuffs on Mr Sweeney outside court to bring him to Kilrush Garda Station, Mr Sweeney ran and there was a foot chase on Moore Street outside the court-house in an attempt by Mr Sweeney to evade Gardai.

Sgt Lonergan said that Mr Sweeney ran through nearby woods and into a river in an attempt to lose Gardai during the chase.

Sgt Lonergan said that one member in pursuit of Mr Sweeney got into the river and arrested Mr Sweeney concerning his escape from lawful custody.

The sergeant said that Mr Sweeney of St Senans Terrace, Kilrush swung his right arm back connecting his right elbow to the right side of the Garda's head.

Sgt Lonergan said that Mr Sweeney did break free briefly while in the river and had to be apprehended once more.

Judge Durcan asked: Was this river deep?

In response, Mr Sweeney showed with his hands that it measured around a foot deep.

In reply, Judge Durcan said: It wasnt a swim job, it was a paddle job

Sgt Lonergan said that Mr Sweeney has 26 previous convictions. Prior to the case proceeding, Mr Sweeney told Judge Durcan: For the first time in my life I want a fair trial.

Opting to let Mr Sweeney off with the escape, Judge Durcan said: There is always a natural instinct - in every human, there is bit of a wild animal. There is that natural instinct.

Referring to the recent appointment of Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, Judge Durcan said: The other factor I have to bear in mind is that if I record a conviction in this case, it could lead to questions being asked.

Addressing Sgt Lonergan, Judge Durcan said: There might be a wisdom in not recording a conviction. I am not saying that from the defendants point of view, because new forces have come from the North - different approaches.

Mr Sweeney pleaded guilty to the escape and to unlawfully using a pedal cycle without the consent of its owner on Monday night at Market Square, Kilrush.

Recently appointed Garda Kevin Stapleton replied it is Judge when asked by Judge Durcan if Mr Sweeney is his first scalp.

Judge Durcan complimented Garda Stapleton on his Limerick hurler like speed when catching Mr Sweeney on his bike and arresting him.

However, Mr Sweeney interjected to say: I stopped actually.

Judge Durcan imposed a fine of 100 for the bike offence and took the escape offence into consideration and Mr Sweeney walked free from Garda custody.By Tom Tuite

A pregnant teenage girl accused of theft has been released from custody but must live with her mother after a judge refused to let a man claiming to be her uncle stand bail.

The 16-year-old girl spent the past two weeks in custody for repeatedly breaking bail terms set down by the Dublin Childrens Court.

Last week, she renewed her application seeking to be released to reside with the man who came to court offering to stand bail. Neither of her parents was present for the case.

However, Judge John O'Connor refused unless a court order in relation to her care was available. He also insisted a parent had to attend the proceedings.

When the girl's mother arrived at the court, the judge heard the girl still wanted to go to the man's address which the judge refused.

When she agreed to reside with her mother, the judge remanded her on bail to appear again later this month.

She is accused of stealing a 350 phone from a man at Dame Court, in Dublin, on April 6 last.

The teen also has a charge under the Casual Trading Act for unlawfully selling goods in a public place without a permit.

It is also alleged she stole cash and a phone from another man on a date in March at Anglesea Street, in Dublin city centre.

Earlier, she had been granted bail on condition she abided by a 10pm to 6am curfew and stayed out of the Dublin 2 area, where the alleged offences occurred. However, she had broken all these terms which led to her being detained.

Judge O'Connor reinstated these bail terms when he released the teen.

The man claiming to be her uncle, a foreign national living in Dublin, has come to her hearings and told the court the girl had been living at his house.

Judge John OConnor noted last week that this man has accompanied other teenage defendants to the same court for their cases.

Parents or guardians must attend proceedings at the Children's Court, he had said.

The girl claimed her mother could not come to court last week because she had to look after other children.

Pleading for bail, defence counsel, had said prior to going into custody the teen, who cannot be named because she is a minor, had moved to her uncles address.

However, Judge OConnor said the man had no legal standing in relation to the girl. He needed to see a court order or a parent had to come to the proceedings for bail to be granted.We listen to local police and fire departments scanner traffic, but sometimes miss crimes, wrecks, fires or other incidents, especially if they happen overnight. If you know of something were not covering yet, please let Managing Editor Jeff Pownall know by emailing him at jpownall@lufkindailynews.com, or submit a news tip online by visiting lufkindailynews.com/tips.By Sonya McLean

A man who was caught holding over 100,000 in cash told gardai he was threatened that he would be murdered as his cousin had been if he refused to hold the money.

Alan Kenny's (26) cousin, James Kenny McDonagh, was abducted in October 2011 and his body was found four months later in the Dublin mountains.

Kenny of Islandbridge Court, Islandbridge, Dublin was brought up along with his late cousin after his own parents died from addictions. He told gardai he had run up a small debt from his use of cannabis and was warned that if he didn't hold the cash he would end up in the Dublin Mountains like his cousin.

He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to being in possession of 106,950 believed to be the proceeds of criminal conduct on January 12, 2017. He has no previous convictions.

Garda Noel Donoghue told Gerardine Small BL, prosecuting, that Kenny was in the house when gardai searched it having secured a warrant.

A weighing scales, plastic cut-offs and bundles of cash were found in a plastic bag and a small safe in his bedroom. A taser type of firearm was also found.

Kenny was arrested but nothing came out of his subsequent interviews with gardai.

Gda Donoghue agreed with Matthias Kelly SC, defending, that his client was holding the money for someone else. He accepted his cousin had been abducted and his body later found in the Dublin Mountains having been shot in the head.

He accepted that Kenny claimed that his cousin owned the stun gun which he had for his own protection. He agreed that Kenny's fingerprints were not on the gun.

Mr Kelly said his client was orphaned at four years old. His grandmother cared for him until her death when he was eight years old which was when he went to live with his Aunt Jackie, James's mother.

He said his aunt had left James's bedroom as a shrine. She subsequently died and Kenny had been left the house. He never got rid of the stun gun, although he knew it was there.

Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case to December 18 next and ordered a report from the Probation Service for that date. She remanded Kenny on continuing bail for sentence.

Digital DeskBy Sonya McLean

A man who is serving a 10-year prison sentence for possession of a large amount of lethal weapons has been jailed for 18 months after he tried to secure a mortgage using bogus documentation.

Johnathon Harding (46) of Mc Neill Court, Sallins, Kildare came forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on signed pleas of guilty from the District Court.

He admitted using three false payslips from January 2016, February 2016 and March 2016, a false bank statement covering August 2015 to March 2016 and additionally a false payslip and false bank statement on dates between October 2014 and April 2016, at the Bank of Ireland on Drimnagh Road, in Walkinstown, Dublin.

Harding was sentenced to ten years in prison in January this year after he pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possession of nine revolvers, four pistols, a sub-machine gun, an assault rifle and various ammunition magazines on January 24, 2017, at a unit in Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Co Dublin.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt had suspended the final year of the term.

Judge Melanie Greally jailed him for 18 months after she heard that he provided Bank of Ireland with false documentation, including pay slips, a p60 form and a bank statement, to support an application for a 260,000 mortgage.

Harding was asked to attend at the bank with the original documentation but never did so and a few days later he withdrew his loan application stating that he had been successful elsewhere.

Judge Greally said the case before her was clearly of a very different character to that before the Special Criminal Court. She noted that there was no actual loss to the bank and that he had co-operated with the garda investigation.

The practice of trying to secure a significant amount of cash on the back of false documentation must be taken seriously, the judge said before she sentenced Harding to 18 months in prison. Judge Greally ordered this should be served concurrent to the term he is currently serving.

Garda Robert Lambert agreed with John Gallagher BL, defending, that it was a fairly unsophisticated fraud in the manner in which it was executed.

He accepted that a bank official immediately spotted that the bank statements supplied didn't appear right.

It didn't require microscopic analysis. It didn't even pass the sniff test. He was immediately able to identify it as false, Mr Gallagher suggested to Gda Lambert.

Gda Lambert told Sinead McMullen BL, prosecuting that concerns were raised in relation to the authenticity of the documentation Harding had supplied to secure a mortgage application for 260,000 on April 11, 2016.

It was later confirmed that the three payslips, a p60 stating he had earned 84,195 gross salary for the year and an AIB bank statement were all bogus.

Gda Lambert confirmed that Harding's home was searched but nothing of consequence was found. He was arrested in June 2017 and made full admissions.

Harding has eight previous convictions including the one from the Special Criminal Court and a six year term for possession of drugs for sale or supply handed down in 2004.The mother of a young woman who died by suicide because she was being bullied online is calling for a change in legislation.

Jackie Fox's daughter Nicole took her own life in January after she was targeted on social media for years.

There are currently no laws that specifically address cyberbullying.

Jackie explained when she went to the Gardai over the harassment, there was nothing they could do.

She said: "I've never been through this before so I didn't know there wasn't a law, I didn't know it wasn't an offence to attack people online.

"When the guards came and told me, I was just shocked, they said it was a grey area and there was nothing they can do about it until there was a law brought in."

Social media companies should be taxed to fund help for young victims of online bullying, according to People Before Profit.

The party is joining with parents whose children have been subjected to online harassment and calling for tougher enforcement of anti-bullying strategies on the internet.

People Before Profit TD, Gino Kenny, believes a tax on social media companies could fund anti-bullying programmes in schools around the country;

He said: "What we're calling for is social media companies to be taxed like a revenue-raising measure and that could be a tax on any revenue they raise in this country.

"A small tiny percentage of that could go towards anti-bullying education in schools."

According to People Before Profit, mental health services are not able to adequately help young victims of cyberbullying.

Mr Kenny said: "Young people are being failed and I think anybody will tell you that. Mental health services, getting access to them, particularly for young people is particularly hard because the mental health crisis is 24/7.

"We don't have that service in Ireland so until that is corrected I think young people will fall through the cracks."The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has overwhelmingly rejected pay proposals to address staff shortages in the health sector.

The INMO announced that 94% of its members have rejected the proposals and their Executive Council will consider industrial action at their next meeting on November 5.

The proposals by the Public Service Pay Stability Agreement involved an increase in some allowances and a reduction in the number of years required to become a senior staff nurse.

They said that nurses and midwives have rejected the proposals because they will not resolve the crisis which "sees high reliance on agency and foreign recruitment" in order to provide minimal staffing levels which nurses and midwives say are compromising safe patient care.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said: The clear message we have received from our members is that they feel abandoned and put upon by being forced to care for an increasing number of patients in poor and dangerous working conditions due to understaffing because of an inability to attract and retain nurses and midwives in our public health service.

"The HSE, this year, have failed to produce a funded workforce plan identifying the numbers of nurses they were prepared to recruit in the year 2018. There are over 1,100 vacant positions on a daily basis.

Ms Ni Sheaghdha pointed out that Government have not spoken directly with the organisation and said: We now require direct dialogue with government if a dispute is to be avoided.Research by Queens University Belfast has found a plurality of Irish people believe that Pope Francis did not do enough to address clerical abuse during his recent papal visit to Ireland.

Pope Francis made his first papal visit to Ireland in August 2018 for the World Meeting of Families.

Just 30% of Irish people believe that the Pope did enough to address clerical abuse.

Practising Catholics, defined as those who attend religious services at least once a month, differed from the rest of the population with 50% that they believed Pope Francis had gone far enough to address abuse.

The research was conducted in the form of a survey designed by Dr Gladys Ganiel, Research Fellow from the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queens.

There were 840 respondents to the survey, which was carried out as part of market research agency Amarachs monthly omnibus survey in the Republic in mid-to-late September 2018.

64% of respondents in the survey identified themselves as Catholic.

Additional key findings included:

31% agreed the visit had been a healing time for victims and survivors of clerical sex abuse. 36% disagreed and 24% said neither/nor or no opinion

23% agreed the visit had been a healing time for LGBTQI people and their families. 40% disagreed and 37% said neither/nor or no opinion

66% said their opinion of the Catholic Church has not changed since Francis became pope in 2013, with 22% saying their opinion had become more favourable

50% of respondents agree that Pope Francis visit was good for the Catholic Church in Ireland and Ireland as a nation. 75% of practising Catholics agreed with this statement.

Furthermore 80% of the respondents did not attend any of the events surrounding the papal visit, for a number of different reasons.

Of those, 51% said they did not attend because they were simply not interested and 30% said they disagreed with how the Catholic Church has handled abuse.By Ann O'Loughlin

Ryanair has received an apology in the High Court over two Irish Examiner articles published more than three years ago.

The airline's defamation action was over a front page article headlined: "Ryanair contract practice a threat to safety" and over a further article entitled "'Bogus contracts' blamed for pilot fatigue and safety fears".

Both were published on May 8, 2015, in the newspaper and online. Both articles were also promoted on Twitter.

In an apology read out today (Tuesday) by Eoin McCullough SC, for the Irish Examiner and Ann Cahill, he said the Irish Examiner acknowledges Ryanair's industry leading safety record and the Irish Aviation Authority's independent confirmation that Ryanair "fully complies with all European and international regulations in all of its operations" and the confirmation that the airline's safety standards are "on a par with the safest airlines in Europe".

Mr McCullough said the Examiner apologised to Ryanair for the damage caused by the publication of the articles. The paper has agreed to make a donation to a charity of Ryanair's choice, the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation, the apology stated.

Jenny Goode BL, for Ryanair, said the case could be settled and struck out. Mr Justice Bernard Barton struck out the case.

Afterwards, solicitor for Ryanair, Paul Tweed, said his client was very satisfied with the "total vindication they have received following the comprehensive retraction and apology announced before the court his morning, together with the defendants' acknowledgement of their unsurpassed safety record spanning three decades".Secondary school students all over Ireland will be giving up their phones for a day next week to raise funds and awareness for disability services.

Up to 104 schools have signed up to the Enable Ireland No Phone Survival Challenge, a fundraising campaign which sees students pledge to spend 24 hours without their phones on October 23.Rachel Tucker and David Shannon will star in the West End production of Broadway musical Come from Away when it premieres in December at the Abbey Theatre.

The musical, which won a Tony award for best direction in 2017, tells the true story of 7,000 air passengers stranded in Newfoundland, Canada during the wake of 9/11.

For those of you not in the know, Belfast-born Tucker is a West End and Broadway superstar, best known for her portrayal of Elphaba in the hit musical Wicked and Dublin native, Shannon has played both Jean Valjean, in Les Miserables and the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera.

Other members of the cast include Jenna Boyd, Nathanael Campbell, Clive Carter, Mary Doherty, Robert Hands, Helen Hobson, Jonathan Andrew Hume, Harry Morrison, Emma Salvo and Cat Simmons.

Heres a sneak peek of what you can expect Tucker's role as Bevelery Bass, American Airlines' first female captain.

Speaking about the announcement Neil Murray, Director of the Abbey Theatre, said: Come From Away has captured the hearts and imaginations of everyone that has been part of its journey, so far. We are delighted to be involved in bringing this beautiful, humane, uplifting story to Ireland this winter, for its European premiere.

Its a show with an incredibly generous spirit that, we think, will resonate deeply with Irish audiences, and we cant wait to see what this wonderfully talented UK/Irish ensemble will bring to the story

Earning widespread critical and audience acclaim, the multi-award-winning musical continues sold-out, record-breaking engagements on Broadway, and in Canada, with a 60-city North American Tour recently launched in Seattle, an Australian production confirmed for summer 2019, and a feature film adaptation in the works.

As many Newfoundlanders are of Irish descent, our accents are frequently said to be freakishly similar and with the opening scene of the musical narrated with a "throbbing pulse of the Bodhran", it looks like the musical's score reflects that fact too.

Our show begins with the throbbing pulse of the Bodhran and continues to twist, turn and evolve at the rapid-fire pace of the stories on stage.  pic.twitter.com/1vUwcriho4  Come From Away UK (@ComeFromAwayUK) October 6, 2018

The long-awaited West End premiere is set for February 19 but before it takes residence at The Phoenix Theatre, London it will briefly debut in The Abbey Theatre for a 6-week run, from December 6 to January 19.

Book your tickets hereBy Brendan O'Brien

Shane Duffy has declared that the Republic of Ireland players, rather than the management team, should shoulder the blame for the side's dismal run which continued on Tuesday night with a 1-0 home Nations League loss to a weakened Wales.

Martin O'Neill's side has won just one of their last nine games and now face relegation from the second tier of the National League - which would see the Boys in Green relegated to third seed rankings ahead of the draw for the Euro 2020 qualifiers.

This latest defeat will increase even further the pressure on O'Neill who has had to contend with criticisms over the team's style of play, the controversy over Roy Keane's verbal spat with Harry Arter and Jonathan Walters and the unavailability of Declan Rice.

Well, it's us out there, isn't it? It's us out there playing, said Duffy.

It is the players' responsibility to perform. They can tell us what to do but it is up to us to do it and we have obviously let them down. It is up to the players to take responsibility of it. It's obviously not good enough. I wouldn't blame them.

Duffy has also rejected suggestions that the squad is low in confidence right now.

I thought we played quite well tonight at times and it's just disappointing that we didn't get one in the back of the net early on. It would have been a different game probably. We're just in that rut lately where we're not winning as we used to.

Ireland need to beat Denmark in their last group game next month, in Aarhus, if there is to be any hope of avoiding relegation and the serious consequences that would come with that.

With Dublin set to host games as part of the Euro 2020 finals, a third seeding in the qualifying draw would jeopardise the Republic's hopes of playing matches at a major senior tournament on home soil for the very first time.

Yeah, but we're not looking at it like that, said Duffy. We have to believe that we can go out to Denmark and win and hopefully other results can go our way but, as I said before, we have a never-say-die attitude.

We won't give up now and we still have one more game to play. Whatever happens happens. Hopefully we can go out there and get the three points and you never know where that might take us.An eight-year-old boy in Berlin has been fatally injured by a log thrown from an apartment block, and prosecutors say that a 10-year-old is a suspect.

According to witnesses, the younger boy was hit by the log as he cycled past the 15-story block in the German capital's Reinickendorf district on Sunday.Megaworld Corp. will build its fourth Belmont Hotel in the 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park township in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the 12-story Belmonte Hotel would have 405 rooms composed of a mix of twin, queen, junior, executive and specially-abled suites for persons with disabilities. We have seen the huge potential of Iloilo as a tourism destination. With the Iloilo Convention Center as the main facility for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE), there is no doubt that Iloilo City needs another world-class hotel. And we are bringing another Megaworld homegrown hotel brand, which has gained popularity among business travelers since Belmont Hotel Manila opened in 2015, Megawworld Iloilo vice president for sales and marketing Jennifer Palmares-Fong said. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2023. Belmonte Hotel Iloilo, the third hotel to be rise within the township development, will be located along the 1.1-kilometer long Festive Walk Parade, just walking distance to the iconic Iloilo Convention Center and the Festive Walk Mall. It will have its own swimming pool with in-pool lounge, landscaped deck with pool bar and outdoor lounge, fitness center with sauna, function room, and an all-day dining restaurant.Megaworld opened its third Richmonde Hotel in 2014 in the Iloilo Business Park, while sister company Travelers International Hotels Group Inc., owner, and operator of Resorts World Manila, launched the Courtyard by Marriott early this year. Citing data from Iloilo City Tourism Office, Megaworld said tourist arrivals in the city had remarkably increased during the past five years. Around 1.08 million local and foreign tourists visited Iloilo City in 2017. Most foreign visitors came from South Korea, US, Canada, Mexico, and Australia. Tourism receipts, meanwhile, reached P19.8 billion in 2017 as registration for tourism-related establishments such as hotels rose by 55 percent to 1,605 last year from 2013. Megaworlds Iloilo Business Park itself is a tourist destination. Visitors come to the township to visit the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art, shop and dine in Festive Walk Mall, chill in Festive Walk Parade, attend events in the Iloilo Convention Center, or stay in our world-class hotels. We expect more tourists to come to our township as more establishments and attractions open in the coming months, Palmares-Fong said.The New York Police Department (NYPD) has reported that the city experienced its first shooting-free weekend in a quarter of a century.

The NYPD did not receive a single report of a shot fired for all of Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

According to department records the last time New York City went an entire weekend without a shooting incident was in 1993.

A shooting took place in Brooklyn on Thursday morning last and the next report of a shot being fired was in The Bronx yesterday afternoon.

The streak lasted 98 hours.

Commissioner James O'Neill said that the feat was "something not just the NYPD, but all New Yorkers can be proud of".

This past weekend #NYC had no shootings, a milestone we haven't reached in over a decade. My thanks to every member of the #NYPD for working hard to protect this city and to every member of the public who has helped us make this city so safe.  Chief Juanita Holmes (@NYPDChiefPatrol) October 15, 2018

Speaking to the New York Post, NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan said: "I really don't remember a weekend that no one was shot in the entire city."

New York's mayor Bill de Blasio commended the lack of gun violence over the weekend while speaking at an NYPD graduation ceremony.

"A city of 8.6 million people, not a single shooting for three days," he said, crediting the hard work of the police force and calling them "a winning team".

He referred to the streak as "extraordinary" and "amazing".

According to the NYPD CompStat figures, there have been a total of 600 shooting incidents so far this year.

This is down 2% on the same time last year.

Digital DeskClive Palmer had handed his fugitive nephew Clive Mensink a new job as the European chief of his Titanic II project, making him responsible for recruitment, training and negotiations and giving him a new London office.



Despite landing a new job, Mr Palmer said his nephew would not return to Australia to face the music over the Queensland Nickel collapse because liquidators have refused to cover his travel expenses.

Clive Palmer plans to 'play to the Jack and Rose in all of us' with his Titanic II project. Credit:Michelle Smith

Mr Mensink is the subject of an arrest warrant after he failed to return from overseas to answer liquidators' questions about the collapse of Mr Palmer's Queensland Nickel business.

Mr Palmer, chairman of the cruise ship company behind the project, announced the appointment on Tuesday and said Mr Mensink "offered extensive experience directing major projects".Nine of the 24 units in a new industrial development Northey Park at 10-12 Northey Road have sold prior to construction. Angus Clark and Ivo Redmond from Camerons said despite the high supply of small factory units on the market, the 165 sq m warehouse sold for their $396,000 asking price, showing continued demand for industrial units in Melbournes south-east. Construction of the development has started. 8A Wood Street in Nunawading sold at auction for $481,000. Credit:Gorman Commercial Nunawading David Minton of Gorman Commercial has sold 8A Wood Street at auction for $481,000 against an expectation of $400,000. The single-level 72 sq m shop with no off-street parking was leased until September 2019 with a three-year option. It returned $16,872 a year and a yield of 3.5 per cent despite a short time remaining on the lease, Mr Minton said. Ormond

A childcare centre leased to Think Childcare sold at a hotly contested auction with 78 bids for $2.96 million. Beller Commercials Liam Rafferty and Fred Nuncara said the 1256 sq m site in a residential zone sold on a yield of 4.9 per cent. West Melbourne A Sydney investor has jumped feet first in Melbourne landbanking, buying a vacant warehouse at 47-53 Capel Street for $4,235,000. The property sold at a land rate of $14,252 per sq m, CBREs Max Ruttner, Alex Brierley, Leon Ma and Guy Naselli said. Bulleen Three residential lots offered as a package sold to a developer for $3.25 million. The new owner, represented by Mollard Investments, intends to redevelop 54, 56 and 58 Thompsons Road as a childcare facility. Knight Franks Andrew Greenway and James Thorpe in conjunction with Paul Doherty from Australian Professionals Property Service handled the sale process.

LEASES St Kilda The colonel is coming to St Kilda in time for summer. KFC will offer its 11 herbs and spices fried chicken from the prime corner of Carlisle Street and Acland Street after signing a five-year lease over 90 sq m. Fitzroys James Spencer negotiated the lease, which includes a five-year option, for 70A Acland Street at $80,000 per annum net. KFC is currently undertaking its fitout at the base of the apartment complex. Melbourne Two suites at 45 William Street have been leased to agricultural technology group The Yield and software solutions company Vesta Partners. Colliers Internationals Zak Seccull and Milly Stockdale negotiated the deals at gross face rents around $490 per sq m. The Yield relocated from serviced offices in Docklands and will occupy 180 sq m on Level 9 for three years while Vesta Partners will relocate from Southbank and occupy 3556 sq m on Level 7 for five years.

Haircare retailer FicceCode has leased space in Swanston Street. Credit:CBRE Melbourne A small 28 sq m shop at 107 Swanston Street has been leased to global haircare wholesaler FicceCode for their first retail store in Australia. The shop, previously occupied by Charles Rose Jewellers, was leased at a rental of $249,000 on a five-year deal negotiated by CBREs Zelman Ainsworth, Tan Thach and Samantha Hunt. Cremorne A stand-alone 180 sq m office at 2/11 Amsterdam Street has been leased to Social Blue on a two-year lease at gross face rent of $500 per sq m, Colliers Internationals Chris Meehan said. In another deal, Mr Meehan and Matt Cosgrave leased a 400 sq m strata office in the heart of Lygon Street, Carlton, to Trinity College at gross face rent of $400 per sq m. Level 3 at 252 Lygon Street was leased for two years.

South Yarra Freight firm Pack & Send has agreed on a new lease at 31 Toorak Road. Teska Carsons Luke Bisset said the 94 sq m premises was let at $38,000 per annum net on a five-year term with a five-year option. Pack & Send will move from its current premises on Commercial Road. Blackburn Electrical wholesaler Lawrence and Hanson has moved into the second floor of 1 Chapel Street, occupying about 2000 sq m of office space. The group consolidated staff from two offices paying landlord Vantage Property Investments about $345 per sq m for a 10-year lease, said CBREs Gianni Macdonald and Knight Franks James Treloar. CamberwellAs Telstra chairman John Mullen defended the telco giant's executive pay and broader strategy at its annual meeting in the face of a fierce backlash from investors, some retail shareholders present had other issues on their minds.

"All I really need is possibly a man from Telstra to turn up with a shovel," said Rowan Weir, from Cremorne Point in Sydney, who complained about damage to a concrete box on her property from a recent NBN installation.

Shareholders assembled at the Hilton in Sydney for Telstra's AGM. Credit:Nick Moir

"I could go on for days... but it is absolutely impossible to find someone to take responsibility."

Such is the nature of annual meetings for Telstra, the nation's most widely held stock with 1.4 million retail shareholders, many of them retirees who depend on the company's dividends and those dividends used to be more generous than they are now.The election of the Philippines to another term in the UN Human Rights Council is an implied vote of confidence by the international community on President Rodrigo Dutertes war against illegal drugs and criminality, a reelectionist congressman said on Tuesday. Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur also said that the Philippines election to the UNHCR should prod Malacanang to maintain the anti-illegal drugs campaign. Villafuerte said the Philippines reelection to the UNHRC should mute the political noise generated by his critics who have been bellyaching about human rights non-issues ever since he won the presidency in 2016. This incessant bellyaching about supposed human rights concerns has become a lost cause for the political opposition in the face of this virtual stamp of approval from the global community but also the overwhelming support of Filipinos for the Presidents anti-drugs campaign as reflected in the results of public opinion polls on his watch, Villafuerte said. On Oct. 12, the country retained its seat in the 47-member UNHCR and will serve for three more years ending 2021. It received 165 out of the 192 votes cast. Earlier, Villafuerte said local government officials have an obligation to their constituents to support the Presidents relentless war against narco-traffickers and their cohorts in the government and the police.In 2016, Villafuerte filed a bill seeking to create a drug rehabilitation center in Libmanan, Camarines Sur. He added that barangay officials can also assist the national government in rehabilitating drug users by helping drug dependents who can still be treated as outpatients in their localities. He said many drug rehabilitation cases can still be treated as outpatient cases. Thus, theres no need to confine them in rehabilitation centers. If we can address cases in the barangay level through the assistance of barangay health workers, we would be addressing the problem at the grassroots and could thus prevent further deterioration of drug rehab cases.Beijing: China has a new buzz word in its trade war with Donald Trump, and Australia's former competition tsar Allan Fels says it could be a "big step" forward for the communist state.

The Trump Administration has attacked China's economy as being dominated by state-owned enterprises, which rank as some of the biggest companies in the world, with combined revenue of $US3.38 trillion ($4.73 trillion) last year.

China is using some Australian inspiration in its trade battle with Trump. Credit:Bloomberg

As it wages a multi-billion dollar tariff war, the US also wants new rules for the World Trade Organisation that curb China's state companies, which it claims are unfairly competing with US firms.

Instead, China's reserve bank governor Yi Gang announced Beijing is considering applying a "competitive neutrality" policy. The term has reverberated across the front pages of Chinese state newspapers this week, with business magazine Caixin saying it was first proposed by the Australian government in 1996.The school library is fighting for its survival.

In many Australian schools, libraries are being starved of funding and run by unqualified staff. Some new schools are even being built without libraries.

Australian Childrens Laureate and best-selling author Morris Gleitzman is backing a new campaign that hopes to highlight these issues and educate people about the importance of school libraries.

Mazenod College has invested a lot of resources into its new library. Credit:Jason South

School libraries represent the best and worst of libraries, he said.London: Pippa Middleton, the younger sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, has given birth to her first child, a boy.

A spokeswoman for Middleton and her banker husband James Matthews said the baby was born on Monday at 1.58pm London time, weighing 3.88 kilograms.

"Everyone is delighted and mother and baby are doing well," she said.

James and Pippa Matthews (left) attending the wedding of Princess Eugenie on Friday. Credit:AP

The baby is believed to have been born in the Lindo Wing of St Marys Hospital in Paddington, London  the same hospital her sister has used to give birth to all three Cambridge children.The latest bout of volatility on the Australian sharemarket continues to be led by a sell-off of stocks in the big banks.

The share prices of the banks were already on the slide before sharemarkets were hit by a wave of selling that started last week and has continued into this week.

Over the past year, big bank share prices have fallen between 14 per cent and 21 per cent.

The wall of worry faced by shareholders over banking stocks is getting higher. Three of the big four report their full-year earnings in the next couple of weeks and those results are shaping up as the biggest test for the banks since the global financial crisis.

ANZ, NAB and Westpac have already flagged to the market that their profits will take a hit.David Harold Eastman wrote a chilling and prophetic letter to his German pen friend a year before the murder of police chief Colin Winchester, prosecutors told a jury on Tuesday.

The former public servant had written in December 1987 that he wanted to kill his neighbour Andrew Russo, the witnesses to their carpark altercation and the bastard police.

Now you know the truth, he wrote to the pen friend Irene Finke.

Prosecutor Murugan Thangaraj SC told the jury Mr Eastman "was deadly serious"."Congratulations on the new bub! So happy for you!"

Stephanie Murray's phone hasn't stopped buzzing this morning with joke texts from friends and family. It's a side effect of looking exactly like the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.

Markle lookalike Stephanie Murray 'could never have dreamt' this would be her life in 2018. Credit:Jamila Toderas

The world is abuzz with news of Meghan's pregnancy on Tuesday, just hours after the princess and Prince Harry touched down in Australia for a 14-day royal visit.

It's a big day for Canberra-based retail manager turned professional impersonator Murray, who is in hot demand for media interviews and mock advertising campaigns while the prince and princess are in the country.He founded Clean Up Australia as Clean Up Sydney Harbour, and the following year his idea went national before going international in 1993. In 1998, Ian Kiernan announced he would patrol the harbour, monitoring its cleanliness. Credit:John Reid And although that first event in Sydney Harbour was a great success, he said in 2015 that he never could have anticipated Clean Up Australia's ultimate impact across the country, 25 years later. "No, I had no idea we would gain the level of success we have," he said at the time. "We had 40,000 volunteers turn up for Clean Up Sydney Harbour [in 1989], but it's just gone on and on from there.

"Australians have a great history of being very keen volunteers. They are used to rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck into a challenge, and that's what they've done with Clean Up Australia. It's a very simple idea, but the community has taken it up. They own it." Prime Minister Scott Morrison paid tribute to Mr Kiernan's legacy, saying his passion for oceans and coast struck a chord with all Australians. "The thing I think Ian did more than anything else was just tap us all on the shoulder and say 'Hey, we've got to take care of this, this is our responsibility'," Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday. "For that, Ian, I want to say thank you. I want to say thank you for what you've done for our country. "To his friends and to his family and to his loved ones, we express our deepest sympathies and our condolences." Born near Sydney Harbour

Ian Bruce Carrick Kiernan was born near Sydney Harbour on October 4, 1940, but was educated in the country, at Armidale in northern NSW. Loading After graduating from Sydney Technical College as a builder, he later specialised in historic restorations. A keen yachtsman, Kiernan sailed competitively for more than 40 years. In 1987 he represented Australia in the BOC world yacht race. He set the Australian record for a solo sail around the world, finishing in sixth place. It was touring the seas where Kiernan became dismayed at the level of pollution - plastic bags, nappies, bottles and cans - clogging the world's waterways.

He organised community event Clean Up Sydney Harbour in January 1989. More than 40,000 volunteers joined the effort, and a year later the national campaign was set in motion. In 1993 he took his vision to the world stage, creating Clean Up the World, with 30 million volunteers from 80 countries participating. Mr Kiernan's environmental efforts were first recognised by the Australian government in 1991

when he was awarded the medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). In 1994 he was named

Australian of the Year, and in 1995 he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). In 1998 he was awarded the Sasakawa Environment prize by the United Nations Environment program for "mobilising tens of millions of people around the globe". Media commentator Phillip Adams called him "the greatest garbo since Greta".

In 2014, he was fined $1000 and had his licence suspended for six months following a mid-range drink-driving charge. Loading Last year his name was among other worthy Australians in the running to be emblazoned on the side of a Sydney ferry. But in a move that stunned the public, NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance made a "captain's call" and opted instead for Ferry McFerryface. FOI documents showed Kiernan's name had received the most public votes in a naming competition that cost taxpayers $100,000. Following the news Kiernan blasted the Transport Minister.If you like dining without a soundtrack, the experience had by Susan Rowe of St Ives paints a pleasant picture: "Perhaps readers will be interested to know that we enjoyed a cup of coffee WITHOUT MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND at The Art Gallery of NSW this morning. We heard only the sound of people conversing and coffee and food being prepared. Sublime. Is it the only cafe left in Sydney where this experience is possible? This, coupled with the exhibition of paintings from The Hermitage, made for a satisfying morning."

On hearing of The Call of God (C8), Peter Miniutti of Ashbury ponders: I wonder what Gods global roaming charges must be? Sky high.

In another tale of illicit schoolyard smoking (C8), Austin Rummery of Armidale says: At my wifes 50th year school reunion, one ex-student told of paying his friend two shillings to borrow his prefects blazer. During recess, the principal and the deputy were standing on the balcony when the principal pointed to a number of students gathered near the boys toilets and told the deputy they were probably smoking and that he would have to do something about it. The deputy looked and then replied confidently that there was no need because he could see a prefect going down there now to sort it out'. You could say he created a smoke-screen.

"Aside from the school toilet smoking anecdotes, what about this?" writes David Baird of Burradoo. "1971, Queanbeyan West Public School, end-of-year, lunchtime, about 36 degrees. I was obliged to crash and terminate a party in which two 6th class lads, celebrating the occasion, were getting stuck into a long-neck of warm Tooth's DA, the aroma of which could barely compete with urinal deodoriser. What a happening scene." Surely warm DA would be a punishment in itself.

"The first jacaranda bells are starting to break open. Time to wish all the HSC and uni students good luck for their exams," says Nedra Orme of Neutral Bay.A cyclist hit by a car at a busy Brisbane CBD intersection late Tuesday morning has been taken to hospital with a neck injury.

The man was conscious and lying on the ground at the intersection of Adelaide and Creek streets while he was treated by paramedics by 10.45am.

The man was hit at the intersection of Adelaide and Creek streets shortly before 10.45am. Credit:Cameron Atfield

Police blocked off the intersection to let ambulance crews treat the man's injuries.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the cyclist had been taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital with a neck injury.The 35-year-old has admitted killing his former No.1 client and hiding his body in storage after their business relationship soured over allegations Ma stole the money.

Danh Ma, father of Trung The Ma is seen leaving the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Monday. Credit:AAP

Trung The Ma is fighting a murder charge on mental health grounds for repeatedly and fatally striking spiritual guru Huegio Bonham in the head during a confrontation over $700,000 in February 2014.

A Brisbane financial planner who claims he was mentally ill, killed his blackmailer with a hammer when faced with losing his reputation or handing over his client list, a court has been told.

This, coupled with his self-reported depression and an acute stress reaction to Mr Bonham's ultimatum, created a set of symptoms that amounted to an abnormality of the mind when he killed the 63-year-old, he said.

Ma told Dr Aboud in the moments before he struck Mr Bonham the room slowed and he felt his client was his father, who had criticised him as a child.

"I was outside of myself, actually looking at myself. I could see I had a hammer in my hand," Dr Aboud said, reading Ma's comments during his 2017 assessment of the man.

"Then the room became blindingly bright and time slowed down into slow motion ... I could see it happening from the third person perspective, I could see myself striking him with the hammer ... but I couldn't stop myself."

Dr Aboud said Ma recalled three strikes to Mr Bonham's head before he realised he was dead.Facing criticism from some sector over its decision to probe erring local government officials, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said on Tuesday they have the authority to conduct their own investigation. DILG spokesman Jonathan Malaya said the agency is investigating at least 37 towns and cities for alleged irregularities in their disbursement of public funds. The DILG has tapped the CIDG to conduct the investigation after receiving complaints regarding fixers, scalawag officials, and poor government services through government hotline 8888 and the National Action Center. Malaya said at least 300 local government units were the subject of the complaints. Most of these cases, in turn, are referred to the Ombudsman. If we see na medyo seryoso, alangan naman po kaming umupo na lang. We have to do something about it. Lahat ng nire-refer namin sa Ombudsman, alam niyo bang libo-libong kaso ang nasa Ombudsman at ilan lang ang tao nila, he said. Malaya said by its mandate, the DILG has control over local government units as stated in Republic Act 6795 or Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990. Unang-una, walang batas na nagsasabi na ang Ombudsman ang may authority over corruption cases. As a matter of fact, nandiyan din ang Commission on Audit, tumutulong din sa Ombudsman. Nandiyan din ang Civil Service Commission, puwede ka ring mag-file ng kaso sa CSC. Nandiyan ang PNP at DILG. Bakit DILG? Kase kami ang departamento ng mga LGUs at pangalawa, meron kaming batas, ang aming DILG Act, RA 6975. Nandoon ang authority ng DILG, general supervision over local government units, he explained. A recent report said that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has commanded a municipal accountant to appear in their office and produce documents that would prove that the LGU that the accountant represents have complied with government requirements in the disbursement of funds. The CIDG reportedly said that said failure to comply without adequate cause...shall be deemed an Indirect Contempt of Court, which is punishable by a fee of up to P5,000 and/or at most one month in prison. The letter was signed by CIDG director Roel Obusan, one of three persons allowed by the controversial Republic Act (RA) 10973 to issue a subpoena in aid of an ongoing investigation. CIDG chief legal officer Joseph Orsos, the person-in-charge of drafting the subpoenas, said the agency is preparing a petition for indirect contempt against government accountants who refuse to honor the subpoenas. But human rights lawyer Jose Manuel Diokno said he finds the investigations alarming and highly unusual. Ngayon ko lang na-encounter na iyong PNP (Philippine National Police) iyong humihingi ng ganyan...Bakit ang CIDG ang nagi-imbestiga niyan? 'Di ba dapat Ombudsman (This is the first time Ive encountered the PNP demanding such documents. Why is the CIDG the one investigating these matters? Isnt it supposed to be the Ombudsman)? he said. Meanwhile, Professor Ela Atienza, University of the Philippines professor of Political Science Department, said the DILG and PNP should be fair in investigating corruption cases against LGUs. Usually, Ombudsman talaga ang may kapangyarihan para mag-subpoena, mag-investigate. Ang sinasabi nilang dahilan kung bakit binigyan ng kapangyarihan itong CIDG to subpoena personnel sa local government para raw matulungan ang Ombudsman at saka yung prosecutors. Usually kasi sa prosecutors, ang nagiging problema kulang sila sa impormasyon. Hindi nila nakukuha lahat. Hindi naman mawawala ang usual process sa investigation paggamit ng Ombudsman pero tutulungan ng DILG through CIDG, Atienza said. Ang iba ang fear nila, malapit na kase ang eleksiyon. So yung timing din ng mga pagkakaroon ng investigation, kase ang nangyayari dati may mga instances na ang mga tatakbo, tumatakbo o kaya mga opposition na mayors at governors, minsan, nagagamit ang DILG para gipitin sila, he added.But Malaya explained that part of the Bantay Corruption program of the DILG is to investigate the cases with the help of the of the Philippine National Police. Ang Philippine National Police, ay parte ng DILG. Its an agency of the Department of Local and Interior Government so minabuti namin na ibigay sa ahensiyang may authority at the same time, may karanasang mag-imbestiga, yun na nga yung PNP, at ang PNP naman, ibinigay sa CIDG, he said. The DILG has endorsed around 300 cases to the PNP-CIDG for investigation. A total of 37 LGU accountants or representatives were subpoenaed using subpoena powers of the CIDG. Ang lahat ng makakalap nating imbestigasyon ay ipo-forward po namin sa Ombudsman yan. At imbes na ang Ombudsman ang mag-imbestiga, ang kanilang field investigation office, na punong-puno po ng trabaho yan kaya ang tagal umusad ang kaso. We will forward all the evidences that we have acquired, Malaya said. He, however, that the DILG will not release of the LGUS concerned because this would be unfair, as the election season has started. It would also be unfair, na nasa investigation stage pa lang, we are already crucifying these mayors. Filing na ng COCs ngayon, baka sabihin, pakana ng kalaban.Which is why, number one, ayaw naming ilabas ang pangalan because sasabihin talaga yan, witchhunting yan, Malaya said. The DILG official said most of the complaints were about officials who had failed to disclose properties or business interests in their SALN. If proven, officials may be charged with serious dishonesty or neglect of duty. Also on the list of complaints were incidents of the no bidding or irregular bidding, where violators face conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and grave misconduct. The list also includes are LGU projects that were not consulted or approved by the Sanggunian. Sa requirements kasi, all contracts, all projects will have to go through Sanggunian approval. Ang ganiyang kaso ay grave misconduct yan, Malaya said. Also in the list is related to the release of public funds, like illegal disbursement or diversion of public funds for another purpose, while another is unliquidated cash and sixth is nepotism. Malaya said it is the job of the DILG to go against corrupt LGUs, election time or not. Just because parating na ang eleksiyon eh hindi kami mag-iimbestiga. Tungkulin po natin yan na aksiyunan ang reklamo ng ating mga kababayan. And if the public officials concerned did not do anything wrong, ano po ang ikinakatakot nila? All of these things na sina-subpoena ng CIDG, these are technically public documents issued in the performance of duty, so ibigay po nila sa CIDG ang mga dokumento para po mapatunayan na wala nga silang sala kung yun nga ang kanilang sinasabi, he said. PNP chief Oscar Albayalde, meanwhile, said the PNP is helping the DILG investigate corruption being done in the LGUs. This is part of the anti-corruption drive of the Interior and Local Government, this part of the investigation and verification being conducted by the DILG, not by the PNP, he said. The CIDG as the investigative unit ay ginagamit for investigation for anti-corruption drive, isa sa battle cry ng ating pangulo yan, anti illegal drugs at anti-corruption at anti-crime, he added.Morningside State School students will go to nearby Balmoral State High School for the remainder of the week, following a devastating fire early on Tuesday morning.

Fire crews said the cause of the fire was suspicious because of its size and the way it spread so quickly to four buildings.

Fire gutted Brisbane's Morningside State School in Pashen Street early on Tuesday. Credit:Fairfax Media/Toby Crockford

Police said entry alarms sounded at the school grounds at 3.05am, before a member of the public telephoned triple zero and alerted police and fire crews.

At least one year 4 classroom, several year 3 classrooms and a mixed year 2 and 3 building were burnt in the blaze, which broke out just before 3am on the Pashen Street grounds.For some Morningside State School students, the first they knew of their classrooms gutted by fire was when they arrived on Tuesday and were greeted by charred remains.

Noel Jinks turned the corner with his daughter Nerys, a year four student at the east Brisbane school, not long after 8am and thought the swarming police officers and firefighters might be there for a car crash. Then they saw what was left of Nerys' classroom.

At least three buildings at Morningside State School were destroyed in the fire. Credit:Twitter/Queensland Ambulance Service

"It was just shock," Mr Jinks said.

"I thought maybe it's just burned a bit at the front there but when I saw where my daughter goes to school there and the home building, I'm just devastated now, I don't know what we're going to do.A Narangba waste disposal company that let cooking oil waste more than 16 times the lethal levels leak into wetlands was one of 12 companies to be fined a total of $555,000 in 2017-18, according to the Queensland Department of Environment and Science's annual report.

Hahn Group let diesel-like cooking oil waste, 16.2 times lethal levels, according to evidence tendered in court, flow into wetlands that supported the vulnerable Wallum froglet.

The company was fined $130,000, a conviction was ordered and the company was ordered to pay costs of $32,124. Hahns executive officer was fined $40,000.

The Wallum froglet, listed as vulnerable under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act. The Narangba waste company released old cooking oil into a wetlands at levels that could kill the froglet. Credit:Harry Hines

In addition, a Brisbane asbestos removal company was convicted and fined $25,000 for dumping more than 150 tonnes of asbestos at New Chum and Swanbank landfills without state government approval.One of the final structures of the previous decade of Ipswich city councils has been dismantled, clearing the way for the redevelopment of the Ipswich Mall, after months of delays.

The decision to wind up council-run development body Ipswich City Properties was made at an interim Ipswich City Council meeting on Tuesday chaired by administrator Greg Chemello.

The heart of Ipswich, the city's neglected mall in July 2018.

The council's 10 council committees have also been reduced to five after a Queensland-wide review found the previous Ipswich City Council had more committees than any other council in Queensland.

Separate to these committees, Ipswich City Properties, operated by a board of directors including the citys former mayors Paul Pisasale and Andrew Antoniolli and former development committee chairman Paul Tully, was set in place in 2009 to develop Ipswichs central business district.It is quite OK to be very excited about Meghan and Harry's baby news, Daily Life editor Wendy Tuohy writes.

Of Prince Harry she writes:

As a teen and early twenty-something he acted, and looked, a bit off track after his adored mum died, like the boy we all know of somewhere in our own lives who has gone slightly off the rails after a big upheaval or misfortune.

He was a bit naughty, and even a bit silly (once, notoriously), but his other actions spoke much louder: Harry demanding to be sent to the front line in Afghanistan with his military unit, going back again, and turning what he saw there and on a plane home with three seriously wounded soldiers into a mission to help other people.

Harry has not been an arm's length "dignitary", he gets down and rolls around with kids, he smiles generously and gives of himself, you can see the impact he has by the faces of the people around him. You can't fake that, this guy is the real, caring, deal. How could you not be happy that he is.

Prince Harry and Meghan on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. Credit:AAP

Check out the full article hereAll Daniel Tadese wants is to be with his wife and child.

But as his son Natnael prepares to mark his fourth birthday next week, there is no end in sight to the bureaucratic nightmare that has torn the family apart.

Mr Tadese, 48, is an Australian citizen of Ethiopian descent who has been living in Melbourne since 2007.

Immigration officials accept that the West Footscray man is the father of Natnael and have accordingly granted the child citizenship by descent.

Yet they have refused to grant Mr Tadeses wife, Genet Abebe, a partner visa, solely on the basis of DNA testing undertaken in 2012.The Palestinian envoy to Canberra says Australia risks becoming an "international pariah" and jeopardising billions of dollars worth of trade with the Muslim world if the government unilaterally recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moves its embassy.

Izzat Abdulhadi warned of the far-reaching consequences after an emergency meeting with representatives of Arab nations to discuss Prime Minister Scott Morrison's open consideration of the contentious shift, which would bring Australia into line with the Trump administration but isolate the government from Muslim-majority countries and important diplomatic allies.

While Arab nations are expressing alarm at the government's willingness to change its approach to the Middle East peace process, Israel has welcomed it and declined to weigh in on the domestic political timing of the announcement, coming days before the high-stakes byelection in Wentworth, which has a large Jewish community.

Palestinian envoy to Australia Izzat Abdulhadi and Arab diplomats met in Canberra on Tuesday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Abdulhadi told Fairfax Media the Arab representatives had discussed the extremely sensitive nature of Jerusalem for their nations and were seeking urgent meetings with the Australian government to convey deep concern about Mr Morrison's "short-sighted" announcement.A push to increase parliamentary oversight of intelligence agencies has been met with resistance from a handful of government agencies, but the senator behind the bill said it's a decision for parliament and not the bureaucracy.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security would be given the power to review the operations of intelligence agencies such as ASIO, the Australian Signals Directorate and the Office of National Assessments under the bill, an extension of current powers to review administration and expenditure.

A parliamentary committee could investigate intelligence operations.

It hasn't been warmly welcomed in submissions from various government agencies, with a range of warnings against giving members of parliament such powers.

Oversight of operational activities by the parliamentary committee isn't required, according to Prime Minister and Cabinet, whose submission largely quoted from last year's independent intelligence review. The review found extending the committee's oversight powers was "not required to ensure agencies are operating effectively, legally and with propriety".The Morrison government has put more than its own clumsiness on display by voting for a motion in the Senate that it is OK to be white.

The big myth of this absurd vote was that the government made an administrative error and did not realise its mistake until it was too late.

What is really on display is the torment within the Liberals over what their party stands for.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison in question time on Tuesday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

A united party, strong in its rejection of racism, would not walk into an obvious trap from a fringe party with a history of inflammatory stunts and a ludicrous motion.Most of Victorias biggest regional cities could see no more than three trains an hour in future, even after promised multibillion-dollar upgrades to the states rail network have been delivered.

A leaked long-term rail plan for Victoria, developed by the Andrews governments lead transport planning authority, Transport for Victoria, suggests the cities of Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon and Seymour would be serviced by a train every 20 minutes at best in future years.

Regional lines will see few extra services in years to come if a leaked transport plan bears fruit. Credit:Wayne Taylor

Geelong would be serviced by six trains an hour, or one every 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, most suburban lines will receive a major boost to frequencies, sometimes more than double current service levels, in the years after the Metro rail tunnel opens in 2025, if the plan materialises.At least 1,470 overseas Filipino workers who were displaced by the lock-out of their employer, Azmeel Contracting and Construction Corporation, will be repatriated from Saudi Arabia, the Department of Labor and Employment said Tuesday. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III led a team of Philippine government officials to Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia to assist the thousands of displaced Filipino workers in going back home after their employer did not pay them their salaries for more than four months. Bello said Azmeel Contracting excluded its employees from their place of work after its assets were frozen by the Saudi government. He said prior to the lockout, the employer failed to pay the workers four months salaries, which prompted workers to stage a protest. Earlier, Bello said at least $50,000 had been sent as financial assistance to the affected OFWs. The DoLE chief said he would meet with the officials of the Ministry of Labor of Saudi Arabia to discuss the repatriation of the OFWs and the payment of their back wages.I will talk with the Minister of Labor of Saudi Arabia on the repatriation of our OFWs and the request for the Saudi governments assistance to look for jobs elsewhere, as well as legal assistance to collect their monetary claims from their employer, Bello said. Bello hoped the Ministry of Labor would allow OFWs who wish to continue working in KSA, to transfer to other companies, adding Filipinos did not participate in the protest rally initiated by workers who are nationals of other countries. A team composed of OWWA and DSWD will extend counseling and debriefing to the distressed OFWs, while members from DoH will help in providing relief and medical assistance. I am hoping that those who will be repatriated will be able to join their families this coming holiday season. OWWA, the Bureau of Local Employment and the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns will provide livelihood assistance for them upon their return, Bello added.Washington: US President Donald Trump gave Saudi Arabia the benefit of the doubt in the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi even as senior US lawmakers pointed the finger at the Saudi leadership and Western pressure mounted on Riyadh to provide answers.

"Here we go again with you're guilty until proven innocent," Trump told the Associated Press in an interview on Tuesday.

US President Donald Trump Credit:AP

Trump had used a similar formulation of language when his nomination of Brett Kavanuagh to the US Supreme Court ran into trouble in the Senate after several women came forward to accuse Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct.

Earlier, Trump said Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman denied knowing what happened in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul where Khashoggi vanished two weeks ago after going there to collect documents he needed for his planned marriage.Early estimates about the list of potential 2020 Democratic candidates suggests that it might be one of the biggest fields in recent history. And while Warren enjoys name recognition and certainly some popularity with many on the left, much of the attention about the future of the Democratic Party is directed at the base, which is largely made up of people of colour.

Making a statement that she won't back down from Trump was probably top of mind for Warren in Monday's DNA release, which is being interpreted as clear evidence that she is ready to run. There were a few key targets for her highly produced video, featuring her former bosses, a genetics doctor and her "Fox News-watching" relatives in Oklahoma.

Trump's disparagement of Warren is not only a response to her continual criticism of him and a recognition that his base is already inclined to dislike a liberal firebrand. It also comes from Trump's awareness that Warren will likely vie to be his Democratic rival in the 2020 presidential election. A recent CNN poll shows her ranking fourth in its first survey of the 2020 Democratic presidential field.

Given the perception by some liberal people of colour that the Democratic Party takes voters of colour for granted while focusing on winning back white working-class votes, the idea that Warren could have used stories about her past ancestry to take advantage of opportunities reserved for people of colour would be met with significant criticism and perhaps doubt that Warren truly could connect with such Americans - especially when compared to other prospective 2020 candidates such as Democrat Senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris. This is perhaps why, in addition to proving that she was not being dishonest, Warren is attempting to tackle the issue head-on by providing evidence that she did not use family folklore to get a job as a Harvard professor.

The Washington Post reported last week about how 2018 has been a breakout political year for Native American women, with "far more than ever running" for office.

This level of political engagement, combined with concerns from some of the country's various Native American communities that Trump's focus on the opioid epidemic, the loss of jobs in many rural areas and other issues popular with his base has often left Native American communities out of the conversation, suggests that the concerns of Native Americans will not be ignored heading into the next presidential election. This is perhaps why Warren spoke to a Native American group earlier this year, arguing that it is not she who is disrespecting America's indigenous community, but the President himself.

The move does carry some risk of backfiring with Native Americans and other minority groups. Some on the left have criticised Warren's move as potentially setting a new standard for what presidential candidates may have to prove about ethnicity or race.

Just months after Trump told his supporters that he would give money to Warren's favourite charity "if you take the test and it shows you're an Indian," he has denied making the claim.Latest News MFAA smashes through 14,000 member mark Peak body charts new milestone as channel continues to grow from strength to strength

Finsure holding company BNK names new CEO Broker channel favourite named to take over on interim basis

Housing finance fell in August for both owner-occupied housing and investment loans, which industry players say suggests an ongoing correction in the housing market.

The latest Housing Finance data showed that in seasonally adjusted terms there was a drop of 2.1% in loans approved.

The data also showed that the value of loans approved dropped over the month prior, again by 2.1%.

Finance for the construction of new dwellings dropped the most significantly, seeing a 6.2% fall.

This data was supported by CoreLogics Hedonic Home Value Index, which revealed that national dwelling values fell 0.3% in August 2018, led by declines of 0.3% and 0.6% in Sydney and Melbourne respectively.

CEO of Mortgage Choice, Susan Mitchell, said, Indeed we have seen the number of dwelling commitments fall by more than 10% in the last 12 months as the market has undergone a correction since peaking this time last year.

A number of factors have compounded, placing downwards pressure on home loan demand such as historically high house prices and tightened lending standards which have led to an increase in the cost of borrowing on some loan products.

This ultimately has an impact on consumer confidence and the level of borrowing in the housing market, however, demand is relatively high by long-term standards.



Investor loans also saw a drop in August. Over the year prior, the value of housing loans to investors was down in seven of the eight states and territories.

Shane Garrett, chief economist of Master Builders Australia, said, This is partly a response to the heavier restrictions imposed by APRA as well as the fact that market conditions have moderated compared with two years ago.

In cities like Sydney and Melbourne, investor engagement with the market is a crucial vehicle for delivering the housing needs of the strongly growing work forces locally - and in keeping these economies expanding.

Home building activity is currently struggling in other parts of Australia like WA, SA and the NT. Restrictions on lending to investors is adding unnecessarily to the pain in these markets.

Over the year to August 2018, the value of investor lending in Tasmania rose by 8.2% compared with 12 months earlier.

Garrett added, Over the year to August, Tasmania was the only market to experience an increase in lending to housing investors.

The increase in investor involvement in Tasmanias housing market over the past year is welcome. Hobart is now the fastest growing city for rental prices and has the lowest rental vacancy rate in the country.

The increase in investor activity means that more dwellings are coming onto the rental market  exactly whats needed.Latest News MFAA smashes through 14,000 member mark Peak body charts new milestone as channel continues to grow from strength to strength

Finsure holding company BNK names new CEO Broker channel favourite named to take over on interim basis

Representatives from banks in Indonesia have been visiting Australia this week to learn more about the mortgage market.

The study tour saw Loan Market Australia hosting Loan Market Indonesia, plus members of Indonesias four biggest state banks and its largest private bank.

Indonesia has typically not had mortgage brokers, but Loan Market Indonesia is just starting to introduce them.

During the visit to Sydney, the group discussed the broker market with Loan Market Australias Sam White and also met with Pepper Money to find out more about non-conforming lending in Australia.

The groups next stop is Melbourne to meet with NAB and property developers to find out more about the lending market.

Discussing the study tour and areas the group have been interested to learn so far, CEO of Loan Market Indonesia, Sari Dewi, said it had been wonderful.

She added, I think we have learned a lot. We learned about regulation, how they regulate here, I understand that much better. So thats been really good and I understand the banking system here much better.

Normally, the group does seminars to help them learn about different markets, but this year they thought a study trip would help, particularly as they learn to work with mortgage brokers.

Comparing Australia and Indonesia, Dewi said, I think we are a bit, we still need to catch up. Like here its very consumer-based, while we are not there yet.

You really look after your consumer like with the Consumer Act. The consumer is much more well looked after and theres a main standard, where we are just planning to do it. Also, you have much better data, you have a developer country. Indonesia, our data is not that good.Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC

It was a vote of nein.

The nine members of Coney Islands Community Board 13s land use and zoning and housing committees unanimously voted to reject plans for a Surf Avenue rezoning and development that would displace residents of 34 apartments at an Oct. 4 joint meeting at the boards Surf Avenue office. The developers  Ronny Winiarski, along with his father, David, and his brother, Nativ, all of Winiarski Entities  lacked a clear plan for where the current tenants would go once demolition began, according to one board member.

What are you going to do with them if youre throwing them out of these houses that theyve been in for so long? asked Wanda Feliciano. Youre moving the people out and you dont know where youre going to put them.

The 80-unit development would include the demolition of buildings on four lots that the family currently owns on the block between W. 22nd and 23rd streets, including at 3016 and 3022 W. 22nd St., and 3017 and 3023 W. 23rd St.

The developers are also seeking a zoning change for the lots to match the nearby Special Coney Island District, which was upzoned in 2009 to allow for six-to-10-story buildings, so the plan has to go through the citys year-long Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, which involves review by the community board, the borough president, the City Planning Commission, and the Council.

That process kicked off with a brief presentation by Winiarskis attorney, Richard Lobel, at CB13s full board meeting on Sept. 26, when board members and the board chairwoman demanded more information about the development and asked that they come to the Oct. 4 meeting.

The new building would include a 12-story tower facing W. 22nd Street and a five-story tower facing W. 23rd Street, both of which would be connected by a one-story retail strip, the developers said, adding that the building will feature space for 40 parking spots split between the roof of the commercial strip and the second story of the two towers. Winiarski also said every unit would have a balcony, and rents would be affordable for a Brooklyn family, with units starting at around $1,100.

Winiarski stressed that the apartments in the buildings to be demolished are mostly small studios  allegedly 200 or 300 square feet  with few families as current tenants.

Are there families that live in these buildings? Very, very few, he said.

But Feliciano said she knows of families who live in the buildings.

I walk by there all the time and kids play in those lots, she said.

The developer noted that, by law, he would have to pay a stipend to displaced tenants in the rent-regulated 15 units to assist them with moving costs and future rent payments.

If theyre rent regulated, that means I would have to give them a stipend so they could afford a similar apartment in a similar area and itd be required by the demolition application, Winiarski said.

Winiarski said he didnt know how much he would have to pay the tenants, but that he would look into it. He did not reply to repeated inquiries by press time.

A spokesman for the state Department of Housing and Community Renewal, which oversees rent-regulated housing, said the agency would notify tenants about the possibility of the demolition ahead of time, adding that it would use a standard formula to determine the stipends owed to the tenants by the owner.

When board chairwoman JoAnn Weiss asked if the tenants would be relocated within the community, Winiarskis attorney, Richard Lobel, didnt have an answer.

Instead, Lobel pointed out that 10 of the buildings 20 affordable units  which would be mandated by the citys mandatory inclusionary housing program  would be set aside for residents of Community Board 13. But tenants displaced by the project would not get preferential access to those units  they would have to apply through a lottery like anyone else.

Lobel said the 20 affordable units would be reserved for tenants making 60 percent or lower of the area median income, which would be $43,860 or less for a one-person household, or $62,580 for a family of four, according to the city Department of Housing Preservation and Development. And eight of the 20 units would be earmarked for tenants making 40 percent or lower of the area median income, which would be $29,240 or less for a one-person household, or $41,720 or less for a family of four.

The chief of staff for Councilman Mark Treyger (DConey Island) told the developers that the local pol was concerned about the lack of specifics regarding where, when, and how the current tenants would be relocated.

Relocation plans seem to have gotten less specific since the last time we met, which is very concerning, said Anna Scaife. We have really severe concerns.

The full board will vote on the rezoning at its Oct. 24 meeting.

Community Board 13 general meeting at Education Hall at the New York Aquarium (602 Surf Ave. between West Fifth Street and Shell Road) Oct 24 at 7 pm.The Palace said Tuesday it was not surprised to hear possible destabilization moves against President Rodrigo Duterte as the military again warned that communist rebels were planning another ouster plot by December. I am not surprised that they have a plot because that is precisely the rationale of the creation of the Communist Party of the Philippinesto oust the government, said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters. So its doubtful if they dont plan an ouster move every day. For 50 years they have been planning, but so far they have failed. Panelo made his statement even as the police and military said seven alleged terrorists linked to the Red October plot to remove Duterte from power this month were arrested on Tuesday. Among those nabbed in separate operations were five high-ranking communist terrorists and two leaders of the Maute Group, the security agencies said in a joint statement. Panelo said the Armed Forces of the Philippines had the resources and the intelligence to validate any information on any ouster plot.Panelos remark came after military warned of another destabilization plot against the administration in December after the reported Red October plan fizzled out. AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo claimed the communist leadership was planning to proceed with its plan in time for the golden anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines on Dec. 26. We described this destabilization plot as rolling as the communist leadership intends to sustain their anti-government moves this October, November and until their December founding anniversary celebration, Arevalo said. He said the Red October plan failed after the authorities revealed it to the public and discouraged groups not to join the opposition. But he said the communists plan to overthrow the government was still on, adding the military could not afford to relax in the face of the communist threat.Dear Reader,

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Digital EditorInfosys on Tuesday said it will comply with the arbitration award asking the company to pay Rs 121.7 million and interest to its former chief financial officer

In September, the Arbitral Tribunal of Justice (retd) R V Raveendran had communicated the decision with regard to the dispute between Infosys and Bansal, Infosys said in a regulatory filing.

"The company has received a legal advice and will comply with the award and make the necessary payments," it added.



Infosys had lost the arbitration over the severance package to Bansal and had been asked to pay the outstanding amount of Rs 121.7 million with interest.

The company had earlier stated that "while the award acknowledges that Infosys had bona fide disputes, its counter claim for refund of previously paid severance amount of Rs 52 million and damages, has been rejected".

It had also added that it will take legal advice for further action on the issue.

The IT firm had agreed to pay Bansal a severance amount of Rs 173.8 million, or 24 months of salary, when he quit in 2015, but the company suspended payments after he got Rs 50 million. This was done after co-founder N R Narayana Murthy and others had raised objections to the severance pay terming it excessive.



Following this, Bansal had dragged his former employer to arbitration to claim the remaining Rs 120 million of his severance pay.

Bansal's severance payout has been one of the issues that Infosys founders had raised to allege governance lapses at the Bengaluru-based firm.It may not be going the General Motors way. But the worlds leading carmaker Volkswagen is now stuck with a market share of just one per cent in the fifth largest and one of the fastest growing car markets, India. Its market share used to be at two per cent in FY14.

Skoda, another brand from the German car maker also operates in India (besides luxury brands like Audi and Porsche) with a market share of 0.47 per cent. General Motors exited India in mid-2017. In July this year, Volkswagen Group decided to reboot its India dreams with an investment of Rs 79 billion that will go ...As the effects of climate change on livelihoods become more pronounced, especially for people involved in agriculture and fishing in South and South-East Asia, support for rebel groups and the Naxalite movement is likely to shoot up, according to a new report.

There is evidence that climate change will worsen socio-economic and political disparity in the region as those in power will get to decide who gets the limited resources and how much, the report co-authored by researchers Pernilla Nordqvist and Florian Krampe while working for the Stockholm International Peace Research ...The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday attached 28 assets worth Rs 100 million of Bachha Rai, the main accused in 2016 Bihar topper scam.

Earlier in March, the ED had attached properties worth Rs 45.3 million of the alleged kingpin of the toppers' scandal in Bihar Intermediate examination. The action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after a money laundering case was registered against him.

Rai, who is the Secretary-cum Principal of Vishun Roy College in Vaishali district of Bihar, is accused of manipulating the results of students for money, through his contacts in Bihar School Education Board (BSEB).

The scam came to light on May 31, 2016, when BSEB Arts and Humanities topper Ruby Rai, Science topper Saurabh Shrestha and third topper in Science stream Rahul Kumar were interviewed by television channels and they were unable to answer basic questions.

Soon, an investigation was initiated into the matter, following which the ED registered a case last year on the basis of FIR filed by the Bihar Police.Trump slay plot foiled in ManilaSecret Service

posted October 16, 2018 at 09:43 pm by Manila Standard October 16, 2018 at 09:43 pm

United States President Donald Trump When United States President Donald Trump visited the Philippines in November last year , the US Secret Service had to deal with one credible assassination threat against him, the British newspaper The Telegraph said.Quoting a National Geographic documentary titled United States Secret Service: On The Front Line, the newspaper said US agents tracked a man who was on his way to the hotel were Trump was staying in Manila in 2017. The man reportedly posted on his Twitter account: Gonna be in Manila the same time as Trump Ill take one for the team. The Secret Service likewise swept Luneta Park in Manila after receiving an intelligence report that a known operative of the ISIS terrorist group was meeting with an associate there.In the documentary, Special Agent Chad Ragan could be seen shouting into a phone: What is going on proactively to track this guy down? I need an update. Now. READ: Trump arrives in PH

COMMENT DISCLAIMER: Reader comments posted on this Web site are not in any way endorsed by Manila Standard. Comments are views by manilastandard.net readers who exercise their right to free expression and they do not necessarily represent or reflect the position or viewpoint of manilastandard.net. While reserving this publications right to delete comments that are deemed offensive, indecent or inconsistent with Manila Standard editorial standards, Manila Standard may not be held liable for any false information posted by readers in this comments section.Despite a prohibition on the burning of farm residue, farmers in Punjab's Bhatinda city are holding protests and continuing to burn stubble.

Speaking to ANI, one of the farmers said that since the government has provided no relief to farmers, they have no option but to resort to "We are nature lovers. But we have no other option. The government has not found any solution for us. They have not provided us with any relief. So we are still burning stubble," the farmer said.

However, a new technique is being used in Ludhiana to curb the problem of paddy A farmer said, "Before this, we had no solution but to burn stubble. Now, all the stubble has been cleared in six villages. It is very beneficial. We are happy. It's a permanent solution."

Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had, on October 15, extended his sympathies to the farmers of the state over the prohibition on However, he asserted that the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) laws must be followed.

As autumn sets in, bringing along with it the harvesting period for Kharif crops, stubble burning in and is causing deterioration of air quality in New Delhi and the neighbouring National Capital Region. This, in turn, has necessitated the NGT to implement strict norms on stubble burning.

Particles from stubble burning combine with industrial pollution, vehicle exhaust and dust to cover the region every year as winter approaches and wind speeds drop.

Following the directions of the Supreme Court, the Centre approved a large sum of money for modern tools and technology to combat the problem.

In the Union Budget 2017-18, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had assured to provide assistance to the governments of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi National Capital Territory (NCT) to deal with the worsening air quality.

The decision came after Delhi's air pollution levels spiked last year, leaving people gasping for breath.The # that has singed the entrainment and media industry alike besides engulfing Union Minister M J Akbar, on Tuesday reached Congress' door with journalist Sonal Kellogg alleging that she was molested by a "powerful politician" and a minister in the Congress-led UPA-I government.

Giving an account of her ordeal on website dailyo.in, Kellog, without naming the minister, said he would "greet me with a kiss" every time they met and once "pressed one of my breasts".

"During my time, a Cabinet minister, in-charge of one of the ministries which I was covering, would always greet me with a kiss when I went to meet him," wrote Kellog, who in February 2006 had shifted to Delhi from Ahmedabad joining the Asian Age's main edition.

"This minister, quite an advocate of women's rights and empowerment, is highly educated. He studied from St Stephen's College and did his masters from one of the top universities in England. He is very articulate -- but he is also very touchy-feely."

"In Gujarat, where I come from, politicians don't greet women journalists with hugs and kisses. But he would hold my face and try to kiss me on the mouth," said Kellogg, who is now the chief content writer at Vama Communications, Ahmedabad.



She said that she didn't report the matter then as "I was new in Delhi and thought if I said anything, it would be viewed as having a small town mentality".

"I am not able to speak up against authority and mostly just try to manage to stay clear instead of shouting or slapping or something like that," said Kellogg, a survivor of "long-term child sexual abuse."

She said the last time she met the MP in his bungalow in early 2014 when he went "too far."

"At that time, I was in-between jobs. I was sitting across the table and talking to him. After some time, the minister got up to go to the washroom which was on my left, so he walked right across the table and while passing me by, he stretched his hand and suddenly pressed one of my breasts."



"I was taken aback, not quite expecting this, but I did manage to say, 'Don't touch me.' Before entering the washroom, he asked, 'Why? What is the problem?' I told him, 'Don't touch me because I don't like it'. He went to the washroom and then came back, sat down and resumed the conversation as if nothing had happened," wrote Kellogg, adding that she moved back to Ahmadabad and never met the politician.

"I would like to say that even if a man is testing whether his advances are welcome or not, he can't start with squeezing the breasts of a woman. The least he can do is see whether she is interested -- you cannot just grab a woman and think it is okay. Also, in this case, the minister is married and is a father of grown-up daughters, so it is definitely not okay."



"So, why didn't I report the matter? Who was I going to report it to? I was in-between jobs and as I said earlier, I didn't report my sexual abuse as a child either for more than a decade and a half, in fact, I never reported it. I started to speak about it publicly only a couple of years ago," she added.On a day that two more women came out to allege sexual harassment at the hands of Union Minister M J Akbar from his time as a newspaper editor, National Students Union of India (NSUI) Chief Fairoz Khan quit from his post following charges of sexual harassment. The NSUI is the students wing of the Congress party, and was under pressure to take demonstrative action against its chief in wake of the #MeToo campaign.

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Digital EditorCongress president Monday alleged that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's family was involved in the multi-crore-rupee that came to light a few years ago.

On the campaign trail in Madhya Pradesh, where the Assembly polls will be held on November 28, Gandhi said the massive recruitment and admission racket destroyed the future of lakhs of students in the state.

He also targeted Prime Minister Narendra over the Rafale fighter jet deal and his alleged proximity with a handful of industrialists.

Addressing a public meeting at the Phool Bagh Maidan here, Gandhi said, "Fifty people were killed in the The future of lakhs of students was destroyed. People gave money to clear the exams (conducted by a state-run body).

"I want to know from Shivraj Singh Chouhan, how many people were sent to jail? The entire Madhya Pradesh knows that the chief minister's family is involved in the scam."



In the past, Chouhan has denied his or his family's involvement in any recruitment test conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board, popularly known by its Hindi acronym -- "Vyapam" (Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal).

The scam also hogged limelight for the death of a number of accused and witnesses.

Taking potshots at Modi, Gandhi said the prime minister made false promises.



"Who does the marketing of the prime minister? Who gives the money for his posters and his appearances on TV. This money is taken out of your (people's) pocket and given to Anil Ambani, Nirav and Vijay Mallya, who are doing his marketing. This is the truth," he added.

The Congress chief said had promised to be the "chowkidar" (guard) of the people, but only 15-20 industrialists of the country had benefitted under his government.

He said the prime minister let jewellers Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi and liquor baron Vijay Mallya flee India with the country's money.

Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are the key accused in the multi-crore Punjab Bank (PNB) scam, while Mallya, who is currently in the UK, is wanted in India for charges of money laundering and defaulting on bank loans.

Referring to the Rafale deal, Gandhi said the prime minister did not have the courage to answer why the offset contract for the French aircraft was "snatched" from the State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and given to Anil Ambani's firm.

Led by the Congress, the opposition parties are attacking the Modi government, alleging that it is procuring 36 Rafale fighter jets from France at an exorbitantly high cost.

The government has denied charges of irregularities in the Rs 580-billion deal and Ambani, too, has dismissed the Congress's allegations that he got undue benefits under it.



Earlier, Gandhi held a five-km roadshow in Gwalior after paying obeisance at the Achleshwar Mahadev temple.

The Congress president also paid a visit to Jhansi's legendary queen Rani Laxmi Bai's memorial in the Phool Bagh area.

He also paid tribute to late Congress stalwart Madhavrao Scindia at his memorial here.

Congress leader and Scindia's son Jyotiraditya Scindia and state Congress president Kamal Nath were present on the occasion.

Gandhi is on a two-day visit to Madhya Pradesh, where his party is out of power since 2003.

He will take a night halt in Gwalior and visit a gurdwara located in the Gwalior Fort Tuesday morning, before holding roadshows and public meetings at Jaura, Sabalgarh and Sheopur later in the day.

The department has said that out of 72 persons tested positive for Zika virus, 60 have been cured.

The latest figures were issued after a review meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) medical and health, Veenu Gupta.

Over 280 teams of medical and department are conducting surveys in the affected areas of the state. Till now, 96,000 houses have been surveyed, and as a precautionary measure, fogging is being done regularly.

A total fine of Rs 44,000 has been imposed so far on 68 houses where larva was found.

An 85-year-old woman from Shashtri Nagar area of was reportedly the first to be detected with

The disease is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite during the day. Symptoms are generally mild and include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or a headache. Symptoms typically last for two to seven days.

infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome. Infection with is also associated with other complications of pregnancy including preterm birth and miscarriage.

As per the World Organisation, there is no treatment available for Zika virus infection or its associated diseases.On Wednesday, the gates of Sabarimala temple will be opened for millions of Lord Ayyappa devotees. And for the first time in decades, women aged between 10 and 50 will be able to enter the historic shrine -- at least that's what the Supreme Court said in its September 28 order.

However, Kerala has been witnessing intense protests by devotees of the 'perennial celibate' and right-wing outfits against the implementation of the apex court's verdict. As some women and activists prepare to take on the arduous climb to Sabarimala, hundreds of protesters have devised ways to ...India's Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) expects India to get a waiver from U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil exports this month, a company official said on Tuesday. The United States plans to impose new sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector on Nov. 4 to try to stop the country's involvement in conflicts in Syria and Iraq and bring Tehran to the negotiating table over its ballistic missile programme. The Trump administration is actively considering waivers on sanctions for countries that are reducing their imports of Iranian oil, a U.S. government official ...Cigarette smokers and the tobacco industry have finally found an ally in Congress as Solid North Alliance leader and Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson on Tuesday slammed the alleged moves by anti-smoking groups to stampede the legislature into approving another round of tax increases on tobacco products. Another tax increase on tobacco products, Singson warned, would kill an industry supporting the livelihood of millions of Filipinos in three regions in Luzon. They want the industry that feeds millions destroyed but they offer nothing to help the adversely affected tobacco farmers and workers survive, Singson said. Singson, head of the Solid North Alliance composed of lawmakers from Luzon, said the lawmakers representing the organization will strongly oppose the legislative measures that will increase the tobacco excise tax to P90 from P35 per pack. The industry will not be able to take another round of increase. We will not allow these bills to hurt our people, Singson said. Anti-tobacco groups are lobbying for the passage of the proposed tax increase despite the imposition of excise tax adjustments provided under the much-criticized 2017 Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act.According to Singson, the bills filed by Senators Emmanuel Pacquiao and Joseph Victor Ejercito call for a new round of excise tax hikes on tobacco products that will finally kill the tobacco industry. In the House of Representatives, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, the principal author of Republic Act 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law, filed House Bill 4575 proposing the restructuring of the excise tax on tobacco products. Singson said tobacco farmers and workers had become mere collaterals who have to absorb the severe economic effects of the sin tax law. While we cooperate in the moves to regulate smoking, we will work to prevent the destruction of the only means of livelihood of our farmers, Singson said. These anti-smoking activists will not stop until they have destroyed the tobacco industry.Ahead of the US sanctions against Iran, India Tuesday said availability of to replace lost volumes is not an issue but the "sentiment" around losing a big oil supplier is driving prices higher.

Refusing to say if India has sought a waiver of sanctions from the US as to continue purchasing from Iran, Oil Minister said he has articulated the country's position on importing oil from the Persian Gulf nation in November and "there is nothing new to repeat."



Last week, Pradhan said two state-owned oil refiners have booked import of 1.25 million tonne (MT) of from Iran in November.

US President Donald Trump in May withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, reimposing economic sanctions against the Persian Gulf nation.

Some sanctions took effect from August 6, while those affecting the oil and banking sectors will start from November 4. Those sanctions would block banking channels, making payment for oil bought from Iran difficult as well as stop re-insurance cover to refineries processing such oil.



"There is no issue of availability of crude oil today. But due to geopolitical uncertainty in different parts of the world, there is a sentimental issue. That is the primary challenge," Pradhan told reporters on the sidelines of India Energy Forum here. "From day one, we are confident that there is no problem in sourcing of crude. There is plenty available in different parts of the world."



The sentiment in the market that going out of a big oil producer from the market may hamper supplies, is impacting prices and causing volatility in the market.

"Issue is not shortfall. Issue is sentiment," he said.

Oil prices hit a four-year high of $ 86.74 a barrel earlier this month as the market grapples with the expected loss of Iranian exports due to the US sanctions.



ALSO READ: Indian Oil hopes to raise funds under new working capital norms in 20 days

Rates have cooled to around $ 81 in hope that the US may extend deadline for imposing sanctions on Iran by a couple of months.

IHS Markit vice chairman Daniel Yergin, who was present along with Pradhan while addressing reporters, said oil markets have a sentiment problem and not a supply issue.

"Oil market is physically balanced but emotionally unbalanced because of uncertainty, because of geopolitical issues. That is what is impacting the price," he said.



Pradhan said oil cartel OPEC has to ensure market stability that is beneficial to both consuming and producing countries.

OPEC, he said, had in June decided to raise production by 1 million barrels per day. While Saudi Arabia and Russia have increased production, "according to our information some of the (OPEC) countries are lagging behind."



On Monday, officials in the government and oil companies said Indian firms like have optional volumes built in their annual crude oil purchase contracts with suppliers like Saudi Arabia and Iraq that will be more than enough to make up for any shortfall in supplies from sanction-hit Iran.

India had contracted to import about 25 MT of crude oil from Iran in 2018-19, up from 22.6 MT imported in 2017-18.



ALSO READ: Modi urges global oil majors to review payment terms to give rupee relief

Out of this, supplies in the first seven months, till October, have not been impacted. For the remainder, enough cushion is available to avert any supply disruption, they had said.

"When oil companies enter into annual term contracts for buying crude oil, there are two components mentioned - firm supplies and optional supplies. Firm volumes are the ones that oil companies commit to necessarily take and there is an optional volume on top of it which they can dip into if the need arises," a top official at a state-run refiner said.



ALSO READ: Saudi mulls increasing oil output from Nov as US sanctions on Iran loom

"These optional volumes can be taken at any time of the year and would be more than sufficient to make up for any shortfall that may arise because of the US sanctions against Iran."



India, the world's third-biggest oil consumer, meets more than 80 per cent of its oil needs through imports. Iran is its third-largest supplier after Iraq and Saudi Arabia and meets about 10 per cent of the total needs.

Last week, Pradhan said (IOC) and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals (MRPL) have together placed orders for import of 1.25 MT of crude oil from Iran.China said on Tuesday there will be more projects planned under the $ 60 billion amid the concern over piling up of debt by Pakistan prompting it to approach the IMF for a bailout package.

Cash-strapped Pakistan has formally approached the Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package as it reeled under serious economic crisis.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang on Tuesday said that there will be more projects under the (CPEC), a day after he stated that the debt liabilities were in low proportion.

He also said the China-Pakistan ties will make new headway under the new government.

The entire project is stated to be worth around $ 60 billion.

"China and Pakistan are all weather strategic partners. In recent years, our bilateral relations are operating at a high level," Lu said replying to question about the high-level visits planned between the two countries.



He said since the establishment of the new government in Pakistan headed by Imran Khan, "this sound momentum is sustained."





"Going forward, we expect more high level important exchanges and there will be more projects in the and practical cooperation in various fields," he said.

Reports said Khan is expected to visit Beijing on November 3 for talks with Chinese President and other top leaders.

Lu said "we will also see people-to-people cooperation in various fields. China and Pakistan maintain sound coordination on important regional and issues. So under the concerted efforts China-Pakistan relations will make new headway," he said.

After the new government took over, China has agreed to extend the projects to Balochistan province to address the criticism that only the dominant Punjab province grabbed most of Chinese investments.



On Monday, Lu while reacting the move by Pakistan to approach IMF for a bailout package said that China wants an "objective and professional" evaluation of its loans to Pakistan by IMF. The measures to be worked out by IMF should not affect the China-Pakistan relations, he said.

An IMF team is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on November 7 to negotiate the programme, likely to span over a three-year period, Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar said on Sunday after his meeting with the Managing Director Christine Lagarde in Indonesia.



He said Pakistan's current year debt repayments were about $ nine billion.

Pakistan also announced the plans to cut a $8.2 billion railway project between the Karachi and Peshawar the biggest under the CPEC by about $ 2 billion to reduce the debt burden.

The Trump administration has been critical of China's Belt and Road initiative, saying that it has saddled some developing countries with debts they cannot afford to repay.Do you remember political spin? Politicians used to deceive voters by describing their policies in misleading ways. For example, the Bush administration was prone to things like claiming that tax breaks for the wealthy were really all about helping seniors  because extremely rich Americans tend to be quite old. But Republicans no longer bother with deceptive presentations of facts. Instead, they just flat-out lie. What do they lie about? Lots of things, from crowd sizes to immigrant crime, from steel plants to the Supreme Court. But right now the most intense, coordinated ...A walking and talking robot appeared in Britain's parliament for the first time on Tuesday, prompting users to seize the chance to heap more mockery on

The latest round of public amusement at the expense of the British came during a committee hearing on (AI) and "the fourth industrial revolution".

MPs on the education committee invited a robot named Pepper -- a white female creation with an excruciatingly thin waist and a tablet computer stuck to her chest -- to answer some basic questions.

Asked whether humans would have a place in a brave new world where reigns supreme, Pepper responded in a reassuring voice.

"Robots will have an important role to play, but we will always need the soft skills that are unique to humans: to sense, make, and drive value from technology," the robot said.

She was asked about a few more completely unscripted matters before panelists moved on to discuss ethics and social injustice.

Pepper listened and twirled her head a few times.

Comparisons to the premier's propensity to dance in a robotic manner and speak with methodic precision -- traits that earned her the nickname "Maybot" -- quickly appeared on

"Thats fantastic....but can it do the Maybot," asked someone named Hugh Duffy.

" is looking almost human these days," Benedict Smyth offered.

And even the popular Home website chipped in with: "NEW: A witness gave a robotic performance in front of a Commons committee... but it wasn't "



The British leader has turned into a subject of periodic jokes on social networks as she struggles for pull her country out of the without causing too much damage.

She has particularly taken to dancing -- something she did twice during an August trade mission to and then at a Tory party conference this month.

Her moves did not earn high marks from bemused Britons. They also spawned an entire family of Maybot accounts pretending to speak in the prime minister's name.Expressing concerns over China's currency actions, a top American Senator has urged to name China as a "currency manipulator".

Raising concerns about the depreciation of the Chinese yuan against the US dollar, Senator Tammy Baldwin in a letter to Trump said that ever since his administration's tariff actions began in the spring, the Chinese yuan has fallen nine per cent.

Writing to Trump ahead of the release of the bi-annual report that identified currency manipulators, Baldwin reminded Trump about his election promise that he would declare China a currency manipulator on the very first day.

"But in three previous reports you have failed to do so. I am concerned that China's currency actions amount to manipulation, in violation of (WTO) rules. I ask that you use your upcoming report to make good on your promise to name China a currency manipulator and begin the statutorily-required process to encourage China to correct its undervaluation," the Wisconsin Senator said.

Baldwin alleged that the current misalignment makes Chinese exports nine per cent cheaper in dollar terms, while also making US exports to China nine per cent more expensive.

"This combined import tariff and export subsidy amounts to a roughly $59 billion total trade impact -- almost double the approximately $32.5 billion of tariffs the US has levied against Chinese imports under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 -- even before accounting for the retaliatory tariffs implemented by China to counteract US tariffs," the Senator said.

Observing that since China joined the in 2001 the US trade deficit with China has more than quadrupled, Baldwin said that between 2001 and 2008, Chinese competition cost the US 2.4 million manufacturing jobs and has driven down wages for almost all production workers in the private sector workforce.

This year, the United States Trade Representative found that Chinese companies, often sponsored by the Chinese government, steal up to $600 billion annually in valuable intellectual property from US companies.

"Naming China a currency manipulator would set off bilateral talks required under the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 --intended to encourage China to adopt policies to correct undervaluation. If the talks fail, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 provides additional authorities for the President to take remedial action," she said.The disappearance of the Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi has set off a diplomatic feud between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, a bipartisan uproar in the United States Congress, tremors of uncertainty in Wall Street and Silicon Valley about how to deal with Saudi Arabia, and a noisy spat between the White House and its closest Arab ally. On Monday morning, President Trump said on Twitter that he had just discussed the case with King Salman, who denied any knowledge of what had happened to Mr. Khashoggi, and that he was immediately sending Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to ...by Fady Noun

In the digital era, Lebanon has gone from being a crossroads to an antenna. Its cultural and religious mix make it a conductor par excellence, sensitive to cultural and social trends. The Synod is a school to elaborate a universal language capable of overcoming geographical and generational boundaries. The poor and needy are an inexhaustible treasure of the Church.

Beirut (AsiaNews)  A large delegation representing the Lebanese Church is taking part in the Synod of Bishops dedicated to young people, which is currently underway from 3 to 28 October in the Vatican.

The group includes the Maronite Patriarch, Bechara al-Rahi; two Maronite bishops, Fouad Naffah (Lebanon) and Elias Zeidane (Los Angeles); and two priests from Lebanon, Toufic Abu Hadir, coordinator of the Patriarchal Youth Ministry in Bkerke, and Jules Boutros, of the university pastoral outreach of the Syriac-Catholic Church.

The Synod of bishops is an advisory body created by Pope Paul VI in the wake of the Second Vatican Council to help the Pontiff to govern the Church. Some 257 bishops from all over the world, including all the patriarchs of the Eastern Churches, are present in this assembly, which was prepared by two years of consultations with hundreds of young people.

Through questionnaires and meetings, the consultation led to a working document (Instrumentum laboris) to steer Synod meetings, marked by alternating general assemblies (congregations) and small working groups (minor circles). The latter must lead, according to a proven methodology from synthesis to synthesis, to the elaboration of a series of recommendations, the final message and, eventually, an apostolic exhortation on the theme of young people and the discernment of vocations.

What can an assembly of older bishops say to young people? The question sums up in itself the paradox of an eternally young Church. Like the truth, she is perpetually invited to transmit to new generations the sacred bond she received, the person of Christ and the treasures that accompany him. Beyond the broad variety of life conditions, young Christians from all continents are involved in the Synod, especially the young people of the Middle East, because of the privileged place occupied by Lebanon in the Arab world and the tragic developments of the last decade.

From Lebanon as a message to Lebanon as an antenna

It is customary to say that Lebanon is a crossroads. However, in the digital age, Lebanon is more of an antenna that captures all the frequencies. Indeed, Lebanons head is part of the West, but its body is in the third world, with typical problems of the third world like failed politics, a heavy-handed oligarchy, corruption, poor public services, etc. Despite this split personality, the countrys cultural and religious mix and its multilingualism mean that the Lebanese are a cultural link par excellence, a conductor that is sensitive to all sorts of cultural and social trends. The Synod compared young people to a seismograph. This goes well with our young people.

Can we ask ourselves if the Synod is for us? Of course. Even if it deals with issues that are totally foreign to us. Our problems are not those of the West, nor of Asia, where the Middle East is usually catalogued. With us, for example, the number of vocations is not a problem; aggressive secularism is limited to a few Westernized elites; bishops are not shot in their cathedrals. But for us and for all, the Synod is a great language school where the Church is learning, right now, according to the wishes of Francis, to talk about the peripheries, a language that goes everywhere, crosses every border, involves every generation, transcends money and skin colour.

The peripheries that Francis speaks about are not a place but situation of alert and heeding, a disposition to follow Christ on the path of the 21st century, which are quite different from those of Palestine, two thousand years ago. What is more, to follow him one must know him.

Conversely, some truths are timeless. Everyone knows the proverb: "The habit does not make the monk. But few know it in its entirety: "The habit does not make the monk; the heart does. We owe this sentence to Saint Bridget of Sweden, which speaks to something fundamental in the Church: authenticity, the opposite of hypocrisy. This is what young people aspire to in every age and place. This is the language that the Church, by speaking and listening to young people, can learn and relearn. What they  and the less young  reject is a hypocritical church, a clerical Church, a Church that says one thing and does something else. Such a Church is reduced to a soulless institution, and there are many examples of this. Inspired by one of the Popes favourite issues, this is one of the lines of meditation of the Synodal reflection.

Distorted images of the Church

The distorted image that some media have of the Church is that of a great repressive machine; a great trap where predators take young seminarians into their beds. In our country, the propagated cliche is that of a big machine that possesses the most beautiful land, the most beautiful heights and the sweetest plains of Lebanon, and bleeds poor families trying to get their children into her schools, universities or hospitals. Of course, things are much more nuanced than this, but there is also a grain of truth in this picture.

One of the most beautiful books of history, the Acts of the Apostles, says that after hearing about Paul and discovering that the Gospel he preached was no different from his, Peter, that steadfast rock on which Jesus built his Church, gave him the embrace of communion and reminded him to "remember the poor". This is the Churchs inexhaustible treasure: the poor, empty bellies, but also those who are hungry for justice, those who are hungry for love; the dying attacked by rodents who needed Mother Teresa to pick them up in the streets; those who, before our eyes (and those of the Pope), are dying on the peripheries of the truth.

The Synod can be an unforgettable moment, a true outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Muslim observers, invited to the Synod on Lebanon in 1997, can bear witness to this without hesitation. The experience of Jesus is in community, notes the Synod; and it is one of the bases of vocation. It flourishes, whether at the level of the family or in the Church, within the community, a "place of forgiveness and celebration," according to the beautiful expression of Jean Vanier.The Commission on Elections on Tuesday urged those who want to register to run in next years polls not to follow the example of Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go, who violated the four-companion rule when he filed his certificate of candidacy. On Monday, Go was accompanied by President Rodrigo Duterte and several Cabinet members when he filed his COC, sparking criticism that the Comelec was giving the senatorial aspirant special treatment. But in an interview over radio dzMM, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said it would have been difficult to block the President and his Cabinet from entering with Go. Other candidates, however, should not use Mondays incident as an excuse to break the COC rules, he said. They are not the President, he said in Filipino. We have rules and if there was a mistake yesterday, we need not repeat it. Senate President Vicente Sotto III defended the Comelec from critics who accused them of giving special treatment to Go, saying the poll body could not enforce the four-companion limit because the President was there, and he could not be deprived of his presidential security. The Comelec could not do anything about this, he said.Thats the President. Theres only one of those in the entire Philippines, he added. There was nothing they could do. Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Davao lawyer Charmalou Aldevera was being considered to replace Go as special assistant to the President. Panelo said the President would have to make an official announcement first, however. Duterte said Go is considered resigned from employment upon filing his COC. Bong is not my aide anymore. The moment he signed his certificate of candidacy, he ceased to be a government employee, the President said. Aside from Go, members of the Duterte Cabinet who are expected to seek national and local posts next year are resigned Foreign secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, resigned presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, and resigned Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Francis Tolentino, Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones, and Technical Education Skills and Development Authority Director-General Guiling Mamondiong are also expected to seek public office next year.Two Goa Congress legislators, namely Dayanand Sopte and Subhash Shirodkar, have left for New Delhi to reportedly join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

According to sources privy to the matter, Sopte and Shirodkar are slated to meet BJP president Amit Shah in the capital at around 9:30 am on Tuesday.

Both the leaders left by a midnight flight to Delhi and were accompanied by Union Minister of state for AYUSH Shripad Naik.

Sopte, who defeated former BJP chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar in the 2017 State legislative assembly election, represents Mandrem constituency, while Shirodkar was elected on a Congress ticket from Shiroda constituency.

The developments come amid demands from the opposition parties for a floor test to be held for the BJP to prove majority in the Assembly.

Last month, Congress legislators had approached Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, urging her to invite them to form the government in the state owing to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's health.

Currently, Congress has 16 MLAs in the Goa Legislative Assembly and if two legislators resign, the party's strength would be reduced to 14. The ruling BJP has 14 MLAs while three each are from Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, and independent candidates, respectively. One legislator is from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Absconding industrialist Vinay Mittal, who was wanted in bank frauds worth around Rs 40 crore, has been extradited to India from Indonesia's Bali on the request of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The extradition was initiated after the Interpol had earlier issued a Red Corner Notice against Mittal on the CBI's request.

Mittal was arrested by Indonesian authorities in January 2017 based on the Red Corner Notice and his extradition was cleared by the Indonesian authorities recently.

A case was registered against Mittal in 2014 and 2016 on the request of Corporation Bank and the Punjab Bank. Mittal is one of the fugitive offenders who had fled the country.

The CBI had filed seven charge sheets in courts of Delhi and Ghaziabad against the industrialist.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the issue of H1N1 flu and Zika virus outbreak.

After the meeting, Nadda asserted that adequate measures have been put in place to deal with the outbreak of both H1N1 flu and Zika virus.

He said, "We understand the need to adopt some preventive measures and for that Government of India along with the states are prepared for it. Adequate medicines are there with states and Centre. For this, we are providing adequate medicines and testing kits. Immunization has been done of those who are working in the hospital. All testing kits are there in reasonable number and laboratories have been tuned and trained accordingly."

The health minister further stated that he will hold a press conference with all the vulnerable states on Wednesday and added that at places where presence of Zika virus was detected adequate quarantined and complete fogging have been done to ensure that breeding does not take place.

He said, "It was detected in Rajasthan at a localised area and we have completely tried to quarantine that area. Constant monitoring is underway. We are doing complete fogging to ensure that breeding does not take place. We are doing this with help of local district administration and municipal corporations. Over two lakh breeding centres have been detected and taken care of. Our surveillance system is in place. We are working towards making all areas infection-free. There is no need to panic but be vigilant.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Tuesday sought the intervention of Union Minister for Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar to ensure smooth studies of the Kashmiri students at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

Governor Malik also shared his concern on the issue with AMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Tariq Mansoor.

He urged both Javadekar and Professor Mansoor to ensure that Kashmiri students are allowed to continue their studies in a safe, secure and well-disposed academic environment.

Around 1,200 Kashmiri students studying in AMU threatened to leave their studies midway if sedition charges filed against some of the students were not withdrawn.

Recently, a group of students were suspended for allegedly raising anti-India slogans in the university. Two Kashmiri students were also stated to have been part of the slogan shouting brigade.

According to reports, the students apparently also mourned the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen's top commander Manan Waniand and Ashiq Hussain Zargar who were killed by security forces in an encounter.

The Aligarh Police launched a probe and subsequently a case was registered against the protesters under sections 147, 148, 124 A, 153A, 153B, 504 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

On Monday, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti urged the Centre to withdraw cases against the Kashmiri students.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)All India Muslim Personal Law Board's (AIMPLB) secretary and legal counsel Zafaryab Jilani on Tuesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of exaggerating the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) controversy.

His statement comes days after cases of sedition were slapped against three Kashmiri students of AMU for allegedly raising anti- slogans and organising a prayer meet for terrorist Manan Bashir Wani, an aluminous of the university who was killed in an encounter with the security forces on October 11 in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district.

Speaking to ANI, Jilani said, "Just because they were taking out Namaz-e-Janaja, they can't be considered anti- Maybe they were friends with Manan Wani. He was a student here (AMU). It can be an offence and for that police has registered a case, but it shouldn't be viewed as if all Kashmiri students are against the nation."

He sharpened his attack against the BJP saying, "When it comes to Aligarh Muslim University, BJP makes a mountain out of a molehill. Students should be seen as students. If they make a mistake, it should be viewed as mistake by a student and that is what the university is doing."

Earlier on Monday, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti asked central government to withdraw the sedition cases against the students. "Pushing youth to the wall will be counterproductive. Centre must intervene in withdrawing cases against students and AMU authorities must revoke their suspension. The respective State governments outside J-K should be sensitive to the situation and prevent further alienation," she tweeted.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi also urged Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and AMU Vice Chancellor Tariq Mansoor to resolve the matter. While addressing the media in Hyderabad, Owaisi said: "It is very unfortunate that students want to leave midway. AMU Vice Chancellor, teachers, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Ministry of Home Affairs officials should resolve this issue. I hope this will be taken seriously."

Around 1,200 Kashmiri students threatened to leave their studies midway if the sedition charges against the students were not withdrawn.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Bombay High Court's Nagpur bench on Tuesday sought a reply from the state forest department to disclose how there have not been any deaths in the last two months by man-eater T-1 tigress in Pandharkawda forest.

The Maharashtra Forest Department had earlier issued shoot-at-sight orders against the tigress, which has killed 14 people in the state.

The bench also sought reply about the change in the sequence of steps to be taken as mentioned in the PCCF's (Principal Chief Conservator of Forests) order as opposed to the CCF's (Chief Conservator of Forests) order.

The earlier order had stated that first the cubs would be tranquillized and then the tigress, as opposed to the CCF order which stated that T-1 would be tranquillized first and then the cubs.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Police were successful in severely wounding the captor who had taken a girl hostage in the Breslauer Platz area here on Monday.

An official press release by the Cologne Police confirmed that the hostage-taking situation occurred at a pharmacy at Cologne Central Station. Two people were injured by the captor before he took the girl hostage.

The police revealed that the captor had lit a Molotov cocktail in a restaurant which wounded a 14-year-old girl. The attacker then ran out of the restaurant and went to a pharmacy in the vicinity, where he took the woman hostage, according to Sputnik.

The identity of the culprit and the hostage have not been revealed. Immediate medical care was provided to the hostage as she was injured while being held. The detained captor has been resuscitated as he continues receiving intensive medical care after being 'severely wounded' in the siege.

German police later added that a passport had been found at the pharmacy, which had been issued to a 55-year-old Syrian man who has permission to stay in Germany till mid-2021.

The police are investigating the motive behind the hostage-taking, and have not ruled out terror linkages, reports Sputnik.

The crime scene was cordoned off, as trains were delayed during the siege. The area has regained normalcy, and trains have gradually started plying on the route.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Giving a fresh twist to the political tussle over the Rafale fighter jets deal, a new document published by French defence writer Yves Pagot claimed that Dassault Aviation (DA) had in a letter to trade unions explained that it was mandatory for it to have a tie-up with any Indian company as a result of the off-set clause by the Indian government's Make in India policy.

The statement in the document said that it was offset that was made mandatory by the Indian government and not the company with which Dassault would need to tie up.

The latest document claims to have demolished the story by French media house -- Mediapart - which said that Dassault's partnership with Reliance was a mandatory condition to secure Rafale contract.

"Now Mediapart has obtained a Dassault company document in which a senior executive is quoted as saying the group accepted to work with Reliance as an "imperative and obligatory" condition for securing the fighter contract," the Mediapart article claimed.

But, now it seems that the word 'imperative and obligatory' got misrepresented. The document put up by Pagot, a former French Air Force official, on Portail Aviation is a summary of a meeting between DA and trade unions in which DA presented the effects of the "offsets" imposed on the defence contract. According to his LinkedIn profile Pagot is Vice President and Defence editor of Portail Aviation.

The internal document of Dassault said: "This is the union summary of a meeting (CEC, Central Committee of an Enterprise, mandatory under French law), presenting the impact of the offsets imposed on the defence contract (50% of contreparties) and of the "Make in India policy"."

The statement in the document makes it clear that Dassault has to honour the offsets that are imposed as a part of the Make in India policy and states how offsets are mandatory and not any company.

Demolishing Mediapart's claims Pagot tweeted saying: "Definitive clue that @Mediapart is spamming BS about pseudo "inner document" at DA (Dassault Aviation)."

While attacking the government on the Rafale deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had recently quoted Mediapart which alleged that choosing Reliance as an offset partner was mandatory according to an internal document of Dassault.

However, the new DA document will help government counter the allegations which, according to sources, clearly demolishes the story of Mediapart and Rahul Gandhi.

Congress party led by Gandhi has accused the government of an alleged scandal in the purchase of the 36 Rafale fighter jets. Gandhi has alleged that the motive was to favour industrialist Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence. Rahul Gandhi's claims got a fresh angle when former French President Francois Hollande in a quote to Mediapart said DA was forced to choose Reliance as a partner.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Halloween in the Catholic areas of this Southeast Asian archipelago, its marked variations despite, is among the countrys age-old religious tradition that dates back to the 16th century. In Metro Manila and nearby provinces, residents refer to the celebration as theorcalled by those in Central Visayas asoramong Ilocanos, who also have semana ti ar-aria for the week-long bash to All Saints Day and All Souls Day. In the run-up to the two days, by law non-working regular holidays in this predominantly Christian country, which received the Cross in 1521, people who hack out a living in the metropolis but have their roots in the provinces begin a stress-filled exodus back to the countrysideby buses for northerners and boats and aircraft chiefly for southerners. It is an annual trek that has become a solemn affairamong instances when the living visit the graves of their departed dead in public or manicured private memorial parks. Halloween in these parts is marked differently by the communitiesone tradition in a Central Luzon town being the kin of the dead gathering in the graveyard on All Saints Day for some prayers, feasting, and merry-making. The merry-making extends to rides in ferris wheels and roller coaster swings in the metropolisin stark contrast to the different practices in the provinces where surviving kin remember their dead with prayers and, sometimes, five minutes of funeral marches played by the town band around the stone marker or epitaph of the dead relation. In the Christian areas of the Philippines, Halloween can be said to be actually more of an observance than a celebration or a day to remember the dead. During the Halloween season, Filipinos go to the cemeteries to visit their dead, clean their tombstones, sometimes repaint them, light candles, and offer flowers and prayers for the dead. Most often, masses are also offered in the graveyards where the priest, beyond the request of a grieving kin nearby, also prays for those who have been forgotten, their resting places abandoned for years. Some kibitzers have seen whole families camping in cemeteries and sometimes even spending the whole night or two near their dead relatives tomb. During this time, card games are played, ghost stories are told, and there are eating, drinking, singing, and merriment in commemoration of the departed loved ones. The occasion is more like a family reunion or banquet or family picnic. Halloween also coincides with the day, often on Oct. 31, when relatives clean up the tombstones and gravesrepainting the stones or uprooting covering wayward grass, including thewhich is a familiar sight in Philippine cemeteries. Some in Cebu, like Mary Anne and her siblings, will be going to Tindog on the northern side of the island province to visit the grave of their mother for prayers before they drive back to Minglanilla town south of the capital city for additional prayers for their father and brother at the towns graveyard.But in some areas of Negros Oriental, orphaned relatives will visit the graves of their dead kin for an overnight stayon shiftsat the cemetery for what they call thewhich is also practiced by some in Negros Occidental. In some towns in Ilocos Norte, theliterally feast of the deadis marked by nine masses at home or masses arranged to be celebrated in churches, either Aglipayan or Catholic, with the ninth culminating on All Saints Day. The practice is replicated in many towns in Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya, especially in the Ilocano-speaking towns of these provinces of the Cagayan Valley, which lie on the side of the Sierra Madre. In the Visayas, as in some towns in Negros Oriental, some distinct Halloween customs and beliefs are observed, including the burning of candles on the family altar from 6 p.m. shortly before Angelus until past 8 p.m. when the Church bells ring. Observers say this is done to welcome the souls of the dead who, given the folk belief, are free to roam about on Halloween night. Some say a quick look at the altar and the number of lit candles there can give the impression how many have passed on from the family. The nine days of prayer for the departed souls in the Ilocos and the Cagayan Valley are believed to help the souls in Purgatory gain a seat in heaven and a sight of the Lord. The nine days of prayer, which end with some food feast and merry-making, are believed by some Catholics and Aglipayans to bring back to life reunions with those who have answered Gods summons. The dead at this time are believed to be visiting their surviving relatives in their ancestral homesbut many say that in fact the living are the ones who enjoy the food festival. While the practices may differ, they point to one axiom: belief in the afterlife.A junior doctor at the King George's Medical University (KGMU), who was being probed in connection with the Vyapam scam, died after she allegedly injected herself with an overdose of an anesthesia drug.

The woman, identified as Dr. Manisha Sharma, died over two days after she was admitted to the hospital in critical condition on account of an alleged drug overdose.

In the wake of Sharma's death, the deceased's kin lodged an FIR in the Wazirganj police station against a senior doctor in the Urology department, Udham Singh, on grounds of harassment.

"On October 13, a woman informed us that her sister, who is a doctor at KGMU, injected herself with some drug and was being treated at KGMU where she died today (Monday). An FIR has been registered against a doctor. Action will be taken based on the investigation," said Lucknow West Superintendent of Police (SP) Vikas Chandra Tripathi.

As per a doctor at KGMU, Sharma was pursuing higher education at the hospital while serving as a junior doctor. However, the doctor said that he was unaware of the harassment claims, and assured that a committee will be constituted to probe the allegations against Singh.

The Vyapam scam is an admission and recruitment fraudulent scheme, beginning in 1995, involving politicians, senior officials and businessmen in the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB).

The admission and recruitment scam that was unearthed in 2013 pertains to alleged irregularities in the PMT-2013 examination conducted by the MPPEB, popularly known as "Vyapam"(Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and his German counterpart Heiko Mass on Tuesday discussed the recent disappearance of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi with US State Secretary Mike Pompeo.

"On Khashoggi case, I have already spoken several times. The facts that are being discussed are very serious, and we told this to the Saudi authorities with great firmness. We want the most clarity on the facts that have happened ... This morning we also discussed this serious issue of protecting expression and freedom of press with Mike Pompeo, " Le Drian said at a press conference following a meeting with his German counterpart.

The French foreign minister underlined that the relations with Riyadh might change depending on the results of the probe into the disappearance of the opposition journalist.

Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, went missing in Turkey on October 2. According to the journalist's fiancee, he was invited to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul but never left the consulate building. According to media reports, Turkish investigators believe the journalist was murdered inside the consulate, but Saudi Arabia claims that Khashoggi went missing after he left the building.

The European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom, among others, have expressed serious concerns over the journalist's disappearance. US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to "punish" Riyadh if it is proved to be behind the suspected killing.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Congress party's Goa unit in-charge, A Chella Kumar on Tuesday accused state health minister Vishwajit Rane, of poaching two Congress MLAs to join the BJP.

His remarks come in the wake of two Goa Congress legislators, Dayanand Sopte and Subhash Shirodkar, leaving for New Delhi to meet BJP president Amit Shah ahead of joining the BJP.

Speaking to ANI, Chella Kumar said, "Before they left, I had a talk with them, they told me that we will be back, we will not leave the Congress. Particularly, Sopte told me - 'people in the Mandrem constituency have voted against the BJP and defeated the then-chief minister by a huge margin. How can I go against the wishes of the people? Don't trust these gossips, I am a principled man, I will not leave the Congress party'."

The Goa Congress chief claimed that he sensed fear on their faces when he spoke to them.

"Then when I enquired, I got a message that Vishwajit (Rane) is the man who has convinced these two and took them to Delhi. I think he has bargained with the BJP high command that if he brings these two MLAs, he should be made the chief minister," Chella Kumar said, adding that when Rane switched allegiances from the Congress to the BJP, he revealed that Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were "after his life."

"When Vishwajit left Congress, he called me and said that BJP president Amit Shah and Narendra Modi were after his life. Then he left and we were out of touch. Later he started calling me regularly, and all the time he used to tell me 'Dr don't underestimate Amit Shah-Narendra Modi combination. They are cruel, ruthless people. They are not scared of killing anyone'. I'm worried if these two MLAs were also threatened like him," Chella Kumar added.

However, Goa Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant confirmed that the two MLAs were making the switch "willingly," and "without any pressure."

"I have received the resignation from two Congress MLAs - Dayanand Sopte and Subhash Shirodkar. They confirmed they're doing this willingly, without any pressure. I have accepted the resignations. The process will be completed and the copies will be sent to all members of House, Governor and the Election Commission."

While confirming his and Sopte's switch to the BJP, Shirodkar told ANI, "We are joining the BJP today. We expect two to three more MLAs to come, not today but in the coming days."

Sopte, who defeated former BJP Goa chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar in the 2017 state legislative assembly election, represents Mandrem constituency, while Shirodkar was elected on a Congress ticket from Shiroda constituency.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)South African all-rounder JP Duminy has been ruled out of the team's upcoming tour to Australian due to a shoulder injury.

Announcing the news, South Africa team manager Mohammed Moosajee revealed that Duminy had aggravated the already-existing shoulder injury during the recently-concluded series against Zimbabwe.

Moosajee further said that Duminy's return would now depend on the time he takes to recover from the injury.

"JP aggravated a pre-existing shoulder injury during the recently concluded series against Zimbabwe. The injury will require surgical management thus ruling him out of the immediate tour of Australia and the upcoming MSL," Sport24 quoted Moosajee, as saying.

"At the moment we can't say how long he will be out for, that is dependent on the results from the surgery," he added.

Meanwhile, Duminy has also been sidelined from the upcoming Mzansi Super League (MSL) following the shoulder injury.

South Africa are slated to play a three-match ODI series and one T20I match against Australia from November 4 to 17.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday urged the governments of Saudi Arabia and Turkey to reveal the details of the disappearance and possible extra-judicial killing of the prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

In a statement released by United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC), Bachelet said, "In view of the seriousness of the situation surrounding the disappearance of Khashoggi, I believe the inviolability or immunity of the relevant premises and officials bestowed by treaties such as the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations should be waived immediately."

"Under international law, both a forced disappearance and an extra-judicial killing are very serious crimes, and immunity should not be used to impede investigations into what happened and who is responsible. Two weeks is a very long time for the probable scene of a crime not to have been subjected to a full forensic investigation," she added.

After two weeks of Khashoggi's disappearance, Bachelet reiterated that it is clear that the journalist entered the Saudi consulate and has not been seen since.

The High Commissioner also underscored that both Saudi Arabia and Turkey are parties to the UN Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and, therefore, they are obliged to take all measures to prevent torture, enforced disappearances and other serious human rights violations, to investigate allegations of acts constituting these crimes, and to bring to justice those suspected of committing them.

United States Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo on Tuesday met Saudi King Salman and Foreign Minister Al-Jubeir in Riyadh to discuss the disappearance of journalist Khashoggi and it was agreed that there is a need for a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation in the case.

Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post, disappeared on October 2 after entering the Saudi embassy in Istanbul. While his fiancee claimed Khashoggi never stepped out of the embassy after entering it, Turkish authorities reportedly claimed to have evidence that suggests that Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate, an allegation that Saudi Arabia has strongly denied.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Hyatt Regency Delhi, the prestigious five-star hotel, has assured their cooperation with the police authorities in the probe of an incident where a man pulled out a gun during a brawl at the foyer of the prestigious hotel.

In a statement, the hotel said, "The safety and security of our guests is our primary concern. To that end, we employ a wide range of physical security measures and security protocols customised to the needs and the environment in which each hotel is operating."

Police have registered a complaint under the Arms Act against Ashish Pandey, the son of former Member of Parliament from the Bahujan Samaj Party, Rakesh Pandey.

Cops say it was Ashish who flashed a gun during a ruckus with a man and woman at the entrance of the hotel. The incident, which happened on Saturday, was captured by a mobile phone camera. The video went viral, swinging the police into action.

In the video, the accused, who the police say is Ashish Pandey, is seen wearing a black T-shirt and pink trousers and waving a gun to intimidate a couple. The video caused an outrage on social media even as the identity of the gun-toting man had not been revealed.

"We take the incident that occurred at Hyatt Regency Delhi on seriously and have been working with the local police authorities on the same. We assure our support and will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities in reference to any further investigation on this matter," asserted the hotel in their media note.

Earlier, Special Joint Commissioner of Police Ajay Choudhary said they have questioned the hotel officials seeking to know as to why they did not bring up the issue before the police. "We have asked the five-star hotel authorities why they did not report the incident to the police," the police official said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)United States Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo on Tuesday met Saudi King Salman and Foreign Minister al-Jubeir in Riyadh. During the meetings the two sides discussed the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and it was agreed that there is a need for a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation in the case.

"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Saudi King Salman in Riyadh. The Secretary thanked the King for Saudi Arabia's strong partnership with the United States. The Secretary and the King discussed a number of regional and bilateral issues. The Secretary also thanked the King for his commitment to supporting a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation of Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance," Spokesperson Heather Nauert said.

In a separate press statement, US State Department said that during his meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister al-Jubeir, Pompeo reiterated US concerns over Khashoggi's disappearance.

"The Secretary thanked the Foreign Minister for his continued partnership and he and the foreign minister followed up on a range or regional and bilateral issues discussed at the UN General Assembly. The Secretary reiterated US concern over Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance. The Secretary and the foreign minister agreed on the importance of a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation," the US State Department said.

Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post, disappeared on October 2 after entering the Saudi embassy in Istanbul. While his fiancee claimed Khashoggi never stepped out of the embassy after entering it, Turkish authorities reportedly claimed having evidences that suggests that Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate, an allegation that Saudi Arabia has strongly denied.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday urged Russian energy company Rosneft to enhance its presence in the Indian fuel retailing sector.

"Met Global Head of Downstream and Member of Management Board @RosneftEN, Didier Casimiro on the sidelines of #IndiaEnergyForum. Urged Rosneft to enhance their presence in the Indian fuel retailing sector. Last year Russia had made its largest FDI in Oil and Gas sector in India," Pradhan wrote on Twitter.

"Rosneft is also partnering with Indian OMCs in Russian projects such as Sakhalin-1, Vankorneft and Taas-Yuryakh. Explored further enhancing Indian presence in Russian Oil and Gas fields, also invited them to invest in India's Gas infrastructure," he added.

Pradhan, meanwhile, also met Neil Saunders, president and Chief Executive Officer of oilfield equipment for Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE), on the sidelines of second India Energy Forum.

During the meet, he urged Saunders to take advantage of the investor-friendly regime, policy reforms and the 'Make In India' initiative to further increase their presence in India's hydrocarbon market. Pradhan also asked the company to invest and partner in India's skill development ecosystem.

"Met Neil Saunders, President & CEO, Oilfield Equipment of @BHGECO on the sidelines of 2nd #IndiaEnergyForum. GE Oil & Gas is already deeply involved in all the three segments-Upstream, Midstream & Downstream segments of Oil & Gas in India," Pradhan tweeted.

"Urged Saunders to take advantage of the investor-friendly regime, policy reforms & the #MakeInIndia initiative to further increase their presence in India's hydrocarbon market. Also urged them to invest & partner in India's skill development ecosystem," he wrote.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Congress party president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra on Tuesday condemned the incident that happened at Delhi's five-star hotel, where the son of a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader was filmed waving a gun, threatening a man and a woman.

In a telephonic interview with ANI, Vadra said, "I was there on Saturday with my daughter and mother in the same hotel. I was wondering when I saw the video, what lawless city we are living in? How can our families, our daughters feel safe in such an environment? There should be no acceptance of such incidents, we need to stand up and speak up against such incidents. This could have been another case like the Jessica Lal murder."

In 1999, son of a former Congress party minister shot Jessica Lal dead after she refused to serve him a drink at a Delhi restaurant she worked at.

In a somewhat similar incident, a complaint has been registered under Arms Act against Ashish Pandey, the son of former Member of Parliament from the BSP, Rakesh Pandey. Police say it was Ashish who flashed a gun during a brawl at the foyer of a south Delhi hotel. The ruckus was captured on a mobile phone camera.

Vadra added that, in the incident that happened on Saturday, police should have been called immediately and the hotel should have provided the video of the incident to the authorities at the earliest.

"They are doing it now after there is an outrage. Law and order system should be such that there is zero tolerance for such acts," Vadra said.

Vadra also expressed concerns in a Facebook post, saying, "I really fear for the safety of our children and the people of our city, the capital of the country. What is the law n order prevailing n who is accountable?! Has the Chief Minister seen what is existing n will they make an example of this insane behaviour with guns and profanity?! There were a bunch of children having dinner at the hotel n other friends, earlier....

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)American actress Robin Wright will be bestowed with the Gold Star career honour at the 17th edition of the Marrakech Film Festival.

Set to run from November 30 to December 8, the fest will recognise her film and television work, including 'The Princess Bride' and 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' and her efforts for charitable organisations in the Congo, confirmed The Hollywood Reporter.

"I'm thrilled to be visiting the country of Morocco and grateful to be given this opportunity to experience the Moroccan culture," said the actress.

With a rich film career, Wright has alternated between major productions and significant roles in independent movies like 'Forrest Gump', 'Crossing Guard', 'She's so lovely', 'Unbreakable' among others.

In 2013, her career took off again with TV series 'House of Cards', in which she portrayed the role of Claire Underwood, one of the most striking female characters in the world of contemporary series.

In the final season of 'House of Cards', which drops on November 6 on Netflix, she will play the role of the president.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)What was done in Boracay island is a showcase of how decisiveness and political will can achieve great results.

Earlier this year, President Rodrigo Duterte expressed dismay over Boracays state of decay. The island, which is in the municipality of Malay, Aklan province, is a premier tourist destination with numerous big and small commercial establishments catering to the crowd. As a result of the untrammeled activity, however, the island has degenerated into what the President called a cesspool, with poor solid waste management and water quality; hence teeming with bacteria and hazardous to health. The situation had become so dire that President Duterte ordered a shutdown of the island for a six-month cleanup and rehabilitation. During that time, no activity of any kind was allowed. Boracay will open October 26; it had a soft opening Monday.When the public is allowed in again, there will be restrictions to ensure the same excesses are not committed anew. It will be interesting to see how the government both national and local will strike a balance among enticing tourists, generating income for the locals, preserving the rights of indigenous peoples and maintaining environmental standards. Certainly, the cleanup efforts must be replicated in other destinations to send the message that development carries a price. Local executives must also be taken to task for focusing on revenues while disregarding the costs, and establishment owners made accountable for disregarding standards for the sake of business. The Environment Department says it is now safe to swim again in the waters of Boracay. We hope the water around the island does not ever get contaminated again, from bacteriaor from other vested interests.United States President Donald Trump said he believes that "rogue killers" could be behind the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Trump had spoken to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz earlier in the day and had mentioned that the Saudi King had denied having "any knowledge" on what could have happened to the scribe.

"That being said, the king firmly denied any knowledge of it, he didn't really know. Maybe, I don't want to get into his head, but it sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers, who knows," Trump told journalists, according to Sputnik.

The US President also confirmed on Twitter that US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo has been sent to Saudi Arabia at his behest to meet the Saudi King.

Trump had earlier threatened the Gulf country of "severe punishment" if it is proven that Saudi Arabia had a role to play in Khashoggi's disappearance, a charge that the Gulf nation has repeatedly and vehemently denied.

Meanwhile, CNN reported that Saudi Arabia is working on a report that may reveal Riyadh's role in Khashoggi's disappearance while confirming the senior scribe's death at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

Jamal Khashoggi has been missing ever since cameras captured him walking into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Hatice Cengiz, his fiancee, who was waiting outside the consul, had stated that she did not see him re-emerging from the building, even though Saudi Arabia has claimed that the journalist had left the building within few minutes of entering.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Addressing the 34th Raising Day event of Security Guard (NSG) here on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called upon the security forces to be on alert as "terrorists are adopting new tactics".

The Home Minister said that terrorists are using social media for publicity and vehicles to run over people in crowded public places. Keeping up with the challenges, the NSG is upgrading its skills and techniques, he added.

Singh further credited the armed forces for not allowing the terrorists to carry out any major attack in the nation.

"In the last ten years, there was no big terrorist attack in the hinterland of the country largely due to the alertness of our security forces. Barring Jammu and Kashmir, our security forces have succeeded in preventing terrorist attacks in the rest of the country," Singh said.

"We have seen best coordination among security forces in Jammu and Kashmir resulting in successful security operations. We have decided to deploy one unit of NSG in Jammu and Kashmir," he added.

In order to reduce response time, Singh said that regional hubs of NSG are being set up. Recently, one such hub was inaugurated in Hyderabad.

Singh said the Centre is fully supporting the security forces and has taken several measures for their welfare such as in recruitment and promotion of Constables.

"We are also concerned about families of martyrs and have taken measures to ensure adequate monetary support," he said.

Terming the NSG as our 'Sudarshan Chakra' against terrorists, Singh said it is comparable to any international force of its kind.

"It's not only better than rest but better than the best. In 34 years since its inception, NSG secured a solid place for itself in the security grid of the nation. NSG has become a specialised force with multi-dimensional roles in counter terrorism, anti-hijacking and close protection operations. NSG has fulfilled all tasks entrusted to it with full dedication. People of our country have developed enormous trust in the NSG while the enemies are scared of its capabilities," he said.

Meanwhile, Singh today launched the newly created website and Twitter handle of NSG. He also presented awards and commendations to the Security Forces personnel and their families.

On the occasion, NSG commandos displayed their prowess by conducting demonstrations in counter-terrorist operations using drones, amphibious assaults, canine units and air-dropping of Special Units. Directors General of CAPFs, former DGs of NSG and senior officers of MHA and CAPFs were present at the event.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Setting an example of communal harmony, a Muslim family in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur city has been making Ravana effigies for Dussehra celebrations for decades.

Speaking to ANI, Zahid Khan, a member of the family said, "I have been making these effigies for 35-40 years. My family has been making them for generations. Hindus and Muslims all live together happily here and together make these Ravana effigies. We celebrate each other's festivals as well."

Khan said that labourers working with him belong to both the Hindu and Muslim community.

He further said that despite selling around 20-25 statues every year in various parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Delhi and Haryana, they could not earn a lot of money out of it.

"Whoever takes these Ravanas from us praise us a lot, they say we do good work and always come back next year. However, we don't make a lot of money out of these effigies. We work hard, but financially, we are stuck," Khan added.

He said that, despite the low-profit business, his family has been making these effigies because of their belief in the message of 'victory of good over evil', one that the story of Lord Ram's victory over Ravana conveys.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday called adult star Stormy Daniels a 'Horseface' and denounced her defamation lawsuit against him as a 'total con.'

Taking to his Twitter handle, Trump wrote, "'Federal Judge throws out Stormy Daniel's lawsuit versus Trump. Trump is entitled to full legal fees.' @FoxNews Great, now I can go after Horseface and her 3rd rate lawyer in the Great State of Texas. She will confirm the letter she signed! She knows nothing about me, a total con."

The US President's post comes after a federal judge dismissed the defamation lawsuit filed by Daniels against him. She had filed the lawsuit following Trump's tweet in which he called her a "total con job" after she opened up about being threatened to keep shut about the story of her alleged affair with him.

While pronouncing the decision, District Judge S. James Otero had said that Daniels in her argument underlined that Trump's tweet "attacks the veracity of her account" of the incident and that Trump's statement was "false and defamatory because it charged her with committing a serious crime."

Daniels had earlier claimed that Trump had an affair with her in 2006.

Otero not only dismissed the case but also ruled that Trump is entitled to attorney's fees.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)United States President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in Okaloosa County on Monday (local time) to take stock of the damage left behind in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael.

The US President and the First Lady were received by Florida's Governor Rick Scott and Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Brock Long amongst other officials at the Eglin Air Force Base.

Trump and Melania started their visit by taking an aerial survey of the areas that have been ravaged by Hurricane Michael, which made landfall in the northwestern parts of Florida on October 10.

He thanked the law enforcement, first responders, state, local and Federal officials who are helping in recovery efforts post-Hurricane Michael that has been hailed as the worst of its kind in 50 years.

"First responders, @fema, the job they've done is incredible," the US President stated while taking a tour through affected neighbourhoods in Florida, tweeted The White House.

Both Trump and Melania met citizens who have been affected by the hurricane and handed out relief material.

The CNN reported that the US President and his wife headed to a Red Cross centre in Georgia where they spoke with state and local officials, and local farmers to discuss the impact of the hurricane.

He repeatedly assured all affected citizens about his government's efforts towards providing support and relief while he stressed on the magnitude of damage left behind in the wake of the hurricane.

Sharing snippets from his tour, Trump tweeted "TOGETHER, WE WILL PREVAIL."

The monstrous squall, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm, ripped off roofs and structures of homes in Mexico Beach, while the gusty winds slammed down trees and snapped power lines.

Trump had earlier declared a state of emergency in Florida by extending federal assistance to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Michael.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The United States has announced over USD 178 million in assistance to support ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq.

With this assistance, the total aid issued by the US for this population will reach nearly USD 300 million since the fiscal year 2017, read a statement issued by the US Department of State.

Furthermore, the Department of State said the preservation of Iraq's rich historical pluralism is critical to reintegrating persecuted ethnic and religious minority communities into a peaceful Iraq.

The US also said that their efforts focus on Genocide Recovery and Persecution Response (GRPR), clearing the Explosive Remnants of War, Social, Economic, and Political Empowerment and Preservation of Historic and Cultural Heritage Sites.

Around USD 133 million has been directed toward genocide recovery and persecution response, while approximately USD 37 million will be granted to support explosive remnants of war (ERW).

Apart from this, USD 8.5 million will be allocated for social, economic and political projects.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)United States Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan met Iraqi religious leaders to reaffirm the US' commitment to assisting religious minorities, including Yazidis and Christians, who have been persecuted by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) in Iraq.

Heather Nauert, the spokesperson for the US Department of State, released an official statement on Tuesday (local time) which highlighted how Sullivan outlined the United States' view that "ensuring people of all beliefs have a secure future in Iraq is integral to the region's stability and peace", during the meeting.

Sullivan was accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Doug Silliman, Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Major General Ricky Waddell, National Security Council Director for Iraq Matthew Zais and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Near Eastern Affairs Andrew Peek in the meeting which was held over lunch.

The release also mentioned that the USA has provided nearly USD 1 billion since the financial year 2017 in development and security assistance in Iraq, of which nearly USD 300 million is specifically prioritised in geographic regions with concentrations of religious communities, such as the Ninewa Plains.

A large chunk of the aid goes towards benefiting displaced and other conflict-affected populations in northern Iraq, according to the statement. The region hosts the majority of the country's displaced ethnic and religious minorities.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Two Congress MLAs from Goa who left for Delhi late on Monday, met BJP chief Amit Shah on Tuesday and soon after resigned from the state assembly, an official said.

Earlier in the day, Congress leader A. Chellakumar had accused the BJP of poaching the two legislators -- Subhash Shirodkar, a former minister and Dayanand Sopte -- who had set out for the national capital to meet Shah.

Shirodkar and Sopte faxed their resignations to Goa Speaker Pramod Sawant, the Speaker's office said.

Congress Secretary in-charge for Goa Chellakumar said the two were intimidated by Shah and poached by Health Minister in the BJP-led coalition government Vishwajit Rane, who is angling for the Chief Minister's post, in case Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar steps down owing to his health condition.

"I got a message that Vishwajit Rane was the man who has convinced and taken them to Delhi and he has bargained with the BJP high command, that if he got the two Congress MLAs he should be made the Chief Minister.

"On that note, money power and official machinery, they have taken these two MLAs," Chellakumar told reporters.

The Congress official also alleged that the Congress MLAs were a victim of "fear psychosis" due to constant threats from the BJP.

Rane said that Chellakumar's statements reeked of "frustration" as the Congress was bleeding MLAs. Rane, himself a former Congressman had joined the BJP in 2017.

The latest spell of political instability in Goan has been triggered by an ailing Parrikar, with coalition allies beginning to clamour for meaty portfolios and the BJP readying alternatives to the former Defence Minister, who is suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer.

Sopte and Shirodkar's resignations was likely to blunt Congress' efforts to cobble numbers together for an alternate coalition formation to power.

The resignations also dulled the Congress' strategic advantage as the single largest party in the 38-member Goa Legislative Assembly, bringing its legislative strength at par with the BJP's 14.

The incumbent BJP-led coalition government has 14 BJP MLAs, supported by three MLAs each from the Goa Forward, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, three Independent MLAs and Nationalist Congress Party MLA Churchill Alemao.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)At least three people, including two pilots, were killed in two military fighter jets crash in Minbu township of Myanmar's Magway region on Tuesday.

A female student on the ground died after she was hit by pieces of the jets' wreckage in the incident, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services attributed the incident to bad weather, saying that two out of four jet fighters crashed while returning to Magway Airbase after flight training in the morning.

Despite successful landing of the first two fighters amid bad weather condition, the two others failed with one crashing near Sapwet creek bridge, south of Minbu, while the other near a field, 1 km west of Tanatpinsu village.

The pieces of the wreckage of the fighter jet that crashed near Sapwet creek bridge, hit the female high school student who died in a hospital due to injuries.

According to an initial report of the Air Force, one fighter jet hit a tower pole and its wing clapped with that of another aircraft, thus crashing together.

The local police were investigating the incident.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Elections are always a good test of our discernment and collective memory. Which politicians, based on their track record, deserve to be reelected? What did they accomplish and what more can they do if they get back into office? Who among the many untested candidates deserve to be given a chance to act on our behalf? Which of them still face criminal charges in court?

Sadly, if the past is any indication, we often fail this crucial test. Consider the example of a washed-up movie actor and action star who won election to two terms as a senator, ending in 2016. In a candid moment as his second term was drawing to a close, the senator admitted that he felt he was unfit for the Senate. In the interview, he said his lack of a formal education held him back and recalled how he was unable to answer questions during plenary sessions and committee hearingswhich he seldom attended. At the time, he said he was done with the Senate, and that he hoped people would support his son, a former governor, instead. These hopes did not materialize, however, and his son failed to win. Now, three years later, the former senator wants a third termdespite his own admission that he was unfit for the job. Will we take him up to the test? Sadly, recent opinion polls suggest he might just get what he wants, despite his less-than-stellar track record. Also consider the example of a human rights lawyer who left his job as a party-list congressman to be a high-profile member of President Dutertes Cabinet. In this role, he vigorously defended the Presidents bloody war on illegal drugs and his penchant for acting inappropriately toward women. Some of the ethical backflips and cartwheels he performed during this time were formidable indeed.But the President has slapped down his senatorial ambitions and he has decided to part ways. Now, running again for a party-list position in Congress, he declares that he is once again his own man. Perhaps to prove his point, he now says that it was inappropriate for the President to ask for a kiss from a woman that he met during a visit with the Filipino community in South Korea in June. At the time, he had dismissed the Presidents move as a light gesture accepted in Filipino culture. Now he says the lips-to-lips kiss was wrong. Did it take him four months to come to the realization? Or was he merely putting his personal convictions on hold in the hopes of hitching his wagon to the President to win a seat in the Senate? Finally, let us consider the example of a man Friday of an important national leader. He has had absolutely no experience in government, and he is best known for taking selfies of himself with his boss and other important people in the background. Are we to take him at his word that he will do his best and vote him into the Senate on the say-so of his boss? Or shall we exercise some intelligence in choosing our leaders? These examples are hardly the only ones with dubious claims to public office. Indeed, there will most likely be a good number of unqualified crackpots who will throw their hats into the ring. The difference is, these nuisance candidates are fairly easy to spotand discardand require no discernment on the part of the voter.A bus accident in West Bengal's Hooghly district left five persons dead and many others injured on Tuesday, police said.

"The bus overturned and fell into the Dakatiya Khaal (a canal) on Haripal Road this morning. The injured were rushed to hospital," a police official said.

The rescue operation was still underway and the cause or extent of damage due to the accident was not yet clear, he added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Authorities alerted airports and a Delhi Police team reached Lucknow on Tuesday in search of a BSP MP's son who whipped out a pistol during a scuffle with a man at a luxury hotel in the national capital, officials said.

The three-member squad, led by Inspector Harish Chandra, went to Ashish Pandey's house and those of his relatives but could not find him, an officer said.

Pandey, son of former Bahujan Samaj Party MLA and MP Rakesh Pandey, pulled out the weapon during an argument with a man in the porch of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in south Delhi on Sunday around 3.40 a.m., police said.

In the video, Ashish Pandey and his friends can be heard abusing the man who used the ladies' washroom, police said.

Delhi's Joint Commissioner of Police Ajay Chaudhry said: "We are afraid he (Pandey) might leave the country. So, a look-out circular has been issued at airports across the country.

"He doesn't live in Delhi. He has his residence in Lucknow... We are in coordination with the Uttar Pradesh Police and will be able to arrest him soon," Chaudhry said.

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju took to Twitter to say that "strong and appropriate action will be taken" against the culprits including the friends of Ashish Pandey.

Police took suo motu cognizance of the incident, which Chaudhry said wasn't reported by the hotel authorities or by the people involved in the fight but was recorded in a video that went viral on the social media.

"It happened during a party at the hotel. Ashish had an argument with someone who used a ladies' washroom and the video that showed him brandishing a pistol went viral," he said.

The Uttar Pradesh Police is assisting the Delhi Police in the hunt for Ashish Pandey.

When the police team reached Pandey's house in Vaibhav Khand in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar area, a domestic help said that Pandey visited the place once or twice a month.

A case under the Arms Act and the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the accused.

Chaudhry said the hotel was yet to respond as to why the incident wasn't reported to the police.

Meanwhile, Hyatt Hotel issued a statement saying the safety of their guests was their primary concern and that they were working with the police in this direction.

"We take the incident that occurred at Hyatt Regency, Delhi," it said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Six teachers and eight students of Manipur University arrested nearly a month ago in the course of their agitation to seek the removal of the Vice Chancellor were released on Tuesday.

Imphal West Chief Judicial Magistrate L. Tonsing had issued the release orders on Monday.

However, Popilal Ningthoujam, a student who was accused of throwing eggs at the car of the Vice Chancellor, is still in jail.

Police had arrested the six Professors and 80 students during a September 20 midnight raid on the campus on the charge of involvement in the agitation to seek the removal of Vice Chancellor Professor A.P. Pandey for alleged financial and administrative irregularities.

Chief Minister N. Biren said: "The government has been trying to resolve the varsity impasse. We had invited stakeholders on several occasions. However, a breakthrough was achieved on Monday night by signing a MoU which said, inter alia, that the arrested persons will be released unconditionally."

Jarnail Singh, a retired Chief Secretary of Manipur, has been made varsity administrator after Pandey was made to go on leave.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Tuesday received the first gifts for their future baby in Australia, a day after it was announced that they are expecting their first child in the spring of 2019.

"Our first baby gift!" Duchess Meghan exclaimed when she received a toy Kangaroo with a joey and trademark Australian sheepskin boots for the baby.

The presents were given by the Governor General of Australia Peter Cosgrove - the representative of Queen Elizabeth II in the country - and his wife during the first official act of the royal couple's tour of Oceania, which includes stops in Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand later this month, reports Efe news.

The Governor's reception was also Harry and Meghan's first official appearance since it was announced on Monday that they were expecting the eighth grandchild of the 92-year-old Queen.

Cosgrove also gifted a couple of Akubra hats - typical of rural Australia - to the Duke and Duchess.

A number of social media users commented on Harry's happy expression while receiving the tiny Ugg boots, made of sheepskin.

The Duchess, dressed in white, showed an emerging baby bump, and according to media was wearing butterfly earrings which belonged to late Princess Diana.

The royal couple also visited Taronga zoo in northern Sydney, where they met two baby koalas named after them after their wedding in May, and inaugurated a new research and training centre for conservation.

Later, Harry and Meghan left for Sydney Opera House in a cavalcade to witness rehearsals by the Aboriginal dance company Bangarra Dance Theatre.

Hundreds of admirers gathered outside the Opera House to see the visiting royal couple amid tight security.

The Prince received a hug from Daphne Dune, a 98-year-old widow of a war veteran, who he had met in 2015 and 2017 during his earlier Australia visits.

Television footage showed the Prince talking with the elderly woman, sitting in a wheel-hair, before introducing her to his wife.

During their Australia visit, the couple will participate in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Invictus Games, held from October 20 to 28 and established by Harry in 2014 to give veterans and injured or disabled military personnel a chance to compete in sports.

The royal visit comes at a time when a poll showed that 52.4 per cent of the 1,000 Australians surveyed wanted Australia to become a republic, with the figure rising to 58.6 per cent among Australians between 25 and 34 years of age.

--IANS

ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal, arrested on September 21 on charges of raping a nun, walked out of the Pala sub-jail near Kottayam on Tuesday, a day after he was given bail by the Kerala High Court.

"He came out around 2 p.m." said Mulakkal's close associate P.C. George, an independent MLA. "He will fly back to Jalandhar in Punjab from Kochin," said George.

"I escorted him to his car, as there were hundreds of people who came to express their support to the bishop," said George.

"There were hundreds of his supporters, including several nuns and his well-wishers who conducted a small prayer session outside the jail," said George.

The bishop secured the bail with strict conditions that he should not enter Kerala, must surrender his passport and should appear before the police once in every two weeks.

Mulakkal was arrested on September 21 after three days of questioning. On September 24, he was sent to two weeks of judicial custody.

Mulakkal, who heads the Roman Catholic Diocese in Jalandhar, is the first bishop in the country to be jailed for rape.

--IANS

sg/prs

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In a fresh twist to the ongoing saga of political instability in Goa, two Congress MLAs who left the coastal state for Delhi late on Monday, may have been "taken" by the BJP, Congress leader A. Chellakumar said here on Tuesday.

The two legislators -- Subhash Shirodkar, a former minister and Dayanand Sopte -- were expected to meet Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah in the national capital on Tuesday.

Congress Committee Secretary in-charge for Goa Chellakumar also said the two were intimidated by Shah and poached by Health Minister in the BJP-led coalition government Vishwajit Rane, who is angling for the Chief Minister's post, in case sitting Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar steps down owing to his health condition.

"I got a message that Vishwajit Rane was the man who has convinced and taken them to Delhi and he has bargained with the BJP high command, that if he got the two Congress MLAs he should be made the Chief Minister.

"On that note, money power and official machinery, they have taken these two MLAs," Chellakumar told reporters.

The Congress official also alleged that the Congress MLAs were a victim of "fear psychosis" due to constant threats from the BJP.

Rane said that Chellakumar's statements reeked of "frustration" as the Congress was bleeding MLAs. Rane, himself a former Congressman had joined the BJP in 2017.

The latest spell of political instability in Goan has been triggered by an ailing Parrikar, with coalition allies beginning to clamour for meaty portfolios and the BJP readying alternatives to the former Defence Minister, who is suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer.

Resignations of Congress's Sopte and Shirodkar from MLA-posts, was expected to blunt Congress' efforts to cobble together numbers for the formation of a coalition government.

The resignations were also expected to do away with the Congress' strategic advantage as the single largest party in the 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly, bringing its legislative strength on par with the BJP at 14 MLAs.

The incumbent BJP-led coalition government has 14 BJP MLAs, supported by three MLAs each from the Goa Forward, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, three Independent MLAs and Nationalist Congress Party MLA Churchill Alemao.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A ruling BJP legislator in Bihar on Tuesday advised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to adopt police encounter policy of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to get rid of criminals so as to improve law and order in the state.

Neeeaj Kumar Bablu, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Saharsa, said unless encounters similar to the ones taking place in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh are started in Bihar, the law and order situation will not improve in the state.

"Nitish Kumar should order police encounter of criminals on the lines of Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh if he wants to improve law and order."

Bablu said neither arrest of criminals nor patrolling will improve law and order. "Encounter policy of Yogi Adityanath is the best way rein in criminals in Bihar," he said.

Incidentally, he is the third BJP leader to have voiced support for elimination of criminals through police encounters in the state.

Earlier, two ministers of Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had supported police encounters.

Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Ramnarayan Mandal and Labour Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, expressing concern over the rising crime, had suggested encounters as the cure for the malady.

They said encounters are the best way to create a sense of fear among the criminals.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Bombay High Court's Nagpur Bench on Tuesday admitted a PIL that sought a stay on plans to kill a 'man-eater' tigress and instead capture her alive, a wildlife activist said.

Medico and wildlife activist Jerryl A. Banait said that a division bench headed by Justice B.P. Dharmadhikari posted the public interest litigation he had filed on behalf of his NGO Earth Brigade Foundation for hearing on October 19.

The five-year-old tigress, known as Avni or T1, is currently the focus of a hunt for the past two months after she allegedly killed human beings in the lush Pandharkawada forests of Yavatmal in eastern Maharashtra last year.

Banait contended that instead of killing her, which will orphan her two 10-month-old cubs, the Forest Department should capture her alive, as per the Supreme Court orders on September 11.

"The department claimed that this tigress has killed over a dozen humans and in January this year, issued orders to shoot her at sight. However, in that month, she gave birth to two cubs, who are solely dependent on her for survival in the wild," Banait told IANS.

He claimed that since the birth of the cubs, there was not a single human death reported in the area, where seven other tigers roam the wild.

"So, how have the officials concluded that she is the man-eater and are now hunting for her? They have not even conducted proper scat (droppings) tests or analysed her predatory habits. If they kill her without following the Supreme Court and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines, they will actually be responsible for three deaths, since her cubs cannot survive without her," Banait said.

Meanwhile, the hunt for the tigress is on, with the help of trap cameras, drones, a pack of trained sniffer dogs and a hang-glider along with a team of Forest Department officials in the vicinity of the Tippeshwar Tiger Sanctuary.

The department has also hired the services of controversial private marksman Shafat Ali Khan but Banait says it not only violates the NCTA directives but also disregards the apex court orders.

He claimed that Khan was arrested by Karnataka Police on the charge of supplying weapons to the Maoists and later for conducting illegal shooting expeditions. The Karnataka authorities later dropped the second case.

A petition to save Avni T1 has also been launched on website change.org.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Public sector telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has signed a MoU with telecom equipment maker Nokia Solutions and Networks India Pvt Ltd for Industry 4.0, an official said on Tuesday.

The BSNL will also approach various industries for implementing Industry 4.0 in the country, BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Anupam Shrivastava told reporters here.

Industry 4.0 is the next level of automation in manufacturing where machines become smart, share data and includes Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing.

According to Shrivastava, BSNL has taken several initiatives for the launch of 5G services in India by 2020. Nokia Solutions is one of its key partners in developing the 5G eco-system.

He said BSNL was exploring cases such as Industry 4.0 that can benefit tremendously with 5G.

Queried about the investment that BSNL would have to make to roll out 5G by 2020, Shrivastava said the company invested about Rs 35,000 crore for rolling out 4G and a similar amount would be required for 5G rollout.

Shrivastava was here to participate in the 10th anniversary celebrations of Nokia Solutions plant near here that has cross production of four million units.

According to Nokia Solutions, the plant will now leverage solutions like augmented and virtual reality, connected robotics, artificial intelligence, big data analytics and IoT to enhance production.

According to Nokia Solutions, it has deployed the network using its micro core network and multi-access edge computing platform, delivering edge cloud capabilities to process data closer to end-users, lowering latency and ensuring personnel are alerted to any anomalies in production so they can be quickly resolved.

Increased levels of automation will help in shop-floor processes such as remote monitoring of robots and control of automated guided vehicles.

Meanwhile, Nokia Solutions has already started shipping out 5G ready telecom equipment out of its facility near here to the US, Asia Pacific, Europe and other places.

According to Johannes Giloth, Senior Vice President, Global Operations, the factory near here is the only second owned facility for the parent company, the first one being in Finland.

He said the company has sold all other plants to its manufacturing partners.

Giloth said the 5G product will be a global product and would be produced nearer to market and also from the facility near here.

According to Sanjay Malik, Vice President and Head of the Indian Market at Nokia, the standardisation of 5G technology will be ready by the first quarter of the next year.

Malik said from chip set perspective it will be finalized soon.

"The 5G system will be ready by the middle of next year. We are working with the BSNL and others. The demand for 4G systems is also increasing," Malik said.

Malik said the ratio of 4G products domestic sales to export sales out of the company's plant near here is 50:50 and 5G products may also be of similar ratio.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Actress Charlize Theron has condemned US President Donald Trump for mocking Christine Blasey Fords accusations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Ford accused Kavanaugh during his confirmation process. Ford testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about her memories of the alleged assault -- testimony that Trump went on to mock during a rally in Mississippi.

Theron had some strong words condemning Trump's actions, reports variety.com.

"Extreme sadness because I can't imagine if that was his daughter, how he would feel if somebody did that," Theron said.

"And I think sometimes it's really hard for people to put themselves in that person's shoes, and I don't know why, it's just plain empathy. You don't have to agree with her," she added.

"But you don't have to belittle her, you don't have to do that. For me, it's worse than high school to see an adult do that. Especially the leader of the free world. It's sad."

She elaborated on the effect of Time's Up and #MeToo movements, explaining that for the first time, inappropriate conduct at the highest levels is starting to have consequences.

"I think we've lived in a world where women have been so let down for so many years; in a very unhealthy way, we've almost gotten used to it," the "Atomic Blonde" actress said.

"So to see some accountability for some of the actions that are just deplorable, is it feels like we are finally being heard and that things aren't being brushed under the rug anymore. These are civil rights, this is just something that should have already been and we should have been done with."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A reader from Australia:

"Stop hanging out in Cuban bars in Miami and either go to a decent school or do some reading; either that or stop writing ridiculous articles for your likeminded friends to read."Congress on Tuesday demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into allegations of the state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) turning debt-ridden due to government decisions. The party accused the Modi government of "systematically attempting to destroy the public sector".

Citing a letter written by the ONGC trade union body to Prime Minister Narendra Modi detailing how government interference has broken the "economic backbone of the company", Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said a Supreme Court-appointed panel of experts was a must to probe the allegations and look into the company's affairs from the time the BJP came to power at the Centre.

"From forcing the ONGC to acquire a gas block from Gujarat State Petroleum Corp (GSPC) for Rs 8,000 crore to funding its fiscal deficit by compelling the ONGC to buy a stake in HPCL, the Modi government has systematically hit the ONGC.

"Because of all these, ONGC group's debt doubled to Rs 1,11,533 crore in 2017-18 from Rs 55,619 crore in 2016-17. Such is the condition that the ONGC has to now avail of overdraft facility to discharge the salary obligation of the employees," Tewari told the media citing the letter written by the ONGC's Employees Mazdoor Sabha.

The letter by the employees union written to Modi last month has alleged that "decisions taken over the past four-and-a-half years have broken the economic backbone of the company".

"Over the past 52 months, a profitable public sector undertaking has been systematically crippled and debt ridden. There seems to be a systematic and calibrated attempt to completely destroy the public sector in India," said Tewari

--IANS

and/prs

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Senior Gujarat Congress leader and party in-charge for Bihar Shaktisinh Gohil on Tuesday threatened to file a criminal case against Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani for levelling "unsubstantiated charges" against him on attacks on North Indians in Gujarat.

"The Gujarat Chief Minister on his visit to Uttar Pradesh levelled charges against me that I was inciting violence on North Indian migrants," Gohil told reporters, while countering that it was the BJP which was responsible for it.

Rupani was in Lucknow on Monday to invite his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath for the unveiling of the Statue of Unity event on October 31. Rupani, in an interaction with the media in Lucknow, had blamed Congress and its Bihar in-charge Gohil for inciting people against outsiders in Gujarat.

Without naming Gohil, the Chief Minister had said: "One Congress leader who is in charge for Bihar was talking about expelling north Indian migrants from Gujarat."

Gohil said, "Contrary to the Gujarat chief minister's statement, it is the people aligned with BJP who have been spreading hatred against outsiders on social media."

The Congress leader said he would file a criminal case and also a civil suit against Rupani for levelling "baseless allegations" against him.

Gohil said: "I was in Bihar when the incidents of violence against the outsiders took place and immediately through media, I appealed for peace and demanded strong actions against the accused."

While sharing some social media posts of alleged BJP supporters, depicting anti-outsider posts in Gujarati, Gohil said: "A day after rape of a minor girl was reported, Rajendrasinh Chavda, the BJP MLA from Himmatnagar, incited BJP workers to drive away north Indians from Gujarat."

--IANS

desai/prs

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In a swift masterstroke that brought the legislative strength of BJP and Congress at 14 MLAs each, two Congress legislators on Tuesday resigned and joined the BJP amid charges that the two were threatened to switch sides.

The resignations dull the Congress' strategic advantage as the single largest party in the now 38-member Assembly, bringing its strength at par with the BJP's 14.

Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, who formally welcomed the two Congress renegade lawmakers into the party in the capital, said the switch would help give "a more firm and development-oriented" government in

On the other hand, All India Congress Committee secretary in-charge of the coastal state A. Chellakumar insisted that the two switched loyalties because of a "fear psychosis".



The political drama started late on Monday night after the two MLAs, Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte, told reporters at Goa's Dabolim International Airport, that they were heading for Delhi for a "reception" and a "business trip" respectively.

On Tuesday, both elected representatives faxed their resignations to Speaker Pramod Sawant before joining the BJP.

"I have accepted their resignations. I asked them telephonically in presence of the Legislature Secretary, if they were doing it under duress. They said they were resigning of their own will," Sawant said.



Meanwhile, at the formal induction ceremony in Delhi, Union Railways Minister said the induction of the two MLAs, would strengthen the BJP-led coalition government in "Their joining the BJP will make the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar-led government in Goa stronger," Goyal said.

Reacting to the 'desertion,' leader of Opposition and Congress MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar said the move proved that the "BJP could go to any levels to stay in power".

"We do not know if they were threatened or bribed or what pressure they were under," Kavlekar told a press conference in Panaji.



Kavlekar said the remaining MLAs were firmly with the party. "All our 14 MLAs are together and are keeping an eye on the situation. Wait and watch," the leader of Opposition also said.

Kavlekar said Congress would insist with Goa Governor Mridula Sinha for an opportunity to prove a majority on the floor of the House and stake its claim to power.

"We have asked the Governor four times for an opportunity and she has not responded. We have even petitioned the President. We'll keep up our demand," Kavlekar said.

In its petition to the Governor and President, the Congress has repeatedly claimed that in view of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's prolonged illness, it should be given an opportunity to stake its claim to power, being the single-largest party, with 16 MLAs.

Now with two MLAs deserting the Congress ranks, its strength drops to 14, on par with the BJP legislative unit, taking away its numeric advantage on the floor of the House.

The incumbent BJP-led coalition government comprises 14 MLAs from BJP, three each from the Goa Forward and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, three Independent MLAs and one from the Nationalist Congress Party.The Odisha Congress on Tuesday demanded that the state government should pay Rs 10 lakh ex gratia to the family members of each deceased in the cyclone and subsequent floods.

Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Niranjan Patnaik, who visited several affected areas, said the state government has completely failed to tackle the twin calamities.

"24 casualties have occurred in different parts of the state and it is increasing. Also, thousands of families have lost everything. If the state government had prepared itself as per the advice of Met department, the huge destruction would have been avoided," said Patnaik.

He demanded that the Odisha government should pay a minimum Rs 10 lakh to the family members of each deceased in this disaster.

Also, the injured must be provided with all the help by the government, he added.

The state should continue relief and primary rehabilitation work on a war footing in affected areas, said the PCC President.

He said the government must prepare a detailed and accurate report of destruction and repair the roads and bridges immediately and construct houses for those who have lost everything.

--IANS

cd/mag/sed

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Males who baby-sit children, not necessarily only their own, are likely to have greater reproductive success, claims a research on gorillas, that suggests an alternative route by which fathering behaviours might have evolved in humans.

"Mountain gorillas and humans are the only great apes in which males regularly develop strong social bonds with kids, so learning about what mountain gorillas do and why helps us understand how human males may have started down the path to our more involved form of fatherhood," said lead author Stacy Rosenbaum, post-doctoral student at the Northwestern University in the US.

According to Christopher Kuzawa, co-author and Professor at the university, the findings run counter to how we typically think of male mountain gorillas -- huge, competitive and with reproduction in the group dominated by a single alpha male.

"Males are spending a lot of time with groups of kids -- and those who groom and rest more with them end up having more reproductive opportunities," Kuzawa said.

"One likely interpretation is that females are choosing to mate with males based upon these interactions."

While traditionally it has been believed that male caretaking is reliant on a specific social structure, monogamy, because it helps ensure that males are taking care of their own kids.

The new study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, suggests that there is an alternative pathway by which evolution can generate this behaviour, even when males may not know who their offspring are, Rosenbaum said.

This raises the possibility that similar behaviours could have been important in the initial establishment of fathering behaviours in distant human ancestors.

"In human males, testosterone declines as men become fathers, and this is believed to help focus their attention on the needs of the newborn," Kuzawa said.

The study found that even after multiple controls for dominance ranks, age and the number of reproductive chances they get, males who have these bonds with kids are much more successful.

--IANS

pb/rt/ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Delhi government on Tuesday collaborated with the British Council of India in order to strengthen "spoken english" among students of government schools in the city.

In the presence of Mayur Vihar's Sahodaya Kanya Vidyalaya students, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the educational cooperation.

"The MoU will entail training for spoken English for class 11th students of all Delhi government schools. Under the programme 12,000 students will receive 160 hours of training of which 11,000 students have already completed the training in two phases," a Delhi government statement said.

"The British Council will also teach teachers of all Delhi government schools so that they could impart quality to the students," Sisodia told the media here.

Apart from spoken English, Sisodia said, the programme will also involve classes on "cultural diversity and skill development".

Chairman of the British Council (Global) Christopher Rodrigues lauded the Delhi government for doubling the budget for and bringing in the Happiness Curriculum.

--IANS

sd/mag/sed

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Emphatically emphasising that the Kerala government will protect the rights of all devotees, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that all those who go to pray at the Sabarimala temple will be protected.

Vijayan said this after presiding over a cabinet meeting when the media pointed out that those fighting to preserve the traditions of the temple were screening all vehicles on Tuesday to see if they had women in the age group of 10-50.

Two women journalists were prevented from proceeding to the temple town where their OB van was stationed.

The protesters are staying put at Nilakal, about 20 km from the foothills of the temple, located at Pampa.

"Yes, I have also been told that some people have started screening vehicles. Such a thing cannot be accepted. No one can take law into their hands. The government will ensure that nothing of that sort happens. Those who want to pray cannot be stopped," said Vijayan.

He pointed out that the government had made it very clear that it will not file a review petition against the Supreme Court's September 28 verdict allowing women in the age group of 10 to 50 to pray at the famed Sabarimala temple.

"We have already made this very clear that we will abide by whatever the apex court verdict is. Now that the verdict has come, we will implement it," the Chief Minister said.

On Tuesday morning, hundreds of devotees, including a large number of women, protesting against the Supreme Court ruling, gathered at Nilakal and started checking all vehicles bound to the temple town.

The temple opens on Wednesday at 5 p.m. for the customary monthly pujas.

"We are determined that come what may we will not allow a single lady in the age group 10 to 50 to reach anywhere near the temple. It's a matter of life and death and under no circumstances will we allow a breach of tradition," said a middle aged woman at Nilakal.

The protesters are said to be mainly locals and others who have arrived from nearby areas.

Meanwhile, the Travancore Devasom Board (TDB), the custodian of the temple, on Tuesday met the Pandalam royal family, representatives of the Sabarimala Tantri family and other Hindu organisations to see how best the controversy can be resolved.

--IANS

sg/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said investigators searching a Saudi consulate building in Istanbul where journalist Jamal Khashoggi went missing earlier this month found materials that had been painted over.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a Saudi royal insider-turned-critic, was last seen in public when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2 for paperwork needed for his planned marriage.

Turkish intelligence officials earlier claimed having audio and video evidence that Khashoggi was murdered in the consulate building but Saudi Arabia has vehemently denied these allegations.

Updating lawmakers in Ankara on the ongoing inquiry into the case, Erdogan said investigators were searching a toxic substance and examining certain materials that had allegedly been covered up with paint during the two weeks that elapsed between Khashoggi's disappearance and Monday, when a joint Turkish and Saudi forensics team were granted entrance to the building.

Investigators worked through the night and inspections were scheduled to continue on Tuesday, Erdogan said.

Turkish press said officials had removed two van-loads of material from the complex.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday travelled to the Sunni kingdom to meet King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks on the obscure events of October 2 amid fraying relations between Riyadh and its Western allies.

US President Donald Trump said Washington was working with Turkey and Saudi Arabia to uncover what happened to Khashoggi, although he distanced himself from allegations that the journalist was the victim of a state-sponsored extra-judicial assassination, instead suggesting "rogue killers" were to blame.

--IANS

soni/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Delhi Police team on Tuesday left for Lucknow to detain a former BSP MP's son who whipped out a pistol at a luxury hotel here during a fight with a man, police said.

Ashish Pandey, son of former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA and MP Rakesh Pandey, whipped out the weapon in the hotel premises on Saturday night, the hotel said in a complaint made to the police.

"Ashish Pandey does not live in Delhi. He lives in Lucknow. We have sent a team to Lucknow to locate the man," a police officer told IANS.

A case under the Arms Act has been registered against Ashish Pandey.

A video showing Ashish Pandey holding a pistol in his hand and catching the other man's collar with his left went viral on the video.

In the video, Ashish Pandey and his friends can be heard abusing a man who used the ladies' washroom, the police said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Devender Arya said a complaint was received on Monday from the Assistant Security Manager of Hyatt Regency Hotel in south Delhi.

--IANS

mg/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)With the US mid-term elections looming, Facebook has announced to expand its policies against voter suppression -- action that is designed to deter or prevent people from voting.

The social media platform has banned "misrepresentations about how to vote, such as claims that you can vote by text message, and statements about whether a vote will be counted.

"We've also introduced a new reporting option on Facebook so that people can let us know if they see voting information that may be incorrect, and have set up dedicated reporting channels for state election authorities so that they can do the same," Jessica Leinwand, Public Policy Manager at Facebook said in a blog post on Monday.

The company recently prohibited offers to buy or sell votes as well as misrepresentations about the dates, locations, times and qualifications for casting a ballot.

"People can now let us know if they see aincorrect voting info' on Facebook," Leinwand added.

In the case where some posts may require additional review, Facebook will send content to its third-party fact-checkers.

"Content that is rated false will be ranked lower in News Feed, and accompanied by additional information written by our fact-checkers (what we call, Related Articles) on the same subject,a she noted.

According to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, in 2016, "we were not prepared for the coordinated information operations we now regularly face".

"But we have learned a lot since then and have developed sophisticated systems that combine technology and people to prevent election interference on our services," he added in a recent post.

--IANS

na/ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)China's ruling Communist Party (CPC) has expelled former military chief General Fang Fenghui from the party and his case has been transferred to a military court over graft accusations, the military announced on Tuesday.

Fang was a former member of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) and former chief of staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department.

His expulsion from the CPC was approved by the party's Central Committee, while the CMC had already expelled him from the People's Liberation Army and stripped him of his rank of general, according to a CMC statement cited by Xinhua news agency.

"Fang severely violated political discipline, the political code of conduct, the eight-point frugality code of the CPC Central Committee and the regulations and discipline of the military," the statement read.

He was suspected of offering and taking bribes and possessing a large amount of property from unidentified sources, which were "extremely serious violations involving a huge amount of assets and had caused an extremely bad influence", the CMC said.

Neither loyal nor honest to the CPC, Fang was found to "have been duplicitous, disintegrated politically and grown greedy economically, severely damaging the Party's cause and the image of the military," according to the statement.

The statement said that the investigation into Fang's case had concluded and the case will be transferred to a judiciary committee for prosecution.

--IANS

soni/sed

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on womens safety and taunted him over his "silence" while alluding to the allegations of sexual harassment against Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar.

Addressing an election rally, Gandhi targeted the Modi government at the Centre and the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government in the state over unemployment, corruption and farmer suicides.

"Fingers are being raised at Modi's Minister, but our Prime Minister is silent," Gandhi said.

This is probably the first time that Gandhi has made a veiled reference to Akbar in an election speech. The Congress has been demanding Akbar's removal in the wake of several women journalists accusing him of sexual harassment and misconduct during his long stint as editor of various publications.

The allegations have been made as part of #MeToo movement. Akbar has rubbished allegations and has filed a criminal defamation suit.

Gandhi also targeted Modi over his slogan 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' (save girls, educate them).

"When BJP MLA (Kuldeep Singh Sengar) raped a girl in Unnao, our Prime Minister and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister (Adityanath) kept mum. The BJP's slogan of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' must now be reframed as 'BJP ke mantri aur MLA se beti bachao' (save daughters from BJP Minister, MLA)," said Gandhi.

Attacking both Modi and Chouhan over a host of issues, Gandhi said Madhya Pradesh topped the country in terms of malnutrition and was one of the least developed states.

He also raked up Rafale fighter jet deal with France, rising prices of petrol and diesel and the Vyapam scam and accused both Modi and Chouhan of not fulfilling their promises.

He said a Congress government would waive loans of farmers and transform the state.

Polling in Madhya Pradesh will take place on November 28.

--IANS

ps-and/prs

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Google on Tuesday celebrated eminent tabla player from the Banaras gharana Pandit Lachhu Maharaj's 74th birth anniversary with a simple string doodle.

The doodle showed Lachhu Maharaj drawn in primary colours of blue, red, yellow and green. He is seen playing the tabla for his audience, with a grin on his face and a look of contentment on his eyes. It is made by guest artist Sajid Shaikh, Google blog said.

Born as Lakshmi Narayan Singh on this day in 1944, Lachhu Maharaj came from a family of musicians.

He trained under his father Vasudev Maharaj to become one of the most celebrated tabla players of his time. He also started with public performance at an early age.

At the tender age of eight, he caught the attention of Ahmed Jaan Thirakwa considered a legend at that time.

"Lachhu Maharaj was best known for his inherent sense of rhythm which was best exemplified in his solo performances. Even though he played alongside nearly all the greatest tabla players of his time, his solo performance are the most remembered," a statement issued by Google said.

"Girija Devi, whom he often collaborated with, claimed that 'he would play for hours without repeating himself, new gats, tukras and parans, leaving his audiences awestruck'," it added.

He married a French woman Teena, and they had a daughter, Narayani.

For his contribution to music, Lachhu Maharaj was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1957, which is the highest award for performing artists.

He was nominated for the Padma Shri, but refused to accept it as he felt audience appreciation was honour enough.

He breathed his last on July 28, 2016 and was cremated at the Manikarnika Ghat in Uttar Pradesh' Varanasi.

--IANS

in/vm

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US internet giant Google Inc. has said its Cloud CEO Diane Greene will not attend an upcoming international business conference to be held in Saudi Arabia.

The high-profile Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit, dubbed as "Davos in the Desert" is scheduled for October 23-25 in Riyadh, Xinhua news agency reported.

Greene is among the latest list of big-name executives in Silicon Valley that have announced staying away from the FII after Jamal Khashoggi, a columnist for Washington Post, reportedly disappeared from a Saudi consulate in Turkey on October 2.

Over the past week, many corporate leaders and executives have announced their decision to shun the Saudi tech summit.

Among them were Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, former AOL CEO and venture capitalist Steve Case, J.P. Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, Ford Chairman Bill Ford, and Google Android creator Andy Rubin. They have cancelled their plans for attending the event in Saudi Arabia last week.

"We can confirm Diane Greene will not be attending the FII Summit," a Google spokesperson said in a statement, without specifying whether the decision was linked to the Khashoggi incident.

Turkey said Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi government, vanished soon after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and was said to have been killed there.

The Saudi government has denied any role in the alleged killing of the Washington Post columnist.

The business summit is being hosted by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which has invested in some Silicon Valley tech firms such as Uber and other startups.

--IANS

in/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Harvard Universitys dean of admissions testified in federal court that in the interest of attracting a diverse student body, the school lowers its recruiting standards a bit for many students from rural regions, but not if they were Asian-American.

The dean, William Fitzsimmons, was the first witness to take the stand in a courttoom here on Monday in a trial over whether Harvard discriminates against Asian-American applicants in violation of civil rights law, reports The New York Times.

The plaintiffs in the case say Harvard effectively imposes a quota on Asian-American students, a claim the school denies.

After opening arguments, the trial began delving into the arcane mechanics of Harvard's admissions process, which the university say is meant to ensure that students from a wide range of backgrounds are admitted.

One issue that surfaced quickly was how Harvard goes about recruiting from what it calls "sparse country" - predominantly rural states that tend to yield few applications.

"People invited to apply from sparse country are 'unknown,' 'other' and 'white', correct?" John Hughes, a lawyer for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, asked Fitzsimmons.

"Yes," said the dean, who has been in charge of Harvard admissions since 1986.

"Asians are not included in that list?" Hughes asked, to which the dean replied: "Not in that particular list."

Harvard has fiercely fought the disclosure of thousands of admissions documents, saying they were the equivalent of trade secrets.

The plaintiffs have said that the university holds Asian-American applicants to a higher standard than people of other races, and that it resorts to racial balancing to shape its incoming classes.

The university readily acknowledges seeking a diverse incoming class each year, but denies using racial quotas or discrimination to achieve it.

The lawsuit was brought by an organisation called Students for Fair Admissions, which recruited Asian-American students who were rejected by Harvard.

--IANS

ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the state government to frame guidelines to regulate burning of effigies of Ravana and bursting of firecrackers during Dussehra, but it refused to stay practices of "Ravana Dahan" this year.

A division bench of Justice S. Ravindra Bhat and Justice A.K. Chawla asked the government to frame policy in this regard as such practices also cause air pollution.

However, the court declined to pass any interim order on the plea seeking stay on burning of Ravana effigies this year, observing that current festival has already advanced on and a regulation cannot be made now by the government to regulate the practice.

The court order came on an oral submission by an auto driver who apprised the court that around 10,000 effigies are burnt in various part of the national capital.

The auto-driver, who hails from Chapra in Bihar, told the court that only one effigy of Ravana is burnt in his state but in Delhi several effigies are burnt in different parts.

Countering his submission, the Central government's counsel Ajay Digpaul told the court that "Ravana Dahan" is part of people's sentiments and sacraments.

The court directed the government to file an affidavit indicating the steps taken on framing the policy and listed the matter for further hearing on November 22.

Meanwhile, the Central Government told the court that the levels of PM10 and PM 2.5 have shown significant reduction this year as compare to last year.

Rs 591.65 crore has been allocated to Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi under the scheme on Promotion of Agriculture Mechanisation for in-situ management of crop residue, it said.

Western Peripheral Expressway is likely to become operational from November 1, while Eastern Peripheral Expressway is operational since last week of May 2018 which will help in diverting non-destined trucks entering Delhi.

From September 15, 41 Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) teams have been deployed in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad for monitoring and supervision of dust mitigation and other air pollution abatement measures.

"At sanitary landfill sites, CCTVs have been installed, fencing has been done and guards have been deployed to ensure that no fire take place at these sites," the Centre said.

--IANS

akk/nir

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Expanding its premium portfolio, HP Inc. on Tuesday launched the HP ENVY x360 convertible powered by AMD Ryzen processor for the millennials in India.

HP ENVY x360 with AMD Ryzen R3 processor would be available from November at a starting price of Rs 60,990.

The variant with 256GB storage will cost Rs 74,990. The company is also offering a bundled HP Active Pen that works with Windows Ink.

"We have about 30 per cent share in the premium segment and this is growing much faster than the lower-priced segment. We're expecting to increase our share and get rapid uptake from the customers," Vickram Bedi, Senior Director, Personal Systems, HP Inc. India, told IANS here.

"At HP, we believe in insights-driven innovation that enables us to deliver the PC experiences that users want. The HP Envy x360 is a combination of sleek design, optimum performance and quality at an affordable cost," he added.

The convertible features the all new HP Command Center which lets users optimise system performance, fan noise and temperature with its CoolSense technology.

The device supports Gigabit Wi-Fi speeds, to provide fast Internet connections for demanding streaming apps for movies, music and gaming.

The unique design of the laptop draws inspiration from hand-crafted pieces that feature the Damascus pattern -- a high precision technique used in manufacturing specialty knives, known to be tough and durable, the company added.

AMD Ryzen processor gives performance up to 12.5 hours of battery life, charging from zero per cent battery life to 50 per cent on 45 minutes charge with HP Fast Charge technology, the company claimed.

The Corning Gorilla Glass NBT touchscreen gives highly intuitive reaction, with HP Active Pen for a seamless and natural work experience.

The device is available in Dark Ash Silver colour with an angular Damascus pattern, thin bezels and edge-to-edge backlit keyboard.

Devices including the HP Pavilion 15 ultra-thin 15-inch laptop, HP Pavilion Tower 590 desktop and the HP 15 Notebook were also unveiled.

The HP Pavilion 15 laptop with AMD Ryzen R5 processor would be available in November at a starting price of Rs 62,990 while the one with AMD Ryzen R3 processor is available now at a starting price of Rs 36,990.

The HP Pavilion Tower 590 is available at a starting price of Rs 22,990 (+GST)

--IANS

ksc/mag/bg

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Veteran actress and politician Hema Malini, who turned a year older on Tuesday, says love is a very beautiful feeling, and she learnt to express the emotion because of veteran actor and her husband Dharmendra.

The actress spoke on her relationship with Dharmendra during a conversation with BIG MJ Dilip of 92.7 BIG FM, a statement said.

Asked about her memorable phone call, she said: "It was when Dharamji called me and said I love you."

"Back in those days, it was very difficult as there used to be landline phones and you had to find a proper place to speak over the phone. Romance is a very beautiful feeling. I could express the feeling of love only because of Dharamji," she added.

The actress continued: "It is not like you can express this to anyone. A lot of people might love you, but you can only reciprocate to the one who you truly love and that's how it has been between us. It never happened with anyone else."

After giving a glimpse of their chemistry on-screen through films like "Seeta Aur Geeta", "Sholay" and "Dream Girl", they got married in 1980.

The couple was later seen in movies like "Alibaba Aur 40 Chor", "Baghavat", "Samraat" and "Razia Sultan".

On the feeling of love, she said: "When you love someone, it comes from within. That is the most beautiful thing I believe every woman should experience. They should fall in love once. Love is such a beautiful expression. When you hear the person you love, express their love over the phone, it's a different feeling altogether, you just want to keep listening and not hang up."

Hema joined her daughter Esha Deol, who was the BIG MJ of the week, to talk about her life.

--IANS

sug/rb/vm

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US Defence Secretary James Mattis has said that he never spoke to the President about resigning from his position and was continuing with his job, after Donald Trump called him a "sort of a Democrat" and said that the Pentagon chief may be leaving his post.

Speaking to reporters en route to Vietnam, 68-year-old Mattis said he had never registered for any political party, having joined the military when he was 18 and adhered to its apolitical underpinnings as Republicans and Democrats alike came and went as Commander-in-Chief, the Washington Post reported on Monday.

"I think he's sort of a Democrat, if you want to know the truth," Trump had said in an interview on CBS News's "60 Minutes" aired on Sunday.

"But Gen. Mattis is a good guy. We get along very well. He may leave. I mean, at some point, everybody leaves... That's Washington," he had said.

Mattis said he had not spoken to Trump about his comments and didn't watch the interview. "We continue in the Department of Defence to do our job. It's no problem."

"Where am I today? I'm a member of the President's administration. And you have seen President Trump's military policies, security policies, reaping significant bipartisan support," the retired Marine Corps general said, according to a transcript released by the Pentagon.

"When you think 83 per cent of the US Congress voting the same way on an issue put forward by the Republican President, you can see that my portfolio is bipartisan by its very basis, and that is the protection of the US," Mattis added.

There has been a lot of speculation about Mattis' future in the Trump administration in recent weeks, particularly after journalist Bob Woodward released a book claiming that the Defence Secretary had said the President had the understanding of a fifth or sixth-grader.

However, Mattis denied making the comments and dismissed Woodward's reporting as "fiction".

Mattis disagrees with Trump on key policy issues. He advocated for an extended presence in Afghanistan, pushed to keep the US in the Iran nuclear deal and argued against the cancellation of certain military exercises with South Korea as part of nuclear talks with Pyongyang.

The Defence Secretary refused to comment on Saudi Arabia's alleged killing of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey, saying that he would wait until Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's return from Riyadh.

"I need to have the facts first. I know it's unusual at times in government circles. Some people talk quickly."

--IANS

soni/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Ahead of their induction, Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots have started training to operate the CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, an official said on Tuesday.

Currently, four pilots and four flight engineers have been training on Chinook choppers at Delaware in the US since Monday.

The chopper is set to be inducted into the IAF soon and is expected to give a boost to IAF operations as the heavy-lift chopper can carry arms and ammunition as well as close to 300 troops at a time.

The Chinook will particularly be helpful in disaster relief and rescue operations.

India is procuring 15 CH-47F Chinook helicopters besides 22 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from Boeing.

--IANS

mak/mag/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Manama-based Arcapita Group has pumped money into NuYu, a Saudi leading chain of women-only boutique gyms, amid rising of the sector following recent reforms in Saudi Arabia in favor of women.

The investment, estimated at $67 million, will help multiply over 200 per cent NuYus gyms boutiques, from seven to 30 across the kingdom, Trade Arabia reports.

The expansion will reportedly generate hundred new jobs and provide women access to fitness outlets in currently underserved locations.

NuYu currently has five boutiques in capital Riyadh and one in each of Khobar and Dammam.

We look forward to working in partnership with NuYu, helping it realize its full potential during this exciting period of social change. The investment in NuYu is underpinned by robust fundamentals and demonstrates our confidence in the long-term growth prospects of Saudi Arabias sport and leisure industry, said Atif A Abdulmalik, the Chief executive officer of Shariah-compliant alternative investments firm.

It is also aligned with the Kingdoms Vision 2030 goals of empowering women and for citizens to lead healthy and active lifestyles, he added.

Princess Sara Al Saud, NuYus co-founder and creative director noted that the launch of new gyms boutiques will enable Saudi women to access fitness and reap the benefits of regular exercise.

The kingdom has witnessed a set of reforms under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman. Women in the Arab country have been since June 24 allowed to sit behind a wheel. The reforms have also remove the ban on womens participation in public sporting events.State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) have placed orders for importing crude oil from Iran next month when US sanctions on Tehran are due to take effect, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Tuesday.

Reiterating India's stand, Pradhan told reporters here on the sidelines of the 3rd India Energy Forum that the current surge in global crude oil prices was more a result of the market sentiments being hit by geo-political factors which includes Iran and said there were no issues of availability.

Indian Oil Corp and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd together have placed orders for 1.25 million tonnes (MT) of crude oil from Iran, the Minister announced earlier this month.

Following US President Donald Trump withdrawal from the US-Iran nuclear deal, sanctions were reimposed on the Persian Gulf nation which will take effect from November 4.

According to OMC officials, the rupee option in paying for Iranian oil is under discussion and the Iranians have been accepting Indian currency as payment.

Iran became India's second biggest oil supplier during the first quarter (April-June) of the current fiscal, with OMCs opting for the heftier discounts offered by the Iranians, who thus replaced Saudi Arabia in this position, according to official data.

India imported 5.67 MT oil from Iran during the quarter.

Analysts attribute the change last year to the output cuts initiated by Saudi Arabia and the increased availability of heavy grades of crude from Iraq at a higher discount, which are more suited for use in Indian refinery complexes.

Briefing reporters here after the first India-US 2+2 dialogue last month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said that the sanctions were not intended to adversely impact countries like India but were intended to hurt the sanctioned country.

He said he had told the Indians "consistently that on November 4 the sanctions will be enforced and that we will consider waivers where appropriate".

Following a meeting here on Monday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief executives of major global and Indian oil and gas companies, Saudi Petroleum Minister Khalid Al Falih said that Saudi Arabia expects its oil production to rise next month from 10.7 million barrels per day so as to counteract the shortfall resulting from the US sanctions against Iran.

--IANS

bc/tsb/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Global software major Infosys bets on digital technologies and would invest more on its platform to spur growth, a top official said on Tuesday.

"We are focusing extensively on digital where we see growth and will keep investing in it, as it has contributed 31 per cent ($905 million) to our total revenue (Rs 20,609 crore) in the second quarter," Infosys Chief Executive Salil Parekh told IANS here.

Upbeat about the company winning a $2-billion in the quarter under review (Q2), Parekh said such deals were quite lumpy, as they were huge in some quarters and not so huge in other quarters.

"We anticipate that the $2-billion deal wins this quarter will fluctuate ahead. We have a good pipeline. Large deal wins will have an impact over the next several quarters," said Parekh at a presser on the company's robust revenue and net profit growth in Q2.

The city-based company's Chief Operating Officer (COO) U.B. Pravin Rao said the company had seven large deals in the US, four in Europe and three in the rest of the world.

"The deals were made in financial services, manufacturing, high-tech and other sectors. Large deals come with aggressive price points. Over the last few years, we have said we want to be aggressive in the market," said Rao.

Noting that the US economy was strong, Parekh said clients were looking at large discretionary spend and the company had also seen large investments being made in automation and artificial intelligence (AI).

"There is a lot of growth they (clients) want to drive in their businesses, they want to go on digital transformation. We see a positive view. There are discussions with the clients with reference to the trade wars and Brexit," pointed out Parekh.

The global IT firm had 23 clients generating sales over $100 million each for it during the second quarter.

Though the company has had a good traction in the British market, the top executive said the company would see what response it would receive after Brexit.

The US market has been contributing over 60 per cent of the company's export revenue over the years.

On acquisitions, Parekh said though they were driven at places where there was high growth, the company looked at middle ground in terms of valuation.

The company's consulting arm Infosys Consulting in September acquired 60 per cent stake in Trusted Source, a subsidiary of Singapore-based IT services firm, Temasek Management Services.

The Bengaluru-based firm said it was looking at hiring an increased number of employees, but did not disclose the details.

A net addition of 7,834 employees was made by the company as of September 30, compared to the same quarter last year.

--IANS

bha/fb/prs

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A young Palestinian who tried to stab an Israeli soldier at a bus stop in the West Bank on Monday was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers, according to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).

The assailant, identified as 22-year-old Elias Saleh Yassin, is a resident of the Palestinian village of Biddya. He was killed by two Israeli soldiers near the bus stop, Xinhua reported.

The nearby junction, through which hundreds of Palestinian workers pass in buses between the centre of Israel and Palestinian villages in the area, was closed following the incident, IDF said.

The Israeli army has launched an investigation, it added.

Two years ago, a similar stabbing attempt happened at the junction, in which a Palestinian woman tried to stab an Israeli soldier and was shot dead.

Also on Monday, an explosive device placed by two Palestinians adjacent to the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip damaged the fence.

In response, an Israeli aircraft fired toward a Hamas post in southern Gaza, said the IDF.

--IANS

ahm/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)"This is not M.J. Akbar vs Priya Ramani, this is the Union of India vs Priya Ramani. He has access to a battery of powerful lawyers: There are 97 listed in the legal notice. She has, thus far, one," said Samar Halarnkar, Ramanis husband and a fellow journalist.

In a piece written for Scroll.in on Tuesday, Halarnkar, the editor of IndiaSpend said he and his wife have only "one important weapon" against the "vast resources" a Union Minister can deploy -- and that is "truth".

"Akbar has filed a case of criminal defamation against my wife. His intention is clear: To intimidate her, and through her to intimidate others who have spoken up and silence others who have not."

Akbar, the Minister of State for External Affairs, on Monday filed a crminal defamation case in New Delhi against Ramani who has accused Akbar of sexually harassing her as an editor.

Ramani is among several women journalists who have named Akbar for a range of inappropriate workplace behaviour.

Halarnkar said his wife never lacked courage. Yet, it took a "special kind of courage" to name a powerful Minister and former Editor.

"While she did not regard her action as taking on a Minister, she was somewhat aware that anyone who set the ball rolling might become a target. That is what happened.

"This kind of intimidation carries big benefits for small effort. We do not, for example, have institutional backing to fight the case Akbar has filed. We do not have friends in Delhi's powerful circles of politicians, bureaucrats and lawyers. We know he has vast resources to deploy; it startled us to see how quickly he could get our home address," he wrote.

He wondered if it was thanks to the culture of a normalised sexual harassment and male impunity in professional lives that "India's elected government feels it can either ignore or mock the accounts of a diverse lot of women and stand by a lie".

He rued at the lack of any "expressions of support" from opposition parties.

"(It is) because they are all complicit in maintaining the status quo. India's patriarchy understands what is at stake and will not give in without a bitter fight. If an Akbar is conceded, there are countless others whose careers will be in jeopardy.

"Sexual misconduct in India has, thus far, been regarded a part of life -- to be endured, and in so doing, confirming the supremacy of the male because, of course, men must be men and a woman must know her place," he added.

However, said Halarnkar, the #MeToo movement has demonstrated that sexual harassment or intimidation was not normal and that no woman should have to put up with it.

--IANS

mak/hs

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Declaring that the Kerala government will protect the rights of all Sabarimala devotees, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday accused the BJP and Congress of trying to destroy the state's secular fabric by politicising the issue.

Addressing a meeting organised by the CPI-M here, Vijayan went hammer and tongs against both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"The Congress has joined the BJP in trying to drive a wedge between the devotees and the government and they are trying to break the secular tradition of our state," he said.

On Tuesday morning, after presiding over a cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister vowed to protect the rights of the devotees when it was pointed out that vehicles on way to Sabarimla were being checked by those opposed to the Supreme Court ruling also allowing women in the 10-50 age group to enter the famed temple.

Two women journalists were stopped from proceeding to the temple town.

The protesters had gathered at Nilakal, about 20 km from the foothills of the temple, located at Pampa.

"Such a thing cannot be accepted. No one can take law into their hands. The government will ensure that nothing of that sort happens. Those who want to pray cannot be stopped," said Vijayan.

"We have already made this very clear that we will abide by whatever the apex court verdict is. Now that the verdict has come, we will implement it."

Congress President Mulapally Ramachandran on Tuesday declared that the party won't object to any woman coming to the temple but wished that this does not happen.

"The Vijayan government is trying to make the Sabarimala issue into a conflict zone. The BJP is also trying to make this into another 'Ayodhya' issue but they are going to fail badly. The need of the hour is for the Centre to come out with an ordinance," said Ramachandran.

State BJP president P.S. Sreedharan Pillai expressed full support to the protesting believers.

"Sabarimala temple has its particular set of traditions and culture. We will fully support all those who want the traditions to be kept like that and we will be with them," said Pillai.

On Tuesday, hundreds of devotees, including a large number of women, protesting against the Supreme Court ruling, gathered at Nilakal and started checking all vehicles bound to the temple town.

The temple opens on Wednesday at 5 p.m. for the customary monthly pujas.

The protesters are said to be mainly locals and others who have arrived from nearby areas.

Meanwhile, the Travancore Devasom Board (TDB), the custodian of the temple, on Tuesday met the Pandalam royal family, representatives of the Sabarimala Tantri family and other Hindu organisations to see how best the controversy can be resolved but the deadlock continued.

"We demanded that the TDB should file a review petition today itself, which they said was not possible. So we felt that there was no reason to go ahead with the meeting," said Sasikumar Varma, a member of the Pandalam royal family.

TDB President A. Padmakumar told the media that they were willing to undertake more talks and all issues would be discussed at a meeting on October 19.

--IANS

sg/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday announced a long-awaited partial cabinet reshuffle prompted by the recent resignation of several ministers, his office said.

Macron brought the head of his La Republique En Marche (Republic on the Move) party and close advisor, Christophe Castanar, into the cabinet as the country's new Interior Minister, thus replacing Gerard Collomb, who tendered his resignation at the start of the month in order to run for mayor of Lyon, reports Efe news.

The 40-year-old President also appointed new heads of the Ministry of Territorial Cohesion, Jacqueline Gourault, the Ministry of Culture, Franck Riester, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Didier Guillaume.

Macron's government suffered a series of resignations in recent months, including his Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition, famed environmentalist Nicolas Hulot, who unexpectedly quit the government during a live radio interview in August.

It came at a time when Macron sought to push through a batch of unpopular labour and social reforms whose safe passage through the National Assembly depended on his party majority in the chamber.

--IANS

ksk/vm

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh's son Manvendra Singh, who quit the Bharatiya Janata Party in September, is likely to join the Congress on Wednesday, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sachin Pilot said on Tuesday.

Manvendra Singh had exited BJP on September 22.

He will join Congress on the auspicious day of Maha Durgaashtami on October 17 in New Delhi at 10 a.m., Pilot told IANS.

Speculation regarding his joining the Congress party was doing the rounds soon after he quit the ruling party during a mammoth Swabhiman Rally organised at Pachpadra in Rajasthan's Barmer.

However, he did not open his cards during or after the rally.

Singh is a sitting legislator from Sheo and should join the Congress along with his wife. A few other BJP members might also join the Congress, informed sources said.

Singh's relationship with the BJP turned sour in 2014 when the party refused to give a ticket to his father and former Defence Minister Jaswant Singh.

The latter contested the elections as an independent candidate but lost to the BJP candidate Sonaram Chaudhary.

Other BJP leaders who left the saffron party over allegations of being neglected were seniors like Ghanshayam Tiwari and Usha Punia among others.

Earlier, when Manvendra Singh announced his departure, Pilot had said that BJP needs to do an introspection as to why so many senior leaders were the saffron fold.

--IANS

arc/in/vm

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Some traders in the capital city of Jharkhand have received letters allegedly from Maoist extremists asking them to pay Rs 10 lakh each for expansion of the ultra-left organisation in the state.

"We have received complaints from some stone-crusher owners that Maoist guerrillas belonging to banned People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI) have sought Rs 10 lakh. We have constituted an inquiry to look into the matter," a senior police official told IANS.

Ranchi Superintendent of Police-City Aman Kumar has been asked to probe the letters received by the traders. The police have also interrogated some suspects in the case.

Besides stone-crushers, people involved in land dealing have also been served the same letter.

"We need your help for expansion the organisation. Help us by giving Rs 10 lakh. Our organisation will help you if we get the said money, otherwise action will be taken against you," the PLFI letter to traders reads.

--IANS

ns/nir

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US Secretary of Defence James Mattis arrived here on Tuesday where he will meet his Vietnamese counterpart to strengthen security cooperation between the two countries.

Mattis told the media that Vietnam was growing as a partner of the US in defence during his second visit to the country this year after visiting Hanoi in January, reports Efe news.

Experts have said that the trip is part of the US plan to include Vietnam in a defence cooperation network to deal with regional security challenges, including Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea.

Vietnam and China are involved in a dispute along with Brunei, the Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan regarding sovereignty over territory in the South China Sea, one of the main conflicts in southeast Asia.

The secretary will also visit the former US air base Bien Hoa, where the US Agency for International Development has kicked off a project to clean-up Agent Orange, a toxic herbicide used by the US during the Vietnam war.

"This is America keeping her promise to remediate some of the past. But we are also looking toward the future. And the legacy of the war has turned into, actually, a basis for defence cooperation," Mattis said.

Military cooperation between the US and Vietnam has strengthened in recent years with multiple meetings between high-level officials and the historic visit of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, the first to dock at a Vietnamese port since the war, to Da Nang in March.

After his Vietnam visit, Mattis is set to travel to Singapore where the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting is due to begin on Thursday.

He had also planned to visit Beijing but the trip was cancelled.

--IANS

ksk/sed

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Conservationist Nisha Bora on Tuesday accused Padma Bhushan recipient artist Jatin Das of sexually harassing her at his Khidki village studio in 2004, which Das refuted as "ridiculous and vulgar".

"I visited Jatin in his studio, which was in Khidki village... The next thing I knew, he attempted to grab me. I wriggled out of his embrace, flustered. Then he did it again. This time, he managed a clumsy kiss on my lips," Bora tweeted on Tuesday afternoon.

Bora, the co-founder of Elrhino Paper, an Assam-based organisation that makes hand-made paper from rhinoceros and elephant dung, said she had met Das in 2004 at India International Centre when she was 28, and had been married for less than a year.

"I recall the feeling of his beard on my skin. I pushed him away, and moved away from him. At that moment he said, 'Come on, it would be nice.' Or something like that...

"I worked myself into a hole believing that talking about it would make trouble... I felt that somehow I landed myself into this spot and that it was my problem to deal with. I felt guilty and ashamed," said Bora, adding that she is younger than Das' daughter, filmmaker-actor Nandita Das.

The 42-year-old Bora wrote that the "repressed and ignored wound came right back up to claim its pound of flesh" after she came across the "stories of survivors and their violation".

When contacted by IANS, Das denied the allegations and called them "ridiculous and vulgar".

"This is horrifying. What else can I say? It's cheap," said Das, denying that he even knows Bora.

"If you meet, you meet hundreds of people and (when) somebody makes an allegation like this, it's very cheap. One may not recollect the name or face, but one doesn't stoop down to this level," the 76-year-old said.

The #MeToo movement in India has been on a rise with victims of sexual harassment from all walks of life voicing their stories.

--IANS

sj/mag/sed

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Qatar has called on Saudi Arabia to provide details on the whereabouts of four Qataris who the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) believes went missing in the kingdom last year.

What the Saudi authorities are doing towards Qatari nationals is shameful and inhumane. It will leave a major psychological mark on future generations, NHRC chairman Ali bin Samikh al-Marri was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera.

Since early June last year, Saudi Arabia and allies namely United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt broke up with Qatar over claims that the tiny Gulf gas rich country sponsors terrorism. The boycotting countries have also imposed a sea/air/ground blockade.

Qatari citizens now need a visa to travel to those countries.

Families have been broken, students schooling in these countries has been disrupted as result of the blockade and the diplomatic row.

Al-Marri, on Sunday called on the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to send a team of investigators to Saudi Arabia, reports say.The Centre will come up with a new homeopathy institute in the national capital which will offer post-graduate courses in seven disciplines, ministry of Ayush said on Tuesday.

"The intake of PG students will be seven students per department per academic year. The intake of PhD students will be 10 students per year. The OPD part of the hospital will consists of general and speciality clinic," it said in a statement.

According to the ministry, the institute, supposed to be set in Narela, is proposed to be a 100-bed hospital and a centre of excellence in quality and research. It will target only PG and PhD level teaching to fill the gap in high quality research and treatment in Homoeopathy.

The project, which would cost around Rs 302 crore, will provide residential accommodation for faculty, Operation theatre, ICU beds, Radiology, Physiotherapy, Yoga, Pharmacy and Housekeeping services.

"Besides, other auxiliary functions include diagnostic and supporting facilities along with Central laboratory for Clinical Diagnosis and Investigations will be also available," it said.

Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik laid the foundation stone for National Institute of Homeopathy at Narela. The institute will be of national level and would be established as an extension of National Institute of Homoeopathy, Kolkata.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Naik said Homoeopathy is gaining acceptance and growing in popularity all over the world and in India, Homoeopathy has also become very popular.

"In order to bring uniformity in admission of students in AYUSH institutions and to ensure that meritorious students come to AYUSH streams, from the year 2016-17, The Ministry has started the admission process into AYUSH UG courses by using the merit list of National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) conducted by CBSE," Naik said.

--IANS

som/prs

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday imposed a fine of Rs 50 crore on the Delhi government for not taking action against illegal, polluting steel-pickling units in the national capital's residential areas.

The tribunal also directed the state to shut these units with immediate effect, as they fell under the prohibited list of industrial activities.

"We also direct the Chief Secretary, Delhi, to constitute a three-member team to identify persons responsible who may be liable to be prosecuted and punished for violation of law. A report of the action taken may be furnished to this Tribunal by e-mail within four months," it said.

Hearing a plea filed by the All India Lokadhikar Sangthan, an NGO seeking the execution of the NGT's previous order, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel blamed the state government for not closing the industrial units despite its specific directions.

The NGT had directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to take action against stainless steel pickling industries in residential areas as they fell under the prohibited list of industrial activities as per the Delhi Master Plan (DMP), 2021.

The polluting industries functioning at Wazirpur discharged effluents in open drains, which ultimately emptied into the Yamuna river, the plea contended. Under the pretext of decision-making "time is being taken by the Delhi government and the environment is made to suffer continuously," the NGO argued.

The NGT directed the state to immediately stop the operation of such industries and initiate action for violation of the law.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Media Adviser told IANS that they will wait for a detailed order of the Tribunal before deciding on the future course of action.

--IANS

som-kd/sd/shs/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Actor Kit Harington says he hasn't even told his wife and actress Rose Leslie how "Game of Thrones" ends.

He is set to play Jon Snow for a final time in the forthcoming and final season eight of the fantasy series.

In an interview at Esquire Townhouse, Harington spoke about the show, reports dailymail.co.uk.

The actor said he hasn't lifted the lid on details about the show as he likes "walking around knowing no one knows".

"I chose not to tell (Rose)... for this I was like I'm not telling anyone. I don't think she's guessed it right yet," he added.

Leslie played Ygritte -- the love interest of Harington's character Jon Snow -- from 2012 till 2014.

While many loyal fans have expressed their sadness about the show ending next year, the actor insisted it "ended at the right time".

"I have no desire to go back and do any more of that show... I have such a fond place I my heart for that show. For a good month afterwards I just burst into tears randomly. I can't think of a better job to have in your 20s then to play Jon Snow," he added.

The final season is set to open in 2019. It airs in India on Star World.

--IANS

sug/rb

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Nokia and the government-owned telecom operator BSNL on Tuesday announced to work together to leverage 4G LTE technology for enabling greater operational efficiency at Nokia's Chennai plant and prepare it for the 5G era with smart manufacturing.

Nokia manufactures a range of telecom equipment across technologies at its factory in Chennai, catering to both domestic and global customers.

The factory will now leverage Industry 4.0 solutions such as Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), connected Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics and Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance operations and increase productivity.

"Nokia is already one of our key partners in developing the 5G ecosystem, and now we are exploring use cases such as Industry 4.0 that can benefit tremendously with 5G," said Anupam Srivastava, Chairman and Managing Director at BSNL.

"This network deployment for Industry 4.0 at Nokia's Chennai factory that can be scaled to 5G demonstrates our preparedness to take advantage of new opportunities that will emerge with 5G and IoT in India," he added.

Industry 4.0 relies on low-latency, high-reliability networks as well as capabilities in robotics and AI to drive new levels of automation and data exchange in manufacturing industries, resulting in improved operational efficiency and reduced costs.

Nokia's Chennai facility recently crossed the four-million unit production milestone in its 10th year of operation.

"Our collaboration with BSNL will enable us to leverage the latest technology advancements and continue in our efforts to build the increasingly digitized and connected factory of the future. It will pave the path to smart manufacturing in the 5G era," informed Sanjay Malik, Vice President and Head of the India Market at Nokia.

Nokia has deployed the network in the country using its Micro Core Network and Multi-access Edge Computing platform, delivering Edge Cloud capabilities to process data closer to end-users and lowering latency.

BSNL is already working with Nokia and Chinese player ZTE on a 5G technology roadmap.

Earlier this year, Nokia and BSNL signed a network modernisation agreement to support the launch of 4G and Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services in western and southern regions of India.

--IANS

na/sed

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and other key officials here on Tuesday over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who Turkish officials say was killed and dismembered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Pompeo's visit came as diplomatic pressure mounted on Riyadh to give a fuller explanation in the case. According to a report in CNN, Saudi Arabia was preparing to acknowledge that Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a Saudi royal insider-turned-critic, was killed during an interrogation that went wrong.

The journalist's family has called for an international inquiry into his disappearance.

Pompeo had a short discussion with King Salman before a longer meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler. He was due to meet the Crown Prince again for dinner.

US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Pompeo "thanked the King for his commitment to supporting a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation" of the Khashoggi case and expressed "concern" about the case to the Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, meanwhile, said Turkish officials, who searched the consulate for nine hours on Monday, were looking into "toxic" and "painted over material" as part of their probe.

Turkish investigators were also expected to carry out a search of the Saudi Consul General's residence in Istanbul.

Khashoggi was last seen in public when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 for paperwork needed for his planned marriage.

Turkish intelligence officials say they have audio and visual evidence that shows Khashoggi, a permanent resident of the US in self-imposed exile, was killed inside the consulate.

However, Saudi authorities maintain that Khashoggi left the consulate the same afternoon but have provided no evidence to support the claim.

The case has created a diplomatic rift between Saudi Arabia and the West and led to international firms pulling out of a high-profile summit in Riyadh. The CEOs of three top banks -- Standard Chartered, HSBC and Credit Suisse -- announced their withdrawal from the conference.

In Riyadh, Pompeo was greeted by the Saudi Foreign Minister. Trump said Pompeo had license to travel wherever necessary, including Turkey, to investigate what happened.

The US President had dispatched Pompeo to Riyadh after speaking with King Salman on phone on Monday.

Speaking to reporters, Trump later said he had talked for about 20 minutes with the King and that Salman had firmly denied the kingdom's involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance.

Trump waffled on the issue, suggesting the journalist may have been murdered by "rogue killers" but fell short of pointing a finger at Saudi Arabia, one of Washington's principal allies in the Middle East.

"I don't want to get into his (the King's) mind, but it sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers," Trump said. "Who knows? We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial."

Khashoggi's fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who waited outside the consulate and says she did not see him re-emerge, tweeted a Quranic verse on Tuesday promising "eternal hellfire" for the killers of "deliberate believers".

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet also urged Saudi Arabia and Turkey to make public all they knew about Khashoggi's disappearance and lift the immunity of officials who might be involved in the case.

"... I believe the inviolability or immunity of the relevant premises and officials bestowed by treaties such as the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations should be waived immediately," Bachelet said in a statement.

--IANS

soni/sed

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Congress President Rahul Gandhi's proposed visit to the city during Durga Puja has been cancelled due to his campaign schedule ahead of the elections in the five states, said a senior state party leader on Tuesday.

Gandhi was supposed to visit the city on Ashtami (the eight Lunar day) on Wednesday.

"His visit has been cancelled. The central election committee has convened a meeting for selection of candidates for the upcoming elections in five states," party's West Bengal unit President Somen Mitra said.

Last month, Mitra was made West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee's President replacing Adhir Ranajan Chowdhury who was bitterly anti-Trinamool Congress and pro-Left.

The Congress Chief, in a message, said, "I had wanted to be present in Kolkata to offer prayers to Maa Durga and to participate in the puja celebrations, in great city of joy, with all of you. Unfortunately, the upcoming state elections and crucial preparatory meetings for them, prevent me from travelling out of Delhi at this time."

Gandhi regretted for not being able to visit the city but hoped to travel Kolkata soon.

--IANS

bdc/prs

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Two bodies suspected to be of militants were found on Tuesday after Bangladeshi security forces stormed a hideout of the Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) members in the country's Narsingdi district, the police said.

Monirul Islam, counter-terrorism unit chief of the Bangladesh police, told the media that the security forces surrounded two houses in two separate places in the district since Monday night, Xinhua news agency reported.

After the first operation on Tuesday, "two bodies were found scattered at the first militant den", Islam said, adding that one of the dead was a woman.

No further details were available.

Security has been tightened in Bangladesh since militants attacked a Spanish cafe in Dhaka's affluent neighbourhood of Gulshan on July 1, 2016, killing 22 people, mostly foreigners.

Since the cafe attack, the Bangladeshi police have conducted a series of large-scale operations against militants.

--IANS

soni/sed

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Mumbai court on Tuesday remanded in police custody till October 22 Muzammil Sayed, the prime accused in the killing of an upcoming model and actress from Rajasthan, officials said.

The victim, Mansi Dixit, 20, hailing from Kota, was closely known to the accused and had visited his house in Malad suburb of north-west Mumbai late on Monday night, police said.

She had come to Mumbai to try her luck in Bollywood and lived in a rented flat in Andheri after managing to secure small roles in some films and also some modelling assignments. She came in contact with Sayed through social media, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-11) S.P. Nishandar.

On Monday evening, Sayed - who hails from Hyderabad - had called her to his flat in Oshiwara where they reportedly had a heated argument over some business issues.

Apparently in a fit of rage, he strangled Dixit with a rope and killed her. Then, he stuffed her body in a large bag and called for a cab to the Mumbai international airport.

As the cab was proceeding to the airport, Sayed asked the driver to turn and go to the Mindspace locality of Malad west, which is an isolated area with lots of mangroves.

Then, claiming he would take an autorickshaw, he left the cab and dragged the heavy bag towards a dark secluded spot in the thick marshy bushes.

He then hailed an autorickshaw and left the spot, but the cab driver, who was still around, suspected some mischief and called the police.

A team of Bangur Nagar Police rushed to the spot and opened the bag to recover Dixit's body tied with a rope inside.

The police launched a manhunt for Sayed and tracked him down within four hours of the crime early on Tuesday morning as he was preparing to flee the city.

He has been charged with murder and other offences under the Indian Penal Code and sent to police custody for a week.

Though Sayed has confessed to the crime, he has not yet revealed the motive behind Dixit's killing, which is being probed, said Nishandar.

--IANS

qn/mag/sed

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)As Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the much-delayed Rani Jhansi flyover for public use on Tuesday, AAP slammed the Centre for "corruption in the flyover construction which spanned for over 20 years."

"The 1.6 km flyover is built to improve mobility for the citizens of Delhi and will ensure easier movement of traffic and reduction in the commuting time," Puri's office said in a statement.

The Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi said that the BJP should be ashamed for inaugurating a "mere 1.6 km" long flyover after 20 years.

"BJP should be ashamed of inaugurating this flyover after 2 decades, Hardeep Singh Puri is proudly taking credit for its construction," AAP leader Dilip Pandey said.

He claimed that the project, which was conceived in 1998, initially cost Rs 70 crore but over the time, increased to Rs 750-800 crore which is "more than 10 times its actual cost".

"After missing several deadlines, and having corrupt practices, I would only like to say that the BJP has developed a skin thicker than that of Congress," Pandey said.

The AAP leader went on to ask if Puri would order some kind of investigation into the scam in the flyover construction. He asked: "Why were the contractors of the flyover paid even when the flyover was not being built?"

"How did it take decades to create a 1-mile long flyover? Will the bogus payment of Rs 110 crore done in the name of land acquisition be investigated?" he asked.

The flyover, which starts at Filmistan Cinema, will pass through the congested stretches of Azad Market Chowk, Pul Bangash and DCM Chowk.

Once operational, the flyover will decongest the roads going towards Kamla Market and Delhi Ridge and would connect Pusa Road, Upper Ridge and Rohtak Road through Filmistan Cinema, DCM Chowk, Azad Market and Roshanara Road extending to ISBT (Kashmere Gate), providing a major relief to the heavily congested area.

--IANS

sd/prs

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Ambassadors of 13 Arab countries have gathered Tuesday in the Australian capital Canberra to voice their concerns over consideration by the government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison to move the countrys embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that will recognize the city as Israels capital.

The meeting agreed to send a letter of complaint over the move to the Australian foreign minister.

Any decision like that might damage the peace process  this will have very negative implications on the relations between Australia and not only Arab countries but many other (Islamic countries) as well, Egypts ambassador, Mohamed Khairat, said in statement to Reuters.

Morrison, an evangelical Christian, Tuesday said he was considering to move the Australian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The Prime Minister also argued the move would give a new turn to the stalled talks between Palestinians and Israelis over the fate of the city.

Were committed to a two-state solution, but frankly, it hasnt been going that well, he said.

Not a lot of progress has been made. And you dont keep doing the same thing and expect different results.

The fate of the old city has been the main bone of contention between Palestinians and Israelis. Palestinians hope to make the eastern part of the city the capital of their future state while Israel claims the entire city is part of its territory. Israel in 1967 annexed parts of Eastern Jerusalem.

Morrison has informed Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu of his decision. Netanyahu welcomed the intention adding that he was thankful.

Morrisons decision opposes Australias traditional stand on the very sensitive issue. Canberra has always supported the two-state solution. Despite being a US ally, it distanced itself in December from the White House following Donald Trumps decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital.

In May, the White House officially moved its embassy to Jerusalem in a transfer that caused the death of over 60 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces at one part of the fence between Gaza and Israel.

Israel has so far failed to lure world countries to follow the US steps. Only Guatemala has walked in the footsteps of the Trump administration. Paraguay who initially announced a similar move, retracted giving a blow to the Israeli diplomacy.Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of Sandeep Bakhshi as Managing Director and CEO of ICICI Bank.

"We wish to inform you that RBI vide its letter... dated October 15, 2018 has approved the appointment of Sandeep Bakhshi as Managing Director and CEO of the bank for a period of three years with effect from October 15, 2018," the bank said in the regulatory filing on Tuesday.

On October 4, ICICI Bank appointed its Chief Operating Officer Bakhshi as the new CEO and MD with immediate effect for a period of five years until October 3, 2023, subject to regulatory and other approvals.

Bakhshi succeeded Chanda Kochhar, who is facing allegations of conflict of interest.

"The Board of Directors of ICICI Bank Limited accepted the request of Chanda Kochhar to seek early retirement from the bank at the earliest. The Board accepted this request with immediate effect.

"The enquiry instituted by the Board will remain unaffected by this and certain benefits will be subject to the outcome of the enquiry. Kochhar will also relinquish office from the Board of Directors of the Bank's subsidiaries," the company had said in a filing on October 4.

--IANS

rv/prs

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that "rogue killers" could be behind the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who disappeared on October 2 after entering his country's consulate in Istanbul.

Trump told reporters on Monday that he had spoken by telephone with Saudi King Salman for 20 minutes and the monarch denied having any information about Khashoggi's whereabouts or what happened to him.

"The king firmly denied any knowledge of it," Trump said as he left the White House en route to Florida and Georgia to view damage from Hurricane Michael, Efe reported.

"I don't want to get into (Salman's) mind ... (but) it sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. I mean, who knows? We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial."

Khashoggi had been working as a journalist for The Washington Post and, according to his relatives and friends, he was presumably murdered inside the consulate.

King Salman told Trump that Riyadh is working with Turkish authorities to get to the bottom of what happened to the journalist - a longtime critic of the Saudi government who distanced himself from the monarchy when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ascended to a position of power within the oil-rich country - according to what the US leader said.

"All I can do is report what he told me," Trump told reporters, adding that Salman's "denial to me could not have been stronger," and he confirmed that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel on Monday to Riyadh to meet with the king and discuss the journalist's disappearance

Trump spoke last week with top Saudi officials and Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials telephoned Prince Mohammed.

On Oct. 2, Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to pick up documents he needed to marry his Turkish fiancee, who waited for him outside the building.

Since then, however, there has been no news as to Khashoggi's whereabouts and friends of the journalist say that he was surely murdered and that his body was dismembered, packed into suitcases and removed from the consulate, but the Turkish government has not officially commented on those accusations and Riyadh has denied them.

The Washington Post reported that the Turkish government told US authorities that it has video and audio recordings proving that the journalist was murdered in the consulate.

--IANS

ahm/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Russian and Pakistani troops will hold joint military drills in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from October 21 to November 4, a statement said here on Tuesday.

According to Vadim Astafyev, head of the press service of the Russian Southern Military District, the "Friendship 2018" drills will be held at a training range in Pabbi town, reports Xinhua news agency.

The servicemen from the two countries' armed forces will perform tasks at an altitude of 1,400 metres above sea level, Astafyev said.

Russia and Pakistan have been holding the "Friendship" drills since 2016.

In 2017, over 200 servicemen took part in the drills, which were held in the North Caucasus at an altitude of 2,300 metres above sea level.

--IANS

ksk/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Ruling Congress continues to get setbacks in poll-bound Mizoram as former Minister and senior Congress leader Buddha Dhan Chakma on Tuesday left the party and is likely to join the BJP soon.

Chakma has resigned from the state legislature and primary membership of the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC). The resignation of Chakma comes close on the heels of two other senior Congress leaders leaving the party.

Chakma said he was unhappy over the recent incident where some students belonging to the Chakma community were denied admission to medical colleges across the country, though they had qualified for MBBS seats under the state quota.

Although he did not reveal his future course of action, the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) insiders said he is likely to contest the forthcoming Assembly polls from Tuichawng seat on a BJP ticket.

Earlier, former Mizoram Home Minister and number two in the state cabinet R. Lalzirliana and former Minister Lalrinliana Sailo had resigned from the Congress. Lalrinliana joined the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF).

Mizoram is going to polls on November 28.

BJP President Amit Shah will kick-start party's campaign for Mizoram Assembly elections on October 17 and also address booth-level workers the same day.

--IANS

ah/nir

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)CEO has for the first time gone public about his company's China-centric plans and has stressed on its need to re-enter the Asian nation that has the world's largest population, a media report said.

Pichai was speaking on Monday at Wired Magazine's 25th anniversary summit here in the US.

Since China is an important market, is developing a censored search-engine for Beijing codenamed "Dragonfly" that would filter content deemed sensitive by its ruling Communist Party regime.

"We wanted to learn what it would look like if were in China. It's very early and we don't know whether we would or could do this in China but we felt like it was important for us to explore, given how important the market is and how many users there are," The Verge quoted Pichai as saying.

Information regarding Google's "Dragonfly" project began surfacing in August and since then the company has faced severe backlash from its employees as well as the US government.

Google's plan to launch the censored browser has come under heavy criticism from one of its former Asia-Pacific head of free expression who called it a "stupid move".

In September, Google reportedly developed a prototype of "Dragonfly" that linked users' search history to their personal phone numbers allowing security agencies to easily track users seeking out information banned by the government.

Along with former Google Senior Scientist Jack Poulson, several other employees have resigned from the company citing lack of corporate transparency after the it revealed its efforts about "Dragonfly".

The company has been guarding the China-project details from the US Congress.

Appearing before members of the US Congress at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing in September end, Google's Chief Privacy Officer, Keith Enright confirmed that the China search project does exist, but did not disclose much.

President Donald Trump's administration has also asked Google to shun the "Dragonfly" project.

Though Pichai describes his company's China plans as very preliminary, it is clear that backlash within and outside the company has been vocal and will only intensify in future, the report added.

Google had launched a search engine in China in 2006 but pulled the plug in 2010, citing Chinese government efforts to limit free speech and block websites.At least 19 members of the Afghan security forces were killed and 16 others were injured in Taliban attacks, few days ahead of parliamentary elections in the country, officials said on Tuesday.

A group of Taliban fighters launched attacks on three security check posts in Daikundi province's Kijran area, which borders the provinces of Uruzgan and Helmand -- Taliban strongholds -- at around 1.00 a.m.

Thirteen members of the security forces were killed and 13 others were injured, Daikundi Governor's spokesperson Ali Akbar Natiqi told Efe news.

In another attack in Samangan province's Darah-e-Sof district, the Taliban on Monday night killed six police officers, including provincial deputy police chief Tahir Khawani, officials said.

Three people were injured and 30 Taliban fighters were also killed and injured in the attack, reports say.

Armed attacks by the terror group have increased of late, as the country prepares to go to the polls on October 20.

--IANS

soni/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US President Donald Trump undertook an aerial survey of areas in Florida devastated by hurricane Michael and said that the priority of the his government was to provide food, electricity and safety to the victims.

Accompanied by his wife Melania, Trump on Monday arrived at Eglin Air Force Base in northwest Florida, some 130 km east of Panama City, one of the areas most heavily affected by Michael's high winds and storm surge, reports Efe news.

At least 19 peoplewere killed as a result of Michael's passage across Florida and other southeastern states last week.

Trump declared the Florida and Georgia counties affected by Michael to be disaster areas, thus freeing up federal funds to repair the damage and take care of local residents.

In Florida, the President boarded a helicopter to aerially survey Panama City and the nearby town of Mexico Beach, where the storm made landfall on October 10 with 250 km/h winds that destroyed practically the entire community, along with Lynn Haven, continuing his tour in the neighbouring state of Georgia.

Thousands of trees have been uprooted in the area, along with many homes ripped from their foundations or with their roofs blown off and now covered with blue tarpaulins.

There is trash and debris everywhere and long lines of moving trucks to be seen along the roadways, according to reporters who accompanied the president on his aerial tour.

Trump also flew over the nearby Tyndall air base, also damaged by Michael, which brought a storm surge to the Gulf Coast of up to 14 feet.

The President seemed surprised that some homes had been completely obliterated, saying: "You know, many of these people have no trace of a home. You wouldn't even know it. It just got blown right off the footing."

Trump was welcomed at the scene by Florida Governor Rick Scott, whom he praised for doing an "incredible job", and he toured the zone with Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and her father, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.

The presidential party was also welcomed by Federal Emergency Management Agency director Brock Long and Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, among other civilian and military authorities.

The President praised Scott and emergency personnel for responding quickly to the storm. The governor had declared a state of emergency last week in 35 Florida counties and deployed at least 4,000 members of the state National Guard to help with rescue tasks, along with food and water distribution.

According to the Poweroutage.us Web site, some 250,000 families and businesses remain without electricity in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia.

--IANS

ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The two Koreas and the UN Command (UNC), led by the US, held their first trilateral consultations on Tuesday over disarming the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the heavily fortified border area, South Korea's Defence Ministry said.

The meeting took place behind closed doors at the border village of Panmunjom and was headed by South Korean Colonel Cho Yong-geun, North Korean Colonel Om Chang-nam and US Colonel Burke Hamilton, the Secretary of the UNC Military Armistice Committee, the ministry said in a press release.

Seoul and Pyongyang had earlier agreed to establish weapon-free areas in the JSA, with the aim of lowering tensions, in the military agreement signed by defence officials in September, the biggest pact on the matter signed by the two countries since the peninsula was divided in 1945.

The UNC has jurisdiction over the JSA, where South and North Korean forces stand face to face.

"We held working-level consultations over measures to be taken for (JSA) disarmament, such as withdrawing firearms and guard posts, reducing guard personnel and readjusting monitoring equipment," the ministry was cited as saying by Yonhap news agency.

"(We) have decided to proceed with plans for disarmament measures and mutual verification procedures through the trilateral consultation body," it added.

The South and the North Koreas plan to withdraw four and five guard posts, respectively, from the JSA. Each side will station a patrol of 35 soldiers, including five officers, with no firearms, there.

Korean people and foreign tourists will be allowed to cross the military demarcation line from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, the report said.

As part the implementation of the September agreement, the two Koreas had begun joint work on October 1 to remove anti-personnel mines from the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) at the border, the results of which were reviewed at Tuesday's meeting.

--IANS

soni/sed

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for action to protect the rights of rural women and girls on the occasion of the International Day of Rural Women.

The empowerment of rural women and girls is essential to building a prosperous, equitable and peaceful future for all on a healthy planet, said Guterres in a message. "Yet rural women and girls remain disproportionately affected by poverty, inequality, exclusion and the effects of climate change," Xinhua reported.

The UN chief called on countries to take action to ensure that rural women and girls fully enjoy their human rights, including the right to a life free of all forms of violence, discrimination and harmful practices, and to quality, affordable and accessible education throughout their lives.

The secretary-general underscored that investing in the well-being, livelihoods and resilience of rural women and girls is needed. "Achieving this requires investment, legal and policy reforms and the inclusion of rural women in the decisions that affect their lives."

The first International Day of Rural Women was observed on October 15, 2008. The day, established by the UN General Assembly on December 18, 2007, recognizes the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.

--IANS

ahm/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Dhaka court will announce its verdict on former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case on October 29.

Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of the Special Court-5 in Dhaka fixed the date after rejecting the petition filed by Khaleda's lawyer seeking adjournment of the hearing of the graft case, bdnews24.com reported.

The case was filed against the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) eight years ago. The ACC had accused Khaleda and three others of embezzling 31.54 million taka ($397,435) from the Zia Charitable Trust.

In 2010, the trial began at a makeshift court inside the Old Dhaka jailhouse. However, Khaleda skipped court appearances citing her illness, prompting the judge to proceed with the trial in the absence of the key suspect.

She was sentenced to five years in prison on February 8 in a separate graft case involving the Zia Orphanage Trust. In this case, Khaleda and five others, including her elder son Tarique Rahman, were accused of embezzling over 20 million taka ($253,164) from the orphanage trust during her 2001-2006 Prime Minister term.

Khaleda has reportedly been facing dozens of cases, including five on corruption charges and 15 for masterminding violence during their anti-government movement since 2014.

Khaleda has often said that political vendettas were to blame for the cases against her and her son.

--IANS

soni/sed

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The EU and Somalia signed Sunday (Oct. 14) an agreement to provide 100 million to the Somali budget over the next two and a half years. These funds will support the Federal Governments reforms to build a unified, federal state.

Somalia is on a positive track towards stability and growth. The EUs move to budget support is a token of the partnership with Somalia to develop a viable federal system and fostering long-term recovery, said the European Commission in a press release.

The date of signature coincides with the first anniversary of Somalias worst terror attack, which killed over 500 people in Mogadishu.

Unfortunately, shortly after the agreement was signed in Mogadishu by European Commissions Director-General for International Cooperation and Development, Stefano Manservisi, and the Prime Minister of Somalia, Hassan Ali Khayre, twin suicide attacks targeted Baidoa, southwestern Somalia, killing at least 16 people.

During the signing ceremony, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, said: Budget support shows the EUs trust in Somali institutions. It gives the Government resources to implement reforms and build a stronger State able to deliver basic services to its people. Those 100M show the EU delivers quickly, a few months after the Somali Partnership Forum. It comes at a time where the Horn of Africa is going through unprecedented changes. And Somalia can seize this momentum for its own domestic transformation.

The EU plays a leading role amongst the international community supporting Somalia. It co-hosted the Somalia Partnership Forum in Brussels in July 2018, when over 1 billion was mobilized to support the country. In September, the World Bank also agreed a $80 million pre-arrears clearance package. The engagement of the EU, IMF and World Bank will not only help accelerating national reforms, but also the process towards concessional loans and debt relief.

The financing agreement is a 100 million package dedicated to Somalias state and resilience building, which will also support access to basic services. Up to 92 million will go to the federal government through budget support. The remaining 8 million will support capacity building to the federal and states governments and oversight institutions.

The disbursement of funds will be sequenced and closely monitored through political dialogue, regular assessment of progress achieved against indicators and dedicated safeguard measures.A group of women journalists has written to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding the dismissal of Union Minister M.J. Akbar, who has been accused of sexual harassment by a dozen-odd women.

The Network of Women in in India (NWMI) also demanded that the Ministry of External Affairs, where Akbar is Minister of State, should ask him to step down from office pending an independent investigation.

"We are extremely concerned that he continues to be a Minister even as he pursues whatever legal action he plans.

"You will agree that this is highly unethical and improper and will cast a cloud over any investigation into his alleged misdeeds, besides undermining the independence, justice and fair play that any citizen can expect from such proceedings," NWMI said in its letters to the President and the Prime Minister on Monday.

As for Akbar's action on Monday to sue Priya Ramani, the journalist who had first named him in the #MeToo campaign, for defamation the NWMI said that it is "a clear attempt to bully, intimidate and silence those bringing to light systemic abuse of women by men in powerful positions".

"It is designed to push women back into silent compliance and will silence the voices of the many who have not yet spoken up," it said.

"We would like to point out that Section 499 of the IPC (Indian Penal Code), which pertains to defamation, cites exceptions in case of 'imputation of truth which public good requires to be made or published'."

The NWMI said that all support should be extended by the government to women in their struggle for justice and that Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj should "take workplace harassment seriously and not encourage intimidatory tactics against women who have complained".

--IANS

mg/tsb/sed

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Writer Varun Grover, who has been accused of touching a junior inappropriately while studying at Banaras Hindu University in 2001, on Tuesday sought "closure" via an open letter in which he calls the allegation a "baseless fabrication".

Grover had been named in the #MeToo movement last week, and he had categorically denied the claim in an anonymous message which surfaced on social media. Several of his celebrity friends also spoke out in his support.

On Tuesday, Grover once again set out to clear his name in the matter, and urged people "not to believe all the screenshots" which are finding prominence via social media.

"Am I angry? Yes. Is my mental health in shambles? Yes. Do I occasionally feel like a victim of an agenda? Yes. And would I still say 'Believe All Women'? Yes. But please bring in the checks to differentiate it from 'Believe All Screenshots'. Revolutions can be messy but they can't be perceived as unjust," Grover wrote.

While he says he understands and supports the need for anonymity in #MeToo stories as "our highly biased societal systems and male toxic behavior leave most women no space or platform to speak of their traumas openly or even in private", he said "fact-based counter-claims are made by the accused, the movement as a collective can perhaps make space for the intent to verify them".

"If the allegations are found untrue, the movement can announce them to be considered removed or at the very least the account can be labelled as 'pending verification', till the contested claims are checked."

As for allegations against himself, in the Twitter post titled "Seeking closure", he narrated: "I joined IT-BHU in July 1999 for a 4-year under-grad course in Civil Engineering. New batches arrive in July every year. So a junior to me in 2001 would mean two batches- 2000-2004 and 2001-2005.

"As per official records, in the batch of 2000-2004, a total of 25 females joined the under-grad course and in the batch of 2001-2005, the total female strength was 11. That makes it a total of 36 female students that were my junior at that time."

The "Masaan" and "Sacred Games" writer said he had only 36 women studying with him in the university, out of which only four were a part of the theatre group.

"And, all these four women not only expressed their solidarity but also checked with the remaining 32 if such an incident happened and they found out that it did not happen."

--IANS

sim/rb/sed

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)This refers to An untenable position (October 16). Harassment of women at the workplace  be it in journalism, in corporates or the film industry  is the hidden side of employment and often go unreported by the victim for fear of losing the job or career growth.

To expect evidence or witnesses for such misconduct is useless given that women silently suffer such insults and most of it goes unreported. It is only recently that some women have had the courage to report these dreadful incidents. One hopes the culprits in India are punished just like Bill Cosby and ...Fourteen Iranian security personnel, including Revolutionary Guards intelligence officers, were abducted on the volatile southeastern border with Pakistan on Tuesday, state media reported.

The border guards were "abducted between 4 am and 5 am in the Lulakdan area of the border by a terrorist group," the official IRNA agency said.

Lulakdan is a small village 150 kilometres southeast of Zahedan, capital of the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan.

The 14 were involved in "a security operation" and included two members of the elite Revolutionary Guards intelligence unit, seven Basij militiamen and five regular border guards, the Young Journalists' Club (YJC), a state-owned website, said.

The report was deleted from the YJC website shortly afterwards.

The province has long been a flashpoint, with Baluchi separatists and jihadists based in Pakistan regularly attacking Iranian security posts.

On September 28, the Guards said they had killed four militants who had slipped across the border.

Sistan-Baluchistan has a large, mainly Sunni Muslim ethnic Baluchi community which straddles the border.

Sunni extremist group Jundallah (Soldiers of God) launched a bloody insurgency in the province in 2000 targeting the security forces and officials of Iran's Shiite-dominated government.

The campaign peaked with a spate of deadly attacks from 2007 -- including twin suicide bombings against a Shiite mosque that killed 28 people -- but abated after the group's leader was killed in mid-2010.

In 2012, Jundullah members formed a successor organisation called Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice), which has carried out a spate of attacks on the security forces.

Iran has alleged that the group has received support from the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia, with the complicity of Pakistan.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Nearly 190 names of suspected Rohingyas have appeared in the voters list and the process of verification and deletion is on, a senior official of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation said Tuesday.

"We have received the list from the Election Commission with nearly 190 names of Rohingyas living in Telangana to be verified. We have sent the list to Returning Officers (RO) and Assistant ROs to verify," the official told PTI.

The official said the deletion of such names from the voters list is underway.

"We have so far deleted 25 names from the voters list. The process is going on. Balance will be done before the second supplement list of voters comes," the official said.

According to the official, some of the names figured in other constituencies near the city and the list was sent to the respective districts for verification and deletion of names if required.

There are as many as 39.60 lakh voters in GHMC limits as per the latest list.

There were about 3,600 Rohingyas, who are UNHCR card holders in the city and most of them are illiterates.

Whoever lives in the camp were not willing to go back as they fear for their lives, sources related to the Rohingya camp in old city area had earlier said.

" The names of the Rohingyas have been deleted by obtaining Form 7, (related to the deletion of name from voters list) from them After that they were given a seven-day notice for the removal of the name," the official added.

He pleaded ignorance on how the Rohingyas' names were included in the voters list.

Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Electoral officer Rajat Kumar said there are ECI guidelines specially for them not to include in the voters list, once the immigrants are identified.

The Home Secretary has come out with a list of Rohingyas to be verified, the CEO said.

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims, described by the United Nations as the most persecuted minority in the world, fled their homes last year to escape an alleged crackdown by the Myanmar Army.

Last year, the central government told Parliament that more than 14,000 Rohingyas, registered with the UN refugee agency UNHCR, stay in India.

However, aid agencies estimate there are about 40,000 Rohingya people in the country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Infosys CFO M D Ranganath Tuesday said his two decade stint at the company was deeply satisfying where he played a broad spectrum of leadership roles, from being a strategist and managing finance.

However, the last three years as Chief Financial Officer was especially satisfying as it was a crucial period for Infosys, he said.

Ranganath's tenure ends on November 16 this year.

"The last two decade stint at Infosys was deeply satisfying, where I got the opportunity to play a broad spectrum of leadership roles, right from being a strategist, managing finance and looking at the matters of Mergers and Acquisitions," he said.

The CFO said he had a resolute focus on resilient and strong financial performance, besides multiple transitions along with the largest share buyback.

The company also entered into the US Advance Pricing Agreement and registered a record high cash flow of USD 2 billion and Return on Equity of 25 per cent, he said.

Infosys achieved several significant milestones, particularly in the last three years where its revenues grew, he told reporters.

Ranganath said he was now looking at spending more time with his wife and professional opportunities after leaving the company.

"I am looking at professional opportunities where I could put to use my experience of managing a large global listed company and unique insights and experiences I got as CFO.

That is what I am looking forward.. to spend more time with my wife as well," Ranganath said.

He said this when asked about his future plans, post-Infosys.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Police Tuesday arrested four members of a gang here for allegedly assaulting an employee of a private finance firm and robbing him of Rs 4.75 lakh.

The employee, who was working with the finance firm in Maduranthakam in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, was on his routine visit to Puducherry to collect money from borrowers Monday.

When the employee was driving along the Ellaipillaichavady road, the four-member gang waylaid him. The gang attacked him with sharp-edged weapons and robbed him of the cash bag containing Rs 4.75 lakh he had collected from the borrowers, police said.

The victim filed a complaint with the nearest police station.

Based on the CCTV footage, police traced the accused and arrested them. Search is on for the fifth accused, they said.

Apart from the stolen cash, three mobile phones and two motor cycles were found in the possession of the accused, police added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A court in Assam on Tuesday remanded four of the 31 suspected Bangladeshis held from Guwahati railway station in police custody and the remaining adults in judicial custody.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kamrup, ordered that the children be sent to the children remand home here.

The 31 people, including eight women and 13 children, were held at Guwahati railway station on Monday when they were preparing to board Kanchanjunga Express to go to Agartala.

They would be produced before the court again on October 20.

They were detained after they failed to produce any valid document to prove their Indian citizenship.

The Bangladeshi nationals told reporters in the court premises that there were agents in Bangladesh who charged Rs 8,000 per person for taking them to India and preparing their Aadhaar card, voter and PAN cards.

They said they are taken by the agents to Tripura across the Indo-Bangladesh border, then by train to Assam before travelling on to West Bengal, Bangalore and Delhi to work as labourers and domestic helps.

They were on their way to Bangladesh to visit homes when they were apprehended.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Extract of an invoice for 3 Bentley Continental Flying Spurs at a cost of K2.3 million - did this deal go through an open & competitive tender as required?

SIR MEKERE MORAUTA MP

PORT MORESBY - APEC Authority documents reveal that the K2.3 million purchase of three super-luxury Bentleys for the prime minister, APEC minister and others was carried out through the Malaysian medical supplies company Borneo Pacific.

An invoice for the cars sent to APEC Authority CEO Christopher Hawkins comes from South Pacific Ventures of Kuala Lumpur, which describes itself as a business consultancy and health services provider in Papua New Guinea.

Borneo Pacific and South Pacific Ventures are both controlled by a Malaysian family which is close to prime minister Peter ONeill and other senior politicians, businessmen and public servants.

The family has extensive octopus-like business interests in PNG, and is currently rumoured to be starting a brewery in partnership with the prime minister.The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the twin suicide attacks that hit Saturday Baidoa, southwestern Somalia, and reiterated the Organizations support and solidarity with the Somali people and Government.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Guterres said He is convinced that indiscriminate violence and attacks will not deter the Somali people in their pursuit of peace and stability.

According to media reports, at least 16 people died and 50 were wounded after two suicide bombers attacked a restaurant and a hotel in the town of Baidoa on Saturday. Baidoa is located about 220 kilometres (130 miles) west of capital Mogadishu.

The blasts came on the eve of the one-year anniversary of a suicide bombing in Mogadishu that killed more than 500 people.The Egyptian army said Tuesday that 450 jihadists are estimated to have been killed in its eight-month offensive against the Islamic State group in the Sinai Peninsula.

The military launched a large-scale operation dubbed "Sinai 2018" in February to rid Sinai of IS jihadists after an attack on a mosque in the north of the peninsula that killed more than 300 people.

Since the start of the campaign, 450 jihadists were presumed to have been killed "in the north and the centre of Sinai by (soldiers) and police," army spokesman Tamer al-Rifai told AFP.

According to army figures, around 30 soldiers have been killed during the operation.

Jihadists began an insurgency in Egypt after the 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, who was forced out by the military in the face of mass protests against his rule and that of his Muslim Brotherhood.

The army on Tuesday rejected criticism from rights groups over the impact on civilians of its campaign in Sinai.

It says that people in the peninsula support its operation and receive humanitarian aid.

"All air strikes are carried out by the army outside residential areas," Rifai said on Tuesday.

Journalists are barred from going to areas targeted in the Sinai 2018 campaign, although the army organised a rare visit to the North Sinai capital El-Arish in July.

A countrywide state of emergency was imposed in April last year, following two suicide bombings at churches which were claimed by IS.

On Tuesday, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi extended the measure by a further three months.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A 65-year-old doctor was allegedly assaulted and robbed of cash and valuables by four unidentified men in northwest Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar area, police said Tuesday.

The victim, identified as P K Batra, is a resident of Premanand Colony here, they added.

The incident occurred on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday when the four men barged into Batra's house and fled away with cash and other valuable items after thrashing him, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (northwest) Aslam Khan.

On Tuesday at around 12.30 am, Mohit, the victim's son, called police after he along with his mother returned home and saw his father lying on the bed with his hands tied, Khan added.

The accused persons had also stabbed him, the DCP said, adding that he was taken to a hospital, where his condition was stated to be stable.

The victim had gone to watch Ramleela but returned home before his family, Khan said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Eight women were killed when a passenger train hit a rickshaw at an unmanned crossing in Pakistan's Sindh province on Tuesday.

The Khushhal Khan Khattak collided with the vehicle carrying 15 travelers at the Haibat Shaheed railway station in Kashmore at around 1:30pm.

Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed expressing his grief over the accident confirmed that eight women died in the incident while seven others were injured but were not out of danger.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has begun a probe into the mishap where a 53-year-old female flight attendant fell from a stationary Air India plane while closing its door at the Mumbai airport, an official said Tuesday.

The flight attendant, who suffered serious injuries in the incident Monday, is stable and her right leg requires multiple surgeries, said authorities at the city-based Nanavati Hospital where she is being treated.

The wide-body Boeing 777 aircraft was Monday preparing to depart for New Delhi when Harsha Lobo fell on the tarmac from a height of 20 feet, apparently through a gap between the rear door and the step ladder.

She suffered multiple fractures in her legs and was rushed to the Nanavati Hospital.

"The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken over the probe into the incident at the Mumbai airport in which a female flight attendant had fallen off from the Boeing 777 aircraft Monday morning," a senior official in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) told PTI.

AAIB is the apex aircraft investigation body under the Civil Aviation Ministry and has the mandate to probe accidents/serious incidents relating to aircrafts registered in India.

"The incident is being treated as serious and for this reason, the AAIB has been asked to carry out a probe," the official added.

On Monday, a DGCA official had said the aviation regulator is probing the incident.

In addition, Air India's safety wing is also investigating the causes that led to the incident, which took place at the city's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport here when the airline's flight AI 864 was getting ready for departure to Delhi.

Meanwhile, authorities at the Nanavati Hospital said the flight attendant's health condition is stable.

She is responding to the treatment. "Her right leg requires multiple surgeries in the next few days," the hospital said in a statement.

The hospital had said Monday that she had right leg compound fracture, fractures in both heels and soft tissue injury in chest, abdomen and lower spine. She also suffered a sprain in the neck (cervical spine).

An official of the airline said earlier that though full investigation will establish the reasons for the incident, "prima facie it seems there was a gap between the aircraft gate and the step ladder, through which she slipped off 20 feet down on the tarmac".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) demanded a CBI probe into the "delay" and alleged "corruption" in the construction of the Rani Jhansi flyover that was unveiled Tuesday by Union minister Harsh Vardhan.

The BJP also termed the delay a serious issue and conceded the need for a probe into it.

"The flyover was scheduled to be completed by 2010. The delay in its completion reflects the work commitment of the Modi government and the BJP-ruled MCD. A CBI probe must be ordered to look into the delay and the corruption in the construction of the flyover," senior AAP leader and in-charge of North East Delhi constituency Dilip Pandey said.

The 1.6 km-long flyover executed by the BJP-ruled North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) was originally scheduled to be completed in 2010.

Earlier, Union minister Vijay Goel had suggested that an inquiry should be conducted into the delay in the construction of the flyover.

"There should be an inquiry as to why there has been so much delay in completing the project of the Rani Jhansi Flyover," Goel told PTI on the sidelines of the inaugural event.

Reacting to Goel's demand, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said it was a "serious matter" that needed to be investigated.

The delay in executing the project also led to cost escalation, Pandey claimed.

"Construction of the flyover began in 2008 with a budget of Rs 70 crore, which after completion is learnt to be around Rs 750-800 crore," he told reporters here.

Pandey alleged that "bogus payment" to the tune of Rs 110 crore was made towards land acquisition for the flyover to a person who was untraceable.

He demanded that Union Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri recommend a CBI probe into the project.

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari, replying to Goel's demand for a probe, tweeted, "Vijay Goelji the quesiton raised by you is a serious matter, it requires investigation. Let us go ahead with clear intention so the truth soon comes before people.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The AAP government and the Centre are at the loggerheads over Delhi Metro Phase-IV with the former saying it "assumed" that the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry would fund the project as asserted by Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri earlier.

On several occasions, Puri has asserted that if there is no decision from the Delhi government on Metro Phase-IV, his ministry will take a final call.

"Hardeep Singh Puri ji had said that he would provide funds himself (for Metro Phase-IV), we thought they would be doing so," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told reporters. He was asked about Centre's allegation about no nod from the Delhi government for Metro Phase-IV in the last three-four years.

Earlier in the day, Puri while addressing a gathering at an event said the Delhi government has not provided its financial nod to the Metro Phase-IV in the last three-four years.

However, the Union minister assured that the Centre will not let the citizens of Delhi suffer due to non-clearance from the AAP government. He expressed hope that the AAP dispensation will clear Phase-IV project in the next few weeks.

"It will be huge atrocities against Delhiites if the work of Metro Phase-IV does not begin from January 1... But, I want to assure that as we cleared other projects (of Delhi), we will not let the people of Delhi down. The work of Phase-IV will commence on time. We will find some solution," Puri said.

On Monday, the Union minister alleged that several projects including Metro Phase-IV are stuck due to non-clearance from Delhi government.

Infrastructure projects have become a bone of contention between the AAP dispensation and the BJP-led central government these days. It started with inauguration of newly-constructed ITO Skywalk.

It comes at a time when both the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party are gearing up for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. There are seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi. In the previous polls, BJP had won all seats.

Last week, Delhi PWD Satyendar Jain alleged that no AAP minister was invited to the inaugural ceremony of the Skywalk while Puri claimed that it was his ministry that provided funds to the project.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari slammed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and said if his government does not approve the Metro Phase-IV soon, the construction equipment and machinary will be moved and Delhi will go 20 years back.

"If so happens, it will not only increase the cost of project, but also delay the Metro Phase-IV by several years and Delhi will go at least 20 years back," Tiwari said.

Under Phase-IV Metro project, a total of 31.47 kilometres of new lines will be underground while 64.39 km tracks would be elevated.

Among the projects chosen under Phase-IV are Rithala-Narela (21.73km), Janakpuri West-R K Ashram (28.92km), Mukundpur-Maujpur (12.54km), Inderlok-Indraprastha (12.58km), Tughlakabad-Aerocity (20.20 km), and Lajpat Nagar-Saket G-Block (7.96 km).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The rebel group of Tuesday said it will appoint district presidents of the party on October 24, a move which is expected to further deepen the ongoing crisis in the state unit.

The dissident group of MLAs, led by Bholath legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira, blamed the for not making any contact with them for resolving differences.

"We have decided to start the process of forming organisational structure of the party. We will announce the names of district presidents of the state unit on October 24," said MLA Kanwar Sandhu, who is part of the rebel group.

Besides announcing names of district presidents, changes are various party wings, like youth and women, would be announced on the day, the rebel leaders said.

"We had slowed down the process of forming the organisational structure, thinking they (the party) would contact us. Since no attempt has been made, we have decided to form an organisational structure of the party. Our doors are still open if anybody makes an attempt for unity," said Sandhu.

The rebel leaders will also have a political affairs committee meeting on October 24, said the Kharar legislator. Earlier, the rebel group had formed a 15-member parallel political affairs committee (PAC).

Meanwhile, the core committee of the state unit of AAP Tuesday announced the formation of a five-member coordination committee to reach out to the rebel MLAs.

The decision in the regard was taken in a core committee meeting chaired by MLA Budh Ram here.

The coordination committee will comprise Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann, legislators Sarabjit Kaur Manuke, Gurmeet Hayer, Rupinder Kaur Ruby and Kulwant Pandori.

The rebel group had already formed a five-member committee to resolve differences within the state unit of the party.

Earlier, AAP MLA Aman Arora had initiated talks with the dissident group of legislators, led by Khaira.

AAP, as part of its efforts to make peace with "rebels" and "former leaders", had also reached out to the former convener of AAP, Sucha Singh Chhotepur, who was sacked on charges of taking bribe for allotting party tickets.

The party had plunged into a crisis after Khaira was unceremoniously removed from the post of of Opposition in the Assembly.An advisory committee headed by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been set up for implementation of various projects for rebuilding the flood-ravaged state.

Announcing this at a press conference here, Vijayan said the committee, comprising Union Tourism Minister Alphons Kannamthanam, would give advice for implementing the projects.

Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala, T K A Nair, who served as advisor to former prime minister, and former state chief secretary K M Chandrasekhar are among the other members of the committee, he said.

The first meeting of the committee would be held on October 22, the chief minister said.

Besides this, a high-powered committee would monitor the implementation of the projects approved by the state cabinet, he said.

The chief minister also launched a portal for crowd funding as part of the government's efforts to mobilise funds for rebuilding and rehabilitating the people affected by the flood in the state.

Vijayan is scheduled to leave for some of the Gulf countries on Wednesday as part of the efforts to mobilise funds from Kerala expatriates there.

Seventeen of the 20 state ministers have also planned to visit different countries in the Gulf and Europe to mobilise funds.

However, the Centre has approved the foreign visit of the chief minister alone so far.

Answering a question in this regard, Vijayan said the state government had expected that the Centre would give sanction for the ministers also.

The state had witnessed the fury of the southwest monsoon in August which claimed 493 lives and left a trail of destruction in several districts, displacing lakhs of people.

The LDF government had last month decided to raise Rs 15,900 crore as loan from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and other funding agencies to rebuild the prime sectors of the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Shiromani Akali Dal Tuesday lambasted Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, accusing him of trying to push Punjab into the dark days of militancy by "encouraging radical elements" which are hell bent on dividing the country and disturb the hard-earned peace in the state.

"About 25-30 years back, people could not come out of their houses During terrorism, thousands of people lost lives, industry fled, business destroyed. At that time there was an atmosphere of terror. Captain Amarinder Singh was creating similar atmosphere (of the state), now," SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged.

"Amarinder is bringing those forces forward which had only single agenda of dividing the country and disturb peace in Punjab," he further alleged while talking to reporters here.

"Twenty five years back, Congress had raised such forces to create a rift between Hindus and Sikhs and that pushed Punjab into dark days. Similar forces are being supported by Amarinder just to weaken the Akali Dal," Badal added.

A joint SAD-BJP delegation met Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore Tuesday and urged him to take preventive action to stop Chief Minister Singh from "taking Punjab back into an era of darkness by encouraging radical elements who were hell bent on breaking the country and destroying the hard won peace and communal harmony of the state".

The delegation, which was led by Badal and BJP state president Shwait Malik, while apprising the governor of recent developments, including uncovering of a plot by the Uttar Pradesh Police to eliminate former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, said this was a direct fallout of the support extended to radical elements by the Congress party in Punjab.

Notably, Uttar Pradesh Police arrested three men on Monday for allegedly looting police rifles. The trio were found to have links to the Sikh militant group Khalistan Liberation Front and were planning to attack former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Citing the example of a protest by a handful of Congress-sponsored protesters outside the 'pandal' of a religious congregation at Nikke Ghumni village in Gurdaspur on Sunday, Sukhbir said police failed to even take custody of the miscreants who were apprehended and handed over to them.

He claimed that on October 5, when radical elements attacked his cavalcade in Sangrur district, they were facilitated by the police who later tried their best not to take action against them.

Speaking on the occasion, Punjab BJP president Shwait Malik said the Congress was "playing with fire" in the same manner as was done by its leadership in the mid-80s which resulted in the advent of terrorism in the state.

He said the SAD-BJP combine would not let anyone disturb Hindu-Sikh unity in the state.

The delegation apprised the governor of a trend started by the UT administration by changing the selection criteria for recruitment to 418 posts of Junior Basic Training(JBT) teachers.

Former education minister Daljit Cheema said as per the new rules, candidates were required to have knowledge of English and Hindi only despite the fact that they would have to teach Punjabi as part of their job profile.

The delegation urged the governor to intervene and ensure knowledge of Punjabi was included in the selection criteria. It also requested that all employees be recruited as per the 60:40 ratio between Punjab and Haryana as per the 1966 Reorganisation of Punjab Act.

The members said teachers, who had put in eight to 10 years of service and were drawing salaries between Rs 35,000 and 45,000, were now being asked to work at a flat rate of Rs 15,000 for three years before they could be regularised. They urged Badnore to direct the government to rescind the order immediately.

Senior SAD-BJP leaders also pointed out the Punjab government was levying 35 per cent VAT on petrol and 20 per cent VAT on diesel on variable terms, which meant that the state earned more when petrol and diesel prices increased.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Union minister M J Akbar, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment, Tuesday praised the Modi government's efforts towards poverty alleviation and hit out at the Congress for its "continued campaign of defaming India".

"A Brookings study says that about 44 people are coming out of poverty every minute in India. A large credit goes to Modi Government's implementation of National Food Security Act which covers 80 crore people. But Congress cannot see this and continues its campaign defaming India," Akbar, who is Minister of State for External Affairs, tweeted.

The National Food Security Act 2013 was during UPA's tenure.

Amid allegations and mounting demand for his resignation, Akbar has dug in the heels and refused to quit. He had slapped a criminal defamation suit against journalist Priya Ramani, one of the first to make the charges against Akbar.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus A.Dapkiunas participates in Consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Belarus and India

16-10-2018

On October 16, 2018 New Delhi hosted sixth round of Consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Belarus and India. The Belarusian delegation was headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrei Dapkiunas, the Indian side was led by the Secretary (West) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ruchi Ghanashyam.

The practice of consultations between Foreign Ministries is a traditional instrument of cooperation between Belarus and India to consider topical bilateral and international issues. The previous round of consultations was held in Minsk in November 2016.

The Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belarus and India discussed the state of bilateral political and inter-parliamentary dialogue, economic and investment cooperation, interregional collaboration, scientific, technical, educational and cultural ties, development of the legal framework of relations, cooperation in international organizations and selected issues on the international agenda.

The program and practical content of mutual visits at a high level in the near future were considered. A.Dapkiunas and R.Ghanashyam discussed the possible shift of consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Belarus and India from a biennial to an annual basis.

In the context of the development of inter-parliamentary contacts the possibility of creating a Belarusian-Indian inter-parliamentary friendship group was discussed. The Belarusian part of the future group has already been formed in the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus.

Belarus and India agreed to continue the dialogue and formulated next practical steps to develop the concept of the Belarusian-Indian industrial and investment cluster in the special economic zone Bremino-Orsha. The decision to establish a working group for a detailed discussion of this topic was taken by the Belarusian-Indian Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation in the Field of Economy, Trade, Industry, Science, Technology and Culture in September 2018.

India reaffirmed support for Belaruss accession to the World Trade Organization.

A.Dapkiunas and R.Ghanashyam supported the need to further simplify the conditions for mutual trips of citizens of the two countries. India will explore the possibility of providing Belarusian citizens with the opportunity to obtain an electronic Indian visa.

Opportunities for the development of cooperation between Belarus and India in the framework of multilateral organizations, including the UN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Non-Aligned Movement, were discussed.

print versionUttar Pradesh minister Siddharth Nath Singh said Tuesday restrictions should be placed on those indulging in anti-national activities, days after three Kashmiri students of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) were booked for allegedly trying to hold a prayer meeting for a slain terrorist.

"The government is with the innocent people. But restrictions should be placed on those who are indulging in activities which are against the nation's interest," Singh told reporters here.

The BJP has always stood by the nation's interests, he added.

"Universities must take action against those indulging in activities which are detrimental to the nation's interest. Those who are innocent should be allowed to stay. We are making efforts in this direction," Singh said.

On October 13, the AMU students were booked for allegedly raising "anti-India" slogans and and trying to hold a prayer meeting for Hizbul Mujahideen commander Manan Bashir Wani, who was killed in an encounter in north Kashmir.

Wani (27), who was pursuing a PhD course in allied geology at the AMU, had quit the university and joined militant ranks in January this year.

"Police have filed an FIR against Wasim Malik, Abdul Mir and one unnamed person. They have been identified on the basis of a video recording," Aligarh Senior Superintendent of Police Ajai Sahni had said.

The three were suspended from the AMU earlier.

In the wake of their suspension, more than 1,200 students from Jammu and Kashmir studying at the varsity have threatened to leave for their homes on October 17, if the sedition charges against the three are not dropped.

In a letter to Proctor, AMU, students of Jammu and Kashmir, studying at the university said "no prayers or any relevant activity was observed and the directions of the AMU Proctor were duly followed".

AMU registrar Abdul Hamid has said there would be no witch-hunt against any student.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India's strength as major hub for organic food products will be showcased at a three-day trade fair 'Biofach India 2018' to be held in the national capital at Pragati Maidan from October 25, the government body APEDA said Tuesday.

The trade fair is being jointly organised by the government's Agricultural Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and exhibition organiser NurnbergMesse India, an official statement said.

More than 500 delegates from India and abroad will be participating in the fair. There will be an 'Organic Theme Pavilion' by APEDA to provide direct business opportunity to Indian producers with visiting international buyers.

APEDA is inviting and sponsoring more than 50 buyers from important importing countries for direct market linkages of producers with international trade, the statement added.

India produced around 1.70 million tonnes of certified organic products in 2017-18. Among different states, Madhya Pradesh is the largest producer of organic foods followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The country exported 4.58 lakh tonnes of organic products in 2017-18 and export realisation was Rs 3,453.48 crore.

Organic products are exported to USA, European Union, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Israel, South Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand and Japan.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Days after the attacks on Hindi-speaking migrants,Gujarat minister Saurabh Patel Tuesday said the situation in his home state was under control.

He claimed only a very small percentage of people had fled Gujarat and said he was optimistic that they will return once the nine-day Navaratri festivities were over.

"Yes, positively they will come back. In fact, yesterday chief minister (Vijay Rupani) was in Uttar Pradesh and he has invited them (migrant workers) back. It is (a) very small issue.

Now everything is completely under control and anyone who has gone back will positively come back after the holidays are over," Patel told reporters.

The minister said he did not want to disclose the names of those behind the attacks but saw a link between the violent incidents in his state and Lok Sabha polls next year.

Migrants, especially those hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, were targeted in several parts of Gujarat following the arrest of a Bihar native for allegedly raping a 14-month-old girl earlier this month.

The minister said his home state owes it to people from outside for its development.

"Today we very proudly say whatever progress Gujarat has achieved in 40-50 years is not only because of people residing in Gujarat but also because people staying in different parts of Gujarat are from different parts of the country.

So, we give equal credit to whoever contributed for the development of Gujarat," Patel told reporters.

He was here to invite the Karnataka governor Vajubhai Vala and chief minister H D Kumaraswamy for the inauguration of the 182 metre tall statue of India's first Home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on October 31, the leader's birth anniversary.

Speaking about the 'Statue of Unity', Patel said there would be a nominal entry fee, which has not been decided yet.

The government intends to develop the site into a mega tourist hub where there will be "luxury, semi-luxury and standard tents" around the statue overseeing the Sardar Sarovar Dam, a dream project of Sardar Patel, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Prime Minister Scott Morrison Tuesday indicated that he is open to the idea of shifting Australia's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognising the holy city as Israel's capital.

Morrison said he was "open-minded" about moving the embassy while insisting that he remains committed to a two-state solution.

His statement came 10 months after US President Donald Trump in a controversial move said the US would recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The new US embassy in Jerusalem was opened in May despite widespread protests by Palestinians about the decision.

Morrison said it was suggested to him by Indian-origin former Australian ambassador to Israel, Dave Sharma, who is a candidate for the prime minister's conservative Liberal Party in a crucial by-election this week.

"The government will carefully examine the arguments put forward by Australia's former Ambassador to Israel, Dave Sharma, that we should consider recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, without prejudice to its final boundaries, while acknowledging East Jerusalem as the expected capital of a future Palestinian state," he said.

"Specifically, the government will examine the merits of moving Australia's embassy to West Jerusalem, in the context of our support for a two-state solution. Any decision will be subject to a rigorous assessment of the potential impact of such a move on our broader national interests," he addded.

He said in view of Australia's increased engagement with Israel on defence and security matters, the Government will appoint a resident Australian Defence Attach in Tel Aviv and has invited Israel to appoint its own resident Defence Attach in Canberra.

"The Government will review, without prejudice, Australia's approach to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), to determine whether our current policy settings remain fit for purpose. The review will reassess whether the Plan remains the best vehicle to address the international community's concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions. The Government aims to finalise and announce the findings of this review by December this year," he said.

Morrison also announced that Australia would vote against a United Nations resolution this week to recognise the Palestinian Authority as the chair of the Group of 77 developing countries.

However he confirmed Australia remained committed to finding a two-state solution to Israel's conflict with the Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Indonesia, which is a strong supporter of a Palestinian state, raised concerns which could derail the ongoing trade deal with Australia.

A Palestinian delegation to Australia also warned against the relocation and in a statement a representative Izzat Abdulhadi, said it as "short-term political gain" that would be "outweighed by the detriment both to Australia's international standing".

"Breaking with decades-long bipartisan support and defying international law and multiple UN resolutions would make Australia an international pariah on this important foreign-policy issue," Abdulhadi said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A controversial and unproven gene-editing technology touted as a silver bullet against malaria-bearing mosquitos could wind up being deployed first in commercial agriculture, according to experts and an NGO report published Tuesday.

So-called "gene drives" force evolution's hand, ensuring that an engineered trait is passed down to all or most offspring, and from one generation to the next.

If that trait is being male or female, for example, genetically altered specimens released into the wild could lead to the local extinction of a targeted species within a dozen generations.

For health campaigners battling malaria, which kills nearly half-a-million people -- mostly in Africa -- every year, and conservationists desperate to save island birds decimated by avian malaria and invasive rodents, gene drive seems almost too good to be true.

It just may be, say some scientists.

"The use of CRISPR-based gene drive could lead to an ecological cacophony," said Virginie Courtier-Orgogozo, a biologist at the Jacques Monod Institute in Paris, referring to the underlying gene-editing technique that has revolutionised the field.

"We could see every interest group in the agro-food industry editing the genome of those they call pests, spreading various mutations through gene drive and causing long-term effects on the ecological dynamics of ecosystems -- along with the human populations depending on them," she wrote recently in the journal EMBO Reports.

Critics calling for a moratorium on the release of gene drives in the wild fear they could mutate, jump to other species, or spread far beyond target areas.

And yet, in the absence of national or international regulations, the technology could be used on large-scale farms or orchards within a few years.

"Gene drive is headed toward agriculture," said Jim Thomas, research director at ETC Group, a Canadian-based NGO that tracks potentially dangerous bio-technologies, and lead author of a report on the technology's inroads into Big Agriculture.

In the United States, at least, it already has a foothold.

Associations representing the US citrus and cherry industries, for example, have commissioned tailor-made gene drives to combat the pests threatening their crops -- and their bottom lines.

In January, the California Cherry Board noted "considerable progress" in developing a "functional" gene drive system for the invasive spotted wing fruit fly (Drosophila suzukii), which has devastated cherry, peach and plum orchards.

"Our plan it still to continue with caged trials and ultimately wild releases," the group noted in its annual review.

With funding from the cherry growers, scientists at the University of California in San Diego set up a pair of companies last year to commercialise gene drives, with one focused on insects and plants, and the other on engineering lab mice and possibly pet dogs.

Agri-chemical and GMO giants such as Monsanto-Bayer, Syngenta-ChemChina and Dow Dupont, meanwhile, are reportedly tracking the technology's emergence.

"Gene drives offer agribusiness new potential opportunities to generate income from the problems faced by farmers," Thomas said.

But with a new twist: rather than making plants pest-resistent, gene drive technology alters the pests, rendering them harmless or programming their extinction.

That potential was clear early on.

One of the cornerstone patents -- co-owned by Kevin Esvelt of Harvard University, often described as one of the inventors of gene drive -- lists dozens of agricultural applications.

Esvelt has retreated somewhat from his initial blanket enthusiasm.

"Given recent history, it's clear that early commercial applications in agriculture would seriously jeopardise popular acceptance of the technology as a whole," he told AFP, noting that public health aims should take priority.

"A temporary moratorium on commercial applications of gene drive wouldn't be a bad idea."



The gene drive issue will be front-and-centre when the 195-nation UN Convention on Biological Diversity meets in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt next month.

A preparatory meeting in July of the Convention's science and technology advisory board "was an almighty fight and circus around gene drive," said Thomas, a member of the board's Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Synthetic Biology.

A petition released on Tuesday, World Food Day, by nearly 200 civil society and small-farmer groups call for "a global moratorium on any release of engineered gene drives," a position supported by numerous developing countries.

There is also a fairness issue for local communities in the regions where gene drives might be released, Thomas said.

"This isn't just about environmental impact, it's also about consent," he said by phone.

Gene drive technologies have been funded to the tune of several hundred million dollars by a handful of backers, including the US military, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, India-based Tata Trusts, and the Facebook-backed Open Philanthropy Project.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Congress Tuesday accused the BJP of "murdering democracy" and democratic traditions in Goa after two of its MLAs quit and joined the ruling party in the state.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari also accused the BJP of misusing the official machinery and probe agencies to break other parties, and claimed similar things have also happened in some other states.

"What has happened in Goa now and what has happened in other states before, clearly shows that the BJP has killed democracy and democratic traditions. It continues to do so by misusing the official machinery and probe agencies in an attempt to break other parties," he told reporters.

Tewari said, "The government is misusing the official machinery and this is a perfect example of how to run a government by creating an atmosphere of terror, fear and intimidation."



Two Congress MLAs from Goa, including a former state party chief, joined the BJP Tuesday, dealing a blow to the opposition party in a state where the saffron party-led alliance government enjoys a thin majority.

Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte, both of whom have resigned from the assembly, met Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah at his residence in the national capital and were later inducted into the party at a press conference addressed by Union minister Piyush Goyal.

Goyal described Shirodkar, a six-time MLA and former state Congress president, and Sopte, a two-term legislator, as leaders of high stature and popular among the masses, adding that their presence in the BJP would boost its state government's development agenda.

Goa BJP leaders Vishwajit Rane, a minister in the Parrikar government, and Shripad Naik, an MP from the state and a Union minister, were also present at the press conference, with Rane claiming that the Congress in the state is "heading towards a vertical split" due to its MLAs' lack of faith in the leadership of the party's national president Rahul Gandhi.

Rane, who had quit the Congress to join the BJP after the assembly polls in 2017, is seen as one of the contenders for the top post in case the ruling party looks for Parrikar's replacement.

He is believed to have played a key role in winning over the two leaders.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Islamic State-allied Boko Haram jihadists have killed another kidnapped female Red Cross worker in northeast Nigeria, the agency said on Tuesday, a month after militants murdered one of her colleagues.

Three female health workers were kidnapped on March 1 during a Boko Haram raid on the remote town of Rann, in Borno state, that killed three other aid workers and eight Nigerian soldiers.

Two of the kidnapped women, Hauwa Liman and Saifura Khorsa, worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), while the third, Alice Loksha, worked for the UN children's agency, UNICEF.

The ICRC said on Tuesday it had received information Liman had been killed by her captors, without giving further details. The government had also earlier announced of the second killing.

"The of Hauwa's death has broken our hearts," ICRC's Regional Director for Africa, Patricia Danzi said in a statement.

"We appealed for mercy and an end to such senseless murders. How can it be that two female health care workers were killed back-to-back?"



There had been no of the trio until last month when the ICRC said it had received footage of Khorsa's killing from the IS-backed Boko Haram faction Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

ISWAP then threatened to kill Liman and Loksha, as well as a 15-year-old Christian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu who was kidnapped from the town of Dapchi, in Yobe state, in February.

The ICRC last weekend appealed for the captives' release and for the jihadists to show mercy, as they were "doing nothing but helping communities" in the conflict-riven region.

But Nigeria's Information Minister Lai Mohammed earlier announced the latest death as a deadline expired and said the government was "shocked and saddened" at the killing, calling it "dastardly, inhuman and ungodly".

He did not initially identify the victim but later added in a tweet that he "commiserated with the family of Hauwa Liman".

Mohammed said: "It is very unfortunate that it has come to this. Before and after the deadline issued by her abductors, the federal government did everything any responsible government should do to save the aid worker.

"As we have been doing since these young women were abducted, we kept the line of negotiations open all through. In all the negotiations, we acted in the best interest of the women and the country as a whole."



He said officials continued to work to free the others from captivity.

More than 27,000 people have been killed in northeast Nigeria since the Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009, while nearly two million others remain homeless due to the conflict.

Nigeria's military and government maintain the Islamist rebels are weakened to the point of defeat but fighters from the IS-backed faction have conducted repeated raids on military bases in recent months.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Bombay High Court on Tuesday quashed a BEST notice terminating a contract with a private company for 40 electric buses and has pulled up the civic transport and electricity provider for acting "high handedly and arbitrarily".

A bench of acting Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice G S Kulkarni was hearing a petition filed by Olectra Greentec, a Hyderabad-based firm, challenging an August 30 notice issued by Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport Undertaking (BEST) terminating its contract to supply 40 electric buses.

According to the petition, in February this year, the company was awarded a contract by BEST to supply 20 air conditioned and 20 non air-conditioned electric buses, and by June, the petitioner had manufactured 24 electric buses.

According to counsel Milind Sathe and Karan Bhosale, appearing for the company, BEST terminated the tender claiming that there had been a change in the policy regarding ownership of the buses.

BEST had issued the tender under an incentive scheme of the Union government's Department of Heavy Industries (DHI).

However, the Union government then informed BEST about its decision to have the buses under joint ownership of the concerned state transport authority (in this case BEST) and the company which was awarded the tender.

The petitioner, by its letter dated 31 May 2018, confirmed its acceptance on jointly owning the electric buses.

The bench noted that despite this letter issued by the company, and another communication sent to BEST stating that 24 buses were ready to be delivered, the BEST did not bother to respond or clarify its stand and instead went ahead and terminated the contract.

"We are also certain that the conspicuous silence of the BEST in reverting to the petitioner either way on the petitioners acceptance of the conditions required by the DHI was not superficial. It appears, and quite possibly, hectic activities were going on for issuance of a new tender for award of the same contract," the court noted.

It added that fresh tenders were issued on August 31, a day after the contract awarded to the petitioner was terminated.

The court, in its judgement passed Tuesday, said the BEST's decision terminating the contract was "ex-facie arbitrary and illegal".

"Can it be so simple for a statutory authority to float a tender at public cost, complete the tender process, award the contract with conditions that the contract would be immediately acted upon and then, for reasons which are not attributable to the contractor, terminate the contract?" the order said.

"To our mind, the actions, conduct and the approach of the BEST leaves no manner of doubt that the BEST not only acted high handedly and arbitrarily in taking the impugned decision, but also attempted to abuse the process of law," the judgement said.

"The basic requirement expected of a statutory body, when it acts in a contractual sphere, is that the statutory body should adhere to principles of fairness, transparency, non-arbitrariness, non-discrimination being the basic tenets of the Article 14 of the Constitution," the court said in its order.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The CBI has taken over investigation into the Tihar Jail violence last year where 18 inmates were allegedly beaten up by the prison staff, officials said Tuesday.

The agency has registered two FIRs in this regard on the orders of the Delhi High Court, which had ordered it to take over the probe, they said.

The court had ordered the probe on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Chinmay Kanojia, who has alleged that his client Shahid Husuf, who was being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), was beaten up without any reason by the jail staff.

The alleged attack on inmates lodged in a high-risk ward in jail number 1 of the central jail on the night of November 21 last year was termed as "very disturbing" by the high court.

The plea has said a particular community, including Husuf, were being targeted by the jail staff causing serious injuries to him and others.

When the incident was brought to the notice of the high court on November 22, the court had set up a committee of senior high court judicial officers to look into the matter.

The committee, in its report, had opined that the inmates were beaten up without any justifiable reason.

It had said that despite unequivocal statutory guidelines, an incident has been perpetrated where prisoners were beaten up with such severity that it had resulted in them harbouring a constant fear of being killed by the prison authorities on one pretext or another.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)China has backed Prime Minister Imran Khan's "New Pakistan" initiative and said the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects being undertaken in the country will play an important role in Pakistan's economic development.

China's Minister of International Development Song Tao met Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday and assured Beijing's support to Pakistan at all regional and international fora.

He also assured Khan of China's support in his agenda of poverty alleviation, fight against corruption and agricultural development, an official statement said on Tuesday.

The USD 60 billion CPEC is the flagship venture of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a pet project of Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at enhancing Beijing's influence around the world through China-funded infrastructure projects.

India has opposed the CPEC project and protested to China as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

"He (Song Tao) termed CPEC as a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, which would make significant contributions towards building a New Pakistan," the statement said.

Underscoring the importance attached by the leadership and people of China to Pakistan-China relations, Song said exchanges between political parties would help in sharing ideas to achieve common and shared development.

During the meeting, Khan said that the "all weather friendship" between Pakistan and China held particular significance to the people of Pakistan.

Khan will embark on his first visit to China on November 3 during which he is expected to meet President Xi and other top leaders and discuss ways to boost defence ties as well as the controversy-hit CPEC projects.

Pakistan has recently slashed the Chinese investment in railways by USD 2 billion citing a huge burden of loans.

"This (visit) would provide an opportunity to underscore the importance of the 'all weather strategic cooperative partnership' between the two countries," Khan was quoted as saying.

Describing President Xi as "a great statesman", he said the people of Pakistan has great admiration for him.

"President Xi Jinping's terming of this friendship as that of 'iron brothers' reflects an undeniable reality," Khan said.

"This (visit) would provide an opportunity to underscore the importance of the 'all weather strategic cooperative partnership' between the two countries," he added.

Khan added that Pakistan would like to learn from Chinese experience in poverty alleviation, fighting corruption and agriculture development through sharing expertise, technology and best practices in the sector.

The China International Import Expo would provide an opportunity to the two sides to look into export possibilities from Pakistan to China, he said.

Hailing the growing relations between his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and the Communist Party of China (CPC), the prime minister emphasised on further enhancing the ties through exchange of delegations and sharing of ideas.

Song also met senior civil and military leaders.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In Miami, about as far removed as you can get from the unofficial no-politicking zone in the hurricane-ravaged Panhandle without leaving Florida, the campaigns of Ron DeSantis and Andrew Gillum are back in the trenches.

Lies. Socialism. Hypocrisy. Anti-Semitism: Its all on the table in the southern reaches of the state as the campaign for governor enters its final weeks.

Following a stump hiatus called as the state weathered Hurricane Michael, DeSantis has begun to reapply pressure to Gillum during campaign stops in South Florida. Late last week, Broward sheriffs deputies endorsed the former Republican congressman in Plantation while blasting Gillum for accepting support from a social justice group that believes police have no place in society. On Sunday, DeSantis returned to his criticisms of Gillum as anti-Israel at a Broward County synagogue. And on Monday, it was back to talk of socialism with Hispanic voters.

Appearing in West Miami with U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, DeSantis and running mate Jeanette Nunez once again described Gillum as far-left and corrupt.

A crowd of about 250 supporters mostly spoke Spanish and greeted DeSantis with signs that read Cubanos and Colombianos por DeSantis Nunez. Using County Commissioner Rebeca Sosa as a translator, DeSantis rolled out his standard South Florida stump speech and identified himself as a leader fighting for freedom across Latin America. He denounced socialism in Nicaragua and Venezuela, and touted his work to bring an indictment to Cuban dictator Raul Castro for his crimes.

Read the rest here.Amid global criticism, China on Tuesday justified its controversial move to keep thousands of Uygur Muslims in "vocational training institutions" in the volatile Xinjiang region, insisting that its stringent measures have prevented terror attacks in the province in the last 21 months.

Xinjiang, bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, has been restive for the past several years over protests from Uygur Muslims, an ethnic group of over 10 million Turkik origin people, over the large scale settlements of Han Chinese from other provinces.

China blamed the recurring violent attacks including in Beijing and elsewhere in the country on the separatist East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), an al-Qaeda linked group, whose cadres were now stated to be fighting along with Islamic State (IS) in Syria.

The UN Human Rights panel reported in August that China has detained over a million Uygur Muslims in re-education camps which are also called indoctrination camps, sparking an international outcry.

The UN's Geneva-based Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has said it was alarmed by "numerous reports of ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities" being detained in Xinjiang region and called for their immediate release.

Estimates about them "range from tens of thousands to upwards of a million," it said.

While the Foreign Ministry in the past refuted the allegations and defended the crackdown, a top Chinese official from Xinjiang in a rare interview to the state-run Xinhua agency on Tuesday said that now the province is free from the violence.

"Now Xinjiang is generally stable, with the situation under control and improving. In the past 21 months, no violent terrorist attacks have occurred and the number of criminal cases, including those endangering public security, has dropped significantly," said Shohrat Zakir, chairman of the Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

An Uygur himself, Zakir said public security has notably improved with religious extremism effectively contained, while people are now feeling more secure.

"We have laid a good foundation for completely solving the deeply-rooted problems that affect the region's long-term stability," he said.

Acknowledging the camps in which thousands were kept for re-education, Zakir described them as "professional vocational training institutions" which focussed on "the country's common language, legal knowledge, vocational skills, along with de-extremisation education".

The centres are for "people influenced by terrorism and extremism", he said.

He, however, avoided any description of the "de-extremisation" education.

Former detainees have told the international media that they were forced to denounce their faith and pledge loyalty to the ruling Communist Party of China.

Zakir said the vocational training included courses aimed at teaching skills to work in factories, including garment making, food processing, electronic product assembly, typesetting and printing, hairdressing and e-commerce, with companies apparently paying for products made by the "trainees".

He is the first top Chinese official to speak publicly about the widely criticised camps, as China comes under increasing international pressure with US threatening sanctions.

UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet has said that the Chinese government's arbitrary detention of Muslims is worrying and China should allow UN monitors into Xinjiang.

Maya Wang, a senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch, said Beijing's "clumsy justifications" were clearly a response to condemnation from the international community but would not blunt criticism.

"These camps remain blatantly unlawful and arbitrary under both Chinese and international law; and the suffering and abuses of what is estimated to be one million people in them cannot be wiped away through propaganda," she was quoted as saying by Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.

Zakir said that according to feedback from the vocational education and training institutions, some trainees have come close to or reached the completion standard agreed in the training agreements.

They are expected to complete their courses successfully by the end of this year, he said.

"We are busy with their employment arrangements," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)China's ruling Communist Party expelled two top former Generals, including one who committed suicide following allegations of corruption, and referred the graft case of the second general who served as the People's Liberation Army chief to a military court for trial, state media reported Tuesday.

General Fang Fenghui, 67, headed the 2-million-strong People's Liberation Army (PLA) till last year. He was also the former chief of the Central Military Commission (CMC), which is now headed by President Xi Jinping.

The CMC is the overall high command of the Chinese armed forces.

The former general has been expelled from the party and his case has been transferred to a military court to answer graft allegations, state-run China Daily quoted the military statement as saying on Tuesday.

Also General Zhang Yang, the former head of the Central Military Commission's Political Work Department who committed suicide in November last, was expelled from the Communist Party of China and assets related to the illegal activity have been confiscated, it said.

Zhang was recently given posthumous punishments by the military for corruption exposed during an internal investigation, the military said.

General Fang is the latest in the list of a host of top defence officials caught in the anti-graft campaign launched by President Xi since 2013. Over 50 top generals have been punished under the anti-graft campaign which, observers say, also helped him to consolidate his power.

Fang, once the youngest commander of a People's Liberation Army (PLA), was described as an "opportunist" by military insiders, according to earlier media reports.

"Fang has close links to Zhang's superiors and subordinates because they were both proteges of disgraced former CMC vice-chairmen Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, with Fang being the most skilful opportunist, closely following Guo," the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported earlier.

Gen. Guo Boxiong and Gen. Xu Caihou, who were Vice Chairmen of the CMC under previous President Hu Jintao, were accused of heavy corruption including selling the top posts of the PLA for the highest bidder.

Guo and Xu had also been members of the Central Military Commission. Xu died of cancer in 2015 before facing a court martial, while Guo was sentenced to life in prison in 2016.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Two Chinese Catholic bishops attending a Vatican meeting for the first time following a landmark deal between Beijing and the Holy See said Tuesday they have invited Pope Francis to visit.

"While we were here, we invited Pope Francis to come to China," Bishop Joseph Guo Jincai said in an interview with Avvenire, the daily newspaper of the Italian bishops' conference.

"We are waiting for him," Guo said.

Last year the pope said he would like to visit China "as soon as they send me an invitation".

The trip would be of great significance as the Vatican has not had diplomatic relations with Beijing since 1951.

There are an estimated 12 million Catholics in China, divided between a government-run association whose clergy are chosen by the Communist Party, and an unofficial church which swears allegiance to the Vatican.

Pope Francis has sought to improve relations since he took office in 2013, but previous attempts had foundered over Beijing's insistence that the Vatican give up recognition of Taiwan and promise not to interfere in domestic religious issues.

However an accord was reached last month which could pave the way for the normalisation of ties between the Catholic Church and the world's most populous country.

Under the provisional agreement, Francis recognised seven clergy initially ordained by Beijing without the Vatican's approval.

Guo and bishop John Baptist Yang Xiaotin were personally welcomed by the pontiff to the advisory body meeting earlier this month.

"We have waited for this moment for so long, and finally it is here," Guo said, adding that the pair had seen the pope daily, staying in the Vatican hotel where Francis lives and talking to him "as sons do with their father".

He said a trip to China was "like our presence here. Once impossible, it became possible".

While the Vatican has said last month's deal with China was not political but pastoral, many believe it is likely to have political repercussions, setting the stage for the restoration of diplomatic ties after nearly 70 years.

That raises questions over the future of official ties between Taiwan and the Holy See -- the island's only official ally in Europe.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The bitter war between the and the over Rafale deal on Tuesday saw more name-calling with the opposition party dubbing Minister as a "babble blogger" and dismissing his "clown out-clowning himself" barb at as "hollow rants of a court jester".

chief spokesperson attacked Jaitley accusing him of "banging" the economy by his "incomprehension".

Taking to Twitter, he said the country needed a minister and not a "babble-blogger".

"Hollow rants of a Court Jester' - Mr Jait-Lie' won't change the truth that- You bang the truth to hide ineptitude, You bang the Rupee by your mismanagement, You bang exports by your incompetence, You bang the Economy by your incomprehension.

" needs a FM, Not a Babble Blogger'," he tweeted.

The fired the fresh salvo after Jaitley on Tuesday accused its of "concocting" falsehood and wondered if he has a personality issue where "he lies a dozen times and then in self-delusion believes it to be true or is it a case of a Clown Prince' out-clowning himself?"



Asked about Jaitley's allegations, Congress spokesperson said it was unfortunate that the minister had time only to write blogs while the country's economy was in "bad shape".

He said the time will come when the country will render this government out of power for its ministers to have all the time to write blogs. He also said the government's functioning was "funny", where the finance minister talks about defence matters, the about finance and the Law minister about other matters.

"There is absolute chaotic and absurd state of affairs in this government," Tewari alleged, adding that "these people do not know how to govern."



"Therefore, the time has come for people to show the door to these people for them to write only blogs," he said.

Jaitley, in a post, said, "How does he (Gandhi) concoct this falsehood? At the Hindustan Times Summit, he referred to a meeting he had with me and attributed same statements to me. When asked I merely said that I can't answer hallucinations'.

"'I am in the distinguished company of Macron. Today I feel it is much more than hallucinations. Is it a personality issue where he lies a dozen times and then in self-delusion believes it to be true or is it a case of a Clown Prince' out-clowning himself?"



On allegations made by the Congress party on Rafale, Jaitley said the and its weaponry are not being manufactured in at all, neither by Dassault or by any other private company.

All 36 and their weapons in a fully flyable and usable form will arrive in India, he said.

After the supplies begin, Dassault has to make purchases in for 50 per cent of the contract value, he said.

The Congress has been attacking the government over the Rafale deal and has accused Prime Minister of indulging in corruption and favouritism. The allegations have been denied by the government.Russian cosmonaut Aleksey Ovchinin on Tuesday said the G-force during last week's emergency landing of the Soyuz spacecraft felt like a concrete block on his chest but he and NASA astronaut Nick Hague are now in "great" health.

Ovchinin and Hague were forced to make an emergency landing after an accident on their rocket minutes after blast-off to the International Space Station, with the rapid deceleration subjecting them to a painful G-force overload.

In an interview with state Rossiya-24 television, Ovchinin said that "the direction of this (G-force) overload during the descent was from the chest to the back, so imagine that somebody put a big concrete block on your chest that is seven times your weight."



The 47-year-old cosmonaut who has already flown into space once before in 2016, nevertheless said that the G-force was "not that big, a bit less than 7G."



7G is below what cosmonauts have to withstand during training and has not caused long-term ill-effects.

"I am feeling well, so is my colleague, US astronaut Nick Hague," Ovchinin said.

"The doctors concluded that our health is good, even great."



Both are now waiting for the results of an investigation into why the Soyuz rocket malfunctioned and never made it to the International Space Station, forcing Ovchinin to command a ballistic descent back to Earth amid a communication breakdown with mission control.

Ovchinin said he and Hague understood something was wrong when emergency lights came on in the cabin and used their training to get through it.

"For the most part, the rescue system worked automatically, and we just followed the system," he said.

In footage of the flight released by the Russian space agency Roscosmos Ovchinin can be heard calmly telling mission control that there has been an "accident" and even quipping about a particularly "short flight" before the feed is cut off.

"There was no time to be nervous, because we had to work," he said.

"We had to go through the steps that crew has to take and prepare for emergency landing... so that the crew is still functioning after landing."



NASA's Hague has already flown back to the United States following the landing, after undergoing a medical check and being questioned about the accident.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The proposed Congress led grand alliance in Telangana to counter the ruling TRS in the upcoming assembly election in the state has been stuck around issues relating to seat sharing, CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy has said.

Congress, TDP (Telugu Desam Party) and CPI (Communist Party of India) announced the formation of a pre poll grand alliance with Congress last month.

Later, the Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) led by M Kodandram and other smaller parties expressed their interest in joining forces with the alliance which is yet to be formalised.

India's newest state, having 119 seats, will go to polls on December 7 this year.

"Talks on seat sharing issue are still on. We are yet to have a consensus on seat sharing. I think the Congress wants to contest in 75 per cent or more of the total seats. If the alliance materialises then it will give a tough fight to TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samithi)", Reddy told PTI.

Reddy said that CPI wants to contest in 12 constituencies.

"In nine constituencies, we have good chance of winning. Hence we can't compromise on these nine constituencies", said Reddy.

He cautioned that delay in solving seat sharing issues could affect the winning prospects of alliance candidates.

"We are already late in announcing the list of our candidates. I hope the seat sharing issues will be solved soon", Reddy said.

The CPI general secretary said talks between partners of the proposed grand alliance were also held on the common minimum Programme (CMP).

He added the grand alliance's CMP would include issues such as completion of the state's irrigation projects, filling of two lakh job vacancies in different government departments, compensation to family members of farmers who had committed suicide and distribution of land among landless farmers.

Blaming the K Chandrasekhar Rao led state government for lack of proper development in Telangana, particularly in agriculture and its allied sectors, the veteran CPI leader alleged that the TRS government was "dictatorial, repressive and corrupt."



" The total expenditure on irrigation projects was inflated. At the same time, it was repressive and democratic rights of people were curbed many times", alleged Reddy.

Casting aspersions on the other alliance formed by CPI(M) with smaller left parties called Bahujan Left Front (BLF), Reddy said that it would affect the winning prospects of many candidates of both the left parties.

"We want CPI (M) to join us in the grand alliance. But they have their own agenda and we have ours. In two districts of Nalgonda and Khammam, there will be split of communist votes if BLF candidate will contest against us", added Reddy.

CPI (M) had already announced it will work for the defeat of the ruling TRS and the BJP.

In order to achieve this the Bahujan Left Front (BLF) of which the CPI(M) is an important part, will contest in many constituencies. The CPI(M) on its own election symbol has announced the first list of 12 candidates for the state.

In last assembly election in Telangana, both CPI and CPI(M) had won in one constituencies each.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Opposition Congress Tuesday said it will continue its efforts to form an alternate government in Goa despite two of its legislators resigning.

Two Congress MLAs Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte resigned Tuesday from the Assembly and also from the primary membership of the party. They are set to join the BJP, which is heading a coalition government in the state.

The resignations reduced the Congress's strength from 16 to 14 in the 40-member House.

However, the Congress put up a brave face, saying the twin resignations were not a setback for the main opposition party.

"It is not a setback for the Congress. We may have been reduced by two numbers, but our efforts to form the state government will continue," Goa Congress spokesperson Nilkant Halarnkar told PTI.

Halarnkar, who is also a legislator, said his party MLAs remain united and there is no possibility of any of them switching sides.

"They (the BJP) have taken two of our MLAs and we will get four from their camp," he said, refusing to disclose which MLAs are ready to shift allegiance to the Congress.

Last month, the Congress had submitted a memorandum to Governor Mridula Sinha, staking claim to form an alternate government.

The Congress had then claimed it has the support of legislators from other parties and can form the government, if given a chance.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party and allies have been maintaining that the Manohar Parrikar government is stable and will complete its full five-year term.

After the resignations, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) held a meeting in Panaji during which the current political situation in the coastal state was discussed.

Coming out of the meeting, former chief minister and Congress legislator Pratapsinh Rane said his party will fight back.

"They have left the party but they will have to face by-elections. We will fight it out during the election," he told reporters.

The Congress had emerged as the single largest party after the 2017 assembly elections, winning 17 seats. However, within days its number was reduced to 16 when its newly-elected Vishwajit Rane resigned.

The BJP has 14 MLAs followed by the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Independents (three each).

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has one MLA in the assembly, whose effective strength has now been reduced to 38.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A 34-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly running a fake job racket and duping people on the pretext of appointing them as Anganwadi workers, the police said Tuesday.

The police identified the arrested accused as Rajesh Kumar Gautam and said he has duped thousands of job seekers on the pretext of giving them Aanganwadi jobs.

The police had launched the probe into the racket on a complaint by the Women and Child Development Ministry.

The police said the ministry had lodged the complaint on the basis of a video by Neo World Tech, advertising a training programme and direct recruitment for the jobs of supervisors, teacher 'sahayika' and workers in Anganwadi.

In the video, the speaker had mentioned the website of Child Development Education Organisation for applying for the training programme, the police said, adding the video footage also assured the applicants of getting the job after the training.

The police, during its probe found that the accused was receiving online payments, tracked it to Gautam and arrested him.

Upon investigation, it was found that Gautam has cheated thousands of job seekers on the pretext of providing training and assured job in Anganwadis.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Kapoor has demanded the Centre's intervention in checking the advertisements on the use of "contraceptive injections" on FM radio stations in view of the safety of young girls.

Kapoor has written to Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi, seeking their intervention to ensure that the injection is prescribed by government hospitals only to married women.

Citing "multiple reasons" such as the prevalence of sexual relations among youngsters and the sex-trade mafia luring young girls, the BJP leader has expressed concern over possible "misuse" of contraceptive injections.

Saying his views may be considered as "orthodox", the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader added that his concern was regarding the health and safety of the young girls who may use contraceptive injections.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)South Korea and India have agreed to build a Korean War memorial here and the city government has already designated a place for it in central Delhi, the country's envoy said Tuesday.

Korean envoy Shin Bong-kil said India and South Korea have agreed but "some administrative process" is needed.

"Basically, both sides (India and South Korea) have agreed to build a Korean War memorial in India (Delhi). The city government has already designated a place for it," he said.

Shin said South Korea expects that the work would be "completed by the end of next year".

"We need some sort of a design," he said.

India had sent medical aid during the Korean War from 1950-53 and there is an association of Korean War veterans in India, the envoy said.

"We already have Korean War memorials in the UK (London), the US (Washington, DC)," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former University of Miami president Donna Shalala is a long way from silencing the haters, but her campaign has a new poll that should ease doubts that she can win a congressional seat the Democratic party can ill afford to let slip away.

Amid increasing evidence that Shalala has her hands full with Republican opponent Maria Elvira Salazar, the former Health and Human Services secretarys campaign has released an internal poll showing Shalala ahead in the race to replace the retiring Ileana Ros-Lehtinen as the representatives of Floridas 27th congressional district.

Shalala, 77, leads Salazar, 56, by five points, according to a polling memo from Anzalone Liszt Grove Research. The firm found Shalala ahead of the former Spanish-language broadcast journalist by a 44 to 39 margin, with about 10 percent of voters undecided.

Shalalas lead is within the polls 4.4-point margin of error, and internal polls should always be received with some skepticism. But following a calendar month in which a non-partisan elections handicapper moved the race to a toss-up and an independent Mason-Dixon Telemundo 51 poll found Shalala down two, Democrats will take all the good news they can get.

The poll, a bi-lingual query by live callers of 500 voters from Oct. 11 through Oct. 14, should give Democratic voters reason for optimism. For one, compared to the Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy poll, Shalala fared better with Cuban voters, who comprise a plurality of the district. Shalalas poll also found Pro-Trump, no-party-affiliation candidate Mayra Joli earning 6 percent of the vote (compared to 1 percent in the Mason-Dixon Poll), a number that could end up being the difference between the Republicans holding the seat and the Democrats snaring it for the first time in decades.

Read the rest here.The Maharashtra cabinet Tuesday approved setting up of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to fast-track the long-pending development of Asia's largest slum Dharavi, located in Mumbai.

The government has also decided to invite global tenders for the purpose.

As per rough estimates, thousands of residents of Dharavi are eligible for new houses after redevelopment.

The decision assumes significance in the view of Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections slated next year, as Dharavi, spread over 200 hectares, is a major vote bank in the city.

Dharavi is one of the ten assembly segments located in the Mumbai City district. It is a part of the Mumbai South Central Lok Sabha constituency, currently represented by Rahul Shewale of the Shiv Sena.

Congress MLA Varsha Gaikwad has been representing the assembly segment since the last three terms.

The project to redevelop the slum cluster, located in central Mumbai, was first conceived in 2003 but is yet to see the light of the day.

Dharavi redevelopment has been a topic of discussion since last two decades. The previous efforts for getting the developers for the project was twice unsuccessful.

S V R Srinivas, chief executive of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Authority (DRPA) told PTI Tuesday that the government will be an "active participant and a stake-holder" in the proposed SPV.

"Global tenders will be invited. The new initiative will be a holistic, integrated master plan," he said.

Previously, the slum was supposed to be developed into five sectors.

In 2012, the then Congress-NCP government had given the responsibility to redevelop Sector 5 of the slum cluster to the Maharashtra Housing Area Development Authority (MHADA). However, there was not much progress since then.

In another decision, the Cabinet has approved setting up of one lakh agriculture pumps for farmers that run on solar power over a period of three years.

"Farmers who own agriculture land up to five acres will get solar pumps with the capacity of 3 HP (Horse Power) and those holding more than five acres of 5 HP," said an official in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

Those farmers who have access to permanent water resources can avail this facility.

"Farmers belonging to the 'general' category will have to pay 10 per cent of the total cost for the pumps while those belonging to SC and ST categories have to bear 5 per cent of the total cost," the official said.

A total of 25,000 pumps will be installed in the first phase in 2018-19, 50,000 pimps in 2019-20 and 25,000 pumps in 2020-21, he said.

The cabinet also approved Rs 1689.50 crore for the Aruna Medium Irrigation project at Vaibhavwadi in Sindhudurg district under the Pradhanmantri Krushi Sinchan Yojana.

After completion of the project, an area of 5310 hectares in Vaibhavwadi and Rajapur talukas would come under irrigation.

Similarly, the government approved Rs 635 crore for the upcoming Kudali Medium Irrigation Project in Satara district, the official said.

The project envisages construction of two dams, he said, adding that the government is also preparing four lift irrigation schemes.

A total of 5237 hectares of area in 42 villages will be benefitted due to irrigation," the official said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)AMMK leader TTV Dhinakran Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the leadership, saying the ruling party has "lost its identity" and was "stuck" due to a "few selfish" people.

The ousted leader also claimed that his Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) would 'retrieve' the ruling party.

"One cannot deny the fact that the party has lost its identity and ideology and veered away from the path laid down by Amma (the late J Jayalalithaa). It is now stuck due to a few selfish persons," he alleged without naming anyone.

He was apparently targeting Coordinator O Panneerselavam and the Joint Coordinator K Palaniswami, with whom he is in a running feud for control of the ruling party.

is Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu while Panneerselvam is his deputy.



ALSO READ: AIADMK govt in TN recommends release of all Rajiv Gandhi case convicts

In a letter to partymen ahead of the AIADMK founding day on October 17, Dhinakaran said while the late Chief Minister M G Ramachandran had launched it, Jayalalithaa had taken it forward and made it a popular movement in the state.

But post her death in 2016, "dominant forces" had taken over the party, he said in the letter.

Reiterating his oft repeated charge of the AIADMK being 'subservient' to the BJP-led government at the Centre, he said his AMMK would retrieve the AIADMK and restore it to its old pride.

The AIADMK has "lost its identity and become someone's slave," he said but did not name anyone.

Dhinakaran claimed 90 percent of AIADMK workers were supporting AMMK and that the rest were in the ruling party due to "selfish motives."





"AMMK has been the true AIADMK. In the coming days, it will retrieve AIADMK," he added.

His victory in the RK Nagar bypoll in December 2017 was proof of people's sentiments as the voters elected him as Jayalalithaa's successor, he said.

The bypoll was necessitated due to the death of Jayalalithaa in December 2016. Dhinakaran, who contested as an Independent, had defeated ruling party nominee E Madhusudhanan by a good margin.

Earlier, Paneerselvam had in February 2017 fallen out of favour with then AIADMK interim general secretary V K Sasikala and resigned as the chief minister.

was subsequently made his successor by Sasikala, who also appointed Dhinakaran as AIADMK deputy general secretary, before leaving for Bengaluru to serve a four-year jail term in a disproportionate assets case.

However, in August last year, the factions led by Panneerselvam and merged. Later, a party General Council, under the two leaders, expelled Sasikala from the party and annulled all appointments made by her, including that of Dhinakaran.

Dhinakaran has been since critical of the Palaniswami government, and has repeatedly vowed to oust it.AMMK leader TTV Dhinakran Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the AIADMK leadership, saying the ruling party has "lost its identity" and was "stuck" due to a "few selfish" people.

The ousted AIADMK leader also claimed that his Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) would 'retrieve' the ruling party.

In an apparent reference to Dhinakaran, the AIADMK dubbed him an 'overnight' leader rejected by the people.

"One cannot deny the fact that the party has lost its identity and ideology and veered away from the path laid down by Amma (the late J Jayalalithaa). It is now stuck due to a few selfish persons," Dhinakaran said without naming anyone.

He was apparently targeting AIADMK Coordinator O Panneerselavam and the Joint Coordinator K Palaniswami, with whom he is in a running feud for control of the ruling party.

Palaniswami is Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu while Panneerselvam is his deputy.

In a letter to partymen ahead of the AIADMK founding day on October 17, Dhinakaran said while the late Chief Minister M G Ramachandran had launched it, Jayalalithaa had taken it forward and made it a popular movement in the state.

His jailed aunt VK Sasikala had stood "solidly" by Jayalalithaa during her political journey, he said.

But post Jayalalithaa's death in 2016, "hegemonic forces" had taken over the AIADMK, Dhinakaran said in the letter.

Reiterating his oft repeated charge of the AIADMK being 'subservient' to the BJP-led government at the Centre, he said his AMMK would retrieve the AIADMK and restore it to its old pride.

The AIADMK has "lost its identity and become someone's slave," he said but did not name anyone.

Dhinakaran claimed 90 percent of AIADMK workers were supporting AMMK and that the rest were in the ruling party due to "selfish motives."



"AMMK has been the true AIADMK. In the coming days, it will retrieve AIADMK," he added.

His victory in the RK Nagar bypoll in December 2017 was proof of people's sentiments as the voters elected him as Jayalalithaa's successor, he said.

The bypoll was necessitated due to the death of Jayalalithaa in December 2016. Dhinakaran, who contested as an Independent, had defeated ruling party nominee E Madhusudhanan by a good margin.

Meanwhile, Panneerselvam and Palaniswami said those who have emerged as "overnight leaders" have been rejected by the people.

"Those not aware of Puratchi Thalaivar's political journey and showing no respect for Puratchi Thalaivi's sacrifices, those building castle in the air about coming to power after having emerged as overnight leaders, those who tried to shake our organisation have been thrown away by the people," they said in a letter to partymen.

AIADMK founder, the late chief minister MG Ramachandran is addressed by supporters as Puratchi Thalaivar, meaning Revolutionary Leader, while his protege Jayalalithaa is Puratchi Thalaivi for them.

Those who had "underestimated" AIADMK and its supporters were now afraid of it, the two leaders added.

AIADMK was a movement that will strive for generations of Tamils, they said, recalling the late Jayalalithaa's words.

Paneerselvam had in February 2017 fallen out of favour with then AIADMK interim general secretary Sasikala and resigned as the chief minister.

Palaniswami was subsequently made his successor by Sasikala, who also appointed Dhinakaran as AIADMK deputy general secretary, before leaving for Bengaluru to serve a four-year jail term in a disproportionate assets case.

However, in August last year, the factions led by Panneerselvam and Palaniswami merged. Later, a party General Council, under the two leaders, expelled Sasikala from the party and annulled all appointments made by her, including that of Dhinakaran.

Dhinakaran has been since critical of the Palaniswami government, and has repeatedly vowed to oust it.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A controversy has been kicked off in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh by a viral video in which senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh is heard saying that his party's votes get reduced if he campaigns for it.

The video was recorded on October 13 but it emerged Tuesday, the day when Congress president Rahul Gandhi is in the state to campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections.

Significantly, Singh, the two-time former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, has been conspicuous by his absence in the programmes and rallies which Gandhi has been addressing in the state over the last few weeks.

".. mera kaam keval ek. Koi prachar nahi, koi bhashan nahi. Mere bhashan dene se to Congress ke vote kat-te hai, mai jata nahi" (I have only one job, no campaigning, no speech. When I deliver a speech, Congress votes get reduced, so I don't go)," Singh is heard saying in the video.

In the video, in which he is seen talking casually to party workers at the residence of MLA Jitu Patwari here, Singh also advises Congress workers to campaign for candidates wholeheartedly to achieve victory.

"Dekho, khwaab dekhte rah jaaoge agar kaam nahi kiya to. Nahi banegi sarkar agar aise kaam kiya to. Jisko ticket mile, chahe dushman ko mile, jitao (You will continue dreaming if you do not work. You can't form the government if you work like this. Even if the ticket is given to a rival in the party, you should ensure his victory)," he is seen telling the party workers.

When contacted by PTI, Singh said the video was not being shown in a proper manner.

"It is not being shown in the right manner, especially the first part. If you hear the first part, you will understand it in a proper way," Singh said.

The ruling BJP was quick to take a dig at the opposition party over Singh's comments, with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan saying the Congress should not treat one of its senior leaders in this manner.

"We (BJP) have not given him (Singh) this pain. It was given by the Congress itself. His posters are not being put up, he is not being given prominence," Chouhan said.

"I never imagined the Congress will treat one of its leaders in this manner. Congressmen should, at least, respect their leader," the chief minister added.

State Congress chief Kamal Nath parried questions on Singh's video by saying, "I am not aware of the context in which he was stating this".

Polls for the 230-member MP Assembly are scheduled for November 28 while counting of votes will be taken up on December 11.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Threats posed by "lone wolf" attackers and "do it yourself' terrorists are a major challenge for agencies tasked with ensuring security of the country, Union Home Minister said on Tuesday.

Addressing commandos of the elite counter-terror force Security Guard on their 34th raising day here, Singh said security forces have exhibited excellent coordination and ensured that there has been no major terror attack in the hinterland since the 2008 Mumbai strike.

He made a reference to recent attacks in New York and London where vehicles were used to run over and kill a number of people.

"The 'do it yourself' and 'lone wolf' kind of terror attacks are a major challenge for us and for security agencies," Singh said at the NSG garrison in Manesar.

"We will have to prepare accordingly and keep changing and updating our tactics to counter these threats," he added.

Terror is not limited to a country but affects the entire world population, Singh asserted.

Social media has helped in propagating their ideology, he added.

Complimenting the NSG and other security forces and agencies of the country for ensuring that there has not been any major incident in the hinterland since 2008, he said they have achieved successes in thwarting terror or insurgency bids "except" in

"We have now deployed one unit of the NSG in for operations," Singh said.

The minister also asked state police forces to develop counter-terror capabilities of their forces as they are the "first responders" when an attack takes place.

The NSG was raised in 1984 as a federal contingency force. Apart from rendering the specialised tasks of counter-terror and counter-hijack operations, it also guards 13 high-risk VVIPs in the country, including the Union home minister.With the arrest of a woman and her four aides here, the Noida police Tuesday claimed to have busted a gang of drug traffickers operating in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

The police also recovered 8.65 kg of cannabis and Rs 1.52 lakh in cash from the possession of the gang members, who were held from a park in Sector 9 Monday, officials said.

Two women were among the five accused arrested by a Noida Sector 20 police station team, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Pal Sharma told reporters.

Those arrested included Noorie, also known as the "Lady Don" in the local circuit for her stronghold in the drugs trade, the gang's mastermind, besides Manju Begum, Mohammad Shabbir, Om Chaudhury and Mohit Valmiki, he said.

"The gang would procure the cannabis from Old Delhi and sell it here in Noida city. Their main customers were rickshaw and autorickshaw drivers, the youth from the slum areas as well as the students of the local colleges," Sharma added.

The gang also had operations in Ghaziabad and the bordering areas of Noida city, he said, adding that they sold the cannabis in small packets costing from Rs 50 up to Rs 220, depending on the quality of the narcotic.

During investigation, it emerged that the group had donated Rs 2 lakh from their illegal business for organising a Durga Puja pandal in the city, Sharma said.

"We are further investigating their links and other details are also being probed," the SSP said, adding that one of the gang members was absconding and a search was on to nab him.

According to the police, all the accused had cases registered against them at various police stations in Noida under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Indian Penal Code.

"Noori has nine cases against her, while Shabbir has 10, Mohit, Om and Manju have two each," a police official said.

All the accused were remanded to judicial custody, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.): An Election Commission team would visit Telangana on October 22 for the first time after the election schedule for the state was announced, to review the poll preparedness of the state.

They would meet various political parties, besides senior officials of the state government and the police department, an official release said.

The team would meet the Director General of the Income Tax Department and other senior officials before leaving for the national capital on October 24, it added.

This is the first visit of the EC after the election schedule for Telangana was announced.

The Election Commission (EC) had on October 6 announced the election schedule for five states, including Telangana, which will go to thepollson December 7.

The assembly polls in Telangana were originally scheduled to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections next year, but the Assembly was dissolved on September 6 as per a recommendation by the state cabinet.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange has been given a set of house rules at the Ecuadorean embassy here that include taking better care of his cat and cleaning his bathroom, a media report said Tuesday.

The whistle-blower, who has been holed up in the Ecuadorean embassy since 2012, was sent a memo in which he was warned that his feline companion could be confiscated, the BBC reported.

The 47-year-old Australian national was also told to look after its "well-being, food and hygiene" in the set of guidelines, written in Spanish.

Assange had his online access cut in March this year after "interfering in other countries' affairs", Ecuador said.

In a set of guidelines presented to him this month, Ecuador warned Assange to provide better care of the feline that he shares the embassy with or it may be handed to a refuge.

The cat - which was given to Assange by his children - often appears at the embassy window to watch the journalists gathered outside.

The cat also has its own Twitter feed, which says it is "interested in counter-purrveillance".

It is unclear what is behind Ecuador's concern over Assange's treatment of his roommate, the report said.

On the subject of cleanliness, however, Assange tweeted earlier this year: "Save water, don't shower."



Some reports said Assange is prohibited from "interfering in the internal affairs of other states" or from activities "that could prejudice Ecuador's good relations with other states."



Assange has remained at the embassy after seeking asylum to avoid extradition to Sweden on a rape allegation.

He alleges that the accusations were politically motivated and could lead to him being extradited to the US over the publication of secret US military documents and diplomatic cables in 2010.

While the Swedish case has since been dropped, Assange is still wanted by Scotland Yard for breach of bail and faces arrest the moment he steps out of the diplomatically immune territory.

Assange, who claimed that the accusations were politically motivated, was granted asylum six years ago by Ecuador on the grounds that he feared extradition to the United States.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Egyptians practised fish farming more than 3,500 years ago, the earliest evidence of such activity worldwide according to a joint German-Israeli study released on Tuesday.

Scientists studied 100 fish teeth found at archaeological sites across modern-day Israel to conclude they had been plucked from a lagoon in Egypt's Sinai thousands of years ago.

"The sample of teeth covered a chronological period extending over 10,000 years, from the early Neolithic period through to the early Islamic period," said a statement from Israel's Haifa University, one of the participants in the study.

Of those samples, some were from about 3,500 years ago.

Farmers at the time found a lagoon which fish were entering and barricaded it for a few months, Guy Bar-Oz, one of the authors of the report and archaeology professor at the University of Haifa.

Afterwards "you can easily harvest them," the academic explained of a method still used in the same Sinai lagoon.

The Haifa academics worked alongside those from German universities in Mainz and Gottingen to deduce their findings from the teeth of gilthead sea bream.

Through studying the different types of oxygen isotopes in the teeth, scientists deduced that they were "spending at least four months in the closed lagoon", Bar-Oz told AFP.

The majority of the fish found by the researchers came from aquaculture and not local fishing.

Irit Zohar, from the University of Haifa and co-author of the study, said the size of fish standardised around 3,500 years ago and those imported from Egypt were all "the size of a plate".

"Exactly what we observe of the fish bred in modern aquaculture," she said.

Egypt became a "superpower in aquaculture" at that time, according to Bar-Oz. Scientists believe fish farming was practised in China 4,000 years ago, although Bar-Oz said no evidence has yet been produced to prove the theory.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Union minister has called upon BJP Mahila Morcha workers to ensure empowerment of at least 10 women at each booth in the country as a tribute to senior party leader late

Scindia, popularly known as Rajmata of Gwalior, was a prominent BJP leader. She passed away in 2001. The BJP is celebrating birth centenary year of the late leader.

The workers of BJP Mahila Morcha are strengthening the party deriving inspiration from Scindia who went to jail opposing the Congress during the Emergency, she said at the closing function of Morcha's 'Mahila Shashaktikaran Daud' that was flagged off from Gwalior on October 12.

"A true tribute to Rajmata will be empowerment of not just five but 10 women at the booth level, by each one of you," she said.

The women empowerment run that passed through five states before concluding here was a part of various functions organised by the party to mark the birth centenary year of the late leader.

BJP chief Amit Shah who was scheduled to attend the function could not make it due to some urgent work, said BJP general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal.

On the occasion, Delhi BJP chief said Scindia was a symbol of women empowerment who boldly faced "atrocities for opposing the Congress" during the Emergency.

Participants of the 'Mahila Shashaktikaran Daud' included many women including '102-year-old' Sardarni Maan Kaur and differently abled Jaisree who were felicitated at the function.Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Wes Maul looks at Gov. Rick Scott during a hurricane briefing at the state emergency operations center Tuesday. (Miami Herald)

Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued another rebuke of Verizon today, telling the cell provider in a terse press release that he expects the company to give him a plan today to restore service to the areas hit by Hurricane Michael, and that all cell providers should waive bills for October.

The press release was addressed to all cell phone providers, but it singled out Verizon, which has struggled to restore service in Bay County, where Michael made landfall.

Over the last 48 hours, both Scott and CFO Jimmy Patronis have criticized Verizon's slow recovery, and on Monday, Scott met with the company's senior vice president and chief network officer, Nicki Palmer.

"Verizon recently said in a press release that 98 percent of Florida has service," the governor's office press release said. "This statement, which includes customers in Florida that were hundreds of miles away from impacted areas, does not help Floridas law enforcement in Bay County and families communicate with loved ones in Panama City and does not help those needing medicine call their pharmacy in Lynn Haven."

Scott then laid out his expectations for all cell phone and internet providers:

Customers in the impacted counties should be allowed to switch providers without penalty. Some cell phone contracts still penalize customers for switching before their two-year contract is up.

Bills for customers in affected counties should have their October bills waived.

"Telecommunications companies should be open and transparent with Floridians and do so with a clearly communicated plan to quickly restore service."

"Families understand that the telecommunications industry, like the power companies and other services, experienced catastrophic damage to vital infrastructure," Scott said in the press release, "but that does not change our expectation that each telecommunications company will be open and communicate a clear plan on how they intend to quickly restore service while treating families fairly."

The press release added that "The Governor expects that a plan for full telecommunications restoration will be communicated today."

Verizon has said it's suffered "unprecedented damage" to its network in Bay County.

The return of cell service has been critical to telling people where to find supplies after the storm, Scott has said. In Mexico Beach, people have been forced to stand on bridges to get any sort of cell signal.Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday unveiled a downsized cabinet where, in a first, half the members are women, a top official said.

Women occupy key positions in the 20-member cabinet that includes a newly created Ministry of Peace to oversee the federal police and intelligence agencies, Abiy's Chief of Staff Fitsum Arega said.

"Women are assigned to run key ministerial portfolios including ministries of Peace, Trade and Industry, and Defence," he tweeted.

The new Minister of National Defence, Aisha Mohammed, is the first woman to hold the post. Minister of Peace Muferiat Kamil is the former speaker of parliament.

The previous cabinet had 28 ministers, of which only five were women.

The shakeup is the latest in a series of dramatic reforms implemented by Abiy since he took office in April after more than two years of anti-government unrest that contributed to his predecessor's sudden resignation.

The prime minister's measures have included ending two decades of conflict with neighbouring Eritrea, releasing jailed dissidents, welcoming formerly banned groups back into the country and announcing plans to privatise major state-owned industries.

Abiy, 42, took office after anti-government protests began in late 2015 by Ethiopia's two largest ethnic groups against the heavy-handed rule of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which controls every seat in parliament together with its allies.

But since taking power, his government has been rocked by successive ethnic clashes in the countryside including violence in southern Ethiopia that has displaced nearly one million people.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)/ --



Move designed to further accelerate Innoviti's revenue expansion plans



An alumnus of INSEAD, France, Sanjeeb Kalita joins Innoviti as Chief Revenue Officer. He brings over 22 years of diverse experience of Sales & BD, Large Scale Operations Management and building businesses across sectors like FinTech, IT & Telecom. Sanjeeb till recently was the Chief Revenue Officer at Ezetap where he led the company's international expansion, built partnerships and alliances, and was responsible for sales and revenue. Sanjeeb was previously associated with Bharti Airtel as Vice President & Chief Service Officer. Sanjeeb Kalita's induction is in line with Innoviti's aggressive plans for scaling up of its business operations post the latest fund raise of US$ 18 million in a Series B funding round led by the Singapore-based SBI FMO Emerging Asia Financial Sector Fund (the 'SBI-FMO Fund' jointly setup by SBI Holdings Group of Japan and FMO of Netherlands), Bessemer Venture Partners and existing investor Catamaran. Utilizing the Series B Innoviti has rapidly expanded its customer base, doubling the volume processed and revenue over the past twelve months. Currently, Innoviti's uniPAY NEXT platform processes over US$ 4 Bn of annual transaction volume across over 1.25 lac POS terminals at over 800 cities in India. Through its latest #LookAhead Transaction-routing technology which uses a Rules-based architecture to dynamically search for the acquiring network with optimal cost - cum-reliability combination for each transaction, the company has today increased transaction reliability to upwards of 96%, where the industry average stands at 82%. Sanjeeb's appointment reaffirms Innoviti's commitment to rapidly scaling up by providing a world-class payments platform to Indian merchants. In a recent top-deck appointment, Innoviti Payment Solutions, a leading payments solutions provider has roped in Sanjeeb Kalita, erstwhile Chief Revenue Officer of Ezetap as its new Chief Revenue Officer. The appointment is a part of Innoviti's aggressive growth plans for scaling up its flagship solutions - uniPAY NEXT and smelending.com - post its recent US$ 18 million fund raise in July 2017.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/715351/Innoviti_Logo.jpg )



An alumnus of INSEAD, France, Sanjeeb is an experienced FinTech professional with deep understanding of banking and technology. Prior to FinTech, Sanjeeb has worked as Vice President & Chief Service Officer at Bharti Airtel.

Speaking on the appointment, Ms. Amrita Malik, Co-founder and CBO, Innoviti Payment Solutions, said, "We are delighted to have an experienced FinTech Business Leader on-board to further accelerate our rapid growth. His rich and diverse experience will help us further enhance the strong customer orientation that we are known for."



"Innoviti is already a leader in several payment segments in India. I'm excited to be a part of this journey at a juncture when the company's strong market position and differentiated multi-sided platform can be monetized further for rapid growth with both merchants and partners. I look forward to working with Innoviti's highly experienced team to drive the company's ambitious vision and aggressive growth plans," said Mr. Sanjeeb Kalita.

About Innoviti Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Innoviti Payment Solutions runs a payment platform that has a unique ability to add intelligence to traditional payment channels, enhancing their value. Merchants, brands and financial service providers use these intelligent payment channels to reduce cost and drive sales of their products. Innoviti processes over Rs. 26,000 Cr. of payment transactions, about 5% of all offline merchant payment transactions in India. This also includes Rs. 1,500 Cr. of transactions involving distribution of loans to consumers and small businesses. The company has raised a total of US$ 23 million of funding till date from marquee investors such as Catamaran Ventures, SBI-FMO fund and Bessemer Venture Partners.

For more information, please visit - http://www.innoviti.com



Source: Innoviti Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Orthodox Church leaders from numerous countries on Tuesday called for unity and raised fears of further discord after the Moscow branch announced it would break ties with the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate, in what has been described as one of the gravest crises in the church's history.

The rupture on Monday came after the Istanbul-based clerics agreed to launch the process of recognising the independence of the Ukrainian Church, a move Russia has long campaigned against.

Constantinople's decision last week ended more than 300 years of Moscow's control over Orthodox churches in Ukraine and affects millions of believers in Russia and Ukraine.

While the Patriarch of Moscow up to now has formally overseen Orthodox churches in Ukraine, the country has two other Orthodox authorities which have splintered off without being recognised by Constantinople -- until last week.

The religious split comes amid deep political tensions, with Ukraine opposing Russia's 2014 annexation of its Crimea peninsula and fighting a Moscow-backed uprising in its east in which more than 10,000 people have been killed.

The Russian Orthodox Church's head, Patriarch Kirill, is seen as a close ally of President Vladimir Putin.

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that the Kremlin was watching developments "very carefully and with a great deal of worry".

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko meanwhile said the Russian Orthodox Church was following the Kremlin down a path of self-imposed isolation.

"Just as Russia opposed itself to the entire world community with its aggressive imperial policy, now the Russian Church is on the path of self-isolation and conflict with the world Orthodoxy," he wrote on his Facebook page.

The Ukrainian president and lawmakers have backed independence for the country's divided Orthodox Church and see it as striking a blow against Moscow's influence in Ukraine.

While the conflict grew out of the turbulent relations between Ukraine and Russia, a complete breach between the churches in Moscow and Turkey could threaten the integrity of the Orthodox Church as a whole, which has some 250 million believers around the world.

The various Orthodox churches are already divided on the issue.

Serbian Patriarch Irinej said in an interview with a local site: "We don't think in terms of 'for' and 'against'."



"We are for the unity of the Church, harmony, responsibility for canonical order, and against everything that divides and leads to the risk of schism."



At the same time he said that the recognition by Constantinople of an independent church in Ukraine was "a move that leads to schism" and opens up the possibility of new splits within other Orthodox churches.

Stevo Vucinic, vice-president of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church metropolis' council, welcomed the decision by Constantinople as of "historical importance" and slammed what he called a "political dispute" led by Moscow and Belgrade.

The Bishops' Conference of the Finnish Orthodox Church said the decision by Moscow was "unilateral, sad and very unfortunate" and hoped the patriarchs would resolve the conflict in mutual negotiations.

However Metropolitan Rostislav of the Orthodox Church in the Czech Lands and Slovakia wrote to Patriarch Kirill condemning "any attempt to legalise Ukrainian schismatics".

The Georgian Patriarchate said it would summon its Holy Synod shortly to decide on its position.

Even Kremlin-loyal Russian media stressed that Moscow's move could lead to dire consequences.

The Izvestia newspaper, which strongly supports the Kremlin line, wrote that Monday will enter Orthodox history as "one of its darkest days".

The split between the Constantinople and Moscow Churches -- the highest-status and largest Orthodox Churches respectively -- followed on from the two greatest upheavals in Christian Church history, it wrote.

The front-page article referenced the Protestant Reformation of 1517 and the schism between the Eastern and Western Christian Churches in 1054.

Now each of the branches of the Orthodox Church "will have to choose with whom to be -- Constantinople or the Russian Orthodox Church," Izvestia wrote.

The RBK business newspaper warned of a "war between (Holy) Synods" on its front page, referring to the Churches' ruling bodies.

A Russian expert on religion, Roman Lunkin, told RBK that Moscow's move has created "two warring Orthodox worlds".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)is preparing to ferry around 160 million passengers in the next 30 days to clear the festival rush, an official of the railway board said.

This will include about 10 lakh additional passengers to be carried by trains which were introduced last year during Chhath.

East bound trains will conduct more than 250 trips to and fro from Bihar, Bengal and Uttar Pradesh during the period of Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath festivals.

"We have planned to run more than 400 trips of around 40 special trains over the next 30 days. We are prepared to carry around 16 crore passengers during that time overall. We have also taken several measures to manage the rush during that time, including deployment of more personnel, adequate facilities and amenities for passengers," the official said.

Some of the special trains include Gorakhpur-Anandvihar Special Express, Katihar-Delhi Humsafar Express, Darbhanga-Jalandhar Antyodaya Express, Udaipur-Pataliputra Humsafar Express and Allahabad-Anandvihar Humsafar Express.

Another official said that the is planning to have additional ticket counters to ensure the availability of tickets, boards with train information on them displayed prominently on platforms and proper announcements so that there is no confusion on platforms.

Additional personnel like ticket checking staff, Railway Protection Force and volunteers will be deployed to manage the rush of passengers. Staff will also be deployed at foot-over-bridges to avoid overcrowding, the official said. Doctors and ambulances will be on standby at important stations to attend to the passengers, he said.

Major security arrangements have also been put in place during this time - CCTV cameras, luggage scanners, walki-talki sets, fluorescent jackets among others will be put in place for security purposes, he said.

has been planning to ensure smooth functioning during the festival season, specially during Chhath as the rush of passengers have led to three major incidents in the past during this period.

In 2004, during Chhath, five women were killed and at least ten were injured in a stampede at the New Delhi railway station. In 2010, a similar rush led to two deaths, and in 2014, one person had died at the same station.Five passengers were killed and 20 more injured on Tuesday when a bus fell into a canal from a bridge in Haripal village of Hooghly district, police said.

Two men and three women died when the bus, which was headed to Howrah from Arambagh, with around 30 passengers dashed against the cement railings of the bridge, breaking it, and fell into the Dakatia khal near Gojarmore at around 9 am, Hooghly Superintendent of Police Sukesh Jain told PTI.

"Five people have died in the accident and 19 others, excluding one, are being treated at a hospital in Haripal. We have shifted one critically injured to a hospital in Kolkata," Jain said.

Nobody was arrested in connection with the incident and police were looking for the driver, he said.

The bus conductor was undergoing treatment at the hospital, Jain said.

"A forensic team is on its way to examine the bus. Whether it was a mechanical snag or a fault of the driver is yet be ascertained," the SP said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)CEO Tuesday said the company has begun to focus on its elements of growth, including digital and automation, to improve its clients' businesses as part of its transformation plans that kickstarted two quarters ago.

He was replying to a question about US President Donald Trump's calling for tighter controls on skilled worker visas in his "Buy American, Hire American" executive order.

"We have set ourselves at transformation plans. On that we have started a journey in first two quarters, where we have started to track several areas.

Our company's focus clearly is on digital and improving cost services with the help of and automation," Parekh told reporters here.



"There is a lot more work, however, the company needs to do for overall transformation," he said.

He further said the company is also focusing on localisation and wants to build digital centres in different parts of the world and have started with a few of those in the US.

"The company also has started with some recruitments from colleges in the US and have similar plan for Europe and Australia," he added.



The company's focus also has been to bring much more relevance with further resilience to improve businesses of its clients, which is part of the company's team and board strategy, he said.

"These are the elements moving with a different type of approach in terms of how it wants to drive the change in the business," Parekh said.The son of a former BSP MP was booked for allegedly brandishing a gun at guests and threatening them in the foyer of a five-star hotel here, a video of which went viral on social media.

The accused, Ashish Pandey, hails from Lucknow and is the son of former BSP MP Rakesh Pandey. His brother, Ritesh Pandey, is a sitting MLA in Uttar Pradesh.

The Delhi Police said an FIR has been registered under the Arms Act and sections of the IPC, including those related to causing hurt (323), criminal intimidation (506) and using force with the intent to outrage the modesty of a woman (354).

Initially the case was registered under the Arms Act and sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) were added later, police said, adding that they have also reached out to their Uttar Pradesh counterparts.

The complaint about the incident was received Monday from the assistant security manager of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in RK Puram, following which a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued, they said.

The Hyatt Regency in Delhi maintained that it is taking "seriously" the incident and will cooperate with the authorities in the investigation.

Latching on to the incident the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) targeted the Centre, which controls the Delhi Police, over the law and order issue in the national capital.

Party spokesperson Dilip Pandey said the BJP-ruled Centre should answer why it has no control over the system, which it supervises through the lieutenant governor (LG), and asked what steps are being taken by police to check growing crime in the city.

BJP Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari said there is evidence in the form CCTV footage of the incident and a proper investigation should be conducted for appropriate action.

After the video of the incident went viral, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the police had initiated action in the case.

"The Delhi Police has initiated action on this incident which is also being shown in the media. An FIR has been registered under the Arms Act and the IPC. Strong and appropriate action will be taken. Also verifying the identity of others," the minister tweeted.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra also expressed serious concern over the law and order situation in the city following the incident.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, police said.

In the video, Ashish Pandey can purportedly be seen brandishing a gun in the foyer of the hotel, a police officer said.

One of the victims told a channel that the accused, who held the gun, walked up to him and hurled abuses.

"A man with a gun hurled abuses at us and walked up threateningly. I was intimidated and scared. The hotel staff were present at the spot. They tried to intervene but could not as they were also scared," the victim claimed.

Police said the security staff of the hotel told them that the accused and the victims were partying at a nightclub in the hotel and had an argument over using the washroom.

A woman accompanying the accused abused the victims and called them "transgenders", a senior officer privy to the probe said.

It is suspected that both the parties involved were drunk at the time of the incident, he said.

"No PCR call was made by any of the parties or even by the hotel authorities. It is negligence on the part of the hotel as something major could have happened.

"We are exploring legal options in the matter and will also inform our licensing branch that will see what action can be taken against the hotel," another officer privy to the probe said.

He said after the video went viral, police contacted the hotel authorities and then they lodged the complaint.

The police said it had issued a LOC and also contacted their counterparts in Uttar Pradesh.

Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Ajay Chaudhary said the incident took place on October 14 at 3.40 am.

"No complaint was lodged by the victim and the hotel staff on the same day. There is negligence on the part of three parties -- the victim, hotel authorities and the accused," he said.

"The police have registered a case. We are coordinating with the Uttar Pradesh Police and teams are looking out for him.

"We have added the relevant sections based on the video. A Look Out Circular has been opened up for him," he said.

He said police are also trying to trace the victims.

The hotel said,"We take the incident that occurred at Hyatt Regency, Delhi, on seriously and have been working with the local police authorities on the same."



"We assure our support and will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities in reference to any further investigation on this matter," it said.

Police said it would be known whether the accused was carrying a licensed weapon or not after he is caught.

Robert Vardra has asked who was accountable for the deteriorating law and order in Delhi.

"I really fear for the safety of our children and the people of our city, the capital of our country," he said in a Facebook post.

"What is the Law and Order prevailing and who is accountable? Has the Chief Minister seen what is existing and will they make an example of this insane behaviour with guns and profanity?" he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former Mizoram minister Buddha Dhan Chakma quit the Congress on Tuesday and is all set to join the BJP.

After tendering his resignation as a legislator from the state Assembly, Chakma submitted his resignation from the primary membership of the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) to party functionaries here.

The resignation letter from the MPCC was addressed to MPCC president, Lal Thanhawla, who is also the chief minister.

Speaker Hiphei has accepted Chakma's resignation from the House, Assembly secretary S R Zokhuma said.

Election to the 40-member House is scheduled to be held in the state on November 28.

Mizoram BJP unit president Prof John V Hluna told PTI that Chakma would be joining the BJP on Tuesday.

The saffron party would field Chakma from Tuichawng seat in the assembly polls, Hluna said.

With Chakma's resignation, three Congress MLAs have resigned from the Assembly recently.

The present strength of the state legislature is 37 after resignation of the three Congress legislators. The ruling Congress has 31 legislators and the MNF six.

The Assembly Speaker on Monday had accepted the resignation of former home minister R Lalzirliana.

Lalzirliana, who resigned as the state home minister on September 14 was expelled as vice president of the state PCC and primary member of the Congress party indefinitely by the ruling MPCC disciplinary action committee on September 17.

He formally joined the MNF Monday.

Earlier, another Congress legislator Lalrinliana Sailo, former minister and member of the AICC and general secretary of the state PCC had also left the ruling party and joined the MNF.

Chakma had resigned from the council of ministers on August 21, 2017 in protest against discrimination of some students belonging to Chakma community for admission to medical colleges across the country, though they had qualified for MBBS seat under the state quota.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Union minister Vijay Goel Tuesday demanded an inquiry into the delay in completing the Rani Jhansi Flyover project executed by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC).

The 1.6-km-long flyover, which was originally scheduled to be completed by 2010, was inaugurated by Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan in North Delhi.

"There should be an inquiry as to why there has been so much delay in completing the project of Rani Jhansi Flyover," Goel told PTI on the sidelines of event.

While addressing a gathering at the event, the Union Parliamentary Affairs minister said that the project, whose foundation stone was laid in 2008, was to be completed in two years, but it took 10 years to complete.

"A report should be prepared (in this regard)," Goel said, adding that 43 per cent of the work was completed in the last one year, but as to why the remaining work took so much time.

At the event, Vardhan congratulated locals for the opening of the flyover. He said that as per estimate, around 5 lakh vehicles will use this flyover everyday.

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri was also present.

The 1.6-km-long flyover from near the St Stephens Hospital to Filmistaan Cinema was originally scheduled to be completed by 2010, but has missed several deadlines.

Lt Governor Anil Baijal said that in the last one year, 43 per cent of the work of the flyover was completed while the remaining work was completed in eight years.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Celebrated tabla maestro Lakshmi Narayan Singh, fondly known as Pandit Lachhu Maharaj, was on Tuesday paid homage by search giant Google with a colourful doodle on his 74th birthday.

Born on this day in 1944 to a family of musicians, the renowned Banaras Gharana musician trained under his father, Vasudev Maharaj, started performing at an early age.

Though someone who played alongside nearly all the greatest tabla players of his time, Maharaj is distinctly remembered for his solo performances across the world.

Thumri exponent Girija Devi, who often collaborated with Maharaj, claimed that "he would play for hours without repeating himself, new gats, tukras and parans, leaving his audiences awestruck".

Born and brought up in Varanasi, the maestro had worked in many Bollywood films and performed all over the world.

Filmstar Govinda, who was his sister's son, learnt music from him at a young age.

He had married a French woman Tina, who along with their daughter lives in France.

One of the frontline tabla players in the world, Maharaj in 1957 received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest Indian honour in performing arts.

He was also nominated for a Padmi Shri, but refused to accept the award.

Maharaj, at 71, died of heart attack on July 28, 2016. PTI MG



,



Lachhu Maharaj (born as Lakshmi Narayan Singh), was one of the most celebrated tabla players of his time. Maharaj trained under his father, Vasudev Maharaj, and started performing at an early age. As a child, his gifts caught the attention of legendary tabla player Ahmed Jaan Thirakwa, who was deeply impressed by Maharaj's performance at just eight years old.

Lachhu Maharaj was best known for which was best exemplified in his solo performances. Even though he played alongside nearly all the greatest tabla players of his time, his solo performance are the most remembered. Girija Devi,



In 1957, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest award for performing artists, by India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The government is examining a proposal to bid out UMPPs to meet the rising power demand in the country, Power Minister R K Singh said Tuesday.

"If I bid them (Ultra Mega Power Projects ) out today it would take 4-5 year to fructify, by that time demand would have again accelerated. So I think, the time has come to start bidding out UMPPs," he said addressing 98th Annual session of here.

UMPPs are 4,000 MW super thermal power projects (both pit head and imported coal based).

The programme was launched in November 2005 with an objective to develop large capacity power projects in by providing to developers services like land, coal, fund tie-up and clearances under one roof.

Under this scheme, two projects at Mundra and Sasan were set up and made operational by and Reliance Power, respectively. exited the Tilaya earlier this year and is trying to exit Krishnapatnam After that no UMPP was bid out.

(PFC) was appointed as Nodal Agency to facilitate the development of these projects.

The government has been talking about firming up of standard bidding document for domestic as well as imported coal-based UMPPs and getting Cabinet approval for that. But that has not happened so far.

Experts believe that before going ahead with the bidding of UMPPs, the power ministry should get the standard bidding document approved from the Cabinet.

Talking about stress in the power sector, the minister blamed the developers for aggressive bidding and quoting unviable power tariff with an eye on capitalising coal blocks tagged with power projects.

"The fault is on owners' side. Of course the coal block cancellation was a major setback. Availability of coal is an issue. Some of you bid unrealistically. You bid rates which were not viable because you thought that you (developers) could make the difference by selling coal in the open market," Singh said.

Elaborating further, the minister said:"You had your eyes on the coal block and not on the power to be generated (from the project).You thought that you could make it (power tariff) up because you have a coal mine.

"That is the problem of our country that we don't think straight. If we think straight then such thing will not happen. We try to cut corners. That was the major reason (for stress)."



He also made a point that bankers financed projects at the cost of Rs 8 crore per MW and suggested that they should be taken to task for that. Normally, per MW cost of a power project ranges from Rs 5-6 crore.

However, he exuded confidence that all these stressed assets are going to be profitable because the country's power demand has been growing at 7.5 per cent which is around 9 per cent at present.

On the coal shortage, he informed that power plants are not getting the coal rakes they need at any given day.

Suggesting remedy for that he favoured giving coal mines to private sector to mine coal for selling them in open market.Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi Tuesday said the state government may consider giving grant for producing Bhojpuri films in Bihar.

Bhojpuri film star Ravi Kishan met the deputy chief minister here and raised the issue of giving grant for producing Bhojpuri films on the lines of Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh governments.

"The state government may consider giving grant for producing Bhojpuri films in Bihar," Sushil Modi told Kishan.

Keeping in mind the requirement of film industry, the state government has identified 20 acres of land for construction of a film city at Rajgir, the DyCM said.

Kishan informed Modi, who is also state's Finance minister, that Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh governments give 30 and 40 per cent as grant of the total cost involved in the production of Bhojpuri film if it has been entirely shot in the state.

Among regional language films, around 80 to 90 films are produced in Bhojpuri language in a year and Bihar and UP constitute biggest viewers of Bhojpuri films, Kishan said.

He said there is good scope for producing Bhojpuri films in the state as there are plenty of good locations for carrying out shooting of films.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Over 2,000 non-combatised personnel of border guarding force - SSB - have been finally ordered to be moved to the Intelligence Bureau (IB) as part of an ambitious central government plan to bolster the internal snoop agency's on-ground presence at Indian borders, especially along China and Nepal.

PTI has accessed an October 12 order issued by the Union home ministry directing that a total of 2,104 posts of the civilian component of the force, often dubbed as the 'dying' cadre, will be transferred to the IB "immediately". Few of these posts are not occupied at present.

The unique move was in the making for the last few years after National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval had in June, 2016 written to the then Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi underlining the need to effectively utilise this manpower for "enhancing" border security gathering better intelligence.

The ministry has now ordered that out of the total 24 cadres of these personnel in the SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal), 19 will be sent to the IB.

"These cadres will get integrated with relevant and comparable cadres of IB. They will be governed by service conditions of IB after transfer from SSB," the ministry order said.

A blueprint prepared in this context said that this cadre, which is trained, experienced and well acquainted with the border areas, could be effectively used to upgrade country's intelligence generation and gathering capability along 15,000-kms of its border.

In addition, the blueprint said, the personnel could undertake tasks aimed at generating nationalist sentiments among the border population, as in the past.

A senior official privy to the development said the future tasking of these personnel would be charted over a period of next few months and both the central agencies will "mutually decide the detailed implementation modalities including those related to transfer of assets of the Sashastra Seema Bal to the IB."



A small component of 94 posts, spread across five cadres, will be retained by the SSB, the order said.

The decision was made after Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba early this month held a meeting on the subject with IB Director Rajiv Jain and newly appointed SSB Director General S S Deswal and after review of the subject, the home ministry flagged it green.

The agency had first reported in September last year that the proposal is a work in progress and 2,765 posts of the civilian cadre of the SSB will be shifted to the IB in the coming days.

Since then, few people have retired leaving about 2,198 posts, out of which 2,104 are now being transferred.

This manpower of the civil wing of the SSB is termed as "dying" as it does not have any substantial promotional and work avenues after SSB was declared an armed force in 2001. Last year, the SSB was sanctioned a full-fledged intelligence wing which is manned by combat personnel.

Officials had earlier said that the plan of the security establishment is to use the services of these personnel to strengthen the IB's presence, especially on the eastern border front along China, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, where these officials have worked for long.

The men and women of this cadre were seen as fast losing their sheen as they were not getting timely promotions and could not opt for combat posts as their physical fitness did not allow them to perform arduous tasks and their recruitment rules were different from those of the uniformed staffers.

The average age of the personnel in this cadre is about 50 years.

Their task was to help the border population in integrating with the mainstream, and also act as the "eyes and ears" of the SSB, the designated lead intelligence agency along open Indian frontiers with Nepal and Bhutan.

The cadre was first raised in 1963, in the aftermath of the Chinese aggression of the previous year, to work in the border areas and promote a sense of national belonging and pro-India feelings among the local population and till 2001, they were called as the Special Service Bureau.

The name of the force was changed to Sashastra Seema Bal in 2003, following the 1999 Kargil conflict. It was then tasked with guarding the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders on the country's eastern flank.

The SSB, with a strength of about 80,000 personnel, has been guarding the 1,751-km Indo-Nepal border since 2001 and the 699-km Indo-Bhutan border since 2004.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Gujarat Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil Tuesday said he would file criminal and civil defamation suits against Chief Minister Vijay Rupani for stating that the opposition party's "Bihar in-charge" was responsible for the recent attacks on Hindi-speaking migrants in the state.

Gohil is in charge of the Congress party's affairs in Bihar.

Several districts in the northern parts of Gujarat were rocked by violence after a labourer from Bihar was arrested on the charge of raping a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28.

It led to the exodus of thousands of migrants from the state.

Speaking to reporters in Lucknow Monday, Rupani, without mentioning anyone by name, had said the Congress party's Bihar in-charge was responsible for the violence, adding that over 50 of those arrested in this connection were Congress workers.

Incidentally, Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor is the party's Bihar in-charge secretary.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has, on several occasions, blamed Thakor and his outfit, the Kshatriya Thakor Sena, for the violence. BJP leaders have also pointed out that several FIRs lodged by the Gujarat police in connection with the violence mentioned Thakor's outfit.

Thakor has consistently refuted the allegations, claiming that the cases lodged against the youth of the Thakor community were false.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Gohil said, "I will file civil and criminal defamation suits against the Gujarat chief minister for his statement that the Congress's Bihar in-charge was responsible for violence against migrants in our state.

"I will first send him a legal notice tomorrow and give him two weeks' time to clarify. If he fails to apologise, I will approach the court."



Asked if Rupani had referred to Thakor and not him, Gohil said the Congress appointed only one "in-charge" for a state and all others were designated as "secretaries".

"I hope the Gujarat chief minister has this basic knowledge. If he was not speaking about me, he should clarify. Many newspapers today have reported that the chief minister is saying that I am responsible for the violence. So I have decided to take legal action," he added.

The Congress leader said he was undecided on an amount to claim as part of his defamation suits, adding that it could even be Re I as the intention was to punish Rupani.

Gohil accused the Gujarat government of "bias" in the investigations into the anti-migrant violence and claimed that it was the BJP's plan to defame the Congress ahead of the Assembly polls in the five states of Rajasthan, Telangana, Chhattishgar, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram, scheduled to be held in November-December.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Gujarat minister Saurabh Patel Tuesday said he will visit Bihar after October 22 to invite Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for an event where a mega statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel will be unveiled.

His statement came amid media reports that Kumar had declined to meet Saurabh Patel, who was scheduled to visit Bihar on October 16, in the backdrop of recent attacks in Gujarat on migrant factory workers from Hindi-speaking states.

Saurabh Patel is currently leading a state delegation to Karnataka to invite Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Governor Vajubhai Vala for the October 31 event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to unveil the 182-metre tall statue of Sardar Patel at Kevadiya in Narmada district.

The structure, 'Statue of Unity', will be unveiled on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of the first Deputy Prime Minister of the country.

"Saurabh Patel will visit Bihar with a delegation after October 22 to invite Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the unveiling function of Statue of Unity," said a statement from his office.

Rejecting reports that Kumar did not grant him time to meet the delegation, Patel, in the statement, said he has delayed his visit to Bihar due to the ongoing "Durga Puja in the state which is celebrated as an important festival with holidays there".

"In such a situation, it is better for the delegation to visit the state after October 22," said the statement from the office of Saurabh Patel, who holds the energy portfolio.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, his deputy Nitin Patel as well as several ministers are visiting different states to extend invitation to chief ministers and governors for the October 31 event.

However, a spokesperson of Kumar's party JD (U) has said he had no knowledge of Saurabh Patel's visit to Bihar on October 16 getting cancelled due to the migrant issue.

"I have no such information (that Patel's visit was cancelled)," said Bashishtha Narayan Singh, spokesperson of the Bihar unit of the JD (U).

The BJP is ruling Gujarat, while the saffron party is the junior partner in the JD (U)-led government in Bihar.

Attacks on Hindi-speaking migrant workers, including those from Bihar, following a rape incident had triggered their exodus from Gujarat early this month.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Ex-Congress MLA Kanwar Karan Singh said his son, who was shown a gun by the son of a former BSP MP at a five-star hotel here, was in "trauma" after the incident and that was the reason why he did not inform the police.

Singh said they have recorded their statement with the police and have full faith in the law of the land.

"We have given our version to police and submitted our written statement. We were in trauma after the incident. My son was shown a gun and he was in fear and that is why we did not lodge a complaint before," he told PTI.

The former Congress MLA said he did not believe in violence.

"My son was numb with fear after he was shown a gun. We do not believe in violence and stay away form indulging in fights. Police have started their investigation and we believe in them," he said.

Ashish Pandey, son of former BSP MP Rakesh Pandey, was booked for brandishing a gun in the foyer of a five-star hotel here, a video of which went viral on social media.

Pandey hails from Lucknow. His brother, Ritesh Pandey, is a sitting MLA in Uttar Pradesh.

The Delhi police said an FIR has been registered in the case. The force also reached out to their Uttar Pradesh counterparts.

A complaint about the incident was received by the police Monday from the assistant security manager of Hyatt Regency Hotel in R K Puram, following which a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued, police said.

The incident occurred in the early hours of October 14.

In the video, Ashish Pandey can purportedly be seen brandishing a gun in the foyer of the hotel, police said.

The victim told a channel that the accused, who held the gun, walked up to him and hurled abuses.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Actor-politician Kamal Haasan Tuesday strongly batted for supporting the farm sector, saying food was more precious than gold and diamond.

The Makkal Needhi Maiam chief was responding to reporters' queries on mining firm Vedanta Ltd being allotted oil blocks in Tamil Nadu, as there is strong opposition to existing hydrocarbon projects in Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts.

"If there is gold and diamond under the soil besides more precious items, and if agriculture is being taken up overground, there is no need for gold and diamond as they cannot be consumed during famine," he said.

The Centre had recently awarded oil and gas exploration contracts to Vedanta and ONGC, reportedly in blocks of Tamil Nadu.

Vedanta Limited has reportedly won contracts for two Cauvery offshore blocks, while state-run ONGC has bagged one in Cuddalore district, under India's maiden open acreage auction.

Tamil Nadu has already witnessed protests by farmers, citizens and political parties against hydrocarbon projects in Kathiramangalam and Neduvasal in Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts, respectively.

Vedanta's subsidiary, Sterlite copper unit in Tuticorin was sealed following protests culminating in police firing in May in which 13 people died.

To a question on the #MeToo movement, Haasan reiterated that it was prevalent in all fields, including the media, and stressed that persons accused of sexual harassment by women should give respond to the allegations.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan's former top diplomat to the US Husain Haqqani has slammed China's Deputy ambassador in Islamabad Lijian Zhao for his "undignified" trolling after the ex-envoy shared a story about the Chinese government's treatment of minority Uyghur Muslims.

Over the past few days, Haqqani has been involved in a public spat with Lijian which started over a tweet.

Haqqani, 62, tweeted a London Times article which said that "China demands the Uighur Muslims eat pork".

Lijian, instead of responding to the shared article, criticized Haqqani for the tweet.

"Joke of the day. A person without soul and nationality is joining a groundless attack against China. What a pity!" he said.

Responding to the criticism, Haqqani said diplomatic courtesy usually required diplomats not to attack people of the country where they are serving and certainly not by attacking their patriotism towards their own country.

"I respect Lijian Zhao's rights to defend China and China's policies, but for him to act as a troll on behalf of those in Pakistan who called me names was very undignified," Haqqani told PTI on Monday.

Haqqani, who is critical of the Pakistani Army and the fundamentalist groups, has a considerable following in Pakistan.

The former envoy said Monday that he will continue to write, tweet and say what he believes.

"I am not somebody who is going to toe the line of either the Pakistani establishment, the civilian Pakistani government or Mr Lijian Zhao, who until a few months ago was known as Muhammad Lijian Zhao," he said, adding that he had never met the Chinese diplomat.

Earlier, after Lijian questioned Haqqani's nationality, the ex-envoy responded saying, "Pitiful act of the day: a Chinese diplomat who dropped 'Muhammad' from his name attacks me for tweeting an article rather than denying the article from the Times".

"How much are they paying you? You're lying like this and attacking China. I respected you as a former Ambassador, but no more from now on," Lijian had hit back.

"I just tweeted an article from the London Times with a question mark. And the article said that Uighurs in a re-education camps in China were being forced to eat pork. It was a story that has appeared in many other newspapers. He decided to attack me for tweeting it and by calling me a person without a nationality and a soul," Haqqani said on Monday.

"Firstly, I do have a nationality and secondly, as far as having soul is concerned, I thought atheist didn't believe in the notion of soul," said Haqqani who is now associated with the Hudson Institute, a top American think-tank.

Over the past few days, the Chinese diplomat has been slammed on twitter for attacking Haqqani and not responding to the story on Uighurs.

"He's a Pakistani national, which is a sovereign country. What kind of a diplomat gives out statements against the citizens of a host country? Kindly respond to the queries raised on your country's policies without insulting Pakistani citizens. We are a nation with diverse views," tweeted a user Marvi Sirmed.

"PRC ambassador to Pakistan attacking senior Hudson Institute researcher/former Pakistan ambassador to the US for retweeting story about PRC forcing Uighurs to eat pork," tweeted another follower Matt Schrader.

Around one million minority Uighur Muslims have reportedly been sent into detention and indoctrination centres in Xinjing region during a surveillance and security campaign run by the Chinese government.

The Chinese Muslim community has resisted coercive "re-education" efforts by the authorities, which have progressively restricted religious minorities from observing the basic articles of their faith.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Haryana Roadways employees went on a two-day strike Tuesday to protest the state government's decision to introduce 700 private buses in the state.

Despite the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) being in force the roadways workers went on strike and staged sit-ins at several depots across the state, including in Rohtak, Bhiwani, Sirsa and Chandigarh.

The Essential Services Maintenance Act prohibits strikes by employees in an essential service.

Police personnel were deployed at several bus stands to prevent any untoward incident and buses plied with police escort at some roadways depots.

The agitating employees said they would not allow the government to launch 700 private buses in the state as it would lead to privatisation of the transport department.

"We want the Haryana government to withdraw its decision of introducing private buses in the state," a union leader said Tuesday.

They said the government should instead increase the number of buses under the roadways department.

There are about 19,000 employees in Haryana Roadways, which has a fleet of 4,100 buses in which nearly 12 lakh passengers travel daily.

The government would effectively implement the ESMA, a senior official said.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court Monday directed the Haryana government to ensure strict implementation of the ESMA during two-day strike called by the state's Roadways Employees Union.

In August also, the employees had gone on a day-long strike to protest the government's decision to introduce 700 private buses in the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Bombay High Court Tuesday



sought the Maharashtra Forest Department's stand on a plea challenging its steps aimed at killing a "man-eater" tigress, roaming in the state's Yavatmal district forests.

On the plea by Wildlife activist Dr Jerryl Banait and Earth Brigade Foundation, the Nagpur bench of the high court issued notice to the Forest Department seeking its stand by October 19.

The petitioners have challenged the forest department's order to tranquillise and kill tigress 'Avni' (T-1), suspected to be roaming in Pandharkavda forests in Yavatmal district.

The plea also sought revocation of the appointment of Hyderabad-based sharp shooter Shafaqaut Ali Khan for the job, contending that he lacked the experience of tranquillising wild animals.

The petitioners also demanded the grounds on which 'Avni' was declared as a "man-eater", contending that the respondent has no "substantial record" to substantiate its decision to declare her a man-eater.

Counsel Kartik Shukul for the Forest Department argued that these issues had already been deliberated upon before the high court and then in the Supreme Court in the first round of litigation.

Shukul said that the Forest Department had deployed a team of over 100 people to make sure that the tigress and her cubs do not wander close to the nearby villages again.

Replying to a query by the bench of justices Bhushan Dharmadhikari and S M Modak, he said no deaths have been reported in the last two months because of these measures.

The bench also questioned the contradictory orders allegedly issued by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF).

The PCCF order had stated that tigress' cubs should be tranquillised first, as opposed to the CCF order which said the big cat should be tranquillised first.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Himachal Congress will soon hold a state-level rally in Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur's hometown Mandi against the ruling BJP's "anti-Dalit" policies, HPCC chief Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said Tuesday.

Talking to PTI on the sidelines of the Congress state executive meeting, Sukhu alleged that Dalits of the state were feeling neglected due to the ruling government's 'anti-Dalit' policies.

All these issues will be highlighted in the Mandi rally, the exact date of which will be announced soon, he added.

In reply to a question regarding his stand on the view of conducting Parliament and Assembly elections simultaneously in Himachal, he suggested that Thakur-led government first hold all local bodies elections on a single day in the state.

"Thakur is issuing statement in support of conducting Parliament and Assembly elections simultaneously in Himachal but local body elections are being held in the state on different dates, he said.

Addressing the executive meeting, party's scheduled caste wing president Suresh Kumar alleged that Dalits were being tortured in the state during the present government.

The Congress SC wing will hold a state-level one-day fast in Shimla and gherao the state Assembly against "atrocities" on Dalits, he said, adding that Samvidhan Yatra would also be organised in the state.

The Congress has been working for the welfare of Dalit community since its inception, All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary and co-in charge of Himachal Congress affairs Gurkirat Singh Kotli, said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Haryana Roadways employees went on a two-day strike on Tuesday to protest the state government's decision to introduce 700 private buses in the state.

Despite the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) being in force, the roadways workers went on strike and staged sit-ins at several depots across the state, including in Rohtak, Sirsa, Hisar, Ambala and Chandigarh, under the banner of Haryana Roadways Karamchari Joint Action Committee.

The ESMA prohibits strikes by employees in an essential service.

The agitating employees said they would not allow the government to launch 700 private buses in the state as it would lead to privatisation of the transport department. They also alleged that the move is an attempt to favour some chosen few.

"We want the Haryana government to withdraw its decision of introducing private buses in the state," Haryana Roadways Workers Union general secretary Sarbat Singh Punia said.

He said the government should instead increase the number of buses under the roadways department.

Punia said if the government does not immediately withdraw its decision, then the future course of action will be decided at an emergency meeting by the striking employees on Wednesday.

"Our strike was supported by many other employees' union bodies as well," he said.

"Despite the government's move to crush our strike by imposing the ESMA, ordering suspension of many workers and rounding up 176 of our workers and leaders, over 4,000 buses remained off roads," he added.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court Monday directed the Haryana government to ensure strict implementation of the ESMA during the two-day strike called by the state's Roadways Employees Union.

Punia said rather than inviting the striking employees for talks, the government was adamant on its decision.

There are about 19,000 employees in Haryana Roadways, which has a fleet of 4,100 buses in which nearly 12 lakh passengers travel daily.

The strike inconvenienced thousands of commuters.

The Haryana Roadways buses also travel to other states including Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Rajasthan, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab.

Police personnel were deployed at several bus depots in Haryana to prevent any untoward incident and buses plied with police escort at some roadways depots including Bhiwani, Jhajjar and Gurgaon.

As a precautionary measure, authorities imposed Section 144 CrPC, prohibiting gathering of more than four persons, across all Haryana Roadways' depots.

The state government has refused to accept the demand of the striking employees.

In August also, the Haryana Roadways employees had gone on a day-long strike to protest the government's decision to introduce private buses in the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Delhi Police said Tuesday it has issued a show-cause notice to The Hyatt Regency for alleged negligence after the son of a former BSP MP was seen in a video brandishing a gun at guests and threatening them in the foyer of the five-star hotel.

Three teams of the Delhi Police are in Lucknow to trace the accused, Ashish Pandey (40), the son of former Bahujan Samaj Party MP Rakesh Pandey, a senior police official said.

Ashish Pandey hails from Lucknow and has been booked for brandishing a gun and threatening two persons in the main foyer of the hotel here, the official said.

A show-cause notice has been issued to the Hyatt hotel in connection with the matter, he added.

In the notice, the hotel has been asked why action should not be taken against it. The hotel has been given 15 days to respond to the notice, the official said.

In a statement issued earlier in the day, The Hyatt Regency assured the authorities conducting the probe of full cooperation.

"We assure our support and will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities in reference to any further investigation in this matter," the hotel said in the statement.

Ashish Pandey is a realtor and also owns petrol pumps. His phone is switched off since morning and human intelligence is being used to trace him, police said.

The Delhi Police said the complaint about the incident was received Monday from the assistant security manager of the Hyatt Regency hotel in RK Puram.

The incident, a video of which went viral on the social media, occurred in the early hours of Sunday, police said.

In the video, Ashish Pandey, whose brother Ritesh Pandey is an MLA in Uttar Pradesh, is purportedly seen brandishing a gun in the foyer of the hotel, a police officer said.

After the video went viral, Gaurav, son of former Congress MLA Kanwar Karan Singh, sent a written statement Tuesday afternoon to the police. In the evening, he went to the police in person and recorded his statement.

Gaurav, a businessman in his late 20s, had gone to the woman's washroom in the hotel to help a friend, who was unwell and Pandey's friends, who came to the washroom, created a ruckus over it and subsequently, it snowballed into an argument.

Pandey then walked up to his BMW car and got the weapon from it.

Police said the security staff of the hotel told them that the accused and victims were partying at a nightclub in the hotel and had an argument over using the washroom.

A woman accompanying the accused abused the victims and called them "transgenders", a senior officer privy to the probe said.

It is suspected that both the parties involved were drunk at the time of the incident, he said.

"No PCR call was made by any of the parties or even by the hotel authorities. It is negligence on the part of the hotel as something major could have happened.

"We had written to the licensing branch about the hotel's negligence and they have issued a show-cause notice to the hotel," another officer privy to the probe said.

He said after the video went viral, police contacted the hotel authorities following which they lodged the complaint.

The police said it had issued a Look-Out Circular (LOC) for Pandey and also contacted their Uttar Pradesh counterparts.

The Delhi Police said an FIR has been registered under the Arms Act and sections of the IPC, including those related to causing hurt (323), criminal intimidation (506) and using force with the intent to outrage the modesty of a woman (354).

Initially, the case was registered under the Arms Act and the sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) were added later, police said.

"The police have registered a case. We are coordinating with the Uttar Pradesh Police and teams are looking out for him," Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Ajay Chaudhary said.

"We have added the relevant sections based on the video. An LOC has been opened up for him. Checkposts along the UP-Nepal border have been put on an alert and LOCs have been isued at all airports across the country," he said.

"No complaint was lodged by the victim and the hotel staff the same day. There is negligence on the part of the victim, hotel authorities and the accused," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India attracted $22 billion of flows in the first half of 2018, according to a UN report which states that the global dropped by 41 per cent in the same period due to tax reforms carried out by the Trump administration.

The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said on Monday in its 'Investment Trends Monitor' report that in South Asia, India attracted $22 billion of (foreign direct investment) flows, contributing to the subregion's 13 per cent rise in in the first half of the year.

The report, however, said that with the $22 billion FDI, India just about managed to make it to the top 10 host economies receiving the most FDI during the period.

China was the largest recipient of FDI, attracting an estimated $70 billion in inflows in the first half of the year, followed by the UK with $65.5 billion, the US with $46.5 billion, The Netherlands at $44.8 billion, Australia with $36.1 billion, Singapore got $34.7 billion and Brazil received $25.5 billion, it said.

Global fell by 41 per cent in the first half of 2018, to an estimated $470 billion from $794 billion in the same period of 2017, mainly due to large repatriations by the US parent companies of accumulated foreign earnings from their affiliates aboard following tax reforms, the report said.

Overall, the global financial picture is "gloomy", said James Zhan, UNCTAD's Director, Division on Investment and Enterprise.

The decline in global FDI is mainly owing to recent tax reforms implemented by US President Donald Trump's administration that led to big firms in the US to bring home earnings from abroad principally from Western European countries.

Other factors have contributed to this year's "huge difference in repatriation" of overseas profits by US multinationals, Zhan said.

These include uncertainty about the detail and impact of tax reform and the potential impact of unresolved international trade disputes; such as the tit-for-tat tariffs imposed by the US and China, Zhan added.

In contrast to the overall decline in foreign investment, the report highlights a 42 per cent increase in so-called "greenfield" projects to $454 billion.

These initiatives can involve building operations in a foreign country from scratch and they are seen an indicator of future trends, Zhan said, adding that investment in this sector had been at "relatively low levels" in the same period last year.

The report noted that while the fall in had happened mainly in richer nations, including Ireland (down $81 billion) and Switzerland (down $77 billion), developing economies saw FDI flows declining "only slightly" in the first half of the year by four per cent to $310 billion compared with 2017.

This includes developing Asia - down four per cent - to $220 billion - in the same period, driven mostly by a 16 per cent decline in investment in East Asia.

Latin America and the Caribbean saw a six per cent drop in investment, amid uncertainty over upcoming elections that were offset by higher commodity prices, the report said.For the first time, India and China will sign an internal security cooperation agreement next week, marking a new beginning in bilateral relations, officials said Tuesday.

Zhao Kezhi, China's Minister of Public Security, will visit India on October 22 and hold meetings with Home Minister Rajnath Singh during which they will discuss various aspects of security cooperation between the two countries.

During the visit of the Chinese leader, an agreement on internal security cooperation between the two countries will be signed, a home ministry official told PTI.

The proposed pact is expected to cover areas of intelligence sharing, exchange programme, sharing of best practices, cooperation in disaster mitigation besides others, an official said.

The move comes just a year after a two-month-long border stand-off between the India Army and the China's People's Liberation Army at Doklam on the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held an informal summit in Wuhan, China, in April this year which helped repair bilateral ties.

A Chinese delegation met an Indian team on August 28 to hold discussions on the forthcoming visit of the Chinese Minister of Public Security and the proposed pact on security cooperation between the two countries, the official said.

This will be the first such agreement between the authorities of India and China which look after internal security of the respective countries, the official said.

While Singh is the head of eight central armed police forces with a combined strength of about 10 lakh personnel, Zhao is responsible for day-to-day law enforcement in China and commands about 19 lakh personnel.

The scheduled meeting may lead to a future India-China agreement on exchange of sentenced prisoners, another official said.

Currently, India does not have an extradition treaty with China, nor a pact to exchange each other's sentenced prisoners.

There are at least 10 Indians in Chinese prisons and an equal number of Chinese citizens in Indian prisons.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India has a "comparative advantage" over China in building connectivity projects and trade corridors in Africa due to its compatibility and proximity to the continent, Tanzanian Foreign Minister Augustine Mahiga said Tuesday.

Delivering a lecture at a prominent think tank, the minister, however, added that "there is room for everyone" in Africa.

Earlier in the day, he held wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj focussing on stepping up cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security and oil gas sectors among others.

In his address, Mahiga said usage of the term 'Indo-Pacific' is a recognition of India's pivotal role in establishing trading regimes and rules-based maritime freedom of navigation, and noted that Africa "counts" on India to play a very important part strategically and politically for the same.

Responding to a question on connectivity projects by China in Africa, Mahiga said the Chinese model of investment is about not just creating infrastructure for the countries in the continent, but also for investors from its country.

"The Chinese are subsidising the construction of these infrastructure requirements to enable the Chinese investors to come," Mahiga said in response to a question after his lecture here on the 'India-Africa Relations--The Tanzania Perspective'.

He said the Chinese were "outdating" certain "sunset" industries and moving towards high gear industrialisation to make machines which manufacture machines.

"They are phasing out, whether it is textile or household goods, and they are looking for opportunities where this can be off-loaded to developing countries," he said.

Referring to Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting that took place last month, he said Beijing invited 53 countries and each country had a project. He said there were USD 60 billion to be invested in these countries.

Amid increasing Chinese influence over the mineral and hydro-carbon rich Africa, India too has intensified its efforts to strengthen ties with the continent.

India has extended Line of Credit worth millions of dollars in varied areas to the African countries.

"But I think the traditional countries like India have a comparative advantage in developing the trade connectivity with Africa because of the historical connections that exist and because of the geo-political reality that exists. India is very close to Africa. The other countries are very far from us.

"Let's use those comparative advantages. When I say this complementarities and compatibilities, it was also to mean the economic opportunities that need to be exploited," he said.

On the comparative advantages, he said, a Chinese investor is "relatively new" to the African market, compared to an Indian investor as India is culturally closer to Africans.

"And I think, that is where the compatibility and comparative advantage India has over the Chinese. There is a room for everyone in Africa. In fact, so much room, you just have to be creative," he added.

He also called the Indian diaspora in his country a "mentor" to indigenous private sector.

Mahiga said India is a "pivot" in the Indo-Pacific region and it has "played a critical role in creating a conducive maritime regime" for a rules-based freedom of navigation.

"We in Africa count on India to play a very important part strategically, but also politically. This is what is assigned to you or is being assigned to you.... So even the Americans, Japanese, and even the Chinese are recognising this the pivotal role of India in the strategic set up of maritime navigation and freedom of (navigation)," he said.

Following the talks between Mahiga and Swaraj, India and Tanzania also inked two MoUs.

These pacts were between India's Foreign Service Institute (FSI) and Tanzania's Centre for Foreign Relations and National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) and Tanzania Industrial Research & Development Corporation, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Vegetable oils' import fell two per cent to 14.91 lakh tonne (LT) in September due to rupee depreciation and higher custom duty, according to edible oil industry body SEA.

Total imports of vegetable oils were also down 3.5 per cent to 137.69 LT during November-September period of the 2017-18 oil year from 142.72 LT in the year-ago period, it said in a statement.

Oil year runs from November to October.

"The September vegetable oil imports declined marginally because of weak rupee and higher customs duty," Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) Executive Director B V Mehta said.

As per the SEA data, import of edible oil fell to 14.22 LT in September from 15.01 LT in the year-ago period, but the shipments of non-edible oils rose to 69,171 tonne from 17,994 tonne during the review period.

The country imported 2,44,577 tonne of RBD palmolein, 6,65,110 tonne of crude palm oil, 8,988 tonne of crude palm kernel oil in September this year.

It also imported 3,41,402 tonne of soyabean oil, 1,49,930 tonne of sunflower oil and 11,996 tonne of rapeseed oil in the said period.

The share of palm oil is more than 60 per cent of the country's total vegetable oil imports.

India imports palm oil mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia, and a small quantity of crude soft oil, including soyabean oil from Latin America. Sunflower oil is imported from Ukraine and Russia.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday agreed to deepen their defence cooperation in a range of areas including military-to-military exchanges, training of personnel and defence production, officials said.

The decision was taken during talks between Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the UAE's Minister of State for Defence Affairs Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi Al Falacy.

The defence ministry said the ministers undertook a review of bilateral defence cooperation and deliberated upon measures to further enhance bilateral exchanges.

"They recognized that deeper bilateral defence cooperation has been emphasized by the leadership of both countries as a central element in the expanded India and UAE strategic partnership," it said in a statement.

Officials said two sides discussed a range of issues and decided to enhance cooperation in areas of military-to military exchanges, training and tie-ups between defence industries of the two countries.

The UAE minister will visit Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) at Bengaluru on Wednesday.

The ties between India and the UAE are on an upswing.

In January last year, the two countries signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with an aim to deepen defence and security cooperation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the UAE in August 2015, while Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had come to New Delhi in February 2016 and in January last year.

The volume of two-way annual trade between the two countries is around USD 53 billion. The UAE is India's third largest trading partner. For the UAE, India has been the largest trading partner.

The UAE is among the top investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments. It contributes significantly to India's energy security and was the fifth-largest supplier of crude oil to India in 2016-17.

About 2.6 million-strong and vibrant Indian community forms the largest expatriate group in the UAE.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The US and India have a goal of denying Iran the money it needs to destabilise the Middle East, a top American official said after his visit to New Delhi for talks over slashing India's Iranian oil imports ahead of the November 4 deadline.

President Donald Trump in May pulled the US out of the 2015 nuclear accord, saying it had "failed to achieve the fundamental objective of blocking all paths to an Iranian nuclear bomb" and did not deal with Tehran's "malign activities, including its ballistic missile programme and its support for terrorism".

In an attempt to compel Iran to agree to a new accord, Trump reinstated sanctions that targeted the Iranian government's purchase of US dollars, Iran's trade in gold and other precious metals, and its automotive sector.

On November 4, a second batch of potentially more crippling sanctions will be re-imposed on Iran's oil and shipping sectors as well as its central bank. The US has asked buyers of Iranian oil to cut imports to zero starting in November.

Describing the meetings with the Indian officials on the Iranian oil purchase issue as good, the Special US envoy on Iran, Brian Hook, however refrained from giving details of his discussions.

"On the India meetings, I also met with the Indian delegation to the UN during, I mean in New York during the UN General Assembly. I continued those discussions in Delhi, very good meetings. And I can't get into specifics in terms of the nature of that discussion, Hook told reporters in Brussels following his India visit.

"But what I can say is we are, we do have a goal of denying Iran the money that it needs, and we find that there's a lot, I mean, to kind of destabilize the Middle East," he said in response to a question.

"We continue to find that many countries including India share our concerns, especially the non-proliferation concerns. And the sunset clauses for the United States are of paramount concern, and it's something that needs to be addressed," Hook said.

In public policy, a sunset provision or clause is a measure within a statute, regulation or other law that provides that the law shall cease to have effect after a specific date, unless further legislative action is taken to extend the law.

The top American envoy opposed the creation of a special purpose vehicles by the Europeans for the oil purchase so as to avoid US sanctions.

"With respect to the Special Purpose Vehicle, Secretary of State Pompeo said that that vehicle sends the wrong message at the wrong time. We believe that the US and the EU should be working together to find enduring solutions that truly support the Iranian people, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Indian businesses need to follow ethical corporate practices and behaviour for economic growth as few examples are spoiling the image of the industry, Vice President said Tuesday.

Addressing members of industry body Assocham, Naidu said that the chambers have the responsibility to promote ethical governance.

"This is the point I want to stress today. This is the need of the hour," he said, adding that with opening up of the economy and improvement in ease of doing business, people are expecting ethical conduct and behaviour.

"Industry also has the responsibility particularly in view of some black sheeps here and there, doing some mischief, doing some thing here, looting here and then going out of the country, avoiding the law. So, that has sent a very wrong message. May be (there are ) few examples, but few examples are spoiling the entire image of the industry, which has done a great service to the country. So, ethical governance is important," he said.



ALSO READ: Venkaiah Naidu expunges remarks made by PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

The vice president said that following ethical behaviour is simple as it only includes tax compliance, corporate social responsibility, and taking care of the members to follow rules and regulations.

He said that amid various reforms in the country, business and economy are growing, and in this background, the industry needs to follow it up with ethical governance and behaviour.

Adoption of ethical behaviour as an individual and organisation is essential towards adopting "zero tolerance towards corruption, bribery, and frauds", he said adding that organisation should create an environment for whistle blowers to report any wrong doing without any fear.

"Total tax compliance should be the motto of every corporate, and bodies like should sensitise its members on this aspect, so that we can have... clean money and clean sleep," he added.

Naidu also said that in all the international forums, all countries must sign the treaties for extradition of fugitives.

All countries must come forward to exchange information and sign extradition treaties, he said, adding that in the absence of these treaties people commit misdeed and run away, and then to get them back, a lot of time and energy get wasted.

He said that three things are very important -- climate change on which countries are working; exchange of information about economic offenders and black money; and extradition of economic offenders.

"This is the need of the hour in the happenings of the recent past," the vice-president said.



The government has passed a law this year that seeks to prevent big economic offenders such as and from fleeing the country and evading the legal process.

Talking about the pro-business debate, he said that some people have raised concerns if people are invited in an industry function, but "is there anybody who is against business? Business is part of the growth story of the country".

Both, agriculture and business are important as "unless you improve the economy, you will not be able to improve your welfare agenda," he said.

The industry plays an important role in the nation building and keeping that in mind, government should always interact with industry and they should meet government and place ideas and suggestion for improvements, Naidu said.

On terrorism, the vice president said that it is the enemy of humanity and globally people should come forward to tackle this menace as it would kill development.



"Our neighbour is aiding, abetting, funding and training terrorists and then saying we want to talk, what you want to talk... India has (always) been talking," Naidu said.

He said globalisation and liberalisation is throwing up challenges for industry and in this hour, corporates have to reinvent and reposition themselves in not only promoting trade and commerce but also facing these challenges.

The vice president said that implementation of the (GST) and demonetisation have helped in expansion of formal economy and increasing tax compliance.

With financial inclusion drive, the government opened crores of bank accounts of poor people.

"Now, it is the duty of the RBI and Income Tax (Department) to verify the accounts (whether the money deposited is) accounted or un-accounted," he said.

The vice president said some people are criticising that due to demonetisation, all money has returned to banks, then what is the meaning of this reform.

"I am trying to understand and analyse why people are talking (like) this. According to me the purpose of the demonetisation was to see that the entire money comes back to bank. Now, the money has returned to banks with address. What is the problem...Now you have to verify and identify how much is accounted and how much is unaccounted," he added.

About GST, he said, some people criticise asking where are the results of the reform.

He said due to the GST, income tax returns have gone up considerably and no body can deny that fact and also tax rates have come down.

Further, Naidu also expressed concerns over rape incidents in the country.

"These are horrible stories," he said, adding that there is a need for mind set change as formulating laws for everything would not help.

"There is a fascination for some people. Whenever something happen...(they will say) bring a law. It will not suffice... What is required is political will, administrative skill and then kill this social evil. You have to change the mind set of people," he emphasised.An Indian-origin man has been sentenced to eight years in jail by a UK court for handling of 19 stolen high-value vehicles worth over 7,00,000 pounds.

Chirag Patel, 39, was found guilty of conspiracy to handle stolen goods and possession of criminal property at the end of a five-week trial at Croydon Crown Court last Friday.

"Patel played the leading role in a sophisticated operation to handle high-value, stolen vehicles, motivated only by sheer greed," said Acting Detective Sergeant Billy Clough, who led the investigation for the Metropolitan Police.

"He even attempted to convince the jury that he was a legitimate businessman, who had simply been unlucky in obtaining such a vast quantity of stolen items, but the jury saw through this and convicted him of being the key player in a significant criminal enterprise," he said.

Patel was jailed for conspiracy to handle stolen goods in relation to the cars and keys, for which he received eight years' imprisonment.

He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for possessing criminal property and in relation to over 440,000 pounds of unexplained cash deposits which had been identified from two personal bank accounts in his name



Both the sentences will run concurrently.

"I hope this sentence sends a message that those involved in this type of organised criminality will be pursued robustly," the Met Police said.

The court was told that in February 2015, Patel reported to police that his Porsche had been stolen.

At first, Patel resisted giving his home address, instead providing details of his parent's address.

When he finally gave his own address, officers attended the property as part of their investigation into the stolen car.

Here they discovered a number of high-value vehicles in the basement car park. Officers identified that one of cars had a personalised number plate identical to one seen earlier on a vehicle outside Patel's parent's address.

Further inquiries by officers established that the five vehicles in the car park had false number plates and all were later confirmed to have been stolen.

Patel was arrested at his home address soon after.

During a search of his property, Met Police officers recovered 26 sets of car keys, as well as lists of vehicles and registrations, machines for accessing on-board computers in vehicles, programming keys and a number of mobile phones, tablets and laptops.

Following a detailed investigation, led by officers from Croydon's Serious Acquisitive Crime Unit, a total of 19 stolen vehicles with an estimated value of 728,000 pounds were linked to Patel and subsequently seized, as well as nine sets of keys which had been stolen from Jaguar Land Rover's plant in Solihull, West Midlands, and a laptop stolen during a burglary in Streatham area of south London.

During the trial, judge H H J Gower praised the work of the Scotland Yard officer, Police Constable Andy Garland, whose work identified the first stolen vehicle.

The judge said: "It was his sharp eyes and investigative nose and approach which first spotted a stolen vehicle and set this investigation in motion and he receives my formal commendation."



The police later discovered that Patel had been using the vehicles in the running of an "off-the-books" vehicle rental business, where vehicles were rented out to his associates and contacts.

The vehicles had been stolen by unknown individuals during burglaries and keyless thefts across London between October 2012 and January 2015 and were stored at or near addresses owned by Patel and his family, or with associates who looked after the vehicles for him or rented them from him.

The identities of the cars were concealed using legitimate insurance details of vehicles which had been written off on official records.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The India's second-largest software services exporter Infosys Tuesday posted a better-than-expected 10.3 per cent net profit growth in the second quarter after margins were boosted by large deal wins and reiterated its revenue forecast for full year.

Net profit in July-September rose to Rs 4,110 crore, or Rs 9.45 per share, from Rs 3,726 crore, or Rs 8.15 a share, a year ago, the company said in a statement. Revenue from operations grew 17.3 per cent to Rs 20,609 crore.

Infosys lifted the number of USD 100 million-plus clients to 23 from 19 in the previous quarter and said it stands by the previously projected 6-8 per cent revenue growth in constant currency terms for the full year ending March 31, 2019.

"We are delighted with our broad-based growth across all business segments and geographies during the quarter. This is a testimony to our strong client relationships, digital led full-service capabilities, and intense focus on the needs of our clients," said chief executive Salil Parekh.

He said there is a strong demand outlook backed by good fundamentals in the US and Continental Europe, so the company has a "fairly comfortable outlook, both in demand and revenue".

"Large deal wins at over USD 2 billion during the quarter demonstrate our increased client relevance and also give us better growth visibility for the near-term," he added.

Infosys said it would comply with the arbitration award that asked it to pay the company's former chief financial officer Rajiv Bansal Rs 12.17 crore and would make the necessary payments.

Bansal had dragged the company to arbitration after payments on his over Rs 17 crore severance, were halted. The firm had filed a counterclaim against Bansal asking for the refund of the previously paid severance of Rs 5.2 crore and other damages.

An arbitration tribunal headed by Justice (retd) R V Raveendran had ruled in favour of Bansal. "The company has received a legal advice and will comply with the award and make the necessary payments," the company said Tuesday.

Revenue from the digital services vertical jumped to 31 per cent during the quarter to USD 905 million. "We will continue to make strategic investments in digital to leverage opportunities and at the at the same time keep sharp focus on key operational efficiency parameters," CFO M D Ranganath said, adding Infosys had seen "blockbuster financial and operational performance" in the just-ended quarter.

The results were announced after market hours. The Infosys shares closed marginally lower at Rs 696.40 a share on BSE, while the broader market was up 0.7 per cent.

Sanjeev Hota, AVP Research at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, said Infosys had delivered "better than expected numbers on topline and bottomline front for Q2, though margins performance missed the mark".

Infosys has seen a broad-based growth across all business segments and geographies during the quarter with many of the sectors expanding at over 10 per cent year-on-year. In dollar terms, Infosys saw its net profit increase marginally to USD 581 million in September quarter, while revenues at USD 2.92 billion marked a 7.1 per cent year-on-year growth.

The company has declared an interim dividend of Rs 7 per share.

Infosys added 19,721 (gross) and 7,834 (net) people during the September quarter, taking the total headcount to 2,17,739. Attrition (annualised consolidated) was at 22.2 per cent.

"We have had another quarter of solid operating parameters with utilisation being stable and offshore mix improving to an all-time high," said COO U B Pravin Rao. "Our digital services grew double digits sequentially, while growth in top clients was also robust.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Police Tuesday claimed to have busted an international drug cartel being operated from Mumbai with the arrest of a Nigerian who was allegedly found in possession of cocaine and ephedrine worth nearly Rs 18 lakh.

The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the police arrested a 36-year-old Nigerian, John Kennedy, allegedly linked to the cartel, an official said.

Kennedy, who stays at Ulwe in adjoining Navi Mumbai, was caught at Andheri in western suburbs with 125 gm of cocaine worth Rs 12.5 lakh and 5.4 kg ephedrine valued at Rs 5.4 lakh, he said.

He is a member of an international drugs cartel which was operating out of Mumbai, said Shivdeep Lande, Deputy Commissioner of Police (ANC).

Kennedy was actively involved in supplying ephedrine, a controlled drug substance in India, to South Africa, he said.

"We have registered a case under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act," Lande said.

Meanwhile, in separate cases, two suspected drug peddlers were arrested with heroin and pseudoephedrine by the Ghatkopar unit of the ANC, the official said.

One of them, Manzaar Din Mohd Shaikh (43), was nabbed with 89 gm heroin worth Rs 8.90 lakh from Govandi in eastern suburbs, he said.

The second drug peddler, Yasin Shaikh (36), was held with 2 kg pseudoephedrine worth Rs 3 lakh, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Tuesday asked Minister for Human Resource Development to ensure that studies of Kashmiri students at the are not disrupted.

The governor spoke to the HRD minister and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Vice-Chancellor Tariq Mansoor in this regard, an official spokesman said.

Malik urged them to ensure that the issue is resolved at the earliest and there is no disruption of studies of the Kashmiri students and they are allowed to continue their studies in a safe and secure academic environment, the spokesman added.

The governor's move comes in the wake authorities suspending two Kashmir students for offering funeral prayers in absentia for slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Manaan Bashir Wani.

Wani was a PhD scholar at till January, before he joined the militant ranks. He was killed in an encounter with security forces on October 11.Veteran BJP leader Jaswant Singh's son and MLA Manvendra Singh will join the Congress on Wednesday, ahead of the assembly polls in Rajasthan in December.

Singh (54), who won Barmer's Sheo constituency as the BJP candidate in 2013 assembly elections, had announced at a rally last month that he is leaving the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Kamal ka Phool Badi Bhool', he had said then, claiming that going with the BJP's election symbol, the lotus, was a big mistake.

Congress leaders claimed his move will help bring Rajput votes to the party-fold while the BJP said the MLA's politically wrong decision will have no impact on the ruling party.

Manvendra Singh will join the Congress tomorrow in Delhi in the presence of party president Rahul Gandhi, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot told PTI Tuesday.

There is a long list of leaders quitting the BJP and the party should introspect why this is happening, he said. We are welcoming Manvendra Singh and this will strengthen the party.

He added the party will ensure his active participation in the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

Rajasthan's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Rathore claimed Singh's decision is a political misstep and he should have thought before switching sides.

The Congress is helpless. Therefore it is adopting sidelined BJP leaders. It is his personal decision but this is a politically wrong decision. He is not going to get anything with this, Rathore told reporters at Ranakpur in Pali.

As for the Rajput votes, Rathore said the community has traditionally voted for the BJP.

There will be no impact of this as the Rajput votes will remain with the BJP only, he said.

Fateh Khan, the president of the Barmer unit of the Congress, said the Rajputs are not happy with the Vasundhara Raje government in Rajasthan.

The Congress party is going to gain when Manvendra joins Congress, he said.

In western Rajasthan, the Rajput vote is often considered a deciding factor on many seats.

The Congress is also hoping to get the support of communities like the Rajpurohits, Charans and Prajapats with Singh joining the party.

Manvendra Singh won Barmer's Sheo assembly constituency in 2013 with a margin of 31,425 votes.

His father Jaswant Singh, who is in coma for the last four years, was denied ticket by the BJP from the Barmer-Jaisalmer constituency in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

He then contested elections as an independent and lost the seat to BJP's Sonaram, who had joined the party after switching from the Congress.

There was resentment among Jaswant Singh supporters over the denial of the BJP ticket for the veteran, and they blamed Vasundhara Raje for this.

These supporters had then rallied around his son Manvendra Singh, calling it an issue of swabhiman' or self-respect.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Wrestler-actor John Cena is in negotiations to lead the cast of Paramount Pictures' new comedy "Playing With Fire".

The film will be produced by Todd Garner and Sean Robins of Broken Road Productions, according to Variety.

The studio has roped in Matt Lieberman to rewrite the spec script it bought from Dan Ewen in February this year.

The story follows a group of rugged wildfire fighters who meet their match when they rescue a trio of rambunctious children.

Cena, 41, most recently featured in comedy "Blockers", alongside Leslie Mann and Ike Barinholtz.

He is currently awaiting the release of Paramount's "Bumblebee", opposite Hailee Steinfeld.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Kerala Tuesday waited with bated breath for the opening of the gates of tomorrow, the first time since the Supreme Court allowed women of all age groups to enter the shrine, under the shadow of ominous warnings of "mass suicides" and threats of disruption.

The last gasp effort by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the temple, to defuse the situation came to nought with the Pandalam royal family and other stakeholders walking out of a meeting called by it over its reluctance to discuss the issue of filing a review petition against the apex court order.

Meanwhile, hundreds of women devotees of Lord Ayyappa, the eternally celibate deity of Sabarimala, picketed the road to the hill shrine and prevented women they suspected were of menstrual age from proceeding to the shrine some 20 km away.

Lustily chanting "Swamiya Saranam Ayyappa" hailing the Lord, the devotees checked buses and private vehicles for girls and women of the "banned" age group and forced them to abandon their journey.



Among those was a woman journalist Ritu, who claimed she was heading for the temple on assignment and had no intention of entering the shrine, something that could have offended the religious sensibilities of Ayyappa devotees.

"No woman belonging to the banned age group of 10-50 will be allowed to travel further from Nilackal and offer prayers at the shrine when it opens for the monthly pooja tomorrow evening," asserted a woman protester as tempers ran high at Nilackal, the gateway to Sabrimala.

A small police contingent looked the other way.

Television channels showed some college students, including young girls wearing black dresses, being ordered to get down a bus.



ALSO READ: Tension mounts as devotees stop women from entering Sabarimala

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, facing a tough time tackling the highly emotive religious issue which has also acquired political overtones, issued a stern warning to those who dared block devotees from entering the temple.

"We will ensure security to all. Nobody will be allowed to take law into their hands. My government will not allow any violence in the name of Sabarimala," he told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram as followers of Lord Ayyappa virtually besieged Nilackal, about 225 km from the state capital.



"Stern action will be taken against anyone who prevents devotees from going to Sabarimala," he warned, and ruled out any rethink of his government's decision against seeking a review of the Supreme Court order.

"We will go by what the Supreme Court says," he asserted.

The Travancore Devaswon Board (TDB), meanwhile, went into a huddle with stakeholders, including the Pandalam royal family representatives and priests, to soothe frayed tempers amid escalating protests by the Hindu right and common Ayyappa devotees. There was, however, no breakthrough.

The meeting also attended by Ayyappa Seva Samajam and Yoga Kshema Sabha ended in a deadlock as the TDB stuck to its stand of not filing a review petition.

"It is very painful and we cannot agree. We wanted a decision on filing the review petition to be taken today itself, but the board said it can be discussed only at the next meeting of TDB on October 19," Shashikumar Varma, a member of the Pandalam royal family said.

"We all wish that Sabarimala should not be made a war zone," Varma, the president of Pandalam Royal Palace Trust, told journalists after walking out of the meeting in a huff.

TDB president A Padmakumar, however, dismissed suggestions that the meeting was a "failure".

"What they (stakeholders) wanted was to file the review petition now itself. But the Supreme Court is closed till October 22. They also wanted to maintain the status quo on the customs and traditions.

"As the Supreme Court has passed a verdict, what can the board do? But the board will continue to talk with them to resolve the issue," Padmakumar said. He said the October 19 meeting will take up the issue of the review petition.

Kerala has witnessed a series of protests and prayer marches over the last few days over the government's decision to enforce the Supreme Court order.

The Shiv Sena recently warned of "mass suicides" if women of menstrual age were allowed into the temple. Some other organisations have said women and girls aged between 10 and 50 years will have to tread on them before entering the temple.

Actor-turned-BJP politician Kollam Thulashi went to the entent of saying women of "banned age" visiting the shrine should be "ripped apart".

Even though Kerala is on edge a day before the temple gates open, some intrepid women like Reshma Nishanth, a 32- year-old Kannur native, has decided to offer prayers there despite being "slut-shamed".

Claiming she is an ardent Ayyappa devotee, she said she had started the 41-day 'vrata' (penance) to trek to the forest temple during the annual pilgrimage season beginning Wednesday. She wears the 'bead chain' and locket with the image of Lord Ayyappa as part of the customary rituals before proceeding to Sabarimala.

"A large number of people have extended support for my decision to visit the shrine. But slut-shaming and body shaming are also going on," she said Monday.

Bindhu, a young homemaker from Kozhikode also plans to visit the shrine with 30 other women during the three-month- long Mandala-Makaravilakku season.

The TDB, meanwhile, covered a signboard at the base camp in Pamba which said the entry of women of menstrual age into the temple was prohibited.

The multi-lingual board reading "Women between 10-50 are not allowed to visit Sannidhanam (Sabarimala temple)" was covered in the evening with a plastic banner that said: "Use of plastic is prohibited here".The 108-carat diamond was "surrendered" by the Maharaja of Lahore to the Queen of England and "not handed over" to the British nearly 170 years ago, according to an RTI reply.

The information was given by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in response to a query by a Ludhiana-based activist, as to whether the precious gem was a gift to the British or its possession was transferred for some other reason.

Incidentally, the written response from ASI, dated October 10, is divergent from the Centre's version in the Supreme Court in April 2016.

The diamond, estimated to cost over $ 200 million, was neither stolen nor "forcibly" taken by British rulers but given to East India Company by erstwhile rulers of Punjab, the government had told the apex court.

Rohit Sabharwal Tuesday said he had filed an RTI query about a month ago, seeking the answer from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). "I did not know that the query was forwarded to the ASI, which eventually responded to the query."



"As per the records kept in the Archives of India, New Delhi... the Lahore treaty held between Lord Dalhousie and Maharaja Duleep Singh in 1849, diamond was surrendered by the Maharaja of Lahore to the Queen of England," according to the reply.

Kohinoor, which means 'Mountain of Light', is a large, colourless diamond that was found in Southern India in early 14th century. The precious gem, which came into British hands during the colonial era, is the subject of a historic ownership dispute and claimed by at least four countries, including India.

The reply gives an extract of the treaty which reads, "The gem called Kohinoor which was taken from the Shah-Suja-Ul-Mulk by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh shall be surrendered by the Maharaja of Lahore to the Queen of England."



According to the reply, the content of the treaty indicates that "the Kohinoor was not handed over to the British on the wishes of Duleep Singh. Moreover, Duleep Singh was a minor at the time of the treaty".

Sabharwal said he had gone to England recently and "there I saw the Kohinoor in a museum, and the information that I was given was that, it was a gift.

"So, after returning to India, I decided to file the query to get the answer," he told PTI over phone from Ludhiana.

He said the response of the ASI and the Centre in 2016 are "contrary to each other" and therefore the centra government must look into it.

Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar in 2016 had told a bench headed by the then Chief Justice T S Thakur, "Kohinoor cannot said to be forcibly taken or stolen as it was given by the successors of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to the East India Company in 1849 as a compensation for helping them in the Sikh wars".The Law Ministry has endorsed a proposal of the Women and Child Development Ministry to remove the time limit for reporting child sexual abuse, WCD Minister Maneka Gandhi said Tuesday.

Maneka Gandhi had, on October 3, written to Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asking him to remove the time limit for reporting child sexual abuse and allow people to complain even "10-15 years later".

She told reporters that the Law Ministry has agreed to their proposal and endorses removal of time limit for reporting such crimes.

The further course would be soon decided, a senior WCD official said.

Under Section 468 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), any offence, including child abuse, which can lead to a prison term of three years has to be reported within three years of the incident.

According to Section 473 of the CrPC, a court may take cognisance of an older case if it is in the "interest of justice" or if the "delay has been properly explained". However, victims of child sexual abuse often face problems in registering an FIR once they are 18 years of age or more.

In her letter, Maneka Gandhi had urged the Law Minister that people should be allowed to lodge their complaint even "10-15 years later".

"It doesn't matter how much later. If you're going to complain, the avenue is open," she had earlier said.

"We are of the view that cases of child sexual abuse can be reported by the victim at any time and law enforcement agencies would be required to take appropriate actions on the complaint of such victim," she said in the letter.

Many children, the minister said, are unable to report such crimes as the perpetrator in most cases is either a family member, a relative or a closely known person.

"Studies have also shown that the child continues to carry the trauma of sexual abuse till very late in life," Maneka Gandhi wrote to Prasad.

She had earlier proposed that child sexual abuse victims be allowed to register complaints until they are 30.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)PC and mobile maker Lenovo plans to ramp up its smartphone production capacity up to 1 million units per month in 2019, a top official of the company said Tuesday.

"We make mobile phones in India at our partners factory. At present we have production capacity of 100,000 per month which we plan to increase in the range of 500,000 to 1 million units per month by the end of 2019," Lenovo Group Vice President Edward Chang told PTI.

The capacity expansion does not include volume of Motorola phones -- a brand which is owned by Lenovo.

The company has entered into an exclusive partnership with e-commerce platform Flipkart to sell its phone in India.

The company launched three smartphones in sub-Rs 10,000 price segment -Lenovo K9 for 8,999 and two model of Lenovo A5 for 5,999 and Rs 6,999 a unit at an event today.

"We have partnered exclusively with Flipkart because the share of online and offline market will be equal in India by 2020. This means it is 60-70 million units business opportunity every year," Chang said.

Lenovo with its another brand Motorola was once among the top three smartphone sellers in India. Its share, however, slipped to 6 per cent in the last quarter of 2017 from 9 per cent in the first quarter of 2017.

Chang said that the company now wants to focus on brand experience rather than market share.

"We are now looking to move towards Smart Internet-of-things. Lenovo will combine PC portfolio with smartphone and some wearable for smart IoT. In the first quarter of 2019 we will bring our flagship phone in India. We are in discussion with Flipkart to customise it for Indian market," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Madras High Court Tuesday banned online sale of crackers till November 15 on a petition by a fireworks trader here who cited loss of business as well as safety concerns.

Justice S Vaidyanathan passed the interim order and issued notice to the deputy chief controller of explosives and the commissioners of the Chennai Police and the corporation.

Petitioner M Shaik Abdullah sought a direction to the respondents to consider his September 23 representation for issue of prohibitory orders restraining the retail sales of crackers through online.

The petitioner submitted that he was a member of the Chennai Metro Frireworks Dealers Association and had been selling crackers at the designated place notified by the licensing authorities for the past 15 years.

The 118-member association was committed to supporting the fireworks cottage industry in Sivakasi and surrounding villages, he said, adding that they were selling only indigenous crackers made by the cottage.

However, several other traders in the city were unlawfully selling crackers online and for the coming Diwali season they have started advertising about the websites through which orders can be placed, the petitioner said.

He claimed that due to "insensible lethargic attitude" of the deputy chief controller of explosives, Chennai, was causing huge loss to the indigenous cracker sellers.

The petitioner contended that online sale of crackers was against the explosives rules and guidelines.

Besides, it also posed severe threat to general public as the crackers were stocked, transported and delivered without any safety measures, he claimed.

He sought an interim direction directing the authorities to ban the online sales of crackers.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Maldives' top court rejected on Tuesday three "secret" witnesses offered by President Abdulla Yameen in his petition to have his September election defeat annulled, in what is likely a major blow to his case.

The refusal came as the Supreme Court concluded its hearings, which also saw Yameen allege disappearing ink was used on ballot papers, and said it would deliver its verdict at an unspecified later date.

Lawyers for Yameen, who was beaten in the election despite all his main rivals being in prison or in exile, had said the three unnamed witnesses would reveal how the vote was rigged.

The country's independent Elections Commission (EC) through its lawyers argued Yameen's petition was based on false allegations and should be dismissed.

Local media also reported four of the five election commissioners have fled the country and sought refuge in neighbouring Sri Lanka following death threats after Yameen lost the election.

Despite Yameen's main competitors being out of the way and the media in his pocket, he was beaten by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the joint candidate of the beleaguered opposition.

Under pressure from abroad, Yameen initially conceded defeat and said he would stand down on November 17, but then last week filed his petition -- and despite the threat of sanctions.

Yameen's lawyer Mohamed Saleem told the court that the printer of ballot papers of coating them with an unnamed substance that made votes marked in Yameen's box disappear.

Saleem said a "special pen with disappearing ink" was also given to people who were going to vote for his client.

Counting officials also allegedly carried secret pens, in the form of rings on their fingers, which they used to mark ballots for the opposition.

Opposition lawyer Hisan Hussain said the entire challenge was based on "pure conspiracy theories".

"Pen rings and disappearing ink are fanciful. The only thing missing from the case are magic carpets," she told reporters after the hearing concluded. She insisted that Yameen had not presented any "real evidence" to back his claims of vote rigging and fraud.

Ahead of the court hearing in the capital Male, the United States had warned "appropriat measures" would be taken if the will of the Maldivian people was undermined.

Europe and India have also issued similar warnings in the past.

The US and its allies have been concerned by growing Chinese influence in the strategically positioned Indian Ocean archipelago, especially under Yameen's authoritarian rule.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Nicole Kidman says she had married Tom Cruise for love and tying the knot with the actor inadvertently shielded her from being sexually harassed in Hollywood.

The 51-year-old actor, who was married to Cruise for 11 years, said after their divorce in 2001, she had to start looking after herself.

"Being married to Tom Cruise at 22 is something I'm always reluctant to talk about, because I'm married now to the man who is my great love (Keith Urban), and it almost feels disrespectful.

"That said, I got married very young, but it definitely wasn't power for me it was protection. I married for love, but being married to an extremely powerful man kept me from being sexually harassed. I would work, but I was still very much cocooned. So when I came out of it at 32, 33, it's almost like I had to grow up," Kidman told The Cut magazine.

She touched upon the spread of the #MeToo movement but asserted that she does not want to name and shame her harassers.

"Of course I've had #MeToo moments since I was little! But do I want to expose them in an article? No. Do they come out in my work? Absolutely. I'm open and raw.

"I want to have my well of experience and emotion tapped into, used and I'm not just talking about sexual harassment. I'm talking about loss, death, the full array of life. But it has to be by the right people so it's not abused again," Kidman said.

The actor revealed she is making a movie with Charlize Theron and Margot Robbie about Fox honcho Roger Ailes, who became an adviser to the Donald Trump campaign in 2016 after he resigned from the media outlet amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

Kidman is playing former Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson, who filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Amid speculation that he may soon be replaced, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said President Donald Trump told him he supports the retired Marine general "100 percent."



The assertion comes just days after Trump mused on national television about Mattis leaving his post.

Mattis said Trump gave him this assurance during a phone call while Mattis was flying from Washington to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Tuesday.

A few hours earlier, Mattis told reporters traveling with him that he and Trump had never discussed the possibility of Mattis leaving the Pentagon job.

Mattis initially was responding to reporters' questions about Trump's comments on CBS' "60 Minutes" Sunday that Mattis "may leave" his administration and that he thinks the retired Marine Corps general is "sort of a Democrat."



Asked what he made of Trump's comments, in which the president also said he likes Mattis and that eventually all appointees move on, Mattis said, "Nothing at all," adding, "We have never talked about me leaving."Later, Mattis approached reporters traveling with him to say he'd just spoken to Trump. He said he called the president aboard Air Force One to discuss damage to military bases caused by Hurricane Michael.

During that conversation, Trump asked Mattis whether he had seen the "60 Minutes" interview broadcast on Sunday. Mattis said he had not. Trump then expressed his full support for Mattis and suggested Mattis let the press know this.

By telling "60 Minutes" that he suspected Mattis is "sort of a Democrat," Trump seemed to suggest that he thinks Mattis is too moderate in his politics, although he did not say so directly or cite any area of disagreement with Mattis.

Whereas Trump has made a hardline policy on immigration a centerpiece of his agenda, Mattis has publicly cited the valuable contributions that non-citizen members of the military have made over the years. Mattis also is a staunch supporter of NATO, whereas Trump has questioned its value to America.

Mattis, who had never previously held a civilian position in government before he became defense secretary in January 2017, told reporters he has sought to carry out and reinforce Trump's military and national security policies without regard to partisanship. Those policies, he said, are now "reaping significant bipartisan support."



Asked directly whether he is a Democrat, Mattis said, "We're all built on our formative experiences. When I was 18 I joined the Marine Corps, and in the U.S. military we are proudly apolitical."



Asked if that meant he was not a registered member of either major political party, he replied, "I've never registered for any political party."



Presidents in recent decades have sometimes picked a member of the opposite party to head the Pentagon. President Bill Clinton's second-term defense secretary was William Cohen, a prominent Republican member of the Senate. And President Barack Obama's first Pentagon chief was Robert Gates, a Republican who had served as CIA director and defense secretary in Republican administrations.

The post of defense secretary is typically the least political in a president's Cabinet. That is because of the non-political tradition of the military and long-standing bipartisan support for U.S. military alliances such as NATO.

Mattis flew to Vietnam for his second visit this year to the country with which the U.S. fought a 10-year war. He told reporters the violent history between the two countries is a thing of the past.

"The legacy of the war has turned into actually a basis for defense cooperation," he said.

An example of this is a US-funded USD 390 million project to clean up war-era chemical contamination of the ground at an air base near Ho Chi Minh City.

Mattis planned to visit the base at Bien Hoa on Wednesday to see firsthand the area that is to be decontaminated in a 10-year project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Barrels of Agent Orange had been staged at Bien Hoa for U.S. use as a defoliant elsewhere in Vietnam, and when the U.S. decided to stop spraying Agent Orange, the remaining barrels of toxic liquid were collected and stored at Bien Hoa before being flown out of the country.

Mattis also plans to attend a regional meeting of defense ministers in Singapore later this week. He said he may meet there with his Chinese counterpart, even though Beijing had recently told Mattis that if he came to China his counterpart would not be available to meet.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Haryana government Tuesday said a pharma park will be established over 100 acres of land in Karnal.

Also, the state's Industries and Commerce Minister Vipul Goel said that Haryana Pharmaceutical Policy 2018 is being framed to facilitate pharmaceutical companies in the state. The minister was speaking at an event 'Stakeholder Consultation for Formulation of Pharma Policy, Haryana', here on Tuesday.

Representatives of various pharmaceutical companies of Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and other states attended the meeting organised by the Haryana Industries and Commerce Department, a state government release said.

Urging all stakeholders to invest in the pharmaceutical sector in Haryana, Goel said the pharma park would be established over 100 acres.

He said special concessions and rebates would be given to those setting up their companies in the pharmaceutical sector in Haryana.

Investment of about Rs 3,000 crore is expected to be made in this pharma park which would provide employment to about 33,000 persons, he said.

Goel said the aim of the state government to frame Haryana Pharmaceutical Policy 2018 is to simplify the working of pharma companies and provide maximum employment to youth in the state.

He said that Haryana is a leading state in terms of ensuring industrial development, developing industrial eco-system and providing facilities to the investors.

The Minister said that in 2015, when the Government of India had launched ranking for ease of doing business, Haryana was at 14th position.

"As a result of the measures taken by the present state government, now the State has reached at third position in terms of Ease of Doing Business, and a target has been set to reach the top in a short period," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Armed miscreants looted Rs 97,000 from a private finance company official at gunpoint in Bihar's Bhagalpur district Tuesday, police said.

The manager of the private finance company was on his way to deposit money collected from small depositors at the company's branch office at Naugachhia when three bike borne miscreants stopped him near Telghi Kalbaliya Dhar and snatched the bag containing the money at gunpoint, SHO of Kharik police station, Sudin Ram said.

An FIR has been lodged in this regard with Kharik police station, the SHO said adding that police have started investigation besides conducting raids to nab the culprits.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hand over keys of houses to some beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and interact with them at popular temple town Shirdi in Maharashtra on October 19, an official said Tuesday.

Modi will be present at the e-griha pravesh ceremony for 40,000 beneficiaries of the affordable housing scheme of the government, he said.

The prime minister will also participate in functions to mark the conclusion of the year-long Saibaba Samadhi centenary programme organised by the Sai temple trust.

Modi is also expected to perform ground breaking ceremony for some projects of the trust, including the new "darshan" queue shelter to be constructed in the Sai temple, the official said.

President Ram Nath Kovind was in Shirdi earlier this month to inaugurate the centenary programme.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde Tuesday claimed that the state government is spending Rs 2 crore to bring beneficiaries for the October 19 function.

The state government has allocated Rs 2 crore and given targets for its officers to identify and escort the beneficiaries to the event, Munde claimed.

"None of the government schemes are reaching the target group. So now they've opted for false promotion of the schemes, with elections approaching," he alleged.

"In fact, PMAY is merely the old Indira Awas Yojana combined with a few other schemes and rechristened. Its implementation has been such that they are having to search for beneficiaries now. Also given the drought situation, why are government funds being spent on such propaganda?" he said.

Munde said the Rural Development Department, headed by his estranged cousin Pankaja Munde, was spending government money to arrange food and travel of those attending the event and for putting up banners on buses.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Mongolia has invited Kim Jong Un to visit the nation's capital, which once hoped to host the historic summit between the North Korean leader and US President Donald Trump, an official said Tuesday.

The invitation comes amid expectations that Kim and Trump, who met in Singapore in June, will hold a second summit -- a time and location for which have yet to be determined.

According to Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga's office, the invitation was sent to Kim on October 10, though no specific date was proposed.

The North Korean leader can visit "whenever he feels convenient", an official from the president's office told AFP, confirming a report published Monday by North Korea's KCNA state service.

Mongolia had offered to host Trump and Kim for their landmark summit in June, but they ended up picking Singapore, where they agreed to a vaguely-worded statement on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

Trump said last week that three or four unspecified locations have been short-listed for their next meeting, but it would "probably" not be in Singapore again, and he did not give a date.

Kim's only other known foreign trips since taking power in 2011 was three visits to China this year.

He has also met South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the Demilitarized Zone separating their countries, where he momentarily crossed into Pyongyang's southern neighbour.

Mongolia, a democratic nation wedged between China and Russia, is one of the few countries that has normal relations with the authoritarian regime in North Korea.

The two countries celebrated 70 years of diplomatic ties this year.

Kim's grandfather, North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung, visited Mongolia when it was still a Soviet state in 1988.

In October 2013, Mongolia's then-president Tsakhia Elbegdorj visited Pyongyang and was the first head of state to meet with Kim since the North Korean leader succeed his late father, Kim Jong Il, two years prior.

Almost 1,200 North Koreans were living and working in Mongolia at the end of last year, before UN sanctions against Pyongyang required them to leave.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Tuesday hit out at the Madhya Pradesh government, accusing it of doing nothing but only marketing itself at a time when children are dying of malnutrition in the state.

On a campaign trail in Madhya Pradesh where the assembly polls will be held on November 28, Gandhi said the problems of malnutrition, farmers' distress and youth unemployment are plaguing the state.

The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government has "done nothing" to resolve these issues, he claimed.

Addressing a public meeting in Sheopur city, he said, "Here children are dying of malnourishment, but the BJP government is not doing anything worthwhile to check it. Rather, it is busy in marketing itself and advertising the chief minister with photographs."



"When children die, the chief minister doesn't do anything," the Congress leader alleged.

The state BJP government during its 15 years rule has not done anything for farmers and for the unemployed youths, the Amethi MP said.

"I will not give you false assurances. But I want to assure that if the Congress is voted to power in Madhya Pradesh, farmers' loans will be waived," he said.

Urging people to give a chance to the Congress, he said state party chief Kamal Nath has the experience and senior leader Jyotiraditya Scindia has the strength. "They both will work together for the Congress."



If the Congress forms a government in Madhya Pradesh, it will set up industries and food processing plants close to agricultural fields and the chief minister will work for the welfare of youth "for 18 hours out of 24 hours daily", he promised.

Earlier in the day, Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to the central Indian state, paid obeisance at a gurudwara in Gwalior.

He will also hold a roadshow in Morena district.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A man has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a schoolgirl on a foot overbridge at Mahim station last week, a railway police official said Tuesday.

Senior inspector Shailendra Dhiwar of Mumbai Central railway police station said that the incident happened on October 10 and the accused, identified as Paramjeet Singh (47) was arrested on October 13.

"At around 6:30 am on October 10, two girls were waiting on the FOB at Mahim station to go to school at Prabhadevi. The accused touched one of the girls inappropriately who later narrated the incident to a guardian who had come to drop them to school," the official said.

The girl's guardian took the girl to a doctor who in turn asked them to approach the police, he said.

"A case was registered under section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the IPC and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused was picked up after CCTV footage of the area was checked," Dhiwar said.

Singh, a divorcee who had arrived in the city a fortnight ago looking for a job, has been remanded in judicial custody, the official said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Les lunettes de marque ne sont pas ce qui manque dans les commerces. Il y en a de toutes les sortes dont les lunettes de []The four-phase polling for all 79 urban local bodies in Jammu and Kashmir ended Tuesday, recording an overall 35.1 per cent voter turnout in the state.

The turnout for the final phase of elections, which was held only for two municipal bodies in Kashmir, remained low as usual at 4.2 per cent.

"The overall voting percentage for the urban local bodies of the state was 35.1 per cent," said an election department official, adding the turnout for the final phase, held only for two municipal bodies in valley was 4.2 percent.

A total of 35.1 percent people, numbering around 5.97 lakh out of nearly 17 lakh voters exercised their franchise during the entire four-phase electoral process, held amid tight security with even candidates' identities having been kept secret due to militant threats.

While the valley voters largely gave a cold shoulder to the polls, boycotted by the two major regional players NC and PDP, Jammu and Ladakh regions saw massive participation of people in the poll process.

The counting of votes will be held on October 20.

According to election officials, the first phase of polling for civic bodies on October 8 recorded 65 percent voter turnout in Jammu division and 62.1 per cent in Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh. The valley, however saw a meagre 8.2 per cent electorates casting their votes that day.

In the second phase of polling held on 10 October, Jammu division civic bodies went one notch higher, clocking a poll percentage of 78.6 per cent but the municipal bodies in Kashmir registered a measly 3.4 per cent turnout.

The third phase was almost a repeat of the second one with Jammu division registering 81.4 per cent turnout against a paltry 3.5 per cent poll percentage in Kashmir.

The valley witnessed no signs of electioneering in run up to the polls as militant outfits had threatened to target those taking part in the elections in any form while separatist groups like Hurriyat Conference had called for a boycott.

The election authorities kept secret even the identities of the contesting candidates owing to the security threat to them, prompting political parties, which were against the conduct of polls in the present circumstances, to question the authenticity of the process.

The killing of two National Conference workers just three days ahead of the first phase of polling forced many candidates to either withdraw their nominations or make public their dissociation with the poll process through social media.

Of the 598 wards in Kashmir, 231 candidates were elected unopposed while there were no candidates on 181 wards.

Barring some minor incidents of stone pelting, the polling in all the four phases of polling passed off peacefully.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday took potshots at Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, saying the latter was trying to keep the Congress party alive by "placing it on a ventilator."



Singh advised the Telugu Desam Party supremo to look into Congress history before "falling into its trap."



"The Congress is not going to survive, Chandrababu. The UPA has now become a non-performing asset," Singh said.

The Union Home minister was addressing a public meeting after laying the foundation stone for BJPs Andhra Pradesh headquarters at Reddipalem near Guntur here.

"The Congress is taking its last breath. Chandrababu Naidu thinks he can keep it alive for a while by placing it on a ventilator.

But the Congress is not going to survive," Singh asserted, indirectly referring to the TDPs efforts to tie-up with the Congress.

"Whoever fell into its (Congress) trap have gone," he remarked.

The veteran BJP leader said the opposition parties in the country now had only one agenda of stopping Narendra Modi from retaining power (in 2019).

The opposition was unable to digest Modi's popularity.

"The Prime Minister has been relentlessly working for the uplift of the villages, the poor, the farmers and the marginalized sections of the society.

It is because of Narendra Modi that India's status in the world has reached a new high. Hence, the opposition is seeking to stop him (from becoming PM again)," Singh said.

Singh also flayed congress president Rahul Gandhi for his "personal attacks" on the prime minister.

"The prime minister does not belong to any party. He is an institution. We have to respect the prime minister. We may criticise his policies but one should not indulge in personal attack," he noted.

Such personal attacks do not give any credit to the opposition party, nor were it good for democracy, Singh added.

He said coalition dharma was not a "compulsion" but a political "commitment" for the BJP.

It was the first time in the countrys history that a non-Congress party secured power at the Centre with absolute majority in 2014, he said.

And, it was only the BJP that ran coalition governments successfully, Singh pointed out, referring to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government from 1999-2004.

It was a Telugu 'bidda' (Telugu son), P V Narasimha Rao who successfully ran a coalition government (1991-96) for full five years, Singh said.

Congress might have forgotten former prime ministers like P V Narasimha Rao and Lal Bahadur Shastri but the BJP and the nation would not forget them, he said.

"For us national interests are always above political interests. So we remember those former prime ministers who served the country well. The Congress remembers only those former PMs who had suffixes like Nehru and Gandhi.

If any party placed political interests above national interests, it is the Congress," Singh said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)NASA's Chandra X-ray telescope --which observes galaxies from the Earth's orbit -- is back in action after suffering a technical glitch and going into safe mode last week, the US space agency said.

The telescope is named after the Nobel Prize-winning Indian-American astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.

The cause of Chandra's safe mode on October 10 has now been understood and the operations team has successfully returned the spacecraft to its normal pointing mode, said in a statement.

The safe mode was caused by a glitch in one of Chandra's gyroscopes resulting in a three-second period of bad data that in turn led the on-board computer to calculate an incorrect value for the spacecraft momentum.

A gyroscope is a device used for measuring or maintaining orientation in navigation systems.

The erroneous momentum indication then triggered the safe mode, according to

The team has completed plans to switch gyroscopes and place the gyroscope that experienced the glitch in reserve.

Once configured with a series of pre-tested flight software patches, the team will return Chandra to science operations which are expected to commence by the end of this week, said.

On October 10, Chandra entered safe mode, in which the observatory is put into a safe configuration, critical hardware is swapped to back-up units, the spacecraft points so that the solar panels get maximum sunlight, and the mirrors point away from the Sun.

Analysis of available data indicates the transition to safe mode was normal behaviour for such an event. All systems functioned as expected and the scientific instruments are safe.

"The cause of the safe mode transition is under investigation, and we will post more information when it becomes available," NASA said in a statement.

Chandra is 19 years old, which is well beyond the original design lifetime of five years, NASA said.

In 2001, NASA extended its lifetime to 10 years. It is now well into its extended mission and is expected to continue carrying out forefront science for many years to come, it said.The NC and the PDP should not have boycotted the civic polls, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said Tuesday, asserting that articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution were non-issues in this election.

The National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had announced not to contest the polls over the legal challenge to the articles.

Expressing satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of the polls, Malik, in an exclusive interview to PTI soon after the conclusion of the urban local body elections' final phase, said, "It (the response) has been very good."



"Today (Tuesday) Srinagar saw 9,578 votes being cast. Ganderbal saw 1,000 votes. The turnout is better than some recent elections," he said.

The real achievement of the elections was that it was conducted peacefully and people came out to vote without any fear, the governor said.

"The real factor is being overlooked. The four-phased elections has been concluded and not a bird was harmed, it was a peaceful election.

"There were no complaints of any malpractices or violation of the model code or interference by the government," he said.

Elections to 79 municipal bodies in the state started October 8 and ended Tuesday. It was held in four phases.

Asked if the polls could have been conducted any better in view of the low voter turnout in Kashmir, Malik said it could not have been any better.

"This was the best... I congratulate the administration, police and the people that they came out without fear to participate in the polls.

"The disappointment is that the political parties should not have boycotted. They should have participated in the elections... There was no benefit for (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi or me ... They should have allowed the people to vote.This is a posturing for assembly elections," he said.

Malik attributed the low voter turnout to several factors, including the Hurriyat Conference influence, the boycott by the NC and the PDP, and the fear of the gun.

"Two parties boycotted, Hurriyat had called for boycott, there were militant threats and also non-issues were made into issues like (Article) 35-A and (Article) 370. These were the reasons that turnout was little less but I want to tell you that Muslim areas like Rajouri, Poonch and Uri saw 70 to 80 per cent voter turnout," he said.

The Constitution's Article 35A, which was incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state.

Article 370 is a "temporary provision" with respect to Jammu and Kashmir and restricts the applicability of various provisions of the Constitution by "curtailing" the power of Parliament to make laws on subjects which fall under the Union and Concurrent lists.

Asked if the administration had any plans to woo the people back to the democratic process in view of the panchayat polls due next month, Malik said he would again appeal to the people to participate in these elections as it could bring in huge funds for development of local areas of these panchayats.

"I will again appeal to the people to take part in the panchayat elections because every panchayat will get a crore of rupees. How much loss is that for the development? These elections are not party based.

"They (the NC and the PDP) can field even proxy candidates. If the number of candidates is high, the possibility of violence will be low," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The National Green Tribunal has



termed as "shocking" the condition of drinking water supply, sewerage, drainage system and solid waste disposal in Agra and sought a report on the issue within two months.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel constituted a committee comprising Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, a nominee of National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the Agra District Magistrate, Agra to ascertain the factual position with regard these issues.

The green panel said the CPCB will act as nodal agency and will inform other members and a report may be furnished within two months by e-mail.

"We are satisfied that since earlier report of the NEERI was 20 years back, much water has drawn under the bridges in the last 20 years. An updated report on the matter is necessary to deal with the current scenario," the bench said.

It said that although, a regional committee has been constituted by the tribunal to oversee compliance of earlier directions of the tribunal with regard to implementation of solid waste management Rules, the panel for the North Zone covers a very long area and therefore a separate committee needs to be constituted for the purpose.

The Uttar Pradesh government informed the tribunal that



the problem of drinking water supply, sewerage drainage system and solid waste disposal has been considered and instructions issued.

It said there are two water works stations in the city treating 369 million liters per day (MLD) water against requirement of 400 MLD and after new project is operative, the water supply shortfall will be covered.

As regards the sewerage, it was stated by the state government that 514 kms sewer line has already been laid and the 336 kms remains while nine Sewage Treatment Plants are operating as on date.

"As regards municipal solid waste, the stand is that 19 nallahs (drains) are proposed to be diverted to STPs. There is a waste to compost plant under Agreement which is in operation for disposal of municipal solid waste. Five agencies are engaged for segregating the waste at source,"it said.

The NGT had earlier restrained civic authorities from burning municipal solid waste and other waste in the open in Agra and the areas around the eco-sensitive Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ).

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by NGO Social Action for Forest and which contended that civic bodies in Agra were blatantly violating Solid Waste Management Rules as more than 2000 metric tonnes of solid waste per day was being dumped in various part of the city, besides plastic waste which was being consumed by stray animals.

"It is submitted that respondents are not segregating industrial, hazardous and bio-medical waste from Municipal Solid Waste and the same is being dumped in various parts of Agra for the last several years.

"The drains and canals have been converted into sewer lines which fall directly into River Yamuna without any treatment by various authorities including Nagar Nigam Agra, Agra Development Authority, Cantonment Board and areas falling under the TTZ Authority," the plea had said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana K P Singh on Tuesday said no decision has been taken yet on the resignation of AAP MLA H S Phoolka from the House.

"We have received the resignation of Phoolka and it is being examined," Singh told reporters at village Raqba, about 30 km from here.

He was there to attend a function organised to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sikh warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur.

Phoolka, MLA from Dakha constituency, resigned as legislator on October 12, expressing unhappiness over the Punjab government's alleged "failure" to initiate action against former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and retired DGP Sumedh Singh Saini in sacrilege incidents.

He said his resignation would put pressure on the state government to act on the report of the Justice (retd) Ranjit Singh Commission, which was set up to probe cases of desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib and other scriptures.

According to the report, Badal and Saini were "aware" of the planned police action in Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan to disperse protesters. Two protesters were killed in the police firing.

If Phoolka's resignation is accepted, the Aam Aadmi Party's strength in the Vidhan Sabha will drop to 19 MLAs, eight of whom have formed a rebel group led by Sukhpal Singh Khaira.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Dismissing reports of differences among BJP leaders in Rajasthan as a "communication gap" that has been sorted out, the party's election in-charge for the state Prakash Javadekar says the entire unit in the poll-bound state is behind Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

The senior Union minister also asserted that the combination of Prime Minster Narendra Modi's charisma and BJP chief Amit Shah's political strategy is the party's biggest strength in the upcoming assembly polls.

Rajasthan is scheduled to go to the polls in a single phase on December 7. The counting of votes for all 200 constituencies will take place on December 11.

Asked about Congress' criticism that there are differences within the BJP's state unit, Javadekar told PTI in an interview that all is well.

"There were no differences as such. There was only a communication gap and now everything has been sorted out. The entire state unit is working overtime to ensure BJP's victory and is unitedly behind Vasundhara-ji, who is the most popular leader in the state," he asserted.

Javadekar's comments follow Congress state chief Sachin Pilot's claim that there were "differences" between Raje and Shah and the two rarely shared a stage. "Whenever Amit Shah comes, Vasundhara Raje goes somewhere else. They are not ready to be present in the same district," Pilot said recently.

The minister also emphasised that the BJP has an edge as compared to the Congress. While the ruling party is clear about its leader, who is acceptable to all sections of the society, whereas Congress is a divided house, he said.

"We are clear about our leadership and the entire party is united behind her. But the Congress is in a dilemma and there is huge infighting in the opposition party between the Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot camps," Javadekar said.

Asked about anti-incumbency and the tradition of change of guard every five years in Rajasthan, he said the party has set new trends and broken all traditions under the leadership of the Modi-Shah duo.

"From 2014 onwards, the BJP has been expanding while the Congress is shrinking. The opposition party has become irrelevant and the entire vote base of the party has shifted towards our side because of Modi-ji's charismatic leadership and his credibility, Javadekar said.

The BJP has always been a symbol of the development in the state, the minister said, describing the tenure of the Raje government as a "golden period" in the history of Rajasthan.

"The five year period of 2013-18 in a way is a golden period in development of the state, especially in terms of infrastructure. The state has grown by leaps and bounds," Javadekar said.

He also mentioned various welfare schemes started by the state government, including the Bhamashah Yojana, a health insurance scheme.

The desert state has always seen scarcity of water but the BJP government ensured water reaches every village and every farm, he said.

Replying to a question on the party's in the by-polls in the state, Javadekar said, "We lost only two by-polls, but we won in many other local elections in the state. The party lost mainly due to the wrong choice of candidates and local factors."



This is Javadekar's second assignment this year. He was earlier appointed as in-charge of assembly elections in Karnataka, where the BJP emerged as the single largest party.Author Anna Burns has became the first Northern Irish writer, and the first woman since 2013, to win Britain's renowned Man Booker Prize for her novel "Milkman".

Judges of the annual award praised the work, an exploration of Northern Ireland's three decades of sectarian violence told through the voice of a young woman, as "utterly distinctive".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former Infosys CFO and multiple investor T V Mohandas Pai Tuesday said the debate on data localisation should end in view of the Supreme Court's ruling that fundamental rights include the right to privacy and digital data.

"Our digital data belongs to us, our privacy is a fundamental right and can be enforced," he told PTI here.

Pai was responding to a question about the Centre wanting to control payments data.

The Reserve Bank of India's deadline for global payment companies to store transaction data of Indian customers within India came to a close Monday.

The RBI's diktat has drawn mixed response from the industry with domestic payment companies like Paytm and PhonePe welcoming the decision, while their global counterparts like Google (which offers Google Pay in India) have backed free flow of data.

Pai said the RBI decision that it should have unfettered access to the data was "very right".

Referring to the challenge to the Aadhar in the court, he said the "malcontents fought" against it vigorously while most of their data was stored overseas subject to a foreign government.

"Our data is safest if stored in India, subject to oversight by our government and courts. The Supreme Court now unequivocally corrects this and protects us fully," he added.

Noting that 80 per cent payment providers have complied with the norms for local storage of data, Pai said a few large players from the US were holding out but they would also need to meet the rules.

There was no technological barriers for them not to localise data storage. They already follow such a practice in a few countries, especially in the Europe, he said.

The time ofsix months (given by RBI) was more than adequate and in fact cloud technology was available at very low costs in India while cyber security software was inter-operable and can be used, Pai said.

He also said India had a strong anti-money laundering law now and without payment data in India, government will not be able to track financial flows to terrorists.

"Remember Blackberry refusing access, when the US was given access? In the digital era, access to digital data is paramount to ensuring national security," he said.

He, however, said every entity using the data should either have people's permission to use or should have the backing of law.

The inaction of the government and inadequate laws had resulted in India exporting its data centre business and large jobs outside the country, Pai said.

The Indian data was stored by big digital monopolies in the US, which means it was subject to US law, he said.

"The US NSA and the government can access the data freely on grounds of national security," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan on Tuesday said that its security agencies are working with their Iranian counterparts to ascertain the whereabouts of 12 Iranian border guards who have been abducted by unknown militants near its border.

The Iranian guards were abducted by terrorists between 4am and 5am in the Lulakdan, a small village some 150-km southeast of Zahedan, the capital of the province of Sistan-Balochistan bordering Pakistan, according to Iranian media.

"Pakistan has noted with concern the reports of abduction of 12 Iranian border guards from Iran," the Foreign Office said.

"Both militaries, under a joint mechanism established since last year, are working to ascertain the whereabouts of Iranian guards," it said in a statement.

The director generals of military operations from the two sides are coordinating actions to recover them, it said.

So far no group has claimed responsibility for kidnapping the Iranian guards.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Barnetts famous pronouncement that logging companies were operating in Papua New Guinea with the self-assurance of robber barons is as relevant now as it was then. (Indeed, hardly a think piece on the industry can be published without repeating the quote.)

Three decades ago, Commissioner Tos Barnett was conducting his inquiry into aspects of the forest industry, published as a two-volume survey of the corruption and illegalities allowing PNGs forests to be felled wholesale and exported, to the countrys economic and environmental loss.

What has changed in the interim is that those mostly foreign-backed companies have cut and sold off many millions more cubic meters of PNG timber, in a process that has signally failed to bring meaningful development to the countrys rural and forest-dependent communities.

PNGs ongoing crisis in forest governance has been meticulously documented since Barnetts day, including in a flurry of research published in the last several years.

All of it tells the same story. Chatham House estimated in 2014 that 70% of the countrys timber may be produced illegally. The sustainability certification organisation NepCON gave PNG an abysmal score of 3/100 in its 2017 Timber legality risk assessment.

In July, my organisation Global Witness published a report that included an analysis of satellite images of eight of PNGs largest logging operations. All of the companies involved in those operations, based on imagery that documented violations of the Forestry Act, appear to have broken the law many times over.

None of them have faced any legal consequences, and all continue to sell PNG timber abroad.

For Papua New Guinean communities that depend directly on their environment for their livelihoods and cultural heritage, this devastation of their forests is a legal outrage as well as an existential threat.

PNGs customary tenure system grants control over land to the people who have lived on and used it for generations. It should be no surprise that among the legal violations linked to logging that my team has documented across the country, violations of landowner rights are paramount.

The people we have spoken with tell virtually identical stories of losing their land to fraud and outright theft by companies that appear to operate outside the rule of law.

This situation is deeply frustrating, not least because we know it can be much better. PNG already has a reasonably robust legal framework to protect its forests. Those laws are simply not being enforced.

And government agencies charged with overseeing the countrys other natural resources have made important strides toward the transparency critical in wiping out corruption. PNG is a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which publishes information on revenues and beneficial ownership in the mining and oil and gas sectors.

The Mineral Resources Authority has made maps of mining concessions freely and publicly available on its website. There is no reason the Forest Authority cant be resourced to do the same with logging concessions. Its political will, or the lack thereof, that has made this problem intractable for so long.

There are glimmers of progress here and there.

The PNG Forest Authority is currently developing a Timber Legality Standard in consultation with the countrys environmental NGOs, in a welcome sign of openness. But such mechanisms are only as good as the will behind them.

Prime minister ONeill invoked the long-anticipated 2020 complete ban on round log exports in a speech to parliament this July. More recently, however, I was told by a government official that the ban may be applied only to logging projects launching in 2020 or later, not existing ones  which would make it effectively meaningless.

So the question is: if the PNG government will not keep its forests from being illegally felled, what might?

Well, another critical change since the late 1980s is where that timber is sold. China now consumes more timber than any other country, including 88% of PNGs log exports last year, or north of 2.7 million cubic meters of wood.

Although it does not yet ban the import of illegal timber  which is how it is able to keep buying in such quantities from countries like PNG and Solomon Islands, another high-risk producer  most major economies, including its export markets in the US, EU and Australia, do.

That means that Chinas big customers should be increasingly scrutinising its products for the presence of illegal wood, and dropping those that cant pass the test.

If and when China joins this group to ban the import of illegal timber, PNG will be financially compelled to enforce its own laws, and protect its own forest peoples livelihoods in the bargain. A prudent resource-dependent nation might already see the writing on the wall.

PNG is now preparing for its ultimate close-up at the APEC summit to be held in Port Moresby next month. President Xi Jinping will be there to launch new investments in the country, which is lately one of the newest members of Chinas Belt and Road infrastructure and trade initiative.

If PNG hopes to attract other investment, surely it would also be wise to demonstrate to APEC members that its government respects the law. This could be done by placing a moratorium on all logging projects to review whether, or how, their operators have broken it.A serial killer will be executed inside a jail on Wednesday after a Pakistani court on Tuesday dismissed a petition for his public hanging filed by the father of a seven-year-old girl, who was raped and murdered by the convict.

A two-member Lahore High Court bench comprising Justice Sardar Shamim Ahmed and Justice Shahbaz Rizvi dismissed the plea of Amin Ansari, father of the minor girl, seeking public hanging of convict Imran Ali.

In January last, police arrested Imran two weeks after he raped and killed the minor girl and threw her body into a garbage dump in the city of Kasur, some 50-km from Lahore.

The incident triggered nation-wide street protests in Pakistan with people demanding a harsh punishment for the 23-year-old accused. Violent protests in Kasur city following her murder claimed two lives.

An anti-terrorism court here last week ruled that Imran's death sentence will be carried out on October 17 at Lahore's Central Jail.

"You are required to hang Imran Ali, 23, by neck until he be dead at central jail, Lahore on October 17 and to return this warrant to this court with and endorsement certifying that sentence has been executed," read the ATC Lahore Judge Sajjad Ahmed.

Imran, a resident of Kasur, was accused of being involved in at least nine incidents of rape-cum-murder of minors. The court has given its verdict in five cases.

Dismissing Ansari's plea to hang Imran in full view of public, Justice Shamim asked the petitioner's lawyers "you should have filed the application to the government. We are not the government. You have come here so late. The date of the hanging has been fixed for tomorrow."



Ansari's counsel requested the court to allow a live telecast of the hanging inside the jail. The court did not agree and dismissed the plea.

The petitioner said the convict can be hanged publicly under the Section 22 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, which allows the government to specify the manner, mode and place of execution of any sentence passed under this Act.

"The purpose and objective behind the incorporation section is very much clear. The murderer of my daughter should be given exemplary punishment so as to avoid any such tragedy in future, God forbid. The statutory violation of Section 22 of ATA 1997 cannot be allowed under the Constitution of Pakistan hence calls for the interference of the LHC," the petitioner said.

The girl's mother had also demanded his public hanging.

"We want that the suspect should be stoned to death for his crime as hanging in jail is a punishment which is given to other criminals but this beast deserves either public hanging or stoned to death," she said.

According to central jail officials, Imran will be hanged at 5.30 am Wednesday.

The ATC on February 17 gave him four counts of death penalty, one life term, a 7-year jail term and Rs 4.1 million in fines.

The four death penalties were for kidnapping, raping and murdering the girl, and for committing an act of terrorism punishable under Section 7 of the Anti Terrorism Act (ATA).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan Navy Tuesday commissioned an indigenously built 17,000-tonne fleet tanker - the biggest warship ever constructed at Karachi Shipyard - to its fleet, strengthening the country's maritime defence.

The ship named PNS Moawin was commissioned at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard during a ceremony attended by President Arif Alvi, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Dawn newspaper reported.

The ship is "capable of performing a variety of maritime operations including the provision of logistic support to other ships at sea by transferring fuel and other important military cargo," the paper said, quoting a statement issued by the navy's media wing.

"PNS Moawin can transport two helicopters," it said, adding that the ship can also provide overseas support during any humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

President Alvi said the development of the maritime sector will enhance the country's exports, generate employment and increase foreign exchange.

"With the realisation of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the maritime trade and activity off our coast will increase manifold which calls for a strong navy to provide security and seaward defence," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former finance minister Ishaq Dar's property in Pakistan has been confiscated and efforts to extradite him are underway, the Supreme Court was informed on Tuesday.

"NAB has confiscated the properties," the additional attorney general told the apex court.

The development comes a day after an accountability court asked the Punjab government to confiscate three plots owned by Dar, his spouse Tabassum and son Ali Mustafa, Dawn reported.

Dar, the father-in-law of deposed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's younger daughter, has been declared an absconder in a case pertaining to his assets. He went to London in October last year but never came back to face the trial.

"The talks are being held with the UK government for Dar's arrest," the paper quoted the additional attorney general as saying.

Following the attorney general's remarks, the case's hearing was adjourned till an unspecified date.

The case of asset beyond means was launched against Dar in September 2017 on the orders of Supreme Court after it disqualified Sharif and ordered corruption cases against him, his children Maryam Nawaz, Husain and Hasan and son-in-law (retd) Captain Muhammad Safdar.

The anti-corruption watchdog already seized all of movable and immovable assets of 67-year-old Dar located in Lahore and Islamabad.

According to the case, Dar acquired assets worth Rs 831.7 million, which was disproportionate to the known sources of his income.

The Panama Papers case is about alleged money laundering by Sharif in the 1990s when he twice served as Pakistan's prime minister to purchase assets in London.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Palestinians have won backing to lead the biggest bloc of developing countries at the United Nations, raising their profile at the world body despite opposition from the United States.

The General Assembly on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to grant the observer-state of Palestine temporary rights to act as chair of the Group of 77 plus China, a bloc that has grown to 134 countries at the United Nations.

A resolution drafted by Egypt was adopted by a vote of 146 to 3 with 15 abstentions. The United States, Israel and Australia were the only three countries to oppose the measure in the 193-nation assembly.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley branded the decision a "UN mistake," recalling that the "Palestinians are not a UN member state or any state at all" and should not be granted privileges reserved for full-fledged members.

"Today's UN mistake undermines the prospects for peace by encouraging the illusion held by some Palestinian leaders that they can advance their goals without direct peace negotiations," said Haley in a statement.

The result came as no surprise as the G77 had agreed last month to give the Palestinians the chair and could easily garner enough support in the General Assembly to win approval for the measure.

The resolution gives the Palestinians, who take up the year-long chair in January, additional rights such as the authority to submit proposals on behalf of the G77 and request that they be put to the vote.

The measure does not, however, change the status of the Palestinians, considered a non-member observer state at the United Nations without voting rights at the General Assembly.

Only UN member-states with full recognition should be entitled to speak and act on behalf of groups of countries, US Deputy Ambassador Jonathan Cohen told the assembly ahead of the vote.

Calling the resolution "misguided," Cohen warned that the United States will "leave no doubt about where we stand" and will not recognize the Palestinians in their new UN role.

"When the Palestinians speak as chair of the G77 in the General Assembly, we will remind our fellow member-states that the United States does not recognize that there is a Palestinian state and that no such state has been admitted as a UN member state," he said.

Taking the floor, Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour pledged to "spare no effort" to defend the interests of the G77 and to work "constructively with all partners." The G77 and China are influential on budgetary issues at the assembly and have been effective in pushing their agenda as the biggest bloc.

The vote came amid tensions between President Donald Trump's administration and the Palestinians over US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and other decisions deemed pro-Israel.

The Trump administration has cut aid to the Palestinians and funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, and is working on peace proposals that the Palestinians fear will be biased in favor of Israel.

In 2012, the United States voted against the resolution that upgraded the Palestinians to UN non-member observer state, arguing there should be no international recognition for the Palestinians until progress is made in peace efforts with Israel.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Farm scientists of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) gained firsthand experience of natural farming at Gurukul farms in Haryana's Kurukshetra district and said they would also experiment the "pesticide-free" farming method in Punjab.

A team of farm scientists led by Ludhiana-based PAU Vice Chancellor B S Dhillon visited the Gurukul farms at Kurukshetra on Monday and described it as a "learning experience".

"We liked natural farming at Gurukul and we will also start experimenting in Punjab," said Dhillon on Tuesday.

PAU delegation was also impressed with the increase in organic carbon and micro nutrients with the use of natural farming, said Dhillon.

"There is no use of pesticides and fertilizers in natural farming and therefore the proportion of earth worm increase in the soil, he said adding that the yield of basmati paddy crop was also good.

Spread over 180 acres of land, Gurukul farms use indigenous cow urine, cow dung, jaggery, water and a few other items as manure for the cultivation of crops like paddy, wheat, sugarcane and some other crops.

There is no use of pesticides and fertilizers in this farming method, said Shamsher Singh of Kurukshetra based Gurukul and further said natural farming leads to increase in soil fertility and farm output.

He further said that natural farming not only protects soil from degradation but also ensures nutritious food output. With lesser cost involved in natural farming, it also helps farmers to earn more income, he said.

The farm also has more than 300 cows including Indian breed Sahiwal, Tharparkar.

Singh said a training centre will also come up at a sum of Rs 2.60 crore here whereby farmers from Haryana will be imparted training of natural farming.

This training centre will start functioning from next year, he further said.

Gurukul also runs an educational institution at Kurukshetra.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Celebrating the birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh on a government college campus has landed a woman student in trouble as she has been suspended, an action which she termed as "suppression" of the freedom of expression.

S Malathi, a first year M.A. student at the government arts and science college, was suspended on October 1 after she and some other students organised a function to celebrate Singh's birth anniversary on September 28,despite being denied permission by the principal and the tutor, officials said.

"Malathi organised the meeting without permission, which would have affected peace in the campus. She was thus placed under suspension," Chitra, the college principal, said.

Malathi told reporters here Tuesday that she got to know of her suspension from a college professor.

"This (action) is nothing but suppression of the freedom of expression," she said.

Malathi claimed she was not officially informed of her suspension.

Though college authorities told her that a letter to this effect had been sent to her residence, it had not yet reached her home, she said.

"Based on that I attended college. However, a copy of the letter was shown to me to confirm their action," she said.

Malathi said she had also not received any information on the management's decision to conduct an enquiry, a copy of which they had sent to police.

The principal said all students cannot be called for a meeting organised by a single student, which would only set a precedent in future.

She said Malathi was told to seek permission from the department concerned for the meeting, which she had not done.

A letter seeking an explanation had been sent to her and the inquiry would be conducted on October 22, based on which the future course of action would be decided, Chitra said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Google is still considering whether to launch a censored version of its search engine in China, CEO Sundar Pichai has said, in rare public comments about the controversial and secret project.

Google's possible return to China - a market it abandoned over censorship concerns in 2010 - was first leaked in August by 'The Intercept' which reported that the US tech giant was secretly developing "Dragonfly", a custom-made search engine for the huge Chinese market.

On Monday, the Indian-American CEO said the plan was in the "very early" stages and may not progress.

"It's very early. We don't know whether we could or would do this in China, but we felt it was important for us to explore," Pichai said at the Wired25 conference in San Francisco.

"I think it's important for us given how important the market is and how many users there are," he said.

Through internal tests, he said Google found it would be able serve "well over 99 per cent of queries".

The prospect of Google returning to China has fuelled criticism from human rights groups that the company, which has long advocated a free and open internet, would be doing the bidding of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, which runs a vast censorship apparatus that stifles dissent.

Since of the "Dragonfly" project first leaked, hundreds of Google employees signed a letter saying that it raised "urgent moral and ethical issues," CNBC reported.

Pichai described the "Dragonfly" as an exploratory internal project.

He said Google's absence in China a country with 20 per cent of the world's population weighed heavily on the company, which has a mission to bring information "to everyone."



"We wanted to learn what it would look like if Google were in China," Pichai said. "So that's what we built internally. If Google were to operate in China, what would it look like?"



Google found that Chinese government censors would block less than 1 per cent of users' searches, CNN quoted Pichai as saying.

Google had a search engine in China from 2006 to 2010. The tech giant quit China eight years ago in protest at the country's censorship laws and alleged government hacks.

Earlier this month, US Vice-President Mike Pence called for Google to immediately halt work on Dragonfly, saying in a speech that it would "strengthen Communist Party censorship and compromise the privacy of Chinese customers".

Pichai said that by offering a search engine in China again, Google would be able to provide some 800 million users with better information than what is available on important subjects, such as cancer treatments.

In any country that Google operates, it must balance its values "providing users access to information, freedom of expression, and user privacy" with obeying the local laws, he was quoted as saying by CNBC.

The 46-year-old Pichai also played down the influence employee protests had over the company's decision making.

"Throughout Google's history we have given our employees a lot of voice and say in it, but we don't run the company by holding referendums," he said.

"It's an important input we take seriously. But even on this particular issue it's not what the employees said, its more the debate within the AI community," Pichai said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pippa Middleton, the sister of Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, has given birth to a baby boy, Kensington Palace said on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old author and columnist had married hedge fund manager James Matthews, 43, last year and their first child was born at St Mary's Hospital in London on Monday.

"James and Pippa have had a baby boy. He was born Monday 15th October at 1.58pm, weighing 8lb and 9oz. Everyone is delighted and mother and baby are doing well," a family spokesperson said in a statement.

The baby was born at the Lindo Wing of the hospital, which is where Kate Middleton gave birth to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis - Pippa Middleton's nephews and niece.

Kensington Palace said: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge [Prince William and Kate Middleton] are thrilled for Pippa and James."



The couple are yet to reveal what they have decided to name their new-born baby boy.

The comes a day after it was announced that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expecting their first child in the first half of next year. The couple are currently on a four-nation Commonwealth tour, with Markle quoted about expecting her first baby in Sydney as: "We're ready! We're excited to join the club.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Haryana government on a plea challenging its decision to not allow research scholars to contest student union elections, which are set to be held in the state's colleges and universities on Wednesday.

"The High Court made it clear that the result of the elections would be subject to the outcome of the writ petition," said advocate Ravinder Singh Dhull, representing the petitioners.

The petitioners have challenged the government's decision of not allowing the research scholars to contest the polls as per the recommendations of Tankeshwar committee. Dhull said the plea of the petitioners was that the elections should have been conducted as per the recommendations of Lyngdoh committee and not as per the Tankeshwar committee.

Justice Rajan Gupta, who was hearing the bunch of petitions filed by research scholar in Maharishi Dayanad University (MDU) Rohtak and others, passed these orders, Dhull said.

The court asked the department of higher to file reply on the issue by November 12.

Dhull said that the petitioners are research scholars, but they can neither contest elections nor cast vote. "This is despite the fact that the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations had allowed them to so," Dhull pointed out.

"No opportunity of hearing has been given to the research scholars. No reason has been assigned as to why the Haryana government has deviated from the recommendations given in the Lyngdoh Committee, which are duly accepted by the Supreme Court and made mandatory in nature," he said.

Meanwhile, the students' union elections are set to be held in state colleges and universities on October 17.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had earlier directed officials concerned to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the polls.

The student union elections in Haryana colleges and universities in Haryana are being held after a gap of 22 years.

The BJP government in the state has decided to hold indirect polls to students unions, which has been opposed by various student bodies barring RSS' student wing ABVP.

Earlier, the Khattar government had set up a panel headed by Prof Tankeshwar Kumar, vice-chancellor of Guru Jambeshwar University of Science and Technology, to give its recommendations on holding student union polls in the state.

In indirect polls, class representatives are elected in colleges and department representatives in universities, who will elect the president and other office-bearers of student organisations.

Various students organisations, including NSUI and the now-disbanded INSO, have been protesting against the move to hold indirect polls.

On Friday, Haryana police had resorted to a mild baton-charge on students of Kurukshetra and MD Universities at Kurukshetra and Rohtak who were sitting on a 'dharna' outside the campus demanding direct polls.

Student union polls were banned in 1996 by the then chief minister Bansi Lal following incidents of violence.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The CBI on Tuesday told the Delhi High Court that the police investigation into the alleged role of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case was "tainted" as it had tried to favour the politician.

The submission by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was made before a bench of justices S Muralidhar and Vinod Goel which was also told by the agency that the police kept in "hibernation" the FIRs lodged during the riots in the hope that the affected people will reconcile and settle the matter.

Senior advocate R S Cheema, the special public prosecutor for CBI, said the probe by Delhi Police was "tainted" as "FIRs were kept in hibernation, hoping that people would reconcile and settle the matter".

He made the submissions before the bench as he concluded arguments on behalf of the agency.

Retired naval officer Captain Bhagmal, former Congress councillor Balwan Khokhar, Girdhari Lal and two others were held guilty in a case relating to the murder of five members of a family in Raj Nagar area of Delhi Cantonment on November 1, 1984, during the riots that followed the assassination of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Sajjan Kumar was acquitted in the case by the trial court against which both the CBI and the victims' family have appealed in the high court.

The trial court had awarded life term to Bhagmal, Khokhar and Girdhari Lal and a three-year jail term to two others former MLA Mahender Yadav and Kishan Khokhar.

They also moved the high court challenging their conviction and the sentence awarded by the trial court in May 2013.

Senior advocate H S Phoolka, appearing for the victims, also concluded his arguments in which he has contended that Kumar has always been in a "position of influence" which he has "enjoyed with impunity" to "thwart the investigation".

In his written submissions placed before the court, Phoolka has claimed that there were some charge sheets which initially named Kumar as an accused in some 1984 riots cases, but the police never filed the charge sheet and kept them in its files.

In one case where a victim/complainant had named Kumar, the police dropped his name and filed the charge sheet against the other accused, the senior advocate has said.

Phoolka said that another example of Kumar's influence was seen in how the government rejected a recommendation made in 2005 by a commission, headed by retired Supreme Court judge G T Nanavati, to register an FIR against the Congress leader in connection with 1984 riots.

"Given the influence of the accused and the impunity enjoyed by him, witnesses or victims could not be reasonably expected to risk their lives and the lives of their loved ones by on their own approaching the authorities till they were assured of their safety," the lawyer said.

Arguments on behalf of Kumar would commence from October 22.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will hold talks in Turkey on Wednesday, the Turkish foreign ministry said, after a visit to Riyadh where the top American diplomat was discussing the case of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Pompeo will meet his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu to discuss bilateral and regional issues including Syria, the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement.

The statement did not refer to the disappearance of Khashoggi after his visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to receive documents ahead of his wedding.

Before his visit was confirmed, Cavusoglu earlier said Pompeo would inform Turkey about his meetings in Riyadh as the US and Saudi Arabia seek a way out of the crisis.

Pompeo on Tuesday met with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The disappearance has led to international outrage with questions remaining unanswered.

The Turkish leadership has yet to publicly accuse Saudi Arabia in the case but government sources said police believed the journalist had been killed by a special team of 15 Saudi officials sent to Istanbul especially for the task. Riyadh dismissed the claims.

Turkish investigators searched the consulate overnight for eight hours to find out what happened to Khashoggi.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier on Tuesday said toxic material was found which had been "painted over", but added the investigations continued.

A Turkish diplomatic source said police would search the residence of the Saudi consul in Istanbul as part of their probe but it was not known when it would take place.

Ahead of the search, Saudi consul general Mohammed al-Otaibi left Istanbul and was on a plane bound for Riyadh, according to Turkish state media. Cavusoglu also said the prosecutor conducting an investigation could ask for statements from anyone deemed relevant to the probe.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would visit Turkey to hold talks on key bilateral issues and the disappearance of Saudi Arabia's dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, according to his spokesperson.

Khashoggi, 59, a Washington Post contributor, is feared killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He has not been seen since entering the kingdom's mission two weeks ago.

Pompeo, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, will travel to Ankara on Wednesday, his spokesperson Heather Nauert said.

"In Ankara, the Secretary will meet with Turkish Foreign Minister (Mevlt) Cavusoglu to welcome the decision to release Pastor Andrew Brunson and to discuss other issues of bilateral importance," Nauert said.

"The Secretary will also discuss the Jamal Khashoggi case and reiterate the US offer to assist Turkey in its investigation," she said in a brief statement.

Khashoggi, a dissident Saudi journalist who lived in the US as a legal permanent resident, was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Turkish investigative agencies have said that he was brutally killed inside the consulate, claiming to have audio and video evidence.

So far Saudi Arabia has denied the allegation and said that Khashoggi had left the consulate. Some US media reports said that Saudi Arabia is planning to come out with a repot in which it is expected to say that the interrogation of Khashoggi went wrong and he was killed in the process.

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Saudi Arabia has started a full investigation into the disappearance of Khashoggi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The letters seized by the Pune police from the five activists and being dubbed as proofs of their Maoist links are "flimsy and uncorroborated" evidence, a Pune court was told Tuesday.

Defence counsel Yug Chaudhary, who is representing activist Sudha Bharadwaj, told Additional Sessions Judge K D Vadane that the activists arrested by the police were "eminent" people.

The court heard the bail pleas of Bhardwaj and another activist Vernon Gonsalves.

The police had raided the homes of prominent Left-wing activists in several states in August and arrested at least four of them for their suspected Maoist links.

The raids were carried out as part of a probe into an event -- Elgaar Parishad -- organised in Pune on December 31 last year, a day before the caste violence broke out between Dalits and the upper caste Marathas at Koregaon-Bhima village near the city.

Near simultaneous searches were carried out at the residences of prominent Telugu poet Varavara Rao in Hyderabad, activists Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Farreira in Mumbai, trade union activist Sudha Bhardwaj in Faridabad, and civil rights activist Gautam Navalakha in New Delhi.

Rao, Bhardwaj and Farreira were subsequently arrested.

Chaudhary argued that the present case involving some "sensational" allegations was referred to the Supreme Court which gave a split verdict on it at a premature stage.

"The case is extra-ordinary. As after four months of investigation, police arrested some eminent people without any evidence and the the evidence (seized letters) that they are producing right now is flimsy," he said.

Chaudhary said the police arrested 60-year-old Bharadwaj, who is a professor at the National Law College in Delhi "where children of the Supreme Court and high court judges study".

"You are arresting her on the basis of some undated, unsigned, unverified, uncorroborated, typed letters, which were found in someone's possession. On the basis of these evidence, the police are claiming that this lady makes bombs, plants booby trap, decides which weapons need to be procured," he said.

Chaudhary said Bhardwaj had appeared for state governments in various cases and was on a search panel for appointment of universities' vice-chancellors, besides being a representative of the President of India.

"You are arresting a lady whose organisation has received a grant from the high court," the defence counsel said.

Bhardhwaj has no criminal antecedents and she has sacrificed her whole life for the marginalised, he asserted.

Bharadwaj is also the vice president of the Indian Association of Peoples' Lawyers (IAPL), headed by retired judge H Suresh, he said.

"The police are claiming that IAPL is the front organisation of the banned CPI (Maoist). The high court judges such as Abhay Thipsay and Ajit Shah had attended the IAPL event as speakers," he pointed out.

"Are you going to arrest justices (retd) Suresh, Thipsay and Shah also?" asked Chaudhary.

He said the police were "silent" on calling the IAPL the front organisation of the CPI (Maoist) in the Supreme Court.

Citing the apex court's order, he said the "divided verdict" in the case is itself a ground for the bail.

"The apex court has taken an extra-ordinary measure in the case by crafting the provision of house arrest and the reason behind it was that we could come and apply for the bail," he added.

He claimed the police did not specify the grounds for Bharadwaj's arrest and did not even produce the translated case diary in the magisterial court while seeking her transit remand.

Challenging the authenticity of the letters, allegedly seized from the activists, Chaudhary said, "Let the prosecution take as long as they want to verify and authenticate the letters and I will not press for the bail."



"Till they verify or authenticate the letters, do not reject or allow my bail application. Keep me on interim bail," said Chaudhary, arguing for Bharadwaj.

Before Chaudhary, senior advocate Dhairysheel Patil, who represented activist Vernon Gonsalves, argued for his bail.

"If the letters which were allegedly fabricated are thrown out in the case, the very foundation of the case will be collapsed," he said.

The prosecution will Friday argue against bail of five accused - Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, apart from Bhardwaj.

Gadling and Sen, arrested in the Elgaar Parishad case in March this year, are currently in judicial custody of Pune police.

Ferreira, Gonsalves, Rao, and Bhardwaj are under house arrests at their respective residences.

The Supreme Court had on September 28 extended by four weeks the house arrests of Varavara Rao, Arun Farreira, Vernon Gonsalves, Sudha Bhardwaj and Gautam Navalakha, who was subsequently freed by the Delhi High Court.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Punjab farmer has been sowing wheat directly into the hard soil of his fields amid the residue paddy stubble without ever burning it since 2001 and getting up to 2.5 quintals of higher crop yield per acre.

Meet Surjeet Singh of Sadhugarh village in Fatehegarh Sahib district, who demonstrated Tuesday his progressive farming techniques called Super Straw Management System (SMS) in presence of District Deputy Commissioner Shiv Dular Singh Dhillon, using a "seeder".

Singh made the demonstration amid the persisting problem of stubble burning, which pollutes air in the entire northern states, including the NCR, every winter and won instant praise of the officer for showing way out of the problem.

Under the straw management system, wheat can be sowed directly in hard soil amid the standing stubble with the help of a machine, commonly known as Happy Seeder, without burning the stubble and tilling the land afresh, said Singh.

It saves the cost of diesel for tilling the land, said Singh, adding farmers don't even need the pre-sowing irrigation and end up having higher crop yield from 2 to 2.5 quintal.

Farmers get higher crop yield because the residue paddy stubble serves as nutrient for the new crop on decomposition, he explained, adding one does not need pre-sowing tilling and irrigation either as the seeds can be directly drilled into hard soil by "Happy Seeder".

The SMS farming further tackles the problem of falling water table in the area as post-sowing, the crop can be watered by rain guns just for 40 minutes per acre, he said.

The residue stubble, in turn, traps the water and besides preserving it for the growing crop uses it for its own decomposition to further serve as nutrients, he explained.

Singh said he has never burnt paddy straw since 2001 and is constantly practising resource conservation technology to manage crop residue produced on his 45 acres farm.

The SMS farming results in countless economic benefits in terms of reduced input costs like less fertilizer, less irrigation requirement and helps in the improvement of soil's organic health, he said.

It entirely tackles the problem of stubble burning and subsequent pollution, he added.

Appreciating Singh's efforts, DDC Dhillon said the administration would take steps to encourage farmers in the state to follow Singh's progressive ways of farming and be benefitted by it, besides meeting their social responsibility to preserve

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend a November 11 ceremony in Paris marking 100 years since the end of World War I, his advisor Yuri Ushakov said Tuesday.

The ceremony will be attended by a number of other heads of state including US President Donald Trump, it was earlier confirmed.

"On November 11 we are planning to fly to Paris. We will take part in the ceremony on the Champs Elysees," Ushakov told journalists.

Putin will go to a working breakfast organised by French President Emmanuel Macron and later lay flowers at a monument to Russian soldiers in the capital, he added.

Trump confirmed his attendance at the event in August.

The US leader had been planning to hold a parade in Washington but criticised local politicians who he said were asking for too much money for the event.

Ushakov on Tuesday also confirmed that US National Security Advisor John Bolton would be in Moscow at the start of next week for talks with his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev.

However Bolton will not meet Putin, and the arrangement of direct talks between the Russian and US presidents is not on the agenda, Ushakov said.

He said there were currently no plans for Putin and Trump to meet in Paris.

The pair last met in Helsinki in July, after which Trump came under fire for accommodating his Russian counterpart.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Tuesday accused Congress president of "concocting" falsehood and said he had never even seen fugitive jeweller in person, leave alone meeting him in Parliament and helping him escape from the country.

Continuing to call Congress leader a "clown prince", Jaitley in a Facebook blog wondered if Gandhi has a personality issue where "he lies a dozen times and then in self-delusion believes it to be true or is it a case of a Clown Prince' out-clowning himself?"



Terming Gandhi's allegation that he met multi-billion accused in Parliament, the finance minister said: "I do not recollect ever having even seen in my life. The question of his meeting me in Parliament does not arise. If he came to Parliament, as claims, then reception records would show that. Where have I admitted all this Mr Gandhi?".

Jaitley noted that while speaking at two different functions in Madhya Pradesh on Monday, Gandhi made two references to him.



In the first one, Jaitley said that Gandhi claimed "I have admitted that Vijay Mallya met me in Parliament. He further claims I have further admitted that Mallya told me that he was escaping to London and that I helped him to escape".

With regards to Mallya, the minister said as a Member of Parliament, Mallya once chased him in the corridor of Parliament to discuss his case.

"I did not pay any heed to him and coldly told him to make his proposal to the bankers. This he (Gandhi) says constitutes a meeting where he told me that he was escaping to London. Absolute lie," said Jaitley said.

Jaitley further wrote: "How does he (Gandhi) concoct this falsehood? At the Hindustan Times Summit, he referred to a meeting he had with me and attributed same statements to me. When asked I merely said that I can't answer hallucinations.

"'I am in the distinguished company of President Macron'. Today I feel it is much more than hallucinations. Is it a personality issue where he lies a dozen times and then in self-delusion believes it to be true or is it a case of a Clown Prince' out-clowning himself?"



On allegations made by the Congress party president on Rafale, Jaitley said the aircraft and its weaponry is not being manufactured in India at all, neither by Dassault or by any other private company.

All 36 aircraft and their weapons in a fully flyable and usable form will arrive in India, he said.



After the supplies begin, Dassault has to make purchases in India for 50 per cent of the contract value.

"This is as per the UPA's policy to promote make in India. If the total deal is for Rs 580 billion, 50 per cent of that amounts to Rs 290 billion.

"These supplies to Dassault are to be made by over 120 offset suppliers and which the business house named is one of them. Dassault has said that only 3 per cent of offset may come to that business house which is less than Rs 10 billion," the minister said.

The senior minister in the NDA government also rubbished charges made by Gandhi on Goods and Services Tax and non-performing assets and loan waivers.

On Congress leader's assertion that why mobile phones are not manufactured in India, Jaitley said when UPA went out of power there were only two units manufacturing mobile phones and their accessories. The number has now increased to 120 units and expanding.

Citing another example, he said Gandhi has been telling his audiences why footwears are not being manufactured in the district, where he is speaking.

"Ill-informed as he is, India has become the second largest manufacturer of footwear in the world. Our exports in footwear are about Rs 20,000 crore each year. He just has to take a trip to Bahadurgarh on the outskirts of Delhi to realise the competitive nature of India's footwear industry," the minister said.Congress president Rahul Gandhi visited a gurudwara here Tuesday on the second day of his campaigning in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.

Gandhi met Congress cadres here in the morning and later paid obeisance at the Data Bandi Chhor Gurudwara, located in the Gwalior Fort.

The gurudwara's head priest presented a sword to Gandhi on the occasion.

Gandhi was accompanied by state Congress president Kamal Nath and senior party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia.

The three leaders tied a 'saropa' (head scarf) during their visit to the religious place.

Gandhi later flew to the state's Sheopur district where he will address a public meeting.

After his public meeting in Sheopur, Gandhi will hold a 42-km long roadshow in Morena district.

He will fly to Gwalior in the evening.

The 48-year-old Congress leader, who is on a two-visit to the state, went to Moti Masjid here Monday night and offered prayers.

The assembly polls will be held in MP on November 28.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Congress president Rahul Gandhis visit to the city during Durga Puja has been called off due to his preoccupation with the campaign for the elections in the five states, a senior state Congress leader said Tuesday.

The AICC chief, who had asked the party's Bengal unit to stengthen the organisation ahead of the crucial 2019 elections, was proposed to pay a visit to Kolkata on Ashtami (eight) day of Durga puja on Wednesday.

It was a tentative visit his schedule was not finalized. But now elections for five states have been announced and he is too preoccupied with the campaign in those states. So his visit to Kolkata has been called off for the time being, state Congress president Somen Mitra said.

Rahul Gandhi, had asked the party's newly appointed West Bengal unit to strengthen the organisation in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.It was during this meeting last month



that the proposal for Gandhi's visit to Bengal during Durga Puja - the biggest festival of Bengal, came up, according to state Congress sources.

Last month, Somen Mitra was made West Bengal's PCC president replacing Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Minister of Railways and Coal will receive the University of Pennsylvania's top prize in energy policy for his leadership in reforming India's power sector, spearheading efforts to fast-track electrification of thousands of remote villages and expanding renewable energy in the country.

The Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design will award its fourth annual Carnot Prize to Goyal, the former minister of power and renewable energy, on October 19.

According to a press release from The Kleinman Center, Goyal is being recognised for directing a fast-track effort to electrify 18,000 villages in remote parts of India, helping bridge the country's vast energy divide.

It said Goyal has also been instrumental in reforming India's power markets and expanding renewable energy, in an effort to meet the country's Paris Agreement targets.

It lauded Goyal for successfully retiring outdated coal plants while launching an ambitious renewable energy expansion programme. "Although India is the world's fourth top CO2 emitter, the country is currently at 20 per cent renewables and is on solid footing to reach a 40 per cent renewable mix by 2030, it said.

Founding faculty director of the Kleinman Center Mark Alan Hughes said Goyal's efforts demonstrate what it takes to create a just energy transition courage amidst complexity.

Providing power to the world's energy poor turns on the lightsand also empowers education, sanitation, and health care. It closes the gap between the haves and have nots.

While at Penn, Goyal will also meet with Penn students with interests in energy and India.

The Consulate General of India in New York said in a press release that during his visit to the US from October 19 to 22, Goyal will interact with members of Indian diaspora during an event in New Jersey and speak on growth and economic reforms in India at Columbia University.

The Carnot Prize is named in memory of French scientist Sadi Carnot, who in 1824 published Reflections on the Motive Power of Fire, which is recognised as the first statement of what is now known as the second law of thermodynamics.

Carnot recognised that the power of the steam engine would produce a great revolution in human development. The Carnot Prize is intended to honour those leading revolutions in energy policy to further progress and prosperity.Rajasthan BJP on Tuesday condemned Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's remarks that no good Hindu would want the Ram Temple in Ayodhya by destroying somebody else's place of worship and asked the opposition party to clarify its stand on the issue.

"The BJP not only strongly condemns this statement but also demands that the Congress clarifies its stand on the Ram temple issue," BJP leader Onkar Singh Lakhawat told reporters at the party office here.

"The Congress cannot distance itself from the remarks saying they were made in personal capacity. The remarks were made to send a message," he said.

On Monday, Congress spokesperson R P N Singh said whatever Tharoor said was said in his personal capacity and the party believed that the verdict of the Supreme Court on the Ram temple issue will be binding on everyone.

Tharoor, who is Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, made the controversial comments at an event in Chennai on Sunday.

"As a Hindu, obviously, I am conscious that a vast majority of my fellow Hindus believe that that (Ayodhya) was the specific birthplace of Ram," Tharoor had said.

"For this reason, most good Hindus would want to see a Ram temple at the site where Ram was supposed to be (have been) born. But I also believe that no good Hindu would have wanted that a temple be built by demolishing somebody else's place (of worship)," he had said.

However, he later claimed that his remarks were distorted out of malice.

"I condemn the malicious distortion of my words by some media in the service of political masters. I said: most Hindus would want a temple at what they believe to be Ram's birthplace. But no good Hindu would want it to be built by destroying another's place of worship," he tweeted.

"I was asked for my personal opinion at a literary festival and gave it as such. I am not a Spokesperson for my party and did not claim to be speaking for the Congress," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A court here on Tuesday sentenced self-styled godman Rampal and 14 of his followers to life imprisonment in connection with a murder case.

Hisar Additional District and Sessions Judge D R Chaliya pronounced the quantum of sentence in the case which was lodged on the complaint of one Shivpal of Mithapur near Badarpur in Delhi.

The court awarded life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs one lakh each under section 302 (murder) of the IPC, two-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 under section 343 (wrongful confinement) of the IPC and life imprisonment and a fine of Rs one lakh each under section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.

All the sentences will run concurrently, counsels of the accused A P Singh and Mohinder Singh Nain said.

The court will pronounce the quantum of sentence in another murder case (FIR 430/2014) on October 17.

On October 11, the court had convicted Rampal and his 26 followers in two separate cases of murder and other offences, including wrongful confinement of his victims at his hermitage.

The court pronounced the verdict after a nearly four-year-long trial of the 27 accused in a makeshift court inside the district jail, where Rampal (67) and his followers have been lodged since their arrest in November 2014.

The two cases against Rampal and his followers were lodged at Barwala police station on November 19, 2014.

The second one was lodged by Suresh of Jakhora village of Lalitpur district in Uttar Pradesh.

Both the complainants had alleged that their respective wives' were held captive inside Rampal's ashram and later killed.

Besides the murder charges, the Barwala police had also invoked the offence of wrongful confinement, among others, in the two FIRs.

In November 2014, as the police proceeded to arrest Rampal holed up inside his ashram, his followers and devotees, numbering over 15,000, surrounded the sprawling 12 acre hermitage to prevent the godman's arrest.

Six persons including five women and an infant were killed in the ensuing violence.

Elaborate security arrangements were made by Hisar district administration ahead of the pronouncement of sentence.

Section 144 of the CrPC, prohibiting gathering of more than four persons, has already been imposed by the district magistrate, effective till October 17.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Robin Wright will receive Gold Star career honour at this year's Marrakech Film Festival.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the "House of Cards" star will be recognised for her film and television work and efforts for charitable organisations in the Congo.

"I'm thrilled to be visiting the country of Morocco and grateful to be given this opportunity to experience the Moroccan culture," Wright said.

Her acting credits also include "The Princess Bride" and "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo".

Besides the actor, iconic French New Wave director Agnes Varda will also receive the Gold Star career award.

Varda, 90, received her first Oscar nomination for "Faces, Places" last year.

As previously announced, the festival will also honour Robert De Niro and "The Lost City of Z" director James Gray will serve as head of the jury.

The Marrakech Film Festival is set to run November 30-December 8.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Russia and Pakistan will hold military drills at a training range in the mountains of Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province from October 21 to November 4, a Russian military official said Tuesday.

Russian-Pakistani military drills "Friendship 2018" will be held in the mountains of Pakistan from October 21 until November 4, head of the Russian Southern Military District Vadim Astafyev was quoted as saying by the official Tass Agency.

Pakistan's defence ties with Russia have moved past the bitter Cold War hostilities in recent years and the chill in the relations between Pakistan and the US has further pushed the country towards Russia and China.

The joint drills of units of the Russian and Pakistani armed forces will be held at the training range of the National Counter-Terrorist Center in the Pakistani city of Pabbi in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

More than 70 mountain shooters from Karachay-Cherkessia will take part in the drills, Astafyev said.

The servicemen from the two countries' armed forces will perform tasks at the altitude of 1,400 meters above the sea level, the report said.

Astafyev noted that the "Friendship" drills between Russia and Pakistan have been held since 2016.

In 2017, over 200 servicemen took part in the drills. The military exercise was held in the North Caucasus on the altitude of 2,300 metres above the sea level.

Pakistan has shown eagerness to build military-to-military level ties with Russia.

In August, Pakistan and Russia signed an agreement for the first time to allow Pakistani troops to receive training at Russian military training institutes.

The agreement was signed during the visit of Deputy Defense Minister of Russia Colonel General Alexander Fomin to Islamabad to participate in the first Russia-Pakistan Joint Military Consultative Committee (JMCC) meeting on security and defence.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.): Consensus eluded a crucial meeting called by the Travancore Devaswom Board Tuesday to resolve the vexed issue of entry of women of all ages into the shrine in the wake of the Supreme Court verdict.

However, TDB, which manages over 1,200 temples in the state, including the Lord Ayyappa Temple, said talks with the stakeholders would continue to find a solution.

In an apparent climb down from its earlier stand that the Board was not ready for a review,TDB indicated that the matter would be taken up at its meeting slated for October 19.

The meeting, attended by various stakeholders of the shrine, including temple tantries (head priest), Pandalam royals, Ayyappa Seva Samajam and Yoga Kshema Sabha, failed to arrive at an agreement as TDB stuck to its stand of not going for a review petition against the Supreme Court order.

Representatives of the Pandalam royal family walked out of the meeting as the Board refused to concede their demand to take a decision on filing the review petition Tuesday itself.

However, TDB President A Padmakumar told reporters later that the meeting was not a "failure" and the Board wanted to settle the issue and go ahead with the talks with the people concerned again.

"What they (stakeholders) wanted was to file the review petition now itself. But the Supreme Court is closed till October 22. They also wanted to maintain status quo of the customs and traditions," he said.

"As the Supreme Court has passed a verdict, what can the Board do? But the Board will continue talks with them to resolve the issue," Padmakumar added.

The TDB chief also said that a Board meeting called on October 19 would take the matter of the review petition.

Expressing displeasure over the TDB's stand, Pandalam royal family member Shashikumar Varma said "it is very painful and we cannot agree with it".

"Though we wanted a decision on filing a review petition to be taken today itself, the Board said it can be discussed only at TDB'S next meeting, slated for October 19," he said.

"We all wish that Sabarimala should not be made a war zone," Varma, president of Pandalam Royal Palace Trust,added.

Besides Varma, temple tantries Kandaru Rajeevaru, Kandaru Mohanaru and Kandaru Mahesh Mohanaru and N Velayudhan Nair, the general secretary of Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangam were among those attended the meeting.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan maintained that the CPI(M)-led LDF government would not go for a review petition and it would implement the apex court order.

The Sabarimala Temple, located on the mountain ranges of the ecologically fragile Western Ghats, opens tomorrow for the first time after the recent Supreme Court order, permitting entry of women of all age groups there.

The shrine, which will open for the monthly pooja tomorrow evening, will close on October 22 after the five-day monthly puja during the Malayalam month of Thulam.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Saudi Arabia's consul to Istanbul on Tuesday left the Turkish city bound for Riyadh on a scheduled flight, reports said, as Turkey prepared to search his residence in the probe into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Consul general Mohammed al-Otaibi took off for Riyadh on a 1400 GMT flight from Istanbul, the Haber-Turk newspaper reported on its website. The state-run Anadolu agency also reported he had left Turkey.

The website of Ataturk International Airport showed a flight of flag-carrier Saudia took off for Riyadh at 1400 GMT and other Turkish media reports indicated he had taken this flight.

"We did not send him out. He left Turkey of his own accord," CNN-Turk cited a Turkish foreign ministry source as saying.

The consul used the VIP exit at the airport, Haber-Turk said.

Turkish police and prosecutors searched the Saudi embassy Monday after Riyadh gave the green-light amid global uproar over Khashoggi's disappearance since October 2.

The same team were due to search the residence of al-Otaibi later on Tuesday.

The search comes as some US media said Saudi Arabia is preparing a report that admits Khashogghi died during an interrogation that went wrong. The kingdom has until now insisted the journalist left the consulate safely.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Kingdom of is understood to be preparing a report in which it is likely to admit dissident journalist Jamal died during an interrogation at its consulate in Istanbul, according to a media report.

is feared to have been killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, The incident has resulted in a global outrage and more so in the US as he lived here as a legal permanent resident and worked for The Washington Post.

US lawmakers have been demanding scrapping of the USD110 billion mega defence deal with the Saudis, whereas heads of several companies, CEOs, newspapers have announced not to attend an upcoming finance conference in

President Donald Trump on Monday talked to the Saudi King, during which the latter flatly denied having any knowledge of the missing journalist.

Officially has insisted that the journalist left its consulate, but so far has not been able to give any proof of it. Trump, who has warned Saudi Arabia of severe consequences, has dispatched his Secretary of State for talks with the Saudi leader.

Amidst global outrage, CNN on Monday reported that the Saudis are preparing a report that will acknowledge that Khashoggi's death was the result of an interrogation that went wrong. The interrogation was intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey, the news channel said citing two unnamed sources.

"One source says the report will likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held responsible," the news channel reported, cautioning that things could change as the report is still being prepared.

Earlier in the day, Trump told reporters that it is possible that some "rogue element" within the government could have carried out this inhuman act.

Some of the lawmakers criticized Trump for such a statement. "President Trump's suggestion that Khashoggi's elaborately planned murder in the Saudi's own consulate was orchestrated by 'rogue killers' defies reality," said Senator Chris Van Hollen. "Orders must have come from the top. The US must not be complicit in an effort to cover up this heinous crime," he said.

"This is not leadership. We need answers from the Saudis about Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance. The President should be leading that effort and standing up for human rights," Senator Mark Warner said.

"Trump accepting Saudi Arabia's # story without a thorough, independent investigation only enables authoritarian behaviour," said Senator Ed Markey.

Senator Dick Durbin called for a strong response from the US. "I cannot support President Trump's proposed arms sales given the fact that Saudi Arabia is apparently complicit in the disappearance of Khashoggi," he said.

"Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin should cancel his participation in the Saudi investor conference and it's long overdue that the Trump Administration nominate a US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Durbin said.

A day earlier he called on Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Ambassador to the "I told Ambassador bin Salman that he should expect a very negative response from both sides of the aisle in Congress if Mr. Khashoggi was in fact kidnapped and murdered. And if that is the case, I do not believe the US should continue to be party to supporting the Saudis in the bloodshed in Yemen -- a halt that is long overdue given the humanitarian disaster resulting from that conflict," Durbin said.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post and Politico reported that two lobbying groups BGR and Glover Park have said that they would no longer represent Saudi Arabia.

Several organisations and individuals have announced that they will not attend the mega summit in Saudi Arabia as a mark of protest. These include the World Bank, The New York Times, Bloomberg, CNBC and Uber. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, KKR executive David Petraeus and Ford Motor Chairman Bill Ford have also said that they will not attend the Saudi event.

Senator Richard Blumenthal in a tweet alleged that Trump is giving the Saudis a pass on Khashoggi murder maybe because he continues to benefit from Saudi rentals, hotel bookings and other payments to the Trump Organisation. "Saudi govt payments violate our Constitution's chief public corruption prohibition. Our lawsuit holds Trump accountable, he said.Saudi Arabia is preparing a report in which it is likely to admit that dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, missing since October 2, died during an interrogation at its consulate in Istanbul, according to a media report.

Khashoggi, 60, is feared to have been killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The incident has resulted in a global outrage, more so in the US as he lived here as a legal permanent resident and worked for 'The Washington Post'.

Khashoggi, a US resident, vanished on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Turkish authorities suspect he was abducted and murdered by the Saudis.

But Riyadh insists that the journalist, a known critic of Saudi King Salman, had left the building and that murder claims are "baseless".

US lawmakers have been demanding scrapping of the USD 110 billion mega defence deal with Riyadh, whereas heads of several companies, CEOs, newspapers have announced not to attend an upcoming finance conference in Saudi Arabia.

President Donald Trump on Monday talked to the Saudi King, during which the latter flatly denied having any knowledge of the missing journalist.

Officially Saudi Arabia has insisted that the journalist left its consulate, but so far has not been able to give any proof of it. Trump, who has warned Saudi Arabia of severe consequences, has dispatched his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for talks with the Saudi leader.

Amidst global outrage, CNN on Monday reported that the Saudis were preparing a report that will acknowledge that Khashoggi's death was the result of an interrogation that went wrong.

The interrogation was intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey, the channel said citing two unnamed sources.

"One source says the report will likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held responsible," the report said, cautioning that things could change as the report is still being prepared.

Earlier in the day, Trump told reporters that it was possible that some "rogue element" within the government could have carried out the inhuman act.

Some of the lawmakers criticised Trump for such a statement.

"President Trump's suggestion that Khashoggi's elaborately planned murder in the Saudi's own consulate was orchestrated by 'rogue killers' defies reality," said Senator Chris Van Hollen.

"Orders must have come from the top. The US must not be complicit in an effort to cover up this heinous crime," he said.

"This is not leadership. We need answers from the Saudis about Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance. The President should be leading that effort and standing up for human rights," Senator Mark Warner said.

"Trump accepting Saudi Arabia's #Khashoggi story without a thorough, independent investigation only enables authoritarian behaviour," said Senator Ed Markey.

Senator Dick Durbin called for a strong response from the US. "I cannot support President Trump's proposed arms sales given the fact that Saudi Arabia is apparently complicit in the disappearance of Khashoggi," he said.

"Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin should cancel his participation in the Saudi investor conference and it's long overdue that the Trump Administration nominate a US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Durbin said.

A day earlier he called on Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Ambassador to the United States.

"I told Ambassador bin Salman that he should expect a very negative response from both sides of the aisle in Congress if Mr Khashoggi was in fact kidnapped and murdered. And if that is the case, I do not believe the US should continue to be party to supporting the Saudis in the bloodshed in Yemen - a halt that is long overdue given the humanitarian disaster resulting from that conflict," Durbin said.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post and Politico reported that two lobbying groups BGR and Glover Park have said that they would no longer represent Saudi Arabia.

Several organisations and individuals have announced that they will not attend the mega summit in Saudi Arabia as a mark of protest.

These include the World Bank, The New York Times, Bloomberg, CNBC and Uber.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, KKR executive David Petraeus and Ford Motor Chairman Bill Ford have also said that they will not attend the Saudi event.

Senator Richard Blumenthal in a tweet alleged that Trump was giving the Saudis a pass on Khashoggi murder maybe because he continues to benefit from Saudi rentals, hotel bookings and other payments to the Trump Organisation.

"Saudi govt payments violate our Constitution's chief public corruption prohibition. Our lawsuit holds Trump accountable," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Nearly 300 students of a government high school here Tuesday boycotted classes and staged a dharna demanding immediate opening of a recently built railway under bridge at a level crossing, which would help them avoid a two-km detour.

Protesting negligence by the railways, around 300 students boycotted classes and squatted in front of the school at Irugur, police said.

Police, however, managed to persuade the agitating students to disperse.

Most of the students have to cross the railway gate to reach the school and if it is closed they have to cover nearly two KMs to reach the school.

Though the under bridge was constructed to mitigate the sufferings of the students and the residents of the locality, it had not yet been opened.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.): Accusing Pakistan of trying to destablise India by sending terrorists across the border,Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have been asked not to fire first, but to retaliate without counting the bullets, if provoked.

"It (Pakistan) is our neighbour, so don't fire first. But if even one bullet comes from that side, then dont take count of the bullets (fired in retaliation)," he said in his directive to the Armed forces.

Addressing a public meeting at Guntur,Singh said Pakistan has not been desisting from sending terrorists into the country,but India was taking 'swift action' against terrorism.

"Pakistan is trying to destabilise us by sending terrorists. But I would like to compliment our Army jawans, security forces and Jammu and Kashmir police.

All three are acting in mutual coordination and are engaged in wiping out terrorists daily and are succeeding," he said.

Referring to the recent gunning down two TDP leaders, including an MLA, by the outlawed CPI (Maoist) in Andhra Pradesh, the Minister said the Centre was fully with the state government in fighting the Maoists.

"Naxalism has to be completely rooted out of Andhra Pradesh, as well as India. We will fully support the state government in this regard," he said and condemned the killing of the TDP leaders.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Self-styled preacher Daati Maharaj, accused in a sexual assault case, has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court's order transferring the matter to the CBI.

The high court had on October 3 pulled up the Delhi Police for not arresting Daati Maharaj in the case and had transferred the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

His plea is scheduled to come up for hearing in the apex court on October 22 before a bench of justices N V Ramana and M M Shantanagoudar.

A complaint was filed against Daati Madan Lal alias Daati Maharaj on June 7 and an FIR was registered on June 11.

On June 22, police had questioned the accused, who has been charged with alleged rape of a disciple at his ashrams in Delhi and Rajasthan.

The accused has claimed he was being framed in the case.

The complainant has filed the case against the preacher, his three brothers and a woman at the Fatehpur Beri police station in South Delhi.

The case was later transferred to the Delhi Police's Crime Branch.

The high court, while transferring the case to the CBI, had said the manner in which police had carried out the probe "casts a shadow on the investigation".

The high court had said police did not arrest the accused in the case even after recording of the complainant's statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

The police had claimed before the high court that arrests were not made in the case as there were discrepancies and contradictions in the woman's statement.

It had also alleged that other women, who according to the complainant were also assaulted by the accused, have denied such allegations when they were questioned.

A trial court had earlier taken strong exception to the manner in which probe was being conducted in the case, saying the investigating officer had not been able to explain the efforts made to ensure that the accused does not abscond during the investigation.

It had directed the deputy commissioner of police (Crime Branch) to monitor the probe and ensure a status report is filed before the court every week.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Amid talks of a possible expansion of the Devendra Fadnavis cabinet in Maharashtra, BJP president Amit Shah arrived here Tuesday evening and called a meeting of party leaders.

Shah was holding the meeting with a handful of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders at a hall in suburban Vile-Parle, a senior party official said.

Details of the meeting were not available as it was still going on.

However, Chief Minister Fadnavis and state BJP president Raosaheb Danve were not attending it, the official said.

Several senior leaders were not called to the meeting, he added.

"It clearly means Shah is not here to review party-level functioning or seek updates on tasks given to the office-bearers.

"Some of the senior party officials are out of Mumbai and none of them was informed or invited to this meeting," the BJP official said.

"Very few senior leaders were aware of Shah's visit to Mumbai. Fadnavis already held a meeting with Shah in Delhi a couple of days ago. Danve was also present at the meeting in Delhi," said another BJP official.

Asked about a possible cabinet expansion, he said, "Just a year is left and one cannot take key decisions for a period of at least four-five months, because the Model Code of Conduct will kick in for the Lok Sabha polls and then the Assembly election (in the second half of 2019).

"Do not know if such an expansion will be helpful for the party's plans to score better in both the elections."



Fadnavis is heading the BJP-led government, in which the Shiv Sena is a key partner, since October, 2014.

There have been talks of a possible expansion of the state Council of Ministers for the last few months.

The number of ministers in Maharashtra cannot exceed 42 (as per the constitutional upper limit of 15 per cent of the number of MLAs) and the current strength of the ministry is 39.

A vacancy arose when Agriculture Minister Pandurang Fundkar of the BJP died in May. His portfolio is now being handled by PWD and Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil.

The meeting may also discuss the upcoming convention of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) working committee, scheduled from November 26 in adjoining Palghar district, the official said.

It is the only RSS event which senior BJP leaders officially attend.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Disgruntled BJP leader Shatrughan



Sinha Tuesday visited a Durga Puja 'pandal' here along with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and placed a 'tilak' on his forehead, calling it "rajyabhishek" (coronation).

The Patna Sahib MP, who has often been critical of his own party and the Narendra Modi-led central government on many issues, was seen along with the RJD heir apparent at the Puja pandal in Dak Bungalow Road.

Before departing, Sinha told reporters, "Tejashwi is young and endowed with leadership qualities. My best wishes and blessings are with him and thus, I peformed his 'rajyabishek' hoping that he carries Bihar forward".

The actor-turned-politician also sung the opening lines of an old Hindi song "ab tumhare hawale watan sathiyon" (the nation is now in your hands).

Tejashwi (29), son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, is the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly.

"Shatrughan Sinha is like my guardian. He is an old friend of my father. I am humbled by his blessings and the high expectations he has from me," he said.

Sinha, who has served as Union minister in the NDA government-led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has displayed his proximity to the Lalu family on a number of occasions recently.

He had gone to Ranchi to meet the RJD supremo where he is serving sentences in a number of fodder scam cases. He also met Lalu and Tejashwi here on the sidelines of the marriage of the RJD chief's elder son Tej Pratap Yadav.

Sinha popularly called 'Bihari Babu' also attended the Iftaar party hosted by Tejashwi during the month of Ramzan, while giving similar events organized by his own party leaders a slip.

Besides, he has also been frequently sharing stage with many former BJP leaders, who have now turned fierce critics of the party like Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie.

He has also, in his tweets, been showering praises on leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal, both of whom are engaged in a fierce political battle with the BJP in their respective states.

No BJP leader has come out with a statement on the latest episode, though in the past some of them have expressed their displeasure over Sinha's defiant ways.

Soon after the former actor shared stage with Yashwant Sinha at a function where the latter announced severing of his ties with the BJP, Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Modi had stated that the Patna Sahib MP should "follow the example of his mentor".

Moreover, recently Rajya Sabha member R K Sinha had come out with a scathing criticism of the actor-turned-politician over his tweets questioning the prime minister on the Rafale deal and asked whether he (Sinha) stood with Modi or his opponents.

Sinha has, however, stuck to his guns and responded to murmurs about him not getting a ticket from Patna Sahib in 2019 with the cryptic remark, "Situation may be different, location will be the same - Patna Sahib".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)President Maithripala Sirisena has come under intense pressure from a section of his party to take his Sri Lanka Freedom Party out of the ruling coalition with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe's United National Party, sources said.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party's policy making Central Committee will have a crucial session Tuesday night, party sources said.

"We will be analysing the current political situation and certain problems related to the party," Prof Rohana Laxman Piyadasa, the general secretary, said.

The meeting comes in the wake of a reported dialogue between Sirisena and his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The new party of the former president wants Sirisena to dissolve the Parliament to hold fresh elections. However, the earliest a parliamentary election could be held is after February 2020.

It was reported that Sirisena and Rajapaksa had met due to the former's growing dissatisfaction with Wickremesinghe as the prime minister. Rajapaksa had mooted the idea for a caretaker government replacing Wickremesinghe.

Piyadasa, however, said that caretaker government was not on the agenda for the meeting.

"We can still discuss it under the current situation."



The group of 16 of Sirisena's men who had left the Wickremesinghe cabinet are pressuring Sirisena to leave the government, party sources said.

They had written a letter to Sirisena a fortnight back urging him to take the SLFP out of the government. They left their Cabinet positions in April after they had voted against Wickremesinghe in the motion of no confidence which he easily won with support coming from the Tamil and Muslim minority parties.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Activists of Shiv Sena Dogra Front (SSDF) Tuesday staged a protest here, demanding registration of a sedition case against former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti for saying slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Manan Wani was a "victim of relentless violence".

Led by their leader Ashok Gupta, dozens of SSDF activists took out a rally from Rani Park here. They raised slogans demanding registration of FIR against all those who came forward in support of Wani, who along with his associate was killed in an encounter in Kupwara district on October 11.

"We demand registration of sedition case against former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and others for supporting terrorism. He was a terrorist and had quit his studies to wage war against the country," Gupta told reporters.

In a tweet yesterday, Mehbooba called for withdrawal of cases against three Kashmiri students studying in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and described Wani "a victim of relentless violence in Kashmir".

"Pushing youth to the wall will be counter productive. Centre must intervene in withdrawing cases against students and AMU authorities must revoke their suspension. The respective state governments outside Jammu and Kashmir should be sensitive to the situation and prevent further alienation," Mehbooba wrote on twitter.

Meanwhile, National Panthers Party (NPP) chairman and former minister Harsh Dev Singh also came down heavily on the former chief minister and said such statements cannot be tolerated.

He asked the centre and the governor administration in the state to initiate appropriate action against Mufti.

"Such a statement cannot be tolerated especially from a person who has held the post of chief minister in the state. They are encouraging terrorists who are trying to vitiate the atmosphere in the state at the behest of Pakistan," Singh said.

He claimed the situation in Kashmir valley had deteriorated due to the "soft approach and appeasement policy" adopted by the Centre and the previous PDP-BJP government.

Lauding the security forces for their anti-militancy operations, Singh said provocative statements from some politicians have had a demoralising effect on the forces that are working under tough conditions to deal with Pakistan-sponsored proxy war.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Harassment faced by girl students in the vicinity of their colleges and in DTC buses were discussed in an all-stakeholders meeting held Tuesday.

The students of Gargi College, Jija Bai Women Polytechnic, and Kamla Nehru College raised the issues faced by them while commuting between their home and respective institutions.

"The girl students complained of frequent sexual harassment by anti-social elements around the colleges and also in DTC buses, claiming that policemen often ignored it even if it happened in front of them," said AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj who convened the meeting at Gargi College.

The police officials ensured to step up vigil to prevent such incidents while the Delhi Transport Corporation(DTC) representative promised to take action in case of negligence on the part of marshals deputed in buses for women safety, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to unveil the 'Statue of Unity', touted to be the world's tallest statue, on October 31, Gujarat minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama Tuesday said over 15,000 domestic and international tourists are expected to visit the site daily.

Chudasama, who was accompanied by some party legislators during a visit here, said he would be extending invites to various dignitaries, including Governors of Punjab and Haryana, for the inauguration event.

Several Gujarat ministers and BJP MLAs from the state have fanned out across the country with invites to the big event.

When asked if an invite was extended to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Chudasama, who was addressing a conference here, saidGujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had written to all chief ministers in this regard.

Haryana Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma and Agriculture Minister O P Dhankar also attended the conference.

Dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Statue of Unity with a height of 182 metres, will be unveiled on Patel's 142nd birth anniversary.

As the then Gujarat chief minister, Narendra Modi had on October 31, 2013 laid the foundation stone for the project.

Gujarat Education Minister Chudasama said the statue would inspire the coming generation about the contribution of the "Iron Man" in the unity of India. He said Patel had made a unique contribution in bringing 546 princely states together for the unity and harmony of the nation.

To pay tribute to a leader of high stature and ensure that his contribution does not remain confined to books, the then chief minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi had decided to construct a unique monument of Sardar Patel, Chudasama said.

The statue, built at a cost of over Rs 2,300 crore, stands 3.2 km downstream of the Narmada dam on the islet 'Sadhu Bet'.

The Gujarat minister said a Shrestha Bharat Complex has been set up near the Statue of Unity which would house Bhavans of different states.

The Gujarat chief minister has sent a written communication to chief ministers of all states for setting up their respective Bhavans at the site, to which Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have already consented.

The statue will also have a museum on the life of Sardar Patel at the base and a viewing gallery besides an exhibition and a research centre will also come up at the site, Chudasama said.

The research centre will facilitate scholars doing research on the lives of great personalities like Patel, Mahatma Gandhi and B R Ambedkar, he said.

"As the statue is situated in a tribal area, the high footfall will help in the development of the area and also create large-scale employment avenues.

"A 17 kilometer-long flower valley will give a mesmerizing experience to those visiting the statue. About 100 guides will be available at the site for the convenience of visitors," the Gujarat education minister added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Congress president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday said he would desist from opposing Narendra Modi the day the prime minister stopped "dividing" the country and started helping the poor.

Campaigning for his party in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi again attacked Modi over his alleged proximity to businessmen, saying he worked for a handful of rich people.

Addressing a public meeting here in Morena district, he said, "Someone said yesterday that Rahul Gandhi opposes Narendra Modi. I say that I do not oppose for the sake of opposing, there is a reason.

"I will stop opposing Narendra Modiji the day he starts helping the shopkeepers, labourers and the poor. The day he stops the work of dividing the country, I will stop opposing Modiji."



Accusing Modi of working for "15-20" rich people, Gandhi said, "Until Modi talks about justice, waives the loans of farmers, stands with the labourers, whatever the rest of Hindustan says, Rahul Gandhi will stand against him, because I believe you people are behind the progress of the country."



He alleged that the prime minister, in his Independence Day speech, had insulted the ancestors of those who toiled hard to build this country.

"The US president says only India and China can compete with it (America). The country was poor and hungry 70 years back. There was no city, no railway lines, no plane, no industry and the prime minister says nothing has happened in the last 70 years," the Congress president said.

He accused Modi of helping his "friends" convert their black money through the demonetisation exercise, under which high-value currency notes were scrapped in November, 2016.

"Two years ago, Modi had imposed demonetisation and made the entire country stand in queues. Did we see a Vijay Mallya or Nirav Modi or Anil Ambani in those queues? Modi helped them convert their black money into white," he said.

Gandhi attacked Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the issue of corruption.

He said, "Corruption is rampant in Madhya Pradesh. There is a hierarchy of corruption that reaches the chief minister and his family."



"Scams like Vyapam (a multi-crore-rupee admission and recruitment racket) have destroyed education in Madhya Pradesh and made it expensive. In the e-tendering scam, everyone knows who is involved.

"You can study for hours. But you cannot go ahead until you have money to offer, which means Vyapam. This scam has killed 50 people. The entire state knows what is the role of the chief minister and his wife in this scam," Gandhi said.

In the past, Chouhan has vehemently denied his or his family's involvement in the Vyapam scam.

Gandhi said if voted to power, his party would create jobs for the youth of Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress is in the opposition since 2003.

"The Congress chief minister will work hard for 18 out of 24 hours to create employment for the youth of Madhya Pradesh. We will not make false promises like the BJP, which had promised to give two crore jobs to the youth," he said.

The Congress chief promised to set up food processing units in every district of the state to promote the "Made In Madhya Pradesh" brand and said his party would announce farm loan waiver if elected to power.

Gandhi also addressed public rallies at Joura and Sheopur as part of his election campaign in Madhya Pradesh.

Before addressing the rallies, he visited the Bandi Chhor Gurdwara, located in the Gwalior Fort. He was accompanied by state Congress president Kamal Nath and senior party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia.

After the public meetings, Gandhi held a roadshow from Joura to Bamor in Morena district and headed for Gwalior, from where he will leave for New Delhi, concluding his two day visit to the state.

The 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly will go to the polls on November 28 and the counting of votes will be taken up on December 11.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A group of tuberculosis survivors has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to increase the amount under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana.

In the letter written to Modi, the Survivors Against TB (SATB) highlighted the challenges associated with the recently-announced Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for TB patients.

On April 1, the Ministry of Health had announced the scheme offering incentives to support the nutritional needs of TB patients.

The scheme is called the "Nikshay Poshan Yojana". Under it, a financial incentive of Rs 500 per month is provided to each notified TB patient for the entire duration of his treatment.

While commending this patient-centric and compassionate scheme, the SATB highlighted two critical challenges that hindered its success.

First, the monthly amount offered to patients is insufficient.

Based on extensive interviews with patients, the SATB believes that the amount is low for buying food for a month.

"It is critical that the government considers increasing this amount to Rs 2,000 so that it can at least cover the monthly food costs," they said in a statement.

Increasing the amount had the possibility of ensuring improved nutrition and financial stability for millions of Indians affected by the disease, they added.

Another key challenge highlighted in the letter was the poor awareness of and enrolment in this scheme.

Most TB patients and their families remain unaware of the scheme.

The SATB highlighted an urgent need to roll out a multi-lingual, multi-media effort to ensure that maximum number of TB-affected individuals could enrol in and avail of the scheme.

SATB believes that the programme has the potential to be a game changer for millions of TB affected individuals.

SATB is a community-based movement that is led by of a group of TB survivors who are working to strengthen India's fight against tuberculosis.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Ahead of the opening of the Lord Ayyappa Temple tomorrow for monthly pooja, tension looms large at Nilackal - the main gateway to Sabarimala- as devotees Tuesday stopped vehicles and prevented women of the "banned" age group from trekking to the holy hill.

The shrine located on the mountain ranges of the ecologically fragile Western Ghats opens tomorrow for the first time after the recent Supreme Court order permitting women of all age groups there.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, however, told reporters that no one would be allowed to block devotees from proceeding to Sabarimala.

Groups of women devotees including senior citizens, clad in traditional sarees, could be seen stopping each and every vehicle at Nilackal, the base camp located about 20 kms away from Sabarimala hill top.

Besides private vehicles, devotees even stopped and inspected Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and asked young women to get out of it.

Very few police personnel were present when the incidents happened.

One of the woman agitator said, "No woman belonging to the banned age group of 10-50 will be allowed to travel further from Nilackal and offer worship at the shrine" when it opens for the monthly pooja tomorrow evening.

The temple would be closed on October 22 after the five-day monthly puja during the Malayalam month of Thulam.

Chanting 'swamiya saranam Ayyappa' matras aloud and clapping their hands, women devotee had been inspecting vehicles at various points en route to Sabarimala since last evening.

Local television channels reported that some college students, who were sporting black colour dresses, were asked to get out of a bus they were travelling in, by devotees alleging that they were on their way to Sabarimala.

Ayyappa devotees wear black colour dress and a bead chain during the pilgrimage.



Women journalists, who tried to reach the hill temple as part of their official assignments, were also stopped at the base camp.

Vijayan, however, warned of stern action against those who prevent devotees.

"Stern action will be taken against anyone who prevents devotees from going to Sabarimala," Vijayan told reporters here.

Vijayan also made it clear that the government has no intention to file a review petition and would implement the apex court order.

The chief minister said the government has taken a stand on the issue that there should not be any discrimination on the basis of gender.

However, the government has clarified that it would not bring in any law to put its policy into practice.

"But, will go by what the Supreme Court says," Vijayan said.

Referring to the statement of BJP President P S Sreedharan Pillai that government would be responsible for any law and order situation on the issue, Vijayan said it was the saffron party that was trying to create problem in the state.

The chief minister also condemned the remark of a BJP supporter and actor Kollam Thulasi that "women who go to Sabarimala temple defying the custom should be ripped apart".

A group of devotees continued their sit-in dharna in front of secretariat here to protest the government's decision to implement the top court order.

Kerala has been witnessing intense protests including prayer marches and mass rallies by Lord Ayyappa devotees and right wing outfits against the implementation of the Apex court verdict.

All protest rallies had witnessed mass participation of women especially that of senior citizens.

The Shiv Sena's state unit recently warned of "mass suicides" if women of the "banned" age group visits Sabarimala.

Police have booked actor-turned-BJP supporter, Kollam Thulashi for his controversial remarks.

A 32-year-old woman, hailing from Kannur, had Monday complained that she was being slut-shamed and subjected to threats and abuses on social media after she announced her decision to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa shrine.

Though the government had earlier considered to deploy women police personnel at Sannidhanam, the temple complex and the 'pathinettam padi,' the sacred 18 steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum, the plan was dropped later following protests of devotees.

The entry of menstruating women had been restricted in the hillock shrine as, according to the traditions, the principal deity Lord Ayyappa is considered to be the 'Naishtika Brahmachari' or the perennial celibate./ --



In a proud moment for EuroSchool Whitefield, four of the students of grade 7 have published a book called 'The Chronicles of Wizardry'.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/459122/PRNE_EuroKids_Logo.jpg )



The incredible feat was performed by four 12 year old girls - Uditi Mourya, Treya Moodithaya, Nikkita Rosalyn and Nityasree Pola. These young girls epitomised sincerity by indulging in literary excellence in parallel to regular academic sessions.

The students revealed that they received tremendous support from their teachers, at EuroSchool Whitefield, who not only supported them but also helped them in proof reading the book.

The four girls began the process by reading about the steps involved in writing a book, from producing a rough draft of a manuscript to publishing it. During their lunch breaks they discussed the storyline, noted down the plots and the thoughts & ideas. The collaborative work of the four girls in terms of writing, reviewing and editing, resulted in them putting together a book. The whole process of writing the book took them one academic year.

EuroSchool Whitefield Principal, Shruthi Arun said, "We feel proud of our student prodigies who have performed a remarkable feat of releasing a book at such a young age. At EuroSchool, it is our constant endeavour to help students to recognize their talent, discover their areas of interest, encourage individual skills, thereby giving each child the opportunity to pursue their passion."



The book is about a boy named Jason, who discovers that he is bestowed with magical powers and the challenges he faces in the School of Wizardry. The book is now available at Amazon for INR 236.

About EuroSchool



EuroSchool is a venture of EuroKids International and has 10 K-12 schools spanning across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Surat.

EuroSchool sets itself apart with its unique philosophy of Discover Yourself, which highlights the concept of Balanced Schooling that provides a blend of academics and co-curricular development to enable children to explore and identify their interests and strengths. EuroSchool is the 1st network of schools in India to be honoured with the 'Safe School Certification' by Bureau Veritas, a global leader in conformity assessment and certification services.

EuroSchool curriculum at all schools are in accordance with the CBSE and ICSE Boards. Also, select schools also offer the CAIE, Cambridge Assessment International (IGCSE)



For more information, please visit the website https://www.euroschoolindia.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US President Donald Trump on Tuesday called adult-film star Stormy Daniels "Horseface" and threatened to "go after" her after a federal judge dismissed her defamation suit against him.

The tweet comes after a federal judge in California threw out Daniels's defamation lawsuit against Trump and ordered Daniels to repay the president's legal fees.

Daniels's attorney, Michael Avenatti, responded by calling Trump a "disgusting misogynist" and a "liar" who has dishonored his family and country.

"Federal Judge throws out Stormy Danials lawsuit versus Trump. Trump is entitled to full legal fees. @FoxNews Great, now I can go after Horseface and her 3rd rate lawyer in the Great State of Texas," Trump tweeted Tuesday.

"She will confirm the letter she signed! She knows nothing about me, a total con!" Trump asserted.

The judge's ruling does not affect a separate lawsuit Daniels is bringing against Trump regarding a 2016 nondisclosure agreement.

Daniels alleges she had an affair with Trump in 2006 and that the former business mogul paid her USD 130,000 during the run-up to the 2016 presidential election in exchange for her silence.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)on Monday described himself a true environmentalist, but asserted that his administration's climate actions were not meant to put American businesses out of business.

"When you talk about the environment, I am truly an environmentalist," Trump told reporters in Florida when asked about a recent US research which says that climate change will make the strongest hurricanes even stronger.

Trump said that a lot of people smile when they hear him saying that he is truly an environmentalist.

"I have the cleanest air, and I'm going to have the cleanest air. But that doesn't mean we have to put every one of our businesses out of business. That doesn't mean that we can't compete or we're not allowed to compete with other nations that aren't doing what we're doing," he said.

"We're competing very well. Our nation is the hottest nation economically on the planet, by far, even though we're very big. I mean, we're up $10.7 trillion - $11.7 trillion, since I got elected. Nobody thought that would be possible," he said.

"Other nations -- as an example, China -- not that I wish this, but they're down many trillions of dollars. So we're doing really well, and I want to keep it that way," Trump said.

A day earlier, Trump in an interview with CBS News backed off from his previous claim that climate change is a hoax, but said that it's not man-made with permanent impacts and climate will "change back again".

On Monday, when asked about hurricanes and climate change, Trump said. "For a long period of time, we've had very few (storms). I have a home in Palm Beach Florida and frankly, for years, we had none and then, the last couple of years we had more. Hopefully, we'll go back to many years of having none."



In an interview with PBS News, former US Vice President Al Gore said that world is experiencing a global emergency due to changes in the earth's climate caused by human beings.

"What the scientists have warned us in this recent report is that if we do not take action quickly...then consequences down the road would be far, far worse than what we're experiencing now. Climate change could become an existential threat to civilisation," Gore told PBS News.US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and been assured that a "full" probe into the disappearance of a critical journalist was underway.

"Just spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia who totally denied any knowledge of what took place in their Turkish Consulate," Trump tweeted.

He "told me that he has already started, and will rapidly expand, a full and complete investigation into this matter. Answers will be forthcoming shortly." The disappearance and suspected murder of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has embarrassed Mohammed and strained relations with Washington.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)President Donald Trump has warned Honduras he will cut millions of dollars in aid if a group of about 2,000 migrants is allowed to reach the United States.

A migrant caravan set out on Saturday from the impoverished, violence-plagued country and was headed north on the long journey through Guatemala and Mexico to the US border.

Trump, who has made cracking down on illegal immigration a keystone of his presidency, tweeted on Tuesday that US aid to Honduras, which is planned to reach nearly $66 million in 2019, would end.

"The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!" he said.

Guatemala announced it would stop the group from entering if they did not have the proper visas.

However, the migrants -- including children -- managed to reach a shelter in the southwestern Guatemalan city of Esquipulas on Monday, according to local media reports.

Rights organizations called on the Guatemalan government to guarantee the migrants safe passage.

"The government of Guatemala is responsible for the security and integrity of the people who are on its territory and their human rights should not be violated for any reason," a statement by 18 migrant support groups said.

"We demand the cessation of all police and administrative action that restricts their fundamental rights," the groups added.

Mexico has also said it would block members of the caravan from entering its territory if they did not have permits.

According to the United Nations, 500,000 people a year cross illegally over Mexico's southern border in the hope of making it to the US.

Most of them are fleeing violence and poverty in Central American countries.

Honduras is a country of nine million people but around one million Hondurans live in the United States, most illegally.

Last year they injected $4 billion into the Honduran economy through remittances sent home, amounting to some 20 percent of gross domestic product.

Last week, US Vice President Mike Pence met with the presidents of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador in Washington for the second conference on Prosperity and Security in Central America.

Pence asked the three presidents to send a message to their citizens that "if they can't come to the United States legally, they shouldn't come at all." He also acknowledged that greater prosperity in those three countries -- known as the Northern Triangle -- was vital to encouraging undocumented migrants from making the treacherous path north.

Washington has committed to providing funding for programs that improve security and create development opportunities in a bid to put the brakes on migration.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Turkish police on Monday shot a tractor driver in the leg after he refused to stop, state media reported, with the suspect claiming he was planning a protest at Israel's embassy in Ankara.

The 45-year-old was detained after damaging several vehicles with the tractor in the capital despite calls to stop by the police, state-run agency Anadolu said.

The driver claimed that he was on his way "to protest in front of the Israeli embassy" in Ankara but no details on the planned action were given by Anadolu.

However, an Israeli official, who did not wish to be named, said "to the best of our understanding, the incident was not related to Israel or its embassy".

The Ankara governor's office said in a statement that the incident was being investigated but officials could find no links to terror.

The office did not mention the planned protest and the incident took place near the Israeli ambassador's residence in Ankara, not the embassy.

Relations between Israel and Turkey, one of the Jewish state's few key Muslim partners, have been strained this year.

In May, Ankara ordered Israel's ambassador to leave over the killing of protesters along the border with the Gaza Strip.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In a boost to the BJP, two Congress MLA, who resigned from the Goa Assembly, are set to join the saffron party amid its vigorous efforts to strengthen the thin majority of its alliance government in the state.

Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte met BJP president Amit Shah here Tuesday and later said they will be joining the party.

BJP sources said more opposition MLAs may join its ranks.

Both legislators have quit as MLAs. Their departure will bring down the effective strength of the 40-member state assembly, denting the Congress' attempts to cobble up a majority to replace the Manohar Parrikar-led alliance government.

Parrikar has been critically ill for a while, causing some unrest among a few of the BJP's allies.

The strength of the Congress, which has so far been the single largest party with 16 MLAs, will now come down to 14. The BJP also has 14 MLAs.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In a major setback to the Congress in Goa, two of its legislators resigned Tuesday as members of the state Assembly, reducing the party's strength from 16 to 14 in the 40-member House.

Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte, who went to Delhi late last night, faxed their resignation letters to Speaker Pramod Sawant and are set to join the BJP.

With their resignation, the Congress ceases to be the single largest party in the Assembly whose effective strength now stands reduced to 38.

The development assumes further significance as it comes at a time when Goa is witnessing hectic political activity against the backdrop of the ill-health of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

"Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte faxed their resignations as members of the Assembly to my office. We have received their resignations," Sawant told PTI.

The Speaker said the resignations have been accepted.

"I and Shirodkar have resigned as MLAs and also from the primary membership of the Congress. We have sent our resignations to the Congress party," Sopte told PTI over phone from Delhi.

Leader of Opposition in Goa Assembly Chandrakant Kavlekar expressed shock over the development.

"We came to know through media reports that two of our legislators are in touch with the BJP and might resign. We are shocked," he told reporters here.

Sopte and Shirodkar were part of the crucial Congress Legislature Party meeting held in the state earlier to discuss the political situation arising out of the ill-health of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Kavlekar said.

Sopte, 54, represented the Mandrem Assembly constituency in North Goa district, while Shirodkar, 66, was elected from the Shiroda in South Goa district.

In the 40-member Goa Assembly, the Parrikar government has the support of 23 MLAs. These comprise 14 BJP MLAs, three each from the Goa Forward Party and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party as well as three Independents.

The Congress, with 16 seats, had emerged as the single largest party in the fructured verdict thrown up in the Assembly elections held in March last year.

However, it had failed to form the government as it could not muster the majority. Since, then it has been repeatedly laying claim to form the government, arguing that it was the single largest party.

Shirodkar won five times from the Shiroda constituency and was the Cabinet minister from 1985 to 2000.

Sopte had defeated BJP's Laxmikant Parsekar, who was the chief minister before the state polls last year.

He had won from the Pernem Assembly seat on the BJP ticket in 2007 but resigned from the party to join the Congress in 2012, when he was denied a ticket.

When the Pernem seat was reserved for a Scheduled Caste candidate, Sopte aspired to contest on BJP's ticket from Mandrem constituency in 2012 but the party fielded the then BJP Goa unit chief Laxmikant Parsekar from there.

Sopte had then fought the 2012 Assembly poll from Mandrem Congress ticket but lost to Parsekar.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Two Congress MLAs from Goa, including a former state party chief, joined the BJP Tuesday, dealing a blow to the opposition party in a state where the saffron party-led alliance government enjoys a thin majority.

Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte, both of whom have resigned from the assembly, met Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah at his residence in the national capital and were later inducted into the party at a press conference addressed by Union minister Piyush Goyal.

Goyal described Shirodkar, a six-time MLA and former state Congress president, and Sopte, a two-term legislator, as leaders of high stature and popular among the masses, adding that their presence in the BJP would boost its state government's development agenda.

Goa BJP leaders Vishwajit Rane, a minister in the Parrikar government, and Shripad Naik, an MP from the state and a Union minister, were also present at the press conference, with Rane claiming that the Congress in the state is "heading towards a vertical split" due to its MLAs' lack of faith in the leadership of the party's national president Rahul Gandhi.

Rane, who had quit the Congress to join the BJP after the assembly polls in 2017, is seen as one of the contenders for the top post in case the ruling party looks for Parrikar's replacement.

He is believed to have played a key role in winning over the two leaders.

Shirodkar said he joined the BJP due to the development works of the Parrikar government and added that he believed it was the only party capable of issues facing the state.

In the 40-member assembly, the Parrikar government has the support of 23 MLAs. These comprise 14 BJP MLAs, three each from the Goa Forward Party and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party as well as three Independents.

The strength of the Congress, which has so far been the single largest party with 16 MLAs, will now come down to 14.

With Parrikar's condition being critical due to illness and some MLAs of the alliance restive at the prospect of any likely replacement, the BJP has been making vigorous efforts to boost its numbers in the assembly.

It is likely to field the two leaders from the constituencies in the byelections caused by their resignation.

Sopte (54) represented the Mandrem Assembly constituency in North Goa district and Shirodkar (66) was elected from Shiroda in South Goa district.

Earlier, in Goa, Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant said Shirodkar and Sopte had sent their resignations by fax as members of the assembly to his office.

Shirodkar said more MLAs from the Congress may join the saffron party.

Goa BJP chief Vinay Dinu Tendulkar told reporters that portfolios are likely to be reshuffled among ministers in the coming days.

Goa has been witnessing hectic political activity due to the chief minister's prolonged absence from office due to ill health. He is currently being treated by doctors from the state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital at his private residence at Dona Paula near Panaji.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Ukraine's General Staff said Tuesday that two pilots died when a Sukhoi fighter jet crashed during large-scale military exercises with the United States and other NATO countries.

"A Sukhoi-27 plane crashed at around 5:00pm local time (1400 GMT) during a training flight," the General Staff said on its Facebook page, adding that "the bodies of the two pilots have been found.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Union Minister Jitendra Singh Tuesday expressed concern over the health of the Devika river in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district and urged for immediate measures for its cleaning and conservation.

"Due to increase in pollution from various sources, including municipal sewerage, the river had suffered heavy degradation and therefore, deserves to be immediately taken up for cleaning and conservation, the minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office said.

Reviewing the progress and implementation of the ambitious Devika river rejuvenation project at a high level meeting here, Singh said it was the first-of-its-kind project in the state and was important not only from the and ecological view point, but also from the religious point of view.

Also known as Devika Nagari, the river originates from the hilly Suddha Mahadev temple in Udhampur district and flows down towards western Punjab (now in Pakistan) where it merges with the Ravi river. It is revered by Hindus as the sister of river Ganga.

Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Arun Kumar Mehta, District Development Commissioner Ravinder Kumar, Director of urban local bodies in Jammu, R S Tara, and other senior officers attended the meeting, an official spokesman said.

He added that threadbare discussion was held on the preparations needed for starting the project.

The attendees at the meeting were informed that tenders for package-I amounting to Rs 8.20 crore and package-II amounting to Rs 145.52 crore had been floated, and that the process would be completed in November and work started immediately, the spokesman said.

The Union minister directed the district development commissioner to visit the Sabarmati or the Gomti river development project, along with experts, to incorporate new ideas in this project.

He also directed 100 per cent coverage of individual households for solid and liquid waste management.

Singh also gave assurances that the current government was endeavouring to complete the construction work of all major projects in the district in a time-bound manner.

He said ongoing developmental works should not be stopped due to lack of funds and assured all possible help from his side.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The US military says it has carried out its deadliest airstrike against the al-Shabab extremist group in Somalia in nearly a year, killing about 60 fighters.

The US Africa Command says Friday's airstrike occurred near the community of Harardere in Mudug province in the central part of the country. The statement says according to its assessment no civilians were injured or killed.

It was the largest such US strike since one on Nov 21, 2017, killed about 100 al-Shabab fighters.

The US military has carried out more than two dozen airstrikes, including drone strikes, this year against the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab, the deadliest Islamic extremist group in sub-Saharan Africa.

Somalia on Sunday marked the first anniversary of al-Shabab's deadliest attack, a truck bombing in Mogadishu that killed well over 500 people.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The US Treasury on Tuesday slapped sanctions on businesses providing financial support to an Iranian paramilitary group as part of its so-called maximum pressure campaign against Tehran.

In announcing the sanctions, the Treasury said a network of more than 20 businesses known as the Bonyad Taavon Basij was financing the Basij Resistance Force, a component of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

"The international community must understand that business entanglements with the Bonyad Taavon Basij network and IRGC front companies have real world humanitarian consequences," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A US consulate car being driven by a woman hit a motorcycle in Pakistan's port city of Karachi, injuring the rider and triggering protest from the passers-by, police said Tuesday.

The incident occurred near a flyover after which passers-by surrounded the vehicle. The motorcyclist, who received wounds to his foot, was shifted to a hospital, The reported.

The passers-by encircled the US consulate vehicle which was being driven by a woman, who was later identified as a staff member at the US consulate, the report said.

Earlier in April, a military attache had rammed his vehicle into a motorcycle in Islamabad, killing one man on the spot and injuring the other.

Colonel Joseph Emanuel Hall had run a red light before hitting the motorcycle. He was let go by the police after registration of a case.

But, the father of the deceased youth moved the Islamabad High Court to order placement of Colonel Joseph's name on the Exit Control List.

Pakistan government later allowed Colonel Joseph to leave the country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Intensifying its pressure on Iran, the US imposed sanctions on Tuesday on a multibillion-dollar financial network that supports an Iranian paramilitary force, alleging it recruits and trains child soldiers for the country's elite Revolutionary Guards.

The announcement came two weeks before the Trump administration reimposes some of the United States' harshest sanctions against Iran, including its oil sector.

Announcing sanctions against Basij Resistance Force, the US Department of Treasury alleged that the paramilitary force subordinate to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) indulges in militia recruits, trains, and deploys child soldiers to fight in IRGC-fueled conflicts across the region.

"This Iran-based network is known as Bonyad Taavon Basij, which is translated as Basij Cooperative Foundation, and is comprised of at least 20 corporations and financial institutions," the Treasury said.

Bonyad Taavon Basij employs shell companies and other measures to mask Basij ownership and control over a variety of multibillion-dollar business interests in Iran's automotive, mining, metals, and banking industries, many of which have significant international dealings across the Middle East and with Europe, it said.

"The Bonyad Taavon Basij network is an example of how the IRGC and Iranian military forces have expanded their economic involvement in major industries, and infiltrated seemingly legitimate businesses to fund terrorism and other malign activities," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.

This vast network provides financial infrastructure to the Basij's efforts to recruit, train, and indoctrinate child soldiers who are coerced into combat under the IRGC's direction, he alleged.

"The international community must understand that business entanglements with the Bonyad Taavon Basij network and IRGC front companies have real world humanitarian consequences. This helps fuel the Iranian regime's violent ambitions across the Middle East," Mnuchin said.

The press release issued by the Treasury included a number of pictures of child soldiers with weapons. In one picture found on the website one can see pictures of Presidents Obama, Bush and others that are part of a compilation of pictures where these children are doing target practice.

"The Basij recruit and train fighters for the IRGC Quds Force, who then deploy them to Syria to support the brutal Assad regime. They also recruit Afghan immigrants to Iran, again including children, to join their militias. Children recruited by the Basij have tragically fought and died in battlegrounds in Syria," a senior administration official told reporters during a conference call.

In addition to Basij, the US designated an extensive network in Iran that provides the financial infrastructure to the Basij, supporting not only the IRGC and its Quds Force, but also by extension providing support to their efforts to coerce child soldiers into combat under the IRGC's direction.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Trump Administration is working with countries on a case by case basis to ensure that their purchase of oil from Iran comes down to zero as soon as possible, a top US official said.

President Donald Trump in May pulled the US out of the 2015 nuclear accord, saying it had "failed to achieve the fundamental objective of blocking all paths to an Iranian nuclear bomb" and did not deal with Tehran's "malign activities, including its ballistic missile programme and its support for terrorism".

In an attempt to compel Iran to agree to a new accord, Trump reinstated sanctions that targeted the Iranian government's purchase of US dollars, Iran's trade in gold and other precious metals, and its automotive sector.

On November 4, a second batch of potentially more crippling sanctions will be re-imposed on Iran's oil and shipping sectors as well as its central bank. The US has asked buyers of Iranian oil to cut imports to zero starting in November.

In a conference call with reporters in Luxemburg after his travel to India for talks on the Iranian oil issue, the Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook told reporters that their goal remains getting countries importing oil from Iran to zero as quickly as possible.

"We are working with countries that are reducing their imports on a case-by-case basis to assure that this happens. We are confident that energy markets will remain stable," Hook said, without giving details of the talks that he had in New Delhi with Indian officials.

India said it would continue to purchase oil from Iran after November 4.

"We are seeing a well-supplied and balanced oil market right now, and we should focus on these fundamentals and not be distracted by the emotional and unbalanced claims coming from Tehran. We are going to continue to coordinate very closely with oil producers. The US is doing its part to maintain supply," he told reporters.

The punitive American sanctions against those continuing to purchase oil from Iran comes into effect November 5. The Trump Administration insists that it wants all countries to bring down their purchase of Iranian oil to zero.

But countries like India, given its massive energy needs, argues that it simply can't do that, even as it is planning to significantly reduce its intake of oil from Iran.

"Our sanctions will go into effect on November 5th, and this round of sanctions includes sanctions on Iran's energy sector and foreign financial transactions with the Central Bank of Iran," Hook said.

Ahead of the November 4 deadline, teams from Treasury and State have visited more than two dozen countries educating companies about the dangers of doing business with Iran, the reputational risk they incur by doing business with Iran, he said. These countries and entities, he said, are deciding that the risk is simply not worth the investment.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) on Tuesday demanded that ballot papers be used in the November 28 assembly polls in Mizoram instead of EVMs.

The MNF also appealed to the visiting EC team led by Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat to install mobile jammer at counting halls during counting of votes to be held on December 11.

"Why should electronic voting machines be used in Indian elections? Even developed countries use ballot papers. EVMs are extremely expensive," senior MNF leader H Rammawi said after meeting the EC team.

The EC team is on a visit to Mizoram to review poll preparedness in the state. The election to 40-member Mizoram assembly would be held on November 28.

Another opposition party, the National People's Party, urged the poll panel to instruct to the Mizoram government to improve road condition before the polls.

Most of the roads and highways in the state were in extremely bad condition and movements of poll workers as well as political parties were being hindered because of this, an NPP leader said.

The NGO Coordination Committee, a conglomeration of three major NGOs and two student bodies, urged the EC to defranchise all the Bru voters who chose to stay back in Tripura and did not return to Mizoram.

Only 40 of the 5,407 Bru refugee families returned to Mizoram from the six refugee camps in Tripura during the stipulated one month of repatriation process that ended on September 30.

A leader of the NGO Coordination Committee said, "The Bru community in Mizoram does not have any problem.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra Tuesday expressed serious concern over the law and order situation in the city after a video of BSP leader's son brandishing a weapon at a five-star hotel went viral on social media.

"I really fear for the safety of our children and the people of our city, the capital of our country," he said in a Facebook post.

"What is the Law and Order prevailing and who is accountable? Has the Chief Minister seen what is existing and will they make an example of this insane behaviour with guns and profanity?" he said.

Vadra also posted a few pictures of the incident showing a young man wearing pink trousers brandishing a gun at the hotel.

"There were a bunch of children having dinner at the hotel and other friends, earlier... God help us," he said in the post.

A complaint about the incident was received by the police Monday from the assistant security manager of Hyatt Regency Hotel in RK Puram, following which a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued, police said.

An FIR was registered in the case, a senior police officer said.

The incident occurred on the intervening night of October 13 and 14, he added.

In the purported video, Ashish Pandey, who is the son of BSP leader Rakesh Pandey, can purportedly be seen brandishing a gun in the foyer of the hotel, the officer said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Varun Grover Tuesday demanded closure in a matter of sexual harassment allegation against him, which he has categorically denied, leading the author, who first shared the accusatory screenshot, to disclose the name of the source who forwarded the anonymous account on Twitter.

In his open letter, Grover, who has been a vocal supporter of #MeToo movement, said the allegation against him has not only affected his mental health and professional life but also his ability to take a social stand.

"Revolutions are beautiful. They are cathartic, powerful, necessary, and like #metoo - inevitable. And revolutions, inevitably, have some collateral damage too," Grover said in a post on Medium, which he shared on Tuesday.

"... Am I angry? Yes. Is my mental health in shambles? Yes. Do I occasionally feel like a victim of an agenda? Yes. And would I still say 'Believe All Women'? Yes. But please bring in the checks to differentiate it from 'Believe All Screenshots'. Revolutions can be messy but they can't be perceived as unjust."



The author, who had shared the screenshot, has been a prominent voice in the movement but has requested the media to not name her in their articles.

Replying to Grover, she said she understands and empathises with him and is ready to share the contact of her source for further clarification.

"I understand and empathise with your anger, and after discussing it with the source, they've allowed me to name them. The screenshots were sent to me by @Multibility (Twitter name Fez), and it was a conversation between them and their friend.

"They are in contact with the woman who accused you. I was merely a conduit for them because I could help shield them both from the trolling and anger. I hope you take it ahead with them for further clarification," she tweeted.

In his blog, Grover had supported the anonymity of those coming forward but said once fact-based, counter-claims are made by the accused, the movement can "make space for the intent to verify them" and if found untrue, the accusatory accounts should be removed.

In her reply, the author said if the allegation is proven wrong, she would be ready to apologise to Grover.

"No one wishes to dilute the movement by throwing around false accusations or by making redundant claims, least of all me. If the clarifications prove unsatisfactory, I'd be glad to rescind the post, apologise, and take the flack," she said.

Grover had said there has been no inquiry into his case despite his willingness.

The allegation, an anonymous screenshot, claimed that Grover sexually harassed his junior while he was in college in Varanasi.

The screenshot claimed that it happened during the production of a mythological play. The lyricist had categorically denied the allegation in a point-by-point rebuttal earlier and in his latest blog, he presented new facts to counter the claim.

In his letter Tuesday, Grover said he had reached out to every female junior from his batch in college and has been assured that "such an incident did not happen."



"These confirmations can be verified by any independent inquiry," he added.

Grover said he was advised to take the legal route to force a solution but he would not go that way out of his respect for the movement and the brave women speaking out.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Actor Viggo Mortensen is all set to make his directorial debut with family drama "Falling".

The film, which is about a son's relationship with his aging father, has been written by the actor and he will also produce it.

The 59-year-old actor will also star in the project and he will be joined by Lance Henriksen and Sverrir Gudnason in the cast, reported Deadline.

Mortensen will play John Petersen who lives with his partner Eric and their adopted daughter Monica in Southern California. His father Willis (Henriksen) is a farmer whose attitudes and behaviour belong to a more traditional era and family model.

When Willis travels to Los Angeles for an indefinite stay with John's family in order to search for a place to retire, the two different worlds collide.

The actor, best known for "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, is currently awaiting the release of drama "Green Book". The film, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, also features Oscar winner Mahershala Ali.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Romania's world number one Simona Halep on Tuesday withdrew from the Kremlin Cup, a joint WTA and ATP event, due to concerns over an ongoing back injury.

"I tried everything I could to be ready here as I really wanted to play," Halep said. "But unfortunately the back is still causing me pain and I don't want to take any unnecessary risks."



The 27-year-old's appearance in Moscow and the WTA Finals had been in doubt when she withdrew from Beijing two weeks ago and was diagnosed with a herniated disk in her back.

Halep, who has already qualified for the WTA year-ending finals in Singapore, said she needed more time to recover completely from her back injury.

"While it's disappointing to withdraw, I know it's important to put my health first," she added.

Halep this year played two Grand Slam finals, winning the French Open crown at Roland Garros, and won titles in Shenzhen and Montreal, leading the rankings for 40 weeks this year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A writers group that promotes free expression sued US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, claiming he is abusing his authority to "stifle" the rights of the press.

PEN America filed the complaint in New York federal court asking for a ruling that the president is engaging in "unconstitutional actions aimed at suppressing speech" under the First Amendment of the constitution. It also seeks an injunction barring Trump or any member of his administration from threatening the media for coverage he does not like.

The association -- formed in 1922 with an acronym for "Poets, Essayists, Novelists" -- acknowledged that Trump has the right to attack or denigrate the press for stories he dislikes.

"However, when President Trump crosses the line and threatens to use his authority to punish the media, or actually does so, it is vital for the courts to step in and affirm that such threats and reprisals are unconstitutional," the group said in a statement.

"We have worked closely with leading First Amendment scholars and practitioners in private practice and academia in order to hone a request to the court to do just that." The lawsuit was joined by the nonprofit group Protect Democracy and the Yale Law School Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic.

The move comes amid longstanding tensions between the media and Trump and his frequent complaints of "fake news" for negative coverage of his administration.

The groups claimed Trump crossed a line by threatening to retaliate against organizations and journalists over their coverage. This includes threatening to take away broadcast licenses or credentials for NBC or CNN, and allegedly seeking retaliation against Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos by calling for higher postal rates for Amazon, of which Bezos is the chief executive.

"Through his actions, Defendant Trump has intentionally conveyed to all writers and journalists that if he objects to their coverage, they may be subject to retaliation by the federal government," the lawsuit says. "That conduct violates the constitution." The lawsuit said Trump's actions also appear to illegally threaten internet firms over the filtering of their feeds.

It said the September leak of a draft executive order to instruct federal law enforcement and antitrust agencies to open investigations into social media companies "was to show these companies and other speakers the president dislikes that his White House has the power to significantly injure them with a simple leak if it dislikes their content.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)By Trevor Hunnicutt(Reuters) - BlackRock Inc reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit on Tuesday, helped by lower taxes, but the company's sales growth sank as investors cut risk in their portfolios.The company's revenue and earnings before interest and taxes nonetheless fell short of Wall Street's estimates as BlackRock reported its lowest sales of equity, bond and other long-term investments since the second quarter of 2016.Investors pulled money from the asset manager's institutional stock index funds, while putting more into ostensibly lower risk bond funds and continued to flock ...By Sue-Lin Wong and David StanwayGUANGZHOU, China (Reuters) - Chinese exporters are mostly confident they can weather a trade war with the United States, but worry about collateral damage it might cause throughout the global economy, according to a Reuters poll of participants at China's largest trade fair.Representatives from 91 firms involved in sectors ranging from industrial machinery to home appliances, motorcycles and new energy vehicles were surveyed during the Canton Import and Export Fair on Oct 15-16.Just over 60 percent said they were worried about the trade war in the first poll ...BERLIN (Reuters) - The United States must not determine European energy policy or decide whether Germany buys Russian gas, a top German diplomat said on Tuesday.Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andreas Michaelis said Russia would remain a key energy supplier for Europe, regardless of U.S. pressure on the issue. "This is part of European core interests," Michaelis told a conference on transatlantic ties hosted by the Aspen Institute think tank. "I don't want European energy policy to be defined in Washington."U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised Germany for supporting the Nord Stream 2 ...(Reuters) - Infosys Ltd, India's No.2 software services exporter, posted a 10.3 percent rise in quarterly profit on Tuesday that was above market expectations, boosted by large deal wins in the quarter.Profit for the quarter that ended Sept. 30 was 41.10 billion rupees ($558.04 million) versus 37.26 billion rupees a year ago, Infosys said https://www.bseindia.com/xml-data/corpfiling/AttachLive/7b8ef454-5ffa-4bb7-b1e5-7f183f7b9d13.pdf. Analysts had on average expected a profit of 40.51 billion rupees, according to I/B/E/S data from Refinitiv.The Bengaluru-headquartered company posted a 17.3 ...By Abhinav Ramnarayan and Virginia FurnessLONDON (Reuters) - Italian government bond yields dropped across the board on Tuesday, narrowing the spread over German peers, after comments from Economy Minister Giovanni Tria defending the 2019 budget boosted hopes he would remain in the turbulent government.The expansionary budget, which was officially approved on Monday, sets up a showdown with Brussels because the plan accommodates the big spending and tax cutting ambitions of the coalition partners.Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Tuesday he was proud of the budget, adding that ...By Giuseppe Fonte and Angelo AmanteROME (Reuters) - The Italian cabinet on Monday signed off on an expansionary 2019 budget, boosting welfare spending, cutting the retirement age and hiking the deficit to set up a showdown with authorities in Brussels over compliance with EU rules.The government of the right-wing League and the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement had already issued the financial framework for the budget, raising the target for next year's deficit to 2.4 percent of gross domestic product.That is comfortably below the EU's 3 percent ceiling, but up sharply from a targeted 1.8 ...By Stanley WhiteTOKYO (Reuters) - The U.S. government had not spoken to Japan about including provisions in free trade agreements to deter currency manipulation, Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said on Tuesday, although the two sides are likely to enter talks sometime next year.Aso's comments come after U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday that Washington wants to include such provisions in future trade deals, including the one it will negotiate with Japan.The new provisions would be based on the currency chapter in Washington's new deal to revamp its trade pact with ...LONDON (Reuters) - The chief executives of HSBC, Standard Chartered and Credit Suisse have pulled out of a high profile conference in Saudi Arabia next week, the latest business leaders to abandon the event amid widespread concern about the fate of a journalist."John Flint will no longer attend Future Investment Initiative," a spokeswoman for HSBC told Reuters. StanChart Chief Executive Bill Winters would also not attend, a bank spokesman said.Tidjane Thiam, the chief executive of Credit Suisse, has likewise dropped plans to travel to the Oct 23-25 event amidst uproar over the disappearance ...Meet some of the UF students working to feed the world

Each year, the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture  led by a team at the University of California, Davis  selects a handful of students to offer agricultural expertise to organizations in developing countries. This year, 10 of the 16 chosen were University of Florida students.

Through the lab's Trellis Fund, an effort launched in 2011, graduate students from UC Davis, UF, North Carolina State University, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa can apply to be matched with organizations in Asia, Africa and Latin America that receive Trellis Fund grants. The fellows work with the selected organizations remotely and in person to help farmers improve how they grow and sell food crops.

The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development as part of its global hunger and food security initiative.

Here are the UF students selected as Trellis Fund fellows and the projects they supported:

Raminder Kaur, a doctoral student in the agricultural and biological engineering, and Ranjeet Singh Randhawa, a doctoral student in horticultural sciences and a masters student in agribusiness (both pictured above), worked with the Ndibwami Integrated Rescue Project to train Ugandan farmers in processing pineapple, tomatoes and passion fruit.

Claire Friedrichsen, a doctoral student in soil and water sciences, traveled to Ghana to help the Kumasi Institute of Tropical Agriculture provide training on organic fruit and vegetable production.

Saroop Sandhu, a doctoral student in soil and water sciences, helped Tip Top Foods, Ltd., evaluate biochar treatments for sandy soils in Ghana.

Prosanta Dash (pictured above), a doctoral student in horticultural sciences, worked with Ghana's University of Cape Coast to develop farmers' irrigation and transplanting skills.

Food technology student Sidrah Rafique worked remotely with Methodist University College Ghana on training for value-added processing of mangos. Nick Reitz of UC Davis traveled to Ghana to provide additional support.

Sanju Kunwar, a plant pathology doctoral student (pictured above), traveled to Rwanda to help agricultural company SYBASH, Ltd. train farmers in fruit tree planting and production.

Krishna Bhattarai, a doctoral student in environmental horticulture, worked with Environmental Conservation and Agricultural Enhancement Uganda to provide training on irrigation and handling of mushrooms and tomatoes.

Kshitij Khatri, a horticultural sciences doctoral student, is working with the University of Rwanda to train farmers in good agricultural practices.

Bhim Chaulagain, a plant pathology doctoral student, will help Aythos, Inc., provide agribusiness training for kiwi fruit farmers in Nepal.By Christopher JohnsonLONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Tuesday on evidence of higher U.S. oil production and increasing U.S. crude inventories, but reports of a fall in Iranian oil exports helped to limit losses.Brent crude was down 50 cents a barrel at $80.28 by 1320 GMT. U.S. light crude was 40 cents lower at $71.38."Shale oil production continues unabated in the United States," said Carsten Fritsch, commodities analyst at Commerzbank. "Rising U.S. oil production is one key reason why the global oil market is likely to be amply supplied next year."Oil production from seven major U.S. ...By Jane ChungSEOUL (Reuters) - Oil prices dipped on Tuesday amid expectations of an increase in U.S. crude inventories, but signs of a fall in Iranian oil exports this month kept losses in check. International benchmark Brent crude for December delivery had fallen 6 cents, or 0.07 percent, to $80.72 per barrel by 0654 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for November delivery was down 14 cents at $71.64 a barrel. U.S. crude stockpiles were forecast to have risen last week for the fourth straight week, by about 1.1 million barrels, according to a Reuters poll ahead of reports from the ...By Stephanie KellyNEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices steadied on Monday, supported by geopolitical tension over the disappearance of a Saudi journalist that has stoked worries about supplies from Riyadh, but weighed by concern over long-term demand outlook.Brent crude futures for December delivery rose 35 cents to settle at $80.78 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 44 cents to settle at $71.78 a barrel.Last week, both contracts fell by more than 4 percent as U.S. stock markets tumbled.However, rising geopolitical tension between the United States, the world's top oil ...DUBAI (Reuters) - State energy giant Qatar Petroleum said on Tuesday it had signed a five-year agreement to supply China with 600,000 tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) per year. The long-term agreement was signed by Qatar Petroleum and China's Oriental Energy with the contract starting in January 2019, QP said in a statement. (Reporting by Rania El Gamal; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)By Trevor Hunnicutt(Reuters) - BlackRock Inc's quarterly revenue fell short of Wall Street's expectations on Tuesday as the world's biggest asset manager reported its lowest sales of equity, bond and other long-term investments since the second quarter of 2016.Investors pulled money from BlackRock's institutional stock index funds, while putting more into ostensibly lower-risk bond funds and continuing to flock to its booming iShares exchange-traded funds (ETFs) business as a low-cost way to access the market."It was a tough quarter for the entire industry," BlackRock Chief Executive Officer ...By Martinne GellerLONDON (Reuters) - Unilever will engage more with its shareholders and has learned lessons from investors' opposition to the consumer goods group's pay policy, a company executive said on Tuesday in response to questions from a British parliamentary committee.Unilever, Britain's third largest company by value, has faced two investor revolts this year, calling into question how closely the maker of Marmite and Dove soap listens to the concerns of its shareholders.The compensation plan was opposed by more than a third of Unilever's UK shareholders in May, though it passed by a ...By Nandita Bose(Reuters) - Walmart Inc's chief executive officer on Tuesday urged investors to rethink the company's business, touting its various tech investments to grow online sales at a time it is battling Amazon.com for market share.The retailer also lowered its earnings forecast for the year and said its e-commerce growth next year would be slower than in the current fiscal year that ends in January."I want to challenge your thinking about Walmart," Chief Executive Doug McMillon told the Bentonville, Arkansas, company's annual investor meeting, which was webcast. "We are getting to ...(Reuters) - Wells Fargo & Co said on Tuesday it had applied for an investment firm license in France as part of a Brexit strategy that will shift its servicing of European mainland customers out of London.The San Francisco-based bank, whose purchase of a high-profile location near the Bank of England two years ago was seen as a vote of confidence in the Brexit process, said it would continue to service UK and non-EU clients from London.It said its new subsidiary based in Paris would provide capital markets and investment banking services for European and international customers who require ...Dozens of employers looking to hire the next generation of tech employees descended on the University of California, Berkeley in September to meet students at an electrical engineering and computer science career fair. Boris Yue, 20, was one of thousands of student attendees, threading his way among fellow job-seekers to meet recruiters. But Yue wasn't worried about so much potential competition. While the job outlook for those with computer skills is generally good, Yue is in an even more rarified category: he is studying artificial intelligence, working on technology that ...Apple and Samsung typically show off glitzy hardware innovations  dual-lens cameras; bigger screens  to mesmerize millions into buying their new smartphones. Google has taken a different approach: It wants to sell people on better software. That was abundantly clear with the Pixel 3, the search giants latest smartphone, with software features powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning. When you take a blurry photo, for example, the Pixels camera software can capture a series of alternate images and look for a clearer shot. When you get a call ...Mukesh Ambani has already set the ball rolling for his next disruption in the broadband market as well as the cable TV and direct-to-home market with the launch of JioGigaFiber, which aims to connect 50 million homes across India. Now, in order to speed up the rollout, he is in the process of stitching up deals with two of India's largest cable TV and broadband service providers.

Citing key people with direct knowledge of the development, The Economic Times reported that Reliance Industries may soon buy controlling stakes -- possibly more than 25% -- in both Hathway Cable & Datacom and DEN Networks. This would give RIL the ability to control developments and get a seat on the the two boards. The deal is expected to be announced in the next few days.

The sources added that promoter stakes in both firms are likely to drop as a result with the acquisition, also triggering open offers. Hathway Cable is owned by the Raheja Group while Sameer Manchanda owns DEN Networks. Both these companies have informed the stock exchanges that their respective boards are meeting on October 17 to discuss and approve a proposal for raising funds.

"Both Hathway and DEN will issue fresh shares. The fine print of the deal is being worked out," said a source, adding, "It will be a significant stake, but less than 50 per cent." Given that these two operators boast 7.2 million digital cable subscribers each, with operations across 350 and 200 cities, respectively, buying stakes in them will give a major boost to Jio's plans. Moreover, Hathway has cornered over 52% of the country's total cable broadband market in India and has the ability to reach 5.5 million homes. DEN has the ability to reach 0.97 million homes.

"RIL continues to look at various business plans at any given point of time. But the past two months have been crazy and totally under the radar. The plans are ready on how to use existing infrastructure of MSOs [multiple system operators] to give both video and broadband services," said another source.

Although some industry experts expect the deals to come under the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) scanner, the sources cited above don't foresee any trouble. "There is no or very less overlap in the two cable markets. While DEN is strong in Uttar Pradesh and north India, Hathway is strong in central and western India. Also, with five DTH players, none of the operators is in a dominant position in any market, so there is no question of monopoly," said one, explaining why CCI permission won't pose a hurdle.

Interestingly, RIL's step-down subsidiary, Reliance Jio Media, which owns a pan-India cable licence, already boast links with both companies JioGigaFiber hopes to leverage. The subsidiary had roped in K. Jayaraman, who had led Hathway, and SN Sharma, then the CEO of DEN Networks, to build its cable business. While Jayaraman continues to be with Reliance Jio, Sharma has since moved back to DEN.

The buzz around the stake purchase deals have sent the share prices of Hathway and DEN climbing. The former closed at Rs 28.95 per share, up 6% on the BSE since the beginning of the month, while DEN shares closed at Rs 75.65, up 10.84%.

Edited by Sushmita Choudhury AgarwalOn Saturday, Yogi Adityanath announced a proposal to rename the historic city of Allahabad and make it Prayagraj, ahead of the 2019 Kumbh Mela. He had said that the governor had given his nod and in case of a consensus, the name will be changed soon. On Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved the CM's proposal to rename Allahabad.

"It might be the wish of many people that Allahabad can be renamed Prayagraj. It will be a very good message. If everyone agrees, we should know this city as Prayagraj and it can be a good start," the Chief Minister had said earlier.

According to multiple reports the minister wants to rename the city ahead of the 2019 Kumbh Mela that will draw seers, pundits, tantrics and others from across the country.

The move has drawn protests from the Congress and the Samajwadi Party.

Congress leader Onkar Singh said that the site where the Kumbh Mela takes place is already called Prayag, adding that if the minister wanted they could have made Prayagraj a different city, without any change of name.

Akhilesh Yadav, former CM of Uttar Pradesh blasted Chief Minister Yogi on Twitter and said that he wants to show that he is working just by changing names of places. "They have even re-named Ardh Kumbh to Kumbh. This is toying with tradition and belief," he said.

"Prayag is where Lord Brahma performed the first yagna. The confluence of two rivers is a 'prayag', and in Allahabad three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati meet. Hence, it is the king of 'prayags'. That is why it is 'Prayagraj'," the Chief Minister said explaining the root of the name, as mentioned in agency reports.

Prayag is the erstwhile name of Allahabad that was changed after Mughal emperor Akbar built a fort near Sangam, where the holy rivers of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati met. He named the fort and its neighbouring area Ilahabad, which was later changed by his son Shah Jahan to Allahabad. However, the area near the confluence where Kumbh Mela is held is still called Prayag.

The UP government recently renamed the historic Mughalsarai Railway Station as well. It has been renamed Deen Dayal Upadhyaya junction.The Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode recently wrapped up its final placement for the outgoing batch. A total of 382 students participated in the placement process that saw top companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Reliance Industries, Airtel, HDFC Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra participating in it. The institute saw an increase in the number of recruiters as well as average salary offered. This year 178 recruiters participated, which is a jump from last year's 112 companies.

Students received offers from international companies that are as high as Rs 52.1 lakh. Companies that offered such a compensation included Arthur D Little and Tolaram Group. Additionally, 59 of the 178 companies that came for recruitment this year were Fortune 500 companies.

Domestic offers were also not far behind. Rs 17.8 lakh was the average salary offered to students while the highest domestic salary being offered was Rs 38.5 lakh.

The salary offered to the top 50% of the batch saw an upward trend. It rose to Rs 21 lakh per annum in 2018 from Rs 20.1 lakh per annum in 2017.

Companies such as Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC, Boston Consulting Group, Arthur D Little, United Health Group offered an average package of Rs 17.4 lakh per annum. Mahindra & Mahindra, Reliance Industries, Airtel, RPG and Saint Gobain offered an average salary of Rs 18.7 lakh per annum for general management roles.

Companies such as American Express, Microsoft and other IT companies offered packages as high as Rs 15.9 lakh per annum. HUL, Reckitt Benckiser, Samsung and other companies offered Rs 17.2 lakh per annum for sales and marketing roles.

Amazon, Larsen & Toubro and others offered an average package of Rs 18.5 lakh per annum for operations roles.

Finance companies such as JP Morgan Chase & Company, Goldman Sachs, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank offered packages as high as Rs 29 lakh per annum.

(Edited by Anwesha Madhukalya)RSS affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to stall a possible takeover bid on ITC by the British American Tobacco Company (BAT).

In a letter on October 16, SJM has expressed concern over the decline in the share holding of domestic financial institutions in public listed ITC and cautioned that it will result in BAT, a 29.6 stakeholder in ITC, gaining control over the agri-business and hospitality major. The recent decision of BAT to not support a decision by ITC board to give stock options to its employees is what has enraged SJM.

"In case of ITC, shares held by domestic financial institutions used to be 32 per cent of total and by BAT's group companies (foreign entity) is 29.60 per cent. As a consequence of the share sales management by agencies, the shareholding of public sector financial institutions and the government of India in ITC has come down significantly, narrowing the gap between the shareholding of the government of India and its institutions and BAT," SJM notes. The letter says, "This has increased the risk of the possible takeover of management by the foreign company BAT, by virtue of the fact that BAT would become the dominant shareholder and the company will go into the hands of foreign management, and for all practical purposes, become a foreign company, which at present is an Indian company with an Indian soul".

According to Ashwani Mahajan, National Co-convenor, SJM, ITC had a turnover of Rs. 43,957 crores in 2017-18 with no transfer of royalty to foreign countries. "The company also has significant cash reserves. If it goes into the hands of an MNC, as per the existing rules with regards to transfer of royalty payments to foreign masters; and as per the projections of sales, by the company in 2018-19, royalty outflow would be over Rs. 2,200 crore which in next 5 years would cumulate to over Rs. 13,500 crores. Apart from this, the government would lose dividend income of over Rs. 4,000 crores over the next 5 years", Mahajan warns.

Mahajan says that ITC has been earning huge profits, doing enormous value addition and contributing greatly to the exchequer in recent times. "Past experience clearly tells us that with the change in management from Indian to foreign nationals or other entities, the entire nature, working and objectives of the companies change altogether. The thrust shifts to maximising profits by increasing import intensity that increases outflow of money in the form to royalty, technical fees, salaries and others, directly affecting the country's forex reserves," he says.

Terming BAT's move to oppose the board decision on employee stock option, as "a symptom of the real game plan of BAT to destabilise the Indian Management to achieve its long term objective to taking over the company and re-converting ITC into a tobacco company, and maximising returns for the parent company", SJM sought Prime Minister's intervention to increase government shareholding in the company.

Earlier known as Indian Tobacco Company, ITC had in the recent years diversified its business into a wide range of activities including hotels, paper and paperboards, education and stationery products, personal care, agri-business and food processing.(Eds: Updating with background) Islamabad, Oct 14 (PTI) Pakistan is ready to share details of the debt related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with the IMF, Finance Minister Asad Umar has said while rejecting the US' view that China-funded projects were to blame for the cash-strapped country's current economic woes.Speaking to the media here on his return from Indonesia where he requested International Monetary Fund's Managing Director Christine Lagarde for a bailout package for Pakistan, Umar said the decision to approach the global lender was taken after consultations with friendly countries.The IMF team, Umar said, was scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on November 7 to negotiate the programme, likely to span over a three-year period. He said Pakistans current year debt repayments were about USD 9 billion but obviously it would not entirely be available from the IMF.Lagarde has made it clear that the IMF would require absolute transparency on Pakistan's debts, including those owned by China under the USD 50 billion CPEC. Umar, however, rejected the US State Department's statement, suggesting that the debt accrued on the CPEC projects was to blame for Pakistans current economic crisis.The CPEC is a network of infrastructure projects that are currently under construction throughout Pakistan that will connect China's Xinjiang province with Gwadar port in Pakistan's Balochistan province. It is the part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's ambitious Belt and Road initiative. The US Friday said that the huge Chinese debt was responsible for the economic challenges in Pakistan, adding that it will review Islamabads bailout plea to the IMF from all angles, including the country's debt position."We understand that Pakistan has formally requested assistance from the IMF. In all cases, we examine that closely from all angles of it, including Pakistan's debt position, in evaluating any type of loan programme," State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert had said, adding this is something the US has been tracking fairly closely.Responding to a question, Nauert said; "The secretary (of state Mike Pompeo) had spoken about this a few months back, I know, in some interviews not that long ago. I think part of the reason that Pakistan found itself in this situation is Chinese debt, and the fact that there is debt that governments have incurred that they maybe thought wouldn't be so tough to bail themselves out of, but has become increasingly tough."Umar said the US was a key stakeholder in the IMF with about 16.5 per cent votes but enjoyed no veto power in its decision making that required majority 51 per cent votes.He said no government in Pakistan irrespective of any political background could compromise on national security and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government, too, would not opt for an IMF programme if conditionalities are of that nature.But Umar Saturday said the government will have to take difficult decisions that would be painful for people but necessary under international commitments to get out of the current severe economic situation.The IMF, Umar said, had asked for details of loans, including ones secured in relation to the CPEC projects, for analysing the debt sustainability.Pakistan would share "normal debt-related information about CPEC with the IMF", the Express Tribune Sunday quoted the finance minister as saying.Reiterating that the government had decided to approach the Fund in consultation with friendly countries, he said that talks with these countries were still under way. He did not identify these countries but Islamabad was in contact with China and Saudi Arabia in recent weeks.Unlike 2013, said the minister, the global environment was not favourable to Pakistan that was why the government thoroughly deliberated upon this matter before approaching the IMF.He said that Pakistan was facing a financing gap of USD 12 billion this year, adding that this gap would not be bridged by IMF alone."We will turn to friendly countries again if the IMF terms are unacceptable to Pakistan during talks on the programme," he asserted.The minister said that he had been contending for quite some time that economic conditions could lead to national security issues and the government would not compromise on matters of national security.He also said that Saudi Arabia, China and the United Arab Emirates had not placed tough conditions for bailing Pakistan out.But he declined to cite specific reasons why these countries had not provided any financial assistance to Pakistan, the report said.Categorically rejecting the US assertion that the country was in an economic mess because of the CPEC-related debt repayments, Umar said that over the next three years, such repayments amounted to just USD 300 million a year, which "is very nominal against USD 9 billion of total debt repayments payable during this fiscal year alone".The "statement of state department spokesperson is 100 per cent wrong", the minister said explaining that Pakistans financing gap for the current year was about USD 12 billion and total repayments to China averaged USD 300 million over the next three years.We totally disagree with that statement, Umar said, adding that he had already explained this to the US representatives and also to the IMF chief."The American narrative is totally wrong narrative, Umar was quoted as saying by the Dawn.Without disclosing exact numbers, Umar said Pakistans net foreign currency reserves were far below than the current gross level of USD 8.3 billion. PTI AKJ ZH NSANSAFinancial market in India is still trying to settle the dust after payment defaults by infrastructure financer IL&FS triggered liquidity crisis across the Non Banking Financial Institutions (NBFCs). But, before it could pose a systematic risk, government got into action by dissolving the old board of IL&FS and constituting a new board with a task to rescue the firm and prevent any further defaults. This event led to many investors and analysts becoming sceptical about the liquidity and Asset Liability Management (ALM) of all NBFCs. This led to a series of corrections in the stock market valuation of these companies, which can still be revised downwards. To assuage the market sentiment, India's biggest lender State Bank of India (SBI) announced a bigger shopping kitty to buy loan portfolios of struggling NBFCs facing ALM mismatch after the crisis hit the market.

While government's push behind the SBI's move to stabilise the market, cannot be ruled out, it could be a well-timed opportunity for many public sector banks. Whenever the market faces a correction, those sitting with comfortable cash prefer bottom-fishing. Sensing the opportunity, SBI tripled its target to acquire asset portfolio of non-banking finance companies this year. SBI had set a target of Rs 15,000 crore for this year. Now, it may buy additional assets worth Rs 20,000 to 30,000 crore, as per the bank statement.

As per Reserve Bank of India (RBI)'s mandate, banks have to lend 40 per cent of their total loan portfolio to priority sectors including agriculture, micro enterprises, education, social housing, etc. Therefore, it is a regular practice where SBI buys loan portfolio from other banks and NBFCs to fulfil the mandated target by the RBI. Generally, it happens in the last quarter of the financial year.

NBFCs to get short term respite

NBFCs can offload part of their portfolio to reduce the dependence on short term papers, which are not finding many takers due to the fear of default in the market. Hence, tightening the liquidity conditions for them and creating asset liability mismatch. Economic Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg has said in a tweet that SBI's decision will alleviate the liquidity concerns of NBFCs to a great extent.

Cherry-picking by SBI

It may appear that SBI is coming to bailout the NBFCs, but it can be a win-win situation for both and will also help SBI to improve its retail portfolio.

"Currently, SBI is positioned in such a way that they do have enough cash and liquidity. It is said that it will give an opportunity for SBI to expand portfolio at attractive rates. By this move, NBFCs will get liquidity and SBI will get assets with higher yield probability than usual," says Pritam Deuskar, Fund Manager, Bonanza Portfolio.

SBI can do selective buying to choose the quality portfolio. Infra and corporate sector lending has been a cause for the pain for SBI with highest non-performing assets (NPAs). This move will help improve the retail portfolio, which generally has lower delinquencies.

"India-Ratings has analysed the top eight housing finance companies (HFCs; excluding HDFC Ltd and LIC Housing Finance Limited) and the top 10 non-infrastructure NBFCs. Of the total, 16 entities (are among the largest NBFCs) have about Rs 5 trillion exposures to asset classes that are preferred (most common are microfinance, commercial vehicles, housing loans etc) for assignment or securitisation," says Soumyajit Niyogi, Associate Director,India Ratings and Research. However, SBI has not yet disclosed the sector wise target and it can be both priority and non-priority sectors.

"Though the total target is 45000 crore, It would be a mix of home finance and SME loans," says Pritam Deuskar, Fund Manager, Bonanza Portfolio.

Before the merger with associate banks last year, the home loan book stood at Rs 2.22 lakh crore in March 2017. Despite being the biggest lender of the country, SBI was much behind HDFC when it came to home loans as HDFC asset size stood at Rs 3.38 crore in March 2017. While it was widely expected that the SBI would largely bridge the gap, it is yet to materialise. SBI retail home loan portfolio, even after the recent merger of five associate banks, stood at Rs 3.20 lakh crore as on June-end 2018 while that of HDFC Ltd was 3.71 lakh crore. Therefore, this is the right opportunity for SBI to do cherry-picking to increase the retail portfolio and diversify across assets through in-organic route.

"As opposed to the asset classes, which are typically securitised or assigned, originating granular housing loans, commercial vehicle loans and other such asset classes involves significant operating costs and banks may not have the adequate network to originate them or assess credit quality on a large scale. In the current environment, banks could cherry-pick assets from NBFCs and price them well instead of originating them, thus avoiding scope for early delinquencies. This proposition is likely to result in better RoAs for banks on both priority sector lending qualifying assets and others that are securitised / assigned, " says Soumyajit Niyogi, Associate Director, India Ratings and Research.The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has been slapped with a 43-page lawsuit accusing the immigration agency of issuing H-1B visas for a duration shorter than three years. The case was filed last week by ITServe Alliance, a non-profit trade association representing more than 1,000 small IT companies, mostly run by Indian-Americans. "These petitions are often valid for only months or days at a time, and some cases are expired by the time the approval is received," the association claimed, adding that the itinerary requirement put forth by USCIS is also unlawful.

The H1-B visa is a non-immigrant visa, typically issued for three to six years, that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. American technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees from countries like India and China - the H1-B programme reportedly has a statutory cap of 65,000 visas per fiscal.

The Dallas-based ITServe Alliance alleged that USCIS has recently begun the practice of issuing shorter duration H1-B visas despite having no authority to misinterpret the existing regulations and shorten the approval durations. The lawsuit added that the United States Congress has specifically granted power to the Department of Labor and its regulations grant three-year approvals.

Incidentally, this is is the second lawsuit filed by ITServe Alliance against USCIS. The first one was filed in July 2018 after the USCIS had suddenly changed its website and the new language appeared to prohibit F-1 STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) optional practical training international students from working at the third part client locations. The immigration agency reportedly reversed its stand last month.

"The USCIS has been making arbitrary rules and memos for over eight years. It is our top priority to set things right and hold USCIS accountable to follow the regulations set by the Unites States Congress," said Gopi Kandukuri, adding that the members of ITServe Alliance are tired of receiving random denials for no reason. He was referring to the recent spate of H-1B denials. "The new battlefield for us is the federal courthouse and not USCIS service centers," he added.In an attempt at reining in costs, Dr Reddy's is on a drive to prune its seemingly excess manufacturing capacities. On Monday, the company announced that it has entered into an agreement with Therapiva Private Ltd, for the sale of its API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) manufacturing business unit, located in Hyderabad.

"The divestiture of our API manufacturing business unit is a step towards streamlining our manufacturing operations and optimising our cost structures," says Sanjay Sharma, executive vice president and head, global manufacturing operations, Dr Reddy's. The press note issued by the company describes the divestiture as one done by way of slump sale (as a going concern) and includes all related fixed assets (land and building), current assets, current liabilities, and its employees.

Earlier in the month Dr Reddy's had announced the closure of the sale of its antibiotic manufacturing facility and related assets in Bristol, Tennessee to Neopharma Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of the UAE's largest pharmaceutical manufacturer headquartered in Abu Dhabi. Under the terms of the agreement, Dr. Reddy's sold all the issued and outstanding membership interests in Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Tennessee, LLC and certain related assets. Even then the company had emphasised on the need for optimising cost structures.

"This sale is in line with our stated priority to streamline and optimise our global cost structures and help us focus on other business priorities to drive growth," Chief Operating Officer, Erez Israeli, had said while announcing the earlier sale.

According to analysts, who have looked at Dr Reddy's over the years, the company tends to be broadly on the higher end of the cost curve with a relatively higher cost structure as compared to some of its peers. When quizzed about the sale of its API plant, analysts say that any company selling an API plant would have perhaps thought about the cost and other implications, considering that the cost equations for APIs getting rewritten in the light of the regulatory curbs imposed in China, which is impacting the cost structures of many players.

Dr Reddy's apparently does not buy the APIs from China but would be importing some of the chemicals and intermediates, which are used to make the APIs.Nebraska Library Conference Reflects National Concerns



At the end of every summer, when the temperatures are getting cooler at night and the leaves on the trees are starting to change color, there comes a time in the library world known as conference season. During this time, librarians descend on conference centers and hotels in all areas of the U.S. with an unbridled passion and energy for the work they do serving their communities. Right now, conference season is in full swing, and a stellar example of this passion and energy was found at the 2018 NLA/NSLA (Nebraska Library Association/Nebraska School Librarians Association) Joint Conference held in Lincoln, Neb., Oct. 46. I attended as a speaker, but I was also able to get to some interesting sessions.

Whereas most library conferences held in the early 2000s had a strong focus on technology, makerspaces, programming, and other very library-ish topics and services, there was a hint of change in the air at this years NLA conference. While these topics were still widely discussed, the focus was clearly on subjects such as politics and social justice. Absent from NLA were librarians asking, Whats your favorite social network for connecting with your patrons? Instead, most of the librarians at NLA concentrated on action, with questions about how they could best serve every single person in their community. For some great takeaways, browse #neblib2018 on Twitter.

Proof of Value = Funding

The first day started with a fierce and fiery roundtable titled Voices of Our Leaders: The Relevance of Public Libraries to the State, which featured four politicians from around Nebraska talking about the importance of libraries and offering advice on how librarians can better advocate for more funding. The common thread connecting everyone on the panel was that not only were they involved in politics, but they were also frequent library users. Angie Lauritsen (Gretna city council member) drove home the importance of libraries in her area by saying, A library helps keep a sense of community. People want to understand why they live where they live. The library is a place that brings together a community and helps them understand why they are here and what theyre doing. She elicited claps and exclamations of joy from the crowd.

As the roundtable participants dug in their heels, the questions got tougher and turned toward funding. There was an urgency that washed over the crowd, and it became very clear that this was why they were here: to ask the tough questions about funding to those who control the money. Every politician on the panel stressed that libraries need to get better at proving their worth, with Lauritsen going as far as saying, Never let up on your message; beat them over the head with your message, and prove your worth.

Leroy Hollmann (a trustee for the village of Verdigre) spoke bluntly about the hard realities that libraries face in these days of crunched budgets: No matter what you do, youre always going to get passed up on budget increases over things like public safety, police, and fire departments. Libraries need to never take their foot off the gas pedal. They need to constantly prove their worth. Ending the roundtable with a bang was Galen Hadley (retired speaker of the Nebraska Legislature): If theyre not supporting you, vote them out. You have a voice. Use it.

Facing the Opioid Crisis Together

Another widely discussed topic in library circles these days is the opioid crisis and how communities are responding to it, so it was not a shock to see the subject come up at NLA. The Opioid Epidemic: Is It Relevant for Nebraska Libraries? was moderated by Scott Childers (director of the Southeast Library System) and featured not only library leaders in Nebraska, but also University of Nebraska Medical Center clinical associate professor Allison Dering-Anderson and Nebraska state senator Adam Morfeld. The question of how libraries should respond to the opioid crisis is a divisive issue, and Dering-Anderson started off the roundtable by pushing the discussion even further, asking librarians to not call it an opioid epidemic because this is not a disease that gets passed from person to person and to instead see it as crisis that communities, politicians, and professionals need to tackle together.

Morfeld stressed the importance of laws that protect individuals and libraries from being charged with crimes when they help someone who overdoses, noting that Nebraska has these laws in place and that librarians should do their part to understand and communicate them. He said, Libraries have always been in a great place to educate their communities, and this is clearly something that needs to be communicated with many folks in our communities.

Nebraska: The Library State

There was positivity in the air at NLA, and a lot of that can be attributed to the leadership and organization of NLAs immediate past-president, Andrew Cano, and current NLA president and Library Journal Mover & Shaker Rebecca McCorkindale. Throughout the conference, whether it was at the beginning of a workshop or during informal chats between sessions, they both brought up how their teamwork and the energy they put forth were key in pulling together the conference. I want to make Nebraska known as the library state, McCorkindale mentioned during a conversation with her. We want everyone who works in a library in Nebraska to feel that their actions have meaning and that their input can empower their libraries and our state library association to make change a priority. (Learn about McCorkindales Libraries Are for Everyone initiative here.)

A positive and forward-thinking attitude is what brings great energy to any situation, and NLA, a conference that was very much a product of our time, had a special energy throughout. Every time Cano introduced a panel or guest, he started with, Im sorry to have to break up such great conversations that are happening everywhere. I know how important those are. It wasnt just a line he used to get the audience smiling; he was genuinely sorry to stop them. The success of this conference is a sign of great things to come in the years ahead for Nebraska libraries and the communities they serve.

Image courtesy of Rebecca McCorkindaleIreland and Luxembourg are likely to be the biggest beneficiaries of a post-Brexit transfer of functions out of the UK. This is according to a survey undertaken by PwC in September 2018 amongst 52 European asset management companies, some having operations in Ireland, in advance of PwCs 2018 Asset Management Summit taking place in Dublins CCD on 18 and 19 October attended by over 500 global asset managers.



Some 39% of European asset managers are looking at relocating functions to Ireland, while 36% cite Luxembourg. The time needed to apply to new regulators for authorisation is a key factor with both Ireland and Luxembourg currently taking six to nine months to process applications. Forty four percent are still making preliminary assessments of their Brexit needs or have not started planning at all. Nearly a quarter (23%) do not expect to complete their Brexit transformation projects until 2021



The survey shows that 38% of firms are now expecting a no-deal Brexit in which the UK will move to trading on the basis of World Trade Organisation rules with no additional arrangements put in place. Just one in five (21%) predict an orderly exit for the UK from the EU with an agreed transition period.

PwCs data also suggests that many firms are now running out of time to put arrangements in place for the post-Brexit landscape, raising doubts about their ability to continue marketing products, whether their corporate structures will be fit for purpose and how they will organise their people.

Less than a quarter (23%) of the asset managers surveyed say they are now implementing business structures for the post-Brexit environment, or that they have completed such work. Close to half say they are still making a preliminary assessment of their needs (35%) or that they havent started planning for Brexit (8%).

For many businesses, the possibility of a transitional period  which would last until the end of 2020 if a Brexit deal is agreed  has made little difference to the tempo with which they are progressing their Brexit projects: Three-quarters (74.5%) say that the transition agreement has had no impact on their speed of delivery.



Commenting on the research, Leader at PwC Ireland Asset & Wealth Management practice, Patricia Johnston said, "As a gateway to the EU and the US and having the same common law jurisdiction as the UK, a world class centre for financial services with a highly talented workforce, Ireland is a great location for investment management companies to operate."

She added, "Ireland is working hard to ensure that we have the capacity, including necessary infrastructure, to support the continued future growth of the industry. And with its friendly business environment and track record, we expect the heightened interest in Ireland, noted in the survey, to continue."

Source: www.businessworld.ieBritish Prime Minister Theresa May reaffirmed on Monday in a meeting with Sinn Fein's leaders the UK's commitment to there being no hard border between Northern Irelandand Ireland and no border in the Irish sea, May's office said in a statement.

May met with Sinn Fein's leader Mary Lou Mcdonald and Vice President Michelle O'Neill to discuss progress in ongoing Brexit talks with the European Union.

"They discussed the need to restore the Northern Ireland Executive, the PM reconfirmed the UK Governments commitment to its role in this process and that the Secretary of State for NI will be introducing legislation to ensure public services in NI will continue to be delivered," May's office said in an emailed statement.

With less than six months before Britain leaves the bloc, talks stalled at the weekend over how to ensure there is no return of a hard border between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ieIrelands fast rate of business growth may be entering a more mature phase of growth, according to figures published today by business and credit risk analyst Vision-net. The number of new business and company start-ups decreased by -7% in the first three quarters of 2018 (1 January-30 September).



Limerick was the only county in the top five to record an increase of more than +0.5% in the first nine months of the year, with company start-ups increasing by +15% (632 vs 549). Dublin, while the most popular county for new start-ups, recorded only a small increase of less than +0.5% (7,659 vs 7,635).



In the third quarter of 2018 alone, new business and company start-ups decreased by -10% on the third quarter 2017 (10,343 vs 11,520).



Commenting on the figures, Managing Director of Vision-net, Christine Cullen said, "While the slowdown in new business and company start-ups may come as a surprise to some, when combined with the decrease in insolvencies, the trend suggests that Irelands economy is in fact reaching a mature growth phase."

She added, "New companies that survived the post-recession bounce-back are now established and operating well in their markets. Our European-level data suggests the rate of new start-ups is now on a par with high performing economies such as Switzerland and is even ahead of Germany, the EUs largest economy."

Source: www.businessworld.ie(AFR)  Japan is trying to steer a course through the economic and national security minefield between the United States and China.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Chinese President Xi Jinping next week, about a month after meeting U.S. President Donald Trump in New York.

After stalling for more than 18 months, Tokyo late last month acquiesced to U.S. demands for bilateral trade negotiations. Its a defensive move aimed at staving off U.S. Section 232 tariffs on Japanese automobiles  under the guise of U.S. national security concerns  that would hit hard Japans most important and internationally competitive industry. Abe appears to have secured a stay on those tariffs in his recent meeting with Trump.

The risks and difficulties of negotiating with Trump are clear. Canada and Mexico only just managed to keep NAFTA intact against the forces of the USs divide-and-rule tactics involving untenable bilateral demands. South Korea, too, was forced to renegotiate the KORUS free trade agreement on inequitable terms, under pressure from the U.S. over peace efforts on the peninsula.

Japan has declared it will limit opening up sensitive sectors to the levels of market access earlier agreed with the U.S. under Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. The Japanese aim to induce the U.S. back to the TPP. This is unlikely to succeed, but it might well save the bilateral relationship. Failed negotiations could result in U.S. tariffs on Japanese cars and car parts, or worse. Trump has cast doubt over the U.S. security umbrella under which Japan shelters, and which is being used as economic leverage under his unpredictable leadership.

Trump has succeeded in dealing bilaterally with countries as he forces them to choose between U.S. markets access or multilateral trade. The only chance of resisting the march toward managed, discriminatory trade is for the rest of the world to stand up to Washingtons assault on global institutions, rules and openness. There are some signs of countries working together towards that objective, such as German Chancellor Angela Merkels pressure on Trump at the G7 meeting in June. Japans leadership in concluding the TPP without the U.S. was also an important moment.

But much more will need to be done to defend multilateralism.

Abe arrives in Beijing next week with a large business delegation on his mission to restore normalcy in Japans relationship with China. All eyes will be on what the immediate pay off from this improvement might be. If the visit succeeds, we could see joint Chinese-Japanese infrastructure investment projects in Southeast Asia and beyond. There are dozens of projects under consideration by the two countries. Giving some the go-ahead would be a game changer, not only in terms of benefits for Japanese business, but in terms of what it signals about Chinese intentions to play the multilateral economic game.

Joint infrastructure projects from Asias two largest investors would be a big step forward in diversifying regional economic and political risk. Agreement on infrastructure cooperation will also mark the start of a conversation with China  not about China  on agreed principles for deploying its war chest of capital in infrastructure projects abroad.

Chinas Belt and Road Initiative will likely be the largest rollout of foreign infrastructure investment ever. It brings with it major risks for all involved and China has already experienced reputational and geopolitical damage from failed projects.

Japan has trouble with its investment push three or four decades ago. Former Japanese prime minister Kakuei Tanaka was famously trapped in large-scale protests in Indonesia in the mid-1970s as Japans footprints abroad stepped on foreign political toes.

Balancing act

In managing its initiatives with China and the U.S., Japan has carefully cleared the pathway with the U.S. The U.S.-Japan-Australia agreement for infrastructure investment in third country markets is replicated in the agreement that Japan seeks in cooperation with China, although the stakes are much higher.

For China, there is growing acknowledgement of the limits to transactional dealings with Trump. The trade deal that Beijing believed the United States had asked for was rejected earlier in the year. The worry is that, rather than dealing China in on whatever terms, the Trump administration is now set on a course to block its inexorable rise.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to reciprocate Abes trip to Beijing with a visit to Japan early next year. The economic interdependence between China and Japan meant improved relations were inevitable at some point, but the uncertainty in global economic policy has pressured both Tokyo and Beijing to accelerate all that.

These summit meetings are a welcome development for a region and global economy in need of steadying diplomacy. The two Asian neighbors share one of the largest trade relationships in the world. They have no bilateral agreement that covers their contemporary engagement, which is fundamentally anchored in the international rules of the WTO that Trumps America First agenda threatens to undermine.

The China-Japan-South Korea trilateral and East Asias Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreements provide cover for China and Japan to address bilateral issues. The TPP was similarly cover for Japans negotiating bilaterally with the U.S. Having opened up bilateral negotiations with the U.S., there could now be more room for bilateral negotiations between China and Japan.

These two unlikely partners in Asia might yet be the best hope of holding the line against Trumps assault on the global trading system.

Shiro Armstrong is Director of the AustraliaJapan Research Centre in the Crawford School of Public Policy at the ANU.

This article was originally published by The Australian Financial Review.Minutes after Narakobi shared the article, he was contacted by a person with a Facebook account called Silver Fox, who messaged: You must immediately take down posts of Maserati [or] APEC security act will be inacted [sic].

Their purchase and means of eventual disposal have been subject to conflicting stories from various PNG ministers including the prime minister. Let us just say the whole deal  which involved in some capacity former Sri Lankan cricket great Aravinda de Silva  is very murky.

On Wednesday last week, PNG businessman Emmanuel Narakobi shared on Facebook a post by airline company, Ajot, about how it had, on behalf of the PNG government, flown 40 luxury Maserati sedans from Milan to Port Moresby for use during next months APEC forum.

NOOSA  If I may mix a couple of metaphors, it seems that former Melbourne Grammar boy cum rumoured ONeill government fixer, David (Silver Fox) Johnson, has gone to ground after setting the cat amongst the pigeons.

The same person then contacted Narakobi by SMS - Need you to immediately take down FB posts concerning recent airport photos... It is a security risk under APEC joint task force... Please call me, David Johnson.

The implied threat, asserting that the APEC Safety and Security Act 2017 would be invoked, worked. Narakobi immediately took down the post and so it seems did Ajot, which apparently had been sent a similar message.

But none of this went unnoticed. Opposition MP Bryan Kramer expressed his anger, scores of other people on social media agreed with him, the incident was shared far and wide, and Silver Fox went to ground.

Johnson is an Australian expatriate who arrived in Papua New Guinea sometime in 2015. He lives in Lae where he established a financial advisory business, acquiring a shelf company and registering himself as the sole director and shareholder of Karama Consulting Limited.

Hes an old boy of the prestigious Melbourne Grammar School and an alumnus (bachelor of economics) of Monash University. Johnsons Linked In account also says hes a member of the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Last year was a busy year for Johnson. He is said to have worked for the electoral commission during the controversial national election, although there is no suggestion he did or knew about anything improper, and registered two other companies, Karama Developments Limited (residential and commercial property development) and Karama Health Limited.

Linked In also reveals him as a one-time consultant to the PNG Institute of Technology, presumably in his financial advisory capacity.

In 2018 it appears Johnson has broadened his range of interests to include APEC and cyber security and he is widely believed to operate as a fixer - someone who fixes problems - for Peter ONeill and his cronies.

One source told me that Johnsons intervention in this case sounded like "a well-intentioned warning of somebody who is trying to loyally serve an institution.

While the opinion of another was that as a former property developer, I dont think he has a clue about human rights and democracy. Hes associating with the wrong people in the wrong team.

Whatever, right now Silver Fox seems to be lying low and waiting for the controversy to subside. But he has annoyed many influential people, even though the politicians who have publicly chastised him are not in government.

David Johnson has learned the hard way that, if you want to be an effective fixer, the first step is avoid drawing attention to yourself.news, latest-news

We covet their prime minister and their fly-half. They love our pay rates and our weather. But could it be beer that finally calms the Trans Tasman rivalry between Australia and New Zealand? Canberras BentSpoke Brewery and Wellingtons Fork & Brewer are collaborating on a bespoke sister city beer, celebrating the cultural ties of the sister cities. The beer will be labelled Ale of Two Cities and will be ready for launch in Canberra at the start of November. It will then be launched in New Zealand during Canberra Week in Wellington in mid-November and tap takeovers at official events will also be on the cards. Kelly Ryan, head brewer at Fork & Brewer, suggests that perhaps a Hurricanes and Brumbies Super Rugby match might be such a fitting event. Given the recent form of the Brumbies perhaps a few consoling ales might help us all. Ryan and Richard Watkins and Tracy Margrain from BentSpoke say brewing is one area where there is little rivalry between the two countries. One of the best things about the industry is that everyones very open to sharing information, Watkins said. Generally speaking there are not too many secrets, if you're making a new beer you can call on mates for advice. The first incarnation of the beer will be made using a blend of Australian and New Zealand hops in the BentSpoke cannery in Mitchell. Ryan says there may be a chance to do a New Zealand blend is his own brewery using local malt and his yeast strain. It will be a great opportunity for us to see some subtle differences in the same recipes made in the different countries, Ryan said. Deputy High Commissioner of New Zealand LLewellyn Roberts said the collaboration reinforced the great relationship between Canberra and Wellington. Theyre both innovative cities with a great culture and what better way to make connections than through beer and good company, Roberts said. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said he hoped the project was a catalyst for further improvements of knowledge, business development, social cohesion and market export and import growth between the two cities. Wellington and Canberra both have vibrant, established and growing craft beer markets, so this serves as an ideal partnership to celebrate and strengthen our sister-city relationship, Barr said. I am sure this process will evolve into a city-wide opportunity for established and emerging craft brewers in Canberra to engage, develop and exchange brews with their Wellington counterparts.

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/82e28651-9252-40af-bcd4-4d81deca1134/r0_353_6720_4150_w1200_h678_fmax.jpgcomment, editorial

It's absurd that while 90 per cent of all government revenue is raised from just 10 taxes, yet there are more than 125 separate taxes in place. A whopping 115 taxes, all of which have to be administered, interpreted and complied with, account for just 10 per cent of the state and federal governments' take. We were told 20 years the GST would fix this problem. Pressure is now mounting from groups as diverse as the Australian Council for Social Services and the Business Council of Australia for reforms to bring taxation into the 21st century. Possible ways forward were detailed in a PricewaterhouseCoopers tax plan released to Fairfax over the weekend. It claimed up to $8 billion a year was being lost as a result of the flaws. The plan called for the tax-free threshold to be scrapped and for tax brackets to be replaced by a progressive increase in tax rates per $1000 of income. While the practicalities of the measures proposed would need to be looked at carefully, this is an excellent opportunity for a government in search of a narrative ahead of what will be a fiercely contested election to pick up the ball and run with it. It is, after all, less than a week since Peter Costello effectively accused the Morrison Government of having lost its way on economic matters. Yes, there has been a lot of talk about company tax; yes, there have also been moves to amend the way in which GST payments are distributed; and, yes, the Morrison government finally removed the so-called "tampon tax" that has been alienating female voters for decades. But none of these is a major reform. The last time we had a root and branch overhaul of the way the government goes about collecting money from the people for the people was when John Howard introduced the GST. Even that was bungled. Many states and territories, while happy to pocket the GST revenue, are still dragging their feet on the abolition of stamp duty and other indirect taxes it was supposed to replace. It is now eight years since the Henry tax review highlighted inefficiencies within the tax system. This issue has been left in the "too-hard" basket by a succession of governments for far too long. That cannot continue. In 40 years there will only be 2.7 workers for every person over 65. 40 years ago that was 7.5 workers for each retiree. It's now five to one. We will also have to contend with the changing nature of work as a result of technological change and automation. Careers are no longer for life and it is not unusual for some individuals to be working two or three jobs interspersed with extended periods off for travel or other pursuits. All of our attempts to create a highly functional and streamlined economy are doomed to failure while the tax system remains rooted in the 19th century. We must go back to first principles and ask "how much money does government need?" and "what is the most equitable and efficient way to collect that?". Let's start the conversation.

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/c897824a-2260-4c75-a8f8-b409315c16b8/r0_46_900_554_w1200_h678_fmax.jpgA new report from the American Cancer Society highlights the wide variation in cancer risk within the US Hispanic/Latino population. Although health data are often only available for the Hispanic population as a whole, Cancer Statistics for Hispanics/Latinos, 2018 illustrates some of these wide differences in cancer risk by comparing newly available data from Puerto Rico, with a 99% Hispanic population, with cancer statistics for other US Hispanics. The report was published by the American Cancer Society on October 4, 2018 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. The information was also released in a companion report, Cancer Facts and Figures for Hispanics/Latinos 2018-2020.

Whats most striking about cancer occurrence in Hispanics is the huge diversity in rates, says Kimberly D. Miller, MPH, co-author of the study and a senior associate scientist for Surveillance Research at the American Cancer Society, Even though Hispanics have lower rates of cancer as an aggregated group, some Hispanic subgroups have rates that approach or surpass those in non-Hispanic whites.

The report says that men in Puerto Rico have higher prostate and colorectal cancer incidence and death rates than non-Hispanic whites in the continental US, in contrast to US Hispanics as a whole, who have lower rates for these cancers. Yet the lung cancer incidence rate in Puerto Rico is one-third that of non-Hispanic whites and two-thirds that of other US Hispanics. Prostate cancer accounts for the largest proportion of cancer deaths among men in Puerto Rico, about 1 in 6 cancer deaths, making it the only state or territory included in the report in which lung cancer is not the leading cause of cancer death among men of all races combined.

The report also reviews cancer statistics for Hispanics residing within the continental US and Hawaii. Cancer is the leading cause of death among Hispanics overall, followed by heart disease. In 2018, 42,700 cancer deaths are expected among Hispanics in the continental US and Hawaii, with lung (16%), liver (12%), and colorectal (11%) cancers expected to cause the most cancer deaths among men and breast (16%), lung (13%), and colorectal (9%) cancers expected to cause the most among women. Lung cancer accounts for 14% of cancer deaths among continental Hispanics compared to 25% in the overall population, mainly because of lower smoking rates among Hispanics.

Overall, the rates of new cancer cases and cancer deaths among Hispanics in the continental US are 25% to 30% lower than in non-Hispanic whites. However, rates among some US-born Hispanics approach those in non-Hispanic whites. The Hispanic population in the US is growing rapidly, mainly due to an increase in births, rather than immigration. This has led the study authors to predict that the cancer burden among Hispanics will grow too.

One-third of continental Hispanics are foreign-born and have a cancer risk that largely reflects their country of origin. As a group, Hispanics are less likely than non-Hispanic whites to be diagnosed with the 4 most common cancers (prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal) but have a higher risk of certain infection-related cancers (stomach, liver, and cervix), which are more frequent in Latin American countries.

This report also includes information on selected cancer risk factors and screening prevalence among US Hispanics. They are disproportionally affected by excess body weight and type 2 diabetes, for example. Although cigarette smoking prevalence among Hispanics overall is low (10% compared with 17% in non-Hispanic whites), prevalence by Hispanic origin group ranges substantially, from 6% in Dominicans and Central/South Americans to 17% in Puerto Ricans (not including island Puerto Ricans, among whom cigarette smoking prevalence was 11% in 2015).

According to the report, strategies for reducing cancer risk among Hispanics in the US, including Puerto Rico, must take into account differences among sub-populations. Recommended strategies include using culturally appropriate medical professionals, improving access to screening and vaccinations, encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviors (to reduce tobacco use, obesity, and alcohol consumption), and funding Puerto Ricospecific and subgroup-specific cancer research.

Differences in subpopulations

Most cancer data in the US are reported for Hispanics as one group, masking important differences between Hispanic subpopulations according to place of birth and degree of acculturation. Examples from recent studies detailed in the report include:Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing.

You are our people. You Care. We Care2.What is KMAT Exam?

Karnataka Management Aptitude Test (KMAT) is a state level entrance examination, conducted by Karnataka Private Post Graduate Colleges Association (KPPGCA) for admissions to post graduate management programmes in the private B-schools of Karnataka since 2003.



The exam is permitted by Govt. of Karnataka and is monitored by the "Committee for overseeing the entrance test conducted by the association of private professional colleges" constituted by the government of Karnataka



KMAT is conducted for admission to AICTE approved universities and self-financing colleges in Karnataka. The main purpose of KMAT is to provide information to institutions on a candidates aptitude and skills to face & deal with a postgraduate program.



The KMAT scores are being released to both Management Institutions and Students. Almost 189+ B-schools offering AICTE approved PGDM programs will be using the KMAT 2021 scores.



KMAT 2021 exam registration for all the candidates across the country, irrespective of their domicile state. Now the candidates from across the country will be considered for admission to MBA/MCA in more than 189+B-schools located in Bangalore and rest of Karnataka state. The KMAT 2021 registration is likely to start in the month of June 5, 2021 & Extended till October 25, 2021. The exam is going to be held on 07 November, 2021.

KMAT 2021 registration and application process remains online and can be completed in a few minutes.



KMAT 2021 Application Fee:



Rs. 800/- Which should be paid through online.



A candidate has to follow strictly certain rules and regulations before applying for this entrance exam. To know more about this click on the URL link, i.e. https://www.careerindia.com/entrance-exam/how-to-apply-for-kmat-e39.html



Here we provide you with the list of 13 KMAT 2021 test cities in total. Out the 13 KMAT test centres, 10 KMAT exam centres for KMAT 2021 exam are in the State of Karnataka and rest 3 KMAT 2021 test centres are located at Kolkata, Delhi NCR and Lucknow with one each.

Admit Card: A candidate has to know the procedure of downloading the admit card. The KMAT 2021 Admit Card contains two parts and has to Sign In with their Registration Id and Password. To know more, click on the URL link, i.e. https://www.careerindia.com/entrance-exam/kmat-admit-card-e39.html

KMAT 2021 Test Centres :

Sl.No Preferred Cities Allowing Cities Test Centre 1 Bengaluru & Tumakuru Bengaluru Community Institute of Management Studies

RV Institute of Management 2 Bagalakote & Vijayapura Vijayapura BLDE Association's

A.S. Patil College of Commerce (Autonomous) 3 Mangaluru & Udupi Mangaluru A.J. Institute of Management 4 Belagavi Belagavi KLS Institute of Management Education & Research 5 Ballari Ballari Allum Karibasappa Institute of Management 6 Davangere Davangere Bapuji Institue of Management Studies & Research 7 Kalaburagi Kalaburagi Sharnabasaveshwar College of Commerce 8 Hubballi Hubballi Chetan Business School

K.L.E. Society's Institute of Management Studies & Research 9 Mysuru Mysuru Pooja Bhagavat Memorial Mahajana Education Centre 10 Shivamogga Shivamogga PES Institute of Technology & Management 11 Kolkata Kolkata Globsyn Business School 12 Delhi Delhi Jaipura Institute of Management (Delhi) 13 Lucknow Lucknow Jaipura Institute of Management (Lucknow)

Note:

The above-mentioned centres are the tentative list for reference purpose and it may be changed under any circumstances.Send A Thank You Note

Everyone likes being appreciated or acknowledged for their work and the bosses or managers are no exception. On this world boss day, express your gratitude by writing a thank you note.

Make your thank you note simple and express the things that admire you about the person you want to dedicate it to. This gesture will surely impress your boss.

Share Your Boss's Work

We do understand that everyone has their own commitments and priorities at the workplace, but try to make this day memorable for your boss by sharing his/her work. Contributing your time for your boss not only displays your gratitude but also gives you a chance to learn which is useful to advance your career.

Gift A Book That Your Boss Loves

Gifting a novel or a book is the best idea to display your gratitude. Pick a book based on the author that your boss loves to read. Never forget to write a message as well on the first or last page of the book. This idea will surely impress your boss because they know the importance of books and will keep it with them for times to come.

Follow Your Boss

Employees thank their boss because of teaching something new or helping in honing their skills. Your boss might believe some principles which they implement for everyone. Try to emulate the principles taught by your boss in your daily work. Practising what your boss teaches is one of the best ways to say thank you.

Spread A Word About Your Boss

If your boss has made any contribution to your work, thank him/her in a simple way. Never encourage and tolerate any rumours about your boss. Whenever you come across any such incidents support your boss with positive words. When you spread the words about the abilities of your boss, they will surely remember it forever.

How To Optimally Benefit From The Advantages Of Work From Home

Bank Note Press (BNP) has released an employment notification calling out aspirants to apply for various posts. Those interested can check out the eligibility, salary scale, how to apply and the complete details of the government job here.

The application fee costs INR 400 for general category and exempted for the reserved categories. Selected candidates can earn up to INR 1,10,000. The last date to apply for this government job is Nov 9, 2018.

Selection Process

The selection of candidates will be done on the basis of:

Skill test

Online test

Typing test

Interview

Also Read: Central Bank Of India Recruitment 2018 For Director RSETI

BNP Recruitment 2018 Vacancy Details

CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Safety Officer, Welfare Officer, Supervisor, Junior Office Assistant and Junior Technician Organisation Bank Note Press Educational Qualification Diploma or degree in relevant field Experience Freshers can apply Skills Required Technical skills Job Location Dewas (Madhya Pradesh) Salary Scale INR 7,750 to INR 1,10,000 Industry Banking Application Start Date October 13, 2018 Application End Date November 9, 2018

Age Limit: 18 to 30 years

Also Read: EXIM Bank Recruitment 2018 For 20 Management Trainees

How To Apply For BNP Recruitment 2018

In order to apply for BNP Recruitment 2018, follow these steps:

Step 1 Log on to the IBPS official website. Step 2 Click on the button that reads, Click here for New Registration. Step 3 The important points to be noted will be displayed on a pop-up menu. Read them carefully. Step 4 Click CONTINUE. Step 5 The registration form will open. Enter your details in the fields provided. Step 6 Enter the security code. Step 7 Click Save & Next and follow the subsequent pages to complete the registration process.

Follow the link - http://bnpdewas.spmcil.com/UploadDocument/Advertisement_eng.fd67d191-0caf-4e99-944f-32980d372623.pdf to read the detailed official notification.What is CAPF - AC Exam?

The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) refers to the uniform nomenclature of seven security forces in India under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs. They are the Assam Rifles (AR), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), National Security Guard (NSG), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).



Recruitment is conducted mainly in three modes

Gazetted Officers: Officers in CAPFs are recruited through the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination conducted by UPSC.

Officers in CAPFs are recruited through the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination conducted by UPSC. Subordinate Officers: Sub Inspectors are recruited through competitive examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission and they are referred as DASOs (Directly Appointed Subordinate Officers).

Sub Inspectors are recruited through competitive examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission and they are referred as DASOs (Directly Appointed Subordinate Officers). Constables: Constables are recruited through competitive examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission.

CAPF Assistant Commandants

Border Security Force (BSF) Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Central Industrial Security Force(CISF) Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)

CAPF Exam Highlights

Exam Central Armed Police Forces Examination Conducted By Union Public Service Commission Name of the Post Assistant Commandant Number of Vacancies Approximately 250 Frequency Once a year Age Limit 20-25 years Educational Qualification Graduation Application mode Online Application fee INR 200 Gender Male and female are eligible Selection Procedure Written, physical test and interview Number of Applications Approximately 3 lakh E-Admit card 3 weeks before the exam Withdrawal of Application Yes Website www.upsc.gov.in

CAPF AC's 2022

The CAPF AC's 2022 exam notification was released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This year there are 209 total vacancies are released for Assistant Commandants (ACs) Posts in the Central Armed Police Forces.

The examination will be held on August 07, 2022, in accordance with the rules for the examination published by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Gazette of India.

Their admission at all the stages of the examination will be purely provisional subject to satisfying the prescribed eligibility conditions.

All the aspirants who want to apply online for CAPF AC's Recruitment 2022 will have to check all the required details available on our website and the notification released by the official website.

CAPF Notification 2022

The UPSC has released the CAPF Assistant Commandant (AC) recruitment notification for a total of 209 vacancies. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria set by the Commission can apply online for the Assistant Commandant posts. Interested aspirants can apply online for CAPF AC until April 20, 2022.

CAPF 2022 Number Of Vacancies

The UPSC releases the CAPF notification to shortlist the candidates for recruitment of Assistant Commandants (Group A). Check the tentative number of vacancies for CAPF AC exam.

S No Security Forces Vacancies 1 Border Security Force (BSF) 78 2 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 13 3 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) 69 4 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) 27 5 Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) 22 Total 209

Note:

Aspirants should note that the number of vacancies mentioned above is liable to alteration. The reservation will be given as per policy of the Govt. 10% of the vacancies are earmarked for ex-servicemen.

In case the vacancies reserved for Ex-servicemen remain unfilled due to nonavailability of eligible or qualified candidates, the same shall be filled by candidates from non ex-servicemen category.

CAPF Important Dates 2022

Event Date CAPF AC Notification April 20, 2022 Online applications starting date April 20, 2022 Last date to apply May 10, 2022 Admit card July 2022 CAPF AC exam date August 07, 2022 CAPF AC result September, 2022

CAPF Application Procedure

Interested candidates who satisfy the eligibility conditions set by the Commission can apply online for the Assistant Commandant post through the website www.upsconline.nic.in.

The online application process comprises of two stages.

Candidates are advised to scan their photograph and signature prior to filling up the application form.

The photograph and signature should be in the .jpg format. The file should not exceed 40 KB and must not be less than 3 KB in size for the photograph and 1 KB for the signature.

Aspirants should avoid multiple applications.

Candidates are suggested to apply online well in time without waiting for the last date for submission of Online Applications.

There is no option for the withdrawal of online application for CAPF.

In order to apply online, candidates can use this link  CAPF AC Application Process.

CAP Application Fee

All the eligible candidates should pay the application fee prescribed by the UPSC. The application fee is INR 200, which can be deposited in any Branch of SBI by cash, or by using net banking facility of State Bank of India or by using Visa/Master/RuPay/Credit/Debit Card. Some candidates belonging to reserved categories such as SC/ST are exempted from paying the application fee. One should note that all the female candidates are also exempted from the application fee.

CAPF Examination centre

The written examination for the CAPF Assistant Commandant will be held at the below-listed examination centres. The allotment of the test centres will be based on the ''first-apply-first-allot.''What is IPTAFS Exam?

The Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) is civil service or a competitive exam in India conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) India.

The exam is held for the recruitment of Department of Telecom & Department of Posts in India. The Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service is a Group "A" Central Civil Services of the Union of IndiaPhoto: The Canadian Press

Baby Zavier is barely three months old, but he's already making history in the B.C. legislature.

Born in July, Zavier is the first child to arrive at the legislature chamber in the arms of his mother, Energy Minister Michelle Mungall.

He is the first baby permitted at a legislative session after all parties voted in favour of family legislation last spring.

Mungall carried her son into the chamber and introduced him to loud applause from politicians.

B.C. joined Alberta last spring as the only other province that permits children in the chambers while the legislature is in session.

Mungall says her son also met the legislature's dress code, wearing a sharp jacket and bow tie.Photo: The Canadian Press In this Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, photo Brittania Boey, left, and Allie Melnick, right, leaders behind Harry's new shaving and body care brand Flamingo pose for a photo in New York.

Harry's has carved out a niche selling men shaving razors direct to their doors, elbowing in on an industry long dominated by names like Gillette and Schick.

In the process, the company says it found that 1 million women were using its products for their shaving needs.

So its logical next step is Flamingo, a direct-to-consumer hair removal and body-care brand for women that launches Tuesday.

Flamingo's leaders say their aim is to make women more comfortable talking about shaving and waxing.

"We want to normalize the fact that women might have hair here, or there, and if they choose to remove it, we want to support that," Allie Melnick, the general manager for Flamingo says in an interview with The Associated Press.

Flamingo is the first brand to emerge from Harry's Labs, an offshoot of the company that has chipped away at the market share of industry giant Gillette, capitalizing on consumer frustration with pricey razors. Harry's received $112 million in new funding earlier this year to develop new brands, with a vision to becoming a major consumer-products company to compete with the likes of Gillette parent Proctor & Gamble.Global cement industry gathers at Cemtech Europe 2018

ICR Newsroom By 16 October 2018

More than 200 delegates of the global cement industry gathered for Cemtech Europe 2018, which is being held at the Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus, Turkey, from 14-17 October.

International Cement Review's Managing Director, Thomas Armstrong, inaugurated the conference by noting the declining worldwide utilisation rate for cement capacity. Mr Armstrong observed how new technologies are expected to pave the way forward, with this particularly represented on the programme by successful process optimisation case studies and an emphasis on alternative fuel utilisation.

The first morning of the conference continued with an opening speech by the Turkish Cement Manufacturers' Association's Head of Economic Evaluations and Foreign Relations, Kerem Ersen, who welcomed the delegates to Turkey. Mr Ersen celebrated the success of the country's economy, which saw 6.7 per cent growth in GDP in the 1H18. Furthermore, Turkey's cement industry recorded a 7.7 per cent increase in production in 2017. This is expected to rise by an additional 3-4 per cent in 2019-23 on the back of positive developments in the housing, infrastructure and energy sectors. Meanwhile, capacity is expected to surge to 88Mta in 2018, following the completion of two greenfield and two brownfield projects.



Ashwani Pahuja, Dalmia Cement's chief sustainability officer, presented a keynote address on sustainable cement manufacturing. Mr Pahuja began his outlook by stating how the company had recorded a 17.7Mt reduction in carbon emissions over the past five years. Impressively, its carbon footprint sits 40 per cent lower than the global average for cement companies. In addition, Dalmia Cement intends to become carbon negative by 2040.



Jean-Christophe Lefevre-Moulenq, CM-CIC Market Solutions, spoke about how the supremacy of the European 'Big Five' major cement producers is now being challenged by the multiple emerging markets players around world. He suggested how this could result in countries such as China and Turkey playing a larger role in the global industry, perhaps even by taking advantage of divested assets and expanding into Africa and across Europe.



Peter Hoddinott, independent consultant, looked at procurement strategies within established companies. An essential element within the structure of a business, the procurement team should be full of talented, innovative members. A successful procurement strategy will result in improved EBITDA and could even turn losses into profit-generating solutions.



Tom Dannemiller, Sabia, explained how we are in the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with digitalisation now a practical reality for cement plants. Through the implementation of Industry 4.0 software, cement facilities can easily detect anomalies in their data and therefore act upon it before a shutdown has to occur.



The day continued with a discussion on cement and clinker flows within the Mediterranean by Sylvie Doutres, DSG Consultants, with a significant 60 per cent of clinker exported from the European/Mediterranean region transported to Africa.



As the programme moved beyond prevailing market trends and economic overviews, Nuh Cimento's Ilker Avci presented a study of its recent grinding and pyroprocessing upgrades. Furthermore, Basri Ogut, Walter Materials Handling/ATS Group, introduced the alternative fuel session by looking at three recent examples where the company's solutions were implemented to feed alternative fuels into the production process.



Alongside the conference programme, Cemtech Europe is hosting a 27-stand exhibition, where producers can discuss solutions and the latest manufacturing technology with equipment suppliers.



Cemtech Europe, held at the Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus, will conclude with a plant tour to Nuh Cimento's Hereke plant on Wednesday, 17 October.

Published underAustralian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, whose government faces a crucial by-election in four days, said on Tuesday Canberra was open to recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, prompting concern from Indonesian and Palestinian officials.

Former senior diplomat John McCarthy has slammed the federal government's announcement that it is considering moving Australia's Israeli embassy to West Jerusalem, warning that such a move will be harshly judged by Islamic nations, including neighbouring Indonesia.

The Trump administration turned its back on decades of U.S. policy by recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moving the USA embassy from Tel Aviv in May.

Jerusalem is also a holy city for the largely Muslim population of the Palestinian territories, and they feared that recognition of the city as a Jewish capital would imperil shared access to the many religious sites.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted his approval on Monday. Elections are slated to be held this weekend in a tight race that could rob Morrison of a majority in parliament.

'Foreign policy, and Australia's national interest are far too important to be played with in this fashion, ' Senator Wong said.

Morrison came to power in August after a revolt by hardline conservatives in the Liberal party ousted his more moderate predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull.

Morrison's comments about recognizing Jerusalem and possibly moving Australia's embassy there, just like U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial decision in December, would reverse decades of foreign policy and inflame tension with some of Australia's Asian neighbors.

Morrison rejected suggestions that his decision to consider following Trump's lead was a result of United States pressure or related to the by-election in Sydney's Wentworth district on Saturday.

"You don't unilaterally make these decisions", Mr Morrison said.

While both Russian Federation and France offered to host delegations from Israel and Palestine for renewed peace talks, on December 6, 2017 Trump announced that the United States would recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Morrison also announced Australia would vote against a United Nations resolution this week to recognise the Palestinian Authority as the chair of the Group of 77 developing countries.

"We're committed to a two state solution, but frankly, it hasn't been going that well".

"When sensible suggestions are put forward that are consistent with your policy positioning and in this case pursuing a two-state solution, Australia should be open-minded to this and I am open-minded to this and our government is open-minded to this", Morrison told reporters. The Liberal candidate contesting the by-election on Saturday, Dave Sharma, is a former Australian ambassador to Israel who has floated the idea in the past.Given that people within pro-hunting circles are disturbed by the killing of the baboon family, it is unsurprising that animal welfare groups are taking a strong stance against Fischer remaining in his role as commissioner, since he sees no problem with what he did.

Fischer and his wife shot at least 14 animals in Namibia, according to the Idaho Statesman.

"Fellas", Fischer wrote in the September 17 email, according to the Idaho State Journal, "I have been back for a week, but have been hunting and trying to get caught up".

Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter announced Monday afternoon that he asked for and received the resignation from Fischer, who was under intense criticism for the graphic photos from last month. "I didn't do anything immoral".

"Baboons are free", he told the newspaper.

Numerous images show the animals posed in a stereotypical African game hunting style, with one caption reading: "So I shot a whole family of baboons". "Accordingly, I have accepted his resignation from the Idaho Fish and Game Commission". "What bothers me is he's got the family there and a little baby baboon sitting there with blood all over it, kind of like in the mother's arms", Alder said.

"My reaction to the photo and accompanying text of you smiling and holding a "family" of primates you killed dismays and disappoints me", former commissioner Fred Trevey replied to Fischer's email with the photos.

Keith E. Carlson, another former commissioner who called for Fischer to resign, echoed a similar condemnation of the photo.

While claiming the photos were out of character, Fischer apologized and said he hoped the photos would "not harm the integrity and ethic" of the Idaho Fish and Game Department. "It just puts a bad light on us".

Fischer was criticized by former commissioners for sending the photos to them and others in a September 17 email.

It's a photograph that makes your stomach turn: Idaho wildlife officer Blake Fischer beams as he displays the lifeless bodies of an entire family of baboons, joyful at the massacre of the animals he has just brutally slain with a bow and arrow.

The commission has seven members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. In the note, which was obtained through a public records request, Fischer said the hunt occurred after he and his wife traveled to Namibia for a couple of weeks - a trip that was his third to Africa and her first.

In a lengthy email, Fred Trevey, who served as a commissioner for eight years, advised Fischer to "take responsibility and resign, sooner rather than later", the KBOI reported.US President Donald Trump said he was "concerned" about the journalist's disappearance.

The European Union is adding its weight to global demands for official clarifications about what happened to missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Turkish investigators have hinted they know more about the disappearance than they have disclosed.

A Saudi columnist remained missing as supporters rallied outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul calling for his "release" despite Riyadh's denials that he was being held there.

Qatari broadcaster Al-Jazeera has distanced itself from a news item speculating that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered while visiting the Saudi consulate in Turkey.

Riyadh vehemently denies the claim and says Khashoggi left the consulate.

Turkey on Monday said it expects "full cooperation" from Saudi authorities to locate the missing journalist. While a military conflict is not likely to arise between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, this new development will place more strain on the relationship, further complicating the already hard situation in the Middle East.

Police said about 15 Saudis, including officials, came to Istanbul on two private flights on Tuesday and were at the consulate at the same time as the journalist.

The two countries have such an obligation under both criminal law and global human rights law, she said. Saudi officials haven't acknowledged that.

With every day, leaks from the Turkish investigation are drip-fed to the media here - and hope that Jamal Khashoggi might still be alive fades further. He told her to call an adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan if he did not return.

Ties between Ankara and Riyadh are at a low point over Turkey's support for Qatar in its year-long dispute with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations.

The announcement came as a surveillance image surfaced of Jamal Khashoggi walking into the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, just before he disappeared.

"If the reports of Jamal's murder are true, it is a monstrous and unfathomable act", Fred Hiatt, director of The Post's editorial page, said in a statement in a story reported by the Post.

As every country across the Mideast does with its leaders, it's hard to escape posters and laudatory fawning over Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the kingdom.

Paul acknowledges he and Trump differ on their views of Saudi Arabia. A Saudi official said Khashoggi left the consulate shortly after he visited.

There, newspapers have called Khashoggi's disappearance a plot ginned up by Qatar, who the kingdom has been boycotting with three other nations since past year.

In 2016, Reporters Without Borders published information detailing how Saudi Arabia "manipulates foreign media outlets" in order to "project a positive image of the kingdom internationally".

On Friday, Prince Mohamed Bin Salman said the Saudi authorities would allow Turkey to investigate their consulate in Istanbul, as reports from the two countries on the conditions of his disappearance are contradictory. "It is based on political Islam", Khashoggi said.

Earlier, U.S. officials warned that any harm done to the 59-year-old Washington Post contributor will jeopardize its relations with the kingdom, its close ally and the world's largest oil exporter.

Turkish officials told The Washington Post and Reuters on Saturday that Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate.D'Arreion Toles was returning to his loft in downtown St. Louis when a white woman, identified as Hilary Brooke Mueller, tried to keep him from entering until he proved he lived in the building, reported CBS affiliate KMOV 4.

"Ma'am - you just - no". After Toles manages to squeeze past her, she continues to harass him, going as far as following him to his home and then calling the cops.

"Okay, I don't like the fact that you are blocking me from where I pay to live", he responded.

In the post, the woman clearly follows him and questions him even after he opens his apartment door.

The video shows Thornton demanding proof from Toles that he lived in the building. "If you wanna come into my building...you walked up on a street...can you show me the key code into this building?"

The woman's employer, also a luxury apartment complex, posted the following message to its website in response to the number of complaints it received regarding the videos.

"And if you do, then I would like to meet you because you're a neighbor", Mueller says. Toles said he believes he was stopped simply because he's Black.

No longer wanting to entertain the woman's antics, Toles brushes past her and makes his way toward the elevators. "Have a nice night, and my name is Mr. Toles".

She was employed at a minority-owned property management company that called the incident "disturbing" and racist.

"The video did involve one of our employees, but the event did NOT take place at Tribeca-STL and did NOT involve one of our tenants", the company said. "We are proud of this fact and do not and never will stand for racism or racial profiling at our company". The officers on the scene left the building without issuing any citation. "If I did not have my camera out, I feel it could have gone a totally different way", he told new station KMov4.com.

"I was kind of blown away, shocked and like wow", Toles told KMOV TV.

"I am not mad at her", he continued. "I am just glad I had my camera out".

The video went viral on Facebook and now has over 6.3 million views. "I'm not in any way doing anything outside of letting my dog go to the bathroom", Mueller is heard saying. "I would still have a conversation with her".EPA looks to finish Pueblo smelter site cleanup in 2022

The Environmental Protection Agency has completed 90% of its soil sampling in residential areas in the Colorado Smelter Superfund site.It also comes amid some concerns in Washington about the enthusiasm with which South Korean President Moon Jae-in has embraced North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, despite the fact that North Korea has so far made no concrete steps to disarm.

"Chairman Kim Jong-un has said he is willing to not only halt the country's nuclear and missile tests and also dismantle its production facilities, but also dismantle all nuclear weapons and nuclear materials it now possesses if the United States takes corresponding measures", the South Korean president told Macron in their meeting, according to Moon's chief press secretary, Yoon Young-chan.

Kim also insisted that the USA ease sanctions in response to the steps North Korea has already taken, including the return of the remains of American soldiers killed during the Korean War.

Motion graphics by Jacqueline Galvin.

South Korea's Defense Ministry said the talks at the Panmunjom border village mark the first meeting between the Koreas and the U.N. Command to discuss ways to demilitarize the village's Joint Security Area. It was also where a defecting North Korean soldier fled to the South previous year in a hail of bullets fired by his former comrades.

"I believe the global community needs to provide assurances that North Korea has made the right choice to denuclearize and encourage North Korea to speed up the process", the South Korean president told the joint press conference.

And the two countries will hold Red Cross talks at North Korea's Diamond Mountain resort in November to set up video-conference meetings between aging relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War and potentially expand face-to-face reunions between them.

Pompeo added that the USA will "take measures North Korea could accept" if it destroys or relinquishes a portion of its intercontinental ballistic missiles, mobile launch platforms and bio-chemical weapons.

"We must further encourage North Korea's denuclearization process by easing U.N. sanctions when and if we decide the North's denuclearization process has at least reached a point of no return, and I ask President Macron to play such a role as [the leader of] a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council", Moon noted, directly asking Macron to play a role at the United Nations Security Council. The North's chief delegate to the talks is Ri Son Gwon, who chairs the North Korean agency that deals with inter-Korean affairs.

In their third summit this year, Moon and Kim committed to reviving economic cooperation when possible, voicing optimism that worldwide sanctions could end and allow such activity, and holding a groundbreaking ceremony by the end of the year on an ambitious project to connect their roads and railways.

South Korea last week walked back on a proposal to lift some of its unilateral sanctions against the North following a blunt retort by President Donald Trump that Seoul could "do nothing" without Washington's approval.

The closed-door meeting took place at the border village of Panmunjom and was led by colonel-level military officials from each side, the ministry said in a statement. Kang was not specific but her comments fueled speculation Washington wasn't fully on board before Seoul signed the agreement.

The decision to exclude the reporter from the conservative Chosun Ilbo on Monday drew an angry reaction from other South Korean journalists.

The ministry says North Korea did not demand that Kim be excluded from covering the meeting. The South Korean press corps covering the ministry issued a statement denouncing it for a "grave infringement of media freedoms".Muslims Launch Nationwide Campaign to Get Asia Bibi Hanged, Threaten Supreme Court Judges Christian Post Contributor | 16 October, 2018 by Samuel Smith

As the world awaits Pakistan Supreme Court's decision in the death sentence appeal of Christian mother Asia Bibi, radicals have threatened violence and promised nationwide protests if she is set free.

Human rights groups have voiced concern over reports that the country's Supreme Court justices are being threatened by hardline Muslim extremists affiliated with political parties like Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP).

According to AFP, extremists have threatened the justices with a "horrible" death if they give clemency to the Christian mother of five who was sentenced to death in 2010 after Muslim women accused her of blasphemy because of an argument over drinking water.

The threat came in the form of a statement released by the TLP last Wednesday, two days after Bibi's appeal was heard by a three-judge panel of the Pakistan Supreme Court after years of delay. The panel's ruling on her appeal has not yet been announced.

The Pakistani newspaper Dawn reports that supporters of the TLP have converged last week in cities like Lahore, Karachi, Multan and Gujranwala to "pre-empt the acquittal" of Bibi, who is also known by the name Aasiya Noreen.

The group is reportedly threatening to paralyze the country if Bibi is set free.

The TLP is said to have directed its local leaders to stage sit-in protests nationwide if Bibi is released.

"Judges' remarks have sown doubt among the party leaders and fears that she would be released soon," TLP Patron-in-Chief Pir Afzal Qadri was quoted as saying while speaking at an anti-Bibi rally in Lahore.

The patron-in-chief then read out a four-point resolution backed by party leaders that argued that allowing Bibi to go free would be an assault on not only the nation's blasphemy laws but also an attack on Islam and the national Constitution as well.

"The [TLP] central leadership has already decided about a countrywide protest and local leaders should not wait for any message from the central leadership and start their sit-ins immediately," Qadri was quoted as telling the crowd.

Should Bibi be released, Qadri called for the protests to continue until the justices who ensured her release face punishment "even if the central leadership is incarcerated or killed."

Dawn.com reports that TLP Chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi went as far as challenging the judges to a debate on the country's blasphemy law and urged the party's supporters to "stay ready and wait for Tuesday when another important announcement would be made."

Additionally, TLP leaders have urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to develop a clear policy on blasphemy that will appease his nationalist base.

Pakistan ranks as the fifth worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USA's 2018 World Watch List. Additionally, Pakistan has been placed on the U.S. State Department's "Special Watch List" for religious freedom violators.

Advocates have long called for a repeal of the nation's blasphemy laws, which has in many cases been abused by Muslims to persecute religious minorities. Some Pakistani politicians have even been killed for voicing their beliefs that the blasphemy laws should be reformed.

Hardliners participating in a rally in Karachi not only called for Bibi to be executed but also for there to be consequences for those who are speaking out in support of her.

As the British Pakistani Christian Association notes, Christians across the country are praying and fasting for her freedom. Some Christian leaders have also called for their communities to receive protection in light of multiple threats against their congregations should Bibi set free.

Read more about Asia Bibi on The Christian Post.Two Christian filmmakers are going before the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Paul, Minnesota on Tuesday, to challenge the states law that is forcing them to create videos that contradict their religious beliefs.

According to CBN, Telescope Media Group owners Carl and Angel Larsen wanted to enter into the wedding industry, but the state's Human Rights Act prohibits the couple from pursuing this avenue unless they make films promoting same-sex marriage, a union that their Christian beliefs define as between one man and one woman.

"The government shouldn't threaten filmmakers with fines and jail time to force them to create films that violate their beliefs," said their counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom Jeremy Tedesco in a press release. "Carl and Angel are storytellers  they script, stage, conduct interviews, capture footage, select music, edit and more  all to tell compelling stories through film that promote their religious beliefs."

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in Masterpiece that the government must respect the beliefheld by countless Americans from all walks of lifethat marriage is between one man and one woman," he continued. "The 8th Circuit should reinstate the Larsens' lawsuit and order the state to stop forcing the Larsens to speak messages about marriage that violate their beliefs."

The Larsens previously tried to challenge the law as unconstitutional in 2017, but, according to CBN News, a lower court dismissed their case and told them that unless they make films for same-sex couples, they must close that part of their business. This decision has led the couple to appeal their case to the 8th Circuit Court.

According to their legal representatives ADF, Minnesota officials have continuously said that private businesses such as Telescope Media Group must create films promoting same-sex weddings, otherwise they are violating the law.

CBN News reports that the penalties for violating the Minnesota Human Rights Act could include payment of a civil penalty to the state; triple compensatory damages; punitive damages of up to $25,000; a criminal penalty of up to $1,000; and even up to 90 days in jail.

Photo courtesy: Jakob Owens/UnsplashLocal churches are banding together to help their communities in the wake of mass destruction caused by Hurricane Michael which hit the Florida Panhandle last week.

Residents who evacuated their homes before the Category 4 hurricane reached the Panhandle are now starting to return home to assess the damages, many of them finding that they have nothing left.

Mexico Beach resident Emily Hansen told CBN News, "Everybody we knew lost their house  Everybody  and our jobs.

Another resident told the outlet, "The devastation  it's like a bomb just went off here."

In the face of the destruction, churches, who themselves were not spared destruction, are gearing up to show love to their communities.

One church thats members are working to help out the community is Destiny Worship Center. Destiny Worship Center which lost the side of its kids building, took to the streets to deliver basic necessities to those in need.

Wayne Asprodites, the pastor of the Destiny Worship Center in Panama City Beach, told CBN News, "Really we're beginning to communicate to take supplies here on the beach level and bring them over to Panama City and Springfield and Callaway, where the churches there were really destroyed, major damage, and allow them to be collection points for the supplies that people are giving us and distribute to the people in need."

Another church that was damaged by the Hurricane was Lighthouse Church. Lighthouse Church was hit by the eyewall of the hurricane and was badly damaged by the storm, nonetheless, church members have taken to the community to help.

Lighthouse Pastor Cole Bailey told CBN News, "I think we all know that's just a building, it's just a building. We can build a building but we want to make sure our community is taken care of, we want to make sure our members are taken care of."

"We have seven teams out with chainsaws and front-end loaders, we're moving trees and making sure that everybody is accounted for, and that they can get out and that they get the aid that they need," he continued.

Pastor Cole says that by meeting the basic needs of his community, he's able to truly show them the love of Christ.

"I can tell you that I love you all day long, or I can show you that I love you. So our neighbors, if they've ever wondered if we love them, they're about to find out for sure when they see one of these 'Dream Team' t-shirts on," Pastor Cole said.

Another organization aiding with the relief efforts is Mercy Chefs. According to CBN News, Mercy Chefs ministry can serve around 18,000 meals a day to victims, volunteers, and first responders.

"We'll be able to stand up three separate locations around Florida and Georgia as needed. But from those sites, we send food out to different distribution points. So one kitchen can always overcook the site we're on. So we take that to then go further into the community or further into where the damage was the worst," Gary LeBlanc of Mercy Chefs explained.

CBN News reports that the storm has claimed the lives of 17 people so far and officials fear that the number will continue to rise.

Photo courtesy: Helena Lopes/UnsplashAs the deadline approaches for the release of the last schoolgirl who was captured by Boko Haram, Christians in Nigeria are praying for her safe release .

Leah Sharibu, 15, was taken with more than 100 other schoolmates in February. The students were all released except for Sharibu, and in September, the terrorist group Boko Haram threatened to kill her.

Boko Haram abducted 112 girls from the Government Girls Science and Technical College Dapchi. Of the 112 girls, six died during captivity, one escaped, and 104 were released in March following negotiations with the Nigerian government.

Sharibu has refused to renounce her faith.

I am calling on the government and people of goodwill to intervene to get me out of my current situation, Sharibu said in an audio clip.

I am begging you to treat me with compassion. I am calling on the government, particularly the president, to pity me and get me out of this serious situation. Thank you.

Last week, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria Rev. Yakubu Pam and the Chief Iman of Apo Legislative Quarters, Sheikh Mohmamed Khalid, held a press conference and asked Boko Harm to release the teen for Gods sake.

We heard they said next week is their deadline and that is why in this meeting as we are discussing about the peace of this country, we felt that it is very important and very paramount to talk about this matter, Pam said.

The mother is in agony, the family is in agony and we are appealing to their conscience. Whatever it is, let them be lenient and also allow God to speak to their heart.

Some of the rescued schoolgirls have reported that Sharibu kept saying, I am a Christian to the terrorists as they asked her to deny her faith in order to be released.

Leahs testimony is an inspirational one, said Gideon Para-Mallam, a leader of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. It is a defining moment of what Christians are going through in Nigeria.

Photo courtesy: Patrick Fore/UnsplashJason slid his copy of Athanasiuss On the Incarnation back into his book bag with a sigh. He had hoped this pastors group might finally appreciate his desire to slowly study the deep things of God, and his longing for theological friendship. For Jason these desires went hand in hand with his pastoral calling, but he noticed the looks when he arrived, Athanasius in hand. He had seen them plenty of times before: the puzzled and slightly defensive look of the pastor who has read only a handful of books since seminary; the impatient glance of the pastor who wants to get on with the real work of ministry; the weary look that says, If only I had the time. Even the concerned look, as if reading theology might lead him away from God, deadening his ability to sense the Spirit. Jason vowed to himself to leave his books at home next time.

Jasons experience is common among those who feel called to be pastor-theologians. At seminary, probing conversations ...

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1Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Dongfeng Motor Group Company Limited (Dongfeng Motor Group) reported a year-on-year (YoY) drop of 14.65% in sales with 271,134 vehicles delivered in September. For the first three quarters, the group's year-to-date (YTD) sales fell 3.47% from a year ago to 2,194,320 units.

The PV sector saw its sales decline 14.64% YoY last month to 237,807 units. The segments of the car, the SUV and MPV all came across negative performance over a year ago. For the first nine months, a total of 1,869,816 PVs were handed over with a YoY drop of 3.75%. Among that, the YTD sales of the SUV and the MPV segments were both outperformed by that of the year-ago period. However, the car segment still achieved a positive YoY growth of 1.68% despite the overall downturn.

Dongfeng Motor Company Limited (DFL) gained a YoY increase of 8.09% with 1,084,898 units handed over from January to September. Apart from Dongfeng Infiniti, the other units under DFL all achieved positive YoY growth in YTD sales. Although Dongfeng Venucia's sales in September slumped 31.09% from the previous year, its Jan-to-Sept sales still represented a YoY growth of 3.42% thanks to the favorable performances in the previous months. Besides, Zhengzhou Nissan had double-digit YoY growth in both September sales and YTD sales.

Three major joint ventures, namely, Dongfeng Honda, Dongfeng Renault and Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile (DPCA), all suffered YoY decline in terms of cumulative sales this year. Dongfeng Honda's sales in September climbed 4.52% from a year earlier. According to the sales data from Honda China, the sales of Civic soared 45.2% YoY last month to 23,277 units and the sales of the XR-V exceeded 16,000 units, hitting a new high in monthly sales. However, two Sino-French joint ventures, Dongfen Renault and DPCA saw their September sales plunge up to 61.44% and 56.23% from the previous year.President Trump warned Honduras on Tuesday that his administration will cease all aid to the country unless it stops a large caravan of migrants making its way to the United States border.

The development came just days after Pence met with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, President Jimmy Morales of Guatemala and Vice President Oscar Ortiz of El Salvador, asking them to step up and help combat illegal immigration in return for help from the U.S. Trump announced on Twitter. Hernandez also chided President Trump for separating migrant children at the U.S. -Mexico border, something he says put Honduras under "huge pressure". During the meeting Pence reiterated that the USA was prepared to help with economic development and investment.

The crowd of migrants more than doubled in size from Saturday, when some 1,300 people set off from northern Honduras in what has been dubbed 'March of the Migrant, ' an organizer said.

Honduras: Why are people desperate to leave?

Reuters could not independently verify the number of participants, but images showed a group carrying backpacks and clogging roads near the border, some waving the Honduran flag.

Hondurans, fleeing poverty and violence, are seen here in San Pedro Sula.

In April, a similar group of impoverished travelers failed to sway Donald Trump's "zero tolerance" stance on migration, which lead to the separation of migrants from Latin America illegally crossing the United States border.

Guatemala said in a statement on Sunday that it did not promote or endorse "irregular migration".

The "March of the Migrants", as it is called, arrived yesterday in Guatemala.

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez said last month cuts in US support for Central America would hinder efforts to stem illegal immigration as he welcomed China's growing diplomatic presence in the region as an "opportunity".

Still, VP Mike Pence warned Central American nations last week to keep their citizens from moving toward the USA border, reports Politico. Then it's on to Mexico and possibly the U.S., though if history holds, numerous migrants will break off and remain in Central America.Bishops join calls for Universal Credit 'fix'

Church of England bishops have backed a further delay in the implementation of the troubled Universal Credit benefits system.

Universal Credit is meant to streamline benefits and provide more incentives for people to work. However, there have been widespread reports of failures as it has been introduced, with claimants suffering extreme hardship as payments are delayed.

Documents seen by the BBC indicate that ministers have bowed to pressure and plan to delay the reform, whichwas supposed to be implemented by April 2017. It is not now expected to be fully in place until December 2023.

More than 30 CofE bishops are backing a petition brought by End Hunger UK calling on the government to 'fix' the system, including providing more help and a more flexible system for claimants applying and for those already receiving the benefit.

The campaign is also calling for improvements to the design of Universal Credit and a long-term commitment to ensuring the social security system provides people with an adequate income to afford good food on a regular basis.

The Trussell Trust reports an average increase of 52 per cent in food bank use in areas where Universal Credit has been rolled out for more than a year, as well as rising debt, destitution and hunger. Veteran MP Frank Field said yesterday that women in his Birkenhead constituency had 'taken to the red light district for the first time' because the new system had pushed them into poverty.

The Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler, the Church's lead bishop on welfare issues, said: 'We need urgent action to improve the flexibility and support for people on Universal Credit, and a long-term commitment that the social security system will provide enough income for them to afford to feed themselves and their families properly.

'Without such action, we can expect to see more and more people turning to food banks and becoming trapped in poverty.

'The problems we are seeing with Universal Credit at church-run food banks across the country must be resolved before many more people are moved on to the new benefit.'

End Hunger UK is supported by Christian denominations including the CofE, the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church, as well as many social action charities including Church Action on Poverty and the Trussell Trust.Boko Haram murders aid worker, says Leah Sharibu will be enslaved

The Boko Haram terrorist group has executed a second humanitarian aid worker of three it kidnapped in March.

It has said the surviving worker, with kidnapped Christian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu, will be slaves for the rest of their lives, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Midwife Hauwa Mohammed Liman, 25, was working for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was seized on March 1, along with fellow ICRC worker and midwife Saifura Husseini Ahmed, 25, and nurse Alice Loksha Ngaddah, a UNICEF employee. Their abduction followed an attack in Rann, Borno state, in which two humanitarian workers from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), one from the ICRC and another from UNICEF, were murdered.

A video depicting her execution was sent to the Nigerian newspaper The Cable. In a statement, the terrorists said both she and Ms Ahmed were considered apostate as they were deemed to have abandoned their faith by working for the Red Cross: 'For us there is no difference between the Red Cross and UNICEF. If we see them we kill the apostate among them, men or women, and choose to kill or keep the infidels as slaves, men or women.'

They also said that from that day onwards the remaining hostages, Alice Ndaggah, a mother of two, and 15-year-old Leah Sharibu, were their slaves and that 'it is now lawful for us to do whatever we want with them'.

Leah was the only Christian among 110 girls abducted from their school in Dapchi, Yobe state. She has refused to convert to Islam.

Boko Haram released a video on September 18 in which Ms Ahmed, also a mother of two, was made to kneel and then executed with a shot to the back of her head. In the video an unidentified terrorist complained that the Nigerian government had ignored written and audio messages, and described the murder as 'a message of blood'. He also threatened her colleagues and Ms Sharibu with a similar fate if unspecified demands were not met within a month.

Hauwa Mohammed Liman was executed upon the expiry of the terrorists' deadline.

Mervyn Thomas, CSW's chief executive, said: 'Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Hauwa Liman, whose pain is unimaginable. We condemn this cowardly execution in the strongest terms. It is senseless, inhumane and cannot be justified on any grounds, let alone religious ones. Ms Liman merely sought to improve the lives of vulnerable female IDPs, yet her life, like Saifura Ahmed's, was cut short by what is in reality a death cult.

' It is deeply disturbing that Leah Sharibu and Alice Ngaddah remain in the hands of this profoundly nefarious sect. We appeal to the government of Nigeria once again to do everything in its power to expedite the release of Ms Ngaddah, Ms Sharibu and the 112 remaining Chibok girls, and to ensure the armed forces are fully equipped to address this insurgency. We also urge the church worldwide to continue in earnest prayer until all of Boko Haram's captives are set free.'How will the Orthodox Church deal with the Ukraine schism?

It's hard to overestimate the significance of the breach between Moscow and Constantinople over Ukraine.

Last Thursday Ecumenical Patriarchate based in Istanbul  ancient Constantinople  agreed to establish the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (effectively the branch loyal to Kiev) as an 'autocephalous' or self-governing church, independent from Moscow. It also revoked the excommunication of Patriarch Filaret, its head, who had been sanctioned in 1992 for his 'cruel and arrogant attitude to the clergy' among other things.

The Russians are furious, both Patriarch Kirill and Vladimir Putin, and yesterday, in Minsk, the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) resolved to sever ties with Constantinople completely. It accused Bartholomew of overstepping his authority and behaving like a pope.

Consequently, says the ROC's communique: 'From now on until the Patriarchate of Constantinople's rejection of its anti-canonical decisions, it is impossible for all the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church to concelebrate with the clergy of the Church of Constantinople and for the laity to participate in sacraments administered in its churches.' Furthermore, clergy or bishops moving from the 'canonical' (Moscow-approved) church to the 'schismatics' (Kiev), or even sharing communion, 'is a canonical crime involving appropriate suspensions'.

'In a situation of the deep undermining of inter-Orthodox relations and full disregard for ages-long norms of church canonical law, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church believes it her duty to come out in defence of the fundamental traditions of Orthodoxy, in defence of the Holy Tradition of the Church substituted by new and strange teachings on the universal power of the first among the Primates,' says the statement.

This is apocalyptic language, and may herald hundreds of years of schism (Orthodoxy thinks in centuries). However, it represents the latest round in a battle that has gone on for decades. The Ecumenical Patriarch has always been seen as first among equals in Orthodoxy, a status increasingly resented by the much bigger and richer ROC. It was the ROC whose withdrawal scuppered the Pan-Orthodox Council in Crete two years ago, Bartholomew's great project. It would not be fair to describe this as revenge, but if it were, Constantinople could have struck no heavier or more satisfying blow. Historically, culturally and religiously, Russia has seen Ukraine as Russian. Bartholomew has done for that, probably permanently.

The question is, can the Ecumenical Patriarchate carry enough of the Orthodox world with it to avoid a full-scale meltdown  and, even more seriously, can ecclesiastical diplomacy avoid the situation turning into  or exacerbating  a shooting war?

Orthodox Churches are organised along national lines  though officially condemning nationalism  with the result that national feelings and national interests inevitably come into play. Ukraine's tilt towards the West, Russia's annexation of Crimea and unacknowledged intervention in Ukraine's Donbass region have driven Ukrainian religious nationalism; it is Ukraine's President Poroshenko is an observant member of the Church and a strong supporter of autocephaly.

What, then, have other Orthodox Churches made of the rift? Of those that have given any public indications so far, Greece has rebuffed Moscow's call for an Orthodox Council to adjudicate the issue. Others have been lying low, though Georgia's Patriarch Ilia is thought to be opposed to autocephaly. As well as the ROC, Georgia was one of three other Churches  Antioch, Serbia and Bulgaria were the others  to pull out of the Pan Orthodox Council in Crete in 2016. The Patriarch of Antioch spoke out against Ukrainian autocephaly in June, according to a Russian politician.

Among Orthodox Churches, there are some that lean towards Constantinople for historical and cultural reasons, while some lean towards Moscow. There is, among some, sympathy for Ukraine's national aspirations, religious and otherwise. However, Moscow has mounted a formidable counter-attack  the pro-Russian Orthochristian website, for instance, has a string of denunciations under the heading, 'Experts on the Constantinople Patriarchate's scandalous decisions'. Against this is set the deep reverence felt for the Bartholomew and his office by many Orthodox, for whom tradition is always the best guide. While the ROC has vast resources and deep pockets, it is no more happy about the breach in relationships than anyone else.

The question of what happens next, however, is not just about awkward seating arrangements at Orthodox gatherings. The two main Church groups in Ukraine, the Moscow and Kiev Patriarchates, are so at odds that they could not even march together to celebrate the anniversary of their country's conversion in AD 988. Patriarch Filaret has said a process to form a united Church would begin, but that union will be voluntary and that there would be no forced appropriations. 'We've waited patiently for a long time, and we can wait a bit more,' he said in Kiev on October 11. 'But the unification will only be voluntary. Those who want it will take part in the Unification Council. Those who don't want it, won't be a part of the unified Ukrainian Orthodox Church.'

According to Radio Free Europe around 70 Moscow-loyal parishes have already joined the Kiev Patriarchate since the armed conflict began in 2014.

Under Ukrainian law, they are free do so. Two grand monasteries, however, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and Pochayiv Lavra, are the property of the Ukrainian government and are at present leased by the Moscow Patriarchate  at Patriarch Filaret has said that has to change.

It's these undercurrents that are leading some to warn of the real prospect of religious violence breaking out. Metropolitan Hilarion warned in September that if the monasteries were taken over, 'Then, of course, Orthodox believers [loyal to the Moscow-affiliated church] will protect these holy places and bloodshed could follow.' Ukrainians fear that Moscow-inspired violence will become a pretext for another invasion.

President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Reuters last week: 'In the event that the events which are developing take the course of illegal activities, then of course, just as Russia defends the interests of Russians and Russian speakers  and Putin has spoken about this many times  Russia will defend the interests of the Orthodox. This is an absolutely grounded and absolutely understandable position.'

While he said this defence would be political and diplomatic, to Kiev his comments were uncomfortably close to the language used in the run-up to the Crimean annexation and the separatist rebellion.

'We have heard similar messages on the "protection of the Russian-speaking population" from the Russian Federation as justification for its aggression against Ukraine,' Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mariana Betsa tweeted.

Announcing the next move in the granting of Ukrainian autocephaly, Patriarch Bartholomew appealed 'to all sides involved that they avoid appropriation of Churches, Monasteries and other properties, as well as every other act of violence and retaliation, so that the peace and love of Christ may prevail'.

Against the background of these rising tensions, there is not much peace and love around. The fallout from Russia's incursions into Ukraine has landed Orthodoxy with a diplomatic headache that will overshadow its communal life for years  possibly for generations.I figure that Georgia put her trust in me for a reason

In the latter years of her long life Georgia OKeeffe formed a keen friendship with Barney A. Ebsworth, even hosting the collectors second wedding at Ghost Ranch. Two OKeeffe works from Ebsworths collection are offered in New York in November

In 1971, Barney A. Ebsworth (1934-2018) arranged a meeting with Charles Buckley, at that time the director of the Saint Louis Art Museum. It was a conversation that led the entrepreneur to redirect the focus of his nascent art collection, from 17th-century Dutch pictures and Japanese scroll paintings, towards American Modernism. Following the meeting, Ebsworth immediately began immersing himself in research and attending auctions across the United States. In 1973 he travelled to the estate sale of the art dealer Edith Gregor Halpert, who in 1926 had established the Downtown Gallery in New York, and been a tireless champion of contemporary living American artists, including, famously, Georgia O'Keeffe. In his autobiography, Ebsworth described the sale; he lost out on a John Marin watercolour to John D. Rockefeller but placed the winning bid for Georgia OKeeffes Black, White and Blue, paying $47,000 for the picture. The work was painted in 1930 at a time when OKeeffe had begun spending months in New Mexico, away from New York City and her husband, the photographer Alfred Stieglitz (1864-1946). After the sale, Ebsworth was introduced to Lloyd Goodrich, the director of the Whitney Museum and curator of OKeeffes 1970 retrospective. Young man, Goodrich announced to Ebsworth, in my opinion youve bought OKeeffes greatest picture.

Barney Ebsworth turned down two initial invitations to visit Georgia O'Keeffe in New Mexico. I think she was baffled that I kept saying no when everyone else was clamouring to meet her, he recalled

Not long after Ebsworth had bought Black, White and Blue, he received a phone call from Doris Bry, who at the time acted as an agent for OKeeffe. Bry had discovered who had acquired the painting through Charles Buckley. Georgia would like you to come down to Abiquiu and meet her, she explained. As an intensely private man and one who respected the privacy of others, Ebsworth initially declined. When another invitation came the following year, his answer was the same. It was only after the third invitation, by which time Ebsworth realised that OKeeffe was 87 years old, that he accepted. I think she was baffled that I kept saying no when everyone else was clamouring to meet her, he recalled years later.

I dont believe in marriage, OKeeffe confided to Ebsworths new bride, Patricia. I'm just doing this for Barney

The collector confessed that at first he felt intimidated by O'Keeffes commanding presence, but the pair soon bonded and Ebsworth began making regular trips to her home, Ghost Ranch, in New Mexico. There was, he said, an unspoken agreement that he would always do the travelling. On Ebsworths fourth visit, OKeeffe opened up on the subject of Black, White and Blue. [It] was a message to a friend, she told him. If he saw it, he didnt know it was to him and wouldnt have known what it said. And neither do I. Georgia, the straight-talking Ebsworth replied, I read T.S. Eliot in college. I didnt know what in the world he was talking about, and I dont know what youre talking about.

Georgia OKeeffe (1887-1986), Music  Pink and Blue No. 1, 1918. Oil on canvas. 35 x 29 in (88.9 x 73.7 cm). Seattle Art Museum. Accession 2000.161. Partial and promised gift of Barney A. Ebsworth. Photo: Paul Macapia Artwork:  2018 Georgia O'Keeffe Museum / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Over the following years, Ebsworth acquired four more of OKeeffes works, including a 1919 picture called Music  Pink and Blue No.1, which the artist herself suggested he hang next to Black, White and Blue. Ebsworth eventually gifted the former to the Seattle Art Museum; the latter he donated to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The fifth OKeeffe work that Ebsworth purchased was a portrait of the artist Beauford Delaney (1901-1979). He happened to be looking through OKeeffes latest monograph when his phone rang. It was Doris Bry, calling out of the blue. Whom does this belong to, Ebsworth asked of the charcoal portrait, which he was looking at for the very first time. It belongs to Georgia and it's hanging in front of me this very minute, Bry answered. Would it be for sale? asked Ebsworth. It would be for you, she replied. Ebsworth negotiated an on-the-spot deal for the work, which is being offered by Christies on 13 November.

Ebsworth was struck by OKeeffes skill as a portraitist. Apart from a handful of nudes and figure studies from 1916-18, she only made portraits of two subjects during her adult career  including Beauford Delaney. OKeeffe once said she only drew Delaney because she felt sorry for him. Despite his exceptional talent as a painter, Delaneys race and homosexuality made him an outsider. He posed for others because he had no heat in his studio, O'Keeffe recalled. Yet in the portrait, Delaney's enigmatic smile suggests this pair of outsiders shared something of a bond. Delaney was also a frequent visitor to An American Place, the gallery founded by Alfred Stieglitz. Indeed, it was there that OKeeffe and Delaney first met. An American Place closed closed in 1946 after Stieglitzs death, but its place in the history of 20th-century American art was recognised by Ebsworth, who named the Jim Olson-designed Seattle home he built specifically to house his collection of Modernist art after the famous gallery.Untitled (Rust, Blacks on Plum) by Mark Rothko

The remarkable connections between the artist, one family of distinguished collectors, and a pivotal painting from 1962, which will be offered, along with four works by Joseph Cornell, from The Collection of Francois and Susan de Menil

In 1978, the Guggenheim Museum mounted the first major Mark Rothko retrospective since the artists death, eight years before. In his review of the show, the art critic for the New York Times, Hilton Kramer, took the unusual step of describing the museum-goers attending the show before discussing the works on display: the crowds were hushed, awestruck, transfixed, he wrote, and they tended to linger, often turning away from the paintings in front of them to look across the great open space of the Guggenheim spiral at paintings in the distance. The same week, a mile or so to the south, the Pace gallery  recently entrusted with the painters estate by his children  timed its first Rothko show to coincide with the Uptown retrospective. They chose to present several of the murals originally commissioned for the Seagram Building on Park Avenue, the painters first major series after his notable turn to a darker palette in the late 1950s. Rothko had many motivations for the shift: he took inspiration from the deep burgundy murals in the Villa of the Mysteries at Pompeii and echoed their dark framing devices in his works; he wanted to concentrate on the formal and emotional aspects of his paintings and he now found the bright, gregarious colours of his earlier years to be a distraction from a paintings more profound elements; he thought the subtle effects of his favoured technique  building fugitive shifts of tone under thin transparent layers of paint  were more palpable in the darker hues. Whatever it was that drove Rothko to explore these rich nighttime colours, the murals never made it to the Four Seasons restaurant, where they had been slated to hang. Instead, he returned the commission and kept the works himself until finally donating nine paintings from the series to the Tate Museum near the end of his life.

Some months before the Pace exhibition, Francois de Menil, the son of John and Dominque de Menil, the Houston collectors who in 1964 had commissioned Rothkos other great series of paintings and paid for the construction of the Rothko Chapel, had approached Arne Glimcher, the founder of the Pace gallery. Francois asked the gallerist if he could find him a Rothko with the mythical and mysterious qualities of his darker works. It was the kind of request that might have softened Rothko, who liked to put prospective buyers through tests they didnt know they were taking. Glimcher recalls one studio visit where he caught a glimpse of a beautiful, imposing painting of dark blue and black rectangles floating over a burgundy field. After he confessed to Rothko how much he loved the work, the painter told him that hed picked it out for a collector who took one look and asked for a happy painting instead  a pink and red and yellow and orange painting, a joyous painting. Pink, red, orange, and yellow, Rothko said. Arent those the colours of an inferno? He never offered her another painting again. Glimcher found two paintings in a darker palette that he offered to de Menil. Francois chose Untitled (Rust, Blacks on Plum), which is offered on 15 November in the Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale at Christies in New York. The piece recalls the three-part compositional structure of other bright Multiforms from earlier in Rothkos career, works that have broken the artists auction records in recent years, but it draws its radiance from an almost imperceptible shimmering within and between the darker rectangles. It was painted in 1962, after de Menils parents first visit to Rothkos studio in 1960, and in the immediate aftermath of the artists first retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Untitled (Rust, Blacks on Plum) draws its radiance from an almost imperceptible shimmering within and between the darker rectangles

In 1964, John and Dominque de Menil returned to Rothkos studio to offer him the commission that became the Rothko Chapel, constructed in Houston to the artists demanding specifications. It was during the frequent visits that ensued as the couple consulted with the artist and followed his progress that Untitled (Rust, Blacks on Plum), which hung on the walls of Rothkos sitting room in his 69th Street studio, caught Dominiques eye. Had Rothko set out the work to be noticed by Dominique? Or did he keep the work close at hand for reference or inspiration, as he built up the layers on the chapel panels that shared many of its twilight colours and meditative effects? Both explanations seem possible, although neither can be verified. As the construction of the chapel neared completion, Dominique de Menil, then Chairman of the Art History Department of the University of St. Thomas in Houston, proposed arranging an exhibition at the university. For Six Painters, she requested five works by Rothko, including Untitled (Rust, Blacks on Plum), which were exhibited alongside works by Piet Mondrian, Philip Guston, Franz Kline, Willem de Kooning, and Jackson Pollock. When the show concluded at the end of the year, Untitled (Rust, Blacks on Plum) returned to Rothko, who kept the canvas in his personal collection until his death in 1970.

Also offered from the collection of Francois and Susan de Menil are three boxes and one assemblage of 16 collages by Joseph Cornell. At different stages of his life, Cornell was associated with the Surrealists  Salvador Dali once accused him of raiding his subconscious  with the Abstract Expressionists, and, later, with the Pop artists. Cornell seemed to elude such labels, however, all the while persevering in his chosen form, the box, which in his hands could become almost anything: a stage, a cage, a shop, a museum, a movie screen, a penny arcade, a jewellery display, a cabinet of curiosities.



Cornell and Rothko were born just three months apart in 1903  Rothko in Dvinsk, in the Russian Empire (now part of Latvia), and Cornell in Nyack, New York. They first met by chance in 1949, at the Horn & Hardart automat on 57th Street in New York, where they struck up a friendship that seems to have lasted throughout their lives. In 1957, Cornell sent Rothkos daughter, Kate, a book on Fra Angelico, and Rothkos wife sent back a thank-you note with a hand-coloured angel that Kate had made for the Christmas tree in the family home. Despite his reputation, Rothko was capable of being gregarious, and envied Cornells ease and generosity with other artists.

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I wish I could approach your genius for expressing to people how you think about them and what they do, Rothko wrote to Cornell in 1959, before offering an example of his own brand of artistic appraisal: I do want to tell you that I think of you and the uncanny magic of the things you make. Leading the selection by Cornell is Untitled (Medici Slot Machine), executed in 1942. It is one of three works from the Medici Slot Machine series, regarded by many as his finest. In all three pieces in the series, Cornell adapted different Renaissance portraits as his source  in this case a painting by Sofonisba Anguissola, Portrait of Marquess Massimiliano Stampa, which hangs in the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore.Houston-based GasMob has launched on-site refueling services at several Houston properties including Parkway's Greenway Plaza. The service aims to save customers who buy gas through its app what could amount to a day a year by avoiding trips to the gas station.

GasMob partners with landlords at office buildings and apartment complexes to bring its fleet of refueling vehicles to customers, who arrange for fill-ups at certain times when GasMob is on-site.

RELATED: Shell launching retail fuel pilot program in Houston

"While you sleep or while you work, we fill you up," GasMob co-founder Adam Cooper said.

GasMob launched service this year in Houston and Miami, two cities with long commutes. GasMob estimates people fill up an average of twice a week, spending 15 minutes or so each trip.

The company provides services at Parkway's Greenway Plaza office complex, properties of Boxer Property and Woodbranch Management, including the corporate campus for online window blinds company Global Custom Commerce. GasMob has deals with Howard Hughes Corp., Transwestern, Midway and MetroNational.

RELATED: Greenway Plaza sees upgrades essential in competitive market

"Our competitive advantage is going after large landlords that have a footprint not only nationwide, but worldwide," Cooper said.

Greenway Plaza, with close to 5 million square feet of office space and parking for some 15,000 cars, provides a big base of potential customers for GasMob and a new offering for tenants.

"We're big fans of very practical ways that we can enhance the day to day experience of office users, either through experiences or buying people back time," said Parkway chief operating officer Mike Fransen. "We're fortunate enough to have a pretty big chunk of real estate to launch from."

GasMob makes money by marking up the fuel it purchases at wholesale. There's no fee for landlords, who allow GasMob to provide the service as a convenience to their tenants or residents. Customers pay prices that are competitive with those at the gas station, the company said, and there are no membership or delivery fees for using the app.

"We're buying everything directly from the refiners in the area," said co-founder Brannon Thompson.

GasMob joins Shell Oil and Yoshi, backed by Exxon Mobil, in the gas on-demand market.

"I see the oil companies investing in this market as a positive thing," Cooper said. " They see the industry evolving and changing."

GasMob has a fleet of six trucks across Houston and Miami and plans to expand to as many as 30 trucks in Houston within 12 months. The trucks have a capacity ranging from 440 gallons to 1,200 gallons.

GasMob plans to launch consumer on-demand services in the future.David J. Phillip, STF / Associated Press

U.S. plastics shipments to China are expected to slide next year amid an escalating trade battle between the two countries, curtailing export opportunities for Gulf Coast petrochemicals producers.

A recent report by research firm Wood Mackenzie expects U.S. exports of plastic resins -- namely polyethylene -- to fall by as much as 50 percent next year as the Asian powerhouse ramps up imports from Middle East, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore. That, the report said, will eat into profit margins for U.S. exporters shipping to China.Houston-born/Austin-based film director Richard Linklater made national headlines last week when he dropped an anti-Ted Cruz ad that mocked the senator's "tough as Texas" slogan.

Now, he's made another one, featuring the same actor -- Sonny Carl Davis (from Linklater's movie "Bernie") -- in the same diner setting mouthing off about Republican Cruz who's running for re-election against Democratic El Paso congressman Beto O'Rourke.BRIDGEPORT  Oscar Ziggy Hernandez took the witness stand late Tuesday afternoon ostensibly to refute a week and a half of testimony and evidence pointing to him as the killer of his girlfriend and the attempted murderer of her best friend.

But it took on the tenor of This is your life Oscar Hernandez, as one prosecutor described it, as the 41-year-old Hernandez talked about coming to this country as a teen from El Salvador and working his way up to cook in an Italian deli in Stamford.

There was that time in 2012 when he was deported, going back to El Salvador for three months.

But I had to come back because my children needed me, he explained to the jury. He has four children by three women here.

I have a younger child who became ill and lost weight because she was sad I was not here, he said.

Hernandez will be back on the stand in Superior Court Wednesday morning and if his lawyers, Jonathan Demirjian and Kelly Billings, dont question him on the early morning of Feb. 24, 2017, prosecutors Joseph Corradino and Emily Trudeau are sure to do it.

Hernandez is accused of fatally stabbing his girlfriend, 26-year-old Nidia Yubi Gonzalez, and knifing her friend, Brenda Castellanos, in his Greenwood Street home and then fleeing with his then-6-year-old daughter Aylin. He was captured following a high-speed chase in central Pennsylvania.

Hernandez is charged with murder, attempted murder, first-degree assault and risk of injury to a child.

The prosecutors rested their case Tuesday after presenting Castellanos emotional testimony, recorded on video while she was in Bridgeport last November and played for the jury on a movie screen because she has since moved back to her native Guatemala.

On the video, Castellanos held out her hands for the camera, a jigsaw of flesh marked by the scars of stab wounds.

Gently led by Corradino, who appeared on the tape with her, she stood and lifted her black sweater showing the dark lines of more stab wounds on her back, neck and stomach.

"It happened so fast," she said, wiping tears from her face with a tissue. "I was down on the floor and he had stuck something in my back. He stopped to sharpen the knife and I begged him not to kill me -- I have children to support."

Hernandez continued stabbing her anyway, she testified.

Castellanos testified that on Feb. 23, after a day of cleaning houses, she and Gonzalez had gone out to meet some girlfriends at a local bar. While they were there, she said, Hernandez called Gonzalez and told her to send him video from the bar to ensure that she was really there.

When they returned to the Greenwood Street apartment, Castellanos , who was staying with the family for a few days, went into the bathroom to brush her teeth.

"I heard Yubi yelling, 'Brenda help me, Brenda help me,' and I came out of the bathroom and I saw Oscar had a knife to her neck and was holding her by the hair," Castellanos testified. "I asked him, 'What are you doing?' then I heard screaming."

Then he attacked her, she testified.

"After a while, he stopped stabbing and he was kicking me and looking to see if I was dead," Castellanos continued. "I prayed to God that I could stop breathing for just a minute so that he would think I was dead and stop stabbing, I held my breath and eventually he left. I then dragged myself and I started screaming for help."

The couple's landlord, who lived above them, told police he and his wife heard a scream from the basement apartment. They went into the basement and saw the two women lying in pools of blood.

Castellanos said she was taken to St. Vincent's Medical Center and later, Yale-New Haven Hospital where she underwent more than five operations.Ecuador's embassy in London says Julian Assange can have his Internet access restored, but if he wants to carry on staying under their roof, he's going to have to behave himself-and do his chores.

Like a tired mother laying down the law, London's Ecuadorian embassy has slapped WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange with a nine-page memo of house rules to follow if he wants to see the internet again under their roof.

The section headed "Communications" stated that Assange would be liable for any additional Wi-Fi costs and that he may only use his own devices - barring exceptional cases and only with written permission from the Head of the Diplomatic Mission.

The Wikileaks founder remains in hiding in a back room of the Knightsbridge building six years after losing a legal battle against extradition to Sweden for questioning on allegations of rape and sexual assault.

Assange has been living at the embassy since 2012.

However, friends and supporters say Assange fears arrested and eventual extradition to the United States for publishing a cache of USA diplomatic and military secrets on the WikiLeaks website.

The move was part of an aborted Russian plan to get him out of the UK.

Assange has been holed up in the embassy since he took refuge there in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden.

Friends and supporters of Assange say he has had contact only with lawyers since Ecuador suspended his communications with the outside world. Assange's organization, Wikileaks, tweeted a link to an article published by the right-wing political blog 'The Gateway Pundit'.

He maintains that he fears the Swedish government would hand him over to the Americans.

Sweden dropped its investigation past year, but British authorities say they still want to arrest him for breaching his bail conditions.

Moreno said his country will work for Assange's safety and the preservation of his human rights as it seeks a way for him to leave the embassy.Connecticut has always been environmentally focused, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection spokesman Chris Collibee said.

And after a recent report released by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change mentioned the potential of a roughly 20-inch ocean level rise by 2050, Collibee said he hopes it will open peoples eyes.

The IPCC report really should be a wake-up call for us, he said. This really should be a wake-up call for Connecticut, the nation and the world. We really need to focus on it.

Beyond Connecticut, Collibee said, most of New England has always been focused on ways to lessen their impact on the environment. He said residents, and visitors, to the region tend to come for the beauty of the natural resources  the flowing rivers, clean lakes and open forests.

We recognize the importance of climate change and were taking this issue very seriously, Collibee said.

Collibee said Connecticut  on its own and in cooperation with neighboring states and even states on the West Coast, including California and Oregon  has done its due diligence over the years to lessen greenhouse gas emissions.

(Gov. Dannel P.) Malloy and (DEEP Commissioner Robert) Klee have done a fairly significant job addressing climate change in a real fashion, Collibee said.

Standing by Paris Agreement

Though Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris Agreement, Connecticut and several other states have decided to still stand by it.

The Paris Agreement is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change dealing with greenhouse gas emission mitigation, fiance and adaptation.

The United States Climate Alliance is a group of more than a dozen states across the country that are committed to following the Paris Agreement, even if the nation isnt still involved in it on the global scale.

Theres really a commitment at the state level, Collibee said.

Among the states involved are Connecticut, New York, California and Oregon.

Were remaining true to those commitments, Collibee said. There are like-minded ... states that are showing that even at the state level, we can do something.

Steering clear of coal

With the nation pulling out of the Paris Agreement, the state is still doing what it can to stay on track to fight climate change.

Here in Connecticut we listen to scientists, we dont listen to coal lobbyists, Collibbe said, taking a shot a the current Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Administrator Andrew Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist.

Wheelers appointment by President Donald Trump followed the resignation of Scott Pruitt in the position.

I have no doubt that Andy will continue on with our great and lasting EPA agenda, Trump tweeted after the appointing Wheeler to lead the EPA. We have made tremendous progress and the future of the EPA is very bright!

In Connecticut, Collibee said, theres a push to get the state even further away from coal.

As of 2021, we wont have any more coal-fire plants here in the state of Connecticut, he said. The last one standing in the state is the Bridgeport Harbor Generating Station on Atlantic Street in the city.

With the state staying clear from coal, now its pushing toward solar and wind power. And when it comes to cars, officials are urging residents to consider their options in electric and hybrid cars.

The right direction

Connecticut is a part of REGGI  Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative  which is a mandatory market-based program in the United States that works to reduce greenhouse gas.

All of New England, New York, Delaware and Maryland are involved in REGGI, Collibee said; and other states have been hinting at potentially joining them.

We dont do these things just on a state basis, he said. Many of these programs are in cooperation with other states on the east and west coasts. This is a cooperative effort.

On Monday, DEEP launched the worlds first full-sized pump-out boat.

This boat removes recreational boat sewage from vessels in the Branford Harbor and Branford River starting next spring. The boat runs on solar power so it doesnt release carbon emissions, Collibee said. It was built in Connecticut.

Were already getting interest from other states (about the boat), Collibee said. It will spread and it will create additional jobs in Connecticut long-term.

Were really heading in the right direction, he added.

What can be done

Collibee said about 40 percent of greenhouse gas emission in Connecticut is attributed to transportation.

When you need a new vehicle, consider a hybrid or electric, he urges residents. That has really proven to be successful (with helping the environment).

In Connecticut, drivers are always within 20 minutes of a charging station for electric cars. This makes the state the first in the nation to be electric vehicle range-confident.

And a lot of residents might subconsciously be helping the environment.

Some of what you do to save money  including LED light bulbs, proper insulation in homes, turning off lights at night  is already helping, he said.

In the grand scheme of things, Collibee said, a focus on climate change is essential.

This is the most pressing international problem of our lifetime, Collibee said. Its important that we leave the earth better than we found it. We shouldnt saddle future generations with what we can fix now.More than $100 million in settlement funds from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has been spent on restoring sea turtle, bird, and oyster coastal and wetland habitats and recreational improvements along the Texas coast.

The expenditures were announced during a public meeting Monday night on the Texas A&M University campus in Galveston by the trustees of the Texas Implementation Group (TIG) to update the public on how the $238 million in damages from the catastrophic oil spill is being spent.

The money comes from a 2016 settlement with BP, which leased the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that exploded in April 2010 and poured an estimated 3.19 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The company is required to pay the trustees for Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment up to $8.8 billion over 15 years to make up for the natural resource damage along the Gulf Coast

Texas' share of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment is $238 million. The rest of the $8.8 billion is being split among the four other Gulf-facing states affected by the oil spill -- Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

"Texas TIG has committed about 45 percent of the $238 million that it's set to receive," said Angela Schrift, an assessment and restoration biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife. "Over the last few years, the Texas TIG has been working on sea turtle, bird, and recreational use projects. All of the funds for recreational use projects has been committed."

The recreational use projects include a series of artificial reefs designed to promote recreational fishing and diving. Artificial reefs were installed off the coast of Matagorda County and Freeport, at a combined cost of $5.5 million, with pre-designed concrete pyramids placed in open areas of each reef site.

Texas Parks and Wildlife created a third artificial reef by sinking the Kraken, a 371 linear-foot cargo carrier, 67 miles off the coast of Galveston at a cost of $1.9 million.

The most expensive recreational use project funded by the BP settlement is the $10.7 million redevelopment of Galveston Island State Park, which includes building multi-use campsites, dune access boardwalks, equestrian facilities, and restroom and shower facilities on the beach side of the park. That project is in the pre-design phase.

Galveston Bay is also the site of many of the wildlife restoration projects funded by the BP settlement.

With the help of the U.S. Department of Interior, the Texas trustees are spending $20 million to restore three rookery islands in Galveston Bay and one in East Matagorda Bay at the Big Bogg National Wildlife Refuge to enhance the habitat quality for waterbirds like pelicans, gulls, and herons.

Another $20 million is going towards addressing threats to sea turtles like the famed Kemp's Ridley, an endangered species whose population dipped after the oil spill.

"Since 1996 we had a steady increase in the number of nests you can see that were recorded, however a couple of years after the Deepwater Horizon spill, we saw a steady decline in nesting activities," Schrift said.

Since 2016, the Kemp's Ridley population has rebounded, with a record number of nests -- 353 --recorded in 2017.

A much smaller portion of money, $309,000, has been spent to identify best management practices for rehabilitating oyster reefs buried by sediment and for constructing intertidal oyster reefs within Galveston Bay. Hurricane Harvey decimated the oyster population in 2017 by flushing gallons of freshwater into the bay and upsetting the appropriate salt concentration.

Rejuvenating the oyster population will be a major focus of the next round of funding commitments for the remainder of the $238 million, with $22.5 million budgeted for oysters alone.

"There will be a group of individuals focused on oysters across the Gulf that will be developing priorities for oyster restoration and those impacts from Harvey," said Richard Seiler, the natural resource trustee program manager for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Another $15.9 million is being funneled towards the restoration of McFaddin Beach and Dune in the Sabine Lake area at the Louisiana border, where the interior marshes are being frequently inundated by Gulf of Mexico waters. This will require sand placement on 17 miles of the northeastern Texas shoreline.

Thousands of acres of wetland, coastal, and tidal habitats have also been acquired with the settlement money in places like Corpus Christi Bay, Matagorda Bay and the Lower Laguna Madre near South Padre Island.

Alex Stuckey contributed reporting.

Nick Powell covers Galveston County for the Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter and send him tips at nick.powell@chron.comTexas mid term election is Tuesday, Nov. 6. All of the Texas House districts are up for election this year.

Early voting takes place from Monday, Oct. 22 through Friday, Nov. 2. To find out where your polling station is, visit https://harrisvotes.com.

Incumbent Sarah Davis (R) and Allison Lami Sawyer (D) are running in the Texas House of Representatives District 134 election.

District 134 covers much of the western half of the inner-loop area including Bellaire, West University Place, River Oaks and Meyerland.

State Rep. Sarah Davis spoke about the issues important to her and to Texas for this upcoming election.

Q. What is your background as a Texas House of Representatives member? Why have you decided to re-run?

A. I am currently serving my fourth term as the state representative for Texas House District 134. I serve on the Corrections Committee, the Calendars Committee, Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, and am Chairman of the General Investigating and Ethics Committee. District 134 is home to institutions of higher learning, nationally renowned medical facilities, and is a global business and cultural hub. I have worked hard to represent our unique concerns and priorities in the House. I have worked to pass critical legislation to expand access to healthcare and cancer screenings, expand access to high quality pre-K, fight human trafficking and protect victims of crime. I am running again to build on these important successes with responsible solutions.

Q. Heading into the election, what do you think are the most important issues for Texas, and Houston right now?

A. As a breast cancer survivor, healthcare has and remains very close to my heart. Making sure that all Texans have access to high quality healthcare is important. I was a leader on maternal and fetal healthcare, and worked to expand access to postpartum depression care. I also helped to extend the life of the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas until 2022. I also believe we need to prioritize public education, including school finance reform, flood mitigation and disaster preparedness, and statewide economic growth.

Q. What is your stance on immigration and border security?

A. We need a reasonable and responsible approach to immigration and border security that honors a respect for human dignity as well as the laws of our land. Policies that separate families at the border, regardless of legal status, do not reflect our shared values as Americans or Texans. At the same time, we are a nation of laws and should expect our government to fulfill its role in preventing criminal elements from coming into our country and upholding our laws.

Q. What is your stance on gun restrictions?

A. Gun ownership and regulation is an issue where most people want to find a consensus that respects and upholds the Constitutional right to keep and bear arms with sensible regulations that keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill, as well as protecting the lives of our law enforcement officers, students and teachers, and communities. I dont believe that law abiding citizens should have their right to gun ownership abridged, but I also believe that common sense policies can better secure our schools and the public safety.

Q. What is your stance on health care?

A. I am endorsed by the Texas Medical Association and Texas Hospital Association, as well as earn the Womens Health Hero award by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. My legislative background includes a major focus on cancer research and prevention, access to healthcare, and improvements in maternal and fetal health. I fought to increase funding for womens health programs, providing a higher level of care, and am passionate about building on these successes to ensure all Texans the ability to receive excellent care and lifesaving treatment.

Q. What is your stance on education?

A. I was proud to be part of the effort to establish a pre-kindergarten grant program that allows for the expansion of high-quality pre-K throughout our state. I also believe that we need to invest in improving classroom education, while also reducing the role of high stakes testing so that our teachers are not forced to teach to a test. I have consistently worked to move legislation that would do just this, and will continue to do so. By providing a greater level of resources, reducing the role of standardized tests, and improving accountability, we can and will improve our system of public education in Texas.

Q. What are the most important issues for you personally?

A. As a cancer survivor, I am passionate about health care. I want to make sure that we continue to make investments in medical research and innovation, expand access to healthcare, and improve medical care for vulnerable populations. As an appropriations subcommittee chair, I was able to direct previously collected revenue to shore up our safety-net hospitals. As a lead budget negotiator and the Houses lead budget writer for healthcare, I have made healthcare a priority, because it is a priority of our district and people of our state.

Q. What are your goals for your term, if you are elected?

A. During my time in office, I have seen a steady deterioration of collegiality and cooperation in politics. I have worked very hard to be a consensus builder who focuses on solving problems. As a result, I have been able to pass a great deal of important legislation on issues that matter, including protecting women and children from violence, providing care and support to victims, expanding access to healthcare, and improving education. These will continue to be my priorities if I am honored with another term in office.

Q. What do you think sets you apart from your opponent?

A. I have a knowledge of the issues and priorities that matter to our district, a record of policy accomplishment, and strong bipartisan support from local leaders, and business and medical associations. My opponent rented an apartment in our district in order to run in House District 134. The Houston Chronicle editorial board noted her lack of knowledge on issues that matter a great deal to Harris County.

rebecca.hazen@chron.comMelissa Phillip, Staff / Houston Chronicle

Avitas Systems, a GE venture, is the first company to receive federal approval to fly drones for non-governmental uses without the direct supervision of humans. It will use this technology to monitor infrastructure in the Permian Basin in West Texas.

The Federal Aviation Administration generally requires drones to remain in a person's line of sight. But Avitas Systems has received permission to fly drones with the use of radar rather than a human spotter.Privately owned commercial real estate firms Transwestern Commercial Services and Canada-based Devencore have formed an alliance to collaborate on cross-border real estate services.

"We are very pleased to have established a strategic relationship with one of Canada's preeminent and most highly regarded commercial real estate firms," Transwestern CEO Larry P. Heard said in a statement. "A commitment to client service excellence, innovation and comprehensive solutions are just a few of the shared attributes that make this union compelling."

RELATED: Q&A: Canadian company finds homebuilding opportunities in Houston area

Houston-based Transwestern and Devencore offer comprehensive real estate services to occupiers, owners and capital markets clients through a combined 45 offices across North America. Founded in 1972, Devencore has offices in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver and affiliated offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Moncton, Halifax, Quebec City and Victoria.

RELATED: Transwestern, Virtus Real Estate team up on west Houston medical office investment

"As one of the biggest real estate advisors for corporate Canada, we know how important local market expertise is when making a real estate decision," Devencore CEO Jean Laurin said. "This partnership ensures both firms have the best resources at their disposal when advising clients on sophisticated real estate matters. Transwestern brings both the product knowledge and service mentality we expect from our own teams."

Transwestern extended its real estate service capabilities globally through a strategic alliance with France-based BNP Paribas Real Estate in 2012. The company has 35 offices in the U.S. and assists clients from more than 221 offices globally through its alliances with BNP Paribas and now Devencore.WASHINGTON - Iranian crude exports are falling as countries begin to get in line with U.S. sanctions, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

In September Iran exported 1.6 million barrels per day, down from 2.7 million barrels per day in June. How much further those figures will fall remains unclear, government analysts said.A drunk driver was arrested after a high-speed chase in the Clear Lake area early Tuesday, authorities said.

The pursuit began around 12:15 a.m., when the driver committed a traffic violation on Space Center Boulevard, Houston police told Metro Video.

The driver reached speeds of 100 mph as he drove down Clear Lake Boulevard to Interstate 45. He then drove back on Clear Lake Boulevard to Highway 3 and pulled into a dead end street on McConn and Tresvant, causing him to stop.

He was taken into custody. Police said that the suspect had a warrant for a parole violation, was intoxicated and was in possession of marijuana, according to Metro Video.Emilia Yonge, a 47-year-old breast cancer survivor, wants others like her to have a supportive, nurturing place to retreat to when they feel the need to recharge and mentally refocus.

Its why she created a support group in September called Breast Friends Forever, which meets every first Friday at Texas Oncology at Memorial Hermann in Memorial City and every second Friday at the Spring Valley Medical Center in West Houston.

Its her way of paying it forward, said the Katy mother of two, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2016 and underwent a bilateral mastectomy shortly thereafter.

Yonge had chemotherapy at Memorial Hermann Cancer Center  Memorial City and lymph biopsy and subsequent mastectomy at Memorial Hermann, as well, said a Memorial Hermann spokeswoman.

To me, mental health care and awareness for survivors is the most important thing because having a good attitude is the key to getting the best experience out of the whole thing, Yonge said.

Since the beginning of her cancer journey, Yonge had a positive outlook. But occasionally, she had bouts of depression from time to time, especially after each treatment. It made her understand the importance of mental health.

The breast cancer process treatment journey is a long process and has many different stages, Yonge said. During each stage, you feel all this love and support from the nurses and the doctors. And its all focused on you, so you feel really loved.

She describes each stage of treatment  chemotherapy, radiation, reconstruction surgery  as if she were part of a community or a family.

And then at the end of whatever treatment state it is, theres a depression, because suddenly youre not having your social life, Yonge said. I got really depressed and I know other survivors who went through the same thing. It was so intense because you saw these people every day and became buddies. Even though it was six weeks, it felt like I had gone through four years of college with them.

According to a study by Breast Cancer Care, a nonprofit in the U.K., 1 in 4 women diagnosed with breast cancer believe that ending their treatment was harder than having the cancer removed or going through the treatment. About 800 women were surveyed and more than half said they had anxiety at the end of the treatment and about a third struggled with depression.

Yonge hopes her support group, Breast Friends Forever, can be a community much like those she was a part of when she going through the treatments stages.

She truly believes that having a positive attitude is a factor in achieving a good prognosis.

That is an important factor of breast cancer treatment on par with surgery, chemo, radiation and all that, because if you dont have that attitude, then its going to be a hard journey, Yonge said.  Thats why I started doing the support group at Texas Oncology and at Dr. Boutros practice as well.

I didnt realize that not everybody has this kind of attitude going through this journey until I was done with treatment, then I realized, you know this is unusual, Yonge said. Thats why I decided that Ive got to help people through this.

For more information on how you can get involved, visit the Breast Friends Forever Facebook group online or call 713-467-1722.

michelle.iracheta@chron.comHurricane Harveys legacy is more than a record rainfall or flooded homes and businesses.

It includes increased incidents of domestic abuse, according to Katy Christian Ministries Crisis Center director Susan Denise Hastings. KCMs year-to-date report for January-August 2018 records 1,025 domestic violence victims compared with 417 for the same months in 2017. This year weve had a major increase, primarily due to Hurricane Harvey, said Hastings. Increased outreach by KCM to the community shows families under more stress since the hurricane, she said.

KCM provide free confidential assistance to victims from crisis intervention to emergency shelter placement and from therapy to accompanying them to the hospital, court and law enforcement agencies.

The nonprofit also is being affected by the #metoo movement on social media. A lot of people are reaching out to us because of that movement, said Hastings, who added that law enforcement officials shes talked with report a similar trend. The high-profile alleged sexual abuse cases in the news and social media has made it easier for people to talk about the issue. Before people didnt want to talk about sexual or domestic abuse, she said as she remembered when she started working for KCM in 2003.

HIGH PROFILE ARREST: Celebrity's son arrested for domestic violence. Again.

Increased grant funding will allow KCM to add a full-time and part-time employee this month to the crisis center staff which now includes two full-time advocates and a part-time advocate. KCM operates a 24/7 emergency hotline every day of the year, Hastings said. An answering service relays the callers message to the staff person on call with responses dependent upon whether the caller is a law enforcement officer, a victim or hospital personnel.

Hastings used as an example a nurse calling from a hospital about a victim who has sought treatment. KCMs advocate will go to the hospital, meet with the victim, bring undergarments and socks and assess needs. That could include calling law enforcement and emergency shelter placement. If a protective order is involved, the KCM advocate will accompany the victim through the court system and mediation with the abuser in cases where children are involved. The journey from the date of the first call for help to the end of business in the court system can take between two and three years for each person, said Hastings. Harveys flooding of the Harris County courts in downtown Houston caused a tremendous delay, she added.

Shortly after the initial contact with KCM, a victim is involved in 12-week long support group. KCM organizes groups for domestic violence victims, sexual assault victims, parents and teens. We dont wait till the end of the court cases, said Hastings. We want the healing to start. Those initial months also focus on crime victims compensation, shelter relocation and related issues.

KCM partners with The Childrens Assessment Center Houston and in Fort Bend. Many times victims lack access to transportation and KCM is a more convenient site for them to reach, Hastings said. Because we go to hospitals to see people, theyre not just from the Katy area.

More Information Want to Go? What: Night to Remember Those Lost to Domestic Violence When: 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 25 Where: Westland Baptist Church, 1407 West Grand Parkway Cost: Free admission RSVPs required at:www.ktcm.org/silentwitness or susan.hastings@ktcm.org See More Collapse

Hastings and Deysi Crespi, KCM executive director, agree that there is no typical victim or abuser. The majority of the time the offender is someone the victim knows, said Crespi. Its not a stranger. Its actually someone theyve put their trust in  a friend, a neighbor, relative or spouse.

Children often become secondary victims in a household where domestic violence occurs, she said. KCM provides a support group or individual counseling for youths. They learn that domestic violence isnt their fault and that its not normal, Crespi said.

Proactive programs are offered to teens. We talk with teenagers about healthy relationships, said Hastings as part of an effort to prevent abuse.

KCM calls attention to Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. Deysi said the agency wants people to know about the services that it provides and how they can help by providing resources and volunteering.

It raises awareness through its annual Night to Remember Those Lost to Domestic Violence, too. The free event, which includes dinner, will be 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Westland Baptist Church, 1407 West Grand Parkway S. RSVP to www.ktcm.org/silentwitness or susan.hastings@ktcm.org for the evening which will feature keynote speaker Carvana Cloud, division chief, Family Criminal Law Division, Harris County District Attorneys Office. The event includes a traveling exhibit of life-size red silhouettes representing Harris County victims who lost their lives to domestic violence.

The mission of this project is to remind us of the impact of domestic homicides and family violence within our community, said Hastings. Because these women/men/children no longer have a voice, the silhouettes are called the Silent Witnesses.Creig. Creeg. Greg. Gary.

These are just some of the names I have gotten on my Starbucks cups over my years of paying more money than I probably should for caffeine.

Starbucks shops are by and large loud and busy places, with machines going off non-stop, doors opening and closing, team members hard at work like submarine crews in the Atlantic Ocean during World War II.

HOT BEAN WATER: Here's where to celebrate International Coffee Day in Houston

It's a fun game for Starbucks devotees to show off the misspelled names on their life-giving soy latte or pumpkin spice whatever. According to current and former employees, they're in on the joke.

Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Former employee Lex Entwistle spent three years in management at Starbucks working at shops on Houston's southwest side. He said that the name all depends on the barista and their connection to the customer.

"If I know the person, I might spell their name horribly wrong on purpose to mess with them or even give them a nickname, Entwistle told Chron.com. "We once had a customer we called "douchebag" and he loved it."

BIG SPENDERS: How to spend $1 million in Houston in one day on just experiences

And yes, things are rushed and loud and the hectic nature of a coffeehouse during its busiest hours means that your name sometimes comes second to getting a cup of coffee in your hand fast.

JB REED/BLOOMBERG NEWS FILE

"I think other times the barista might just be in a rush and do their best to keep the flow going in a rush," Entwistle said. "And of course there is always just mishearing the person or not having a clue how to spell a certain name."

With a wink Entwistle said that baristas like throwing us for a loop too.

"There is definitely a small joy in messing up a basic name sometimes. Joe might become Jo or Bob might become Bobb or Bobbert," he said.

LOCAL LEGENDS: Houston's most famous signs, marquees and billboards

Sometimes lagging or defective touchscreens leave random letters in names and that leads to some entertaining mistakes. Imagine trying to take someone's name down correctly next to a busy Houston street or highway.

A Starbucks media representative told Chron.com this week that the tradition of writing names on cups began at the company's founding as a way of fostering a community within each store.

"Writing names on cups is a fun tradition born out of the relationship and interaction between our partners and customers," the representative said via email. "Our partners aim to do their best when it comes to spelling the names of our customers, though at times it can be tricky. "

Google Maps

Over time and with familiarity the names begin to suss themselves out. There have some reports of customers being offended by the names on their cups too, which usually leads to someone facing disciplinary action. Don't be that guy, or girl.

"Our partners pride themselves on the genuine connection they have with the customers who visit their stores. It's part of what the green apron represents," the rep added.

CULT HITS: Where we like to eat, drink and be seen in the Bayou City

Customers, meanwhile, like to have fun too.

"I always give the most ridiculous fake names I can think of at Starbucks," Starbucks customer Marsha Roberts said this week. "Spanky McBanks, Corn, Alyoisius Gerbil. I also use Liza Lott, Hester Pringles, Dorcus, Candida. really just anything that pops in my head at the moment and I want to watch them have to shout out to a crowd."

There could also some interoffice play at hand too, according to Entwistle.

"The barista taking the order just wants the person handing out drinks to look like an idiot when they call out the name," Entwistle said. "I'd definitely do that to some of my baristas."

Which likely leads to your reporter here walking out with a fresh, grande cold brew meant for Creeg.

Craig Hlavaty covers Houston history and pop-culture. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | craig.hlavaty@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text messagePresident Trump is levying tariffs on several major trading partners. And theyre striking back.

China says its prepared for the biggest trade war in economic history and promises to impose retaliatory tariffs of equal scale and equal strength on U.S. goods. The European Union has slapped tariffs on U.S. products ranging from bourbon to motorcycles. And Mexico has hiked tariffs on $3 billion worth of American imports.

These countries are playing with fire  a full-blown trade war could deeply damage their economies since theyre heavily dependent on exporting goods to America. Theyd be wise to de-escalate tensions and address the structural trade imbalances that have angered President Trump.

For inspiration, they could look to Switzerland, a famously neutral country that has quietly carried on a balanced and mutually beneficial trading relationship with the United States.

Switzerlands economic ties to the United States date back to the mid-1800s. As of 2016, Switzerland  which has a population of just 8 million people  was one of the United States largest trading partners. The two nations traded $115 billion in goods and services.

The benefits flow both ways. The United States imported $14 billion more goods than it exported to Switzerland. But the United States also sold $9 billion more in services than it purchased.

As a result, the total U.S. trade deficit with Switzerland was less than $5 billion  a pittance compared to our $375 billion deficit with China and our $71 billion deficit with Mexico.

Swiss firms have also made substantial direct investments in the United States.

For example, drug manufacturer Novartis is bringing a $55 million gene therapy production plant and 200 jobs to North Carolina. Swiss chocolate maker Lindt, which has located half of its factories in America, is expanding its Stratham, New Hampshire plant with a $201 million investment. This March, Swiss synthetic flooring company Gezolan opened a $12 million plant in Georgia. And in July, Swiss satellite manufacturing company RUAG began production at a Florida facility which will ultimately support over 600 jobs.

All told, Swiss firms have plowed $224 billion into the United States, making the small alpine country our seventh largest source of foreign direct investment. These companies support over 460,000 American jobs which pay an average salary of $103,000.

Meanwhile, U.S. firms have returned the favor by investing $155 billion in Switzerland.

The Swiss immigrant Albert Gallatin (1761-1849), who became Secretary of the United States Treasury and served under presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, would no doubt be proud of the current state of Swiss-American trade relations. Gallatin brought fiscal discipline to the nascent United States and is honored with a prominent statue in front of the Treasury building in Washington, D.C. The inscription reads simply Genius of Finance.

President Trump has targeted several countries for their allegedly unfair trade practices. But Switzerland isnt in his crosshairs  and for good reason. Swiss companies and officials work hard to ensure the trade relationship remains fair and balanced. Other countries ought to follow Switzerlands lead.

Dr. Wolfgang Klietmann is a former clinical pathologist and medical microbiologist at Harvard Medical School. He is a board member of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerces Boston chapter.Police and fire officials are investigating a house fire in a League City subdivision Tuesday morning.

According to city spokesperson, Sarah Greer Osborne, one occupant of the home was transported to UTMB in Galveston and further information on the extent of injuries is currently unavailable.

At approximately 9:50 am, League City fire and police responded to the 2000 block of Eastland Street in the Brittany Bay subdivision.

The fire is believed to have started in the garage before moving into the attic. The fire was contained to the garage and attic section of the home, with the garage totally gutted.

While firefighters brought the blaze at the two-story home under control, police had lined the perimeter of the home with crime tape. Two fire trucks were still on the scene by mid-afternoon.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message.

Willow Fork Park visitors will be able to catch student artists in action on Saturday, Oct. 20.

That's when Katy Independent School District art students will participate in the area's first "plein air" or painting outdoors event.One of the newest members of the Katy Independent School Districts Board of Trustees wanted to know when she could speak to the public during school board meetings and not run afoul of Texas open meetings rules.

Susan Gesoff, serving her first term on the Katy ISD school board, said it was kind of weird when members of the public addressed the trustees during the regular open forum periods at board meetings.

They address questions to you (and) you feel terrible that you cant respond, Gesoff said during an Oct. 11 school board workshop lead by an official with the Texas Association of School Boards.

While she understood replying to questions about subjects not on the agenda wasnt proper, Gesoff asked TASB official Kay Douglas whether it was acceptable to comment when questioned about an item on the work schedule that night.

RELATED: Katy ISD launches anti-bullying campaign

Are we able to respond? Is that a violation? Gesoff asked.

Douglas told her the answer to her question was, Yes, but  While engaging with the speaker in that case wouldnt be in violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act, it might not be the best idea, she warned.

If you set the precedent of having a back-and-forth with the audience, then theyre going to expect it on everything, Douglas said. You can lose the track of time of your meeting.

The process about placing an item on the school board agenda was something that warranted clarification for Dawn Champagne, another Katy ISD board member serving her freshman term as a trustee.

RELATED: Photos from over 100 years ago show how far Katy ISD has come

I just want to make sure I follow the rules, she said.

Board members used the example about having hot dogs on the menu on Thursdays at Katy ISD school cafeterias.

Trustees can only ask another board member to join them in seeking to place the item on the agenda. Even saying why the hot dogs on Thursday issue should be on it is out of the question, said Katy ISD Board President Courtney Doyle.

You cant say, You know, I really dont want hot dogs on Thursday. Youve already told how youre going to vote, Doyle said. Now all of a sudden its rolling quorum and discussion of voting.

A rolling quorum is when elected officials discuss public business - even informally - in any other forum other than at public meeting. It doesnt pass muster under state open meetings rules. Even the workshop to brush up on school board procedures had to be scheduled as an official meeting.

RELATED: Katy ISD tops Houston area elementary school list

Board member George Scott said he regularly asks clarification on such matters with the Texas Attorney Generals office.

If you have any doubt at all  one percent doubt  call the attorney general and they will help you, he said. Theyre very, very cooperative.

The issue of how many trustees it takes to add a particular item to the school board agenda was questioned. While it was two members in the past, now it takes three.

If you cant get three people to agree (to place it on the agenda) how will you ever get four people to vote for it, said Rebecca Fox, a current trustee and former Katy ISD board president.

Doyle said if two members feel strongly enough about a particular item, shes generally willing to back them. I can be that third person to see that it gets on the agenda, she said.

While noting hes always been able to get his issues added to the agenda, Scott said any trustee should be able to get an item on the agenda.

You shouldnt have to say pretty please to me or anyone, he said. If you put it on the agenda and I think its dumb, I will not be shy about saying that. Thats democracy.

mike.glenn@chron.comKaty City Councilman at Large Chris Harris encouraged people to get out and vote at the Oct. 8 City Council meeting.

Hes talking about people voting online in the national contest for the 2018 Tank of the Year.

Two Katy elevated water tanks painted with murals are among approximately 270 water tanks nominated for this years competition. Voting continues through Oct. 19, he said. Visit http://tankoftheyear.tnemec.com to cast a vote and for information.

Katys mural water tank was ranked in the No. 3 spot Monday, according to Harris, though by later in the week it had dropped out of the top 5.

RELATED: New Houston mural honors downtown's 'Produce Row' roots

Our tower looks better than anyone elses, he said.

The 13th annual contest is sponsored by Tnemec Co., which provides protective coatings.

The murals have blue and white backgrounds with Katy written in red and surrounded by white, tan and black-colored geese.

The murals, which are approximately 20 by 135 feet, are the projects of Peter and Rolf Goetzinger, who are brothers, and Peter's son, Orion Goetzinger. Rolf designed the murals and Peter and Orion were in Katy painting. The artists are from Spokane, Wash.

In a Nov. 18, 2017, Katy Rancher article, Peter Goetzinger called the design one of the more difficult that theyve done.

RELATED: Hurricane Harvey mural by artist Larry Crawford unveiled in Westchase District

He added, "It's also one of the prettier ones we've done. The colors are fresh and clean looking. People associate that with clean drinking water. The geese pay homage to what used to be here."

Katy City Council approved spending $36,750 in reserve enterprise funds for one of the murals and Katy Management District No. 1 is responsible for the second mural.

Since the first Tank of the Year was announced in 2006, more than 2,000 water tanks have been nominated from across the U.S. and Canada,. according to Doug Hansen, director - Water Tank Market for Tnemec. Nearly 300 nominations were received last year, including legged designs, composite constructions, ground storage and pedestal-style water tanks in various shapes and sizes, he said in a news release.

After online voting has ended, the water tank receiving the most votes will be named the Peoples Choice and receive an automatic bid as a finalist for the 2018 Tank of the Year title. The Peoples Choice winner and the 11 finalists selected by a committee will be announced on Oct. 22. The 2018 Tank of the Year will be announced on Oct. 26.

All finalists and nominees will appear in Tnemecs 2019 water tank calendar, beginning with the Tank of the Year winner in January, Hansen said.

karen.zurawski@chron.comOn Thursday, Oct. 4, it was ladies night out at Big Sky Barn in Montgomery. Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital hosted Positively Pink, a free, educational event highlighting its comprehensive care for breast health.

A team of six breast care specialists answered questions about the comprehensive services available at Houston Methodist Breast Care Center and Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital. The hospital also shared a video featuring four breast cancer survivors who shared the experiences they had while receiving care on The Woodlands campus.WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump will make good on his promise to help Texas Republican Ted Cruz, announcing plans to hold a large rally next Monday night in Houston.

The Trump campaign on Monday said the next stop on the presidents midterm campaign tour will be at the NRG Arena, which its website states can hold less than 10,000 people near the larger NRG Stadium.

In August, Trump said he would do a major rally for Cruz in the biggest stadium in Texas we can find.

The NRG Arena is not the states largest stadium. That honor goes to Kyle Field at the Texas A&M University campus with its seating capacity of 102,733.

This is the sixth rally that President Trump has held in Texas and the second rally in the Houston area since he first began his race for president in June, 2015.

We are pleased to announce the next stop on our national midterm campaign tour with a Make America Great Again rally on Monday, October 22nd in Houston, Texas, featuring President Donald Trump, said Michael Glassner, Chief Operating Officer for Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. The President looks forward to celebrating the booming Trump economy thats delivering new jobs and bigger paychecks to the hardworking men and women across the Lone Star State.

The rally, which will coincide with the first day that early voting in Texas, has been expected since Trump announced last month that he would come to the aid of his former political rival amid the surprisingly stiff challenge from Democratic challenger Beto ORourke.

CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Cruz makes Chappaquiddick, Kennedy joke while campaigning against Beto

The announcement comes as O'Rourke, a three-term congressman, raised more than three times as much as Cruz over the past three months. O'Rourke's $38.1 million was the largest fundraising quarter for a U.S. Senate race, far outpacing the $12 million raised by Cruz over the same period.

ORourke addressed the announcement that Trump would rally for his Republican opponent after a town hall in San Antonio.

To me it demonstrates that Sen Cruz will put his political ambition, his prospects in the election ahead of anything else, including his family, including those hes sworn to represent here in Texas, ORourke told reporters.

The most recent polling in the race, however, gives Cruz a high single digit lead in the race.

Earlier this month, Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., stumped for Cruz at a rally in Conroe. He referenced the bitter Republican contest between the senator and his father, adding that Cruz redeemed himself by joining him for a drink at the Trump International Hotel near the White House.

Next Monday's rally will be held at 6:30 p.m. at NRG Arena. Those interested in attending the rally must register at Trump's campaign website.

J.R. Gonzales contributed to this report.Know the candidates

Adrian Smith

Town: Smith and his wife, Andrea, reside in Gering with their son, Zeke.

Background and previous offices: Graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, lifelong Republican. As a Gering native, whose family has called Nebraska home for six generations, I was first introduced to politics in college before returning to Gering to serve as a member of the city council, then representing District 48 in the Nebraska Legislature. Currently, I serve as a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, where I have been on the front lines of the debate on how to create jobs and reform our tax code. I also have the unique opportunity to serve Nebraskans on important issues such as opening international markets for agriculture products, health care and permanently repealing the death tax. In addition, I continue to maintain a deep involvement in rural issues, serving as chairman of the Congressional Rural Caucus, the Modern Agriculture Caucus and the Congressional Rural Veterans Caucus.

Paul Theobald

Town: Osmond, married with five children, ages 27-33.

Background and previous offices: Educated by Benedictines, I have always placed a high priority on community as a fundamental value in society, a necessary lens through which to evaluate the effects of all policy initiatives. If a measure will diminish a sense of community, it will simultaneously diminish the effectiveness of democracy, and therefore should be avoided. I am a citizen politician who has spent my entire career studying, educating diverse audiences about, and defending rural schools and rural communities.MOSCOW - It would be one of the world's more unusual direct flights.

But bringing Syrian soldiers and civilians to a Black Sea resort is exactly what was on offer Tuesday, when a delegation from Crimea visited Damascus, the Syrian capital.

"We understand that restrictions related to trade, money transfers and tourism are similar to what we have in Crimea," said Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov, Russia's top official there. Both Syria and Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine four years ago, have been hit by Western sanctions, and their economies are struggling. "We should turn our minuses into our advantages," Aksyonov said during his two-day trip to Syria.

The visiting cohort of government officials proposed linking Crimea's capital of Simferopol by air with Damascus, a flight that would allow "both the civilian population and those who were at war" to vacation at a resort, according to Crimean tourism minister Vadim Volchenko. If established, the flight would be the first of its kind. Despite having a sleek new international airport, Crimea has not had international flights since its annexation.

The Syrian leadership got a taste of the Crimean seaside last summer, when the three teenage children of President Bashar Assad stayed at a resort that had been lavishly rebuilt with Kremlin funding. That trip highlighted just how close Assad's ties with Russia have become since Moscow entered the Syrian conflict three years ago.

On his Instagram feed Tuesday, Aksyonov posted photos of meeting Assad in Damascus. Aksyonov bestowed the Syrian leader with a miniature version of a monument installed by Russia in Crimea in 2015, which honored its soldiers.

In return, Syrian officials gave the visitors baklava.

This is not the first time Crimea and Syria have attempted to forge closer ties. Last year, Crimea increased its grain exports to the Arab country, ensuring Assad could maintain production of the subsidized bread upon which his population so deeply relies.OTTAWA, Canada - Canada becomes the first major industrialized country to fully decriminalize cannabis for recreational use on Wednesday, fulfilling a 2015 election pledge from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a process that has proven massively complex and remains fraught with uncertainty.

Concerns abound. Already there are worries about a shortage of legal cannabis for sale in the early months of legalization and a lack of retail outlets, leading to a possible boom in the illicit marijuana trade the new law is designed to thwart. Canada's 13 provinces and territories are tasked with regulating the distribution and sale of cannabis, and they are adopting a range of differing approaches. And Canadians crossing into the United States might be barred entry if they admit to using cannabis.

Under legislation passed by Canada's Parliament in June, it will no longer be illegal for adults to purchase, possess or grow recreational cannabis, starting Wednesday. It is a far broader legalization process than what's taken place so far in the United States, where nine states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational pot but federal law still treats it as an illegal Schedule 1 substance. (Internationally, only Uruguay has undertaken such an extensive legalization process.)

While Canada's federal government has changed Canada's criminal law and is now responsible for licensing commercial cannabis growers and authorizing their products, the provinces are in charge of regulating distribution and retail sale of marijuana.

In Ontario and the Western provinces, sale of cannabis will be left largely to licensed privately operated retail outlets, but in Quebec and most eastern Canadian provinces, marijuana will be sold only in state-run stores, in the same way alcohol is sold. In most of the country, the legal age will be 18 or 19, the same as for alcohol, but Quebec has promised to boost the cannabis consumption age to 21.

In Ontario, the most populous province, the only way to buy legal pot as of Wednesday will be by mail-order because permits for private outlets are not expected to be issued before next spring after recently elected premier Doug Ford decided to reverse earlier plans to sell cannabis through government-owned stores.

In neighboring Quebec, there will be a dozen outlets open while in British Columbia, there will be just a single provincial store although it is expected that cannabis will still be available in privately owned storefronts where sales have long been tolerated.

Federal law also will allow adults to grow four plants apiece for personal consumption, extending an existing rule for legal users of medical marijuana, but Quebec and Manitoba intend to ban personal growing outright. And foods containing cannabis, like cookies and candies, will remain illegal for the next year until the Canadian government completes its regulatory regime for edibles. In the meantime, they are apparently easily available through illicit sources.

Several provinces have already complained that cannabis producers have shipped less product than anticipated, which could lead to product shortages.

Vic Neufeld, chief executive of Aprhia Inc., one of the top producers, told investors last week he expects shortages of product to occur for two or three months until production increases and there is better understanding of consumer demand.

"It's like trying to merge a five-lane highway into a one-lane country road," he said. "It's tough to get everything through the bottleneck on a timely basis."

The anticipated shortage of cannabis through formal retail outlets could be a major boost for black market providers, according to Anindya Sen, an economics professor at University of Waterloo. He notes that many of these suppliers already use websites, apps and even home delivery for their offerings.

"My fear is that in provinces like British Columba or Ontario where we have no retail access, it will be easy to" find illicit suppliers online, he said in an interview. "You put in your postal code and up pops a legal supplier or a guy in a truck."

Despite the hiccups, Sen said he believes Canada has an opportunity to take a leading role in an emerging industry. "A lot of European countries will be looking at what is happening here," he said. "If Canada gets it right, it could be a world leader" in creating systems to produce and process commercial amounts of cannabis.

Already, there is a surge of stock market interest for Canadian cannabis producers who have floated their shares. Despite the fledgling nature of the industry, the value of the shares has surged with market capitalization of the top five producers reaching $40 billion, a situation seen by some as a bubble.

Cannabis legalization is one of Trudeau's signature issues, although implementation has proved more complicated than anticipated. In the past, he has admitted to smoking "five or six times" but claims he never enjoyed it much. A spokesman said any consumption by the prime minister took place "many years ago" and Trudeau has no plans to purchase or consume cannabis once it is legalized.

For Canadians crossing the border into the United States, the situation remains risky for anybody who uses cannabis, even after the law changes. "Anybody who admits to having violated the law relating to a controlled substance is inadmissible to the U.S.," according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Len Saunders, an immigration lawyer in Blaine, Washington, who specializes in cross-border issues, said Canadians crossing the border are placed in a difficult position. If they are asked by a U.S. border official whether they have used cannabis and admit they have, they may be barred entry. If they deny having smoked marijuana and are found out to have lied, they are in even more serious trouble.

What Saunders suggests to his clients who have smoked is not to answer a cannabis question from a border officer, which is the individual's right. But the Canadian should not to attempt to cross the border that day.

U.S. citizens have no such risks because U.S. officials cannot legally bar a citizen from entering the country, Saunders said.

But Customs and Border Protection last week agreed to relax its position related to Canadians working in the cannabis production business. Previously, they were to be barred entry. Now, they can enter the United States.if they are traveling for reasons "unrelated to the marijuana industry."NEW HAVEN  A Superior Court jury Tuesday found Damarquis Gray not guilty of murder but guilty of felony murder in the shooting death of Durell Law four years ago outside an Eastern Street apartment building.

Gray, 20, of New Haven, also was found guilty of attempted first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery and carrying a pistol without a permit.

In order to convict a person of murder, a jury must find the defendant intended to kill the victim. A felony murder conviction requires the conclusion the victim was killed in the course of the defendant committing another crime, such as an attempted robbery.

Superior Court Judge Elpedio N. Vitale scheduled Grays sentencing for Jan. 8. He faces a maximum of about 100 years in prison.

Witnesses had said Law, 20, was surrounded by a group of males for what seemed to be a robbery attempt. Within a few seconds, a skirmish broke out and Law, while trying to run away, was shot in the back.

Three other men allegedly involved in the crime are awaiting trial on felony murder: Joel Alexander, Arik Fraser and Thomaine Riddick, all of New Haven.

The shooting occurred on the annual holiday marking the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.: Jan. 20, 2014. It happened in the broad daylight of early afternoon.

The two-week trial featured eyewitnesses who were reluctant to testify because they said they feared retaliation by the neighborhood group to which Gray belonged, the Playboys. But defense attorney Dean Popkin said in his closing argument Monday that such fears were not credible.

Senior Assistant States Attorney Michael Pepper and Assistant States Attorney Lisa DAngelo responded in their closing arguments that Gray was believed to be the one who wrote a letter from the New Haven Correctional Center in which he told the recipient to instruct witnesses that they should recant their statements to police. The letter had threatening phrases such as, They fear for their life just by taking the (witness) stand.

A state forensics examiner testified nine impressions from the letter matched Grays fingerprints. The letter was not signed.

Pepper noted in his argument that four eyewitnesses stated Gray approached Law, pointing a gun at him. Some of the witnesses said Gray went through Laws pockets, prompting Law to punch him. Gray then shot Law, hitting him in the back.

The 12 jurors began deliberating Monday at 3:05 p.m. Vitale dismissed them for the day at 4:45 p.m. They resumed their efforts Tuesday at 11:30 a.m., then took a lunch break. At 3:40 p.m., the jury foreman knocked loudly on the door of the deliberation room and gave a message to Vitale that they had reached a verdict.

The courtroom quickly filled up. Grays family and supporters sat on one side and members of Laws family sat on the other.

Vitale ordered Gray, dressed in a blue shirt and gray pants, to stand and face the jury. The courtroom remained quiet as the foreman announced not guilty to the murder count and guilty to the four other charges.

At Peppers request, Vitale raised Grays bail from $1 million to $2.5 million.

Grays family members declined to comment on the verdicts as they left the courtroom. Delroy Clarke, Laws father, said, Thank you to the jury and the prosecutors, the officers, everyone involved. Without them, this wouldnt be possible.

Members of the Law family said they will have more to say at the sentencing hearing.

randall.beach@hearstmediact.comBAD AXE  The arrest of an Elkton man last week for selling LSD has local authorities looking into a separate substance found during an executed search warrant of his residence.

According to the Huron County Sheriff's Office, Shawn W. Koehn, 32, was taken into custody and lodged in Huron County Jail following a traffic stop Wednesday on M-142 in Colfax Township.

The stop resulted in a search of Koehn's Elkton residence, which uncovered 10 hits of LSD  also known as acid  valued at $150 total, as well as a pound of suspected Kratom.

Huron County Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson said finding LSD in the county doesn't happen very often.

"It has (been found), but for us, it's been very rare," said Hanson.

However, the suspected Kratom, which Hanson said may have opioid properties, is also a concern. He said the Michigan State Police Bridgeport Crime Lab has already tested and confirmed the LSD, and it will also be testing the other substance found.

"Finding more about that suspected Kratom  we need to not forget about that," Hanson said. "We are looking into it. From what we know right now, that has the potential of being something similar to what bath salts were."

Added Hanson: "We need to verify that's exactly what it was."

Hanson said the sheriff's office has learned by experience of how to deal with foreign substances when they come into the county  much like it did in late 2011 and into 2012 when the county encountered multiple bath salts overdoses.

During that time, bath salts became such an epidemic, the county health officer declared them a public threat and officials were able to remove the substance from local store shelves.

"There's a lot of unknowns that we're concerned about," Hanson said of the substance. "Is it going to be something like bath salts, or are we looking at it too deeply?"RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - President Donald Trump offered embattled Saudi Arabia a suggestion of support Tuesday amid mounting pressure over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying the kingdom is being judged "guilty until proven innocent."

The remarks, in an interview with the Associated Press, put Trump widely out of step with many world leaders amid Turkish assertions that Khashoggi was killed by a Saudi hit team earlier this month after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

It also could complicate talks planned Wednesday between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Turkish leaders on the Khashoggi case.

"Here we go again with you're guilty until proven innocent," Trump told the AP, comparing it to allegations of sexual assault leveled against now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing.

Trump has shifted his views several times since Khashoggi - a Washington Post columnist and U.S. resident - was last seen in public Oct. 2.

Trump last week said that Saudi Arabia would face "severe punishment" if the kingdom is found to have a link to Khashoggi's apparent death. But he appeared to reject possible sanctions, claiming it could harm the deep defense industry ties with Saudi Arabia.

Two weeks after Khashoggi was last seen in public, the case has splintered into an array of conjecture and claims.

But Turkish investigators have not wavered in their claims of Saudi involvement. On Tuesday, Turkish authorities sought to expand the scope of their investigation, demanding access to the main Saudi diplomatic residence in Istanbul and vehicles in the consulate fleet.

In another possible window in the case, Turkish officials provided The Washington Post with scans of passports that they say were carried by seven men who were part of the suspected 15-member Saudi squad allegedly involved in Khashoggi's death.

The Washington Post has not been able to independently verify their identities.

Saudi rulers have steadfastly denied any hand in the disappearance of Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributing columnist who had been critical of the Saudi leadership.

The next steps on all sides remained unclear.

U.S. officials expect the Saudi government to accept responsibility for the death of Khashoggi in an explanation that shields the powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman - the de facto Saudi ruler - from fault, said a diplomat familiar with the situation. The diplomat spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensentive matter.

In Turkey, however, authorities have insisted on even greater latitude for their investigation.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said authorities now want access to the Istanbul residence of the Saudi consul general - who has left Istanbul to return to the Saudi capital, Riyadh - and the consulate's vehicles.

At the same time, Turkish leaders planned talks Wednesday with Pompeo hat would likely include Turkey's assertations that a Saudi hit team killed Khashoggi after he entered the Saudi Consulate on Oct. 2.

Pompeo was in Riyadh on Tuesday to hear an entirely different account: Another round of denials from Saudi rulers.

In a statement, Pompeo said the crown prince pledged to conduct "a full and complete conclusion with full transparency for the world to see." But Pompeo gave no details on the possible findings or when such a report could be issued.

Earlier, Trump tweeted that the crown prince "told me that he has already started, and will rapidly expand, a full and complete investigation into this matter. Answers will be forthcoming shortly." Trump, too, did not elaborate.

In Turkey, experts sifted through possible evidence at the last public place the journalist was seen alive. Turkish officials have asserted that a Saudi hit team killed Khashoggi this month after he entered the Saudi Consulate.

On Monday, forensics experts had their first chance to comb the site, and they plan to expand their search to diplomatic vehicles and the main residence. A source in Istanbul who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the probe, said investigators found evidence of homicide in the form of blood.

Amid the fallout, Saudi Arabia's consul general in Istanbul, Mohammad al-Otaibi, left Turkey for Riyadh on Tuesday, according to Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency, citing diplomatic sources.

"The investigation is looking into many things, such as toxic materials and those materials being removed by painting them over," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters.

U.S. officials began predicting over the weekend, however, that the Saudis would inevitably admit complicity in Khashoggi's death and claim it was a "botched operation," said one person familiar with the discussions.

Even as Trump appeared to soften his stance on Saudi Arabia, some of Trump's allies in Congress have broken sharply with the White House.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., was a leading voice of anger Tuesday, calling the Saudi crown prince "toxic" and saying, "This guy has got to go."

Graham's comments, on Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends," underscored the apparent frustration by some in Congress about the 33-year-old crown prince and his crackdowns on dissent.

"He had this guy murdered in the consulate in Turkey. Expect me to ignore it? I feel used and abused," Graham said, referring to his previous advocacy for Saudi Arabia as a senator. "I was on the floor every time defending Saudi Arabia because they are a good ally."

Turkish officials have released details of their investigation, including video that suggests that a team of Saudi agents was dispatched to Istanbul to capture Khashoggi or kill him.

The Turkish government has told the Trump administration that it has audio and video recordings of what occurred inside the consulate that day. U.S. officials have said this material supports the conclusion that Khashoggi was interrogated, tortured and killed.

- - -

The Washington Post's Cunningham reported from Istanbul. Kareem Fahim in Istanbul, and John Wagner and Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report.

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Video: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh Oct. 16 for talks about the disappearance of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi.(The Washington Post)

Embed code:Who needs an anonymous Saudi official when you have the president of the United States?

For the second time this week on Tuesday, President Donald Trump seemed to preview the Saudi line when it comes to the disappearance and possible murder of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey. Even if you set aside Trump's repeated emphases that the Saudis deny wrongdoing - which is a Trump tell if there ever was one - his comments betray an apparent willingness to float and parrot Saudi talking points in a way that shouldn't escape notice.

On Monday, Trump appeared to preview the Saudi line that "rogue killers" could be responsible for Khashoggi's death. By midafternoon, reports indicated that the Saudis may indeed soon admit Khashoggi was killed but would blame it on a botched interrogation. (The reasoning there would ostensibly be this could help Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman escape culpability.)

On Tuesday, Trump seemed to scale back the Saudis' denial yet again. After saying Monday that King Salman has issued a "flat denial," Trump updated that statement to say that Salman's son, the crown prince, had "totally denied any knowledge of what took place in their Turkish Consulate." The key words in that denial would seem to be "any knowledge of what took place." That doesn't mean the Saudis are denying Khashoggi was killed; it just means the crown prince was saying they didn't order it or sanction it.

Then, to drive the point home, Trump drew the same line in an interview with Fox News. He said directly that U.S. punishment "depends [on] whether or not the king or the crown prince knew about it."

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., called it Monday before reports indicated a potentially scaled-back Saudi denial: "Been hearing the ridiculous 'rogue killers' theory was where the Saudis would go with this. Absolutely extaordinary they were able to enlist the President of the United States as their PR agent to float it."

It will be easy for Trump to dismiss such criticisms by arguing that he's merely passing along what he was told by King Salman and the crown prince. But it seems an odd coincidence that Trump has, twice in two days, passed along comments that seem tailored to an eventual admission that this was an accidental killing. That's not something the Saudi government has said officially, but it seems to be the explanation Trump has warmed to.

There are a few potential reasons for that. It could be because the Saudis skillfully tempted Trump to parrot their line. It could be because they expressly told him what he should pass along, and he dutifully did it. Or it could be because Trump is hearing what he wants to hear and believing what he wants to believe. Trump rather clearly doesn't want to shake up the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, either through new sanctions or scaling back an arms deal. He has also repeatedly noted Khashoggi isn't a U.S. citizen, which appears indicative of a softer potential punishment.

But regardless of which of the three options it is, it's worth asking why the president of the United States is saying the exact things the Saudis would like him to say - at a time when they are supposed to be on the defensive over the potential killing of a journalist for an American newspaper.

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Video: The Washington Post's Karen DeYoung explains why the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi could change the U.S. and Saudi Arabia relationship.(Joyce Lee/The Washington Post)

Embed code:It's now been two weeks since Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared after entering his country's consulate in Istanbul. Reports from Turkish sources that the Saudis allegedly murdered and dismembered the dissident writer, a Washington Post contributor, have fanned a growing backlash against Riyadh in Western capitals. But the kingdom has circled the wagons and angrily hit back at the accusations - and it seems to have found a willing ally in President Donald Trump.

On Monday morning, Trump held a 20-minute phone call with the Saudi king and then parroted Riyadh's denials to reporters. "I don't want to get into his mind, but it sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers," Trump said. "Who knows? We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial."

But news broke later in the evening that made the king's "flat denial" all the more unbelievable. CNN reported that the Saudis were readying to acknowledge that Khashoggi died while in their custody. Citing two sources, the network reported that the journalist's death "was the result of an interrogation that went wrong, one that was intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey."

The Post's Shane Harris reported last week that U.S. intelligence intercepts suggested Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had approved a scheme to lure Khashoggi out of de facto exile in the United States and detain him. Khashoggi, 59, a former Riyadh insider with a colorful career in politics and journalism, had moved overseas to express his disquiet with the kingdom's leadership, particularly the youthful Mohammed.

If the Saudis do confirm that Khashoggi died on their watch, it will be a damning admission after days of obfuscation and denials.

Over the weekend, the Saudi government railed against foreign conspirators supposedly bent on undermining the kingdom's reputation. Its Foreign Ministry issued a defiant statement warning of the "demise" of any pressure campaign against Riyadh. It cajoled a number of Arab nations in the Saudi orbit, including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, to issue statements affirming their solidarity with the Saudis. The Saudi government also put out a notice threatening any "rumormongers" within the country with five-year jail sentences.

To soften the blow of an about-face, the Saudis will offer a version of events that attempts to insulate the crown prince from blame for the debacle, according to reports Monday. But many current and former U.S. officials in Washington still have a hard time believing that what transpired within a Saudi consulate wouldn't have had the blessing of senior royals in Riyadh.

"This never would have happened without MBS's approval. Never, never, never," a former senior U.S. diplomat with long experience in Saudi Arabia told my colleagues, referring to Mohammed.

Even if Khashoggi's death was an "accident," it will stir outrage in Washington. Outside the White House, there is growing bipartisan distaste for Riyadh on a number of fronts. "Been hearing the ridiculous 'rogue killers' theory was where the Saudis would go with this," Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said in a tweet. "Absolutely extraordinary they were able to enlist the President of the United States as their PR agent to float it."

Trump now finds himself in a delicate situation - one entirely of his own making. As we've covered extensively, the White House saw in Riyadh a committed ally against Iran and a willing customer for U.S. arms companies. Trump has said outright that he is hesitant to crack the whip on Riyadh lest he compromise billions of dollars in weapons sales to the Saudis.

Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and the White House adviser entrusted with Middle East policy, also has developed close ties with the Saudis. One Trump adviser recently told my colleagues that it was "insane" how much Kushner spoke with the Saudi crown prince. Another senior U.S. intelligence official told The Post that Kushner had adopted Mohammed's crude view of geopolitics in the region: " 'MBS has an elevator pitch,' this official said, that Kushner has bought into: Iran is the main enemy and the single obstacle to peace and stability in the Middle East."

"I have a sense that they put all of their chips on the hope that the Saudis would be able to help the United States, not only in dealing with the challenges of terrorism, but also in dealing with peace in the Middle East," Leon Panetta, a defense secretary and CIA director under President Barack Obama, told my colleagues.

It seems increasingly clear that it was not a winning bet.

Mohammed carried out a sustained charm offensive in the West, wooing U.S. politicians, media and business executives with grand visions of his country's liberalization and reform. Critics scoffed at such optimism, pointing to the crown prince's record of detaining political opponents, muffling civil society and presiding over a ruinous, bloody war in Yemen that may trigger the worst famine in a century. The imbroglio over Khashoggi could be the proverbial straw that breaks the Saudi PR camel's back.

Jackson Diehl, The Post's deputy editorial page editor, argued that governments in Saudi Arabia and Israel have counted on Trump's acquiescence to push hard-line agendas at home. "The leaders of the two countries, Mohammed bin Salman and Benjamin Netanyahu, have given Trump what he most craves: sycophantic support," Diehl wrote. "This being the Middle East - a far more ruthless theater than the New York real estate market - both countries have exploited Trump's indulgence to the hilt, taking actions they never would have dared under Obama or any other previous president."

The question for Trump, should the grim reports around Khashoggi's death prove true, is how much longer can his indulgence of the Saudis last?Washington

President Donald Trump suggested Monday that "rogue killers" could be responsible for the mysterious disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an explanation offering U.S. ally Saudi Arabia a possible path out of a global diplomatic firestorm. The Saudis continued to deny they killed the writer, but there were indications the story could soon change.

While Trump commented at the White House, Turkish crime scene investigators finally entered the Saudi consulate to comb the building where Khashoggi was last seen alive two weeks ago.

Trump spoke after a personal 20-minute phone call with Saudi King Salman and as the president dispatched his secretary of state to Riyadh for a face-to-face discussion with the king. Late in the day, there were published reports that the Saudis were preparing to concede that Khashoggi, a U.S.-based Saudi contributor to The Washington Post, had been killed in an interrogation gone wrong.

Before Monday Trump had focused less on possible explanations for Khashoggi's likely demise than on possible punishment if the Saudis were found culpable.

"The king firmly denied any knowledge of it," Trump told reporters as he left the White House for a trip to survey hurricane damage in Florida and Georgia. Trump said he didn't "want to get into (Salman's) mind," but he added, "it sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. I mean, who knows? We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial."

Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi government and in particular Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was last seen entering the consulate on Oct. 2 to get paperwork for his upcoming marriage to a Turkish woman. Turkish officials have said he was killed and dismembered.WASHINGTON - Four days after Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Cardinal Donald Wuerl amid criticism of his handling of clerical sex abuse, Washington's archbishop released a list of 31 members of the clergy who had been "credibly accused" of abusing minors dating back 70 years.

Wuerl included the list in a letter to clergy, calling the move "a necessary step toward full transparency and accountability and the process of healing."

None are in active ministry. Eighteen of the clergy had been arrested, and 13 were never arrested. Of those not arrested, five were listed in a publicly searchable database of accused priests. Fourteen of the 31 men are still alive.

The letter names of 28 clergy members of the archdiocese and three priests who were part of religious orders, or independent communities.

The letter states that "there has not been an incident of abuse of a minor by a priest of the archdiocese in almost two decades." It does not say how recently accusers came forward, how many victims were abused by priests, nor whether all cases were taken to civil authorities.

Archdiocesan spokesman Ed McFadden said about six of the names had not been made public before, but it was not clear how widely publicized abuse allegations were against the remaining priests.

Some were arrested, including Raymond Callahan, convicted in 1971, and Francis Benham, whose abuse was first reported in 1979 and who was arrested and convicted in 2005. One priest, Thomas Lyons, was not reported as an abuser until after he had already died.

One accused priest, Paul Twiddy, whose alleged abuse was first reported in 1965, remained active in ministry on and off for decades. Twiddy returned to ministry in 1968, was reported again in 1971, returned to limited ministry in 1980 and retired in 1986. He died in 2009.

McFadden called the list a first step and said the process of releasing all information related to abuse "will take months." There will be additional lists released, he said, including clergy members who faced accusations that were not found credible by the archdiocese and clergy members who faced other types of accusations.

Since 1948, there have been 1,184 priests in the Washington, D.C., archdiocese.

The letter comes amid huge turmoil in a part of the U.S. church that had seemed until recently to have evaded the abuse crisis. But in June, Washington's previous archbishop - ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, a popular figure in the U.S. church - was suspended amid allegations that he abused children and adults. He later resigned. McCarrick is not on the list because he was not a priest in the archdiocese when the abuse he was accused of allegedly occurred.

On Friday, Wuerl, a top ally of Pope Francis, officially retired after months of criticism that he had mishandled abuse allegations when he was in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and had not been transparent in Washington, either. However, his much-anticipated retirement wasn't immediate - Francis said he would keep Wuerl on as an administrator while his replacement is found.

Clergy members as well as parishioners have been asking for the archdiocese to be more forthcoming about priests accused of sexual abuse. McFadden said Wuerl had approved moving forward with a full audit some time ago and that "the compilation released today was ready for release within the past week."

"We are fully examining everything," McFadden said.

In a statement to The Washington Post, Wuerl called the list "a painful reminder of the grave sins committed by clergy, the pain inflicted on innocent young people, and the harm done to the Church's faithful, for which we continue to seek forgiveness. . . . Our strong commitment to accompany survivors of abuse on their path toward healing is unwavering."

The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, called the list a "hastily assembled PR stunt." In a news release, a spokeswoman for the group said the list was incomplete and did not include the names of some priests who had been accused of sexual abuse. The group also called into question the use of the term "credibly accused."

"We call on the Archdiocese to immediately release the names of every priest, whether living or dead, religious order or diocesan, along with accused seminarians, bishops, nuns, brothers and lay employees," SNAP said.

U.S. prosecutors across the country are starting to look into sexual abuse of minors in their local Catholic communities, including in nearby Baltimore.

There are 196 Catholic dioceses or archdioceses - organizing regions - in the United States, according to the website of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More than 50 of those have in recent years published lists of accused priests, said Terry McKiernan, whose site BishopAccountability.org advocates that such lists be released.

Even when the accused clergy are long deceased or removed from ministry, it can still be psychologically powerful for victims to see a comprehensive list of names published, McKiernan said.

"There's enormous value for a survivor in knowing that his or her perpetrator abused someone else. It's a sad fact, but it's a validating fact," he said.

The publication of such lists frequently spurs other victims, abused decades ago, to report their abuse for the first time. In Pennsylvania, Attorney General Josh Shapiro said last week that the state's massive grand jury report listing more than 300 accused priests has prompted 1,272 phone calls to a state-run clergy abuse hotline since the report's publication in August. Previously, the hotline had received 300 calls over a two-year time span, Shapiro said. Some of the new reports might eventually lead to criminal prosecutions.

McKiernan said that even if some priests cannot be held accountable, every diocese should still publish a comprehensive list.

"I think there's an enormous burden in every parish, in every diocese all over the world, of these unaddressed injuries. I think until that dark area of our history is entirely brought into the light, there's just going to be something wrong with the church," McKiernan said.

Responding to those who would consign this decades-old abuse to history and move on, McKiernan said: "Even when it is history, that means we have a responsibility: to study it, to learn from it and to not repeat it. And that's something the lists can do for us."Houston Chronicle Executive Editor Nancy Barnes  whose five-year tenure brought the newspaper its first Pulitzer Prize  announced Tuesday that she will leave the organization next month to become senior vice president of news for National Public Radio.

Barnes, 57, who also served as executive vice president and editor of Hearst Texas Newspapers, guided the Chronicle's coverage of Hurricane Harvey as well as investigations that garnered multiple national awards.

Chronicle President and Publisher John McKeon said a national search will be conducted for Barnes' replacement, with a transition plan still in the works.

"I want to say really emphatically: I liked my job, I loved the newsroom, I'm very proud of the work we've done," Barnes said. "The opportunity to really take a leap in a different direction doesn't present itself every day, and I wanted to go for it."

Barnes joined the Houston Chronicle in 2013 and led the newsroom to a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 2015.

During her tenure, the Chronicle received widespread acclaim for its investigations into grand jury abuses, the statewide denial of special education services to schoolchildren and chemical regulation failures in Texas.

McKeon said he will "forever be appreciative" of the contribution Barnes made to the Chronicle. He expects to appoint one or two people to fill Barnes' responsibilities amid a search for her permanent replacement.

"Nancy has done a fantastic job at developing the talent in the newsroom and the kind of strategic direction we've been hoping to accomplish," McKeon said. "She's really laid the foundation for us."

Barnes, 57, joined the Chronicle after serving as executive editor of the Minneapolis Star Tribune from 2007 to 2013.

In 2015, then-Chronicle columnist Lisa Falkenberg won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary; Falkenberg is now the Chronicle's editor of opinion. The Chronicle was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2017 for coverage of the special education system and in 2018 for its coverage of Hurricane Harvey.

Barnes will become the top editorial director at National Public Radio, which boasts 36.6 million monthly listeners across roughly 1,000 stations nationwide. The organization maintains 17 international and 17 domestic bureaus, employing about 380 staff members in its news division. Her position at NPR was previously held by Michael Oreskes, who resigned in November 2017 amid multiple allegations against him of sexual harassment.

In a statement Tuesday, NPR President and CEO Jarl Mohn said Barnes "has the news judgment to guide our storytelling, believes in the power of the NPR mission ... and has the business acumen to think creatively about how we can bring journalism to even more eyes and ears."

Barnes' departure means the Chronicle will have lost its top two editors in five months. Former managing editor Vernon Loeb, who was the second-highest-ranking newsroom leader, was named politics editor of The Atlantic in June. His position has not been filled.

The Chronicle's next editor is expected to maintain Barnes' work on increasing digital subscriptions, a key factor in maintaining the organization's finances in the face of dwindling print subscription numbers. While the Chronicle has avoided large-scale layoffs in the past few years, legacy newspaper organizations across the country continue to grapple with declining print advertising revenue and subscriber losses. The Chronicle has about 200,000 print subscribers and 20,000 digital-only subscribers, McKeon said.

"It's been very clear we need to get even more serious than we have in the past in growing subscriber revenue," Barnes said.

Barnes said she was approached in May by a recruiter working with NPR, ultimately accepting the new job last week. She will be based in Washington, D.C.A fired Harris County deputy constable was convicted Tuesday of sexually assaulting a pregnant mother during a traffic stop last year.

A jury took less than three hours to return a guilty verdict against 31-year-old Brandin Glispy, who now faces a maximum of 20 years in prison when the punishment phase of the trial continues Wednesday in state District Judge Nikita Harmons court.

Glispy, who had been free, was immediately taken into custody and held without bail.

During closing arguments, prosecutor Lauren Reeder told jurors to believe the account given by the pregnant victim, not the ex-Harris County Pct. 6 Constables deputy.

INDICTED: Ex-Baylor frat chief accused of attacking woman at a party

He used his power as an officer, she said, demonstrating how Glispy forced the woman to put her hands on the top of his car as he groped her and put his hands down her tights. She was powerless under his coercion and control.

Glispy pulled the woman over in the 5800 block of Martin Luther King, while he was in his constable vehicle after 9 p.m. on April 24, 2017.

He testified that he pulled the woman over and searched her. He said the two got into a conversation and he told her to move her car, first to a well-lit parking lot, then a dark and secluded gravel lot next to an abandoned fast food restaurant on MLK.

It was at the third stop that he searched her again and gave her his phone number to call him later.

The woman, whom the Chronicle is not naming because she was the victim of a sexual assault, testified that after she was released from the third traffic stop, she drove home and called police to file a complaint against Glispy.

She didnt want to be the hysterical woman, Reeder told jurors, describing the matter-of-fact way the woman spoke to the 911 operator. Shes calm, shes collected and shes consistent.

On the witness stand, Glispy testified that at the third parking lot, he just talked to her through her window. In court, he acknowledged that he gave the woman his personal cell phone number on a page from his policemans notebook and told her to call him.

His attorney, Andrew Martin, argued that the investigation, which did not turn up any video or DNA, was not thorough enough to convict Glispy.

Jurors disagreed, finding the former lawman guilty of the second degree felony of sexual assault, a verdict that caps his possible punishment at 20 years in prison.

Prosecutors had asked the jury to convict Glispy of aggravated sexual assault, because he had his gun on his hip. If jurors had agreed that he used the gun to coerce the mother of three, his punishment would have been extended to life in prison.

brian.rogers@chron.com

twitter.com/brianjrogersGermany extradited to Morocco Mounir El Motassadeq who was indicted in 2007 for his involvement in September 11 attacks, international news agencies reported.

At the age of 44, El Motassadeq was given a 15-year jail sentence for his involvement in the killing of 246 passengers who lost their lives in the September attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.

El-Motassadeq was released shortly before completing his 15-year-sentence on the condition that he agreed to deportation to Morocco, AP said.

El Motassadeq was seen by the German news agency DPA blindfolded and handcuffed while escorted by the Police in Hambourg.

He admitted having ties with terrorists and having undertaken training in Al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan but has always denied involvement in the attacks.

German court ruled that El Moutassadeq was aware that the terrorists planned to take over and crash the planes.A fired deputy constable took the witness stand Monday and strongly denied he sexually assaulted a pregnant woman he pulled over during a traffic stop last year, as both he and his alleged victim testified during the first day of his jury trial.

I talked to her at her window, ex-peace officer Brandin Glispy, 31, told jurors. Thats all.

But the woman who lodged the complaint against the ex-Harris County Pct. 6 Constables deputy broke down on the witness stand as she told a different story.

He asked me to get out of the car so he could search me again, she testified, as she started to cry. It was more aggressive. He put bass in his voice.

Glispy, 31, faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted of sexually assaulting a woman during the traffic stop while in uniform with his gun.

The former officer was fired and arrested after the woman quickly filed a complaint about what happened after he pulled her car over in the 5800 block of Martin Luther King, while he was on on patrol in his constable vehicle on April 24, 2017.

Both the victim and the officer gave similar accounts of the first portion of the traffic stop. Both testified Glispy pulled the woman over after 9 p.m. and searched her before giving her a warning ticket for a broken headlight and a piece of plastic covering part of her license plate.

And both said Glispy then let her return to her car.

However, the woman, who the Chronicle is not identifying because she is the victim of a sexual assault, told jurors that he rolled down his window and directed her to a nearby parking lot. When they arrived at the parking lot that was brightly illuminated, the police officer then ordered her to drive to a dark and secluded gravel lot a block away.

After the woman told jurors her account, Glispy testified that it was the woman who wanted to talk to him about what was going on in her life. He said he directed her first to a well-lit parking lot and finally to a darkened lot outside of an abandoned fast food restaurant on MLK.

He did not give details about what she wanted to talk about, but he agreed that he told her where to go.

He said he did not feel safe at the parking lot that was lit up because there were people milling about, so he told her to go to a dark parking lot.

Once they were in the dark, the woman told jurors, he made her get of her car again and searched her again, but put his hands down the front of her tights.

In court, he acknowledged that he gave the woman his personal cell phone number on a page from his policemans notebook and told her to call him.

The woman, who was 20 weeks pregnant at the time, went home and called 9-1-1 to report Glispy. She used the phone number to identify him to police.

I was ashamed, embarrassed, she testified in tears. I couldnt believe it.

After hearing Glispys account to the jury, Assistant Harris County District Attorney Lauren Reeder was incredulous.

So in the 10 minutes it took her to drive home and call police, she concocted this whole story? Reeder asked Glispy during cross-examination.

It was the second time Glispys behavior had come under scrutiny. In January of 2017, he allegedly accosted a woman in the restroom of a Houston restaurant.

Glispy first met and talked with that woman inside the leasing office of the Houston Housing Authority apartment complex that he patrolled. Later in the day, the deputy apparently saw the woman at a local restaurant. When she walked into the bathroom, he allegedly tried to sexually assault her but she fled.

For that allegation, Glispy was charged with attempted sexual assault, although prosecutors are not pursuing those charges in this trial.

On Monday, Glispys attorney said the former officer was not guilty.

Thats it, hes innocent, said Andrew Martin.

Closing arguments in the case are expected Tuesday morning in state District Judge Nikita Harmons court.

brian.rogers@chron.com

twitter.com/brianjrogersCome 2019, Katy residents will be able to sink their teeth into a Double-Double.

According to BPI Realty, In-N-Out will open a location at 806 Katy Fort Bend Road at the Y Shops at Park West complex, which has already broken ground.All lanes are open on the outbound Southwest Freeway after a delivery truck overturned, blocking the road and causing a major traffic jam near Fondren.

An Oak Farms dairy truck was turned on its side after the crash, which occurred around 10:15 a.m., according to Houston TranStar.An 11-year-old swimmer and the teenager who tried to save him from a strong rip current at a Galveston beach during an at-risk youth trip Sunday night are presumed drowned, officials said.

Authorities spent Monday combing the coast for the missing boys, including the 16-year-old who dived in to rescue the youth caught in the choppy surf. A bystander called police around 6:30 p.m. Sunday from the beach near 17th Street and Seawall Boulevard to report that the younger boy and a pal were caught in the rip current, authorities said. The friend managed to swim ashore.

All three kids were part of a youth crisis group at The Childrens Center in Galveston visiting the shore with a chaperone, said Peter Davis, the chief of Galveston Beach Patrol. Of the four to five children in the group, only two went swimming.

Vivian Putney, the VP of finance and human resources at The Childrens Center, confirmed to the Houston Chronicle that the boys were members of the Galveston-based nonprofit. She declined to elaborate on the search but said their own investigation of what happened was underway.

Even though lifeguards raised a red flag warning of rough water, Davis said the kids went into an area of water designated for swimming. Two of them drifted toward the rocks, where rip currents can pull swimmers out to sea.

One of the kids was able to make it to shore on his own, but the other one, the 11-year-old, was in distress, Davis said, declining to identify the two because of their age.

He said the teen dived in to help the younger child and managed to reach him before a witness saw the two disappear in the water. Members of his beach patrol, who arrived within two minutes of the 911 call, were unable to reach the swimmers from the rocks and shore before they submerged, Davis said.

Its unclear if the younger boy knew how to swim, Davis said.

The red flag had been flying over the beach on Saturday and Sunday, Davis said. It does not prohibit swimming but he warns that even experienced swimmers should take caution and not venture in water above the waist.

Police spent most of Sunday night patrolling the shoreline for the missing boys. The search picked up again Monday with a Coast Guard helicopter crew cruising the coast throughout the morning until a swath of stormy weather forced them to return to land.

The one thing thats a little bit disconcerting for us, Davis began, until the storm came through, we had really consistent conditions. Same wind and currents. We could figure out the five-mile radius.

Now searchers are unsure where the bodies will turn up, he said.

This was the second double drowning the Galveston Beach Patrol responded to over the weekend. A pair of kayakers, Raul Olvera, 25, and Alan Perez Ferreyra, 20, vanished off Pirates Beach after their vessel flipped Saturday night. Olveras body was found soon after the kayak overturned.At least two Houston restaurants were forced to deal with a widespread roach problem in their establishments, while health inspectors found food debris and improperly stored food at several other restaurants from Oct. 8 to Oct. 15.

RELATED: Houseflies on food, sewage backup top list of restaurant violations Oct. 1 through Oct. 8

The Houston Chronicle obtained the results of routine health inspections throughout the city and tallied each restaurant's demerits for a comprehensive list of violations.

City Health inspectors distribute violations that carry a weight between 1 and 25, increasing in severity. The term "demerit" is used by health inspectors to describe the weighted value assigned to each violation.

To view inspection reports online or learn more about food inspections, visit the health department website.

Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message.

Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.comMayor Sylvester Turners former press secretary on Tuesday pleaded guilty to new charges that she abused her official capacity by using her government computer, cell phone and email account for a private enterprise.

Darian Ward, who also was charged last July with refusing to turn over public records, entered the plea in court Tuesday. The 56-year-old resigned her city post in January.

The plea bargain puts her on pre-trial diversion, which is an informal probation for misusing government property to obtain a benefit. The value of the misuse from March 22, 2014 to Nov. 15, 2017 was estimated to be at least $750 and less than $2,500.

Our democracy depends on the accountability of public officials to the people they represent, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said. When the evidence shows misuse of government resources, we prosecute.

After signing off on the deal, Ward issued a public apology to the City of Houston and Turner.

My intention was pure, she said. However, I let my desire get in the way of my good judgment.

Ward said she had intended to create TV and film content to elevate Houston to a national platform.

She noted that over the past 20 years, she has raised more than $500,000 for college scholarships, mentored young girls and helped religious organizations and non-profits.

This year has been a roller coaster, but Ive come out better, she said.

Wards attorney, Chris Tritico said Ward admitted guilt in misusing her time and government computer to vendors for her marketing company.

It was a very successful conclusion for her, Tritico said. When its all said and done, shell have no record.

He said the process was painful for Ward.

I think its cost her a lot, Tritico said. Shes spent a year under the microscope and shes paying the price for that.

If she successfully completes the one-year probation, she can apply to work in government again, he said.

If she does not make good on the probation requirements, the document she signed admitting her guilt would be used to convict of her of a Class A misdemeanor, which means she would face up to a year in jail.

The plea deal was approved by state District Judge Katherine Cabaniss Parsley.

The charge of abuse of official capacity, filed Monday, is the second allegation of misconduct connected to her post.

In July, she was charged with failing to turn over roughly 5,000 pages of emails about personal business activities sent or received on her City of Houston email account in response to an open records request by a reporter.

That charge was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Assistant Harris County District Attorney Stuart Tallichet said Ward has to complete 30 hours of community service and pay a $500 fine. After she completes the probation and waits another year, he said, she can apply to have her records expunged.

Brian Rogers covers Houston crime and courts. You can email him at brian.rogers@chron.com and follow him on Twitter at @brianjrogers.The Harris County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday that its animal cruelty task force would be investigating the death of a duct-taped dog found inside a plastic bag along a north Houston road.

The incident was originally reported by Tracy Gonzalez, who found the gruesome scene near Pear St. and W. Hardy in the Aldine area while dropping off her daughter at school on Monday.

"I was scared to see what it was because I was afraid it was a little baby or kid," Tracy Gonzales told Chron.com

When Gonzales examined the dog's body up close, she said she believed the dog was beaten before dying. She took photos that show the poor animal covered in duct-tape and placed inside a torn plastic bag.

"I love dogs so much and I just cannot believe how somebody can be so cruel to a dog," Gonzales said.

"If someone is capable of doing this to a sweet creature of God I can only imagine what they would be capable of doing to a human being," she said.

Gonzales said she called the Harris County Sheriff's Office who told her they would send somebody out.

She said the dog's body was removed on Tuesday.

ICYMI: Swarm of one million "killer" bees removed from SW Houston homeLAREDO  After nearly 10 years of waiting, a Laredo family has mixed feelings knowing that the man who killed their son and brother is finally headed to state prison.

It makes me feel a little more calm in my daily life, Edgar Garcia, now a local police officer, told reporters Monday. I feel that my parents are going to be a little bit satisfied as well. Even though the day came, thats not going to bring my brother back at all.

Garcias brother, 18-year-old Alberto Garcia, was fatally shot at an after-prom party in May 2009 when unruly guests who had been asked to leave returned and one of them opened fire in the crowded room. Victor Manuel Palomo, who also was 18 at the time, was found at another party later that night with a gun. He was charged with murder and aggravated assault but was freed after posting bond, and the trial was delayed until July 2011.

READ ALSO: 5 deputies suspended for street brawl outside house party

On the third day of his trial, Palomo left for lunch and didnt come back.

He was convicted in absentia based on eyewitness testimony and other evidence and sentenced to 99 years on the murder charge. Palomo wouldnt be heard from again until July 2015, when Laredo authorities discovered he had been arrested on a theft charge in Monterrey, Mexico. Before he could be extradited, however, Palomo and a cellmate used a hacksaw to break out of their Mexican jail cell.

Once again, he was missing, still on the U.S. Marshals most wanted list.

Then last week, Palomo was arrested again, this time on a charge of causing a disturbance in the streets of Nuevo Laredo, across the Rio Grande from Laredo.

When I first found out he was in custody in Nuevo Laredo, I held my breath, District Attorney Isidro Alaniz said. I couldnt celebrate until he was on U.S. soil. It wasnt until close to 5 p.m. (Thursday) that he was deported from Nuevo Laredo to the United States.

Tamaulipas officials said officers arrested Palomo as part of the recently launched Campana de Seguridad y Prosperidad, a binational effort to combat transnational crime, enhance security and improve the quality of life on both sides of the border.

On Monday, Palomo, now 30, stood before 341st District Court Judge Beckie Palomo (no relation), who formally sentenced him to the 99 years in prison he had been handed seven years ago.

During Mondays hearing, Victor Palomo wanted to address Garcias family, but he wasnt allowed to do so. Instead, he spoke to the judge when he was asked whether he had anything to say.

From the bottom of my heart, Im sorry. I had no idea that happened, he said, referring to Garcias death when Palomo sprayed the crowd with gunfire at the party. It was never my intention. Its all I can say. Im sorry.

RELATED: San Antonio's most wanted fugitives 2018

After the hearing, Palomo was returned to Webb County Jail. Hes expected to be transferred to state prison on Friday.

Edgar Garcia said he pursued his career in law enforcement after his little brother died.

I started climbing up the ladder in this field because I dont want any other families to go through what we went through, Garcia said. My life has changed completely. I will never have the opportunity to see my brother again.

Alaniz said the sentencing fulfilled a promise to the family.

I feel very relieved and grateful for this day to finally come since 2011, Alaniz said. We made a promise to the family that justice would be served.

This case is proof that you can run but you cant hide.

Staff Writer Cesar G. Rodriguez contributed to this report.

msalas@lmtonline.comMorocco agreed to return to France its national Thomas Gallay who was convicted by a Moroccan court for connections with a terrorist network, the Justice Ministry said.

The ministry explained in a statement that this extradition comes in response to a request by President Emmanuel Macron, adding that the convict will spend the remaining of his four-year jail sentence in France.

Gallay, known as the blue-eyed Emir, was arrested over ties to a terrorist network, the statement said, noting that investigations proved that he used his computer know-how to create terrorist propaganda videos.

An initial ruling sentenced Gallay to six years in prison before an appeals court reduced the sentence to four years in 2017.

The Ministry stressed that the extradition of Gallay meets the Moroccan law requirements including those relating to legal cooperation with France.AUSTIN  Attorney Justin Nelson, a candidate for attorney general, on Tuesday became the first  and likely only  Democrat running for state office to go on TV with a Texas-wide campaign ad.

Nelsons 30-second spot now on air across Texas hammers incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton for his 2015 criminal indictment for securities fraud and a subsequent 2017 investigation into bribery and corruption that was closed after prosecutors decided not to pursue any charges against him. Paxton has yet to go to trial on three felony charges from the 2015 indictment.For the second and final time before early voting begins on Monday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Democrat Beto ORourke will square off in a nationally televised debate.

The 1-hour debate will be in San Antonio tonight in the studios of KENS-TV starting at 8 p.m. You can watch the live stream here but it will also be broadcast in 10 other media markets live, including on KHOU-TV in Houston and WFAA-TV in Dallas-Fort Worth. It will also air nationally on C-SPAN.At least one body has been recovered while authorities carry out rescue efforts and brace for more flooding Tuesday afternoon throughout the Hill Country.

Meteorologists say the Llano River, which came close to a record-breaking level Tuesday will crest again at a similar spot Wednesday morning.

Deputies with the Burnet County Sheriff's Office removed the body from the floodwaters of Lake Lyndon B. Johnson at about 1 p.m. near Kingsland, according to Spectrum News in Austin.

Texas Game Warden Search and Rescue teams are now involved in multiple air and water rescues along the river as calls for service come in "one after the other," according to a Tweet from the department.

Christy Baught, a floodplain administrator for Llano County, said other local agencies are also assisting with rescue operations, as the flooding has placed residents in serious danger.

"The Llano River has hit major historic flood stage," reads a post from the Llano County Office of Emergency Management. "It is currently at 40' and has almost topped the bridge in Llano. Anyone living within 1/4 mile of the river should evacuate immediately to higher ground."

RELATED: Missing driver recovered from Sabinal River identified

The Llano River crested around noon at 39.9 feet, just short of the 1935 record of 41.5 feet. The National Weather Service predicts that Wednesday morning's crest will reach a "similar height."

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Texas State Operations Center to a state of increased readiness in response to the ongoing flooding.

"When severe weather strikes, Texas will ensure our responders and local officials have what they need to respond and protect those in harm's way," he said. "I also urge all Texans to take their safety into their own hands by closely monitor changing weather conditions and heeding warnings from local officials."

The flooding has shut down several roadways and bridges in the area, and at about 9:30 a.m., the FM 2900 bridge in Kingsland, Texas, collapsed from the pressure of the raging floodwaters, according to a report from KEYE-TV in Austin.

The National Weather Service reported Tuesday morning that more than 10 inches of rain has inundated portions of the Llano River watershed since early Monday. The water has rushed into the river, causing it to rise to almost unprecedented levels.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Gillespie and Llano counties through 7 p.m. Tuesday and a flood warning along the Llano River in Llano County, Sandy Creek near Kingsland and the Pedernales River at Johnson City.

The Llano River is in a major flood stage, meaning there will be "extensive inundation of structures and roads." Such a stage calls for "significant evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations," according to NWS's website.

Baught said the Llano County Office of Emergency management has set up shelters at the First Baptist Church of Llano, Inman's Kitchen an the Kingsland Community Center. She did not know if anyone was missing in the storm.

Flooding has also affected other rivers in the Hill County. The National Weather Service said Guadalupe River, Sandy Creek and Nueces River are facing a "dangerous situation."

RELATED: Rain suspends search for person still missing in Texas flood

According to the Austin American-Statesman, homes near Robinson City Park, Scotts Acres, Castell, the FM 2900 Bridge in Kingsland, Kingsland Lodge and Marble Falls are expected to face severe flooding.

The following school districts have cancelled or delayed classes today:

Llano ISD has cancelled all classes

Rocksprings ISD has cancelled all classes

Burnet CISD has cancelled all classes

Fredericksburg ISD has cancelled all classes

Hunt ISD has cancelled all classes

Ingram ISD has cancelled all classes

Leakey ISD has cancelled all classes

Junction ISD has cancelled all classes

Medina ISD has cancelled all classes

Marble Falls ISD has cancelled all classes

Harper ISD has cancelled all classes

The Hill Country and other portions of South Central Texas have been hammered by heavy rain and flooding this month. Last week, four people were swept away as flood waters rushed through Junction, Texas, after storms dumped almost a foot of rain into the South Llano River. Three victims have been found and authorities on Monday temporarily called off the search for the fourth until the rain passed.

Patrick Ojeda was swept away on Friday as he tried to drive across a bridge over the Sabinal River in Uvalde County. He was found a mile downstream.

Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

Caleb Downs is a crime reporter for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here.| cdowns@mysa.com | Twitter: @calebjdownsThe European Union looks forward to enhancing its cooperation with Morocco to combat illegal migration, which is increasing on the Western Mediterranean route, said on Monday in Luxembourg EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini.

Speaking at a press conference following the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Mogherini said that Central Mediterranean migration route has gone down by 80-85 percent this year, while we have seen an increase by 150 percent on the Western Mediterranean route, so we decided to increase our work, in particular with Morocco and Mauritania.

We are already putting in place some new measures in this respect, like funds that will be allocated to cooperate with these countries to manage together the Western Mediterranean route, she added.

According to Mogherini, the EU Foreign Affairs council decided to strengthen its cooperation in this regard with the UN and its partners, namely the African Union and the countries of origin and transit.

I made an appeal to Member States to contribute more to the Trust Fund and also to focus on new ways in which we can address the shifting of migration routes elsewhere from the Central Mediterranean one, stressed the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy.

The EU Emergency Trust Fund (EUTF for Africa) aims to foster stability and to contribute to better migration management, including by addressing the roots of destabilization, forced displacement and irregular migration.

The EU works with partner countries, which are facing growing challenges in terms of demographic pressure, extreme poverty, weak social and economic infrastructure, internal tensions and institutional weaknesses, insufficient resilience to food crises and environmental stress.There is little doubt patents are becoming more valuable, and this means the risk of being sued for patent infringement is higher. Thus, it is imperative that companies find ways to mitigate that risk.

The pendulum is swinging back in favor of patents

Since the early 2000s, new patent policies implemented in the United States tended to devalue the property right. The tide, however, appears to be turning.

While both the courts and Congress enacted policies that made it harder to enforce patents and thus, lowered their value, this policy trend has started to shift over the last couple of years. No major legislation has passed, though the only significant legislation that has been introduced is largely intended to make patents more valuable. More importantly, new Patent Office Director, Andrei Iancu, has set into motion policy changes that will undoubtedly push patent values up, and we are starting to see the effects of these policy changes. For example, large operating companies like Google are starting to sell parts of their patent portfolios. These sales could wreak havoc for others, as these patents arent being purchased for posteritys sake. They are being purchased so that the buyer, more than likely a non-practicing entity (NPE), can assert them as often as possible. Companies that arent focused on finding ways to mitigate this risk are going to find themselves in a tough spot in the near future.

The patent chopping block

Over the past fifteen or so years, policy changes in the patent field have predominately focused on curbing abusive patent litigation. Developments such as the Supreme Courts 2006 eBay decision to eliminate the virtually automatic injunction for infringement; the establishment of the Inter Partes Review (IPR) system; and the Supreme Courts Alice decision (the alleged death of software patents), along with other policy changes, made it harder and more expensive to enforce patents. While these significant policy changes helped curb some of the worst bad actors from bringing sham patent infringement cases, they also made it harder to enforce valid and infringed patents. Thus, this had the effect of lowering the value and importance of patents as assets for companies. (Authors note: I am not here to cast judgment on whether this is good or bad. This is just an observation.)

The pendulum swings back

However, there are tangible signs that the pendulum is swinging back in favor of patent owners. Director Andrei Iancu, the PTOs new head, came into office acknowledging that the patent system is at a crossroads, declaring [t]hat a patent grant is less reliable today than it should be. He blamed this on court cases, legislation, and action taken by the PTO and also took issue with rhetoric surrounding the patent system over the past two decades that has focused on certain faults in, or abuses of, the system  instead of the incredible benefits the system brings to our nation. Dir. Iancu has since begun a very disciplined and deliberate redirection of the ship. First, he has changed the rhetoric. He rarely highlights abuses of the patent system and instead focuses on the strength of patents. He also has begun the process of changing PTO policies that will lead to more robust rights. For example, Dir. Iancu has recently officially aligned the claim construction standard for post-grant reviews with the standard used by district courts, making it less likely that a patent will be found invalid during IPR. He has also promised to release new Examiner Guidelines that will, in essence, discourage examiners from rejecting patent applications for lack of subject matter eligibility under 35 USC 101 and instead focus on Sections 102, 103 and 112. Receiving a Section 101 rejection often means that the patent application is dead in the water, or at least, severely wounded. On the other hand, applicants are often able to overcome 102, 103 and 112 rejections by making cogent arguments or by making relatively minor changes to the proposed patent claims.

Wait a minute... Google is selling patents?

All this adds up to the rising value of patents, which means that the risk of patent litigation is also likely headed in that direction. The market has noticed this, and it is shifting. Companies are beginning to right-size their portfolios. Google has recently, and somewhat surprisingly, begun divesting parts of its patent portfolio, listing several patent families for sale. And Google is not alone. Overall, several companies are divesting patents to right-size their portfolios. While this suggests tighter budgets on the corporate side, it also signals that there is an active buyers market.

Many of these portfolios will not be sold to other operating companies. Rather, my money is on non-practicing entities (NPEs) purchasing the patents and asserting them against all possible operating companies. These are not the NPEs of yesteryear. They are a new breed that are both sophisticated and well-funded. A recent conference in New York City on litigation finance was particularly successful in illustrating this new trend.

Time to run for cover

All of this anecdotal evidence may not mean we are going back to the heyday of abusive patent litigation, but it likely means that patents are gaining value and stature. In light of this activity, companies need to start thinking about a strategy to address the potential for increased litigation. As part of this strategy, they should consider joining NPE defense mechanisms, like the LOT Network, to reduce their risks. The LOT Network is essentially a group of companies, including Google, that have promised not to assert their patents against other LOT members. The beauty of this network is that this promise holds true even if the patents are sold to an outside third party. For example, the buyer of the aforementioned patents currently being sold by Google would be forbidden from suing any company that was a LOT member before the patents were sold. In other words, it seems pretty smart to join the LOT Network before any additional sales take place. The LOT Network is just one part of any solid strategy, but given the current churn in the patent market, it probably makes sense to think about membership sooner rather than later.Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Local media learned from the Environmental Protection Department of Jiangsu Province that Changan Auto will set up a manufacturing base in the province to build new energy vehicles. The total annual capacity of the new base will be 240,000 units and the output of the first phase will be 120,000 per year.

The automakers subsidiary in Nanjing will cover an area of 1.46 million square meters and the total investment is up to RMB 4.79 billion, of which RMB 3.47 billion is designated for the first phase. The base is slated to start production from 2020.

Zhang Baolin, chairman of Changan Auto, once revealed that Changan will complete the building of three platforms exclusive for new energy vehicles before 2020. The Chongqing-based automaker plans to launch 21 battery electric vehicle models, 12 plug-in hybrid electric models by 2025.

After the operation of the new base, Changan will make all-new compact electric cars, compact electric SUVs, high-performance electric coupe models and electric crossover SUVs. Currently, Changan has launched several new energy vehicle models such as Changan EADO EV, Changan CS75 PHEV.

Last year, Changan announced its Shangri-La Plan and said that it will start to ban the sales of traditional fuel-powered vehicles in 2025 and invest RMB 100 billion in new energy vehicle segment.Several Delegates and petitioners took the floor before the fourth UN Committee, hailing the round table discussions on Sahara planned in Geneva in December and the autonomy plan offered by Morocco for the resolution of this regional conflict.

Cameroons delegate expressed support for the ongoing efforts made by Horst Kohler, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, noting that his appointment has given new impetus to the efforts engaged to find a political resolution to the Sahara issue.

Gabons representative Michel Xavier Biang voiced support for the ongoing political process conducted under the Secretary-Generals auspices, noting that the Personal Envoys visit to cities in the Sahara region last June, and the upcoming round table in Geneva, demonstrate Moroccos willingness to participate in a diplomatic process. He also hailed Moroccos autonomy plan for the Sahara, which will allow, he said, a mutually acceptable negotiated political solution.

Senegals delegate Cheikh Niang, who welcomed the planned Geneva meeting, called upon UN members to take a new look at Moroccos autonomy initiative for the Sahara, saying it was drawn on the basis of dynamic compromise. He urged neighboring countries to make significant contributions to the process and recalled that Security Council resolutions established the correlation between a negotiated solution to the dispute over the Sahara and the reinvigoration of cooperation among countries of the Arab Maghreb region.

Saudi Arabias permanent representative to the UN, Abdallah Al Mouallimi, said Morocco continues to participate, seriously and in good faith, in the search of a permanent solution to the Sahara issue. He reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia has welcomed Moroccos autonomy proposal as a constructive, equitable and realistic solution, in accordance with international law and UN resolutions.

Echoing the Saudi diplomat, the delegates of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Yemen have reiterated a similar position and expressed support to the Moroccan autonomy initiative. They likewise welcomed the efforts made by Morocco to achieve a definitive solution, underlining that the Security Council has, in all its resolutions since 2007 and until 2018, qualified these efforts as serious and credible, paving the way towards a final settlement.

The representative of Burkina Faso Eric Tiare, who described the decolonization questions as very political, said that his country supports the process facilitated by the Secretary-Generals Personal Envoy for the Sahara and calls upon all States in the region to contribute to the negotiation process.

Tiare welcomed Moroccos prompt response to the Personal Envoys invitation to the upcoming round table in Geneva, affirming that his country backs the kingdoms autonomy plan for the Sahara and its socioeconomic and human rights accomplishments in the region. Commending the Personal Envoy for facilitating the round table, he expressed hope for a positive response and participation by all parties invited.

Horst Kohler has invited Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario to a round table, to be held in Geneva December 5 and 6 and Morocco was the first to accept the invitation.

Andrew Rosemarine from the International Law Chambers, described the autonomy proposal for the Sahara as flexible, fair and far-sighted, saying that it offers a large degree of self-determination for the Sahrawis, and aims to build a modern, democratic society based on the rule of law.

Nguyen Manh Hung, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, expressed confidence in Moroccos autonomy plan. The kingdom has put tremendous resources into the region, he said, recalling the Security Councils resolution 2414 (2018) which says that the current status quo is not acceptable and emphasizes the need for neighboring States to contribute to a political solution based on compromise.From the moment reporters arrive in Xinjiang province, a remote region in northwest China, they are shadowed by security officials. Sometimes, its just a few. For reporters representing prominent publications, it can be nine or ten. Most of the time, the officials do their best to blend into the backgroundthey wear plain clothesbut theyre always there to intervene should a journalist cross any number of ill-defined lines.

In China, where the Communist Party rules, restrictions on the press and the public routinely stifle the flow of information. Xinjiang poses a special challenge, however, as the site of an unfolding humanitarian crisis where members of the Uighur ethnic group are targeted by a sweeping campaign of surveillance and detention. Tensions have long festered between the countrys Han ethnic majority and Muslim minority groups, including Uighurswho comprise nearly half of Xinjiangs population. Following violent riots in 2009 and a spate of terror attacks in 2014, which Chinas government blamed on Uighur separatists, authorities clamped down on Xinjiang, bolstering security forces and installing a robust suite of high-tech surveillance equipment.

Today, security checkpoints abound in Xinjiangs cities, where citizens are subject to scans of their faces, eyes, bodies, and phones. Under an austere level of control, all aspects of Uighur life might be viewed as criminal; Uighurs have been arrested and taken from their homes for a wide range of offenses, including growing a beard, planning travel abroad, and reciting a verse from the Quran in public. Hundreds of thousands, if not a million, have been sent to political re-education camps with no pretense of due process and little clarity as to when, or how, they will get out.

ICYMI: The FBIs secret investigation of a journalist

That anything is known about the situation in Xinjiang is largely thanks to foreign journalists, given Chinas broad restrictions over domestic media. Since the re-education program kicked into full gear, in the spring of 2017, foreign outlets have detailed unexplained disappearances of family members; conditions in the camps, where detainees are forced to sing patriotic anthems and write self-criticizing essays; and, recently, evidence that China is secretly transferring detainees to prisons across the country to alleviate overcrowding in Xinjiang. Last week, after frequent denials of the camps existence, the Chinese government wrote them into law; the stated goal is thought transformation, but reporters have shown that physical abuse is common.

Restrictions on reporters and the public profoundly limit the stories journalists are able to tell, of course. Much about the situation in Xinjiang remains unknown, either under wraps by the government or suppressed by the culture of fear permeating Uighur communities. Journalists have struggled to tell what might be the most important story in Xinjiang: what its like to be a Uighur living under such oppressive conditions. Its as if theres a massive crowd quarantined behind an invisible barrier, says Josh Chin, who reports in China for The Wall Street Journal. You want desperately to ask them how theyre doing, but you cant because youre worried youll infect them with your tainted political status.

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Indeed, surveillance makes it virtually impossible for reporters to speak with residents of Xinjiang without putting them at risk of subsequent arrest. With watching eyes seemingly everywhere, opportunities to strike up conversations are few, and sit-down interviews have become all but unheard of. Some reporters say they even avoid Uighur businesses and taxis, for fear that security forces might descend upon their proprietors.

Transportation presents significant obstacles, too. Roughly the size of Alaska, Xinjiang encompasses vast swaths of desert and mountain terrain. Yet journalists are generally confined to a few urban areas, including Urumqi, the provincial capital, and Kashgar, a Uighur cultural hub tucked between the borders of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Those who attempt to drive into the countryside are almost sure to be turned around by officials for contrived reasonsthat the area is not designated for foreigners, for example, or that a reporter lacks the authorization to pass. On one occasion, while driving on a deserted road, Chin found himself surrounded by police after a street camera flagged his car as suspicious. Luckily we were already on our way out of town, he says. They were kind enough to give us a police escort to the highway.

The re-education camps, scattered throughout Xinjiang, are also off-limits. At best, journalists can hope to get close enough to photograph their exteriors, but even then, members of their surveillance detail are likely to step in and demand that the photos be deleted. The locations of all camps are not known with certainty, nor is the actual number of detainees, or how many Uighurs have died in custody and of what causes. Radio Free Asia maintains a map of known detention centers; the organization employs a team of Uighur reporters who have continued work despite their own families in China being jailed. Journalists who spoke with CJR all cited Radio Free Asias journalism as being among the most courageous and penetrating on this crisis.

With such limited access to information in Xinjiang, journalists have turned to Uighurs living abroad for sourcesoften in Kazakhstan, Turkey, Canada, or the United States. They are not always a representative samplethey tend to be relatively wealthy and from Xinjiangs cities. Earning trust can be difficult, especially as sources grow wary of Chinese spies, and safety remains a concern, as many have family and friends still living in Xinjiang who could face retribution as a result of reporting. But as the detention crisis has become more dire, Uighur networks have pushed to get their story told. When the camps started, many seemed to think that by staying quiet they could protect their relatives in China, Emily Feng, a China correspondent for The Financial Times, says. But more seem to be thinking now that staying silent has had no use.

In July, following six months of following up on stories she first heard abroad, Feng broke news that Uighur children were being rounded up into state-run welfare centers and special re-education centers for youths. The child is forbidden to go to school with the normal children because the parents have a political problem, a source told her.

The electronic record has also been useful in filling gaps. A recent piece on mass detention by Chris Buckley, a Beijing-based correspondent for The New York Times, drew heavily on satellite imagery, county-level documents pertaining to camp construction, and even studies commissioned by the Chinese government (not intended for wide consumption). Anyone who wants to doubt whats happening has to confront the fact that this information is also coming from the Chinese government, Buckley says. Officials are growing wise to the types of documents journalists have accessed, however; lately, it appears that many files are disappearing from the internet.

China is seeking sovereignty over information at every level, Sharon Hom, the executive director of Human Rights in China, an advocacy group based in New York and Hong Kong, tells CJR. When it comes to the story, the narrative, and language, they are systematically trying to exclude and threaten civil society. In domestic media outlets, the Xinjiang re-education camps are all but absent, and Hom says the majority of Chinese citizens are unaware of what is going on in the province. The purpose of media in China is to tell the Partys truth, she adds. The foreign journalism modelbeing there and telling the truth that is seenis fundamentally subversive.

The job is unlikely to get easier. China ranks 176 of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders world press freedom index, and conditions for foreign journalists are on the decline. In 2017, in Xinjiang, the public security budget nearly doubled and 73 percent of journalists there reported harassment by authorities, compared with 42 percent in 2016, according to a report by the Foreign Correspondents Club in China. Some were threatened with violence, others were detained; one journalist tells CJR that he is surprised reporters are still able to book tickets to Xinjiang at all.

Restrictions and harassment have not deterred reporters, but they have left them hamstrung, says Megha Rajagopalan, a world correspondent for BuzzFeed who reported extensively in China, including Xinjiang, until August when the government refused to issue her a new visa. She compares conditions in China unfavorably to those in other repressive regimes. In the Philippines, for instance, where she reported on the drug war, Rajagopalan relied on the input of private witnesses, lawyers, and scholarly experts. In Xinjiang, none of that exists, she says, of available access. Its incredibly damaging to getting the story out.

ICYMI: The story BuzzFeed, The New York Times and more didnt want to publish

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Andrew McCormick is an independent journalist and former CJR Delacorte Fellow. His work has appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, the South China Morning Post, and more. Follow him on Twitter @AndrewMcCormck.Two weeks after Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi went missing after entering his nations consulate in Istanbul, the Saudi government is preparing a report that will acknowledge his death was the result of an interrogation gone wrong. CNNs Clarissa Ward and Tim Lister report that the Saudis will claim that the detainment of Khashoggi was intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey.

The about-face from the Saudi government is striking, as it has spent the days since Khashoggis disappearance claiming the journalist had left the consulate safely. Before reports of the Saudi plan broke, President Trump had appeared to boost the theory that top Saudi officials were unaware of the mission that resulted in Khashoggis murder, positing that it was possible that rogue killers were responsible for the journalists death. That statement, which appeared to suggest the president would not hold Saudi leaders responsible for Khashoggis murder, was met with outrage from journalists and some US politicians. Been hearing the ridiculous rogue killers theory was where the Saudis would go with this, tweeted Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, who expressed disbelief that Trump would act as the kingdoms PR agent.

On Monday morning, after speaking to King Salman of Saudi Arabia by phone, President Trump tweeted that he would send Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet with the king. Later in the day, The Washington Post reported that Turkish investigators were finally allowed to search the Saudi consulate where Khashoggi was last seen.

RELATED: Reexamining coverage of MBS after Khashoggis disappearance

Khashoggis disappearance and reported murder have resulted in an international relations crisis for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), who had enjoyed close ties with the US administration after consolidating his power in the kingdom over the past year. Despite a lack of explicit condemnation of the crown prince from the White House, MBS has come under sustained criticism from leading business and media figures in the past several days.

The suggestion that a team of 15 Saudi operatives, including an autopsy expert at Saudi Arabias internal security agency, would enter Turkey to interrogate and possibly return Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia against his will, all without the knowledge of Saudi leadership, is highly unlikely. Reports of the Saudis qualified admission, along with President Trumps suggestion that the conspiracy may not reach all the way to the top, indicate that leaders of both countries are scrambling to find a way out of the crisis while still maintaining their close ties. But after the brutal silencing of a prominent journalist, the moment for compromise and cover-ups should already have passed.

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Below, more on the latest developments in the Khashoggi case.

Other notable stories:

Correction: An earlier version of this post misstated the location of the consulate where Jamal Khashoggi was last seen.

ICYMI: How to cover Kanye West: Not so much.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Pete Vernon is a former CJR staff writer. Follow him on Twitter @ByPeteVernon.Newsgeist, which was held this past weekend in Phoenix, is an unusual animal. Its invitation-only, co-sponsored by Google and the Knight Foundation (which helps fund CJR), and aimed at bringing journalists and academics and others involved in media together for an un-conference. That means there arent any sessions organized in advance: Attendees put their suggested topics on index cards, then the organizers group them, and select which ones get assigned to different rooms at Arizona State Universitys journalism school (anyone whose idea isnt chosen can also use a free room to host a discussion). The event operates under the so-called Chatham House Rule, which states that any information from the conference can be used or published, but no one can be quoted by name without their explicit permission.

The ideas at the most recent version of the conference ranged from the technical (New Formats For Storytelling) and the opinionated (How Do We Atone For the Harm We Have Caused?) to the somewhat whimsical (Pulsing, Useless Anger: How Do We Deal With It?), and everywhere in between. But as there have been for the past couple of years, there were a number of suggestions that boiled down to What Should Facebook Do? In other words, what should Facebook do for journalism? (There have also been a number of What Should Google Do? panels over the years, but theyve been less confrontational, perhaps in part because Google helps to fund the conference and many senior Googlers are usually present).

This years version of the Facebook panel, which was moderated by someone who works at Google, included two fairly senior staffers who work at the giant social network, one on the technical side and one on the media relations side. They talked about how to make quality journalism easier to find while also down-ranking misinformation in the News Feed. Many of the suggestions from the audience revolved around improving the algorithm, but one participant (who must remain nameless) raised a contentious issue: Why was Facebook even interested in quality of journalism? Without knowing the companys motivations, he suggested, its impossible to determine whether its goals are aligned with those of the press.

This exchange led to a long, awkward pause. But its a fair question. Publishers should know whether Facebooks impetus for paying attention to journalism is to boost engagement metrics and keep people on its platform longer or if Facebooks motivation has more to do with avoiding possible federal legislation or more uncomfortable appearances before Congress.

The two Facebook staffers said their sole aim was to improve the experience for users, who might be tempted by false information, but over the long term might prefer higher quality information. This wasnt an entirely satisfactory answer; it still puts Facebook in the position of wanting quality journalism primarily to keep users happy and loyal to the service. This is at odds with the reason journalistic outlets publish thingsto inform the public. Or, to put it another way, its the equivalent of a publisher who prints stories primarily in order to sell newspapers. Although Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has talked in the past about his commitment to quality information as a social good, its unclear how this is balanced with his companys commercial or financial goals.

Other panels that sparked debate included one about whether the blockchain can help save journalisma session that saw at least one F-bomb thrown by attendees, and one that seemed particularly relevant given the ongoing token sale by Civil, the blockchain-powered platform for independent journalism that seems likely to fall short of its minimum $8 million fundraising goal. Other popular topics included artificial intelligence, how to fight misinformation, the need for diversityincluding a a great lightning presentation from Heather Bryantand the shift towards reader revenue through subscriptions and membership.

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And as a kind of ironic metaphor for the industrys current situation, during one panels every cellphone started ringing or vibrating simultaneously with an emergency alert. It was about high water levels in the Phoenix area due to a tropical storm, but it could just as easily have said: Warning: We have detected declining levels of revenue and trust in the media industry. Please move to a safe location and await further instructions.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg.A Senate oversight panel next month will convene a hearing to probe the series of explosions in September that rocked several towns north of Boston, an incident that federal investigators have linked to work orders by NiSource Inc.s Columbia Gas unit that was replacing natural gas pipes when the blasts occurred.

The company was woefully unprepared for a disaster of this magnitude, Senator Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, said in a press conference Friday. Markey held up a copy of the National Transportation Safety Boards preliminary report on the blasts, which was released Thursday and he said showed Columbia Gas did not do enough to prevent this and did not respond fast enough to the disaster.

According the NTSBs report, crews contracted by Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, including an inspector from the company, were replacing a cast-iron distribution main with a plastic one on Sept. 13. When the workers removed a section of pipe containing pressure sensors, the system mistakenly registered a drop in pressure and compensated with a surge of gas into the pipes beyond maximum levels, the report said.

The ensuing chain reaction of explosions killed one man and damaged 131 structures.

The work order developed by Columbia Gas did not account for the location of the sensing lines or require their relocation to ensure the regulators were sensing actual system pressure, according to the NTSB report. It didnt reach a conclusion on the cause of the blasts that are still under investigation.

Markey said the hearing will be held in Massachusetts near where the blasts occurred and will ask pipeline safety officials what happened and whether additional measures are needed to prevent future disasters. A spokesman for the Senate Commerce committees Republican majority confirmed a hearing was planned.

The leaks occurred in a pipe network that served about 8,600 customers, some of whom are still without gas service. It snaked through the towns of Lawrence, North Andover and Andover, located about 20 miles north of Boston.

Because sensors that were still attached to the old main that was being replaced no longer detected pressure, pressure regulators fully opened allowing the full flow of high-pressure gas to be released on the system supplying the neighborhood, according to the NTSBs report.

The day after the blasts, the U.S. Transportation Departments Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration briefed U.S. House and Senate staff, according to one attendee who asking to not be identified because the call was private. Staffers were told the pressure on the system during the surge could have been up to 150 times the norm of 0.5 pounds per square inch, the person said.

NiSource President Joe Hamrock said in a statement that the company is limited in what is can say about the incident while the investigation is underway. However, we can say that, because safety is our top priority, in the hours immediately after the incident we suspended similar work and enhanced procedures related to our low pressure systems, Hamrock said.

Im very proud of the strong, dedicated team driving the restoration effort in the streets and homes, Hamrock said. We continue to expect completion by November 19th.

NiSource shares were at 24.30, down 1. percent, at 1:03 p.m. in New York trading. Shares fell 1.7 percent on Thursday, roughly in line with its peer group.

Charles Fishman, an analyst for Morningstar Inc., said in an interview that lawsuits and fines are likely to reach $100 million. NiSource will probably ask regulators for permission to speed up efforts to replace old pipe, a move that could boost earnings, he said. Fishman has a hold rating on the stock with a $26 price target.

Theyll fine them something, and theyll accelerate the capital expenditure, Fishman said. It pretty much washes out in my mind over time.

Markey said families and businesses damaged by the explosions should be fully compensated by Columbia Gas.

What happened in Massachusetts cannot and should not ever happen, Randy Knepper, director of safety and security at the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, said in an email Thursday. Pipeline safety is built around the cornerstone of never over-pressuring a system and much of that depends on communications and monitoring of different systems, he said.

The New Hampshire PUC issued a directive to operators to review all safeguards in place and analyze every possible scenario caused by excess pressure, and to provide responses within 60 days, Knepper said.

Last week, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities convened a meeting with the states gas companies to discuss safety protocols in place related to pressure issues and to share any intelligence from the NiSource blasts, James Giuliano, director of the reliability and security division, said in an Oct. 10 interview.

Copyright 2021 Bloomberg.Regulators fined the San Francisco Bay Areas transit agency $650,000 on Thursday for safety failures that led a commuter train to strike and kill two workers inspecting track five years ago during a union strike.

The California Public Utilities Commission also placed the Bay Area Rapid Transit agency on three years of probation. The commission said the fine would double if BART commits any safety violations during that period.

BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost said the agency was reviewing the decision, which nearly triples a $220,000 fine ordered by a judge last year. BART and staff members of the commissions Safety and Enforcement Division both appealed the judges order to the five-member commission.

Commissioner Liane M. Randolph said regulators increased the fine because the safety failures were egregious and BARTs response to the investigation was inadequate.

BARTs degree of wrongdoing, particularly the safety rule violations discussed above, are most troubling, Randolph wrote in the decision.

Randolph noted that BART was more than 16 months late in producing its accident report and its corrective-action plan was only two pages long and submitted four years after the accident.

Trost said BART has spent $2 million upgrading its safety barrier and plans an additional $4 million in improvements. She said the agency has overhauled its safety policies since the accident.

Laurence Daniels, 66, and Christopher Sheppard, 58, were killed in 2013 while inspecting a track east of San Francisco. At the time, the agency was scrambling to restore limited service during a workers strike.

The train that struck the workers was part of a training exercise to teach managers how to drive in case of a prolonged worker walkout. The strike ended after four days.

The judge found that a trainee with no direct supervision in the cab was driving the train. The driver slammed on the emergency brake and tried to hit the button to sound the trains horns but instead pressed a button that controls the doors.

The transit agency was using a safety procedure called simple approval, in which track inspectors were responsible for their own safety and determined they could clear the track within 15 seconds of an approaching train.

BART has since eliminated that policy. BART trains are now required to stop if a worker is within 6 feet of the track. BART says it has improved communications between drivers, track inspectors and the control center.

The workers had their backs to the train when they were struck in violation of agency safety rules. One member of inspection crews is always supposed to be watching for trains.

The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined BART $210,000 in 2014.

In addition, BART has paid the family of Daniels $300,000 to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit. BART said Sheppards family settled a workers compensation claim, but Trost said she didnt know the amount paid.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Rapid population growth and the desire to live near forests means new housing in western Montana is being built in wildfire-prone areas, increasing taxpayer-funded fire suppression liabilities and putting lives and property in danger, according to a new study.

Half of all new homes built in Missoula County between 1990 and 2016 were in areas at high or moderate risk from wildfires. In Ravalli County, more than 90 percent of homes built in the same period were at high wildfire hazard, says a report from Headwaters Economics in Bozeman.

Ravalli Countys 6,987 houses built in high hazard areas in that 26-year period is more than in all other western Montana counties combined.

In Missoula County, 2,234 houses were built in the most fire-prone areas and another 2,153 were built in moderately dangerous areas.

Chris Mehl, the deputy mayor of Bozeman and the policy director at Headwaters Economics, said Missoula and Ravalli counties have topography that causes development in the wildland-urban interface.

Its not surprising that Missoula and Ravalli are way ahead of everyone else, he told the Missoulian. Gallatin County is growing faster but were not building them in the woods as much.

Missoula County Commissioner Dave Strohmaier said he doesnt think the county has weighed wildfire risk heavily enough in land-use decisions in the past, but he believes that is changing.

The county has a Community Wildfire Protection Plan and subdivision regulations that are intended to mitigate the risks of development. Also, a Community Mitigation Assistance Team was coming to Missoula to talk about a cohesive, community-wide wildfire response strategy.

The challenge in how our community and how our county grows is that you have various competing interests, he explained. There are concerns that we not build in prime agricultural soils. And that you dont want to be building in wildlife habitat or corridors or riparian areas or other areas of cultural significance. So you start narrowing down areas of truly developable land.

As a result, he said, people start eyeing upland areas with forests or grasslands and saying why dont we build there?

Couple that with the fact that, traditionally, folks in Montana and throughout the West, for that matter, like to live where they want to live without being overly regulated, he said. You have people building in highly flammable landscapes that have traditionally burned and are adapted to fire and need to burn and will burn.

What happens, he said, is that people living in the fire prone areas individually benefit from a nice place to live while not taking on the full cost of the wildfire risk. Youve privatized the benefits and socialized the costs.

When wildfire occurs, we all pick up the tab, he added. Were kind of disproportionately deploying resources to where arguably people shouldnt be living in the first place.

Headwaters, an independent research firm, used data from the Montana Department of Revenue and Missoula-based wildfire threat assessment research firm Pyrologix.

Pyrologix was hired by the U.S. Forest Service Northern Region to compile the data. To determine which areas are high wildfire hazard areas, the company used wildfire simulation modeling that incorporates the likelihood of a wildfire burning, the intensity of a fire if it were to occur and the generic susceptibility of a structure to those intensities. The 25 counties in western Montana studied were categorized by the Forest Service into three classes based on relative hazard: High, moderate and low.

Headwaters found that if development near fire-prone forests continues and global temperatures continue to rise, fire suppression costs in Montana will increase by at least $4 million every year. The report said that is a conservative estimate, because recent studies in Oregon and Northern California show that there are higher firefighting costs associated with low-density development of new homes and much of firefighting costs are estimated to be attributable to the defense of private property.

Ravalli County Commissioner Jeff Burrows said the Bitterroot Valleys geography has meant lots of development in the wildland-urban interface, a term for where human development meets fire prone areas.

In Ravalli County, were 73 percent national forest and public land, he said. Basically anywhere you build is in the wildland-urban interface. Theres not a lot of area to build. And a lot of the lower areas of the valley, by the time you take out private property and floodplain areas . between the bottom and where you get to the National Forest boundary theres not a lot of property left in between there.

Just the way were set up, a long skinny valley, theres inherent conflicts.

In 2008, Ravalli County voters repealed the countys growth policy by a vote of 9,674 to 8,367. State law requires counties to have a growth policy before they can adopt zoning rules to dictate residential and commercial construction areas, stream-side setbacks and other land-use regulations.

The county does have several dozen citizen-initiated zoning districts that give local landowners a say in guiding future development. The county also has subdivision regulations that give the Planning Department staff the authority to determine whether to apply certain design standards to subdivisions in high fire hazard areas. Applicants for subdivisions in these areas also must provide a high fire hazard area management plan completed by a professional forester or someone with accredited knowledge in fire suppression for all lots and roadways within the subdivision, including any open space or fuel breaks.

Burrows noted the county encourages citizens to take advantage of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservations fuels mitigation program, which provides a 50/50 cost-sharing split for landowners to reduce hazardous fuels on their property.

We do have a community wildfire protection plan, he said. Yeah, weve got houses that have been built that dont have the best access (for fire responders) but there is grant money available. The Forest Service is working hard on fuels reduction on their side of the boundary.

Wildfire suppression costs are handled mainly by the state and federal governments, but having lots of residential development in high wildfire hazard areas indirectly affects local budgets, Burrows said.

Theres an impact of fire traffic on roads, he said. Wildfires affect the public safety budget through dispatch, the Sheriffs Office and the Office of Emergency Management.

In Ravalli County in the summer of 2017, more than 200 homes built near forested areas had to be evacuated due to the Lolo Peak fire. In the summer of 2016, the Roaring Lion fire near Hamilton burned 16 homes and claimed one life, eventually costing $11 million to fight.

Jim Knapp, the chief of the Corvallis Rural Fire District, said the summers of 2016 and 2017 were stressful and expensive for fire personnel in the valley, who all help each other out in times of need.

Since 2000, it seems like every year all the valley fire departments just wonder where the fires gonna hit this year, he said. I think its inevitable that growth will occur in the wildland-urban interface, but I also feel that counties around the state are starting to address some of the concerns.

Everybodys kind of waking up to that, realizing that if we build in those kinds of areas we have some kind of responsibility to use the right types of building materials and have access roads with ingress and egress in case of an emergency.

Knapp believes all the fires in the last two decades have taught governments and fire personnel a lot about residential developments risks.

I think were going to continue to see a little bit more responsible growth in the wildland-urban interface, he said.

Montanas 2017 wildfire season was the states worst on record, with more than a million acres going up in smoke. Places like Missoula and Seeley Lake saw long periods of unhealthy air and a drop in tourism revenue. That summers firefighting came at a total cost of $400 million, with a record $74 million of that falling on state taxpayers.

From 1990 to 2016, Missoula Countys population grew 47 percent while Montanas overall population grew by 30 percent. The county accounted for 10 percent of all homes built in Montana in that time period, 11,678.

Strohmaier remembers two subdivisions that were recently approved in the county, one in a thick pine forest and one on an irrigated pasture, that were both rated as having a moderate fire risk by the countys metrics.

Something is not quite right there, he said. The time is right. We need to take a hard look at land use planning. If theres any place in the country that ought to be at the tip of the spear when it comes to thinking about fire and how to be adaptable and resilient, it ought to be here in Missoula with the Fire Sciences Laboratory right here.

He also said that a proposed open space bond on the November ballot could help, if passed, to mitigate wildfire risks. Money from the bond could be used to limit development in the higher risk areas in the wildland-urban interface to make us more resilient to fire.

Paul Finlay, the assistant fire chief at the Missoula Rural Fire District, said he and his staff know theres a lot of development in the forested areas around Missoula.

We continue to try to deal with that as best we can through some efforts we have going on all the time, he said. We have classes and we have a fuel mitigation program we sponsor, as well, to help homeowners in the wildland-urban interface better protect their home.

Finlay said the drainages in the valley, such as Rattlesnake Creek, Grant Creek and OBrien Creek, have seen lots of development pressure in forested hillsides.

Our biggest concerns are areas with the most growth, and that includes the Highway 12 corridor, which has been impacted a number of times in the past few years by wildland fire, he said. The Highway 200 corridor (east of Missoula) is a part of that.

Finlay said his department responds to fire calls year-round.

The houses are less frequent, I would say, but nonetheless the challenges are dramatically more with access and the ability to work around them, he said of the wildland-urban interface. Theres tight spots among the trees.

Finlay said he wouldnt call development in the interface a burden, but acknowledged that houses in these areas present a special challenge.

It certainly impacts our response times, he said. A fire department is challenged in a number of ways, and that happens to be one of the challenges we face every day in homes in the outer reaches.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.AKRON, Ohio - Sage Lewis and his nonprofit Homeless Charity, which runs a tent encampment for the homeless in the Middlebury neighborhood, sued the city Tuesday in a bid to allow the homeless to stay on the property.

Working with the Institute for Justice, Lewis and his nonprofit filed the suit in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, citing property rights, due-process rights and the right to seek and obtain safety.

A news conference announcing the suit is planned for 11 a.m. Tuesday at the property.

The suit is a response to Akron City Council's rejection of legislation in September that would have granted a zoning change making the encampment at 15 Broad St. a legal campground.

Instead, the city approved a measure that would help relocate the approximately 45 people living on the grounds to permanent housing with the help of several Summit County organizations.

The encampment started with a couple tents in late 2016, when Summit Metro Parks moved about 50 homeless people living at separate campsites out of the path of the Freedom Trail. The trail runs under the Y-Bridge and along the railroad tracks outside downtown Akron.

Lewis allowed the people to set up their tents in the back yard of his commercial property, and the encampment, then known as the Second Chance Village, slowly grew.

According to the Institute for Justice, providing shelter for needy members of society is a legitimate use of private property and the city of Akron hasn't provided a good reason why it would impede that effort at 15 Broad St.

The group also says the city would do harm to the homeless by putting them back on the streets and that the homeless have the right to stay on private property as long as they have the property owner's permission.

Want more Akron news? Sign up for cleveland.com's Rubber City Daily, an email newsletter delivered at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.AKRON, Ohio - The Akron Community Foundation, along with local leaders and philanthropists, will honor 2018 Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award recipient Tom Knoll at a reception Tuesday.

The sold-out reception, which includes dinner, will take place at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn.

The Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award was established in 1969 to honor the late Bert A. Polsky, who was the founding trustee of the Akron Community Foundation. The award is presented each year to an individual or couple who "best exemplifies Bert Polsky's selfless dedication to humanitarian causes in Akron," according to the foundation.

Knoll, the co-founder of Akron-based law firm Stark & Knoll, has more than 50 years of legal experience assisting businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout Northeast Ohio. Knoll is the co-founder of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Summit, Medina and Stark Counties and First Tee of Greater Akron. He and his wife, Ginny, have also served as co-chairs of several charity campaigns, including the 2018 Summa Health Sapphire Ball and Habitat for Humanity's "A Home of Our Own" capital campaign.

Knoll also helped create Leadership Akron's N.E.X.T. program, which connects retired executives with important community leadership roles. In addition, he has served as a board member of nearly two dozen nonprofit organizations, including the Akron Community Foundation, GAR Foundation, Goodwill Industries of Akron, the University of Akron Foundation and Boy Scouts of America Great Trail Council.

A graduate of the The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Knoll has won awards for his humanitarian work, including the Sir Thomas More Award from the Akron Bar Association and the H. Peter Burg Award from the Greater Akron Chamber.

Want more Akron news? Sign up for cleveland.com's Rubber City Daily, an email newsletter delivered at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.BRECKSVILLE, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County will help the city pay close to $682,000 in back sewer taxes for dozens of residents in Four Seasons, an upscale subdivision.

The county will contribute $95,000 toward the payoff, under an agreement City Council approved last week. The city will cover the remaining $587,000.

The bailout became necessary after the city discovered earlier this year that the county, for the last 15 years, was undercharging Four Seasons property owners for sanitary sewers built in 2001.

Last week's council vote was 4-1. Council members Gerald Broski, Louise N. Carouse Jr., Laura Redinger and Dennis Rose voted in favor of the agreement. Councilman Jack Petsche voted against it.

Council members Michael Harwood and Kim Veras abstained from the vote because they live in Four Seasons. Gregory Skaljac, former council president, also lives in Four Seasons, according to records on the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office website.

A resident named Dan Kolick also lives in Four Seasons. Strongsville Assistant Law Director Dan Kolick couldn't be reached Tuesday regarding whether he is that same person. For a previous story on Four Seasons, Kolick didn't return calls.

More than 300 Brecksville residents squeezed into council chambers for last week's meeting to express their opinions about the city-county deal. Of the 30 or so residents who spoke, about 70 percent opposed the use of city money to pay back sewer taxes for one set of residents.

Residents also believed that council and the administration tried to hide their actions by discussing Four Seasons in private executive sessions, then voting to appropriate city money for the sewer taxes before the matter appeared on a council agenda.

Mayor Jerry Hruby, who backed the sewer-tax payoff, told residents the city was not playing favorites with Four Seasons. For example, he said the city appropriated between $270,000 and $300,000 for sewers on Riverview Road and about $300,000 for sewers on Hilton and Whitewood roads.

Conversely, the city originally contributed no money toward the Four Seasons sewer construction, Hruby said. The entire amount was charged to homeowners, minus whatever the developer paid.

Hruby said the city's other option, aside from the bailout, was to place liens on the 80 homes in Four Seasons to try to collect back sewer taxes, a move that the city believes, in addition to being impractical, would lead to lawsuits and legal fees.

"Your county has failed you, and many of you think your city has failed you, but the bottom line is we have a problem," Hruby told residents. "And the solution is this legislation (the county agreement).

"And if you disagree ... next year is an election year," Hruby told residents. "Get rid of us (officeholders), plain and simple."

Tax turmoil

Four Seasons was built in 2001 by Broadview Heights developer Petros Development Corp.

Hruby said Petros built the Four Seasons sanitary sewers, along with a water main, in 2001. The sewer project cost about $1.3 million.

Four Seasons has been built in phases, with a fifth phase now under construction. Hruby said streets and utility lines have been laid. Some homes in the fifth phase are already occupied.

The city borrowed money for the Four Seasons sewers by issuing a bond. Residents, through assessments, were supposed to pay off the debt over 20 years. They started paying in 2002 for the tax year 2001. Total repayment is due in 2021.

Hruby said the county was supposed to assess Four Seasons homeowners $1,212 a year, split into two annual payments, for 20 years. The county charged the correct amounts for tax years 2001 and 2002, but inexplicably started assessing homeowners half that amount, or $606, in each subsequent year.

That means Four Seasons residents owe a total of $681,742 in back sewer taxes.

Law Director David Matty said it was the responsibility of the former Cuyahoga County Auditor's Office, now the county Fiscal Office, to place sewer assessments on the taxes of Four Seasons residents. He said he was unable to find any document explaining why the assessment was cut in half for the tax year 2003.

Hruby told residents last week that Brecksville's Finance Department didn't notice the county's error for years because assessments the city receives from residents for all infrastructure improvement projects -- for which City Hall makes debt payments -- are placed in one big pot. No one knows which funds come from where for which project.

The city had no reason to believe anything was wrong, because audits done by the State of Ohio and even private firms hired by the city came back clean, Hruby said. Everyone assumed the county's numbers were correct. However, when the Brecksville debt-repayment fund started drying up, city officials knew there was a problem.

Hruby said it was council's decision years ago to lump all assessments for all infrastructure projects into one debt repayment fund. But because of what happened in Four Seasons, the city will now keep assessments for each project separate from each other.

Executive sessions

Petsche said council discussed the Four Seasons situation in four executive or private sessions over several weeks leading up to the Aug. 7 public council meeting.

State Sunshine Laws allow public bodies to meet in executive session to discuss litigation or pending litigation. City officials believed lawsuits were possible if the city tried to collect back sewer taxes from Four Seasons residents, and they also considered suing the county for the tax shortfall.

At the Aug. 7 meeting, council made a motion to pay Four Seasons' back sewer taxes and have Matty negotiate with the county for a monetary contribution. The matter never appeared on a council agenda until after Aug. 7, so residents couldn't have known beforehand what was happening.

"This is the opposite of transparency in government," Petsche said at the time.

At last week's council meeting, Petsche said council did nothing illegal under the city charter. However, he added that perhaps the charter should be changed.

Petsche said he was glad that the Four Seasons issue finally saw the light of day, even though it stoked hard feelings among Brecksville residents.

"I'm sorry it sets neighbor against neighbor, but that's the nature of this issue," Petsche said.

Petsche stood by his previous position against the city paying off the Four Seasons back sewer taxes. He said the city is borrowing $10.5 million to build a new police station, $5 million for an aquatics center and $6 million for a field house, so an extra $587,000 would come in handy.

Carouse, who voted in favor of the Four Seasons bailout, said council considered several alternatives, including the issuing of new bonds and assessments. However, the city's bond attorneys said such moves are illegal.

"It's a bad situation and there is no nice way to end it, where everybody's going to walk away happy," Carouse said.

Carouse said that in addition to the city appropriating money for past sewer projects, it spent $7 million to mitigate flooding throughout town. He said his neighborhood didn't benefit from that $7 million, showing that council doesn't favor its own members.

Carouse denied that council operated in secret. He said council believed it had to act quickly to secure county money, which is why it voted Aug. 7 to pay off the Four Seasons debt, even though the matter hadn't appeared on a council agenda.

Broski, responding to a resident who suggested that council compromise with those opposing the Four Seasons bailout, said he learned in law school that compromise is a sign of weakness and an admission of defeat.

"Strong men don't compromise and principles should never be compromised," Broski said.

Rose said that what happened with the Four Seasons sewer taxes was a unique, difficult problem.

"The law doesn't comprehend this happening," Rose said.

Hruby said a flyer residents had circulated about Four Seasons contained "incorrect information" and was "filled with innuendo."

Hruby said the city was transparent about Four Seasons. He said he sent out letters -- first to Four Seasons residents over the summer, then to the general population Oct. 1 -- explaining what was happening.

"I'm not scolding you, but every time there is a major issue in Brecksville, and I think it's like that in every town, people show up saying, 'I didn't know about this,'" Hruby told residents.

"Well, folks, unless I go around knocking on everybody's door, I don't know how you would know about it, if you don't read the (city) bulletin, you don't read cleveland.com, you don't read the (city) web page, you don't pay attention to council meetings."CLEVELAND, Ohio - City Council cast the second of three votes Monday to impose $4 fees on shuttle and limousine operators each time they ferry passengers to and from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Council approved the ordinance on second reading by a 17-0 vote. City Council President Kevin Kelley said before the meeting that he wanted to give it an extra week for public comment.

Kelley expects the ordinance will be approved next week on its third reading.

Council has been studying the fee proposal for several months, holding multiple hearings to allow ride providers to have their say. Limousine operators and shuttle services for hotels and off-site parking all have opposed the extra fee.

The legislation would expand the $4 fee now collected from ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft as well as taxi cabs to cover the shuttle and limousine services.

On Monday afternoon, council's Finance Committee approved two changes to the legislation:

The fee now would not take effect until Jan. 1, 2019.

The fee would not be assessed to any company after their 100,000th pickup or drop off at the airport.

Airport Director Robert Kennedy said a few of the ride services already make that many passenger deliveries a year and expects others will follow.

No plans exist to expand airport parking in the short term, Kennedy said. As traffic through the airport grows, off-site parking services may expand.

Kennedy estimates the fee would raise $1.8 million a year. That money would help ease the operating costs charged to the airlines each year, making Cleveland more competitive with other airports in its market, Kennedy said.

Under the operating deal between Cleveland and the airlines, the carriers pick up the tab for any operating costs left over after all revenues are put against airport expenses.

Annually the carriers pay about $90 million a year of the airport's operating costs.Quincy, FL --

Over the last few days, the Farm Share organization has continued to move water, food and other supplies to areas affected by Hurricane Michael.

Farm Share

is scheduled to pick up 10 semi-loads of water that will be delivered to Farm Shares Quincy Facility for Hurricane Michael Relief Efforts. Farm Share has an additional 10 semi-loads that will be delivered to Farm Shares Jacksonville Facility and then ferried over to Farm Shares Quincy Facility as needed. Additionally, Farm Share is now working with FEMA directly and will be receiving 10 semi-loads of water, 10 semi-loads of MREs, and 5 semi-loads of diaper kits for babies and toddlers at Farm Shares Quincy Facility. Total new loads scheduled to be acquired this week related to Hurricane Michael is 45 semi-truck loads. Additional loads are still being picked up for normal operations at the organization's other facilities.

Farm Shares Quincy Facility

still does not have power, and there is no time frame being provided on when power might be restored. Despite this challenge, Farm Shares staff is continuing to move food and disaster related items. As a result of the long term power outage, Farm Share is also starting to move food from its freezers and coolers. These products will reportedly be used as part of the mobile kitchens and hot meals operations and cooked for the first responders and volunteers as well as the victims of the hurricane.

Since the last update Farm Share has engaged in the following operations:



On Saturday Farm Share held an emergency food distribution with the Sheriffs office out of Wakulla. Farm Share sent two (2) box trucks full of water, MREs and other food.



On Saturday they also delivered a semi-truck full of water to St. Dominics in Panama City.



On Sunday they sent one (1) box truck to a shelter in Blountstown



On Sunday they sent one (1) box truck to the Chipola Family Ministry

 On Sunday they sent one (1) box truck to a shelter in Gadsden County

. On Sunday they sent one semi-truck to Springfield Community Church in Bay County



On Sunday they sent one (1) box truck to Carrabelle Arch Angel Church



On Sunday they sent one (1) box truck to East Point 1st Baptist Church



On Monday they delivered a semi-truck to Bonifay and Chipley.

Total pounds distributed to date is 930,000 pounds, according to the organization.

, a 27-year-old food nonprofit, continues to deploy semi-trucks with resources from its warehouses in Homestead, Pompano Beach and Jacksonville heading towards the Panhandle and North Florida to assist those in need.

Farm Shares Hurricane Michael Relief Efforts may be made on-line at Donations formay be made on-line at farmshare.org or by contacting Gussie Flynn at 305.246.3276

Offices include:



Quincy: 18212 Blue Star Highway (HWY 90) Quincy, FL 32351

 Jacksonville: 1502 Jessie Street Jacksonville, FL 32206

Courtesy of Farm ShareAKRON, Ohio -- Police have arrested two teens accused of robbing a 22-year-old man at gunpoint.

According to police, the man was walking to a friend's home at about 10 p.m. Friday on the 800 block of West Market Street in the Highland Square neighborhood when the two teens, ages 17 and 13, approached.

The teens pulled handguns and demanded the man's wallet. The victim threw his wallet on the ground and began running. The suspects took the wallet and ran north on West Market, police say.

Officers later spotted the two suspects a short distance away near North Portage Path and Dopler Street. The teens surrendered to police without incident.

Officers recovered two weapons, a 9mm handgun and a BB gun.

Both suspects have been charged with aggravated robbery and carrying a concealed weapon a facsimile firearms. They are being held in the Summit County Juvenile Detention Center.

To comment on this story, visit the crime and courts comments page.CLEVELAND, Ohio - Our 20th president will be honored Thursday, Oct. 18, when the Camp Ravenna Joint Military Training Center in Portage and Trumbull counties will be officially renamed Camp James A. Garfield.

The facility once used as a U.S. Army ammunition manufacturing plant is now one of the Ohio Army National Guard's three joint military training centers for military units, civilian law enforcement officers and first responders.

According to a National Guard press release, the camp is undergoing a $37 million upgrade.

Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio assistant adjutant general for Army, noted in the release, "The renaming represents a historic point in the history of this location."

He added, "Camp James Garfield is a state-of-the-art training facility that allows the Ohio National Guard to train in live, virtual and gaming scenarios and achieve the highest levels of readiness in the most efficient way possible."

Garfield, an Ohio native, fought for the Union during the Civil War, rising to the rank of major-general.

He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1863 to 1881, when he took office as president.

He died in September of that same year from an assassin's bullet, making his tenure in office the second-shortest in U.S. presidential history, after William Henry Harrison.

According to the Ohio National Guard, Garfield's legacy of military service was carried on by three generations of his descendants who all served in the state's National Guard.

Camp Ravenna was formerly known as the Ravenna Army Ammunition Plant, commonly known as the "Ravenna Arsenal," and supplied American troops overseas during World War II, the Korean War and the war in Vietnam.

The Ohio National Guard has used the 21,000-acre installation as a joint military training center since 2013.

Upgrades to the site in the seven-year project include a multipurpose machine gun range, combat pistol qualification course, automated record fire range, new barracks, training buildings and an engagement skills trainer simulation building.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A former maintenance foreman at Strongsville City Schools was sent to prison for nine months for stealing more than $64,000 in items from the suburban school system.

School officials and prosecutors on Wednesday made impassioned pleas for a strong sentence to be imposed on Robert Schwerman, a longtime school district employee who for five years bought items he said he needed to help care for the schools and took them home.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Carolyn Friedland handed down the nine-month sentence. She could have sentenced Schwerman anywhere from probation to three years in prison.

"He didn't steal money for his family to eat," Strongsville School Board President Carl Naso said. "He stole toys. A man that steals money from children to buy himself toys is a man without moral compass."

Schwerman, 49, apologized to the school district, the court and his family. Defense attorney John Gibbons said he didn't believe Schwerman was a "master thief," but instead "an emotional wreck and a sad person."

Gibbons said Schwerman has "obvious psychological and psychiatric issues" but did not further elaborate.

After Strongsville's school board auctioned off several of the stolen items and the state auditor's office factored in deprciation, Schwerman needed to pay back $44,700. Schwerman paid $50,000 in restitution after his guilty plea to third-degree felony charges of theft in office and tampering with evidence. He will be paid back the difference.

Meyers said the investigations showed he stole from the school district 79 different times, sometimes for things as small as screws that he used on the deck of his Lorain home. His largest theft was a $20,000 customized John Deere tractor, fitted with aftermarket speakers and a heating system, that prosecutors said he barely used.

He also stole a $9,000 lawn mower, a carport and tool shed that once stood on school district property and equipment for his home, including a furnace, water heater, thermal cameras and a snow plow.

Schwerman began submitting invoices for items in 2012, when the district was embarking on an $81 million bond initiative that took up most of the school's business department's time and energy, Superintendent Cameron Ryba said.

"Mr. Schwerman saw this as an opportunity to exploit the vast scope of responsibility in the department and search for areas of vulnerability in procedural safeguards," Ryba said. "He became skilled at getting necessary purchase orders approved, yet sliding in invoices that were steeped in part numbers and codes he was using for purchases for his personal benefit."

Ryba said the money Schwerman stole was enough to sponsor tuition payments for 30 full-time kindergarten students, enough cleaning supplies for the entire school district for two years or Chromebooks for all 300 students at Chapman Elementary School.

Ryba said Schwerman eroded the trust the district has tried to build with the public at a time when the district is asking voters in November to approve a new levy for the first time since 2007.

"Mr. Schwerman's selfish actions may have destroyed some of the trust we have so carefully built as a district," Ryba said.LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- Lakewood police have identified the man who was struck and killed by an early Monday morning train.

Gabriel N. Lopez, 29, of Cleveland was lying on the tracks between the rails as the train approached, Lakewood police said in a news release.

Lopez did not move and he was struck by the train, police said. He died at the scene.

Police have not determined the reason why Lopez was on the tracks. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office is investigating the incident to determine a manner of death.

The crash caused several crossings to remain blocked as police investigated.

To comment on this story, go to the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section.PARMA, Ohio -- A 38-year-old suspect has been charged with one count of murder in connection with the stabbing death of a man on Friday.

Parma police say Thomas Woodrum Jr. will be arraigned Tuesday morning in Parma Municipal Court.

Woodrum is accused of killing Jason Masters, 39, in a home on the 6700 block of Brownfield Drive.

Officers were called to the home just before midnight Friday. They found Masters in the basement with multiple stab wounds.

Masters died at the scene despite the efforts of rescue workers, police say.

According to police, Woodrum initially left the scene but surrendered to police at the Parma Justice Center early Saturday morning.

Police have not released further details on the incident but say it remains under investigation and more charges are possible.

To comment on this story, visit Monday's crime and courts comments page.WESTLAKE, Ohio -- Westlake police are searching for help identifying a man captured on video surveillance robbing a convenience store Friday night.

Investigators were called to the Convenient Store on Detroit at Dover Center Road just before 10:30 p.m. after a clerk reported that a man ran the store at gunpoint, Westlake police said.

The man, who appeared on surveillance video wearing a dark gray hoodie and black jeans, entered the store and waved a handgun and demanded cash, police said.

The portly built man can be seen pointing a handgun at the store clerk before running away with an undisclosed amount of money.

Anyone with information should call Westlake police at 440-871-3311.

To comment on this story, visit Monday's crime and courts comments page.CLEVELAND, Ohio - Mirroring a recent action by the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Institute of Music has suspended trombone department head Massimo La Rosa pending an investigation into claims of sexual misconduct.

CIM President Paul Hogle announced the decision in a letter to students, faculty, and staff on Monday.

The Cleveland Orchestra, where La Rosa also serves as principal trombone, also is investigating the claims, and suspended La Rosa on the same grounds in September.

"The Institute's administration understands the weight of its responsibility to students, and is following the protections and requirements that Title IX affords to all parties," said Hogle in a written statement separate from the letter. "Every day, CIM cultivates and defends an environment where students and employees are comfortable sharing concerns in the belief they will be taken seriously."

CIM offered no details of the allegations against La Rosa, a member of its faculty and Cleveland Orchestra since 2007, and La Rosa did not immediately return a request for comment Tuesday.

The suspension did not take place in a vacuum, however.

A 2013 article in Inside Higher Ed stated that La Rosa was the subject of a 2011 police report at the University of Iowa, and that the filer had opted not to pursue criminal charges.

The Plain Dealer also reported, in December 2017, that La Rosa had filed a lawsuit against a lecturer at the University of Iowa and a well-known trombonist, claiming the two had defamed him by accusing him of "multiple sexual assaults on numerous college campuses [where La Rosa] had been invited to as a guest instructor."

CIM's letter to faculty Monday included an invitation to submit information "helpful to this process" and directed readers to counseling resources and the school's policy on sexual harassment. In his statement after the letter, Hogle said the school has "refocused and formalized" its stance on harassment and adopted clearer policies and procedures for reporting it.

The letter also named bass trombone professor Randall Hawes as a temporary replacement for La Rosa, describing the Detroit Symphony Orchestra member as a "consummate artist and pedagogue."STRONGSVILLE, Ohio -- On Nov. 6, residents here will decide whether Giant Eagle can build a GetGo Cafe + Market and gas station at the northwest corner of Ohio 82 and Webster Road.

Issue 103, if approved by voters, would rezone most of about 311/2 acres to make the project possible. The issue must pass both citywide and in Ward 1, where the GetGo would be located.

The project would include transferring most of the site -- about 23.9 acres -- to Cleveland Metroparks' Mill Stream Run Reservation, which is directly west of the proposed GetGo site. A Metroparks spokesperson said earlier this year that the park system would use the land for "passive recreation."

City Council approved the rezoning for the ballot in July. The lone dissenting vote came from Councilwoman Kelly Kosek, who did not explain her position at the time. She did not return calls for comment this week.

On Monday night, council unanimously defeated another rezoning that would have allowed a Circle K gas station and convenience store at the southwest corner of Ohio 82 and West 130th Street -- about 1,500 feet east of the proposed GetGo site.

Lots of land

The proposed GetGo site consists of four lots of various sizes and zoning classifications, measuring a total of about 31 1/2 acres.

Two smaller lots, together measuring about 1.75 acres, are owned by Michael and Lori F. Catanzarite, part of the family that established Pat Catan's Arts and Crafts Stores.

Nick Catanzarite, a real estate attorney with the Cleveland law firm Walter Haverfield LLP, is representing Giant Eagle in this project.

At a public hearing in July, Nick Catanzarite told council that his family would donate its 1.75 acres to the Metroparks if the GetGo project moves forward.

Last week, Michael Catanzarite told cleveland.com that he has no financial interest in the GetGo project.

Two larger lots, together measuring nearly 30 acres, are owned by Spirnak Family LP. Both lots contain single-family homes.

A lot containing Hofer's Auto Service, at the very corner of Ohio 82 and Webster, and an isolated residential lot containing a home -- on Ohio 82 near the Metroparks' Valley Parkway -- are not part of the rezoning proposal.

Hofer's, as of now, is still open for business, according to a man who answered the phone there Monday. The man, who would not identify himself, said Giant Eagle would buy Hofer's if the GetGo is constructed.

Brent Painter, Strongsville's economic development director, confirmed Monday that Giant Eagle would purchase Hofer's if the GetGo project proceeds. He said the last he heard is that Giant Eagle has no plans for the Hofer's lot.

Giant Eagle spokesman Dan Donovan said the Hofer's property would be converted to green space "to allow for a soft transition between the proposed GetGo and surrounding area."

Slicing & dicing

The GetGo would stand close to Ohio 82, directly west of Hofer's. Giant Eagle would create a new lot, measuring about 3.2 acres, for the service station, and rezone most of the lot from a local-business district to motorist-service district, which permits gas stations.

Under the city charter, council can rezone that specific area on its own, without voter approval, because the rezoning would involve business districts only. Voter approval is needed only for rezonings of residential property.

In July, Councilman Matt Schonhut said council would not rezone the business-district portions unless the residential rezonings first clear the November ballot.

Giant Eagle would like to add a relatively thin strip of residential land to the rear of its proposed GetGo lot. That is the part that would require voter approval.

Meanwhile, the rest of the 31 1/2 acres -- land to the north and west of the proposed GetGo -- would be rezoned into a public-facilities district and become part of the Metroparks Mill Stream Run Reservation.

Most of the land earmarked for the Metroparks is residential, so voters would have to approve the proposed rezoning to public facilities. A thin, bowling-alley lot near Valley Parkway is commercial, so council could rezone that property on its own, if it chooses.

"Converting the majority of the property to public facilities will limit the future retail development on Royalton Road," Giant Eagle and Nick Catanzarite said in their application to the city. "Further, Cleveland Metroparks will utilize the property to benefit the community."

Traffic concerns

At a public hearing in July, about 10 residents who live near the proposed GetGo site expressed concerns about the project, especially regarding traffic.

Lori Mahajan, of Chase Moor Drive, said the GetGo would generate additional traffic -- about 100 new car trips to each gas pump every day -- to an intersection that has already seen 17 vehicle crashes over the past three years.

Mahajan questioned whether another gas station is needed in Strongsville. She said GetGo already has a station nearby in North Royalton.

Historically, Giant Eagle has built GetGo stations near its grocery stores. The only Giant Eagle in Strongsville -- a Giant Eagle Market District on Pearl Road south of Ohio 82 -- already has a GetGo to the south on Pearl.

But Donovan said that, while Giant Eagle and GetGo are connected through their fuelperks program -- in which Giant Eagle customers receive discounts on gasoline at GetGo -- the two stores are unique and meet different customer needs.

"With a comparatively smaller footprint, our GetGo locations allow us to make our high-quality foods available in areas that may be unable to accommodate a supermarket," Donovan said.

This story has been updated to include comments from Giant Eagle.CLEVELAND, Ohio - Wow Air, one of two Iceland-based airlines that started flying from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in May, won't return to Cleveland next year.

Cleveland is one of several U.S. routes being cut by the low-cost carrier, which is facing financial challenges, likely from growing too fast, according to industry analysts.

Routes from St. Louis and Cincinnati will also be eliminated. Wow's last flight from Cleveland is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 26.

According to a statement from the airline: "Unfortunately, these routes did not perform as we hoped this summer with load factors not achieving the targets that were set for the route in the beginning, and compared to other markets in our network."

A spokeswoman for Wow declined to say what Cleveland's load factors were (that is, the percentage of seats on a plane that are full).

Just last month, the airline, in a press release about fare sales, committed to returning to Cleveland next spring after a hiatus over the winter.

Officials with Cleveland Hopkins Tuesday said they were told by the airline that the route met its load factor goals, but that the flight's yields - that is, the amount of money made per mile flown - were lower than expected. That usually indicates that fares are too low.

Said airport director Robert Kennedy: "The Cleveland market responded well to the low-cost airfares Wow air provided. While we are disappointed with the discontinuation of their service, the strong demand response to Wow air and Icelandair's launch proves that there is a growing demand for transatlantic service from Cleveland."

Wow announced its plans for Cleveland in August 2017 with much fanfare, returning transatlantic service to Northeast Ohio after nearly a decade with no nonstop flights between Hopkins and Europe. Cleveland was one of four new U.S. cities that Wow launched at about the same time, in spring 2018.

Cleveland was unique among those cities, however, in that Icelandair - Iceland's long-time legacy carrier, and Wow's chief competitor - announced new service from Cleveland at the same time.

It's unclear whether the competition from Icelandair in Cleveland contributed to Wow's decision to leave the market. It did not face similar competition in Cincinnati and St. Louis, and is pulling out of those markets, as well.

More likely, Wow is facing financial pressure from competition industrywide, both in Iceland and from U.S. legacy carriers, which have dropped fares to Europe to compete with Wow and other low-cost airlines.

Wow, founded in 2011, offers super-low fares to multiple destinations in Europe, then tacks on extra fees for baggage, advanced-seat assignments, food and other amenities.

Industry consultant Robert Mann said he's not surprised by Wow's retraction. "If you look around the world, ultra-low-cost long haul has really not proven itself," said Mann, with R.W. Mann & Co., in New York. "It's a very difficult business model to make work," especially as fuel prices increase.

Wow last month issued $70 million in bonds, to help refinance debt and fund future operations, according to reports. And even that may not be enough to keep it afloat, said Mann.

Cleveland offered both Wow and Icelandair $1 million each in marketing and advertising support, to be spread over two years, in exchange for the new service. According to the airport, Wow spent just $55,000 of that money, in support of the 2018 Cleveland Marathon and 2018 North Coast Harbor Ice Fest.

Icelandair, meanwhile, announced last month that it was suspending service from Cleveland over the winter months, but would resume the route in late March.

Related: How Cleveland Hopkins scored two flights to Iceland in one weekFreed American pastor Andrew Brunson prays for President Donald Trump at the White House on October 13, 2018. Photo: ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images

Andrew Brunson almost certainly did not belong in a Turkish prison. The American pastor, freed on Friday after extensive lobbying from the Trump administration, had lived and worked in Turkey for 23 years without incident. Turkeys charges, which accused Brunson of being a spy with links to Kurdish insurgents and to the Gulenist movement, never benefited from much proof. One of the Turkish governments purported smoking guns? An iPhone photo of a rice dish, maqluba. Government officials say that Gulenists eat maqluba in safe houses. Maybe they do, but not because maqluba is a Gulenist creation. The dish has Palestinian origins, and if eating it makes one a Gulenist, readers of the New York Times Cooking section should beware.

Brunson wasnt a spy. Neither is Serkan Golge, a dual U.S.-Turkish citizen and NASA scientist arrested in similar circumstances. In the aftermath of Turkeys aborted coup, a wide net swept up thousands of Turks for allegedly backing the Gulenists, though there isnt much evidence that Gulenists, a favorite government target, are even responsible for the insurgency. Both Brunson and Golge were arrested. Turkey says Golge spied for the CIA and for the Gulenists; Golges wife, Kubra, and attorneys say the charges are entirely false. Nevertheless, a Turkish court sentenced Golge to seven and a half years in prison in February, and he remains there still. When I read the newspapers, I feel frustrated sometimes like theyre only trying to save Brunson but not us, Kubra told NBC News in July. She added later, I feel frustrated, [Brunsons] not the only guy whose life went down. We are also citizens.

There are other Americans still being held in foreign prisons on dubious charges. Human Rights Watch reported on Thursday that Khaled Hassan, an Egyptian-American, has been jailed and tortured by Egyptian authorities. Hassans torture allegations are detailed and extensive: HRW says it received and reviewed photos of his wounds, and Hassan also says that security officials have raped him twice in prison. A State Department official told the Intercept the same day that the department is deeply concerned about Hassan and that American consular officials have visited the American in prison. But theres been no public outcry over Hassans torture and rape, or over the imprisonment of 16 other Americans in Egyptian prisons.

A key difference distinguishes Brunson from Golge and Hassan. Brunson is a member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church; Secretary of State Mike Pompeos Kansas church, Eastminster Presbyterian, is part of the same denomination. And while Golge languished in prison, Brunsons case became the Christian rights cause du jour. Pence and Trump both tweeted about Brunson. Sixty-six U.S. senators sent a letter to Turkey demanding Brunsons release, but theres no such letter for Golge, let alone for Hassan. The U.S. State Departments first Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, held in July, hosted Brunsons daughter as a speaker. I have worked here at State and I know how focused everyone is on Andrew Brunson, Pam Pryor, senior advisor to the departments undersecretary for civilian security, democracy, and human rights, said at the same event. We get weekly updates and this administration is truly working on ways to make sure that this innocent American and others wrongfully detained are released.

As Pryor pointed out at the time, the Trump administration has overseen the release of other American citizens detained overseas. Joshua Holt, a former Mormon missionary, had been jailed in Venezuela on suspicion of trafficking weapons; Kim Dong-chul, Kim Hak-song, and Kim Sang-duk had been detained by North Korean authorities on charges of espionage and attempting to overthrow the government. Of the three, one, Kim Hak-song, was an ordained evangelical minister, though its not at all proven that he had proselytized his faith while teaching at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology. (PUST was founded by Christian missionary groups, and is funded by them still, but investigative journalist Suki Kim has reported that PUSTs evangelical staff cooperate with the regime by not proselytizing.)

It wouldnt be totally accurate to say that the Trump administration has only prioritized the freedom of Christian Americans imprisoned overseas. But the Brunson case still illuminates a concerning pattern within the Trump administrations approach to religious freedom. Though Brunson lived in Turkey for the explicit purpose of pastoring a Christian church, he wasnt arrested on charges related to his vocation. Turkish authorities only ever offered secular justifications for his arrest and on paper, his imprisonment was no more unjust than Golges and Hassans, in Egypt. So there does seem to be a disproportionate focus on Brunson, and for discernible reasons. For Trump, the Brunson saga possessed useful political elements. Brunsons freedom, like the confirmations of Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court, became a way for Trump to prove to his most reliable supporters that he works on behalf of their interests. Other members of the administration, like Pompeo and Mike Pence, are true believers, and the proof is in the White Houses policies.

The Trump administrations definition of religious freedom consistently prioritizes Christianity. That emphasis is visible domestically, as Jeff Sessions aligns the Justice Department firmly with plaintiffs like Jack Phillips, the Colorado cake-baker who has repeatedly demanded religious exemptions from anti-discrimination laws that protect LGBT customers. The same emphasis is visible in the State Department, too. Former Kansas governor Sam Brownback now heads the departments Office for International Religious Freedom, despite the fact that Brownback once tried to block the U.S. government from resettling Syrian refugees in his state and signed a bill banning the practice of Sharia law, legislation critics opposed because it singled out Kansas Muslims as a special security risk. Though Brownback has condemned Myanmars genocide of the Rohingya people, a Muslim minority, and so did the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, his antagonism toward Islam and LGBT rights in particular undermine any claim the office can make to objectivity.

Similarly, the U.S. Commission on International Religious freedom now tilts firmly to the right. The federal commission is meant to be an independent, bipartisan body, charged with monitoring the status of global religious freedom and with the responsibility of making certain policy recommendations to the president. But five of USCIRFs eight commissioners were appointed either by the Trump administration or by Republican members of Congress, and their ranks include some extreme voices whose views appear entirely at odds with USCIRFs mission to advance religious freedom. Gary Bauer, appointed in June, informed a Values Voter Summit audience in 2010 that Islamic culture  keeps hundreds of millions of people on the verge of violence and mayhem 24 hours a day. Tony Perkins, appointed in May, said on a 2015 episode of his radio show that Islam is not just a religion, Islam is an economic system, it is a judicial system, it is a compressive system which is incompatible with the Constitution. The idea that Islam isnt a religion certainly implies that Islam, in Perkinss mind, doesnt merit First Amendment rights. Right Wing Watch noted the same subtext at the time.

So perhaps its not much of a surprise that the Trump administration prioritized Brunson over Golge. Trump didnt create either USCIRF or the State Departments Office of Religious Freedom, but Republicans have packed both bodies with right-wing voices. In practical terms, this means the U.S. government has robust systems in place to defend the rights of ministers like Andrew Brunson. Scientists like Golge and limousine drivers like Hassan arent as lucky.Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Amazon and Target have a surprising argument to make: The proliferation of rewards-rich credit cards is bad for consumers.

They are suing for the right to pick and choose which Visa and Mastercards they accept. They want to be able to reject the richest rewards cards  cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve, which offer generous cash back, points, and other perks, and which come with the highest transaction fees charged to merchants. They say, if they obtain this right, theyll be able to charge lower prices to shoppers.

Card network-retailer litigation over processing fees has been ongoing for years, but while many retailers are headed toward a multibillion-dollar settlement with the networks, The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Amazon, Target, Home Depot and a coalition of others intend to opt out so they can keep litigating this issue of picking and choosing cards.

Did you know a merchant pays different fees to accept different classes of the same type of credit card? If your Visa card says Signature under the logo, merchants are paying a few extra tenths of a percentage point of your purchase price for the privilege of accepting your card, compared to a lower-tier Visa.

That extra money goes to your bank, which uses it to pay for the rewards and benefits you receive as a Visa Signature cardholder. (Congratulations.)

As rewards cards have become more popular (over 90 percent of credit-card transactions are now on cards that pay some sort of reward), merchants are paying out those higher fees more often. And heres the part that drives Amazon, Target, Home Depot, and that coalition of retailers crazy: If they want to accept any Visa card, Visa imposes an accept all cards rule, requiring them to accept low-fee and high-fee cards alike. The same goes for Mastercard.

So, these retailers are suing. They want a federal court to declare that the accept all cards policy is anticompetitive, because it protects banks like Citibank and Chase from having to compete to offer merchants lower interchange fees on the Visa and Mastercard cards they issue.

The card networks and issuing banks defend the accept all cards rule, saying its consumer-friendly because it protects convenience and choice: If consumers know a retailer accepts Visa, they dont have to worry about whether it accepts the particular Visa they carry. And they note that interchange fees support rewards programs that cardholders value and are sometimes even obsessed with.

If the retailers get their way, the landscape for those rewards cards could change significantly.

Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

One possible change would be that high-end Visa and Mastercard rewards cards could become more like American Express: accepted at fewer retailers. But another likely effect is retailers, especially giant retailers like Amazon, would gain more leverage to negotiate down the fees they pay to accept premium cards.

If that happens, banks may have to cut back the generosity of rewards programs to adjust to lower transaction-fee income.

Thats what happened after Australia capped credit-card interchange fees in 2003: Merchants costs to process cards fell sharply, as did the generosity of rewards paid to credit-card holders. Annual credit card fees went up.

Philip Lowe, then an economist at the Reserve Bank of Australia and now its head, said he was confident that these lower costs will flow through into lower prices for goods and services, estimating they would lower consumer prices overall by 0.1 or 0.2 percent.

If true, that probably means most consumers came out ahead under Australias regulation. But the value of credit-card rewards fell by 0.27 cents per dollar spent in the eight years after the rule was put in place, meaning the savviest rewards consumers may have actually come out behind.

Shifting the playing field to give retailers more power in negotiations with credit card networks  the approach Amazon and Target are suing to get in the U.S.  would be a much lighter-touch regulatory approach than Australias fee cap.

But any change that reduces interchange fee revenue is likely to lead to less generous deals for cardholders. Interchange fees are one of the three main revenue sources banks use to pay out rewards  annual fees and interest charges are the other two  so less interchange revenue will have to mean either fewer rewards or higher fees imposed directly on cardholders.

This last observation was key to a Supreme Court decision earlier this year, rejecting claims by many state attorneys general that another card-network policy was anti-competitive.

In Ohio et al. vs. American Express, the Courts 5-4 conservative majority upheld Amexs anti-steering policy against anti-trust challenge. Like accept all cards, this is a policy that props up merchant fees  in this instance, by barring merchants who take Amex from offering discounts to users of other credit cards or otherwise discouraging customers from paying with Amex. If merchants had the freedom to steer customers toward lower-fee payment methods, that would tend to mean less in fees paid by retailers to card networks and banks.

The justices in the majority said it wasnt good enough for the plaintiffs to show that Amexs policy increased the price retailers paid to process credit cards. Since credit-card networks are a two-sided platform (that is, they serve consumers and merchants together) the Court wanted to see evidence the policy increased the total costs borne by consumers and merchants. The Court wasnt convinced of this, noting Amex uses higher merchant fees to offer its cardholders a more robust rewards program.

But the decision contains some bread crumbs suggesting the Court might be more amenable to a judgment against Visa and Mastercard than American Express.

As the Court noted, merchants who dont like the Amex anti-steering policy have an option: They can decline to accept Amex. Many do: About a third of U.S. retail locations that accept Visa and Mastercard refuse Amex. Since a large majority of Amex cardholders also carry a Visa or Mastercard, this doesnt alienate too many shoppers.

Opting out of Visa or Mastercard is a much more difficult proposition for a retailer because of their larger market share, and because they are often the only cards in a shoppers wallet. So, the retailers can plausibly argue the top two players have a lot more market power to abuse than Amex.

It is worth thinking here about Costco as an exception that proves this rule about market power. Costco does not take whatever credit card you want to use; the warehouse club long accepted only American Express, and it switched in 2016 to take only Visa, striking a deal that gives it a steep discount on credit-card processing in exchange for exclusivity.

But Costco is a membership club with highly committed customers who pay annual fees. And Costco shoppers are used to trading choice for cost savings: You buy whatever brand of ketchup Costco has, and you use the credit card they tell you to use. Meanwhile, card networks are willing to offer excellent terms for exclusivity at Costco because Costco shoppers tend to have high incomes, and getting into those customers wallets at Costco means getting higher-fee transactions from those same shoppers at other stores.

All of which is to say, other retailers cant do what Costco does. They will annoy customers if they take just one kind of card, and card networks wont be willing to offer them the sort of generous exclusivity deal Costco gets. They are stuck paying the high fees for Visa and Mastercard processing under the accept all cards rule.

Suppose merchants are right that this situation is harming them. Should we consumers care about their plight?

My instinct is to say yes. Because retail is a highly competitive, low-margin sector, there is good reason to believe much of retailers cost savings from lower credit-card processing fees would flow through to consumers as lower prices. Not all the savings would flow through  but then, not all the incremental merchant fees paid to banks flow through as rewards points today.

And what consumer savings do emerge under a more retailer-friendly system would likely be more equitable.

It is a transfer to people who are good at managing cards and points, and thus it is almost certainly regressive in its impact, the economist Tyler Cowen of George Mason University said regarding the current, rewards-heavy system. And objectionable on those grounds.

Still, Cowen proposes a different solution than making card networks ax the accept all cards rule. He would let retailers offer whatever kinds of discounts they like for any method of payment  if they prefer that customers use low-fee, low-reward credit cards, they could knock a few tenths of a percentage point off their purchase price for customers who agree to do so.

That is, he would allow the sort of steering Amex has defended as its right to prevent.

The Dodd-Frank banking-reform law already created some rights for retailers in this area: They can offer discounts to steer you to pay by debit card or cash. But after Ohio v. Amex, youd need a new law to give them the right to steer customers between credit cards. This is the sort of no-fiscal-cost consumer-protection reform Democrats could take up if they retake the government.

Or, as the retailers anti-trust case proceeds, maybe the courts will decide Visa and Mastercard are sufficiently more powerful than American Express to merit an anti-trust penalty, and grant the retailers more power in their negotiations with card networks.

If that happens, you may no longer get all the rich credit-card rewards youve gotten used to. But you should see slightly lower prices at the cash register.Protesters stormed and set fire to Paraguay's Congress on Friday after the Senate secretly voted for a constitutional amendment that would allow President Horacio Cartes to run for re-election.

The country's constitution has prohibited re-election since it was passed in 1992 after a brutal dictatorship fell in 1989.



"A coup has been carried out. We will resist and we invite the people to resist with us," said Senator Desiree Masi from the opposition Progressive Democratic Party.

Firefighters managed to control the flames after protesters left the Congress building late on Friday night. But protests and riots continued in other parts of Asuncion and elsewhere in the country well into the night, media reported.



Earlier, television images showed protesters breaking windows of the Congress and clashing with police, burning tires and removing parts of fences around the building. Police in riot gear fired tear gas and rubber bullets.

Several politicians and journalists were injured, media reported, and Interior Minister Tadeo Rojas said several police were hurt. One member of the lower house of Congress, who had been participating in protests that afternoon, underwent surgery after being hit by rubber bullets.



The number of casualties was unknown.



Cartes called for calm and a rejection of violence in a statement released on Twitter.



"Democracy is not conquered or defended with violence and you can be sure this government will continue to put its best effort into maintaining order in the republic," he said.



"We must not allow a few barbarians to destroy the peace, tranquility and general well-being of the Paraguayan people."



The unrest coincides with a rare high-level international event in the landlocked South American country. Thousands of businessmen and government officials descended on Asuncion this week for the Inter-American Development Bank's annual board of governors meeting.



While Paraguay long suffered from political uncertainty, the soy- and beef-exporting nation has been attracting investment in agriculture and manufacturing sectors in recent years as Cartes offered tax breaks to foreign investors.



Instability in the country of 6.8 million is a concern for its much larger neighbors Brazil and Argentina.



The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said it was monitoring the events.



"I call on political leaders to avoid inciting violence and seek dialogue," the commission's regional representative for South America, Amerigo Incalcaterra, said in a statement.



Secret Session



The Senate voted earlier on Friday during a special session in a closed office rather than on the Senate floor. Twenty-five lawmakers voted for the measure, two more than the 23 required for passage in the 45-member upper chamber.



Opponents of the measure, who claim it would weaken Paraguay's democratic institutions, said the vote was illegal.



The proposal will also require approval by the House, where it appeared to have strong support. A vote which had been expected early on Saturday was called off until the situation calmed down, said the chamber's president, Hugo Velazquez.



Several Latin American countries, including Paraguay, Peru and Chile, prevent presidents from running for consecutive terms in a region where memories of dictatorships remain ripe.



Others, including Colombia and Venezuela, have changed their constitutions to give sitting presidents a chance at re-election.



Paraguay's measure would apply to future presidents and Cartes, a soft-drink and tobacco mogul elected to a five-year term in 2013.



His strongest backers want him to be allowed to run for another term, but critics have said a constitutional change aimed at benefiting a sitting president would be unfair.



The change would also apply to former President Fernando Lugo, whose supporters want to be allowed to run for another term.



Congress ousted Lugo in 2012, saying he had failed in his duty to maintain social order following a bloody land eviction. The rapid impeachment drew strong criticism in Latin America, especially from fellow leftist governments.



A similar re-election proposal had been rejected in August and Congress this week voted to change the rules that required lawmakers to wait a year before voting again.



"Everything was done legally," said Senator Carlos Filizzola of the leftist Guasu Front coalition, which supports the constitutional amendment as a way of allowing Lugo to return as Paraguay's leader.

Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook.Salesforce co-CEO Marc Benioff speaks at the grand opening of the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco in May 2018.

Salesforce co-CEO and co-founder Marc Benioff called on San Francisco's 70 billionaires and other tech elites to donate more to their own community in an event in the city on Monday.

"San Francisco is amazing," he said. "We have these incredible companies and entrepreneurs, innovation and technology, but we cannot separate ourselves from others. We have to get back to the feeling that we are one, and we are responsible for the city that we are living in and growing our businesses in."

He added, "Homelessness has always been an issue, but not like this. ... We're at a tipping point."

Benioff made the comments at the Wired 25th anniversary summit in San Francisco.

Benioff recently argued with Square and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey over a proposal that will go before San Francisco voters in November, Proposition C. The proposal could lead to new taxes on the largest businesses in San Francisco, where both companies are headquartered, generating money earmarked to solve endemic homelessness in the area.

The Salesforce CEO strongly backed Prop C, even though it could wind up costing his company $10 million in added taxes annually. Dorsey opposed the measure, voicing support for San Francisco Mayor London Breed instead. (Breed also is opposed to Prop C, saying the plan is likely to harm the local economy.)

At the conference, Benioff offered a not-so-veiled criticism of some of his contemporaries in the city.

"There's a group of people in the city who are willing to give. And there's a group of people in the city who don't."Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of the Saudi royal family, entered the consulate on Oct. 2 and has not been seen since. While the Saudis insisted that he left the consulate safely that day, Turkish officials claimed that he was murdered by a team of Saudi operatives while inside.

The Saudi Arabian government is considering a plan to admit that missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside its consulate in Istanbul, NBC News reported Monday .

Now the Saudi government is reportedly discussing a change of stance, admitting that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate but denying that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered or even knew about the killing.

The kingdom could assert that Khashoggi was killed by rogue operatives in an interrogation gone wrong, among other possible explanations that they are considering, according to the report.

The U.S. has considered imposing sanctions on Saudi Arabia if it is found that they had a role in Khashoggi's disappearance, with President Donald Trump even threatening the country with "severe punishment." Many business leaders have also withdrawn from the Future Investment Initiative conference set to take place next week in the capital city of Riyadh.More than four months after San Francisco removed electric scooters from the roads, they're finally back  but not exactly how we remember them.

Two start-ups, Scoot and Skip, dropped their kick scooters in San Francisco on Monday, after winning permits from the city to operate their vehicle fleets. Back when scooters flooded the sidewalks earlier this year, the companies responsible for the rush were Lime, Bird and Spin.

Those operators were so quick to get up and running that they did so without warning, angering city officials and residents. San Francisco responded by imposing a temporary ban, forcing any company that wanted to do business in the city to apply for a permit.

A dozen applied and only Scoot and Skip won licenses. Each are allowed over 600 scooters.

They're underdogs compared to Bird and Lime. Bird has raised over $400 million dollars and has a valuation of $2.1 billion. Lime has raised over $450 million dollars and is worth $1.1 billion dollars. Skip and Scoot have a fraction of that amount of funding, and are each in only three cities. (Scoot plans to launch in its third market Santiago, Chile  later this week.)Venture capitalist and Republican megadonor Peter Thiel dropped $250,000 into President Donald Trump's joint fundraising committee, according to a new Federal Election Commission filing. Thiel made the contribution to the Trump Victory Committee in July. It marked the first time since the 2016 presidential election that the conservative philanthropist donated to the organization, which benefits the Republican National Committee and the president's own re-election campaign. The committee raised just over $2 million from July through late September. It also received big contributions from longtime Trump attorney Marc Kasowitz, who gave $50,000, and United States Steel Corp., which donated $100,000. Trump brought in more than $18 million through his two joint fundraising committees and campaign committee the third quarter.

Representatives for the Trump campaign and Thiel did not immediately return calls for comment. Trump allies had been concerned that the PayPal co-founder and early Facebook investor would be absent in this year's midterms after he was given a cold shoulder by some members of the administration. The latest disclosure comes on the heels of a filing in August that revealed Thiel's first six-figure donation of the midterm election cycle. Thiel, however, has been a vocal supporter of Trump's since the election. He gave a speech during the Republican convention in 2016 and since then has been all praise of the president.Brian Kemp, Georgias secretary of State and Republican gubernatorial candidate. Photo: Tami Chappell/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Georgia has a problem. Secretary of State Brian Kemp is running for governor but wont recuse himself from election oversight  a move akin to serving as a judge in his  own case. The Associated Press reported last week that his office has 53,000 voter registration applications on hold. Almost 70 percent are from black applicants, who are, statistically speaking, likely backers of his opponent, Stacey Abrams.

Yet when confronted with these overwhelming conflicts of interest, Kemp insists that nothing sketchy is going on; in fact, he assures us, the reality is the opposite. Kemp is fighting to protect the integrity of our elections and ensure that only legal citizens cast a ballot, Ryan Mahoney, Kemps campaign spokesperson, told the AP.

Kemps crusade for the integrity of our elections is a farce. Noncitizen voting is almost nonexistent. Of the 23.5 million votes cast in 42 jurisdictions in 2016  including 8 of the 10 with the highest concentration of noncitizens nationally  only 30 were flagged for fraud investigation or prosecution, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Thats 0.0001 percent.

Meanwhile, Kemps office has tens of thousands of applications on hold, often for quibbling technical inconsistencies like slight mismatches with information on file with the states Department of Driver Services. A missing accent or dropped hyphen in a last name is enough to trigger a hold under Georgias exact match policy. An earlier version of the law  which used to reject applicants outright for such mismatches  was scrapped in 2017 when the state settled a lawsuit alleging the measure was racist.

(Voters with applications on hold can still cast ballots in person in November if they present the proper ID; they have 26 months to resolve any discrepancies before their application is officially rejected.)

This yawning chasm between actual election unfairness and Kemps fantasy version is a hallmark of the secretarys tenure. In reality, he has made voting in Georgia harder in ways that disproportionately impact black people and poor people  and openly defied calls to fix the states faulty and vulnerable electronic voting systems. Election integrity, in Kemps estimation, seems to mean the control of elections by him.

It wasnt always this easy to thwart large swaths of Georgias electorate. For decades, the 1965 Voting Rights Act required federal preclearance before several states  including Georgia and six others in the South with histories of racist disenfranchisement  changed their voting laws. The Supreme Court famously gutted this provision in 2013, a decision that opened the floodgates for a wave of suppressive legislation. The racist impact of missing oversight modernized the kind of Jim Crow-era disenfranchisement the original V.R.A. was designed to rein in.

Fueled by Republican efforts at the state level, voter ID laws that had previously faced legal challenges were now permitted to take hold. Aggressive voter roll purges rendered millions ineligible to cast ballots. According to another Brennan Center report, states that formerly required preclearance were the most zealous in pursuing such measures. The authors estimated that 2 million fewer voters would have been rendered ineligible between 2012 and 2016 had these states purged them at the same lower rate as states that did not previously require federal sanction.

Georgia was no exception. Seemingly operating from the premise that voting should be really hard  and even harder if your life is already hard  Kemps office has played a noticeably hands-off role watching local election boards shut down precincts en masse. According to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis, county officials have closed 214 across the state since 2012  mostly in poor and rural areas where voting access is already a challenge.

Although Kemp did not order these closures himself, the counties that oversaw them were guided by a document his office provided outlining how and why to shutter precincts. Most recently, Kemp made headlines when a consultant he recommended  Mike Malone  sought to close seven of nine polling places in majority-black Randolph County in August.

But barriers to voting in Georgia have been more imposing since Kemp took a more active role in erecting them. His office has cancelled over 1.4 million voter registrations since 2012, including 670,000 in 2017 alone. Reasons include the aforementioned exact match policy, a less draconian version of which was reinstated after the original got scrapped. When questioned by the AP about the laws racial asymmetry, Kemp blamed his opponent, accusing the New Georgia Project  a voter registration organization that Abrams founded in 2013  of failing to adequately train canvassers to ensure legible, complete forms.

Curiously, Kemps precise and exacting nature doesnt seem to prevent him from scapegoating others for his own conduct. He has been far more cavalier  and more hostile toward his critics  when actual voting integrity issues have arisen on his watch. When the ACLU called on Kemp in October 2016 to extend the voter registration deadline in counties that had evacuation orders in place due to Hurricane Matthew, the secretary refused, instead taking to Twitter to issue paranoid proclamations.

The ACLU wants to create chaos in our local elections offices, Kemp tweeted. Stand with me [and] protect Georgias elections.

Perhaps the most damning manifestation of Kemps dismissiveness toward election integrity is his refusal to fix Georgias electronic voting system. Ballots are cast across the state using touchscreen computers with no paper trail or verifiable record to ensure their accuracy. Georgia is one of only five U.S. states to use such a system, and the potential problems are obvious. During early voting for the 2016 election, a machine in Bryan County had to be removed from circulation when several people reported it had automatically switched their vote from Hillary Clinton to Donald Trump.

In August 2016, Kemp spoke out against federal attempts to reclassify the American election system as critical infrastructure  a designation that would have enabled the Department of Homeland Security to offer cybersecurity support. Kemp argued the move would allow the government to subvert the Constitution to achieve the goal of federalizing elections under the guise of security. (Kemp has since accepted help from the D.H.S.)

That same month, a cybersecurity researcher named Logan Lamb started looking for vulnerabilities at a facility at Kennesaw State University, which was under contract with the state to test and program all of its voting machines. That so much of Georgias election infrastructure was housed in a single location concerned Lamb. His findings were even more alarming. They included 15 gigabytes of unsecured files, including passwords to an election day central server, databases used to verify peoples voting eligibility, and a security hole through which information about all of the states 6.7 million registered voters could be downloaded.

The files had been publicly exposed for so long that they were cached on Google, The New Yorker reported.

From a security standpoint, Georgias system was a joke. But by February 2017, six months after Lamb alerted state officials to its vulnerabilities, the same issues were still present. Lambs findings were made public the next month. If Kemp hadnt been aware of them before, he certainly knew by then. The FBI spent a few short weeks investigating and declared no unauthorized persons had accessed the system. Soon after, however, computer security researchers at universities including Yale, MIT, and Stanford wrote Kemp a letter saying the investigation had been too short to truly determine its safety.

Time and again cyber breaches are found to have been far more extensive than initially reported, they wrote. They also implored Kemp to replace the states electronic voting system with paper ballots.

Predictably, Kemp made no such effort. In response to his reticence, Georgia voters filed a lawsuit that July aiming to force the secretary to abandon the electronic voting system for good. On July 7, four days later, the vulnerable data server Logan Lamb had exposed  described by the AP as crucial to [the] lawsuit  was mysteriously wiped clean. A spokeswoman for Kemps office told reporters, we did not have anything to do with this decision. Kemp ultimately posted a request this summer for companies to submit proposals for a new statewide voting system  which, if commissioned, would not be in place until 2020, long after Kemps tenure as secretary of state is over.

The record is hard to dispute. There are very real threats to election integrity in Georgia, but Kemp tends to greet them with denial, indignation, and, ultimately, inaction. When confronted with proof of vulnerable electronic voting systems and the racist impact of his policies, he points to the almost nonexistent canard of noncitizen voter fraud to justify his conduct. He accuses the federal government and the ACLU of conspiring to subvert his power when they identify problems with his voting apparatus. He is at the vanguard of resurgent voter suppression tactics across the South. He has tried to galvanize his base by falsely accusing his opponent of wanting illegals to vote. He has all but guaranteed the November election will be hilariously slanted in his favor.

Through it all, Kemps sham crusade to clean up Georgias elections has merely served as a cover for accelerated disenfranchisement. It is true that Georgia needs help making its voting process fairer and more accessible. Unfortunately, perhaps the biggest threat to the integrity of its elections is sitting in the secretary of states office  and may soon be in the governors mansion.Apple said Tuesday that a "small number" of Chinese users had their Apple IDs stolen and false payment transactions made through their accounts.

Earlier news reports said several hundred Chinese users reported being hacked. All of the accounts were hacked through phishing scams  a common practice in which fraudsters steal information through misleading emails or links. The affected users hadn't enabled two-factor authentication on their accounts.

In investigating the fraudulent transactions, Apple hasn't found any signs of a breach in the company's systems, according to a person familiar with the review.

"We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers by these phishing scams. We are proactively identifying suspicious activities and reaching out to affected customers. We strongly advise all users to enable two-factor authentication, which prevents unauthorized access to their accounts," Apple said in a statement.

Earlier this month Apple denied reports of a separate, large-scale hacking attempt, saying the company had found "absolutely no evidence" of alleged Chinese spy chips.Emissions testing equipment, manufactured by AVL Ditest GmbH, sits connected to the exhaust of an Audi AG A5 diesel automobile at a garage in Bruchkoebel, Germany, on Wednesday, July 26, 2017.

German luxury automaker Audi will pay a fine of roughly $930 million to settle regulatory action in its home country for rigging some of its diesel vehicles with illegal software designed to defeat emissions tests, the company said Tuesday.

Settling the case with prosecutors in Munich brings Audi parent Volkswagen one step closer to putting its ongoing diesel emissions scandal behind it. Volkswagen has already paid out billions of dollars in fines after news broke in 2015 that it fitted millions of vehicles with devices designed to make emissions levels on diesel vehicles appear lower than they actually were.

The Munich public prosecutor required Audi to accept responsibility as part of the agreement.

In June, Audi CEO Rupert Stadler was arrested in connection with the scandal.

Audi said in a statement that "the fine will directly will directly affect Volkswagen AG's financial earnings and, as a negative special item, reduce the group earnings for fiscal year 2018 accordingly."Shares of BlackRock, the largest asset manager in the world, fell on Tuesday after the company posted a weaker-than-expected revenue for the third quarter.

BlackRock said its revenue totaled $3.576 billion, while analysts polled by Refinitiv expected sales to clock in at $3.648 billion. Sales from BlackRock's advisory, administration and lending business hit $2.88 billion, below a StreetAccount estimate of $2.97 billion.

The news sent BlackRock's stock down more than 4 percent.

However, the asset-management giant also posted adjusted earnings per share of $7.52, while analysts expected a profit of $6.84. BlackRock's reported bottom line represents a 27 percent jump from the year-earlier period, when its posted a profit of $5.90 per share.

BlackRock's earnings got a boost from lower taxes. The company's effective tax rate dropped to 16 percent from 30.6 percent a year ago.

The company's assets under management grew by 8 percent to $6.444 trillion in the third quarter from $5.976 trillion in the period in 2017. Assets also grew by 2.3 percent from $6.299 trillion in the second quarter.

BlackRock's assets growth was driven by its iShares business, which saw inflows of $33.7 billion. Overall, long-term net inflows for BlackRock totaled $10.6 billion in the third quarter.

Still, the company's assets under management fell slightly short of a $6.498 trillion estimate as BlackRock's index funds and active management businesses experienced a combined $24.8 billion in outflows. Cash management net outflows also hit $14.6 billion in the quarter.

CEO Larry Fink told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Tuesday the company saw massive outflows before a more than 4 percent drop in the S&P 500 last week.

"There's a huge commentary that we [the market] are at peak earnings," Fink said, adding that commentary is debatable, and the firm expects "we have a couple more good quarters."

BlackRock shares are down sharply this year, falling more than 16 percent in 2018 through Monday's close. Meanwhile, the is up nearly 3 percent year to date.

During his appearance on CNBC, Fink also said BlackRock won't cut ties with Saudi Arabia if it turns out the kingdom ordered the slaying of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi.The chairman and CEO of the world's largest money manager said Tuesday his firm won't "run away" from doing business with Saudi Arabia even if it turns out that the kingdom ordered the slaying of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

"No," BlackRock chief responded when asked by CNBC if the firm would severe financial ties with the Saudis.

"We do business in 80 different countries. There are many countries where we may disagree," said Fink, whose firm manages $6.4 trillion in assets.

Nobody likes to make black-or-white decisions, he added, arguing he does not think he needs to make one yet in this case.

"I've been going to Saudi for years and years and years, as much as three or four times a year," he said. "As friend of the country's, I wanted to do this in a way ... that preserved the relationship that we have, that we worked so long for."

"And yet, we needed to be mindful of this investigation," he stressed. "It could impact relationships worldwide. We have to sympathetic to this."

"This was a big issue with BlackRock's employees. The was a big issue with many of our clients," said Fink, appearing on a day after he decided to not attend next week's Saudi Arabia investment conference as global outrage mounted over the disappearance of Khashoggi. He said the Saudis understood why he canceled.

As CNBC reported on Monday, Fink confirmed he tried unsuccessfully to get the conference postponed until there was more information available, "and we could do this in a non-emotional way."

Fink said he weighed his relationship with the kingdom against that of his various constituencies, and he was left with "only one choice"  to withdraw from the conference. Khashoggi's disappearance has become such a "lightning rod" that it prevented finding common ground, he said. "I have been a lifelong globalist. I'm still proud to be a globalist in this day and age."

The BlackRock chief executive's words and actions around the Khashoggi case are significant because he's a leader in the movement of corporate responsibility. In January, he wrote a letter to the world's largest public companies, calling for them to help improve society or risk losing support from BlackRock. In March, after the deadly February shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, BlackRock said in a client note said it's time to take action on guns.

In addition to Fink, a number of American CEOs also pulled out of the Future Investment Initiative event, also known as "Davos in the Desert," being co-hosted by the Saudi sovereign Public Investment Fund and Saudi Crown Prince .

the Saudi government is considering a plan to admit that Khashoggi, columnist for The Washington Post and critic of the Saudi royal family, was killed inside its consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

Khashoggi, who left Saudi Arabia last year and relocated in , has not been seen since entering the consulate on Oct. 2.

On Tuesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Saudi King Salman.

President Donald Trump dispatched Pompeo to the oil-rich kingdom after speaking with Salman on the phone. The president told reporters on Monday, "The king firmly denied any knowledge of it."

Without offering evidence, Trump also said Khashoggi could have died at the hands of "rogue killers," offering the U.S.-allied kingdom a possible path out of a global diplomatic firestorm.

 The Associated Press contributed to this report.British Prime Minister Theresa May likely faces the toughest challenge of any world leader as she tries to come to a divorce agreement with the European Union, a top EU official told CNBC Tuesday.

"Good luck is all I say to Theresa May," Alexander Stubb, vice president of the European Investment Bank (EIB), told CNBC's Silvia Amaro on Tuesday, when asked what advice he had to offer to her. The EIB is the EU's official lending institution.

Stubb, who formerly served as Finland's prime minister, said May probably has the "toughest PM job in the world" because "she has to negotiate a package which she knows in the heart of her hearts is not a good deal for the United Kingdom or for Europe."

"And on top of that," he added, "she has her own barking at her ankles from morning to night, so my only advice is just hang in there, good luck and I feel for you."

Stubb was referring to lawmakers within May's party, who are displeased with her so-called Chequers deal. May's Chequers plan would see some alignment between the U.K. and the EU continuing after March 29, 2019 in terms of trade and regulations although the deal foresees the U.K. being able to stop the free movement of people from the EU. It also foresees the U.K. being able to strike independent trade deals elsewhere.

Some lawmakers in May's reining Conservative Party, including former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, have condemned the plan aggressively, arguing it strays from what the British public voted for in June 2016.

On the topic of the possibility of Westminster and Brussels reaching a Brexit deal, Stubb said: "Usually these things have a tendency to take a while, so I wouldn't bank on getting a deal this week."Chinese investment in Kenya is bringing with it a nasty by-product  racism and discrimination from Chinese employers toward the local population and its workforce, according to a feature in the New York Times.

China's presence has expanded in Africa and no less in Kenya, where its companies have invested in infrastructure projects and agriculture. The NYT article features testimony from a variety of Kenyans who say they've experienced blatant racism from their Chinese employers, and have been segregated from Chinese employees.

The story, published late Monday, includes experiences from Kenyan people that are employed by Chinese companies that have expanded into the East African nation that was once part of the British Empire. The Chinese population in Kenya is estimated to be around 40,000 currently, with many there to work for one of hundreds of Chinese companies located in the country.

"Episodes involving discriminatory behavior by the region's growing Chinese work force have unsettled many Kenyans, particularly at a time when their government seeks closer ties with China," the feature by Joseph Goldstein, reported.

"In Nairobi, workers in their 20s and 30s swap stories of racism or discrimination they have witnessed. One described watching a Chinese manager slap her Kenyan colleague, who was also a woman, for a minor mistake. Other Kenyan workers explained how their office bathrooms were separated by race: one for Chinese employees, the other for Kenyans," the article states.

A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not immediately available when contacted by CNBC.

To read the original NYT feature, click here.From left, Harley Rouda, moderator Rick Reiff and GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher Courtesy: "Inside OC"

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher's ties to Russia are front and center in the California Republican's increasingly heated re-election contest. The GOP lawmaker is locked in a tight race with Democratic challenger Harley Rouda, who teed off on Rohrabacher's links to the Kremlin during their first debate Monday. Tense moments peppered the debate as the incumbent defended his pro-Russia record and accused his opponent of trying to impeach President Donald Trump. Immigration, health care as well as the economy and environment were among other issues that came up during the taped forum, which is scheduled to air locally Sunday. Some of the most contentious moments, though, were during the discussion about Russia and the ongoing probe into Moscow's interference in the 2016 presidential election. "Yes, we should cooperate with Russia now that it's no longer our major threat, meaning the primary threat," said Rohrabacher, a 15-term congressman representing California's 48th Congressional District. "Right now we have to deal with radical Islam and China, and Russia. We should cooperate where we can with Russia, rather than being unrelentingly hostile." Rouda, a lawyer and real estate developer, has run Russia-focused ads touting the vulnerable congressman's ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Democrat criticized Rohrabacher on Monday for siding against U.S. intelligence agencies and giving Russia a pass on interference in the 2016 presidential election. He also accused him of "meeting with Russian operatives." "Rep. Rohrabacher has said that 17 U.S. intelligence agencies that were staffed by working men and women from diverse background, including our U.S. military ... were all wrong," Rouda said during the Monday debate, "that the Russians had nothing to do with meddling with our elections." A Los Angeles Times/UC Berkeley poll released last month showed Rohrabacher and Rouda tied at 48 percent. The poll found 10 percent of registered Republicans and 45 percent of undecided voters were less likely to vote for Rohrabacher because of his Russian ties.

In bringing up the topic of Russia, debate moderator Rick Reiff, a reporter for a PBS SoCal program, "Inside OC," remarked: "Sometimes it's a standing joke among some folks that you're Putin's buddy, Putin's lapdog, whatever." Rohrabacher responded by saying reports of his connections to Russia have created "all of this nonsense  this fake news." The Orange County congressman explained that he's chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats, which has jurisdiction over relations with Russia. Rohrabacher said when he worked in the White House for President Ronald Reagan he had a role in the famous "tear down this wall" speech during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. The speech was made by Reagan at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin in 1987. "I was Ronald Reagan's speechwriter for 7 years, and a special assistant to the president," Rohrabacher said. "I'm the guy who actually smuggled the 'tear down the wall' speech to the president, so I have impeccable credentials there." During the debate, Rohrabacher accused Rouda of "toxic partisanship" and claimed the candidate told others he wants to impeach Trump. "Spending our time trying to impeach and obstruct this president will grind the federal government to a halt," Rohrabacher said. "We don't need that in Washington, D.C." Rouda insisted, "I'm not going there to impeach Donald Trump." But he said the ongoing investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller should be given more time if needed. "He's already gotten over 30 convictions and indictments," Rouda said. "We know that his work is meaningful. Let's give him the time. After we see that report then we can all make a decision, what, if anything, needs to take place." That said, the Democrat maintained that the election "isn't about Trump. This is about what all of us need to do. We need to get rid of the extremism in politics. We need to fight for what we believe in. But again, reach across the aisle and serve our country and community."

Russia probe partisanship

Rohrabacher said the Russia probe was "another example of the obstructionism" and partisanship by Democrats. "The bottom line is, Mueller was appointed to try to find out if there was collusion between the Russians and the Trump campaign," said Rohrabacher. "There's been nothing that has been discovered about that. Instead, he (Mueller) has used that to look into everything else besides that." Republicans have a nearly 10 percentage point registration advantage in the 48th District. Still, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton won the district by nearly 2 points in 2016. Meantime, Rohrabacher said he "agrees with many things that this president has done." For example, he said Trump's "policies and principles are taking our country in the right direction." Rohrabacher cited the administration's tough trade policies as one example. Regardless, the veteran congressman described himself as an "independent Republican" who sometimes is at odds with the Trump administration, including opposing the GOP-led federal tax plan since "it wasn't good for Orange County." Rohrabacher also said he's taken on Attorney General Jeff Sessions when it comes to legalization of cannabis, which he said is an issue that should be decided at the state and local level. Elsewhere, Rohrabacher said he views immigration and border security as a top issue for Americans. He said the nation is still struggling to "try to get control of our borders, where we've had 30 million illegals crossing into our country over the last 20 to 30 years." According to the congressman, undocumented immigrants are "draining" taxpayer money, including for health care, education and veterans programs. He also accused Rouda of being "willing to give Medicare to illegal immigrants." Rohrabacher said he opposes giving citizenship to so-called Dreamers  those undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. "When it comes to the Dreamers, anybody who is here illegally, if we legalize their status, there's going to be millions more who come here," Rohrabacher said. "We care about these young people, but we care more about our own families."

Immigration reformWASHINGTON  Secretary of Defense James Mattis clarified his political affiliation Monday amid speculation that he might be a Democrat and could soon depart his Pentagon post  suggestions made by President Donald Trump during an interview with CBS program "60 Minutes."

Reporters traveling with Mattis, en route to Vietnam, asked what he made thought of Trump's interview, which aired on Sunday.

"I'm on his team. We have never talked about me leaving and as you can see right here, we're on our way. We just continue doing our job," Mattis told reporters aboard a military aircraft.

"We continue in the Department of Defense to do our job. It's no problem," Mattis added, saying that he had not yet watched the CBS interview.

In a pre-taped interview, Trump said he was unsure whether Mattis would step down as the Pentagon's top official and noted that the retired four-star Marine Corps general might be a "sort of a Democrat."

"I think he's sort of a Democrat, if you want to know the truth. But General Mattis is a good guy. We get along very well. He may leave," Trump said.

Below is an official transcript of the exchange Mattis had with reporters:

Reporter: Yeah. Mr. Secretary, are you a Democrat?



Secretary of Defense James Mattis: Pardon?



Reporter: Are you a Democrat?



Mattis: You know, we're all built on our formative experiences.



When I was 18, I joined the Marine Corps, and in the U.S. military we are proudly apolitical. By that, I mean that in our duties, we were brought up to obey the elected commander in chief, whoever that is. And we've seen, over those  since I was in the military longer than some of you have been alive, I have seen Republicans and Democrats come and go.



Where am I today? I'm a member of the president's administration. And you have seen that President Trump's military policies, security policies, reaping significant bipartisan support. So my role, when you see 83 percent  think about this  for  and I realize you all write about tension between this person and that, this administration and that party, and this sort of thing.



But when you think 83 percent of the U.S. Congress voting the same way on an issue put forward by the Republican president, you can see that my portfolio is bipartisan by its very basis, and that is the protection of the United States.



That's what President Trump has told me to do, and I eagerly carry that out, alongside probably the most selfless young men and women  not all young; some old men and women, too  civilian and military, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines working together.



So that's where I stand. That defines me.



Reporter: I don't want to put too fine a point on it, but you haven't registered Republican or Democrat. Is that what I'm hearing you say?



Mattis: I've never registered for any political party.

WATCH: Here's who President Trump targeted in his one-on-one with The New York TimesFacebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg answers questions about the improper use of millions of users' data by a political consultancy, at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, in this still image taken from Reuters TV May 22, 2018

Approximately 3 million Europeans were affected by a September Facebook security breach in which users' personal information was stolen, the Irish Data Protection Commission told CNBC on Tuesday.

This security breach is expected to be the first major test of Europe's new General Data Protection Regulation, and the number of European users affected could help determine the severity of any penalties against the company.

Under GDPR, companies handling the personal data of Europeans must adhere to strict requirements for holding and securing that information, and must report breaches to authorities within 72 hours. Under the regulation, companies can face fines of up to 4 percent of their annual global revenue. For Facebook, which made more than $40.65 billion in revenue in 2017, that fine could be as much as $1.63 billion.

Facebook first disclosed the security breach on Sept. 28, saying 50 million accounts had their login access tokens stolen. That figure was reduced to 30 million on Friday, and Facebook confirmed that 29 million of the impacted users had their names and contact information exposed. Among those users, 14 million of also had other personal information, such as their gender, relationship status and their recent place check-ins, stolen by the attackers.

Facebook previously declined to share how many users impacted by the breach were based in Europe. But Facebook told the Irish Data Protection Commission that 10 percent of the affected accounts were European, according to Graham Doyle, the commission's head of communications.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

The Irish Data Protection Commission is investigating the data breach.

"The update from Facebook last Friday, 12 October, was significant as Facebook has confirmed that the personal data of millions of users was taken by the perpetrators of the attack," said a spokesman for the office of the Irish Data Protection Commissioner. "The Data Protection Commission's statutory investigation into the breach and Facebook's compliance with its obligations under the GDPR continues."

Vera Jourova, the EU's justice commissioner, told CNBC earlier this month, "We have very strict rules and we have very strong instruments to discipline the companies which deal and which handle the private data of people, which is obviously the case with Facebook."MIAMI  A Miami-Dade County judge on Tuesday turned down requests by a real estate attorney to punish Bank of America over claims of withholding and destroying records.

Judge Bronwyn Miller also dismissed the attorney's claims over the bank's purge of 1.8 billion of bank records. The ruling, handed down after a hearing on Monday, did not explain the legal reason for her decision.

Miami attorney Bruce Jacobs, representing a couple in a foreclosure case, had sought to get his allegations against Bank of America heard in court. The bank argued his claims were baseless.

Jacobs had accused the bank of purging the records while under court-ordered subpoena in another foreclosure case, in an effort, he said, to hide evidence of alleged fraud because the original records may have been altered.

The bank responded that the records were copied by an outside firm and returned to the bank. It said the outside firm's copies were purged.

Bank of America attorney Robert Loftin also told the judge that Jacobs' claims involve "alleged conduct from other cases" and are not relevant to the foreclosure case. Any claims, he said, should have been raised in bankruptcy court.

Jacobs told CNBC that the judge did not rule on the merits of his claims and "simply ruled that I could not bring these charges in this particular case because the client had a prior loan modification and bankruptcy filing which they did to protect their home."From the left, journalist Maria Bartiromo, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, and Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Shwarzman attend the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh, on October 24, 2017. Photo: FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images

With Saudi Arabia reportedly poised to offer up an implausible explanation for the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul earlier this month, President Donald Trump appears prepared to accept whatever the Saudis tell him. As long as theres no incontrovertible evidence that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman explicitly ordered Khashoggi killed, Trump would rather let his friend in Riyadh get away with literal murder than punish him by cutting off his supply of American-made weaponry. After all, to do so might jeopardize the renewal of U.S. manufacturing, for which Trump considers himself primarily responsible.

At the same time, Trumps former friends and peers in the upper echelons of corporate America arent waiting for proof beyond a shadow of a doubt before registering their disapproval. A slew of top American executives, along with the president of the World Bank, have pulled out of this months second annual Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh: a gathering of bigwigs nicknamed Davos in the desert. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, Ford executive chairman Bill Ford, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, and most recently Google Cloud chief executive Diane Greene are among those who have canceled their travel plans.

Major media partners, including the New York Times and CNN, have pulled their sponsorships of the conference. In other fallout, British billionaire Richard Branson is suspending talks with the Saudi government over a $1 billion investment deal as well as his involvement in two Red Sea tourism projects.

Some business leaders have kept the Future Investment Initiative on their calendars, however, as have IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin  though Mnuchin now says he will decide by Friday whether to attend the event. The French finance ministers attendance is also still up in the air. Others, including the CEOs of some major European financial institutions, have yet to say whether they are still going or not. Organizers of the conference say it is still on.

(One sector that hasnt faltered in its willingness to do business with the Saudis is the defense industry, where major government contractors are reportedly worried about Congress forcing the Trump administration to impose sanctions on Riyadh and scuttle some of those sweet weapons deals.)

The international business community has emerged in recent days as one of several major sources of pressure on the Saudi government, of which Crown Prince Mohammed (also known as MBS) is the de facto leader. The Saudis have warned that they will retaliate against any economic sanctions, but theres not so much they can do to retaliate against a 9 percent drop in the Riyadh stock market. Spooking foreign investors would be a huge setback to MBSs effort to modernize the kingdoms economy, so the walkout by big-company CEOs is a meaningful punishment.

Of course, it is also an act of hypocrisy, as Khashoggis disappearance hardly represents some radical departure from standard procedure for the Saudi regime. The reasons Ford, JPMorgan, Google, and others have for pulling out of this summit existed before last week and will likely continue to exist as long as Saudi Arabia remains Saudi. Any company that invests there is helping enrich its rulers and sustain its corrupt and undemocratic system of government in some small way  and there is little chance that we will see many of these companies cease doing business in or with Saudi Arabia entirely.

Indeed, Crown Prince Mohammads plan for dragging Saudi Arabia partly into the 21st century appeals to these same companies because they stand to profit tremendously from it. MBS dreams of building a robust, tech-heavy private sector in his country as a way to wean its population off of state patronage, and has aggressively lobbied American and European companies in technology, manufacturing, finance, and other sectors to help him achieve that goal by investing in Saudi Arabia. Indeed, this is the very rationale for Davos in the desert.

So if CEOs are backing away from Saudi Arabia now, its not because they have suddenly discovered that it is a murderous dictatorship; its because their relationship to that dictatorship has become visible. Attendance at this conference would represent a public show of support for a regime that just got caught in an outrageous abuse of human rights and diplomatic privilege. Overlooking the sins of tyrants in order to make money in the countries they rule is business as usual for corporate America, but explicitly endorsing MBS at a moment like this puts companies reputations on the line. In backing out of the investment conference, Dimon, Ford, and the other CEOs are not simply obeying a moral impulse to do the right thing; they are aiming to head off bottom-line risks.

Probably the least of these risks is the prospect of a boycott or some other negative consumer reaction, which is unlikely to materialize in a form large enough to dent these huge companies bottom lines. Millennial consumers expect corporate CEOs to take stances on issues of social and political import, but dont necessarily back these expectations up with concerted action. In this case, the threat is coming from the other direction, with the Bahraini foreign minister joining calls for a boycott of Uber in Persian Gulf countries in response to CEO Dara Khosrowshahis decision to abandon the conference.

A greater concern is the possibility of a revolt among activist investors, who may be rightly concerned about what might happen to their money in a country whose government is capable of such brazenness. Shareholders have a lot of power in the corporation and really could force these companies to cut or scale back their investments in Saudi Arabia, even if that means forgoing opportunities for profit. Ironically, in this regard the CEOs might actually be taking a stand against Riyadh today in hopes of salvaging their business ties there tomorrow.

Another potential source of pain for these companies are their current and prospective employees. The tech sector, in particular, has seen a rising tide of employee activism this year, with staff at companies like Google, Amazon, and Salesforce asking why their talents are being devoted to helping China monitor its citizens internet activity or to make it easier for the military, law enforcement, or immigration authorities to track, arrest, or kill people. Leveraging the megaphone of the internet and the power they wield in the current labor market, these employees are pushing for change, in some cases successfully, by threatening their employers with the Hobsons choice of a cancelled contract or an exodus of talent.

Normally, these companies might simply cut loose employees who balk at the moral implications of their work and replace them with some who dont, but the labor market is tight and the market for highly skilled workers like software engineers and data scientists is even tighter. A worker in one of these high-demand roles who finds their current job morally untenable can quit and find another employer today. In this environment, companies have a lot to lose if they develop reputations as places where talented people dont want to work, whether because of a toxic corporate culture, a gropey CEO, or an ethically dubious business partnership.

Trump, of course, has no such concerns. The presidents supporters find his lack of regard for what other people think quite charming, and anyone who might quit the federal workforce in protest of his administration has either already done so or committed to hanging on and fighting the erosion of normalcy from within. Defense contractors are likewise much more worried about losing lucrative contracts than taking heat for doing business with dictators: Anyone who works for or invests in Raytheon or Lockheed Martin surely has no illusions or qualms about what these companies do.

For corporate leaders in tech and finance, however, the threat of public outrage leading to investor or employee rebellions is real. Saudi Arabia is not well-liked among the American public, and being associated with it right now is a particularly acute reputational risk. Thanks to this quirk of the free market, we find ourselves in a historical moment where Uber, Google, and JPMorgan are marginally more reliable champions of human rights than the United States government.Ford released an all-new mid-sized sport utility vehicle in China on Monday, as the automaker contends with an aging product line and flagging sales in the world's biggest car market.

The Ford Territory is aimed at mid-sized SUV customers in small but fast growing cities across China, which Ford said is the country's fastest growing market. The vehicle was developed with Ford's local partner, Jiangling Motors.

"Our onslaught of new vehicles has begun," said Peter Fleet, president, Asia Pacific and chairman & CEO, Ford China. "We are taking the best of how we've brought Territory to market  deeply listening to customers in China and delivering what they want in style, comfort, safety and new in-vehicle infotainment options  and applying it across the business. Territory is just the beginning of more great things to come."

The vehicle is custom-designed for Chinese customers, Ford said. Between 2015 and 2017, sales of midsize SUVs increased 102 percent among Chinese consumers.

The vehicle comes with some high-tech features popular with Chinese consumers. For example, it offers intuitive Mandarin voice recognition, which understands dozens of regional accents, Ford said.

The announcement comes days after the second-largest U.S. automaker posted September sales in China that declined 43 percent over the same month last year.

"Ford's performance is certainly nothing shy of ugly in China," said Jeff Schuster, president of global forecasting for LMC automotive, a firm that tracks the auto industry. "While they are struggling as a group in China, the overall light vehicle market is now expected to post the first annual decline since we have been tracking vehicle demand in China (at least 20 years). Sluggish sales reflect weakening consumer confidence, amid the escalating US-China trade conflict, falling stock prices and the decelerating property market. With inventory rising, the Chinese Automobile Dealers Association is urging the government to take policy measures to boost demand, such as a tax cut."

Schuster expects 2018 auto sales in China to be down 0.6 percent to 28.4 million units, he said.

"Ford will not fare well though not as bad as September," he added. "For 2018, we expect Ford sales to be down 33% to around 680,000."The Jaguar I-Pace with Waymo autonomous electric vehicle (EV) is unveiled during an event in New York, on Tuesday, March 27, 2018.

A new report in The New Yorker details the events leading up to Waymo's 2017 high-profile lawsuit alleging Uber stole its trade secrets for creating self-driving vehicles. But in the early years before that legal battle, Google's lax approach to vehicle safety as it developed its self-driving technology stands out.

According to the report, Google had multiple accidents involving self-driving cars prior to the installment of California state regulations in 2014 that require companies to report such incidents. Unnamed Google executives told The New Yorker that over a dozen accidents occurred in the early years of Google's self-driving car project, which was called Project Chauffeur at the time. Project Chauffeur is now an independent company called Waymo under Google's parent company, Alphabet.

One notable accident involved Anthony Levandowski, a key engineer on Project Chauffeur who was at the center of the lawsuit against Uber alleging it stole trade secrets from Waymo. In 2011, Levandowski jumped into a self-driving Prius with Google executive Isaac Taylor. Levandowski wanted to prove that his software changes on the self-driving car were necessary, but the two ultimately ended up in an accident that left Taylor with a spinal injury requiring surgery, according to The New Yorker's report.

Levandowski acknowledged that innovation trumped safety in his view.

"If it is your job to advance technology, safety cannot be your No. 1 concern," he told The New Yorker. "If it is, you'll never do anything. It's always safer to leave the car in the driveway. You'll never learn from a real mistake."

"The Google self-driving project was founded with a mission to improve road safety and that's the standard we hold ourselves to," a Waymo spokesperson said in a written statement to CNBC. "Safety is our highest priority as we test and develop this technology."

Read the full report in The New Yorker.Private companies are not just "spectators" but a "central player" for paving the way for more sustainable development  with three quarters of the economy in most countries driven by the private sector, he added.

"Businesses will like the view that 'once I pay my taxes I'm done with my duty.' That simply does not work anymore in our age," United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) administrator Achim Steiner told CNBC at the Responsible Business Forum in Singapore Thursday.

Engaging in more sustainable solutions is a necessity  not just a corporate responsibility  if businesses want to continue operating in the future, says United Nations Development Program's administrator Achim Steiner.

Companies have "a very clear vested interest" to embrace sustainable development as a functioning economy and stable political system are important for the businesses, Steiner said.

In addition, "inequality as we are observing right now across the world is becoming a major destabilizer," he added.

Rapid climate changes could also disrupt existing market conditions often taken for granted by corporate leaders, he said.

A recent UN climate change report predicted that world temperatures are on track to rise by around 3 degrees Celsius  a number that is substantially above the target to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

"In the world of business you often have to rely on 'givens'. You can virtually throw away every scenario about your business and your future markets, your supply chains out of the window. Because by 2050, we will have a world in which many of the fundamental assumptions" may not hold, Steiner warned.

Sustainable Development Goals can provide a framework for businesses to better handle unpredictable market changes in the future, he said. SDGs refer to targets set by the UN to address global challenges such as climate change, poverty and environmental degradation by 2030.

By addressing some of the 17 goals, firms will have a framework to better understand the different business environments and markets they would have to adjust to in the future, Steiner said.Gold prices held steady on Tuesday near last session's 2-1/2-month high as risk-averse investors sought refuge in the metal amid rising political tensions and economic uncertainty.

Spot gold was little-changed at $1,228.51 an ounce.

Gold touched $1,233.26 on Monday, its highest since July 26, as global stocks slid on rising tensions between Western powers and Saudi Arabia and concerns over the pace of global economic growth. Asian stocks rose modestly on Tuesday, gaining a firmer footing after a week of heavy losses.

U.S. gold futures were flat at $1,232.20 an ounce.

"While the sell-off in stocks rekindled some demand, there were other key factors in play. With escalating trade tensions, concerns over slowing global growth, geopolitical tensions and U.S. mid-term election jitters in the mix, gold has a chance to shine," said Lukman Otunuga, Research Analyst for FXTM.

"While the risk-off trading environment is poised to send gold higher in the near term, the medium- to longer-term outlook remains dictated by the dollar and U.S. rate hike expectations."

The stock market is not stabilised yet and gold prices are expected to go up, said Yuichi Ikemizu, Tokyo branch manager, ICBC Standard Bank.

"If it (gold) breaks the $1,230 level, which has been a resistance for a long time, with short positions being still quite large, there is a good possibility of buyback of short positions which could push prices to $1,250."

Spot gold may fall into a range of $1,208-$1,217 per ounce, as it faces a strong resistance at $1,235, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao.

Gold, usually seen as a safe store of value during political and economic uncertainty, remains down nearly 10 percent from its April peak after investors preferred the dollar as the U.S.-China trade war unfolded against a background of higher U.S. interest rates.

"The soft U.S. inflation figures in September have prompted investors to reevaluate the Federal Reserve's hiking path beyond December. With Donald Trump's recent criticism of the Fed adding to the factors that have weakened the dollar, gold is likely to edge higher in the near term," Otunuga said.

U.S. retail sales barely rose in September as a rebound in motor vehicle purchases was offset by the biggest drop in spending at restaurants and bars in nearly two years.

Holdings in SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, rose 0.55 percent to 748.76 tonnes on Monday.

In other metals, was flat at $838.49 per ounce after touching its highest level since July 10 at $850.10 on Monday. was little-changed at $1,083.25 and gained about 0.2 percent at $14.67.With just three weeks until the midterm elections and control of Congress on the line, a major Republican money group is telling voters their choice this fall comes down to deciding between President Donald Trump and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

The Congressional Leadership Fund super PAC, which is aligned with retiring House Speaker Paul Ryan, is starting its new messaging campaign in areas including upstate New York's 22nd District, where incumbent GOP Rep. Claudia Tenney faces a challenge from Democrat Anthony Brindisi.

In a new ad first provided to CNBC, the PAC links Tenney to Trump while arguing that Brindisi, a state assemblyman, will be an ally of Pelosi. The ad will start airing in Binghamton and Utica markets, as well as on digital platforms throughout the district.

The group will soon hammer the Trump vs. Pelosi theme across the country. According to a source close to the committee, the PAC will unleash similar attack ads in key battleground districts as November approaches.

"President Trump is a powerful motivator for Republican voters and his presence on the campaign trail this fall will help win several key races across the country," Corry Bliss, CLF's executive director, said in a statement.

Pelosi is a favorite target of Republicans, but her spokesman says the tactic isn't resonating with the electorate.

"Republicans are on the brink of losing their House Majority and they are flailing. Poll after poll shows that attacking Nancy Pelosi just isn't the Hail Mary they hoped it would be," said Drew Hammill, Pelosi's deputy chief of staff. "Their strategy to hold the majority is crumbling before their eyes."

Later, the Brindisi campaign responded to the ad and pushed back on the idea that he would support Pelosi's agenda if he were to be elected.

"He's been clear that in Congress he won't support Nancy Pelosi for speaker," Brindisi campaign manager Ellen Foster said. "Instead of working to fix our broken immigration system with bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform, Claudia Tenney and her allies are distorting Anthony's record to divide Upstate New Yorkers."

Representatives for Tenney and Trump did not return requests for comment.Carly Stevens and her partner, Tim Gower, attended Surabhi Chauhan's wedding on Nov. 4, 2017. Source: Carly Stevens and Tim Gower

When Surabhi Chauhan, a Delhi-based fund manager, got married last November, roughly 400 guests attended her wedding. Two names on the guest list were people she had never met before: Carly Stevens and Tim Gower. The Australian travel bloggers paid around $200 for a two-day invitation to attend Chauhan's wedding through a start-up called Join My Wedding. "The concept was pretty new," Chauhan told CNBC in an interview, explaining that she came across the start-up while booking her wedding venue. "We were also getting to know people from other countries. We were very much excited and open about it, given the fact that it was new." She and her husband were introduced to Stevens and Gower by one of the start-up's co-founders, Orsi Parkanyi, she said. "We were chatting and coordinating, we had a brief introduction about each of us, what exactly we do, our respective profiles (and) what are the arrangements that will be there, the kind of attire they're supposed to wear  all those conversations happened," Chauhan said.

The wedding tourism business

Here's how Join My Wedding works: Indian couples list details about their weddings on the website, and international travelers can buy tickets to the nuptials they want to attend. Most of the contributions from the tickets go to the couples, but the start-up takes a cut. "If you think about it, there's nothing more cultural than a wedding because you have every cultural element present: The local people, local food, customs, the outfit, the music, basically every cultural element is right there," Parkanyi told CNBC. The co-founder explained that the idea for the start-up came from her own experiences in missing out on her friends' weddings. The decision to focus on Indian weddings was because they are "world-famous" and most non-Indians would not have a chance to attend one unless through personal connections. To date, travelers have attended more than 100 Indian weddings through the start-up, according to Parkanyi.

The rituals process in a Indian Hindu wedding. Navaneeth | Moment | Getty Images

"Experiencing all the cultural elements at once, meaningfully connecting with the locals in India, that's a huge motivating factor for the travelers," she said. "It's a safe experience. You attend an event with hundreds of people, you're a distinguished guest, people look after you." Many travel agencies and tour operators are capitalizing on this developing trend by creating custom tour packages for international travelers to attend Indian wedding ceremonies during their visit. Indian weddings are known for their opulence, customs and traditions that are celebrated over several days  millions of couples get married in the country every year, where there's a growing population and a rising middle class. Experts consider the Indian wedding industry, which is said to be worth about $40 billion and growing around 20 percent a year, to be recession-proof. "As far as the Indian (wedding) market is concerned, it's growing every year," Ashish Boobna, director of weddings and events at Ferns N Petals, a large wedding planning company for affluent Indians. Almost every sector is getting business from the wedding industry, in areas of decor, entertainment, food and hospitality, while new companies are being created to cater to the demands of Indians who are getting married, he said.

Boobna explained that wedding tourism is an up and coming trend in India's wedding industry, similar to medical tourism in the health care sector. For some Indian couples, the concept of inviting international travelers to attend their wedding is a way to make the ceremony more extravagant and more "show biz," he said. But others want travelers at their weddings to experience the culture and the rituals. "Foreign tourists are interested in seeing the Indian culture very closely," he added. The celebration, with song and dance, and the elaborate, symbolic rituals make Indian weddings very vibrant and that's what draws in interest from international travelers, according to Sahajanand Sharma, a tour guide based in India. "Things in Western weddings are pretty  the Church rituals you do, you probably do an after party. But everything is sort of very structured, whereas here, there's always ... someone would start dancing, there's endless colors, there's endless food, there are endless rituals," he said. Sharma also recently got married and invited about 15 to 20 of his former clients from the U.S. and Europe to join the ceremony. "I was traveling with them, with each one of them ... we sort of know each other really well," he told CNBC in an interview before the wedding. On top of that, Sharma said a tour guide friend asked if he could bring another visitor to the wedding. "I said 'why not?' We're 70 people, we can definitely accommodate a couple more."

'Part of the family'Deputy Prime Minister and Labour Minister Luigi di Maio(L), Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte(2L), Italian deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini(2R) and Italian Economy and Finances Minister Giovanni Tria(R) hold a press conference on the Italian budget on October 15, 2018 in Rome, Italy. Antonio Masiello | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Italy's political masters say they're "extremely happy" with their expansionary budget plans for next year. Now, the onus is on Brussels over whether to accept or reject the new spending proposals. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who also heads the right-wing Lega party, said his lawmakers were keeping their promises to voters after the Cabinet approved the draft budget  which essentially increases social spending and lowers the retirement age. "I am extremely happy, we are keeping our promises, slowly but bravely. We are dismantling the previous pension law, giving back the right to work at 400,000 Italians (young people able to pick up the jobs vacated by older people who could retire earlier). We are not raising taxes of any kind for 2019," Salvini said during a press conference Monday evening. Italy's budget, which was submitted to the European Commission Monday ahead of a midnight deadline, includes controversial measures that were promised by the anti-immigration Lega party and anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) ahead of the last general election in March. The vote delivered an inconclusive result and the parties formed a coalition, one that has since caused consternation in Brussels for its euroskeptic rhetoric and big spending plans.

The coalition's 2019 budget includes plans to boost welfare spending and cut some taxes essentially. It rows back on unpopular pension reforms, made in 2011, that raised the retirement age and aims to introduce a basic income for the poor. European Commission officials have expressed dismay and frustration at Italy's rebellious stance over spending but the coalition is largely unrepentant about its plans, throwing down the gauntlet to Brussels. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who was elected to the post by Salvini and his coalition partner, M5S leader Luigi Di Maio, echoed Salvini's comments that the coalition was sticking to its pledges. "We are keeping all our promises, we are very happy with this budget," Conte told reporters Monday evening. "This is the outcome of a lot of work and a lot of meetings that we have transparently made public. We have worked on a project, more than on a budget, we have worked on a project that the country needs, that citizens need. And, best of all, we are keeping the accounts in order, and delivering on our promises at the same time."

Number crunchingA student outside ITT Technical Institute after it abruptly closed, in Vista, California, Sept. 6, 2016. It seems only right that victims of predatory for-profit education companies should have their student loans forgiven. Sandy Huffaker | The New York Times

A judge ruled on Tuesday that an Obama-era set of consumer protections for defrauded students will go into effect immediately, after repeated attempts by the Trump administration and the for-profit college sector to delay the regulation. "Today's decision is a huge win for defrauded borrowers around the country," said Julie Murray, an attorney at Public Citizen Litigation Group. "The rule is finally in effect. No more excuses. No more delays." Judge Randolph D. Moss, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., denied on Tuesday an industry group's request to postpone the rule. That comes after Moss ruled last month that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos's delays of the regulation were unlawful. TWEET Now that the Obama-era regulation, known as borrower defense, is in effect, there is a clear process through which defrauded students can have their federal student loans cancelled. Certain students whose schools closed while they were enrolled will be entitled to an automatic discharge of their debt.Ohio Gov. John Kasich's super PAC raised just more than $300,000 in the third quarter, giving his political operation a boost as he considers whether to make another run at the White House.

In a new Federal Election Commission filing, the PAC, New Day for America, brought in $335,500 from July into late September. It's the most the group has raked in during a quarter this year, boosted by six-figure sums from a couple of individual donors.

The top contributions came from power players within the business community. Kevin Clifford, CEO of mutual fund company American Funds Distributors, donated $100,000, as did venture capitalist Ted Schlein.

Clifford had backed Kasich's presidential ambitions during the 2016 election. He gave $1.3 million to the affiliated pro-Kasich super PAC, the New Day Independent Media Committee, records show.

Schlein, Clifford and a Kasich spokesman did not return calls for comment.

Kasich has yet to decide whether he will run against President Donald Trump in a Republican primary in two years. The Ohio governor ran in 2016, and was the last Republican to drop out as Trump clinched the nomination. Kasich only won his home state during the primaries.

Still, that hasn't discouraged him from considering a fresh attempt at winning the presidency.

"I'm not afraid to run," he recently told Forbes. "I'm trying to figure out how to have the greatest impact. The key in politics is to have the greatest impact. It doesn't mean I have to hold political office to have a voice."

Kasich's hesitation hasn't stopped veteran GOP political operative Bill Kristol from trying to recruit the Ohio governor to run against Trump.

Kristol's nonprofit organization, Defending Democracy Together, has been seeking more moderate candidates, such as Kasich, to take on the president in the next presidential election.

In a recent interview, Kristol told CNBC that he had been in contact with Kasich, along with GOP Sens. Ben Sasse and Jeff Flake.

Yet they echoed what they've said publicly about potentially running  which is that they are focused on serving their constituents and helping Republicans maintain their majorities in Congress in the midterm elections.Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., long one of Saudi Arabia's most vocal defenders in Congress, said Tuesday that the kingdom's nearly all-powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has "got to go" and vowed never to return to the country as long as the young leader remains in power. Graham also pledged to impose sanctions.

Later Tuesday, the influential member of the Senate Armed Services Committee said he favored suspending U.S. weapons sales to the country.

"This guy is a wrecking ball. He had this guy murdered in a consulate in Turkey, and to expect me to ignore it  I feel used and abused," Graham, a close ally of President Donald Trump, said during an interview with "Fox & Friends."

Graham added that "there is a difference between a country and an individual," but said that bin Salman is "toxic" and "can never be a world leader on the world stage."

The senator's remarks come as Saudi Arabia faces down a global outcry amid accusations that it orchestrated the killing of a journalist critical of the crown prince. Jamal Khashoggi, a contributor to The Washington Post, has not been seen since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul earlier this month.

Trump has downplayed the accusations against the crown prince, and told reporters on Monday that the denial from King Salman was "very strong." The president dispatched Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet with top officials in the country, while floating the alternative theory that Khashoggi might have been murdered by "rogue killers."

Graham's decision to continue his offensive against the country on a platform that Trump is known to watch is noteworthy.A miscalculation. Photo: Jospeh Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images

Elizabeth Warren finally did it. Caving to years of pressure from President Donald Trump, the Massachusetts senator tried to shore up her claims to Native American ancestry by taking a DNA test. The results appear in a documentary on her website and inform a lengthy subsection on the topic.

The facts suggest that you absolutely have a Native American ancestor in your pedigree, Carlos Bustamante, a professor of genetics at Stanford University and adviser to Ancestry.com and 23andMe, tells Warren in the video, which was released Monday.

It seems unlikely that many will be moved by these findings. Native ancestry is notoriously hard to quantify through DNA testing. The analysis places Warrens indigenous ancestor six to ten generations back, meaning she could be as little as 1/1,024th Native, according to the Boston Globe. This may vindicate her in the most literal sense, but it also wades into messy debates about how Native identity is calculated. White people claim Cherokee ancestry so often it borders on self-parody. Warren distinguishes between ethnic heritage and tribal membership in her video, but the distinctions very existence is ironic  in part because requirements to prove tribal ancestry were originally imposed by the U.S. government, not the tribes themselves. The Cherokee Nation itself rebuked Warrens DNA test. And such compartmentalization can be twisted to nefarious ends, like tribal disenrollment and, most recently, the invalidation of the Indian Child Welfare Act in Texas.

But the Warren-Trump debacle isnt really about any of that. Conservative jabs at Warrens Native heritage are about as serious as Trump calling her Pocahontas in front of jeering crowds. Derision and delegitimization are the real point. And Warren is playing Trumps game  if only because a volatile electorate has forced her hand.

That Team Warren thinks this issue is a political vulnerability at all speaks volumes. The likely root of her decision to take Trumps jabs seriously is fear that being linked to perceived race-based advantages  and ones obtained by lying, at that  could harm a 2020 presidential bid. In addition to the DNA results, Warrens video features admissions committee members and professors from past law schools affirming that her claims to Native ancestry played no role in their decision to admit or hire her.

To try to belittle [Warrens qualifications] with this nonsense is very unfair, says Olin G. Wellborn, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, where Warren used to teach.

The senators attempts to prove her Native heritage while going out of her way to demonstrate her hiring did not rely on it has a perhaps-unintended implication: that being qualified and having ethnicity factor in school admissions or professional advancement are mutually exclusive. This concedes the rights main argument against affirmative action: that it gives underqualified minorities an unearned leg up. And the truth is, Warren has good reason to worry about this perception. Public opinion polling on the subject varies so widely as to be inconclusive. Some polls show overwhelming support for affirmative action in college admissions. Others show that support plummets when the question is reframed in terms of whether racial and ethnic background should be considered. Most self-identified Republicans are against it anyway.

This tension makes sense considering how receptive much of white America is to racial grievance politics. Trump owes his political career to it. His 2011 birther campaign against President Barack Obama proved so galvanizing on the right  and faced so little opposition from the Republican establishment  that Obama decided it was wisest to release his birth certificate to prove he wasnt born in Kenya. Such conspiracy theories are a fixture of the conservative playbook. Its why Trumps unsubstantiated claims of mass-scale voter fraud in 2016 provoked not ridicule from his supporters, but insistence theyd seen it occur with their own eyes  even if they retracted such claims when pressed.

I guess I cant cite the busloads that Ive seen, [or] where Ive seen them, a Trump supporter named Bill told CNN, minutes after claiming hed watched busloads of illegal voters enter New Hampshire from Massachusetts.

In the end, these efforts are intended to mock and delegitimize progressive opposition, not challenge it in good faith. They are rooted in lies, but exploit enough real cultural fault-lines that failing to treat them seriously risks losing ground to their proponents politically. Such is the self-replicating power of whiteness, and to a similar extent, maleness. Everyone elses claims to belonging are always subject to interrogation. The real function of racism is distraction, author Toni Morrison said in 1975. It keeps you explaining, over and over again, your reason for being. But there will always be something else to prove. Vindicating though it may seem on some level, Warren indulging her Republican baiters seems unlikely to yield more than a sense of moral satisfaction. Among conservatives, the goading was always insincere  as empty as the coffers of the charity to which Trump promised $1 million if Warren proved her Native blood.The Senate's top Republican said Tuesday that a vote on President Donald Trump's NAFTA replacement won't come until 2019, potentially setting up a showdown with Democrats if, as expected, they win a majority in the House.

"That'll be a next year issue," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told Bloomberg News, citing procedural issues. "There's no question this will be on the top of the agenda."

Indeed, the legislative calendar for the rest of the year is tight. Lawmakers are campaigning for re-election ahead of next month's midterm election. Several other pressing issues await senators when they get back for the lame-duck session after the election, such as the farm bill and another deadline to fund the government.

The U.S., Mexico and Canada reached an 11th-hour deal late last month to keep much of the old North American Free Trade Agreement alive, with a few distinct changes. The updated pact, which is now called the USMCA, still needs to be approved by each nation's legislatures.

Some Republicans had been pushing for a vote on the deal this year, but it was always unlikely given the remaining priorities for this congressional term.

Democrats have been largely supportive of keeping NAFTA in place. Yet, if the party takes power in the House, its members could push for concessions and complicate the approval process. The GOP, meanwhile, is expected to hold onto or expand its slight majority in the Senate.

Key Republicans have also suggested that the refreshed trade agreement needs improvement. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., told CNBC earlier this month "there's a possibility that we could address some of these what I consider flaws in the implementing legislation that Congress has to pass."

Even though the USMCA isn't officially in place, that hasn't stopped Trump from touting it on the campaign trail, particularly as he seeks to limit the political damage wrought by his tariffs and trade conflict with China and other nations.

"NAFTA has been one of the great disasters of all time and now we have a great and fair deal. We have a fair deal," the president said at a rally earlier this month in Minnesota.

Read the full Bloomberg News story here.Saudi Arabia could soon take action to push oil prices lower, one analyst told CNBC Tuesday, as part of a "settlement" plan to alleviate diplomatic tensions with the U.S.

It comes at a time of international outcry after journalist Jamal Khashoggi  a U.S. resident and prominent critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman  disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.

Turkish authorities claim Khashoggi was murdered and his body removed. Saudi Arabia vehemently denies that.

"My guess is the quid quo pro is likely going to be that the Saudi's end up pumping as aggressively as they can. And so, all things being equal, I think this is probably negative for the oil price," Michael Harris, founder of Cribstone Strategic Macro, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" on Tuesday.

Harris said rising diplomatic tensions between Saudi Arabia and the West could ultimately become "hugely problematic" if it triggered oil prices to spiral out of control. That's because investors would then need to worry about Riyadh's leverage in the energy market.

"But I think the exact opposite is going to be happening. The Saudi guilt is going to play into the oil price," he said.

International benchmark Brent crude traded at around $80.20 Tuesday morning, down around 0.7 percent, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stood at $77.23, almost 0.8 percent lower.A month before his death, the Las Vegas Review Journal reported that police were investigating an allegation that Hof had sexually assaulted a woman. Three former prostitutes previously had accused Hof of sexual assault. But prosecutors did not file charges against Hof because the statute of limitations had expired in each case, the Las Vegas Review Journal reported earlier this year.

Hof, a cigar-smoking sybarite, also owned the Moonlite Bunny Ranch, which was made famous by the HBO show "Cathouse." He had said that Trump inspired him to run for office.

Jeremy found Hof, who had died in his sleep at the Love Ranch Vegas, one of Hof's legal brothels, in Crystal, Nevada, according to a tweet from Hof's campaign manager, Chuck Muth.

Dennis Hof, the notorious pimp and Republican candidate for Nevada's state assembly , died hours after a combination 72nd birthday party/campaign rally attended by GOP tax fighter Grover Norquist; Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was recently pardoned by President Donald Trump , and porn movie legend Ron Jeremy.

Hof, who denied the allegations, told the Las Vegas newspaper that "It's this sort of muckraking in the political cesspool that keeps so many good people from running for office."

"But it won't deter me," he added.

Muth, while en route to the Love Ranch, told the Reno Gazette Journal, "I'm on my way up there now to find out exactly what the hell happened."

"I got a call from his assistant, in tears saying Dennis died and I need you to come out here immediately, I can't deal with this myself," Muth said. "We had a wonderful event last night. He was having the time of his life last night. Grover Norquist was there ... Ron Jeremy was there. He was given a rescue dog as a birthday present."

Norquist, in an email to CNBC, said that he had met Hof several years ago while appearing with him on Fox Business Network.

"I did not know he was famous from his HBO show. My press guy explained the world to me," said Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform. "Later (two years ago) he called me to say he was running for state legislature as a Libertarian  challenging a Republican incumbent who voted for a massive tax hike. He signed the [no-tax increase] pledge. I endorsed him. Dennis Hof narrowly lost."

"Two years later  this year, Dennis ran in the GOP primary and won the primary. I spoke at one event with him in the spring and one last night after he won the primary. I liked his politics. I liked him. He was a great guy," Norquist said.

"He was a strong leader for the taxpayer movement," he added. "He would have shaken up Carson City and moved Nevada back to its Reagan/Laxalt roots. I knew that whatever happens on election day I would be celebrating my friend's victory."

"He was a personal friend. I liked him. He was full of the world's wisdom and kindness. I miss him already," Norquist said.

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Muth also had said in a tweet during the shindig that Fox News host Tucker Carlson called in to the party to say hello "to the standing-room-only crowd."

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Hof, whose 2015 memoir was titled "The Art of the Pimp," had defeated an incumbent state assemblyman in the Republican primary in the summer. His name will still appear on the general election ballot for the District 36 seat, according to the Reno Gazette Journal.

If he wins, a replacement would be appointed.

Hof said earlier this year that Trump's shocking 2016 win inspired him to run for office.

"I'm riding the Trump wave," Hof said in June after winning his primary. "He's Christopher Columbus."Fears are spreading that Saudi Arabia, in retaliation against the growing global outcry caused by the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, may hit back at potential economic sanctions by weaponizing its oil dominance.

Saudi Arabia's not-so-veiled threat issued in a government statement Sunday emphasized its "vital role in the global economy" and that any action taken upon it will be met with "greater action". But as oil ticks upward, a look at history and geopolitics suggests that while a Saudi-driven oil price spike would bring pain for much of the world, it would ultimately backfire on itself.

"If this is something the Saudis were allowed to do, they'd be really shooting themselves in the foot," Warren Patterson, commodities analyst at ING, told CNBC's Squawk Box Europe on Tuesday. "In the short to medium term we'll definitely see an incremental amount of demand destruction, but the bigger issue is in the longer term."

Any action in withholding oil from the market, he said, "would only quicken the pace of energy transition."

The crisis began after Turkish officials alleged that Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and Washington Post contributor, was murdered on orders of the Saudi government after he was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. The Saudis have fiercely denied this claim, but have so far provided no evidence to the contrary, sparking furor in Congress, where momentum is building to impose sanctions on weapons imports to the kingdom. Media companies and corporate executives are pulling out of Saudi Arabia's annual investment conference, scheduled for late October, in droves.

And Saudi markets are already feeling the impact  its benchmark Tadawul index tumbled 7 percent on Sunday, and fell 4 percent on opening trades Tuesday.

An incendiary op-ed published in Saudi news outlet Al Arabiya on Sunday threatened "economic disaster" if countries came down on Saudi Arabia over the Khashoggi case. "If the price of oil reaching $80 angered President Trump, no one should rule out the price jumping to $100, or $200, or even double that figure," the outlet's general manager Turki Aldakhil wrote.Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (R) poses with Richard Branson (L), founder of Virgin Group Ltd. during his visit to Virgin Galactic company as part of his official visits in California, United States on April 2, 2018.

Saudi Arabia is still negotiating a deal with Virgin Hyperloop One, a source close to the company told CNBC, contradicting a report that Riyadh had pulled out amid tensions with founder Richard Branson.

The Financial Times reported earlier on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia terminated the planned deal following Branson's decision to halt investment talks with the country over missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi's whereabouts.

But CNBC's source said negotiations are still underway and that the FT report is inaccurate.

The two parties had originally planned to partner on a feasibility study for the high-speed transportation system. The deal was slated to be officially signed at next week's Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh.

Branson said in a statement last week that he will suspend discussions of a $1 billion investment into Virgin's space companies, Virgin Galactic and Virgin Orbit, amid ongoing investigations into Khashoggi's whereabouts. He also announced that he will step down from his role as director of two Saudi tourism projects aimed at transforming islands in the Red Sea into luxury resorts.

Khashoggi has not been seen since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct 2. Turkish officials have asserted that he was murdered inside the consulate, while the Saudis insisted that he left safely that day.

 CNBC's Ryan Ruggiero contributed reporting.

WATCH: Meet Saudi Arabia's crown princeIsraeli cybersecurity company Sygnia said Tuesday that it will be acquired by Singapore investment firm Temasek Holdings, subject to customary signing and closing conditions.

The start-up said that it will maintain its operational independence while collaborating with Temasek and its portfolio companies. Founder and CEO Shachar Levy will remain at the helm of the company.

"Aligning with Temasek will strengthen our capability to provide end to end strategic support to organizations in meeting the specter of cyber threats, and allow us to accelerate building our global reach," Levy said in a statement.

Financial details about the acquisition were not disclosed. Temasek  a Singapore state investment firm with a portfolio worth billions of dollars  declined to comment on the size of the deal. A source familiar with the matter told CNBC that Sygnia will be acquired for $250 million

Sygnia says its services help clients build cyber resilience against growing security threats. For example, the start-up implements a service that simulates massive cyberattack scenarios to stress test networks and critical assets for companies. That allows decision makers to understand how such attacks occur in real time, to identify vulnerabilities within the company and to strengthen their security.Kim Kulish | Getty Images

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could determine whether users can challenge social media companies on free speech grounds. The case, Manhattan Community Access Corp. v. Halleck, No. 17-702, centers on whether a private operator of a public access television network is considered a state actor, which can be sued for First Amendment violations. The case could have broader implications for social media and other media outlets. In particular, a broad ruling from the high court could open the country's largest technology companies up to First Amendment lawsuits. That could shape the ability of companies like Facebook, Twitter and Alphabet's Google to control the content on their platforms as lawmakers clamor for more regulation and activists on the left and right spar over issues related to censorship and harassment. The Supreme Court accepted the case on Friday. It is the first case taken by a reconstituted high court after Justice Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation earlier this month.

On its face, the case has nothing to do with social media at all. Rather, the facts of the case concern public access television, and two producers who claim they were punished for expressing their political views. The producers, DeeDee Halleck and Jesus Melendez, say that Manhattan Neighborhood Network suspended them for expressing views that were critical of the network. In making the argument to the justices that the case was worthy of review, attorneys for MNN said the court could use the case to resolve a lingering dispute over the power of social media companies to regulate the content on their platforms. While the First Amendment is meant to protect citizens against government attempts to limit speech, there are certain situations in which private companies can be subject to First Amendment liability. Attorneys for MNN have made the case that social media companies are clearly not government actors. But in raising the question, they have provided the Supreme Court an opportunity to weigh in.

"We stand at a moment when the very issue at the heart of this casethe interplay between private entities, nontraditional media, and the First Amendmenthas been playing out in the courts, in other branches of government, and in the media itself," attorneys for MNN wrote in their final plea to the justices to take up the case. A ruling against MNN on the broad question it has asked the court to consider could open social media companies to First Amendment suits, which would force them to limit the actions they take to control the content on their platforms. The court could also rule more narrowly against MNN in a way that does not impact the companies. The case is likely to get extra attention as it moves forward given Republican lawmakers' increasing attacks against social media companies for perceived partisanship. Those attacks have raised the specter that the court, which has served as a bulwark for conservative expression, could step in. Some observers have expressed caution, saying that the justices are unlikely to rule in a way that could substantially impact social media companies. Michael Pachter, a former tax attorney who covers Twitter as an analyst at Wedbush Securities, said he thought it was "extremely unlikely" that the court will issue a ruling that hamstrings social media companies, particularly given the court's deference to business interests. If the court does place serious limits on how the companies can restrict the speech on their platforms, he said, it would make the networks more hostile, alienating their users and advertisers. "[Twitter] is an uncivil place as it is," Pachter said. "But it will become less civil." Courts in California and New Jersey have weighed in on the issue, finding that social media companies don't constitute state actors subject to First Amendment liability. A federal judge in New York ruled in May that the First Amendment protected users interacting with parts of Twitter, including the president's feed. But that ruling did not apply to Twitter as a whole. The Supreme Court addressed a related issue in June 2017. In Packingham v. North Carolina, No. 15-1194, the court struck down a state law that prohibited sex offenders from accessing social media sites. In his opinion for the court, Justice Anthony Kennedy, who retired over the summer, referred to social media sites as a "modern public square." But the court's decision left important questions about what exactly that meant up in the air.

Conservatives allege censorshipWarren's decision to release the test was a direct rebuke to Trump, who used her claim as a central attack against the liberal senator, who is widely expected to mount a presidential challenge in 2020.

However, the parameters of the test left open the possibility that Warren was only 1/1,024 Native American  a tiny fraction that the Massachusetts Democrat's opponents were quick to point out.

The test by a Stanford genetics professor, published Monday in The Boston Globe, found "strong evidence" that Warren's heritage included Native American DNA six to 10 generations ago.

"Now that her claims of being of Indian heritage have turned out to be a scam and a lie, Elizabeth Warren should apologize for perpetrating this fraud against the American Public," Trump said in a series of tweets.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday again mocked Sen. Elizabeth Warren as "Pocahontas" and demanded she apologize after she revealed the results of a DNA test to prove her prior claims of Native American ancestry.

At a rally in Montana in July, Trump raised the stakes. "I will give you a million dollars to your favorite charity, paid for by Trump, if you take the test and it shows you're an Indian," he said.

"And let's see what she does, right? I have a feeling she will say 'no,' but we'll hold that for the debates!" Trump added.

Trump denied he ever made the promise in remarks to reporters Monday, but Warren reminded him in a tweet.

On Tuesday morning, Warren shot back at Trump's Twitter salvos in a pair of tweets.

Warren 2 tweet

Warren has long been accused by conservatives of leaning on her assertion of Native American heritage for political or professional gain. Trump has played up this criticism at his campaign-style rallies and on social media, and in his Tuesday morning tweet took his attack further, calling Warren "Pocahontas (the bad version)."

In a follow-up tweet, Trump directly accused Warren of exploiting her purported ancestry to get hired at Harvard Law School.

"Harvard called her "a person of color" (amazing con), and would not have taken her otherwise!" Trump said.

Trump tweet 2

The Globe, however, published a report on Sept. 1 contradicting that claim. "Warren first listed her ethnicity as Native American nearly five months after she started her tenured position at Harvard and 2 years after she was there as a visiting professor and first offered the job," the newspaper reported.

Trump wasn't the only one criticizing Warren's DNA test. A representative for the Cherokee Nation responded harshly to the whole exercise, saying in a statement: "A DNA test is useless to determine tribal citizenship."

"Current DNA tests do not even distinguish whether a person's ancestors were indigenous to North or South America. Sovereign tribal nations set their own legal requirements for citizenship, and while DNA tests can be used to determine lineage, such as paternity to an individual, it is not evidence for tribal affiliation. Using a DNA test to lay claim to any connection to the Cherokee Nation or any tribal nation, even vaguely, is inappropriate and wrong. It makes a mockery out of DNA tests and its legitimate uses while also dishonoring legitimate tribal governments and their citizens, whose ancestors are well documented and whose heritage is prove. Senator Warren is undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage."

In a third tweet on the subject, Trump thanked the Cherokee Nation "for revealing that Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, is a complete and total Fraud!"

WATCH: Trump wants to prove that Amazon is costing the Post Office billions, here's why it's not that simplePresident Donald Trump holds a chart of military hardware sales as he welcomes Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 20, 2018.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that "I have no financial interests in Saudi Arabia"  but in fact he has boasted in the past that "I make a lot of money with them."

Trump's tweet denying a financial stake in Saudi Arabia comes amid a growing furor over suspicions that the country's rulers ordered the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Khashoggi has not been seen since entering the consulate.

Tweet

The Saudi government is discussing a plan to admit that The Washington Post contributor was killed after entering that building, according to NBC News, which cited multiple sources. But that admission, NBC News said, could include a claim that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did not order the killing or know if it.

Trump's attempt to distance himself from profiting from Saudi Arabia is undercut by a long record showing deals his companies made with that country's government and citizens.

"Saudi Arabia, I get along with all of them. They buy apartments from me. They spend $40 million, $50 million," Trump said during a presidential campaign rally in Alabama in August 2015.

"Am I supposed to dislike them? I like them very much."

At another rally that year, Trump said of the Saudis, "I make a lot of money from them."

"They buy all sorts of my stuff. All kinds of toys from Trump. They pay me millions and hundred of millions."

Tweet

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC on Trump's tweet and his past comments about earnings from Saudis.

When he first announced his bid for the White House in Trump Tower in New York in 2015, Trump said, "I love the Saudis."

"Many are in this building."

In another Trump-owned building in the Big Apple, Trump World Tower, the Saudi government had bought an entire floor for $4.5 million in 2001.

The New York Daily News reported in 2016 that common charges for that floor paid by the Saudis to Trump's company would have been at least $5.7 million if those charges remained the same as they were when the floor was bought.

Thirteen years before that purchase, Trump himself had paid a reported $29 million for a 281-foot yacht, the Nabila, which had been originally built for Adnan Khashoggi, a Saudi arms dealer, but was owned by the Sultan of Brunei at the time of Trump's purchase. Khashoggi, now dead, was a cousin to Jamal Khashoggi.

In 1991, while going through what was one of a series of financial squeezes in his career as a real estate mogul and casino operator, Trump sold the big boat, since renamed "Trump Princess," to Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. And he sold it at a loss: $20 million.

More recently, as president, Saudi money has again benefited Trump.President Donald Trump welcomes Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S. March 20, 2018. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters

President Donald Trump on Tuesday pushed back against a growing chorus of criticism against Saudi Arabia over the disappearance of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. "Here we go again with you're guilty until proven innocent," Trump said in the interview, comparing the allegations against Saudi Arabia to the sexual misconduct allegations from multiple women against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing. Turkish officials told news outlets that Khashoggi had been murdered and dismembered with a bone saw when he entered the consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. The Saudi government has denied the allegations. Earlier Tuesday, Trump said "that would be bad" if Saudi Arabia's king and crown prince knew about the suspected killing of Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate.

"You'll start hearing what is happening," Trump told Fox Business Network in an interview scheduled to air Tuesday night. "Turkey is looking at it very strongly. We are all looking at it together. But Turkey and Saudi Arabia are looking at it very strongly," the president said. "And it depends whether or not the King [Salman] or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman knew about it, in my opinion. Number one, what happened, but whether or not they knew about it." Bin Salman is the putative leader of Saudi Arabia. "If they knew about it, that would be bad," Trump said. Trump's comments came as a Turkish official told the Associated Press that a police search of that consulate found evidence that Khashoggi was killed there after last being seen entering it Oct. 2. Trump, in a pair of tweets, said Tuesday he had spoken by phone with bin Salman, "who totally denied any knowledge of what happened" in the consulate. Bin Salman was with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Saudi Arabia during that call. In a statement, Pompeo said he "had direct and candid conversations" with the king and the crown prince, as well as Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir. "My assessment from these meetings is that there is serious commitment to determine all the facts and ensure accountability, including accountability for Saudi Arabia's senior leaders or senior officials," Pompeo added. Pompeo will be traveling to Turkey's capital, Ankara, on Wednesday to discuss Khashoggi's case with senior leaders there. Tweet

Trump had spoken by phone on Monday with King Salman, who likewise had denied knowledge of what happened to Khashoggi. After speaking with the king, Trump told reporters that it had sounded like "maybe these could have been rogue killers  who knows?" NBC News reported Tuesday that the Saudis are discussing issuing an explanation that would admit that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate while giving bin Salman so-called plausible deniability by saying he neither ordered the murder nor knew about it. NBC also reported that a person with knowledge of the discussions said the kingdom will claim that rogue operatives killed the journalist during either an interrogation or an attempt to kidnap him and return him to his native Saudi Arabia. Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, left Saudi Arabia last year. He had penned articles critical of the country's rulers. Fred Ryan, the Post's publisher and CEO, in a statement Tuesday said, "It has been two weeks since Jamal Khashoggi disappeared in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul."President Trump talking to the media yesterday. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

One of the innumerable ways in which Donald Trump has degraded American politics is his habit of relentlessly using belittling nicknames for his political opponents. Seizing on a superficial or imagined characteristic  Liddle Marco, Low-Energy Jeb Bush, etc.  he repeats it, like a middle-school bully, recruiting his sycophants to circulate the meme.

Axios reports that Trump is especially pleased with his insulting of Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren, a contender for the 2020 Democratic nomination. Axios brings us word that behind the scenes the bully-in-chief and his lackeys are chortling about their success. Trumps nicknames slyly capitalize on and exacerbate a real or perceived weakness: A former aide said: You hear them and laugh, and then they say: You know what? Hes kinda right!, it reports, adding in the news outlets signature Be Smart coda: Be smart  Trumps Pocahontas nickname, as offensive as it may be, has been wickedly effective from his point of view.

One of the preconditions for the success of Trumps method is a news media that will devote far more attention to grading the effectiveness of Trumps bullying than its truth. Even on those amoral terms, this story is especially credulous. It gives Trump credit for inventing a nickname that he did not actually devise. In fact, the theme and the term were used against Warren when she ran for Senate in 2012. The term Pocahontas was near ubiquitous in conservative media, complained one critic.

The far more common term of abuse at the time was Fauxcahontas, which at least involves some wordplay. So to the extent Trump can claim any contribution here, it is nudging Republicans away from a somewhat clever bullying nickname and toward the adoption of a dumber version.

The accusation implied by the nickname is that Warren falsified Native American heritage to advance her career in academia. Warren has said she has been told by her family that she has part Cherokee descent, and has listed that designation at times. This week, she released the result of a DNA test trying to ascertain whether that family lore is correct. The test suggested she probably did have a Cherokee ancestor six to ten generations ago. Conservatives claimed this proved she had less Native American ancestry than the average person, and the conclusion spread virally through conservative media, although it was false.

Pocahontas (the bad version), sometimes referred to as Elizabeth Warren, is getting slammed. She took a bogus DNA test and it showed that she may be 1/1024, far less than the average American. Now Cherokee Nation denies her, DNA test is useless. Even they dont want her. Phony!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2018

In any case, the DNA test had no bearing on either of the relevant facts. We dont usually expect people to scientifically verify claims of ancestry when they check boxes on forms. Was Warren told she had Cherokee ancestry? Nobody has produced any evidence to the contrary.

More to the point, did she benefit from affirmative action as an alleged Native American? The Boston Globes Annie Linskey conducted an exhaustive investigation of this question last month, digging through personnel records and interviewing former colleagues and supervisors. The result of her reporting was unambiguous. The Globe found clear evidence, in documents and interviews, that her claim to Native American ethnicity was never considered by the Harvard Law faculty, which voted resoundingly to hire her, or by those who hired her to four prior positions at other law schools, it found. At every step of her remarkable rise in the legal profession, the people responsible for hiring her saw her as a white woman.

Perhaps because this report came out on Labor Day, or perhaps because the news media is too shallow to care, its findings have failed to make much impact. Instead we are left with lots of admiring commentary about Trumps bullying game being on point. It clearly got in Warrens head: The fact that she got a DNA test, let alone is doing a massive rollout of the results, shows how much its on her mind, reports Axios. It now becomes a symbol of whether shes honest. Did she lie to advance her academic career?

Well, she didnt  a fact the story declines to mention. But who cares about the truth when we can describe the effectiveness of the lie?Honduran migrants, part of a caravan trying to reach the U.S., gesture while arriving to the border between Honduras and Guatemala, in Agua Caliente, Guatemala October 15, 2018.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he has warned the president of Honduras that if the caravan of migrants heading to the U.S. is not brought back to Honduras, no more aid will be given to Honduras, "effective immediately."

Donald Trump tweet

Hundreds of Hondurans hoping to reach the U.S. bedded down for the night in this Guatemalan town after that country's authorities blinked first in attempts to halt their advance.

The group estimated at 1,600 to 2,000 people fleeing poverty and violence in Honduras marched into Guatemala in sweltering heat Monday, twice pushing past outnumbered police sent to stop them  first at the border and then at a roadblock just outside Esquipulas.

After those encounters, Mexico's immigration authority sent out a fresh warning late Monday that the migrants would have to satisfy Mexican officials individually and that only those meeting requirements would be allowed to enter.

U.S. authorities were watching as well. Katie Waldman, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman, said in a statement that the caravan was "what we see day-in and day-out at the border as a result of well-advertised and well-known catch-and-release loopholes."

"Until Congress acts, we will continue to have de-facto open borders that guarantees future 'caravans' and record numbers of family units entering the country illegally," she said.

The exhausted migrants entered Esquipulas during the evening and sought out food and places to sleep, hobbling on blistered feet. Few carried food and some residents began to organize to help feed them. Some migrants asked for money, others passing a bakery were handed bread.

The migrants arrived at the Guatemalan border singing the Honduran national anthem, praying and chanting, "Yes, we can." The group defied an order by the Guatemalan government that they not enter.

"We have rights," the migrants shouted.

Keilin Umana, a 21-year-old who is two months pregnant, said she was moved to migrate to save herself and her unborn child after she was threatened with death.

Umana, a nurse, said she had been walking for four days. "We are not criminals  we are migrants," she said.

Many in the caravan traveled light, with just backpacks and bottles of water. Some pushed toddlers in strollers or carried them on their shoulders.

Carlos Cortez, a 32-year-old farmer traveling on foot with his 7-year-old son, said poverty back home made it impossible to support a family.

"Every day I earn about $5," Cortez said. "That isn't enough to feed my family."

The caravan was met at the border by about 100 Guatemalan police officers. After a standoff of about two hours, the migrants began walking again. Officers did nothing to stop them, but accompanied them several miles (kilometers) into Guatemalan territory.

Officers then set up the roadblock about a mile (2 kilometers) outside Esquipulas. About 250 police kept them from advancing for three hours, telling them they had to return to the border to go through immigration. The migrants refused to budge and eventually officers again let them pass.

The caravan began as about 160 people who first gathered early Friday to depart from San Pedro Sula, one of Honduras' most dangerous places, figuring that traveling as a group would make them less vulnerable to robbery, assault and other dangers common on the migratory path through Central America and Mexico.

Local media coverage prompted hundreds more to join during the weekend as the group moved toward Guatemala.

A day before the caravan formed, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence had urged leaders in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala to persuade their citizens to stay home and avoid the long, risky journey to the United States.

In April, Trump threatened to withdraw foreign aid from Honduras and countries that allowed transit for a similar caravan that set out from the Central American country. That caravan dwindled as the group approached the U.S. border, with some giving up along the way and others splitting off to try to cross on their own.

Historian Dana Frank, an expert on human rights and U.S. policy in Honduras, said Monday that the latest group could have political implications in the United States with the midterm elections coming up.

Frank said that "some in the United States will be quick to raise alarms about a supposed dangerous immigrant invasion" and that "others will view these migrants with compassion and as further evidence of the need for comprehensive immigration reform."

Frank said the caravan's rapid growth underscores "how desperate the Honduran people are  that they'd begin walking toward refuge in the United States with only a day pack full of belongings."

Honduras is largely dominated by murderous gangs that prey on families and businesses, and routinely sees homicide rates that are among the highest in the world.President Donald Trump's "America First" approach to foreign policy is not part of the solution when it comes to restoring international order, according to the former head of NATO.

"There is only the United States with the global reach to act as someone who could restore international law and order," Anders Fogh Rasmussen told CNBC's Silvia Amaro in Brussels Monday.

"However, of course right now it seems a bit difficult because the U.S. president has, so to speak, retreated. He has withdrawn from world affairs and that is why we see all that chaos right now. The world needs leadership and only Americans can provide that leadership," Rasmussen said.

The former secretary general of the military alliance, who also served as Denmark's prime minister for eight years through to 2009, has previously said the U.S. is the only country with the "material and moral greatness" to foster peace and prevent a slide into political chaos.

His comments come at a time of rising diplomatic tensions between Saudi Arabia and the West. The disappearance of a prominent journalist critical of Saudi Arabia's policies has triggered international outcry against the oil-rich kingdom  and rattled financial markets.U.S. government debt yields were little changed Tuesday after the Labor Department said that the number of job openings in the United States raced to a record in August.

The number of openings hit a series high of 7.1 million on the last business day of August, the government said, adding to the existing belief that the U.S. labor market is at one of its tightest points in a generation.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note initially rose on the back of the data, but later turned lower. At around 1:13 p.m. ET, the yield traded at 3.158 percent, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was also little changed at 3.335 percent. Bond yields move inversely to prices.

In the Bureau of Labor Statistics's most recent report on the employment situation the unemployment rate in the U.S. dropped to 3.7 percent, a level not seen in nearly 50 years. Closely-watched average hourly earnings rose 8 cents  or 0.3 percent  over the month, matching August's gain.

The hot job reports may also portend acceleration in wage growth, which could be a worry for the Federal Reserve trying to keep a lid on inflation.Soldiers of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards march during an annual military parade to mark Iran's eight-year war with Iraq in the capital Tehran, 22 September 2007.

The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Tuesday on a multibillion-dollar financial network that supports an Iranian paramilitary force that it said recruits and trains child soldiers for the country's elite Revolutionary Guards.

The announcement came two weeks before the Trump administration reimposes some of the United States' harshest sanctions against Iran, including its oil sector.

The Bonyad Taavon Basij network provides financial infrastructure to the Basij Resistance Force, a paramilitary force that works for Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Treasury said in a statement.

Both Basij groups were targeted by the new sanctions.

"This vast network provides financial infrastructure to the Basij's efforts to recruit, train, and indoctrinate child soldiers who are coerced into combat under the IRGC's direction," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.Despite reports suggesting the Saudi Arabian government was involved in the disappearance of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Washington is likely to prioritize maintaining its relations with Riyadh, according to a think tank expert.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of powerful Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, vanished two weeks ago after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to retrieve documents. Saudi Arabia has so far denied any wrongdoing.

NBC News reported on Monday that Riyadh is considering a plan to say Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate, potentially pointing to rogue operatives in an interrogation gone wrong.

Nevertheless, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is likely to continue strengthening its relationship with ally Saudi Arabia despite concerns about Riyadh's potential involvement in the journalist's disappearance, according to Emily Hawthorne, Middle East and North Africa analyst at geopolitical think tank Stratfor.

"I don't think this administration is looking as hard into issues of human rights" compared to strategic alliances with partners that promise "mutual benefit," Hawthorne said, noting that the United States has many ongoing strategic concerns in the Middle East.

Some of America's concerns include Iran, oil markets and arms sales, she added.While shares of marijuana companies may be reaching sky-high valuations, Aswath Damodaran said "the numbers are not there" to invest confidently just yet.

The New York University Stern School of Business professor told CNBC's "Fast Money" on Tuesday that he recommends potential cannabis investors "stay out for the moment."

From his point of view, no pot stocks have "compelling enough stories" to make them worth buying at such high valuations.

"Companies are being priced based upon the size of the potential market and incremental information" rather than their fundamentals, Damodaran said in a blog post Tuesday. He said this is why the industry has seen so much price volatility.

Shares of the largest cannabis companies, Tilray and Canopy Growth, both fell on Tuesday after rallying a day earlier following news that Canopy Growth intends to acquire Colorado-based hemp company ebbu.

Tilray and Canopy Growth are both based in Canada, and Damodaran said he believes that country will continue to house the biggest companies in the industry. Recreational marijuana use is set to become legal nationwide in Canada on Wednesday, although each of the country's 10 provinces will be able to set their own local regulations.

Marijuana regulations in the United States differ at the state and federal levels, with recreational use legal in just nine states. Until those discrepancies are resolved, American cannabis companies "are going to be handicapped," Damodaran said.

For investors who still want exposure to the cannabis industry, Damodaran recommends investing in traditional companies that have made moves into the space, such as fertilizer company Scotts Miracle-Gro, which is testing its products on marijuana plants.

In August, U.S.-based alcoholic beverage giant Constellation Brands invested an additional $4 million in Canopy Growth. Damodaran told CNBC he thinks alcohol and tobacco companies are "well suited" to enter the marijuana market because of their experience dealing with regulations.

"They know this business," he said."We are in the process of a multiyear rollout of replacing all fluorescent fixtures with LEDs in our stores, clubs and parking lots," Chief Financial Officer Brett Biggs told analysts Tuesday at the retailer's investor day at its headquarters, in Bentonville, Arkansas. "Not only is it good for the environment, these changes could reduce our annual energy costs by $200 million over time."

Imagine saving millions of dollars just by changing light bulbs and floor wax. It's exactly what Walmart is doing.

The multiplying power of size makes it easy to save big money on little changes.

In the U.S. alone, Walmart buys tens of billions of dollars' worth of goods and services used for the business that aren't sold in its stores, a category called "goods not for resale." These are goods like travel services or maintenance supplies.

One of those items, is floor wax for stores, which the world's largest retailer recently changed.

"Not only is the new wax cheaper, it's also sturdier. It doesn't need to be buffed as often, resulting in less spent on the actual buffing, as well as fuel for the machines," Biggs said. "That one change in floor wax will save us over $20 million a year."

It's savings on a major scale.

Walmart's founding principle is "everyday low price,4" which can only be achieved by everyday low cost. The more Walmart saves on the cost side, the more shoppers save at checkout.

Earlier Tuesday, Walmart cut its earnings outlook. As expected, profits were hurt due to the impact of its acquisition of Indian e-commerce company Flipkart.

WATCH: Walmart lowers forecast to reflect Flipkart dealBazaar Corporate Radar | Feb 22, 2021, 12:00 AM IST

Bazaar Corporate Radar

Bazaar Corporate Radar is your window into the minds of top CEOs, Boardrooms, global economists, fund managers and sector analysts. If it?s making news, you?ll find it on Bazaar Corporate Radar.Talkin bout my generation. Photo: Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images

The United States, circa 2018, looks like a place run by people who know theyre going to die soon.

As once in a lifetime storms crash over our coasts five times a year  and the White Houses own climate research suggests that human civilization is on pace to perish before Barron Trump  our government is subsidizing carbon emissions like theres no tomorrow. Meanwhile, Americas infrastructure is already below standard, and set to further deteriorate, absent hundreds of billions of dollars in new investment. Many of our public schools cant afford to stock their classrooms with basic supplies, pay their teachers a living wage, or keep their doors open five days a week. Child-care costs are skyrocketing, the birth rate is plunging, and the baby-boomers, retiring. And, amid it all, our congressional representatives recently decided that the best thing they could possibly do with $1.5 trillion of borrowed money was to give large tax breaks to people like themselves.

There are many plausible explanations for why America has embraced carpe diem as its governing philosophy. Our ruling political party is dominated by geriatric billionaires and millenarian Christians; our electoral system gives politicians little incentive to prioritize the nations long-term well-being over their constituents immediate gratification; and the conservative movements decades-long assault on big government has constrained the public sectors capacity to invest in the future. But all these causes of American misrule are informed and exacerbated by this overriding fact: Young people vote much less than those who arent long for this Earth.

Although Americas voting-age population includes a roughly equal number of millennials and baby-boomers, the 2016 electorate featured 14 million more of the latter. Voters under 30 backed Hillary Clinton by 18 points  but their verdict drowned out by those over 65, who favored her opponent by eight.

The consequences of that election have not persuaded Americas (predominantly left-leaning) millennial nonvoters of the importance of political participation. A new survey from PRRI and The Atlantic suggests that only one-third of 18-to-29-year-old voters are certain to cast ballots next month. Among Donald Trumps cohort, that figure is 81 percent.

Some portion of this disparity is probably inevitable  there is no democracy in the world where the young outvote the old. Still, millennials in the U.S. are more underrepresented than their peers in most other developed countries. Primary responsibility for this fact lies with our nations political parties, which have made America an exceptionally difficult place to cast a ballot. If Democrats wish to increase turnout among the young, theyd be well advised to implement automatic voter registration, a new Voting Rights Act, and a federal holiday on the first Tuesday in November, when and if they have the power to do so. More immediately, Team Blue could try adopting policies popular with the kids these days, such as student-debt relief, marijuana legalization, and approaches to universal health care that dont involve jacking up the price of health insurance for 20-somethings, and then forcing them to buy it.

But if Americas suppressive voting laws, and the Democrats political failings, are the biggest obstacles to smashing the gerontocracy, they arent the only ones. There is also the fact that many of my fellow millennials have very wrong opinions about how politics works.

Specifically, PRRI finds that 39 percent of Americans under 30 say that they do not vote, or engage in any other form of political participation, because doing so wouldnt make a difference; 49 percent say that they do not know enough about the issues to get involved in politics; and 9 percent believe that voting is less important than being active on social media, which is the most effective way to create change (granted, sharing Intelligencers political reporting and analysis on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snap, Pinterest, Venmo, and Friendster is the most effective way to bend the moral arc of history toward justice, but it is unlikely that that was what most respondents meant when they said being active on social media).

Now, politically disengaged millennials arent known for reading a lot of articles about millennial political disengagement. But, if there happen to be some nonvoters out there who stumbled upon this whilst searching for cheat codes for Fortnite, recipes for avocado toast, or abstract concepts to kill, please consider the following evidence that your vote would make a difference  perhaps, even the difference  in averting our democracys collapse into senescence.

1) Boomers get a big bang for their ballots.

Last year, Donald Trumps GOP tried to slash Medicaid in the middle of a public health emergency that was concentrated in red America; made it easier for payday lenders to exploit cash-strapped veterans; restored the right of serial labor-law violators to compete for federal contracts; and responded to the student-debt crisis by relaxing federal oversight on predatory, for-profit colleges.

Which is to say: There are very few things that Americas governing political party isnt willing to do to please its reactionary donor class.

But taking socialism away from baby-boomers is one of them.

Despite its ruthless disregard for the most basic interests of most Americans  and the Koch Networks aching desire to cut entitlements  the Republican Party doesnt have the stomach to mess with boomers beloved socialized medicine and basic income programs. Of course, many GOP lawmakers do support cuts to Medicare and Social Security  but only for when you need it, dear millennial reader. As Marco Rubio explained during a primary debate early in the 2016 cycle, Everyone up here tonight thats talking about reforms [is] talking about reforms for future generations. Nothing has to change for current beneficiaries.

There is no technocratic rationale for this position. Millennials and Gen-Xers will, on average, have much lower lifetime earnings than the exceptionally lucky boomers did  and thus, will be more reliant on Social Security in their golden years. The GOPs deference to current beneficiaries is purely a testament to older voters political power. And AARP members do not owe their immense clout to the militancy of their street protests  or the wit of their Twitter owns  but merely, to their singular propensity to show up at the polls.

Millennials have the numbers to make student debt-relief, public day care, a federal ban on mayonnaise, or any other policy priority of younger Americans into an object of bipartisan consensus (which is to say, into something that Republicans must try to kill quietly through judicial fiat, instead of loudly through legislation). If 71 percent of eligible voters under 30 cast ballots this November (as 71 percent of those over 65 did in 2016), the American government would become drastically more responsive to their interests.

2) If voting changed anything, they would make it illegal  and they are.

In 2008, an uptick in turnout among young voters helped deliver North Carolina to Barack Obama. Shortly thereafter, Republicans in the Tarheel States government revised North Carolinas Voter ID law to exclude student identification cards. Eight other states have adopted similar restrictions.

Illustration: News21

Just this year, New Hampshire passed a law that effectively imposes a poll tax on college students who wish to vote in the Granite State; Floridas Republican governor (and Senate candidate) Rick Scott tried to block early voting on university campuses; state legislators in North Dakota have straight-up disenfranchised just about every millennial (and Gen-Xer and boomer) who lives on a Native American reservation; and down in Georgia, the Republican gubernatorial candidate is also the acting secretary of State  and is using the authorities of his office to purge voter rolls and deny registration applications, in an ostensible bid to customize the electorate he will face in November.

Millennials might doubt their ability to make change at the ballot box  but the powers that be sure dont.

3) The median millennial voter understands the issues better than the average American.

If Donald Trump knows the issues well enough to be president, then you, hypothetical non-voting millennial reader, are well informed enough to vote.

In fact, theres a good chance you understand the problems facing our country better than the average American. According to Pew Research, millennials are more likely to accept the reality of climate change than any other generation of Americans, with 81 percent saying there is solid evidence that the Earth is warming  a factual statement that only 69 percent of baby-boomers are willing to endorse. Whats more, millennials are the only generation in which a supermajority (correctly) attributes climate change primarily to human activity.

Millennials are also, by far, the most racially progressive generation in the electorate. A majority of younger Americans say that Islam does not encourage violence more than other religions, and that discrimination is the primary reason why African Americans cant get ahead these days  sentiments that majorities of boomers and Gen-Xers reject. Thus, an America in which millennials voted in high numbers would be one where Republicans would have a much harder time burying their unpopular policy positions beneath attacks on Colin Kaepernick and sanctuary cities. Which is to say: The mass entrance of millennials into the electorate would likely lead to a more substantive political debate, as demagogic appeals to racial paranoia would lose much of their efficacy.

More concretely, as mentioned above, millennials are by far the most pro-Democratic  and anti-Trump  generation in the U.S. Which is to say, they are the generation most likely to recognize the reality that Donald Trump and his party are a threat to our republic.

Beyond their (singularly correct) ideological instincts, millennials also boast important insights into many public-policy issues, simply as a function of their generations lived experience and material realities. For example, American housing policy is profoundly biased in favor of homeowners, and this reality has has generated housing shortages in many major American cities, thereby undermining economic growth. The overrepresentation of boomers in the electorate perpetuates these problems, due to that generations high-levels of home ownership.

By contrast, a sharp increase in voter participation among millennials  only about 34 percent of whom own homes  would likely increase the salience of renters interests in U.S. politics. Similarly, the existing electorate is much less likely to appreciate the severity of the student-debt crisis than millennials are, or to comprehend the broader material challenges that younger Americans face: Despite the fact that the United States does far less for its young people (in terms of subsidizing education, job training, housing and child care) than just about any other advanced democracy, a majority of boomers say that the government does enough for young people (but still needs to do more for older folks).

To be sure, increasing turnout among millennial voters, by itself, will not bring about the kind of sweeping, social democratic and environmental reforms that our country needs, and which many young Americans desire (a recent BuzzFeed poll found that 39 percent of millennial men and 22 percent of millennial women consider themselves socialists). Our current government is more responsive to demographic groups that vote a lot than to those that dont  but there are still plenty of boomers in this country who are drowning in medical debt, struggling to pay the rent, and/or, resigning themselves to spending the entirety of their golden years working menial jobs to make ends meet. Millennials arent wrong to think that their individual votes wont be sufficient for creating the America they seek  an America where prosperity is broadly shared, energy use is environmentally sustainable, and mayonnaise is a Schedule 1 substance.

Nevertheless, the path to that better world begins at your local precinct. So please, fellow kids, put down your selfie sticks, quit your Twitch-ing, and Pokemon-Go-to the polls this November.The school district filed the motion on Aug. 22 in response to a lawsuit blaming the district and other officials for ignoring bullying that it says lead to the death of Kenny Suttner, 17, who took his own life nearly two years ago.The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission formTeachers and demonstrators hold signs during a rally inside the Oklahoma State Capitol building on April 3, 2018. Photo: Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images

I was born and raised in southern Oklahoma, and Ive been a Republican basically from birth. I guess Ive always been a bit of a rogue Republican. John McCain was my hero, and when I turned 18 I voted for him rather than George W. Bush in the 2000 primary.

At that time, I believed so much in everything that the Republican Party stood for. I read the work of many of the Founding Fathers and that shaped my ideas about freedom. I was really into the idea that government should be limited, that there should be less investment in social services and more allowing the free market to take its course, and that people should have the freedom and responsibility to do what they want.

In college I minored in political science and volunteered for a lot of Republican candidates. I campaigned very hard for several local candidates running for the state house and the state senate. When voters asked about the Republican platform I would defend it with a lot of passion  I even thought about entering politics myself someday.

However, I wound up becoming a teacher, like my mom. I was always in awe of her, how she could convey ideas and inspire people. Also, I have dyslexia, and later in life discovered that I have ADD. These obstacles to learning were overcome by educators in my life who encouraged me and told me I can be and do anything. They gave me one-on-one help and never gave up on me. I have now nearly completed my masters in special education. I owe it all to the people who invested in me and Im happy to pay it forward.

My political ideas started evolving  slowly  once I became a teacher myself. Ive spent my entire teaching career in Oklahoma, working with students who have mild and moderate disabilities. Some of my students have gone on to graduate from college and have wonderful careers, while others are working minimum-wage jobs in gas stations or McDonalds. Thats absolutely fine  theres nothing wrong with that  but I know how hard that can be. For a short period before I became a teacher, I was a single mom making $9.50 an hour. Even with child support, I couldnt afford good housing, and it was hard to make ends meet. I started worrying about my students who would likely make $9.50 an hour for the rest of their lives, or even less. Theres no opportunity in that.

I began to really hear the rhetoric of some people around me, who said of my students, If only they would just work harder, if they would just try harder, if they would just pull themselves up by their bootstraps and actually do something. And I thought, you know what, these kids are doing the best they can. I started thinking about trickle-down economics. Some of my students will probably need social services for the rest of their lives, and business is not going to take care of that for them. There are so few employers that would take into account that this person isnt lazy, they just really dont know how to behave in certain situations. What would my students future look like in a red state?

Then with the Oklahoma teachers strike last April, my politics just shifted completely. I walked out because the future of Oklahoma is in trouble. I teach science, and we do not have the budget to do experiments in the classroom. Kids from other states come in and theyre so far ahead; they say, Man, we were doing this in middle school. But its not just science, its all across the board. Some classes have 40 or more students because a teacher quit and with our low wages, they couldnt find a replacement. Its not uncommon to meet a ninth- or tenth-grade student who has never seen a new textbook during all their years in school. Students in high school wont bat an eye when theyre told there is literally no book available for the course. Others have had a newly hired teacher every single year from first grade through ninth grade, never getting the benefit of a seasoned educator. None of this bodes well for our workforce, or the kinds of leaders were going to have in education.

I looked at the entire picture and thought weve got to do better, because I love this state. I love my home. I love my family and want to stay here, but I dont know if I want to raise my kids here. I just wanted to save my state, and I think all the teachers felt that way.

As public school teachers, we spend around 60 hours a week teaching and grading papers, but we felt like we had to go up to the capitol and lobby for public education too. We started visiting with lawmakers and bartering over budget plans. I was struck by how they talked to us. They dismissed us. They talked down to us. It was true of all of them, but especially the Republican leaders. The next week we were still there talking about budget items, like a tiny income-tax increase  which isnt really raising taxes, its restoring taxes, because our lawmakers had cut them so low. They seemed shocked and stunned that we knew our stuff and could use all the political lingo. They didnt know how to respond; it was amazing to see how little they expected of us. It was sad.

We pressed that a small percentage of our special education students need help after school hours, even in high school. Why werent we investing in social services? The Republican lawmakers just kept repeating, Well, we need to keep taxes low for businesses so that they can keep thriving and eventually itll trickle down to everybody. They firmly believed this, and with my Republican upbringing, I understood where they were coming from. But I also knew nothing was trickling down into my classroom. I do not have supplies. I do not have books. I do not have a living wage. These lawmakers hadnt been in the trenches with students who are really in need.

We learned that money was flowing to private prisons and oil companies; they get money, and social services just dont.

Previously, whenever I heard people say Republicans are out for the rich and dont care about the poor, Id think, No, Im not rich. I care about the poor and I know so many Republicans who do too. But I learned a lot of politics is about how you appropriate money, and how you set up various social services. After we talked to our representatives, the teachers would huddle over dinner, break out our computers, and pore over the budget. We were students, breaking down the information in ways we could understand. We learned that money was flowing to private prisons and oil companies; they get money, and social services just dont. It changed the way that I saw the entire Republican Party. You value what you put your money in.

Now Im not sure exactly where I fall politically, but my ballot is getting purple  in fact, theres a lot of blue. When I voted against Governor Mary Fallin four years ago, it was the first time that I did not vote Republican. I thought Oh my gosh, I cant believe I did that. This year Im voting for Drew Edmondson, the Democratic candidate for governor. Im volunteering for Joan Gabelmann, a Democrat running for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, who was formerly the principal of my school. There are only one or two Republicans that Im planning to vote for this November, and the rest are all Democrats. I hope Republican lawmakers learn that they cant just invest in business, they have to invest in people, too.Singapore seeks India's help in early conclusion of RCEP negotiations

Singapore has sought India's cooperation in conclusion of early negotiations of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a rule based trading framework comprising ten ASEAN nations and their six FTA partners.

The ladder and snake negotiations between 16 RCEP countries with competing and conflicting interests that went on for two days till Saturday, did make some forward movement with Singapore's Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing hoping some resolution by the year end.

Minister of Trade and Industry of Singapore Chan Chun Sing along with other dignitaries at 6th RCEP Intersessional Ministerial Meeting of 10 ASEAN and six FTA partners in Singapore. Photo courtesy: Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore

Earlier, Minister-in-Charge of Trade Relations S Iswaran, during his visit to India, also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an early conclusion of RCEP talks.

However, the Indian Minister for Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhu made clear that negotiations could well extend into 2019 as there was no agreement yet on several sticky issue such as opening of Indian market for Chinese goods, which are already flooded, and extending Indian service sector to the RCEP countries.

India's junior Minister for Commerce and Industry C R Chaudhary held bilateral meeting on the sidelines with Singapore's Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing who sought India's help in early conclusion of RCEP negotiations, according to a statement from Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry here.

"The Ministers from 16 RCEP countries welcomed the intensification of market negotiations. While appreciating some narrowing of gaps, the Ministers urged all RECP participating countries to continue to exert all efforts towards meeting the targets set in the package of Year End Deliverables," the ministry further stated.

Singapore's trade minister Chan described the discussion with the RCEP ministers as fruitful and important.

Singapore's Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing addressing the Ministers from the RCEP participating countries. Photo courtesy: Facebook page of Minister Chan Chun Sing

"We took stock of the progress made at the RCEP-related meetings held in the last few months and continued to narrow the gaps, particularly in the areas of market access and rules. The task ahead is to help each other overcome any challenges by exercising as much flexibility as possible and move towards meeting the targets set in our deliverables by the end of the year," Chan said.

"We all agreed that it has become all the more urgent and significant for ASEAN and its FTA partners to reaffirm the importance of open and free trade amidst the rising global trade tensions. The substantial conclusion of the RCEP negotiations will reflect our shared commitment to maintain a pro-business and investment-friendly climate, one which welcomes trade and business activities that will bring about opportunities and jobs for our people," Chan added.

Earlier this month during his visit to Uttarakhand Investors Summit in India, Singapore's trade relations minister Iswaran met Prime Minister Modi on summit sidelines.

Minister-in-Charge of Trade Relations of Singapore S Iswaran meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photo courtesy: Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore

"Prime Minister Modi and Mr Iswaran reaffirmed the strengthening bilateral relations between Singapore and India, and the importance of regional cooperation through agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)," a statement from Singapore's trade ministry said.

Indian minister Chaudhary also met his counterpart Vice Minister of China Wang Shouwen and emphasized the need of differential treatment for India in RCEP negotiations, access to service sector of China for Indian companies, and promotion of tourism.

Had bilateral meeting with Chinese delegation led by HE Mr Wang Shouwen, Vice Minister of China. Emphasized on the need of differential treatment for India in RCEP Negotiations, access to service sector of China for Indian Companies and promotion of tourism. pic.twitter.com/IkQdw48afQ  C R Chaudhary (@crchaudharymos) October 13, 2018

Even as New Delhi and Indian industry perceive China gaining access to Indian markets through RCEP as threat to their interests, experts warn backing out is not an option. This could be the only chance for India to bring China round to a rule based regime and the real test of India's much professed Act East Policy.

Former foreign secretary and Senior Fellow at Centre for Policy Research Shyam Saran has argued opting out of RCEP may push India "irretrievably on the margins" of Asia.

Former Indian foreign secretary Shyam Saran. Photo courtesy: mea.gov.in

"Regional economic integration is an indispensable component of the Act East policy. India cannot sustain an expanding political and security role in the Indo-Pacific with a shrinking economic role. RCEP is the only game in town for India as we are excluded from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), whose 22 members are actively considering a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. Neither is India included in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which has been concluded among 12 countries after the US under Trump walked out. Several RCEP countries are also its members. Opting out of RCEP may push India irretrievably on the margins of Asia," Saran wrote in his latest analysis.

"Indian industry is wary of the potentially adverse impact of preferential Chinese imports. But this is the only chance of securing a rules-based framework with China," observed Rajeev Kher, former Commerce Secretary and Distinguished Fellow Reesearch and Information System for Developing Countries, an economic policy think tank.John Penrose is MP for Weston-super-Mare and a former Cabinet Office minister. This article forms a chapter of his paper A shining city upon a hill: Rebooting capitalism for the many, not the few.

Every so often, capitalism goes wrong. Waves of bank failures in the early days of the industrial revolution led to the Bank Charter Act. Exploitatively poor working conditions led to progressively more effective Factories Acts to improve safety and equity for employees. The Great Depression gave birth to modern competition laws, to protect customers from being exploited by over-mighty companies.

Each of these moments happened because capitalism had started to behave in ways which seemed immoral. Creating wealth is wonderful, but not at any cost and the tariff in human health or dignity had become too high. So, each time, the system had to change. Society demanded new laws to shape and frame free markets so they still drove vigorous economic growth, but humanely and without exploiting the weak and vulnerable. Capitalism was updated, modernised and rebooted.

Here we are again

We are at a similar moment today, with many people feeling the entire system is rigged; stacked against them by a complacent, comfortable, out-of-touch global elite. For most people, wage growth since the 2008 banking crash has been anaemic at best, while a tiny number of merchant princes have become extraordinarily rich. And for some lower-skilled workers (but not all, and not higher-skilled ones) zero-hours contracts feel like exploitation.

Plus, too many of lifes basic, unavoidable essentials dont work properly: housing is far more expensive (for renting or buying) than any previous generations had to deal with; energy firms rip off loyal customers with sky-high prices as soon as they forget to switch; railways are crippled by strikes and new timetables cause meltdown; water firms dont fix leaky pipes but still impose hosepipe bans; broadband works slower than its supposed to.

Failed and stale  a debate thats gone wrong

So the status quo isnt working, and people are casting around for answers about how it should change. But in times of trouble we turn to what we already believe, and the discussion about what those alternatives might be has got stuck in a formulaic and repetitive debate about failed and stale options from the past.

To its credit, the political left has realised theres a problem, but has retreated into comfortingly familiar arguments about why capitalism itself is fatally flawed, to which the only solution is socialism, state ownership and renationalisation. The political right has followed them, refighting the intellectual battles of the 1970s and 80s by explaining why the lefts answers are wrong, but without offering a modern, attractive and fair alternative vision instead. And populists of both the left and right are exploiting this ideological vacuum, fanning the flames of unaddressed problems and grievances with divisive, often-racist ideas which would destroy wealth and set communities against each other instead.

Modern capitalism for the many, not the few

We need a modern, forward-looking way to fix these problems. Answers to previous crises have been political as well as economic, because capitalism is more than just commerce, and citizens are more than just customers, too. Markets arent the law of the jungle as some anti-capitalists believe; their rules arent laws of nature or of physics which are inherently uncaring and impossible to change. They are political decisions, made by humans, and we can alter them if they arent working properly.

The right kind of rules are fairly simple. They include strong, free and independent political, judicial and regulatory institutions so contracts can be enforced, staff arent exploited, and products are safe to use. And they frame free markets so the rules put customers in charge, rather than politicians, bureaucrats or company bosses. Politicians call this democracy or people power; economists call it the consumer surplus, and industries (or countries) which do this are, in general and over time, more efficient, productive and competitively successful than those which dont. In other words, democratic capitalism works best when its rules favour the many, not the few.

Societies which get their rules right tend to be more democratic, and socially progressive too, because putting customers in charge means putting citizens in charge at the same time, as the two graphs below show. It means unfairness, rip-offs and injustice cant last for long, because the people who are being ripped off dont have to put up with it. They can change things, whether its by switching to a different brand of toothpaste, or voting for a different government. Theyre the bosses.

We need to update and change Britains rules so they put customers (and citizens) in charge, to reflect the way our society is today rather than how it was after the Second World War. A modern, alternative view of how Britains new, post-Brexit, digital society should reward hardworking consumers of all ages. Capitalism for the many, not the few.

The balance of power: is the customer still king?

First we need to understand the economic forces which are fuelling discontent with the way the system works. The balance of power has been shifting away from consumers and towards the public, private and non-profit organisations which supply us with goods and services. This matters for two reasons: firstly, if British consumers end up paying more than they used to for the same things, because they havent got the same bargaining power as before, it makes Britains economy less efficient and productive. And secondly, it fuels the feeling that the system is stacked against ordinary people, in favour of big businesses and giant bureaucracies.

The antidote is to make the customer king (or queen) again. To reassert consumer power over and above cosy stitch-ups between big bosses and the organisations they run. The simple-but-fundamental ability that, if we dont like what were getting from one company, we are free to switch to another one thats cheaper, or better quality, or faster, or slower, or has kinder staff. And where we dont have the whip hand, because were buying something thats so complicated or long-term its hard to tell in advance whether its right for us, or where it binds us into a long-term contract which we cant change if we made a mistake, we expect the law to protect us from being ripped off unfairly.

Bigger firms mean smaller customers

Britains economy has been getting more concentrated. Big companies have been getting bigger, which gives them more power to charge higher prices, or lower quality, or pay their staff less, or all three at once. The chart below shows how this trend is going the wrong way for most UK industries and the economy as a whole:

And this second chart shows the impact of all that extra power on their profit margins and the prices we pay in the shops:

Maintaining this balance of power, so companies cant get so big theyre able to take their customers for granted, is the job of our competition authorities: the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the European Competition Authorities, too. These charts show they havent done the job successfully for several years and, once we leave the EU, the CMA (and possibly local Trading Standards teams) will need to be strengthened significantly so they are up to the task.

New economy, new challenges

The new digital economy is altering the balance of power as well. Digital data means the public, private and non-profit organisations that provide us with goods and services know far more about us than before. Knowledge is power, and weve gone from a pre-digital world where a very few organisations (like our banks, or firms where wed taken out a loyalty card) knew a little about our spending habits, to one where our online data footprint means firms know far more about us than those few pre-digital account-holders could ever have dreamt.

The effects arent all bad, of course; there are important economic and business benefits, too. Firms and organisations which know more about us can tailor what theyre offering to our particular needs, without having to guess. They can suggest interesting, useful products or services we might need, which we might never have found otherwise. They can save us time by remembering our preferences, from favourite colours for sweaters to aisle or window seats on trains, so we dont have to explain what we want from scratch every time. And, because loyal customers are good business (theyre cheaper to sell to, and a valuable source of competitive insights) they can target us with rewards from free flight upgrades to discounts on our next purchase.

But these improvements in economic efficiency, speed, convenience and customer understanding come with a price tag attached. For example, once weve set up our online shopping preferences with a particular supermarket, its much less likely that we will go to the trouble of setting up and maintaining another one for a rival firm. That means we shop around much less, compared to the pre-digital world when we could simply walk into a rival store next door. We become sticky.

The digital world doesnt just provide more and better data to spot which of us are sticky and which are not. It also makes it easier to design interactions (like those online shopping preferences) that make more of us stickier than before. And since firms and organisations with sticky customers know theyre less likely to switch, theres more danger theyll take us for granted. Some already use the ability to identify sticky customers to exploit and rip them off: energy firms offer sky-high default tariffs rather than their best deals to customers who rarely or never switch, and some insurers offer higher prices to people who renew their policies automatically each year, instead of threatening to leave.

and some old challenges

Its not just new challenges either; some old problems are being given fresh legs in the digital world as well. For example the new economy has created enormous new natural monopolies like Google or Facebook, because network effects (where bigger firms can offer keener prices or better products and services than small ones) inevitably lead to single, enormously dominant firms or organisations in many areas. These arent new problems; the old non-digital economy has plenty of natural monopolies too, in industries like telecoms and post, water and energy, and banking. Normally UK, EU or USA competition authorities would worry these organisations were exploiting customers, but if the products are given away free the pre-digital laws which protect us from monopolies gouging customers with overpriced, poor-value goods and services dont apply so clearly in a digital world.

But that doesnt mean theres no harm. Monopolies create a monoculture of missed opportunities, where customers get less variety and choice than if there were lots of rival firms vying for business. And they create the statistical certainty that, at some stage, the monopoly organisation will do something damaging  whether its a data breach, a child-protection failure or attempted electoral vote-influencing  which consumers wont be able to avoid because theres no decent alternative available. Either way, concentration of knowledge and power in so few hands makes the system more brittle, and rip-offs more likely to be serious, when things inevitably go wrong.

A new Competition Act

Britains competition watchdogs dont have the resources they need to reverse the current trends and make British competition sharper and tougher, particularly after Brexit when they will have to take over areas which are currently covered by EU Competition authorities in Brussels. And their powers are based on the UKs most recent Competition Act which was passed in 1998, in the era before email, Facebook, Twitter, Uber and the World Wide Web. Theyre as out of date as the horse and cart.

Both the watchdogs and their powers must be updated to cope with these new-economy challenges, so consumers get the huge advantages and benefits which the digital economy can offer, without being exploited in new ways at the same time. We will need a new Competition Act, enforced by a modernised and expanded Competition and Markets Authority. Plus a specialist new network monopoly regulator to replace Ofcom, Ofgem, Ofwat and all the others. And possibly a more muscular approach to local Trading Standards teams, as well. Only then will we restore the balance of power so customers are the undisputed kings and queens of the new digital economy as well as the old, analogue world.Stewart Jackson was Chief of Staff to David Davis when he served as Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. He was also MP for Peterborough from 2005 to 2017.

We are now at the denouement: the crossing of the Rubicon, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the Alamo. However you cut it, Theresa May has run out of road. Shes more Wily Coyote on the cartoon clifftop. It wont end well.

Incompetence and being accident-prone is one thing, but guile, subterfuge, undermining the basic tenets of Cabinet government, setting up a parallel governance structure peopled by true believers and sycophants, sidelining Parliament and selling out your solemn promises on, inter alia, leaving the Customs Union and removing the United Kingdom from the remit of the European Court of Justice, is something quite different, and invites scorn rather than sympathy.

Duplicity and mendacity has become a specialism in this administration: how can you nuance a capitulation on a long-held commitment to having no border in the Irish Sea, and then try to convince your party that gifting the province to Brussels as a colony, at least in respect of its regulatory regime, is fine and dandy? What message does this send to the Conservative Unionists in Scotland fighting the Scottish Nationalists demands for a similar deal?

A genuine attempt to make good her seemingly sincere pledges to strive for a comprehensive trade deal, with a consequent rebuff from the EU, would have elicited admiration from her own Party and the wider country for her plucky efforts. It would have consolidated her reputation for diligence, hard work and commitment to public service. It would have enabled most Conservative MPs to forget that she was elected not because she had any particular merit or talent, but because she was the last woman standing.

And then, of course, there is her abysmal performance as a presidential candidate at last years general election, and the lack of emotional intelligence that blew a 21 per cent poll lead in just seven weeks, and almost visited upon the UK the calamity of a Corbyn Government  and a Marxist Chancellor of the Exchequer in Number Eleven Downing Street.

There was good reason that, in the Conservative Whips Office, May was always seen as a tricky customer. Plus ca change.

What took place this summer was a carefully-planned establishment coup in the form of the Chequers fait accomplis, and a Cabinet meeting on 6th July which would have made old-style Communist despots blush. Ministers were bounced with less than a days notice by 120 pages of papers on the tenth iteration of a Brexit White Paper that few had seen, but which most assumed was based on the Prime Ministers vision as enunciated at Lancaster House, Florence and Mansion House.

This was a reasonable assumption, since much of the detailed legal text of an ambitious trade deal based on best in class precedents from across the globe had already been written by officials in the Department for Exiting the European Union. Instead, Ministers phones were confiscated; there was childish briefing about Ministers taking a taxi home if they didnt like the Prime Ministers plan, and a communique was issued in their names before they had even seen it  all part of an iterative process, apparently. Meanwhile, pro-Brexit Ministers were dangled undertakings of promotions at the same time as their current jobs were being offered to others to keep them on board. What a way to run a Government!

We saw all this sort of stuff during Mays reign at the Home Office. She is truly Nixonian in her modus operandi, with her two stalwarts in the Number Ten bunker, Robbie Gibb and Gavin Barwell, fulfilling the Bob Haldeman and John Erlichman roles. There is no trust of those outside the inner circle, disdain for Parliamentary scrutiny, misjudgement in the Whips Office and, most recently, an abject misreading of the Democratic Unionist Party, which will always put a premium on identity and history, no matter how much gold one tries to stuff their mouths with: where are Woodward and Bernstein?

I admit that we in DexEU should have seen it coming. There was a reason that Number Ten was desperate to prevent the publication of a White Paper before Junes EU Council. It was desperate to stop proper, timely No Deal planning; desperate to prevent the publication of a draft legal text on the Irish backstop  and desperate to halt the deployment of dozens of specialist technical negotiators on the UK side from heading to Brussels earlier this year. All that wasnt part of the plan.

Which is: that we must remain in the Customs Union, and endure a kind of semi-skimmed faux Brexit, which mandarins and compliant Ministers can deliver as an alternative to the real McCoy which they hate with a passion.

Greg Clarks account of his dealings with Nissan is dubious, of course, and he has failed to publish correspondence with the company despite pledging to do so to the Commons last November. Philip Hammond and Clarks officials, plus wonks friendly to them, were briefing from January this year that the UK would be staying in the Customs Union, and that the Irish backstop was the cleverest possible wheeze to ensure that this happened. For them, it has always been all about following the diktat of the last CEO of a multinational company with integrated supply chains which sat on them.

The July Chequers ambush was actually the second strike. The Prime Minister and her Europe Adviser, Olly Robbins, tried a similar ambush at the earlier February Chequers meeting, only to be thwarted by Davis, who flushed out what they had planned and refused to play ball, causing them to back off by way of a tactical retreat.

In hindsight, it is clear that they then began planning to circumvent their own Secretary of State rather than deal with him openly. Davis had always doubted the efficacy of agreeing the Irish backstop, and told the Prime Minister so in December 2017 and again in May this year, when he managed to extract from her a pledge to seek a definitive date for the backstop protocol to expire. Number Ten reacted by briefing against him furiously.

The backstop has now become the issue at the core of Mays latest and last stand. How could it not be? It should never have been allowed to develop mythical status. The UK should have never conceded its centrality in the sequencing of the Article 50 process. The problems it poses could have been satisfactorily resolved within weeks of the publication of the Governments detailed technical papers in August last year. For at heart, the backstop is an issue not just of technical facilitations but of political good will, hitherto lacking in the EU Commission and the bombastic and aggressive virtue-signalling of the Irish Prime Minister and his deputy.

By locking the United Kingdom into a semi-permament customs union (which would be never-ending, since the EU operate on treaties and legal texts, and certainly not via review procedures or gentlemans agreements), we would gift the European Union the dream outcome for the projects theological purists in Berlin.

We would be punished and hobbled as trade rivals. They would relieve us of north of 40 billion to leave, destroy our competitive advantage by effectively killing our prospect of future global trade deals, and keep us shackled to their rulebook and judicial oversight  in order to benefit their own commercial interests, and all whilst we have no say or influence. Ever again. Job done  thanks to May and her perverse mix of obduracy and fawning supplication.

Should she return from Brussels this week with a deal which egregiously betrays the referendum result, the Prime Minister will surely be removed from office  not least because she has so wilfully refused to engage with those seeking to save her premiership by imploring her to pivot to a Canada-style free trade deal. After a while, a gift horse is likely to give you a kick where it hurts.

In this event, she will thus be gone  either by way of a no confidence vote from her own party or after the defeat of a Withdrawal Agreement motion in the Commons. Her tenure will be over the moment a confidence motion is tabled by Graham Brady, because so many of her colleagues cannot risk her getting anywhere near the next election as leader. Her removal would be the start of a process of healing and finally, brutal though it might be, an end to the Tory Europsychodrama.

For all that, it rests with her alone how painful the defenstration will be  and over what timescale. Her historic legacy may be that she did her best and bailed out at the right time. Or that her stubborness and vanity tipped the Conservative Party out of power after a vicious civil war, paving the way for the most extreme left-wing regime in our history to assume power.

Only May can make that choice in this the loneliest job at the bleakest juncture.Henry Newman is Director of Open Europe.

Brexit negotiations are stalled. Only one issue matters  the Irish backstop. Despite all the drama and noises off about Chequers, Norway for now, and Super Canada, none of that matters if we cannot agree a divorce. And, unless the EU shifts tack, the only path to an orderly divorce is via the backstop. So we are facing down a growing risk of No Deal. No Deal could mean tariffs on trade with our largest partner  the EU. So, the Government should commit now to reduce our overall tariffs in the event of No Deal.

No Deal should be nobodys preferred option. It would mean significant disruption. Aviation, haulage and transport, citizens rights, and many other areas would potentially be affected. Almost by definition it would suggest that relations across the Continent had broken down  the political and strategic effects could be profound.

But there might be little choice if the alternative would mean a backstop which threatens the long-term integrity of the United Kingdom. So what would it mean in economic terms? Open Europes analysis, published yesterday, reveals that in the medium term the static macroeconomic effects of No Deal would be material but relatively small. GDP growth would be affected  down an estimated 2.2 per cent by 2030.

Our model considers the cost of tariffs with the EU, as well as costs for customs and other non-tariff barriers. But despite these new costs, we found that No Deal would not be the biggest determinant of our prosperity over that period. Over the medium term up to 2030 the UK economy would continue to grow by around 30 per cent, even in the event of No Deal. Our research is in line with findings by the LSE, PwC and the OBR. Yes, other people have come up with bigger numbers, including the Treasury, but they have thrown in other effects which are much harder to model successfully.

What our research also shows is that the Government could take action to mitigate some of the medium-term effects of No Deal. If we left without a deal, there would be tariffs payable on our trade with the EU under WTO rules. (Britain cant just choose not to levy tariffs on European trade). But we can change our overall tariff regime. Although our WTO commitments impose a maximum level on tariffs which can be charged with any member state, its open to the UK to charge less as long as they do this on a most-favoured nation basis. WTO commitments are a ceiling not a floor.

So in our No Deal report Open Europe looked at the effect of lowering all our tariffs on industrial and manufactured goods to zero (and we phased in reductions on agricultural goods). We then also improved our openness to services trade and foreign investment (we moved the UK to best in class levels). These steps  which the UK could do without any negotiation  would dramatically reduce the impact of No Deal. Our model suggests that the macroeconomic effect over the same period up to 2030 would be reduced from a 2.2 per cent to 0.5 per cent drag on growth.

Although the Government has published dozens of technical notices on No Deal, it has failed to clarify its policy on what it would do to tariffs in the event of No Deal. At the Conservative Party conference, the Prime Minister told Sky Newss Faisal Islam that in the event of No Deal WTO tariffs would kick in. Yes, but at what level?

Imposing tariffs on our biggest trading partner would effectively mean the Exchequer collecting more money from tariffs as a result of Brexit. It would be an unnecessary hit to the domestic economy. Even if the Government didnt want politically to lower goods tariffs to zero they should commit to reducing them. They could apply a principle that there should be no change in revenue collected.

Some will be tempted to see No Deal as the start of a trade war with the EU. However, theres nothing to be gained from raising tariffs on our biggest trading partner. It would be better to cut our overall tariff rates and to push through further steps to support the domestic economy. Hopefully the UK will be able to agree an orderly withdrawal, and none of this comes to pass. But we cant guarantee that when the EU has proved so intransigent over Northern Ireland.

Negotiations are totally blocked over the backstop. And much of the attention around that backstop has focused around the requirement for Northern Ireland essentially to remain within a customs union with the EU. To resolve this the Government is reportedly considering a temporary (or is it a non-indefinite?) customs union for the whole UK. But this only resolves part of the issue. The backstop doesnt just require alignment on customs but also on regulations  in particular regulations on goods.

Even if we could agree a customs union for the whole UK (which is not the right policy for a post-Brexit UK), how could we have different regulations for Northern Ireland, set by Brussels with no ability for citizens living there to shape those rules? That situation would be not just temporary but could last in perpetuity. As this slide from Michel Barniers team shows, a customs union would actually solve very little at the border.

With no clear way of resolving the backstop issue, No Deal is seemingly becoming ever more possible. Few in Parliament want to see the Prime Minister walk away from the table. But perhaps even fewer could live with the backstop as Brussels wants it. So its past time for the Government to take No Deal seriously and explain the steps they would take to mitigate its effects.James Frayne is Director of communications agency Public First and author of Meet the People, a guide to moving public opinion.

Can the Conservatives simultaneously win votes in Middlesbrough and Canterbury? Its arguably the most important question for Conservative Party strategists in the next few years  and it was the title of a Policy Exchange fringe meeting at Party Conference, at which I spoke. So whats the answer? While there are many caveats, the simple answer is no  and the Party shouldnt try. But here follows a development of the argument.

The Conservative Party currently enjoys significant competitive advantage over Jeremy Corbyns Labour on a series of important issues  most obviously, the economy and crime. Furthermore, despite their obvious problems, the Conservative team is way out in front of Labour on competence  crucial when the country is feeling worried about the future. And its not the case that incumbents always lose when things go bad on their watch; the public are always thinking about whos best to lead them out of existing problems.

In ordinary times, the electoral script would write itself: ramp up the issues of the economy and crime and force people to ask who theyd rather govern the country in difficult times. From the reasonably affluent middle class to the reasonably well-off  essentially those reliant on a stable economy for their salary  the Conservatives would theoretically have a message that could unite the country.

But we arent in ordinary times. For the foreseeable future, political debate is going to be overwhelmingly dominated by Brexit  and heavily influenced by the culture war that Corbyn and his hardcore left-wing supporters are generating and forcing onto the political agenda. Like it or not, any sort of nationally unifying message is going to get drowned out amid the need to say something clear on what are outrageously divisive issues.

On Brexit, it isnt going to be possible to simultaneously please Leave voters in the Midlands and North, and Remain voters in the affluent South. And on cultural issues it isnt going to be possible to speak happily to both traditional working class voters and culturally aggressive upper middle class metropolitan voters. In time, it might be, but, for now, it isnt going to be possible to speak to voters in both Middlesbrough and Canterbury (or, at least, much of London).

So why choose Middlesbrough? Again, things may change, but, as it is now, the Conservative Party stands on the verge of a massive electoral breakthrough in areas where theyve enjoyed little or no success in decades  in the post-industrial Midlands and North. In areas where the name Thatcher and Tory were spat out rather than said, voters are considering the Conservatives for the first time. And theyre doing so because they back the Party on Brexit and because they think Corbyns Labour has completely lost the plot and fallen for niche issues such as the Middle East.

That doesnt mean the Party needs to move right; on the contrary, it means maintaining a commitment to mainstream Conservative values on issues like the nation state and law and order, while accommodating on issues like the NHS (as the Party has done). In short, it means returning to Theresa Mays stated early strategy post her leadership election victory.

The Party should do what it can to reassure Canterbury voters that Brexit isnt about voting to pull up the drawbridge (which it isnt); and the Party should also make it clear that Corbyns Labour are going to financially clobber the affluent middle class with an array of taxes (which they surely will). But the Party should follow a reassurance strategy, rather than seeking to aggressively define the Party for these voters as many Conservatives seem to advocate.

Theres a caveat to the caveat, of course. None of us knows how the Brexit process will play out. Theres a reasonable chance that well face a turbulent and chaotic period in the eventuality of no deal. In such circumstances, a total strategic reboot will be required. But, again as it stands, its reasonable to assume that, such is the commitment of Midlands and Northern voters to a clean Brexit (call it hard if you like), the Party ought to stay the course. Well know if this is viable soon enough.The Cabinet meets this morning. Its members will wonder whether No Deal is now inevitable. Perhaps the EU is now so set on carving up our country in any settlement that a collapse of the talks cannot be avoided. But there is a potential escape route.

The EUs support for the backstop is only one of many problems in the wider negotiation. These cluster around the Prime Ministers Chequers scheme, which was unequivocally rejected at Salzburg last month. As the EU sees it, Chequers, with its core proposal to harmonise goods but not services with EU regulation, would breach the four freedoms of movement of goods, services capital, and workers; threaten the unity of its internal market, and potentially undercut EU27 businesses.

Were the backstop to be reduced to the only difficulty in the talks, it is possible to imagine that the EU would move to resolve it.

This is what would happen were Theresa May to take up a solution that the EU itself has offered  namely a Canada-style settlement. Donald Tusk proposed it last spring. It should come as no surprise that the only remaining possible model is a free trade agreement, he wrote. I hope that it will be ambitious and advanced  and we will do our best, as we did with other partners, such as Canada recently  but anyway it will only be a trade agreement. I propose that we aim for a trade agreement covering all sectors and with zero tariffs on goods. Like other free trade agreements, it should address services.

Were the Prime Minister to pursue such a settlement, the difficulties integral to Chequers from the EUs point of view would fall away. Our Government would not be proposing to breach the four freedoms and carve up the internal market. As for competitiveness, any improvement in the UKs position would in the EUs view be offset by some friction in trade.

And, as we say, the sole negotiating obstacle of any significance would be the backstop. Would the EU, by refusing to agree to a strict time limit on it or the right of the UK to end it, really pull down the pillars of the temple  and risk the hard border in Ireland that it wants to avoid? Perhaps. None the less, the only escape lane that can now rescue the negotiation from a No Deal gridlock is now marked Canada  this way.

As David Owen suggested in his interview on this site last week, a practicable means of taking it might be, first, to allow the planned transition period to smooth the way and, next, to progress to a Norway-to-Canada stage while a free trade deal is negotiated. This would be a take-it-or-leave it offer, with Customs Union membership ceasing before 2022, the planned date of the next election.

The Cabinet might be able to unite around this position today or post-Wednesdays summit. At at rate, no other position is on offer that could achieve this end  or which might both be acceptable to the EU and preserve the unity of the UK.COPYRIGHT NZCIVAIR

All information and photographs used on this blog are copyright to NZCIVAIR.

CORNWALL, Ontario  Charles Thomas, 20, of Hogansburg, NY was arrested on Oct. 11, 2018 and charged with flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and mischief.

It is alleged on Oct. 10, 2018 the man failed to stop for police in the area of Leitch Dr., he then drove in a dangerous manner as he fled from police causing damage to a property on Leitch Drive. He was later stopped by members of the Regional Task Force and turned over to a member of the Cornwall Community Police Service. He was charged accordingly and held for bail hearing.

There were 50 calls for service in the City of Cornwall in the last 24 hours (8 a.m. the previous day to 8 a.m. the day of the release). To see whats happening in your neighbourhood visit our Crime Plot Map @ http://www.cornwallpolice.ca/ . CCPS reserves the right not to post all calls for service in order to protect the identity of the victims.Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size

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Hurricane Michael devastated crops in Alabamas Wiregrass region. But for farmers to have access to the most disaster assistance, officials need comprehensive data on projected yields, estimated losses and other agricultural impacts. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Auburn University will lead the data collection effort, documenting the complete effect Hurricane Michael had on Wiregrass area farmers.

Alabama Extension Director Gary Lemme said farmers will have several options for submitting their information.

Farmers can enter their farm and damage information directly at http://www.aces.edu/go/944, Lemme said. They can also print a worksheet and take it to their county Extension office and have county staff upload their information.

We will compile the data and provide it to state and federal agencies as well as the states Congressional delegation.

Farmers and producers will also find an Ag Damage Assessment link on the bottom of every page of the MichaelRecoveryInfo.com website.

Lemme emphasized the importance that farmers document their losses.

Document, document, document, he said. I cannot stress this enough.

Important Information

Crop yields harvested before storm

Estimated crop yields after storm

Livestock losses

Damages to equipment and farm buildings

Additionally, farmers can upload both photos and videos as supporting materials to the online survey.The 2019 Australia Cruise Trends Report is now available for free download from Cruise Industry News, profiling one of the hottest cruise markets in the world.

The report goes in-depth with the leading Australian cruise lines, all of which have exciting capacity expansion plans.

In addition, the leading Australian ports and destinations are working hard to set themselves apart in a competitive and growing market.

The biggest travel agents also lend their thoughts on the future of the Australian market.

Click here to download.Its a simple mission: to bring people together in an environment to build productive relationships, said John McGirl, president of the Marine Hotel Association (MHA), and chief operations officer at The World.

The MHA provides an opportunity to sustain great relationships, renew them and invigorate, McGirl said. It allows us to bring in new thoughts and ideas on how we can partner as a vendor and marine hotel community to invigorate the product.

The MHA is looking ahead to its 34th annual conference and trade show in 2019, scheduled in Naples, Florida, from March 31 through April 2.

Its an intimate, productive environment that continues to be very relevant, and the place that people come to build strong relationships, access new ideas and new vendors; and it allows vendors access to the industry, McGirl said.

The association offers vendors and cruise lines an opportunity to meet one another in a non-threatening, non-pressurized environment, said McGirl.

"Were very simple, and were completely not-for-profit; there is no revenue driver for anything we do, he added.

The trade show is kept small, with around 200 similarly-sized exhibits, with registration featuring nearly all-inclusive pricing and including the conference program, breakfasts and dinners.

It allows vendors access to the industry, McGirl said, noting the challenge new vendors may face getting into the cruise ship business and understanding the needs of passenger ship operators.

The MHA opens the gates. We are a not-for-profit, he continued. We keep the prices very low and it allows vendors to have access ... there is an opportunity to meet the whole industry and get access to the decision makers.

As the cruise industry grows, the MHA is putting further emphasis on luxury, niche and expedition cruise lines.

"There is also a more unique product proposition in river, expedition or coastal cruising, McGirl said.

Of note, some 33 new expedition ships will be launched into service between now and 2022, according to the cruise ship orderbook.

We are going to be showcasing more of the luxury and niche brands, and what they are looking for in a product proposition, McGirl said.

Taking over the helm as president of the MHA this past April, McGirl can trace his relationship with the association back to his Cunard Line days, when he was the recipient of a scholarship from the association.

It was a big deal; I went to Salzburg and attended their MHA scholarship program, he recalled.Ponant has announced the expansion of its U.S.-based sales and marketing presence with the appointment of Jennifer Rosen as Director of Marketing, based in New York, and the addition of Yenedi Perez to the Miami-based sales team.

Working from the New York office, Rosen will lead the implementation of strategic initiatives that support the growth goals of Ponant in the American market while Perez will cover sales for the countrys Southeast region, the company said.

We are so pleased to welcome both Jennifer Rosen and Yenedi Perez to Ponant's U.S. sales team, noted Navin Sawhney, Chief Executive Officer, Americas. Both Jennifer and Yenedi bring years of valuable experience to the brand and will play an integral role in building a greater support system for our valued travel partners.

Rosens background includes developing strategic marketing initiatives and advertising campaigns as well as digital programming and new product development. She most recently served as Group Marketing Director in the Travel Division of Questex LLC, the publisher of Travel Agent and Luxury Travel Advisor magazines. Her extensive industry experience also includes executing campaigns for Celebrity in Miami and Hurtigruten in New York.

In Miami, Perez brings two decades of industry experience to her role with Ponant, the company said. Before joining the brands Southeastern sales team, she served as the business development manager for Traveltek, a software company for leisure agents and operators. Perezs background also includes business development roles with both Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.P&O Cruises Australia and Princess Cruises will charter three cruise ships to house delegates to the 2018 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in November 2018, hosted in the Papua New Guinea capital of Port Moresby, the company said.

The Pacific Jewel, Pacific Explorer and Sea Princess will provide accommodations for APEC attendees from their moorings within a security zone, the company said.

Papua New Guinea is hosting the annual gathering of 10,000 delegates, senior officials and journalists from APEC's 21 member countries for the first time.

"Carnival Australia has established a strong relationship with Papua New Guinea and its people and is proud to have included eight destinations in Papua New Guinea on its itineraries from Australian-based ships since 2013," said Carnival Australia Executive Chairman Ann Sherry. "Supporting Papua New Guinea in the hosting of the APEC Summit in November is an extension of our relationship, and we look forward to playing our role in making the 2018 APEC a success."Oceania Cruises has announced its Europe and The Americas collection of itineraries for 2020.

These incredible voyages invite travelers to experience more imaginative adventures and explore more of Europe and North Americas most fascinating destinations, stated Bob Binder, President and CEO of Oceania Cruises.

Sailing to more than 400 ports across Europe and the Americas, the six ships will sail in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska and Canada/New England.

Among the highlights are ten voyages to Turkey with calls in Istanbul, Ephesus, and Antalya; three voyages to the Holy Land aboard Sirena, Riviera, and Nautica with calls in Jerusalem, Haifa, and Ashdod; and seven voyages to the wine countries of western Europe all of which feature an overnight in Bordeaux.

The Regatta will offer more and longer Alaskan voyages with three 10-day, three 11-day, two 12-day, and two 14-day cruises in addition to four 7-day cruises; six voyages in total sail open-jaw itineraries between Vancouver and Seward.

The Insignia will sail two new voyages that include Iceland, including New York to Reykjavik and Reykjavik to London; there will also be seven-day Bermuda voyages from New York and four fall foliage sailings.The Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service was been presented to Captain Belinda Bennett of Windstar Cruises.

Captain Bennett was given the award for services to the promotion of the maritime sector under the auspices of the U.K. Department for Transport and Maritime & Coastguard Agency.

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne presented the Merchant Navy Medal honor, earned by those who have gone above and beyond in their service to the maritime industry, at Trinity House in London.

First established in 2016, the awards marks the contribution that members of the Merchant Navy make to maritime safety, seafarer welfare, training and the wider blue economy. There were 19 recipients in total and Bennett is the second person at Windstar to receive this medal, the company said.

"Our Merchant Navy is crucial to keeping the U.K. thriving  helping deliver goods, energy and food to our homes. These 19 people are a credit not just to the maritime industry but to the wider nation. They have gone above and beyond their duty for the benefit of others," U.K. Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani said, adding: "Belindas trailblazing is [an example] of the outstanding service provided by our mariners."

It is an absolute honor to receive this medal. I hope that young people around the world will follow in my footsteps with hard work and dedication. I have to thank my family, friends and work colleagues for their support over the years and every day we continue to learn. My career at sea has allowed me to see much of the world and its cultures of which I am thankful. This medal may be awarded to me but it belongs to all who have supported me over the last 24 years at sea, said Captain Bennett.

Captain Bennett is Windstars first female captain and is the first black captain in the commercial cruise industry. She has been with Windstar Cruises for more than 13 years. In January 2016, Capt. Bennett was named captain aboard the Wind Star.

We are beyond proud of Captain Bennett not only for what she represents to the cruise industry but also her determination and perseverance in the very competitive and vital maritime industry. Belinda is a great role model for our junior officers and cadets. We are happy for her success and the inspiration that is to be gained by her story, said Windstar Vice President of Operations Christopher Prelog.

From St. Helena  a part of the British Overseas Territory, Bennett became immersed with life at sea, having started as a deck cadet at age 17 on her home island ship the RMS St. Helena  a cargo ship that served the island.

Four years later, she had climbed the ranks to Third Officer and ultimately stayed onboard for an additional five years, until departing in 2003 as second officer. Following a brief stretch as chief officer for private charter yacht SS Delphine, and Isle of Man Steam Packet ferries, Bennett joined Windstar Cruises as Second Officer in September 2005. Bennett has worked on a variety of Windstar ships over her 13-year career progressing to chief officer and now captain.Approaching the November midterm elections, researchers discovered 35 million U.S. voter records from 19 states being sold on a hacking forum. The voter data records being sold reportedly include full name, phone numbers, physical addresses, voting history, and other unspecified voting data.

After hearing dark web communications about the sale of voter databases, Anomali Labs and Intel 471 researchers tracked down a post offering to sell tens of millions of 2018 voter registration records for 19 states.

Anomali Labs wrote:

To our knowledge, this represents the first reference on the criminal underground of actors selling or distributing lists of 2018 voter registration data, including US voters personally identifiable information and voting history. With the November 2018 midterm elections only four weeks away, the availability and currency of the voter records, if combined with other breached data, could be used by malicious actors to disrupt the electoral process or pursue large-scale identity theft.

They estimate that the sale could exceed 35 million voter records.

Three of the listed states represent 23 million U.S. voter records. While the number of voters is not listed for the other states, each was assigned a price tag. Below are the 19 states and prices listed on the hacking forum under USA Voter Lists 2018, but listed in order of most expensive to the least expensive.

The voter records for Wisconsin, advertised as having 6 million voters, is for sale for $12,500. Louisiana, which is advertised as having 3 million voters, is listed for $5,000. New Mexico  $4,000 South Carolina  $2,500 Tennessee  $2,500 South Dakota  $2,500 Kentucky  $2,000 Texas, which is advertised as having 14 million voters, is priced at $1,300. Iowa  $1,100 Utah  $1,100 Mississippi  $1,100 Montana  $1,000 Idaho  $1,000 West Virginia  $500 Oregon  $500 Wyoming  $500 Georgia  $250 Kansas  $200 Minnesota  $150

The seller promised to update the voter registration data every week as he or she receives information via contacts within the state governments. Anomali Labs added, Given the illicit vendor claims of weekly updates of voter records and their high reputation on the hacker forum, we assess with moderate confidence that he or she may have persistent database access and/or contact with government officials from each state.

Hacker forum crowdfunding to buy the voter records

Within hours of the voter lists going on sale on Oct. 5, 2018, Anomali Labs noted that a crowdfunding campaign popped up to buy the voter records. The purchased databases would be made available free of charge to all registered members of the hacker forum, with early access given to donors of the project. The first voter records acquired through the crowdfunding were for Kansas.

A second crowdfunding project took a vote for which state was most wanted; Oregon won. If and when that crowdfunding goal is met, then there will be another vote to pick a state and another round of raising funds to buy the voter records.

The crowdfunded buyers are reportedly not the only buyers of the voter records.

Voter records from 5 more states

Anomali Labs told ZDNet that they believe the seller may be the forum admin using a different alias, as that person previously shared 2018 voter records on his forum for the following six states: Washington, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida, Connecticut, and Ohio.

Law enforcement is aware of the voter records sales.

Another sale on Dark Web was not publicly disclosed before

Security researcher Chris Vickery added that after he reported the massive leak of 191 million voter records back in 2015, an unnamed government entity claimed a separate investigation of U.S. voter registry records being sold on the dark web had been going on for months. Although Vickery was asked not to speak about it at the time, he tweeted:

It's been 3 years since then. I feel it is now appropriate to cautiously say one thing:

When I reported the Dec 2015 leak, at one point a gov entity informed me that a separate investigation had been going on already for months involving a similar nationwide US voter registry...  Chris Vickery (@VickerySec) October 15, 2018BRIDGEPORT  Students call her Momma Graham.

Now Sheena Graham has a new title: 2019 Connecticut Teacher of the Year.

Graham, 57, a Warren Harding High School music teacher, stepped away from directing the school chorus long enough on Tuesday morning to receive the honor at a ceremony held in a Harding High media center crowded with well-wishers. Among those on hand were Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Commissioner of Education Dianna Wentzell, Mayor Joe Ganim and a handful of past recipients of the states highest teaching honor.

The last time a Bridgeport teacher held the title was in 1994, when Judy Gross, who taught gifted education at Winthrop School, took the prize.

The state Teacher of the Year goes on to compete in a national competition.

This is a proud day for Harding, for the Bridgeport public school system and the entire community, Schools Superintendent Aresta Johnson said, wearing Hardings blue and gold colors.

Malloy said Connecticut has some of the best public school educators in the nation and that Graham exemplifies the qualities sought in a teacher.

She provides a supportive environment where her young students can learn from their mistakes while receiving the guidance and attention necessary to grow into our next generation of leaders, Malloy said.

Wentzel said teachers like Graham care about kids and know that the arts are an integral part in developing higher order thinking skills.

You rock, Ganim told Graham. This is a big day.

Safe place for students

Harding Principal Dane Brown said Graham takes the time to get to know each of her students and finds a way to establish a rapport.

I told the (selection) committee when I found out she was not just nominated but selected to be state representative, You got it right,  Brown said. Her personality and her devotion to her craft is infectious and inspiring.

Graham, who has taught in the district for 36 years, said she is shocked and amazed anyone who has taught so long could still be considered relevant.

I teach music because of what it did for me, she said.

Graham is originally from Ansonia, and said she was born with a speech impediment. As a result, she did not interact well with others, she said. In fourth grade, one of her aunts signed her up for music lessons, thinking it might help.

It gave me a whole new world where I could feel safe and comfortable, Graham said. I was more social.

She has spent her career trying to instill that same sense of safety, community and kindness in her students.

Them calling me Momma Graham tells me they have a person they can go to who will give them unconditional love, Graham said. They have found their safe space.

She is a great soul, said Nya Cope, a member of Grahams chorus.

I am surprised (she won), to be honest with you, but it makes me happy, said Dayna Clarke, another student. She deserves it. She is one of the best teachers I have met in my entire life.

Malachi McSwain said he felt compelled to take choir after walking by Grahams classroom in past years and wondering what all the laughter and fun he heard inside was about.

Her energy is awesome, McSwain said. She makes me laugh and smile. After class, we talk.

Graham is the second city teacher in four years to be a finalist for the state title.

In 2016, the same year Bridgeport English teacher Shaun Mitchell was a finalist, Jahana Hayes, of Waterbury, won the state and then the national title. Hayes is now a candidate for Congress in Connecticuts 5th District.

Hayes was not at Tuesdays ceremony, but Kristen Record, the 2011 Connecticut Teacher of the Year, and a Stratford physics teacher, was there.

Performed at the White House

Graham was one of four finalists this year out of more than 100 nominees. The other finalists were from Mansfield, Newington and Wallingford.

In addition to representing Connecticut at the national level, Graham will serve as a teacher-ambassador for public education, sit on education advisory committees and become a consultant to the commissioner of education.

This is the second time in Grahams career that she received a Bridgeport Teacher of the Year title. She has also received the citys Theodore and Margaret Beard Excellence in Teaching Award and performed twice for first lady Michelle Obama at the White House with the Turnaround Arts Program.

I believe every child deserves the best that we as educators have to offer, Graham said in her state Teacher of the Year application. I believe students need to be challenged.

She said she teaches at Harding because that is where she wants to be.

Alicia Robinson, the Bridgeport school districts director of performing and visual arts, said Graham sets high expectations but also finds ways to connect with her students.

In a district with extremely limited resources, Sheena makes magic happen for her students, Robinson said.

The Connecticut Teacher of the Year program is run by a council that works with the state Department of Education. A committee of a dozen or more people then visit the finalists schools to observe the teachers in action and to interview parents, teachers, support staff, students, administrators, and Board members. They then take a vote.

lclambeck@ctpost.com; twitter/lclambeckMILFORD  The city is cracking down on large trucks and trailers parked on the street overnight.

The Board of Alderman has changed an ordinance that, in essence, will now prohibit the parking of all trucks with trailers, box trucks and other large trucks on city streets overnight. Already prohibited in the ordinance is the on-street parking of motor homes, boat trailers, camping trailers and the like.

Its still OK to park a pickup truck or a regular van on the street overnight, said Alderman Phil Vetro, whos also the owner of a construction company. Otherwise, I wouldnt be able to park my own pickup truck in front of my house.

Officials say that prohibited will be all vehicles that are more than 21 feet long and/or 8 feet tall, minus the radio antenna. There are other stipulations, too  the gross vehicle weight cant exceed five tons and there cant be more than one rear axle.

Alderman Bryan Anderson said that the issue came up a few months back when he was looking into a complaint from one of his constituents.

A neighbor complained that there was a large truck parked on his street that was leaking oil, he said. So, looking at this, we found that, apart from the fact that the the truck was leaking oil that was seeping into a pond, there was nothing in city regulations preventing this huge truck from being parked there.

Anderson said that the officials looked into parking regulations in cities and towns throughout the state to come up with an ordinance that would work in Milford.

In many parts of Bristol, for example, theres no overnight on-street parking allowed at all, he said. We thought that was too restrictive.

He said that large vehicles can create safety issues with regard to visibility. Then theres the issue of aesthetics  a large truck thats always parked near or in front of your home could reduce its property value.

Of course, were not looking to punish you if, for example, youre in the process of moving or if youve had fire damage  things like that, Vetro said. Police officers will have some discretion in this regard.

Anderson agreed. The new regulations are aimed at flagrant violators  not for people who are moving, he said.

The amended ordinance wont take effect until late November, officials said.

jburgeson@ctpost.comBRIDGEPORT  Elizabeth Torres, president of Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust, is a familiar sight in local business circles and in the wider community, having spent 13 years advocating for and building affordable housing in the citys neglected neighborhoods.

For six weeks in June and July, though, Torres disappeared.

I went on a spiritual pilgrimage  the Camino de Santiago, a 550-mile foot path across Spain, Torres said Tuesday. I spent this time alone and really in thought and reflection. ... I knew there was going to be big changes in my life after having done this trip.

One big changes is here, as Torres prepares for a permanent departure from Bridgeport. She will apply her passion and persistence to the role of executive director of the Womens Institute for Housing and Economic Development, splitting her time between the nonprofits Hartford and Boston offices.

My first day on the job is Nov. 26, Torres said. Its an amazing opportunity for me at this point in my career.

Torres said a headhunter hired by the Womens Institute sought her out in August. The timing, coming so soon after her return from Spain, was perfect, Torres recalled.

I spent 13 years here and love every day, every challenge, every celebration, Torres said. Its been a real privilege to work here in Bridgeport. And now Im looking forward.

Torres was BNTs first full-time paid staffer and has, with the board and a staff of two dozen, helped establish the operation as a credible name in the development world that will break ground in areas of town others shy away from, like the South and East ends.

BNT owns 20 buildings containing a total of 208 apartments, plus commercial space, and pays $350,000 annually in taxes.

Theres been a lot of change and good work weve done to benefit communities that I think were once considered lost or forgotten, Torres said.

Torres also noted BNTs recently opened or planned housing and retail buildings along West Avenue, collectively called Downtown West.

(That was) a no-mans land before BNT got there, Torres said.

She hoped to begin construction of an 18 unit townhouse-style development at 273-301 West Ave. before leaving for her new job, as well as opening a laundry mat and thrift store in Downtown West.

There have also been recent setbacks. BNT was initially selected by the city as the developer for the so-called civic block  a mixed-use project along Stratford Ave., a neighborhood where Torres organization had already made its mark. But Mayor Joe Ganims administration recently announced another company had replaced BNT  Bridgeport-based Ashlar Construction.

Torres said the city decided it no longer wanted a housing component at the civic block, so it didnt make sense for BNT to be the preferred developer. Our mission is to build affordable housing, so we were more than happy to say we respect the citys decision.

Torres said that while BNTs board seeks a full-time replacement John Heyder, the finance director, will serve as interim president.

The board is serious about ensuring that a new leader is identified and we dont miss a beat and theres little to no disruption in the services we offer, Torres said.

Frank Borres, president of Bridgeports Chamber of Commerce, said he was not totally surprised by Torres decision to move on.

She has a lot to offer the world, Borres said. Im happy for her that she continues to spread her wings, which is what she has to do. Its in her being.

He called Torres a role model who came from very little and herself lived in low-income public housing.

Shes been a bright light. Shes been exciting, Borres said. Shes a visionary. And Im fully confident what she started will continue.

State Rep. Christopher Rosario got to know Torres when he was the head of Bridgeports anti-blight office.

Its a gain for her new organization, Rosario said. Its definitely a loss for the city, unfortunately.NORWALK  A Bridgeport man is being held on a $2 million bond, accused of selling crack.

Norwalk police had been investigating Corey Williams, 29, of Kossuth Street, Bridgeport, for several months, according to the four separate warrants filed for his arrest.

Williams, whose street name is Max, is accused of selling crack cocaine in Norwalk and surrounding towns, according to the warrants.

During the course of the investigation, detectives obtained various amounts of crack cocaine in controlled purchases from Williams on at least four separate occasions, according to police.

Williams, who was already on parole for weapons trafficking, was arrested at 12:26 a.m. Sunday during an unrelated motor vehicle stop at the intersection of Broad and Main streets.

Williams was charged with four counts of sale of narcotics and possession of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school. He was held on a $2 million court-set bond, and he is to appear in court onIn the Women Entrepreneur series My First Moves, we talk to founders about that pivotal moment when they decided to turn their business idea into a realityand the first steps they took to make it happen.

Annie Bystryn is no stranger to success. The beauty industry veteran has held leadership positions at brands including Laura Geller Beauty and most recently, Becca, which was ultimately acquired by Estee Lauder in 2016. At the end of her tenure -- and while she was participating in the transition, waiting for the Estee Lauder transaction to be completed -- Bystryn started laying the groundwork to follow another passion: cider. The bubbly alcoholic beverage made from the fermented juice of apples was something the executive loved, but she had trouble finding high-quality offerings at her local stores. So she set out to bring the drink to consumers everywhere, and this past June, introduced Cider in Love, a curated marketplace of high-end ciders -- and the young company's sales are currently doubling month-over-month.

Heres how she did it.

1. Find the white space.

Bystryn had long been a fan of ciders -- she spent time traveling throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland in her early 20s and developed a taste for the beverage that hadnt yet infiltrated the United States. Years later, a weekend trip to New York's Hudson Valley reignited that passion.

I was there with my husband. We had had a fabulous dinner at a farm-to-table restaurant, and tried a very high-end heritage cider, she says. It was dry, nuanced, sparkling. I was like, I must have it.

RELATED: How the Founder of Daily Harvest Escaped Corporate America to Build Her Successful Food-Delivery Startup.

But outside of ordering it by the glass at dinner, she couldnt find it. We tried to track it down, but local shops didnt have it, the cidery that produced it was closed and didnt have a tasting room, she recalls. It was a real moment of consumer rage. I come from an industry where digital is so important -- if I cant get it on my phone, it doesnt exist.

She had her idea: make this product widely (and easily) available.

2. Dive deep into research.

Bystryn envisioned a platform that would curate cideries and connect them with consumers, but she knew that was more easily said than done.

This was a regulated market, and I needed to do my research, she says. She spent nine months talking to people who ran cideries, people in the wine business and government employees who could talk her through red tape.

I have a great appetite for mind-bogglingly boring details, she admits. I spent a full week of 12-hour days poring over every states regulations. She looked at everything from shipping regulations to alcohol content requirements to how ciders definition differed from that of wine. I created the most geeky spreadsheets.

3. Put your name out there -- and build a new network of support.

Despite her love of cider, Bystryn was still an outsider in the industry. She started visiting cideries, introducing herself and sharing her story. Eventually she was connected to an industry group, which started making recommendations and introductions for her.

I took amazing road trips up and down the East Coast and the West Coast visiting these cideries and their farms and orchards, she says. I spent time at their kitchen tables, with their kids and pets.

The interest from those producers gave her the confidence that this could work. I resigned from my job in May 2017 and left in June.

RELATED: How Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla Curated Handmade Goods From Around the World to Build Nonprofit The Little Market.

4. Solidify your business plan.

Bystryn says her first order of business was figuring out shipping and payment. We are an online curator, but we work like Etsy, she says. So, youre buying directly from the cidery.

From there, she firmed up her business plan -- I busted out the MBA! -- and pulled together startup expenses, anticipated first-year expenses and projected sales. Once I figured out that the numbers could work, I looked at finding partners within my budget, she says. She needed help in e-commerce development and design, people who could help her perfect the functionality of the Cider in Love website.

Im lucky because I felt confident because of my prior experience, she says. I had a very rich network of people to get references from, and having held the CMO role, I know how to brief agencies and make the experience more efficient.

5. Decide whether or not to raise capital.

Having worked for various companies that had been backed by private equity, Bystryn wanted to maintain complete control of her burgeoning startup.

I know exactly what strings look like, she says. She bootstrapped the company, thanks to money she had made when beauty brand Becca, where she served as VP of marketing, was sold to Estee Lauder.

Bootstrapping is terrifying -- theres no one who can tell you that spending your own money isnt petrifying, she says. But thanks to that transaction with Estee Lauder, I was able to do it. If I had my a-ha moment three years earlier, it would have been a lot harder, financially.

RELATED: How Sheryl Sandberg Inspired These Fashion Founders to Ditch Their Corporate Jobs and Launch a Startup.

6. Build your team.

Cider in Love currently works with 10 cideries and is in talks to grow that number to 20.

We believe in organic growth and working with only the best of the best, Bystryn says. That applies to her (slowly) growing team. Part of the way you bootstrap is with a virtual workforce, she says. A virtual network includes my publicity team, my design team and my dev team. I have one part-time employee who is permanent and assists me with cidery relationships and customer service.

Lining up these resources, Bystryn says, has not been a significant challenge because she is intentionally taking her time to grow the business. And shes celebrating every win as it comes along.

The first time I got an order from someone who wasnt just someone I knew, it was the most exciting moment of my life, she says. We popped open a big bottle that night.

Related:

From Beauty Exec to Founder of Hard-Cider Marketplace, This Entrepreneur Shares How She Transitioned Into a Highly Regulated Industry

'We Built This Company List By List,' Says the Co-Founder of This At-Home Fertility Testing Startup

How the Founder of Daily Harvest Escaped Corporate America to Build Her Successful Food-Delivery Startup



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reservedIt was a feat few thought President Donald Trump could accomplish, but he managed to make the United States less effective in the Middle East than President Barack Obama, who alienated Israel, failed to check Iran's Middle East ambitions and sat passively as Syria slipped into a bloody civil war.

If Obama was foolish to expect that he could reorient the Middle East through a nuclear deal with Iran, Trump was badly confused if he thought he could eliminate Obama's legacy and correct course in the region by turning a blind eye toward repression in Egypt, Turkey and Saudi Arabia; accelerating the collapse of opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad while ceding Syria to Russia and Iran; and unilaterally pulling out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). It turned out that doing the opposite of Obama wasn't an effective strategy.

The disappearance and possible murder of Post Global Opinions columnist Jamal Khashoggi makes clear that the administration (and many in foreign policy circles) badly misread Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as some kind of reformer who could help advance our interests in the Middle East. Like leaders of other anti-Iran regimes that practice vicious repression at home, MBS (as the crown prince is known) has proved to be anything but a worthy partner.

MBS played Jared Kushner and Trump like a fine violin. Whether this was a function of using financial leverage, playing to Trump's anti-JCPOA obsessions or simply figuring out how to manipulate two egotistical diplomatic novices is debatable. The results are not. Kushner's naive belief that the Saudis could help broker an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal predictably turned out to be illusory. The United States wound up isolated from allies on the JCPOA and still without a comprehensive plan to check Tehran. Moreover, the Saudis' campaign in Yemen has become a human rights nightmare, with thousands of civilian deaths. Then came the Khashoggi disappearance (foreshadowed by detention of Saudi business executives; snatching and manhandling Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri; and expelling the Canadian ambassador).

It turned out that Trump's $110 billion arms deal with the Saudis wasn't worth $110 billion and wasn't really a deal. The New York Times explains, "That figure . . . was wildly inflated and misleading. Mr. Trump's package essentially consisted of letters of intent or interest, not actual contracts, and the possible deals began in the Obama administration, when the Saudis bought $112 billion in aircraft, missiles and other military equipment over eight years." What about Trump's touted deal? "Seventeen months later, the Trump arms bonanza still has not materialized."

Somehow alarm bells never went off in the Trump administration or among its cheerleaders outside the administration that we were getting precious little from the Saudis. The Post reports:

"As Kushner and his father-in-law see it, the partnership has paid dividends in the form of Saudi pledges to purchase billions of dollars worth of U.S. weaponry as well as the kingdom's position as an Arab ally in countering Iran and in fighting extremism throughout the Middle East, according to administration officials. . . .

"Kushner has celebrated Mohammed's moves to modernize the Saudi economy and long-repressed society, including allowing women to drive and encouraging women's entrepreneurship. Furthermore, he considers MBS an influential and wise sounding board on geopolitics in the Muslim world and holds out hope that the crown prince might eventually deliver the support of Saudi Arabia - home of the two holiest sites in Islam - for his foundering Israeli-Palestinian peace plan.

"But the Khashoggi crisis has become a reckoning for Kushner."

It's hard to escape the conclusion that Trump and Kushner emboldened MBS (and that Trump's anti-press rants led him to believe Trump would not exact any penalty for a journalist's death). As Aaron David Miller has pointed out, other administrations "also pandered to the Saudis, but rarely on such a galactic, unrestrained, and unreciprocated scale." Miller argues:

"Through its silence or approval, Washington gave MbS-the new architect of the risk-ready, aggressive, and repressive Saudi policies at home and in the region-wide latitude to pursue a disastrous course toward Yemen and Qatar. The administration swooned over some of MbS's reforms while ignoring the accompanying crackdown on journalists and civil-society activists. Indeed, The Guardian and other outlets reported that MbS had told Kushner in advance of his plans to move against his opponents and wealthy businessmen, including some royals, in what might be termed a "shaikhdown." . . .

"The administration's efforts to turn the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) into an effective anti-Iranian coalition have foundered over the bitter and unnecessary fight that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have picked with Qatar. Their joint blockade of Qatar pushed the gulf state to strengthen its ties with Iran, and has greatly complicated administration efforts to confront the Iranian challenge in the region by turning the GCC into a more military force and forming a new "Middle East Strategic Alliance." The Saudis have made a number of unreasonable demands on Qatar while rejecting U.S. efforts to resolve the dispute."

In short, Khashoggi's disappearance is an outrage, but it has also revealed how entirely foolish Trump and Kushner have been and just how incoherent is our Middle East policy. Trump's remarks on Monday, in which he seemed to take King Salman's denial of responsibility at face value and suggested that "rogue killers" could have been involved, are indicative of his fact-free, cynical foreign policy. If only we had a pro-U.S. strategy on the Middle East instead of a "Saudi First" policy, our influence and moral standing might not be so abysmally low.WASHINGTON  Democratic Rep. Jim Himes is spending more money on the races of other Democratic candidates than he is on his own, while his Republican challenger Harry Arora, raised less than $9,000 in campaign cash this summer.

According to the latest filings with the Federal Elections Commission, Himes has raised about $2.5 million in his bid for a seventh term in the U.S. House of Representatives, about $255,000 of that amount in the last quarter.

Aroras campaign has raised about $230,000 so far, and the candidate has loaned his campaign another $500,000. But the hedge fund manager from Greenwich reported raising only $8,536 in the three-month period that ended Sept. 30.

The Himes campaign reported spending $174,000 on operating costs in the last quarter and another $400,000 in contributions to more than 70 Democratic U.S. House candidates. It also made a $250,000 payment to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

The DCCC collects dues from incumbent Democratic lawmakers so it can help vulnerable House Democrats and those with a chance of defeating a Republican House member or winning an open seat.

Most of Himess donations to other Democrats were in the amount of $2,000 each.

People in the Fourth District and across the country know we need a Democratic House next year  both to provide effective oversight of the executive branch and to make progress on fundamentally important issues like infrastructure, good jobs, education, gun safety, climate change and voting rights, said Himes campaign spokesman Patrick Malone.

Malone said Himes cant do it on his own, however.

So it was time to lend a hand where it was most needed and hopefully help bring some worthy candidates across the finish line, he said.

Democrats hope to take control of the U.S. House in the Nov. 6 midterm election, but that would take flipping at least 23 seats held by the GOP now.

A Democratic turnover would boost the political power of Connecticuts all Democratic congressional delegation, whose members are rising in seniority.

Himes, for example, may be in line for chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, which is likely to initiate probes into the Trump administration if the panel is under Democratic control next year.Each year since 1948, on the third Thursday of October, International Credit Union (ICU) Day celebrates the spirit of the global credit union movement. While there are many noteworthy milestones to celebrate this year, one achievement that seems particularly timely is advancements in gender equality in the credit union movement.

Credit unions were founded on the cooperative principle. Nondiscrimination is a tenant of that principle, which means credit unions are innately more likely to be receptive to ideas surrounding gender parity. Data indicates the credit union industry is indeed more progressive in this area than many others: more than 50 percent of credit unions have women CEOs, a higher figure than most industries. And with a large number of credit union CEOs slated to retire within the next several years, that percentage could increase if there is a pipeline of strong female leaders ready to move into those open roles.

In 2009, the World Council of Credit Unions established the Global Womens Leadership Network (GWLN) to tackle the industrys gender gap while also leveraging resources to strengthen the economic security of women and their families. The GWLN is the credit union industrys only international platform dedicated to addressing and facilitating greater gender balance among leadership positions. Its mission is to provide women with the opportunity and resources available to make a measurable difference in each others lives, as well as in the lives of credit union members and in their communities.

Today, the GWLN has 54 Sister Society chapters in 17 countries  representing more than a 50 percent increase in one year alone. As a result of these expanding chapters, communities across the United States and internationally have been positively impacted. This year marked the first time the GWLN and the World Council Young Credit Union Professionals held their joint lunch session together. The joint session, which took place during the 2018 World Credit Union Conference in Singapore earlier this year, included a diversity and inclusion program geared toward promoting the advancement of women and young leaders worldwide, and leveraging opportunities presented by the World Credit Union Conference to promote professional development. It represented a unique opportunity to bring both of these highly passionate and engaged groups of professionals together to interact and have a positive dialogue about the credit union industry.

Looking ahead, the GWLN will host its second annual Executive Readiness Summit in Chicago next month. The goal of this summit is to increase the female executive pipeline by equipping emerging credit union and payments leaders with various skills, knowledge, networks and action plans. It will focus on critical competencies including professional development, negotiation, succession planning, branding and networking. Prior to the summit, participants will evaluate their strengths, weaknesses and development areas through a self-assessment. Activities during the summit will address the needs identified in the assessment by offering hands-on assistance through professional training, knowledge sharing and skill-building activities.

PSCU is a longtime supporter of the GWLN and a sponsor of this years Executive Readiness Summit. In addition to being a champion for womens leadership globally for a decade, PSCU continues to promote diversity within its workforce, with a laser focus on fearlessly leading the charge to make gender equality a true reality. The CUSO strives to be a change maker not only within its own walls, but by also looking for opportunities to collaborate with partners like the GWLN to promote and support women on a larger and more global scale. PSCUs ultimate vision is to create a community in which gender equality is a natural state, and women everywhere finally have the voice they rightfully deserve.

As the industry comes together to commemorate the 70th anniversary of ICU Day on Oct. 18, there could be no more fitting time to celebrate the growth of the Global Womens Leadership Network and the exponential increase of its Sister Society chapters, and to look forward to a future that is increasingly bright for women in the credit union industry.Sadly, this is not a remake of the 1952 Bing Crosby/Bob Hope classic. Far from it. This is some serious stuff.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank both held their annual meetings in Bali this week. (No, Im not providing on-site coverage; nobody is sorrier about this than I.) The two organizations jointly issued a report called The Bali Fintech Agenda, the purpose of which is to guide policymakers as they try to strike a balance between encouraging innovation and keeping the system stable.

The Agenda seems to agree with what Ive been saying for the last year or two  that fintechs and traditional financial institutions can peacefully co-exist because each has something the other needs. Fintechs have cool technology and FIs have actual consumers. Sounds like a match made in heaven, right?

However, as I was reading about a panel discussion that examined the implications of The Agenda, one topic jumped out at me: cherry picking. This term refers to the inclination of fintechs to focus their efforts, dollars and technology on small, highly lucrative segments of the market in order to maximize profits. That could still turn out to be a real problem for credit unions.

Think about. Even though credit unions provide a wide range of financial services to a well-defined field of membership, some of those services and some of those members generate a disproportionate share of the revenue. Some services and members actually lose your credit union money. Thats the nature of a cooperative. You have to take the good with the bad.

Now consider fintechs, which are free to provide a very narrow range of services to a very narrow range of people. They may attempt to hoard all the good and leave you with just the bad. That would suck, wouldnt it?

Whats your first line of defense? Its simple. Efficiency must reign supreme, and that effort must start with technology. You cant just keep buying new attachments to strap onto your gasping-for-its-last-breath core platform. Its no longer just a matter of checking boxes on a checklist to make sure you have mobile, make sure you have RDC, make sure you have online account opening, etc. You have to evaluate every technology decision you make with the end goal of making your credit union the leanest, meanest financial services machine in your market.

That will get you going internally, but you also need to consider your member-facing technology. How are you engaging members? Do you provide online financial literacy tools? Are you working to become part of their overall online and mobile experience? Or is it business as usual? I hope you didnt choose the latter.

In short, your credit union needs to become as efficient as possible on the inside and as engaging as possible on the outside. The end result will be a superior member experience that beats the fintechs every time.Treasury Department Counselor Craig Phillips indicated Monday that the Trump administration is working on housing finance reform and plans to build on recommendations released in June. NAFCU has called on the administration to work with Congress to develop a comprehensive solution to reforming the housing finance system.

Phillips, who advises Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, made the comments at the Mortgage Bankers Associations annual conference in Washington. We look forward to working with the next Congress and other stakeholders, Phillips said, referring to the administrations housing finance reform plans.

In response, NAFCU Senior Regulatory Affairs Counsel Ann Kossachev said NAFCU supports the administrations continued role in reforming our nations housing finance system.

Conservatorship was never meant to be a permanent solution after the crisis and it is now time to think seriously about the future of housing finance in America, she added.Neither US Or UK Investigated Chinese Spy Chips

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) have denied investigating the presence of Chinese spy chips in Supermicro servers, as claimed by a bombshell report published recently by Bloomberg.

According to Bloomberg, the Chinese government planted tiny chips in Supermicro motherboards in an effort to spy on more than 30 organisations in the United States, including government agencies and tech giants such as Apple and Amazon.

The report, on which Bloomberg reporters have been working for the past year using information from 17 sources, claims that Chinese agents masquerading as government or Super Micro employees pressured or bribed managers at the Chinese factories where the motherboards are built.

Once the chips were planted, they would allow attackers to remotely access the compromised devices. Apple and Amazon allegedly discovered the malicious hardware implants and contacted the FBI.

While many experts agree that it is technically possible to create and plant spy chips such as the one described, Apple, Amazon and Super Micro have strongly denied the reports, and their statements have now been backed by the DHS and the NCSC.

We are aware of the media reports but at this stage have no reason to doubt the detailed assessments made by AWS and Apple, stated the NCSC. The NCSC engages confidentially with security researchers and urges anybody with credible intelligence about these reports to contact us.

The DHS also published a statement on Saturday saying it's aware of the media reports.

Like our partners in the UK, the National Cyber Security Centre, at this time we have no reason to doubt the statements from the companies named in the story, the agency stated. Information and communications technology supply chain security is core to DHSs cybersecurity mission and we are committed to the security and integrity of the technology on which Americans and others around the world increasingly rely.

No one has been able to independently confirm that the FBI has launched an investigation as a result of the discovery of spy chips, and a former Apple executive said the agency's representatives told him that they had never heard of this type of investigation.

Apple, Amazon and Super Micro have been contacted by Bloomberg several times while the article was being written, but they are not happy with the final result. While it's not uncommon for major companies to deny news reports, the statements issued by the tech giants named in the Bloomberg story stand out due to the fact that they are very detailed and attempt to show that the article is factually inaccurate.

At no time, past or present, have we ever found any issues relating to modified hardware or malicious chips in Super Micro motherboards in any Elemental or Amazon systems. Nor have we engaged in an investigation with the government, Amazon said.

There are so many inaccuracies in this article as it relates to Amazon that theyre hard to count. Apple claims it's disappointed that Bloomberg reporters have not been open to the possibility that their sources might be misinformed or wrong.

Despite numerous discussions across multiple teams and organizations, no one at Apple has ever heard of this investigation. Businessweek has refused to provide us with any information to track down the supposed proceedings or findings. Nor have they demonstrated any understanding of the standard procedures which were supposedly circumvented, Apple said.

For its part, Super Micro also denied knowing anything about a government investigation.

The manufacture of motherboards in China is not unique to Supermicro and is a standard industry practice. Nearly all systems providers use the same contract manufacturers. Supermicro qualifies and certifies every contract manufacturer and routinely inspects their facilities and processes closely, it stated.

Security Week:

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If you are the administrator of this website please view the error log for more information.After the revelations of sexual harassment by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, John Bercow made clear he would be at the forefront of efforts to tackle abuse in the Commons.

There must be zero tolerance of sexual harassment or bullying here at Westminster, he proclaimed a year ago.

The words of the Speaker sound particularly hollow after the devastating report by Dame Laura Cox QC into the culture of bullying at Westminster.

If he were an honourable man, he would already have announced his resignation.

John and Sally Bercow arrive at Wimbledon. Bercow, 55, loves the pomp and pageantry of being Speaker

But that is not his way.

Bercow, 55, loves the pomp and pageantry of being Speaker. He relishes lording it over his fellow MPs as the most senior commoner in the land.

He clearly enjoys his 152,500 salary, along with the chauffeur-driven cars, the magnificent grace-and-favour apartment on the parliamentary estate, and first-class travel around the world.

Hes already broken his promise that he would retire after nine years in the job.

He was expected to go by the end of June but decreed he would stay until the next election in 2022  because of Brexit.

Despite supposedly being an impartial presiding officer where politics is concerned, he made his views known on our departure from the EU when he placed a puerile B******s to Brexit sign on his car windscreen.

His many enemies on the Tory benches were aghast at his decision to renege on his agreement to go.

Now they believe the Cox report has given MPs a gold-plated opportunity finally to force this insufferably smug individual from the Speakers chair.

Labours former deputy leader Harriet Harman has been sounding out Tory MPs about whether they would support her for the Speakers post.

Bercow was expected to retire by the end of June but decreed he would stay until the next election in 2022

Dame Rosie Winterton, a deputy speaker and former Labour chief whip, is seen as an even stronger contender. Eleanor Laing, the Conservative deputy speaker, is also poised in the wings.

If the Labour sisterhood, which voted Bercow into the job in the first place, now turns against him, he is finished.

Its a measure of Bercows unpopularity that even fiercely partisan Harman, the high priestess of political correctness, is preferred as Speaker by many Conservative MPs.

Bercows standing has plunged among the 119 Labour and 67 Tory women MPs since allegations emerged on Newsnight, the flagship BBC2 current affairs programme, that he bullied a senior Commons clerk, Kate Emms.

The bullying, which Bercow emphatically denies, was allegedly so sustained and intense that Ms Emms, who started to work for him in May 2010, survived for less than a year before quitting.

She was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and now works as a parliamentary adviser to the Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom, who loathes Bercow.

Ms Emms is a highly regarded civil servant  so well thought of, indeed, that she features in a 2015 book and website, Parliamentary Role Models, which seeks to promote Parliament as an inclusive workplace.

I bring my personal values to work by trying to be consistent in my dealings with all the people I come into contact with, Ms Emms writes.

It emerged that Bercow had been accused of bullying a senior Commons clerk, Kate Emms

I aim to behave towards others in a way that I would expect to be treated myself.

Bercow has always been his own worst enemy. Even his dwindling band of supporters were astonished that after the Newsnight programme that levelled bullying allegations against him, he remained in the Speakers chair during a debate in the Commons on... bullying in Parliament.

Bercow even intended to chair the meeting of the House of Commons Commission when it met to set the terms of reference for the bullying inquiry that has now reported  until so many women MPs complained that he backed down.

The capitulation was a clear sign of Bercows diminished stature at Westminster.

Once, he was admired for his support for more family-friendly hours, creating the first Commons creche, calling more backbenchers to speak, extending Prime Ministers Questions and ordering ministers to make more emergency Commons statements.

Bercow has reportedly had frequent and ferocious temper tantrums in front of his staff

But his personality flaws overshadowed these worthy concerns, as more and more reports emerged of his frequent and ferocious temper tantrums in front of his staff.

In the Commons chamber he has become increasingly irritable, deploying bitter sarcasm and ridicule to humiliate MPs  nearly always on the Tory benches. He has been making more enemies than friends.

Given his track record, Bercow is bound to cling on shamelessly for as long as he can.

But if Labours army of women MPs are sufficiently appalled by the Cox report, they could well tell him its all over. For many in the Commons chamber, that moment cannot come soon enough.With Parliament accused of bullying, who was in the Chair when MPs discussed these official findings? Why, the prime tantrum hurler himself, that vexatious little boiler Bercow. He is the King of Conniptions, the Caliph of Choler.

Few have more publicly, frequently, succumbed to the spitting red mist. Yet there he sat, refusing to budge from his great high place when Dame Laura Coxs report on parliamentary abuse was debated.

Mr Bercow himself was criticised in that report. Anyone who has chaired anything, from a parochial church council to an over-50s nudist volleyball club, knows that if the meeting is likely to hear difficult allegations about your conduct, you step outside. Let someone else preside.

This Speaker is tone deaf to propriety.

Tone deaf to propriety: John Bercow yesterday. The King of Conniptions, the Caliph of Choler

The bullying scandal was raised by the rare and stalwart John Mann (Lab, Bassetlaw). Members hurried into the Chamber to hear Mr Mann, who spoke with a tremor of fury about the parliamentary inertia that has long stopped progress in these areas.

Even before Mr Mann began, Bercow was on his feet to make a pre-emptive sally, saying independence and transparency were the best guarantors against misconduct.

He said guarantor with one of those rolled rrrrrrs with which he loves to lah-di-lard his pronouncements.

Bercow groupies were out in force  the likes of Stephen Doughty (Lab, Cardiff S & Penarth), who rose to deplore the Presss interest in the scandal. It is unhelpful for these matters to be discussed in the media, announced chum Doughty. Yes, sweep it under the carpet!

There was no sign of Mr Bercows best man, Julian Lewis (Con, New Forest East). Another Bercow-ite, Charles Walker (Con, Broxbourne), chose to watch from just beyond the benches. But Labour frontbencher Valerie Vaz, whose brother Keith is so close to Bercow, was soon ladling praise over Mr Speaker for making Parliament a more diverse place. She fluttered her eyelashes.

A wounding blow came from Maria Miller (Con, Basingstoke), a pro-diversity type who might have been expected to help Bercow. Instead she slid the letter-knife under his ribs, noting that the Cox report called for a complete change in leadership  including you, Mr Speaker. Bercow tried to smile but it did not quite work. The muscles at the corners of his mouth had frozen.

A wounding blow came from Maria Miller (Con, Basingstoke), a pro-diversity type who might have been expected to help Bercow. Instead she slid the letter-knife under his ribs, noting that the Cox report called for a complete change in leadership  including you, Mr Speaker

Over the horizon galloped the quixotic form of James Duddridge (Con, Rochford), a terrific Bercow hater and Westminsters least successful suicide bomber. He went into a long riff about how the Cox report identified taunting, mocking, mimicking, making offensive comments etc., and then asked: How can we encourage Mr Speaker to stop this behaviour? Bercow supporters were furious.

A wet little man from Ogmore, name of Elmore, shouted outrageous! Mr Duddridge was soon being personally assailed for bullying the Speaker. Classic. Mr Bercow stands accused of treating staff horribly but must not be criticised in case it hurts his feelings.

Mr Bercow laughed ostentatiously at the Duddridge attack. He made a show of chatting to an aide. He nodded in approval when MPs made points which supported him. After a swingeing anti-Duddridge rant from Jess Phillips (Lab, Yardley), her neighbour Alison McGovern (Lab, Wirral S) trotted up to the Chair, gushed some words at Bercow and ended them with a little wink at him. Bercow supporters kept saying how appalling it was that anyone should try to use the issue for personal political ends. As if they themselves were not doing precisely that.

For Ben Bradshaw (Lab, Exeter) it was, as ever, all about Brexit. Only Bercow could steer the Commons through Brexit! Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom said she was sure the deputy Speakers would be able to manage it just as well.

Later we heard friends of Mr Bercow were saying he would step down in nine months. Believe it when it happens. Since 2009 he has been a glowering, malevolent presence at the very centre of our parliamentary politics. He has wrought terrible damage. His departure can not come a moment too soon.

At last! Bercow to quit  but not until next year thanks to Labour propping him up over Brexit

By Claire Ellicott, Political Correspondent

Beleaguered John Bercow is finally quitting as Commons Speaker  but not until next year because Labour MPs want him to remain to give them a say over Brexit.

In a remarkable admission, Dame Margaret Beckett even said that for Labour, Brexit trumps concerns over Mr Bercows response to bullying and sexual harassment at Parliament.

Earlier, shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry had suggested Mr Bercows stance on Brexit meant he should stay. And former Labour culture secretary Ben Bradshaw told MPs the Speaker should stay on to stand up for members against an intolerable Brexit.

Beleaguered John Bercow is finally quitting as Commons Speaker  but not until next year because Labour MPs want him to remain to give them a say over Brexit

Last night, it was claimed Mr Bercow had told friends he intends to stand down as Commons Speaker next summer, though his office would not confirm this. It came after an extraordinary Commons debate in which MPs told Mr Bercow he should quit following a scathing report on Parliaments macho culture.

The report said bullying and sexual harassment had been allowed to thrive. Mr Bercow has personally faced bullying claims from former members of staff. He denies any wrongdoing.

In the Commons yesterday, Conservative MP Anne Main called for a regime change at the top, saying: The fish rots from the head.

And fellow Tory Maria Miller said there was a shocking culture of fear and deference driven right from the top of the House of Commons.

The report is clear, there needs to be complete change in leadership at the most senior level  including you Mr Speaker  as chief officer if we are to press the reset button, she said.

Later however, on the Radio 4 PM programme, veteran Labour MP Dame Margaret Beckett said: Abuse is terrible, it shouldnt happen, behaviour should change anyway..

But yes, if it comes to it... the most difficult decision weve made for hundreds of years [Brexit] trumps bad behaviour.

And Miss Thornberry told Sky News yesterday: I think this is absolutely not the time to be changing Speaker.

We dont know, for example, with regard to Brexit, what is going to happen: whether there is going to be, technically, an amendable motion or not... We do need to have all hands to the deck at the moment. Sir Kevin Barron, the outgoing chairman of the standards committee, accused her of prioritising Brexit, rather than ensuring Parliament was a safe place to work.

And Dave Penman, the general secretary of the FDA union of senior civil servants, called for her to stop putting party politics before people.

Theresa May refused to publicly back Mr Bercow last night, saying his position was a matter for Parliament to decide. When elected Speaker in 2009, Mr Bercow pledged to stay in the role for no longer than nine years. That deadline passed on June 22 this year.A sneak peek behind the scenes at Belvoir Castle has revealed how a series of powerful Duchesses masterminded its transformation from 'old-fashioned' stately pile to Britain's most romantic castle.

Property expert Phil Spencer was given a tour of the property by the current lady of the house, the 11th Duchess of Rutland Emma Manners, on his Channel 4 show Phil Spencer's Stately Homes, and learned how her spirited predecessor set about turning it into a 'fairytale castle' after arriving at the 'dull and boring' Belvoir as a teenage newlywed in 1799.

He discovered how the fifth Duchess and her husband John Henry Manners sold the equivalent of 283million worth of land and property to turn Belvoir into their neo-Gothic dream home, played host to King George IV, and - in a sign of their lavish tastes - ploughed through 1,600 bottles of wine and 46 gallons of port and rum at the two-week long bash they threw to mark the Duke's 21st birthday.

Phil was also shown a secret panel in the property's spectacular Elizabeth Saloon - ostensibly for keeping cameos or miniature portraits, but more often used to stash notes where secret lovers could find them.

The current occupiers of Belvoir House are no less glamorous than their predecessors - with the Duchess' daughters, Lady Violet, Lady Alice and Lady Eliza, once dubbed the 'real-life Crawley sisters' in a nod to TV's Downton Abbey.

TV's Phil Spencer delved into the history of Belvoir Castle, the family seat of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland and their five children, on his Channel 4 show Phil Spencer's Stately Homes - and discovered how women have been pivotal in its journey from old-fashioned house to fairytale castle

Family home: Lady Eliza Manners, Lady Alice Manners and Lady Violet Manners (seen left to right) grew up at Belvoir Castle with their two younger brothers, Charles Manners, Marquess of Granby, 19, and Lord Hugo Manners, 15

Emma Manners told Phil how she feels a special connection with the fifth Duchess Elizabeth, and regards her as her 'absolute mentor' and 'icon'.

'Everything about this building is because of this wonderful woman, Elizabeth, the fifth Duchess,' she said.

'She arrived at 18 and decided the building was dull and boring, [she] wanted it to be a flamboyant castle,' said the Duchess.

'She's my absolute mentor, I adore everything she did. This is her castle... and she found me to finish off the job.

'She's here with me, all the time,' she told Phil.

The stunning Elizabeth Saloon inside Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire. The fifth Duchess Elizabeth and her husband, John Henry Manners the fifth Duke of Rutland, were heavily influenced by trips to Paris when rebuilding the 18th Century property

A spectacular sitting room at the Leicestershire property, which is where the Manners sisters Lady Alice, Lady Violet and Lady Eliza - once dubbed the real-life Crawley sisters in a nod to TV's Downton Abbey - grew up

One of the palatial bedrooms inside Belvoir Castle, many of which feature hand-painted wallpaper and discreet bathrooms - which were added at great expense by the eighth Duchess of Rutland, Violet, who wanted to ensure they did not detract from the property's spectacular interior features

The 11th Duchess of Rutland Emma Manners, seen in conversation with Phil Spencer on the Channel 4 show, revealed she feels a special connection with her predecessor, who set the wheels in motion for how Belvoir Castle looks today

The fifth Duchess Elizabeth and her Duke John Henry, who sold land and property worth 283million in today's money to fund their fairytale castle, took inspiration from their trips to Paris for the interiors of their spectacular home, an influence seen in the Louis XVI-inspired Elizabeth Saloon - location of that secret panel.

Conservation architect Liz Smith told Phil on the show: 'So the theory was that this was used for miniature portraits, cameos, things like that... [but there was] a rumour too that people would leave love letters here, and hide them behind the panels.

'People would come in here for their drinks, write a note to their lover and tuck it in behind the wall panel,' Liz explained.

In the same room, a ceiling mural depicting the myth of Jupiter and Io had had to be repainted, Liz told Phil, because Jupiter originally bore too strong a resemblance to the then Duke of York, with whom Elizabeth was reputedly having an affair.

'They went back and added a beard,' she told Phil.

The fashion-conscious Elizabeth and John Henry had set about creating a bespoke castle designed for receiving guests on a 'massive scale', Phil said on the show, including a suite of three rooms - still known as the King's Rooms - installed specifically to host the monarch.

WHO ARE THE MANNERS SISTERS? The current custodians of Belvoir Castle, the 11th Duke and Duchess of Rutland have three daughters - each one more glamorous than the next. Lady Violet Manners, 25, and her sisters Lady Alice, 23, and Lady Eliza, 21, grew up in neo-Gothic splendour in the Leicestershire stately pile, along with their younger brothers, Charles, Marquess of Granby, 19, and Lord Hugo Manners, 15. Now, they're familiar faces on the London scene, regularly appearing in the pages of society bible Tatler or Vanity Fair. Despite their parents' separation in 2012, the Manners family remain a tight-knit unit, with the Duke and Duchess simply rejigging their living quarters so they could both remain in residence at Belvoir Castle. Seen left to right: The Duke and Duchess of Rutland's daughters Lady Violet Manners, 25, Lady Alice Manners, 23, and Lady Eliza Manners, 21, at an event in London in July Just like the fifth Duchess for whom the youngest of the Manners sisters - who all attended a traditional all-girls boarding school, 29,000-a-year Queen Margaret's in York - is named, the glamorous trio famously love a party. Eliza's 18th birthday bash saw her and her bother Emma take to the stage to entertain guests with a rendition of Cat Stevens' Father and Son. Her father the Duke, David Manners, dressed as a ringmaster in a top hat for the circus-themed bash. It followed Alice's similarly lavish 18th birthday party at the castle, which had an Arabian Nights theme, and saw her two brothers arrive by camel. Violet, the oldest of the Manners girls at 25, documents her glamorous lifestyle on Instagram just like her sisters. She heads up her own brand strategy consultancy Lady Alice, 23, who attended the Conde Nast College of Fashion and Design, is an accomplished horse rider as well as being something of a style expert Newcastle University graduate Lady Eliza, 21, celebrated her 21st birthday with a lavish bash at the sprawling family pile over the summer Advertisement

The fifth Duchess, who the now Duchess of Rutland Emma Manners describes as her 'absolute icon', arrived at Belvoir as the 18-year-old newlywed wife of John Henry Manners - and is said to have found it 'dull and boring'

When the fifth Duke of Rutland John Henry Manners turned 21, the party lasted two weeks - and guests consumed some 1,600 bottles of wine

Evidence of their taste for lavish entertaining lies in the castle archives, with the cellar books from 1806 to 1807 indicating that more than 2,500 bottles of wine were consumed within that period alone.

The Duke would also inform the Leicestershire Militia band what time he wanted guests to gather for breakfast, and they would bang the drums accordingly to alert people staying in the castle - and give them time to get back to their allocated rooms should they have wandered into somebody else's overnight.

But it wasn't all parties, Phil learned.

In 1816 - when the Duke and Duchess' building works were three quarters complete - a 'devastating' fire tore through Belvoir, and 115 irreplaceable paintings - including works by Van Dyck and Rembrandt - were lost.

John Henry wrote in his diary of a scene of 'ruin, desolation and horror'.

'To say the extent of our loss is impossible,' he wrote. 'The calamity is heavy indeed.'

Phil Spencer was given the grand tour by Emma Manners, the 11th Duchess of Rutland, who is spearheading her own restoration works at the stunning property, which she reveals costs 500,000 a year simply to keep up and running

'This is the legacy of a visionary Duchess,' says Phil of the plans set in motion by the fifth Duchess, who died suddenly after suffering a burst appendix at the age of 45

The Manners sisters are familiar faces on the London party circuit, and Belvoir Castle plays host to many a modern party - apt given its history as home to a young and glamorous couple determined to entertain Regency society in style

Paintings line the hallway overlooking the staircase at Belvoir Castle. Hundreds of priceless artworks by some of the world's greatest artists were lost forever in a devastating fire at the property in October 1816

After arriving at Belvoir in 1799, the teenage Duchess decided she 'didn't want a classic stately pile like everyone else', she wanted a fairytale castle, and plans were drawn up to redesign the home in the neo-Gothic style. More than a dozen new turrets and towers were added

Emma Manners says of her 'icon and mentor' Duchess Elizabeth: 'This is her castle... and she found me to finish off the job. She's here with me, all the time'

Undeterred, John Henry - who had previously sold off swathes of land and property to fund the renovation project - sold a further chunk worth 8million in modern money so that work could continue.

Elizabeth, who had nine children, died suddenly aged 45 of a burst appendix in 1825, when the couple's dream home was almost completed.

Later Violet Manners, a 'liberal intellectual and talented artist' who became the eighth Duchess of Rutland in 1906, took over the baton of modernising Belvoir - while respecting the spectacular interiors masterminded by her 19th Century predecessor.

She installed electricity, telephones and servants' bells, as well as a dozen new bathrooms - all of which had to be discreetly hidden away so as not to detract from the splendour of the state rooms, Phil discovered on his tour.

It was the eighth Duchess of Rutland, Violet Manners, who set about modernising Belvoir Castle in the early 20th Century, adding 'discreet' bathrooms, electrics and a telephone

The Duke and Duchess of Rutland, David and Emma, are seen with their five children; Lady Violet, 25, Lady Alice, 23, Lady Eliza, 21, Charles, Marquess of Granby, 19, and Lord Hugo Manners, 15

Today the baton has been passed to the 11th Duchess, Emma Manners, who revealed she was as 'terrified' as her original predecessor when she arrived at Belvoir in 1992.

'My background is I'm a farmer's daughter from mid-Wales,' she told Phil.

'I don't ever think I'm really a Duchess... people say to me "your Grace", and I think, actually, I'm Emma Watkins.'

But the Duchess said she's determined to preserve the history of Belvoir while protecting its future, and told how it costs 500,000 a year 'just to keep it rolling'.

'If I was able to leave it financially secure for my son, I'd really feel I'd ticked a box,' she said on the show.Contestants in the UK's first series to focus exclusively on bisexual dating have revealed what it's really like to be looking for love when you're attracted to both men and women.

Hosted by Ru Paul's Drag Race and Celebrity Big Brother star Courtney Act, 36, The Bi Life features nine British singletons hoping to find love and also banish misconceptions about dating both genders.

'It's safe viewing for everyone,' Shane told Femail ahead of the show set in a Spanish villa that airs next week. 'The most you'll see is a kiss. It's just about the visibility of seeing stories and narratives that you don't ever see on television.

The show is set to reveal the downsides of bisexual dating, such as the 'loneliness' of not having role models to relate to, and dealing with misconceptions such as the idea that you're constantly eager to have threesomes.

Another sticking point is finding a partner who doesn't assume you're always poised to cheat just because you find both genders attractive.

It's been so difficult for swimmer Michael Gunning, 24, Manchester that he's never even been on a date with a man or a woman - despite receiving moral support from his pals Tom Daley and Rebecca Adlington.

Here, The Bi Life contestants reveal why they're hoping the show - which has been described as a hybrid of First Dates and Love Island - will change perceptions.

The reality show follows a group of bisexual singletons living and dating in Barcelona, the LGBTQ+ capital of Europe

Celebrity Big Brother winner Shane Jenek, pictured as his drag alter ego Courtney Act, is hoping his new show The Bi Life will help normalise bisexuality

Shane - who defines his gender and sexuality as 'pansexual, polyamorous and gender fluid' - says that he struggled growing up in Brisbane, Australia, because of the lack of LGBTQ+ representation in the television industry

Mariella Amodeo, 33, London: 'I've known since I was eight-years-old'

The make-up artist knew from the age of eight she liked both girls and boys.

'When I used to play mums and dads with my friends, I was always happy to play the dad and if there was a kiss, I'd be happy about that too,' she recalled.

'My dating experiences have mainly been with women - I find a deeper connection with a woman.

'I was raised in Naples, Italy, before moving to London at the age of 13. I didn't have anyone to look up to who made me feel it was okay and normal to like girls and boys and I struggled with that when I was younger.

'I felt weird for having feelings for both sexes, as though I should know who I was - gay or straight.'

Make-up artist Mariella Amodeo, 33, from London has known from the age of eight that she likes both genders, but struggled with her feelings when she was younger

Mariella came out at the age of 14 and her parents have been supportive - but her mother once said she'd 'grow out of it'.

She added: 'My dad is Italian and comes from a very Catholic background. His reaction to me coming out was: "I love you no matter what, I still want you to get married to a man and have kids", and I said: "Dad, two women can have kids too!".

'I want marriage and kids regardless of whether I'm with a man or woman - I don't mind who I end up with - and believe you can have whatever you want with whoever you want. It's more about the soul than who you date.'

Make-up artist Mariella, 33, said she felt weird about having feelings for both sexes when she was younger because she thought she should know if she was gay or straight

Ryan Cleary, 27, London: 'Saying who you are can put you in danger'

Fitness influencer Ryan was attacked in a nightclub in south London three years ago during a night out with friends.

'It was homophobic, bi-phobic and totally unprovoked - so scary. I never thought for one second that from saying who you are and who you're attracted to would bring such danger. That experience opened my eyes, but my friends and I decided to not let it stop us from living and enjoying our lives.

'My last relationship was with a boy. We broke up early last year after two years together. I knew I had an attraction to guys as well a women at the age of 14 and in high school.

'I had a girlfriend at the time so felt guilty and bad for being attracted to guys too. I used to feel it was wrong.

Ryan Cleary, 27, said he knew he was bisexual from the age of 14 but had nobody to look up to because nobody was out in the media. The fitness influencer added that a homophobic attack outside a nightclub was scary but he decided not to let it stop him from living his life

Fitness fanatic Ryan's last long-term relationship was with a man, but he's also been attracted to women since the age of 14

Ryan knew he was bisexual from the age of 14, but struggled with the lack of representation.

He said: 'I saw nobody in the media who was openly out with their sexuality. Break that down further into race and there was definitely nobody I could relate to as a young bisexual man, which made me feel alone.

'I didn't have anyone to reassure me and who I could look up to, nobody who made me think "that's how I could be' or 'that's what I aspire to be like".'

He said: 'I didn't have anyone to reassure me and who I could look up to, nobody who made me think 'that's how I could be' or 'that's what I aspire to be like''

Michael Gunning, 24, Manchester: 'I've never been on a date'

When Michael joined The Bi Life, he'd never been on a date with a man or a woman and has never been in a relationship.

'Im an international swimmer so Ive spend all my life in the pool training for what I want to achieve so dating has never really been important to me.

'When I went into the show I was very insecure about myself. I got bullied as a child, going through school, just for being who I was and the way I acted because Im quite on the feminine side.

'The bullying was verbal and physical. It traumatised me and its why Ive never gone on dating apps or put myself out there to be in a relationship. I didnt think who I was was good enough.

Michael Gunning, 24, said he is scared about coming out as few professional swimmers are open about their sexuality, but that 'it's time for this to come out'

Michael's friend, the swimmer Becky Adlington, has been a great support and encouraged him to do the show to inspire other bisexual men and women who can't find role models in the public eye

Before I joined the show, my friend Becky Adlington, who I live with in Manchester, said just enjoy it and hopefully youll inspire a generation because people will look up to you.

I realised I was bisexual when I was 20. Id lost my virginity to a girl when I was 18 because that was just the norm but it felt a little bit forced. When I was 21 I met a guy and spoke to Tom Daley about liking the same gender and he gave me so much of a direction into the feelings. It was definitely helpful.

'Theres not many people who are open to both genders in the sporting world, especially swimming - Mark Foster came out after hed retired from swimming - so when the show airs, it will be a big thing in the swimming community.

'As much as Im scared, its time for this to come out. I went out to Spain very naive to dating and my sexuality and the show has made me a different person. Im more confident and I finally own who I am.

Michael, who had never dated anyone, also said he wished he had come out sooner and hopes his story will help others who are struggling

Carmen Clarke, 21, Manchester: 'People say I'm too pretty to be bisexual'

'I prefer to date lesbian women and straight guys because in my experience, some bisexual people are not as experienced in the bedroom,' model Carmen explained. 'I want a woman who's quite forward and happy to take control and the same for a guy.

'I knew from the age of 15 that I was into girls but I only came out a year and a half ago. When I came out, my whole family did too.

'My mum - she's always been married to men but she's attracted to women as well, then my step dad, my sister admitted she'd done stuff with her friends and my little sister got a girlfriend a month later.

When Carmen Clarke, from Manchester, came out to her parents, her whole family did too. Now she wishes her mother had been honest about her sexuality so she could have been more open about her feelings

She added: 'I encounter bi-phobia all the time. People have accused me of being bisexual to get attention, told me I look 'too straight' or that I'm 'too pretty to be a bisexual''

'Growing up, had mum been honest about her sexuality, I would have been more open about my feelings.'

One of Carmen's main concerns was being judged by other models who might think she's 'perving' on them in the changing rooms.

She added: 'I encounter bi-phobia all the time. People have accused me of being bisexual to get attention, told me I look 'too straight' or that I'm 'too pretty to be a bisexual'.

'A lot of people dismiss bisexuality. They think you're either gay or straight with no in between. If a guy comes up to me and I'm not into him, I'll tell him I'm into girls and they say 'you're a waste', which can be quite offensive.'

Kyle McGovern, 23, South Wales: 'We need bisexual role models'

'I came out a year ago so dating guys is a new concept for me. Before coming on the show I knew I was bisexual and accepted it to a certain extent, but I wasn't ready to confidently reveal my sexuality if somebody asked me about it.

'Since being on the show I've found my avenue and who I am because I've allowed myself to accept and understand my feelings,' the support teacher and university student revealed.

'If someone younger from a town like mine, who's going through what I've been through, sees me on the show and feels inspired by me because I'm so accepting of myself, I will be content. Bisexual role models are so needed.'

Kyle McGovern, 23, came out just a year ago and wasn't confident about revealing his sexuality - until appearing on the show. Now he's discovered who he is because he's allowed himself to accept and understand his own feelings

He said: 'If someone younger from a town like mine, who's going through what I've been through, sees me on the show and feels inspired by me because I'm so accepting of myself, I will be content'

Matt Brindley, 27, Chester: 'I have a raw, physical attraction to men, but connect emotionally with women'

'My parents are from a small town in Cheshire. They're quite traditional and old fashioned so, growing up, I suppressed my attraction to men,' the influencer agent explained.

'While away, I called my mum from Australia to tell her I was bisexual and she couldn't deal with it. We didn't talk for a while and she kept it to herself until I returned to the UK and she broke down, saying she was so confused.

'My dad, a masculine, motorbike-riding engineer, was the most accepting person and a year later my brother found out after he found me crying after I'd broken up with a boyfriend on holiday. He said 'I always knew', cried and gave me a hug.'

When Matt Brindley came out to his mother, she really struggled with understanding it - but luckily his father, a masculine, motorbike-riding engineer, was incredibly accepting

He said: 'With men, I have a raw, physical attraction but when I look at the relationships I've had with guys, none has lasted longer than six months'

He added: 'My attraction to men is much stronger than to girls but my connection with girls is more on a personal level. I'm much more comfortable with them and that's what I'm attracted to.

'I could definitely end up with a girl on that [basis]. With men, I have a raw, physical attraction but when I look at the relationships I've had with guys, none has lasted longer than six months.'

Leonnie Cavill, 27, Manchester: 'Guys assume I'm more likely to cheat'

She said: 'It's hard if you're a girlie bi sexual or lesbian because people assume you're straight. On Canal Street in Manchester, certain clubs won't let me in because I don't look bi or gay. A girl doesn't have to look butch to be lesbian or bi.

'I only date girls from dating apps like Tinder and Bumble because I never dare approach a girl in public because I don't know if she's going to feel the same. I worry about that awkwardness or rejection.

The club promoted added: 'Telling guys I'm bisexual is hard because they usually just look at the threesome fantasy and assume I'm more likely to cheat because I like both genders. Relationships are based on trust.

'Just like if you were straight and with the [someone of the] opposite sex or gay and into the same gender, if you're into that relationship and trust each other, why are you going to look at anyone else?'

Leonnie Cavill, 27, said many people assume she is straight because she is 'girlie'. Some clubs on Canal Street in Manchester, the centre of the cities gay village, even refuse to let her in because of it

She said: 'Telling guys I'm bisexual is hard because they usually just look at the threesome fantasy and assume I'm more likely to cheat because I like both genders. Relationships are based on trust'

Leonie, pictured in The Bi Life villa in Bareclona, has struggled with trust issues in relationships because partners don't believe she's not tempted to cheat

Daisie Thilwind, 26, Cheshire: 'People accuse me of being greedy'

Fraud prevention officer Daisie said: 'I knew that I liked girls and guys from the age of eight, when I had an experience with a girl but in the years that followed I didn't understand how I was feeling.

'At 17 I accepted who I was and then I came out a year or so later. My family were so supportive but my younger brother got bullied in school because of it and my older brother didn't speak to me for six months.

'We're still not alright. I guess you can't have a perfect family, there's always a bump in the road.

Daisie Thilwind has experienced difficulties with her family since coming out as bisexual and admits that one of her brothers didn't speak to her for six months

Daisie Thilwind, 26, is proud of her sexuality and went on the show to get the message out that bisexual people are misinterpreted and judged - even by those within the LGBT community

She said: 'One guy I was dating said I must be straight when I'm with him but that's not how it works. I'm not going to change my sexuality just because I'm with a guy!'

'People accuse me of not knowing what I want or being greedy and are so afraid of the word "bisexual", including people in the LGBT community.

'I don't think lesbians like dating bisexuals and prefer sticking to their own kind. It's as though they feel they've got more competition.'

'Im a serial dater - three dates a week - but which gender is harder to date? Its hard to date a woman because there are so many hormones.

'But women are more emotional so they understand my emotions more whereas with a guy they dont tend to show their emotions and can be a bit more laid back. Im like "give me attention".'

Irene Ellis, 23, London: 'It can be lonely and difficult'

'Apparently I don't look bisexual although I'm not quiet sure what they expect,' the photographer explained. 'It's a subtle prejudice and used to make me think "am I tricking people? Am I being realistic?".

One of my exes would ask if I wanted a threesome, which is the worst question to be asked when you're bisexual, or he would constantly ask, "Do you find her attractive? Or her?". I'd have to tell him "I'm with you, it's all good".

, a 23-year-old photographer from London, said people tell her she doesn't look bisexual - although it's unclear what they mean by this

I had my first girlfriend the age of 16. She was a lesbian but although I fancied her I was still dating guys, so for the longest time I felt like I was waiting to blossom into a lesbian.

By 23, I thought "I've not blossomed yet' and that's when I realised I was bisexual", which was a relief.

'I'd describe my love life history as lonely, difficult and single.

'I've never tallied the relationships I've had with girls and boys but other people have quoted numbers back to me and been like: "It's been two guys now, are you going towards that fork?".

Now I'm not thinking about other people's judgments because I'm totally happy with myself. I feel way more comfortable in my own skin and around other people. It's a newfound sense of confidence.'

The Bi Life premieres on Thursday 25th October at 9pm on E! UK & Ireland.A year ago Iris Smit decided to start a makeup company after struggling to apply her eyeliner each day.

At the time the 24-year-old invested $10,000 of her own money into the The Quick Flick - a stamp that gives you the perfect winged liner every time - and was even offered a $300,000 investment on Shark Tank after only three months in business.

But after careful consideration Miss Smit turned it down, realising she would rather be the sole owner of her booming then $3million dollar label.

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Iris Smith (pictured) turned a very simple makeup idea into an incredible $10 million profit

The 24-year-old invested $10,000 of her own money into The Quick Flick - a stamp that gives you the perfect winged liner every time - and even appeared on Shark Tank last year to showcase her brand (right)

Little did she know the decision would see her turn a successful idea into a $10 million empire, launching new colours and liner widths to reach a broader audience of makeup fiends.

To add to the excitement, 450 Priceline stores will stock The Quick Flick by the end of November - just in time for Christmas shopping.

Miss Smit can't believe that the cure for a wonky black line on her face could be the start of a million-dollar business.

In November 450 Priceline stores will stock The Quick Flick - just in time for Christmas shopping (Iris pictured in pink)

Iris Smit is the one-woman show behind The Quick Flick - a product that allows you to stamp a perfect winged tip onto your lids in just seconds

'Winged eyeliner is probably one of the hottest makeup trends of all time, but for many reasons it's also one of the most hated for how difficult and time-consuming it can be to master,' Miss Smit has previously said.

'This was all too true for myself. I had worn a winged eyeliner since about the age of 16. I was known for my winged eyeliner look - everyone knew me as the cat lady. Every single morning it was the same old story, battling it out in the bathroom trying to get my wings to at least look like sisters let alone twins.

'It got to the point where I thought, surely there's an easier solution? At the time I was actually studying interior architecture. Having that design background, I thought, well how about I come up with my own design solution?'

The sharks were hugely interested in her $35 product with Andrew Banks choosing to invest $300,000 in the business (pictured on Shark Tank)

The $35 liner is pre-loaded with ink and comes with two stamps - one for each eye - and a felt tip liner to complete the popular look.

Miss Smit, of Perth, previously told Daily Mail Australia she wanted to design a product that would save time by creating a perfect winged tip on the very first try every single time.

'I've been into make up all my life and I've always enjoyed testing out different looks and trying to find solutions for how things can be done quicker,' she said.

Miss Smit, of Perth, told Daily Mail Australia that she wanted to design a product that would save time by creating a perfect winged tip on the very first try every single time

'I thought the easiest way would be a stamp applicator and it sort of just developed from there.'

Miss Smit set out to create a formula that, unlike previous products she had used, would last all day.

'I wanted a really long-wearing formula, because a lot of products on the market would fade or smudge and I was always having to retouch throughout the day,' she said.

'I needed something that was going to stay on in the day and through the night, something that ticked all the boxes.'

The 23-year-old appeared on Shark Tank with her brand The Quick Flick , which offers its clients a way of 'stamping' a perfect winged tip onto your lids

The $35 product is pre-loaded with ink and comes with two stamps - one for each eye

Iris was studying interior architecture when she first began thinking about Quick Flick, and used her design background to help create the product.

The student did everything herself during university holidays, from sourcing out the product to developing the mold for the shape and finding the right pen to put the stamp applicator on.

Iris spent months trying to get the formula right, and designed all the packaging, labelling and website herself as well.

'It was a lengthy process, but I've always been self-driven and I was quite passionate about it,' she said.

Miss Smit even applied for a provisional patent and official trademark for Quick Flick on her own when she found out just how much it cost to get a lawyer to do the same.

Iris was studying interior architecture when she first began thinking about Quick Flick, and used her design background to help create the product (pictured)

'They wanted to charge ridiculous amounts,' she said. 'And it was actually great because I was able to do it myself and saved a lot of money on my own.'

From the start Miss Smit wanted to make sure her product was completely vegan and cruelty-free after noticing a 'huge need' for it in the make up market.

'A lot of brands are cruelty-free in that they don't test on animals, but they use ingredients with animal byproducts in them,' she explained.

'It's actually crazy when you see the list of cosmetic companies still testing on animals, and I think it's a really important stepping stone.

'I'm a huge animal lover and look at what I put into my body and my skin, so it made sense to replicate that in my formula. I wanted to create a product I would want to use.'

Iris (pictured with her partner) was studying interior architecture when she first began thinking about Quick Flick, and used her design background to help create the product

Quick Flick officially launched in August 2017, nearly a year after Iris first came up with the idea, and the response was 'absolutely insane', she said.

'To be honest I wasn't expecting it to have such a great response, it's happening so fast I almost can't keep up,' Iris added.

'Some mornings I'm up until 3am packaging orders and responding to emails, it's crazy.'

Iris said women have told her that the simple applicator has vastly improved their confidence when it comes to make up

Miss Smit said women have told her that the simple applicator has vastly improved their confidence when it comes to makeup.

'One woman messaged me and said, 'I've been teased before when I tried winged eyeliner because it came out so horrible',' she said.

'Quick Flick is confidence in your ability to apply make up, and if you feel like you look good you also feel empowered.'

Iris herself struggled to make a perfect wing due to her hooded eyes, and found that Quick Flick was something that worked for every face.

'With a stamp it doesn't matter what eye shape you have, or if you have wrinkles or folded skin around your eyes,' she said.

'It allows you to achieve that wing, and there's different sizes as well so you can customise your look.'

Miss Smit said the response to Quick Flick has given her more confidence than ever in her business, and just makes her want to create even more products.

'It's just a really great feeling knowing you're helping out women, making their lives easier and saving them time,' she said.

And Quick Flick has also helped Iris feel more confident in herself and what she can achieve.

'Something really important to me with Quick Flick was not just feeling confident with make up application, but how I could feel empowered with my own business,' she said.

'I've always thought that if you can dream it, just go out and do it! If you have a great idea, if you're passionate about something, don't second guess yourself.'

'Don't overthink it, just dive in head first and take the plunge. You won't regret it.'What a bumper few days it's been for royal watchers everywhere. As if the sight of Prince Philip breathing the same air as Sarah Ferguson without having apoplexy wasn't thrilling enough, it has now been confirmed: The Duchess of Sussex is expecting.

In some ways it's a relief. At 37, there was always a faint worry about Meghan's chances of conceiving naturally.

Of course, she's as fit as a fiddle and looks much younger  but plenty of women her age do struggle. Mother nature is mother nature, and fertility falls off a cliff at 35, duchess or not.

The Duchess of Sussex arrives at Admiralty House in Sydney on the first day of the royal couple's visit to Australia yesterday. The dream of a truly multicultural Britain will find expression in the very heart of the monarchy

She and Harry were always going to want to conceive sooner rather than later, particularly if they plan to emulate his brother and have two or three children. But then they are newlyweds with the time and inclination to start a family, so we should not be too surprised at yesterday's announcement.

Yet there is, of course, more to this than just two young people who are clearly very much in love embarking on the great adventure of parenthood.

This pregnancy is special and symbolic on a number of different levels  and in a way that few royal babies have been since Jane Seymour succeeded in producing a son for Henry VIII, at the cost of her own life when she died a few days later.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at Edes House in Chichester during an official visit to Sussex earlier this month. There is, of course, more to this than just two young people who are clearly very much in love embarking on the great adventure of parenthood

It's not just what this milestone will mean personally for Harry, who has always seemed the more vulnerable of the two princes and perhaps the one who struggled most after the divorce of his parents and the death of his mother. Hopefully, this chance to create his own family unit will finally help heal some of those wounds.

He certainly looks the type who will make a great father  not only because he's a bit of a big kid himself, but also because he seems to possess his mother's emotional intelligence.

Or what it will mean to Meghan, the single-minded Hollywood starlet who now, by virtue of royal marriage and motherhood, finds her place in history secured. As Fergie discovered, once you give birth to a Windsor prince's child, you are attached to The Firm for ever.

No, the most profound aspect of this news is what the reality of a mixed-race child being born into the Royal Family will mean to the aristocracy and to the country as a whole.

For the first time, the dream of a truly multicultural Britain will find expression in the very heart of the monarchy. By showing there is no barrier to who may take their place in the royal fold, Harry and his bride will help secure the future  and relevance  of this great institution for many years to come.

This is, perhaps above all, the legacy of the People's Princess writ large.

Of course, the way Meghan  despite her complex family history  has been embraced by the palace is a big part of that process. But there is a huge difference between simply tying the knot and actually starting a family. The former is a contract that can, if necessary, be dissolved. The latter represents an indelible commitment that can never be erased.

The fact is that once this baby comes, countless parents and children from mixed-race backgrounds up and down the country will, perhaps for the first time ever, look to the royals and see themselves reflected in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their child.

Prince Harry with the Duchess of Sussex Meghan yesterday attending a welcome event in Sydney, Australia. Harry certainly looks the type who will make a great father  not only because he's a bit of a big kid himself, but also because he seems to possess his mother's emotional intelligence

Britain will, at long last, have a royal family that is genuinely representative of the people it serves. One that not only sweeps away cultural and racial barriers, but also wears its heart, its emotions and its imperfections on its sleeve.

Not only will this be an historical first, it also signals a clear departure from the old-fashioned model of royalty, rigidly based on entitlement and rank, and rife with snobbery, to one that reaches out to a far wider circle. A much more informal, inclusive sort of institution with both purpose and relevance that genuinely seeks to speak to its subjects in a language they can not only understand but respect.

Of course, not everyone will like this kind of monarchy. Indeed there are some, even within the ranks of the family itself, who relish the status quo. But they are the ones who are out of touch now.

This baby is not just any baby. It is a symbol of the wider modernising agenda that Harry and Meghan  as well as Prince William and his wife Kate, descended from Geordie coalminers  have for the future. It is the embodiment of the revolutionary royal family they are striving to create.

In the meantime, we'll have the pleasure of seeing another bonny child at Kensington Palace. And Meghan with swollen ankles? Knowing her, I wouldn't bet on it.Advertisement

The Duke of Sussex today enjoyed a heartwarming reunion as he introduced his pregnant wife to the 98-year-old war widow who twice stole a kiss from him.

Daphne Dunne captured the hearts of millions after she met the Prince in 2015 and again in 2017, when she waited in the pouring rain wearing her late husband's Victoria Cross.

The medal caught Harry's attention and the cheeky pensioner nabbed a kiss from him when he leaned in to ask her about it.

Today, the pair were reunited once again and Harry took the time to introduce Mrs Dunne to Meghan, who warmly clasped her hand as said she had heard 'many good things' about her.

The 98-year-old was eagerly waiting with a bouquet of flowers to greet the couple outside the Sydney Opera House, which they visited during their mammoth 16-day Commonwealth tour which will also be taking in New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

Today - the first full day of their tour - began with a trip to Taronga Zoo and culminated in a Sydney reception at the grand Admiralty House overlooking the city's opera house.

Prince Harry meets 98-year-old Daphne Dunne outside Sydney Opera House. She held her hands to his face before sharing a hug.

Prince Harry introduced Meghan to Daphne Dunne, after calling her over when he spotted the war widow in the crowd. Meghan knelt down and said: 'I'm so happy to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you.'

Prince Harry is pictured here meeting Daphne Dunne, who was wearing her husband's Victoria Cross, during a walkabout outside the Sydney Opera House on May 7, 2015

The pair crossed paths again when they shared a kiss and hug after she waited to meet him in the pouring rain for seven hours with an esky full of beers (pictured in 2017)

Daphne Dunne has been reunited with Prince Harry as they shared a loving embrace on Tuesday outside the Sydney Opera House

Mrs Dunne's first husband Albert Chowne was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross after he died in Papua New Guinea in 1945 during the Second World War.

She wore his cross during a royal visit to the opera house in 2015 - when she first nabbed a kiss from the Prince after he leaned in to ask her about the medal.

And much to her delight, Prince Harry spotted her in the crowd once again before he made his way over to share a loving hug and introduce her to his pregnant wife.

'How are you? I'm going to get my wife to come over to say hello,' he said to Ms Dunne, before introducing his wife to her.

'Oh my goodness, is this Daphne? I'm so happy to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you - all good things,' Meghan said as the two women clasped hands.

Ms Dunne replied: 'It's wonderful, the two of you' as she congratulated the pair on their exciting baby news: 'Congratulations, it's just what Harry needs.

'He will be a marvellous dad. He won't let anything stand in his way and he will be so gentle and loving.'

During their heartwarming encounter, Prince Harry noticed something different about Ms Dunne.

'Have you dyed your hair a shade of pink?' he asked, to which she responded 'yes'.

The royal fan gifted the couple flowers, as Meghan thanked her, adding: 'Hopefully next time we see you, we'll have a little one with us.'

She had also brought with her pictures of the previous time she met the Prince.

Speaking to AAP following her meet-and-greet with Meghan, Ms Dunne said: 'She said she had heard all about me, she's so beautiful.'

Albert Chowne: The war hero 'destined to win the Victoria Cross' who took out machine guns in a fearless one-man mission Daphne Dunne's first husband Albert Chowne (left), who was awarded the Victoria Cross. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in January 1944 and he married Daphne in March that year (right) Albert Chowne was born in Sydney on 19 July 1920l. In 1935 he began work as a shirt-cutter at David Jones, where he met his future wife, Daphne. He spent a brief period in the 36th Militia Battalion before enlisting in the AIF in late May 1940. Chowne was assigned to the 2nd/13th Battalion as platoon and later company runner. The unit arrived in the Middle East in November 1940 and served at Tobruk during which time he was promoted to corporal. Later, in Syria, Chowne was promoted to sergeant. He was awarded the Military Medal for twice crawling close to enemy positions to direct mortar fire. Regarded as exceptionally cool by his comrades, Chowne combined fearlessness with a self-effacing manner. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in January 1944 and he married Daphne Barton in March that year. From left: The Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Gloucester, Daphne Chowne, and his father, Arthur Chowne Chowne brought a reputation for bravery and leadership to his new unit. In March 1945 he carried out a one-man patrol in daylight, at one stage entering an empty hut and rifling through the belongings of Japanese soldiers, one of whom he shot when he was discovered. Some who knew him believed that Chowne was 'destined to either win the Victoria Cross or be killed in action'. Sadly both happened. On 25 March 1945, Chowne, seeing the leading platoon in his company's attack on Japanese positions run into trouble, left cover and charged the enemy. He managed to knock out two machine guns before being killed. Chowne's actions enabled the attack to continue and, according to his citation, paved the way for the 6th Division's advance on Wewak. Chowne was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously and was buried in the Lae War Cemetery in New Guinea. A street in Canberra was named after him as was a community hall in Willoughby, Sydney. Source: Australian War Memorial Advertisement

Prince Harry introduced his wife to Ms Dunne, who waited to meet the couple with flowers

Ms Dunne first met the Prince at the Sydney Opera House in 2015 where she nabbed a kiss on the cheek.

Two years later, the pair crossed paths again when they shared a kiss and hug after she waited to meet him in the pouring rain for seven hours with an esky full of beers.

Appearing on the Today show on Tuesday before the meeting, the super royal fan shared her excitement about the prospect of meeting Prince Harry for the third time.

'I'm quite excited. I don't think he has changed very much but I probably have. Seeing my age is going up, up, up,' she told reporter Sylvia Jeffreys.

'He's a natural. He just loves what he's doing but seems to fit in with everything he says. I'm very happy for him. I'm glad he's got a wife now and soon a bubba.'

Speaking fondly about the Prince, Ms Dunne told Sunrise: 'Harry is just wonderful, you couldn't describe him any other way.

'I have to meet Meghan because she and Harry are really in love, you can see it coming out of their eyes and out of their hearts too.'

Meghan told Ms Dunne that she hopes the next time they meet again, she would see their baby

Beautiful moment! Ms Dunne was overjoyed when she got to see her Prince again on Tuesday

Meet the OTHER Meghan and Harry! Duchess can't hide her delight as she is introduced to 'so, so sweet' koalas Prince Harry and his wife the Duchess of Sussex meet Meghan and Harry the koalas The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were introduced to another Meghan and Harry today - the koala bears named after them in Sydney. The pair were spotted cooing over koala bears at the Australian zoo, just hours after announcing they are expecting their first child. Meghan appeared shocked to hear the baby koala was given her name, while there is another named after the prince, too. The couple, who announced they are expecting their first baby hours earlier were invited to stroke two koalas and their joeys, named in their honour after the royal wedding in May. The Duchess called the animals 'so, so sweet'. Advertisement

Weighing in on the baby joy, Ms Dunne said: 'I'm thrilled for them, especially Harry because I know how he wanted a baby, now he's got his wish.'

She added that Prince Harry will be a 'hands on' father when the baby arrives.

Reminiscing their heartwarming encounter, Ms Dunne told the Today show a selfless Prince Harry seemed unfazed when he braved the rain to talk to her in May 2015.

'He didn't worry about, he just continued on with what he was doing, which was talking to me,' she recalled.

'When he started to go, he gave me a kiss on the cheek. And when he came back later, he gave me another one because I was lopsided, and I had to have another kiss to put me right.'

When asked where the third kiss will go, Ms Dunne laughed as she responded: 'I don't know, I might not even get one.'

Last year in June, Ms Dunne grabbed a kiss from the royal after she braved the wet weather for seven hours in the rain.

Despite the torrential downpour, she told Daily Mail Australia at the time: 'He's worth waiting for  even in the pouring rain.'

'This time, I got a kiss on the opposite side, so it wouldn't be lopsided. 'He was lovely. He gave me a hug and a kiss and said it was great to see me,' she said.

'He was so pleased to see me and he worked out in his own mind that it's just gone two years [since we last met].

'He asked if I ever take my medals off and I said, "Yes, to go to bed".'

Asked if she offered him a beer from the ice box she had by her side, she said: 'No, he didn't have time and he was soaking wet.'

Pouring rain dampened the start of Harry's visit to Sydney to launch the countdown to the 2018 Invictus Games.

But Ms Dunne remained in high spirits all day, saying she had a special place in her heart for Harry due to his passion for veterans affairs.

'I think he does a lot for everyone, but he seems to dote on soldiers who have been injured,' she said.

During their first encounter by the Opera House in May 2015, she said he had been quick to notice the Victoria Cross she wore.

'He got close to me and he said, 'I know what that is,' she said at the time. And I said, 'Well, you should'.'

Ms Dunne was all smiles after Prince Harry spotted her from the crowd before he made his way over to share a loving hug on Tuesday

A blast from the past: The pair reunited on Tuesday after meeting in 2015 (left and right) and 2017, when Daphne wore her husband's Victoria Cross medals.

Daphne Dunne, 97, waited with an ice box of beers to meet the prince at Campbell Cove Jetty in 2017 (pictured)

'We're ready and excited to join the club!' Pregnant Meghan says she and Harry can't wait to become parents as fans are given first glimpse of her tiny baby bump on opening day of Australia tour

Meghan Markle wore a figure-hugging dress showing her baby bump today and said she and Prince Harry can't wait to be parents, declaring: 'We're ready! We're excited to join the club'.

The royal couple have already taken Australia by storm as they started their historic first international tour together also taking in New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga over the next 16 days.

Meghan and Harry have sparked a whirlwind by announcing they are having their first child just hours after touching down in Sydney.

They had told the Queen and the rest of the royal family their happy news at Princess Eugenie's Windsor Castle wedding on Friday before boarding a commercial flight to Australia via Singapore over the weekend.

Earlier in the day the Duke and Duchess held hands on the lawns at Admiralty House overlooking Sydney Opera House and Meghan wore a white dress that showed her small baby bump

Meghan spoke to Australian Singer Missy Higgins, with her nine week old baby Lunar, who slept soundly during an afternoon reception on the first day of their royal tour

The Duke and Duchess have been greeted by huge crowds desperate to see them and congratulate them about their baby, who will be seventh in line to the throne and is due in late April next year.

Today - the first full day of their tour - culminated in a Sydney reception at the grand Admiralty House overlooking the city's opera house where Meghan said she and her husband are 'excited' about becoming parents.

Meghan, who wore butterfly earrings and a gold bracelet belonging to Harry's mother Diana, spoke to Australian TV personality Eddie Woo, 33, at a reception and conversation turned towards parenthood.

When he said that his own children - aged five, seven and 10 - require 'a lot of energy', she replied: 'We're ready! We're excited to join the club'.

Harry then told guests: 'Thank you for the incredibly warm welcome and the chance to meet so many Aussies from all walks of life. And we also genuinely couldn't think of a better place to announce the upcoming baby, be it a boy or a girl.'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet Findlay Blue , four, and Dasha Gallagher, six, after they officially opened the Taronga Institute of Science and Learning at Taronga Zoo in Sydney today

Meghan is seen resting her head on Prince Harry's shoulder as the meet and greet came to an end on Tuesday afternoon outside Sydney Opera House

Insiders have said Prince Harry is 'happier than he has ever been' as he and Meghan prepare to become parents next Spring and the couple were handed a soft toy Kangaroo for baby Sussex by The Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove (pictured)

The royal couple are pictured coming down the steps of the iconic Sydney Opera House to speak with fans waiting outside

'Our first baby gift!' Pregnant Meghan and Harry are presented with a toy kangaroo and Uggs The Duchess of Sussex was also presented with a plush kangaroo and baby joey hours after the royal couple revealed they were expecting their first child Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been given uniquely Australian presents on their first royal tour of the country and the mother-to-be exclaimed: 'Our first baby gift'. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex looked delighted when handed them by Australia's Governor-General at his Sydney residence on Tuesday morning. The couple received a soft kangaroo and joey from his Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife, Lady Cosgrove. 'Our first baby gift!' Meghan, who was wearing an ivory Karen Gee dress, said, while Harry was handed a pair of Ugg boots, which he described as 'awesome'. They were also each given an Akubra but the couple declined the chance to put on the wide-brimmed Australian-made hats, which were provided as a wedding gift. Advertisement

'Hey you can't give flowers that big to my wife!': The hilarious moment Prince Harry playfully scolds a royal fan for gifting a large bouquet to Meghan Markle at Taronga Zoo

Prince Harry has hilariously told off a crowd of Australian spectators at Taronga Zoo after a spectator handed Meghan Markle a large bouquet of flowers.

The gesture, which was caught on video, shows the very relaxed couple entering the Sydney sanctuary surrounded by police guard and their entourage.

A lavish floral gift was handed to the Duchess of Sussex, who looked stunning in a white Karen Gee midi dress on her first appearance since announcing their pregnancy.

The bouquet was HUGE! These were the flowers offered to the Duchess of Sussex

A lavish gift in the form of a floral arrangement was handed to Meghan, who looked stunning in a white Karen Gee midi dress on her first appearance since announcing their pregnancy

In the video, the Duke of Sussex, strides towards her in a navy suit and takes one look at the present before turning to the excited crowd waiting patiently behind the barricades.

Pointing a cheeky index finger at the press and onlookers, Prince Harry retorts: 'You can't give flowers that big to my wife, what is that all about?'

The crowd laughs as a glowing Meghan joins him, saying: 'Thank you for my flowers!'

Her husband, the Duke of Sussex, strides towards her in a navy suit and takes one look at the present before turning to the excited crowd waiting patiently behind the barricades

Pointing a cheeky index finger at the waiting press and patrons, Prince Harry retorts: 'You can't give flowers that big to my wife, what is that all about?'

It would appear she was unaware who had bought the gift for her, but it was Fitzy & Wippa show newsreader Matt De Groot.

Social media was awash with love for the very sweet footage, with some suggesting it was their 'favourite video of Harry ever'.

'You've got to love Harry,' another added.

It would appear she was unaware who had bought the gift for her, but it was Nova 96.9 newsreader Matt De Groot

The crowd laughs as a glowing Meghan joins him, saying: 'Thank you for my flowers!'

In a private moment away from the cameras, the couple were also given a baby kangaroo toy in celebration of their baby news

At Taronga Zoo, the couple were invited to stroke two koalas and their joeys, who were named Harry and Meghan in honour of the royal wedding in May.

The Duchess called the animals 'so, so sweet', shyly touching a koala named Ruby who sat sleepily on a lower branch in the small, open enclosure.

The Duke was more forthcoming, reaching to pet the koala with the encouragement of keepers, and admiring their healthy coats and quizzing keeper Suzie MacNamara about their diet and sleeping habits.

The couple were also shown wallabies and quokkas in their enclosures, leaning on the zoo's low fences to admire them and watch them being fed.

Accompanied by the premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian, they spent around five minutes with the koalas, Ruby and Wattle, whose joeys were named Meghan and Harry as a wedding gift from the people of the region.

In a private moment away from the cameras, they couple were also given a stuffed toy version of the animal in celebration of their baby news.

'He couldn't be happier': Prince Harry is an 'emotional wreck but in a good way' say insiders after he and Meghan announce they're expecting the baby 'he's wanted for a long time'

By Rebecca English

Prince Harry is 'happier than he has ever been' as he and Meghan prepare to become parents next spring.

He has been an 'emotional wreck - but in a good way!' since discovering the Duchess of Sussex is pregnant, one source said last night.

'It is something he has wanted for a long time and he couldn't be happier. He is so protective of her,' the source added.

The news was announced by Kensington Palace yesterday after the smiling couple arrived in Sydney for the start of a gruelling 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

Meghan walking out of Sydney Airport on Monday ahead of the news of her pregnancy announced a day later

They insisted on going ahead with the trip in spite of Foreign Office advice to pregnant women about the risk of the Zika virus. There is no vaccination to prevent infection by the virus, which causes foetuses to develop severe deformities, but the couple will still travel to Fiji and Tonga next week,

Last night it emerged:

Meghan's mother Doria Ragland was among the first to know - likely told in person when she visited London last month.

Miss Ragland was 'very happy about this lovely news' and 'looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild'.

Meghan's estranged father Thomas Markle is 'absolutely delighted' and told her by letter: 'You will make a great mother'. Kensington Palace refused to comment on whether Meghan had told her father directly.

The baby will be seventh in line to the throne and likely be titled Earl of Dumbarton or Lady (first name) Mountbatten-Windsor unless the Queen bestows prince or princess on them.

Moments after the baby announcement, Sarah Ferguson began tweeting a series of pictures from her daughter Princess Eugenie's wedding day last Friday  leading some to question if she felt upstaged.

Meghan, 37, has 'just' had her 12-week scan, the Mail understands. It means she is already in her second trimester, when the risk of miscarriage is deemed to lessen considerably.

The couple excitedly told the rest of the Royal Family last Friday when they saw them at Princess Eugenie's wedding.

The joyous news sets the seal on a whirlwind year for Harry, 34, who in recent years has made no secret of his desire to settle down and start a family.

It is only 12 months since the couple stepped out together in public for the first time, when they appeared together at the Invictus Games in Toronto. At the time, Meghan was still living full-time in Canada, although preparing to move to London, and the couple were not even engaged.

After Harry popped the question at the end of last year, they married in May and just two months later, towards the end of July, conceived their first child.

In mid-July, Harry and Meghan were on a 'mini-moon' royal tour to Dublin, their first trip together as a married couple. And on August 4, they were partying at the wedding of Harry's best friend Charlie Van Straubenzee.

Yesterday a Kensington Palace spokesman said the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were all 'delighted for the couple'.

'They were able to share their happy news with the Royal Family in person at Friday's wedding,' said an aide, which may have accounted for their low-key appearance at the nuptials.

A friend added: 'They didn't make a grand announcement but had conversations with their family and friends and told them their news.'

Meghan is said to be in 'good health' and has not had to cancel any public appearances because of her pregnancy, unlike the Duchess of Cambridge who sadly suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum, a several form of pregnancy-related sickness.

Her pregnancy is likely to be monitored closely, however, as by the age of 35 any woman expecting a baby is technically classed by doctors as a 'geriatric mother'.

The couple's tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga will be highly demanding. It includes opening the prince's inspirational Invictus Games for injured service personnel in Sydney later this week.

Harry and Meghan have insisted their trip to the two most remote South Pacific islands will go ahead despite the risk of Zika there, which can cause abnormalities in foetuses. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises pregnant women to avoid 'all but essential travel' there.

Kensington Palace announced via Twitter on Monday that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting a baby in the spring

A source told the Mail last night: 'It's early days but everything seem to be progressing well and there won't be changes to the Duchess's diary. She has a busy tour ahead of her.'

It is believed one of the first to know about the pregnancy was Meghan's mother, whom friends suspect she told in person when she came to visit her in London last month.

In a statement issued through Kensington Palace - no less - Miss Ragland said she was 'very happy about this lovely news' and 'looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild'.

Speculation has raged in recent months that the yoga teacher and geriatric therapist would move to London permanently to support her daughter - and now her grandchild too.

It emerged she gave up her full-time role as a social worker in May, then last month she was spotted taking baby-care classes in Pasadena, California, with reports in some international media claiming it was because Meghan does not want to hire a nanny.

But senior royal aides played down any suggestion Miss Ragland would move to London, with one telling the Mail: 'This is just not true.' Another added: 'Meghan is very close to her mother and they see each other as much as they possibly can. Once the baby is born, of course Doria will be keen to visit her grandchild frequently. But she has her own life and home in LA, with her dogs, and it will continue that way.'

Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, from whom she is estranged after a series of hugely public embarrassments, is believed to have been informed by Miss Ragland 'a little while ago', said a friend, and is 'absolutely overjoyed' at the news.

Last year, asked if they had plans to try for a baby, Harry replied: 'Not currently, no,' garnering a laugh from his then wife to be. 'Of course, one step at a time and hopefully we'll start a family in the near future,' he added.

Around the time she met the prince, in the spring of 2016, Meghan gave an interview to Best Health Canada when she said becoming a mother was 'on her bucket list', adding: 'I can't wait to start a family, but in due time.'

In its statement yesterday, Kensington Palace said: 'Their Royal Highness the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the spring of 2019.

'Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public.'

The couple's new baby will be seventh in line to the throne but will not be a prince or princess because of rules brought in by George V. Instead, a son would be styled the Earl of Dumbarton, one of Harry's lesser titles, and a daughter Lady (first name) Mountbatten-Windsor.

Which countries are Harry and Meghan visiting during whirlwind three-week tour of Australasia?

The line of succession after baby Sussex's birth 1. Prince Charles 2. Prince William 3. Prince George 4. Princess Charlotte 5. Prince Louis 6. Prince Harry 7. Baby Sussex 8. Prince Andrew 9. Princess Beatrice 10. Princess Eugenie 11. Prince Edward 12. James, Viscount Severn 13. Lady Louise Windsor 14. Princess Anne 15. Peter Phillips 16. Savannah Phillips 17. Isla Phillips 18. Zara Tindall 19. Mia Tindall 20. Lena Tindall Advertisement

Tuesday, October 16: Sydney, Australia - The first day of the tour began at Admiralty House, where Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove welcomed the couple alongside representatives from each of the 18 countries participating in the Invictus Games. The Duke and Duchess then traveled to Taronga Zoo to officially open the new Taronga Institute of Science and Learning. They then visited the Sydney Opera House to meet members of the public as they walk along the forecourt. The day concluded with a reception at Admiralty House

Wednesday, October 17: Dubbo, Australia - The couple will fly to Dubbo, in the New South Wales central west. On arrival, the Duke and Duchess will visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service. They will also will see first-hand the hardships local drought affected farmers are facing by visiting a local property. The Duke and Duchess will then travel to Victoria Park to join people from Dubbo and surrounding areas at a picnic, followed by a visit to a local school

Thursday, October 18: Melbourne, Australia - Harry and Meghan will fly to Melbourne where the day will begin with a short walk to Government House, meeting members of the public along the way, before attending an official reception. The royal couple will later visit a social enterprise cafe. In the afternoon, the Duke and Duchess will visit a primary school to meet students who are involved in sustainability programmes. Upon departure from the school, The Duke and Duchess will travel on an iconic Melbourne tram to South Melbourne beach

Friday, October 19: Sydney, Australia - In the morning, Harry and Meghan will visit Bondi Beach. Before departing, the Duke and Duchess will have an opportunity to meet members of the public. Later that morning, the couple will take part in a youth advocate programme. Following this event, the Duke will climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge to officially raise the Invictus Flag, marking the arrival of the Invictus Games to Sydney. Their Royal Highnesses will conclude the day with calls on the Leader of the Opposition at Admiralty House, and the Prime Minister at Kirribilli House

Saturday, October 20: Sydney, Australia - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will travel by boat to attend the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge on Cockatoo Island. In the evening, Harry and Meghan will attend a reception at the Opera House, prior to attending the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Opening Ceremony. Prince Harry will give a speech at this event

Sunday, October 21: Sydney, Australia - Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex will watch some Invictus Games events, including cycling and sailing. They will attend a lunchtime reception hosted by the Prime Minister with Invictus Games competitors

Monday October 22: Fraser Island, Australia - Their Royal Highnesses will travel to Queensland's Fraser Island or K'gari as it is known by the Traditional Owners the Butchulla people, as part of the dedication of the site to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy (QCC). The couple will then meet with local elders and national park rangers to learn about the Island. From here, Their Royal Highnesses will travel to the beach to learn about the history in the Island's logging trade, as well as its use as a training base for the Australian Z Special Unit during the Second World War. Their Royal Highnesses will then travel to Kingfisher Bay by boat

Tuesday, October 23: Suva, Fiji - Their Royal Highnesses will be greeted by a Guard of Honour at Suva airport, before calling on His Excellency The President of Fiji at Borron House. The Duke and Duchess will then attend an official welcome ceremony in the city centre's Albert Park. From there, The Duke and Duchess will leave Albert Park for the Grand Pacific Hotel to attend a Reception and a State Dinner hosted by The President of Fiji, at which The Duke will speak

Wednesday, October 24: Suva, Fiji - His Royal Highness will lay a wreath at the Fiji War Memorial, and meet a number of Fijian war veterans, some of whom served with the British Armed Forces. Their Royal Highnesses will then visit the University of the South Pacific campus in Suva. From here, Their Royal Highnesses' programme will split. The Duke will travel to Colo-i-Suva Forest Park, and The Duchess to the British High Commissioner's Residence. The Duchess will then travel to Suva Market

Thursday, October 25: Nadi, Fiji and Nuku'alofa, Tonga - The Duke and Duchess will travel to the city of Nadi in Western Fiji, where they will attend a special event at Nadi Airport. After an official welcome ceremony, The Duke and Duchess will unveil a new statue commemorating Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba. From Nadi Airport, Their Royal Highnesses will take a chartered flight to Tonga

Friday, October 26: Nuku'alofa, Tonga and Sydney, Australia - The Duke and Duchess will visit the St George Building for a call on the Prime Minister S Akilisi Pohiva and members of the cabinet. From there, Their Royal Highnesses will attend an exhibition with The Princess Angelika at the Faonelua Centre. The Duke and Duchess will then travel to Tupou College. The Duke and Duchess will travel to The Royal Palace for an official farewell with The King before departing for Sydney, where they will attend the the Australian Geographic Society Awards

Saturday, October 27: Sydney, Australia - Their Royal Highnesses will spend the afternoon at the wheelchair basketball finals of the Invictus Games at the Quay Centre, before attending the Closing Ceremony that evening at Qudos Bank Arena

Sunday, October 28: Wellington, New Zealand - The pair will attend the traditional welcome ceremony on the lawns of Government House. Their Royal Highnesses will be invited to hongi with the Governor-General's Kuia and Kaumatua (Maori elders), before the powhiri, which includes a haka performed by members of the New Zealand Defence Force. Their Royal Highnesses will then travel to the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. That evening, the Duke and Duchess will receive official calls from the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition at Government House

Monday, October 29: Wellington and Abel Tasman, New Zealand - The Duke and Duchess will meet young people from a number of mental health projects operating in New Zealand. From Wellington, The Duke and Duchess will travel to Abel Tasman National Park. That evening back in Wellington, Their Royal Highnesses will visit Courtenay Creative for an event celebrating the city's thriving creative arts scene

Tuesday, October 30: Auckland, New Zealand - Their Royal Highnesses will travel to Auckland, where they will firstly visit the North Shore to dedicate a 20 hectare area of native bush to The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy. They will then join the Prime Minister to visit Pillars, a charity operating across New Zealand. Later that afternoon, The Duke and Duchess will have the opportunity to meet the people of Auckland on the Viaduct Harbour, before attending a Reception hosted by the Prime Minister at the Auckland War Memorial Museum

Wednesday, October 31: Rotorua, New Zealand - The final day of their Royal Highnesses' tour will take place in Rotorua. Next, The Duke and Duchess will head to Rainbow Springs to learn more about the centre's kiwi breeding programme. Later that afternoon, the Duke and Duchess will head into the city for the chance to meet members of the public gathered there

Thursday, November 1: Their Royal Highnesses will return to Auckland that evening, before departing for London the following day.

The itinerary of the Royal couple's tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, the first major overseas trip since they were married in late May

Ready for battle! The UK's 72-strong Invictus Games squad takes off to join Harry and Meghan in Sydney for the competition Dozens of sick and wounded ex-forces personnel are on their way to Sydney to compete for their country in the annual Invictus Games. Competing against 17 other nations the 72-strong UK team will battle for medals in eleven sports across Greater Sydney, including at Sydney Olympic Park and on and around Sydney Harbour. Those selected for the squad include veterans and wounded, injured and sick (WIS) military personnel. British Airways give the UK's Invictus Games Sydney 2018 squad a special send off at Heathrow as they head to Sydney The team will be in Australia at the same time as Prince Harry, founder of the games. The Duke of Sussex arrive with his pregnant wife Meghan, earlier on Monday. Captain of Team UK, Mark 'Dot' Perkins said: 'Today is the culmination of months of careful preparation by all 72 competitors and the many staff, friends and family who have supported us. The next two weeks will demonstrate the unique power of sport to support recovery. Team UK are ready, raring to go and enjoying the camaraderie which the Armed Forces is famous for.' The opening ceremony will be on October 20 at the Sydney Opera House with the games taking place over seven days. The UK's squad was selected from 451 applicants. The selection process takes into account the benefit a person will get from competing. Team UK has been delivered through a partnership of Help for Heroes, The Royal British Legion and the Ministry of Defence. The Invictus squad for 2018 is made up of veterans and injured military personnel, with the competitors selected from 451 applicants Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson wished the team well. He said: 'I wish all of our UK competitors the best of luck in Australia. The word 'Invictus' means unconquered and perfectly embodies the fighting spirit of our Armed Forces and ex-service personnel. Meeting many Invictus competitors this year I learnt how sport is spurring on recovery. 'Our Armed Forces have a world-class attitude and I am sure they will make their mark.' Advertisement



Australian women's magazine Cosmopolitan will close its doors after 45 years of publication.

On Tuesday, Bauer Media confirmed the closure of the iconic magazine, with the December issue being the last to hit the shelves.

'Today, Bauer Media announced the closure of the Cosmopolitan brand in Australia, with the December issue being the last,' Bauer Media ANZ CEO Paul Dykzeul said in a statement.

'It has not been an easy decision to make, however, the commercial viability of the magazine in Australia is no longer sustainable.

Bauer Media confirmed the closure of Cosmopolitan Australia, with the December issue (pictured) being the last

Women's magazine Cosmopolitan Australia will close its doors after 45 years of publication

'Magazine closures are never easy, desirable or done without careful consideration for all of those involved. We have to ensure that we are continually reshaping and defining the business so that our readers of today, and those of tomorrow, remain engaged with the content we publish and the platforms upon which we deliver.

'We are incredibly proud of the brand and the people who have been involved and represented over the last 45 years. It has helped to launch the careers of media personalities, supported great brands and causes, and inspired millions of young women across the country.

'We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the brand and its legacy over the years.'

Lorna Gray - who is yet to comment on the closure - took over the publication as editor in July.

The closure comes after magazines Cleo and Dolly shut its doors in 2016 after more than four decades of publication.Her outfit was every inch the modern Duchess.

But there was one tiny element that many failed to initially notice on the first official day of the royal tour - Meghan Markle's butterfly earrings.

First worn by the late Princess Diana of Wales on her 1986 royal tour to Canada, eagle-eyed royal watchers pointed out that Meghan Markle was paying a touching tribute to her mother-in-law.

Meghan also appeared to be wearing Diana's gold bracelet which includes blue stones, as she left Taronga Zoo in Sydney to cross the water to the Opera House.

Meghan Markle made a touching tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, on Tuesday, when she wore Diana's butterfly earrings and gold bracelet in Sydney (pictured)

The earrings were first worn by the late Princess Diana of Wales on her 1986 royal tour to Canada, and were seen on Meghan Markle on Tuesday (pictured)

The Princess of Wales was seen wearing the earrings during a trip to Canada with Prince Charles in May 1986 (pictured) - the appearance came a year-and-a-half after Diana gave birth to Prince Harry

The Princess of Wales was seen wearing the jewels during a trip to Canada with Prince Charles in May 1986.

The appearance occurred a year-and-a-half after Diana gave birth to Prince Harry.

This isn't the first time that the newly-pregnant Duchess of Sussex has paid tribute to Princess Diana.

On the day, alongside Diana's bracelet and earrings, Meghan (pictured) wore an ivory dress by Sydney-based designer, Karen Gee - promptly causing the brand's website to crash

Meghan (pictured) also appeared to be wearing the late Princess Diana's gold bracelet with blue stones as she toured Sydney, viewing the sites of Sydney Opera House and Taronga Zoo

Diana wore the bracelet (pictured) in 1986, before passing on her jewellery to her sons' wives

On her wedding day in May, the 37-year-old wore an aquamarine cocktail ring that used to belong to the Princess of Wales.

Meanwhile, her engagement ring also includes two diamonds from Diana's personal collection.

'It's important to know that she's a part of this with us,' Meghan said in the joint interview she gave with Prince Harry after their engagement.

Diana left much of her jewellery collection to her sons' future wives.

She conveyed her wishes in a letter, which read: 'I would like you to allocate all my jewellery to the share to be held by my sons, so that their wives may, in due course, have it or use it.'

Diana left much of her jewellery collection to her sons' future wives, conveying her wishes in a letter

This was a touching tribute by the Duchess of Sussex (pictured with Prince Harry) on the first official day of the tour

The Duke and Duchess kicked off their royal tour officially on Tuesday, when they visited Taronga Zoo to meet animals

Meghan's blossoming bump was only just visible beneath the dress, which she paired with her trademark sleek blow dry and nude stilettos, adding a trench coat while in the zoo (pictured)

On the first official day of their royal tour, the Duchess of Sussex opted for an ivory shift dress by Australian designer, Karen Gee, which resulted in the brand's website quickly crashing.

A spokeswoman for the brand said: 'We're all like proud mothers right now. We're super excited'.

Meanwhile, Karen Gee herself added: '[I'm] so proud, particularly because I am not a world recognised brand'.

The dress worn by the Duchess is an elegant ivory style that falls just below the knee and features a 'simple, structured fit', as well as a 'sleek silhouette'.

Meghan's blossoming bump was only just visible beneath the dress, which she paired with her trademark sleek blow dry and nude stilettos.As the Australian tour kicks off for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, adoring royal fans are embracing the highly-anticipated visit Down Under.

And as the countdown begins, excited Dubbo residents are set to welcome Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle on Wednesday.

The royal couple will pay a historic visit to the regional city in New South Wales with a population of just 55,000 during their epic two-week itinerary.

Ahead of the visit, royal watchers have been painting the town red and blue, with business owners decorating their shopfronts with cut outs of the married couple.

Among the excited fans is Dubbo mayor Ben Shields, who will host the Picnic in the Park for Prince Harry and his pregnant wife Meghan at Victoria Park on October 17.

As the countdown begins, excited Dubbo residents are set to welcome Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle on Wednesday (pictured a business owner decorated their shopfront)

Among the excited fans is Dubbo mayor Ben Shields, who will host the Picnic in the Park for Prince Harry and his pregnant wife Meghan at Victoria Park on October 17

Ahead of the visit, royal fans have been painting the town red and blue with flags and posters

'Dubbo is ready,' Mr Shield said on his Facebook page.

The mayor has been busy with his hosting duties - as the high-spirited community rally to prepare ahead of the royal meet-and-greet.

Every corner of the city has been filled with flags, colourful buntings, posters of the royal couple, cut-outs and giant welcoming signs.

Some businesses are planning to shut their doors for the day so their customers and staff members can enjoy the historic event.

The high-spirited community are rallying to prepare ahead of the royal meet-and-greet

Thousands of people, including the mayor (pictured), are expected to turn out to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who will make a brief appearance

Business owners have filled their shopfronts and verandas with cut-outs of the royal couple

A dental clinic is offering their customers the 'royal smile', with 20 per cent off teeth whitening to 'celebrate the royal visit'

A dental clinic is offering their customers the 'royal smile', with 20 per cent off teeth whitening to 'celebrate the royal visit'.

One food store has reportedly named their gourmet ice creams after the royal couple - 'Harry Heaven' and 'Magic Megastar'.

Thousands of people are expected to turn out to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who will make a brief appearance.

The day will be filled with morning tea, royal-themed activities and a picnic in the park.

The royal couple will pay a historic visit to the regional city in New South Wales with a population of just 55,000 during their epic two-week itinerary

Every corner of the city has been filled with flags, colourful buntings, posters of the royal couple, cut-outs and giant welcoming signsThe Duchess of Sussex paid tribute to Princess Diana by wearing her jewellery as she joined husband Prince Harry on the first day of their Australian royal tour on Tuesday.

Pregnant Meghan, 37, who yesterday revealed she is expecting her first child, donned a gold bracelet and pair of butterfly earrings that belonged to the late princess as she carried out a busy day of engagements in Sydney.

The earrings were part of Diana's personal jewellery collection but it is not known whether they were a gift or purchased herself.

The late princess first wore the diamond-encrusted studs on her royal tour of Canada in May 1986. She sported the chunky gold bangle on an outing in London in 1990.

The duchess, who normally favours pieces by trendy jewellery brands, has chosen to wear Princess Diana's jewels on a number of high profile occasions, including on the night of her wedding.

Her bespoke engagement ring also features two diamonds that belonged to her husband's late mother.

The Duchess of Sussex sported a pair of earrings, pictured, that belonged to Princess Diana as she joined husband Prince Harry on the first day of their Australian royal tour on Tuesday. Pictured, opening the Taronga Institute of Science and Learning at Taronga Zoo in Sydney

Princess Diana first wore the earrings on her royal tour of Canada in May 1986, pictured. She styled them with a matching necklace and a cobalt blue suit and hat by Catherine Walker

The delicate butterfly studs, pictured, feature diamonds on the upper sections of the two wings and a single diamond 'head'. The bottom sections are decorated with black stones

The royal couple - who are expecting their first child next Spring - arrived in Sydney on Monday to kick off their 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

Just the slightest hint of a baby bump was visible as Meghan stepped out in a 1,000 (AUD $1,800) white shift dress by Australian designer Karen Gee.

The mother-to-be later changed into a 1,700 khaki dress with pleated detailing by American designer Brandon Maxwell.

But it was her jewellery that stood out, with royal watchers noting the touching way she was honouring her husband's late mother as the couple embark on this new chapter as parents-to-be.

The pregnant duchess also paid tribute to Diana with a gold bracelet owned by the Princess, pictured, as she stepped out for a busy day of engagements in Sydney with Prince Harry

Diana wore the same bracelet as she greeted Nellie Corbett during her visit to the Lord Gage Centre in Newham, East London, on September 18, 1990, pictured

The gold bangle, pictured, features two black or dark coloured stones. The piece was among the jewellery collection Princess Diana left to her sons Prince William and Prince Harry

Princess Diana left much of her jewellery collection to her sons' future wives, writing in a letter: 'I would like you to allocate all my jewellery to the share to be held by my sons, so that their wives may, in due course, have it or use it.'

Among her vast collection are the glittering butterfly earrings worn by Meghan, which Diana wore to an event in the Canadian city of Prince George in May 1986.

The princess styled the accessories with a matching necklace and wore them with a cobalt blue suit and hat by favourite designer Catherine Walker.

Meanwhile the bracelet sported by Meghan was seen on Diana on an outing to an elderly people's home in Newham, east London, in 1990.

The Duchess of Sussex supported Australian fashion by wearing a chic white shift dress by designer Karen Gee as she joined Prince Harry on the lawns at Admirality House in Sydney

How Meghan keeps Harry's late mother close at important moments with meaningful heirlooms The Duchess of Sussex has paid tribute to her husband's late mother by wearing her jewellery on some of her most high profile appearances. Meghan, 37, was first given Diana's jewellery when Prince Harry incorporated two of his mother's personal diamonds into the bespoke engagement ring he designed for his wife-to-be. Meghan, 37, was first given Diana's jewellery when Prince Harry incorporated two of his mother's diamonds into the bespoke engagement ring he designed for his wife-to-be. Pictured, the couple announce their engagement at Kensington Palace last November The Duchess of Sussex also held Diana close on their wedding day, wearing an emerald cut aquamarine ring for her evening wedding reception at Frogmore House, pictured The Duchess of Sussex also held Diana close on their wedding day, wearing an emerald cut aquamarine ring for her evening wedding reception at Frogmore House. For her first public appearance as a duchess for Prince Charles 70th birthday, Meghan opted for a delicate tennis bracelet inspired by one owned by Diana. Finally, hours after announcing her pregnancy on the Australian royal tour, Meghan ensured Diana was once again an important part of the day by wearing her earrings and bracelet. Advertisement

The princess teamed the bangle with another bracelet, bringing a trendy edge to her black ensemble.

The Duke of Sussex chose to include two diamonds that once belonged to his mother in the bespoke engagement ring he designed for his future wife.

The then newlywed Duchess of Sussex also chose the princess' emerald cut aquamarine ring for her evening wedding reception at Frogmore House.

The first full day of engagements culminated on Tuesday evening in a reception at Admiralty House, overlooking the Opera House, where the giddy Duchess of Sussex said she and her husband are 'excited' about becoming parents.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex couldn't hide their delight as they stepped out at Admiralty House for their first engagements since revealing they are to become parents for the first time

The royal couple arrived in Sydney on Monday to kick off their 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. The day started with a photocall with Australia's Governor General Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lynne Cosgrove at Admiralty House, overlooking the Opera House

The duchess was later seen in a pleated button-up shirt dress by US designer Brandon Maxwell.

The khaki green colour, which is not yet available to buy, added a Safari twist to the look.

Thousands turned out to see the couple across Sydney and congratulate them with Meghan telling crowds: 'What an exciting time. I've been so happy'.

Meghan receives native flowers from 4-year-old Findlay Blue after she and Prince Harry officially opened the Taronga Institute of Science and Learning at Taronga Zoo in Sydney

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were also introduced to koalas at the zoo, and appeared particularly taken with Ruby (pictured). The Meghan said the animals were 'so, so cute'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were following in the footsteps of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who visited Taronga Zoo on their royal tour of Australia in 2014

Dozens gathered at Taronga Zoo, pictured, to catch a glimpse of the royal couple during their visit on Tuesday. It was part of a busy day of royal engagements in Sydney

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out for their first official engagements in Sydney - less than 24 hours after arriving in Australia and revealing their baby news.

First at Admiralty House they were given Ugg boots and a stuffed kangaroo with a joey in the pouch for Baby Sussex from Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Meghan declared: 'Our first baby gift'.

They then met Findlay Blue , four, and Dasha Gallagher, six, after they officially opened the Taronga Institute of Science and Learning at Taronga Zoo.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex concluded the first day of their royal tour with a reception hosted by Australia's Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lady Cosgrove.

The royal couple were guests of honour at the afternoon event in Sydney's Admiralty House, pictured. Meghan wore a pleated full-length dress by US designer Brandon Maxwell

The duchess spent time speaking to Australian Singer Missy Higgins, pictured holding her nine-week-old baby Lunar, during the afternoon reception at Admiralty House on TuesdayAn online retailer has released an 'American Princess' costume inspired by the Duchess of Sussex's wedding dress.

Yandy's $49.95 (38) Halloween outfit includes a white mini dress complete with a tulle veil and plastic tiara, and promises to let the wearer 'live in an actual fairy tale'.

The boat-neck frock appears to be heavily inspired by the bride's Givenchy gown, designed by Clare Waight Killer, but is slashed at the knee and cut from a thin, figure-hugging material in contrast to Meghan's ivory silk ensemble.

On Yandy's website, the model even poses with a suitcase - not included - in an apparent nod to Meghan's stint as a model on Deal or No Deal.

The product description reads: 'You're living an actual fairy tale! Get ready to walk down the royal aisle in this exclusive American Princess costume.

Be a Duchess for the day: Yandy's $49.95 (38) 'American Princess' outfit, pictured, includes a white mini dress complete with a tulle veil and plastic tiara, and promises to let the wearer 'live in an actual fairy tale'

Spot the difference: Yandy's boat-neck frock (left) appears to be heavily inspired by the bride's Givenchy gown, designed by Clare Waight Killer, but is slashed at the knee and cut from a thin, figure-hugging material in contrast to Meghan's ivory silk ensemble

Meghan famously worked as a scantily-clad suitcase girl on Deal or No Deal ten years before meeting Prince Harry (pictured here in a 2007 publicity shot)

'[It features] a white mini dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline, 3/4 length sleeves, a smooth bodice, a tulle veil with a large bow accent, a satin bow detail, and a bejeweled tiara.'

Meghan, who announced this week she is expecting her first child with Prince Harry, will soon see her dress go on display to the public in Windsor and Edinburgh courtesy of the Royal Collection Trust.

Controversial retailer Yandy, which is based in Phoenix, Arizona, recently came under fire for selling seductive Native-American-inspired costumes  just days after being slammed for offering a sexy outfit inspired by The Handmaid's Tale.

One of the outfits, labeled 'Native American seductress', includes a mini dress and matching boots with fringe and retails for $64.95 (49). A similar design, labeled 'Native American sweetheart', consists of a midriff-bearing crop top and mini skirt and is for sale at $79.95 (61).

Customers have repeatedly criticised Yandy for the 'racist and disgusting' costumes and asked the retailer to remove them from its shop like it previously did with its Handmaid's-Tale-inspired costume.

Backlash: Retailer Yandy has come under fire for selling Native-American-inspired costumes

Outfits: The costume pictured left is called a 'Cherokee-inspired hottie costume' on Yandy's website. Pictured right is a 'foxy Native American duo costume'

'I will say it, in all my lush, creamy whiteness: @Yandy, you should take down your disgusting "Indian" and "Mexican" costumes,' writer Talia Lavin tweeted. 'They're racist and disgusting. Don't respect a fictional dystopia more than real people of color; you're gross.'

She added in another tweet: 'Your Handmaid's Tale costume was misguided but kind of funny honestly. This Native American section erases genocide and rape and theft and turns it into... some sort of panty party?? DISGUSTING. @Yandy you're filth if you don't fix this.'

'@Yandy please stop selling faux Native American costumes, it is wrong!' another person tweeted.

One Twitter user addressed the retailer as such: 'Good morning @Yandy! Have you considered removing your "sexy Native American / Indian" costumes yet? Reminder: costumes like these lead to the objectification of and assault of First Nations women. I'm sure you have heard of the #CancelYandy movement? Time to reconsider.'

Names: Yandy calls the outfit on the left a 'deluxe Native American cutie costume', while the one on the right is labeled a 'deluxe Native warrior costume'

Campaign: Twitter users have urged Yandy to remove the Native-American-inspired costumes from its shop

'You're gross!' Writer Talia Lavin asked Yandy to remove the costumes just like it did last week after being criticized for selling an outfit inspired by The Handmaid's Tale

This was far from the first time Yandy has come under fire for selling Native-American-inspired costumes. Last year, the company toldCosmopolitan that the sexy Native American line earns it the most backlash  and that those costumes generated $150,000 (114,000) in revenue in 2016.

One particular outfit called the 'Indian Sweetheart Costume', which at that time had been for sale for three years, was one of Yandy's top 10 most popular outfits and sold thousands of units every season, designer Pilar Quintana told the magazine.

Yandy, which urges its customers to own their sexy, debuted its 'brave red maiden costume' earlier this year. The description of the item read: 'An upsetting dystopian future has emerged where women no longer have a say. However, we say be bold and speak your mind in this exclusive Brave Red Maiden costume.'

Tone-deaf: Some people also called out the retailer for selling 'gypsy'-inspired costumes

Feedback: Others asked Yandy to stop selling costumes inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday

The model on the site was seen wearing a long red cloak over a very short mini-dress paired with black heels, fishnet stockings and a white bonnet headpiece. The costume retailed for $64.95 (49).

In the Hulu series, based on Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel, women are stripped of their rights as they are assigned various new roles by the men who govern them. A group of women, known as the Handmaids, are forced to have sex with their Commanders to have children for infertile women.

The women who are forced to be Handmaids are women who have committed gender and religious crimes, such as lesbianism and adultery. Elisabeth Moss' character Offred is one of the Handmaids.

The garb has been interpreted as a feminist symbol of protest against women's oppression around the world, and social media users were strongly displeased that Yandy decided to sexualize the outfit.

'This image represents the fact that at some point it all boils down to the sexualization of women. Someone somewhere actually sat down and thought: "Let's take the slaves of #HandmaidsTale and make them sexy!"', Twitter user Tammy D. Phillips wrote.

Removed: Yandy was selling a sexy Handmaid's Tale costume, but pulled it after backlash

Inspiration: The costume was a rendition of the outfit Elisabeth Moss (pictured) wears in Hulu's Handmaid's Tale about the oppression of women

Message: Following the backlash, Yandy apologized and removed the costume from its site

The retailer later removed the costume last month and issued a statement reading: 'Yandy always has stood, and will continue to stand, at the forefront of encouraging our customers to "Own Your Sexy".

'We support our customers being comfortable in their skin, regardless of who they are or what they choose to wear. Our corporate ideology is rooted in female empowerment, and gender empowerment overall.

'Over the last few hours, it has become obvious that our "Yandy Brave Red Maiden Costume" is being seen as a symbol of women's oppression, rather than an expression of women's empowerment. This is unfortunate.'

The company went on to say that they were inspired to create the costume after seeing it used as 'a powerful protest image'.

'Given the sincere, heartfelt response, supported by numerous personal stories we've received, we are removing the costume from our site,' Yandy wrote.Duchess of Cornwall is 'dreading' being in the spotlight when Charles becomes King and faces a 'very difficult time', expert says

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Penny Junor said the Duchess of Cornwall, 74, is 'a normal woman who has found herself in an abnormal situation'.She is well known for her quirky taste in fashion and Queen Maxima did not disappoint as she arrived in Zeeland on Tuesday.

Flanked by her husband King Willem-Alexander the Queen of the Netherlands made sure all eyes were on her as she made her regional visit this morning.

The mother-of-three made a statement in a white skirt embellished with multicoloured flowers for her engagement today.

Queen Maxima made a bold statement in a rainbow coloured embellished skirt as she visited the Dutch province of Zeeland alongside King Willem-Alexander on Tuesday

The Argentinian-born royal paired her quirky skirt with a teal blouse and added a further pop of colour in the form of her cherry red accessories.

Aside from her clutch bag and pointed courts, millinery-loving Maxima also wore a bright red hat during her visit today.

She swept her golden tresses into a low chignon and completed her look with a pair of diamond encrusted hoop earrings.

The 47-year-old was greeted by dozens of well-wishers upon her arrival at the Strandpark De Zeeuwse Kust during their regional visit to Schouwen-Duiveland and Tholen in Zeeland.

The Argentinian-born royal paired her quirky skirt with a teal blouse and added a further pop of colour in the form of her cherry red accessories

The royal couple received a warm welcome from locals during their first stop at the Strandpark De Zeeuwse Kust

One royal fan even presented the monarch with a bunch of colourful blooms, making her outfit even brighter.

Her husband, meanwhile, looked typically dapper in a navy two piece suit and a lemon yellow tie for the occasion.

The couple are expected to visit various local landmarks during their tour of the region, which they take annually.

Maxima's appearance today comes just a week before she and Willem-Alexander, 51, arrive in the UK for a state visit.

The king and queen spent time speaking with local dignitaries during their regional visit

One royal fan even presented the monarch with a bunch of colourful blooms, making her outfit even brighter

The Dutch royals will be welcomed by Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall on arriving in London, before enjoying a reception with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

They will later afternoon tea with Charles and Camilla at Clarence House, before a glittering state banquet in the evening.

The following the day, they will attend a series of engagements in London, accompanied by Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex.

The Dutch government says the first UK state visit since 1982 're-affirms the excellent ties between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom as North Sea neighbours based on shared values in the past, present and future'.A boy with autism who learned to speak by watching This Morning was delighted to be given the chance to meet Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby live on air.

Michael Glaister, 10, from Dundee, was diagnosed with the condition as a toddler and was nonverbal up until two years ago, when he started mimicking Holly and Phil's conversations on the ITV chat show.

Michael, who has since picked up several words, caught the attention of This Morning producers when he sent in a video asking for the presenters' coffee mugs as a piece of memorabilia.

Appearing on This Morning with his mother Charlene Anderson, Michael looked thrilled as he was asked to introduce upcoming segments in a piece to camera by himself.

He later left Holly and Phil close to tears when he threw his arms around the presenters to thank them for gifts they gave him on the show.

Michael Glaister, 10, from Dundee, was diagnosed with the condition as a toddler and was nonverbal up until two years ago, when he started mimicking Holly and Phil's conversations on the ITV chat show. Pictured, the 10-year-old introduced a segment on today's show

A delighted Holly and Phil presented him with a hamper full of gifts including a new tablet, and Michael thanked them with a big hug, pictured. The moment left viewers at home 'choked up'

The sweet moment left This Morning viewers in tears, with one saying: 'I'm actually choked up at how cute that was.'

One tweeted: 'Sobbing at the little boy on This Morning right now, this is too cute. Those hugs! That tea cosy! THIS IS ALL TOO MUCH.'

'Aww in tears at the little lad with autism on @thismorning,' another posted.

A third said: 'Im actually choked up at how cute that was how he stood up & gave Holly & Phillip hugs!'

Michael was nonverbal - a common symptom of autism - until the age of eight and would only communicate with pictures or writing things down.

His mother Charlene explained that he began learning to speak when he'd watch This Morning and his other favourite shows The Chase and The Jeremy Kyle Show.

The sweet segment left This Morning viewers on Twitter in tears (pictured), with one saying: 'I'm actually choked up at how cute that was'

He started roleplaying scenes he'd watched and would act them out for his mother.

His mum explained: 'He was nonverbal until a few years ago. [He learned] just by role playing and pretend play and pretending to present and watching the shows he enjoys. Acting it out [has really helped him].'

Soon his confidence started to soar, and on a recent family holiday to Turkey he even acted out a scene from This Morning live on stage for other holidaymakers.

Charlene said: 'It's made a big difference. He's more confident now and he's got more speech.'

Michael caught the attention of This Morning producers when he sent in a video (pictured) asking for the presenters' coffee mugs as a piece of memorabilia

Holly (left) and Phil (right) were very impressed with Michael (middle), and Phil even said the little boy could have his job when he's an adult

This Morning gifted Michael a brand new tablet for him to watch the programme on. Pictured: Michael and his mother Charlene Anderson receiving the gifts on the ITV chat show

Michael was given the opportunity to showcase his abilities when he told viewers what to expect from the rest of the show.

Following an advert break, Michael said to camera: 'Welcome back to The Michael Glaister Show still to come; Dr Chris is here and we take you to Italy.'

Producers also gave a nod to their special guest by renaming the titles to say 'The Michael Glaister Show' following an advert break.

The presenters were clearly impressed, with Phil telling him: 'I'll happily give my job to you when you're 18.'

Phil also told mother Charlene: 'There's lots of people over years and said television is a bad influence but right here this has been a fantastic influence.'

Holly and Phil gave Michael the mugs that they'd been using on the show, complete with tea and lipstick stains. Pictured left to right: Phil, Holly, Michael and Michael's mum Charlene on This Morning on Tuesday

Michael's mother Charlene (right with her son) explained that they used to communicate with pictures until he started mimicking what he saw on television

Holly and Phil gave Michael the mugs they had been drinking from, complete with tea and lipstick stains, as part of a basket of gifts for him to take home.

The bundle also included a water bottle, his own cue cards and a tea cosy from the set, as well as a This Morning tablet so he could watch the show at home.

Before saying goodbye, Holly added: 'Oh you are so lovely. You can come back anytime.'Actor Idris Elba has joined forces with fashion designer Stella McCartney for her latest breast cancer campaign.

The award winning actor, who lost his father to lung cancer five years ago, hopes to remove the taboo of men discussing the disease.

Elba OBE took part in the campaign, part of the Stella McCartney Cares initiative which launched on Monday.

As well as taking part in the campaign shoot, the father-of-two also features in an accompanying video.

Appearing alongside an inspiring group of people who bravely share their experiences with breast cancer, the British actor narrates 'All is Love'.

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Idris Elba has joined forces with Stella McCartney for her latest campaign supporting breast cancer survivors. Pictured: The actor in the campaign

Elba challenges the taboo of men speaking openly about women's breasts and the experience of breast cancer, which effects both women and men directly and aims to inspire, educate and support.

In conjunction with the campaign film, Stella has designed an 'All is Love' limited edition bandana in collaboration with modern American outfitter, Best Made Co.

The red 100 per cent cotton bandana is printed with encouraging messages -'Grace, Compassion, Courage, Fortitude' - to serve as a reminder to both women and men to stay healthy and get themselves checked regularly.

Speaking of the campaign Elba says: 'Along with many other people. I was unfortunate enough to have lost my father to cancer 5 years ago.

The British actor stars alongside inspirational women and men who have been effected by breast cancer. Pictured: Survivors proudly showcase their mastectomy scars

Elba, who lost his father to lung cancer five years ago, wants to end the taboo that surrounds men discussing breast cancer

'Removing the taboo around men talking about breast cancer and encouraging other men to talk about it with their wives, mothers, sisters is something you don't often see or hear about but it should be.

'We should be encouraging the women in our lives to go for regular check-ups. I admire Stella for all her hard work around bringing awareness to this disease and I applaud her for such a great campaign.'

The 'All is Love' campaign short film follows the first part of the campaign which launched on the 24th September in celebration of Stella's mother Linda McCartney's birthday featuring Sofia Vergara as the face of the designer's annual limited edition lingerie set, 'Rose Romancing' in Pale Rose.

The 'All is Love' campaign short film follows the first part of the campaign which launched on the 24th September in celebration of Stella's mother Linda McCartney's birthday

To coincide with the campaign has launched the 'Louise Listening' post-operative mastectomy compression bra (seen here)

The Stella McCartney Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign for 2018 highlights that the fact that the disease does not discriminate; Breast Cancer affects both men and women; each and every person - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity or belief.

The campaign operates under the understanding that everyone deserves access to preventative education and knowledge about early detection, holistic support throughout treatment, and advanced breast cancer care.

Stella McCartney has long been a supporter of charitable causes such as Breast Cancer Awareness, which has naturally led her to establish Stella McCartney Cares.

The bra, which has been named after the designer's mother, Linda Louise McCartney, will now be globally distributed for free

In conjunction with the campaign film, Stella has designed an 'All is Love' limited edition bandana in collaboration with modern American outfitter, Best Made Co

Coinciding with the campaign McCartney has launched the 'Louise Listening' post-operative mastectomy compression bra.

The bra, which has been named after the designer's mother, Linda Louise McCartney, will now be globally distributed for free and can be requested on the campaign website.

Stella McCartney says: 'There are so many emotions attached to the tragic realities of having had a double mastectomy. And we just wanted to make something that allows women undergoing this to have something to be proud of, something with no shame attached.

'We wanted women to know that you can still be feminine, have your sensuality, have all of the things that are attached to being a woman and that part of your body can still feel beautiful on the outside, as well as the inside.'Meghan mania has swept the nation since she married Prince Harry in May, and has seen hoards of lookalikes cashing in on their resemblance to the now Duchess of Sussex.

And today This Morning welcomed their own lookalike, a woman called Sarah, on to the show for a fashion segment on maternity fashion after it was announced yesterday that Meghan, 37, and Harry, 34, are expecting their first baby.

Sarah was dressed up in a blue coat and matching fascinator in an attempt by the show's fashion team to recreate the look worn by Meghan at Prince Eugenie's wedding last week.

Her appearance divided viewers, with some saying she looked nothing like the royal, while others said the resemblance was uncanny.

This Morning invited a Meghan Markle lookalike called Sarah (pictured) to take part in their maternity fashion shoot after news that the Duchess of Sussex, 37, is pregnant with her first child.

Harry and Meghan attended the wedding of his cousin Princess Eugenie on Friday in Windsor (pictured) - where they told the Queen and the royal family they were expecting and she was wearing a wide fitting coat

During the segment Sarah claimed she had people stopping her in the street to comment on the resemblance between her and the Duchess.

She said: 'I get people I don't know what's stopping me and saying ''Do you know who you look like?''

Some viewers couldn't believe the resemblance between the two women, with one tweeting: 'You sure that clothes model really isn't Meghan Markle?'

'That model really looks like Meghan Markle,' another posted.

Her appearance divided This Morning viewers on Twitter (pictured), with some saying she looked nothing ike the royal wile others said the resemblance was uncanny

However, others couldn't seem the resemblance, with one saying: 'She looks nothing bloody like Meghan Markle.'

The show dressed Sarah in a budget version of Meghan's Givenchy coat, with the cheaper look being sold by Seraphine for 195.

Sarah also wore a 20 fascinator and a 22 bag from Debenhams, as well as 49 shoes from Lipsy.

Rochelle Humes was hosting the maternity fashion segment on This Morning in honour of Meghan, whose pregnancy was announced yesterday.

Sarah was dressed in a blue coat by Serpahine that looks just like the bespoke Givenchy number Meghan wore to Princess Eugenie's wedding last week. Pictured from left to right: Sarah, Rochelle Humes, Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's child will be seventh-in-line to the British throne. The couple, pictured two weeks ago, announced today that they are expecting their first child

Rochelle said: 'We've gone with this coat, the look was all about this coat. That was the giveaway moment, wasn't it? When we saw it buttoned that way there was something hiding under there.'

Kensington Palace announced yesterday the Duchess of Sussex is pregnant with her first child. The baby is expected in Spring next year.

The happy news was announced hours after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Sydney for their first major international tour since their wedding in May.

The baby news was released in a statement by Kensington Palace this morning (pictured) and the baby is due in Spring 2019

A Kensington Palace said: 'Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019.

'Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public.'

The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were told in person at the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle last Friday.Meghan has been joined by celebrity hairdresser George Northwood in Australia for her first royal tour - after he styled her locks for her wedding reception.

Northwood, 39, will be on hand to work his magic on the Duchess of Sussex's hair during her and Prince Harry's whirlwind tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga.

Meghan, 37, showed off two different hair looks on the first day of her visit to Sydney, wearing her brunette locks in loose waves down over her shoulders while dressed in a white shift dress by Australian designer Karen Gee.

Later on in the day, she wore her hair up in her signature messy bun, after changing into an olive green frock by Brandon Maxwell.

Meghan (pictured arriving in Sydney with Prince Harry) has been joined by celebrity hairdresser George Northwood (circled, back left) in Australia for her first royal tour

Celebrity hairdresser Northwood, who counts the likes of Alexa Chung and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley among his clients, appears to have become Meghan's go-to for important royal engagements.

Kensington Palace confirmed the hair stylist is being privately paid for by the Duke and Duchess.

The hair stylist previously joined the Meghan on her first overseas tour in Dublin back in July.

Northwood, who was photographed arriving with the rest of the couple's entourage in Sydney on Monday, has been extremely discreet since styling Meghan's hair for her wedding reception at Frogmore House.

Meghan, 37, showed off two different hair looks on the first day of her visit to Sydney, wearing her brunette locks down in loose waves while dressed in a white shift dress by Australian designer Karen Gee (above)

Northwood styled the Duchess of Sussex's hair (above) for her wedding reception at Frogmore House in May

The celebrity hairdresser, who counts the likes of Alexa Chung and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley among his clients, has been very discreet about working with Meghan

He has not spoken publicly about styling Meghan's hair, or made any reference to his famous client on his Instagram page.

However, YOU magazine editor Jo Elvin - who is herself one of Northwood's clients - revealed that he had text her after the wedding, saying that he wasn't able to 'breathe a word' about being chosen for the job ahead of the big day.

Meghan is following the Duchess of Cambridge's lead in having a hair stylist accompany her on her first major royal tour.

Kate, 36, is usually accompanied by hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker on her royal tours, including in Norway and Sweden earlier this year.

Amanda made headlines when she shared a snap of the Duchess' must-have products on Instagram, while packing for the trip.

Meghan also wore her hair up in her signature messy bun on the first day of her royal tour, after changing into an olive green frock by Brandon Maxwell. She attended a reception at Admiralty House in SydneyPrince William looked dapper tonight as he attended the premiere of director Peter Jackson's first war film at the BFI in London.

The Duke of Cambridge, 36, opted for a smart navy suit and maroon tie as he walked the red carpet for new film They Shall Not Grow Old.

He met Jackson, who is most famous for directing the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit films, as he arrived for the premiere on the Southbank this evening.

His appearance comes after it was revealed that his sister-in-law, Pippa Middleton, has given birth to a baby boy - making William an uncle for the first time.

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Prince William looked dapper as he attended the premiere of director Peter Jackson's first war film at the BFI in London

William, 36, met with director Peter Jackson (right), who is behind new film They Shall Not Grow Old

Pippa, 35, welcomed her and husband James Matthews' first child at the Lindo Wing in Paddington, where Kate gave birth to her three children, at 1.58pm on Monday.

Both William and Kate, 36, said they were 'thrilled' following the new addition to the family.

It has been a bumper week for baby news, as Prince Harry and Meghan also announced on Monday that they were expecting their first child together.

The couple are understood to have told members of the royal family in person at Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's wedding at Windsor Castle on Friday.

William looked smart in a navy suit and maroon tie for the film premiere at the BFI, which is situated on the Southbank

The Duke of Cambridge met director Peter Jackson (right, with William) on the red carpet. Jackson is most famous for directing the Lord of The Rings and the Hobbit films

William looked to be in very high spirits as he attended the premiere for They Shall Now Grow Old, just hours after the birth of sister-in-law Pippa Middleton's son

William looked to be in very high spirits today as he arrived for the world premiere of They Shall Not Grow Old.

The film brings to life the reality of war on the front line during the First World War, using original footage from Imperial War Museums film archive and audio from BBC archives.

The footage has been colourised, converted to 3D and transformed with modern production techniques to present never-before-seen detail.

William is meeting with producers and commissioners from the film, before watching the screening.

William certainly appeared to be in very high spirits at the premiere following a bumper week for baby news in the family

The Duke of Cambridge was seen chatting to director Peter Jackson and other members of the production team at the BFI

William joined director Jackson, who put his 3D glasses on, in the audience for the screening

The Duke of Cambridge was also given a bunch of roses by a well-wisher, as he arrived at the film premiere at the BFI

Speaking about making the film, Jackson said: 'It's a very different process because it was a film where I didn't have to direct any footage.

'Normally in a movie you write a script, I never wrote a script for this, and you go out and shoot a movie, but I never shot a movie.

'It was all just footage that someone else had shot for me, on a battlefield 100 years ago, so it was really a cutting room film and it happens to be my favourite part of the process.'

The film is dedicated to Jacksons grandfather, who fought in the First World War and died in 1940.

Pippa, 35, welcomed her and husband James Matthews's first child at the Lindo Wing in Paddington at 1.58pm on Monday. The couple are pictured together attending Princess Eugenie's wedding at St George's Chapel on FridayCrown Princess Victoria of Sweden wowed in a blue velvet gown as she attended a glitzy dinner in Jordan with husband Prince Daniel.

Victoria, 41, looked stunning in the patterned floor-length number, which was belted in at the waist, as she arrived at the Swedish Embassy in Amman.

The mother-of-two finished off the glamorous look with a pair of black satin heels, and a sequin clutch bag.

Wearing her glossy locks up in an elegant up-do, she opted for for a subtle make-up look for the occasion.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden wowed in a blue velvet gown as she attended a dinner at the Swedish Embassy in Amman, Jordan, on Tuesday night

Victoria, 41, was joined by her husband Prince Daniel (pictured on her right) as they attended the reception in the Jordanian capital, along with special guests

The couple looked to be in good spirits as they met with guests at the reception held at the Swedish Embassy.

Victoria and husband Daniel, 45, are in Jordan to discuss the UN's sustainable goals, with a focus on equality, climate and humanitarian issues.

Yesterday, the couple were given a tour of the Amman Citadel in the capital after arriving in Jordan.

The couple have had a busy start to the month, with their trip to Jordan being their second overseas visit of the month.

Victoria looked stunning in the patterned floor-length number, which was belted in at the waist, as she arrived at the Swedish Embassy with Prince Daniel (left)

Last week, the couple visited Pau, in south-west France, along with King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia.

The royals were there to mark the 200th jubilee of the House of Bernadotte, the ruling dynasty in Sweden.

On Saturday, Victoria attended the official reopening of the Swedish national museum, again with Daniel and her parents.

At the end of September, she made a visit to New York where she spoke at a UN summit.

Wearing her glossy locks up in an elegant up-do, Victoria opted for for a subtle make-up look for the occasionThirty-five years ago, Australia transformed Princess Diana from shy Di to global star. It brought us the birth of Di-mania and every time she went back she had the same spellbinding effect, in good times and bad.

Now the balmy Antipodean air is working its magic all over again  this time on her son Harry and his pregnant wife Meghan.

As they began their first full day Down Under yesterday, a pair of butterfly earrings and a gold bracelet glistened in the sunshine, jewellery worn by the Duchess of Sussex that once belonged to Diana.

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet 97-year-old Dafney Dunne during a walkabout outside the Opera House in Sydney, on Tuesday

The significance cannot be overlooked as Harry conjures up new ways to ensure that the spirit of his mother is with the couple in public and in private.

Meghan also has with her on this trip the square-cut aquamarine ring she wore on her wedding day for the evening reception at Frogmore House which, I can reveal, was a gift Diana received on the day her divorce from Prince Charles became final in 1996.

It was given to her by diplomats wife Lucia Flecha de Lima, one of her closest friends, who bought it to replace the engagement ring Diana no longer wanted to wear once her marriage ended. The stone came from the same mine in Senhora De Limas native Brazil which has provided aquamarines for the Queen.

It was not just Diana who enjoyed a special link with the generous Lucia, so too did William and Harry. When she visited Kensington Palace she always brought something for the boys.

If it was money, it was often a 50 note. Ooh, a pink Granny, the boys would exclaim excitedly, a reference to the Queens head on the banknote.

Harry never forgot such kindness and, when he and William were making their plans for a statue of their mother as a permanent memorial, they sought the views of Sra De Lima.

Sadly, she died last year before the project could be completed. But both boys knew how much she meant to their mother during the years she was in London as the wife of Brazils ambassador to the UK, and later in Washington when he was appointed envoy to the U.S.

Diana would often talk to Lucia and other friends of her precious boys  but particularly of Harry. She adored them both but William, destined to be King, was marked from birth for special attention.

As compensation, Diana poured more love and attention into Harry. I have to, she would often tell me. Charles and I worked so hard to ensure both boys receive equal amounts of our time and love, but others in the family seem to concentrate on William.

Princess Diana meets 91-year-old Nellie Corbett at the Lord Gage Centre in Newham

One day she told me how matters had come to a head with the Queen Mother, with whom the Princess had always had an ambivalent relationship.

Harry had complained that whenever he and William visited their great-grandmother at Clarence House, it was always William she made a fuss over and who sat next to her. Its not fair, Harry told his mother.

Diana took it up with the Queen Mother explaining, as delicately as possible, that she would prefer it if she didnt show favouritism to William. For her part, the Queen Mother argued that as William was heir to the throne he should be groomed as such. However, things did change a little. More than anything Diana didnt want Harry to have a complex about his position in the family.

She need not have worried, although slower at learning than William and more sensitive, Harry was a happy-go-lucky boy with a streak of curiosity.

William, on the other hand, was slightly aloof, and this made him a little more serious and retiring.Diana empathised with her eldest sons predicament. He doesnt want his every move watched, Diana would say.

Whereas Harrys attributes, she felt, were better suited for royal duty. She came up with the nickname Good King Harry, GKH for short, which she shared with a handful of friends.

How Harry loved it when he was alone with Diana at Kensington Palace. Once, when home ill from boarding school, he gleefully told one of Dianas friends: I have got Mummy to myself . . . and I dont have to share her with William!

Quite how many of his childhood memories from the Palace nursery Harry will recall as he becomes a father himself, remains to be seen. But there is one quality he is bound to want to replicate. Diana ensured that the domestic staff and police referred to the boys only by their first names, not as Prince and never as Your Royal Highness.

Says her friend Simone Simmons: She knew they need to have a little dose of reality.

Princess Diana in Vancouver, Canada; (left) and the Duchess of Sussex in Sydney on Tuesday

She smothered them in love and tried to give them an education outside the classroom  hence those visits to the homeless and the sick during their childhood.

But for all her efforts how heart-breaking it was to hear Harry recall last year of the times after his parents break-up when we never saw our mother enough or we never saw our father enough.

All the same, Diana considered motherhood to be her greatest achievement. As the years pass it is harder and harder to visualise the beautiful young woman who died at 36 as a grandmother four times over, but how shed have loved to have imparted some of her wisdom to the women who married her sons.

She would, of course, have understood Kates wish to have her own capable mother, Carole Middleton, on hand for the arrivals of George, Charlotte and Louis, and installed as Granny Number One.

But it may have been impossible to keep her out of the nursery

after Meghan gave birth. For Harry will be fulfilling a desire his mother once held  becoming parent to a mixed-race child.

Dianas dream was to have a baby with Hasnat Khan, the kindly Pakistan-born heart surgeon with whom she fell in love after watching him operate at Londons Royal Brompton Hospital.

And if it was a girl so much the better. For Diana this was no idle fantasy. She believed a child with Muslim Khan could have far-reaching implications for the world. It would help, she reasoned, bring the Muslim and Christian worlds closer together.

With them in spirit: The Duchess wears Dianas butterfly earrings at a Sydney reception

Honour the memory: Meghan also wore Diana's golden bracelet during the trip to Australia

It is tempting to wonder also how Diana would have handled the tragedy of Meghans father, the shock of his collusion with a photographer prior to the wedding, the embarrassing interviews and his isolation from his daughter.

She treasured her own father and despite several significant differences, they never fell out. When Earl Spencer died suddenly at 68 in 1992, she was heartbroken and many have wondered if his absence helped precipitate her split from Charles that year.

Her friends believe Diana would have been on the first flight for a rendezvous with Thomas Markle at his Mexican border hideaway to broker a reconciliation.

In many ways, Meghan is the young woman Diana yearned to be, whose successes and achievements she earned for herself, not through marriage into the Royal Family. Despite the global fame it brought her, it was only after her split from Charles that she found a way to use that celebrity and turn it into a meaningful role.

But no role would surely have surpassed that of grandmother.A Queensland restaurant has been named 'Australia's Best Pizzeria' as part of a TripAdvisor award for the creme de la creme of pizza restaurants across Oceania.

Janice Lee Fang, Communications Director for TripAdvisor Asia Pacific, said the top ten represent the best all round slices on offer across the country.

'Whether it's artisan ingredients you're after or just a good traditional crust, each of these places are worth checking out!,' she said.

FEMAIL takes a look at the shortlist to see what each of the best has to offer.

A Gold Coast restaurant has been named 'Australia's Best Pizzeria'

1. BEAGLES PIZZA, AIRLIE BEACH

Beagles Pizza in the Whitsunday Coast holiday resort of Airlie Beach nabbed the top spot as part of TripAdvisor's awards for the creme de la creme of pizza restaurants across Oceania.

Beating stiff competition in favoured foodie haunts Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Beagles was recognised for its fresh ingredients, quality taste and very affordable prices.

The eatery boasts a 4.5 star rating on TripAdvisor, with reviewers calling it 'a hidden gem' and 'proper old school pizza made with love'.

Specifically recommended for takeaway, Beagles Pizza offers an online ordering service and is known for their fast and free delivery.

A slew of users called it 'the best pizza I've ever tasted', lavishing particular praise on Beagles signature 'Supreme' slice topped with salami, prawns, olives, mushrooms, onions, capsicum and pineapple.

Price range: $10 to $20

Beagles Pizza in Airlie Beach was recognised for its fresh ingredients, quality taste and very affordable prices

2. IL BUCO, BYRON BAY

Renowned for its traditional firewood pizzas, Il Buco has been hailed by reviewers as 'Byron Bay's hidden foodie secret'.

The quaint Italian eatery serves up deliciously authentic artisan pizza made with seasonal ingredients, and pledges to support local farmers while maintaining affordable prices and a BYO alcohol policy.

TripAdvisor ranks it the third best restaurant in Byron Bay, with users hailing it as a 'must try  pizzas so outrageously good, you'll feel like you're in Naples!'.

Price range: $15 to $28

3. STATION BAR AND WOOD FIRED PIZZA, KATOOMBA

Located in the heart of the Blue Mountains, Station Bar and Wood Fired Pizza is famed for its huge menu of unusually flavoured wood fired pizzas.

Eclectic creations include the 'Warrimoo' covered in kangaroo fillet, and the 'Bullabarra' which is made with saltwater crocodile.

With a laid back pub atmosphere, the restaurant offers live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

TripAdvisor reviewers call it 'the go-to place for pizza in the mountains'.

Price range: $18 to $25

Renowned for its traditional firewood pizzas, Il Buco has been hailed by reviewers as 'Byron Bay's hidden foodie secret'

4. EL CAPITANO PIZZA BAR, NOOSA

Nautical themed Noosa pizzeria El Capitano is known for its organic sourdough bases and 'old world' pizzas.

Rated highly for groups, families and functions, the restaurant's best-selling slice is the classic Margherita.

TripAdvisor reviewers highlighted El Capitano's expensive price point, but many deemed it 'worth the money'.

The eatery also caters for gluten free and vegan customers.

Price range: $22 to $25

5. FRANKIE'S PIZZA, SYDNEY

Taking fifth place is rock'n'roll underground venue Frankie's Pizza in the heart of Sydney's CBD.

Frankie's received rave reviews on TripAdvisor for its live music, craft beer, vintage gaming machines and thin-crust pizza, which can be ordered as a whole or by the slice.

'Maybe the best pizza in Sydney  a true hidden treasure,' one user wrote.

A traveller from Uganda described Frankie's as being 'by far the best value we encountered in Australia'.

Price range: $15 to $24 (or $6 by the slice)

DOC Pizza in Melbourne is noted for serving up 'excellent food in warm, welcoming Italian atmosphere'

6. SAM'S PIZZERIA, BATEMANS BAY

Located on the south coast of New South Wales, Sam's Pizzeria offers a sprawling menu of more than twenty toppings with dishes ranging from traditional Pepperoni to innovative Nutella calzones.

'This is not your average pizza  made with serious love and care,' one satisfied customer wrote.

Sam's is known for its variety of vegetarian options and prime waterfront view of Batemans Bay.

Price range: $15 to $26

7. EMERALD BEACH PIZZA AND PASTA, COFFS HARBOUR

Boasting a 4.5 TripAdvisor rating, Emerald Beach on New South Wales' north coast is acclaimed for its reasonable prices and world class service.

Online reviewers suggest booking in advance and recommend ordering the Supreme and Carnosa pizzas.

Price range: $15 to $20

Nautical themed Noosa pizzeria El Capitano is known for its organic sourdough bases and 'old world' pizzas

8. DOC PIZZA AND MOZZARELLA BAR

Founded in 1997, Melbourne's DOC Pizza grew from humble beginnings to become nationally renowned for its buffalo mozzarella dishes.

Noted for serving up 'excellent food in a warm, welcoming atmosphere', DOC received four star ratings from TripAdvisor for value, food quality and service.

'Best place we have been in a long time. Seriously could not fault any of their pizzas!' one happy diner said.

'DOC is consistently good  we love everything about it, it's the best pizza experience in Melbourne,' another agreed.

Price range: $18 to $28

9. PIZZA BOCCONE, SYDNEY

Coming in eighth, this contemporary trattoria celebrates the traditional method of pizza making and prides itself on specialty dough left to mature for three days.

Pizzas are handmade in front of guests in an open kitchen, with TripAdvisor users calling it 'highly recommended'.

Boccone received special recognition for its Capricciosa, made with tomato, buffalo mozzarella, rocket and cherry tomatoes.

Price range: $18 to $25

Pizza Boccone celebrates the traditional method of pizza making and prides itself on specialty dough left to mature for three days

Gigi's Pizzeria in central Sydney is 100 per cent vegetarian with vegan options also available

10. GIGI'S PIZZERIA, SYDNEY

Nabbing tenth is Newtown vegetarian eatery Gigi's, which also offers a variety of vegan options.

This local is one of just five Sydney restaurants included in the True Neapolitan Pizza Association, and is highly regarded for its hand stretched dough, stone roasted dishes and hand-picked ingredients.

Their signature slice is the Patate, topped with roasted potato, garlic, rosemary and black truffle pate.

'Gigi's bases are a perfect combination of crispness and elasticity, and the flavours are so good you forget you're not eating cheese!' one vegan reviewer said.

Price range: $17 to $24It may still be 10 weeks until Christmas but supermarkets shelves are already stacked high with weird and wonderful festive foods.

And Walkers is the latest company to release a Yuletide snack in the form of its first ever Brussels sprouts flavoured crisps.

In fact the UK's first crisp brand has launched five delicious festive flavours: Turkey & Stuffing, Pigs in Blankets, Glazed Ham, Cheese & Cranberry as well as the sprout flavour snacks.

Walkers has launched its festive range of crisps including a Brussels Sprout flavour ahead of the Christmas season

The company has even produced rival multi-bags of crisps dependent on whether your a sprout lover or a loather.

The Christmas dinner for sprout lovers includes: Brussels Sprouts, Turkey & Stuffing and Pigs in Blankets flavours.

And for those not so keen on the festive veg there is the Christmas dinner for sprout haters including Glazed Ham, Turkey & Stuffing and Cheese & Cranberry flavours in a multi-pack.

For those not so keen on the Yuletide veg there is a Turkey & Stuffing flavour as well as Pigs in Blankets

The company has even produced rival multi-bags of crisps dependent on whether your a sprout lover or a loather. Pictured: The Sprout Lover selection pack

Andrew Hawkswell, Marketing Manager at PepsiCo who own Walkers, said: 'Here at Walkers we know that Christmas isn't Christmas without sprouts.

'Whether you grin or grimace at the sight of them, nothing divides the nation more at Christmas than a sprout  so we have created two Christmas Dinner multipacks, one for sprout lovers and one for haters to keep the peace this festive season.'

The limited edition range will be available from 15th October from all leading retailers costing 65p for a single bag and 1.50 for a selection bag.

But while Walkers latest flavour may be a little unusual it is nothing compared to Iceland's latest offering.

Earlier this month Iceland unveiled a 1 packet of festive-themed crisps, that are supposedly Christmas tree flavour

Broadcaster Jeremy Vine looked suspicious of the Christmas Tree flavour crisps that had arrived on his desk...asking 'Honestly?'

The freezer giant has released the festive-themed snacks this month as thoughts turn to seasonal food including a Christmas tree flavoured crisp.

Pitched as 'pine salt flavour hand cooked potato crisps', the front of the 1 packet features a photo of some tree foliage.

Part of a range that also includes 'pigs in blankets' and 'lobster cocktail', the most avant-garde of the range - the tree - hasn't gone down particularly well on social media.

Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine posted a photo of himself holding up a bag of the crisps with the word 'Honestly?' written across it - and he seems to share the view of the masses on the subject of crisps that are flavoured to taste like trees.Half of America's cancer patients burn through their entire life's savings in less than two years, a new study reveals.

The paper, titled 'Debt or Death?', reveals patients spend an average of $92,098 a year trying to stay alive - higher than other papers had previously quoted.

Costs were highest for the most vulnerable: the elderly, the sicker, and the uninsured, according to the study based on 9.5 million patients between 1998 and 2014.

Experts warn this trend is set to worsen as more Americans turn to short term healthcare plans that don't cover cancer care, nor general care for survivors after remission.

The paper, titled 'Debt or Death?', used data on 9.5 million nationally-representative patients between 1998 and 2014, who spend an average of $92,098 a year trying to stay alive

Cancer is the biggest killer in America after heart disease.

More than 1.6 million Americans a year are diagnosed with cancer - 87 percent of whom are over 50 - and more than 600,000 die.

And the costs are eye-watering.

Treating patients costs the US healthcare system $87.8 billion a year, and early deaths cost $130 billion a year.

A hefty amount of that is shouldered by patients: in 2014, the latest figures available, patients paid $4 billion out-of-pocket for their care, according to a report by the American Cancer Society and Cancer Action Network.

The new study by Adrienne Gilligan at the University of Arizona, with support from Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, was one of the first to look at how that works on an individual basis.

It was also one of the first to assess financial toxicity across all cancers, whereas most others are specific to the type of cancer.

Even after controlling for economic factors, like the economic crash in 2008, the financial burden remained consistent.

Grant Skrepnek, associate professor of pharmacology at Oklahoma who advised on the paper, told DailyMail.com that he was stunned by the numbers, even after 20 years in cancer research.

'It's shocking,' Skrepnek said.

'[The figures] were higher than we expected, and higher than previous work had alluded to as well.

'The bottom line is, our goal should be to eliminate as much uncertainty as possible for people in the most uncertain period of time in their lives.'

'Clearly,' he adds, 'we're not doing a very good job.'

The paper, published in the American Journal of Medicine, is the follow-up from a study Skrepnek and colleagues published five years ago, showing cancer is cited for 33 million sick days a year in the US, particularly for breast cancer.

That is a significant blow to the nation's productivity as a whole.

Crucially, it pointed to the cruel reality that cancer patients struggle to keep up with the demands of the US economy, weakened physically, emotionally and financially by the very thing that is meant to be a lifeline.

The team was interested in Gilligan's idea to look at it from a personal angle - something, Skrepnek says, is not common for an economic paper ('we don't do a very good job as researchers at looking at the broader picture').

They found half the patients in the nationally-representative study were driven into bankruptcy within a couple of years.

It's a story that's been told before, but something that appears to be either worsening or, at best, holding steady.

'Every clinician is as concerned as I am; incredibly concerned for the immediate time being,' Skrepnek said. 'We can and we should be doing better.'

There are no figures on cancer costs past 2014, so the future is murky.

Skrepnek warned that one thing hampering our predictions is the advent of immunotherapy, the wonder drug that turns patients' own cells into killers that hunt and kill cancer cells. It is tipped to save thousands if not millions of people who previously had no options. But it costs a cool $475,000 per case.

We still haven't seen the large-scale impact of immunotherapy on patients' survival rates and pockets, which injects yet more uncertainty into a historically complicated field.

But Jennifer Singleterry, senior policy analyst at the American Cancer Society/Cancer Action Network who authored last year's report on cancer costs, warned that something else demands more attention: short term healthcare plans.

The current administration has promoted short term healthcare plans as a cheaper, more accessible way to get coverage for day-to-day ailments.

However, these plans rarely cater to cancer patients, kicking patients off the plan after a diagnosis or refusing to accept people in remission because their previous battle with cancer is classified as an 'underlying condition'.

'We are very concerned,' Singleterry told DailyMail.com.

'Patients who buy these plans [often] don't realize that they don't cover a lot of things, or have caps. If someone gets cancer while enrolled in these plans, they could get kicked off. That's when you're going to see asset depletion because your insurance doesn't cover your cancer care.'

What's more, she warned, if more healthy people turn to short term plans, the minority of chronically ill people will be left with much higher insurance premiums than usual on the standard plans.

'If these plans continue to proliferate, we might see this [trend] continue.'

It is difficult to overstate 'how hard it can be for a cancer patient to be hit with a bunch of bills in some two or three months,' Singleterry said.

'Often it's before they have been diagnosed, because it's all the diagnostic tests. It comes hard and fast at a time that is really difficult.

'It's scary to be diagnosed with cancer, [and often] it's even more scary to be thinking about the financial implications.'Almost one in three people you walk past today would not perform CPR on you if your heart stopped in the street.

A survey by the British Heart Foundation has found only 70 per cent of people say they would try to resuscitate someone if they saw them collapse.

And not everyone would call an ambulance if you passed out and stopped breathing  four per cent of people said they weren't likely to phone 999 in that situation.

Experts warn people's lives are being put at risk because not enough Brits know how to do CPR, but say 'doing something to help is always better than doing nothing'.

Fewer than one in 10 people in the UK survive a cardiac arrest if they're not already in hospital  a damning figure when compared to Norway, where children learn CPR at school and as many as a quarter survive.

Fewer than one in 10 people in the UK survive a cardiac arrest if they're not already in a hospital because not enough people know CPR, experts say, whereas in Norway  where children are taught it at school  around a quarter of people survive

'You may not feel confident performing CPR if you havent been trained or you dont remember your training, but without your early action the chances someone will survive a cardiac arrest are virtually zero,' said BHF chief executive Simon Gillespie.

The BHF revealed the shameful statistics as part of its Restart a Heart Day today, Tuesday October 16, which will see 200,000 people taught how to do CPR.

Researchers from the University of Warwick and YouGov surveyed 4,000 adults in the UK about their knowledge of CPR and confidence in performing it.

People's brains start to die from lack of oxygen after less than three minutes of the heart stopping in a cardiac arrest, meaning fast, early treatment is critical.

Having CPR  short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation  immediately after the heart stops can more than double the chance of someone surviving, the BHF says.

So although 96 per cent of people said they would call an ambulance if someone collapsed and stop breathing, the time it takes for paramedics to arrive could be long enough for the patient to die.

Joe Mulligan, head of first aid education at the British Red Cross said: 'When someone is unresponsive and not breathing its a matter of life and death.

HOW TO GIVE CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be used to try to restart someone's heart if it has stopped. CPR should only be used in an emergency situation if someone is unconscious and not breathing. People without CPR training should stick to hands-only chest compressions, the NHS says. To carry out a chest compression: Place the heel of your hand on the breastbone at the centre of the persons chest. Place your other hand on top of your first hand and interlock your fingers. Position yourself with your shoulders above your hands. Using your body weight (not just your arms), press straight down by 5-6cm (2-2.5 inches) on their chest. Keeping your hands on their chest, release the compression and allow the chest to return to its original position. Repeat these compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 times per minute until an ambulance arrives or you become exhausted. Source: NHS Advertisement

'Without immediate intervention with CPR and a defibrillator the chances are that person will not survive.

'While its normal to feel worried about performing CPR, its important to remember that doing something to help is always better than doing nothing.'

CPR involves using the hands to push down on someone's chest to manually pump blood from the heart to the brain to keep them alive.

And, if a patient has stopped breathing, the person performing CPR can blow into the patient's mouth to fill the lungs with air  but this isn't recommended in all cases.

Restart a Heart Day is an annual campaign to raise awareness of the importance of CPR.

It is organised jointly by the BHF, the Resuscitation Council, St John Ambulance, the British Red Cross, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and ambulance and fire services across the country.

The Government's Education Secretary, Damian Hinds, added: 'Knowing how to save someone's life is one of the most powerful skills you can learn.

'That's why we plan to teach first aid as part of health education, which we intend to make compulsory in all state funded schools from 2020.

'This change will mean pupils learn how to be safe. It's never too late to learn how to be a lifesaver and I'd encourage people of all ages to learn first aid.'The US administration announced Monday a new proposal to require drugmakers to list prices of medicines that cost more than $35 per month in television ads.

The proposal, unveiled by US Health and Human Service Secretary Alex Azar, aims to add information on prices to television spots, which typically contain extensive warnings about a medicine's side effects, but not on price.

Azar said the policy seeks to address a pricing system that is 'completely opaque' to consumers.

'List prices matter to American patients,' he said in a speech at the National Academy of Medicine. 'I've heard it personally from patients myself, and so has the President.'

Dozens of drugmakers will start disclosing the prices for US prescription drugs advertised on TV. The prices won't actually be shown in the TV commercials but the advertisement will include a website where the list price will be posted

'Patients deserve to know what a given drug could cost when they're being told about the benefits and risks it may have,' he added in prepared remarks.

'They deserve to know if the drug company has pushed their prices to abusive levels. And they deserve to know this every time they see a drug advertised to them on TV.'

High drug costs have been an ongoing issue in recent years following sudden price increases imposed for some treatments and confusion over how prices are set, with drug companies, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers often pointing fingers at one another.

Most Americans don't pay the full price for prescriptions - one reason drugmakers have opposed disclosing the list prices, arguing that would just confuse the public.

But insurance plans base their copayments on the list price set by drugmakers. And patients with high-deductibles plans or no insurance sometimes pay full price.

President Trump has long promised to bring down drug prices, and in May, his administration released a 'blueprint' with vague proposals for doing so, including exploring listing prices in TV commercials.

Shortly before Azar's speech, the trade group the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) announced plans for television ads that will direct patients to platforms with more information about drug prices, including the expected out-of-pocket costs and options for financial assistance.

The trade group has argued that requiring list prices on ads could confuse patients and perhaps discourage some from seeking needed treatment.

'The (Donald Trump) Administration and Congress have called on our industry to provide cost information in direct-to-consumer advertisements, and our members are voluntarily stepping up to the plate,' said Stephen Ubl, chief executive of PhRMA.

Direct-to-consumer advertising of drugs has been allowed in the U.S. for two decades. Ads are required to list side effects but not prices.

Many details of the proposed rule still must be worked out, including whether it should be expanded to cover radio, print or internet ads. According to the proposal, TV commercials would have to state in legible type the list price set by the manufacturer for all drugs costing more than $35 per month or for a standard course of treatment, such as for an antibiotic.

If the rule is adopted after a 60-day public comment period, Azar's department plans to publicize the names of drugmakers that don't comply and could take legal action against them.

Drugmakers generally can charge as much as the U.S. market will bear because the government doesn't regulate medicine prices, unlike most other developed countries.

List prices have long been closely guarded, and those prices are the starting point for drugmakers' price negotiations with middlemen, such as insurance companies and prescription benefit managers.

According to the government, the list prices for the top 10 prescription medicines advertised on TV range from $535 to $11,000 for a month or course of treatment.

Pfizer's heavily advertised nerve pain drug Lyrica has a monthly list price of $669. Humira, AbbVie's treatment for immune system disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, has a list price of $4,872 per monthly injection. Both have nearly doubled in four years.

Patients for Affordable Drugs, an advocacy group funded by foundations, called PhRMA's website choice 'a transparent attempt to pre-empt full disclosure of list prices in ads,' adding that it doesn't think disclosing list prices will reduce patients' costs.Family doctors are being told to prescribe exercise to patients with serious health conditions including cancer, diabetes, dementia and depression.

Health officials say GPs and healthcare workers should encourage patients to help fight their conditions by getting more active.

Doctors should ask about their physical activity levels, inform them of how exercise can help symptoms and guide people towards appropriate activities. One in four patients would be more active if advised by a doctor or nurse, research suggests.

Health officials say GPs and healthcare workers should encourage patients to help fight their conditions by getting more active (stock picture)

The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine has created a Moving Medicine toolkit to provide information for health workers on how to initiate conversations about activity (stock picture)

But nearly three quarters of GPs do not speak about the benefits of physical activity to patients due to either lack of knowledge, skills or confidence.

Public health officials believe exercise can help to drive down obesity rates, with two in three Britons now overweight and one in four obese.

Public health officials believe exercise can help to drive down obesity rates

Adopting an active lifestyle can also cut the risk of a host of health problems, including slashing the chances of Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure by half.

Regular exercise cuts the chances of heart disease  Britains biggest killer  by 40 per cent. It also reduces the chances of suffering a stroke or depression by a third.

The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine has created a Moving Medicine toolkit in partnership with Public Health England and Sport England. It is being launched today and provides information for health workers on how to initiate conversations about physical activity.

The initiative comes after the Daily Mail reported yesterday how elderly people could be prescribed ballroom dancing or cookery classes on the NHS to help combat loneliness.

Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock, said: I am delighted to launch this brilliant web tool. I hope it will help pave the way for a culture shift in medicine where referrals for exercise are just as common as prescriptions for medication.A nine-year-old boy is in constant agony after his belly swelled to three times the size of a beach ball.

Aneet Ur Rehman, of Karachi, Pakistan, suffers from Budd-Chiari syndrome, a rare condition which blocks the veins that should drain his liver.

As well as causing the youngster extreme abdominal pain and bloating, the syndrome has also led to life-threatening liver failure.

Aneet, whose condition forced him to quit his studies, has been told he will die unless he has an urgent liver transplant.

But the waiting list for the procedure is long and Aneet's family cannot afford the 35,000 needed to have the operation done privately.

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Nine-year-old Aneet Ur Rehman is in constant agony after his belly swelled to three times the size of a beach ball. The youngster suffers from the one-in-a-million condition Budd-Chiari syndrome, which caused his abdomen to become severely bloated and has led to liver failure

Aneet's father Ali Rehman (pictured) quit his job as a plumber in Saudi Arabia six months ago when his son's condition deteriorated. Now jobless, Mr Rehman cannot afford the 35,000 needed to pay for his son to have the life-saving liver transplant doctors say he urgently needs

Aneet, who has five siblings, was born healthy but started to complain of abdominal pain four years ago.

His father Ali Rehman, said: 'Soon his belly started swelling but it was not too big.

'However, in [the] past year it has reached this size. He can hardly walk and sleeps in one position.

'If by mistake anything hits his stomach, he writhes in pain and cries incessantly.'

Aneet's uncle Abdul Rehman, added: 'It is heartbreaking for all of us to see him in this condition.

'He can't go to school or play with his siblings.'

Aneet's condition forced him to quit his studies; he now spends every day sitting at home

WHAT IS BUDD-CHIARI SYNDROME? Budd-Chiari syndrome affects one in 100,000 people and causes the veins that drain the liver to become blocked. This leads to a build-up of blood in the liver, which becomes swollen, tender to touch and painful. Fluid then leaks from the liver into the abdominal cavity, which can cause a huge buldge. Many sufferers then find it difficult to eat, move and even breathe. In extreme cases, other blood vessels can also become blocked, leading to swelling in the ankles and legs. Blood may then try to move around the body in other veins with more fragile walls. If these burst, it can lead to deadly internal bleeding. Liver and kidney failure are also common. Budd-Chiari syndrome's cause is unclear but may be due to a genetic fault that affects how a patient's blood clots. Liver tumours, inflammatory bowel disease, pregnancy and oral contraception have also been linked to the condition. Treatment aims to maintain the flow of blood out of the liver. This can involve rechanneling blocked veins, managing liver congestion, and preventing blood clots and abdominal swelling. Stents may be used to keep the veins of the liver open, while anti-clotting drugs can help to maintain blood flow. If these are ineffective and a patient is suffering from end-stage liver disease, a transplant may be required. Source: British Liver Trust Advertisement

Aneet, who struggles to find clothes that fit him, spends every day at home.

His father was working as a plumber in Saudi Arabia but decided to quit and return home six months when his son's condition deteriorated.

'My family [have] taken him to several doctors over the past year,' Mr Rehman said.

'Fluid is being drained from his abdomen every month but his condition is not improving at all.

'We have been recently told by the doctors he is suffering from liver failure and he needs an urgent liver transplant.'

Aneet's family took him to the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation where they were told many patients are waiting for a liver transplant and there is a shortage of donors.

Mr Rehman, who is now jobless, cannot afford to pay for his son to have treatment at a private hospital.

He has therefore appealed to the public and Pakistani government for donations.

'A liver transplant at a private hospital will cost us nearly 35,000 and even if I will sell out my whole property, I [still] can't afford his treatment,' Mr Rehman said.

'We don't want our son to die like this. We want to see him play like normal kids and have a good future.

'We are appealing to everyone, including the government to help us and save our son's life.'

Dr Arit Parkash, a paediatrician at the National Institute of Child Health in Karachi, said: 'The boy is suffering from chronic liver disease, secondary to Budd-Chiari syndrome.

'The only treatment possible was TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt) procedure but we don't have such [a] facility available here.

'The other treatment could be liver transplant for which we have referred him to SIUT Hospital.'

A TIPS connects veins in the liver to other veins of the body, which then drain fluid from the organ.

Aneet also struggles to walk or find clothes that fit him and can only sleep in one positionA pair of conjoined twins are preparing to celebrate their second birthday after doctors gave them just 24 hours to live.

Callie and Carter Torres, from Blackfoot, Idaho, were born in January 2017 attached at the pelvis and sharing the same legs.

The girls are omphalo-ischiopagus twins, meaning they each have their own set of vital organs.

Although as few as 40 per cent of conjoined twins survive past birth, Callie and Carter are already learning to walk and have come off all medication.

And while separation surgery is an option, the girls' parents Chelsea, 25, and Nick Torres, 24, insist the sisters are stronger together.

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Conjoined twins Callie (left) and Carter Torres are preparing to celebrate their second birthday after doctors gave them just 24 hours to live. They were born in January 2017 attached at the pelvis. The twins have since defied doctors' expectations and are already learning to walk

Their parents Chelsea, 25, and Nick Torres, 24 (pictured with their five-year-old son Jaysin) decided against separation surgery when the girls were newborns due to its risks. And they are still shunning the operation, insisting the girls are healthier together than they would be apart

Pictured as newborns, the twins were born by C-section at 37 weeks. Doctors warned they would unlikely live beyond the 11-week pregnancy mark and recommended a termination

'The girls' health right now is really good. They don't have to take any medication, they just get little colds here and there like normal kids,' Mrs Torres said.

'It's incredible to think they have separate hearts, separate stomachs, separate heads  separate personalities too!

'In the very beginning we did think abortion would be the best option. We thought they would die as soon as they entered world.

'But we're just so pleased we stuck with our gut.

'After the crazy first 24 hours after they were born, they were doing good. They didn't have any issues.'

Before their arrival, Callie and Carter's parents were told they were conjoined and might not make it.

However, when the girls were born, all of their worries faded away.

Mr Torres said: 'I was like "holy c**p, we have two perfect babies.'

'It was a huge pressure removed from us, because that dreaded thought of "my babies are going to die when they come out" just went away.

'They were here and they were here to stay.'

As omphalo-ischiopagus twins, Callie and Carter share the same pelvis and a set of legs, but each have their own vital organs, including a heart, liver, pancreas, digestive tract and lungs

After overcoming the shock of their daughters being conjoined, the pair decided against separating the girls as newborns and are still shunning the surgery.

'We don't feel comfortable separating the twins at this point,' Mrs Torres said.

'They are going to be more unhealthy when separated, than they are right now.

'The only way we would consider it is if Callie and Carter have sudden health issues that arise or if they want to be separated when they are older.

'We are going to give them that option, but we must make sure they completely understand the risks involved.'

The girls, who love playing together and with their brother, have come off all medication. Their parents claim they just suffer the odd cold like any other toddler. Although separation surgery may be an option in the future, they are going to let the girls decide what is best for them

Although Mr Torres became concerned when he heard the girls were conjoined, he added they were born 'perfect babies' and knew instantly they were 'here to stay'. Although the girls can attract looks from strangers, Mr Torres said he doesn't care and is just happy they are healthy

The devoted parents are trying to help the girls learn how to walk together, which is a struggle for all conjoined twins.

'Doctors don't expect them to walk until they are around four. Honestly, I think it will be more like eight,' Mrs Torres said.

'We don't expect coordination to start happening until they are a lot older. But we thought we might as well start to try early.

'We're hoping coordination isn't a problem for them.'

As well as walking being difficult, tasks most parents don't give much thought to are also challenging for Mr and Mrs Torres, such as finding clothes.

'We were vastly unprepared for the girls to come,' Mr Torres said.

'We didn't have any clothes for them.'

Mrs Torres added: 'I actually decided to start making the girl's clothes myself.

'I buy regular clothing. I take two of each item - they have to be the same size and the same brand.

'I then cut them from the back and sew them together through the middle.

'I learnt how to do it from a YouTube channel online.'

Although they spend every second together, the girls apparently have very different personalities. Carter is the 'bully' while 'sweetheart' Callie 'puts up with her sister'

Thankfully for the parents, their five-year-old son Jaysin is always keen to lend a hand.

'The three of them all get along pretty well,' Mrs Torres said.

'If the girls are crying and one of us is busy, Jaysin will go in there and play with them until we are done.

'He will bring them food, he'll share everything with them. He's been really great.'

But members of the public can be less understanding towards the family.

'When we are out in public with the twins, we get all sorts of reactions,' Mrs Torres said.

'There have been old ladies who have been like "oh, God wouldn't have wanted those children alive".

'Others just like to stare. But kids are great fun. They just ask "are they stuck together?" and I'm just like "yeah they got stuck inside my tummy and now they are here".'

Mr Torres added: 'But you know what, that doesn't matter to us.

'Just knowing that our girls are healthy and are learning at an everyday rate, it's a great feeling.

'It's good to know that to them, nothing is wrong. They are not afraid to do anything.'

Although they spend every second today, Mr and Mrs Torres add Callie and Carter are developing very different personalities.

'Carter, for the lack of a better term, is a little bully. If she wants something, she will take it,' Mrs Torres said.

'And if she doesn't want Callie to have something, she'll make sure she doesn't get it.

'Callie is a little sweetheart. She puts up with her sister. She just likes to hang out, cuddle and eat food.'Scientists have created a vaccine that protects against both anthrax and plague amid fears of terror threats.

The bacteria behind anthrax and the pneumonic plague are two of the deadliest pathogens that could be used in warfare.

Researchers from The Catholic University of America therefore created a single vaccine that could provide completion protection against the two diseases.

Tests on animals showed the vaccine worked, even if they were infected with a deadly dose of either of the two killer pathogens.

The bacteria behind anthrax and the pneumonic plague are two of the deadliest pathogens that could be used in warfare (stock)

'This dual anthrax-plague vaccine is a strong candidate for stockpiling against a potential bioterror attack involving either one or both of these biothreat agents,' scientists led by Dr Pan Tao said.

The Washington DC-based team combined toxins from the bacteria Bacillus anthracis and Yersinia pestis, which cause anthrax and the pneumonic plague, respectively.

These toxins are known to stimulate an immune response when a person becomes infected.

When given to mice, rats and rabbits, the vaccine gave complete protection against both diseases, even when the animals were infected with doses that are known to deadly.

The jab is thought to stimulate immune cells to clear the bacteria from the body. It is unclear when it may be available.

The study was published in the journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classes anthrax and plague as the pathogens that pose the greatest threat to the national security of the US.

This comes after letters containing anthrax spores were sent to several news media offices and the Democratic Senators Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy in 2001, just weeks after September 11.

HOW DID THE 2017/18 PLAGUE OUTBREAK IN MADAGASCAR BEGIN? Health officials are unsure how this year's outbreak began. However, some believe it could be caused by the bubonic plague, which is endemic in the remote highlands of Madagascar. If left untreated, it can lead to the pneumonic form, which is responsible for two thirds of the cases recorded so far in this year's outbreak. Rats carry the Yersinia pestis bacteria that causes the plague, which is then passed onto their fleas. Forest fires drive rats towards rural communities, which means residents are at risk of being bitten and infected. Local media reports suggest there has been an increase in the number of blazes in the woodlands. Without antibiotics, the bubonic strain can spread to the lungs - where it becomes the more virulent pneumonic form. Pneumonic, which can kill within 24 hours, can then be passed on through coughing, sneezing or spitting. However, it can also be treated with antibiotics if caught in time. Madagascar sees regular outbreaks of plague, which tend to start in September, with around 600 cases being reported each year on the island. However, this year's outbreak has seen it reach the Indian Ocean island's two biggest cities, Antananarivo and Toamasina. Experts warn the disease spreads quicker in heavily populated areas. Advertisement

Known as Amerithrax, 22 people were infected, of which five died. A key suspect was the scientist Bruce Edwards Ivins, who killed himself in 2008.

Mr Ivins was a senior biodefense researcher at the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Maryland.

Both anthrax and plague can kill in as little as three days.

The most deadly form of anthrax is inhaled (pneumonic), which can quickly cause sufferers to cough up blood and even fall into comas.

If spores enter a person's lymph nodes, they can multiply and produce deadly toxins that spread throughout the body.

This can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding, as well as the death of tissues and major organs.

Although there is an FDA-approved anthrax vaccine, it can cause the airways to collapse and general circulation failure.

There no approved jab for plague, however, an experimental vaccine is sometimes used in the military.

It is unclear what the potential side effects of the newly-developed dual vaccine may be.

The pneumonic form of plague is the most dangerous, which can cause patients to cough up blood and suffer sudden cardiac arrest.

The bacteria for both diseases are most often inhaled as infected droplets.

As well as protecting against a potential terror threat, the researchers believe the plague vaccine could be used globally.

The disease killed 209 people in Madagascar in an outbreak last year.The man who published a widely-dismissed paper claiming the MMR vaccine could make children autistic has been ridiculed with an award for bad science.

Andrew Wakefield, a former gastroenterologist who is now believed to be in a relationship with the model Elle Macpherson, has been awarded the 'Rusty Razor' award for pseudoscience by magazine The Skeptic.

If something is pseudoscientific, it means it appears to be scientific but is not based on any facts or evidence  such as the anti-vaccination movement.

Wakefield's so-called research fuelled the 'anti-vaxx' movement, by suggesting jabs could make children autistic, but his studies were fabricated.

Experts have called the paper, published in medical journal The Lancet in 1998, but retracted in 2010, 'the most damaging medical hoax of the past 100 years'.

Andrew Wakefield (pictured last year with the model Elle Macpherson, who he is now reported to be dating) was banned from practising as a doctor in the UK after his research into an alleged link between the MMR jab and autism was found to be inaccurate and biased

The Skeptic tweeted when it announced Wakefield's award: 'Anti-vaccination activity has contributed to a huge rise in measles cases across Europe.

'Wakefield's legacy is long-lived.'

There has been a huge outbreak of measles in Europe this year, with 37 people dead and 41,000 cases reported between January and June  more than any other entire year this decade.

And by September 10, there had been 876 cases confirmed in England despite the infection being declared eliminated in the country in 2017.

Wakefield's paper was deemed to be 'fraudulent', biased and inaccurate.

In 2010, the General Medical Council banned Wakefield, born in 1957, from practising medicine in the UK.

His study claimed to reveal a link between autism and the three-in-one MMR vaccine given to UK children to protect them against measles, mumps and rubella.

But the research was only done on 12 children, and Wakefield had lied about how many of them displayed autistic symptoms after being vaccinated.

He had claimed eight of the 12 showed signs of autism, but it was found to be at most two  and two of them had already had developmental problems before they were vaccinated.

Wakefield was also found to have had financial interests in claiming a damaging link to the jab.

He was being paid to find out if parents could sue for claims the vaccines had damaged their children  The Lancet said it would have rejected his work if it had known this at the time.

His paper was then widely discredited, and no research before or since has made a connection between autism and vaccination.

Experts have repeatedly slammed Wakefield's work as 'an elaborate fraud', 'fatally flawed both scientifically and ethically' and 'dishonest'.

In the wake of his research  an effect still being seen to this day  childhood vaccination rates have fallen.

Last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the number of unvaccinated US children under the age of two has quadrupled since 2001, IFL Science reported.

The Skeptic Magazine announced Wakefield had won the 'Rusty Razor' award on Saturday, October 13

The online magazine said Wakefield's research had led to anti-vaccination campaigns and a rise in measles  which can kill children  across Europe

He was even found to have changed details about the medical history of children in the study, to manipulate the work to fit his theory.

And it is a theory Wakefield still stands by today  there is a debate over whether he is simply too stubborn or incompetent to believe he is wrong.

Editor-in-chief of the British Medical Journal, Fiona Godlee, wrote in an editorial in 2011: 'Who perpetrated this fraud? There is no doubt that it was Wakefield.

'Is it possible that he was wrong, but not dishonest: that he was so incompetent that he was unable to fairly describe the project, or to report even one of the 12 childrens cases accurately? No.

'A great deal of thought and effort must have gone into drafting the paper to achieve the results he wanted: the discrepancies all led in one direction; misreporting was gross.'

Ms Godlee added Wakefield had opportunities to do more research to support his theory or to admit he was wrong but he had done neither.Drinking rosemary-infused water boosts your memory and 'turbo charges' the brain, new research has revealed.

Scientists tested the effects of drinking a small glass of No1 Rosemary Water, which is sold in Waitrose for 3.45 per 750ml bottle.

They found the herb, which can be bought for 70p in supermarkets, improves a person's ability to recall the past by up to 15 per cent.

The herb contains essential oils that are thought to boost blood flow through the brain, according to researchers at Northumbria University.

No1 Rosemary Water is sold in Waitrose for 3.45. Participants drank 250ml of the water 20 minutes before sitting cognitive tests

Dr Mark Moss, lead author, said: 'I'd say that the shots [of the No1 Rosemary Water] act like a turbo charger for the brain.'

'The results of this research show there are statistically reliable improvements in memory function thanks to the ingestion of No1 Rosemary Water.'

For the research, 80 healthy volunteers drank either 250ml of No1 Rosemary Water or plain water.

No1 Rosemary Water contains aromas and extracts of the herb. Its manufacturers sponsored the study.

Twenty minutes after consuming their respective drinks, the participants completed a series of cognitive tasks.

These included them being shown 15 words on a screen in as many seconds before being asked to recall as many as they could in one minute.

Brain images were also taken to measure the amount of oxygen in the participants' blood.

This was used to assess how efficiently the participants used up the energy required for the tasks.

HOW DOES ROSEMARY BOOST MEMORY? Rosemary is thought to boost memory by increasing blood flow through the brain. The herb contains the compound eucalyptol, which is found in many plant essential oils. Eucalyptol may increase levels of nitric oxide, which enhances brain blood flow. Smelling rosemary likely enhances a person's memory much more than consuming it by avoiding digestion. A combination of sage, rosemary and lemon balm has been found to be more effective than rosemary alone. Advertisement

Rosemary water was found to be as good at helping participants recall words as smelling the herb's aroma, which was tested in previous studies.

However, it is not as effective as taking a combination of sage, rosemary and lemon balm, the scientists added.

Results further showed the participants' blood oxygen levels decreased after they drank rosemary water.

This is thought to be due to cognitive tasks increasing the demand for 'fuel'.

The study was published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

Rosemary is thought to boost a person's memory due to it containing the compound eucalyptol, found in many plant essential oils.

Eucalyptol may increase levels of nitric oxide, which boosts blood flow through the brain.

Smelling rosemary likely enhances a person's memory much more than consuming it by avoiding digestion.

Shakespeare wrote that rosemary helps remembrance in Hamlet. But the author wasn't the only one who knew of its benefits.

Students in ancient Greece reportedly wore garlands of the herb around their heads during exams to enhance their memories.

The British botanist Nicholas Culpeper also described the herb as 'an admirable cure-all remedy of all kinds of cold, loss of memory, headache, coma' in his 1826 book Complete Herbal.The NHS body parts scandal deepened today amid allegations that waste is illegally being stored in scores more sites in Yorkshire.

Healthcare Environment Services (HES) was last week stripped of 15 contracts with NHS trusts because it wasn't disposing of waste quickly enough.

Human body parts and amputated limbs were among hundreds of tonnes of waste stored at its sites, including 350 tonnes at Normanton, West Yorkshire.

Reports have emerged in the House of Commons today of 15 sites across Yorkshire struggling to deal with waste in the wake of the cancelled deals.

Healthcare Environment Services (HES) allowed hundreds of tonnes of waste from hospitals, including human body parts, to pile up at its facilities (pictured: a site in Normanton, Wakefield, which has a mountain of 350 tonnes of waste)

Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary Jonathan Ashworth asked if Mr Hancock had checked 'each and every one' of the allegations

Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary Jonathan Ashworth told the Commons that hazardous waste in Dewsbury is being stored in shipping containers.

Hospital staff in Leeds are reportedly shifting waste in appropriate overalls, and waste isn't being picked up from a health centre in Keighley.

Mr Ashworth asked if Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock had checked 'each and every one' of the allegations.

It is unclear if the sites are operated by Mitie, who took over the deals with the 15 NHS trusts whose deals with HES were terminated.

But Health Minister Steve Barclay argued the new contractor, Mitie, had things under control and there was no risk to public safety.

Mr Ashworth told MPs: '[Hancock] has tried to reassure us again today there are no public health implications of the measures put in place since HES lost the different contracts.

'Can he therefore explain to us his views on the various allegations currently circulating on social media of photos and video suggesting up to 15 different sites across Yorkshire are storing waste illegally?'

HES was reportedly attempting to export 750 tonnes of pharmaceutical waste to Holland, according to the Health Service Journal (pictured: the firm's office)

Healthcare Environment Services Ltd, paid millions to burn waste from hospitals at 50 trusts across England, reportedly 'took on too much work' (biohazard signs on a vehicle at the firm's site in Normanton)

How did the human body part wast scandal unfold? Here is a timeline of how the human body waste scandal unfolded: March 2018 The Environment Agency was first alerted to the fact that Healthcare Environment Services Ltd had a backlog of waste - including body parts - building up. March - October: Healthcare Environment Services Ltd was hit with a series of warnings and enforcement notices giving the firm deadlines by which the waste must be incinerated by. July 2018: The Environment Agency alerts Government ministers to the problem. September 2018: New Health Secretary Matt Hancock chairs an emergency COBRA meeting to discuss the scandal. He sets aside 1million to help affected hospitals. October 4 2018: The Environment Agency announced that it has found the firm in breach of its permits at five of its six sites. It also says it is launching a criminal investigation into the debacle. October 12 2018: Healthcare Environmental Services' managing director, Gary Pettigrew, denied the claims there were tonnes of human limbs and tissues building up. He said 'just 1.1 per cent of this clinical waste is anatomical', and that flesh was always prioritised for destruction. Advertisement

He said: 'I haven't checked every single tweet he has looked at, but the fact is of the 17 sites, three have had the stocks of waste on their sites cleared.

'Twelve are due to be cleared by the end of the week, with two remaining, as Mitie mobilises from about 80 per cent of service delivery to 100 per cent in the coming weeks.'

Mr Barclay also defended his previous statement about there being enough incinerator capacity, which he said had been proven correct since Mitie had found capacity to incinerate 1,000 tonnes of clinical waste.

He said: 'The analysis shows there is sufficient incinerator capacity for clinical waste and the statement made to the House was therefore correct.

'The issue is whether HES was willing to pay for that capacity  but the fact Mitie has now secured 1,000 tonnes demonstrates it is available.

'There is no risk to public safety by the action taken by the Trusts.'

HES's managing director Gary Pettigrew last week denied there were human body parts in the hundreds of tonnes of rubbish piling up at its sites.

He argued they are always prioritised for destruction and claimed the company had been criticised despite 'providing an excellent service',

The troubled firm, which had stockpiled waste at its sites in Normanton, Newcastle, Nottingham and Bradford, is now under criminal investigation.

And he repeated his claim, made when the issue became public two weeks ago, that a 'lack of incineration capacity' was behind the problem.

Mr Pettigrew made the comments on the back of a claim from Mr Barclay, who told MPs that 3.5 tonnes of human body parts were among that stored.

In a statement to Parliament, Health Minister Stephen Barclay said NHS Improvement concluded HES 'failed to demonstrate that they were operating within their contractual limits'

Healthcare Environment Services Ltd was found to have breached environmental permits at four of its sites in English. Pictured: The site in Normanton, West Yorkshire

SCOTTISH HOSPITALS PREPARING TO STORE THEIR OWN WASTE IN WAKE OF SCANDAL Scottish hospitals are preparing emergency plans to store clinical waste amid claims Healthcare Environment Services may be unable to process it. The firm, based in Shotts, Lanarkshire, has the Scotland-wide contract for clinical waste removal. Health boards are devising plans to store waste on-site for up to three days if it cannot be removed and incinerated, amid concern that HES has taken on more work than it can handle. One NHS source in Scotland said: 'We've been told it will be stored for 72 hours, but in reality there is a real prospect of it being for weeks and even longer. 'The idea is that porters will decant clinical waste into large containers that will be kept in hospitals. 'In terms of body parts, they will be stored, probably in mortuaries, but in many hospitals space will be tight as we get into winter.' The row raises the prospect of hospitals being filled with large amounts of potentially hazardous waste for months. It is believed the contingency plans may be activated in Scotland as soon as next week. Scottish Tory health spokesman Miles Briggs said: 'this is an extremely worrying development and it's absolutely right that contingency plans are being drawn up. 'It is imperative SNP ministers ensure all clinical waste is safely disposed of. 'If this company cannot carry out its contractual obligations it is vital the SNP organises a replacement service immediately.' Just over 300 tons of clinical waste is collected from hospitals north of the Border each year. One insider close to the row in Scotland said: 'This isn't a new issue  the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has been working on compliance with this company for some time.' Advertisement

Mr Pettigrew claimed just 1.1 per cent of its stored waste was anatomical - meaning there would be 3.5 tonnes of body parts in its Normanton site alone.

The Environment Agency first became aware of the problem in March but gave the company time to correct its failings.

But the company, based in Scotland, failed to meet the deadlines, and the agency alerted the Government to the problem in July.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency also confirmed it issued enforcement notices at sites in Dundee and Shotts, Lanarkshire, last month.

The Department of Health and Social Care said there was 'absolutely no risk' to public health.

NHS sources said HES had taken on too much work and was not able to dispose of the waste in a timely manner.

The firm was found to have breached environmental permits at four of its six sites and was allegedly planning to ship 750 tonnes of waste to Holland.

HES holds the Scotland-wide contract for clinical waste removal. It was founded 20 years ago and claims medical waste is its area of expertise.

The firm is based in Shotts. Before it was stripped of contracts with 15 NHS trusts, it reportedly held deals with around 50, in total.

Scottish hospitals were told to prepare emergency plans to store clinical waste amid fears HES may be unable to process it north of the Border.

Six other waste disposal companies  Augean, Grundon, PHS, Stericycle/SRCL, Tradebe and Veolia  were reportedly asked to step in and salvage the situation.

And trusts who held contracts with HES were on standby to follow emergency measures and store their waste in specialist trailers parked outside hospitals.

Mr Hancock chaired an emergency COBRA meeting last month and ordered 1 million to be earmarked to help up to the affected NHS trusts.

HES said it had warned authorities for years that 'ageing infrastructure' and 'prolonged breakdowns' mean that firms which dispose of clinical waste cannot get through it quickly enough.

It said the UK had experienced 'reduced incineration capacity' over the last year, which it had repeatedly highlighted to authorities.

But the Environment Agency dismissed the accusation  saying it had carried out an audit of the sector and no other company had reported similar problems.

HES had contracts with 50 NHS hospitals which paid it to dispose of hazardous waste, but 15 of those were cancelled after the company was found to be breaching its environmental permits

Health officials insisted the waste would not pose a threat to patients or the wider public, adding that contingency plans were being put in place (a HES lorry in Normanton)The world of technology is somewhat encumbered by legacy. Either the technology they are using is not up to date, or it's not very secure, or it does not meet the needs of the people who need it, when they need it most. This is not just with small companies, big ones, too, have a lot of older technology. Amazon Web Services (AWS) when it was launched found a niche in start-ups and young companies, who didn't want to invest in their own infrastructure and yet wanted the facility to scale up or down. Now, AWS has another interest area. The company is now focussing on public sector areas such as government, education, and health, Peter Moore, Regional Managing Director for Amazon Web Services, Global Public Sector - APAC and Japan, told Business Today.

Recently, AWS finished the empanelment process with MeitY. Essentially, it's the process of fulfilling all the government's requirements and be their registered, verified cloud provider for them to be able to use AWS in India.

"We are working with both central government agencies and the state governments around India to help them fulfil their mission," says Moore. He adds there's a state government in India that has turned off their data centre and is running everything on AWS.

Subsequent to that, AWS has also been empanelled with Maharashtra government. In fact, they host mission-critical applications and databases for the departments of the Government of Maharashtra, such as the Farmer Loan Waiver System, the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority and the Direct Benefit Transfer on AWS. Even Maharashtra's IT arm MahaOnline is running on AWS providing a range of citizen services to facilitate the delivery of citizen services in the state.

"India will be our fast growing market in the world, as a result of the size of the country and the economic growth that's happening here," he says.

As a result, AWS is also building its infrastructure in the country. They launched data centres around Mumbai in 2016. "There are data legacy issues associated with running applications in another country. So customers who care about data legacy, and for customers who care about data location, having infrastructure in India is important," he says.

AWS has an annual run rate of $24 billion dollar and in 2018 its revenue grew 49 per cent year over year.Babies who are breastfed for six months have fewer antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their guts, according to a study.

Sugars in breast milk are thought to feed 'good bacteria', which prevent antibiotic-resistant bugs from becoming established in the gut.

The results of the Finnish study, revealed today, add to the catalogue of known breastfeeding benefits.

Experts have previously warned antibiotic resistance poses as big a risk as terrorism and even global warming.

Babies who are breastfed for six months carry less antibiotic-resistant bacteria (stock)

In the largest study of its kind, the Helsinki University researchers analysed the genes of 16 mothers and their babies over eight months.

This involved sequencing the DNA of a total of 96 samples, including breast milk, and faeces from both the women and their infants.

Results showed babies who are breastfed for at least six months have less antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their guts than those who are breastfed for less time or not at all.

'The results suggest that early termination of breastfeeding might have negative health effects for infants,' the scientists wrote.

The team, led by Katariina Parnane, said this was 'due to an increased resistance potential of the gut microbiota against certain antibiotics'.

She added: 'We have already known that breastfeeding is all in all healthy and good for the baby.

'But we [have] now discovered that it also reduces the number of bacteria resistant to antibiotics.'

The World Health Organization recommends women exclusively breastfeed for the first six months of a baby's life.

The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, also found women can actually transfer their own resistant bacteria to their children via their breast milk.

But overall, breastfeeding still helps to reduce the amount of harmful bacteria in a baby's gut, the research found.

WHAT IS ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE? Antibiotics have been doled out unnecessarily by GPs and hospital staff for decades, fueling once harmless bacteria to become superbugs. The World Health Organization (WHO) has previously warned if nothing is done the world is heading for a 'post-antibiotic' era. It claimed common infections, such as chlamydia, will become killers without immediate solutions to the growing crisis. Bacteria can become drug resistant when people take incorrect doses of antibiotics or if they are given out unnecessarily. Former chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies claimed in 2016 that the threat of antibiotic resistance is as severe as terrorism. Figures estimate that superbugs will kill 10 million people each year by 2050, with patients succumbing to once harmless bugs. Around 700,000 people already die yearly due to drug-resistant infections including tuberculosis (TB), HIV and malaria across the world. Concerns have repeatedly been raised that medicine will be taken back to the 'dark ages' if antibiotics are rendered ineffective in the coming years. In addition to existing drugs becoming less effective, there have only been one or two new antibiotics developed in the last 30 years. In September, the WHO warned antibiotics are 'running out' as a report found a 'serious lack' of new drugs in the development pipeline. Without antibiotics, C-sections, cancer treatments and hip replacements will become incredibly 'risky', it was said at the time. Advertisement

'As a general rule, it could be said that all breastfeeding is for the better,' Ms Parnanen said.

'The positive effect of breastfeeding was identifiable also in infants who were given formula in addition to breast milk. '

As well as focusing on breastfeeding, the study also revealed babies whose mothers were given preventative antibiotics during childbirth are more likely to carry antibiotic-resistant genes.

These antibiotics may be given if a woman tests positive for a group B strep infection, which she may pass on to her child, or if her waters break early.

'We cannot advise that mothers should not be given antibiotics during delivery,' Ms Parnanen said.

'The consequences of infection for both mother and infant are potentially serious.

'What we can state is our findings and physicians can use them to consider whether practices should be changed or not.'

Babies are particularly at risk of antibiotic resistance due to their immune systems being less developed than adults'.

Around 214,000 infants die every year around the world due to sepsis caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

'Babies are more likely to suffer from this than adults, even if the babies have never been given antibiotics,' Ms Parnanen added.

Among adults, resistant pathogens are expected to kill more people than cancer by 2050.

The Scottish microbiologist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic, in 1928.

Fleming's discovery allowed doctors to treat and cure infected patients, saving millions of lives.

Yet, less than a century after Fleming's discovery, there are precious few antibiotics left and many superbugs are already resistant to all of them.

Figures suggest up to 50,000 people die each year due to antibiotic-resistant infections in Europe and the US alone.

Globally, at least 700,000 people pass away annually due to antibiotic-resistance complications from illnesses such as malaria, AIDS and tuberculosis.Louise Akester, 36, had her contract with NHS care home Alderson House, Hull, terminated because of the Government's requirement for all care workers to get double jabbed from November 11. All care workers in adult care homes who do not have medical exemptions must have two doses of a Coronavirus vaccine. But in the wider NHS, staff must have their second jab by April next year. Louise has worked in the care sector for 14 years, but refused to be vaccinated regardless of the new government rule, and sobbed as she was forced to leave her job. Speaking within minutes of finishing her last shift, Ms Akester sobs as she says in the video: That's the hardest thing I've ever had to do, saying goodbye to everybody, all the people that I've cared for, for so long, the people I've worked with. 'It's been so emotional, this is so unfair. I just can't believe what the bloody government is doing to us, I just don't get it, I don't understand.' She previously said she was refusing to get the vaccine until 'we know more about the potential long-term side effects'. Figures suggest some 60,000 care home employees in England - roughly a tenth of the entire workforce - are still yet to turn up for two jabs, and half of these have not even had their first dose. They all face the axe by Thursday.Across the US, there are 127 confirmed or suspected cases of a rare-polio like illness, the Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) revealed on Tuesday.

Dr Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, says 62 cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) have been confirmed across 22 states.

Previously, the agency had reported that there were 38 confirmed cases of the mysterious virus in 16 states.

Meanwhile, another 65 cases are under investigation for AFM, whose symptoms start off resembling those of a common cold and affecting children at an average age of four years old.

Health officials have determined the condition is caused by a viral infection, but they have been unable to determine the specific virus it is linked to.

'We have not been able to find the cause of the majority of AFM cases...and we're frustrated that we haven't been able to identify the cause of illness,' Dr Messonnier said in a media call.

The CDC revealed on Tuesday that 62 children in 22 states have been diagnosed with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), whose symptoms start off resembling those of a common cold, including five-year-old Elizabeth Storrie (pictured) from Will Park, Texas

Treatments vary on a case-by-case basis. In the most severe cases, respiratory failure can occur when the muscles that support breathing become weak. Orville Young, four (pictured), of Minnesota, was likely the earliest confirmed case in the state

WHAT IS AFM?

AFM is a rare, but serious condition that affects the nervous system. Specifically it attacks the area of spinal cord called gray matter, which causes the body's muscles and reflexes to weaken.

Symptoms often develop after a viral infection, such as enterovirus or West Nile virus, but often no clear cause is found.

Patients start off having flu-like symptoms including sneezing and coughing. This slowly turns into muscle weakness, difficulty moving the eyes and then polio-like symptoms including facial drooping and difficulty swallowing.

'If [AFM affects gray matter] lower in the spinal cord [paralysis will] be more in the legs and if it's higher up, it'll be more in the arms,' Dr Fernando Acosta, a pediatric neurologist at Cook Children's Medical Center, in Fort Worth, Texas, told Daily Mail Online in an interview on Monday.

'Or if it's closer to the neck, they they can't move head, neck and shoulders. We had one case of that and that was just awful.'

In the most severe cases, respiratory failure can occur when the muscles that support breathing become weak.

In rare cases, AFM can cause neurological complications that could lead to death.

'Its a pretty dramatic disease; children have a sudden onset of weakness,' said Dr Messonier.

No specific treatment is available for AFM and interventions are generally recommended on a case-by-case basis.

Children with weakness in their arms or legs may attend physical or occupational therapy.

Among those infected is Julia Payne, two (pictured) from Chicago, Illinois, who is on a respirator and using a feeding tube because she is unable to swallow

However, physicians admit they are unaware of the long-term outcomes for those with AFM.

WHO HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY AFM?

The CDC does not track AFM in terms of its prevalence, but rather in outbreaks.

The agency has confirmed 386 cases since an outbreak in Colorado in August 2014, almost all of them in children.

Of the 62 cases diagnosed this year, it known that 24 have been in three states: 10 in Illinois, eight in Texas and six in Minnesota.

The states Daily Mail Online is currently aware of with confirmed cases includes: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.

A press officer for the CDC told Daily Mail Online that the agency would not be naming the six additional states where cases have been confirmed due to 'privacy issues'.

This suggests the pattern of an infectious disease, but much remains unknown about the condition.

According to an unofficial survey from NBC News, health officials in 26 states are investigating or have reported 87 cases of AFM.

Among them is two-year-old Julia Payne from Chicago. She has been in the pediatric intensive care unit at Lurie Children's Hospital for weeks now where she is on a respirator and using a feeding tube because she is unable to swallow.

Staff at the hospital say she will be discharged on Wednesday and transferred to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, a rehabilitation center where she will face several weeks of physical therapy to regain strength and movement.

In Minnesota, four-year-old Orville Young was likely the earliest confirmed case in the state, according to the Star Tribune.

Orville has been in physical therapy for the last month. His mobility and gait have not returned to normal, but his legs are mostly functional now. His right arm, thus far, is still paralyzed.

Fortunately many make a full or nearly full recovery of their movement as did five-year-old Elizabeth Storrie of Will Park, Texas.

She spent a month at Cook Children's Hospital, in Fort Worth, on IV fluids and a feeding tube until her condition improved.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST POLIO?

AFM has been called a polio-like illness due to its resemblance to the viral infection that impacted hundreds of thousands, particularly between the late 1940s and early 1950s.

The CDC even states on its website that symptoms 'have been most similar to complications of infection with certain viruses, including poliovirus, non-polio enteroviruses, adenoviruses, and West Nile virus'.

Poliovirus has determined to not have been the cause of any of the cases, but some cases have been linked to the enteroviruses EV-A71 and EV-D68, both of which are distant relatives of polio, and rhinovirus.

'I'm not old enough to have seen a case of polio during my time in practice but my colleagues who have say [AFM] is similar to what they saw back then,' Dr Acosta said.

'Is this a variant? Potentially but we don't know.'

In 1957, the US government approved the polio vaccine. After a nationwide campaign to get children immunized began, the numbers began falling drastically and, in 1979, polio was declared to be eradicated in the US.

The CDC has confirmed 386 cases since an outbreak in Colorado in August 2014, almost all of them in children

This year, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries where cases of wild poliovirus have been confirmed - largely due to poor sanitation and low levels of vaccination coverage.

However, global eradication is now at risk due to vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) in five countries in Africa this year.

Health experts say that this could result in silent transmission of both polio and AFM because it can lead to paralysis if left undetected.

Anti-vaxxers have blamed childhood polio vaccines for the outbreak, despite physicians saying there is no evidence to suggest this is the case.

'There is no evidence vaccines are causing this,' said Dr Acosta.

'And if we identify the agent that is causing, the the next step would be to develop a vaccine. It's the same reason, we developed flu vaccines - to lessen the burden of disease.

'The reason why you see lower rates of polio, whooping cough and other diseases is because we have vaccines that have made them very rare.'

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?

The CDC advises getting vaccinated against Poliovirus and West Nile Virus due to both being potential causes of AFM.

Health experts say this does not simply mean just staying up-to-date with vaccinations but also minimizing exposure to mosquitoes.

Additionally, you can use warm water and soap to avoid getting sick and spreading germs.

'It's a one-in-million chance to get this so it's extremely unlikely your child will get this,' said Dr Acosta.

'Even if they have sudden onset of weakness, AFM is unlikely to have caused it. It's more likely to be a stroke. However, if your child develops it, bring them in and this gives them best chance of survival.'A Minnesota woman who suffered intense bouts of vomiting for a year discovered her daily marijuana was to blame.

In a case report published in the British Medical Journal Case Reports, researchers said the 27-year-old, from Rochester, was brought to the Mayo Clinic six times over the course of a year complaining of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

According to the report, she likened the pain to a 'squeezing' feeling in her abdomen and a 'bruised and sore' feeling in her back.

Doctors hypothesized several causes such as a stomach bug, inflammation in her abdomen or pregnancy.

During the last visit, she told doctors she had smoked marijuana since age 20 and used the drug almost every day over the previous year.

That's when they finally diagnosed her with a little known condition called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) in which chronic cannabis users vomit incessantly without explanation.

A 27-year-old woman, from Rochester, Minnesota, discovered her intense bouts of vomiting were linked to daily marijuana use and hot showers were the only relief (file image)

CHS is a recently discovered, but poorly understood, condition caused by long-term cannabis use.

The syndrome occurs in heavy marijuana users, those who smoke at least 20 times a month, who have recurrent and severe bouts of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

The number of people affected by CHS is unclear, although its prevalence could be in the millions.

A 2015 study found that the incidence of cyclic vomiting doubled in Colorado after weed was legalized, as well as incidence of CHS rising in other states where the drug is legal.

The first study to report on the phenomenon was led by Mount Barker Hospital in Australia, where researchers realized patients who had repeat attacks of vomiting had one thing in common: chronic cannabis use.

Out of 10 participants, seven who stopped using cannabis saw their symptoms resolve. The three who refused to abstain saw their symptoms continue.

Several studies have since confirmed the original findings by the Australian researchers, with many reports stating that people find relief from their symptoms by taking hot showers.

In the current case report as well, the woman stated that hot showers would relieve her symptoms.

So what causes the mysterious condition?

According to a 2017 study conducted by Dr Cecilia Sorensen, an emergency medicine physician at the University of Colorado Hospital, the answer lies in the endocannabinoid system.

The endocannabinoid system is a group of lipid signalling molecules - called endocannabinoids, often thought of as the body's own 'natural cannabis' - and their receptors.

These receptors control many physiological processes including food intake, energy balance, reward, and mediating the effects of cannabis.

'These receptors are all over our gut,' Dr Sorensen told Popular Science. 'They're in our intestines, our colon, and they have a role in regulating gastric and intestinal motility to control the propulsion of food and fluids.'

She says too much of THC, the psychoactive compound responsible for the euphoric and 'high' feeling often associated with marijuana, could damage the receptors.

'This alters your gut motility,' she told the website. 'Anytime your gastric motility is obstructed, you get really severe abdominal pain and nausea. It's a severe, spasmodic pain that basically results in overstimulation.'

Physicians also only have theories as to why hot showers help, one being that it helps sufferers distract themselves from their discomfort.

Researchers wrote in the current report that the patient received a topical cream containing capsaicin, the main component of chili peppers.

According to a 2011 article from Harvard Women's Health Watch, capsaicin is believed to relieve pain by releasing a chemical called substance P that transmits pain signals from nerves to the brain.

After the cream is applied several times, stores of substance P deplete in the body and fewer pain signals are transmitted.

The woman reported that after applying the cream, the symptoms of her abdominal and back pain subsided.

The only known cure of CHS is stopping marijuana use altogether. Several studies suggest that complete relief takes seven to 10 days.

According to the report, the woman decided to stop using marijuana after being consulted by doctors and she left the hospital four days later with her condition improved.People with restless legs syndrome have a greater risk of suicidal thoughts, a study suggests.

Researchers say the neurological disorder, causing sufferers to constantly move their legs, makes a person nearly three times more likely to consider taking their own life.

Past research has shown that people with disrupted sleep have trouble regulating emotions and are more likely to make impulsive decisions.

The team, from the Yale School of Medicine in Connecticut, says it does not know why the syndrome causes people to think about suicide, but says the findings show that doctors need to closely monitor their patients with the condition to catch any signs of suicidal tendencies early on.

Researchers say that those with restless legs syndrome are nearly three times more likely to be thinking about or planning to take their own life (file image)

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition that causes sufferers to constantly need to move their legs because of an uncomfortable sensation, often described as creeping or crawling.

Symptoms are often most severe at night, when a person is sitting or lying in bed, meaning that patients are unable to sleep well at night.

Study co-author Dr Brian Koo, an associate professor of neurology at the Yale School of Medicine, believes it is entirely possible that the poor sleep is leading to depression and suicidality.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, it is estimated that between seven and 10 percent of the US population suffers from RLS.

Medications such as muscle relaxants and sleeping pills can help relieve symptoms, but there is no cure.

For the study, the team looked at 192 patients diagnosed with the condition and 158 people in a control group.

WHAT IS RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME? Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition that people to constantly need to move their legs. Symptoms are often most severe at night, when a person is sitting or lying in bed. The sensations are often described as: Creeping

Crawling

Pulling

Throbbing

Aching There is often no known cause for the condition but scientists believe it may be due to an imbalance of dopamine, a brain chemical that helps control muscle movement Others known causes are hereditary and pregnancy. There is no known cure but treatment currently aims to ease symptoms and underlying conditions. Possible treatments include: Medications that increase dopamine production

Opioids

Muscle relaxants and sleep medication It is estimated that between seven and 10 percent of the US populations suffers from RLS. Source: Mayo Clinic Advertisement

Both groups filled out questionnaires on the syndrome, sleep, depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior.

Even after accounting for depression and other factors, 27 percent of the RLS patients had lifetime suicidal ideation or behavior compared to seven percent of the control group.

This means that people with the syndrome are almost three times more likely to be thinking about or planning a suicide.

Someone's odds of suicidality increased if his or her RLS was severe or very severe, or if they also suffered from depression.

While the study only shows an association, Dr Koo suspects that RLS causes suicidal tendencies.

'Having treated hundreds of patient,s I think it is causing depression and likely the suicidality,' he said. 'Whether it works through a mechanism of sleep loss or something else, I don't know.'

Dr Peter Franzen, an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, told Reuters that the new study is consistent with recent literature showing the link between sleep disturbance and suicidal ideation.

A 2017 study from Stanford Medical School found that people who fell asleep at different times each night and woke up at different times each morning were more likely to experience suicidal symptoms.

And a study published this month from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that teenagers who slept less than six hours per night were three times more likely to consider or attempt suicide than those who slept eight hours per night.

'People with disrupted sleep don't function as well,' Dr Franzen, who was not involved in the new study, explained.

'Sleep is important when it comes to regulating emotions. And there are cognitive deficits when you don't get good sleep. You have trouble with decision making and you're more apt to make impulsive decisions.'

For confidential help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or click here.

For confidential support on suicide matters in the UK, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here.

For confidential support in Australia, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or click here.High-end grocer Booths posted a 5m loss in the year to March 31

PROFITS PLUNGE High-end grocer Booths posted a 5million loss in the year to March 31, compared with a 14.8million loss a year earlier, as sales fell by 5.3million to 258.1million.

HOT TOPIC Pension funds must consider the impact of climate change on their long-term investments under rules drawn up by the City watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority.

GERMAN MOVE Online estate agent Purplebricks is taking a stake in German rival Homeday as it aims for further growth amid tough conditions in the UK.

DEAL DONE Lender CYBG has completed its 1.7billion takeover of Virgin Money, marking one of the first major banking deals since the financial crisis.

SIN STOCKS Investment manager Brooks Macdonald has launched a responsible investment service, where clients can choose whether to avoid sin stocks such as tobacco or focus on businesses which advance good practice.

NEC SOLD Buyout giant Blackstone bought NEC Group, the owner of Birminghams National Exhibition Centre, from LDC, Lloydss private equity arm.

AI WARNING Wealth manager Smith & Williamson has warned companies that fail to adopt artificial intelligence could disappear in the coming years.

FIRM SOLD British engineering business Deep Sea Electronics has been sold for 162million to fund Caledonia Investments.

SWEET SUMS Fresh cake manufacturer Cake Box expects annual sales to jump 40 per cent to 8.3million compared to last year with full-year profits predicted to come in ahead of market estimates.

Earnings fall Restaurant group D&D London posted an 11pc fall in profits to 11.6m in the year to March 31 after being hit by business rates, rising staff costs and higher food prices.

New chair Paul Moody, former boss of Britvic, is joining Card Factory as chairman.A number of failings, including allowing a customer to gamble money stolen from a dogs home, has been cited as the reason Paddy Power Betfair has been fined 2.2million by the gambling watchdog.

An investigation by the Gambling Commission found that Paddy Power's online exchange Betfair did not carry out adequate anti-money laundering checks, allowing a 'significant' amount of stolen money to be gambled with.

The focus of the commission's inquiry was on five customers in 2016 - two of which were allowed to gamble stolen money.

Investigation: Paddy Power's online exchange, Betfair, did not carry out adequate checks

One of these was Simon Price, who was found to have defrauded his employer, Birmingham Dogs Home.

Price, who was chief executive of the dogs home at the time, and his wife Alayna, confessed to cheating the charity in an 894,754 fraud continuing over four years, from 2012, in order to fund his gambling addiction.

He was sent to jail for five years at the end of 2017, while Mrs Price was given a two-year suspended term.

The money will be returned to the dogs home, as part of Paddy Power's settlement with the Gambling Commission.

Problem: Paddy Power didn't protect customers who had gambling addictions

The probe also revealed that Paddy Power failed to protect three customers who all showed signs of gambling addiction.

They were found to have been allowed to bet 'extensively' online and through its betting shops despite signs of problem gambling, the watchdog found, which were not discovered after a failure to interact with customers.

Paddy Power Betfair will pay 1.7million to Gamble Aware, a charity that looks into ways of preventing gambling addiction, as well as just under 500,000 to victims and impacted parties and 50,000 to cover investigation costs by the commission.

Richard Watson, executive director of the Gambling Commission, said: 'As a result of Paddy Power Betfair's failings significant amounts of stolen money flowed through their exchange and this is simply not acceptable.

'Operators have a duty to all of their customers to seek to prevent the proceeds of crime from being used in gambling.

'These failings all stem from one simple principle - operators must know their customer.'

Betfair operates the world's largest online betting exchange and was listed on the London Stock Exchange until it merged with Paddy Power in February 2016 to establish Paddy Power Betfair.

Peter Jackson, CEO of Paddy Power Betfair said: 'We have a responsibility to intervene when our customers show signs of problem gambling. In these five cases our interventions were not effective and we are very sorry that this occurred.

'In recent years, we have invested in an extensive programme of work to strengthen our resources and systems in responsible gambling and customer protection.

'We are encouraged that the Gambling Commission has recognised significant improvement since the time of these cases in 2016.

'This work is continuous and we are committed to working in partnership with other operators and with the Commission to become better and better at protecting customers.'Property magnate Robert Tchenguiz has abandoned his case against Grant Thornton

Property magnate Robert Tchenguiz abandoned his case against Grant Thornton hours before he was due to give evidence in court.

The 58-year-old had claimed the accountancy firm fed dishonest allegations about him to the Serious Fraud Office, triggering an investigation.

Tchenguiz and his brother Vincent were arrested by the SFO in 2011 as part of a three-year probe into their alleged involvement in the collapse of Iceland bank Kaupthing during the financial crisis.

The SFO later dropped the case and the brothers sued the organisation for more than 200million.

The SFO settled in 2014, agreeing to pay 3million and 1.5million to Vincent and Robert respectively.

In a case that started last week, Tchenguiz wanted damages amid claims Grant Thornton, two of its partners and a lawyer acting for Kaupthing conspired to get the SFO to investigate him and his brother.

But he dropped the case yesterday after reaching an agreement with Kaupthing, which was not a defendant but is understood to have faced paying some of the defendants losses if Tchenguiz won.A prominent jazz musician who was accused of sexually harassing his young mentee is now suing her for defamation, according to court papers exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com.

Steve Coleman, 62, has hit back at Maria Grand, 26, who sent a lengthy letter to his wife and colleagues detailing their sexual relationship and how she felt she had been manipulated into sleeping with Coleman in order for him to continue mentoring her.

The two were involved sexually from 2011 up until 2016, with Grand going public with her claims against Coleman, who is a renowned saxophonist, last year in the wake of the MeToo movement.

Grand, who is originally from Switzerland, claims Coleman told her that she owed him a 'lifetime of p***y' for everything he had taught her, starting from when she was 17 years old, she claims in the letter she sent to Coleman's colleagues.

Grand's seven-paged letter where she detailed Coleman's alleged sexual misconduct was included as an exhibit in Coleman's complaint against her.

Now, Coleman, of Leigh County, Pennsylvania, is suing Grand for at least $500,000 in damages for making libelous statements, which he claims has greatly damaged his reputation and his ability to book gigs.

Steve Coleman, 62, has hit back at Maria Grand, 26, who sent a lengthy letter to his wife and colleagues detailing their sexual relationship and how she felt she had been manipulated into sleeping with Coleman in order for him to continue teaching her

The two were involved sexually from 2011 up until mid 2016, with Grand accusing Coleman, who is a renown saxophonist, in the wake of the MeToo movement. Pictured: The two in 2015

In court documents filed in New York on Wednesday, Coleman claims Grand made 'knowingly false statements in numerous emails' that were 'abusive, vulgar, intentionally misleading and damaging'.

The two met in New York City in May of 2009, where Coleman was hosting a workshop at the Jazz Gallery and Grand, who was 17 at the time, was an aspiring saxophonist.

In the letter that Grand sent to Coleman's colleagues, which was submitted as an exhibit in Coleman's complaint, she writes: 'For years, I had heard his records and been intrigued by them. I was very eager to meet him and immediately as I came in the room, I felt a very strong magnetism coming from him.

'He acknowledged me, looked me up and down, and made me feel intrigued, flattered, fascinated, and also afraid.'

Grand writes in the letter that she convinced Coleman to teach her and they later met at his home, adding: 'I also felt this really strong sexual vibe coming from him in the way he looked at me and was confused by it.

'It was strange to feel that coming from somebody his stature, but I brushed it off and just ignored it.

'During the second lesson, [Coleman] told me straight up that he wanted to have sex with me. I was shocked.

'I was sexually active but I didnt even remotely consider the possibility that an older man would tell me something like that. I was really that naive.

'I told him I was scared. I dont remember what else I said, probably some excuse, and ended up leaving.'

Grand admitted in the letter she was 'attracted to him, but not in a physical way. I was looking for a teacher in him and not a lover, and I felt strong attraction to who he was and what he could do. But I was not craving an intimate affair with him.'

After MeToo took off in October of last year, Grand shared several Facebook statuses alluding that she identified with the movement, even posting '#MeToo' (pictured)

According to court documents, Grand posted on October 25, 2017: 'I will say what I want to say when and however I want. And yes, you will be held accountable for your actions, one way or the other, especially after you would send me these threatening texts'

She continues in the letter submitted as an exhibit in Coleman's complaint: 'In the next few weeks he would tell me that he was thinking of me often. That my musical progress mattered to him.

'I was confused, flattered, and maybe slightly manipulative, to be honest. I thought it was amazing that someone of his stature would think of me, and I didnt want his attention to stop.'

The two kept in contact after the initial lesson, but Grand writes in the letter that Coleman 'told me not to contact him [if] I didn't plan on having sex with him.

'He said it was not interesting for him to talk to me if there was going to be no sexual interaction.

'He told me many times that he had made it clear for me to know, from the beginning, that I was only going to be around him/studying with him/playing with him/working with him because he liked me.

'He would tell me that he was interested in me musically but that the real reason I was around was that he was attracted to me.'

The two began a sexual relationship in June of 2011, according to Coleman's court documents, after Grand had turned 18 years old and moved to New York City.

Grand writes in her letter that Coleman had 'convinced' her to become intimate with him, adding: 'I would always end up doing what he wanted after hed pressure me enough, and this way, little by little, I became his sort of little student mistress.

'I fell in love with him, and I felt that I needed him in my life in order to survive, to learn, to thrive, and to become a professional musician.' She likens their relationship to Stockholm Syndrome in the letter, writing that once, back at a hotel after a concert, she refused to have sex with him and 'he told me I was not going to go to sleep without having sex with him.

'So I ended up having to leave his room, at 3am. I spent the night in a station nearby, waiting for a friend to pick me up.

'Then I used another friends credit card to buy myself a flight home the next day.'

Grand writes in the letter that was included in Coleman's suit, that Coleman had 'convinced' her to become intimate with him, adding: 'I would always end up doing what he wanted after hed pressure me enough. I felt that I needed him in my life in order to survive, to learn, to thrive, and to become a professional musician'

The two broke up briefly in September of 2013, and Grand claims in the letter that this is when 'the sexual harassment started', while Coleman claims they had an 'ongoing consensual relationship'.

Grand writes in her letter: 'He would send me work to do and then get angry and tell me not to finish the work, because I wouldnt sleep with him.'

She continues: 'He would call me in the middle of the night and never take no for an answer.

'He would do really nice things for me... and then get really angry when I would refuse to have sex.

'On tour I would have to sleep with him at the end of the day lest him be absolutely angry and sometimes refuse to rehearse the band the next day.

'He would relentlessly ask me to have sex with him and told me that was the reason I was there, even though I had been hired like everyone else.

'I felt I HAD to do this because I was getting to be in the best musical environment I could possibly be in, and I didnt wanna lose that.

'At that point my self-esteem was low; I felt like no matter how hard I worked, my abilities werent good enough for me to be hired or heard independently of my being attractive, and [Coleman] had told me many times that if it wasnt for my looks I would not be there.

'Whenever he offered me more work, he would wait until I actually slept with him to solidify the dates. There was many times where I played into his game. I simply felt that if I lost contact with him, I would lose contact with music, with my purpose in life, and with my work.'

Grand claims in the letter that one night, while sharing a room but separate beds with Coleman, that she awoke and Coleman 'was half-naked, kissing me on the lips.'

She writes: 'I pushed him away. After some protesting on my end he finally left, went back to his bed, and didnt bother me again for the rest of the night.

'The next morning I confronted him about it. I asked him what made him think this was a good idea. He said it wasnt like he had penetrated me or anything, he had only kissed me.'

Grand writes in the letter that she decided to quit working and seeing Coleman at the end of 2016, finally fed up with Coleman's treatment.

She claims she decided to send the letter via email to his colleagues, friends and acquaintances because 'years have passed and I am the one bearing the brunt of the trauma and negative consequences of this, while he enjoys a stable life and career.'

Grand writes that she still feels 'high levels of anxiety and panic attacks' and that her body is in 'constant aches and pains'.

But Coleman insists in court documents that Grand's claims of criminal sexual acts and sexual harassment are false, and gave dates of when Grand allegedly initiated sex, including instances where she encouraged threesomes with Coleman's wife.

Coleman claims that in 2011 Grand told a friend over an electronic chat that she was 'using sexual intimacy to get [Coleman] to give her musical information'.

Coleman is suing on the grounds of defamation and claims damages 'no less than $500,000'

Grand claimed in her letter that Coleman had once looked through her messages.

Coleman also claims that Grand told him in 2012 that she wanted a relationship from the 'beginning' and that she had 'deliberately trapped' Coleman because 'of what she could learn from him and that she could express her ''freakdom''.'

In May of 2017, Grand sent Coleman an email, which was also submitted as an exhibit in Coleman's suit, where she accused him of sexually harassing her for three years, writing: 'I have deep-seated anger towards you.

'To me, you are truly an evil person, who only considers others as instruments towards your own fulfillment. In fact you are sick. You are very sick.

'In case you don't agree with the psychological terms, I can simplify it for you: what you are almost unilaterally considered is what people call a bad person.'

Grand then writes: 'It's only a matter of time until all this comes to the surface. While I am not in a position now to deal with anything publicly, one day I will be.

'I am letting you know now that I don't intend on being quiet; I don't intend on protecting you; I don't intend on preserving anything for you. I am not going to let this go without speaking up on it.'

In August 2017, Grand became a founding member of the We Have a Voice Collective, a group of musicians who seek to speak out and prevent sexism and sexual misconduct in the industry.

Grand told the New York Times in April: 'The idea is to propose solutions, and also open the conversation to go further.

'What were trying to do is change the cultural mind-set so that people know what to do when they suspect or see abuse.'

After MeToo took off in October of last year, Grand shared several Facebook statuses alluding that she identified with the movement, even posting '#MeToo'.

According to court documents, Grand posted on October 25, 2017: 'I will say what I want to say when and however I want.

'And yes, you will be held accountable for your actions, one way or the other, especially after you would send me these threatening texts.'

Grand then emailed the letter she wrote to Coleman's estranged wife, colleagues and friends on November 14, 2017.

Coleman is suing on the grounds of defamation and claims damages 'no less than $500,000.'

LETTER MARIA GRAND SENT TO STEVE COLEMAN'S COLLEAGUES, FRIENDS AND WIFE THAT WAS INCLUDED AS AN EXHIBIT COLEMAN'S SUIT Steve Coleman, 62, is suing Maria Grand, 26, over her claims that he emotionally abused and sexually harassed her. Grand sent a letter to Coleman's colleagues, wife and friends where she details the alleged misconduct and writes how she felt she had been manipulated into sleeping with Coleman in order for him to continue mentoring her. Grand's seven-paged letter where she detailed Coleman's alleged sexual misconduct was included as an exhibit in Coleman's complaint against her. AdvertisementA no-deal Brexit would spell disaster for British manufacturers due to trade tariffs and disruption at the border, carmaker Ford has claimed.

The firms European boss Steven Armstrong said that modern factories rely on tax-free trading and no border checks for their complicated supply chains.

He suggested that anything less than a trade deal with the EU which prevented tariffs and avoided border friction would cause serious problems.

Ford European boss Steven Armstrong said that modern factories rely on tax-free trading and no border checks

Mr Armstrong said if Britain leaves the bloc without a deal it would be pretty disastrous and would force us to think about what our future investment strategy for the UK would be.

Car firms have lobbied to prevent a sharp break with the EU because they rely on so-called just-in-time manufacturing where products arrive at assembly lines exactly when they are needed  meaning no storage is required on site.

The chairman of drugmaker AstraZeneca has frozen UK investment until there are details on the countrys future relationship with the EU.

Leif Johansson said the Anglo-Swedish firm will not put in extra cash without knowing what post-Brexit trade will look like.Petrol and diesel rose by up to 22 paise and up to 34 paise, respectively, on Tuesday. The price of diesel rose for the 11th day in a row on Tuesday, wiping out the entire Rs 2.50 per litre cut in rates announced by the central government on October 4. The petrol prices, too, have gone up by Rs 1.44 since the relief was announced. The government had cut the excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 1.50 per litre and asked public sector oil companies to subsidise the fuel by another Re 1 a litre giving a relief of Rs 2.50 per litre on the two fuels to consumers. In BJP-ruled states, the reduction was higher as they matched the cut with a similar reduction in local sales tax or VAT. But still, the prices are on the rise ever since, with diesel touching a lifetime high of Rs 80.04 in Mumbai.

Delhi: Petrol Rs 82.83 per litre, up 11 paise; diesel Rs 75.69 per litre, up 25 paise

Mumbai: Petrol Rs 88.29 per litre, up 11 paise; diesel Rs 79.35 per litre, up 24 paise

Chennai: Petrol Rs 86.10 per litre, up 11 paise; diesel Rs 80.04 per litre, up 24 paise

Kolkata: Petrol Rs 84.76 per litre, up 22 paise; diesel Rs 77.65 per litre, up 34 paise

Diesel prices have seen the fastest increase in rates -- Rs 2.51 per litre in the last 10 days -- since oil companies implemented daily price revision in mid-June 2017. It now costs Rs 75.69 per litre in Delhi, higher than Rs 75.45 a litre price when the government on October 4 announced the excise duty cut.

Petrol costs Rs 82.72 per litre up from Rs 84 on October 4. While in Delhi diesel rates are at their highest ever, in most other states it is lower than the peak as some state governments had matched the Centre's move to cut excise duty and oil company subsidy by a similar cut in local sales tax or VAT. Diesel in Mumbai costs Rs 79.35 per litre, down from Rs 80.10 on October 4. Petrol too in Mumbai is down from the peak of Rs 91.34 per litre on October 4 to Rs 88.29 per litre on Tuesday.

Crude oil prices also rose on Tuesday on signs that Iranian oil exports this month have fallen from September, ahead of US sanctions against Tehran, reported Reuters. International benchmark Brent crude for December delivery rose 27 cents, or 0.33 percent, to $81.05 per barrel by 0325 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude for November delivery was up 12 cents at $71.90 a barrel.Ecuador has ordered Julian Assange to keep its London embassy's bathroom clean and take good care of his cat or it will be confiscated.

The demands are among a comprehensive list of orders from Ecuadorian officials which was leaked online on Monday.

The document formally orders Assange to steer clear of topics that could harm its diplomatic interests - but reveals that his WiFi has been restored, something which will delight supporters of his website WikiLeaks.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange greets supporters outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London in 2017

Assange's cat wearing a collar and tie looks out of the window of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London

The document also states that Assange must tell officials the serial number and model of all his devices and will have to pay for his own medical evaluations and food.

Embassy staff said he can use no 'communication equipment' except his computer and mobile phone and reserved the right to seize his equipment.

He will only be allowed three visitors at once, the document says, adding that they will have to get written permission from the ambassador at least three days in advance.

Assange's cat can often be seen at the embassy's windows and has its own Twitter account which states it is interested in 'counter-purrveilance'.

The nine-page memo published by Ecuadorean website Codigo Vidrio said Assange is prohibited from 'interfering in the internal affairs of other states' or from activities 'that could prejudice Ecuador's good relations with other states.'

Codigo Vidrio has a track record of publishing inside material from the London embassy, and the restrictions detailed in the memo echo the conditions Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno recently described in an interview.

Assange's lawyers reject the new rules, in place since Saturday, saying they 'violate international agreements' and 'a prison regime is being imposed on him.'

Tension has been long building between Assange and his hosts, particularly after the Australian ex-hacker began cheering on Catalonian secessionists in Spain last year.

In March, Ecuador announced it was restricting Assange's access to the internet.

Assange has been living in the Ecuadorian embassy (pictured) in London since 2012

Assange has been holed up the in Ecuadorian embassy for six years, fearing if he leaves he will be arrested by UK police for breaking bail conditions.

Last month it was reported that in December 2017 Assange was given a diplomatic role as a councillor in Ecuador's embassy to Russia.

Assange was 'given a role at Ecuador embassy in Moscow' In December 2017 Assange was given a diplomatic role as a councillor in Ecuador's embassy to Russia, sources told The Guardian. The move was part of an aborted Russian plan to get him out of the UK. The alleged plot involved smuggling the WikiLeaks founder in a diplomatic vehicle from the Ecuadorian embassy and moving him to another country by boat or plane. The extraction was scheduled for Christmas Eve 2017 and was to be overseen by the head of Ecuador's intelligence agency who arrived in London on 15 December, it was claimed. But the British government refused to give him diplomatic status so the plan was cancelled. Advertisement

The move was part of a Russian plan to get him out of the UK - but the British government refused to give him diplomatic status and the plot was aborted, reported The Guardian.

In March Assange fuelled suspicious that he was in league with the Russians by tweeting that he doubted the Novichok assassination attempts in Salisbury were carried out by Russia.

In response, the centrist Ecuadorian President, Lenin Moreno, cut off his access to the internet.

Moreno on Wednesday said that he was negotiating with Britain to find a way for Assange to leave the embassy without being arrested.

Assange initially went into the Ecuadorian embassy in 2012 to avoid being extradited to Sweden on sex assault allegations.

The charges have been dropped but Assange fears he will be arrested by UK police for breaking bail conditions by entering the embassy in the first place.

He fears he could then be extradited to the US, where high-level officials have spoken about prosecuting him for stealing classified information.

Moreno said his country will work for Assange's safety and the preservation of his human rights as it seeks a way for him to leave the embassy.Australian petrol prices have hit a four-year high as demand outweighs supply - and motorists should get used to it because it's only going to get worse.

Unleaded petrol has reached its highest price in almost four years, with the average cost set to increase by about 14c a litre to $1.60 on Tuesday.

CommSec Chief Economist Craig James told Sunrise's David Koch on Tuesday people better get used to the 'red hot' price hikes because they're likely to stay.

Australian petrol prices have hit a four-year high as demand outweighs supply - and motorists should get used to it because it's only going to get worse

'If you look at the wholesale price it's basically $1.47 at the moment, so on top of that you've got to add the retail margin, so you're getting up to $1.57-$1.60,' Mr James said.

In terms of the lowest price someone can expect to pay at the bowser, the financial expert said it could be as low as $1.50 a litre, but could be as high as $1.70.

Mr James said there are a number of political reasons why people can expect to see higher than normal prices at the bowser.

Fresh tensions between the US and Saudi Arabia regarding the missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi is one explanation for the price hike, Mr James said.

Mr Khashoggi, who was the former editor-in-chief of Al-Arab News Channel, disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Turkey nearly two weeks ago.

'We've also got concerns about sanctions between the United States and Iran that will come into play... so there's limited amounts of supply out there,' Mr James said.

Unleaded petrol has reached its highest price in almost four years, with the average cost set to increase by about 14c a litre to $1.60 on Tuesday

A report by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission revealed a weak Australian dollar was also contributing to the price hike, news.com.au reported.

'As a result, some prices are higher, unfortunately, so we're paying the price at the petrol bowser.'

According to Petrol Spy, the current highest price of Unleaded 91 in Sydney is about $1.71.90 at Kensington while the lowest price is $1.41.5 at Sydenham.

The current average price of Unleaded 91 is $169.90, which is a whopping hike of almost 14c per litre since July 21.A 17-year-old from South Carolina has been accused of accidentally shooting dead a retired Marine after the teen fired a gun at a road sign and hit the victim with a bullet outside his home.

Police in Greenwood County say Eason Reid Gravley turned himself in Saturday following the October 10 incident in which officers responded to a report about man with a single gunshot wound to his chest.

The victim was identified as 48-year-old Joe Darius Black.

Gravley, for an unknown reason, fired a shot at a road sign, but the bullet 'passed through or by' the sign and hit Black, who was on his front porch at the time, police said.

Police in Greenwood County say Eason Reid Gravley (left) turned himself in Saturday following the October 10 incident in which officers responded to a report about man with a single gunshot wound to his chest. The victim was identified as 48-year-old Joe Darius Black (right)

The victim later died in the hospital from a single gunshot wound to the chest.

The teen has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and possession of a handgun as a result.

He was jailed but since released on $25,000 bond.

The judge in the case placed Gravley on curfew and also ordered the removal of all firearms from his residence.

Police say the late Black is a retired veteran with the US Marine Corps.Father-of-four Daniel Frederick, 34, (above) was set upon by a group of youths who stabbed him just yards from his front door

Five teenagers who ambushed and stabbed an utterly defenceless young father to death just weeks before his fourth child was born were jailed for a total of 64 years.

Daniel Frederick, 34, was attacked by the gang in Stoke Newington, north London as he was walking home shortly before 6pm on January 8.

The killers overwhelmed Mr Frederick with punches and kicks before knifing him seven times outside Burns House in Shakespeare Walk.

One of the teenagers had set out to violate someone after hearing that his friend had been beaten up in prison, and targeted Mr Frederick - who the judge said was an entirely innocent man who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The father-of-four had been on his way back from a hospital appointment with his partner who was seven-and-a-half months pregnant and was waiting to meet his best friend.

His partner gave birth to his fourth child weeks after Daniels murder.

Mr Frederick was rushed to hospital but died at 11.47pm that night after suffering seven stab wounds to his back, thigh and buttocks.

The fatal wound was delivered to the left side of his back, which passed between his ribs and pierced his lung, the Old Bailey heard.

Kacper Karasinski, 19, (right) of Hackney, was convicted of the murder of a man who was stabbed to death as he returned home from a hospital appointment with his pregnant partner. Yigiter Gok, 18, (left) of Stoke Newington, was found guilty of manslaughter

Daniels black puffer jacket was left full of holes with the stuffing coming out after the onslaught.

A 16-year-old boy admitted murder before Kacper Karasinski, 19, and another youth, aged 17, were unanimously convicted following trial last month.

The 16-year-old had been convicted of carrying knives three times in the run-up to the murder while the latter had been to a youth offending appointment hours before the attack and had recently been convicted for carrying a horrifyingly large blade.

Judge Philip Katz QC jailed each of them for life and ordered the 16-year-old serve a minimum term of 10 years.

Karasinski must serve at least 20 years while the 17-year-old will serve a minimum of 17 years for the very public and truly shocking murder.

Yigiter Gok, who turned 18 during the trial, and another 17-year-old were cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for nine and eight years respectively.

The former friends had turned on each other during the trial, claiming someone else was responsible for inflicting the fatal wounds.

In a moving victim impact statement, Daniels sister, Louise Samuel, outlined the grief and trauma their parents have suffered since Daniels life was cut short.

It breaks my heart every time I think of his last teardrops because his expression told me he was not ready for death yet, but he had no choice but to leave, she said.

Daily my heart skips a beat thinking about the different knives that were violently thrust into my brothers back and I imagine him falling to the ground, alone, feeling helpless.

She added: There has to be justice; people cannot walk the streets and take an innocent soul for no reason and get away with it.'

Witnesses saw the 'sinister and intimidating' teenagers wielding knives as they walked towards Mr Frederick wearing hoodies and masks (seen in CCTV)

Jailing the killers today, Judge Katz said: Louise Samuel put it more eloquent than I could; her brother Daniel Frederick was not ready for death.

He was a 34-year-old father with three young children when he was murdered.

On the day of his murder he had been at the hospital with his loving partner who was pregnant with his fourth child.

In the early evening of 8 January 2018, Daniel was waiting to meet his oldest and closest friend when he was suddenly surrounded by a group of youths and immediately stabbed to death.

This entirely unprovoked attack took place outside Burns House, a block of flats on the Shakespeare Estate in Stoke Newington.

His was a very public and truly shocking death.

The attack was so violent that he suffered seven stab wounds to his back, buttock and thighs. The wounds varied in depth, direction and orientation.

The attack was so quick that there were no defensive injuries. Indeed, Daniel Frederick was utterly defenceless.

Mr Frederick's former partner Keisha Rodney, with whom he has a one-year-old son, had appeared on ITV's The Voice just days after he died.

Ms Rodney, 34, impressed the judges as part of girl group Loaded Sista, having been chosen as part of will.i.am's team.

Keisha Rodney, (left) the former partner of Daniel Frederick, and Salli Flaherty (right) perform as girl group Loaded Sista on ITV's The Voice

Ms Samuel described in her statement how Daniel never got to meet his last child, a little boy who was born after Daniel was killed.

He was at the hospital with his partner on the day he was killed, Ms Samuel continued.

He was going about his everyday business, looking forward to another child.

He was a brilliant father.'

Karasinski, of Hackney, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 20 years.

The 17-year-old, from Ilford, east London, and the 16-year-old, from Stoke Newington, were detained indefinitely and ordered to serve minimum terms of 17 and 10 years respectively.

Gok, of Stoke Newington, north London, was jailed for nine years and the other 17-year-old, also from Stoke Newington, was detained for eight years.

Detective Inspector Paul Considine, of Scotland Yard, said: 'This was a ruthless, violent and unprovoked attack in which Daniel stood no chance. He was completely taken by surprise by his attackers who cowardly stabbed him in the back giving him no opportunity to defend himself.

'All five defendants disguised and armed themselves and willingly carried out a brutal attack on Daniel knowing it was likely there would only be one outcome, the infliction of very serious injuries or death.'The Toronto Police Service is on the hunt for a man who stripped off naked to swim with sharks at the aquarium after he had earlier assaulted a gentleman who ended up in hospital.

According to law enforcement the male approached the open shark tank and removed all of his clothing on Friday night around 10.30pm.

He then proceeded to jump into the water and spent several minutes swimming and diving and families watched on at Ripley's Aquarium of Canada.

Toronto Police Service is on the hunt for a 35-40-year-old man who stripped off naked to swim and dive with sharks for several minutes at the Ripley's Aquarium of Canada Friday at 10.30pm

Video footage captured by an onlooker on their mobile phone shows the nude male paddling around where the docile tiger sand sharks live.

Audio reveals he was met with cheers (and some squealing from uncomfortable youngsters) as he moved around without clothing and at one point dived in backwards when he was met by security.

When the tattooed man finally did leave the tank, he seemed calm as he spoke to staff guarding the area and they too seemed unruffled but it counted against them.

Thought to be 5'10' and 220 lbs, he was wearing a dark hoodie, dark jeans, a green T-shirt, and gray-and-white shoes

The goatee-bearded fellow managed to escape law enforcement as he waited to be questioned.

According to The Star, he walked right out of the venue with his girlfriend but thankfully he was wearing a dark hoodie, dark jeans, a green T-shirt, and gray-and-white shoes according to cops.

Believed to be 35-40 years old, 5'10' and 220 lbs, the man who sported low shaved hair on his head has caused trouble earlier in the evening.

While no sharks or humans were harmed on this occasion, the suspect had seriously hurt a male at Medieval Times at around 8.30pm before fleeing.

The 34-year-old victim ended up being hospitalized and now the troublemaker is wanted in a Mischief Interfere with Property investigation.

'Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is cooperating with authorities and is willing to press all appropriate charges once the individual has been apprehended,' an aquarium spokesperson wrote in a statement.

'We believe the same person is responsible for both incidents,' Toronto police Constable Allyson Douglas-Cook said. 'We are investigating it as such.'

Tiger sand sharks tend to be docile creatures and none were hurt during the incident

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is 'cooperating with authorities and is willing to press all appropriate charges' according to a statement

The suspect had seriously hurt a male at Medieval Times at around 8.30pm before fleeing

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at 222tips.com or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).A schoolgirl had to have her wedding finger amputated after small bump turned out to be aggressive cancer.

Tilly Gorce, now 22, from Western Australia discovered the rare epithelioid sarcoma just in time and was able to get treatment before it was too late.

She was still at school when she first spotted a growing lump on her left ring finger in 2013.

Tilly Gorce (pictured) was diagnosed with a rare epithelioid sarcoma, in 2014, and was forced to get her left ring finger amputated

She knew something wasn't right but kept putting off going to the doctors until the following year.

Ms Gorce 'freaked out' when a biopsy revealed that she had an aggressive form of cancer.

She was told that amputating the finger was the only option.

'I had my doubts but I didn't actually think it could be possible that it was cancer,' the university science student told news.com.au.

'I didn't know where to go from there but during that consultation when my surgeon told me amputation was the only option I was completely shocked.

New research from CanTeen Australia has been released in the Medical Journal of Australia today highlighting rare and low survival cancers in young people.

Now 22 and studying at uni, Tilly Gorce (pictured) first noticed a growing lump in her finger while she was still at school in 2013

CanTeen Youth Cancer Services and Clinical Trials Manager Dr Adam Walczak said a national strategy to address these rare cancers is 'urgently needed'.

'Despite recent treatment advances, survival gains have been smaller for adolescents and young adults than other age groups, in part, due to adolescents and young adults being disproportionately diagnosed with rare cancers, which tend to have poorer prognoses,' Dr Walczak and his colleagues wrote.

'Diagnostic and treatment advances have reduced common cancer mortality rates, but rare cancer treatments have not similarly advanced and can be prohibitively expensive and less accessible.'

Young cancer survivor Tilly Gorce (pictured) is now a CanTeen WA leadership member

The report called for the public profile of rare cancers to be raised and voiced support for a change in Australia's complex clinical trials system.

Ms Gorce paid tribute to the great support she's received from CanTeen WA, where she's now a leadership member.

She hopes one day to get a prosthetic finger.

'I just had this idea in my head I didn't want to walk around without having a finger. That's still a mission of mine,' she told news.com.au.Hostile foreign governments launch up to ten cyber attacks on Britain a week, making it inevitable that one will cause a national emergency, a report warns.

A so-called Category 1 strike could lead to deaths or sustained disruption of essential services and economic stability.

Hackers directed or sponsored by foreign states pose the biggest threat, the report by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warns.

Hackers directed or sponsored by foreign states pose the biggest threat, report reveals

Since it was set up in 2016, the NCSC, which is part of the GCHQ intelligence agency, has dealt with 1,167 attacks  including 557 in the past 12 months.

Its boss, Ciaran Martin, said: The majority of these incidents were, we believe, perpetrated from within nation states in some way hostile to the UK.

They were undertaken by groups of computer hackers directed, sponsored or tolerated by governments of those countries. These groups constitute the most acute and direct cyber threat to national security.

I remain in little doubt we will be tested to the full by a major incident in the years ahead.

Hackers directed or sponsored by foreign states pose the biggest threat, the report by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warns

Although there have been several very significant incidents, Mr Martin said the UK has so far avoided a Category 1 attack.

But he added: Even if this continues, we must be alert to the constant threat from countries who will attack critically important national networks to steal information for strategic or commercial reasons, and give themselves a starting point  pre-positioning  for a significant attack in the future.

The warning comes less than a fortnight after Britain and other countries accused Russia of being behind a campaign of cyber attacks.

Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington said: The threat from criminals, hacktivists and nation states continues to increase.A U.S. judge on Monday dismissed adult film actress Stormy Danielss defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump and ordered her to pay his attorneys fees, saying a tweet the president had written referring to her was protected by free-speech laws.

U.S. District Judge S. James Otero issued the order Monday in Los Angeles.

Daniels alleges she had an affair with Trump in 2006 and sued him in April.

The lawsuit came after Trump tweeted about a composite sketch of a man Daniels says threatened her in 2011 to keep quiet about an alleged affair.

He called it a 'total con job.'

Trump and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, returned to the White House on Monday after a trip to the Southeast U.S., where they surveyed the damage left by Hurricane Michael.

In dismissing the suit, the judge said Trump's tweet was a 'hyperbolic statement' against a political adversary.

A federal judge has dismissed porn actress Stormy Daniels' defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump. Daniels is seen above in Berlin on Thursday

Daniels alleges she had an affair with President Trump (seen above at the White House with First Lady Melania Trump on Monday) in 2006 and sued him in April

Daniels, who has also sued over a $130,000 hush money agreement over the alleged encounter, sued over the tweet, claiming it made her appear to be a liar.

Attorneys for Trump have sought to dismiss both lawsuits.

'The Court agrees with Mr. Trumps argument because the tweet in question constitutes "rhetorical hyperbole" normally associated with politics and public discourse in the United States,' Otero wrote.

The lawsuit came after Trump tweeted about a composite sketch of a man Daniels says threatened her in 2011 to keep quiet about an alleged affair

'The Court agrees with Trumps argument because the tweet in question constitutes "rhetorical hyperbole" normally associated with politics and public discourse in the United States,' the judge wrote

'The First Amendment protects this type of rhetorical statement.'

Otero presides over both lawsuits.

Trump's lawyer, Charles Harder, said it was a 'total victory' for the president.

He said the amount of the award for Trumps attorneys fees would be determined later.

Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, vowed to appeal and said he's confident the ruling will be reversed.

Daniels' lawsuit over a hush-money deal is pending.

In April, Daniels appeared on ABC's The View and unveiled the sketch of a man who she says accosted her in a Las Vegas parking lot in 2011.

Daniels, who has also sued over a $130,000 hush money agreement over the alleged encounter, sued over the tweet, claiming it made her appear to be a liar

Daniels said the man approached her as she was getting her infant daughter out of the car to attend a mommy-and-me exercise class.

'I noticed him because he was sort of well-dressed and nothing about him alarmed me,' she said in her first live television interview after the hush money payment given to Daniels by President Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen was unveiled.

'I really thought he was somebody's husband not wanting to be in whatever his wife was doing.'

When she noticed his reflection in her car's window she expected him to ask for directions.

Instead the man threatened the adult film actress and her daughter, telling her to 'forget about this story, leave Mr. Trump alone.'

Upon unveiling the sketch, Stormy's lawyer, Avenatti, said they would pay a $100,000 reward for the identity of the man, and asked for tips to be sent to IDTheThug@gmail.com.

In April, Daniels appeared on ABC's The View and unveiled the sketch of a man who she says accosted her in a Las Vegas parking lot in 2011

Daniels said the man approached her as she was getting her infant daughter out of the car to attend a mommy-and-me exercise class

'We want to get to the bottom of who this is, and we think we know who this is, but we want to confirm it,' Avenatti told The View's audience.

Avenatti divulged more details about the mystery man during a Tuesday afternoon appearance with CNN's Jake Tapper.

The lawyer explained that Daniels had looked at photos of a number of individuals 'we believe indirectly' worked for Trump and Cohen, Avenatti said.

'She has reviewed, Jake, a number of photographs over the last few weeks, couple weeks, actually and we've narrowed it down,' the lawyer said.

He didn't mention whether the drawing was made before or after Daniels saw the photos.

Tapper asked why Avenatti and Daniels wanted the public's help if they already narrowed it down.

'What we're hoping for is someone saw something or heard something. Ideally one of these individuals would have bragged about it to a member of the public,' Avenatti said.

Daniels told 60 Minutes that she did not report the encounter to police at the time because she was scared.

She also pointed out that if she had gone to the police a public record would have been produced and she likely would have had to explain that she had a previous alleged sexual encounter with Trump, which is why the threat took place.A man who punched a 90-year-old great-grandmother as she withdrew her pension from an ATM has blamed 'evil spirits' for his violent rampage.

Troy Andrew Sargent, 36, struck the elderly woman in the face as she withdrew money from the Commonwealth Bank machine at a retail park in Perth.

The nonagenarian, called Carmen, required five stitches after being knocked to the ground.

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A man who punched a 90-year-old great-grandmother (pictured) in the face at an ATM before breaking a nurse's nose at a nearby hospital has blamed 'evil spirits' for his rampage

Perth man Troy Andrew Sargent, 36, said he had no intention of hurting the 90-year-old and was trying to fight off the 'spirits'.

Sargent was arrested the next day and then taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital, where he also punched a male nurse in the face - breaking his nose.

The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to charges for both incidents at Fremantle Magistrates' Court, on Monday.

But he said he had no intention of hurting the 90-year-old and was trying to fight off the 'spirits'.

Speaking to Channel 7 after the hearing, Sargent said he was 'unwell' at the time but was 'sorry for what happened'.

In the same suburb where the first attack happened, two men wearing balaclavas broke into a pub on September 1.

Police said they threatened a staff member with a knife before making off with cash.

The nonagenarian, called Carmen, (pictured left with her granddaughter) required five stitches after being knocked to the ground, in KardinyaVictorian Police have released photos of two men wanted for questioning over separate sexual assaults on Melbourne buses.

The first assault involved a 17-year-old girl who had placed her bag on the seat next to her on a bus from Hallam to nearby Narre Warren in Melbourne's southeast at 1.50pm on September 17.

A man in his 30s of Middle Eastern appearance - unknown to the girl - moved the bag and placed it on her lap before sexually assaulting her, making inappropriate conversation, and exiting the bus at a shopping centre on Overland Drive.

He was wearing a black suit jacket, sunglasses, had a receding hairline, and spoke with a heavy accent.

The man accused of assaulting a 17-year-old girl on a Melbourne bus on September 17

The man accused of assaulting a 48-year-old woman on a Melbourne bus on October 5

In the second assault, a 48-year-old woman boarded a bus on Patterson Street in Moonee Ponds in northwest Melbourne at 2.30pm on October 5.

The woman was sitting on the bus when a man randomly approached her and sexually assaulted her. When the woman tried to move away from the man, he followed her to the front of the bus.

She disembarked at the intersection of Sydney Road and Brunswick Road but the man continued to follow and harass her until she was able to get help from a passer-by and the man fled on foot north along Sydney Road.

The man is believed to be aged in his 40s with an olive complexion, short dark hair and a scar on his left cheek. He was wearing a white shirt and blue jeans and spoke with an accent.

Detectives released CCTV of both men in the hopes someone will recognise the offenders.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.After a series of delays in disbursing the salaries of its employees, Jet Airways has now said its flight attendants can avail 'leave without pay' for as many as 50 days. The airline has called it an "employee-friendly" step but analysts say it indicates deeper troubles in the beleaguered Jet Airways. The company started the voluntary 'leave without pay' scheme for the cabin crew of the Boeing 737 planes in June. But now the so-called "employee-friendly initiative" has been extended to the crew members of the two other wide-body planes -- Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s, a Business Standard report said.

"This particular time the window for this category leaves taken is up to 50 days. The objective of the initiative is to achieve a better equilibrium between work/life balance and operational commitments," the newspaper quoted Jet Airways as saying. This first-come-first-serve voluntary scheme is applicable for the crew members based in Delhi and Mumbai only. Those who seek to avail the option will need to apply between November 1 and December 20. The airline has said that in-flight supervisors are not eligible to avail this facility.

The cabin crew members form a significant chunk of employees working in the airline industry. In Jet Airways alone, there are over 4,000 cabin crews, much above its requirement. They get paid anywhere between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1,20,000, including various components and allowances. Many crew members need to be kept on standby, for which they are paid allowance, transport, etc, and that's where Jet Airways plans to save by allowing them to take leave without any salary.

The Naresh Goyal-controlled carrier had a gross debt of Rs 8,620 crore as on June this year and net losses of Rs 724.94 crore in 2017/18. The airline has a negative net worth of over Rs 7,000 crore. The airline has been reportedly defaulting on employees' salaries for some time - making partial payments in some cases or not paying at all. If it continues to face the cash crunch, the airline could go the Mallya-led Kingfisher Airlines way, say experts.

It recently sought more time to pay the salaries of its employees for September. Though no confirmed deadline has been given, the airline assured its employees that it is "committed" towards finding a solution. The airline paid the balance amount (50 per cent) of the salaries for August to its pilots, engineers and senior management last week only.

Edited by Manoj SharmaPrime Minister Scott Morrison has slammed Coalition MPs for backing One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's Senate motion declaring 'it's okay to be white'.

The Queensland senator's motion condemning anti-white racism and attacks on Western civilisation was narrowly defeated on Monday night, 31 votes to 28, as Coalition senators, including several cabinet ministers, backed it.

They included Kenyan-born MP Lucy Gichuhi along with Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion, Communications Minister Mitch Fifield, Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie and moderate Trade Minister Simon Birmingham.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured with Defence Minister Marise Payne) has slammed government MPs for backing Pauline Hanson's Senate motion declaring 'it's okay to be white'

Pauline Hanson's (pictured) motion condemning anti-white racism was narrowly defeated on Monday night, 31 votes to 28 as Coalition senators backed it

Mr Morrison was disappointed senators from this own side had backed a motion that borrowed a meme used by alt-right and nationalist groups in the U.S. and Europe and said it was 'regrettable'.

'I'm sure all Australians stand against racism in whatever form it takes,' he told reporters on Tuesday morning.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, who is also the government leader in the Senate was apologetic.

'I take responsibility for that error and I'm sorry that that happened,' he said,

'It was indeed regrettable. As I indicated when this motion first came up, we made a very clear decision to oppose that motion.'

He said oversights meant that Senator Hanson's motion was not recognised as the one that the Coalition had already decided to oppose.

Later, he said the motion should be put forward again so the Coalition could vote against it as they had originally intended in September, when Senator Hanson put it on the Senate notice paper.

In August, Senator Cormann backed conservative Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton's in his leadership challenge to former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and ultimately failed contest with Mr Morrison.

The One Nation leader declared 'anti-white' racism was on the rise, unsuccessfully moving a motion in federal parliament saying 'it's OK to be white'

Attorney-General Christian Porter released a statement on Tuesday also taking responsibility.

'An early email advising an approach on the motion went out from my office on this matter without my knowledge,' he said.

'This one was not escalated to me because it was interpreted in my office as a motion opposing racism.

'The associations of the language were not picked up. Had it been raised directly with me those issues would have been identified.'

Senator Hanson flagged her intention to introduce the motion in September, two months after Canadian right-wing figure Lauren Southern toured Australia and wore shirts with the slogan, 'It's okay to be white.'

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann (pictured), who is also the government leader in the Senate was apologetic

Former Labor leader Mark Latham savaged the government for backing down on its earlier support for the motion

Speaking to her motion on Monday night, the One Nation leader said anyone who watched the news or social media could see increased attacks on western civilisation and the prevalence of anti-white racism.

'It is indeed OK to be white. Such a simple sentence should go without saying but I suspect many members in this place would struggle to say it,' Senator Hanson told parliament.

'People have a right to be proud of their cultural background whether they are black, white or brindle.'

Former Labor leader Mark Latham savaged Mr Morrison and the Liberal Party for publicly repudiating senators who supported the motion.

'It's official: Liberal Party has lost its marbles and would now vote against a motion condemning racism on white people and attacks on Western civilisation,' he tweeted.

Crossbench senator Derryn Hinch (pictured) savaged Senator Hanson, saying she was locked in a race to the bottom of the sewer with Katter's Australian Party member Fraser Anning

Greens leader Richard Di Natale (pictured) also had a crack at former One Nation senator Anning and Senator Hanson, saying the slogan has a long history in the white supremacist movement

Crossbench senator Derryn Hinch savaged Senator Hanson, saying she was locked in a race to the bottom of the sewer with Katter's Australian Party MP Fraser Anning, who in August delivered a maiden speech calling for a 'final solution' to Muslim immigration.

'It could have been written on a piece of toilet paper,' Senator Hinch said of the motion.

'This sort of racism is not only wrong, it could be dangerous.'

Greens leader Richard Di Natale also had a crack at Senator Hanson.

'The reality is this ''it's OK to be white'' slogan has got a long history in the white supremacist movement where both these clowns get most of their material from,' he said.Jacob Walter Anderson, a former fraternity president at Baylor University who was indicted on four counts of sexual assault in 2016, pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of unlawful restraint on Monday in Waco, Texas, as part of a plea deal to avoid jail time and registering as a sex offender

A former fraternity president at Baylor University who was indicted on four counts of sexual assault in 2016 has reached a plea deal to avoid jail time and registering as a sex offender.

Jacob Walter Anderson's pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of unlawful restraint on Monday in Waco.

Under the prosecutors' deal the ex-Phi Delta Theta president would be sentenced to three years of deferred adjudication probation, meaning the charge would be dropped if he satisfies his probation terms. He also would pay a $400 fine and seek counseling.

A lawyer for the female Baylor student who accused Anderson of raping her during a party called it a 'sweetheart deal' and urged state District Judge Ralph Strother to reject it.

'I don't get it. I just don't get,' attorney Vic Feazell told CBS. 'It sends a really bad message at this time to women who are thinking about reporting sexual abuse from the past.'

'He's a good looking young man, he's from a very wealthy Dallas family, he's from a fraternity. So what? That doesn't give him a free pass.'

Strother has ordered a pre-sentence investigation and will make a final determination on the sentence in about six weeks. If the judge rejects the deal, the case could go to trial.

A former female Baylor student accused Anderson, now 24, of sexually assaulting her outside a Phi Delta Theta fraternity party on February 20, 2015. He is pictured left and center right

Video courtesy of FOX 44

According to court records, Anderson's accuser said she was at the Phi Delta Theta party on February 20, 2015, in South Waco when someone handed her some punch and told her to drink it.

She said she soon became disoriented and that Anderson took her outside to a secluded area so she could get some air, at which point he sexually assaulted her, according to police reports.

The woman lost consciousness and woke up alone in the same area, lying face down in her own vomit, reports indicate.

A friend later took her to the hospital for a sexual assault examination.

Anderson was expelled from Baylor following the private Christian university's investigation.

The now-24-year-old reached a plea deal with prosecutors in late August, according to court records, but the terms of that deal were not made public until Monday.

District Attorney Abel Reyna defended the deal in a statement to local station KWTX.

'The McLennan County District Attorney's office is known throughout the state for our aggressive prosecution of sexual assault cases, to say otherwise is simply absurd,' he said.

'Let us remind everyone that our oath is to seek justice. In pursuit of that ideal, we must evaluate each case alone on its own merit.

'This office stands by the plea offered and believes we have achieved the best result possible with the evidence at hand.'

Reyna also said that authorities were unable to corroborate early claims that the woman was drugged.Advertisement

There is a massive security presence at the Sydney Opera House as huge crowds gather to catch a glimpse of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Snipers have been positioned on top of the landmark's famous sails, scuba divers are searching through the waters of the harbour and heavily armed cops have swarmed Circular Quay.

Crowds were lined along a fence placed outside the building on Tuesday morning to greet the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they began their first Australian tour as a couple.

There is a heavy police presence surrounding the Sydney Opera House, with snipers positioned on the landmark's famous sails, ahead of the visit of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Water police patrol Sydney Harbour ahead of the Duke and Duchess travelling by boat from Taronga Zoo to the Sydney Opera House

Scuba divers search through the waters of Sydney Harbour nearby the Sydney Opera House on the first official day of the Royal couple's Australian tour

Police scoured the area on Tuesday morning as part of a massive security operation for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's visit to the Sydney Opera House

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at the Sydney Opera House after travelling by boat from Taronga Zoo

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pictured boarding a boat from Taronga Zoo to make their way to the Sydney Opera House

The Royal couple had been at the zoo to officially open the new Taronga Institute of Science and Learning and meet the local wildlife

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were all smiles as they greeted crowds at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday

The Royal couple arrived at the Opera House to meet with wellwishers just before midday after travelling by boat from Taronga Zoo.

The Duke and Duchess had spent most of the morning at the zoo, where they officially opened the new Taronga Institute of Science and Learning and meet the local wildlife, including a koala.

Prince Harry and Meghan were earlier officially welcomed to Australia by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife at Admiralty House.

The Royals were each presented with Akubra hats and they were also given a pair of baby ugg boots and a plush kangaroo and baby joey.

Kensington Palace had announced on Monday afternoon Prince Harry and Meghan were expected their first child in the 2019 northern hemisphere Spring.

'Our first baby gift,' a beaming Meghan said when receiving the soft kangaroo and baby joey.

At the Opera House, thousands of well wishers from around the world began lining the landmark's forecourt from when the gates were opened at 8am.

Royal fans of all ages were four and five deep behind the barricades, many of them waving miniature Australian flags.

Hundreds of people have lined up outside the Sydney Opera House to catch a glimpse of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who will be visiting the landmark on Tuesday

Twin sisters Willow and Grace (pictured), both six, say they are very excited to meet the Royal couple

Linda (at right), her twin daughters Willow and Grace (centre) and her mother Pauline (at left) have been waiting at the Sydney Opera House since 6am

Tiffany Bell, her younger sister Mahalia and mother Charmaine (pictured), have travelled from Western Australia so Tiffany can meet her idol, the Duchess of Sussex

Tiffany Bell (pictured with younger sister Mahalia) is an aspiring actress and model and says she sees the Duchess of Sussex as a role model

Royal fans of all ages were four and five deep behind the barricades, many of them waving miniature Australian flags

Children perched on their parents' shoulders on a sunny, blustery morning.

International and local news crews vied for the best positions to capture the arrival of the couple.

Among the crowd which has gathered to see the Royal couple were three generations of the Dunsire family, who drove from the New South Wales Southern Highlands for the occasion.

Mother Linda says she remembers meeting Princess Diana 30 years ago with her mother Pauline.

'We got the photos and I met her, and when she moved on I was crying because I was so happy,' she said.

'There were so many people, it's great this time because we've got in on the fence line.'

Linda has been sitting with her six-year-old twin daughters and her mother since 6am, packed with snacks, and letters and flowers for the Royals.

'I gave a letter to Princess Diana, and I got a response from a lady-in-waiting,' Linda said.

Wellwishers carried signs to congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after it was announced on Monday the couple were expecting their first child

Fans of the Royal couple held up Australian flags and carried plush toys of Australian wildlife for the Sydney Opera House visit

Evie and Dempsey, six and seven, were up until 1am on Tuesday making signs for their favourite royals

Barbara Murphy (right) and her cousin Patty (left) were among the thousands of people who gathered to see the Royal couple

Friends Mary 'Queenie' Brigden and Marilyn Morgan went to extreme lengths to capture the attention of the royal couple

Crowds gathered outside the Sydney Opera House on the first official day of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's tour of Australia

Fans of the Royal Couple carried Australian flags to help welcome the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to the country

The Royal couple will walk along the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday, giving fans a chance to see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Fans of the Royal couple took a selfie while they waited for the pair to arrive at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday

Many in the crowd held up Australian flags to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to the country for their first major overseas trip as a married couple

'I don't know if they still have them but I guess we'll find out.'

Willow and Grace, both six, say they are very excited to meet the Royal couple.

The pair predict the newest royal will be a boy and Grace says her favourite part about Harry is 'his orange beard'.

Nearby, another family were gathering along the fence.

Tiffany Bell, 12, is an aspiring actress and model and says she sees the Duchess of Sussex as a role model.

She, her younger sister Mahalia and mother Charmaine, have travelled from Western Australia so Tiffany can meet her idol.

The family are indigenous, and Charmaine says she's happy to hear there will be a welcome to country put on for the couple.

'I'm glad they'll get to see the best of Australian culture, I hope they enjoy it,' she said.

Evie and Dempsey, six and seven, were up until 1am on Tuesday making signs for their favourite royals.

Evie told Daily Mail Australia she loves harry because he is 'brave and kind... and tall', while Dempsey says she is excited to meet Meghan.

'I'm going to say congratulations and tell her we have the same birthday,' she said.

The girls, who came in from Camden, were treated to a stay in the Intercontinental hotel last night by Mum Courtney, who thinks they'll all be having an afternoon nap after such a big morning.

Friends Mary 'Queenie' Brigden and Marilyn Morgan went to extreme lengths to capture the attention of the royal couple.

Harry and Meghan's whirlwind tour Tuesday, October 16: Sydney, Australia - The first day of the tour started at Admiralty House, where Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove welcomed the couple alongside representatives from each of the 18 countries participating in the Invictus Games. The Duke and Duchess then travelled to Taronga Zoo to officially open the new Taronga Institute of Science and Learning. They later visited the Sydney Opera House, where they had an opportunity to meet members of the public as they walked along the forecourt. The day concludes with a reception at Admiralty House Wednesday, October 17: Dubbo, Australia - The couple will fly to Dubbo, in the New South Wales central west. On arrival, the Duke and Duchess will visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service. They will also will see first-hand the hardships local drought affected farmers are facing by visiting a local property. The Duke and Duchess will then travel to Victoria Park to join people from Dubbo and surrounding areas at a picnic, followed by a visit to a local school Thursday, October 18: Melbourne, Australia - Harry and Meghan will fly to Melbourne where the day will begin with a short walk to Government House, meeting members of the public along the way, before attending an official reception. The royal couple will later visit a social enterprise cafe. In the afternoon, the Duke and Duchess will visit a primary school to meet students who are involved in sustainability programmes. Upon departure from the school, The Duke and Duchess will travel on an iconic Melbourne tram to South Melbourne beach Friday, October 19: Sydney, Australia - In the morning, Harry and Meghan will visit Bondi Beach. Before departing, the Duke and Duchess will have an opportunity to meet members of the public. Later that morning, the couple will take part in a youth advocate programme. Following this event, the Duke will climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge to officially raise the Invictus Flag, marking the arrival of the Invictus Games to Sydney. Their Royal Highnesses will conclude the day with calls on the Leader of the Opposition at Admiralty House, and the Prime Minister at Kirribilli House Saturday, October 20: Sydney, Australia - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will travel by boat to attend the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge on Cockatoo Island. In the evening, Harry and Meghan will attend a reception at the Opera House, prior to attending the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Opening Ceremony. Prince Harry will give a speech at this event Sunday, October 21: Sydney, Australia - Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex will watch some Invictus Games events, including cycling and sailing. They will attend a lunchtime reception hosted by the Prime Minister with Invictus Games competitors Monday October 22: Fraser Island, Australia - Their Royal Highnesses will travel to Queensland's Fraser Island or K'gari as it is known by the Traditional Owners the Butchulla people, as part of the dedication of the site to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy (QCC). The couple will then meet with local elders and national park rangers to learn about the Island. From here, Their Royal Highnesses will travel to the beach to learn about the history in the Island's logging trade, as well as its use as a training base for the Australian Z Special Unit during the Second World War. Their Royal Highnesses will then travel to Kingfisher Bay by boat Tuesday, October 23: Suva, Fiji - Their Royal Highnesses will be greeted by a Guard of Honour at Suva airport, before calling on His Excellency The President of Fiji at Borron House. The Duke and Duchess will then attend an official welcome ceremony in the city centre's Albert Park. From there, The Duke and Duchess will leave Albert Park for the Grand Pacific Hotel to attend a Reception and a State Dinner hosted by The President of Fiji, at which The Duke will speak Wednesday, October 24: Suva, Fiji - His Royal Highness will lay a wreath at the Fiji War Memorial, and meet a number of Fijian war veterans, some of whom served with the British Armed Forces. Their Royal Highnesses will then visit the University of the South Pacific campus in Suva. From here, Their Royal Highnesses' programme will split. The Duke will travel to Colo-i-Suva Forest Park, and The Duchess to the British High Commissioner's Residence. The Duchess will then travel to Suva Market Thursday, October 25: Nadi, Fiji and Nuku'alofa, Tonga - The Duke and Duchess will travel to the city of Nadi in Western Fiji, where they will attend a special event at Nadi Airport. After an official welcome ceremony, The Duke and Duchess will unveil a new statue commemorating Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba. From Nadi Airport, Their Royal Highnesses will take a chartered flight to Tonga Friday, October 26: Nuku'alofa, Tonga and Sydney, Australia - The Duke and Duchess will visit the St George Building for a call on the Prime Minister S Akilisi Pohiva and members of the cabinet. From there, Their Royal Highnesses will attend an exhibition with The Princess Angelika at the Faonelua Centre. The Duke and Duchess will then travel to Tupou College. The Duke and Duchess will travel to The Royal Palace for an official farewell with The King before departing for Sydney, where they will attend the the Australian Geographic Society Awards Saturday, October 27: Sydney, Australia - Their Royal Highnesses will spend the afternoon at the wheelchair basketball finals of the Invictus Games at the Quay Centre, before attending the Closing Ceremony that evening at Qudos Bank Arena Sunday, October 28: Wellington, New Zealand - The pair will attend the traditional welcome ceremony on the lawns of Government House. Their Royal Highnesses will be invited to hongi with the Governor-General's Kuia and Kaumatua (Maori elders), before the powhiri, which includes a haka performed by members of the New Zealand Defence Force. Their Royal Highnesses will then travel to the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. That evening, the Duke and Duchess will receive official calls from the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition at Government House Monday, October 29: Wellington and Abel Tasman, New Zealand - The Duke and Duchess will meet young people from a number of mental health projects operating in New Zealand. From Wellington, The Duke and Duchess will travel to Abel Tasman National Park. That evening back in Wellington, Their Royal Highnesses will visit Courtenay Creative for an event celebrating the city's thriving creative arts scene Tuesday, October 30: Auckland, New Zealand - Their Royal Highnesses will travel to Auckland, where they will firstly visit the North Shore to dedicate a 20 hectare area of native bush to The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy. They will then join the Prime Minister to visit Pillars, a charity operating across New Zealand. Later that afternoon, The Duke and Duchess will have the opportunity to meet the people of Auckland on the Viaduct Harbour, before attending a Reception hosted by the Prime Minister at the Auckland War Memorial Museum Wednesday, October 31: Rotorua, New Zealand - The final day of their Royal Highnesses' tour will take place in Rotorua. Next, The Duke and Duchess will head to Rainbow Springs to learn more about the centre's kiwi breeding programme. Later that afternoon, the Duke and Duchess will head into the city for the chance to meet members of the public gathered there Thursday, November 1: Their Royal Highnesses will return to Auckland that evening, before departing for London the following day Advertisement

The women donned masks of Prince Charles and the Queen, wrapped British flags around their necks and held flags from Meghan and Harry's wedding, sent to them from a friend in London.

Marilyn told Daily Mail Australia she thought the baby would be named after Prince Phillip.

'Phillip', or 'Philippa', she said.

The pair collect memorabilia from every royal wedding, and say they have dozens of flags.

Mary says her favourite part of dressing up was being able to embarrass her husband and son, 25.

'Every time I do it he says 'not again mum, I'm going out,' she joked.

Barbara Murphy said she is at the Sydney Opera House to continue a family tradition.

In 1973, when the Queen opened the building, her grandmother Mary-Anne Whitton was right at the front.

She's carrying a photograph of the moment in the hopes she can continue the tradition.

'I thought I had to bring this photo out, we're very proud of it. I'm hoping [to meet harry and Meghan], but I can't get to the front,' she said.

Barbara said she'd like to tell Meghan to 'be careful' and 'take it easy' ahead of the birth of their first child. Her cousin Patty is also present, and the pair are working hard to get a prime position.

Thousands of well wishers from around the world began lining the Sydney Opera House's forecourt from when the gates were opened at 8am

Royal fans who were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex passed the time by playing card games

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are seen meeting Ruby a mother Koala who gave birth to koala joey Meghan, named after Her Royal Highness, with a second joey named Harry after His Royal Highness, during a visit to Taronga Zoo

The couple started Tuesday with an official welcome to Australia at Admiralty House, the Governor-General of Australia's Sydney residence

Prince Harry's family has a long association with the Opera House.

It was opened by his grandmother, the Queen, in the company of his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, on October 20, 1973.

'The Sydney Opera House has captured the imagination of the world, though I understand that its construction has not been totally without problems,' the Queen said on that blustery spring day.

'The human spirit must sometimes take wings or sails, and create something that is not just utilitarian or commonplace.'

The Queen has been back to the Opera House four times, most recently in 2006.

Prince Harry's parents, Charles and Diana - the Prince and Princess of Wales - visited in 1983 and his brother and sister-in-law William and Kate - the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - were photographed there in 2014.A judge is allowing another week for the parents of a 9-year-old Texas girl on life support to find a new facility for the child, who has been declared brain-dead.

State District Judge Melody Wilkinson on Monday extended her order that Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth keep Payton Summons on life support until 6pm on Oct. 22.

Doctors at the hospital had wanted to remove the girl from life support.

Wilkinson previously ruled doctors could remove the girl from life support Monday afternoon when the parents could find no alternative facility for Payton.

Attorneys for her parents, though, asked for an extension after they and lawyers for the hospital couldn't reach an agreement on a next step.

Scroll down for video

Nine-year-old Payton Summons - who is brain dead - was scheduled to be taken off life support on Monday at the Cook Children's Medical Center

Her family contacted 25 hospitals in hopes that they could transfer Summons but none would take the girl, according to co-counsel Paul Stafford

A hospital spokeswoman had no comment, citing patient privacy.

She was taken to the hospital and put on life support after suffering cardiac arrest on September 25, but her mother and father still believe she can recover.

They have so far struggled to find another facility to take in their daughter, and are now trying to decide how to move forward.

Judge Melody Wilkinson of the 17th District Court of Texas agreed to the parents' request to keep Payton on life support for another week

Summons went into cardiac arrest while at her grandmother's house on September 25.

The youngster has already survived cancer once.

The girl had been sleeping when she woke up, 'screamed for her grandmother to help her and said that she couldn't breathe ... then she collapsed,' her mother, Tiffany Hofstetter, explained to KTVT.

Summons was taken to the hospital, and doctors were able to detect a heartbeat, but the girl was placed on a ventilator because she stopped breathing.

Doctors were able to revive her heartbeat, but found that Payton couldn't breathe on her own.

She was without oxygen to the brain for almost an hour.

They then discovered she had a tumor twice the size of her heart, which is currently crushing Payton's heart and lungs and cutting off her circulation.

Twenty-four hours after Payton was admitted to the hospital, doctors conducted a brain death exam and found it conclusively confirmed she was brain dead.

The girl had been sleeping when she woke up, 'screamed for her grandmother to help her and said that she couldn't breathe ... then she collapsed,' her mother, Tiffany Hofstetter, explained

Summons was taken to the hospital, and doctors were able to detect a heartbeat, but the girl was placed on a ventilator because she stopped breathing.

The girl's family filed a temporary restraining order against the hospital to keep the girl on life support in the days after Summons suffered cardiac arrest

Doctors also ran an electroencephalogram (EEG) test, which they said showed 'no electrical activity in her brain'.

In September, the hospital released a statement that said: 'Per our protocol and national pediatric medical standards, a second brain death exam was scheduled to take place by a different physician within 12 hours of the first to complete the legal process of declaring Payton deceased.'

'In addition to dealing with the sudden blow of her cardiac arrest and devastating brain injury, Payton's family is also coping with the news that the arrest was caused by the growth of a very large tumor in her chest that is shutting off her circulatory system.'

Payton (pictured getting treatment in a past photo) had a tumor that aided in the cardiac arrest

The girl's family has not decided how they will move forward after the decision from the judge

The girl's family filed a temporary restraining order against the hospital to keep the girl on life support in the days after Summons suffered cardiac arrest.

They contacted 25 hospitals in hopes that they could transfer Summons but none would take her, according to co-counsel Paul Stafford.

He added: 'Unfortunately after 25 out of 28 facilities that were contacted, we had no takers, we have two maybes and those were preconditioned on certain things which may be life threatening to Payton if performed.'The wife of a man who was jailed over a crash that killed two of his friends claims she has uncovered evidence that could clear her husband's name.

Nicholas George, 51, was behind the wheel of his ute when he collided with the car in front of him, sending it skidding into trees and exploding in a burst of flames.

Daniel Hay, 23, and Adam Beardsmore, 23, were inside the car in front and died instantly on the freeway, 100 kilometres south of Melbourne.

George was found guilty of two counts of culpable driving after a jury found he was responsible for their deaths in the 2014 crash, and he was jailed for 12 years.

But George's wife Nicole has investigated the crash since her husband's conviction and believes she has found evidence that proves he is innocent.

Nicole George, the wife of a Nicholas George (pictured together) who was convicted of driving causing the deaths of two men, claims she has uncovered evidence that could clear her husband's name

The defence had claimed that Beardsmore, who was driving the Ford, was driving at a 'reckless' speed but Judge McInerney said he was 'certain' George had been pursuing the Ford

The defence at the time of his trial claimed that Beardsmore, who was driving the Ford, was driving at a 'reckless' speed with estimates of 150km/hr.

But Judge Michael McInerney said he was 'certain' George had been pursuing the blue Ford.

'I do know that your client was behind at all times and driving at a speed that was dangerous,' he said.

Mrs George told 7 News the court had been informed that her husband's ute didn't have an engine control unit module, which is used to record crash data.

But when she searched the car herself, she claims to have found the unit.

She said she feels her husband should be afforded a new and 'fair' trial.

'Well get him home, he shouldnt be in there,' she told the network.

She also employed the services of a physicist from the United States, Professor Jesse Mason, who said he believed 'the blue Ford caused the accident'.

Nicholas George, 51, (pictured) was behind the wheel of his ute when he collided with the car in front of him, sending it skidding into trees and exploding in a burst of flames

Mrs George claimed to have evidence that would clear her husband of his culpable driving causing death conviction (scene of the crash)

Adam Beardsmore (left) and Daniel Hay (right) were both killed in the horrific crash

'I feel confident that hes going to get a fair go now and the truth will come out,' Mrs George said.

She also pointed out that Mr Beardsmore's mobile phone was burned to his hand after the crash, claiming it meant he was on the phone at the time of the collision.

However Kelly Beardsmore, mother of crash victim Adam Beardsmore, said she couldn't believe the pair were trying to drag their families through the whole ordeal again.

'I was devastated that theyre even attempting to drag us all through this over again, it just feels to us that they wont leave them lay to rest,' she said.Two Chicago police officers are facing dismissal after they fired on a stolen Jaguar being driven by an unarmed teen who was then killed by a third officer.

Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson found that Officers Michael Coughlin Jr. and his partner that day, Jose Torres violated department rules when they fired on the Jaguar being driven by 18-year-old Paul O'Neal in July of 2016.

The case now goes to the Chicago Police Board which will determine which rules have been violated and if the officers should lose their jobs, according to the Chicago Tribune.

While Torres and Coughlin's shots did not strike O'Neal, when the teen ditched the car and started running through backyards in the South Shore neighborhood, Officer Jose Diaz believed he was armed and fired at him.

Paul O'Neal died in July 2016

The initial disciplinary recommendation to dismiss Coughlin and Torres came from the Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) last fall before the agency was replaced by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

The Police Review Authority had concluded that shots fired by the two officers at the vehicle led Officer Diaz to believe O'Neal was armed and had shot at police.

The police department generally prohibits officers firing on a moving vehicle if it is the only 'weapon' involved in the crime. The disciplinary charges brought against the officers argue that by firing on the moving vehicle they put the lives of O'Neal, his passengers, officers and others in danger as the vehicle could have lost complete control.

After the shooting, Coughlin could be heard on police body camera cursing and complaining he would be put on 30 day desk duty as O'Neal lay wounded 'and required immediate medical attention,' according to the 64 page report on the officers' conduct, obtained by the Chicago Tribune.

After shots were fired at the Jaguar the teen crashed into a police cruiser and ditched the vehicle and started running

A police sergeant instructs officers at a crime scene on the 7300 block of South Merrill Avenue in 2016 after a foot chase of O'Neal ended in a fatal shooting

'F*** man, I'm going to be on the desk for 30 god damn days now. F****** desk duty for 30 days now,' Coughlin said. 'Motherf*****. I shot. He almost hit him.'

Coughlin later acknowledged in an interview with IPRA that he had made the statement out of 'frustration,' a justification the agency said was 'not adequate.'

O'Neal did initially hit two of the Chicago police SUVs with the stolen Jaguar.

Coughlin fired nine times at the car as it moved away from him and towards his partner, Torres.

When the Jaguar passed Torres, he too shot at the vehicle before it crashed head on with the squad car Officer Diaz was driving.

When O'Neal bailed from the vehicle, Diaz fired towards him five times, striking him one in the middle of the back.

He collapsed on a nearby back porch. While he was lying face down, Diaz was captured kicking him.

When he was asked by IPRA why he did that, Diaz answered, 'Anger, rage, frustration.'

A recommended six-month suspesion for Diaz is on the table, because he 'genuinely believed' O'Neal had a gun. The suspension is for him kicking the teen. The officer is fighting the suspension.Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton got to meet her 'celebrity crush' on Monday.

Clinton visited the Cincinnati Zoo before going onto a book signing.

She had been talking and tweeting about Cincinnati Zoo's most famous resident, Fiona the hippo for quite some time.

Fiona is a baby hippo that beat the odds and survived, despite being born nearly two months early.

Last week, she Clinton re-professed her love for Cincinnati's sweetheart via Twitter.

Chelsea Clinton visited Cincinnati Zoo and met her celebrity crush, Fiona the hippo

Clinton had tweeted for several weeks about how Fiona was something of a 'celebrity crush'

Fiona, the baby hippo, right, at Cincinnati Zoo beat the odds and survived, despite being born nearly two months early

It was clear that Clinton was excited to meet the baby hippo as she tweeted about it last week

She wrote: 'Moment of comic relief today: Shared my celebrity crush is Fiona Hippo. First response was 'Is she related to Fiona Apple?' Can't wait to meet Fiona next week @CincinnatiZoo!'

'(It's) more akin to my love for elephants, Dorothy Dunnett's books, good female detective novels, Pride & Prejudice, coffee, Foyle's War, crisp apples,' she wrote in a follow-up tweet.

After her visit, she then wrote on Facebook that she loved meeting and feeding Fiona and another hippo called Bib adding that he hoped one day she could bring her own children, Charlotte and Aidan, back to the zoo.

Clinton said she was inspired by the hippos and the zoo.

After her big watery meeting, she signed copies of her new book 'Start Now! You Can Make a Difference.'

Clinton tweeted a picture of the hippo's enclosure surrounded by staff from Cincinnati Zoo

It was clear Clinton was having a great time feed the animals and they seemed to love it too

Clinton signed and discussed her new children's book 'Start Now! You Can Make A Difference'President Donald Trump is threatening to cut off all U.S. aid to Honduras if that government doesn't turn off the 'caravan' of immigrants headed toward the United States.

'The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!,' Trump tweeted on Tuesday.

Up to 3,000 migrants crossed from Honduras into Guatemala on Monday on a trek northward, after a standoff with police in riot gear and warnings from Washington that migrants should not try to enter the United States illegally.

President Donald Trump, seen here with first lady Melania Trump returning from Florida and Georgia Monday night, said all U.S. aid to Honduras would be cut off if that government didn't stop a 'caravan' of migrants headed toward the United States

'No more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!,' Trump threatened via Twitter on Tuesday

The U.S. gave $175 million in aid to Honduras in 2017, according to USAID.

The crowd of migrants more than doubled in size from Saturday, when some 1,300 people set off from northern Honduras in what has been dubbed 'March of the Migrant,' an organizer said.

The migrants plan to seek refugee status in Mexico or pass through to the United States.

Images showed a group carrying backpacks and clogging roads near the border, some waving the Honduran flag.

Thousands of migrants have fled Honduras and other Central American nations in an effort to escape the poverty and violence that has engulfed their homelands.

But the governments of those countries have been mounting pressure from Trump's administration to do more to the curb mass migration, culminating in Tuesday's threat in the loss of aid.

'We are seriously concerned about the caravan of migrants traveling north from Honduras, with false promises of entering the United States by those who seek to exploit their compatriots,' the U.S. Embassy in Honduras said in a statement on Sunday evening.

Vice President Mike Pence last week called on presidents in the region to tackle the issue, saying Washington would be willing to help with economic development and investment in return.

Guatemala said in a statement on Sunday that it did not promote or endorse 'irregular migration.'

Rows of Guatemalan police in black uniforms, some wearing helmets and shields, initially blocked migrants from reaching a customs booth, images showed. It was not clear how long the standoff lasted, but the group was ultimately able to cross, said march organizer Bartolo Fuentes, a former Honduran lawmaker.

A caravan of more than 1,500 Honduran migrants moves north after crossing the border from Honduras into Guatemala on Monday

A caravan of more than 1,500 Honduran migrants pauses at a Guatemalan police checkpoint after crossing the border from Honduras on Monday

A police official on site said all Central Americans could pass freely through the region as long as they complied with migration control.

'We're going to drop in on Donald Trump. He has to take us in,' said Andrea Fernandez, 24, who left Honduras with a newborn baby, a 5-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son because she said she could not find work and feared for their safety.

Mexico's migration institute said in a statement on Monday that march participants would need to follow immigration rules to enter the country, without specifying the criteria.

'The law does not provide for any permission to enter the country without meeting the requirements, and then go on to a third country,' the government agency said.

A similar group of migrants from Honduras marched toward the United States earlier this year, which the president used to help justify the deployment of the National Guard to the southwest border of the United States.A motorist who drove into a man while he was high on heroin said 'I don't care' when he was told what he had done.

Dillon Buckley, 27, showed no remorse when he was told he hit Guy Williams, 58, who died at the scene.

Buckley has been jailed for at least five years after causing the death of Mr Williams and seriously injuring his partner Mardi Trease, 68, in Wandin East, Vic, on December 9, 2017

He also injured their dog when he hit them from behind, having ingested heroin 15 minutes earlier.

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Dillon Buckley, 27, has been jailed for at least five years pleading guilty to causing the death of Guy Williams, 58, (right) and seriously injuring his partner Mardi Trease, 68, (left) in Wandin East, on December 9, 2017

Buckley (left) also injured their dog when he hit them from behind in Wandin East, having taken heroin 15 minutes earlier

The County Court of Victoria was told Buckley said to a witness 'I don't care' when informed he'd hit two people and a dog

Witnesses observed Buckley driving erratically, cutting a corner and driving at high speed on gravel.

They also saw him driving half-on and half-off a bitumen road and with the car appearing as if it was travelling sideways at times.

After crashing into his victims, Buckley slammed into a tree and his car flipped onto its roof.

Ms Trease (pictured), spoke to the media outside the County Court in Melbourne following the sentencing

He was seen trying to push the vehicle back onto its wheels and appeared to be alcohol-affected.

The County Court of Victoria was told on Tuesday Buckley said to a witness 'I don't care' when informed he'd hit two people and a dog.

He then fell asleep on the grass.

Buckley previously pleaded guilty to culpable driving and negligently causing serious injury.

He was jailed for seven-and-a-half years and must serve at least five years before being eligible for parole.

Ms Trease, Mr Williams' partner of nine years, spoke to Channel 9 when Buckley pleaded guilty in April, saying she missed her 'normal life'.

She told the network: 'He was my partner of nine years, so obviously I liked him very much.

'He was an outdoor man.'

Ms Trease was airlifted to hospital following the incident having broken both her legs and spent weeks in rehab.

She said: 'Recovery, in my mind, is slow because I want to get back to normal activities.'

Before the crash, Ms Trease was a vet and enjoyed horse riding.Florida health officials say a child is the first to die during this year's flu season.

The Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Epidemiology said in a report the unidentified child tested positive for influenza B and died between September 30 and October 6.

The report did not say where the child died but did say the child was otherwise healthy. The child had not been vaccinated.

An unnamed child tested positive for influenza B died the first week of October (stock photo)

Vaccinations have been shown to reduce a child's likelihood of dying from the flu by 60 per cent, health department officials said.

Vaccines are recommended for anyone at least six months old.

In the first week of the flu season, the state had only two flu or flu-like outbreaks. One was an unspecific strain and the other was strep throat.

Last year, flu season was the worst since records began in the 70s killing 80,000

The Tampa Bay Times reports both strains hit schools in Hillsborough County.

The state defines an 'outbreak' in a school as 'three or more epidemiologically linked cases' of flu or a flu-like disease.

State officials said those outbreaks did not cause the child's death. No other details were released.

An estimated 80,000 Americans died of flu and its complications last winter - the disease's highest death toll in at least four decades. Approximately 80 per cent of those who died were not vaccinated.

Vaccination rates dropped last year, particularly among children, and health officials are urging Americans not to get complacent.

Last year's flu season was the worst since records began in the 1970s.

There is no evidence to support fears that the vaccine could be harmful.In line with the Aadhaar-issuing body's directive, the country's top three telcos -Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio Infocomm - have reportedly submitted their action plans to stop using the biometric database for customer authentication. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) had asked telecom companies to submit the plans by October 15 after the Supreme Court's September ruling that private companies can no longer use Aadhaar data.

However, according to The Economic Times, the three telcos have flagged off cost implications, saying that although they are working with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for alternative verification methods, the sudden change will need more investments. This will further burden the financially-stretched operators.

"We have told the UIDAI that massive investments have been made in setting up infrastructure for digital 'know your customer' (KYC). Operators have invested in biometric devices and workforce training. It will be a colossal wastage specifically for companies in telecom sector, who are already reeling under severe financial stress," a senior executive at a telco told the daily.

The telcos also pointed out that Aadhaar-based verification was swifter and worked well in rural markets. But migrating to alternative systems of authenticating mobile users will take time since the firms will not only have to train their workforce but also educate consumers on the new processes. "We have highlighted that these factors will be challenging in the competitive market today," said an executive of another telco, who was aware of his firm's response to UIDAI.

According to the daily, some of the other telcos have asked for more time to share their exit plans since directions from DoT were still awaited.

Industry body Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), meanwhile, has taken the stand that the telecom department must give clear directions to telcos on KYC norms to be adopted by telcos. "COAI has not written to UIDAI. We have left it to individual operators to respond as they see fit. Our position is that Department of Telecom must provide clarity on the issues raised by the UIDAI," COAI Director General Rajan Mathews told PTI. However, the Apex Advisory Council for Telecom in India (ACT), which includes COAI, approached DoT a few days back with alternative options for the verification process in place of the Aadhaar-based one.A hoarder house is set to go under the hammer after five people spent 10 excruciating days removing 100 cubic metres of junk from the property.

The deceased estate of 140 Annie Street, in New Farm, Brisbane, boasts glorious views and is a fantastic location for a anyone looking to develop a family home.

Belle Property auctioneer Paul Liddy described the property as a unicorn, telling Daily Mail Australia that it is an amazing block in a great location.

The house is in a fantastic location for anyone looking to develop a family home

Five people spent 10 days removing the junk from the Brisbane property (pictured)

'It's a blank canvas for anyone looking to develop a family home,' Belle Property auctioneer Paul Liddy said

'It's a substantial home in the area with outstanding views,' Mr Liddy said.

'It's a blank canvas for anyone looking to develop a family home with schools being a safe walking distance.'

The five-bedroom property has also been described as a 'mystical fantasy' and 'impossible to find', once all the junk was cleared out from the home.

The house is in a perfect location and within walking distance of school and shops

The five-bedroom property has also been described as a 'mystical fantasy' (pictured)

'Underneath the years of accumulated stuff, the home revealed the lovely bones as the ultimate renovator's dream,' Mr Liddy told Courier Mail.

'I've only seen a handful of hoarder homes in my career, and this is the first that has blown me away with the gold we have uncovered underneath all the junk,' he said.

Incredible photos show rooms filled with rooms filled to the brim with junk.

Photos after the mess had been cleared about show a gorgeous home which has further potential with more renovations.

Incredible photos show rooms filled with rooms filled to the brim with junk (pictured)

Photos after the mess had been cleared about show a gorgeous home which has further potential with more renovations

The property is 'one you should not let get away' was bought for $22,000 in 1973.

When it goes under the hammer on Saturday, October 20 at 9am, for the first time in 45 years, it is expected to reach a standard price of $1 million.

According to CoreLogic, other homes in the street achieved prices in excess of a $1million and in a couple of cases $2 million.Blake Fischer informed Governor C.L. 'Butch' Otter on Monday that he is stepping down from his post as the head of the Idaho Fish and Game Commission

The Idaho state conservation official who posted photos of himself smiling alongside wild animals he killed during an African hunt has resigned.

Blake Fischer informed Governor C.L. 'Butch' Otter on Monday that he is stepping down from his post as the head of the Idaho Fish and Game Commission.

Please consider this letter as a statement of my resignation from the Idaho Fish & Game Commission, Fischer wrote to the governor in a letter obtained by KBOI-TV.

I recently made some poor judgments that resulted in sharing photos of a hunt in which I did not display an appropriate level of sportsmanship and respect for the animals I harvested.

While these actions were out of character for me, I fully accept responsibility and feel it is best for the citizens of Idaho and sportsmen and women that I resign my post.

I apologize to the hunters and anglers of Idaho who I was appointed to represent and I hope that my actions will not harm the integrity and ethic of the Idaho Fish & Game Department moving forward.

The photos posted by Fischer triggered outrage on social media.

Ricky Gervais, the British comedian and animal rights advocate, referred to Fischer as a pathetic c***.

Others on Twitter lashed out at Fischer, who - along with his wife - is seen posing with slaughtered baboons, giraffes, and other hunted game during a recent trip to Namibia.

Fischer and his wife shot at least 14 animals in Namibia, according to the photos and descriptions included in an email he sent to more than 100 recipients.

Fischer posted a picture of a family of baboons he shot dead with a bow and arrow

Fischer (pictured) has been severely criticized over his action given that he is a member of the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and his judgement has been called into question

British comedian Ricky Gervais referred to Fischer as a 'pathetic c***'

Daniel Schneider demanded that Fischer resign because he was 'without any respect for life'

Another Twitter user called him 'human garbage' who 'epitomizes the worst of what our species is'

Actor Tom Arnold called Fischer 'a big coward' and 'scum of the earth'

'Tweet the governor and demand that this awful man is fired,' tweeted another Twitter user

Another Twitter user called Fischer's trip through Africa a 'reign of terror'

This Twitter user said Fischer was 'a monster' who was 'adding more tarnish to Idaho'

The animals included a giraffe, leopard, impala, sable antelope, waterbuck, kudu, warthog, gemsbok (oryx) and eland.

Fischer responded to the criticism by saying he didn't do anything illegal, unethical or immoral.

Former commission member Fred Trevey also called on Fischer to resign.

Most of the photos with the African animals are posed as standard big game hunting photos of the kind often seen in Idaho with deer, elk and mountain lions.

The photo causing some to question Fischer's judgment and ability to remain a commission member is one of him smiling broadly with four dead baboons propped in front of him, blood visible on the abdomen of the smallest baboon.

Fischer killed them using a bow and arrows.

Fischer submitted his letter of resignation to the governor, C.L. 'Butch' Otter (pictured)

'So I shot a whole family of baboons,' Fischer wrote below the photo in the emails he sent.

Keith Stonebraker, a former commission member, said an apology by Fischer would satisfy him.

'They killed a whole family, including small baboons, and I think that's revolting," Stonebraker said.

'It just puts a bad light on us'.

The commission Fischer served on makes policy decisions concerning Idaho's wildlife, and it often manages game populations through hunting and fishing regulations.

Fischer took part in a hunting trip with his wife Namibia, according to the photos and descriptions included in an email he sent to more than 100 recipients

Those regulations are intended to require ethical behavior in the pursuit of wildlife.

Some of Idaho's policies, such as on wolf and grizzly bear hunting, have been challenged in federal courts.

The commission has seven members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.Horrifying photos have emerged of a retired racehorse that was left to starve in a shocking case of animal cruelty.

The thoroughbred mare was found at a Pine Mountain property, in Queensland, on October 4.

Three people have been charged with animal cruelty following an investigation by detectives from the Racing Crime Squad and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC).

The thoroughbred (pictured) remains at the Pine Mountain property, where the owners have been ordered to comply with a number of directions to improve its condition

The horse remains on the property but the owners will have to nurse it back to health or the authorities will take it away.

The 48-year-old man who owns the horse, and two women, 20 and 51, have been charged with animal cruelty and will appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court on November 6.

The investigation was sparked by a tip-off from a concerned member of the public.

A QRIC spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that the owners have been ordered to comply with a number of directions to improve the horse's condition.

'This is to give the owners an opportunity to fulfill the animal welfare directions ordered, which will be followed up on,' she said.

Police allege that during investigations into the welfare of the thoroughbred, the QIRC received information from a person falsely claiming to be the registered owner.

Police released disturbing photos of the retired racehorse (pictured) that was allegedly neglected and left to starve in a shocking case of animal cruelty

A female licensed stable hand, 33, has been charged with giving false or misleading information to an officer.

She will appear in the Sandgate Magistrates Court on October 25.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Policelink on 131 444.

Social media went into meltdown after Queensland Police posted photos of the malnourished horse on its Facebook page.

'I hope this lovely mare receives all the love and care it deserves and is receiving the best treatment. Shame on these people,' one woman commented.

Another added: 'Absolutely no excuse. Just heartbreaking for an animal to end up in this condition.'Advertisement

Up to 3,000 migrants crossed from Honduras into Guatemala on Monday after warnings from Washington DC that migrants should not try to enter the United States illegally.

The crowd trekking northward, after a standoff with police in riot gear, had more than doubled in size from Saturday, when some 1,300 people set off from northern Honduras in what has been dubbed 'March of the Migrant,' an organizer said.

Andrea Fernandez, 24, who left Honduras with a newborn baby, a 5-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son because she said she could not find work and feared for their safety, is one of the migrants plan to seek refugee status in Mexico or pass through to the United States.

Up to 3,000 migrants crossed from Honduras into Guatemala on Monday

Washington DC warned that migrants should not try to enter the United States illegally

One woman (not pictured) was with her 5-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son because she said she could not find work and feared for their safety

Some 1,300 people had previously set off from northern Honduras in what has been dubbed 'March of the Migrant,' an organizer said

'We're going to drop in on Donald Trump. He has to take us in,' she told Reuters.

Reuters could not independently verify the number of participants, but images showed a group carrying backpacks and clogging roads near the border, some waving the Honduran flag.

The impoverished nations of Central America, from which thousands of migrants have fled in recent years, are under mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to do more to curb mass migration.

Images showed a group carrying backpacks and clogging roads near the border, some waving the Honduran flag

'We are seriously concerned about the caravan of migrants traveling north from Honduras, with false promises of entering the United States by those who seek to exploit their compatriots,' the U.S. Embassy in Honduras said in a statement on Sunday evening.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence last week called on presidents in the region to tackle the issue, saying Washington would be willing to help with economic development and investment in return.

Guatemala said in a statement on Sunday that it did not promote or endorse 'irregular migration.'

The impoverished nations of Central America have seen thousands of migrants flee in recent years

Central American countries are under mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to do more to curb mass migration

A police official on site said all Central Americans could pass freely through the region as long as they complied with migration control

Rows of Guatemalan police in black uniforms, some wearing helmets and shields, initially blocked migrants from reaching a customs booth, Reuters images showed. It was not clear how long the standoff lasted, but the group was ultimately able to cross, said march organizer Bartolo Fuentes, a former Honduran lawmaker.

A police official on site said all Central Americans could pass freely through the region as long as they complied with migration control.

Mexico's migration institute said in a statement on Monday that march participants would need to follow immigration rules to enter the country, without specifying the criteria.

'The law does not provide for any permission to enter the country without meeting the requirements, and then go on to a third country,' the government agency said.

Rows of Guatemalan police in black uniforms, some wearing helmets and shields, initially blocked migrants from reaching a customs booth

It was not clear how long the standoff lasted, but the group was ultimately able to cross, said march organizer Bartolo Fuentes, a former Honduran lawmakerA former Catholic priest accused of sexually assaulting multiple girls and boys in Perth has been charged with another offence.

Patrick Holmes, 83, originally faced 15 charges of child abuse over a 25 year period, but another charge involving the indecent assault of a young boy now brings his total charges to 16.

Police alleged today that he also assaulted a seven year old boy in 1967, while he was a priest in Carlisle.

A former Catholic priest accused of sexually assaulting multiple girls and boys in Perth has been charged with another offence (pictured, Perth Magistrates Court)

Holmes was initially charged with nine offences in April when police alleged he abused seven children in his role as a priest at Shenton Park between 1979 and 1992.

His victims were understood to be between the ages of six and 12 at the time.

In July, Holmes was charged with a further three cases of indecent assault involving a seven-year-old girl in 1970 when he was a priest in Carlisle.

Holmes was then charged with yet another three counts of indecent assault in August, with police alleging that he abused a six-year-old girl between 1969 and 1972.

Holmes has already appeared in Perth Magistrates court several times and will face court again later today.

Police have said the investigation is extensive and ongoing and have urged anyone with information about the case to come forward.Police are hunting for a grey-haired man who got into a woman's taxi, followed her into her home and then sexually assaulted her.

The unknown man, aged between 30 and 40, followed a woman to her property from a licensed premise in Wollongong, New South Wales on Sunday at about 2.40am.

Police have refused to say which licensed premise the man was lurking outside.

He is described as being about 170cm tall, a medium build, with short grey or silver hair and was last seen wearing a navy blue hooded jumper and dark pants.

The unknown man (pictured) is aged between 30 and 40 and was last seen wearing a navy blue hooded jumper and black pants

The woman reportedly got into a taxi outside the premises on Pioneer Road, Towradgi, when the man followed her and entered into the same taxi.

He followed the woman to her home on Bellambi Road, Tarrawanna, which is about a six to 10-minute drive from the premises.

Police will allege the man sexually assaulted her when he followed her into her home.

When the man left the home, the woman reported the incident to authorities.

Wollongong Police District are pleading anyone with information which may assist with the investigation to come forward.

New South Wales Police have said they are not in the position to disclose the exact location of the premises.A woman who watched in horror as her new boyfriend and another man were stabbed to death by a teenage occupant of a house has been released from hospital.

Candice Locke, 27, was rushed to Townsville Hospital where she had surgery on a badly dislocated shoulder she suffered the night of the fatal stabbing, on October 1.

Ms Locke, her new boyfriend Tom Davy, 27, and a group of friends had been watching the NRL grand final at Alva Beach, near Townsville in north Queensland, when she fell from a quad bike and injured her shoulder.

In agony, Ms Locke ran to the nearby home of Dean Webber, 19, and banged on the door for help.

Candice Locke, 29, was released from more than a week in Townsville Hospital where she had surgery on a badly dislocated shoulder

Police said moments later, Mr Davy and his friend Corey Christensen, 37, ripped the screen door off its tracks, stormed the house, and grabbed Mr Webber by the throat.

It is understood Mr Webber has told police he 'blindly thrust a kitchen knife in the dark defending himself against the pair', and subsequently, Mr Davy and Mr Christensen suffered fatal injuries.

Detective Inspector Chris Dawson said the witness statement given by Ms Locke did not contradict Mr Webber's version of events, and police were unlikely to charge him.

Ms Locke and her boyfriend Mr Davy only met Mr Christensen that night at an NRL Grand Final party before heading to the beach to continue drinking.

Ms Locke (pictured with her brother Mitchell) was finally interviewed by police about the Alva Beach stabbing deaths she witnessed on October 1

A photo taken by police after Dean Webber's arrest shows a deep red hand print on his neck and a gash on his forehead from when three men stormed his home, grabbed him 'round the throat, lifted him off the ground and then threw him to the floor'

Tom Davy, 27, (left) and Corey Christensen, 37, (right) bled to death after Mr Webber stabbed them in defence of himself and Ms Locke

Inspector Dawson said Ms Locke 'cleared up some ambiguities' for detectives, but declined to divulge any new details.

What led to the two men being stabbed, and whether anyone should be held responsible, will now be determined by a coroner.

Other witnesses told police Ms Locke and the two dead men ended up continuing to drink at the beach after a party on a vacant block next to Mr Christensen's house.

The trio, along with others, were drunkenly driving quad bikes around the beach, and Ms Locke told Mr Webber she was pushed off one of them and hurt her shoulder.

Ms Locke wanted to call an ambulance for her busted shoulder, but Mr Davy, Mr Christensen and others insisted she should hold off.

Ms Locke's statement to police did not contradict Mr Webber's version of events, and police still had no plans to charge him

Chilling photographs taken at the Webber home on Thursday show blood drops staining the concrete veranda of Mr Webber's family home

Mr Webber, an Air Force cadet, is pictured with his cousin after she received commendations from their unit in 2014

They were worried that whoever was driving the quad bike she fell, or was pushed, from could be charged with drink driving, police sources said.

Ms Locke was not convinced and took off running, looking for somewhere to call for help and wait for a ride to hospital.

She happened upon Mr Webber's home, the first house she saw with its lights on, and ran up to the door in a panic, begging whoever was inside to let her in.

The inquest will also likely investigate why it took 50 minutes for police to respond to Mr Webber's triple-0 call as the men arrived at his house.

He was told the Ayr police station had no one who could come because they had people in custody with only one officer to guard them, and just to sit tight.

Mystery still surrounds why Ms Locke ran from the deceased pair and up to five others, pleading with Mr Webber 'don't let them get me, they are very bad people'

Mr Webber opened his home (pictured) to a terrified Candice Locke, after she begged for shelter

Queensland opposition LNP MPs Dale Last and Trevor Watts argued a lack of police resources led to the stabbing deaths and demanded a review of policing.

'What happened in Alva Beach was an absolute tragedy, but it could have been prevented,' Mr Last told the Queensland Parliament on Tuesday.

'The safety of local residents will continue to be put at risk while Labor cut resources to frontline police.'

However, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk ruled out any review while police and coronial investigations were ongoing.Advertisement

He may want to put 'America First', but it appears Donald Trump has other ideas when it comes to his wife.

The President was caught on camera leaving his wife standing out in the rain while he made comments to the cameras.

Instead of being chivalrous and ensuring she was kept dry, Trump suddenly became lured by the presence of television news cameras who were standing by on the White House lawn waiting to watch him depart in the Marine One helicopter.

Melania was left standing in the rain as her husband held an umbrella but used it just for himself

Fending for herself: While her husband held an umbrella, Melania was at times left to stand in the rain as he mainly used it for himself while talking to the media

Even when the couple were together, the umbrella was nowhere near Melania who was left soaking as the rain came down

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump hold hands before walking across the South Lawn of the White House

Melania recently dismissed allegations of cheating on her husband's part but seemed thrilled to be traveling with him

Twitter users were quick to comment at the awkwardness of the situation as the President and First Lady walked by

His deviation clearly caught Melania by surprise and she appeared shocked as her husband walked towards the cameras without offering her any means of protection from the elements.

The couple were preparing to head to storm-ravaged Florida to assess the damage created by Hurricane Michael.

Initially, the First Lady, who recently returned from her first solo international visit touring Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, and Egypt, held hands with her husband as both left the White House in the rain.

But Twitter users were quick to notice just awkward the moment was.

Melania had a look of surprise on her face as the President walked on ahead of her leaving her to face the rain on her own

The First Lady seemed taken aback as the President made a beeline for the cameras while she stood alone in the rain

Together: Melania waved while clutching her husband's hand as both left from D.C. on Monday

Close: The first lady and the president held hands earlier on Monday as they departed from the White House

The President tried to charm the cameras while his wife was left waiting for her husband to finish his remarks

Grasp: The president wrapped his fingers around his wife's while speaking to reporters on his way out

Armchair critics wasted no time in analyzing the couple's relationship because after the President failed to share his umbrella

'Trump being an unchivalrous ... and hogging the umbrella, per usual,' wrote one tweeter. 'Trump standing with the massive umbrella over him while his wife gets rained on just says so much,' said another.

'Just seen Donald Trump getting on his plane holding an umbrella for himself while his son and wife get soaked in the rain. Says it all about him! #selfishTrump,' wrote another viewer.

Eventually, once Trump had finished addressing the assembled media, he was seen walking towards the helicopter alongside Melania.

The umbrella was still mainly covering him until finally he switched the hand with which he was carrying it allowing Melania to receiving a little more shelter than before.

While in Africa, Melania said during an interview that she loves her husband and has 'much more important things to think about' than allegations he cheated on her with a porn star, a Playboy Playmate or anyone else.

It was clear that Melania wanted to get going and avoid the media yet she had to wait for her husband who kept the umbrella for himself

Melania was heading towards the waiting helicopter when suddenly Trump headed towards the camera to make comments

First couple: Melania Trump, 48, and her husband, 72, held hands as they left the White House to visit victims of Hurricane Michael on Monday

Beaming: The first lady flashed a bright smile throughout her departure from D.C. although the smile seemed rather forced

Trump seemed to be almost unaware that his wife had standing patiently behind him while it rained

The first lady, who was interviewed by ABC two weeks ago, said people are just spreading rumors about her marriage. She insisted allegations of her husband's infidelities are not a concern.

Trump, who during the 2016 presidential campaign was heard on an old 'Access Hollywood' tape talking about groping and trying to have sex with women, has been accused of having multiple affairs. Porn star Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal have said they had sex with him years ago.

Trump has denied the trysts with Daniels and McDougal.

The first couple's trip to Florida marks the president's first tour of the destruction left by the deadly Hurricane Michael.

It was previously announced that Trump would also inspect south Georgia, also battered by the storm that came ashore on Florida's Gulf Coast last week before it moved up the U.S. East Coast.

Journey: The first couple's trip to Florida marks the president's first tour of the destruction left by the deadly Hurricane Michael, which hit land on October 10

With 155 mph winds, Michael hit land on October 10 as a Category four hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, one of the most powerful storms to make landfall in the continental United States since records have been kept.

At least 18 people in four states have died because of the storm. Dozens of people remained missing on Sunday in Florida Panhandle communities reduced to ruins.

Rescuers said they expected the death toll to rise and they were using cadaver dogs and heavy equipment to search through collapsed homes in small towns such as Mexico Beach and Panama City for more victims.Two members of a four person team at the Manhattan District Attorney's office set to face off against Harvey Weinstein over sexual assault allegations in court, have left amid a cover-up scandal.

Jennifer Gaffney, deputy chief of the Sex Crimes Unit, was thrown a going away party on September 20, according to the New York Post.

Her going away soiree was held just a day before Assistant District Attorney, Rachel Hochhauser, who was the 'second chair' in the Weinstein trial team, departed the office for a job in the private sector at a security firm.

The two both parted ways with the office after lead prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon wrote to the defense on September 12 claiming that NYPD Detective Nicholas DiGaudio had admitted to withholding information about Weinstein accuser Lucia Evans.

Two of the four prosecutors in the sexual assault case against Harvey Weinstein have parted ways with the Manhattan DA

Assistant District Attorney Rachel Hochhauser (left) and Jennifer Gaffney (right) deputy chief of the Sex Crimes Unit both left the Manhattan District Attorneys office in mid-September following revaluations of an alleged cover-up of a witness who had information regarding one of Weinstein's accusers

Illuzzi-Orbons letter revealed an unidentified woman told DiGaudio, with another officer present, that Evans, who accused Weinstein of forcing her to give him oral sex in 2014, admitted to the woman that she performed oral sex on him after he offered to give her an acting job.

Last week the Manhattan District Attorney agreed to drop Evans' case against Weinstein.

He is still facing allegations he raped another woman and sexually assaulted a third who fall under the Manhattan DAs purview.

It is unclear if Gaffney resigned to take on another position.

Lucia Evans (pictured) had accused Weinstein of forcing her to perform oral sex, however a witness says she admitted she did it willingly for an acting job. Her case against Weinstein has been dropped by the DAs office

However, Danny Frost, a spokesman for DA Cyrus Vance Jr., told the New York Post that Gaffneys resignation was submitted previously, on July 7 and effective September 7, and had nothing to do with the Weinstein case.

Hochhauser and Gaffney were both replaced by ADA Brendan Tracy of the Sex Crimes Unit, Frost added.

Weinstein's attorney Ben Brafman is pushing to have the entire case file against his client dropped over the allegations DiGuardio participated in withholding crucial evidence in the case.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday met with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed, the man alleged to have ordered the interrogation and killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul.

Pompeo landed in Riyadh and was immediately driven to meet King Salman over the crisis surrounding Khashoggi, who vanished two weeks ago during a visit to the Saudi consulate.

As he greeted the crown prince, Pompeo smiled and gleefully shook his handan act which some have seen as showing support to the regime which has increasingly cracked down on dissent in recent years.

While America's top diplomat posed for photos, senators in Washington were buzzing about harsh new sanctions in response to the killing.

Pompeo's arrival in Riyadh came just hours after Turkish forensic teams searched through the consulate to find evidence of what happened to the Saudi writer.

Turkish officials say they fear Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the consulate and told the Associated Press shortly after the summit that police found evidence in the building suggesting he was killed there.

Saudi officials previously have called the allegations 'baseless,' but reports last night suggested the kingdom may acknowledge the Washington Post writer was killed there in an 'interrogation gone wrong.'

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo smiles and shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh today

Pompeo flew to the Saudi capital to discuss the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the two countries were 'old, strong' allies

Khashoggi (pictured in December 2014) vanished after visiting the Saudi consulate on October 2 to collect divorce papers so he could marry his Turkish fiancee

Before meeting the crown prince, Pompeo met with the prince's father King Salman and the Saudi foreign minister

Saudi Arabia's King Salman greets U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Riyadh on Tuesday. The pair are due to discuss the disappearance of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi

Mike Pompeo, left, begins his meeting with Saudi Arabia's King Salman in Riyadh today. Khashoggi vanished two weeks ago during a visit to the Saudi consulate

But an official said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation said that 'certain evidence' was uncovered during the forensic search of the consulate last night.

During his meeting today, Pompeo was told by the heir to the Saudi throne the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are 'old, strong allies.'

That alliance, however, has irked American senators who believe the Trump administration's handling of the Saudi kingdom is too kid-glovish in the face of serious human rights violations.

Riyadh has made commitments to spend $110 billion on U.S.-made military equipment in the next decade.

'I don't care how much money it is,' Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio said Tuesday on CNN. 'There isn't enough money in the world to purchase back our credibility on human rights and the way nations should conduct themselves.'

'Human rights is worth blowing that up,' Rubio said, 'and luring someone into a consulate where they're murdered, dismembered and disposed of is a big deal.'

South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, usually a reliable Saudi defender on the Senate floor, went further. On 'Fox & Friends,' he said he would use his position on the Foreign Relations Committee to 'sanction the hell out of Saudi Arabia.'

Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio said Tuesday that 'there isn't enough money in the world to purchase back our credibility on human rights,' and suggested 'blowing up' an arms deal with the kingdom

South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said he would use his position on the Foreign Relations Committee to 'sanction the hell out of Saudi Arabia'

'This guy is a wrecking ball,' Graham said of MBS. 'He had this guy murdered, in a consulate in Turkey. And to expect me to ignore it? I feel used and abused.'

'You know, we deal with bad people all the time, but this is in our face. I feel personally offended. ... This guy's got to go,' he said.

Mitch McConnell, the powerful Senate majority leader, told Bloomberg TV that 'it's good that the president sent the secretary of State to talk to the king. We need to find out what happened before deciding what kind of response is appropriate.'

Asked whether the U.S. would have 'some type of response' to Khashoggi's death, he said: 'I cant imagine there wont be, but I think we need to find out what happened.'

Saudi Arabia's consul to Istanbul today left the Turkish city bound for Riyadh on a scheduled flight, reports said, as Turkey prepared to search his residence in the probe into the disappearance of Khashogghi.

Consul general Mohammed al-Otaibi took off for Riyadh on a 2pm (GMT) flight from Istanbul, the Haber-Turk newspaper reported on its website.

The state-run Anadolu news agency also reported he had left Turkey, with the website of Ataturk International Airport showed a flight of flag-carrier Saudia took off for Riyadh at 2pm (GMT).

A statement from the Saudi Press Agency after the Pompeo meeting said: 'During the meeting, historical relationships between the two countries were reviewed, and current situations in the region and joint efforts being exerted towards them were discussed.'

Pompeo later thanked King Salman for his commitment to a thorough, transparent investigation of the Jamal Khashoggi disappearance, according to the U.S. State Department.

After his talks with the king, Pompeo met with his powerful son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where the two will have dinner, a U.S. official said.

The prince told Pompeo in front of the media: 'We are strong and old allies. We face our challenges togetherthe past, the day of, tomorrow.'

Many commentators on Twitter criticized the way Pompeo greeted the crown prince when he was there to raise questions about an alleged murder.

Mike Pompeo (center left) meets with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir (center right) in Riyadh ahead of talks with King Salman

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (center) walks with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir (center right) shortly after arriving in Riyadh this morning

Mike Pompeo as he leaves U.S. soil to fly for crucial talks with the Saudi King Salman over the alleged killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi

One woman posted on Twitter: 'Disturbing considering is meant to be there to demand answers about the brutal murder of a journalist and he is all giddy and smiles next to the perp.'

Another added: 'All smiles over a ruthless torture and murder.'

A post on social media said: 'Mike Pompeo is absolutely there to assist on a narrative to cover for MSB and his father. We must keep pressure on this admin to hold them responsible. The U.S. should not be for sale.'

Another added: 'How can he [Pompeo] shake the hand of the murderer? Because serves a president who calls for violence against journalists in his own country. To him, he is not shaking the hand of an enemy of freedom and democracy, he is shaking the hand of a like-minded buddy.'

Until yesterday, Riyadh had not allowed Turkish investigators to search the consulateofficially Saudi territorywith reports both sides were at odds over the conditions.

Last night technicians in forensic suits, gloves and covered shoes treated the diplomatic mission as a crime scene during their hours-long search, but it was not immediately clear what evidence they gathered.

As Pompeo disembarked from the plane in the Saudi capital he made no comments.

Pompeo arrived in the Saudi capital this morning to follow up Donald Trump's phone call with King Salman yesterday

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir (right), Interior Minister Prince Abdel Aziz bin Saud bin Nayef (second right), the desert kingdom's ambassador to the United States, Prince Khaled bin Salman (second left), and state minister Musaed bin Mohammed al-Aiban at the meeting

Pompeo walks with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in Riyadh as he is taken to meet King Salman at Al-Yamama Royal Palace

Pompeo, left, shakes hands with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir after arriving today in the Saudi capital

Pompeo posed for pictures with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir near pictures of the Saudi royal family

President Donald Trump dispatched Pompeo to speak to the monarch of the world's top oil exporter over Khashoggi's disappearance after speaking with King Salman yesterday.

Trump himself said without offering evidence that the slaying could have been carried out by 'rogue killers,' offering the US-allied kingdom a possible path out of a global diplomatic firestorm.

However any decision in the ultraconservative kingdom rests solely with the ruling Al Saud family.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom Khashoggi wrote critically about for The Washington Post and whose rise to power prompted the writer to go into a self-imposed exile in the United States, was absent from discussions.

Ayham Kamel, the head of the Eurasia Group's Mideast and North African practice said: 'The effort behind the scenes is focused on avoiding a diplomatic crisis between the two countries and has succeeded in finding a pathway to deescalate tensions.

'Riyadh will have to provide some explanation of the journalist's disappearance, but in a manner that distances the leadership from any claim that a decision was made at senior levels to assassinate the prominent journalist.'

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo with secret service personnel as he boards his plane to depart for Riyadh for talks over the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi

Reports claim Mohammed bin Salman, crown prince and minister of defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia did not order the interrogation of Jamal Khashoggi that 'went wrong'

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo heads to his plane at at Andrews Air Force Base to depart for meetings with Saudi Arabia's King Salman in Saudi Arabia today

A Turkish forensic police officer shoots video in a room of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul yesterday. The kingdom was said to be about to admit the journalist was killed in a botched interrogation

Cleaning personnel wait to enter Saudi Arabia's consulate before forensic Turkish forensic teams searched the building looking for clues

CNN reported that the Saudis were going to admit the killing had occurred but deny the king or crown prince had ordered it - which does not match what analysts and experts know about the kingdom's inner workings.

The New York Times reported that the Saudi royal court would suggest that an official within the kingdom's intelligence servicesa friend of Prince Mohammedhad carried out the killing.

According to the reported claim, the crown prince had approved an interrogation or rendition of Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia, but the intelligence official was tragically incompetent as he eagerly sought to prove himself.

Both reports cited anonymous people said to be familiar with the Saudi plans.

Saudi officials have not answered repeated requests for comment over recent days.

Saudi officials have been in and out of the building since Khashoggi's disappearance on October 2 without being stopped.

The UN human rights chief today called for the lifting of the immunity of officials who might be involved in Khashoggi's disappearance.

Michelle Bachelet said: 'In view of the seriousness of the situation surrounding the disappearance of Mr. Khashoggi, I believe the inviolability or immunity of the relevant premises and officials... should be waived immediately.'

Pompeo met with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir before being taken to see Saudi Arabia's king

Mike Pompeo smiled as he received a gift from his hosts during his visit to Riyadh today

Pompeo and the Saudi Foreign Minister walk through the ornate halls of the Al-Yamama Royal Palace in Riyadh

Trump suggested Khashoggi may have been murdered by 'rogue killers' after he had a phone conversation with King Salman yesterday

Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Arabic Islamic American Summit at King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh last year

Turkish police officers arrive at the Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul last night as teams swept the building as part of the investigating in to the

Under the Vienna Convention, diplomatic posts are technically foreign soil that must be protected and respected by host countries.

Mechthild Prinz, an associate professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice who previously worked at the New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, said forensics tests like spraying luminol, a chemical mixture, can expose blood left behind.

She said: 'It depends on how well they cleaned it up. Obviously, you don't want anybody to have a chance to clean it up, but very often people do miss blood.'

When told a cleaning crew walked into the consulate before the team arrived, she replied: 'You saw that? Wow. That's going to be a problem.'

Turkey has wanted to search the consulate for days and permission apparently came after a late Sunday night call between King Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In statements after the call, both praised the creation of a joint Saudi-Turkish probe.

Turkish police officers gather as they prepare to enter the Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, with Turkish crime scene investigators sweeping through the building

Turkish police officers arrive to enter the Saudi consulate to search for clues into the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi

A bouquet of flowers was left on the police barriers blocking the road to Saudi Arabia's consulate

The Turkish inspection team included a prosecutor, a deputy prosecutor, anti-terror police and forensic experts, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

Certain areas of the consulate were to remain off-limits, although officials would be able to inspect surveillance cameras, Turkish media reported.

Khashoggi has written extensively for the Post about Saudi Arabia, criticizing its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of women's rights activists after the lifting of a driving ban for women.

Those policies are all seen as initiatives of Prince Mohammed, the son of King Salman, who is next in line to the throne.

Prince Mohammed has aggressively pitched the kingdom as a destination for foreign investment, but Khashoggi's disappearance has led several business leaders and media outlets to back out of the upcoming investment conference in Riyadh, called the Future Investment Initiative.

Turkish police officers prepare to enter the Saudi Arabia's consulate. Turkish crime scene investigators dressed in coveralls and gloves entered the consulate yesterday

Security guards walk outside Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul yesterday as Saudi Arabia are expected to conduct a joint 'inspection' of the consulate, where Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi went missing nearly two weeks ago

Google Cloud CEO Diane Greene, Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, a company in which Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars, billionaire Richard Branson, JPMorgan Chase & Co Chief Executive Jamie Dimon and Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman, Bill Ford, have all pulled out of the kingdom's upcoming high-profile conference dubbed 'Davos in the Desert.'

Trump previously warned of 'severe punishment' for the kingdom if it was found to be involved in Khashoggi's disappearance, which has spooked investors in Saudi Arabia and SoftBank, a Japanese firm that manages tens of billions of dollars for Saudi Arabia.

Trump's warning drew an angry response on Sunday from Saudi Arabia and its state-linked media, including a suggestion that Riyadh could wield its oil production as a weapon.

Dara Khosrowshahi, chief executive officer of Uber, has pulled out of the the Future Investment Initiativedubbed 'Davos in the Desert'

The US-based Soufan Center slammed Trump's approach, saying the US-Saudi relationship 'since the ascendance of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman demonstrates the problem with basing relationships on personalities over principles.'

The U.S. president has been after King Salman and OPEC to boost production for weeks to drive down high crude oil prices, caused in part by the coming re-imposition of oil sanctions on Iran after the U.S. withdrawal from that's country's nuclear deal with world powers.

Despite being the world's largest oil exporter, selling a million barrels per day to the United States, Saudi Arabia would gain little from using 'black gold' as leverage, according to Jean-Francois Seznec, a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council's Center for Global Energy.

That 'would completely destroy its image as a "reliable supplier"' and undermine the king's powerful son, Crown Prince bin Salman, he said.Scott Morrison has announced his support for Nauru detainees to be sent to New Zealand - as long as they don't return to Australia.

The Prime Minister's office confirmed he will support the transfer of refugees on the island to New Zealand.

That decision is dependent on laws being passed to stop 'backdoor' entry to Australia, Sky News reported.

The Australian government had previously only said it would consider such a proposal to send detainees across the Tasman Sea.

Scott Morrison has announced his support for Nauru detainees to be sent to New Zealand - as long as they don't return to Australia

The announcement comes after three Federal Liberal MPs pleaded with Mr Morrison to remove children and families off Nauru

The announcement comes after three Federal Liberal MPs pleaded with Mr Morrison to remove children and families from Nauru so they could receive desperately-needed medical care.

Russell Broadbent, Craig Laundy and Julia Banks told Mr Morrison he needed to act at meeting two weeks ago, the ABC reported.

Mr Morrison told reporters there is a bill sitting in the Senate that would 'close the back door' from New Zealand to Australia.

He said he would meet with Liberal colleagues who had raised concerns over Nauru with him.

'We've been acting on these issues. We haven't been doing it by making public statements about it every day, but we always consider each and every case on its merits and in the interests of the child, and we will continue to do that.'

The Government is expected to call for a vote this week on the legislation which would stop asylum seekers who arrived on a boat to apply for an Australian visa.A family veterinarian has revealed a surprising way to keep terrified dogs calm during thunderstorms - and it doesn't require medication.

Dr Kirsty Fridemanis from the Toowong Family Vet in Brisbane told Yahoo7 when thunder strikes it's possible to ease canine anxiety without pills and potions.

While many people reach for the medicine cabinet to calm a scaredy pet, Dr Fridemanis said the trick is to redirect their attention rather than to drug them.

A family veterinarian has revealed a surprising way to keep terrified dogs calm during thunderstorms - and it doesn't require medication

Dr Kirsty Fridemanis from the Toowong Family Vet in Brisbane said when thunder strikes it's possible to ease canine anxiety without pills and potions

She said it's better to avoid mollycoddling over your pet - or pacifying their fear with medication - and to use strategies to 'redirect their focus' away from the storm.

'Being with them but going about your business,' Dr Fridemanis said.

Try challenging your dog's mind by practicing a new trick, or introducing them to new activities such as a toy filled with food so they can use up some of their energy.

Games like this also terrific for distraction from any unsettling sounds, whether it's from thunder, fireworks or other loud noises.

The doctor's friendly advice comes after many anxious pet owners reached out for help after the recent spate of thunderstorms swept across parts of Queensland.

One desperate pet owner who reached out for help was Janet Buckley, who posted a plea for help on Facebook's Sunshine Coast Community Board on Sunday.

While many people reach for the medicine cabinet to calm a scaredy pet, Dr Fridemanis said the trick is to redirect their attention rather than to drug them

In the post, Ms Buckley said she'd tried everything to keep her little dog calm, but despite her best efforts, her pooch remained 'absolutely terrified of storms'.

'She is so bad I thought that she will die from heart failure during a storm,' Ms Buckley wrote in the post.

As it turned out, Ms Buckley wasn't alone in her quest to ease her petrified pooch, as several other pet owners took to social media to share their experiences.

'My poor furbaby is just as bad,' one person wrote in the comments.

One desperate pet owner who reached out for help was Janet Buckley, who posted a plea for help on Facebook's Sunshine Coast Community Board on Sunday

Janet Buckley said she'd tried everything to keep her little dog (pictured) calm, but despite her best efforts, her pooch remained 'absolutely terrified of storms'

'Our girl is even terrified of heavy rain,' another person said.

A third person added: 'My poor boy is physically sick with all the storms we have had recently (yes he is a cat).'

In her post, Ms Buckley wrote that she'd found a product that worked for her furbaby, which made them 'calm, happy, a little sleepy and we are stress free for once'.

While Dr Fridemanis said medication can be an effective way to ease a petrified pooch through a storm, she reminded pet owners to speak to their vet beforehand.

'if people are seeking medication for their pets, we need to see the patient and examine the patient first,' she said.China has admitted to the alleged use of internment camps for Muslim minorities in its far west Xinjiang region amid a global outcry, with a regional official insisting that the authorities are preventing terrorism through 'vocational education' centres.

In a rare interview with China's official Xinhua news service published Tuesday, the chairman of Xinjiang's government, Shohrat Zakir, issued an ardent defence of the use of the centres, saying that the region was now 'safe and stable'.

The official did not say how many people were being held in the centres.

China has admitted to the alleged use of internment camps for Muslim minorities in Xinjiang

Entrance to a jail which locals say is used to hold those undergoing political indoctrination program in Korla, Xinjiang. Local laws have now been revised to allow such establishments

The chairman of Xinjiang's government, Shohrat Zakir, issued an ardent defence of the use of the centres on Tuesday, saying that the region of Xinjiang was now 'safe and stable'

'Xinjiang has established a training model with professional vocational training institutions as the platform, learning the country's common language, legal knowledge, vocational skills, along with de-extremisation education,' Zakir said.

'Through vocational training, most trainees have been able to reflect on their mistakes and see clearly the essence and harm of terrorism and religious extremism,' he said.

In the interview, Zakir did not mention detention, but he said the institutions provided free programs such as 'collective courses, boarding schools and hands-on training'.

Beijing has sought to counter a global outcry against the facilities with a series of op-eds and interviews and a roll out of new regulations that retroactively codify the use of a system of extra-judicial 'reeducation' camps in Xinjiang.

A UN panel says up to one million ethnic Uighurs may be held in Chinese internment camps

A Muslim ethnic Uighur woman and her daughter try to cross the road as Chinese paramilitary police drive past near the closed Grand Bazaar in the ethnic Uighur area of Urumqi, Xinjiang

Up to one million ethnic Uighurs and other mostly Muslim Turkic minorities are believed to be held in such centres, according to estimates cited by a United Nations panel.

Former inmates have said they found themselves incarcerated for transgressions such as wearing long beards and face veils or sharing Islamic holiday greetings on social media, a process that echoes the decades of brutal thought reform under Mao Zedong.

Other former detainees have said they were forced to eat pork and drink alcohol, as well as denounce Islam and profess loyalty to the ruling Communist Party.

The programme has come under increasing fire from the international community, receiving particular censure from the United States and the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Chinese authorities initially denied the existence of the facilities. But they have changed their tune as satellite imagery and documents issued by their own government have made that position untenable.

Beijing had rolled out an 'intensifying government campaign of mass internment'

A propaganda billboard shows Chinese President Xi Jinping with ethnic minority children and the words 'sincerely thank the passionate care of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core'

In recent weeks the story has shifted from outright dismissal to acknowledgement that the camps exist, with the caveat that they are being used primarily for 'vocational education' in a bid to halt separatist sentiments and religious extremism.

Zakir said the facilities were intended to improve job skills and Mandarin abilities among minorities with 'a limited command of the country's common language and a limited sense and knowledge of the law'.

Those who struggled to find work as a result, he added, were 'vulnerable to the instigation and coercion of terrorism and extremism.'

He said that the 'free' programmes were limited in duration, 'trainees' signed a contract with the centres that laid out a clear plan of study and included a stipend.

Asked about the future of the programmes, Zakir said 'some trainees' were 'expected to complete their courses successfully by the end of this year.'

Police are seen across Xinjiang as they ramped up their presence in cities and villages

China's treatment of its Uighur minority has sparked protests in countries like Turkey

He reiterated: 'Today's Xinjiang is not only beautiful but also safe and stable. No matter where they are or at what time of the day, people are no longer afraid of going out, shopping, dining and travelling.'

The comments follow weeks of efforts by Chinese officials and state media to defend China's actions in Xinjiang, where riots and attacks led to hundreds of deaths in recent years.

Op-eds by Chinese diplomats have appeared in newspapers around the world, arguing that the programme is an effective means of eliminating the threat posed to the region by religious extremism.

An editorial in the nationalist tabloid the Global Times warned foreign governments on Tuesday not to meddle in Xinjiang's affairs.

'Obviously vocational education is a periodic and temporary plan aimed at eradicating extremism,' it said, adding that criticism was 'just messing up the whole thing and creating a narrative against China.'

Children play outside the entrance to a school ringed with barbed wire, security cameras and barricades near a sign which reads 'Please use the nation's common language' indicating the use of Mandarin in Peyzawat, western China's Xinjiang region

A Uighur man looks on as a truck carrying policemen travel along a street during an anti-terrorism oath-taking rally in Urumqi. The characters on the banner read, 'Willingness to spill blood for the people. Countering terrorism and fighting the enemies is part of the police spirit'

Taking to Twitter - a social media platform that is blocked in China - the paper's editor-in-chief Hu Xijin said officials had told him the official figures for the number of people in 'vocational education' were 'much fewer than the 'one million or so' speculated by the outside world.'

'Chinese officials didn't reveal the true number to avoid falling into the stats trap, giving Western media another excuse to hype up the issue,' he added.

The positive image of the centres portrayed in the PR drive is belied by testimonies from former detainees who describe harsh treatment in the facilities.

Large numbers of families outside of China say their relatives in Xinjiang were spirited away by police never to be heard from again.

Critics have warned that mass incarcerations and forced cultural assimilation of China's western Muslim minorities risk further inflaming and perpetuating separatist anger.A busy highway has been covered with thousands of raw frozen chickens after a truck rolled over.

The semi-trailer was transporting defrosting chickens when the driver lost control on the corner of the Goulburn Valley Highway and Hume Freeway in Seymour, North of Victoria at about 2pm on Tuesday.

Boxes with thousands of chickens in total have been scattered along the road.

The semi-trailer was transporting thousands of defrosting chicken's when the driver lost control

The driver of the truck who is a man his 40s has been rescued from the vehicle just after 3pm, reports 9News.

He has suffered a leg injury and has been airlifted to a hospital in a serious but stable condition, Ambulance Victoria confirmed.

Victoria Police have confirmed no one else was injured or involved in the incident.

Boxes with thousands with frozen chickens have been scattered on a highway in Victoria

Northbound lanes have been closed off the Hume Freeway at the Goulburn Valley Highway after the truck tore about 200 metres of cable.

A Victoria Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the northbound lanes are still closed off and will be for the next couple of hours.

Emergency services are currently on the scene trying to determine how the accident was caused.A seven-year-old girl who died after a head-on car collision which injured six others has been remembered as a 'shining light.'

Amber Rose Allen, 7, died in hospital after the car her mother was driving allegedly crossed the dividing line into the path of an oncoming vehicle at Yallourn North, a regional town east of Melbourne.

Amber's brother Elijah, 5, and sister Khaleesi, 3, were hospitalised with minor injuries, while their mother Kylie Allely, 29, remains in The Alfred Hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Amber Rose Allen, 7, has been remembered as a 'shining light' by her family after car crash

A witness has described the scene to be a 'horrific incident' with 'petrol and glass and crying kids everywhere'

'If I ever bought her a treat she would insist we get one for Elijah and Khaleesi,' her grandmother Liz Allen told The Herald Sun.

'She loved everyone. She was like that with other kids too... she didn't like when they got upset and would give them a cuddle to make them feel better.'

'She was so bubbly and chatty,' said Ms Allen.

The children's father remains with the other two children in hospital.

The collision occured between a Holden Commodore travelling in the opposite direction of a Honda Civic at Brown Coalmine Road near Yallourn North in Gippsland, eastern Victoria, at about 3.30pm on Monday.

Police confirmed the injured seven-year-old was airlifted to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital after the crash in the Commodore but died on Monday night.

A brutal two-car collision has killed one girl and injured six others on a highway in Victoria

The 29-year-old mother was flown to The Alfred Hospital with serious injuries to her ankle, pelvis, chest and neck.

The three-year-old was released from hospital.

A 49-year-old woman and two 15-year-old boys were in the Honda Civic when the incident happened and were taken to Latrobe Regional Hospital in a stable condition.

A witness Amy Hunt described the scene a 'horrific' accident, with 'petrol and glass and crying kids everywhere'.

The seven-year-old girl and the 29-year-old woman were airlifted after the car crash

A spokesperson for Yallourn North Urban Fire Brigade told The Herald Sun the head-on crash was one of the worst he had witnessed.

Both directions of Brown Coalmine Road have been closed.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the accident.The breeding of a stallion on a Mississippi farm is creating the first new blood in a century for a line of horses linked to the Spanish conquistadors and Choctaw Indians.

The aging stallion named DeSoto was accidentally found on a farm in Poplarville, Mississippi 13 years ago when a doctor of veterinary medicine Dr. D. Phillip Sponenberg visited the farm's cattle.

Yet the doctor was surprised when he stumbled across a stallion lurking out of the woods.

An aging stallion (pictured) found by accident on a Mississippi farm is bringing the first new blood in a century for a line of horses brought to America by Spanish conquistadors

This 1910 photo provided by Francine Locke Bray shows cowboys on Choctaw horses in Pushmataha County, Okla

Choctaw mare (pictured, right) and her 3-month-old philly colt (pictured, center) run with other Choctaw horses on Bill Frank Brown's farm in Poplarville

Dr Sponenberg said: 'Out of the woods came this horse, single-footing.'

The farm's owner Bill Frank Brown was 14 when he inherited the farm which had been in Brown's family since 1881.

Mr Brown had three stallions when he first took over the farm including DeSoto.

Dr Sponenberg decided to get the Texas A&M veterinary school to test samples of DeSoto's DNA which were a match to other Choctaws.

These photos believed to have been taken in 1910 show cowboys on Choctaw horses in Pushmataha County, Okla

Bill Frank Brown points out an old photo from a trade magazine on his farm in Poplarville

An aging stallion found by accident on a Mississippi farm is bringing the first new blood in a century for a line of horses brought to America by Spanish conquistadors and bred by Choctaw Indians

Colonial Spanish horses are among the world's few genetically unique horse breeds, according to Dr Sponenberg.

He said: Choctaw horses are descended from those brought to the United States in the 1500s and later by Spanish explorers and colonists.'

Now, the doctor is working tirelessly to breed the rare Choctaw horses which were thought to be long gone from historic Choctaw nation (modern day Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana) when the Native Americans were expelled by the government in the mid-1800s.

Dr Sponenberg started by carefully picking the mares that would be the best genetic matches for DeSoto before breeding the aging stallion which is linked to the Spanish conquistadors.

Mr Brown said some of the offspring will remain in Mississippi while others will go back to Oklahoma, along with their pregnant mares.

Bill Frank Brown feeds DeSoto, a 19-year-old Pine Tacky Stallion on his farm in Poplarville

Bill Frank Brown feeds horses including Choctaw mares on his farm in Poplarville

Stunning Choctaw mares grazing and playing on a farm in Poplarville, MississippiIndonesia could cancel an $11billion trade deal with Australia after Prime Minister Scott Morrison flagged moving the Israeli embassy to Jerusalem in the heat of the Wentworth by-election campaign.

Mr Morrison's proposal to copy U.S. President Donald Trump's relocation of the American embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city has reportedly angered Australia's Muslim neighbour.

Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, has taken a strong stance in favour of Palestinian statehood and is considering suspending an imminent free trade deal reached with Australia only seven weeks ago, in light of the Jerusalem proposal, the ABC reported.

Indonesia (President Joko Widodo pictured) could cancel an $11billion trade deal with Australia after Prime Minister Scott Morrison flagged moving the Israeli embassy to Jerusalem

Mr Morrison's proposal to copy U.S. President Donald Trump's relocation of the American embassy to Jerusalem (pictured) has reportedly angered Australia's Muslim neighbour

Australia exported $7billion worth of goods to Indonesia in 2017, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade data showed, and the cancellation of a free trade deal could jeopardise an $11.2billion trade relationship.

Mr Morrison made the proposal to relocate Australia's Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as he campaigned ahead of this Saturday's Wentworth by-election, in a Sydney eastern suburbs seat where 12.5 per cent of its residents are Jewish.

The Prime Minister told Parliament he had contacted Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who himself faces a tough re-election fight in April 2019.

'I have been in direct contact with President Joko Widodo over the course of last night and through this morning,' Mr Morrison told the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Australia exported $7billion worth of goods to Indonesia in 2017 and the cancellation of a free trade deal could jeopardise an $11.2billion trade relationship (live sheep to Indonesia pictured)

PM Scott Morrison (pictured) flagged moving Australia's Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv as he campaigned ahead of this Saturday's Wentworth by-election in a heavily Jewish seat

'I have been pleased to be able to explain very clearly the nature of the announcements that I have made today.

'And I have been very pleased with the response that I have received from President Joko Widodo.'

Mr Widodo, a moderate Muslim, is already under political pressure from fundamentalist Islamic voters, after his former running mate as Jakarta governor, Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama, was targeted for being a Christian.

Mr Widodo (left with Scott Morrison) is already under political pressure after his former running mate as Jakarta governor, Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama, was targeted as a Christian

In August, the Indonesian President picked hardline Muslim cleric Ma'ruf Amin as his running mate for next year's presidential elections.

During that same month, Australia and Indonesia signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, that will allow 99 per cent of Australia's exports to be sold in Indonesia duty free.

The free trade deal with Indonesia was set to unlock education opportunities in the Asian country, which has a workforce of more than 130 million people but half of them only have a primary school education.Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says President Donald Trump has assured him he is '100 percent' safe in his job.

Mattis told reporters traveling with him to Vietnam that during an in-flight phone call, Trump said, 'I am 100 percent with you.'

Mattis was responding to reporters' questions about Trump's comments on '60 Minutes' Sunday that Mattis 'may leave' his administration and that he thinks the retired Marine Corps general is 'sort of a Democrat.'

Some interpreted the comments as a sign that Trump would replace Mattis, but the phone call Monday seemed to indicate Mattis is staying. Mattis told reporters he and Trump have never discussed Mattis' departure.

Asked what he made of Trump's comments, in which the president also said he likes Mattis and that eventually all appointees move on, Mattis said, 'Nothing at all, I'm on his team,' adding, 'We have never talked about me leaving. And as you can see right here, we're on our way. We just continue doing our job.'

U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, left, pictureed Tuesday with Ho Chi Minh City's communist party chief Nguyen Thien Nhan, says President Donald Trump told him he's '100 per cent' behind him

Trump signaled on '60 Minutes' that there are more changes coming to his Cabinet, and that Mattis might not stick around

Later, Mattis approached reporters traveling with him to say he'd just spoken to Trump. He said he called the president aboard Air Force One to discuss damage to military bases caused by Hurricane Michael.

During that conversation, Trump asked Mattis whether he had seen the '60 Minutes' interview broadcast on Sunday. Mattis said he had not. Trump then expressed his full support for Mattis and suggested Mattis let the press know this.

By saying on TV that he suspected Mattis is 'sort of a Democrat,' Trump seemed to suggest that he thinks Mattis is too moderate in his politics, although he did not say so directly or cite any area of disagreement with Mattis.

Trump has made a hard-line policy on immigration a centerpiece of his agenda, but Mattis has publicly cited the valuable contributions that non-citizen members of the military have made over the years. Mattis also is a staunch supporter of NATO, whereas Trump has questioned its value to America.

Trump and Mattis have been staunch allies since before the 2017 Inauguration

Mattis, who had never previously held a civilian position in government before he became defense secretary in January 2017, told reporters he has sought to carry out and reinforce Trump's military and national security policies without regard to partisanship. Those policies, he said, are now 'reaping significant bipartisan support.'

Asked directly whether he is a Democrat, Mattis said, 'We're all built on our formative experiences. When I was 18 I joined the Marine Corps, and in the U.S. military we are proudly apolitical.'

Asked if that meant he was not a registered member of either major political party, he replied, 'I've never registered for any political party.'

Presidents in recent decades have sometimes picked a member of the opposite party to head the Pentagon. President Bill Clinton's second-term defense secretary was William Cohen, a prominent Republican member of the Senate. And President Barack Obama's first Pentagon chief was Robert Gates, a Republican who had served as CIA director and defense secretary in Republican administrations.

Mattis is in Asia in part to address China's increasingly muscular military presence

The post of defense secretary is typically the least political in a president's Cabinet. That is because of the non-political tradition of the military and long-standing bipartisan support for U.S. military alliances such as NATO.

Mattis flew to Vietnam for his second visit this year to the country with which the U.S. fought a 10-year war. He told reporters the violent history between the two countries is a thing of the past.

'The legacy of the war has turned into actually a basis for defense cooperation,' he said.

An example of this is a U.S.-funded $390 million project to clean up war-era chemical contamination of the ground at an air base near Ho Chi Minh City.

Mattis planned to visit the base at Bien Hoa on Wednesday to see firsthand the area that is to be decontaminated in a 10-year project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Barrels of Agent Orange had been staged at Bien Hoa for U.S. use as a defoliant elsewhere in Vietnam, and when the U.S. decided to stop spraying Agent Orange, the remaining barrels of toxic liquid were collected and stored at Bien Hoa before being flown out of the country.

Mattis also plans to attend a regional meeting of defense ministers in Singapore later this week. He said he may meet there with his Chinese counterpart, even though Beijing had recently told Mattis that if he came to China his counterpart would not be available to meet.The man who took a woman hostage at a train station in Germany yesterday, pledged allegiance to ISIS and strapped a home-made bomb to the hostage's chest before he was shot by police.

Police believe the man is a 55-year-old Syrian citizen who arrived in Germany in 2016, after finding an ID card at the scene of the crime 'likely' belonging to the perpetrator.

During the tense two-hour standoff with police at Cologne's main train station yesterday afternoon, he reportedly doused the woman with gasoline and threatened to set her on fire.

Taking action: Armed police are seen outside Cologne train station where a man lit a Molotov cocktail in a McDonald's - injuring two, including a teenage girl - before taking a woman hostage in a nearby pharmacy

Mystery: Police found an ID card for a 55-year-old Syrian citizen with a criminal record who arrived in Germany in 2016 at the scene, believe to belong to the hostage-taker

The unnamed man walked into a McDonald's at Cologne's main train station just before 1pm Monday, where he lit a Molotov cocktail.

The burning gasoline flask injured two people, including a 14-year-old girl, after which the man moved with the hostage into the pharmacy.

The teenager was hospitalized with burns on her lower body and a woman at the fast-food restaurant was treated for smoke inhalation, police said.

'Witnesses told us that the attacker said he belonged to the Islamic State group as he was entering the restaurant, but we cannot confirm this,' Cologne Police Marshal Klaus Rueschenschmidt said during a news conference.

During negotiations over the hostage, the man asked for the release of a Tunisian woman and demanded to be allowed to leave the train station unimpeded, Rueschenschmidt told reporters.

The hostage situation ended after 2.5 hours when police officers stormed the pharmacy, seriously injuring the perpetrator.

Waiting game: Police forces wait by one of the entrances to the main train station in Cologne

A police spokesman said the perpetrator's motives are still not clear, but added that they are investigating if he had extremist connections or beliefs.

The hostage was taken to a hospital after her ordeal, but it wasn't clear if the suspect harmed her or if she was injured when a special police unit stormed the train station pharmacy where she was held to free her.

The suspect underwent surgery Monday night for life-threatening injuries, including gunshot wounds.

Investigators said they found gas cartridges inside the the pharmacy's backroom and an ID card for a 55-year-old Syrian citizen. They said the ID likely was the suspect's, but police didn't divulge the name on it.

The station, one of the biggest in Germany, was evacuated shortly before 1pm local time

Evacuated people can be seen on the steps of Cologne's famous cathedral

A person with that name came to Cologne in 2016 and was known to local law enforcement for burglary and other previous crimes, as well as for drug-related incidents, they said.

Police said it would likely take a while to get a full picture of what happened at the train station and why.

Before police stormed the pharmacy, the entire train station, one of the biggest in Germany, was evacuated. All train traffic was stopped, leading to delays and cancelations across western Germany.

The station was reopened on Monday night, but service remained delayed.A student died from a heart infection after having a tooth out, with doctors failing to spot his fatal condition, an inquest heard.

Daniel Elton, 18, died after contracting a deadly infection after he had his tooth removed during a dental appointment in Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

The teenager, of Castle Gresley, was found dead in his home in November 2015 after suffering from an infective endocarditis, an infection on the surface of the heart.

Daniel Elton, 18, (pictured in hospital) died after contracting a deadly infection after he had his tooth removed during a dental appointment in Swadlincote, Derbyshire

His baffled doctor said Daniel's condition was extremely rare and he often wakes up in the night wondering if there was something he could have done to spot the signs.

The issue began when the student, from Castle Gresley, in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, visited the Delph Dental Practice in March 2015, where he complained about pain in his mouth.

After having his tooth extracted in April, the inquest heard how there appeared to be no problems up until Daniel started experiencing multiple health issues that May.

He told doctors he had lost weight and complained about a lack of appetite, dark urine, pain in his ankle and tenderness at the side of his back.

Despite numerous appointments at Hartwood Medical Practice, in Swadlincote, doctors said they were 'baffled' by Daniel's deteriorating condition and 'could not make sense' of his symptoms.

Speaking before the hearing, the assistant coroner, Louise Pinder, said a health expert who conducted an investigation into Daniel's death and believes there is a connection between the tooth extraction and the fatal endocarditis will give information at the inquest later this week.

The teenager (pictured), of Castle Gresley, was found dead in his home in November 2015 after suffering from an infective endocarditis, an infection on the surface of the heart

Dr Robin Thorne, Daniel's GP, of Hartwood Medical Practice, said at the inquest: 'Believe me, I have woken up at night about this case many times - what we should have done differently and what would have given us a clue.

'It's hard. It's really hard. I couldn't make sense of it at all.'

As Daniel's general health worsened, he was referred to doctors at Burton Queen's Hospital for tests.

The inquest heard how doctors sent off for urine tests, but results showed no signs of infection.

What is endocarditis? Endocarditis is an infection of the heart's inner lining and valves. If untreated, it can lead to life-threatening heart failure. Endocarditis affects around one in every 30,000 people every year in the UK and four in 100,000 in the US. Symptoms often develop slowly over several weeks and can include: Endocarditis is usually caused by bacteria, which may enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart. It is more common in people who have had heart-valve surgery, suffer from heart disease, are an IV drug user or have poor dental hygiene. Treatment starts with IV antibiotics. Surgery may be required to repair heart damage. Source: British Heart Foundation Advertisement

But medics said alarm bells started to ring when the levels of protein in his blood indicated 'something else was going on'.

Dr Thorne said he had sent a letter to Dr David Watmough at Burton Queen's Hospital urging Daniel to undergo an urgent MRI scan to find the cause of his health problems.

Dr Watmough, medicine consultant at the hospital, said: 'You would think someone had a light bulb moment, but unfortunately they didn't.

'There was no evidence of bleeding anywhere, he did not have any red flag symptoms.

'He didn't look clinically anemic.

'But inflammations showed there was something somewhere in the body.'

The inquest heard how by October 2015 Daniel had become anemic (a lack of iron), found it difficult to breathe, could not get comfortable and had no energy.

He was finally found unresponsive by his mother on his living room floor on the morning of November 7, 2015.

The inquest at Derby and Derbyshire Coroner's Court is scheduled to last all week.

After the hearing, Daniel's sister, Jade Elton, 22, of Castle Gresley, said: 'I hope he gets the justice he needs. It's been years.

'He was so bubbly, loved his bike and scooter and loved his family. He loved his nieces and nephews. They went everywhere together.'Ishaq Dar property confiscated-efforts to extradite him underway: SC informed

The Supreme Court on Tuesday was informed that former finance minister Ishaq Dar's property in Pakistan has been confiscated and that efforts to extradite him are underway.



A day after an accountability court asked the Punjab government to confiscate three plots owned by Dar, his spouse Tabassum and son Ali Mustafa, additional attorney general gave the apex court an update on the case.



It is pertinent to mention here that Dar, once a senior minister in former PM Nawaz Sharif's cabinet, has been declared an absconder in a reference pertaining to his assets.



"NAB has confiscated the properties," the additional attorney general told the Supreme Court today, adding that "talks are being held with the UK government for Dar's arrest."



Following the attorney general's remarks, the case's hearing was adjourned till an unspecified date.



A day earlier, accountability court judge Mohammad Bashir, in his order issued on an application of NAB regarding confiscation of three more plots of Mr Dar, had said that the plots had been placed at the disposal of the provincial government within the meaning of Section 88(7) of the Criminal Procedure Code.



The investigation officer is directed to inform the provincial government concerned in this regard, he ordered.



NAB special prosecutor Mohammad Imran Shafique had further informed the accountability court that the two vehicles  Mercedez Benz and Land Cruiser  could not be taken into possession as these were yet to be traced.



Last month, during the hearing of a case related to non-appearance of Dar before the apex court, the SC had asked the government departments concerned to find a way of getting the former finance minister extradited so that he could be produced in court.Donald Tusk has demanded Theresa May (pictured yesterday in Downing Street) brings 'concrete' new ideas for solving the Irish border to tomorrow's EU summit, warning he has 'no grounds for optimism' a deal can be struck

Donald Tusk has demanded Theresa May brings 'concrete' new ideas for solving the Irish border to tomorrow's EU summit, warning he has 'no grounds for optimism' a deal can be struck.

The EU Council President said the prospect of No Deal looms large as he demanded new concessions when national leaders gather in Brussels.

Mrs May appears set to defy the demand after a marathon Cabinet meeting this morning took no new decisions on Britain's Brexit negotiating position.

Delaying any decision allowed the PM to escape the meeting without any new resignations - but leaves her facing a crucial 48 hour battle to get negotiation back on track with few cards to play.

She will fly to Brussels tomorrow before addressing EU leaders ahead of a dinner - but will then be told to leave while the other politicians eat and consider her pitch.

After dramatically pulling the plug on a fledgling divorce agreement on Sunday, Mrs May has been ringing round EU leaders to appeal for a shift in their position.

But Mr Tusk made clear today that he expects the UK to move first.

He said: 'Unfortunately the report on the state of the negotiation that I got from Michel Barnier today as well as yesterday's debate in the House of Commons gives me no grounds for optimism before tomorrow's European Council on Brexit.

'As I see it the only source of hope for a deal for now is the good will and determination on both sides.

'However for a breakthrough to take place despite good will, we need new facts.

'Tomorrow I am going to ask Prime Minister May whether she has concrete proposals on how to break the impasse. Only such proposals can determine if a breakthrough through is possible.'

EU Council President Donald Tusk (pictured in Brussels today) said the prospect of No Deal looms large as he demanded new concessions when national leaders gather in Brussels

Following a meeting with EU negotiator Michel Barnier (left today) Mr Tusk (right) said he had no grounds for optimism there would be progress at tomorrow's crucial summit

At the long Cabinet today, the PM pleaded with her senior team to 'stand together' as she braced for a frantic 48 hours battling to get negotiations back on track.

But while Mrs May managed to stave off the threat of potentially disastrous resignations, ministers laid down a marker against conceding too much.

Ministers including Esther McVey and Andrea Leadsom are said to have voiced alarm at the idea of not including a hard end date in the UK's backstop proposals.

According to Downing Street, Mrs May told the session that progress was being made in talks and she could get an outcome that honoured the referendum result and did not risk splitting the UK .

'I'm convinced that if we as a government stand together and stand firm we can achieve this,' she said.

Jeremy Hunt and Dominic Raab (pictured today) will play key roles in the unfolding Brexit drama between the UK and Brussels

German minister Michael Roth said this morning that Mrs May must 'take responsibility' for securing a breakthrough.

What are the Brexit sticking points ministers were wrangling about? When the Cabinet met today, everyone was clear that the Irish border is the issue holding up Brexit negotiations. The concept of a 'backstop', to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic whatever the future trade relationship, was agreed by both sides in December last year. But they have dramatically different idea on how the mechanism would work - which have given rise to two distinct sticking points. Border in the Irish Sea Brussels says the only way of avoiding a hard border is for Northern Ireland to stay under its customs jurisdiction. Under the model, the province would also follow single market rules to avoic the need for checks. But Mrs May says that would be unacceptable as it would split up the UK. Ministers are unanimous in opposing anything that splits the UK - and made clear that the PM cannot agree anything that puts the union at risk. Credible exit plan from EU customs rules The PM is trying to break the deadlock by proposing a new 'backstop' arrangement for the Irish border. The blueprint could mean the whole UK staying in the EU customs union 'temporarily' and accepting regulatory checks between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland. Brussels seems implacably opposed to having a hard 'end date' written into the deal. As a result, the government is mooting a 'break clause' that would ensure the customs arrangement will end - without explictly stating when. Some Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs fear that in reality this could keep the UK subject to Brussels rules indefinitely. But they are thought to be holding off until they see the final shape of the proposal. Advertisement

In signs that concerns are growing within the Cabinet, around a third of the ministers met over pizza in Commons Leader Mrs Leadsom's office last night to consider the state of play.

Four senior figures including Mrs Leadsom are thought to be ready to resign if the PM goes too far in concessions to the EU.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt is reported to have made clear at the dinner that he shares their concerns about the end date for the Irish border 'backstop'.

Mrs May is said to have reassured her team that it is 'not possible for her or any other UK Prime Minister to sign up to an agreement that would lead to a customs border down the Irish Sea'.

She also insisted there would not be a 'situation where the UK can be kept indefinitely in a backdrop against our will'.

A No10 spokesman said every minister present contributed to the discussion, and no-one threatened to resign.

'The Cabinet strongly supported the Prime Minister on the importance of maintaining the integrity of the union,' the spokesman said.

'It is very clear from the Prime Minister's Cabinet colleagues that on these two key points she has their strong support.'

The spokesman joked that ministers had not been offered pizza, but sausage, egg and bacon sandwiches were laid on.

Speculation has been intensifying that Mrs May could face a confidence vote by Tory MPs unless she shifts her Brexit approach - with claims that the number of letters sent to 1922 committee chair Graham Brady has almost reached the threshold of 48 required to force one. However, even Brexiteers admit she would currently win such a vote if it was held.

Mrs May came under fire from angry Eurosceptics and Remainers last night as she updated the Commons on the standoff.

The DUP has also stepped up its rhetoric again by threatening to paralyse the government if Mrs May agrees to anything that would risk splitting the UK.

Negotiations with Brussels hit the rocks on Sunday after Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab rejected the latest proposals on the Irish border at a hastily-arranged meeting with Michel Barnier.

Penny Mordaunt and Andrea Leadsom, pictured left and right respectively arriving for Cabinet today, are believed to be concerned about concessions in the Brexit negotiations

Mrs May insisted hopes for a deal were still alive, saying the two sides were not 'far apart', but made clear Brussels will have to make concessions for there to be any chance of a settlement.

The breakdown in talks centres on the so-called 'backstop' plans designed to prevent the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland.

'Pizza plotter' ministers mull Brexit strategy in Leadsom's office Around a third of the Cabinet held private talks over takeaway pizza last night amid growing concerns about Theresa May's Brexit strategy. Senior figures including Jeremy Hunt, Sajid Javid and Dominic Raab met in Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom's office. The gathering was a clear show of strength by ministers as Mrs May comes under massive pressure from the EU to make concessions. Tory Brexiteers have been urging the Cabinet to revolt and force the premier into a change of approach. Four senior figures including Mrs Leadsom are thought to be ready to resign if the PM goes too far. The meeting in Mrs Leadsom's opulent Commons office last night was attended by Mr Hunt, Mr Javid and Mr Raab, along with Environment Secretary Michael Gove, Aid Secretary Penny Mordaunt, Treasury minister Liz Truss, Attorney General Geoffrey Cox and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling. They ordered woodfired pizzas from Oregano, including Mozzerella, hot and spicy, and vegetarian. Sources claimed the event was 'social' and there is no sinister plot to unseat Mrs May. Advertisement

Mrs May revealed for the first time that the EU has agreed to consider her plan to keep the whole UK in a 'temporary customs arrangement' if a backstop is needed.

But she told MPs that Brussels had also demanded a 'backstop to the backstop', which would ultimately require Northern Ireland to remain in the customs union  an idea Mrs May said was unacceptable. She insisted that a deal was still 'achievable', but government sources played down hopes of a breakthrough this week.

She voiced her 'frustration' that the Irish issue was holding up talks, but added: 'We are entering the final stages of these negotiations. This is the time for cool, calm heads to prevail.'

Mrs May was repeatedly challenged by Eurosceptics including Boris Johnson over whether her 'backstop' plans for the Irish border will have a hard end date.

She played down the idea of a date, but insisted she accepted the need for some form of exit mechanism or break clause.

'People are rightly concerned that what is only meant to be temporary could become a permanent limbo, with no new relationship between the UK and EU ever agreed,' she said.

'I am clear we are not going to be trapped permanently in a single customs territory unable to do meaningful trade deals.'

The premier also dashed Brexiteer hopes she will shift from her Chequers blueprint for future trade to a looser Canada-style deal.

She said that model was only on offer if the UK was willing to see Northern Ireland 'carved out' into a permanent customs union with the EU  something she would never contemplate.

Sajid Javid (left) and Liz Truss were also among the ministers at the Cabinet meeting today

Chancellor Philip Hammond, pictured arriving at No10 today, has been pushing for a softer Brexit approach

Eurosceptic MPs accused No 10 of manufacturing a 'confected row' with the EU to distract attention from a potential sellout.

Former Brexit minister Steve Baker said the breakdown in talks was 'almost certainly theatre'.

But in better news for Mrs May, Mr Baker also admitted that there was neither time nor support for a leadership challenge.

'There really isn't time for a long leadership contest going to the party and probably a general election,' he said.

'And if people were to look at a spreadsheet of where people stand on Euroscepticism and the Prime Minister there are not Eurosceptic numbers to change Prime Minister.'

Since Article 50 was triggered, the UK has not been invited to EU summit sessions where Brexit negotiations are discussed - with all contacts on the issue meant to go through Mr Barnier.

But the PM has been invited to set out her position tomorrow evening before the dinner begins. They are not expected to respond, and she will not stay for food.

The leaders are due to discuss the state of play on Brexit and the future of the EU the following morning - again without Mrs May.

Despite playing a limited role in the proceedings, she is due to stay in Brussels throughout the two-day gathering and a separate Asian summit on Friday.

EU foreign ministers delivered a series of shots at the UK as they held a meeting in Brussels today.

Asked about the prospects of a no-deal Brexit, Belgium's Didier Reynders said: 'A couple of months ago when I was meeting Jeremy Hunt I said that it's 50/50.

'I still believe it's 50/50, and there is a need for some good compromise that should be made.

'I understand the British government has its difficulties, but I also believe that the EU is united at 27, and this is in our interest to preserve union first.

'What is going to be (the) outcome I don't know. But, I also believe that even if in this week's debate we are not going to have any kind of deal, there is still time, there is still possibility to get a deal.'

Mrs May has been frantically ringing round fellow leaders including Emmanuel Macron (pictured) to appeal for a shift in their position

Speaking in German as he arrived at the General Affairs Council, Mr Roth said: 'The situation is very serious. It is no game.

'We have taken a short pause for breath. All involved must now look into whether the compromises made have been sufficient.

'For us, it is clear, we want a fair deal with the GB, but it must be a deal that preserves the integrity of the single market.'

While the UK was demanding 'flexibility' from Brussels, the EU was limited in its room for manoeuvre because of the need to keep the Irish border open, he said.

Mr Roth said that Germany had taken the 'painful' step of beginning preparations for a possible no-deal Brexit because 'we are in a situation where we cannot exclude anything', he said.

Mrs Leadsom and Ms Mordaunt said they were 'fully behind' the PM this morning.

Meanwhile, DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds has warned that his party's 10 MPs - who are propping up Mrs May in power - will effective go on strike if she does not stick to red lines on splitting the UK.

'We will have to say  'How can we continue implement your domestic agenda, your budgets and everything else?'' he told the BBC's Newsnight.

'Under the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act there are a lot of things that we can not support in terms of the government's domestic and financial and welfare agenda which does not trigger the possibility of Jeremy Corbyn coming into No. 10.'

In the Commons last night, Boris Johnson pressed the PM on whether the Irish border 'backstop' would be time-limitedA lorry driver has been caught on camera spilling an entire truckload of beer crates onto the road while trying to make a three-point-turn during a delivery in Cape Town, South Africa.

Video footage shows the trucker attempting to reverse a lorry marked with a banner reading 'REGRET NOTHING' down the side.

As he maneuvers the lorry across the road, the load starts to shift, and soon the tarmac is covered in crates, bottles and beer.

The video shows the driver continuing to move his vehicle, despite beer crates spilling out onto the road.

Withing seconds, the entire trailer is seen tilting sharply and half his load crashes into the road.

Many of the beer bottles from South African Breweries smashes into a frothy foaming sea of ale blocking the road and leaving the driver suffering a very unhappy hour.

It is believed that between 150 and 200 crates of beer fell out of the beer lorry.

An eye witness said: 'The driver had realised he had come down the wrong road and was trying to do a three point turn and go the other way but the road was too narrow.

Starting off well: The driver of a lorry loaded with beer marked with 'regret nothing' to help prevent drink-driving starts to make a three-point turn

Crashing down: As her reverses and stops, the load in the back of the trailer starts to move around, and beer leeks out of the lorry as beer bottles smash inside

Wastage: Soon, dozens of crates spill onto the road, covering the tarmac in beer

'There was an almighty crash when the load toppled out and about the same amount of beer crates fell out of both sides and most of them shattered on the tarmac.

'Just the smell from so much beer felt like it was enough to get you drunk!' he said.

The sheepish driver emerged from his cab to see half of his load lying in the road and was forced to call in a team to clear it up.

South African Breweries spokesman Refilwe Masemola said: 'It was an unfortunate incident and necessary corrective measures have been put into place to ensure that it does not happen again'.

The brewery refused to comment on the irony of the REGRET NOTHING banner when asked if the driver had any regrets and refused to reveal how many crates of beer fell off.

A South African Police Service spokesman was unable to confirm whether the trucker was breathalyzed as per the message on the banner warning against drinking-and-driving.The Government must take urgent action to stop under-age puppies and heavily pregnant dogs being smuggled across Europe for sale in the UK, campaigners said.

An undercover investigation by the Dogs Trust found animals were being forced to travel more than 1,000 miles across Europe in 'shocking' conditions to meet the demand for fashionable breeds of dogs.

The Dogs Trust said that as the UK leaves the EU, the Government should redraw the non-commercial pet travel rules, which are being exploited to smuggle puppies to the UK from central and eastern Europe.

Eight-week-old French bulldogs are pictured at a breeding facility in Hungary. A Dogs Trust investigation found animals were being forced to travel more than 1,000 miles across Europe

Underage Chihuahua puppies at a breeding facility in Hungary, in a photo issued by the Dogs Trust which is campaining for the Government to redraw non-commercial pet travel rules

Since the pet travel scheme, currently governed by the EU, was changed to allow puppies to enter UK at a much younger age, unscrupulous dealers are using the opportunity to make millions of pounds from illegally importing them.

Puppies are being sedated in cramped conditions for more than 30-hour journeys, while pregnant dogs are being forced to travel to allow the puppies to be born in the UK, the charity's investigation found.

Dealers claim to evade border controls across Europe, while hundreds of dogs are producing 'designer' breeds of puppies including French bulldogs, some of which are advertised for sale in the UK.

One Hungarian dealer told investigators that around 400 puppies are exported each week from his hometown - equating to 20,000 puppies a year providing an annual turnover of 28million based on the average sale price of 1,400 per puppy.

Yorkshire Terrier puppies offered for sale to Dogs Trust undercover investigators in a small town in Hungary. The charity claims corrupt vets are providing fake vaccination stamps

The charity also claims corrupt vets are falsifying pet passports, providing fake vaccination stamps to allow puppies to travel when younger than allowed, and supplying sedatives to help smuggle them into the UK without detection.

The Government should reduce the number of dogs allowed under non-commercial movement rules, and require visual checks of all dogs entering the UK, the Dogs Trust said.

The charity said there should also be a centrally accessible database logging pets' microchip numbers and date of entry to the UK, maximum penalties for those caught illegally importing dogs should be increased, and there should be specific requirements for the welfare of dogs during transport.

The Dogs Trust is also asking members of the public to contact their MP via the charity's website to help put an end to the puppy smuggling trade.

Puppies at a breeding kennel in Hungary. The Government should reduce the number of dogs allowed under non-commercial movement rules, the Dogs Trust said

A French bulldog at a breeding facility in Hungary. The Government must take action to stop under-age puppies being smuggled across Europe for sale in the UK, campaigners said

Paula Boyden, veterinary director of Dogs Trust, said: 'Our investigations have revealed shocking welfare conditions.

Puppies seen at a breeding facility in Serbia

'There is no regard for the lives of these vulnerable puppies, who are subjected to gruelling journeys of more than 30 hours in hot, cramped and filthy conditions with no toilet breaks and very little water.

'Some don't survive the journey, and those who do may have physical health and behavioural issues due to their poor start in life.'

She said puppy smugglers were only concerned with making a profit, importers were exploiting the lack of visual checks at borders and insufficient penalties meant there was no real deterrent for illegally importing animals.

'With Brexit around the corner this is an opportunity of a lifetime to put robust measures in place that protect dogs and the public,' she urged.

This Dogs Trust graphic shows the 1,000-mile journey of a puppy from a breeder in Lithuania

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said: 'This abhorrent and illegal trade is cruel and unnecessary, and risks spreading very serious diseases such as rabies.

'We have one of the most rigorous pet border checking regimes in the world and we are planning to crack down further with a complete ban on third-party puppy and kitten sales.

'This will mean the people who have a complete disregard for pet welfare will no longer be able to profit from this miserable trade.

'Leaving the EU will also give us the opportunity to bring in further controls to stop this sick trade.'Margaret Fleming, 37, (pictured) was reported missing from her home, Inverkip, in 2016 - but the last sighting of her was in 1999

A man accused of killing a woman who has been missing for 18 years told police investigating her disappearance: This is going to end up in a murder charge.

Constable Jonathan Gilmour told the High Court in Glasgow Edward Cairney made the comment after he and a colleague went to a house looking for Margaret Fleming.

PC Gilmour was giving evidence at the trial of Cairney, 77, and Avril Jones, 58, who deny murdering Miss Fleming when she was 19 at the home they shared at Inverkip, Renfrewshire, between December 18, 1999 and January 5, 2000.

He told prosecutor Iain McSporran, QC, they were asked to investigate in October 2016 after a social worker had been unable to contact Miss Fleming.

Mr McSporran asked the officer: Did you say why you were there? He replied: There was concern for the female and I was told she had not been seen for some time  18 years was what I was told.

He told the jury the door was answered by Jones who claimed Miss Fleming and Cairney were out. He said when Cairney joined them, he said they had been to Wemyss Bay.

Aerial view of the police search at home of Margaret Fleming in Inverkip, Inverclyde

PC Gilmour told the jury Cairney claimed Miss Fleming had been scared by the police presence and run off.

He said that as they questioned the pair, Cairney became more irate. The officer said: He said, You know where this is going dont you Avril. This is going to end up in a murder charge.

The jury heard that items allegedly belonging to Miss Fleming were found in the house

It was suggested by Thomas Ross, QC, defending Cairney, that he never said this. The jury heard that items allegedly belonging to Miss Fleming were found in the house.

These were a tartan jumper, a blue T-shirt, socks and a toy penguin, which Jones said was Miss Flemings favourite toy.

But PC Gilmour told the court that they found no toothbrush or hairbrush and no underwear and there were no photographs of Miss Fleming.

The officer told the jury that in the early stages of a missing person investigation, it is normal to ask for personal effects in order to obtain a DNA profile.

He said he asked to see Miss Flemings birth certificate, which was produced.

A second police officer said Jones said that Miss Flemings benefits money was paid into her bank account. Constable Stuart Rintoul was asked how much Jones had said she received and he replied: It was between 500 and 1,000 a month.

Avril said it went into her bank account as Margaret didnt have one. She said she gave Edward his bit and Margaret her bit.

The court was told when the police visited the house it was just days before Miss Flemings birthday, yet there was no sign of birthday cards or presents.

Cairney and Jones deny murdering Miss Fleming by means unknown. They also deny claiming 182,000 in benefits fraud by pretending she was alive.

The trial before Lord Matthews continues.The Government is set to delay the roll-out of Universal Credit after a Cabinet minister admitted the welfare shake-up will leave some people worse off.

Ministers have faced growing pressure to halt or ditch the major welfare shake-up amid dire warnings some vulnerable families will lose up to 2,400 a year.

Theresa May is facing a growing Tory revolt over the reforms, with ex PM Sir John Major warning it would be as unpopular as the hated poll tax which led to riots in the late 1980s.

Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey last week publicly admitted some people will be worse off when the reforms are rolled out next year.

Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey (pictured in the Commons yesterday)has admitted that some families will be worse off under the flagship welfare reform

And ministers are now set to finally bow to pressure and set to delay the roll-out, according to leaked documents seen by the BBC.

The Government is planning to spend hundreds of millions of pounds to ease the transition for welfare claimants as they move onto the new system, the documents reportedly show.

WHAT IS UNIVERSAL CREDIT? What is Universal Credit? A radical change to the benefits system which combines six payments  including tax credits, housing benefit and income support  into a single, means-tested payment. How does it work? A claimant's benefits should be adjusted automatically if their wages change. Benefits will gradually 'taper' off if a claimant finds work or earns more. What is the timetable? After teething troubles with the computer systems implementation has been hit by delays. There are currently around 610,000 on UC and this will go up by anther 12 million over the next five years. Why a five-week delay on payments? Controversially the benefit is paid five weeks in arrears - this is because it is based on your previous month's earnings. Critics say this delay pushed people into debt. Advertisement

Universal credit is the Government's flagship welfare reform and brings together six benefit payments into one.

It is designed to ensure that getting into work always pays, but has been blasted for pushing poor families into poverty as claimants face a gap between coming off their old benefits and being paid universal credit.

Tory former minister Iain Duncan Smith, the architect of the under-fire reforms, has said the 2billion cut to welfare payments must be reversed for the scheme to stand a chance of working.

Dame Louise Casey, a former senior government adviser, today warned the welfare change will see poor Britons fall into 'crippling debt'.

She BBC Radio 4 Today Programme: 'My worry about more pauses is this needs to be halted and sorted out. Something also needs to be done for the thousands of people who have already transferred over to it who are now in crippling debt.

'People having to wait for five weeks, who are used to being on either weekly or fortnightly pay, just doesn't add up, and making those people take out loans just pushes them further and further into destitution.'

Frank Field, an MP and former Labour welfare minister, said women have been pushed into prostitution because of the scheme.

He said women in his Birkenhead constituency had 'taken to the red light district for the first time' because being put on Universal Credit meant their benefits had shrunk.

Frank Field (pictured yesterday in the Commons) said women in his Birkenhead constituency had 'taken to the red light district for the first time' because being put on Universal Credit meant their benefits had shrunk

The controversial reforms were plunged into fresh turmoil last week when Ms McVey publicly admitted some will be poorer after the change.

She said: 'People could be worse off, thats right, on this benefit.

'But what we also know that we have done, a thousand people each and every day, since 2010 have gone into work, and that is what this benefit is about.

Her public warning came after she reportedly told Cabinet that millions of families, including half of all lone parents and two-thirds of working-age couples with children, will lose around 2,400 per year under the change.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said they were taking a 'a slow and measured approach to managed migration' and wanted 'to ensure the system is working well for claimants and to make any necessary adaptations as we go'.

'We will publish full plans for the next stage of Universal Credit rollout, including managed migration, in due course.

'Anything before that point is speculation and we do not comment on leaks.'Hate preacher Anjem Choudary will live in a London bail hostel for up to six months after his release from prison this week, it emerged today.

The extremist cleric was jailed for five and a half years in 2016 after being caught swearing an oath of allegiance to ISIS - but will be freed this week after serving half of that term behind bars.

Authorities are mounting a huge security operation in a bid to prevent him radicalising a new generation of home-grown jihadi terrorists.

He faces up to 25 strict conditions drawn up to control almost every aspect of his life - including a ban on talking to children.

Choudary is understood to be eligible for release from tomorrow but is expected to be freed on Friday, it was reported today.

Hate preacher Anjem Choudary - who inspired some of Britain's most notorious terrorists - is to be released on Friday and moved to a bail hostel

The 51-year-old will also be tagged and subject to a night-time curfew, The Times reported.

Despite the conditions however, reports he'll be kept in a bail hostel for so long will raise fears he may have access to vulnerable drifters who he could try to radicalise.

One estimate put the total bill to the taxpayer of monitoring him at more than 2million a year.

Choudary was jailed for five and half years for terror charges in 2016. He is now eligible of automatic release having served half the term

By contrast it costs an estimated 50,000 a year to keep a prisoner in the Category A Frankland prison near Durham where he has been held.

It is understood he'll be moved to Belmarsh prison in south-east London before his release.

The cleric, who used to operate out of a council house where he lived with his family in Ilford, east London, will then be freed to visit some of his old haunts.

He also faces being targeted by United Nations sanctions to freeze his assets, prevent him travelling and even enforce 'arms embargo provisions'.

It is believed such draconian measures have only once been used before in the UK on hook-handed Egyptian cleric Abu Hamza.

Choudary, who once led the banned group Al-Muhajiroun, helped radicalise some of Britain's most notorious terrorists, including London Bridge terror attacker ringleader Khuram Butt, and Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, who murdered Fusilier Lee Rigby in Woolwich, south-east London.

His group often targeted mixed-up or vulnerable young men, such as Brusthom Ziamani, who was brought up a Jehovahs Witness, but converted to Islam after leaving his south London family home.

Ziamani was radicalised in just two weeks before he was arrested as he wandered the streets looking for a serviceman to execute in a Woolwich-style killing. He was jailed for 22 years in 2015.

Web of hate: How Anjem Choudary's sermons inspired a generation of home-grown terrorists and radicals

The hate-filled circle around Anjem Choudary was a breeding ground for the Islamic extremism which plagued Britain in the last two decades.

Former law-student Choudary, who previously called for adulterers to be stoned to death and branded UK troops 'cowards', always hid behind free speech rules whenever challenged by the authorities.

But the group he helped to set up were linked to a series of terrorist attacks, as easily-influenced young men became inspired by his twisted vision of jihad.

The best known of his disciples was Muslim convert Michael Adebolajo, who, along with Michael Adebowale, attacked Fusilier Lee Rigby with a meat cleaver in Woolwich in 2013 in a murder which shocked the country.

Anjem Choudary was at the centre of a web of extremists who operated in London

Adebolajo was a supporter of Choudary's al-Muhajiroun group and was pictured standing behind the hate preacher in 2007.

After the incident, Choudary said Adebolajo was 'a practising Muslim and a family man' who he was 'proud of'.

But he denied encouraging the killer to carry out the attack, insisting he was 'channeling the energy of the youth through demonstrations and processions'.

London Bridge attacker Khuram Butt also joined one of Choudary's rallies, this time on College Green outside the Palace of Westminster in 2013.

There, Butt 'verbally assaulted' a moderate Muslim leader who had opposed Choudary's extremist rhetoric.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Reza Haque, thought of as Choudary's bodyguard, disappeared from Britain in 2014.

A photograph taken in Syria showed him in a balaclava and camouflage clothing, brandishing an AK-47 assault rifle and he has since been suspected as being a tall figure in ISIS's horrific execution films.

Siddhartha Dhar, who once ran Choudary's media operation, was also seen posing in a military style coat and boots, brandishing an assault rifle and holding his new born baby in Syria, labelling the picture 'Generation Khilafah'.

In December 2014, two other close associates were discovered in the back of a lorry at Dover as they tried to leave the country.

Westminster attacker Khalid Masood was also linked to Choudary through Ibrahim Anderson, an al-Muhajiroun activist convicted of inviting support for ISIS in 2016.A group of African teenagers stormed the home of a Melbourne father, beating him before stealing his car and cash.

Despite the vicious attack, David McGregor, 59, has express sympathy for the thugs.

The group knocked at Mr McGregor's door to his Narre Warren South home around 10pm on Monday.

When the father-of two opened the door the group of up to nine teenagers charged inside, punching and kicking him, 9News reported.

A group of teenagers knocked at David McGregor door around 10pm on Monday night, they stormed his home and beat him before stealing his cash and car

They were yelling about money, he said

'I thought I was about to die, I thought they would use a knife in the kitchen and come and stab me. I was that scared,' he said.

After the beating the teenagers stole cash and the keys to Mr McGregor's 2006 Holden Commodore.

While Mr McGregor was in hospital the group returned to steal the car.

Mr MrGregor has been left shaken by the ordeal.

'I don't blame these people for coming to this country to have a better life, but have the better life. Don't try to steal from other people to make your life better.

'My message to them is don't steal from other people when you haven't got a life of your own.'

David McGregor, 59, has express sympathy for the thugs who viciously beat him inside his Melbourne home

When the father-of two opened the door the group of up to nine teenagers charged inside, punching and kicking him

'Were just human beings on a bl*** planet that doesnt love us. Im very emotional, shaken up right now,' he told 3AW.

Police found the car on a Narre Warren Street on Tuesday. The offenders have not yet been located.Allan Austin, 66 and from Cheshire, was today jailed for eight months after admitting charges of voyeurism and administering poison

A retired company director who covertly filmed a young woman getting changed at his luxury home has been jailed for eight months.

Allan Austin, 66, installed a hidden spy camera at his home in Cheshire because he 'liked the figure' of the victim.

The dark secret only emerged after the woman suspected Austin had drugged a gin and tonic he had made for her during another visit and she subsequently went to police.

The glass was analysed and tested positive for zoplicone - a hypnotic sleeping pill used for treating insomnia.

Now 'anxious and nervous', the victim is struggling to piece her life back together after a year she described as a 'living nightmare'.

When officers searched Austin's 500,000 detached house in the village of High Legh, near Knutsford, Cheshire they found the hidden camera which was linked to his computer and iPad.

Officers checked the devices and discovered 670 images and video of the woman getting changed - all of which were taken over a period of two years.

Austin who lived with his unsuspecting second wife admitted taking the illicit photos but said he had slipped the pill into the woman's drink as he felt they all needed an 'early night' as he was due to attend a hospital appointment the following day.

In a statement the victim said: 'This last year has been a living nightmare for me and my family. This did not only shock me but it is sickening and I cannot describe the hurt this has caused me.

'I would never have imagined him doing anything as disgusting as he did, this has had a huge affect on me and left me struggling with close family and personal relationships.

'Since he was arrested, I have not felt the same person as I have been extremely anxious and nervous and have suffered panic attacks. What he has done to me has emotionally scarred me for life.

'The fact he has shown no remorse for what he has done is extremely upsetting and goes to show what sort of man he really is. He is a Jekyll and Hyde character who finds it extremely easy to lie.'

At Chester Crown Court today, Austin who formerly worked in the energy industry admitted charges of voyeurism and administering poison and was jailed for eight months.

He was also banned from contacting the woman for life under the terms of a restraining order. He is currently in the process of being divorced by his wife.

Prosecutor Peter Hussey said: 'The victim in this case reported to the police in November last year that she thought the defendant had been filming her.

'She came to visit and stayed over but on this particular date, having spent the evening together and had a few drinks, the defendant made her a gin and tonic and she noticed it tasted very odd.

'She had a suspicion the defendant might have put something in it.

'When she went to bed she heard an argument and the defendant then admitted to putting the camera in the room.

'She describes him as being aggressive when she challenged him, she put it to him that he put Viagra in the drink. The drink was not consumed.

'The glass was handed to the police and was analysed and found to contain zoplicone.

'The conclusion to be drawn from putting this sleeping tablet in the drink was not an obvious one - but a covert camera was found hidden in the bedroom and the defendants devices were seized.

'The computer equipment seized by police was subjected to analysis and the computer and iPad found 670 unique images and videos which were voyeuristic in nature and evidently taken without the complainant knowing the circumstances.

'These were taken while she was undressing in the bedroom and in a private setting. His attraction was to her because of her figure.'

The victim of Austin's (pictured) secret filming has said she now suffers panic attacks as a result. She told the court: 'This did not only shock me but it is sickening and I cannot describe the hurt this has caused me'

In mitigation defence lawyer Alexandra Sutton said: 'While it is accepted that there would be some premeditation, no harm was caused by the administration of the pill. The defendant does maintain that the intention was to try and make them go to bed early.

'He is a 66-year-old man of previous good character. He stated that he was experiencing a generally difficult period but throughout that time he was experiencing marital problems.

'He does accept that while that may be some explanation of context, it does not excuse this behaviour.

'His daughter from his first marriage has been undergoing treatment for a brain tumour, he was due to attend The Christie the next day with his daughter and this provides some context perhaps for his decision making but it is by no way an excuse. He does not shy away from his unacceptable behaviour.

'He describes himself as a foolish old man in his interview. He stated quite clearly that he wanted to apologise for the pain and anger he has caused.

'These proceedings have been going on for a course of a year and there are ongoing divorce proceedings. He has used that time to take positive steps to address his behaviour.

'He was diagnosed with depression following this incident and has been going to counselling. He was prescribed with medication which has helped him somewhat. He is also getting support from his local church and knows he is grateful to have that support.

'He is particularly anxious in relation to his daughter and his young grandson, he is aware that this has not only had a detrimental on the complainant but to his family as well. This is due to his poor judgement and poor decision making over that period of time. He accepts that this offending is very serious.'

Sentencing Judge Roger Dutton told Austin: 'You took to achieving sexual gratification by setting up a complex camera system in the room which the complainant used when visiting so that you could view her undressing.

'It goes without saying that sexual gratification can be obtained in many ways but do not involve setting up a camera system in order to look at someone undress which is what you chose to do.

'This has had a profound impact of her, the idea that she has been spied upon has been damaging. The impact of what you have done has alienated you from those you lived with.

'On the last occasion, this was all associated with you placing some kind of sleeping drug into a drink you gave her, why you did that is capable of a number of interpretations. Your explanation is that you wanted them to go to bed.

'I am not dealing with this charge on the basis there was a serious motive for doing it - though it was clearly unwise and unlawful.

'This happened repeatedly, time and time again. This was abuse of her privacy for your benefit.'

Austin was also ordered to sign the Sex Offender register for ten years and all of his computer equipment was ordered to be confiscated.A British man is missing feared dead after vanishing following Costa del Sol floods.

Roger Hanks, 73, has not been seen since last Tuesday just before heavy rain forced the evacuation of residents living by a river near the inland town of Coin where the 73-year-old has a home.

His two dogs have been taken in by a friend, but a search for Roger involving police, locals and Civil Protection workers has so far failed to find any trace of him.

Roger Hanks, 73, (pictured, left ) from Britain has not been seen since the Costa del Sol floods (right)

Acquaintances and other expats - used to seeing him on his bicycle with his pets - have appealed for information on social media.

His home - a rustic self-made property by a bridge across the Pereila River around three miles from Coin which is a 40-minute drive north of Marbella - was washed away by last week's floods.

Police are understood to have tried but failed to locate him via the signal from his mobile.

Local expat Sallye Locke said: 'I saw Roger last Tuesday on the Guzman side of the toblerone bridge, smartly dressed as though he was waiting for someone.

'His dogs are with a friend.'

Fellow expat Shelley Exley added: 'Apparently they've found his dogs safe and sound but not Roger.

His two dogs, which go everywhere with him, have been found and are safe and staying with a friend

'The police are trying to trace his mobile. Let's see what this brings. The idea someone has disappeared makes me very sad.'

Another well-wisher suggested the authorities should consider sending up a drone to help in the search.

Several people living by the river were told to leave their homes before heavy rain at the start of last week caused flooding which destroyed bridges and damaged roads.

The worst-affected area of Spain was Majorca, where 12 people died in and around the town of Sant Llorenc des Cardassar and a five-year-old boy is still missing after normally dry streams became rivers that burst their banks.

Police are understood to have tried but failed to locate him via the signal from his mobile

Two of the 12 people killed in the Majorcan floods were British.

Retired headmaster Antony Green, 77, and wife Delia were being driven to their hotel in Cala Bona in the east of the island when their taxi was swept away. Their driver also died.

Neighbours of the Greens in Moffat, Scotland, paid tribute to the lovely couple who had been married 55 years.

It is not known where Roger - full name Roger Douglas Hanks - is from in the UK.

He is thought to have been living in Spain for a number of years.LHC dismissed appeal made by Zainab father

A two-member Lahore High Court (LHC) bench on Tuesday dismissed an appeal made by the father of six-year-old Zainab Amin, who had asked the court for a public hanging of his daughter's rapist and murderer, Imran Ali.



During the hearing, Amin Ansari's lawyer argued that Ali can be executed in public under Section 22 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997. The bench responded that only the government has the authority to order a public execution under Section 22.



"We are not the government," said Justice Sardar Ahmed Shamim, who was heading the bench. He asked if the appellant had submitted a request to the government. Amin's lawyer Ishtiaq Chaudhry replied in the affirmative, saying that the government had not taken any action on the request.



The bench asked Ishtiaq why his client had not approached the court earlier if that was the case.



"You have come here so late. The date of the hanging has been fixed for tomorrow [Oct 17]," said Justice Shamim.



Ishtiaq urged the court to "allow a live telecast of the hanging inside the jail". He said that his client was ready to bear the expenses if the court were to allow them to take a camera inside the jail. The court dismissed Amin's appeal.



Ali, a resident of Kasur, was accused of being involved in at least nine incidents of rape and murder of minors, including Zainab's, which he had confessed to during her murder investigation. One case against Ali is still pending.



In total, Ali has been sentenced to 21 counts of death, three life sentences and a cumulative 23 years in jail. He is scheduled to be sentenced to death on Oct 17.

PPP opposes public execution



Speaking during a meeting of a special Senate committee regarding the increasing cases of child abuse, PPP leader Sherry Rehman on Tuesday opposed the public hanging of Zainab's murderer, arguing that if permission is given, such demands will come forward again in the future.Advertisement

A blanket of toxic grey smog has descended on Beijing this week following a short-lived scene of sharp horizons and bright blue skies.

Pollution in the capital city returned to hazardous levels on Monday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 202, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

Latest before-and-after pictures show Beijing's iconic skyline and central business district barely visible through the toxic haze as the sprawling city of 21 million battles the dreaded annual 'smog season'.

 Slide me  Before-and-after photos show a general view of the central business district photographed from the Jingshan park in Beijing on September 6 (left) and on a polluted day on October 15 (right). Pollution levels on Monday climbed an AQI reading of 202

 Slide me  Beijing's Forbidden City on a clear day on September 6 (left) and on a polluted day on October 15 (right)

After enjoying sunshine and clean air for nearly three months, residents of the capital city and other urban districts of northern China are back on the streets with face masks and scarves.

China has a six-tiered AQI system. Air quality is classified as excellent if AQI levels are below 50, good (51 to 100), lightly polluted (101 to 150), moderately polluted (151 to 200), heavily polluted (201 to 300), and severely polluted for AQI levels above 300.

There was a slight improvement between Monday night and Tuesday, thanks to rainfall and lower temperatures with the arrival of a cold front from the north. A check on the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's website shows a forecast of improved air quality in the next three days.

 Slide me  A view from Jingshan park in Beijing on September 6 (left) and the view on a polluted day on October 15 (right)

 Slide me  A shot of Beijing's central business district under clear skies on September 6 (left) and in the smog on October 15 (right)

Chinese experts have said the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in hair spray, perfume and air refreshers have contributed to this year's recurring air pollution - contrary to blaming the usual culprits of coal-burning plants.

Household emissions account for 12 per cent of PM2.5 - smaller dust particulates that are especially damaging to human health - in Beijing, putting household emissions on a par with industrial emissions, experts told Global Times on Sunday.

These VOCs do not directly produce PM2.5, but generate particle pollutants through a series of physical and chemical reactions, said Wang Gengchen, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Atmospheric Physics Institute.

During the first nine months of the year, Beijing's average concentration of airborne PM2.5 levels fell 16.7 per cent compared with the same period last year, according to the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau.

 Slide me  Before and after photos of the CCTV headquarters in Beijing on a sunny day on September 6 (left) and October 15 (right)

 Slide me  Another shot of Beijing's central business district under clear skies on September 6 (left) and in the haze on October 15 (right)

China has been fighting a tough war against smog for years and Beijing is known for its notoriously high levels of pollution.

During the worst episodes, flights are cancelled and highways and schools are closed.



Beijing authorities have been launching an ambitious plan to clean up its air in recent years, by shutting coal-fired power plant and eliminating outdated vehicles and curbing on home coal-fired heating to cut emissions.

In January, China launched plans to invest more than 19 billion yuan (about 2 billion) in fighting air pollution this year.

The money will be used to control pollution sources such as coal, vehicles and dust, and to support projects to replace coal with clean energy in rural areas, according to a draft of the 2018 Beijing budget report cited by Xinhua.

A young woman seen wearing protective face mask outdoors due to the polluted air in Beijing

A check on the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's website shows a forecast of improved air quality in the next three daysA 71-year-old serial sex offender has been found guilty of raping a nine-year-old girl and a woman.

Notorious predator Stewart Murray Wilson, dubbed 'the Beast of Blenheim', has already served 21 years in a New Zealand prison for drugging, assaulting and raping multiple women over a 23-year period.

The jury reached a verdict after a week long-trial in the High Court in Auckland in which horrific details of the assaults were revealed.

Serial predator dubbed 'The Beast', 71, Stewart Murray Wilson (pictured in Auckland's High Court on Tuesday) has been found guilty of raping a nine-year-girl as well as two other women

The jury returned with 11 unanimous guilty verdicts as reported by the NZ Herald.

Police re-investigated Wilson in 2016, accusing him of raping three more women and a then girl in the 1970s and early 1980s.

As Wilson sat stone-faced, Justice Graham Lang was told of his horrific and lengthy criminal history dating back to the early 1970s.

One of the victims, a friend of Wilson's partner at the time from Wellington, recalled a night in 1971 while she was home alone while her baby daughter slept.

Rapist Stewart Murray Wilson is one of New Zealand's worst ever offenders

In the late hours on the evening, she heard a knock on the door and after Wilson declared himself she ran and hid under her bed, knowing very well of his violent tendencies.

After she didn't come to the door, Wilson then smashed his way into the home.

Wilson then hid in a kitchen cupboard while police raided the flat.

When they left he pounced on her, screaming 'You bitch, I'll get you for this'.

He raped the women four times that night, hitting her several times across the face and back.

The second victim had responded to an ad Wilson placed in an Auckland newspaper in 1976.

After meeting in his Mt Eden flat and 'not feeling the energy between them', she tried to flee but Wilson attacked her.

He dislocated her arm and broke her jaw and attempted to rape her after spiking her drink.

His third victim was the young daughter of a woman he hardly knew.

Living in Hamilton during 1979-80, the mum also answered to an ad in a newspaper that Wilson had placed.

In 2012, Wilson was granted a supervision order and released into a two-bedroom house which was moved onto the Whanganui Prison grounds (pictured)

He reportedly arrived at the her home with flowers and chocolates and later moved into her house for four weeks.

The mum alleged she, along with her nine-year-old daughter, were repeatedly raped.

She told the court she was terrified of Wilson and that he 'would never stop'.

The mum also alleged a sickening assault in which they were driving in the countryside with her two daughters when Wilson forced her to perform a sex act on him in front of the daughters.

The conditions placed on Wilson at the Whanganui Prison are the most rigorous ever imposed on a New Zealander

Wilson was found not guilty of raping the mother but guilty of raping the daughter.

The trio escaped Wilson after running to her neighbour's house, screaming for help when Wilson was away.

STEWART MURRAY WILSON CRIME TIMELINE 1996 - Jailed for crimes against at least 42 women and girls 2012 - Paroled to a cottage on Whanganui Prison grounds 2013 - Recalled to prison for phoning a woman he'd been warned not to contact 2015 - Re-released to a cottage on Whanganui Prison grounds 2017 - Under investigation for historic rape allegations 2018- found guilty 11 charges including raping a 9-year-old girl and a woman 2026 - Wilson's extended supervision order is due to end Advertisement

The daughter also spoke of horrific assaults.

She told the court although she didn't remember everything, she remembered the 'very ratty towel' that was laid underneath her as Wilson raped her.

Wilson reportedly whispered: 'Good girl, it'll all over be over soon'.

Wilson denied all of the allegations and claimed all the complainants were 'just seeking money'.

The rapist, who is one of New Zealand's worst ever offenders, was previously jailed in 1996 for a string of sex and violence offences against girls and women as well as charges of drugging women and bestiality.

He was granted a supervision order in 2012 and released into a two-bedroom house, which was moved onto the Whanganui Prison grounds.

The conditions placed on Wilson were the most rigorous ever imposed on a New Zealander.

Wilson was found not guilty of two rape counts and one charge of indecent assault. The jury was unable to reach verdicts on a charge of indecent assault and one count of threatening to kill.

He will be sentenced later this year.A man suspected of tearing up a local skate park in a ute that racked up thousands of dollars worth of damages will spend the night in police custody.

Jacob Yallop, 18, was arrested by police after footage emerged of a 4WD ripping up parts of Cranebrook Park in Penrith, a suburb in western Sydney, on Sunday.

Video footage captured the moment an unknown hoon driver recklessly careered onto the park and left deep, muddy trenches in place of the greenery.

A man suspected of tearing up a local skate park in a ute that racked up thousands of dollars worth of damages will spend the night in police custody

A man can be heard talking behind the camera, saying that the driver only had their license for three weeks, after 'losing it last time.'

It is believed that ratepayers will have to fork out the money to pay for the $10,000 damage bill to the park.

Mr Yallop denied he was to blame, and claimed a friend was behind the wheel.

'A lot of people are saying its me, because they all know thats how I drive,' the 18-year-old told Seven News.

Mr Yallop said he was at home with his father at the time of the incident, and only found out about the burnout the following Monday.

He was taken into police custody where he will spend the night.

Police have not yet brought any charges against Mr Yallop.

Jacob Yallop, 18, was arrested by police after footage emerged of a 4WD ripping up parts of Cranebrook Park in Penrith, a suburb in western Sydney, on Sunday



Around a third of the Cabinet held private talks over takeaway pizza last night amid growing concerns about Theresa May's Brexit strategy.

Senior figures including Jeremy Hunt, Sajid Javid and Dominic Raab met in Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom's office.

The gathering was a clear show of strength by ministers as Mrs May comes under massive pressure from the EU to make concessions.

Tory Brexiteers have been urging the Cabinet to revolt and force the premier into a change of approach.

Andrea Leadsom (left) and Liz Truss are among the ministers at Cabinet today - and also attended the 'pizza plot' meeting last night

The gathering was a clear show of strength by ministers as Theresa May (pictured in Downing Street yesterday) comes under massive pressure from the EU to make concessions

Penny Mordaunt and Sajid Javid, pictured left and right respectively arriving for Cabinet today, are believed to be concerned about concessions in the Brexit negotiations

The ministers ate takeaway pizza as they mulled over the Brexit challenges facing the government last night

Four senior figures including Mrs Leadsom are thought to be ready to resign if the PM goes too far.

The meeting in Mrs Leadsom's opulent Commons office last night was attended by Mr Hunt, Mr Javid and Mr Raab, along with Environment Secretary Michael Gove, Aid Secretary Penny Mordaunt, Treasury minister Liz Truss, Attorney General Geoffrey Cox and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.

They ordered woodfired pizzas from Oregano, including Mozzerella, hot and spicy, and vegetarian.

Sources claimed the event was 'social' and there is no sinister plot to unseat Mrs May.

Mrs Leadsom and Ms Mordaunt said they were 'fully behind' the PM this morning as she faces the biggest test of her premiership.

But the timing, on the eve of a full Cabinet meeting to discuss Brexit, and with a crunch EU summit looming tomorrow, appeared designed to send a message.

Mrs Leadsom is expected to use the Cabinet session today to urge Mrs May to insist on a hard end date for any Irish border 'backstop'.

Negotiations with Brussels hit the rocks on Sunday after Mr Raab rejected the latest proposals on the Irish border at a hastily-arranged meeting with Michel Barnier.

Mrs May came under fire from angry Eurosceptics and Remainers in the Commons last night as she updated MPs on the standoff. The DUP has also stepped up its rhetoric again by threatening to 'paralyse' the government if Mrs May agrees to anything that would risk splitting the UK.

Donald Tusk, pictured right with Michel Barnier in Brussels today, has warned that a no-deal Brexit is now more likely than ever before

The PM told MPs hopes for a deal were still alive, saying the two sides were not far apart, but made clear Brussels will have to make concessions for there to be any chance of a settlement.

After dramatically pulling the plug on a fledgling divorce agreement on Sunday, Mrs May has been frantically ringing round EU leaders to appeal for a shift in their position.

Tomorrow night she will make a make-or-break pitch to counterparts at a summit in Brussels - with council president Donald Tusk warning that a chaotic no-deal Brexit is now more likely than ever before.

German minister Michael Roth said this morning that Mrs May needed to 'take responsibility' for the talks.Advertisement

These stunning image show the doomed tanks which altered the course of history by preventing a disastrous blunder on D-Day.

The Duplex Drive Valentines were sunk during Operation Smash - a huge training exercise held on a Dorset beach in April 1944 just weeks ahead of the Normandy landings.

Six lives were lost when the armoured vehicles sank, resulting on the decision to launch British and Canadian tanks in shallow water on D-Day.

The tanks (one of which is pictured) were sunk during Operation Smash when they were launched in water that was too deep, which resulted in the decision to deploy them in shallow water on D-Day. Six lives were lost as a result of the blunder but the tactic it inspired altered the course of history

The amphibious armoured vehicles at the bottom of Poole Bay in Dorset sit as a permanent reminder of the blunder that inspired the decision to launch British and Canadian tanks in shallow water on the day of the Normandy landings unlike the Americans fighting alongside them

The Duplex Drive Valentine tanks (pictured, one in action during World War Two) sank off the Dorset coast during an operation that resulted in the death of six men when armoured vehicles were launched in water that was too deep

Nick Reed from The Isle of Purbeck Sub Aqua Club, which has launched a project to map the history of the seven sunken tanks, said the six soldiers lost did not die in vain.

'Everybody says that Operation Smash was an absolute, complete disaster,' he said. 'Well, 32 tanks were launched and seven sank, so that means 25 got to shore in this exercise and from that the British learnt a lesson.

'So when the British and Canadians launched their tanks on D-Day, they didnt launch theirs offshore because it was too rough. Whereas the Americans launched theirs five kilometres offshore.'

The military vehicles have become artificial reefs, after they were sunk during a training exercise whose failure has been credited with altering the course of history as stunning images of the underwater tanks surfaced

The tanks remain under the surface after six lives were lost in the operation in Dorset just weeks before the D-Day landings in France, when the British and Canadian decision to deploy their tanks closer to the coast sealed victory for the forces while the Americans floundered five kilometres off Omaha beach

The result of the American decision is well-known - just two of the 29 tanks initially deployed to storm Omaha beach made it ashore. Omaha would be the bloodiest of the D-Day beaches, Mr Reed says.

'If we hadnt got armoured support ashore on D-Day, our troops may not have established a beach head,' he said. 'So in many ways the sacrifice of those six guys may have changed the course of World War Two - thats the way we like to think of it. Their sacrifice wasnt in vain, things were learnt from it and maybe that contributed to the success of D-Day.'

The latest images surfaced after a man who is believed to be the last-surviving solder from Operation Smash was located earlier this year.

Albert Price, 94, from the West Midlands was a crew member of one the doomed tanks that now sit off Studland Beach.

The pictures surfaced after earlier this year a crew member of one of the tanks was located in the West Midlands. Albert Price is believed to me the last surviving member of the soldiers who took part in Operation Smash just weeks before the historic D-Day landings

The armoured vehicles have become a home for wildlife as they act as artificial coral just off the Dorset coast, where they were deployed for a training exercise that caused the British to re-think deployment methods in time for the Normandy landings in France

Operation Smash The operation was launched six weeks before D-Day, with the Dorset coast chosen due to its perceived similarity to the Normandy beaches. Prime Minister Winston Churchill met with King George VI and General Dwight D Eisenhower to watch the Allied Forces drill at Fort Henry, Studland. The exercise was not only a practice run for the impending landings on the French coast, but also as a test for the new Duplex Drive Valentines, intended to provide cover for soldiers mounting attacks on the beaches. But Churchill watched in horror as seven of the armoured vehicles sank in an over ambitious move for the tanks. Disaster struck and six lives were lost when the amphibious tanks were unloaded by bigger vehicles. The larger tanks could not get as close to the shore as was necessary for the Valentines, some of which sank upon deployment. Source: BBC history Advertisement

Conditions at the dive site are notoriously changeable, making the sunken tanks a challenge to photograph. These latest images of them are thought to be the clearest ever taken.

Paul Pettitt, who photographed the wrecks with his wife Alison, said: 'Those pictures were done over the course of a whole summer. Some days we went down and werent able to get anything.

'The worst problem is the wind direction which kicks up the silt and sand on the bottom, and makes it go very gloomy down there. But we got a lucky break one day when we got some really clear visibility and were able to get these pictures.'

Mr Reed said the tanks have also taken on new lives as artificial reefs, describing them as ' absolutely full of wildlife'.

'There are several big conger eels living in one of the main tanks, theres crabs, theres lobsters, theres big shoals of fish that swim around them,' he said.

'Thats almost like a commemoration of the men themselves - men died on these tanks but these tanks now are providing life to the marine animals around the area.'

The Duplex Drive Valentine tanks were equipped with a buoyant canvas screen which could be raised up around the tank and sat above the water line.

But soon after the tanks were launched the wind changed and water started to sweep over the top of the screens.

'They were launched in suitable conditions but the wind blew up just after they were launched,' said Mr Reed.

'The skirts, which provided the buoyancy, were only about a metre above the water - and obviously what keeps water out will keep water in. So I think most of them were swamped and sank.''Boorish' male MPs groped, lunged and propositioned women in Parliament, a damning report into the sexminster scandal has revealed.

Dame Laura Cox said many MPs will be 'horrified' at the conduct of their colleagues.

Some male politicians were guilty of 'predatory' behaviour, the judge said.

Women who worked in Westminster complained that male MPs had touched their bottoms and breasts, patted their heads and had been abused in 'vulgar gender-related terms'.

Former Cabinet ministers Damian Green (pictured left) and Sir Michael Fallon (pictured right) both resigned after being caught up in the Westminster sex pest scandal

Dame Laura said: 'The most serious allegations related to the alleged 'predatory' conduct of a few individuals, but overall the allegations indicate that sexual harassment has been a more widespread problem, and it crosses the political sphere.

'All of the allegations were made against men. Some are no longer in the House but others continue to serve as elected Members.'

Some male MPs were so well known for their lewd advances that women were privately warned never to be in a room alone with them, the report said.

She added: 'There were reports too of groups of male MPs becoming increasingly boorish on occasions when they were together, of frequent sexual innuendos, lewd comments or sexual gestures, or women repeatedly being asked questions about their sex lives, or about their personal lives generally, which they found offensive and humiliating.'

The regime overseen by Commons Speaker John Bercow (pictured in Parliament in July) is hammered in the report as Dame Laura Cox blasted the 'institutional failings' in Parliament

Dame Laura added: 'Some men who came forward spoke of witnessing 'some atrocious treatment of young women by MPs,' and of 'some women being treated as their personal servants, with veiled threats to have them moved if they failed to comply with requests.'

'Some men also spoke of their shame, looking back now, that they had stayed silent at the time when such incidents occurred, and that they had not done more to help.'

Tory ministers claims John Bercow blocked historic bullying allegations being investigated A Tory minister today claimed that John Bercow blocked the parliamentary authorities from launching new investigations into historic bullying allegations. The Government unveiled a new code of practice for parliamentary staff in the wake of the Westminster harassment scandal. Ministers were slammed as their plans contained a loophole which meant that historic allegations would not be probed. But Tory Business Minister Claire Perry today said that the Speaker's Office intervened to stop the historic cases being investigated. Ms Perry has previously accused Mr Bercow of sexism after he told her to avoid 'dilation' in the Chamber. Speaking to the BBC Two's Politics Live show, she said Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom deserves credit for bringing in the new code of practice. She added: 'Of course the ability to look back on historic allegations was blocked by the Speaker's Office, which I think was entirely inappropriate. 'I just wish we can have a bit of banter in the Chamber I just think it's inappropriate for someone to use their position of power  the Speaker is the person who allows people to speak including the Prime Minister downwards  I think there should be a culture of respect in the Chamber. 'And I don't think remarks about people being 'dilated' are appropriate unless you are in a delivery room delivering a baby.' Advertisement

Parliament was dominated by a 'macho' culture which saw some male employees - including some 'serial predators' - also target women.

The report states: 'Young women graduates in their first job have been particularly shocked and upset by such treatment when 'running the gauntlet' in this way.'

Dame Laura spoke to some 200 people for her wide-reaching report which lays bare the culture of bullying and harassment at the heart of Parliament.

She said those who have been subjected to abuse have a 'profound fear' of complaining because they fear being branded a 'troublemaker' and losing their careers.

And when they dare to come forward they have been met with a lack of support and a 'cover-up' culture, the report found.

Dame Laura - who refused to give any names in her report - also warned that some MPs have a reputation for being 'serial offenders' who are well known bullies.

And she said that Parliament has such a woeful reputation for tackling the abuse that many members of staff have fundamentally lost faith in the system altogether.

Dame Laura's inquiry was launched after Parliament was rocked by a series of sexual harassment and bullying scandals which ended the Cabinet careers of two of the PM's closest ministers.

Sir Micheal Fallon quit as defence secretary after he was accused of making inappropriate sexual passes at women during his parliamentary career.

Damian Green was ousted as the PM's deputy after he was found to have made misleading statements about allegations that he looked at porn on his office computers.

He was also accused of making a sexual pass at Tory activist and classicist Kate Maltby, who is 30 years his junior.

Several Labour MPs were also accused of inappropriate sexual conduct, including Kelvin Hopkins who was suspended from the party over claims he sexually harassed a young party activist.A school teacher has been arrested over possessing child pornography as well as an aggravated indecent assault of children.

The 40-year-old from South Australia has been charged with three counts of aggravated indecent assault against a child under the age of 14.

The primary school teacher has also been charged with one count of aggravated possession of child exploitation material.

A school teacher has been arrested for possessing child pornography as well as an aggravated indecent assault of a child (stock)

After an investigation by the Southern District Child and Family Investigation Section, the man was arrested in Adelaide's southern suburbs last week.

Parents of the children who attend the primary school were alerted when the teacher had been arrested.

He is believed to still be employed by the school, but has been 'directed away from work,' a spokesperson Education Department said.

The man was granted bail and will appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court at a later date.Residents on an estate in Manchester are living in fear of being attacked by the fireworks being set off by unruly yobs outside their homes.

Children as young as 10 have been seen running riot in the streets of Ashton St Peters, in Tameside, Manchester, with some residents claiming it was like living in a 'warzone'.

As the yobs shoot fireworks with their bare hands and throw burning rockets at each other, residents have said the constant explosions can sometimes go on for hours.

Residents on an estate in Ashton St Peters, in Tameside, Manchester, are living in fear as yobs, some as young as 10, set off fireworks outside their homes

Unruly teenagers shoot fireworks at each other with their bare hands and leave residents in fear of leaving their homes

The explosions can sometimes go on for hours and are a huge problem at the beginning of October as fireworks go on sale

The unruly behaviour, which started last week, is a huge problem at the beginning of October as stores stock up for Diwali, Halloween and Bonfire night.

Residents around the St Peter's area must now live in fear of the chaos that ensues outside, with many saying they feel like prisoners in their own homes.

Maggie Austin, 50, who had to go to hospital last year after being attacked by teenagers outside her home told Manchester Evening News: 'They just don't care.

'It sounds like a war zone, some nights it's non-stop, one after another.'

Young mum Aimee Henderson, 23, told the paper how she was attacked by the yobs when she was seven months pregnant.

She said: 'I was terrified, I was in bits, crying. How could they do that to a pregnant woman?'

One resident, Maggie Austin (above), 50, told Manchester Evening News she had to go to hospital last year after being attacked by teenagers outside her home

Another resident, Dave Clayton (above), who was 24 at the time, was attacked by a teenager as he was on his way home from college

Mr Clayton's teenage attacker sent him an apology in the form of a letter. He wrote: 'I was influenced by my friends to do something dangerous and it was silly of me to listen. This will never happen again I promise you'

In another incident last year a disabled man in a wheelchair was hit by a firework that was thrown by a teenage boy.

Dave Clayton, who was 24 at the time, was attacked as he was on his way home from college.

His teenage attacker later sent him a hand-written letter apologising for his dangerous behaviour.

In his letter the teenager wrote: 'I was influenced by my friends to do something dangerous and it was silly of me to listen.'

On Sunday, a young family on Blandford Street saw a firework enter the bedroom of their home through a window.

A family living on Blandford Street saw a rogue firework enter the bedroom of their home on Sunday. While they were able to escape unscathed it set fire to their bed and caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage

While the family managed to escape without any injuries their bed caught fire and led to hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

After realising what had happened the youths, believed to have been responsible, ran in to help the family.

However the father of the family slammed the irresponsible act which he said could have killed his baby daughter had she been sleeping upstairs.

Greater Manchester Police have been called to deal with the growing problem however police have admitted they they do not have the resources to tackle the scale of incidents.

Police in Manchester have admitted they do not have the resources to tackle all the incidents

On Monday night a pubic meeting was held by the police to discuss the issue and there were calls by some to ban the sale of fireworks in Tameside completely.

However as emotions ran high and with others believing a ban was not the solution matters escalated and the meeting was ended.

Last year two police officers were hurt when their cars was ambushed by more than 60 youths hurling fireworks at their vehicles.



Advertisement

These remarkable photos show members of the Hitler Youth being given a tour of Britain's most famous landmarks a year before the Second World War began.

The holiday snaps of indoctrinated young Nazis include ones of them posing in front of Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge.

The teenagers, who were guided by a British Nazi sympathiser, also had their photo taken with a Beefeater at the Tower of London.

The group of teenagers, who were guided by Admiral Sir Barry Domvile, pictured here outside Windsor castle, where the Royal Family later sought refuge during the Blitz

The group of teenagers who arrived on the SS Stockport at Grimsby in July 1938, also visited Buckingham Palace on their tour of UK landmarks

And they went on to visit Windsor Castle, where the Royal Family later sought refuge during the Blitz of London.

It is likely that some of the group went on to join the Luftwaffe after the outbreak of war and returned to the skies of Britain to carry out bombing raids.

The German visitors, who are pictured wearing white shirts, black ties and black shorts, arrived on the SS Stockport at Grimsby in July 1938.

Three members of the Hitler Youth lounge on Westminster bridge while having a chat, with the Houses of Parliament looming in the background

The members of the Hitler Youth, adorned in shorts, white shirts and black ties, visiting a college in Oxford with their host Admiral Sir Barry Domvile, pictured centre in the white hat

The members of the Hitler Youth pictured outside the Micklegate Bar in York, the royal gateway into the picturesque city

The teenagers pose under the new Nazi German flag of red, white and black, hanging in a London shopping street. The Hitler Youth was set up by Adolf Hitler in 1933 to indoctrinate young men in Nazi ideology

At the time war with Germany was becoming more likely after Hitler had annexed Austria and was threatening to invade Czechoslovakia.

The youth were given a tour of England by Admiral Sir Barry Domvile, who was arrested for being a Nazi sympathiser during the war.

The group visited York, Oxford, Cambridge and Windsor before ending up in the capital.

The album finishes with images taken on their return to Germany on SS Bury.

The album, which contains 89 images, has been consigned for sale by a private collector with C&T Auctions of Ashford, Kent.

It is tipped to sell for 300.

The teenagers also visited this shopping street in Chester. By 1935 the Hitler Youth included more than half of all German boys and by 1936 all German young men were expected to join

The young men looked relaxed and like they are having a good time posing outside a college in Oxford. Prior to joining the Hiter Youth, which you were not eligible for until you were 13, boys were inducted into Deutsches Jungvolk which translates to German Young People

The Hitler Youth snap a picture of a guardsman at Windsor Castle. From aged 18 members of the Hitler Youth would graduate to become members of the Nazi party

Matthew Tredwen, specialist at C&T Auctions, said: 'These photos detail a trip made by the Hitler Youth to England in 1938 including with Nazi sympathiser Barry Domvile.

'They visited Oxford, Cambridge, Windsor and then went on to London where they photographed the Houses of Parliament and posed with a Beefeater.

'It is a fascinating album which has come to us from a private collector.'

Members of the Hitler Youth posing with a Beefeater at the Tower of London. As well as the Hitler Youth, which was just for men, there was also The League of German Girls for women

The Hitler Youth visited the Houses of Parliment and Big Ben. The bizarre trip was arranged by notorious Nazi sympathiser Admiral Sir Barry Domvile

Nazi supporter Admiral Sir Barry Domvile showed the young Nazi's the UK landmarks. He described Hitler seizing power in Germany as 'one of the greatest - and most bloodless - revolutions in history'

The Hitler Youth also visited Shakespeare's house in Stratford. The album of photos, which contains 89 images, has been consigned for sale by a private collector with C&T Auctions of Ashford, Kent

The Hitler Youth posing with the Mayor of Windsor. The album of remarkable photos has been tipped to sell at auction for 300

The Hitler Youth heading back to the Fatherland and boarding the SS Bury in Grimsby for their return to Germany

Domvile, a former president of the Royal Naval College at Greenwich, was invited to attend the Nuremberg Rally of September 1936 as a guest of the German Ambassador Joachim von Ribbentrop.

He became a council member of the Anglo-German Fellowship and supported John Philby, the anti-semitic British People's Party candidate, in the Hythe by-election of 1939.

Domvile was interned under Defence Regulation 18B from July 1940 to July 1943.

In the lead up to the war, he said: 'Every sensible member of the British and German races should be engaged in the establishment of good relations and a better understanding between these two great nations.'

He also described Hitler seizing power in Germany as 'one of the greatest - and most bloodless - revolutions in history'.

The sale takes place on October 24.A Maryland police officer has been accused of raping a woman in her car during a traffic stop, and authorities warn there may be other victims.

Ryan Macklin of Prince George's County was arrested Monday on charges including first- and second-degree rape, perverted practice, second-degree assault and fourth-degree sex offense.

Police Chief Hank Stawinski said at a press conference that 29-year-old Marine Corps veteran was on-duty and driving a marked car when he stopped the woman at around 1am on Thursday in Langley Park. Brief surveillance video shows him activating his lights.

Macklin - who is believed to be married and expecting a child - then allegedly forced the woman 'to perform a sexual act' while they were both in her car in a parking lot.

The alleged victim came forward to police several hours after the incident.

Prince George's County police Officer Ryan Macklin was arrested on rape charges Monday after he allegedly forced a woman to perform a sexual act during a traffic stop last Thursday in Langley Park, Maryland. He is pictured left in his official police photo and right in his mugshot

Surveillance footage from a nearby store shows the moment Macklin turned his lights on to pull the woman over at around 1am Thursday

'The charges against this officer are highly troubling,' Stawinski told reporters Monday night.

'Officers take an oath to protect others, not to abuse their authority in order to victimize someone.

'Those who live and work in Prince George's County deserve the very best from the men and women of this department.'

Authorities say they have information that other women may have been affected by Macklin's conduct. The six-year veteran of the department is pictured with his wife of two years

Stawinski said the department believes the woman was targeted solely because she was driving at a late hour.

'I want to praise the victim in this for having the courage to come forward ... with the encouragement of some of her friends,' he said.

'We cant address these issues of any kind, whether its police misconduct, whether its criminal conduct, whether its gangs, whatever the case may be. We cant address those things without the cooperation of the community.'

Stawinski added that police have information that suggests 'there may be additional people impacted by this officer's conduct'.

Pending an investigation with the state attorney's office, the six-year veteran assigned to patrol areas in Hyattsville, Mount Rainier and College Park has been suspended without pay.

Anyone with information about this incident or any other misconduct by Macklin are urged to contact police at 301-772-4795.

Police Chief Hank Stawinski addressed details of Macklin's arrest at a press briefing MondayMike Pompeo met King Salman

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met on Tuesday with Saudi Arabias King Salman over the disappearance and alleged slaying of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, who vanished two weeks ago during a visit to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.



Pompeo landed in Riyadh on Tuesday morning and was welcomed by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on landing. He didnt make any remarks to the media.



Soon after, Pompeo arrived at a royal palace, where King Salman greeted him. Americas top diplomat thanked the king for accepting my visit on behalf of President (Donald) Trump before going into a closed-door meeting.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo walks with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir after arriving in Riyadh on Tuesday.  AP



Meanwhile, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday urged Saudi Arabia and Turkey to reveal everything they know about the disappearance and possible extrajudicial killing of Khashoggi.



Given there seems to be clear evidence that Mr Khashoggi entered the consulate and has never been seen since, the onus is on the Saudi authorities to reveal what happened to him from that point onwards, Bachelet said.



Turkish officials say they fear Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the consulate. Saudi officials previously have called the allegations baseless but reports in US media on Tuesday suggested the kingdom may acknowledge the writer was killed there. No official, however, has corroborated this claim.



Earlier in the morning, a Turkish forensics team finished a search inside the consulate. Technicians in coveralls, gloves and covered shoes treated the diplomatic mission as a crime scene during their hours-long search. It wasnt immediately clear what evidence they gathered. Under the Vienna Convention, diplomatic posts are technically foreign soil that must be protected and respected by host countries.



President Donald Trump, after speaking with King Salman, had dispatched Pompeo to speak to the monarch of the worlds top oil exporter over Khashoggis disappearance. Trump himself said without offering evidence that the slaying could have been carried out by rogue killers, offering the US-allied kingdom a possible path out of a global diplomatic firestorm.Advertisement

Never-before-seen pictures of Blue Peter's four-legged friends have been released to celebrate the show's 60th birthday.

The collection, released by BBC History, acknowledges the milestone anniversary of what is now the longest-running children's television show by taking its viewers back in time.

Blue Peter famously has a selection of pets who regularly appear on the show - including cats, dogs, horses, parrots, and even tortoises.

This has been the case since the 1960s when the very first Blue Peter pet, Petra, a mongrel, was adopted by the show.

Peter Purves and Petra, the first Blue Peter dog and pet photographed in 1977. Petra spent 15 years on the show, having joined in 1962

Blue Peter presenter Simon Groom holds Blue Peter pet Goldie as he announces his engagement to Ann Costelloe, who was not a presenter, on the set of the show in 1979

She first appeared on Blue Peter in 1962, when its very first presenter Christopher Trace fronted the show alongside Valerie Singleton.

Petra, who was looked after by Trace, appeared as a regular for 15 years, and remained the longest serving animal companion until 2011.

There is even a bronze bust of the beloved canine, crafted by William Timym, outside the Blue Peter studios in Salford.

Valerie Singleton and Christopher Trace rehearsing for an episode of Blue Peter with six labrador puppies at the Lime Grove studios in Shepherd's Bush, London in 1965

Peter Purves, Lesley Judd, Valerie Singleton and John Noakes, who are among Blue Peter's 10 longest-serving presenters, with Petra (left, with Purves) Jason (centre with Judd) and Shep (right with Noakes) in 1972

Petra gave birth to the second Blue Peter pet, Patch, in 1965. The pup was looked after by presenter John Noakes, until the pooch's death in 1971.

Blue Peter then introduced Shep to its studios, arguably the most beloved of the brood to date.

John Noakes, Valerie Singleton, Peter Purves with pets Jason, Shep and Petra in 1971

The Border Collie was the long-time companion of Noakes following the death of Patch, and the pair were inseparable.

Shep even lived with Noakes rather than with pet keeper Edith Menezes as the show's animals typically did.

The excitable dog even coined Noakes a catchphrase, 'get down, Shep,' which inspired its very own tribute song by a band called the Barron Knights, the BBC said.

Golden Retriever Goldie joined Blue Peter as a puppy in 1978, alongside new presenter Simon Groom. As became tradition, her name was chosen by viewers.

Goldie was the first in a long line of Golden Retrievers to appear on the show, including one of her puppies, Bonnie, who joined in 1986.

The new mother left the show shortly after giving birth, and went to live with Groom on his Derbyshire farm.

Bonnie then took up the mantle - and appeared with 16 different presenters on 1,150 editions of Blue Peter.

The show's second Border Collie, Mabel, joined the show when she was just six months old in 1996, after being rescued by the RSPCA in south London.

She became the longest serving pet since Petra, and was recognisable for having heterochromatic eyes (one blue and one brown) and distinctive ears.

Mabel frequented the show alongside Lucy, a pedigree Golden Retriever who joined in 1998.

Both Mabel and Lucy passed away within a month of each other in 2011, having served on the show for 14 and 12 years respectively.

Mark Curry, the late Caron Keating, daughter of Gloria Hunniford, and Yvette Fielding in 1999 with Bonnie - a Golden Retriever who appeared on Blue Peter for 13 years

Romana D'Annunzio, Stuart Miles and Katy Hill with Blue Peter dogs Bonnie and Mabel in 1997. The latter joined the show the previous year

Meg was a Border Collie belonging to Blue Peter presenter Matt Baker who, though not considered an official pet from the show, often made appearances.

The trained sheepdog lived on Baker's farm in County Durham, and since leaving the show with the presenter in 2006, appeared on Countryfile and the BBC's 2007 coverage of Crufts.

Three years later, Irish Setter Dachshund mix Barney was introduced to Blue Peter. Barney was the show's ninth dog - a former stray given to Helen Skelton by the Dogs Trust.

The playful pup was said to receive just as much fan mail as Skelton, and he left the show with his owner in 2013.

Helen Skelton and the new Blue Peter dog, Barney, in 2009 (left) and Janet Ellis with Bonnie (right) at just two months old

Blue Peter presenter Katy Hill with Border Collie Mabel, who was rescued by the RSPCA in south London just before Christmas in 1996

Blue Peter celebrates its 60th birthday with a live one-hour special tonight on CBBC at 5pm, with many of its past presenters expected to attend

The latest of the brood is Iggy, a Guide Dog puppy who was helped on her journey to qualify as a guide by presenter Lindsey Russell.

Blue Peter's falling viewing figures Blue Peter was once Britain's most successful children's magazine show, broadcasting to well over 1.5million on average each day. But the show's popularity has recently declined. Average viewing figures: 2002 - 1,460,000 2004 - 1,310,000 2006 - 940,000 2008 - 580,000 2010 - 440,000 Source: BBC Advertisement

Iggy successfully completed her guide dog training and left the show in May 2016.

Blue Peter celebrates its 60th birthday with a live one-hour special tonight on CBBC at 5pm.

Many of the 33 presenters who are still living are expected to appear, including John Leslie and Richard Bacon, the Mirror reported.

Britain's flagship children's show first aired in 1958 for 15 minutes once a week on Mondays, on what was then the BBC Television Service.

But with its popularity, it grew to two shows a week, both for 25 minutes on Mondays and Thursdays.

This was the case from 1964 until 1995, when a third show was added, broadcasting on BBC One on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Blue Peter was reaching upwards of 1,520,000 people on average in 2003, but just three years later this had dropped significantly to 940,000, the BBC reported.

The programming was thus reduced, dropping the Friday show entirely, and instead broadcasting on Tuesday and Thursday.

It went through further schedule changes on BBC One until 2012, when it was announced the show would find a new home on children's channel CBBC, and broadcast just once a week at 5.45pm on Thursdays. It has since moved 15 minutes earlier.The family of a Tanzania's billionaire businessman who was kidnapped in Dar es Salaam last week, has offered a billion shillings (333,000) in exchange for information about his whereabouts.

Mohammed Dewji, 43, who has an estimated wealth of $1.5billion (980million), was kidnapped on his way to the gym outside a luxury hotel in Dar es Salaam on Thursday.

The motive for the kidnapping is not yet known, as police say the family have not yet received a ransom demand for Mr Dewji's safe return.

Taken: Mohammed Dewji, 43, the billionaire chief executive of the MeTL Group, was kidnapped in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, but no ransom demand has been made

'The family is offering a reward of a billion shillings to any person who has information leading to the whereabouts of our son,' family spokesman Azim Dewji told a press conference.

Interior Minister Kangi Lugola said Saturday that security forces were 'working day and night' to find Dewji, with 20 people arrested so far.

Dewji was elected to parliament on the CCM ticket but did not seek re-election to his seat in the 2015 election.

The METL Group has more than 30 factories making consumer products ranging from bicycles and detergents to edible oil and beverages.

Crime scene: Dewji was grabbed by two men outside the Colosseum Hotel in Dar es Salaam as he was heading to the gym for his morning workout

Kidnapped: Dewji, a businessman and former MP, went to high school in New Jersey and graduated from Georgetown University in Washington DC

Reward: Dewji's family has offered a billion Tanzanian shillings for information

Other investments cover the agriculture, infrastructure, energy and mobile phone sectors.

The company operates in 11 African nations, mostly in East Africa.

Dewji said in 2015 that it had revenues of $2 billion and employed 24,000 people.

While Mr Dewji grew up in Dar es Salaam, he was sent to the United States for his secondary education, and was a student at Saddle Brooke High School in New Jersey.

He went on to study International Business and Finance and Theology at the prestigious Georgetown University in Washington D.C.

The businessman married his childhood sweetheart in 2001, and they have three children; Nyla, Abbas and Mahdi.A white woman who accused a nine-year-old black boy of touching her butt in a bodega has apologized.

Teresa Klein, who was dubbed 'Cornertstore Caroline' by the man who filmed her calling the cops outside the store in Brooklyn, said sorry to the two young children caught up in her tirade.

The 53-year-old called 911 and claimed nine-year-old, Jeremiah Harvey, groped her in the Sahara Deli Market, in Flatbush.

But security footage showed the youngster did not put a hand on her, and it was only his bag that grazed her while she was bent over the check-out,

After she felt the contact of the schoolboy's bag she turned and became aggressive towards the mom and her two young children

Teresa Klein called 911 claiming she had been sexually assaulted after the schoolboy brushed her in a bodega in Brooklyn

She launched into an explosive argument with the boy's mother, Someko Bellille.

Though there is no audio, the body language between the two women appears tense, with Klein pointing her finger and gesturing with her butt towards the mother.

Klein then called police alleging the boy had sexually assaulted her. She told cops his mother also 'yelled' at her.

Klein said to the 911 operator: 'I was just sexually assaulted by a child. That's right, the son grabbed my ass and she decided to yell at me.

'White lady calls the cops on black lady, I get it. There are security cameras outside of this bodega. I'm more than happy to submit the security tapes for evidence.'

Her outburst that was captured on video and quickly went viral and left the schoolboy in tears.

Klein confronted passers-by (left) who told her to 'go home' and continued to tell police she had been assaulted (right)

The moment little Jeremiah's bag grazes Klein in the Sahara Deli Market in Flatbush last Wednesday

The boy, who's dressed in a school uniform, is seen hiding behind his mother as his younger sister cries hysterically.

When approached by reporters Klein told the New York Post she apologized to the two children, but not their mother.

She said: 'I was wrong. Young man, I don't know your name, but I'm sorry.

'I would like to apologize to her daughter and her son but not to her. She could have walked away, but she didn't. I'm also a Buddhist, [but] I let my temper show,' Klein said.

'I've been called racist before, and I'm not.'

During the confrontation an outraged witness then approaches the woman and says: 'What is your problem? Did you seriously just call the police on a child? Go home.'

Klein responds: 'No white lady I will not. You don't know what you're saying. You cannot shame me, you are a child. You are young enough to be my daughter.

During the viral video Jeremiah Harvey and his sister were said to be in tears after Klein called the cops

A hashtag #JusticeForJeremiah spread on social media and $11,000 was raised through crowdfunding for the boy's education.

Jeremiah's mom, identified by WABC as Someko Bellille, 37, appeared at a community meeting on Monday to talk about what happened.

She said: 'That day, fear was placed into my child's heart. Having to explain to your nine-year-old son what assault is, what sexual assault means, and having to go over the term with him what racism is. And having to witness and see he's crying all over again.'

Jason Littlejohn who posted the four-minute video, wrote: 'As I walked up I noticed the argument, apparently the kid brushed up against her and she said he touched her and decided to call police on a nine year old child. As you can see the kid is crying and the mom is upset.'

Officers arrived at the scene 17 minutes later but a report was never filed as everyone had left.Footage captured by divers in South Africa shows them having a rare up-close encounter with a massive sunfish, which dwarfs them as they swim alongside it.

The huge six-and-a-half-foot sunfish popped up in the water as James Taylor and his friends were swimming off the coast of Cape Town.

The incredible images show the divers swimming alongside the enormous fish, scientifically referred to as a Mola mola, and pose with it as it floats to the surface.

Taylor said: 'I try to always take a GoPro with me when I get in the ocean because there is nearly always something interesting that pops up and it just so happened that this day something really interesting popped up.

'Nature is incredible and the more time we spend with her, the more of her secrets she reveals.

The huge six-and-a-half-foot Mola Mola sunfish popped up in the water as James Taylor and his friends were swimming off the coast of Cape Town

Taylor and his friends pose with the unusually shaped ocean dweller after it popped up next to them in the water

Taylor says that the pictures were the coolest selfies he's ever seen but said that some people think they are fake because of the size and shape of the fish

'I love when you witness amazing things and have the ability to capture them first hand and share them with the world.

'People say the images are fake but then when I show them the video clip they say it's the coolest selfie they've ever seen.'

The unusually-shaped ocean sunfish or Mola mola are the heaviest bony fish in the world and can weigh nearly 5,000 pounds and grow as large as 14 feet high, and 10 feet long, according to National Geographic.

The sunfish are known to bask near the surface of the water and often get mistaken for sharks because of their dorsal fin

The species is native to tropical and temperate waters around the globe. It resembles a fish head with a tail, and its main body is flattened laterally

The species is native to tropical and temperate waters around the globe. It resembles a fish head with a tail and its main body is flattened laterally.

Among humans, sunfish are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world, including Japan, Korea and Taiwan. In the EU, regulations ban the sale of fish and fishery products derived from the Mola family.

The sunfish is the heaviest bony fish in the world and can weigh nearly 5,000 pounds and grow as large as 14 feet high and 10 feet long, according to National Geographic

The slow-moving fish are hosts to many different types of parasites, and will propel themselves as high as 10 feet above the water in order to shake them off.

They live far out in the open ocean, but bask near the surface. When their massive dorsal fin breaches the water, sunfish are commonly mistaken for sharks.A man whose savage attack on his gay lover with a wine bottle has led his own barrister to concede a life sentence 'is appropriate'.

Lane Tynan Mitchell, 25 and Peter Anthony Jarman, 49, had just had sex and taken $1000 worth of methamphetamine in Mitchell's North Perth apartment before a fight erupted over a cab fare.

Mitchell became enraged and bludgeoned Mr Jarman and set fire to his apartment after the argument escalated in June 2016.

In court on Tuesday, barrister Simon Watters said his client was not prepared to read victim impact statements, which made the public gallery erupt with loud groans.

Peter Anthony Jarman, 49, (pictured) was beaten by his 25-year-old gay lover with a wine bottle and most likely a statue and frying pan during a drug-fueled fight over a cab fare in June 2016

Mitchell admitted to punching, kicking and bludgeoning Mr Jarman with a wine bottle, and left him for dead on the floor of his apartment the Supreme Court of WA heard on Tuesday.

According to a forensic pathologist other items including a statue and a frying pan were also likely to have been used.

However prosecutor Katie Goddard-Borger chose to read out an excerpt from a statement by Mr Jarman's niece.

'All I want is to talk to my uncle ... but Mitchell took him away in a such a horrific way,' she wrote.

'Time will not heal this. Time will not heal my heart.'

Mitchell's own barrister Mr Watters labelled the statements as 'eloquent and poignant' and conceded that his client's vicious attack deserved a life sentence.

Mr Jarman's injuries were so severe he could not escape the fiery blaze and despite still breathing once firefighters arrived on the scene, he was later pronounced dead at Royal Perth Hospital.

In a bid to erase all evidence of their relationship, Mitchell reset all settings on Mr Jarman's computer and threw their mobile phone under a running shower.

He then set alight a hoodie by spraying it with fly spray, causing the apartment to catch fire.

Mitchell then left in an Uber, just three minutes before an explosion tore though the unit, the court heard.

After fleeing the scene, Mitchell then tried to access Mr Jarman's bank accounts and lied to police surrounding his whereabouts during the ordeal.

However, he later confessed and pleaded guilty to murder and criminal damage by fire.

Justice Bruno Fianacca has yet to make a verdict on sentencing saying he needs time to view Mitchell's lengthy police interview.

Lane Tynan Mitchell, who since pleaded guilty to murdering Mr Jarman and causing criminal damage by fire, outraged the public gallery at the Supreme Court of WA after (pictured) refusing to read impact statements from the victims family



Saudi journalist Jamal Kashoggi was butchered alive during an excruciating seven-minute execution inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, a source has claimed.

The anonymous source claims to have heard an audio recording of Mr Khashoggi's horrifying final moments, captured on the journalist's own Apple Watch, shortly after he entered he consulate on October 2.

The tape reveals Mr Khashoggi was dragged from the Saudi Consul Generals office to a table in a next-door study, where he was surgically dismembered, Middle East Eye reports.

Horrifying: Journalist Jamal Khashoggi was thrown onto a desk and dismembered by a Saudi 'hit squad' while he was still alive, according to an anonymous source

Claims: The anonymous source claims to have heard Mr Khashoggi's final minutes on an audio recording made on the journalist's own smartwatch after he entered the consulate, pictured

The audio recording is said to have captured the missing journalist's dying screams, before he was 'injected with an unknown drug' and fell silent.

'There was no attempt to interrogate him. They had come to kill him,' the source said.

The source also claimed that Khashoggi's screams had been heard by witnesses downstairs as he was cut into pieces on the desk, and that the Saudi butchers had put headphones on to drown him out.

One of the 15 Saudi men identified as part of the 'hit squad' accused of murdering Khashoggi is 'forensic expert' Salah Muhammad al-Tubaigy.

The source told Middle-East Eye Tubaigy can be heard telling others in this squad 'When I do this job, I listen to music. You should do [that] too'.

Sealed off: The Saudi consul's residence had been secured for a potential search

Crime scene tape blocks off the area near the residence of Consul General of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul on Tuesday night

Security officers are seen in front of the residence of Consul General of Saudi Arabia Mohammad al-Otaibi in Istanbul on Tuesday

Mohammad al-Otaibi, the Saudi Consul in Istanbul, left Turkey on a commercial flight on Tuesday just hours before Turkish investigators entered his residence

This follows reports yesterday that local police have found 'certain evidence' that Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate, and Turkish officials have referenced an audio recording.

They said that this evidence had been shared with several other countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Investigators have reportedly been 'looking into toxic materials' at the alleged crime scene following a nine-hour overnight search which ended in the early hours of Tuesday.

As new information linking the Saudis to Khashoggi's suspected murder emerged, the Saudi Consul General Mohammad al-Otaibi suddenly left Turkey on a commercial flight - just hours before his residence was searched by police.

The disappearance of Khashoggi has put Saudi Arabia's international relations in the spotlight, in particular its trade with the U.S.

President Trump said Tuesday that he has spoken to the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the kingdom continues to steadfastly deny any involvement in Khashoggi's suspected murder.

Taking to Twitter, Trump said the Crown Prince, known by his initials MbS, 'totally denied' knowledge of the journalist's disappearance in a Tuesday afternoon phone call which followed a dinner between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Saudi leader in Riyadh.

Speaking to Fox Business shortly before to phone conversation with the Saudi royal, Trump said he was waiting to hear from the Crown Prince to pass judgement, but admitted that 'If they knew about it, that would be bad.'

Pompeo travelled to Riyadh yesterday to meet with King Salman and the Crown Prince to try to defuse the crisis sparked by Khashoggi's disappearance and the Saudis' reluctance to address what happened to him at the consulate.

The Crown Prince told Pompeo that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia 'are strong and old allies. We face our challenges together,' before sitting down for talks.

Having a chat: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday

Trump tweeted that he had spoken to the Crown Prince over the phone on Tuesday who 'denied knowledge of what took place'

Cleaning up? Maintenance workers leave with garbage from Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday afternoon

Throwing out the trash: The bags were taken out after the nine-hour overnight visit by Turkish investigators

Turkish forensic investigators gather on the steps of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul as they prepare to enter the building last night

The crack team of investigators could be seen marching through the door which Jamal Khashoggi walked through two weeks ago

Today, Pompeo is due to fly to Turkey to hold talks with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu.

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump speculated 'rogue killers' were to blame after revealing the Saudi king denied any murder plot during a phone conversation between the pair last night.

Speaking to reporters in the White House, Trump said King Salman's denial 'could not have been stronger.'

'He said it very strongly,' Trump said when pressed to say whether he believed the Saudi king.

He added: 'It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. Who knows?'

President Trump has previously said he does not want to halt a proposed $110 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia - as some in Congress have suggested - because it would harm the US economically.

However, on Monday, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow warned that the United States would 'take stern action with the Saudis if necessary.'

There have been several reports this week that Saudi Arabia is preparing to admit that Khashoggi died in the consulate, but no such admittance has yet appeared.

Today: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (left) arrived in Saudi Arabia to quiz King Salman (right) over the mystery

'I hope you are comfortable here,' the king told Pompeo who responded, 'Thank you for accepting my visit on behalf of President Trump'

President Trump said in a visit to Georgia on Monday that 'nobody knows' if the Saudi report is real yet

Trump said in a Monday morning tweet that he would send a top U.S. official, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to Middle East to confront Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in person

Previously, sources in British intelligence have been quoted by Reuters as saying they believe there had been an attempt to drug Khashoggi inside the consulate that culminated in an overdose.

Earlier on Tuesday, U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet called for the immediate and 'absolute' lifting of diplomatic immunity enjoyed by any officials or premises in the Khashoggi investigation.

Ms Bachelet said the 'inviolability or immunity' of people or premises granted under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 'should be waived immediately.'

She said Tuesday the 'onus is on the Saudi authorities' to reveal what happened, and insisted 'no further obstacles' should be placed in the way of a quick, thorough, impartial and transparent investigation.

Bachelet stopped short of calling for an international investigation.

Also on Tuesday, Google and a number of banks, including HSBC, became the latest companies to boycott a business conference in Saudi Arabia next week.

Google said in a statement that Google Cloud Chief Executive Diane Greene would not attend the Future Investment Initiative Summit starting in Riyadh on Tuesday.

This was followed by statements from HSBC, Standard Chartered and Credit Suisse which said their chief executives will no longer be travelling to Riyadh for the conference.

Many American companies, including Uber, Viacom and Ford, have pulled out of the three-day conference, known as Davos in the Desert.

Britain's trade secretary Liam Fox and US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin are still due to attend.

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF JAMAL KHASHOGGI: A TIMELINE What happened? Jamal Khashoggi has been missing since October 2 Here is a timeline of events in the disappearance of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a US resident, not seen since he entered the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul on October 2. OCTOBER 2 At 1.14pm (10.14amGMT) on October 2, Khashoggi is recorded entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by a surveillance camera. The image is published by the Washington Post. He was at the consulate to receive an official document for his upcoming marriage. His fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, accompanies him but waits outside. OCTOBER 3 On October 3 the Washington Post, for whom Khashoggi writes opinion pieces, raises the alarm, saying the journalist has not been seen since he entered the consulate. His fiancee camps out near barricades in front of the Saudi consulate hoping for news. Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin tells a news conference: 'According to information we have this individual... is still at the consulate as of now'. The US State Department says it is investigating. OCTOBER 4 On October 4, after an initial period of silence, Saudi Arabia says Khashoggi disappeared 'after he left the consulate building'. The Saudi ambassador is summoned to the Turkish foreign ministry. OCTOBER 5 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tells Bloomberg that Khashoggi is not inside the consulate and 'we are ready to welcome the Turkish government to go and search our premises,' which is Saudi sovereign territory. OCTOBER 6 A government source says Turkish police believe Khashoggi was murdered inside the consulate. 'Based on their initial findings, the police believe that the journalist was killed by a team especially sent to Istanbul and who left the same day,' the source tells AFP. Riyadh calls the claim 'baseless'. OCTOBER 7 Turkey seeks permission to search Saudi Arabia's consulate, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, commenting for the first time, says he will wait for the outcome of the investigation before taking a decision. OCTOBER 8 Erdogan asks Riyadh to 'prove' its claim that Khashoggi left its consulate. US President Donald Trump says he is 'concerned'. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calls for a 'thorough' and 'transparent' probe by Washington's ally Saudi Arabia into the disappearance. OCTOBER 9 Saudi Arabia agrees to let Turkish authorities search the consulate, the Turkish foreign ministry says. Local media report on the possibility that Khashoggi was kidnapped and taken to Saudi Arabia. OCTOBER 10 English-language state broadcaster TRT World says Turkish officials believe the Saudis may have taken the consulate's CCTV footage with them when they returned to the kingdom. CCTV footage released by Turkish TV shows a van entering the consulate on October 2, before going to the nearby consul's residence. The Washington Post, citing US intelligence intercepts, says Saudi Arabia's crown prince ordered an operation to trap Khashoggi. The US State Department says it had not been tipped off about such an operation. Trump calls for explanations from Saudi Arabia, saying he has talked 'more than once' and 'at the highest levels' to partners in Riyadh. He says he has been in contact with Khashoggi's fiancee, who has asked for his help. OCTOBER 12 British entrepreneur Richard Branson suspends two directorships linked to tourism projects in Saudi Arabia. Several prestigious partners cancel their planned attendance at the end of the month at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, a lavish conference dubbed the 'Davos in the Desert'. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and Ford chairman Bill Ford are among those to pull out of the Riyadh event. OCTOBER 15 Turkish police investigators and prosecutors conduct an eight-hour overnight search of the Saudi consulate, taking away samples. Trump says he received a strong denial from King Salman of any involvement in the disappearance of Khashoggi. 'It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. Who knows?' Trump tells reporters. The next day, US top diplomat Mike Pompeo arrives in Riyadh for urgent talks with the king and crown prince. Advertisement

A Turkish crime scene investigation team member inspects the roof of the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul on Monday night

Crime scene officers from the Turkish police investigated every inch of the consulate on Monday night

Turkish police officers gather as they prepare to enter the Saudi Arabia's Consulate as evening draws in on Monday

Oil prices rise and the Riyal dips On Monday morning Benchmark Brent crude oil jumped by $1.49 a barrel to a high of $81.92. The riyal was quoted at 3.7524 to the US dollar in the spot market early on Monday, its weakest rate since September 2016, Refinitiv data showed. It comes after Saudi Arabia issued a thinly veiled threat to cut oil production if the US imposes sanctions over the disappearance. There are also fears companies will turn away from investing in the Kingdom UKOIL chart by TradingView TradingView Privacy Policy Advertisement

A Turkish official yesterday claimed the consulate walls have been repainted since the alleged murder and said the Turks don't trust the Saudis not to obfuscate the investigation, reported the Middle Eastern Eye.

Khashoggi, who was notoriously critical of Saudi Arabia's new Crown Prince, entered the consulate on 2 October to get documents to marry his Turkish fiancee - but has not been seen since.

Turkish officials have said they fear a Saudi hit team killed and dismembered Khashoggi.

Saudi Arabia has called such allegations 'baseless' but has not proved the writer ever left the consulate.

Saudi Arabia said Monday that the Crown Prince has ordered an internal investigation of the disappearance, and an released a statement thanking Turkey for the co-operation in which they praised President Erdogan 'appreciating the fraternal, distinguished, historical and close relations between the two countries'.

While Turkey and the kingdom differ on political issues, Saudi investments are a crucial lifeline for Ankara amid trouble with its national currency, the Turkish lira.

Jamal Khashoggi (right) arriving at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul on October 2. He has not been seen since and Turkey has accused Saudi agents of murdering him

Missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, pictured in Switzerland in 2011, may have been murdered because he knew too much about the Saudi royal family, one of his friends has saidThis is the terrifying moment gun-wielding robbers allegedly used 25 hostages as human shields after police foiled an attempted raid on a lottery shop in Brazil.

In a tense standoff, terrified hostages were ordered to form a barrier around them by the assailants before they escaped the premises huddled inside the protective ring, firing warning shots as they went.

The volatile incident lasted over three hours on Saturday afternoon, with the victims forced to hold hands and link arms as they shuffled along the streets of Manaus, the Amazon capital city, for just under a mile.

The impasse ended with four perpetrators being shot dead and one being arrested after police set an ambush that led them to a dead end, blocking them in.

Gunmen used 25 hostages (pictured) as human shields after failed robbery in Brazil

The hostages (pictured) were forced to form a barrier to help the assailants escape

Incredibly, all the victims escaped uninjured after throwing themselves to the ground and taking cover behind vehicles as the armed gangsters reportedly exchanged heavy fire with elite shock troops, who had been tracking closely behind on foot, and tactical marksmen positioned in surrounding buildings.

Several eye witnesses filmed the exhausted and traumatised hostages moving in unison through the area with the would be robbers hiding in their midst.

One resident recorded the scenes from his balcony and caught the harrowing moment the hooded attackers dressed in army uniforms and wearing bullet-proof vests, were killed in a barrage of bullets.

The four perpetrators had apparently tried to escape the trap but the victims, who were allegedly watching for signals from officers, threw themselves to the ground leaving the assailants exposed.

Applause broke out as officers were cheered by scores of onlookers who celebrated the end of the hostage crisis.

Hours earlier around 1:30pm, security cameras in the lottery captured the sequence of events showing the armed suspects allegedly storming the shop which was packed with people paying their bills and playing the sweepstake.

Victims were forced to link arms and shuffle along the street for one mile (pictured)

The assailants were armed with guns and allegedly refused to give themselves up

Witnesses claimed the men were also carrying blowtorches and gasoline and had allegedly threatened to set the building ablaze 'if their plans didn't work out'.

The assailants reportedly demanded customers' belongings and ordered cashiers to hand over the day's takings.

One man was filmed apparently being forced to bash through a reinforced glass partition with a sledgehammer, with a gun pointed at his head.

Cops were on the scene within minutes and the area was locked down with dozens of elite commandos and special forces snipers, backed up by military police and aerial surveillance.

A negotiator tried to persuade the hostage-takers to release the captives and to give themselves up, but the men allegedly refused and demanded a getaway car, a lawyer and drugs to 'calm their nerves'.

Here the gunmen can be seen attempting to rib the lottery store which failed after police were called

All of the victims survived after throwing themselves onto the ground and leaving the assailants exposed

Juvenal Barbosa, a salesman, who was taken hostage, described what happened.

'The gunmen came running in threatening to set the lottery on fire if they didn't open the doors to the safes. They were very nervous. They wanted loads of money and they took all my belongings,' he claimed to local media.

'It was terrifying. There was about 30 to 40 people inside and as soon as they arrived they told everyone to get down on the floor.'

Some people were released others used the opportunity to escape.

Chief of public security, Colonel Amadeu Soares, said: 'There's no way to know why the suspects decided to leave the lottery house in this way surrounded by hostages.

Cops were on the scene within minutes and the area was locked down with dozens of elite commandos and special forces snipers

Detectives seized three bullet proof vests, four guns, two .12 calibre rifles, a .38 calibre revolver and a pistol along with more than thirty rounds of ammunition

Four of the perpetrators were shot dead by police and witnesses cheered

'But the police were careful. They didn't retaliate when the gang started shooting because there were lives at risk.

'The police only responded when the hostages dropped to the ground and the sharp shooters took aim, neutralising the suspects from a height and leaving the victims unharmed,' he said adding that no officer was injured.

Detectives seized three bullet proof vests, four guns, two .12 calibre rifles, a .38 calibre revolver and a pistol along with more than thirty rounds of ammunition.

The dead men, all reported to have criminal records, were named by police as Victor Castro, 21, the alleged gang leader; Gustavo Mesquita, 22, and Jefre Santana, 24. The fourth member has not been identified.

A fifth suspect, Valdemar Rodrigues, aged 28, turned himself in at the beginning of the assault and faces charges of attempted murder, robbery and illegal possession of weapons.Chirag Patel was found with a garage-full of stolen top-spec cars after he phoned police to report a Porsche has been taken

A criminal who ran an unlicensed car hire firm renting out flashy stolen vehicles was caught after he phoned police to report one of his Porsches had been taken.

Chirag Patel built up a stock of 19 stolen cars - including a Porsche Cayenne, Range Rovers and Mercedes - keeping five of them in a basement garage at his home in Croydon, south London.

The 39-year-old, however, made the mistake of calling the police when one of his Porsches was stolen on January 31 2015.

When officers searched his home, they found five stolen cars and 26 sets of car keys - and after further investigations discovered a further 14 stolen high value cars, worth more than 700,000 in all.

The cars had all been stolen in 'keyless thefts' across London between October 2012 and January 2015.

After searching through his accounts from his 'off the books' car rental business, they found 440,000 in 'unexplained cash deposits' and he was arrested on February 19.

Officers also discovered nine sets of car keys which had been stolen from Jaguar Land Rover's plant in Solihull in the West Midlands.

Among the vehicles recovered by police were this white Range Rover and this red Mercedes

After a five-week trial at Croydon Crown Court - which ended on Friday - Patel was found guilty of conspiracy to handle stolen goods and possession of criminal property in relation to over 440,000 of unexplained cash deposits, and jailed for eight years.

A spokesman for the Met Police said this week: 'On Sunday, 1 February 2015, Patel reported to police that his Porsche had been stolen the previous day (Jan 31).

'At first, Patel resisted giving his home address, instead providing details of his parent's address.

'When he finally gave his own address, officers attended the property as part of their investigation into the stolen car. Here they discovered a number of high-value vehicles in the basement car park.

'Officers identified that one of cars had a personalised number plate identical to one seen earlier on a vehicle outside Patel's parent's address.

'Further inquiries by officers established that the five vehicles in the car park had false number plates and all were later confirmed to have been stolen.

'Patel was arrested at his home address on 19 February 2015.'

Patel was also renting out a Porsche Cayenne and a black Range Rover from his garage

The spokesman added: 'During a search of his property, officers recovered 26 sets of car keys, as well as lists of vehicles and registrations, machines for accessing on-board computers in vehicles, programming keys and a number of mobile phones, tablets and laptops.

'Following a detailed investigation, a total of 19 stolen vehicles with an estimated value of 728,000 were linked to Patel and subsequently seized, as well as nine sets of keys which had been stolen from Jaguar Land Rover's plant in Solihull, West Midlands, and a laptop stolen during a burglary in the Streatham area.

'It was later discovered that Patel had been using the vehicles in the running of an 'off-the-books' vehicle rental business where vehicles were rented out to his associates and contacts.

'The vehicles had been stolen by unknown individuals during burglaries and keyless thefts across London between October 2012 and January 2015 and were stored at or near addresses owned by Patel and his family, or with associates who looked after the vehicles for him or rented them from him.

'The identities of the cars were concealed using legitimate insurance details of vehicles which had been written off.'

The cars were uncovered at a garage in this residential street in Croydon, south London

Acting Detective Sergeant Billy Clough said: 'Patel played the leading role in a sophisticated operation to handle high-value, stolen vehicles, motivated only by sheer greed.

'He even attempted to convince the jury that he was a legitimate businessman, who had simply been unlucky in obtaining such a vast quantity of stolen items, but the jury saw through this and convicted him of being the key player in a significant criminal enterprise.

'I hope this sentence sends a message that those involved in this type of organised criminality will be pursued robustly.'

Speaking about the officer whose work identified the first stolen vehicle, PC Andy Garland, Judge HHJ Gower said: 'It was his sharp eyes and investigative nose and approach which first spotted a stolen vehicle and set this investigation in motion and he receives my formal commendation.'Dramatic footage shows ram raiders using a van to try smash their way into a bank and steal the cash machine inside.

A stunned bystander filmed the incident which happened in the early hours of last Friday in Small Heath, Birmingham.

The thieves repeatedly reversed a white van into the building, causing the front window to smash to pieces on the pavement.

There are several bangs and alarms blare as the van continues to plough into the premises to steal the ATM machine.

Eventually the driver of the van is forced to give up and takes a sharp turn, leaving a gaping hole in the building.

The footage was filmed by a male passer-by and given to police to help with their inquiries.

Thieves repeatedly reverse a white van into the building, causing the front window to smash

Loud bangs and alarms are heard in the footage before the raiders are forced to give up

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: 'Police are investigating a ram raid at a branch of Nationwide on Coventry Road in Small Heath.

'It is believed a group of men drove a white Transit van into a window just after 4am, before making off from the scene in an Audi car when their attempts at removing the cash machine failed.'

Aftermath: The crumpled window frame lies out in the street but the ATM is still intact inside

A photo taken the day after the attempted robbery. Police have made no arrests yet but are urging anyone with information to come forward

There have been no arrests made as of yet.

Enquiries continue and anyone who has information is asked to contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, or to call 101 anytime. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Quote crime reference 20BW/234397F/18.Residents of a remote Russian town are under siege from hungry polar bears and fear the predators will eat them.

Videos show the nightmare in bleak Arctic port Dikson with a pack of at least half a dozen beasts scavenging for food on the streets and terrorising locals.

Armed police are firing warning shots to scare the polar bears away.

They are not allowed by law to shoot to kill unless a predator attacks a human, directly endangering life.

But the wild creatures are rapidly returning.

The bears have been filmed chasing after residents of the remote town down the main streets

In one film sequence a bear comes right next to a man before a policeman shoots.

The bear runs and appears wounded but locals insist the endangered animal was not hit and had slipped on the mud, falling over.

The bears are attracted to rubbish bins, say reports.

But they are also seen around the doorways of apartment blocks  even going inside.

Local called Yuri Akhlomov said: 'I was walking out of my garage and heard a dog barking.

'Its hair was standing on end.

'I turned my head and there was a polar bear, standing right on my doorstep.

'I rushed in.

'It nearly ate me.'

In the footage Police can be heard firing warning shots but aren't allowed to kill the bears

The remote Russian town, Dikson, is under siege from a pack of polar bears (pictured)

Other residents are taking terrifying risks walking close to the wild animals which could attack at any moment.

Resident Viktoria Kutyryova said: 'I was going to work and once again (police) were chasing a bear cub that slept right near my block of flats.

'As soon as I realised what was going on, I started to run.

'I knew that the scared animal could have run straight into me.

Dikson, (pictured) is a remote Arctic port by the Kara sea

'It is incredibly frightening to live like this.'

A bear cub was caught several days ago in the far flung port - one of the most northerly settlements in the world - and moved to a zoo in the regional capital Krasnoyarsk 1,250 miles to the south.

It was flown by an Antonov-26.

Deputy economy minister in vast Krasnoyarsk region, Alexander Korobkin, warned residents not to put food waste in bins.

'Once they discover household waste sites, polar bears mark them as their territory - and protect them,' he warned.

One of the polar bears was caught and transported by plane (pictured) to Krasnoyarak

Experts expect the bears to move away from Dikson once the Kara Sea freezes for the winter.

Until then patrols will monitor the threat from rampaging bears.

The authorities have not ruled out calling a state of emergency which might see the army patrol the lonely town.

The outpost with a 676 population is named after Swedish magnate Baron Oscar Dikson, of Scottish origin, who was the patron of various 19th century Arctic explorations.SC ordered report on govt vehicles

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered federal and provincial governments to furnish within 10 days reports on the use of government-owned vehicles by government officials and their purpose for doing so.



Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar delivered the instructions while heading a three-member bench hearing a case on the use of luxury vehicles by government officials.



"This is basically a matter that falls under the jurisdiction of provincial governments," said the assistant attorney general present in court.



"Some cars were kept under the name of Saaf Pani and 56 other companies," the chief justice replied.



"27 cars were found [in the use of] the Punjab government; these were hidden away in Ali Complex," he added.



"Where did the 500 cars recovered by the Sindh government go?" the chief justice asked the Sindh advocate general.



During the hearing today, the Punjab advocate general told the court that the Punjab government had recovered 201 cars.



"We should know which officials can use these cars as millions of rupees are spent on their upkeep," the chief justice said, adding that the extra cars in the government's use should be sold and the money be used for some "greater cause".



The federal and provincial governments were then ordered to compile and submit their reports on the matter within 10 days.The Duchess of Sussex's unofficial stylist Jessica Mulroney has been pictured for the first time since touching down in Sydney, where she is accompanying her pregnant best friend Meghan Markle on tour.

The high-society Canadian, who met Meghan when the actress was filming Suits in Toronto and has been helping the former actress curate her royal wardrobe, was spotted picking up groceries with her TV host husband Ben.

Jessica and Ben, 42, the son of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, are joining Harry and Meghan in Sydney in an 'unofficial' capacity - meaning they will cover their own expenses.

But although she's not officially on the payroll as a member of staff, well-connected fashionista Jessica, 38, is on hand to give Meghan style advice, and in return is getting a golden opportunity for her to promote the Canadian brands she's associated with.

Her influence has prompted Meghan to favour little-known Canadian labels for her royal engagements since marrying Harry in May, rather than outfits by British designers.

Husband and wife, both glowing after an intense gym workout, were seen popping into a 7/11 convenience store in Sydney's CBD and leaving with a plastic bag of supplies around 6pm local time on Tuesday.

A witness told MailOnline: 'I saw her in the shop next to some Haribo treats - perhaps she was picking some up for Meghan's pregnancy cravings.'

Grabbing supplies: Jessica Mulroney (with husband Ben) has been pictured for the first time since touching down in Sydney

Keeping fit: The pair were both glowing after an intense gym workout when they grabbed supplies

Collecting groceries: The high-society Canadian stylist met Meghan when the actress was filming Suits in Toronto

A message from Meg? A witness said: 'Perhaps she was picking some up for Meghan's pregnancy cravings'

It is thought Jessica is joining Prince Harry and Meghan on their royal tour of Australia to offer advice and comfort to the Duchess of Sussex

Mother-of-three Jessica, seen with the now Duchess in Toronto in 2016, was Meghan's unofficial maid of honour at the royal wedding in May. Her daughter Ivy was a flower girl, and her twin sons John and Brian were page boys

Jessica is said to be the inspiration behind some of Meghan's most headline-grabbing looks since joining the royal family, including a thigh skimming tuxedo dress she wore to a charity performance of Hamilton the musical in London in late August.

The outing was the Duchess' first royal engagement following her summer break, and represented a new sexier approach after she was criticised for her ultra-formal approach to royal dressing, including saccharine pink frocks and sheer tights.

She was also behind the pale pink trench coat dress by House of Nonie that Meghan wore to visit the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition in London in July.

The thrilled designer behind the label, Nina Kharey, publicly thanked Jessica on the brand's Instagram account, and called Meghan's outing in its $1,085 (629) dress 'an amazing day for us'.

Who is Meghan's best friend Jessica Mulroney? The Duchess of Sussex's close friend, unofficial wedding planner, and long-distance stylist is one of the most well-connected women in Canada. She is married to Ben Mulroney, the oldest son of the former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and the couple live in Toronto with their three children; twins Brian and John, and their little girl, Ivy. Listing herself as an expert in brand strategy and PR on her very active Instagram feed, Jessica is also a wedding planner and the founder of the Shoebox Project, a charity initiative that distributes shoeboxes full of gifts to women in need. Canadian stylist Jessica reportedly took Meghan under her wing when the former Suits star was living in Toronto to film Suits Support: Jessica, seen helping her flower girl daughter Ivy up the steps of St George's Chapel along with the Duchess of Cambridge at Meghan and Harry's wedding in May, is open about her family life on social media, and regularly remarks on juggling her busy career with raising three young children The McGill University graduate was recently named among the 50 most influential people in Canada by the luxury lifestyle magazine Bay Street Bull, and counts multiple television personalities and female entrepreneurs among her close friends. She is understood to have taken Meghan under her wing when the then actress was living in Toronto while starring in suits. The pair are so close Ivy was a flower girl at the royal wedding in May, while Brian and John were page boys given the special task of holding the bride's train as she walked down the aisle in St George's Chapel, at Windsor Castle. Advertisement

Reports have previously suggested that despite the considerable distance between the two women, Jessica has been advising Meghan on her royal style choices over the phone from Canada.

There was no stylist among the 11-strong entourage that accompanied the Duchess of Sussex on her two-day royal tour of Ireland in July.

However, writer and royal correspondent Omid Scobie reported that Jessica quietly flew into London prior to the trip to help the Duchess assemble a selection of outfits for the two-day visit.

Tellingly, Meghan is currently travelling with an entourage made-up of press secretaries, royal aides and her hairdresser George Northwood, but no stylist - indicating that Jessica has the role covered.

The Duke and Duchess at Admiralty House overlooking Sydney Opera House with Meghan wearing a white dress by Australian designer Karen Gee that showed her small baby bump. The designer has revealed she was asked to submit an design for consideration prior to the tour

Chosen by Jessica? Meghan changed into a dark olive shirt dress with a full skirt by American designer Brandon Maxwell for a reception hosted by the Governor-General at Admiralty House in Sydney

Australian designer Karen Gee who is behind the figure-hugging 'Blessed' white dress Meghan stepped out in for her first official engagement in Sydney yesterday, has revealed she was asked to submit sample outfits prior to the tour.

Ms Gee, who is based in Sydney, explained it was a 'wonderful surprise' to see Meghan in one of her designs  although had been aware it could happen after submitting several pieces for consideration.

'I can't describe it as anything other than an honour for the brand to be recognised by someone who really exemplifies our values and the epitome of modern glamour,' she said.

What does an 'unofficial' royal stylist do? While you might expect a high profile member of the royal family to have a full-time stylist on the payroll, it's not unusual for the arrangement to be rather more casual. While royals frequently use the services of a hairdresser on an overseas tour, a stylist isn't automatically part of the package. The Duchess of Cambridge, for instance, does not have a stylist and relies on her PA Natasha Archer to help her with her wardrobe. According to sources, Natasha helps to source Kate's outfits by shopping online and calling in hundreds of dresses for Kate to try on. Tash as she is fondly known within the royal circle - was credited with helping Kate remodel her style from girl-next-door to stylish princess back in 2014. The glamorous blonde, who is married to royal photographer Chris Jackson, masterminded Kate's maternity wardrobe while she was pregnant with Prince Louis, and has assisted on several royal tours, including India in 2016. When Kate gave birth to Prince Louis in April this year, Natasha was among the first people seen arriving at the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in London, in order to help prepare the Duchess to face the cameras on her way to bring her third child home for the first time. The Duchess of Cambridge's PA and unofficial stylist Natasha Archer, arriving in Assam, India in April 2016. She's said to be tasked with helping Kate with her wardrobe by calling in clothes and making outfit suggestions Advertisement

Meghan later changed into a dark olive shirt dress with a full skirt by American designer Brandon Maxwell for a reception hosted by the Governor-General at Admiralty House in Sydney.

She previously wore a show-stopping yellow dress by the designer - reportedly on Jessica's advice - for a Commonwealth Youth reception in July.

In addition to lending her fashion prowess, Jessica will offer support and comfort to the Duchess of Sussex, who announced her pregnancy on Monday.

The pair are so close they are 'like sisters' and Meghan considers Jessica's three children - who were page boys and a flower girl at the wedding - as a niece and nephews.

Earlier on Tuesday, Jessica revealed on social media she had landed in Sydney after a '24-hour journey'.

Despite the long trip, the Mulroneys wasted no time in heading out from their hotel and squeezed in a 'jetlagged' workout at an F45 gym, which Jessica posted about on Instagram.

Jessica Mulroney, who met Meghan when she lived in Toronto, revealed on social media how she had touched down on Tuesday following a '24-hour journey'. Pictured, an Instagram Story showing Jessica and her Canadian TV presenter husband Ben in the back of a car in Australia

A photo Jessica shared on her Instagram Stories on Tuesday showed the Mulroneys heading to the gym shortly after arriving

Parents-to-be Harry and Meghan on Monday touched down in Sydney at the start of a major tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

A video Jessica shared on her Instagram story on Sunday evening appeared to show the pair in an airport departure lounge.

Canadian 'mumpreneur' Jessica was Meghan's unofficial wedding planner ahead of her big day in May and has styled her for subsequent royal engagements - and it's likely the Duchess will now turn to her close friend for advice on navigating her first pregnancy, too.

Kensington Palace confirmed on Monday that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who arrived the same day in Australia at the start of their first overseas royal tour as a married couple, are expecting a baby in the spring of 2019. Meghan is seen at an engagement at London's Southbank Centre in July wearing a House of Nonie trench dress selected for her by her best pal Jessica, who is understood to be flying out to join her on her overseas tour

Meghan's best friend and unofficial stylist Jessica Mulroney - seen with her daughter, Ivy - is joining the royal couple on the tour, suggesting she may be supporting the Duchess as she navigates multiple engagements in the early stages of pregnancy

Parenting expert Anna Williamson told MailOnline: 'Becoming a first time mum is a change physically, mentally and emotionally like no other.

'For someone like Meghan, her already very public and scrutinised professional and personal life is going to step up another notch - this can create huge pressure on an already nervous and overwhelmed new mum to be. Having trusted friends around to support and advise is key,' she added.

'Jessica is vital to offer a confidential knowledgeable ear to her friend on pregnancy, juggling work and family, and crucially on how to be a mum,' said Anna, the author of Breaking Mum and Dad: The Insider's Guide to Parenting Anxiety.

The stylist and wedding planner is open about her family life on social media, and regularly shares tidbits of how she juggles a busy career with raising three small children with her fans.

Jessica reportedly helped Meghan vamp up her image in a thigh-skimming midi dress by Canadian designer Judith & Charles for a charity performance of Hamilton in August (left). She was also said to behind a show-stopping yellow dress by US designer Brandon Maxwell, which Meghan wore to the Your Commonwealth Youth Challenge reception in London in July (right)

Jessica recently shared footage of herself cooking up a storm with her daughter Ivy and chef Kate Daniels, telling fans: 'When you include your kids in the kitchen, miracles really do happen.'

Parenting expert Ms Williamson said Meghan has 'set up her support network well' as she prepares to welcome her first child.

'Being away from home and creature comforts during pregnancy can also be hard to cope with,' she said. 'The nesting instinct can kick in straight away and the need to be safe and secure. But Meghan has her husband Prince Harry by her side in Australia, [and] her best friend is joining.

'She has set up her support network well, with a knowledgeable trusted mum friend on hand. As the weeks and months ramp up to the birth, friends such as Jessica will become even more valuable to show her the ropes of motherhood.

'The Duchess of Cambridge will also serve as the perfect 'royal mum pal' to help her get to grips mentally with the enormity of giving birth to a possible future monarch,' Ms Williamson added.

Earlier this month Jessica shared a snap of her husband and their three children out for an evening stroll near their home in Toronto, Canada, writing: 'Because work life is crazy... and business travel is at an all time high, simple evening strolls help me pause and remember what is truly important.'

As a seasoned pro at balancing public life with raising children, Jessica is well placed to support and advise her best friend through this newest chapter, too.

Harry and Meghan's first child will be born in the Spring of 2019.

Kensington Palace said in a statement on Monday morning: 'Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019.

'Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public.'

Both the Duchess, seen chatting to some young admirers after leaving a Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey back in March, and Harry were open about their desire to start a family together

A video clip shared by Jessica on her Instagram Stories on Sunday evening suggested she and her husband Ben Mulroney were in an airport. The couple are understood to be joining Harry and Meghan on tour in an 'unofficial' capacity - meaning they will cover their own expenses

It is believed stylist Jessica has been helping the Duchess with her royal wardrobe, including on a recent visit to the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibit at London's South Bank.

The Duchess, 37, wore a sleeveless trench coat by the Canadian brand House of Nonie.

The thrilled designer publicly thanked Jessica on the brand's Instagram account for choosing the 629 dress.

She also helped Meghan plan her 'engagement outfit' when her betrothal to Prince Harry was officially announced in November 2017.

Jessica is believed to have met Meghan in 2011 while the actress lived in Toronto.

The McGill University graduate works in PR and as a wedding planner, and previously founded the Shoebox Project, a charity initiative that distributes shoeboxes full of gifts to women in need.

Kensington Palace did not comment on reports the Mulroneys would join Harry and Meghan on tour.

The Duchess' choice of a loose-fitting coat for Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's wedding on Friday prompted a flood of speculation among fans - and it turned out to be right on the money, as Kensington Palace has since confirmed that Meghan is indeed expectingRoyal mania reached fever pitch in Australia today as thousands of mask-wearing, flag-waving fans jostled outside the Opera House to catch a glimpse of Prince Harry and his pregnant wife Meghan.

Jubilant girls held up signs saying 'I gave up perfect school attendance to see you' while excited mothers and fathers shouted 'welcome to Sydney.'

This morning, all major Australian newspapers had the couple on their front pages with triumphant congratulations for their baby news.

'True Blue Baby Joy,' said The West Australian. 'You little beauty!' sang Tasmania's Mercury as the New South Wales premier said it was 'so exciting' to welcome the pair to her state.

At first glance, the hysteria may suggest that Australia's strong republican movement is losing traction as this younger, 'more relevant' crop of royals take centre stage.

The reality, however, is much more nuanced. Prominent republicans in Australia have welcomed Harry and Meghan and do not see the apparent outpouring of support as a threat to their movement which they insist is growing.

Fandom: Royal mania reached fever pitch in Australia on Tuesday as thousands of mask-wearing, flag-waving fans jostled outside the Opera House to see Harry and Meghan (pictured)

Hysteria: Jubilant girls held up a sign saying 'I gave up perfect school attendance to see you' while mothers and fathers bellowed 'welcome to Sydney'

Jubilation: Crowds gather at the Sydney Opera House for the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan

Excitement: Mothers and fathers bellowed 'welcome to Sydney' at the Opera House on Tuesday

Atmosphere: At first glance, the hysteria may suggest that Australia's strong republican movement is losing traction as this younger, more relevant crop of royals take centre stage - but the reality is more nuanced

The chair of Australian Republic Movement, Peter FitzSimons, compares adoration for the royals in Australia to that in American where there is no appetite for the British monarch to reign, he says.

He said on Monday the 'charismatic young royals' were welcome in Australia - and they will still be welcome if Australia becomes a republic.

'The @AusRepublic movement going fine! The visiting royals doesn't change that remotely. Watch this space,' he tweeted.

FitzSimons, and others in his camp, insist the reason the royals are popular is not because they are members of the constitutional monarchy but because they are tiara-wearing celebrities who have extravagant weddings.

In other words, Harry and Meghan's celebrity status is what draws the crowds, rather than any loyalty to the monarchy itself.

A new poll released on Monday backed up that claim, showing 52 per cent of Australians support the country becoming a republic, with only 22 per cent supporting the monarchy.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet members of the public during a walk about outside the Opera House in Sydney, Australia

Support for dropping the British monarch as Australia's head of state was strongest among those aged 25 to 34, while those aged over 65 were happiest to keep on with the status quo, the poll by ResearchNow found.

Dr Giselle Bastin, a royal expert at Flinders University in South Australia, said the young royals' social activism was what gained them support among the younger generation who are not loyal to the monarchy.

Both Harry and Meghan champion the environment, education, public health and Indigenous rights - while Meghan is renowned for her ardent feminism.

'I think young people might be a bit indifferent about where royalty sits in terms of our constitution,' Dr Giselle told Hack.

'In some ways it suggests to me that the royals have gone beyond constitutional monarchy.

'They have certain interests and you'll find those interests are ones that align with many young people's interests... they engage the hearts and minds of the young.'

The Australian tour has kicked into full swing for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with a sea of supporters gathering at each spot they visited

Prince Harry is embraced by 97-year-old Dafney Dunne during he and Meghan's walk outside the Opera House in Sydney, Australia

People hold posters of Britain's Prince Harry and wife Meghan as the Royal couple visit Sydney

Australian republicans have been pushing to ditch the monarchy since before their country was federated in 1901.

They narrowly lost the last referendum in 1998 because the republican vote was split on the method proposed for selection of a president.

Many commentators say it is likely the republicans will push for another vote not too long after the Princes Charles takes the throne.

For now, however, the focus has been on the royal hysteria, which was in no short measure at the Opera House on Tuesday.

New South Wales Police warned of massive crowds at each of the events attended by the young royals.

Dozens of police cars could be seen parked around the Opera House as officers kept a close eye on the large crowd.

People held out their phones, recording as the pair drove past as they left  with some just happy to get a simple wave as the car cruised past.

Thousands of people turned out on Tuesday to catch a glimpse of the couple at the Sydney Opera House

Despite the poll showing a majority of Australians want a republic, Harry and Meghan attracted large and enthusiastic crowds

Royal fan Jordan, 14, gave school a miss in the hope of having a chat to Meghan. 'I want to give her a hug,' he told News.com.au.

Some people had travelled from outside Sydney to have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with a prince.

Fan Lauren Smith, 22, drove from Ashfield to see Meghan as she entered the Kirribilli address.

She told the Daily Telegraph she was prepared to head to other Royal engagements while the couple were in the country.

The couple's winning ways are impressing politicians too. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has spoken of his excitement over the couple's tour of the country.

'It's a great thrill having the royals come out. They just fill people with hope. I think it will be a great visit.'Robert Durst's wife told a medical school classmate that he was 'capable of violence' and that she felt unsafe around him, a court heard.

Dr Peter Halperin, 66, testified on Monday that he spoke to Kathleen Durst by phone in December 1981, a few weeks before she disappeared.

Durst has never been charged and has denied having anything to do with the disappearance of his wife. Her body has never been found.

But the 75-year-old multimillionaire was arrested in 2015 and charged with murder in the 2000 shooting death of his longtime friend and confidante Susan Berman.

Durst, a grandson of New York real estate titan Joseph Durst, has pleaded not guilty to Berman's murder.

Robert Durst's (pictured in court in 2017) wife told a medical school classmate that he was 'capable of violence' and that she felt unsafe around him, a court heard

Durst has never been charged and has denied having anything to do with the disappearance of his wife Kathleen (pictured together)

Halperin, who attended medical school with her in the early 1980s, when the Dursts lived in New York, said Durst - who was who was profiled in the HBO documentary 'The Jinx' - struck fear in his wife.

'Kathie said she was very frightened because she thought her husband might hurt her,' Halperin, a psychiatrist, testified.

'She said that there were problems in her marriage and that things had escalated to the point she felt unsafe.'

Halperin said he didn't come forward about the phone call to police until years after she disappeared because he thought it would put him at 'personal risk,' the Los Angeles Times reports.

Halperin also said he urged her to leave her husband, but she refused because she feared it would risk her losing money in a divorce settlement.

Durst was arrested in 2015 and charged with murder in the 2000 shooting death of his longtime friend and confidante Susan Berman (pictured with Durst)

Halperin's wife Martha testified after him that she remembered overhearing her husband's conversation with Kathleen Durst that night.

She said she remembers thinking, 'oh no, it happened. What she was afraid of, it happened,' after learning of her disappearance in the news in early 1982, the Times reports.

Durst was in court in Los Angeles on Monday for the first day of what is expected to be a two-week preliminary hearing.

The hearing is to determine if the prosecution has presented enough evidence to require him to stand trial in Berman's murder.

Berman, 55, was found dead at her home in Los Angeles shortly after it was revealed that police had reopened an investigation into the 1982 disappearance of Durst's wife, Kathleen Durst.

Prosecutors have said Durst (pictured with Kathleen Durst) shot Berman because of what she knew about the fate of his spouse, whom authorities have said they presume was slain by Durst

Prosecutors have said that Durst shot Berman because of what she knew about the fate of his spouse, whom authorities have said they presume was slain by Durst.

Durst's ties to Berman's death, his wife's disappearance and a Texas slaying for which he was acquitted by a jury were explored in 'The Jinx.'

In the series' dramatic finale, which aired in 2015, Durst was caught on microphone muttering to himself: 'What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course.'

The evidence presented to date in Los Angeles includes the pre-trial testimony of witnesses at a series of court hearings in 2017 and earlier this year.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mark Windham, who is overseeing the preliminary hearing, invoked a rare judicial procedure to allow them to testify in case they die or become incapacitated before a trial.A Chinese tourist was shocked to find a real shattered floor panel on a glass-bottomed walkway that is renowned for its fake cracks.

A video shows the man lifting up a red carpet to reveal the severely damaged panel while condemning that the footpath 'should remain open under such condition'.

The management of the walkway told Chinese press that the broken pane would not pose any danger to the tourists because only the top layer had shattered.

A trending video shows a tourist discovering a real shattered glass pane on a see-through walkway known for its fake cracks. He is seen breaking a piece of glass with his hands (right)

The video is reportedly filmed at the cliff path on China's East Taihang Mountains (pictured)

The video was filmed on a see-through footpath on China's East Taihang Mountains, according to Xinhua News, citing local Yanzhao Evening News.

The terrifying walkway is built onto the side of the Dragon Head Cliff at about 1,180 metres (3,870 feet) above the ground.

Measuring 266 metres (872 feet) long and two metres (6.5 feet) wide, its biggest attraction is its special effect which enables the glass panels to 'shatter' when tourists walk on them.

The now trending video was uploaded onto the internet last Thursday.

In the video, the man is also heard condemning that the footpath 'should remain open under such condition'. He said he hoped that 'relevant authorities could pay attention to this'

In the clip, the man is also heard warning: 'This is a safety hazard, you can break it with your hands'.

He then appears to break off a small piece of glass from the pane before adding 'I hope the relevant authorities could pay attention to this'.

A spokesperson from the East Taihang Mountains told MailOnline today that the pane in question had been replaced, but declined to give further details.

The scenic spot previously told Yanzhao Evening News that the glass were smashed by 'a sharp tool' while workers were maintaining the structure at around 9am last Tuesday.

But the scenic spot stressed that the broken panel would not endanger the safety of tourists, adding that workers had put wooden planks and a carpet on top of it.

The scenic spot (pictured) insisted that the broken pane would not pose danger to the tourists because only the top layer had shattered. The pane has been replaced and the walkway shut

The scenic spot had previously claimed to the press that the footpath was closed at the time and that the man had entered it without permission to film the video.

A spokesperson from the East Taihang Mountains did not respond to MailOnline's query on whether or not the claim was true.

The scenic spot has closed the and the re-opening time remains unclear, it is reported.

The glass walkway shot to fame last October after a video showed a terrified tour guide wobbling and crawling on the floor upon seeing fake cracks on a pane.The boss of the Civil Service launched a furious attack on 'shameful' Brexiteers criticising a senior official today in a rare public statement.

Mark Sedwill, the acting Cabinet Secretary, launched a staunch defence of Olly Robbins, the Prime Minister's EU adviser who is leading negotiations with Brussels.

The unusual statement - made in a letter to The Times - is thought to have been personally signed off by Theresa May.

Mr Robbins has been furiously criticised by Brexit supporting MPs who believe he is pushing Mrs May to the softest possible deal with Brussels.

The boss of the Civil Service Mark Sedwill (file image) launched a furious attack on 'shameful' Brexiteers criticising official Olly Robbins in a rare public statement

Mr Robbins (pictured in Westminster in July) has been furiously criticised by Brexit supporting MPs who believe he is pushing Mrs May to the softest possible deal with Brussels

He has also been targeted by vicious anonymous briefings to the press, including The Times last week which branded him 'Rasputin'.

Mr Sedwill wrote a formal letter to the paper praising Mr Robbins' 'extraordinary dedication and professionalism'.

He blasted: 'The anonymous sources on whose sniping it also draws should be ashamed of themselves, especially in a week when another senior civil servant reported having been threatened because of comments about Brexit implementation.

'This has to stop. Civil servants have always trusted that our fellow citizens, whatever their views, know that we are doing our duty to implement the decisions of the governments they elect.'

Tory MP Michael Fabricant (file image) told MailOnline Mr Sedwill and other senior civil servants should 'look to themselves' for why they were being criticised

Tory MP Michael Fabricant told MailOnline Mr Sedwill and other senior civil servants should 'look to themselves' for why they were being criticised.

He said: 'While I appreciate that vilifying civil servants is undesirable, there is some evidence that the political naivety of the civil servants negotiating team is damaging Brexit progression.

'Only on Sunday when Dominic Raab and Geoffrey Cox had to intervene to stop civil servants from agreeing an unworkable EU solution unacceptable to Parliament and the British public.

'Top civil servants need to look to themselves rather than bleating in the press.'

Mr Robbins, who Mrs May appointed as her personal Brexit adviser last year, helped draw up the Chequers strategy, which is threatening to split her party.

Last month he assured the PM that EU leaders thought her Brexit plan was a 'game changer'. He indicated that his attempts to sell the proposals to the remaining EU 27 member states had been a success.

Theresa May (pictured yesterday in London) appointed Mr Robbins as her personal Brexit adviser last year, helped draw up the Chequers strategy, which is threatening to split her party

The wholesale rejection of the Chequers blueprint at the Salzburg summit in September  just over a week before the Tory party conference  will make the PM's job even more difficult.

As a furious Mrs May returned to London, pressure was mounting on the man she trusted to be her 'eyes and ears' in Brussels.

Mr Robbins, 43, joined her team a year ago as part of a move by Number 10 to exert more control over the Brexit negotiations.

He repeatedly clashed with then Brexit secretary David Davis, and was said to have suggested that he should be the opposite number to Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator.

In evidence to MPs last month, Mr Robbins refused to say whether he believed leaving the EU would be a 'good thing'.

Mrs May's official spokesman said: 'It is one of the roles of the Cabinet Secretary to uphold public trust in the integrity and impartiality of the civil service.'

The PM's spokesman said Sir Mark's letter was approved by 10 Downing Street.A Polish court has fined an Israeli teenager who admitted to urinating on a memorial at the site of the former Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

The 19-year-old man, who was identified only as Zeev K., committed the act in late March and was arrested the same day but released after admitting to it.

'The court found the accused guilty as charged and imposed a fine of 5,000 zloty (1,160 euros, $1,350),' Daria Pichorz from the district court in the southern city of Krakow said.

A 19-year-old man, who was identified only as Zeev K., urinated on a memorial at the site of former Nazi death camp

The memorial in question (pictured) is located between the ruins of the two crematoriums at the former death camp

Pichorz said that Zeev K. was not present for the verdict by a regional court in the nearby town of Oswiecim where Auschwitz is located, but added that he had agreed to pay the fine.

A guide from the museum and several other people witnessed the act.

The memorial in question is located between the ruins of the two crematoriums at the former death camp set up by Nazi Germany after occupying Poland during World War II.

The fine comes as Polish police continue to search for three girls who caused outrage after throwing Nazi salutes outside Auschwitz on October 9.

They posted a photo of their actions on social media but deleted it shortly after it appeared on Instagram. However, it was picked up by museum authorities who have called in prosecutors.

While giving a Nazi salute is not explicitly banned in Poland, the law does forbid hate speech based on religion and promoting fascist ideology, with prison sentences of up to three years for offenders.

Polish authorities are trying to identify three girls who took a picture giving Nazi salutes outside Auschwitz this week before uploading it to Instagram

Around 1.1million people - mostly Jews - were killed at the Nazi's largest extermination camp during the Second World War (file image, children rescued from the camp)

In early October an 38-year-old Irish man pleased guilty to criminal damage after he used a coin to inscribe his name onto a wall at Auschwitz.

The 38-year-old Irish national, whose name was not reported, is said to have scratched his name onto the wall during a visit to the site because he had seen other people's names on it and thought it was the right thing to do.

The man was spotted by the Auschwitz Museum Guards who detained him but he was later released after pleading guilty, according to reports.

Auschwitz-Birkenau has become a symbol of Nazi Germany's genocide of European Jews, one million of whom were killed at the camp between 1940 to 1945.

More than 100,000 others including non-Jewish Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war and anti-Nazi resistance fighters also died there.

Auschwitz-Birkenau has become a symbol of Nazi Germany's genocide of European JewsA Portuguese cafe owner has caused uproar by selling dozens of biscuits lampooning claims Cristiano Ronaldo raped a woman in a Las Vegas penthouse suite.

Jose Goncalves, 47, has sold more than 70 of the x-rated cookies for 50p each at his Our Taste of Portugal eatery in Worcester.

The Portuguese citizen, who has lived in the city for for 10 years, claimed it was 'just a bit of light-hearted fun' that played up to the 'dark British sense of humour.'

He said: 'I love Cristiano Ronaldo. I'm going to defend Ronaldo because I believe in his version'.

Mr Goncalves displayed the biscuits which are in the shape of two people having sex from behind on his counter with a sign reading 'Ronaldo cookies 0.50.'

But following a furious backlash from rape charities, who have branded the move 'disgusting', Mr Goncalves has decided to remove the biscuits from the menu.

A Portuguese cafe owner has caused uproar by selling dozens of biscuits' appearing to make light of claims Cristiano Ronaldo raped a woman

He said they had proved popular - selling between 60 and 70 when they first went on sale - but has since admitted it 'may have been a mistake.'

Juventus star Ronaldo, 33, is accused of assaulting Kathryn Mayorga, 34, at a Las Vegas hotel in 2009, which he denies.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been accused of raping a woman in a Las Vegas penthouse suite in 2009

Mr Goncalves, who has run the cafe in Worcester for four years, said: 'I'm sorry for any offence they may have caused but I thought it was just a bit of fun.

'The Portuguese have a tendency to laugh off everything and I thought this would also appeal to the dark British sense of humour.

'Most people seemed to find them funny. All the people who came in, they all had a laugh and took it in the spirit intended.

'They bought them to take to their friends and family because they know the news about Ronaldo and they compare that with the cookies and they have a laugh.

'They even told me it was a brilliant idea to do something so different - we Portuguese have this big humour and we laugh off things.

'I would not make a joke about a serious crime such as rape as I have experience of it in my own life but nobody in our country thinks Ronaldo did it.

'I personally think its just a woman looking for some money and fame. They are not even biscuits of a man and a woman having sex anyway.

'It is two men and we use them for gay parties and make them for Gay Pride each year. They are just silly shaped biscuits.

'I deeply regret it now though because of some of the comments I have received and I can only apologise. It may have been a mistake on reflection.

'They were only on sale for a couple of hours and I won't be selling them again because I fear for the reputation of my business.

Anti-rape charities in Worcester called the biscuits 'disgusting' while other critics demanded a boycott of the cafe (pictured today)

'We do a lot for the local community, we are not just a cafe, we are a meeting point for people and I really didn't intend to cause any upset.'

Lydia Johnson, a referral co-ordinator at The Glade, a sexual assault referral centre in Worcestershire, said it was never OK to make a joke about rape or sexual assault.

She said: 'I couldn't really believe it when I saw it on Facebook, I was disgusted to hear about it.

'There's really no circumstance when it's ever going to be OK. It's disappointing and infuriating really to think anybody would think it was a good idea.'British MPs made history today as they took evidence from a robot for the first time ever.

Pepper the robot spoke to the education select committee on the rise of artificial intelligence and how UK schools should respond.

The stunt was the first time a non-human has been invited to speak to Parliament in its 700-year history.

Pepper, who spoke in an America accent, is a humanoid robot based at the University of Middlesex.

Education Select Committee chairman and Tory MP Robert Halfon invited the machine to speak to MPs after being impressed with her on a visit to the university.

But MPs read their questions from what was clearly a prepared script and the robot had been programmed to give set answers.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, told MailOnline: 'Maybe in future the technology will evolve to the point at which "robots" are able to provide for many of our needs, including personal care, but we don't see it happening very soon.

'There are lots of ways in which technology can enhance care and make it more efficient, but for now and possibly forever there's no substitute for the human touch when it comes to personal care.'

Scroll down for video

Pepper the robot (pictured today at the education select committee in parliament) gave evidence to the education select committee on the rise of artificial intelligence and how UK schools should respond

Pepper the robot (pictured in the Commons today) spoke about how the rise of artificial intelligence can be used to improve care for the elderly

Kicking off today's session, Mr Halfon said: 'Before we start I would like to give a a particularly warm welcome to our second panel this morning - it has attracted an unusually high level of interest for our education committee.

'We have been asked quite a lot of questions as to why this has come about.

'This is not the House of Commons education select committee auditioning for a sequel to the Matrix.'

He added: 'I visited Middlesex University a few months ago, a wonderful university, and was incredibly impressed by what the staff and students were doing.

'I thought it was a great opportunity to showcase their work and the work of Pepper as part of our inquiry into the fourth industrial revolution and skills.

'Pepper's appearance today is just one part of our inquiry which is looking into the implications of technological change on what should take place in the classroom.

Pepper the robot joined university researchers in addressing the select committee today. It was the first time in Parliament's 700 year that a non human addressed MPs

'Pepper, could you please introduce yourself?'

The white, humanoid robot replied: 'Good morning chair, thank you for inviting me to give evidence today.

'My name is Pepper and I am a resident robot at Middlesex University.'

Mr Halfon replied: 'What is your role at the university?'

Pepper the robot responded: 'Another robot similar to me but with different software is part of an international three year research project....it is developing the world's first culturally aware robots aimed at assisting and caring for the elderly.

'Assistive intelligent robots for older people could relieve pressure in hospitals and care homes as well as improve the care delivery at home and promote the independent living for the elderly people.

'In order for robots to be more acceptable told older people, its essential they can be programmed to adapt to diverse backgrounds.

'The project will expand my capabilities and aims to reduce pressure on healthcare services.

'It also has the potential to boost independence, reduce loneliness and improve the quality of life among elderly people.'

But Middlesex University confirmed to MailOnline that no robots are currently being used to care for the elderly.The family of a young mother who overdosed on opioids after years of addiction have written her honest and alarming obituary to warn others of the dangers of drugs.

Madelyn Ellen Linsenmeir, 30, died on October 7 in Burlington, Vermont, after a lengthy battle with addiction which began when she was in high school.

She leaves behind a toddler son, Ayden, and grief-stricken parents, siblings and aunts and uncles.

In her Burlington Free Press obituary, the family made no effort to conceal what claimed her life.

'While her death was unexpected, Madelyn suffered from drug addiction, and for years we feared her addiction would claim her life. We are grateful that when she died she was safe and she was with her family.

Madelyn Ellen Linsenmeir, 30, died on October 7 in Burlington, Vermont, after a lengthy battle with addiction which began when she was in high school. She is shown (right) with her toddler son Ayden before losing custody of him two years ago

'It is impossible to capture a person in an obituary, and especially someone whose adult life was largely defined by drug addiction.

'To some, Maddie was just a junkiewhen they saw her addiction they stopped seeing her. And what a loss for them,' it reads.

They went on to describe how she became hooked on opioids after dabbling with a single dose of Oxycontin, a popular brand of the drug oxycodone, when she was in high school.

Towards the end of the heartbreaking tribute, they urged others who cast judgement on addicts to reconsider their stance and show more compassion to anyone who may be suffering.

Happier times: Madelyn's addiction began when she was in high school after she took her first hit of OxyContin at a party aged 16. She is pictured with her father at her graduation ceremony, before her addiction intensified

Maddie, they said, started taking opioids when she was just 16 at a school house party.

'When she was 16 she moved with her parents from Vermont to Florida to attend a performing arts high school.

'So began a relationship with opiates that would dominate the rest of her life,' the family said.

Despite having a voice 'so beautiful it would stop people in the street' and being 'fearless and resilient', her addiction stayed with her and even persisted after the birth of her son.

She sought treatment regularly and charmed those who tried to help her achieve sobriety, the family said.

'In a system that seems to have hardened itself against addicts and is failing them every day, she befriended and delighted cops, social workers, public defenders, and doctors, who advocated for and believed in her till the end,' the obituary reads.

Despite her efforts, she lost custody of her son two years ago and her addiction spiraled.

It was fueled, the family explained, by the deadly circle of shame and self-punishment which addicts are prone to.

In the summer of this year, after plummeting to 'places of incredible darkness', she went home to her family's house to try to get clean.

Over 12 days, she remained sober for the most part and her family hoped she would be able to stick to it.

Maddie's family brought her home in the summer to try to help her kick her disease. She was there for 12 days. She is pictured during that time with her father, right

'We believed as we always did that she would overcome her disease and make the life for herself we knew she deserved.

'We believed this until the moment she took her last breath,' they said.

The woman's family said she was an 'astonishing gift' who was 'stalked' by her addiction until it claimed it life

Her addiction however 'stalked' her and was only quenched by her death.

'Though we would have paid any ransom to have her back, any price in the world, this disease would not let her go until she was gone,' the family said.

The obituary goes on to urge anyone who may reserve judgement towards drug addicts to reconsider their attitude and offer compassion or empathy instead.

'Educate yourself about this disease, because that is what it is.

'It is not a choice or a weakness.

'And chances are very good that someone you know is struggling with it, and that person needs and deserves your empathy and support,' the family said.

It also offers hope to addicts who are still fighting to overcome their demons.

'Know that every breath is a fresh start. Know that hundreds of thousands of families who have lost someone to this disease are praying and rooting for you,' they said.

They eulogized Maddie as a 'constantly astonishing gift', and said: 'We would have given anything for her to experience that freedom in this lifetime.

'Our grief over losing her is infinite. And now so is she.'

Alarming new figures released last week revealed that opioid use and abuse is on the rise among millennial women.

Overall usage is said to be going down, according to the survey by Choice Matters, but it remains one of the most urgent health concerns in the country.Russell Bishop has gone on trial for a second time over the murder of two girls in 1987

A labourer searched for a dead girl with her mother to appear innocent of murdering the nine-year-old and her best friend in 1986, a court heard today.

Russell Bishop, 52, went on trial for sexually assaulting and strangling Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway, also nine, but was cleared by a jury. In 1990, he was then convicted of trying to kill a seven-year-old girl and is now again on trial for the alleged double murder.

Nicola and Karen were found dead in the woods at Wild Park in Brighton on October 10, 1986 after going missing the night before. Both had been strangled and sexually assaulted.

Jurors heard today that Bishop and a friend approached Karen's mother, Michelle, during a search for her daughter in Wild Park at around 1pm on October 10.

Prosecutor Brian Altman QC said Bishop, who had a dog, asked her if she had an item of Karen's clothing the animal could get a scent from.

She then sent him to the family home to tell the policeman he had her permission to take the white coat.

The court heard Bishop, now clutching a Sainsbury's bag containing the item of clothing, got into a car with his friend and a third man, who was driving, to go and search the 49 Acres area, which was away from where the girls' bodies were found.

'She [Michelle] did not see the defendant giving the coat to the dog to smell,' said Mr Altman.

Karen and Nicola lived in the same street in Moulsecoomb, Brighton, and had gone out to play after school. Michelle Hadaway was in court today during the retrial.

'The killings were entirely intentional and they were carried out in the woods by a man who sexually assaulted them for his own gratification,' Mr Altman said. 'That man, say the prosecution, was this defendant, Russell Bishop.'

Bishop was acquitted of the murders in December 1987 after a trial at Lewes Crown Court. But prosecutors say new DNA evidence proves he was the killer.

Nine-year-olds Nicola Fellows (left) and Karen Hadaway were found dead in woodland in 1986

The court heard that Karen told her mother she wouldn't be long when she left the house on the day she disappeared.

'That was the last time Michelle saw her daughter alive,' Mr Altman said.

Ms Johnson was in the court's public gallery today.

Since the alleged double murder, Bishop has attacked and indecently assaulted a seven year old girl, the Old Bailey heard.

He was convicted at Lewes Crown Court of the kidnap, indecent assault and attempted murder of the girl in the Whitehawk area of Brighton on 4 February 1990.

The Court of Appeal allowed the CPS service to quash Bishop's acquittals and he is standing trial for the two murders again.

Mr Altman said: 'New science, we suggest, proves that Russell Bishop, was, to the exclusion of anyone else responsible for the murders of the two girls.

'However, the case against him does not only rely on scientific evidence; it relies on it within the context of the story of the case as a whole, including the defendant's movements, his actions and what he had to say to the police, including, as you will see, significant lies he told at the time.'

A court sketch (left) shows Bishop sitting in the dock at the Old Bailey this morning. He is also pictured (right) around the time of the alleged murders

The case was never closed by Sussex Police and DNA testing, which was 'in its infancy' in the 1980s, led to a significant breakthrough in the case, the prosecutor claimed.

He told the jury: 'We say that the similarities between the events of which he was convicted in 1990 and those in 1986 are such that, together with all the other evidence in the case, they can lead you to the sure conclusion that the defendant was responsible also for the murders of Nicola and Karen but a few years earlier.

'However, let me make this clear: the prosecution does not seek guilty verdicts on the murders of Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway by saying that because the defendant was guilty of a very similar attack on another young girl in 1990 he must necessarily be guilty of these murders.

'What we do say is that there is other compelling evidence that this man was the killer of those two little girls and the evidence of his guilt of the other attack and the facts underlying it help identify him as the killer as well as reveal his disposition to behave in a certain way, which is happily both very rare and exceptional.'

The girls went missing from this housing estate in Brighton in 1988. It is pictured at the time

Killer joined search for girls 'in cynical ploy' Russell Bishop joined the search for his two young victims in a 'cynical effort' to divert attention from himself, the court heard. Prosecutor Brian Altman QC said that the day after the girls disappeared, Bishop brought his dog to a search, claiming that the animal could help track them. When a police officer joined him on the search, Bishop said he would 'hate to find the girls, especially if they had been messed up'. Mr Altman told the court: 'That was not the only time that day the defendant would say such a thing, revealing, we suggest, the knowledge that only he then had of what had become of the girls.' Later, Bishop was with another officer. Mr Altman added: 'The defendant then said: "Yeah, anyway I'm not searching anymore" and when asked why not, said, "No, I mean the Old Bill wouldn't believe it, would they, if I found the girls and if they were done in I'd get the blame, I'd get nicked". Mr Altman said: 'If the defendant had nothing to do with the girls' disappearance and was innocent of their murders, you might well wonder why, even before they had been found, he was the one raising the prospect that they might be found dead, and that if he found them he would get the blame for it. Jurors heard Bishop was with a policeman when a teenager approached to say they had found the bodies a short distance away. Karen was said to have her head lying in Nicola's lap, and both 'appeared to be sleeping'. The police officer asked: 'How are they? How are the girls?' to which the defendant replied, 'They're f***** dead', the court heard. Advertisement

The prosecutor said a park keeper had seen the girls at around 5pm on the day they went missing. He also spoke to Bishop, who told him his car had broken down, around the same time.

A woman living near the park later reported hearing the sound of a child crying as if it had been 'severely injured', the court heard, but the timing seemed to be at odds with other witnesses evidence.

A search party which set out to find the girls found a blue jumper in the woods on an obvious route for the defendant to take from Wild Park' to his home address, the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said: 'That Pinto sweatshirt was a crucial finding, because after 30 or so years since 1986 it has now given up its secrets.

'And those secrets not only provide scientific links between it and the defendant Russell Bishop and home environment, but also it provides several scientific links to the girls, supporting the prosecution case that this man is guilty of their murders.'

At the time of the girls' deaths, Bishop told police he had been wearing a blue sweatshirt with a stripe across the chest that day.

He told the police he had seen the girls playing near the entrance to the park before going into a nearby shop.

The court heard Nicola, known as Nicky to friends and family, was slightly younger than her neighbour Karen.

Nicola lived with her mother, Susan, her father Barrie, a recently deceased older brother, and her grandmother, Mable.

Karen went to Coldean Junior School and lived with her mother, Michelle, her recently deceased father, Lee, and a younger sister a few doors down from the Fellows.

Had they lived, she would have been 41 now, with Karen turning 42 in December, the jury heard.

Bishop is pictured in a court sketch taken during a previous preliminary hearing in the case

How Bishop came to be tried twice over the same murders Explaining the reasons behind the second trial, Prosecutor Brian Altman QC told the court today: 'This defendant was, as you will hear later, arrested in 1986, and charged and indeed he was tried the following year, in 1987, for the murders of both girls. 'But on 10 December that year 1987 he was acquitted by a jury at Lewes Crown Court. Despite the acquittal, the case was never closed and the police have continued to investigate it. 'One significant part of the enquiry has been to re-evaluate various areas of scientific work that were performed for the purposes of the 1987 trial but through the lens of modern-day techniques. 'DNA profiling which although available in 1987 and 1987 was then in its infancy. 'Because of the new evidence, and without it making any judgement about the guilt or otherwise of this defendant, the Court of Appeal has quashed the 1987 acquittals. 'That means that the defendant can be prosecuted again based on the evidence that existed then and the new evidence that is available now.' Advertisement

At the time of their murders in October 1986, Bishop was a 20-year-old roofer sporting a head of fair hair and a moustache.

He was living in a ground floor flat on Stephens Road, in the Hollingdean area of Brighton, roughly one-and-a-half miles from the homes of his alleged victims.

Bishop lived there with a woman named Jennifer Johnson and their young son, Victor.

The court heard he resprayed cars as a side-line and owned a red Ford Escort which he had repainted.

He had known a lodger who lived with Nicola's family, and her father and had visited the family home, the court heard

'Despite being in a long-term relationship with Jenny Johnson, the defendant was also in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl called Marion Stevenson,' said Mr Altman.

'This relationship caused tension between members of their friendship group and it was also a reason why neither the Fellows nor the Hadaway families wanted the girls to spend time with the defendant or Marion Stevenson.'

Bespectacled and shaven headed, Bishop wore a grey short sleeved shirt polo shirt, jogging bottoms and trainers in the dock.

Flanked by three security guards, he sat clutching a blue notebook in one hand, with the other clasped against his mouth as the jury of five women and seven men listened to the case opening.

Police at the scene during the initial investigation into the two girls' deaths

The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, reminded the jury not to let emotion cloud their judgement.

'It is your duty to decide the case calmly, coolly and dispassionately on the evidence,' the judge said.

Bishop's trial is estimated to last between six and eight weeks.

He denies two charges of murder. The trial continues.If You Enjoy My Articles, Please Consider Supporting My Writing By Giving A Donation Of Any Amount. Thank you!Police have arrested more then 200 people in a national crackdown on 'county lines' drugs gangs.

In a week of raids throughout the country involving dozens of police forces, they also rescued 58 vulnerable people and seized a number of weapons including a samurai sword, a gun and knives.

There are thought to be around 1,500 of the networks in operation in the UK, which involve urban dealers forcing children to carry drugs to customers in more rural areas.

Kent Police managed to seize knives, cash and packets of what is thought to be heroin and crack cocaine

They also 'cuckoo' the homes of vulnerable or drug-addicted people, taking them over and using them to stash illegal substances.

The National Crime Agency said every force in England and Wales has reported some form of county lines activity.

Weapons including a loaded gun, an axe, a meat cleaver, hunting knives and a samurai sword were also recovered, as well as tens of thousands of pounds in cash, and drugs including heroin and crack cocaine.

Those arrested included criminals already serving prison sentences who were charged with involvement in the supply of class A drugs from behind bars.

The new National County Lines Co-ordination Centre, set up in September, is mapping the activities of the gangs, which are mainly based in large cities such as London, Liverpool and Birmingham, but operate all over the country.

They commonly use one phone line - that can make up to 5,000 per day - which drug users ring to order illegal substances.

Hertfordshire Police confiscated bags of suspected drugs in 'county lines' raids this week

Sue Southern, county lines lead for the National Crime Agency, said: 'Supply gangs are responsible for high levels of violence and the exploitation and abuse of vulnerable adults and children, and every territorial police force in England and Wales has now reported some level of county lines activity.

'There are currently hundreds of live county lines investigations across the UK, and this period of intensification highlights the range of co-ordinated activity taking place to identify perpetrators, reduce violence, take away the proceeds of crime and safeguard the vulnerable.

'While these operations will have substantially disrupted numerous county lines, our work is ongoing and we are pursuing all available means of strengthening the national response.'Police in Ankara shot the driver of a tractor that struck a series of cars in the Turkish capital and appeared headed for the Israeli embassy on Tuesday.

The driver, who ignored calls to stop and was shot in the leg, later told police he planned a protest outside the Israeli embassy, the state-run news agency reported.

The man, identified as a 45-year-old farmer, was eventually stopped in an area close to the Israeli ambassador's residence.

Forensic officers work at the scene after the tractor rolled over the red car and crashed into the bushes

Turkish police shot the tractor drive in the leg after he ignored their warning shots

The tractor driver can be seen lying on the car after he was shot in the leg

It was unclear whether the driver mistook the residence for the embassy.

The Ankara governor's office said the man had been under treatment for psychological problems since 2007.

Anadolu Agency said police guarding the parliament building fired warning shots into the air to stop the tractor on Ataturk Boulevard that is lined with government buildings and embassies.

The report said the tractor continued on its way, hitting and crushing cars on the route.

The 45-year-old driver was reportedly going to stage a protest outside the Israeli embassy

The tractor continued on its way, hitting and crushing cars on the route after warning shots were fired

The tractor was eventually stopped on a street some two kilometers away from the Israeli residence.

The tractor crashed into parked cars before coming to a halt, according to an Associated Press journalist who rushed to the scene.

Anadolu said the man told police before being taking to hospital that he planned to stage a protest outside the Israeli embassy.

The Israeli ambassador returned to Israel in May following a diplomatic dispute between the two countries.An animal shelter has received an outpouring of praise for taking in 65 beagles after they were rescued from 'deplorable conditions' inside a Pennsylvania home.

More than a week ago, the underweight dogs were taken from their unidentified owner's home by animal welfare workers.

Staffers from the Lehigh County Humane Society subsequently took all of the beagles into the shelter, where many of the sickly dogs are currently recovering.

Staffers (pictured) from the Lehigh County Humane Society have received an outpouring of praise for taking in 65 beagles after they were rescued from 'deplorable conditions' inside a Pennsylvania home

More than a week ago, the underweight dogs were taken from their unidentified owner's home by animal welfare workers

The shelter subsequently took all of the beagles into the shelter, where many of the sickly dogs are currently recovering

The shelter has shared updates about the pups along the way, thanking everyone for their donations and support. Mary Shafer, the Humane Society's executive director, said they've received so much support that they've run out of room to store any more food (pictured)

Mary Shafer, the Humane Society's executive director, said they've received so much support that they've run out of room to store any more food.

However, the shelter still needs more monetary donations.

The shelter said they were very surprised to receive cards sent from all over the country.

The shelter has also shared updates about the pups along the way.

'We have an amazing community! Thanks to all of you we have not only reached our storage capacity for food and supplies we have taken all of the rescued beagles through their initial health checks,' the shelter shared in a Facebook post.

According to staffers, all of the dogs have 'gotten baths, de-wormed, inoculations and vaccinations'.

According to staffers, all of the dogs have 'gotten baths, de-wormed, inoculations and vaccinations'

When the animals were rescued they had various symptoms of mange and some had vision issues

'All 65 beagles now have medical charts... officially we have a gang of 65 well fed and taken care of beagles,' the shelter added.

When the animals were rescued they had various symptoms of mange and some had vision issues.

Barbara Morgan, an officer with the Lehigh County Humane Society says she expects to file charges against the owner of the home near Allentown where the dogs were discovered.

Morgan says they range from weeks old to senior-aged.

Authorities made the horrific discovery after staffers were called to the home over noise complaints on October 8.

Morgan she'd never seen so many dogs squeezed into such a small space.

The humane society said they are working to finish spaying and neutering the animals and that information on adoption will be available in the coming weeks.

Barbara Morgan, an officer with the Lehigh County Humane Society says she expects to file charges against the owner of the home near Allentown where the dogs were discovered. One of the dogs is seen above immediately after the rescue on October 8A man who stabbed a teenager to death in a road rage incident recorded his victims final moments as he lay dying in his girlfriends arms in California.

James Beckham Fortney, 41, was found guilty of second-degree murder and one count of making criminal threats during a road rage incident in November 2017, the Riverside County District Attorneys Office said Monday.

Fortney started a fight at a Walmart parking lot on Temecula Parkway that eventually ended in the death of Kevin Rodriquez, 19.

Bizarrely, Fortney recorded his victim on his cellphone as he lay dying and later joined in the life-saving efforts, police said.

James Beckham Fortney (left) was convicted of killing Kevin Rodriquez (right) in a stabbing attack at a Walmart parking lot after Fortney became irate about a traffic backlog

Rodriguez traveled to Walmart with his girlfriend to get groceries for his fathers birthday

Rodriguez, a freelance videographer from Murrieta, traveled to Walmart that day to pick up groceries for his fathers belated birthday dinner, his family told KTLA at the time.

The teen was with his Elizabeth Jensen, his girlfriend of three years and she said that Fortney became agitated about stalled traffic in the parking lot when he nearly hit Kevin's car.

Fortney then got out of his car to confront Kevin, the victims father Atticus Rodriguez said.

As the two men paused in the struggle standing a few feet away each other, Fortney allegedly produced a six inch folding knife and lunged at Rodriguez, stabbing him in the chest.

Elizabeth witnessed the attack and held him as he bled in her arms, according to his parents.

His mother Traci told KTLA at the time of his death: 'He really loved his girlfriend.

'And I'm sorry, I'm really sorry for her to have to go through that, holding him, the way she did. And I'm going to be there for her'.

Rodriguez was with his girlfriend Elizabeth Jensen (right) when he was stabbed to death

Rodriguez was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Atticus explained: 'They saw the guy first honking at a lady going through the crosswalk.

'She said there was a lot of traffic and this guy looked like he was getting really bad anxiety.

He almost hit my son's car. So my son raises his hands and is like, what's wrong? What's wrong with you?.

They just figured they're going to walk into Walmart and buy groceries and that's when the altercation happened, the guy got out of his car, went after my son, got him by the throat, he told his girlfriend, 'You're next.'

She's freaking out and she had no idea that he had a knife and stabbed him in the heart'.

Rodriguez' parents Atticus and Traci (pictured) spoke of their devastation at their son's killing

The Walmart parking lot in Temecula (pictured) where the road rage incident happened

Elizabeth ran toward Fortney after the attack who threatened her by saying: 'Youre next'. She then ran back to the car and told her boyfriend to jump in.

But by then Rodriguez had collapsed so she exited the vehicle, rushed to his side and held him in her arms.

His father added: 'He stopped breathing in her arms'.

Witnesses called 911 and several began to administer aide to the victim. In a bizarre twist, Fortney recorded the victim as he was dying on his cellphone and later joined in the life-saving efforts.

The teens parents said he was a loving son and brother who had a large circle of friends and regularly attended church.

He was also adventurous and enjoyed recording stunts to share on social media. His Instagram account had more than 37,500 followers around the time of his death.

Fortneys sentencing is scheduled for November 19 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.

He will face a maximum possible sentence of 16 years and eight months to life in prison, prosecutors said.

'He did things for other people and he loved life,' Traci Rodriguez told KTLA.A Chinese pharmaceutical firm has been fined nearly 1 billion over a nationwide vaccine scandal that involved hundreds of thousands of sub-standard vaccines.

The Changchun Changsheng Life Sciences Ltd., a publicly traded company, is fined 9.1 billion in Chinese yuan today by China's State Drug Administration.

The firm, based in north-east China's Jilin Province, was also stripped of its production licenses for vaccines and drugs, reported state-run Xinhua News Agency.

The Changchun Changsheng Life Sciences Ltd. was stripped of its production certificate for the rabies vaccine and other 'related vaccines' today by China's State Drug Administration. The picture shows a Chinese netizen browsing the company's official website

Previous reports suggested that more than 215,000 children could have been affected by the vaccine scandal (file photo). An investigation revealed that the company had sold 252,600 doses of ineffective DPT vaccines to east China's Shandong Province

The company's chief executive and 13 other managers were detained in July after a surprise inspection found the company had fabricated production and inspection records.

In August, four top government officials were relieved of their duties after the major vaccine scandal had rocked China.

Cui Honghai, a former head of the Jilin Food and Drug Administration was charged with corruption in July.

Cui, 57, was said to be responsible of approving the production licenses for the pharmaceutical company during the time it produced sub-standard jabs.

The government also found that Changchun Changsheng (pictured) had been fabricating records for its rabies vaccine production during the snap investigation in July

President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang publicly ordered a nationwide inspection of other vaccine producers after Changchun Changsheng's scandal had shocked the nation (file photo)

The snap investigation on July 5 revealed that Changchun Changsheng Life Sciences had sold 252,600 doses of ineffective DPT vaccines to east China's Shandong Province to inoculate children against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus.

The jab is mandatory for all children in China and costs 3.8 yuan (40p).

Previous reports suggested that more than 215,000 children could have been affected by problematic jabs.

So far, there have been no reports of injuries due to use of the company's vaccines.

During the snap investigation, the government also found that the firm had been fabricating records for its rabies vaccine production.

A People's Daily report in July said that the company had broken the approved workflow and used expired raw materials to make its vaccines in order to increase efficiency.

After the snap investigation caught it falsifying data, the company intentionally destroyed and threw away 60 computer hard disks that contained important information, the report added.

Disclosure of the case triggered a public outcry in China.

The ruling Communist Party's top two leaders, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, publicly ordered a nationwide inspection of other vaccine producers.Michigan State University medical resident Michael Phinn, 32, (above) has been charged with sexually assaulting two women and forcing them to watch videos of him masturbating while at a clinic, according to court documents

A married medical resident from Michigan State University has been charged with sexually assaulting two women and forcing them to watch videos of him masturbating while at a clinic, according to court documents.

Michael Phinn, 32, used his fingers to penetrate the women and groped their breasts from underneath their bras, according to MSU Police Detective Sam Miller.

Miller, a former EMT, also stated that the suspect forced them to watch videos of him masturbating as he rubbed and exposed his genitals, the Detroit Free Press reported.

One of the victims claimed that when she tried to leave, Phinn held her down and continued showing her the material.

The 32-year-old is a graduate of MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and had been conducting his residency, at the time of the allegations.

Phinn worked in the MSU Neurology Clinic and is married to wife Elizabeth. They also appear to have a child together.

The 32-year-old worked in the MSU Neurology Clinic and is married to wife Elizabeth (pictured)

Phinn is a graduate of MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and had been conducting his residency, at the time of the allegations

Phinn also treated patients at Sparrow Hospital and has been placed on unpaid administration leave, according to spokesman John Foren.

According to university spokeswoman, Emily Guerrant, the medical resident was suspended from his duties once the allegations surfaced.

MSU Police Chief Jim Dunlap had first stated that the women were not patients of Phinn's while at the Clinical Center.

The first woman said that Phinn touched and penetrated her vagina with his fingers in a stairwell at the Clinical Center in the fall of 2017. He is also said to have fondled the woman's breast.

The second victim claimed that Phinn also groped her breasts in late September, according to court documents.

Phinn is charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of assault with the intent to commit sexual contact, two counts of gross indecency and four counts of aggravated indecent exposure

Miller said that both the women reported receiving unwanted emails with photos of the man's penis. One of the women asserted that she could also see the man's lab coat in one of the pictures.

Phinn is charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of assault with the intent to commit sexual contact, two counts of gross indecency and four counts of aggravated indecent exposure.

The suspect graduated from MSU with a bachelor's degree in physiology in 2008 and with an osteopathic medical degree in 2016, according to an older version of the medical resident's MSU profile.

Phinn has a valid educational medical license in osteopathic medicine and surgery in the state, according to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

He has no prior complaints and has not received any disciplinary actions from the department.

Pedophile gymnastics coach Larry Nassar worked at the same college for almost 20 years.

Many of his victims said they were abused in his MSU office.A day after Sen. Elizabeth Warren wrestled with presidential mockery and other public-relations fallout from revealing the results of a DNA test, Donald Trump piled more fuel on the fire Tuesday  calling the exercise 'a scam and a lie.'

'Pocahontas (the bad version), sometimes referred to as Elizabeth Warren, is getting slammed,' the president tweeted, reacting to the Massachusetts Democrat's announcement of a small fragment of American Indian DNA.

'She took a bogus DNA test and it showed that she may be 1/1024, far less than the average American,' Trump wrote. 'Now Cherokee Nation denies her, "DNA test is useless." Even they dont want her. Phony!'

The Cherokees' secretary of state blasted Warren late on Monday for using the test to a make a political argument.

Trump also blasted her for making family lore about American Indian ancestry a part of her political profile and her academic credentials.

President Donald Trump is turning Sen. Elizabeth Warren's DNA revelation into a political bonanza by mocking her claims of American Indian heritage as 'a scam and a lie'

Trump said on Twitter that her DNA test was 'bogus' and correctly declared that 'she may be 1/1,024' Cherokee  while white Americans average abouttwice as much Native American blood

Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, could be punching her ticket to the 2020 presidential sweepstakes with confirmation that she has a small amount of American Indian blood, but the president is already isolating her by casting the exercise as a joke

The president took full advantage of a statement from the Cherokee Nation in Warren's native Oklahoma, which blasted her for using DNA testing as a way to estalish that she belongs to a tribe

'Now that her claims of being of Indian heritage have turned out to be a scam and a lie, Elizabeth Warren should apologize for perpetrating this fraud against the American Public,' he tweeted.

'Harvard called her "a person of color" (amazing con), and would not have taken her otherwise!'

Warren's DNA test, analyzed by a Stanford geneticist, concluded she was between 0.097 per cent and 0.156 per cent American Indian.

'What's the percentage? One one-thousandth?' the president asked reporters hours later in Georgia.

Moments later the Cherokee Nation heaped more cold water on what began as a front-page Boston Globe story calculated to help Warren rise above her greatest political vulnerability.

'Senator Warren is undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage,' scolded Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr.

With first lady Melania Trump grinning, Trump joked Monday that before he would ever fulfill a pledge to write a $1 million charity check acknowledging Sen. Elizabeth Warren's American Indian heritage, he would have to do the DNA testing himself

A DNA test is useless to determine tribal citizenship. Current DNA tests do not even distinguish whether a person's ancestors were indigenous to North or South America. Sovereign tribal nations set their own legal requirements for citizenship, and while DNA tests can be used to determine lineage, such as paternity to an individual, it is not evidence for tribal affiliation. Using a DNA test to lay claim to any connection to the Cherokee Nation or any tribal nation, even vaguely, is inappropriate and wrong. It makes a mockery out of DNA tests and its legitimate uses while also dishonoring legitimate tribal governments and their citizens, whose ancestors are well documented and whose heritage is proven. Senator Warren is undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage.  Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr.

Trump had already jeered the DNA report, issued by a Stanford University geneticist who determined that a small amount of Warren's genome points to an American Indian ancestor.

Warren released a heavily produced video Monday along with a raft of related documents, strongly indicating she plans to run for president in 2020  and that she considers herself vulnerable to Trump's frequent barbs on the topic.

The president pooh-poohed Warren's scripted public-relations rollout before he left the White House on Monday, swatting down her claim that during a July rally in Montana he had offered a $1 million charitable donation in the event she could prove her Cherokee heritage.

Trump has taken pleasure in mocking Warren, who has claimed for decades that she's part American Indian based partly on her mother's observation of her 'high cheekbones'; on Monday he sniped 'Who cares?' when first asked about the DNA test results

Warren is an unapologetic liberal firebrand pressed from the Bernie Sanders mold, and Trump has chosen to make fun of her rather than meet her head-on  for now

'I didn't say that,' he insisted. 'You'd better read it again.'

Hours later in Georgia, Trump clarified that his seven-figure offer would only apply if he were to challenge her to provide a DNA sample in the context of a presidential debate  and oversee the testing himself.

'You mean if she gets the nomination? In a debate, where I was going to have her tested?' he asked.

'I'll only do it if I can test her personally, okay? That will not be something I enjoy doing either.'

Warren shoved back amid news reports that quickly turned in Trump's favor.

'We all know why @realDonaldTrump makes creepy physical threats about me, right? Hes scared,' she tweeted.

'Hes trying to do what he always does to women who scare him: call us names, attack us personally, shrink us down to feel better about himself. It may soothe his ego  but it wont work.'

'Senator Warren is undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage,' scolded Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr.

At the rally where he made his pledge in July, Trump told a laughing crowd that if he ever faced Warren on a debate stage he would toss a DNA kit at her and offer 'a million dollars to your favorite charity, paid for by Trump, if you take the test and it shows you're an Indian.'

'We will take that little kit and say, but we have to do it gently, because we're in the MeToo generation, so we have to be very gentle,' Trump said to laughter as he pantomimed an underhand throw.

'And we will very gently take that kit, and we will slowly toss it  hoping it doesn't hit her and injure her arm, even though it only weighs probably two ounces.'

Warren named her charity on Monday, tweeting at Trump: 'Remember saying on 7/5 that youd give $1M to a charity of my choice if my DNA showed Native American ancestry? I remember  and here's the verdict. Please send the check to the National Indigenous Womens Resource Center.'

'I took this test and released the results for anyone who cares to see because Ive got nothing to hide,' Warren said in a follow-up tweet.

'What are YOU hiding, @realDonaldTrump? Release your tax returns  or the Democratic-led House will do it for you soon enough. Tick-tock, Mr President.'

Warren fired back at the president after he said he wanted to test her DNA personally as a condition of making good on his $1 million pledge

Trump flatly denied saying he would pay $1 million to charity if Warren turned out to have American Indian blood, but the wording of his pledge leaves him plenty of wiggle room

Warren told Trump Monday on Twitter that she wanted him to pay up with a $1 million check to a women's charity, recalling his July boast that he would make a donation if she proved she was 'an Indian'

Carlos D. Bustamante, the scientist who analyzed Warren's DNA data, concluded that 'the vast majority' of her ancestry is European. But 'the results strongly support the existence of an unadmixed Native American ancestor,' he wrote.

That forefather  or foremother  could have been between six and 10 generations ago, meaning she could be as much as 1/64 Native American, or as little as 1/1024.

The lower end of that range corresponds to 0.097 per cent, which would make Warren less Indian than the average European-American.

A landmark study published in 2014 in the American Journal of Human Genetics found that European-American genomes are, on average, 0.18 per cent American Indian. The authors reported that they used 'conservative' estimates.

A landmark study published in 2014 in the American Journal of Human Genetics found that European-American genomes are, on average, 0.18 per cent 'Native American' (highlighting added by DailyMail.com for clarity)

Trump shrugged the whole thing off, concluding that he doesn't want to say anything that might deter Warren from challenging him in 2020.

WHAT'S IN ELIZABETH WARREN'S DNA? HOW WAS IT ANALYZED? Stanford geneticist Carols Bustamante analyzed data from a laboratory that sequenced Elizabeth Warren's DNA and compared it with samples from different regions of the world. Bustamante used a set of 185 known genetic samples  99 people from Utah who are largely European-Americans and 86 others from Great Britain who were also ethnically European. He found that Warren is at least 95 per cent of Warren's DNA corresponds to European ancestry, but there were 5 DNA segments that are 'Native American in origin.' The sizes of those portions of her genome suggest that they date back to somewhere betwen six and 10 generations in Warren's family tree. That would mean she is between 1/64 and 1/1,024 American Indian. Warren's DNA also tested as more Native American than the samples from Utah and the UK. Most American Indian tribes discourage their members from participating in commercial DNA databases out of fear that it would be used to exploit them. So the 'Native American reference' samples Bustamante relied on belonged to people who were from Mexico, Peru, and Colombia. Some American Indian populations that entered North America via a land bridge in modern-day Alaska settled in the Great Plains, while others migrated to what is now Central and South America. Archaeology and DNA samples recovered from grave sites dating back many millennia have established genetic ties among a wide variety of those populations. Advertisement

'I hope she's running for president because I think she'd be very easy. I hope that she is running. I do not think she'd be difficult at all,' he said.

'She'll destroy the country. She'll make our country into Venezuela. What that being said, I don't want to say bad things about her because I hope she would be one of the people that would get through the process. It's going to be a long process for the Democrats.'

Former Obama campaign manager Jim Messina tweeted his amazement that Warren would release her report '22 days before a crucial election where we MUST win house and senate to save America.'

'[W]hy did @SenWarren have to do her announcement now? Why cant Dems ever stay focused???' he asked.

Trump's well-documented $1 million bounty may have a rhetorical loophole: requiring Warren to prove she's 'an Indian' before he writes a check. Since she's not enrolled with a tribe, she doesn't legally qualify.

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) issues official Certificates of Degree of Indian Blood, which most tribes require for membership. The certificates identify what specific percentage of a person's ancestry can be traced back to a Native American population.

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma requires a minimum of 1/4 Indian blood for membership. In order to qualify for a BIA higher education grant, students must also prove they are at least 1/4 native.

By that metric, many people identified as seminal American Indian figures wouldn't qualify. Cherokee Chief Little John, who led the tribe during the infamous Trail of Tears period, was just 1/8 Indian.

Whether Warren is 1.56 per cent American Indian or 0.097 per cent, it won't matter to her supporters. She possesses 12 times more Native American blood than a white person from Great Britain, Bustamante found, and 10 times more than a typical white person from Utah.

'We did find five segments of native American ancestry with very high confidence where we believe the error rate is less than one in 1,000,' he said in a video distributed by Warren's Senate campaign.

In July Trump said he would bring a tiny DNA testing kit with him if he ever squared off with Sen. Warren in a presidential debate, offering $1 to her favorite charity if it established that she was actually part American Indian

The president mocked Warren at the time, saying he would have to toss her the DNA kit 'very gently' because America is now 'in the MeToo generation'

In a scene filmed from both ends of a phone call presented as spontaneous, Warren tells Bustamante: 'The president likes to call my mom a liar. What do the facts say?'

He replies: 'The facts suggest that you absolutely have Native American ancestry in your pedigree.'

Warren's video doesn't explain how Bustamante reached that conclusion.

Teasing out ancestry from a DNA test relies heavily on pools of samples for comparison. And Indian tribes have historically urged their members not to add their genomes to commercial databases.

To get around what National Institutes of Health researcher Lawrence Brody told The Boston Globe was a 'sparse' American Indian DNA data set, Bustamante used samples 'from Mexico, Peru, and Colombia' as proxies, according to his report.

Warren narrates her family history in a video distributed Monday by her U>S. Senate re-election campaign; here she points to her mother (2nd left), who was brought up in eastern Oklahoma

The liberal firebrand recounts how her father and mother eloped because of suspicions about Indian blood in her past

Ann Rowsey White, a retail sales manager in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is identified in the video as both a Cherokee Nation citizen and Elizabeth Warren's cousin

Warren's attempt to flood the zone on Monday with positive information about her heritage and her career included testimonials from a long line of law school professors and deans from Harvard and elsewhere who say she was hired on merit  and considered a white woman at the time.

Warren did, however, list herself for 10 years as a minority in directories maintained by the Association of American Law Schools, beginning in 1986. That period of time stretched from the year before the University of Pennsylvania hired her to the year after Harvard Law School lured her away.

She told reporters in 2012, during her first Senate campaign, that 'I listed myself in the directory in the hopes that might mean that I would be invited to a luncheon, a group, something that might happen with people who are like I am.'

Still, Trump has mocked her for years, calling her 'Pocahontas' and a 'fake Indian.'

The New England Historic Genealogical Society reported in 2012 that it had unearthed a 1894 document suggesting Warren's great-great-great-grandmother, O.C. Sarah Smith, was at least partially Native American.

It turned out the society had found a family newsletter that described a marriage license application, but hadn't seen that document.

The conservative Breitbart News website later tracked down the marriage license and certificate and found that a column on both marked 'race' was left blank.

Stanford geneticist Carlos Bustamante found a small amount of Native American DNA in Warren's sample but acknowledged it could amount to just 1/512 or about 1/5 of 1 per cent

Warren, an avowed far-left progressive, was among Trump's antagonists during the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation fight

Warren's video doubles as an all-purpose mini-biopic, tracing her life story from school years to a law school professorship at Harvard

The Republican National Committee scoffed at Warren's reveal on Monday, with communications director Michael Reed saying in a statement that her 'latest "disclosure" is a glaring signal that she recognizes this issue is going to be a major problem for her all-but-announced presidential campaign.'

Reed said evidence of a sliver of Cherokee background 'does not give you the right to claim minority status. And today's disclosure still does nothing to answer the question as to why she started checking the box as a minority in the years before she made it to the Ivy League, and went back to being white after being hired by Harvard Law.'

Warren's launch included Ivy League faculty insisting that she was a legendary teacher whose ethnicity didn't come into play during her recruiting.

But Trump said last week that he believes Warren 'faked' her claim of American Indian heritage for career advancement.

As Warren raises her national profile, he has returned more often to ridiculing her as 'Pocahontas' in public speeches.

'She faked her heritage for years and used that. She can't prove anything,' he said Thursday.

'She said her mother told her she had high cheekbones, therefore she's got Indian blood. You know what? I have more Indian blood in me than she does, and I have none, unfortunately. But I have none.'

Trump let a casual 'Pohahontas' jab fly at Warren during a November 2017 White House event honoring Navajo 'Code Talkers' for their service during World War II

In March at the annual Gridiron Club dinner in Washington, he jabbed that Warren had said 'Rex Tillerson and I should sit down with the leaders of Iran and North Korea and smoke a peace pipe.'

Warren had de-emphasized her Cherokee lineage since winning her Senate seat in 2012, but the president's use of the issue to marginalize her was always expected to become a flashpoint if the two were to go head-to-head in 2020.

While Trump's rally crowds eagerly lap up his snarks about 'Pocahontas,' Trump has used the polarizing nicknamt in at least one cringe-worthy moment at the White House.

In November 2017 he slipped it into a speech during an event honoring Navajo 'Code Talkers' who had used their native language as an unbreakable secret code to protect American military communications during World War II.

Asked minutes later during a press briefing why the president would use 'offensive' language at such an event, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders shot back: 'I think what most people find offensive is Senator Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career.'

In an email Monday to supporters, Warren said she 'never expected the President of the United States to use my family's story as a racist political joke against Native American history, culture, and people  over, and over, and over.'

Presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway told reporters at the White House: 'I haven't looked at the test. I know that everybody likes to pick their junk science or sound science depending on the conclusion, it seems, some days.

'But I haven't looked at the DNA test and it really doesn't interest me.'Advertisement

An extraordinary letter penned by a furious Sir Winston Churchill has revealed a political spat with his most famous general.

In his letter, the irate former Prime Minister takes offence at Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery meddling in a political matter.

The World War Two leader tells Monty to mind his own business and stay out of a realm he knows little about' and says he doesn't want to be lectured by him.

The scolding letter was written in 1947, two years after Churchill and Montgomery worked together to defeat the Nazis.

In his letter (pictured) the irate former Prime Minister complains about the general lobbying one of his party's politicians to help get the National Service Bill through Parliament. Churchill penned the note just two years after he and 'Monty' helped lead the Allies to victory during World War Two

Churchill (pictured with Montgomery) suggested that his wartime ally knew 'little' about politics in his withering response to the general's lobbying of a Conservative politician while former Prime Minister Sir Winston was the leader of the opposition

They fell out after the military hero wrote to a Conservative politician, lobbying him to get the National Service Bill through Parliament.

After being forwarded the letter by MP Sir John Anderson, Churchill called Montgomerys note impudent in his withering response.

In the note marked private, dated April 28, then-opposition leader Churchill writes: 'Thank you for sending me Montgomerys letter. I think he would do much better to keep clear of politics, of which he knows little.

'We do not require to be lectured by him, especially when so much of his recent conduct is unexplained.

'It really might be wise for you to hint to Montgomery that he had much better mind his own business and leave politicians to mind theirs. Reading it again, I think his letter most impudent. Thank you for showing it to me all the same.'

This is the letter that infuriated Churchill, who in turn wrote that the wartime general knew 'little' about the matter. The opposition leader branded Montgomery's lobbying 'impudent' in his note and said that he refused to be 'lectured' by his former friend

The military leader was intent on helping push the National Service Bill through Parliament by writing to the Conservative party. In his letter he writes of his hopes that the Tories will 'not be too troublesome' or ask 'awkward questions about the chiefs of staff', which earned the ire of Winston Churchill

The letter was sold at auction by Hansons, of Etwall, Derbys, alongside Montgomerys initial letter in which he claimed if the National Service Bill gets delayed or hung up, we are completely sunk.

Montgomery wrote: 'It is necessary to get it through the House quickly without a lot of argument and trouble.

'I do hope that the Conservative Party will lend a hand and will not be too troublesome. I also hope that they will not ask awkward questions about the Chiefs of Staff. Perhaps you could use your influence to help the show.'

Churchill's letter (right) and the note (left) that sparked the fiery response sold at auction for more than 1,000 after the spat over a Parliamentary Bill surfaced

The letters sold for a hammer price of 1,300, with extra fees taking the overall figure paid by the successful bidder to 1,600.

Jim Spencer, head of Hansons library and works on paper department, said: 'You can feel Churchills famous bulldog spirit shining through.

'He clearly didnt take kindly to any political interference from anyone, even a highly regarded military general.

'This is a wonderful piece of history dating back to just after the end of the Second World War featuring two men who led Britain to victory, but didnt always see eye to eye.'

Churchill (pictured during the Al Alamein Reunion at London's Empress Hall) blasted Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery (right) in the furious letter (also pictured, left, General Dwight D Eisenhower)

Pictured (left to right): Sir Winston Churchill, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery and General Dwight Eisenhower at the Empress Hall in London for the El Alamein Reunion

Montgomery, nicknamed Monty and The Spartan General, commanded the British Eighth Army from August 1942 in the Western Desert until the final Allied victory in Tunisia in May 1943.

This included the Second Battle of El Alamein, a turning point in the Western Desert Campaign.

He subsequently commanded the British Eighth Army during the Allied invasion of Sicily and Italy, before taking charge of all Allied ground forces during the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy.

Montgomery was recognised as a brilliant commander but his brash personality could rub people up the wrong way.

In 1945, Churchill said that Montgomery was 'indomitable in retreat, invincible in advance, insufferable in victory.'Advertisement

The owners of the only home still standing on a stretch of a Florida beach after Hurricane Michael tore through say they built it to survive the 'big one'.

Dr Lebron Lackey and his uncle Russell King built the vacation home known as Sand Palace last year at Mexico Beach where the Category 4 hurricane made landfall with 155mph winds last week.

Remarkable aerial photos that emerged after the hurricane show the home still standing, while neighboring properties were reduced to rubble or completely swept away by storm surge.

'We built it to survive the big one,' Lackey told CNN.

Dr Lebron Lackey and his uncle Russell King's vacation home in Mexico Beach, Florida was virtually unscathed compared to their neighbors following Hurricane Michael last week

Dr Lebron Lackey (right) and his uncle Russell King (left) built the vacation home known as Sand Palace last year. They said they built it to survive the 'big one'

'At every point, from pilings to the roof and everything in between, when it came time to make a decision about what level of material or what to use, we didn't pay attention to code.

'We went above and beyond code, and we asked the question: 'What would survive the big one?' And we consistently tried to build it for that.'

The home, which was built to withstand winds of up to 250 mph, has 40-foot pilings buried into the ground and extra elevation to allow for storm surge.

They also added 1-foot thick concrete walls and steel cables to keep the roof attached.

'Hurricanes happen and so we intended to build it to survive... we didn't pay attention to codes so much as survive-ability,' Lackey told ABC News.

Lackey, who was at his home in Tennessee when the storm hit, said he was nauseous watching footage from a surveillance camera set up at the home as the hurricane bore down on the coast.

The surveillance footage showed wind tearing around the home with nothing visible apart from the corner of the roof. The cameras stayed intact for the duration of the hurricane.

'I was watching the corner of the roof buck like an airplane wing. I was watching the air pass by with debris in it about the speed of which you'd expect to see in an airplane,' he said.

A camera set up his home captured the hurricane as it bore down on the coast. The footage showed wind tearing around the home with nothing visible apart from the corner of the roof

Remarkable aerial photos that emerged after the hurricane show the home still standing, while neighboring properties were reduced to rubble or completely swept away by storm surge

The home, which was built to withstand winds of up to 250 mph, has 40-foot pilings buried into the ground and extra elevation to allow for storm surge

The home, pictured above before the hurricane, was built with 1-foot thick concrete walls and steel cables to keep the roof attached

Lackey, who wasn't confident the home would survive, was shocked to see aerial photos showing their property still standing amid the devastation.

He estimated that hurricane proof additions cost an extra 20-30 percent, adding that it was 'totally worth it'.

The home, however, didn't get away completely unscathed. The ground floor and stairs leading up to the second level were washed away by storm surge. They did expect this to happen given the carefully thought out design.

While he was relieved to know his home was relatively safe, it turned to dismay when he returned and saw the widespread destruction firsthand.

'I had already seen the pictures of destruction, but there was nothing like it first-hand. Before I made it to the house, I already had tears in my eyes for the community,' Lackey said.

Most of the homes built in Mexico Beach were constructed in the 1970s. Since then, hurricanes have become more powerful.

State code introduced after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 requires homes to be built to withstand at least 120 mph winds.

Rescue workers and volunteers continued searching for more than 1,000 people still missing in the Florida Panhandle on Tuesday as tens of thousands of residents remained without power.

At least 19 deaths in four states have been blamed on Michael which made landfall on Wednesday as one of the most powerful storms on record to hit the continental United States.

Lavonia Fortner helps her father-in-law, John E. Fortner, search for memorabilia his wife collected in Mexico Beach on Saturday. His wife died in 2010 but his home was destroyed by the storm

People walk amidst rubble in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Mexico BeachPresident Trump is fulfilling a promise to campaign for Ted Cruz at a rally in Texas next week. Trump's pledge to hold the event in 'the biggest stadium in Texas we can find' isn't panning out, as well, though.

The Trump campaign announced Monday evening that the Oct. 22 rally would be held NRG Arena in Houston, Texas. The venue holds 8,000 people.

San Antonio's AT&T Center, an indoor arena, boasts a capacity of 19,000 people for concerts and functions like the one being put on by Cruz and Trump.

Other outdoor venues like AT&T Stadium in Arlington - home of the Dallas Cowboys - can seat more than 100,000 people.

Yet, Trump chose to campaign with Cruz at a much smaller venue in Houston.

President Trump is fulfilling a promise to campaign for Ted Cruz at a rally in Texas next week. Trump's pledge to hold the event in 'the biggest stadium in Texas we can find' isn't panning out, as well, though

The Trump campaign announced Monday evening that the Oct. 22 rally would be held NRG Arena in Houston, Texas. The venue holds 8,000 people

Cruz's race for reelection to the U.S. Senate against Democrat Beto O'Rourke has become one of the surprising competitive contests of the cycle

A request for comment from the Cruz campaign on the venue went unanswered on Tuesday morning.

It could be that Cruz needs extra help in Houston, which was ranked the third most liberal of Texas' metropolises in a 2014 study conducted by the American Political Science Review. San Antonio was seen as moderate while Arlington is very conservative, making it the perfect area to attract a large Trump crowd.

Cruz's race for reelection to the U.S. Senate against Democrat Beto O'Rourke has become one of the surprising competitive contests of the cycle.

Up an average of seven points now according to Real Clear Politics, the sitting senator appears to be in the home stretch. But some polls this month still have Cruz's win in the margin of error.

Trump said in late August that he would be campaigning for Cruz after the Republican's home state was noticeably left off the White House's list of fall targets.

'I will be doing a major rally for Senator Ted Cruz in October. Im picking the biggest stadium in Texas we can find,' Trump tweeted. 'As you know, Ted has my complete and total Endorsement. His opponent is a disaster for Texas - weak on Second Amendment, Crime, Borders, Military, and Vets!'

Trump is coming to Cruz's rescue even though the two men had an especially nasty fight on the campaign trail about Cruz's father, Rafael, in 2016

Trump said he would be campaigning for Cruz after the Republican's home state was noticeably left off the White House's list of fall targets

Cruz had said he would welcome him to the state, where he has been a junior senator since 2013, if the president wanted to campaign there.

'I would certainly welcome his support, and I hope to see him in Texas,' he said, according to the Dallas Morning News.

The freshman senator told the Houston Chronicle he'd spoken to the president about campaigning for him ahead of the mid-terms.

'I think we are likely to see the president down in Texas before the election,' he said.

Cruz's home state was missing from the White House's list of targeted races, however, casting doubt that Trump would come to Cruz's rescue.

The two men had an especially nasty fight on the campaign trail about Cruz's father, Rafael.

'His father was with Lee Harvey Oswald prior to Oswald's being  you know, shot. I mean, the whole thing is ridiculous,' Trump told Fox News. 'What is this, right prior to his being shot, and nobody even brings it up. They don't even talk about that. That was reported, and nobody talks about it.'

Trump was parroting a National Enquirer story that claimed Cruz's father was paling around with John F. Kennedy's killer.

The president said: 'I mean, what was he doing  what was he doing with Lee Harvey Oswald shortly before the death? Before the shooting?

'Its horrible,' he commented.

Cruz's campaign called it 'another garbage story in a tabloid full of garbage' at the time to the Miami Herald.

In a tweet that winter, Trump asked how Cruz could be an 'Evangelical Christian when he lies so much and is so dishonest?'

Trump also threatened to 'spill the beans' on Cruz's wife, Heidi, and retweeted an unflattering photo of her compared to his own, ex-model, spouse, Melania.

The Texas senator was the last man standing in the race against the businessman.

In a desperate attempt to knock Trump out in the final days of the race, Cruz called him a 'serial philanderer,' a 'pathological liar,' a 'narcissist' and 'utterly amoral.'

He refused in a speech at Trump's nominating convention to endorse the GOP nominee, earning boos from attendees.

'I am not in the habit of supporting people who attack my wife and attack my father,' Cruz said the next day. 'That pledge was not a blanket commitment that if you go and slander my wife that I am going to come like a servile puppy dog for maligning my wife and maligning my father.'

Trump said in response that he didn't want Cruz's endorsement and wouldn't accept it, even if the Texas senator offered it.

'Ted, stay home, relax, enjoy yourself,' Trump told him.

They mended fences after the race, and Trump endorsed Cruz and a line-up of other politicians this spring at the National Rifle Association's convention in Dallas.

The president's promise to campaign for his 2016 opponent in an unusually competitive general election race dovetails comparisons of Cruz's opponent, Beto O'Rourke, to a young Barack Obama

The president's promise to campaign for his 2016 opponent in an unusually competitive general election race dovetails comparisons of Cruz's opponent, Beto O'Rourke, to a young Barack Obama.

An article on O'Rourke over the summer suggested that the Texas Democrat could challenge and beat Trump in 2020.

'ORourke offers not just a path to victory in Texas but an antidote to the entire stupid artifice of American politics in the Trump era,' Snapchat head of news Peter Hamby wrote this week in Vanity Fair. 'Hes authentic, full of energy, and stripped of consultant-driven sterility. On what planet is Beto ORourke not a presidential contender, even if he loses?'

Cruz is up eight over O'Rourke in a New York Times poll this month. Emerson has the race just outside the margin-of-error with a five-point spread in Cruz's favor.The Supreme Court has ordered the Receiver of defunct U.T Bank, Eric Nana Nipah, to mount the witness box to be cross-examined by the Attorney General.



This follows the Receivers claim of ownership of some properties belonging to businessman Alfred Woyome which the state intends to sell to satisfy a GH51.2 million debt Mr Woyome owes the state.



The Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo, had earlier accused Mr Nipah, one of the Directors of audit firm, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC), and businessman Alfred Woyome of colluding to prevent the state from selling his properties to satisfy the debt Mr Woyome owes the state.



The Attorney General maintains that the businessman used the said properties as collateral to secure a loan in excess of GH9million from the bank months after the bank claimed to have bought the properties.



The three properties in dispute are residential facilities located at Trassaco Valley estates and Accra New town.



Nana Nipah claims the bank acquired them on April 5, 2013, and May 13, 2014.



Justice Benin who is hearing the case gave the order for the cross-examination after he was informed by Mr Nipahs lawyers that he (Mr Nipah) was out of the country and was not aware he was to testify on Monday.



Justice Benin fixed the cross-examination for Monday, October 22.



Deputy Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, told Joy News that the state is making a headway in retrieving the money Mr Woyome owes the state since each of the properties is worth about $1.5 million (a little over GH million).



He argues that the state will show that indeed the two properties belong to the businessman by the end of the cross-examination.







Source: myjoyonline.com









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Featured VideoA woman has given a retired English teacher from her high school the gift of life by revealing she will donate her kidney to him.

George Labecki, 63, had been on a transplant list for over a year due to organ failure when Lindsay Arnold Wenrich, 34, surprised him with news this month that she was a perfect match for a kidney transplant.

Video shows the heartwarming moment Wenrich, dressed as the Penn State Nittany Lions mascot, reveals the life-saving news to Labecki - a long-time Penn State fan - at his New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, home.

'I was stunned,' Labecki told Good Morning America. 'I was overpowered about the absolutely grand size of what she was about to do for me. I was speechless, absolutely speechless.'

George Labecki, 63, was surprised by Lindsay Arnold Wenrich, 34, when she revealed she is a perfect match for a kidney transplant

Wenrich dressed in the Penn State Nittany Lions costume to share the life-saving news at Labecki's New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, home

Labecki learned he was suffering kidney failure in January 2017 and was put on a transplant list - which could take up to five years

Labecki has suffered with kidney issues since he was a teenager, but in January 2017 his condition worsened when his organs began to fail.

He was diagnosed with stage IV kidney disease and put on the kidney donor list that August - a list that could have him waiting for five years.

Six months ago, Labecki's wife pushed him to take his search for a new organ to social media after being on the transplant list for a year with no luck.

His post was shared by former colleagues and teachers before being seen by Wenrich.

Though she never had Labecki while attending Cedar Cliff High School, she recognized the the popular high school teacher and felt compelled to help.

'I thought, ''Wow, this is hitting kind of close to home,''' Weinrich told GMA. 'It's not super often that I see someone I know who needs an organ donor and even though I never had him, Cedar Cliff is a close-knit community.'

Labecki taught English for 34 years at Cedar Cliff before retiring and was beloved my many students.

Wenrich underwent tests in May, and in September learned that she was a match.

Weeks later, she showed up at Labecki's home to deliver the news.

Labecki -pictured with his wife - is a big Penn State fan and retired from teaching English after 34 years

He took his search for a donor to Facebook earlier this year hoping to find a match

Wenrich, right, never had him as a teacher, but saw the post and felt compelled to help

On October 6, Wenrich surprise Labecki at his home while wearing the Penn State University mascot uniform.

The video shows Wenrich holding up three cue cards in succession as George reads each aloud.

'We are...happy to tell you that....,' the first sign reads.

'We are....a match,' the second says.

'I'm giving you my kidney!' George reads as Wenrich takes off the head of the lion suit.

Labecki is clearly overcome with emotion and the two embrace.

The surgery is scheduled for October 26.

Now, just two weeks away from undergoing the transplant at UPMC Pinnacle in Harrisburg, Wenrich and Labecki have formed a lifelong bond.

'I think I'm prepared and knowledgeable and know what to expect,' Weinrich said. 'Luckily my work and my family has been really supportive. George and I became instant friends. I think we are going to be a really big part of each other's lives.'

'She's an amazing person, I love her to death,' he said, 'I've been so thrilled to get to know her.'

Wenrich is now rising awareness for 16-year-old Aiden who is also in need of a kidney transplant.Michael Pain was jailed for 32 months in 2010 after swindling his mother out of hundreds of thousands of pounds

A war hero's son who stole nearly half a million pounds from his widowed mother has been ordered to repay almost 200,000 after an eight year court battle.

General's son and former cavalry officer Michael Pain was originally jailed for swindling his mother Lady Denys Pain of Eddlethorpe Hall, near Malton in North Yorkshire.

But the family were determined to reclaim the fortune built up by his father Lieutenant-General Sir Rollo Pain, who died from cancer in 2005.

Sir Rollo was awarded the Military Cross for extraordinary bravery in repelling a night-time attack by 100 enemy soldiers in the village of Stemmen, Germany, in April 1945.

He had a glittering military and diplomatic career and was later aide de camp to the Queen. He and his wife also appeared in the TV version of Brideshead Revisited.

Married father-of-one Pain was living in a converted flat next to the family's six-bedroom home when he was entrusted with his mother's finances.

He systematically raided huge sums of money from her accounts with the Halifax and Royal Bank of Scotland.

Married father-of-one was entrusted with the finances of his mother, Lady Denys Sophia Pain (pictured in her home in 2010)

By the time police were called in early last year some 460,000 had gone missing, leaving Lady Denys, 85, riddled with debt.

An investigation revealed her son, who was behind with his mortgage and facing eviction, had diverted the cash to prop up his failing business.

The fraud came to light in January 2009 when Pain's sister, Audrey Mahoney, visited from her home in Dubai and discovered her mother was penniless.

Her son had even turned off the central heating at her home, claiming it was broken, as the money started to run out.

On Monday Pan was back in the dock at York Crown Court for an assets confiscation hearing.

Judge Simon Hickey heard that Pain had benefited by 451,546 from his crimes, and a police investigation found he had 194,134 of assets that could be confiscated.

Pain was living in a converted flat next to the family's six-bedroom home (pictured)

Pain, now 60, was once a Captain in his father's old regiment, the Royal Dragoon Guards.

He originally admitted eight theft and fraud offences between April 2005, and February 2009.

He was jailed for 32 months in 2010 when he was disowned by Lady Denys, who died in a hospice aged 86 in 2011, hours before the original confiscation order was made under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

At the time, Pain's assets were 166,834. But prosecutors later found out Pain had an inheritance from an uncle's estate and returned to court to force him to hand it over.

The family feared the money was gone but on Monday the judge ordered Pain to hand over the assets.

After the criminal case, the family said Lady Denys had been 'totally destroyed' by her son's betrayal and said it had made her life a 'living hell'.

Pain's sister, Audrey Mahoney, said: 'My father was a wonderful man, he would be turning in his grave if he knew this had happened.'Claire Busby, 46, of Maidenhead, Berkshire, pictured outside the High Court in London

The ex-lover of a woman paralysed after falling off her bed during sex told today how he initially found it funny - before he realised the horror of her injuries.

John Marshall said he quickly realised there was nothing comic about the situation when Claire Busby ended up on the floor of her bedroom in Maidenhead, Berkshire, unable to move a muscle.

'I thought it was funny at first and said to her to get up, but she said she had hurt herself,' he told Judge Barry Cotter QC at London's High Court.

As she lay helpless at the foot of the bed, he did his best to help paramedics when they arrived at her home.

The court earlier heard how 46-year-old Mrs Busby dislocated her spine when she was 'catapulted' off the new super king-size bed in August 2013.

She fell backwards onto her head and back as she set about changing positions after performing a sex act on Mr Marshall. The businesswoman blames her accident on alleged 'defects' in the bed she had only had for a week.

She claims it was missing two feet, or 'gliders', when delivered to her home, creating a hazardous 'slope'. Mrs Busby is suing the bed suppliers, Berkshire Bed Company Ltd - trading as Beds Are Uzzz - for more than 1million in damages.

The court earlier heard how Mrs Busby dislocated her spine when she was 'catapulted' off the new super king-size bed in August 2013

Mrs Busby is suing the bed suppliers, Berkshire Bed Company Ltd - trading as Beds Are Uzz (file picture) - for more than 1million in damages

But the company is denying all liability, insisting that the bed was properly assembled, complete with gliders, when supplied to her.

Mr Marshall explained that the bizarre tragedy unfolded as he lay back on the divan bed, with Mrs Busby 'straddling or kneeling over him'.

She had just performed a sex act on him and the accident came as she switched position, swinging her legs round towards the head of the bed.

In her evidence, Mrs Busby said she felt as if she was 'catapulted off the back of the bed'. But Mr Marshall said her fall looked more like a somersault, telling the judge: 'She just rolled off the back of the bed'.

Under questioning by defence counsel, Neil Block QC, he added: 'It all happened in a blur, as if it was in slow motion.

'She ended up somersaulting off the back of the bed. I don't know how it happened, but she ended up just going off the back of the bed.'

She fell backwards onto her head and back as she set about changing positions after performing a sex act on Mr Marshall

Mr Marshall, a builders' merchant from Scotland, had only recently started a relationship with Mrs Busby, who had broken up with her husband shortly before.

The accident occurred on the third night Mr Marshall slept in the bed, and he accepted that 'nothing unusual had caught his eye' previously.

Mrs Busby's mother, Catharine Busby, who rushed to the aid of her stricken daughter soon after the accident, also gave evidence.

'I just remember her saying, 'I can't feel my hands or feet' and me saying, 'don't be so silly',' she told the court.

Puzzled about the cause of the accident, Mrs Busby said she glanced at the bed later on. Backing claims that the bed was defective, she told the judge: 'I remember sitting on one side of the mattress, and I virtually fell on the floor.'

The hearing continues.A Moroccan man convicted of helping the 9/11 terror attack pilots has been photographed grinning on his flight home after securing an early release from prison.

Mounir el-Motassadeq, 44, was a member of a group of radical Islamists based in Hamburg, northern Germany, and found guilty of helping bring about the 2001 terror attacks in the United States which killed nearly 3,000 people.

On Monday he was released from prison early, after serving 12 years of the 15-year sentence he received.

He was photographed on his deportation flight from Germany to Morocco, where his wife and children live.

Passengers said they felt uneasy at his presence on the flight but Motassadeq appeared calm - and even smiled at a little girl who was heading to the toilet with her parents.

Mounir el-Motassadeq is photographed grinning on the deportation flight from Germany

According to local newspaper Bild, the rest of the passengers had to wait while Motassadeq boarded the plane.

He was handcuffed and four officers sat in the surrounding seats, but for some not even the heavy security was enough to make them feel at ease.

Mounir el-Motassadeq, 44, was a member of a group of radical Islamists based in Hamburg, northern Germany

A businessman from Frankfurt complained that it was 'not a nice feeling' to be on board the same plane as the terrorist.

He said: 'Had I known about him, I would have changed the booking.'

Motassadeq associated with several of the 9/11 hijackers, and in 2007, prosecutors proved that he handled their finances, and even signed the will of Mohamed Atta, the man who piloted the plane which hit World Trade Centre's North Tower.

He was handed the maximum sentence of 15 years in 2007 for being an accessory to mass murder and is one of only two men convicted to date of involvement in the plot.

Germany's Special Deployment Commando picked him up from the northern city of Hamburg where he was imprisoned and accompanied him on the plane.

Once in Morocco, Motassadeq will be a free man, however, experts say he is likely to be closely monitored by local authorities.

Moved: Convicted terrorist Mounir el-Motassadeq, 44, is led from one helicopter to another at the airport in Hamburg, northern Germany

Phil Gurski, a former strategic analyst in the Canadian intelligence community, told Deutsche Welle that the Moroccan government will most likely gather intel on him and pass it on to the United States.

However, he added: 'I'd be very surprised if the US had no interest in him.'

Local news has previously reported that Motassadeq had been due to remain in prison until early 2019, and it is not known why he appears to have been granted early release.

El Motassadeq was convicted of being part of the so-called Hamburg cell, including Atta and fellow Sept. 11 pilots Marwan al-Shehhi and Ziad Jarrah.

German courts ruled that Motassadeq was aware the three planned to hijack and crash planes, even though he might not have known the specifics of the plot.

It is thought the 44-year-old will be deported as soon as possible, after which he will be a free man in his home country Morocco

They said Motassadeq had helped "watch the attackers' backs and conceal them" by doing things such as helping them keep up the appearance of being regular university students paying tuition and rent fees, and transferring money.

El Motassadeq acknowledged training at an al-Qaida camp in Afghanistan, but insisted he knew nothing of his friends' plans to attack the U.S.

'I swear by God that I did know the attackers were in America,' he shouted in accented German at a sentencing hearing. 'I swear by God that I did not know what they wanted to do.'

His attorney, Jan Jacob, refused to comment on the deportation, which brings to an end a lengthy legal saga in Germany.

Originally arrested in Hamburg in November 2001, el Motassadeq was convicted in 2003 of membership in a terrorist organization and thousands of counts of accessory to murder - taking into account victims on the ground - becoming the first person convicted anywhere on charges related to Sept. 11.

Hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston crashes into the south tower of the World Trade Center and explodes at 9.03am on September 11, 2001 in New York City

However, a federal court overturned that verdict in 2004, largely because of a lack of evidence from al-Qaida suspects in U.S. custody, and sent the case back to Hamburg.

After a 2005 retrial, Motassadeq was again convicted of membership in a terrorist organization that included Atta, al-Shehhi and Jarrah. But he was acquitted of being an accessory to murder after the court ruled it didn't have enough evidence that he knew of the hijackers' plot.

Motassadeq was sentenced to seven years in prison at the time, but was freed in early 2006 until his appeal could be heard.

Later that year, the federal court reversed the Hamburg court's acquittal of Motassadeq on the accessory to murder charges, ruling that the evidence knew the plotters planned to hijack and crash planes. It limited the number of counts, however, to the 246 people killed aboard the airplanes and the 15-year sentence was restored.

Motassadeq is now banned from re-entering Germany until April 2064.Advertisement

Hundreds of strangers turned out to pay their respects to an elderly veteran who died with no family.

David McLaren Kerr, 90, joined the military aged just 19 in 1947 and served with the Royal Marines for 22 years until he got married and moved to Wales.

He outlived his wife Nancy and his daughter Mary Anne and died in hospital in Shrewsbury, Shropshire last month.

He faced a basic public burial but a local undertaker got in touch with the Royal British Legion, who launched a nationwide appeal for support for his funeral.

Today more than 400 strangers, including 40 serving Royal Marines, turned up to give Mr McLaren Kerr a fitting military send-off.

Today more than 400 strangers, including 40 serving Royal Marines, turned up to give Royal Marine veteran David McLaren Kerr a fitting military send-off at Emstrey Crematorium in Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Members of the armed forces are pictured saluting Mr McLaren Kerr's funeral car as it arrived at Emstrey Crematorium in Shrewsbury

David McLaren Kerr, 90 (pictured as a young man) joined the military aged 19 in 1947 and served with the Marines for 22 years

A fitting send-off: An appeal was launched for people to attend the funeral after it emerged Mr McLaren Kerr's wife Nancy and daughter Mary Anne had died in 2013 and he died alone in hospital on September 7

The Marine veteran (pictured left) outlived his wife Nancy and his daughter Mary Anne (pictured together right) and died in hospital in Shrewsbury, Shropshire last month

Mr McLaren Kerr is pictured as a young Marine in his black uniform with a weapon on the bottom row, fourth to the right

Mr McLaren Kerr spent his final years living at the Plas Cae Crwn care home in Newton, Shropshire and died on September 7 after being transferred to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

An appeal was launched for people to go to his funeral after it emerged Mr McLaren Kerr's wife and his daughter had both died in 2013 leaving him on his own.

Richard Parkes, director at Leach & Son Funeral Directors, said he contacted the Royal British Legion when he realised there would be very few people or even no one attending the funeral.

He said: 'There are a number of people attending the funeral and they aren't family, they are people who had working relationships with Mr McLaren Kerr.

'We know he was a member of the Royal Marines many years ago and that was something he was very proud of.

Mr McLaren Kerr spent his final years living at Plas Cae Crwn care home in Newton, Shropshire and died on September 7 after being transferred to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. Today hundreds, including serving Marines, attended his funeral

Veterans and members of the armed forces are pictured paying their respects to David McLaren Kerr who died at 90

Dozens of the hundreds who attended the funeral of David McLaren Kerr at Emstrey Crematorium in Shrewsbury today are pictured waiting outside the building for the funeral car to arrive

Kevin Dempsey, chairman of the Shrewsbury branch of the Royal British Legion, said of Mr McLaren Kerr's death: 'It's terrible that he has no family to go, particularly on the centenary of the end of the First World War. 'It's quite sad really for a veteran to be cremated without some support from others. But the veterans (pictured) are a family of our own really.'

Veterans are pictured strolling towards the crematorium in Shropshire today for the funeral of David McLaren Kerr, 90

David McLaren Kerr was going to have a basic, public burial until the Royal British Legion launched a nationwide appeal. Local veterans are pictured marching towards the ceremony, which took place at Emstrey Crematorium in Shropshire today

Richard Parkes, director at Leach & Son Funeral Directors, said he contacted the Royal British Legion when he realised there would be very few people or even no one attending the funeral. Pictured: Two military men outside the funeral today

One big family: Local Royal British Legion chairman Kevin Dempsey said it was sad he had no relatives but the Marines (pictured outside the crematorium) are like one big family and were happy to pay their respects

'We approached the Royal British Legion locally to see if they would be interested in coming and they have said they will be sending members.

'It is unusual for funerals to have nobody in attendance, if we know there is going to be nobody we try sometimes to work out who to make contact with.

'Mr McLaren Kerr wanted a funeral similar to his wife's, with hymns and readings, quite traditional.'

Kevin Dempsey, chairman of the Shrewsbury branch of the Royal British Legion, added: 'It's terrible that he has no family to go, particularly on the centenary of the end of the First World War.

'It's quite sad really for a veteran to be cremated without some support from others. But the veterans are a family of our own really.'

Crowds of people, who did not know Mr McLaren Kerr, are pictured queuing to get into his funeral in Shropshire todayA young mother was walking along a beach when a snake attached itself to her foot.

Cass, who did not want her last name used, was with a friend at Brighton Beach in Scarborough, Perth on Tuesday when she was bitten.

The 29-year-old screamed when she looked down and saw the reptile on her foot. It was only then that the snake let go and slithered away.

Scroll down for video

Cass, who did not want her last name used, was with a friend at Brighton Beach in Scarborough, Perth on Tuesday when she was bitten by a snake

The 29-year-old screamed when she looked down and saw the reptile on her foot. It was only then that the snake let go and slithered away

Cass was taken to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, 7News reported, where she was given anti-venom.

She was still in a lot of pain later that evening but was expected to make a full recovery.

She warned others to be careful as an influx of snakes are expected as the weather warms up.

Snakes are out in search of mating partners, sun, and food.

Cass was taken to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, 7News reported, where she was given anti-venomJulie Bishop's sister has said she is glad that her younger sibling did not become prime minister because the brutality of the job would have been soul-crushing.

Though, MaryLou Bishop admitted that she was disappointed the former foreign minister missed out on the top spot after she was more than qualified for the role.

'Julie has done so well and just worked so hard and there are a whole heap of political people that I am really angry with,' she told The Australian.

Julie Bishop's sister MaryLou has said she is glad that her younger sibling did not become prime minister because the brutality of the job would have been soul-crushing

Although Julie Bishop has indicated that she will likely run for her seat of Curtin at the next poll, her older sister noted things were still up in the air

As a protective sibling, Ms Bishop said she was glad her sister missed out on the position.

She said the brutality of politics is 'dreadful and soul destroying.'

Although Julie Bishop has indicated that she will likely run for her seat of Curtin at the next poll, her older sister noted things were still up in the air.

Ms Bishop pointed out that numerous people had contacted her younger sister, and that she was weighing up her options.

She said that if she were in her sister's shoes she would skedaddle.

The 66-year-old is not a member of any political party and is the eldest of the four Bishop children.

She currently heads a surgical devices company, and since 2014 has been a member of local government in Walkerville, a cashed-up area in Adelaide.

Last year's revelations into Julie Bishop's travels to Adelaide showed she had lined up official business with family events at her sister's home

She will be seeking a second term at the local government elections in South Australia next month.

Last year's revelations into Julie Bishop's travels to Adelaide showed her official business meetings lined up with family events at her sister's home.

Her older sister labelled it as 'ridiculous.'

'Julie has missed so many family events  she didnt even come to our wedding  because she put politics first.'A man who threatened to blow up the Sydney Opera House on New Years Eve has been sentenced to prison.

Drago Reskov, 68, made a call to the National Security Hotline on December 31, 2017 detailing a bomb had been planted at the inner-city icon.

In the call to the hotline, Reskov said, 'there is a bomb in the Opera House.

Drago Reskov, 68, made a call to the National Security Hotline on December 31, 2017 detailing a bomb had been planted at the inner-city icon

'You had better move people away from the Opera House, I am warning you.'

The part-time labourer from Sydney's northern beaches then hung up the call and turned off his phone, Nine News reported.

After the threat was made at 9.58pm, police swarmed the national landmark and combed the surrounding area for any indication of a bomb.

The area was cleared and the festivities continued on into the evening.

At the time, Reskov said he made the call to stop the midnight fireworks display, in an attempt to protest against the government.

'I am fed up with the law, I never get any justice,' Reskov told police.

The part-time labourer from Sydney's northern beaches made the call to stop the midnight fireworks display

Soon after the call was made to police, Reskov handed himself into Dee Why station.

He was sentenced to 18 months behind bars on Friday and will be monitored three years after his release.

'In the current climate the community is on alert, this activity was designed to strike terror into the heart of people out to enjoy a good night; the mothers, the children, the fathers, all there to enjoy one of the finest nights in Sydney,' Magistrate Erin Kennedy said.

Reskov has been previously convicted of dumping rocks on to the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 2011.Jamie Lynn McDonald, 37, is seen in her mugshot. She was taken into custody on Sunday on suspicion of beating her daughter

A Dallas police officer has been arrested on suspicion of beating her eight-year-old daughter after the little girl made a tearful YouTube video about her cat being given away.

Jamie Lynn McDonald, 37, was taken into custody on Sunday after her ex-husband reported the alleged beating to police.

According to charging documents, McDonald - who has been placed on administrative leave - slapped the girl on the side of the face then sat on top of her and hit her repeatedly after she made the video last Thursday.

The beating only stopped when the girl's older brother intervened and threatened to tell their father, David Grantham, what happened, according to police records obtained by Dallas News.

When Grantham picked her up from school the next day, the girl had bruising on her face, he said.

After asking the children what had happened, he reported his ex-wife to police.

Charging documents claim that the cop became angry when she learned her daughter had uploaded the video to YouTube.

In the footage, the young girl wept and complained about her mother giving her beloved pet away.

McDonald somehow discovered the footage and demanded that the girl take it off the internet and told her to bring the iPad she used to upload it to her, it is claimed.

When she did so, the cop allegedly hit the girl on the side of the face.

The blow was so strong it knocked her to the hardwood floor but, according to the documents, the police officer continued the beating.

She is said to have sat on the child's stomach and continued hitting her on the arms and face until her older brother, whose age is not known, intervened.

He threatened to call their father, the arrest affidavit says, and that is what prompted the mother to stop.

She allegedly confiscated both of the children's phones and took them into the living room to discuss what had happened.

The boy later told his father that in April, his mother grabbed him by the throat and pinned him to a wall with his neck, holding it so tightly he struggled to breathe.

Police took photographs of the little girl's injuries which included bruising on her face and arms, according to the documents.

McDonald was booked on a single count of injury to a child, a felony in the first degree.

She was released on Monday after posting a $25,000 bond. McDonald has worked for the Dallas Police Department since 2002.Eleven years after first sharing her story with Barbara Walters at the age of just six, Jazz Jennings has completed her transition after undergoing gender affirmation surgery.

In an interview with Nightline, Jennings revealed that she suffered a bit of a hiccup during the final step in her transition, which will be explored in depth on the final season of her TLC show I Am Jazz.

'There was just an unfortunate event and setback where things did come apart, and there was a complication,' Jazz said.

'I had to come back in for another procedure, but it was just all part of the journey. The good thing though is that it was only cosmetic and external so it wasnt too dramatic.'

Scroll down for video

Affirmation: Jazz Jennings (above) underwent gender affirmation surgery earlier this year but then had to have a second procedure after an unexpected complication

Struggle: Jennings told Nightline that her genital overhaul was a bit more difficult than most because she had been on hormone blockers for so long (Jennings before her first surgery in January)

The unforeseen issue was caused by the hormone blockers that Jazz believes are responsible for saving her life.

'Being on the blockers is something that I don't regret at all. But the only, you know, downside to it was that I didn't have enough growth down below. So there wasn't enough tissue to work with when it came to the surgery' said Jazz.

'And it was very challenging to find a doctor, a surgeon who was willing to perform the operation on me just because I'm such a difficult case.'

As a result, the family had to seek out an innovative new treatment in the field of genital reconstruction.

'Theyre using the tissue I have, the peritoneum, and also, they may take a skin graft as well. I say it's going to be like a patchwork vagina, Franken-vagina,' explained Jennings.

'So yeah, as long as it's functional, that's all that matters.'

Jazz soon added to that statement however, saying: '"And I want it to look somewhat pretty, just because it's my body.'

Nine weeks after her two surgeries, Jazz was feeling great and ready to begin the new phase of her life.

Jazz also addressed the hateful attacks she and her family are subject to, revealing the anger she feels when people direct their scorn at her parents.

Those attacks usually involve individuals who accuse the family, and Jazz's parents in particular, of brainwashing the girl.

'I really, really hate it,' said Jazz.

'And hate's a strong word. But I hate it when people are, like, "My parents abuse me into being transgender because they wanted another girl, not a boy." And no, that's not how it was. This was all me. This is how I felt. And I was the one telling them that, "I'm a girl, I'm a girl."

She continued: 'They just embraced and loved me for who I was. And they didn't force me to do anything. They never force me to do anything.'

In the end though, Jazz now has the happiness she longed for as a toddler.

'When I was 2 years old, I went up to my mom and asked her, "When is the good fairy going to come with her magic wand and change my penis into a vagina?"' said Jazz.

'It was like a dream. It was. This is a moment that I had always envisioned and just experiencing it was so surreal. I was like I can't believe this is happening.'

In the beginning: 'The only downside to it was that I didn't have enough growth down below. So there wasn't enough tissue to work with when it came to the surgery,' she said (Jazz above age 6)

Through the years: 'Theyre using the tissue I have, the peritoneum, and they may take a skin graft as well. I say it's going to be like a patchwork vagina, Franken-vagina,' she added (Jazz above at 11)

Today: The second procedure was cosmetic and she will share her full journey on the new season of I Am Jazz on TLC, which premiere next year (Jazz above on Nightline)

Derick Dillard has frequently used his social media accounts to attack the transgender teenager.

The married father-of-two, 30, went after Jazz earlier this year just hours after she had come out of her gender affirmation surgery.

'Im doing great, thanks for all of the love and support,' wrote Jazz, with the high school student also sharing a photo of herself smiling in her hospital bed.

This did not sit well with Dillard, who decided to fire back on social media.

'This kind of thinking should not be encouraged by media. A system that allows this kind of child abuse is clearly broken,' wrote Dillard.

TLC, which briefly parted ways with the Duggars after son Josh was revealed to have molested four of his sisters when they were minors, has repeatedly declined to comment on Dillard's bigoted remarks about Jazz.

The initial issue between the Counting On personality and the I Am Jazz star began close to two years ago, when Dillard dubbed Jennings' show 'an oxymoron' as a 'reality show which follows a non-reality.'

The Arkansas native declared in a tweet last August that '"Transgender" is a myth' as 'gender is not fluid,' but 'ordained by God.'

Jazz responded: 'Every day I experience cyber-bullying, but I keep sharing my story. Today was no different.'

The hubbub seemed to die down until November, when a Twitter user named Shelbey told Dillard that while she can understand his rationale on some issues, he tends to generate negative responses to his tweets 'because they often come off as hateful,' adding that 'calling someones identity an oxymoron is very condescending.'

Dillard responded by saying that he feels sorry for Jazz, but refused to use female pronouns in talking about the Florida native, who 'is a transgender female and has been living as a girl since kindergarten,' according to her show's website.

'I pity Jazz, [for] those who take advantage of him in order [to] promote their agenda, including the parents who allow these kinds of decisions [to] be made by a child,' Dillard said. 'Its sad that [people] would use a juvenile this way. Again, nothing against him, just unfortunate whats on tv these days.'

'I really have nothing against the kid and wish him all the best in life. I just hate seeing him used this way.'

Dillard said that he 'never bullied anyone' with his previous remarks, but was expressing his beliefs that the show is a tool of propaganda.

'Im expressing my view of what should be treated as reality; if I say I feel like I am Nepali, that doesnt make me so,' he said. Dillard noted that he believes 'its important to have a mature discussion' on the topic, as he's 'just expressing [his] concerns, as a Christian.

'The beauty of the world,' he tweeted, 'is that everybody is not like me.'

Jazz took the high road in her response to Dillard back in November, writing: 'In the face of constant ignorance and hatred I prefer to disregard negative opinions and continue moving forward with love.'

These attacks on a minor teenager were not enough to get Dillard cut from the family show in August, but by November he and the network had parted ways, with Dillard claiming he left on his own terms and TLC suggesting it was a network decision.

His wife Jill does still appear from time to time and was one of the stars of Counting On, the reworked show TLC aired after Josh Duggar's sex scandal.Facebook makes American society better

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LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares?



























Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano...



Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos:



Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias.



Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera.



No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje.



En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio.



Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida.



Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella.



Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal.



Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista.



Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen.



Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che?



Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio.



Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora.



Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo.



Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo.



Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania.



No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar.



Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga.





Alguna duda?



Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino



Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia.



OZ1



OZ2



OZ3



OZ4



Homenaje a Jason Galarraga



La Victoria de Samotracia



Odalisca



Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008



























La Sierra Nevada de Merida



Nuestro precioso Churum Meru



Homenaje a Picasso



Autoretrato



Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola?

La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.

Mi profesion?

Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.

Sal en la Coca Cola?

A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.

De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:

Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto

Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)

azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)

Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas

Mucha Cafeina

Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio

Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe

Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion

El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.

Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.

Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.

En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).

Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.

La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.

Bebidas Light?

Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el

Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.



Publicado por loretahur



En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur

MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina:

1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias.

2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina.

3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard.

4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos.

5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla.

6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos.

Ahora... sobre la margarina:

1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) .

2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias.

3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno).

4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer.

5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna.

6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo.

7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina.

Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas:

* No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo).

* No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!!



No a la guerra, Si a la Paz



Misterios de la ciencia...



Los costos de la guerra



medicos y capitalismo...



Capitalismo...



medicos (2)



Quien educa a nuestros hijos?



Los Medios...



Sin Palabras...



Chistes feministas

- Cual es el problema, Eva?

- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz...

- Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.

- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...

- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.

- Que es un hombre?

- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.

- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.

- Cual es el truco?.

- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.

- Cual?

- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.





Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Ellas...



Ellas (2)...



Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1

Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije:

-Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro.

Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria.

Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre?

-Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa!



VENGANZA NUMERO 2

Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris.

A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita:

- Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!!

Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta.

La mujer paso quince dias en Francia.

El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla.

Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es:

- Y amor me trajiste mi francesita??

- Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina.



VENGANZA NUMERO 3

El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion.

- No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo.

- Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz.

Te quiero confesar algo.

- Esta bien, esta bien. Habla!

- He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga.

- Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!!



machismo y cibernetica



Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston.

-Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide.

-Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!.



.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti.

Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos.

Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco.

Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas



Gol !!!!



Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso!



Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy!

Australians are flocking in droves to a small suburb despite the area having little to offer other than its single service station.

Mickleham, 32km north of Melbourne, is now Australia's fastest growing area despite having no public transport, shops or doctors. Schools are also inconvenient with the local primary school full because enrolments have doubled in the past two years.

Young families in search of the Australian dream of owning their own home are being lured to the outer suburb as city living becomes increasingly difficult.

Mickleham (pictured) north of Melbourne is now Australia's fastest growing area, despite having nothing but a single service station

In the last 12 months, Mickleham's population has grown by more than 3,500 people.

The suburb is dislocated from high schools and recreational centre, and despite the dramatic influx of residents, there's the same number of jobs in the area that there were 10 years ago.

The reason why residents are still attracted to the area is because of Australia's rapid population growth.

Australia's population is predicted to grow from 25 million in 2018 to 40 million by 2050 - with two thirds of that come from immigration.

About 30 per cent of Australians are immigrants - with a staggering 90 per cent of living in the nation's cities, particularly the already overcrowded Sydney and Melbourne.

With rents rising in the inner suburbs, young families are moving to suburbs on the fringe to attempt to live the 'white picket fence' dream as experts concede the days of large blocks close to the city with easy access to public transport and amenities are over.

Mickleham has no public transport, shops, doctors, or schools but many young families are moving in droves to try and achieve the 'white picket dream'

Andrew Cini, a Mickleham resident, paid $500,000 for his five-bedroom, three-bathroom home on a 567 sqm block.

'You're buying at probably the cheapest point,' he told ABC's 7.30 Report.

Despite the cheap homes, infrastructure hadn't caught up with demand.

Fellow resident Darren Young said his family couldn't dry their clothes outside because of the constant dust from construction.

He said it was also hard to enrol his children in surrounding primary schools because admissions have doubled in the past two years.

Andrew Cini, a Mickleham resident, paid $500,000 for his five-bedroom, three-bathroom house situated on 567 sqm of land saying buying a piece of land there is 'probably at [Australia's] cheapest point'

Melbourne's outer suburbs have also seen population grow by 35 per cent - but federal infrastructure funding has only increased by 13 per cent.

Nearby suburb Craigieburn has a six-month wait for swimming classes and families are waiting for more than 18 months for a spot in childcare.Prosecutors have dismissed a manslaughter case against Oregon mother Nicole Engler, 38, whose baby Remington died after she was forgotten in a hot car on June 21

Prosecutors have decided to drop the manslaughter charge against a mother who accidentally killed her toddler daughter by leaving her in a hot car, thinking she had dropped her off at daycare.

Investigators said they found no evidence that Oregon mother Nicole Engler, 38, was aware that her one-year-old daughter Remington Engler was still in the car when she died on June 21, the Douglas County district attorney announced on Monday.

Engler decided to drop Remington off at daycare, something her husband who works as a night shift EMT usually does, but she did because he was still sleeping that morning.

However, Engler said she forgot to drop off her toddler at daycare and drove straight to the office. It wasn't until after the workday that she discovered her child unresponsive in the back of the car in the 80-degree heat.

'I recognize that reasonable minds may differ on whether criminal charges should be pursued,' District Attorney Richard Wesenberg said on Monday. 'But I have made my decision based on the totality of the evidence that is available to me, the limits of Oregon law in this matter and the likelihood a conviction can be obtained.'

Engler and her husband struggled to have children for 15 years until she gave birth to Remy - her 'treasure'.

Engler's case was dismissed on Monday and a district attorney said she did not leave her one-year-old daughter Remy in the hot car out of criminal neglect. Nicole and her husband Peter (above left) tried to conceive for 15 years before Remy was born

Video courtesy of KPIC Oregon

On June 21, Engler returned to her blue Honda CRV hours after arriving at Evergreen Family Medicine, where she works as a pediatric nurse.

She drove to get coffee from a shop nearby, oblivious to the child in the car and even told baristas in the coffee shop that her daughter was at daycare.

After work at 4pm she headed to the daycare and realized her child's unconscious body was in the car. Engler was taken into custody at 4.30pm in Roseburg, Oregon as cops said neglect may have been the cause behind the child's death.

The Douglas County Medical Examiners Office said she died of hyperthermia  a condition where the body overheats - and ruled her death an accident.

The heartbroken mother was charged with manslaughter, leading her to beg police to let her kill herself.

On Monday, District Attorney Wesenberg announced the charge would be dropped as Engler wasnt impaired on that fateful day and Remington was 'loved and cared for in every way a mother and a father could', according to Oregon Live.

He added that the backseat mirror in the SUV wasnt properly adjusted to reflect Remington in the car. The car also had tinted back windows and the baby sat in a rear-facing car seat.

He even consulted a state psychiatrist who determined Englers actions were not out of criminal negligence.

Furthermore in Oregon, the law doesnt specifically address children who die after being left in a hot car. States that do prosecute child hot car deaths have to prove the acts were done intentionally.

Engler hung her head and clasped her hands together during her video link appearance in court in June. She was released on bond afterwards and her manslaughter case was dismissed on Monday

The woman's grieving husband Peter is pictured in court as she appeared via videolink

Peter slumped during a court appearance back in June upon hearing the charge against his wife

Englers attorney David Terry said she is 'ecstatic and relieved' to learn that the second-degree manslaughter accusation will be cleared. He added 'losing a child was punishment enough'.

'It's difficult enough just to deal with the tragic loss of your only child, but to do so against the back drop of not knowing whether you're going to be indicted, taken to trial and lose your freedom for the next 10 years, this has all been very, very hard for Nicole and her family,' Engler's attorney David Terry said.

Suicidal and pulling her hair out in clumps in a s*** smeared, padded iso cell in the Douglas County Jail, with screaming schizophrenics on either side, she begged to be allowed to take her own life David Terry, Nicole Engler's lawyer

Engler returned to work as a pediatric nurse last week but has been mostly restricted to desk duty.

The Oregon State Board of Nursing had initially asked Engler to voluntarily surrender her license following her arrest. They negotiated that she stop practicing until the case was resolved and now Engler hopes to return to full duties as a nurse.

After Remington's death, David Terry wrote an open letter pleading for the charges against Engler to be dropped, describing the mother's anguish and heartbreak.

He described how she was pulling clumps out of her own hair and begging to be allowed to kill herself because she was so distraught.

'Suicidal and pulling her hair out in clumps in a s*** smeared, padded cell in the Douglas County Jail, with screaming schizophrenics on either side, she begged to be allowed to take her own life,' he wrote in the open letter.

He added that she suffered a 'memory lapse' at the time of the incident.

Two funds were set up in the wake of the tragedy in June.

One was in Remy's memory and allows mourners to give a donation to Oregon's Wildlife Safari. The second was a bank fund to help Nicole with her legal fees. It is at Umpqua Bank and is listed under the Engler Family Benefit Fund.A manhunt is underway for a gang who attacked two homeless men leaving them with fractured bones, bruised ribs and facial injuries.

A group of four men attacked the pair around 2.30am before returning to continue the vicious assault at 5am on October 9, as they slept in a tent in Hull.

One of the men suffered a fractured spine, a fractured arm, bruising and injuries to his face. The other has been left with bruised ribs and facial injuries.

The gang attacked the men, who were sleeping in a tent, in Hull on October 9

Police said three of the suspects are described as having dark hair and the other had blonde hair, and they spoke with either Russian or Lithuanian accents.

A police spokesman said: 'Two men who had been living in a tent in Hull have been seriously injured following two alleged assaults in the same night.

'The men had been in their tent on a grassed area when the incidents were said to have occurred in the early hours of Tuesday 9 October.

'It was reported that a group of four men had assaulted the pair in the tent around 2.30am and then again at 5am.

'One of the victims sustained a fractured spine, a fractured arm, bruising and facial injuries. The other man sustained bruised ribs and facial injuries.

One of the men suffered a fractured spine, a fractured arm, bruising and injuries to his face. The other has been left with bruised ribs and facial injuries

'Three of the suspects have been described as having dark hair, the fourth had blonde hair. They spoke with Russian or possibly Lithuanian accents.'

Police have asked for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting log 135 of October 9.Boris Johnson's popularity has slumped in the wake of his Tory conference attack on Theresa May's Brexit plan.

In a body blow for the former foreign secretary, a poll found his standing with the general public has dropped dramatically over the past month.

Perhaps even more worryingly for Mr Johnson, the dip appears to have been driven largely by falling out of favour with Conservative and Leave voters.

Mr Johnson resigned in protest at the PM's Chequers blueprint for Brexit over the summer, and has since launched a series of salvos at her soft approach.

In a speech at Tory conference earlier this month, Mr Johnson demanded that she 'chuck' the policy and push for a looser Canada-style deal.

In a body blow for Boris Johnson, a YouGov poll has found his standing with the general public has dropped dramatically over the past month

In the Commons last night, Mr Johnson (pictured) demanded the PM impose a time limit on her Irish border 'backstop' plan

Over the weekend he warned that Mrs May's 'backstop' plan for avoiding a soft Irish border would be the biggest humiliation for the UK since Suez.

However, according to the YouGov tracker poll, the hardline stance seems to be backfiring.

At the beginning of September Mr Johnsons ratings were better than those for Mrs May, at -22 to the PM's -26.

However, by just before his speech at party conference in Birmingham the score had fallen to -28. That is thought to be the lowest level on record.

It has now subsequently dropped to -35.

By contrast, Mrs Mays score has improved marginally over the same period to -22.

Among those who backed the Tories in last year's general election, Mr Johnson recorded a net rating of +26 at the beginning of September.

But by the beginning of October it was down to +6, and it has since hit -4.

Some 44 per cent had a positive view of the MP, compared to 48 per cent who regarded him negatively.

With Leave voters his score over the same period had slipped from +25 to -1.The missing 13-year-old Wisconsin girl whose parents were found dead inside their home may have been spotted at a Miami gas station, police have revealed.

A person reported that a girl resembling Jayme Closs was seen at a Sunflex gas station on Monday with two Middle Eastern men who appeared to be in their thirties.

The men were described as being about 5ft 7in and 5ft 9in and weighing around 200 to 250 pounds. They both had beards. Authorities said they were well-dressed.

They were spotted driving a black Ford Explorer with the Wisconsin license plate tag of I60WER between 2 to 3pm.

Jayme Closs, the 13-year-old missing Wisconsin girl whose parents were found dead inside their home, may have been spotted at a Miami gas station, police have revealed

The men (pictured) both had beards were described as being about 5ft 7in and 5ft 9in and weighing 200 to 250 pounds

A person reported that a girl resembling Jayme Closs was seen at a Sunflex gas station in a black Ford Explorer (pictured) on Monday with two men who appeared to be in their thirties

Jayme's parents Denise Closs, 46, (left) and James Closs, 56, (right) were both found dead inside their Barron home on Monday around 1am

Police said the details came from a witness account and that authorities have not yet confirmed the reported sighting.

'We are actively researching that tip. Every tip continues to be followed up on,' Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said during a press conference on Tuesday.

Barron to Miami is approximately 1,752 miles away and around a 25-hour drive.

Jayme was first reported missing after officers were summoned to her home in Barron just before 1am on Monday.

Fitzgerald revealed on Tuesday that someone called 911 from a cell phone while at the home, but no one was communicating to the dispatcher.

'Some kind of disturbance could be heard, and that's why law enforcement came to the house,' he added.

It was there that responding deputies discovered Jayme's dead parents, Denise Closs, 46, and 56-year-old James Closs.

Fitzgerald said gunshots had been fired at the home, but would not yet confirm whether the couple had been shot.

The two men were spotted driving a black Ford Explorer (pictured) with the Wisconsin license plate tag of I60WER between 2 to 3pm

The car was spotted driving through the gas station with a window rolled down on Monday

Both of Jayme's parents had suffered gunshot wounds. Pictured is an undated photo of Denise with Jayme

Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said Jayme was not considered a suspect in her parents' deaths and that he believed she was in danger

Jayme had last been seen at a family gathering on Sunday afternoon.

Robert Naiberg, Jayme's grandfather, said she had been 'quiet as always' at his grandson's birthday party.

Naiberg said Jayme was a 'thoughtful person' and had brought a 'little gift for everybody' to the party.

Jayme's father was working at the time of the party, he added.

Fitzgerald said Jayme is not considered a suspect in her parents' deaths and that he believes she is in danger.

He also declined to elaborate as to why investigators believe Jayme is not a runaway, saying that disclosing more information would compromise their investigation.

Jayme was first reported missing after authorities were summoned to her home in Barron (pictured) just before 1am on Monday

It was there that responding deputies discovered the bodies of Jayme's parents and realized that she was missing

'At the end of the day, I want a 13-year-old here safe and sound,' he said during a press conference on Monday.

'That's our goal. That's our only goal right now.'

An Amber Alert for Jayme was issued on Monday, although it did not include any information about a suspect or vehicle.

The Barron County Sheriff's Office has also enlisted the help of the National Center for Missing Exploited Children and the FBI.

Authorities have also used drones and infared equipment to search the family home, but have discovered no helpful clues, according to WPLG.

Teams remained at the resident on Tuesday and are continuing to process the crime scene.

Investigators have also been interviewing Jayme's school friends and checking social media, but so far have not developed any leads.

Authorities have also used drones and infared equipment to search the family home, but have discovered no helpful clues

The route from Barron to Miami is approximately 1,752 miles away and around a 25-hour drive

Fitzgerald has received more than 200 tips, but pleaded with the public for more information that could lead police to Jayme.

'Often, someone in the community will have knowledge of a crime and may not realize it,' he said. 'Individuals who commit acts of violence may display changes in their behavior and individuals around that person may observe those changes.'

Jayme is described as 5ft and 100 pounds, with green eyes and blond or strawberry-blond hair.

According to the teen's Facebook age, she is a dancer, as well as a cross-country and track athlete.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts or anyone that has contact with Jayme is asked to contact the Barron County Sheriffs Department at 715-537-3106.

Video courtesy of Fox 6 Milwaukee

The men in Miami were spotted driving a black Ford Explorer with the Wisconsin license plate tag of I60WER some time between 2 to 3pm on MondayEddie Murphy asked Mel B's father for her hand in marriage, moved her and her daughter into his Hollywood Hills mega-mansion and got matching tattoos before their relationship fell apart, the former Spice Girl is to reveal in her new memoir.

The America's Got Talent judge is to use Brutally Honest, published next month, to say that the she and the Hollywood superstar's relationship was far longer and more meaningful than had previously been suggested.

She will also claim that it was she who forced him to take a DNA test to prove the paternity of their daughter Angel in the aftermath of their split, to force him to acknowledge the child.

In an early draft of the explosive memoir - obtained exclusively by DailyMailTV  Mel B says that the Beverly Hills Cop star had a 'momentous' effect on her life and that their bond was so close they even had each other's autographs tattooed on the top of their thighs at a Hollywood tattoo parlor.

Bad romance: Mel B has finally revealed details of her nine-month relationship with Eddie Murphy which ended in bitter paternity battle in 2007

Mom and daughters: Mel has an 11-year-old daughter by Murphy, Angel Iris Murphy Brown (far right) who the comedian repeatedly denied was his biological child. DailyMailTV has learned Murphy pays $25,000 a month in child support

But the star also admits that being with the world renowned comedian felt like living in a 'gilded cage' and that she had never met a man who wanted to 'possess' her so completely.

The claims are one of the first proper insights into the relationship, which happened in 2006, and has been surrounded by silence from Murphy and Brown.

DailyMailTV can also reveal Murphy pays $25,000 a month in child support for Angel - $300,000 a year - in a deal struck following the paternity battle in 2007.

But Brown uses the book to put her side of a relationship whose end, she says, saw her wrongly portrayed as a 'tramp' and a 'gold-digger'.

Crucially, she maps out a timeline which puts the pair together for nine months, far longer than the three months which had been widely believed to be the case.

And Brown, who was 32 when they met, says that it was love at first sight for both her and Murphy, then 45.

'The moment I laid eyes on him it was as if a 2,000-volt electric current had passed between us,' Mel writes in her memoir.

'I felt a hundred different emotions at once, from confused to elated, to happy, to scared, to relaxed to incredulous and everything in between.

'I felt I had known this man all my life and that I was staring my destiny in his face.'

She said Murphy, now 57, turned her life upside down and she fell instantly in love with him.

Mel, now 43, met the actor through a mutual friend who had been pestered by the actor to introduce her.

Mel, who was single after coming out of a long-term relationship with a woman, was eventually invited to a dinner party at the actor's home.

The pair began dating shortly after Murphy's divorce from his first wife, Nicole Mitchell Brown (left) in 2006. Murphy has been in a relationship with Paige Butcher (pictured right) since 2012

She turned up at Murphy's gated mega-mansion in the Hollywood Hills and was ushered into a huge kitchen filled with people.

As she looked around she locked eyes with Murphy, she writes in her book, and it felt like 'fireworks' had started going off inside her.

'It was as if there was no one else in the whole world,' she said.

'Had I honestly experienced some cosmic love struck moment with Eddie Murphy in his kitchen?'

Mel rushed to the nearest bathroom to compose herself but decided she had to leave because she couldn't handle the situation, describing herself as 'freaked out'.

But as she left the bathroom she walked straight into Murphy and blurted out an excuse as to why she had to leave.

Mel told Murphy she had arranged to meet friends at the Mondrian hotel, but drove home, took her make-up off and got into bed.

Within ten minutes her friend called and said Murphy had moved the party to the Mondrian.

'I couldn't believe it. Clearly someone was making sure I had to deal with it,' she writes.

Mel got dressed, put her make-up back on and went to the Mondrian.

She says Murphy was the perfect gentleman over dinner and the next day he rang Mel and said: 'Melanie, do you mind if I see you every day for a few days? But I don't like going out, so will you come to my house?'

She agreed and claims she and Murphy were like 'two little excitable kids' instantly hitting it off.

Mel described the star's home as a 'beautiful, pristine mansion' that was 'gobsmackingly incredible'.

In the foyer, she wrote, there was a glass roof which opened at the push of a button. He had a giant Jacuzzi which Murphy had never used - until Mel made him get in it naked.

Mel became pregnant while on vacation with Murphy in Mexico in July, 2006. She says Murphy was initially delighted to learn she was expecting and even asked her and her daughter to move in. Above she is pictured announcing the paternity case with lawyer Gloria Allred in 2007

Single mom: Mel (pictured with baby Angel in 2008) says that to this day she has no clue why Murphy denied paternity and admits his 'hideous' words have 'haunted' her ever since

There was a gym that Mel said was fit for an Olympic athlete, a bowling alley and a huge swimming pool.

In their time together, Murphy would play old Elvis movies and films like Blazing Saddles, which stars his hero Richard Pryor, and also speak about his childhood in projects in New York, where he and his older brother Charlie were partly brought up in foster care at a time when their mother was ill.

'He was fascinating to me. He'd had a life I couldn't imagine,' writes Mel.

She described a 'magical' kingdom Murphy had created around him in which Stevie Wonder would come and play the piano and Hollywood actor Denzel Washington was a regular guest.

Murphy - famous for hit movies like Trading Places and The Nutty Professor as well as his voiceover work on Shrek - is worth an estimated $85million.

Every night at 6pm his personal chef would prepare a lavish buffet for family and friends.

That was not the end of his generosity: he had Brown chauffeured in his Rolls Royce and gave her a credit card, saying 'it will make me happy' if she uses it. But, she claims, she gave it him back after a couple of weeks.

EDDIE MURPHY: FATHER OF TEN Paulette McNeely Eric Murphy (1989) Tamara Hood Christian Murphy (1990) Nicole Mitchell (1993-2006) Bria (1989) Miles (1992) Shayne (1994) Zola (1999) Bella (2002) Mel B Angel Iris Murphy Brown (2007) Paige Butcher (present) Izzy Oona Murphy (2016) Unborn baby boy (2018) Advertisement

The former Spice Girl - who recently claimed she was entering rehab for alcohol and sex addiction - said their relationship was 'incredibly special' but says they didn't have sex until six weeks after meeting.

She recalls going out to buy some green see-through underwear embroidered with cherries and cracking jokes about 'popping my cherry'.

'When it happened it wasn't sex. It was like poetry, every touch, every kiss every sense out of this world. We were both completely besotted with each other,' she writes.

Mel says her family approved of Murphy because they'd never seen her so 'blissed out'.

'Every day I would wake up and he'd tell me I was the most beautiful, incredible woman. I never felt so loved,' she wrote.

She claims it was Murphy, not her, who pushed for their relationship to go to the next level. He told Mel he wanted to get married and have a baby with her after just a few weeks, she writes, but that he insisted on asking her dad Martin, a welder from Leeds, in the north of England, for her hand first.

Mel recalls how her dad flew over from the UK and Murphy booked the dining room at Viceroy L'Ermitage - an old style, upscale hotel in Beverly Hills.

Murphy impressed Martin and asked if he could marry his daughter.

'Dad said, "Yes." Which was a relief because I had already designed a beautiful wedding ring from Cartier,' wrote Mel.

They planned to marry at Christmas. Mel writes that she got pregnant by Murphy while on vacation with him in Mexico in July, 2006  and that while their relationship ended contentiously, the discovery that she was expecting was a moment of pure joy.

When she took a pregnancy test in her en-suite bathroom in Murphy's mansion back in LA the line turned blue. She ran over to his en-suite where they 'jumped aroundlaughing and crying' with delight.

Mel says it was Murphy who suggested they marry after months of dating. She writes how the actor asked her father Martin (pictured right with Mel and her ex-husband Stephen Belafonte) for her hand in marriage

In the book, Mel insists she and Murphy were together for nine months total.

'Eddie made me happier than any man I'd ever met.' Mel gushed. The relationship was going so well, Mel says, that Murphy soon asked her and her daughter Phoenix to move in with him.

But Mel was reluctant and cracks began to emerge in the relationship  and she calls her life in his home 'a gilded cage'.

Murphy did not want her to leave the house, even for coffee, saying that someone could fetch it, and was a 'germ freak' paranoid about security.

At night, she claims, he had a routine of going round his house making sure everything was locked and double locked.

As the months passed by more issues arose. Mel said she began to dislike living in a crowded house all the time and became acutely aware that a lot of his friends didn't like her, while she began to dislike following Murphy's strict rules.

The fact she bought Tampax would get reported back, she claims, Murphy insisted his people book her flights for any trips she took and Mel claims he even had her watched on nights out with friends.

'Nothing was really in my control,' she explains, adding: 'I knew I could never like this and be part of Eddie's kingdom.'

Mel suggested they buy a house together and split their time between properties, but the idea fell flat with Murphy.

Then in December after the couple had had rows over the house situation, Mel told Murphy she needed a break and was flying back home to Leeds for a few days to think things over.

He asked her: 'Are you insane? What do you need to think about?'

Mel admits she went into 'shutdown' and decided she had to get away.

'It had all got too much,' she explains in the book.

Back in Leeds Murphy was calling Mel on her cell constantly, so she switched it off.

Mel B details her romance with the actor in her memoir, Brutally Honest, released on November 27, 2018

He started calling her friends and had a long chat with her mother Andrea, professing his love for her daughter, but still she ignored him for another day.

By the time she cleared her head she jumped back on a flight hoping to make it up with Murphy.

'I loved this man. He loved me and we would make it work,' she writes.

What she didn't know, however, was that as she was on the plane, Murphy was walking the red carpet to promote his film, Dreamgirls.

A Dutch TV reporter approached him, asking about his relationship with Mel.

'So are you happy with her?' said the reporter. 'Because she is pregnant from your child.'

Eddie's responded: 'You're being presumptuous, because we're not together anymore, and I don't know whose child that is until it comes out and has a blood test. You shouldn't jump to conclusions, sir.'

The words sparked a media frenzy and Mel was met by a sea of reporters at LAX airport as she returned from time with her family.

Mel says that to this day she has no clue why he said what he said and his 'hideous' words have 'haunted' her ever since.

On the way back from the airport Murphy called her. 'I was caught off guard,' Murphy said.

'I didn't know what was going on with us. I didn't know what to say.'

She called Murphy one last time later that day and said to him: 'Thanks a lot. That was really f**king stupid of you to say that. I can't forgive you for this and I'm going to make you do a DNA test.'

Murphy replied coldly: 'Well you left me.' Mel says that she told him that by traveling to see her family she was not ending the relationship, and insists in the book that it was her who then left him.

Mel admits she tried calling him back in the days afterwards to see if she could make amends, but she was met by a wall of silence.

But the fallout had a dramatic impact and she felt judged by others.

She writes: 'I was a joke. I was a gold-digger. A tramp. A woman who had conned a man into having a baby. A 32-year-old woman soon to give birth to a child whose father had refused to acknowledge or claim.'

Mel gave birth to Angel Iris Murphy Brown, on Murphy's 46th birthday, April 3, 2007. On June 22, 2007, the star's reps announced that a DNA test had confirmed that Murphy was the father.

Initially Murphy - who now has nine children with five different women, and whose partner Paige Butcher is expecting his tenth - repeatedly refused to have anything to do with Mel or their child, with reports claiming he insisted that she had tricked him into getting pregnant.

But the actor eventually had a change of heart.

In the book, Mel claims that thanks to his mom, Lillian Lynch, Angel was reunited with her dad in May, 2017 and the two now have a close relationship.

Mel has had to be careful what she says about Murphy in her book, however.

And it's unclear whether the final version will be different to the draft seen by DailyMailTV.

According to reports the pair struck a 2007 hush deal while coming to a financial settlement over Angel's child support. Brutally Honest is out on November 27.Uber has been valued at $120billion by banks which are bidding to take it public next year.

The company accepted proposals from Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan last month which puts it on track to achieve the biggest ever IPO when it eventually goes public late next year.

The Wall Street Journal reported details of the proposals on Tuesday morning. Neither bank nor Uber has commented since.

It means that the company will only have to float 20 percent of its stock to beat the current record for the largest IPO which is held by Alibaba.

It marks an astonishing turnaround for the company which named a new CEO last August after a series of embarrassing public scandals and lawsuits.

Uber has been valued at $120billion by banks which are bidding to take it public next year

Uber has fought over the last year to regain stakeholder faith after a series of public scandals and corporate restructuring.

BIGGEST US IPOs Alibaba: $21.8billion, 2014 Visa: $17.9billion, 2008 EnelSpa: $16.5billion, 1999 Facebook: $16billion, 2012 General Motors: $15.8billion, 2010 Advertisement

Its largest stakeholder is SoftBank Group Corp which purchased shares from other investors in January this year at a discounted price after the departure of then CEO Travis Kalanick.

Softbank is enthusiastic about the planned IPO.

Its most recent valuation, before the IPO proposals, put its worth at between $68 billion and $72billion.

Kalanick still owns seven percent of the company compared to Softbank's 15.

Other investors include venture capitalist firms and notable individuals including Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Jay Z.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi (left) was brought in to replace embattled founder Travis Kalanick (right) last August

Uber is one of a batch of privately held companies in Silicon Valley known as unicorns.

They share one common characteristic - they are all valued at over $1billion but none is publicly traded.

Others include Airbnb, Elon Musk's SpaceX, WeWork, Pinterest and Lyft, which is racing to go public before its competitor.

On Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Lyft had selected underwriters JP Morgan Chase to take it public in the first half of 2019.

It was valued at $15billion earlier this year.

Amazon went public in 1997 at an underwritten price of $384million. By the end of trading on its first day, it was valued at $438million.

Alibaba went public in 2014 at $21billion. A soon-following option to buy additional shares boosted its worth $25billion.

Other notable US IPOs in the last decade have included Facebook, Visa and General Motors.Two preschool educators have been fired from a daycare in Chile after shocking surveillance camera footage showed them abusing children in their care.

Alicia Lazo Duran and Maria Fernanda Ruiz were let go by managers at the Mazapan Preschool in the town of Los Condes in the capital of Santiago after the video of them mistreating the toddlers surfaced.

Consuelo Edwards, whose daughter attends the school, was horrified when she saw images from October 8.

The distraught mother now fears what other type of abuse will be exposed once the investigation into the accusations of is completed.

Children enrolled in the school are between 36 months and four years old.

An educator at a preschool in Chile forcefully grabs a little girl by her arm after she was arguing with another child over a toy

'It makes you want to vomit. It's violent. It is very sad. It is painful,' Edwards told Television Nacional de Chile [TVN].

'It is a place where children are left to be educated and educated with love. And you leave them with full confidence and you feel that you failed in many things.'

Video captures a normal occurrence between two kids

The footage shows them disagreeing about a toy after they tried to take it away from one another.

Seconds later, one of the educators gets up from a chair and forcefully pulls a little girl by her left arm before she uses additional force to sit her down.

The parent of the child in question said he felt helpless once he saw the amount of force the preschool teacher utilized in disciplining his daughter.

Consuelo Edwards, whose daughter is one of the children that were abused, used her Twitter account to expose the accused educators, Alicia Lazo Duran (left) and Maria Fernanda Ruiz (right)

Jose Luis is the parent of the minor who arm was violently pulled by a preschool educator after the child was arguing with a peer over who could play with a toy

Consuelo Edwards shared images of children in her daughter's preschool class being beaten by two educators who have been fired from the Chilean learning center

A girl at a preschool in Chile hops on top of a chair before an educator disciplines her by hitting her head and pushing her forward before delivering another blow to the child's body

Jose Luis approached the site director and the owner of the preschool, but both informed him they were unaware of the beatings.

'You are helpless knowing that my daughter was practically there for a year and already knowing about this saddens me,' the concerned dad told TVN as he replayed the original footage on his cell phone.

One of the accused educators had been employed at the site for two years while the other had been working there for just two months.

TVN showed additional worrisome footage of the neglect handed out by both women.

At one point an educator could be seen trying to get the children to rest by having all of them lay their little heads on top of the tables.

Moments later the educator shoves the child's head into the table because he wouldn't oblige her instructions.

During a rest period session at a preschool in Chile, an educator grabs a child's head and forces it against the table as other children looked on

When a girl steps atop a chair and hurries behind a curtain, an educator approaches from behind. slaps her head, pushes her forward before striking her once again.

The surveillance video also shows an educator carrying a child in her arms and then kicking at a little girl who was sitting on the floor as a form to get her to move out of the way.

Another child is spanked in another incident while another girl could be seen been led away by the pulling of her hair.

'We sympathize with families and we understand the impotence,' the Mazaplan Preschool said in a statement.

'The educators were immediately dismissed.'This is the cramped, shabby Liverpool home of suicide bomber Enzo Almeni, from where he plotted to carry out his failed Poppy Day attack and made pizzas in his spare time. Almeni, 32, who was born Emad Jamil Al-Swealmeen, is believed to have been living in the terraced property in the Kensington area of the city, which he shared with three other asylum seekers, for more than a year. It had been converted from three bedrooms to four and was managed by Serco, which provides housing for asylum seekers and is valued at around 70,000. Asylum seekers have been housed there for the past ten years. One former resident told MailOnline that he often complained to Serco officials about conditions inside the home and pleaded with them to move him, which they eventually did in early 2020. TJ Jayaweera, 29 an asylum seeker from Sri Lanka revealed that the bedroom walls were made of thin plywood and it was difficult to sleep at night because of continual noise. Mr Jayaweera, who lived in the property for almost three years moaned: 'It was filthy and very noise and horrible to live in. There were a lot of asylum seekers like me coming and going but I was there for the longest period of time. The place was filthy and not very well maintained. It was a struggle to live there but I didn't have any other choice. It's been used to house asylum seekers for almost ten years.'A man is being sought by police for allegedly threatening a woman with a hammer for refusing to speak with him.

Delaware State Police say the unidentified man followed a 31-year-old woman around the aisles at a store, prompting her to leave out of discomfort on Sunday.

He then followed her in his own car to a Wawa convenience store, where he blocked her car so she couldn't escape.

Delaware State Police released a photo showing a man they are looking for who followed a woman and threatened her with a hammer for refusing to speak with him in Wilmington, Delaware

Police say he banged on her window, demanding she get out and talk to him at the Wawa on the 2000 block of Limestone Road just after 4.30pm.

When she refused, he went to his car to retrieve hammer out and began waving it at her.

The woman stayed in the car until he eventually left, but not before snapping a photo of him.

He's seen in her photo wearing a red plaid shirt and jean. He has a facial hair and tattoos on his right arm.

Police say he drives a brown or grey Ford Explorer and is described as a 5-foot-9 Hispanic male, between the ages of 30 and 35.

The state police are asking for anyone who knows the man to contact Delaware crime stoppers.About Me Scott Because prophetic scriptures are found throughout the bible, it is obvious that a comprehensive, systematic approach would be useful, if not necessary, for the understanding of prophecy. Past prophecies have been fulfilled in a literal manner, as confirmed by the dating of these writings and historical records of confirmation. These past prophecies also serve as a model of how to interpret future prophecies. A literal view of prophecy clearly indicates a certain sequence of events will occur within a single generation, concluding with the Tribulation and Second Advent and these events will be obvious. The prophetic signs appear to be present in this generation and we believe these signs are revealed in the news from around the world. View my complete profilePlaytime Beds boss Craig Williams (pictured arriving at Leeds Crown Court today) denies manslaughter by gross negligence and fraud

A seven-month-old baby wouldn't have died if a bed manufacturer had followed safety guidelines, a court heard.

Tiny Oscar Abbey tragically choked to death on November 3 2016, after sleeping in a bed designed and constructed by Playtime Beds Limited.

Today at Leeds Crown Court jurors heard company director Craig Williams, 37, who is on trial for the manslaughter of Oscar, failed to meet basic guidelines.

The court heard that by British standards, the bed should have had an age restriction label on its structure.

Safety guidelines say raised beds like Oscar's need to have an age restriction of over six, despite the jury hearing yesterday that Williams said it was suitable for any age.

Simon Stokes, who works as a technical consultant and has nearly 24 years' experience, described the bed as 'unsafe'.

He said: 'The safety barriers did not comply with the gap requirements.

'The gap was unacceptable. It was unsafe.

'The risk, in theory, is quite high. If the child was to fall the likely outcome is death.'

Defending, Mr Jason Pitter put to Mr Stokes that, despite what British standards stated, actual bed manufacturing is unregulated.

To which Mr Stokes responded: 'Anyone can make a bed. But to place it on the market you must make it safe.

The parents of the baby boy found him dead with his head through the bars of this 665 cot

'You must comply with the general safety requirements.'

Mr Stokes said bunk beds in particular pose more of a risk for young children.

He said: 'With a bunk bed there is always a risk. You have a young child high up in the air.

'A bunk bed is not suitable for children under six. It is the manufacturer's responsibility to educate parents to what is suitable.

'People assume everything that is for sale is safe.

'If he [the defendant] had followed the standards, what happened to Oscar wouldn't have happened.'

Giving evidence this afternoon Home office pathologist Dr Peter Cooper, said baby Oscar died from 'positional asphyxia'.

He said his breathing could have been compromised by his positioning when found.

Dr Cooper also told the jury it was 'his understanding' Oscar's head would not fit through the holes in the front of his cot.

He agreed with the prosecutor that Oscar's position would be 'consistent' with his death.

Williams (pictured) from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, denies manslaughter by gross negligence and fraud

Dr Cooper said: 'Having excluded other causes of death, I concluded the cause of his death was positional asphyxia.'

He told the jury at Leeds Crown Court Oscar's head was 14mm larger than the hole in the front of the cot.

Dr Cooper also told the court that baby Oscar was otherwise healthy and had no history of medical issues during his life.

Craig Williams had declined liability insurance for his business three years before the death of seven-month-old Oscar, the court heard.

In a statement from a technical manager of insurance company, Trade Direct Insurance, the jury were told Williams had called up on multiple occasions during 2013.

During evidence read by prosecutor, John Elvidge QC, the court heard that during one phone call, Williams explained he made and fitted beds for children.

Mr Elvidge told the court that Williams had said: 'If something happened and a child hurt themselves I would need something to cover that kind of thing'.

When offered liability insurance of 73.46 annually over the phone in October 2013, Mr Elvidge told the court, Williams replied, 'I don't want to obviously do this today' before the call ended.

Williams never took the insurance policy, the court was told.

The defendant had rented a unit in May 2015 in Sheffield, South Yorks., for the Playtime Beds company before later renting a neighbouring unit, the jury heard.

In November 2016, following Oscar's death, Williams informed the sale administrator for the units that he would be looking to end the rent agreement.

However, later that month, Williams returned to the units to inform the administrator he was looking to transfer one of the units to a 'family member' under a new name, the court heard.

On November 21, Williams attended the units with Joseph Bruce and said Bruce would be taking the business on under 'a different name', the jury heard.

Three days later, Williams called the sales administrator to ask if his name would be taken off the agreement and she replied that it would.

Williams, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, denies manslaughter by gross negligence and fraud.

The trial is expected to last two weeks.Mary Ann McCarty, 32, secretly recorded the Snapchat video of the 45-year-old man while she was working at the care facility in Portland, Oregon, back in January

A female caregiver has avoided jail after she posted a nude video of an overweight disabled patient on Snapchat.

Mary Ann McCarty, 32, secretly recorded the video of the 45-year-old man while she was working at the care facility in Portland, Oregon, back in January.

McCarty posted the video on Snapchat and made fun on the patient's body size, saying he eats too much.

She also complained the man got on her nerves.

The footage was handed over to police by someone who knew McCarty. She was then fired by the care facility.

McCarty faced court on Monday where she pleaded guilty to one count of invasion of personal privacy in the first degree.

She was sentenced to three years probation after the victim agreed to her charge to a misdemeanor because he didn't want her to suffer in prison, the Oregonian reports.

'I'm not angry at her... I pity her,' the victim told the court via phone on Monday.

'Are you an evil person? I don't know. But you have no compassion. And you are selfish. You are childish and immature for doing what you did.'

A tearful McCarty apologized to the victim, saying: 'I don't know what I was thinking,' McCarty said.

'I'm very sorry... and nothing like this is ever going to happen. I'm like so embarrassed because I'm 32, and I'm getting in trouble.'

In addition to probation, McCarty has been ordered to take anti-bullying classes.A Texas judge told a convicted child killer that 'he should die in a locked closet' for savagely beating his girlfriend's four-year-old daughter to death.

Leiliana Wright was severely beaten and 'strung up' by an array of belts in a closet in her Grand Prairie home as punishment when she died in March 2016.

She died suffering blunt force injuries to her head and stomach.

On Wednesday, Charles Wayne Phifer, 36, received an automatic life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murder.

'Hanging a little girl in a locked closet was savage. You should die in a locked closet,' State District Judge Robert Burns told Phifer.

'I think this is the worst case I've ever seen,' Burns told Phifer.

Texas Judge Robert Burns (right) told convicted child killer, Charles Wayne Phifer (left), 36, that 'he should die in a locked closet' for savagely beating four-year-old Leiliana Wright to death

Leiliana (pictured) was beaten to death in her Texas home in March 2016. Phifer was convicted of beating her to death with a bamboo switch and holding her up by belts in a closet

Photos of the child show the horrific abuse she's suffered over the years including a black eye, a puffy eye, and bruises on her jaw

According to Dallas News, the jurors deliberated for about four hours before delivering the guilty verdict.

Last week, gut-wrenching photos revealed the horrific abuse Leiliana suffered before she was beaten to death.

Her injuries so grisly, Grand Prairie police Sgt Brad Makovy claimed 'it was the worst thing I've ever seen inflicted on a child' as he testified at Phifer's capital murder trial last Thursday.

Pictures showed the child with a black eye, a bruise on her cheek near her jaw, and in some shocking photos she can barely open one of her eyes, puffy from the abuse.

An investigator who snapped photos of Leiliana's body said nurses and officers were crying outside of the child's hospital room 'because she was severely beaten'.

In his testimony, Sergeant Makovy recalled how he interviewed the child's mother Jeri Quezada, 33, who was hesitant to talk and faces 50 years in jail for her part in young Leiliana's death.

Quezada will be formally sentenced by the judge Wednesday. Quezada testified against her former boyfriend last week.

She told the court that Phifer tied Leiliana up in the closet in a way so that she couldn't sit down.

He then lifted her by the throat and threw her into the closet so forcefully it left an indentation. She said he did this because she refused to eat, according to NBCDFW.

Leiliana was reportedly sick and vomiting days prior to her death.

Leiliana's mother Jeri Quezada (right), 33, faces 50 years in jail for her part in the child's death. Quezada will be formally sentenced by the judge Wednesday. She testified against Phifer (left) last week

Investigators testified in court last week that they had never seen such horrific abuse inflicted on a child. Leiliana pictured above

Quezada said that Leiliana's hands were tied behind her back with electrical wire and something was tied around her stomach when she was strung up in the dark closet where she died.

Pictures of the crime scene shown to the jury displayed a bamboo switch that Phifer beat Leiliana to death with.

Her jeans were also displayed to the jury tangled up in three belts.

Quezada told police she left the child in her boyfriend's care because she was frustrated and needed 'a break'. She was out at dinner with her mother while Phifer was home with Leiliana.

She came home, she used heroin with Phifer, then asked about the child. Phifer responded saying the child was hung in the closet.

He put her there after he claimed she fell in the shower.

Quezada - who has a history of child abuse - allegedly previously told police that she kicked and slapped her daughter as discipline.

When questioned about it in court last week she said she couldn't remember telling police such details.

Leiliana was home with her mother's boyfriend Phifer at the time of her death in March 2016. Her mother went to dinner, came home and took heroin, then asked about the child. Phifer said she was hung in the closet

The child's grandmother reported the abuse to child services in Texas. A caseworker came and neglected to perform a background check on Quezada - a convicted felon with a history of child abuse - and allowed the mother to stay with Leiliana and her younger brother

Quezada (pictured with Leiliana) allegedly told police she would slap and kick Leiliana as discipline. When asked about that last week, she said she couldn't remember telling police those details

Leiliana's grandmother raised alarm about the child abuse to Child Protective Services sending in a photo of Leiliana with a black eye.

In February 2016 a caseworker went to the home and found Leiliana and her younger brother with Quezada and let her remain with the children.

The caseworker neglected to do a background check which would have shown that Quezada is a convicted felon with a history of child abuse that saw her lose custody of her three older children.

Quezada's mother Adeline Carr also testified in court last week that she lived with her for a couple months before Leiliana's death and described how skittish the child was.

'At first, she was very frightened of every strange noise or loud noise,' Carr said in court.

She described Leiliana as quiet and shy, who stared at things rather than speaking up and asking for them.

Carr said Quezada would tell Leiliana it was okay to come out of her bedroom after waking each morning, but the child would stay in her room unless instructed she could leave.

Quezada pleaded guilty to felony injury to a child in July 2017 and is testifying against Phifer as a part of a plea deal.This shocking video shows a mother cradling a baby while perched between two speeding train carriages.

The woman can be seen sitting on the railway couplings with one hand around the child and the other hanging on to the train, with the ground speeding by underneath.

Onlookers said the woman had failed to get a seat inside the carriages while travelling in Bihar, India.

A video has emerged of a mother (pictured) and baby sitting between two carriages

One local said: 'The woman had asked for a seat but the passengers who were able to secure the seat first refused to give it to her.'

There is nothing to stop the woman, or her baby, from falling directly onto the tracks.

The footage comes just days after five people were killed and six seriously injured after they were run over by a train at Bhabua railway station in Kaimur district of Bihar.

The mother (pictured) holds on with one hand, with nothing to stop her falling onto the tracks

It was peak hour at the notoriously busy train station and as there was no room to disembark the train in the usual way so several chose to get down from the other side.

As people were walking across the tracks to the platform a speeding express train came through and hit the large group, killing five people.Advertisement

Pippa Middleton has become a mother for the first time after giving birth to a baby boy weighing 8lb and 9oz.

The 35-year-old was seen entering the private maternity ward yesterday at 10.30am ahead of her husband James Matthews and she gave birth just over three hours later, at 1.58pm.

Her baby was delivered at the 7,500-a-night Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, the same private maternity unit where her older sister, the Duchess of Cambridge, gave birth to her three children.

The little boy is the cousin of future King Prince George, five, his brother Prince Louis, five months, and their sister Princess Charlotte, three. This afternoon William and Kate said they were 'thrilled' for the new parents.

Mr Matthews was seen running up the steps into the hospital shortly after 10am this morning, carrying a duffle bag and seemingly in the same clothes he wore on Monday.

The couple went to the hospital just hours after Prince Harry - her sister Kate's brother-in-law - announced he and wife Meghan Markle are set to have their first baby next Spring.

Pippa Middleton (left) at the royal wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in Windsor last Friday. Her husband James was seen running into the maternity unit this morning (right)

Pippa's husband James Mathews was seen running into the Lido Wing in London this morning at 10.15am

A spokesman for Kensington Palace said the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge 'are thrilled for Pippa and James.' Prince William today hosted a reception for the British divers involved in the rescue of 12 boys from a cave in Thailand (pictured)

Kate attended Princess Eugenie's wedding at Windsor Castle on Friday along with William, Harry, Meghan and fellow royals

Pippa, who was wearing a long blue coat, white shoes and sunglasses, was seen smiling as she entered the Lindo Wing on Monday, a little more than 48 hours after she attended Princess Eugenie's royal wedding in Windsor last Friday.

A spokeswoman for Pippa Middleton and her husband said: 'James and Pippa have had a baby boy.

'He was born Monday 15th October at 1.58pm, weighing 8lb and 9oz. Everyone is delighted and mother and baby are doing well.'

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Kensington Palace said this afternoon that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge 'are thrilled for Pippa and James.'

Compared: Middleton and royal baby weights Kate Middleton and Prince William: Prince Louis: 8lbs 7oz (2018) Princess Charlotte: 8lbs 3oz (2015) Prince George: 8lb 6oz (2013) Pippa Middleton and James Matthews: Unnamed boy: 8lb 9oz (2018) Prince Charles and Princess Diana: William: 7lb 1.5oz (1982) Harry: 6lb 14oz (1984) Advertisement

Mr Matthews was carrying a 78 Cam Cam Copenhagen baby changing bag and a 37 Nobodinoz Loz Angeles weekend bag, both said to have been bought from luxury retailer Scandiborn - when the pair went into the hospital on Monday.

Kate suffered from severe morning sickness when she was expecting her children, but Pippa has boasted that she was enjoying a Zen-like pregnancy - using meditation to cope with the last few weeks before she gives birth.

The socialite attended the royal wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle last Friday, sitting in the front row of the nave at St George's Chapel with her husband plus her brother James Middleton.

Pippa was wearing a bespoke Emilia Wickstead dress and had to hold onto her hat in high winds as she arrived for the ceremony, which came five months after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex got married at the same chapel.

Pippa, her husband and her brother were in the very first seats just inside the West Door for the wedding which featured a host of A-list stars including Robbie Williams, Demi Moore and Naomi Campbell.

Pippa - who lives with her husband in a 17million mansion in Chelsea, West London, following their wedding in May last year - was also spotted visiting the Lindo Wing a fortnight ago on October 2.

James Matthews carries two large bags into the Lindo Wing yesterday at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, West London

James Matthews, carrying a 78 Cam Cam Copenhagen baby changing bag and another holdall, entered the hospital on Monday

Mr Matthews arrived at the private maternity unit three days after attending Eugenie's wedding with Pippa in Windsor

Pippa Middleton is joined by her husband James Matthews (left) and brother James Middleton (right) at last Friday's wedding

Inside the 7,500-a-night Lindo Wing with the world's best doctors on tap and Champagne on the wine list With its gourmet menu, luxury toiletries and personalised care, The Lindo Wing offers a quality of service worthy of a five-star hotel. So it is of little surprise Pippa Middleton followed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in selecting the exclusive maternity ward at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, central London, for the birth of her first child. With such high-profile patients and prices starting at 5,900 for a one-night stay - rising to 6,275 for a deluxe package and even higher for the ward's suites - very few will ever experience the luxury of the Lindo. The latest price list, from July 2017 to March 2018, states that a standard room package, including a one-night stay, costs from 5,900, while a deluxe package is 6,275 All meals are freshly prepared in a dedicated kitchen (right) and there is even an afternoon tea service, for parents to celebrate their new arrival (left) In the Lindo Wing, parents-to-be are given a bespoke experience akin to a five-star hotel with en suite rooms available (stock image) Services available include: Patients are each given a private room with their own en suite bathroom. Deluxe rooms or suites are available for patients who require extra space. The rooms offer satellite TV with major international channels, a radio, bedside phone and fridge. Free WiFi is available throughout and the hospital provides a choice of daily newspapers. Extensive menus cater for special dietary, cultural and religious requirements. Wine list is available with Champagne on offer. Range of optional extras are available, including the afternoon tea service. In-room services for new parents including massages. The wings facilities include a secure, supervised nursery, so parents can enjoy much-needed rest Exceptional levels of discretion and care, perfect for high-profile parents. A police officer stands outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital as Kate was admitted after going in to labour With its gourmet menu, luxury toiletries and personalised care, The Lindo Wing offers a quality of service worthy of a five-star hotel Advertisement

The highly-respected hospital is known for providing a premium service for its clients. Patients are each given a private room with their own en suite bathroom, as well as satellite TV offering 'major international channels'.

Gourmet food is also available via the wing's extensive menus, while new parents are also offered a wine list to celebrate their new arrival. A standard room at the wing costs 5,900, while a deluxe room starts at 6,275.

The price for a stay in one of the unit's suites - where Kate is believed to have given birth - is available on request, but is thought to be closer to 7,500.

Pippa appears to have taken her pregnancy in her stride, keeping up her fitness regime throughout.

Writing in her Waitrose Weekend column, Pippa explained: 'As the final month nears and the bump grows prouder each day, movement is certainly getting more awkward.

'As a result, one of the biggest changes is that my lower body has tightened up. The knock-on effect is making my back and sacrum both uncomfortable and achy. The transformations to my body that are taking place as it prepares for childbirth have meant that the sound sleeps and the baby bubble effect have gone. Reality is finally kicking in.

'Perhaps this is the body's way of making sure that you get in tune with what lies ahead.'

Pippa also said she had signed up to a beginners' meditation class, which would involve learning how to meditate twice daily for 20 minutes while chanting a mantra.

She previously revealed how she had been turning to barre-style workouts and swimming during pregnancy.

It comes as Kensington Palace announced yesterday morning that an overjoyed Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting a baby. The couple shared the news with the Queen and Royal Family at Eugenie's wedding.

Meghan, who wed Harry just five months ago, has had her 12 week scan and is believed to be due in late April.

Earlier today Meghan wore a figure-hugging dress showing her baby bump today and said she and Harry can't wait to be parents, declaring: 'We're ready! We're excited to join the club'.

The royal couple have taken Australia by storm as they started their historic first international tour together also taking in New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga over the next 16 days.

Meghan and Harry have sparked a whirlwind by announcing they are having their first child just hours after touching down in Sydney.

They had told the Queen and the rest of the royal family their happy news at Princess Eugenie's Windsor Castle wedding on Friday before boarding a commercial flight to Australia via Singapore over the weekend.

The Duke and Duchess have been greeted by huge crowds desperate to see them and congratulate them about their baby, who will be seventh in line to the throne and is due in late April next year.

Today - the first full day of their tour - culminated in a Sydney reception at the grand Admiralty House overlooking the city's opera house where Meghan said she and her husband are 'excited' about becoming parents.

Meghan, who wore butterfly earrings and a gold bracelet belonging to Princess Diana in a touching tribute to Harry's mother, spoke to Australian TV personality Eddie Woo, 33, and conversation turned towards parenthood.

When he said that his own children - aged five, seven and 10 - require 'a lot of energy', she replied: 'We're ready! We're excited to join the club'.

Harry then told guests: 'Thank you for the incredibly warm welcome and the chance to meet so many Aussies from all walks of life. And we also genuinely couldn't think of a better place to announce the upcoming baby, be it a boy or a girl.'

The Lindo Wing is part of St Mary's Hospital, which was first founded in 1845, making it 173 years old.

It is an NHS hospital with a private wing, which was named after hospital board member Frank Charles Lindo after he donated 111,500.

A host of celebrities and royals have given birth at the unit, including Amal Clooney, who gave birth to twins last year.

St Mary's Hospital also has a special care section, The Winnicott Baby Unit.

It can look after up to 18 babies at a time in intensive care, high dependency or special care.

Around 350 premature or sick newborn babies are cared for each year by the multidisciplinary team .

The Lindo Wing was re-opened in June 2012 after extensive refurbishment.

Prince William was born at 9.03pm on June 21, 1982, weighing 7lb 1.5oz in the same wing.

He made his public debut with his parents outside the hospital, wrapped in a white blanket carried in the arms of his mother Diana, with the Prince of Wales at their side.

Harry was born in the same exclusive wing just over two years later.

Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte were also born in the private wing.

The hospital is also known for going above and beyond to provide premium aftercare for its discerning clients.

A brochure for the wing reveals how each room comes equipped with satellite TV offering 'major international channels'.

For parents looking to get away from the screen there is also a 'radio, bedside phone and a fridge'. A wide selection of newspapers and free WiFi is also available.

Patients are also offered a wine list - including Champagne - and can have afternoon tea delivered to the room.Former Donald Trump campaign advisor Carter Page is suing the Democratic National Committee and a prominent law firm over their role in the creation of the 'dirty dossier,' which he claims contains 'lies' that brought him ridicule.

Page, who was the subject of multiple surveillance warrants in 2016 and whose 2016 trip to Moscow and Russia contacts drew scrutiny during the onset of the Russia probe, is claiming the dossier damaged his career and reputation.

'It goes beyond any damages or any financial aspects,' Page told conservative Fox News host Sean Hannity, who told him 'this isn't political even in any way, Carter.'

Former Donald Trump campaign advisor Carter Page is suing the Democratic National Committee and a prominent law firm over their role in the creation of the 'dirty dossier'

Page's name appears multiple times in the dossier, which was compiled by ex-British intelligence officer Christopher Steele.

The political intelligence firm Fusion GPS was initially funded by a conservative web site, and later by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Fusion GPS subcontracted Steele to probe Russia ties of Trump and his associates and aides.

'There have been so many lies as youre alluding to and you look at the damage it did to our Democratic systems and you know our institutions of government back in 2016,' Page said on Fox.

'And Im just trying to get some justice, in terms of getting some disclosure,' he said.

His suit targets Perkins Coie, the law firm that paid Fusion GPS for its research on behalf of Clinton. Page also said it goes after a few of the firm's partners.

The New York Post reported that Page is seeking in excess of $75,000 in damages, the dossier having 'directly exposed Dr. Page to public hatred, contempt, ridicule and obloquy  and injured him severely in all his occupations, and tended to scandalize both his colleagues and friends.

Fusion GPS hired ex British intelligence officer Christopher Steele to help produce what became the dossier

Fox News host Sean Hannity questioned Page (l) about his suit, along with reporter John Solomon

Hannity told Page, who was known to U.S. intelligence for years: 'You also helped your government ... and they haven't indicted you.'

A Russian tried to recruit Page in 2013. The FBI interviewed him at the time and concluded Page hadn't known the man was a spy, and did not accuse him of wrongdoing, the New York Times reported.

Amidst the Russia probe, Page has taken on a visible role through TV appearances, while also testifying for hours before congressional investigators.

He fired off a blistering 2017 letter to the Justice Department comparing himself to civil rights martyr Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The actions by the Clinton regime and their associates may be among the most extreme examples of human rights violations observed during any election in U.S. history since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was similarly targeted for his antiwar views in the 1960s.

He accused them of 'disinformation, suppression of dissent, hate crimes and other extensive abuses.'A 'heartbroken' British model, 21, died suddenly at home following a night out with friends - just 10 months after her mother died of cancer.

Mairead O'Neill, from south Belfast, could not be saved by emergency services after she was found unconscious.

Model agency boss Cathy Martin said Miss O'Neill had hit an 'impasse' after her mother's death left her heartbroken and 'struggling terribly'.

Scroll down for video.

Mairead O'Neill (pictured, right and left, in her final post on Instagram) reportedly hit an 'impasse' last night after months of struggling with her mother's death

The young model (pictured with her mother, Karen Felan) was devastated when she lost her mother to bowel cancer

In the months leading up to her death, Miss Martin says that supportive friends encouraged Miss O'Neill (pictured) to reach out in her times of need

Miss Martin - who worked with Miss O'Neill for six years - told Belfast Live: 'We dont know exactly what happened but she has been having a very difficult time following the death of her mum from bowel cancer.

'She had a lot of support but her heart was broken. Its so sad to think that she is gone now too.'

The fashion industry boss praised her as a smart, grounded university graduate with a 'Kardashian look' but emphasised that she was 'utterly devastated' when her mother, Karen Pelan, died 10 months ago.

She said that the grief has overwhelmed Miss O'Neill to such an extent that she was sometimes unable to model, adding: 'She hit an impasse last night and today she is not here to talk to. Rest in Peace Mairead.'

Miss O'Neill (pictured) reportedly hit an 'impasse' last night, according to Cathy Martin, who has said that her mother's death was so devastating that it stopped her from performing sometimes

Miss O'Neill (pictured right) modelled at Belfast Fashion Week and worked as a make-up artist for Una Bowman

One of Miss O'Neill's former managers, Cathy Martin, praised her as a smart, grounded university graduate with a 'Kardashian look'

Miss Martin said the young star (pictured) was working to 'keep her head above water' but that her grief and made life 'very hard'

Miss Martin said the model (pictured) had the world at her feet and that her passing would leave many 'totally devastated'

Miss O'Neill modelled at Belfast Fashion Week and worked as a make-up artist for Una Bowman.

Miss Martin said the young star was working to 'keep her head above water' but that her grief and made life 'very hard'.

She added that Miss O'Neill had the world at her feet and that her passing would leave many 'totally devastated'.

In the months leading up to her death, Miss Martin says that supportive friends encouraged her to reach out in her times of need.

Miss O'Neill's friend, Sassie, described her as free-spirited and beautiful as she mourned the loss.

For confidential support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See samaritans.org for details.

Miss O'Neill's (pictured) friend, Sassie, described her as free-spirited and beautiful as she mourned the loss.Heiress and reality queen Paris Hilton says she can't wait to start a family once she gets married - and confirmed her wedding to actor Chris Zylka has been delayed until next year.

Speaking to DailyMailTV as she hosted the Rock The Runway charity event to support kids facing life threatening illnesses, she said: 'I love kids, I feel I'm a kid at heart, I always will be and I love children. They just make me so happy.

'That's why I always love supporting children's causes and making a difference in their lives and just seeing their sweet smiles; they're so innocent.

'I was just with my sister in New York and I was playing with my nieces every single day so I can't wait to have my own kids.'

The fashion icon added that her busy work life means that her wedding originally lined up for this fall, will be pushed back until 2019.

Paris Hilton says she can't wait to start a family once she gets married - and confirmed her wedding to actor Chris Zylka has been delayed until next year

Paris said: 'I love kids, I feel I'm a kid at heart, I always will be and I love children. They just make me so happy. I was just with my sister in New York and I was playing with my nieces every single day so I can't wait to have my own kids.' Pictured: Paris with her nephew Christmas 2016

Admitting the change for the first time on TV, she confirmed: 'Well my schedule is so insane. I just released my 24th fragrance, Platinum Rush.

'So I'm going on a promotional tour through Australia and Dubai and Mexico and Malaysia; basically flying all around the world over the next two months.

'So that's stressful to plan while also having the most hectic schedule in life.'

DailyMailTV can also reveal that Paris has decided to not air the moment she ties the knot for all the world to see.

There was speculation that the 37-year-old was selling her wedding to Chris, 33, to the highest TV bidder - and was set to create an American version of the UK royal wedding.

But in a separate exclusive interview mother, Kathy Hilton insists that plan is now off the table.

'The whole marriage ceremony would not be [aired], but I do believe she would want to share part of it with her fans,' she told DailyMailTV.

Kathy insists the ceremony will be something 'beautiful, tasteful and something that she will love,' adding that because it's in a church the cameras won't be allowed in.

The hotel heiress posed with children as she hosted the Rock The Runway charity event in Hollywood on Saturday to support kids facing life threatening illnesses

She added: 'It's not my wedding, my husband and I just have to pay for it.'

Paris and Chris met at an Oscars after party eight years later but didn't reconnect until two years ago.

Chris proposed to Hilton atop an Aspen mountain in Colorado during the Christmas holidays.

The 20-carat diamond engagement ring, set on platinum split shank halo band with another two carats of diamonds, is worth $2 million.

In her engagement announcement on Instagram, Paris called Chris the 'love of my life' and 'my dream come true.'

Paris was in fine form when she walked the catwalk for last weekend's charity event organized in support of kids facing life threatening illnesses at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

She also spoke about her feelings on how social media has added to her crushed personal time.

'It's very interesting just to see it; you know, my life and everyone's life and social media and how it's completely changed society in so many ways.

'I've been in this industry for so long that it's just a part of my normal life now.'

Paris and Chris met at an Oscars after party eight years later but didn't reconnect until two years ago. Chris proposed to Hilton atop an Aspen mountain in Colorado during the Christmas holidays

The 20-carat diamond engagement ring (pictured), set on platinum split shank halo band with another two carats of diamonds, is worth $2 million

DailyMailTV can also reveal that Paris has decided to not air the moment she ties the knot for all the world to see

Paris showed she was fully on board that she joined the youngsters on stage at the end for the finale, ditching her floral dress for a two piece denim blue jean jacket and jeans.

Our footage shows how the campaigner showed off her dance moves alongside 10-year-old fashion designer Sasha Bogosian and the models.

On stage Paris, who raises large sums for good causes, called the day a 'passion project' as 'Children's Hospital Los Angeles is a very special place where miracles are made everyday.'

Paris joined other stars to support kids at Rock The Runway - which saw kids walk the runway in cool one-of-a-kind splatter painted Levi's denim collection, designed by Children's Hospital LA patient and fashion designer Sasha, who runs her own foundation.An Uber driver is battling to be reunited with his family after his wife's visa was rejected over suspicions that she might be his sister.

Daniel Tadese, who is of Ethiopian descent, has been living in Australia for 11 years.

The 48-year-old Melbourne father is an Australian citizen. His four-year-old son Natnael has been granted citizenship by descent, but his wife has been denied a visa.

Daniel Tadese, who is of Ethiopian descent, has been living in Australia for 11 years. His wife Genet Abebe has had her visa denied after a DNA test raised questions over the couple's relationship

A DNA test from 2012 has raised questions over the couple's relationship, Fairfax reported.

The test suggested they could be half-siblings, as it showed there was a 66 to 1 chance the couple are related.

Mr Tadese, who is an Uber driver, told Fairfax through an interpreter, that there was no chance he was related to his wife.

'I was really shocked, there is no relation whatsoever. We met through her aunty who lives in Melbourne, who I met through the church,' he said.

Mr Tadese and his wife Genet Abebe had been talking over the phone for a few months before Mr Tadese went back to Ethiopia and the pair finally met in person. They were married a short time later in 2012.

They then began applying for the Australian partnership visa.

The partner visa does not require a DNA test but it can be requested if there are concerns that the applicant and sponsor are related.

A DNA test from 2012 has raised questions over the couple's relationship. The test suggested they could be half-siblings, as it showed there was a 66 to 1 chance the couple are related

Mr Tadese has been fighting to be reunited with his family. He does not want his son growing up without knowing him

'Every single time I call he asks 'when are we coming?'. It's so heartbreaking to hear that.'

The case has been going on for six years, costing about $20,000 in legal fees. He is awaiting a hearing date with the Federal Circuit Court.

A spokesman for the Department of Home Affairs said an application for a partner visa cannot be approved on spouse grounds if the Department is not satisfied the relationship is valid under the Marriage Act.

The department would not comment on individual cases due to privacy.A terminally ill woman had her lifelong dream of visiting a lighthouse fulfilled when her hospice nurse and local EMTs whisked her away to one in Massachusetts.

Laura Mullins, 55, has photos and miniature lighthouses decorating her room at the Kindred Hospice in Norwood. The Ohio native asked her nurse, Beverly Bellegarde, to help her see one as she didn't have any family in the area.

Bellegarde reached out to the Brewster Ambulance Service last week, who quickly jumped at the opportunity to help the woman.

Laura Mullins, 55, has photos and miniature lighthouses decorating her room at the Kindred Hospice in Norwood

'These EMTs didn't have to do this. They could have said no. They felt compelled to make this wish come true,' Johnathon Bobbit-Miller, the company's paramedic field training officer and public relations contact, told CBS News.

Mullins, her chaplain and Bellegarde were taken to the Scituate Lighthouse so that the woman could see the structure with her own eyes. EMTs Brian Costa and Era Koroveshi took the trio on the trip that took more than an hour. They were joined by Bobbitt-Miller, too.

The EMTs rolled Mullins so close to the lighthouse that she could touch it with her hand.

The Ohio native asked her nurse, Beverly Bellegarde, to help her see one as she didn't have any family in Massachusetts

Mullins, her chaplain and Bellegarde were taken to the Scituate Lighthouse so that the woman could see the structure with her own eyes

'She asked if she could see both the lighthouse and the harbor, she said that she could hear the waves,' Bobbit-Miller explained. 'Her face was glowing. She sat up and said, "My dream has come true."'

The scene was touching, even for those not a part of the group.

'Even bystanders were standing around and you could see some tears,' Bobbit-Miller said.

'She seemed at such peace. She said, "I'm ready to go now."'

Following the visit to the lighthouse, EMTs stopped at a local McDonald's so that the woman could enjoy her favorite sandwich.

'To provide someone's final wish to see a lighthouse, it was really an amazing experience to be a part of that,' asserted Bobbit-Miller.

He added that the ambulance service would not be submitting a bill for the trip.Zoran Kojic was today starting a one year and 10 month jail sentence and when he is released he must tell police if he wanted to be in the same house as a woman for more than 12 hours

A controlling boyfriend must inform police if he is in a house with any woman for longer than 12 hours after he put his ex through a six-month nightmare of abuse.

Zoran Kojic, from Watford, is starting a one year and 10 month jail sentence after he held a knife to himself and assaulted his ex-partner's friend, who tried to rescue her from his abusive behaviour.

The 34-year-old had isolated the woman after finding her on social media and inviting her to go for a drink with him in December 2017.

He later told her that women were beneath him as he rummaged through her possessions.

The victim, who was with Kojic for six months, was left anxious and depressed by his behaviour but felt unable to leave him as he threatened her with self-harm when she tried to.

She told police she was afraid to leave her home in Watford, for fear Kojic would be waiting for her.

Kojic has admitted coercive and controlling behaviour in an intimate relationship at St Albans Crown Court - a beefed up charge introduced in 2015.

A judge has ordered that he must notify police if he wanted to be in the same house as a woman for more than 12 hours.

His is one of a handful of sentences of its kind in Britain since the first conviction using the 'coercive control' abuse law last year.

Kojic has admitted coercive and controlling behaviour in an intimate relationship at St Albans Crown Court - a beefed up charge introduced in 2015.

A spokesman for Hertfordshire Police today said: 'His behaviour became increasingly overbearing and intense and he began questioning her whereabouts, asking her who she was with and what she was doing. He would go through the victim's phone, accuse her of sleeping with other men and make up rumours to belittle her in front of others.

Five years in jail for those who 'emotionally bully' partners Bullies who emotionally abuse partners face up to five years in prison thanks to the coercive and controlling behaviour in an intimate relationship charge. Under laws which came into force in 2015, anyone who inflicts psychological cruelty on their other halves can be prosecuted  even if there is no direct physical harm. For the first time, domestic abusers who stop short of lashing out at their victims will be targeted with a new offence where there is evidence of coercive and controlling behaviour. This could include preventing a partner from seeing family or friends, keeping them short of money, controlling their social media accounts, spying on their communications or determining aspects of their everyday life, such as when they eat, sleep or even go to the toilet. Prosecutors are determined to tackle the problem of perpetrators who trap their victims in a living hell with repeated threats, humiliation and intimidation. Research has shown that 30 per cent of women  about five million  and 16 per cent of men, or 2.5million, experience domestic abuse during their lives. Advertisement

'She became isolated from her family and friends, and described how Kojic would take over her home and go through her belongings. When she objected, he told her that in his culture, the man 'has the power and that the woman is beneath him'.'

A police spokesman said: 'During the final incident on Saturday, June 23 2018, Kojic held a knife to himself after arguing with the victim and assaulted the victim's friend who had turned up at the address to help. Following the disturbance, the victim bravely made contact with police and Kojic was arrested and charged.'

Kojic, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court after he admitted coercive and controlling behaviour, common assault and failing to comply with Sex Offenders' Register notification requirements.

He was also given a ten-year Criminal Behaviour Order which requires him to notify police should he reside with a female longer than 12 hours.

Police Constable Barnaby Goding, from Hertfordshire Constabulary's Domestic Abuse Investigation Safeguarding Unit, said: 'I want to start by commending the victim in this case, who has been incredibly brave in reporting Kojic's abuse so that he could be brought to justice.

'His controlling behaviour caused the victim to become isolated from her support network of family and friends, which is exactly what he wanted. He showed no thought for her feelings and repeatedly subjected her to emotional abuse.

'I sincerely hope he uses his time in prison to reflect on his actions, and the CBO will ensure that any future relationships are monitored.'Five people have been arrested in a brutal child abuse case in Indiana where a little boy was found with chunks of his scalp missing, his nose septum cut out and fingernails lodged in his cheek.

Police have been investigating the horrific case ever since they were called to the boy's Nappanee home back in March following reports of a child in need.

They found the boy severely malnourished and bearing signs of life-threatening abuse across his entire body.

Doctors later determined the boy would have died within 48 hours had he not been found and treated, according to court documents obtained by the Times Union.

The boy's mother, Rune Springer, and stepfather, Travis Tillotson, were among five people arrested after he was found with life-threatening injuries in Nappanee, Indiana in March

He was missing pieces of his scalp that ranged in size from 1 to 2 inches, his nose septum had been cut and he had fingernails lodged in his cheek that had started to scab over.

The boy's parents told police that another woman, Jammy Stacy, had been caring for the boy for six months. She only returned him the day prior

The boy also had several fractures in both arms, broken arm sockets and multiple broken teeth.

Doctors said the boy had cuts and bruises that were in various stages of healing.

His injuries ranged from several months old to just a few days.

Among the five arrested were the boy's mother, Rune Springer, and his stepfather, Travis Tillotson.

When police spoke to them at their home on March 1, they said the boy had been in the care of another woman, Jammy Stacy, for the past six months.

They told police Stacy had only brought the boy back to their home the day prior.

Springer said she would visit her son at Stacy's home, but the last visit was back in December. Tillotson said he hadn't seen the boy in a year when he was brought back to their home in March.

During the six months that Stacy was the boy's sole carer, she said he would occasionally stay with her aunt, Fayette Robinette, (left) and her mother, Annette Priestly (right)

During the six months that Stacy was the boy's sole carer, she said he would occasionally stay with her aunt, Fayette Robinette, and her mother, Annette Priestly.

Stacy gave authorities permission to search her phone and they uncovered photos of the boy with his injuries.

The timestamps on the photos showed the boy would have been in contact with both Robinette and Priestly at the time.

The boy's parents told police they didn't immediately contact authorities about the injuries because Stacy had warned them they would all be arrested for abuse.

Stacy, Robinette, Springer, and Tillotson were all arrested earlier this year. Priestly was arrested on Sunday. They all face charges of felony neglect.A former Virginia dog kennel owner has been charged with bestiality after she and her husband allegedly had sex with their Doberman named Demon.

Federal agents discovered graphic video of the couple engaging in 'sexual activity' with their dog in their master bedroom.

Christina Patterson, 42, has been charged with six counts of bestiality and six counts of animal cruelty.

The disturbing video was seized last year when Christina's husband Richard Patterson was being investigated for illegally selling firearms.

Former Virginia dog kennel owner Christina Patterson, 42, has been charged with bestiality after she and her husband Richard Patterson allegedly had a threesome with their Doberman

Patterson is pictured here with what appears to be one of his pet dogs. It remains unclear if it is the same Doberman he allegedly had sex with

The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) then began investigating Imperial K-9 LLC, a dog kennel company that was owned at the time by the couple.

Federal agents seized computers from the couple's Suffolk home and discovered the disturbing videos, which were saved on the external hard drive.

Patterson, 47, has not yet been charged in connection to the videos because he is currently being held at Western Tidewater Regional Jail awaiting sentencing on federal charges.

He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and obstruction of justice charges earlier this year.

No state charges can move forward until his 'federal process' is complete, according to the Suffolk Police Department.

As of Monday, Christina Patterson is being held in the same prison as her husband.

Video courtesy of WVEC

The disturbing video was seized last year when Patterson was being investigated for illegally selling firearms. Christina has since been found guilty of helping him buy and sell guns

The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) then began investigating Imperial K-9 LLC (pictured), a dog kennel company that was owned at the time by the couple

Red flags were first raised about the Pattersons in June 2017, when an anonymous tipster reported that Patterson was violating federal firearm laws.

The tipster revealed that Patterson was a convicted felon and illegally selling firearms online and across state borders.

Undercover ATF agents went to Patterson's kennel business on June 21, 2017 and 'discussed purchasing firearms' from him, according to court documents.

A week later, an agent applied for a warrant to search Patterson's home and business.

The next day, ATF agents seized 16 firearms from a safe in the house, as well as ammunition, firearm parts, and firearm accessories.

They also found a box of ammunition in the master bedroom that was sitting right next to court documents listing Patterson's status as a convicted felon.

Federal agents seized computers from the couple's Suffolk home and discovered disturbing videos on the external hard drive. Pictured is Patterson with one of the dogs at the kennel

Patterson has not yet been charged with bestiality or animal cruelty because he is awaiting sentencing on federal charges related to illegal possession of firearms conviction. Patterson is pictured here with a dog at the kennel

In July, the ATF secured additional warrants to search Patterson's electronic media devices 'for evidence of the charged crimes'.

'While reviewing the devices, agents discovered two videos of Defendant and his wife engaging in bestiality with one of their dogs,' court documents state.

An ATF agent alerted the Suffolk Police Department about the videos, as bestiality is a state crime and not a federal crime.

A Suffolk police detective then obtained a state search warrant for the video files and began evaluating whether potential charges could be filed against the couple.

Patterson was arrested in July 2017 for having 17 firearms - including handguns, shotguns, and military-style rifles - and more than 100 rounds of ammunition.

That August, authorities said Christina tried to transfer ownership of the couple's kennel to a third party in an attempt to invalidate a federal search warrant.

The Pattersons had discussed selling the kennel for $50,000 to its new owner earlier in 2017.

Christina was arrested after she tried to transfer ownership of the couple's kennel to a third party in an attempt to invalidate a federal search warrant during Patterson's investigation

But shortly after the criminal proceedings against Patterson began, they just gave it to the woman for free.

Federal agents said Christina tried to use the business' change of address to invalidate the search warrant, according to The Virginian-Pilot.

Patterson's attorney claimed Christina and her husband were trying to distance themselves from the kennel to save it from bad publicity after they were accused of bestiality.

But Patterson was later caught in a recorded phone call from prison admonishing his wife for 'giving them evidence' by trying to change the company's address after the search warrant was already executed.

Christina was found guilty of helping Patterson buy, sell, and keep dozens of guns in their home and then later attempting to obstruct the investigation against him.

Authorities said that in addition to changing the kennel's address, Christina attempted to contact a witness and convince him to generate a false sales receipt that showed she sold him a gun instead of Patterson.

The couple had discussed selling the kennel (pictured) for $50,000 to its new owner earlier in 2017 but gave it to a woman for free after criminal proceedings began against Patterson

Christina was sentenced this July to 12 months in prison and six months under house arrest.

If she is found guilty of the bestiality and animal abuse charges, Christina could face an additional 12 months to five years in prison.

After the video was first revealed, Patterson's lawyer Andrew Sacks told WVEC that the couple's sex life should be 'off limits' from the ATF's investigation.

'We believe that what two consenting adults do in private, in their bedroom, is off limits,' he said.

'We don't believe there was a valid law in place that even affected this at the time.'

Bestiality is included in Virginia's 'crimes against nature' penalty.The startling moment a train lets off sparks as it's wheels scrap the tracks has been caught on film.

The carriage was spotted driving through Nundah, an inner city suburb in Brisbane, with sparks flickering beneath it.

A loud screeching noise can also be heard as the train travels slowly down the railway in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The video, which was captured and uploaded to Facebook by a worried witness was left scratching his head as to what was happening.

But despite the distressing sight, the train is actually used to ensure there are no accidents on the tracks.

The train, which is called a rail grinder, is a vital part of keeping trains running smoothly on the tracks and is used to extend the life of over 7,00kms of Queensland's railway tracks.

The rail grinder slowly makes its way over tracks at between eight and 12kms an hour, grinding the track as it removes any metal left making the surfaces smooth again.

'Rails lose their shape over time, due to wheel impact and situations such as extreme heat, vibration and movement.' a spokesperson from Queensland Rail told 7News.

'Rail grinding is employed across the globe to extend the life of train tracks, and involves the use of specialised machinery to remove minute quantities of metal from the rail surfaces to make them smooth again'.

The rail grinder will be making it's way through Brisbane's Northgate to Gympie North in Queensland in the next coming weeks.Three British tourists were killed in a horrific crash on the Cayman Islands when a poacher being chased by police smashed into their hire car, an inquest heard today.

Retired husband and wife Ian and Pamela Mansell, 72 and 74, and Mrs Mansell's sister Marlene Wright, 60, were enjoying a dream holiday on Grand Cayman when they were killed on May 2, 2017.

All three died instantly when a 22-year-old driver of a black Honda Accord smashed into them head-on at 57mph.

Ian and Pamela were described by friends as fun-loving and were said to always be the first people to get up to dance

The crash involved their hire car and another being driven by a 22-year-old who also died. Police said they struggled to think of a worse crash on the island

The Jamaican driver, Shannay Delapenha, who also died, was found to have been travelling with a 'significant number' of poached conch shells - two days outside the date when it is illegal to collect them in the Cayman Islands.

Anyone caught with illegally fished conch can face serious punishment from island authorities as they try to protect the under threat species from exploitation.

IT consultant Mr Mansell and his health professional wife lived in Farnham, Surrey. Friends described them as a 'sweet couple who loved to dance.'

Tragic pictures show the happy couple dancing in their hotel the night before the crash.

An inquest into their deaths today revealed the Honda Accord travelled round a bend late at night at such speed Mr Mansell - who was driving a hired Kia Rio - didn't have time to move out of the way.

Cayman Islands traffic crash investigator Lenford Butler, who arrived at the scene of the collision, said in a statement: '[The Honda] passed a marked police car going in the opposite direction.

'[The police officer driving the car], locked in the speed of the Honda as 57mph as it passed in the 30mph limit.

The pair were on holiday with Pamela's sister Marlene, in blue, who used to travel with them after her husband died a few years ago. All three died in the smash

The couple did not have children, but friends have told of how they were involved in village life and were well-thought of by neighbours

'The police officer engaged the car's blue lights. The Honda continued on the eastbound lane towards the bend.

'Due to the fact the Honda was travelling at a greater speed, the force of the Honda pushed back the Kia.

'The Honda did not follow the curvature of the right hand bend and drifted over the centre line.

'The driver of the Kia didn't have time to react to the Honda.'

On the Cayman Islands, the open season for conch collecting begins on November 1 and runs until April 30 each year.

Pamela, above, and her husband Ian had just celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a big party

During that time, up to five conch can be taken from the water per person or 10 per boat per day, whichever is less, according to regulations.

Conch - the shell that played a significant role in William Golding's famed novel Lord of the Flies - can only be taken from areas that are not within designated marine protected areas around the three islands, including Wildlife Interaction Zones.

Concluding today's hearing at Basingstoke Coroner's Court, Coroner Andrew Bradley said: 'On May 2, 2017, Ian Mansell was driving his car along Austin Connolly Drive in the hours of darkness.

'He was struck by an oncoming car which failed to navigate a bend and collided with him head on.

'The verdict I enter is the accidental death verdict because I don't think the driver of the Honda set out to kill the Mansells.'

An inquest into the death of Mr Delapenha earlier this year in the Cayman Islands concluded that he died of blunt force trauma to the head and body in an act of 'misadventure'.

Two passengers in the Honda - an 11 year old boy and a 26 year old - received hospital treatment following the crash.

After the inquest, Roger Trout paid tribute to his neighbours Mr and Mrs Mansell, who served for many years on the General Medical Council and the Health and Care Professions Council.

Mr Trout said: 'They were wonderful people, most often the life and soul of the party.

'Their death was a huge shock for a great number of people. I think 250 people attended the funeral.'

The Mansells had no children and left their assets to charities and their two pet cats.President Trump pushed back on reporting Tuesday that suggested his personal business interests are tying his tongue on Saudi Arabia's alleged involvement in journalist Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance from the nation's Istanbul consulate.

Trump said in a tweet that he 'no financial interests in Saudi Arabia' and suggestions to the contrary are 'FAKE NEWS' after a segment on Fox & Friends looked at Nancy Pelosi's claim on Monday that he did.

Pelosi said on Sirius XM that she was 'suspicious that there was some kind of financial transaction involved there, whether for his businesses or whatever' with Saudi Arabia.

At the heart of similar claims is the Saudi government's payments to the president's hotels. The kingdom is one of his best customers.

Saudi Arabia has spent more than $270,000 at Trump International Hotel in Washington and frequents a hotel of the same name that's owned by the president in New York.

President Trump pushed back on reporting Tuesday that suggested his personal business interests are tying his tongue on Saudi Arabia

GOOD BUSINESS: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's stay at Trump's D.C. hotel during his March White House visit boosted sales by 13 percent

The kingdom has spent more than $270,000 at Trump International Hotel in Washington

rump's Washington hotel was also the headquarters for Saudi lobbyists in town to lobby against a law permitting victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to sue the monarchy for damages

Trump bragged as a candidate about his financial relationship with Saudi Arabia, admitting in remarks that have come back to haunt him that his positive feelings for the totalitarian government are based on how much money he makes off the kingdom.

'Saudi Arabia, I get along with all of them,' he said. 'They buy apartments from me. They spend $40 million, $50 million. Am I supposed to dislike them? I like them very much.'

In 2001, Trump sold an entire floor of Trump World Tower to the Saudi government. The apartment complex is New York City is located across the street from the United Nations. The purchase was valued at $12 million, according to CBS.

Since Donald Trump was elected, the Trump Organization has dropped attempts to expand into the Middle Eastern nation that were disclosed in the sitting president's financial disclosure paperwork. But the Saudi kingdom on its own has continued to be a top Trump customer.

When the kingdom's crown prince came to the White House to visit Trump in March, he stayed blocks away, at the president's newly-opened hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, the Washington Post reported.

Trump's Washington hotel was also the headquarters for Saudi lobbyists in town to lobby against a law permitting victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to sue the monarchy for damages.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's stay alone boosted sales at the D.C. hotel by 13 percent in early 2018.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo smiles and shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday

Pompeo flew to the Saudi capital to discuss the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the two countries were 'old, strong' allies

As he continued to feel the heat over his Khashoggi's suspected murder at the hands of a Saudi hit squad that the Turkish government says was sent to Istanbul to assassinate the journalist, Trump insisted on Tuesday, however, that his personal financial interests were not part of his calculus to thwart sanctions against Saudi Arabia.

'For the record, I have no financial interests in Saudi Arabia (or Russia, for that matter). Any suggestion that I have is just more FAKE NEWS (of which there is plenty)!' the president tweeted.

A day prior, Pelosi, the top Democrat in the House, said that she believes there's an untold connection between the kingdom and Trump.

'In terms of Saudi Arabia, I've always wondered why he went there as the first country to visit outside of the United States. Of course, as President of the United States, all the other presidents back to Ronald Reagan went to Canada, or one to Mexico, George W. Bushso in our hemisphere,' she told SiriusXMs 'Signal Boost' in an excerpt that aired early of the interview.

'There are many friends and allies we could have gone to. So, I was always suspicious that there was some kind of a financial transaction involved there, whether for his businesses or whatever, and I'm not convinced there isn't,' Pelosi stated.

Pelosi said she suspects that undisclosed business dealings with Saudi Arabia are guiding Trump's actions now.

'I think that plays out here. Now, of course he would say we want to know the truth. We're not just going to accept we didn't have anything to do with it as an answer,' she asserted.

Trump said earlier on Monday that he has spoken toSaudi's King Salman about the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi and he 'firmly denied' any involvement in the journalist's disappearance.

Trump said that he was sending Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to confront King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in person - but wouldn't say whether he believed the Saudi leader's 'flat' denial of wrongdoing in a 20-minute phone conversation.

The president had a theory of his own as to what may have happened to Khashoggi, the Saudi-born writer who Turkey says was lured to his death earlier this month in Istanbul.

He suggested without evidence that 'rogue killers' could have been responsible for the disappearance that Trump also framed as a murder.

As he left the White House to board Marine One on the South Lawn, the president said the king's denial 'could not have been stronger' and that is all he currently has to go off of.

'He said it very strongly,' Trump said when pressed to give his assessment of the Saudi king's trustworthiness.

Pompeo showed up in Riyadh with a smile on his face on Tuesday to meet with the crown prince, despite new reports out of Turkey that it found evidence of Khashoggi's murder at the Saudi consulate. The writer was reportedly killed during an 'interrogation gone wrong.'

President Trump said Monday that he has spoken to Saudi's King Salman about the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi and he 'firmly denied' any involvement in the journalist's disappearance

Missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, pictured in Bahrain in 2014, may have been murdered after criticizing the Saudi government

Trump said in a tweet just before he talked to reporters outside the White House that he was sending Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to probe the disappearance

CLOSE TALKS: Trump said he had now spoken to King Salman, the Saudi king. He and Melania Trump met the king on their very first foreign trip

With a $110 billion arms deal at stake, Trump and other U.S. officials have been loathe to blame Salman's kingdom for the suspected murder of the Washington Post columnist who had become an outspoken Saudi government critic.

Trump has at the same time attempted to signal that his administration takes violence against the free press seriously given his own tormenting at rallies of 'fake news' journalists he's unabashedly claimed are the 'enemy of the people.'

'Were going to just see what happened. We have to see what happened,' Trump said Saturday in the Oval Office as he celebrated the return of an American pastor who had been detained in Istanbul. 'Theres plenty of things we can do that are very tough. Lets see what happened first.'

Trump said then that he had not reviewed the video evidence that Turkey says it has to prove that Khashoggi was murdered in the Saudi embassy in Istanbul but that he would be seeing it soon. He did not say Monday whether that remains the case.

He promised in remarks to reporters to 'get to the bottom' of the suspected killing that he says King Salman personally denied having ordered.

'I can only tell you that his denial to me in this one very you know relatively fast phone call, probably lasted 20 minutes, his denial to me could not have been stronger that he had no knowledge. And it sounds like he and also the crown prince had no knowledge,' Trump said.

The U.S. president has come under heavy pressure to intervene in the probe of Khashoggi's abduction after the Virginia resident was captured on video entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago and never leaving.

Also at stake is the the relationship Trump built with Saudi Arabia - a relationship cemented during the first stop of his first foreign trip last year as president. The connection blossomed into a lucrative arms deal for the U.S.

Trump told reporters on Saturday that he does not want to jeopardize jobs and business for Americans by punishing Saudi Arabia, if it was responsible, with sanctions that affect the purchase of weapons.

'Its $110 billion. I believe its the largest order ever made. Its 450,000 jobs. Its the best equipment in the world. But if they dont buy it from us, theyre going to buy it from Russia or theyre going to buy it from China, or theyre going to buy it from other countries,' he explained.

'And I would  from the standpoint of jobs, economic development, a lot of other reasons, I would like to do something where we could maybe look at other things  I will tell the senators  because thats a tremendous order for our companies. Its a tremendous order for  really, from an economic development standpoint,' he said. 'Almost all of our states are involved in that order.'

The crisis also complicates the close friendship the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner has cultivated with the kingdom's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the administration's efforts to eliminate state-sponsored terror.

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow noted on Sunday that terror financing is a topic of the Vision 2030 conference set to take place in Saudi Arabia later this month.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnunchin still plans to attend the conference for that reason, Kudlow said, despite other high-profile exits like JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon.

Real power: Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman is the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia and had been hailed by Trump and given a red-carpet welcome to the Oval Office in March

Trump said Saturday that he would speak to the Saudi king about the suspected tragedy imminently, but the conversation apparently did not take place until Monday morning.

'Just spoke to the King of Saudi Arabia who denies any knowledge of whatever may have happened "to our Saudi Arabian citizen." He said that they are working closely with Turkey to find answer. I am immediately sending our Secretary of State to meet with King!' Trump said in a tweet just before he left the White House to tour southern storm damage.

The description of Khashoggi as 'our Saudi Arabian citizen' distances Trump from the disappearance of the Washington Post columnist who Turkey says was tortured, murdered and dismembered by Saudi assassins. The two countries have nonetheless announced a coalition that will probe the disappearance that technically took place on Saudi soil.

He repeated the phrase as he spoke to journalists in a light drizzle near the entrance to the residential wing of the White House during a media avail before his departure with the first lady in Marine One.

'I just spoke with the King of Saudi Arabia and he denies any knowledge of what took place with regards to, as he said, to Saudi Arabia's citizen. He firmly denies that. I asked the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to immediately get on a plane, go to Saudi Arabia, go to other places if necessary which he probably will, with regards to this. Go to Turkey if necessary,' Trump said.

'The King told me Turkey and Saudi Arabia are working hand in hand very closely on getting to the bottom of what happened so well see what happened. Mike Pompeo is leaving literally within an hour or so heading to Saudi Arabia.'

Trump pledged 'to leave nothing uncovered' in the search. 'With that being said the king firmly denies any knowledge of it. He didnt really know.

'I dont want to get into his mind but it sounded to me like maybe it could have been rogue killers, who knows?' Trump added. 'Were going to try get to the bottom of it very soon but his was a flat denial.'

The crown prince of Saudi Arabia, known as MBS, 33, is seen as having the real power in the kingdom that's formally overseen by his 82-year-old father.

Oil prices rise and the Riyal dips Benchmark Brent crude oil jumped by $1.49 a barrel to a high of $81.92 on Monday. The riyal was quoted at 3.7524 to the U.S. dollar early on Monday, as well, its weakest rate since September 2016, Refinitiv data showed. It comes after Saudi Arabia issued a thinly-veiled threat to cut oil production if the U.S. imposes sanctions over journalist Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance. There are also fears companies will turn away from investing in the kingdom, as CEOs pulled out of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 conference this month in droves. UKOIL chart by TradingView TradingView Privacy Policy Advertisement

He has introduced ambitious reforms as part of his Vision 2030 campaign. But he has also ruled over a crackdown on 'corruption' last year that was effectively seen as a power grab.

The Saudis on Monday agreed to allow Turkey to inspect the Saudi consulate in Istanbul for evidence of Khashoggi's murder. The joint effort sprouted from a call between King Salman and Turkish President Recep Erdogan on Sunday.

Khashoggi has not been seen since he entered the embassy on Oct. 2. Turkey claims to have evidence that Saudi hit team killed and dismembered the journalist.

Saudi Arabia has called the allegations 'baseless' and denied that the kingdom was involved. An internal investigation has been opened into the disappearance.

U.S. lawmakers have taken steps to introduce sanctions on Saudi Arabia for the suspected murder, and and President Trump has promised 'severe punishment' for the culprit.

Saudi Arabia has warned in return that if it 'receives any action, it will respond with greater action, and that the kingdom's economy has an influential and vital role in the global economy.'

'The kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it, whether by threatening to impose economic sanctions, using political pressures or repeating false accusations,' a statement in the state-run Saudi Press Agency aid.

Another Arabic-language newspaper in Saudi Arabia, Okaz, said in an English headline on Monday: 'Don't Test Our Patience.'

A team of cleaners entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul today ahead of an inspection by Turkish and Saudi officials

Jamal Khashoggi (right) arriving at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul on October 2. He has not been seen since and Turkey has accused Saudi agents of murdering him

Prominent business leaders like Dimon and Ford Motor Co. executive Bill Ford meanwhile pulled out of the investment conference in Riyadh that is known as 'Davos in the Desert' for the number of billionaires and CEOs and it attracts.

Trump punted on the topic on Saturday, asking Pompeo to respond to a question about Mnuchin's planned participation, instead.

'I think we need to continue to evaluate the facts and well make that decision. As I talked with Secretary Mnuchin about it last night, well be taking a look at it through the rest of the week,' Pompeo responded.A little girl has been rescued after falling through the narrow gap between the train and the platform at a railway station in China.

The toddler lost her footing and slipped through the gap while attempting to board the carriage with her mother on Tuesday in Beijing.

Her mother was seen glued to phone prior to the accident at about 3:35pm local time, Chinese media reported.

The desperate mother is seen kneeling on the side of the platform and trying to reach her daughter who had fallen through the narrow gap between the train and the platform in Beijing

The little girl was saved on Tuesday after a station worker squeezed himself through the gap to reach her while others were seen pushing the doors of the train to make space

The pair was supposed to take the D37 train, which travels from Beijing to Dalian North in Liaoning province, according to Beijing Youth Daily.

Video footage shows the desperate mother kneeling on the side of the platform, trying to reach her trapped daughter through the narrow space.

'Raise your hand, give your hand to mommy,' she called, but to no avail.

At one point she attempted to squeeze through the gap herself but was stopped by station workers.

'Raise your hand, give your hand to mommy,' the woman called, but to no avail

At one point the mother attempted to squeeze through the gap herself but was stopped by workers. She was seen glued to phone prior to the accident at about 3:35pm on Tuesday

'Don't go down yourself. Don't panic, we will get her,' a female staff member was heard reassuring the woman.

The little girl was saved after a station worker squeezed himself through the gap to reach her while others were seen pushing the doors of the train to make space.

The toddler went for a checkup at the station and was found to have some swelling on her head, according to the report.

The mother also refunded their tickets and said the family would stay in Beijing for the night to let her daughter recover.Advertisement

A 'massive' rockfall along the iconic white cliffs of east Sussex is believed to be 'five times bigger' than one at the weekend - and officials are warning visitors to be aware of the danger.

Thousands of tons of chalk crumbled away from the Seven Sisters cliffs at Birling Gap last week, just days before another large cliff fall at Seaford Head.

The National Trust is now urging people to be aware of the danger of standing near the cliff edge, asking them 'to act sensibly when visiting the area'.

Scroll down for video

The cliff fall at the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs (pictured) at Birling Gap in East Sussex is believed to be 'five times' larger than one at Seaford Head on Sunday. David Burr, a environmental photographer who regularly visits the area, told MailOnline that the cliff fall was 'massive'

Large amounts of chalk have been deposited on the beach (pictured) at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters following the cliff fall last week. The National Trust is now urging visitors to be aware of the dangers of standing close to the edge of the cliffs

In recent years the cliffs at Birling Gap (pictured are the Seven Sisters cliffs nearby) have experienced possibly the worst coastal erosion in the UK. Over the years several cottages at nearby Cuckmere have disappeared as the cliffs have gradually been eroded

David Burr, an environmental photographer who regularly visits the area, told MailOnline that he thought the rockfall was 'five times bigger' than the one at Seaford Head on Sunday.

He said it was 'massive' and certainly the largest he had seen in a long time.

Pictures released today show the full extent of the fall, with large amounts of chalk deposited on the beach below.

The land at Birling Gap is owned and managed by the National Trust and the Seven Sisters cliffs attract hundreds of thousands of tourists from across the world each year.

The recent cliff fall is believed to have taken place over night on October 10 and the National Trust is urging visitors to be aware.

The land at Birling Gap (pictured) is owned and managed by the National Trust and the Seven Sisters cliffs attract hundreds of thousands of tourists from across the world each year

The National Trust confirmed to the MailOnline that there had been a 'significant' cliff fall and that visitors should take care when in the area

A spokesman told MailOnline: 'There was a fairly significant cliff fall halfway along at the Seven Sisters.

'The site is away from the beach and visitor centre and these are open as usual. It stands as a reminder of the danger of standing near the cliff edge and we urge visitors to act sensibly when visiting the area.

'The Seven Sisters and the chalk cliffs are constantly eroding. This erosion has created the beautiful coastline that we see today, but it's important to remember that cliff falls and erosion are part of this process and can happen at any time.'

Why do cliffs collapse? Cliffs collapse for a range of reasons. While the most common reason is weathering, there are other factors to consider, such as water crashing against the cliff face, what the cliff is made of, and the climate of the area. For example, softer materials, such as clay are more likely to collapse than harder materials like granite. Bad weather naturally erodes the foundations of a cliff, and can cause it to collapse. One of the most common examples of weathering is when rain fall affects the composition of the cliff. As rain falls, it seeps into the permeable gravel and soil at the top of the cliff, adding weight to it. At the same time, colder winter temperatures can cause the face of this cliff to freeze, as frozen areas weaken as they thaw. If a cliff is against a body of water, such as a sea or ocean, waves crashing on the cliff can also weaken it over time. Cliffs can also collapse as the result of rock slides, when whole slabs of rock detach from an inclined face and collapse, or as a result of mud slides, when wet soil and weak rocks fall. Advertisement

Storm Callum is believed to be weakening cliffs in the area and the local coastguard has been urging people to take care.

A spokesman for Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Team said : 'People should give the cliff edges a very wide berth and not to get too close to the top of cliff edges or approach the base of cliffs either.'

In recent years the cliffs at Birling Gap have experienced possibly the worst coastal erosion in the UK. Over the years several cottages at nearby Cuckmere have disappeared as the cliffs have gradually been eroded.

Last year authorities warned people not to get close to the edge after a student plunged to her death while trying to take a photo.

Hyewon Kim, 23, had asked a stranger to take her picture but lost her footing as she landed and fell over the edge.

The South Korean, who had come to Britain to improve her English, suffered catastrophic head injuries in the fall.

Photographs found on her mobile phone showed the student happily posing with her back to the cliff-edge in the seconds before her death.

Lifeboat coxswan Paul Legendre said: 'We advise people to stay well away from both cliff edges and the base of cliffs, as these falls are a natural part of coastal erosion.

'This incident shows that cliff falls do not just happen in bad weather, they can happen at any time without warning and pose a major risk to people both on top of cliffs or exploring the beach below.'

The National Trust looks after 775 miles of coastline around England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

More than 350,000 people visit the cliffs at Birling Gap and Seven Sisters cliffs each year.An Assyrian DLSTHR gang associate has been jailed for stabbing a 14-year-old boy nine times after a brutal brawl in a McDonald's car park.

A judge said the fight in Sydney's west triggered a chain of events that led to the brutal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy.

On Tuesday, Martin Hana, 25, was jailed for six years and two months with a non-parole period of four years and three months.

He had pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after the 'revenge' attack on the teenager in the stairwell of a Fairfield unit complex in August 2016.

Martin Hana, 25, (pictured) was jailed for six years and two months with a non-parole period of four years and three months

At the time, the teenage boy stumbled into the apartment complex bleeding and with multiple stab wounds.

Two days before the stabbing, the teenage victim had knocked one of Hana's friends to the ground in a late-night fight between two male groups outside McDonald's.

'This set off an unfortunate chain of events that led to this particular serious offending,' Judge Pickering said, noting the victim had initially been 'the aggressor'.

'Why it is that people hang around McDonald's late at night, seemingly to do nothing more than create trouble, is something that bemuses judges like me all the time.

'The patheticness of some nothing dispute at 11.30 at night that fundamentally results in a 14-year-old being stabbed nine times, over nothing better than male ego, is something that really people wonder about in society.'

Hana kept watch on his victim from a Toyota Camry and on the night of the offence told him to 'come under the bridge' after spotting him near Fairfield train station before driving away.

Two days before the stabbing, the teenage victim had knocked one of Hana's friends to the ground in a late-night fight between two male groups outside McDonald's

Hana returned in a BMW with up to three other men and chased the boy into a unit block, yelling 'catch him'.

After recognising Hana from the McDonald's fight, the teenager had fled to the complex 'hoping he could seek refuge' with a friend of his who lived there.

But Hana and the other men caught up with him in the stairwell.

'The victim then felt himself getting stabbed in the body and when he looked saw that the males had knives,' the facts state.

His friend heard his cries for help and appeared with 'a big stick' which prompted Hana and the others to flee.

The boy suffered a collapsed lung and received at least 26 staples to a wound down his stomach.

Judge Pickering said Hana had 'turned to the wrong kind of people' and turned away from his loving family.

Hana waved to his crying supporters as he was taken from court. He'll be eligible for parole from December 2020.

DLASTHR is a Middle Eastern criminal organization which operates out of the south western suburbs of Sydney.A third body in two weeks has been found lying in the middle of a Saudi Arabian road sparking fears that a serial killer is on the loose in the kingdom.

Each of the victims has been wrapped up in cloth and dumped in the middle of the road.

It is unclear how the latest victim died but the discovery comes two days after another body was found lying on a road located in Al Dayer, Jazan governorate, and a week after another was found tied to a bed in the middle of a local highway in Abha.

A third body has been found lying in the middle of a Saudi Arabian road (pictured)

The body of a man reported to be an immigrant in his 30s was discovered in the middle of a main road in Saudi Arabia, wrapped in blankets and shot multiple times

The man had been tied to the bed was shot with a machine gun, police said in a statement.

None of the victims have been identified but all three are African migrants who are suspected of entering the country illegally.

Local authorities have confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the bed frame victim's identity and that of the suspected shooters.

In the video footage, filmed at night, a metal bed frame is seen lying across both lanes of the road.

As the cameraman approaches, a body can be seen wrapped in blankets.

Saudi Arabian police said that they do not know if the man was killed on the bed or if he was placed there after being shot.President Donald Trump took a victory lap Tuesday after his win in a defamation lawsuit, insulting porn star Stormy Daniels by calling her 'Horseface' and vowing to sue '3rd rate lawyer' Michael Avenatti.

But Daniels wasn't cowed, reaffirming her claim to have had an affair with him and suggesting that if she is 'Horseface' then the president has a penchant 'for bestiality.'

Trump was widely accused of misogyny for his description of Daniels - but shrugged that off later in the day, telling the Associated Press 'you can take it any way you want', when asked if it was appropriate to insult a woman's appearance.

Trump went after his prominent adversaries Tuesday after a Los Angeles court ruled in his favor in a defamation lawsuit the former porn star filed against him  and threatened to take the legal fight to them on new turf.

'Federal Judge throws out Stormy Daniels lawsuit versus Trump. Trump is entitled to full legal fees,' Trump's tweet began, tagging his favorite network, @FoxNews.

'Great, now I can go after Horseface and her 3rd rate lawyer in the Great State of Texas. She will confirm the letter she signed! She knows nothing about me, a total con!' Trump wrote.

Porn star Stormy Daniels alleges she had an affair with Trump in 2006. President Donald Trump called her 'horseface' in a new tweet

'Great, now I can go after Horseface and her 3rd rate lawyer in the Great State of Texas,' wrote President Donald Trump on Twitter

It didn't take long for Daniels to respond, bringing up a claim about the president's anatomy that she made in her book  and lodging a charge of 'bestiality.'

'Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present your president. In addition to his...umm...shortcomings, he has demonstrated his incompetence, hatred of women and lack of self control on Twitter AGAIN! And perhaps a penchant for bestiality. Game on, Tiny,' she wrote.

Avenatti, who gained national prominence representing Daniels' effort to get out of a non-disclosure agreement she inked with Trump lawyer Michael Cohen  and who is floating a 2020 run for president  shot back immediately with his own attacks.

'You are a disgusting misogynist and an embarrassment to the United States. Bring everything you have, because we are going to demonstrate to the world what a complete shyster and liar you are,' Avenatti wrote Trump.

'How many other women did you cheat on your wife with while you had a baby at home?' he added.

Trump said he would pursue legal action in Texas, which has protections against frivolous lawsuits

Daniels referred to the president as 'Tiny' and said he perhaps had a 'penchant for bestiality' after the 'Horseface' comment

Daniels' attorney Michael Avenatti responded by calling Trump a 'disgusting misogynist'

Trump said he would pursue legal action in Texas, which has protections against frivolous lawsuits, following his victory in a California court.

His statement that 'she will confirm the letter she signed!' is a likely reference to the non-disclosure agreement she reached with Cohen, Trump's longtime lawyer who pleaded guilty to tax and fraud charges. Both parties signed the agreement using pseudonyms, while a line left for Trump using a pseudonym was not signed.

Trump did not explain his 'Horseface' insult of the woman who claims had a sexual affair with him at a celebrity golf tournament in 2006.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, competes in equestrian events both under her real name and under the name Stormy Crain.

Trump escalated the spat during a period when he has been dominating the airwaves and sucking the political oxygen away from congressional races in the final weeks before the midterm elections.

His administration is also under fire for close ties to Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman following the alleged murder of Saudi dissident and recent Virginia resident Jamal Khashoggi.

A U.S. judge on Monday dismissed adult film actress Stormy Daniels's defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump and ordered her to pay his attorney's fees, saying a tweet the president had written referring to her was protected by free-speech laws.

The president called Daniels, who alleges she had an affair with him and got a $130,000 for a non-disclosure agreement, 'Horseface'

The porn star and dancer is also an experienced equestrian

Daniels competes in equestrian events both under her real name, Stephanie Clifford, and under the name Stormy Crain

U.S. District Judge S. James Otero issued the order Monday in Los Angeles.

Daniels alleges she had an affair with Trump in 2006 and sued him in April.

The lawsuit came after Trump tweeted about a composite sketch of a man Daniels says threatened her in 2011 to keep quiet about an alleged affair.

He called it a 'total con job.'

Trump and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, returned to the White House on Monday after a trip to the Southeast U.S., where they surveyed the damage left by Hurricane Michael.

In dismissing the suit, the judge said Trump's tweet was a 'hyperbolic statement' against a political adversary.

A federal judge has dismissed porn actress Stormy Daniels' defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump. Daniels is seen above in Berlin on Thursday

Daniels alleges she had an affair with President Trump (seen above at the White House with First Lady Melania Trump on Monday) in 2006 and sued him in April

Daniels, who has also sued over a $130,000 hush money agreement over the alleged encounter, sued over the tweet, claiming it made her appear to be a liar.

Attorneys for Trump have sought to dismiss both lawsuits.

'The Court agrees with Mr. Trump's argument because the tweet in question constitutes 'rhetorical hyperbole' normally associated with politics and public discourse in the United States,' Otero wrote.

The lawsuit came after Trump tweeted about a composite sketch of a man Daniels says threatened her in 2011 to keep quiet about an alleged affair

'The Court agrees with Trump's argument because the tweet in question constitutes 'rhetorical hyperbole' normally associated with politics and public discourse in the United States,' the judge wrote

'The First Amendment protects this type of rhetorical statement.'

Otero presides over both lawsuits.

Trump's lawyer, Charles Harder, said it was a 'total victory' for the president.

He said the amount of the award for Trump's attorneys' fees would be determined later.

Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, vowed to appeal and said he's confident the ruling will be reversed.

Daniels' lawsuit over a hush-money deal is pending.

In April, Daniels appeared on ABC's The View and unveiled the sketch of a man who she says accosted her in a Las Vegas parking lot in 2011.

Daniels, who has also sued over a $130,000 hush money agreement over the alleged encounter, sued over the tweet, claiming it made her appear to be a liar

Daniels said the man approached her as she was getting her infant daughter out of the car to attend a mommy-and-me exercise class.

'I noticed him because he was sort of well-dressed and nothing about him alarmed me,' she said in her first live television interview after the hush money payment given to Daniels by President Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen was unveiled.

'I really thought he was somebody's husband not wanting to be in whatever his wife was doing.'

When she noticed his reflection in her car's window she expected him to ask for directions.

Instead the man threatened the adult film actress and her daughter, telling her to 'forget about this story, leave Mr. Trump alone.'

Upon unveiling the sketch, Stormy's lawyer, Avenatti, said they would pay a $100,000 reward for the identity of the man, and asked for tips to be sent to IDTheThug@gmail.com.

In April, Daniels appeared on ABC's The View and unveiled the sketch of a man who she says accosted her in a Las Vegas parking lot in 2011

Daniels said the man approached her as she was getting her infant daughter out of the car to attend a mommy-and-me exercise class

'We want to get to the bottom of who this is, and we think we know who this is, but we want to confirm it,' Avenatti told The View's audience.

Avenatti divulged more details about the mystery man during a Tuesday afternoon appearance with CNN's Jake Tapper.

The lawyer explained that Daniels had looked at photos of a number of individuals 'we believe indirectly' worked for Trump and Cohen, Avenatti said.

'She has reviewed, Jake, a number of photographs over the last few weeks, couple weeks, actually and we've narrowed it down,' the lawyer said.

He didn't mention whether the drawing was made before or after Daniels saw the photos.

Tapper asked why Avenatti and Daniels wanted the public's help if they already narrowed it down.

'What we're hoping for is someone saw something or heard something. Ideally one of these individuals would have bragged about it to a member of the public,' Avenatti said.

Daniels told 60 Minutes that she did not report the encounter to police at the time because she was scared.

She also pointed out that if she had gone to the police a public record would have been produced and she likely would have had to explain that she had a previous alleged sexual encounter with Trump, which is why the threat took place.The Duchess of Cambridges sister Pippa Middleton has given birth to a baby boy.

A source close to the family said: 'Everyone is delighted and mother and baby are doing well.'

The news comes on the tail of Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys announcement that the Duchess of Sussex is pregnant.

Rumours of an impending pregnancy were sparked on Monday afternoon after heavily pregnant Pippa was seen arriving at the ultra-expensive private Lindo Wing maternity unit in West London. Pippa attended Princess Eugenies Royal Wedding just days before.

Here is all you need to know about Pippa Middletons baby.

Pippa Middleton has given birth to a baby boy at the Lindo Wing Maternity Unit in London

When was the baby boy born?

Pippa Middleton gave birth to a baby boy at 1.58pm on Monday, October 15, 2018.

Will Pippa's son have a Royal title?

Despite having a Duchess for an aunt, Pippa Middleton's son will not have a Royal title because he is not in line to the throne.

What is the Lindo Wing?

The Duchess of Cambridges sister was seen arriving at the Lindo Wing maternity unit at St. Marys Hospital in Paddington on Monday afternoon.

She gave birth to a baby boy in the same unit where Kate Middleton gave birth to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The hospital is famous for its premium service with patients getting their own private rooms and en suite bathrooms, with a standard room costing 5,900, while a deluxe is priced at 6,275. A suite, where Kate is believed to have given birth, is thought to cost closer to 7,500.

How much does the baby weigh?

The baby weighs 8lbs and 9oz, just two ounces more than his cousin, Prince Louis. In fact, Pippas son is heavier than all of his Royal cousins, with George weighing in at 8lbs 6oz and Princess Charlotte at 8lbs 3oz.

Until Louis was born, George was the heaviest future king in 100 years, and while Louis has taken that title from his older brother, Pippas son can boast that he in turn is heavier than him.

Pippas son is much heavier than his uncles, with Prince William hitting 7lbs 1.5oz back in 1982 and Prince Harry coming in at 6lbs 14oz in 1984.

What will the baby be called?

No name has been announced so far, but a couple of the names Pippa and her husband James could go for are their fathers names: Michael and David respectively.

Who is Pippa Middletons husband James Matthews?

Pippas husband is the financier James Matthews. They married in May 2016. He is the older brother of the former Made in Chelsea star, Spencer Matthews.

Matthews had another brother, Michael, who died at the age of 22 while descending Everest, at the time becoming the youngest Brit to scale the mountain.

Matthews runs Eden Rock Capital Management and his family owns the Eden Rock resort in St. Barths.

James Matthewss net worth is estimated to be as much as $2.6 billion (2 billion), according to The Net Worthmuch more than his spouse's.

Pippas engagement ring reportedly cost 200,000 while the couples honeymoon came to 120,000.Carolyn Jones, 48, was charged with first-degree murder on Tuesday

A grandmother has been accused of stabbing her toddler granddaughter and baking the child inside an oven.

Carolyn Jones, 48, was charged with first-degree murder on Tuesday in the death of Royalty Marie Floyd in her home in Shaw, Mississippi, Bolivar County Sheriff Kelvin Williams said.

Police were called to the home at about 7pm on Monday after a relative arrived home and found the 20-month-old girl in the oven. She was dead at the scene.

Police tape still surrounded part of the house Tuesday morning, while a stroller, a high chair, and a trash barrel of toys including a scooter sat near the curb in front of the house. Williams said those toys had belonged to the child.

Sheriff's officials said Floyd lived with Jones while Floyd's mother lived elsewhere.

Royalty Marie Floyd (above) was 20 months old and living with her grandmother while her mother lived elsewhere. Police say the baby was stabbed and then put in the oven

Royalty's toys, a discarded high chair and police evidence tape are part of the trash outside a home on Tuesday where she was found dead inside an oven on Monday evening

Courtesy of WHBQ

'Royalty was so beautiful & I loved her more than anything in the world,' the toddler's mother Veronica Jones wrote on a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for her funeral. 'My daughter was stabbed and baked in the oven by her grandmother.'

The sheriff said Carolyn Jones' brother found the body on Monday night and called police in Shaw, a town of about 2,000 people in the Mississippi Delta, approximately 100 miles northwest of Jackson.

'When deputies arrived on the scene, it was confirmed that a homicide had taken place inside the home,' Williams said at a press conference broadcast by WREG.

Spokesman Warren Strain at the Mississippi Department of Public Safety said investigators are still probing for the cause of the girl's death, as well as when exactly the girl died and whether that was before she was placed in the oven.

The child's body has been sent to the state Crime Lab in Pearl for an autopsy, though Williams said autopsy results were not yet complete on Tuesday.

'The official cause (of death) is still under investigation but authorities have reason to believe that the child was stabbed and burned. The child was found inside of the oven in the residence,' Williams said.

'Royalty was so beautiful & I loved her more than anything in the world,' the toddler's mother Veronica Jones (above) wrote in a post upon hearing of her horror death

'Dark days such as these can only be brightened when justice is served,' said Bolivar County Sheriff Kelvin Williams (left) at a press conference on Tuesday

Jones made an initial appearance Tuesday evening before a judge, who set bail at $500,000. Jones remained jailed and it wasn't immediately clear if she had a lawyer who could speak for her.

Williams said that he wasn't yet certain whether mental illness was a factor in the case. He said that what deputies found at the scene was extremely disturbing.

'I have been in law enforcement a long time and one of the hardest things that I have experienced is when you see a child as a victim. It's trying for us to come upon a scene and see a victim such as this,' he said.

The sheriff promised to release more information to the public as it became available and vowed a thorough investigation.

'Dark days such as these can only be brightened when justice is served,' he said.

'I've been doing law enforcement for 25 or 26 years now,' Williams said in an interview. 'This is one of the most horrible things I've seen in doing law enforcement. The hardest part ... is to see a child victim.'

Police were called to this home in Shaw, Mississippi at about 7pm on Monday after a relative arrived home and found the 20-month-old girl dead in the oven

It is not the first death of a child inside an oven in the area.

In 2012, a woman in Greenville, about 20 miles from Shaw, pleaded guilty to cooking her 3-year-old son to death in an oven.

Terri Robinson, now 32, was sentenced to life in prison for the oven murder of Tristan Robinson.

Washington County Coroner Methel Johnson said an autopsy found Robinson died from heat injuries sustained in the electric oven.A student at a California high school has recently treated her classmates to a batch of homemade sugar cookies allegedly baked with a sickening and macabre secret ingredient: her late grandmothers ashes.

Police in Davis have launched an investigation into the bizarre incident at Da Vinci Charter Academy High School after getting a tip from another student.

Fox40 reported that a boy at the school told his parents that a classmate had brought the treats laced with human ashes to school and passed them around about two weeks ago.

Scroll down for video

Stomach-churning claims: Police in Davis, California, are investigating reports that a student at Da Vinci Charter Academy High School had fed cookies laced with her grandmother's cremains to her classmates

It is believed that at least nine unsuspecting teens had consumed the baked goods tainted with cremains.

According to the whistleblowers mother, school officials had failed to notify her and other parents of what happened in a timely fashion and had her son submit and sign a statement addressing the incident without reaching out to her first.

The district seems to be a little bit more concerned about protecting themselves than protecting their students, the boys father told the station.

Davis Joint Unified School District released a statement on Monday saying, in part, that the physical and social-emotional safety of our students is our first priority.

While officials would not comment on the specifics of this case, citing confidentiality concerns, the statement said all allegations of wrongdoing are taken seriously, investigated thoroughly and are subject to disciplinary measures when appropriate.

This case has been particularly challenging and we have responded appropriately and in the most respectful and dignified way possible, the statement concluded.

Secret ingredient: It is suspected that at least nine students had consumed the tainted treats (stock photo)

Davis Police Lt. Paul Doroshov called the cremation cookie controversy 'a weird one,' but told CBS13 and other locla news outlets that there have been no reports coming out of the high school of anyone falling ill as a result of eating the sweets.

Police are looking into reports that two students had cooked up the morbid prank, but Lt Doroshov said he is not sure what charges, if any, the culprits would face.

Because of the fact this is so unconventional, it would take more research, he added.

So far, the cookies have yet to be tested in a laboratory.Paul Evans (pictured) allegedly punched a 14-year-old three times in the face after the teenager called him a 'p***y'

A police force's hate crime officer allegedly punched a 14-year-old boy three times in the face after the teenager called him a 'p***y', a court heard.

Paul Evans, who was later called a 'pig' by the schoolboy, also reportedly thrust his forearm into the boy's throat and smashed his head against a toilet.

The 14-year-old was left with a bleeding nose, a chipped tooth and bruising on his face, Cardiff Magistrates' Court heard.

Evans, a hate crime officer for South Wales Police, was later charged with assault after an investigation by his own colleagues.

The officer was called to the teenager's property by the 14-year-old's mother after he began punching walls and threatening self harm.

But when Evans and his colleague arrived, the boy was locked in a bathroom talking to a friend on the phone.

The hate crime officer forced his way into the bathroom and is alleged to have thrust his forearm into the boy's throat - smashing his head against a toilet.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, said: 'The boy became abusive telling the police to f**k off and calling them 'pigs'.

'This further annoyed and frustrated Evans.'

Evans is then alleged to have grabbed the boy's phone, and when he couldn't turn it off, the boy called him a 'p***y'.

Mr Pritchard-Jones said: 'For Evans, having been frustrated and annoyed, being called a p***y was the final straw and he reacted by punching the boy in the face.'

The boy alleges that Evans, from Bridgend, South Wales, told him that he was 'doing his mother a favour' before punching him twice more to the face.

In his video interview, the victim described the attack as 'scary'.

He said: 'It all happened so quickly. Evans was calling me a disgrace, saying horrible things.'

'He told me that if I was his son, he'd do the exact same to me. He was saying horrible, horrible things to me.'

The 14-year-old was left with a bleeding nose, a chipped tooth and bruising on his face, Cardiff Magistrates' Court heard (file photo)

The alleged attack was stopped by Evans' colleague, PC Lauren Evans, who pulled him away.

When the teen escaped and ran downstairs, the court heard that there was a delay before both officers followed him.

Mr Pritchard-Jones said this was because Evans had 'realised that he had done something seriously wrong'.

Evans arrested his victim for affray despite no reports or complaints of that nature and reportedly gave no caution.

The boy had a history of false allegations, and admits making a hoax call to police claiming to have found 'nail bombs' at his school', the court heard.

Evans, 50, pleaded not guilty to assault at Cardiff Magistrates' Court.

The trial continues.Video captured by military drones shows armed American mercenaries take part in an operation to assassinate a prominent cleric in Yemen, a Buzzfeed News investigation has revealed.

Two former Navy SEALs were among the fighters working for Spear Operations Group, a private US company that was hired by the United Arab Emirates to carry out an assassination in war-torn Yemen on December 29, 2015.

That night, the target was Anssaf Ali Mayo, the local leader of the Islamist political party As-Islah.

The UAE considers it to be the Yemeni branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, which it deems a terrorist organization  but experts disagree.

Two former US Navy SEALs were said to be among the mercenaries hired to carry out the attack

Drone footage of the attack obtained by Buzzfeed News shows the bombing attack unfolding

The plan was to place a bomb at the door of its headquarters in Aden, but drone footage of the attack obtained by Buzzfeed showed that it went wrong.

Before the mercenary could plant the bomb, one of his team opened fire - it's not clear at what - and the team was forced to retreat without proof of the kill.

'There was a targeted assassination program in Yemen. I was running it. We did it,' Abraham Golan, the Hungarian-Israeli security contractor who found Spear Operations Group, told Buzzfeed.

'It was sanctioned by the UAE within the coalition,' he added.

Nearly 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE intervened on the side of the Yemeni government in 2015 to fight what is essentially a proxy war against Iran.

Golan says his team was responsible for assassinating a number of high-profile names during the war, but declined to elaborate further.

He said the terms were that the team would receive $1.5million a month  with bonuses paid for successful kills.

Mercenaries can be seen pulling up and planting a bomb outside a building in Aden, Yemen while shooting at people down the street

Dramatic drone footage shows the bomb exploding outside the building, sending a plume of black smoke into the air

That deal was finalized in the weeks after a lunch between Isaac Gilmore, a former Navy SEAL, and Mohammed Dahlan, the former security chief for the Palestinian Authority who is reportedly a close advisor to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at an Italian restaurant at a UAE military base in Abu Dhabi.

Gilmore and Golan were part of the mission targeting Mayo.

Another one of the team's mercenaries was still in the Navy Reserve with top-secret clearance, Buzzfeed reports  and was a veteran of SEAL Team 6, the elite unit best known for killing Osama bin Laden.

Another formerly worked with the CIA's equivalent of the military's special forces, otherwise known as the 'ground branch,' three sources told Buzzfeed.

And another was a special forces sergeant in the Maryland Army National Guard.

A former CIA official described the mercenaries as 'almost like a murder squad.'

After the men speed off in a vehicle a second explosion destroys the SUV which was following behind

The target was said to have been Anssaf Ali Mayo, the local leader of the Islamist political party As-Islah

Shockingly, the Americans involved in the missions operated in a 'legal and political gray zone,' according to Buzzfeed.

While US law makes it illegal to 'conspire to kill, kidnap or maim' in a foreign country, the US doesn't prohibit mercenaries and Americans can legally serve in foreign militaries.

But Spear Operations Group got the UAE to give military rank to US mercenaries by incorporating them into the UAE Armed Forces.

This way, Golan said, their uniforms and dog tags would mark 'the difference between a mercenary and military man.'

The revelations come amid allegations that Saudi Arabia is behind a state-sanctioned attack on journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The Washington Post contributor, who is a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, hasn't been seen since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

Saudi officials have called Turkish allegations that Saudi agents killed Khashoggi 'baseless.'

But reports on Tuesday suggested the Saudis may acknowledge the writer was killed at the consulate, perhaps as part of a botched interrogation.Canada will become the second and largest country with a legal, nationwide marijuana marketplace when sales begin at midnight Wednesday.

At least 111 legal pot shops are planning to open across the nation of 37 million people on Wednesday- making Canada the second country to have a federal marijuana market, after Uruguay.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has spent about two years planning for legalization, fueled by a desire to bring dealers out of the black market and into a regulated system.

Tom Clarke will be among the first to legally sell recreational marijuana when his shop opens in Newfoundland. He's been dealing marijuana for 30 years and says his teenage self would love what he's doing with his life.

Members of the media attend a preview for one of Quebec's new cannabis stores in Montreal, Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has spent about two years planning for legalization

The federal government established the broad outline of the legalization law but left it up to provinces and territories to fill in some of the details - such as whether to allow home grows, to establish a legal purchase age of 18 or 19, and whether to sell through government-run pot shops or private outlets.

Canada's Cannabis Act allows people 18 and older to buy marijuana online or in retail stores.

Most provinces have raised the minimum age to 19, however, to align with the drinking age. In the U.S., states with recreational legalization have an age limit of 21, which matches the drinking age.

Canadian law sets a 30-gram limit on how much people can buy at once or possess in public. That's just over an ounce, which is the possession limit in all but one of the U.S. states with legal pot - Maine's limit is 2.5 ounces (71 grams).

However, there's no limit on how much Canadians can possess in their homes.

Employee Jason Gagne trims cannabis plants at Up's factory in Lincoln, Ontario ahead of the nationwide sale

Canada will become the second and largest country with a legal, nationwide marijuana marketplace when sales begin at midnight Wednesday.

Cannabis products are displayed on the shelves at a new Societe Quebecoise du Cannabis in Montreal

The Canadian law also allows for residents to grow up to four plants at home, though two provinces - Quebec and Manitoba - opted to forbid home-growing. U.S. states including California, Nevada, Alaska and Colorado allow home-growing of up to six plants

Unlike in the U.S., where many types of products are available, Canada is for now allowing sales of only dried cannabis flower, tinctures, capsules and seeds. Marijuana-infused foods and concentrates are expected to be available in about a year.

Residents across Canada will be able to buy marijuana online, through websites run by each province - a handy resource for cannabis users in any cities that might decide to ban pot shops.

Most provinces will have at least some stores open next Wednesday, ranging from 20 in New Brunswick to a single store in British Columbia.

Hundreds more are expected to open nationwide over the next year.

Federal taxes will total $1 per gram or 10 percent, whichever is more. The feds will keep one-quarter of that and return the rest to the provinces, which can add their own markups. Consumers also will pay local sales taxes.

At least 111 legal pot shops are planning to open across the nation on the first day



The first African lion cubs born in the UK since 2015 have taken a bow.

The new cubs, which are yet to be named, were born at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm on the outskirts of Bristol on August 20.

Their mother lioness Arusha has never successfully reared a litter of cubs until now and the keepers are giving her space to raise the cubs without intervention allowing the precious 'mother and cub bonds' to develop.

With African lions given a 'vulnerable' status by the International Union for Conservation of Nature the zoo is celebrating these precious arrivals.

The adorable new cubs which are yet to be named were born at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm on the outskirts of Bristol on

The birth was also special, as Arusha chose not to give birth in a den specially prepared by her keepers, and instead created her own shelter outside, as she would in the wild.

Emma Godsell, Lion Keeper at Noah's Ark, said: 'We are thrilled at the two boisterous additions to our lion pride.

'Arusha has been a very protective mother to the two cubs, keeping them sheltered in her den.

'It has been wonderful to watch the mother and cubs bonding over the last few weeks.

'What makes it even more special is that the cubs were also born the day before lioness Arusha's birthday.'

The mother lioness Arusha has never successfully reared a litter of cubs until the birth on Tuesday

Arusha arrived at Noah's Ark in March 2014 and was paired up with the zoo's male Lion, Masai who was one of the first lions to arrive at the Zoo. The couple have been together for four years.

The two cubs will be sexed in the next few weeks.

The father, 10 year old Masai, is currently separated from Arusha and the two the cubs in another enclosure.

The cubs will be reunited with their father when they reach certain developmental goals.

Visitors to the zoo over October half term will be some of the first to meet the new lion cubs.Haider Ahmed said he wanted to be a suicide bomber since he was eight, court hears

A teenager accused of an ISIS-inspired knife plot, volunteered to be a suicide attacker in order to impress girls, he has told a court.

Haider Ahmed, 19, from Redhill, Surrey, is accused of plotting a terrorist attack using a 10ins Classic Hunting Knife, supplied to him by a friend.

The court heard that in social media messages he boasted he had wanted to be a suicide bomber since he was eight.

Ahmed threatened that he launch an attack the next day if he had the right 'equipment'.

At primary school he had written in a text book that he wanted to fight for the Taliban when he grew up, and his sister had also called the police, he told Kingston Crown Court.

He explained that when he was 14, he became interested in violent 'drill' rap videos which he saw on YouTube and that led to him watching ISIS execution videos.

At the age of 16, he took over as the administrator for a secret encrypted chat group on the Telegram app, hosting a select group of ISIS supporters from across the world.

Ahmed sent selfies to a YouTube user called Natz Oum Zaid in May 2016, including one taken at London Bridge station and another of him wearing a red Emporia Armani jumper

Ahmed used a series of schoolmates' names online to make it appear as though he was white, but the name of the group, 'BUG' stood for Baqiya United Group, a reference to an ISIS slogan of defiance which meant, 'we will remain.'

He told one 18-year-old female user who was Vietnamese-American: 'Basically I was radical at a very young age, and no one in my family was. When I was 9 my teacher asked me what do u wanna become in the future and I said a suicide bomber (martyrdom opp proper term) and she didn't do anything because I was a kid.'

Ahmed told another user called 'AA' that his sister had 'called the police on me once' but 'they said their [sic] is no evidence I'm a radical and they stopped the case.'

He explained in court that his brother complained he had been 'watching a disturbing video online and wants to be a martyr.'

Ahmed told AA: 'BTW [by the way] don't tell anyone I told you this, OK?? That I wanna be a martyr.'

AA replied: 'Don't we all wanna be shuhuda in sha Allah [martyrs, god willing].'

Two days later he told another user called Abu Jayy: 'I don't like this country. I wanna revive Allah swt khalifah [Islamic state] and get shaheed fisabilila [martyred for the sake of Allah].'

By May 2 2016, Ahmed was messaging another female user called Natz Oum Zaid, and telling her: 'When I was 8 or 9 years old I wanted to do isishadi [martyrdom operation].'

He later sent her selfies of himself, one taken at London Bridge station, and another wearing an Armani top.

'It was my way of flirting towards her,' Ahmed told the court.

However, he followed that with a picture which he labelled: 'Some spy got beheaded.'

'It made me feel soft and fuzzy inside, I didn't like that, so this would make me feel hard inside, that I'm not a kid and I can handle this type of thing,' Ahmed explained.

Ahmed repeated his desire to be a martyr to another female user called Naya on September 1, explaining: 'When I was 8 or 9 the news used to come on TV about Iraq war and Muslims fighting America, so I wanted to give bayah [swear allegiance] and do istishadi [martyrdom operation]. Absolutely nothing to do with my parents lol [laughs out loud].'

He said he would launch an attack the next day if he had the right 'equipment', Kingston Crown Court (pictured) heard

He also boasted that he had helped a Nigerian contact to join ISIS in Sirte, Libya, by putting him in touch with people smugglers.

'I told a lot of people that I had done this thing at this young age, and they hadn't done anything like that even though they were older, to impress them,' Ahmed told the court.

On September 23, Ahmed told Naya: 'I wanna tell u. I wanna do inghamasi [martyrdom operation] here inshAllah [god willing]. I'm 100% serious.

'We need to do this fisabililah [for the sake of god], they're eradicating our people. We won't stand for this. We will collapse their country as they're collapsing ours.

'I came home on train today and even imagined doing it. I'm not waiting for anything. I don't have any money for h [emigrating], so I'm gonna open the doors of jihad here inshAllah. If I had the equipment, I'd do it tomorrow inshAllah.'

He asked a British ISIS contact in Syria: 'Can we do inghamasi [martyrdom operation] in the UK?' adding 'Wallahi akhi [I swear brother] since I was 9 years old I wanted to do istishadi [martyrdom].'

The Classic Hunting Knife similar to the type allegedly bought by Imdadul Karim for Haider Ahmed

Court heard Ahmed also got in touch with a man called Carl Drogo and helped him get in touch with a member of ISIS. Drogo later sent Ahmed images of himself posing with weapons (pictured)

Ahmed was sent a knife by an online contact called Imdadul Karim, 24, from Streatham, South London, but later claimed he had changed his mind and wanted to steal a Rolex watch from a drug dealer and use it to fund a trip to Syria.

Giving evidence in his own defence, Ahmed told the court: 'When I was 16 I was very immature and silly. I wasn't really aware of the consequences. It was behind a screen so I just thought of it as surreal.

'I'm not really a violent person, I don't have the stomach to knife someone really.'

Ahmed said he made the claims, 'to prove that I wasn't a kid and really committed to the cause, and impress females to be honest'.

The court also heard, on the day that he failed his GCSEs, Ahmed got in touch with a physiotherapist in Nigeria and decided he would help him join ISIS.

He helped the man, who used the name 'Carl Drogo,' get in touch with a member of ISIS in Sirte, Libya.

Drogo later sent Ahmed images of himself posing with weapons.

'I went on Twitter and it said under his bio, that he was seeking to travel to Libya,' Ahmed told the court.

'I asked him questions about travelling to Libya. I felt that if there was someone who could help me escape from the problems at home I would be less of a failure.'

Ahmed was arrested on October 16, when he was 17, and denies preparing acts of terrorism.

Karim denies funding terrorism by making a 'Heavyweight Classic Hunting Knife' available to Ahmed.

The case continues.Royal-uncle-to-be Thomas Markle Jr has said he is 'excited' and 'thrilled for Meghan' after discovering his younger sister is pregnant with her first child.

The window fitter, 51, of Grants Pass, Oregon, told DailyMailTV in an exclusive interview that news of the impending arrival is 'awesome' and that he hopes his father will be involved in the life of his sixth grandchild.

But he also revealed his sadness over the thought that the closest he might get to his new niece and nephew could be in photographs, saying: 'It's a little bittersweet because of all that's been going on but I hope our family can be involved in his or her life.'

The father-of-two, who found out about his new nephew or niece via friends, added: 'It is really awesome and massive congratulations to them. It's a big deal and I'm still processing the news.'

Thomas Markle Jr, 51, told DailyMailTV he is 'thrilled for Meghan' after hearing the news that she was expecting her first child with her husband Prince Harry

Meghan's older half-brother said: 'It is really awesome and massive congratulations to them. It's a big deal and I'm still processing the news. I'm really happy for Harry and Meghan and I just hope our family can be involved in some way'

Meghan's half brother also expressed his hope that their father Thomas Markle will be involved in his sixth grandchild's life, saying 'it would be wonderful to see them close again'. Thomas Sr,(seen on Monday) was left to find out the news of Meghan's pregnancy from his former wife

He added: 'I'm really happy for Harry and Meghan and I just hope our family can be involved in some way.'

Markle Jr has not seen his younger sister, 37, since their grandmother Doris' Los Angeles funeral in 2011.

Although he has repeatedly attempted to reach out to the Duchess of Sussex, his efforts have so far been ignored  resulting in a string of media outbursts which he says he now regrets.

Now he hopes Baby Sussex, whose father is Prince Harry, 34, will help bring his fractured family back together; and says he thinks his dad Thomas Markle Sr, 74, should be given a role in the child's life.

Markle Jr said: 'I'm sure my dad is extremely overjoyed and extremely happy  Meghan is the most important thing in his life, so I truly hope my dad is there to witness it and be part of it.'

The 51-year-old, who has two sons named Thomas III and Tyler with his ex-wife Tracey Dooley, says he too would like a chance to meet the newest member of the Markle clan  even though he was left off the guest list for the royal couple's May wedding in Windsor.

On that occasion, he was forced to look on from the crowd as the guest of a tabloid newspaper, with only Meghan's mother Doria Ragland, 62, inside St. George's Chapel itself.

Thomas Markle Jr hopes Baby Sussex, whose father is Prince Harry, 34, will help bring his fractured family back together; and says he thinks his dad Thomas Markle Sr, 74, should be given a role in the child's life. Pictured: Meghan in Sydney on Tuesday

Markle Jr has not seen his younger sister, 37, since their grandmother Doris' Los Angeles funeral in 2011. Pictured: Meghan with her older half-brother as a baby

He told DailyMailTV: 'Of course I would like to meet my new niece or nephew. The Markle family has been so split up from the beginning, with the wedding, with everything I mean, something has to happen.

'Meg just can't go on pretending she doesn't have a family.

'This may work in everyone's eyes and it may work in her favor, it may work in nobody's favor but she should make the right decision and invite us at some point because she can't leave us out this many times.'

News of the impending royal arrival was announced on Monday morning, via a statement from Kensington Palace.

The announcement read: 'Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019.

'Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public.'

Thomas Markle Jr told DailyMailTV: 'Of course I would like to meet my new niece or nephew. The Markle family has been so split up from the beginning, with the wedding, with everything I mean, something has to happen. Meg just can't go on pretending she doesn't have a family'

In a separate statement, the Palace revealed that Meghan's mother Doria is 'very happy about this lovely news' and 'looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild'.

She is thought to have been told of the pregnancy during a visit to London in September and is reportedly planning to move part time to the UK to be closer to her daughter.

Thomas Sr, by contrast, was left to find out from his former wife and texted other relations, including his elder daughter Samantha with the news.

The 74-year-old retired lighting director is currently thought to be digesting the revelation at his modest home in Rosarito, Mexico, but did send a letter to Meghan  telling her that he is 'absolutely delighted' and adding 'you will make a great mother'.

He and Meghan have not spoken directly since May, when he pulled out of attending the royal wedding citing a heart attack amid a staged paparazzi photo scandal.

Since then, he has given a string of explosive interviews, including one in which he claimed it would be better for Meghan 'if I were dead' and another in which he revealed a flavor of Prince Harry's political views  such as that President Trump 'should be given a chance'.

But his son, from whom he is also estranged, told DailyMailTV that he hopes news of the royal baby will finally lead to a rapprochement between his sister and their father.

Meghan's brother added: 'I'm sure this would mean a lot more to my dad than all the rest. Meg was the most important thing in his life so he absolutely has to be involved in this'

Markle Jr told DailyMailTV: 'Anybody I've ever known who has a baby, even friends, it's a big deal, it's a get together.

'That's what it is. Never in my life have I not been invited to see a new family member born so I hope she makes the right decision and becomes more popular than she is now.

'I think the baby needs to know that there's family out here, not just the immediate family there [in the UK].

'Just include the rest of the family and let them meet the new baby  even Samantha, she's not exempt. All in all, she's still my sister and it's always going to be that way. She's still an aunt.

'Most of all my dad should be there though. This makes him a grandfather six times over. But I'm sure this would mean a lot more to my dad than all the rest. Meg was the most important thing in his life so he absolutely has to be involved in this.'

He added: 'I hope it brings my dad back to her because I know how much it means to him and I know how he's feeling right now about the whole thing and I know he's really sad because he got pushed off to the side as well just like everybody else.

'It would be wonderful to see them close again, you know.'A California 16-year-old was allegedly protecting his mother from physical abuse when he shot and killed his father.

Javier Vera, 54, was found dead inside the family's home in Fresno on Saturday after his son called 911 to report a domestic violence-related injury, according to the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.

The boy, who has not been named because he is a minor, reportedly told police that Vera had been drinking when he got in an argument with his wife and began to strangle her - at which point the couple's son fired the weapon.

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A 16-year-old allegedly shot his father, 54-year-old Javier Vera, at their home in Fresno, California, on Saturday in an effort to protect his mother from physical abuse (scene pictured)

'Deputies learned that the husband and wife had been involved in a verbal argument, which escalated into physical fight,' the Fresno County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Sunday.

'At one point, the man began to choke the woman. A short time later, the couple's 16 year old son fired a gun, striking his father.'

Both the mother and the son were interviewed after the incident but no arrests were made.

Police spokesman Tony Botti (above) said the boy was not arrested as detectives say he was 'defending his mother's life'

'Detectives determined [the son's] action of shooting his father was done to defend his mother's life,' the statement said.

Tony Botti, public information officer for the sheriff's office, told Your Central Valley there was evidence of long-term domestic violence between the couple.

She said of the boy: '[He was] visibly shaken up. Scary situation, your mom and dad are in this fight, next thing you know you end up taking your dad's life.'

'There are people out in our community who are experiencing things where husbands are beating up wives, or maybe even wives are being abusive to husbands. It's time to speak up.'

The Fresno County District Attorney's Office is now reviewing the case to determine if criminal charges are warranted.Sir John Major tonight lashed the 'princelings' fighting over the Tory crown in a thinly veiled assault on 'cheap grandstanding' from Boris Johnson.

The ex-Prime Minister said the rivals for Theresa May's job were campaigning in 'coded messages' that are 'about as subtle as a punch on the nose'.

In a rare speech, Sir John said ministers focused on 'self-advancement' were rarely qualified to actually take the reins of power.

In remarks that will be seen as direct criticism of Mr Johnson's lengthy Daily Telegraph columns and speeches attacking the Prime Minister's Brexit plans, Sir John said Government was not about 'soundbites or untruths or half-truths'.

The speech enraged Brexiteers. Former minister Steve Baker told MailOnline Sir John was largely to blame for embroiling the UK inside the modern EU in the first place and that he had 'done too much harm already'.

Sir John Major (pictured last month) tonight lashed the 'princelings' fighting over the Tory crown in a thinly veiled assault on 'cheap grandstanding' from Boris Johnson

In his hard-hitting speech, Sir John said 'Government is a serious and complex business'.

He said: 'What Government is not about is cheap grandstanding. It's not about deceiving the electorate with slogans, or soundbites, or untruths or half-truths. It's not about windy oratory that says nothing.

'It's not about simplistic solutions to intricate problems. It's not about scapegoating one part of our population to earn the plaudits of another.

'And  most emphatically  it's not about princelings fighting for the political crown of Premiership. Coded messages that shriek 'I'm the One' are about as subtle as a punch on the nose.

'Such self-interest is politics at its least attractive. It does not deliver sound government. It destabilises Government.

'As a general rule, those whose focus is on self-advancement are rarely the most suitable to be entrusted with power.'

In remarks that will be seen as direct criticism of Mr Johnson's (pictured in the Commons yesterday) lengthy Daily Telegraph columns and speeches attacking the Prime Minister's Brexit plans, Sir John said Government was not about 'soundbites or untruths or half truths'

Sir John also turned his fire on the Brexiteer vision for 'Global Britain' - a signature soundbite of Mr Johnson.

He said it was the 'right policy but it is hardly new' and mocked Brexiteers for trying to create something that has been 'the reality for 300 years'.

Sir John said: 'What is new is that much of the world will now perceive Britain to be a middle-sized, middle-ranking nation that is no longer super-charged by its alliances.

'Suddenly, the world will be a little chillier.'

Renewing his attack on the Brexit project, Sir John said it was a 'colossal misjudgement that will diminish both the UK and the EU'.

The ex-Prime Minister said the rivals for Theresa May's (pictured in the Commons yesterday) job were campaigning in 'coded messages' that are 'about as subtle as a punch on the nose'

He said: 'The UK will no longer be a buffer between the Franco-German steamroller and smaller nations. Germany will be more isolated, and friction may grow.

'The UK may have been an irritant to the Commission and some of our European partners, but it has also been the anchor to windward against precipitate, or unwise, or unaffordable policies.

'There is irony here: over 70 years ago, Britain stood alone to fight for Europe  now we freely choose to stand alone and, in so doing, undermine Europe.'

Mr Baker told MailOnline: 'As someone who watched the Maastricht debacle in bewilderment in my early 20s but who has now caught up, I consider our predicament today very substantially John Major's burden.

'Had he honestly explained what it meant and asked permission for it from the voters, I cannot conceive our country would be in this position.

'God bless him but he has done too much harm already. Enough.'A vile rapist who subjected his army medic girlfriend to nine hours of abuse at knife-point, including rape , has been jailed.

Stephen Graham, 29, from Glenrothes, Fife, attacked Carin, 29, in February, battering her and leaving her feeling 'broken' and suicidal.

The rapist who subjected an army medic to a nine-hour ordeal has been sentenced to six years and one month behind bars.

His brave former girlfriend waived her right to anonymity in court, but asked that her surname was kept private, so that she could speak out about what he had put her through.

Graham still denies raping his victim, despite scientific evidence determining sexual intercourse had likely taken place.

He appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh this morning after being found guilty by a jury last month.

Judge Lord Summers ordered him to serve 66 months for the assault and rape which took place in Markinch on February 25.

The veteran met Stephen Graham (above), 29, from Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland, began a relationship after returning from military service. She waived her right to anonymity to speak out ahead of Graham's sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh on October 16

He was also ordered to serve six months behind bars for separate assault charge against the same woman which happened in January of this year.

The judge decided to wrap up two further threatening and abusive behaviour charges which involved Graham attempt to attack police officers in September 2017.

The brute, who repeatedly turned in the dock to look at the public gallery, was given one month for each of the complaints, to be served concurrently.

Carin first met Graham from at high school before bumping into him years later after she returned from military service.

Unaware of his evil character the 29-year-old began a relationship with him and described the couple's first six weeks together as 'perfect'.

She said: 'In my head, it was the best relationship I'd ever been in. I thought I had found the one. We laughed all the time and we didn't argue even once.

'But when I got my own flat, it started going downhill. He was so jealous and didn't want me to have any male friends, even on social media.

'I wanted to ease his worries so I would always have my phone out and open so he could see what I was doing.'

Before the campaign of abuse started Carin had served in the army as a medic for seven years and had saved lives in Afghanistan.

Army veteran Carin (left and right), 29, from Fife, Scotland, who asked to withold her surname, spoke out about how she was beaten and raped by her ex-boyfriend as he held her at knifepoint during a nine-hour ordeal

She said: 'I've been through a lot and I've seen a lot but my mind was trained to deal with that.

'After this happened, I was broken. I was literally stripped to the bone. I had nothing left.

'If someone handed me a pill to end it all, I would have. I've been through hell but I survived.'

Carin eventually plucked up the courage to tell him she could not be in his life any more and walked away.

She said: 'When this all happened, I think I punished myself because I couldn't help but think what had I done wrong that was making him act this way.

'Now I know more about narcissism and the way they work, I've learnt that it wasn't my fault. 'I've never once in my whole entire life ever been involved with a guy like him.

'I just didn't think it could happen to me. But it did. If I could change anything in this whole situation, I would train myself to more aware and understanding of these types of people before getting involved.

'Now, as they say, once bitten, twice as shy. Even the slightest little sign now, I wouldn't even entertain it. I was just so oblivious to it, I didn't see it coming.'

Carin told how Graham first turned violent in September 2017 when he grabbed her by the throat and threw her across the living room as she was getting ready for college.

She eventually managed to escape before calling the police who arrested him.

Despite being remanded in custody, his hold over his victim was strong and Carin went to visit him in prison where he begged her for forgiveness.

Carin said: 'He said he'd never hurt me again and he'd make it up to me. He was crying like a baby.

'I just kept remembering all the little love and affection he had shown me before. I still loved him which sounds daft now.'

Carin said: 'After this happened, I was broken. I was literally stripped to the bone. I had nothing left. 'If someone handed me a pill to end it all, I would have. I've been through hell but I survived'

Graham's abuse continued from behind bars and Carin was bombarded with abusive voicemails and phone calls.

When he was released in December 2017, the couple reunited briefly before Graham's violent streak re-emerged just days later and they split.

In February 2018, she had enjoyed a night out with friends before she was attacked outside her Markinch flat and woke up, dazed and confused on the couch in Graham's living room.

He then subjected her to a horrendous nine-hour ordeal where he kept her trapped, threatened her with a knife and beat her repeatedly before raping her.

She said: 'I knew if he caught me trying to escape, he'd kill me. I could hear my heart beating. I don't even remember shutting the door, I think I was in shock.'

Carin eventually managed to make it to her grandmother's house before an ambulance and the police were called.

As he was led away, one family member shouted: We love you Stephen.

The sentence was backdated to December 7 to take into account the period of time the rapist has already spent on remand.

His name was previously added to the sex offenders register.This is the dramatic moment a speeding train ploughed into a car after the driver fell asleep on a level crossing.

Chen, 46, approached the crossing with her friend in the passenger seat near train tracks in Hsinchu City, Taiwan.

But Chen failed to notice red warning lights when she stopped in a queue of traffic.

Chen drives onto the tracks and is caught behind the barriers in Hsinchu City, Taiwan as they lowered down

They were positioned directly over the train tracks when Chen, who told police she was tired, briefly nodded off behind the wheel.

She finally roused herself but it was too late and she was unable to drive through as the barrier had already come down.

Camera footage from the vehicle in front shows how Chen tried to reverse in order to create an angle to move through the gap.

The passenger then decided time was running out and jumped out of the car to make a dash for safety to press the emergency release button on the barriers.

A Puyuma express train came speeding along and smashed into the car sending debris flying

Moments later, the Puyuma express train came speeding along and smashed into the car.

Amazingly, the both Chen was able to climb out of the wrecked vehicle and both were not seriously hurt in the smash.

The driver suffered cuts to her right ear and cheek, and was taken to the Cathay General Hospital for treatment.

The back end of the car is smashed up as a result of the impact of the high speed train

Authorities have now fined Chen over the level crossing accident. The woman was not severely injured and was fined with a total of 370.

The front end of the express train was damaged, as were the barriers warning pedestrians and motorists to stay away.

The train had to stop in the smash, and passengers had to be moved onto a second train.A North Carolina man was shocked when he went to his local Wendys to order a sandwich for his fiancee and himself and found his receipt said 'Chubby' in place of his name.

Jimmy Shue, of Gaston County, tried to keep the insult on his ticket to himself, but when his order was announced and his 'name' was called out the entire restaurant erupted in laughter.

He says the 'Chubby' insult came out of the blue when he stopped at the Gastonia restaurant around 8pm on October 4.

Jimmy Shue was shocked when a Wendy's employee asked for his name but wrote 'Chubby' on his receipt instead when he stopped by the North Carolina restaurant on October 4

He said at first he didn't want to make a big deal out of it. But then another employee said 'Chubby' out loud to announce his order was ready, leading everyone in the restaurant to laugh

He posted about the incident on Facebook saying 'I was embarrassed and humiliated'

'The girl asked me my name at the register, so I gave her my name clear as day, "Jimmy". She said, "Okay, thank you," handed me the ticket, and I didnt pay no mind at first until looked down at it while I was waiting and saw it said "Chubby,"' he said to WFMY.

At first he was upset but didn't want to raise hell about the ticket.

Then when another employee called out his order, the patrons at the restaurant exploded with laughter, leaving Jimmy utterly humiliated.

'He was hesitant to even say "Chubby" but he did and I told him, "Thats not my name but thats my order," and I grabbed the order and started to walk out because I was mad,' Shue said.

'Everybody started laughing in the restaurant, and I got really embarrassed,' he added.

Shue said: 'Everybody started laughing in the restaurant, and I got really embarrassed'

The female employee who wrote 'Chubby' has since been fired from the Gastonia, North Carolina Wendy's

He was ordering a sandwich for himself and his fiancee at the time of the incident

Shue flagged the incident to Wendy's corporate who put him in touch with someone at the local restaurant who simply told him the situation was 'dealt with' without any further explanation.

Wendy's tells DailyMail.com that the situation has been addressed and the female employee who wrote 'Chubby' has been fired.

'We work very hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for our employees and customers. We have apologized to this customer and the employee involved no longer works for our company,' the franchise organization that owns and operates the restaurant said to DailyMail.com.

Locals who frequent the Wendy's in Gastonia said they were appalled with the horrible incident.

'Why anybody would write "Chubby" is just cruel,' one customer said to WFMY.

'I think they should make it right,' they added.A year after a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Mexico City, survivors have found some rather interesting living quarters to now proudly call home.

Thanks to the charitable contributions of a local architect along with her friends and other industry professionals, three families from the town of Cuajimalpa are now living inside shipping containers.

Mexican architect Maria Gomez thought of the idea of sprucing up the enormous, 430 square-feet shipping containers and converting them into livable homes.

She started with homes for three families who were left on the streets when their previous properties were totally destroyed by the September 19, 2017 earthquake that killed 228 in Mexico City and another 142 in the states of Puebla and Morelos.

An architect in Mexico came up with the idea of converting three large shipping containers into homes for three families displaced by the 2017 earthquake that struck Mexico City

Maribel Alva is one of three women whose homes were totally wiped out by an earthquake that shook Mexico in 2017. She accepted moving into a container home

The September 19, 2017 earthquake rattled Mexico City as well as the states of Puebla and Morelos. The quake killed 370 and injured 6,000 and displaced countless families

More than 6,000 people were injured.

Gomez met three families from the San Pablo Chimalpa neighborhood and presented the quirky idea of starting a new life inside the yellow and grey shipping containers.

They quickly accepted but not before running into a few obstacles with the local Mexican government and other companies.

'Obviously we had no idea how it was going to be, but we did not have a house,' Maribel Alva told Univision.

'So we thought the idea was cool. We did not think that it would be as it looks right now.'

A look into one of three 430 square-foot shipping container that was converted into a home in Mexico City. Three families were assisted in moving into these new homes

As was the case with Alva and two other home owners, the government refused to acknowledge the massive quake left their houses at a total loss according to the complex laws set forth by home insurance policies.

Instead, the destroyed homes were graded at a partial loss, meaning the affected families would be eligible for less funding.

The massive quake occurred on the 32nd anniversary of one of the deadliest disaster in the country's history when the 1985 Mexico earthquake claimed the lives of almost 10,000.

Maria Gomez sprung to action right after noticing how a Mexican City town was a badly affected by the 2017 earthquake and offered to build container homes for three families

Each container home has its own kitchen (pictured above), dining room, living room, two bedrooms and a bathroom. The average cost is about $10,000 to set it all up

Construction on the containers started in April and the homes were ready to welcome new owners in September.

Each home has a kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom and two bedrooms with a number of windows lined up across the side of the containers that were once utilized to ship goods across the world.

All three homes share a patio.

Soon each home will also have its own gas supply line.

One of the three shipping containers that were converted into homes for three families whose houses were destroyed by the massive 2017 earthquake that struck Mexico City

The result surpassed owners' wildest dreams

'The truth is that at the beginning we had no idea that it was a container,' Juana Manon told El Universal.

'And now living here, it's a dream come true.'

Gomez is already thinking about introducing a large scale plan of more container homes to the incoming government because she sees it as a cost-effective measure.

The architect estimates the creation of each home container at $10,660, and they could be prone to withstanding future earthquakes, especially in the areas that were affected by the 2017 severe earthquake.

'I think we can reconstruct in other ways that we would have never imagined. We need to understand the urban structures in another way,' Gomez told El Universal.

'The benefit of the containers is that the intervention is faster.'A Washington state man has been charged with kidnapping and raping a 14-year-old girl at gunpoint as she was walking to school last week.

Ronald Williams, 52, was arrested on the evening of October 9 following an hours-long standoff with a SWAT team, which sparked lockdowns at two nearby schools.

Williams was booked into the Regional Justice Center the following morning on charges of kidnapping, rape and assault.

Ronald Williams, 52, was arrested in Washington state on charges of kidnapping, assault and rape involving a middle school student after a three-hour standoff with a SWAT team (pictured)

The suspect remained jailed Tuesday on $150,000 bond.

According to charging documents cited by Seattlepi.com, the 14-year-old victim was on her way to Mt Baker Middle School when she noticed a man she did not know staring at her 'like a perv' while talking on his phone.

She did not see the stranger, later identified as Williams, cross the street towards her, but moments later she felt a gun pressed to her back and heard a click.

The teen would later tell police how her attacker allegedly ordered her to 'smile and play nice,' or else she would end up like four 'other girls.

Fearing for her life, the 14-year-old followed Williams to his apartment in the 500 block of 37th Street southeast.

There, Williams allegedly undressed the teen and raped her on his bed for several minutes while she pleaded for him to stop, according to the documents.

At one point, he said to her: 'Shut up, it's not like I'm raping you, we haven't got to that part yet.'

The girl tried to put up a fight by kicking and scratching the accused rapist, but he overpowered her by strangling her for a full minute, according to police.

Williams then allegedly forced the girl into a shower and later used socks to tie her to the bed.

When the 52-year-old fell sleep on the bed next to her at around 12.40pm, the girl used that opportunity to call 911 from the mans cellphone.

Police officers who arrived on the scene found the girl sitting on the staircase outside the apartment.

Williams is accused of dragging a 14-year-old girl to his apartment on 37th Street Southeast in Auburn (pictured) at gunpoint and raping hr there

Once the victim was led to safety, Williams barricaded himself inside his unit and refused to come out for three hours, which prompted negotiators and SWAT officers to respond to the residence.

Mt. Baker Middle School and Gildo Rey Elementary were placed on lockdown as a precaution during the impasse.

By the time Williams surrendered to police at 5pm, he appeared 'extremely intoxicated.'

A search of his apartment turned up the victims belongings, including her jacket, hooded sweatshirt, shoes and backpack.

It is unknown whether police are looking into Williams' comment referencing additional potential victims.Adorable footage shows a father and his young children holding a funeral for their beloved pet gold fish after it died.

Social media users have commended the father who allowed his children to learn about grief and the meaning of death.

The footage starts as the father apologises to his three children, two boys and one younger girl, as the fish, which they named Goldie, lays on a small saucer on the toilet bowl at their home in Warrior, Alabama.

The fish, which they named Goldie, lays on a small saucer on the toilet bowl at their home in Warrior, Alabama

The youngsters are seen weeping and sobbing as they prepare to say their goodbyes to their pet. Their father reassures them that the fish had gone to heaven and that she was 'sick'.

The older boy takes out a harmonica and starts to play as the fish is dropped into the water. The father then flushes the toilet.

The youngsters are seen weeping and sobbing as they prepare to say their goodbyes

The video was posted online with the caption: 'A heartfelt goodbye to a true friend' and was viewed over 200, 000 times on Facebook.

Social media users praised the dad for teaching his children about the grieving process and how to deal with difficult emotions like loss.

One wrote: 'What a great Dad to address the issue of death with his children and the importance of having one another. Part of life.'

The older boy takes out a harmonica and starts to play as the fish is dropped into the water

For more videos like this follow Daily Mails Watch show What Did I Just WatchPresident Trump refocused his attention Tuesday on a Justice Department official he blames for the spread of the dossier full of salacious claims about his sex life and the man who oversees him, asking in a tweet, 'Where is Jeff Sessions.'

Trump had been putting steady pressure on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to fire Bruce Ohr over his repeated contact with the former British spy who put the unverified document together for a firm at which Ohr's wife worked.

He had moved off the topic, however, as he made amends with his deputy attorney general and punted on firing his DOJ chief until after November's elections.

But a closed-door deposition where the founder of the firm that commissioned the dossier plead the Fifth riled Trump up all over again and the president tweeted: 'Is it really possible that Bruce Ohr, whose wife Nellie was paid by Simpson and GPS Fusion for work done on the Fake Dossier, and who was used as a Pawn in this whole SCAM (WITCH HUNT), is still working for the Department of Justice????? Can this really be so?????'

President Trump refocused his attention Tuesday on a Justice Department official he blames for the spread of the dossier full of salacious claims about his sex life

Trump had been putting steady pressure on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to fire Bruce Ohr (left) over his repeated contact with the former British spy who put the unverified document together for a firm at which Ohr's wife Nellie (right) worked

The president met last week on Air Force One with Sessions' deputy, Rod Rosenstein (right) and buried the hatchet. But he's indicated that as far as Sessions is concerned the damage cannot be undone

Trump signaled with the tweet that he remains dissatisfied with his attorney general's performance and that Sessions could be back on the chopping block after the November elections

Trump made clear that Fusion GPS founder Glenn Simpson's scheduled testimony about the dossier that he hired ex-MI6 agent Christopher Steele to put together that was fueling his swelling anger.

'Conflict between Glen Simpsons testimony to another House Panel about his contact with Justice Department official Bruce Ohr. Ohr was used by Simpson and Steele as a Back Channel to get (FAKE) Dossier to FBI. Simpson pleading Fifth. Catherine Herridge,' he said, apparently semi-quoting a Fox News reporter.

He asked afterward: 'Where is Jeff Sessions?'

Trump signaled with the tweet that he remains dissatisfied with his attorney general's performance and that Sessions could be back on the chopping block after the November elections.

The president met last week on Air Force One with Sessions' deputy, Rod Rosenstein, and buried the hatchet. But he's indicated that as far as Sessions is concerned the damage cannot be undone.

Trump has said without hesitation that he blames Sessions for the ongoing special counsel probe into Russian election meddling that has flourished into an investigation into his campaign's alleged collusion with the Kremlin to affect the outcome

He has said without hesitation that he blames Sessions for the ongoing special counsel probe into Russian election meddling that has flourished into an investigation into his campaign's alleged collusion with the Kremlin to affect the outcome.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller has showed no signs of slowing a year and a half in, and two years after the election. Lawmakers are still probing Russian election interference, as well.

They hauled in Simpson, the founder of the firm responsible for the dossier of dirt on Trump, for testimony to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

But Simpson said through an attorney that he would 'invoke his constitutional rights not to testify' in a letter last week that was obtained by Politico.

'This Committees inquiry is not designed to discover the truth. The obvious  and at times explicitly stated  goal of this Committee is to discredit and otherwise damage witnesses to Russias interference in the 2016 election,' the letter says, 'all as part of an effort to protect a President who has sought to placate and curry favor with a hostile foreign power and who demands that the Justice Department stop investigating him.'

Simpson's attorney pointed out in the letter that their client's testimony leaked the last time he agreed to to participate in a closed-door session with lawmakers.

Fusion GPS founder Glenn Simpson's scheduled testimony about the dossier that he hired ex-MI6 agent Christopher Steele to put together is fueling Trump's new anger

Simpson said through an attorney that he would 'invoke his constitutional rights not to testify' and plead the Fifth on Tuesday

He answered questions for 10 hours in a closed-door session with investigators working with the Senate Judiciary Committee on August 22, 2017.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the ranking Democrat on the committee, unilaterally released a transcript of the conversation on January 10 as lawmakers argued about what Simpson actually testified to.

The dossier that Steele put together accuses Trump of engaging in lewd sexual acts with prostitutes in Moscow. It suggests that Russia has evidence of the misbehavior that it is lording over the sitting president.

The information that appears in the dossier that Buzzfeed News released prior to the election is unverified and has not been corroborated by the FBI.

Even so, it was used by the bureau to order up a warrant from a secret court to spy on a Trump adviser the government suspected was collaborating with Russia to tilt the presidential election in the Republican candidate's favor.

Trump has denied various allegations stemming from the dossier - including one that his campaign intentionally colluded with the Kremlin to win the 2016 election.

Simpson has said that the FBI believed that Steele was a credible source of information on the Trump campaign, especially because the law enforcement agency had other evidence that lined up with his claims.

The secret court that granted a FISA warrant to spy on Carter Page, the Trump adviser, has indicated in a redacted document that the dossier was not the only evidence presented by the FBI when it asked for permission to spy.

Fusion GPS pulled the information together for Hillary Clinton when she was a presidential candidate and the Democratic National Committee.

Allegations that appeared in the dossier are now the subject of a Department of Justice investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

Simpson had wanted the transcript of his congressional interview released by the Senate to help clear his name publicly - but now he says he won't do anymore talking.

A letter from his attorney, Joshua Levy, to Rep. Bob Goodlatte, the House Judiciary chairman, on Oct. 11 said, 'Mr. Simpson, whose testimony is a matter of public record, will not be participating in a confidential deposition before this Committee. He will instead invoke his constitutional rights not to testify under the First and Fifth Amendments of the Constitution.'

Levy argued in the response that lawmakers had 'repeatedly interviewed witnesses in secret, only to selectively leak from the interviews to disparage those witnesses and promulgate a patently false narrative.'

He said the committee's 'clear abuse' of the process prompted former FBI Director James Comey to refuse to submit to a closed-door session, too.

'We have been down this road. Our client has voluntarily testified before three congressional committees,' the letter said. 'In light of Mr. Simpsons assertion of his constitutional privileges not to testify, we ask that he be excused from appearing for the deposition on October 16, 2018.'Constance Robertson, a 25-year-old substitute teacher, has been charged with having sex with a 16-year-old student at Port Barre High School in Louisiana

A Louisiana teacher has been charged with having sex with a 16-year-old student who recorded the incident on his cellphone, police say.

Constance Robertson, a 25-year-old substitute teacher at Port Barre High School, allegedly told police she thought the 10th grade student was 18 years old when she had sex with him in a classroom during a pep rally.

School officials learned of the video after the alleged victim shared it with other students.

Authorities searched the teen's phone and found evidence that led to Robertson's arrest, according to the Port Barre Police Department.

Robertson, who has been working for the Louisiana school system since May 2017, has been charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

If convicted, she could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Scroll down for video

Robertson is led out of the police station in handcuffs on Monday in Port Barre, Louisiana

St Landry Parish School System issued the following statement to KATC: 'It has been brought to our attention that a substitute teacher is being investigated by the Port Barre Police Department and St Landry Parish Sheriffs Department amid allegations of sexual misconduct with a student at Port Barre High School.

'The substitute teacher in question has been substituting in the St Landry Parish School System since May of 2017. There are no previously reported incidents involving this employee. She has been removed from working as a substitute teacher in St Landry Parish Schools.

'We are currently working with law enforcement as it pertains to this incident and are unable to comment further as this is a personnel matter and is under investigation.A liberal PAC targeting Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has teamed up with filmmaker Richard Linklater to slam the senator in a new ad over his preference for White Castle burgers.

Hamburgers have played an unusual role in the Texas Senate race.

Cruz's Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke has expressed his love for Whataburger, a Texas chain, and ate at a Dallas location after the two contenders debated in September.

A new ad from a liberal PAC questions Ted Cruz's love of White Castle burgers

Cruz talked about his love of White Castle during his Sept. 24, 2013 filibuster on the Senate floor over the defunding of Obamacare

Cruz's Democratic opponent Beto O'Rourke loves Whataburger and ate one after their first debate

O'Rourke, as he has done with most of his campaign events, posted a video on Facebook of him ordering the food (a Number one with cheese and a Coke), just as he posted a video of him skateboarding in the parking lot of a Brownsville Whataburger.

And observers in Texas have noticed O'Rourke's campaign logo resembles the design on the Whataburger spicy ketchup container.

Tony Casas, who created the O'Rourke logo, told the Fort Worth Star Telegram it was a 'pure coincidence' but Cruz's campaign struck back.

'Unlike the spicy ketchup, when Texans unwrap the O'Rourke packaging, they are definitely not going to like what they see underneath,' Cruz campaign spokeswoman Emily Miller told the newspaper. 'He's like a Triple Meat Whataburger liberal who is out of touch with Texas values.'

It's that comment that kicks off a new ad, entitled 'Ted Cruz loves White Castle,' out from left-leaning Fire Ted Cruz PAC.

In it actor Sonny Carl Davis demands to know what the Cruz campaign's Whataburger insult means and criticizes the Republican senator for liking burgers from a chain outside of the state.

'What does that even mean, Ted? I mean everybody I know in Texas likes Whataburger,' Davis asks of the Cruz campaign's comment on O'Rourke.

The ad then cuts to a clip of Cruz on the Senate floor declaring his love for White Castle burgers.

Davis calls out the senator for favoring a midwest chain that doesn't have a location in the Lone Star State.

'There's not a White Castle within 900 miles of Texas, Ted,' Davis says. 'Uh, maybe up in Canada, huh? But not in Texas.'

Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke shake hands at their first debate; their second is Tuesday night

The closest White Castle to Texas is roughly 580 miles away - located in Columbia, Missouri, according to a Texas ABC station.

It's the second ad Linklater, the director of 'Dazed and Confused' and 'Before Sunrise,' has made for the PAC.

Cruz's love of White Castle dates back at least five years.

During his Sept. 24, 2013 filibuster on the Senate floor over the defunding of Obamacare, Cruz used White Castle's decision not to open more restaurants to illustrate the negative effects of the health care law.

'I like their little burgers,' Cruz said during his 21 hours of remarks.

Democrat O'Rourke likes Whataburger while Republican Cruz likes White Castle

Observers have noticed Beto O'Rourke's campaign logo resembles the design for Whataburger Spicy Ketchup

Cruz has expanded his lead in the polls over the past few weeks after the race was within a few points in September.

A RealClearPolitics average of the polling shows Cruz with a 7-point lead.

O'Rourke, however, has outraised Cruz bringing in a staggering $38.1 million in third quarter fundraising alone.

The two candidates debate for a second time Tuesday evening.A semi-naked man was left blood-soaked on a roundabout after the rush-hour horror.

The machete was wielded after a number of cars crashed in the village of Ryton, Warkwickshire, at 8.40am this morning.

Two men were later detained on suspicion of assault.

Eyewitnesses told how the shirtless man was seen 'covered in blood' in the middle of a roundabout, just yards from a machete that had been abandoned in grass.

Warwickshire police, file photograph, have arrested two people following a road rage attack in the village of Royton at 8.40am. Eyewitnesses said a shirtless man was seen covered in blood on a roundabout just yards from a machete

A worker at nearby Jaguar Land Rover said: 'It was complete chaos. Police were pointing Tasers and there was a man on the roundabout who was in a bad way.

'Thankfully someone managed to flag down an ambulance that was going past.

'There were kids crying in the cars. It was horrible.'

Two vehicles that fled the scene were involved in two further collisions along the A423.

A 20-year-old man from Middlesex was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

A 24-year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.

Detective Inspector Dave Andrews from Warwickshire Police: 'We have two people in custody in connection with this incident and there are police patrols in the area while our collision investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding it.'Police are searching for a California man who smuggled a baby boy into a Walmart bathroom in a zipped-shut backpack and then abandoned him there.

A customer at the Lakewood Walmart at 2770 East Carson Street discovered the child in the stall of a mens restroom next to a toilet and notified an employee on October 8.

The boy was described as African American, 12 to 15 months old and weighing about 20 pounds, authorities said.

The man who police wish to speak to (pictured) was seen entering the store with a backpack

The backpack appeared to look smaller and 'deflated' when he exited Walmart (pictured)

Detectives from the Special Victims Bureau identified a person of interest who they wish to speak after reviewing hours of CCTV footage.

The man, who was wearing a white T-shirt and burgundy pants, was seen driving to and from the store in a beige or gold Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo.

No child matching the description of the baby has been reported missing and no relatives have come forward in the week since he was found, the Sheriffs Department told KTLA.

Lieutenant Todd Deeds believes the man may have hidden the baby in his backpack in order to bring him inside and leave him there.

The mans behavior in the parking lot was unusual, Deeds said. His car didnt have a license plate and the man parked as far away from the stores entrance as he possibly could.

He said: 'All he did was walk inside, walk straight to the bathroom and walk out. This is a very unusual case.

'He may have a perfectly valid reason why his backpack looked full when he walked in and why it didn't look full when he walked out, and why he parked so far away. We don't know.

Deeds added: 'He may have a valid reason as to why he did what he did, or his actions, but we need to talk to him. We need to find out firsthand'.

He explained that the footage also failed to show anyone holding or carrying a small child into the men's restroom, leading them to believe the boy was possibly concealed.

Police believe the man may have left the baby in the restroom of the Walmart store

'We believe that that person could possibly had that baby in the backpack,' Deeds said.

The lieutenant added that it took a week to release the information because they wanted to ensure it was correct.

The man is not being called a suspect because investigators dont have enough evidence that he carried the baby into the store, Deeds said.

But officials are asking for the publics help in identifying the man so he can be questioned.

The person of interest was seen driving what appeared to be a beige or gold 2000-2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, according to the release. It had no license plates.

Deeds implored anyone with information to come forward. We do absolutely need the publics help in trying to identify this person or this child,' he said.

He said the child is currently safe and being well cared for. They are anxious to know why the child was abandoned in the bathroom.

Lieutenant Todd Deeds believes the man carried the child into the store in a backpack

Whenever a child is taken into protective custody by Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department personnel, Department of Children and Family Services is contacted to organise a placement.

Tips can be left by contacting the sheriff's Special Victims Bureau by calling 877-710-5273 or emailing specialvictimsbureau@lasd.org.

Additionally, those who want to provide information anonymously can do so by dialing 'Crime Stoppers' at 800-222-8477, or through the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.Prisoners in UK prisons are brazenly mocking the justice system by filming themselves fighting, taking drugs and messing around - then posting the footage on Instagram, MailOnline can reveal.

Inmates shamelessly record themselves using mobile phones illegally smuggled into jails using weapons to threaten other prisoners and upload them to HMP TV3, an Instagram page for jail videos with nearly 22,000 followers.

In one, topless prisoners sporting Mohawk hairstyles  and with one holding a six inch blade - threaten a new arrival to HMP Risley in Warrington, Cheshire.

These two men with Mohawk - style hair were filmed threatening a third prisoner in HMP Risley in Warrington, Cheshire with one holding a six inch blade

This is a grab from a video which shows a prisoner in jail being attacked by other inmates

These three prisoners were filmed on a roof at HMP Portland. It has been viewed 8,000 times

A prisoner warns him: 'Soon as you land here lad you're going to get it, you little maggot. You're going to get opened up on site you little muppet.'

Prisoners laugh in the background on the film, viewed by over 13,000, as he went on: 'You're going to get marched, skerched and left in the dirt lads!'

A source told MailOnline: 'Some of our worst convicts  who are inside for committing some pretty heinous crimes - are posting daily videos to this Instagram account using illegal phones.

'They're fighting, doing drugs, rapping, talking about wanting a 'bitch' and generally breaking the law. They even film oblivious prison officers.

'What happened to locking these reprobates away from society for punishment and rehabilitation?

'They're giggling on the footage like they're a bunch of naughty schoolboys. But after the crimes they've committed it's not funny, it's absolutely outrageous.

'Thousands are watching these films, so there are loads of people out there who've seen what they're up to. Yet the authorities obviously don't have a clue.'

This clip reportedly shows a prisoner known as 'Scouse' smoking from a crack pipe

These images show two prisoners brawling in a bathroom in which they claim is HMP Fight

The men are later seen grappling on the ground during the brief Instagram video

In a shocking clip, an inmate nicknamed 'Twitch' says he 'wants bitches'.

He also admits that he is in jail for stabbing a friend while high on 'devil's dandruff' slang for cocaine - before warning that when he gets out, he'll 'stab him again'.

In another video seen 9,000 times a prisoner nicknamed 'Scouse' smokes on a crack pipe, lit from another man's cannabis spliff. Scouse then claps and and says: 'Big up HMP TV!'

A third film shows three prisoners on the roof of HMP Portland, on an island off the coast of Dorset, with their arms in the air, shouting: 'Yeah, go on. Freedom!'

Meanwhile another has two prisoners fighting in what they claim is a jail dubbed HMP Fights where one bangs another's head on the toilet wall and floor before drawing blood. Others fail in a bid to pull them apart, with one saying: 'Are you mad? This is game over lads.' Before another adds: 'Yeah, you're going to f*** him up.'

A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'This behaviour is unacceptable and we are working quickly to get this account taken down. Anyone found behaving this way can expect to spend significantly longer behind bars.

'We have invested 2 million to detect and block mobile phones to prevent them being used in the first place.'

Prisoners can receive an extra two years behind bars if they are caught in possession of a mobile phone.Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp offered a personal apology Tuesday and is reaching out to women she mistakenly identified in a campaign ad as victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and rape.

Heitkamp says she recently learned that several of the women named in the newspaper ad either hadn't authorized the use of their names or are not survivors of abuse.

The Heitkamp campaign, looking to attack her Republican opponent Kevin Cramer, ran an open letter on Sunday in several North Dakota newspapers addressed to Cramer to show him 'what prairie tough looks like.'

But several of the women named in the ad took to social media to note they had not given permission for their names to be used nor were some of them victims.

Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp offered a personal apology and is reaching out to women she mistakenly identified in a campaign ad as victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and rape

Several of the women named in the ad took to social media to note they had not given permission for their names to be used nor were some of them victims

Heitkamp's campaign is reaching out to the women named

The ad slammed Cramer for comments he made on Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court where he said 'tough people' do not identify with the national conversation around sexual assault.

Heitkamp is the most endangered Democratic senator running for re-election. Her and Cramer's matchup is seen as crucial in the battle for control of the upper chamber.

Heitkamp went on a media blitz Tuesday to apologize. She called into conservative talk radio host Rob Port's show and podcast, posted on his SayAnythingBlog.com, to take personal responsibility.

'This is a huge mistake that anyone was included on this letter that should not have been included,' she said in an emotional interview where her voice cried several times.

'The execution here was horrible,' she noted.

'This is a major mistake on our campaign's part. I can't say I'm sorry enough. I am so so sorry this happened. I'm trying to reach out and make sure we make it right,' she added.

Heitkamp said she believed the names on the ad came from a Facebook feed that was sent to the campaign. 'There should have been direct verification from the campaign. There obviously wasn't,' she said.

'We work through advocates who had worked with victims and they provided the names and now we're trying to work through what exactly happened and how this mistake was made,' Heitkamp said, saying there would be an internal review in her campaign.

'This was incompetent. This was wrong,' she said. 'This should have never happened.'

The letter featured in the ad had 127 names at the bottom. It's unclear how many were misidentified or named without permission.

'We recently discovered that several of the women's names who were provided to us did not authorize their names to be shared or were not survivors of abuse, Heitkamp said in a statement. 'I deeply regret this mistake and we are in the process of issuing a retraction, personally apologizing to each of the people impacted by this and taking the necessary steps to ensure this never happens again.'

Heitkamp is on an apology tour

The ad ran in several North Dakota newspapers on Sunday and featured 127 names

Eve Lancaster, one of the women wrongly named in the ad, also was on Port's show.

'I had no idea what this open letter was open. I'm not even into politics,' she said. 'I had nothing to do with this and I saw that my name was on there and obviously I got really mad.'

'It's actually really messed up. I don't know if I want to have her apologize to me,' Lancaster said.

'Wouldn't you have the common sense to get in contact to get permission in order to prove your point on a serious subject like this?,' she added.

'It doesn't make a lot of sense to me,' she said.

The reaction to the ad was started by Kady Miller, who was also mistakenly identified in the ad.

'I don't even support Heidi Heitkamp and I am not a domestic abuse survivor,' she wrote on Facebook with a photo of the ad.

Miller told CNN she was not a Heitkamp supporter and did not believe a personal apology from the senator would make amends.

'What's done is done and I don't think she can even get out of this one or fix it in any way,' Miller said. 'Our names have already been published in multiple newspapers.'

Cramer supported Kavanaugh, while Heitkamp voted against his nomination.

He has been leading in the polls and has a 8.7 percent lead in the RealClearPolitics polling average.

President Donald Trump won North Dakota by 36 points in the 2016 election and has campaigned for Cramer.

Republicans were quick to pounce.

Cramer said he considered the mistakes in Heitkamp's ad 'a revictimization of victims.'

'This is what happens when desperate people do things for their own personal political gain,' he said. 'She proved a point that her personal politics matter more than someone's personal pain.'

The National Republican Senatorial Committee said Heitkamp stooped to a 'new low.'

'Eager to save her failing campaign, Heidi Heitkamp has stooped to a new low,' said spokesman Michael McAdams in a statement.The co-founder of a political research firm that was behind a dossier of allegations about President Donald Trump's connections to Russia refused to speak to two House committees during a closed-door interview Tuesday.

A lawyer for Glenn Simpson said in a statement that he had exercised his Fifth Amendment rights and refused to answer questions from the GOP-led House Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform committees, which are investigating decisions made by the Justice Department in the run-up to the 2016 election.

Republicans on the committee have criticized the department, echoing Trump's repeated claims that officials there were conspiring against him as they investigated his ties to Russia and cleared his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, in a separate email probe.

The dossier - which was researched by former British spy Christopher Steele, compiled by Simpson's firm Fusion GPS and paid for by Democrats - contends that the Russian government amassed compromising information about Trump and had been engaged in a yearslong effort to support and assist him.

Taking the Fifth: Glenn Simpson, co-founder of Fusion GPS, said he was exercising his constitutional rights when he appeared in front of the GOP-led House Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform committees. His firm commissioned the notorious dossier on Trump

President Trump refocused his attention Tuesday on a Justice Department official he blames for the spread of the dossier full of salacious claims about his sex life

Trump had been putting steady pressure on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to fire Bruce Ohr (left) over his repeated contact with the former British spy who put the unverified document together for a firm at which Ohr's wife Nellie (right) worked

Republicans have argued that the dossier was inappropriately used by the Justice Department before the election as investigators obtained a warrant to put one of Trump's campaign advisers under surveillance.

Simpson's lawyer, Joshua Levy, said the committees' investigation is a partisan attempt to undermine special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. He compared it to Sen. Joseph McCarthy's anti-Communist hearings in the 1950s.

'Rather than participate any further in this charade, Mr. Simpson today stood on his constitutional rights,' Levy wrote.

Levy also noted that Simpson had already cooperated with three congressional investigations into Russian intervention into the 2016 elections. Two of those committees, the House Intelligence Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee, have published transcripts of their interviews with Simpson.

The Judiciary Committee had subpoenaed Simpson to appear on Tuesday. The questioners were mostly staff as the House is on recess before the midterm elections.

House Judiciary Chairman Robert Goodlatte, R-Va., said in a statement after the meeting that it was disappointing that Simpson wouldn't talk to the committee. He said he was 'uniquely qualified' to answer questions about the dossier.

Trump tweeted about Simpson after the meeting, quoting a Fox News report about Simpson pleading the Fifth and asking why a Justice Department official who met with Simpson before the presidential election, Bruce Ohr, was still employed at Justice.

Simpson said through an attorney that he would 'invoke his constitutional rights not to testify' and plead the Fifth on Tuesday

Republicans have seized on that meeting, noting that Ohr's wife, Nellie, worked for Simpson's firm and implying that the Justice Department officials were somehow coordinating with Fusion GPS to use the Democratic-funded research.

Simpson has said he met with Ohr because he was anxious that federal investigators were not taking seriously enough the threat of Russian election interference and the information that Steele had accumulated.

Trump tweeted: 'Is it really possible that Bruce Ohr, whose wife Nellie was paid by Simpson and GPS Fusion for work done on the Fake Dossier, and who was used as a Pawn in this whole SCAM (WITCH HUNT), is still working for the Department of Justice????? Can this really be so?????'

The two committees interviewed Ohr in August and are expected to interview his wife on Friday, according to four people familiar with the meeting. The people declined to be named because the investigation's schedule isn't public.

The two committees have been investigating partisan bias at the Justice Department for several months, bringing in several current and former Justice Department officials. Democrats have strongly objected to the probe, saying it is an effort to undermine Mueller's investigation.A Florida middle school student was told he couldn't wear his T-shirt bearing the Republican Party logo and was forced to turn the top inside out for the rest of the school day.

The Jacksonville boy wore the controversial shirt as a part of his 'Republican nerd' costume to celebrate Nerd Day during Kirby-Smith Middle Schools Spirit Week on Wednesday.

But his wardrobe didn't seem to fare well with school staff members who reprimanded him for the political top and suggested he turn it inside out.

But the student and his mother couldn't figure out just what was so offensive about the top.

A Jacksonville, Florida student wore a T-shirt with the GOP logo on it for 'Nerd Day' on Wednesday as a part of Kirby-Smith Middle School's Spirit Week, but was told to turn his shirt inside out

'It was nerd day, so he wanted to be a Republican nerd,' the student's mother said to News4Jax.

'When he came home from school he told me "Mommy I got in trouble, I was told to turn my shirt inside out." I said why and he said "The dean of my school told me to turn it inside out,"' she added.

The two consulted the school's dress code guidelines and failed to see how wearing the political shirt breached an rules.

The dress code says: 'Students may not wear any clothing or display any items which are obscene, profane, suggestive or derogatory to others.'

But wearing a shirt of political nature does not violate those parameters.

The school district later agreed with the mother.

A Kirby-Smith Middle School spokesperson told Yahoo Lifestyle that the incident resulted from 'momentary confusion'.

The student's mother was outraged to hear that a staff member at Kirby-Smith Middle School told her son to turn his shirt inside out as wearing the political shirt didn't violate any dress guidelines

He wore the GOP shirt on Wednesday as a part of a 'Republican nerd' costume

The school clarified that the staff member confused their dress guidelines with the students and suggested the student turn his shirt inside out. The school issued an apology on Friday

'If an employee were wearing the shirt, it would not have been allowed. We are prohibited from such political expression on the job. However on a student, the shirt is fine,' the spokesperson said.

Although the student was told to turn the shirt inside out, he did not receive a dress code violation.

'The student and a staff member had a discussion about the shirt on Wednesday. The staff member was seeking clarification about the student dress code violation versus dress code guidelines for staff which are different,' the school district spokesperson said.

'During the conversation with the student, the staff member suggested the student turn his shirt inside out. However, the staff member is not aware of the student turning the shirt inside out at that time and did not at any time pursue the matter,' they added.

The student's mother said the school called her on Friday to apologize for reprimanding her son.

She says her son intends to wear the shirt to school again.A man wrongly convicted of murdering his married lover two decades ago has now been exonerated after DNA linked the woman's husband and nephew to the case.

Horace Roberts, 60, walked free from the Avenal State Prison in California where he has been held since 1999 after being declared innocent of the murder earlier this month.

He had been wrongly accused of strangling his lover and co-worker Terry Cheek to death and dumping her body by a lake near the Interstate 15 in Riverside County in 1998.

Cheek's husband Googie Harris and nephew Joaquin Leal, both 53, were arrested on Friday over her murder after new DNA evidence linked them to the crime.

The pair are accused of murdering Cheek and setting Roberts up as revenge for the affair.

Horace Roberts, 60, walked free (above on October 3) from the California prison where he has been held since 1999 after being declared innocent of his lover's murder earlier this month

Authorities believed at the time that Roberts killed Cheek - a married mother-of-two - because she threatened to end their affair.

He was convicted based on evidence investigators found at the scene, including a watch dumped near Cheek's body that they claimed belonged to Roberts and the fact his truck was found parked nearby.

He had been wrongly accused of strangling his lover and co-worker Terry Cheek (above) to death and dumping her body by a lake near the Interstate 15 in Riverside County in 1998

'What is more compelling than (Roberts') watch that's found next to the murdered woman's body? There's nothing more compelling than that,' prosecutors had argued at his trial.

Roberts had also lied to investigators when they asked about his affair with Cheek.

He was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years-to-life in prison.

The Riverside County District Attorney's Office revealed the break in the case on Friday.

They declared Roberts innocent of the crime and announced they had since arrested Harris and his nephew.

The California Innocence Project, who have been investigating the case for 15 years, said Harris set up his wife's lover.

'It's the oldest story there is in the murder business. Husband kills wife who is cheating on him. The twist in this case is that the husband then set up the lover to go to prison for the rest of his life,' a spokesman for the non-profit said.

Cheek's husband Googie Harris, 53, (left) and nephew Joaquin Leal, 53, (right) were arrested on Friday over her murder after new DNA evidence linked them to the crime

The California Innocence Project posted a video showing Roberts tossing his prison clothes into a trash can after more than 20 years

Harris and Leal were arrested after new DNA evidence emerged. As a result of the new evidence, the DA's Bureau of Investigation was able to reopen the investigation into the murder.

It emerged during recent investigations that the watch actually didn't belong to Roberts and DNA found on it allegedly matched to Leal.

Roberts was released from prison on October 3 and has since been reunited with family in South Carolina.

The Innocence Project posted a video showing Roberts tossing his prison clothes into a trash can after more than 20 years and savoring a Pepsi in the back seat of his attorney's car.

'This is what I missed more than anything - my freedom,' Roberts said with a smile.

He could now seek wrongful conviction restitution that could amount to $1 million.

Meanwhile, Harris and Leal are being held in lieu of $1 million bail and were expected to appear in court Tuesday.

District Attorney Mike Hestrin said: 'What happened to Mr Roberts is tragic'.

'We as prosecutors always strive to be vigilant and follow the truth. Once I learned of the new DNA findings, I immediately directed that all charges be dismissed.

'Mr Roberts has my commitment that we will aggressively apply new technologies to past, present and future prosecutions.'

Horace Roberts (right) walked out of the Avenal State Prison accompanied by California Innocence Project managing attorney Michael Semanchik earlier this month

Roberts is pictured above having his first meal after being released from prison after 20 years. The district attorney's office revealed on Friday that he had been formally clearedPresident Trump reached 11.7 million viewers for his '60 Minutes' interview on Sunday - or just over half the audience that Stormy Daniels had on the CBS newsmagazine last spring.

Daniels, the porn star who alleged an affair with Trump before he became president, drew 22.1 million for her interview last March. The president called Daniels 'Horseface' on Twitter Tuesday in reaction to a judge's ruling dismissing her defamation lawsuit.

Trump's interview with Lesley Stahl is part of a new talkative phase for the president before the midterm election.

The president did earn bragging rights against another nemesis. 'Saturday Night Live,' which featured actor Alec Baldwin giving his first Trump impersonation of the fall, was seen by 6.2 million. And Baldwin's new ABC talk show drew dismal ratings.

During the interview, Trump snapped at CBS News' Lesley Stahl after she read him a list of North Korean leader's atrocities and asked him how he could love someone who's done such things.

President Trump said he and Kim Jong-Un have 'good chemistry'

Anderson Cooper's (right) interview with the porn star Stormy Daniels (left) gave 60 Minutes its best ratings in a decade.

Anderson Cooper's interview with the porn star in March gave 60 Minutes its best ratings in a decade.

Daniels detailed her alleged affair with Trump, claimed she she was threatened and bribed not to speak out about the one time they had sex in 2006 and spoke about their sex together.

More than 20 million people tuned into the interview.

The episode garnered a 16.3/27 rating, which was the best for 60 Minutes since Steve Kroft interview Barack and Michelle Obama shortly after the 2008 presidential election.

That interview scored a rating of 17.4/26 and more than 23 million viewers.

Trump's ratings on Sunday were also down on his previous 60 Minutes interview in November 2016 when 16.4 million tuned in for his first post-election interview.An attorney for Southern Charm star Thomas Ravenel and a Georgia teacher have been identified as the second and third victims of a plane crash that killed three off the coast of the Hamptons over the weekend.

Richard P Terbrusch, 53, of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and Jennifer Landrum, 45, of Thomson, Georgia, were passengers in the small plane piloted by Raj Persaud, 41, which crashed off of Quogue Beach in New York on Saturday morning.

Terbrusch had previously served as an attorney for reality TV star Ravenel, 56, who is accused of sexually assaulting his former nanny three years ago.

He was reportedly romantically involved with Landrum, a special education teacher at Thomson High School, her family confirmed Tuesday.

All three bodies were pulled from the wreckage of the seven-seat twin-engine Piper PA-34 plane after is lost radio contact with air traffic controllers en route from Danbury, Connecticut, to Charleston, South Carolina.

Richard P Terbrusch (left), an attorney for Southern Charm star Thomas Ravenel, and Dr Jennifer Landrum (right), a special education teacher at Thomson High School in Georgia, have been identified victims of a plane crash off coast of the Hamptons on Saturday

Rescuers search for the three passengers after the plane went down near Quogue on Saturday

Reality TV star Thomas Ravenel, for whom Terbrusch worked as an attorney, is pictured above

'Dr Landrum was a valued member of the McDuffie County School System,' McDuffie Board of Education and Schools Superintendent Mychele Rhodes said in a statement.

'Dr Landrum will certainly be missed. Please keep her family in your thoughts as they go through this most difficult and trying time.'

The teacher's mother Carol Landrum said she had been traveling with her boyfriend, believed to be Terbrusch, on school break and was planning to be back for dinner with her two children on Sunday.

'She was beautiful. She was just a wonderful person and a wonderful mother. She has two children,' Carol Landrum told WRDW.

'It's hard to. It's hard to comprehend. I couldn't, I couldn't. You just don't expect to go-to pass on before your children.'

The family says Jennifer and Terbrusch had recently fallen in love.

Landrum's family said she was spending school break with her boyfriend Terbrusch and planned to be back to have dinner with her two children on Sunday night

Terbrusch, 53, of Ridgefield, Connecticut, is pictured far right with his polo team

The Thomson community is planning to hold a public memorial for the beloved teacher.

The principal at Jennifer's school, Trevor Roberson, told WRDW: 'We all saw her Wednesday. Wednesday was the last day we had school and everyone saw her on Wednesday and for us to come back on Monday and know we won't see her again, a huge shock.'

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

Rescue workers are pictured at Quogue Beach, near where the plane went into the waterA man allegedly doused himself in petrol and then poured it round a bank on Bromley High Street sparking a major police incident.

Metro Bank in Bromley town centre had to be evacuated on Tuesday at 2.30pm.

Police, ambulance paramedics and firefighters were called to the bank on the corner of the High Street and Ethelbert Road, but no fire broke out.

Police arrested a 50 year old man who tried to set him self on fire in the Metro Bank in Bromley on Tuesday

The man, who has not been identified, was arrested on suspicion of attempted arson with intent to endanger life

The man, 50, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted arson with intent to endanger life.

Officers closed parts of the High Street as London Fire Brigade crews investigated and worked to make the area safe.

According to the Bromley police Twitter feed @MPSBromley, the incident is not considered to be terror-related.

The fire extinguisher in the doorway of the Metro Bank in Bromley, which thankfully was not needed

Officers have closed parts of the High Street as London Fire Brigade crews investigate and make the area safe

Tom Latham, 32, saw the emergency services outside the bank.

He said: 'The whole corner of Metro is taped off, there are two fire engines and two police cars, ambulance and a rapid response. The bank has been evacuated.'

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said they were called at 2.31pm but left the scene at 3.15pm. Firefighters ventilated the bank but, thankfully, there was no fire to deal with.President Donald Trump compared condemnation of Saudi Arabia for its alleged role in the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi to charges leveled against his new Supreme Court justice in a Tuesday interview.

'Here we go again with, you know, you're guilty until proven innocent,' Trump told the Associated Press, bringing up Brett Kavanaugh.

Trump said the outrage over the suspected murder of Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, is not unlike the sexual assault allegations that Kavanaugh endured during his confirmation hearing.

'I don't like that. We just went through that with Justice Kavanaugh and he was innocent all the way as far as I'm concerned,' Trump said.

The president told the Associated Press that Saudi Arabia's King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman both deny any knowledge of what happened to Khashoggi after he entered their country's consulate in Turkey earlier this month.

'Guilty until proven innocent': Trump says he believes Saudi Arabia should be given the benefit of the doubt over the presumed death of Jamal Khashoggi

President Trump says that he has spoken to the crown prince of Saudi Arabia and the kingdom steadfastly denies any involvement in Jamal Khashoggi's suspected murder

Khashoggi, a critic of the monarchy, has not been seen since, and a new report claimed he had been dismembered alive in a seven-minute audio tape of Saudi agents torturing him to death.

Trump told the AP that comments he made on Monday claiming Khashoggi could have been the victim of 'rogue killers' were informed by a 'feeling' he had after his conversation with the king and were not based on hard evidence.

'I think we have to find out what happened first,' Trump said of journalist's disappearance. 'Here we go again with, you know, you're guilty until proven innocent.

The Oval Office interview with the AP took place just Trump spoke with the Saudi crown prince. Like his father, he denied any knowledge of Khashoggi's apparent abduction. He also promised to conduct a thorough investigation.

Trump told the AP that it was his sense that the probe would be concluded in 'less than a week.'

Oval Office intervention: Trump was interviewed by the Associated Press shortly after spekaing to the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo smiles and shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday

Missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, pictured in Bahrain in 2014, may have been murdered after criticizing the Saudi government

In tweets, Trump said that the crown prince, who goes by the initials MBS, reiterated his father's denial of Saudi Arabia's alleged role in the affair during the call that followed a dinner between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Saudi leader in Riyadh.

He said in an interview just before the call that he was waiting to hear from the crown prince to pass judgement. 'If they knew about it, that would be bad,' he said, reflecting on the matter to Fox Business.

The president declined to weigh in, once again, on the believeability of the claims that Turkey says are bogus.

Trump personally suggested on Monday that 'rogue killers' may have been involved in the hit job after a call with the Saudi king. He has not explained what caused him to believe that or provided evidence of the charge.

A report coming out of Turkey on Tuesday said that Khashoggi was tortured and dismembered alive over a seven-minute period by a squad of Saudi assassins. A source that listened to the audio tape told Middle East Eye that Khashoggi died in the study adjoining the Saudi Arabian consul's office in Istanbul.

WHAT POMPEO SAID AFTER MEETING THE REAL POWER IN SAUDI ARABIA Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement after meeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It said: 'On Sunday, President Donald J. Trump directed me to travel to Saudi Arabia to impress upon Saudi Arabia's leadership that it is essential to determine what happened to Jamal Khashoggi. Today, I met with King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Foreign Minister al-Jubeir and did just that. We had direct and candid conversations. I emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation, and the Saudi leadership pledged to deliver precisely on that. This evening, the President called the Crown Prince, who conveyed that a serious and credible investigation is already underway. He pledged that the work of the Saudi public prosecutor will produce a full and complete conclusion with full transparency for the world to see. During each of today's meetings the Saudi leadership strongly denied any knowledge of what took place in their consulate in Istanbul. My assessment from these meetings is that there is serious commitment to determine all the facts and ensure accountability, including accountability for Saudi Arabia's senior leaders or senior officials. The President has asked me to travel to Turkey to meet with senior leaders. We will remain in close contact with Saudi and Turkish authorities as they complete this process and ultimately announce their findings.' Advertisement

'The consul himself was taken out of the room. There was no attempt to interrogate him. They had come to kill him,' the source told the news publication.

The source told MEE that Khashoggi is heard screaming on the audio until he was injected with unknown substance by one of the 15 Saudi hit men sent to the country to kill him.

The group is said to have included Salah Muhammad al-Tubaigy, head of forensic evidence for Saudi Arabia's security department. Tubaigy was among the Saudi officials who arrived in Turkey the same day that Khashoggi went missing in Istanbul.

Trump said Monday that he had spoken to Saudi Arabia's Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud about Khashoggi and he 'firmly denied' any involvement in the journalist's disappearance.

The president said that he was sending Pompeo to Saudi Arabia to probe the abduction.

As Pompeo concluded his visit, Trump sent out a tweet revealing his conversation with the crown prince and the Saudi leader's denial on behalf of the royal family of any involvement in Khashoggi's alleged murder.

'Just spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia who totally denied any knowledge of what took place in their Turkish Consulate,' Trump said. 'He was with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during the call, and told me that he has already started, and will rapidly expand, a full and complete investigation into this matter. Answers will be forthcoming shortly.'

The State Department subsequently announced that Pompeo would tack a visit to Turkey onto his trip to continue the search.

Pompeo in a Tuesday evening statement said he went to Saudi Arabia to impress upon the nation's leaders that 'it is essential to determine what happened to Jamal Khashoggi. '

'We had direct and candid conversations. I emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation, and the Saudi leadership pledged to deliver precisely on that,' the U.S. secretary of state said.

Pompeo said that the crown prince 'conveyed that a serious and credible investigation is already underway' when he spoke to the president.

'During each of today's meetings the Saudi leadership strongly denied any knowledge of what took place in their consulate in Istanbul,' he asserted.

Suggesting he believe the denials, Pompeo, a former director of the CIA under Trump said: 'My assessment from these meetings is that there is serious commitment to determine all the facts and ensure accountability, including accountability for Saudi Arabia's senior leaders or senior officials.'

Trump had declined to provide his own assessment of the denials on Monday, amid reports that Khashoggi died in an unauthorized interrogation, after claiming without evidence that the journalist may have been taken out by rogue killers.

'I just don't know. I'm going to have to see what they say. And we're working very closely with Saudi Arabia and with Turkey, and they are working together to figure out what happened. And they want to know what happened, also,' Trump said.

In an interview with Fox Business Network set to air on the network on Tuesday evening, Trump said that 'a lot will be determined' after Pompeo concludes his talks Saudi Arabia.

Trump had not spoken to the crown prince at the time of the interview. He said he expected him to be calling soon, 'And you'll start hearing what is happening.'

'Turkey is looking at it very strongly. We're all looking at it together. But Turkey and Saudi Arabia are looking at it very strongly, and it depends whether or not the King or the Crown Prince knew about it in my opinion, number one what happened, but whether or not they knew about it,' Trump told Fox Business' Trish Reagan. 'If they knew about it, that would be bad.'

In his new comments, Trump suggested once again that he is inclined to believe that the Saudi government's claims that it has no idea what happened to the Washington Post columnist.

He has refused to evaluate the claims while repeatedly emphasizing the Saudi government's 'flat' denial of wrongdoing, beginning Monday during a 20-minute phone conversation.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, meanwhile vowed on Tuesday to 'sanction the hell out of Saudi Arabia' after what he described as a blatant attempt to hoodwink the U.S.

He said he would not return to Saudi Arabia as long as MBS is in power.

'This guy is a wrecking ball. He had this guy murdered in a consulate in Turkey, and to expect me to ignore it  I feel used and abused,' the senator who sits on the Armed Services Committee said. 'I was on the floor every time defending Saudi Arabia because they're a good ally.'

MBS reportedly put his own mother on house arrest earlier this year as part of a power grab he says was about cracking down on internal corruption.

'This guy has got to go,' Graham said, straight to camera, on Tuesday morning on Fox & Friends. 'Saudi Arabia, if you're listening. There's a lot of good people you can choose, but MBS has tainted your country.'

Sen. Dianne Feinstein also spoke out forcefully on Tuesday against the Saudi government.

'The United States must send a message that this killing will not go unpunished,' the California Democrat said in a statement. 'For any country to feel emboldened to kill a man in this manner speaks to a breakdown in international norms that must be addressed. We must strongly rebuke any government that would kill an individual in its own consulate.'

Feinstein said she would not support Saudi arms deals that come before Congress and would not approve U.S. assistance for the Saudi-backed war in Yemen.

Trump had no public events on Tuesday, and made only one known appearance anywhere - the interview on Fox Business.

He otherwise let his tweets do the talking on Tuesday as mounting evidence, produced by the Turks, pointed to the Saudi government as having been involved in Khashoggi's disappearance.

The president has not elaborated on his on theory of what may have happened to Khashoggi, the Saudi-born writer who Turkey says was lured to his death earlier this month in Istanbul.

He suggested without evidence that 'rogue killers' could have been responsible for the disappearance that Trump also framed as a murder.

As he left the White House to board Marine One on the South Lawn, the president said the king's denial 'could not have been stronger' and that is all he currently has to go off of.

'He said it very strongly,' Trump said when pressed to give his assessment of the Saudi king's trustworthiness.

Pompeo showed up in Riyadh with a smile on his face on Tuesday to meet with the crown prince, despite new reports out of Turkey that it found evidence of Khashoggi's murder at the Saudi consulate.

President Trump pushed back on reporting Tuesday that suggested his personal business interests are tying his tongue on Saudi Arabia

The kingdom has spent more than $270,000 at Trump International Hotel in Washington

rump's Washington hotel was also the headquarters for Saudi lobbyists in town to lobby against a law permitting victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to sue the monarchy for damages

President Trump meanwhile pushed back on reporting on the subject that suggested his personal business interests are tying his tongue.

Trump said in a tweet that he 'no financial interests in Saudi Arabia' and suggestions to the contrary are 'FAKE NEWS' after a segment on Fox & Friends looked at Nancy Pelosi's claim on Monday that he did.

Pelosi said on Sirius XM that she was 'suspicious that there was some kind of financial transaction involved there, whether for his businesses or whatever' with Saudi Arabia.

At the heart of similar claims is the Saudi government's payments to the president's hotels. The kingdom is one of his best customers.

Saudi Arabia has spent more than $270,000 at Trump International Hotel in Washington and frequents a hotel of the same name that's owned by the president in New York.

Trump bragged as a candidate about his financial relationship with Saudi Arabia, admitting in remarks that have come back to haunt him that his positive feelings for the totalitarian government are based on how much money he makes off the kingdom.

'Saudi Arabia, I get along with all of them,' he said. 'They buy apartments from me. They spend $40 million, $50 million. Am I supposed to dislike them? I like them very much.'

In 2001, Trump sold an entire floor of Trump World Tower to the Saudi government. The apartment complex is New York City is located across the street from the United Nations. The purchase was valued at $12 million, according to CBS.

Since Donald Trump was elected, the Trump Organization has dropped attempts to expand into the Middle Eastern nation that were disclosed in the sitting president's financial disclosure paperwork. But the Saudi kingdom on its own has continued to be a top Trump customer.

When the kingdom's crown prince came to the White House to visit Trump in March, he stayed blocks away, at the president's newly-opened hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, the Washington Post reported.

Trump's Washington hotel was also the headquarters for Saudi lobbyists in town to lobby against a law permitting victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to sue the monarchy for damages.

MBS' stay alone boosted sales at the D.C. hotel by 13 percent in early 2018.

Pompeo flew to the Saudi capital to discuss the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the two countries were 'old, strong' allies

As he continued to feel the heat over his Khashoggi's suspected murder at the hands of a Saudi hit squad that the Turkish government says was sent to Istanbul to assassinate the journalist, Trump insisted on Tuesday, however, that his personal financial interests were not part of his calculus to thwart sanctions against Saudi Arabia.

'For the record, I have no financial interests in Saudi Arabia (or Russia, for that matter). Any suggestion that I have is just more FAKE NEWS (of which there is plenty)!' the president tweeted.

A day prior, Pelosi, the top Democrat in the House, said that she believes there's an untold connection between the kingdom and Trump.

'In terms of Saudi Arabia, I've always wondered why he went there as the first country to visit outside of the United States. Of course, as President of the United States, all the other presidents back to Ronald Reagan went to Canada, or one to Mexico, George W. Bushso in our hemisphere,' she told SiriusXM's 'Signal Boost' in an excerpt that aired early of the interview.

'There are many friends and allies we could have gone to. So, I was always suspicious that there was some kind of a financial transaction involved there, whether for his businesses or whatever, and I'm not convinced there isn't,' Pelosi stated.

Pelosi said she suspects that undisclosed business dealings with Saudi Arabia are guiding Trump's actions now.

'I think that plays out here. Now, of course he would say we want to know the truth. We're not just going to accept we didn't have anything to do with it as an answer,' she asserted.

Trump said in a tweet just before he talked to reporters outside the White House that he was sending Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to probe the disappearance

CLOSE TALKS: Trump said he had now spoken to King Salman, the Saudi king. He and Melania Trump met the king on their very first foreign trip

With a $110 billion arms deal at stake, Trump and other U.S. officials have been loathe to blame Salman's kingdom for the suspected murder of the Washington Post columnist who had become an outspoken Saudi government critic.

Trump has at the same time attempted to signal that his administration takes violence against the free press seriously given his own tormenting at rallies of 'fake news' journalists he's unabashedly claimed are the 'enemy of the people.'

'We're going to just see what happened. We have to see what happened,' Trump said Saturday in the Oval Office as he celebrated the return of an American pastor who had been detained in Istanbul. 'There's plenty of things we can do that are very tough. Let's see what happened first.'

Trump said then that he had not reviewed the video evidence that Turkey says it has to prove that Khashoggi was murdered in the Saudi embassy in Istanbul but that he would be seeing it soon. He has indicated that remains the case.

He promised in remarks to reporters to 'get to the bottom' of the suspected killing that he says King Salman personally denied having ordered.

'I can only tell you that his denial to me in this one very you know relatively fast phone call, probably lasted 20 minutes, his denial to me could not have been stronger that he had no knowledge. And it sounds like he and also the crown prince had no knowledge,' Trump said.

The U.S. president has come under heavy pressure to intervene in the probe of Khashoggi's abduction after the Virginia resident was captured on video entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago and never leaving.

Also at stake is the the relationship Trump built with Saudi Arabia - a relationship cemented during the first stop of his first foreign trip last year as president. The connection blossomed into a lucrative arms deal for the U.S.

Trump told reporters on Saturday that he does not want to jeopardize jobs and business for Americans by punishing Saudi Arabia, if it was responsible, with sanctions that affect the purchase of weapons.

'It's $110 billion. I believe it's the largest order ever made. It's 450,000 jobs. It's the best equipment in the world. But if they don't buy it from us, they're going to buy it from Russia or they're going to buy it from China, or they're going to buy it from other countries,' he explained.

'And I would  from the standpoint of jobs, economic development, a lot of other reasons, I would like to do something where we could maybe look at other things  I will tell the senators  because that's a tremendous order for our companies. It's a tremendous order for  really, from an economic development standpoint,' he said. 'Almost all of our states are involved in that order.'

The crisis also complicates the close friendship the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner has cultivated with the kingdom's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the administration's efforts to eliminate state-sponsored terror.

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow noted on Sunday that terror financing is a topic of the Vision 2030 conference set to take place in Saudi Arabia later this month.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnunchin still plans to attend the conference for that reason, Kudlow said, despite other high-profile exits like JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon.

Real power: Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman is the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia and had been hailed by Trump and given a red-carpet welcome to the Oval Office in March

Trump said Saturday that he would speak to the Saudi king about the suspected tragedy imminently, but the conversation apparently did not take place until Monday morning.

'Just spoke to the King of Saudi Arabia who denies any knowledge of whatever may have happened 'to our Saudi Arabian citizen.' He said that they are working closely with Turkey to find answer. I am immediately sending our Secretary of State to meet with King!' Trump said in a tweet just before he left the White House to tour southern storm damage.

The description of Khashoggi as 'our Saudi Arabian citizen' distances Trump from the disappearance of the Washington Post columnist who Turkey says was tortured, murdered and dismembered by Saudi assassins. The two countries have nonetheless announced a coalition that will probe the disappearance that technically took place on Saudi soil.

He repeated the phrase as he spoke to journalists in a light drizzle near the entrance to the residential wing of the White House during a media avail before his departure with the first lady in Marine One.

'I just spoke with the King of Saudi Arabia and he denies any knowledge of what took place with regards to, as he said, to Saudi Arabia's citizen. He firmly denies that. I asked the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to immediately get on a plane, go to Saudi Arabia, go to other places if necessary which he probably will, with regards to this. Go to Turkey if necessary,' Trump said.

'The King told me Turkey and Saudi Arabia are working hand in hand very closely on getting to the bottom of what happened so we'll see what happened. Mike Pompeo is leaving literally within an hour or so heading to Saudi Arabia.'

Trump pledged 'to leave nothing uncovered' in the search. 'With that being said the king firmly denies any knowledge of it. He didn't really know.

'I don't want to get into his mind but it sounded to me like maybe it could have been rogue killers, who knows?' Trump added. 'We're going to try get to the bottom of it very soon but his was a flat denial.'

The crown prince of Saudi Arabia, known as MBS, 33, is seen as having the real power in the kingdom that's formally overseen by his 82-year-old father.

Oil prices rise and the Riyal dips Benchmark Brent crude oil jumped by $1.49 a barrel to a high of $81.92 on Monday. The riyal was quoted at 3.7524 to the U.S. dollar early on Monday, as well, its weakest rate since September 2016, Refinitiv data showed. It comes after Saudi Arabia issued a thinly-veiled threat to cut oil production if the U.S. imposes sanctions over journalist Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance. There are also fears companies will turn away from investing in the kingdom, as CEOs pulled out of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 conference this month in droves. UKOIL chart by TradingView TradingView Privacy Policy Advertisement

He has introduced ambitious reforms as part of his Vision 2030 campaign. But he has also ruled over a crackdown on 'corruption' last year that was effectively seen as a power grab.

The Saudis on Monday agreed to allow Turkey to inspect the Saudi consulate in Istanbul for evidence of Khashoggi's murder. The joint effort sprouted from a call between King Salman and Turkish President Recep Erdogan on Sunday.

Khashoggi has not been seen since he entered the embassy on Oct. 2. Turkey claims to have evidence that Saudi hit team killed and dismembered the journalist.

Saudi Arabia has called the allegations 'baseless' and denied that the kingdom was involved. An internal investigation has been opened into the disappearance.

U.S. lawmakers have taken steps to introduce sanctions on Saudi Arabia for the suspected murder, and and President Trump has promised 'severe punishment' for the culprit.

Saudi Arabia has warned in return that if it 'receives any action, it will respond with greater action, and that the kingdom's economy has an influential and vital role in the global economy.'

'The kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it, whether by threatening to impose economic sanctions, using political pressures or repeating false accusations,' a statement in the state-run Saudi Press Agency aid.

Another Arabic-language newspaper in Saudi Arabia, Okaz, said in an English headline on Monday: 'Don't Test Our Patience.'

A team of cleaners entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul today ahead of an inspection by Turkish and Saudi officials

Jamal Khashoggi (right) arriving at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul on October 2. He has not been seen since and Turkey has accused Saudi agents of murdering him

Prominent business leaders like Dimon and Ford Motor Co. executive Bill Ford meanwhile pulled out of the investment conference in Riyadh that is known as 'Davos in the Desert' for the number of billionaires and CEOs and it attracts.

Trump punted on the topic on Saturday, asking Pompeo to respond to a question about Mnuchin's planned participation, instead.

'I think we need to continue to evaluate the facts and we'll make that decision. As I talked with Secretary Mnuchin about it last night, we'll be taking a look at it through the rest of the week,' Pompeo responded.A model and actress has stirred up quite the controversy for appearing as a naked First Lady Melania Trump in a new music video teaser with rapper T.I.

Canadian-born Melanie Marden portrays the FLOTUS in the one-minute promotional video that shows the Melania look-alike wearing black stilettos in her notorious jacket emblazoned with 'I really don't care, do u?' before stripping down to nothing in front of the rapper sitting in the Oval Office.

The video has been slammed by Melania's spokeswoman who called the performance 'disgusting' and for T.I. to be boycotted. The actress revealed she's also received hate from online users after posting the clip.

Now Marden, an award winning actress and producer who's appeared on the cover of Italian Maxim, is clapping back at the 'haters', taking to Instagram to defend her 'creative choice' that she says was 'an opportunity to empower women.'

Actress and model Melanie Marden is the woman who portrays Melania Trump naked in rapper T.I.'s new music video teaser

The footage shows her resembling the First Lady stripping in the Oval Office

The Canadian-born model took to Instagram to defend her 'creative choices' after the First Lady's spokeswoman called the performance 'disgusting'

'Wow, I don't usually post about haters but I need to, wow!!!' Marden wrote on Instagram to her 13,500 followers Monday. 'This weekend I experienced this with my latest post of TI's new teaser of his music video - where I was hired (as an actress) not a stripper to portray Melania Trump.

'It was a creative choice for me, and also an opportunity to empower women. I stand firmly in my decision to share all of myself in this role,' she wrote.

Marden goes on to refer to herself as '#nakedMelania' and likened her role to Alec Baldwin's portrayal of Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live.

The video shows Atlanta rapper T.I. sitting in the presidential chair and lighting a cigar in the Oval Office while Marden, as the the First Lady, struts in and performs a racy striptease.

'I wanted to be brave, be fearless and for the first time in my life do a role that required nudity. The body is nothing to be ashamed of,' she said. 'In this time where women are finally speaking up about being victimized I felt good about being a strong enough woman to portray a nude First Lady.'

T.I. posted the video on his Twitter account Friday with the remark 'Dear 45, I ain't Kanye.'

This is a reference to Kanye West's visit to the Oval Office last week which angered many left-leaning celebrities.

The clip is as a teaser for his new album 'Dime Trap'.

Marden posted to Instagram Monday to respond to the 'haters' who criticized her portrayal of the First Lady

The video shows Atlanta rapper T.I. sitting in the presidential chair and lighting a cigar in the Oval Office while a woman resembling the First Lady disrobes and performs a racy striptease

In the video, the Melania look-alike wore black stilettos and the First Lady's notorious khaki jacket emblazoned with 'I really don't care, do u?'

The rapper's video features Marden wearing the khaki jacket that Melania wore when visiting migrant children in Texas in June (pictured)

Marden has appeared in Italy's Maxim Magazine and in multiple films

Marden was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and began modeling as a teen after she 'caught the eye of a talent scout', according to her website.

Her father is of black Irish and Scottish decent and her mother, British.

At 21-years-old, she opened her first day spa and then founded a beauty and wellness concierge company called HMMSpa.

In 2014, she was featured on Bravo's reality dating show Friends to Lovers where the divorced actress looked to find love with an old friend Greg Plitt.

Now she works as an actress, model and producer.

She began her producing career after losing her mother to brain cancer and honored her with a tribute film titled Timeless. The 2011 film screened at Cannes International Film Festival.

Marden graced the cover of Italy's Maxim Magazine, which included a six-page spread of her film career.

She's also starred in films including Mutant X and Pigs and was awarded Best Performance at a film festival after appearing in several Indie movies.

Marden said her performance was 'an opportunity to empower women', in an Instagram post Monday

Amid the controversy surrounding the music video, Marden says: 'It was a hard decision for me but I'm proud of myself for being so brave'

Marden was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and began modeling as a teen after she 'caught the eye of a talent scout', according to her website

'I felt good about being a strong enough woman to portray a nude First Lady,' Marden, who was a gymnast in her youth, said

Amid controversy surrounding the music video, Marden says: 'It was a hard decision for me but I'm proud of myself for being so brave.'

The First Lady's spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham called on the public to boycott the Atlanta rapper's video in a tweet which the First Lady retweeted on Saturday.

Ms Grishap tweeted: 'How is this acceptable? #disgusting #boycott' on Saturday.

People have taken to social media out against T.I.'s new video.

'Just lost a fan T.I. How about I shoot a video like that with Tiny? I've overlooked a lot of your behavior but this is just too disrespectful to be ignored. You are despicable,' one man said on Twitter.

Another woman said: 'No words can describe... Seriously I can't believe my eyes right now.'

She added: 'We are not just talking about a lady, she is the FIRST LADY of the US... the equivalent of the Queen of Spain or the UK.'

To that, Maren says: 'I send love to all the people who called me names and made accusations or delivered hurtful insults.'

'To all the political people threatening me, I remind you this is a music video ~ Relax!'An Ohio police officer has issued a stark warning to two young boys he caught brandishing a realistic-looking BB gun, telling them: 'I could have killed you'.

The Columbus Police Department released bodycam footage on Tuesday of the tense exchange the officer had with the boys, aged 11 and 13, just moments after realizing he had mistaken the BB gun as a real weapon.

Officer Peter Casuccio responded on Saturday afternoon after a 911 caller reported that 'two young male blacks' had just 'flashed a gun' on the street.

When he arrived at the scene, Casuccio said one of the boys 'freaked out and started pulling the gun out of his waistband'.

Scroll down for video

The Columbus Police Department released bodycam footage on Tuesday of the exchange the officer had with the boys, aged 11 and 13, after mistaking their BB gun as a real weapon

The officer said he only realized it was a BB gun when it hit the ground.

Footage captured Casuccio with his gun pointed at the two young boys as they knelt on the ground with their hands in the air.

'This is getting kids killed all over the country,' the officer told the boys just moments later.

The two boys could be heard in the bodycam footage apologizing repeatedly to the officer.

'You should be sorry and you should be scared,' the officer said.

The 11-year-old boy, who was carrying the BB gun, was caught on the video turning to his friend and saying: 'I didn't want him to shoot'.

Casuccio responded: 'I know you didn't want me to shoot. Do you think I want to shoot an 11-year-old? Do you think I want to shoot a 13-year-old? Do I honestly look like the kind of dude that wants to shoot anybody?'

Officer Peter Casuccio was called to the scene on Saturday after a 911 caller reported seeing 'two young male blacks' flashing a gun. The officer said he only realized it was a BB gun when it hit the ground

When he arrived at the scene, Casuccio said one of the boys 'freaked out and started pulling the gun out of his waistband'. He said he only realized it was a BB gun (pictured above) when it hit the ground

The boys replied: 'No, sir'.

The officer continued: 'But do I look like the type of dude that will shoot somebody?'

'Yes sir,' the boys said.

The officer then drove the boys home, telling the 11-year-old's mother that he grilled them.

The boy's mother could be heard telling her son: 'He could have shot you for that, you know that?'

Casuccio went on to say to the boy: 'The last thing I ever want to do is shoot an 11-year-old man.

'Your life hasnt even gotten started yet and it could have ended because I wouldnt have missed. I could have killed you.

'I want you to think about that tonight when you go to bed - you could be gone. Everything you want to do in this life could have been over.'Donald Trump said Tuesday that he wants to see former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg run for president in 2020, predicting that the rest of the Democratic field will 'eat him up.'

The president told the Fox Business Network that it would be 'good' to see his fellow billionaire enter the race.

Bloomberg, 76, changed his party registration last week, switching from independent back to Democrat. He was a life-long Democrat until 2001 when he ran for as a GOP candidate during his first mayoral election.

He left the Republican Party to become an independent in 2007 and served three terms as New York's mayor, stepping down in 2013.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday dared billionaire former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to run against him in 2020, saying 'he'd be so easy' to beat

Bloomberg, who has trended more and more liberal as the years go by, has been the subject of White House speculation since he changed his party affiliation to Democrat last week

Trump said he's not at all worried about sharing news cycles with him.

'I think hed be so easy,' he said in an interview set to air Tuesday night on 'Trish Regan Primetime.'

'I think the Democrats will eat him up,' Trump added. 'You know, you have a lot of people running. Im hearing names that are shockingly bad but theyre nasty.'

Trump has been on a tear lately, peppering his rally speeches with insults directed at potential political rivals more than two years before the next presidential election.

Last week in Iowa he said he hopes Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren runs against him. That was before a vicious news cycle Monday that saw her publish the results of a DNA analysis confirming a tiny sliver of her ancestry can be traced back to an American Indian.

Bloomberg attended a 'Moms Demand Action' gun control rally on Saturday at City Hall in Nashua, N.H.

Bloomberg's shift opens a path for him to challenge President Donald Trump in 2020 but it would come at the cost of sacrificing his patrician image as an philanthropist

Trump also bashed New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker, saying he 'ran Newark into the ground' as mayor, and clobbered Connceticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumnethal as 'Da Nang Dick.'

Blumenthal, he said, 'tried to convince people for 15 years that he was a great war hero' despite spending the Vietnam War stateside and out of harm's way.'

Bloomberg, the founder and chief executive of global media company Bloomberg LP, told The New York Times last month that he believes only a candidate aligned with a major political party can win the White House.

He has entertained the idea of a presidential run before but never generated enough traction to establish himself as the kind of outsize political force Trump has become.

Bloomberg announed his latest political rebirth last Wednesday in an Instagram post

Throwing himself into smashmouth presidential politics would force him to abandon the comparatively high-minded path of public philanthropy that has defined Bloomberg's post-mayoral years.

But the signal he sent in an Instagram post last Wednesday was unmistakable.

'At key points in U.S. history, one of the two parties has served as a bulwark against those who threaten our Constitution. Two years ago at the Democratic Convention, I warned of those threats,' Bloomberg wrote.

'Today, I have re-registered as a Democrat  I had been a member for most of my life  because we need Democrats to provide the checks and balance our nation so badly needs.'

A frequent critic of Trump, Bloomberg has donated $80 million to help Democrats gain control of the House of Representatives and $20 million to help Democrats running for U.S. Senate, which Republicans now narrowly control 51 to 49.

Democrats are aiming to pick up 23 seats in the House to win a majority in the lower chamber, something political analysts have said is more likely than gaining an edge in the Senate.

Taking control of either chamber would give Democrats leverage to oversee Trump and his administration, including the ability hold hearings and subpoena officials.

Bloomberg has used his fortune, which Forbes magazine has pegged at $51.8 billion, to push liberal causes including global warming and gun control.The disturbing scale of the county lines national crime epidemic was laid bare yesterday.

Police said the number of gangs shipping heroin and crack cocaine from cities to provincial towns had doubled to 1,500 in under a year.

Using youngsters as drug mules, they are making a combined 7million a day  around 2.5billion a year.

Police said the number of gangs shipping heroin and crack cocaine from cities to provincial towns had doubled to 1,500 in under a year. Pictured: A police raid in Rotherhithe

Last night it also emerged that:

200 suspects were arrested in just one week in the first round-Britain crackdown on the gangs;

Dealers as young as 13 were among those held by police;

Officers seized scores of weapons including loaded guns, a samurai sword and hunting knives.

The shocking results of the crackdown by all the countrys constabularies will intensify calls for politicians and police to step up their response to the county lines networks.

The term refers to the phone lines used by gangs to sell and distribute drugs.

Yesterday the National County Lines Coordination Centre unveiled estimates showing the number of operations has soared from 720 last November to 1,500 today. Each county lines route is making as much as 5,000 a day  7million between them all.

The youngest offender caught in last weeks crackdown is thought to be a boy of 13 held in Essex on suspicion of possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply.

A boy of 16 was arrested in York at a drugs den more than 100 miles from his home in Merseyside. Police rescued 58 vulnerable people including a number of child drug slaves being held in appalling conditions.

Regional crime units seized scores of weapons including a samurai sword, loaded guns, a zombie knife, an axe, a meat cleaver and hunting knives.

Huge quantities of class A drugs and around 100,000 in cash were also recovered from residential properties, including the homes of drug addicts taken over by gangs to use as a base in a tactic known as cuckooing.

Vince OBrien, head of drugs operations at the National Crime Agency, said dozens of groups were disrupted and some lines shut down.

Using youngsters as drug mules, the gangs are making a combined 7million a day  around 2.5billion a year. Pictured: A 16-year-old boy is arrested in York

The 3.6million coordination centre was set up in September to map the activities of the gangs which have spread from large cities such as London, Liverpool and Birmingham into rural areas.

Many of the arrests last week demonstrated that child and adult drug couriers are travelling across the country.

Among those arrested in North Yorkshire, were suspects from Bradford, Manchester, Middlesbrough and Merseyside.

Dealers from Nottingham were picked up selling drugs in Newquay, Cornwall.

Raids on gang headquarters in Liverpool turned up large quantities of cocaine and cannabis as well as more than 80,000 in cash. There were 22 arrests in just two days in Norfolk and 19 more in Suffolk.

British Transport Police deployed undercover officers to smash a gang using the railways to move cocaine, cannabis and heroin around the country. The force has identified around 476 drug couriers using the rail network, 131 of them frequent train travellers.

Last week ten members of a gang were caught at Clapham Junction, Peterborough and Waterloo stations. Transport police also targeted specific railway stations such as Shrewsbury which is used to ship drugs from Merseyside, Wolverhampton and Birmingham to smaller rural towns.

Police raid a property in Albert Place, Norwich, in a week of action against country line drug gangs

Mr OBrien said: These arrests say something about the scale of the problem.

If we are talking about over 1,000 lines with multiple people in each line then this is the level of activity that we need to be carrying out to make a difference to this problem.

We have been really clear that this will be the first of a number of intensifications against this.

This is one of the first steps, but this will be the first of many.

We are absolutely focused on the need to tackle these networks because of the harm they cause.

Out of 200 arrests I would hope that we have got the gangs that are behind organising these lines.

Whether they are Mr Bigs or not, these are the people who are actually running the lines so these were important arrests to make.

Last month a Mail investigation revealed the scale of the county lines crisis which is thought to have enslaved thousands of children  prompting an intervention from Sajid Javid.

A county lines crackdown resulted in 19 suspected drug suppliers being arrested in Kent and London and these knives recovered

Yesterday the Home Secretary said: Three weeks ago in this paper, I committed to wage war on the child slave drug gangs running county lines across the country. Enslaving vulnerable children and forcing them to traffic drugs is an appalling crime and it must stop.

We have invested 3.6million in a new National County Lines Coordination Centre  one of the key commitments in our 40million serious violence strategy. The centre is already making an impact, identifying county lines hotspots and disrupting the criminal networks behind them.

Following a week of action from the National Crime Agency and police forces across the country, more than 200 arrests have been made and 58 vulnerable people have been saved from harm.

Met deputy assistant commissioner Duncan Ball said: Our primary aim in dismantling these networks is protecting the young and vulnerable people who are exploited by gangs and are subject to violence, fear and intimidation.

SPECIAL INVESTIGATION: The gruesome reality of life as a country lines mule

By Andrew Levy, Rebecca Camber and Neil Tweedie

During early March this year, the wave of cold air from the Continent dubbed the Beast from the East was at its most punishing. The streets of Norwich were all but deserted, residents seeking refuge indoors. But one local teenager was hard at work, braving the blizzard battering the cathedral city.

Failure to complete his mission could result in more than a frozen face and hands. Ive seen young kids stabbed with knives, he says. Ive seen people have blades shoved through their body. Ive seen people put into a coma for the smallest mistake.

The 16-year-old  lets call him Michael  was selling heroin to addicts equally desperate to engage in a street trade despite the appalling weather.

That night, however, one of his customers was an undercover policeman, part of a crackdown on drug dealing in Norfolk.

When Michael was searched, 45 wraps of heroin were found, 15 of them hidden inside a Kinder Surprise chocolate egg.

Michael was at the sharp end of the county lines criminal networks  exposed in recent weeks by the Mail  which reach out from London, Liverpool and other big cities to shift class A drugs into provincial Britain; market towns and coastal resorts, places once unfamiliar with organised crime.

The name comes from the dedicated mobile phone lines used to order and ship drugs. And the conduits for this expanding trade? Children  predominantly boys, predominantly from troubled backgrounds, enticed into a life of crime with promises of money, kudos and a sense of belonging often lacking in their home lives.

It just takes one person to come up to you and promise you money, nice clothes and a better lifestyle, says Michael. They can persuade you so easily.

This minor cog in Britains darkest growth industry, whose real identity cannot be revealed for legal reasons, grew up in the Norfolk fishing port of Great Yarmouth and was first exposed to drugs aged seven.

He became a dealer at 15 while living with foster parents in Norwich and admits it was he who initiated contact with a gang after hearing there was good money to be made.

The dealers will target someone young and vulnerable, wave around a little bit of money and they are caught in it, he explains. They will find you wherever you are  at your school, in the streets or even outside your front door. I would go up to people who I knew would provide me with the goods to sell. What amazed me was how quick and easy it was to get involved.

Class A drugs wrapped and ready for sale at a dealers den in Newquay along with 2,000 in cash

In a normal week he made 500. A good one and he could pull in 2,000. But there was another incentive to keep on dealing  the threat of extreme violence.

Michael says: When you do good you have the money and you are looked after and cared for and you are a top boy.

But when you do bad, thats when the trouble starts. I saw some terrible things, and at many points there were situations that could have turned bad for me.

Ive seen people who have been locked in a room for giving away secret information, then beaten up by four or five guys.

And he says no matter how many arrests police made, young people were lining up to replace those taken off the streets.

The county lines gangs are certainly adept at choosing their prey, targeting children from broken homes, some living with foster parents or in care.

Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), which deal with disruptive children excluded from mainstream education are, according to a new report for the Home Office, a particularly fertile recruiting ground.

Gang members have been known to watch at the units gates, preying on children who appear vulnerable  such as those whose parents work long hours and are not around to pick them up. These units, to which some 16,000 children have been referred, are being used by some schools to offload pupils who cause chaos in classrooms and lower exam results.

Exclusion from school does appear to be a highly significant trigger point for the escalation of county lines involvement for children who might be on the fringes of such activity, says the Home Office report.

Researchers quote a social worker describing a twilight timetable in PRUs under which pupils attend school for just one hour starting at 4pm  so, of course, they can get up to all sorts of stuff all day and no one would know.

The consequences can be tragic for some youngsters. This month, a drug dealer who used three children from Birmingham to sell crack cocaine and heroin to addicts in Lincoln was jailed for 14 years after admitting charges of modern slavery.

In a landmark case, Zakaria Mohammed admitted using two boys aged 15 and a 14-year-old girl to deal on his behalf from a flat in Lincoln that was also occupied by two heroin users.

Mohammed, 21, transported the children, drugs and proceeds between Birmingham and the city, operating remotely; taking calls from customers and directing the teenagers to them.

Police said while Mohammed netted 500 per day his young dealers benefited little, enduring life in a filthy, freezing flat surrounded by used syringes.

Michael explains: Dealers will look for someone vulnerable, wave around a little bit of money and they are caught.

Cash, a new pair of trainers, even fizzy drinks  children often used to little in the way of treats are groomed for their future role by such gifts. But youngsters from more fortunate backgrounds have fallen into the trap too, he says. One of the gangs most powerful tools is cannabis. The Childrens Society believes eight out of ten young runners involved in county lines are hooked on the drug.

The charitys Rhiannon Sawyer said: Cannabis being used to groom children is common. Id say about 80 per cent of young people will be smoking weed. Maybe not all of them daily, but they will have been given weed from a very young age like 12 or 13.

It might be, Do you want to come and chill with me and my mate? We are just going to have a few drinks, a few spliffs, come and chill with us.

Then the target child is given weed for free and eventually told, I have given you all this for free, now you owe us. Do you mind taking this to that person for me? Thats how it starts.

In a recent case, a boy in Kent, who had no history of being in trouble with the police, went missing for several weeks to carry out drugs runs after being ensnared by a gang over a 5 cannabis debt.

Detective Inspector Neil Watford, of Kent Police, describes how the child was quickly sucked in: He was subjected to violence, threats and intimidation and eventually we located him sitting on 150 wraps of class A drugs.

Many gangs pay children with cannabis instead of cash, and an addicted runner is, for a time, a more dependable runner. In addition, the drug helps dull the pain of a 24-hour existence overshadowed by the threat of violence  be it from gang masters, rival gangs or customers.

Retribution can be swift if a young runner has his or her consignment confiscated by the police, is suspected of working for the police, or a rival gang, or known to be trying to quit the drugs trade.

Miss Sawyer, London area manager for the Childrens Society, says: Children have told us how they have witnessed adults having sex in front of them, and how adults try to have sex with them when they are in the trap house.

There have been instances of an adult suffering a psychotic episode and stabbing the child.

There are lots of instances of children from London being stabbed outside London. Sometimes they will be wounded in a superficial way to scare them, sometimes in a very damaging way, in the groin or face.

Child drugs mules have been raped, burned and had their fingernails pulled out. The charity has helped girls as young as 12 who have been forced to carry up to 30 drug wraps in their body.

If you think what they are doing out there  continuous drug drops for up to 24 hours day often out in the cold in disgusting places  getting stoned on weed is a way to make it less bleak, says Miss Sawyer.

A decade ago, a drug user might call a dealer and wait on a street corner until the dealer was ready to deliver. Today, a drug users number might be known by a dozen competing gangs. Young drugs runners are given sales targets, and woe betide the one who fails to achieve his or her quota.

If they have an amount of heroin or crack cocaine, they will be told shift this all tomorrow, explains Miss Sawyer. It might be one importer supplying ten to 20 organised groups, each of them sending out ten to 20 children.

There could be up to 40 children in a county line but each of them will be made to believe there might be only one or two and that they are special, whereas actually they are just disposable.

An upsurge in knife violence, particularly in the capital, can be attributed in part to turf wars between drugs gangs and their young foot soldiers, some of whom have resorted to wearing stab-proof vests. There has also been a substantial rise in convictions of teenagers for drugs offences.

A study for the Home Office carried out by the St Giles Trust charity which consulted victims, parents, social workers and police, found that 90 per cent of exploited youngsters were male, two-thirds were white, and half aged 13 to 15.

All were drug users, mostly cannabis but also ecstasy and cocaine, while 60 per cent had issues with alcohol. All were absent from mainstream education, all had at some time disappeared from home and all had been subject to violence. The mother of a 14-year-old boy arrested 200 miles from home explained: He went missing for five days. When he came back, there was nothing in his eyes. We found out hed made friends with boys from another school.

They made it look very glamorous and they knew he wasnt doing well at school. They groomed him and made him believe that his family couldnt afford anything, so it was all about the money.

Another 14-year-old explained: I ran away from home. I was angry with everybody. I used to sleep on kitchen floors and older boys would come in and kick me in the head to wake me up.

By the age of 13, I started a gang. Im nearly 15 now, I hardly ever go to school and my mum always shouts at me so its best to stay out.

She used to search through my room and find knives, weed, cocaine, condoms and she once found a gun. Obviously, she was mad.

But not all recruits come from disadvantaged families. County lines gangs have become adept at matching runners with the ethnic and social character of their destinations, so that they blend in and remain under the radar.

One police officer in the East of England told the researchers: We used to have black lads coming over from London, but they recruit more locals now because theyre not so noticeable.

While statistics on those involved in county lines are hard to come by, case loads suggest children involved in London gangs are predominantly from the ethnic minorities, while those based in the provinces are mostly white.

Michael describes his life on the street as like a ticking timebomb  a matter of day-to-day survival. His career ended on that freezing day in March this year when he became one of 126 children held on suspicion of dealing drugs in the Norwich area. His remorse earned him a lenient two-year youth rehabilitation order.

I was one of the luckier ones because I got caught and arrested in the earlier stages, he says. If I was still there now I dont know where I would be. I could be dead. Now 17, he is living in a different part of Norfolk, which has helped him distance himself from his old life  though he still receives invitations to re-join the drug-trafficking business.

He has some advice for youngsters tempted by offers of cash, trainers and bogus friendship: Dont do it. Keep at school, live your life and go to college or university. It may seem like a long and difficult way to get money, but at least your life is in your hands.

He warns that operations like those taking place across the country may be only a minor setback for county lines in the long run  the army of child dealers on Britains streets is being constantly replenished.

The more people try to stop it, the more it is going to grow, he warns. The more police investigate and arrest people higher up, the more positions open up lower down. And who is going to fill those? The young people, the children.

Dealing drugs is just like gambling: you win 5, then 50 and then 100, and you just cant stop. You bet 100 and you bet more and more. But eventually you lose.Jonathan Dick has been on the run from police ever since his brother was fatally slashed across the head in February 2017. Pictured, a computer generated image which shows how Jonathan is likely to look at the moment with longer hair

A fugitive accused of murdering his brother with a samurai sword has gone 'off the grid' and police are stumped as to his whereabouts.

Jonathan Dick has evaded police ever since his brother was fatally slashed across the head at a shopping centre in Doncaster, Melbourne's north-east, in February 2017.

Despite a wide-scale search and appeals for public assistance, police are still no closer to finding where the 40-year-old is hiding.

'The traditional methods of finding people - things like banks, phones, vehicles and family and friends - they don't seem to be able to assist us with this guy,' Victoria Police Senior Sergeant Julian Horan told the Herald Sun.

'He is very elusive. People we have spoken to say that prior to the incident in Doncaster there would often be occasions where he would drop off the grid.'

Mr Dick went on the run after his brother's death but he resurfaced in Keilor, Melbourne's north-west, about two months ago.

He is now also a suspect in an ongoing investigation into the assault of a man in the suburb on August 23, police said in a statement.

In that incident, a 38-year-old man known to Mr Dick was assaulted with a hammer in the driveway of a home on Church Street just before 7am.

Mr Dick is also wanted by police following the assault of a man in August. Police have released these images of Mr Dick 'leaving the scene at Keilor', a statement said

In the August incident, a man was assaulted with a hammer in the driveway of a home on Church Street, Keilor just before 7am. Pictured, a CCTV image released by police of Mr Dick

'It's our belief that over the past year, Jonathan has essentially been hiding in plain sight. His movements over the past 18 months are a mystery and we require the public's help,' Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Tim Day said in a statement.

'The recent footage of him (from Keilor) shows that he is clean shaven, has not lost a significant amount of weight and is wearing clean clothes. On that basis we suspect he is not sleeping rough and may have access to stable lodging and funds.'

Det Insp Day said police want to know where Mr Dick is staying, where he is buying his food and how he is getting around.

'This is not a man who stands out and is probably taking care to ensure he doesn't stand out but he will have to come into contact with members of the public at various times and it is crucial that the community are our eyes and ears,' he said.

Mr Dick (pictured left and right) is described by police as 'very elusive' and someone who is known to go 'off the grid'

A CCTV image released by police of a man, believed to be Jonathan Dick, inside the shopping centre before the alleged murder

Images released by Victoria Police showing tattoos which Mr Dick has on his lower body

'We are urging people to keep a look out for him in their local area and if they do see him, to call triple zero immediately.'

Det Insp Day said at this stage there was no information to suggest Mr Dick was a threat to the community but the public is asked to not approach him.

'What we do know is that the two incidents he has been involved in involved people who were known to him,' he said.

A reward of $100,000 is now being offered by police 'for information leading directly to the apprehension of Jonathan Dick'.

New images of Mr Dick have also been released, showing two tattoos he has on his lower body, and vision of him speaking at a friend's wedding in 2007.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.A young woman trying to reach her destination flew into a rage and beat up an Uber driver all because he refused to take her to her destination in Peru.

The shocking incident, which has gained over 1million views on Facebook, took place last Thursday night in the upscale section of Miraflores in the capital city of Lima.

In the three-and-a-half minute video, Solange Estrada Liza, who claims she had previously had some alcoholic beverages before getting into the altercation, was attempting to get the driver to take her to her final destination.

But an argument ensued when the ride-sharing application's driver refused to make the trip because he considered the area to be unsafe.

Tras valiosos aportes de las redes se identifico a la agresora, esta es la consecuencia de que UBER se NIEGUE a mostrar los destinos de los usuarios en las alertas. Seguridad para los usuarios! y para los conductores que? El hecho se suscito cerca al bar La Destileria en Miraflores (inicio del viaje) , la agresora reside en San Juan de Miraflores (destino del viaje). Ocurrencia asentada en Miraflores. Posted by Krif Zemd on Saturday, October 13, 2018

Solange Estrada Liza became visibly upset when an Uber driver in Peru refused to comply with her orders to take her to her destination because he said it was a dangerous place

'You want me to hit you,' Estrada Liza strangely asked before adding, 'that's what you want.'

She then struck him about six or seven times before her male companion was finally able to pull her out of the car.

Before Estrada Liza savagely carried out her assault as male acquaintance attempted to hold her back, the Uber driver, who identified himself as Franklin had shut down the passenger's demands to provide his last name as she tried to file a complaint.

'You can report me with my license plate number,' the driver informed her during the beginning of the video recording.

After he asked her to exit the car, Estrada Liza snapped back, 'that's why you are a taxi driver, and you will die like that.'

Solange Estrada Liza hits an Uber driver multiple times after the pair had a disagreement over her the safety of her place of destination in Peru

On Tuesday, Estrada Liza said she had no reason to apologize for her actions.

'I do not have to apologize to anyone, because it was a sudden reaction, a bad reaction,' Estrada Liza told Peru 21.

'But it was a reaction to an previous insult from the taxi driver. Before he started recording he treated me horrible, he even touched my arm pushing me to get out of his taxi and I had just asked him for a minute. I had drank, I was alone.'

Uber banned Estrada Liza from it's ride-sharing application and the driver filed a police report.

No arrests has been announced.A friend of a woman whose badly beaten, semi-naked body was found dumped in a park with a collar around her neck and her hands bound together has revealed her suspicions as to who is responsible.

Nicole Cartwright, 32, was found dead at Buffalo Creek Reserve in the affluent Sydney suburb of Hunters Hill on October 3.

Her friend Lisa remembered her as a 'beautiful girl, who wouldn't even hurt a fly', while saying she had 'suspicions' about who was responsible for her death.

Ms Cartwright stopped using social media for months before she died, deleting her Facebook account and not posting on Instagram since April 17.

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Detectives from the homicide squad are investigating Ms Cartwright's death

A woman is overcome by emotion at a community vigil in memory of Ms Cartwright this week

Lisa said it was out of character for Ms Cartwright not to contact her on social media.

'We were in contact a fair bit.... if she ever had a problem she would message me and I would try and give the best advice I possibly could,' Lisa told the Sydney Morning Herald.

'But the last couple of months of her life... I don't know, because she disappeared off Facebook. She just disappeared.'

It took a week from when Ms Cartwright's body was found until she was formally identified by police.

Lisa said she contacted police after seeing Ms Cartwright's photo - revealing she had information which may lead to her killer being uncovered.

'Yes I have suspicions... someone she had spoken to me about. That's why I went to Crime Stoppers. Every bit of information helps.'

Nicole Cartwright (pictured with a friend) was found murdered at a Sydney park on Wednesday October 3. Police are still hunting her killer and say they are 'confident' of soon making arrests

When Nicole Cartwright wasn't out visiting friends, she was doing what she loved most: caring for her parents.

The 'bubbly' woman still lived at home with her mum Brenda and dad Terry.

In the aftermath of her shocking death, friends have recounted how Ms Cartwright proudly cared for her parents and relished that role.

Her older brother Ben lived nearby with his wife Jackie, but Ms Cartwright still lived at the family's Lansvale home, in Sydney's south west.

'Her parents are older, she was always at home looking after them,' a friend said.

'She was in love with animals... she loved dogs especially. She was a really kind hearted person.'

Now police fear that kind-heartedness might have been what her killer preyed upon.

Ms Cartwright was last seen alive on September 30 at 9.14pm, when she CCTV captured her at Museum train station in the city.

They are now piecing together who she met with and what happened in the three days before she was found dead.

Ms Cartwright regularly walked her dog Bella (pictured) through local parks, a deliberate effort to aid in her ongoing battle against mental health

Ms Cartwright (pictured) lived with her parents at their home in Lansvale, in Sydney's west

Her body was found severely injured and with her hands tied together at Buffalo Creek Reserve (pictured) at Hunter's Hill, on Sydney's lower north shore, on September 30

Friends said they noticed Ms Cartwright's demeanour change over the last six months, when she began to discover online sexual fetish websites.

'She was posting pictures of herself in corsets and skimpy dresses and saying that she was 'nasty'... I asked her, are you ok?

'We also both had depression and mental health issues, so we often talked about that. She was in to some kind of BDSM and alternate sex,' the friend said.

Her social media posts used to be filled with plush toys, her beloved black Labrador Bella and food pictures.

More recently, Ms Cartwright began posting photos of herself in dark makeup. She wore collars and chokers and dyed her hair different colours.

It's understood she broke up with a boyfriend a few months ago, but police are still working to establish her more recent dating habits.

The park where Ms Cartwright's body was found (pictured) was almost 30 kilometres from the home she shared with her parents. Terry and Brenda Cartwright reported her missing after hearing a report about the grim discovery

Friends have told how Ms Cartwright was a mostly 'bubbly' person, but her social media posts had become 'increasingly dark' (pictured) in the months before her death

A high school boyfriend, who met Ms Cartwright when they were both students at Canley Vale High told Daily Mail Australia she was a 'bubbly' girl.

'Nicole was a fun loving girl who would help anyone out and just loved life,' he said.

'She was always joking, smiling and laughing. She had a really bubbly personality.'

A local council worker made the grim discovery of Ms Cartwright's boy at 7.30am on October 3 at Buffalo Creek Reserve in Hunter's Hill, on Sydney's lower north shore.

She had gruesome head injuries, had her hands tied behind her back and was covered in a blanket.

Drag marks up to 30 metres long were spotted nearby, indicating she may have been killed elsewhere before being dumped at the park.

Friends say the change may have been to do with her use of fetish websites and dating apps

Prior to her 'dark' online posts, Ms Cartwright would regularly share photos of her plush toy collection (pictured)

Some 30 kilometres away at their family home in Lansvale, in Sydney's west, Mr and Mrs Cartwright were unaware their daughter was in trouble.

'She wasn't really missing  she lived here but it wasn't unusual for her to leave for a week or so,' her father Terry Cartwright told The Australian this week.

'We heard the description report (on the news) and thought something was off.'

A close friend told Daily Mail Australia that she used to chat regularly with Ms Cartwright until she suddenly removed her accounts.

'We used to chat on Snapchat or Skype and all of a sudden everything was gone,' the friend said.

'She did begin to reach out sexually, as a lot of people do when they are struggling.

'We fear she's got involved with the wrong person.'

It is understood the websites used by Ms Cartwright included Fetlife - a 'BDSM, fetish and kinky' network - and Vanilla Umbrella - a dating app for 'open minded singles'.

A community vigil for Ms Cartwright was held at Buffalo Creek Reserve on Thursday, with dozens of locals turning out to remember the young woman.

Police are now investigating whether Ms Cartwright met her killer through one of these fetish websites

Dozens turned out to pay tribute to Ms Cartwright at Buffalo Creek Reserve

Police said the hunt for her killer has reached advanced stages and they are 'confident' of soon making an arrest.

'We are confident we can get to a result and find those responsible for this but that unfortunately will take time,' Inspector Anthony Boyd said.

Police have appealed for the public's help in an effort to catch her killer, releasing an array of CCTV footage from her last moments alive.

On September 28, she caught the bus from Town Hall station to Ashfield, with CCTV capturing her stepping onto the bus at 4.35am.

A few hours later she sent a selfie taken at Maroubra Beach to her family.

Two days later on Sunday, September 30, she was spotted tapping her Opal card at a gate at Ashfield train station at 8.42pm.

She got off the train 30 minutes later at Museum train station - the last time she was seen.

Ms Cartwright did not have a car and caught public transport in the days before her body was discovered. She is pictured on a bus from Town Hall station to Ashfield on Friday, September 28

Two days later on Sunday, September 30, she was spotted tapping her opal card at a gate at Ashfield train station at 8.42pm

Some 30 minutes later at 9.14pm she was last seen at Museum train station (pictured). Three days later on October 3 her body was found near the Buffalo Creek Reserve kids playground

Three days later on October 3 her body was discovered by the council worker about 7.30am.

Ms Cartwright's shattered family paid tribute to her, with brother Ben sharing an emotional message after his sister's death was confirmed.

'Rest in peace my little sister. I love you with my all,' he wrote on Facebook.

'It is with very sad and heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved daughter, sister and friend Nicole Cartwright has sadly passed away.

'Thank you for all the love and support we have received from family and friends over the last few days.'

Ms Cartwright will be farewelled by family friends at a funeral service on Wednesday, October 24 - a date that marks exactly three weeks since her body was discovered.Clean Up Australia founder Ian Kiernan has died aged 78 after losing his cancer battle.

Mr Kiernan, fondly known as Australia's first environmentalist, was diagnosed with cancer in late July.

Clean Up Australia began as a national initiative to reduce the rubbish in Sydney Harbour in 1991 spearheaded by Kiernan.

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Clean Up Australia founder Ian Kiernan has died aged 78 after losing his cancer battle

By 1993 it became a global initiative, and over two decades later over 30 million people across the world participate in their own local clean ups thanks to Kiernan.

'While we will deeply miss Ian's guidance and humour, it was his greatest wish that the work he inspired continues,' Clean Up Australia wrote in a statement.

'Kiernan's greatest legacy is the creation of an informed, concerned, committed and involved community - sharing his passion for the safeguarding of our most precious asset, our environment.'

Mr Kiernan was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 1991, named Australian of the Year in 1994, and appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1995.

Kiernan, fondly known as Australia's first environmentalist, was diagnosed with cancer in late July

He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 1991, named Australian of the year in 1994, and appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1995

Prime Minister Scott Morrison paid tribute to the beloved environmentalist on Wednesday.

'His passion for our oceans, which started all of this for him and Australia's coastal lifestyle in particular, is something that I think struck a real cord for all Australians,' said Mr Morrison.

The Prime Minister commended Mr Kiernan for helping all Australians to see their responsibility in keeping the country clean.

'It's not the government's [responsibility], it's ours as Australians. It's our beautiful Australia. And it's our job to keep it that way.'

'For that Ian, I want to say thank you and I want to say thank you for what you have done for our country.'

'We express our deepest sympathies and condolences.'

The Prime Minister commended Mr Kiernan for helping all Australians to see their responsibility in keeping the country clean

By 1993 it became a global initiative, with 30 million people globally participating in their own local clean ups today

Mr Kiernan, who grew up in Sydney's harbour, attended Scots College in Armidale, north of New South Wales.

His passion for sailing is what led him to head an international environmental movement.

When Mr Kiernan represented Australia in a world yacht race by himself in 1986, he was exposed to the mass of litter in oceans around the world.

In 1989, Mr Kiernan and his friends organised a community event called 'Clean Up Sydney Harbour', which attracted over 40,000 volunteers.

Clean Up Australia Day had over half a million volunteers across 7000 location in Australia this year.

'We need to continue to challenge our governments to implement effective waste management and recycling programs to reduce the amount of wasted resource that ends up in our precious environment,' Mr Kiernan said in a statement about Clean Up Australia this year.

'Our Clean Up activities provide vital community led data and feedback that influences decision makers.'A self-described 'blonde bombshell' accused of masterminding a tomahawk attack on a 'sugar daddy' after a dispute over payment for sex has been denied bail for the second time.

Shannon Haynes, 26, arranged to meet a 37-year-old man at a home in Wollongong, south of Sydney, in the early hours of Friday for a sexy rendezvous, a court heard.

But things took a violent turn after a disagreement over the payment, with two men allegedly storming the room and striking the victim in the head with a tomahawk.

Haynes, whose occupation is listed as a prostitute in court documents, declared her innocence as she was denied bail for a second time on Tuesday, Fairfax reports.

In the early hours of Friday morning 'sugar baby' Shannon Haynes (pictured) arranged to meet a 37-year-old man at a home in Wollongong, south of Sydney

Haynes appeared at Wollongong court via videolink from Silverwater Women's prison and burst into tears when she was denied bail.

'I didn't have anything to do with it,' she sobbed.

Magistrate Susan McGowan said the allegations were 'alarming' and was not phased by Haynes' reaction.

Haynes had signed up to 'Seeking Arrangement' just three days before the violent encounter, The Illawarra Mercury reported.

Haynes goes by the name Sienna on the unique dating website - which allows 'sugar babies' and 'sugar daddies' to meet in exchange for money.

On her profile, Haynes describes herself as a 'fun, smart and sexy blonde bombshell'.

She also makes clear that she has 'expensive taste' and loves to shop, have expensive dinners and spontaneous holidays.

Haynes appeared at Wollongong court via videolink from Silverwater women's prison and burst into tears when she was denied bail for the second time

The pair allegedly agreed Haynes would be paid $1000 a week for meetings with her, but the agreement was later changed to $300 per session.

Police allege they met on Friday morning at a home in Buckland Street, Fernhill, and began to have sex after the 37-year-old man put $300 on the side table.

During the encounter, Haynes stopped and repeatedly asked to be paid $1000, but the man refused.

He decided to leave, however he was allegedly stopped by the 26-year-old woman, Michael Sullivan and a second man who arrived at the house.

One of the men was holding a tomahawk and demanded the 'sugar daddy' pay Haynes $1000.

Haynes goes by the name Sienna on the unique dating website, which allows 'sugar babies' and 'sugar daddies' to meet in exchange for money

After saying he didn't have any more money on him, he was allegedly hit in the head with the tomahawk, leaving a large wound to the side of his head.

He left the house and called police before being rushed to hospital to have his ear stitched pieced together with 16 stitches.

When police arrived to the house, the court heard they found methamphetamine and arrested Haynes on the spot, charging her with demand property by force in company and drug possession.

She appeared in court on Friday via video link wearing a dressing gown and with her mother sitting by her side.

Legal Aid solicitor, Felicity Jackson, told the court Haynes was a full-time carer for her mother and suffered from anxiety, which would be made worse if in custody.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Amelia Wall told the court the allegations against Haynes were serious and if convicted could face prison.

Haynes then allegedly yelled out 'Mum, please do something', with her mother replying, 'there's no proof of anything'.

Sullivan was arrested on Saturday and appeared in court with no solicitor.

He was formally denied bail.

Both Haynes and Sullivan's cases will return to court on October 31.Hundreds of children have been harmed by British charities, figures revealed last night.

Reports of serious incidents involving adults and children at charities soared to 2,114 in the seven months since the Oxfam sexual misconduct scandal  ten every day.

The Charity Commission said this included 583 cases of children having been harmed, some sexually.

And, shockingly, the watchdog said it believed there was still significant and systemic under-reporting of serious incidents.

These included sexual abuse and harassment, bullying, physical attacks and being involved in a car crash.

The Charity Commission found dozens of cases of sexual misconduct had been reported by Oxfam  with some victims being young volunteers in Oxfam shops

The interim report of the commissions safeguarding taskforce, published last night, provides the first indication of the full extent of abuse committed by Britains charitable sector.

The taskforce was set up following the revelation in February that Oxfam staff had used prostitutes in the aftermath of a humanitarian disaster in Haiti.

It soon emerged that dozens of cases of sexual misconduct had been reported by the charity  with some victims being young volunteers in Oxfam shops.

The scandal also led to resignations at Save the Children.

The Charity Commission report  which looked at all charities in the UK  found that those which dole out foreign aid or help in humanitarian catastrophes are much more likely than others to report safeguarding incidents.

The 2,114 cases reported between February and September this year is compared to 1,580 throughout the 2017/18 year and 1,203 the year before.

The commission took a detailed look at 1,228 safeguarding reports received between February and May 2018.

It found that 29 per cent of the cases were from overseas aid or famine relief charities, compared with 12 per cent from disability charities, 12 per cent from religious charities, 12 per cent from education charities and 11 per cent from charities dealing with younger people. The reports covered a wide range of incidents, but the majority related to individuals.

In cases where an individual was identified as having allegedly been harmed, 47.5 per cent were related to a child, and 32 per cent to an adult. In the rest, the age of the individual could not be identified.

The report said: Our analysis does suggest that the majority of reports related to incidents of or concerns about potential harm having come to individuals. These were not limited to alleged sexual abuse or harassment.

The Charity Commission taskforce was set up following the revelation in February that Oxfam staff had used prostitutes in the aftermath of a humanitarian disaster in Haiti

Incidents reported included, for example, an allegation of bullying against a staff member, a road accident resulting in serious harm to a child and a service user physically attacking a volunteer. Only 56 serious incidents involved no individual identified as having allegedly been harmed or placed at risk of harm. For example, one report saw a charity failing to conduct Disclosure and Barring Service checks; no actual harm occurred as a result.

Sarah Atkinson, policy director at the commission, said she was concerned about under-reporting.

Only 1.5 per cent of registered charities have submitted any kind of serious incident report since 2014, and only 0.9 per cent have reported a safeguarding incident since 2014.

Were not convinced that were seeing everything we should be, she said. Working with charities, we need to bring about a culture change on reporting to ensure charities are safe places, better able to make a difference to peoples lives.

So we welcome the increase in reporting by some charities, especially international aid charities that appear to have improved their reporting since Februarys revelations.

Last night a Charity Commission spokeswoman confirmed that some of the 582 cases of harm involving children would have been sexual abuse or harassment.Former Fox News host Heather Nauert, who is currently spokesperson for the State Department, is reportedly on President Donald Trump's short list to replace Nikki Haley as U.N. ambassador.

It's not the first time Nauert's name has been mentioned in talk of a promotion. She's been mentioned as a possibility to replace White House press secretary should Sarah Sanders ever step down.

Nauert's old boss at Fox News, Bill Shine, is now deputy White House chief of staff and director of communications, giving her close ties to the White House.

Former Fox News host Heather Nauert, who is currently spokesperson for the State Department, is on the short list for U.N. ambassador

President Donald Trump said he will name a new U.N. Ambassador by the end of the month

Nauert also has grown close to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, noted Politico, which reported her spot on the short list, citing three administration sources.

She traveled with him to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday when he met with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the man alleged to have ordered the interrogation and killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul.

Haley announced in stunning move last week that she would leave her job at the end of the year. Trump vowed to name her replacement in two or three weeks.

There are other names on the list but Nauert is comfortable on camera, something the president - who is a rapid consumer of television news - appreciates.

It's also an important part of the ambassador job, which includes high-profile responsibilities such as Sunday show appearances and speeches on behalf of the administration.

White House aides view Nauert as a capable advocate for the administration's policies and she would be familiar with them given her work at State.

Neither Nauert nor the White House replied to Politico's request for comment.

Nauert has been at the State Department for a little over a year. She was co-host of Fox News' 'The Big Story' until April 2017, when she was named Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at State.

If she's named to the ambassador position, Nauert, who is now based in Washington, D.C., would have to return to New York City, where the United Nations headquarters are located.

'Her husband and kids are in NYC, FYI,' a senior administration official told Politico.

President Trump said he would name Haley's replacement by the end of the month

Heather Nauert is a former Fox News anchor, seen here in 2014 in New York with Steve Doocy and Chris Daughtry

Other candidates on Trump's list include ambassadors Kelly Knight Craft, Jamie McCourt, and Ric Grenell - the U.S. representatives to Canada, France, and Germany, respectively.

Former deputy National Security Adviser Dina Powell and first daughter Ivanka Trump were also mentioned as possible replacements for Haley but took themselves out of the running.

When Haley announced her resignation, President Trump said 'a number of people' would want the job and noted: 'It's become a more glamorous position than it was two years.'

'I can almost say many people who want to do it,' he added.

He also said he expects to name Haley's replacement by the end of the month.

The U.N. Ambassador job is seen as America's poshest diplomatic posting. The job comes with a government-owned New York City condominium of nearly 6,000-square-feet.

The ambassador used to live at the Waldorf Astoria hotel but was relocated due to security concerns after a new ownership group led by a Chinese insurance company bought the storied building. Haley was the first ambassador to live at the new location.

The asking price for rent was $58,000 per month, according to a real estate listing.

It includes 7 bedrooms, including two for housekeepers and a pair of master suites, and dramatic views of New York City's skyline.Britain's relationship with Saudi Arabia was under intense scrutiny last night as it emerged the RAF is training their air force.

The Daily Mail can reveal more than 100 British personnel have been deployed to the kingdom over the past four years.

It comes in the midst of international condemnation over the alleged murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, 60, inside the country's consulate in Istanbul earlier this month.

Newly graduated Saudi air force officers march in front of F-15 fighter jets during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of the King Faisal Air Academy at King Salman airbase in Riyadh

Trade minister Liam Fox is refusing to pull out of a conference in Saudi Arabia next week. His office said his diary was 'yet to be finalised' despite him being listed as a speaker at the investment event known as 'Davos in the Desert'.

Major firms such as Google have dropped out, along with bosses of three big banks including HSBC.

Director of Al-Arab News Channel Jamal Khashoggi

The Mail can disclose 111 RAF personnel have been seconded to BAE Systems to provide training to Royal Saudi Air Force aircrew and engineering support over the last four years, including 21 sent over in the first five months of this year.

In 2015, 34 RAF personnel were seconded there, with 30 the following year and 26 in 2017.

In a written statement, defence minister Guto Bebb said: 'These personnel were all seconded to BAE Systems to provide training support to Royal Saudi Air Force aircrew and routine aircraft engineering support.'

BAE sources stressed they were not involved in military operations.

Senior British military advisers are also in control rooms assisting the Saudi-led coalition, which has staged bombing raids across Yemen that have killed thousands of civilians.

A handful of UK officers have been providing advice on targeting techniques for several years. According to Saudi Arabia they have access to the 'target list'.

Last night Tory MP Crispin Blunt said the Government should consider its relationship with the Saudis following the disappearance of Mr Khashoggi. The former chairman of the foreign affairs select committee said: 'Nothing should be off the table given how serious this is.'

Bob Seely, a member of the foreign affairs select committee, said: 'If we are telling Russians not to kill journalists, we can't turn a blind eye when our allies do it.'

The row came as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo flew into Riyadh for talks with King Salman and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler.

Mr Khashoggi visited the Saudi consulate on October 2 to sort some paperwork for his upcoming wedding but was never seen leaving. Pressure is growing on the Gulf state to give a full explanation.

An MoD spokesman said: 'All UK military personnel in Saudi Arabia are under UK command and control.

'We have an ongoing and wide- ranging defence engagement relationship with Saudi Arabia, which has included the provision of training courses and advice and guidance. The UK is not a member of the Saudi-led coalition and plays no part in setting the coalition policy or in executing air strikes.'

In March this year Britain and Saudi Arabia struck a controversial 100million aid agreement.

The Government described the deal as a 'new long-term partnership' to boost economic development in some of the poorest countries.

'Evidence' of dissident's death

TURKISH police have found 'certain evidence' that Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, it was claimed yesterday.

A high-level Turkish official said the evidence was recovered during a detailed search. It was also found that parts of the building had been recently re-painted.

The Saudi consul-general flew out of Istanbul after it was announced his residence would be searched next. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: 'My hope is we can reach conclusions that will give us a reasonable opinion as soon as possible.' The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said the 'onus is on the Saudi authorities to reveal what happened'.

On Monday it was claimed that the kingdom was preparing to admit Mr Khashoggi died inside its Istanbul consulate after an interrogation went wrong.The father of a British cyclist shot dead by a French hunter has denied claims by his sister that he raped her as a child.

John Sutton today told MailOnline that a long-standing, bitter family rift lies behind allegations by Katie Toghill that her brother Marc Sutton sexually abused her when they were growing up.

Mr Sutton, 34, was killed on Saturday when a marksman mistook him for a wild animal as he rode his mountain bike along a trail in Montriond in the French Alps.

But speaking publicly for the first time, the cyclist's father John said: 'I have been to police and made a report that these allegations are all lies, completely false, and it's harassment.

'This is all about a family feud, it's bitterness and jealousy, and attention-seeking.

John Sutton (right), the father of British cyclist Marc Sutton (left) who was shot by a hunter in France has denied claims by the rider's sister that he raped her as a child

Mr Sutton's girlfriend Jo Watts (right), has also spoken of her 'devastation' after Mr Sutton's own sister Katie Toghill accused him of repeatedly raping her

Mr Sutton, who was mistaken for a wild animal when he was killed by the huntsman was accused by his sister Katie Toghill, 32, of raping her for years while they were growing up

Katie (right) said that Mr Sutton, from Caerphilly, Wales, had taken advantage of her when she was a child before she finally told their mother Katrina what he had allegedly been doing

'I'm devastated they would try to blacken my son's name now that he's dead. It's hard enough to come to terms with how he died. I hope legal action will stop them from causing any more damage.'

The family rift was exposed when Katie, of Nantyglo, South Wales, told The Sun that she was glad he was dead - adding: 'He was a rapist c*** and I'm glad he's dead.

'When I heard he had been killed I felt utter relief, it was a massive burden off my back. I was just relieved he couldn't hurt us or anyone again.

'He deserved to be shot like an animal  he was the biggest animal there was.'

Katie's claims have devastated Mr Sutton's grieving girlfriend Jo Watts, who has described the allegations as 'wicked lies' and her mother Wendy dismissed as 'ridiculous'.

'I'm shattered by his death, his life taken so violently by a hunter while he innocently rode his bike on a popular track,' Jo said.

'Now, to add to all that, I'm devastated people have chosen to make these allegations when Marc is not here to defend himself. His friends know the real Marc,' she added

To add to Ms Watts' distress, Mr Sutton's mother Katrina branded him a 'monster' and an ex girlfriend who said she was happy he is dead.

Katrina posted about his death on Facebook. She wrote: 'I hope you rot in hell Marc Thomas Sutton.

'My only disappointment is you died instantly. For any horrified people reading this, I'm not some vicious troll. I'm the woman who gave birth to him.'

She added: 'This man was a monster. A bullet aimed at an animal. You aimed well. Karma called on you.'

Speaking today Ms Toghill told The Sun that she was raped and attacked by him around 100 times.

She said: 'They hunted the right animal. I want the killer to get off because he did us a favour. It was karma and I knew it would get him one day.'

Katie also said it was a 'shame he died so quickly' because she would have preferred him to have suffered.

Jo Watts, who was with Mr Sutton for nine years and said she believed they would grow old together. She said she is devastated by his death, compounded by the allegations against him

While living in the UK, Mr Sutton punched his ex and raped his younger sister repeatedly while they were children growing up, she said

Mr Sutton's sister Katie (left) and mum Katrina (right) said they were happy at the news that he was dead, only expressing regret that the bullet killed him instantly and he was not in pain

Hitting back, Jo, who set up a vegetarian restaurant Wild Beets with her partner when they moved to France six years ago, said the allegations went totally against the character of the man she knew and loved.

She said: 'The Marc I knew and loved was a kind, happy, loving man who would do anything for anyone.

'We were together for nine years and knew we'd grow old together.

'We had worked so hard to build up two businesses from scratch in the mountains where we made our home  Marc always the creative, ambitious, incredible chef and people person, me supporting him in every way.'

There has been a huge outpouring of grief from friends in the resort.

Jo said: 'Marc was so popular in the community, people warmed to him immediately because of his empathy, his adventurous spirit and love of nature  he was always there for his friends and no-one had a bad word to say about him.'

Jo's mother, 61-year-old Wendy added: 'I am here in Morzine supporting Jo after the horrendous events of Saturday.

'Apparently you can't libel the dead but people seem to think it is morally and ethically justified to hassle and harass Jo and Marc's family at a time of devastating trauma.

'This ridiculous story will be gone soon but the mental and emotional stress caused to Marc's family and friends is not so easy to dissipate.

'We urge all friends and family to ignore this story and to simply focus on the incredible outpouring of love and respect that has been shown so far by those people who truly knew him.'

Ms Watts said that she had been with Mr Sutton for nine years and believed that the pair (pictured) would grow old together

Mr Sutton, who ran a restaurant in the ski resort of Les Gets, died instantly after being struck by a single bullet by the marksman who mistook him for a wild animal while on his bike

Jo said she the allegations would not hinder her efforts to push for a change in the hunting regulations in France.

She said: 'Marc's many friends are putting all their efforts into a campaign to make the mountains a safer place for everyone, to make his death count.

'We won't allow these allegations to distract us from the important life-and-death work we're doing to get reform of hunting laws. Innocent people die every year at the hands of these hunters and it has to stop now. If we can save one life, Marc's death won't be in vain.'

Before he died, Mr Sutton posted on Facebook about his gilded life on Facebook.

When he opened his restaurant, the businessman said it was tribute to the 'hard work' of himself and Jo.

He wrote: 'I still can't believe that this is ours! Hard work does pay off and dreams do come true.'

However, his 'dream' life was not what he deserved, Katie said.

She went on: 'He kicked me, put hands round my neck, held screwdrivers and knives to my neck and threatened to kill me. He punched me and pushed me down the stairs, and jammed my foot in the car door.'

Sutton had a history of bad behaviour, according to his mother.

She said he tried to stab a school child in his class with a dinner knife and was arrested aged eleven. He went into care shortly afterwards.

An ex girlfriend of Sutton also said she 'cried with relief' when she was told he was dead.

The woman also claimed she was furious posts online made him out to be 'an angel'.

Another girlfriend had her cheek broken by Sutton when they lived in Preston and was jailed for six months.

Cycling enthusiast Mr Sutton died instantly after a marksman aged 22 shot him because he mistook him for prey

Mr Sutton fled the UK to Ibiza before travelling through Asia then moving to France where he died.

Prosecutors in Thonon, France, have opened an enquiry into 'aggravated manslaughter', and a 'full investigation is in progress.

His death was the latest in a serious of shooting tragedies involving innocent passers-by being killed or severely wounded during France's hunting season, which started last month.

It happened during the first few days of the season.

In October 2017, a woman sitting in her garden was killed after a stray hunter's bullet passed through her garden hedge.

In November, a deer hunter who was just about to get married was gored to death by a cornered deer who charged him with his antlers in a wood near Paris.

In 2016, there were 18 deaths during hunting accidents in France, and scores of injuries.

An FCO spokeswoman said : 'We are in contact with the local authorities about the death of a British man in France, and we are providing assistance to his family.'Frederick Blue Manzanares, 51, was sentenced to six months in jail by a Colorado judge on Tuesday

A Colorado man has been sentenced to six months in jail for engaging in sex acts with a dog who will need to be put down as a result.

Frederick Blue Manzanares, 51, and his ex-girlfriend, Janette Eileen Solano, 49, pleaded guilty last month to animal cruelty charges after they had sex with their dog in a backyard motor home that they converted into a sex chamber.

The couple was arrested in March and charged with four counts of cruelty to animals.

Manzanares pleaded guilty to two counts of animal cruelty after admitting to having sex with their dog Bubba.

Bubba, a male Akita mix who also goes by Biscuit, will need to be euthanized because his handlers at the shelter say he has become too aggressive for adoption, according to The Denver Post.

'Bubba is not doing well at all,' Arapahoe County Deputy District Attorney Amy Ferrin said.

The dog has been living in an animal shelter since authorities took custody of him this past summer.

Judge Cheryl Rowles-Stokes took Bubba's condition into account when she handed down her sentence on Tuesday.

Manzanares pleaded guilty to two counts of animal cruelty after admitting to having sex with their dog Bubba. Bubba, a male Akita mix who also goes by Biscuit, will need to be euthanized because his handlers at the shelter say he has become too aggressive for adoption

'This dog cannot safely be adopted,' Rowles-Stokes said at the hearing before reading her sentence.

'This dog cannot safely be transferred. This dog cannot recover.'

Bubba's euthanasia was scheduled to take place sometime on Tuesday afternoon.

Manzanares was facing up to 18 months in jail on each count. In addition to his six-month jail sentence, he will also be placed under supervised probation for two years.

Before he was sentenced, Manzanares told the judge that he now realized his actions were wrong and that he didn't mean to harm the dog.

'I know those desires are morally wrong and they will never manifest themselves again,' he said.

Manzanares even offered to help authorities work with Bubba to rehabilitate him so that he would be fit for adoption.

Rowles-Stokes, however, rejected his offer. She also prohibited Manzanares from owning an animal during his probation.

As part of his sentence, Manzanares will also need to undergo counseling for deviant sexual behavior.

Solano pleaded guilty to one count of animal cruelty. She negotiated a 24-month deferred judgement and sentence.

That means she will not be convicted or serve time in jail unless she violates the terms of her release during the 24-month period.

As part of the plea agreement, Manzanares and Solano forfeited custody of Bubba.

Solano pleaded guilty to one count of animal cruelty. She negotiated a 24-month deferred judgement and sentence

When the authorities took custody of Bubba, Manzanares warned officers that he was aggressive and could harm them.

Animal control officials gave Manzanares permission to go to the shelter and help restrain Bubba while he was given a collar and an identification tag.

'The dog has exhibited unpredictable behavior, and shows signs of aggression towards veterinary services staff, volunteers, community service workers and staff members that the dog is not especially familiar with (staff who clean, feed, provide enrichment and treats daily,' Jenee Shipman, the manager of Aurora Animal Shelter, wrote in a letter.

'It is my opinion this dog is not a safe adoption candidate or transfer candidate based on the history, kennel behavior and continued increase in aggression observed daily.'

Police began investigating in March 2017 after Solano reported a domestic violence incident involving Manzanares.

She later told an officer that they only had an argument, but that she was leaving Manzanares because he pressured her into having sex with their dog.

Solano claimed that she first discovered pictures of bestiality on the couple's shared laptop and confronted Manzanares about them, according to the Denver Post.

She said he told her to have an open mind and then began introducing her to bestiality videos, forums and literature.

The couple then began having sex with Bubba, which Solano said occurred inside a motorhome that Manzanares outfitted with a customized red padded bench to make it easier to copulate with the dog.

Manzanares used dog hormone spray to arouse Bubba and would take pictures and videos while they had sex with him.

Footage of the couple having sex with Bubba was later discovered by police.

Solano said she started to become 'somewhat jealous' of her boyfriend's relationship with their dog and that it would often lead to arguments.

When the couple were first arrested, authorities could not locate Bubba. Manzanares then forfeited his rights to the pet and officers were able to recover the poor pup.

Bestiality only became illegal in Colorado in 2007.The Brexit negotiations are entering the end-game. We will leave the European Union in under six months and the prospect of Parliament agreeing to any version of the Prime Ministers plan that would be acceptable to the EU has never looked fainter.

Nobody can fault Theresa Mays dedication, perseverance and resilience. My admiration for her as a human being has only grown in recent times  and the British people seem to feel the same way. But she made some critical errors in earlier phases of the negotiation and is now sitting on the end of a fragile branch that is about to break.

MPs simply will not countenance the imposition by the EU of a different set of trading rules in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the UK. I have many differences with the Democratic Unionists, but on this they are absolutely right. The entire United Kingdom must leave the European Union together  and if Brexit is going to have a number of different stages, as seems inevitable, every part of the UK must move between the different stages in lockstep.

Former Tory minister Nick Boles, pictured, believes he has a plan which could unite Britain behind Brexit

Theresa May has shown dedication, perseverance and resilience when dealing with Brexit

The 'so-called Irish backstop' promises national humiliation and will not get through Parliament

Yet the Prime Minister is proposing an agreement which could see Northern Ireland being kept in the Single Market for goods, when the rest of the UK has left it. This would be a constitutional affront.

It is not just Northern Irish unionists who oppose it. So does Ruth Davidson, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, and David Mundell, the Secretary of State for Scotland: they know that any weakening of the ties that bind Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK would be exploited by separatists peddling Scottish independence. We cannot leave the European Union in a way that threatens the much more ancient and precious Union of these four great nations.

During the course of the summer, it became clear to me that the so-called Irish backstop promised national humiliation and would never get through Parliament.

But you cant beat a plan with no plan. So I set myself the challenge of devising a workable Plan B, one that would deliver our exit from the European Union next March in accordance with the peoples vote in the 2016 referendum, protect peoples jobs and incomes by securing the benefits of continuing tariff-free access to the Single Market, and  crucially  command the support of a majority of MPs.

Very simply, it involves the UK leaving the EU on March 29, 2019, and, for an interim phase only, moving to a position like Norways in what is called the European Economic Area (EEA). Thats the Common Market that integrates the economies of countries in the EU with those of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

We would be inside the Single Market (as most businesses want) but outside the EUs Common Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy, and outside the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

Leader of the Scottish conservatives Ruth Davidson is opposed to anything which could leave Northern Ireland in a different trading arrangement than the rest of the UK as this would encourage the SNP to seek a second independence referendum

We would need to join the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)  of which the UK was a member before we joined the EU, and which negotiates free trade agreements for Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein  as either a full member or an associate member. And we would need to agree continuity in our customs arrangements for the interim period.

From this halfway house, we would negotiate a long-term economic relationship based on a Canada-style Free Trade Agreement, as has been proposed by former Brexit Secretary David Davis and others.

Since the beginning of September, I have been meeting with MPs of all persuasions  passionate Brexiteers, committed Remainers and unbending Unionists  and I have been struck by the response. Nobody loves the Norway then Canada approach  but, crucially, everyone can find some things they like about it, and most of them can see how they might be able to swallow those bits they like less, if they are offered other assurances and guarantees.

For Remainers, having continuity on the Single Market and on customs for this interim period appeals because it secures the position of vital industries like car manufacturers and aerospace companies, whose businesses are based on the fluid import and export of parts between different European countries.

For Leavers, dumping the permanent subjugation to EU legislation promised by the Prime Ministers Chequers plan, and instead committing to a Canada-style Free Trade Agreement as the format for our long-term economic relationship, offers the prospect of a real Brexit, in which the UK eventually takes back control of our money, our borders and our laws.

For Unionists, my plan offers an absolute guarantee that all parts of the UK will move through the different stages together, that all will benefit from continuity on the Single Market and customs in the Norway phase, and that all will leave the Single Market and the customs union together when we are ready. I believe this plan  which won the very significant endorsement of former foreign secretary William Hague on Monday  has the potential to unite the Conservative Party, and indeed the country.

But I dont want to pretend that achieving a consensus will be easy, or that the Brexiteer lion is going to lay down with the Remainer lamb, and start singing Kumbaya in sweet harmony. Committed Leavers are worried that life alongside Norway in EEA/EFTA will prove too cosy and comfortable  that Parliament will lose the will to move out into the bracing winds outside the Single Market and the customs union.

We will only win their support for this plan if the Government is wholly committed to negotiating a looser economic relationship based on a Canada-style free trade agreement, and implementing it before the 2022 election so that Labour doesnt have a chance to stop it.

We may need to pass legislation enshrining that commitment  and to get the country ready to leave the EEA without a free trade agreement if the EU refuses to play ball.

Having scuppered one Brexit deal by insisting on an eternal lock on Northern Irelands future, it would be an extraordinary act of self-harm for the EU to scupper this deal  one that delivers all of their objectives  by insisting on the same.

We should also be straight with the British people. In the halfway house alongside Norway, we would still be subject to a version of freedom of movement  although we would have some wriggle room to restrict it to people with job offers, and even to impose a temporary brake if numbers get out of control.

That is one of the main reasons why it would not be acceptable for the halfway house to become the UKs permanent home. People voted to end freedom of movement, and we must not let them down.

On her return from this evenings EU summit, the Prime Minister has an opportunity to make a clean break and a fresh start. She should acknowledge that despite her best endeavours she has not been able to reach an acceptable agreement with the EU on her Chequers plan, and that she will now come to Parliament with a proposal for a staged withdrawal via the EEA and EFTA. Most MPs would be relieved. Business leaders would applaud. European leaders would grumble about the wasted time and effort, but they would welcome our embrace of an off-the-shelf arrangement with which they are already familiar.

I believe it is Theresa Mays destiny to be the Prime Minister who delivers Brexit in a way that preserves the UKs prosperity, constitutional integrity and position in the world. With a Norway-then-Canada plan, she can do it.

Read Nick Boles Brexit plan at www.betterbrexit.org.ukPresident Donald Trump said on Tuesday he is not to blame if Republicans lose control of the House of Representatives in November's election.

He told the Associated Press voters have told him they won't vote in the midterms because he is not on the ballot.

But the president said otherwise he believes he is 'helping' candidates in the midterm elections even as his administration deals with fire storms on missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, his tweets on porn star Stormy Daniels, and the aftermath of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's controversial confirmation process.

'I don't believe anybody has ever had this kind of impact,' he told the AP.

President Trump said Tuesday he is not to blame if Republicans lose control of the House

President Donald Trump waves to the crowd as he arrives at a rally in Lebanon, Ohio

Independent political prognosticators are giving Democrats strong chances of retaking the House while Republicans are increasingly confident they will hold the Senate.

Despite the uphill battle to hang onto the House, the GOP is 'going to do well,' Trump said arguing that 'it feels to me very much like' 2016, when polls had him losing to Hillary Clinton.

Democrats have vowed to investigate Trump's administration and his financial records should they win in November.

AndTrump told the AP he will 'handle it very well' if Democrats pursue investigations or impeachment should they be in charge next year.

The president doubled down on the midterm election, going on a campaign blitz and bragging about the size of the crowds coming out to see him as the 2018 election becomes a referendum on his presidency.

'The crowds at my Rallies are far bigger than they have ever been before, including the 2016 election. Never an empty seat in these large venues, many thousands of people watching screens outside. Enthusiasm & Spirit is through the roof. SOMETHING BIG IS HAPPENING - WATCH!,' he tweeted on Monday morning.

The results of the first midterm after a new president takes office is usually seen as the voters' judgement of the occupant of the Oval Office.

And the question for Republicans is how much control they will retain on Capitol Hill when all is said and done in November.

President Trump at a campaign rally last week in Lebanon, Ohio

Trump is bragging about campaign crowds as 2018 becomes a referendum on his presidency

Trump at a campaign rally in Southaven, Mississippi on Oct. 2.

Trump is going all in, endorsing candidates on Twitter and hitting the campaign trail multiple times a week to rally his base to come to the polls on November 6.

He has already done eight rallies this month and has three stops on his schedule this week: Thursday in Missoula, Mont.; Friday in Mesa, Ariz.; and on Saturday in Elko, Nev.

All three states have crucial Senate races that Republicans need to win as they fight to hold on to control of the upper chamber.

And while the president has gone all out on the campaign trail, pushing Republicans to vote, his focus has been in Republican red territory, where the friendly crowds eat up the red meat he throws at them.

His comments are filled with jabs at Democrats such as at 'crazy' Maxine Waters, the California congresswoman, or arguing that Democrats want to bring crime into the country with their immigration policy.

He also enjoys bragging about his time in the White House and his election night victory over Hillary Clinton.

A crowd waits to get in President Trump's rally in Kentucky earlier this month

Supporters wave signs at the Southaven, Mississippi rally earlier this month

Trump is rallying the Republican base to get to the polls on election day

'Was that the most exciting evening of our lives?' Trump said last Wednesday at a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania. 'Was that the most exciting night? Was that the greatest?'

The crowds respond with cheers and love. They chant the Trump favorites: 'Build that wall!' and 'Lock her up!'

They wave signs in a range of colors - such as hot pink 'women for Trump,' red 'Build the wall,' and blue 'Make American Great Again.' Other popular logos include 'Drain the Swamp,' 'Keep America Great,' and 'Promises Kept.'

And, of course, they wear the red 'Make American Great Again' hats.

Trump's latest bragging rights come as Republicans look more and more like they're conceding the House of Representatives to the Democrats and focusing on holding the Senate as a congressional firewall.

Republicans are spinning the possible loss as a 'green wave,' complaining they are being outspent by the Democrats.

'The GOP is now facing a green wave,' wrote Corry Bliss, who leads the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC tied to Speaker Paul Ryan that spends heavily in House races, in a memo obtained by the Associated Press. 'Democratic candidates are outspending Republican candidates in key races by $50 million.'

Democrats are vowing to investigate Trump's tax returns and other financial matters should they retake the House with some on the left arguing for impeachment proceedings.

Obtaining the president's tax returns would be 'one of the first things we'd do' and the 'easiest thing in the world,' Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said during an interview last week with the San Francisco Chronicle's editorial board.

Pelosi would likely return to the speaker's chair in the aftermath of Democratic victory.

Supporters reach for a 'Make American Great Again' hat thrown a them at an October 4 rally in Rochester, Minnesota

Supporters wave signs at an April rally for Trump in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

The results of the first midterm after a new president takes office is usually seen as the voters' judgement of the occupant of the Oval Office

A Republican-controlled Senate could act as a check against any actions taken by the House against the president.

History shows it's common for the party of the president in power to lose seats on Capitol Hill in the first midterm election of their presidency.

In 2010, the first midterm of Barack Obama's presidency, Democrats suffered massive losses. Republicans picked up a record 63 House seats to take control of the lower chamber and took six Senate seats, expanding their then-minority there. Obama called it a 'schallacking.'In July 2010, Paul Allen vowed to give away half his fortune to help charitable causes. The promise was in response to Bill Gates' The Giving Pledge asking billionaires in the United States to hand over money to help the needy.

As of 2018 185 of the world's wealthiest people had signed up to give back and of those fortunate people across 22 countries, the likes of Mark Zuckerberg and Warren Buffet have pledged.

At the time of his commitment, Allen was worth around $13.5billion but he was estimated to be worth $20billion when he passed away October 15, 2018.

In 2010 Allen had already given away $1billion by creating foundations and non-profit organizations.

He vowed $100million would go toward setting up the Allen Institute for Cell Science in 2014. He gave more than $2billion help the arts, environment and educational causes during his lifetime. Allen founded the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum in Seattle in 2000.

Allen had also donated $95million in the past year alone.

By 2010 he had made the Chronicle of Philanthropy's annual Philanthropy 50 eight times, most notably for donating $85million in 2009 and placing no.11 on the list that year.

'I've planned for many years now that the majority of my estate will be left to philanthropy to continue the work of the foundation and to fund nonprofit scientific research, like the ground breaking work being done at the Allen Institute for Brain Science,' he said in a statement about the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation in 2010.Despite what President Donald Trump says, scientists have long known that what's warming the planet isn't natural. It's us.

They even have the energy balance sheets accounting for changes in the climate to prove it.

President Trump's own White House put out a science report last year concluding that 'the likely range of the human contribution to the global mean temperature increase over the period 1951-2010 is 1.1 to 1.4 F (0.6 to 0.8 C).'

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FILE - This June 1, 2014, file photo show the coal-fired Plant Scherer in operation in Juliette, Ga. Despite what President Donald Trump says, scientists have long known that what's warming the planet isn't natural. It's us. Climate scientists say Trump was wrong. There are several ways they know that more than 90 percent of climate change is caused by emissions of heat-trapping gases from activities like burning coal and natural gas for electricity, or burning gasoline, diesel and jet fuel for transportation. In other words, humans. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)

On '60 Minutes' Sunday, Trump said, 'something is changing and it'll change back again. I don't think it's a hoax. I think there's probably a difference. But I don't know that it's man-made.'

But he said he believes 'it'll change back again' and that he doesn't 'want to be put at a disadvantage' economically by pouring trillions into prevention strategies.

Climate scientists say Trump was wrong.

There are several ways they know that more than 90 percent of climate change is caused by emissions of heat-trapping gases from activities like burning coal and natural gas for electricity, or burning gasoline, diesel and jet fuel for transportation. In other words, humans.

TRUMP ON CLIMATE CHANGE President Donald Trump admitted Monday that there's 'something' to climate change - 'no question' - but says he remains unconvinced that global warming is man-made. At a hurricane briefing in Georgia, the president said that only he knows of only one storm in the past 50 years that was worse than Hurricane Michael, and the last one before that was in the 1890s. President Donald Trump admitted Monday that there's 'something' to climate change, 'no question,' but said he remains unconvinced that global warming is man-made 'So who knows,' he told a journalist asking if he'd changed his mind about global warming in light of the weather. Trump acknowledged in a 60 Minutes interview that aired on Sunday evening that he believes 'something's happening' with the climate and he no longer believes that global warming is a hoax. But he said he believes 'it'll change back again' and that he doesn't 'want to be put at a disadvantage' economically by pouring trillions into prevention strategies. Following up on the answer in Georgia as he toured Hurricane Michael's destruction, Trump again said 'there's something there' but he still doesn't know if warming is caused by humans. Advertisement

'Scientists have been hammering governments with the evidence for several decades, and it's incontrovertible,' Princeton University climate scientist Michael Oppenheimer said.

'Humans are causing most of the warming.'

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the 2018 Hurricane Briefing at the Federal Emergency Management Agency Headquarters (FEMA) on June 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. On '60 Minutes' Sunday, Trump said, ' I don't know that it's man-made', referring to climate change

THE ENERGY BALANCE

Scientists have calculated Earth's energy balance, tracking the energy that comes in and goes out, said Stanford University climate scientist Noah Diffenbaugh.

They have measured the heat coming into Earth's system from different sources, relying on satellite data for the past 38 years and other, less direct measurements before then.

Those sources include the sun and natural changes in the sun's energy, and volcanic eruptions that bring heat from the Earth's crust. Human sources include greenhouse gases, air pollution like soot, and changes in land use that release and absorb carbon.

The natural components put together have changed global temperatures - but only a tiny amount. They account for between two-tenths of a degree of cooling and two-tenths of a degree of warming (-0.1 to 0.1 degrees Celsius), the 2017 national science report said.

The national science report concluded that humans caused at least 93 percent of the warming that scientists measured from 1951 to 2010.

None of the natural effects could have possibly produced the warming that has been seen, they said.

But 'if you include effect of greenhouse gases, everything matches up,' said University of Illinois climate scientist Donald Wuebbles, one of the chief authors of the 2017 report.

'HALVE EMISSIONS OR FACE CATASTROPHE' UN REPORT WARNS A landmark report by the UN has warned that the world has just 12 years to halt global warming before the planet is plunged into extreme heat, drought, floods and poverty. Preventing an extra single degree of heat could make a life-or-death difference in the next few decades for multitudes of people, scientists found. However, they provide little hope humanity will rise to the challenge. A landmark report by the UN has warned that the world has just 12 years to halt global warming. Use of coal needs to fall from around 38 per cent to 'close to 0 per cent' by 2050, the report found (stock image) Overall, the Earth has to reduce the amount of CO2 produced each year by 45 per cent by 2030  and reduce CO2 production to zero by 2050. In order to reach this, society will need to make 'unprecedented' changes including closing hundreds of coal-fired power stations and rapidly switching to renewable energy. Limiting global warming to 1.5C will cost the world $2.4 trillion (1.8 trillion) every year for the next two decades, the UN report warns. Advertisement

THE WAY EARTH WARMS

The world has warmed in exactly the way physics has predicted, what Oppenhiemer calls the 'Cadillac piece of evidence.'

In a world warmed by greenhouse gases, physicists predicted that the air about 6 miles (10 kilometers) up would cool. And it has , Oppenheimer said. Had the warming been from the changes in the sun's energy, that upper air wouldn't cool.

Climate change theory also predicted that the poles would warm faster than the rest of the Earth. That too has happened, said Columbia University climate scientist Adam Sobel.

Another fingerprint that implicates human activity: The world's much warmer oceans , Sobel said.

PHYSICS

The greenhouse effect is no mystery. It was demonstrated nearly two centuries ago. Engineers have harnessed its effects - it helped the U.S. Air Force develop heat-seeking missiles. And it makes Earth livable.

It's simply that certain gasses, including carbon dioxide and water vapor, trap heat.

Without it, much more of the sun's heat would evaporate into space - Earth's average temperature would be about -1 degrees (-18 Celsius). With the greenhouse effect it is a comfortable 59 degrees (15 Celsius).

WILL IT CHANGE BACK?

The Earth's climate could 'change back again,' as President Trump suggested - if humans drastically and permanently cut back emissions of greenhouse emissions. The problem is, Trump is taking steps that will increase emissions, such as from burning more coal, not decrease them.

With Trump's moves, changes in climate will not be reversed, they will intensify.

Kathie Dello, a climate scientist at Oregon State University, calls Trump's misinformation 'dangerous.'

'It's like jumping off a cliff and hoping that gravity just doesn't exist anymore,' she said. 'That's what we're doing by denying the basic science behind climate change.'Facebook is rolling out new tools designed to increase transparency around political advertising on the site in the UK.

People are now required to disclose their location and prove their identity with photographic ID in order to place a political advertisement on Facebook.

Those ads that meet the criteria will then be labelled with a 'Paid for by' warning to alert users to its source.

It is also extending its Ad Library to include the UK, which will show all adverts currently being run by a page or organisation on Facebook and Instagram.

This feature will also include an archive of adverts dating back up to seven years ago.

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Facebook is hoping to increase transparency around political advertising on site in the UK. All sponsored posts focusing around politics will come with a 'paid for by' label (pictured)

The company said the new tools were part of a commitment it made during appearances before the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) earlier this year.

At this meeting the firm committed to more transparency around political advertising.

The move comes after the platform was scrutinised at the time of the last US presidential election and the EU referendum in the UK.

Facebook's vice president of global public policy Richard Allen, alongside director of product management Rob Leathern said the initiative will start today.

He said: 'From today, all advertisers wanting to run ads in the UK that reference political figures, political parties, elections, legislation before Parliament and past referenda that are the subject of national debate, will need to verify their identity and location and carry a 'Paid for by' disclaimer.

'We see this as an important part of ensuring electoral integrity and helping people understand who they are engaging with.

'We recognise that this is going to be a significant change for people who use our service to publish this type of ad.

People will have to disclose their location and prove their identity with photographic ID in order to place a political advertisement on Facebook as of today. Those that meet the criteria will then be approved and labelled with the 'Paid for by' label (pictured)

'While the vast majority of ads on Facebook are run by legitimate organisations, we know that there are bad actors that try to misuse our platform. By having people verify who they are, we believe it will help prevent abuse.'

The authorisation system will require people to verify their identity with their driving license or passport before they can post political adverts.

Facebook will also require these individuals to disclose their location by inputting a code sent to them via post.

Facebook said this data would be deleted once confirmation had taken place, with the data kept for a maximum of 30 days.

The Ad Library will enable anyone  whether or not they use Facebook  to search for and access the political advertising history or any Facebook or Instagram page or by search term.

'This will include a range of the ad's budget and number of people reached, and the other ads that page is running,' Mr Allen and Mr Leathern said.

'The library is completely searchable and, as of today, can now be accessed by anyone in the world regardless of whether they have a Facebook account or not at facebook.com/ads/archive.

'We believe that increased transparency will lead to increased accountability and responsibility over time  not just for Facebook but for advertisers as well.'

Facebook will also reveal the number of people who saw the ad, the money spent on it and the age, location and gender of the recipients.

The systems have already been introduced in the US and Brazil ahead of elections in both countries.

Facebook said it wanted to have the system up and running before any future election in the UK.

In response, Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said: 'The Government is taking action to tackle disinformation in the UK to ensure people can tell the difference between fact and fabrication.

'Online platforms should be taking the most effective steps they can to ensure transparency and I look forward to seeing the impact of these political advertising measures by Facebook.'Blue Origin founder and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has claimed there will one day be a trillion humans in the solar system.

The Amazon founder hopes his space firm will help populate other planets.

'I won't be alive to see the fulfillment of that long-term mission,' Bezos said at the Wired 25th anniversary summit in San Francisco.

'We are starting to bump up against the absolute true fact that Earth is finite,' he warned

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'We are starting to bump up against the absolute true fact that Earth is finite' Blue Origin founder and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said at the Wired 25th anniversary summit in San Francisco

Blue Origin's aim is to lower the cost of access to space, Bezos said, and he revealed he will spend a 'little more' than $1 billion next year to support the firm.

'The dynamism that I have seen over the last 20 years in the internet where incredible things have happened in really short periods of time,' Bezos said.

'We need thousands of companies.

'We need the same dynamism in space that we've seen online over the last 20 years. And we can do that.'

Bezos may be best known as the CEO of Amazon, but he has previously claimed the projects he's undertaking at Blue Origin are 'the most important work he's doing.'

Bezos, who is also the founder of the rocket company, spoke at a gala organized by the Partnership for Public Service in Washington, D.C. earlier this year.

Blue Origin has recently made significant strides in its efforts to build low-cost infrastructure to bring down the cost of space exploration.

'It's the most important work I'm doing,' Bezos told attendees, according to CNBC. '...I think Blue Origin is incredibly important.'

Bezos went on to explain that space has plenty of energy and resources for future generations, but that much of it could be wasted if we don't focus on lowering the costs of space travel.

He cited the creation of reusable rockets as one way to 'dramatically' reduce the cost.

Blue Origin isn't the only private rocket firm zeroing in on this market. Elon Musk's SpaceX has also operated and successfully reused rockets and boosters several times.

'If you can get that heavy-lifting done in a good way  a real operable, reusable launch vehicle  you'll set the next generation up to be space entrepreneur,' Bezos said.

He added that Blue Origin hopes to one day be the 'UPS or the FedEx or whatever' for space travel.

The comments come as Blue Origin revealed it's in the conceptual design phase of a large lunar lander.

The firm says it will provide reusable access to the moon's surface and its resources.

The lander is part of Blue Origin's broader mission of enabling a future in which millions of people live and work in space, the company said.

'The next logical step in this path is a return to the Moon,' Blue Origin said in a statement.

'To do this we need reusable access to the lunar surface and its resources.'

The company, founded by Amazon.com Inc Chief Executive Officer Bezos, has said it aims to land on the moon in about five years.

The company offered no details on Wednesday about how it would move from the design phase to moon missions in this time frame.

Blue Origin is also developing its New Shepard rocket for short space tourism trips and a heavy-lift launch rocket called New Glenn for satellite launch contracts.

Blue's launch vehicles face strong competition from several other aerospace companies, including Elon Musk's SpaceX and Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic.

Bezoshas refused to say whether the first suborbital trip on Blue Origin's New Shepard capsule would exclusively host crew members, rather than paying customers.

GOING TO SPACE WITH BLUE ORIGIN: HOW IT WORKS The system consists of a pressurised crew capsule atop a reusable 'New Shepard' booster rocket. The two vehicles launch together, accelerating for approximately two and a half minutes, before the engine cuts off. The capsule then separates from the booster to coast quietly into space. After a few minutes of free fall, the booster performs an autonomous rocket-powered vertical landing. The passenger capsule lands softly under parachutes, both ready to be used again. Like previous Blue origin launches, the New Shepard rocket fired into orbit (one) before disconnecting from the passenger capsule (two), and then landing vertically (four and five) back on the launch pad. Shortly after this, the 'Crew Capsule 2.0' pod floated back to the ground (six) Advertisement

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos recently confirmed that his Blue Origin space-tourism venture will launch a crewed mission sometime in 2019.

The revelation was made at the Air Force Association's Air, Space and Cyber Conference in Washington, DC.

The comments from the 54-year-old multi-billionaire further fuel the commercial space race as several private companies jostle to become the first to send paying customers into space.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is worth an estimated $159 billion  making him the wealthiest man on the planet  and is using part of this vast fortune to bankroll Blue Origin.

SpaceX founder and commercial space-flight trailblazer Elon Musk announced earlier this week that Japanese billionaire and fashion designer Yusaku Maezawa is the first customer to sign-up for a trip around the moon.

Bezos refused to say whether the first suborbital trip on Blue Origin's New Shepard capsule would exclusively host crew members, rather than paying customers.

His comments reinforce a timeline the space tourism firm has been publicly teasing for some time.

Blue Origin's CEO, Bob Smith, said last year the company was hoping to launch paying passengers in 2018.

However, this ambitious goal has been revised to 2020 following a number of test flights.

The first tickets are expected to go on sale at some point next year.

The space tourism company, headquartered in Kent, Washington, is looking to sell tickets aboard its rocket for around 150,000 to 230,000 ($200,000 to $300,000), according to sources with knowledge of the plans.

By comparison, Virgin Galactic started selling tickets more than a decade ago, even while SpaceShipTwo was still in the early stages of development.

The company has approximately 700 customers who have paid at least a deposit.

Blue Origin is looking to double its current workforce to around 3,000 employees over the next two to three years, according to sources speaking to Reuters.

The urgency centers on a rocket dubbed New Glenn.

Astronaut Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin unpacking experiments from the Lunar Module on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission. Photographed by Neil Armstrong, 20 July 1969.

The heavy-launch vehicle, which Bezos promises will be able to haul satellites and, eventually, people into orbit, is central to the company's hopes of winning lucrative military and commercial contracts.

New Glenn's first-stage booster will be reusable  a key piece of Bezos' strategy to lower costs and increase the frequency of launches. Blue Origin executives have stated publicly that test flights will begin within two years.

But whether Blue Origin can hit that mark remains to be seen. With the clock ticking on 2020, company engineers are still finalizing details on New Glenn's design and just beginning to build model components that must be put through extreme testing, people familiar with the project said.

Blue Origin has been a quieter party in the space race, with Bezos often outshone by billionaire rivals Elon Musk and Richard Branson who head up SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, respectively.

The battle of the billionaires between Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Richard Branson continues to rage on, with all three firms achieving milestones in recent months.

Blue Origin completed its ninth successful test flight in July, SpaceX built on the success of the Falcon 9 launch by declaring the first passenger to go around the moon and Virgin Galactic sent the Unity spacecraft to an altitude of 46,500ft before it went supersonic - the first successful test flight since a catastrophic test in 2014 that killed one pilot and seriously injured another.

Blue Origin's test site in West Texas saw the most recent launch in July, when 'Version 2.0' of its crew capsule, outfitted with the large windows that are a distinctive feature of the spacecraft, took off.

The capsule carried 12 experiments as well as a test dummy, dubbed 'Mannequin Skywalker,' to measure the environment a human would experience on those flights.

The test flight was the first performed under a launch license awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration in August 2017.

'You have to be licensed in order to collect revenue,' Jeff Ashby, a former Nasa astronaut who is director of safety and mission assurance for Blue Origin, told the Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference.

'It was our first revenue flight for payloads: a huge, historic moment for us.'

In October, Bezos said Blue Origin will take tourists into orbit 'within the next 18 months'.

The company isn't yet taking reservations or publishing its ticket prices, with would-be riders forced to wait until the firm completes its tests.It might seem like the most harmless of pleasures  and helpful too.

But not only is feeding bread to ducks like giving them junk food, it also pollutes waterways, encourages harmful algae and attracts rats, according to a charity.

Throwing bread into canals and rivers also leads to overcrowding of bird populations as they flock to popular locations in search of their starchy treat.

The Canal and River Trust warned that feeding ducks with bread was polluting Britain's waterways

The Canal and River Trust said hundreds of thousands of ducks need the publics help to supplement their natural food sources as winter approaches.

But it recommended defrosted frozen peas, corn and chopped-up leftover vegetables as healthier than bread.

Ducks normally feed on insects and grass but these are more difficult to find in winter when the ground is often frozen. Greens including kale, cabbage and lettuce are healthy alternatives.

Peter Birch, from the charity, urged the public to seek out new families of ducks to prevent large quantities of food clogging up the same places.

He said: Ducks and waterfowl need our support even more around this time of year but please do it sensibly.A strange flash of radio waves detected in space has been traced to a galaxy 120 million light years from our planet, unusually nearby in astronomical terms.

Dubbed FRB 171020, it was picked out from a haul of similar signals detected by experts last week.

Australian researchers announced that they had discovered a record breaking 19 powerful bursts of radio waves emanating from deep space.

Fast radio bursts, or FRBs, are radio emissions that appear temporarily and randomly, making them not only hard to find, but also hard to study.

The mystery stems from the fact it is not known what could produce such a short and sharp burst.

This has led some to speculate they could be anything from stars colliding to messages created by technological advanced alien civilisations.

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A strange flash of radio waves detected in space has been traced to a galaxy 120 million light years from our planet, unusually nearby in astronomical terms. Dubbed FRB 171020, it was picked out from a haul of similar signals detected by experts last week

Researchers at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia are behind the find and they say the object responsible for the signal must be within 100 million light years or so.

Most bursts that have been detected have been billions of light years away, but FRB 171020 most likely came from a galaxy called ESO 601-G036.

Elizabeth Mahony at Australias national science institute, The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), say this galaxy is of a similar size to the only other galaxy an FRB has been pinpointed to.

It has a similar star formation rate and amounts of oxygen abundance to the galaxy in the constellation Auriga, which is located 2.4 billion light years away.

ESO 601-G036 doesnt give off a continuous stream of radio emissions, however, while the Auriga galaxy, going against theories that FRBs can only form in galaxies that give off these type of emissions.

The team hopes to discover another FRB coming from ESO 601-G036 to pinpoint exactly where it originates.

Speaking to New Scientist, Dr Mahony added: 'Then we might actually be able to solve the mystery of what causes these fast radio bursts.'

FAST RADIO BURSTS ARE BRIEF RADIO EMISSIONS FROM SPACE WHOSE ORIGIN IS UNKNOWN Fast radio bursts, or FRBs, are radio emissions that appear temporarily and randomly, making them not only hard to find, but also hard to study. The mystery stems from the fact it is not known what could produce such a short and sharp burst. This has led some to speculate they could be anything from stars colliding to artificially created messages. Scientists searching for fast radio bursts (FRBs) that some believe may be signals sent from aliens may be happening every second. The blue points in this artist's impression of the filamentary structure of galaxies are signals from FRBs The first FRB was spotted, or rather 'heard' by radio telescopes, back in 2001 but wasn't discovered until 2007 when scientists were analysing archival data. But it was so temporary and seemingly random that it took years for astronomers to agree it wasn't a glitch in one of the telescope's instruments. Researchers from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics point out that FRBs can be used to study the structure and evolution of the universe whether or not their origin is fully understood. A large population of faraway FRBs could act as probes of material across gigantic distances. This intervening material blurs the signal from the cosmic microwave background (CMB), the left over radiation from the Big Bang. A careful study of this intervening material should give an improved understanding of basic cosmic constituents, such as the relative amounts of ordinary matter, dark matter and dark energy, which affect how rapidly the universe is expanding. FRBs can also be used to trace what broke down the 'fog' of hydrogen atoms that pervaded the early universe into free electrons and protons, when temperatures cooled down after the Big Bang. Advertisement

CSIRO radio telescopes in Western Australia announced they had detected the group of mysterious blasts on October 10, nearly doubling the total number of known FRBs.

Among the 19 signals observed were some of the closest and brightest FRBs ever detected, researchers from the Swinburne University of Technology found.

Fast radio bursts are elusive signals that last just a few milliseconds, and are thought to originate billions of light-years away  but, scientists dont yet know what causes them.

They also generate an intense blast of energy - enough that it's almost equivalent to the amount released by the sun over the course of 80 years.

'We've found 20 fast radio bursts in a year, almost doubling the number detected worldwide since they were discovered in 2007,' Ryan Shannon, lead author of the original study, said in a statement.

The scientists say they've also proved that the FRBs are coming from the other side of the universe, 'rather than from our own galactic neighborhood.'

FRBs typically travel for billions of years, occasionally passing through clouds of gas.

Scientists pay close attention to the arrival of the different wavelengths to learn how much material the burst has traveled through on its journey.

Artist's impression of CSIRO's Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope observing 'fast radio bursts' in 'fly's eye mode'. Each antenna points in a slightly different direction, giving maximum sky coverage

'Each time this happens, the different wavelengths that make up a burst are slowed by different amounts,' Jean-Pierre Macquart, a co-author of the study, noted.

'Eventually, the burst reaches Earth with its spread of wavelengths arriving at the telescope at slightly different times, like swimmers at a finish line.

'...And because we've shown that fast radio bursts come from far away, we can use them to detect all the missing matter located in the space between galaxies - which is a really exciting discovery.'

Scientists now know that FRBs come from about halfway across the universe, but it's remains unclear what causes them or which galaxies they come from.

Astronomers have previously suggested that the bursts could be coming from a giant cosmic object, such as a neutron star.

Others have even wilder theories that they may originate from a far-flung alien race that's yet to be discovered.

Fast radio bursts are elusive signals that last just a few milliseconds, and are thought to originate billions of light-years away  but, scientists dont yet know what causes them

The team from the Swinburne University of Technology is now focusing on pinpointing the locations of the bursts on the sky.

'We'll be able to localise the bursts to better than a thousandth of a degree,' Dr Shannon said.

'That's about the width of a human hair seen ten metres away, and good enough to tie each burst to a particular galaxy.'

They added that the latest discovery of FRBs is largely due in part to the Australia Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope used to find them.

ASKAP's massive dish has spotted numerous FRBs over the years, earning it the nickname of Sauron, after the fictional dark overlord that's the 'all-seeing eye' of the Lord of the Rings series.

It's gotten so good at spotting FRBs that scientists say it could soon spot new FRBs every few days.

The latest discovery of FRBs is largely due in part to the Australia Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope used to find them. ASKAP's massive dish has spotted numerous FRBs over the years, earning it the nickname of Sauron, after the fictional dark overlord

The instrument is equipped with 36 dishes in total, which can be used either to look at one point of the sky, or be pointed in different directions to like the segments of a flys eye, according to CSIRO.

Using eight dishes, the telescope can see 240 square degrees all at once.

'The telescope has a whopping field of view of 30 square degrees, 100 times larger than the full Moon,' said CSIRO's Keith Bannister, who engineered the systems that detected the bursts.

'And, by using the telescope's dish antennas in a radical way, with each pointing at a different part of the sky, we observed 240 square degrees all at once - about a thousand times the area of the full Moon.

'ASKAP is astoundingly good for this work,' Dr Bannister added.A ship that sunk nearly 200 years ago in Lake Erie has finally been identified.

Cleveland-based shipwreck hunters have been studying the remains of the ship and believe it to be the doomed vessel known as the 'Lake Serpent'.

Expert analysis of the wreckage has proved that this is the oldest shipwreck in the entire lake.

The Serpent sunk in 1829 and the three sailors on-board died in the disaster.

Lake Erie later developed notoriety for its fearsome storms and became a graveyard for hundreds of ships.

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Cleveland-based shipwreck hunters have been studying the remains of a shipwreck at the bottom of Lake Erie and believe it to be the doomed vessel known as the 'Lake Serpent' (pictured)

WHAT IS SONAR? Military equipment and animals that use sonar are makes use of an echo. When an animal or machine makes a noise, it sends sound waves into the environment around it. Those waves bounce off nearby objects, and some of them reflect back to the object that made the noise. It's those reflected sound waves that you hear when your voice echoes back to you from a canyon. Whales and specialised machines can use reflected waves to locate distant objects and sense their shape and movement. Submarine sonars have been blamed for lethal mass stranding of deep diving toothed whales. Sonar is thought to disrupt the animals' diving behaviour so much that they suffer a condition rather like 'the bends' which human divers can contract if they surface too quickly. Advertisement

The wreck was fist spotted in 2015 by Tom Kowalczk, a member of the Cleveland Underwater Explorers, when it appeared on his sonar screen.

Dives to the site and analysis of the remains was conducted over eight days this summer and allowed experts to conclusively identify the wreck as the Lake Serpent.

Many shipwrecks have been found in the lake in recent years by a small, dedicated band of hunters.

To determine whether the latest discovery to be announced was indeed the Lake Serpent, divers had to get a closer look at the wreckage and remove a layer sediment that covered part of the ship.

'Because it's so small, that makes it very, very old,' said Mr Kowalczk.

'That puts it way back to an early time frame and really limits the possibilities.'

Members of the Cleveland Underwater Explorers and the museum reverted back to historical records and newspaper clippings to find names of potential vessels.

Original investigations narrowed the list of possible ships to three, with Lake Serpent deemed the most likely.

Newspaper reports from the time provided vital clues in confirming this hypothesis.

On October 8, 1829, the Cleveland Weekly Herald reported that the Lake Serpent had left four weeks earlier to get stone from Put-In-Bay on Lake Erie's South Bass Island.

'The newspaper was able to confirm that the Lake Serpent had loaded the stone at Put-In-Bay, but hadn't been seen since,' the Cleveland Underwater Explorers reveal on their website.

It was also reported at the time that the bodies of the Lake Serpents captain and his brother, Ezra and Robert Wright, washed ashore in Lorain County, Ohio in the first week of October 1829.

There is some debate among professionals in the field but the museum has released the findings which provide several signs to suggest that it is the missing cargo ship, they say.

The wreck of Lake Serpent (pictured) was fist spotted in 2015 by Tom Kowalczk, a member of the Cleveland Underwater Explorers, when it appeared on his sonar screen. It was covered in sediment and required several days work to clear and study

A ship that sunk nearly 200 years ago, killing three on board, may have been found by shipwreck hunters, who studied the site and confirmed their theory

Mr Kowalczk believes his finding is almost certainly the Lake Serpent.

'We haven't found anything that says it's something different,' he said.

The schooner was built in 1821 in Cleveland at a time when the city had less than 1,000 residents. Its job was to carry cargo - produce, flour, whiskey and limestone - to ports along the lakes.

It went down eight years later with a load of stone and a small crew near Kelleys Island off the Ohio shoreline.

The ship had an unusual carving of a serpent's head in the bow - an uncommon feature for a boat of this kind in that era.Nearly 50 iconic historical and cultural sites across the Mediterranean are at risk of destruction in the next century, scientists show.

Rising sea levels are endangering the iconic Venetian lagoon as well as the Amalfi Coast, the Cypriot city of Paphos and Pisa's Piazza del Duomo.

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites are close to coastal areas and at risk of severe flooding and coastal erosion, researchers said.

The Mediterranean is home to a large number of historic sites due to the historical importance of the ports that populate the area.

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The scientists found that of the 49 coastal sites around the Mediterranean Sea, more than three-quarters (37) are at risk of a severe flood event by the year 2100. These include Pisa, Venice and Rhodes

Rhodes is one of the NESCO World Heritage Sites that is at risk from rising sea levels. Floods and coastal erosion threaten the longevity of the remains on the island, including the Acropolis of Lindos (pictured)

A team of academics, led by Lena Reimann from the Kiel University in Germany, created a database of all the at-risk UNESCO sites and used mathematical models to predict how rising sea levels would impact them.

They found that of 49 coastal sites around the Mediterranean, only two will be immune from flooding or coastal erosion by 2100.

The authors write in their study: 'As the risk of coastal hazards such as flooding and erosion increases with sea-level rise, a considerable number of coastal World Heritage Sites will gradually be exposed to these hazards in the future.

'This threatens the Outstanding Universal Value of affected sites and potentially leading to losses in economic revenue.'

The scientists found that of the 49 coastal sites studied, more than three-quarters (37) are at risk of a severe flood event by the year 2100.

The study considered this catastrophe to be a '100-year flood event', which is defined as an event which has a one per cent chance of happening in any given year.

Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, the iconic cathedral that features the famed leaning tower of Pisa nearby, is the only site that is only at risk of flooding.

Paphos Archaeological Park (pictured) is home to some ancient Greek monuments that are protected by UNESCO privileges. If sea levels corrode the condition of the site there is a risk some will be removed from the list of World Heritage Sites

The ruins in the city of Carthage (pictured) are a UNESCO site that preserve the ancient capital of the Carthaginian civilisation, on the eastern side of the Lake of Tunis. Its proximity to the coastline puts it at risk of flooding and sea level rise

More sites are at risk of coastal erosion as the research discovered that nearly 90 per cent (42) of the sites would suffer by the end of the century.

Seven sites suffer from erosion only; Rhodes, Medina of Sousse, Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre, Old Town of Corfu, Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto, White City of Tel-Aviv and the Stari Grad Plain in Cyprus.

All but two of the sites (Medina of Tunis and Xanthos-Letoon in Turkey) will be at risk from one of these hazards.

The UNESCO Word Heritage site Venice and its Lagoon (pictured) is one of the sites most at risk from coastal flooding and erosion in the Mediterranean region. Sea-level rise will exacerbate these risks in the course of the century

Piazza del Duomo (pictured) houses four masterpieces of medieval architecture  the cathedral, the baptistry, the campanile (the 'Leaning Tower') and the cemetery  had a great influence on monumental art in Italy from the 11th to the 14th century

Dr Reimann said: 'Our results provide a rst-order assessment of where adaptation is most urgently needed and can support policymakers in steering local-scale research to devise suitable adaptation strategies for each World Heritage Site.'

'The Mediterranean region has a high concentration, many of which are in coastal locations. Sea-level rise poses a threat to these sites however, information on the risk at a local level is needed for adaptation planning.

'A combination of awareness-raising strategies and protection measures seem to be the most suitable adaptation strategies, but relocation also needs to be considered, in particular where risk is very high.'

The issue is compounded by models that predict conditions will progressively worsen.

The Amalfi coast (pictured) is an area of great physical beauty and natural diversity. It has been intensively settled by human communities since the early Middle Ages. There are a number of towns such as Amalfi and Ravello which could be at severe risk if sea levels continue to rise

The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul (pictured) is one of the cities historical mouments and is the home of the world famous Byzantine architecture. All but two of the sites (Medina of Tunis and Xanthos-Letoon in Turkey) will be at risk from one of these hazards

By 2100, flood risk may increase by 50 per cent and erosion risk by 13 per cent across the Mediterranean. Dubrovnik Old Town (pictured) is an area of high concern due to the high potential impacts of coastal hazards in the highly populated area

By 2100, flood risk may increase by 50 per cent and erosion risk by 13 per cent across the region.

The findings can easily be reproduced and applied to other regions where a high number of World heritage sites are potentially at risk from coastal hazards due to sea level rises, for example, South-East Asia.

Dr Reimann said: 'Our results can raise awareness of policymakers and heritage managers by pointing to the urgent need for adaptation as a large number of WHS are already at risk from coastal ooding and erosion under current conditions.

'Both risks will exacerbate in the course of the twenty-rst century and possibly beyond, their magnitude depending on the global-scale mitigation effort in the coming years.

'Mitigation efforts are as much needed as adaptation to protect our common heritage from being lost. '

Those in densely populated areas such as Venice - due to the high potential impacts of coastal hazards - may get more attention than others.

And many important sites not on the World Heritage list but also important parts of human history will also 'slowly disappear' under the sea, added Dr Reimann.

The research has been published in the journal Nature Communications.Aerospace company Airbus is to draw up plans for Europe's contribution to a base orbiting the moon.

The Gateway is an international project that envisages a lunar staging post for manned space missions to the moon or Mars.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has commissioned Airbus, which has a major space facility in Stevenage, to develop key concepts for the station over the next 15 months.

The first study will look at designs for a habitation and research module measuring around 6.5 metres (21ft) and weighing nine tonnes.

Airbus will also consider plans for refuelling, docking and telecommunications infrastructure.

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The Gateway (artist's impression) is an international project that envisages a lunar staging post for manned space missions to the moon or Mars

The company's Defence and Space division builds advanced satellites and spacecraft at its assembly plant in Stevenage.

BepiColombo, a European spacecraft due to blast off on a journey to the planet Mercury on Saturday, was built there.

The US, Russia, Canada, Japan, and Europe all have a role in the Gateway project, led by the American space agency Nasa.

Nasa plans to launch the base's central power propulsion element (PPE) into lunar orbit in the early 2020s.

David Parker, director of human and robotic exploration at ESA, said: 'With these studies and other preparations, ESA aims to stay at the centre of human space exploration.

'The Gateway will become humanity's most remote research outpost and we hope Europe will benefit from the world of innovation, discovery and excitement that lies ahead.'

Unlike the International Space Station (ISS), the Gateway will not be continually manned.

WHAT IS THE LUNAR GATEWAY? Russia and the United States are cooperating on a NASA-led project to build the first lunar space station, codenamed the Lunar Gateway. The agreement, signed in September 2017, is part of a long-term project to send humans to Mars. The crew-tended spaceport will orbit the moon and serve as a 'gateway to deep space and the lunar surface,' NASA has said. The first modules of the station could be completed as soon as 2024. Russia and the United States are cooperating on a NASA-led project to build the first lunar space station, codenamed the Lunar Gateway An international base for lunar exploration for humans and robots and a stopover for spacecraft is a leading contender to succeed the $100 billion International Space Station (ISS), the world's largest space project to date. Nasa asked European scientists and industry leaders to join the agency in September 2018. Accepting the offer could cost the European Space Agency (ESA) - of which Britain is a key member - an estimated 1 billion ($1.3 billion). A decision on whether to become involved will be taken at a meeting of European science ministers next year. In the mean time, the ESA is drawing up plans for the form its section of the station could take. Advertisement

It is intended to act as a staging post for human space exploration and crewed when needed.

Russia and the US first signed an agreement to work on the project in September 2017.

The project envisages building a crew-tended spaceport in lunar orbit that would serve as a 'gateway to deep space and the lunar surface,' NASA has said.

The agency said the agreement reflected the two agencies' common vision for human exploration.

'While the deep space gateway is still in concept formulation, NASA is pleased to see growing international interest in moving into cislunar space as the next step for advancing human space exploration,' Robert Lightfoot, acting administrator at NASA headquarters in Washington, said.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has commissioned Airbus, which has a major space facility in Stevenage, to develop key concepts for the station (artist's impression) over the next 15 months

A base for lunar exploration for humans and robots and a stopover for spacecraft is a leading contender to succeed the International Space Station (ISS)

Construction of the ISS, which is the world's largest space project to date, took 13 years to complete at a cost of an estimated 75 billion ($100 billion).

The Russians and Nasa are now cooperating to build the systems needed to organise scientific missions in lunar orbit and to the surface of the moon.

Nasa asked European scientists and industry leaders to join the agency in September 2018.

Accepting the offer could cost the European Space Agency (ESA) - of which Britain is a key member - an estimated 1 billion ($1.3 billion).

A decision on whether to become involved will be taken at a meeting of European science ministers next year.

In the mean time, the ESA is drawing up plans for the form its section of the station could take.Google chief executive Sundar Pichai has acknowledged publicly for the first time that the tech giant is considering a search engine for China, saying it could offer 'better information' to people than rival services.

Speaking at the Wired 25th anniversary conference late Monday, Pichai said Google leaders 'feel obliged to think hard' about China despite criticism over the possibly of cooperating with Chinese censorship.

'We are always balancing a set of values,' he said, while adding that 'we also follow the rule of law in every country.'

Google CEO Sundar Pichai addressed questions about China and the company's work with the US military at the Wired 25th anniversary conference in San Francisco

Pichai described Project Dragonfly, which has drawn criticism from Google employees, lawmakers and human rights activists, as an effort to learn about what Google could offer if it resumed its search operations in China.

'It turns out we would be able to serve well over 99 percent of the (search) queries,' he said onstage in a question-and-answer session.

'And there are many, many areas where we would provide better information that what is available.'

Pichai offered no details on the status of the effort but said he was taking a 'long-term view' on China.

'We don't know whether we would or could do this in China but we felt it was important to explore,' he said.

'I think it's important for us given how important the market is and how many users there are. We feel obliged to think hard about this.'

He said one area where Google's presence could help in China would be for information on medical treatments including for cancer.

'Today people either get fake cancer treatments or they actually get useful information,' he said.

WHAT IS GOOGLE'S 'PROJECT DRAGONFLY' SEARCH ENGINE? 'Dragonfly' was a rumoured effort inside Google to develop a search engine for China that would censor certain terms and news outlets, among other things. Reports claimed the tool ties users' Google searches to their personal phone numbers to help the Chinese government monitor its citizens. Outside of high-profile leaks, few details have emerged on what the search engine entailed as Google has kept tight-lipped on the project. A former Google employee warned of the web giant's 'disturbing' plans in a letter sent to the US's senate's commerce committee in August 2018. Jack Poulson said the proposed Dragonfly website was 'tailored to the censorship and surveillance demands of the Chinese government'. In his letter he also claimed that discussion of the plans among Google employees had been 'increasingly stifled'. Mr Poulson was a senior research scientist at Google until he resigned in July 2018 in protest at the Dragonfly proposals. Advertisement

Google shut down its search engine in China in 2010, refusing Beijing's requirement to censor search results.

Pichai also addressed Google's decision to withdraw from a bid for a major Pentagon cloud computing project, saying the company was not opposed to working with the military but did not want to be part of automated weapons.

'We do work with the (US) military and deeply respect what they do to protect our country,' he said.

Pichai added that Google continues to work on projects with the military on cybersecurity and transportation planning, for example but that 'where we are being more deliberate is where AI (artificial intelligence) is used for autonomous weaponry.'Facebook, Google and Twitter have been forced to delete more than 30 million posts in just three months following reports of illegal and offensive content.

The trio were called before the Science and Technology Committee to show how they were tackling online pornography, fake news, hate speech and terrorist content.

UK Public Policy Manager for Facebook, Karim Palant, admitted the firm removed 20 million images of adult nudity in the first three months of the year.

He said three million posts were deleted under hate speech rules between January and March - 500,000 more than the previous quarter.

Facebook said it was increasing the number of moderators and staff working on safety, and promised to have 20,000 employees monitoring content globally by the end of the year.

Social media sites have had to up their game when it comes to the safety and security of its users (stock image)

Mr Palant said: 'We wouldn't be here if we weren't concerned about the harms. There is clear illegal content that can be circulated and that is a huge priority, child sexual exploitation, terrorist material are a huge priority.

'There is then a huge range of other kinds of upsetting and not necessarily clearly illegal content, such as bullying and harassment, hate speech. We have hugely increased the number of people we have employed to review that content.

'We have algorithms to identify that content proactively. We removed three million in the first quarter of hate speech.'

This is while Twitter's Vice-President of Public Policy and Communications, Sinead McSweeney, also told the committee that the site had removed around one million accounts which had posted terrorist content since 2015, including 275,000 in the last six months of 2017.

Despite admitting the responsibility of these sites, Ms McSweeney said parents must also share some responsibility in keeping youngsters away from damaging material.

'We put our hands up and said we hadn't done enough in the early days. We have done a huge amount of work to improve our product and policies to ensure it is a safer place for people.

WHAT HAVE OTHERS SAID ABOUT FACEBOOK'S NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON ITS USERS? Ex-Google and Facebook workers are campaigning to raise awareness of the negative effects of using products made by their former employers. Among their concerns are addiction to technology and its impact on individuals, particularly children and younger users, as well as society as a whole. Tristan Harris, a former in-house ethicist at Google is spearheading the new group, called the Center for Humane Technology. The newly-launched initiative, which is working with the nonprofit media watchdog group Common Sense Media, is planning to lobby the United States government over tech addiction. It is also undertaking an advertising campaign aimed at 55,000 public schools in the US, to raise awareness with parents, students and teachers over its concerns. These include the mental health effects of overuse of social media, including depression, stress, anxiety, self-image and self-worth, according to the group's website. The campaign, called The Truth About Tech, also seeks to address more wide-ranging problems caused by technology, including its power to influence our relationships and even our political beliefs. Speaking to the New York Times Mr Harris, said: 'We were on the inside. We know what the companies measure. We know how they talk, and we know how the engineering works. 'The largest supercomputers in the world are inside of two companies  Google and Facebook  and where are we pointing them? 'We're pointing them at people's brains, at children.' In December 2017, former Facebook executive Chamath Palihapitiya also spoke out against the social network he helped to create, saying it is 'ripping society apart'. Mr Palihapitiya, who joined Facebook in 2007 and became its vice president for user growth, said he feels 'tremendous guilt' for the influence Facebook has had and its ability to manipulate users. He also suggested users take a break from using social media altogether. Advertisement

'We will play our part by putting age limits and big signs saying this is not appropriate, but if people are allowing their children to sit in bedrooms with devices with nobody knocking on doors occasionally to say what's going on, then'

Elsehwre Claire Lilley, head of Child Safety, at Google UK, which owns YouTube, said that 7.7 million videos were removed from the video streaming site between April and June.

This may not seem like a lot in regards to the the size of the UK, but this figure was up from five million six months previously.

YouTube removed 7.7 million videos from its streaming site between April and June while it highlighted that it was set to take on more moderators

The Telegraph reported how Miss Lilley, highlighted how YouTube used machine learning algorithms to spot illegal and offensive content so it can be taken down quickly.

'We receive hundreds of thousands of reports of inappropriate content every day and in quarter two we removed 7.7 million videos from YouTube.

'We will have 10,000 moderators by the end of the year.

'Of course sometimes things slip through our safeguards and they are exposed to content that is not for their consumption. We have very strict community guidelines in areas like the availability of sexual content, hateful and abusive content, and violent content. We don't allow porn at all. Everything is scanned to make sure it is not child sexual abuse.

'A lot of child sexual abuse imagery is created by young people themselves. Obviously it is incumbent to remove that content, but it is also about user behaviour and education of young people is so important.'

MPs also addressed whether the sites would be quick enough to remove 'fake news' videos in the event of an upcoming election.

Vicky Fox MP said: 'If come the next election we will have deep fake videos impersonating each of us being popped up on YouTube will you be able to get them down before they go up?'

Miss Lilley said that there are particularly areas on YouTube where people need credible, authoritative information, like news, current affairs and politics.

'We have a breaking news shelf where we prioritise content from an authoritative source and make sure people are getting recommended very good quality content from the BBC, The New York Times, The Daily Telegraph, whoever it might be to make sure people are not getting spammed content.'Google is to start charging smartphone makers to pre-install apps like Gmail, YouTube and Google Maps on Android handsets sold in Europe in response to a record $5 billion EU antitrust fine.

The tech giant will charge smartphone makers a licensing fee for using its popular Google Play app store and also allow them to use rival versions of its Android mobile operating system to comply with an EU antitrust order.

Google, an Alphabet subsidiary, announced the changes on Tuesday, three months after the European Commission handed it a landmark 4.34 billion euro ($5 billion) fine for using its popular Android mobile operating system to hinder rivals.

Google will charge smartphone makers a licensing fee for using its popular Google Play app store and also allow them to use rival versions of its Android mobile operating system to comply with an EU antitrust order.

The company said the licensing fees will offset revenue lost as a result of its compliance efforts.

'Since the pre-installation of Google Search and Chrome together with our other apps helped us fund the development and free distribution of Android, we will introduce a new paid licensing agreement for smartphones and tablets shipped into the EEA,'

'We believe that Android has created more choice, not less. Thats why last week we filed our appeal of the Commissions decision at the General Court of the European Union,' wrote Hiroshi Lockheimer, senior vice president for platforms and ecosystems, said in a blog revealing the new charges.

The European Economic Area (EEA) comprises the 28 EU countries, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

Manufacturers taking on Google Play and other Google services such as Gmail, YouTube and maps, can also install the Google Search app and the Chrome browser free of charge.

WHY WAS GOOGLE FINED $5BN? Google was slapped with a record-breaking $5 billion (3.8bn / 4.3bn) fine from the European Union in July. The latest anti-trust penalty for the US search firm is equal to the amount of money the Netherlands contributes to the EU budget each year. The crux of the issue is the monopoly Google has garnered within the Android app marketplace and the advertising advantage this provides the company. The EU conducted a three-year investigation into Google which found the Mountain View-based company was using its Android operating system to marginalise rivals. The EU has also charged Google with shutting-out competitors by forcing major phone manufacturers including South Korea's Samsung and China's Huawei to pre-install its search engine and Google Chrome browser. Google is able to run advertisements inside applications pre-installed with the Android mobile operating system  something rivals are not permitted to do. Advertisement

New Google Pixel 3 smartphones are displayed in New York: The company said the licensing fees will offset revenue lost as a result of its compliance efforts

'Android partners wishing to distribute Google apps may also build non-compatible, or forked, smartphones and tablets for the EEA,' Lockheimer said.

The changes will apply on Oct. 29 for all new smartphones and tablets sold in the EEA.

EU antitrust enforcers in their July decision said Google's anti-competitive behaviour, which dated to 2011, included forcing smartphone makers to pre-install Google Search and its Chrome browser together with its Google Play app store on their Android devices.

Another illegal tactic included paying manufacturers to pre-install only Google Search and preventing them from using rival Android systems.Kevin Systrom, the co-founder of Instagram, has talked about his departure for the firm for the first time since he quit.

Three weeks after he and his Instagram cofounder Mike Krieger abruptly left the Facebook-owned company, amid rumours it was due to a falling out with Mark Zuckerberg, he said 'You don't leave a job because everything's awesome.'

Speaking at the Wired25 summit in San Francisco, Systrom dodged questions about his relationship with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, claiming he wished the firm well.

Scroll down for video

Anna Wintour, Serena Williams and Kevin Systrom attend VIP Dinner For WIRED's 25th Anniversary, Hosted By Nicholas Thompson And Anna Wintour at Tartine: Speaking at the Wired25 summit in San Francisco, Systrom dodged questions about his relationship with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, claiming he wished the firm well.

WHY DID KEVIN SYSTROM QUIT INSTAGRAM? Instagram's co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger frequently clashed with Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg over a range of issues, including the extent to which they could chart their own course, according to the Wall Street Journal. The co-founders also believed to be upset about tweaks to the photo-sharing app that seemed designed to promote Facebook growth at Instagram's expense, some of the people said. Many have also blamed Mark Zuckerberg's 'god complex', saying that while the app was supposedly independents, 'there was only one CEO'. Advertisement

'There are no hard feelings at all. I want this thing to succeed,' he said.

Systrom had been at the company for eight years when he quit - and admits he wanted to do more.

'It [Instagram] didn't feel done by any stretch of the imagination,' he said. 'But it felt like it was in orbit.'

Systrom said 'I don't have any plans yet, except for hanging out for a little while,' and said he'd been taking flying lessons, and has just made his first solo flight.

He also said he'd been spending time with his nine month old daughter.

Systrom also spoke about the vast power tech giants now wield, with apps able to reach billions in an instant.

We're learning what it means to have that responsibility as an industry,' he said.

However, he believes there is a solution.

'It's far more simple than we all understand, if we just focus on humans and the that problems they have.'

A week after System left, Facebook named Adam Mosseri, a 10-year veteran at the company and a member of Mark Zuckerberg's 'inner circle', as the CEO of Instagram.

The appointment comes after the photo-sharing app's co-founders resigned without giving a clear reason.

Kevin Systrom, Instagram's CEO, and Mike Krieger, its other co-founder, announced Mosseri's appointment Monday on the company blog in an awkward post.

'We are thrilled to hand over the reins to a product leader with a strong design background and a focus on craft and simplicity  as well as a deep understanding of the importance of community,' the pair wrote.

Many have also blamed Mark Zuckerberg's 'god complex' for the Instagram co-founders quitting, saying that while the app was supposedly independents, 'there was only one CEO'.

Mosseri was named as Instagram's head of product in May and said on Twitter he was 'humbled and excited by the new role'.

He began as a designer at Facebook and most recently led its news feed.

The founders sought to reassure users that Mosseri will 'hold true' to Instagram's values and community.

Some users have worried since last week's surprise departure that Instagram will become more like its parent company, becoming getting cluttered with features and sucking up personal data.

'Since we announced our departure, many people have asked us what we hope for the future of Instagram,' the pair said.

'To us, the most important thing is keeping our community  all of you  front and center in all that Instagram does.

'We believe that Adam will hold true to these values and that Instagram will continue to thrive.

Kevin Systrom, CEO and co-founder of Instagram, prepares for an announcement about IGTV in San Francisco. In a statement late Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, Systrom said in a statement that he and Mike Krieger, Instagram's chief technical officer, plan to leave the company in the next few weeks and take time off 'to explore our curiosity and creativity again.'

'We remain excited for the future of Instagram in the coming years as we transition from being leaders at Instagram to being just two users in a billion.

'We're confident that under Adam's leadership, Instagram will evolve and improve and we look forward to the future of the product and community.'

When Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger sold Instagram to Facebook in 2012, the photo-sharing startup's fiercely loyal fans worried about what would happen to their beloved app under the social media giant's wings.

None of their worst fears materialized. But now that its founders have announced they are leaving in a swirl of well wishes and vague explanations, some of the same worries are bubbling up again - and then some.

Will Instagram disappear? Get cluttered with ads and status updates? Suck up personal data for advertising the way its parent does? Lose its cool?

Worst of all: Will it just become another Facebook?

'It's probably a bigger challenge (for Facebook) than most people realize,' said Omar Akhtar, an analyst at the technology research firm Altimeter.

The appointment comes after the photo-sharing app's co-founders resigned last week without giving a clear reason. Photo, from left to right: Instagram co-founder Mike Krieger, new Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri, Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom.

'Instagram is the only platform that is growing. And a lot of people didn't necessarily make the connection between Instagram and Facebook.'

Instagram had just 31 million users when Facebook snapped it up for $1 billion; now it has a billion.

It had no ads back then; it now features both display and video ads, although they're still restrained compared to Facebook.

But that could quickly change. Facebook's growth has started to slow, and Wall Street has been pushing the company to find new ways to increase revenue.

Instagram has been a primary focus of those efforts.

Facebook has been elevating Instagram's profile in its financial discussions. In July, it unveiled a new metric for analysts, touting that 2.5 billion people use at least one of its apps - Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp or Messenger - each month.

While not particularly revealing, the measurement underscores the growing importance Facebook places on those secondary apps.

In this April 7, 2011, file photo, CEO Kevin Systrom, at left, chats with engineers Shayne Sweeney, center, and Mike Krieger at Instagram in San Francisco

Facebook doesn't disclose how much money Instagram pulls in, though Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter estimates it'll be around $6 billion this year, or just over 10 percent of Facebook's expected overall revenue of about $55.7 billion.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has long seen Instagram's promise. At the time, it was by far Facebook's largest acquisition (although it was dwarfed by the $19 billion Zuckerberg paid for WhatsApp two years later). And it was the first startup allowed to operate mostly independently.

That has paid off big time. Not only did Instagram reach 1 billion users faster than its parent company, it also succeeded in cloning a popular Snapchat feature, dealing a serious blow to that social network upstart and succeeding where Facebook's own attempts had repeatedly failed.

Instagram also pioneered a long-form video feature to challenge YouTube, another big Facebook rival.

Recently, Instagram has been on a roll.

In June, Systrom traveled to New York to mark the opening of its new office there, complete with a gelato bar and plans to hire hundreds of engineers.

Only a month earlier, Instagram had moved into sparkly new offices in San Francisco. In a July earnings call, Zuckerberg touted Instagram's success as a function of its integration with Facebook, claiming that it used parent-company infrastructure to grow 'more than twice as quickly as it would have on its own.'

But Instagram has also been a case study in how to run a subsidiary independently - especially when its parent is mired in user-privacy problems and concerns about election interference, fake news and misinformation. And especially when its parent has long stopped being cool, what with everyone and their grandma now on it.

Instagram's simple design - just a collection of photos and videos of sunsets, faraway vacations, intimate breakfasts and baby close-ups - has allowed it to remain a favorite long after it became part of Facebook.

If people go to Twitter to bicker over current events and to Facebook to see what old classmates are up to, Instagram is where they go to relax, scroll and feast their eyes.

Kevin Systrom (right) and Instagram co-founder Mike Krieger (left) made a shock departure from their leading roles at the social network on Monday

So, will that change?

'I don't think Zuckerberg is dumb,' Akhtar said.

'He knows that a large part of Instagram's popularity is that it's separate from Facebook.'

As such, he thinks Facebook would be wise to reassure users that what they love about Instagram isn't going to change - that they are not going to be forced to integrate with Facebook. 'That'll go a long way,' he said.

Internally, the challenge is a bit more complicated. While Systrom and Krieger didn't say why they're leaving, their decision echoes the recent departure of WhatsApp's co-founder and CEO Jan Koum, who resigned in April.

Koum had signaled years earlier that he would take a stand if Facebook's push to increase profits risked compromising core elements of the WhatsApp messaging service, such as its dedication to user privacy. When Facebook started pushing harder for more revenue and more integration with WhatsApp, Koum pulled the ripcord.

One sign that additional integration may be in Instagram's future: Zuckerberg in May sent longtime Facebook executive Adam Mosseri to run Instagram's product operation.

Mosseri replaced longtime Instagrammer Kevin Weil, who was shuffled back to the Facebook mothership.

Systrom did mention Sandberg and Zuckerberg in an outgoing 'thank you' statement shared to Instagram (pictured)

That likely didn't sit well with Instagram's founders, Akhtar and other analysts said. Now that they're gone as well, Mosseri is the most obvious candidate to head Instagram.

'Kevin Systrom loyalists are probably going to leave,' Akhtar said.

Which means Facebook may soon have a new challenge on its hands: Figuring out how to keep Instagram growing if it loses the coolness factor that has bolstered it for so long.A poorly-understood fungus is ravaging Latin Americas coffee crops, causing billions of dollars in damages and potentially putting the global coffee supply at risk.

The disease, known as coffee leaf rust, is an orange-powdery fungus that slashes the plants yield, in some cases destroying the entire crop for years.

This same fungus is responsible for the crash of Sri Lankas (then called Ceylon) coffee industry in the late 1800s, according to NPR.

Despite efforts in the 1970s to manage the disease and produce rust-resistant coffee varieties in Latin America, experts now warn the fungus is evolving.

The disease, known as coffee leaf rust, is an orange-powdery fungus that slashes the plants yield, in some cases destroying the entire crop for years. This same fungus is responsible for the crash of Sri Lankas (then Ceylon) coffee industry in the late 1800s

We are in the middle of the biggest coffee crisis of our time, Guatemalan producer and exporter Josue Morales, told NPR.

Coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix), also known simply as coffee rust, causes defoliation  or the loss of the plants leaves.

In Central America, 70 percent of farms have been hit by the disease, resulting in $3.2 billion in damage and lost wages, according to Purdue University.

Arabica, which makes up about 75 percent of the global coffee production, is especially susceptible to the pathogen.

And, scientists still dont know all that much about it.

This is one of those rusts that even though its been with us for over 100 years, we dont even understand its entire life cycle, said Purdue mycologist Cathie Aime, who recently received a grant from World Coffee Research to study the disease.

This is much more difficult than it sounds. For rust fungi, theyre obligate pathogens, so you cant get pure DNA in meaningful quantities.

You cant grow it in culture or manipulate it in the lab. And theyre microfungi, so you are dealing with extremely small organisms embedded in their host.

Scientists are working to better understand everything from its reproductive processes to its full genome in effort to stay on top of the growing problem.

A poorly-understood fungus is ravaging Latin Americas coffee crops, causing billions of dollars in damages and potentially putting the global coffee supply at risk. Stock image

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ARABICA AND ROBUSTA COFFEE BEANS? Although Arabica and Robusta coffee may appear similar appearance - there are a number of differences that significantly differentiate these two popular species of coffee. Growing conditions The Arabica coffee shrub typically grows between 8.2 to 14.7 ft (2.5 to 4.5 metres) in height, and requires a temperature between 15 to 24C (59 to 75F) and an annual rainfall of between 47 and 86 inches (1,200 and 2,200 mm) per year. Robusta grows slightly taller at 8.2 to 21.3 ft (4.5 to 6.5 metres), requires a warmer temperatures of 18to 36C (64 to 97F) and slightly more rainfall 86 to 130 inches (2,200 to 3,000 mm) per year than Arabica. Yields In terms of yield, Arabica produces less coffee per hectare (acre) than Robusta, making the cost of growing Arabica much higher. Shape Arabica coffee beans are have a slightly larger and elliptical shape than the smaller, more round Robusta beans. Structural differences also exist between the beans, which may explain why both beans roast differently under identical conditions. Chemical content Due to their bitter taste, both caffeine and chlorogenic acid (CGA) are believed to act as deterrents for insects and animals. Because Robusta contains about twice the concentration of both caffeine and CGA, it the plant much more 'robust' in the wild. Arabica contains almost 60 per cent more lipids and almost twice the concentration of sugars than Robusta. As a result these sugars play an important role during the roasting process in creating several key aromatic compounds, as well as contributing to the body due to its greater level of dissolved solubles. Pollination Arabica is self-pollinating plant, meaning the plant will have fewer mutations and fewer variations throughout its life cycle as compared to Robusta. Number of Chromosomes Arabica has double the number of chromosomes at 44 than Robusta at 22. Advertisement

With an annotated genome, breeders could assess how the species becomes resistant to the varieties designed to fight it.

Sequencing and annotating the coffee leaf rust genome is essential research work in our quest to combat coffees no. 1 disease, said Tim Schilling, CEO and founder of World Coffee Research.

With this information in place, breeders may draw on it to create varieties resistant to rust.Winds blowing across snow dunes on Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf cause the massive slab of ice to 'sing', researchers have discovered.

They found the winds cause the slab's surface to vibrate, producing a near-constant set of seismic 'tones'.

Researchers now hope to use these to monitor changes in the ice shelf from afar.

Scroll down to listen to the ice shelf

The shear face of the massive B-15A iceberg stretches for 150 kms across McMurdo Sound after it broke off the Ross Ice Shelf in Antartica, 2001. Now, researcher have found winds blowing across snow dunes on Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf could help predict another iceberg

THE ROSS ICE SHELF The Ross Ice Shelf is Antarctica's largest ice shelf, a Texas-sized plate of glacial ice fed from the icy continent's interior that floats atop the Southern Ocean. The ice shelf buttresses adjacent ice sheets on Antarctica's mainland, impeding ice flow from land into water, like a cork in a bottle. Advertisement

'It's kind of like you're blowing a flute, constantly, on the ice shelf,' said Julien Chaput, a geophysicist and mathematician at Colorado State University in Fort Collins and lead author of the new study published today in Geophysical Research Letters, a journal of the American Geophysical Union.

Just like musicians can change the pitch of a note on a flute by altering which holes air flows through or how fast it flows, weather conditions on the ice shelf can change the frequency of its vibration by altering its dune-like topography, according to Chaput.

'Either you change the velocity of the snow by heating or cooling it, or you change where you blow on the flute, by adding or destroying dunes,' he said.

The hum is too low in frequency to be audible to human ears, but the new findings suggest scientists could use seismic stations to continuously monitor the conditions on ice shelves in near real-time.

Studying the vibrations of an ice shelf's insulating snow jacket could give scientists a sense of how it is responding to changing climate conditions, said Douglas MacAyeal, a glaciologist at the University of Chicago who was not connected to the new study but wrote a commentary about the findings also published today in Geophysical Research Letters.

Changes to the ice shelf's seismic hum could indicate whether melt ponds or cracks in the ice are forming that might indicate whether the ice shelf is susceptible to breaking up.

'The response of the ice shelf tells us that we can track extremely sensitive details about it,' Chaput said.

'Basically, what we have on our hands is a tool to monitor the environment, really.

To better understand the physical properties of the Ross Ice Shelf, researchers buried 34 extremely sensitive seismic sensors under its snowy surface. Pictured, their base camp

'And its impact on the ice shelf.'

When ice shelves collapse, ice can flow faster from land into the sea, which can raise sea levels.

Ice shelves all over Antarctica have been thinning, and in some cases breaking up or retreating, due to rising ocean and air temperatures.

HOW DOES AN ICE SHELF SING? To better understand the physical properties of the Ross Ice Shelf, researchers buried 34 extremely sensitive seismic sensors under its snowy surface. The sensors allowed the researchers to monitor the ice shelf's vibrations and study its structure and movements for over two years, from late 2014 to early 2017. Ice shelves are covered in thick blankets of snow, often several meters deep, that are topped with massive snow dunes, like sand dunes in a desert. This snow layer acts like a fur coat for the underlying ice, insulating the ice below from heating and even melting when temperatures rise. When the researchers started analyzing seismic data on the Ross Ice Shelf, they noticed something odd: Its fur coat was almost constantly vibrating. Study co-author Rick Aster during a station installation trip on the Ross Ice Shelf, holding a broadband seismometer. These sensitive sensors were buried at depths of two meters (6 feet) to record micro-scale seismic motions of the ice shelf in three dimensions over the course of two years When they looked closer at the data, they discovered winds whipping across the massive snow dunes caused the ice sheet's snow covering to rumble, like the pounding of a colossal drum. They also noticed the pitch of this seismic hum changed when weather conditions altered the snow layer's surface. They found the ice vibrated at different frequencies when strong storms rearranged the snow dunes or when the air temperatures at the surface went up or down, which changed how fast seismic waves traveled through the snow. Advertisement

Prior observations have shown that Antarctic ice shelves can collapse suddenly and without obvious warning signs, which happened when the Larsen B ice shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula abruptly collapsed in 2002.

To better understand the physical properties of the Ross Ice Shelf, researchers buried 34 extremely sensitive seismic sensors under its snowy surface.

The sensors allowed the researchers to monitor the ice shelf's vibrations and study its structure and movements for over two years, from late 2014 to early 2017.

When the researchers started analyzing seismic data on the Ross Ice Shelf, they noticed part of it it was almost constantly vibrating.

When they looked closer at the data, they discovered winds whipping across the massive snow dunes caused the ice sheet's snow covering to rumble, like the pounding of a colossal drum.

They also noticed the pitch of this seismic hum changed when weather conditions altered the snow layer's surface.

They found the ice vibrated at different frequencies when strong storms rearranged the snow dunes or when the air temperatures at the surface went up or down, which changed how fast seismic waves traveled through the snow.A backpacker who has visited all 195 countries - twice - claims that he is 'the most travelled person in the world'.

Babis Bizas, from Arta in Greece, started travelling the world as a student in 1976 and hasn't stopped since.

The 64-year-old says that the thing that motivates him is 'natural curiosity' and the desire to see hidden parts of the world that are not easy to access.

Babis Bizas, from Arta in Greece, pictured in Monument Valley in Arizona. He claims he is the 'most travelled person in the world'

Mr Bizas started travelling the world as a student in 1976. He is pictured here visiting Polynesia in 2007

The 64-year-old is pictured talking with a local in Ethiopia in 2008. He said it was a country that fascinated him

Mr Bizas still travels for around 300 days per year, and is also one of the few people on earth that has visited both the North and South Pole. He is pictured here in Antarctica

Mr Bizas said: 'I started backpacking when I was a student, aged 22.

'I first went to Bulgaria and Turkey, the closest countries to Greece.

'I hitchhiked. I had only a backpack and a little bit of money.

'The next year I realised I had already missed my exams period and thought there was not much point going back to university - so I went to Asia instead, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

'When money got tight I got a job on a Greek ship anchored in the port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, and sailed to Africa and America.'

Mr Bizas says that the thing that motivates him is 'natural curiosity' and the desire to see hidden parts of the world that are not easy to access

Mr Bizas plants a Greek flag into the snow at the North Pole during a trip there in 1995

Mr Bizas gazes up at a statue carved into the cliffside in South China in 2007

During the eighties, Mr Bizas realised he would need to follow a career that would allow him to travel as much as he liked.

So he got a job as a tour leader and he would plan and organise trips for small groups, not always to popular destinations.

The first trip to Cambodia and Vietnam was only the beginning as he kept traveling both independently and as part of his job.

By 2004 he had visited all 195 countries, with the last one being East Timor.

Today, Mr Bizas still travels for around 300 days per year, and is also one of the few people on earth that has visited both North and South Pole.

He added: 'When I finished all the countries I thought to myself "what do I do now? I should either write a book, or keep traveling".

'Of course I chose the second one - but this time I wanted to visit places extensively.

'For example, I went to the Solomon Islands for a fourth time.

'I went to see nature reserves, I was fascinated by Ethiopia and I loved photographing the Himba in Namibia.

'I generally choose to visit places for special travellers like myself, as I like to learn about the culture and the traditions.

'In my opinion one can only say confidently that one has fully seen a new place only if he would be able to give an hour-long lecture about it.'

Bizarrely, Mr Bizas's wife is called Penelope and is from the island of Ithaca - sharing a name with Penelope, the wife of Odysseus from Greek mythology, who travelled for 20 years before returning to his beloved in Ithaca.

Mr Bizas gets up close and personal with the wildlife in the Crozet Islands in the South Pacific

In South China, Mr Bizas got to meet and have his picture taken with girls in traditional dress

But this Penelope has been married to him for 39 years and sometimes joins him on his trips.

Mr Bizas said because he has seen literally everything, it's very hard for him to pick a favourite place.

But he has already planned all his travels until 2020 and is currently visiting Cape Verde before heading to Morocco, the Bissagos Islands in Guinea-Bissau and Mexico.

He explained: 'There are so many places I liked I can't choose so easily.

'If I had to pick one I would say Russia - it's a beautiful place, I like the culture, the language, I could easily see myself living there.

In Indonesia in 2004, with a local tribe. Mr Bizas already has his travel plans finalised until 2020

After he visited all 195 countries once, he went again to spend more time in them. In 2004 he visited Pakistan once again, pictured

'Being able to travel so much means that there are also sacrifices to be made, it requires dedication and persistence.

'It also means that you would not be able to see your friends often.

'I will certainly travel until the day I die.'

However, Mr Bizas is not the only person who has laid claim to the title of the world's most travelled man.

Last year we revealed how American Don Parrish had completed the Travelers' Century Club after visiting 325 countries or territories on its list.

Mr Bizas stands at the top of a waterfall on the world-famous Orinoco River in South America

His extreme travel habits took him to 852 places across the globe including all 193 UN member states.

Mr Parrish's impressive travels also mirror that of Canadian Mike Spencer Bown, who spent 23 years travelling the globe and visiting 195 countries.

He was the first ever tourist in war-torn Mogadishu, he hitchhiked through Saddam Hussein's home town during the U.S. invasion of Iraq and lived with pygmies in the Congo.

However, the question of who is officially the most travelled person in the world can't be answered.

Guinness World Records declared it to be Mr Bizas in 2015, but told MailOnline Travel that it no longer monitors this title.

It did reveal a globetrotting speed record though - the fastest time to visit every sovereign country is one year and 193 days.

It was achieved by Cassandra De Pecol (USA) between July 24, 2015, and February 2, 2017.The top 10 pizza restaurants in the UK have been revealed by TripAdvisor - and it's a Manchester pizzeria that has been crowned the best.

Rudy's Neapolitan Pizza, in the Ancoats area of the city, claimed top spot after a raft of positive reviews, with one even saying it serves 'the best pizza outside of Naples'.

The ranking is based on the reviews and opinions of TripAdvisor diners, taking into account the quality and quantity of reviews.

The top 10 pizza restaurants in the UK have been revealed by TripAdvisor - and it's Rudy's Neapolitan Pizza in Manchester, pictured, that is in the top spot

Rudy's earned a raft of positive reviews, with one even saying it serves 'the best pizza outside of Naples'. Pictured is a Rudy's pizza

Coming second on the list is Double Zero 00 Neapolitan Pizza, which is also in Manchester, and is named after the 00 grade given to the finest milled grain on the Italian flour scale.

An ex-pizza chef claimed it was the best pizza he had ever had.

In third place is Paesano in Glasgow, which has an open kitchen, meaning diners can see their pizza being prepared before being placed in a wood-fired oven.

Double Zero 00 Neapolitan Pizza (pictured), which is also in Manchester, came second on the list

TOP 10 UK PIZZA RESTAURANTS ACCORDING TO TRIPADVISOR 1. Rudy's Neapolitan, Manchester 2. Double Zero 00 Pizza, Manchester 3. Paesano, Glasgow 4. The Oven Pizzeria, Bath 5. The White Rabbit, Oxford 6. Dough Pizza Restaurant, Bath 7. Civerinos, Edinburgh 8. The Real Italian Pizza Co, Bath 9. Crust, Liverpool 10. Calabrisella, Cardiff Source: TripAdvisor Advertisement

The Oven Pizzeria in Bath takes fourth place with one reviewer saying on TripAdvisor that the pizza served was better than some they had eaten in Italy.

Rounding off the top five is the White Rabbit pub in Oxford, which TripAdvisor says serves an intriguing Mad Hatter Calzone, where the toppings are kept as a surprise.

In sixth place is Dough Pizza Restaurant in Bath, with customers saying they are impressed by the Poker pizza - a star-shaped pizza with four different toppings.

While Civerinos in Edinburgh, which started as a street food cart and transformed into a restaurant in 2015, takes seventh spot.

The White Rabbit pub in Oxford, pictured, came fifth in the ranking. TripAdvisor says it serves an intriguing Mad Hatter Calzone, where the toppings are kept as a surprise

The Real Italian Pizza Co in Bath is ranked eighth with TripAdvisor diners saying it is the 'closest place outside of Rome to Italian pizza'.

Crust in Liverpool takes ninth spot on the list, with diners singing the praises online of the five different types of crust that they can order including five gran, black dough and organic.

And in 10th place is Calabrisella in Cardiff, which is owned by three high school friends and has reviews praising its 'great value for money'.He is starring in a new Netflix show and has made his feature directorial debut.

But Jonah Hill still managed to squeeze in some personal time amid his chockablock professional schedule, stepping out with his girlfriend Gianna Santos.

Jonah, 34, was seen enjoying a nighttime stroll in Beverly Hills with his new stylist flame recently as they headed to the Japanese restaurant Matsuhisa.

On the town: Jonah Hill still managed to squeeze in some personal time amid his chockablock professional schedule, stepping out with his girlfriend Gianna Santos in LA

Both of them wore head-to-toe black and walked hand and hand to the restaurant, which was started by the acclaimed chef Nobu Matsuhisa.

This is the same Nobu Matsuhisa who has multiple restaurants open under his first name, including Kardashian hot spot Nobu Malibu.

Last month saw the release of Maniac, a new Netflix mini-series starring Jonah opposite Academy Award-winning actress Emma Stone.

Place to be: Jonah, 34, was seen enjoying a nighttime stroll in Beverly Hills with his new stylist flame recently as they headed to the Japanese restaurant Matsuhisa

The series is based on a dark Norwegian sitcom of the same name about a man who is confined to a mental institution.

Its US version was created by Patrick Somerville and also stars Justin Theroux, Sally Field, Sonoya Mizuno and Gabriel Byrne.

He has made his directorial debut with the coming-of-age movie Mid90s, starring Lucas Hedges and Katherine Waterston.

Swanky: He has made his directorial debut with the coming-of-age movie Mid90s, and is pictured at its New York Film Festival screening early this month

Lucas plays the elder brother of the movie's main character Stevie, a role acted by child star Sunny Suljic, and Katherine plays their mother.

Jonah also wrote the film, which is a coming-of-age movie revolving around Sunny's character, who is the son of Katherine's character.

The film had its world premiere last month at the Toronto International Film Festival and will begin its theatrical release on October 19.Charlamagne tha God has canceled a New York Times TimesTalk event with Kanye West, which would have delved into mental health, and the related stigmas about it within the black community.

The 40-year-old radio personality on Monday said he decided to nix the event, which was slated to be held Wednesday at Manhattans Town Hall, because the timing is not right for the discussion, and 'to have that conversation with [Kanye] right now would not be productive.'

While Charlamagne did not allude to anything specific, West has been in the limelight as of late over his controversial alliance with President Donald Trump, highlighted by his outing in the Oval Office last week.

Scroll below for video

Nixed: Charlamagne tha God, 40, has canceled a New York Times TimesTalk event with Kanye West, 41, which would have delved into mental health, and the related stigmas about it within the black community

'Normalizing being mentally healthy is a conversation that I really wanted to have with Kanye because he's been so vocal about his own mental health struggles,' Charlamagne, whose real name is Lenard McKelvey, said a statement on Instagram.

He continued: 'Unfortunately I think to have that conversation with him right now would not be productive and a total distraction from the point of the convo which is to eradicate the stigma of mental health especially in the black community.'

The newspaper subsequently confirmed the event would not be held involving the radio host and West, who has been open about his battle with bipolar disorder nearly two years after he was hospitalized amid a breakdown.

Kanye has been dominating the headlines as of late, raising eyebrows when he spoke in support of Trump during his stint as Saturday Night Live's musical guest late last month. West claimed show officials tried to get him not to wear his Make America Great Again cap on the show, which he did.

Distraction: The radio host took to social media to say the event was off

Out and about: Charlamagne tha God was snapped last month in Atlanta

The Grammy-winner, 41, stepped into the national political spotlight last week when he went on an extended rant as media covered his meeting with the president in the Oval Office.

In his public dialogue with Trump, he used foul language while darting from topics ranging from his and Trump's business successes to his diagnosis with bipolar disorder, to his hopes of persuading Trump to free convicted murderer Larry Hoover, to how he was empowered by Trump's 'male energy.'

West was emphatic in his support of the president, at one point telling reporters on hand: 'If he dont look good, we dont look good! This is our president - he has to be the freshest, the flyest.'

Toward the end of the press event, West approached Trump and said, 'I love this guy right here,' while hugging him.

The Runaway artist is currently traveling through Africa with wife Kim Kardashian, as on Monday he was in Kampala, Uganda meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, and giving him a pair of sneakers as a gift.Actress Hilary Duff is more than ready to have her baby, and she's using a supposedly legendary salad to help facilitate the birth.

Duff, who just celebrated her 31st birthday at Disneyland in Anaheim, California at the end of September, shared on her Instagram story, that she's trying the salad from Caioti Pizza in Studio City, California, that, legend has it, can induce labor.

'This salad is supposed to make you go into labor... @caioti_pizza don't let me down,' Duff said, along with an emoji of a cat that says 'Please please.'

Labor-inducing salad: Hilary Duff shared a photo on her Instagram story of a salad that is supposedly known for making women go into labor

E! reached out to Caioti Pizza, with an employee confirming they have a salad that, 'supposedly makes people go into labor.'

'They say it's in the dressing, which is just a balsamic and there are special herbs that make women have contractions and go into labor,' the employee added.

The employee went on to say that only the kitchen knows what's in the 'special herbs mix,' and none of the servers know.

Ready for the baby: Duff, seen here celebrating her 31st birthday at Disneyland in Anaheim, California at the end of September, is trying the salad from Caioti Pizza in Studio City, California, that, legend has it, can induce labor

The labor-inducing salad, known simply as The Salad, is what, 'Caioti Pizza is known for,' added the employee, who also said that '15-20 pregnant women a day' come in to order The Salad.

The Salad's ingredients include 'romaine, water cress, Gorgonzola and walnuts with balsamic dressing and the special herbs.

The salad costs, '$13.95 for a full and $10.95 for a half,' said the employee.

Family breakfast: Duff, seen getting breakfast with her family in Studio City, California on Saturday, is ready to have her baby

Duff and boyfriend Matthew Koma announced in June that they were having a baby, with Koma revealing it will be a baby girl.

'We made a baby girl,' Koma said. 'She will be as beautiful and sweet as her mother... @hilaryduff another incredible chapter begins.'

Duff also has a six-year-old son, Luca Comrie, with her ex, Mike Comrie.

Out and about: Duff, seen Wednesday in Studio City, California, announced in June with boyfriend Matthew Koma that they were expecting.

Duff also took to Instagram on Monday to announce an, 'exclusive capsule collection" with Little Moon Society.

'These clothes are all made in LA and so damn soft! I did all jewel tones- maternity and non maternity,' Duff said on Instagram.

She also told fans to, 'check the website in November for the drop to get your little hands on some.'She's been keeping herself occupied with plenty of work commitments in recent months.

But on Monday, Selma Blair's attention was all on her boyfriend David Price as they headed out for lunch in Los Angeles,California.

The doting couple walked arm in arm while making their way to the restaurant.

Sweet moment: Selma Blair and her boyfriend David Price headed out for lunch in Los Angeles on Monday

Blair wore a white print Rolling Stone shirt with denim pants and a pair of white sneakers.

She accessorized her ensemble with oval sunglasses and a black handbag while sporting a number of ornaments on her fingers.

Meanwhile, David looked casual in his attire which consisted of a red striped beige sweater, dark pants, and black footwear, having also opted for a pair of sunglasses during the sunny outing.

This isn't the first time the two have made a public outing together this month.

Happy together: The two seemed to be in good spirits while strolling through the streets of LA

An interesting choice of wear: Blair wore a white print Rolling Stone shirt with denim pants and a pair of white sneakers

Casual attire: Blair accessorized her ensemble with oval sunglasses and a black handbag while sporting a number of ornaments on her fingers

On Sunday, Selma had packed on quite the PDA with her beau as they passionately kissed while at a Farmers Market in Studio City, California.

'The 46-year-old is currently said to be filming her forthcoming sci-fi Netflix show titled Another Life, which is expected to premiere sometime in 2019.

The busy mother is also said to be shooting scenes for After, a thriller which centers itself around a girl who innocently falls for a guy with secrets she will get to uncover as the relationship progresses.

The movie is expected to hit theaters in April 2019.She dated Bodyguard star Richard Madden for four years until their split in 2015.

And Jenna Coleman suffered an awkward run-in with her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend Ellie Bamber in Cannes when she attended the MIPCOM event in the Hotel Carlton in Cannes on Monday evening.

The Cry actress, 32, looked lovely in a bright yellow dress as she walked the red carpet alongside rising star Ellie, 21.

Red carpet rendez-vous: Jenna Coleman (left) suffered an awkward run-in with her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend Ellie Bamber (right) in Cannes when she attended the MIPCOM event in the Hotel Carlton on Monday evening

Jenna cut a ladylike figure in her flirty and feminine frock, featuring an oversized white collar.

The Victoria actress walked the red carpet in style, wearing her brunette locks pulled back in a smart updo.

Meanwhile, Ellie was dressed to impress in a glamorous black dress with a fringed hemline and a cut-out at the bust.

Sailor chic: Jenna cut a ladylike figure in her flirty and feminine frock, featuring an oversized white collar

Eye-catching: The Cry star, 32, looked lovely in a bright yellow dress as she walked the red carpet alongside Ellie, 21

Pretty: The Victoria actress walked the red carpet in style, wearing her brunette locks pulled back in a smart updo

Richard, 32, recently touched cryptically on his relationship with Ellie in an interview with The Sun, revealing: 'I am sleeping with someone. I am very happy with someone.'

The couple are notoriously tight-lipped about their romance, but confirmed they were dating last August when they were pictured locking lips on a beach in Ibiza.

More recently they were seen looking cosy and holding hands at the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party in June this year.

Sophisticated: Meanwhile, Ellie was dressed to impress in a glamorous black dress with a fringed hemline

Taking the plunge: The rising star was rocking a low-cut cut-out dress with button up detailing

Low-key romance: The couple are notoriously tight-lipped about their romance, but confirmed they were dating last August when they were pictured locking lips on a beach in Ibiza

This comes after Jenna recently forced to dodge awkward questions about her ex Richard Madden's hit show Bodyguard being replaced by her series The Cry.

Jenna's outing comes after she had to discuss her ex Richard on TV - who she split from in 2015 after a four year on-off romance.

Appearing on The One Show, the actress was asked about Bodyguard and its recent finale, which her new series Bodyguard will replace on Sunday nights.

Blast from the past: Jenna dated Bodyguard star Richard Madden for four years until their split in 2015. The pair are pictured in March 2015

Jenna kept her cool as she was asked how The Cry would compare to Bodyguard, after it gripped the nation for six weeks.

Taking the questions in her stride, she said: 'I think its quite a different tone and pace perhaps. I watched all of Bodyguard and I thought it was fantastic.

'The first twenty minutes of that programme was [grand gesture]. But [The Cry is] quite a different feeling and its very much a psychological thriller.'

Some fans called out the uncomfortable discussion, as one wrote on Twitter: 'Feel so awkward for Jenna Coleman sat on #TheOneShow couch surrounded by people talking about how fabulous #Bodyguard was even though Richard Madden's her ex lollll (sic)'GULFPORT, Miss. -- A Moss Point man has been sentenced to 250 months in federal prison, plus five years of supervised release for possession with the intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Edward Corneilus Bridges, 38, of Moss Point will serve 20 years in prison after pleading guilty in June.

On March 22, 2018, a state search warrant was executed at Bridges home in Moss Point. Upon entering the home, agents located more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, 58 grams of cocaine, scales, large amounts of cash, marijuana, ecstasy, a ledger, ammunition cases, and an SKS rifle.

Later that day, Bridges met with the FBI and admitted he owned the narcotics and gun and admitted to intending to distribute the methamphetamine. He also told investigators he destroyed his phone prior to meeting with them by throwing it into the Escatawpa River.

The case was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team, and Pascagoula Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.Russian Supreme Court dismisses Siemens subsidiarys appeal in turbines case

 flickr.com/surber

15:59 16/10/2018

MOSCOW, October 16 (RAPSI)  The Supreme Court of Russia has refused to review a lower courts ruling dismissing a lawsuit filed by Russian subsidiary of German conglomerate Siemens against Technopromexport companies controlled by Russias state corporation Rostech over recovery of four gas turbines, the court documents read.

In March, the Ninth Court of Appeals upheld the Moscow Commercial Courts ruling of December 2017 dismissing a lawsuit against Technopromexport filed by Siemens Aktiengesellschaft and its subsidiary seeking to find a deal over supply of gas turbines to Crimea unlawful.

The Moscow court also dismissed a counterclaim filed by Technopromexport seeking to recognize a contract with Russias Siemens subsidiary over supply of turbines as partially invalid.

Earlier, the court repeatedly refused to seize four turbines constructed by the Siemens subsidiary and dismissed a motion to prohibit their installation.

According to the Moscow court, the plaintiff did not provide any evidence to support its claims. The court held that there was no proof that Technopromexport companies took actions that could damage the applicant and ones that could prevent a court ruling from coming into force. All arguments of the plaintiffs were based on probabilities, the court noted, adding that taking measures against the defendant could upset the balance of interests in the courtroom.

In July 2017, Siemens asked the court to seize four turbines constructed by its subsidiaries and prohibit defendants from installing these turbines, acquired in 2015. The court dismissed this claim due to the lack of evidence.

In September, the court dismissed the conglomerates claim due to the lack of evidence. In October, the Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal against the ruling.

On October 16, 2017, Technopromexport filed a counterclaim against Siemens also seeking to recognize a contract with the Russian Siemens subsidiary over supply of turbines as partially invalid.

Earlier, reliable sources told Siemens that at least two out of its four gas turbine installations provided for a project in Southern Russia were transferred to Crimea.

Siemens believes that these actions are in clear violation of the conglomerates distribution contracts prohibiting a client to provide equipment to the region. Siemens initiated investigation into persons responsible and filed lawsuits with the Moscow Commercial Court seeking cancellation of all additional provisions to Crimea and return of equipment to its original point of destination.Advertisement

He signed a nine-year AFL deal worth $10million after joining the Sydney Swans in 2013.

And Lance 'Buddy' Franklin is reportedly on the hunt for a new investment after listing his Melbourne property on Monday, with an asking price of between $1.4million and $1.5million.

The 31-year-old sportsman purchased the four-bedroom, three-bathroom Donvale home in 2008 for $863,500, according to Realestate.com.au.

'They prefer not to rent it to non-family members': AFL star Lance 'Buddy' Franklin has listed his four-bedroom Melbourne property for $1.5 million after his father moved out. Pictured: The home's exterior

He decided to sell it after the tenant, his father Lance Franklin Sr., moved back to Western Australia and the Franklins would reportedly rather not rent to people outside of the family.

'They thought about it and rather than keep it as an investment for non-family members they decided they would rather sell it,' Real estate expert William Lyall told Domain this week.

'Both Lance and Jesinta [Campbell, his wife] are busy with their clothing and apparel business and modelling.'

Spacious home: The 572 square metre home boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, an open kitchen, rumpus room, study and separate dining area. Pictured: The home's interior

The 572 square metre home boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, an open kitchen, rumpus room, study and separate dining area.

The home goes to auction next month, and the Franklins are planning to invest their money elsewhere.

Buddy and his wife Jesinta, 27, launched a new business - his merchandise line, Buddy Franklin Authentic - in August this year.

New investment: The Franklins will reportedly invest their money elsewhere after the Donvale property is sold. Buddy and his wife Jesinta are pictured at a Tiffany & Co. event in Sydney on November 30, 2017

The couple, who also own a $2.35million home in Sydney's Rose Bay, have spent nearly a year working on the line.

'We've spent the last nine months working on it, so I'm really proud of him and everything he's done with that,' Jesinta said on The Morning Show in August.

'[He has] something outside of footy to focus on,' she added.

'I'm kind of like doing all the back end of that the accounts, the finances, the ordering. He likes to call himself the CEO, who just comes in and oversees everything.'A bombshell book has shed new light on the tragic life of longtime Wheel of Fortune co-host Adriana Xenides.

The glamorous television star died in 2010 at the age of 54, following a battle with both mental and physical health problems.

During her career, Adriana suffered from a severe eating disorder that was not known to the public. Her weight even dropped below 46kg at one stage, according to the new biography Threads: The Untold Story of Fashion House George Gross & Harry Who.

'Size 8 samples hung off her gaunt body': According to a new book, Wheel of Fortune star Adriana Xenides' weight dropped below 46kg as she struggled with a severe eating disorder

The book, by Rose Fydler, centres on the two fashion designers who were famous for dressing Adriana during her time in the spotlight.

George Gross and Harry Wyatt first met Adriana in 1981, the same year she began appearing on the Australian version of Wheel of Fortune.

According to the book: 'At the start of their multi-year contract, everything ran like clockwork. Meetings were swift and smooth and productive. Adriana seemed shy, but good-hearted and polite and grateful.'

'Adriana seemed shy, but good-hearted and polite and grateful': The glamorous star had a long running partnership with fashion designers George Gross and Harry Wyatt, who were apparently stunned by her dramatic weight loss. Pictured on Wheel of Fortune

However, several years later, the designers began to notice a dramatic change in Adriana's weight as she struggled with an eating disorder.

Fydler writes: 'Adriana's figure melted away. Always a voluptuous size 10 throughout her modelling career and when George and Harry first started dressing her, she lost weight, until size 8 samples hung off her gaunt body. When she dropped below 46 kilograms, nothing fitted or hid the bones of her chest.'

Around this time, Adriana was also reportedly battling a prescription drug addiction.

A minder apparently discovered 'uppers and downers' in her bathroom and 'empty bottles of prescription drugs strewn all over [her] apartment.'

Secret struggles: Adriana's million-dollar smile masked her myriad of problems. She is pictured with her Wheel Of Fortune co-star John Burgess in the 1990s

According to Fydler's book, the Wheel of Fortune star 'secretly checked [herself] into a clinic, but would never escape her addiction.

'Her mood swings and weight loss continued. When challenged, she would flash her bright forced smile and deny everything, insisting she merely had the flu.'

Despite her secret struggles, Adriana never missed filming an episode of Wheel Of Fortune between 1981 and 1996.

New book: A newly-released biography about fashion designers George Gross (left) and Harry Wyatt (right) includes details about Adriana's tumultuous life. Pictured in Sydney in 2005

However, in 1995 her hidden health problems almost became public when she was 'struck down' by what she called a gastro viral infection.

A recent report in Woman's Day claimed that Adriana was actually suffering from 'anorexia and an addiction to the strong prescription painkiller pethidine'.

She was also struggling with severe depression, something she would speak about publicly later on in life.

Tragedy behind the smile: Adriana is pictured on Wheel of Fortune with John Burgess in the 1990s

Fading star: Adriana left Wheel of Fortune in 1999, and gradually disappeared from public life. She is pictured in 2002

Adriana finally left Wheel Of Fortune in 1999, and gradually disappeared from public life after guest stints on Beauty and The Beast and Celebrity Big Brother.

However, in 2006 she was thrust back into the headlines after being involved in a head-on car crash.

She pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and was disqualified from driving for 18 months.

In the headlines: In 2006, Adriana pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and was disqualified from driving for 18 months

The following year, she went public with her struggles, telling Today Tonight that she had electroconvulsive 'shock' therapy to try and combat her depression.

She also revealed she was suffering from a gastrointestinal digestive disorder which caused bloating and severe pain.

In 2010, at the age of just 54, Adriana died from a ruptured intestine after being rushed to hospital with stomach pain.

Adriana had three failed marriages and no children, with Woman's Day describing her death as 'sad and lonely'.

Threads: The Untold Story of Fashion House George Gross & Harry Who by Rose Fydler is available at leanderpublishing.comMore than a dozen handsome suitors are still battling it out for Ali Oetjen's heart on The Bachelorette, which premiered last Wednesday.

But Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal that fan favourite Ivan Krslovic will not be the man left standing at the end.

The 29-year-old was spotted just over two weeks ago getting cosy with a mystery woman at a nightclub in Melbourne.

EXCLUSIVE: 'You could cut the sexual tension with a knife!' The Bachelorette star Ivan Krslovic (pictured) was seen getting cosy with a mystery woman at a Melbourne nightclub just over two weeks ago

'He spent the night dancing very intimately with a woman,' a source claimed.

'They were basically having "dance sex" on the dancefloor. It was actually really impressive. The boy has moves,' they added.

'The dancing before they left together was insane. You could cut that sexual tension with a knife.'

'They were basically having "dance sex" on the dancefloor': A source told Daily Mail Australia that painter Ivan (left, on The Bachelorette) was dancing intimately with a mystery woman

While the night out occurred before The Bachelorette premiere aired last Wednesday, Ivan's frisky behaviour seemingly confirmed he doesn't win the show.

He was also apparently telling people at the nightclub he was happily single.

'He was overheard telling a number of people he had been on The Bachelorette with Ali but didn't make it to the end,' the source added.

'He indicated he got close to the final few though.'

Guess she doesn't pick him! While the night out occurred before The Bachelorette premiere aired last Wednesday, Ivan's frisky behaviour seemingly confirmed he doesn't win the show. Pictured right: The Bachelorette's Ali Oetjen

According to the insider, the woman on the dancefloor wasn't the only person Ivan had set his sights on since filming The Bachelorette.

Ivan was also acting flirtatiously at another Melbourne bar on September 29.

'He was seen at Pontoon in St Kilda dancing up a storm with a mystery blonde on AFL Grand Final day,' the source alleged.

Busting moves! So far this season, Ivan is best known for leading a cringeworthy dance performance at the first cocktail party. He performed the dance alongside Robbie and Bill in a bid to impress Ali, but the complete lack of background music made for an awkward scene

So far this season, Ivan is best known for leading a cringeworthy dance performance during the first cocktail party.

He performed the dance alongside Robbie and Bill in a bid to impress Ali, but the complete lack of background music made for an awkward scene.

Ivan also turned heads when he showed off his ripped physique during a group date.

The Bachelorette continues Wednesday at 7.30pm on Network TenMargot Robbie stars in the upcoming Quentin Tarantino filmOnce Upon A Time In Hollywoodalongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt.

On Monday, the 28-year-old actress looked 1960s chic in a black turtleneck, miniskirt, and white go-go boots while filming in Los Angeles.

Robbie plays Sharon Tate, a Hollywood actress, in the upcoming movie.

Leading lady: Margot Robbie stars in the upcoming film Once Upon A Time In Hollywood alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt

The Australia native wore her hair parted down the middle and sleekly straightened for her scenes on Monday.

She accessorized with retro sunglasses and silver hoop earrings as well as a black crossbody purse.

Robbie gave fans the 'first look' at her role as Tate back in August with a sultry Instagram post.

Doppelganger: Robbie plays Sharon Tatea Hollywood actress who was brutally murdered in 1969 by Charles Mason cult followers

Set threads: On Monday, the 28-year-old actress looked 1960s chic in a black turtleneck, miniskirt, and white go-go boots while filming in Los Angeles

Go-Go boots: Margot accessorized with retro sunglasses and silver hoop earrings as well as a black crossbody purse

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood follows an actor by the name of Rick Dalton, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and his stunt double, played by Brad Pitt, as they attempt to make a name for themselves in the film industry.

The main story runs parallel to the murder of actress Sharon Tate, played by Robbie, who, along with four friends, was slain by Charles Manson cult followers.

This is Tarantino's first movie based on true events.

At the helm: The Australian blonde received direction from Oscar-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino (L)

Action! Before the cameras rolled, Robbie was spotted with her flaxen locks coiled up in curlers to better embody the Manson Murder victim

The film was originally slated to premiere on the 50th anniversary of the murders until Sharon Tate's sister, Debra, caused a stink.

Out of respect, Sony bumped up the premiere date to July 26, 2019 after Tate called it 'tacky and exploitative' to release the movie on the day of her sister's deathAugust 9.

According to TMZ, she met with Quentin to read over the script and discuss her reservations in regards to the telling of her sister's murder.

'This movie is not what people would expect it to be when you combine the Tarantino and Manson names,' she said after giving Quentin the green light.She is currently enjoying a luxury five-star holiday in Mexico.

And on Tuesday, Roxy Jacenko took to Instagram to share several envy-inducing snaps from her 'morning commute' aboard billionaire James Packer's superyacht.

In one photo, the 38-year-old businesswoman flaunted her sensational figure in a blue swimsuit while soaking up the sun on the multi-million dollar vessel Arctic P.

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Living the high life! Roxy Jacenko sizzled in a blue swimsuit while cruising around Mexico in billionaire James Packer's luxury superyacht on Tuesday

And in another post shared to social media, she offered a glimpse of the beautiful weather and joked that she was on her 'morning commute'.

Later on, she showed off her famously toned frame in a blue swimsuit while posing next to a statuesque friend.

'Captain and First Mate in @speedoaustralia,' she wrote in the caption.

Cruising in style! In another post shared to social media, Roxy offered a glimpse of the beautiful weather and joked that she was on her 'morning commute'

Wish you were here? The 38-year-old businesswoman also shared this envy-inducing holiday snap while sunbathing on deck with a female friend

The Sweaty Betty PR founder left Sydney Airport on a flight bound for Mexico on Monday morning.

The mother-of-two told photographers she was preparing to meet up with socialite Francesca Packer-Barham.

Francesca, 23, and Roxy have been friends for several years and share a similar passion for the finer things in life.

Well-deserved break: The Sweaty Betty PR founder left Sydney Airport on a flight bound for Mexico on Monday morning

After her 16-hour flight, the usually health-conscious publicist gleefully tucked into a McDonald's Happy Meal.

'After 16 hrs this is necessary,' she captioned the photo.

While Roxy is taking a break from business matters for a few days, it is understood she will be keeping up her habit of posting frequently to Instagram.Guitarist Slash is banning his estranged wife Perla Ferrar from seeing both him, and their son London Hudson, 16, from performing Tuesday night.

Slash will be headlining the show Tuesday at the Hollywood Palladium, with London's band Classless Act set to open, but TMZ reports that Slash, 53, has banned her from the arena.

Sources claim that someone from Slash's team informed Ferrar, 43, that she would not be able to attend, but her recent Instagram post seems to indicate she's going anyway.

Banning the ex: Slash is banning his ex-wife Perla Hudson from attending their son's show at the Hollywood Palladium Tuesday night, but that doesn't seem to be stopping her.

Estranged wife: Sources claim that someone from Slash's team informed Hudson (nee Perla Ferrar), 43, that she would not be able to attend, but her recent Instagram post seems to indicate she's going anyway.

'Cant wait to see my baby boy London open for his father at this historical event tomorrow night,' Ferrar said on Instagram on Monday.

She included the hashtag #icouldntbemoreproud while including a promotional image of the Hollywood Palladium, where the concert will take place.

TMZ reached out to Slash to see if he would take further measures to prevent Perla from attending, but there has been no word back from his camp yet.

Mother and son: 'Cant wait to see my baby boy London open for his father at this historical event tomorrow night,' Ferrar said on Instagram on Monday

After a more than three-year divorce battle, Slash agreed to pay over $6.6 million to Perla, plus $100,000 per month in spousal support and $39,000 in child support.

Slash (real name Saul Hudson) married Ferrar in 2001, but the legendary guitarist filed for divorce in 2010.

The couple reconciled just a few months later, but he re-filed for divorce in 2014, but the divorce was just finalized in September.

New show: TMZ reached out to Slash to see if he would take further measures to prevent Perla from attending, but there has been no word back from his camp yet

The divorce proceedings were quite contentious between the couple, with Ferrar accusing Slash's new girlfriend, Meegan Hodges, of creating an Instagram account that has been trolling her.

Slash will be performing with Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, with Slash's son's band Classless Act serving as the opening act.

After the Tuesday night show, Slash then embarks on an international tour, which kicks off with eight shows with Guns n Roses starting November 8 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Slash's son: Slash will be performing with Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, with Slash's son's (above) band Classless Act serving as the opening act

After eight shows with Guns n Roses, Slash will embark on a European tour on his own, starting February 7, 2019 in Offenbach, Germany.

The tour wraps up March 15, 2019 in Libson, Portugal.

For those who will be attending the Palladium show on Tuesday night, Slash announced on Twitter that you can help him make a 'live music video' with the cine_body app.

REMINDER: Help us shoot a live video from the Palladium! We want to see how you experience the show & help us create something cool to share! Download the @cine_body app at https://t.co/nYhtqGRL0V, enter code SLASH & film your experience at the Palladium tomorrow. #slashnews pic.twitter.com/H0GK6dVXh6  Slash (@Slash) October 15, 2018He's known for surprising fans with new hairstyles and tattoos.

And Zayn Malik debuted yet another different hairdo on Tuesday as he shared an edgy selfie to his Instagram of his current hairdo, which had shaved sides.

Posing away from the camera, the former One Direction star, 25, showed off his detailed mandala head tattoo, which he had done in April, while his other inkings could be visibly seen.

New look: Zayn Malik debuted yet another different hairdo on Tuesday as he shared an edgy selfie to his Instagram of his current hairdo, which had shaved sides

Zayn cut a casual figure in a white long-sleeved top, he accessorised his look with his silver scaffolding piercing and a hoop.

The Pillowtalk hitmaker decided to cryptically not caption his picture, but this didn't stop his millions of fans from reacting to the post.

One person said: 'Oh wow this actually looks really cool I love it.'

Wild: Zayn sent fans into meltdown with his new large inking surrounding his ear

On the move: Only recently, it was reported that Zayn is selling his North London home as he prepares to move to New York City on a full-time basis where girlfriend Gigi Hadid lives

More fans gushed: 'I CAN'T ZAYN THIS IS EVERYTHING'; 'Nice';' Shook'; 'Your profile just destroyed my ovaries. Thank you. Glad I didn't see your whole face otherwise I would have been dead.

'Damn, that face.'; 'Damnn boy'; 'Isn't he perfect?!'; 'I don't believe that you're from Earth'; 'Damn Goals'.

Only recently, it was reported that Zayn is selling his North London home as he prepares to move to New York City on a full-time basis.

The former One Direction star has reportedly listed the five bedroom property, located in leafy Hertfordshire, after re-embarking on a relationship with supermodel Gigi Hadid.

Zayn has spent the last 12-months living in New York with the American star, and he is now keen on relocating on a full time basis as their relationship goes from strength to strength.

MailOnline contacted a representative for further comment.He is widely rumoured to be replacing Karl Stefanovic as host of the Today show next year.

But Ben Fordham put career matters aside on Sunday as he enjoyed a leisurely day out with his wife Jodie Speers and their two young children.

Channel Nine's new golden boy swapped his usual sharp suits for a casual T-shirt and shorts as he doted over his family in Sydney.

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Day off! Ben Fordham (left) enjoyed a family day out with his wife Jodie Speers (right) and their two children Freddy and Pearl in Sydney on Sunday

Ben married fellow journalist Jodie in 2011, and the couple share two children: Freddy, three, and Pearl, two.

According to Woman's Day, Channel Nine management consider him to be the 'complete package' because he is 'a devoted family man with a broad fanbase'.

'He ticks every box. He's very likable and engaging. He's smart and dedicated,' a network insider claimed.

Looking relaxed: Channel Nine's new golden boy swapped his usual sharp suits for a casual T-shirt and shorts as he doted over his family in Sydney. Pictured with his son Freddy, three

Family man: Ben married fellow journalist Jodie Speers in 2011, and the couple share children Freddy, three, and Pearl, two. Pictured: Jodie carrying Pearl, with Ben in the background

Juggling act! Ben was seen carrying toys for his children as they stepped out in Sydney

Cutting a relaxed figure on his day off, the 2GB radio personality was seen carrying toys for his children.

The family were spotted enjoying a catch up with Ben's brother, renowned celebrity agent Nick Fordham.

While it was most likely a social call, it's quite possible the brothers also found time to discuss Ben's skyrocketing career at Channel Nine.

Fancy seeing you here! The family enjoyed a catch up with Ben's brother, renowned celebrity agent Nick Fordham (right, in the blue sweater)

Discussing contract negotiations? While it was most likely a social call, it's quite possible the brothers also found time to discuss Ben's skyrocketing career at Channel Nine

It is understood that Ben is 'first in line' to replace Karl Stefanovic as co-host of the Today show.

The sighting comes after Nine CEO Hugh Marks fired a warning shot last month following a particularly bad run of ratings for the breakfast program.

In a withering statement, Marks acknowledged that Karl Stefanovic's tumultuous personal life had contributed to falling ratings.

Hug it out: Jodi and her daughter Pearl were seen sharing a cuddle

Karl's replacement? It is understood that Ben is 'first in line' to co-host the Today show should the position become vacant. Pictured with Georgie Gardner earlier this year in Sydney

'Clearly, it's been a tough and challenging year for Karl and Today,' he said, adding that while Karl's job was safe for now, everyone on the show - 'especially Karl' - needed to lift their game.

Today's ratings have been plummeting ever since Karl separated from his wife-of-21-years Cassandra Thorburn in mid-2016.

It is believed Karl's personal life - in particular his engagement to fashion designer Jasmine Yarbrough - has been a turn-off for female viewers.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine and Ben Fordham for comment.She may have left Home and Away, but Kassandra Clementi still looks every inch the Summer Bay babe.

In a new campaign for Sunnylife unveiled this week, the Australian actress, 28, flaunts her incredible figure in a series of retro swimsuits.

In one of the photos, the Unreal star looks simply sensational while parading her frame in a high-cut black one-piece.

Tropical goddess! In a new campaign for Sunnylife unveiled this week, Australian actress Kassandra Clementi flaunts her incredible figure in a series of retro swimsuits

Kassandra smiles confidently while posing on a multi-coloured towel against a sun-drenched beach backdrop.

She pairs her swimsuit with a '50s inspired leopard print headband and accessorises with several boho bracelets.

Her makeup look for the photo shoot consisted of a bronzed complexion, lashings of mascara, defined eyebrows and a pop of red lipstick.

Paradise! She may have left Home and Away, but Kassandra still looks every inch the Summer Bay babe in her new campaign for Sunnylife

Simply sensational! Her makeup look for the photo shoot consisted of a bronzed complexion, lashings of mascara, defined eyebrows and a pop of red lipstick

In another campaign photo, Kassandra models a pink halterneck one-piece, tropical blue bandanna and sunflower-shaped sunglasses.

Kassandra is Australian lifestyle brand Sunnylife's new Paradise Found ambassador.

The LA-based actress said of the partnership: 'I have always loved summer, the beach, the sunshine and the heat.'

That's different! In another campaign photo, Kassandra models a pink halterneck one-piece, tropical blue bandanna and sunflower-shaped sunglasses

She added: 'I grew up in Adelaide and spent many wonderful summers with my family holidaying along the coast.

'It's really the best season, everyone's having a good time enjoying the outdoors, partying, swimming  it makes me feel so happy!'

Kassandra left Home and Away in May 2016 after playing Maddy Osborne for three years and most recently appeared in US drama Unreal.Nick Cummins may have done permanent damage to The Bachelor brand.

The TV franchise has been a fixture in Australia since 2013, but a top crisis manager has warned that the latest season may have shattered its reputation forever.

Nicole Reaney of Sydney's InsideOut PR told The New Daily on Tuesday that Nick's decision not to choose a winner and the subsequent release of his book has made audiences 'cynical'.

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How Nick Cummins destroyed The Bachelor franchise: A crisis manager has claimed the dating show's reputation may be 'damaged' beyond repair following the disappointing finale

Nicole said: 'The fact that he didn't select anyone [in the finale] in itself was not what damaged reputation, it was the way it was handled  how women were "led on" and the lack of upfront communication, given filming did end months ago'.

She also believes that many viewers are now understandably questioning Nick's motivations for appearing on the show.

'Some members of the public viewed his participation purely for profile boost, given the timing coincided with a book launch [The Honey Badger Guide To Life], and the brand advertising throughout the series,' she added.

'Some members of the public viewed his participation purely for profile boost': Nicole Reaney of Sydney's InsideOut PR claimed that some viewers may be questioning Nick's motivations for appearing on the show

Meanwhile, The New Daily further claimed that the casting of Ali Oetjen as the new Bachelorette may have also impacted the franchise's public standing.

Ali has been publicly accused of cheating on her ex-boyfriend, Grant Kemp, and ratings for her first two episodes have been dismal.

The Network Ten show drew just 539,000 viewers on Thursday night in the five major cities, making it the lowest rated episode in the series' history.

Oh dear! The New Daily further claimed that the casting of Ali Oetjen (pictured) as the new Bachelorette may have also impacted the franchise's public standing

However, Nicole believes there is a possibility that the franchise can recover, saying that 'further diligence and audience research may be necessary'.

Meanwhile, Nick has been doing his own damage control in the wake of The Bachelor's shock finale earlier this month.

Over the weekend, he appeared on The Sunday Project and explained why he chose to dump both Brittany Hockley and Sophie Tieman.

He claimed it would be more unfair to fake a romance for the cameras only to split up with the 'winner' several months down the line.State Duma committee backs bill on forced heirship for preretirement persons

 RIA Novosti

16:37 16/10/2018

MOSCOW, October 16 (RAPSI)  The State Duma Committee on State Building and Legislation during a meeting on Tuesday recommended that the lower houses lawmakers adopt a bill giving persons nearing retirement age a right to forced heirship.

Under the draft law, a right to receive a legitimate heritage portion would be granted to women reaching the age of 55 and men reaching the age of 60.

Currently, minor or disabled children of testators as well as their disabled spouses, parents or other dependents could inherit no less than a half portion, the so-called statutory share, despite the contents of a will, according to the Civil Code of Russia. A right to forced heirship is aimed to support people in need of exceptional protection because of age and health state, including senior citizens.

The proposed amendments are expected to take effect when the pension age is changed in Russia.

On October 3, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a pension system change bill increasing the age of retirement to 60 years for women and to 65 years for men into law. The law also stipulates that mothers with many children would gain a right to retirement at 50-57 years. A labor experience term enabling to retire on a pension earlier would be lowered, from 45 to 42 for men, and from 40 to 37 for women. Unemployment allowance is to be increased for persons nearing retirement age starting 2019.She recently returned to Los Angeles from a brief business trip to New York.

But on Monday, Chloe Grace Moretz was back in Los Angeles as she made her arrival at the Elle Women in Hollywood event.

The Carrie actress donned an unusual ensemble, wearing a multi-colored print dress and a pair of vibrant green pointy heels.

Making her entrance: Chloe Grace Moretz rocked an interesting ensemble at the Elle Women in Hollywood

Chloe added a black ribbon around her midriff which noticeably appeared to accentuate her curves while her blonde tresses were parted to the side with the help of a hair clip.

Moretz had her facial features covered in a radiant dusting of makeup while her nails were painted in an olive green shade.

It would seem overwhelming to travel back and forth on a constant basis, given that it was just days ago when she had returned back to Los Angeles.

Glowing! Moretz had her facial features covered in a radiant dusting of makeup while her nails were painted in an olive green shade

Flaunting from all angles: Chloe added a black ribbon around her midriff which noticeably appeared to accentuate her curves while her blonde tresses were parted to the side

But in an interview with Elite Daily earlier this month, Chloe says that she sticks to a strict self-care routine that evidently prevents her from possibly falling off the rails.

'Routine is extremely important to me,' the blonde beauty revealed.

'No matter how busy I get, I always do my best to keep my routine going.'

She's clearly used to this: Moretz had no problem posing up a storm on the carpet

That routine must have also been applied when she flew to New York last week for work commitments.

As documented on her official Instagram page, the Atlanta native was in the Big Apple helping her pal Judith Milgrom celebrate the opening of her Rockefeller center store.

Chloe gushed about the experience with her 15.2 million followers on the photo-sharing website before mentioning how much of an inspiration the 53-year-old was to her.

'So wonderful to be in NY supporting my friend #JudithMilgrom on her Rockefeller center store opening!!' she began her caption to a photo of her posing with Judith at the occurrence.

Busy girl: Just last week, Chloe had attended the launch of Candy Crush Friends in New York

'Congrats, you're an inspiration.'

Later in the week, Moretz helped launch a new app game called Candy Crush Friends.

She had been joined by a number of celebrities including Ashlee Simpson, Vanessa Hudgens, and Justine Skye.

Moretz is currently filming her upcoming movie The Addams Family, where she voices the character of Wednesday.

The motion picture is expected to hit theaters in October 2019.She has found love with financial strategist Grant Thompson following the tragic death of her husband two years ago.

And actress Melissa Bell looked smitten while jewellery shopping with her new beau at Tiffany & Co. on the Gold Coast last week.

The 45-year-old actress-turned-real estate agent, best known for her role as Lucy Robinson on Neighbours, was seen sharing a kiss with Grant moments after the couple perused the luxury pieces from the iconic US retailer.

Wedding bells? Neighbours star Melissa Bell was spotted shopping for jewellery with her new partner Grant Thompson at Tiffany & Co. on the Gold Coast last week

The former soap star was positively glowing as she browsed the glass cabinets alongside her love, who was clad in a stylish all-black ensemble.

The blonde bombshell turned up the glamour as she stepped out in the glitter strip wearing a crystal embellished leopard print Camilla kaftan.

She also carried a Louis Vuitton shoulder bag valued at approximately $1,810 (AUD).

All that glitters: The blonde bombshell turned up the glamour as she stepped out in the glitter strip wearing a crystal embellished leopard print Camilla kaftan

Browsing: The former soap star was positively glowing as she browsed the glass cabinets alongside her love, who was clad in a stylish all-black ensemble

Putting a ring on it? The blonde appeared to be in high-spirits as she made her way around the store in a pair of natural wedges, all while discussing her favourite options with her man

Romance at Tiffany's: The blonde (left) leaned in for a smooth with her beau (right) outside Tiffany & Co. on the Gold Coast

Celebrating? Moments after the smitten pair departed the high-end jewellery store, they were spotted engaging in the lingering kiss

The blonde appeared to be in high-spirits as she made her way around the store in a pair of natural wedges, all while discussing her favourite options with her man.

Moments after the happy couple departed the high-end jewellery store, they were spotted engaging in a smooch at the shop front.

The couple continued their romantic shopping outing as they were later seen strolling hand-in-hand through the mall.

Hand-in-hand: The couple continued their romantic shopping outing as they were later seen strolling hand-in-hand through the mall

Take my hand! Melissa appeared absolutely smitten with her new man

Designer details: She carried a Louis Vuitton shoulder bag valued at approximately $1,810 (AUD) during the shopping trip

Candlelit dinner? At one point, Melissa appeared to be stocking up on supplies from the grocery store, perhaps for acandlelit dinner scheduled for later that evening

At one point, Melissa appeared to be stocking up on supplies from the grocery store, perhaps for a candlelit dinner scheduled for later that evening.

In September, Sydney Confidential reported the mother-of-four was the dating financial strategist.

The pair also appeared to confirm their romance on Facebook, with Grant's relationship status stating 'In a relationship with Melissa Dickinson'.

He has also posted several sweet photographs of the couple cuddling up together.

Meanwhile, in an interview with the publication, Melissa said her recent career change shows that her husband Gary will always have a place in her heart.

She said she always loved buying properties and renovating them with Gary, and this inspired her to take on a role in real estate.

'I did a lot of that with my late husband, we were passionate about real estate,' she said.

Melissa tragically lost her husband Gary in February 2016 after a heart attack at work left him in a coma for 93 days.

New love: In September, Sydney Confidential reported the mother-of-four was dating financial strategist Grant

Melissa held a vigil at her Gary's bedside for 93 days before his death in February 2016.

Her husband was left in a coma after suffering from a heart attack on November 12, but in the months that followed Melissa had hoped that he would recover and return home to her and their three children, Jonathan, Isabella, and William.

The soap star and presenter was previously married to TV producer Forrest Redlich, whom she divorced in 1998.Emmy-winning acting couple Holland Taylor and Sarah Paulson transformed ELLE's 25th Annual Women In Hollywood Celebration into a glamorous date night at LA's Four Seasons Hotel on Monday.

At 75, the Philadelphia-born blonde is 32 years older than the Tampa-born brunette, and they knew each other in passing for a decade until they reconnected in 2015 over Twitter.

'I didn't choose to fall in love with the person I fell in love with. But I think why it's interesting to people is that on paper, it's unconventional,' Sarah, 43, explained in the November edition of the mag.

Emmy-winning acting couple: Sarah Paulson (L) and Holland Taylor (R) transformed ELLE's 25th Annual Women In Hollywood Celebration into a glamorous date night at LA's Four Seasons Hotel on Monday

May-December duo: At 75, the Philadelphia-born blonde is 32 years older than the Tampa-born brunette, and they knew each other for a decade in passing before connecting in 2015

'For a person who might find themselves in a situation that they fear will be misperceived or judged, maybe they could see me living my life in a way that is authentic to me - just trying to be as real as possible. If that inspires anybody else, that can't be a bad thing.'

The AADA grad showcased her signature eccentric sense of style in a green leather poodle skirt, which she paired with a white fringed cape emblazoned with a female face.

Paulson accessorized her red carpet attire with a green lip-shaped clutch, matching jade dangly earrings, and b&w ankle-strap heels selected by stylist Karla Welch.

Hairstylist Chris McMillan coiffed the Golden Globe winner's severe partial updo while make-up artist Adam Breuchaud applied her dramatic dark brows.

Sarah told ELLE: 'I didn't choose to fall in love with the person I fell in love with. But I think why it's interesting to people is that on paper, it's unconventional. For a person who might find themselves in a situation that they fear will be misperceived or judged, maybe they could see me living my life in a way that is authentic to me - just trying to be as real as possible. If that inspires anybody else, that can't be a bad thing'

Eccentric: The AADA grad showcased her offbeat sense of style in a green leather poodle skirt, which she paired with a white fringed cape emblazoned with a female face

Relies on stylist Karla Welch: Paulson accessorized her red carpet attire with a green lip-shaped clutch, matching jade dangly earrings, and b&w ankle-strap heels

Orange lips: Hairstylist Chris McMillan coiffed the Golden Globe winner's severe partial updo while make-up artist Adam Breuchaud applied her dramatic dark brows

Ready to shimmy: Before Holland, Sarah previously romanced 61-year-old Tony winner Cherry Jones from 2004 to 2009

Before Holland, Sarah previously romanced 61-year-old Tony winner Cherry Jones from 2004 to 2009.

Taylor suited up in a double-breasted teal blazer over a white top, matching sneakers, and snug kelly-green slacks.

The Front Page thespian sported a sideswept bob and rocked a flirty pearl-and-black-velvet choker, which coordinated perfectly with her black clutch.

The Bennington College grad currently plays Detective Hodge's (Brendan Gleeson) next-door-neighbor Ida Silver in the 10-episode second season of Mr. Mercedes, which airs Wednesdays on the Audience Network.

Sexy senior: Taylor suited up in a double-breasted teal blazer over a white top, matching sneakers, and snug kelly-green slacks

Glam: The Front Page thespian sported a sideswept bob and rocked a flirty pearl-and-black-velvet choker, which coordinated perfectly with her black clutch

Meanwhile, Paulson did triple duty directing and starring as Cordelia Goode and Billie Dean Howard in this Wednesday's episode of FX's American Horror Story: Apocalypse titled 'Return To Murder House.'

'Interest in me sparked when I was in my very late 30s,' the Ocean's 8 actress told ELLE.

'I have absolute terror and fear that someone's gonna go, "You turned 45. Bye-bye." I hope I dont get told to go back to bed. I have a lot more to do and say. But there's this notion that women fall apart after 45.

'It's been perpetuated by Hollywood by not putting the stories of women over certain ages front and center. They're dictating what they think is interesting, and we are consuming it and deciding that what they're telling us is true.'

'Well girl': The Bennington College grad currently plays Detective Hodge's (Brendan Gleeson) next-door-neighbor Ida Silver in the 10-episode second season of Mr. Mercedes, which airs Wednesdays on the Audience NetworkHe's reportedly in a 'dark place' mentally amid backlash over The Bachelor finale.

And Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins, 31, fled Sydney and headed out to the bush on Tuesday, to escape the drama.

Days after returning home to Australia from his trip to Papua New Guinea, the former Wallabies star escaped to the countryside to visit a friend.

'Bailed out bush': Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins flees Sydney again amid claims 'he's in a dark place' after Bachelor finale backlash. The former Wallabies star shared video to Instagram which showed him in a rural area, however he did not specify where he is

'Bailed out bush to help out an old mate,' he captioned an Instagram video while tagging rugby union player Ben McCalman.

Without specifying where exactly he is, Nick told his followers that he was helping Dubbo-native Ben with fencing and joked about the extensive work required.

'Bit of fencing' he reckons... he meant a few kms,' Nick wrote.

Helping hand: Nick told his followers that he was helping rugby union player Ben McCalman with fencing and joked about the extensive work required. ''Bit of fencing' he reckons... he meant a few kms,' Nick wrote

The shirtless hunk showed off his ripped physique as he helped Ben put the fence together.

Last week, Nick was ambushed by A Current Affair in Papua New Guinea after travelling there to complete the Kokoda Track for charity.

The Channel Nine show demanded answers regarding his controversial decision to dump finalists Brittany Hockley and Sophie Tieman during the finale earlier this month.

Escaping the drama: Nick looked to be in high spirits despite concerns about his mental health

It comes amid claims Nick is struggling with mental health due to viewer backlash.

Speaking on KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Monday, veteran journalist Peter Ford claimed Nick is in a 'dark place' mentally.

Ford also alleged that the former Wallaby's manager Nick Fordham demanded that the segment be pre-recorded so he could have 'final say over [the] final edit'.

Concerns: It comes amid claims Nick is 'fragile' due to viewer backlash. Pictured: Nick on The Sunday Project

'My information is that [Nick Cummins] is in a very dark place,' Ford claimed.

'They are seriously worried about his mental health. That's why the interview last night on The Project could not go live.

'He might be more fragile than we think. The whole thing may have pushed him over the edge.'

'He might be more fragile than we think': Speaking to Kyle Sandilands (pictured) and Jackie 'O' Henderson on Monday, veteran journalist Peter Ford claimed that Nick was at breaking point

Nick's public image as a likeable Aussie larrikin was shattered following the Bachelor finale, which saw him refuse to pick a winner.

The former rugby star has faced backlash from outraged fans, who continue to demand answers.

However, Ford claimed it wasn't necessarily the viewer response that troubled Nick.

Backlash: Nick's public image as a likeable Aussie larrikin was shattered earlier this month following The Bachelor finale, which saw him refuse to pick a winner. Pictured in the finale

'What's interesting about the interview last night is that he seems to be indicating the dark place that... the health issues actually began during the filming of the show which was five months ago,' he said.

'And it's not really related to the blowback from not making a choice or getting cornered by A Current Affair.'Despite being underage, Kaia Gerber showed off her first tattoo on Thursday, and now it seems she already has a second tattoo on the inside of her right leg.

Gerber, 17, shared a snap on her Instagram story showing her sitting cross-legged with a painting palette on her lap, which partially obscured the new tattoo.

While at first glance the ink appears to say 'dad' or even 'dab,' a close look reveals it may actually be the bottom of a rocket ship.

New ink: Kaia Gerber teases a second tattoo in under a week in a cryptic Instagram story photo

Closer look: While at first glance the ink appears to say 'dad' or even 'dab,' a close look reveals it may actually be the bottom of a rocket ship

Tattoo artist Rafael Valdez shared an Instagram shot of him working on Gerber's tattoo over a week ago, and Gerber showcased his work in a social media snap of her own.

A closer look at that tattoo showed the tattoo read 'Jordan,' Gerber's middle name.

There is no indication as to whether or not Valdez designed and/or created this new tattoo on Gerber's inner right leg

First ink: The model revealed an Instagram shot that revealed her first tattoo, which read Jordan in cursive on her inner right bicep.

While California law states one must be over the age of 18 to get a tattoo, those underage can get a tattoo if they are accompanied by an adult guardian.

Valdez's Instagram post from earlier this month indicated that Gerber's older brother, Presley Walker Gerber, 19, was also present, so he may have been her present legal guardian.

Presley got a tattoo of his sister's name earlier this year, which may have inspired Kaia to get inked as well.

Dinner time: Gerber, seen leaving Delilah restaurant in West Hollywood on Saturday, may have been inspired by her brother to get not one but two tattoos

Gerber, the daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, is coming off modeling for Yves Saint-Laurent and Prada at the spring/summer show in Paris.

She also appeared in Spring 2018 campaigns for Versace, Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs and Omega.

The 5-foot-9 model also lead the Marc Jacobs Daisy fragrance campaign with Sofia Mechetner.

Getting inked: Valdez's Instagram post from earlier this month indicated that Gerber's older brother, Presley Walker Gerber, 19, was also present, so he may have been her present legal guardian

Gerber just turned 17 in September, but she has already been modeling professionally for seven years.

She got her first modeling gig at just 10 years old for Versace's junior line.

Gerber also made her acting debut in 2016, playing Carolina in the TV movie Sister Cities with Jacki Weaver and Stana Katic.Bride and Prejudice is the controversial reality show where couples face off against their families, who disapprove of their relationships.

And a new teaser clip for the upcoming season features what same-sex couple Ange and Dylan are up against.

Ange's father John is a conservative Christian, and when he finds out his daughter is set to marry a woman, he tells them they're 'going to hell'.

'This ludicrous idea is not only going to take you to hell, but also my daughter!' Conservative Christian father John (pictured) rages that 'being gay is a sin' in confronting trailer for controversial show Bride and Prejudice

In the preview for the Channel Seven show, Ange and Dylan reveal they met while at a picnic and soon fell in love.

Ange informs her dad that she had popped the question to girlfriend Dylan - but doesn't receive the happy reaction she was expecting.

'Don't you want me to get married?' Ange asks, with John bluntly responding: 'Not to a woman.'

In love: Dylan (left) and Ange (right) met at a picnic before falling in love but Ange's conservative father doesn't approve

'This ludicrous idea is not only going to take you to hell, but also my daughter!' John tells Dylan want he really thinks of their relationship

John strongly believes 'being gay is a sin' and doesn't hold back in telling Dylan what he really thinks.

'This ludicrous idea is not only going to take you to hell, but also my daughter!' he rages in the video.

John also insists that his daughter's sexual preference is just a phase and that she's just confused.

Set to wed! The same-sex couple plan to tie the knot but Ange's father John expressed that he doesn't approve of his daughter marrying a woman

The second season of Bride and Prejudice is set to shine a light on a host of other couples facing backlash from their nearest and dearest.

There's also 21-year-old Ry and mother-of-two Phillipa, 39, whose 18-year-old age gap is causing tension among Phillipa's family.

Also facing the heat is young couple Jess, 21, and Seyat, 19.

Seyet's mother does not approve of her son's fiancee, and says in one trailer: I believe Jess is a slutty party girl. I don't want my son to date a whore like that.'Molly Sims got in the Halloween spirit, dressing up as a cat in all black with her three children at the Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch Family Fun Festival on Monday.

Sims, 45, who has three kids with her husband, movie producer Scott Stuber, was every part the caring mother, feeding her one year old son Grey and even pulling him in a wagon.

The model-actress was also seen holding Grey close while he held a decorative Halloween cookie.

Cat mom: Molly Sims dressed up as a cat in all black, taking her three children to the Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch Family Fun Festival on Monday

Sims was wearing a flowing all-black dress that went below her knees, while wearing cat ears on her head.

She also had black whiskers painted on her face along with a black dot on her nose, seen pouring milk for her kids and even drinking some chocolate milk from a small bottle as her son Grey looked on.

The Fired Up star also posed in front of the entrance with all three of her kids, the one year old Grey, three year old Scarlett and six year old Brooks.

Drink up: Sims was wearing a flowing all-black dress that went below her knees, while wearing cat ears on her head

Sims was not the only celebrity at this family-friendly event in Culver City, California, also posing with another model-actress, Alessandro Ambrosio, 37.

Ambrosio attended the event with her two kids, 10 year old Anja and six year old Noah.

She was seen wearing light blue ripped jeans, a plain white t-shirt with a flowing black scarf, black boots and black sunglasses.

Sims was not the only celebrity at this family-friendly event in Culver City, California, also posing with another model-actress, Alessandro Ambrosio, 37

Working moms: She was seen wearing light blue ripped jeans, a plain white t-shirt with a flowing black scarf, black boots and black sunglasses

Family fun: Ambrosio attended the event with her two kids, 10 year old Anja and six year old Noah

Ambrosio was previously engaged to businessman Jamie Mazur, who founded RE/DONE, but their relationship came to an end in March 2018.

She recently appeared on the big screen in Daddy's Home 2 with Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell.

Sims has released two books, 2015's The Everyday Supermodel and 2017's Everyday Chic.

Happy times: The Fired Up star also posed in front of the entrance with all three of her kids, the one year old Grey, three year old Scarlett and six year old Brooks

Mom and kids: Ambrosio posed with her two kids Anja and Noah at the Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch Family Fun Festival on Monday

Other celebrities in attendance were James Van Der Beek, his wife Kimberly and their with his five children, Olivia, Joshua, Emilia, Annabel and Gwendolyn.

Shiri Appleby was also in attendance, getting her face painted for the festivities.

Raegan Revford also joined in on the fun, along with Monet Mazur and her son Luciano.

Pumpkin family: Other celebrities in attendance were James Van Der Beek, his wife Kimberly and their with his five children, Olivia, Joshua, Emilia, Annabel and Gwendolyn

Face painting fun: Shiri Appleby was also in attendance, getting her face painted for the festivities

Pumpkin fun: Raegan Revford also joined in on the funTamra Judge flashed her breasts during a riotous trip to Jamaica on Monday's episode of The Real Housewives Of Orange County.

The drunken group went on a rafting excursion that was a challenge for Gina Kirschenheiter who has phobia of murky water.

'We're in the heart of Zika virus,' grimaced Shannon Beador, 54.

Tarzan move: Tamra Judge swung off a rope and into murky water during a group trip to Jamaica on Monday's episode of The Real Housewives Of Orange County

Tamra, 50, got jealous that Shannon chose to raft with Vicki Gunvalson instead of her and was also growing exasperated by Shannon's incessant 'negativity.'

'I'm getting so frustrated that I'm going to blow, I'm going to blow and it's not going to be pretty,' she predicted.

'I think it's weird how co-dependent Tamra and Shannon are,' sighed Kelly Dodd, 42.

Tamra got over her irritation by playing Tarzan, which led to her breasts popping out of her bathing suit.

Breasts flashed: The 50-year-old reality star flashed her breasts after falling into the water

Helping hand: Tamra got a helping hand out of the water

'She doesn't even need Tarzan, she just boobies her way to the edge,' giggled Gina, a 34-year-old Long Island transplant.

After the trip Vicki's face became swollen and ruby red.

'My eyes are disappearing,' squealed the 56-year-old 'OG of the OC'.

Good one: Gina Kirschenheiter got a kick out of Tamra's antics

Eyes gone: Vicky Gunvalson complained that her eyes were disappearing as she swelled up

The show titled Heat Waves And Hot Flashes opened with the women's preparations for the trip.

'I swear to god, I have like hooker clothes,' remarked Kelly as she packed.

'My arms look like elephant trunks,' complained Shannon.

Getting ready: Kelly Dodd complained that she only had 'hooker clothes' as she packed

Salt room: Kelly, Shannon Beador and Vicki enjoyed a visit to a salt room at a spa

Beach time: Emily Simpson, Gina and Tamra meanwhile hit the beach

Single mom: Gina was enjoying some away time from her children amid her separation

In the tour bus they discussed conk, a local delicacy that is thought to increase libido.

Vicki said that her boyfriend Steve Lodge didn't want sex as much as her.

'He doesn't need it four times a day like me,' she grumbled, before telling a bar tender that she thinks she's too 'possessive' of him.

Bar talk: Vicki talked to a bartender about her love life with Steve Lodge

The women wore fake Rastafarian hats, swigged cocktails and enjoyed the services of 24/7 butlers.

As usual they fought over the largest rooms in their penthouses.

'It's mine, I'm going to pee on it,' yelled Vicki, as she jumped on the bed in the master suite.

Luxury rooms: Penthouse A featured a living room with ocean views

Nice view: Penthouse B also offered a sweeping view of the ocean

Over dinner Shannon was told that her house had been sold.

'My kids are going to be crushed,' she cried.

'Take them down to the projects, where people are really suffering,' suggested Kelly.

House sold: Shannon over dinner informed the group that her house had been sold

'Shannon doesn't really understand, we all are very very fortunate, and maybe if she did she wouldn't complain as much,' she added.

Gina thought that Shannon was 'stuck in her stagnant life.'

'She needs to release,' she decided.

Kids crushed: The reality star complained that her children were going to be crushed

'Everybody listens when Shannon is venting, but when other people are, she's checked out,' observed Tamra, who worried that she might be 'enabling' Shannon's negativity.

Meanwhile Vicki was getting serious hot flashes.

'Her mouth is foaming, it's like all her plastic surgery is melting all at once,' laughed Kelly.

Hot flashes: Vicki was suffering from hot flashes on the trip

Tamra poured water over Vicki and said firmly: 'We are not going to the hospital.'

Gina helped out and patted her down as Vicki overheated.

The RHOC continues next week on Bravo.Strictly Come Dancing star Neil Jones has reportedly claimed that his prospects on the hit show have been hampered by his wife Katya Jones' cheating scandal.

According to The Sun, the 36-year-old  who is one of three dancers on the BBC show not to have been paired with a celebrity  feels his progress has been held back after Katya, 29, was caught kissing her ballroom partner Seann Walsh, 32.

A source told the newspaper of Neil: 'Hes keeping a dignified silence, but Neil is getting a bit annoyed now. He feels hes the one being punished even though hes the innocent party in all this.

Claims: Strictly Come Dancing star Neil Jones has reportedly claimed that his prospects on the hit show have been hampered by his wife Katya Jones' cheating scandal

'He is desperate to be a lead dancer, but sadly it looks like it is doing him no favours as he feels hes being left out.

'The judges can see how Neil looks very downcast and embarrassed by it all, but frankly it was all his wifes doing and yet he has been pushed to the back while she goes through to the next around.'

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Neil Jones for comment.

While Neil and his stunning Russian wife often dance together in group routines, he was paired with Amy Dowden, while Katya performed alongside Giovanni Pernice for the opening number on Sunday.

Celebrities: Neil is one of three dancers not to have a celebrity partner on the ballroom show

Saved: On Sunday night, Katya and her dance partner Seann Walsh  who she was caught kissing this month, escaped elimination from Strictly, despite being the favourites to go

However, the dancing couple were seen defiantly stepping out on Monday, as they were spotted stepping out together for the first time since Katya and Seann were photographed passionately kissing on a London street on October 3.

Wearing big smiles on their faces, there was no indication of any strain as they strolled the streets of the English capital, heading to rehearsals in workout gear.

The same, sadly, cannot be said for Seann's now ex-girlfriend of five years, actress Rebecca Humphries, 32  it was her birthday on the day of the kiss.

They have since broken up and she claims that Seann is yet to apologise to her  a claim he denies.

Staying mum: Since the kissing scandal broke, Neil has kept silent on the matter, sharing shots of himself and remaining active on social media but making no mention of the news

Doing his own thing: Neil shared a sna[ of his impressive back tattoos on Instagram on Monday

Dancers: He has also been uploading snaps with fellow Strictly dancers, including AJ Pritchard

On Sunday night's Strictly, Seann and Katya escaped elimination, despite being the favourites to be kicked off the show  Katie Piper was instead sent home.

The couple performed the Charleston to Bills by Lunchmoney Lewis on Saturday night's episode.

Eagle-eyed viewers noting Neil's deathly stare towards Seann during the programme following recent events.

On Wednesday's edition of Strictly sister show It Takes Two Katya apologised to 'everyone it hurt and involved', but said she and husband Neil were 'absolutely fine'.

Together: Katya and Neil were pictured out together for the first time on Monday since the kissing scandal... after the public saved her and Seann Walsh from being voted off show

Last dance: Katie Piper, seen with her dancer partner Gorka Marquez, became the third celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing

It started with a kiss: The pair have been at the centre of an avalanche of headlines after they were photographed kissing passionately on a London street

'Obviously I apologise, and I can't apologise enough to everyone who it hurt and involved,' she said.

'But, the main thing, me and Neil are absolutely fine and thats what matters to me the most right now and focusing on my job and doing it as professionally I can.'

In fact, things were so fine between Neil and Katya that he was posting his support for the pair on social media, just hours after the kissing pictures emerged.

Seann's ex, Rebecca, meanwhile, shared a scathing post about him, saying he had called her a 'psycho' when she questioned if he had been cheating on her.

He is also rumoured to have had a fling with Inbetweeners' star Emily Atack back in 2016, while he was with Rebecca after clicking at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

All over: Actress Rebecca Humphries confirmed that he had ended her relationship with comedian Walsh after details of the kiss emerged - they had been together for five years

Candid: The actress heaped further condemnation on Walsh by revealing his passionate kiss with Katya happened on her birthday, while she sat alone in their London flatHe's one of the music industry's most iconic stars.

And Quincy Jones proved he was still part of Hollywood's social scene on Monday night, as he arrived for ELLE's Annual Women in Hollywood Celebration.

The 85-year-old musician looked dapper in a teal suit as he arrived in a wheelchair to meet some of the industry's most famous stars, including Star Wars producer Kathleen Kennedy.

Looking well: Quincy Jones, 85, proved he was still part of Hollywood's social scene on Monday night, as he arrived for ELLE's Annual Women in Hollywood Celebration

Quincy was looking smart as he arrived for the event in the heart of Los Angeles, adding a pop of colour to an otherwise neutral black tux by sporting a silk teal shirt and matching striped scarf.

The Grammy winner rubbed shoulders with businesswoman Debra L. Lee, at the event which honoured women in the film industry.

It seems such a showcase couldn't come at a better time as Hollywood is in the midst of the #MeToo movement.

Happy: The iconic musician was seen rubbing shoulders with plenty of stars at the event to honour women in Hollywood, including businesswoman Debra L. Lee

Quincy is considered one of the most iconic stars in the music industry, having won 27 Grammys to date and producing albums for late musical icons such as Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and Aretha Franklin.

Last month a self-titled documentary about his life was released that tells the tale of his illustrious career.

Quincy's daughter Rashida recently paid a touching tribute to him as she attended an event to promote the documentary's release.

Beaming: Quincy was looked smart in a black tuxedo and teal silk shirt teamed with a matching striped scarf

She told The Hollywood Reporter: 'My dad's story is also the story of black America. He was born in the 30s. He's seen every decade since.

'He's been relevant in every decade since so we're dealing with a lot of race stuff in this country and it's important to tell the stories of the past.

'It's the only way we can learn. It's the only way we can change and evolve and this is the great way to do it.'

Legendary: Arriving for the event in a wheelchair, Quincy was also seen cosying up to Star Wars producer Kathleen KennedyGwyneth Paltrow has gushed over her wedding and marriage to new-husband Brad Falchuk and the importance of sexual health in a new interview with Glamour.

The actress and health guru, who wed her second husband in a secret ceremony last month, is the publication's first ever digital cover star and in the accompanying interview gave a rare candid insight into marital bliss.

While chatting about her lifestyle brand Goop, Gwyneth, who shares children Apple, 14, and Moses, 12, with her ex-husband Chris Martin, admitted to paying emphasis to women's sexual health in her brand.

A vision: Gwyneth Paltrow has gushed over her relationship with new-husband Brad Falchuk and the importance of sexual health in a new interview with Glamour

Gwyneth married TV producer Brad, 47, on Saturday, September 29, in The Hamptons. The pair met when the actress made a guest appearance on Glee which Falchuk co-created with Ryan Murphy.

Their star-studded wedding included guests such as Steven Spielberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Cameron Diaz and Robert Downey Jr. The newlyweds then jetted off to Paris for a stay at the luxurious Four Seasons in the French capital.

It seems things are certainly going wonderfully, as she was grilled by the magazine about her energy and warmth - which she attributed to her beloved beau.

Lavishing praise on her new love, she said: 'Well, you have my husband to thank for that! Its fantastic. I feel so lucky and I am so grateful...

Happy days: The actress and health guru, who wed her second husband in a secret ceremony last month, is the publication's first ever digital cover star and in the accompanying interview gave a rare candid insight into marital bliss (pictured in 2016)

A vision: While chatting about her lifestyle brand Goop, Gwyneth, who shares children Apple, 14, and Moses, 12, with her ex-husband Chris Martin, she admitted to paying emphasis to women's sexual health in her brand

'[Marriage] is different to be in your mid-forties; do it again and bring all your experience, your pain, your happiness, suffering  everything. Its actually very heartening, I feel very optimistic!'

As well as marriage, Gwyneth touched on the importance of sexuality in women and how she is on a quest to banish stigma attached. She said: 'One of the things we really try to do is eliminate shame...

'Women, I think have a lot of shame around their sexuality  we have been conditioned that way for a long time. We feel if we open up conversations, sell a product and we shine a light on it, the shame starts to dissipate...

Loved-up: Gwyneth married TV producer Brad, 47, on Saturday, September 29, in The Hamptons. The pair met when the actress made a guest appearance on Glee which Falchuk co-created with Ryan Murphy

Happy together: It seems things are certainly going wonderfully, as she was grilled over the magazine about her energy and warmth - which she attributed to her beloved beau

'Women should have a great and satisfying sex life! I think that sexual health is important for a womens overall health.'

Gwyneth also discussed life as a 'girl boss', as she said: 'I think I am very much a girl boss meaning that I try to lead from my feminine.

'For me what that means is leading from a place of collaboration and consideration to very much keep that flow of energy going through everything. I love being a woman leader and I love employing mostly women  its amazing to see women win.'

Visit glamourmagazine.co.uk to read the October digital issue of GLAMOUR UKHe is a iconic actor who has won two Oscars in a stellar six decade career in the film industry.

And Sir Michael Caine has opened up about the struggles working class actors face to make it onto the silver screen and why Idris Elba should be the next James Bond in a candid new interview with Jonathan Ross for this week's Radio Times.

Despite his status as one of the most talented actors in history, the Italian Job actor, 85, said he was 'too ordinary' to play 007 and endorsed the Luther star to take on the role when Daniel Craig steps down.

Iconic: Sir Michael Caine has opened up about the struggles for working class actors and why Idris Elba should be the next James Bond in a new interview for this week's Radio Times

Talented: Endorsing Idris, he said: 'And here you have this character, which has only ever been played by white men, if you give it to a black man, they'll say, 'Oh, we've arrived.' Idris would be great'

Speaking about his close relationship with Bond actors Sean Connery and Roger Moore, he said: 'I was always much more ordinary. Bond was a glamorous, imaginative creation. I've always played real people.

'Losers, to some extent. Oh, yes. Because I was a loser. Until I started playing losers, I never became a success!

Endorsing acclaimed actor Idris, 45, the Batman star said: 'I'd like to see Idris Elba play it. I'll tell you why. With the wedding of Harry and Meghan, it changed things slightly.

'Everybody seemed very happy and proud of it, and people of colour who I've talked to since about it are all rather happy that it happened.

Legend: Despite his status as one of the most talented actors in history, the Italian Job actor, 85, said he was 'too ordinary' to play 007 and endorsed the Luther star to take on the role when Daniel Craig steps down (pictured in 1966's Alfie)

He said giving the role of the MI6 agent to Idris would break down barriers in the film industry.

He continued: 'And this is one of the ways to do it, because a working-class boy like me, or Sean, or Roger, we became film stars, you know?

'And here you have this character, which has only ever been played by white men, if you give it to a black man, they'll say, 'Oh, we've arrived.' Idris would be great.

The Get Carter star, who made his film debut in 1950's Morning Departure, who carved out a reputation as a working class hero of British film, said actors today from a similar background would struggle to get into the industry.

Asked whether class was an issue in the film world today, he answered: 'Yes. You can see from all the brilliant young actors  Damian Lewis, Benedict Cumberbatch. Eddie Redmayne.

Stellar: The Get Carter star, who made his film debut in 1950's Morning Departure, who carved out a reputation as a working class hero of British film, said actors today from a similar background would struggle to get into the industry ( above in 2005's Batman Begins)

Smitten: The Zulu actor has been married to actress and model Shakira Baksh since 1973, after first spotting her in a Maxwell House coffee advert

'None of them are working-class people. But what I think has happened is that working-class actors have found a very good living in television.

'There are great parts with thousands of pounds, in TV, and I think they all wound up there instead of trying to go into movies.

The star, who has written a new book entitled Blowing the Bloody Doors Off while he recovers from a ankle break, also spoke about the youth of today, and his own personal motivations for becoming a film star.

He said while he sees a desire among young stars to be 'rich and famous' that was not the reason he became an actor. He simply wanted to be the best actor he could be.

In his new book, the film icon speaks about the difficulties 'women and people of colour' have faced in the industry, while also giving his thoughts on the #MeToo movement,

Discussing what he had witnessed in Hollywood during his career, he said his and his fellow actors were aware of the casting couch but had never thought there were physical attacks on women.

Out now: The full interview with Michael can be found in this week's Radio Times

The star also said he was a 'nobody' in Hollywood and didn't have the power of the producers.

Speaking about shamed Harvey Weinstein, he said the downfall of the movie mogul would help protect other actresses.

The Zulu actor has been married to actress and model Shakira Baksh since 1973, after first spotting her in a Maxwell House coffee advert. The pair share daughter Natasha Haleema, with the star also father to daughter Dominique from his marriage to Patricia Haines.

The smitten star said his beloved wife had helped him clean up his act after he began drinking copious amounts of vodka, saying he fell in love with her ' in about eight minutes' and she 'saved his life.'

They are devoted to their grandchildren: twins, a boy and a girl, aged eight, and a grandson of nine.She tied the knot with her long-term love Oliver Mellor in Turkey last month.

And Rhian Sugden, 32, shared a picture of herself wearing a tangerine bikini from the honeymoon on Instagram on Tuesday.

The model looked incredible wearing her bright two-piece, which had a body chain detail and she covered up a little with a black cardigan worn over the top.

A dream in tangerine: Rhian Sugden looked sensational in an orange bikini with a body chain during her honeymoon in Turkey - posting the results on Instagram on Tuesday

She wore a pair of dark sunglasses as she posed in front of a sign which had the words 'MellorOlympics written on it.

No doubt Rhian had been playing some family games while enjoying some fun in the sun.

She captioned the image with the words: '#MellorOlympics was muchos fun!

'Proud winner of inflatable swan racing right here #kalkan #turkey #villamavikoy.'

The Manchester born beauty looked on cloud nine for her walk down the aisle to the Beatles hit Here Comes The Sun in Kalkan.

Beach babe: The 32-year-old has been posting a series of very sexy photos while on honeymoon in Turkey celebrating her marriage to long-term beau Oliver Mellor

Rhian wed Oliver, her boyfriend of six years, in a blissful ceremony by the Mediterranean sea, with their close friends and family in attendance.

Guests were reduced to tears as Oliver's sister Kate read an emotional poem while the couple read their own vows.

The bride chose a gorgeous dress with a figure-hugging bodice in delicate white.

Rhian lifted up her full tulle skirt to flash her legs as she walked, also flaunting her silver strappy heels.

A simple silver pendant was the only bit of bling the low-key bride needed, while her blonde locks were styled into loose curls and pinned back with a glittering diamante hair clip.

Oliver proposed at a sold-out Manchester theatre in 2014.

Before she met Oliver, Rhian was involved in a scandal with Vernon Kay, with the starlet first coming to the forefront when she went public with several racy messages sent by the married TV presenter in 2010.

It was then revealed the pair had got back in touch in 2015, with Vernon sending hundreds of texts asking to 'reconnect' with the model.

After a break of six years, the busty blonde candidly and shockingly admitted that it felt like an 'old friendship coming back'.

The blonde beauty recently claimed however that she had been treated as 'the villain' in the light of the sexting scandal, while the radio host has had a career boost.

The 44-year-old was famously forced to make an apology to his wife Tess Daly on BBC Radio 1 following the sexting scandal.

Vernon went on to promise live on air that he would no longer contact Rhian or the four other women he had been caught messaging at the time.She's no stranger to dazzling on camera and at star-studded events.

And Laverne Cox lived up to her stylish ways as she attended the 25th Annual ELLE Women in Hollywood Celebration in Beverly Hills, California, on Monday evening.

Despite looking every inch the stunner, the Orange Is the New Black star, 46, suffered an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction as she spilled out of her plunging black gown.

Working it:Laverne Cox lived up to her stylish ways as she attended the 25th Annual ELLE Women in Hollywood Celebration in Beverly Hills, California, on Monday evening

The actress ensured all eyes were on her in the low-cut satin number, complete with a V-neck line and dramatic train.

Maintaining her dark colour scheme, Laverne added to her height in a pair of pointed stilletoes, and accessorised with a chic diamond choker and spiky earrings.

The transgender star added a pop of pazzazz to her appearance as she accentuated her pout with wine lipgloss, tied in with a smoky eyeshadow look.

Unfortunate: Despite looking every inch the stunner, the Orange Is the New Black star, 46, suffered a wardrobe malfunction as she spilled out of her plunging black gown

Wow-factor! The actress ensured all eyes were on her in the low-cut satin number, complete with a V-neck line and dramatic train

This year's Women in Hollywood event celebrated the careers of Charlize Theron, Keira Knightley, Yara Shahidi, Sarah Paulson, Shonda Rhimes, Mia Farrow, Lupita Nyong'o, Angela Basset, Danai Gurira, and Lady Gaga.

Meanwhile, Laverne cited inequality when tackling the hot topic of whether or not cisgender actors should be able to play transgender roles in a recent interview with Variety magazine.

'I think if all things were equal, then everyone should be able to play every character,' she said. 'But all things are not equal.'

Va-va-voom: Maintaining her dark colour scheme, Laverne added to her height in a pair of pointed stilletoes, and accessorised with a chic diamond choker and spiky earrings

Cox spoke of the delicate balance between creating art and maintaining authenticity in regards to the issue.

'As an artist, I don't ever want someone telling me that I shouldn't play something,' she said. 'But the reality is, 84 percent of Americans do not personally know someone who is transgender. So most Americans learn what they learn about trans people through the media.'

The Alabama native, in illustrating the ongoing inequality, pointed to ongoing political battles the trans community faces, both with individual states as well as President Donald Trump.

Stunning: The transgender star added a pop of pazzazz to her appearance as she accentuated her pout with wine lipgloss, tied in with a smoky eyeshadow look

Looking good: Laverne appeared in high spirits as she joined Ronan Farrow at the star-studded bash

'Right now in this country, in the first days of this year, 10 states introduced 21 pieces of legislation targeting trans people, mostly trying to limit our ability to go to the bathroom,' said Laverne, who plays Sophia Burset on the Netflix hit. 'The current president is trying to ban us from the military. Our unemployment rate is three times the national average.'

Cox said that at the heart of things, trans people 'just want more opportunities' in front of the camera, later noting that 'a trans actor has never been nominated for an Oscar before.'

'When the media representations have been so much of what they have been over the past 100 years,' she said, 'its so much work to unlearn that and build shame resilience.'She was the picture of glamour as she attended the MIPCOM event at the Hotel Cartlon in France on Monday evening.

And Jenna Coleman cut a demure figure as she attended a photocall for her new series The Cry during the annual trade show in Cannes on Tuesday morning.

The Doctor Who star, 32, looked typically trendy as she sported an oversized denim shirt, which she tucked into chic leather midi skirt.

Style savvy: Jenna Coleman cut a demure figure as she attended a photocall for her new series The Cry during the annual trade show in Cannes on Tuesday morning

Jenna commanded attention as she added to her petite frame in a pair of patent strappy heels.

Keeping up with her chic display, the former Emmerdale star accessorised with an array of gold rings and simple stud earrings.

Framing her visage with poker straight tresses, the Waterloo Road actress opted for her signature make-up look, which featured neutral-toned eyeshadow and matte red lipstick.

Demure: The Doctor Who star, 32, looked typically trendy as she sported an oversized denim shirt, which she tucked into chic leather midi skirt

All in the details: Keeping up with her chic display, the former Emmerdale star accessorised with an array of gold rings and simple stud earrings

Standing tall: Jenna commanded attention as she added to her petite frame in a pair of patent strappy heels

The BBC One mystery drama is adapted from the novel of the same name, written by Helen FitzGerald.

In the series, Joanna (Jenna), who is married to Alistair, travels from Scotland to a town in Australia, to fight for custody of Alistair's daughter, Chloe, against his ex-wife, Alexandra.

As they drive from Melbourne to Geelong, their baby son Noah goes missing suddenly from the side of the road.

Pop of colour: The Waterloo Road actress opted for her signature make-up look, which featured neutral-toned eyeshadow and matte red lipstick

On-screen: The BBC One mystery drama is adapted from the novel of the same name, written by Helen FitzGerald

In the aftermath of the tragedy, under public scrutiny, their marriage collapses and Joanna's psychology disintegrates.

Jenna's appearance comes after she suffered an awkward run-in with her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend Ellie Bamber during a MIPCOM event at the Hotel Carlton on Monday evening.

She awkwardly had to discuss her ex Richard Madden on TV - who she split from in 2015 after a four year on-off romance.

Appearing on The One Show, the actress was asked about Bodyguard and its recent finale, which her new series The Cry recently replaced on Sunday nights.

Red carpet rendez-vous: Jenna's appearance comes after she suffered an awkward run-in with her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend Ellie Bamber (R) during a MIPCOM event at the Hotel Carlton on Monday evening

Blast from the past: Jenna dated Bodyguard star Richard Madden for four years until their split in 2015. The pair are pictured in March 2015

Keeping coy: Meanwhile, Richard, 32, confirmed he's been dating fellow actress Ellie, 21, since last August after they were pictured locking lips on a beach in Ibiza

Jenna kept her cool as she was asked how The Cry would compare to Bodyguard, after it gripped the nation for six weeks.

Taking the questions in her stride, she said: 'I think its quite a different tone and pace perhaps. I watched all of Bodyguard and I thought it was fantastic.

Meanwhile, Richard, 32, confirmed he's been dating fellow actress Ellie, 21, since last August after they were pictured locking lips on a beach in Ibiza.

The pair remain notoriously tight-lipped about their romance, with Richard touching cryptically on his relationship in an interview with The Sun, revealing: 'I am sleeping with someone. I am very happy with someone.'He was famously sacked from Blue Peter in 1998 after he admitted snorting cocaine in a nightclub.

And Richard Bacon proved there is no ill will between him and the iconic children's show as he revealed he will return to the TV programme for its 60th anniversary special on Tuesday.

The presenter, 42, took to Twitter to announce his return on Sunday, before posting a gushing tribute to Blue Peter two days later.

Comeback: Richard Bacon proved there is no ill will between him and Blue Peter as he revealed he will return to the TV programme for its 60th anniversary special on Tuesday, 20 years after his sacking for taking cocaine

Over and out: Richard was just 18 months into his dream job at Blue Peter when he was fired at the age of 22 after admitting he took cocaine in a London nightclub (pictured in 1997)

He wrote: 'And on Tuesday, in a day they (and I) said would never come, Ill be back on Blue Peter.

The star then made light of his shock sacking in a further social media message, writing:'I can never hold down a job for long. I've hosted a lot of shows in a lot of places. And yet the one I have the most affection for is the one I got fired from. Happy Birthday Blue Peter. I love you.'

Richard was just 18 months into his dream job at Blue Peter when he was fired at the age of 22 after admitting he took cocaine in a London nightclub.

At the time the BBC issued a statement from Lorraine Heggessey, head of children's programmes, which said: 'It is sad that such a talented presenter as Richard Bacon has not only let himself and his colleagues down but, most important of all, he has let down the millions of children who watch Blue Peter.'

Here he is: The presenter, 42, took to Twitter to announce his return on Sunday, before posting a gushing tribute to Blue Peter two days later

Tribute: The star then made light of his shock sacking in a further social media message

A producer told Bacon him he would never work in television again.

More than two decades on, Bacon's career has seen him present multiple television programmes for the Corporation, as well as for Channel 4 and ITV.

He now lives in LA and fronts a successful daily news show 'The 30'.

Richard has been married to Rebecca McFarlane since 2008, with the couple parents to son Arthur, six and daughter Ivy, three.

Bounced back: More than two decades on, Bacon's career has seen him present multiple television programmes for the Corporation, as well as for Channel 4 and ITV. He now lives in LA and fronts a successful daily news show 'The 30'

'Blue Peter' is the longest-running children's TV programme in the world after airing for continuous seasons since it was first broadcast in 1958.

Several former presenters have paid tribute to the show on its 60th birthday today, including Katy Hill, who said she is 'forever grateful' to the long-running programme.

She wrote: 'HAPPY 60 BLUE PETER! 24 years ago, I landed the best job on the planet! 6 years of incredible adventures, extreme challenges and drawing attention to the things that mattered became a life-changing experience and I'll be forever grateful for it! #BluePeter60 #BluePeter (sic)'

Not to be: At the time of Richard's sacking the BBC issued a statement which said: 'It is sad that such a talented presenter as Richard Bacon has not only let himself and his colleagues down but, most important of all, he has let down the millions of children who watch Blue Peter'

Line-up: Several former presenters have paid tribute to the show on its 60th birthday today, including Katy Hill, (middle) who said she is 'forever grateful' to the long-running programme

Peter Duncan - who co-hosted the show for two stints in the 1980s - wrote: 'what a laugh it was in the 80's with @RealSarahGreene @missjanetellis #CBBC #BluePeter60 (sic)'

Richard famously spent 12 days in intensive care and nine in a medically-induced coma in July after a virus 'exploded' in his lungs during a flight from the United States.

He was initially incorrectly diagnosed with serious pneumonia across both lungs.

After the star failed to respond to treatment doctors were forced to take emergency action and place him in a coma.

Last month Richard revealed how doctors expected him to die from a lung infection as he recalled the moment his wife told him to 'stay away from the white light'.They were given a surprise reprieve from the public vote after being saved last week.

And Strictly Come Dancing's Seann Walsh and Katya Jones' latest dance has been revealed after making it through to Week 5 despite their shock kiss scandal.

Seann and Katya will next dance an energetic quickstep to Jake Bugg's Lightning Bolt, after surprising with a high-scoring Charleston despite the explosive scandal that ensued after the pair were seen kissing on a night out.

Energetic: Strictly Come Dancing's Seann Walsh and Katya Jones' latest dance has been revealed after making it through to Week 5 despite their shock kiss scandal

This live show will also see judge Bruno Tonioli take a week's absence from the panel, with Fresh Prince of Bel Air star and Dancing With The Stars champion Alfonso Ribeiro filling in.

Seann and Katya's latest dance seems to once again stem from producers attempts to avoid assigning the pair a steamy routine, in an attempt to dispel their growing chemistry.

However this does mean the couple will be heading back to ballroom, after wowing with a Matrix-themed Paso Doble during Movie Week.

Despite a tough week for the couple, Saturday's Charleston to Bills by Lunchmoney Lewis earned a predominantly positive reception from the judging panel, along with a score of 28 out of 40 which landed them fifth on the leaderboard.

Strictly Come Dancing Week 5 Dances Seann Walsh and Katya Jones - Quickstep to Lightning Bolt by Jake Bugg Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev - Rumba to Something About The Way You Look Tonight by Elton John Lauren Steadman and AJ Pritchard - Couples Choice - Contemporary to Runnin (Lose It All) by Naughty Boy feat. Beyonce and Arrow Benjamin Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton - Samba to Tequila by David Hirschfelder and The Bogo Pogo Orchestra Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice - Foxtrot to Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars Kate Silverton and Aljaz Skorjanec - Viennese Waltz to Finally Mine by Juliet Roberts Vick Hope and Graziano Di Prima - Cha Cha to More Than Friends by James Hype feat. Kelli-Leigh Danny John-Jules and Amy Dowden - Jive to Flip, Flop and Fly by Ellis Hall Dr. Ranj and Janette Manrara - American Smooth to Wouldnt It Be Nice by The Beach Boys Charles Venn and Karen Clifton - Couples Choice - Street and Commercial to Get Up Off That Thing by James Brown Graeme Swann and Oti Mabuse - Tango to Roxanne by The Police Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell - Waltz to The Rainbow Connection by Sleeping At Last Advertisement

Challenging: After being saved from the public vote despite the recent scandal, Seann and Katya will be dancing a quickstep on Saturday to Jake Bugg's Lightning Bolt

Surprise save: Seann and Katya were voted through to next week after finishing fifth on the leaderboard, as they returned to the show after being snapped sharing a passionate kiss

Many fans were adamant that Seann and Katya would be eliminated after their scandalous behaviour the previous week, but shockingly the pair were saved when Katie Piper and Gorka Marquez were sent home.

Despite the fallout Seann and Katya have since been seen heading to training together, while the Russian dancer was seen with her husband and Strictly colleague Neil Jones for the first time on Monday.

The couple put on a defiant display showing no indication of any strain as they strolled the streets of the English capital.

Gone: Seann and Katya's surprise save meant that Katie Piper was the third couple to eliminated on Sunday along with partner Gorka Marquez

The same sadly cannot be said for Seann's now ex-girlfriend of five years, actress Rebecca Humphries, 32  it was her birthday on the day of the kiss.

They have since broken up and she claims that Seann is yet to apologise to her  a claim he denies.

On Wednesday's edition of Strictly sister show It Takes Two Katya apologised to 'everyone it hurt and involved', but said she and husband Neil were 'absolutely fine'.

'Obviously I apologise, and I can't apologise enough to everyone who it hurt and involved,' she said.

'But, the main thing, me and Neil are absolutely fine and thats what matters to me the most right now and focusing on my job and doing it as professionally I can.'

Fighting back: Katya has insisted that she and her husband Neil Jones are 'absolutely' fine after the kiss scandal, and have been seen putting on a defiant display

In fact, things were so fine between Neil and Katya that he was posting his support for the pair on social media, just hours after the kissing pictures emerged.

Seann's ex, Rebecca, meanwhile, shared a scathing post about him, saying he had called her a 'psycho' when she questioned if he had been cheating on her.

He is also rumoured to have had a fling with Inbetweeners' star Emily Atack back in 2016, while he was with Rebecca after clicking at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 20th October at 6:45pm on BBC One.She is set to welcome their first child with Kris Smith in December.

And Sarah Boulazeris is still keeping to her gym routine, taking to Instagram on Tuesday to share photos from her latest workout.

The 27-year-old shared a photo of her heavily pregnant belly in two separate Instagram Stories posts.

'Back in the studio!' Kris Smith's heavily pregnant girlfriend Sarah Boulazeris shows off her 31-week baby bump as she hits the gym

In both she's wearing a striped navy activewear crop top, with her tights sitting underneath the curve of her bump.

Makeup free and her arm tattoos on show, the model wore her dark hair neatly back in a ponytail.

The brunette captioned the image: 'Bump's back in the studio this week' and added that she was 31 weeks along.

The brunette captioned the image: 'Bump's back in the studio this week'

Not long to go! Sarah added that she was 31 weeks into her pregnancy

It comes after Kris gushed over his heavily pregnant girlfriend in an Instagram post last week.

The 40-year-old showed a glowing Sarah sitting on a bed, proudly showing off her baby bump and the bub-to-be's cot.

Male model Kris lovingly captioned the photo: 'Two thirds of my entire world.'

It comes after Kris gushed over his heavily pregnant girlfriend in an Instagram post last week, writing: 'Two thirds of my entire world'

Holiday! Kris Smith (left) and girlfriend Sarah had spent the majority of September on a babymoon in Mykonos, Greece and London, documenting their experiences on social media

Kris and Sarah had spent the majority of September on a babymoon in Mykonos, Greece and London, heavily documenting their experiences on social media.

The pair began dating in 2017 after meeting in a Sydney gym, and announced their pregnancy just two months ago.

The British personality already shares son Ethan, eight, with ex-girlfriend Dannii Minogue, 46.Pia Miller appeared to make a subtle dig at ELLE Australia once again on Tuesday after the magazine previously suggested she was 'difficult' to work with.

The 34-year-old starred on their cover in March 2017, but the feature was surrounded by controversy after it suggested she was a diva behind the scenes.

As she then starred on the cover of Cosmopolitan in August 2017, the headline read, 'Saying no doesn't make me difficult', while seemingly referencing ELLE.

Dragging the drama back to the surface this week, Pia shared her former Cosmo cover to her Instagram Story and referenced the questionable headline about ELLE.

'This though...': Pia Miller appears to reignite feud with ELLE after they branded her 'difficult' to work with while praising rival mag Cosmopolitan despite the publication getting axed

'This though,' Pia wrote below an arrow which directly pointed to the headline on the cover from 13 months ago.

It is believed that Pia was sharing her Cosmopolitan cover to show her support after it was announced this week that the Australia print edition has been axed.

However, her choice to highlight the headline somewhat distracted from the sentiment.

Subtle dig? Pia shared her Cosmo cover from August 2017 on Tuesday while highlighting the headline 'Saying no doesn't make me difficult' - which is believed to be referencing ELLE

Following her Cosmo cover last year, a private note from the editor to Pia, which the actress shared online, made a not-so-subtle hint about her past troubles with ELLE.

'Dear Pia, We're all about empowerment and really appreciate your candidness. Hope you love your feature - you make the ultimate Cosmo cover girl,' the hand-written note stated.

Pia then revealed a bunch of flowers that had accompanied the letter.

The letter appears to reference ELLE magazine's claims Pia displayed a 'zealous level of control' on set of their cover shoot.

'We're all about empowerment': A Cosmopolitan editor made a not-so-subtle hint about Pia's previous feud with ELLE in a private note Pia posted last year amid the drama

'A zealous level of control': Pia's cover shoot with ELLE Australia in March 2017 made headlines when the magazine's journalist suggested she was 'difficult' to work with

ELLE had featured Pia on it's front cover with the headline: 'That smile, that skin... Is Pia Miller Australia's most beautiful woman?'

But the inside feature was less complimentary, as the magazine suggested Pia had made unexpected demands and displayed 'a zealous level of control'.

'The shoot concept and this accompanying interview were more difficult to agree on than most international cover stars in this magazine's history,' the article stated.

Claims: The Chilean-born star and her team reportedly did not allow her sons Isaiah (left) and Lennox (right) appear in the photo shoot

'From the earliest planning stages, she displayed a zealous level of control  one that extends across her career and the way she's publicly perceived.'

The Chilean-born star and her team also reportedly declined to have her sons Isaiah, 13, and Lennox, 10, appear in the photo shoot.

'Her fierce protectiveness of her privacy and her family goes some way towards explaining why it was never a sure thing that Miller would appear in these pages,' the journalist wrote.

According to the magazine, Pia also arrived at her interview with two assistants who sat 'patiently at a table nearby'.

Protective: 'Her fierce protectiveness of her privacy and her family goes some way towards explaining why it was never a sure thing that Miller would appear in these pages,' wrote ELLE

After the magazine was published, Pia took to Instagram to personally thank the photographer, makeup artist and stylists for their 'perfectly executed craft'.

But she also appeared to criticise the editorial team, adding: 'Warning! This article may encourage other women to be "incredibly strong-minded", "real", "fiercely protective" (of their children and privacy) and exhibit a "zealous level of control" of "the way (they're) publicly perceived".

'Here's to my fellow women, Never apologise for standing your ground and portraying your true self,' she concluded.He rocked the stage at the Everest horse race in Sydney's Randwick on Saturday.

But Liam Payne left fans Down Under scratching their heads after he bizarrely claimed on stage that he has never visited the country before.

As he wrapped up his set in front of thousands of racegoers, the 25-year-old said: 'I'm sorry the weather has been so bad... I've never been to Australia before.'

Painful memories Down Under? Liam Payne claims he's 'never been to Australia before' despite three tours, koala STI scare and THAT infamous snake habitat incident in Adelaide

The comment caused much surprise, given that Liam previously completed three full length Australian tours with One Direction between 2012 and 2015.

Alongside former band mates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik, the star performed 26 headline shows in Australia during the band's heyday.

They also attended the ARIA Awards in 2014 and have completed many Aussie press days, including a chat with Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson on Today in 2012.

Forgetful! As he wrapped up his set the Everest horse race in Sydney on Saturday, the 25-year-old said: 'I'm sorry the weather has been so bad... I've never been to Australia before'

Liam's former trips to Australia have also contained some controversy, which is potentially why he appears to have pushed them from his memory.

Following his first visit, the pop star feared he may have caught chlamydia after cuddling up to a kola at a sanctuary in Brisbane.

'I'm genuinely scared,' Liam told The Sun at the time after it was revealed the adorable animal he'd petted had an 80% chance of carrying the STI.

'This is worrying. I'd have never picked the thing up if Id known.'

Remember this? Liam has previously completed three Australian tours with One Direction band mates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik and appeared on Australian shows such as Today (pictured with hosts Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson)

During the band's Take Me Home Tour in 2013, Liam hit out at fans in Adelaide after they'd put themselves in danger by camping outside 1D's remote hotel.

Liam weeted at the time: 'Girls behind the hotel please get out the fields there's a huge sign saying snake habitat it's just not worth it someone's gunna get hurt.'

However, with the fans failing to move before meeting any of the group, Liam vented his frustration on Twitter again.

He added: 'Are u not reading what I'm saying its a SNAKE HABITAT TURN AROUND.'

Controversy: Liam's many trips Down Under have included drama, including when he hit out at fans camping in a snake habitat outside his hotel in 2013

'TURN AROUND': Before the snake incident in Adelaide, Liam feared he may have caught chlamydia from a kola in 2012 after holding one at a sanctuary in Brisbane

Liam suffered a similar error last year after he declared in an online stream that he has 'never been to the Philippines.'

He was immediately called out by fans who happily reminded him that he had in fact performed at Manila, the nation's capital, in 2015.

'Wow apologies to the Philippines my geography was never my strongest subject,' Liam later responded online.

'How could I forget beautiful Manila!!'She dropped a whopping four dress sizes, from a Size 16 to a dress Size 8 earlier this year.

But Sophie Kasaei revealed she had to accept she would pile on the pounds while filming the latest series of Geordie Shore, due to the show's notorious partying lifestyle.

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, the 28-year-old lifted the lid on her struggles to maintain her weight loss, feeling down about her appearance and her new relationship with boyfriend Jay Bigz.

Sophie Kasaei revealed she had to accept she would pile on the pounds while filming the latest series of Geordie Shore, due to the show's notorious partying lifestyle

'When Im In Geordie Shore thats just a time where I have to accept I will put weight on,' she said.

'It's my job at that moment in time, I will have to get on with it and when I get out, that's the time to get fit again. For the couple of weeks Im filming obviously I don't eat as much as I used to after a night out, I will get chicken thighs instead of a pizza or kebab.

'I try to maintain my weight and when I get out I try to get fit again. I have to admit it's not the healthiest thing for my weight to go up and down, but it's my job.'

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, the 28-year-old lifted the lid on her struggles to maintain her weight loss, feeling down about her appearance and her new relationship

Yo-yoing weight: She said: 'When Im In Geordie Shore thats just a time I have to accept I will put weight on'

Upset: Despite her amazing body transformation, Sophie tweeted earlier this week: 'Im never really one to show emotion or talk about it , but Im not even hungover and I feel down'

Despite her amazing body transformation, Sophie tweeted earlier this week: 'Im never really one to show emotion or talk about it , but Im not even hungover and I feel down.

'I cant stop picking faults with myself and analysing so many flaws with my body. I found someone who loves me for me but cant stop like wtf wrong with u Sophie sort urself out.'

Speaking about feeling depressed, the fitness fanatic said: 'I do get these down days and Im not one of these people who speaks about it much.

Honest: Speaking about feeling depressed, the fitness fanatic said: 'I do get these down days and Im not one of these people who speaks about it much' (pictured with Faith Mullen)

Tremendous: The Geordie beauty dropped a whopping four dress sizes, from a Size 16 to a dress Size 8 earlier this year, but said it's been a big effort keeping healthy while filming

'I just thought one night, you know what, I'm actually going to tweet out and tell everyone how I'm feeling.

'It was something I felt and thought I'd be open about it. I just like every girl and I think its 2018 and social media is massive, Instagram is massive.

'Our lives revolve around looking at other people and comparing ourselves and I just wanted to make everyone aware Im exactly like them.'

Sophie added the response she got was amazing, with everyone from Charlotte Dawson to her co-stars tweeting her support.

The Geordie beauty also discussed her new relationship with Jay, revealing she is very happy.

Early days: The Geordie beauty also discussed her new relationship with Jay, revealing she is very happy

The couple made her first public appearance together at the National Television Awards in September after dating for a number of weeks.

The reality star had been mending her heartache after she was dumped by her boyfriend of six years Joel Corry over the phone.

'Its going really well,' she said. 'Its early days. Its the first time I've been in a relationship in a year and a half now, I'm just enjoying it. I dont want to rush anything, its only been two months.

Antics: Sophie is back with Nathan Hernry and Faith Mullen for another drama-packed series

'We haven't talked to each other about involving him in the series yet, I'm sure we will discuss it when the time comes.'

She jokingly added: 'I don't want to curse anything.'

Earlier this week, Sophie admitted she punched her co-star Sam Gowland in the face after he upset her 'little sister' Chloe Ferry in Benidorm,Spain, earlier this year.

The reality star went on to reveal that she has been 'punished' over her violent actions towards the Love Island star, 23, and it has since been reported that she could be fired if she does something similar again.

Sophie revealed the incident took place after Sam upset his girlfriend and her co-star Chloe, then said she was 'jealous', while they were forced to make-up the next day so they could continue filming the show.

'Me and Sam are fine now,' she said. 'Weve all had fights with each other, we're all family. Me and Sam are really good friends still, Chloe's my best friend.

'It was living in a house with so many people, arguments are going to happen.'

Sophie previously told The Sun: 'I got so irate and I snapped and obviously I regret it.

'I'm very protective over Chloe though she's like my little sister. I was angry because he was upsetting her and I thought she deserved better. He said I was just jealous and I totally lost it.'

The new series of Geordie Shore airs on MTV on Tuesday night at 10pm.Sabrina Bryan, 34, wed her longtime love last week.

The Cheetah Girls star married Jordan Lundberg, 27, on Saturday at Wayne Newton's home in Las Vegas in front of 150 people.

And on Tuesday photos from the splashy event were shared on social media.

The bride is here: Sabrina Bryan, 34, tied the knot last week. The Cheetah Girls star married Jordan Lundberg, 27, on Saturday at Wayne Newton's home in Las Vegas and on Monday photos from the splashy event were shared

Happy lady: 'Fairytales really do come true,' Sabrina said in an Instagram post. 'So excited to share my first looks with @people my heart feels like its going to burst Im so happy!!'

'Fairytales really do come true,' Sabrina said in an Instagram post. 'So excited to share my first looks with @people my heart feels like its going to burst Im so happy!!'

Turns out Bryan and Newton have become good friends since they co-starred on season five of Dancing With The Stars in 2012, which lead to the legendary Vegas crooner to offer up his home for the wedding.

According to People, the longtime couple exchanged nuptials in an outdoor 'romantic glamour-themed' ceremony in front of 160 guests.

'Jordan and I have dreamed about this day for a long time,' the former Disney starlet said in the exclusive interview.

The bride wore white: According to People , the longtime couple exchanged nuptials in an outdoor 'romantic glamour-themed' ceremony in front of 160 guests

The big smooch: The groom dipped his wife and gave her a big kiss

Cheetah Girls bandmate and co-star Kiely Williams served as one of Bryan's matrons-of-honor; Bryan had been her maid-of-honor at her wedding in 2016.

For her big day, the bride wore a long sleeve, backless, custom fairy tale Hayley Paige ball gown, featuring an illusion neckline, beaded handmade appliques and a layered tulle skirt.

She also wore a custom-made reception dress with a plunging neckline and low back detailing, from the same designer.

The groom went with a classy and classic dark tux, black bow tie and white shirt.

In an interview with Bridal Guide, Bryan said she met her husband, who works as a strategic accounts manager, through a mutual friend who was one of his colleagues.

'We hit it off right away and basically never stopped hanging out,' she admitted in the interview.

The newlyweds dated for almost six-years before Jordan popped the question and they got engaged in Ireland in 2017.

The newlyweds will be going on a Mediterranean cruise for their honeymoon.

'What I am looking forward to in marriage is simply a deepening of our love for each other, Sabrina confessed in the People interview.

'We are also looking towards the future and someday starting a family of my own which I am thrilled about. But for now, Ill enjoy being a wife!'

Chris Hemsworth is working on the latest Men In Black spin-off in Italy.

And the 35-year-old took to Instagram on Tuesday to show off some of the perks of his job.

Posing on a luxurious brown speedboat with white leather seats, the 35-year-old made it clear he was living the good life.

Just another day on set': Actor Chris Hemsworth enjoys a boat ride in Italy ..after he revealed he 'selfishly' asked his family not to visit him so he could focus on work

He captioned the series of photos: 'Just another day on the set of MIB. Italy youre too kind'.

Throwing the shaka sign, the Australian actor looked chic in a light blue shirt and pale pink linen pants.

He completed the casual but chic Mediterranean look with a pair of sunglasses.

Lucky! The 35-year-old took to Instagram on Tuesday to show off some of the perks of his job posing on a luxurious brown speedboat with white leather seats

Surrounded by islands and beautiful shoreline, the Thor star appeared relaxed as he steeled the boat through the bright blue water.

It comes after Chris revealed his family usually follow him around the world as he films back-to-back blockbusters.

But for his recent movie, Bad Times at the El Royale, the former Home and Away star admitted he actually told wife Elsa Pataky he 'needed' to be alone for the duration of the shoot.

He captioned the series of photos: 'Just another day on the set of MIB. Italy youre too kind'

Speaking to GQ Australia he admitted that spending time with Elsa, 42, and their three children - daughter India, six, and twin sons Sasha and Tristan, four - would be too distracting.

'Normally I come away with my family,' he said, when asked about balancing work and family life.

'We arrive in a city. I rush off to work, do my prep. Rush home, kids, family, my wife. Next morning, up again, trying to fit in some training. Rush home, feed the kids.'

Solo: It comes after Chris revealed for his recent movie, Bad Times at the El Royale, he actually told wife Elsa Pataky (left) he 'needed' to be alone for the duration of the shoot

Dad time: He admitted that spending time with Elsa, 42, and their three children - daughter India, six, and twin sons Sasha and Tristan, four (pictured) would be too distracting

'Elsa ended up having a job at the same time, so it was fine but I actively chose to have it be a solo mission. It allowed me to selfishly focus just on this character,' he explained.

'I would wake up and think, "I can actually go to work and think about the character", and then I would come home and think about the character then, too.

'I just hadn't been able to go to that place for a while' he concluded.Val Kilmer was seen leaving a restaurant in Beverly Hills on Monday night with a young woman.

The 58-year-old actor - who has been doing better since recovering from a long battle with throat cancer - had his hoodie up as he walked with the lady who had a bald head.

The mystery person is likely Dagen Howard, whom he posed with a week ago for an Instagram photo as he noted they would be working together soon on Cinema Twain in Denver, Colorado.

Date night: Val Kilmer was spotted leaving a restaurant in Beverly Hills with a mystery bald woman on Monday night who could be Dagen Howard

Date: His younger companion matched him in white trainers and sweatpants, and a fitted red cop top

The star, who has been filming Top Gun: Maverick with Tom Cruise, went casual for the rendezvous, rocking white sneakers and pants, a black T-shirt and a black zip-up hoodie, hood pulled up.

His younger companion matched him in white trainers and sweatpants, and a fitted red cop top, with her white hoodie shrugged off her shoulders.

The two shared a laugh as they left the eatery, as the actor threw his arm around his date.

Dagen is a Swiss German model and actress.

Iceman: The Top Gun star went casual for the rendezvous, rocking white sneakers and pants, a black T-shirt and a black zip-up hoodie, hood pulled up

They click: The mystery person is likely Dagen Howard, whom he posed with a week ago for an Instagram photo as he noted they would be working together soon on Cinema Twain in Denver

Workshop day: Here Val, right, and Dagen, left, are seen with a male friend

Val wrote about her on social media on October 7 when he said: 'My new muse, She's Swiss German named Dagen Howard. I met her at the #aiweiwei show at the UTA Foundation show. Plus my brother and his daughter and her boyfriend. So beautiful. I'm so proud of them. True young warriors with their heads screwed on straight.'

Kilmer has only been married once, to his Willow co-star Joanne Whalley.

The pair met when he played the mercenary Madmartigan and she the warrior princess Sorsha in Ron Howard's 1988 fantasy drama.

He is inspired: Val wrote about her on social media on October 7 when he said: 'My new muse, She's Swiss German named Dagen Howard. I met her at the #aiweiwei show at the UTA Foundation show. Plus my brother and his daughter and her boyfriend. So beautiful'

They married in March of that year, two months before the film's release; they split eight years later in 1996.

The former couple share two children: 23-year-old son Jack, and daughter Mercedes who turns 27 this month.

Val is currently at work filming the sequel to Top Gun  Maverick  opposite Tom Cruise.

He reprises his role as Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky, now a Commander, in the follow up set for release in 2020, a full 34 years after the original.She's recently returned from a sunny Maldives getaway after tying the knot with Alex Bowen.

And Olivia Buckland was pining after the beach-side climes with a stunning bikini throwback snap on Tuesday, as she flaunted her tattooed curves in a revealing white bikini.

The 24-year-old was hearkening back to her time in the Maldives sunshine after marrying Alex in a lavish Essex ceremony last month, as she envisaged being back in the blazing sunshine.

Jaw-dropping: Olivia Buckland was pining after the beach-side climes with a stunning bikini throwback snap on Tuesday, as she flaunted her tattooed curves in a revealing white bikini

In the snap, Olivia looked incredible in a busty white bikini top and matching bottoms, showing off an array of tattoos all over her body.

With her blonde bobbed tresses in loose beachy waves the Essex beauty stunned among the beautiful Maldives landscape, completely with clean white sands and crystal clear blue waters.

She wrote in the caption: 'Slowly realising Im not about these cold dark mornings. Going to envisage the Maldives instead.'

Amazing: The 24-year-old Love Island star looked incredible in the personalised white bikini as she hearkened back to her honeymoon just over a month after tying the knot

Olivia and Alex tied the knot in the first ever Love Island wedding in front of friends, family and reality TV co-stars in Essex last month.

They held the ceremony at Gosfield Hall, which boasts 10 acres of elegant grounds, in the blonde beauty's native Essex on September 15.

The reality TV pair initially jetted off to Sri Lanka just hours after their lavish reception in Essex, before moving onto the second leg of their honeymoon in the Maldives.

Beaming: The star was clearly loving the incredible views as she enjoyed becoming Mrs Bowen, but lamented in her post that she missed it now she was back in autumnal England

Stunning: The Essex beauty had originally started her honeymoon in Sri Lanka before spending a week in the Maldives

On their return from their honeymoon, the pair started their family by adopting an adorable puppy.

The couple first met on the 2016 series of Love Island, in which they starred alongside the likes of Cara De La Hoyde, Nathan Massey, Zara Holland, Tina Stinnes, Malin Andersson and the late Sophie Gradon.

Olivia and Alex came in second place behind Cara and her fiance Nathan Massey, and moved in together in Essex in August 2016.

Alex popped the question during a romantic trip to New York that December after just five months of dating.She quick-stepped off Strictly on Sunday night in a shock exit following a week rife with scandal for the show.

But Katie Piper, 35, was all smiles as she attended the launch of her new book 'Confidence: The Journal' in London on Tuesday, just days after her acid attacker was released.

The campaigner and TV presenter stunned in full-length gold sequined skirt and a simple black t-shirt.

Still smiling: Katie Piper, 35, was all smiles as she attended the launch of her new book 'Confidence: The Journal' in London on Tuesday, just days after her acid attacker was released

Stunning: The campaigner and TV presenter stunned in full-length gold sequined skirt and a simple black t-shirt

She matched her skirt to a pair of golden stilettos as she teetered through the capital's streets.

Carrying the bare essentials, the Strictly star carried a black leather bag in her hand and clutched onto her new book.

Looking every inch the star, the mother-of-two wore her luscious blonde locks in a loose curl, stopping at her shoulder.

Her attacker Stefan Sylvestre was released from prison on Wednesday after nine years behind bars for the despicable crime.

He was given a minimum six-year life term in 2009 after attacking Katie in Golders Green, north London, on the orders of her obsessive ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch.

She was left partially blind following the 2008 attack and had to wear a plastic mask and endure 40 operations to treat her burns, which have left her with permanent scars.

Glamorous: Looking every inch the star, the mother-of-two wore her luscious blonde locks in a loose curl, stopping at her shoulder

Staying strong: Her attacker Stefan Sylvestre was released from prison on Wednesday after nine years behind bars for the despicable crime

Before her performance on Strictly on Saturday evening, the brave model and TV presenter tweeted: 'Using meditation to stay calm and centred today. See you on the ballroom floor tonight.'

In August, she attended the parole board meeting to beg officials in person not to release Sylvestre from jail.

But officials decided he was no longer a danger to the public and should be released.

No regrets: Speaking on It Takes Two on Monday, Katie said she had 'no regrets' about taking part in Strictly as it has taught her she can 'put herself out there' and let go

After the decision, Katie told fans she was having to come 'to terms' with the fact Sylvestre was being released.

She tweeted: 'This is a really difficult time for me. I am trying to come to terms with the decision and this is something I need to deal with.

'Over the past 2 weeks Strictly has already given me such a welcome and positive distraction from my past. Whilst there is never a good time to hear this news, I am glad I have this new journey to concentrate on.'

Growing confidence: The acid attack survivor battled nerves early in the competition but said she was feeling more confident last weekend

Positive vibes: 'Although I've been eliminated, I've got loads of positive memories, and I've learned stuff about myself, so I don't regret one bit of it' Katie said

Last month she also admitted she still suffers from anxiety and depression.

Although Strictly chiefs cleared her to perform on Saturday with 28-year-old Gorka, photographs taken between rehearsals over the last couple of days show Katie flanked by a burley minder.

Speaking on It Takes Two on Monday, Katie said she had 'no regrets' about taking part in Strictly as it has taught her she can 'put herself out there' and let go.

The acid attack survivor battled nerves early in the competition but said she was feeling more confident last weekend.

Looking good: Katie was later spotted rocking a white blouse and a pinafore dress

Hats off! The model and spokesperson completed her look with a baker boy cap

The results of Katie leaving the show annoyed many viewers, who thought comedian Seann Walsh and his partner Katya Jones should get the chop from the BBC One show following their kiss scandal.

Speaking on spin-off show It Takes Two, Katie said she had appreciated the support from fans, saying: 'It has kind of taught me that even if you are not good at something or you don't feel confident in something you can put yourself out there.

'And although I've been eliminated, I've got loads of positive memories, and I've learned stuff about myself, so I don't regret one bit of it.

Hug it out: The star shared a hug with Strictly co-presenter Tess Daly as she said her goodbyes

Beaming: The bubbly blonde wasn't letting her Strictly defeat get her down

'If it wasn't for the support of the public I wouldn't have been able to get past those nerves on week one.'

She told host Zoe Ball she had been feeling 'quite optimistic' ahead of Saturday's jive, as her confidence was growing.

'Having that good week in movie week, I really enjoyed that and let go, so then coming back for the jive, the nerves were diminishing,' she said.

'Shame the musicality wasn't increasing!

'But yes, I was able to actually experience letting myself go a bit and that was nice.

'RIP Team Gorka.'

Appreciative: Speaking on spin-off show It Takes Two, Katie said she had appreciated the support from fans, saying: 'It has kind of taught me that even if you are not good at something or you don't feel confident in something you can put yourself out there

Stepping out: Stacey Dooley - Katie's former co-star on Strictly - was spotted on her way to rehearsals earlier that dayAdvertisement

She credits her phenomenal shape with a gruelling fitness camp she attends in Portugal ahead of the live Britain's Got Talent shows, as well as a healthy diet.

And Amanda Holden proudly flaunted every inch of her toned physique as she attended the star-studded ITV gala held at The Royal Festival Hall in London on Tuesday evening.

The Britain's Got Talent judge, 47, looked showstopping in a revealing lilac gown as she joined Caroline Flack, 38, who channelled the Sixties in a funky LBD and Susanna Reid, 47, who dazzled in a scarlet number, on the red carpet.

Here come the girls! Amanda Holden, 47, dazzled in a showstopping lilac gown as she joined glamorous Caroline Flack and Susanna Reid at the star-studded ITV gala in London on Tuesday

Amanda certainly took centre-stage in her dress, which boasted a daring thigh-split and a plunging lace-insert neckline.

She styled her brown hair in a sleek middle-parting and highlighted her age-defying beauty with make-up in neutral tones.

Letting her opulent statement gown do all the talking, Holden added height with a decadent pair of silver three strap heels.

Caroline also turned heads in her dress, which featured a daring cut-out neckline and fluted sleeves and was embellished with pastel-coloured discs.

Working her angles: The mother-of-two flaunted every inch of her gym-honed physique in the revealing gown

Lovely in lilac: The Britain's Got Talent judge took centre-stage in her dress, which boasted a daring thigh-split and plunging lace-insert neckline

Killer footwear: Letting her opulent statement gown do all the talking, Holden added height with a decadent pair of silver three strap heels

Preened to perfection: Amanda styled her brown hair in a sleek middle-parting and highlighted her age-defying beauty with make-up in neutral tones

All eyes on her! Amanda ensured she was the centre of attention as she posed in her headline-grabbing gown

Social butterfly: Amanda appeared to be in great spirits as she mingled with Robert Rinder at the bash

Sticking to a monochrome maven, the ITV star added height with embellished black court mules and a see-through mini tote.

Styling her glossy ombre-hued tresses in a voluminous half-up 'do, Caroline hailed back to the Sixties with her dramatic smoky eye make-up and nude lipstick.

The Love Island host, who has racked up her share of the headlines this year due to her tumultuous romance with one-time fiance Andrew Brady, wasn't joined by her The Apprentice boyfriend on the red carpet.

Also on the red carpet was Ayda Field, who leaned in to give her husband Robbie Williams a loving kiss as he recoiled in mock-irritation.

Looking good: Caroline certainly turned heads in her dress, which featured a daring cut-out neckline and fluted sleeves and was embellished with pastel-coloured discs

Glam: Styling her glossy ombre-hued tresses in a voluminous half-up 'do, the 38-year-old hailed back to the Sixties with her dramatic smoky eye make-up and nude lipstick

Scarlet siren: Susanna, meanwhile, turned heads in her halterneck dress, which boasted a flirty, frilled hemline

Simply stunning: The 47-year-old framed her striking features with black liner and a bold slick of scarlet lipstick

There they are! Susanna beamed as she was joined by her Good Morning Britain co-host Piers Morgan

Ayda, 39, went for a vampy vibe in a claret gown with an asymmetric hem, sharp shoulders and daring backless detail.

The couple, who are the first married duo to be X Factor judges, flashed their best sultry looks for the camera as they posed at the bash.

The pair, who tied the knot in 2010 and have three children together, looked as smitten as ever as they arrived hand in hand.

Hot on her heels was Cjloe Sims who barely contained her eye-popping cleavage in her strapless gown, with its deeply plunging and risque V-shaped cut giving onlookers an eyeful.

It's Love (Island)! Dani Dyer paraded her legs in a trendy blazer-inspired mini dress as she cosied up to boyfriend Jack Fincham

Fashionable queen! After her In The Style collection was an instant success, it's no surprise the bombshell accessorised with an unusual yet stylish statement bag

How sweet: The reality star put a tender hand on her man's broad chest as they enjoyed the highs of their ever-flourishing romance

Cute couple: The good-looking pair beamed as they cosied up for selfies inside the party

It's a team! All the Love Island couples still going strong were out in full force, with Zara McDermott and Adam Collard flashing their best smiles for the cameras

Packing on the PDA: Unable to resist each other, the bombshell affectionately touched her man's face as they shared a smooch on the red carpet

Saucy in scarlet: Zara went braless in her deeply plunging gown and she flashed her legs in the soaring thigh-split of the sexy number

Doting boyfriend! Adam proudly complemented her dress with his suit pocket square in the same shade of red

Celebs Go Dating star Chloe ensured all potential suitors paid attention to her good looks when she showed off a lot of leg in her sky-rocketing split of her saucy number.

Meanwhile, Georgia Kousoulou upped the style stakes in her equally risque number which put her bra on display beneath her sharp blazer.

Tommy Mallett's long-term love brought a shade of red to her all-black ensemble with her striking lipstick.

The TOWIE regular showcased her legs in her thigh-skimming shorts and her zip-up boots for the star-studded occasion.

Pucker up! Ayda Field leaned in to give her husband Robbie Williams a loving kiss as he recoiled in mock-irritation

Smouldering: The X Factor judges flashed their best sultry looks for the camera as they posed at the bash

Loved-up: The couple, who tied the knot in 2010 and have three children together, looked as smitten as ever as they arrived hand in hand

Turning heads: Ayda, 39, went for a vampy vibe in a claret gown with an asymmetric hem and sharp shoulders

Burst-ing onto the scene! TOWIE's Chloe Sims stunned in a strapless thigh-split dress as she mingled with Georgia Kousoulou and Yazmin Oukhellou

Great looks: Decorative panels were stitched into the bodice of the floor-length dress to highlight the reality star's enviable hourglass curves and slight waist

Everything alright, Chloe? The reality star pulled a strained expression at one point

Green with envy: Lauren Pope looked stunning in her emerald slip on dress which hugged every inch of her sensational figure

Gorgeous in green: Lauren wore her golden locks in loose waves down to her waist, drawing eyes to her petite frame

Also in attendance was Dani Dyer, who recently came under fire for posting sexy holiday snaps hours after cancelling meet and greet reportedly due to sickness.

However the reality star looked happy and healthy on the arm of her man Jack Fincham when they joined their Love Island co-stars on the red carpet.

The Love Island queen flaunted her legs in her blazer-inspired mini dress as she cosied up to her dashing boyfriend.

Monochrome maven: Megan McKenna exuded sex appeal in a cut-out belted LBD that clung to her toned frame

Making quite the entrance: Megan boasted a bronzed all-over glow and styled her hair in wet-look waves

Awkward: Megan narrowly avoided a run-in with Mike Thalassitis, who she has split up with for good after their make-or-break holiday in Dubai last month

Sultry: Former TOWIE star Ferne McCann, who gave birth to her daughter Sunday last November, stunned in a skintight lace-up corset gown and cross-strap heels

Heading out: Georgia upped the style stakes in her equally risque number which put her bra on display beneath her sharp blazer, while Yazmin Oukhellou looked heavenly in her bridal-inspired mini dress which barely covered her modesty

Breast attraction: The brunette bombshell gave a sneak peek at her generous sideboob in the gaping neckline of her little semi-sheer dress

Sheer delight: Amber Turner had the eyes of the room when she made her attention-grabbing arrival in her sheer lace jumpsuit, while Chloe Lewis rocked a lilac velvet slip gown

The fun has arrived! And of course it wouldn't have been a full house of TOWIE stars without the wonderful 'GC' Gemma Collins and her man James Arg Argent

Check her out! Gemma was every inch the dazzling diva in her sequinned bronze mini dress as she worked every angle under the spotlights

Glamorous as ever: But showing she's not afraid of too much sparkle, the TOWIE star sashayed through the event in gem-encrusted heels

There they are! TOWIE stars Chloe Meadows, Lauren Pope, Chloe Lewis, Amber Turner, Georgia Kousoulou, Chloe Sims and Courtney Green made a stylish group as they posed together

All the Love Island couples still going strong were out in full force at the Royal Festival Hall, with Zara McDermott and Adam Collard flashing their best smiles for the cameras.

Their romance has stood the test of time, despite fans being dismissive of their love after Zara got the boot from the villa before her man Adam.

Zara went braless in her deeply plunging scarlet gown and Adam proudly complemented her dress with his suit pocket square in the same shade of red.

Out together: Love Island finalists Josh Denzel and Kaz Crossley also made a headline-grabbing appearance at the star-studded bash

Beaming: The couple looked happier than ever as they joined a whole host of stars on the red carpet for the occasion

Close: Josh rested his hand on his ladylove's waist as they posed for the cameras

Just hanging out: Josh and Kaz cosied up for a snap at the bash, while Jack Fincham mingled with Eyal Booker and TOWIE's Pete Wicks

Still going strong! Love Island lovebirds Georgia Steel and Sam Bird arrived at the gala together

Dare to bare: The 'loyal' 20-year-old reality star opted for a a sheer column gown teamed with black barely-there heels

Mellow yellow! Samira Mighty went for a summery vibe in a yellow floral embroidered puffball dress and Perspex heels

Lady in red: Laura Anderson, who recently split from her Love Island beau Paul Knopps, turned heads in a silky scarlet gown with a Bardot neckline and matching heels

Men in black: Model Eyal Booker and doctor Alex George made dapper appearances at the bash

There he is! TOWIE star Pete Wicks, who recently appeared on Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls, cut a dapper figure in a double-breasted suit

Unable to resist each other, the bombshell affectionately touched her man's face as they shared a smooch on the red carpet.

Love Island finalists Josh Denzel and Kaz Crossley also made a headline-grabbing appearance at the star-studded bash.

Kaz risked showing off some serious cleavage when she went braless in the saucy orange number while Josh looked dapper in his suit.

Shine on in sequins: Former TOWIE star Sam Faiers drew attention to her cleavage in a plunging black and gold trouser suit

Avert your eyes! The 27-year-old Mummy Diaries star narrowly avoided a wardrobe malfunction as she adjusted her neckline

Pretty in prints: The Saturdays singer Mollie King hailed back to the Eighties in a green animal print gown and gold stilettos

Disco fever: Srictly Come Dancing star Ashley Roberts commanded attention in a metallic rainbow-hued wrap gown

Cute couple: Rochelle and Marvin Humes looked as loved-up as ever as they arrived at the event

The classic LBD: Rochelle opted for a sharp tailored vibe in a tuxedo dress with a flirty pleated hem and black strappy heels

Sartorial mavens: Laura Whitmore looked suited and booted in a printed orange two-piece, while Anita Rani dazzled in a pink velvet maxi dress and Michelle Heaton donned an ivory front-split gown

Dazzling: Former model Lisa Snowdon rocked a sizzling one-shoulder jumpsuit, while Louise Redknapp flashed her lacy bra in a tailored trouser suit

Chic in black: ITV presenters Lorraine Kelly, Charlotte Hawkins and Kate Garraway stuck to a monochrome palette

Strong as ever! This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield, 56, beamed as he posed with his glamorous wife Stephanie Lowe, who he married in 1993

Double trouble: Former Strictly professionals Ola and James Jordan cosied up at the bash, where they were joined by ice skating duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean

Elsewhere, The Saturdays singer Mollie King hailed back to the Eighties in a green animal print gown and gold stilettos.

Rochelle and Marvin Humes looked as loved-up as ever as they arrived at the event, with Rochelle opting for a sharp tailored vibe in a tuxedo dress with a flirty pleated hem and black strappy heels.

This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield, 56, beamed as he posed with his glamorous wife Stephanie Lowe, who he married in 1993.

Suited and booted: Liar star Ioan Gruffudd and presenter Stephen Mulhern opted for classic suits, while comedian Keith Lemon rocked a checked number and Doc Martens

Let the gala... see the presenter! Take Me Out host Paddy McGuinness gave his suit a casual twist with black leather trainers

Making waves: Ibiza Weekender stars Hayley Fanshaw, David Pott and Jordan Davies looked dapper on the night

What's going on here then? Eyal Booker and Chloe Sims, who are both currently starring in Celebs Go Dating, left the bash hand in hand

Hmmmm: The TOWIE bombshell, 35, and Love Island star, 23, put on a cosy display

Loving life: Eyal shared clips of Chloe wrapping her arms around him and dancing, with the pair planting kisses on each other's cheeks

Had a good night? Gemma Collins and James Argent proved inseparable as they left the venue together

Getting settled in: The 37-year-old meme sensation seemed keen to head home as she climbed into a waiting car

Feeling good? Gemma proved she was still on fine form as she flashed a smile from the back of the car

Who you chatting to? Susanna Reid was all smiles as she took a phonecall while leaving The Royal Festival Hall

Partied the night away: Love Island winners Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer looked sprightly despite their night of revelry

Staying close: Laura Anderson kept fellow Love Island star Kaz Crossley close by as she left the venue

Just a bit awkward! Laura's ex Paul Knops narrowly avoided a run-in with her as he followed shortly after

Everything OK there? Megan McKenna emerged looking a tad bleary-eyed

Alert as ever! The 26-year-old reality star turned country singer flashed a wide smile for the cameras, while Lauren Pope failed to raise a grinHe was delighted to share the news his wife Rachel Weisz had given birth to their little girl in September after the pregnancy was shrouded in secrecy for months.

Still laying low, Daniel Craig stole a few style tips from his on-screen alter ego James Bond when he went incognito on arrival at JFK airport, in New York City on Tuesday.

The James Bond star, 50, kept a low profile as he donned tinted circular shades and a cap to shield his famous face.

For Your Eyes Only! Daniel Craig, 50, kept a low profile in shades and a cap as he arrived in a James Bond-inspired disguise at JFK in NYC on Tuesday... weeks after Rachel Weisz gave birth

Daniel swapped his polished 007 suits for jeans and a navy knitted cardigan which also helped to disguise his looks.

The actor wore one bag slung over his shoulder and he carried a briefcase in his left hand when he made his way through the empty airport terminal.

Making a low-key arrival, Daniel cut a solitary figure as his wife Rachel and his newborn daughter were no where to be seen.

Killer looks: The James Bond star, 50, kept a low profile as he donned tinted circular shades and a cap to shield his famous face

Daniel's appearance at JFK comes after the couple, who tied the knot in 2011, told pals they were 'very happy' to welcome their daughter into the world in September.

The private duo had been laying low in New York as they prepared for the birth of their child and last walked a red carpet together in April.

Rachel first shared her baby news in an interview that month with the New York Times, telling the publication: 'Daniel and I are so happy.'

Killer disguise: Daniel swapped his polished 007 suits for jeans and a navy knitted cardigan which also helped to hide his looks

She added: 'Were going to have a little human. We cant wait to meet him or her. Its all such a mystery.'

She later talked about raising her newborn in the UK, with Stephen Colbert on The Late Show.

'Is the child going to be raised American or English,' Colbert asked the NYC resident, causing Rachel to quip: 'I suppose it will have to be bilingual!'

Prepared for anything: The actor wore one bag slung over his shoulder and he carried a briefcase in his left hand when he made his way through the empty airport terminal

Daniel and Rachel kept details of the pregnancy a closely guarded secret, not publicly revealing the due date or the gender of the baby.

Rachel shares son Henry, 12, with former fiance, director Darren Aronofsky, while Daniel, 50, has a daughter Ella, 26, with ex-wife Fiona Loudon.

They began dating in 2010 and married in June 2011 in a private New York ceremony with just four guests - their children and two family friends.She goes on a very public quest to find love which will be shared with fans on the small screen in upcoming weeks on Celebs Go Dating.

Yet there wasn't a man in sight when Chloe Sims joined forces with her TOWIE girl friends Georgia Kousoulou Yazmin Oukhellou at the glittering ITV gala on Tuesday.

The TOWIE bombshell barely contained her eye-popping cleavage in her strapless gown, with its deeply plunging and risque V-shaped cut giving onlookers an eyeful.

Burst-ing onto the scene! TOWIE's Chloe Sims stunned in a strapless thigh-split dress as she mingled with Georgia Kousoulou and Yazmin Oukhellou at ITV gala on Tuesday

Celebs Go Dating star Chloe ensured all potential suitors paid attention to her good looks when she showed off a lot of leg in her sky-rocketing split of her saucy number.

Decorative panels were stitched into the bodice of the floor-length dress to highlight the reality star's enviable hourglass curves and slight waist.

Chloe curled her golden locks and she applied heavy strokes of make-up to define her facial features, ensuring she stood out among the TOWIE stars.

Soaring split: Celebs Go Dating star Chloe ensured all potential suitors paid attention to her good looks when she showed off a lot of leg in her sky-rocketing split of her saucy number

Great looks: Decorative panels were stitched into the bodice of the floor-length dress to highlight the reality star's enviable hourglass curves and slight waist

Finishing touches: Chloe curled her golden locks and she applied heavy strokes of make-up to define her facial features, ensuring she stood out among the TOWIE stars

Georgia upped the style stakes in her equally risque number which put her bra on display beneath her sharp blazer.

Tommy Mallett's long-term love brought a shade of red to her all-black ensemble with her striking lipstick.

The TOWIE regular showcased her legs in her thigh-skimming shorts and her zip-up boots for the star-studded occasion.

Heading out: Georgia upped the style stakes in her equally risque number which put her bra on display beneath her sharp blazer

Leggy lady: Yazmin Oukhellou looked heavenly in her bridal-inspired mini dress which barely covered her modesty with its swirling design stitched in ivory over the sheer fabric

Breast attraction: The brunette bombshell gave a sneak peek at her generous sideboob in the gaping neckline of her little semi-sheer dress

Yazmin Oukhellou looked heavenly in her bridal-inspired mini dress which barely covered her modesty with its swirling design stitched in ivory over the sheer fabric.

The brunette bombshell gave a sneak peek at her generous sideboob in the gaping neckline of her little semi-sheer dress.

Lauren Pope looked stunning in her emerald green slip on dress which hugged every inch of her sensational figure.

Green with envy: Lauren Pope looked stunning in her emerald slip on dress which hugged every inch of her sensational figure

Gorgeous in green: Lauren wore her golden locks in loose waves down to her waist, drawing eyes to her petite frame

Sheer delight: Amber Turner had the eyes of the room when she made her attention-grabbing arrival in her sheer lace jumpsuit

Amber Turner had the eyes of the room when she made her attention-grabbing arrival in her sheer lace jumpsuit.

Dan Edgar's girlfriend wore dramatic make-up and styled her platinum locks in loose waves to add the final glamorous touches to her look.

And of course it wouldn't have been a full house of TOWIE stars without the wonderful 'GC' Gemma Collins and her man James Arg Argent.

The fun has arrived! And of course it wouldn't have been a full house of TOWIE stars without the wonderful 'GC' Gemma Collins and her man James Arg Argent

Gemma was every inch the dazzling diva in her sequinned bronze mini dress as she worked every angle under the spotlights.

The bubbly personality posed with her hand on her hip and kept all the focus of her outfit on her sparkling number by opting for a neutral handbag.

But showing she's not afraid of too much sparkle, the TOWIE star sashayed through the event in gem-encrusted heels.

Check her out! Gemma was every inch the dazzling diva in her sequinned bronze mini dress as she worked every angle under the spotlights

In her latest Star magazine column, Essex-born Chloe took a swipe at Love Island stars joining TOWIE, amid rumours that 2017 winner Amber Davies is set to sign up.

Chloe - who has appeared in the reality show since its second series in 2011 - lashed out, admitting she is 'fed up' of non-Essex cast members joining the show.

She raged: 'I don't know what is going on between Chris Clark and Amber Davies, but I hope she doesn't come on Towie.

Fabulous daring! The bubbly personality posed with her hand on her hip and kept all the focus of her outfit on her sparkling number by opting for a neutral handbag

'She's definitely not from Essex and I'm fed up of people not from here joining us.'

Chloe's comments come just days after another Love Island 2016 winner Kady McDermott made her debut in The Only Way Is Essex, as she was revealed as Myles Barnett's new girlfriend.

Kady - who originally from Hertfordshire - isn't the only cast member from elsewhere, with best friends Shelby Tribble and Clelia Theodorou who are both from Plymouth recently joining the show.She recently denied claims she was pregnant with her first child by boyfriend Chris Martin.

And Dakota Johnson continued to squash the rumours showing off her slender frame at the premiere of her new film Suspiria as part of the BFI London Film Festival in the capital on Tuesday night.

The actress, 29, stunned fans in a gorgeous floor-length silver gown with a stunning trail.

Not pregnant: Dakota Johnson, 29, continued to squash the rumours showing off her slender frame at the premiere of her new film Suspiria in London on Tuesday

The brunette beauty swept her raven tresses to one side as she posed with co-stars Tilda Swinton and Mia Goth.

A sweetheart neckline plunged down the Fifty Shade of Grey star's chest, showing off her very ample bosom.

Looking every inch the Hollywood star, Dakota opted for a full face of make-up, highlighting her pretty green eyes with black mascara and a bold pink lip stick.

Girls together: Hollywood veteran Tilda Swinton, 57, opted for her signature androgynous look in a sleek black suit and chunky sandals while Mia Goth, 24, stunned in a plunging ensemble

Natural beauty: The brunette beauty sweeped her raven tresses to one side as she posed with co-stars Tilda Swinton and Mia Goth

Meanwhile, Hollywood veteran Tilda Swinton, 57, opted for her signature androgynous look in a sleek loose-fitting black suit and chunky heeled sandals.

The A-lister slicked back her white blonde hair and showed off her natural beauty with a minimal make-up look, electing for a statement red lip to match her toe and nail polish.

Never one to shy away from an edgy look, the Oscar-winning actress wore a single statement earring dangling from the top of her ear to the lobe.

Gorgeous: Looking every inch the Hollywood star, Dakota opted for a full face of make-up, highlighting her pretty green eyes with black mascara and a bold pink lip stick

Stylish: Never one to shy away from an edgy look, the Oscar-winning actress wore a single statement earring dangling from the top of her ear to the lobe while Mia looked on trend in a flamboyant silver gown that was cinched in at the waist with layers of pleated ruffles

Completing the line-up of glamorous stars was Mia Goth, 24, who stunned in a plunging silver ensemble.

The British model-turned-actress looked on trend in a flamboyant silver gown that was cinched in at the waist with layers of pleated ruffles.

Showing off her model good looks, the star highlighted her natural beauty with thick sweeps of blusher, bright red lip stick and a lick of black mascara.

Hand-in-hand: The actresses supported each other by posing together on the red carpet

Friends: Mia and Dakota play friends and dancers in the thriller, while Tilda plays their teacher and psychiatrist

The trio held hands as they stunned fans and photographers on the red carpet.

Directed by Dario Argento, the original film follows an American ballet student played by Jessica Harper whose training at a dance academy in Freiburg is interrupted by hideous murders and malevolent witchcraft.

Dario gave an interview to Indiewire in 2016 expressing therein his view that 'honestly, I do think it would be better if it wasnt remade.'

Witchcraft: Directed by Dario Argento, the original film follows an American ballet student played by Jessica Harper whose training at a dance academy in Freiburg is interrupted by hideous murders and malevolent witchcraft

Second time round: The remake, directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by David Kajganich, stars Dakota as Susie Bannion, a young American who travels to the Markos Dance Academy in Berlin

The remake, directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by David Kajganich, stars Dakota as Susie Bannion, a young American who travels to the Markos Dance Academy in Berlin.

Once there, she meets Sara, played by Mia, who both dance for Madame Blanc, played by Tilda. The film, also starring the original lead Jessica Harper and Chloe Grace Mortez, follows Dakota's Susie as a string of unusual happenings occur.

While on the red carper, the Texan-born stunner showed off her 'acta non verba' tattoo, a Latin saying meaning 'deeds not words' - a slogan famously used by the suffragette movement.

Suffragette inspired: The Texan-born stunner showed off her 'acta non verba' tattoo, a Latin saying meaning 'deeds not words' - a slogan famously used by the suffragette movement

Squashing rumours: Dakota recently sparked rumours that she was expecting with the Coldplay frontman, who at the age of 41 is 12 years her senior

Dressed to the nines: The stars stunned as they posed with film's director Luca Guadagnino

Dakota recently sparked rumours that she was expecting with the Coldplay frontman, who at the age of 41 is 12 years her senior.

They began when photos emerged of a star-studded party at Dakota's home that featured pink and blue balloons such as those seen at a gender reveal bash.

But the star put the rumours to rest during an appearance on The Ellen Show this week, saying: 'The only thing I'm pregnant with is a lot of really good ideas. But not any babies.

Renowned: The film is directed by Luca Guadagnino who helmed last year's best picture Oscar nominated romance Call Me By Your Name. He has worked with Tilda Swinton on three previous films, The Protagonists, I Am Love and A Bigger Splash

Halloween ready: The film will premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September and we be released in New York and Los Angeles theaters October 26, just in time for Halloween

Cast and crew: The film follows Susie Bannion, a young American who travels to the Markos Dance Academy in Berlin, where she meets Sara and Madame Blanc

'It was my birthday, and there were balloons that happened to be pink and blue, and so then, I was pregnant?'

Chris was previously married to actress Gwyneth Paltrow from 2003 to 2016, and despite 'consciously uncoupling' in 2014 the pair have remained on good terms.

The young actress has two movies coming out this month - Drew Goddard's thriller Bad Times At The El Royale and Suspiria.

Into style: Tilda said of her quirky fashion 'I'm really interested in style. Most of the things that I love to see other people rocking or rock myself are things that aren't for sale this year'

Twins: Tilda has been in a relationship with Sandro Kopp since 2004 and has twins Honor and Xavier Swinton Byrne, aged 20

Public eye: Meanwhile Mia's love life has been in the public eye since she shot to fame during a two-year relationship with Shia LaBeouf

Meanwhile, Tilda plays two roles including an 82-year-old man, Dr Josef Klemperer, which involved four hours of make up and included fitting a prosthetic manhood.

The star, who is known for her signature quirky style, told W Magazine in September 2017: 'What somebody might think of as unusual is what somebody else thinks of as super comfortable and inspiring and interesting and natural, and I've never truly been that aware of fashion as such.

'I'm really interested in style. Most of the things that I love to see other people rocking or rock myself are things that, you know, aren't for sale this year so it's not really about  I'm not that into trends.'

Working hard: Tilda plays two roles including an 82-year-old man, Dr Josef Klemperer, which involved four hours of make up and included fitting a prosthetic manhood

Style sisters: Tilda recently said 'What somebody might think of as unusual is what somebody else thinks of as super comfortable'

Radiant: Mia showed off her slender frame and model good looks as she showed she was moving on from heartbreak following her break-up from Shia La Beouf

Tilda also revealed she hard to frighten: 'I'm not easily scared. I'm wary of being bored. I'm not easily bored, but I think  It's funny you talk about risk taking, 'cause I think risk taking is such a subjective thing.'

'You know, one man's risk is another man's comfort zone... I'm too lazy to get easily scared, I think.'

Tilda has been in a relationship with Sandro Kopp since 2004 and has twins Honor and Xavier Swinton Byrne, aged 20.

Vegas: The Transformers star, whose Hollywood career has been dogged by controversy and arrests for being drunk in public, is said to have 'married' Mia two years ago at an Elvis Presley-themed chapel in Las Vegas

Not married: While the former Disney channel star claimed they were legally wed, the clerk of the court for the state of Nevada said no marriage licence had been issued in the couple's name and said they had held a commitment ceremony

Chic: Dakota later changed into a blue crop top and matching tweed trousers for the after-party to celebrate the film's release

Getting the giggles: Dakota and Mia put on an animated display at the event

Meanwhile Mia's love life has been in the public eye since she shot to fame during a two-year relationship with Shia LaBeouf.

Shia is now dating FKA twigs after splitting from Mia - who he claims he is married to.

The Transformers star, whose Hollywood career has been dogged by controversy and arrests for being drunk in public, is said to have 'married' Mia two years ago at an Elvis Presley-themed chapel in Las Vegas.

While the former Disney channel star claimed they were legally wed, the clerk of the court for the state of Nevada said no marriage licence had been issued in the couple's name and said they had held a commitment ceremony.

Elegant: The star was dressed to impress in her cool and quirky co-ordsPink is coming to Ireland and the UK in 2019 and shes bringing some killer supporting acts with her.

The pop star announced on Tuesday that she would be playing six shows in Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England in 2019 as part of her Beautiful Trauma tour. Shell be joined by Vance Joy, KidCutUp and Bang Bang Romeo.

Cant wait to see all your beautiful faces, she said in a tweet containing information about the tour.

Pink has announced plans to tour the United Kingdom with Vance Joy and more in summer 2019

The Beautiful Trauma tour will begin in the United States in March 2019, reaching the UK and Ireland in June 2019. The first of the six shows will take place in Dublin.

Want to know more about Pinks upcoming tour? Weve got you covered.

Is Pink touring the UK in 2019?

Pink announced plans to take the Beautiful Trauma tour to the UK and Ireland in June 2019. Shell play shows in Dublin, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool and London before heading to other cities in Europe.

Shell be joined by Vance Joy, CutUpKid and Bang Bang Romeo.

Pink Beautiful Trauma tour dates UK

Pink is playing six shows in the UK and Ireland in 2019. Shell hit Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England.

Her UK tour dates are as follows:

June 18, 2019  RDS Arena in Dublin, Ireland

 RDS Arena in Dublin, Ireland June 20, 2019  Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales

 Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales June 22, 2019  Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland

 Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland June 25, 2019  Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England

 Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England June 29, 2018  Wembley Stadium in London, England

 Wembley Stadium in London, England June 30, 2019  Wembley Stadium in London, England

Ok Europe! FINALLY I get to share with you the plans for my tour next summer! Cant wait to see all your beautiful faces  Check out the dates and details here: https://t.co/MXdVDcMQFP and https://t.co/cI5VuNDP0y #beautifultraumatour pic.twitter.com/FsilP0vYUZ  P!nk (@Pink) October 16, 2018

Pink UK tour presale

Registration for presale tickets to Pinks UK shows is currently available on Ticketmaster. You can register for a presale code here, but there is no guarantee youll be selected.

Those who wish to take a chance on a presale code have until October 18 to register.

If youre selected to receive a presale ticket code youll get a text message on October 20 between two and four hours before tickets go on sale. It will include a link to purchase tickets.

You must be 13 years old or older to register.

Europe! Im coming for you!!! Keep an eye out for more details this Tues, Oct 16!  #beautifultraumatour pic.twitter.com/44i4BiXnR8  P!nk (@Pink) October 13, 2018

How much are Pink tickets 2019?

Tickets to Pinks UK shows arent available yet. As such, its unclear how much they cost.

That information should be made available as the presale date approaches.

Glastonbury 2019

Pinks UK shows in 2019 fall around the same time as Glastonbury weekend, which has led some fans to speculate that she plans to participate in the festival.

Tickets to Glastonbury 2019 have sold out. There will be a ticket resale in April 2019.

Full weekend tickets are 248 in addition to a 5 booking fee.

You can get more ticketing information here.It has been claimed that she is dating a film producer.

And Bethenny Frankel seemingly confirmed a Hollywood love story on her latest outing.

The 47-year-old Skinnygirl mogul was seen out for the first time with rumored boyfriend Paul Bernon in New York City on Tuesday.

Romance in in the air: Bethenny Frankel was seen out for the first time with rumored boyfriend Paul Bernon in New York City on Tuesday

Bethenny has been romantically linked to the Best Kept Secret producer since a People report last week.

Bernon is a successful Boston-based real estate executive who began producing films since 2012 and has even won a Peabody Award.

The Real Housewives Of New York star bundled up for the cold day in the Big Apple as she sported a black puffer jacket.

New love: The 47-year-old Skinnygirl mogul has been romantically linked to the Best Kept Secret producer since a People report last week

Just us: Bernon is a successful Boston-based real estate executive who began producing films since 2012 and has even won a Peabody Award

Chill: The Real Housewives Of New York star bundled up for the cold day in the Big Apple as she sported a black puffer jacket

She also sported a pair of grey sweatpants tucked into brown sheepskin Ugg boots.

Bethenny accessorized with a grey beanie and large designer shades as she sipped out of a carton from juicery The Butcher's Daughter.

Her brunette tresses were tucked under her warm headwear as she let her natural looks show by going make-up free.

Paul looked warm as he sported a navy coat over a blue hoodie and grey track jacket.

Cozy: She also sported a pair of grey sweatpants tucked into brown sheepskin Ugg boots

Yum: Bethenny accessorized with a grey beanie and large designer shades as she sipped out of a carton from juicery The Butcher's Daughter

He also sported a pair of baggy grey jeans with matching Nike Air Max 90 sneakers and represented his hometown with a navy blue New England Patriots cap.

This comes a day after a report that a Manhattan judge has accused Frankel's ex-husband of taking advantage of the tragic death of her ex-boyfriend this summer.

Jason Hoppy, who Bethenny shares daughter Bryn, eight, with, asked Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Michael Katz to order drug testing for Frankel after her on-off beau died of a suspected overdose in August.

Relaxed: Paul looked warm as he sported a navy coat over a blue hoodie and grey track jacket

Winning: He also sported a pair of baggy grey jeans with matching Nike Air Max 90 sneakers and represented his hometown with a navy blue New England Patriots cap

'There was a tragedy which I think you're trying to exploit to embarrass Ms. Frankel,' Katz told Hoppy as he denied the request for drug testing,Page Six reports.

The Real Housewives of New York star is still embroiled in a bitter custody war over her only child with Hoppy.

Hoppy's lawyer argued that Frankel, 47, posted an Instagram of herself 'clearly intoxicated and slurring her speech' last week.

Custody war: Bethenny's ex husband Jason Hoppy has been accused of a Manhattan judge of trying to exploit her on-off beau's death

Attorney Robert Wallack also said that Frankel 'appeared on TV passed out from mixing alcohol with Ambien,'

He was referring to an episode of RHONY on May 30 titled 'Holidazed and Confused'.

Wallack added 'If this is what she's putting out in public, we don't know what she's doing in private,'

Frankel's attorney Allan Mayefsky denied Frankel has a substance abuse problem.

Exploiting the tragedy: Hoppy requested a drug test from Frankel after Dennis Shields (pictured together in 2016) died of a suspected overdose in August amid their custody battle

'Shes on television, shes entertaining. Its her livelihood to say, "Im out with friends having a good time,"' Mayefsky said after Hoppy's lawyer accused her of being intoxicated on Instagram last week

'She's on television, she's entertaining. It's her livelihood to say, "I'm out with friends having a good time,"' Mayefsky said.

Shields died aged 51 on August 10 after reportedly telling EMTs that he had taken oxycodone, Vicodin and a sleeping pill to ease back pain in the moments before he died.

Bethenny dated the businessman on an off from 2016

Judge Katz was skeptical about the timing of the drug test request because he made it after Frankel was granted a custody trial.

Frankel and Hoppy split in 2012 and finalized their divorce in 2016.

They agreed to share parenting time with Bryn in 2016 but Frankel requested full custody last year after Hoppy was charged with stalking her after bombarding her with abuse on a 'daily basis' for years.

The custody trial begins in March.

Contentious: Frankel has requested full custody after Hoppy was charged with stalking her. The pharmaceutical sales executive is pictured with an unidentified woman last monthShe's the Playboy model who charmed - albeit briefly - Ben Affleck.

And now Shauna Sexton has revealed she's looking for a new man. The former veterinary assistant knows exactly what she wants - sharing her requirements with an Instagram follower who messaged asking to be her 'sugar daddy'.

'Nah I'm good,' she replied, 'but I would dig some love, support, humor, emotional intelligence, and someone to eat twice my body weight in hot wings with if you have any of that?'

Moving on: Shauna Sexton jokes she wants a new man who can offer 'humor and hot wings' after split from Ben Affleck; she is pictured hiking on Tuesday with her dog, Otis

Sharing the picture to her Instagram Stories, Shauna highlighted the fact that her 'admirer' had seen the message but not replied.

Shauna also shared pictures from her Tuesday hike with her pet dog Otis, along the Malibu coastline.

While she was hiking, her now ex love interest Ben was at his daily therapy session.

Sliding into her DMs: The single Playboy model quickly shut down a guy who offered to be her 'sugar daddy' by listing what she actually wants in a man

Smiling, he wore a checked shirt and carried a black leather bag.

The 46-year-old actor - who was previously married to fellow Hollywood star Jennifer Garner - and Shauna, 22, decided to go their separate ways after less than two months of dating, although an insider played down the significance of their split.

The source told People: 'There was nothing to split from as it has been casual.'

As soon as he finished up his rehab stay, Ben and Shauna went on a romantic vacation to Montana together.

Moving on: Ben Affleck was pictured heading to his daily therapy session on Tuesday in Los Angeles, with the actor looking in a good mood

But the actor - who checked himself into rehab in August, seeking treatment for alcohol addiction - is instead focused on his health and his three children, Violet, 12, Seraphina, nine, and Samuel, six.

The insider explained: 'He enjoyed being with her but is working on himself, and being together with her at this time is not something that works.

'He will date in the future, but for now his focus is on his sobriety, family and his next project.'

Ben previously thanked his family after completing a stint in rehab for alcohol addiction.

Bulked up: The Oscar winner has been working out daily since entering treatment

The Academy Award-winning star took to his Instagram account to explain that he'd spent 40 days at a treatment centre and revealed that he's still in outpatient care.

He said in his post: 'The support I have received from my family, colleagues and fans means more to me than I can say. It's given me the strength and support to speak about my illness with others.'

Ben - whose divorce was finalised in 2017 - also revealed he was determined to fight his addiction for the sake of himself and his family.

The Gone Girl star - who previously spent time in rehab in 2001 and 2017 - shared: 'Battling any addiction is a lifelong and difficult struggle. I am fighting for myself and my family.'She's the younger sister of Hollywood superstar, Penelope Cruz.

And Monica Cruz turned heads when she attended the Maja 100th anniversary party in her home city of Madrid, Spain on Tuesday evening.

The actress, 41, dazzled in a blue crushed velvet dress with subtle sparkle detailing as she walked the rose petal strewn red carpet.

Chic: Monica Cruz turned heads when she attended the Maja 100th anniversary party in her home city of Madrid, Spain on Tuesday evening

Monica exuded confidence as she posed hand on hip, casting a sultry look.

The stunning star paired her high-necked dress with a pair of statement black heels featuring ruffled detailing on the ankles.

The brunette beauty wore her bob in straight style and put the emphasis on her piercing eyes thanks to bronze shadow.

Wow: Monica exuded confidence as she posed hand on hip, casting a sultry look

Monica made the decision to have children alone, and welcomed daughter Antonella by an anonymous sperm donor.

It was a decision that was five years in the making, and she told The Mail On Sunday in 2014: It was not a decision I took on a whim.

'But once I had thought about it  and investigated  I knew it had to happen. Being a mother was too important to me to risk running out of time.

Glamorous: The brunette beauty wore her bob in straight style and put the emphasis on her piercing eyes thanks to bronze shadow

Meanwhile, her sister Penelope shares two children with husband Javier Bardem - son Leo, born in 2011, and daughter Luna, born in 2013.

'I dont think this makes me brave,' Monica added. 'Why is it braver to be a single mother versus being with a partner?

'Being in a couple and having a child could be more challenging, because there might be conflict.

'If the male partner cannot understand the extreme attachment a woman feels when she has a child.'This picture from the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) shows Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem (R) speaking in Damascus alongside his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim Jaafari on October 15, 2018

A border crossing between Syria and Iraq is to re-open soon, Damascus and Baghdad's top diplomats said Monday, hours after other Syrian frontier posts reopened with Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan.

"We are now looking at the interest of the Syrian and Iraqi people in opening up the Albu Kamal crossing... as soon as possible," Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said at a press conference in Damascus.

Albu Kamal is the only one of three crossings on the Iraqi border in Syria's far east to be controlled by regime forces on the Syrian side.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Jaafari added that the opening of the crossing, known as Al-Qaim in Iraq, was "imminent".

After Syria's war broke out, rebels and then jihadists from Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate took over the Albu Kamal frontier post.

In 2014, the Islamic State group seized control of the crossing as it swept across large parts of Syria and Iraq, declaring a so-called "caliphate" in areas it controlled.

The two other border crossings between Syria and Iraq escape regime control.

To the north, Yaarubiya, also known as Rabia on the Iraqi side, in the northeastern province of Hasakeh is held by Kurdish forces.

And to the south, Al-Tanaf, named Al-Waleed by the Iraqis, is held by the US-led coalition and rebel factions it supports.

"For us, the border posts are not just geographical crossings, but also cultural, economic, political and even demographic," Jaafari said.

"This is why efforts have been made and will continue to be made to open these border posts," he said.

Iraq recently redeployed its forces on the border with Syria in a bid to stem the flow of weapons and IS fighters.

Today, the jihadists have lost much of their territory to various offensives in both countries but still retain a presence in the desert near the frontier.

Both countries have coordinated their efforts in fighting IS, and Iraqi planes have carried out air strikes against the jihadists in coordination with the Damascus authorities.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday lauded this cooperation.

"Victories against terrorism in Syria and Iraq are shared victories," he said.

The sole crossing point between Syria and the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights in Quneitra, as well as the key Nassib trade post with neighbouring Jordan, re-opened on Monday.

After seven years of civil war, Syria's government has recaptured large parts of the country with Russian backing.

But it still only controls around half of the 19 crossing points with its neighbours, including Lebanon and Turkey.Bloody violence threatens this weekend's parliamentary election in Afghanistan, but potter Shirin Agha, 45, says he is determined to cast his ballot

From a university student to a middle-aged housewife, Afghans planning to vote in the October 20 parliamentary election say they are willing to risk their lives for democracy.

Nearly nine million people have registered to vote, but far fewer are expected to turn out on polling day due to threats of violence and expectations for massive fraud.

Six people across the war-torn country explain why their vote matters.

- Omaid, the artist -

Out with the old and in with the new is Omaid Sharifi's hope for the legislative election.

Omaid Sharifi, 32, worries about the possibility of violence during this Saturday's election, but believes it is a risk worth taking

The 32-year-old artist, who is voting for the first time, wants to see a new generation of politicians take their seats in the next parliament.

Sharifi, co-founder of Kabul-based street art collective ArtLords, was inspired to vote by the large cohort of young, educated candidates among the more than 2,500 contesting the ballot.

"I am concerned (about security) but I think this is the price of democracy we have to pay," he said.

- Fatima, the housewife -

First-time voter Fatima Sadeqi wants to stop criminals, thieves and corrupt people from entering the next parliament.

Housewife Fatimah Sadeqi is 55 years old, but has never voted before

The 55-year-old housewife and her eight family members plan to support the same candidate in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif.

"We are tired of poverty and insecurity," she said.

"I hope the new parliament is a better place, full of good people."

- Shirin, the potter -

Afghanistan

Shirin Agha wants his 10 children to grow up in a peaceful Afghanistan -- and he is willing to die to help make that happen.

The 45-year-old potter in the eastern city of Jalalabad is a first-time voter and plans to back "a good Muslim and an honest person".

"I want the new parliament to bring fundamental changes to the economy, education and security so that our children can live in peace," Agha said.

"If my vote can bring these changes I will take any risk. I will either die or vote."

- Zahra, the university student -

Kabul university student Zahra Faramarz, 21, believes she has a 'duty and responsibility' to vote on Saturday

A sense of "duty and responsibility" is pushing English literature student Zahra Faramarz to vote -- but she admits being "anxious" about security.

Faramarz's polling station is located in a heavily Shiite neighbourhood of Kabul where the Islamic State group has carried out devastating attacks in recent months.

But the 21-year-old said it was important to vote to ensure her community has a voice in the lower house.

"If we don't, someone else will select the candidates... that is not good for us," she said.

- Ghulam, the public servant -

After disappointing results in the previous two elections, Ghulam Farooq Adil hopes it will be third time lucky on October 20.

Public servant Ghulam Farooq Adil wants the new parliament to come up with a proper plan to bring the war to an end

The 29-year-old public servant from the western city of Herat plans to vote for an "honest" candidate who can help bring peace to Afghanistan.

"I want the new parliament to come up with a solid plan to end the war," Adil said.

"I need to see changes, at least for the future of my son."

- Abdul, the retiree -

Abdul Karim, 85, who will be voting for only the second time in his life, believes casting a ballot is a religious duty for Muslims

Abdul Karim believes voting is a religious obligation for Muslim men and women.

"They must vote," said the 85-year-old retiree in Kabul, who is voting for only the second time in his life.

But in return, the next parliament should "serve our nation, serve our land and provide" job opportunities for the poor, he said.

"We vote for Afghanistan and we expect our incoming MPs to make solid decisions for our nation's well-being."

strs-bur-amj/ds/mtpThe invitation comes as Kim Jong Un is expected to hold a second summit with US President Donald Trump

Mongolia has invited Kim Jong Un to visit the nation's capital, which once hoped to host the historic summit between the North Korean leader and US President Donald Trump, an official said Tuesday.

The invitation comes amid expectations that Kim and Trump, who met in Singapore in June, will hold a second summit -- a time and location for which have yet to be determined.

According to Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga's office, the invitation was sent to Kim on October 10, though no specific date was proposed.

The North Korean leader can visit "whenever he feels convenient", an official from the president's office told AFP, confirming a report published Monday by North Korea's KCNA state news service.

Mongolia had offered to host Trump and Kim for their landmark summit in June, but they ended up picking Singapore, where they agreed to a vaguely worded statement on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

Trump said last week that three or four unspecified locations have been short-listed for their next meeting, but it would "probably" not be in Singapore again, and he did not give a date.

Kim's only other known foreign trips since taking power in 2011 are three visits to China this year.

He has also met South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the Demilitarized Zone separating their countries, where he momentarily crossed into Pyongyang's southern neighbour.

Mongolia, a democratic nation wedged between China and Russia, is one of the few countries that has normal relations with the authoritarian regime in North Korea.

The two countries celebrated 70 years of diplomatic ties this year.

Kim's grandfather, North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung, visited Mongolia when it was still a Soviet state in 1988.

In October 2013, Mongolia's then-president Tsakhia Elbegdorj visited Pyongyang but was snubbed by Kim, who had succeeded his late father Kim Jong Il two years prior, and the pair did not meet.

Almost 1,200 North Koreans were living and working in Mongolia at the end of last year, before UN sanctions against Pyongyang required them to leave.EFF leader Malema accused the local media of trying to undermine the party

South Africa's radical opposition EFF party claimed on Tuesday that fraud claims against a top leader were politically motivated to discredit it ahead of crunch polls due in 2019.

The far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, is embroiled in a row raging around the collapse of the VBS Mutual bank which has particularly hit poor and rural clients.

A central bank probe into the failure said $130 million (112 million euros) was stolen over three years and named EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu's brother as a beneficiary.

The report, titled "The Great Bank Heist", described the bank as "corrupt and rotten to the core".

It implicated 52 other individuals as well as Brian Shivambu who is an active member of the EFF, South Africa's second largest opposition party in parliament.

Malema distanced the party from the scandal in a two-hour media briefing at party HQ in Johannesburg.

"The EFF has not been mentioned in any wrongdoing," said Malema, accusing the local media of seeking to undermine the party.

"Its intention is to discredit the EFF and make sure the EFF loses support in the 2019 election."

The VBS collapse is one of the most serious graft cases to rock South Africa since the departure of former president Jacob Zuma whose alleged corruption was vigorously condemned by the EFF.

The party, founded in 2013 after former Zuma ally Malema fell out with the then-president, has waged a vocal campaign against official corruption.

Shivambu denied ever receiving any cash from his brother for himself of the party.

"We never took money from VBS and anyone who thinks we did is mad," said Shivambu.

"There has never been any 10 million rand ($700,000) that came into my account... it's deliberate, part of the propaganda machinery, it's pure insanity -- it' madness."

His brother Brian, 30, has also rejected the report's findings and threatened to sue.

The investigation into the bank was launched after VBS suffered a severe liquidity crisis and the bank collapsed into administration earlier this year.

The probe also revealed malpractice including the supply of overdrafts to well-connected clients and payments made to individuals in exchange for deposits from state-owned companies.

VBS Mutual gained notoriety in 2016 when it lent scandal-tainted former president Jacob Zuma $540,000 to repay taxpayers for upgrades he made to his private home.

By 2017 the bank had 30,000 clients and deposits worth $55 million, according to local media.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who took over after Zuma was forced to resign in February, on Monday denied accusations that he was forewarned about the looming crisis while he was still deputy president.In October 2009 Jundallah jihadists claimed responsibility for killing 35 people including Revolutionary Guards in the Sistan-Baluchistan border region with Pakistan, where 11 Iranian security personnel were abducted

At least 11 Iranian security personnel, including Revolutionary Guards intelligence officers, were abducted on the southeastern border with Pakistan on Tuesday, state media reported.

The Guards blamed "terrorist groups that are guided and supported by foreign forces" for the abductions and demanded action from Pakistan.

State news agency IRNA said 14 troops were seized, while local media and other sources gave the number as 11.

The force was "abducted between 4 am and 5 am in the Lulakdan area of the border by a terrorist group", IRNA said.

Lulakdan is a village 150 kilometres (90 miles) southeast of Zahedan, capital of Sistan-Baluchistan province which has seen a long-running separatist insurgency.

The abduction was carried out by "infiltrators linked to anti-revolutionary groups", the Guards said in a statement on their website.

They said operations were underway to find those responsible and called on Pakistan "to stamp out terrorists that are stationed near the border" and help recover the captive Iranians.

The unit was involved in "a security operation" and included two members of the elite Revolutionary Guards intelligence unit and seven Basij militiamen as well as regular border guards, said the Young Journalists' Club (YJC), a state-owned news website, in an article that was later deleted.

Pakistani security officials told AFP they had been informed of the abduction by Iran.

"We are in contact with local tribal people and are looking into it so that we can take timely action for their recovery," said a senior security official based in Quetta.

Sistan-Baluchistan has long been a flashpoint, with Pakistan-based Baluchi separatists and jihadists carrying out regular cross-border raids against Iranian security posts.

On September 28, the Guards said they had killed four militants who had slipped across the border.

The province has a large, mainly Sunni Muslim ethnic Baluchi community which straddles the border.

Sunni extremist group Jundallah (Soldiers of God) launched a bloody insurgency in the province in 2000 targeting the security forces and officials of Iran's Shiite-dominated government.

The campaign peaked with a spate of deadly attacks from 2007 -- including twin suicide bombings of a Shiite mosque that killed 28 people -- but abated after the group's leader was killed in mid-2010.

In 2012, Jundallah members formed a successor organisation called Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice), which has carried out a spate of attacks on the security forces.

Iran has alleged that the group has received support from the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia, with the complicity of Pakistan.ROME (AP) - The Latest on Europe's response to mass migration (all times local):

9:25 p.m.

Romanian border police say they suspect 47 people found hidden in the back of a truck were migrants trying to reach a country in Western Europe.

The Border Police General Inspectorate said officers discovered the group on Monday at a crossing in western Romania that borders Hungary.

The inspectorate says the passengers - 25 men, 12 women and 10 children - were Iraqi, Iranian and Turkish citizens and most had applied for asylum in Romania.

The border police say the truck had a Turkish driver and carried boxes of porcelain that hid its human cargo.

Police are investigating the driver and a companion on suspicion of human trafficking.

___

3:15 p.m.

Italy has asked France for "clarifications" about reports that a French police truck crossed the border and dropped off two presumed migrants in the woods near Turin before returning to France.

The Italian Foreign Ministry said Monday it contacted the French ambassador in Rome for information "about the possible entry" of the truck at Claviere on Friday night.

Italian news agency ANSA reports that Italian police surveillance cameras captured the French vehicle on video. ANSA says the two people who got out of the truck were believed to be African migrants.

Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, who has taken a hard line on curbing migration, demanded an explanation.

He said: "I don't want to believe that Macron's France would use its own police to secretly dump immigrants in Italy."CHIQUIMULA, Guatemala (AP) - U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Tuesday to cut aid to three Central American nations if they let people travel to the U.S. illegally, reacting to a caravan of some 2,000 migrants advancing through Guatemala with hopes of reaching the U.S. border.

Late Tuesday, Trump said via Twitter that the U.S. had conveyed the same message to the governments of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, telling them that U.S. aid will stop if they allow migrants to travel from or across their countries with the intent of entering the United States without permission.

"Anybody entering the United States illegally will be arrested and detained, prior to being sent back to their country!" he addee.

Amid the tweeting, the migrants continued their trek. Despite having walked all day Monday with swollen, blistered and aching feet, the group rose shortly after sunrise from sleeping on the ground in their clothes in the town of Esquipulas.

Dozens attended Mass at the basilica in the city just across the border from Honduras and about 90 miles (150 kilometers) east of Guatemala City. The migrants resumed their journey escorted by Guatemalan police and covered some 30 miles to arrive in the town of Chiquimula for the night.

The group's numbers have snowballed since about 160 migrants departed Friday from the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula, with many people joining spontaneously carrying just a few belongings. A Guatemalan priest estimated more than 2,000 were fed at three shelters run by the Roman Catholic Church.

Honduran migrants walk toward the U.S. as they make their way through Chiquimula, Guatemala, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to cut aid to Honduras if it doesn't stop the impromptu caravan of migrants, but it remains unclear if governments in the region can summon the political will to physically halt the determined border-crossers. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Three weeks before midterm elections in the United States, the caravan elicited a tough response from Trump.

Earlier Tuesday, Trump had aimed his threat at Honduras.

However, the Central American nation's ability to do anything appeared limited as the migrants already crossed into Guatemala on Monday, twice pushing past outnumbered police sent to stop them - first at the border and then at a roadblock outside Esquipulas.

Trump did not follow through on a similar threat to the Central American nation in April over an earlier caravan, which eventually petered out in Mexico.

In a statement, Honduras' Foreign Ministry accused unidentified "political sectors" of organizing the caravan with "false promises" of a transit visa through Mexico and the opportunity to seek asylum in the United States.

It urged the migrants not to let themselves "be used by a movement that is obviously political and seeks to upset governability, stability and peace in Honduras and the United States."

Meanwhile, Mexico's immigration authority sent out a fresh warning late Monday that only those who meet entry requirements would be allowed into the country and each migrant would have to satisfy Mexican migration agents. Hondurans need visas to visit Mexico in most cases.

Still, it remains unclear if Mexico and other governments in the region - many of whose own people are migrants - have the political will to physically halt the determined border-crossers, who are fleeing widespread poverty and violence in one of the world's most murderous countries.

"In Honduras there are no jobs, and the jobs that do exist aren't enough to live on," said Jose Francisco Hernandez, a 32-year-old from Copan state in western Honduras. "We can't go to the city because it is full of gang members, and that is hurting us. We decided to migrate from the country to see if we can find a better life."

Carlos Reyes, 20, said he was attacked a week ago for being gay and dressing in women's clothing.

"Some men were going to kill me. ... They wanted to kill me for who I am," Reyes said.

The migrants hope that traveling en masse affords them protection from robbery, assault and other dangers that plague the journey north.

Many carried only a few belongings in backpacks and bottles of water. Some pushed strollers or carried toddlers on their shoulders. As the day wore on, the crowd splintered into smaller groups as some walked faster and others fell behind.

Nery Jose Maldonado Tejada, a 29-year-old from San Pedro Sula, said he lost both feet in a June 2015 freight train accident in Mexico while trying to make it to the United States.

On Tuesday, he was being pushed in a wheelchair by a friend, his lower legs wrapped in bandages and a green duffel bag on his lap. He was intent on making it to the U.S. this time, he said.

"I know that there they can put a prosthesis on my feet and I will be able to walk," Tejada said. "And to work, because my hands are still good."

On Tuesday, Guatemalan officials detained a former Honduran lawmaker, Bartolo Fuentes, who was traveling with the caravan, along with two other men, according to a migration official. Some Honduran organizations had identified Fuentes as a coordinator or spokesman for the caravan, though the migrants said he was merely accompanying them and helping.

Fuentes was to be taken to a shelter in Guatemala City and then deported, said the official, who agreed to tell about the detention only on condition anonymity because she was not authorized to discuss the case.

Guatemala also closed migration facilities at the Agua Caliente border crossing to prevent the entry of any more Hondurans.

Last week, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence urged leaders in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to persuade their citizens to stay home and avoid the long, risky journey to the United States.

On Tuesday, Pence tweeted that he had spoken with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez.

"Delivered strong message from @POTUS: no more aid if caravan is not stopped. Told him U.S. will not tolerate this blatant disregard for our border & sovereignty."

In the evening, Pence tweeted that that he had spoken with Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales and "made clear our borders & sovereignty must be maintained. We expect our partners to do all they can to assist & appreciate their support. Reiterated @POTUS' message: no more aid if it's not stopped!"

Since 2014, the United States has committed $2.6 billion in aid for Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. For 2019, Washington has earmarked $65.7 million in aid to Honduras for security, democracy building, human rights and economic and social development programs.

In Honduras, recriminations flew across the political aisle.

Salvador Nasralla, a former opposition presidential candidate, tweeted that stopping the caravan would only bring "temporary relief" for the United States. "What we need is to fight against the corrupt government," he said.

Fernando Anduray, leader of the governing National Party, claimed opponents of Honduras' president were behind the migrant exodus. "It is a strategy planned and financed by the opposition," he said.

Trump's threat seemed unlikely to dissuade the migrants, some of whom expressed displeasure with Hernandez.

Gabriela Natareno, 27, who was traveling with her 16-year-old cousin, said her president is to blame for continued migration by desperate Hondurans.

"He keeps the country mired in poverty and corruption," she said.

___

Associated Press writers Freddy Cuevas in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and Luis Alonso in Washington contributed to this report.

A Honduran migrant carries his son as he walks toward the U.S., in Chiquimula, Guatemala, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to cut aid to Honduras if it doesn't stop the impromptu caravan of migrants, but it remains unclear if governments in the region can summon the political will to physically halt the determined border-crossers. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Honduran migrant Omar Orella pushes fellow migrant Nery Maldonado Tejeda in a wheelchair, as they travel with hundreds of other Honduran migrants making their way the U.S., near Chiquimula, Guatemala, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. Maldonado said he lost his legs in 2015 while riding "The Beast," a northern-bound cargo train in Mexico, and that this is his second attempt to reach the U.S. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

A Honduran migrant breastfeeds her daughter before starting to walk again as part of a caravan of hundreds of Honduran migrants making their way the U.S. in Esquipulas, Guatemala, early Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to cut aid to Honduras if it doesn't stop the impromptu caravan of migrants, but it remains unclear if governments in the region can summon the political will to physically halt the determined border-crossers. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

A Honduran migrant wearing a rosary stands outside a Catholic church before starting to walk again as part of a caravan of hundreds of Honduran migrants making their way the U.S., in Esquipulas, Guatemala, early Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to cut aid to Honduras if it doesn't stop the impromptu caravan of migrants, but it remains unclear if governments in the region can summon the political will to physically halt the determined border-crossers. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Honduran migrants stand outside a Catholic church, one waving his nation's flag, before starting to walk again as part of a caravan of hundreds of Honduran migrants making their way the U.S. in Esquipulas, Guatemala, early Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to cut aid to Honduras if it doesn't stop the impromptu caravan of migrants, but it remains unclear if governments in the region can summon the political will to physically halt the determined border-crossers. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

A Honduran migrant holds his shoes before starting to walk again as part of a caravan of hundreds of Honduran migrants making their way the U.S. in Esquipulas, Guatemala, early Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to cut aid to Honduras if it doesn't stop the impromptu caravan of migrants, but it remains unclear if governments in the region can summon the political will to physically halt the determined border-crossers. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Honduran migrant Mary Dominguez, 27, carries her two-year-old son Dominic during a caravan of hundreds of Honduras migrants making their way to the U.S., as the group leaves Esquipulas, Guatemala, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to cut aid to Honduras if it doesn't stop the impromptu caravan of migrants, but it remains unclear if governments in the region can summon the political will to physically halt the determined border-crossers. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Honduran migrant Omar Orella pushes fellow migrant Nery Maldonado Tejeda in a wheelchair, as they travel with hundreds of other Honduran migrants making their way the U.S., near Chiquimula, Guatemala, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. Maldonado said he lost his legs in 2015 while riding "The Beast," a northern-bound cargo train that crosses Mexico, and that this is his second attempt to reach the U.S. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Honduran migrants get a free ride from a driver during their caravan to the U.S., in Chiquimula, Guatemala, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to cut aid to Honduras if it doesn't stop the impromptu caravan of migrants, but it remains unclear if governments in the region can summon the political will to physically halt the determined border-crossers. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) - The bodies of five South Korean climbers killed in a fierce storm last week on a mountain in Nepal were set to head home Tuesday amid calls to improve weather warning systems on Nepal's mountains.

Mountaineers and officials gathered at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu offering flowers and burning incense by the bodies, which were kept in wooden coffins. The bodies were driven to the airport and were set to be flown to Seoul, South Korea's capital, later Tuesday.

Officials said they would push the government to improve the weather warning systems to prevent disasters and minimize loss of lives in the future.

"Every time there is a disaster on the mountain, we all seek ways to prevent these deaths, but soon we forget about it," said Santa Bir Lama, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association. "We are going to ask the government to install equipment to warn about weather conditions on the mountain."

The five South Koreans and four Nepalese guides died when they were swept by a storm on Gurja Himal mountain's base camp on Friday night. Rescuers only reached the area a day later and took two days to have their bodies recovered and brought back to Kathmandu, Nepal's capital.

Lama said there are some weather forecast systems in use, but those are all concentrated on Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak.

A man offers flower on coffins containing bodies of South Korean climbers killed over the weekend in a fierce storm on Nepal's Gurja Himal mountain after theywere brought to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. The bodies were driven to the airport and were set to be flown to Seoul, South Korea's capital, later Tuesday. The bodies of five South Korean climbers are heading home amid calls to improve weather warning systems on Nepal's mountains. (AP Photo/Bikram Rai)

Gurja is not one of the region's tallest or more popular peaks. The last time climbers were known to be on the mountain was eight years ago.

"I am going take the initiative and demand with the government to install these weather warning systems on smaller mountains," said parliament member Rajendra Prasad Gautam, who was at the hospital on Tuesday.

Among those killed was Kim Chang-ho, the first South Korean to summit all 14 Himalayan peaks over 8,000 meters (26,250 feet) without using supplemental oxygen.

Mountaineering friends who gathered at the hospital said Kim was a good person and an expert climber who was looking for adventure and challenges.

"He was always looking to discover routes that have not been explored and try new things on the mountain," said a Nepalese friend, Ang Dorje, who Kim had promised to meet after returning from the mountain.

"He did not want to do what others did. He was a pure adventure seeker who loved the mountains and adventure," said Loben Sherpa, who helped Kim during his many trips to Nepal's mountains.

It was the deadliest climbing disaster in Nepal since 2015, when 19 people were killed at Mount Everest base camp by an avalanche triggered by an earthquake that devastated the country. The previous year, an avalanche above Everest's base camp killed 16 Nepalese Sherpa guides.

Friends and relatives stand near coffins containing bodies of South Korean climbers killed over the weekend in a fierce storm on Nepal's Gurja Himal mountain after theywere brought to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. The bodies were driven to the airport and were set to be flown to Seoul, South Korea's capital, later Tuesday. The bodies of five South Korean climbers are heading home amid calls to improve weather warning systems on Nepal's mountains. (AP Photo/Bikram Rai)

A man offers sacred scarves on coffins containing bodies of South Korean climbers killed over the weekend in a fierce storm on Nepal's Gurja Himal mountain after theywere brought to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. The bodies were driven to the airport and were set to be flown to Seoul, South Korea's capital, later Tuesday. The bodies of five South Korean climbers are heading home amid calls to improve weather warning systems on Nepal's mountains. (AP Photo/Bikram Rai)CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - A massive power outage has left roughly half of Venezuela without electricity.

Power Minister Luis Motta Dominguez says the blackout started Monday evening with an explosion at a power station in the northern state of Carabobo. It left at least 11 of Venezuela's 23 states in the dark.

Motta Dominguez said late Monday that power was back on in Carabobo and crews were working to restore it elsewhere.

However, residents in several other parts of Venezuela tweeted Tuesday morning that they remained without power.

Oil-rich Venezuela was once among Latin America's most developed countries. Today, it is in the grips of a historic crisis with shortages of food and medicine after two decades of socialist rule.RABAT, Morocco (AP) - At least seven people died and nearly 80 were injured after a shuttle train linking the Moroccan capital to a town farther north on the Atlantic coast derailed Tuesday, authorities at the accident site said.

The train derailed about halfway between Rabat and the town of Kenitra, near the city of Sale. Tangled in the wreckage were doors and seats that had been gouged out of place, while passengers' belongings and glass from broken windows littered the accident site.

Emergency workers rushed people to hospitals in Rabat, Sale and Kenitra while rescue teams searched for more victims with the help of cadaver dogs. Military personnel guarded the site as railway workers and authorities started to investigate why the train jumped its tracks.

Local residents were the first to reach the scene in the town of Sidi Bouknadel, helping injured or trapped survivors out of mangled train cars and covering the bodies of the dead. They reported the accident happened at around 9:30 a.m.

"We heard a gigantic explosion. The earth shook and the sound was unbearable," Mourad El Kbiri, who owns a cafe near where the train detailed, told The Associated Press. "I rushed to see what happened. It was horrific. Disfigured bodies all over the place, blood and body pieces."

The Center for Blood Immunization declared a state of emergency and dispatched blood collection vehicles to Rabat, Kenitra, Sale and Sidi Bouknadel to receive donors.

People gather after train derailed Tuesday Oct.16, 2018 near Sidi Bouknadel, Morocco. A shuttle train linking the Moroccan capital Rabat to a town further north on the Atlantic coast derailed Tuesday, killing several people and injuring dozens, Moroccan authorities and the state news agency said. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)

The general director of state-owned railway company ONCF, Mohamed Rabie Khlie, and Morocco's interior and transport ministers visited the accident site briefly, but refused to comment.

The Moroccan king, Mohammed VI, offered to pay the costs of victims' funerals out of his own pocket, state news agency MAP reported.

A man searches a derailed train Tuesday Oct.16, 2018 near Sidi Bouknadel, Morocco. A shuttle train linking the Moroccan capital Rabat to a town further north on the Atlantic coast derailed Tuesday, killing several people and injuring dozens, Moroccan authorities and the state news agency said. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)

People gather after a train derailed Tuesday Oct.16, 2018 near Sidi Bouknadel, Morocco. A shuttle train linking the Moroccan capital Rabat to a town further north on the Atlantic coast derailed Tuesday, killing several people and injuring dozens, Moroccan authorities and the state news agency said. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)

Workers gather by a derailed train Tuesday Oct.16, 2018 near Sidi Bouknadel, Morocco. A shuttle train linking the Moroccan capital Rabat to a town further north on the Atlantic coast derailed Tuesday, killing several people and injuring dozens, Moroccan authorities and the state news agency said. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)

Train employees stand by a derailed train Tuesday Oct.16, 2018 near Sidi Bouknadel, Morocco. A shuttle train linking the Moroccan capital Rabat to a town further north on the Atlantic coast derailed Tuesday, killing several people and injuring dozens, Moroccan authorities and the state news agency said. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)

Train employees stand by a derailed train Tuesday Oct.16, 2018 near Sidi Bouknadel, Morocco. A shuttle train linking the Moroccan capital Rabat to a town further north on the Atlantic coast derailed Tuesday, killing several people and injuring dozens, Moroccan authorities and the state news agency said. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)

Police officer and train workers stand by a derailed train Tuesday Oct.16, 2018 near Sidi Bouknadel, Morocco. A shuttle train linking the Moroccan capital Rabat to a town further north on the Atlantic coast derailed Tuesday, killing several people and injuring dozens, Moroccan authorities and the state news agency said. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)

Police officer and train workers stand by a derailed train Tuesday Oct.16, 2018 near Sidi Bouknadel, Morocco. A shuttle train linking the Moroccan capital Rabat to a town further north on the Atlantic coast derailed Tuesday, killing several people and injuring dozens, Moroccan authorities and the state news agency said. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)

Police officer and train workers stand by a derailed train Tuesday Oct.16, 2018 near Sidi Bouknadel, Morocco. A shuttle train linking the Moroccan capital Rabat to a town further north on the Atlantic coast derailed Tuesday, killing several people and injuring dozens, Moroccan authorities and the state news agency said. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)LIMA, Peru (AP) - Authorities have arrested two more key allies of imprisoned Peruvian opposition leader Keiko Fujimori, who is accused of hiding illegal campaign contributions from a Brazilian construction company.

Pier Figari and Ana Herz were detained while marching with about 1,500 people who were demanding the release of Fujimori and several other members of her Popular Force party on Monday.

Figari and Herz have worked closely with Fujimori for more than a decade. Prosecutors have accused them of "aiding a criminal organization."

A spokeswoman for the party said the arrests were part of a political witchhunt against Fujimori and her powerful political movement, which holds a majority of seats in Peru's Congress.

Keiko Fujimori was arrested Wednesday as she visited a prosecutor's office to testify in a money laundering investigation.

A supporter of Keiko Fujimori, daughter of Peru's former President Alberto Fujimori, wears a headband with her name as he waits for the start of a march in support of them, outside an Air Force headquarters in Lima, Peru, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. Keiko was detained last week as part of a money-laundering investigation and a judge ordered her father return to jail to finish a 25-year sentence for human rights abuses. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

Supporters of Peru's former President Alberto Fujimori and his daughter Keiko march with a poster of them that reads in Spanish: "This is not justice, it's revenge" in Lima, Peru, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. Keiko was detained last week as part of a money-laundering investigation and a judge ordered her father returned to jail to finish a 25-year sentence for human rights abuses. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have begun their first tour overseas as a married couple  and have already been given the first gift for their unborn baby.

Kensington Palace announced on Monday that the couple, who married five months ago, were expecting a baby in the spring.

The news came just hours after they arrived in Sydney ahead of a 16-day tour which will take in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

Their first engagement on Tuesday saw them meet Australias Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lynn, Lady Cosgrove.

The Duchess of Sussex wore a white Karen Gee dress (Phil Noble/PA)

The Duke and Duchess were presented with a toy kangaroo and its joey, with Meghan saying: Our first baby gift!

They were also given a pair of baby Uggs which Harry said was awesome.

The couple were greeted at Admiralty House by flag-bearing representatives from the 18 countries who will be competing at the Invictus Games in the city.

Several of them congratulated the couple on their baby news, with Meghan, dressed in a white dress by Australian designer Karen Gee, replying: Thank you so much. We are very excited.

The dignitaries also presented Harry and Meghan with the Akubras  traditional wide-brimmed Australian hats  which were gifted to them for their wedding in May.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are presented with Akubra hats (Phil Noble/PA)

Koalas and joeys are next on the itinerary as the couple visit Taronga Zoo before a walkabout on the forecourt of the iconic Sydney Opera House.

The couple shared the news that Meghan was expecting with the Queen and royal family at Princess Eugenies wedding.

Congratulations poured in for the thrilled couple, with Prime Minister Theresa May offering her warmest congratulations and the Archbishop of Canterbury, who married Harry and Meghan, saying: Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their happy news! Prayers for them in the months ahead.

The baby will be seventh in line to the throne, and the Queens eighth great-grandchild.

Kensington Palace said there would be no change to the itinerary of Harry and Meghans tour including to Fiji and Tonga, despite travel advice that pregnant women should consider not travelling to the countries because of the moderate Zika virus risk.

The palace said the couple had sought medical advice and decided to continue with their plans.

My warmest congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the happy news they are expecting a baby in the Spring. Wishing them all the best. https://t.co/nnneVi8rBO  Theresa May (@theresa_may) October 15, 2018

In a statement, Kensington Palace said: Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019.

Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public.

The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are said to be delighted for the couple.Anjem Choudary will be subject to a strict supervision regime after his release from prison later this week.

Police and MI5 are expected to be among a host of agencies involved in monitoring the 51-year-old preacher in the community.

Choudary, from Ilford, east London, was jailed in 2016 after he was convicted of inviting support for Islamic State.

Once a leading figure in the now banned group al-Muhajiroun, he had previously stayed on the right side of the law for years.

Rory Stewart says Choudary will be watched carefully (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Choudary is due for automatic release after reaching the halfway point of a five-and-a-half-year sentence, when time spent on remand is taken into account.

For the rest of the sentence period, he will be subject to stringent licence conditions.

Choudary will have to comply with a number of standard requirements including maintaining good behaviour, receiving visits from and keeping in contact with his supervising probation officer, living permanently at an approved address, and not travelling outside the UK without prior permission.

No details of the specific arrangements for Choudary have been released, but a bespoke plan has been drawn up that will include several other measures beyond the standard requirements.

Ben Wallace says officials are alert to the threat (John Stillwell/PA)

Official instructions set out how additional conditions can be applied if authorities consider they are necessary to manage risk effectively.

Options include requiring the individual to spend some time after release in an approved premises  also known as a bail or probation hostel; electronic monitoring; curfews; exclusion zones that prevent the subject from entering or visiting a specific area whilst under supervision; restrictions which bar contact with certain individuals; and measures relating to ownership of mobile devices and access to the internet.

In addition, there are some licence conditions that can be added specifically for individuals convicted of extremist or terrorism-related offences.

These include requirements not to attend or organise any meetings other than those convened solely for the purposes of worship, without prior approval; to only attend pre-agreed places of worship; not to contact any person who has been charged or convicted with any extremist-related offence without prior approval; and not to engage in any discussion or act to promote grooming or influencing of an individual or a group for the purpose of extremism or radicalisation.

Any breach of licence conditions can result in immediate return to custody.

Choudary will be supervised under a system known as multi-agency public protection arrangements (Mappa).

Given his public profile, the plan for his release is highly sensitive and no official confirmation of the date or location has been given.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: We do not comment on individuals.

Prisons minister Rory Stewart has previously said Choudary will be watched very, very carefully.

Last week security minister Ben Wallace said: We are alert to the threat people like him pose and we will make sure we do what steps we need to mitigate it.US President Donald Trump has threatened to cut aid to Honduras if it does not stop a migrant caravan heading for the US.

Mr Trump did not follow through on a similar threat to the Central American nation in April over an earlier caravan, which eventually petered out.

Honduras ability to stop the new caravan may be limited because it has already moved into Guatemala, where the hundreds of people fleeing poverty and violence in their homeland spent Monday night after authorities failed to halt their advance.

Mexican authorities have warned that only those migrants meeting requirements will be allowed to cross their border with Guatemala.

Mr Trump said:The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!Reading so many accounts of sexual harassment, sexual assault, molestations and rape by so many brave women has forced me to rethink my own silence on being molested by a powerful politician  a minister in the UPA I government. I have been thinking long and hard about telling my story and opening myself up to the name calling that seems to go along with breaking the silence, but I take strength from so many other women who have spoken up.

No, sexual harassment is not limited to BJP ministers. (Representative photo: Reuters)

This is not the first case of sexual harassment which I have faced and spoken about. Earlier, when I was a student too, I was abused by the director of my educational institute when I was doing a Masters in Development Communication, but more on that later.

#Metoo  In January 2001, I joined The Asian Age, Ahmedabad edition, but shifted to Delhi to join The Asian Ages main edition in February 2006 after the Ahmedabad edition was shut down. During my time, a Cabinet minister, in-charge of one of the ministries which I was covering, would always greet me with a kiss when I went to meet him.

He is actually quite a media favourite, and many senior women journalists are close to him. I have seen him greeting women journalists with a hug when he meets them, so I thought that hugs and kisses were the norm in Delhi, and being from a smaller town, I didnt want to stand out, so I went along with it. Also he was a minister and I was covering his ministry.

This minister, quite an advocate of womens rights and empowerment, is highly educated. He studied from St Stephens College and did his masters from one of the top universities in England. He is very articulate  but he is also very touchy-feely. I met him infrequently, maybe once a month or so when I was covering his ministry, and I always met him in his office. He would greet me each time with a kiss, which I thought was a Delhi thing  in Gujarat, where I come from, politicians dont greet women journalists with hugs and kisses. But he would hold my face and try to kiss me on the mouth.

Most times, I managed to turn my face slightly. But I didnt do anything about it or report it since I was new in Delhi and thought if I said anything, it would be viewed as having a small town mentality.

Also, as a survivor of long-term Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), I am not able to speak up against authority and mostly just try to manage to stay clear instead of shouting or slapping or something like that. Only recently, I have learnt that CSA survivors have boundary issues, and are many more times likely to get re-victimised as adults as compared to those who havent been abused as children. I have related my story of Child Sexual Abuse in many places, including on my own website, Sabfree, (Speak up and Be Free), which supports survivors of CSA.

I would like to relate what happened the last time that I met the minister when I felt he had gone too far  and I finally was able to call him out on it. I was sitting in his office in his MP bungalow in early 2014.

At that time, I was in-between jobs. I was sitting across the table and talking to him. After some time, the minister got up to go to the washroom which was on my left, so he walked right across the table and while passing me by, he stretched his hand and suddenly pressed one of my breasts.

I was taken aback, not quite expecting this, but I did manage to say, Dont touch me. Before entering the washroom, he asked, Why? What is the problem? I told him, 'Dont touch me because I dont like it. He went to the washroom and then came back, sat down and resumed the conversation as if nothing had happened.

After that incident, I never met him. Also, I moved to Ahmedabad from Delhi and never met him at any political or social events.

I would like to say that even if a man is testing whether his advances are welcome or not, he cant start with squeezing the breasts of a woman. The least he can do is see whether she is interested  you cannot just grab a woman and think it is okay. Also, in this case, the minister is married and is a father of grown-up daughters, so it is definitely not okay.

So, why didnt I report the matter. Who was I going to report it to? I was in-between jobs and as I said earlier. I didnt report my sexual abuse as a child either for more than a decade and a half, in fact I never did report it. I started to speak about it publicly only a couple of years ago. Now I know that 72 per cent of CSA survivors never tell anyone about their abuse and that they have many aftereffects of the sexual abuse that they faced. A few of them I have listed above.

In 2015, before the #Metoo movement happened in India or even in the USA, Parul, a student and I had reported being sexually harassed by the director of our educational institute when we were pursuing our Masters in Development Communication in Gujarat University. Parul was my junior in college by many years and though we didnt know each other, we spoke up about our abuse in our alumni group and decided to report the matter.

It took me 27 years to speak up about that sexual harassment and both Parul and I also went through due process of writing to the chancellor and vice-chancellor of Gujarat University.

Nothing came of it  but of course I had to answer the question of why I kept quiet for so many years.

In 86-88, when I was pursuing my Masters, there was no concept of sexual harassment, no Internal Complaints Committee and no idea of what could be done, so all I did was to inform a student in my batch. My junior Parul informed her coordinator and that was the end of it. But when we did complain nothing came of it, either.

However, when the Raya Sarkar's list came out in 2017 about naming sexual harassment in academic institutions, I decided to name a former director of the Centre for Development Communication as that was the best I could do - Name and Shame.

Despite so many women speaking up against so many powerful men, they are being accused of being opportunists, making up stories, lying and what not. But I feel I have kept quiet for too many years, for so much of abuse that I faced  I am not prepared to shut up any longer, and if that makes men uncomfortable, they will just have to learn to treat women right and to stop sexually abusing women whenever it takes their fancy.

Abusing women and children sexually has to STOP. You are ruining the lives of so many people and it is not okay.

Also Read: How safe is the Me after saying #MeToo in India?In the first such initiative, India and China came together Monday to provide assistance to Afghanistan through a joint training programme for Afghan diplomats.

The Joint India-China Training Programme for Afghan diplomats,from October 15-26, began Monday as part of an understanding reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan.

Ten Afghan diplomats started training at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) here after an event where statements by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi were read out by the diplomats of the two countries.

China's Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui, in his remarks at the inauguration of the programme, said such a 'China-India Plus' cooperation should be extended from Afghanistan to other countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Iran and Myanmar. Describing India as a "regional major power", he said China and India can also join hands under the mechanisms of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and BangladeshChinaIndia Myanmar Forum for Regional Cooperation (BCIM), to promote regional peace, stability and prosperity.

"Both of us (China and India) support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process. Both of us uphold that Afghanistan should realise peace, stability and prosperity. Both of us are against terrorism.

"We are talking a lot about the regional connectivity initiatives, such as International NorthSouth Transport Corridor, India-Afghanistan-Iran transit and trade arrangement and ChinaPakistan-Afghanistan cooperation. All of these have provided a solid foundation for the current and future cooperation between China and India in Afghanistan," he said.

Noting that the training programme is the first step for the 'China-India Plus' cooperation in Afghanistan, the Chinese envoy said this was just the beginning. Swaraj, in her statement that was read out by FSI Dean Ambassador J S Mukul, said the seeds for joint cooperation in Afghanistan were sown at the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi when they met in Wuhan in April 2018.

"Today, we see it blooming with the initiation of this training programme. This marks the beginning of what we visualise as a long term trilateral partnership for the benefit of Afghanistan," Swaraj was quoted as saying.Kerala has geared up for massive unrest on Wednesday over the implementation of the Supreme Court order allowing women of all age groups to enter the Sabarimala temple. With thousands of men and women devotees of Lord Ayyappa opposed to entry of women of menstrual age into the temple and threatening to commit mass suicide, the State administration faces a serious challenge in maintaining law and order situation.

Wednesday is the first day when the SC order will come into force.

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the temple, held a meeting to find a way to defuse the situation, but Pandalam royal family and other stakeholders walked out over the TDBs reluctance to discuss the issue of filing a review petition against the apex court order.

While Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has asserted his Government will implement the SC order, police face an uphill task as hundreds of women devotees of Lord Ayyappa, the eternally celibate deity of Sabarimala, picketed the road to the hill shrine and prevented women they suspected were of menstrual age from proceeding to the shrine some 20 km away.

Lustily chanting Swamiya Saranam Ayyappa hailing the Lord, the devotees checked buses and private vehicles for girls and women of the banned age group and forced them to abandon their journey.

Television channels showed some college students, including young girls wearing black dresses, being ordered to get down a bus.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan issued a stern warning to those who dared block devotees from entering the temple.

We will ensure security to all. Nobody will be allowed to take law into their hands.

My Government will not allow any violence in the name of Sabarimala, he told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram as followers of Lord Ayyappa virtually besieged Nilackal, about 225 km from the State capital.

Stern action will be taken against anyone who prevents devotees from going to Sabarimala, he warned, and ruled out any rethink of his Governments decision against seeking a review of the Supreme Court order. We will go by what the Supreme Court says, he asserted.

The TDB, meanwhile, went into a huddle with stakeholders, including the Pandalam royal family representatives and priests, to soothe frayed tempers amid escalating protests by the Hindu right and common Ayyappa devotees. There was, however, no breakthrough.

The meeting also attended by Ayyappa Seva Samajam and Yoga Kshema Sabha ended in a deadlock as the TDB stuck to its stand of not filing a review petition.

It is very painful and we cannot agree. We wanted a decision on filing the review petition to be taken today itself, but the board said it can be discussed only at the next meeting of TDB on October 19, Shashikumar Varma, a member of the Pandalam royal family said.

We all wish that Sabarimala should not be made a war zone, Varma, the president of Pandalam Royal Palace Trust, told journalists after walking out of the meeting in a huff.

TDB president A Padmakumar, however, dismissed suggestions that the meeting was a failure. What they (stakeholders) wanted was to file the review petition now itself. But the Supreme Court is closed till October 22. They also wanted to maintain the status quo on the customs and traditions.

As the Supreme Court has passed a verdict, what can the board do? But the board will continue to talk with them to resolve the issue, Padmakumar said.

He said the October 19 meeting will take up the issue of the review petition. Kerala has witnessed a series of protests and prayer marches over the last few days over the Governments decision to enforce the Supreme Court order.

The Shiv Sena recently warned of mass suicides if women of menstrual age were allowed into the temple. Some other organisations have said women and girls aged between 10 and 50 years will have to tread on them before entering the temple.

Actor-turned-BJP politician Kollam Thulashi went to the extent of saying women of banned age visiting the shrine should be ripped apart.ASI stand on diamond decried

The Archeological Survey of Indias (ASI) stand that the Kohinoor diamond was in fact surrendered by Dalip Singh to Queen Victoria of England has been decried here.

Researcher Anil Dhir said there is ample documentary proof that Maharaja Ranjit Singh had donated the diamond to the Jagannath temple before his death in 1839.

Dhir said just ten years after Ranjit Singhs death, the British took away the diamond from his son, Dalip Singh, in 1849, even though they were fully aware of it being bequeathed to Lord Jagganath at Puri.

Dhir informed that the claim for the return of the Kohinoor was first done soon after Independence by the Government of India. Another request followed in 1953, the year of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

But the real fight erupted in 1976 when the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, in a letter to the British Prime Minister, James Callaghan, submitted a formal request for the return of the diamond to Pakistan. Pakistans claim was refused, but Callaghan gave a written assurance to Bhutto that there was no question that Britain would have handed it over to any other country.

Shortly after, a major newspaper in Tehran stated that the gem ought to be returned to Iran.

In November 2000, the Taliban regime demanded the return of the diamond to Afghanistan.

The Kohinoor had been in the possession of Mughal rulers in Delhi for 213 years, with rulers in Kandahar and Kabul for 66 years and with the British for nearly 170 years, said Dhir.

INTACH State convener AB Tripathy said that the Kohinoors rightful place is at the Jagannath Temple.

He said that an INTACH team had met the Director of the National Archives of India in May this year with a request that the original letter mentioning Ranjit Singhs wishes should be displayed at the Bhubaneswar Centre of the Archives.Ridiculous, vulgar, says ace painter

In yet another episode in the #Me Too campaign, conservationist Nisha Bora has accused famous Odia painter Jatin Das of sexually harassing her.

However, Das refuted the allegation terming it as ridiculous and vulgar. Taking to Twitter, Bora said she met Das through her father-in-law in the summer of 2004 at a dinner event at the India International Centre in New Delhi when she was 28 years old. As per her post, Das asked her to assist him for a few days to organise his work material, to which she agreed.

I visited Jatin in his studio, which was in Khidki Village. I dont recall the time of day, but that it was well within daylight hours.

He poured himself some whiskey, offered me one too but I refused. The next thing I knew, he attempted to grab me. I wriggled out of his embrace, flustered, Bora wrote in the post.

I picked up my bag, stepped out into the sun and ran home.

Never to speak about it. Until now, she added.

Das denied the allegations, saying, This is horrifying. What else can I say? Its cheap; I wont stoop so low. I have never misbehaved with anyone. Of late, many women are levelling allegations like this. But these allegations are one-sided and not true.Given books on Mahatma

As many as 17 prisoners have been released from different jails in the State under the Special Remission scheme on the recommendation of the State Government.

According to ADG Prisons Binayananda Jha while the Ministry of Home Affairs asked the State Government to release some of jail inmates on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the State Government released 17, who fulfilled reprievable conditions set by the MHA.

A committee headed by Home ACS Asit Tripathy made the list on the basis of proposal of the Directorate of Prisons.

Before the release, the prisoners were given counseling by a team of experts for their release.

On the day of release, they garlanded the Mahatma Gandhi statue and were given books on Mahatma Gandhi.

Out of 17 prisoners released from jails, three from Cuttack Circle Jai, two each from Koraput Circle Jail and Puri Jail and two female prisoners were from the Nari Bandi Neketan, Sambalpur.

One each from Baripada, Brhmapur, Keonjhar, Balangir, Dhenkanal, Bonaigarh, Deogarh and Champua jail was released

According to MHA guidelines, women and transgender convicts of 55 years age, male convicts of 60 years and above and PwDs with 70 deformities completing above completing 50 per cent of their actual sentence period were included in the Special Remission scheme. Death convicts were excluded.Gopal Das, an ascetic on fasting for Ganga,-who had been rushed to AIIMS Rishikesh from the Matri Sadan ashram on Saturday- has returned to the ashram on Tuesday. His condition was stated to be normal. He is still on fasting, claimed those associated with Matri Sadan.

Das, 36, has been on fast for conservation of Ganga at Badrinath since 24 June. He was taken to the hospital a few hours after he announced that he would continue his fast from Matri Sadan to take forward the stir of Swami Sanand who died at AIIMS Rishikesh on October 11.

Meanwhile, police allegedly detained some people who gathered at AIIMS Rishikesh, demanding to be allowed to have a glimpse of Sanands body.

Speaking to The Pioneer on Tuesday, Brahmchari Dayanand of Matri Sadan said, Bhopal Choudhary, Sushil Bahuguna, Sushila Bhandari and Kusum Joshi were arrested by police when they were demonstrating outside AIIMS, demanding to be allowed to have a glimpse of Sanands body.

They were later brought to Rishikesh police station where they sat on protest.

A Matri Sadan insider said that the agitators were demanding permission to be allowed to sprinkle Ganga water on the body of Sanand, the ascetic who sacrificed his life for the cause of Ganga.

Meanwhile, the Water Man of India Rajendra Singh said that Government should come down heavily on those who are polluting the holy river instead of those who are struggling to help the Ganga maintain its free flow.Accepting the demand of saints and others, the Yogi Adityanath government on Tuesday announced to rechristen Allahabad to its old name Prayagraj.

The decision was taken in a meeting of the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet chaired by the Chief Minister in Lucknow on Tuesday.

State government spokesperson and Health Minister Sidharth Nath Singh told reporters that now all departments like Railways and others would be asked to change the name of Allahabad to Prayagraj in their records.

It was the demand of saints and people of Allahabad to restore the historic name of the city and this demand has been accepted by the government ahead of Kumbh Mela scheduled next year, he said.

Rig Veda, Mahabharat and Ramayana also mention Prayagraj (for Allahabad), he noted.

Earlier, Singh had also written to Governor Ram Naik to consider renaming Allahabad as Prayagraj. He had also ridiculed the opposition for resisting the renaming process.

They are just doing politics but we have done it to honour the lost religious dignity of the old city which was once known as Prayagraj, Singh added.

During his participation in Kumbh Margdarshak Mandal meeting at Allahabad with saints some time back, Yogi had assured to rechristen Allahabad as Prayagraj. The meeting was also attended by Governor Ram Naik, who had instantly given his nod.

Prayag was renamed as Allahabad by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1580 as he maintained that it was Allahs place and hence coined its name.

The wrong that the Mughal emperor did should be corrected. We expect that the Chief Minister will issue orders for changing the name of Allahabad as Prayagraj, the saints had advocated .

In 2001, after the Kumbh Mela, then Chief Minister Rajnath Singh and Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri had also favoured changing the name of Allahabad to Prayagraj but the promise remained unfulfilled.Over allege d issue of senior Congress Leader and niece of late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Karuna Shukla terming insult to ashes of late PM, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a strong worded statement said that the Congress party should not stoop so low in politics.

Denying the allegation in a hurriedly called media briefing, State BJP President Dharamlal Kaushik said that it was not the ashes of late Atal Bihari Vajpayee but the soil being collected from different parts of State in the plastic bottles for the proposed Atal Memorial at Atal Nagar. The bottles has started to arrive in state capital.

On former MP Karuna Shukla, Kaushik said that she is always welcome as for her, the office of BJP would ever remain open.

She could have quietly walked in and even checked if any such act of disrespect is being shown to her paternal uncle by the BJP or its leaders, Kaushik said.

He said that had if she was so much concerned about her paternal uncle, she should have arrived when the ashes were there and took some part, so that it could have been immersed with rituals as a family member.With carpet ban on stubble burning, farmers in the adjoining State of Haryana are faced with dilemma as they need to clear the stubble on their land in a short window span of about a fortnight or so before sowing the next crop. But in the backdrop of the fact that they are not allowed to get rid of stubble by just burning it but are required to use specialised farm equipments which they are finding both costly and non-viable and thus the farmers are left in lurch, said Kisan union.

The measures taken by the Government to aid and assist farmers in adopting the in-situ management of crop residue like the Custom Hiring Centers (CHC) cut no ice with the farmers. Most of the farmers were unaware about the CHC and have no clue about where there nearest CHC is located and how to get the equipments related to Straw Management System (SMS) from there.

While the administration keeps imposing fine of Rs 2500 per acre on the erring farmers for burning their farm stubble, it is hardly a deterrent for the big farm holders. According to an official, CHCs aim at ensuring proper management of crop residue and to prevent farmers from burning it. All machines and tools related to agriculture are claimed to be made available in these centers and farmers can take agricultural machines or equipments on rent at nominal rates for farming works.

However contrary to the tall claims of Haryana Government that Custom Hiring Centers (CHC) is feasible option for the eco-friendly disposal of farm stubble, farmers in Karnal said the 50 per cent subsidy provided on the equipments is not provided at first instance but is rather paid as reimbursement due to which farmers hesitate in purchasing it.

Sewa Singh Arya, National Vice-President of one faction of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), said the paddy crop had retained moisture due to the recent rains and harvesting would be further delayed. Farmers will be forced to burn the paddy residue to clear the land for the wheat crop. The majority of poor farmers are not in a position to get machinery to remove the stubble even at subsidised rates, said Arya.

Also availability of Happy Seeder and other machines for stubble management with farmers and custom hiring centres (CHCs) established in the state are too inadequate to manage nearly 70 lakh MT of stubble which is likely to be produced in the state this season, said Arya. Krishan, a farmer and a former sarpanch of village Margain, also known as Nangla Farms, said some of villagers have formed groups to get access to the subsidised machinery.

If you ask for numbers of farmers using these machines I will say only five to six farmers have used these machines. Even if we ask them to provide machines, they are busy in harvesting their crop leaving us with no other option but to burn stubble in our farms. Even at subsidised rates, poor farmers cannot hire them. Some kind of assistance by the government in removing stubble from every acre of land is required, said Krishan adding that burning paddy straw was the only option left to the majority of farmers even this year.

Haryana Agriculture Department, from September 15 to October 15, have issued 1111 challans to farmers across the state for burning stubble and also collected around Rs 3 lakh fine from the farmers found violating the guidelines.

Yet, the farmers continue to burn stubble because they believe that hiring machinery to remove paddy will cost them more than fines.

Ramesh Battan, another farmer in Phurlak near Gharaunda said that he sowed paddy on 32 acres and it would be ready for harvest in a few days. The village has paddy on nearly 2,200 acres, but has only one Happy Seeder with a farmer and it can manage 6-7 acres in a day. A Happy Seeder of Rs 1.50 lakh costs Rs 75,000 after subsidy. But it will be used only for six hours in the whole year. How can a farmer invest so much on a machine which is to be used for six hours a year?, he asked.Suspected Maoists blew up a railway track on the Dhanbad-Gaya route on Grand Chord section in the wee hours of Monday, disrupting movement of several trains, including the Rajdhani Express. The blast site between Choudharibandh and Chengro stations in Giridih district of Jharkhand is 60 km away from Dhanbad rail division, said Dy SP Niraj Kumar of Dumari.

The Maoists had called Jharkhand bandh on Tuesday and Wednesday and the incident is considered to be part of their strategy aimed at creating an atmosphere of fear among the general public.

According to Giridih SP Surendra Kumar Jha at Giridi, the track was blown up between Chengro block halt and Chaudharybandh stations under Dhanbad railway division of East Central Railway at around 10.40 pm, shortly after the bandh began, added the SP.

The blast blew up the track on the UP line and damaged the overhead cable just before Hatia-Patna Express was to pass. The train was detained at Gomoh following the explosion, while many other long-distance trains, including, Howrah-Jodpur, Kalka Mail, Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani, Bhubaneshwar-New Delhi Rajdhani, Sealdah-New Delhi Rajdhani, Mumbai Mail and Howrah-Dehradun Express, were stranded at various stations following the incident. The train services resumed at 4.30 am after tracks were repaired.

Superintendent of rail police (Dhanbad) said, The tracks have been repaired and traffic resumed. We have already sounded alert and instructed the rail police to keep close vigil on movement of trains. Our men are conducting search operations in all important trains. All passengers and crew members have been asked to inform police immediately on noticing any objectionable material in trains. The Maoists have called the bandh to protest the hang to death of their two rebels of Dumka in Jharkhand.Having taken cognisance of The Pioneer report about the new policy being framed by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to defer the sealing of hotels, motels and farmhouses for violating MCD norms, the Supreme Court Appointed Monitoring Committee has issued direction to the all three civic bodies and the Delhi Development Authority on Tuesday asking them to seal these places immediately.

In the letter written to the commissioners of three Municipal Corporations, the Supreme Court-Monitoring Committee said, In continuation of the previous orders dated September 28 and subsequent remainder on October 4, the committee has decided to take immediately sealing action against the Motels where shape and size are not as per sanctioned building plan and occupancy (completion) certificate. The seal shall be affixed in such motels at entry points, it said.

It further reads that the Monitoring Committee has already issued instructions vide previous letter for issuance of show cause notices before conducting sealing action so it is presumed that all the Motels have already served notices by the Deputy Commissioners concerned.

It has also mentioned that as far as temporary de-sealing is concerned for holding social functions in the motels that have already been booked, the concerned owner/occupier may approach the Monitoring Committee for temporary de-sealing specifically for function period.

On October 16, The Pioneer reported about the new policy of the SDMC that has provisions to defer the sealing of hotels, motels and farmhouses till the proposed policy is in place. As per the new policy, the definition of pandals, motels and hotels have been changed to provide relief to the owners of sprawling party lawns who host opulent weddings illegally.

The new proposed policy is aimed at saving big fish as they are major source of unclaimed revenue and to mislead the Monitoring Committee. Many of the farmhouses and Motels have humongous air-conditioned pandals built illegally even outside their premises, a senior corporation official told The Pioneer pleading anonymity .

The south civic body had already served notices to 16 motels in Najafgarh Zone and 20 motels in the South Zone. Interestingly, not even a single notice served to the farmhouses comes under South Corporation.

While the north corporation claimed to have surveyed 41 properties and served notices to 26 motels and six farmhouses comes under Narela and Civil Line Zone.

Motels and party lawns in areas under SDMC are rampant and running while having additional built-up areas, violating MCD and Green norms with impunity and are still running without facing any action.

As there are many such venues across the city, they are operating in areas at Qutub Minar, MG Road, Arjangarh, Bhati mines, Chattarpur Road and GT Karnal Road.US President Donald Trump has vowed "severe punishment" if Saudi Arabia was behind the disappearance of its dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi who is feared killed at the kingdom's consulate in Turkey.

Trump, however, opposed the idea of cancelling the mega USD 110 billion arms deal with Riyadh, saying this will hurt American companies and jobs.

His remarks came amidst mounting pressure as reports coming out of Turkey suggest that Khashoggi was brutally killed by Saudi officials inside their consulate in Istanbul.

Khashoggi, 59, a Washington Post contributor, had gone there to collect some papers for his marriage.

"Well, there's a lot at stake. And maybe especially so because this man was a reporter. There's something-- you'll be surprised to hear me say that. There's something really terrible and disgusting about that, if that were the case. So we're gonna have to see. We're going to get to the bottom of it and there will be severe punishment," Trump told CBS News.

The interview was aired on Sunday.

In a statement issued through the official Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Arabia has said it would retaliate if there were any sanctions by the US.

"It will respond with greater action" if there was any action from the United states, it said.

"The Kingdom's economy has an influential and vital role in the global economy and that the Kingdom's economy is affected only by the impact of the global economy," it said.

Trump resisted the move to take steps that would harm the United states itself.

"What are you options? Let's say they did. What are your options? Would you consider imposing sanctions, as a bipartisan group of senators have proposed?" he was asked.

"It depends on what the sanction is. I'll give an example. They are ordering military equipment. Everybody in the world wanted that order. Russia wanted it, China wanted it, we wanted it. We got it," he said.

"I tell you what I don't wanna do. Boeing, Lockheed, Raytheon, all these companies, I don't wanna hurt jobs. I don't wanna lose an order like that. There are other ways of punishing, to use a word that's a pretty harsh word, but it's true," he said in response to the question.

The matter is still being investigated and Saudi Arabia has been claiming that Khashoggi left its Consulate in Istanbul.

Turkish investigative agencies, according to media reports, claim that they have audio and video evidence which indicated that the journalist was brutally killed inside the consulate. The US has sought information from Saudi Arabia.

Trump has said that he intends to speak to the Saudi King soon.

"Nobody knows yet, but we'll probably be able to find out. It's being investigated. It's being looked at very, very strongly. We would be very upset and angry if that were the case. As of this moment, they deny it. And deny it vehemently. Could it be them? Yes," Trump added.Fourteen Iranian security personnel, including Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) also known as Pasdaran- Inquilab-i Islami intelligence officers, were abducted on the volatile southeastern border with Pakistan on Tuesday, State media reported.

The border guards were abducted between 4 am and 5 am in the Lulakdan area of the border by a terrorist group, the official IRNA news agency said.

Lulakdan is a small village 150 kilometres southeast of Zahedan, capital of the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan.

The 14 were involved in a security operation and included two members of the elite Revolutionary Guards intelligence unit, seven Basij militiamen and five regular border guards, the Young Journalists Club (YJC), a State-owned news website, said.

The report was deleted from the YJC website shortly afterwards.

The province has long been a flashpoint, with Baluchi separatists and jihadists based in Pakistan regularly attacking Iranian security posts.

On September 28, the Guards said they had killed four militants who had slipped across the border.

Sistan-Baluchistan has a large, mainly Sunni Muslim ethnic Baluchi community which straddles the border.

Sunni extremist group Jundallah (Soldiers of God) launched a bloody insurgency in the province in 2000 targeting the security forces and officials of Irans Government.

The campaign peaked with a spate of deadly attacks from 2007  including twin suicide bombings against a Shiite mosque that killed 28 people  but abated after the groups leader was killed in mid-2010.

In 2012, Jundullah members formed a successor organisation called Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice), which has carried out a spate of attacks on the security forces.

Iran has alleged that the group has received support from the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia, with the complicity of Pakistan.Gildan Activewear Inc. manufactures and sells various apparel products in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It provides various activewear products, including T-shirts, fleece tops and bottoms, and sport shirts under the Gildan, Gildan Performance, Gildan Hammer, Comfort Colors, American Apparel, Anvil by Gildan, Alstyle, Prim + Preux, and GoldToe brands. The company also offers hosiery products comprising athletic; dress; and casual, liner, therapeutic, and workwear socks, as well as sheer panty hoses, tights, and leggings under the brands of Gildan, Under Armour, GoldToe, PowerSox, GT a GoldToe Brand, Silver Toe, Signature Gold by Goldtoe, Peds, MediPeds, Kushyfoot, Therapy Plus, All Pro, Secret, Silks, Secret Silky, and American Apparel. In addition, it provides men's and boys' underwear products, and ladies panties under the Gildan and Gildan Platinum brand names; and ladies' shapewear, intimates, and accessories under the Secret and Secret Silky brands. The company sells its products to wholesale distributors, screen printers, or embellishers, as well as to retailers and consumer brand companies. The company was formerly known as Textiles Gildan Inc. and changed its name to Gildan Activewear Inc. in March 1995. Gildan Activewear Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

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Walmart Slips After Strong Results Walmart (NYSE: WMT) has been one of the biggest winners from the pandemic and it looks like those tailwinds continue to blow. The company reported its Q3 results blowing past consensus estimates and offering improved guidance but the shares are falling anyway.

Read ArticleNovan, Inc., a clinical development-stage biotechnology company, provides nitric oxide-based therapies to treat dermatological and oncovirus-mediated diseases. Its clinical stage dermatology drug candidates include SB204, a topical monotherapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris; SB206, a topical anti-viral gel for the treatment of viral skin infections; SB208, a topical broad-spectrum anti-fungal gel for the treatment of fungal infections of the skin and nails, including athlete's foot and fungal nail infections; and SB414, a topical cream-based gel product candidate for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. The company also develops SB207, an anti-viral product candidate for the treatment of external genital warts; WH602, a nitric oxide-containing intravaginal gel to treat high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV); WH504, a non-gel formulation product candidate to treat high-risk HPV; and SB019 for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Novan, Inc. has a license agreement with Sato Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; and a strategic alliance with Orion Corporation. The company was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Bristol-Myers Squibb: 1096271 B.C. ULC, 345 Park LLC, A.G. Medical Services P.A., AHI Investment LLC, AbVitro LLC, Abraxis BioScience Australia Pty Ltd., Abraxis BioScience Inc., Abraxis BioScience International Holding Company Inc., Abraxis BioScience LLC, Abraxis BioScience Puerto Rico LLC, Acetylon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Adnexus, Adnexus a Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D Company, Allard Labs Acquisition G.P., Amira Pharmaceuticals, Amira Pharmaceuticals Inc., Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Apothecon LLC, B-MS Generx Unlimited Company, BMS Benelux Holdings B.V., BMS Bermuda Nominees L.L.C., BMS Data Acquisition Company LLC, BMS Forex Company, BMS Holdings Sarl, BMS Holdings Spain S.L., BMS International Insurance Designated Activity Company, BMS Investco SAS, BMS Korea Holdings L.L.C., BMS Latin American Nominees L.L.C., BMS Luxembourg Partners L.L.C., BMS Omega Bermuda Holdings Finance Ltd., BMS Pharmaceutical Korea Limited, BMS Pharmaceuticals Germany Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals International Holdings Netherlands B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Korea Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Mexico Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Netherlands Holdings B.V., BMS Real Estate LLC, BMS Spain Investments LLC, BMS Strategic Portfolio Investments Holdings Inc., Blisa Acquisition G.P., Bristol (Iran) S.A., Bristol Iran Private Company Limited, Bristol Laboratories Inc., Bristol Laboratories International S.A., Bristol Laboratories Medical Information Systems Inc., Bristol-Myers (Andes) L.L.C., Bristol-Myers (Private) Limited, Bristol-Myers Middle East S.A.L., Bristol-Myers Overseas Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Israel) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (NZ) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Proprietary) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Singapore) Pte. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Taiwan) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (West Indies) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb A.E., Bristol-Myers Squibb Aktiebolag, Bristol-Myers Squibb Argentina S. R. L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia Pty. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Axia Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb B.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Belgium S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Business Services Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada International Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Delta Company Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Denmark Filial of Bristol-Myers Squibb AB, Bristol-Myers Squibb EMEA Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Egypt LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Epsilon Holdings Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Ltda., Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Portuguesa S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb GesmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb GmbH & Co. KGaA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holding Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings 2002 Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Germany Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Ireland Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Pharma Ltd. Liability Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Ilaclari Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb India Pvt. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Company Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Investco L.L.C., Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K., Bristol-Myers Squibb Kft., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg International S.C.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb MEA GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Manufacturing Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Marketing Services S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Norway Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Nutricionales de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Peru S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (HK) Ltd, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (Thailand) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Holding Company LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Ventures Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Polska Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Products SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico/Sanofi Pharmaceutical Partnership Puerto Rico, Bristol-Myers Squibb Romania S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.A.U., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Holding Partnership, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Service Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Services Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Spol. s r.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Theta Finance Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Trustees Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Colombia S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Costa Rica Sociedad Anonima, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Guatemala S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb/Astrazeneca EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership, Bristol-Myers de Venezuela S.C.A., CHT I LLC, CHT II LLC, CHT III LLC, CHT IV LLC, CR Finance Company LLC, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals Inc., Celem LLC, Celem Ltd., Celgene, Celgene A.B., Celgene AS, Celgene Ab (Finland), Celgene Alpine Investment Co. II LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. III LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. LLC, Celgene ApS, Celgene B.V., Celgene BVBA, Celgene Brasil Produtos Farmaceuticos Ltda., Celgene CAR LLC, Celgene CAR Ltd., Celgene Chemicals Sarl, Celgene China Holdings LLC, Celgene Co., Celgene Corporation, Celgene Distribution B.V., Celgene EngMab GmbH, Celgene Europe B.V., Celgene Europe Limited, Celgene European Investment Company LLC, Celgene Financing Company LLC, Celgene Global Holdings Sarl, Celgene GmbH [Austria], Celgene GmbH [Germany], Celgene GmbH [Switzerland], Celgene Holdings East Corporation, Celgene Holdings II Sarl, Celgene Holdings III Sarl, Celgene Ilac Pazarlama ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Celgene Inc., Celgene International Holdings Corporation, Celgene International II Sarl, Celgene International III Sarl, Celgene International Inc., Celgene International Sarl, Celgene K.K., Celgene Kft., Celgene Limited [Hong Kong], Celgene Limited [Ireland], Celgene Limited [New Zealand], Celgene Limited [Taiwan], Celgene Limited [UK], Celgene Logistics Sarl, Celgene Ltd, Celgene Luxembourg Sarl, Celgene Management Sarl, Celgene NJ Investment Co, Celgene Netherlands B.V., Celgene Netherlands Investment B.V., Celgene Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Celgene Pte. Ltd., Celgene Pty Ltd, Celgene Puerto Rico Distribution LLC, Celgene Quanticel Research Inc, Celgene R&D Sarl, Celgene RIVOT LLC, Celgene RIVOT Ltd., Celgene RIVOT SRL, Celgene Receptos Limited, Celgene Receptos Sarl, Celgene Research Incubator At Summit West LLC, Celgene Research S.L.U., Celgene Research and Development Company LLC, Celgene Research and Development I ULC, Celgene Research and Development II LLC, Celgene Research and Investment Company II LLC, Celgene S. de R.L. de C.V., Celgene S.L.U., Celgene S.R.L., Celgene SAS, Celgene Sarl AU, Celgene Sdn Bhd, Celgene Services Sarl, Celgene Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Celgene Sp. Z.o.o., Celgene Sro [Czech Republic], Celgene Summit Investment Co, Celgene Switzerland Holding Sarl, Celgene Switzerland II LLC, Celgene Switzerland Investment Sarl, Celgene Switzerland LLC, Celgene Switzerland Sarl, Celgene Tri A Holdings Ltd., Celgene Tri Sarl, Celgene UK Distribution Limited, Celgene UK Holdings Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing II Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing III Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing Limited, Celgene d.o.o., Celgene sro [Slovakia], Celmed LLC, Celmed Ltd., ConvaTec Divestiture, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals AB, Crosp Ltd., Delinia Inc., Deuteria Pharmaceuticals Inc., DuPont Pharmaceuticals, E. R. Squibb & Sons Inter-American Corporation, E. R. Squibb & Sons L.L.C., E. R. Squibb & Sons Limited, EWI Corporation, EngMab Sarl, F-star Alpha, FermaVir Pharmaceuticals L.L.C., FermaVir Research L.L.C., Flexus Biosciences, Flexus Biosciences Inc., Forbius, Galecto Biotech, GenPharm International L.L.C., Gloucester Pharmaceuticals LLC, Grove Insurance Company Ltd., Heyden Farmaceutica Portuguesa Limitada, IFM Therapeutics, Impact Biomedicines Inc., Inhibitex, Inhibitex L.L.C., Innate Tumor Immunity Inc., JuMP Holdings LLC, Juno Therapeutics GmbH, Juno Therapeutics Inc., Kosan Biosciences, Kosan Biosciences Incorporated, Linson Investments Limited, Mead Johnson (Manufacturing) Jamaica Limited, Mead Johnson Jamaica Ltd., Medarex, Morris Avenue Investment II LLC, Morris Avenue Investment LLC, MyoKardia, O.o.o. Bristol-Myers Squibb, Oy Bristol-Myers Squibb (Finland) AB, Padlock Therapeutics, Padlock Therapeutics Inc., Pharmion LLC, Princeton Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Receptos LLC, Receptos Services LLC, RedoxTherapies Inc., Route 22 Real Estate Holding Corporation, SPV A Holdings ULC, Seamair Insurance DAC, Signal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Sino-American Shanghai Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Societe Francaise de Complements Alimentaires(S.O.F.C.A.), Squibb Middle East S.A., Summit West Celgene LLC, Swords Laboratories, VentiRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Westwood-Intrafin SA, Westwood-Squibb Pharmaceuticals Inc., X-Body Inc., ZymoGenetics, ZymoGenetics Inc., ZymoGenetics LLC, ZymoGenetics Paymaster LLC, iPierian, and iPierian Inc..First American Financial Corp. operates as an insurance company. It provides title insurance and settlement services to the real estate and mortgage industries. The company operates its business through the following segments: Title Insurance & Services and Specialty Insurance. The Title Insurance & Services segment provides title insurance, escrow, closing services and similar or related financial services domestically and internationally in connection with residential and commercial real estate transactions. It also maintains, manages and provides access to title plant records and images and provides banking, trust and investment advisory services. The Specialty Insurance segment issues property & casualty insurance policies and sells home warranty products. It also provides title plant management services, which include title and other real property records and images, valuation products and services, home warranty products, property and casualty insurance and banking, trust and investment advisory services. First American Financial was founded in January, 2008 and is headquartered in Santa Ana, CA.

Read MoreNTT DOCOMO, INC., a telecommunications company, provides various mobile services in Japan and internationally. It operates through three segments: Telecommunications Business, Smart Life Business, and Other Businesses. The company offers iPhone, iPad, smartphone, tablet, and feature phone products and services under the docomo name, as well as d POINT CLUB, a point program. It also provides technical and operational services to mobile operators and other companies. In addition, the company offers LTE, FOMA, and FOMA high-speed services; docomo Wi-Fi services; VoLTE voice call services; docomo Hikari, an optical Internet service; and docomo Shop services. Further, it provides optical-fiber broadband, satellite mobile communications, and international services; distributes video, music, and electronic books, etc.; and offers finance/payment services, online shopping service, other life-related services, etc. Additionally, the company engages in the mobile device protection service, commissioned development/sale, system maintenance businesses, etc. As of March 31, 2019, it had 78.45 million cellular subscriptions; and 70.15 million d POINT CLUB memberships. NTT DOCOMO, INC. has collaboration with Tohoku University to research on an artificial-intelligence technology to detect periodontal disease by photographing a person's gums with a smartphone. It also has a mobile payment alliance agreement with Merpay, Inc., LINE Pay Corporation, and KDDI Corporation for merchant stores. The company was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. NTT DOCOMO, INC. is a subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation.

Read MoreRed Hat, Inc. provides open source software solutions to develop and offer operating system, virtualization, management, middleware, cloud, mobile, and storage technologies to various enterprises worldwide. It offers infrastructure-related solutions, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux, an operating system platform that runs on hardware for use in hybrid cloud environments; Red Hat Satellite, a system management offering that helps to deploy, scale, and manage in hybrid cloud environments; and Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization, a software solution that allows customers to utilize and manage a common hardware infrastructure to run multiple operating systems and applications. The company offers application development-related and other technology solutions, such as Red Hat JBoss Middleware, a solution for developing, deploying, and managing applications; integrating applications, data, and devices; and automating business processes in hybrid cloud environments; The company's application development-related and other technology solutions also includes Red Hat cloud offerings, a software solution that enables customers to build and manage various cloud computing environments; Red Hat Mobile, a software development platform that enables customers to develop, integrate, deploy, and manage mobile applications for enterprises; and Red Hat Storage, a software solution that enables customers to manage large, unstructured, or semi-structured data in hybrid cloud environments. It also provides consulting, support, and training services; and realtime operating system, distributed computing, directory services, and user authentication. Red Hat, Inc. has collaboration with Juniper Networks Expand to provide a unified solution for enterprises designed to manage and run applications and services. The company was formerly known as Red Hat Software, Inc. and changed its name to Red Hat, Inc. in June 1999. Red Hat, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of American Tower: 10 Presidential Way Associates LLC, 3267351 Nova Scotia Company, 3286208 Nova Scotia Company, 3298099 Nova Scotia Company, 52 Eighty LLC, 52 Eighty Partners LLC, 52 Eighty Tower Partners I LLC, ACC Tower Sub LLC, AT Kenya C.V., AT Netherlands C.V., AT Netherlands Cooperatief U.A., AT Sao Paulo C.V., AT Sher Netherlands Cooperatief U.A., AT South America C.V., ATC Africa Holding B.V., ATC Africa Shared Services (Pty) Ltd, ATC Antennas Holding LLC, ATC Antennas LLC, ATC Argentina C.V., ATC Argentina Cooperatief U.A., ATC Argentina Holding LLC, ATC Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., ATC Atlantic C.V., ATC Atlantic II B.V., ATC Atlantic III B.V., ATC Backhaul LLC, ATC Brasil  Servicos de Conectividades Ltda., ATC Brazil Holding LLC, ATC Brazil I LLC, ATC Brazil II LLC, ATC Burkina Faso S.A., ATC CSR Foundation India, ATC Chile Holding LLC, ATC Colombia B.V., ATC Colombia Holding I LLC, ATC Colombia Holding LLC, ATC Colombia I LLC, ATC EH GmbH & Co. KG, ATC Ecuador Holding LLC, ATC Edge LLC, ATC Ethiopia Infrastructure Development Private Limited Company, ATC Europe B.V., ATC Europe LLC, ATC European Holdings Inc., ATC Fibra de Colombia S.A.S., ATC France Cooperatief U.A., ATC France Holding II SAS, ATC France Holding SAS, ATC France Reseaux SAS, ATC France SAS, ATC France Services SAS, ATC GP GmbH, ATC Germany Holdings GmbH, ATC Germany Services GmbH, ATC Ghana ServiceCo Limited, ATC Global Employment B.V., ATC Heston B.V., ATC Holding Fibra Mexico S. de R.L. DE C.V., ATC IP LLC, ATC India Infrastructure Private Limited, ATC Indoor DAS Holding LLC, ATC Indoor DAS LLC, ATC International Cooperatief U.A., ATC International Financing B.V., ATC International Financing II B.V., ATC International Financing II Holding LLC, ATC International Holding Corp., ATC Iris I LLC, ATC Kenya Operations Limited, ATC Kenya Services Limited, ATC Latin America S.A. de C.V. SOFOM E.N.R., ATC MIP III REIT Iron Holdings LLC, ATC Managed Sites Holding LLC, ATC Managed Sites LLC, ATC MexHold LLC, ATC Mexico Holding LLC, ATC Niger Wireless Infrastructure S.A., ATC Nigeria C.V., ATC Nigeria Cooperatief U.A., ATC Nigeria Holding LLC, ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited, ATC On Air + LLC, ATC Operations LLC, ATC Outdoor DAS LLC, ATC Paraguay Holding LLC, ATC Paraguay S.R.L., ATC Peru Holding LLC, ATC Polska sp. z o.o., ATC Ponderosa B-I LLC, ATC Ponderosa B-II LLC, ATC Ponderosa K LLC, ATC Ponderosa K-R LLC, ATC Sequoia LLC, ATC Sitios Infraco S.A.S., ATC Sitios de Chile S.A., ATC Sitios de Colombia S.A.S., ATC Sitios del Peru S.R.L., ATC South Africa Investment Holdings (Proprietary) Limited, ATC South Africa Services Pty Ltd, ATC South Africa Wireless Infrastructure (Pty) Ltd, ATC South Africa Wireless Infrastructure II (Pty) Ltd, ATC South America Holding LLC, ATC South LLC, ATC Spain LLC, ATC TRS I LLC, ATC TRS II LLC, ATC TRS III LLC, ATC TRS IV LLC, ATC Tanzania Holding LLC, ATC Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited, ATC Tower (Ghana) Limited, ATC Tower Services LLC, ATC Uganda Limited, ATC Uganda ServiceCo (SMC) Limited, ATC Watertown LLC, ATC WiFi LLC, ATS-Needham LLC, ActiveX Telebroadband Services Private Limited, Adquisiciones y Proyectos Inalambricos S. de R. L. de C.V., Agile Airband Ohio LLC, Agile Connect LLC, Agile IWG Holdings LLC, Agile Network Builders LLC, Agile Networks Indiana LLC, Agile Networks Site Development LLC, Agile Towers LLC, Alternative Networking LLC, American Tower Asset Sub II LLC, American Tower Asset Sub LLC, American Tower Charitable Foundation Inc., American Tower Delaware Corporation, American Tower Depositor Sub LLC, American Tower Guarantor Sub LLC, American Tower Holding Sub II LLC, American Tower Holding Sub LLC, American Tower International Holding I LLC, American Tower International Holding II LLC, American Tower International Inc., American Tower Investments LLC, American Tower LLC, American Tower Management LLC, American Tower Mauritius, American Tower Servicios Fibra S. de R.L. de C.V., American Tower Tanzania Operations Limited, American Tower do Brasil - Cessao de Infraestruturas Ltda., American Tower do Brasil  Communicacao Multimidia Ltda., American Towers LLC, BR Towers, Blue Sky Towers Pty Ltd, Blue Transfer Sociedad Anonima, Broadcast Towers LLC, CNC2 Associates LLC, California Tower Inc., Cell Site NewCo II LLC, Cell Tower Lease Acquisition LLC, Central States Tower Holdings LLC, Colo ATL LLC, Colo Atl, Communications Properties Inc., Comunicaciones y Consumos S.A., Connectivity Infrastructure Services Limited, DCS Tower Sub LLC, Eaton, Eaton Towers (Lilongwe) Limited, Eaton Towers Ghana (M) Limited, Eaton Towers Ghana Limited, Eaton Towers Holdings Limited, Eaton Towers Kenya Limited, Eaton Towers Limited, Eaton Towers Niger S.A., Eaton Towers Uganda Limited, Essar Telecom Infrastructure, Eure-et-Loir Reseaux Mobiles SAS, GTP Acquisition Partners I LLC, GTP Acquisition Partners II LLC, GTP Acquisition Partners III LLC, GTP Costa Rica Finance LLC, GTP Infrastructure I LLC, GTP Infrastructure II LLC, GTP Infrastructure III LLC, GTP Investments LLC, GTP LATAM Holdings B.V., GTP LatAm Holdings Cooperatieve U.A., GTP Operations CR S.R.L., GTP South Acquisitions II LLC, GTP Structures I LLC, GTP Structures II LLC, GTP TRS I LLC, GTP Torres CR S.R.L., GTP Towers I LLC, GTP Towers II LLC, GTP Towers III LLC, GTP Towers IV LLC, GTP Towers IX LLC, GTP Towers V LLC, GTP Towers VII LLC, GTP Towers VIII LLC, GTPI HoldCo LLC, Ghana Tower InterCo B.V., Global Tower Assets III LLC, Global Tower Assets LLC, Global Tower Holdings LLC, Global Tower LLC, Global Tower Partners, Global Tower Services LLC, Gondola Tower Holdings LLC, Grain HoldCo LLC, Grain HoldCo Parent LLC, GrainComm I LLC, GrainComm II LLC, GrainComm III LLC, GrainComm LLC, GrainComm Marketing LLC, GrainComm V LLC, Haysville Towers LLC, IW Equipment LLC, IWD Equipment LLC, IWG Holdings LLC, IWG II Holdings LLC, IWG II LLC, IWG Miami LLC, IWG Towers Assets I LLC, IWG Towers Assets II LLC, IWG-TLA Australia Pty Ltd., IWG-TLA Canada Corp., IWG-TLA Encanto 1 LLC, IWG-TLA Encanto 2 LLC, IWG-TLA Encanto 3 LLC, IWG-TLA Encanto LLC, IWG-TLA Holdings LLC, IWG-TLA Media 2 LLC, IWG-TLA Media LLC, IWG-TLA Telecom LLC, IWL-TLA Telecom 2 LLC, Idaho Tower Company LLC, InSite (BCEC) LLC, InSite (MBTA) LLC, InSite Borrower LLC, InSite Co-Issuer Corp., InSite Guarantor LLC, InSite Hawaii LLC, InSite Issuer LLC, InSite Licensing LLC, InSite Towers Development 2 LLC, InSite Towers Development LLC, InSite Towers International 2 LLC, InSite Towers International Development LLC, InSite Towers International LLC, InSite Towers LLC, InSite Towers of Puerto Rico LLC, InSite Wireless Development LLC, InSite Wireless Group, InSite Wireless Group LLC, Insite Wireless LLC, Invisible IWG Holdings LLC, Invisible Towers LLC, JT Communications LLC, LAP Inmobiliaria Limitada, LAP Inmobiliaria S.R.L., LL B Sheet 1 LLC, Lap do Brasil Empreendimentos Imobiliarios Ltda, Lease Advisors-AU PTY LTD, Loxel SAS, MATC Digital S. de R.L. de C.V., MATC Infraestructura S. de R.L. de C.V., MATC Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., MC New Macland Properties LLC, MCSU Properties LLC, MHB Tower Rentals of America LLC, MIP III Iron Holdings LLC, MIP III U.S. Iron LLC, Microwave Inc., Municipal Bay LLC, Municipal-Bay Holdings LLC, New Towers LLC, PCS Structures Towers LLC, R-CAL I LLC, RSA Media Inc., Repeater Communications Group I LLC, Repeater Communications Group II LLC, Repeater Communications Group III LLC, Repeater Communications Group IV LLC, Repeater Communications Group LLC, Repeater Communications Group V LLC, Repeater Communications Group VI LLC, Repeater Communications Group of New York LLC, Repeater IWG Holdings LLC, Richland Towers LLC, Signum/IWG Tower Corp., Southeast Network Access Point LLC, SpectraSite Communications, SpectraSite Communications LLC, SpectraSite LLC, T8 Ulysses Site Management LLC, TLA PR-1 LLC, TLA PR-2 LLC, Telecom Lease Advisors Management 2 LLC, Tower Management Inc., Towers of America L.L.L.P., Transcend Infrastructure Holdings Pte. Ltd., Transcend Towers Infrastructure (Philippines) Inc., Turris Sites Development Corp., Turris Sites IWG Corp, Tysons II DAS LLC, UNIsite, Uganda Tower Interco B.V., Ulysses Asset Sub I LLC, Ulysses Asset Sub II LLC, UniSite LLC, UniSite/Omnipoint FL Tower Venture LLC, UniSite/Omnipoint NE Tower Venture LLC, UniSite/Omnipoint PA Tower Venture LLC, Vangard Wireless LLC, Verus Management One LLC, Viom Networks, and Virdi IWG Holdings LLC.Valley National Bancorp is a bank holding company, which engages in the provision of retail and commercial banking services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Lending; Commercial Lending; Investment Management; and Corporate and Other Adjustments. The Consumer Lending segment consists of residential mortgage loans, automobile loans and home equity loans, as well as wealth management and insurance services. The Commercial Lending segment includes the floating rate and adjustable rate commercial and industrial loans as well as fixed rate owner occupied and commercial real estate loans. The Investment Management segment refers to investments in various types of securities and interest-bearing deposits with other banks. The Corporate and Other Adjustments segment represents the income and expense items not directly attributable to a specific segment. The company was founded on November 12, 1982 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of MetLife: 1001 PROPERTIES LLC, 10700 WILSHIRE LLC, 1201 TAB MANAGER LLC, 150 NORTH RIVERSIDE PE MEMBER LLC, 1925 WJC OWNER LLC, 23RD STREET INVESTMENTS INC., 500 GRANT STREET ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, 500 GRANT STREET GP LLC, 60 11TH STREET LLC, 6104 HOLLYWOOD LLC, AFP GENESIS ADMINISTRADORA DE FONDOS Y FIDECOMISOS S.A., AFP PROVIDA S.A., AGENVITA S.R.L., ALICO EUROPEAN HOLDINGS LIMITED, ALICO HELLAS SINGLE MEMBER LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, ALICO OPERATIONS LLC, ALICO PROPERTIES INC., AMMETLIFE INSURANCE BERHAD, AMMETLIFE TAKAFUL BERHAD, American Life Insurance Company, BEST MARKET S.A., BIDV METLIFE LIFE INSURANCE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, BLOCK VISION HOLDINGS CORPORATION, BLOCK VISION OF TEXAS INC., BORDERLAND INVESTMENTS LIMITED, BOULEVARD RESIDENTIAL LLC, BUFORD LOGISTICS CENTER LLC, CC HOLDCO MANAGER LLC, CHESTNUT FLATS WIND LLC, CLOSED JOINT-STOCK COMPANY MASTER D, COMPANIA INVERSORA METLIFE S.A., CORPORATE REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC, COVA LIFE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, DAVIS VISION INC., DAVISVISION IPA INC., DELAWARE AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, DES MOINES CREEK BUSINESS PARK PHASE II LLC, ECONOMY FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, ECONOMY PREFERRED INSURANCE COMPANY, ECONOMY PREMIER ASSURANCE COMPANY, EURO CL INVESTMENTS LLC, EXCELENCIA OPERATIVA Y TECNOLOGICA S.A de C.V., FEDERAL FLOOD CERTIFICATION LLC, FORTISSIMO CO. LTD, FUNDACION METLIFE MEXICO A.C., GLOBAL PROPERTIES INC., General American Life Insurance Company, Grand Bank N.A., HASKELL EAST VILLAGE LLC, HIGH STREET SEVENTH AND OSBORN APARTMENTS LLC, HOUSING FUND MANAGER LLC, INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL AND ADVISORY SERVICES LIMITED, INVERSIONES METLIFE HOLDCO DOS LIMITADA, INVERSIONES METLIFE HOLDCO TRES LIMITADA, JOINT-STOCK COMPANY METLIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, LHC HOLDINGS, LHCW HOLDINGS, LHCW HOTEL HOLDING, LHCW HOTEL HOLDING LLC, LHCW HOTEL OPERATING COMPANY, LONG ISLAND SOLAR FARM LLC, LUMENLAB MALAYSIA SDN. BHD., Logan Circle Partners, MARKETPLACE RESIDENCES LLC, MAXIS GBN S.A.S., MC PORTFOLIO JV MEMBER LLC, MCJV LLC, MCMIF HOLDCO I LLC, MCMIF HOLDCO II LLC, MCP - WELLINGTON LLC, MCP 100 CONGRESS MEMBER LLC, MCP 1500 MICHAEL LLC, MCP 1900 MCKINNEY LLC, MCP 2 AMES LLC, MCP 2 AMES ONE LLC, MCP 2 AMES OWNER LLC, MCP 2 AMES TWO LLC, MCP 220 YORK LLC, MCP 22745 & 22755 RELOCATION DRIVE LLC, MCP 249 INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS PARK MEMBER LLC, MCP 3040 POST OAK LLC, MCP 350 ROHLWING LLC, MCP 4600 SOUTH SYRACUSE LLC, MCP 550 WEST WASHINGTON LLC, MCP 60 11TH STREET MEMBER LLC, MCP 7 RIVERWAY LLC, MCP 9020 MURPHY ROAD LLC, MCP 93 RED RIVER MEMBER LLC, MCP ALLEY 24 EAST LLC, MCP ASHTON SOUTH END LLC, MCP BLOCK 23 MEMBER LLC, MCP BRADFORD LLC, MCP BUFORD LOGISTICS CENTER 2 MEMBER LLC, MCP BUFORD LOGISTICS CENTER BLDG B LLC, MCP BURNSIDE MEMBER LLC, MCP CENTER AVENUE INDUSTRIAL MEMBER LLC, MCP CLAWITER INNOVATION MEMBER LLC, MCP COMMON DESK TRS LLC, MCP DENVER PAVILIONS MEMBER LLC, MCP DILLON LLC, MCP DILLON RESIDENTIAL LLC, MCP ENV CHICAGO LLC, MCP FIFE ENTERPRISE CENTER LLC, MCP FRISCO OFFICE LLC, MCP GRAPEVINE LLC, MCP HIGHLAND PARK LENDER LLC, MCP HUB I LLC, MCP HUB I PROPERTY LLC, MCP LODGE AT LAKECREST LLC, MCP MA PROPERTY REIT LLC, MCP MAGNOLIA PARK MEMBER LLC, MCP MAIN STREET VILLAGE LLC, MCP MOUNTAIN TECHNOLOGY CENTER MEMBER TRS LLC, MCP NORTHYARDS HOLDCO LLC, MCP NORTHYARDS MASTER LESSEE LLC, MCP NORTHYARDS OWNER LLC, MCP ONE WESTSIDE LLC, MCP ONYX LLC, MCP PARAGON POINT LLC, MCP PLAZA AT LEGACY LLC, MCP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC, MCP SEATTLE GATEWAY INDUSTRIAL I LLC, MCP SEATTLE GATEWAY INDUSTRIAL II LLC, MCP SEVENTH AND OSBORNE MF MEMBER LLC, MCP SEVENTH AND OSBORNE RETAIL MEMBER LLC, MCP SHAKOPEE LLC, MCP SLEEPY HOLLOW MEMBER LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  ANAHEIM LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  BERNARDO LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  CANYON LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  CONCOURSE LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  FULLERTON LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  KELLWO00OD LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  LAX LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  LOKER LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  REDONDO LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  SPRINGDALE LLC, MCP STATELINE LLC, MCP THE PALMS AT DORAL LLC, MCP TRIMBLE CAMPUS LLC, MCP UNION ROW LLC, MCP VALLEY FORGE LLC, MCP VALLEY FORGE ONE LLC, MCP VALLEY FORGE OWNER LLC, MCP VALLEY FORGE TWO LLC, MCP VANCE JACKSON LLC, MCP VINEYARD AVENUE MEMBER LLC, MCP VOA HOLDINGS LLC, MCP VOA I & III LLC, MCP VOA II LLC, MCP WATERFORD ATRIUM LLC, MCP WEST BROAD MARKETPLACE LLC, MCP  ENGLISH VILLAGE LLC, MCPF ACQUISITION LLC, MCPF FOXBOROUGH LLC, MCPF  NEEDHAM LLC, MCPP OWNERS LLC, MCRE BLOCK 40 LP, MEC HEALTH CARE INC., MET 1065 HOTEL LLC, MET CANADA SOLAR ULC, METLIFE 1007 STEWART LLC, METLIFE 1201 TAB MEMBER LLC, METLIFE 425 MKT MANAGER LLC, METLIFE 425 MKT MEMBER LLC, METLIFE 555 12TH MEMBER LLC, METLIFE 8280 MEMBER LLC, METLIFE ACOMA OWNER LLC, METLIFE ADMINISTRADORA DE FUNDOS MULTIPATROCINADOS LTDA., METLIFE ALTERNATIVES GP LLC, METLIFE ASHTON AUSTIN OWNER LLC, METLIFE ASIA HOLDING COMPANY PTE. LTD., METLIFE ASIA LIMITED, METLIFE ASIA SERVICES SDN. BHD, METLIFE ASSET MANAGEMENT CORP., METLIFE ASSIGNMENT COMPANY INC., METLIFE AUTO & HOME INSURANCE AGENCY INC., METLIFE BL FEEDER, METLIFE BL FEEDER LP, METLIFE BORO STATION MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CABO HILTON MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CAMINO RAMON MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CAPITAL CREDIT L.P., METLIFE CAPITAL LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST IV, METLIFE CB W/A LLC, METLIFE CC MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CHILE ADMINISTRADORA DE MUTUOS HIPOTECARIOS S.A., METLIFE CHILE INVERSIONES LIMITADA, METLIFE CHILE SEGUROS DE VIDA S.A., METLIFE CHILE SEGUROS GENERALES S.A., METLIFE CHINO MEMBER LLC, METLIFE COLOMBIA SEGUROS de VIDA S.A., METLIFE COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE INCOME FUND GP LLC, METLIFE COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE INCOME FUND LP, METLIFE COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR LLC, METLIFE COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE REIT LLC, METLIFE CONSQUARE MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CONSUMER SERVICES INC., METLIFE CORE PROPERTY FUND GP LLC, METLIFE CORE PROPERTY FUND LP, METLIFE CORE PROPERTY HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE CORE PROPERTY REIT LLC, METLIFE CORE PROPERTY TRS. LLC, METLIFE CREDIT CORP., METLIFE DIGITAL VENTURES INC., METLIFE EMEKLILIK VE HAYAT A.S., METLIFE EMERGING MARKET DEBT BLEND FUND, METLIFE EU HOLDING COMPANY LIMITED, METLIFE EUROPE INSURANCE d.a.c., METLIFE EUROPE SERVICES LIMITED, METLIFE EUROPE d.a.c., METLIFE EUROPEAN HOLDINGS LLC., METLIFE FINANCIAL SERVICES CO. LTD, METLIFE FM HOTEL MEMBER LLC, METLIFE FUNDING INC., METLIFE GENERAL INSURANCE LIMITED, METLIFE GLOBAL BENEFITS LTD., METLIFE GLOBAL HOLDING COMPANY I GMBH, METLIFE GLOBAL HOLDING COMPANY II GMBH, METLIFE GLOBAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION S.A. De C.V., METLIFE GLOBAL INC., METLIFE GLOBAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER PRIVATE LIMITED, METLIFE GROUP INC., METLIFE HCMJV 1 GP LLC, METLIFE HCMJV 1 LP LLC, METLIFE HEALTH PLANS INC., METLIFE HOLDINGS INC., METLIFE HOME LOANS LLC, METLIFE INNOVATION CENTRE LIMITED, METLIFE INNOVATION CENTRE PTE. LTD., METLIFE INSURANCE AND INVESTMENT TRUST, METLIFE INSURANCE BROKERAGE INC., METLIFE INSURANCE K.K., METLIFE INSURANCE LIMITED, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL HF PARTNERS LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED LLC, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND I LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND II LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND III LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND IV LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND V LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND VI LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND VII LP, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC, METLIFE INVESTMENTS ASIA LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENTS LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENTS PTY LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENTS SECURITIES LLC, METLIFE INVESTORS DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, METLIFE INVESTORS GROUP LLC, METLIFE IRELAND TREASURY D.A.C., METLIFE JAPAN US EQUITY FUND GP LLC, METLIFE JAPAN US EQUITY FUND LP, METLIFE JAPAN US EQUITY OWNERS, METLIFE JAPAN US EQUITY OWNERS LLC, METLIFE LATIN AMERICA ASESORIAS E INVERSIONES LIMITADA, METLIFE LEGAL PLANS INC., METLIFE LEGAL PLANS OF FLORIDA INC., METLIFE LHH MEMBER LLC, METLIFE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, METLIFE LIFE INSURANCE S.A., METLIFE LOAN ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC, METLIFE MAS S.A. DE C.V., METLIFE MEMBER SOLAIRE LLC, METLIFE MEXICO HOLDINGS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., METLIFE MEXICO S.A., METLIFE MEXICO SERVICIOS S.A. DE C.V., METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT FUND LP, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT GP LLC, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT PARALLEL FUND LP, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT PARALLEL GP LLC, METLIFE MULTI-FAMILY PARTNERS III LLC, METLIFE MUTUAL FUND COMPANY, METLIFE OBS MEMBER LLC, METLIFE OFC MEMBER LLC, METLIFE ONTARIO STREET MEMBR LLC, METLIFE PARK TOWER MEMBER LLC, METLIFE PENSION TRUSTEES LIMITED, METLIFE PENSIONES MEXICO S.A., METLIFE PET INSURANCE SOLUTIONS LLC, METLIFE PLANOS ODONTOLOGICOS LTDA., METLIFE POWSZECHNE TOWARTZYSTWO EMERYTALNE S.A., METLIFE PRIVATE EQUITY HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE PROPERTIES VENTURES LLC, METLIFE RC SF MEMBER LLC, METLIFE REAL ESTATE LENDING LLC, METLIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY OF BERMUDA LTD., METLIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY OF CHARLESTON, METLIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY OF VERMONT, METLIFE RETIREMENT SERVICES LLC, METLIFE SAENGMYOUNG INSURANCE COMPANY LTD., METLIFE SECURITIZATION DEPOSITOR LLC, METLIFE SEGUROS S.A., METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING FINCO LLC, METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING FUND LP, METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING GP LLC, METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING HOLDINGS LP, METLIFE SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS LLC, METLIFE SERVICES CYPRUS LIMITED, METLIFE SERVICES EAST PRIVATE LIMITED, METLIFE SERVICES EEIG, METLIFE SERVICES EOOD, METLIFE SERVICES SOCIEDAD LIMITADA, METLIFE SERVICES SP Z.O.O, METLIFE SERVICIOS S.A., METLIFE SLOVAKIA S.R.O. V LIKVIDACII, METLIFE SOLUTIONS PTE. LTD., METLIFE SOLUTIONS S.A.S., METLIFE SP HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE SYNDICATED BANK LOAN FUND SCSP, METLIFE SYNDICATED BANK LOAN LUX GP S.A.R.L., METLIFE THR INVESTOR LLC, METLIFE TOWARZYSTWO FUNDUSZY INWESTYCYJNYCH S.A., METLIFE TOWARZYSTWO UBEZPIECZEN NA ZYCIE I REASEKURACJI S.A., METLIFE TOWER RESOURCES GROUP INC., METLIFE TREAT TOWERS MEMBER LLC, METLIFE WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS LLC, METROPOLITAN CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN DIRECT PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN GLOBAL MANAGEMENT LLC., METROPOLITAN GROUP PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN LIFE SEGUROS E PREVIDENCIA PRIVADA S.A., METROPOLITAN LIFE SOCIETATE de ADMINISTRARE a UNUI FOND de PENSII ADMINISTRAT PRIVAT S.A., METROPOLITAN LLOYDS INC., METROPOLITAN LLOYDS INSURANCE COMPANY OF TEXAS, METROPOLITAN PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN TOWER LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN TOWER REALTY COMPANY INC., MEX DF PROPERTIES LLC, MFA FINANCING VEHICLE CTR1 LLC, MIDTOWN HEIGHTS LLC, MIM CLAL GENERAL PARTNER LLC, MIM EMD GP LLC, MIM I LLC, MIM METWEST INTERNATIONAL MANAGER LLC, MIM ML-AI VENTURE 5 MANAGER LLC, MIM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC, MIM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OF GEORGIA 1 LLC, MIM THIRD ARMY INDUSTRIAL MANAGER LLC, MISSOURI REINSURANCE INC., ML - URS PORT CHESTER SC MANAGER LLC, ML 300 THIRD MEMBER LLC, ML ARMATURE MEMBER LLC, ML BELLEVUE MANAGER LLC, ML BELLEVUE MEMBER LLC, ML BRIDGESIDE APARTMENTS LLC, ML CAPACITACION COMERCIAL S.A. DE C.V., ML CERRITOS TC MEMBER LLC, ML CLAL MEMBER LLC, ML DOLPHIN GP LLC, ML DOLPHIN MEZZ LLC, ML MATSON MILLS MEMBER LLC, ML MILILANI MEMBER LLC, ML ONE BEDMINSTER LLC, ML PORT CHESTER SC MEMBER LLC, ML SENTINEL SQUARE MEMBER LLC, ML SLOANS LAKE MEMEBR LLC, ML SOUTHLANDS MEMBER LLC, ML SOUTHMORE LLC, ML SWAN GP LLC, ML SWAN MEZZ LLC, ML TERRACES LLC, ML THIRD ARMY INDUSTRIAL MEMBER LLC, ML VENTURE 1 MANAGER S. DE R. L. DE C.V., ML VENTURE 1 SERVICER LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 1 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 2 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 3 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 4 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 5 LLC, MLIA MANAGER I LLC, MLIA PARK TOWER MANAGER LLC, MLIA SBAF COLONY MANAGER LLC, MLIA SBAF MANAGER LLC, MLIC ASSET HOLDINGS II LLC, MLIC ASSET HOLDINGS LLC, MLIC CB HOLDINGS LLC, MLJ US FEEDER LLC, MM GLOBAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER S.A. DE C.V., MMP CEDAR STREET OWNER LLC, MMP CEDAR STREET REIT LLC, MMP HOLDINGS III LLC, MMP OLIVIAN OWNER LLC, MMP OLIVIAN REIT LLC, MMP OWNERS III LLC, MMP OWNERS LLC, MMP SOUTH PARK OWNER LLC, MMP SOUTH PARK REIT LLC, MREF 425 MKT LLC, MSV IRVINE PROPERTY LLC, MTC FUND I LLC, MTC FUND II LLC, MTC FUND III LLC, MTL LEASING LLC, MTU HOTEL OWNER LLC, NATILOPORTEM HOLDINGS LLC, NEWBURY INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, OCONEE GOLF COMPANY LLC, OCONEE HOTEL COMPANY LLC, OCONEE LAND COMPANY LLC, OCONEE LAND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LLC, OCONEE MARINA COMPANY LLC, OMI MLIC INVESTMENTS LIMITED, PACIFIC LOGISTICS INDUSTRIAL SOUTH LLC, PARK TOWER JV MEMBER LLC, PARK TOWER REIT INC., PJSC METLIFE, PLAZA DRIVE PROPERTIES LLC, PNB METLIFE INDIA INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, PREFCO FOURTEEN LLC, PREFCO XIV HOLDINGS LLC, PROVIDA INTERNACIONAL S.A., SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES INC., SAFEGUARD HEALTH PLANS INC., SAFEHEALTH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, SEVENTH AND OSBORN MF VENTURE LLC, SINO-US UNITED METLIFE INSURANCE CO. LTD., SOUTHCREEK INDUSTRIAL HOLDINGS LLC, ST. JAMES FLEET INVESTMENTS TWO LIMITED, SUPERIOR PROCUREMENT INC, SUPERIOR VISION BENEFIT MANAGEMENT INC., SUPERIOR VISION HOLDINGS INC., SUPERIOR VISION INSURANCE INC., SUPERIOR VISION INSURANCE PLAN OF WISCONSIN INC., SUPERIOR VISION OF NEW JERSEY INC., SUPERIOR VISION SERVICES INC., Safeguard Health Enterprises, Security First Group Inc., THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH AVENUE MEZZANINE LLC, THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH RETAIL HOLDING LLC, THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH RETAIL OWNER, THE DIRECT CALL CENTRE PTY LIMITED, TRANSMOUNTAIN LAND & LIVESTOCK COMPANY, UVC INDEPENDENT PRACTICE ASSOCIATION INC., VERSANT HEALTH CONSOLIDATIONS CORP., VERSANT HEALTH HOLDCO INC., VERSANT HEALTH LAB LLC, VIRIDIAN MIRACLE MILE LLC, VISION 21 MANAGED EYE CARE OF TAMPA BAY, VISION 21 PHYSICIAN PRACTICE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, VISION TWENTY-ONE MANAGED EYE CARE IPA INC., Versant Health, WDV ACQUISITION CORP., WFP 1000 HOLDING COMPANY GP LLC, WHITE OAK ROYALTY COMPANY, and WHITE TRACT II LLC.The following companies are subsidiares of Quest Diagnostics: AmeriPath, AmeriPath Cincinnati Inc. (OH), AmeriPath Cleveland Inc. (OH), AmeriPath Consolidated Labs Inc. (FL), AmeriPath Florida LLC (DE), AmeriPath Hospital Services Florida LLC (DE), AmeriPath Inc. (DE), AmeriPath Indianapolis PC (IN), AmeriPath Kentucky Inc. (KY), AmeriPath Lubbock 5.01(A) Corporation (TX), AmeriPath New York LLC (DE), AmeriPath Texas Inc. (DE), AmeriPath Tucson Inc. (AZ), American Medical Laboratories, American Medical Laboratories Incorporated (DE), Associated Clinical Laboratories L.P. (PA), Associated Clinical Laboratories of Pennsylvania L.L.C. (PA), Athena Diagnostics, Athena Diagnostics Inc. (DE), Blueprint Genetics, Blueprint Genetics FZ-LLC (UAE), Blueprint Genetics Inc. (DE), Blueprint Genetics Oy (Finland), California Laboratory Associates, Cape Cod Healthcare - Business, Celera, ClearPoint Diagnostic, Clearpoint Diagnostic Laboratories LLC (TX), Cleveland HeartLab, Cleveland HeartLab Inc. (DE), Clinical Laboratory Partners, Colorado Pathology Consultants P.C. (CO), ConVerge Diagnostic Services, Consolidated DermPath Inc. (DE), DFW 5.01(a) Corporation (TX), DGXWMT JV LLC (DE), Dermatopathology of Wisconsin S.C. (WI), Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma LLC (OK), Diagnostic Pathology Services Inc. (OK), Diagnostic Reference Services Inc. (MD), ExamOne Canada Inc. (New Brunswick), ExamOne LLC (DE), ExamOne World Wide Inc. (PA), ExamOne World Wide of NJ Inc. (NJ), Focus Diagnostics, HemoCue, Hoffman M.D. Associated Pathologists Chartered (NV), Institute for Dermatopathology Inc. (PA), Isabella Street Urban Renewal LLC (NJ), Kailash B. Sharma M.D. Inc. (GA), Kilpatrick Pathology P.A. (NC), LabOne, LabOne LLC (MO), LabOne of Ohio Inc. (DE), Laboratorio de Analisis Biomedicos S.A. (Mexico), Lancet Labs, MACL, Med Fusion LLC (TX), Med fusion, MedPlus, Mid America Clinical Laboratories LLC (IN), Nomad Massachusetts Inc. (MA), Nuclear Medicine and Pathology Associates (GA), Ocmulgee Medical Pathology Association Inc. (GA), Pathology Building Partnership (MD) (gen. ptnrshp.), PeaceHealth Laboratories, PhenoPath Laboratories, PhenoPath Laboratories PLLC (WA), Q Squared Solutions Holdings LLC (DE), Q Squared Solutions Holdings Limited (UK), Quest Diagnostics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. (China), Quest Diagnostics Brasil Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics Domestic Holder LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics HTAS India Private Limited (India), Quest Diagnostics Health & Wellness LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Holdings Incorporated (DE), Quest Diagnostics Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (MD), Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NV), Quest Diagnostics India Private Limited (India), Quest Diagnostics Infectious Disease Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics International Holdings Limited (UK), Quest Diagnostics International LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Ireland Limited (Ireland), Quest Diagnostics LLC (CT), Quest Diagnostics LLC (IL), Quest Diagnostics LLC (MA), Quest Diagnostics Massachusetts LLC (MA), Quest Diagnostics Mexico Holding Company Trust (Mexico), Quest Diagnostics Mexico S de RL de CV (Mexico), Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute (CA), Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute Inc. (VA), Quest Diagnostics Receivables Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics Subsidiary Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics TB LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Terracotta LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Venture LLC (PA), Quest Diagnostics Ventures LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics do Brasil Ltda. (Brazil), Quest Diagnostics of Pennsylvania Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics of Puerto Rico Inc. (PR), Quest HealthConnect LLC (CA), ReproSource, Reprosource Fertility Diagnostics Inc. (MA), Solstas Lab Partners, Sonora Quest Laboratories LLC (AZ), Specialty Laboratories Inc. (CA), Summit Health, UMass Memorial Medical Center - Anatomic Pathology Outreach Laboratory Business, Unilab Corporation, and Unilab Corporation (DE).Varian Medical Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, sells, and services medical devices and software products for treating cancer and other medical conditions worldwide. It operates through Oncology Systems and Proton Solutions segments. The Oncology Systems segment offers hardware and software products for treating cancer with radiotherapy, fixed field intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, volumetric modulated arc therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiotherapy, artificial intelligence based adaptive radiotherapy, and brachytherapy, as well as quality assurance equipment. Its products include linear accelerators, brachytherapy afterloaders, treatment accessories, and quality assurance software; and information management, treatment planning, image processing, clinical knowledge exchange, patient care management, decision-making support, and practice management software. This segment serves university research and community hospitals, private and governmental institutions, healthcare agencies, physicians' offices, medical oncology practices, radiotherapy centers, and cancer care clinics. The Proton Solutions segment designs, develops, manufactures, sells, and services products and systems for delivering proton therapy for the treatment of cancer. The company has a strategic agreement with McKesson Corp. to supply treatment delivery systems and planning, services, and radiotherapy information system solutions to its U.S. Oncology Network and Vantage Oncology affiliated sites of care; and a strategic partnership with Siemens AG to represent Siemens diagnostic imaging products to radiation oncology clinics in the United States and other select markets. Varian Medical Systems, Inc. was formerly known as Varian Associates, Inc. and changed its name to Varian Medical Systems, Inc. in April 1999. The company was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.

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The Sarawak More To Discover Campaign for 2019 and 2020 was officially launched at the JW Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on the 16th October 2018 to media and tourism industry players from here.





A creative approach in tourism for the coming year, the Sarawak Tourism Board and also the Ministry of Tourism Sarawak came up with a simple and yet catchy logo for this campaign that is scheduled to run for two years.





The Sarawak Tourism Minister, CEO and other VIP's during the launching in Kuala Lumpur





What is Sarawak More To Discover?

While many wonder what the tagline means, it was created with simplicity and with an objective to focus on the unique culture, endless adventures, amazing nature, fascinating food and incredible festivals of Sarawak.





The More To Discover logo comprises of seven different colours, where each of them represents the elements and diversity that makes up Sarawak, otherwise known as the Land of the Hornbills.





If you notice the letter "a" in the logo, it has cleverly been replaced by the iconic Rhinoceros Hornbill bird, which is native to Sarawak.





And finally, the brush strokes of the More To Discover logo font portrays fun and friendliness, which is representing the unparalleled hospitality found all over Sarawak.





The More to Discover Logo





Sarawak More To Discover Logo Meaning





For those who really want to dive deeper into the logo meaning of the More To Discover tagline, here it is below;





S - The 'S' is in red colour, which represents the Sarawak Flag, and the motif is part of the traditional design for the Dayak and Orang Ulu people of Sarawak.

A - The 'A' is orange in colour, which represents the vibrant energy and strong spirit of the multi-ethnic people in Sarawak.

R - The 'R' comes in the amber yellow colour, which is also the colour of the Sarawak flag, and represents the supremacy of law and order, unity and stability in diversity.

A - The 'A' in green colour is cleverly represented with the head of the Hornbill bird, and signifies the 'Bumi Kenyalang' or Land of the Hornbills.

W - The 'W' in blue colour reflects the calmness of the ocean along Sarawaks vast coastline.

A - The blue coloured 'A' is the same as above, representing the ocean.

K - The 'K' also in a darker tone of green represents the lush tropical rainforest in abundance all over Sarawak.





Sarawak Tourism Minister Datuk Abdul Karim giving his talk during the launching





The objective of More To Discover in Sarawak





The main mission is to brand Sarawak as a destination for culture, adventure, nature, food and festivals, which is all totally unique to the largest state of Malaysia.





The Sarawak Tourism Minister, Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah also jokingly mentioned that Sarawak is not your shopping destination. He also clearly stated that 'If you want to do shopping, just visit Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong or Singapore'.





Sarawak has always been one of the more unique states of Malaysia, and located on the island of Borneo, and is shared with Brunei and Kalimantan. The island is well known to the world simply as Borneo too.





With such unique flora and fauna, Sarawak boasts of a very diverse multi-ethnic culture and with that comes unique celebrations, festivals, crafts and of course food.





The CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board, Sharzede Datu Hj. Salleh Askor giving her opening speech

An incredible 27 ethnic groups make up Sarawak and there are a total of 45 different languages and dialects being spoken through here. This is part of the culture campaign that Sarawak has to offer visitors.





The abundance of tropical rainforest only sees fit to have beautiful and unique national parks, and in Sarawak, there are a total of 56 totally protected areas.





Out of the 56, there are 37 gazetted national parks, the most in one state for Malaysia. A total of 14 nature reserves can be found and there are five wildlife sanctuaries found in Sarawak.





When it comes to festivals, you can find a number of unique ethnic festivals and celebrations throughout the year, and one can only imagine what is being celebrated from the 27 ethnic groups.





Modern-day festivals also contribute to this area where one of the most famous events is no other than the Rainforest World Music Festival, held for the last 21 years at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong.





There is also the Borneo Jazz Festival in Miri and the Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival among the well-known events that see international and local visitors.





The amazing marketing and communication team of Sarawak Tourism Board





A Recent Exploration for Culture, Nature and Wildlife in Bakelalan, Sarawak





I would like to share with you a preview of my recent exploration trip to Ba'kelalan in the highlands of northeast Sarawak just this early October 2018.





On this trip, I visited the Lun Bawang community of 9 villages that make up the entire area of Bakelalan, where I spent about five days here with the friendly highland people.





Even though this is my second visit here, I learned so many new things, explored many new places and found out even more about the local Orang Ulu here.





Check out some of my Bakelalan preview photos below, which were all taken with my Oppo Smartphone on this trip.





The general landscape around Bakelalan in Sarawak





An elderly Lun Bawang lady plays a bamboo flute in Bakelalan





Me taking a pose at one of the incredible landscapes of Bakelalan in Sarawak





Conclusion

As I have been continuously visiting Sarawak for the last ten years since 2008, I can only share two words - Amazing Place. After visiting almost all of Sarawak, there is still so much to discover, and this is just me.





Imagine what a first-timer to Sarawak will discover when he or she steps foot in this unique destination? As far as I know, there is a limitless amount of adventure, nature, culture and food awaiting anyone here in Sarawak.





If you want a fast city life with shopping and skyscrapers, this is not the place to explore, but if you want a different kind of tourism experience, then Sarawak should be high on your bucket list.





And finally, I concur with the Sarawak Tourism Minister, Datuk Karim, where if you want something very unique and different, then it is recommended to visit Sarawak as there is more to discover here.WEX Inc. provides financial technology services in North America, the Asia Pacific, and Europe. It operates through three segments: Fleet Solutions, Travel and Corporate Solutions, and Health and Employee Benefit Solutions. The Fleet Solutions segment offers fleet vehicle payment processing services. Its services include customer, account activation, and account retention services; authorization and billing inquiries, and account maintenance services; premium fleet services; credit and collections services; merchant services; analytics solutions with access to web-based data analytics platform that offers insights to fleet managers; and ancillary services and tools to fleets to manage expenses and capital requirements. This segment markets its products directly and indirectly to commercial and government vehicle fleet customers with small, medium, and large fleets, as well as with over-the-road and long haul fleets; and indirectly through co-branded and private label relationships. The Travel and Corporate Solutions segment provides payment processing solutions for payment and transaction monitoring needs. Its products include virtual cards that are used for transactions where no card is presented and that require pre-authorization; and prepaid and gift card products that enables secure payment and financial management solutions with single card options, access to open or closed loop redemption, load limits, and with various expirations. This segment markets its products directly and indirectly to commercial and government organizations. The Health and Employee Benefit Solutions segment offers healthcare payment products and software-as-a-service consumer directed platforms for healthcare market, as well as payroll related and employee benefit products in Brazil. The company was formerly known as Wright Express Corporation and changed its name to WEX Inc. in October 2012. WEX Inc. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Portland, Maine.

Read MoreInvesco Zacks Multi-Asset Income ETF's stock was trading at $16.41 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, CVY stock has increased by 51.5% and is now trading at $24.8602.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.The following companies are subsidiares of D.R. Horton: 10700 Pecan Park Austin Inc., 11241 Slater Avenue NE LLC, 2 C Development Company LLC, 8800 Roswell Road Bldg. B LLC, 91st Avenue & Happy Valley L.L.C., ANN & 215 LLC, Austin Data Inc., BP456 Inc., C. Richard Dobson Builders Inc., CH Funding LLC, CH Investments of Texas Inc., CHI Construction Company, CHM Partners L.P., CHTEX of Texas Inc., CV Mountain View 25 Inv LLC, Cane Island LLC, Continental Homes Inc., Continental Homes of Texas L.P., Continental Residential Inc., Continental Traditions LLC, Crown Operating Company Inc., Cypress Road L.P., D.R. Horton - CHAustin LLC, D.R. Horton - Colorado LLC, D.R. Horton - Crown LLC, D.R. Horton - Emerald Ltd., D.R. Horton - Georgia LLC, D.R. Horton - Hawaii LLC, D.R. Horton - Highland LLC, D.R. Horton - Indiana LLC, D.R. Horton - Iowa LLC, D.R. Horton - MV LLC, D.R. Horton - Nebraska LLC, D.R. Horton - Permian LLC, D.R. Horton - Regent LLC, D.R. Horton - Terramor LLC, D.R. Horton - Texas Ltd., D.R. Horton - WPH LLC, D.R. Horton - Wyoming LLC, D.R. Horton BAY Inc., D.R. Horton CA2 Inc., D.R. Horton CA3 Inc., D.R. Horton CA4 LLC, D.R. Horton Commercial Inc., D.R. Horton Cruces Construction Inc., D.R. Horton Inc. - Birmingham, D.R. Horton Inc. - Chicago, D.R. Horton Inc. - Denver, D.R. Horton Inc. - Dietz-Crane, D.R. Horton Inc. - Greensboro, D.R. Horton Inc. - Gulf Coast, D.R. Horton Inc. - Huntsville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Jacksonville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Louisville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Midwest, D.R. Horton Inc. - Minnesota, D.R. Horton Inc. - NNV, D.R. Horton Inc. - New Jersey, D.R. Horton Inc. - Portland, D.R. Horton Inc. - Torrey, D.R. Horton Inc. Foundation, D.R. Horton Insurance Agency Inc., D.R. Horton LA North Inc., D.R. Horton Life Insurance Agency Inc., D.R. Horton Los Angeles Holding Company Inc., D.R. Horton Management Company Ltd., D.R. Horton Materials Inc., D.R. Horton Realty LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Atlantic County LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Central Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Delaware LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Georgia Inc., D.R. Horton Realty of Melbourne LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Northwest Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Southeast Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Southwest Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Tampa LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Virginia LLC, D.R. Horton Seabridge Marina Inc., D.R. Horton Serenity Construction LLC, D.R. Horton Urban Renewal LLC, D.R. Horton VEN Inc., D.R. Horton  Corpus Christi LLC, DBC54 LLC, DHI Commercial - Lakeview LLC, DHI Commercial - Signal Butte LLC, DHI Commercial - Tamarron LLC, DHI Commercial Inc., DHI Communities Construction LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Arizona LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Colorado LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Florida LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Iowa LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Nevada LLC, DHI Communities Construction of North Carolina LLC, DHI Communities Construction of South Carolina LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Texas LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Utah LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Virginia LLC, DHI Communities II LLC, DHI Communities Inc., DHI Engineering LLC, DHI Insurance Inc., DHI Mortgage Company, DHI Mortgage Company GP Inc., DHI Mortgage Company LP Inc., DHI Mortgage Company Ltd., DHI Ranch Ltd., DHI Realty of Alabama LLC, DHI Realty of Mississippi LLC, DHI Title GP Inc., DHI Title LP Inc., DHI Title of Alabama Inc., DHI Title of Arizona Inc., DHI Title of Florida Inc., DHI Title of Minnesota Inc., DHI Title of Nevada Inc., DHI Title of Texas Ltd., DHI Title of Washington Inc., DHI Verandah South Shores Communities LLC, DHIC - Bridges LLC, DHIC - Brittmore LLC, DHIC - Carolina Forest LLC, DHIC - Desert Peak LLC, DHIC - Durbin Creek LLC, DHIC - Freestone LLC, DHIC - Hammock Landing LLC, DHIC - Heritage LLC, DHIC - Horizon Uptown LLC, DHIC - Jacobs Reserve LLC, DHIC - Lakeview LLC, DHIC - Lipoma LLC, DHIC - Minton Cove LLC, DHIC - Mountain Vista LLC, DHIC - Naco LLC, DHIC - Northshore LLC, DHIC - Prairie Village LLC, DHIC - South Creek LLC, DHIC - Tamarron LLC, DHIC - Valley Vista LLC, DHIC - Varina Gateway LLC, DHIC - Waterleigh II LLC, DHIC - Waterleigh III LLC, DHIC - Waterleigh LLC, DHIC - Westridge LLC, DHIC LLC, DHIC  Glendale LLC, DHIC  Grove West LLC, DHIC  South Park LLC, DHIC  Westinghouse LLC, DHIR - Aspen Vista LLC, DHIR - Avian Pointe LLC, DHIR - Emerald Lakes LLC, DHIR - Fosters Ridge LLC, DHIR - Gulf Stream LLC, DHIR - Parkview at Lynn Haven LLC, DHIR - Poplar Terrace LLC, DHIR - Properties I LLC, DHIR - Rock Ridge LLC, DHIR - Sunset Village LLC, DHIR - Village at Hickory Street LLC, DRH - ARK LLC, DRH - ASG LLC, DRH - HWY 114 LLC, DRH Cambridge Homes LLC, DRH Capital Trust I, DRH Capital Trust II, DRH Capital Trust III, DRH Colorado Realty Inc., DRH Construction Inc., DRH Energy Inc., DRH FS Mortgage Reinsurance Ltd., DRH Land Opportunities I Inc., DRH Land Opportunities II Inc., DRH Mountain View LLC, DRH Oil & Gas Inc., DRH Opportunities I Inc., DRH Properties Inc., DRH Realty Company Inc., DRH Realty of Iowa LLC, DRH Regrem L LLC, DRH Regrem LI LLC, DRH Regrem LII LLC, DRH Regrem LIII LLC, DRH Regrem LIV LLC, DRH Regrem LV LLC, DRH Regrem VII LP, DRH Regrem XII LP, DRH Regrem XIV Inc., DRH Regrem XIX Inc., DRH Regrem XLIX LLC, DRH Regrem XLV LLC, DRH Regrem XLVI LLC, DRH Regrem XLVII LLC, DRH Regrem XLVIII LLC, DRH Regrem XV Inc., DRH Regrem XVI Inc., DRH Regrem XVII Inc., DRH Regrem XVIII Inc., DRH Regrem XX Inc., DRH Regrem XXI Inc., DRH Regrem XXII Inc., DRH Regrem XXIII Inc., DRH Regrem XXIV Inc., DRH Regrem XXV Inc., DRH Southwest Construction Inc., DRH Tucson Construction Inc., DRHI Inc., Deer Valley Office Park LLC, Desert Ridge Phase I Partners, Emerald Creek No. 4 L.P., Emerald Realty of Alabama LLC, Emerald Realty of Central Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of North Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of Northwest Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of Southeast Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of Southwest Florida LLC, Encore II Inc., Encore Venture Partners II (California) L.P., Encore Venture Partners II (Texas) L.P., Encore Venture Partners L.P., Express Realty of Central Florida LLC, Express Realty of North Florida LLC, Express Realty of Northwest Florida LLC, Express Realty of Southeast Florida LLC, Express Realty of Southwest Florida LLC, Forestar Group, Forestar Group Inc., Founders Oil & Gas II LLC, Founders Oil & Gas III LLC, Founders Oil & Gas IV LLC, Founders Oil & Gas LLC, Founders Oil & Gas Operating LLC, GP-Encore Inc., Georgetown Data Inc., Germann & McQueen L.L.C., Grand Title Agency LLC, Grande Realty Incorporated, Grande Realty of Pennsylvania LLC, Greywes LLC, HPH Homebuilders 2000 L.P., Hadian LLC, KDB Homes Inc., Kaomalo LLC, Lexington Homes - DRH LLC, MRLF LLC, Martin Road Lake Forest LLC, McQueen & Willis LLC, Meadows I Ltd., Meadows II Ltd., Meadows IX Inc., Meadows VIII Ltd., Meadows X Inc., Melody Homes Inc., Pacific Ridge - DRH LLC, Rielly Carlsbad LLC, Rielly Homes Madison LLC, SFTEN LLC, SGS Communities at Grand Quay L.L.C, SHA Construction LLC, SHLR of California Inc., SHLR of Nevada Inc., SHLR of Washington Inc., SRHI LLC, SSHI LLC, Schuler Homes of Arizona LLC, Schuler Homes of California Inc., Schuler Homes of Oregon Inc., Schuler Homes of Washington Inc., Summerlin Pkwy & Cimarron LLC, Surprise Village North LLC, The Club at Cobblestone LLC, The Club at Hidden River LLC, Tierra Financial Advisors LLC, Travis County Title Company, Treasure Assets LLC, Venture Management of South Carolina LLC, Vertical Construction Corporation, WPH-Camino Ruiz LLC, WPH-Copper Canyon II LLC, WPH-Copper Canyon LLC, Walker Drive LLC, Western Pacific Brea Development LLC, Western Pacific Housing - Mountaingate L.P., Western Pacific Housing - SDG LLC, Western Pacific Housing - Westlake II L.P., Western Pacific Housing Inc., Western Pacific Housing Management Inc., Western Pacific Housing-Antigua LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Broadway LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Canyon Park LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Carrillo LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Communications Hill LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Copper Canyon LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Creekside LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Lomas Verdes LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Lyons Canyon Partners LLC, Western Pacific Housing-McGonigle Canyon LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Norco Estates LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Pacific Park II LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Park Avenue East LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Park Avenue West LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Playa Vista LLC, Western Pacific Housing-River Ridge LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Terra Bay Duets LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Torrey Meadows LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Torrey Village Center LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Windemere LLC, and Wilson Parker Homes.The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AGA Medical Belgium, AGA Medical Corporation, AGA Medical Holdings Inc., ALR Holdings, AML Medical LLC, APK Advanced Medical Technologies LLC, ATS Bermuda Holdings Limited, ATS Laboratories Inc., Abbott, Abbott (Jiaxing) Nutrition Co. Ltd., Abbott (UK) Finance Limited, Abbott (UK) Holdings Limited, Abbott AG, Abbott Asia Holdings Limited, Abbott Asia Investments Limited, Abbott Australasia Holdings Limited, Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd, Abbott B.V., Abbott Bahamas Overseas Businesses Corporation, Abbott Belgian Investments, Abbott Bermuda Holding Ltd., Abbott Biologicals B.V., Abbott Biologicals LLC, Abbott Bulgaria Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Capital India Limited, Abbott Cardiovascular Inc., Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Abbott Delaware LLC, Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care Sales Corporation, Abbott Diagnostics GmbH, Abbott Diagnostics International Ltd., Abbott Diagnostics Technologies AS, Abbott Doral Investments S.L., Abbott Equity Holdings Unlimited, Abbott Equity Investments LLC, Abbott Established Products Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Finance Company SA, Abbott Financial Holdings SRL, Abbott France S.A.S., Abbott Fund Tanzania Limited, Abbott Gesellschaft m.b.H., Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Abbott Health Products LLC, Abbott Healthcare (Puerto Rico) Ltd., Abbott Healthcare B.V., Abbott Healthcare Costa Rica S.A., Abbott Healthcare LLC, Abbott Healthcare Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Healthcare Private Limited, Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Abbott Healthcare Products Ltd, Abbott Holding (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding GmbH, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited Luxembourg S.C.S., Abbott Holdings B.V., Abbott Holdings LLC, Abbott Holdings Limited, Abbott Holdings Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Iberian Investments (2) Limited, Abbott Iberian Investments Limited, Abbott India Limited, Abbott Informatics Asia Pacific Limited, Abbott Informatics Canada Inc, Abbott Informatics Corporation, Abbott Informatics Europe Limited, Abbott Informatics France, Abbott Informatics Germany GmbH, Abbott Informatics Netherlands B.V., Abbott Informatics Singapore Pte. Limited, Abbott Informatics Spain S.A., Abbott Informatics Technologies Ltd, Abbott International Corporation, Abbott International Enterprises Ltd., Abbott International Holdings Limited, Abbott International LLC, Abbott International Luxembourg S.ar.l., Abbott Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Ireland, Abbott Ireland Financing Designated Activity Company, Abbott Ireland Limited, Abbott Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Abbott Knoll Investments B.V., Abbott Korea Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Bangladesh) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco (Dos) SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Laboratories (Mozambique) Limitada, Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Philippines), Abbott Laboratories (Puerto Rico) Incorporated, Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Private Limited, Abbott Laboratories A/S, Abbott Laboratories Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Abbott Laboratories B.V., Abbott Laboratories C.A., Abbott Laboratories Finance B.V., Abbott Laboratories GmbH, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Laboratories International LLC, Abbott Laboratories Ireland Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited - Laboratoires Abbott Limitee, Abbott Laboratories NZ Limited, Abbott Laboratories Pacific Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Laboratories Products B.V., Abbott Laboratories Residential Development Fund Inc., Abbott Laboratories S.A., Abbott Laboratories SA, Abbott Laboratories Services Corp., Abbott Laboratories Slovakia s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trustee Company Limited, Abbott Laboratories Uruguay S.A., Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises, Abbott Laboratories d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories de Chile Limitada, Abbott Laboratories de Colombia S.A., Abbott Laboratories de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Abbott Laboratories druzba za farmacijo in diagnostiko d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories(Hellas) Societe Anonyme, Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios del Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Abbott Laboratuarlari Ithalat Ihracat ve Ticaret Ltd.Sti, Abbott Laboratorios Lda, Abbott Laboratorios do Brasil Ltda., Abbott Limited Egypt LLC, Abbott Logistics B.V., Abbott Management GmbH, Abbott Management LLC, Abbott Manufacturing Singapore Private Limited, Abbott Mature Products International Unlimited Company, Abbott Mature Products Management Limited, Abbott Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Abbott Medical (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Medical (Portugal) Distribuicao de Produtos Medicos Lda, Abbott Medical (Schweiz) AG, Abbott Medical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Australia Pty. Ltd., Abbott Medical Austria Ges.m.b.H., Abbott Medical Balkan d.o.o. Beograd (Novi Beograd), Abbott Medical Belgium, Abbott Medical Canada Inc./ Medicale Abbott Canada Inc., Abbott Medical Danmark A/S, Abbott Medical Devices Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Espana S.A., Abbott Medical Estonia OU, Abbott Medical Finland Oy, Abbott Medical France SAS, Abbott Medical GmbH, Abbott Medical Hellas Limited Liability Trading Company, Abbott Medical Ireland Limited, Abbott Medical Italia S.p.A., Abbott Medical Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Korea Limited, Abbott Medical Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Medical Laboratories LTD, Abbott Medical Nederland B.V., Abbott Medical New Zealand Limited, Abbott Medical Norway AS, Abbott Medical Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Medical Sweden AB, Abbott Medical Taiwan Co., Abbott Medical U.K. Limited, Abbott Medical spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Middle East S.A.R.L., Abbott Molecular Inc., Abbott Morocco SARL, Abbott Nederland C.V., Abbott Nederland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Netherlands Investments B.V., Abbott Norge AS, Abbott Nutrition Limited, Abbott Nutrition Manufacturing Inc., Abbott Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd., Abbott Operations Uruguay S.R.L., Abbott Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Overseas Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Overseas S.A., Abbott Oy, Abbott Point of Care Canada Limited, Abbott Point of Care Inc., Abbott Poland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Procurement LLC, Abbott Products (Philippines) Inc., Abbott Products (Spain) S.L., Abbott Products Algerie EURL, Abbott Products B.V., Abbott Products Distribution SAS, Abbott Products Egypt LLC, Abbott Products Limited, Abbott Products Limited Liability Company, Abbott Products Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Products Operations AG, Abbott Products Operations LLC, Abbott Products Romania S.R.L., Abbott Products Tunisie S.A.R.L., Abbott Products Unlimited Company, Abbott Resources Inc., Abbott Resources International Inc., Abbott S.r.l., Abbott Saudi Arabia Trading Company, Abbott Scandinavia Aktiebolag, Abbott Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, Abbott South Africa Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Strategic Opportunities Limited, Abbott Trading Company Inc., Abbott Universal LLC, Abbott Vascular Devices (2) Limited, Abbott Vascular Devices Limited, Abbott Vascular Inc., Abbott Vascular Instruments Deutschland GmbH, Abbott Vascular International, Abbott Vascular Japan Co. Ltd, Abbott Vascular Limitada, Abbott Vascular Netherlands B.V., Abbott Vascular Solutions Inc., Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott West Indies Limited, Abbott drustvo sa ogranicenom odgovornoscu za trgovinu i usluge, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., Alere, Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Healthcare Management Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Technology Co. Ltd., Alere A/S, Alere AB, Alere AS, Alere AS Holdings Limited, Alere BBI Holdings Limited, Alere Bangladesh Limited, Alere China Co. Ltd., Alere Colombia S.A., Alere Connect LLC, Alere Connected Health Limited, Alere Connected Health Ltd., Alere Diagnostics GmbH, Alere DoA Holding GmbH, Alere GmbH, Alere GmbH (Austria), Alere GmbH (Germany), Alere HK Holdings Ltd., Alere Health B.V., Alere Health BVBA, Alere Health Corp., Alere Health Sdn Bhd, Alere Health Services B.V., Alere Healthcare (Pty) Limited, Alere Healthcare Connections Limited, Alere Healthcare Inc., Alere Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Alere Healthcare S.L., Alere Holdco Inc., Alere Holding GmbH, Alere Holdings Bermuda Limited, Alere Holdings Pty Limited, Alere Home Monitoring Inc., Alere Inc., Alere Informatics Inc., Alere International Holding Corp., Alere International Limited, Alere Lda, Alere Limited, Alere Limited (New Zealand), Alere Medical BVBA, Alere Medical Co. Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Hong Kong Limited, Inverness Medical Innovations SK LLC, Inverness Medical Investments LLC, Inverness Medical LLC, Inverness Medical Shimla Private Limited, Inversiones K2 SpA, Inversiones Komodo S.R.L., Ionian Technologies LLC, Irvine Biomedical Inc., Kalila Medical, Kangshenyunga S.A., Knoll UK Investments Unlimited, LLC VeroInPharm, Laboratoires Fournier S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano Lafrancol S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano del Ecuador S.A., Laboratorio Internacional Argentino S.A., Laboratorio Synthesis S.A.S., Laboratorios Lafi Limitada, Laboratorios Naturmedik S.A.S., Laboratorios Pauly Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Laboratorios Recalcine S.A., Laboratorios Transpharm S.A., Laboratory Specialists of America Inc., Lafrancol Dominicana S.A.S., Lafrancol Guatemala S.A. Sociedad Anonima, Lafrancol Internacional S.A.S, Lafrancol Peru S.R.L, Lake Forest Investments LLC, Lightlab Imaging Inc., Limited Liability Company Abbott Laboratories, Limited Liability Company Abbott Ukraine, Limited Liability Company VEROPHARM, Lung Fung Hong (China) Limited, Mansbridge Pharmaceuticals Limited, MediGuide LLC, MediGuide Ltd., Medscreen Holdings Limited, Metropolitana Farmaceutica S.A., Midwest Properties LLC, Murex Argentina S.A., Murex Biotech Limited, Murex Biotech South Africa, Murex Diagnostics Inc., Murex Diagnostics International Inc., Natural Supplement Association LLC, Negocios Denia Sociedad Anonima, Neosalud S.A.C., Nether Pharma N.P. C.V., NeuroTherm LLC, Normann Pharma-Handels GmbH, North Shore Properties Inc., Novamedi S.A., Novasalud.com S.A., Nutravida S.A., OJSC Voronezhkhimpharm, Omnilab Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OptiMedica, Orgenics France SAS, Orgenics International Holdings B.V., Orgenics Ltd., PBM-Selfcare LLC, PDD II LLC, PDD LLC, PT Alere Health, PT. Abbott Indonesia, PT. Abbott Products Indonesia, Pacesetter Inc., Pantech (RF) (PTY) LTD, Pembrooke Occupational Health Inc., Penagos S.A., Pharma International Sociedad Anonima, Pharmaceutical Technologies (Pharmatech) S.A., Pharmatech Boliviana S.A., Polygon Labs S.A., Quality Assured Services Inc., RF Medical Holdings LLC, RTL Holdings Inc., Ramses Business Corp., Recben Xenerics Farmaceutica Limitada, Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc., Rich Horizons International Limited, SC VEROPHARM, SJ Medical Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., SJM International Inc., SJM Thunder Holding Company, SPDH Inc., Saboya Enterprises Corporation, Salviac Limited, Scanax AS, Sealing Solutions Inc., Selfcare Technology Inc., Shandong Abbott Dairy Product Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Medical Devices Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc.,      ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics. New investigation finds "women in prison are disciplined at higher rates than men" | Main | Vera Institute of Justice urges "Reimagining Prison" 

As reported in this local article, headlined "Missouri violated rights of inmates convicted as juveniles who are serving life without parole, judge says," a federal judge late last week ruled in favor of inmates convicted of murder as juveniles who claimed that Missouris parole policies and practices violated their rights in the wake of the Supreme Court's rulings in Miller and Graham. Here are the basics:

A federal judge on Friday said that recent Missouri parole hearings violated the constitutional rights of inmates serving life without parole for offenses they committed when they were juveniles. State officials have 60 days to develop a plan for providing the inmates a meaningful and realistic opportunity for parole, U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey ruled.

The lawsuit was filed by four inmates who are seeking to represent all inmates who were convicted and sentenced to life without parole for an offense that occurred when they were younger than 18. Each of the four inmates was recently denied parole after a hearing, and Laughrey said nearly 85 percent of the class of affected inmates did not receive a parole date after a hearing. The majority were not granted another hearing for the maximum of five years, without an explanation for the lengthy setback, she wrote.

In a news release about the ruling Sunday, the Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center of St. Louis, which represents the inmates along with lawyers from Husch Blackwell, said more than 90 inmates are affected.

The parole boards decision is communicated to inmates on a two-page barebones, boilerplate form, with only two available reasons for denying parole: the seriousness of the original offense or that the inmates inability to... remain at liberty without again violating the law, Laughrey wrote. Even state officials admitted Missouri failed to provide adequate explanation for the decisions, the judge said, and fails to tell inmates what steps they should to take to become better suited for parole.

Laughrey wrote that while an adults interest in parole is not constitutionally protected, a series of U.S. Supreme Court decisions has held that those who were children at the time of the crimes for which they were convicted may be subject to certain additional protections....

Laughrey ruled that the state needs to come up with revised policies, procedures, and customs that will ensure that all Class members are provided a meaningful and realistic opportunity for release based on demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation, including those who already had unsuccessful hearings.GlaxoSmithKline Plc is a healthcare company, which engages in the research, development, and manufacture of pharmaceutical medicines, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products. It operates through the following segments: Pharmaceuticals; Pharmaceuticals R&D; Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare. The Pharmaceuticals segment focuses on developing medicines in respiratory and infectious diseases, oncology, and immuno-inflammation. The Pharmaceuticals R&D segment focuses on science related to the immune system, the use of human genetics and advanced technologies, and is driven by the multiplier effect of Science x Technology x Culture. The Vaccines segment produces pediatric and adult vaccines to prevent a range of infectious diseases including, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella, polio, typhoid, influenza, and bacterial meningitis. The Consumer Healthcare segment develops and markets brands in the oral health, pain relief, respiratory, nutrition and gastro intestinal, and skin health categories. The company was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Middlesex, the United Kingdom.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft: 87 Leonard Development LLC, ABFS I Incorporated, ABS MB Ltd., Acacia (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Accounting Solutions Holding Company Inc, Alex. Brown Financial Services Incorporated, Alex. Brown Investments Incorporated, Alfred Herrhausen Gesellschaft mbH, Amber Investments S.a r.l., Ambidexter GmbH, Ambidexter GmbH i.L., Argent Incorporated, BHW - Gesellschaft fur Wohnungswirtschaft mbH, BHW Bausparkasse Aktiengesellschaft, BHW Holding GmbH, BHW Kreditservice GmbH, BNA Nominees Pty Limited, BT Globenet Nominees Limited, BTAS Cayman GP, BTD Nominees Pty Limited, Baincor Nominees Pty Limited, Bainpro Nominees Pty Ltd, Baldur Mortgages Limited, Bankers Trust Investments Limited, Barkly Investments Ltd., Bayan Delinquent Loan Recovery 1 (SPV-AMC) Inc, Bayan Delinquent Loan Recovery 1 (SPV-AMC) Inc., Berkshire Mortgage Finance, Betriebs-Center fur Banken AG, Biomass Holdings S.a r.l., Birch (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Blue Cork Inc, Blue Cork Inc., Borfield Sociedad Anonima, Breaking Wave DB Limited, Cape Acquisition Corp., CapeSuccess Inc., CapeSuccess LLC, Cardales UK Limited, Cardea Real Estate S.r.l., Career Blazers LLC, Career Blazers Management Company Inc, Career Blazers Management Company Inc., Career Blazers Personnel Services Inc, Career Blazers Personnel Services Inc., Career Blazers Personnel Services of Washington D.C. Inc. Washington D.C., Caribbean Resort Holdings Inc, Caribbean Resort Holdings Inc., Carpathian Investments Designated Activity Company, Cathay Advisory (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cathay Advisory (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cathay Asset Management Company Limited, Cathay Capital Company (No 2) Limited, Cedar (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Centennial River 2 Inc., Centennial River Corporation, Chapel Funding, Charlton (Delaware) Inc, China Recovery Fund LLC, China Recovery Fund LLC, Cinda - DB NPL Securitization Trust 2003-1, City Leasing (Thameside) Limited, City Leasing Limited, Consumo S.p.A., Consumo Srl in Liquidazione, Cyrus J. Lawrence Capital Holdings Inc., Cyrus J. Lawrence Capital Holdings Inc., D B Investments (GB) Limited, D&M Turnaround Partners Godo Kaisha, D.B. International Delaware Inc., D.B. International Delaware Inc., DAHOC (UK) Limited (in members' voluntary liquidation), DAHOC Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DB (Barbados) SRL, DB (Malaysia) Nominee (Asing) Sdn. Bhd., DB (Malaysia) Nominee (Tempatan) Sendirian Berhad, DB (Pacific) Limited, DB (Pacific) Limited New York, DB (Pacific) Limited New York, DB Abalone LLC, DB Alex. Brown Holdings Incorporated, DB Alps Corporation, DB Aotearoa Investments Limited, DB Asia Pacific Holdings Limited (in voluntary liquidation), DB Asset Finance I S.a r.l., DB Asset Finance II S.a r.l., DB Aster II LLC, DB Aster III LLC, DB Aster Inc., DB Aster LLC, DB Beteiligungs-Holding GmbH, DB Boracay LLC, DB Capital Investments Sarl, DB Capital Markets (Deutschland) GmbH, DB Capital Partners Inc., DB Capital Partners Inc., DB Cartera de Inmuebles 1 S.A.U., DB Cartera de Inmuebles 1 S.A.U., DB Chestnut Holdings Limited, DB Commodity Services LLC, DB Consorzio S. Cons. a r. l., DB Corporate Advisory (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., DB Covered Bond S.r.l., DB Credit Investments S.a r.l., DB Delaware Holdings (Europe) Limited, DB Direkt GmbH, DB Elara LLC, DB Energy Commodities Limited (in members' voluntary liquidation), DB Energy Trading LLC, DB Enfield Infrastructure Holdings Limited, DB Equipment Leasing Inc., DB Equipment Leasing Inc., DB Equity Limited, DB Finance (Delaware) LLC, DB Finance (Delaware) LLC, DB Finance International GmbH, DB Ganymede 2006 L.P., DB Global Markets Multi-Strategy Fund I Ltd., DB Global Technology Inc., DB Global Technology Inc., DB Global Technology SRL, DB Group Services (UK) Limited, DB HR Solutions GmbH, DB Holding Fundo de Investimento Multimercado Investimento no Exterior Credito Privado, DB Holdings (New York) Inc., DB Holdings (New York) Inc., DB Holdings (South America) Limited, DB IROC Leasing Corp., DB Immobilienfonds 1 Wieland KG, DB Immobilienfonds 2 KG i.L., DB Immobilienfonds 4 KG i.L., DB Immobilienfonds 5 Wieland KG, DB Impact Investment (GP) Limited, DB Impact Investment Fund I L.P., DB Impact Investment Fund I L.P., DB Industrial Holdings Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, DB Industrial Holdings GmbH, DB Intermezzo LLC, DB International (Asia) Limited, DB International Investments Limited, DB International Trust (Singapore) Limited, DB Investment Managers Inc., DB Investment Managers Inc., DB Investment Partners Inc., DB Investment Partners Inc., DB Investment Resources (US) Corporation, DB Investment Resources Holdings Corp., DB Investment Services GmbH, DB Io LP, DB Litigation Fee LLC, DB London (Investor Services) Nominees Limited, DB Management Support GmbH, DB Managers LLC, DB Municipal Holdings LLC, DB Nexus American Investments (UK) Limited (in members'voluntary liquidation), DB Nexus Investments (UK) Limited (in members' voluntary liquidation), DB Nominees (Hong Kong) Limited, DB Nominees (Singapore) Pte Ltd, DB Omega BTV S.C.S., DB Omega Holdings LLC, DB Omega Ltd., DB Omega S.C.S., DB Operaciones y Servicios Interactivos Agrupacion de Interes Economico, DB Overseas Finance Delaware Inc., DB Overseas Finance Delaware Inc., DB Overseas Holdings Limited, DB PWM, DB Portfolio Southwest Inc., DB Print GmbH, DB Privat- und Firmenkundenbank AG, DB Private Clients Corp., DB Private Wealth Mortgage Ltd., DB RC Holdings LLC, DB Re S.A., DB Service Centre Limited, DB Service Uruguay S.A., DB Services Americas Inc., DB Services Americas Inc., DB Servizi Amministrativi S.r.l., DB Strategic Advisors Inc., DB Strategic Advisors Inc., DB Structured Derivative Products LLC, DB Structured Derivative Products LLC, DB Structured Finance 1 Designated Activity Company, DB Structured Finance 2 Designated Activity Company, DB Structured Holdings Luxembourg S.a r.l., DB Structured Products Inc., DB Structured Products Inc., DB Trustee Services Limited, DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Limited, DB U.S. Financial Markets Holding Corporation, DB UK Bank Limited, DB UK Holdings Limited, DB UK PCAM Holdings Limited, DB USA Core Corporation, DB USA Corporation, DB Valoren S.a r.l., DB Value S.a r.l., DB VersicherungsManager GmbH, DB Vita S.A., DBAB Wall Street LLC, DBAH Capital LLC, DBAH Capital LLC, DBCIBZ1, DBCIBZ2, DBFIC Inc., DBFIC Inc., DBNZ Overseas Investments (No.1) Limited, DBOI Global Services (UK) Limited, DBOI Global Services Private Limited, DBR Investments Co. Limited, DBRE Global Real Estate Management IA Ltd., DBRE Global Real Estate Management IB Ltd., DBRE Global Real Estate Management IB Ltd., DBRE Global Real Estate Management US IB L.L.C., DBRMS4, DBRMSGP1, DBUK PCAM Limited, DBUKH No. 2 Limited, DBUSBZ1 LLC, DBUSBZ1 LLC, DBUSBZ2 S.a r.l., DBUSBZ2 S.a r.l., DBX Advisors LLC, DBX ETF Trust, DBX Strategic Advisors LLC, DBO Vermogensverwertung GmbH, DEBEKO Immobilien GmbH & Co Grundbesitz OHG, DEE Deutsche Erneuerbare Energien GmbH, DEUFRAN Beteiligungs GmbH, DEUKONA Versicherungs-Vermittlungs-GmbH, DEUTSCHE BANK A.S., DG China Clean Tech Partners, DI Deutsche Immobilien Treuhandgesellschaft mbH, DIB-Consult Deutsche Immobilien- und BeteiligungsBeratungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., DISCA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DNU Nominees Pty Limited, DSL Portfolio GmbH & Co. KG, DSL Portfolio Verwaltungs GmbH, DTS Nominees Pty Limited, DWS Alternatives France, DWS Alternatives Global Limited, DWS Alternatives GmbH, DWS Asset Management (Korea) Company Limited, DWS Beteiligungs GmbH, DWS CH AG, DWS Distributors Inc., DWS Distributors Inc., DWS Far Eastern Investments Limited, DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA, DWS Group Services UK Limited, DWS Grundbesitz GmbH, DWS International GmbH, DWS Investment GmbH, DWS Investment Management Americas Inc., DWS Investment Management Americas Inc., DWS Investment S.A., DWS Investments Australia Limited, DWS Investments Hong Kong Limited, DWS Investments Japan Limited, DWS Investments Shanghai Limited, DWS Investments Singapore Limited, DWS Investments UK Limited, DWS Management GmbH, DWS Real Estate GmbH, DWS Service Company, DWS Trust Company, DWS USA Corporation, De Heng Asset Management Company Limited, De Meng Innovative (Beijing) Consulting Company Limited, DeAM Infrastructure Limited, Deloraine Spain S.L., Delowrezham de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Deposit Solutions, Deutsche (Aotearoa) Capital Holdings New Zealand, Deutsche (Aotearoa) Foreign Investments New Zealand, Deutsche (Mauritius) Limited Port, Deutsche (New Munster) Holdings New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Access Investments Limited, Deutsche Aeolia Power Production Societe Anonyme, Deutsche Alt-A Securities Inc., Deutsche Alt-A Securities Inc., Deutsche Alternative Asset Management (France) SAS, Deutsche Alternative Asset Management (UK) Limited, Deutsche Asia Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd, Deutsche Asset Management (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Deutsche Asset Management (Korea) Company Limited, Deutsche Asset Management S.A., Deutsche Asset Management S.G.I.I.C. S.A., Deutsche Australia Limited, Deutsche Bank (Cayman) Limited, Deutsche Bank (Chile), Deutsche Bank (China) Co. Ltd., Deutsche Bank (China) Co. Ltd., Deutsche Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, Deutsche Bank (Suisse) SA, Deutsche Bank (Uruguay) Sociedad Anonima Institucion Financiera Externa, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Bank Americas Holding Corp., Deutsche Bank Bauspar-Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Bank Capital Finance LLC I, Deutsche Bank Capital Finance Trust I, Deutsche Bank Europe GmbH, Deutsche Bank Financial Company, Deutsche Bank Holdings Inc., Deutsche Bank Holdings Inc., Deutsche Bank Insurance Agency Incorporated, Deutsche Bank Insurance Agency of Delaware, Deutsche Bank International Limited, Deutsche Bank Investments (Guernsey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. - Fiduciary Deposits, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. - Fiduciary Note Programme, Deutsche Bank Mutui S.p.A., Deutsche Bank Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple, Deutsche Bank Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company Los, Deutsche Bank Nominees (Guernsey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Nominees (Jersey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Polska Spolka Akcyjna, Deutsche Bank Representative Office Nigeria Limited, Deutsche Bank S.A. - Banco Alemao, Deutsche Bank S.A. - Banco Alemao Sao, Deutsche Bank SPEARs/LIFERs Series DBE-8011 Trust, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Limited, Deutsche Bank Services (Jersey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Sociedad Anonima Espanola, Deutsche Bank Sociedad Anonima Espanola, Deutsche Bank Societa per Azioni, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware, Deutsche Bank Trust Company National Association, Deutsche Bank Trust Company National Association, Deutsche Bank Trust Corporation, Deutsche CIB Centre Private Limited, Deutsche Capital Finance (2000) Limited, Deutsche Capital Hong Kong Limited, Deutsche Capital Management Limited, Deutsche Capital Markets Australia Limited, Deutsche Capital Partners China Limited, Deutsche Cayman Ltd., Deutsche Colombia S.A.S., Deutsche Custody N.V., Deutsche Domus New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Equities India Private Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 1 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 2 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 3 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 4 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance No. 2 Limited, Deutsche Foras New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Immobilien-Leasing mit beschrankter Haftung, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Immobilien-Leasing mit beschrankterHaftung, Deutsche Global Markets Limited, Deutsche Group Holdings (SA) Proprietary Limited, Deutsche Group Services Pty Limited, Deutsche Grundbesitz Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Deutsche Grundbesitz Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., Deutsche Grundbesitz-Anlagegesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Deutsche Holdings (BTI) Limited, Deutsche Holdings (Grand Duchy), Deutsche Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Deutsche Holdings (Malta) Ltd., Deutsche Holdings Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 2 Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 3 Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 4 Limited, Deutsche Immobilien Leasing GmbH, Deutsche India Holdings Private Limited, Deutsche International Corporate Services (Ireland) Limited, Deutsche International Corporate Services Limited, Deutsche International Custodial Services Limited, Deutsche Inversiones Dos S.A., Deutsche Inversiones Limitada, Deutsche Investments (Netherlands) N.V., Deutsche Investments India Private Limited, Deutsche Investor Services Private Limited, Deutsche Knowledge Services Pte. Ltd., Deutsche Leasing New York Corp., Deutsche Mandatos S.A., Deutsche Master Funding Corporation, Deutsche Mexico Holdings S.a r.l., Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Group Limited, Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Group Public Limited Company, Deutsche Mortgage & Asset Receiving Corporation, Deutsche Mortgage Securities Inc., Deutsche Mortgage Securities Inc., Deutsche Nederland N.V., Deutsche New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Nominees Limited, Deutsche Oppenheim Family Office AG, Deutsche Overseas Issuance New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Postbank, Deutsche Postbank Finance Center Objekt GmbH, Deutsche Postbank Funding LLC I, Deutsche Postbank Funding LLC II, Deutsche Postbank Funding LLC III, Deutsche Private Asset Management Limited, Deutsche Securities (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Securities (Proprietary) Limited, Deutsche Securities (SA) (Proprietary) Limited, Deutsche Securities Asia Limited, Deutsche Securities Australia Limited, Deutsche Securities Inc., Deutsche Securities Israel Ltd., Deutsche Securities Korea Co., Deutsche Securities Mauritius Limited, Deutsche Securities Menkul Degerler A.S., Deutsche Securities S.A., Deutsche Securities S.A. de C.V. Casa de Bolsa, Deutsche Securities S.A. de C.V. Casa de Bolsa, Deutsche Securities Saudi Arabia, Deutsche Securities SpA, Deutsche Securities Venezuela S.A., Deutsche Securitisation Australia Pty Limited, Deutsche Services Polska Sp. z o.o., Deutsche StiftungsTrust GmbH, Deutsche Strategic Investment Holdings Yugen Kaisha, Deutsche Trust Company Limited Japan, Deutsche Trustee Company Limited, Deutsche Trustee Services (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Trustees Malaysia Berhad, Deutsche Wealth Management S.G.I.I.C. S.A., Deutsches Institut fur Altersvorsorge GmbH, Durian (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., EC EUROPA IMMOBILIEN FONDS NR. 3 GmbH & CO. KG i.I., Elba Finance GmbH, Elizabethan Holdings Limited, Elizabethan Management Limited, Emerald Asset Repackaging Designated Activity Company, Erste Frankfurter Hoist GmbH, European Value Added I (Alternate G.P.) LLP, Exinor SA, FARAMIR Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungs GmbH, FRANKFURT CONSULT GmbH, Fiduciaria Sant' Andrea S.r.L., Finanzberatungsgesellschaft mbH der Deutschen Bank, Franz Urbig- und Oscar Schlitter-Stiftung Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-037, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-039, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-040, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-041, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-043, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-044, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-047, Funfte SAB Treuhand und Verwaltung GmbH & Co. Suhl "Rimbachzentrum" KG, G Finance Holding Corp., G.O. IB-US Management L.L.C., G918 Corp., GAC-HEL Inc., GWC-GAC Corp., Galene S.a r.l., Gemini Technology Services Inc., German American Capital, German American Capital Corporation, Gladyr Spain S.L., Global Markets Fundo de Investimento Multimercado, Global Markets III Fundo de Investimento Multimercado - Credito, Greenwood Properties Corp., Grundstucksgesellschaft Frankfurt Bockenheimer Landstrae GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Kerpen-Sindorf Vogelrutherfeld GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Leipzig Petersstrae GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Wiesbaden Luisenstrae/Kirchgasse GbR, HTB Spezial GmbH & Co. KG, Hollandsche Bank-Unie, IOS Finance EFC S.A., ISTRON Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungs-GmbH, IVAF I Manager S.a r.l., IVAF I Manager S.a r.l., Immobilienfonds Buro-Center Erfurt am Flughafen Bindersleben I GbR, Immobilienfonds Buro-Center Erfurt am Flughafen Bindersleben II GbR, Immobilienfonds Mietwohnhauser Quadrath-Ichendorf GbR, Immobilienfonds Wohn- und Geschaftshaus Koln-Blumenberg V GbR, J R Nominees (Pty) Ltd, Joint Stock Company Deutsche Bank DBU, Jyogashima Godo Kaisha, KEBA Gesellschaft fur interne Services mbH, Kidson Pte Ltd, Konsul Inkasso GmbH, Kradavimd UK Lease Holdings Limited, LA Water Holdings Limited, LAWL Pte. Ltd., Latitude Australia Secured Personal Loans Trust, Leasing Verwaltungsgesellschaft Waltersdorf mbH, Leonardo III Initial GP Limited, Lindsell Finance Limited, London Industrial Leasing Limited, MEF I Manager S. a r.l., MEF I Manager S. a r.l., MHL Reinsurance Ltd., MIT Holdings Inc., MIT Holdings Inc., MPP Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Maher Terminals Holdings (Toronto) Limited, Morgan Grenfell & Company, MortgageIT, MortgageIT Inc., MortgageIT Inc., MortgageIT Securities Corp., Motion Picture Productions One GmbH & Co. KG, NCW Holding Inc., Navegator - SGFTC S.A., Navegator - SGFTC S.A., New 87 Leonard LLC, Nordwestdeutscher Wohnungsbautrager Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, OOO "Deutsche Bank TechCentre", OOO "Deutsche Bank", OPB Verwaltungs- und Beteiligungs-GmbH, OPB Verwaltungs- und Treuhand GmbH, OPB-Holding GmbH, OPB-Nona GmbH, OPB-Oktava GmbH, OPB-Quarta GmbH, OPB-Quinta GmbH, OPB-Septima GmbH, OPPENHEIM Capital Advisory GmbH, OPPENHEIM Flottenfonds V GmbH & Co. KG, OPPENHEIM PRIVATE EQUITY Manager GmbH, OPPENHEIM PRIVATE EQUITY Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, OPS Nominees Pty Limited, OVT Trust 1 GmbH, OVV Beteiligungs GmbH, Opal Funds (Ireland) Public Limited Company, PADUS Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, PARTS Funding LLC., PB Factoring GmbH, PB Firmenkunden AG, PB International S.A., PB Spezial-Investmentaktiengesellschaft mit Teilgesellschaftsvermogen, PBC Banking Services GmbH, PCC Services GmbH der Deutschen Bank, PT Deutsche Sekuritas Indonesia, PT. Deutsche Verdhana Sekuritas Indonesia, Pan Australian Nominees Pty Ltd, Peruda Leasing Limited, Plantation Bay Inc., Plantation Bay Inc., Postbank Akademie und Service GmbH, Postbank Beteiligungen GmbH, Postbank Direkt GmbH, Postbank Filialvertrieb AG, Postbank Finanzberatung AG, Postbank Immobilien GmbH, Postbank Immobilien und Baumanagement GmbH, Postbank Immobilien und Baumanagement GmbH & Co. Objekt Leipzig KG, Postbank Leasing GmbH, Postbank Service GmbH, Postbank Systems AG, QR Tower 2 LLC, Quantiguous, R.B.M. Nominees Pty Ltd, REO Properties Corporation, RREEF, RREEF America L.L.C., RREEF China REIT Management Limited, RREEF European Value Added I (G.P.) Limited, RREEF Fund Holding Co., RREEF India Advisors Private Limited, RREEF Management L.L.C., RTS Nominees Pty Limited, Reference Capital Investments Limited, RoPro U.S. Holding Inc., RoPro U.S. Holding Inc., Route 28 Receivables LLC, Route 28 Receivables LLC, SAB Real Estate Verwaltungs GmbH, SAGITA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SAPIO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SCUDO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., SEDO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., SENA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Kamenz KG, SIFA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SOLIDO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SP Mortgage Trust, SPINO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., SPV I Sociedad Anonima Cerrada, SPV II Sociedad Anonima Cerrada, STATOR Heizkraftwerk Frankfurt (Oder) Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Sal. Oppenheim, Sal. Oppenheim Alternative Investments GmbH, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. AG & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. Beteiligungs GmbH, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. Komplementar AG, Sechste Salomon Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Sechste Salomon Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., Service Company Four Limited, Sharps SP I LLC, Singer Island Tower Suite LLC, Somkid Immobiliare S.r.l., Stelvio Immobiliare S.r.l., Structured Finance Americas LLC, Structured Finance Americas LLC, Swabia 1. Vermogensbesitz-GmbH, Suddeutsche Vermogensverwaltung Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, TAKIR Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, TELO Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, TEMATIS Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., TERRUS Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., TESATUR Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Halle I KG i.L., TESATUR Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Nordhausen I KG i.L., TOSSA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, TRIPLA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, TRS Aria LLC, TRS Leda LLC, TRS Maple II LTD, TRS Oak II LTD, TRS SVCO LLC, TRS Scorpio LLC, TRS Tupelo II LTD, TRS Venor LLC, TRS Walnut II LTD, Tagus - Sociedade de Titularizacao de Creditos S.A., Tasfiye Halinde Deutsche Securities Menkul Degerler A.S., Tempurrite Leasing Limited, Thai Asset Enforcement and Recovery Asset Management Company Limited, Tianjin Deutsche AM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Treuinvest Service GmbH, Triplereason Limited, UKE Beteiligungs-GmbH, UKE Grundstucksgesellschaft mbH, UKE s.r.o., Ullmann - Esch Grundstucksgesellschaft Kirchnerstrae GbR, Ullmann - Esch Grundstucksverwaltungsgesellschaft Disternich GbR, Ullmann Ullmann Krockow Krockow Esch GbR, VCJ Lease S.a r.l., Vesta Real Estate S.r.l., VOB-ZVD Processing GmbH, WEPLA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, WEPLABeteiligungsgesellschaftmbH, Wealthspur Investment Ltd., Whale Holdings S.a r.l., World Trading (Delaware) Inc., World Trading(Delaware)Inc., Zumirez Drive LLC, db PBC, and norisbank GmbH. Federal judge decides Missouri parole practices fail to comply with requirements of Miller and Graham | Main | "'Second Looks, Second Chances': Collaborating with Lifers on a Video about Commutation of LWOP Sentences" 

The Vera Institute of Justice has recently produced this big new report as part a big new project under the label "Reimagining Prison." Here is how the report's executive summary gets started:

The United States holds approximately 1.5 million people in its state and federal prisons. Although this number has declined since its peak in 2009, mass incarceration is hardly a thing of the past. Even if the nation returned to the incarceration rates it experienced before 1970, more than 300,000 people  approximately one per 1,000 residents would still be held in U.S. prisons. And the conditions of that confinement are dismal. Prison in America is a place of severe hardship  a degree of hardship that is largely inconceivable to people who have not seen or experienced it themselves or through a loved one. It is an institution that causes individual, community, and generational pain and deprivation. For those behind the walls, prison is characterized by social and physical isolation, including severe restriction of personal movement, enforced idleness, insufficient basic care, a loss of meaningful personal contact and the deterioration of family relationships, and the denial of constitutional rights and avenues to justice. Those who work in prisons suffer too, with alarming rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide compared to the general population.

Beyond the walls of prison, incarcerations impact is broad: mass imprisonment disrupts social networks, distorts social norms, and hollows out citizenship. Over this countrys long history of using prisons, American values of fairness and justice have been sacrificed to these institutions in the name of securing the common good of public safety. But the harsh conditions within prisons have been demonstrated neither to ensure safety behind the walls nor to prevent crime and victimization in the community.

The story of American prisons is also a story of racism. We as a nation have not yet fully grappled with the ways in which prisons  how they have been used, the purposes they serve, who gets sent to them, and peoples experiences inside them  are intimately entwined with the legacy of slavery and generations of racial and social injustice. Built on a system of racist policies and practices that has disproportionately impacted people of color, mass incarceration has decimated the communities and families from which they come. It is time to acknowledge that this country has long used state punishment generally  and incarceration specifically  to subordinate racial and ethnic minorities.

The recent prison incident in South Carolina that left seven dead, as well as prison strikes across the country in 2016 and 2018 protesting inhumane treatment, serve as tragic wake-up calls that something is fundamentally wrong inside Americas prisons. With a few limited exceptions, correctional practice today remains underpinned by retribution, deterrence, and incapacitation. These realities beg the question: isnt there another way? We have failed to ask this question with sufficient seriousness and thoroughness. The time for us to do so is now. And so, to take a truly decisive step away from the past, America needs a new set of normative values on which to ground prison policy and practice  values that simultaneously recognize, interrogate, and unravel the persistent connections between racism and this countrys system of punishment.

In this report, the Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) reimagines the how, what, and why of incarceration. And in so doing, we assert a new governing principle: human dignity. This principle dictates that [e]very human being possesses an intrinsic worth, merely by being human. It applies to people living in prison as well as the corrections staff who work there.iShares S&P 500 Value ETF's stock was trading at $104.96 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, IVE stock has increased by 46.9% and is now trading at $154.23.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.PM Phuc, who is paying an official visit to Austria, suggested Austrian enterprises invest in high-tech agriculture, processing and manufacturing industry, especially agricultural product processing, high-tech zones, infrastructure development and tourism.Vietnam will also create optimal conditions for Austrian investors to buy stakes of State-owned enterprises, he promised.PM Phuc briefed participants, including representatives from 60 Vietnamese businesses and over 100 Austrian companies, on Vietnams economy which has grown continuously and is expected to expand by about 7 percent this year.Vietnam will strive to maintain the growth pace to create favourable conditions for investors in the country, he said.Vietnam is a large market with a population of almost 100 million, and 65 percent of the countrys workforce is young and the middle class is on the rise, the leader said, adding that the increasing number of internet and smart phone users in Vietnam has also opened up great opportunities for e-commerce development.The PM stressed that Vietnam has signed and planned to ink 16 new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs), including the future FTA with the EU in the time ahead.Vietnam is committed to making continuous reforms and facilitating foreign investment in the country, he pledged.He pointed out that although trade turnover between Vietnam and Austria is projected to hit about 4.5 billion USD this year, the flows of investment capital in each others market remained modest, standing at only around 200 million USD.Given this, PM Phuc urged Vietnamese and Austrian enterprises to step up investment and cooperation, for mutual benefits, economic development in each country and stronger bilateral relationship.Addressing the forum, Harald Mahrer, President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, said Austrian firms have clearly recognised Vietnams development over the past years, which, he said, would open up great opportunities for investors.Vietnam is one of the countries enjoying the fastest development in Asia and the world with a trained young workforce and an increasing number of newly-established enterprises and startups, especially in IT and digital technology, he said.Mahrer affirmed that Austrian businesses are interested in the Vietnamese market which will have a population of nearly 100 million and its gross domestic product (GDP) growth is forecast to double in the years to come.Highlighting Vietnam as a big market for Austrian exports, the official said that the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber has decided to open its representative office in the country.At the forum, PM Phuc and representatives of agencies and businesses of the two countries witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements in such areas as energy, credit, manufacturing industry and health equipment.A cooperation agreement between the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber will also be signed on this occasion, under which the two sides will cooperate in supporting businesses of Vietnam and Austria as well as the implementation of the EU-Vietnam FTA.Also on October 15, PM Phuc met with Ernst Wastler, Chairman of the Board of Vamed Group and Tao Ngoc Tu, Chairman of Tan Viet Group, and held a talk with representatives of leading Austrian businesses.Austria is the first stop of the PMs trip to Europe, during which he will also pay official visits to Belgium and Denmark, make a working visit to the European Union and attend the 12th ASEM Summit (ASEM 12) and the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 Summit (P4G).

VietnamplusThe following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen Coding GmbH, Allen France SAS, Alpine Automation Limited, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Holdings Inc., Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Arylux Hungary Elektromechanikus Alkatreszgyarto Kft, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix (Suzhou) Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Holdings Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel (Ireland) Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Buell Industries Inc., CAPMAX Logistica S.A. de C.V., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS (Australia) Pty Limited, CS (Finance) Europe S.a.r.l., CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, CSMTS LLC, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures (Australasia) S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur (Shanghai) Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Dorbyl U.K. (Holdings) Limited, Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO (Holding) AG, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elga Skandinavian AS, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, FEG Investments L.L.C., Fasver, Filtertek, Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech (Taicang) Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart (Japan) K.K., Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart Foster Belgium, Hobart International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW (China) Investment Company Limited, ITW (Deutschland) GmbH, ITW (EU) Holdings Ltd., ITW (European) Finance Co. Ltd., ITW (European) Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW (European) Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW (Ningbo) Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Alpha Sarl, ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components (Chongqing) Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components (Langfang) Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium, ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS (UK) Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Contamination Control (Wujiang) Co. Ltd., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Delta Sarl, ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.A., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Finance Designated Activity Company, ITW Finance Europe S.A., ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW France Finance Alpha S.A.S., ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments II Inc., ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics (Thailand) Ltd., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Italy S.R.L. in liquidazione, ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France (Luxembourg) S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings UK, ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW Hungary Finance Beta Kft, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Finance Srl, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lombard Holdings Inc., ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW M FILMS II LLC, ITW MH LLC, ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology (China) Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Plastic (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers (Wujiang) Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Philippines Holdings LLC, ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Spraytec, ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Servicios Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Ideal Molding Technologies LLC, Illinois Tool Works (Chile) Limitada, Illinois Tool Works (ITW) Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Norway AS, Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron (Shanghai) Ltd., Instron (Thailand) Limited, Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Holdings Limited, Instron International Limited, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, International Leasing Company LLC, International Truss Systems Proprietary Limited, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kester Components (M) Sdn. Bhd., Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems (Canada) Inc., Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MOA Enterprises Inc, Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, Norden Olje AB, North Star Imaging Europe, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited (Enping), Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Penta Dnepr LLC, Penta Sever OOO, Penta Volga OOO, Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., Ramset Fasteners (Hong Kong) Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco (Nederland) B.V., Simco Japan Inc., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques  SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes (Hong Kong) Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Taiwan) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes BVBA, Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek (China) Limited, Teknek (Japan) Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode (Kunshan) Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V.B.A., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta (Guangzhou) Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Vesta Global Limited, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, ZF TRW (Engineered Fasteners and Components), and Zip-Pak International B.V..Harris Corporation provides technology-based solutions that solve government and commercial customers' mission-critical challenges in the United States and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Communication Systems, Electronic Systems, and Space and Intelligence Systems. It designs, develops, and manufactures radio communications products and systems, including single channel ground and airborne radio systems, multiband manpack and handheld radios, multi-channel manpack and airborne radios, and single-channel airborne radios, as well as wideband rifleman team, ground, and high frequency manpack radios. The company also offers vision-enhancing products; wireless communications systems; and Internet protocol based voice and data communications systems, as well as single-band land mobile radio terminals and multiband radios comprising a handheld radio and a full-spectrum mobile radio for vehicles. In addition, it provides electronic warfare, avionics, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions for defense and classified customers; and mission-critical communication systems for civil and military aviation and other customers. Further, the company offers intelligence, space protection, geospatial, earth observation, exploration, positioning, navigation and timing, and environmental solutions using advanced sensors, antennas, and payloads, as well as ground processing and information analytics for national security, defense, civil and commercial customers. Harris Corporation was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in Melbourne, Florida.

Read MoreWestpac Banking Corp. engages in the provision of banking and financial services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Bank, Business Bank, BT Financial Group (Australia), Westpac Institutional Bank, Westpac New Zealand and Group Businesses. The Consumer Bank segment covers consumer banking products and services under the Westpac, St. George, BankSA, Bank of Melbourne and RAMS brands. The Business Bank segment involves in sales and customer service of small-to-medium enterprise, commercial and agribusiness customers under the Westpac, St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA brands. The BT Financial Group (Australia) segment manages wealth and insurance division. The Westpac Institutional Bank segment delivers a range of financial services to commercial, corporate, institutional, and government customers. The Westpac New Zealand segment comprises sales and service of banking, wealth, and insurance products for consumer, business, and institutional customers. The Group Businesses segment treasury which is responsible for the management of the Group's balance sheet, group technology which includes functions for the Australian businesses, and core support which covers

Read MoreImperial Oil Limited explores for, produces, and sells crude oil and natural gas in Canada. It operates through three segments: Upstream, Downstream, and Chemical. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil, natural gas, synthetic oil, and bitumen. As of December 31, 2020, this segment had 138 million oil-equivalent barrels of proved undeveloped reserves. The Downstream segment is involved in the transportation and refining of crude oil, as well as blending, distribution, and marketing of refined products. It also transports crude oil to refineries by contracted pipelines, common carrier pipelines, and rail; maintains a distribution system to move petroleum products to market by pipeline, tanker, rail, and road transport; and owns and operates fuel terminals, natural gas liquids, and products pipelines in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. In addition, this segment markets and supplies petroleum products to motoring public through approximately 2,400 Esso and Mobil-branded sites. Further, it sells petroleum products, including fuel, asphalt, and lubricants for industrial and transportation customers, independent marketers, and resellers, as well as other refiners serving the agriculture, residential heating, and commercial markets through branded fuel and lubricant resellers. The Chemical segment manufactures and markets various petrochemicals and polyethylene, such as benzene, aromatic, and aliphatic solvents; plasticizer intermediates; and polyethylene resins. The company was incorporation in 1880 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Imperial Oil Limited is a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

Read MoreMettler-Toledo International, Inc. is a supplier of precision instruments and services. The firm manufactures weighing instruments for use in laboratory, industrial, packaging, logistics, and food retailing applications. It also manufactures several related analytical instruments and provides automated chemistry solutions used in drug and chemical compound discovery and development; and also, metal detection and other end-of-line inspection systems used in production and packaging and provides solutions for use in certain process analytics applications. Its operations are conducted by the following segments: U. S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations and Other. The U.S. Operations segment represents certain of the company's marketing and producing organizations located in the United States. The Swiss Operations segment includes marketing and producing organizations located in Switzerland, as well as extensive R&D operations that are responsible for the development, production, and marketing of precision instruments, including weighing, analytical, and measurement technologies for use in a variety of industrial and laboratory applications. Th

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Procter & Gamble: "Procter & Gamble Services" LLC, "Procter & Gamble" LLC, Agile Pursuits, Agile Pursuits Franchising, Arbora, Arbora & Ausonia, Arborinvest, Billie, Braun (Shanghai) Co., Braun GmbH, Braun-Gillette Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG, Celtic Insurance Company, Compania Procter & Gamble Mexico, Compania Quimica S.A., Corporativo Procter & Gamble, Cosmetic Products Pty. Ltd., Detergent Products B.V., Detergent Products SARL, Detergenti S.A., Eurocos Cosmetic GmbH, FPG Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd., Fameccanica Data S.p.A., Fameccanica Industria e Comercio Do Brasil LTDA., Fameccanica Machinery (Shanghai) Co., Fater S.p.A., Fountain Square Music Publishing Co., Gillette (China) Ltd., Gillette (Shanghai) Ltd., Gillette Aesop Ltd., Gillette Australia Pty. Ltd., Gillette Canada Holdings, Gillette Commercial Operations North America, Gillette Diversified Operations Pvt. Ltd., Gillette Egypt S.A.E., Gillette Group UK Ltd, Gillette Gruppe Deutschland GmbH & Co. oHG, Gillette Holding Company LLC, Gillette Holding GmbH, Gillette India Limited, Gillette Industries Ltd., Gillette International B.V., Gillette Latin America Holding B.V., Gillette Management LLC, Gillette Nova Scotia Company, Gillette Pakistan Limited, Gillette Poland International Sp. z.o.o., Gillette Poland S.A., Gillette U.K. Limited, Gillette del Uruguay, Giorgio Beverly Hills Inc., Hyginett KFT, Industries Marocaines Modernes SA, LLC "Procter & Gamble Novomoskovsk", LLL "Procter & Gamble Distributorskaya Compania", Laboratorios Vicks, Liberty Street Music Publishing Company, Limited Liability Company 'Procter & Gamble Trading Ukraine', Limited Liability Company with foreign investments Procter & and Gamble Ukraine, MDVIP, MERCK KGAA NPV, Marcvenca Inversiones, Modern Industries Company - Dammam, Modern Products Company - Jeddah, New Chapter, New Chapter Canada Inc., Olay LLC, Oral-B Laboratories, P&G Distribution Morocco SAS, P&G Hair Care Holding, P&G Industrial Peru S.R.L., P&G Innovation Godo Kaisha, P&G Israel M.D.O. Ltd., P&G K.K., P&G Northeast Asia Pte. Ltd., P&G Prestige Godo Kaisha, P&G Prestige Service GmbH, P&G South African Trading (Pty.) Ltd., PGT Health Care (Zhejiang) Limited, PGT Healthcare LLP, PPI ZAO, PT Procter & Gamble Home Products Indonesia, PT Procter & Gamble Operations Indonesia, Phase II Holdings Corporation, Procter & Gamble (Chengdu) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Sales Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (East Africa) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Egypt) Manufacturing Company, Procter & Gamble (Enterprise Fund) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Consumer Products Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Enterprise Management Service Company Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Health & Beauty Care) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Jiangsu) Ltd. China, Procter & Gamble (L&CP) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Procter & Gamble (Manufacturing) Ireland Limited, Procter & Gamble (Shanghai) International Trade Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Acquisition GmbH, Procter & Gamble Administration GmbH, Procter & Gamble Algeria EURL, Procter & Gamble Amazon Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Amiens S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Argentina SRL, Procter & Gamble Asia Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Australia Proprietary Limited, Procter & Gamble Azerbaijan Services LLC, Procter & Gamble Bangladesh Private Ltd., Procter & Gamble Blois S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Brazil Holdings B.V., Procter & Gamble Bulgaria EOOD, Procter & Gamble Business Services Canada Company, Procter & Gamble Canada Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Chile , Procter & Gamble Chile Limitada, Procter & Gamble Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Commercial LLC, Procter & Gamble Commercial de Cuba S.A., Procter & Gamble Czech Republic s.r.o., Procter & Gamble DS Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Danmark ApS, Procter & Gamble Detergent (Beijing) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Deuttschland GmbH, Procter & Gamble Distributing (Philippines) Inc., Procter & Gamble Distributing New Zealand Limited, Procter & Gamble Distribution Company (Europe) BVBA, Procter & Gamble Distribution S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Eastern Europe, Procter & Gamble Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Procter & Gamble Egypt, Procter & Gamble Egypt Distribution, Procter & Gamble Egypt Holding, Procter & Gamble Egypt Supplies, Procter & Gamble Energy Company LLC, Procter & Gamble Espana, Procter & Gamble Europe SA, Procter & Gamble Export Operations SARL, Procter & Gamble Exportadora e Importadora Ltda., Procter & Gamble Exports, Procter & Gamble Fabricacao e Comercio Ltda., Procter & Gamble Far East, Procter & Gamble Finance (U.K.) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Holding Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Management S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Financial Investments LLP, Procter & Gamble Financial Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Financial Services S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Finland OY, Procter & Gamble France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH, Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH & Co. Operations oHG, Procter & Gamble GmbH, Procter & Gamble Grundstucks-und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, Procter & Gamble Gulf FZE, Procter & Gamble Hair Care, Procter & Gamble Hellas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Holding (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Holding France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Holding GmbH, Procter & Gamble Holding S.r.l., Procter & Gamble Holdings (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Home Products Private Limited, Procter & Gamble Hong Kong Limited, Procter & Gamble Hungary Wholesale Trading Partnership (KKT), Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care Limited, Procter & Gamble Inc., Procter & Gamble India Holdings, Procter & Gamble Indochina Limited Company, Procter & Gamble Industrial - 2012 C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Industrial S.C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Costa Rica, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Guatemala, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Panama, Procter & Gamble International Operations Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble International Operations SA, Procter & Gamble International Operations SA-ROHQ, Procter & Gamble International S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Investment Company (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Investment GmbH, Procter & Gamble Italia, Procter & Gamble Japan K.K., Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan Distribution LLP, Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan LLP, Procter & Gamble Korea, Procter & Gamble Korea S&D Co., Procter & Gamble Lanka Private Ltd. Sri Lanka, Procter & Gamble Leasing LLC, Procter & Gamble Levant S.A.L., Procter & Gamble Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Tianjin) Co. 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(Ltd.), Procter & Gamble Sports and Social Club Ltd., Procter & Gamble Sverige AB, Procter & Gamble Switzerland SARL, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Limited, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Sales Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Limited, Procter & Gamble Technology (Beijing) Co., Procter & Gamble Trading (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Tuketim Mallari Sanayii A.S., Procter & Gamble UK, Procter & Gamble UK Group Holdings Ltd, Procter & Gamble UK Parent Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Universal Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Verwaltungs GmbH, Procter & Gamble Vietnam, Procter & Gamble d.o.o. za trgovinu, Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.C.A., Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.R.L., Procter & Gamble do Brasil S/A, Procter & Gamble do Brazil, Procter & Gamble do Nordeste S/A, Procter & Gamble-Rakona s.r.o., Progam Realty & Development Corporation, Redmond Products, Richardson-Vicks Real Estate Inc., Richardson-Vicks do Brasil Quimica e Farmaceutica Ltda, Riverfront Music Publishing Co., Rosemount LLC, SPD Development Company Limited, SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, Scannon S.A.S., Series Acquisition B.V., Shulton, Surfac S.R.L., Sycamore Productions, TAOS - FL, TAOS Retail, Tambrands Inc., Temple Trees Impex & Investment Private Limited, The Art of Shaving - FL, The Dover Wipes Company, The Gillette Company, The Gillette Company LLC, The Gillette co., The Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC, The Procter & Gamble GBS Company, The Procter & Gamble Global Finance Company, The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, The Procter & Gamble U.S. Business Services Company, This is L., US CD LLC, Vidal Sassoon (Shanghai) Academy, Vidal Sassoon Co., WEBA Betriebsrenten-Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Walker & Company Brands, and iMFLUX Inc..Can someone please explain to me why so many Korean restaurants are located in Lauderhill?

The city has a lower than average population of Asian residents, yet there are a couple of Korean churches in the town and no less than half a dozen Korean restaurants. Not that Im complaining. After moving here from a city with a large Korean population, I had a serious hankering for some of the spicy fare Ive grown to love.

Korean cuisine, like much Asian fare relies on a combination of meats, veggies and rice for most dishes. Korean fare, like that of Thailand, is also known for its liberal use of chili peppers and ground chilies. Gochujang, a fermented bean puree, that has red pepper powder, soybean powder and rice flour added to it to create a spicy paste, is as ubiquitous on tables in Korea as catsup is in America. It is used as a seasoning or dipping sauce and can be added to most dishes.

Traditional Korean meals are always served with numerous side dishes (banchan) that accompany steam-cooked short-grain rice. Kimchi, a pickled and fermented vegetable, is almost always included in the banchan, which are served in small bowls or segmented platters.

Dried or pickled fish or vegetables are also common side dishes for the meals. Jeon (or buchimgae) are savory pancakes made from various ingredients. Chopped kimchi or seafood is mixed into a wheat flour-based batter, and then pan fried. This dish tastes best when it is dipped in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, and gochujang.

Some of the most popular Korean dishes include bibimbap, which consists of stir-fried vegetables and a protein (meat or tofu) served atop a large bowl of rice and topped with a fried egg. As you break up the egg and stir the ingredients together, the yolk forms a sauce. Bulgogi is equally popular and is usually made from thinly sliced marinated beef sirloin or tenderloin. Another popular version of this dish, made from marinated beef short ribs, is galbi. Chadolbegi is a dish made from thinly sliced beef brisket, which is not marinated. It is so thin that it cooks nearly instantly as soon as it is dropped onto a heated pan. Samgyeopsal is made of thicker strips of unsalted pork belly.

Since much of the meat is grilled, many Korean restaurants have tables equipped with gas or charcoal grills built into the table. In these Korean BBQ places, servers usually bring platters of raw meat, which the customers cook as they chat and dine. Sometimes the server will also bring a collection of side dishes or will invite diners to a salad bar to assemble their own banchan platter.

Korean beer is a popular accompaniment to meals. Soju is a clear spirit which was originally made from grain, especially rice, and is now also made from sweet potatoes or barley. Soju made from grain is considered superior; it is often mixed with fruit drinks to smooth it out, but be warned, it has a high alcohol content and those drinks sneak up on you.

Izziban Sushi & BBQ

7225 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderhill

954-368-6767

Izziban.com

Izziban is probably the most approachable of the Korean BBQ restaurants for those experiencing it for the first time. The staff is quite friendly and willing to take the time to explain the menu and the various options. Its not cheap, nearly $30 a person for dinner and many side dishes are a la carte. But for that $30, you can choose from a vast array of meats, including sirloin steak, boneless short ribs and brisket. We had a vegetarian in our crowd and even though he could have made a meal of the endless supply of sushi included with the $30 meal, he was allowed to order a la carte and got kim chee fried rice that was a spicy as he hoped it would be.

Izziban is one of the places that offers a salad bar in lieu of banchan dishes. The salad bar also offers up fresh raw seafood that you can cook on your barbecue. Gas burners in the middle of the table put off very little heat or smoke. At the end of the meal we were all presented with a tiny bottle of a yogurt drink which helped to sooth our palates from the fiery cuisine. It was like having a Dreamsicle shooter for dessert.

If you develop a yen for Korean fare, Id recommend starting at Izziban, but if youre looking to branch out, here are some other options.

Minjis

7151 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderhill

954-572-5088

A hole in the wall popular with local Koreans, so you know the food is good.

Gabose Korean BBQ Restaurant

4991 N. University Dr., Lauderhill

954-572-4800

One of the few Korean BBQ restaurants where you cook over charcoal. You go home smelling like a fire, but the difference in flavor is worth it.

Gabose Pocha

4933 N. University Dr., Lauderhill

954-999-0603

More of an emphasis on shared plates and cocktails here (try the watermelon soju), but the food gets raves, as well.

Korean Manna

4966 N. University Dr., Lauderhill

954-748-6088

The most authentic Korean fare this side of Seoul.

R.O.K.

4954 N. University Dr., Lauderhill

954-530-1394

This place is always open until 2 a.m. (sometimes later). So, when you get that midnight craving for bibimbap, heres where to head.Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc. engages in the production and sale of cellulose products, which is a natural polymer commonly used in the production of cell phone and computer screens, filters, and pharmaceuticals. It operates through the following segments: High Purity Cellulose, Forest Products, Paperboard, Pulp and Newsprint, and Corporate. The High Purity Cellulose segment manufacture and market high purity cellulose, which is sold as either cellulose specialties or commodity products in U.S., Canda, and France. The Forest Products segment manufacture and market construction-grade lumber in North America through seven sawmills located in Canada. The Paperboard segment comprises paperboard products. The Pulp and Newsprint segment involves in the production of pulp and newsprint in Canada. The Corporate segment consists senior management, accounting, information systems, human resources, treasury, tax, and legal administrative functions that provide support services to the operating business units. The company was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in Jacksonville, FL.

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Read MoreVanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF's stock was trading at $91.71 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, VOE stock has increased by 64.3% and is now trading at $150.69.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.(CNN) -- Brett Kavanaugh has replaced Anthony Kennedy on the US Supreme Court.

For all the scrutiny of Justice Kavanaugh's personal life, his hearings told us little about where he will land on gay rights. Americans across the political spectrum have reason for concern -- especially pro-LGBT conservatives like ourselves who relied on Justice Kennedy as a champion of limited government. With the polarizing Kavanaugh confirmation now behind us, gay rights advocates need to prepare for the political reality of a rightward shift in the Supreme Court, because much more than marriage is at stake.

With Justice Kennedy's retirement, America should be grateful to a man who consistently stood up for individual freedom, even when unpopular. His libertarian streak greatly advanced the lives of LGBT Americans, and his successor should honor this legacy. The next chapter of LGBT progress does not lie solely with the Supreme Court -- and that was true before Justice Kennedy announced his retirement. Instead, the next chapter of LGBT progress lies in red states and in Congress, where comprehensive laws are needed to protect LGBT Americans from discrimination. Such legislation and other pressing LGBT issues will continue to be reviewed by the Supreme Court, and we will need Justice Kavanaugh's support.

To begin, it is crucial for Justice Kavanaugh to affirm both the 2013 Windsor and 2015 Obergefell decisions, which established the legality of same-sex marriage, recognizing not only the precedential weight of those decisions but also their correctness. He came very close in answering Senator Cory Booker's questions about Obergefell and the freedom to marry when he said, "The law of the land protects that right as dictated by the Supreme Court and the precedent of the Supreme Court." Still, he hesitated to give this response and first tried to offer several reasons why he couldn't answer the question.

Justice Kavanaugh's record and position on LGBT issues is otherwise unclear. He avoided ruling on the issue during his time on the circuit court bench. Very soon, Justice Kavanaugh may be faced with cases beyond just the question of marriage, as LGBT Americans still face constant discrimination and violence.

One somber reminder of this fact is the anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death: in 1998, his brutal murder in Wyoming shook the nation. It was recently announced that his remains will be interred later this month at Washington National Cathedral. But today, 20 years later, only 18 states have implemented hate crime laws that address sexual orientation and gender identity, and another 12 have laws for hate crimes based on sexual orientation.

Gay and trans people can be and are fired solely because they're gay or trans. Trans people are evictedbecause -- and especially when -- they transition. Lesbians are denied medical care for their kids and themselves. Trans women of color face an epidemic of hate-motivated homicides. LGBT youth suffer huge rates of homelessness and suicide. LGBT taxpayers fund public programs that turn them away. The Trump administration has told trans soldiers and potential recruits that they are not fit to fight for our country.

These issues don't receive the attention they deserve in our public debate. While more than half a million same-sex weddings have taken place, the far left and the far right have latched onto a handful of conflicts between same-sex couples and religious small businesses providing wedding-related services.

But in the majority opinion in the 2018 Masterpiece Cakeshop decision (a case brought by a devout Christian baker who opposes gay marriage against the Colorado Civil Rights Commission), joined by every conservative on the court as well as Justices Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer, Justice Kennedy noted our country's mutual recognition of full citizenship rights for gay Americans and philosophical and religious protections for those who object to gay marriage.

Without Justice Kennedy's moderating influence, another justice could have written a 5-4 decision gutting civil rights laws in Colorado and causing a ripple effect across the country impacting minority groups beyond just the LGBT community. A similar case featuring a florist in Washington who refused to serve a gay wedding has been returned by the Supreme Court to the state for further consideration. It may return in 2020.

Listening only to the loudest voices on the political margins, it can seem like the fight for LGBT freedom is entirely about wedding cakes. From the far left, one hears attacks on organized religion that have nothing to do with LGBT people. From the far right, it's the "slippery slope" and a wacky obsession with bathrooms. And no matter your politics, there is no way you can honestly think Caitlyn Jenner should be ordered to use the men's room. We're pleased President Trump agrees. These distractions do a disservice to the LGBT people living in 31 states where they still have no statewide civil rights protections and where Republicans dominate government.

This political reality demands working with Republican legislators and demonstrating respect for religious liberty. Legal protections for LGBT people must be balanced with the religious freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. Republicans can look to Utah's pro-LGBT legislation as a model for how to achieve this balance.

The gay rights movement was winning with Republicans long before Justice Kennedy wrote Obergefell. We've had many legislative achievements, and we will have more in the future -- but not if sensational claims and partisan posturing define the debate. Whether the court stands with us or not, Justice Kennedy's legacy -- balancing the country's diverse beliefs while protecting LGBT freedom -- can and must continue through responsible legislation.The following companies are subsidiares of CVS Health: @Credentials Inc., ACS ACQCO CORP., ADMINCO Inc., AE Fourteen Incorporated, AHP Holdings Inc., AMC - Tennessee LLC, APS Acquisition LLC, ASCO HealthCare LLC, ASI Wings LLC, AUSHC Holdings Inc., Accendo Insurance Company, Accordant Health Services L.L.C., Active Health Management Inc., Administrative Enterprises Inc., AdvancePCS SpecialtyRx LLC, AdvanceRx.com L.L.C., Advanced Care Scripts Inc., Aetna, Aetna (Beijing) Enterprise Management Services Co. 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Ltd., Aetna Insurance Company Limited, Aetna Integrated Informatics Inc., Aetna International Inc., Aetna Ireland Inc., Aetna Korea Ltd., Aetna Life & Casualty (Bermuda) Ltd., Aetna Life Assignment Company, Aetna Life Insurance Company, Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC, Aetna Multi-Strategy 1099 Fund LLC, Aetna Network Services LLC, Aetna Partners Diversified Fund LLC, Aetna Pharmacy Management Services LLC, Aetna Resources LLC, Aetna Risk Assurance Company of Connecticut Inc., Aetna Rx Home Delivery LLC, Aetna Services (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Aetna Student Health Agency Inc., Aetna Ventures LLC, Aetna Workers Comp Access LLC, Alabama CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Alaska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, American Continental Insurance Company, American Drug Stores Delaware L.L.C., American Health Holding Inc., Arbor Drugs, Arizona CVS Stores L.L.C., Arkansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Badger Acquisition LLC, Badger Acquisition of Kentucky LLC, Badger Acquisition of Minnesota LLC, Badger Acquisition of Ohio LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Company, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc., Beauty Holdings L.L.C., Best Care LTC Acquisition Company LLC, Busse CVS L.L.C., CCI Foreign S.a R.L. (R.C.S. Luxembourg), CCRx Holdings LLC, CCRx of North Carolina LLC, CHP Acquisition LLC, CP Acquisition LLC, CVS 2948 Henderson L.L.C., CVS 3268 Gilbert L.L.C., CVS 3745 Peoria L.L.C., CVS AL Distribution L.L.C., CVS AOC Corporation, CVS AOC Services L.L.C., CVS Albany L.L.C., CVS Bellmore Avenue L.L.C., CVS Care Concierge LLC, CVS Caremark Advanced Technology Pharmacy L.L.C., CVS Caremark Indemnity Ltd., CVS Caremark Part D Services L.L.C., CVS Caremark TN SUTA LLC, CVS Foreign Inc., CVS Gilbert 3272 L.L.C., CVS Health Solutions LLC, CVS Indiana L.L.C., CVS International L.L.C., CVS Kidney Care Advanced Technologies LLC, CVS Kidney Care Health Services LLC, CVS Kidney Care Home Dialysis LLC, CVS Kidney Care LLC, CVS Manchester NH L.L.C., CVS Media Exchange LLC, CVS Michigan L.L.C., CVS Orlando FL Distribution L.L.C., CVS PA Distribution L.L.C., CVS PR Center Inc., CVS Pharmacy Inc., CVS RS Arizona L.L.C., CVS Rx Services Inc., CVS SC Distribution L.L.C., CVS State Capital L.L.C., CVS TN Distribution L.L.C., CVS Transportation L.L.C., CVS Vero FL Distribution L.L.C., Campos Medical Pharmacy LLC, Canal Place LLC, Care Pharmaceutical Services LP, CareCenter Pharmacy L.L.C., Carefree Insurance Services Inc., Caremark Arizona Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Arizona Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark California Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Florida Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Florida Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Hawaii Mail Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Hawaii Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark IPA L.L.C., Caremark Illinois Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Illinois Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Irving Resource Center LLC, Caremark Kansas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark L.L.C., Caremark Logistics LLC, Caremark Louisiana Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Maryland Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Massachusetts Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Michigan Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Minnesota Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark New Jersey Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark North Carolina Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ohio Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Pennsylvania Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark PhC L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Redlands Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Repack LLC, Caremark Rx L.L.C., Caremark Tennessee Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ulysses Holding Corp., Caremark Washington Specialty Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Alabama Mail Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Health L.L.C., CaremarkPCS L.L.C., Central Rx Services LLC, Claims Administration Corp., Cofinity Inc., Compscript LLC, Connecticut CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Continental Life Insurance Company of Brentwood Tennessee, Continuing Care Rx LLC, Coram Alternate Site Services Inc., Coram Clinical Trials Inc., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Alabama, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater D.C., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater New York, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Indiana, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Massachusetts, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Mississippi, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Nevada, Coram Healthcare Corporation of North Texas, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Northern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Utah, Coram LLC, Coram Rx LLC, Coram Specialty Infusion, Coram Specialty Infusion Services L.L.C., Coventry Consumer Advantage Inc., Coventry Health Care National Accounts Inc., Coventry Health Care National Network Inc., Coventry Health Care Workers Compensation Inc., Coventry Health Care of Illinois Inc., Coventry Health Care of Kansas Inc., Coventry Health Care of Missouri Inc., Coventry Health Care of Nebraska Inc., Coventry Health Care of Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Care of West Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Plan of Florida Inc., Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company, Coventry HealthCare Management Corporation, Coventry Prescription Management Services Inc., Coventry Rehabilitation Services Inc., Coventry Transplant Network Inc., D & R Pharmaceutical Services LLC, D.A.W. LLC, Delaware CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Delaware Physicians Care Incorporated, Digital eHealth LLC, District of Columbia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., E.T.B. INC., Echo Merger Sub Inc., Eckerd Corporation of Florida Inc., Employee Assistance Services LLC, Enloe Drugs LLC, Enterprise Patient Safety Organization LLC, EntrustRX, Evergreen Pharmaceutical LLC, Evergreen Pharmaceutical of California Inc., Express Pharmacy Services of PA L.L.C., FOCUS HealthCare Management Inc., First Health Group Corp., First Health Life & Health Insurance Company, First Script Network Services Inc., Florida Health Plan Administrators LLC, Garfield Beach CVS L.L.C., Generation Health L.L.C., Geneva Woods Health Services LLC, Geneva Woods LTC Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Management LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Alaska LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Washington LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Wyoming LLC, Geneva Woods Retail Pharmacy LLC, Georgia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., German Dobson CVS L.L.C., Goodhealth Worldwide (Asia) Limited, Goodhealth Worldwide (Global) Limited, Goodyear CVS L.L.C., Grand St. Paul CVS L.L.C., Grandview Pharmacy LLC, Group Dental Service Inc., Group Dental Service of Maryland Inc., Health Care Management Co. Ltd., Health Data & Management Solutions Inc., Health Re Inc., Health and Human Resource Center Inc., HealthAssuance Pennsylvania Inc., Healthagen LLC, Highland Park CVS L.L.C., Holiday CVS L.L.C., Home Care Pharmacy LLC, Home Pharmacy Services LLC, Hook-SupeRx L.L.C., Horizon Behavioral Services LLC, Idaho CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., IlliniCare Health, Indian Health Organisation Private Limited, Innovation Health Holdings LLC, Innovation Health Insurance Company, Innovation Health Plan Inc., Interlock Pharmacy Systems LLC, Iowa CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., JHC Acquisition LLC, Kansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Kentucky CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., LCPS Acquisition LLC, Langsam Health Services LLC, Lo-Med Prescription Services LLC, Lobos Acquisition LLC, Longs Drug Stores, Longs Drug Stores California L.L.C., Louisiana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., MHHP Acquisition Company LLC, MHNet Life and Health Insurance Company, MHNet Specialty Services LLC, MHNet of Florida Inc., Managed Care Coordinators Inc., Managed Healthcare LLC, Martin Health Services LLC, Maryland CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Med World Acquisition Corp., Medical Arts Health Care LLC, Medical Examinations of New York P.C., Melville Realty Company Inc., MemberHealth LLC, Mental Health Associates Inc., Mental Health Network of New York IPA Inc., Meritain Health Inc., Merwin Long Term Care LLC, MetraComp Inc., Minor Health Enterprise Co Ltd., MinuteClinic, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Alabama L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Arizona LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Florida LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Georgia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Hawaii L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Illinois LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Kentucky L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Louisiana L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maine L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maryland LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Massachusetts LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Nebraska L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Hampshire L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Mexico L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Ohio LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oklahoma LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oregon LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Pennsylvania LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Rhode Island LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of South Carolina L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Utah L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Virginia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Washington LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Wisconsin L.L.C., MinuteClinic L.L.C., MinuteClinic Online Diagnostic Services LLC, MinuteClinic Physician Practice of Texas, MinuteClinic Telehealth Services LLC, Mississippi CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Missouri CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Montana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NCS Healthcare LLC, NCS Healthcare of Illinois LLC, NCS Healthcare of Iowa LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kansas LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kentucky Inc. (Oh, NCS Healthcare of Montana LLC, NCS Healthcare of New Mexico LLC, NCS Healthcare of Ohio LLC, NCS Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, NCS Healthcare of Tennessee LLC, NCS Healthcare of Wisconsin LLC, NIV Acquisition LLC, Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Nebraska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NeighborCare Holdings Inc., NeighborCare Inc., NeighborCare Pharmacy Services Inc., NeighborCare Services Corporation, NeighborCare of Indiana LLC, NeighborCare of Virginia LLC, New Jersey CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Niagara Re Inc., North Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., North Shore Pharmacy Services LLC, NovoLogix LLC, OCR Services LLC, Ocean Acquisition Sub L.L.C., Ohio CVS Stores L.L.C., Oklahoma CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Omnicare, Omnicare Holding Company, Omnicare Inc., Omnicare Indiana Partnership Holding Company LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania East LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania West LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of the Great Plains Holding LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy and Supply Services LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of Tennessee LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of the Midwest LLC, Omnicare Property Management LLC, Omnicare of Nebraska LLC, Omnicare of Nevada LLC, Omnicare of New York LLC, Oregon CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., PE Holdings LLC, PHPSNE Parent Corporation, PP Acquisition Company LLC, PRN Pharmaceutical Services LP, PT Aetna Management Consulting, Pamplona Saude e Beleza LTDA, Part D Holding Company L.L.C., PayFlex Holdings Inc., PayFlex Systems USA Inc., Pennsylvania CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Performax Inc., Pharmacy Associates of Glenn Falls LLC, Pharmacy Consultants LLC, Phoenix Data Solutions LLC, Precision Benefit Services Inc., Prime Net Inc., ProCare Pharmacy Direct L.L.C., ProCare Pharmacy L.L.C., Prodigy Health Group Inc., Professional Risk Management Inc., Pt. Aetna Global Benefits Indonesia, Puerto Rico CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Red Oak Sourcing LLC, Resources for Living LLC, Rhode Island CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Roeschens Healthcare LLC, RxAmerica, Schaller Anderson Medical Administrators Incorporated, Scrip World LLC, Sheffield Avenue CVS L.L.C., Shore Pharmaceutical Providers LLC, Silverscript Insurance Company, Soma Intimates, South Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., South Wabash CVS L.L.C., Specialized Pharmacy Services LLC, Spinnaker Bidco Limited, Spinnaker Topco Limited, Stadtlander Drug Company, Stadtlander Pharmacy, Sterling Healthcare Services LLC, Superior Care Pharmacy LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Administrative Services LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, T2 Medical Inc., TCPI Acquisition LLC, TargetPharmacy, Tennessee CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Company, Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Texas Health + Aetna Health Plan Inc., The Vasquez Group Inc., Thomas Phoenix CVS L.L.C., Three Forks Apothecary LLC, U.S Healthcare Holdings LLC, U.S. Healthcare Properties Inc., UAC Holding Inc., UC Acquisition LLC, UNI-Care Health Services of Maine LLC, Universal American - Medicare Part D Business, Utah CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., VAPS Acquisition Company LLC, Value Health Care Services LLC, Vermont CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virtual Home Healthcare L.L.C., Warm Springs Road CVS L.L.C., Washington CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Washington Lamb CVS L.L.C., Weber Medical Systems LLC, Wellpartner LLC, West Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Westhaven Services Co LLC, Williamson Drug Company LLC, Wisconsin CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Woodward Detroit CVS L.L.C., Work and Family Benefits Inc., ZS Acquisition Company LLC, Zinc Health Services LLC, Zinc Health Ventures LLC, bSwift LLC, and iTriage LLC.JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a financial holding company. It provides financial and investment banking services. The firm offers a range of investment banking products and services in all capital markets, including advising on corporate strategy and structure, capital raising in equity and debt markets, risk management, market making in cash securities and derivative instruments, and brokerage and research. It operates through the following segments: Consumer and Community Banking, Corporate and Investment Bank, Commercial Banking, and Asset and Wealth Management. The Consumer and Community Banking segment serves consumers and businesses through personal service at bank branches and through automated teller machine, online, mobile, and telephone banking. The Corporate and Investment Bank segment offers a suite of investment banking, market-making, prime brokerage, and treasury and securities products and services to a global client base of corporations, investors, financial institutions, government and municipal entities. The Commercial Banking segment delivers services to U.S. and its multinational clients, including corporations, municipalities, financial institutions, and non profit

Read MoreWeatherford International plc, an oilfield service company, provides equipment and services for the drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention of oil and natural gas wells worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere. It offers artificial lift systems, including reciprocating rod, progressing cavity pumping, gas, hydraulic, plunger, and hybrid lift systems, as well as related automation and control systems; pressure pumping and reservoir stimulation services, such as acidizing, fracturing and fluid systems, cementing, and coiled-tubing intervention; and drill stem test tools, and surface well testing and multiphase flow measurement services. The company also provides safety, downhole reservoir monitoring, flow control, and multistage fracturing systems, as well as sand-control technologies, and production and isolation packers; liner hangers to suspend a casing string in high-temperature and high-pressure wells; cementing products, including plugs, float and stage equipment, and torque-and-drag reduction technology for zonal isolation; and pre-job planning and installation services. In addition, it offers directional drilling services, and logging and measurement services while drilling; services related to rotary-steerable systems, high-temperature and high-pressure sensors, drilling reamers, and circulation subs; managed pressure drilling, conventional mud-logging, drilling instrumentation, gas analysis, wellsite consultancy, and open hole and cased-hole logging services; reservoir solutions and software products; and intervention and remediation services. Further, the company provides equipment and drilling tools; tubular handling, management, and connection services; equipment rental services; and onshore contract drilling and related services through a fleet of land drilling and workover rigs. Weatherford International plc was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland.

Read MoreWells Fargo & Co. is a diversified, community-based financial services company. It is engaged in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance. It firm operates through the following segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, Wealth & Investment Management, and Other. The Community Banking segment offers complete line of diversified financial products and services for consumers and small businesses including checking and savings accounts, credit and debit cards, and automobile, student, and small business lending. The Wholesale Banking segment provides financial solutions to businesses across the United States and globally. The Wealth and Investment Management segment includes personalized wealth management, investment and retirement products and services to clients across U.S. based businesses. The Other segment refers to the products of WIM customers served through community banking distribution channels. The company was founded by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo on March 18, 1852 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

Read MoreLe Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme  La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza.



Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres.



Award winning racing writer Beverley Smith recently told the story of Ontario horseman Phil Coole and his kidney transplant odyssey. Coincidentally enough, another Standardbred horseman had his kidney transplant story told in print just days later.

John Sacco of Pennsylvanias Observer-Reporter recently caught up with veteran harness conditioner Carl Cocciolone, who on October 5 underwent surgery at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh for a kidney transplant.

Sacco didnt have to search too far to find out who the donor was.

I am lucky, the Meadows-based Cocciolone explained. Its a great birthday present. My sister (Patty Alcorn) gave me a kidney and my life has improved tremendously. What a gift.

When they said we were a match, I just had a feeling of being blessed, knowing I could help him, Alcorn said.

Cocciolone has said that he cannot wait to get back conditioning his stock again.

That will make me really happy, he said. Honestly, I have been blessed and I am thankful to just be able to live a better, healthier life.

To read the Observer-Reporter article in its entirety, click here.

(With files from the Observer-Reporter)DETROIT, Oct. 16, 2018 / Standard Newswire / -- Elreta Dodds' latest Christian apologetic book, "The Right to Be Christian in a Gay Rights America" (paperback) provides a biblical and constitutional defense against the persecution of Christians who do not support homosexuality and explains why their non-endorsement is a question of faith and religion, not of homophobia and bigotry. Dodds' intent is not to castigate gays or inflame emotions, but to present a convincing argument as to why many Christians believe they cannot support the gay lifestyle.There are Christians in America who have been persecuted for not supporting, approving of, or participating in the affirmation of homosexuality. Dodds emphasizes that there is a difference between tolerance and support, but that the line between the two is blurred causing many Christians to be unjustly accused of intolerance and discrimination.Dodds not only presents arguments that defend the Christian faith surrounding this issue, but also discusses recent cases in which Christians have been fired, sued, and/or jailed for not compromising their biblical/religious beliefs regarding homosexuality. Cases cited include those involving cake shop business owner Jack Phillips, previous cake shop business owners Aaron and Melissa Klein, previous Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, and Rowan County Kentucky court clerk Kim Davis, among others.While the main focus of most books on either side of this issue is whether or not homosexuality is right or wrong from a biblical standpoint, this book focuses primarily on the injustice of persecuting Christians who believe that the Bible says homosexuality is morally wrong and thus don't condone it. The book supports the position that says it is reasonable, when taking into account the Scriptures that address homosexuality, for Christians to believe that homosexuality is immoral and that it is therefore a violation of their constitutional rights of freedom of religion and freedom of speech if forced to go against their belief or if persecuted for upholding it."The Right to Be Christian in a Gay Rights America" is distributed nationally and internationally and is available (in-store and/or by order) at Barnes and Noble stores, wherever books are sold, and at online stores including Amazon. To schedule speaking engagements or interviews see the contact information above. Review copies of the book are available upon request.For more information about the book and the author, click onto www.thebibleandgayrights.blogspot.comDespite the widespread damage to schools in the Florida Panhandle from Hurricane Michael, district officials remained laser-focused on reopening their schools as quickly as safely possible, the states education commissioner said Monday.

Commissioner Pam Stewart visited with school officials in hard-hit Gulf, Calhoun, and Jackson counties, and spoke with all of the superintendents from communities that were severely impacted by Hurricane Michael when it blew ashore as a Category 4 storm last week.

While each is facing varying degrees of damage, the theme of our conversations was the samehope and determination, Stewart said in a statement. They are laser-focused on reopening their schools as quickly as safely possible, and we are assisting them in their efforts.

There is an enormous amount of work ahead, and I am confident that Floridas school communities will be restored better than ever and that, with the ongoing support of fellow Floridians and Americans, our students and their families will thrive, Stewart continued.

As for any possible estimate of the damages the schools sustained, Stewart said its too early to even guess. The departments staff will continue to work with districts in the hardest-hit areas, Stewart said.

We know that it will be significantperhaps historic like the storm itselfbut its too early to provide even ballpark figures as damage assessments are ongoing, she said.

Districts in some of the hardest hit areas are unsure when they will reopen. In an update from Gov. Rick Scotts office on Monday, eight districtsBay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Liberty, and Washingtonwere all closed until further notice.

Some schools in those counties are being used as shelters and distribution sites, but, in other cases, roads conditions and lack of electricity remained major hurdles.

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump visited parts of the state, including Lynn Haven in Bay County, on Monday, and viewed the damages to Mexico Beach and Panama City by air, according to The Washington Post. The president and first lady were also expected to visit affected areas in Georgia.

Hurricane Michael has been blamed for 17 deaths, in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia, according to USA Today. And as of Sunday, as many as 190,000 homes and businesses did not have electricity, The Washington Post reported , though power companies were working quickly to return power to customers.

The Leon County school district, which includes Tallahassee, welcomed back its students on Monday. The district said on Twitter that all schools were successfully reopenedthe last schools received power on Sundayand that there were only minimal disruptions to bus routes.

But in hard-hit Jackson County, which includes Marianna, the school district said in a press release posted Friday that it did not anticipate opening before Nov. 1.

The district was conducting a damage assessment of its schools, and so far all of the schools had some damage, some of them significant. The damage to its infrastructure was extreme, the district said.

While we will try our best to speed up the process of restoration, we want families to be prepared for students to have this extended time out of school, the district said. If things move faster than anticipated, we will adjust this start date accordingly.

The district stressed that employees will be paid for the missed school days, and sent its best wishes to the community dealing with personal losses.

We stand with you in the recovery process, the district said. We know that Jackson County will pull together and be strong in the aftermath of the storm.

And in Bay County, which includes Panama City and Mexico Beach, the district said it was working on a damage assessment, while sending out disaster teams to start repairs.

The district did not release a reopening date by Monday afternoon, but it posted an update saying that shared campuses were among the things that it was considering and that it would have more information later in the week about how that will work and which schools will be affected.

We appreciate your patience and understanding, the district said. Were told it typically takes communities devastated by storms 3-4 weeks to get schools up and running and we are still at plus six days with a goal of being as quick as possible to restore infrastructure. Of course, we are dependent upon the restoration of power and water in our community as well as plans to get evacuated employees home and sheltered.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, the district said that it was collecting information about online/consumable resources that may be available to students, and that it will have counseling and other activities at shelters. It was also working on reconnecting with staff members, many of whom had evacuated the area before the storm and did not have cellphone or internet service, the district said Sunday.

We sincerely appreciate all of the messages of support and encouragement, the district said. We cant reply to them all individually but we appreciate them and are sharing them with our team members who are working night and day to find our new normal.

Photo: The gymnasium and surrounding structures at Jinks Elementary School in Panama City, Fla., lie in ruins in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. --Scott Clause/The Daily Advertiser via APThe digital gaming segment has emerged as an industry in itself, with global corporates investing heavily towards the development of this sector. The global gaming market is estimated at US$ 110 billion. However, India, in-spite of being one of the largest users of digital products and services, is in a nascent stage with respect to the digital gaming industry.

India has a large skill pool to offer in the fields of, Game development and Testing, Arts and Designing, Information Technology. This presents a significant opportunity for the Indian gaming industry to forge partnerships with leading global digital gaming companies, and open doors for massive investment and job creation in the country.

The Digital India mission holds the key to the development of a robust gaming industry in the country through its emphasis on promoting digitalization. To evolve and leverage a Digital Transformation movement that transforms India by building systems of intelligence, by bringing in more personal computing and adopting to the intelligent cloud, growth opportunity for the creative sector like digital gaming in India is phenomenal.

Historically, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has been at the forefront of leveraging innovative trends to build the competitiveness of Indian industry and enhance its growth potential for the betterment of Indian citizens. With this vision, CII has formed a society  the Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS), a not for profit organisation comprising of various stake holders of the Indian Digital Gaming Ecosystem.

Speaking about the Indian Digital Gaming Society, IDGS Founder and President Rajan Navani said, With the Indian Gaming market across mobile, PC, console and e-sports growing exponentially, IDGS fulfils the need for industry led body to bring stakeholders across the ecosystem together, including Government, to nurture and grow a global opportunity for Indian industry in the creative world just like IT Services opened India to the world three decades ago.

IDGS will provide platform for the young start-ups and youths to unleash their creativity and contribute towards digital economy of the country. Digital Gaming sector will open up new avenues of skilling and help create more job opportunities in India. It will catalyse the Indian Digital Gaming industry to effectively contribute to Indias economic growth and become a trust worthy global partner. Society will work closely with the central and state governments and academia towards enabling the growth of the digital gaming industry.

IDGS Advantages

Strategic Direction Setting  For envisioning future opportunities for growth, capabilities, and Competitiveness, etc.

Policy Advocacy Support  Provide Information on Policy Provisions and create a platform for effective industry  government dialogue

Consultancy Services  Hand  Holding for new entrants

Knowledge Platform  Insightful reports and newsletters, seminars, workshops

Opportunity Alerts  RFIs/ REPs, National and global tenders, etc.

Progress Tracking  Track Progress of Projects and Facilitate relevant dialogue.

Outreach  Across Platforms to shape an Informed Discourse

Policy and Progress Advocacy

Represent  Industry, aspirations and concerns, provide unbiased perspective to policymakers

Review- Progress of Procurement and development with the government

Engage  With national and State governments in policy formulations to create an enabling environment.

Policy and market research

Track  The Global digital gaming industry, identify new trends, map impact and pin point opportunity areas

Analyse  Policy opportunities to maximize potential

Capitalise  Capability mapping of Industry specific products and services to create a repository of innovators and manufactures

Emerging technologies and New Opportunities

Monitor and Create  Access to Emerging Technologies for gaming application

Create  An International network of industry associations to enable access to state of  the art technology

Incubate  Locally developed technologies in public and private Sector

Indigenization and Innovation

Engage  Institutes of technological and management excellence for indigenization and innovation in digital gaming.

Promote  sustained engagement between industries, R&D institutes and innovative technology Ventures

Combine  Operational experience and technological expertise into innovation

Export Promotion

Raise  Awareness of the Indian digital gaming Industry on a Global by Publishing capability reports and Convening platforms

Showcase  Domestic industry in international digital gaming exhibitions

Facilitate  Interaction between foreign delegation and Indian Industry

Provide  Consultancy services to foreign companies seeking to outsource to India.

Education and skill development

Promote  Digital Gaming technology and management as an integrated multi  domain curriculum.

Facilitate  Skill Development programmes for the digital gaming industry through partner organisations.

Technuter.com News ServiceGlobal oil major BP said on Monday fuel price controls were not good, days after India asked state-run fuel retailers to shield customers from record-high costs by cutting margins.

New Delhi: Global oil major BP said on Monday fuel price controls were not good, days after India asked state-run fuel retailers to shield customers from record-high costs by cutting margins.

BP has a tie-up with Reliance Industries, owner of the worlds biggest refining complex, to enter Indias downstream sector, including natural gas marketing and retail fuel sales.

I think that price controls are a kind of thing that will not be good for the sector in the longer term, Bob Dudley, Group Chief Executive of BP, said at the India Energy Forum organised by IHS CERA. He did not comment on when BP would open its first fuel retail outlet in India in partnership with Reliance.

India cut taxes on diesel and gasoline this month and asked state companies, which account for the bulk of retail fuel sales in the country, to reduce the price of the two sensitive auto-fuels by one rupees on every litre of fuel sold.

The move was widely seen as government intervention in local fuel pricing, although Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had said the step should not be seen as going back to a regulated regime.

The government has since said it would not interfere with market-determined prices of gasoline and diesel. I have not heard any suggestions that India will go back to price controls. There have been some reductions on parts of the taxes, Dudley told reporters in New Delhi on Monday.

BP, which has tied up with Reliance to explore gas fields in India, expects to have a 10 percent gas market share by 2022, Dudley said, adding he expected BP Indias gas production with Reliance to be 1 billion cubic feet per day in five years.

He said he was hopeful that over that timeframe the company would have large retailing partnerships with Reliance and a strong presence in Indias solar market. In 2011, BP paid USD 7.2 billion to buy a 30 per cent stake in Reliances fields and promised an additional USD 1.8 billion for future performance payments.

However, both companies held off from announcing any major investments in the field as the local natural gas price did not support a sufficient return on investment.

The government allowed higher prices from deepwater natural gas reserves from October 2014. Dudley said the low natural gas price in India before 2014 was a major factor that slowed down its investments in the country.

Last year, Reliance and BP announced an investment of USD 6 billion to develop three fields in the east coast of India which would add around 30-35 million standard cubic metres per day (mscmd) of gas between 2020 and 2022.

We plan for the long term and were here in India for the long term, Dudley said on Monday, referring to BPs plans for India.New Delhi: Infosys on Tuesday said it will comply with the arbitration award asking the company to pay Rs 12.17 crore and interest to its former chief financial officer Rajiv Bansal.

In September, the Arbitral Tribunal of Justice (retd) R V Raveendran had communicated the decision with regard to the dispute between Infosys and Bansal, Infosys said in a regulatory filing.

"The company has received a legal advice and will comply with the award and make the necessary payments," it added.

Infosys had lost the arbitration over the severance package to Bansal and had been asked to pay outstanding amount of Rs 12.17 crore with interest.

The company had earlier stated that "while the award acknowledges that Infosys had bona fide disputes, its counter claim for refund of previously paid severance amount of Rs 5.2 crore and damages, has been rejected".

It had also added that it will take legal advice for further action on the issue. The IT firm had agreed to pay Bansal a severance amount of Rs 17.38 crore or 24 months of salary when he quit in 2015, but the company suspended payments after he got Rs 5 crore.

This was done after co-founder N R Narayana Murthy and others had raised objections to the severance pay terming it excessive. Following this, Bansal had dragged his former employer to arbitration to claim the remaining Rs 12 crore of his severance pay.

Bansal's severance payout has been one of the issues that Infosys founders had raised to allege governance lapses at the Bengaluru-based firm.Actor Gerard Butler cancelled his press tour of Hunter Killer to Saudi Arabia, reports JustJared.com.

The 48-year old actor announced the cancellation at a news conference on Monday afternoon at the Pentagon in Washington D.C.

Gerard was scheduled to travel to the country and planned to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but changed his plans in light of journalist Jamal Khashoggis disappearance.

It didnt feel like a good time to be getting involved in that. It would have felt incredibly insensitive to go to Saudi Arabia, Gerard said during the press

conference.

The self-exiled Saudi journalist, who was living in the US, was last spotted entering the Saudi consulate in Turkey on October 2.

HT00When he first visited the hospital doctors found that he had intersexuality (Photo: Pixabay)

Several people suffer from conditions caused by complications when they are born, and some of these can affect their physical aspects years later. Several people may even face body image issues due to such conditions, but thankfully medical science has figured out ways to help them.

A 42-year-old man in Portugal developed breasts and had a micropenis because his testicles disappeared in the womb. The absence of testicles prevented his body from producing testosterone which also gave him a high pitched voice.

But testosterone injections were able to make up for the lack of the male hormone giving him smaller breasts, facial hair and a deeper voice. Doctors believe that his testicles became twisted in the womb and dropped off in the womb as blood supply to them may have been cut.

When he first visited the hospital doctors found that he had intersexuality caused when a person is born with genitals not fitting in definition of male or female bodies. Due to this he had a mans face but the physique of a woman.A popular North Kolkata Durga Puja idol. The ten hands of Lord Durga hold in them a conch, discuss, lotus, sword, bow with arrow, trishul, mace, thunderbolt, snake and flame. (Photo: Debojyoti Sanyal)

Durga Puja is on at full swing, as communities and neighbourhoods across India welcome the ten-armed-goddess home. One of the most attractive and popular forms of worship for Hindus, Durga indicates the confluence of the power of all gods and goddesses.

Lord Durga emanated in response to the prayers of humans and gods to put an end to the vicious and deadly demons. She waged a war against the evil demon lord Mahisasura and killed him, thus saving the world.

Goddess Durga is ferocious to the demons and at the same time highly kind to her devotees.

The ten arms of Lord Durga symbolize that she protects her devotees from all directions namely the eight corners and from the sky and the earth.

The ten hands of Lord Durga hold in them a conch, discuss, lotus, sword, bow with arrow, trishul, mace, thunderbolt, snake and flame.

Heres what each weapon symbolises:

Trishul: Gifted to Her by Lord Shiva, the trishul or the trident has three sharp edges meaning that humans are composed of three gunas or qualities namely Tamas (inactivity and lethargic tendency), Rajas (hyperactivity and desires) and Sattva (positivity and purity). As the trident pierces anything to death, the compassion of Mother Durga shall confer the wisdom necessary to conquer the three qualities and emerge victorious.

Conch: Symbol of the primordial sound called 'AUM' from which the entire creation emerged. It was gifted to Goddess Durga by Lord Varuna.

Discuss: Revolving around Durga's hands, it show that Durga is the centre of creation and all the universe revolves around her. It was a gift from Lord Vishnu.

Lotus: It stands for awakening of spiritual consciousness in a soul. Divine Mother will help her devotees to understand the transience of life and seek the ultimate truth. It was gifted by Lord Bramha.

Sword/ Kharga: Sword marks the sharpness of intellect enjoining humans to use the sense of discrimination to overcome their negativity.

Bow and arrow: The bow and arrow are the symbols of energy. It was gifted to the goddess by Lords Vayu and Surya.

Mace: Enjoins humans to exhibit loyalty, love and devotion to Mother Durga.

Thunderbolt: This weapon symbolizes firmness of spirit. Praying to Mother Durga will help shatter the problems encountered in life without losing confidence. She empowers her devotee with unshaken confidence and will. It was gifted by Lord Indra.

Snake: Indicates the upward movement from the lower state of consciousness to the higher state of existence experiencing pure bliss.

Axe: Maa Durga received an axe and an armour from Lord Vishvakarma. It signifies no fear of consequences when fighting the evil.Britain's Prince Harry (R) and his wife Meghan (2/R) meet an echidna held by Michelle Shaw (L) during a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney on October 16, 2018. (Photo: AFP)

SYDNEY: British royals Harry and Meghan received baby gifts, met a koala couple and posed in front of Sydney's dazzling Opera House Tuesday, on their first public outing since announcing they are to become parents.

The happy prince and his US-born wife laughed as they were given a pair of Australian baby Ugg boots from the country's governor general, watched eucalyptus-munching koalas at the zoo and took a boat ride across Sydney Harbour as they began a lengthy tour of the Pacific. Meghan, wearing a tight white dress by Australian designer Karen Gee, showed few signs of having a baby bump, but smiled broadly as she stepped back into the limelight -- posing against the backdrop of the Opera House sails, which gleamed in the spring sunshine.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are welcomed by the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove at Admiralty House, Kirribilli, with Akubra hats, as they begin #RoyalVisitAustralia  pic.twitter.com/PwJNKWEBZ1  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 16, 2018

Shortly after the appearance, Gee's website was down, apparently due to the volume of traffic it was receiving. At the foot of the Opera House a crowd of hundreds pressed against security fences for a royal outdoor meet-and-greet, waving Australian flags, assorted pictures and carrying human-size koala toys, all under the gaze of police snipers and close protection officers.

"I've been following them since the wedding," 90-year-old retiree Edward Atkinson told AFP, adding that he would be looking out for any signs of Meghan's pregnancy. "I want to see how she interacts with the crowd," added Atkinson, who saw Harry's mother Princess Diana when she visited Australia for the country's bicentenary celebrations in January 1988.

This royal couple are on a 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga that had already been keenly watched but is now set to be a media frenzy that will test Australia's large contingent of royal-sceptic republicans.

Shortly after the pair stepped off the plane on Monday, Kensington Palace announced that Queen Elizabeth II's 34-year-old grandson and the 37-year-old actress are "expecting a baby in the spring of 2019", triggering a chorus of coos and rampant tabloid speculation about baby names.

"What fantastic news!" tweeted Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. "Australia is thrilled for you both. Looking forward to sharing in the joy during your stay down under."

The queen was said to be "delighted", British Prime Minister Theresa May tweeted her "warmest congratulations", and Meghan's mother Doria Ragland said she was "very happy about this lovely news".

As TV stations in the English-speaking world broke into their regular coverage, Google saw a spike in searches for "when is spring?" -- the answer in Britain is from March until May or June -- and newspapers mused over what the baby, who will become either an earl or lady, will be called.

The bookies' instant pick was Diana -- the name of the late princess who was mother to both Prince Harry and his older brother Prince William -- along with Arthur and Alice. The celebrity couple can expect a warm welcome on their tour, even if polls show half of Australians would like to ditch British monarchs as their country's head of state.

American princess

Kensington palace said they did not expect any changes to the trip schedule, although Meghan is not expected to join Harry in scaling the Sydney Harbour Bridge to mark the start of the Invictus Games later in the week. They are still expected to visit Fiji and Tonga despite a notice advising pregnant women to stay away because of the Zika virus.

The decision came after consultations with doctors, Kensington Palace said. The BBC's royal correspondent said scrutiny will only intensify with the announcement Meghan is expecting. "This is now the duchess's pregnancy tour -- every step of the way she will be greeted with a new level of excitement and with some degree of concern," the BBC's Jonny Dymond wrote.

Meghan made her name in acting as savvy paralegal Rachel Zane in the US television legal drama "Suits", a world far removed from Buckingham Palace. Her first steps as a British royal have been cautious, immaculately scripted and well received. It is all but mandatory for a major royal to have a charity project, and Meghan's choice addressed the biggest tragedy to befall Britain in the past years.

The June 2017, the Grenfell Tower fire in London killed 71 people and raised uncomfortable questions about the government's approach to low income families who lived there. Meghan wrote the foreword to the recipe collection entitled "Together: Our Community Cookbook", produced by women who suffered in the blaze. Britons also swooned after seeing Meghan nonchalantly closing her own car door at her first solo engagement last month in London.Sayyed confessed of unintentionally killing Mansi by hitting her with a stool after an argument between the two. (Photo: Instagram/@mansi_dixit3)

Mumbai: The body of an aspiring model was found stuffed in a suitcase in Mumbais western suburb of Malad on Monday. The woman identified as Mansi Dixit, aged around 20 years, had moved from Kota, Rajasthan, to pursue her modelling dreams.

Within hours, the police managed to arrest 19-year-old college student Muzammil Sayyed, a resident of Hyderabad, who lives in Millat Nagar, Andheri (West).

According to the police, Sayyed confessed of unintentionally killing Mansi by hitting her with a stool after an argument between the two.

The immediate arrest of the accused took place because of the alert taxi driver who dropped Sayyed on Malad's back road where he dumped the suitcase and fled the spot in an autorickshaw.

Suspecting Sayyed's strange behaviour, the driver then called the police and reported the crime. The police, with the help of CCTV footage and already available details with the driver, arrested Sayyed from his residence.

The police are further investigating the motive behind behind the murder and have booked the accused under relevant sections of the IPC.The woman resorted to kicking, punching and slapping the bank manager, holding him by his collar. (Photo: Screengrab | ANI)

Bengaluru: In a shocking incident, a manager at a bank in Karnatakas Davanagere district was thrashed by a woman for allegedly asking her for sexual favours in return for a loan that she had applied for. The man was identified as Devaiyya and was employed at DHFL loan agency in Davanagere.

According to reports, Devaiyya had allegedly asked the woman, who applied for a loan of Rs 2 lakh, to make sexual relations with him in return of sanctioning her loan.

Appalled by Devaiyyas gesture, the woman beat him up with a cane in full public view in broad daylight. In the video, when Devaiyya held the cane, the woman resorted to kicking, punching and slapping him, holding him by his collar.

The woman also picked up her slippers to hit the man, while spectators stood and watched as well as recorded the video of the incident.Chennai: The body of a two-year-old boy, who went missing on Monday morning from outside his home in Arumbakkam, was found floating in the Cooum River behind his house on Tuesday morning. Police are investigating to determinewhether the boy drowned accidentally or being kidnapped and murdered. Police said the victim M.Jeeva (2) was last seen on the Monday morning when he was playing outside his house on Doctor R.K Nagar in Arumbakkam.

According to the police, Jeevas father Murali, who works as a welder lodged a complaint with Arumbakkam police and pasted posters around the locality. The police had then launched a search for the boy. Around 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning, residents spotted the body of a child floating on the water. The police were informed and a team fished the body out. The boys body was sent to the Kilpauk government Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

The police, however, suspected that the body could be that of Jeevas and called his family, who arrived and identified the body. probe is on.The injured were rushed to the Haripal hospital. Rescue operations are underway. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

Kolkata: At least 6 passengers died and 20 others injured on Tuesday when a bus fell into a canal from a bridge at Haripal in Hooghly district.

The Kolkata-bound bus dashed against the cement railings of a bridge before breaking it and fell into the Dakatia khal near Gojarmore around 9 am, SP Sukesh Jain told news agency PTI.

The injured were rushed to the Haripal hospital. Rescue operations are underway.

Locals and policemen carried out the rescue operations.

A team of state disaster management department has been sent to the spot, SP Sukesh Jain said.A bench of justices U U Lalit and D Y Chandrachud sought a reply in four weeks from home secretary, Gujarat government, on the aspect of testing of another app developed by the Bureau of Police Research and Development as proof of concept. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: In a giant leap towards digitisation of criminal investigation, police in six major cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, will mandatorily conduct videography of a crime scene, the Centre has told the Supreme Court.

Besides Delhi and Mumbai, the other cities where videography of crime scenes would be mandatory are Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Chandigarh.

The top court had in April asked the Centre to prepare a plan for introducing videography in criminal investigations to strengthen the rule of law. Taking the lead, the Gujarat Police has set up a central server which is connected to a specially designed application called "Mobile Pocket Cop".

The app can be downloaded on a cell phone provided to every police station for use in an investigation.

A bench of justices U U Lalit and D Y Chandrachud sought a reply in four weeks from home secretary, Gujarat government, on the aspect of testing of another app developed by the Bureau of Police Research and Development as proof of concept.

"Since sufficient progress on the front has been made by Gujarat, we would expect the authorities to develop a comprehensive and user friendly model which can then be used by all other states," the bench said while issuing a notice to the Gujarat home secretary.

Advocate Shirin Khajuria, appearing for the Centre, said as per compliance of the court's earlier order a central oversight body (COB) has been constituted and a special secretary (internal security) has filed an affidavit in this regard. She said the first meeting of COB was convened on May 24 to discuss the implementation of the plan for use of videography at a crime scene and other issues.

The affidavit filed by the Centre said a plan for crime scene videography would be implemented in phases.

In the first phase, the plan will be implemented in six major cities, it stated. The Centre has sought another six months from the court for full-fledged implementation of the plan.

On April 5, the Supreme Court had said the investigating agencies in India are not fully equipped and prepared for the use of videography but time was "ripe" that steps are taken to introduce videography in probe, particularly for a crime scene, to strengthen the rule of law. The apex court had said this while approving the 'centrally driven plan of action' prepared by a committee, constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), on use of videography in police investigation, and the time-line given by the panel.

It had said since law and order was a state subject, the MHA forthwith set up a COB to implement the plan of action prepared by the committee. The COB will be responsible for further planning and implementation of use of videography, and it may issue appropriate directions so as to ensure that use of videography becomes a reality in a phased manner by July 15, 2018, the court had said.

It had directed the COB may compile information regarding compliance in the next three months and submit a report to the court. The Centre had last year informed the top court that the issue of video recording of crime scenes was discussed by the union home secretary with the chief secretaries of the states.

During this, a decision was taken to constitute a committee of experts to facilitate and prepare a roadmap for use of videography at a crime scene and propose a standard operating procedure (SOP), it said. On February 4, the apex court had held that the requirement of a certificate to make an electronic evidence admissible is not mandatory "wherever interest of justice so justifies".

The top court's clarification on Section 65B of Indian Evidence Act, which deals with admissibility of electronic evidence in court proceedings, will have an impact on criminal trials, where an increasing number of call details records, CCTV footage, mobile video recordings and CDs are being relied upon.Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court directed the Telangana state government not to displace the petitioner farmers from Ananthagiri of Sircilla district from their lands without paying them compensation in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act. Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao was dealing with a petition by Mr Chetpelli Laxma Reddy and 28 others challenging the action of the authorities in taking possession of their land and beginning construction work without completing the payment of compensation as well as rehabilitation and resettlement entitlements as required under the law. They submitted that their land plots were acquired for the construction of Ananthagiri reservoir under Package 10 of the Kaleswaram Lift Irrigation Project.

Mr Ramachandra Rao issued notices to the respondents directing them to file the counter affidavits.According to the police, Nagpurkar mentioned the road accident in his one-page suicide note stating that the soul of the deceased child was calling him. (Representational Image)

Nagpur: A teenager from Maharashtra's Nagpur committed suicide after reportedly experiencing psychological distress from witnessing a road accident earlier that killed a minor boy, Nagpur police said on Tuesday.

Engineering student Saurabh Nagpurkar,18, who hanged himself at his home in Teen Nal Chowk area here Sunday, left behind a suicide note to this effect, police said.

About a month ago, Nagpurkar while going to college had witnessed a road accident in which a minor boy lost his life.

According to the police, Nagpurkar mentioned the road accident in his one-page suicide note stating that the soul of the deceased child was calling him.

Nagpurkar also met with two minor road accidents nearby the same spot which, according to his suicide note, were "caused" by the boy, killed in the earlier accident, "obstructing" his path, police said.

He took the extreme step apparently due to distress over these events, they added.

He is survived by his parents and elder sister, the official said. Tehsil police have registered a case of accidental death and are probing further.Babita Basu had visited Chennai last year to look for a kidney donor. (Facebook Screengrab | babitabasu)

Noida: The decomposing body of 52-year-old journalist Babita Basu was found in her flat at Supreme Tower in Noida Sector 99 on Sunday morning.

Police said Basu was on dialysis and is believed to have died three weeks earlier. Basu, who worked with The Times of India (digital), lived alone in the flat on the 16th floor for the last 20 months. Her son has been staying in Bangalore and works in a private firm there.

Basu had visited Chennai last year to look for a kidney donor.

Her death was discovered last week when the landlord, Arun Satijha, knocked at her door to get the rent agreement renewed. She had not been responding to his repeated phone calls, the TOI reported. The landlord got a foul smell from the flat and called up Basus son in Bangalore.

Basus son had also been trying to reach her and had called up the landlord on Saturday asking him to visit his mother.

Basus son arrived from Bangalore when the landlord informed him about the foul smell and the door was broken in presence of police.

The neighbours too seemed clueless about what had happened to Basu as her flat is located at the end of a corridor.

She died 20-25 days ago. Prima facie, it looks like a case of natural death," said Amit Kumar Singh, the station house officer of Sector 39 police station.Former JNU student union leader Kanhaiya Kumars convoy was attacked in Bihars Begusarai on Tuesday. (Photo: File)

Patna: Former JNU student union leader Kanhaiya Kumars convoy was attacked in Bihars Begusarai on Tuesday.

According to ANI report, some people have been injured and vehicles were vandalised in the attack.

Begusarai: Convoy of Kanhaiya Kumar attacked near Dahia village, several vehicles vandalised. Some people injured. More details awaited. #Bihar  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2018

Kumar is expected to contest in 2019 national elections as a Communist Party of India candidate, reported NDTV.

A case was filed against him for allegedly misbehaving with a doctor and security guard at AIIMS in Patna on Sunday.

However, Kumar has denied the charges and called them political vendetta.

Further details are awaited.Chennai: As the #MeToo storm rages in India with personalities from arts and politics being accused of sexual harassment by many women, actor-politician Kamal Haasan Monday said the cinema industry should not be singled out on this matter. When such charges are being levelled, both sides should be heard for their versions, he said. "Don't single out the cinema industry. We have to understand it (sexual harassment) is prevalent in all fields," he told reporters at the airport here.

Actor Tanushree Dutta had recently levelled sexual harassment charges against veteran star Nana Patekar, with the incident being billed as the starting point of the Indian #MeToo movement, which originated in Hollywood in the U.S.

Subsequently, a host of celebrities, including Alok Nath, Subhash Ghai, Rajat Kapoor and Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu, besides serving and former journalists like Union Minister M.J. Akbar have been charged with sexual harassment by a number of women. The Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder-president said women were coming out with "a problem" and if the accusations needed to be examined, it should be done.

It was now widely believed across the world that if such things came out in the open, there would not be any future harassment, he said. To a query, Haasan said he said he is opposed to caste and that this was reflected in most of his films. On repeatedly being targeted by the ruling AIADMK, including its Ministers, over a number of issues, Haasan said "this shows I am progressing in the right direction." The actor-politician has been often critical of the K Palaniswami government on various issues, including corruption.Kochi: The Network of Women in Media India (NWMI) - Kerala chapter, announced its support for Yamini Nair, a senior journalist of a national daily, who levelled a sexual harassment charge against a prominent journalist in Kerala.

"We stand by our member Yamini Nair, Senior Assistant Editor, Hindustan Times, New Delhi, who showed courage and shared a horrific experience of sexual harassment by a prominent journalist in Kerala, as part of the #MeToo movement," the statement said.It also said that they are respecting her decision not to name the accused publicly. "We believe strongly that no one should be forced to reveal the names of their abusers - that is only the survivor's prerogative, and no one else has the right to appropriate her voice," it said.

Yamini has also stated that she is ready to follow due process if the organisation, where the man in question works, constitutes an internal complaints committee as per the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013. It said three women have shared their harrowing experiences with this journalist.Panaji: Two Goa Congress legislators Dayanand Sopte and Subhash Shirodkar Monday midnight left for Delhi amidst speculations that they may join the BJP.

A senior BJP leader said they were likely to meet BJP president Amit Shah in the national capital.

"Both the Congress MLAs will be resigning from Congress party on Tuesday and joining the BJP," a senior BJP leader told PTI.

While Sopte, who defeated former BJP chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar in 2017 State legislative assembly election, represents Mandrem constituency, Shirodkar was elected on a Congress ticket from Shiroda constituency.

Both the legislators left by a midnight flight to Delhi. Goa Health Minister and BJP MLA Vishwajit Rane also left for Delhi, little before their departure. "I am going on a business trip," Sopte told reporters at the airport.

Similarly, when Shirodkar was asked whether he was joining the BJP, he responded, "You will come to know if I do it".

Goa is currently witnessing hectic political activities with Congress party petitioning President Ram Nath Kovind, seeking his intervention to ask Goa Governor Mridula Sinha to call them to form the government.

BJP state core committee and party's legislature party also met in Panaji during the day. The meetings are happening at the backdrop of poor health condition of Chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who is currently being treated by doctors from state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital at his residence at Dona Paula.

When contacted, All India Congress Committee Secretary A Chellakumar said he had spoken to both the legislators  Sopte and Shirodkar  who had assured him that they were not resigning from the party.

"I spoke to both of them Monday evening and they have refused that they are resigning," he said. Congress currently has 16 MLAs in the Goa Legislative Assembly. Their strength would be reduced to 14 if two legislators resign.

BJP is having 14 MLAs while three each are from Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Independents. One legislator is from the NCP.Hyderabad: The Mumbai police has arrested a student from Hyderabad for murdering an aspiring model at Malad Oshiwara, in Mumbai.

Syed, 19, a second year college student from Hyderabad, has an extended family staying in Mumbai and keeps shifting frequently between the two cities. He was here this time with his family at their place in Oshiwara, said a source in the Mumbai police.

The source said that Syed and Mansi were in contact through an online platform and decided to meet at Syeds apartment in Oshiwara on Monday afternoon.

After an argument, Syed, in a fit of rage, allegedly hit Mansi with a stool and then strangled her to death, following which he stuffed the body in a suitcase and hailed a private cab from Oshiwara to Malad between 3 pm and 4 pm. He then dumped the body near Mindspace, amidst the cover of mangroves and fled from the spot in a rickshaw, added the official.

The cabbie who drove Syed to Malad tipped off the Bangur Nagar police, after seeing him dump the suitcase containing the body.

Using CCTV footage and the information provided by the cabbie, police traced Syed and placed him under arrest on Monday evening.

A case has been booked under section 302 (murder) of IPC. Syed will be produced before a metropolitan court on Tuesday, the official said.

He also said that Syed had confessed to murdering Mansi and had said that he did it unintentionally in the spur of the moment. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination.There has been a decline in the Naxal movement in the State in the absence of any pressing issues. (Representional Image)

Top leader of the proscribed Communist Party of India (Maoist) in Karnataka B.G. Krishnamurthy has reportedly returned to the State after he had disappeared more than three years ago and was reported to have moved to forests in Wayanad district in Kerala with his wife - Comrade Hosagadde Prabha.

The couple has been underground for several years. They had multiple health issues and were finding it difficult to seek medical treatment in Karnataka.

Krishnamurthy and Prabha were recently sighted in Karnataka after many years. At one point there were rumours of their death. The reason for their return to the State is not known. They are keeping a low profile, said an official source on condition of anonymity.

The Maoist leader is heading the Western Zonal Committee with armed support from another Naxal leader Vikram Gowda, who is not known to have moved his base out of the State. Krishnamurthy and Prabhas return to Karnataka has rattled the State police and the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF), which has been keeping a close watch on the Naxalites in Karnataka.

There has been a decline in the Naxal movement in the State in the absence of any pressing issues. Many of the underground (UG) cadres have responded to the State governments surrender and rehabilitation policies and have surrendered. They have been mainstreamed in society. After the encounter of Saket Rajan in 2005 the armed Left wing extremist movement in Karnataka started weakening, said the officer. Besides Krishnamurthy, Prabha and Vikram Gowda the names of three other active Maoist cadres  Mundgaru Latha, Vanajakshi and Angadi Pradeep figure topmost on the list of the Intelligence and police.

In May 2015 Krishnamurthy was reported dead in a freak accident in the forest near Sringeri and in 2011 Prabha, who was critically ill gave the Bengaluru City police a miss after she was admitted in a hospital under the name of Susheela.

She slipped out of the hospital and later her supporters floated the story of her death to hoodwink the police. Krishnamurthy hails from Bukkadibail in Sringeri taluk and had succeeded Nelagudi Padmanabha and Saket Rajan, who has been the most celebrated Naxal activist in the state in the last decade.

He was gunned down in an encounter at Menasinahadya in 2005. Prabha alias Netra, Vindhu, Sandhya and Madhu, belong to Hosagadde village of Thirthahalli in Shivamoga and has been an active Naxal leader in the Western Ghats for nearly 15 years. She carries a reward of Rs 5 lakh on her head.Vismay was not showing any improvement even after the next 48 hours, hence a decision was taken by a multi-disciplinary team to go ahead with an emergency living donor liver transplant. (Representional Image)

Bengaluru: Two-year-old, Vismay, was unwell for five days and facing severe drowsiness. After his parents noticed his eyes getting yellow, he was immediately admitted to a private hospital in the city.

Vismays liver functioning started to deteriorate alongside development of altered sensorium and coagulopathy. He had developed Fulminant hepatic failure but the cause was not known despite standard evaluation by the doctors.

Despite continuous monitoring and administration, there seemed no improvement in his condition, rather there was further deterioration in the clinical condition with worsening encephalopathy. Vismay required intubation and support to correct coagulation.

After a complete assessment by Columbia Asia Referral Hospital Yeshwanthpur, doctors explained the critical nature of his illness in view of fulminant hepatic failure and the possibility of need for an emergency liver transplant to his parents and family.

Children are more prone to jaundice because of the metabolic/haematological diseases causing jaundice manifests commonly in early age. Immunity in children is lower compared to adults; hence they are more prone to infections. Infants liver is not fully mature to handle increased loads of bilirubin due to any cause, said Dr Aravind Kidambi Seshadri, Consultant-Liver transplant and HPB surgery at Columbia Asia Referral Hospital Yeshwanthpur.

Vismay was not showing any improvement even after the next 48 hours, hence a decision was taken by a multi-disciplinary team to go ahead with an emergency living donor liver transplant. Vismays father, Vijay was more than willing to donate, if needed; he underwent the tests required for evaluation as per the protocol and luckily the test revealed that the father was fit to donate.

Explaining about the uniqueness in the case, Dr Kidambi said, Vismays case is unique because of the parents timely seeking medical attention, timely transfer to tertiary centre equipped to deal with these conditions and appropriate time management. Though no specific cause for liver failure was identified despite detailed evaluation (which happens in a proportion of cases - 10-20%), the outcome was successful post liver transplant.

The team of doctors, headed by Dr Aravind Kidambi Seshadri, took 10 hours to perform the surgery. On the successful transplant, the baby was shifted to ICU on a ventilator and minimal inotropic support. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and the baby was discharged after 15 days.

Two months back, Vismay started ailing from recurring jaundice. For first few days, his state was declining as the cause of the disease was not found, said Vismays father, Vijay. He also said that being a parent, I was anxious about my sons recovery. After all the tests required for liver donation, I was found fit to donate and as a father, I felt a sigh of relief. The doctors went ahead with the living donor transplant. For fifteen days, he was under close observation. Vismay is recovering well, Vijay added.Nilakkal: Police personnel, including fresh recruits of the woman battalion, took up positions in heavy downpour at Nilakkal, 20 km short of Sabarimala, after woman vigilantes evicted a Tamil couple, come for Ayyappa darshan, from a KSTRC bus, on Tuesday night, hours before the temple opens for the monthly pooja on Wednesday.

Tension reigned as vigilantes, both men and women, stopped vehicles and evicted young women they thought were headed for the hill shrine, emboldened by the Supreme Court verdict striking down age-old restrictions on woman worshippers.

But they faced the wrath of self-styled protectors of traditions, who vowed to punish anyone breaking the custom barring women in 10-50 age group from Ayyappa darshan.

In Thiruvananthapuram, the meeting between Travancore Devaswom Board and the pro-tradition group comprising tanstris and Pandalam ex-royals to find a via media solution, fizzled out over whether the board would prefer a review petition before the Supreme Court.

For the LDF government, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reiterated the resolve to punish anyone taking law in his/her hands and ruled out filing a review petition since the government is committed to gender equality

At Nilakkal, a woman devotee tried to commit suicide, vexed by the verdict.

Scores of women and men chanting, Swamiye Ayyappa, were sitting in protest at Nilakkal, not letting women go to Pampa, the Sabarimala base camp. They argued with police cops who tried to prevent them from harassing passengers. The women said they would continue their protest till the Supreme Court gave a favourable verdict.The contractors demand that either tender estimate rate is revised according to market rate of raw materials or agencies chip in with the bitumen variation cost.

KOCH: Government contractors have expressed their inability to complete civil works they undertook due to the escalation in prices of raw materials including bitumen.

The medium and small scale contractors undertaking projects of Public Works Department, local self government department, Railways and KIIFB are facing unprecedented crisis as they find it difficult to complete the works as per the tender estimate.

The Government Contr-actors Association (GCA) has submitted memorandum to PWD minister seeking immediate measures to address the issue of price rise of bitumen.

The Chief Minister has called a meeting with the association representatives on Monday.

Though price of all raw materials has increased it is the price rise of bitumen which has affected the contractors badly since 60 per cent of the works are bitumen based. The rate for one kg of bitumen is Rs 38 in the estimate while it is available at Rs 57 from Cochin Refineries now. With such huge variation in price, the works cant be completed as per the tender estimate, said K.C Mineesh, secretary of GCA.

The contractors are now not in a position to participate in the tender procedures due to price escalation of raw materials.

The contractors demand that either the tender estimate rate has to be revised according to the market rate of raw materials or the agencies concerned for which the works are being carried out should chip in with the bitumen variation cost. Unless the state government takes measures to address the crisis, we will be forced to stop all works, said Association representatives.Making an all out attempt to make an inroad into the Congress bastion of Mandya, state BJP chief, B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday tried to strike a chord with its people, calling himself a "manina maga " (son of the soil) in his campaign for the November 3 Lok Sabha bypoll in Karnataka's sugar bowl.

The BJP has never secured more than 5,000 votes in the Lok Sabha polls from Mandya, which has been a Congress fortress for long. But this time it is trying hard to make an impact in the constituency with Mr Yeddyurappa reminding the people that he belongs to Bhookanakere in KR Pete taluk. Addressing a public meeting , he said he owed Mandya everything including the Chief Minister's post that he occupied not too long ago. Although Shivamogga was his "karma bhoomi", Mandya was his "janma bhoomi," he declared.

"I will be the happiest if the lotus blooms in my home district of Mandya. I am not bothered about the Shivamogga seat, but my dream is to win Mandya," he told the people.

While the BJP has fielded Dr Siddaramaiah, a retired commercial tax officer, who belongs to Mandya, local Congress leaders are upset at the party giving away the constituency to the JD(S), its coalition partner in the government.

The absence of most Congress leaders during the filing of nomination by JDS candidate, L.R. Shivaramegowda, was telling enough.

The discontent in the party's ranks could prove costly for the JDS as it needs the cooperation of the local Congress workers to reach out to the villages here. Although a meeting of the Congress' Mandya office- bearers has been convened on October 21 in Bengaluru to request them to work for the JDS , it is unlikely to achieve much going by the present mood in the district unit of the party and this, it is believed, could work in favour of the BJP.New Delhi/ Mumbai: A day after Union minister M.J. Akbar filed a defamation case against a journalist, two more women came forward with their accounts of alleged harassment by him, undeterred and unafraid as the #MeToo juggernaut continued to roll on. Akbar, who has engaged a top law firm to file a criminal defamation suit against journalist Priya Ramani, lauded the Modi government for its implementation of the National Food Security Act in a tweet.

However, he had more to reckon with as new allegations tumbled out of his 1990s cupboard when he was editor of several publications.

Journalist Tushita Patel, 17th woman to accuse the minister, alleged that Akbar invited her to his hotel room on the pretext of some work and opened the door dressed only in his underwear. It was early 1990s when she was a 22-year-old trainee at The Telegraph.

She has also accused him of molesting her twice while she was working in Hyderabad in the Deccan Chronicle.

Businesswoman Swati Gautam, writing for The Quint, claimed Akbar met her in his hotel room dressed only in his bathrobe when she was a student in Kolkata and went to invite him as a guest speaker for an event at St Xaviers College. Gautam alleged that Akbar rolled a glass down to her, suggesting she make a drink for him.Kottayam: Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal was released from the Pala sub-jail on Tuesday afternoon. The Bishop was taken to Thrissur and may leave for Jalandhar soon.

The Bishop was released from the jail on Tuesday afternoon at around 1.30 pm after the copy of the bail order from the High Court reached the Pala sub-jail. Those including P.C. George MLA and others welcomed him at Pala.

He was taken to his native place at Mattam in Thrissur. Since the HC bail order asked him to leave the state within 24 hours he may leave for Jalandhar from Thrissur soon.

The Bishop was given bail by the HC on Monday. He was arrested by the probe team inquiring into the rape allegation raised by a nun of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation on September 21 after questioning him for two days.

Bishop Franco was given conditional bail by the High Court demanding him to surrender his passport and instructing him not to enter the state for any instance, other than needs of the case.Nilakkal: Police personnel, including fresh recruits of the woman battalion, took up positions in heavy downpour at Nilakkal, 20 km short of Sabarimala, after woman vigilantes evicted a Tamil couple, come for Ayyappa darshan, from a KSTRC bus, on Tuesday night, hours before the temple opens for the monthly pooja on Wednesday.

Tension reigned as vigilantes, both men and women, stopped vehicles and evicted young women they thought were headed for the hill shrine, emboldened by the top court verdict striking down age-old restrictions on woman worshippers. But they faced the wrath of self-styled protectors of traditions, who vowed to punish anyone breaking the custom barring women in 10-50 age group from Ayyappa darshan.

In Thiruvananthapu- ram, the meeting between Travancore Devaswom Board and the pro-tradition group comprising tanstris and Pandalam ex-royals to find a via media solution, fizzled out over whether the board would prefer a review petition before the Supreme Court.

For the LDF Government, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reiterated the resolve to punish anyone taking law in his/her hands and ruled out filing a review petition since the Government is committed to gender equality.

At Nilakkal, a woman devotee tried to commit suicide, vexed by the verdict. Scores of women and men chanting, Swamiye Ayyappa, were sitting in protest at Nilakkal, not letting women go to Pampa, the Sabarimala base camp. They argued with police personnel who tried to prevent them from harassing passengers.

The women, most of them from local settlements, along with young men, said they would continue their protest till the Supreme Court gave a favourable verdict. Young women who try to defy us will be taught a lesson, they said.

The women, who were protesting at the 'Namajapa mantra koottayama,' knew nothing about the legal implications of the matter. But they insist on no woman goes past Nilakkal to Sabarimala. Veena, daughter of Ratnamna,47, Anjilomootil, Attathode, who tried to hang herself in the morning, told DC that she suspected that the organizers had forced her mother to do so. I don't think my mother would volunteer to hang. I will not endorse such acts, she said.

A high-level meeting of police officials in Thiruvananthapuram evening reviewed the situation and decided to ensure adequate protection to any woman who turns up for darshan. A decision on deploying woman cops at Sannidhanam, the area barred for women, will depend upon the number of woman pilgrims who turn up for darshan, police sources said.

Since Tuesday morning a section of local people tried to block vehicles towards Nillackal, a base camp of the hill shrine, and prevented even women journalists from proceeding further. ADGP (South-zone) Anil Kant and Pathananthitta district police chief T Narayanan were camping at Sabarimala. The police also intensified the patrolling.

State police chief Loknath Behera issued a directive to the police officials to take stringent action against those blocking vehicles towards Sabarimala. Mr. Behera said in a statement that woman police personnel would be deployed to avert attempts by a section of people, including women, to block vehicles and carry out searches along the Vadasserrikkara - Nillakkal and Erumedli - Nillakkal routes. Police strike force was deployed at Nilakkal and Pampa.

Karthiyayani,54, hailing from Attathode settlement near Nilakkal, said she joined the protest along with her family members soon after the judgment. The order shocked her.

I was born in the panchayat where Sabarimala is located and I had never felt a desire to go to Sabarimala after l turned 10. I believe if young women enter Sabarimala, there would be serious consequences not only in Pathanamthitta but the entire world. That is why we stay here to protect the ritual as well as the world. If women come here wanting to go to Sabarimala, we will make them aware of the rituals. If they still want to go, we will let them and they will face the consequences, she said.

Sujith, a devotee who came here from Bangaluru to protest against the Supreme Court judgment, said judges delivered the verdict without knowing the sentiments of devotees. I suspect a conspiracy to inject European culture thorough the court of law. I am a staunch devotee of Ayyappa and it is my duty to ensure that the rituals remain intact, he said.

Another devotee Suneesh, 35, hailing from Kodali of Thrissur, felt that Sabarimala will become a centre of prostitutes if the verdict is implemented. He has come here without the support of any organisations and said he would physically prevent any woman trying to go to Sabarimala.  I don't care for the court verdict, he said.

Sources said that the government wanted the police to maintain utmost restraint, especially considering the religious sensitivity of the issue. "There would be even deliberate attempts by vested interest groups to bring women for Sabarimala darshan. The political andreligious outfits opposed to women entry would resist it. Hence there was every chance of tension and it would be a tightrope walk for the police," said sources.Chennai: To bring together the world Tamils and Tamil organizations, a new movement called "Tamizhiyakkam" was launched in Chennai on Monday.

Political leaders cutting across all parties in the state and world Tamil leaders like Mauritius president Paramasivam Pillai Vaiyapuri and Guyana Prime Minister Moses Veerasammy Nagamootoo participated in the event and offered felicitations to the movement.

Speaking at the inaugural session Mr Moses Nagamoottoo said, "Our ancestors were taken to Guyana by the British. They were not allowed to sp-eak in their mother tongue and forced to discard their traditions and culture."

He expressed hope that Tamizhiyakkam would be helpful in making the youngsters know about their ancestral language, tradition and culture.

Mauritius president Paramasivam Pillai Vaiyapuri recalled how the Tamils in Mauritius protected their language from the threat of other Indian languages. "Tamil families have safeguarded Tamil through the spiritual works like Kandhar Anupoothi and Thiruvasakam. We are happy to join Tamizhiyakkam and looking forward to work with the movement."

VIT Chancellor and founder president of the 'Tamizhiyakkam' movement G.Viswanathan said, "Tamils are being spread across the globe and younger generations are not unaware of the richness of our language. This movement will try to rectify all the issues to make Tamil as a global language. We are ready to work with people from all sections."

After launching a book called 'TheenthamizhThiravukol', O. Panneerselvam, Deputy Chief Minister of TN said, "Many research works have revealed that Dravidian language family is the oldest one in the world and Tamil is the oldest language. I am sure the movement will take Tamil to younger generations."

He also assured that Tamil Nadu state government will render all the help for the movement. "We will enact new laws in order to address the concerns of Tamil scholars," he said.

Minister for Tamil culture K. Pandiarajan said the state government will exhibit things excavated from Keezhadi, Aadhichanallur and Korkai.

DMK president M.K. Stalin, general secretary K.Anbazhagan, senior communist leader R. Nallakannu, Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy, MDMK general secretary Vaiko, VCK leader Thirumavalavan, TNCC president S.Thirunavukkarasar offered felicitations. Delegates from across the world and Tamil scholars participated in the event.Hyderabad: The TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has slammed the caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) saying that, copying the Congress party manifesto will not help KCR to pass the test of elections. Soon after Mr Chandrasekhar Rao announced the election manifesto of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti, Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that Mr Chandrasekhar Rao has finally copied the promises of Congress and listed the manifesto of TRS. This shows the victory of Congress party in the forthcoming elections.

Speaking to media persons at Gandhi Bhavan on Tuesday evening, Mr Uttam said, The Chief Minister has made new promises to cheat the people of Telangana and forgot to talk about the earlier promises that he made during the 2014 polls. He said that he would enhance the pension amount, would give an allowance to unemployed youth, loan waiver for the farmers on a single time basis etc. But, we dont understand why he didnt do all these things as a Chief Minister and is now promising them. Is he thinking that people will believe him? When we questioned about the farmer loan waivers, Mr Chandrasekhar Rao said that the government would be bearing the loan interest but did not follow through later.

He added, When we made these promises, caretaker Minister K.T. Rama Rao criticised us saying that to fulfill the promises, the state would need the budget of entire South India. What will Mr KTR say now, people have now come to know that his intention was to criticise the Congress and mislead the public.

He went onto say, Funny, that Mr Rao came to know that there are about 12 Lakh unemployed youth in the state. Why didnt he notice the unemployed youth when he was the Chief Minister? We are happy that he realized at least that our promises are most worthy, but, the public is not ready to believe him. The caretaker Chief Minister has tried to warn us in his press conference and he should know that no one is afraid of him. The Congress government will see where Mr Chandrasekhar Rao will hide his money that he earned through corruption.

He said, Mr Rao has cheated Muslims and STs in the name of reservations, poor in the name of double bedroom houses, and unemployed in the name of jobs, Dalits in the name of Dalit Chief Minister and farmers in the name of loan waiver. He should apologise to all the sections of Telangana. In all these years, Mr Chandrasekhar Rao has not even spoke to the families of farmers where more than 4500 farmers has committed suicide. I urge the people of Telangana not to believe Mr Rao.Hyderabad: TRS chief and caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao promised several enhancements in welfare schemes and allowances in the partys election manifesto.

The CM attended the TRS election manifesto committee meeting chaired by Member of Parliament and TRS secretary-general K. Keshava Rao on Tuesday at Telangana Bhavan.

After the meeting, he revealed to the media part of his partys election manifesto.

This includes waiver of Rs 1 lakh for farm loans in one instalment. Mr Rao said this would benefit those farmers whose loans are less then Rs 1 lakh. The 2014 election manifesto of the TRS had made the same promise and it was successfully implemented, he said.

Under the Rythu Bandhu scheme, the annual investment subsidy of Rs 8,000 per acre has been enhanced to Rs 10,000 per acre per year per farmer. A market intervention fund of Rs 2,000 crore will also be set up.

Under the Aasara scheme, about 40 lakh old people are getting a pension. The age limit at present is 65 years and this has now been lowered to 57 years, which will benefit about 8 lakh people, Mr Rao estimates. The amount of pension has been increased from Rs 1,000 a month to Rs 2,016 per month, and for the physically challenged from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,016.

Mr Rao announced unemployment allowance for educated youth, which will be Rs 3,016 per month. He said there are roughly about 11 lakh unemployed youth in the state. Separate corporations for Reddy and Arya Vyshya communities and special schemes for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were also announced.

The double bedroom housing scheme will continue and in addition to this, if a beneficiary has his or her own site, the government will construct a double bedroom house on that site.

In recognition of the services of the farmers' coordination committees, an honorarium will be given. Food processing units will be set up in one of every two constituencies and government employees and teachers will be given respectable interim relief.

Mr Rao gave an assurance that every one of these schemes will be implemented immediately after his party forms the government except the unemployment allowance, for which guidelines have to be framed after studying the operation of this scheme in other states.

Reverting to his grouse against the Central government, he said the state government has not got a single rupee additionally in the last four-and-a-half years. He said that NITI Aayog has recommended to the Centre that Rs 24,000 crore be released for Mission Kakatiya and Mission Bhagiradha, but the central government has not given even `24.

He said that after the LS polls if a government favourable to the TRS is formed at the Centre, the TRS government will get additional Rs 20,000 crore to Rs 30,000 crore. He promised that the TRS election manifesto will be implemented a hundred per cent, unlike the Congress.Hyderabad: TRS chief and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said, In the upcoming assembly elections, TRS retaining power is a foregone conclusion; our fight is to win 100 plus seats. He said for opposition parties, elections were a political game, but for TRS it was a task. He said that the TRS was going to have a clean sweep in four to five districts. He said in southern Telangana, TRS was the leading party.

Attacking the Congress, Mr Chandrasekhar Rao said Am I afraid of Rahul Gandhi if he comes to Telangana? In fact early elections are called by me, if someone does not have the guts, will be bring elections?

He said that after December, it would be known who would shave the beard and who would grow a beard. It may be recall that TPCC Chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that he would not shave his beard till the Congress came to power in the upcoming assembly elections.

Speaking about the BJP, the CM said BJP has no existence in Telangana, it will not get even a single seat. He said that Telangana state needed a stable government and political stability. He said that the TRS would form a stable government and bring political stability by wining more than 100 seats. Reacting on Congress leader S. Jaipal Reddy comments, Mr Rao said, He has become aged and he is committing slips of the tongue.Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes his third trip to Japan for his twelfth summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later this month, on October 28-29. Japan is the only country other than Russia with which India holds annual summits. Mr Abe was in India just a year ago for the last summit.

But geopolitics has been forced to evolve under relentless pressure from US President Donald Trump to demand bilateral trade concessions from Americas major trading partners in a skewed approach to global trade. He has to date imposed tariffs on Chinese goods worth $250 million. Japan has dodged the US threat for 18 months to impose similar tariffs on Japanese automobile exports to America. Eventually, Japan has agreed to hold trade talks, that it is likely to base on past Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, which the US abandoned after the election of Mr Trump. Japan has gone ahead and finalised the trade partnership among the other 11 members.

But before Prime Minister Modi arrives in Tokyo, Mr Abe heads for a more important meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The United States has applied pressure on China, put in more explicit terms by vice-president Mike Pence in an address on October 4, when he listed the direct threat to the US from Chinese spies, non-tariff barriers, coercive measures against foreign companies and propaganda. Meanwhile, US warships have been aggressively patrolling the South China Sea under a freedom of navigation exercise, leading to some close encounters with the Chinese PLA Navy. The Abe-Xi summit takes place against this background.

The China-Japan detente can alter the geopolitical dynamics in Northeast Asia as it could help construct or enhance stabilising regional geo-economic structures. Negotiations to finalise a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) between ten Asean nations and Japan, China and the Republic of Korea (South Korea), plus India, Australia and New Zealand could move faster to fruition. China is keen to rebalance its trade and reduce its dependence on the US market and the American dollar. This will not happen overnight, nor unless China too moderates relentless pressure on nations along its periphery by cartographic invasion by literally swallowing up open seas as its territory.

Thus, the tone and tenor of what emerges when leaders of the second and third largest economies of the world meet would determine the new Asia. It is speculated whether the two will announce a convergence or even cooperation between them on infrastructure projects in Asia. In other words, will Japan accept the Chinese vision of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)? India and Japan have been the two major Asian powers taking exception to the ambitious project, dear to President Xis heart, due to its lack of financial soundness and strategic ambiguity.

Thus, the next India-Japan summit will be conditioned by the outcome of the China-Japan summit. Perhaps a convergence between all three major Asian powers is inevitable in a Trumpian world. Prime Minister Modi had launched his own detente with China at the Wuhan summit earlier this year in what was clearly a course correction after being seen as openly balancing, if not confronting China in partnership with Japan and the US. The revival of the Quadrilateral  bringing together Australia, India, Japan and the US  after a decade of hibernation and the US declaring the Indo-Pacific as the new seamless region of operations for its military and diplomatic assets were tangible steps to check Chinese ambitions.

While the three Asian powers try to adjust their mutual interests to reduce tension and increase cooperation, India and Japan cannot afford to let down their guard. They constitute the two democratic ends of the Indo-Pacific crescent that wraps around Chinas sea access. Mr Trump is both an agent of disruption, as he threatens trade with both while seeking concessions, but in checking the unbridled rise of China he may actually facilitate regional accommodation. Whether China is willing to make strategic changes of a lasting nature or is simply seeking a tactical pause regionally while it handles the larger threat from the US remains to be seen.

China must be closely reading the domestic developments in each rival nation carefully. The US will hold its bi-yearly congressional elections on November 6. It is being speculated that Mr Trumps Republicans may lose control over the House of Representatives. In India,

Mr Modi faces crucial Assembly elections in the Hindi belt, on which rested his 2014 win, to which results will be out on December 11. Only Mr Abe stands politically resurrected with three more years of power after his recent electoral success. On the other hand, while President Xi may not be facing elections, his concentration of power can only succeed if he continues to deliver economic growth. Thus Mr Trump, perhaps unknowingly, is driving Asia towards a new balance which was otherwise upset by

Mr Xis unrestrained ambitions. Even China may be realising that its BRI is facing a blowback, with Malaysia paring back projects after the election of PM Mahathir Mohamad, as indeed even Pakistan under new PM Imran Khan is being forced to turn to the IMF for financial rescue, and thus compelled to prune the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Last week, at the IMF-World Bank meeting in Indonesia the director-general of the World Trade Organisation, Roberto Azevedo, was asked if a new trade war had begun. Without agreeing, he said: Many shots have been fired. But it was one shot, after all, killing Austrias Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which had triggered the First World War. With the G-20 meeting in November in Argentina, and the crisis over Americas Iran sanctions kicking in on November 4, and indeed the fracas over the Saudis killing journalist Jamil Khashoggi, the global economy confronts multiple crises. Any one, or worse a combination, of those shots could unleash a tsunami of escalating oil prices and global chaos. Wise leadership over the next few months will hopefully be able to avert that.Even as agricultures contribution over the years has diminished, the emphasis on services has been overplayed. In many ways, services acquired an altogether new hue, becoming the hot button item in Indias economic march. But for India to provide basic employment and deal with rapid urbanisation and mass migration, it requires jobs for the legionnaires coming off the assembly line. Mass employment remains a distant chimera. The economy likened to a prisoner in captivity is shackled by its own growth, manacled and ferreted by no impetus on manufacturing and skilling despite a long line of promises. This widening gap between Bharat and India is resulting in a massive churn among the populace. That is why skilling or vocational development of this army of migrants is crucial. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, realising this, has emphasised on skill set development so that the labour force could move up the food chain. The budget allocation for ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship for 2017-18 is Rs 3,016 crores as against a budget estimate for 2016-17 of Rs 1,804 crores. The revised estimate for 2016-17 is Rs 2,173 crores. The total budgeted expenditure for employment generation, skill and livelihood in Budget 2017 is Rs 17,273 crores. However, there is categorical empirical evidence that this is not paying in spades on the ground; it is at best work in progress.

A never-ending mass migration from the rural hinterland in search of better economic prospects continues to put pressure on our urban agglomerates. More pertinently, the economic chasm between these people  the have nots and those residing in the urban centres, have mores  is leading to a clash of identities and cultures. A clash, which is still operating below the surface, is seeking a voice of its own. A voice which can turn into a flashpoint at any moment. At the core of the Naxal movement remains the fruits of economic liberalisation and how they have not percolated down. Economic and social dualism is threatening the fabric of Indian society. An upshot is the ever-rising crime graph, spilling over to bestial rapes and mob lynchings. Former Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia once told me that while the UPA has set up large safety nets in rural areas like the MGNREGA, National Rural Health Mission (NHM), Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and now recently the Food Security Bill, the aspirations and ambitions of a critically large chunk of population have to be factored into policymaking. Sonia Gandhis European sensibilities drove this social welfare agenda. Mr Modi soon into his first term realised after being hit by the suit boot ki sarkar jibe that he needed to make a course correction, barring a handful of structural economic reforms, he too took a drastic left turn trying desperately to ape the UPA economic dole model. Social duality is not just worrisome for policy mavens and politicos, but increasingly disturbing for the Deep State as unemployment leads to schism and infraction. The Kashmir Valley crisis and the growing alienation of the youth is decidedly due to the lack of an Indian embrace and a distinct lack of job opportunities.

The situation is so alarming and precarious at the same time that masses of unemployed jump at every single opportunity. In March 2018, after a three-year lull, the Railway Recruitment Board put out nationwide advertisements for about 100,000 available posts, including trackmen, porters and electricians. Over 23 million people applied. This overwhelming response is not an aberration. A few weeks later, 200,000 Mumbai residents applied for 1,137 openings for constables, the most junior post in the Mumbai police. In 2015, Uttar Pradesh received 2.3 million applications for just 368 clerical jobs in its local government secretariat  6,250 applicants per post. Those who applied for the posts, advertised in August, include 255 Ph.D. holders and 152,000 graduates. Earlier the same year, several people were injured in a stampede when thousands turned up to join the Indian Army in the southern city of Visakhapatnam. In what has now become a nationwide disconcerting phenomenon, in July last year, of the 300-plus applications that Malda Medical College received for the two Group D posts for laboratory attendant whose job profile is to handle dead bodies and organs in post-mortem section of anatomy classes, one out of four applicants is either doing a Ph.D. or already has an MPhil. Some candidates even have double MAs. Every third candidate is a graduate. Similarly in February 2017, lakhs of applicants, including Ph.D. degree holders, were ready to work at the posts of peon, orderly peon, darwan, farash, night guard and others in West Bengal. Graduates, postgraduates and even doctorate of philology (Ph.D.) holders were among the 25 lakh candidates who applied for Group D posts in the West Bengal government secretariat. The West Bengal Group-D Recruitment Board (WBGDRB) had invited applications online for recruitment of 6,000 Group D personnel in various categories.

ILOs Indian Labour Migration Update 2018 points out that in India the overall proportion of informal workers in total employment (for example, unorganised sector workers plus informal workers in the organised sector) has remained relatively stable at around 92 per cent. Hence, a majority of the Indian workforce deals with some level of informality in their employment. Coupled with a national unemployment rate of 3.4 per cent in 2017-18, the opportunities to find formal employment with decent wages and job security are restricted. The demand destruction and layoffs in the informal sector as a result of demonetisation cannot be quantified or captured effectively, for this was the first time in years that India saw a reverse migration from urban centres to the rural hinterland.

New research emanating from the privately-run Azim Premji University shows that a growth rate of seven per cent is now leading to less than one per cent improvement in employment, while in the 1970s and 80s an expansion of three per cent to four per cent was resulting in a much higher two per cent gain in jobs. The outcome is an unemployment rate that has hit five per cent in 2015, the highest in at least 20 years. The main reason for the worsening correlation between growth and jobs was a mismatch between skills and good jobs, according to researchers led by Amit Basole. The share of the so-called good jobs that broadly include formal employment with regular pay accounted for only 17 per cent of the countrys 467 million workforce. Simply put, higher growth has raised aspirations but has failed to generate the kind of jobs that will allow people to fulfil those aspirations, the researchers wrote in the report called State of Working India 2018. This obviously points to the issue being not only one of job creation, but of the creation of decent and desirable jobs. The jobs drought is severe and will hurt PM Modis re-election bid as more young and aspirational Gen-X voters join the ever-growing employment queues. The promises of 2014 remain unkept. Indias employment situation and the state of its labour statistics are both subjects of national news. The performance of the present government on job creation is also expected to be a key issue in the upcoming general elections in 2019, the researchers said.

The recent happenings in Gujarat, where a migrant was held responsible for a brutal rape, led to the targeting of migrants and a reverse migration of North Indian migrants. It is believed that Gujarat has a population of over six crores, of which around one crore are migrant labourers from UP, Bihar and other states. The first ramification of this xenophobia, around 5,000 workers have returned to their native states. Shailesh Patwari, president of the Gujarat Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said the state machinery and the Gujarat government are doing everything in their capacity to assure the safety of migrant workers and industrial establishments.

The Economic Survey of India 2017 estimates that the magnitude of inter-state migration in India was close to nine million annually between 2011 and 2016, while Census 2011 pegs the total number of internal migrants in the country (accounting for inter- and intra-state movement) at a staggering 139 million.

Successive governments at the Centre have failed to fulfil this mandate given to them by the people of India. How does one cut through the clutter of dualism? How do you give the people of this country, all the people of this country, their fundamental right of living with dignity? Economic and social duality is the single biggest concern for countries like India. Not only is it resulting in social upheaval and a spike in crime, but policymakers reckon that it is the single biggest hot button item. For this is the route to the real Bharat and India turning into conjoined twins. India has to live with economic duality. A lot of growth has been jobless and restricted to the top and middle of the pyramid.

It is the bottom of the pyramid which is looking for economic inclusion. Its absorption is vital for the well-being of this nation. Even as the rich get richer and the consumerist middle class gets fatter, the way forward is to bring the have-nots into the fold in some sort of time bound manner. Vast swathes of the country remain poor, undernourished and even malnourished. They need succour. The threat to India comes from the siege within. A siege still subterranean, but one that could pop up like a periscope from under the water and create a man-made tsunami. Politicians who understand this still ambivalent force are the ones who will surprise us in the years to come. India battles Bharat and Bharat jousts with India in this unceasing war. A war for economic inclusion. A war where every Indian has some semblance of dignity. A war which results in a livelihood for one and all. A war where the have nots have primacy over the have mores.

Commerce works on the principle of demand and supply. The supply from the conveyor belt is unending and infinite, and for the last four years it has got worse. That is why social unrest and disorder is seeing a spike as people take to crime to adjust to the new normal. The PM must be aware of how he has failed to deliver on his promise for jobs, jobs and more jobs. He will have to alleviate the woes of the youth if he is to return to power.The discovery of this unusual, so-called "vampire burial" was made over the summer in the commune of Lugnano in Teverina in the Italian region of Umbria.

Recent findings show that 'Vampire burial' techniques were used in ancient times to prevent a child, possibly infected with malaria, from rising from the dead and spreading the disease to the living.

The discovery of an ancient grave of a 10-year-old at a Roman site in Italy suggested that measures were taken to prevent the child--probably infected with malaria--from rising from the dead.

The skeletal remains, uncovered by archaeologists from the University of Arizona and Stanford University, along with archaeologists from Italy, included a skull with a rock intentionally inserted into the mouth. Researchers believe the stone may have been placed there as part of a funeral ritual designed to contain disease - and the body itself.

The discovery of this unusual, so-called "vampire burial" was made over the summer in the commune of Lugnano in Teverina in the Italian region of Umbria, where UA archaeologist David Soren has overseen archaeological excavations since 1987.

"I've never seen anything like it. It's extremely eerie and weird," said Soren, a Regents' Professor in the UA School of Anthropology and Department of Religious Studies and Classics. "Locally, they're calling it the 'Vampire of Lugnano.'"

The discovery was made at La Necropoli dei Bambini, or the Cemetery of the Babies, which dates to the mid-fifth century when a deadly malaria outbreak swept the area, killing many vulnerable babies and small children. The bodies of the young victims were buried at the site of an abandoned Roman villa that was originally constructed at the end of the first century B.C.

Until now, archaeologists believed the cemetery was designated specifically for infants, toddlers, and unborn fetuses; in previous excavations of more than 50 burials, a 3-year-old girl was the oldest child found.

The discovery of the 10-year-old, whose age was determined, based on dental development but whose sex is unknown, suggests that the cemetery may have been used for older children as well, said bioarcheologist Jordan Wilson, a UA doctoral student in anthropology who analyzed the skeletal remains in Italy.

"There are still sections of the cemetery that we haven't excavated yet, so we don't know if we'll find other older kids," Wilson said.

Excavation director David Pickel, who has a master's degree in classical archaeology from the UA and is now a doctoral student at Stanford, said the discovery has the potential to tell researchers much more about the devastating malaria epidemic that hit Umbria nearly 1,500 years ago, as well as the community's response to it.

"Given the age of this child and its unique deposition, with the stone placed within his or her mouth, it represents, at the moment, an anomaly within an already abnormal cemetery," Pickel said. "This just further highlights how unique the infant - or now, rather, child - cemetery at Lugnano is."

In previous excavations at the Cemetery of the Babies, archaeologists found infant and toddler bones alongside items like raven talons, toad bones, bronze cauldrons filled with ash and the remains of puppies that appear to have been sacrificed - all objects commonly associated with witchcraft and magic. In addition, the body of the 3-year-old girl had stones weighing down her hands and feet - a practice used by different cultures throughout history to keep the deceased in their graves.

"We know that the Romans were very much concerned with this and would even go to the extent of employing witchcraft to keep the evil - whatever is contaminating the body - from coming out," Soren said.

The "evil," in the case of the babies and toddlers uncovered in Lugnano, was malaria, Soren believed. DNA testing of several of the excavated bones supported his theory.

Although the 10-year-old's remains have not yet undergone DNA testing, the child had an abscessed tooth - a side effect of malaria - that suggests he or she may also have fallen victim to the disease, Wilson said.

The child was one of five new burials uncovered at the cemetery over the summer. The body was found lying on its left side in a makeshift tomb created by two large roof tiles propped against a wall - an alla cappuccina-style burial typical of Roman Italy.

"Knowing that two large roof tiles were used for this burial, I was expecting something unique to be found inside, perhaps a 'double-inhumation' - not uncommon for this cemetery - where a single burial contains two individuals," Pickel said. "After removing the roof tiles, however, it became immediately clear to us that we were dealing with an older individual."

The open position of the child's jaw, which would not have opened naturally during decomposition with the body positioned on its side, suggests that the rock was intentionally inserted in the mouth after death, Wilson said. Teeth marks on the surface of the stone provide further evidence that it was placed purposefully.

The 10-year old was the first at the cemetery to be found with a stone in its mouth. Similar burials have been documented in other locations, including in Venice, where an elderly 16th-century woman dubbed the "Vampire of Venice" was found with a brick in her mouth in 2009. In Northamptonshire, England, in 2017, an adult male from the third or fourth century was found buried face down with his tongue removed and replaced with a stone.

These types of burials are often referred to as vampire burials since they are associated with a belief that the dead could rise again. Other examples of vampire burials throughout history include bodies being staked to the ground through the heart or dismembered prior to interment.

"This is a very unusual mortuary treatment that you see in various forms in different cultures, especially in the Roman world, that could indicate there was a fear that this person might come back from the dead and try to spread the disease to the living," Wilson said.

Archaeologists will return to Lugnano next summer to complete excavations of the cemetery and learn more about a dark time in history.

"It's a very human thing to have complicated feelings about the dead and wonder if that's really the end," Wilson said. "Anytime you can look at burials, they're significant because they provide a window into ancient minds. We have a saying in bioarchaeology: 'The dead don't bury themselves.' We can tell a lot about people's beliefs and hopes and by the way they treat the dead."

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.The multi-year study in collaboration with Apple Inc will allow doctors and their teams to gauge better how well patients are following prescribed physiotherapy or regimes ahead of surgery.

Up to 10,000 Americans due to have hip or knee replacements will be able to funnel basic health data directly from their Apple Watches to their surgeons under a new app being tested by orthopaedics company Zimmer Biomet.

Four hospitals and more than a dozen other medical facilities in states including Massachusetts, California, Colorado and Michigan will receive stats including heart rate, steps taken and standing hours from patients waiting for or recovering from hip and knee replacement surgery.

The multi-year study in collaboration with Apple Inc will allow doctors and their teams to gauge better how well patients are following prescribed physiotherapy or regimes ahead of surgery or recovering afterwards.

More than a million knee and hip replacements occur every year in the United States, making them two of the most common surgeries Americans undergo.

When you look at what patients have to do when they undergo hip and knee replacement, in some cases, they have very low support or guidance before and after surgery, which creates a lot of unnecessary fear and anxiety, Zimmer Biomet executive Dan Williamson said.

We believe this is going to create a new ecosystem in orthopaedics that ultimately drives less anxiety in patients, and more visibility from the surgeon.

The app could also help doctors monitor the health of their patients who prefer to stay at home after surgery rather than opt for nursing facilities and other care centres.

Apple has been working on new health initiatives for its users, announcing the Apple Watch Series 4 last month, which can detect heart problems, positioning the new watch as a more comprehensive health device.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.A push by US start-ups Aerion, Boom Supersonic and Spike Aerospace to re-introduce supersonic passenger travel.

Aerion Supersonic, the developer of a USD 120 million supersonic business jet, said on Monday it would be able to take off and land without regulatory changes in the United States, a potential boost to efforts to bring back faster air travel.

General Electrics GE Aviation unit has completed initial designs for the new Affinity turbofan engine, which will be used in Aerions AS2 jet, the companies said on the eve of the worlds largest business jet show.

Were on track to fly in 2023, and before that year is out to cross the Atlantic at supersonic speed, which will be the first supersonic crossing since the Concordes retirement 20 years earlier, Aerion chief executive Tom Vice said ahead of the Oct. 16-18 NBAA event in Orlando, Florida.

A push by US start-ups Aerion, Boom Supersonic and Spike Aerospace to re-introduce supersonic passenger travel, for the first time since Anglo-French Concorde retired in 2003, has triggered a debate over noise even at the subsonic level.

Until now, supersonic designs have struggled to meet current subsonic noise standards due to engine constraints.

GE said the engine would enable supersonic flight over water and subsonic flight over land without regulatory changes.

In the last 50 years, business aircraft speeds have increased by less than 10 per cent, said GE vice-president Brad Mottier. The next step, he said, is speed.

Honeywell Aerospace will develop the cockpit for the AS2 and is talking with everybody thats making supersonic aircraft, Carl Esposito, president of the companys electronic solutions business, said in an interview.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.LYNA was able to accurately pinpoint the location of both cancers and other suspicious regions within each slide, some of which were too small to be consistently detected by pathologists.

Detecting whether cancer has spread, or metastasized from the primary area to the lymph nodes is not an easy task and it is a very time-consuming process as well for pathologists. Google aims to provide scientists with an option to simplify this process by providing artificial intelligence that can help detect and fight this disease.

In a recent blog post by researchers at Google, they explain that their AI which is known as LYNA (abbreviated from LYmph Node Assistant) has made significant headway and is now capable of recognising the difference between cancer and non-cancer on slides with an astounding 99 per cent accuracy in the right conditions even while looking for small metastases that human beings might miss.

Google states that LYNA was not perfect and often misidentified giant cells, germinal cancers, and bone marrow-derived white blood cells known as histiocytes. However, it has to be noted that it fared better than most pathologists. Google goes on to say that pathologists diagnosis of lymph nodes metastases can be quite inaccurate due to time constraints and fast decision making in the early stages of treatment. While referencing past research, Google states that the accuracy of an individual slide can be as low as 38 per cent.

Google states, LYNA was able to accurately pinpoint the location of both cancers and other suspicious regions within each slide, some of which were too small to be consistently detected by pathologists. As such, we reasoned that one potential benefit of LYNA could be to highlight these areas of concern for pathologists to review and determine the final diagnosis.

Google states that this suggests the intriguing potential for assistive technologies such as LYNA to reduce the burden of repetitive identification tasks and to allow more time and energy for pathologists to focus on other, more challenging clinical and diagnostic tasks. In terms of diagnostic accuracy, pathologists in this study were able to more reliably detect micrometastases with LYNA, reducing the rate of missed micrometastases by a factor of two.

Google has made progress in demonstrating the robustness of our LYNA algorithm to support one component of breast cancer TNM staging and assessing its impact in a proof-of-concept diagnostic setting.

Google ends by stating that they remain optimistic that carefully validated deep learning technologies and well-designed clinical tools can help improve both the accuracy and availability of pathologic diagnosis around the world.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.Khashoggi, 60, is feared to have been killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. (Photo: File)

Washington: Saudi Arabia is preparing a report in which it is likely to admit that dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, missing since October 2, died during an interrogation at its consulate in Istanbul, according to a media report.

Khashoggi, 60, is feared to have been killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The incident has resulted in a global outrage, more so in the US as he lived here as a legal permanent resident and worked for 'The Washington Post'.

Khashoggi, a US resident, vanished on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Turkish authorities suspect he was abducted and murdered by the Saudis. But Riyadh insists that the journalist, a known critic of Saudi King Salman, had left the building and that murder claims are "baseless".

US lawmakers have been demanding scrapping of the USD 110 billion mega defence deal with Riyadh, whereas heads of several companies, CEOs, newspapers have announced not to attend an upcoming finance conference in Saudi Arabia.

President Donald Trump on Monday talked to the Saudi King, during which the latter flatly denied having any knowledge of the missing journalist. Officially Saudi Arabia has insisted that the journalist left its consulate, but so far has not been able to give any proof of it.

Trump, who has warned Saudi Arabia of severe consequences, has dispatched his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for talks with the Saudi leader. Amidst global outrage, CNN on Monday reported that the Saudis were preparing a report that will acknowledge that Khashoggi's death was the result of an interrogation that went wrong. The interrogation was intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey, the news channel said citing two unnamed sources.

"One source says the report will likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held responsible," the report said, cautioning that things could change as the report is still being prepared.

Earlier in the day, Trump told reporters that it was possible that some "rogue element" within the government could have carried out the inhuman act.

Some of the lawmakers criticised Trump for such a statement.

"President Trump's suggestion that Khashoggi's elaborately planned murder in the Saudi's own consulate was orchestrated by 'rogue killers' defies reality," said Senator Chris Van Hollen.

"Orders must have come from the top. The US must not be complicit in an effort to cover up this heinous crime," he said.

"This is not leadership. We need answers from the Saudis about Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance. The President should be leading that effort and standing up for human rights," Senator Mark Warner said.

"Trump accepting Saudi Arabia's #Khashoggi story without a thorough, independent investigation only enables authoritarian behaviour," said Senator Ed Markey.

Senator Dick Durbin called for a strong response from the US. "I cannot support President Trump's proposed arms sales given the fact that Saudi Arabia is apparently complicit in the disappearance of Khashoggi," he said.

"Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin should cancel his participation in the Saudi investor conference and it's long overdue that the Trump Administration nominate a US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Durbin said.

A day earlier he called on Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Ambassador to the United States. "I told Ambassador bin Salman that he should expect a very negative response from both sides of the aisle in Congress if Khashoggi was in fact kidnapped and murdered. And if that is the case, I do not believe the US should continue to be party to supporting the Saudis in the bloodshed in Yemen - a halt that is long overdue given the humanitarian disaster resulting from that conflict," Durbin said.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post and Politico reported that two lobbying groups  BGR and Glover Park  have said that they would no longer represent Saudi Arabia. Several organisations and individuals have announced that they will not attend the mega summit in Saudi Arabia as a mark of protest.

These include the World Bank, The New York Times, Bloomberg, CNBC and Uber. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, KKR executive David Petraeus and Ford Motor Chairman Bill Ford have also said that they will not attend the Saudi event. Senator Richard Blumenthal in a tweet alleged that Trump was giving the Saudis a pass on Khashoggi murder maybe because he continues to benefit from Saudi rentals, hotel bookings and other payments to the Trump Organisation.

"Saudi govt payments violate our Constitution's chief public corruption prohibition. Our lawsuit holds Trump accountable," he said.Warren tweeted that Trump is a 'cowardly elitist' and she 'wont sit quietly for Trumps racism' so she took the test. (Photo: AP)

Washington: Senator Elizabeth Warren suggested President Donald Trumps comment about him personally administering a DNA test to her to prove her Native American heritage is creepy.

She tweeted Monday that the president makes creepy physical threats about women who scare him, including her.

Hes trying to do what he always does to women who scare him: call us names, attack us personally, shrink us down to feel better about himself, the Massachusetts Democrat responded on Twitter after Trump made the comment during an appearance in Georgia. It may soothe his ego - but it wont work.

Warren, who is seen as a potential 2020 challenger to Trump, appears to have taken a page out of his political playbook, striking back almost instantly at the president who continues to ridicule her claim of Native American ancestry. Trump relishes a good fight, those close to him have said, and will hit back twice as hard when hes been attacked.

A sharp critic of Trump, Warren wasted little time going after him on Monday.

She opened the day by releasing DNA test results that provide some evidence of a Native American in her lineage, though the ancestor probably lived six to 10 generations ago, according to the analysis. Trump has ridiculed her as Pocahontas over the ancestry claim.

In July, the president offered to donate USD 1 million to her favourite charity if a DNA test proved her Native American bloodline.

On Monday, he first denied ever making such a promise, then said later that Ill only do it if I can test her personally.

That will not be something I enjoy doing either, he added.

Warren tweeted that Trump is a cowardly elitist and she wont sit quietly for Trumps racism so she took the test.

I took this test and released the results for anyone who cares to see because Ive got nothing to hide. What are YOU hiding, @realDonaldTrump? she wrote. Release your tax returns - or the Democratic-led House will do it for you soon enough. Tick-tock, President.

Warren was referring to the November 6 election, when Democrats hope to regain control of the House, which would put them in position to examine and possibly publicly release Trumps returns.

Trump has bucked decades of precedent by refusing to release his income tax returns during the 2016 presidential election, as well as after taking office.Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May addresses the House of Commons, London, with an update on the latest developments in the Brexit negotiations. (Photo: AP)

London: British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday insisted a Brexit deal was "still achievable" despite differences with the EU, but warned against any attempt to "trap" the UK in a permanent Customs Unions, ahead of a crucial Brexit summit in Brussels later this week.

In her statement to the House of Commons, May sought to quell a "great deal of inaccurate speculation" in the media about a falling out with the EU over the issue of managing the open border between UK territory Northern Ireland and EU member-country Ireland once Britain has formally left the economic bloc on March 29, 2019.

"We are entering the final stages of these negotiations. This is the time for cool, calm heads to prevail," she said, ahead of European Council meetings starting in Brussels on Wednesday.

"We cannot let this [Northern Ireland] disagreement derail the prospects of a good deal and leave us with the no deal outcome that no-one wants. I continue to believe that a negotiated deal is the best outcome for the UK and for the European Union. I continue to believe that such a deal is achievable," she said.

May has dismissed the EU's previous suggestion of keeping Northern Ireland aligned to its trade rules as a safety net, or a so-called "backstop" arrangement, saying this would divide the UK.

In her statement to MPs, she said the EU had "responded positively" to her proposal for a time-bound UK-wide arrangement until a solution to the Irish border can be worked out.

But the 27-member economic bloc is still insisting on keeping a specific "backstop" arrangement for Northern Ireland on the table, which is unacceptable to Britain.

The EU is insisting that there is not enough time to work out the details of a UK-wide customs solution in the next few weeks and is therefore calling for a "backstop to the backstop - effectively an insurance policy for the insurance policy".

"And they want this to be the Northern Ireland-only solution that they had previously proposed. We have been clear that we cannot agree to anything that threatens the integrity of our United Kingdom," May said.

The UK is leaving the EU in March 2019, along with its single market and customs union, which allow for friction-free trade between members.

After Brexit, it will have a land border with the EU between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Both the UK and the EU want to avoid a "hard border" - physical checks or infrastructure between Northern Ireland and Ireland - but cannot agree how.

In relation to another point of concern for pro-Brexit MPs, she stressed that she would not agree to any non-timebound Customs Union arrangement which would inhibit the UK's ability to do trade deals with other countries around the world.

"I need to be able to look the British people in the eye and say this backstop is a temporary solution I am clear we are not going to be trapped permanently in a single customs territory unable to do meaningful trade deals," she said.

If a way forward is agreed by both sides, Britain's withdrawal agreement from the EU could be finalised by Thursday, signed at a special EU summit next month and voted on by Parliament at the end of November.

The focus can then move on to the future relationship of the UK with the EU.

May has already survived a number of senior resignations from her Cabinet over the future agreement with the EU, with few other ministers believed to be on resignation-watch if they disagree with her approach.

The prospect of a no-deal exit from the EU is an equally major threat that looms over the Theresa May led government.

Meanwhile, the ongoing impasse over measures to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has thrown the entire Brexit timetable for reaching a deal into major doubt.Citing its sources, the channel said that a total of Rs 460 crores worth of transactions were conducted through these accounts. (Representational Image)

Karachi: A whopping Rs 460 crore worth of transactions were made through three bank accounts of a man who died months before these fake accounts were mysteriously opened under his name, a media report said Monday.

Iqbal Aaraiyn, a resident of Karachi who died on May 9, 2014, had three bank accounts mysteriously opened under his name after his death, Geo TV reported.

Citing its sources, the channel said that a total of Rs 460 crores worth of transactions were conducted through these accounts.

The incident is the latest in a series of mysterious deposits in bank accounts of several individuals that have surfaced in recent days across the country, amid an investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency into several individual accounts, which have been used for money laundering by some influential businessmen and politicians.

The agency recently found that Rs 300 crore worth of transactions were made to the bank account of an auto rickshaw driver in the city.

The driver, identified as Muhammad Rasheed, came to know about the huge transactions in his account when the FIA summoned him for an explanation.

He, however, convinced the FIA officials about his innocence.

The FIA earlier this month traced an account of a student from Larkana with crores of rupees, a week after it found Rs 200 crore in a food vendor's bank account.

A man from Hyderabad in Pakistan's Sindh province found nearly Rs five crore listed on his ATM slip.

The probe agency is investigating large-scale money laundering cases after Pakistan's Supreme Court appointed a Joint Investigation Unit (JIT) to probe into the into the money laundering cases.

In many cases dormant accounts of poor people have been activated with connivance of some bank officials for huge transactions.

The JIT has been probing since September into the money laundering cases revealing several suspicious accounts.Pakistan President Arif Alvi on Monday said that the strategic stability in South Asia is being threatened by the offensive posture and induction of lethal weapons by India.

Alvi said that nobody should doubt Pakistan's capability to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty, Radio Pakistan reported.

"Discriminatory exemptions by certain countries for the supply of nuclear technology and supply of advanced military hardware to our neighbour has further complicated the regional security and undermined the credibility of non-proliferation regime," the report said.

The comments of the President, who is one of the founding members of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, came while addressing an international conference on 'Global Non-Proliferation Regime: Challenges and Response' by the Strategic Studies Institute here.

Pakistan is committed to maintaining strategic stability in the region and will continue to demonstrate restraint and responsibility, he said.

Alvi urged the international community to take notice of talk of "surgical strikes" and "limited war", saying such a posture just tends to only up the ante.

Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashker-e-Taiba was severely hit in the cross-LoC surgical strikes on terror launch pads carried out by the Indian Army with assessment reports of radio intercepts indicating that around 20 of its militants were killed.

Alvi, without naming India, said that the proponents of such (surgical strikes and limited war) fantasies will bear the responsibility of any consequences.

He hoped that good sense will prevail and that both Pakistan and India agree on the framework for strategic stability.

The President, however, regretted that "our postures for peace have been reciprocated with belligerence".

He said Pakistan has relentlessly pursued the objective of keeping South Asia free of nuclear weapons despite the fact that in 1974, detonation had taken place in the region.

"Our proposals for nuclear nonproliferation are well documented," Alvi claimed.

He said the nuclear tests by India in 1998 ended any prospects for a nuclear-free zone in South Asia.

"We were forced to respond to the nuclear tests to maintain the strategic balance in the region," he said.

Alvi said that Pakistan has not given up the pursuit of meaningful engagement with India for confidence-building measures, avoidance of arms race and risk reduction.

He said both the countries need to save on arms and spend on the welfare of the poor people.

Pakistan's proposal for a strategic restraint regime encompassing conflict resolution and maintaining conventional balance can provide a good basis for regional peace and security, the President said.

He pointed out that the orientation of Pakistan's nuclear programme is civilian.

"We have a complete programme to hardness peaceful uses of nuclear energy," he claimed.

Alvi said Pakistan which has applied for the membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) has a strong case keeping in view its efforts and contributions to non-proliferation.

He also called for the resolution of lingering disputes including that of Jammu and Kashmir for the world peace at large, the report said.

He warned that new threats are also emerging including hostile uses of outer space, offensive cyber capability and development of lethal autonomous weapon systems such as drones.The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is understood to be preparing a report in which it is likely to admit dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi died during an interrogation at its consulate in Istanbul, according to a media report.

Khashoggi is feared to have been killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. The incident has resulted in a global outrage and more so in the US as he lived here as a legal permanent resident and worked for The Washington Post.

US lawmakers have been demanding scrapping of the USD110 billion mega defence deal with the Saudis, whereas heads of several companies, CEOs, newspapers have announced not to attend an upcoming finance conference in Saudi Arabia.

President Donald Trump on Monday talked to the Saudi King, during which the latter flatly denied having any knowledge of the missing journalist.

Officially Saudi Arabia has insisted that the journalist left its consulate, but so far has not been able to give any proof of it. Trump, who has warned Saudi Arabia of severe consequences, has dispatched his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for talks with the Saudi leader.

Amidst global outrage, CNN on Monday reported that the Saudis are preparing a report that will acknowledge that Khashoggi's death was the result of an interrogation that went wrong. The interrogation was intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey, the news channel said citing two unnamed sources.

"One source says the report will likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held responsible," the news channel reported, cautioning that things could change as the report is still being prepared.

Earlier in the day, Trump told reporters that it is possible that some "rogue element" within the government could have carried out this inhuman act.

Some of the lawmakers criticized Trump for such a statement. "President Trump's suggestion that Khashoggi's elaborately planned murder in the Saudi's own consulate was orchestrated by 'rogue killers' defies reality," said Senator Chris Van Hollen. "Orders must have come from the top. The US must not be complicit in an effort to cover up this heinous crime," he said.

"This is not leadership. We need answers from the Saudis about Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance. The President should be leading that effort and standing up for human rights," Senator Mark Warner said.

"Trump accepting Saudi Arabia's #Khashoggi story without a thorough, independent investigation only enables authoritarian behaviour," said Senator Ed Markey.

Senator Dick Durbin called for a strong response from the US. "I cannot support President Trump's proposed arms sales given the fact that Saudi Arabia is apparently complicit in the disappearance of Khashoggi," he said.

"Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin should cancel his participation in the Saudi investor conference and it's long overdue that the Trump Administration nominate a US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Durbin said.

A day earlier he called on Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Ambassador to the United States. "I told Ambassador bin Salman that he should expect a very negative response from both sides of the aisle in Congress if Mr. Khashoggi was in fact kidnapped and murdered. And if that is the case, I do not believe the US should continue to be party to supporting the Saudis in the bloodshed in Yemen -- a halt that is long overdue given the humanitarian disaster resulting from that conflict," Durbin said.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post and Politico reported that two lobbying groups  BGR and Glover Park  have said that they would no longer represent Saudi Arabia.

Several organisations and individuals have announced that they will not attend the mega summit in Saudi Arabia as a mark of protest. These include the World Bank, The New York Times, Bloomberg, CNBC and Uber. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, KKR executive David Petraeus and Ford Motor Chairman Bill Ford have also said that they will not attend the Saudi event.

Senator Richard Blumenthal in a tweet alleged that Trump is giving the Saudis a pass on Khashoggi murder maybe because he continues to benefit from Saudi rentals, hotel bookings and other payments to the Trump Organisation. "Saudi govt payments violate our Constitution's chief public corruption prohibition. Our lawsuit holds Trump accountable, he said.India and Japan may soon allow their armed forces to use each others military bases as well as provide logistical support to each other  a move which is sure to raise hackles in China.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe will hold the 13th India-Japan summit in Tokyo on October 28 and 29. They are likely to discuss a proposal to ink an agreement which will lay the framework to share military assets and capabilities and provide logistical support to each others armies, navies and air forces, sources aware of the preparations for the summit told DH.

The proposed pact is perceived as yet another move by India and Japan to step up security cooperation in Indo-Pacific, in response to military muscle-flexing in the region by China. The agreement will set a framework between the armies, air forces and navies of India and Japan to provide supplies and services on the principle of reciprocity.

Sources said the pact would require armed forces of India and Japan to help each other with logistic supports, including food, water, billet, transport (airlift, if necessary), petroleum, oils, lubricants, clothing, communications, medical services, base support, storage, use of facilities, training services, spare parts, repair and maintenance and airport and seaport services.

The proposal for inking such an agreement was first mooted when Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hosted her then Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera in New Delhi in August.

It was again discussed when the national security advisors of Modi and Abe, Ajit Doval and Shotaro Yachi, met in New Delhi last week. Sources told DH that the forthcoming Modi-Abe summit might see significant progress towards signing of the agreement.

The pact, once signed, will allow the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy to use the military facilities of Japan, including its overseas base in Djibouti, a tiny Horn of Africa nation in western Indian Ocean. Apart from the US and Japan, the Peoples Liberation Army of China too set up its own military base in Djibouti, which is wedged between the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea and hence, a natural gatekeeper to an important and very busy sea-lane. New Delhi has since long been keen to get a toehold in Djibouti  in view of the geo-strategic importance of the country and Chinas bid to turn it into yet another pearl in its String of Pearls policy to encircle India.

If New Delhi and Tokyo ink the pact, it will also allow Japans army, air force and navy to use military bases in India, including the one in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which also sit astride critical sea lanes of communication.

India inked similar military logistics support agreements with the US and France in 2016 and early this year respectively.

Sources said the proposed agreement between New Delhi and Tokyo would send out an important signal to Beijing about the intent of the two nations to work closely to ensure freedom of navigation and overflight in a free and open Indo-Pacific and provide security to sea-lanes from Djibouti to Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India.

Japan had been taking a hardline approach on its territorial disputes with China over Diaoyu or Senkaku islets in East China Sea over the past few years. Tokyo had been keen to foster closer ties between Japan and India in order to create a new arc of democracy, freedom and prosperity along with Australia, the US and other democracies in the region as a bulwark against China.

India had joined Japan, Australia and the US to relaunch a quadrilateral dialogue on Indo-Pacific in November 2017. The move had apparently been aimed at bringing the four democratic nations together and creating a bulwark against China in Indo-Pacific.

New Delhi, however, went for a subtle course correction early this year, as it started reaching out to Beijing to mend the complex India-China relations, which had hit a new low over the 72-day military face-off at Doklam Plateau in western Bhutan in June-August, 2017. The prime minister made it clear in Singapore on June 1 that India never viewed the Indo-Pacific region as a strategy or as a club of limited members.External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday urged the SCO member countries to join hands to address global challenges and highlighted the need to fight terrorism, address climate change and promote connectivity and regional peace.

Swaraj, who is here to attend a two-day conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)'s Council of Heads of Government (CHG), called on Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon along with the heads of delegation from other SCO countries.

Swaraj, speaking at the Restricted Format Meeting of the SCO Heads of Government Council here, highlighted the need to join hands to fight terrorism, address climate change, promote connectivity and regional peace, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet.

The conclave, also attended by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, will focus on boosting cooperation in fighting terrorism, besides deliberating on pressing regional and global issues.

The CHG meeting is also likely to review situation in Syria, Afghanistan and the Korean peninsula.

It is the second CHG meeting since India became a full member of the SCO in June 2017.

India was an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region.

India became a full member of the China-dominated grouping last year and New Delhi's entry into it is expected to increase the bloc's heft in regional geo-politics and trade negotiations besides giving it a pan-Asian hue.

Along with India, Pakistan was also granted membership of the SCO last year.

The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became its members last year.

The bloc currently has eight member countries which represent around 42 per cent of the world's population and 20 per cent of the global GDP.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led an official delegation to the SCO Summit in Chinese city of Qingdao in June.An Upper Darby attorney has been placed on emergency temporary suspension for failing to respond to allegations that he misappropriated client funds, according to an order filed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board Friday.

Dory L. Sater, with offices on the 1100 block of Cornell Avenue, failed to properly account for thousands of dollars when dispersing payments to clients in at least two cases and failed to otherwise complete legal tasks on behalf of others, according to a petition filed with the court by disciplinary counsel Harold E. Ciampoli Jr.

Calls to Saters law firm Friday and Monday were met with a busy signal.

The order indicates Sater deposited a $275,000 check in his PNC Interest on Lawyers Trust Account in April 2016 related to an arbitration settlement, but then wrote more than $103,000 worth of checks to himself over the following months.

The ODC asked Sater to submit all paperwork in that case for review, including complete records of his accounts, according to the order. Though Sater did initially reply to that request, the order indicates ODC was not satisfied and sought additional information. Sater received that correspondence in November 2016 but has yet to submit a response, according to the order.

Supplemental requests for the information were made in August of this year, the order says. Though Sater acknowledged receipt of those requests, he still has not provided any of the requested records or sought an extension of time to respond, the order says.

In another instance, Sater was supposed to hold a contested $20,000 in settlement funds in his IOLTA during a dispute over monies owed to another law firm, but allegedly failed to do so.

In responding to a request from that firm, Sater allegedly understated his fees in connection with the case and overstated the amount provided to the client by thousands of dollars. He also allegedly included amounts owed to the firm for another case when providing a schedule of distribution.

The order additionally references a case in which Sater allegedly took a vehicle accident claim with him after departing a prior firm, but failed to communicate with insurers or file paperwork necessary to move the case along. Sater also allegedly ignored repeated attempts by the client to communicate about the case over nearly two years, according to an exhibit filed with the petition. Sater received notice of the allegations in November 2016 but has not yet responded, according to the order.

Sater similarly failed to respond to another clients requests for her file concerning an auto accident when she notified him that she was seeking other counsel two years after hiring him, according to another exhibit. Sater received notice from the ODC about that complaint in April 2017, but has yet to respond, according to the order.

The petition claims Saters recurring and systematic pattern of failing to address ODC requests demonstrates a manifest violation of the Disciplinary Rules and Enforcement Rules constituting egregious misconduct warranting his immediate temporary suspension to protect the public.

The order indicates Sater is to be placed on temporary suspension until further definitive action by the court and directs Delaware County Common Pleas Court President Judge Kevin F. Kelly to enter orders necessary to protect the rights of Saters clients or fiduciaries with which he is involved.

The order notes that Sater may seek dissolution or amendment of the order if he fully complies with the ODCs record requests.What do you get when you cross Halloween in Chesapeake, Va., with Monopoly?

A police officer telling trick-or-treaters Go to jail. Go directly to jail.

For the crime of celebrating Halloween, the Orwellian city council has mandated that anyone over the age of 12 caught trick-or-treating faces fines and jail time.

Dont snicker. According to city code, old-timers over 12 engaging in the activity commonly known as trick-or-treat are guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100 or by confinement in jail for not more than six months or both. Further, any legal revelers knocking on doors after 8 p.m. face similar penalties.

The good news for city council is that they dont need Halloween costumes, since theyre already clowns.

Several points:

1) How exactly does city council expect such ordinances to be enforced? Virtually no children carry identification, so is the answer a law mandating children carry government-IDs? Will there be Halloween stop-and-frisk police checkpoints looking for villains and their illegally obtained treats? Will children be forced to remove costumes, so that anyone looking older than 12 will be hauled to the station? And will law enforcement resort to roving patrols, where children knocking up at 8:01 are rounded up for violating the hallowed curfew?

These people arent just living on another planet. Theyre beyond the Milky Way.

Has it dawned on anyone in Chesapeake (along with several neighboring towns that passed similar ordinances) that their police have been demoted to glorified revenue collectors and baby sitters?

And where is the vaunted ACLU to take on these blatantly unconstitutional laws? Freedoms of assembly, movement and expression are being violated, yet the so-called defenders of liberty seem conspicuously absent.

Heres an idea: If the objective is to stop mischief, then focus on crime prevention, and prosecute offenders. Thats called police work. But the answer isnt to penalize the innocent and take away their rights because of a few bad pumpkins.

Those laws should be challenged in court, and the people who passed them exposed as grinches and ghouls, since nothing is scarier than power-tripping elected officials infringing on personal freedoms.

n n n

This is but one of a startling number of situations where political correctness and overzealous officials are irreparably harming the American landscape. In all cases, a dose of courage and common sense would right these wrongs. But unfortunately, because such courage is the exception, the cancer of intolerance is spreading like wildfire.

Consider:

 Mark Salvas, a Marine veteran who served in the Gulf War, was hired last month as executive director of the Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) Democratic Party. And just like that, he was forced out. Why?

Because last year, he posted a photo of himself and his wife with the caption: I stand for the anthem. I kneel at the Cross.

Thats it. Thats the smoking gun that his fellow Democrats found absolutely intolerable. So much for the Ds being the Party of inclusion.

If that wasnt bad enough, some Dems also took issue with Salvas wife, who posted about supporting the family of a police officer  a family she and Mark had known for decades  who was involved in the killing of a black man. She wasnt taking sides in the controversy, admitting that it was a tragedy all around. But that also wasnt good enough for todays radical Democrats.

Pennsylvania State Rep. Ed Gainey called the posts insensitive to African Americans, stating: If youre going to be executive director of the Democratic Party, you have to be sensitive to things like that.

Really? Since when did the anthem become a Republican/Democrat racial issue? Ditto for police-involved shootings.

But dont feel sorry for Salvas. He caved, plain and simple. Not in a million years should he have resigned. Instead, he should have made the Democrats outright fire him. Not only would Mark have had countless job offers, but he would have been hailed as a hero among Republicans and many Democrats. After all, it was southwest Pennsylvania Democrats, who have been increasingly voting Republican, who put Donald Trump into the White House.

Its never easy when people you have never met accuse you of things and call you names  Im not ashamed of my patriotism. I fought for this country. I think I have a right to have a voice and be patriotic Salvas said.

Yep. Just not in todays small-tent Democratic Party.

Yet in kowtowing to political correctness, Salvas allowed pressure from political hacks to decide his fate. His resignation, which served only to embolden bigotry, is almost as bad as intolerance itself. When will people learn that guts trumps appeasement?

 The lack of accountability in America has gotten so extreme that people with zero culpability are being forced to answer for the transgressions of others. The post from Mark Salvas wife was one example.

Another is what transpired with Philadelphia 76er Mike Muscala regarding tweets from his father, some of which have been labeled insensitive and racist. But the content of those posts is completely irrelevant. Mike Muscala is not his fathers keeper, and in no way, shape or form should he have responded.

This is still America, where people have the right to say as they please, no matter how stupid or insensitive. Where does ones personal responsibility end? Should Muscala  or anyone  be responsible for what a parent, sibling, adult child or friend says or does? Muscalas father is solely responsible for his postings. Period. Since that concept is innately understood by rational Americans, no comment was necessary.

The Sixers, instead of exhibiting leadership by referring all questions to the father, made it worse by unwittingly calling into question whether the son harbored any similar racist tendencies.

I was made aware of inappropriate and offensive social media posts from Bob Muscala, father of Mike Muscala, Sixers General Manager Elton Brand stated. Simply put, they are unacceptable and in no way reflective of the beliefs of our organization  I am also certain these posts are in no way reflective of (Mikes) own personal beliefs  He has our organizations full support.

Full support? Yo Elton, what the hell does that mean? Why would thoughts from a players father reflect on the Sixers? And the teams statement makes it seem that, because Mike and Bob are related, somehow Mike is guilty by association until an official 76ers statement magically exonerates him. Newsflash to Elton: Nice try tooting your horn as the almighty arbiter, but the Sixers dont hold the power to clear someones name who doesnt need clearing. We the people are most assuredly smart enough to figure that out on our own.

And Mike didnt help his cause by issuing a similar statement, apologizing (why?) to the 76ers and his colleagues across the NBA for his fathers comments.

Yet another airball in what should have been a slam-dunk non-response.

 And then we had former MLB pitcher and current announcer Ron Darling get chastised on  where else?  social media because he mentioned that the wildness of Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka was a chink in the armor.

Really? Ron Darling, who is partially of Chinese ethnicity, had to apologize for those words, clarifying that he wasnt, in fact, an overt racist?

If employer TBS had any guts, it would have leveled a broadside at the small loudmouth minority who have nothing better to do than whine about how theyre eternally offended by the hordes of racists in their midst. And Darling should have done the same.

Had they done so, both Darling and TBS would have emerged as populist, non-partisan heroes. In taking a firm stand against the destructiveness of political correctness, they would have demonstrated that staying silent and needlessly apologizing are surefire ways to breed intolerance and curtail freedom of speech.

But neither did, and once again, it became a huge whiff in place of a guaranteed home run.

The way things are going, only one question remains: Will the last leader standing please turn out the lights?

Chris Freind is an independent columnist and commentator whose column appears every Wednesday. He can be reached at CF@FFZMedia.comWas Doc a stray before he was found abused?

Who let the dogs out? And where do they go?

In 2011, I made it my mission to find out where do stray dogs go, and what are the animal care/control legalities associated.

During my journey, I learned that all reports of dogs running at large (strays), are required to be picked up by police, animal control, dog wardens, etc., taken to an approved stray hold licensed kennel, as required by Pennsylvania law. Stray Hold kennels are listed on the state Department of Agriculture Dog Law website and are licensed kennels that are inspected a minimum two times a year by Pennsylvania Dog Law wardens. There are regulation and requirements for a kennel to be licensed to accept strays. These inspections consist of but are not limited to ensuring all kenneled dogs have a clean and sanitized housing facility, safe and secure housing environment, medical care, food and potable water.

I was satisfied to learn that at the very least the dogs had that being provided for them, at a minimum, and I was proud to be a resident of a state having such laws in place.

As a Humane Police Officer with Justice Rescue, I quickly started receiving complaints about stray dogs that were being abused and I was greatly concerned. I wondered, how could stray dogs be suffering from abuse? I knew the dog laws and stray hold requirements and quickly questioned how could dogs be left running at large after theyve been reported to the authorities?

To my surprise there were so many municipalities, boroughs, and townships in Pennsylvania that were not compliant with the Pennsylvania laws regarding stray hold requirements. Since unveiling that, I have done my best to educate and provide assistance to the municipalities that wanted help and wanted better for the animals while providing to its citizens.

As a Pennsylvania resident, animal care provider, and abuse/neglect investigator, I am asking that state residents get involved and support their community, county, and local government to ensure stray dogs in the state are taken to a licensed stray hold facility authorized and inspected by Pennsylvania Dog Law. All residents are encouraged to like and follow Justice Rescue Facebook page for further information.

Docs Story

At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5, I was contacted from a credible source about a dog that was found abused in a dumpster; still alive and limping. I was approximately and hour and a half from the location and I immediately contacted Humane Officer Karl Sangree with Justice Rescue to respond to the call.

Upon arrival, Karl met with the awaiting police and removed the dog now named Doc from the scene and transported Doc to Justice Rescues sanctuary. I immediately cared for Doc and booked a medical evaluation to ensure he was okay to serve a mandatory stray hold time required by dog law. I stayed on location at Justice Rescues sanctuary with Doc to ensure he had 24-hour care during his stray hold time. Although medical treatment is limited during stray hold time, Doc would have been taken to an emergency vet if his condition had declined. During the initial investigation, Justice Rescue had limited information. But, as our Facebook post and plea circulated, more information became available and witnesses came forward. Testimony from residents believe that Doc may have been a dog that was seen as a stray for at least two days prior. This investigation is still ongoing and if anyone has any information please report it at www.justice-rescue.com under the abuse section.

Doc is recovering and gets better every day. He is learning he is not going to be hurt, and he shows more trust to humans each day. Doc wags his tail when he sees me and always wants to put his head into my hand. Doc is moving around with pain but getting better each day. For more information and updates on Docs progress, including when hell be ready for adoption can be found on Justice Rescues Facebook page.

There isnt a day that goes by when we dont receive dozens of abuse complaints, like Docs story. Some are in such poor condition that they require immediate and often extensive medical care.

We can do so much more. We have the ability, knowledge, authority and heart to save any animal that is being abused at the hands of a human. We are limited by our financial ability to provide medical treatment and care for dogs that we take in until loving homes are found and every day we are faced with new challenges.

If it wasnt for the generosity of our supporters, we wouldnt exist. We rely on the public donations to help us investigate complaints of cruelty, rescue animals from suffering and neglect, care for them and find them loving new homes. Your donations help provide sanctuary for animals that have suffered abuse, supports special undercover operations to expose abuses like dog fighting, provides us with the power to prosecute those who abuse animals. Although we are Humane Police Officers in PA. We receive no funding from the government to investigate cruelty complaints.

Your support is vital if we are to make a lasting difference in animals lives. If you want to protect animals from cruelty, and make a donation, please visit us online at www.justice-rescue.com/donations. Your gift  whatever sum you choose, will be gratefully accepted and deeply appreciated and helps us save animals from suffering and gives them the expert treatment and care they need and deserve. For sponsorship of a kennel with your name, a past love ones name, or a four-legged love please email info@justice-rescue.com.

Our animals love you for everything you do, for the unselfishness you show by helping, and the sacrifices you make to help. Thank you always for your support!

I have a dream. That dream is that everyone from everywhere will unite in ensure animals are treated like they need to be. Animals feel pain, hunger, cold, heat, and have feelings like we do. Please follow Justice Rescue face book page to join the team fighting for animals everywhere.

Its not about the toes we step on, its about the paws we protect.

Russ Harper Wolf is a Humane Police Officer with Justice Rescue.By Sarah D. Sparks and Sean Cavanagh

In its latest effort to make education research more relevant to the classroom, the Institute of Education Sciences plans to bring teachers to the table to inform the agencys research priorities.

In a partnership announced early Tuesday IES and the University of Virginias Jefferson Education Exchange, a nonprofit which collects teachers written accounts of their experiences implementing digital tools in the classroom, announced they would hold confidential field meetings with teachers across the country to gauge their views on the most critical areas for research.

Educators dont have a prominent voice right now in what gets researched, said Bart Epstein, a research associate professor at the University of Virginia and the president of the Jefferson Education Exchange. I was a bit surprised when we talked to many K-12 education associations that I thought would be in regular consultation with IES on research topics. Theres very little communication of that type happening.

On Oct. 27 and Nov. 3, the groups will hold regional meetings with individual and small groups of urban, suburban, and rural teachers on the issues they face and the kinds of data and research that would be most helpful. Each teacher will recieve a $200 stipend and have their expenses paid.

On Nov. 27, IES and the Exchange will also livestream a Washington discussion with representatives from about 70 teachers organizationsfrom unions and administrators of alternative certification programs to content groups for physics or early-education teachers.

Mark Schneider, the IES director, said the teachers perspectives will help inform the agencys research priorities going forward.

I think this is the first systemic attempt to include teacher perspectives, and I dont expect it to be the last, Schneider said. If we discover stuff that we believe is effective ... we need to keep in the back of our mind that we are dependent on the the 3.4 million teachers in schools to deliver better education services.

Epstein said the partners also hope to encourage teachers and their professional organizations to get involved more directly, such as asking physics teachers to review the usefulness of physics education research.SALT LAKE CITY  SpaceX is planning to launch a number of objects into orbit this year, including a sculpture from the Nevada Museum of Art.

Why it matters: The sculpture, which will be "on exhibit" in space for two to three months, could be one of the most-viewed sculptures in human history, according to CBS News.

"We look at the sky and try to figure out what our destiny might be, or what our past might be or what the present might be. For me, the project is really just an opportunity for me to ask those big questions," artist Trevor Paglen said.

Whats going on: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will send nearly 70 satellites into Earths orbit in November, including this artwork.

Paglens sculpture, Orbital Reflector, when expanded, will go from a package the size of a shoebox to a diamond sculpture the size of two school buses, according to CBS.

"For me it was important to create a kind of catalyst for people to go out and to look at the sky and think about  the politics of space and public space," Paglen said.

Paglen worked with a team from the Nevada Museum of Art, which included experts who helped him construct the sculpture.

What it does: Sunlight will reflect off Orbital Reflector, which will make the sculpture visible from Earth with the naked eye  like a slowly moving artificial star as bright as a star in the Big Dipper, according to the projects website.

Bigger picture: Space art has become a point of contention among astronomers, according to The Atlantic.SANDY  Even before the start of the only 4th Congressional District debate between Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, and her Democrat challenger, Salt Lake Mayor Ben McAdams, there was new friction between the candidates.

In a statement handed out moments before the hour-long debate at Salt Lake Community College's Sandy campus got underway, Love said an unnamed Federal Election Commission analyst sided with her on a fundraising issue.

That issue, the subject of a formal complaint filed with the FEC by the progressive Alliance for a Better Utah, deals with money raised by Love for a primary election, even though she was nominated months earlier at her party's state convention.

There turned out to be only a mention of the contributions during the debate  sponsored by the Utah Debate Commission and moderated by retired KSL Newsradio host Doug Wright  which included plenty of other tussles on just about every issue raised, including immigration.

What sparked the most contention between the candidates in the state's most competitive race, however, came during an exchange over what Washington, D.C., could do to help local governments.

Love, a former Saratoga Springs mayor, drew laughter when she said she "didn't take developments like Olympia Hills and shove it down people's throats without anyone knowing what was going on" while taking campaign donations from the developers.

McAdams, in his second term as county mayor, vetoed the high-density housing project near Herriman amid concerns. He was applauded when he told the debate audience he did something he never saw Love do: hold a town hall meeting.

"I don't care who's donated to my campaign. If it's the right thing to do, I will follow my constituents every time," McAdams said.

There were a few chuckles when Love responded by saying she'd held 85 town halls and that McAdams wouldn't know that because he does not live in the 4th District, which includes only part of Salt Lake and Utah counties.

On immigration, Love pointed to her efforts against the wishes of House GOP leadership to force a vote on immigration legislation earlier this year and noted her support of a comprehensive bill that failed to pass.

"That's unfortunate. We could have fixed all of these problems," Love said, noting no Democrats backed the bill. She promised to continue to work on the issue because, as the daughter of Haitian immigrants, it's "personal to me."

McAdams said as mayor, "I don't get credit for what I try to do or what I say I want to do. I'm judged based on what I accomplish."

He said he wants to see immigration reform in Congress that protects the nation's borders but also provide "a safe path" for immigrants, including those brought to the United States illegally as children.

Both candidates said they support medical marijuana, but only McAdams said he'll vote for Proposition 2 to legalize it. Lawmakers are expected to be called into special session after the November election to consider a compromise to the initiative.

McAdams said the state is dealing with the issue because Congress has failed to act. Love said she has long supported medical marijuana out of compassion and has introduced a bill to allow the substance to be studied by changing its designation.

Love waited until her closing statement to bring up what she said was an unsolicited call from the FEC analyst, later identified by her staff as the same person who raised the initial questions about her fundraising, Michael Dobi.

She said McAdams was using the issue to come after her with the help of national Democrats and that "this is what we have to deal with here. We have to let people know that honesty still means something and integrity still means something."

McAdams did not talk about his opponent's contributions during the debate, although he expressed frustration at a Congress "where members are too busy attacking each other and not attacking our problems" rather than practicing bipartisanship.

He called Love "a good person," but repeatedly said that "actions and outcomes matter" in Congress.

"My biggest disappointment, Rep. Love, is I feel like you've changed, honestly  you became part of that Washington problem."

After the debate, McAdams said he was "certainly still concerned" about what he described as a violation of the law and that it would not be resolved through a call reported in a press release from the Love campaign.

"Rules matter. She raised money for a primary election when she had no opponent," he told reporters.

Chase Thomas, the executive director of the alliance that filed the federal election complaint against Love, said that the congresswoman's statement "is not an official clearance" from the FEC.

Love said money raised for the primary election is still being re-designated by her campaign for use in the general election, and any money raised in excess of federal limits is being refunded.

The 4th District race has been rated a toss-up by at least two national ratings entities and polls have shown it's too close to call. The last time a Democrat won a seat in Congress in Utah was in 2012, when then-Rep. Jim Matheson defeated Love.

After Matheson retired, Love came back to win in 2014 and again in 2016, against Doug Owens, the son of the late Utah Democratic congressman Wayne Owens. This is the first congressional bid by McAdams, who served in the state Senate.SALT LAKE CITY  A measure signed into Utah law this March allows women to receive birth control directly from a pharmacist under a two-year standing prescription.

But Kallie Faulkner called pharmacies in May and again recently without luck.

"None of the pharmacies even acknowledged knowing of such a bill," Faulkner said. "It's frustrating knowing I 'should have' access to something that I'm not actually able to access."

She said she recently started a new job and is waiting for her health benefits to kick in. In the meantime, Faulker said she needs to either use alternative methods of birth control or "pay astronomical amounts of money for a doctor's visit."

"Without health insurance, the cost of a doctor's visit, plus the cost of a prescription can be upward of $250. I dont know of many college students, single parents or families with young children that have that money readily available," Faulkner said.

When Jordan Hatch ran out of her birth control prescription a few weeks ago, she called and asked for her pharmacy to refill it.

"They said that they couldn't until they contacted my doctor," she recalled.

She said she went in person to a Smith's pharmacy and tried to talk to them about the new law, and "they looked a little confused, and they just said, 'Sorry, it's our policy.'"

Faulkner and Hatch were both unable to access birth control through the new law because it has yet to be implemented.

The Deseret News recently spoke to state health officials and lawmakers who sponsored the law to find out how  and when  women will be able to get birth control directly from pharmacists.

How law will work

"It is not quite just over-the-counter. I mean with Tylenol, you just go in, you buy it off the shelf and you walk out  but with birth control pills, with medicine  a doctor has to prescribe a medicine and a pharmacist has to dispense it," said bill floor sponsor Rep. Ray Ward, R-Bountiful.

Through the law, a doctor at the Utah Department of Health can give permission to any pharmacist who wants to sell birth control to a woman age 18 or older under a two-year standing order, Ward explained.

The pharmacist will then need to go through a health assessment with her to make sure it is safe for her to take birth control.

The pharmacist will also need to give the woman information about the prescription and its risks, as well as "the importance of the patient having a relationship with a primary care provider and things like that," said Tom Hudachko, Utah Department of Health spokesman.

The law, part of SB0184, also allows medical directors from local health departments and physicians to issue the two-year standing order.

Hudachko said the cost of birth control received this way will be the same as purchasing it through the traditional method. Pharmacists may also charge for the required health assessment.

After two years, a woman will need to provide evidence that she has seen a primary care or women's specialty care provider, according to the bill.

That is because, according to Michelle McOmber, Utah Medical Association CEO, which supports the law, health officials want to ensure that it does not prevent people from getting the primary medical care that they need.

McOmber called the law "a temporary fix if you don't have that access to begin with."

Why it's not working

Bill sponsor Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, told the Deseret News he is "just waiting for the executive branch to implement (the law)."

Since the law passed, stakeholders have been working together to formulate the rules pharmacists will need to follow and the questionnaire they will need to give patients, officials said.

Weiler said the questionnaire that patients will need to complete has been approved by the state Board of Pharmacy and Board of Physicians and is pending approval from the state health department.

Hudachko estimates that the law will be implemented in November or December.

After the law is actually implemented, the next challenge will be getting the word out to pharmacists throughout the state, Ward said.

"And that will take a little bit of time, a little bit of getting used to, I'm sure," he said.

However, Ward said the Utah Pharmacy Association supported the law and should educate pharmacists in the state.

The bill does not technically require pharmacists to prescribe birth control to women who request it.

However, "I don't think there would be pharmacists who would turn it down if they knew about it and understood the process," Ward said.

"I think, in general, having access to family planning services so that families altogether can easily and without barriers and difficulties plan when they want to have their families, I think that makes our community a better place," Ward said.

For Hatch, who recently waited for her doctor's permission to receive her birth control, it's a time issue. "I would absolutely do the two-year one. It sounds a lot easier for me," she said.

Her doctor is about a half-hour drive away, and she said she needs to request time off from work to go to an appointment. It took the pharmacy about five days to reach her doctor and refill the prescription, throwing her off schedule for taking the birth control.

"Instead of having to constantly, every three months fill it, every year go into a doctor's appointment  for me, time is everything. And if I'm able to save just a little bit of time, then I'm going to jump for the opportunity," Hatch said.

Faulkner agreed.

"I think its safe to assume many women, myself included, would use alternative methods," she said.

Hatch said she hopes word about the law gets out.

"I hope that everyone gets a chance to hear about it. I hope that all the women that are currently taking birth control understand that this is a new law that's been passed, and I hope that they're able to utilize it," she said.Cookie banner

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By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies.SALT LAKE CITY  Ranchers and farmers weathering the past few months of bone-dry conditions already know what Utah Gov. Gary Herbert announced on Monday: The state is in severe drought conditions meriting an emergency.

Citing the conditions in all of Utah's 29 counties and low reservoir levels, Herbert issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency based on recommendations of the Utah Drought Review and Reporting Committee.

The rainfall we have received helps, but the drought is at a level unseen for many years and will not be solved with a small series of storms. In some areas, the drought is at, or near historic levels, Herbert said.

Such difficult conditions are harming the quality of life and the livelihoods of many Utah families and agricultural producers. The ramifications of drought extend beyond our depleted water supply. Drought harms our industries, agriculture, recreation and wildlife, and it worsens wildfire conditions and air quality.

Herbert's drought declaration follows disaster declarations already made in Box Elder, Carbon, Emery, Grand, San Juan and Wayne counties.

Reservoir levels across the state are depleted in the face of a historically dry summer and below average snowpack.

Water watchers note that 16 of Utah's top 49 reservoirs are less than 20 percent full, and eight of Utah's top 49 reservoirs are less than 5 percent full.

"This declaration opens doors for the Utah families and industries most harmed by this drought. Hopefully, its also an eye-opener for the rest of us, and were encouraged to do our part, said Mike Styler, executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources.

We cant control precipitation, but we can find opportunities to decrease our water use all year long. If we all look for opportunities to conserve, we can keep a lot more water in our reservoirs, which will really help if we have another dry winter.

Styler recommended the drought declaration to Herbert after the drought review committee was activated for the first time in 10 years, due to a requirement under state law.

While agriculture is Utah's largest consumer of water, Herbert urged individuals to do their part and be mindful of consumption, including reduction of time spent in showers, fixing leaks and only running dishwashers or washing machines when full.SALT LAKE CITY  It isn't the first time Utah's research-focused economic development program has been faced with the question of whether it will live to fight another day.

The Utah Science, Technology and Research initiative, USTAR for short, has been subject to question and criticism essentially from its inception in 2005 by then-Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who predicted the program would make Utah a "haven" for forward-thinking researchers and create a system of returns that would expand with each year.

On Tuesday, a Utah legislative committee is scheduled to hear a proposal that may decide the initiative's long-term fate. Possible outcomes include allowing the agency to continue to exist as a stand-alone effort focused on supporting entrepreneurial efforts and associated economic development, with a science innovation focus; downsizing the agency and shunting remaining programs under the umbrella of another state-run economic development agency; or eliminating USTAR entirely, though that appears to be an unlikely outcome.

Sen. Dan Hemmert, R-Orem, co-chairman of the Legislature's Business, Economic Development and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee, said his committee has been exploring questions surrounding the initiative's efficacy, and potential future, since the beginning of the summer.

"Really, what's at question here is are we making the highest and best use of these public dollars," Hemmert said. "Is the way we've been spending the $20 million or so that's been budgeted the best way to support applied scientific research?"

How and where the initiative spends money has been under a microscope for some time now, particularly after the scathing results of a 2013 audit that uncovered issues with reporting practices, including inflated performance numbers, and led to a wholesale recalibration of the agency overseen by former Lt. Gov. Greg Bell.

That effort was widely seen as a positive reset, but the agency has been under steady fire throughout interim meetings over the past summer, in spite of a positive, third-party assessment that was concluded in early August.

One of the outcomes of that tension has been the resignation of USTAR's executive director, Dr. Ivy Estabrooke. In her resignation letter, Estabrooke noted one of the issues that pushed her to leave the agency was what she saw as an inappropriate politicization of discussions surrounding the initiative's fate as an economic development engine.

In an interview with the Deseret News, Estabrooke said as a scientist, researcher and former U.S. Department of Defense employee, she was most accustomed to, and comfortable with, data-based decision-making versus what she saw as a process being driven by overt political pressures.

"After four years, I had done what I felt what I could do to right the ship at USTAR," Estabrooke said. "Implementing the programs, ensuring that the returns on the programs were good and that we were exceeding our metrics.

"I truly believe that, as much as possible, the fundamental processes of discovery, invention and innovation should not be politically driven. I think we've seen the outcomes of innovation efforts being driven by politics without expertise to screen and guide it and they are the Solyndras and perpetual motion machines of the world."

In its earlier iteration, and with annual budgets of $20 million to $30 million, the initiative would recruit "rock star" academics and place them at the state's top two research institutions, Utah State University and the University of Utah, and provide funding to fast-track research with commercial potential. It would also create a system of grants to help accelerate entrepreneurial pursuits with science innovation at their core  an area, because of its long development arcs, routinely shunned by private capital markets.

That mission was scaled back by legislation in the 2018 session, sponsored by Hemmert, that included slashing the initiative's budget by over a third and severing the agency from its long-running connection to, and support of, high-caliber researchers at both the U. and USU.

While Hemmert's SB239 won the support of Utah legislators, a number of well-known voices have sung praises for the program, including Zions Bank President and CEO Scott Anderson; Spencer P. Eccles, co-founder and managing director of investment firm The Cynosure Group, and former executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development; and Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor and current U.S. Senate candidate for Utah. At an event this summer, Romney highlighted the importance of the initiative's support of science-based technology innovators and entrepreneurs.

"We've been fortunate with Silicon Slopes that we've attracted businesses in the areas of software and services that have been instant successes and are growing like crazy," said Romney, who spent decades working in the equity investment industry.

"But there are also, if you will, deep technology innovators that also need to be attracted to our state. You might say, 'Well, the venture capital guys will take care of that.' Well, about 90 percent of venture capital in our state over the last five years has gone to software and service businesses. Very little actually gets into some of the deep technologies that are so essential to our long-term growth."

"And, these technologies typically take a long time to generate the kinds of returns that venture capitalists often want," he said. "And that's, of course, where USTAR fits in."

Bell, who previously headed up the program's post-audit turnaround, has been meeting with board members from both the Governor's Office of Economic Development and Utah Science, Technology and Research, along with members of Gov. Gary Herbert's economic development team in an effort to hammer out a "consensus plan" for the initiative's future, the featured agenda item on Tuesday's meeting of the interim committee.

Herbert spokesman Paul Edwards said, as of last Friday, work was ongoing and questions were still being asked. He noted that one of the biggest challenges was assessing the economic development impacts in an area where the timelines on seeing returns are much longer than other tech endeavors.

"The governor has been consulting with a number of his close advisers about how best to move forward with technology-based economic development programs in the state," Edwards said. "USTAR underwent some pretty significant changes following the audit  and preliminary data coming looks quite good for that reinvention. But there are also some areas for significant improvement."

The findings of a third-party assessment, completed on Aug. 1 by Teconomy Partners LLC, noted the initiative had achieved five-year performance goals, established by the Legislature in just two years time. The report also described the Utah Science, Technology and Research initiative as "a lean, effective, and outcomes-driven organization."SALT LAKE CITY  The owners of a popular downtown music venue face federal charges for allegedly laundering millions of dollars in drug money to fund their business ventures.

Federal prosecutors allege Gabriel Seth Elstein, 33, and Angela Christina Elstein, 32, both of Park City, and Scott Dale Gordon, 48, of St. George, bought and sold at least 2,500 pounds of marijuana and laundered at least $5 million through Bondad Productions, a business that promoted electronic music/rave shows, and The Complex, 536 W. 100 South, over a six-year period.

"When it comes to marijuana, it's all about the cash," U.S. Attorney John Huber said in a statement. "Sophisticated organizations are driven by profits to exploit the insatiable desire for drugs in America."

Huber said the charges came after a multiyear investigation involving agents with IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration's Metro Narcotics Task Force.

The Complex, which has concerts scheduled out to next May, will remain open, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

A 13-count indictment charges the trio with drug trafficking, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, conspiracy to commit money laundering, promotion of money laundering, concealment of money laundering and money laundering.

Dumbles Holdings LLC is also named in the indictment. The Elsteins are managing members of Dumbles Holdings, which was started in 2015 with offices in Salt Lake City.

Gordon and the Elsteins pleaded not guilty to the charges at a hearing in U.S. District Court last week. Judge Clark Waddoups scheduled a trial for Dec. 14.

Prosecutors say the Elsteins and Gordon bought marijuana from wholesale suppliers in Northern California and recruited drivers to deliver it to Utah, Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin. They allegedly used retail distributors to sell the marijuana in those states.

The indictment alleges they took steps to hide and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership and control of the proceeds of the drug-trafficking organization.

Gordon and Gabriel Elstein built The Complex in 2009 for at least $1.3 million. About $400,000 came from marijuana proceeds laundered through Bondad Productions and The Complex bank accounts, according to the indictment.

The remaining $900,000 was paid directly to companies and individuals working on the project. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Gordon made cash payments to a person identified as L.M. in the indictment.

L.M. worked as the construction foreman and was responsible for paying the companies involved in the project. The payments Gordon made to L.M. were shrink-wrapped plastic bags in $50,000 increments and made on almost a weekly basis, the indictment says.

The indictment also alleges that Gordon used marijuana cash proceeds to pay expenses for music shows.

Prosecutors are seeking to seize The Complex as well two properties in Park City.SALT LAKE CITY  Charges were filed this week against a documented gang member who prosecutors say is responsible for two recent shootings in Salt Lake County.

Kevin Cordero-Rodriguez, 19, of West Valley City, was charged Monday with discharge of a firearm, a third-degree felony. He was previously charged on Thursday with five counts of aggravated assault and two additional counts of discharge of a firearm, all third-degree felonies.

On Sept. 1, Cordero-Rodriguez confronted a man at Valley Fair Mall who he believed was a rival gang member and told him, "Follow me, I got something for you," according to charging documents. A small group then walked to the mall parking lot, where a gunshot was heard as the others tried to walk away from Cordero-Rodriguez.

The shot hit the front bumper of a parked car nearby, according to the charges. No one was injured.

Then on Sept. 17, in the parking lot of a credit union at Jordan Landing in West Jordan, Cordero-Rodriguez got into an argument with another group and began asking a man in the group what gang he was from. As the group got into their car to drive away, Cordero-Rodriguez fired two rounds into their car, with one round hitting the passenger side door, the charges state.

"There were five people in (the) car at the time the shots were fired," according to the court documents. No one was injured.

On Oct. 9, West Valley police investigating their case found Cordero-Rodriguez in a Walmart parking lot and stopped him for questioning. They also called West Jordan to have their detectives respond and question him, too. While being questioned, a handgun that matched the gun used in the Jordan Landing shooting was found, the charges state.

When asked about the Valley Fair Mall shooting, Cordero-Rodriguez claimed he fired a warning shot at a man in the other group and could have hit him if he wanted to, the charging documents state.

Cordero-Rodriguez was scheduled to make an initial appearance in court on one case Tuesday and the other on Thursday.SALT LAKE CITY  A man arrested as part of the ongoing Operation Rio Grande enforcement effort now faces a federal charge for allegedly selling guns out of his residence.

Lester Jose Salazar, who uses the moniker "Cyclone," 49, of Salt Lake, was charged in federal court last week with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

According to charging documents, on Oct. 10, agents with the Utah State Bureau Operation Rio Grande Task Force received information about drugs being distributed out of a residence near 4400 South and 3200 West.

Agents went there and found Salazar in the basement, according to a Salt Lake County Jail report, and seized nine firearms, including four that were reported stolen. He told investigators "that he bought and sold guns as a source of income," the report states.

Salazar is restricted from possessing weapons due to prior felony convictions in Utah and Colorado, the indictment states.SALT LAKE CITY  Republican Mitt Romney continues to raise more money and outspend Democrat Jenny Wilson in the U.S. Senate race.

Romney collected $495,000 from July through September, according to his latest Federal Election Commission report. He also transferred another $200,000 from his failed presidential campaign. He spent just over $1 million during that three-month period.

Since entering the race in February, the former Massachusetts governor has taken in $4.8 million, including a total of $1.2 million from his presidential campaign account. He has $855,000 in the bank.

Wilson, a Salt Lake County Council member, raised $173,000 in the last quarter, while spending $132,000, according to her FEC report. She has collected $855,000 in the current election cycle. Her cash on hand totaled about $125,000.

Wilson criticized Romney for relying on out-of-state donors and money from his presidential campaign, which she said give him an overwhelming advantage over her in-state fundraising efforts. She has also pledged not to accept corporate PAC funds.

"I have spent the past year traveling the state hearing about the day-to-day concerns of Utah families. The fact that Utahns are funding my campaign and out-of-state donors are funding his reflects just that," she said.

The Romney campaign declined to comment.TOOELE  Charges were filed Tuesday against a man whose confrontation with police resulted in shots being fired by an officer.

Christopher Michael Ono, 27, of Tooele, is charged in 3rd District Court with aggravated assault resulting in serious injury, a second-degree felony.

On Oct. 9, a Tooele County sheriff's deputy went to Mountain West Hospital where a woman was being treated for an assault.

"Her nose was still bleeding the entire time I was speaking with her. Her right eye socket was swollen and she stated she had a hard time seeing out of it when she was driving away from the scene of the incident," the officer wrote in his report.

The woman told investigators that she was in her car in front of Ono's house when he punched her in the face through the window, according to charging documents.

Three officers went looking for Ono about 12:30 a.m. on Oct. 10 at his residence, 126 W. 860 North. Two officers went to the front door and the third positioned himself so he could see the back door, according to a statement from Tooele police.

"As officers tried to summon the occupants of the home to the front door, the suspect, Chris Ono, exited the back door at which time he pointed a pistol in the direction of the officer. The officer discharged several rounds toward Mr. Ono at which time Mr. Ono surrendered," police said.

Ono was not hit by any of the shots. When police took him into custody, they found a loaded gun near the back door where he had been standing, the statement says.

Charging documents do not mention the officer-involved shooting, which remained under investigation Tuesday.

An initial court appearance for Ono is scheduled for Oct. 22.

His criminal history includes a conviction for felony shoplifting in 2017, felony theft in 2016, drug possession in 2015, aggravated assault in 2012, felony drug possession in 2011, and making a terroristic threat in 2010, according to state court records.

Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting the YWCA's Women in Jeopardy program at 801-537-8600, or the confidential statewide Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-897-LINK (5465). Resources are also available online at udvc.org.Tanaiste & Minister McEntee in Luxembourg to attend the General Affairs Council.

Press release

Tanaiste & Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., & Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee T.D., in Luxembourg for meetings with their counterparts at the General Affairs Council.

The Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., and the Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee T.D., are in Luxembourg today, Tuesday 16 October, for meetings with their counterparts at the General Affairs Council.

Brexit

In advance of the European Council this week, with European Leaders meeting in EU27 format on Wednesday, the General Affairs Council will also meet in EU27 format on Tuesday. At this crucial stage in the negotiations, Ministers will hear from the EUs Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier. The Tanaiste will also meet separately with Michel Barnier to discuss the current state of play in negotiations and in particular talks on the draft Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, including the backstop on avoiding a hard border.

The Tanaiste said:

It is obviously disappointing that it has not yet been possible to make the decisive progress that we urgently need in the negotiations, despite the intensive efforts of both EU and UK negotiators. The Governments position is clear  we want the negotiations to succeed but this will only be possible with agreement on a legally robust backstop to avoid a hard border in the Withdrawal Agreement, which must apply in all circumstances. Todays meeting offers another opportunity to thank our EU partners for their solid support and solidarity, which has been unwavering, and to reiterate our total support for Michel Barnier and his Task Force.

General Affairs Council

At the General Affairs Council, Ministers will be looking at the internal and external aspects of migration and new measures to strengthen the internal security of the Union.

Before departing for Luxembourg, the Minister of State said:

We are keen to see progress on cybersecurity, in particular. Tackling cyber-attacks was a real concern for many of the participants at the Citizens Dialogues on the Future of Europe which we held across the country earlier this year. At the meeting we will be looking at measures to combat the dissemination of disinformation and our capacity to deal together with terrorist content on-line.

A discussion at the Council on the next multi-annual financial framework (MFF) will focus on the need to reinforce and extend excellence in the Unions new research programme, Horizon Europe.

The meeting will include a state of play on the rule of law in Poland and the Austrian presidency will provide information on a reasoned proposal by the European Parliament concerning respect for the values of the Union in Hungary.

ENDS

Press Office

16 October 2018

 Previous Item | Next Item Update: Sony has confirmed that it has fixed the exploit which was causing PlayStation 4 consoles to crash. Replying to twitter user, PlayStation UK's official account wrote - "We've since fixed the issue, and it wasn't bricking consoles, just sending them into a crash loop that can be quickly fixed in under 5 minutes. Delete the message on the PS mobile app, go into Safe Mode, use Option 5, console back to normal." You can read a report of the entire incident below.

Original Report:

It looks like PlayStation 4 owners need to watch out for a message that could reportedly brick their consoles. Numerous PS4 users on Reddit are complaining that their consoles are getting bricked after receiving a message which includes unrecognised characters. According to users, deleting the message using the mobile app isnt enough. Users will have to rebuild their database by accessing Safe Mode, or factory reset their systems.

Sony hasnt issued a statement yet, but the company will most likely address the issue by rolling out a software update. However, till the time that happens, users are advised to limiting incoming messages to trusted friends, or turning them off completely. This can be done by visiting the account management section of the console and then changing the privacy settings from there.

The subredditor who posted the message, u/Huntstark also posted a screenshot of the message that was used to brick his/her console. It was also noted the message was sent during a game of Rainbow Six: Siege by a player from the other team who used a dummy account to send the message.

Using messages to exploit certain bugs in the code isnt something new. Earlier this year, WhatsApp users were getting a message that caused Android and iOS devices to crash. The message said If you touch the black point then your WhatsApp will hang. As expected, touching the black dot did cause the app to hang, sometimes also causing the entire phone to crash.

It was noted that the crash was caused due to the inclusion of special characters that are invisible to the user, but were used to change the behaviour of the texts. There were 6000 invisible unicode characters alternating between 200E and 200F, which are used to indicate left-to-right, and right-to-left writing. WhatsApp couldnt process that many direction changes as they are all loaded into memory which has a physical limit.If theres one brand that knows the ingredients of a good-looking phone, its Honor. The Chinese brands lineup of smartphones this year has stood out distinctively from the rest for its classy gradient designs, and theres one too many of them. The latest entrant is the Honor 8X that was launched earlier in China and only now is it making its way to India. The smartphone is the successor to the popular Honor 7X that was one of the prime protagonist in Honors growth story in India. With the Honor 8X, the company aims to carve out its territory even further.

A lot has changed since the Honor 7X. The notched display is now omnipresent while glass designs have made a bold comeback. Then theres the overwhelming presence of artificial intelligence. All of these changes are encapsulated in the Honor 8X. The phone can be made out from the crowd (not so much from other Honor and Huawei phones) of other metal or glass-bodied mid-rangers. The notch, much to my chagrin, is present and so is the companys much-touted AI cameras. All that makes the Honor 8X the mid-ranger that has kept up with changing times and its progressive design surely looks good, although it wont be as durable as the metal-bodied Honor 7X.

The experience of using the Honor 8X is similar to using other Honor and Huawei phones. If you owned one before, youll feel right at home. The phone runs on the companys proprietary EMUI 8.2 based on Android 8.1 Oreo. While it doesnt look anything like a stock Android interface, it does pack a lot of features. It also feels much smoother to use. Im guessing thats because of the new mid-range Kirin 710 SoC custom-made by Huawei that powers the phone. Designing its own chipsets gives the company a lot of control over the tuning the experience and it shows. Honor said that the upcoming smartphones in the mid-range segment will all be based on this new chipset. Good to see the company finally move on from the aging Kirin 659 that powered almost all its mid-range phones this year. Theres up to 6GB of RAM to boot along with 128GB of onboard storage. Honor even offers the option to expand the storage via a dedicated slot. The endangered 3.5mm headphone jack is there thankfully, and so is the ancient micro-USB port. Honor also claims the cellular reception of the Honor 8X will be superior with two L-shaped antennas on the body. We'll of course put the claims to test for the in-depth review.

Up front is a 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel. The size is that of a large phablet but the form factor makes it a little more compact that a full-fledged tablet. Nevertheless, theres a lot of screen and very little bezels. Theres also the notch on top housing the front camera and the earpiece. The interesting thing to note here is that Honor has managed to shave the bezels off the bottom of the display by using a new implementation of display technology where the display connector curls over to the back, instead of being at the same plane as the display which is what most phones do.

Youre likely to get attracted to the phone even before you turn it on though. And thats primarily because of the gradient colour design of the phone. The Honor 8X comes in black, blue and red colour variants and they do look bold and classy. My only quirk was the abrupt distinction in the colour gradient on the back. The left side of the phone has a distinctly different texture as compared to the rest of the body. Its interesting, but I found it blends in quite abruptly, so much so that you can make out the straight line separating the two textures. Honors argument for the design is that since the uniform gradient design is now prevalent in more devices, this is one way to stand out. Well, thats not surprising, considering how Honor and Huawei both have a knack of flooding the market with SKUs. Making slight alterations in the design is one way of standing out.

The non-uniform texture is also a ploy to draw attention to the cameras on the back. The dual camera unit sits flushed to the body with only the two lenses jutting out slightly from the body. No camera bump whatsoever. The branding will tell you the cameras are powered by the companys AI algorithms. You get a 20+2MP dual camera unit at the back. Thats exactly the same configuration as the Huawei Mate 20 Lite. The primary sensor has an aperture of f/1.8 while the secondary sensor is used for depth sensing. Up front is a 16MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture. The camera seemed fast and snappy with no shutter lag whatsoever. The photos too come out quite Honor-like. By that I mean, they are mostly oversaturated with bright colours that pop out. Further, you can refocus the depth of field after youve taken the shot and even though portrait-mode alogrithms prefer humans, the Honor 8X also seemed to understand inanimate objects quite well.

While theres much to like about the Honor 8X, if youve recently bought an Honor mid-range phone, you must be fuming. Huawei and Honors tendency to increase the value of its new devices means a recently bought smartphone from the brands is now overpriced. The company rapidly iterates its feature sets and brings them down to more affordable segments. Firstly, that makes them all work in the same way with little to no distinction and secondly, they cannibalise the expensive models.

As a result, theres little to be surprised about the Honor 8X. It ends up becoming just another Honor phone available at a more affordable price point. And thats not necessarily a bad thing. The Honor 8X is priced at Rs 14,999 for the 4GB RAM, 64GB storage version, Rs 16,999 for the 6GB RAM, 64GB storage version and Rs 18,999 for the 6GB RAM, 128 GB storage option. Sales start October 24 exclusively on Amazon.in.Infosys net profit rises 10.3 per cent in Q2 FY19

Infosys Ltd, Indias second-largest software firm, reported a 13.6 per cent increase in its net profit for fiscal second quarter (July-September 2018-19) while its operating margin remained flat despite the rupee depreciation.

The Bengaluru-based software developers net profit rose 10.3 per cent year on year and by 13.6 per cent sequentially to Rs4,110 crore in the second quarter ended 30 September 2018 against Rs3,726 crore in the similar quarter of the previous fiscal, according to its stock exchange filing.

Revenues for fiscal second quarter of FY19 grew 17.3 per cent year-on-year to Rs20,609 crore and by 8.1 per cent in constant currency terms. Revenue in dollar terms increased 3.2 per cent over the previous quarter to $2,921 million.

Revenues grew 7.7 per cent sequentially in rupee terms and 4.2 per cent in constant currency terms.

Earnings before interest and taxes rose 14.7 per cent to Rs4,894 crore. Operating margin remained flat at 23.7 per cent, lower than the expected 24.4 per cent. Basic EPS during Q2 grew year-on-year by 16 per cent in rupee terms. The company declared an interim dividend of Rs7 per share.

Infosys reported over $2 billion in large deals during the quarter. The company also retained FY19 revenue guidance in constant currency terms at 6-8 per cent and operating margin guidance at 22-24 per cent.

We are delighted with our broad-based growth across all business segments and geographies during the quarter. This is a testimony to our strong client relationships, digital led full service capabilities, and intense focus on the needs of our clients, said Salil Parekh, CEO and MD. Large deal wins at over $2 billion during the quarter demonstrate our increased client relevance and also give us better growth visibility for the near-term.

Digital revenues at $905 million, which formed 31.0 per cent of total revenues, grew 33.5 per cent year-on-year and 13.5 per cent sequentially in constant currency terms.

Net profit for the first six months of the current fiscal (April-September 2018-19) rose 7.1 per cent to Rs7,721 crore from Rs7,209 crore in the similar period of the previous fiscal, while basic EPS for the period increased by 12.6 per cent to Rs17.76 per share.

Fiscal first half (April-September 2018-19) revenues grew 14.7 per cent to Rs39,737 crore (in rupee terms) and by 7.1 per cent in constant currency terms. Operating margin stood at 23.7 per cent, which is at the higher end of guidance range.

We had another quarter of solid operating parameters with utilization being stable and offshore mix improving to all-time high, said U B Pravin Rao, COO. Our Digital services grew double digits sequentially, while growth in top clients was also robust.

Our unwavering focus on strong financial performance on multiple fronts continued to deliver results during the quarter. Operating margins for the quarter as well as for the half year was at 23.7 per cent, near the top end of our guidance band, said MD Ranganath, CFO. Operating Cash Flow was over $1 billion during the first half of the year and ROE was at 24.7 per4 cent. We will continue to make strategic investments in digital to leverage opportunities and at the same time keep sharp focus on key operational efficiency parameters, he added.

The company has allotted 2,18,41,91,490 fully-paid-up equity shares of face value Rs5 each during the three months ended 30 September 2018 pursuant to a bonus issue approved by the shareholders through postal ballot.

Infosys said the bonus shares have been issued to celebrate 25th year of public listing in India and to further increase the liquidity of its shares. Bonus share equivalent to one equity share for every equity shares held, and a bonus issue, viz, a stock dividend of one American Depositary Share (ADS) for every ADS held, respectively, has been allotted. Consequently, the ratio of equity shares underlying the ADSs held by an American Depositary Receipt holder remains unchanged.

During the quarter Infosys also made significant acquisitions. On 7 September 2018, Infosys Consulting Pte Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys

Limited) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 60 per cent stake in Trusted Source Pte Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek Management Services Pte Ltd.), a Singapore-based IT services company for a total consideration of up to SGD 12 million (approximately Rs63 crore), subject to regulatory approvals and fulfillment of closing conditions.

And, on 11 October 2018, Infosys Consulting Pte Limited acquired 100 per cent of voting interests in Fluido Oy (Fluido), a Nordic-based salesforce advisor and

consulting partner in cloud consulting, implementation and training services for a total consideration of up to Euro 65 million (approximately Rs546 crore), comprising of cash consideration of Euro 45 million (approximately Rs378 crore), contingent consideration of up to Euro 12 million (approximately Rs101 crore) and retention payouts of up to Euro 8 million (approximately Rs67 crore), payable to the employees of Fluido over the next three years, subject to their continuous employment with the group.

Meanwhile, on 17 September 2018 an Arbitral Tribunal of Justice RV Raveendran (retired) communicated the decision with regard to the dispute between Infosys Ltd and its former CFO Rajiv Bansal. The company said it has received legal advice and will comply with the award and make the necessary payments.31 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants held at Guwahati railway station

A group of 31 Bangladeshi nationals, who fled Bengaluru after working there for about three years, were on Monday detained at Guwahati railway station in Assam, pointing to the depth of the menace of illegal immigration into the country.

According to news agency ANI, the Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended while they were planning to return to Bangladesh via Agartala. They were detained from platform number 1 of Guwahati railway station.

The report said that the illegal migrants were working in Bengaluru in Karnataka for the past three years.

This comes just days after a senior Bangladeshi official told news agency PTI that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally assured Bangladesh premier Sheikh Hasina that people excluded from the National Register of Citizens would not be deported to the country.

This comes after a Supreme-court monitored update of the NRC undertaken to identify genuine Indian nationals residing in Assam. This also triggered a political controversy after the final draft list published on July 30 excluded more than 4 million people from the list.

While these 4 million Bangladeshi citizens had migrated to India illegally with the connivance of border guards and politicians wanting to increase votes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured his Bangladeshi counterpart that these illegal immigrants wont be transported back to Bangladesh.

The Supreme Court has also said that government authorities must not take any coercive action against those excluded from the draft Assam NRC. The top court has also asked the government to prepare a standard operating procedure for further course of action.It's official, Allahabad is now Prayagraj

Allahabad has been officially renamed Prayagraj. The Yogi Adityanath government cleared a proposal to take the clock back 500 years to the pre-Mughal era and give the city its earlier name.

Allahabad will be called Prayagraj from today, state minister Siddharth Nath Singh said in Lucknow after the cabinet meeting.

Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, had protested the move, dubbing it as a poll ploy, while intellectuals and the common man had given mixed reactions to the move to rename Allahabad, also known as the Sangam city.

"Prayagraj was named Allahabad during the Mughal era, around 500 years ago. The place is a confluence of three Holy rivers, namely the Saraswati, Yamuna, and Ganga, hence the name Prayagraj. People who have zero understanding of our history and traditions would question the move," Adityanath told reporters later in the day.

For the Congress party, the name Allahabad has special connotations, being the birth place of several of its leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru. The party had argued that the city had played a key role in the countrys freedom struggle and renaming it would diminish its importance.

On a visit to Allahabad on Saturday, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had hinted at renaming the city, saying there was a proposal to rename the city in the run-up to the 2019 Kumbh Mela.

Energy minister and government spokesperson Shrikant Sharma had supported the move. "Some persons are objecting to renaming Allahabad as Prayagraj. The objections are baseless. It is the right of the government to rename any city. If needed, we will rename more cities and roads. The mistakes done earlier will be rectified," Sharma had said.

Governor Ram Naik was also supportive of the demands put forth by saints and people of the Sangam city to rename it, the minister had said.The report on Mica-affected homes in Donegal has been published today.

The Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks found that there is likely to be approximately 1,200 dwellings affected in Donegal although there may be as many as 4,800 dwellings potentially affected, as well as 541 social housing units.

The panel's report concludes that the nature of the problem is manifested primarily by the disintegration of the concrete blocks used in the construction of the affected dwellings in counties Donegal and Mayo. This, in turn, has resulted in the appearance of a particular pattern of cracking in the external render of these dwellings. The dwellings are single storey, dormer and two-storey with both housing estates and one-off rural types constructed by contract and by self-build affected. On the basis of the information received, the Panel is of the view that the reason for the widespread pattern cracking in the affected dwellings is primarily due to excessive amounts of materials in the aggregate used to manufacture the concrete blocks which gave rise to deleterious effects. The material in County Donegal was primarily muscovite mica while in County Mayo it was primarily reactive pyrite.

This, in turn, has resulted in the appearance of a particular pattern of cracking in the external render of these dwellings. The dwellings are single storey, dormer and two-storey with both housing estates and one-off rural types constructed by contract and by self-build affected.Hero MotoCorp is the largest two-wheeler manufacturing company in the world with a product portfolio consisting mainly of commuter motorcycles. In India alone, 46% of all two-wheelers sold are Hero MotoCorp models.

India is one of the important markets in the world for two-wheelers and many foreign companies have invested a lot in the country for the same reason; Honda Two Wheelers, Suzuki Motorcycle and Yamaha Motor being some of them. If we look at the list of best-selling bikes in India, the top positions will always be acquired by a Hero product.

Hero Splendor has crossed 7 lakh in sales for thefifth time in the company history. In the fiscal of April to September 2018, Hero MotoCorp managed to sell over 42 lakh units and the company expects to meet even higher sales figures in the upcoming festive season.

Besides the Splendor, the Hero Passion range of commuter bikes also manages to sell really well, month-on-month. Hero MotoCorp has clocked good sales figures with their scooter range too, which mainly includes the Hero Duet and Maestro Edge. The company introduced the Hero Xtreme 200R recently with Virat Kohli as their new brand ambassador.

The Splendor has been on the Indian market for more than 20 years. It was the very best-selling two-wheeler in the country for a long time (until the Honda Activa recently took its title). The Hero Splendor is currently available in three variants: Plus, Plus i3S and iSmart 110.

Powering the first two Splendor models is a 97.2cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine which makes 8.2bhp and 8.05Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the Splendor iSmart 110 comes with a 109.15cc air-cooled single-cylinder unit capable of giving 9.3bhp and 9Nm of torque. Both engines come mated to a 4-speed gearbox.

Thoughts On The Hero Splendor And Its Sales World Record

The Hero Splendor is a perfect budget choice for both urban and rural sectors of the Indian automotive market; the latter being the more popular. Sales have always been high for the Hero Splendor, thanks to its affordability, high mileage figures and the trust of the common Indian in the company. With the motorcycle making a new world sales record, its popularity will increase in various foreign markets too.Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.

Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.

If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider subscribing to our ePaper and/or free daily Newsletter .

Support our mission and join our community now.Louth County Council has been shortlisted in the Local Authority Engineering Initiative Award category, sponsored by Colas Bitumen Emulsions, for its work on returning vacant houses to use for social tenants.

As part of this initiative by Louth County Council, 38 properties have been tenanted, while 21 houses currently have contractors on site, with another 27 in the pipeline to be surveyed and tendered.

The Local Authority Engineering Initiative Award is just one of twelve category awards which will be presented at the forthcoming Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards. The awards, held in association with ESB, are presented annually in recognition of the achievements of engineers that have demonstrated exceptional engineering skills.

As well as identifying leaders within the engineering industry, the awards provide an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the invaluable contribution the engineering profession makes to society.

Engineers Ireland is also urging the Louth public to now vote online for what they consider to be the best overall national

Engineering Project of the Year before the midnight deadline of Friday, 2 November.Local pubs play a key role in the social life of our communities and in this weeks Dundalk Democrat we celebrate the institution that is the Irish pub. Our 16 page supplement, Loving Your Local, produced in conjunction with the Vintners Federation of Ireland looks at the Irish pub has evolved over the years but still remains very much at the heart of local life.

Before social media and phones, you probably got your information by going to the local pub, John Byrne of Byrnes Pub on Hill St Dundalk told Loving Your Local, as he cast an eye on the changes that have occurred in the business over the years. He outlines how diversity has enhanced the business. Byrnes has branched into off-sales and they developed their outdoor space as well.

We would call ourselves a horse with four tricks, he remarked.

Loving Your Local looks at how pubs around the country have adapted to change while at the same time remaining at the heart of local communities, reflecting the changes in Irish society but staying firmly at the centre of it all.

Check out our 16 page Loving Your Local supplement HERE or in this week's Dundalk Democrat.

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Nearly 60 percent of small businesses have been the victims of a cyberattack over the past year, but the vast majority didn't realize that they had been attacked, according to Nationwide's third annual survey, released Monday.

The insurance company tapped 1,069 businesses with fewer than 299 employees for the study. Initially, only 13 percent of the participating companies said they had been victims of a cyberattack. However, after they were shown a list of cyberattack types -- ranging from phishing scams to trojan horses to ransomware -- that figure shot up to 58 percent.

"Cyberattacks are one of the greatest threats to the modern company," said Mark Berven, Nationwide's president of property and casualty. "Business owners are telling us that cybercriminals aren't just attacking large companies on Wall Street."

The companies that are targeted often have fewer cyberdefense systems, less money to invest in threat protection, and less name recognition at risk from a breach.

The most common forms of attack, based on the survey, were computer viruses, cited by 36 percent of respondents. Next came phishing attacks, cited by 29 percent, and then trojan horses, cited by 13 percent.

Lack of preparedness was a significant problem for the companies surveyed. About 57 percent of the firms did not have dedicated employee or vendor monitoring for cyberattacks in place. About 76 percent did not have a plan for dealing with such attacks. Fifty-seven percent did not have a plan for protecting employee data, and 54 percent lacked a plan for protecting customer data.

Recovery from cyberattacks in many cases was slow and expensive. About 20 percent of cyberattack victims spent US$50,000 and took more than six months to recover, while 7 percent spent more than $100,000 and took more than a year to recover.

Money Matters

Cyberattackers typically steal credit card information from companies with customers who make purchases from them, noted Karen Johnston, a technical consultant with Nationwide. that much

They also steal personally identifiable information -- such as addresses, names and Social Security numbers -- that hackers can use to apply for new credit cards or loans, she told the E-Commerce Times.

Small businesses need to make sure their systems have proper antivirus and firewall protections, and make sure their systems are password-protected and properly patched and updated with the latest versions of antivirus and operating system software, Johnston said.

Companies also need to have up-to-date backups of their critical systems and customer data, and consider having cloud backups of this information, she suggested.

Further, most small businesses fail to have proper cyber-risk insurance, Johnston noted -- or they think they are covered by existing business policies when they are not.

Protections Lacking

With their limited resources, small businesses tend to be more vulnerable to cyberattacks than larger enterprises.

"Small businesses are one of the most at-risk sectors of the market, in part because their data is equally valuable to an attacker and simultaneously their protections are significantly [less] than what you would see in a mid-size or enterprise business," explained Kevin O'Brien, CEO of GreatHorn.

Cyberthieves are likely to sell whatever data they find on the Dark Web, and the price per item likely will be the same, whether the firm that was breached was a Fortune 500 or a much smaller firm, he told the E-Commerce Times.

The majority of attacks still arrive via email, but there recently has been a rapid increase in attacks via mobile devices and social media, observed Ryan Kalember, senior vice president of cybersecurity strategy at Proofpoint.

Technology firms and companies with complex supply chains, like manufacturers, are targeted more frequently, with about 40 email fraud attempts per organization, he told the E-Commerce Times.

"Small businesses can be a really sweet spot for cybercriminals. They have more money to steal than a consumer and less security in place than a large business," said Kevin Haley, director of security response at Symantec.

"They are also often dependent on third-party vendors for their technology," he told the E-Commerce Times. "Meanwhile, cybercriminals can be very successful specializing in breaching one technology or solution and working their way through the small businesses that use it."

David Jones is a freelance writer based in Essex County, New Jersey. He has written for Reuters, Bloomberg, Crain's New York Business and The New York Times.



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What accounts for the amazing success of Apple and Starbucks? They both connect with users on an emotional level. This "secret" is evident to anyone who looks closely, and you can apply it to succeed with your own company and improve your own life.

Apple was a struggling computer maker until the 1990s, when Steve Jobs returned. Jobs connected with the user base in a new way. Customers loved him -- he created an emotional connection with the company.

That emotional connection helped Apple grow rapidly, even with several missteps along the way. The iPod, iPhone, iPad and more have lulled users into a comfortable cocoon that has been pretty much bulletproof, so far.

Ties vs. Turtlenecks

Think of how Apple compares to Microsoft. Microsoft is more like IBM. Perhaps its employees don't wear suits, white shirts and ties, but that's no longer true at IBM either. Still, the analogy holds: Microsoft is a large and powerful company, but without emotion.

On the other hand, Apple has more of a hippie persona -- you know, Apple employees are warm-hearted folks sporting jeans and flip flops, and wanting to save the world. Yes, Apple is run by smart business people, but the company's brand oozes emotion. Terms like "love" seem to apply to Apple, not Microsoft.

Starbucks is another example. Its customers get a warm and fuzzy feeling going to their favorite coffee shop. There are many other companies that fit the Apple and Starbucks model. Appealing to emotions is a winning model.

When companies succeed in getting their customers to fall in love with them, they win loyalty. Even when the company makes a mistake, its customers don't run to competitors. Instead, they give them the time and room they need to fix their problems. Loving a company lets customers forgive the occasional screw-up, and every company screws up from time to time.

Staying Power

Apple has survived problems in the last decade what would have sunk other companies. Remember antenna-gate several years ago? Now it is dealing with battery-gate. I predict Apple will get past this new problem as well, simply because its users love the company -- and love is the key.

Apple and Starbucks each filled an emotional need that previously had not been addressed. I am not suggesting these companies don't make mistakes -- they make plenty. However, their customers don't leave, due to the emotional connection.

If you can focus on making strong emotional connections in your company, as well as in your professional life and your personal life, you may find yourself on the same winning wave as Apple and Starbucks. It's worth some consideration.

Jeff Kagan has been an ECT News Network columnist since 2010. His focus is on the wireless and telecom industries. He is an independent analyst, consultant and speaker. Email Jeff.



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An empty chair reserved for Google became the focal point for harsh criticism Wednesday at the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee's hearing on Russian meddling in the 2016 elections.

After thanking Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey for agreeing to testify at the forum, Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., added, "I'm disappointed Google decided against sending the right senior level executive to participate in what I truly expect to be a productive discussion."

Vice Chairman Mark R. Warner, D-Va., also expressed displeasure. "I'm deeply disappointed that Google, one of the most influential digital platforms in the world, chose not to send its own top corporate leadership to engage this committee."

Google needs to answer questions about conspiracy theories surfacing on Google Search, divisive videos posted to YouTube by Russian agents, and Gmail hacks by state-sponsored operatives, Warner maintained.

"Google has an immense responsibility in this space," he observed. "Given its size and influence, I would have thought the leadership of Google would have wanted to demonstrate how seriously it takes these challenges and actually take a leadership role in this important discussion."

U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on foreign influence operations' use of social media platforms, Sept 5, 2018.

Arrogance or Dodging Questions?

Google dodged the hearing either because it was "arrogant" or because it did not want answer questions about a Google Transparency Project report that revealed how easy it is for Russian troll farms to buy advertising on the service, suggested Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.

"Perhaps Google didn't send a senior executive today because they've recently taken actions -- such as terminating cooperation they've had with the American military on programs like artificial intelligence -- that are designed not just to protect our troops and help them fight and win our country's wars, but to protect civilians as well," said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.

"This is at the very same time that they continue to cooperate with the Chinese Communist Party on matters like artificial intelligence or partner with Huawei and other Chinese telecom companies that are effectively arms of the Chinese Communist Party," he continued.

"Credible reports" suggest that Google has been working to develop a new search engine to satisfy the Chinese Communist Party's censorship standards, after having disclaimed any intent to do so eight years ago, Cotton said.

"Perhaps they didn't send a witness to answer these questions because there is no answer to those questions," he said.

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg testifies before The Senate Intelligence Committee in a hearing on foreign influence operations and their use of social media platforms on Sept. 5, 2018.

Communication Breakdown

Despite committee members' suggestions to the contrary, Google said it has been cooperating with the Senate panel for months.

"Over the last 18 months we've met with dozens of committee members and briefed major congressional committees numerous times on our work to prevent foreign interference in U.S. elections," Google spokesperson Riva B. Sciuto said.

"Our senior vice president of global affairs and chief legal officer, who reports directly to our CEO and is responsible for our work in this area, will be in Washington, D.C., today (Wednesday), where he will deliver written testimony, brief members of Congress on our work, and answer any questions they have," she continued.

"We had informed the Senate Intelligence Committee of this in late July and had understood that he would be an appropriate witness for this hearing," Sciuto added.

If Google were dodging the hearing, it could be a bad miscalculation for the company.

"Google hiding out will backfire, since this isn't going away," said James A. Lewis, senior vice president and the director of the technology and public policy program for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization in Washington, D.C.

Social Animal of Different Color

Although Google appears to have been ready to take its place in the empty chair beside Sandberg and Dorsey, it may have less in common with Facebook and Twitter than the miffed members of the Intelligence committee would like to believe.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey testifies before The Senate Intelligence Committee in a hearing on foreign influence operations and their use of social media platforms on Sept. 5, 2018.

"Google has a very different story to tell than Twitter or Facebook," said Karen North, director of USC Annenberg's Digital Social Media program.

"They provide people with searches for products and services," she told TechNewsWorld. "What they're not doing is providing social interaction like Facebook and Twitter."

Google may have some things in common with social networks, but it "doesn't want to be lumped together with Twitter and Facebook," he told TechNewsWorld. "Google has issues with privacy, with monopoly, but search is different from social media."

Changes Coming

The Intelligence Committee's Wednesday hearing was the fourth in a series of forums on Russian election meddling. Where the lawmakers will take the information they've gathered from the sessions remains to be seen. One target for legislation may be advertising.

"It's likely these hearings will result in the laws on advertising imposed on traditional media being extended to social media," USC's North said, "but for the daily users of social media, there won't be much change, except the reduction of misleading ads that look like news stories."

Regulating social media will be hard because of free speech issues, the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Lewis told TechNewsWorld. That doesn't mean, however, that the companies won't change their ways.

"People are tired of the companies disclaiming responsibility by saying they are only the platform," he said. "In response, the companies will change how they do business."

Problem Without a Solution

Still, the social media companies may be unable to address their problems without legislative intervention, Lewis suggested.

"It will be hard to craft regulation in the U.S., but the Europeans will be less constrained and are very unhappy with the U.S. giants," he said. "The best solution might be holding the companies accountable, through regulation, on being transparent to their users about other users and news sources."

The Senate hearings are primarily an exercise in public relations, noted John Carroll, assistant professor of mass communication at Boston University.

"The lawmakers want to seem like they're addressing these problems, and the tech companies want to seem like they're addressing the problems," he told TechNewsWorld. "Many of these problems are essentially unsolvable. The digital space is just too vast for them to control it in the way that some lawmakers want it to be controlled."

John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John.



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Just five years ago, mobile e-commerce was a minor part of the e-commerce landscape.

Today, most online searches are carried out from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, and 40 percent of all e-commerce is carried out from smartphones.

This has forever changed the e-commerce industry.

Why Mobile E-Commerce Is Important for Businesses

The smartphone is the most important lead channel. Smartphones are an extended part of our brains and social life. We check our phones approximately 80 times a day, and they have become an integrated part of both our online and offline shopping experience.

You probably recognize this: A product you consider buying comes to mind, and you instantly grab your smartphone to google it. So do most other customers, with the statistics speaking for themselves: A staggering 76 percent of all Americans rely on their smartphone to find a local store to carry out purchases, which has made the smartphone the most important lead channel to retail stores. Furthermore, 30 percent use their smartphone to compare prices when shopping in store, based on Deloitte's Omni-Channel Consumer Survey.

The smartphone's importance is not limited to attracting local shoppers to your retail store. It has become a major part of the online shopping experience, with 73 percent of all customers using their smartphone to research an item before buying it, and 70 percent using it to check prices, according to Nielsen.

Needless to say, the smartphone in just a few years has become a game changer in both the online and offline industry.

On top of this, 40 percent of all global e-commerce today comes from directly from mobile e-commerce, which furthermore underlines why mobile e-commerce is important for all businesses to attract, convert and retain customers.

Keeping that in mind, how do businesses prepare themselves for this new mobile e-commerce paradigm?

First, they should know an essential fact: Customer conversion rates on smartphones are approximately 50 percent lower than the equivalent desktop customer conversion rates. This means that 50 percent fewer visitors end up buying a product.

In an analysis based on 100,000 visitors, Monetate identified the following average Customer Conversion Rates: A desktop has a 3.5 percent customer conversion rate, while a smartphone has a 1.4 percent customer conversion rate.

These numbers very clearly illustrate that most online shops have a largely untapped business potential in terms of truly optimizing their e-commerce stores for smartphones.

The Top 10 Mobile E-Commerce Conversion Killers

To realize their full mobile e-commerce potential, businesses should avoid these top 10 mobile e-commerce conversion killers:

1. Not Mobile Ready

If an e-commerce store is not mobile ready, it not only will provide a poor or close-to-no shopping experience, but also will not be indexed in search engines such as Google.

This is due to the fact that Google is rolling out Google Mobile First Index as we speak. First it crawls your smartphone e-commerce store to decide how to rank your smartphone, tablet and desktop store in Google search results. This has forever changed online search and e-commerce.

To make sure your e-commerce store is mobile ready, start by running a test at this site.

2. Not Optimized for Smartphone DNA

The most common way to make sure that an e-commerce store is mobile ready is to implement a "responsive design," which in simple terms ensures that a website's content adjusts to the screen sizes of smartphones, tablets and desktops, accordingly.

Responsive design, however, does not fully comply with the DNA of the smartphone interface. You therefore must adapt features -- such as navigation, search, filters, the shopping cart, and especially checkout -- to the smartphone interface to maximize your mobile e-commerce customer conversion rate.

3. Too Slow - Speed Matters

Speed always has been an essential part of the online shopping experience. If a site is too slow, customers lose patience and go astray. On the smartphone, however, this fact is even more predominant -- 53 percent of all customers abandon mobile websites that take longer than three seconds to load.

It is therefore essential that businesses do everything they can to optimize the way their website content, images and code are structured and programmed. To fully master quick load time, businesses can implement AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) which ensures that customers experience very quick and close-to-instant page loads when entering a Mobile website.

To avoid losing customers due to slow page loads, test the speed of your mobile e-commerce store and then correct the errors identified in the test report.

4. Complicated Navigation

Poor navigation is the Achilles heel of many mobile e-commerce stores. The main reason for this is that the navigation has not been adapted specifically to the small smartphone interface and navigation patterns. Since approximately 30 percent of all customers in smartphone e-commerce stores do not find what they are looking for, a smooth and simple navigation is especially important.

When you design a navigation, there are five fundamental principles you can keep in mind, where your customers must get answers to all the following questions without having to think:

Where is my navigation?

Where am I?

Where can I go?

Where did I come from?

How do I get back to where I came from?

As simple as this may sound, it may be very difficult to design. To cut corners, I recommend that you seek inspiration from the navigation design at Zalando.

5. Poor Search

Due to these smartphone-specific navigation problems, more customers search mobile e-commerce stores than desktop stores. Since mobile e-commerce customers quickly lose their orientation and patience on the small smartphone screen, the search feature really is the mobile e-commerce epicenter. If the search engine does not work well, the mobile customer conversion rate will suffer dramatically.

Customers not only expect you help them find the products they are looking for when pressing the "search" button, but also expect that you suggest matching products or product categories as they type along.

Amazon.com is a champion at mastering mobile e-commerce search. If a customer for instance writes "furni" in the search field, Amazon suggests "furniture pads," "furniture sliders," etc., based on the customer's search input.

On top of that, about 10-15 percent of all searches carried out at Mobile e-commerce stores are based on misspelled searches. It is therefore crucial that you help customers correct typos when they enter their search words or when they get a search result.

If a customer carries out a misspelled search for "battari," Amazon then inserts a link to "did you mean: battery" at the top of the search results. A customer who clicks on that link gets the correct battery search result.

These two intelligent search features undoubtedly are a central key to Amazon's massive online success. You therefore can feel safe in checking out Amazon's mobile e-commerce store for high-end search engine inspiration. It is best-in-class.

6. Poor Filters

Approximately 30 percent of all customers give up locating products at mobile e-commerce stores, even though they are in stock. Imagine the same scenario in the retail industry -- that would be terrifying. The main reason customers cannot figure out how to locate products has to do with poor filters in search results and product lists.

The first filter trick is to display an obvious "Filter" button on all product list pages, since many customers press this to narrow down the number of matching products. After a customer has pressed this button, you should then offer the option of more filters, such as size and brand on a separate page or in a dimmed layer on top of the page.

Many mobile e-commerce companies wrongly open filters inside the product filter page, which clutters the page and makes is difficult to use. After selecting one or more filters, a customer should be able to press a "View items" button to return to the product list page in order to browse the products available.

This may sound simple; however, it can be difficult to design in a user-friendly manor. To save a lot of time and money, you can look at the filters at Asos -- they are close to perfect.

7. Not Able to Save for Later

Approximately 71 percent of abandoned shopping carts, according to Forrester, are due to three main reasons:

The delivery costs are too high

Customers are not ready to buy

Customers compare prices at multiple sites

Not many shop owners are aware that customers leave their e-commerce store simply because they are not ready to buy. Amazon, however, has a very clever way of solving this issue -- it displays "Save for later" buttons next to each item in the shopping cart.

If a customer is not ready to buy the Levi's jeans in his shopping cart, he can just save them for later and then return to buy them whenever he is ready. This is a brilliant solution, especially since Amazon displays products saved for later below the shopping cart. Customers are exposed to the products every single time they add a product to the shopping cart.

Knowing which products, a customer has saved for later and thus considered buying is a gold mine for personalized emails and other marketing purposes. Very clever indeed.

8. No Guest Checkout Option

If you force customers to register to shop at your mobile e-commerce store, 30-50 percent will leave it at the login page, according to Jakob Nielsen. Tthis is one of the worst conversion killers of all. This login problem is quite easy to solve, however, simply by offering the customer a "guest checkout" option that does not require that customers create a password to complete a checkout.

Debenhams has solved this issue by allowing the customer to "continue as a guest" (with no registration required) when entering its checkout flow. After they have completed the checkout process, customers can decide if they would like to register to get membership deals, etc. This is a very good way to maximize the mobile e-commerce customer conversion rate, based on a simple solution.

9. Complicated Checkout

Approximately 50 percent of all customers who enter checkout do not complete it, according to Boston Consulting Group, mainly since many mobile e-commerce stores ask for too many personal details and due to poor usability. Bearing that in mind, this is where you can improve your customer conversion rate the most.

To design a smooth checkout, the first trick is to create a checkout funnel, where you remove the store's main navigation and instead insert an obvious 1, 2, and 3 checkout step-indicator. At this point, customers would appreciate a quick and hassle-free checkout, rather than being required to navigate to your mobile e-commerce store. Since you would like to close the deal, you and the customer have a shared interest and goal.

Next, you should make it very easy to select and understand time of delivery and delivery costs, based on a "fat-finger-proof interface," especially optimized for smartphones. When delivery has been selected, it is very important that the customer can enter personal details as quickly as possible.

It takes a lot of time to enter name, address, etc. on a smartphone, so you should remove all unnecessary input fields and help customers look up addresses, based on phone number and postal code, if possible. Since you may lose 20-25 percent of all customers based on a complex personal data page during checkout, this can help you make a lot of money.

Finally, you must make sure that customers can pay by selecting a preferred means of payment, and that they can verify their orders -- to make sure everything is OK -- before pressing that crucial "pay" button.

10. Not User-Tested

It is obvious that many mobile e-commerce stores have not been user-tested. This is a shame, since it is the fastest and most efficient way to locate about 85 percent of all usability errors.

What is a user test? A user test first and foremost has the secret superpower of including real customers in the design and optimization process. A user test is also called a "think-aloud test" because the users in the test talk aloud about how they perceive the user interface: what they like, why they get stuck, etc.

Most user tests are based on five representative customers who help you locate approximately 85 percent of all errors within the given tasks. This makes a user test the most powerful conversion optimization tool out there. It does not take a lot of time to test, and it is based on real customers interacting with your e-commerce store, based on real-life shopping scenarios.

When you carry out a user test, normally you locate 30-50 usability errors, of which four to five are conversion killers that cause you to lose customers -- customers who most likely never will return.

By solving the usability errors located in the user test, you ensure that your mobile e-commerce store is better than most of your competitors, which certainly will improve your mobile customer conversion rate and revenue.

If you are a "Do-It-Yourself" person, you can even learn how to carry out user tests yourself by reading Rocket Surgery Made Easy by Steve Krug.

Benjamin Gundgaard is a European e-commerce expert, keynote speaker and founder of CustomerSense, an independent, high-end e-commerce consultancy that helps companies build and optimize their e-commerce Web stores. Gundgaard is also the author of Smartphone E-commerce. He lives in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Major California utility Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) shut off power to 60,000 Northern California residents Sunday night in an attempt to reduce the risk of wildfires sparking from hot, dry windy weather, the Huffington Post reported Tuesday.

A total of 100,000 people were warned their power might be cut off due to wind speeds of 60 miles per hour and gusts of 70 miles per hour increasing the risk of electrical fires.

"The safety of our customers and the communities we serve is PG&E's top priority," PG&E's senior vice president of electric operations Pat Hogan told the Huffington Post. "We know how much our customers rely on electric service and only considered temporarily turning off power in the interest of safety, and as a last resort during extreme weather conditions."

The communities covered by the blackout were about 42,0000 customers in El Dorado, Amador and Calaveras counties in the Sierra Foothills and 17,483 customers in parts of Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties, CNN reported.

PG&E tweeted Monday night that they had restored power to more than 38,000 customers in the North Bay and the Sierra Foothills as of 9:30 p.m. and expected to restore power to their remaining customers by Tuesday.

More than 22 million people both in Northern and Southern California were under a Red Flag Warning Monday, the warning issued when conditions are ripe for wildfires, CNN meteorologist Haley Brink said.



"It's fire weather season," Brink said. "Any new fires that do form today will spread rapidly."

Trees striking power lines are a major fire risk, and were the cause of a dozen of the fires that formed a deadly cluster in Northern California in the fall of 2017, according to a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection report cited by the Huffington Post.

But some customers and consumer advocates said the blackouts were less about protecting the public, and more about protecting utilities from liability.

California Governor Jerry Brown signed a law weeks ago that allows PG&E to pay off the more than 200 lawsuits it is facing over the 2017 fires using state bonds, but the legislation did not spare the utilities from future liability.

"When the utilities don't get what they want, they start turning the power off," Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court told The New York Times. "They were disappointed in the Legislature. They clearly want more. They want no liability."

Locals also complained that the blackouts were only necessary because PG&E hadn't done the work of maintaining its lines by clearing trees ahead of time.

"There's a feeling that this is because PG&E didn't take care of what needed to be taken care of in the past, and now we're having to pay the price for that," Nevada City independent movie theater manager Celine Negrete told the San Francisco Chronicle, as the Huffington Post reported. "That's what I'm hearing on social media really loudly."

Increased wildfires in California have been linked to climate change, and senior vice president for transmission and distribution at Southern California Edison Phil Herrington, whose utility also warned customers they could face blackouts, defended the utilities' actions as an extreme response to an extreme situation.

"The change in weather patterns that we're seeing, we have to look at everything in a new light," Herrington told The New York Times "It is something that truly is a last resort for us."Months after the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a hefty blow to teachers unions, a rash of new lawsuits has emerged that could further damage these labor groups.

Across the country, teachers unions are facing more than a dozen legal challenges from two major right-leaning sources in the wake of the Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31 decision , which ended public-sector unions ability to collect agency, or fair share, fees. Those fees were charged to workers in some states who chose not to become full members of their unions. They were meant to cover the cost of collective bargaining.

The decision, issued in June, is expected to significantly dent teachers unions treasuries and membership numbers. (The extent of the fallout is still to be determined.) But as it turns out, that lawsuit was only the beginning of the unions struggles.

There are two main strands to this new wave of anti-union lawsuits: 1) challenges to time-limited windows during which teachers can opt out of membership payroll deductions, and 2) pushes for teachers to be reimbursed for the agency fees they paid before the Janus decision.

Everybody knows where the end of this litigation road is, which is the Supreme Court, said Sharon Block, the executive director of the Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School. Janus is sadly not the end of the road. This road just got a lot harder.

There are even a few cases arguing that unions should not act as the sole representative for all workers in a bargaining unit if some workers do not want to be union members. Currently, unions bargain on behalf of all teachers in a district, regardless of whether teachers choose to be members.

This multipronged legal campaign is not unexpected, experts say.

The Janus decision still left much up for individual states to interpret and decide, said Bradley Marianno, an assistant professor of educational policy and leadership at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Were seeing states and courts try to navigate how to implement the different aspects of the Janus decision right now.

One of the most prolific sources of litigation against teachers unions has been Jonathan F. Mitchell, a conservative attorney who was tapped by President Donald Trump to head the Administrative Conference of the United States, a nonpartisan agency charged with improving government processes and procedures. The Senate has yet to confirm Mitchells nomination.

This year, Mitchell has filed at least nine federal class-action lawsuits against teachers unions, including in California, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Hes also filed several similar lawsuits against other public-sector unions. Mitchell did not respond to a request for comment.

And in a separate legal campaign, the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation is supporting several additional lawsuits against teachers unions, with more expected soon.

These suits are part of a larger, coordinated effort by the right wing do two things, said Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, in a provided statement. They want unions to spend the time and money to defend them so they can defund and distract us, and they want these cases to get to the Supreme Court, now that [Brett] Kavanaugh and [Neil] Gorsuch are seated, to further erode workers rights.

Should Unions Refund Fees?

So far, the bulk of the cases center around the question of whether teachers who were obligated to pay fees to the unions in the past should have that money repaid to them .

Those teachers are entitled to their money back, said Patrick Semmens, a spokesman for the National Right to Work Foundation. The Supreme Court had ruled that the collection of agency fees violated teachers First Amendment rights, because they were essentially paying a union whose policies and actions they might not support.

Semmens added that Justice Samuel Alito wrote in his decision in the Janus case that unions have been on notice for years about the Supreme Courts misgivings toward agency fees. In 2012, the Supreme Court described the practice as a First Amendment anomaly.

They knew there was a risk when they continued taking dues after [the 2012 case ], Semmens said.

Under the statute of limitations in most states, teachers could potentially get up to two years of agency fees paid back, Semmens saidputting millions of dollars at stake for the unions. But for their part, the unions have consistently rebuked the validity of these claims.

We believe we will be successful in defending a proposition that when someone acts in good faith based on existing law to collect fees as the unions did, ... there is not liability, said Alice OBrien, the general counsel for the National Education Association.

Some of the lawsuits that Mitchell filed also create a new class of plaintiffs: teachers who say they joined the unions because they felt like they had little choice. Had they not been required to pay agency fees, which often cost nearly as much as a full membership, they would not have become members, they argue. Those teachers are seeking restitution in the amount of the agency fees they paid, whether they retained or resigned their union membership.

For example, in a lawsuit filed against Education Minnesota, plaintiff Deborah York, a now-retired teacher, chose to remain a member of the union even though she opposed its collective-bargaining activities and political and ideological advocacy, because resigning her membership would have saved very little money and would not have been worth the cost of losing her vote and whatever little influence she might have in collective-bargaining matters, the suit read.

But unions, including Education Minnesota, maintain that teachers always had a choice whether to belong to the union or just pay agency fees.

I dont think the law runs backwards in that way, OBrien said. I think the law holds people to the choices they made at the time they made them.

Hotel California Agreements

Another thread of litigation is a challenge to unions opt-out, or drop, windows. In many places, teachers union dues are deducted from employees paychecks. Some unions only allow teachers to stop the payroll deduction during a certain date range in the year. That means teachers could decide they want to leave the union, but have to keep paying membership dues for months until the drop window rolls around. The drop window varies in duration, but can be as short as a few days.

There are at least two separate lawsuitsin New Jersey and Washington statechallenging these opt-out windows. (Those suits are against public-sector unions, but not specifically teachers unions.) Some of Mitchells lawsuits also incorporate this complaint. And Semmens said there will likely be more litigation to come.

You have a right not to be a union member, and the second youre no longer a formal union member, then any money taken from you violates your constitutional rights, he said.

In the case against Education Minnesota, the plaintiffs are asking the court to order the union to immediately honor and enforce a teachers decision to withdraw payment, regardless of the time of year that decision is made. Douglas Seaton, an attorney who is Mitchells co-counsel in the Minnesota case, called the seven-day window akin to Hotel California-style agreements.

In a provided statement, Education Minnesota President Denise Specht said the opt-out windows are valid and reasonable, likening them to enrollment windows for health-care plans.

Drop windows prevent someone from joining the union only long enough to vote on a contract or to obtain a member-only benefit, including our popular relicensure classes, before canceling their membership, she said. Drop windows also give our union predictability in our finances so we can provide services to members based on an annual budget, just like any other organization.

A Long, Hard Road for Unions

Even if the unions ultimately triumph in these legal challenges, it will be a long, expensive battle to fight them in court. And the loss of agency feesand an expected loss of members, now that its easier to cut ties with the unionhas already hit teachers unions coffers. The National Education Associations 2018-20 budget includes a $50 million reduction.

However, the NEAs budget, which passed this summer, also invested more money into the unions legal fund to defend against these kinds of legal attacks. Union leaders themselves expect the post-Janus litigation to eventually reach the nations highest court.

If so, the case will be heard by a mostly conservative bench, which includes the newest justice, Brett Kavanaugh. Union leaders had fought bitterly against Kavanaughs nomination, in part because of his record on labor cases. Harvards Block said he has been hostile to the interests of workers in the past.

In the meantime, the University of Nevadas Marianno said unions will have to double down on attracting and retaining dues-paying members. That will likely be through an increased emphasis on teacher voice , he said, which could include more labor unrest. There were six widescale teacher walkouts and protests in the spring, and already this school year, there was a series of teacher strikes in Washington state . Teachers in the nations second-largest district, Los Angeles Unified, could soon strike, too .

Indeed, AFTs Weingarten warned that the parties filing the cases should be careful what [they wish] for.

Where once labor questions were resolved at the bargaining table, cases like these, if successful, make it far more likely theyll be fought in statehouses and the streets, she said. They will make unions more political, not less.Statue of Cornelius Smelt Proposed for Ancient Capital

Theres a call to build a statue of Cornelius Smelt on the column in Castletowns Market Square.

Local resident David Bromilow is calling for action to be taken to complete the project begun after the former lieutenant governors death in 1832.

But former town MHK and chief minister Tony Brown believes there wouldnt be enough support to raise the money for the statue.One way to improve enterprise security is to try to understand all the steps that an attacker can take to fully compromise an organization. By thinking like an attacker and implementing security controls for each attack phase, an organization can help reduce cyber risk.

Thats one of the key messages that Matthew Maglieri, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Ruby Life, shared at the SecTor conference in Toronto. If youre not familiar with the name Ruby Life, youre likely not alone. Its the re-branded name for Avid Live Media, which was the parent company of adult infidelity website Ashley Madison.

Ashley Madison was the victim of a high profile data breach in July 2015. In the aftermath of that breach, Maglieri was brought in to help restore trust and security in the platform. Before joining Ruby Life, Maglieri worked at FireEyes Mandiant incident response business unit, where he saw firsthand how organizations of all sizes were affected by hackers.

While hackers and offensive security activities led to the breach at Ashley Madison and countless other incidents Maglieri has investigated, he sees value in using the same approach that attackers use in order to help organizations boost their security. Its a model he referred to as offensive risk management, which includes multiple steps.

What weve done is weve actually taken each phase of the targeted attack lifecycle, broken it out, documented the common phase activities and then listed all of our controls against those phase activities, Maglieri said.

Those attack phases are:

Initial Recon

The initial reconnaissance stage is when the attacker scopes out the organization. During this phase, attackers conduct both passive and active port and service scanning to get an understanding of what an organization has that is facing the public internet.

Part of the initial recon stage can also involve using other sources of public intelligence such as LinkedIn. Maglieri said he has seen employees of large organizations publicly post about what versions of software and technologies they use as part of their job. That information can be valuable in helping an attacker quantify a potential target.

Example Controls: Acceptable use policy, including guidelines on how to avoid revealing sensitive information online, and active and passive scan monitoring.

Initial Compromise

The initial compromise phase is when the attacker gains some level of access to the target organization. Among the most common ways that the initial compromise is achieved is via a phishing email or other social engineering activity.

Initial compromise can also come as a result of an internet-facing service misconfiguration as well as unpatched known vulnerabilities.

Example controls: Anti-phishing and email content filtering and other email security measures, security awareness and training, vulnerability and patch management.

Establish Foothold

After the initial compromise, an attacker will need to establish some sort of foothold in order to have persistence within an environment and move laterally in an organization to get more information.

During this phase, Maglieri said attackers often deploy software that will enable command and control of the victim system.

Example controls: Endpoint protection software, network protection software (to block command and control activity).

Escalate Privileges

Attackers rarely, if ever, will be able to get full administrative privileges to a target environment though the initial compromise or foothold stages of an attack.

Escalating privileges is all about expanding the hackers level of access within an organization to get at more data.

Example controls: Host-based exploit prevention, password vault secure credential storage.

Internal Recon

Once inside a network with the right level of access, attackers will want to see whats there.

During the internal recon phase, attackers do multiple things, including directory service queries, fileshare scanning and port scanning, in an effort to discover other areas where valuable information can be hidden.

Example controls: Network segmentation, continuous anomaly detection.

Lateral Movement

Attackers generally need to move around inside of an environment to get to the sensitive data. During this, phase common attacker activities include the use of remote access protocols and services.

Example controls: Blocking host-to-host communication, network segmentation, multi-factor authentication.

Maintain Presence

Throughout the attack lifecycle, the attacker has to maintain presence in order to keep their access to the victims environment. That presence can potentially come over a VPN or from internet-facing web shells.

Example controls: Network protection, VPN monitoring, active threat hunting.

Complete Mission

Lastly, the attacker is going to complete their mission, Maglieri said.

That mission could be about exfiltration of data or some other malicious activity. If an organization has not disrupted an attack by this phase, there is little chance they will do so at this point.

That said, what can be done at this stage is making sure there is an incident response plan in place to help understand and know what to do.

Example controls: Incident Response Plan.

Overall, Maglieri emphasized that while it might seem some days like attackers have the upper hand, cybersecurity today is a board-level conversation, and organizations, like his, that have suffered breaches have recovered.

We need to communicate and collaborate, because I guarantee your adversaries are, he said.

Sean Michael Kerner is a senior editor at eSecurityPlanet and InternetNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @TechJournalist.Structural changes to protective neural membranes may be involved in onset of neurodegenerative disease, Tel Aviv University researchers say

A new Tel Aviv University study finds that certain environmental conditions may precipitate structural changes that take place in myelin sheaths in the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS). Myelin sheaths are the "insulating tape" surrounding axons; axons carry electrical impulses in neurons.

The research demonstrates that myelin sheaths undergo structural transitions when triggered by changes in local environmental conditions, such as salt concentration (salinity) and temperature. These transitions, according to the study, render the body vulnerable to autoimmune attacks that can lead to MS.

The research was led by Prof. Roy Beck of TAU's School of Physics and Astronomy and conducted by Rona Shaharabani, a doctoral student in Prof. Beck's lab, and Maor Ram-On, a doctoral student in Prof. Ronen Talmon's lab at the Technion Institute of Technology. It was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS).

Earlier research by Prof. Beck revealed that changes in the structure of myelin sheaths are a factor in the development of MS.

"Current therapeutic approaches have focused on the autoimmune response without identifying the culprit," says Prof. Beck. "We have found that under certain environmental conditions, such as elevated salinity and temperature, myelin sheaths protecting neurons undergo structural transitions consistent with pathological myelin structures in multiple sclerosis."

Physiological conditions are regulated in the body itself, but temperature and salinity are subject to localized external changes. The results presented in the study suggest that even minor changes in these conditions may trigger multiple sclerosis.

"The myelin sheaths undergo structural transitions at the molecular level when affected by different environmental conditions. These small modifications create structural instabilities that allow the immune system to attack neurons," says Shaharabani.

The researchers used X-ray scattering and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) to track and measure the myelin sheaths in healthy and diseased animal models. They found that healthy lamellar membranes spontaneously morphed into different pathological structures of nano-scale tubes called inverted hexagonal shapes.

"These results highlight that local environmental conditions are critical for myelin function. These conditions should be considered as alternative possibilities for early diagnosis and as a means of avoiding the onset of demyelination," says Shaharabani. "Since we believe that these structural modifications result in myelin membrane vulnerability to the immune system attacks, it can help explain the causes of MS and perhaps pave the way for a treatment or a cure.

"Since we now have a new biophysical understanding to investigate the degradation of myelin sheaths, we are following up on other candidates that can induce such structural transition. There are several molecular candidates, including specific proteins and other alterations in the myelin's fatty acids, that are relevant, which may unravel further insights to fight multiple sclerosis and related disorders," Shaharabani concludes.

###

American Friends of Tel Aviv University supports Israel's most influential, comprehensive and sought-after center of higher learning, Tel Aviv University (TAU). TAU is recognized and celebrated internationally for creating an innovative, entrepreneurial culture on campus that generates inventions, startups and economic development in Israel. TAU is ranked ninth in the world, and first in Israel, for producing start-up founders of billion-dollar companies, an achievement that surpassed several Ivy League universities. To date, 2,500 US patents have been filed by Tel Aviv University researchers -- ranking TAU #1 in Israel, #10 outside of the US and #43 in the world.Environmental scientists argue that societies should embrace population aging and decrease in an opinion appearing October 16 in the journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution. They cite multiple reports of the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of population aging, mortality-related decrease, and shrinking workforces due to retirement and maintain that, contrary to some economic analyses, costs associated with aging societies are manageable, while smaller populations make for more sustainable societies.

"In many countries, stable and declining populations due to demographic aging are often reported by the media as a problem or crisis," says Frank Gotmark, co-senior author and biologist at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. "But the alternative--endless population growth--is not ecologically possible. Overpopulation leads to serious problems, including excessive consumption, deadly conflicts over scarce resources, and habitat loss leading to species endangerment."

The United Nations' population report from 2017 states that 14 percent of countries currently have declining populations, including Japan, Estonia, and the Czech Republic. The report projects that 32% of countries will have shrinking populations by 2050. But aging and decreasing populations may have social benefits. Gotmark and his co-authors cite Japanese economist Akihiko Matsutani as evidence that shrinking labor pools mean rising wages for individual workers and therefore greater wealth per capita. And smaller populations also mean less crowding, which can cut commute times, reduce stress, maintain green areas, and improve quality of life, according to Israeli environmentalist Alon Tal.

In countries with aging and declining populations, some fear societal challenges that come with population aging, but the authors contend that these fears are overstated. They found no evidence to support the popular belief that population aging leads to worker shortages. They acknowledge that healthcare spending does increase in aging populations, citing work from the National Bureau of Economic Research. But the authors suggest that this increase is manageable, and they argue that societies should invest more in preventative care to reduce future age-related healthcare spending.

Increasing population numbers through policy measures appears to have only a small and temporary effect on the proportion of people 65 and older. Rather than fighting aging, the authors say that societies should allow their population numbers to ebb naturally or face environmental and social consequences, such as conflicts over resources.

"If we don't reverse overpopulation, what happens next will be a sad story," says Gotmark. "We have to recognize that continued population growth is a global threat. Short-term economic concerns, while valid, cannot be prioritized over the long-term health of our environment and our societies."

###

This research was funded by the Global Challenges Foundation, Stockholm.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Gotmark et al.: "Aging human populations: good for us, good for the earth" https://www.cell.com/trends/ecology-evolution/fulltext/S0169-5347(18)30208-8

Trends in Ecology & Evolution (@Trends_Ecol_Evo), published by Cell Press, is a monthly review journal that contains polished, concise and readable reviews, opinions and letters in all areas of ecology and evolutionary science. It aims to keep scientists informed of new developments and ideas across the full range of ecology and evolutionary biology--from the pure to the applied, and from molecular to global. Visit: http://www.cell.com/trends/ecology-evolution. To receive Cell Press media alerts, please contact press@cell.com.Lugano-Munich, 16 October 2018 - A study (1) conducted in Germany draws attention to the fact that the socio-economic burden of cancer is real in Europe too, and not only in the context of the US healthcare system where it has been associated with higher morbidity and mortality. The results to be presented at the ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich show that income loss is the main source of perceived financial hardship, and that this is associated with adverse psychological effects in patients.

The work also highlights the absence of clear definitions and valid instruments with which to examine this issue. Prof. Eva Winkler, study author, medical oncologist at the National Centre for Tumour Diseases (NCT) in Heidelberg, explained the background: "We conducted a systematic literature review of the tools used to measure the subjective financial burden of cancer patients: of the 39 studies we found, most came from the USA, and the instruments they used were either not transferrable to the German context or not sufficiently focused on the subject," she said.

Study co-author Dr. Katja Mehlis from the NCT added: "We were, however, able to identify three broad dimensions through which subjective financial burden could be assessed: material aspects, psychological effects and behavioural changes such as support seeking and coping strategies. Based on this, we developed our own, yet non-validated set of questions covering income, cancer-related out-of-pocket costs, distress and lifestyle changes."

A total of 247 patients, 122 diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours and 125 treated for colorectal cancer, responded to the survey between November 2016 and March 2017. The results brought to light financial impacts in a significant proportion of patients: 80.6% of respondents stated that they faced higher out-of-pocket costs related to their illness.

Although most medical costs in Germany are covered by a person's health insurance, patients do have to contribute co-payments for prescription drugs. Cancer patients may additionally face travel expenses to get to the hospital or medical centre, as well as potentially having to pay for care, housekeeping or childcare. For over three quarters of the patients who responded to the survey, disease-related out-of-pocket costs amounted to less than 200 euros monthly.

Cancer-related income loss was reported by 37.2% of survey participants. "In our study, this effect was more serious than out-of-pocket costs, as the suffered losses exceeded 800 euros per month in almost half of cases. They were mainly due to patients being unable to work or forced to reduce their working hours," said Mehlis.

The analysis further showed that high financial loss relative to income was significantly associated with a lower estimation of patients' quality of life and more distress. "The financial impacts that a majority of these patients experienced seem to have contributed to the burden of their disease: the bigger the loss was in proportion to their previous income level, the more negatively they rated their personal situation," Winkler observed.

"More research is needed to determine what actions are necessary at the system level - for example an extension of the period of eligibility for sickness benefits - or at the individual level, like targeted consulting and support services," she said. "To do this, we will need a valid instrument to measure 'subjective financial burden' in the German context, based on a precise definition of the concept."

Dr. Dirk Arnold of Asklepios Tumorzentrum in Hamburg, Germany, commented for ESMO: "There have been efforts in Germany, including by national entities like the Federal Joint Committee (2) and the Robert Koch Institute (3), to look at the costs of oncology treatment for cancer patients - but they have focused only on drug and procedure-related expenses. With this new study, we can see not just that the financial implications of a cancer diagnosis are much broader, but also that the monetary losses associated with this disease have significant psychosocial consequences."

"We should draw lessons from these findings: just as cancer patients receive consultations about lifestyle issues, like nutrition, so too should the financial aspect somehow be integrated into the social counselling programmes we offer them," Arnold continued. "The fact that medical expenses for patients in Germany - and Europe more generally - are relatively low compared to other parts of the world, should not lead us to underestimate the importance of their perceived financial burden and leave them alone with it. Going forward, it would be interesting to see if assessments of this burden in other European countries produce similar results."

Arnold added: "Alleviating the financial burden of cancer: is one of ESMO's key commitments: earlier this year, ESMO issued a paper (4) on this subject in the context of the implementation of the 2017 World Health Assembly Resolution on Cancer prevention and control." (5)

This paper is the first to articulate the response and commitment oncologists to advance global cancer control through the framework of the 2017 WHA Cancer Resolution and universal health coverage. It addresses key topics like cancer prevention, timely access to treatment and care, palliative and survivorship care, as well as comprehensive data collection through robust cancer registries. The authors also offer a concrete set of actions and policy recommendations for improving patient care.

ESMO's commitment to lessening the burden of cancer is not new: sustainable cancer care is one of the three pillars of the Society's 2020 Vision, (6) and various initiatives have been launched in this field over the years. Among other things, ESMO contributed in 2016 to the revision of the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (7) - the list of vital medicines that should be available to patients everywhere for free or at affordable prices - and added 16 anti-cancer drugs including targeted therapies. With the introduction of its own classification tool, the ESMO Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale, (8) the Society provided a standardised, evidence-based approach to evaluating cancer medicines, thus helping to guide health systems in their decision-making and resource allocation. In collaboration with the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), ESMO also published in 2017 a report (9) on the shortage of inexpensive cancer medicines in Europe, raising awareness for a critical issue that has immediate consequences for patient care and treatment outcomes.

###

Notes to Editors

Please make sure to use the official name of the meeting in your reports: ESMO 2018 Congress

Official Congress hashtag: #ESMO18

Disclaimer

This press release contains information provided by the authors of the highlighted abstracts and reflects the content of those abstracts. It does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ESMO who cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the data. Commentators quoted in the press release are required to comply with the ESMO Declaration of Interests policy and the ESMO Code of Conduct.

References

Abstract 1576P_PR 'Financial toxicity in German cancer patients. How does a chronic disease impact the economic situation?' will be presented by Eva Winkler during the Poster Display Session on Monday, 22 October 2018, 12:45 to 13:45 (CEST) in the Poster Area Networking Hub - Hall A3. Annals of Oncology, Volume 29 Supplement 8 October 2018 http://www.english.g-ba.de/ https://www.rki.de/EN/Home/homepage_node.html https://esmoopen.bmj.com/content/3/2/e000285 https://www.esmo.org/Policy/Policy-News/2017-WHO-Cancer-Resolution-Cancer-prevention-and-control-in-the-context-of-an-integrated-approach https://www.esmo.org/About-Us/ESMO-2020-Vision https://www.esmo.org/Press-Office/Press-Releases/Back-to-the-Essence-of-Medical-Treatment-in-Oncology https://www.esmo.org/Policy/ESMO-MCBS https://www.esmo.org/Policy/Policy-News/ESMO-EIU-Report-on-Shortages-of-Inexpensive-Essential-Cancer-Medicines

About the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)

ESMO is the leading professional organisation for medical oncology. With 18,000 members representing oncology professionals from over 150 countries worldwide, ESMO is the society of reference for oncology education and information. ESMO is committed to offer the best care to people with cancer, through fostering integrated cancer care, supporting oncologists in their professional development, and advocating for sustainable cancer care worldwide. Visit http://www.esmo.org

1576P_PR - Financial toxicity in German cancer patients: How does a chronic disease impact the economic situation?

E.C. Winkler1, K. Mehlis1, B. Surmann2, J. Witte2, R. Lingnau2, L. Apostolidis3, J. Walther1, W. Greiner2

1Medical Oncology, Nationales Zentrum fuer Tumorerkrankungen (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany, 2Health Economics and Health Care Management, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany, 3Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

Background: So far, the patient-level effect of the cost of cancer care is a topic that has been discussed primarily in the US health care system. In Germany, the economic impact of cancer is poorly understood. This study aims to provide data on consequences of a neuroendocrine (NET) or colorectal (CRC) tumor diagnosis on patients' financial situation.

Methods: (1) With a systematic literature review we identified instruments and dimensions that have been used to measure "subjective financial burden". (2) Informed by this analysis a survey on income, cancer-related out-of-pocket costs, distress (DT), and quality of life (EORTC-LQ) was developed and applied in a prospective study which recruited 247 patients (n=125 CRC/n=122 NET) from 11/2016-3/2017 at the National Center for Tumor Diseases, Germany.

Results: (1) Out of 40 eligible studies only 13 used pre-existing instruments. Three major dimensions to assess the subjective financial burden were identified: (i) material aspects consisting of financial spending and financial resources of the patients, (ii) psychological effects and (iii) behavioral changes including support seeking and coping strategies concerning the organization of care and lifestyle. The most common dimension queried in the studies were material aspects, whereas behavioral changes and in particular support seeking, were the least integrated themes within the studies. (2) In our survey, 80.6% (n=199) of patients stated to have higher out-of-pocket costs, 37.2% (n=92) reported income loss as a sequel to their disease. A multiple linear regression analysis showed effects of economic deteriorations on patient's quality of life and distress: high financial loss relative to income was significantly associated with a lower estimation of patient's quality of life (p=0.00) and more distress (p=0.00).

Conclusions: While some standardized instruments already are available for the US context, a valid instrument to measure the subjective financial effects of cancer is needed for the German context. As distress and reduced quality of life due to financial problems seem to intensify the burden that already results from a cancer diagnosis, there is a need for targeted support measures at the individual and system level.

Legal entity responsible for the study: Eva Winkler

Funding: The study is funded by Ipsen Pharma GmbH

Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.Research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) yielded new insights into the environment surrounding different types of lung tumors, and described how these complex cell ecosystems may in turn ultimately affect response to treatment. The results were published today in Immunity and featured on the print cover of the journal.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women. According to the American Cancer Society, the disease kills more people each year than colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. Therefore, uncovering the precursors and behaviors of lung cancer remains a major target among scientists working to improve cancer outcomes.

Cells live in complex, distinct communities that scientists refer to as microenvironments. These microenvironments have many features that impact how a cell grows, how it behaves, and how it communicates with other nearby cells. In the case of cancer, researchers work to understand the microenvironment of a tumor to try to identify opportunities for possible therapeutic approaches.

"We sought to figure out why the immune microenvironment of lung cancer types were different," says Trudy Oliver, PhD, HCI cancer researcher and associate professor of oncological sciences at the U of U, who oversaw the study. "We know that different kinds of tumor cells interact with different kinds of immune cells, and these immune cells have functions that can help or hurt the tumor. Essentially, tumors get these immune cells to do their dirty work for them," says Oliver. "We noticed in both mice and in people that some tumors clinically thought of under the same umbrella are distinct in many ways that were not previously understood. Most strikingly, different lung tumor types were recruiting different types of immune cells."

Using a mouse model developed by her lab, along with sophisticated single-cell sequencing technology, Oliver's work uncovered clues to the role neutrophils, a type of immune cell, play in different types of lung cancer. In humans and other organisms, neutrophils are the body's 'first responders' to an injury. Neutrophils are present at sites of trauma such as a cut, and they are part of the body's innate response to fighting a tumor. It had been previously shown that poor prognosis in lung cancer and poor response to immunotherapy treatment for lung cancer were associated with high levels of neutrophils.

"The association of high presence of neutrophils with a bad response to immunotherapy means neutrophils might be a target for scientists to develop new treatments to help people who aren't responding well to currently available drugs," Oliver suggested. Oliver found that the tumors changed the behavior of the neutrophils, causing inhibition of their normal roles and influencing them to behave in ways that supported tumor growth.

Gurkan Mollaoglu, a PhD student in the Oliver lab, conducted the laboratory work. "It is both challenging and exciting to study how cancer cells shape their environment to become more favorable for the cancer," says Mollaoglu. "The mouse models that we developed here are powerful tools that mirror many features of human tumors. Using these models, we showed how cancer cells modify their microenvironment and how the altered microenvironment, in return, favors cancer cells." Earlier this year, based on his accomplishments with this work, Mollaoglu was chosen to attend the 68th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, an annual meeting where select young scientists meet several dozen Nobel laureates.

The Oliver lab and Eric Snyder, MD, PhD, HCI cancer researcher and assistant professor of pathology at the U of U, made critical contributions to the study.

In the next steps of the work, Oliver and her team plan to characterize what the neutrophils do to help the tumors, and whether altering neutrophils can improve response to lung cancer therapies.

###

The study was funded by the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute (P30 CA042014, R01 CA187457, F99 CA223015), Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, the V Foundation for Cancer Research, American Cancer Society, and the University of Utah Immunology, Inflammation, and Infectious Diseases initiative.Flash drought is a rapidly intensifying water deficit process accompanied by high temperatures in a short period of time. Recently, heat extremes have become more frequent in a warming climate, and substantially increased the occurrence of flash drought, which has severely threatened crop yields and water supply.

Dr. Linying WANG and Professor Xing YUAN, from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, used in-situ observations and reanalysis datasets to explore the long-term variability and trends of two types of flash drought. Their findings are published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences.

Type I flash drought is high-temperature driven, combined with increased evapotranspiration (ET) and decreased soil moisture; while type II flash drought is initialized by a lack of rainfall, and combined with decreased ET and warmer temperatures.

They found that both types of flash drought have increased significantly in the past 30 years, but with a two-fold greater increase for Type I compared with Type II.

They further examined the spatial distribution characteristics of flash drought under two different physical mechanisms and the connection with seasonal drought, and uncovered some interesting findings.

As explained by Dr. Linying WANG, "The anticyclonic circulation patterns can provide favorable conditions for both types of flash drought. But, as the local climate, vegetation and soil moisture conditions are quite different, the spatial distributions of the two types of flash drought are different as well. In humid and semi-humid regions, where the moisture supply is sufficient, ET is mainly restricted by available energy, so high temperatures can elevate the ET quickly, which explains why Type I flash drought occurs preferentially over humid and semi-humid regions, such as southern China."

"Composite analysis showed that anomalously high temperatures one pentad before the onset of flash drought leads to a rapid increase in ET and reduced soil moisture. For flash drought associated with seasonal drought, there is a greater likelihood of occurrence during the onset phase of seasonal drought over southern China. In northern China, meanwhile, due to the limited terrestrial moisture supply, ET decreases with the decrease in soil moisture, resulting in Type II flash drought. Also, they are more common in both the onset and recovery phases of seasonal drought", she added.

Professor Xing YUAN further explains that the perfect conditions for flash drought are during dry/wet transition periods, which may provide a basis for the early warning of flash drought by connecting multiscale drought phenomena.

###Women in Nigeria whose clerics extol the benefits of family planning were significantly more likely to adopt modern contraceptive methods, new research suggests, highlighting the importance of engaging religious leaders to help increase the country's stubbornly low uptake of family planning services.

The findings of the study, led by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP), which is based at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and CCP's Nigeria Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI), underscore the outsized role played by religious leaders in whether modern contraception is considered taboo or acceptable. In Nigeria, 9.8 percent of women of childbearing age use modern contraception. In Rwanda, for example, the figure is 45 percent and, in Malawi, it is 62 percent.

"Religion is an important part of the social and cultural fabric of many communities in Nigeria and elsewhere," says study author Stella Babalola, PhD, associate professor in the Bloomberg School's Department of Health, Behavior and Society. "As such, religious leaders have the power to inhibit or facilitate the adoption of modern contraception. Given their high level of influence, interventions that engage clerics as change agents for shaping opinions and influencing behaviors related to family planning are crucial for increasing contraceptive uptake in the country."

The study, published Oct. 3 in the journal Global Health: Science and Impact, evaluated data, collected in 2015 by the Measurement, Learning and Evaluation project, from a randomly selected sample of 9,725 women of reproductive age (15 to 49) in four Nigerian states.

About 40 percent of the women reported being exposed to family planning messages from religious leaders in the previous year, the researchers found, and those women were 70 percent more likely to use modern contraception than those who had not been exposed to a cleric's family planning messages. While 99 percent of the women said they considered themselves to be religious, two-thirds reported that their family planning decisions were influenced by religion.

Contraceptive use among women who consider themselves somewhat religious was higher than those who consider themselves strongly religious, suggesting that strong adherence to religious doctrines and practices, combined with religious leaders who do not incorporate appropriate family planning messages into their communications, likely contributes to low rates of contraceptive use.

The benefits of family planning include improved quality of life, increased well-being of families and communities, improved maternal and newborn health outcomes, reduced poverty and increased female education levels. Religious prohibitions and cultural beliefs have contributed to the limited use of contraception in many places. In some parts of northern Nigeria, for example, contraception is viewed negatively as a ploy to depopulate the Muslim community.

To address this, NURHI developed a strategy of working with religious leaders to increase their knowledge of family benefits and its benefits - and to explain that the primary aim of family planning is not to control population but to save lives. They developed a booklet to help religious leaders - both Muslim and Christian - understand how family planning fits into teachings from the Koran and the Bible and how those texts can be interpreted to stipulate the need for child spacing.

Along with facilitating conversations with clerics, the project developed small advocacy handbooks that included Christian and Islamic sermon notes for family planning. In Kano state, after an advocacy visit, the emir there fully supported the family planning messages and has continued to give inspiring statements in support of family planning at public gatherings and through the media.

"The evidence suggests that in addition to family planning being discussed freely and openly in public places, which was not the case many years ago, many religious women are beginning to see that child spacing and using contraception are not sinful," Babalola says.

###

"Role of Religious Leaders in Promoting Contraceptive Use in Nigeria: Evidence from the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative" was written by Sunday A. Adedini; Stella Babalola; Charity Ibeawuchi; Olukunle Omotoso; Akinsewa Akiode and Mojisola Odeku.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded this research.Bottom Line: Revised guidelines recommend against routine X-rays for infants with bronchiolitis, a viral lower respiratory tract infection that often lands babies in the hospital. Unnecessary X-rays contribute to health care costs and radiation exposure. Despite the guidelines, an analysis of emergency department visits in the United States suggests no decrease in the rate of X-rays from 2007 to 2015, with nearly half of children under 2 with bronchiolitis still getting imaging. The study lacked clinical data to determine the appropriateness of X-rays.

Authors: Brett Burstein, M.D.C.M., Ph.D., M.P.H., Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, Canada, and coauthors

To Learn More: The full study is available on the For The Media website.

(doi:10.1001/jama.2018.9245)

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Editor's Note: The article includes conflict of interest and funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

Want to embed a link to this study in your story? Link will be live at the embargo time: http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/10.1001/jama.2018.9245Unicellular diatoms are able to adapt their behavior to different external stimuli based on an evaluation of their own needs. This was discovered by scientists of the Friedrich Schiller University and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, Germany, together with partners from Belgium. The algae depend on nutrients in order to reproduce. However, they also need sexual mates which they find when they follow pheromone traces. In experiments, Seminavis robusta diatoms directed their orientation either towards nutrient sources or mating partners, depending on the degree of starvation and the need to mate. The tiny organisms demonstrated in fact a primitive form of behavioral biology. (The ISME Journal, Oktober 2018, DOI: 10.1038/s41396-018-0299-2).

Diatoms are unicellular microalgae. They dominate marine phytoplankton, which is ubiquitous in our oceans. On shores and beaches, these algae can be observed as biofilms on rocks and other surfaces. Diatoms are not only the food source for many marine animals, but also responsible for an extremely important ecosystem service: They contribute significantly to global photosynthesis and thus to the production of oxygen on our planet. Moreover, they are discussed as possible produces of biofuels.

The diatom Seminavis robusta is an ideal model organism for behavioral studies in the lab: The cells respond to different environmental conditions and their sexuality can be controlled. The research group of Georg Pohnert, who is Professor of Instrumental Analytics/Bioorganic Analytics at Friedrich Schiller University and head of the Max Planck Fellow Group at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, wanted to know whether the tiny organisms are able to make decisions about what they needed more urgently: food or sexual mates.

In order to find out, the scientists cultivated cells under different conditions. In particular, the cells were confronted with different amounts of nutrients and sex pheromones. Since diatoms primarily reproduce asexually by cell division, sexual reproduction may become necessary for their survival if the cells become smaller and smaller after continuous division. After all, the cells die if they become too small and fall below a minimum size. Diatoms also search actively for nutrients they need for the formation of their cell walls. They can trace silicate minerals in their environment and move actively towards this food source. A recent study showed that they are attracted by the odor of the minerals (see press release The odor of stones, February 4, 2016).

"It is striking that even unicellular organisms that obviously lack a nervous system can process different stimuli and even evaluate their individual needs. Our study showed that diatoms can adapt their behavior flexibly to environmental changes. They also responded differently depending on their need to sexually mate. We observed that the diatoms moved towards pheromones or food sources depending on how hungry they were for sex or nutrients. Until now, this kind of decision-making has only been attributed to higher organisms," study leader Georg Pohnert summarizes the results.

The decision of one diatom does not only determine the fate of a single cell. Moreover, it is crucial for the dynamics of biofilms which is composed of communities of countless diatoms. Using mathematical models, the researchers calculated interactions between cell density and the availability of nutrients (silicate minerals) and mating partners (pheromones). Based on these results, the scientists are able to better explain how biofilms are organized and why they are often patchy and show certain patterns.

The scientist would now like to find out how the single-cell organisms perceive, process and evaluate chemical signals. "Our goal is to identify the corresponding receptors and signal processing pathways, but this will be a very complex endeavor given the fact that we know so little about these important micoralagae," says Georg Pohnert.

###

Original Publication:

Bondoc, K. G. V., Lembke, C., Lang, S. N., Germerodt, S., Schuster, S., Vyverman, W., Pohnert, G. (2018). Decision-making of the benthic diatom Seminavis robusta searching for inorganic nutrients and pheromones. The ISME Journal. DOI: 10.1038/s41396-018-0299-2

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-018-0299-2

Further Information:

Prof. Dr. Georg Pohnert, Institut fur Anorganische und Analytische Chemie, Friedrich- Schiller-Universitat Jena, Lessingstrae 8, 07743 Jena, Tel. +49 3641 94-8170, E-Mail Georg.Pohnert@uni-jena.de

Contact and Media Requests:

Angela Overmeyer M.A., Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knoll-Str. 8, 07743 Jena, +49 3641 57-2110, E-Mail overmeyer@ice.mpg.de

Download high-resolution images via http://www.ice.mpg.de/ext/index.php?id=downloads2018Recent research from North Carolina State University finds that state pension plans would be better off avoiding external asset managers when investing their plans' assets - and would carry substantially smaller unfunded liabilities if they simply invested in a conventional index fund.

"We set out to answer three questions about state pension plans, their external management fees and the return on their investments," says Jeff Diebold, an assistant professor of public administration at NC State and co-author of a paper on the work. "First, what influences the amount of money that state pension plans pay in external management fees? Second, do higher fees lead to better performance? And third, how would those pension plans have fared if they had taken the money spent on external management fees and invested it in a conventional portfolio, with 60 percent invested in the S&P 500 and 40 percent invested in an intermediate bond fund?"

To address these questions, the researchers turned to the Public Plans Database, where they were able to find data from 49 state-administered pension plans - spanning 30 states - regarding how much those plans spend each year on external management fees. Specifically, the researchers evaluated data on the performance of those 49 plans, spanning the years 2001-2014.

Their first finding was that if states had to begin paying more money into their pension plans, they became more likely to pay higher external management fees - though this was moderated by plan size. The effect was still seen in large pension plans, but it was less pronounced than was seen in smaller plans.

"This makes sense, in a way, because the pension plans are trying to achieve returns that outstrip the stock market as a whole," says Jerrell Coggburn, a professor of public administration at NC State and co-author of the paper. "And larger plans may be able to negotiate better fees with external managers."

"Unfortunately, higher fees did not lead to better performance," Diebold says. "There was no positive relationship between what plans paid in fees and how they performed. You don't always get what you pay for."

For the third research question, the researchers only evaluated 42 of the 49 plans, because the evaluation required at least 10 years of data. But for those 42 plans, the researchers found that the more a plan spent on external fees, the more it lost - relative to what it would have made investing in the conventional portfolio of the S&P 500 and intermediate bond funds.

For example, the plan that spent the fourth least amount of money on external fees would have cut 5 percent of its unfunded liability if it had invested in the conventional portfolio. The median plan would have eliminated 14 percent of its unfunded liability. And the plan with the fourth highest fees would actually have recouped 44 percent of its unfunded liability - approximately $4.2 billion - if it had invested its external fees in the S&P 500 and intermediate bond funds. In this context, an unfunded liability is the amount of the pension plan's obligation for which the plan has not set aside money.

"And the losses may actually be worse than that, because the study doesn't account for carried interest," Coggburn says. "Carried interest refers to a percentage of any returns that external managers earn, over and above the flat fees they take for their services. And carried interest can account for around 20 percent of earnings from an external manager's investments. We couldn't account for carried interest because almost no plans share that information publicly."

"This work suggests that the fees associated with external managers - and the dearth of corresponding benefits associated with those fees - contribute to an unnecessary risk of underfunding state pension plans," Diebold says.

###

The paper, "The Determinants and Opportunity Costs of External Management Fees for State-Administered Pension Plans," is published in the journal Public Budgeting & Finance.A father's exposure to nicotine may cause cognitive deficits in his children and even grandchildren, according to a study in mice publishing on October 16 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Pradeep Bhide of Florida State University in Tallahassee and colleagues. The effect, which was not caused by direct secondhand exposure, may be due to epigenetic changes in key genes in the father's sperm.

Exposure of mothers to nicotine and other components of cigarette smoke is recognized as a significant risk factor for behavioral disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (or ADHD) in multiple generations of descendants. Whether the same applies to fathers has been less clear, in part because in human studies it has been difficult to separate genetic factors (such as a genetic predisposition to ADHD) from environmental factors, such as direct exposure to cigarette smoke.

To overcome this difficulty, Deirdre McCarthy, Pradeep Bhide and colleagues exposed male mice to low-dose nicotine in their drinking water during the stage of life in which the mice produce sperm. They then bred these mice with females that had never been exposed to nicotine. While the fathers were behaviorally normal, both sexes of offspring displayed hyperactivity, attention deficit, and cognitive inflexibility. When female (but not male) mice from this generation were bred with nicotine-naive mates, male offspring displayed fewer, but still significant, deficits in cognitive flexibility. Analysis of spermatozoa from the original nicotine-exposed males indicated that promoter regions of multiple genes had been epigenetically modified, including the dopamine D2 gene, critical for brain development and learning, suggesting that these modifications likely contributed to the cognitive deficits in the descendants.

Nicotine and cigarette smoke have been previously shown to cause widespread epigenetic changes, Bhide said. "The fact that men smoke more than women makes the effects in males especially important from a public health perspective. Our findings underscore the need for more research on the effects of smoking by the father, rather than just the mother, on the health of their children."

###

In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available article in PLOS Biology: http://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.2006497

Citation: McCarthy DM, Morgan TJ Jr, Lowe SE, Williamson MJ, Spencer TJ, Biederman J, et al. (2018) Nicotine exposure of male mice produces behavioral impairment in multiple generations of descendants. PLoS Biol 16(10): e2006497. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.2006497

Image Caption: A photomicrograph of a histological section of a mouse testis processed for immunohistochemistry for methylated DNA. Spermatozoa at different stages of maturation are labeled with the methylated DNA marker (arrow). The data show that nicotine increases DNA methylation in the spermatozoa. Inset shows isolated mature spermatozoa labeled with an immunohistochemical marker for the dopamine D2 receptor (white arrow). Data show that nicotine produces significant changes in DNA methylation in the promoter region of the D2 receptor gene in the spermatozo.

Image Credit: Pradeep G. Bhide, pradeep.bhide@med.fsu.edu

Funding: Jim and Betty Anne Rodgers Chair Fund at Florida State University (grant number F00662). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Escher Fund for Autism http://www.germlineexposures.org (grant number). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. National Institute on Drug Abuse https://www.drugabuse.gov/ (grant number R15 DA043848). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Competing Interests: I have read the journal's policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following potential competing interests. Pradeep Bhide: Dr. Bhide is a co-founder and consultant to Avekshan LLC, Tallahassee, FL, a pharmaceutical enterprise engaged in the development of novel therapies for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Dr. Bhide is an inventor in following patents or patent applications relevant to ADHD therapy: US Patent, "Class of non-stimulant treatment and ADHD and related disorders" (#US9623023 B2), and US patent application, "Methods and compositions to prevent addiction (#US20130289061 A1). Deirdre McCarthy: Ms. McCarthy is a co-founder and consultant to Avekshan LLC, Tallahassee, FL, a pharmaceutical enterprise engaged in the development of novel therapies for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Thomas Spencer: Dr. Spencer received research support or was a consultant from the following sources: Alcobra, Avekshan, Ironshore, Lundbeck, Shire Laboratories Inc, Sunovion, the FDA, and the Department of Defense. Consultant fees are paid to the Clinical Trials Network at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and not directly to Dr. Spencer. Dr. Spencer has been on an advisory board for the following pharmaceutical companies: Alcobra. Dr. Spencer received research support from Royalties and Licensing fees on copyrighted ADHD scales through MGH Corporate Sponsored Research and Licensing. Through MGH corporate licensing, Dr. Spencer is an inventor on a US Patent, "Class of non-stimulant treatment and ADHD and related disorders" (#US9623023 B2), and US patent application, "Methods and compositions to prevent addiction" (#US20130289061 A1). Joseph Biederman: Dr. Biederman is currently receiving research support from the following sources: AACAP, The Department of Defense, Food & Drug Administration, Headspace, Lundbeck, Neurocentria Inc., NIDA, PamLab, Pfizer, Shire Pharmaceuticals Inc., Sunovion, and NIH. Dr. Biederman has a financial interest in Avekshan LLC, a company that develops treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). His interests were reviewed and are managed by Massachusetts General Hospital and Partners HealthCare in accordance with their conflict of interest policies. Dr. Biederman's program has received departmental royalties from a copyrighted rating scale used for ADHD diagnoses, paid by Ingenix, Prophase, Shire, Bracket Global, Sunovion, and Theravance; these royalties were paid to the Department of Psychiatry at MGH. In 2017, Dr. Biederman is a consultant for Aevi Genomics, Akili, Guidepoint, Ironshore, Medgenics, and Piper Jaffray. He is on the scientific advisory board for Alcobra and Shire. He received honoraria from the MGH Psychiatry Academy for tuition-funded CME courses. Through MGH corporate licensing, he is an inventor on US Patent, "Class of non-stimulant treatment and ADHD and related disorders" (#US9623023 B2), and US patent application, "Methods and compositions to prevent addiction (#US20130289061 A1). In 2016, Dr. Biederman received honoraria from the MGH Psychiatry Academy for tuition-funded CME courses, and from Alcobra and APSARD. He was on the scientific advisory board for Arbor Pharmaceuticals. He was a consultant for Akili and Medgenics. He received research support from Merck and SPRITES. Thomas Morgan, Sara Lowe, and Matthew Williamson have no competing interests to declare.Pregnant women in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are more likely to express preference for cesarean section (CS) as their mode of delivery later in pregnancy and postpartum, as compared to early in pregnancy, according to a study published this week in PLOS Medicine. The study, conducted by Qian Long of Duke Kunshan University in China, and collaborators, found that fear of pain, antagonistic relations with providers, and beliefs of deteriorating quality of care during labor and vaginal birth contributed to perceptions of planned CS as preferable.

The CS rates in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are roughly or over 30% according to recent studies, though WHO research has shown that population-level CS rates higher than 10% are not associated with reduced maternal or newborn mortality. To understand why, Long and colleagues conducted a mixed-methods systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies that investigated preferences for CS among women in these settings. The researchers found that in longitudinal studies, the pooled proportions of preference for CS reported by women were 14% in early or middle pregnancy (95%CI 12-17%) and 21% in late pregnancy (95%CI 15-26%). In cross-sectional studies, the proportions were 17% in early or middle pregnancy (95%CI 14-20%), 22% in late pregnancy (95%CI 18-25%) and 30% at postpartum (95%CI 19-40%). Women's preferences for CS in longitudinal studies were found to rise as pregnancy progressed (mean difference 7%, 95% CI 1%-13%). Qualitative data indicated that women who prefer CS in China are informed by healthcare system interactions, unsatisfactory relationships with providers, concerns about quality of care during labor and vaginal birth, and social support for the right to choose CS.

Study limitations include heterogeneity and potential biases among the reports reviewed, which were not population-representative. However, results across 66 longitudinal, cross-sectional, and qualitative studies were concordant. The authors state, "[b]oth quantitative and qualitative findings in this review suggest that women's request for CS on the basis of genuine preference for this mode of delivery is unlikely to be the major driver of high CS rates and that women's preference may underscore health systems deficiencies and sub-optimal relationships with health professionals."

In an accompanying Perspective, Mairead Black and Sohinee Bhattacharya of the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom, discuss possible benefits of planned CS where only one child is planned, emphasize the importance of Chinese data to clarify the outcomes of planned CS, and argue for a woman-centric approach to facilitating birth choices in China following the end of the one-child policy.

###

Peer-reviewed / Systematic Review / People

Research Article

Funding:

There was no funding source for this study.

Competing Interests:

The authors declare no competing interest.

Citation:

Long Q, Kingdon C, Yang F, Renecle MD, Jahanfar S, Bohren MA, et al. (2018) Prevalence of and reasons for women's, family members', and health professionals' preferences for cesarean section in China: A mixed-methods systematic review. PLoS Med 15(10): e1002672. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002672

Image Credit: SantaRosa OLD SKOOL, Flickr

Author Affiliations:

Global Health Research Center, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, China

School of Community Health and Midwifery, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America

College of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines University, Des Moines, Iowa, United States of America

School of Public Health, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States of America

Gender and Women's Health Unit, Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland

In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available paper: http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002672

Perspective

Funding:

The authors received no specific funding for this work.

Competing Interests:

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Citation:

Black M, Bhattacharya S (2018) Cesarean section in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong--A safe choice for women and clinicians? PLoS Med 15(10): e1002676. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002676

Author Affiliations:

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom

In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available paper:

http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002676ROME, ITALY (16 October 2018)-- A new policy brief released today--World Food Day--highlights the link between recognizing community land rights and ensuring global food security and climate protection. The brief notes that the failure of governments around the world to recognize community land rights leaves community lands vulnerable to expropriation for large-scale agriculture, mining, or infrastructure, which typically benefit fewer people and are more environmentally destructive than land use by local communities.

"Communities around the world rely on their customary lands to feed their families. But their lands also feed the world, and their forests regulate the climate that underpins global food security. However the global food system is deeply linked to land grabs, and agribusiness is the most dangerous sector for activists" said Joan Carling, Advisory Board member of Land Rights Now, a global campaign to raise awareness of the contributions of Indigenous Peoples and local communities to myriad global challenges, and recent winner of the Champions of the Earth Award for lifetime achievement, the UN's highest environmental distinction.

Small-scale food producers provide 70 percent of the world's food. Evidence shows that small-scale food production in Africa and Asia is more efficient and has higher crop yields per hectare than larger operations. Secure land rights can also boost farmers' productivity by 60 percent and more than double family income. Women's land rights are particularly important given their crucial role in ensuring local food security and managing community resources.

Community land management also helps regulate the climate that enables global food production. Communities have successfully safeguarded many of the world's forests for generations. Research shows that their lands store massive amounts of carbon--at least 300 billion metric tons--and that secure rights lead to lower rates of deforestation and higher rates of carbon storage. At least one-third of the carbon stored in community forests in the tropics and sub-tropics is on lands that lack formal legal recognition, leaving them vulnerable to land grabs that can destroy livelihoods, devastate the environment, and destroy local food sources. According to the Land Matrix, at least 49 million hectares worldwide have been subject to international large-scale land acquisitions over the last decade. These are largely driven by consumers' demand for cheap food or energy, with oil palm (6 million hectares), jatropha (2.4 million hectares), and sugar cane (1.9 million hectares) dominating.

Indigenous Peoples and local communities highlight their contributions to global food security

The brief, prepared by Land Rights Now, and highlighting cases from around the world, coincides with a global mobilization to raise awareness of the connection between secure land rights of local peoples and the food we all eat.

"This mobilization is about citizens around the world standing with Indigenous Peoples and local communities as they defend their rights and celebrating their contribution to a more food secure and more just world."

Actions across the world this week are part of a growing movement by indigenous and local communities around the world demanding respect for their rights and highlighting the role they play in the global struggle to prevent climate crisis.

"Land Rights Now is a unifying call to respect the rights of up to 2.5 billion people worldwide who rely on community-held lands. These rights underpin global food security and are vital to the fight against climate change. In spite of incredible risks, Indigenous Peoples and local communities are raising their voices and taking action to defend their rights and protect the resources we all depend on. It is time for the world to listen," said Carling.

Kenya: After a court victory, the Ogiek People still await justice

Despite a landmark 2017 ruling by the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights that the Ogiek Peoples are the rightful owners of Mau forest in Kenya, the government has yet to return their customary lands to them.

About 40,000 Ogiek live in the Mau forest, which is the source of their food, income, medicine, shelter, and cultural sites, with beekeeping their primary livelihood source. They have acted as guardians of these lands for generations, yet they face encroachment from logging, tea plantations, and illegal settlements. Thousands have been forcefully evicted from their homes.

"The 2017 Court decision was a beacon of hope--not only for the Ogiek, but for Indigenous Peoples across Kenya and indeed the entire region," said Daniel Kobei, Executive Director of the Ogiek Peoples' Development Program. "But the government has yet to implement this decision. We are still being evicted from our homes. We are still barred from our customary forests."

Myanmar: Roads destroy lands and livelihoods in conflict-prone region of Myanmar

The construction of the Asian Highway through Karen State has already resulted in widespread land confiscations and military clashes that displaced more than 1,000 people. Community advocates fear that the next phase of the road--which will pass through 17 villages and 1 town--is proceeding without the consent of the affected communities and will lead to further conflicts and displacements. The next phase is being funded by the Asian Development Bank and is set to be completed by 2020.

Many lost their lands altogether in the construction of the first segment of the highway. With 70 percent of the region's population dependent on the land for survival, this puts entire communities at risk. Villagers were retroactively informed that they would receive compensation, but it was not enough to buy new land and there was no opportunity for negotiation.

"We disagreed because we would get this only one time in our life, whereas the farm will provide for us forever," said Daw Su, a local farmer. "The farms are the rice pot of our family. We can send our children to school because of this farm."

"Local peoples were left completely in the dark about the construction of the road through their lands and could only deduce project plans when signs were put up and construction was imminent," said Way Lay, Senior Advocacy Coordinator at the Karen Human Rights Group. "Many families are still displaced, without compensation, resettlement options, or even adequate food. We are calling on the government to compensate them or return their lands to them--and to ensure that the next phase does not become a repeat of history."

Peru: The Shipibo struggle for recognition of their land rights while companies easily acquire their territories

The Indigenous Shipibo community of Santa Clara de Uchunya, in the Ucayali region of the Peruvian Amazon, is facing invasion of its ancestral lands by corporate oil palm plantations and land traffickers. The community relies on its ancestral territory for hunting, fishing, farming, and gathering fruit. Yet the government has only recognized their rights to a small part of the territory, while companies circumvent the law to turn the forests over to large-scale monoculture.

"Oil palm doesn't bring us any future, it brings misfortune. It brings poverty. They deceive you and in the end they grab your land and you are nothing. Your children become their slaves and you no longer own your territory," said Rodrigo Lopez, a community member in Santa Clara de Uchunya.

Despite the Shipibo's claim to the land, the government gave individual titles to outside settlers, who sold their lands to a palm oil company in 2012, leading to the clear cutting of the forests without the Shipibo's consent. Despite challenges in court and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), palm oil production continues, and new settlers have received title to parts of the Shipibo's lands.

The case has become emblematic of what is occurring in Peru and across the Amazon region. Large-scale agriculture projects--deeply connected to international food and energy markets--are destroying forests traditionally occupied by local peoples.

Uganda: Indigenous Peoples forced from their homes "in the name of conservation" despite court victory

Rather than being recognized for their role in having helped preserved precious wildlife, the Acholi People in Uganda are being criminalized and evicted from their customary lands.

The Acholi people customarily inhabit part of the Amuru District in Northern Uganda, but the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) says they are illegally residing in a designated wildlife area. Since 2011, the UWA has backed a series of forcible evictions, carried out by rangers, police, and soldiers from the national army, the Uganda People's Defence Force. Over 844 huts have been destroyed and 26,000 people displaced.

"The Acholi depend entirely on their land," said Jimmy Ochom, Programs Manager at the Uganda Land Alliance. "Farming not only feeds families but also provides revenue for children's health and education. Many of those evicted now face hunger or must rely on food aid."

A 2017 court case declared that the land belongs to the Acholi and evictions must cease--but they have continued in 2018. One man was killed by an army officer, and an elderly woman died while fleeing an eviction attempt. Two hundred people have been forcibly removed from their lands this year.

Guatemala: Evicted for a sugar plantation, Indigenous Peoples face poverty and hunger

769 Q'echi families were violently evicted from their homes in the Polochic Valley to make room for a sugar plantation. The government promised to return this land, but more than half of the families are still waiting. Large-scale palm oil, sugar, and banana plantations; cattle ranches; and mining and energy project are increasingly encroaching on the lands of the Mayan Q'eqchi and Pomoqchi peoples, who have inhabited the Polochic Valley and the areas around Lake Izabal since pre-colonial times.

This is a common pattern across the country: Indigenous Peoples constitute more than half of Guatemala's population, but still contend with violence, discrimination, and the failure to recognize their land rights. Without land, indigenous families in Guatemala often suffer extreme poverty and hunger. Research finds that local economic development is typically worse under plantation models than the traditional small-scale farming they replace.

Australia: members of the Yuin Nation face criminal charges for subsistence fishing

In Australia, members of the Yuin Nation--a coastal people who have for generations depended on sustainable fishing in their ancestral waters for their subsistence--have faced criminal charges and persecution by the government. This crackdown on small-scale cultural fishing by members of the Yuin Nation belies the fact that commercial fishing operations in nearby waters bring in much larger hauls with more detrimental environmental impacts, and that this production is largely for export rather than sustainable consumption.

"I knew I had a traditional right to do what I was doing, hunting and gathering for my people," said Kevin Mason, a Yuin Nation elder and fisherman who faced jail time for fishing. "Over the years I have just been hounded like a second-class citizen. With all this worry they have put on me, persecuted for something that is traditionally mine in the first place."

###

Land Rights Now is an international alliance campaign that aims to secure indigenous and community land rights worldwide. Since its launch in March 2016, over 800 organizations and thousands of individuals from all corners of the world have joined the campaign. Visit: http://www.landrightsnow.orgNEW YORK (October 16, 2018) -- Washing contaminated hospital bedsheets in a commercial washing machine with industrial detergent at high disinfecting temperatures failed to remove all traces of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), a bacteria that causes infectious diarrhea, suggesting that linens could be a source of infection among patients and even other hospitals, according to a study published today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

"The findings of this study may explain some sporadic outbreaks of C. difficile infections in hospitals from unknown sources, however, further research is required in order to establish the true burden of hospital bedsheets in such outbreaks," said Katie Laird, PhD, Head of the Infectious Disease Research Group, School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom and lead author of the study. "Future research will assess the parameters required to remove C. difficile spores from textiles during the laundry process."

Researchers inoculated swatches of cotton sheets with C. difficile. The swatches were then laundered with sterile uncontaminated pieces of fabric using one of two different methods -- either in a simulated industrial washing cycle using a washer extractor with and without detergent or naturally contaminated linens from the beds of patients with C. difficile infection were put through a full commercial laundry where they were washed in a washer extractor (infected linen wash) with industrial detergent, pressed, dried, and finished according to current the National Health Service in the United Kingdom's healthcare laundry policy (Health Technical Memorandum 01-04 Decontamination of Linen for Health and Social Care (2016). Researchers measured the levels of contamination before and after washing.

Both the simulated and the commercial laundering via a washer extractor process failed to meet microbiological standards of containing no disease-causing bacteria, the study found. The full process reduced C. difficile spore count by only 40 percent, and this process resulted in bacteria from the contaminated sheets being transferred to the uncontaminated sheets after washing.

Researchers concluded that thermal disinfection conditions currently required by the UK National Health System are inadequate for the decontamination of C. difficile spores. There may be potential to spread C. difficile back into the hospital environment as linens could be a source for outbreaks at other healthcare facilities through businesses that collect, launder and redistribute rented linens to multiple hospitals and care facilities, as is the case at NHS facilities.

The research team, which also includes PhD student Joanna Tarrant, is working closely with the Textiles Services Association in the UK to continue research to find which combination of laundering parameters will remove C. difficile spores from hospital bedsheets.

###

Joanna Tarrant, Richard Jenkins, Katie Laird. "From Ward to Washer: The Survival of Clostridium difficile spores on Hospital Bedsheets through a Commercial UK NHS Healthcare Laundry Process." Web (October 16, 2018).

About ICHE

Published through a partnership between the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and Cambridge University Press, Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology provides original, peer reviewed scientific articles for anyone involved with an infection control or epidemiology program in a hospital or healthcare facility. ICHE is ranked 19th out of 83 Infectious Disease Journals in the latest Web of Knowledge Journal Citation Reports from Thomson Reuters.

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) is a professional society representing more than 2,000 physicians and other healthcare professionals around the world who possess expertise and passion for healthcare epidemiology, infection prevention, and antimicrobial stewardship. The society's work improves public health by establishing infection-prevention measures and supporting antibiotic stewardship among healthcare providers, hospitals, and health systems. This is accomplished by leading research studies, translating research into clinical practice, developing evidence-based policies, optimizing antibiotic stewardship, and advancing the field of healthcare epidemiology. SHEA and its members strive to improve patient outcomes and create a safer, healthier future for all. Visit SHEA online at http://www.shea-online.org, http://www.facebook.com/SHEApreventingHAIs and @SHEA_Epi.

About Cambridge Journals

Cambridge University Press publishes over 350 peer-reviewed academic journals across a wide spread of subject areas, in print and online. Many of these journals are leading academic publications in their fields and together form one of the most valuable and comprehensive bodies of research available today.

For further information about Cambridge Journals, visit journals.cambridge.org

About Cambridge University Press

Cambridge University Press is part of the University of Cambridge. It furthers the University's mission by disseminating knowledge in the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence.

Its extensive peer-reviewed publishing lists comprise 45,000 titles covering academic research, professional development, over 350 research journals, school-level education, English language teaching and bible publishing.

Playing a leading role in today's international market place, Cambridge University Press has more than 50 offices around the globe, and it distributes its products to nearly every country in the world.

For further information about Cambridge University Press, visit cambridge.org.Older adults (aged 65 and older) who self-harm have a higher risk of dying from unnatural causes (particularly suicide) compared to their peers without a history of self-harm, according to a large observational study of UK primary care published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal.

Almost 90% of older adults who had harmed themselves, including overdosing on prescription drugs or self-cutting, were not referred for a specialist mental health assessment after visiting their general practitioner (GP), and the likelihood of referral was much lower for individuals living in socially deprived areas.

This is of particular concern as non-fatal self-harm is the strongest risk factor for subsequent suicide, with older people reportedly having greater suicidal intent than any other age group.

Additionally, contrary to national clinical guidelines a significant proportion (12%, around one in eight) of those who self-harm are prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant, which can be dangerous in overdose.

The study highlights the opportunity for earlier intervention in primary care to prevent repeated self-harm episodes and suicide in older adults.

"Older adults often face a decline in functional ability due to multiple comorbid conditions, bereavement, and social isolation, which are all strongly linked with self-harm. With the number of people aged over 65 set to rise to 25% of the UK population by 2046, healthcare services need to be aligned to meet both physical and mental health needs to ensure that vulnerable older people are identified and get the help and support they require." says Dr Cathy Morgan, University of Manchester, UK, who led the research. [1]

In recent years, there has been an increase in reports of suicide among older adults. In England and Wales between 2012 and 2015, suicide rates among men aged 60 and older rose from 12.3 to 14.8 per 100,000--which is higher than rates for male adolescents and younger male adults (10-29 years) at 10.6 per 100,000 in 2015. Suicide rates in older women have also increased over the past 5 years, converging toward those of younger women of working age (from 4.7 per 100,000 in 60-74 year olds vs 5.8 in 30-44 year olds in 2010 to 5.4 vs 6.0 in 2015). Self-harm among older people, however, has to date received comparatively little attention compared with younger age groups.

The researchers based their findings on recorded self-harm episodes among adults aged 65 years and older registered at 674 general practices in the UK between 2001 and 2014. They analysed data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, which is broadly representative of the UK population and is linked with hospital admissions, mortality records, and the area-level social deprivation (the Index of Multiple Deprivation). To investigate mortality risk after self-harm, they compared data from 2,454 of these patients with 48,921 patients without a history of self-harm (matched by age, gender, and general practice). Self-harm includes intentional injury and overdosing on prescription medication.

During the 13-year study period, 4,124 adults aged 65 years or older had an episode of self-harm recorded in general practice patient notes. Over half (58%) of these were women, and many (62%) had previously received mental health diagnoses.

Drug overdose was the most common method of self-harm (81%), followed by self-cutting (6%).

Importantly, only 12% (335/2,854) of over 65s who had self-harmed were referred to mental health services within 12 months of their initial self-harm episode.

Referrals were a third less likely for older adults registered at practices located in the most deprived areas (8%, 48/578) than those from more affluent communities (13%, 65/493), even though the incidence of self-harm was higher in these areas (table 1).

Almost three-quarters of people who had harmed themselves were prescribed psychotropic medications, most commonly antidepressants. Contrary to National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance, 12% (336/2,854) of older adults who self-harmed were prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant within a year of harming themselves. [2]

One in seven (14.4%) older adults self-harmed again within a year of the initial episode.

Compared to the general population, older adults who had harmed themselves were twice as likely to have a history of a psychiatric illness (1,522/2,454 vs 14,455/48,921), and were 20% more likely to experience a major physical illness (1,760/2,454 vs 29,341/48,921) such as liver disease and heart failure.

Older adults who harmed themselves were also 19 times more likely to die from unnatural causes (mostly suicides, accidental poisonings, and other accidents) in the first year after a self-harm episode than the general population (29/330 vs 41/2,415 deaths), and 145 times more likely to die of suicide during the 13-year follow up--although suicide was rare in absolute terms (36 vs 12 deaths by suicide).

Co-author Professor Nav Kapur, University of Manchester, UK, adds: "We sometimes think of self-harm as a problem in younger people and of course it is. But it affects older adults too and the concerning issue is the link with increased risk of suicide. We hope our study will alert clinicians, service planners, and policy makers to the need to implement preventative measures for this potentially vulnerable group of people. Referral and management of mental health conditions are likely to be key." [1]

According to co-author Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham, GP Principal in Central Manchester and Professor of General Practice at Keele University, UK: "Since drug ingestion is one of the main methods of self-harm, we highlight the need to prescribe less toxic medication in older adults for the management of both mental illness and pain related conditions. We also recommend more frequent follow-up of a patient following an initial episode of self-harm." [1]

The authors point to several limitations of their study, including the possibility that some cases of self-harm may go unreported, and that statistics on suicide are likely to be underestimated perhaps due to cultural barriers or social stigma that discourage coroners from recording a conclusion of suicide.

Writing in a linked Comment, Associate Professor Rebecca Mitchell from the Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Australia says: "Further research still needs to be done on self-harm among older adults, including the replication of Morgan and colleagues' research in other countries, to increase our understanding of how primary care could present an early window of opportunity to prevent repeated self-harm attempts and unnatural deaths. Exploration of self-harm and suicide risk among older adults in long-term care facilities has been scant. Little is known regarding the factors that might influence or be protective of the risk of self-harm among residents in long-term care compared with older adults living in the general community."

###

Peer-reviewed / Observational study / PeopleThe Laboratory for Space Research (LSR) of The University of Hong Kong, announces its plan to immediately establish a new LSR at HKU Zhejiang Institute of Research Innovation (HKU-ZIRI) in the Lin'an district of Hangzhou in Zhejiang province. With a strategic investment of HKD 10 million, the laboratory is designed to help put Space and Planetary Sciences and related activities squarely on the map at HKU.

These are very exciting times for Space Science both globally and particularly in China with its significant investment in major missions to the Moon, Mars and with the upcoming Space Station. These all provide important opportunities for Hong Kong based science. This new LSR initiative will allow HKU to participate in important space science projects such as the proposed HKU No.1 satellite planned for launch in 2019 that will use novel "Lobster-Eye" X-ray technology to look for evidence of mysterious dark matter, undertake a study of hot gas in rich galaxy clusters, look at comets in the solar system and explore the interaction of the solar-wind with the earth's magnetosphere. This broad mission scope is highly interdisciplinary. It effectively combines the fields of astronomy, earth science, and planetary sciences, making a perfect LSR project. The potential science dividend and impact of this satellite are globally significant and cutting-edge.

The LSR has just leveraged two jointly funded postdoctoral fellows between HKU-LSR and two elite Mainland universities: the KAVLI institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Peking University and the Space and Astrophysics group at Nanjing University. Professor Quentin Parker, Acting Director of LSR, on commenting on the new jointly funded postdoctoral fellows with the aforementioned universities said "This exciting development will help turbo charge our collaborations and opportunities for HK based scientists with top Mainland Space and Astrophysics groups."

Professor Parker has also been appointed as an adjunct Professor at Zhejiang University who host the Mainland's pre-eminent microsatellite research group. They have agreed to offer practical support in setting up our LSR at HKU-ZIRI. A strong collaboration with them is promised, so linking HKU and the LSR directly to the 3 top Mainland universities in Astrophysics, Space Science and Satellite technologies. With the new initiative of a laboratory on space research at HKU-ZIRI and participation in the HKU No.1 satellite opportunity Parker also stated "we are well placed to emerge over the coming years as a true force in Space and Planetary Science in Hong Kong, the Mainland and globally."

###

About LSR

The Laboratory for Space Research (LSR) plays an important role in strategically and favourably positioning HKU astrophysics and planetary research to a higher level. Well situated in a dynamic region of Asia to foster links with the space science community in China and globally as is already occurring, LSR's interdisciplinary research launches various bids to exploit and access the emerging Mainland funding and research environment. We plan to develop multilateral and strategic partnerships with world-leading space science institutes, and participate in large, international, high-impact space missions. We see this as an effective means to better position the LSR, the Departments of Physics and Earth Sciences, the newly established Research Division of the Faculty of Science and so HKU, as a serious node of knowledge, expertise and capacity in space science and related disciplines.

About "HKU No.1" Satellite

An exciting new "Space" partnership was established in Jan.31st, 2018 in Shenzhen. This collaboration, including the School of Astronomy and Space Science of Nanjing University, the Beijing Institute of Space Mechanics and Electricity, Satelliteherd Ltd. and Beijing Origin Space Ltd., HKU LSR is working on the construction, assembly, and testing of the "HKU No.1 satellite". This is an X-ray astronomy telescope with a focused primary science goal to search for dark matter in massive nearby galaxy clusters. This will also be the first soft X-ray satellite in the world that uses "Lobster-Eye" technology. The science mission also includes the study of hot gas in rich galaxy clusters, comets in the solar system and the interaction of the solar-wind with the earth's magnetosphere. The satellite launch is anticipated in mid 2019.The new center will study matter under extreme pressure, collaborate with national laboratories, and train graduate students in stockpile stewardship

The University of California San Diego was awarded $10.5 million over five years from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to create one of four new centers of excellence. The Center for Matters under Extreme Pressure (CMEC) will be the third NNSA center focused on high energy density science.

The center will be headquartered at UC San Diego, but will work in partnership with three other University of California campuses -- Berkeley, Davis and Los Angeles -- the University of Chicago, Florida A&M University and General Atomics. Additionally, they will work in close collaboration with four Department of Energy national laboratories: Lawrence Livermore, Sandia, Los Alamos and SLAC National Accelerator.

UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla stated that "this center will allow us to work with the most talented experts in high energy density science across academia, private industry and national laboratories. We are in an exciting position to make remarkable new discoveries about the universe while also providing students meaningful opportunities to train as scientists."

High energy density science deals with matter under extreme conditions of temperature and pressure, such as those that exist in the interior of stars and planets. At such extreme pressure--one million to one trillion times the atmospheric pressure on the Earth's surface--matter behaves differently than under normal conditions on Earth. The fundamental challenge is to understand the underlying physical processes required to predict and control material properties in these extreme environments.

Research will broadly focus on energy transport, material properties and nature under extreme conditions. Emphasis will be placed on the creation and examination of such matter using computer modeling and experimentation. Beyond its usefulness to maintaining the integrity of the United States' nuclear stockpile, such research can also help us understand more about the universe and how celestial bodies are formed.

CMEC will be a part of NNSA's Stockpile Stewardship Academic Alliances (SSAA), created to support scientific advancement, promote interactions between academia and NNSA labs, and train scientists in relevant areas of research.

Farhat Beg, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering and director of the Center for Energy Research, is the principal investigator and will lead the new center's research. He believes CMEC "provides state-of-the-art tools and a world-class team of students, faculty and staff. The center will facilitate a unique environment to conduct research into high energy density science focused on extreme states of matter. This is a great opportunity to provide a trained workforce to the national laboratories"

In order to maintain the stewardship program, a pipeline of specially trained scientists must exist. Because of this, one of the core objectives of CMEC will be to recruit and educate undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

"Educating tomorrow's innovation workforce is a key mission of UC San Diego. This Center will offer many great opportunities for UC San Diego students to work on critical real-world projects while engaging in cutting-edge research," said Albert P. Pisano, Dean of the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering.

In addition to working at CMEC, students will also spend up to 10 weeks at a national laboratory. UC San Diego is going a step further and including high school students in CMEC educational programming as well. Every other year, CMEC will host summer school for interested high school students from around the country, helping plant the seeds of inspiration before they even attend college.

Vice Chancellor for Research Sandra A. Brown stated, "We're very pleased to create this important new Center of Excellence in partnership with the NNSA, national labs, private industry and other great research universities. These collaborations provide unique and valuable opportunities to work together in the name of student training, basic research and national security."

###Researchers from University of California San Diego School of Medicine, with statewide collaborators, report that patients who recorded videos of themselves taking tuberculosis (TB) medications better adhered to treatment than patients who were observed in-person.

The study also found that using a smartphone, called video directly observed therapy (VDOT), cost less and was preferred over in-person directly observed therapy (DOT). Study results appear in the October print edition of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

"Prior studies showed that VDOT worked well in urban areas with large TB control programs. This time we wanted to know if VDOT would be as effective in monitoring TB in rural counties with smaller health departments," said first author Richard Garfein, PhD, MPH, professor in the Division of Epidemiology, part of UC San Diego School of Medicine.

The study took place in California, which reports the highest number of TB cases in the United States. Garfein and his team found that VDOT results were similar across five diverse counties. He said this is promising news for health departments in the U.S. that manage too few TB cases annually to justify designating staff exclusively to TB response. San Diego was the first county in the U.S. to employ VDOT using recorded videos.

"Outside of the U.S., VDOT offers a new method of managing large numbers of patients with TB where the disease is rampant and resources are limited," said Garfein.

TB is the world's leading cause of death from an infectious disease. The condition is treatable, but therapy typically takes six months. Patients must take approximately 12 antibiotic pills per day to cure the disease, avoid transmission and prevent antibiotic resistance. Drug-resistant TB can require up to two years to treat.

Since medication side effects can make patients feel sick, even after their TB symptoms subside, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend watching patients swallow every dose of medication using DOT to ensure they complete their treatment. VDOT is a new way for health workers to monitor medication adherence and support patients who struggle with treatment.

With VDOT, patients used a smartphone and a HIPAA compliant application to record the administration of each medication dose and send videos to their medical provider. Study participants who used VDOT had 93 percent of their medication doses observed on schedule compared with 66 percent among patients who used DOT. The study involved 274 participants who used VDOT for a median period of 5.4 months. Overall, patients' ages ranged from 18 to 87 years. Sixty-one percent were male; 72 percent owned a smartphone.

"Most patients report that it is less burdensome to make a video in private at a convenient time rather than allowing a health worker come to their home, workplace or school every day. VDOT also allows health workers to observe doses taken at night, on weekends and holidays. This saves the health department in travel costs and shortens treatment duration by not having to make up missed doses," said Garfein.

"Studies like this add to the growing body of evidence required by the CDC, WHO and other health agencies around the world to adopt VDOT as a new tool in the fight to eliminate TB."

###

Co-authors include: Lin Liu, Jazmine Cuevas-Mota, Kelly Collins, Fatima Munoz, Javier Cepeda, Michelle Bulterys, Natasha Martin, Philip Rios, Fredric Raab, all at UC San Diego; Donald Catanzaro, University of Arkansas; Kathleen Moser, San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency; Julie Higashi, San Francisco Department of Public Health; Teeb Al-Samarrai, Santa Clara County Public Health Department; Paula Kriner, Imperial County Public Health Department; and Julie Vaishampayan, San Joaquin Public Health Services.

Disclosure: Garfein is a cofounder of SureAdhere Mobile Technology, Inc., a VDOT service provider. No funding, software or other resources were provided by SureAdhere for the study. All interpretation and reporting of study findings were approved by coauthors unaffiliated with SureAdhere.Largest cancer genomics study to date of women of African ancestry highlights molecular features that could be targeted to reduce the breast cancer mortality gap

A study comparing DNA and RNA data from Nigerian breast cancer patients to patients in a United States database found that certain aggressive molecular features were far more prevalent in tumors from Nigerian women than in black or white American women.

In the Oct. 16, 2018 issue of Nature Communications, the study's authors say those differences in multiple molecular features could in part explain disparities in breast cancer mortality for women from Nigeria, and perhaps other West African nations.

"In the era of precision medicine our data provide insights that could reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer across Sub-Saharan Africa and the developing world," said study author Olufunmilayo Olopade, MD, the Walter L. Palmer Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine and Human Genetics, associate dean for Global Health and director of the Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics at the University of Chicago Medicine.

"Without data, we make wrong policies," she added. "Understanding the molecular mechanisms that trigger lethal breast cancers is the most fundamental question remaining in breast cancer research, and is a crucial first step toward intervention."

The study, "Characterization of Nigerian breast cancer reveals prevalent homologous recombination deficiency and aggressive molecular features," compares genomic data from 1,037 U.S. patients, provided by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), to genomic data from 194 Nigerian women with breast cancer. The researchers found multiple, often unexpected, genetic differences between the racial and ethnic groups.

Although the Nigerian patients in the study were much younger, on average, they had more advanced disease at diagnosis and higher mortality rates than women from the TCGA group, most of whom were of European heritage. Breast cancer rates are increasing in Nigeria and across Sub-Saharan Africa at an alarming pace without the necessary infrastructure to stem the epidemic.

In a transnational collaboration to establish a platform for translational breast cancer research in Africa, researchers from the University of Chicago, Novartis Biomedical Research Institute, University of Ibadan and Lagos State University identified 25 different genes from Nigerian patients that were significantly mutated but potentially treatable with novel therapies in clinical trials.

Aggressive features found in these women include the inability to repair damaged DNA -- a mutational process known as homologous recombination deficiency, for which there are emerging therapies. These include drugs in development that target the immune system.

One of the most frequently mutated genes was the tumor-suppressor gene TP53. Sixty-two percent of the African women in the study had TP53 alterations, compared to 46 percent of African-Americans with breast cancer and 29 percent of the TCGA group, primarily U.S. women of European ancestry. The second most frequently mutated gene is human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), for which there are highly effective therapies. "Nigerian women," Olopade said, "should be provided access to HER2 targeted therapies."

Overall, younger Nigerian patients had more mutations in TP53, and in GATA3, which is associated with estrogen receptors, than black patients from the TCGA. White TCGA patients had fewer mutations than black TCGA patients.

They also found significant cancer-related mutations in three genes that had not been previously associated with breast cancer: PLK2, KDM6A and B2M. (A fourth gene was identified after the current study was under review.) PLK2 is a presumed tumor suppressor. KDM6A is frequently mutated in other cancers, and B2M inactivation has been associated with lung cancer.

Tumors from Nigerian women were frequently characterized by "molecular features of aggressive disease," said co-senior author Jordi Barretina, PhD, formerly at the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research in Massachusetts, now the Director of the Girona Biomedical Research Institute in Spain. "The most prominent was the prevalence of homologous recombination deficiency among women with estrogen-receptor positive disease."

The study, according to the authors, "lays the foundation for a more concerted effort to reduce disparities in cancer outcomes by first closing the knowledge gaps. Nigerian women," they add, "could benefit from increased access to genomically-tailored treatments."

###

In a related commentary, published Oct. 8, in Cancer Cell, Olopade, Jason Pitt (now at the National University of Singapore), and Yonglan Zheng from the University of Chicago add that "it is now time to develop interventions that promote health equity. Broad access to genomic analysis coupled with improved access to effective evidence-based treatment and innovative clinical trials have the potential to close widespread mortality gaps."

This study was supported by the National Cancer Institute, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research and the Francis Crick Institute, which receives its core funding from Cancer Research UK, the UK Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust. Computational resources were provided by the University of Chicago's Computation Institute, the University's Biological Sciences Division and Argonne National Laboratory.

Additional authors include Jason Pitt, Kevin White, Dezheng Huo, Dominic Fitzgerald, Jason Grundstad, Jigyasa Tuteja, Yonglan Zheng, Toshio Yoshimatsu, Shengfeng Wang, Galina Khramtsova, Jing Zhang, Elisabeth Sveen, Wendy Clayton, Christopher Olopade, Odunayo Akinyele, Jiebiao Wang and Lin Chen from the University of Chicago; Markus Riester, Artur Veloso, Emma Labrot, Ryan Johnson, Scott Mahan, Rebecca Leary, Maura Macomber, Wendy Winckler, Bryce Hwang, Kenzie MacIsaac, Dimitris Papoutsakis and Michael Morrissey from Novartis; Ayodele Sanni, Esther Obasi, Victor Aderoju, Nasiru Ibrahim, Mobolaji Oludara, Folusho Omodele, John Obafunwa and Abiodun Popoola from Lagos State University, Nigeria; Mustapha Ajani, Adewunmi Adeeoye, Adeyinka Falusi, Babajide Okedere, Abayomi Odetunde, Chinedum Babalola, Temidayo Ogundiran, Olayiwola Oluwasola, Oladosu Ojengbede, Adeyinka Ademola, Chibuzor Nkwodimmah, Bisola Famooto and Temidayo Ogundiran from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria; and Kerstin Haase and Peter Van Loo from the Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.The field of plant science is in the process of being profoundly transformed by new imaging and modelling technologies. These tools are allowing scientists to peer inside the leaf with a clarity and resolution inconceivable a generation ago.

In a recent publication, a team of Australian and US scientists demonstrated how three-dimensional (3D) imaging can now reproduce the inner reality of the leaf, including the dynamic carbon and water exchange processes.

Professor John Evans, from the Research School of Biology at the Australian National University (ANU), and one of the authors of the research, said that although leaves and plant cells are three dimensional, plant biologists use highly simplified 1D or 2D models, evading the difficult, confounding and beautiful 3D reality.

"The leaf is an amazingly complex landscape, where water and gases flow in many directions depending on variables such as temperature, light quality and wind. 3D images give you an understanding of what is really happening," said Professor Evans, who is a Chief investigator at the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis (CoETP).

These technologies make it possible to answer very interesting questions, some of which have eluded scientists for many years," he said.

The images are created from biological specimens, by integrating 2D leaf measurements to create 3D volumes and surfaces. The 3D representation enables an anatomically correct basis for modelling and biophysical simulations to provide a dynamic view of the processes inside plant cells and tissues.

"In this article, we show the huge potential that embracing 3D complexity can have in improving our understanding of leaves at multiple levels of biological organisation, including harnessing the knowledge to improve the photosynthetic performance of crops," said Professor Margaret Barbour from the University of Sydney and a CoETP Associate investigator.

"It is a bit like being able to walk inside the leaf, instead of looking at it squashed in two dimensions," Professor Barbour said.

The scientists predict that using a collaborative approach, they will be able to answer, within the next decade, outstanding questions about how the 3D special arrangement of organelles, cells and tissues affects photosynthesis and transpiration.

This research, was published recently in the international journal Trends in Plant Science.

###

The work is an international collaboration involving researchers from Yale, Harvard, UC Davis, UCLA, Wageningen, University of Idaho, Western Sydney University and University of Queensland, supported by the University of Sydney and the ARC Centre for Translational Photosynthesis, whose lead node is located at ANU.

Professor Margaret Barbour from the University of Sydney and Professor John Evans from ANU are available for interviews.

Images and video available at this link.Jimil Shah, a recent mechanical engineering doctoral graduate, is the recipient of the 2018 ASME Electronic and Photonic Packaging Division Student Engineer of The Year Award.

He received the award at the recent American Society of Mechanical Engineers' InterPACK Conference in San Francisco.

The award recognizes a student who has excelled in research and has shown promise to be a strong contributor in the field of electronic and photonic packaging. Only one student is selected annually for the national award.

"This recognition affirms the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and UTA's standing within the EPPD community," MAE Chair Erian Armanios said.

Shah received his doctorate in August 2018 and is a post-doctoral research associate in Dereje Agonafer's research group. Agonafer is a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering.

Shah said he was always drawn to thermodynamics and refrigeration/air-conditioning projects.

"Here at UTA, Dr. Agonafer and his research lab is a part of a great program called as ES2 or, the Center for Energy-Smart Electronic Systems, which is an Industry/University Cooperative Research Center funded by National Science Foundation," Shah said. "I felt that this program will provide me an opportunity to utilize my knowledge of thermodynamics in the area of thermal management of data centers."

As a graduate student, Shah published 11 journal and conference papers with seven additional journal papers under review. His research focuses on gaining an in-depth understanding of immersion cooling strategies for data centers and the impact of particulate and gaseous contamination on IT equipment where air side economizers are implemented.

"As an ES2 researcher, I got a chance to work with renown industry mentors. I have attended more than 20 conferences during my graduate studies. That gave me an exposure to exchange the ideas with my peers," Shah said.

As a graduate student, Shah has published 11 journal and conference papers followed by seven more journal papers as under review.

Currently, Shah is a postdoctoral research associate focusing on a number of research topics. Past doctoral students from Agonafer's lab have done well, employed in technology companies such as Facebook and Intel.

His awards include the I-Engage Mentoring Program Scholarship and the Best Student Abstract Award at IMAPS 2015.

"Congratulations on behalf of the entire division! We look forward to your continued progress and accomplishments," wrote Kaustubh Nagarkar from GE Corporate, who is general chair of the conference.

Currently, Shah is working on understanding single-phase immersion cooling strategies for data centers and other subjects.

Shah is the second of Agonafer's students to win the EPPD Student Engineer of the Year Award. Fahad Mirza won in 2014.

###BENGALURU, India, October 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Broad-based Growth and Digital Resulted in a Strong Q2 19

"We are delighted with our broad-based growth across all business segments and geographies during the quarter. This is a testimony to our strong client relationships, digital led full service capabilities, and intense focus on the needs of our clients," said Salil Parekh, CEO and MD. "Large deal wins at over $2 billion during the quarter demonstrate our increased client relevance and also give us better growth visibility for the near-term."

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/Infosys_Logo.jpg )

- $2 Bn+ Large deal signings in Q2 19 - 4.2% Q2 19 QoQ revenue growth in CC terms - 31.0% Digital revenue share in Q2 19 - 7.1% H1 19 YoY revenue growth in CC terms - 23.7% Operating margin in Q2 19 - Q2 19 revenues grew year-on-year by 7.1% in USD terms; 8.1% in constant currency terms - Q2 19 revenues grew sequentially by 3.2% in USD terms; 4.2% in constant currency terms - Digital revenues at $905 million (31.0% of total revenues), year-on-year growth of 33.5% and sequential growth of 13.5% in constant currency terms - H1 revenues grew by 6.9% in USD terms; 7.1% in constant currency terms - Operating margin 23.7%, at higher end of guidance range - Q2 19 Basic EPS grew year-on-year by 5.7% in USD terms - Large deal wins crossed $2 billion - Declared interim dividend of ?7 per share (approximately $0.10 per ADS*) - FY 19 revenue guidance in constant currency retained at 6%-8%; Operating margin guidance retained at 22%-24%

*USD/INR exchange rate as of September 30, 2018

1) Financial Highlights- Consolidated results under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

-- For the Quarter ended September 30, 2018

- Revenues were $2,921 million, growth of 7.1% YoY and 3.2% QoQ - Net profit was $581 million, growth of 0.5% YoY and 8.8% QoQ - Basic EPS was $0.13, growth of 5.7% YoY and 8.8% QoQ

-- For six months ended September 30, 2018

- Revenues were $5,753 million, growth of 6.9% YoY - Net profit was $1,116 million, decline of 0.3% YoY - Basic EPS was $0.26, growth of 4.8% YoY

"We had another quarter of solid operating parameters with utilization being stable and offshore mix improving to all-time high," said U B Pravin Rao, COO. "Our Digital services grew double digits sequentially, while growth in top clients was also robust."

"Our unwavering focus on strong financial performance on multiple fronts continued to deliver results during the quarter. Operating margins for the quarter as well as for the half year was at 23.7%, near the top end of our guidance band," said M.D. Ranganath, CFO. "Operating Cash Flow was over $1 billion during the first half of the year and ROE was at 24.7%. We will continue to make strategic investments in digital to leverage opportunities and at the same time keep sharp focus on key operational efficiency parameters."

2. Bonus issue of equity shares

The Company has allotted 2,18,41,91,490 fully paid up equity shares of face value ?5/- each during the three months ended September 30, 2018 pursuant to a bonus issue approved by the shareholders through postal ballot. The bonus shares have been issued to celebrate 25th year of public listing in India and to further increase the liquidity of its shares. Bonus share of one equity share for every equity share held, and a bonus issue, viz., a stock dividend of one American Depositary Share (ADS) for every ADS held, respectively, has been allotted. Consequently, the ratio of equity shares underlying the ADSs held by an American Depositary Receipt holder remains unchanged. 3. Acquisitions

- On September 7, 2018, Infosys Consulting Pte Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys Limited) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 60% stake in Trusted Source Pte Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek Management Services Pte. Ltd.), a Singapore-based IT services company for a total consideration of upto SGD 12 million (approximately $9 million), subject to regulatory approvals and fulfillment of closing conditions. - On October 11, 2018, Infosys Consulting Pte Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys Limited) acquired 100% of voting interests in Fluido Oy (Fluido), a Nordic-based salesforce advisor and consulting partner in cloud consulting, implementation and training services for a total consideration of upto Euro 65 million (approximately $75 million), comprising of cash consideration of Euro 45 million (approximately $52 million), contingent consideration of upto Euro 12 million (approximately $14 million) and retention payouts of upto Euro 8 million (approximately $9 million), payable to the employees of Fluido over the next three years, subject to their continuous employment with the group. The payment of contingent consideration to sellers of Fluido is dependent upon the achievement of certain financial targets by Fluido.

4. Update on arbitration proceedings

On September 17, 2018 the Arbitral Tribunal of Hon'ble Justice R.V. Raveendran (retired) communicated the decision with regard to the dispute between Infosys Ltd. and its former CFO Mr. Rajiv Bansal. The Company has received legal advice and will comply with the award and make the necessary payments. 5. Shareholder visit to Mysuru campus

Shareholders of the Company are being offered an opportunity to visit the Company's campus in Mysuru on November 24, 2018. Shareholders who would like to avail this opportunity need to register at http://www.infosys.com between October 25, 2018 and November 15, 2018. As the number of shareholders the company can host on this visit are limited, shareholders will be accommodated on a first come, first serve basis. This visit is for shareholders only, and is not extended to family and friends. This follows several requests made by shareholders to visit the Company campus. The Company will provide transport from its registered office in Electronics City, Bengaluru and incur all associated costs for this visit from Bengaluru to Mysuru.

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. We enable clients in 45 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over three decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer our clients through their digital journey. We do it by enabling the enterprise with an AI-powered core that helps prioritize the execution of change. We also empower the business with agile digital at scale to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and customer delight. Our always-on learning agenda drives their continuous improvement through building and transferring digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem.

Visit http://www.infosys.com to see how Infosys can help your enterprise navigate your next.

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NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using.After years of improvement in school climate, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students could be facing more hostile environments on campus, a new national student survey found .

The frequency of verbal harassment of transgender students increased between 2015 and 2017, after years of decline, while reports of physical harassment and assault based on gender expression remained roughly the same.

Overall, more than 80 percent of LGBTQ students were harassed or assaulted at school in 2017, with roughly one-in-six students reporting that they were physically assaulted at school because of their sexual orientation or gender expression, according to the survey commissioned by GLSEN, formerly the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

While there were fewer reported incidents of physical harassment and assault based on sexual orientation in 2017 than 2015, the frequency of verbal harassment based on sexual orientation remained unchanged during that time.

About 23,000 LGBTQ youth from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories participated in the 2017 National School Climate Survey. More than 70 percent of the respondents were high school students.

The findings come in the aftermath of the Trump administrations decision, in February 2017, to rescind Obama-era guidance on the rights on transgender students is playing out in schools. The guidance called upon schools to respond quickly to harassment of transgender students, to use their preferred gender on school forms and in assigning them to sex-segregated classes and activities, and required that schools allow students to use the restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity.

Weve seen great progress on dismantling homophobia and transphobia over the past decade, and increasing access to LGBTQ-inclusive supports in K-12 schools. Unfortunately, in 2017, that continued progress has slowed, and in some cases, we see no change at all. Worse still, our findings indicate that many schools have become even more hostile towards transgender and gender nonconforming youth, Dr. Joseph Kosciw, the chief research and strategy officer at GLSEN, said in a statement.

The good news we continue to see is that LGBTQ youth have better mental health and academic outcomes in schools with supportive and inclusive policies, educators, curriculum, and student-led GSA clubs.

A significant share of survey respondents also expressed concern that school employees contributed to the hostile environment in schools.

More than half of LGBTQ students heard homophobic remarks from staff, and over two-thirds heard negative remarks from staff about students gender expression. The survey also found that less than one in five LGBTQ students reported that school staff intervened most of the time or always when overhearing homophobic remarks at school.

This report should serve as an alarm bell for advocates and a call to action for anyone who cares about students well-being, GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard said in a prepared statement.

Despite the upward trend in negative remarks from staff, most students did report having supportive adults at their schools: nearly 97 percent could identify at least one staff member supportive of LGBTQ students at their schools, and more than 60 percent could identify six or more helpful staff members.

Among the reports other findings:

Nearly one-in-five LGBTQ students reported changing schools due to feeling unsafe or uncomfortable.



Eighty percent of LGBTQ students have engaged in social-political activism, such as advocating for safe schools online or policy change at school



More than a third of LGBTQ students missed at least one day of school in the last month because of feeling unsafe at school, and at least 40 percent avoided bathrooms and locker rooms.

Related Stories

Effort Builds to Track School Climate for LGBT Students

Educators Conflicted on LGBT Issues, Survey Shows

Trump Administration Rescinds Transgender-Student Guidance

Feds on Transgender Student Rights: Focus on Bullying, Not BathroomsTuesday, October 16, 2018

The Immigrant Vote Doesn't Exist

By Peggy Orchowski

It's three weeks to the 2018 midterm election and the main topic of conversation on most all the news channels is whether or not Congress will change majorities from Republican to Democrat. Most pundits breathlessly report that this is "the most important midterm election in recent history". Everyone agrees it will come down to voter turnout.

But who is a voter?

It should be clear. Even in these contentious times, there are two simple basics about voting that almost everyone no matter what political party they belong to, can agree on:

Only citizens can vote. Every voter only gets to vote once in an election.

But in practice and in certain areas of the country, both of those basics are being abused. The voting system, like just about everything in our FEDERAL republic, is determined by each state. States can and do have widely different processes for registering and casting votes. There is no national system. The U.S. voting system has always been an honorary one from registering to vote to casting a ballot. We assume everyone is following the simple rules.

For instance, many states do not ask for proof of identification nor citizenship on the registration form nor when signing in to vote at a voting station, nor in casting an absentee or electronic ballot. It is assumed that if one checks a box (or doesn't depending on the state) they are who they say they are and a citizen. Proof of residency often via a utility bill is deemed enough. Many argue that it is even unconstitutional to pose the question.

Similarly there is no national system for states to cross-check votes cast by absentee ballots in one state or district, with votes cast in another. Many people are registered in various jurisdictions  that is not illegal per se. But those who live out of their district -- especially out-of-area college students -- who are eager to vote, can easily mail in a paper absentee ballot to their home district or state and cast a provisional ballot at their college and residency voting station with impunity

It is certainly not helpful when immigrant advocates in the media or in think tanks talk about "the immigrant vote". President Clinton's (former) Director of the (now defunct) Immigration and Naturalization Services Doris Meissner did so several times on Oct. 1 at the annual day-long Law and Immigration Forum at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington DC, of all places.

But immigrants cannot legally vote. Even those who have been here for decades on green cards  Permanent Legal Residency (PLR) permits - are not citizens, although they hold the one permit that allows them to apply for citizenship after about five years residency.

A few locales allow PLRs to vote in local elections. That is their decision. But then that jurisdiction must devise a system where those immigrants' voter registrations are tagged so they are not allowed to vote in federal elections.

The simple fact again is that all immigrants (permanent, temporary and illegal) by definition are not citizens. And once they are naturalized as an Amercan citizen, they are no longer an immigrant  they no longer have an immigration status (allow me to rudely add the comment "duh!").

It is disingenuous to refer to a naturalized citizen voter who used to be an immigrant, as an immigrant voter. It is a dangerous slide. How far back does the immigrant label go? Their lifetime? Their parents and grandparents lifetime? For how many generations are naturalized citizens still to be labeled as immigrants?

The answer is none. Once a citizen, a former immigrant is no longer an immigrant.

And there is no such thing as the immigrant vote.

# # # # # #Welcome to the News Release Wire Selection Control Panel.

Instant News WireA trade war scenario of China thumbing its nose at U.S. dairy products could cost U.S. producers $3.4 billion a year and nearly 16,000 jobs over the next five years, according to a study released Monday by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

The good news: The recently announced U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement likely has saved U.S. dairys top market, Mexico.

Thats key because Mexican imports of U.S. cheese alone are predicted to rise from $318 million in 2018 to more than $398 million by 2022 as Mexicans increasingly frequent U.S. restaurant chains and embrace U.S.-style foods. Canada is the second leading importer of U.S. dairy; China is the third.

Researchers completed the study at the request of the National Milk Producers Federation in September, before the USMCA was announced as a trilateral replacement to the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement. Loss of both the Mexican and Chinese export markets could have cost the U.S. dairy industry up to $6.58 billion a year and more than 32,000 workers.

Texas is the nations sixth leading producer of dairy, after California, Wisconsin, New York, Idaho and Pennsylvania; exporting $247 million worth of milk products, some 80 percent of which goes to Mexico.

Citing threats to national security, President Donald Trump in March announced worldwide tariffs on aluminum and steel and in May removed the exemption for trading partners including the European Union, Canada and Mexico. The tariffs prompted a slew of retaliatory duties on everything from apples to whiskey. Mexico enacted tariffs of 25 percent on imports of U.S. cheese; China put up tariffs on dairy products consisting mainly of whey, dry milk and cheese.

Luis Ribera, an agricultural economist with the universitys Center for North American Studies, said that while the situation with Mexico was basically resolved, producers still had reason to fear losing the Chinese market.

The Chinese middle class has been growing, and with it the nations appetites for dairy products including cheese and whey for use in baby formula. China in 2017 imported $577 million in dairy markets, making it the third leading market for U.S. dairy. Both the Mexican and Chinese dairy markets have fallen 42 percent since the Trump administration enacted the tariffs.

Riberas team weighed three scenarios.

The first was a natural economics-at-play situation where shoppers in the two nations adjust to higher prices by buying less. Ribera likened it to a consumer faced with a 50 percent price hike for avocados making less guacamole and avocado toast but not foregoing the fruit completely.

A second scenario mirrors what has already been seen, which is importers for political reasons either sourcing elsewhere or just stocking less of the commodity.

In China, it makes a lot of sense because its centralized. So everything thats imported, its the government that has the decision, Ribera said. Thats what were seeing basically with soybeans right now. Even though they need the soybeans, even though they cannot purchase more soybeans from Brazil, theyre still not trying to buy from the U.S.

In a third, and most dire, scenario, almost all of the two countries U.S. dairy imports are replaced by imports from competing places such as the New Zealand and the EU, which is expected to reach a free trade agreement with Mexico by 2020.

It was basically we lost the market, he said.

lbrezosky@express-news.netJohn Stillwaggon is well aware of the perceived irony of moving from his native New York to San Antonio to make a living in theater.

Hes reminded of it every time someone asks him what he does.

I say, Im a full-time actor, and theyll say, Ah, well, thats a tough business, never know where the next job is coming from, he said. And Im like, I dont think they heard what I just said.

Stillwaggon, 39, runs Magik Theatres touring arm with his wife, Carolyn Dellinger.

Were incredibly fortunate, Carolyn and me, to have the jobs we do, he said. But I also do think that theres a litany that people tell themselves to stop themselves from running after the things they want in life - Thats so hard, thats so rare.

Stillwaggon also often appears on stages around town, most recently as Nick Bottom opposite Dellingers fairy queen Titania in Classic Theatres delightful A Midsummer Nights Dream. His latest gig has him toiling behind-the-scenes, directing Sylvia at the Sheldon Vexler Theatre.

The show opens Saturday.

Its his fourth go-round at the Vex, following memorable performances as the dastardly pirate Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher and in the title roles in An Act of God and Hamlet. After those shows, artistic director Ken Frazier invited him to work on Sylvia.

On ExpressNews.com: Vex crew preps Starcatcher

Johns interview (to direct) was those three roles, said Dylan Brainard, the theaters production manager, who directed him in An Act of God. Hes a pleasure to work with.

The feeling is mutual.

I love being at the Vex, he said. As an actor here, I felt encouraged and challenged but also supported and protected. And I feel that way (directing) here, too.

He wasnt familiar with Sylvia when he was asked to direct it, but the script won him over. The title character is a lively pooch (Josey Porras) that a man (Dave Ankrom) adopts, much to his wifes (Angela Hoeffler) chagrin.

The key to the shows success, he said, is if Porras can win over folks like himself, who arent dog people. When he read it, he said, he immediately took the wifes side.

I knew it was going to be a good litmus test if Sylvia, the character, and Greg, the character who advocates for her, win me over, he said. If I am falling for the dog, then were in good shape. And so far, I am.

The show marks his first directing gig in town outside of Magik. He moved here specifically to work with the childrens theater in 2014 after appearing in a few of the theaters national tours.

He owes his roles in those shows and eventual full-time Magik gig  not to mention his marriage  to a New York production of the musical Guys and Dolls. He played gambler Sky Masterson and Dellinger played Sarah Brown, the temperance crusader his character falls for: We always joke around, we sort of got to rehearse what dating would be like, he said. We got to hold hands, walk arm in arm.

Kelly Petlin, a San Antonio actress with ties to Magik who was working in New York at the time, also appeared in the show, and all three stayed in touch after it closed. About a year later, Petlin recommended Stillwaggon for a Magik tour of Treasure Island. He won the role of the one-legged pirate Long John Silver, opening the door for him, co-star Jeremy Zenor and later Dellinger to forge a connection with Magik. When the national tours finished, they were invited to take care of local and statewide touring productions closer to home.

They eventually ended up moving their things down here, and I think its one of the best things thats happened to Magik, said Shelley Weber, the companys general manager. All three of them are immensely talented, and they really took on the local tour program and made it what it is today.

That includes the Theatre for the Very Young program, which is aimed at youngsters age 5 and under and includes the interactive shows Wake Up, Brother Bear and The Ants Go Marching, which Dellinger wrote.

On ExpressNews.com: Magik offers shows for tiny tots

Zenor recently left Magik for another job, but Stillwaggon and Dellinger still work closely together.

I am sure a lot of married couples, happy married couples that I know, wouldnt want to work together, and I understand that. But man, has it worked out for us, he said. We really work well together. And I told Magik when she first auditioned, shes a much bigger asset to a theater company than I am  shes good at so many things.

Stillwaggon peppers his conversation with references to and praise for Dellinger, Weber noted.

His admiration for his spouse is just wonderful, she said. The fact that he is so loving says a lot about who he is as a person.

Stillwaggons passion for acting began in childhood. He grew up watching his siblings perform in school plays, he said, and noticed how much fun they had. When he gave it a go in the eighth grade, there was an additional benefit: The stutter he had been struggling with for three years vanished.

I think a lot of (the stutter) was coming from being in a big family  it was hard to get a word in edgewise. And so I would sort of hesitate before I started speaking, he said. The stutter didnt fully go away until I started doing plays. And I think it was getting onstage, and all of the sudden, everyone was listening. No one was allowed to cut me off. And everyone not only was listening, but was encouraging  they couldnt wait to hear the story.

Many people think actors must be scared of the audience, he said, but the reverse is true for him.

I think because I grew up as an audience member, I realize the audience is there warm and happy and excited, he said. They love you, theyre rooting for you, and, as David Mamet says, theyre there for a hot date, not to give blood. Isnt that great? So thats how everyone should feel sitting down, both the the audience and the actors. Were all here together, isnt this great? So thats how I started. That as my attitude starting acting. And it really hasnt changed.

Sylvia opens Saturday. It can be seen at 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays and 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Nov. 11 at the Sheldon Vexler Theatre, 12500 N.W. Military. Tickets range from $15 to $23 at www.vexler.org or by calling 210-302-6835.

dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN

Deborah Martin is an arts writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @DeborahMartinENElections officials in Bexar County and Texas say they are confident the midterm elections will be secure, though voters here will use some of the most outdated voting machines in the country amid national concerns about tampering or hacking.

U.S. officials have warned that a situation like the one in 2016, in which Russia-linked hackers targeted elections systems in 21 states, including Texas, is one click away in November, but they havent yet detected any attempts to corrupt election systems or leak information.

Most of the activity in 2016 amounted to hackers making preparations to break into networks by scanning them for potential vulnerabilities, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The agency said thats what happened in Texas.

Secretary of State Rolando Pablos has repeatedly denied that Texas election systems were targeted or scanned. He said a state investigation determined conclusively that election systems were not targeted here.

On ExpressNews.com: Russia-affiliated hackers targeted DPS, state library

Records show Russia-linked hackers did target the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Library and State Archives Commission.

Theres a giant lack of understanding about what happened, said Dan Wallach, a Rice University professor who studies elections security.

In Texas, where each county is responsible for its own elections, security experts say there are several potential vulnerabilities, including the voting machines themselves, a statewide voter registration database that is online and a lack of oversight regarding how counties procure poll book systems.

Banned machines

Bexar is one of 148 counties that use DRE (direct recording electronic) machines, which process votes without any kind of record. The machines are banned by many states; Texas is one of 13 that still use them.

Security experts say the touch-screen machines are troublesome because, if something goes wrong, theres no way to conduct a meaningful recount since theres no paper record. It would be more difficult to verify whether theyve been hacked, experts say.

On ExpressNews.com: Local coalition pushes for return to paper voting

Elections officials counter that the machines are offline, which means theyre less susceptible to hacking, although experts said they can still be accessed. Bexar Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen said the countys machines are closely protected and held in padlocked cases before Election Day.

Callanen said the county uses iVotronic touch-screen machines from the company ES&S.

That particular machine caused Florida to ban DRE machines, according to Wallach, after a controversial 2006 Sarasota election in which the machines recorded 18,000 ballots as blank. A congressional race in that election was decided by 369 votes.

Anthony Gutierrez, executive director of government reform group Common Cause Texas, equated the machines to the equivalent of a Nokia flip phone or first-generation iPod in terms of technology.

That leaves them open to problems such as what happened in Florida. According to Gutierrez, some machines malfunction or fail every Election Day, leading to delayed openings or longer lines at poll sites.

San Antonio is actually a really good example of how badly outdated our voting infrastructure is, Gutierrez said.

Callanen said shes looking to begin a process to replace the machines next year.

Voter database online

The statewide voter registration database is online, according to Secretary of State spokesman Sam Taylor, but only to those authorized to use it, including county clerks and elections officials.

Still, experts say information available anywhere online can be vulnerable. For example, an Arizona election officials credentials were posted online in 2016, according to CNN. If hackers gained entry to Texass registration database, they could selectively delete people from the rolls or change voters information, experts said.

Affected voters would then have to fill out provisional paper ballots that county officials verify later, according to Callanen. That could also lead to long lines and delays, especially if theres a large-scale issue.

Creating selective long lines in selective districts could have a partisan outcome, Wallach said.

Like the states other large counties, Bexar has its own voter registration database on a private server at its facility, Callanen said. If theres an attack on the statewide database, that could insulate the county.

On ExpressNews.com: Election officials confident in security ahead of primary

The state recently implemented two-step authentication to bolster protections for its online database, Taylor said. In late August, the agency also used a portion of the $23.3 million it received from the federal Help America Vote Act this year to buff up database security, including intrusion and malware detection.

The state has also used those funds to make risk assessment programs and training classes available for counties. Forty counties have used the assessment program, and 150 have utilized the training, which teaches employees how to resist phishing scams, among other strategies.

Callanen said Bexar hasnt conducted either of those programs, but the county has analyzed its security previously and is comfortable.

I stake my reputation on it, she said. I do that every year.

Lack of oversight

The state does not conduct any oversight of the technology and software that counties use for poll books, which match voters with their registration records.

That doesnt necessarily mean theres a problem, Wallach said, but its harder to determine how secure the systems are.

Absence of oversight doesnt imply the existence of vulnerability, he said. But if you dont have oversight, you dont know.

VR Systems, which provides voting software services to eight states (not including Texas), was targeted by a Russian phishing scheme before the 2016 election, according to news reports. Last year, the New York Times reported at least two others were breached by hackers.

Bexar uses an online poll book system from the company VOTEC. In the event of an attack, Callanen said, the county could shut down the program and use paper copies of the voter rolls to sign voters in.

The election would go on, she said. But long lines remain a risk if the state is forced to use paper registration records or theres a high volume of provisional ballots.

Dylan McGuinness covers local politics and the Bexar County government for the Express-News. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | dylan.mcguinness@express-news.net | Twitter: @DylMcGuinnessAUSTIN  Four years ago, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services was in a state of disrepair. The child welfare division was floundering after a disastrously failed privatization experiment, Medicaid managed care was racked with delays, and officials were on the hook for tens of millions of dollars in federal fines.

Hoping to restore some semblance of order at the embattled agency, Gov. Pete Ricketts turned to a young outsider named Courtney Phillips.

The Louisiana native, now 39, faces the same task this week as she takes the helm at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission amid great upheaval.

The agency has come under fire most recently for mishandling contract bids and allowing the states Medicaid managed care providers to rake in billions while denying essential services to medically fragile Texans. Former executive commissioner Charles Smith, considered a close ally of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, retired in May, just two years into the job.

RELATIVE: Health care angst fuels Texas Democrats in congressional races

If Phillips record in Nebraska is any indication, it wont be easy. While advocates and elected officials there describe her as transparent and open-minded with extensive knowledge of the health care field, they acknowledge that parts of the agency are still struggling.

There were challenges at DHHS when she got there and, unfortunately, there will continue to be some challenges after she leaves, said Aubrey Mancuso, executive director at Voices for Children in Nebraska, an advocacy group. She added: It takes more than one individual.

Two weeks before Abbott announced Phillips appointment in August, auditors in Nebraska unleashed a biting assessment of the agencys child welfare efforts, estimating that 40 percent of claims between 2016 and the end of last year were paid erroneously, meaning $26 million in wasted expenses.

Auditors found that children were being moved to lower care levels but at much higher costs, that subsidy rates were at times grossly inflated, that employees were racking up tens of thousands of dollars in unnecessary travel expenses, and that a key contract had not been competitively bid.

Whats more, the federal Department of Health and Human Services found that Nebraska had failed to bring any of seven key child and family measures into adequate compliance, according to the audit. Those include categories such as Children are, first and foremost, protected from abuse and neglect, and Children are safely maintained in their homes whenever possible, and Children have permanency and stability in their living situations.

Child welfare accounts for about 8.5 percent of the agencys budget in Nebraska.

I dont think (Phillips) created these issues, but we are still seeing them, said Juliet Summers, a former juvenile public defender now at Voices.

RELATIVE: Texas voter registration surged. But will voters turn out?

State Sen. Merv Riepe, a Republican who chairs Nebraskas Health and Human Services Committee, said lawmakers and agency officials there are working on solutions. He said Phillips has made admirable improvements and begun to restore trust in the agency.

Its hard to change a culture in three or four years, but I think shes set it on track, he said.

A breath of fresh air

Phillips, who starts in Austin on Friday, wont directly oversee child welfare in Texas; the Department of Family and Protective Services, which oversees that work, was spun off from HHSC last year.

The two agencies are still joined at the hip, though, and Phillips will have no shortage of contracting issues to confront with Medicaid, which comprises a majority of the states health and human services spending. And thats all at an agency with an annual budget more than 10 times larger than Nebraskas.

Phillips helped expand Medicaid managed care in Nebraska in 2016. The effort got off to a rough start, with reports of providers going unpaid and patients being denied legitimate medical services. Janet Seelhoff, executive director of the Nebraska Home Care Association, said officials under Phillips have been responsive to the complaints, and the system has been improving, especially in recent months. Its still not where it needs to be, however.

At this point we havent had any home-care providers in Nebraska indicate theyll stop serving Medicaid recipients, Seelhoff said. But I think if there continues to be ongoing issues, it could come to that point.

Both the Nebraska and Texas health agencies declined to make Phillips available for an interview. In August, a spokesman in Nebraska told a reporter there that the agency agreed with some findings in the child welfare review and disputed others, saying it was premature for auditors to call certain costs unreasonable.

Phillips has secured some clear victories. She helped reduce wait times for Nebraskans applying for benefits such as food stamps, expedited licensing for nurses in the face of a statewide nursing shortage, and stepped up preventive efforts to serve families at risk of having their children placed in foster care. Phillips worked to reverse that, supporting research-based intervention programs and incentives to boost kinship care, where relatives take in children from struggling homes. The removal numbers havent dropped dramatically, Summers said, but thats likely because of an uptick in Nebraskas rate of drug addiction.

RELATIVE: Medicaid is essential for a healthy Texas

In an interview last month with the Associated Press, Phillips said she was happy with the agencys efforts to streamline its services, and confident more improvements were on the way.

Kathy Campbell, a former Republican state senator in Nebraska who oversaw the Health and Human Services Committee when Phillips started, called her a breath of fresh air. Phillips made a point to meet regularly with Campbell, sharing information and fielding questions.

I always felt that she was forthright and honest, and told it like it is, Campbell said. She didnt sugar coat things.

Problems in Texas

That will prove critical in Texas. As head of the health commission, Phillips will oversee nearly 60,000 employees and a $40 billion annual budget. Among many concerns, the agency has been accused of bungling multimillion dollar contracts by inaccurately scoring vendor bids and failing to check references.

Earlier this year, auditors found it had incorrectly allowed an insurance company to pay $29.6 million in bonus and incentive payments to medical providers. The agency had to cancel five managed-care contracts in the Childrens Health Insurance Program because of flaws in the procurement process. It failed to place substantial fines on medical companies despite evidence they were shortchanging sick and vulnerable Texans.

And last year the agency was accused of having taken too long to report dozens of contracts worth at least $100 million to the legislature. Amid all that, several top officials have been fired or reportedly forced out, and staff turnover remains high.

Gov. Abbott is confident Phillips can stem the bleeding and bring accountability.

If one thing is clear from Dr. Phillips record, it is that it doesnt take her long to begin making meaningful and lasting change, said Ciara Matthews, a spokeswoman.

Before Nebraska, Phillips rose quickly through the ranks at the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, most recently serving as deputy secretary. She has a bachelors degree in kinesiology, a masters degree in public administration, and a doctorate in public policy, the last of which she completed while working in Nebraska.

Phillips grew up in Port Sulphur, a former company town on the toe of Louisianas boot, just a few miles from the Gulf of Mexico. She has said she got into the health field after witnessing her grandmothers struggles with rheumatoid arthritis.

Her salary in Texas will be $275,000.A primary care physician with UT Health San Antonio has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine, one of the most prestigious honors in the medical field.

Dr. Robert Ferrer, 57, a family physician at the Long School of Medicine, has worked for 21 years with medically under-served people in San Antonio.

The National Academy of Medicine provides authoritative, evidence-based information about national and international health policies. It works in conjunction with the National Academies of Science and Engineering, Ferrer was one of 85 new members elected by his peers Monday, joining more than 2,000 total members.

The academy cited Ferrers use of a framework that addresses the environmental and social factors that can determine patients health as the basis for his selection.

Ferrer said his area of research combines primary care and public health, using a patients life circumstances to better inform their care. For example, it is not useful to tell a patient to get more exercise by walking outside if they do not feel safe in their neighborhood, he said.

We physicians spend a lot of time giving people advice about how to eat better, getting physical activity, said Ferrer, who is also a board member of the Bexar County Health Collaborative. Sometimes its done without knowledge of the full obstacles a person is facing.

To better understand peoples barriers to health, Ferrer and his colleagues had patients complete questionnaires about aspects of their lives and environment, such as whether they ever ran out of money to pay for food over the course of a month. To their surprise, more than half of the patients at a downtown clinic reported food insecurity, Ferrer said, a reality that interfered with treatment of some of their health conditions.

In collaboration with the San Antonio Food Bank, the physicians arranged for the Mobile Mercado, a mobile grocery store, to visit the clinic twice a month, providing access to fresh produce. The patients subsequently reported improvements to their eating habits and blood sugar levels, he said.

Ferrer said his nomination and election to the academy was completely unexpected, as the process for admittance is largely invisible to the candidate. He is one of eight people with UT Health San Antonio to have been academy members over the years.

He said he hopes to bring to the organization his years of practical experience interacting with patients in under-served communities.

Its not rocket science, but its operating in a way that were not used to operating a lot of times in health care, he said.

Lauren Caruba covers health care and medicine in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | lcaruba@express-news.net | Twitter: @LaurenCarubaThis summer, in the face of near-universal outrage, the Trump administration stopped separating families at the U.S.-Mexico border, reversing an immigration strategy that had required the construction of a tent city for unaccompanied children in the desert outside Tornillo, near El Paso.

Four months later, not only is the tent city still operating, it has exploded in size: it now houses about 1,500 children, up from about 330 in June. The shelters expansion is still due in part to the Trump administration, specifically a new requirement that the FBI perform a fingerprint background check on adults who want to sponsor an unaccompanied child.

With midterm elections just a few weeks away, and with Hispanic voters still largely an untapped resource, Democrats are trying to highlight the GOPs ties to the swelling shelter in the West Texas desert. On Monday, U.S. Reps. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, and Joe Kennedy III, D-Massachusetts, toured the site operated by BCFS Health and Human Services, a San Antonio-based nonprofit.

On a conference call with reporters, Castro called the Trump administrations role in the situation morally bankrupt, and Kennedy labeled it inhumane.

READ ALSO: Hundreds join Castro to protest administration's separation policy

Both Democrats emphasized delays in placing children with sponsors that for some have resulted in detention stays far beyond the 20 day-maximum mandated by the so-called Flores settlement, a 1997 agreement reached with the federal government.

Nobody seems to be getting these folks out  in under 20 days, and its unclear, at least from my understanding, what they believe their responsibility to be in complying with that settlement, Castro said. So that was of great concern.

He added, Its taking longer on these background checks, and thats part of the problem.

Castro painted mostly a bleak picture of life at the shelter. He said temperatures in Tornillo had dropped from above 100 degrees in the summer down to the 40s.

Just very cold, he said. The tents dont seem especially sturdy where the kids are sleeping.

Another local firm operating at the tent city is The RK Group, San Antonios oldest catering firm.

Owned by the Kowalski family, The RK Group has held a multimillion-dollar contract to provide food and drinks at the Convention Center here since 1972. The firm also is a longtime subcontractor to BCFS for emergency services on an on-call basis.

Its role in Tornillo has troubled some local leaders, including Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales, who in June called for the firm to give away what its earning at the shelter. The RK Group responded that it would be making a contribution to charities in support of families and children.

At the time, the tent city was expected to close within days. Now, the governments contract with BCFS has been extended at least until Dec. 31.

Two weeks ago, I reached out to The RK Group to ask about its promised contribution. In response, Greg Kowalski, president and CEO of the RK Group, released a statement that noted the firms history of charitable giving.

In keeping with that tradition, The RK Group and the Kowalski family have in recent months made contributions to Catholic Charities, Daily Bread Ministries and Respite Care, among many others, to help address issues of hunger and food insecurity as well as health and welfare, he said. The company also assisted District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino in his effort to gather supplies for migrant families in McAllen.

READ ALSO: Joaquin Castro to meet with officials regarding plutonium that went missing in S.A.

Its in Democrats interests, of course, to highlight the hardships of immigrants at the hands of Republicans. Castro did so this month in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar about the growing tent city.

A memo shows that (Homeland Security) Secretary (Kirstjen) Nielsen knowingly approved the family separation policy that led the government to rip children away from their loved ones at the border, the congressman wrote. While several factors have caused the number of unaccompanied migrant children to increase, it is clear that this zero humanity policy is at the center of it.

On Monday, Castro noted the shelters unsettling growth in the months since the Trump administration reversed the policy.

That facility has become much more massive, he said. Its so strange because its called an emergency operation but it has become a permanent fixture in the desert.

bchasnoff@express-news.netFolks tell me I often quote Edmund Burke and John Donne a bit much, but three things they said seem to apply as we prepare for the voting process and bear reflection.

Burke said wisely, The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing and elsewhere, Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only little.

John Donne is best remembered in my mind for the poem For Whom the Bell Tolls. It has a lot of meaning in its totality, but paraphrased: No man is an island, no man stands alone is the thought best grasped.

The right to vote is the one thing in the arsenal of democracy that should be considered more valuable than the right to bear arms. However, some who havent registered to do so have forfeited that right and are the delight of any tyrants who muster their troops to the polling site and who endeavor to gerrymander districts in their favor, and through other methods attempt to curtail the voting right of others.

Even more disappointing are those who are registered but who dont vote; its like having a loaded weapon you dont fire at an approaching enemy.

Voting is a big thing, however. Its a little thing that some feel wont make a difference  its the nothing and only little of which Burke spoke. Its something of a big responsibility to which Donne alludes to in his poem.

There is a lot locally, nationally and worldwide at your very fingertips as you mark your ballot. Your vote helps determines the here and now. More important, with all we see, hear and evaluate, your vote or lack thereof may well determine our prosperity and the well-being of other human beings.

Dont let your vote be silent or silenced; make it speak in unison with others; make it shout!

James L. Larabee

Clean politics

I recently saw a political cartoon by Mike Smith in which a husband says, Im not voting for anyone who runs negative campaign ads. His wife replies, So youre not voting?

I am very grateful that in my precinct and across the state of Texas we have several candidates who have vowed to not run negative ads or spend time tarnishing their opponents. I volunteer for one such candidate, and I am constantly impressed by the emphasis that we are to be respectful and nonconfrontational toward those who are not supporters. There are many of us who are energized by this focus on what will bring citizens together rather than continue to divide us.

I reject the idea that winning requires vilifying an opponent or his/her supporters. I am not naive, and I have strong views, but I am going to love and respect my neighbor. Will you join me?

Jeanne Clark

Not just yet

Re: Haley to resign as Trumps ambassador to United Nations, National & World, Wednesday:

Donald Trump appointed her, but Ms. Haley is the United States ambassador, not Trumps. We arent a dictatorship quite yet.

Wayne Haymes, Leon Valley

Legal, or stay home

As a retired special education teacher, Ive had the opportunity to work with many American kids who were brought into this world under very difficult circumstances.

In fact, I once wrote a paper titled Poverty Begets Poverty to highlight the fact that most kids born into poverty (or other sad situations) very seldom escape to lead fruitful lives. Yes, on occasion some escape, but the odds are not very good. Nonetheless, I tried to motivate all my students to give it their very best, and Ive had some do well  not nearly as many as I wanted.

Americas illegal immigration problem is long overdue for resolution and is in the news daily. Lets not even discuss the adult aspect of illegal immigration and the fact that its a crime and they should be punished. The children may not know better, and many were born into situations similar to my students and deserve the same support I provided them  in their country of origin. Period!

I hate to be mean, but if you and your kids (if they are truly your kids) are so desperate to escape your country and try to enter the United States illegally, you must pay the consequences. After all, many people who emigrate to America follow the rules and after due process are welcomed with open arms. And that is the way it should be.

Im a news junkie and I see little kids on the news. Id highly recommend men and women refrain from having kids to lessen my poverty begets poverty theory!

John Gretz, Windcrest

Havoc on streets

I was almost killed Oct. 9, driving north on I-10 at the Crossroads exit about 6:40 p.m.

I am a very careful driver. I was signaling to move into the next lane, but before I moved over came a large, red truck, traveling at what seemed to be 90 to 100 miles per hour. I was so lucky that I did not move all the way into the lane, where charging ahead was this crazed driver. Otherwise, I would have been slammed, crushed and shoved into fast-moving traffic. I have never been so close to death in my life.

Something must be done about the numerous dangerous drivers allowed to wreak havoc on San Antonio highways. This town has far too many people with a criminal ego who use public highways as their personal racetrack. As upsetting is the lack of alarm shown by city leaders and local law enforcement at these reckless, dangerous drivers who are allowed to endanger so many lives in San Antonio.

This is such a common, everyday problem, but not a peep about it. No reporting, no campaigns, nothing. Just another day in a still backward town that, no matter how big, never grows up.

Berit Mason

Please tip driver

A recently article posed the question of whether you should tip your Uber driver. And, if so, how much?

The answer is a definite yes. Before moving to San Antonio, we lived in Las Vegas and learned how hard people in the service industry work. If the ride-hailing driver provides reasonably good service, give that person a five-star rating and a few bucks extra. I alway give $5 cash as a minimum.

William OBrienThe two remaining fully state-owned national carriers in the former Yugoslavia, Montenegro Airlines and Croatia Airlines, are to be sold by 2020 at the latest, with their privatisation processes advancing. The Montenegrin government has set a deadline to sell off its shares in the flag carrier by May of next year, when it also intends on giving its two commercial airports up for concession. The Montenegrin Prime Minister, Dusko Markovic, held talks in early October with a "major European company" which has shown interest in buying a stake in the airline. Although the company's name is yet to be made public, it is strongly tipped to be the German investment fund 4K Invest, which also owns Slovenia's Adria Airways. "We are anticipating a letter of intent from a major company, which also owns a carrier, to purchase Montenegro Airlines. I don't know the details of the offer, but there is strong interest from this investor", the Montenegrin Minister for Transportation and Maritime Affairs, Osman Nurkovic, said recently.





The International Monetary Fund has urged Montenegro's government to sell its stake in the country's flag carrier, noting that its funding of the airline was unsustainable. In April it was reported that a European fund, with limited investments in the aviation sector, was considering producing a joint bid for both Croatia Airlines and Montenegro Airlines in return for shares. According to sources, the fund was pondering over the potential investments but made contacts in Croatia first, which it deemed as a higher priority market at the time due to its potential and size. Although the two airlines differ in various aspects, the investor recognised that both have a similar passenger structure due to the existing tourism industry in the two countries.





Croatia Airlines' CEO, Jasmin Bajic, has said the carrier's planned privatisation process is advancing. "In accordance with the 2018 National Reform Programme, adopted by the government, Croatia Airlines has prepared a tender call for the procurement of financial advisory services to seek out the appropriate module to recapitalise and find a strategic partner. The key goal is for this reputable partner to increase our share capital and future business operations. In other words, to find strategic partner(s) that will assist with the implementation of our fleet plans and provide synergies for the company, while also taking into consideration the wider impact of such a transaction". The government has conceded that a future partner is necessary in order to fund the airline's order for four Airbus A320neo aircraft. The airline is currently assessing ways to pay the European manufacturer for the new jets and is seeking lessors to finance part of the advanced payments necessary for the aircraft's delivery. Negotiations are ongoing with potential lessors who will finance advanced payments from 2020 to delivery, the airline said recently.ANSONIA  The city has moved a closer to allowing marijuana production and dispensary facilities in Ansonia.

The final step could come Oct. 29, when the Planning and Zoning Commission is expected to approve regulations that will govern such operations.

Ultimately, they will be done by a special permit, said Jarod Heon, the Planning and Zoning Commission chairman.

On Monday night, the commission conducted a hearing on proposed marijuana regulations. Only Joshua Shuart, a 6th Ward aldermen showed up.

Im shocked no people attended, said Heon. If anyone was concerned they would have showed up.

Heon said the no-shows further his belief that marijuana is more accepted in todays society.

The commission did make some changes to the draft regulations written by Dave Elder, the citys planner. The panel eliminated the requirement of a 300-foot distance from any public or private school or a place of worship.

These facilities have to be close to a commercial area because of the power required, Heon explained. Their hydroponics require a lot of electricity.

As it stands, a growing facility could only be located in the special commercial, light industrial area (near Beaver Street, Howard Avenue, Bishop Williams Court, Chestnut Street and Hershey Drive), or in heavy industrial (the Ansonia Copper and Brass/Farrel complex near downtown) or commerce park (Fountain Lake off Great Hill Road) zones.

Dispensaries could only be located in high industrial and commerce park zones.

These regulations are a good thing for the city, said Joseph Jaumann, a former Planning and Zoning Commission member who currently serves as a 5th Ward alderman and is running for state representative. They give the city the flexibility to review and approve or deny locations for these facilities.

Marijuana production facilities are required to meet all criteria and regulations set by state laws and the Department of Consumer Protection. Any production for recreational purposes would require a change of use and a special permit from the commission.

The same rules apply to a dispensary, with the exception it cannot be within 300 feet of a public or private school or place of worship.

Before production or distribution plant could open within Ansonias 6 square miles, a special permit would have to be sought and a public hearing allowing the nearly 20,000 residents to comment conducted.

Its all regulated, said Maureen McCormack, a commission member. Its not like they are going to pop up willy-nilly.

The commission began looking into marijuana rules after Sheila OMalley, the citys economic development director, received inquiries about locating a dispensary in the shopping center near Stop and Shop and a grow facility on Riverside Drive near the vacant Ansonia Copper and Brass.

With all the publicity this received, I thought wed have gotten more calls, said OMalley. Im sure theyll start coming once the commission adopts the regulations.

Ansonia was among several Valley municipalities that imposed a moratorium on production or dispensary facilities following the states 2012 approval of medical marijuana use.

During the summer, the Planning and Zoning Commission directed Elderto draft regulations.

The state currently has four grow facilities  Advanced Grow Labs in West Haven, Theraplant in Watertown, Connecticut Pharmaceutical Solutions in Portland and Curaleaf LLC in Simsbury.

Dispensaries through which medical marijuana is available by prescription are in Bethel, Branford, Bristol, Hartford, Milford, South Windsor, Uncasville and Waterbury.

Heon said establishing regulations on something that likely will come before the commission before long just makes sense.GREENWICH  Cos Cob School students went back to school for the second time on Monday, concluding their unexpected week-long vacation due to flooding that occurred last weekend.

Families of kindergarten, first- and second-graders rose an hour earlier to catch buses from Cos Cob to their new host schools, Parkway and Old Greenwich, where they will attend classes until the end of winter break. Third-graders joined fourth- and fifth-graders on the third floor Cos Cob School, which was spared from the flooding.

This is an opportunity for us to model what we preach: Care for yourself and others, said Mary Grandville, principal of Parkway School, which accepted Cos Cob kindergartners Monday. I think everyone has exemplified that, from parents, to staff to our students.

At Old Greenwich, Cos Cob students celebrated birthdays they could not observe while out of school and sang songs with their new school mates during a morning assembly, Old Greenwich School Principal Jennifer Bencivengo said in an email.

For a six-seven-year-old, it was a reminder that their day is quite similar and we're going to make this transition as seamless as possible, she said.

Cos Cob students and parents gathered at their ailing school building early in the morning. Children received lanyards and lined up by class to wait for the buses that left almost on schedule from the front of the school. Many parents watched their children board, high-fiving them as they left.

Most parents relied on bus service, which was flawless, rather than driving their children, Grandville said.

Parents of kindergarten and second-graders responded positively to the relocation plan, while first-grade parents expressed concern about classroom size.

More for you Officials: Cos Cob School repairs and relocation plan will cost $2 million

I thought it was great, they are very prepared for the kindergartners, said parent Teresa Gordon.

Parkway converted its makers space, science lab, music room and advanced learning program room, none of which impacted current students, Grandville said.

A group of fourth-graders made a bulletin board with messages for each child in the kindergarten class next door, she added.

It seems like a very nice community, Gordon said.

But some parents of first-graders have expressed worries over the size of two rooms at Old Greenwich School that will each house 32-33 students.

Some parents are highly skeptical that in a town with our resources, and with school buildings in the double digits, that this is all the administration could come up with, parent Kori Clarke said in an email this weekend. A room this size packed with that many students is going to make it virtually impossible for six-year-olds to focus and learn anything in the coming months.

Each first-grade room will have two teachers, a model called co-teaching, and could also have parents and special education providers, Cos Cob Principal Gene Schmidt said at an informational meeting for parents Thursday.

Although the ratio might stay the same, the level and the distraction and the ability to provide the academic, social and emotional support to kids is really asking a lot, said parent Jane Anderson.

A converted science room at Old Greenwich looked like a normal classroom, said parent Jessica Rickert of her second-grade daughters new room.

She has explained the transition to her daughter as an adventure with her friends.

I think she will be fine, she said.

Greenwich Public School officials are requesting nearly $2 million to cover the costs of remediating and restoring Cos Cob School, as well as relocating displaced students.

The next hurdle will be passing the funding requests through the Board of Education, the Board of Estimate and Taxation and the Representative Town Meeting.

You know it will be an expensive rebuild, Rickert said. The faculty has worked so hard, and I would hate for town government to be an impediment to that.

Her husband used to be on the RTM and has contacted current members, encouraging them to move the funding along quickly, she said.

Parent Ryan Maloney was unsure why the school would move younger children and keep older students until he learned the state mandates young children stay on lower floors, he said.

He stayed until his last child boarded the bus, a new experience for both his children.

Theyll probably dig it, he said. Everyone will feel better after having done it once.

jo.kroeker@hearstmediact.comBRIDGEPORT  Susan Bysiewicz was promised more than just one vote for the statewide Democratic ticket when she met Mugsy Pettway while campaigning Monday at Gala Foods Supermarket on the East Side.

I got one of the biggest families in Bridgeport, Pettway boasted to the candidate for lieutenant governor.

Bysiewicz, gubernatorial contender Ned Lamont and their allies need as many votes in Bridgeport as they can get  and they appear to know it.

Lamont made appearances in Bridgeport over the weekend and was back Monday morning for a health care roundtable with Mayor Joe Ganim, whom the Greenwich millionaire defeated in their partys August primary.

Ganim was supposed to campaign with Bysiewicz on the East Side on Monday, but did not make it to Gala Foods.

Av Harris, a mayoral aide, said there is no question that Ganim has put the primary battle behind him and is committed to helping Lamont and Bysiewicz win.

The mayor, for example, during a recent appearance on Channel 3s Face the State political program, promoted Lamonts candidacy and said he will be helping to get out the vote. Bridgeport, Connecticuts largest city, helped retiring Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy win close races in 2010 and 2014.

Weve got to turn out as many votes out of Bridgeport as we can, Harris said. I think were working together seamlessly in a very robust partnership.

Marc Bradley, Lamonts campaign manager, visited the city recently to talk strategy with Democratic Town Chairman Mario Testa. And Bysiewicz had lunch with Testa Monday at his Italian restaurant, Testos.

We listen to what he has to say because he speaks to a lot of his customers and is town chairman of a city that has made a difference in the last two governors elections, Bysiewicz said.

This years battle between Lamont and Republican Bob Stefanowski is expected to be close in part because of Malloys unpopularity. Meanwhile, Lamont has sought to tie Stefanowski to divisive Republican President Donald Trump.

So how did Testa advise Bysiewicz while they dined together Monday?

He said people are still undecided. And Ned and I know that, Bysiewicz said, adding, Were here because we dont take anything for granted.

Based on several interviews for this story, Team Lamont still has plenty of work to do to increase voter enthusiasm in Bridgeport.

Steven Auerbach, a town committee member and city employee who volunteered for Ganims gubernatorial campaign, said he is too busy at his day job to be closely involved in Lamonts effort, but recognizes the need to elect a Democrat.

Im not out there banging on doors, Auerbach said. I do not know him (Lamont) personally. I will vote. And thats all I can do.

East End political leader Ralph Ford did not expect Lamont to perform as well in Bridgeport on Election Day as Malloy had.

You know, we havent seen him (Lamont) much here in the black community or the East End, Ford said. He hasnt called and said, Look, I need your help.

That was one of Ganims criticisms of Lamont during the primary  that he, as a big city mayor, was a better candidate because he is more comfortable walking through urban neighborhoods.

One Lamont supporter from Bridgeport who wished to remain anonymous said, The (citys Democratic) organization doesnt seem to be churning, and thats very concerning. I think in Bridgeport theres a little bit of political exhaustion from some after the Ganim campaign.  What Im seeing is just people not motivated.

Another challenge for Lamont and Bysiewicz is to get Bridgeports various political factions to work together on their behalf.

During the primary, Lamont received strong support from state Sen. Marilyn Moore, D-Bridgeport, who takes pride in not being close to Testa and is a potential opponent for Ganim in next years mayoral race.

Ned is trying to mend bridges and make sure were all on one page, Moore said. This is much bigger than me and this is much bigger than Ganim. We all have to be on board. Everybody needs to push this stuff aside.

Christine Bartlett-Josie of New Haven, who worked for Ganim in City Hall and is now managing Shawn Woodens campaign for state treasurer, recently returned to Bridgeport to talk voter turnout efforts for the entire Lamont ticket with Testa and Democratic neighborhood leaders.

Theres all these factions. But at the end of the day, like I told everybody, put your factions aside. Whats our goal here? A Democratic governor, Bartlett-Josie recalled. Everybody was all in from what I gathered. Honestly, it was all good.

There is a big push to make sure there is a robust turnout among the citys Hispanic community. Dennis Bradley, a candidate for state Senate, joined Bysiewicz at Gala Foods on Monday as did City Clerk Lydia Martinez.

And state Rep. Christopher Rosario and City Council President Aidee Nieves have made prior public appearances with Bysiewicz and Lamont.

At the end of the day, good, bad or indifferent, Neds our horse. The people chose him, Rosario said. (But) I still think theres a bit of bad blood locally. You have separate camps vying for Neds ear on how his operation should look in the city and what Neds administration should look like if he should win.

Nieves, who only recently met Lamont, said the campaign needs more boots on the ground in Bridgeport.

Martinez agreed, but added she believes city Democrats will turn out for Team Lamont, even if just to oppose having a Republican for governor who would be friendly toward Trump.

Were up in arms with Trump, Martinez said.The following companies are subsidiares of Crown: Adularia Inversiones 2010 S.L., Angleboard Sweden AB, Bates Cargo-Pak ApS, Butimove, CMB Machinery and Technology (Shanghai) Co Ltd, CROWN AP (Thailand) Company Limited, CROWN Aerosols & Promotional Nederland, CROWN Aerosols Italia Srl, CROWN Aerosols Nederland BV, CROWN Aerosols UK Limited, CROWN Americas LLC, CROWN Arabia Can Company Ltd, CROWN Asia Pacific Holdings Pte. Ltd., CROWN Asia Pacific Investments (T) Limited, CROWN Bevcan Espana S.L., CROWN Bevcan France SAS, CROWN Bevcan Slovakia s.r.o., CROWN Bevcan Turkiye Ambalaj Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, CROWN Bevcan and Closures (Thailand) Company Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans (Cambodia) Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans (Dong Nai) Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Beijing Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Changchun Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Danang Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Hangzhou Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Hanoi Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Heshan Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Hong Kong Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Huizhou Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Malaysia Sdn Bhd, CROWN Beverage Cans Nanning Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Putian Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Saigon Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Shanghai Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Sihanoukville Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Singapore Pte. Ltd., CROWN Beverage Cans Ziyang Limited, CROWN Beverage Packaging LLC, CROWN Beverage Packaging Puerto Rico Inc., CROWN Cans Ghana Limited, CROWN China Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited, CROWN Commercial Belgium BVBA, CROWN Commercial France SAS, CROWN Commercial Germany GmbH & Co. KG, CROWN Commercial Hungary Kft, CROWN Commercial Netherlands B.V., CROWN Commercial Vermogensverwaltung GmbH, CROWN Cork & Seal USA Inc., CROWN Embalagens Metalicas da Amazonia S.A., CROWN Emballage France SAS, CROWN Emirates Company Limited, CROWN Envases Mexico S.A. de C.V., CROWN Famosa S.A. de C.V., CROWN Food Packaging (Thailand) Public Company Limited, CROWN Foodcan (Hat Yai) Company Limited, CROWN Foodcan (Nakhon Pathom) Company Limited, CROWN Foodcan Germany GmbH, CROWN Foodcan GmbH, CROWN Imballaggi Italia Srl, CROWN Imgallaggi Italia Srl, CROWN Italy Finance srl, CROWN Khmer Beverage Cans Limited, CROWN Maghreb Can, CROWN Magyarorszag Csomagoloipari KFT, CROWN Metal Packaging Canada Inc., CROWN Metal Packaging Canada LP, CROWN Middle East Can Co. Ltd., CROWN Packaging (Barbados) Limited, CROWN Packaging Holdings LLC, CROWN Packaging Investment (H.K.) Limited, CROWN Packaging Ireland Ltd, CROWN Packaging Jamaica Limited, CROWN Packaging Polska Sp.z.o.o., CROWN Packaging Technology Inc., CROWN Packaging Trinidad Limited, CROWN Packaging UK Limited, CROWN Promotional Packaging UK Ltd, CROWN SIEM, CROWN Senegal, CROWN Societe Malgache d'Emballages Metalliques, CROWN Speciality Packaging BV, CROWN Speciality Packaging Investment Pte. Ltd., CROWN Specialty Packaging UK Ltd, CROWN TCP Beverage Cans Company Limited, CROWN Verpakking Belgie NV, CROWN Verpakking Nederland B.V., Caretex Asia Ltd., CarnaudMetalbox Engineering Ltd, CarnaudMetalbox Food South Africa (Pty) Limited, CarnaudMetalbox Group UK Limited, CarnaudMetalbox Overeseas Limited, CarnaudMetalbox Overseas Limited, Cierres Hermeticos S.A. DE C.V., Constar International, Crown Americas Capital Corp., Crown Americas Capital Corp. II, Crown Americas Capital Corp. III, Crown Americas Capital Corp. IV, Crown Americas Capital Corp. V, Crown Americas Capital Corp. VI, Crown Brasil Holdings Ltda., Crown Canadian Holdings ULC, Crown Closures Spain S.L., Crown Colombiana S.A., Crown Comercial de Envases S.L., Crown Commercial Italy Srl, Crown Commercial Polska Sp. z.o.o., Crown Consultants Inc., Crown Cork & Seal Company (DE) LLC, Crown Cork & Seal Company Inc., Crown Cork & Seal Deutschland Holdings GmbH, Crown Cork & Seal Receivables (DE) Corporation, Crown Cork & Seal de Portugal Embalagens S.A., Crown Cork Kuban, Crown Cork and Seal Receivables II LLC, Crown Developpement SAS, Crown European Holdings, Crown Food Espana S.A.U., Crown Foodcan Turkey Ambalaj Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Crown Hellas Can Packaging SA, Crown Heshan Trading Company Limited, Crown Holdings Italia Srl, Crown Holdings Spain S.L., Crown International Holdings B.V., Crown International Holdings Inc., Crown Luxembourg Holdings, Crown Mexican Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., Crown Overseas Investments B.V., Crown Packaging Commercial UK Limited, Crown Packaging Distribution UK Limited, Crown Packaging European Division GmbH, Crown Packaging European Division Services SAS, Crown Packaging European Holdings GmbH, Crown Packaging Lux I S.a.r.l., Crown Packaging Lux II S.a.r.l., Crown Packaging Lux III S.a.r.l., Crown Packaging Manufacturing UK Limited, Crown Packaging Maroc, Crown Receivables III, Crown Services Iberia, Crown UK Holdings Limited, Crownway Insurance Company, Dacro B.V., EMPAQUE, Fabricas Monterrey S.A. de C.V., Form Koruyucu Ambalaj Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Foshan Continental Can Co. Limited, Foshan Crown Easy-Opening End Co. Limited, Glass & Silice S.A. DE C.V., Globoplastt s.r.o., Gunther S.A.S., Haloila Bulgaria EOOD, Interstrap B.V., Josef Kihlberg AB, Kiwiplan GmbH, Kiwiplan Inc, Lachenmeier ApS, Liljendals Bruk AB, Litec France S.A.S., Mezger Heftsysteme GmbH, Mima Films S.a.r.l., Mima Films Sprl, Mima Packaging Systems S.A.S., Mivisa, Nordic S.A.S., Norsk Signode AS, Oy M. Haloila AB, PT CROWN Beverage Cans Indonesia, Package Design and Manufacturing, Prolatamex S.A. DE C.V., Quandel Verpackungs- und Foerdertechnik GmbH, SMB Schwede Maschinenbau GmbH, SMP Schwede Maschinenbau Weischlitz GmbH, SPG Denmark, SPG France Holdings SAS, SPG Germany Service Management GmbH, SPG Industrial Packaging S.a.r.l, SPG Netherlands B.V., SPG Packaging Ireland Limited, SPG Packaging Systems GmbH, SPG Packaging UK Ltd, Scybele S.A.S., Shippers Europe S.p.r.l., Signode BVBA, Signode Brasileira Ltda, Signode Hong Kong Limited, Signode Industrial Group, Signode Industrial Group AB, Signode Industrial Group Colombia S.A.S., Signode Industrial Group GmbH, Signode Industrial Group Holdings Lux S.a.r.l., Signode Industrial Group Holdings US Inc, Signode Industrial Group Lux S.A., Signode Industrial Group Mexico, Signode Industrial Group Sweden AB, Signode International Holdings LLC, Signode International IP Holdings LLC, Signode International Investment LLC, Signode Kabushiki Kaisha, Signode Korea Inc, Signode NZ Limited, Signode Netherlands B.V., Signode Packaging (Qingdao) Co., Signode Packaging (Shanghai) Co., Signode Packaging Espana S.L., Signode Packaging Group (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Signode Packaging Group Australia Pty Ltd, Signode Packaging Group Canada ULC, Signode Packaging Group NZ, Signode Packaging Systems Limited, Signode Pickling Holding LLC, Signode Polska sp. Z.o.o., Signode Singapore Pte. Ltd., Signode Sweden Holdings AB, Signode System GmbH, Signode System Packaging GmbH & Co. KG, Signode Systems (Thailand) Ltd., Signode US IP Holdings LLC, Silice De Veracruz S.A. DE C. V., Silice Del Istmo S.A. DE C.V., Silices De Veracruz, Societe Civile Immobiliere Rousseau-Ivry, Societe Civile Immobiliere des Baquets, Societe de Participations CarnaudMetalbox, Stopak India Pvt. Ltd, Strapex Austria GmbH, Strapex Embalagem L.d.a., Strapex Holdings Limited, Strapex S.A.S., Strapex Srl, Superior Investments Holdings Pte. Ltd., Superior Multi-Packaging Limited, TopFrame LLC, V.A.C. B.V., Vichisa S.A. de C.V., and Warehouse Automation Iberia S.L..Genesee & Wyoming Inc. owns and leases freight railroads. It operates through three segments: North American Operations, Australian Operations, and U.K./European Operations. The company transports various commodities, including agricultural products, autos and auto parts, chemicals and plastics, coal and coke, food and kindred products, lumber and forest products, metallic ores, metals, minerals and stone, petroleum products, pulp and paper, waste, and other commodities. It owns or leases 122 freight railroads, including 105 short line railroads and 2 regional freight railroads located in the United States, 8 short line railroads located in Canada, 3 railroads located in Australia, 1 railroad located in the United Kingdom, 1 railroad in Poland and Germany, and 2 railroads in the Netherlands with a total of approximately 16,200 miles of track. The company also operates 6,200 additional miles of track that is owned or leased by others. In addition, it operates deep sea maritime containers and provides bulk haulage, including coal, aggregates, cement, and infrastructure services. Further, the company provides rail service at approximately 40 ports; rail-ferry service in North America, Australia, and Europe; and contract coal loading and railcar switching for industrial customers. Genesee & Wyoming Inc. was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Darien, Connecticut.

Read MoreOrmat Technologies, Inc. operates as a holding company. The firm engages in the provision of geothermal and recovered energy power business. It operates through the following segments: Electricity, Product and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment focuses in the sale of electricity from the company's power plants pursuant to PPAs. The Product segment involves in the manufacture, including design and development, of turbines and power units for the supply of electrical energy and in the associated construction of power plants utilizing the power units manufactured by the company to supply energy from geothermal fields and other alternative energy sources. The Energy Storage segment consists of battery energy storage systems as a service and management of curtailable customer loads under contracts with U.S. retail energy providers and directly with large commercial and industrial customers. The company was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Reno, NV.

Read Moreby Sean Fitzpatrick | Mon, Oct 15th 8:35pm EDT

DeMarcus Cousins has officially been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Thunder, as expected. Cousins could miss all of the 2018 games with an timetable to return is expected in December or January. With Cousins out, Damian Jones will start at C with Kevon Looney and Jordan Bell seeing more minutes. (Warriors PR on Twitter)Grain futures markets have made a large bounce in the last three sessions, the result of surprises in the Oct. 11 U.S. Department of Agriculture reports. Traders have been poised for negativity, as private firms have forecast higher record yields and higher crop production for the year.

In fact, USDA Crop Production numbers came in below expectations. The immediate result was for December corn futures to bounce 18 cents off the low over the next three trading days, and November soybeans to bounce 45 cents off the low in the same time.

Prices have eased in early trading on this Tuesday morning, but we still are currently 3.76-34, down one and a half cents, on the December corn futures after a low Thursday morning at 3.60-14 before the report.

The November soybean futures are trading 8.85-14, down six-and-a-quarter cents. The low Thursday morning was at 8.47. USDA now expects a corn crop of 14.776 billion bushels, down from the 14.827 September estimate.

Yield estimates

That would come on an estimate of a record 180.7 bpa yield, just off the 181.8 bpa average trade pre-report estimate. Of course, some privates had put out estimates as high as 183.5 bpa. This would result in a 2018-2019 carry-out of 1.813 billion bushels, 39 million more than the estimate from last month, but way less than the 2.002 billion carry-out of this last year.

USDAs soybean estimates are not so rosy. They come up with the same crop size as last month, at 4.69 billion bushels. That comes on a 53.1 bpa record yield, up slightly from the 52.8 bpa estimate from the September report, and slightly less than the trade expectation.

The yield is significantly higher than last years 49.3. Sadly, the big negative is the expected end of year carry-out, which would increase from 438 million bushels last year to 885 at the end of this year. Obviously, the bounce represented the trade reacting to the crop size and not the carry-out.

Best accuracy

Give USDA credit in this report for methodology that should give us the best accuracy. In this report are the results of hundreds of plots actually being harvested and weighed. Now comes the fade for this report. Will the crop now get smaller?

The smaller argument is starting to be made by those frustrated by rain-delayed harvest and by reports of potential crop losses, especially in soybeans. Talk across the Western Corn Belt is all about no harvest for the last week to 10 days, and about damage to the soybeans in the fields.

A shift in weather is being predicted. The ten to 15-day forecast is for open harvest weather. It remains to be seen if the harvest can be finished without further damage and losses.

Talk in the trade this week is about Delta beans, normally taken to river terminals, that are being rejected for damage over six or eight percent, or are taking huge discounts.

The culprit is the slow movement out of the Gulf because of the trade disputes with China. As a result, the terminals are not seeing large runs of beans to allow them to blend out the damage.

Harvest progress

Farther north, some beans in the upper Midwest are turning black in the fields. In some cases, doctors are suggesting respirators for combine operators because of mold spores in the air.

Officially, the corn harvest is ahead of normal pace, but dont tell that to farmers in Iowa and Minnesota. Iowa is just 17 percent harvested, and only gained two percent last week.

No one I have talked to knows where the two percent came from. The five-year harvest average is 24 percent. Minnesota went from 15 percent to 18 percent this week, but 20 percent is the average.

Ohio farmers are at 31 percent, three percent ahead of average. The U.S. is at 39 percent, against a 35-percent average.

The soybeans are the concern for most. Ohio has 43 percent of the crop off, with a 53 percent average. The U.S. is at 38 percent, but 53 is the average.DENVER, Colo.  The National Cattlemens Foundation is now accepting applications for 2019-2020 beef industry scholarships sponsored by CME Group. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to outstanding students pursuing careers in the beef industry.

The CME Beef Industry Scholarship is an investment in the next generation of cattle producers. CME Group is pleased to support the brightest talent of cattlemen and women while promoting future participation in an industry that is critical to feeding the world, said Tim Andriesen, CME Group Agricultural Products Managing Director. Our partnership with the National Cattlemens Foundation and NCBA has spanned nearly three decades, and during that time, weve underscored the importance of risk management to the beef industry while contributing to the education of tomorrows industry leaders.

History

The CME Beef Industry Scholarship was first introduced in 1989. Today, the scholarship recognizes and encourages talented students who will each play an important role in the future of food production in America. Students studying education, communication, production, research or other areas related to the beef industry should consider applying for the scholarship.

Requirements

Applicants for the 2019-2020 scholarship must submit a one-page letter expressing their career goals related to the beef industry. Students must also write a 750-word essay describing an issue in the beef industry and offering solutions to this problem. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior or full-time undergraduate student enrolled at a two- or four-year college.

Online applications should be submitted by Nov. 9, 2018, at midnight central time. To apply, or learn more about the scholarship, click here. Scholarship winners will be announced during the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans, La. on February 1.

For more information visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundati on.org.Thomas Bowman, of Medina, Ohio, helped move his granddaughter, Clarissa Greer, back to the University of Cincinnati. Shes returning to the university to get her masters degree in criminal justice. Her grandfather could not let her return to school without Farm and Dairy.

STAY INFORMED. SIGN UP! Up-to-date agriculture news in your inbox!A training the trainer programme is to train professionals who work closely with farming families, to support conversations around sensitive topics such as succession planning.

It comes as the industry's attention is focused on the need for farming families to plan for the future, and the lack of trained professionals that they can turn to for help.

The Princes Countryside Fund will be piloting the project. The charity says there is a need for more staff to be trained, to help facilitate conversations around succession and planning for the future.

Maddy Fitzgerald, Programme Manager at The Princes Countryside Fund said: This will ensure that there is support available for farming families to help with making difficult decisions during this period of transition. We hope that this programme helps prepare those working in the agricultural support sector, to ensure a diverse farming landscape for the future."

The workshops, delivered by Heather Wildman of Saviour Associates, will train up to 20 individuals on a one-day course in numerous areas, such as looking at the challenges faced by farming families and training in how to handle difficult conversations.

The first session is being run in conjunction with Rural Support Northern Ireland and attended by representatives from that organisation, the Ulster Farmers Union, the Young Farmers Clubs and the banking sector.

Following this pilot session, further training days will be rolled out in Wales, Scotland and England in 2019.Additional contiguous testing and increased veterinary support for farmers will be implemented in herds in North Wales following a local spike in TB incidents.

The measures are part of the regionalised TB Eradication Programme, which allows Welsh Government to introduce measures at a local level in response to localised increases in the disease.

Additional testing in herds with increased risk of becoming infected will result in a doubling of the effort to identify the disease in the area, adding a further two contiguous tests at six months intervals into the regime.

These visits will be delivered by the farmers own local practice via specially trained vets and will look at the local disease picture, biosecurity and the farms cattle trading policy and informed purchasing, mirroring the approach used in TB breakdown Cymorth TB visits.

The programme includes targets that would see Wales become Officially TB free between 2036 and 2041, and the strategy has already contributed to a significant reduction in incidence in recent years.

Announcing the changes, the Wales' Cabinet Secretary, Lesley Griffiths said: The introduction of TB Areas as part of our refreshed TB Eradication Programme, allows us to introduce measures quickly, flexibly and at a local level to drive down the disease and react to any localised increases in disease.

It is clear from the unprecedented increase in new incidents over the last year in the Intermediate TB Area North that this is not a short term trend and the rate will not reduce unaided.

She added: That is why I am today announcing that we will redouble our efforts and introduce additional contiguous testing in the Area. On top of this we will support farmers during this difficult time by providing keep it out visits for herds which have tested negative.

Last year there was a 75% increase in TB incidents on the previous 12 months in the Intermediate TB Area North.Farmer-owned cooperative Arla has launched a new standard for UK dairy farming with an approach looking to "benefit everyone".

With ongoing volatility in the global milk markets, increasing consumer misunderstanding of the sector, polarised levels of support for UK dairy farmers and a new post-Brexit Agriculture Bill, the challenges for dairy farmers are mounting.

Announced on Tuesday (16 October), Arla's new UK 360 programme covers six areas to build a "profitable and responsible" dairy farm business.

It looks to incorporate best practice in dairy farming across animal health and welfare, people development, natural resources, community engagement and economic resilience.

Graham Wilkinson, Head of Agriculture at Arla Foods UK said: This programme is a vision of how we help drive sustainable businesses for UK dairy farmers. It isnt just about producing high quality dairy products.

It continues the journey of our owners in driving a sustainable business, as stewards of the countryside and a critical part of UK food production. Crucial to its success is the support of retailers and foodservice businesses, as only then can the vision become a reality on farms across the UK.

'Flexibility'

In aligning behind one standard in farming, Arla believes this will enable "flexibility" for farmers and retailers to partner on solving challenges in farming.

Aldi is the first UK grocery retailer to sign up to the programme and its support will provide a premium to a selected group of Arlas owners to deliver the standards on farm.

The retailer will work with its group of British Arla farmer owners through the Aldi Dairy Farm Partnership to share knowledge through the supply chain and explore and tackle waste on farm, initially searching for ways to reuse or recycle on farm plastic through the supply chain.

The programme has been developed following a six-month trial with 79 Arla farmer owners. Additional areas that the programme will seek to address with the support of retailers and foodservice companies include breeding calves with purpose, cow behavioural studies, waste reduction and reuse along with data driven leadership.Police are appealing for witnesses following a road traffic collision involving a Mitsubishi Shogun and a tractor in North Yorkshire.

The incident occurred on the A170 at around 10.45am Saturday 13 October, between Thorton-le-Dale and Ebberston.

After being requested to stop by police and failing to do so, a green Mitsubishi Shogun was travelling along the A170 west of Thornton-le-Dale in the direction of Scarborough, when it collided with a tractor.

As a result of the collision, the tractor overturned resulting in the tractor driver and a passenger from the Mitsubishi receiving minor injuries.

Another passenger from the Mitsubishi received serious injuries and was taken to Scarborough Hospital for treatment.

The road was closed until 5pm to allow a full investigation of the scene and for the road surface to be cleared.

Police are keen to trace anyone who was travelling along the A170 between Thornton-le-Dale and Ebberston, who saw the Mitsubishi Shogun prior to the collision or who witnessed the collision itself.

A 29-year-old man from Redcar has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop. He currently remains in police custody.

Please dial 101 and ask to speak to Traffic Constable Mark Patterson or Inspector Dave Barf in the Major Collision Investigation Unit. You can also email Mark.Patterson@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or David.Barf@northyorkshire.pnn.police.ukChina has suffered its most serious case of African swine fever yet, further damaging the country's cherished $1 trillion pig industry.

A farm in the northeastern Liaoning province was confirmed on Monday (15 October) in a statement published on the website of China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

A total of 221 pigs died on a 19,938-head farm Jinzhou city, according to Reuters news agency.

The fact that the disease was confirmed on a big pig farm showed that it got more serious, said Yao Guiling, an analyst with consultancy China-America Commodity Data Analytics.

Big companies usually have better biosecurity measures. (The new outbreak) highlights the difficulty in controlling the disease. Companies will probably rethink or slow their output expansion plans.

Reuters reported that the disease had also been confirmed on two more farms in the region. A farm with 1,571 pigs in Panjin city reported an outbreak, which killed 109 pigs, while 129 out of 270 pigs died from the disease on a smaller farm, also in Panjin.

'No effective vaccine'

The rapid onset of African Swine Fever (ASF) in China, and its detection in areas more than one thousand kilometres apart within the country, could mean the deadly pig virus may spread to other Asian countries anytime.

There is no effective vaccine to protect swine from the disease. And, while the disease poses no direct threat to human health, outbreaks can be devastating with the most virulent forms lethal in 100 percent of infected animals.

So far, in efforts to control the spread of the disease, Chinese authorities have culled more than 24,000 pigs in four provinces.

China is a major pig producing country and accounts for approximately half the global population of swine, estimated at 500 million.

Its value chain involves a very large and wide range of producers from small family holdings to large-scale commercial operators.

UK pig farmers and keepers have been reminded not to feed kitchen or catering waste to pigs to help prevent the spread of the disease.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) stressed that the risk to the UK from ASF in China was negligible.

If the disease were to reach the UK it would have a devastating effect on the export market and would also mean the humane culling of pigs on infected premises to prevent further spread.The Ulster Farmers' Union is among 21 organisations in Northern Ireland calling for regional flexibility around migrant labour policies.

Shrinking numbers of European workers in Northern Ireland are creating labour shortages which are affecting businesses daily operations.

Since the Brexit referendum, the number of European Economic Area (EEA) workers in Northern Ireland has fallen by 26%.

For the agricultural industry, such migrant labour accounts for around 20 percent of the workforce in Northern Ireland, a report has found.

Local business organisations and representative bodies have now joined forces on an unprecedented scale, writing to the Prime Minister, Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland requesting an "urgent solution" to a problem which could lead to the demise of many key industries.

Speaking on behalf of the 21 signatory organisations, Chair of Confederation of British Industry (CBI) NI, Trevor Lockhart, said the labour shortage is having a "major impact" on industries, in particular food and farming.

He said: We need access to non-EU workers to fill low-skilled positions as an immediate priority, as well as a strategy to address gaps in higher-skills across various sectors.

We have asked the Home Office to recognise the need for regional flexibility to resolve the challenges faced by the sector. Facing similar pressures, the Republic of Ireland has already introduced a sector-based scheme which grants visas to non-EU workers.

Without a similar approach for Northern Ireland, local businesses will face an even greater competitive threat, particularly as many sectors such as agri-food now work increasingly on an all-island basis.

He added: This means that if labour is not available in Northern Ireland, operations here could be scaled back, enabling further expansion in the Republic of Ireland where non-EU labour is available. This would also threaten the thousands of indigenous supporting jobs which are co-dependent on migrant labour.

Stressing the critical juncture that Northern Ireland is currently at in relation to Brexit negotiations, Mr Lockhart said the UK Government must reach a Brexit deal that is "crucial" for the Northern Ireland's economic success and viability.The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike.

We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve.2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning --

4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS.

We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover.

We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come.Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release

SubCategory Select Sub-CategoryUn tournoi historique marque par le triomphe portugais

Le Portugal simpose au terme dun parcours impressionnant

Le Japon et lEspagne completent le podium

La Bolivie cree la surprise dans une competition riche en buts

Le Tournoi de Futsal feminin des Jeux Olympiques de la Jeunesse, Buenos Aires 2018 constituait une premiere a double titre car il marque les debuts de la discipline sur la scene olympique et constitue la premiere competition de futsal feminine organisee par la FIFA. Le Portugal entre donc dans lhistoire en decrochant la medaille dor, de meme que le Japon et lEspagne en sadjugeant respectivement largent et le bronze. Les trois equipes medaillees ainsi que la Bolivie et la Thailande sont apparues un cran au-dessus des cinq autres selections engagees dans la competition. Presente comme lun des favoris dans la course a lor, le Portugal na pas failli a sa reputation, comme en temoignent ses performances impressionnantes. Les Portugaises ont remporte leurs six matches, inscrit 57 buts (soit une moyenne de 9,5 buts par match, 0,08 de plus que la moyenne du tournoi). Imperiales en defense, elles ont conserve leurs cages inviolees a trois reprises, signant par la meme occasion un nouvel exploit.Fox Star Studios, Los Angeles Demanded Sajid Khan & Nana Patekar's Removal

"The film (Housefull 4) is being produced in collaboration with Fox Star Studios. When news of Nana Patekar and Sajid Khan's alleged misconduct broke, the Fox headquarters ordered a probe and then demanded the immediate removal of the offending individuals," said a source to HT.

Sajid Khan & Nana Patekar Were Sacked Immediately!

"(Sajid) Nadiadwala had to act without losing any time, or else Fox would have backed out," the source summed it up.

Housefull 4 Walks On A Tight Rope

Now that Sajid Khan and Nana Patekar are kicked out of Housefull 4 sexually harassing women, we'll have to wait and watch as to who will replace these two. The shoot has been stalled as of now and will resume when they are replaced with someone new.

The #MeToo Movement

Thurman, Angelina Jolie, Ashley Judd and others spoke out against sexual predator Harvey Weinstein and he is now completely shunned by the industry. Also, the majority of the A-list actresses in Bollywood have remained silent about the #MeToo movement and it looks like they might not even speak about the matter, let alone naming a harasser.After Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai, Salman Khan and Ali Abbas Zafar are teaming up for the third time with 'Bharat' which is an official remake of the Korean film, 'An Ode To My Father'. The team recently wrapped up the Abu Dhabi shooting schedule.

Director Ali Abbas Zafar took to social media to announce the wrap of the Abu Dhabi schedule of the Salman Khan starrer film. He expressed his pleasure shooting with Salman Khan in Abu Dhabi for the second time after Tiger Zinda Hai. The director shared a picture from the location saying, "Wrap on Abu Dhabi schedule of @Bharat_TheFilm ..... its Been a absolute pleasure shooting here again after @TigerZindaHai , thank you UAE government and @2454abudhabi for all the support and love ...till next time ".

Check out his tweet here-

Wrap on Abu Dhabi schedule of @Bharat_TheFilm ..... its Been a absolute pleasure shooting here again after @TigerZindaHai , thank you UAE government and @2454abudhabi for all the support and love ...till next time  pic.twitter.com/ljVZPnX4u1  ali abbas zafar (@aliabbaszafar) October 15, 2018

Reportedly, the film's team filmed crucial scenes at the Mezyad Border Post over the past few days. A source told a leading daily, "Apart from Salman and Katrina's [Kaif] personal bodyguards, the Dome security agency has been hired to ensure a smooth filming process. More importantly, soldiers from the United Arab Emirates Army, which patrols the border, are continuously present to make sure that no untoward incident takes place."

Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif as well Sunil Grover keep the audience engaged with pictures and videos from Abu Dhabi piquing the interests of everyone. Earlier the team wrapped the first schedule in Mumbai which involved a grand circus set up along with a song choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant.

One of the most anticipated films of the upcoming year, Bharat has been creating a buzz ever since the announcement of the film.

Bharat's release brings back Salman Khan and director Ali Abbas Zafar for an Eid release after the 2016 Blockbuster Hit, Sultan. The hit director-actor duo will be marking a hattrick with Bharat after their last outing Tiger Zinda Hai.

Salman Khan will yet again treat the audience on the festive season of Eid next year with the release of Bharat

The film will feature Salman Khan sporting five different looks spanning 60 years, wherein a crucial part will showcase the actor in his late 20s, looking much leaner and younger. Salman Khan will be recreating his 'Karan-Arjun' look which has created immense excitement amongst the audience.

The film is set to have a character-driven story spanning across many periods. Bharat will be shot across exotic locations in Malta and Abu Dhabi, besides Punjab and Delhi in India.

Including stellar performers like Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Disha Patani, Tabu and Sunil Grover, the Ali Abbas Zafar directorial boasts of an ensemble cast promising power-packed performances.

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, 'Bharat' is produced by Atul Agnihotri's Reel Life Production Pvt. Ltd and Bhushan Kumar's T-Series releasing Eid 2019.

Why Salman Khan Has Turned Into A Photographer On The Sets Of Bharat?A few days ago, the Women in Cinema Collective organised a press meet and condemned AMMA for shielding actor Dileep, who is a key accused in the infamous actress assault case. The organisation also pointed out that several big names from Bollywood have refused to work with those who have been accused of sexual harassment as part of the #MeToo campaign. In doing so, WCC indicated that they wanted Dileep to be banned by AMMA. Now, Siddique has reacted to their demands and made a few strong statements.

While speaking on the issue, the actor said that that it is not right to deny a person the right to work in the industry on the basis of mere allegations/accusations.

"They wanted Dileep banned from movies. Who has the rights to deny a person his profession based on allegations?" he added.

Siddiqui also slammed Aamir Khan and Akshay for refusing to work with Sajid Khan and Vikas Bahl respectively in the wake of the allegations levelled against them.

"They gave examples of Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan. They said the actors decided to walk out of movies. But what Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan did was wrong. How could they do so based on allegations? Let's say, on the other hand, if Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan were accused of sexual harassment, do you think they would have walked out of the said projects?" he added.

Shortly after Siddique made this statement, the official spokesperson of AMMA clarified that he is not a representative and issued a clarification. The spokesperson said that AMMA regrets Siddique's remarks and does not endorse them in any way, whatsoever.

In case you did not know, as part of the #MeToo campaign, women are naming and shaming sexual predators. The movement has affected Bollywood big time and forced a few big names to opt out of films. The campaign hit Mollywood too when Mukesh was accused of harassment.Mohini Wants To Ruin Prerna's Life

Mohini is devastated to know that her son Anurag is jailed. She comes to the police and commands the cops to release her son. She tells Veena and Rajesh that Anurag is dragged into this only because of their daughter and promises to ruin her life!

Anurag & Prerna Share A Moment

Anurag insists on knowing why Prerna is marrying Naveen. He holds her hand and Prerna is shocked. He tells he he knows she doesn't love Naveen. Prerna pulls her hand away and tells to him not interfere in her personal life.

Mohini Tells Naveen That She's Breaking The Alliance

Naveen is shocked to learn that Mohini wants to break his and Prerna's alliance. Mohini says Prerna is a bad luck to the family and that she doesn't want the wedding to happen. Naveen doesn't want to leave Prerna, but Mohini says he has to choose between his sister and fiancee.

Naveen Is Jealous Of Prerna & Anurag

Naveen brings Minister Siddhant to the police station to release Prerna and Anurag. The minister says Prerna and Anurag look like a couple. Naveen feels jealous, pulls Prerna away from Anurag. Anurag and Prerna are dumbstruck.

Komolika Wants Anurag!

Meanwhile, Komolika sees Anurag on the TV when he was being arrested. She finds him interesting and tells her friends about him. Will Komolika develop feelings towards Anurag? Will Anurag fall harder for Prerna as the wedding is canceled? Stay tuned for more updates!Kapil Sharma is back in Mumbai for Kapil Sharma Show; Shooting starts ! | FilmiBeat

Kapil Sharma is back in news and this time for good reasons! Recently, the actor-comedian had announced on Twitter that he will be back soon on Sony TV with his old team and new show. The actor will be returning on TV with a brand new season of his popular show, The Kapil Sharma Show. It was said that the makers were finalising the format of the new series. The old format has been retained, but a few new segments will be added. The official announcement about the cast will also be made soon. The show will be aired during weekends on Sony.

Finally Kapil has returned to Mumbai to start shooting for his new show! The actor shared a picture and wrote, "back in mumbai after one n half month.. now it's time to make u people laugh with the new season of #TKSS." - (sic). As soon as Kapil shared the picture, fans started wishing and welcoming him back.



Kapil was recently in news for his first production venture Son Of Manjeet Singh. There were also reports that the actor was getting married to his girlfriend Ginni Chatrath in December. The actor confirmed the reports, but said that he is busy with his film's promotion and the marriage date hasn't been fixed yet.

It has to be recalled that Kapil's last show was Family Time With Kapil Sharma, which was a game show, got negative feedback. Kapil had also got into controversies (abusing journalist and filing case against his ex-managers Preei and Neeti Simoes). Post this, the show was shut down abruptly and the actor vanished from the small screen and social media. It was also said that he was fighting from depression.

The actor has been taking treatment in Bangalore's ayurvedic centre and now looks healthy, and is all set for his next innings. We wish Kapil rocks on small screen yet again with his new show.

Most Read: Bigg Boss 12: Tweeples TROLL Sreesanth Hilariously As He Tries To Escape From The House Yet Again!Pooja Accuses Salman, Arbaaz & Sohail Of Raping Her!

In a series of videos posted on Instagram, Pooja alleged that Bigg Boss host, Salman Khan, and his brothers Arbaaz and Sohail raped her in an unconscious state on multiple occasions. She alleged that during Sultan shooting, Salman and his brothers raped her in her hotel room in Delhi.

Shatrughan Hacked Her Phone & Used Black Magic On Her!

She also claimed that Salman and Shatrughan stole her creative ideas to lift up Sonakshi Sinha and Malaika Arora's career. She added that Shatrughan Sinha hacked her phone and laptop to steal her creative ideas. She further claimed that the superstar used black magic on her because of which she is being haunted by ghosts for many years.

Pooja Was Taken Out From BB House At Night After Being Humiliated!

In an interview (video) published on DC, she said, "When in Bigg Boss, I earned name and fame and people liked me, I was taken out at 2 am at night, unceremoniously. Till now, I don't know for what reason I was evicted from the house, after being humiliated and called violent."

The Ex-Bigg Boss Contestants Added

"When I asked people and tried to know the reason, everyone said that Shatrughan Sinha has done this. Now tell me, is the industry so small that Pooja Mishra and Sonakshi Sinha cannot co-exist together!"

Salman Supported Sonakshi & His Family To Suppress Me!

She added, "I feel that Salman supported Sonakshi and her family to suppress me. There is no doubt about it. His whole family has lent support to Shatrugan's family to loot me. The movies that I used to get like Yamla Pagla Deewana, the song which I got, Mahek Chahal did it."Edianzu, a Chinese enterprise IT leasing company, has raised $60 million Series D funding from existing investor Source Code Capital and an undisclosed sovereign wealth fund, the company said on Tuesday. Funds raised will be used to expand the business into more Chinese cities.

The company that conveys the idea of sharing economy, one of the hottest topics in China over the past year. Edianzu provides IT devices for corporates, including computers, work stations, printers, handsets, and even air filters.

The startup is headquartered in Beijing, and has four branches acros the country. It also provides door-to-door maintenance and software installation services within...The government of Thailand on Tuesday kicked off the retail bookbuild to raise as much as Bt44.7 billion $1.4 billion by selling part of its concession rights in two major expressways. If successful, it could serve as a template for how to raise capital for infrastructure development.

The initial public offering of Thailand Future Fund will be the first attempt by the government to monetise its toll road assets through selling stakes to both institutional and retail investors.

Bangkok said that the proceeds, which account for 2.4% of the countrys total planned transport investment this year, will help reduce the governments dependence on both the annual budget...Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex unveiled state-of-the-art facilities including five science labs for ground-breaking conservation work, including preservation of coral to re-seed the Great Barrier Reef

and Duchess of Sussex unveiled state-of-the-art facilities including five science labs for ground-breaking conservation work, including preservation of coral to re-seed the Great Barrier Reef Their Royal Highnesses experienced three never-before seen immersive student classrooms home to animals including bilbies, quokkas, monkeys, native birds and echidnas

The Institute will provide a base for Taronga to continue its breed-to-release and habitat restoration programs for threatened and priority species in Australia and internationally

and internationally First of its kind in Southern Hemisphere, the centre provides education experiences from preschool to PhD

LONDON, Oct. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex,Prince HarryandMeghan Markle, visited Taronga Zoo to cut the ribbon at the official launch of the brand-new world class TarongaInstitute of Science & Learning, a purpose-built research and education centre on site at Taronga Zoo Sydney and the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. This state of the art facility houses the largest conservation science team of any zoo in the southern hemisphere.

Their Royal Highnesses launched the Taronga Institute, which will put science on display, creating an inspiring and collaborative environment for future generations to become champions for change for the environment and the community. The Taronga Institute will enhance and expand Taronga's role as a leader in conservation science for wildlife and habitats.

Alongside the New South Wales Premier, Gladys Berejiklian and Director and Chief Executive, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Cameron Kerr, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were presented with their wedding gift from the people of New South Wales - namesake koala joeys. Following this, their Royal Highnesses were given a tour throughout the brand-new world class Institute, visiting:

The Science Hub: dedicated science lab facilities which will support Taronga's science team, including two multi-disciplinary labs, a behavioural ecology lab, wildlife health lab, CryoDiversity lab and enrichment development centre. The Cryo lab or 'frozen zoo' is preserving the largest collection of frozen coral cells from the Great Barrier Reef until they are needed to re-seed the reef.

Learning Hub: made up of three immersive habitat classrooms, these multi-sensory education spaces mimic the climate and geography of the desert, rainforest and woodlands. The classrooms are home to animals typically found in these habitats, such as echidnas and bilbies in the Arid classroom and Cotton-top Tamarins in the Rainforest classroom. It also houses a teaching lab, a 250-seat lecture theatre and tutorial rooms providing learning facilities suited to students from preschool right through to PhD.

Atrium and Collaborative Centre: the beating heart of the Taronga Institute, this centre will provide informal spaces for collaboration and independent study for students participating in Taronga learning programs. It is the physical link between conservation science and education programs, where visiting school students can witness conservation science in action and be inspired by role models and pathways for a future STEM career.

Following the tour of the Institute, their Royal Highnesses were gifted platypus pins and a bouquet of native Australian flowers in recognition of the opening, before being invited by Mr Cameron Kerr to cut the ribbon and unveil the plaque, officially opening the Taronga Institute of Science and Learning.

The Taronga Institute is the latest milestone for the Taronga Conservation Society Australia, which also operates Australia's world-renowned Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo in regional NSW.

Assets

B-Roll and still assets can be accessed here.

For media enquiries or more information, contact:

Madeleine Hanley, +61-423-366-918, madeleine.hanley@ogilvy.com.au

Duncan Fredericks, +61-400-447-191, duncan.fredericks@ogilvy.com.au

Fergus Buncle, +61-452-421-770, fergus.buncle@ogilvy.com.au

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/769698/Taronga_Institute_flower_presentation.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/769699/Flower_presentation_Taronga_Institute.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/769700/Industry_Science_Learning_laboratories.jpgECA Group, a Groupe Gorge company, has been awarded a service contract from the Algerian state-owned oil group Sonatrach for the Arzew natural gas liquefaction plant in Algeria.

This contract of more than 4 million provides for the cleaning of the four seawater inlet galleries of the plant thanks to the VISIT submarine system of ECA Group. This powerful 6-ton vehicle equipped with hydraulic tools will clean all the walls of the pipes. These works should be completed during Summer 2019.

With this new contract, Sonatrach renews for the fourth time its confidence in ECA Group for the realization of this type of work, confirming the expertise and know-how of ECA Group in the field of the energy industry, especially for the cleaning of large hydraulic structures using underwater systems.





Next report

Publication of third quarter revenue on Friday October 26, 2018 before market opening.





Disclaimer

GROUPE GORGE press releases may contain forward-looking statements regarding GROUPE GORGE's targets. These forward-looking statements reflect GROUPE GORGE's current expectations. Such forward-looking statements and targets depend on known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those anticipated herein. The risks and uncertainties that could affect the Group's future ability to achieve its targets include, in addition to those indicated in the press release: the strength of competition; the development of markets in which the Group operates and notably the 3D printing division; currency fluctuations; obtaining the export authorizations that may be required for certain activities; control of costs and expenses; changes in tax legislation, laws, regulations or their enforcement; our ability to successfully keep pace with technological advances; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and key staff; the evolution, interpretation and uniform application and enforcement of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), according to which we prepare our financial statements; manufacturing and supply chain bottlenecks; the performance of our business partners (subcontractors, agents, suppliers, etc.). Some of these risk factors are set forth and detailed in our Document de Reference (Registration Document including the annual financial report filed with the French Autorite des Marches Financiers), available on our website www.groupe-gorge.com. This list of risks, uncertainties and other factors is not limitative. Other unanticipated, unknown or unforeseeable factors, such as changes in the economic situation or financial markets, could also have a material adverse effect on our targets.

This press release and the information it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or to subscribe, or a solicitation to purchase or subscribe shares or securities in GROUPE GORGE or in its listed subsidiaries in any country whatsoever.

Follow us on Twitter for live updates

from Groupe Gorge!

@GroupeGorge





About Groupe Gorge

Founded in 1990, Groupe Gorge is an independent group that specializes in high-tech industries. Today, the Group is active in the fields of security and protection in extreme environments, as well as in the 3D printing sector. In its more than twenty-five year history, Groupe Gorge has always developed and driven the latest technological and industrial innovations.

Smart Safety Systems: Developing complete, innovative technological solutions for complex missions in hostile and confined environments.

Protection of High-Risk Installations: Protecting people and ensuring the active and passive protection of installations for energy markets and industrial and tertiary sectors in France. Ensuring the maintenance of these protection systems.

3D Printing: Enabling major industry players to find new routes to successful innovation and production processes by providing 3D printers, premium material, software and 3D printed parts.

In 2017, the Group reported revenue of 276.7 million. It is backed by 2,000 employees and operations in over ten countries.

More information available on www.groupe-gorge.com



Groupe Gorge is listed on Euronext Paris Compartment B.

ISIN code: FR0000062671

Ticker code: GOE





Contact

Groupe Gorge - Raphael GORGE - CEO & Chairman - Tel.: +33 1 44 77 94 77 - E-mail: contact@groupe-gorge.com

Finance News - Natacha MORANDI - Analysts/Investors Relations - Tel.: +33 1 53 67 36 72 - E-mail: nmorandi@actus.fr

Finance News - Jean-Michel MARMILLON - Press Relations - Tel.: +33 1 53 67 36 73 - E-mail: jmmarmillon@actus.fr

------------------------



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Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free

Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-55524-groupe-gorge_eca-group-awarded-a-euro4m-contract-by-sonartrach.pdfASCHHEIM, Germany, October 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Consortium promotes mobile payment for retailers and consumers

Wirecard, global innovation leader in digital financial technology, together with the EHI Retail Institute and other partners including Google, Mastercard, Payback, GS1 Germany and Visa, has founded the EHI Mobile Payment Initiative. As a result of this initiative, the retail industry will be able to satisfy the growing demand from consumers for mobile payment solutions. The exchange of expertise among the partners also plays a significant role in the EHI Mobile Payment Initiative.

According to a representative survey by EHI, around 20 million German consumers are open to the concept of mobile payment. They particularly appreciate the speed and great simplicity of the payment process. By contrast, consumers who are yet to be convinced by the solution are in many cases not well informed or are not yet fully aware of the advantages of mobile payment.

Georg von Waldenfels, Executive Vice President Consumer Solutions at Wirecard, explains: "The market is mature for technology and both consumers and the retail industry are now demanding solutions which make the purchase process quicker and simpler without having to make significant changes when paying. This was exactly our vision when we launched our mobile payment app boon in 2015. Together with the other founding members, we are delighted to be able to educate both consumers and retailers alike about mobile payment solutions that are available on the market today."

With boon, Wirecard is a pioneer in mobile payment in Germany. boon was the industry's first fully digitized mobile payment solution and can be used independently from banks and telecommunications providers. Today, boon is available in ten European countries and, depending on the country, supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit Pay and/or Garmin Pay.

boon provides users with a digital Mastercard which they can use for payments. The boon account can be topped up by credit card or bank transfer. The fact that you can use your smartphone for contactless payments completely bank-agnostically makes boon unique. Users connect their boon Mastercard with a mobile payment wallet such as Google Pay, take their mobile device, simply hold it at the checkout without having to open the app, and the payment is made. As a result, it is no longer necessary to own a credit card from a particular bank. Furthermore, boon facilitates free, real-time money transfers between boon users.

More information about boon can be found at: http://www.boonpayment.com

This message is published by Wirecard.

About Wirecard:

Wirecard (GER: WDI) is one of the world's fastest growing digital platforms in the area of financial commerce. We provide both corporate clients and consumers with a constantly expanding ecosystem of real-time value-added services built around innovative digital payments by using an integrated B2B2C approach. This ecosystem concentrates on solutions in the areas payment and risk, retail and transaction banking, loyalty and coupon programs in addition to data analytics and conversion rate enhancement across all sales channels (online, mobile, ePOS). Wirecard operates regulated financial institutions in several key markets, in addition to holding issuing and acquiring licenses from all major payment and card networks. Wirecard AG is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (DAX and TecDAX, ISIN DE0007472060). Visit us on http://www.wirecard.com , follow us on Twitter @wirecard and on Facebook @wirecardgroup.

About the EHI:

The EHI Retail Institute is a research and consultancy institute for retail and its partners. Its international network comprises around 800 member businesses from the retail, consumption and capital goods industries as well as service providers. The EHI collects important figures for high-street and online retail, identifies trends and develops solutions. It was established in 1951. The president is Kurt Jox, the CEO is Michael Gerling. GS1 Germany is a subsidiary of the EHI and the German Brands Association (Markenverband), and coordinates the allocation of the Global Trading Item Number (GTIN, formerly EAN) in Germany. In cooperation with the EHI, the Messe Dusseldorf organizes the EuroShop, the worldwide leading capital goods exhibition for trade, the EuroCIS, where the latest products, solutions and trends in IT and security technology are presented, and the C-star for Asiatic retail in Shanghai.

Wirecard media contact:



Wirecard AG

Jana Tilz

Tel.: +49(0)89-4424-1363

Email: jana.tilz@wirecard.com



EHI media contact:



EHI Retail Institute e.V.

Ute Holtmann

Tel.: +49(0)221-579-93-996

Email: holtmann@ehi.org

Intelsat makes a strategic investment in AMN to accelerate the adoption of mobile connectivity in the region and close the digital divide

Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) ("Intelsat"), operator of the world's first Globalized Network and leader in integrated satellite communications, and Africa Mobile Networks (AMN) announced today that Intelsat has made a strategic investment in AMN. The purpose of the investment is to accelerate the deployment of mobile connectivity to unserved communities across multiple countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Given the economic and geographic complexities of expanding mobile connectivity to the ultra-rural areas of Africa, many mobile network operators (MNOs) face barriers when trying to deploy their networks to these areas. AMN provides MNOs with a network-as-a-service (NaaS) solution in which AMN will fund, build and operate the ultra-rural network for the operators. As a result, African mobile operators will be able to extend their coverage with minimal opex and capex risk, enabling them to grow their subscriber and revenue base, and better serve all their customers.

At the core of AMN's solution is a low-cost, small cell solution that is powered by a highly reliable solar-based system which can be rapidly deployed and installed in less than 6 hours. As part of the long-term agreement, AMN will leverage the power, performance and efficiencies generated by Intelsat's next-generation Intelsat EpicNG high-throughput satellites (HTS), as well as the 23 Intelsat satellites covering the continent to provide the optimal balance between coverage and high-throughput for the enabled sites.

Once installed, the sites will connect over the Intelsat fleet to the core of the mobile network operator and deliver 2G mobile services, such as GSM voice, SMS and GPRS/EDGE packet data, with the ability to upgrade the base stations to 3G and 4G as data demands allow.

"The high performance, redundancy and flexibility of Intelsat's satellite fleet over Africa made them an ideal partner for us," said Michael Darcy, AMN's chief executive officer. "Intelsat shares our view that mobile coverage is not spreading quickly enough and as such, invested in AMN's vision of installing a cell site in every African village. Together, we can accelerate the deployment of mobile connectivity and work to ensure that communities, wherever they are located, have equal access to high quality, sustainable and affordable broadband connectivity."

Jean-Philippe Gillet, Intelsat's vice president and general manager, broadband, said, "Bringing mobile connectivity to the most rural parts of Africa requires hybrid networks and innovative business models to truly close the business case. By investing in and partnering with AMN, we can rapidly, and cost effectively expand an MNO's reach and deliver critical connectivity to communities who many thought were impossible to connect. We look forward to our partnership with AMN and the ability to deliver a network that will support the social and economic development of communities throughout sub-Saharan Africa."

About Intelsat

Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) operates the world's first Globalized Network, delivering high-quality, cost-effective video and broadband services anywhere in the world. Intelsat's Globalized Network combines the world's largest satellite backbone with terrestrial infrastructure, managed services and an open, interoperable architecture to enable customers to drive revenue and reach through a new generation of network services. Thousands of organizations serving billions of people worldwide rely on Intelsat to provide ubiquitous broadband connectivity, multi-format video broadcasting, secure satellite communications and seamless mobility services. The end result is an entirely new world, one that allows us to envision the impossible, connect without boundaries and transform the ways in which we live. For more information, visit www.intelsat.com.

About AMN

AMN's mission is to build mobile network base stations serving rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa which have no existing service, providing mobile network operators with a capex-free route to add new subscribers and new revenues and with incremental costs. The vision of AMN is a fully-connected Africa, with no community of any significant size being without basic telecommunications services to deliver social, economic, educational and other benefits to the population. For more information contact AMN at info@africamobilenetworks.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005320/en/

Contacts:

Intelsat

Michele Loguidice, +1-703-559-7372

Director, Corporate Communications

michele.loguidice@intelsat.comGOTEBORG, Sweden, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Stena Bulk has now signed a turnkey exhaust gas scrubber solution agreement with Chinese Bluesoul to equip its Suezmax and IMOIIMAX fleets. In total, Stena Bulk will equip 15 vessels with scrubbers and have an additional 6 options for installation prior to 2020.

Shanghai Bluesoul Environment Technology, with its base in Shanghai, has had a collaboration agreement with the Stena group for more than a year. Bluesoul is the first Chinese enterprise to be awarded Lloyd's Register Exhaust Gas Cleaning System Machinery General Design Appraisal as well as DNV GL and ABS AiP.

"By installing scrubbers, we will be well equipped to meet the 2020 regulation and are protected from price volatility as well as fuel shortage. In relation to market developments, today's market predictions are attractive in theory and currently seems to be so in practice too, despite there being a couple of parameters that remain uncertain. However, there are opportunities already available today to lock in some of the uncertainty, which might be appealing when looking for a more secure investment. We are very happy to be able to confirm this order with Bluesoul, which has performed very well in terms of quality compared with more reputable manufacturers", says Erik Hanell, President & CEO Stena Bulk.

The scrubber to be installed is an Open Loop Hybrid Ready with Water Cleaning, which not only removes the sulfur but also particles from the exhaust.

For further information, please contact:

Erik Hanell

President & CEO

Stena Bulk AB

Mobile: +46 704 855 002

erik.hanell@stenabulk.com

With offices in six countries, Stena Bulk is one of the world's leading tanker shipping companies. The company controls a combined fleet of around 110 vessels. Stena Bulk is part of the Stena Sphere, which has more than 20,000 employees and sales of SEK 60 billion. www.stenabulk.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/stena-bulk/r/stena-bulk-confirms-scrubber-order-with-bluesoul,c2645327

The following files are available for download:Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 16, 2018) -Marifil Mines Limited (TSXV: MFM) (OTCQB: MFMLF) ("Marifil" or the "Company") announces that it has engaged UnityWest Capital Markets Ltd. ("UnityWest" or the "Consultant") to provide certain consulting services that will include marketing services to the Company (collectively, the "Services") pursuant to a consulting agreement dated effective August 20, 2018 between the Company and the Consultant (the "Consulting Agreement"). The term of the Consulting Agreement is for 12 months commencing August 20, 2018, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the Consulting Agreement.

UnityWest is a business consultancy firm that assists client management teams with broad spectrum consulting services including, but not limited to corporate strategy, branding, and marketing services. As compensation for UnityWest providing the Services, the Company paid UnityWest a signing bonus of CAD$25,000 and has agreed to pay monthly consulting fees of CAD$6,000 per month during the term of the Consulting Agreement ($12,000 paid to date). The Company also agreed to grant UnityWest 300,000 stock options of the Company (each, an "Option") at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange on the date prior to the date of grant. The Options will vest over a 12 month period with 25% vesting every three months after the date of grant and will be exercisable for a period of 5 years. The grant of the Options remains subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval and subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's stock option plan. The Options and underlying common shares will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after the date of grant.

The Company and the Consultant maintain an arm's length relationship, and the Consultants holds 250,000 common shares and warrants of the Company. The Company intends to use proceeds from its last completed private placement on October 10, 2018 to fund the compensation payable to the Consultant.

ON BEHALF OF MARIFIL MINES LIMITED

"Rob Abenante"

Robert Abenante, President & CEO

Contact Information:

Phone: 1-833-669- 6463

1-833-669- MINE

Email:info@marifilmines.com

For further information regarding Marifil Mines Limited, please refer to the Company's filings available on SEDAR (http://www.sedar.com) or at Marifil's Website (http://www.marifilmines.com).

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), nor the OTCQB Venture Market accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Working together to create a software interface for optical modules to allow fast integration of elements in disaggregated optical systems

IP Infusion, a leading provider of intelligent network software for telecom and data communications services, announced that the company is working with the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) to create the industry's first software interface for optical modules and systems to allow faster integration of elements in disaggregated optical systems. IP Infusion is working with the Open Optical Packet Transport Group within TIP, focusing on the development of Transport Abstraction Interface (TAI).

In partnership with Facebook and other device, component and software vendors within the ecosystem, IP Infusion is working to build a carrier grade and feature-rich Open Networking Platform to cater to a broad range of applications and services. IP Infusion is extending its OcNOS network operating system to support open packet transponder platforms to enable integrated packet optical devices. Through these initiatives and partnerships, IPI will help customers deploy more cost effective and integrated Packet (IP/MPLS) Optical solutions based on disaggregated systems for DCI, metro and backhaul deployments.

IP Infusion's OcNOS has support for Cassini open packet transponder from Edgecore Networks. The collaboration with other ecosystems partners NTT, Oclaro and Acacia to support the Transport Abstraction Interface (TAI) abstraction layer for the optical coherent modules allows OcNOS to support different underlying hardware, optical modules or DSP to work in a uniform manner. The group's work will integrate support for different optical interfaces, such as analog coherent optical modules (ACOs) or digital coherent optical modules (DCOs), from different optical vendors.

"IP Infusion is collaborating with TAI ecosystem partners to implement and extend TAI for OcNOS network operating system to support open packet transponder platforms," said Atsushi Ogata, President and CEO of IP Infusion. "TAI will make it easier to support different disaggregated platforms and coherent optics from multiple vendors in a CFP2 form factor and reduce Coherent Optical modules and subsystem development and integration time from months to days."

At TIP Summit 2018 on October 16-17 in London, IP Infusion (Stand B6) will demonstrate OcNOS running on the Cassini open packet transponder from Edgecore Networks integrated with TAI enabling the integration of Coherent optical interfaces based on merchant DSPs from NTT Electronics and ACO or DCO pluggable optical modules from Oclaro and Acacia.

IP Infusion's hardware and technology partners who support IP Infusion's participation include:

"Facebook is encouraged by the work being done by the Open Optical Packet Transport Group within TIP. We see tremendous opportunity for the TAI layer to build better open packet transponder systems with lower barriers for integration, higher reliability, and faster time-to-market." -- Luis MartinGarcia, co-chair, Disaggregated Cell Site Gateway working group, TIP, and manager, network technologies, Facebook.

"Edgecore is pleased to be working with IP Infusion and the broader industry community to enable disaggregated solutions with open packet transponders that will lower costs and provide broader optical technology choices for network operators. IP Infusion's introduction of its robust OcNOS software for the Cassini open packet transponder from Edgecore is a significant step forward in delivering those benefits." -- Jeff Catlin, VP Technology, Edgecore Networks

"NTT Electronics is a leader in coherent merchant DSP for disaggregated optical transport. To exploit a rich set of DSP functionality, we are excited to partner with IP infusion for enabling open source TAI, a game changer for the optical communication industry." -- Atul Srivastava, CTO, NTT Electronics America

"TAI is an exciting development in the open networking market. Oclaro continues to create innovative solutions with ecosystem partners that allow customers to quickly integrate its leading Coherent Optical modules across a new generation of platforms." -- Scott Swail, Vice President Business Development, Oclaro

"We are excited to be part of TAI to further the open optical networking market. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with ecosystem partners to enable interconnection of a wide-range of implementations deployed in switch, routing, and transport system equipment leveraging Acacia's coherent modules." -- Alan Gibbemeyer, Sr. Director, Business Development, Acacia Communications

About IP Infusion

IP Infusion, the leader in disaggregated networking solutions, delivers enterprise and carrier-grade software solutions allowing network operators to reduce network costs, increase flexibility, and to deploy new features and services quickly. IP Infusion's OcNOS, the industry's first enterprise and carrier-grade network operating system for Open Compute hardware, allows for easier implementation of large-scale IT networks, and offers customers white box solutions to deploy more quickly. VirNOS, an NFV-based software platform, provides carriers and enterprises with a cost-effective network OS approach to implement and manage their networking services. With the OcNOS and VirNOS network operating systems, both powered by ZebOS, IP Infusion offers network operators, carriers, and enterprises with the physical and virtual software solutions they need to achieve the disaggregated networking model.Over 300 customers worldwide, including major networking equipment manufacturers, use IP Infusion's respected ZebOS platform to build networks to address the evolving needs of cloud, carrier and mobile networking. IP Infusion is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and is a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of ACCESS CO., LTD. Additional information can be found at http://www.ipinfusion.com.

IP Infusion, ZebOS, VirNOS and OcNOS are trademarks or registered trademarks of IP Infusion. ACCESS is registered trademarks or trademarks of ACCESS CO., LTD. in the United States, Japan and/or other countries. Northforge Innovations is a registered trademark of Northforge Innovations, Inc. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005122/en/

Contacts:

Herrick Media

Ursula Herrick, 408-202-0865

ursula@herrickmedia.com

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 16, 2018) - Lucky Minerals Inc. (TSX.V: LKY) (OTCPK: LKMNF) (FSE: 8LM) ("Lucky" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of a geological reconnaissance mapping survey conducted on its Fortuna Project located approximately 60 km south-east of Town of Cuenca, Ecuador. Prospecting and mapping were undertaken based on prior structural and enhanced alteration mapping studies using satellite imagery which were conducted in May/June 2018. Results from these studies led to the identification of 4 high prospectivity areas (A to D) covering 8 kmin the Fortuna 3 concession.

Image 1 - Partial View of Area A





To view an enhanced version of Image 1, please visit: http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5584/40394_a1539658555431_16.jpg

Subsequent prospecting and mapping of Area A (2 km) (Image 1) resulted in the discovery of two porphyry systems with approximate dimensions of 1.2 km on strike by 300m wide. A pluri-kilometric oxidation blanket composed of silica, limonite, jarosite and hematite surrounds the two porphyry systems.

Image 2 - Oxidation Blanket Vectorization





To view an enhanced version of Image 2, please visit: http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5584/40394_a1539658555775_44.jpg

Preliminary assessment of these two porphyry systems using major elements calculations is confirming field observations with an extensive potassic signature enrichment including an outer shell of pyrite mineralization typical of phyllic alteration that has been traced for more than 300m. Lucky's exploration team believes that these two porphyry systems may in fact form one single doughnut shaped body measuring approximately 2km in diameter.

Image 3 - Preliminary Model





To view an enhanced version of Image 3, please visit: http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5584/40394_a1539658556103_16.jpg

Saw sampling over the area outlined quartz monzonite rocks with pyrite and oxidized pyrite being the dominant sulphide mineral along with minor Chalcopyrite, Chalcosine, Molybdenite and Malachite (Oxide). 176 samples were sent to MS Analytical lab- oratory including 15 control samples for major oxides and ICP multi-element as- says; multi-elements results are pending.

Image 4 - Mineralization Vectorization





To view an enhanced version of Image 4, please visit: http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5584/40394_a1539658556462_19.jpg

Next Steps

Lucky's immediate next steps to advance exploration on the property will be an airborne magnetics combined with radiometry survey with 3D inversion, improving the existing dirt road and trails to an all-weather 14 km gravel road, to be followed by an aggressive grid-style comprehensive sampling program along the two identified porphyry systems on Fortuna 3 as well as regional prospecting on the 40 km major regional NNE structure and other major regional NNE trending structures observed on the property. This may be followed by a drilling program in 2019. Fortuna 3 is one of 12 contiguous concessions which make up the Fortuna Property which has seen virtually no exploration and where considerable potential exists for finding significant porphyry and epithermal Cu-Au mineralization. It should be noted that no field work has been undertaken yet by Lucky and limited historical work was performed on the remaining 11 Fortuna concessions.

Quality control

Rock samples on the project were assayed by standard 30 grams fire-assaying with AA finish for gold, four acid ICP-OES for multi-elements (including Cu and Mo) and XRF for major elements (oxides) at MS Analytical in Vancouver, BC. Ex- ploration program design and interpretation of results is performed by a qualified person (QP) employing a Quality Assurance/Quality Control program consistent with industry best practices, including the use of standards at every 10 samples.

Lucky is very pleased by the results of this summer 2018 reconnaissance explo- ration program and will continue to characterize in more details the two identified porphyry systems and aggressively exploring and prospecting other targets on Fortuna 3 as well as on the 11 remaining concessions of its Fortuna Project.

About Lucky

An exploration and development company targeting large-scale mineral systems in proven districts with the potential to host world class deposits.

The Fortuna Project

Lucky Minerals holds a 100% interest in Fortuna, a 550 km2 property in the heart of a proven and highly mineralized mineral district in Ecuador but which has seen only limited exploration and has never been drilled.

Evidence of significant hydrothermal alteration & breccias, geochemical anomalies and placer mining supports potential for Cu/Au porphyry systems and epithermal Au deposits similar to numerous multi-million-ounce Au and bulk tonnage Cu deposits ~40km away.

The Emigrant Creek Project

Covers a 15 km2 area in an intensely altered and mineralized porphyry copper- gold-molybdenum system in southern Montana.

Nine highly mineralized breccia-pipes and two porphyry targets are known to exist within the company's claims and have been variously explored by drilling, induced polarization geophysical surveys, rock chip sampling and geologic & alteration mapping.

This press release has been prepared by Alain Moreau, P.Geo., VP-Exploration at Lucky Minerals Inc., a "qualified person" as defined by NI 43-101 instrument. For further information, please consult Lucky's website or contact:

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

John Mears

Chief Executive Officer

Further information regarding can be found on SEDAR at www.SEDAR.com.

Tel.: 866 924-6484 Website: www.luckyminerals.com Email: info@luckyminerals.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is de- fined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in Lucky's periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Lucky from time to time with securities regulatory authorities.

We seek safe harbor.ASPO PLC PRESS RELEASE October 16, 2018 at 1 p.m.



Invitation to the press conference on Aspo's Interim Report



Aspo Plc will publish the Interim Report for January - September 2018 on Thursday, October 25, 2018, approximately at 10 a.m. Finnish time.



Aspo will hold a press conference regarding the Interim Report for January - September 2018 for analysts, investors and media on Thursday, October, 25, 2018 at 2 p.m. Finnish time at Hotel Kamp's Akseli Gallen-Kallela cabinet (address: Pohjoisesplanadi 29, 00100 Helsinki). The conference will be held in Finnish. The Interim Report will be presented by CEO Aki Ojanen. The Interim Report and the presentation material will be available before the press conference at www.aspo.com (http://www.aspo.com/).



A live webcast (in Finnish) will begin on October 25, at 2 p.m. Finnish time at www.aspo.fi (http://www.aspo.fi/). An on-demand version of the webcast will be available on the company's website later on the same day.



This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Aspo Oyj via Globenewswire



Registrations beforehand to johanna.suhonen@aspo.com, by Monday, October 22, 2018, at the latest.ASPO PLCAki OjanenCEOFor further information, please contact:Harri Seppala, Group Treasurer, +358 400 617 201, harri.seppala@aspo.comDISTRIBUTION:Key mediawww.aspo.comis a conglomerate that owns and develops business operations in the Northern Europe and growth markets focusing on demanding B-to-B customers. Our strong company brands - ESL Shipping, Leipurin, Telko and Kauko - aim to be the market leaders in their sectors. They are responsible for their own operations, customer relationships, and the development of these. Together they generate Aspo's goodwill. Aspo's Group structure and business operations are continually developed without any predefined schedules.SAN FRANCISCO, October 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The global glycomics/glycobiology market size is expected to reach USD 2.1 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 14.4% over the forecast period. Rising focus on glycomics and proteomics research is driving the market. Huge investments have also enabled academic researchers to develop new glycobiology tools. This is a high-impact rendering driver for the market. As per many researchers, study on glycans helps understand biological processes more comprehensively, without specializing in glycobiology.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg )



According to the 2017 BDO Biotech Briefing, the average R&D expenditure of mid-sized biotech companies has increased by around 18% from USD 65.9 million to USD 80.6 million during the span of 2015 to 2016. Growing drug discovery and development are leading to an increase in R&D investments by biotech companies. Thus, the need for glycomics research techniques to conduct comprehensive glycomes study is constantly growing.

Rise in number of initiatives being undertaken by the government to increase funding for research has led to the high need for glycomics techniques. For instance, the Australian government invested around USD 10 billion in scientific research and innovations for the period 2016 to 2017. The Irish Government also announced a USD 5.6 billion spending program in 2015 aimed at increasing the number of scientific research activities from 25,000 to 40,000 in the next 5 years. Such funding initiatives are expected to enhance demand for glycomics research techniques in near future.

Key players are also undertaking extensive R&D initiatives to develop new and technologically advanced products. For instance, in 2016, ProZyme, Inc. launched Gly-Q Glycan Analysis System, an integrated platform that enables user-friendly and high-throughput glycoanalysis. In 2018, Shimadzu Corporation collaborated with PREMIER Biosoft, a global player in bioinformatics solutions, with an aim to introduce its LCMS-9030 Quadrupole Time of Flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometry system for advance glycomics and lipidomics data research analysis.

Browse full research report with TOC on "Glycomics/Glycobiology Market Analysis Report By Product (Instruments, Enzymes, Kits, Reagents), By Application (Drug Discover, Diagnostics), By End Use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025" at:https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/glycobiology-market

Further Key Findings From the Report Suggest:

Enzymes was the fastest growing product segment of the glycomics/glycobiology market in 2017, due to repetitive purchase and rising application in research and diagnostics

In application segment, drug discovery and development accounted for the largest revenue share in 2017, owing to high focus on novel drug development and demand for personalized medicines

North America is anticipated to continue to lead the global market during the forecast period owing to existence of large number of research laboratories and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies

is anticipated to continue to lead the global market during the forecast period owing to existence of large number of research laboratories and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies Europe is expected to expand at the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to availability of advanced infrastructure coupled with rising number of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies

is expected to expand at the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to availability of advanced infrastructure coupled with rising number of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies Some of the major market players include Danaher; ProZyme; Shimadzu Corporation; Agilent Technologies; Bruker; Merck KGaA; Takara Bio , Inc.; New England Biolabs; ThermoFisher Scientific, Inc.; and Waters Corporation.

Browse related reports by Grand View Research:

Live Cell Imaging Market - The global live cell imaging market size was valued at USD 4.5 billion in 2016 and is projected to grow with CAGR of 8.3% over the forecast period.



The global live cell imaging market size was valued at in 2016 and is projected to grow with CAGR of 8.3% over the forecast period. Protein Engineering Market - The global protein engineering market size was valued at 823.0 million in 2016 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 15.9% throughout the forecast period.



The global protein engineering market size was valued at 823.0 million in 2016 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 15.9% throughout the forecast period. Pharmaceutical Filtration Market - The global pharmaceutical filtration market size was estimated at USD 13.7 billion in 2016 and is expected to witness lucrative growth during the forecast period.



The global pharmaceutical filtration market size was estimated at in 2016 and is expected to witness lucrative growth during the forecast period. Cancer Biomarker Market - The global cancer biomarker market size was valued at USD 10.3 billion in the year 2016 and is estimated to reach a value of USD 33.7 billion by 2025, growing with CAGR of 14.3 %.

Grand View Research has segmented the global glycomics/glycobiology market on the basis of product, application, end use, and region:

Glycomics/Glycobiology Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Instruments Mass Spectrometers HPLC MALDI-TOF Array Systems Others Reagents Glycoproteins Monosaccharides Oligosaccharides Others Kits Glycan Labeling Kits Glycan Purification Kits Glycan Release Kits Others Enzymes Glycosidases Glycosyltransferases Neuraminidases Sialyltransferases Others

Glycomics/Glycobiology Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Drug Discovery & Development Diagnostics Others

Glycomics/Glycobiology End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Academic & Research Institutes Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies CROs

Glycomics/Glycobiology Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany U.K. Asia Pacific Japan China India Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East & Africa South Africa



Explore the BI enabled intuitive market research database,Grand View Compass, by Grand View Research, Inc.

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: +1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com

Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.comKorea International Trade Association recognizes Dassault Systemes' commitment to initiatives transforming the Korean economy

Award presented at France-Korea Business Leaders Summit in Paris in the presence of President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea

Dassault Systemes closely collaborates with Korea's academic, industrial and research networks to foster sustainable innovation in the country

Dassault Systemes (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) (Paris:DSY) today announced that it was presented with the France-Korea Business Award by the Korea International Trade Association. The award recognizes Dassault Systemes' commitment to innovation and job creation initiatives in Korea that are helping to transform the country's economy.

The award ceremony took place during the France-Korea Business Leaders Summit in Paris in the presence of Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea. The summit, hosted by the Korea International Trade Association and MEDEF International, assembled 200 people from government and industry in both countries to showcase successful examples of economic collaboration and explore future opportunities.

"We are honored to receive this award from the Korea International Trade Association in the presence of other members of the French-Korean business community," said Florence Verzelen, Executive Vice President, Industry Solutions, Field Marketing, Global Affairs, Dassault Systemes. "Korea has been the source of influential designers, thinkers and innovators, and is home to many of the world's most successful industrial companies. We are proud to play a role in ushering in an Industry Renaissance in Korea. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform can impact and empower innovators at every level from students to established corporations."

With offices in Seoul since 1997 and hundreds of employees, Dassault Systemes closely collaborates with industrial, academic and research networks in Korea to support digital transformation across the country. Its digital applications are used by 11,000 Korean industrial companies such as Doosan Infracore, Hynix, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai Motor Company, KAI, LG Electronics, POSCO, Samsung Display, Samsung Electronics, and STX.

Dassault Systemes is also actively involved in startup initiatives where its 3DEXPERIENCE platform can be used for discovering and nurturing young talent who can contribute to sustainable innovation in Korea. These include collaborations with InnoDesign on the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab dedicated to nurturing disruptive projects, and on the "Design 2020" project to train and support the leaders of the next generation of design. The company has also engaged in academic collaborations with Sogang University to accelerate the development of mobility assistive robots, and the Haedong Idea Factory at the Seoul National University's College of Engineering to cultivate student entrepreneurship.

In parallel, Dassault Systemes supports a number of local social initiatives by offering 3D design training as part of vocational programs to help talent join or reenter the Korean workforce with skills that are sought after by today's industry.

"France has a strong position in basic research and source technology. It is very likely that trade and investment will continue to expand as a cooperative partner," said Youngju Kim, chairman of the Korea International Trade Association. "In addition, Dassault Systemes' world-class technology for Industry and Smart City solutions will be more active in Korea's industrial sector and startups."

Social media:

Share this on Twitter: .@Dassault3DS honored w/ France-Korea Business Award from KITA 3DEXPERIENCE digitaltransformation industryrenaissance

Connect with Dassault Systemes on Twitter Facebook LinkedIn YouTube

For more information:

Dassault Systemes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions: http://www.3ds.com

About Dassault Systemes

Dassault Systemes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, provides business and people with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations. Its world-leading solutions transform the way products are designed, produced, and supported. Dassault Systemes' collaborative solutions foster social innovation, expanding possibilities for the virtual world to improve the real world. The group brings value to over 220,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 140 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com.

3DEXPERIENCE, the Compass logo and the 3DS logo, CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, ENOVIA, DELMIA, SIMULIA, GEOVIA, EXALEAD, 3D VIA, BIOVIA, NETVIBES and 3DEXCITE are registered trademarks of Dassault Systemes or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005553/en/

Contacts:

Dassault Systemes

Press

Corporate France

Arnaud MALHERBE, +33 (0)1 61 62 87 73

arnaud.malherbe@3ds.com

or

North America

Suzanne MORAN, +1 (781) 810 3774

suzanne.moran@3ds.com

or

EMEAR

Virginie BLINDENBERG, +33 (0) 1 61 62 84 21

virginie.blindenberg@3ds.com

or

China

Grace MU, +86 10 6536 2288

grace.mu@3ds.com

or

India

Santanu BHATTACHARYA, +91 124 457 7111

santanu.bhattacharya@3ds.com

or

Japan

Yukiko SATO, +81 3 4321 3841

yukiko.sato@3ds.com

or

Korea

Hyunkyung CHAE, +82 2 3271 6653

hyunkyung.chae@3ds.com

or

AP South

Magdalene TAN, +65 9487 1206

magdalene.tan@3ds.comLONDON, October 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Pooled-liquidity platform allows white label partners to scale business from first trader

16th October 2018, London: BlockEx, the digital asset exchange provider for institutional-grade financial markets, has announced the BlockEx Exchange Network, a multi-brokerage pooled liquidity trading platform, together with the first four white label partners who have launched their own-brand brokerages.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/608924/BlockEx_Logo.jpg )



BlockEx provides an award-winning digital-asset trading exchange platform. As part of the platform, the BlockEx Exchange Network allows companies to operate their own-brand brokerages that share a single virtual marketplace. Traders are able to buy and sell digital assets with any trader on any of the networked brokerages. BlockEx also provides a suite of risk and support services that designed to help partners rapidly scale their brokerage brands.

Adam Leonard, CEO at BlockEx, said: "We're excited to deliver another important part of our strategy. Through pooled liquidity, the BlockEx Exchange Network provides a much larger market for buyers and sellers than any one brokerage could deliver on its own. Importantly it allows new brokerage operators to generate revenue from the first customer they bring on board. Our first four partner own-brand brokerages are live on the Network and they are all starting their customer acquisition activities. Following up quickly are our next four partner brokerages. These will soon be in soft-launch testing and are on track to open before the end of the year."

In additional to white label brokerages, BlockEx also offers blockchain exchange technology licensing and on-premise options for large financial enterprises. Businesses interested in own-brand brokerages or licensing digital trading exchange technology should contact sales-brokerage@blockex.com.

About BlockEx

BlockEx is the blockchain digital asset exchange and technology provider for institutional-grade financial market participants, to allow them to deliver a step change in opportunity, efficiency and transparency in their own businesses. The company, an award winning London-based fintech success, delivers and operates http://www.BlockExMarkets.com its own institutional grade brokerage, which incorporates blockchain asset origination, dematerialisation and lifecycle management tools. Find out more at http://www.BlockEx.com.SAN FRANCISCO, October 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Global Lubricant Additives Market is expected to grow at a significant CAGR of 4.3% by 2023, as the scope and its applications are rising enormously across the globe. Lubricant additives are termed as a chemical component which provides one or many functions in the fluid, when used at a specific treat rate. They are mainly used to reduce the friction stress between surfaces. It helps to advance the present base oil, suppress undesirable base oil, and impart new properties to base oil with extreme pressure additives. Lubricant Additives Market is segmented based on types, application, and region. Detergent or dispersant additive, anti-oxidant additive, extreme-pressure additive, anti-foaming additive, anti-wear additive, and friction modifier are the types that could be explored in lubricant additives in the forecast period. The market may be categorized based on applications like industrial lubricant and automotive lubricant that could be explored in the forecast period. Industrial lubricant sector comprises general industrial oils, metal working fluids, industrial engine oils, and others. On the other hand, automotive lubricants sector comprises passenger car motor oil, heavy duty motor oil, and others. Automotive sector may account for the substantial market share of Lubricant Additives and is estimated to lead the overall market in the coming years.

Lubricant Additives Market is segmented geographically into Americas (North America, South America, and Latin America), Europe (Eastern Europe, Western Europe), Asia Pacific (India, China, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia), Latin America (Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil), Middle East (UAE, Saudi, and Qatar) and Africa (South Africa). Globally, Asia Pacific may account for the substantial market share of Lubricant Additives and is estimated to lead the overall market in the coming years. The reason behind the overall market growth could be presence of key manufacturers in the region, rising several activities in automotive, construction, and industrial sector, and cost-efficient production. The developing countries like India and China are the major consumers of Lubricant Additives in this region. Instead, Europe and North America are also estimated to have a positive influence on the future growth. North America is the second largest region with significant market share. However, Europe is estimated to grow at fastest pace with the highest CAGR in the foremost period. The key players of Lubricant Additives Market are Tianhe Chemicals Group, BASF, Afton Chemical, and Lubrizol. These players are concentrating on inorganic growth to sustain themselves amongst fierce competition.

Access 124 page research report with TOC on "Lubricant Additives Market" available with Radiant Insights, Inc. @https://www.radiantinsights.com/research/global-lubricant-additives-market-outlook-2018-2023

The report has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global lubricant additives market collected from specialized sources. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players. Company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, new project launched, recent development analysis are the parameters included in the profile. Demand for this market rises from the passenger car, heavy-duty vehicle, industrial, and other applications. All the segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends and the market is estimated from 2018 to 2023. Relevantly, the report and company profiles specify the key drivers that are impacting the demand in global lubricant additives market.

Key Applications:



 Passenger Car

 Heavy-duty Vehicle

 Industrial

Key Regions:



North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East and Africa

 South America

Key Vendors:



 Lubrizol

Infineum

 Chevron Oronite

 Afton Chemical Corporation

 BASF

Chemtura Corporation

 Vanderbilt Chemicals

Evonik

Croda International

Tianhe Chemicals Group

request free sample to get a complete list of companies

Key Questions Answered in this Report:



What will the market size be in 2023?

What are the key factors driving the global lubricant additives market?

What are the challenges to market growth?

Who are the key players in the lubricant additives market?

What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key players?

Browse reports of similar category available with Radiant Insights, Inc.:

Lactic Acid Market

Nitrocellulose Market

Acrylic Adhesives & Polymers Market

Methyl Styrene Market

About Radiant Insights, Inc.:

At Radiant Insights, we work with the aim to reach the highest levels of customer satisfaction. Our representatives strive to understand diverse client requirements and cater to the same with the most innovative and functional solutions.

Contact:



Michelle Thoras.

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Web: https://www.radiantinsights.comMicro.sp's small form factor, power efficiency, and robustness give it a significant competitive edge in an increasingly connected automobile industry

LONDON, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the European connected tire market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Ste Industries with the 2018 European Technology Innovation Award for the Micro.sp, the world's smallest tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). The patented and newly commercialized Micro.sp is a first-of-its-kind TPMS device designed for short-range vehicle communication. The massive amount of data that the Micro.sp guarantees will be a key enabler of future vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/769464/Ste_Industries_Award.jpg

"As IoT and machine learning are becoming mainstream in the automobile industry, new-age TPMS devices have begun to require cloud computing and continuous data capturing through 'always-on' ultra-low energy wireless sensors/actuators," said Sailesh Mohan, Industry Analyst. "Micro.sp combines low-energy consumption with optimal mechanical form factor miniaturization to address the need for continuous data transmission and increased system life span."

The small-size tire sensor is programmed to transmit a 64-bit data frame every six seconds to a cloud platform. Additionally, the Micro.sp is powered by a 12mm lithium coin cell with a life span of four years, during which it can transfer 22 million frames. This is currently the highest amount of data that can be generated for building tire prognostic algorithms.

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), the most prevalent short-range wireless communication technology, transmits signals in the 2.4GHz band. However, the Micro.sp operates in the 433 MHz ISM (Industrial, Scientifical and Medical) frequency, making it less susceptible to path loss and interferences. Furthermore, the technology's use of position modulation (PPM) endows it with more power efficiency than frequency shift keying (FSK), giving it a solid advantage in a dense vehicular ad-hoc network (VANET) and wireless sensor network (WSN).

"In a market where competing technologies require regular and expensive battery replacements, Micro.sp's uncomplicated hardware, versatility, and ultra-low energy consumption marks it out as a very reliable technology," noted Sailesh Mohan . "Its environmental and operational benefits are attracting clients from a wide range of industries, and the technology is undergoing qualification tests to validate new predictive maintenance services including real-time asset monitoring, field data capturing, and automotive vehicle chassis system analysis."

In the future, Micro.sp's scalability and undeniable value could well make it the industry standard in the IOT verticals such as industrial, home appliances, building monitoring and in-vehicle non-safety related aggregate prognostics just to name a few.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed a product with innovative features and functionality that is gaining rapid acceptance in the market. The award recognizes the quality of the solution and the customer value enhancements it enables.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Ste Industries

Ste Industries, an Italian based company inheriting the experience of an early pioneer in radio frequency, researches innovative advances across industries using core and innovative technologies in the space of data telemetry and delivers unique solutions in the emerging sectors of energy efficient wireless sensors applied to the "Internet of Things."

Its Micro.sp proprietary technology represents a first-of-its-kind technology for short-range communication systems with unmet energy-efficiency.

Recently Ste Industries has begun, through a number of tyre manufacturing market leaders and worldwide system integrators partners, the rollout of the unique world smallest easy-to-fit multipurpose ultra-low energy MicroCap device based on the patented Micro.sp technology that unlocks cost effective, fast and "easy-to-fit" monitoring of tyres in passenger cars, light-trucks, motorbikes and bikes.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector, and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:

Claudia Toscano

P: 210.477.8417

F: 210.348.1003

E: claudia.toscano@frost.comExtends SaaS Presence and Team to European Enterprises and CSPs

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Kentik, the leader in modern network analytics, today marked its expansion into Europe. The company's new European-hosted SaaS option, located in the state-of-the-art Equinix Frankfurt IBX Center in Germany, is generally available. This builds on Kentik's existing U.S.-based SaaS presence to better address the specific needs of European enterprises and communications service providers (CSPs). Kentik's proven platform now monitors over 400 Tbps of network activity across 200+ customers globally and processes over 1 trillion flow records daily.

"As networks and applications grow and become increasingly complex, the operations groups behind them must have real-time visibility into both their classic and cloud-native networks to make decisions on routing, capacity, performance, and security that drive stronger customer experiences and business results," said Avi Freedman, co-founder and CEO of Kentik. "We're investing in Europe to fulfill strong demand from enterprises and CSPs across the region."

"We are very excited for Kentik's expansion, as it will allow us to further increase our adoption of their industry-leading network analytics platform," said Jens Osterloh, global network architect at G-Core Labs S.A. , a Luxembourg-based global IT solutions provider and Kentik customer. "Kentik provides us with comprehensive traffic anomaly detection and is a core aspect of our DDoS defense strategy. The new location will further reduce latency for us and help in meeting data privacy and compliance requirements."

Now enterprises and CSPs in Europe, including Kentik's existing customers, can store data locally. Benefits of Kentik's European-hosted SaaS option also include:

Internet Insight for Digital Enterprise

Peering & Interconnection



Internet Performance



Network Forensics



DDoS Defense



Application Insight for Cloud-Native and Hybrid Networks

Traffic Cost Management



Service Dependency Mapping



Traffic Policy Validation



Business Insight for Service Providers

Subscriber Intelligence



Sales & Revenue Intelligence



Traffic Engineering



Capacity Planning



Local Data Residency

Kentik's Frankfurt, Germany facility now meets the requirements of customers who wish to store their data locally within Europe .

"Believing that the price of network visibility is far less than the cost of staying in the dark, businesses are increasingly looking for ways to gain value out their network data," said Nissreen Askar, co-partner of Diverse GmbH , a European-based Kentik channel partner. "Network analytics from Kentik make this goal a low-hanging fruit and also enable companies to gain insightful business value from their data. As a Kentik partner and selling arm in the German market, we at Diverse GmbH are happy to be part of this unfolding data revolution together with Kentik. Kentik's expansion into the European market opens the door wide open for this partnership to render value to European companies."

As part of the company's European expansion, Kentik continues to grow its channel program in the region. Kentik also has a growing team in the region and is hiring Sales and Engineering positions across Europe.

"Kentik has been a Marketplace partner since the company's early days, and we continue to be impressed by their modern network analytics solution that's now serving some of the largest service providers across Europe," said Franck Simon, president of France-IX , a leading Internet exchange in Europe and Kentik technology alliance partner. "With Kentik's expansion into the region, we're looking forward to watching them achieve new successes in helping European companies address network visibility and optimization."

For more on Kentik's new European deployment, visit Kentik's booth during the RIPE 77 conference, happening now in Amsterdam, or at the company's booth next week at Capacity Europe in London. Additionally, sign up for a free 30-day evaluation of Kentik.Novel Device Designed to Deliver Controlled Drug Administration without Risk of Theft, Abuse or Misuse

Ethimedix, a medical device company developing state-of-the-art technologies for programmable, controllable drug delivery, announced that it has submitted its novel SmartBottle to the "FDA Innovation Challenge: Devices to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorder." The SmartBottle is a non-invasive, portable, programmable and fully secured "lockbox" device that offers a unique, new approach to controlled drug administration that eliminates the risk of abuse or misuse by the patient or healthcare provider.

Our mission is to dramatically improve access to proper pain relief with a safe, user-friendly, tamper-proof analgesic dispensing system for implementation in any and all environments," said Leila Smith, scientific and business consultant, Ethimedix. "Our CE-marked SmartBottle device addresses a critical need to improve controlled access to treatment while preventing opioid use disorder, and it is a proven technology that has been effectively tested in a large European hospital group and is the culmination of years of development."

The SmartBottle is an oral, drinkable controlled analgesia system designed for use both at home and in hospitals, particularly for the treatment of post-operative, chronic or palliative pain. The patient's pain treatment is individualized by the authorized prescriber and is fully secured, traceable and trackable. With biometric authentication, the patient can take only the prescribed and programmed dose, bringing safety, comfort and autonomy to the patient while also deterring abuse or misuse. In the case of theft or tampering, the system instantly flash-neutralizes the drug, making it totally unusable and unavailable.

Ethimedix developed its SmartBottle technology to provide properly prescribed pain relief while addressing the growing opioid use disorder crisis. Of the 42,249 people who died from overdosing on opioids in the U.S. in 2016, 17,009 overdosed on prescription opioids.1Furthermore, the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics estimates that more than 113 people currently die per day in the U.S. from opioid-related drug overdoses.

The U.S. FDA has responded to this crisis in many ways, including launching an FDA Innovation Challenge. The Challenge is a program designed to spur the development of medical devices, including diagnostic tests and digital health technologies, to help combat the opioid crisis and achieve the goal of preventing and treating opioid use disorder. Applicants selected for the Challenge will work directly with the FDA to accelerate the development of and eventual review of marketing applications for innovative products, similar to what occurs under the Breakthrough Devices Program.

The SmartBottle has been tested and used for over 18 months at the Bicetre Hospital, one of APHP's 39 hospitals in Paris, where it has been readily adopted by the neurosurgery, urology and orthopedics groups. The healthcare professionals who have the opioid-filled SmartBottle on their carts say they have new peace of mind when they conduct patient rounds. They no longer have the risk of theft or misuse, since the tamper-proof cartridge will neutralize the opioid if anyone tries to tamper with the device, and only biometrically approved healthcare providers can dispense the pain relief medication.

Isabelle Negre, M.D., anesthesiologist with APHP and head of the Pain Centre and of the Pain Relief Commission at the Hopitaux Universitaires Paris-Sud, said, "We have been extremely pleased with the SmartBottle, as it has brought a new level of safety to the hospital floor. Our healthcare providers love it because they do not have to worry about medication being diverted and misused and abused, while significantly saving time of up to one hour per shift. We have been so pleased with the technology's performance to date that we hope to expand its use."

The SmartBottle is not currently approved for use in the U.S. Ethimedix is currently seeking to partner with an approved prescription drug manufacturer to run usability trials in the U.S.

About Ethimedix SA

Ethimedix SA is a Swiss-based, privately owned company incorporated in 2010 with a mission to develop and provide state-of-the-art medical devices that allow programmable, controllable means of drug delivery. The company is committed to improving patient quality of life while ensuring better adherence and compliance, and preventing abuse, misuse and diversion. For more information, visit ethimedix.com.

1 Mortality in the United States, 2016 NCHS Data Brief No. 293, December 2017

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005315/en/

Contacts:

MEDIA CONTACT:

Nobles Global Communications

Chris Seger

chris@noblesgc.com

(631) 428-1517

or

CORPORATE CONTACT:

Ethimedix

Leila Smith

l.smith@ethimedix.com

+33674797700Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 16, 2018) - StrikePoint Gold Inc. (TSXV: SKP) (OTCQB: STKXF) is pleased to provide the following update for the Porter Project in Stewart, British Columbia, the highlights of which include:

Over 4,000 meters of diamond drilling across two major target zones

Establishment of a permanent 20-person camp on site

Addition of the Handsome Jack, Big, Bada and Boom claims to incorporate new potential targets being exposed by retreating ice and become a major land holder in the Stewart area. This increases the exploration area from the original 8 square kilometers to 33 square kilometers

Collection of 396 surface samples across the project area and with extensive geological mapping

Completion of engineering, environmental and safety projects to compliment the exploration permit

Acquisition of hyperspectral imagery and other data to help build a geological model and generate new targets to support and expand mineral resources

An Aggressive Timeline

A Letter of Intent to acquire the Porter (Idaho) Project from Skeena Resources Limited was signed on May 2nd 2018, with the acquisition taking place on July 16th 2018. In the 12-weeks since mid-July, StrikePoint has established a permanent 20-person camp, added 20.5 square kilometers of new prospective ground and completed 4,304 meters of diamond drilling across several targets on the property. Staff have also completed engineering and environmental studies to compliment the exploration permit.

Expanded Drilling Program

The initial drill plan for the Porter Project consisted of a single diamond drill exploring a variety of targets around the old Porter-Prosperity Mines. Targets were developed to either intersect historical veins and therefore confirm grades from previous campaigns; to gather purely geological and structural information to aid in the development of a new geological model or to test possible extensions to veins outside of the historical resource area.

The drilling commenced on August 16th 2018, and a total of twenty one holes were drilled from six pads in and around the Porter-Prosperity area. Drilling multiple holes from a single drill pad allowed maximum efficiency in the terrain whilst providing enough data to project geological results in a three-dimensional environment.

On September 13th, 2018, a second diamond drill was added to the program to allow exploration of the Silverado target. This area was also the site of historical mining, but little to no exploration work had been completed. The long-standing idea is that Silverado and Porter are connected systems that lay two kilometers apart and are obscured by ice cover on the peak of Mount Rainey. A total of three holes were drilled from two pads set back from the old workings to collect geological information as well as test for additional mineralization.

A total of 4,304 meters were drilled between the Porter-Prosperity and Silverado targets during a five-week period. Samples have been sent to SGS Labs in Burnaby, British Columbia for assaying and results are pending.

Building A Major Land Package

On July 16th, 2018, StrikePoint acquired the Handsome Jack property from Trifecta Gold Limited. The Handsome Jack property is contiguous with the eastern border of the Porter Project and shows potential for parallel vein systems like those within the Porter-Prosperity area. One of these, the Melvin Vein, was briefly mined in the 1920's and is thought to be an extension of the Angelo Vein on the Porter Property. Amalgamating these two projects allows the development of a unified model and the inclusion of ore veins that were outside of the original resource calculation.

StrikePoint then added an additional 20.5 square kilometers of land on September 12th, 2018 with the acquisition of the Big, Bada and Boom claims. These were previously unclaimed areas of ground that were exhibiting potential for mineralization in areas where ice has recently retreated around the periphery of the Cambria Icefield.

One of these new targets is the "Big Nunatak", which is effectively a mountain currently being exposed within the Cambria Icefield, approximately eight kilometers southeast of Porter. The lithology consists of Jurassic-aged mudstones hosting pyrite mineralization, which manifests as large gossanous zones at surface. The exposure lies close to the Triassic- Jurassic lithological boundary, locally known as "The Red Line" and is known to host many of the major deposits of the area. Initial observations include the comparison to the outcrops at IDM Mining's "Red Mountain" Mine, located eight kilometers to the northeast of the Nunatak. Field work was undertaken on this new target area and a total of 47 surface samples were collected for assaying, the results of which are pending.

Extensive Surface Work

A dedicated team of geologists spent a significant amount of time on the site collecting geological data from surface. Much of the existing information was collected from the 1920's and the 1980's and needed to be "ground truthed" in the field for accuracy.

A total of 396 samples were collected from all areas of the project, with the focus being on the Porter and Silverado targets. There are currently 144 assays pending.

The initial results were released on September 18th, 2018 and included assays up to 1,425 ounces per ton of silver from samples collected around Silverado.

This geochemical sampling program is the most comprehensive program that the Porter Project has seen and takes in new areas that are being exposed through receding glaciers. A profile is developing that shows the potential for gold and copper mineralization within the project area as well as the expected silver.

All data from surface work, historical maps and the 2018 drilling program will be incorporated into a new geological model that will be generated over the off-season.

Establishing A Permanent Camp

The Porter Project had no existing infrastructure to support an exploration project, and as such a camp was built by Matrix to the south of the historical workings. It was decided to use a series of metal-sided buildings and weather havens to allow extended use of the camp in future years, and to provide adequate protection from snow and rockfalls for onsite staff. These buildings will also allow for a rapid deployment to site in the spring thus making the absolute most of the exploration season.

Other Value Adding Studies

The exploration permits for the site were taken over from Skeena who applied for them in 2017 / 2018. Several aspects of this permit had to be fulfilled, including a slope stability and avalanche potential study. StrikePoint also brought an independent mining engineer to site to assess the underground workings for potential access in 2019.

In September 2018, the site was passed over by a series of satellites that compiled a hyperspectral study of the Porter-Prosperity, Silverado, Handsome Jack and Glacier Creek sites. These studies help identify mineralization, alteration and significant geological units through sensitive changes in the light spectrum. Information from this study will allow for the application of the geological model over a project sized area and help identify exploration targets for 2019.

Off Season Work

The plan going forwards will be to compile all the data collected in 2018 and incorporate this with a collection of historical data and maps that have been curated over the summer. This will form one of the most comprehensive studies of the project area, which will then be used to generate a new three-dimensional geological model, thus delineating targets for future exploration activity.

Efforts will also begin to gain permits to drill for areas that are currently outside of the Porter-Silverado boundary. This will include Handsome Jack, Glacier Creek and the Big Nunatak which have all shown promise from work undertaken during 2018. A series of post-season and assessment reports will be authored and filed with the BC Government as is standard.

Assays results will continue to be processed and released in due course for the drill program. Complimentary studies of mineralogy and metallurgy will parallel these results to update and confirm the information held in the historical resource.

Onsite activity is planned to perform snow monitoring and control measures through the winter to increase the knowledge of year-round conditions at the project site, to protect assets and to allow the earliest possible access to the camp in the spring.

Please refer to the StrikePoint Website for property maps, results and drill plans.

About the Golden Triangle

The Golden Triangle is an area of northwestern British Columbia that has seen extensive historic mining and prospecting activity, and has recently been the site of modern discoveries, including the Premier Gold, Snip and Eskay Creek Mines. The area has seen a resurgence in infrastructure investment which supports exploration activities, including upgraded transmission lines supplying clean, affordable and reliable hydroelectric power. Other recent improvements include highway upgrades, new ocean port infrastructure at the ice-free port of Stewart and the commissioning of three hydroelectric facilities.

StrikePoint Gold is a well-financed gold exploration and development company. The company controls a portfolio of gold properties in the Yukon and throughout Canada.

QA/QC

The Company maintains a rigorous QA/QC program with respect to the preparation, shipping, analysis and checking of all samples and data from the properties. Quality control for field sampling and drill samples at the Company's projects covers the complete chain of custody of samples, including sample handling procedures and analytical-related work, plus the insertion of standard and blank materials. The QA/QC program also includes data verification procedures. ALS Laboratories in Vancouver, Canada (ISO 17025:2005 accreditation) assayed all grab samples from the current field program using fire assay and ICP Mass Spectroscopy methods. Drill samples were processed by Bureau Veritas Labs in Vancouver, Canada (ISO9001:2008 accreditation).

The technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Andy Randell, P. Geo., Vice President, Exploration of StrikePoint Gold. Mr. Randell is a qualified person as defined in NI 43-101.

For further information please visit our website: www.strikepointgold.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD of STRIKEPOINT GOLD INC.

Shawn Khunkhun

CEO and Director

For more information, contact:

Shawn Khunkhun

604-602-1440

sk@strikepointgold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 16, 2018) - Permex Petroleum Corporation (CSE: OIL) ("Permex" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has secured a $5,000,000 USD lending agreement (the "Loan") with R.C. Morris Capital Management Ltd. (the "Lender"). The Company has qualified for an initial cash issuance of USD $2,000,000. The additional draws will be available depending on satisfaction of relevant terms and conditions met on both sides.

Permex intends to use the funding to pursue play extension and acquire-and-exploit continued opportunities throughout the Permian Basin by applying the same geologic and petrophysics-driven thesis used in their acquisitions to date. The funding will allow an increase in monthly net cashflow by acquiring interests in producing properties with good potential for additional production increase once enhancement work has been undertaken by Permex. These producing properties and working interests that the company has narrowed down for acquisitions are within the Permian Basin.

The Loan repayment, including all outstanding principal, fees and interest, will be due in full 36 months post Closing Date (the "Maturity Date"). Interest will accumulate at a rate of 16.75% per year and paid monthly in arrears.

Permex has agreed to provide the Lender with share purchase authorizations at the market price on the Loan's Closing Date, equivalent to 0.5% of the fully diluted shares of the company.

R.C. Morris Capital Management Ltd. operates in private, special opportunity debt funds.

Permex President and CEO commented, "We are very pleased to have the support of RC Morris as we continue to pursue attractive opportunities in this prolific region while achieving immediate goals without dilution of the company's capital structure."

About Permex Petroleum Corporation - www.permexpetroleum.com

Permex Petroleum is a uniquely positioned junior Oil & Gas company with assets and operations across the Permian Basin of west Texas and the Delaware Sub-Basin of south east New Mexico. Permex has a current focus on identifying, evaluating and acquiring oil and natural gas assets in North America and enhancing and developing its currently held oil and natural gas assets in Texas and New Mexico. Permex owns and operates on Private, State and Federal land.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Permex Petroleum Corporation

Mehran Ehsan

President & Chief Executive Officer

(604) 259-2525

Or for Investor Relations, please contact:

The Howard Group Inc.

Dave Burwell

Vice President

Email: dave@howardgroupinc.com

Tel: +1(403) 221-0915

Toll Free in Canada: 1-888-221-0915

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), which reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. These forward-looking statements are subject to both known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performances or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement included in this press release is based only on information currently available to the Company and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this press release to reflect new circumstances or events.NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CyberScout is excited to announce a new partnership with Lansforsakringar, a group of customer-owned insurance companies that provides personal, commercial, pet and life insurance, as well as bank, life and pensions services throughout Sweden.

Established in 1843, Lansforsakringar is the largest non-life mutual insurer in Sweden, with a market share exceeding 30 percent. The group is comprised of 23 companies that work in cooperation with each other to provide top-tier services in everything from insurance to banking, always with a strong focus on customer service.

The partnership will mark the launch of Lansforsakringar's new small medium enterprise (SME) cyber insurance product. The partnership will provide services to their commercial lines policy for small- and medium-sized businesses, with plans to introduce services gradually beginning September 1, 2018, with full deployment over the following six months.

CyberScout's robust breach education and response services will be added to Lansforsakringar's offerings, including a 24/7 help line connecting customers to cyber resolution experts in the Swedish language. CyberScout on-demand support helps to minimize the consequences of a breach, and the CyberScout breach team will work closely with the Lansforsakringar claims team to ensure a seamless customer claims journey.

The announcement of this partnership marks Lansforsakringar's entry into cyber insurance, which is timely now that the GDPR is in place. Lansforsakringar is one of the most trusted brands in Sweden largely because they have always empowered the customer in the decision-making process. With its customer-centric focus, CyberScout is a perfect partner for this new product offering.

"We are delighted to be partnering with Lansforsakringar to deliver this brand-new product for the Swedish market," said CyberScout's Divisional Director of Global Markets, Tom Spier. "LF have looked at the clear risks to small businesses post-GDPR and reacted to these by saying that cyber cover is so important that they will endorse it to every SME policy. CyberScout's global expansion means that we have been first into many markets around the world and this initiative represents a continuation of this."

"We are very happy for the partnership with CyberScout," said Maria Munkby, Head of the Liability department at Lansforsakringar Sak. "CyberScout's competence and their experience in the field combined with the fact that they are easy to work with made them an excellent choice for us to partner with. Since we both have a strong customer focus they were also willing to provide services to customers in Swedish which was important for us."

About CyberScout

CyberScout sets the gold standard for identity and data defense services-from proactive protection to education to successful resolution. Since 2003, CyberScout has combined on-the-ground experience with high-touch personal service to help commercial clients and individuals minimize risk and maximize recovery. To learn more, visit www.CyberScout.com.

About Lansforsakringar

The Lansforsakringar Alliance is unique in the Swedish bank and insurance market. The 23 customer-owned regional insurance companies cooperate, thereby combining the ability of a small company to adapt to its customers with the strength of a large company. All of the companies have a strong local base in their individual home markets and have no ownership interests other than those of their own customers. Everything developed in the form of products, concepts and system support is based exclusively on customer needs. To learn more, visit www.lansforsakringar.se."NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES"



VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 16, 2018))) ("Cypress" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that due to strong interest, the Company is increasing the previously announced non-brokered private placement (see news release dated October 11th, 2018) to 9,000,000 units at a price of $0.22 each to raise gross proceeds of up to $1,980,000. Each unit will consist of one common share and one warrant (each, a "Warrant") exercisable to purchase one additional common share at a price of $0.33 each for a period of 3 years from the date of issuance.



Proceeds of the offering will finance the completion of a prefeasibility study (PFS) for Cypress' Clayton Valley Lithium Project in Nevada, including further metallurgical studies, related infill drilling, and for general working capital purposes. Dr. Bill Willoughby, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Cypress is pleased to be able to fund the Clayton Valley Project's next steps with a modest capital outlay. The undertaking of infill drilling, further metallurgical studies and a prefeasibility study to provide more detailed information related to the project's economic assumptions hold the potential to unlock significant shareholder value."

Finder's fees may be paid in connection with part of this private placement offering. The private placement is subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance.

About Cypress Development Corp.:

Cypress Development Corp. is a publicly traded exploration company focused on developing the Company's 100%-owned Clayton Valley Lithium Project in Nevada. Exploration and development by Cypress has discovered a world-class resource of lithium-bearing claystone adjacent to Albemarle's Silver Peak mine, North America's only lithium brine operation.

Cypress Development Corp. has approx. 62.7 million shares issued and outstanding.

To find out more about Cypress Development Corp.), visit our website at www.cypressdevelopmentcorp.com .

CYPRESS DEVELOPMENT CORP.

"Dr. Bill Willoughby"



WILLIAM WILLOUGHBY, PhD., PE

Chief Executive Officer

For further information contact myself or:

Don Myers

Cypress Development Corp.

Director, Corporate Communications

Telephone: 604-639-3851

Toll Free: 800-567-8181

Facsimile: 604-687-3119

Email: info@cypressdevelopmentcorp.com

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedar.com for further information.



AGCO (NYSE: AGCO), a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and solutions, today announces that Martin Richenhagen, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AGCO Corporation, has been named a Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion d'Honneur (Legion of Honor) by the government of France. This high-ranking honorary decoration was bestowed during a recent ceremony held at AGCO's global headquarters in Duluth, in the presence of the French Consul General in Atlanta, Louis de Corail.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005270/en/

Martin Richenhagen, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AGCO Corporation, has been named a Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion d'Honneur (Legion of Honor) by the government of France during a recent ceremony in Duluth, Georgia, USA. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Legion of Honor, established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, is the highest distinction conferred by the government of France. It is awarded to recognize those people and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to France in a variety of fields.

AGCO began operations in France, when the group became the parent company of the Massey Ferguson brand in 1994, taking ownership of the Beauvais Massey Ferguson plant. Opened in 1960, the Beauvais AGCO site remains today the Global Centre of Excellence for Massey Ferguson engineering and manufacturing, as well as the first private employer of the whole Picardie region. Summing up its operations from Beauvais, Ennery and Courcouronnes, as well as its joint ventures GIMA and AGCO Finance, AGCO has approximately 2,500 employees in the country. As continental Europe's second largest economy, and one of the largest markets for farm machinery, France represents a strategically important market for AGCO. In France, AGCO actively drives business activities centered on the design, manufacture and distribution of farm machinery, strongly contributing to the French economy.

This decoration is in recognition, under Martin Richenhagen's leadership, of AGCO's contributions to the development of France and France-USA relations.

Conferring the Legion of Honor on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron, Dr. Monique Seefried, Chevalier in the Order of the Legion of Honor said: "I would like to thank Martin Richenhagen for his personal commitment and trust in our country's economy. I pay tribute, through him, to the strength of AGCO Corporation, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and solutions, and to its willingness to expand and develop in Europe, and especially in France where AGCO's French-made tractors are admired and respected. Tractors embody our past and our future, linking our ancient human roots in agriculture to the technological progress of the 20th century. Tractors bring us back to the land, to the oldest profession of farming while heralding the power of machinery and industry."

Martin Richenhagen commented: "It is indeed an honor and privilege to receive this prestigious decoration from the French Government. I am delighted and proud to have our French operations receive such high recognition. In developing our business in Europe, a region which for AGCO is first in revenue contribution, France is a strategic market of great importance. During the past six years, we have invested more than 300 million euros in our Beauvais and Ennery operations, creating close to 300 new jobs to support our ambition for growth. This would not have been possible without the outstanding commitment of our 2,500 employees and this recognition is also theirs. We truly consider France as a business friendly environment supported by an entrepreneurial policy led by President Emmanuel Macron. We hope to make ever-more progress in our development, to contribute to further growing the relationship between France and the USA."

Martin Richenhagen was selected by the Board of Directors in March 2004 as President and Chief Executive Officer of AGCO Corporation. He was appointed to Chairman of the Board on August 15, 2006.

Under his leadership, AGCO's operations in France has been through outstanding transformation and success including the following key milestones:

2013 The Beauvais 2 Cab facility and International Sales Training Centre for the Massey Ferguson brand opens. This 15.5 million euros investment created 100 new jobs.

2016 The Beauvais site receives two coveted awards: Best Foreign Exporter 2016 as the first producer and exporter of farm machinery in France; and Factory of Year 2016 for its lean manufacturing implementation and number one in quality approach.

2017 At Ennery, AGCO's European Parts Warehouse and Distribution Centre moves from 30,000 m to 100,000 m and will create 62 jobs by the end of 2018 after a 2.1 million euros investment.

2018 Only five years after the opening of its new cab facility, on August 28th, AGCO launches the operations of its new Logistic Centre in Beauvais after investing another 11 million euros and creating 103 new jobs.

About AGCO

AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural solutions and supports more productive farming through its full line of equipment and related services. AGCO products are sold through five core brands, Challenger, Fendt, GSI, Massey Ferguson and Valtra, supported by Fuse precision technologies and farm optimization services. Founded in 1990, AGCO is headquartered in Duluth, GA, USA. In 2017, AGCO had net sales of approximately $8.3 billion. For more information, visit http://www.AGCOcorp.com. For company news, information and events, please follow us on Twitter: @AGCOCorp. For financial news on Twitter, please follow the hashtag AGCOIR.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005270/en/

Contacts:

AGCO

Ulrich Stockheim, +1 770-813-6002

Chief Communications Officer

Ulrich.Stockheim@AGCOcorp.com

Cell: +49 1732993545

or

Xavier Arruego, +33 3 44 11 29 40

Manager, Public Relations AGCO EME

Xavier.Arruego@AGCOcorp.com

Cell: +33 6 70 65 77 00DECATUR, TX / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / ENERGY worldnet, Inc. (EWN) is excited to welcome Steve Allen to the EWN staff as the company's Executive Director of Pipeline Safety. An Experienced Pipeline Safety Regulator with an extensive history in the utility industry, Mr. Allen is a current member of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC).

As the Executive Director of Pipeline Safety at EWN, Steve Allen will be responsible for continued contributions to the advancement of safety standards and programs in the oil and gas industry. Allen will also be responsible for the pipeline safety management program at EWN.

When asked about adding Mr. Allen to the EWN staff, Coleman Sterling, CEO of EWN, stated, "We are fortunate to have our friend Steve join the EWN team. His industry experience and dedication to the betterment of our industry is inspiring and fits naturally with the EWN culture and vision. Together we will make our industry a safer place to work."

Mr. Allen added, "I am excited about joining Energy worldnet in working to improve pipeline safety across the country. Operators must take a holistic approach to managing the risks associated with running a pipeline. I look forward to working with EWN and leveraging our capabilities to help move the needle towards zero safety incidents."

ENERGY worldnet, Inc. has over 24 years of experience providing training, evaluations, record management, and consulting services to the energy industry. EWN's continued industry presence and leadership has earned the company a dominant position in the global marketplace. Based in Decatur, Texas, EWN supports training and compliance requirements for well over 1,000 clients throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South America.

To learn more about this partnership, please contact:

info@energyworldnet.com or 855-396-5267

SOURCE: ENERGY worldnet, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/513931/ENERGY-worldnet-Inc-Welcomes-Stephen-Steve-Allen-NAPSR-Representative-and-Former-Director-of-Pipeline-Safety-for-IndianaNew open-source cloud-based tool rapidly interprets terabytes of data to detect disease-causing pathogens

In an ongoing pilot project and partnership with the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation, IDseq is helping to identify mystery infections at a hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh

New funding from the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation to expand the pilot by providing next-generation genome sequencers and IDseq training for labs and clinics throughout the world

Today the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub (Biohub) and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) unveiled the soft-launch of IDseq, an open source cloud-based analysis platform that has the potential to transform our ability to detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks around the world. Dr. Joseph DeRisi, co-president of the Biohub and professor of biochemistry and biophysics at UC San Francisco, made the announcement at the Gates Grand Challenges meeting in Berlin, Germany.

The tool, which began as a research project at Dr. DeRisi's UCSF lab, works by rapidly combing through terabytes of metagenomic data for pathogens in a given sample -- be it bacteria, a virus, fungus, or even a parasite. By identifying disease-causing pathogens, IDseq can then provide an actionable report of what is happening on the ground in labs and clinics anywhere in the world.

"Pathogens don't respect geographic borders," said DeRisi. "An emerging infectious disease in one community can affect surrounding areas and countries. The global health community needs the ability to share data quickly to track outbreaks or emerging diseases. With IDseq, we hope to empower data-driven decisions about how to better manage antibiotics, where to prioritize immunization campaigns, how to shape vector control and surveillance efforts."

"IDseq is a powerful weapon to advance global health," said Dr. Cori Bargmann, head of science for CZI. "By revealing trends in global pathogen distribution, we can help inform disease management and policy decisions that can ultimately save thousands of lives."

IDseq has already demonstrated its ability to detect disease in the field. In a recent pilot project, Dr. Senjuti Saha of the Child Health Research Foundation (Dhaka, Bangladesh) used IDseq to identify the presence of the mosquito-borne viral chikungunya disease in the spinal fluid of patients at the largest pediatric hospital in Bangladesh (Dhaka Shishu Hospital). Based on this information, follow-up testing identified additional cases of neuroinvasive chikungunya from the same time period that were previously labeled "mystery cases."

"It was eye-opening," said Dr. Saha. "Chikungunya was previously thought to be neuroinvasive only in very rare instances. But the data from IDseq suggested otherwise -- it helped shed light on what were otherwise mysterious brain infections. This will help inform policy makers and initiate appropriate evidence-based case management."

"The ultimate vision for IDseq is for it to be a dashboard of real-time pathogen detection around the world," said Priscilla Chan, who together with her husband, Mark Zuckerberg, pledged $600 million in funding to launch the Biohub two years ago. "Nothing like this exists -- but it could be a major step forward in our ability to cure, prevent, or manage all disease. These are exactly the types of advances we envisioned when we started the Biohub."

To enable broader access to IDseq and valuable on-the-ground feedback, the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation today announced a new funding opportunity for global health workers via the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Explorations Initiative. Awardees will receive molecular biology and bioinformatics training from Dr. DeRisi and his infectious disease team at the Biohub, free access and compute on the IDseq platform supported by CZI, along with the necessary equipment and supplies immediately needed to begin work in their own countries. Results from these partnerships will provide valuable feedback to inform product development. The ultimate goal is to make the tool openly available to global health workers everywhere.

"Empowering labs and clinics around the world with pathogen genome sequencing capability and access to IDseq's rapid, cloud-based analysis will boost the potential of the technology to deliver on its promise identifying unknown causes of infectious disease in newborns and infants," said Chris Karp, Director of Discovery Translational Sciences at the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation. "What we learn from putting the technology into the hands of front-line professionals will inform next generation preparedness, helping direct investments in upstream discovery platforms toward novel vaccines and other previously unanticipated interventions."

While the IDseq service is still a rapidly evolving research project, the Biohub and CZI plan to make it available within the next year to partner organizations, and then more broadly afterward. The software itself is open-source and freely available.

About the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub

The CZ Biohub is an independent non-profit medical research organization collaborating with the University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco. The organization's goal is to harness the power of science, technology and human capacity to cure, prevent or manage all disease during our children's lifetime. For more information about the CZ Biohub, visit https://czbiohub.org.

About the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, founded by Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan in December 2015, is a new kind of philanthropic organization that brings together world-class engineering, grant-making, impact investing, policy, and advocacy work. Our initial areas of focus include supporting science through basic biomedical research and education through personalized learning. We are also exploring other issues tied to the promotion of equal opportunity including access to affordable housing and criminal justice reform.

About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people-especially those with the fewest resources-have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Sue Desmond-Hellmann and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

About Gates Grand Challenges

Grand Challenges is a family of initiatives fostering innovation to solve key global health and development problems.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005389/en/

Contacts:

iQ 360 for CZ Biohub

Elisabeth Hershman, 1 212-289-6734

ehershman@iq360inc.com

or

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

Jeff MacGregor, 1 650-304-9728

jmacgregor@chanzuckerberg.comBahia, Brazil Home of Best In Class Vanadium Production

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / Maxtech Ventures Inc. (CSE: MVT) (FRA: M1N) (OTC PINK: MTEHF) ('Maxtech' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce that it has concluded detailed exploration plans on its two 100% owned vanadium mineral claims in the State of Bahia, Brazil.

The applications were submitted on behalf the Company and granted by the Departamento Nacional de Producao Mineral (DNPM) in Brazil on July 20th 2018. These claims are on strike with the producing Maracas Menchen Vanadium Mine and the Campbell pit deposit being developed by Largo Resources, which is a Toronto-based strategic mineral company focused on the production of vanadium flake, high purity vanadium flake and high purity vanadium powder.

The development of the regional mineral research program to be carried out in the area in accordance with the mining authorities in Brazil and the DNPM processes. These works will be executed in accordance with environmental legislation at the state and federal levels as well. The research work will be carried out by a specialized technical geologist and the work will be developed in stages. Geological mapping throughout the area for the purpose to identify the geological formation where the mineralization of vanadium is probable with open mesh with varied steering profiles. Initially the exploration rows will be 200 by 200 meters and can be modified at the discretion of the field team.

'The Company has located and will be actively researching several other previously identified vanadium claims in Bahia during the period our geologists are in Bahia in the week. Maxtech will continue to build upon their vanadium footprint in Brazil,' stated Peter Wilson, CEO.

About Maxtech Ventures Inc.

Maxtech Ventures Inc. is a Canadian-based diversified industries corporation focused primarily on manganese mineral properties.

For additional information see the Company's web site at http://www.maxtech-ventures.com

Email to info@maxtech-ventures.com

Phone: 604-484-8989

Further information about the Company is available on www.SEDAR.com under the Company's profile.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements contained in this release may constitute 'forward-looking statements' or 'forward-looking information' (collectively 'forward-looking information') as those terms are used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words 'could', 'intend', 'expect', 'believe', 'will', 'projected', 'estimated', 'anticipates' and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the business of the Company, the Property, financing and certain corporate changes. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

SOURCE: Maxtech Ventures Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/525381/Maxtech-To-Begin-Brazil-Vanadium-Exploration-on-100-Owned-AssetsVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / Prophecy Development Corp. ("Prophecy" or the "Company") (TSX:PCY, OTCQX:PRPCF, Frankfurt:1P2N) is pleased to announce that the Company has executed a lease agreement (the "Lease") with an arms-length private Mongolian company (the "Lessee") whereby the Lessee plans to perform mining operations at Prophecy's Ulaan Ovoo coal mine, and will pay Prophecy US$2 (the "Production Royalty") for every tonne of coal shipped from the Ulaan Ovoo site premises.

Bekzod Kasimov, Prophecy's VP, Business Development, comments:

"This Lease signifies the potential restart of the Ulaan Ovoo mine to supply quality thermal coal for much needed regional consumption.

With nameplate production capacity of 2 million tonnes a year, Ulaan Ovoo is a large coal field featuring a single, massive coal seam of 40 to 80 metre thickness with outcrops and low strip ratio carrying minimal technical risk.

Ulaan Ovoo's Production Royalty is expected to provide Prophecy with a passive income stream while Prophecy continues to advance the Gibellini vanadium project in Nevada as the Company's top priority."

About the Lease :

The Lessee is an established company actively mining at Mongolia's largest coking coal deposit, Tavan Tolgoi. The Lessee has paid Prophecy US$100,000 in cash, as a non-refundable advance royalty payment and is preparing, at its own and sole expense, to restart and operate the Ulaan Ovoo mine with its own equipment, supplies, housing and crew. The Lessee will pay all government taxes and royalties related to its proposed mining operation.

The Lease is valid for 3 years with an annual advance royalty payment ("ARP") for the first year of $100,000 due upon signing, payment of which is announced herein, $150,000 and $200,000 due on the 1st and 2nd anniversary of the Lease, respectively. The ARP can be credited towards the $2 per tonne Production Royalty payments to be made to Prophecy as the Lessee starts to sell Ulaan Ovoo coal. Many parties have expressed buyer interest in Ulaan Ovoo's coal. Prophecy will provide a further update once the Lessee finalizes the mine start date and sales plans for 2019.

The 3-year Lease can be extended upon mutual agreement.

About Ulaan Ovoo :

Ulaan Ovoo is located in northern Mongolia, 17km from the Zeltura border to Russia by dirt road, and 120km by road from Mongolia's Sukhbaatar railway station (which connects to the Trans-Siberian railway network).

Ulaan Ovoo produced over 500,000 tonnes of coal from 2012 to 2014 which was sold to 28 separate Russian and Mongolian customers such as Erdenet Copper Mining Corporation, UB Railway, and Khutul Cement before it was put on standby in 2014.

The benchmark Newcastle thermal coal price has rebounded from a 2014 low of US$61 per tonne to a current price of $114 per tonne, which are levels not seen since 2011.

Ulaan Ovoo features an average strip ratio of 1.8 BCM waste/tonne of coal. The coal mined yielded 5,000 kcal/kg GCV, less than 1% sulphur and 8% ash which is well-suited for power plants, cement plants and heat boiler applications. Wardrop Engineering (Tetra Tech) estimated 174 Mt of measured and 34 Mt of indicated coal resources in an NI 43-101 prefeasibility study in 2010.

Qualified Person

The technical contents of this news release have been prepared under the supervision of Danniel Oosterman, VP, Exploration. Mr. Oosterman is not independent of the Company in that he is employed as a consultant to the Company and most of his income is derived from the Company. Mr. Oosterman is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.

About Prophecy

Prophecy is developing the Gibellini project - the only large-scale, open-pit, heap-leach vanadium project of its kind in North America. Located in Nevada, Gibellini has the largest NI 43-101 compliant measured and indicated primary vanadium resource known in the USA and is currently undergoing EPCM and EIS preparation. Prophecy also has mining projects in Mongolia and Bolivia. Further information on Prophecy can be found at www.prophecydev.com.

PROPHECY DEVELOPMENT CORP.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"John Lee"

Chairman

For more information about Prophecy, please contact Investor Relations:

+1.888.513.6286

ir@prophecydev.com

www.prophecydev.com

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts, are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding Prophecy's future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These estimates and assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and other uncertainties and contingencies, many of which, with respect to future events, are subject to change and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by Prophecy. In making forward-looking statements as may be included in this news release, Prophecy has made several assumptions that it believes are appropriate, including, but not limited to assumptions that: all required third party contractual, regulatory and governmental approvals will be obtained for the development, construction and production of Prophecy's properties and the Chandgana power plant; there being no significant disruptions affecting operations, whether due to labour disruptions or other causes; currency exchange rates being approximately consistent with current levels; certain price assumptions for vanadium, silver, coal and other metals, prices for and availability of fuel, parts and equipment and other key supplies remain consistent with current levels; production forecasts meeting expectations; the accuracy of Prophecy's current mineral resource estimates; labour and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with Prophecy's current expectations; any additional required financing will be available on reasonable terms; and market developments and trends in global supply and demand for vanadium, energy, silver, coal and other metals meeting expectations. Prophecy cannot assure you that any of these assumptions will prove to be correct.

Numerous factors could cause Prophecy's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including the following risks and uncertainties, which are discussed in greater detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in Prophecy's most recent Management Discussion and Analysis and Annual Information Form as filed on SEDAR and posted on Prophecy's website: Prophecy's history of net losses and lack of foreseeable positive cash flow; exploration, development and production risks, including risks related to the development of Prophecy's mineral properties; Prophecy not having a history of profitable mineral production; commencing mine development without a feasibility study; the uncertainty of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates; the capital and operating costs required to bring Prophecy's projects into production and the resulting economic returns from its projects; foreign operations and political conditions, including the legal and political risks of operating in Bolivia and Mongolia, which are developing countries and being subject to their local laws; the availability and timeliness of various government approvals, permits and licenses; the feasibility, funding and development of Prophecy's projects; protecting title to Prophecy's mineral properties; environmental risks; the competitive nature of the mining business; lack of infrastructure; Prophecy's reliance on key personnel; uninsured risks; commodity price fluctuations; reliance on contractors; Prophecy's need for substantial additional funding and the risk of not securing such funding on reasonable terms or at all; foreign exchange risk; anti-corruption legislation; recent global financial conditions; the payment of dividends; the inability of insurance to cover all potential risks associated with mining operations; conflicts of interest; and cyber-security risks related to the Company's reliance on information technology systems.

These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on Prophecy's forward-looking statements. Prophecy believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by reference herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In addition, although Prophecy has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Prophecy undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law.

SOURCE: Prophecy Development Corp.



View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/525358/Prophecy-Received-US100000-of-Advance-Royalty-Payment-from-Ulaan-Ovoo-Mine-Lease-Lessee-Eyeing-Mine-StartSearchlight complete 51% earn-in of Bootleg Lake project ahead of schedule

Option Agreement amended to allow accelerated earn-in

Option Agreement amended to share only payment for 51% earn-in

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / Searchlight Resources Inc.("Searchlight" or the "Company") (TSX-V: SRCH) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an amendment agreement to complete the payments and work commitments to earn a 51% interest in the Bootleg Lake project, located near Creighton, Saskatchewan, five kilometres southwest of the city of Flin Flon, Manitoba. Under the amendment agreement, searchlight has accelerated the 51% earn in with an all stock payment.

To date, Searchlight had completed the initial payments and the first phase of the 51% earn in, plus the $250,000 required exploration expenditure, described below as sections 1), 2), 3a) and 3c. Section 3b) originally a payment of $50,000 and 166,667 shares due June 30th, 2019 has been replaced with a share payment of 1,425,000 shares which will be paid within 5 days of TSXV approval. This completes the necessary requirements for Searchlight to earn 51%.

Stephen Wallace, President and CEO of Searchlight stated, "this amendment gives Searchlight control of the Bootleg Lake project almost a year early and secures value for shareholders for the exploration investment made in the property. Further it allows the company to share exploration expenditures from core claims to claims staked in the past year."

The amendment agreement is subject to acceptance of the TSXV.

Original Option Agreement Terms Announced May 11, 2017



Under the original terms of the Option Agreement, Searchlight has the option to acquire up to a 75% interest in Bootleg Lake project by making the following cash payments, share issuances and exploration expenditures shown below.



1) Cash payment of $5,000 upon signing of agreement



2) Cash payment of $5,000 and issuing 250,000 shares within 5 days of the date of TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") acceptance.



3) Searchlight will earn a 51% upon completing the following

a) Cash payment of $40,000 and issuing 250,000 shares before June 30th, 2018;

b) Cash payment of $50,000 and issuing 500,000 shares before June 30th, 2019;

c) Incurring initial exploration expenditures of $100,000 before December 31, 2018, and incurring further exploration expenditures of $150,000 before December 31, 2019, for a cumulative total of $250,000 of exploration expenditures.

4) Searchlight will earn a 75% upon completing the following

a) Cash payment of $50,000 and issuing 500,000 shares before June 30th, 2020;

b) Cash payment of $100,000 and issuing 500,000 shares before June 30th, 2021;

c) Incurring additional exploration expenditures of $200,000 before December 31, 2020, and incurring further exploration expenditures of $300,000 before December 31, 2021, for a cumulative total of $750,000 of exploration expenditures.

Searchlight can at its option accelerate the cash payments and common shares issuances described above. Any excess exploration expenditures incurred on the Property within an earn-in time period will be credited to successive earn-in time periods. All common share issuances by Searchlight will be subject to a 4-month hold period as per Canadian securities law.



Under the terms of the Option Agreement, Searchlight will pay a 1.0 % Net Smelter Return royalty (the "NSR") to New Moon Minerals Corp. on commencement of commercial production. Searchlight will have the right, at any time, to purchase 0.5 % of the 1.0% NSR for $500,000. There is an existing 1% NSR in favour of the underlying vendor.



Note Searchlight consolidated its issued and outstanding common shares at a ratio of three (3) pre-consolidated common shares to one (1) post-consolidation common share on August 16th, 2017. This reduces the number of shares in sections 2), 3) and 4) to 1/3 the original number.

About Searchlight Resources Inc.

Searchlight Resources Inc.("Searchlight" or the "Company") is a mineral exploration and development company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV). The company is active with mineral exploration projects in Saskatchewan, Ontario and Nevada, three of the top seven jurisdictions in the world for mining investment as ranked by the Fraser Institute. The Company holds a portfolio of gold, cobalt and base metal projects from grassroots stage to advanced exploration and NI43-101 resource development.

Saskatchewan - Gold and Base Metals

The Bootleg Lake project is 16,900 hectares of claims in Saskatchewan covering prospective areas of the Flin Flon Greenstone belt. Exploration is being carried out at the past producing Newcor, Rio (Bootleg) and Henning Maloney Gold mines located approximately 5 kilometres from Creighton Saskatchewan and less than 10 kilometres from the Hudbay 777 mine located in Flin Flon, Manitoba.

In addition, the Bootleg Lake claims hold Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) base metal potential with claims adjacent to the Hudbay Mines claims hosting the producing 777 base metal and gold mine in Flin Flon and the four past producing base metal mines, Flexar, Birch Lake, Amisk and Coronation.

Ontario - Copper, Cobalt, Nickel & Gold

The Munro Warden project is an early stage exploration prospect targeting VMS copper, nickel and cobalt within the Kidd- Munro assemblage of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The project covers 1,100 hectares including 9 mining lease and 11 claims blocks located approximately 90 kilometres east of Timmins, Ontario. The Cameron project is a grassroots cobalt, gold exploration prospect located 25 kilometres southwest of Cobalt, Ontario with the highly prospective Cobalt Embayment

Nevada - Copper

Searchlight's Nevada project New York Canyon hosts two copper deposits in the Walker Lane Structural Belt located in western Nevada. The Long Shot Ridge skarn deposit with a 2010 NI43-101 resource estimate and the Copper Queen porphyry deposit drilled out by Conco in the 1970's.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Stephen Wallace"

SEARCHLIGHT RESOURCES INC.

Stephen Wallace, President, CEO and Director

Contact:

Searchlight Resources Inc.

Investor Relations

(604) 331-9326

info@searchlightresources.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's limited operating history and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

SOURCE: Searchlight Resources Inc

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/525388/Searchlight-Resources-earns-51-Interest-in-Bootleg-Lake-OptionPORTLAND, Oregon, October 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Increase in money laundering cases, rise in IT spending, and stringent anti-money laundering (AML) regulations would propel the growth in the global anti-money laundering software industry.

Allied Market Research published a report, titled, Anti-Money Laundering Software Market by Component (Software, and Service), Product (Transaction Monitoring, Currency Transaction Reporting, Customer Identity Management, and Compliance Management), Deployment Type (Cloud, and On-premise): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2018-2025. The report offers a detailed analysis of the top winning strategies, driving forces & opportunities, market size & estimations, product portfolio of leading players, and competitive landscape. According to the report, the global anti-money laundering software market garnered $879.00 million in 2017, and is expected to reach $2,717.00 million by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 15.2% from 2018 to 2025.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg )



Upsurge in money laundering cases, increase in budget allocation for improving IT infrastructure, and stringent regulations for anti-money laundering (AML) propel the growth of the market. However, dearth of skilled AML professionals hinders the market growth. On the other hand, adoption of artificial intelligence technologies and implementation of cloud-based solutions would create new pathways for the market players in future.

Request Sample Report at:https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2903

Service segment to remain dominant, software segment to grow the fastest

The service segment contributed nearly three-fourth of the total market share in 2017, owing to increase in implementation of compliant and standardized AML operations worldwide. This segment is expected to maintain its lead position throughout the forecast period. However, the software segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 16.4% from 2018 to 2025, owing to high demand for AML solutions complying with regulatory policies and rise in IT spending among banks.

Transaction monitoring segment to lead throughout the forecast period

The transaction monitoring segment would grow at the fastest CAGR of 18.4% from 2018 to 2025. This is due to rise in financial crimes, which increase the deployment of solutions for detecting suspicious activities and enhancing security infrastructure. However, the customer identity management segment accounted for nearly more than one-third of the total market share in 2017 and is expected to maintain its lion's share by 2025. This is due to the simplified workflow, ease in detection of suspicious activities, and reduction in false positives. The report also analyzes currency transaction reporting and compliance management segments.

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On-premise: The highest revenue generating segment

The on-premise segment held the major share in 2017, contributing more than half of the total market revenue. This is due to the ease in installation of software and more robust security as compared to cloud-based solutions. The cloud segment would grow at the fastest CAGR of 16.8% from 2018 to 2025, owing to low cost solutions and improved focus on innovations & differentiations.

Europe to contribute the highest revenue by 2025

Europe contributed more than one-third of the total market share in 2017 and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. This is due to the high adoption of AML solutions supplemented by stringent government regulations in financial institutions across the region. However, Asia-Pacific region would register the fastest CAGR of 18.4% from 2018 to 2025, owing to the adoption of advanced tools and technologies in the banking and finance sector in the region.

Frontrunners of the industry

The key market players analyzed in the research include ACI Worldwide, Inc., Eastnets Holding Ltd., Ascent Technology Consulting, NICE Actimize, FICO TONBELLER, Safe Banking Systems LLC, Regulatory DataCorp, Inc., Thomson Reuters Corporation, SAS Institute Inc., Truth Technologies, Inc., and Verafin Inc. They have adopted various strategies including expansion, joint ventures, collaborations, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, and others to gain a strong position in the industry.

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Digital Banking Multichannel Integration Solutions Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017 - 2023

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Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.comVancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 15, 2019) - Millennial Lithium Corp. (TSXV: ML) (FSE: A3N2) (OTCQX: MLNLF) ("Millennial" or the "Company") is pleased to report that bench scale process test work completed by SGS Canada Inc. (SGS) in their facilities in Lakefield, ON on brine from the Company's Pastos Grandes project in Salta, Argentina, has yielded battery grade (> 99.5% Li 2 CO 3 ) lithium carbonate. Final purification testwork results yielded a lithium carbonate product that is 99.92% Li 2 CO 3 with low levels of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), boron (B), sulphate (SO 4 ) and iron (Fe), with no other detectable metals.

Millennial President and CEO, Farhad Abasov, commented: "We are excited that the bench scale process test work recently completed by SGS has yielded very positive results with a lithium carbonate product purity of 99.92%. Typical lithium carbonate battery grade for EV batteries is approximately 99.5% Li 2 CO 3, so we are very encouraged by these results that suggest the Pastos Grandes brine is amenable to industry standard processing and capable of producing a battery grade product. The bench scale testing has also provided an excellent framework for our pilot plant, which is currently in the final design phase, and provides a basis for the potential commercial plant design for the Company's Definitive Feasibility Study."

SGS has completed bench scale process trials on lithium-bearing brine from pumping well PGPW17-4 at Pastos Grandes. Approximately 600 litres of brine were shipped to SGS in Lakefield, Ontario for testing to investigate the amenability of the brine to producing battery grade lithium carbonate. The initial main element chemistry of the raw brine is outlined in Table 1.

Li Ca Mg K Na B SO 4 (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l)













480 758 2490 5180 115000 700 8200

Table 1 Main element chemistry of raw brine.

SGS subjected the brine to liming followed by mechanical evaporation over several weeks and further removal of Ca and Mg via selective precipitation through the introduction of soda ash and caustic soda. Further evaporation reduced the volume to approximately 10 litres grading about 1.9 % Li. Standard and industry-tested purification procedures were employed on the concentrated brine including solvent extraction to reduce the boron content, followed by ion exchange to remove any remaining B. Ion exchange was followed by the main stage of carbonation with soda ash to produce a preliminary lithium carbonate product. The lithium carbonate product was then directed to further purification via bicarbonation with CO 2 . The final lithium carbonate product after the bicarbonation/decomposition process has a purity of 99.92% Li 2 CO 3 ; additional chemical data for the final product is provided below in Table 2:

Li 2 CO 3 B Mg Ca K Na SO 4 Fe (%) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t)















99.92 <4 10.3 93 <10 46 <300 <4

Table 2 Final lithium carbonate product chemistry

Recovery of lithium through the primary lithium carbonate process was approximately 75% from the B-free solution and recovery through the bicarbonation/decomposition stage was approximately 74% of the lithium carbonate treated, however lithium losses are generally minimal in the process overall, as the lithium remaining in the mother liquor solution is typically recycled.

In addition to the promising purity of the lithium carbonate produced, it is also encouraging that metals and other impurities, some of which can affect the quality and effectiveness of the lithium carbonate for battery performance, are very low to not detectable. Testing will continue at SGS to optimize the process, reduce impurities and improve recoveries and any positive achievements will be incorporated into the pilot plant design and tested on site at Pastos Grandes.

Sampling was conducted in accordance with CIM guidelines for brine resource evaluation, with an appropriate chain of custody and QA/QC program in place for ensuring veracity, accuracy and precision of the analytical results.

This news release has been reviewed by Iain Scarr, AIPG CPG., Chief Operating Officer of the Company and a Qualified Person as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101.

To find out more about Millennial Lithium Corp. please contact Investor Relations at (604) 662-8184 or email info@millenniallithium.com.

MILLENNIAL LITHIUM CORP.

"Farhad Abasov"

President and CEO, Director

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, currency risks including the exchange rate of USD$ for Cdn$, fluctuations in the market for lithium, changes in exploration costs and government royalties or taxes in Argentina and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affections such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.This blog is looking for wisdom, to have and to share. It is also looking for other rare character traits like good humor, courage, and honor. It is not an easy road, because all of us fall short. But God is love, forgiveness and grace. Those who believe in Him and repent of their sins have the promise of His Holy Spirit to guide us and show us the Way.The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option.Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - October 16, 2018) - Excelsior Mining Corp. (TSX: MIN) (FSE: 3XS) (OTCQX: EXMGF) ("Excelsior" or the "Company") announces that the Class III Underground Injection Control Area Permit for the Gunnison Copper Project (the "UIC Permit") is now active and good for production of up to 125 million pounds of pure copper cathode per annum. All required state and federal operating permits have now been successfully obtained.

Stephen Twyerould, President & CEO, said, "I'm extremely proud of our team that have worked so diligently with regulatory agencies, community and stakeholders to deliver this significant milestone. It represents a tremendous value-creation step as we continue moving towards production in what will be one of the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective copper projects in North America."

The Chairman of Excelsior Mining, Mark Morabito, added, "With the appeal process officially exhausted, we now have a fully permitted project that is genuinely on the cusp of achieving low cost copper production through the most environmentally friendly process available within the industry today. I congratulate the entire Excelsior team on achieving this positive outcome, and I look forward to seeing Excelsior unlock the true value of this tremendous asset."

To recap Excelsior's permitting process, in September, 2017, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality ("ADEQ") issued an Aquifer Protection Permit for Gunnison Copper Project; this completed the Arizona State permitting process. On June 22, 2018 the Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") issued Excelsior the UIC Permit with an effective date of August 1, 2018. An appeal (the "Appeal") of the UIC Permit was subsequently filed by a coalition of non-governmental organizations (the "Petitioners") (See Excelsior Mining news release dated August 6, 2018 - "Excelsior Provides Permitting Update"). All appeals are reviewed by the Environmental Appeals Board (the "EAB"). Excelsior announced on October 5, 2018 that a Settlement Agreement (the "Agreement") had been concluded that would result in the dismissal of the Appeal. As per the terms of the Agreement, Excelsior, the EPA, and the Petitioners submitted to the EAB a joint motion to dismiss the Appeal (see Excelsior news release dated October 5, 2018 - "Excelsior Mining Confirms Agreement to Dismiss UIC Permit Appeal"). The EAB has now accepted the joint motion dismissing the Appeal, and the EPA has lifted the stay, thereby resulting in the UIC Permit becoming effective. The permitting process is now completed with all key operating permits in place and effective.

Excelsior will be ready to commence construction upon the completion of its project financing plan. The Gunnison Copper Project remains on-track to be the next new copper producer in the United States, with initial production scheduled for 2019.

About Excelsior Mining

Excelsior Mining "The Copper Solution Company" is a mineral exploration and development company that is advancing the Gunnison Copper Project in Cochise County, Arizona. The project is an advanced staged, low cost, environmentally friendly in-situ recovery copper extraction project. The Feasibility Study projected an after-tax NPV of US$ 807 million and an IRR of 40% using a US$ 2.75 per pound copper price and a 7.5% discount rate.

Excelsior's technical work on the Gunnison Copper Project is supervised by Stephen Twyerould, Fellow of AUSIMM, President & CEO of Excelsior and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Twyerould has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

Additional information about the Gunnison Copper Project can be found in the technical report filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com entitled: "Gunnison Copper Project, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Feasibility Study" dated effective December 17, 2016.

For more information on Excelsior, please visit our website at www.excelsiormining.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE EXCELSIOR BOARD

"Stephen Twyerould"

President & CEO

For further information regarding this press release, please contact:

Excelsior Mining Corp.

Concord Place, Suite 300, 2999 North 44th Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85018.

JJ Jennex, Vice President, Corporate Affairs

T: 604 723 1433

E: info@excelsiormining.com

www.excelsiormining.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" concerning anticipated developments and events that may occur in the future. Forward looking information contained in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to:; (i) economic benefits from the Gunnison Project; (ii) the commencement of commercial production from the Gunnison Project; and (iii) the ability to mine the Gunnison Project using in-situ recovery mining techniques.

In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, copper and other metal prices, the timing and amount of future development expenditures, the estimation of initial and sustaining capital requirements, the estimation of labour and operating costs, the availability of necessary financing and materials to continue to develop and construct the Gunnison Project in the short and long-term, the progress of development activities, the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, the estimation of insurance coverage, and assumptions with respect to currency fluctuations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, and other similar matters. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect.

Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined including the possibility that mining operations may not commence at the Gunnison Project, risks relating to variations in mineral resources and reserves, grade or recovery rates resulting from current exploration and development activities, risks relating to the ability to access infrastructure, risks relating to changes in copper and other commodity prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of copper and related products, risks related to increased competition in the market for copper and related products and in the mining industry generally, risks related to current global financial conditions, uncertainties inherent in the estimation of mineral resources, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks inherent in the conduct of mining activities, including the risk of accidents, labour disputes, increases in capital and operating costs and the risk of delays or increased costs that might be encountered during the development process, regulatory risks, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, including the risk that the financing necessary to fund the exploration and development activities at the Gunnison Project may not be available on satisfactory terms, or at all, risks related to disputes concerning property titles and interest, environmental risks and the additional risks identified in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's reports and filings with applicable Canadian securities regulators.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information.BENGALURU, India, October 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Broad-based Growth and Digital Resulted in a Strong Q2 19

"We are delighted with our broad-based growth across all business segments and geographies during the quarter. This is a testimony to our strong client relationships, digital led full service capabilities, and intense focus on the needs of our clients," said Salil Parekh, CEO and MD. "Large deal wins at over $2 billion during the quarter demonstrate our increased client relevance and also give us better growth visibility for the near-term."

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$2 Bn+ Large deal signings in Q2 19

4.2% Q2 19 QoQ revenue growth in CC terms

31.0% Digital revenue share in Q2 19

7.1% H1 19 YoY revenue growth in CC terms

23.7% Operating margin in Q2 19

Q2 19 revenues grew year-on-year by 7.1% in USD terms; 8.1% in constant currency terms

Q2 19 revenues grew sequentially by 3.2% in USD terms; 4.2% in constant currency terms

Digital revenues at $905 million (31.0% of total revenues), year-on-year growth of 33.5% and sequential growth of 13.5% in constant currency terms

(31.0% of total revenues), year-on-year growth of 33.5% and sequential growth of 13.5% in constant currency terms H1 revenues grew by 6.9% in USD terms; 7.1% in constant currency terms

Operating margin 23.7%, at higher end of guidance range

Q2 19 Basic EPS grew year-on-year by 5.7% in USD terms

Large deal wins crossed $2 billion

Declared interim dividend of ?7 per share (approximately $0.10 per ADS*)

per ADS*) FY 19 revenue guidance in constant currency retained at 6%-8%; Operating margin guidance retained at 22%-24%

*USD/INR exchange rate as of September 30, 2018

FinancialHighlights- ConsolidatedresultsunderInternationalFinancialReportingStandards(IFRS)

- For the Quarter ended September 30, 2018

Revenues were $2,921 million , growth of 7.1% YoY and 3.2% QoQ

, growth of 7.1% YoY and 3.2% QoQ Net profit was $581 million , growth of 0.5% YoY and 8.8% QoQ

, growth of 0.5% YoY and 8.8% QoQ Basic EPS was $0.13 , growth of 5.7% YoY and 8.8% QoQ

- For six months ended September 30, 2018

Revenues were $5,753 million , growth of 6.9% YoY

, growth of 6.9% YoY Net profit was $1,116 million , decline of 0.3% YoY

, decline of 0.3% YoY Basic EPS was $0.26 , growth of 4.8% YoY

"We had another quarter of solid operating parameters with utilization being stable and offshore mix improving to all-time high," said U B Pravin Rao, COO. "Our Digital services grew double digits sequentially, while growth in top clients was also robust."

"Our unwavering focus on strong financial performance on multiple fronts continued to deliver results during the quarter. Operating margins for the quarter as well as for the half year was at 23.7%, near the top end of our guidance band," said M.D. Ranganath, CFO. "Operating Cash Flow was over $1 billion during the first half of the year and ROE was at 24.7%. We will continue to make strategic investments in digital to leverage opportunities and at the same time keep sharp focus on key operational efficiency parameters."



2. Bonus issue of equity shares

The Company has allotted 2,18,41,91,490 fully paid up equity shares of face value ?5/- each during the three months ended September 30, 2018 pursuant to a bonus issue approved by the shareholders through postal ballot. The bonus shares have been issued to celebrate 25th year of public listing in India and to further increase the liquidity of its shares. Bonus share of one equity share for every equity share held, and a bonus issue, viz., a stock dividend of one American Depositary Share (ADS) for every ADS held, respectively, has been allotted. Consequently, the ratio of equity shares underlying the ADSs held by an American Depositary Receipt holder remains unchanged.



3. Acquisitions

On September 7, 2018 , Infosys Consulting Pte Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys Limited) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 60% stake in Trusted Source Pte Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek Management Services Pte. Ltd.), a Singapore -based IT services company for a total consideration of upto SGD 12 million (approximately $9 million ), subject to regulatory approvals and fulfillment of closing conditions.



, Infosys Consulting Pte Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys Limited) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 60% stake in Trusted Source Pte Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek Management Services Pte. Ltd.), a -based IT services company for a total consideration of upto (approximately ), subject to regulatory approvals and fulfillment of closing conditions. On October 11, 2018 , Infosys Consulting Pte Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys Limited) acquired 100% of voting interests in Fluido Oy (Fluido), a Nordic-based salesforce advisor and consulting partner in cloud consulting, implementation and training services for a total consideration of upto Euro 65 million (approximately $75 million ), comprising of cash consideration of Euro 45 million (approximately $52 million ), contingent consideration of upto Euro 12 million (approximately $14 million ) and retention payouts of upto Euro 8 million (approximately $9 million ), payable to the employees of Fluido over the next three years, subject to their continuous employment with the group. The payment of contingent consideration to sellers of Fluido is dependent upon the achievement of certain financial targets by Fluido.

4. Update on arbitration proceedings

On September 17, 2018 the Arbitral Tribunal of Hon'ble Justice R.V. Raveendran (retired) communicated the decision with regard to the dispute between Infosys Ltd. and its former CFO Mr. Rajiv Bansal. The Company has received legal advice and will comply with the award and make the necessary payments.



5. Shareholder visit to Mysuru campus

Shareholders of the Company are being offered an opportunity to visit the Company's campus in Mysuru on November 24, 2018. Shareholders who would like to avail this opportunity need to register at http://www.infosys.com between October 25, 2018 and November 15, 2018. As the number of shareholders the company can host on this visit are limited, shareholders will be accommodated on a first come, first serve basis. This visit is for shareholders only, and is not extended to family and friends. This follows several requests made by shareholders to visit the Company campus. The Company will provide transport from its registered office in Electronics City, Bengaluru and incur all associated costs for this visit from Bengaluru to Mysuru.

AboutInfosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. We enable clients in 45 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over three decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer our clients through their digital journey. We do it by enabling the enterprise with an AI-powered core that helps prioritize the execution of change. We also empower the business with agile digital at scale to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and customer delight. Our always-on learning agenda drives their continuous improvement through building and transferring digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem.

Visit http://www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

SafeHarbor

Certain statements mentioned in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. These filings are available at http://www.sec.gov . Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the company unless it is required by law.

Infosys Limited and subsidiaries

Audited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as at

(Dollars in millions except equity share data) September 30, 2018 March 31, 2018 ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 2,462 3,041 Current investments 1,046 982 Trade receivables 2,039 2,016 Unbilled revenue 716 654 Prepayments and other current assets 662 662 Derivative financial instruments 3 2 6,928 7,357 Assets held for sale(3) 270 316 Total current assets 7,198 7,673 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 1,707 1,863 Goodwill 344 339 Intangible assets 50 38 Investment in associate - - Non-current investments 713 883 Deferred income tax assets 188 196 Income tax assets 839 931 Other non-current assets 249 332 Total non-current assets 4,090 4,582 Total assets 11,288 12,255 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities Trade payables 164 107 Derivative financial instruments 43 6 Current income tax liabilities 200 314 Client deposits 12 6 Unearned revenue 332 352 Employee benefit obligations 214 218 Provisions 85 75 Other current liabilities 1,080 1,036 2,130 2,114 Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale(3) 48 50 Total current liabilities 2,178 2,164 Non-current liabilities Deferred income tax liabilities 66 82 Employee benefit obligations 6 7 Other non-current liabilities 50 42 Total liabilities 2,300 2,295 Equity Share capital- ?5($0.16) par value 4,800,000,000 (2,400,000,000) equity shares authorized, issued and outstanding 4,347,452,598 (2,173,312,301), net of 20,930,382 (10,801,956) treasury shares as at September 30, 2018 (March 31, 2018), respectively 340 190 Share premium 261 247 Retained earnings 11,285 11,587 Cash flow hedge reserve (3) - Other reserves 348 244 Capital redemption reserve 9 9 Other components of equity (3,252) (2,317) Total equity attributable to equity holders of the company 8,988 9,960 Non-controlling interests - - Total equity 8,988 9,960 Total liabilities and equity 11,288 12,255

Infosys Limited and subsidiaries

Audited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the



(Dollars in millions except equity share and per equity share data) Three months Three months Six months Six months ended ended ended ended September September 30, September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 30, 2017 Revenues 2,921 2,728 5,753 5,379 Cost of sales 1,884 1,743 3,703 3,435 Gross profit 1,037 985 2,050 1,944 Operating expenses: Selling and marketing expenses 154 132 303 269 Administrative expenses 191 194 384 377 Total operating expenses 345 326 687 646 Operating profit 692 659 1,363 1,298 Other income, net 105 137 212 263 Reduction in the fair value of Disposal Group held for sale(3) - - (39) - Share in net profit/(loss) of associate, including impairment(4) - - - (11) Profit before income taxes 797 796 1,536 1,550 Income tax expense 216 218 420 431 Net profit 581 578 1,116 1,119 Other comprehensive income Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: Re-measurements of the net defined benefit liability/asset, net 1 1 1 1 Equity instruments through other comprehensive income, net 2 - 2 - Items that will be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: Fair valuation of investments, net (2) 2 (9) 6 Fair value changes on derivatives designated as cash flow hedge, net (4) 3 (3) (7) Foreign currency translation (461) (107) (929) (47) Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax (464) (101) (938) (47) Total comprehensive income 117 477 178 1,072 Profit attributable to: Owners of the Company 581 578 1,116 1,119 Non-controlling interests - - - - 581 578 1,116 1,119 Total comprehensive income attributable to: Owners of the Company 117 477 178 1,072 Non-controlling interests - - - - 117 477 178 1,072 Earnings per equity share(5) Basic ($) 0.13 0.13 0.26 0.24 Diluted ($) 0.13 0.13 0.26 0.24 Weighted average equity shares used in computing earnings per equity share Basic 4,347,055,177 4,571,730,722 4,346,857,296 4,571,524,372 Diluted 4,352,208,472 4,575,052,366 4,351,915,210 4,575,765,068

NOTES:

The auditedcondensed consolidated Balance sheet and Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three months and half year ended September 30, 2018 have been taken on record at the Board meeting held on October 16, 2018

2.A Fact Sheet providing the operating metrics of the Company can be downloaded fromwww.infosys.com

3. During the three months ended June 30, 2018, on remeasurement, including consideration of progress in negotiations on offers from prospective buyers for Panaya, the Company has recorded a reduction in the fair value of Disposal Group held for sale amounting to $39 million in respect of Panaya. Consequently, profit for the half-year ended September 30, 2018 has decreased by $39 million, resulting in a decrease in Basic earnings per equity share by $0.01 (adjusted for September 2018 bonus issue) for the half-year ended September 30, 2018

4. During the quarter ended June 30, 2017, the Company has written down the entire carrying value of the investment in its associate DWA Nova LLC amounting to $11 million

5. Previous period share numbers and EPS have been adjusted for September 2018 bonus issue in accordance with IAS 33, Earnings per share

IFRS-INR Press Release: https://www.infosys.com/investors/reports-filings/quarterly-results/2018-2019/Q2/Documents/IFRS-INR-press-release.pdf

Fact Sheet:https://www.infosys.com/investors/reports-filings/quarterly-results/2018-2019/Q2/Documents/fact-sheet.pdf



Clariant AG / Clariant's shareholders approve all agenda items at Extraordinary General Meeting . Processed and transmitted by West Corporation. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

All agenda items related to the recently announced governance agreement between Clariant and SABIC approved

Abdullah Mohammed Alissa, Calum MacLean, Geoffery Merszei and Dr. Khaled Hamza Nahas newly elected as members of the Board of Directors

Hariolf Kottmann newly elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors

Muttenz, October 16, 2018 - At today's Extraordinary General Meeting in Basel, the shareholders of Clariant Ltd, a world leader in specialty chemicals, approved all agenda items and proposals put forward by the Board of Directors. The meeting was attended by 264 shareholders and shareholder representatives accounting for 232 674 947 shares or 70.10 % of the share capital of Clariant.

All agenda items were related to the governance agreement between Clariant and SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation). Both parties entered into this governance agreement on September 17, 2018, to reflect that SABIC is the largest single shareholder in Clariant after acquiring 24.99 % of the Clariant Ltd's shares.

Hariolf Kottmann, Chairman of Clariant's Board of Directors, said: "I am very honored by the support of all our shareholders for my election. I look forward to this new role and the cooperation with the other board members as well as Ernesto Occhiello as CEO in continuing Clariant's long-term vision of becoming one of the world's leading companies for specialty chemicals."

"It has been an honor for me to have served Clariant over all these years and I am happy to hand over this responsibility with the company in good shape and entering a new stage in its development", stated Rudolf Wehrli, former Chairman of Clariant's Board of Directors.

Ernesto Occhiello, Clariant's new CEO, said: "From today on, I am a proud employee of Clariant and, together with my colleagues, I will do everything to make Clariant a world leader in high value specialty chemicals."

Nominated by the Board of Directors, Abdullah Mohammed Alissa (62), a Saudi-Arabian citizen, Calum MacLean (54), a British citizen, Geoffery Merszei (67), a US citizen and Dr. Khaled Hamza Nahas (69), a Saudi-Arabian citizen, were elected as board members by a majority of the votes. Rudolf Wehrli and Peter Chen stepped down from the Board of Directors. Rudolf Wehrli also resigned as the Chairman of Clariant Ltd and from the Compensation Committee. As a result, the Clariant Board of Directors was expanded to twelve members. Hariolf Kottmann was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors by a large majority. Furthermore, the Board's Compensation Committee was increased from three to five members, and proposed candidates Abdullah Mohammed Alissa, Claudia Suessmuth Dyckerhoff and Susanne Wamsler were also elected by a majority of the votes.

All newly elected members of the Board of Directors were appointed until Clariant's Annual General Meeting 2019, which is scheduled to take place on April 1, 2019.

The proposal for an increase in the maximum total compensation of the Board of Directors, necessitated by the expansion of the Board from ten to twelve members, was approved by a majority of the votes.

A proposal to amend the Articles of Association of Clariant Ltd by inserting a transitional provision that allows Board members to hold up to six mandates in public companies until the Clariant Annual General Meeting of 2022 was also approved by a majority of the votes.

Corporate Media Relations Investor Relations



Jochen Dubiel



Phone +41 61 469 63 63

jochen.dubiel@clariant.com Anja Pomrehn



Phone +41 61 469 63 73

anja.pomrehn@clariant.com Claudia Kamensky



Phone +41 61 469 63 63

claudia.kamensky@clariant.com Maria Ivek



Phone +41 61 469 63 73

maria.ivek@clariant.com Thijs Bouwens



Phone +41 61 469 63 63

thijs.bouwens@clariant.com



Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, LinkedIn. www.clariant.com (http://www.clariant.com)











Clariant is a globally leading specialty chemicals company, based in Muttenz near Basel/Switzerland. On 31 December 2017 the company employed a total workforce of 18 135. In the financial year 2017, Clariant recorded sales of CHF 6.377 billion for its continuing businesses. The company reports in four business areas: Care Chemicals, Catalysis, Natural Resources, and Plastics & Coatings. Clariant's corporate strategy is based on five pillars: focus on innovation and R&D, add value with sustainability, reposition portfolio, intensify growth, and increase profitability.





Press Release german (http://hugin.info/100166/R/2220728/868985.pdf)

Press Release english (http://hugin.info/100166/R/2220728/868984.pdf)

Opportunity to Solidify Patient Trust in the Healthcare System May Lie in Digitally-Driven Journey to Value-Based Healthcare and Artificial Intelligence

Royal Philips (NYSE:PHG, AEX:PHIA), a global leader in health technology, released the first chapter of its annual Future Health Index, which focuses on how healthcare systems can accelerate their journey to value-based healthcare. The U.S. performed well in data collection as compared with other countries examined in the report (42.96 vs 16-country average of 28.57). But with the lack of a universal health record, steps to proper care are hindered. Satisfaction with the healthcare system is below average: The U.S. falls short for both healthcare professional (44.45 vs 16-country average of 52.66) and general population (46.48 vs 16-country average of 53.05) satisfaction, overall.

There is also a clear lack of trust in the healthcare system in the U.S., with 62 percent of healthcare professionals, and only 40 percent of the general population trusting the system. Across the countries analyzed, the U.S. has a higher than average density of skilled healthcare professionals (117 vs 109 per 10,000 people), but it also has a lower than average number of hospital beds (29 vs 38 per 10,000 people). This gap demonstrates the U.S. healthcare's focus on outpatient services and the need for access to sub specialties and care in more rural areas.

Why value-based healthcare might hold the answer

Value-based healthcare describes a system that aims to increase access to care and improve patient outcomes at optimum cost. With hospitals moving away from billing on volume, and instead focusing on patient status, it provides the missing connection between patients and providers/healthcare systems that is necessary for trust to thrive. Value-based care is a people-centric approach that spans the entire health continuum; providing the right care in the right place, at the right time and the right level of cost.

Healthcare professionals will have a greater opportunity to implement value-based care and provide a better patient experience with improved outcomes as integrated data becomes more ingrained. The use of universal healthcare records can boost data collection among healthcare professionals because it helps eliminate disparate sets of data and silos within the healthcare system.

"At Philips we are working on telehealth and artificial intelligence solutions that can help break down the barriers between hospital and home, giving patients an alternative way to connect with healthcare professionals, both improving access to care and their satisfaction," said Vitor Rocha, CEO, Philips North America. "With value-based care, we can put the emphasis back on the patient, not profits and create the kind of solutions that improve diagnostic confidence and patient outcomes, while at the same time reducing costs. Only then can we engender trust in the U.S. healthcare system and bridge the gap between healthcare professionals and the general population."

Through long-term, strategic partnerships, Philips is working with healthcare systems across the country to understand work flows and remove complexity to deliver a seamless approach to wellness when, where, and how people need it. This approach is critical for value-based care. As part of these relationships, Philips co-creates intelligent innovations with its partners, many of which benefit from "adaptive intelligence," the Philips application of artificial intelligence that improves people's lives in a meaningful way. Examples of Philips solutions that apply adaptive intelligence include Illumeo and IntelliVue Guardian EWS. This combination of artificial intelligence with deep knowledge of the clinical, operational, and personal context supports solutions that adapt to people's needs and help healthcare providers achieve better outcomes at lower cost. This approach is validated by the findings in the FHI, which shows the U.S. investment in artificial intelligence (AI) is double the average spend in AI related to preliminary diagnosis ($0.06 per capita vs $0.03 on average) and therapy planning ($0.14 per capita vs $0.06 on average), which suggests a prioritization of healthcare AI technologies in the U.S. market.

About the Future Health Index

The first of three independent chapters scheduled for release over the year, the report defines a model for measuring value as it relates to value-based healthcare and assesses the value present in several international healthcare systems.

The Future Health Index 2018 analyzes primary research and third party data from across 16 countries, representing about half of the world's population. The Index also provides an indicator of the value delivered by individual healthcare systems. The Value Measure provides a benchmark against which a system's progress towards value-based care can be evaluated. In addition, the report includes input from global healthcare experts which provides actionable insights for countries to improve the value their health systems deliver.

To download the first chapter of the Future Health Index 2018 report in its entirety, please https://www.futurehealthindex.com/report/2018/. For additional Future Health Index related content, please visit https://www.futurehealthindex.com/.

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE:PHG, AEX:PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips' health technology portfolio generated 2017 sales of EUR 17.8 billion and employs approximately 74,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at http://www.philips.com/newscenter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005635/en/

Contacts:

Philips North America

Silvie Casanova, 978-659-7467

(m) 781-879-0692

silvie.casanova@philips.com

Future Health Index MethodologyD'APUR JUKUNG: WHERE CARE STARTS

BALI, Indonesia, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- At Hyatt Regency Bali, 'care' plays a central role in everything it does. Showing care to their associates is as important as showing care to their guests. In line with Hyatt's purpose "We care for people so they can be their best", they built a sanctuary where our associates can take a break, socialize, and re-energize. The associates dining outlet, D'apur Jukung, is purposefully designed to be as cool and comfortable as guest restaurants, with its own Outlet Manager in charge and high quality cutleries, chinaware, and glassware.

The name originates from the word dapur which means "kitchen" while jukung refers to the traditional fishermen boat in Sanur, where the hotel is located. In line with the hotel's intention to marry Sanur's old charm with modern convenience, at D'apur Jukung, old and new seem to blend seamlessly. Vintage photos from Bali Hyatt adorn the wall opposite swings and graffiti. Shelves from reclaimed wood are stacked nicely next to a new ping pong table.

D'apur Jukung's designer Magali Darga Hamel took Sanur and ocean as her main inspirations. "I want to bring the soul and charm of Sanur into this venue. From the choice of colors, decoration, to the murals, every element links back to Sanur and its ocean. The colors are inspired by jukung boats - yellow, red, blue, and white," said Magali.

As the ocean is becoming more polluted, D'apur Jukung illustrates the importance of saving the environment. The all-blue mural depicts a journey of fishermen in a polluted ocean, while the art installation on the wall shows a mix of discarded items and new, cheaply made items. "You can't tell which is trash and which is new when you look at it, it makes us rethink the 'junk' we buy. I always feel that a waste is not a waste until it is wasted," mentioned Magali, a Sanur resident herself.

In line with the environmental theme, D'apur Jukung uses a lot of recycled materials. Teaming with local carpenter company Good Guys, Magali uses reclaimed wood for the ceiling decoration and multifunctional stacked shelves. "Mixing recycled materials with new gives D'apur Jukung a fresh, unique take of what a 'canteen' looks like," said Bulan Bharata, Public Relations Manager of Hyatt Regency Bali. "We want D'apur Jukung to be a place to recharge and reconnect, so we create a lounge section where our associates can play ping pong, relax on a bean bag, or simply sit on a swing," said Bulan.

D'apur Jukung is officially open from 17 September for associates. Collaborators who worked on this project include Brian Garcia (@tazroc) for Elevate mural, Ical (@calbons) for the Work Hard Stay Humble mural, Good Guys for wood decoration, and Magali Darga Hamel (@alamowgs) for design, concept and the fishermen mural with help of Rio Simatupang (@lampurio). For more photos of the canteen, please click the link.

Hyatt Regency Bali is a beachfront resort in the heart of Sanur. The hotel will open from 1 January 2019 and features 363 newly refurbished rooms. Previously known as Bali Hyatt, the hotel is undergoing a million dollar renovation and will reopen as Hyatt Regency. The hotel features 3 swimming pools, 2 restaurants and 1 bar, kids club, spa with 10 villas, 4 meeting rooms, and Regency Club Lounge. Guests can now book stays starting from 1 January 2019 at www.hyattregencybali.com.

About Hyatt Regency

The Hyatt Regency brand prides itself on connecting travelers to who and what matters most to them. More than 180 conveniently located Hyatt Regency urban and resort locations in over 30 countries around the world serve as the go-to gathering space for every occasion - from efficient business meetings to memorable family vacations. The brand offers a one-stop experience that puts everything guests need right at their fingertips. Hyatt Regency hotels and resorts offer a full range of services and amenities, including the space to work, engage or relax; notable culinary experiences; technology-enabled ways to collaborate; and expert meeting and event planners who can take care of every detail. For more information, please visit hyattregency.com. Follow @HyattRegency on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and tag photos with AtHyattRegency.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 14 premier brands. As of June 30, 2018, the Company's portfolio included more than 750 properties in more than 55 countries across six continents. The Company's purpose is to care for people so they can be their best informs its business decisions and growth strategy and is intended to attract and retain top colleagues, build relationships with guests and create value for shareholders. The Company's subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences, vacation ownership properties, and fitness and spa locations, including under the Park Hyatt, Miraval, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Andaz, Hyatt Centric, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Hyatt Residence Club and exhale brand names. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/769847/Dapur_Jukung.jpgCALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / Perisson Petroleum Corporation ('Perisson' or the 'Company') (TSX-V: POG) wishes to update its shareholders concerning the previously announced USD $50 million equity private placement and to announce the planned conversion of its secured debt.

Lan Cheng Limited, a private investment fund (the 'Fund'), is in the final stages of its due diligence work and has requested that the Company's debt be converted to equity prior to the closing of the previously announced USD $50 million equity private placement (the 'Financing'). The holders of the Company's outstanding $4,000,000 in secured debentures have agreed to convert their debt into common shares of the Company. The holders of the debentures will convert the total principal and all accrued interest outstanding, in the aggregate amount of approximately $5,319,980, at $0.16 per share (33,249,875 common shares), to be converted prior to the closing of the Financing.

The shares issued in connection with the Financing and on conversion of the debentures will be subject to a four month hold period and are subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Lan Cheng Limited is an international private equity fund operating primarily in Shanghai and Hong Kong, China and Taipei, Taiwan. The Fund is a network of wealthy individuals, associated institutions and private equity groups which invest in large diverse projects on a project-by-project basis.

Completion of the Financing is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance. There can be no assurance that Financing will be completed as proposed or at all. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the information contained herein.

The Company continues to look for suitable oil and gas acquisitions, including farm-in candidates, and associated infrastructure, to leverage the Company's access to drilling capital, equipment and expertise. We look forward to developing partnerships with oil and gas companies with asset rich prospects that require significant funding to fully exploit. Perisson continues to work with CNOG for the acquisition of petroleum assets and petroleum product delivery into China.

About Perisson Petroleum Corporation

Perisson Petroleum Corporation is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and trades under the symbol 'POG'. The Corporation has ownership in certain oil and gas producing properties in the Twining and Wainwright areas of Alberta, Canada. The Company also holds a 100% working interest in the VMM-17 block, a license located in the prolific, stable, oil-producing region of the Middle Magdalena Basin in central Colombia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Wayne Rousch, President

Direct Line: (403) 827-8597

wrousch@perisson.com

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the timing and completion of the future operations of Perisson and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as 'will', 'may', 'should', 'anticipate', 'expects' and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the proposed Acquisition and the future plans and objectives of Perisson, are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Perisson's expectations are risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by Perisson with securities regulations.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities offered have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

Trading in the securities of Perisson Petroleum Corporation should be considered highly speculative. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Perisson Petroleum Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/525377/Perisson-Announces-Planned-Debt-ConversionTransaction Network Services (TNS) announces it has agreed to acquire unattended and eCommerce payments specialist ADVAM in a transaction which strengthens TNS' core payment capabilities and which will allow TNS to further target the payments market across the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific regions.

Headquartered in Adelaide, Australia, ADVAM is one of the world's leading providers of unattended payments and eCommerce solutions to the parking, airport, shopping center, government and self-service sectors. ADVAM processes millions of transactions and reservations daily in over 20 countries.

"This is an important strategic acquisition for TNS as it helps us to expand both our and ADVAM's operations and capabilities. ADVAM's unique set of feature-rich unattended and eCommerce solutions complement our portfolio of services, giving customers of both companies access to a broader set of payments and connectivity functionality from a single supplier," said TNS' Chief Executive Officer, Mike Keegan.

"The unattended payment terminals and eCommerce markets are primed for continued growth as consumers embrace the convenience, flexibility and speed these facilities offer. An independent research study recently found that 46% of consumers use their credit/debit cards at unattended car parking meters, kiosks or exit barriers, and a significant number are willing to use wearable devices or digital wallets at these locations. We are excited to further build upon our payments capabilities with this acquisition."

ADVAM, which has been a customer of TNS in the UK since 2011, will expand its services globally through access to TNS' extensive connections with banks, acquirers and processors, TNS' local expertise and knowledge in the numerous markets TNS serves and TNS' additional value-added services, such as encryption and tokenization.

ADVAM's Chief Executive Officer, Jose Da Silva said: "We're delighted to join the TNS family as ADVAM has always been focused on delivering market leading solutions and excellent customer service. These same qualities are a hallmark of TNS.

"Becoming part of TNS strengthens our offering to existing customers and gives us a springboard for growth. TNS is the perfect partner for ADVAM due to its reputation, specialist capabilities, strong customer base and solid history as a trusted supplier. We look forward to working together."

The acquisition, which is now pending regulatory approval, gives TNS additional offices in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US. Approximately 110 ADVAM employees will be joining the company. Complemented by TNS' Network Operating Centers in the US, UK and Australia, ADVAM will continue to provide 24x7x365 support to all of its customers.

Founded in 1990, TNS, a trusted partner to the payments industry, provides services across Europe, the Americas and the Asia Pacific regions. TNS offers a broad portfolio of solutions, including secure and resilient transaction delivery services that are used by many of the top banks, transaction processors and ATM deployers around the world. TNS is a Level 1 PCI DSS certified service provider and a global board member of the ATM Industry Association (ATMIA). For more information about TNS, visit www.tnsi.com.

ENDS

About Transaction Network Services:

Transaction Network Services (TNS) is a leading global provider of data communications and interoperability solutions. TNS offers a broad range of networks and innovative value-added services which enable transactions and the exchange of information in diverse industries such as retail, banking, payment processing, telecommunications and the financial markets.

Founded in 1990 in the United States, TNS has grown steadily and now provides services in over 60 countries across the Americas, Europe and the Asia Pacific region, with our reach extending to many more. TNS has designed and implemented multiple data networks which support a variety of widely accepted communications protocols and are designed to be scalable and accessible by multiple methods.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005020/en/

Contacts:

TNS

Clare Cockroft

PR Director

T: +44 (0)114 292 0163

E: pr@tnsi.com

or

Jo Moorwood

Senior Director, Marketing Communications

+1 703 814 8065ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / Findit, Inc. (OTC PINK: FDIT) a Nevada Corporation continues to provide Savannah Georgia general contractor American Craftsman Renovations their online marketing campaign services for the past 5 years. The overall objective of this ongoing campaign is to help American Craftsman Renovations capture more business online through a strategic online marketing strategy that has increased and improved American Craftsman Renovation's overall online presence in social networking sites and organic indexing in search engines, Google, Yahoo, Bing and Findit.

American Craftsman Renovations offers professional home remodeling services across the Greater Savannah Georgia Area. American Craftsman Renovations utilizes Findit to increase their organic search results in Google, Yahoo and Bing and have the content Findit creates for them be seen and shared throughout social networking sites, in addition to Findit that include but are not limited to Facebook (FB), Pinterest, Twitter (TWTR), LinkedIn (MSFT), Google + (GOOG) and Google My Business.

Kevin Norris of American Craftsman Renovations stated "We have been using Findit for our online marketing and SEO for over 5 years. As a result we have gotten a lot of jobs that otherwise we may have lost to a competitor. With Findit's ongoing approach to increase our social networking presence and search results under our services areas and the towns that we want to index for in search engines, we have tangible results. The thing we really like about Findit is the exclusivity of running a campaign with them. At a certain budget a competitor cannot hire Findit to do a campaign for them in the same marketplace as us. I'm glad we got to them before one of competitors."

What Findit Does for American Craftsman Renovations:

American Craftsman Renovations hired Findit to help them improve their overall online presence and brand image through an increase in organic search results found in Google, Yahoo, and Bing. To date we created 20 Findit Sites, which contain their own unique Findit Keyword URL. A Findit Keyword URL is an extension of Findit.com, such as www.findit.com/savannahadditions. American Craftsman Renovations provided Findit's marketing team with the towns and services they wanted to index for in search engines. Based on these two targets, the location and the services, Findit came up with the appropriate URLs to create Findit sites for to help American Craftsman Renovations index for these search results.

For example, American Craftsman Renovations provides home remodeling services such as kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations, home additions, structural repairs, and roofing services. The 20 URLs that American Craftsman Renovations has are all geared towards these services within Savannah and the surrounding areas like Ardsley Park and Ford Plantation Richmond Hill.

Each Findit URL that American Craftsman has is its own site within Findit. As part of their campaign, Findit sets up a photo gallery for each site that includes photos titled and captioned around the services that they offer, which index in Findit and are crawled by Google, Yahoo, and Bing. Having pictures properly titled increases the likelihood of indexing those images on the first page of Google search results when the title of the picture matches to what the person is searching, all of which leads to more conversions.

Once the Findit site is set up within each URL, content is created in the Right Now Feed. The Right Now Feed allows members to post updates that can include unlimited text in the text field, unlimited photos in the photo section, a link to a video, an audio file and a press release. As part of American Craftsman Renovation's marketing campaign, Right Now Posts were created in each of the URLs, targeting the specific service that American Craftsman Renovations offered in the Greater Savannah Area, helping to increase organic search results for the keyword search or searches done in Google that match the content created on Findit.

Example: One of American Craftsman Renovation's Findit Sites is www.findit.com/savannahstructuralrepairs. All the photos found within this Findit Site are titled and captioned around structural repairs in Savannah. All of the Right Now posts created within this Findit Site are geared around structural repairs in Savannah. The overall goal of this specific URL is to increase exposure on Findit and in Google, Yahoo, and Bing when the keyword search of 'Savannah structural repairs' or something related to structural repairs in Savannah is searched. Each URL that was set up has this same goal and the same marketing strategy is done within the other 19 Findit Sites that American Craftsman Renovations has.

A quick search performed in Google for 'Savannah structural repairs' shows that 8 out of the 9 possible search results are all for American Craftsman Renovations: 1 for Findit.com, 2 for Americancraftsmanrenovations.com, 5 for generalcontractorsavannahgeorgia.com, which is another site for American Craftsman Renovations that we built to be SEO friendly to help improve organic indexing. Moreover, all 5 images that are indexing on page one of Google are all photos that were posted on Findit within American Craftsman Renovation's photo galleries.

Image above is from Search results in Google for the search term- Savannah Structural Repairs

Findit also set up location pages for the 12 locations that American Craftsman Renovations wanted to increase exposure for in search engines. The locations are: Dutch Island, Wilmington Island, Talahi Island, Wylly Island, Tybee Island, Historic Savannah, Savannah, Historic Downtown Savannah, Isle of Hope, The Landings at Skidaway Island, Ardsley Park and Ford Plantation Richmond Hill. Each location page includes information about the services they provide which are: general contractor services, kitchen remodeling and renovations, bathroom remodeling and renovations, home additions, structural repairs, roofing, window replacement, and historic restorations. These location pages give more information to potential customers about the services that American Craftsman Renovation provides. As a result the relevant content created gives Google, Yahoo, and Bing information to index in their search engines more prominently.

In addition to marketing content created on Findit, these status updates and photos are shared to their Facebook Page, which we manage, as well as their Google + account and Google My Business Account. These efforts help increase overall indexing online in search and create more visibility in more places for people who have not yet heard of American Craftsman Renovations.

Video produced by Findit, Inc.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjX1PwNXRc8

Other General and Sub Contractors Can Hire Findit, Too:

The great thing about Findit is that it is for anyone - anyone that is looking to gain more exposure on the web for the goods or services that they offer or the story they wish to tell.

Clark St. Amant of Findit stated, "General contractors globally that offer specific services in specific locations will find that Findit is incredibly valuable to them. Many general contractors are out on the job site all day working and don't have time to handle their own online presence. That's where we come in. General contractors can hire Findit to handle their online marketing campaign and have us create content geared around the services they offer in specific locations, so they start to show up organically in search engines for those keywords. We handle the content and improve their online presence and brand image - they get the calls."

All content on Findit can be crawled by Google, Yahoo and Bing and members of Findit as well as visitors to Findit can share content to their own social networking sites. This is a very important distinction from other social networking sites - when you post on closed platforms like Facebook, your content can't be shared outside of Facebook. However, when you post on Findit, you are not limiting who can see your posts and you are not limited to where you can share your posts to.

Starting Your Very Own Marketing Campaign with Findit:

Findit is free to join and members can run their own online marketing campaigns using the Findit social networking content management platform. Outside online marketing firms can also run campaigns for their clients using all of the tools Findit offers.

Clients that want to engage Findit can do so. Findit campaigns start at $1,000 per month, on a month to month basis. The minimum campaign includes a minimum of 84 pieces of content that the Findit marketing team creates.

Peter Tosto of Findit stated, "When we take on a new client at this price point, we will not take on another client in the same area as you that provides the same service. Because American Craftsman Renovations has an ongoing marketing campaign with us in the Greater Savannah Area, Findit will not take on another general contractor to do their marketing on their behalf."

To set up your very own marketing campaign with Findit, please call 404-443-3224.

About American Craftsman Renovations:

American Craftsman Renovations is a residential general contracting outfit with an intense focus on client relationships. The most important thing we build is a life- long relationship with our clients. It begins with our respect of our client's families, homes and the investment that they have chosen to make their homes a functional work of art. In return our clients recognize that we are skilled craftsmen that take pride in our work and appreciate the opportunity given us to provide for our respective families. These basic premises allow for harmonious relationships and beautiful finished work that will last long after a particular project is completed.

We make use of new technological advances in new materials as well as the tried and true practices and materials that have been working for hundreds of years. All of this combined gives our clients the best value in the market and quality that is second to none. We are thankful for the many friends that we have made and look forward to making many more in the future.

About Findit, Inc.

Findit, Inc., (OTC Pinksheets FDIT) owns Findit.com which is a Social Media Content Management Platform that provides an interactive search engine for all content posted in Findit to appear in Findit search. The site is an open platform that provides access to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other search engines access to its content posted to Findit so it can be indexed in these search engines as well. Findit provides Members the ability to post, share and manage their content. Once they have posted in Findit, we ensure the content gets indexed in Findit Search results. Findit provides an option for anyone to submit URLs that they want indexed in Findit search result, along with posting status updates through Findit Right Now. Status Updates posted in Findit can be crawled by outside search engines which can result in additional organic indexing. All posts on Findit can be shared to other social and bookmarking sites by members and non-members. Findit provides Real Estate Agents the ability to create their own Findit Site where they can pull in their listing and others through their IDX account. Findit offers News and Press Release Distribution. Findit, Inc., is focused on the development of monetized Internet-based web products that can provide an increased brand awareness of our members. Findit, Inc., trades under the stock symbol FDIT on the OTCPinksheets.

Safe Harbor:

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including statements regarding potential sales, the success of the company's business, as well as statements that include the word believe or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Findit, Inc. to differ materially from those implied or expressed by such forward-looking statements. This press release speaks as of the date first set forth above, and Findit, Inc. assumes no responsibility to update the information included herein for events occurring after the date hereof. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to factors such as the lack of capital, timely development of products, inability to deliver products when ordered, inability of potential customers to pay for ordered products, and political and economic risks inherent in international trade.

Contact:

Peter Tosto

Phone 404-443-3224

SOURCE: Findit, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/525420/American-Craftsman-Renovations-Continues-to-Engage-Findit-To-Run-Their-Online-Marketing-CampaignToronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 16, 2018) - Canuc Resources Corporation (TSXV: CDA) ("Canuc" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") for the previously announced acquisition of Circle Energy Ltd. ("Full Circle").

On October 15th, 2018 the Company received a letter from the Exchange providing approval for the acquisition, conditional on provision of: final executed copies of the material contracts and agreements from the Company, and payment of filing fees. In accordance with the terms of the transaction a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company will amalgamate with Full Circle in consideration of the issuance of 11,810,000 Canuc common shares to the shareholders of Full Circle. The amalgamated entity will continue under the name of Full Circle Energy Ltd., an Ontario corporation. It is anticipated that completion of the transaction will occur promptly upon receipt by the Company of the final approval of the Exchange.

Full Circle's principal corporate assets consist of 6 sections of undeveloped oil prospective acreage in southwest Saskatchewan, and a Farmin agreement that references a further 6.3 contiguous sections of adjacent land. Full Circle's Farmin agreement considers drilling a well to earn a 100% working interest (WI) in 1.5 sections of land. An additional 4.8 sections make up an Area of Mutual Interest (AMI). The AMI lands can be developed 75%/25% in favor of Canuc.

About Canuc

Canuc is a junior resources company exploring the San Javier Silver-Gold Project in Sonora State, Mexico. The Company generates cash flow from natural gas production in Central West Texas, where Canuc has an interest in nine producing gas wells and has rights for further in field developments. The Company also owns six sections of undeveloped prospective oil acreage in southwest Saskatchewan and has rights to a Farmin, and an Area of Mutual Interest (AMI), for a further 6.3 contiguous sections of land.

For further information please contact Canuc Resources Corporation:

(416) 548-9748

cberlet@canucresources.ca

Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the Transaction, including statements regarding the terms and conditions of the Transaction. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, the risk that the parties will not proceed with the Transaction, that the ultimate terms of the Transaction will differ from those currently contemplated, and that the Transaction will not be successfully completed for any reason (including the failure to obtain the required approvals or clearances from regulatory authorities, including the Exchange). If the Transaction is not completed, and the Company continues as an independent entity, there is the risk that the announcement of the Transaction and the dedication of substantial resources of the Company to the completion of the Transaction could have an adverse impact on the Company's existing business and strategic relationships, operating results and business generally. When used in this news release, the words "estimate". "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend" "believe", "hope", "may" and similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and other indications of future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and apply only as of the date on which they were made. The statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in Canuc's filings with the Canadian securities regulators, which are available at www.sedar.com.

Completion of the Transaction is subject to Exchange acceptance. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon.

Shares Outstanding: 50,434,150

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.Theres been increasing confusing over the legality of delta-8, a cannabis derivative that can be found in vape cartridges, tinctures and candy at smoke shops and CBD stores in Texas. While the Texas health department maintains that delta-8 is a controlled substance and is on the states list of unlawful drugs, the 2018 federal Farm Bill legalized the production of hemp, which naturally contains delta-8 and has less than 0.3% THC. In 2019, Texas also legalized hemp growing. Delta-8 retailers believed the substance was as legal to sell as hemp. Delta-8 is legal in Texas for now after a Travis County judge blocked the state from criminalizing it. Should delta-8 continue to be legal in Texas?

You voted:NEW YORK, October 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The US State Department has recently announced the dates and instructions for the DV-2020 Green Card Lottery.

The revised online registration period for the DV-2020 Program began on October 3, 2018 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), and will conclude on November 6, 2018 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST).

"A Green Card gives you a legal right to live, work, and study permanently in the United States and may eventually become American citizens. We are very proud to make it possible for so many people to move to the world's most multicultural nation," stated Jessica Wes, USAFIS Marketing Director.

"As a foreign national, the US Diversity Visa Lottery Program is one of the easiest ways to get a Green Card. Our immigration experts are always ready to help you through the application process. We will help you every step of the way," explained USAFIS Marketing Director.

The DV Program in numbers

Each year, the DV Program makes 50,000 immigrant visas available among 100,000 winners selected for the opportunity from all over the world.

The US Government has opened this new current registration period so that another 30,000-40,000 winners will be selected in order to comply with the Congress Law that stipulates the 50,000 visas.

"It's true that only some 50,000 people receive Permanent Residency Visas from the U.S. Green Card Diversity Visa Program. At a later stage, many of them will be among the 750,000 people to become American citizens every year. Count on us to prepare and submit your application this year," added the USAFIS director.

Why choose USAFIS

USAFIS is a worldwide leader in assisting clients from around the globe in preparing and submitting their applications successfully to the American Green Card (Diversity Visa) Lottery Program.

"Become a member of the world's most powerful nation and benefit from the American way of life. We can help you get a chance to become a new proud American citizen," summarized USAFIS Organization.

USAFIS is a private entity that provides its customers with professional immigration-related services and products to help them apply to the Green Card Lottery Program successfully, and complete the following Consular Process properly.

For more information about the United States current immigration programs and USAFIS, please visit the company's site at https://www.usafis.org/ , call 1-646-517-6786 or write to csr@usafis.org.Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 16, 2018) - David H. Brett, President and CEO, Pacific Bay Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: PBM) ("Pacific Bay" or the "Company") reports that the Company has completed two diamond drill holes at the Company's 100% owned Weaver Lake gold property in the New Westminster Mining Division in southern BC. The holes targeted a previously identified high grade gold bearing quartz vein. Mineralized intercepts were encountered and assays are pending.

Previous drilling produced a number of significant intercepts, including a 1996 hole that cut 8.61 grams per tonne gold and 46.2 grams per tonne silver over 3.05 metres and 1975 drill hole that intercepted 2.13 metres of 11.79 grams per tonne gold and 44.57 grams per tonne silver. These intercepts indicate total core length only as the true width of the mineralization has not yet been determined.

The Weaver Lake property, approximately 1.5 hours drive from Vancouver, is accessible via highway and all weather roads and can be worked on year-round. More information about the Weaver Lake property can be found on the Company's website here: https://www.pacificbayminerals.com/properties/bc/weaver-lake-gold/

"Weaver Lake's prior high-grade gold results and easy accessibility make for cost effective and potentially and exciting exploration results," said Pacific Bay CEO David Brett. "Results of the program will be announced as soon as they are available."

The technical disclosures in this news release were reviewed and approved by David Bridge, P.Geo., a Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

Pacific Bay Minerals Ltd.

Per/

David H. Brett, MBA

President & CEO

604-682-2421

dbrett@pacificbayminerals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Technavio analysts forecast the global follicular lymphoma therapeutics market to grow at a CAGR of close to 8% during the forecast period, according to their latest market research report.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005692/en/

Technavio analysts forecast the global follicular lymphoma therapeutics market to grow at a CAGR of close to 8% by 2022. (Graphic: Business Wire)

The increasing patient support programs are one of the major trends being witnessed in the global follicular lymphoma therapeutics market 2018-2022. Some of the top pharmaceutical companies are offering patient support programs to provide information about top-selling therapeutics such as Rituxan Hycela and Rituxan (rituximab), which increases the awareness about the treatment and cost range. Such support programs will assist the patients in selecting a treatment option, which, in turn, will drive market growth during the forecast period.

This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing

According to Technavio analysts, one of the key factors contributing to the growth of the global follicular lymphoma therapeutics market is the increasing government initiatives.

Global follicular lymphoma therapeutics market: Increasing government initiatives

Increasing government funding such as Cancer Breakthroughs 2020 are expected to propel the growth of the global follicular lymphoma therapeutics market. Cancer Breakthroughs 2020, previously known as Cancer Moonshot 2020, is an initiative taken by the US government in 2016 for the development of research on the vaccine-based immunotherapies to fight cancer.

According to a senior analyst at Technavio for research on infectious and rare diseases, "In December 2016, the US Congress authorized funding of USD 1.8 billion to the Cancer Breakthroughs 2020 for a period of seven years, with initial funding of USD 300 million in 2017. By inviting the pharmaceutical players to join the initiative, the Cancer Breakthroughs 2020 program plans on making the cancer immunotherapy medicines one of its major areas of focus. The participants of this program include CELGENE, NantWorks, and Amgen."

Global follicular lymphoma therapeutics market: Segmentation analysis

The global follicular lymphoma therapeutics market research report provides market segmentation by molecule type (biologicals and small molecules) and by region (the Americas, EMEA, and APAC). It provides an in-depth analysis of the prominent factors influencing the market, including drivers, opportunities, trends, and industry-specific challenges.

The biologicals segment held the largest market share in 2017, contributing to over 56% of the market. This molecule type segment will dominate the global market throughout the forecast period.

The Americas held the largest share of the market in 2017, accounting for close to 44% share, followed by EMEA and APAC respectively. The follicular lymphoma therapeutics market in APAC is expected to witness a faster growth during the forecast period. Factors such as technological advances in the diagnosis of follicular lymphoma and the expected launch of new product offerings due to the existence of strong pipeline are anticipated to drive the market growth during the forecast period.

Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report

Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

Some of the key topics covered in the report include:

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About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005692/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

www.technavio.comThe leading independent Arm tools provider enables companies to go to market early with robust, secure IoT products

SAN JOSE, California, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- IAR Systems, the future-proof supplier of software tools and services for embedded development, enables companies worldwide to create high-performance embedded applications based on the latest security technology.

Arm TrustZone technology provides system-wide hardware isolation for trusted software. The technology creates an isolated secure world to provide confidentiality and integrity to the system. TrustZone for Arm Cortex-M is used to protect firmware, security keys, crypto property, peripheral and I/O operations, as well as to provide isolation for secure boot, trusted update and root of trust implementations without compromising the deterministic real-time response expected for embedded solutions.

Back in 2016, IAR Systems was the first independent development tools provider to enable early software development for devices based on the next generation Arm Cortex-M architectures. By making use of virtual prototyping in Arm Fast Models, support in IAR Embedded Workbench was available already before silicon availability. IAR Embedded Workbench now supports all TrustZone-enabled microcontrollers that have so far been released based on the Arm Cortex-M23 and -M33 architectures. This includes the Arm Cortex-M23-based SAM L11 microcontroller family from Microchip Technology Inc., as well as Nuvoton's NuMicro M2351 microcontroller series, also based on Arm Cortex-M23. Also supported is the new NXP's LPC5500 Arm Cortex-M33-based microcontroller series. In addition, IAR Systems has announced support for the coming Arm Cortex-M33-based STM32L5 microcontroller series from STMicroelectronics.

IAR Embedded Workbench is a leading development toolchain for Arm Cortex-M microcontrollers. Thanks to significant speed optimizations, the included IAR C/C++ Compiler generates very fast and efficient code. With the shortest possible execution times, it is the ultimate choice for development of high-performance, low-power applications. The compiler and linker follow the Arm ACLE security extensions for Arm Cortex-M23 and Cortex-M33, and the linker will automatically generate the jump table for the Non-Secure Callable region. The powerful C-SPY Debugger includes comprehensive debugging functionality such as full instruction trace enabled by Embedded Trace Macrocell (ETM). It also offers RTOS plugins and wide support for communication stacks and middleware. To ensure code quality, integrated and easy-to-use static and runtime analysis tools are available. The toolchain is also available with build chain certification according to IEC 61508, ISO 26262, EN 50128 and IEC 62304.

"Our customers, ranging from some of the world's largest corporations to tens of thousands of small and mid-sized companies, trust us to provide the tools they need when they need them," comments Anders Holmberg, Chief Strategy Officer, IAR Systems. "We will continue to leverage our strong relationships and long-standing knowledge sharing with partners to guarantee we always deliver superior technology as well as early device support."

In cooperation with its sister company Secure Thingz, IAR Systems provides extended possibilities for implementing security in IoT applications. Secure Thingz, a global domain expert in device security, embedded systems and lifecycle management, is focused on delivering advanced security solutions to solve the major security issues challenging the IoT. The solutions ensure a cost-efficient root of trust in low-cost microcontrollers to deliver a core set of critical services through the product lifecycle, alongside secure deployment, secure manufacturing and secure update infrastructure.

Learn more about IAR Embedded Workbench at www.iar.com/iar-embedded-workbench/

Learn more about Secure Thingz' security solutions at www.securethingz.com

Editor's Note: IAR Systems, IAR Embedded Workbench, Embedded Trust, IAR Connect, C-SPY, C-RUN, C-STAT, IAR Visual State, IAR KickStart Kit, I-jet, I-jet Trace, I-scope, IAR Academy, IAR, and the logotype of IAR Systems are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by IAR Systems AB. All other product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

IAR Systems contacts

AnnaMaria Tahlen

Media Relations, IAR Systems

Tel: +46-18-16-78-00

E-mail: annamaria.tahlen@iar.com

Stefan Skarin

CEO, IAR Systems

Tel: +46-18-16-78-00

E-mail: stefan.skarin@iar.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/iar-systems/r/iar-systems-leads-the-way-for-secure-iot-development-based-on-arm-trustzone-and-arm-cortex-m,c2645316

The following files are available for download:EAST WINDSOR, CT / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / Insuritas has been recognized as one of the world's most innovative providers of digital insurance solutions. The 2018 list, revealed by FinTech Global, selected companies with the most innovative and lasting impacts on the insurance industry. Jeff Chesky, president, and CEO of Insuritas stated: "Our entire team is proud to be nominated and recognized by FinTech Global as a 2018 InsurTech100 Company."

To make their selection the panel of industry experts reviewed FinTech Global's analysis of 637 InsurTech companies. Those honored in the final selection demonstrated potential cost savings, efficiency improvement as well as an impact on the value chain, or revenue enhancements generated

InsurTech is one of the largest and most important sectors within the FinTech space. Over $7 billion has been invested in InsurTech solution providers since 2015. Insurance companies, reinsurance firms, and investors realize the huge impact new digital models are having on the industry. As incumbent financial institutions grapple with rapid innovation and digital transformation challenges, the InsurTech 100 was produced to identify the 100 innovative companies that every leader in the insurance industry needs to know about.

A full list of the InsurTech 100 can be found at http://www.TheInsurTech100.com. More detailed information about the companies is also available for download on their website.

About InsurTech100

The InsurTech100 is an annual list of 100 of the world's most innovative InsurTech companies selected by a panel of industry experts. These are the companies every leader in the insurance industry needs to know about as they consider and develop their digital transformation strategies.

There's plenty of interest and hype about InsurTech in the marketplace, but much of it is superficial, incoherent or self-serving and fails the needs of decision-makers in incumbent insurance and reinsurance firms who require independent, facts, figures, and analysis.

The InsurTech100 list will help senior management and insurance professionals evaluate which digital insurance models have market potential and are most likely to succeed and have a lasting impact on the industry.

About FinTech Global

FinTech Global provides superior data, independent insights and the most powerful analytical tools available for the entire FinTech industry. They work with market leaders in the FinTech industry - investors, expert advisers, innovative companies and financial institutions - and enable them to get the essential intelligence they need to make superior

About Insuritas

Insuritas has reengineered insurance distribution in America; simply changing the way insurance works - by building a scalable platform that currently has a comprehensive knowledge of, and active engagement with, nearly 9 million retail and 1.5 million small business insurance buyers. Insuritas has reengineered insurance by building complex, private labeled insurance agency solutions embedded into the financial services industry, enabling these firms to own a turn-key insurance agency and offer their customers a comprehensive set of insurance & risk management products through a white-labeled, digitally-optimized solution installed, managed, and optimized by Insuritas. Insuritas has built a single fully integrated platform that can connect the over 300M insurance buyers in the United States, and all of their annual insurance needs to insurance carriers in a single, virtual insurance agency eco-system, collapsing the fragmented and antiquated customer acquisition, quoting and policy issuance model and finally replacing it with intelligent insurance. For additional information, please visit insuritas.com.

SOURCE: Insuritas

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/525431/FinTech-Global-Recognizes-Insuritas-as-an-InsurTech100-Top-PerformerToronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 16, 2018) - Intercontinental Gold and Metals Ltd. (TSXV: ICAU) (the "Company") is providing a default status report in accordance with the alternative information guidelines set out in National Policy 12-203 - Cease Trade Orders for Continuous Disclosure Defaults ("NP 12-203").

Management of the Company has been subject to a management cease trade order (the "MCTO") in respect of the securities of the Company issued by the applicable securities regulators under NP 12-203 on April 2, 2018. The MCTO resulted from the delay in filing the Company's annual financial statements and management discussion and analysis for the year ended March 31, 2018 (the "Annual Disclosure Documents") by the prescribed deadline of July 30, 2018 and the subsequent delay in filing the Company's interim financial statement and management discussion and analysis for the three-month period ended June 30, 2018 (the "Interim Disclosure Documents") by the prescribed deadline of August 29, 2018.

The Company is pleased to announce that it has filed its Annual Disclosure Documents and Interim Disclosure Documents and the documents can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

The common shares of the Company have been reinstated for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange and will recommence trading effective at the opening, Wednesday, October 17, 2108, under the symbol "ICAU".

The Company also announces that effective July 31, 2018, it has terminated its investor relations agreement with Renmark Financial Communications Inc. ("Renmark"). Renmark was paid $5,000 a month for their services from October 1, 2017 to August 1, 2018 for total consideration of $50,000.

About Intercontinental Gold and Metals Ltd.

Intercontinental Gold and Metals Ltd. is a Next Generation Metals and Mining Company providing leverage to commodity prices, exploration and development success and significant growth potential for our stakeholders. Our physical commodities marketing and trading operations provide insights in global primary supply and demand trends that in turn create a strategic and competitive advantage investment and expansion opportunities on a global basis. The Company generates revenues from the purchases and sales of gold and silver (accounted for as revenue). Cost of sales is measured at the fair value of the precious metals purchased and inventory sold, which is purchased at a competitive discount from licensed artisanal and small gold miners (ASGM) in Latin America (LATAM). ASGM supply supports a sustainable revenue generation model. We are unique being the only publicly listed company servicing the LATAM ASGM market.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

INTERCONTINENTAL GOLD AND METALS LTD.

Gorden Glenn

President & Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (647) 985-2785

The Statements included in this press release concerning predictions of economic performance and management's plans and objectives constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, opinions, forecasts, projections or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although the Company believes that expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. The Company cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what the Company currently foresees.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.DOHA, Qatar, October 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Breaking new ground for early Parkinson's diagnostics, Qatar-based hopefulqualifies among top ninecontestants inArab world's leading innovation show

Marking a decade of Arab innovation and research excellence, Qatar Foundation's Stars of Science has launched its tenth season last month, and has featured Qatar-based Nour Majbour from Hamad Bin Khalifa University's (HBKU) Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) among the top nine contestants. The popular 'edutainment reality' program, which receives additional support from HBKU's other research institutes including Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) and Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), follows the journey of nine Arab innovators through prototyping and customer validation episodes until only four finalists remain to compete for a share of $600,000 in seed funding. The ranking is determined by jury deliberation and online public voting.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/770031/HBKU_Logo.jpg )



(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/770032/Nour_Majbour.jpg )





Majbour, a full-time research associate at QBRI, skillfully fought her way through the casting stage with her proposed innovation in early Parkinson's disease (PD) detection. Elaborating on her pioneering idea, she said: "My Parkinson's Early Detection Kit aims to surpass the current limitations in disease diagnostics through the use of antibodies - a type of protein integral to the body's immune system that may be leveraged to identify biological signs of the onset of PD.

"For a neurodegenerative disease without a known cure, early detection and treatment are instrumental in relieving symptoms and improving the patients' quality of life, particularly those who suffer from a lack of options and resources to seek treatment. Witnessing the rapid degenerative process of PD in family members has impacted my research, which aims to honor their legacy and ease the suffering of many other patients worldwide."

Currently over 10 million people in the world are living with PD, and the prevalence of the disease ranges from 41 people per 100,000 in the fourth decade of life to more than 1,900 people per 100,000 among those who are 80 and older, while many more cases go undetected. Majbour's research thus carries impactful and transformative implications for the medical field, moving one step closer to a comprehensive understanding of the causes, development and treatment options for PD.

Furthermore, Majbour's participation in a public platform that actively empowers Arab youth promoted her to an ambassador for women's entrepreneurship in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) - a traditionally male-dominated profession.

Praising Majbour's role in deconstructing barriers for Arab women, her mentor and Acting Executive Director at QBRI Dr. Omar El-Agnaf said: "Nour's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication have crafted an inspirational story for young women whose involvement in STEM is essential to closing the persisting gender gap; today, women still only make up thirty percent of the world's researchers."

HBKU's dedication to fostering talented women in STEM is underlined by the University's lasting collaboration with Stars of Science - a program that aims to promote access to knowledge and opportunity across broad viewership demographics.

"As one of the participating research institutes, QBRI lends its world-class facilities and mentorship to provide a vital practical dimension to the researcher's concept implementation phase. Our interdisciplinary approach guides the scientific quest to develop highly-advanced prototypes that can reap long-term economic benefits for the country and the wider region by providing the young contestants with access to ultramodern technologies and firsthand mentorship from experts across a wide array of research specializations," El-Agnaf continued.

The University's values of excellence in innovation are echoed in the show's entrepreneurial and inclusive ecosystem, which has enthralled audiences and highlighted the pace of innovation in science and technology across the Arab world since it first aired in 2008.

Tune into Stars of Science Season 10 every Saturday at 9:00 pm on Al Rayyan Satellite Channel to watch the show and follow Majbour's journey. Full-length episodes with English subtitles will also be accessible on the show's website http://www.starsofscience.com

About Hamad Bin Khalifa University

Innovating Today, Shaping Tomorrow

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF), was founded in 2010 as a research-intensive university that acts as a catalyst for transformative change in Qatar and the region while having global impact. Located in Education City, HBKU is committed to building and cultivating human capacity through an enriching academic experience, innovative ecosystem, and unique partnerships. HBKU delivers multidisciplinary undergraduate and graduate programs through its colleges, and provides opportunities for research and scholarship through its institutes and centers. For more information about HBKU, visit http://www.hbku.edu.qa.Press release Paris, October 16, 2018; 6:30pm

Wavestone ranked top of its category in the 2018 Gaia Index

The results of the 10th Gaia Index ratings were announced on Monday, October 15, 2018 at the Palais Brongniart in Paris. For the 9th year running, Wavestone was listed among the top 70 French SMEs and mid-tier firms ranked on the basis of their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performances. After coming in first in its category last year, Wavestone was rated leader, once again, in this year's rankings for companies with annual revenues of between 150m and 500m.

One of the four objectives laid out by Wavestone in the 2021 strategic plan is to feature among the top 3 firms in its category in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which is measured every year by way of its Gaia Index rating. This goal was determined by the importance attached to Gaia Index certification; a benchmark judged relevant given the wide range of listed companies it covers across all sectors of activity. As a point of reference, this is a challenge that will motivate the Group to pursue its efforts to ensure that every year it ranks among the leaders in its category in terms of CSR.

A new CSR approach

This year, Wavestone injected new energy into its CSR approach which is now built around four priorities and seven structural commitments:

Being a responsible and committed employer by promoting the development and self-fulfillment of our employees, and by implementing practical initiatives that promote diversity and equal treatment from the recruitment process onwards;

by promoting the development and self-fulfillment of our employees, and by implementing practical initiatives that promote diversity and equal treatment from the recruitment process onwards; To be a trusted partner whose commitment is proven through compliance with strict rules governing transparency, business ethics and data security, and through the relationships we build with our suppliers;

whose commitment is proven through compliance with strict rules governing transparency, business ethics and data security, and through the relationships we build with our suppliers; To have a positive social footprint by succeeding in the challenge of limiting the environmental impact of our business activities and supporting projects that create value for the wider society;

by succeeding in the challenge of limiting the environmental impact of our business activities and supporting projects that create value for the wider society; Wavestone wants to be a committed consulting firm by integrating CSR challenges into our consulting practice.

The Gaia ESG Rating agency is used by many leading portfolio management companies in their business procedures and to make investment decisions.

Consult the Wavestone 2016/17 CSR report here.

About Wavestone

In a world where understanding transformation is the key to success, Wavestone's ambition is to provide its clients with advice that is unique in the market, enlightening and guiding them in their most strategic decisions.

Wavestone draws on some 2,800 employees in eight countries. It is a leading independent player in European consulting, and the number one in France.

Wavestone is listed on Euronext, Paris, and is eligible for the PEA-PME (a French investment instrument that encourages individuals to invest in smaller and intermediate-sized firms). Wavestone is recognized as a Great Place to Work.

Wavestone

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Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-55540-wavestone_gaia-index_161018-en.pdf(Reuters) - Accounting firm Grant Thornton said its UK chief Sacha Romanovitch will step down by the end of this year once a successor is identified. 'Following discussions with Sacha, the board has agreed that a new CEO is the logical next step to create long term sustainable profits for the firm,' Chair of the Partnership Oversight Board at Grant Thornton UK Ed Warner said. 'We have agreed that the time is right for a new CEO to take the firm forward', Romanovitch said in the statement

(Reuters) - Accounting firm Grant Thornton said its UK chief Sacha Romanovitch will step down by the end of this year once a successor is identified.

"Following discussions with Sacha, the board has agreed that a new CEO is the logical next step to create long term sustainable profits for the firm," Chair of the Partnership Oversight Board at Grant Thornton UK Ed Warner said.

"We have agreed that the time is right for a new CEO to take the firm forward", Romanovitch said in the statement.

Romanovitch and Grant Thornton did not immediately respond to a Reuters request to comment on the reason for her departure.

Grant Thornton handles the accounts of Patisserie Holdings, the cafe chain owner, which has been rocked by an accounting scandal and came close to collapse before getting a 20 million pound ($26.30 million) lifeline from its chairman Luke Johnson.

The Financial Reporting Council, which oversees accounting in Britain, said on Friday it was looking into the Patisserie Holdings case. Britain's anti-fraud agency had also said separately it had opened an investigation into an unidentified individual in connection with the scandal.

In August, Grant Thornton was fined 4 million pounds by the Financial Reporting Council after four of its senior staffers admitted misconduct in handling the financial audits of Nichols Plc and the University of Salford.

($1 = 0.7603 pounds)

(Reporting by Sangameswaran S in Bengaluru. Editing by Jane Merriman)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.Delhi Petrol Dealers Association (DPDA) on Monday said all 400-odd petrol pumps in the national capital will remain closed on 22 October in protest against the Delhi government's refusal to cut VAT on petrol and diesel.

New Delhi: Delhi Petrol Dealers Association (DPDA) on Monday said all 400-odd petrol pumps in the national capital will remain closed on 22 October in protest against the Delhi government's refusal to cut VAT on petrol and diesel.

"There are about 400 petrol pumps in Delhi which also have linked CNG pumps with them. Both will remain closed in protest from 6.00 am onwards on 22 October and remain closed till 5.00 am on 23 October, 2018," the association said in a statement here.

It said the Union government on 4 October slashed the petrol and diesel price by Rs 2.50 by reducing excise duty and asking state-owned oil firms to bear subsidy. This was matched by several states which reduced local sales tax or VAT.

Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, which border the national capital, have reduced VAT, the association said. "But Delhi government refused to reduce VAT on fuel both petrol and diesel resulting in fuel becoming more expensive than bordering Haryana and Uttar Pradesh."

In comparison to Delhi, petrol in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana is cheaper by Rs 2.59 and Rs 1.95 per litre, respectively. Diesel in these two states is cheaper by Rs 2.02 and Rs 1.72 per litre, respectively.

"Because of high price in Delhi and low prices in states like UP and Haryana, customers are deserting the petrol pumps in Delhi leading to huge drop in sales," it said.The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has signed an agreement with global industry majors NV Besix, TG Eco Holding and UK-based Green Revenires for the construction and operation of a municipal solid waste treatment plant and and alternative fuel production plant in the northern emirate of Umm Al Quwain.

The project is being developed by a committee in charge of implementing the initiatives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, represented by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.



The 40-hectare plant will come up in Al Madfaq area around 20 km north of Umm Al Quwain and 2.5 km west of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road. It is likely to begin operating in the second quarter of 2020.



The plant is being built at a cost of Dh132 million ($36 million) and will utilise the latest technologies to produce alternative fuel from solid waste.



It will have a maximum daily processing capacity of 1,800 tonnes of solid waste, which will be used to produce alternative fuel.



Saif Mohammed Al Shara, the assistant under-secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment for the sustainable communities sector, signed the deal with representatives of NV Besix S.A, TG Eco Holding, and Green Revenires from the UK at the Abu Dhabi Crown Princes Court.



The signing cermony was attended by Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Jaber Mohammed Ghanem Al Suwaidi, General Director of the Crown Princes Court of Abu Dhabi.



Al Zeyoudi said the project was in line with the countrys sustainable development goals, as well as the goals of the national agenda of the UAE Government 2021 to treat 75 per cent of solid municipal waste using alternative methods instead of dumping in landfills, through utilising the latest international environment-friendly technologies.

This comes in light of the challenges facing the world, most notably population and economic growth and changing patterns of production and consumption, which have led to more waste and the growing use of landfills.



The project is the first of its kind in the country and aims to treat solid waste from Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, to provide alternative energy for cement factories that normally rely on coal, he added.-TradeArabia News ServiceInfosys had lost the arbitration over the severance package to Rajiv Bansal and had been asked to pay outstanding amount of Rs 12.17 crore with interest.

New Delhi: Infosys on Tuesday said it will comply with the arbitration award asking the company to pay Rs 12.17 crore and interest to its former chief financial officer Rajiv Bansal.

In September, the Arbitral Tribunal of Justice (retd) R V Raveendran had communicated the decision with regard to the dispute between Infosys and Bansal, Infosys said in a regulatory filing.

"The company has received a legal advice and will comply with the award and make the necessary payments," it added.

Infosys had lost the arbitration over the severance package to Bansal and had been asked to pay outstanding amount of Rs 12.17 crore with interest.

The company had earlier stated that "while the award acknowledges that Infosys had bona fide disputes, its counter claim for refund of previously paid severance amount of Rs 5.2 crore and damages, has been rejected".

It had also added that it will take legal advice for further action on the issue.

The IT firm had agreed to pay Bansal a severance amount of Rs 17.38 crore or 24 months of salary when he quit in 2015, but the company suspended payments after he got Rs 5 crore. This was done after co-founder N R Narayana Murthy and others had raised objections to the severance pay terming it excessive.

Following this, Bansal had dragged his former employer to arbitration to claim the remaining Rs 12 crore of his severance pay.

Bansal's severance payout has been one of the issues that Infosys founders had raised to allege governance lapses at the Bengaluru-based firm.The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

Washington: An Information Technology (IT) advocacy group representing more than 1,000 small IT companies mostly run by Indian-Americans has filed a lawsuit against the US immigration agency for issuing H-1B visas for shorter than three years duration.

The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

These visas are typically issued for three to six years to employers to hire a foreign worker.

Based out of Dallas in Texas, the ITServe Alliance in its lawsuit 43-page lawsuit filed last week alleged that the US Citizenship and Immigration Services has recently begun a practice of approving H-1B petitions for shorter than three years duration.

"These petitions are often valid for only months or days at a time, and some cases are expired by the time the approval is received," it said.

ITServe lawsuit against the USCIS alleges that the agency has no authority to misinterpret the existing regulations and shorten the approval durations.

In fact, the United States Congress has specifically granted power to the Department of Labor and DOLs regulations grant three-year approvals, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit also alleges that the itinerary requirement put forth by the USCIS is also unlawful.

This is the second lawsuit filed by ITServe against USCIS.

In the first lawsuit filed in July 2018, ITServe demanded USCIS to remove language from their website prohibiting F-1 STEM OPT students working at the third part client locations.

"The USCIS has been making arbitrary rules and memos for over eight years, its our top priority to set things right and hold USCIS accountable to follow the regulations set by the United States Congress," said ITServes national president for 2018, Gopi Kandukuri.

Referring to the recent spate of H-1B denials that ITServe members received, Kandukuri added members of ITServe Alliance are tired of receiving random denials for no reason.

"The new battlefield for us is the federal courthouse and not USCIS service centers, he said.MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's energy minister Alexander Novak discussed the oil output cap agreed between OPEC and non-OPEC countries with his Iranian counterpart Bijan Zanganeh at a meeting in Moscow on Monday, the Russian energy ministry said in a statement.

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's energy minister Alexander Novak discussed the oil output cap agreed between OPEC and non-OPEC countries with his Iranian counterpart Bijan Zanganeh at a meeting in Moscow on Monday, the Russian energy ministry said in a statement.

They spoke about the possibility of further oil output regulation, the ministry added, without giving details.

(Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova; Editing by Mark Potter)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.Ahead of the US sanctions against Iran, India on Tuesday said availability of crude oil to replace lost volumes is not an issue but the 'sentiment' around losing a big oil supplier is driving prices higher.

New Delhi: Ahead of the US sanctions against Iran, India on Tuesday said availability of crude oil to replace lost volumes is not an issue but the "sentiment" around losing a big oil supplier is driving prices higher.

Refusing to say if India has sought a waiver of sanctions from the US as to continue purchasing crude oil from Iran, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said he has articulated the country's position on importing oil from the Persian Gulf nation in November and "there is nothing new to repeat."

Last week, Pradhan said two state-owned oil refiners have booked import of 1.25 million tonne (MT) of crude oil from Iran in November.

US President Donald Trump in May withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, reimposing economic sanctions against the Persian Gulf nation.

Some sanctions took effect from 6 August, while those affecting the oil and banking sectors will start from 4 November. Those sanctions would block banking channels, making payment for oil bought from Iran difficult as well as stop re-insurance cover to refineries processing such oil.

"There is no issue of availability of crude oil today. But due to geopolitical uncertainty in different parts of the world, there is a sentimental issue. That is the primary challenge," Pradhan told reporters on the sidelines of India Energy Forum here. "From day one, we are confident that there is no problem in sourcing of crude. There is plenty available in different parts of the world."

The sentiment in the market that going out of a big oil producer from the market may hamper supplies, is impacting prices and causing volatility in the market.

"Issue is not shortfall. Issue is sentiment," he said.

Oil prices hit a four-year high of $86.74 a barrel earlier this month as the market grapples with the expected loss of Iranian exports due to the US sanctions.

Rates have cooled to around $81 in hope that the US may extend deadline for imposing sanctions on Iran by a couple of months.

IHS Markit vice chairman Daniel Yergin, who was present along with Pradhan while addressing reporters, said oil markets have a sentiment problem and not a supply issue.

"Oil market is physically balanced but emotionally unbalanced because of uncertainty, because of geopolitical issues. That is what is impacting the price," he said.

Pradhan said oil cartel OPEC has to ensure market stability that is beneficial to both consuming and producing countries.

OPEC, he said, had in June decided to raise production by 1 million barrels per day. While Saudi Arabia and Russia have increased production, "according to our information some of the (OPEC) countries are lagging behind."

On Monday, officials in the government and oil companies said Indian firms like IOC have optional volumes built in their annual crude oil purchase contracts with suppliers like Saudi Arabia and Iraq that will be more than enough to make up for any shortfall in supplies from sanction-hit Iran.

India had contracted to import about 25 MT of crude oil from Iran in 2018-19, up from 22.6 MT imported in 2017-18.

Out of this, supplies in the first seven months, till October, have not been impacted. For the remainder, enough cushion is available to avert any supply disruption, they had said.

"When oil companies enter into annual term contracts for buying crude oil, there are two components mentioned - firm supplies and optional supplies. Firm volumes are the ones that oil companies commit to necessarily take and there is an optional volume on top of it which they can dip into if the need arises," a top official at a state-run refiner said.

"These optional volumes can be taken at any time of the year and would be more than sufficient to make up for any shortfall that may arise because of the US sanctions against Iran."

India, the world's third-biggest oil consumer, meets more than 80 percent of its oil needs through imports. Iran is its third-largest supplier after Iraq and Saudi Arabia and meets about 10 percent of the total needs.

Last week, Pradhan said Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals (MRPL) have together placed orders for import of 1.25 MT of crude oil from Iran.The historic city of Allahabad was Tuesday officially renamed as Prayagraj. The decision was taken by the Uttar Pradesh cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Lucknow: The historic city of Allahabad was Tuesday officially renamed as Prayagraj. The decision was taken by the Uttar Pradesh cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, senior Cabinet minister Siddhartha Nath Singh said, "The renaming of Allahabad as Prayagraj before Kumbh came for approval in the meeting and I am happy to say Allahabad will now be known as Prayagraj. Rig Veda, Mahabharat and Ramayana also mention Prayagraj (for Allahabad)," he noted.

"The people of Allahabad, the sages and seers wanted that Allahabad should be known as Prayagraj. Two days ago, when the chief minister had chaired a meeting pertaining to Kumbh, he had himself said that Allahabad should be called Prayagraj. All the sages and seers had given their unanimous approval for the same," he added.

On a trip to Allahabad on Saturday last, the chief minister had said there was a proposal to rename the city ahead of the 2019 Kumbh Mela.On 12 October, the students were suspended for their alleged attempt to hold an 'unlawful' gathering on campus. There students were later booked for allegedly raising 'anti-India' slogans and and trying to hold a prayer meeting for Wani, killed in an encounter in north Kashmir on 11 October.

The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on Tuesday revoked the suspension of two Kashmiri students who were disciplined last week for attempting to hold a prayer meet for slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Manan Wani, ANI reported.

AMU spokesperson Omar Peerzaada said that the step was taken after three-member probe panel found that suspension will be a harsh step based on the students' conduct.

3-member committee was constituted. Fact-finding committee looked into the entire matter. It was concluded from evidence that suspension will be harsh for their act&conduct. So we revoked it: Aligarh Muslim University PRO Omar Peerzada on suspension of 2 Kashmiri students revoked pic.twitter.com/6GoRItJ2aQ  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 16, 2018

On 12 October, the students were suspended for their alleged attempt to hold an "unlawful" gathering on campus. The students were later booked for allegedly raising "anti-India" slogans and trying to hold a prayer meeting for Manan, killed in an encounter in north Kashmir on 11 October.

Wani (27), who was pursuing a PhD course in allied geology at the AMU, quit the university and joined militant ranks in January.

The police filed an FIR against Wasim Malik, Abdul Mir and one unnamed person, identified on the basis of a video recording of the incident. The three were suspended from the AMU earlier.

In the wake of their suspension, more than 1,200 Kashmiri students pursuing various courses at the AMU threatened to give up their studies and leave for their homes if the charges against the suspended students were not withdrawn by Wednesday.

In a letter to AMU proctor, the students said "no prayers or any relevant activity was observed and the directions of the AMU proctor were duly followed".

Earlier on Tuesday, AMU vice-chancellor Tariq Mansoor clarified that the university administration did not slap sedition charges against the students.

Speaking to ANI, professor Mansoor said: "The imposition of sedition charges comes under district administration. We have requested the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and spare those who are innocent."

Elaborating on the incident, professor Mansoor said an FIR was registered by the police station in charge and the university has not filed any complaint against any student. "The registrar of the university only gave show cause notice to some students and suspended two boys. We have formed a committee which will look into the matter. Suspension notice against the students will be cancelled and the show cause notice will be withdrawn if they are found innocent," he added.

With inputs from agenciesJammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik sought the intervention of HRD minister Prakash Javadekar to ensure smooth studies of Kashmiri students at AMU.

Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik on Tuesday sought the intervention of Union Minister for Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar to ensure smooth studies of the Kashmiri students at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

Governor Malik also shared his concern on the issue with AMU vice-chancellor Tariq Mansoor. He urged both Javadekar and Mansoor to ensure that Kashmiri students are allowed to continue their studies in a safe, secure and well-disposed academic environment.

Around 1,200 Kashmiri students studying in AMU threatened to leave their studies midway if sedition charges filed against some of the students were not withdrawn.

Students from Kashmir studying at the AMU held a silent protest on Tuesday over the same issue.

Aligarh: Students from Kashmir, studying at AMU, hold a silent protest during a function held for alumni of the University. AMU's 3 Kashmiri students were booked on sedition charges for trying to hold a prayer meeting for terrorist Manan Wani who was killed in an encounter in J&K pic.twitter.com/HNvZPKxfsG  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 16, 2018

Recently, a group of students was suspended for allegedly raising anti-India slogans in the university. Two Kashmiri students were also stated to have been part of the slogan-shouting brigade.

According to reports, the students apparently also mourned the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen's top commanders Manan Wani and Ashiq Hussain Zargar who were killed by security forces in an encounter.

The Aligarh Police launched a probe and subsequently, a case was registered against the protesters under Sections 147, 148, 124(A), 153(A), 153(B), 504 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). On Monday, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti urged the Centre to withdraw cases against the Kashmiri students.

Her statement came after three AMU students from Kashmir were suspended and booked for sedition for allegedly trying to hold a prayer meeting for Wani, who was killed in a gunbattle with security forces in North Kashmir on 11 October.

Mufti also said that it "will be a travesty to punish them for remembering their former colleague, who was a victim of relentless violence in Kashmir".

Senior Superintendent of Police, Aligarh, Ajai Sahni had said police took the action after a video surfaced showing the three Kashmiri students raising "anti-India" slogans.

With inputs from agenciesA crowd-funded literature festival soon to have its seventh edition is fearless about going where no one has gone. Here is what The Bangalore Literature Festival means to the city.

I have always wanted to attend literature festivals but never found myself being able to get to one for various reasons. The Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) was always on the wishlist but then I thought, why not first try a festival closer to home  The Bangalore Literature Festival (BLF). And thats what I did for the first time three years ago and have been a regular since.

BLF will open its seventh edition at the end of the month and with each passing year, the sheer energy of the festival is what hits me right from the get-go. People pouring over schedules  plotting their day  scheming on how to get those coveted front seats, squeezing in at the talk venues to make more space for fellow enthusiasts and of course those serpentine lines for book signings. How an entire day would go on by eluded me, but at the end of it, my bookshelves would be sagging and I had enough to bury my nose in for the coming months.

It was these experiences that encouraged me to head out for the first time this year to the JLF  and being a three-time veteran of the BLF prepared me for things on a much bigger scale. The experiences varied but the level of satisfaction at both  equally high!

Literature festivals are a new genre and not imitative  because different teams helm them and different crowds attend them, explains Shinie Antony, Festival Director, Bangalore Literature Festival. JLF is the earliest one, yes, but they have changed over the years and are still evolving. The BLF is different every year and that is what keeps the organisers so madly interested, and has people return to it every year. The growth has been more in terms of shifting focuses and surprises from the speakers. A single edition goes after many emotions; there is provocation, sensitive defence and that feeling of satisfaction, that everyone got something out of this.

Something for everyone is definitely the key to a festival of this nature. Deepa Padmanaban, freelance journalist and an aspiring author has attended two editions of the BLF so far. She says, Over the years BLF has been attracting a diverse range of writers, experienced and those making a debut, across diverse genres. For a Bangaloreans like me who may not find time to attend the bigger lit fests like Jaipur, BLF affords me a fine glimpse into the publication world. I attended two sessions of BLF mainly to get an idea of the kind of books/stories that are being published and to listen to authors. As a serious aspiring author, this year I plan to attend the LitMart to get an idea of the pitching process and what publishers are looking for in a book. I'm looking forward to attending the sessions with Krithi Karanth, Janaki Lenin since I write on wildlife conservation; scientist Mukund Thattai as I write on science; and Shashi Tharoor and Barkha Dutt simply because they are good orators.

Urvashi Rustomfram, a hobby writer and voracious reader had just attended a creative writing course in 2014 when she first heard of the BLF. There were very interesting panels with Leila Seth, Shobhaa De, Altaf Tyrewala and Nayantara Sehgal. The sessions by Girish Karnard and Arun Shourie were astounding. There was also a panel on humour with Zac O'Yeah, Sidin Vadankut, and Jane de Suza, which was entertaining and humorous. In last years edition, for me personally, the standout was the session by Bachi Karkaria. I personally preferred the 2014 edition I attended to last year as it mostly eclipsed by Twinkle Khanna, who was given an (undeserved) award.

What allows for such variety is perhaps the crowd-funded aspect of the festival that makes it stand apart from other festivals. The BLF is not executed through branded sponsorships but through an approach where like-minded people pool together their monetary resources to lay the foundation for an independent, community-funded literary event. Speaking on this Antony says, We have 'Friends of BLF', who contribute to the cause of the festival, because of which we are free to fearlessly plan the festival, to go where we want with it. They are the wings of the fest. Without them, we'd be stuck with corporate logos and huge banners with brands on them. Since the funds come from the heart, this is Bangalore's own festival; Bangaloreans own it.

This years festival is scheduled to take place on 27-28 October on the Lalit Ashok Lawns, Bengaluru and looking forward to her first time at it is Poonam Ganglani, a freelance writer with a publishing background and an editor focusing on books and arts. It will be my first time at the BLF and an exciting start to the 201819 litfest circuit, so I am eager to sink my teeth into things. One of the main reasons I've decided to go is, of course, the proximity to Chennai where I live  it's a quick and easy trip, and I've heard lots of great things about the festival. Being from a book publishing background, I'm also particularly interested in the LitMart pitch event for aspiring authors  the kinds of ideas emerging, publishing trends and the format of the event.

Antony adds that there is an energy in the air during the festival that has nothing to do with us as organisers. People here are genuinely interested in knowing more, reading more. As they keenly listen or shift their chair to see the stage better you can almost see the bookshelves in their house. And that is the beauty of the BLF," she says.A school principal was hacked to death Sunday by a six-member gang in front of 20 students, for whom he was holding a special class, police said.

Bengaluru: A school principal was hacked to death Sunday by a six-member gang in front of 20 students, for whom he was holding a special class, police said.

Ranganath (60), principal of the Havanur Public School in suburban Agrahara Dasarahalli, was holding classes for 10th standard students when the gang barged into the classroom and hacked him to death, they said. They later fled in the car in which they came to the school, police said.

One of the gang members was nabbed later from Mahalaxmi Layout area here, based on a tip-off. The man suffered a leg injury when police fired at him after he attacked them. He was later taken to a hospital and treated. Police suspect a land dispute relating to the school building to be the reason behind the killing.Earlier in March, the ED had attached properties worth Rs 4.53 crore of the alleged kingpin of the toppers' scandal in Bihar Intermediate examination.

Patna: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday attached 28 assets worth Rs. 10 crore of Bachha Rai, the main accused in 2016 Bihar topper scam.

Earlier in March, the ED had attached properties worth Rs 4.53 crore of the alleged kingpin of the toppers' scandal in Bihar Intermediate examination. The action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after a money laundering case was registered against him.

Rai, who is the Secretary-cum Principal of Vishun Roy College in Vaishali district of Bihar, is accused of manipulating the results of students for money, through his contacts in Bihar School Education Board (BSEB).

The scam came to light on 31 May, 2016, when BSEB Arts and Humanities topper Ruby Rai, Science topper Saurabh Shrestha and third topper in Science stream Rahul Kumar were interviewed by television channels and they were unable to answer basic questions.

Soon, an investigation was initiated into the matter, following which the ED registered a case last year on the basis of FIR filed by the Bihar Police.Golden Gate Developers, a joint venture between Kooheji Golden Gate and Indian real estate groups Ajmera Realty Group and Mayfair Housing, will be showcasing its $212-million twin residential tower project at the Gulf Property Show's mall event at The Avenues - Bahrain.



To be held from November 21 to 24, the Gulf Property Show will have on display the best of real estate projects in the region, said the event organiser Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE).



The mall event is a dedicated boutique showcase that complements the annual flagship expo taking place in April 2019.



The new development, Golden Gate project, comprising two towers scaling 45 and 53 floors respectively, is poised to become the highest residential tower in Bahrain, it stated.



Chairman Ishaq Al Kooheji said: "Bahrain Bay is an attractive central Manama location for investors. The Golden Gate development is looking to create a residential opportunity for buyers and investors."



With 140,000 sq m of built-up space with stunning views, the premium development will provide residents luxury canal and seaside living, easy access to a wealth of amenities and nearby links to both local and international transport connections, he stated.



Mayfair Housing chairman Nayan Shah said: "This project is part of our ongoing strategy to invest in Bahrains economy through the kingdoms promising real estate sector."



Group managing director Manoj Ajmera said: "Our vision for Golden Gate was to create a realty landmark within Bahrain Bay, that offers the people a bridge to the pleasures of what Bahrain offers. We look forward to launch Golden Gate at Gulf Property Show at The Avenues - Bahrain."



Jubran Abdulrahman, the managing director of HCE, said: "Gulf Property Show is the home for Bahrain and international real estate developers to promote their unique developments."



"Golden Gate provides an exceptional opportunity to be a resident in one of 746 residential innovative and luxurious units, the benefits of which will be on show for all to experience at our event at The Avenues - Bahrain," stated Abdulrahman.



Gulf Property Show at The Avenues, Bahrain carries the strategic sponsorship of El Mercado (First Bahrain); supporting organisations include the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Rera).-TradeArabia News Service









The body of a 20-year-old model was found in a suitcase in a bush in Malad's Mindspace area on Monday. The victim was identified as Mansi Dixit, who had moved to Mumbai from Rajasthan six months ago to become a model.

The body of a 20-year-old model was found stuffed in a suitcase in Malad's Mindspace area in Mumbai on Monday, according to reports. The victim has been identified as Mansi Dixit, who had moved to Mumbai from Rajasthan six months ago to pursue a career in modelling.

Hindustan Times reported that the police have arrested Muzammil Sayyed, a college student who lives in Andheri, in connection with the murder. "We have arrested her friend Sayyed who was with her on Monday. During a heated argument, he killed her in a fit of rage. Sayyed hit Dixit with a sharp object. She succumbed to head injuries," a police officer told Mumbai Mirror.

The accused then stuffed the body in a suitcase and took a cab from Andheri to Malad, where he dumped it, another officer told Hindustan Times. The Bangur Nagar police station received a call about the abandoned bag around 3 pm.

Two policemen rushed to the spot and opened the suitcase. Dixits face was strapped with strings and her body was wrapped in cushion, with a bedsheet rolled over, a police officer told The Times of India. According to reports, the cab driver was the one who alerted the police after he saw Sayyed dump the bag and leave in an auto.

According to The Times of India report, Deputy Commissioner of Police (zone XI) Sangramsinh Nishandar formed a team, which checked the footage from CCTV cameras near the spot where the bag was found. The police identified the accused using the footage.

Nishandar told Hindustan Times that an FIR has been lodged under murder sections of the Indian Penal Code. "We have lodged an FIR under murder sections of the IPC and have arrested the accused," he said, while adding that Sayyed will be produced before a metropolitan court on Tuesday. He has confessed to the crime, the police said.

The motive behind the murder has not been ascertained yet. The police have sent the body for autopsy.Soon after the #MeToo campaign raged in India, at least seven women alleged MJ Akbar of sexually harassing them in the 1990s.

Lucknow: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Monday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government for not demanding Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs MJ Akbar's resignation after various women levelled sexual harassment allegations against him.

"In this whole MJ Akbar episode, the anti-women face of the BJP government has been exposed. By not asking the minister to resign, BJP is being arrogant and insensitive," read a statement from the BSP.

Soon after the #MeToo campaign raged in India, at least seven women alleged Akbar of sexually harassing them in the 1990s, when he was working as the editor for various newspapers. Akbar has been facing flak over the allegations, with Opposition parties demanding his resignation.

However, the BJP leader didn't step down and filed a defamation case in Delhi's Patiala House Court against journalist Priya Ramani - one of the alleged victims.JP Nadda r further stated that he will hold a press conference with all the vulnerable states on Wednesday.

New Delhi: Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the issue of H1N1 flu and Zika virus outbreak.

After the meeting, Nadda asserted that adequate measures have been put in place to deal with the outbreak of both H1N1 flu and Zika virus.

He said, "We understand the need to adopt some preventive measures and for that the Government along with the states are prepared for it. Adequate medicines are there with states and the Centre. For this, we are providing adequate medicines and testing kits. Immunization has been done of those who are working in the hospital. All testing kits are there in reasonable number and laboratories have been tuned and trained accordingly."

The health minister further stated that he will hold a press conference with all the vulnerable states on Wednesday and added that at places where presence of Zika virus was detected adequate quarantined and complete fogging have been done to ensure that breeding does not take place.

He said, "It was detected in Rajasthan at a localised area and we have completely tried to quarantine that area. Constant monitoring is underway. We are doing complete fogging to ensure that breeding does not take place. We are doing this with help of local district administration and municipal corporations. Over two lakh breeding centres have been detected and taken care of. Our surveillance system is in place. We are working towards making all areas infection-free. There is no need to panic but be vigilant."While the gravity of the defamation law was subdued by one stroke, the law of contempt which deters even constructive criticism and highlighting of genuine cases of judicial corruption, still remains unbridled.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on 30 August, 2016 after the Supreme Court of India upheld the validity of the criminal defamation law. It is being republished in light of MJ Akbar filing criminal defamation charges against Priya Ramani after allegations of sexual harassment were levelled agaisnt him.

In May this year, following the Supreme Court judgment that upheld the validity of the criminal defamation law, Pratap Bhanu Mehta reflected on the paradoxes of the current court regime that seems reluctant to intervene in cases that impinge upon fundamental rights but rushes headlong into policy matters that should be none of its business.

The paradox does not end here.

The court that upheld the constitutional validity of sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), providing for criminal defamation, felt that the law has no chilling effect on free speech. In its judgment, the apex court observed, "the right to free speech is not absolute. It does not mean freedom to hurt another's reputation which is protected under Article 21 of the Constitution."

The judgment attracted sharp criticism from different quarters. And now, three months later, the Supreme Court in yet another judgment has diluted the sharpness of its earlier judgment.

On 24 August, the Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra  while hearing a petition filed by DMDK chief Vijayakanth seeking dismissal of a defamation case filed against him by the state government  told the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa that as a public leader, she must learn to face criticism.

As reported by The Hindu, Justice Misra orally observed, This is not the way... this is not the sign of a healthy democracy. This shows the States control over the sanctioning authority and prosecutors office in filing defamation cases against opponents, media and political rivals.

The bench also added, If somebody criticises the policy of the government, if the person criticised is a public figure, he has to face it instead of using the state machinery to choke criticism.

By the 24 August order, the apex court to some extent redeemed the cause of free speech, apparently lost to the 13 May judgment, when it upheld the constitutional validity of the criminal defamation.

But the paradox still thrives. While the gravity of the defamation law was subdued by one stroke, the law of contempt which deters even constructive criticism and highlighting of genuine cases of judicial corruption, still remains unbridled.

Indira Jaising, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court, reflecting upon this issue said, "The judges are as much a public figure as anyone else. While allowing unsubstantiated criticism of a judge or casting aspersions on a judges motive is not accepted, there is a host of administrative issues that can be open for public scrutiny and criticism. And one among them is the appointment of the judges. I agree to the proposition that people in public life and their conduct and activities should be open to criticism."

She adds,"If the court is not transparent in its functioning there will be criticisms.

There can be the genuine criticism of the way the courts function on the administrative side and it should not invite contempt. Also, criticism of judgment too should not invite contempt

On being asked how the fear of contempt deters the media from highlighting even the genuine cases of corruption  a fact that is even acknowledged by constitutional expert Fali S Nariman in his book The State of The Nation  Jaising said, See you cannot make allegation of corruption unless you have credible ground for it. But yes it is true that fear of contempt is a big hindrance in bringing up the cases of corruption in the judiciary. I feel it is not a job of the member of the public to provide proof. Our job is to convey the information we have, so long it is credible. It is then up to law enforcement authorities to investigate the case. Here, however, the opportunity to investigate is being denied because of the contempt."

In his book The State of The Nation, Nariman writes, "In India, the higher judiciary has inherent (and almost unbridled) powers of contempt  even beyond the laws enacted by Parliament. And for that reason, the media and the whole lot of information-seeking agencies, which are not sure of how contempt law will be interpreted, are tight-lipped. No one dares to come out with what they believe to be the facts (in any matter pertaining to judges or administration of justice) even though the law (amending the Contempt of Courts Act 1971) now permits 'justification by truth' as a valid defence."

In July 2014, a young intern levelled allegations of sexual harassment against a former judge of the apex court. What followed was enough to break the spirit of even the most indomitable fighter. Adding to it was a Rs 25-crore defamation case filed against the 'victim' and various media houses who reported the news, and an injunction from the Delhi High Court curbed any reporting of the allegations. One might wonder how such immunity can be available to anyone else.

In the PN Duda versus P Shiv Shanker case the Supreme Court observed, Administration of justice and Judges are open to public criticism and public scrutiny. Judges have their accountability to the society and their accountability must be judged by their conscience and oath of their office, that is, to defend and uphold the Constitution and the laws without fear and favour. Thus the judges must do, in the light given to them to determine, what is right. Any criticism about the judicial system or the judges which hamper the administration of justice or which erodes the faith in the objective approach of the judges and brings the administration of justice to ridicule must be prevented.

Talking about the contempt the court remarked, The contempt of court proceedings arise out of that attempt. Judgments can be criticised. Motives to the judges need not be attributed. It brings the administration of justice into disrepute. Faith in the administration of justice is one of the pillars on which democratic institution functions and sustains. In the free marketplace of ideas criticism about the judicial system or judges should be welcome so long as such criticism does not impair or hamper the administration of justice.

Though it is true that the faith of people in the judiciary needs to be maintained. But, does faith need to be blind, devoid of logic and questioning? When there is obvious wrongdoing on part of anyone entrusted with the responsibility of justice, how does one talk about it, as there is always a risk of being accused of attributing motives.

Lord Atkin, in the famous Ambard versus Attorney-General for Trinidad and Tobago, [1936] observed, "Justice is not a cloistered virtue, she must be allowed to suffer the scrutiny and respectful, even if outspoken, comments of ordinary men".Daati Maharaj has been charged with the rape of a disciple at his ashrams in Delhi and Rajasthan.

New Delhi: Preacher Daati Maharaj, accused in a sexual assault case, has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court's order transferring the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The high court had on 3 October pulled up the Delhi Police for not arresting Daati Maharaj in the case and had transferred the matter to the CBI.

His plea is scheduled to come up for hearing in the apex court on 22 October before a bench of justices NV Ramana and MM Shantanagoudar.

A complaint was filed against Daati Madan Lal alias Daati Maharaj on 7 June, and an FIR was registered on 11 June. On 22 June, the police had questioned the accused, who has been charged with alleged rape of a disciple at his ashrams in Delhi and Rajasthan. The accused has claimed he was being framed in the case.

The complainant filed the case against the preacher, his three brothers and a woman at the Fatehpur Beri Police Station in South Delhi. The case was later transferred to the Delhi Police's Crime Branch.

The Delhi High Court, while transferring the case to the CBI, had said the manner in which police had carried out the probe "casts a shadow on the investigation". The high court had said police did not arrest the accused in the case even after recording of the complainant's statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Code of Procedure.

The police had claimed before the high court that arrests were not made in the case as there were discrepancies and contradictions in the woman's statement.

It had also alleged that other women, who according to the complainant were also assaulted by the accused, have denied such allegations when they were questioned.

A trial court had earlier taken strong exception to the manner in which probe was being conducted in the case, saying the investigating officer had not been able to explain the efforts made to ensure that the accused does not abscond during the investigation.

It had directed the deputy commissioner of police (Crime Branch) to monitor the probe and ensure a status report is filed before the court every week.A police complaint was Monday filed by the SC-ST Teachers Association of the Delhi University over a 'racist and misogynist question' asked in an examination conducted for recruitment of primary teachers.

New Delhi: A police complaint was Monday filed by the SC/ST Teachers Association of the Delhi University over a "racist and misogynist question" asked in an examination conducted for recruitment of primary teachers.

DU professor Hansraj Suman, who is the president of the varsity's SC/ST Teachers Association, demanded action against the officials responsible for the error.

He submitted a complaint to the Maurice Nagar police station Monday. Police confirmed that they have received the complaint.

The examination was conducted by the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) on Saturday.

The multiple choice question number 61 in the Hindi Language and Comprehension paper used some derogatory terms for describing the Dalit community.

The DSSSB in a statement on Sunday said the question with "casteist" undertones appeared due to an "inadvertent error". It added that the question would not be considered during the evaluation process.A junior doctor at the King George's Medical University (KGMU), who was being probed in connection with the Vyapam scam, died after she allegedly injected herself with an overdose of an anaesthesia drug.

A junior doctor at the King George's Medical University (KGMU), who was being probed in connection with the Vyapam scam, died after she allegedly injected herself with an overdose of an anaesthesia drug. The woman, identified as Dr Manisha Sharma, died over two days after she was admitted to the hospital in critical condition on account of an alleged drug overdose.

Sharma was to appear for a CBI inquiry for her alleged involvement in the scam, for which she had been in jail for six months earlier in 2015 and was presently out on bail. According to The Times of India report, Sharma's kin has alleged her death to be a case of murder and demanded a thorough investigation.

In the wake of her death, the Sharma's sister lodged an FIR in the Wazirganj police station against a senior doctor in the Urology department, Udham Singh, on grounds of harassment. Manisha's elder sister, Deepa Sharma, has named Singh for 'mental torture' leading to her suicide, the report said.

"On 13 October, a woman informed us that her sister, who is a doctor at KGMU, injected herself with some drug and was being treated at KGMU where she died today (on Monday). An FIR has been registered against a doctor. Action will be taken based on the investigation," Lucknow West Superintendent of Police (SP) Vikas Chandra Tripathi told ANI.

As per a doctor at KGMU, Sharma was pursuing higher education at the hospital while serving as a junior doctor. However, the doctor told ANI that he was unaware of the harassment claims, and assured that a committee will be constituted to probe the allegations against Singh.

The Vyapam scam is an admission and recruitment fraudulent scheme, beginning in 1995, involving politicians, senior officials and businessmen in the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB). Manisha was arrested in May 2015 by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Gwalior police for her role as an alleged 'solver' consecutively for two years in the pre-medical test (PMT). She was later granted conditional bail by the Madhya Pradesh High Court on 3 November 2015.

Strangely, a number of people connected to the scam and its investigation have died during the course of the investigation so far, many under suspicious circumstances. In 2015, the Special Task Force (STF) submitted a list to the high court, naming 23 people who are believed to have died "unnatural death".The incident took place on Friday in east Delhi's Kalyanpuri. The landlord's son offered to buy a pizza to lure the girl and took her to a room where three of his friends also joined them, said a senior police officer. They were under the influence of alcohol, he said.

New Delhi: A Class 10 student of a government school was allegedly raped by four men, including the son of her landlord, who lured her with an offer to buy her a pizza, the police said on Monday.

The incident took place on Friday in east Delhi's Kalyanpuri, they added. The landlord's son offered to buy a pizza to lure the girl and took her to a room where three of his friends also joined them, said a senior police officer. They were under the influence of alcohol, he said.

They allegedly forced themselves on her and threatened her of dire consequences if she revealed about the incident to anyone, he added. When the girl's mother returned from work, the victim narrated her ordeal to her mother, who took her to the police station, he said.

A case was registered under the relevant sections of POCSO (Prevention of Children from Sexual offences) and IPC. The accused were arrested on the same day.

The victim stays in a shanty in Kalyan Vaas while the four accused stay in east Vinod Nagar.

The landlord's son is aged 28 and is married. One of the accused is a 19-year-old, who does the job of washing cars. Two of the accused are in their 30s, the officer said.A senior police official, seeking anonymity, says that senior bureaucrats hailing from states like Bihar, such as Chief Secretary JN Singh and DGP Shivanand Jha, worked overtime to bring the situation back to normal.

Editor's Note: The rape of a 14-month-old girl by a migrant labourer from Bihar in Idar town of Sabarkantha district on 28 September gave way to the persecution of migrant labourers in seven of the 33 districts of Gujarat. This incident ignited anger against migrant workers whom the locals believe are the real reason for unemployment in the state. This multi-part series will examine issues concerning migrant workers and the animosity they face from locals.

Gandhinagar/Mehsana: From intensifying security patrols, holding intensive community meetings, rushing to railway and bus stations to quell panic and keeping a close watch on the vast social media space to even eating panipuris from the carts of north Indian migrants, the Gujarat Police has resorted to many conventional as well as nonconventional methods to normalise the situation in the western state that witnessed an unprecedented outburst of violence against 'outsiders' after the recent incident of rape of a 14-month-old girl allegedly by a labourer from Bihar.

Following the violence that spread to seven districts in north and central Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Mehsana and Sabarkantha, where the toddler was allegedly raped on 28 September, an exodus of sorts of migrant workers, mostly from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh started.

Rumours and hate messages, circulated both on social media as well as by word of mouth, were making things worse. Queues of migrant workers at railway and bus stations trying to exit the state hampered the work at various industrial units and construction projects.

Police faced multiple challenges, all at once, to bring the situation back to normal. Many incidents of attacks on migrants were reported from rural and semi-urban areas. They were threatened to leave immediately the places where many of them had lived peacefully for years without ever realising that someday they might be treated as outsiders.

As these incidents of persecution caused a loss of faith among the migrant community, the police, apart from maintaining law and order, also had to play a role in restoring migrants confidence about their safety in the state.

Inspector General of Police, Gandhinagar Range (which comprises four of the affected districts -- Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar and Aravalli), Mayanksinh Chavda, says his force did all it could to control the situation quickly.

Chavda says the police started flag marches in affected areas soon after incidents of violence were reported. We increased patrols, went to villages and industrial areas to conduct meetings with communities and others concerned. We held meetings with leaders of Thakor community, to which the raped toddler belongs to, the IG says, adding that community meetings with the management of industrial units employing migrant workers in large numbers are still going on.

Chavda says that factories employing a large number of migrants were soft targets but it was impractical to deploy police at all the units in the affected areas. So, a strategy to leverage the same social media that was being used for rumour mongering and escalating the violence was developed. WhatsApp groups that include representatives from each such industrial units were created to monitor threats and react in real time, the IG reveals.

Police focused on residential parts of rural areas inhabited by migrant workers in large numbers as most of the attacks were reported from these areas. Emergency helpline numbers were issued, apart from deploying force and approaching the locals to diffuse the tension. The migrants were asked to inform the police immediately if they perceived a threat of any kind or received any provoking or threatening message on social media.

While the PCRs across the state were instructed to respond quickly to calls reporting threats and violence, senior police and administration officials were instructed to involve in outreach activities by instilling confidence of safety among the migrant workers leaving the state from various transit points.

A senior police official, seeking anonymity, says that senior bureaucrats hailing from states like Bihar, such as Chief Secretary JN Singh and DGP Shivanand Jha, worked overtime to bring the situation back to normal.

As violence and threats declined, police officials also took to other unconventional methods, such as visiting the businesses of migrant vendors selling panipuris on streets, as an outreach initiative. Aravalli superintendent of police Mayur Patil and Collector N Nagraj were seen relishing panipuris from vendors who had disappeared from the streets for a couple of weeks in the aftermath of the violence.

The Gujarat Police has so far arrested over 600 accused in connection with over 60 incidents of violence, half of which (almost 300 arrests in 32 cases) were reported from four districts of Gandhinagar police range. Of all the arrests made, 45 are in connection with the misuse of social media.

JS Gedam, in-charge ACP of cyber cell of the Ahmedabad crime branch, which was the nodal agency to monitor and act against rumour mongers on social media, says they worked in coordination with cyber cells and police units of the affected districts. Explaining how the cyber cell managed to track the culprits in such a vast space of social media, Gedam says, We use the possible keywords which could be used to spread hate or provocation to find out such messages and then track the culprits. Whenever needed, we also took help from Facebook to track the culprits. We have nabbed 45 of them so far and are yet to nab (another) 69.

These outreach activities and swift action from the police seems to have paid off with migrant workers returning to industrial units in affected areas and their outflow due to fear of persecution from Gujarat has also almost ceased.

The author is an Ahmedabad-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com.The atmosphere in affected districts of Gujarat seems to have returned to normal after two stressful weeks during which the north Indian migrant population in these areas was subjected to harassment, threats and violence

Editor's Note: The rape of a 14-month-old girl by a migrant labourer from Bihar in Idar town of Sabarkantha district on 28 September gave way to the persecution of migrant labourers in seven of the 33 districts of Gujarat. This incident ignited anger against migrant workers whom the locals believe are the real reason for unemployment in the state. This multi-part series will examine issues concerning migrant workers and the animosity they face from locals.

Vadodara: The atmosphere in affected districts of Gujarat seems to have returned to normal after two stressful weeks during which the north Indian migrant population in these areas was subjected to harassment, threats and violence, in the aftermath of the rape of a 14-month-old girl by a Bihari labourer in Sabarkantha district on 28 September. In Vadodara, there have been no reports of violence against north Indians in the past few days and no police complaints. Additionally, the migration rate has also reduced. But, those who were chased by stone-pelting mobs, and survived, are living in constant anticipation of danger.

A few days after incidents of violence against north Indian migrant workers by Gujarati locals agitating over the lack of preference to them for jobs subsided, the Ahmedabad helpline of the Uttar Bharatiya Vikas Parishad (UBVP) received a call from Vadodara on 12 October. The caller identified himself as Mahendrasinh Rathod.

While speaking to the UBVP's national president Shyamsinh Thakur, Rathod requested help to ensure that the Vadodara City Police puts up a permanent check-post at Brahmanagar, behind the Harni Airport area in the city. Rathod was concerned about the safety of around 100 migrant families from northern and central states who live in the area and were attacked on 9 October by a stone-pelting mob. They claimed that the mob had emerged from the neighbouring residential colony developed by the Vadodara Urban Development Authority.

The UBVP chief assured Rathod that he would speak to the DCP of the area or even the city police commissioner if needed, to provide police protection to families.

This was not an isolated phone call to the UBVP helpline, which continues to receive at least 20 to 50 calls a day from migrant workers and their families seeking help or providing information about their ordeal at the hands of locals, says Virendrasingh Rajput, the Ahmedabad secretary, UBVP, who handles the helpline.

Saying that calls seeking help reduced by mid-October, Rajput compares the volume with last weekend (6 to 8 October), when they were attending to 750 to 800 calls a day from various parts of northern and central Gujarat. "That number has reduced. No cases of violence against north Indians has been reported, but harmony among the locals and north Indians is missing and people are feeling insecure," he says.

Thakur says the Parishad assisted thousands of migrant labourers by arranging for shelter and other needs over the past two weeks. A group of around 30 labourers, including women, who approached the UBVP from Jankh Industrial area on 7 October, were given shelter at UBVP office bearer Mahendra Guptas residence on the first night. They were shifted to a temporary camp in Vastral the next day. As the situation turned normal and industrial unit took responsibility for their safety, they returned to Jankh on Thursday, Thakur says.

He says that in its effort to keep the migrant labourers' confidence in the state intact, the UBVP is organising trust-building meetings along with the city police. One such gathering of hundreds of people held on 10 October at Vatva Industrial Area was addressed by Joint Police Commissioner (sector-1) Ashok Kumar.

Brahmanagar's Rathod says around 200 families from north and central India are living in his neighbourhood, which is adjacent to the VUDA residential colony, where those under the low-income group have been allotted flats. "On Tuesday evening, without any provocation from our side, a 200-strong mob came out of the VUDA colony and started pelting stones on our residences. I suffered an injury to the head. The police did act on time and dispersed the mob, but also arrested more migrant labourers than those from the mob," he says.

Rathod says 13 of the migrant labourers were arrested, while the six locals arrested for instigating violence have been released on bail, and he fears that they will be targeted in the absence of any police protection.

"Since the incident, some 100 families have migrated, and only 100 other are left. A permanent police post is must to ensure their safety," says Rathod.

The author is an Ahmedabad-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.comThe Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Dubai Healthcare City Authority - Regulatory signed an agreement during the ongoing Gitex Technology Week 2018 to link the licensing data of health professionals using Blockchain.



Dr Marwan Al Mulla, CEO of Health Regulation, DHA and Dr Ramadan Al Blooshi, chief executive officer of Dubai Healthcare City Authority  Regulatory, signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) to link DHAs Sheryan smart licensing system and Dubai Healthcare City Authoritys Masaare-services portal through the Blockchain network for licensing health professionals.



The MoU will allow for the exchange licensing data for health professionals to improve services and facilitate licensing and transfer of health professionals' license in the Emirate of Dubai.



Both parties will identify the list of common services, procedures and data to be linked electronically via Blockchain to improve the services provided to health professionals.



Dr Al Mulla said electronically linking the data of healthcare professionals in Dubai unifies policies and simplifies procedures related to the licensing of healthcare professionals, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs.



Dr Al Mulla added that the Dubai Healthcare City Authority is one of the strategic partners of the DHA, adding that the authority is keen to strengthen its relations with all of its strategic partners in public and private sector to continue to provide the people of Dubai with quality health services.



Dr Al Blooshi said: This agreement, the latest with DHA, our strategic partner in developing the health sector in the emirate of Dubai, will help us to collectively tap into the new opportunities that Blockchain technology is opening.



The Dubai government has estimated that Blockchain will save the emirate around Dh5.5 billion annually in document processing alone. In line with this, linking Masaar and the DHA licensing portal through this technology will empower us to achieve new levels of operational and cost efficiency by reducing some of our processes from days to seconds with the click of a button.



Sheryan enables health professionals to complete the process for obtaining licenses to practice in Dubai, from any country around the world.



The system will enable those in charge of health facilities, to identify, from their countries, the conditions and mechanism of obtaining healthcare licenses for facilities in Dubai and to apply for an electronic application for registration and licensing, make adjustments, get the approvals required to their requests, reviewing plans and feasibility study electronically



Masaar e-services portal caters to a comprehensive range of services in line with Smart Dubai initiatives. It is integrated with Government and Non-government agencies and offers unique features for business partners portfolio, e-payments and application tracking system.



Masaar offers more than 100 e-services ranging from Commercial Set-ups, Facility and professional licensing applications and renewals and government services.  TradeArabia News ServiceSecurity forces began setting up barricades in front of the residence just hours after Consul Mohammed al-Otaibi flew out of the country on a 2 pm flight, state media reported.

A high-level Turkish official said Tuesday that police who searched the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul found evidence that Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi was killed there. The comment came as authorities prepared to search the residence of Saudi Arabia's consul to Istanbul Mohammed al-Otaibi after the diplomat left the country.

Security forces began setting up barricades in front of the residence just hours after Consul Mohammed al-Otaibi flew out of the country on a 2 pm flight, State media reported. Saudi Arabia did not immediately acknowledge the consul left the country two weeks after Khashoggi disappeared at the diplomatic post he ran.

Haberturk newspaper reported on its website that the consul took off for Riyadh on a 1400 GMT flight from Istanbul.

The website of Ataturk International Airport showed a flight of flag-carrier Saudia took off for Riyadh at 1400 GMT and other Turkish media reports indicated he had taken this flight.

"We did not send him out. He left Turkey of his own accord," CNN Turk cited a Turkish foreign ministry source as saying.

The consul used the VIP exit at the airport, Haberturk reported.

A high-level Turkish official told The Associated Press that police found evidence there of Khashoggi's slaying, without elaborating. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as the investigation was ongoing.

Police planned a second search at the Saudi consul's home nearby. Leaked surveillance footage show diplomatic cars traveled to the consul's home shortly after Khashoggi's disappearance at the consulate on 2 October.

Meanwhile, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo smiled and shook hands during meetings in Riyadh with Saudi King Salman and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom Khashoggi wrote critically about in The Washington Post while in self-imposed exile in America. The former CIA chief didn't make any remarks to the media.

After arriving at the royal palace, Pompeo thanked King Salman "for accepting my visit on behalf of President (Donald) Trump" before the two went into a closed-door meeting. "We are strong and old allies," the prince told Pompeo. "We face our challenges together  the past, the day of, tomorrow."

Saudi officials have called Turkish allegations that Saudi agents killed Khashoggi "baseless," but reports in US media on Tuesday suggested the Saudis may acknowledge the writer was killed at the consulate, perhaps as part of a botched interrogation.

Trump, who dispatched Pompeo to speak to the monarch over Khashoggi's disappearance, said after talking with King Salman that the slaying could have been carried out by "rogue killers." Trump provided no evidence, but that statement appeared to offer the US-allied kingdom a possible path out of a global diplomatic firestorm.

"The king firmly denied any knowledge of it," Trump told reporters on Monday. "It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. I mean, who knows? We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial." Left unsaid was the fact that any decision in the ultraconservative kingdom rests solely with the ruling Al Saud family.

"The effort behind the scenes is focused on avoiding a diplomatic crisis between the two countries and has succeeded in finding a pathway to deescalate tensions," said Ayham Kamel, the head of the Eurasia Group's Mideast and North Africa division. "Riyadh will have to provide some explanation of the journalist's disappearance, but in a manner that distances the leadership from any claim that a decision was made at senior levels to assassinate the prominent journalist."

CNN reported that the Saudis were going to acknowledge the killing happened but deny the king or crown prince had ordered it  which does not match what analysts and experts know about the kingdom's inner workings.

The New York Times reported that the Saudi royal court would suggest that an official within the kingdom's intelligence servicesa friend of Prince Mohammedhad carried out the killing. According to that reported claim, the crown prince approved an interrogation or rendition of Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia, but the intelligence official was tragically incompetent as he eagerly sought to prove himself. Both reports cited anonymous people said to be familiar with the Saudi plans.

Saudi officials have been in and out of the building since Khashoggi's disappearance without being stopped. Under the Vienna Convention, diplomatic posts are technically foreign soil that must be protected and respected by host countries. Turkey has wanted to search the consulate for days. Permission apparently came after a late Sunday night call between King Salman and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Turkish inspection team included a prosecutor, a deputy prosecutor, anti-terror police and forensic experts, the State-run Anadolu news agency reported. Certain areas of the consulate were to remain off-limits, although officials would be able to inspect surveillance cameras, Turkish media reported.

Erdogan told journalists on Tuesday that police sought traces of "toxic" materials and suggested parts of the consulate had been recently painted, without elaborating.

On Tuesday, a Turkish foreign ministry official acknowledged police want to search the Saudi consul's home as well. The official, who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations, gave no timeline for the search.

Khashoggi has written extensively for the Post about Saudi Arabia, criticising its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of women's rights activists after the lifting of a driving ban for women. Those policies are all seen as initiatives of Prince Mohammed, the son of King Salman, who is next in line to the throne.

Prince Mohammed has aggressively pitched the kingdom as a destination for foreign investment. But Khashoggi's disappearance has led several business leaders and media outlets to back out of an upcoming investment conference in Riyadh. Trump previously warned of "severe punishment" for the kingdom if it was found to be involved in Khashoggi's disappearance, which has spooked investors.

Trump's warning drew an angry response Sunday from Saudi Arabia and its State-linked media, including a suggestion that Riyadh could wield its oil production as a weapon. The US president has been after King Salman and OPEC to boost production to drive down high oil prices, caused in part by the coming re-imposition of oil sanctions on Iran.

With inputs from agenciesFatima Nafees, the mother of missing Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Najeeb Ahmed, Monday said no one from the government came to her aid even after she challenged them to support her cause, on a day the CBI filed a closure report in the case of her son's disappearance.

New Delhi: Fatima Nafees, the mother of missing Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Najeeb Ahmed, Monday said no one from the government came to her aid even after she challenged them to support her cause, on a day the CBI filed a closure report in the case of her son's disappearance.

She was speaking at a protest march organised from Mandi House under the aegis of the "United Against Hate" campaign, during which politicians and activists urged people to oust the Bharatiya Janata Pary (BJP) government in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Nafees said 2019 will bring something new and give us happiness.

"Has the 56-inch chest shrunken to 26 inches? I had heard about 'sabka sath sabka vikas'. It is all jumlebaazi (gimmickry) and false promises. I had challenged the government to come and join me, but nobody came. Where is sabka sath?" she said, taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan and the "56-inch chest" quote.

Nafees claimed that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) never probed her son's case and added that she would continue to look for Najeeb.

"There are only false promises. The CBI never opened the case. So, there is no question of filing a closure report. The CBI worked at the behest of the government. But I will not give up," she said.

Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee said it was saddening to see the JNU, a place where they were taught the culture of having a debate between different ideologies, was being billed as anti-national, while questioning if there was a "jungle raj" in the country.

"Is there a jungle raj in the country? Despite evidence against certain people, they are being shielded. Where is Najeeb? Are the country's investigating agencies so bad that they cannot trace him?," she said, addressing the protest.

Ashiyana Theba, the pregnant wife of Majid Theba, who went missing in July after he was picked up by the Bhuj 'A' division police officials in Gujarat, said she had been running from pillar to post seeking justice for her husband.

"I am pregnant and I can understand the pain Najeeb's mother is going through. My husband disappeared in front of my eyes. These politicians literally come begging for votes at the time of elections but where are they now? Bring my husband back to me," she said.

Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president N Sai Balaji alleged that there were efforts to give a communal colour to Najeeb's case.

"This government wants to shut democracy inside the jails. But if you do not give us justice, we will uproot you in 2019," he said, while shouting "We are Najeeb" and "Justice for Najeeb".

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Annie Raja said there was a need to save the tricolour from fascist forces.

"We have to snatch our tricolour from the killers of Akhlaq and Junaid, from the rapists of the minor girl in Kashmir. The tricolour is in the hands of fascist forces. This is not only a battle for Najeeb, but for everyone. Save the Constitution, save our country," she said.

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Javed Ali Khan said some fascist forces wanted to shut down the voices rising against them.

"But fascism is very cruel. Fascism sees an end. This fascist government will definitely see defeat. Our country's legal system has double roles. There are some decisions it makes, which go way ahead of the Modi government and show its true colours," he said, taking a dig at the Delhi High Court allowing the CBI to file a closure report in Najeeb's case.

Former JNU student leader Umar Khalid criticised the Delhi Police and CBI for not carrying out a thorough investigation in Najeeb's case. He said the voices demanding justice would not die.

Radhika Vemula, mother of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula who committed suicide, said the CBI should be banned because it did not matter whether the central probe agency existed or not, while urging the voters not to vote the BJP back to power.

"Dalits, adivasis and Muslims are being targeted. The BJP rule is worse than the British rule. But that day is not far when we will remove the BJP government. Do not vote for the BJP. Vote for peace-loving people," she said.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Nawal Kishore Yadav said there was an atmosphere of fear in the country and there was a need to stand against this fear.

"There is an effort being made to turn Hindustan into Sanghistan," he said, in an apparent reference to the BJP's ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).The elected office-bearers of JNUSU had submitted proofs of the expenditure they had incurred during the campaign for the students' body election on 28 September but was asked to submit the original bills in a letter from Dean of Students (DoS) Professor Umesh Kadam on 4 October.

New Delhi: The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) has been informed by the authorities that the election of its office-bearers will be nullified if they do not submit original bills of campaign expenditure bearing the GST number, according to a letter issued to the students' body. The university authorities said the bills submitted were not in the correct format.

The elected office-bearers of the union had submitted proofs of the expenditure they had incurred during the campaign for the students' body election on 28 September but was asked to submit the original bills in a letter from Dean of Students (DoS) Professor Umesh Kadam on 4 October.

On 9 October, the JNUSU had submitted 28 bills of 19 candidates to the DoS, while stating that the "mashaal" (torch) and bamboo sticks used for the "Mashaal Juloos" on 10 September were bought from roadside shops and there were no bills for those. On 12 October, they were asked to submit the original bills bearing the GST number.

The letter from Kadam said the bills submitted by the JNUSU were not in accordance with the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations which said, "Each candidate shall, within two weeks of the declaration of the result, submit complete and audited accounts to the college/university authorities. "The college/university shall publish such audited accounts within two days of the submission of such accounts through a suitable medium so that any member of the students' body may freely examine the same."

The letter also said each nominee was required to submit original bills bearing the GST number, failing which "the election of the candidate will be nullified in the event of any non-compliance or excessive expenditure". The JNUSU has expressed concerns in a letter to the Dean of Students about the details being sought since there are many shops in and around the university campus, the turnover of which is below the prescribed limit under the Goods and Service Tax (GST) rules, above which the tax applies.

It described the Dean of Student's threat to nullify the election of its office-bearers as an attempt to intimidate the students' body and urged him to stop the "continuous harassment of the elected JNUSU members". Kadam said, "We have been asking them to submit the bills for over a month, but they have submitted consolidated bills rather than submitting the bills of individual candidates."

Meanwhile, JNUSU president N Sai Balaji said the university never asked for the bills of individual candidates, always accepted consolidated bills and even if there were new rules, they should have been informed about them before the polls.

"From 2012, they have been accepting the bills in the format in which we have submitted the bills this year. They asked us to submit the bills, which we did. They are informing us about the new rules now.

"This year, we contested the polls in an alliance and submitted the combined bills. In the last few years, when the AISA contested alone, we had submitted consolidated bills even then," he said.On 3 October, Maneka Gandhi had written to Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, asking him to remove the time limit for reporting child sexual abuse and allow people to complain even '10-15 years later'.

New Delhi: The Law Ministry has endorsed a proposal of the Women and Child Development Ministry to remove the time limit for reporting child sexual abuse, WCD Minister Maneka Gandhi said Tuesday.

Maneka Gandhi had, on 3 October, written to Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asking him to remove the time limit for reporting child sexual abuse and allow people to complain even "10-15 years later".

She told reporters that the Law Ministry has agreed to their proposal and endorses removal of time limit for reporting such crimes.

"Further course would be decided soon," a senior WCD official said.

Under Section 468 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), any offence, including child abuse, which can lead to a prison term of three years has to be reported within three years of the incident.

According to Section 473 of the CrPC, a court may take cognisance of an older case if it is in the "interest of justice" or if the "delay has been properly explained". However, victims of child sexual abuse often face problems in registering an FIR once they are 18 years of age or more.

In her letter, Maneka Gandhi had urged the Law Minister that people should be allowed to lodge their complaint even "10-15 years later".

"It doesn't matter how much later. If you're going to complain, the avenue is open," she had earlier said.

"We are of the view that cases of child sexual abuse can be reported by the victim at any time and law enforcement agencies would be required to take appropriate actions on the complaint of such victim," she said in the letter.

Many children, the minister said, are unable to report such crimes as the perpetrator in most cases is either a family member, a relative or a closely known person.

"Studies have also shown that the child continues to carry the trauma of sexual abuse till very late in life," Maneka Gandhi wrote to Prasad.

She had earlier proposed that child sexual abuse victims be allowed to register complaints until they are 30.Students and teachers of Manipur University were arrestedon 21 September after an FIR was lodged on a complaint by then acting V-C Prof Yugindro Singh.

Imphal: Six teachers and eight students of the Manipur University were released Tuesday after a case against them was closed by a local court following the request of police.

Imphal West Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) L Tonsing ordered immediate release of the 14 persons who were in judicial custody.

They were arrested in a midnight raid on 21 September after an FIR was lodged on a complaint by then acting V-C Prof Yugindro Singh, who had charged them with illegal confinement, attempt to murder, kidnapping amid other charges.

Altogether 89 students and six teachers were taken into custody from the university hostel and residential quarters in Imphal early on 21 September following an agitation the day before. However, most of the students were released later.

The investigation officer prayed for closing the case on the ground of insufficiency of evidences and the CJM accepted the request.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh Tuesday morning announced that all the teachers and students would be released later in the day and "normalcy will be restored" in the university.

"The move followed an agreement reached by the government with the student bodies," he said.

Governor Najma Heptulla expressed her happiness at the release of the students and teachers and said this was a "step forward to restore normalcy" in the state.

She also congratulated high court-appointed administrator Jarnail Singh, who has been handed over the responsibility of discharging the duties of Manipur University.

The university has been on the boil for several months. After a 85-day strike by students, it had opened on 23 August. The agitators had been demanding removal of then V-C AP Pandey for alleged administrative and financial lapses.

President Ram Nath Kovind had placed Pandey under suspension in September as an enquiry was underway into the allegations of irregularities against him.

Yugindro Singh was appointed as the acting V-C soon after the suspension of Pandey.

The Manipur High Court had on 11 October suspended Yugindro Singh and appointed former state chief secretary Jarnail Singh as the university's administrator.In rural India, a whole culture of silencing and patriarchy becomes immediately active when one brave woman speaks up #MeToo

One of the most obvious critiques of #MeToo raging currently is the ubiquitous interrogation of the woman who has come out in public to decry her accuser, about the time lag between the incident and the 'naming-and-shaming'. Why did she take so long to report this? is the line of questioning were coming across only too often, across our current news feeds.

Facts regarding how suppressed voices work when they finally come out, the sheer courage it takes for a victim to speak up  to relive the trauma, to deal with the perpetrators denials, to make herself vulnerable to public scrutiny  is one that few understand, least of all the legal system. And while cities are burning with the #MeToo movement, in the hinterlands of our nation, a whole culture of silencing and patriarchy becomes immediately active when one brave woman speaks up. The fact that the accused belongs to an upper caste while she doesnt, adds even more complicated layers to the case.

In the Manikpur village of Chitrakoot, a woman has accused the local quack of raping her when she had gone to his shop to get medicines for body weakness. Deenbandhu Pandey, she alleges, gave her a drug that rendered her unconscious, unable to move her limbs  after which he raped her. In her own words, After giving me the medicine, he took me inside and made me lie down on a bed. And then, to my absolute horror, he raped me in that practically unconscious state! I was in no state to resist him. I was so petrified that I just ran out after that and went straight to my husband to tell him about it.

The shop was marked closed she said  the reason why there were no other witnesses present  but since Pandey was hanging out, right outside, shed asked him if he could give her something for the kamzori. But there was someone who had knocked in the middle of this, asking for some medicine. But the doctor turned him away saying he wasnt available and that the man should come back later in the evening, says the accuser.

As is typical in cases of sexual assault, especially in rural areas, the local police were not exactly forthcoming or agile about registering complaints. In fact, they turned a deaf ear to both the victim and her husband for over a month. In a bid to save face, the quack in turn, began harassing both the woman and her husband  first with insincere apologies and then with threats. When my wife came and told me about it, we immediately went to the Raipura police station to file a complaint, but not one policeman cared. However, the doctor would not stop pestering us to remain silent about the incident. Initially, he apologised saying he would not do it again, but later, he began threatening us saying he would kill the both of us if we told anyone. That is when we went back to the police station to complain about him, says the husband of the victim.

Narratives of sexual assault, like everything else, are tightly linked with the determinants of ones place in society  Pandeys position as an upper-caste male in rural Uttar Pradesh already protects him on many levels, while the victims position as a lower-caste woman provides free license to all to paint her, almost instantly, as the greedy harlot.

Our peers in the local media, mostly run by the same upper caste males, did not waste too much time in turning the story around and making it about a free-spirited woman out to get her lover. Oh, she used to be on the phone with him for hours! Oh, shes just a money-minded woman who will do anything for money.' The almost two-month delay in filing the complaint is also being used against her, to perpetuate the loose character story, which features friendly neighbourhood gossip.

Our interview with the Chitrakoot Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Jha is not the bright spark in this dismal tale. Jha was quick to defend the local police officers and their reactions, When she had come to file the complaint, we directed her to the concerned police station. In fact, our investigative team had even gone to speak to her, but they were unable to find her and her husband did not know of her whereabouts either.

He almost adds, Who knows where shed gone off to?Seventeen women journalists who were part of the first few teams MJ Akbar set up when he launched The Asian Age in 1994 have written a petition describing the former editor's behaviour, condemning his sexual advances, and asking the honourable court hearing the defamation case to consider their testimony about the 'culture of casual misogyny, entitlement and sexual predation that he engendered and presided over' at the newspaper.

Twenty women journalists who were part of the first few teams MJ Akbar set up when he launched The Asian Age in 1994 have written a petition describing the former editor's behaviour, condemning his sexual advances, and asking the court hearing the defamation case to consider their testimony about the "culture of casual misogyny, entitlement and sexual predation that he engendered and presided over" at the newspaper. At least three of them occupy senior positions at national newspapers - these include Meenal Baghel, the editor of Mumbai Mirror; AT Jayanthi, the editor of Deccan Chronicle; and Suparna Sharma, Resident Editor of The Asian Age in Delhi.

Full text of the petition:

Minister M.J. Akbar has filed a criminal defamation case against our former colleague Priya Ramani for calling out his predatory behaviour towards the young women he employed at The Asian Age when he was its editor and proprietor.

This, despite the powerful testimonies of several other women who have stepped forward to speak out against his sexual misconduct.

What Mr. Akbar has demonstrated through his legal actions is his refusal to introspect, acknowledge or atone for his actions that have caused immense pain and indeed harm to many many women over the years. He himself, in the meanwhile, continues to enjoy enormous power and privilege as minister and Member of Parliament.

When Ms. Ramani spoke out against him in public, she spoke not only about her personal experience but also lifted the lid on the culture of casual misogyny, entitlement and sexual predation that Mr. Akbar engendered and presided over at The Asian Age.

Ms. Ramani is not alone in her fight. We would request the honourable court hearing the defamation case to also consider testimonies of sexual harassment of some of us at the hands of the petitioner, as also of the other signatories who bore witness to this harassment.

1) Meenal Baghel (Asian Age 1993-1996)

2) Manisha Pande (Asian Age 1993-1998)

3) Tushita Patel (Asian Age 1993-2000)

4) Kanika Gahlaut (Asian Age 1995-1998)

5) Suparna Sharma (Asian Age 1993-1996)

6) Ramola Talwar Badam (Asian Age 1994-1995)

7) Kaniza Gazari (Asian Age 1995-1997)

8) Malavika Banerjee (Asian Age 1995-1998)

9) A.T. Jayanthi (Asian Age 1995-1996)

10) Hamida Parkar (Asian Age 1996-1999)

11) Jonali Buragohain (Asian Age)

12) Sanjari Chatterjee (Asian Age)

13) Meenakshi Kumar (Asian Age 1996-2000)

14) Sujata Dutta Sachdeva (Asian Age 1999-2000)

15) Hoihnu Hauzel (Asian Age 1999-2000)

16) Reshmi Chakraborty (Asian Age Mumbai staff 1996-1998)

17) Kushalrani Gulab (Asian age 1993-1997)

18) Aisha khan (Asian Age 1995-1998)

19) Kiran Manral (Asian Age 1993-1996)

20) Christina Francis (Deccan Chronicle 2004-2011)

Of the 20 women, Tushita Patel shared her account of harassment on Scroll. She wrote: "1993, Hyderabad. You were the editor-in-chief of the Deccan Chronicle, I was a senior sub-editor. You came in to town and summoned me to your hotel to discuss my pages. I was late (I had to finish my pages). When I reached your room, you were sullen, sitting there drinking tea and in a vile mood. You started yelling at me about being late, about my work. I was trying to mumble some words. Suddenly you got up, grabbed me and kissed me hard  your stale tea breath and your bristly moustache are still etched in the recesses of my memory. I wriggled out and ran till I reached the road, jumped into an auto rickshaw and started crying."

Akbar has categorically rejected allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against him and termed the allegations as "false, fabricated and spiced up", as he questioned its timing months before the Lok Sabha polls, and vowed legal action.

On Monday, Akbar filed a criminal defamation case against Priya Ramani, the first woman journalist to publicly accuse him of harassment, a day after issuing a statement denying charges of sexual assault and harassment levelled against him. The criminal defamation case was filed in the Patiala House court in New Delhi, seeking relief under sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. The suit was filed by senior partner Sandeep Kapur of Karanjawala & Co. and is yet to come up for hearing in court.

To defend Akbar in this case, 97 lawyers of a law firm have been roped in, according to media reports. News18 reported that law firm Karanjawala & Co, hired to defend Akbar, called the mention of the 97 advocates in the Vakalatnama "standard practice", saying that only six lawyers are meant to appear in court for him.

Our firm has 100 lawyers. We usually have all the names printed in one vakalatnama with only the ones who will appear in the case signing it. Our criminal team has six members and only those six will appear in this case. Only they have signed the vakalatnama, a spokesperson of the firm was quoted as saying by News18.

However, the news about 97 lawyers working to defend Akbar drew sharp reactions on social media. Pointing that this showed the consequences "lone voices" have to face for speaking out, several journalists and other Twitter users sided with Ramani.

Following the filing of complaint, Ramani said in a statement that she was "deeply disappointed that a Union minister should dismiss the detailed allegations of several women as a political conspiracy". "By instituting a case of criminal defamation against me, Akbar has made his stand clear: rather than engage with the serious allegations that many women have made against him, he seeks to silence them through intimidation and harassment," she said.Akbar's accusers seem unafraid. And that too is marvellous to see. Within a few hours the whopping 97 lawyers listed in the vakaalatnama of Akbar's defamation suit against Ramani has become the stuff of hilarity, with women writing new accounts about his behaviour and others pledging money to support Ramani's legal defence.

Who is MJ Akbar? By the time I started as a reporter, MJ Akbar only came up in stories of women that involved his hotel room and their puzzlement. So his intellectual and professional legacy is not one that I have ever had to engage with. But I have been thinking of the imagery of his defence in the face of detailed and credible accusations of sexual harassment from 14 different women on record.

"Lies do not have legs," Akbar said on 14 October, a day before filing a defamation suit against the most prominent of his accusers, journalist Priya Ramani. Lies do not have legs. A clever sentence meant to be the title of a noir movie or a newspaper headline. It's true, I think, that lies do not have legs. But courage does. Just witnessing acts of courage can make your leaden, cautious self, lift off briefly like the Banksy girl with a whole clutch of balloons.

We are a country where men and women are taught continuously to conform, to not rock the boat, to be fearful of what lies around the corner. In our hearts we carry black drishti bottus everywhere, warding off the evil eye all the time. Among the many things we are brought up to fear, with good reason, is the evil eye of the state. But every now and then something astonishing, someone astonishing, happens to make you wonder why have you been afraid for so long.

The courage of Bilkis Bano. the rage of the Mothers of Manipur, LosHa, the interns who took on Supreme Court judges, the powerful whimsy of the Kiss of Love moment, the truth-telling of Radhika Vemula. You look up and for a moment all you can see is sky and your feet do not touch the ground.

This has been a fortnight of hundreds of instances of courage. Actor Tanushree Dutta's outing of Nana Patekar and the rest of Bollywood. Hundreds of women who fed the #MeToo deluge. A small group of women led by journalists Sandhya Menon, Anoo Bhuyan, Rituparna Chatterjee and Dhanya Rajendran who did the brutal work of facilitating the careful telling of these stories.

A woman who outed her ex-boyfriend, soon after she saw her husband being outed as a harasser as well but has seemingly retained her sanity and good humour. Actor Mallika Dua who found a way to sound steadfast and maintain her integrity when her father Vinod Dua was accused of sexual harassment. Christina Dhanraj and young Dalit thinkers who took on the risk of being a killjoy and insisted that savarna women reflect right now what their privileges even in this #MeToo moment.

Savarna women who chose to wrestle with these truths about caste and class instead of being smugly crowned heroines. Women asking themselves if they had contributed to the sexist establishment by being one of the boys. Reflection on the legacies of pioneering women in different careers. Admission of guilt and ignorance. Mistakes and missteps. Bravado and jokes. Women looking back at things that happened or didn't happen to them at work. Women asking if what happened deserved rage and not tears. Laughter not rage. Acts of courage have come in many shapes and sizes this fortnight.

It is hard to find even a tiny fraction of this energy, this churning among men simply reflecting on where they are, who their friends are, what their roles have been in keeping steady this old desi ship of sexism. And MJ Akbar, the allegations against whom would make a nice, longitudinal study, has drunk from the Spring of Recalcitrant Masculinity and surfaced to use familiar tactics: denial, outlandish conspiracy theories and threats of legal action. The only reflection that is involved here seems to be the one in the mirror whereupon he can gaze and remind himself of his luminous career, said luminous career being enough of a justification for any misconduct.

Given the highlights of the ruling party's position on sexual assault and gender, it does seem unlikely that this government will ask Akbar to resign. (Highlights? Rape accused Unnao MLA is still in the BJP. The BJP has also refused to accept the resignation of Suraj Pal Amu who offered Rs 10 crore to anyone who'd behead actor Deepika Padukone.) And as many observers have remarked if Akbar resigns, there might be a flood of other solid accusations.

Nevertheless, Akbar's accusers seem unafraid. And that too is marvellous to see. Within a few hours the whopping 97 lawyers listed in the vakaalatnama of Akbar's defamation suit against Ramani has become the stuff of hilarity, with women writing new accounts about his behaviour and others pledging money to support Ramani's legal defence.

Because a fearful hush had descended into my life (and perhaps yours too) in 2014 with the election of this government. The familiar past-time of complaining about all governments we have ever had was now suddenly a white-knuckle sport. Those few weeks of hearing about people arrested for Facebook posts about Narendra Modi, later the lynch mobs, still later the laughter of the prime minister while talking up demonetisation.

All ordinary criticism had been transformed into sulphurous blasphemy. It often seemed as frightening to grumble about the government as one would be afraid in Saudi Arabia. Where Saudi had its cane-bearing mullahs, here the rebukes and possible violence would come from uncivil civilians, our friends, family and that random dude you met at work once, all of whom seemed to have voted for this government. Or did they? It's hard to tell given the social media blitzkrieg and the social media budget.

Somehow we have reached the second half of 2018, injured, poorer, nervous but here we are. I have heard many conversations this year about how if we don't vote this government out in the coming elections we may never have an election again. It has all seemed serious and believable.

Every now and then, during these four years, despite how chicken-shit I and many others of my class have been, some people have broken through the mayajaal and registered strong and impressive acts of protest and at great costs to themselves in these years. But in the parochial way many of us function it takes the breaking out of People Like Us to really feel brave. And nothing has broken through the mayajaal for me as this last year of women naming their sexual harassers. The steady building from early 2017 to this last fortnight's tsunami of stories has given me a steroid shot. Building as it did on a solid month of kindness and cleverness in the Kerala relief efforts, suddenly we seemed to be living in a land of wonky hope and grumpy complainers again - my own familiar and beloved country.

One tiny clue has been the return of Snoopgate/Stalkergate in circulation on social media. To refresh your memory. Back in November 2013, Amit Shah (then the Home Minister of Gujarat) was named in the media for allegedly using the Gujarat police in 2009 to spy on a young woman, an architect from Bangalore, on behalf of Saheb (or boss). Somehow the story disappeared from the public memory as if we had all been zapped by one of those Men In Black things. And even when I remembered I was often nervous about putting in on social media. Then this week I notice, it's back in circulation. As if it is now okay to remember it. As if we are all feeling ready to talk about it again.

In early 2017, I had argued in the face of the sexism of liberal men we shouldn't be shocked and that, "we cannot be clannish about men, sisters, because men are not our clan." The more we talk about the possibility that the men of our households, caste and class are culpable in violence and sexism towards women, the road forward will be clear. But the more we talk about the possibility that our elected head of government and his powerful right-hand man in their private and personal lives treat women in this way, the more the road forward will be clear.

And we will be lighter still as we shed our supposed patrimony: the supposed genius of men, the intellect, the political connections, social capital. We have been taught to believe these tall tales about men's greatness by other men. (I had that moment of cognitive dissonance back in college when I was taught that the Liril ad was a marvellous tribute and revelation of Indian women's desires. A woman under a waterfall? It's amazing how that story of masculine genius and goodwill towards continues to be told.) So as I asked earlier, who is MJ Akbar really? Who is Modi really? Are they really geniuses?

Yesterday when issuing his stout denials, Akbar tried to go the hopelessly cliched route of eyebrow-wiggling that #MeToo was a sham, a vast political conspiracy just to get this government. "Why has this storm risen a few months before the #GeneralElection? Is there an agenda? You be the judge. These false, baseless and wild allegations have caused irreparable damage to my reputation and goodwill." Reporters across the board giggled at the idea of Akbar being a vote-bank of any sort.

But since Akbar has brought up the elections let's discuss that a bit.

In demanding the ouster of MJ Akbar the #MeToo movement is asking for a bare minimum from our elected government. A bare minimum that laddish new organisations like AIB and opaque organisations like Times of India have submitted to, once a critical mass of shaming had been achieved. And when asking our sarkar for this bare minimum doesn't work, we will hopefully have at least one more round of elections to register a greater critical mass of shame.

The months ahead to those elections will seem long much longer for Akbar, Modi, Shah and the BJP. Longer than the decades it has taken us women to get here to this state of lightness and power.

The Ladies Finger is a leading women's magazine onlineAmong the most insidious demands of patriarchy are that of the perfect messenger, perfect timing, and perfect testimony when denouncing sexual assault, abuse, or misogyny

As this third wave of the #MeTooIndia movement continues to rage on social media timelines (and in the real world), the unrelenting stream of allegations and stories of sexual assault, harassment and abuse have been immensely triggering for women and survivors everywhere. To recount some of the worst moments in ones life is essentially to relive trauma. As a woman who has experienced many instances of sexual harassment, I found myself triggered not only by the stories, but also by peoples reactions to them. The shaming, the blaming. The gaslighting, the derailment. The bullying, the co-opting of #MeToo language by the protected, the privileged, the perpetrators, the audacity of a #HimToo.

These snarling reactions expose how patriarchal attitudes have infiltrated and distorted safe spaces where survivors speak out. Specifically, the three weapons in patriarchys arsenal are the demands for: the perfect timing, the perfect messenger, and the perfect testimony. These conditions are unrealistic and impossible to meet  which is the point. The effect is that no matter what survivors do or dont, its never enough. They are damned either way.

First, patriarchy demands the perfect messenger. This is the most poisonous, because the implication is that some women are more believable than others. If youre not a member of the so-called upper castes, you are practically voiceless. Same if you are transgender, or a non-binary person. Those that do muster the courage to speak out find their character questioned at every turn. To have a chance at being taken seriously, you cannot have been drinking, or wearing too short a skirt. You cannot have gone to a male friends hotel room to party and expect to be left alone if you happen to fall asleep there. You cannot hook up with someone on the first or second date. You cannot have had multiple sexual partners. You have to be as pure as fresh snow. If you fail any of these tests, then you were probably asking for it. Or you put yourself in a situation where you should have known better. Never mind that most perpetrators of sexual assault are people known to the survivor, never mind intimate partner violence, or marital rape. Destroying character is the most efficient form of derailment. It shifts focus from the act, discouraging victims from speaking out.

The ultimate betrayal is when such criticisms come from women, who sometimes too readily believe that survivors are sharing stories for their fifteen seconds of fame, or think that the survivor is overreacting to a bad date. Or worst of all, that survivors are trivialising real abuse and steering the #MeToo movement away from real victims. These women are symptoms of a patriarchal system so deeply entrenched that they are blind to their own abuse or harassment. They have internalised misogyny and adopted its view of women. Because we have lived in a society that shrugs and tells us boys will be boys, the onus is on women to be women  to protect themselves, and to write off truly traumatising experiences as inevitable, though perhaps unfortunate, parts of dating.

The second toxic feature of patriarchy is demanding perfect timing. We saw it with Tanushree Dutta and Serena Williams. And, in a shocking display of state-sanctioned patriarchal vitriol, we saw it in the confirmation hearings of American Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The questions are always the same, and the answers always unsatisfactory. Why didnt she bring it up immediately? Couldnt she wait for a better time? Why did she have to wait for so long? Couldnt she speak up as it was happening? There are so many reasons why survivors do not come forward immediately.

But there is no right time to denounce misogyny or to reveal sexual assault, abuse or harassment.

It is an inconvenient, unpleasant thing to talk about, and so we can hunt all we like for the perfect time  it just doesnt exist. Dates may govern legal recourse, but there shouldnt be a social statute of limitations. Law enforcement is often not receptive, a company may have poor sexual harassment procedures in place. Some may want to protect other women from ongoing or future abuse, others may want to inspire others to come forward. Were trying to have a dialogue and social reckoning, not a rush to the courthouse. For survivors, speaking out is always going to be deeply harrowing, and so when they choose to do so is their prerogative.

The third manifestation of patriarchy is the demand for perfect testimony  a story, delivered like an immaculate present, neatly wrapped, with a beautiful bow. The survivor cant be too emotional or hysterical. She dare not be too angry. She cannot use social media. We expect them to have superhuman memories, and mountains of indisputable evidence  emails, screenshots, photographs  as if they were lawyers. But this isnt a trial  this is life, where most acts of sexual abuse occur in private. We cannot hold survivors who speak out to the same standards as we do accusers in a criminal trial. Those are procedural safeguards used in a judicial context, when the State can deprive a person of their liberties. Conflating the two is dangerous and wrong, and will effectively muzzle anyone unable to meet this unrealistic standard.

These three demands reinforce toxic masculinity, turning safe spaces into battlegrounds. They have the damaging effect of making it impossible for men to address sexual abuse as well. The truth is, the #MeTooIndia movement is a human rights movement. Sexual assault and harassment are abuses of power, and everyone has a right to live free of this. If we continue to hold each other to unrealistic standards  damning survivors if they do, damning them if they dont  we risk deepening the existing power imbalances.An employee of a multinational company was allegedly raped by two of her colleagues in southwest Delhi's Vasant Kunj, police said on Monday. The incident took place on Saturday, they said.

New Delhi: An employee of a multinational company was allegedly raped by two of her colleagues in southwest Delhi's Vasant Kunj, police said on Monday. The incident took place on Saturday, they said.

Based on a complaint filed by the victim, a case was registered, they added. Police said the woman was allegedly raped by her colleagues during office hours. The victim was taken to a room in their office where they raped her, a senior police officer said.

However, police has denied allegations that the victim was offered lift by her colleagues after office hours and taken to a flat where she was raped. The two accused persons identified as Vinod Kumar (31) and Birju Malik (25) were arrested from their residence in connection with the case on the same day, the officer saidDubais Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled a sophisticated Artificial Intelligence initiative, branded Mahboub, which is RTAs personal assistant as part of its exhibits at Gitex Technology Week in Dubai, UAE.



Mahboub is a Chat Bot system between RTA and clients using AI technology, said Mohammed Al Khayat, director of Smart Services, at RTAs Corporate Technology Services Sector.



It enables clients to communicate with RTA through an automated chatting environment. Clients can inquire about informational services such as documents required for renewing drivers license, and the system will respond to them without involving the Call Centre staff. They can also inquire about interactive services (such as nol card balance), and transactional services (such as the renewal of driving licenses or vehicle registration), explained Al Khayat.



The system is bilingual (Arabic/English) and can be accessed through RTAs website. More channels will be added to the system in future. It is considered one of the biggest chatting systems in the region in terms of the number of services covered. It encompasses about 90 informational, interactive and transactional services, thus offering a broad spectrum of RTAs most common services. Examples of services on offer include rail services, nol, public transport, marine transport, licensing, parking and general inquiries, he added.



RTA uses AI in several services including the automated control of the metro service frequency (headway), machine learning in analysing Big Data, and emergency response system at the Enterprise Command and Control Centre (EC3).



It also uses AI in drones, personal assistant fitted with smart speakers, customers happiness meter, and the dedicated Bus & Taxi lanes. It also uses AI in Al Raqeeb System to monitor the performance and fatigue of its public transport drivers, smart vehicle testing yard, smart traffic signals, smart autonomous vehicle, and the autonomous air taxi.  TradeArabia News ServiceA bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel rapped the Aam Aadmi Party government for not closing the industrial units despite its specific directions.

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Tuesday fined the Delhi government Rs 50 crore for not taking action against steel pickling units in residential areas as they fall under the prohibited list of industrial activity.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel rapped the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for not closing the industrial units despite its specific directions.

The NGT also directed the Delhi government to shut these units with immediate effect.

The order came on a plea filed by an NGO, the All India Lokadhikar Sangthan, seeking the execution of its order by which the green panel had directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to take action against stainless steel pickling industries in residential areas as they fall under the prohibited list of industrial activity as per the Delhi Master Plan (DMP), 2021.

The plea alleged that such units functioning at Wazirpur discharged effluent in open drains which ultimately met the Yamuna river.

It contended that under the pretext of decision making "time is being taken by the Delhi government and the environment is made to suffer continuously".

Pickling is the process of removing impurities such as stains and inorganic contaminants from metals.Congress president Rahul Gandhi has accepted his resignation, sources in the Congress told PTI. Khan, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir, submitted his resignation on Monday.

National Students' Union of India (NSUI) president Fairoz Khan resigned after being accused of sexual harassment. Khan, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir, submitted his resignation on Monday. Congress president Rahul Gandhi accepted his resignation Tuesday, sources in the Congress told PTI.

The party set up a three-member committee to look into the issue after a woman levelled charges of sexual harassment against the chief of the Congress youth wing. The Congress worker from Chhattisgarh also lodged a complaint against him in the Parliament Street police station, saying she feared for her life.

The image of the complaint was shared on Twitter. Adeeba, who shared the letter on the social networking site, accused Khan of harassing and exploiting at least five girls from NSUI. She claimed they approached Rahul and several other Congress leaders.

The woman in her letter said Khan continually asked her to come to his room while in Bangalore at odd hours. "I am mentally harassed and fear for my security from Fairoz Khan as he may take any action against me to hurt me and my family physically, mentally and by any other possible means, the letter reads.

Help #MeTooIndia Fairoz Khan who had sexually exploited a NSUI member & her sister is now threatening other girls- Fairoz has told them if they will speak- all wl be removed from the present posts. At present 5 NSUI girls were molested by Fairoz! @BDUTT @rohini_sgh @Nidhi  #MeToo (@AbeebaJMIU) October 9, 2018

Meanwhile, an open letter asking Rahul to intervene was also shared another user who urged Rahul to take action against Khan and Chirag Patnaik, a member of the partys social media team.

My letter to @RahulGandhi urging him to take action on NSUI Prez Fairoz Khan and explain the sloppy handling of complain against Chirag Patnaik. @INCIndia your #MeToo pic.twitter.com/xHVFg0qNix  Gunja Kapoor (@gunjakapoor) October 10, 2018

In July, Patnaik, an accused in a sexual harassment case, was arrested and released on bail. Deputy Commissioner of Police Madhur Verma said Patnaik was arrested after a former employee with the cell accused him of violating her personal space and indulging in immoral behaviour. She was a social media manager and was given the responsibility of running two of the party's Twitter accounts.

With inputs from PTINational Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah on Monday accused Mehbooba Mufti of showing 'fake sympathy', saying it worked in the past but would not work now.

Srinagar: After former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti described slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Manan Wani a "victim of relentless violence", National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah on Monday accused her of showing "fake sympathy", saying it worked in the past but would not work now.

"How short Ms Mufti's memory is! She forgets that she was the architect and beneficiary (it kept her allies in good humour) for her entire period in office. She is in no position to criticise anyone for 'relentless violence'," he wrote on Twitter.

Omar was responding to Mehbooba's tweets in which she called for withdrawal of cases against Kashmiri students studying in the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and described Wani as "a victim of relentless violence in Kashmir".

"Pushing youth to the wall will be counter-productive. Centre must intervene in withdrawing cases against students and AMU authorities must revoke their suspension. The respective state governments outside Jammu and Kashmir should be sensitive to the situation and prevent further alienation," Mehbooba had tweeted.

"It will be a travesty to punish them for remembering their former colleague who was a victim of relentless violence in Kashmir," she said in another tweet.

Omar said Mehbooba headed the Unified Command which "directed the security forces to execute 'Operation All-out' and she famously justified the killing of young protestors in 2016 saying 'they aren't coming out to buy milk or toffees',.

"Ms Mufti's Govt (government) made every effort to trap and kill Manan Wani coming close a few times. Her fake sympathy & crocodile tears for dead Kashmiri militants worked for a few years, they won't work again," the NC leader added.Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Monday that a one-slab Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be implemented if his party is elected to power at the Centre.

Dabra: Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Monday that a one-slab Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be implemented if his party is elected to power at the Centre.

The Gandhi scion lambasted the present multi-slab GST, saying it has "ruined" the small shopkeepers in the country.

"How much money did this Gabbar Singh Tax take away from your pockets? After this meeting, you should go to a small shopkeeper and ask him whether the GST benefited him or resulted in a loss," Gandhi said at a public meeting in Madhya Pradesh's Dabra.

"He will tell you that this Gabbar Singh Tax has ruined small shopkeepers and the people of this country," Gandhi said.

"I want to tell the small traders of India including those in Madhya Pradesh that (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi and his Finance Minister (Arun Jaitley) defamed you all. They termed you thieves. You are not thieves. You serve this country," the Congress president said.

He alleged that crores of honest shopkeepers across the country were suffering because of some wrong-doers.

"You (shopkeepers) are serving the country like every other citizen. There may be couple of people who adopt wrong ways. But this is not the responsibility of crores of country's shopkeepers, who are honest," Gandhi said.

"I want to assure you that when a Congress government comes to power at the Centre, we will convert Gabbar Singh Tax into a real GST," he said.

He said if voted to power, the Congress will do away from five different taxes (slabs) and "there will be the lowest tax, only one tax.

"You will not need to hire accountants (to file GST returns)... Your losses will be reduced and you will need to fill in fewer forms," he said.

The assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh will be held on 28 November and the counting of votes will take place on 11 December.The Hisar court that sentenced Rampal to life imprisonment will pronounce the quantum of sentence in another murder case involving the spiritual leader today.

A sessions court in Hisar on Tuesday sentenced spiritual leader Rampal and 14 others to life imprisonment in connection with a 2014 murder case.

Hisar Additional District and Sessions judge DR Chaliya pronounced the quantum of sentence in the case, which was lodged on the complaint of one Shivpal of Mithapur near Badarpur in Delhi. Rampal was convicted in the 2014 murder case on 11 October. The court had found 29 accused, including Rampal, guilty in the case.

Rampal, the head of Satlok Ashram in Barwala in Hisar, was arrested in November 2015 after a two-week-long standoff between his followers and police, which had left six dead and several others injured. Rampal's followers and security forces had clashed at the sprawling premises of his ashram in November 2015, which led to the death of five women and a one-year-old toddler. It was believed that they died because of suffocation inside the ashram. About 15,000 of Rampal's followers were evacuated from the ashram after the standoff.

On Tuesday, the Hisar court imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh each on all 15 convicts under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code, two-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 under section 343 (wrongful confinement) of the IPC and life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh each under section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC. All the sentences will run concurrently, counsels of the accused AP Singh and Mohinder Singh Nain said.

The court will pronounce the quantum of sentence in another murder case involving Rampal on Wednesday.

Two cases of murder were registered against 67-year-old Rampal in November 2014. The two cases were lodged at the Barwala Police Station on 19 November, 2014. The second one was lodged by one Suresh of Jakhora village of Lalitpur district in Uttar Pradesh.

Both complainants had alleged that their respective wives' were held captive inside Rampal's ashram and later killed. Besides the murder charges, the Barwala Police had also invoked the offence of wrongful confinement, among others, in the two FIRs.

It was also alleged that some of his followers had been held hostage in the ashram during the 10-day standoff. Rampal's followers, during the clashes with security forces, had used stones, acid and petrol bombs to attack the security personnel.

The conflict began when the Punjab and Haryana High Court told the government to produce Rampal in a contempt of court case. After that, Rampal's supporters surrounded the Satlok Ashram and prevented the police from entering its premises, spread over 12 acres.

One case was registered against him and some of his followers under IPC sections 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of his public function), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) and 353 (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty).

The other case was registered against Rampal and his followers  Purshotam Dass, Raj Kumar, Mohinder Singh, Rajender Singh, Rahul and 30 to 40 others  on a complaint under IPC sections 147 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly, every other member of such assembly shall be guilty of the offence), 188 (disobedient to an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant) and 342 (wrongfully confining any person).

With inputs from agenciesSabarimala protests LIVE updates: The all-stakeholders' meeting failed to reach a consensus as Pandalam royal family and high priests of the temple walked out.

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Activists from more than 30 organisations will converge at Nilakkal, the base camp of Sabarimala hill shrine, and Pampa, the base of the hill from where the devotees trek to the temple, to resist the entry of the women between the ages of 10 and 50.

Tension is mounting at Sabarimala with devotee bodies, Hindu organisations and various political outfits gearing up for a show of strength against the Communist-led governments move to implement the Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all ages to enter the Lord Ayyappa temple when it opens for the five-day monthly pooja on 17 October.

According to a report in Hindustan Times , the temple board sources say that the TDB is likely to propose a plan to seek more time to implement the verdict since the row appeared to be getting out of hand.

With the Sabarimala temple due to reopen for the first time tomorrow since Supreme Court allowed womens entry, the Travancore Devaswom Board may seek more time from the Supreme Court to implement its order.

Claiming to be a staunch devotee of Lord Ayyappa, Reshma said she had already started the 41-day 'vrata' (penance) to trek to the forest temple during the annual pilgrimage season beginning on November 17. She also started wearing the 'bead chain' with the locket of Lord Ayyappa as part of the customary rituals before proceeding to Sabarimala. However, the woman faced severe backlash and trolling on social media.

Meanwhile, Reshma Nishanth, a 32-year-old native of Kannur district, recently put a Facebook post stating that she would visit the shrine, despite facing backlash from a group of Lord Ayyappa devotees.

Amidst strong sentiments against the Supreme Court's verdict allowing women in the 10 to 50 age group into the Sabarimala Temple, gender equality activist Trupti Desai said on Saturday that she was still determined to visit it.

TDB president A Padmakumar said the meeting is scheduled to be held on October 16 at its headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. Besides the Tazhamon tantri family and the Pandalam royals,various stakeholders of the Sabarimala shrine,including Ayyappa Seva Sangam, Ayyappa Seva Samajam, tantri mahamandalam and Yoga Kshema Sabah would be invited for the talks, he said.

Travancore Devaswom Board, a temple body which manages the Lord Ayyappa shrine has invited various stakeholders for a meeting to discuss 'various aspects', including preparations for the annual pilgrimage season, beginning next month.

Women, devotees and journalists alike, were being stopped at Nilakkal from proceeding towards the Sabarimala shrine of Lord Ayyappa. CNN-News18, reported that the protesters have started stopping cars heading towards the traditional trekking routes that lead to Sabarimala temple to check if any women are headed towards the temple.

Various devotee organisation expect the board to ease the tension building up at the hill shrine by seeking time to implement the Apex Court order. The tantri (high priest), the Pandalam royal family and two devotee organisations, who will be attending the meeting, are expected to raise this demand at the meeting to temporarily resolve the issue. If the TDB toe the government line of implementing the verdict immediately it would lead to a shodown when the Sabarimala shrine for monthly poojas on Thursday, the first time since the SC lifted the bar on entry of women of the age group of 10' to 50 ,from entering the temple.

Devotees are keenly awaiting the outcome of the talks Travsncore Devaswom Board will be having with stakeholders in Sabarimala to build a consensus over the Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all ages to enter the Lord Ayyappa temple today.

We will not allow them to cross Pampa. They would be able to trek on the hill only by stepping over the dead bodies of our workers. Be it Trupti Desai or anyone else, our workers won't let anybody break customs, Shiv Sena leader Peringamala Aji said.

The Shiv Sena's Kerala unit has vowed to send a group of activists, who will commit suicide if women who are barred from entering the temple as per its customs attempt to enter the temple. The party will also deploy hundreds of its activists at Nilakkal and Pampa to block women from the menstruating age group.

"We will meet each villager in Kerala and chalk out a massive agitation plan to protect the Sabarimala Temple, its centuries-old traditions and the sentiments of Lord Ayyappa devotees," Mr Pillai said.

The BJP, which took out a massive rally against women's proposed entry to shrine on Monday, has alleged that the government is "conspiring" to destroy the hillock shrine. Party state president PS Sreedharan Pillai has warned of a bigger agitation if the government failed to resolve the issue in the next 24 hours.

The state unit of BJP has been protesting against the implementation of the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all age groups entry into the Sabarimala shrine. The party has also slammed the state government for refusing to file a review petition on the court's ruling.

The report suggested that the police personnel were vary of offending the celibate deity. "This puts the state police in a quandary, said a local police officer who did not want to be named. If male police officers are deployed near the steps leading to the sanctum, women pilgrims may object," the report said.

According to a report in The Print, several women police officers in Kerala have apparently expressed reservations against being posted at the Sabarimala shrine to ensure implementation of Supreme Court verdict which allowed women's entry into the shrine.

Desh Ratan Nigam, an RSS supporter and thinker, said that the matter was far more complicated than a simple case of constitutional rights because the local women and believers of that particular sect are willingly saying they do not want the right to worship in the Sabarimala temple as it is against their customs. He said that more time should have been bought by the govenrment instead of forcing emotionally charged supporters into following the Supreme Court verdict.

Earlier both, royal family and tantris, had turned down an invitation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for talks. The TDB has already made it clear that it will implement the Supreme Court verdict. If the proposed meeting is aimed at discussing how to implement the verdict, there is no point in attending it..." Pandalam Palace Managing Committee president PG Sasikumar Varma had said.

Pandalam royal family and three tantris have said they will attend the meet. "We stick to our decision to maintain the status quo at the temple. It is for the TDB to find a solution," said Pandalam royal family member Sasikumar Verma.

With the Sabarimala temple due to reopen for the first time tomorrow since Supreme Court allowed womens entry, the Travancore Devaswom Board may seek more time from the Supreme Court to implement its order. As most of the stakeholders are agitated and protesting against the order, the temple board may cite poor infrastructure to seek more time from court and use it to try and establish consensus among groups.

Devaswom Board likely to seek more time from SC as stakeholders resist immediate implementation of verdict

With the first phase of protests by the Lord Ayyappa devotees against the SC verdict permitting women of all ages at Sabarimala ending today, progressive women's groups have started coming in open to assert their right. While the women's rights protection committee will hold a convention at Ernakulam in the evening demanding implementation of the SC verdict, another progressive women's forum called 'Samam' has come forward to support the women who like to go to Sabarimala. It will be holding a meeting at state capital today to urge women to make use of the SC verdict.

The Travancore Devaswom Board, which runs the hill-shrine, will meet the patrons, including the Tantri (head priest) family, Pandalam royals and Ayyappa Seva Sangam later in the day to discuss the preparations ahead of the three-month-long annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrim season starting 17 November.

Kandararu Maheshwararu Tantri, chief priest of Sabarimala temple has warned of violence if women between the ages of 10 and 50 try to enter the Sabarimala shrine. According to The Times of India , he said, "At no time before, has Kerala united like this. This is to us what Jalikattu was to Tamil Nadu. See the protests that are unfolding in the streets. Lakhs of people, most of them women, are up in arms against the order. In fact several Hindu outfits have rallied in the vicinity. This anger could easily escalate into violence if a few egotistic women try to enter Sabarimala."

A banner put up by Samam, a women's collective, to discuss and conduct activities on gender equality. This is ahead of its first meeting at Manaveeyam Veedhi in Thiruvananthapuram. Women from different walks of life are expected to take part in this. The banner says, "From inequality to equality, from traditional rituals to fundamental rights."

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the state government is not going to file a review petition against the Supreme Court verdict. He said that the state was committed to implementing the Supreme Court order and that adequate security arrangements will be made.

Women devotees protesting against the SC verdict are stopping vehicles at Nilakkal, the Sabarimala base camp, are persuading women not to proceed to Sabarimala. Those who are not listening to them are not being allowed to continue. Those who were stopped by the protestors included some women media persons.

As the protests for stalling the implementation of the Supreme Court order on Sabarimala, allowing women of all ages to enter the Ayyappa temple, continue to grow, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that all the facilities will be provided to women who will visit the temple from 17 October onwards and that no one will be allowed to take the law in their hands.

Pinarayi Vijayan says no one will be allowed to take law in hand

Protestors are checking each car going towards the Sabarimala shrine for the presence of any women devotees in them, CNN News18 reported. Meanwhile, some women have been stopped at the Nilakkal base camp of the Ayyappa temple.

Unlike other Hindu temples in the state, the Sabarimala temple is not open all-year-round . Devotees are only allowed to visit the shrine and offer prayers for the first five days of every month, according to the Malayalam calendar, and during the annual mandalam and makaravilakku festivals between mid-November to mid-January. However, the temple which is dedicated to Hindu deity, Lord Ayyappa, is open to people of all religions.

The report further said that a Christian connection also exists to the Sabarimala pilgrimage. The Arthunkal church dedicated to St Andrew and St Sebastian at Alappuzha is another popular halt for devotees on their way to Sabarimala.

The Vavar mosque in Erumeli is an important halting point for pilgrims. According to The Indian Express , there are stories about Lord Ayyappa's friendship with Vavar, who was a warrior. There is also a shrine dedicated to Vavar close to the main temple complex at Sabarimala.

Kerala's Travancore Devaswom Board held a meeting of its officials a day ahead of Sabarimala temple opens up for devotees. The board which has said it will implement the Supreme Court's decision, discussed the arrangements needed, in case some women came to the shrine defying protests.

Women members of Malayaran tribal community are checking all vehicles passing through Nilakkal and forcing women below 50 years from going to Sabarimala. Group leader Sujatha said they were first requesting women not to break the temple custom. "We prevent them from proceeding if they don't heed our request. While most women stop at Nilakkal some are adamant fo go. We have detained two such wonen", Sujatha said

Members of another tribal community who live in the forest tracts at Sabarimala, Malampandaram, are already on an indefinite satyagraha. The leader of the tribe, Parasuram Thannickkal, said they will persuade the women not to enter the temple. He said that their protest will continue until an amicable solution to the issue is found.

Amid the 30 odd groups protesting against the Supreme Court's verdict allowing women to enter the temple against tradition, are some of the local tribes. Mala Arayan, a community whose ancestors settled in the hills surrounding Sabarimala, has set up a vigil at 18 hills through which devotees enter the hill shrine. The community, which is considered as being a close aide of Lord Ayyappan, holds a few traditional rights in the rituals.

Claiming to be a staunch devotee of Lord Ayyappa, 32-yr-old Reshma said she had already started the 41-day 'vrata' (penance) to trek to the forest temple during the annual pilgrimage season beginning on 17th. She also started wearing the 'bead chain' with the locket of Lord Ayyappa as part of the customary rituals before proceeding to Sabarimala.

Amid raging protests over the Sabarimala issue, a Keralite woman, who announced her decision to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa shrine, complained that she was being slut-shamed and subjected to threats and abuses on social media.

According to CNN-News18, the local police has decided not to let any vehicles through Nilakkal and action will be taken against all those trying to stop pilgrims from reaching the shrine.

Situation at Nulakkal base camp remains tense as protesters who are opposing the SC verdict are stopping buses and manhandling people who are going towards Pamba near Sabarimala. There were reports of minor skirmishes between protesters and local police officers as well after the police personnel tried to stop protesters from stopping traffic.

A 51-year-old woman hailing from the Malayulladan community attempted suicide at Nilakkal around 1.15 pm, when one of the woman pilgrims refused to give up her quest to enter the shrine. The protester identified as Ratnamma tried to hang herself from a tree, however, the fellow protestors foiled the attempt. The woman said she was protesting attempt by someone to defy the customs and traditions of the temple.

The all-stakeholders' meeting failed to reach a consensus as Pandalam royal family and high priests of the temple walked out. The royal family and tantris demanded that the Travancore Devaswom Board files a review petition in the Supreme Court immediately. However, the board reportedly agreed to file a petition only after 19 October, following which, the royal family and the tantris walked out.

Women trainee journalists were manhandled by the agitated protestors in a public bus after they insisted on heading on to Pamba for reporting on the developments. The protestors deliberately blocked the roads at Nilakkal to stop them, however, a minor scuffle broke out after the women insisted on proceeding.

The Devaswom Board said that the they were ready to file a review petition in the Supreme Court by 19 October as the Supreme Court will remain shut till the 22 October. However, the Pandalam royal family and the tantris (high priests) wanted it to be filed immediately. The board said it was ready to discuss the legal recourse on 19th October during the board's next meeting. But the royal family did not agree.

"We have urged Devaswom Board to file a review petition immediately. And until the petition is heard, status quo should be maintained. However, the boards says they can discuss on our demand for review petition only by 19, which is not satisfactory for us. Hence we thought not to waste more time on it," PG Sasikumar Varma, Pandalam palace managing committee president said.

Chief Minister Pinarayi vijayan asserted the government's resolve to implement the Supreme Court order. He said stern action will be taken against those preventing women devotees from going to Sabarimala temple. In a statement released by the CMO, Vijayan said that the government would post more women police pesonnel to provide protection to women who want to go to the temple.

Antony was in Erumely, an important pilgrim centre linked to Lord Ayyappa faith, for inaugurating a dharna organised by women's outfits of Congress, Indian Union Muslim League and Kerala Congress (M) in protest against the Supreme Court verdict.

Lok Sabha MP Anto Antony, who represents Pathanamthitta constituency under which the Sabarimala hill shrine comes, Tuesday urged the Centre to issue an ordinance to get around the Supreme Court order allowing entry of women in all age groups in the holy temple.

Anoj from the Sabrimala Achara Samrakshan Samiti, advices women to not violate tradition. He said that this is a namajapa yagna to conserve the customs of the Sabarimala temple from time immemorial. It's the 10th day of this yagna. "We are trying to make the women who reach here understand the importance of these customs and preserve those,as crores of believers stand by it and visit the shrine." Depending on the decision taken by the Devaswom board, our Yagna committee will also meet and decide on how to go about it, he added.

However, the devotees' point of view is that awaiting the result on a review petition that is yet to be filed, they won't allow the 'celibacy' of their god to be disturbed in the meantime. The devotees who are against women's entry, have vowed that they will protest against women's entry and stop them at all costs, while several women activists and devotees have announced that they will attempt to enter the shrine.

With the all-stakeholders' meeting turning into a failed attempt to reach consensus, the face-off between women pilgrims and devotees is likely to continue. According to the Supreme Court order, the Kerala government is duty bound to implement it in letter and spirit.

"You see only one thing in the streets--protests by men, women and children against the Supreme Court verdict. This is the time for them to arrange facilities for welcoming crores of devotees visiting the hill shrine from the world over. No such activities are done this time around. Instead, you see only the protests by our people--the hosts chanting Ayyappa mantra," he said.

Antony was in Erumely, an important pilgrim centre linked to Lord Ayyappa faith, for inaugurating a dharna organised by women's outfits of Congress, Indian Union Muslim League and Kerala Congress (M).

Lok Sabha MP Anto Antony, who represents Pathanamthitta constituency under which the Sabarimala hill shrine comes said the apex court verdict permitting women of all age groups into the shrine have been opposed by all including the people from other faiths.

"We are determined that come what may we will not allow a single lady in the age group 10 to 50 to reach anywhere near the temple. It's a matter of life and death and under no circumstances will we allow a breach of tradition," said a middle aged woman at Nilakal. The protesters are said to be mainly locals and others who have arrived from nearby areas.

On Tuesday morning, hundreds of devotees, including a large number of women, protesting against the Supreme Court ruling, gathered at Nilakkal and started checking all vehicles bound to the temple town.

"We have urged Devaswom Board to file a review petition immediately. And until the petition is heard, status quo should be maintained. However, the boards says they can discuss on our demand for review petition only by 19, which is not satisfactory for us. Hence we thought not to waste more time on it," PG Sasikumar Varma, Pandalam palace managing committee president said.

Chief Minister Pinarayi vijayan asserted the government's resolve to implement the Supreme Court order. He said stern action will be taken against those preventing women devotees from going to Sabarimala temple. In a statement released by the CMO, Vijayan said that the government would post more women police pesonnel to provide protection to women who want to go to the temple.

Antony was in Erumely, an important pilgrim centre linked to Lord Ayyappa faith, for inaugurating a dharna organised by women's outfits of Congress, Indian Union Muslim League and Kerala Congress (M) in protest against the Supreme Court verdict.

Lok Sabha MP Anto Antony, who represents Pathanamthitta constituency under which the Sabarimala hill shrine comes, Tuesday urged the Centre to issue an ordinance to get around the Supreme Court order allowing entry of women in all age groups in the holy temple.

Anoj from the Sabrimala Achara Samrakshan Samiti, advices women to not violate tradition. He said that this is a namajapa yagna to conserve the customs of the Sabarimala temple from time immemorial. It's the 10th day of this yagna. "We are trying to make the women who reach here understand the importance of these customs and preserve those,as crores of believers stand by it and visit the shrine." Depending on the decision taken by the Devaswom board, our Yagna committee will also meet and decide on how to go about it, he added.

However, the devotees' point of view is that awaiting the result on a review petition that is yet to be filed, they won't allow the 'celibacy' of their god to be disturbed in the meantime. The devotees who are against women's entry, have vowed that they will protest against women's entry and stop them at all costs, while several women activists and devotees have announced that they will attempt to enter the shrine.

With the all-stakeholders' meeting turning into a failed attempt to reach consensus, the face-off between women pilgrims and devotees is likely to continue. According to the Supreme Court order, the Kerala government is duty bound to implement it in letter and spirit.

"You see only one thing in the streets--protests by men, women and children against the Supreme Court verdict. This is the time for them to arrange facilities for welcoming crores of devotees visiting the hill shrine from the world over. No such activities are done this time around. Instead, you see only the protests by our people--the hosts chanting Ayyappa mantra," he said.

Antony was in Erumely, an important pilgrim centre linked to Lord Ayyappa faith, for inaugurating a dharna organised by women's outfits of Congress, Indian Union Muslim League and Kerala Congress (M).

Lok Sabha MP Anto Antony, who represents Pathanamthitta constituency under which the Sabarimala hill shrine comes said the apex court verdict permitting women of all age groups into the shrine have been opposed by all including the people from other faiths.

"We are determined that come what may we will not allow a single lady in the age group 10 to 50 to reach anywhere near the temple. It's a matter of life and death and under no circumstances will we allow a breach of tradition," said a middle aged woman at Nilakal. The protesters are said to be mainly locals and others who have arrived from nearby areas.

On Tuesday morning, hundreds of devotees, including a large number of women, protesting against the Supreme Court ruling, gathered at Nilakkal and started checking all vehicles bound to the temple town.

Sabarimala protests Latest updates: "We have urged Devaswom Board to file a review petition immediately. And until the petition is heard, status quo should be maintained. However, the boards says they can discuss on our demand for review petition only by 19, which is not satisfactory for us. Hence we thought not to waste more time on it," PG Sasikumar Varma, Pandalam palace managing committee president said.

The all-stakeholders' meeting failed to reach a consensus as Pandalam royal family and high priests of the temple walked out. The royal family and tantris were demanding that the Travancore Devaswom Board files a review petition in the Supreme Court immediately, however, the board refused to accept that demand. The board reportedly agreed to file a petition after 19 November, following which, the royal family and the tantris walked out.

Kerala Deputy General of Police chaired a security meet a day ahead of the Sabarimala temple opens for devotees. This comes in the wake of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's statement that the state government will enforce law and order and ensure the Supreme Court order is implemented.

Amid raging protests over the Sabarimala issue, a Keralite woman, who announced her decision to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa shrine, complained that she was being slut-shamed and subjected to threats and abuses on social media.

Devotees continue to reach the Sabarimala temple trek base camp even as vehicles are being stopped mid-way to check for plying women.

As the protests for stalling the implementation of the Supreme Court order on Sabarimala, allowing women of all ages to enter the Ayyappa temple, continue to grow, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that all the facilities will be provided to women who will visit the temple from 17 October onwards and that no one will be allowed to take the law in their hands.

Women devotees protesting against the SC verdict are stopping vehicles at Nilakkal, the Sabarimala base camp, are persuading women not to proceed to Sabarimala. Those who are not listening to them are not being allowed to continue. Those who were stopped by the protestors included some women media persons.

The meeting between all stakeholders in the Sabarimala temple face-off has started in Thiruvananthapuram. The meeting called by the Travancore Devaswom Board is being held to build consensus on Supreme Court verdict allowing women in the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. The attendees include three tantris (high priest), board officials, and members of Pandalam royal family.

With the Sabarimala temple due to reopen for the first time tomorrow since Supreme Court allowed womens entry, the Travancore Devaswom Board may seek more time from the Supreme Court to implement its order. As most of the stakeholders are agitated and protesting against the order, the temple board may cite poor infrastructure to seek more time from court and use it to try and establish consensus among groups.

Grandson of former high priest of Sabarimala Shrine, Rahul Easwar said that the Lord Ayyappa devotees were forced to take the route of Gandhian protests. Citing the example of a massive movement in Tamil Nadu, against the Supreme Court verdict banning the festival of Jallikattu, Easwar said we will also launch peaceful agitation to demand an ordinance to undo the Supreme Court's ruling that threatens our religious beliefs.

The Shiv Sena's Kerala unit has vowed to send a group of activists, who will commit suicide if women who are barred from entering the temple as per its customs attempt to enter the temple. The party will also deploy hundreds of its activists at Nilackkal and Pampa to block women from the menstruating age group.

Women, devotees and journalists alike, were being stopped at Nilakkal from proceeding towards the Sabarimala shrine of Lord Ayyappa. CNN-News18, reported that the protesters have started stopping cars heading towards the traditional trekking routes that lead to Sabarimala temple to check if any women are headed towards the temple.

Amid ongoing protests by Lord Ayyappa devotees over the Supreme Court judgment allowing women to enter the Sabarimala temple, Kerala Varma Raja, head of Pandalam royal family said that the apex court verdict was against the sentiments of devotees. He said that the central government should make necessary amendments to protect the rights of the believers.

The Pandalam royal family for ages has been closely interlinked with the lore of Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity at Sabarimala. During the annual mandalam festival at the temple between November-January, the male head of the family has privileges to perform certain ceremonies.

"Pandalam royal family follows the rights and rituals of Sabarimala temple. As far as the verdict is concerned, it is against the devotees. We have moved the Supreme Court against this. We will take appropriate step after analysing the outcome of the petition," Raja told media in a press meet.

Raja was here to take part in the protest march organised by Ayyappa Dharma Protection Committee against the 28 September verdict of the five-judge constitution bench, which had in its 4:1 verdict lifted the ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine.

The Constitution bench had said that banning the entry of women into the shrine is gender discrimination and that the practice violates rights of Hindu women.

The royal family head said the issue was not political and he was not siding with any political party. He urged that the Centre to make necessary amendments in the law against the apex court decision.

"This is not a political issue. Not siding with any political party. It's a custom, tradition followed by thousands of believers. Central government should make necessary amendments in law with regard to this matter," he said.

Earlier in the day, while inaugurating the protest march at Jantar Mantar, he asked the Kerala Chief Minister to consider the sentiments of the believers.

"Chief Minister must consider the sentiments of the believers. The President of India and the Centre must interfere in the matter," he urged.

The BJP-led NDA had organised the protest against the LDF government's decision not to file a review petition against the Supreme Court's verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala Temple by lifting the ban on those between 10-50 years.

The state has been rocked by protests by Congress, BJP and Hindu outfits against the government's move to implement the apex court order.

Meanwhile in Kerala, amid continuing protests on the Sabarimala issue, a temple body which manages the Lord Ayyappa shrine Sunday invited various stakeholders for a meeting to discuss 'various aspects', including preparations for the annual pilgrimage season, beginning next month.

As Various Hindu outfits and Lord Ayyappa devotees have been staging protests over the last few days all over Kerala against implementation of the Supreme Court order, the call for talks is considered an attempt for a consensus.

The three-month-long annual 'Mandalam-Makaravilakku' pilgrimage season of the Sabarimala Temple will begin on 17 November.Lok Sabha MP Anto Antony, who represents Pathanamthitta constituency under which the Sabarimala hill shrine comes, on Tuesday urged the Centre to issue an ordinance to get around the Supreme Court order allowing entry of women in all age groups in the holy temple.

Erumely: Lok Sabha MP Anto Antony, who represents Pathanamthitta constituency under which the Sabarimala hill shrine comes, on Tuesday urged the Centre to issue an ordinance to get around the Supreme Court order allowing entry of women in all age groups in the holy temple.

Antony was in Erumely, an important pilgrim centre linked to Lord Ayyappa faith, for inaugurating a dharna organised by women's outfits of Congress, Indian Union Muslim League and Kerala Congress (M) in protest against the Supreme Court verdict.

"The Sabarimala temple will open for monthly pooja tomorrow evening. We all are very concerned. This time, the centuries' old pilgrimage to Sabarimala, which is a festival of all faiths, is in the shadow of conflicts. The Apex Court verdict permitting women of all age groups into the shrine have been opposed by all including the people from other faiths," Antony told PTI after addressing the dharna.

The dharna, held in Erumely, a small town where a mosque named after a Muslim saint Vavar, considered a close friend of Lord Ayyappa, was attended by women from all faiths including Hindu, Christian and Muslim associated with the Congress-led UDF.

A visit to the Vavar mosque is an integral part of the pilgrimage to Sabarimala. Antony said an unprecedented situation has evolved in Sabarimala before commencing the annual pilgrim season next month.

"You see only one thing in the streets protests by men, women and children against the Supreme Court verdict. This is the time for them to arrange facilities for welcoming crores of devotees visiting the hill shrine from the world over.

No such activities are done this time around. Instead, you see only the protests by our people  the hosts chanting Ayyappa mantra," he said. Urging the Centre to issue the ordinance, the Congress MP said he had written to prime minister Narendra Modi in this regard.

"I, as the MP representing the constituency in which Sabarimala temple and important pilgrim centres associated with it come, have urged the PM to issue the ordinance to stop entry of women of all age groups into the hill shrine, where "Lord Ayyappa's character is a 'Naishtika Brahmachari' (eternal celibate)," he said.

"Unfortunately, I haven't got any response from the prime minister so far," he lamented. Further, Antony said he was certain that the situation could be brought to normalcy if the Central government issued the ordinance to get around the Supreme Court verdict.

He said an ordinance can be brought in line with the one such legal step taken when the Supreme Court banned jallikattu, a bull-taming sport in Tamil Nadu.

"The Parliament later passed a law later to overcome the Supreme Court verdict on jallikattu," he said.

Kerala has been witnessing intense protests including prayer marches and mass rallies by Lord Ayyappa devotees and right-wing outfits against the implementation of the Apex court verdict.

On 28 September, a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by then chief justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine.The objections to the Sabarimala verdict are no different. It is just not adequate to put the blame on a patriarchal mindset that pervades across gender, indoctrination or social and political compulsions, though all these are significant contributing factors.

American historian Katherine Mayo gave a detailed account of the turbulent times British India witnessed while fighting against child marriage in her polemical book Mother India (1927). It is all the more relevant now when even women are marching to protest against a Supreme Court verdict which allows them to enter the Sabarimala temple irrespective of their age and bears quoting from the book at some length.

She wrote: "Indian and English authorities unite in the conviction that no law raising the marriage age of girls would be today effectively accepted by the Hindu peoples. The utmost to be hoped, in the present state of public mentality, is, so these experienced men hold, a raising of the age of consent within the marriage bonds. A step in this direction was accomplished in 1891, when Government, backed by certain members of the advanced section of the Indians, after a hot battle in which it was fiercely accused by eminent orthodox Hindus of assailing the most sacred foundations of the Hindu world, succeeded in raising that age from ten years to twelve. In latter-day Legislative Assemblies the struggle has been renewed, non-official Indian Assemblymen bringing forward bills aiming at further advance only to see them, in one stage or another, defeated by the strong orthodox majority."

She explained why the Indian parliamentarians, in successive debates, opposed to raising the age of marriage even while agreeing that marriage should be postponed until a girl is physically and emotionally mature to prevent high child and maternal mortality rates and other disadvantages and risks involved with child marriage. She pointed at three reasons offered by those who opposed it: "First, because immutable custom forbids, premarital pubescence being generally considered, among Hindus, a social if not a religious sin. Second, because the father dare not keep his daughter at home lest she be damaged before she is off his hands. And this especially in joint-family households, where several men and boys brothers, cousins, uncles live under the same roof. Third, because the parents dare not expose the girl, after her dawning puberty, to the pressure of her own desire unsatisfied."

The objections to the Sabarimala verdict are no different. No less than member of the Travancore royal family Ashwathi Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, said: "...Centuries-old faith and way of worship that is integral to Hinduism are now being dismantled and destroyed. My grandmother, the Maharani of Travancore royal family, has visited Sabarimala temple only after her uterus has been removed. To the best of my knowledge till now, no woman of the menstruating age has entered the Sabarimala temple..." It is believed that the Sabarimala deity is different from others by his vow of celibacy and therefore, it is not advisable to allow menstruating women into the temple.

What should be surprising, or may be not be so after all, is that a large number of women who should be hailing the Supreme Court verdict as something that empowers them and frees them from the taboos of a bygone era are instead taking out protest marches along with men.

It is just not adequate to put the blame on a patriarchal mindset that pervades across gender, indoctrination or social and political compulsions, though all these are significant contributing factors. The protests have a lot to do with organised religions which have gained more and more currency in India in the past few decades. When Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim was convicted of raping two of his disciples by a court last year, thousands of his disciples went on a rampage in Chandigarh, Delhi and Rajasthan leading to 29 deaths, mostly in police firing and injuries to hundreds of others. Baba Rampal, who was recently convicted in two murder cases by a Haryana court, was arrested after a two-long stand-off between his followers and police at his ashram in 2015 which left six dead and several others injured.

Follow LIVE UPDATES on protests against women entering Sabarimala shrine here

In recent years, psychologists have been trying to explain such conflicts in different ways. Steve Taylor, author and psychology teacher of Leeds Metropolitan University of UK, for example, says "Don't blame religion for our problems  blame it on the human need for belonging and certainty". He seeks to draw a clear distinction between 'dogmatic' and 'spiritual' religion. Dogmatic religion, he says, "...isn't about self-development or experiencing the transcendent, but about adhering to a set of rigid beliefs and following the rules laid down by religious authorities. It's about defending their beliefs against anyone who questions them, asserting their 'truth' over other people's, and spreading those beliefs to others. For them, the fact that other people have different beliefs is an affront, since it implies the possibility that their own beliefs may not be true...".

He adds that such impulse "stems from the psychological need for group identity and belonging, together with a need for certainty and meaning". On the other hand, he writes, "'Spiritual' religion is very different. It promotes the higher attributes of human nature, like altruism and compassion and fosters a sense of the sacred and sublime. 'Spiritually religious' people don't feel any animosity to other religious groups - in fact, they're happy to investigate other beliefs, and may even go to other groups' temples and services".

Steven Reiss, a professor emeritus of psychology at the Ohio State University and author, takes it further to say that his research identified 16 basic desires that attract people to religion - acceptance, curiosity, eating, family, honour, idealism, independence, order, physical activity, power, romance, saving, social contact, status, tranquillity and vengeance. A 'secular society' offers alternatives to fulfil all these desires. Therefore, religion competes with secular society and can gain or lose in popularity based on how well people believe it does compare to secular society.

What separates the religious from the non-religious? Reiss explains that it is one of the same basic desires - independence. In his studies, he found that religious people expressed a strong desire for interdependence with others while those who were not showed a stronger need to be self-reliant and independent.

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Sabarimala temple row: India's liberalisation in 90s brought globalisation, unavoidable economics and politics of religiosityTension is mounting at Sabarimala with devotee bodies, Hindu organisations and various political outfits gearing up to oppose entry of women aged between 10 and 50 years.

Tension is mounting at Sabarimala with devotee bodies, Hindu organisations and various political outfits gearing up for a show of strength against the Communist-led governments move to implement the Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all ages to enter the Lord Ayyappa temple when it opens for the five-day monthly pooja on 17 October.

Activists from more than 30 organisations will converge at Nilackkal, the base camp of Sabarimala hill shrine, and Pampa, the base of the hill from where the devotees trek to the temple, to resist the entry of the women between the ages of 10 and 50.

While most of the organisations will hold peaceful protests, the Shiv Sena and the Ayyappa Dharma Sena said they will prevent women of the menstruating age group from entering the hill shrine. The Sena will send a seven-member suicide squad to Sabarimala to resist those daring to enter the temple defying its customs and traditions.

Thiruvananthapuram-based Sena leader Peringamala Aji said the members of the squad will commit suicide if women who are barred from entering the temple as per its customs attempt to enter the temple. He said the party will also deploy hundreds of its activists at Nilackkal and Pampa to block women from the menstruating age group.

We will not allow them to cross Pampa. They would be able to trek on the hill only by stepping over the dead bodies of our workers. Be it Trupti Desai or anyone else, our workers won't let anybody break customs, the Sena leader said, adding that their protest was not against the Supreme Court verdict but the state government, which is trying to implement it without considering options to protect the customs and practices of the temple.

The Ayyappa Dharma Sena, which is headed by Rahul Easwar, grandson of late high priest Kandararu Maheswararu, who died in May this year, will form a human shield to prevent women of the menstruating age group from entering the temple.

Our activists will keep vigil at four entry points by lying down. We will not physically block the women. If they try to cross the entry point, they will have to walk over our bodies. Ours will be a Gandhian protest, Easwar said.

Apart from the Dharma Sena, a tribal group has also come forward to set up vigil at various entry points.

Mala Arayan, a community whose ancestors settled in the hills surrounding Sabarimala, will set up a vigil at 18 hills through which devotees enter the hill shrine. The community, which is considered as being a close aide of Lord Ayyappan, holds a few traditional rights in the rituals.

Members of another tribal community who live in the forest tracts at Sabarimala, Malampandaram, are already on an indefinite satyagraha. The leader of the tribe, Parasuram Thannickkal, said they will persuade the women not to enter the temple. He said that their protest will continue until an amicable solution to the issue is found.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, which took out a march from Pandalam  believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ayyappa  to the state secretariat, will also take its protest to Sabarimala. The Mahila Morcha, the womens wing of the party, will sit on a satyagraha at Nilackkal from 17 October.

The party will organise a Viswasi Sangamam (believers convention) at Pathanamthitta on Tuesday. Party state president PS Sreedharan Pillai has given 24 hours time to the Left Front government to desist from its move to implement the apex court order. He said that the party will intensify its agitation if the government fails to take appropriate action.

Thousands of people joined the march we organised. This shows that the genuine believers of Lord Ayyappa do not want change in the centuries-old customs and traditions of the temple. We will stand by the devotees, the BJP chief said.

The party wants the government to either file a review petition in the Supreme Court or promulgate an ordinance to nullify the verdict. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has rejected both the pleas as they will be contrary to the stand it has taken in the court. The government had favoured entry to women in Sabarimala in the affidavit it filed in the court.

However, the Travancore Devaswom Board, which governs the temple, has launched an effort to arrive at a consensus on the issue. Board president A Padma Kumar has convened a meeting of all the stakeholders at Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.

Barring one organisation, the others have not responded to the invitation so far. The Tantri family and the Pandalam royal family, which is the custodian of the temple, have expressed apprehensions over the talks, as the TDB is toeing the government line. Both said that they will take a decision after consulting all concerned.

The TDB has already made it clear that it will implement the Supreme Court verdict. If the proposed meeting is aimed at discussing how to implement the verdict, there is no point in attending it. We will consult the Tantris and take a decision," said Pandalam Palace Managing Committee president PG Sasikumar Varma.

The All India Ayyappa Seva Sangham, an organisation of the devotees, said it will attend the meeting but demand postponement of the implementation of the verdict. Sangham president Parameswaran Pillai said the organisation will ask the TDB to approach the court and seek more time to implement the verdict in view of the protests.

This time period will help stakeholders to find a way out to protect the interests of the devotees and the customs and traditions of the temple, he added.

Tantri Kandarau Rajeevaru has, meanwhile, expressed concern over the tense situation prevailing at Sabarimala. The intelligence department has alerted the authorities that the massive build-up at Sabarimala could turn into a law and order problem.

Curiously, the police have so far not revealed the measures it will take to face the situation. Pathanamthitta district superintendent of police T Narayanan does not rule out the chances of a showdown in view of the massive build-up of protesters.

He said that he is awaiting an action plan from the police headquarters. Matters regarding the security at Sabarimala are decided by the top brass. They are watching the situation and will come out with a fool-proof security cover for the monthly pooja and the subsequent pilgrim season, he added.

The police had earlier planned to post 500 women police at the entry points and the temple premises. However, they retracted from the move after protests. The TDB has also not made any special arrangements for women. It is planning to divide the facilities already available in the hill shrine for men and women.

Devotees, who go for the pooja, are keeping their fingers crossed, with the authorities dilly-dallying on the issue and the protesters hardening their stand. B Unnnikrishnan, a regular visitor to Sabarimala, said he was reposing his faith in Lord Ayyappa for the smooth conduct of the pilgrim season.A day before the Lord Ayyappa temple is thrown open to pilgrims for monthly ritual, tension looms large at Nilakkal  the main gateway to Sabarimala  as devotees on Tuesday stopped vehicles and prevented women of the 'banned' age group from trekking to the holy hill.

A day before the Lord Ayyappa temple is thrown open to pilgrims for monthly ritual, tension looms large at Nilakkal  the main gateway to Sabarimala  as devotees on Tuesday stopped vehicles and prevented women of the "banned" age group from trekking to the holy hill.

The shrine located on the mountain ranges of the ecologically fragile Western Ghats opens tomorrow for the first time after the recent Supreme Court order permitting women of all age groups there.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, however, told reporters that no one would be allowed to block devotees from proceeding to Sabarimala. We will not allow any one take law and order in their hands. The government will ensure facilities to devotees to go to Sabarimala Temple and offer prayers. Government will not submit a review petition. We've said in court that we'll implement the order," Vijayan was quoted as saying by ANI.

Unlike other Hindu temples in the state, the Sabarimala temple is not open all-year-round. Devotees are only allowed to visit the shrine and offer prayers for the first five days of every month, according to the Malayalam calendar, and during the annual mandalam and makaravilakku festivals between mid-November to mid-January. However, the temple which is dedicated to Hindu deity, Lord Ayyappa, is open to people of all religions.

Various stakeholders were invited by the Travancore Devaswom Board to have a discussion and reach a consensus. The patrons, including the Tantri (head priest) family, Pandalam royals and Ayyappa Seva Sangam, were supposed to discuss the preparations ahead of the three-month-long annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrim season starting 17 November. However, the meeting received a tepid response when all stakeholders failed to reach a consensus. Pandalam royal family and high priests of the temple walked out of the meeting, Firstpost was told. The royal family and tantris demanded that the Travancore Devaswom Board should file a review petition in the Supreme Court immediately. The board, however, refused to accept the demand. The board reportedly agreed to file a petition after 19 November, following which, the royal family and the tantris walked out.

Kandararu Maheshwararu Tantri, chief priest of Sabarimala temple said that there would be violence if women between the ages of 10 and 50 try to enter the Sabarimala shrine. He said, "At no time before, has Kerala united like this. This is to us what Jalikattu was to Tamil Nadu. See the protests that are unfolding in the streets. Lakhs of people, most of them women, are up in arms against the order. In fact several Hindu outfits have rallied in the vicinity. This anger could easily escalate into violence if a few egotistic women try to enter Sabarimala."

The Sabarimala Temple, one of the several Lord Ayyappa temples in Kerala, is specifically dedicated to the celibate form of the deity. Historically, women between the ages of 10 to 50 (the typical duration of time when a woman menstruates) were not allowed to enter this particular temple. However, women are free to worship the shrine in most other temples of the deity.

However, this changed on 28 September, when a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine, and held that such a practice was violative of their right to worship.

Activists from more than 30 organisations will converge at Nilakkal and Pampa, the base of the hill from where the devotees trek to the temple, to resist the entry of the women between the ages of 10 and 50. Some of these are:

Shiv Sena - The party's Kerala unit has vowed to prevent women from entering the hill shrine. They have sent a suicide squad persuade women against entering.

Ayyappa Dharma Sena - The Ayyappa Dharma Sena, which is headed by Rahul Easwar, grandson of late high priest Kandararu Maheswararu will form a human shield to prevent women of the menstruating age group from entering the temple. They plan to form a human shield to prevent women's entry

Tribal communities - Mala Arayan, a tribal group whose ancestors settled in the hills surrounding Sabarimala, will set up a vigil at 18 hills through which devotees enter the hill shrine. Members of another tribal community who live in the forest tracts at Sabarimala, Malampandaram, are already on an indefinite satyagraha.

Amid the 30-odd groups protesting against the Supreme Court's verdict allowing women to enter the temple against tradition, are some of the local tribes. Mala Arayan, a community whose ancestors settled in the hills surrounding Sabarimala, has set up a vigil at 18 hills through which devotees enter the hill shrine. The community, which is considered as being a close aide of Lord Ayyappan, holds a few traditional rights in the rituals.

Members of another tribal community who live in the forest tracts at Sabarimala, Malampandaram, are already on an indefinite satyagraha. The leader of the tribe, Parasuram Thannickkal, said they will persuade the women not to enter the temple. He said that their protest will continue until an amicable solution to the issue is found.

A 51-year-old woman hailing from the Malayulladan community attempted suicide at Nilakkal around 1.15 pm, when one of the woman pilgrims refused to give up her quest to enter the shrine. The protester identified as Ratnamma tried to hang herself from a tree, however, the fellow protestors foiled the attempt. The woman said she was protesting attempt by someone to defy the customs and traditions of the temple.

Groups of women devotees including senior citizens, clad in traditional sarees, could be seen stopping each and every vehicle at Nilackal, the base camp located about 20 kms away from Sabarimala hill top. Besides private vehicles, devotees even stopped and inspected Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and asked young women to get out of it.

Very few police personnel were present when the incidents happened. One of the woman agitator said, "No woman belonging to the banned age group of 10-50 will be allowed to travel further from Nilackal and offer worship at the shrine" when it opens for the monthly pooja on Thursday evening.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE UPDATES ON SABARIMALA PROTESTS

The temple would be closed on October 22 after the five-day monthly puja during the Malayalam month of Thulam. Chanting 'swamiya saranam Ayyappa' matras aloud and clapping their hands, women devotee had been inspecting vehicles at various points en route to Sabarimala since last evening.

Local television channels reported that some college students, who were sporting black colour dresses, were asked to get out of a bus they were travelling in, by devotees alleging that they were on their way to Sabarimala.

Ayyappa devotees wear black colour dress and a bead chain during the pilgrimage. Women journalists, who tried to reach the hill temple as part of their official assignments, were also stopped at the base camp.

Vijayan, however, warned of stern action against those who prevent devotees. "Stern action will be taken against anyone who prevents devotees from going to Sabarimala," Vijayan told reporters here.

Vijayan also made it clear that the government has no intention to file a review petition and would implement the apex court order. The chief minister said the government has taken a stand on the issue that there should not be any discrimination on the basis of gender.

However, the government has clarified that it would not bring in any law to put its policy into practice. "But, will go by what the Supreme Court says," Vijayan said. Referring to the statement of BJP President P S Sreedharan Pillai that government would be responsible for any law and order situation on the issue, Vijayan said it was the saffron party that was trying to create problem in the state.

The chief minister also condemned the remark of a BJP supporter and actor Kollam Thulasi that "women who go to Sabarimala temple defying the custom should be ripped apart". A group of devotees continued their sit-in dharna in front of secretariat here to protest the government's decision to implement the top court order.

Kerala has been witnessing intense protests including prayer marches and mass rallies by Lord Ayyappa devotees and right wing outfits against the implementation of the Apex court verdict. All protest rallies had witnessed mass participation of women especially that of senior citizens.

The Shiv Sena's state unit recently warned of "mass suicides" if women of the "banned" age group visits Sabarimala. Police have booked actor-turned-BJP supporter, Kollam Thulashi for his controversial remarks.

A 32-year-old woman, hailing from Kannur, had Monday complained that she was being slut-shamed and subjected to threats and abuses on social media after she announced her decision to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa shrine. Though the government had earlier considered to deploy women police personnel at Sannidhanam, the temple complex and the 'pathinettam padi,' the sacred 18 steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum, the plan was dropped later following protests of devotees.Saudi Arabias Mobily and Huawei have agreed to collaborate on a five-year plan to upgrade Mobilys networks and accelerate the arrival of 5G to the kingdom.

The announcement was made at Huaweis global headquarters in Shenzhen, China, during a recent visit by Maziad Al-Harbi, chief technology officer at Mobily.

Mobily and Huaweis five-year plan, named Network 2023, will see an end-to-end (E2E) network evaluation and evolution strategy to upgrade Mobilys existing infrastructure and help Saudi Arabia capitalise from 5G from both an industry and consumer perspective.

As a network evolution strategy consultant, Huawei will assist Mobily with its 4.5G to 5G evolution, and its target network planning (including spectrum and user experience). The companies will collaborate to fully cloudify Mobilys network to make it ready for 5G, in addition to cooperating on IT and data center strategy and planning. Huawei will also act as Mobilys consultant from an industry and consumer perspective, offering market and business insights and strategy.

Ultimately, the aim of the MoU is to strengthen the relationship between Huawei and Mobily in order to bring the most updated and advanced E2E networks to Saudi Arabia. By combining Huaweis E2E portfolio of advanced ICT products and solutions with Mobilys excellence in customer service, the companies hope to create new digital services and revenue streams, enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, decrease time-to-market, and increase Mobilys customer base.

Al-Harbi commented: We are excited to combine forces with Huawei to ensure that Saudi Arabia remains at the forefront of the latest trends and technologies in 5G. Innovation is vital to enabling the kingdom to transform into a digital country, and at Mobily we are committed to deploying the most advanced technologies to provide the people of Saudi Arabia with a high standard of living and a modern environment. Our collaboration with Huawei will surely help us reach this goal.

Zhang, CEO of Huawei Tech Investment Saudi Arabia, added: We are proud that Mobily has selected Huawei as a partner to lead their development in the field of 5G. At Huawei, we aim to play a leading role in assisting the government in reaching the goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030 to become a diversified, knowledge-based economy, and intelligent and agile telecommunications infrastructure is vital to the success of these aims. 5G in particular promises to accelerate the Kingdoms digital transformation by creating new industries and revitalizing old ones, and we look forward to collaborating with Mobily to bring these benefits to Saudi Arabia.  TradeArabia News ServiceThe Sabarimala verdict has become a tool for political mobilisation in Kerala.

India adopted a secular model of governance after Independence  though the actual word was inserted into the Constitution of India much later, during the Emergency years. And yet it has become more religious, especially of the organised variety. The ever-expanding empires of Baba Ramdev, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and the state patronage extended to them by way of cheap land, political support and other concessions in a number of states are an indication of that. The Madhya Pradesh government even appointed five Hindu religious leaders as Ministers of State (MoS)  Computer Baba, Bhayyu Maharaj, Pandit Yogendra Mahant, Narmadanand Maharaj and Hariharanand Maharaj  who had threatened to expose government irregularities in April 2018.

Historian William Dalrymple points out the paradox. In 2010, he wrote in Outlook magazine, In 19th century Europe, industrialisation and the mass migrations from farms and villages to the towns and cities went hand in hand with the death of God: organised religion began to decline and the Church and state moved further and further apart. The experience of South Asia has been more or less the reverse of this. All over the subcontinent faith has been growing and religion becoming stronger as the region reinvented itself in different ways over the last twenty years. This is at least as much true of India as it is of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Meera Nanda, US-based Indian writer and academic, provided a compelling account of this growth of religiosity in India in her 2009 book, The God Market: How Globalization is Making India More Hindu. She wrote: As India is liberalising and globalising its economy, the country is experiencing a rising tide of popular Hinduism which is leaving no social segment and no public institution untouched. There is a surge in popular religiosity among the burgeoning and largely Hindu middle classes, as is evident from a boom in pilgrimage and invention of new and more ostentatious rituals. This religiosity is being cultivated by the emerging statetemplecorporate complex that is replacing the more secular public institutions of the Nehruvian era....Given Indias growing visibility in the global economy, Hindu religiosity is getting fused with feelings of national pride and dreams of becoming a superpower...

This increase in religiosity is not only becoming more and more public and political, Nanda wrote that the newly prosperous middle classes are turning away from the more philosophical, neo-Vedantic form of religiosity and embracing a more ritualistic and superstitious form of popular Hinduism centred on temples, pilgrimages and popular saints or god-men/women  that is, adopting a more dogmatic form of religion rather than the spiritual as author and psychology teacher Steve Taylor would have described. She also pointed out that Hindus are not the only ones becoming more religious and wrote, The 2007 State of the National Survey (by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi) shows that 38 percent of Indian Muslims, 47 percent of Christians and 33 percent of Sikhs, as compared to 27 percent of Hindus, claim to have become more religious in the last five years.

This made a telling comment on the state of affairs, ...around the turn of the millennium, the country (India) had 2.5 million places of worship, but only 1.5 million schools and barely 75,000 hospitals, which she ascribed to Indian diplomat (and now JD-U leader) Pavan K Varmas 2004 book Being Indian, the data being sourced from 2001 Census findings.

What is the relationship between the spread of religiosity and liberalisation? Sriya Iyer, who teaches economics at the University of Cambridge, explains this in her book, The Economics of Religion in India, published in September 2018. The book not only demonstrates that religious organisations increased their activities compensating for the retreat of the state after Indias economy was liberalised in 1991, but also that religious violence is more common where economic growth is higher, apparently because higher growth leads to higher inequality, which politicians tend to use for their own end. The book says, as inequality leads to social polarisation, religious doctrines become more extreme. It, however, also says that religious organisations, on balance, play a positive role in Indias socio-economic development.

Be that as it may, Kerala is on the boil. The Sabarimala verdict has become a tool for political mobilisation in Kerala. After the initial hesitation, both the top line political parties  the BJP and Congress  have come out in favour of the faithful, criticising the Left Font-led state government for not going for an appeal against the Supreme Court verdict. The BJP has held several public meetings and rallies in different parts of the state, including one by its womens wing. It is at one such meeting that a BJP leader and Malayalam movie actor Kollam Thulasi threatened that women entering the Sabarimala temple should be torn into two pieces, attracting an FIR for hurting religious sentiments, sexist remarks and others under the Indian Penal Code.

Now mixing religion with politics has dangerous consequences and Pakistan is a good example of that. Starting Wednesday, this week will see more political and religious mobilisations as the Sabarimala temple opens for monthly rituals. The faithful, with the backing of political parties and Hindu organisations, have already announced that they would be guarding the temple entry to prevent menstruating women, should one dare to walk in. One activist, Trupti Desai, has queered the pitch by declaring that she would be visiting the hill shrine, evoking sharp reactions. An interesting battle awaits.

Also Read

Sabarimala shrine reopens tomorrow: Can't blame patriarchy alone for protests against SC verdict, organised religion is also at faultEven before the talks began at Thiruvananthapuram, devotees protesting against the implementation of the apex court order by the state government started stopping vehicles and preventing women from going to the hill shrine.

With the talks between the Travancore Dewaswom Board (TDB) which manages the Sabarimala temple and the thantri (supreme priest) and the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam failing to reach a consensus on implementing the Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all ages to enter the shrine, concern is being raised in several quarters about the smooth conduct of monthly pooja beginning on Wednesday.

Even before the talks began at Thiruvananthapuram, devotees protesting against the implementation of the apex court order by the state government started stopping vehicles and preventing women from going to the hill shrine and one even attempting suicide ahead of the opening of the temple on Wednesday.

The protestors were local women, who have been staging a satyagraha at Nilakkal, the main gateway to Sabarimala, for the last one week under the banner of Sabarimala Temple Achara Samrakshana Samithi (Sabarimala Temple Custom Protection Committee.

Clad in traditional sarees, the women, stopped all vehicles, including the state-run Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses at the base camp located about 20-kilometre away from Sabarimala hilltop and asked young women to get down even as the leaders of the organisation kept on assuring that they will not stop any women from going to Sabarimala.

The women, who tried to cross the base camp, were three journalism students from Kottayam and two reporters of national television channels. None of them had any intention to visit the temple. Sruthi Mathur, a reporter of India Ahead from Hyderabad, had come to Nilackal to cover the protests.

My car was stopped by a group of women before I reached the venue of the protests and asked me not to go Sabarimala. Though I told them I had come to Nilackal and had no plan to go to Sabarimala, the women were not convinced. They forced me to get out of the car and kept a watch on me, Sruthi said.

Sujatha, an elderly woman who led the action, said no women belonging to the banned age group of 10-50 will be allowed to travel further from Nilackal and offer worship at the shrine. She said that they stopped only those women who were not listening to their request not to defy the centuries-old custom in the temple.

We have been living around Sabarimala for generations. None of us has ever tried to violate the custom. The women coming from outside do not know how important is the custom and practices being followed at Sabarimala for centuries. We will not allow others who from outside to do so, she said.

Curiously, the policemen present at the venue did not try to intervene when the devotees mobbed the vehicles and forced the women to go back despite the governments assertion that it will provide full protection to the women going to Sabarimala. There were only a handful of policemen present at Nilackal in the morning.

More forces, including two companies of women police, were deployed at Nilackal and other entry points after news about the resistance spread. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has warned of stern action against those who prevent the women devotees.

"Stern action will be taken against anyone who prevents the devotees from going to Sabarimala. None will be allowed to take the law into their hands. The government is committed to implementing the apex court order. We have no intention to file a review petition. The women who like to go to the temple will be given protection by the government, he told reporters at Thiruvananthapuram.

Following the chief ministers warning, the Pathanathitta superintendent of police T Narayanan and Additional Director General of Police Anil Kanth rushed to Nilackal and took stock of the situation. The ADGP said more forces will be deployed at avert troubles at Sabarimala.

The protests are likely to be more aggressive following the failure of the talks between the TDB and the stakeholders. The talks called by TDB president A Padma Kumar failed as the temple authority refused to heed the plea of the tantric and the Pandalam royal family to file a review petition and seek more time to implement the Supreme Court order immediately.

Though the TDB president agreed to place the demand at the next board meeting on 19 November, the tantric and the Pandalam royal family representative boycotted the meeting. The stakeholders rejected the offer as the TDB has been toeing the government line. Though the board president had initially maintained that they will file a review petition, he changed the stance following a meeting with the chief minister.

The thantri family is reportedly considering boycotting the temple. Sources close to the family said that the thantri may not go to the temple when the temple opens the pooja. Usually, thantri is the first person to visit the sanctum sanctorum when its doors are opened for both monthly pooja and the pilgrim season starting from November.

The Pandalam royal family led a motor cycle rally from Pandalam to Sabarimala on Tuesday in protest against the implementation of the court order by the government. The family representatives have threatened to intensify their agitation following the failure of the talks.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, which gave the government 24 hours time to find a way out to protect the interest of the devotees, said the party will also intensify their agitation. The government would be responsible for any law and order problem at Sabarimala on the issue, said Kerala BJP president PS Sreedharan Pillai.

The Congress, which was shying away from direct agitation, will also be hitting the streets against the implementation of the court order. The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) will kick off their agitation with a day-long fast at Nilackal on Wednesday.

Activists of a host of organisations will be descending on Sabarimala when the temple opens on Wednesday with various types of protests. While the Shiva Sena said their members will commit suicide if any women between the age of 10 and 50 went to Sabarimala, the Ayyappa Dharma Sena, a major body of Ayyappa devotees will be erecting vigil at four entry points against women trying to enter the temple.

Though the leaders of most organisations said they will not prevent the women from trekking to the temple, devotees are apprehensive in the light of the attempts made by the activists of the Sabarimala Temple Achara Samrakshana Samithi to prevent the women.

The devotees in many places have also started intimidating women who have announced their decision to go to Sabarimala or support those going to the temple. The scooter of an activist in Malappuram, who offered her support to the women going to Sabarimala in the social media, was damaged while a 32-year-old woman who announced her decision to go to Sabarimala was threatened by the devotees.

Women activists see this as part of a deliberate attempt to create conflict at Sabarimala.

Follow LIVE updates on Sabarimala temple opening hereLocals from South Mumbai on Tuesday continued their protest in Marine Drive against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) regarding the water supply that has been irregular for the past three months. According to reports, Cuffe Parade, Colaba and Churchgate are the worst hit in South Mumbai with the areas receiving very less water for the past three days.

Local residents from South Mumbai on Tuesday continued their protest in Marine Drive against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) regarding water supply that has been irregular for the past three months. According to reports, Cuffe Parade, Colaba and Churchgate are the worst hit in South Mumbai with the areas receiving very little water for the past three days.

#BREAKING  [ WATCH] Several areas in South Mumbai face erratic water supply; Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Churchgate worst hit. Citizens take to the streets in protest. Detailed inputs by @vinivdvc from Marine Drive. | #MumbaiWaterWoes pic.twitter.com/xk1Dv8e7I0  News18 (@CNNnews18) October 16, 2018

Residents told News18 that they suspected a nexus between the water tanker mafia and the administration.

On Monday, residents had protested outside the BMC office of A Ward carrying empty buckets. A meeting with the hydraulic engineer followed the protest, who assured the residents that the problem had been resolved.

"Around 200 people turned up for the protest despite it being a working day. People from slums as well as plush localities came to protest. This itself shows the gravity of the situation. There was not a drop of water in Cuffe Parade for three days until Sunday. On Monday, the BMC resumed normal supply knowing about our protest," The Hindu quoted Colaba corporator Makarand Narvekar as saying.

Ashok Kumar Tawadia, chief engineer of the BMC hydraulic department told DNA, "We had taken some work for improvement that affects water supply in many parts of city. But now work has been completed and supply issue is resolved."

Tawadia also stated that the issue was caused due to multiple reasons, "Multiple factors came together to cause issues in supply. We had taken up repairs to the Veravali reservoir in September, which affected supply lines going from Bhandup complex to western suburbs. We found air pockets in these pipelines, which prevented continuous flow of water. Besides, the pumps in one of our pumping stations tripped in the first week of October. There was another technical issue at Bhatsa reservoir. That is why supply was affected. There are no water cuts," he told The Hindu.

Many parts of the city including Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Bhendi Bazaar areas in South Mumbai and Juhu, Khar, Andheri and Jogeshwari in the western suburbs reported water supply issues over the last two weeks. Earlier, the BMC had claimed that it hasnt imposed any water cuts and blamed localised problems for the erratic supply, reported Mumbai Mirror.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Raj Purohit on Friday told The Asian Age that the water scarcity in A Ward was due to a nexus between ward officials and water mafia.S Malathi, a first year MA student at the government arts and science college, was suspended on 1 October after she and some other students organised a function to celebrate Singh's birth anniversary on 28 September, despite being denied permission by the principal and the tutor, officials said.

Celebrating the birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh on a government college campus has landed a Tamil Nadu woman student in trouble as she has been suspended for allegedly organising it without permission, an action which she termed as "suppression" of the freedom of expression.

S Malathi, a first year MA student at the government arts and science college, was suspended on 1 October after she and some other students organised a function to celebrate Singh's birth anniversary on 28 September, despite being denied permission by the principal and the tutor, officials said.

"Malathi organised the meeting without permission, which would have affected peace in the campus. She was thus placed under suspension," Chitra, the college principal, said. Malathi told reporters she got to know of her suspension from a college professor. "This (action) is nothing but suppression of the freedom of expression," she said.

Speaking to ANI, Malathi said, "For a week I kept going to class but my teacher kept me out. On day nine, I was told that I am suspended."

Tamil Nadu: Malathi,MA 1st year student of Government Arts College, Coimbatore was suspended on Oct 1 for celebrating Bhagat Singhs birth anniversary on Sept 28,says,"For a week I kept on going for classes but my teacher kept me out.On the 9th day I was told that I am suspended" pic.twitter.com/piXxCiB4q6  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2018



Malathi claimed she was not officially informed of her suspension. Though college authorities told her that a letter to this effect had been sent to her residence, it had not yet reached her home, she said. "Based on that I attended college. However, a copy of the letter was shown to me to confirm their action," she said. Malathi said she had also not received any information on the management's decision to conduct an enquiry, a copy of which they had sent to police.

The principal said all students cannot be called for a meeting organised by a single student, which would only set a precedent in future. She said Malathi was told to seek permission from the department concerned for the meeting, which she had not done. A letter seeking an explanation had been sent to her and the inquiry would be conducted on 22 October, based on which

the future course of action would be decided, Chitra said.

With inputs from PTIHad the current laws been in place when the women suffered at the hands of MJ Akbar, they could have approached the police or the internal complaints committeeat the organisations where he worked.

MJ Akbars criminal defamation complaint against Priya Ramani, who accused him of sexual harassment, is a straightforward attempt at harassment and intimidation. As others have pointed out, his complaint is not on firm footing, and it is somewhat curious that he chose to go after only one of his 14 (and counting) accusers. The strategy seems transparent  exhaust one accuser through legal means and hope it acts as a deterrent to the others.

Theres a rich irony in a former eminent journalist using the criminal defamation law to harass and intimidate an opponent to cover up his wrongdoing. After all, this was the basis on which the constitutional validity of sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code was challenged in the Supreme Court  a challenge rejected on the most absurd and pollyannaish reasoning two years ago.

But that is only as far as what Akbar could and has done. What about the other women? Do they have no recourse to law?

As Raya Sarkar reminded us, Indias #MeToo movement probably begins with Bhanwari Devi  a woman from the Kumhar caste, employed as a saathin of the Rajasthan government, who was brutally gangraped for trying to stop child marriages in her village. The fact that she had been hired to do this meant that her case became the cause celebre for the lack of sexual harassment laws in India. Womens NGOs had moved the Supreme Court, and eventually, in 1997, it had passed its landmark judgement in the Vishakha versus State of Rajasthan case, laying out directions for all organisations to have mechanisms in place to deal with workplace sexual harassment. Twelve directions were given, covering the gamut from what constitutes sexual harassment to how employers must handle complaints that deal with it.

As detailed as these directions were, there was just one problem  there was no way to enforce them. With no penalty for non-compliance with the directions  apart from the lengthy and expensive process of filing contempt petitions in the Supreme Court  there was little legal recourse for women, unless they were prepared to go to the formal court system.

It took the horrific gangrape of Jyoti Singh in Delhi in 2012, the protests that followed and censure to get Parliament to eventually pass laws, making sexual harassment (anywhere) a criminal offence and pass the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. Had these laws been in place when the women suffered at the hands of Akbar, they could have approached the police, besides the internal complaints committee, if they had been set up at the organisations where he worked.

However, criminal laws cannot be applied retrospectively, and all the incidents on Akbar that have been shared are from before 2013. If any action has to be taken against him criminally, they will have to be as per the laws from that time. As it stood then, survivors may have been able to allege that Akbars acts amounted to molestation or attempting to outrage the modesty of a woman, punishable under the Indian Penal Code. However, they cannot do it now as the prescribed period within which complaints can be filed against offences that carry a sentence of less than three years has long since expired for most of the women who spoke up against Akbar.

Legal provisions apart, theres one other problem with the women Akbar allegedly harassed seeking legal recourse to the law  the judiciary. Remember Bhanwari Devi? The woman from Rajasthan who started it all? Her attackers were not even convicted of rape on the most bizarre grounds possible. After much public pressure, the state government had filed an appeal in the Rajasthan High Court, but the matter has not been heard in two decades.

In the more recent times, even after progressive amendments to the Indian Penal Code, under which the likes of Tarun Tejpal and RK Pachauri have been tried, the trials have dragged on with no end in sight. Even where the trials ended quickly and justice was delivered, as we saw in Mahmood Farooquis case, theres no guarantee that a superior court will not overturn a conviction on utterly flimsy grounds going only by the standing of the accused in society.

All of this, perhaps, goes to show exactly why the #MeToo movement exists as it does; somewhat anarchic but necessarily so, given the hollowness of the claims to due process ensuring justice for the survivors of sexual harassment.

Network 18, of which Firstpost is a part, has received complaints of sexual harassment as well. The complaints which are within the purview of the workplace have been forwarded to our PoSH committee for appropriate action.One of the root causes for the outbreak of the Zika virus in Rajasthan has been identified as lack of fogging to prevent mosquito breeding.

Editor's note: The Zika virus outbreak in Rajasthan has affected around 80 people in the state so far. This article is the first one in a multi-part series which focuses on the causes of the outbreak and the measures taken against it.

Jaipur: One of the root causes for the outbreak of the Zika virus in Rajasthan has been identified as lack of fogging to prevent mosquito breeding. According to doctors at the Jaipur municipality, fogging has not been carried out over the last 10 years.

The first fogging activity was scheduled only 10 days after the first case of Zika was reported in Jaipur. The Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) and Department of Health, (Government of Rajasthan) are fully responsible for this situation, says Dr Narottam Sharma, chief medical and health officer at the Jaipur department of medical, health and family welfare.

According to Sharma, reports of the virus from SMS government hospital in Jaipur were considered inaccurate, and doctors waited for a second round of confirmation from a laboratory based in Pune. Once the reports confirmed presence of Zika, arbitrary orders were given to carry out fogging in Jaipurs Shastri Nagar, from where the first case was registered. Rajasthans health minister, Kalicharan Saraf, visited the spot only 17 days after the first case was reported.

A situation of panic arose among residents as they were not allowed to move out of their house, added Sharma.

Fines add fuel to fire

Adding fuel to the fire, JMC slapped fines on nearby residents. Under a campaign started by JMC, all houses in and around the affected areas were to be surveyed, and any house found with breeding larvae would be fined.

JMC claimed that out of 2.44 lakh containers, as many as 55,000 have been made larvae-free till now. Additionally, Rs 44,000 has been collected as penalty from about 68 houses. In a way, if a mosquito has entered a residents house, and has managed to form larvae, the owner will have to pay the fine, said an official from JMC.

As many as 250 teams have been set up by the corporation to identify symptoms of the virus and penalise houses where larvae is found. The teams are also taking door-to-door blood samples in the affected areas, to ensure proper identification of all patients.

A tender for two large and five small machines used for fogging was approved after the number of patients infected by Zika virus increased significantly. JMC now claims to have installed the machines and states that they are fully functional. According to JMCs Dr Sonia Agarwal, fogging has been conducted based on the machines and facilities available at JMC. The virus has now traveled from Shastri Nagar to Sindhi Camp Rajput Hostel, where six students who were tested positive have been isolated, and around 150 others have been kept inside.

The other issue is that mosquitoes have now grown immune to the chemical used for fogging, which is therefore not effective anymore. Two decades ago, when the chemical level for fogging was increased, several residents had fallen ill and the department received several complaints regarding skin diseases. Due to this, the Human Rights Commission set a limit for the level of chemical to be used for fogging. The department is now in talks with the commission to increase the chemical dose, Dr Agarwal added. Pyrethrum, the primary chemical, is used in a ratio of 1:19 with diesel, for the process.

Waste collection hampered too

As per government records, around 80 people have tested positive for Zika in Rajasthan. The department as well as doctors have been unable to control the situation. Agarwal said that fogging takes place twice a day now and approximately three wards are covered at a time. This process is expected to continue till 25 October to ensure adequate impact. A similar situation was witnessed between 2008 and 2009, when the first case of swine flu was detected in the city.

About 900 persons were sampled for Zika, out of which 152 were pregnant women. According to doctors, the virus is not harmful enough to kill a human being. However, Zikas effects are majorly seen during the first trimester of a pregnancy. The virus can prove to be a hindrance in the neurological growth of the child. Since basic symptoms of the virus are fever, cough, body pain and sneezing, the department of health has ordered extra precautionary measures for pregnant women in the affected areas, including restriction from entering affected areas.

Meanwhile, JMC is also facing a tussle with a company to which it has outsourced waste collection, and that has resulted in a halt of solid waste collection across the city. The tussle is about the monetary agreement between both parties. With waste piling up, larger breeding grounds are available for mosquitoes, which could potentially add to the spread of the virus.

(Author is a Rajasthan-based freelance writer and a member of 101reporters.com.)Since the first Zika virus case was detected in Rajasthan, over 280 teams of the health department have been conducting surveys in the affected areas of the state.

Jaipur: The Rajasthan health department has said that out of the 72 people who tested positive for Zika virus, 60 have been cured. The latest figures were issued after a review meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary of medical and health, Veenu Gupta.

Over 280 teams of the medical and health department are conducting surveys in the affected areas of the state. Till now, 96,000 houses have been surveyed, and as a precautionary measure, fogging is being done regularly.

A total fine of Rs 44,000 has been imposed so far on 68 houses where larvae was found.

An 85-year-old woman from Shashtri Nagar area of Jaipur was reportedly the first to be detected with Zika virus.

The disease is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite during the day. Symptoms are generally mild and include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or a headache. Symptoms typically last for two to seven days.

A Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome. Infection with Zika virus is also associated with other complications of pregnancy, including preterm birth and miscarriage.

As per the World Health Organization, there is no treatment available for Zika virus infection or its associated diseases.Gangetic river dolphins are being pushed to extinction due to increased pollution, decreased water flow and shrinking fish populations in the Ganga By Mohd Imran Khan The already endangered Gangetic river dolphins are facing a clear and present danger from climate change, which has adversely affected their habitat. With their population registering a steady decline, the Gangetic dolphins in different parts of the eastern state of Bihar are now fighting for survival. Climate change has impacted the habitat of the Gangetic river dolphins. This impact is particularly striking in the Ganga and its tributaries, R.K. Sinha, an expert on Gangetic river dolphins, told thethirdpole.net. The water level and its flow have been decreasing very fast, which is a bad sign for the dolphins. Sunil Choudhary, who is associated with the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuaryin Bhagalpur in Bihar, Indias only dolphin sanctuary spread over 50 km along the river, said the ecology of the river has been changing due to climate change. If the rivers ecology changes, it affects the dolphins habitat. In addition, climate change has impacted the population of fish in the river, thus reducing the food supply of the dolphins, he told thethirdpole.net. Scientists say climate change is a serious threat for much of the worlds running water sources. The Ganga is also at risk. Several studies have indicated the increasing threat to the Ganga from climate change. The river has been ranked as one of the most polluted and dirtiest rivers in the world, with the WWF listing the 2,520 km long river as among the worlds most endangered. Gangetic river dolphins, primarily found in the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries in Bangladesh, India and Nepal, are categorised under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act and have been placed on the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which signifies that the species is on the verge of extinction. These dolphins are one of the three surviving freshwater dolphin species in the world. The other two are found in the Indus in Pakistan and the Amazon in South America. A fourth species, the Yangtze river dolphin in China, has gone extinct. The Gangetic river species are blind and find their way and prey in the river waters through sonar echoes. They live by echolocation and sound is everything to them. They navigate, feed, flee from danger, find mates, breed, nurse babies and play by echolocation alone.

Image by Gopal Sharma

Experts have said that increasing pollution due to large-scale discharge of industrial and municipal waste, siltation, mechanised boats and global warming are some of the biggest threats faced by freshwater dolphins. Indias national aquatic animal also faces threat from poachers. Their carcasses are found regularly on riverbanks. Bihar is home to around half of the estimated 3,000 dolphin population in the country. Diminishing habitat Sinha, known as Indias Dolphin Man, said several habitats of the Gangetic river dolphin have shrunk in the last few decades and many more will follow in coming years due to climate change. Rising temperature and erratic rainfall are leading to fast decline in the river flow and that is bound to hit dolphins hard, Sinha told thethirdpole.net. The presence of dolphins is a sign of a healthy river ecosystem, Sinha said. Dolphins prefer water that is at least five to eight feet deep. They are usually to be found in turbulent waters where there are enough fish for them to feed on. Dolphins prefer deep water with adjoining shallow water. They live in a zone where there is little or no current that helps them save energy. If they sense danger, they can go into the deep waters, he said. The dolphins swim from the no-current zone to the edges to hunt for fish and return. The increasing demand for river water and the overall rise in temperature are adversely impacting the life cycle of dolphins. The demand for fresh drinking water will only increase as industry grows, thereby attracting more people to settle in these areas, according to the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). The demand for water is expected to rise by roughly one-third by 2050 from the Ganga, which already sustains nearly half a billion people. New diseases are also surfacing due to global warming, thus throwing up a new challenge to the survival of dolphins. Global warming has caused havoc with the population of small fishes, which are the main food of the dolphins. One should not treat Gangetic dolphins as an individual entity as far as climate change is concerned. We should not see them in isolation. They are part of the ecosystem, Sinha said. If the Ganga is vulnerable, the dolphins will be more vulnerable. Increasing threats to dolphins Gopal Sharma, a scientist with the Zoological Survey of India in Patna, said that the decreasing water level in the Ganga is a serious matter. Anthropogenic activities are taking place where there is deep water in the river, Sharma told thethirdpole.net. It is a big threat to dolphins because their habitat is the deep water in the river. The deep water in the river has become a soft target of fishermen and their motorised boats, Sharma pointed out. Such activities are disturbing the quiet habitats of dolphins. Sand miners active in several riverbanks are posing an imminent threat to the dolphins. Several recent studies have revealed that loss of water in the Ganga and erratic or less rainfall have added to the problem. What makes the situation worse is that water from the river is pumped for irrigation and industrial purposes in the neighbouring upstream state of Uttar Pradesh. He said that in Bihar, the water flow of the Ganga is primarily maintained by tributaries such as Ghaghra, Gandak and Koshi.

Image from AFP

Sharma recalled that nearly two decades ago, the water level in the Ganga used to be much deeper. Dolphins used to be sighted everywhere in deep water since they need to come to the surface to breathe. While calves hit the surface every 10 seconds to one minute, adult dolphins surface every three minutes. Gangetic dolphins shift their habitat during the rainy season every year, when the water level in the river rises. They move to small tributaries and floodplains to avoid strong currents and also in search of food. Though officials of different government agencies are reluctant to share information on the flow of rivers, they admitted that the Ganga has been recording a low inflow in its lower reaches in recent years. No direct correlation Choudhary of the Vikramshila sanctuary said there are many components of climate change and its impact on dolphins. However, there is no one particular study so far to map the direct impact of climate change on dolphins, he said. There are clear signs of the impact of climate change as cases of pre-birth abortion are increasing among dolphins, he told thethirdpole.net. But, it is yet to be ascertained beyond doubt. The Bihar government is scheduled to conduct a survey of the Gangetic dolphins in 2018 along the 525-kilometre stretch of the Ganga between Chausa in Buxar district in the west and Manihari in Katihar district in the east. The Wildlife Institute of India will help in the study. The last survey was conducted in 2012 and nearly 1,500 dolphins were counted. The outcome of the study will help in making a comprehensive plan to take necessary steps to protect the animals, including protecting and preserving their habitat, DK Shukla, the states Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, told thethirdpole.net. A team of experts conducted a survey from 29 October to 2 November, 2017, from Munger in Bihar to Farrakka in the neighbouring downstream state of West Bengal, covering about 250 kilometres of the river. It found a nearly 25 percent decline in the population of dolphins compared to their population of about 200 in that stretch in 2014-15. The mammals are being killed at an alarming rate for their flesh, fat and oil, which is used as bait to catch fish, and to make ointments and aphrodisiacs. The combination of shrinking habitats and poaching may push the unique Gangetic river dolphins to extinction unless immediate remedial measures are undertaken. The Third Pole is a multilingual platform dedicated to promoting information and discussion about the Himalayan watershed and the rivers that originate there. This report was originally published on thethirdpole.net and has been reproduced here with permission.Congress leader Digvijaya Singh made a reference to a speculated 'gag order' on him from the Congress party, saying that he 'must refrain from giving speeches or making comments' as it results in losing votes for the party.

Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh made a reference to a speculated 'gag order' on him from the Congress party, saying that he "must refrain from giving speeches or making comments" as it results in losing votes for the party.

CNN-News18 reported that the two-time chief minister of the state said in Bhopal that he has been asked not to speak on any issue by the Congress party. He also said that party workers must support the candidate "even if it is an enemy". According to the report, Singh has been considered as a threat to votes in favour of the Congress, ahead of the crucial Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls.

"Jisko ticket mile, chahe dushman ko mile, jitao. Aur mera kaam kewal ek, koi prachar nahi, koi bhashan nahi. Mere bhashan dene se toh Congress ke vote kat te hain, isliye main jata nahi (Whoever gets the ticket, even if its an enemy, we should make him win. I only have one work; no publicity, no speeches. Congress loses votes with my speeches, which is why I dont attend rallies), Singh was quoted as saying by ANI.

Earlier this month, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati had accused Singh of being "an agent of the BJP" and refused an alliance with the Congress, announcing the BSP's decision to fight the elections on its own. She said, "Congress leaders like Digvijaya Singh do not wish for a Congress-BSP alliance. They are afraid of agencies like ED and CBI. Digvijaya, who is also a BJP agent, is giving statements that Mayawati ji is under a lot of pressure from the Centre, so she doesnt want this alliance. This is baseless."

The BSP chief made it clear that her party will fight the upcoming elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh either on its own or with local parties' support.

Singh denied Mayawati's claims of sabotage. In response to Mayawati's comments, Singh said, "I respect her. We will be very happy if we have an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party. At the national level, I have always supported the idea that all parties opposed to the BJP-RSS ideology should come together to defeat them."

In July, Singh was excluded from the party's important Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, which was presided over by party president Rahul Gandhi. According to reports, the exclusion was an indication of the senior party leader being sidelined.

Over the last two years, Digvijaya  the two-term chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, had gradually been kept at a distance due to his oblique remarks that embarrassed the party and also his under-performance when it came to helping the party's winning prospects in the states where he was made in-charge.

With inputs from agenciesThere were about 3,600 Rohingyas, who are UNHCR (UN refugee agency) card holders in Hyderabad and most of them are illiterates.

Hyderabad: Nearly 190 names of suspected Rohingyas have appeared in the voters list and the process of verification and deletion is on, a senior official of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) said Tuesday.

"We have received the list from the Election Commission with nearly 190 names of Rohingyas living in Telangana to be verified. We have sent the list to Returning Officers (RO) and Assistant ROs to verify," the official told PTI.

The official said the deletion of such names from the voters list is underway.

"So far, we have deleted 25 names from the voters list. The process is going on. Balance will be done before the second supplement list of voters comes," the official said.

According to the official, some of the names figured in other constituencies near the city and the list was sent to the respective districts for verification and deletion of names if required.

There are as many as 39.60 lakh voters in GHMC limits as per the latest list.

There were about 3,600 Rohingyas, who are UNHCR card holders in the city and most of them are illiterates.

"Whoever lives in the camp were not willing to go back as they fear for their lives," sources related to the Rohingya camp in old city area had earlier said.

"The names of the Rohingyas have been deleted by obtaining Form 7, (related to the deletion of name from voters list) from them. After that they were given a seven-day notice for the removal of the name," the official added.

Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Electoral officer Rajat Kumar said there are Election Commission (EC) guidelines specially for them not to include in the voters list, once the immigrants are identified.

"The Home Secretary has come out with a list of Rohingyas to be verified," the CEO said.

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims, described by the United Nations as the most persecuted minority in the world, fled their homes in 2017 to escape an alleged crackdown by the Myanmar Army.

In 2017, the central government told Parliament that more than 14,000 Rohingyas, registered with the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, stay in India.

However, aid agencies estimate there are about 40,000 Rohingya people in the country.UAE-based telecomm provider du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, has partnered with Microsoft on an artificial intelligence programme designed to empower employees, engage customers, optimise operations and streamline the delivery of products and services.



The announcement was made today (October 16) at the ongoing 38th Gitex Technology Week in Dubai, UAE.



Microsoft technologies such as Cognitive Services and Facial Text Speech are being evaluated by du to strengthen overall customer experience through intelligent customer care, that will also include preventive and predictive maintenance capabilities.



Over the past 10 months, du has been working closely with Microsoft on identifying ways to incorporate digitally transformative technologies such as AI and machine learning into the companys ICT infrastructure and get to train du employees on ways to leverage them.



Some of Microsofts technologies and platforms  such as its cloud services platform Azure, as well as its Cognitive Services and Facial Recognition platforms, are currently being showcased at EITCs newly-opened Idea Hub in Dubai.



Du has long seen the value of AI in general  and Microsoft Azures Cognitive Services in particular  in enhancing the customer experience across all of our current touchpoints and digital channels, said Marwan Bindalmook, senior vice president - ICT Solutions and Smart City Operations in du.



We all live in a digital space; and providing services that are driven by machine intelligence allows us to deliver the always-on, personalised experiences required by a consumer market that is increasingly millennial.



Preventative maintenance is a solution that combines the Internet of Things with machine-learning models to monitor equipment and identify conditions early that are likely to result in sub-optimal performance or breakdowns. In identifying these conditions, intelligent back-office systems can raise alerts that inform providers ahead of time that a fault is about to occur. Appropriately equipped field technicians can then be dispatched to pre-emptively replace end-of-life components, leading to lower costs, happier customers and increased brand trust.



The intelligent cloud can also provide front-line employees with real-time information on customers, offering a 360-degree view of the individual, from simple profiles and past engagement, to preferences and likely purchases.



Over the past year, Microsoft has observed a sizeable surge across the Gulf region in the demand for AI solutions, in both the public and private sectors. According to a Microsoft survey, some 29 per cent of GCC enterprises are looking to adopt AI solutions. Specific AI areas singled out as favourable adoption targets are business intelligence (41 per cent); Internet of Things (37 per cent); automated workflow (25 per cent); predictive analytics (21 per cent); and robotics and machine automation (14 per cent).



Microsofts mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more, said Yvonne Chebib, Media, Telco & Growth industries lead, Microsoft Gulf.



The intelligent cloud can play a transformative role in driving digital transformation for companies and governments. Du has made an enormous stride in assessing and developing some of the worlds most advanced technologies. And we are confident that through our partnership, the company will move swiftly towards the engagement of customers, the empowerment of employees, the optimisation of operations and the reinvention of its products and services.  TradeArabia News ServiceManvendra Singh won Barmer's Sheo assembly constituency in 2013 with a margin of 31,425 votes.

Jaipur: Veteran BJP leader Jaswant Singh's son and MLA Manvendra Singh will join the Congress on Wednesday, ahead of the assembly polls in Rajasthan in December.

Singh (54), who won Barmer's Sheo constituency as the BJP candidate in 2013 assembly elections, had announced at a rally last month that he is leaving the Bharatiya Janata Party. Kamal ka Phool Badi Bhool', he had said then, claiming that going with the BJP's election symbol, the lotus, was a big mistake.

Congress leaders claimed his move will help bring Rajput votes to the party-fold while the BJP said the MLA's politically wrong decision will have no impact on the ruling party.

Manvendra Singh will join the Congress tomorrow in Delhi in the presence of party president Rahul Gandhi, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot told PTI Tuesday.

There is a long list of leaders quitting the BJP and the party should introspect why this is happening, he said. We are welcoming Manvendra Singh and this will strengthen the party. He added the party will ensure his active participation in the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

Rajasthan's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Rathore claimed Singh's decision is a political misstep and he should have thought before switching sides.

The Congress is helpless. Therefore it is adopting sidelined BJP leaders. It is his personal decision but this is a politically wrong decision. He is not going to get anything with this, Rathore told reporters at Ranakpur in Pali.

As for the Rajput votes, Rathore said the community has traditionally voted for the BJP. There will be no impact of this as the Rajput votes will remain with the BJP only, he said.

Fateh Khan, the president of the Barmer unit of the Congress, said the Rajputs are not happy with the Vasundhara Raje government in Rajasthan. The Congress party is going to gain when Manvendra joins Congress, he said.

In western Rajasthan, the Rajput vote is often considered a deciding factor on many seats.

The Congress is also hoping to get the support of communities like the Rajpurohits, Charans and Prajapats with Singh joining the party.

Manvendra Singh won Barmer's Sheo assembly constituency in 2013 with a margin of 31,425 votes.

His father Jaswant Singh, who is in coma for the last four years, was denied ticket by the BJP from the Barmer-Jaisalmer constituency in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

He then contested elections as an independent and lost the seat to BJP's Sonaram, who had joined the party after switching from the Congress.

There was resentment among Jaswant Singh supporters over the denial of the BJP ticket for the veteran, and they blamed Vasundhara Raje for this.

These supporters had then rallied around his son Manvendra Singh, calling it an issue of swabhiman' or self-respect.BJP president Amit Shah Monday gave a call to 'uproot' the Congress from Madhya Pradesh in next month's state Assembly polls to generate a 'tsunami', the ripple effects of which will be felt in West Bengal and other states currently not ruled by the saffron party.

Jabalpur: BJP president Amit Shah Monday gave a call to "uproot" the Congress from Madhya Pradesh in next month's state Assembly polls to generate a "tsunami", the ripple effects of which will be felt in West Bengal and other states currently not ruled by the saffron party.

Addressing party workers in Jabalpur in the state, which goes to the polls on 28 November, Shah said winning over 200 of the 230 Assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh was not enough.

He said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had a strong hold over Madhya Pradesh, where it was in power since 2003, and if the Congress was hoping to rule the state, then the opposition party was just engaging in "daydreaming".

"Our target is not to cross just 200 seats, but to uproot the Congress from the state to generate a tsunami that will have its effects in states like West Bengal," Shah said, addressing the BJP's "Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot" convention.

Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given the "Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot" (my polling booth the strongest) call to prepare the party cadre for the Assembly polls in five states to be held in November-December.

Referring to Congress president Rahul Gandhi's assertion earlier Monday that his party was coming to power in Madhya Pradesh, Shah said he should not indulge in "daydreaming".

"After 2014, when Modi became the prime minister of the country, the BJP has emerged victorious in 14 state elections, including in Maharashtra, Haryana, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Goa and Himachal Pradesh.

"Even after losing 14 elections, he (Gandhi) is dreaming of forming government in Madhya Pradesh," he said, adding, "The BJP's grip in Madhya Pradesh is like the feet of Angad (a mythological character in the Ramayana)."

According to the Hindu epic, nobody was able to lift the feet of Angad in the court of Ravana.

Referring to the BJP's progress since its formation in 1980, Shah said the party now had over 1,800 MLAs and 330 MPs, including those in the Rajya Sabha, and headed a government at the Centre that enjoyed full majority.

"But this is not the high point for the BJP. It will be in the apex position only when it wins Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha, among other states," he added.

Shah said after the Modi government came to power, India carried out surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) to give Pakistan a befitting reply for a terrorist attack on Indian jawans.

He criticised Gandhi for stating that the BJP was trading in the blood of soldiers by taking credit for the September, 2016 Army operation.

India was the only country in the world after the US and Israel to carry out surgical strikes, Shah said. Talking about the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, he sought to know whether illegal immigrants should be deported from the country or not.

Because of the illegal immigrants, unemployment was rising in the country, the BJP chief said, while calling them "termites" who indulged in terror activities.

After the BJP formed governments in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, each and every illegal immigrant would be thrown out of the country, he said. Attacking the Congress over the issue, Shah sought to know why the opposition party was protecting the illegal immigrants.Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala attacked Jaitley accusing him of 'banging' the economy by his 'incomprehension'. Taking to Twitter, he said the country needed a finance minister and not a 'babble-blogger'.

New Delhi: The bitter war between the Congress and the BJP over Rafale deal on Tuesday saw more name-calling with the Opposition party dubbing Finance Minister Arun Jaitley as a "babble blogger" and dismissing his "clown prince out-clowning himself" barb at Rahul Gandhi as "hollow rants of a court jester".

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala attacked Jaitley accusing him of "banging" the economy by his "incomprehension". Taking to Twitter, he said the country needed a finance minister and not a "babble-blogger".

"Hollow rants of a Court Jester'  Mr Jait-Lie' won't change the truth that  You bang the truth to hide ineptitude, You bang the Rupee by your mismanagement, You bang exports by your incompetence, You bang the Economy by your incomprehension.

"India needs a FM, Not a Babble Blogger',"(sic) he tweeted.

The Congress fired the fresh salvo after Jaitley on Tuesday accused its president Rahul Gandhi of "concocting" falsehood and wondered if he has a personality issue where "he lies a dozen times and then in self-delusion believes it to be true or is it a case of a Clown Prince' out-clowning himself?"

Asked about Jaitley's allegations, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said it was unfortunate that the finance minister had time only to write blogs while the country's economy was in "bad shape".

He said the time will come when the country will render this government out of power for its ministers to have all the time to write blogs. He also said the government's functioning was "funny", where the finance minister talks about defence matters, the Railway minister about finance and the Law minister about other matters.

"There is absolute chaotic and absurd state of affairs in this government," Tewari alleged, adding that "these people do not know how to govern."

"Therefore, the time has come for people to show the door to these people for them to write only blogs," he said.

Jaitley, in a Facebook post, said, "How does he (Rahul) concoct this falsehood? At the Hindustan Times Summit, he referred to a meeting he had with me and attributed same statements to me. When asked I merely said that I can't answer hallucinations'.

"'I am in the distinguished company of President (Emmanuel) Macron. Today I feel it is much more than hallucinations. Is it a personality issue where he lies a dozen times and then in self-delusion believes it to be true or is it a case of a Clown Prince' out-clowning himself?"

On allegations made by the Congress party president on Rafale, Jaitley said the aircraft and its weaponry are not being manufactured in India at all, neither by Dassault or by any other private company.

All 36 aircraft and their weapons in a fully flyable and usable form will arrive in India, he said.

After the supplies begin, Dassault has to make purchases in India for 50 per cent of the contract value, he said.

The Congress has been attacking the government over the Rafale deal and has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of indulging in corruption and favouritism. The allegations have been denied by the government.Insecurity and palace intrigue probably distracted Vasundhara Raje and as a result, governance suffered

An old Rajasthani saying gives interesting insight into the mind of the states voters. Let me first reproduce it in the local language and then offer a translation: Bhai ke marne ka gam sahi, par bhojai ka tharka jaata raha (it is sad that the brother died, but happy that his wife lost her clout/hubris).

If you want to understand the upcoming Assembly election in Rajasthan, keep this adage in mind: it explains the psyche of the voter with precision. The mood in the state, as many opinion polls predicting a comfortable lead for the Congress suggest, is of anger against the government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP is set to suffer collateral damage because of the voters' desire to teach local leaders a lesson.

There are clear signs of the BJPs discomfort everywhere: Its headquarters in Jaipur is deserted, the cadre is missing from the ground and central leadership is making every effort to create the impression that apart from Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, many other state leaders would be part of the candidate selection process. Two MPsArjun Ram Meghwal and Gajendra Singh Shekhawathave emerged as power centres.

There are many theories about Rajes perceived loss of popularity. One is that she became a victim of the perception that she doesnt have a good equation with Modi and BJP president Amit Shah. This may or may not be true, but hardcore Modi supporters do not have the kind of trust in her they repose in other BJP chief ministers.

The biggest disadvantage of the shadow of doubtand the resultant uncertaintythat followed the Raje throughout her tenure has been her inability to get things moving on the ground. This led to the perception of Raje being a non-performer. Raje is one of the most dynamic chief ministers within the BJP parivar. She has a mass base, a broad vision and courage. But insecurity and palace intrigue probably kept her distracted for a long time and as a result, governance suffered. Now, even though she is playing like a batsman in the death overs of a T20, there is a limit to what she can put on the scoreboard.

Rajes other problem is her inability to interact freely with party leaders, workers and general public. By temperament and instinct, she trusts only a handful of people in her staff and bureaucracy. But, as is the case with every cabal, people in her inner circle have been motivated more by self-preservation and self-aggrandisement. And since Raje has been cut off from the world, she can't get a feel of the mood on the ground or address grievances. As a result, Raje appears to be facing a wave of anti-incumbency.

For a while, the BJP toyed with the idea of projecting an alternative leadership. Some of its leaders argued that had the central leadership taken a decision about the state leadership and stuck to it, the party would have been in a better position ahead of polls. But the BJP was perhaps afraid of letting Raje turn into a martyr or a rebel. With elections just about eight weeks away, the BJPs only option is to let Raje lead the campaign and hope for the best. Sometimes, a setback is also an opportunity to start afresh.

How Rajasthans politics evolves after the Assembly election would be interesting to watch. Its electoral history suggests the party that wins the state goes on to dominate the Lok Sabha polls. But this time, voters are getting an opportunity to vent their anger against the BJP five months ahead of Lok Sabha elections. It wont be surprising if they rediscover their love for Modi after booting out the state government.

But here is the thing: Rajasthans voters are inherently inclined towards rejecting leaders who they perceive to be proud, arrogant and braggarts. The moment they see signs of arrogance, megalomania and absence of humility, they become impatient to plot the downfall of the high and mighty. And when that happens, no amount of collateral damage deters them: including the pain of the demise of the proverbial bhai.Union minister Ramdas Athawale Sunday said that he had devised a formula to satisfy bickering allies BJP and Shiv Sena which involved splitting the tenure of chief ministership in Maharashtra equally between the two parties.

Pune: Union minister Ramdas Athawale Sunday said that he had devised a formula to satisfy bickering allies BJP and Shiv Sena which involved splitting the tenure of chief ministership in Maharashtra equally between the two parties.

He said that he would discuss this proposal with leaders of the Sena and the BJP, allies in the Maharashtra and Union governments.

"The formula of the party with the maximum number of seats getting the Chief Minister's post is already there but I am going to discuss this new formula (splitting the CM's tenure) with leaders of both the parties," Athawale said.

The two parties have been at loggerheads over several issues and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has said that his party would fight all future polls alone.

The BJP, on the other hand, has said that it wanted an alliance with the Sena but was willing to fight on its own if an agreement was not reached.

The Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment also staked claim to the Mumbai South Central Lok Sabha seat currently held by Sena's Rahul Shewale.

"If the BJP and Sena form an alliance for the 2019 general elections, I will ask Sena to leave Mumbai South Central constituency for me and, in return, I will convince the BJP to leave Palghar seat for Sena," he said. The BJP and Sena, despite being allies, had fought against each other in the Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll in May this year with the former's Rajendra Gavit defeating Sena's Shrinivas Wanaga by 29,572 votes.

Athawale, however, added that it would not be "very difficult" for him to get the Mumbai South Central seat if the Sena and BJP don't forge an alliance. He added that the Bahujan Vanchit Aghadi, an alliance floated by Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar and Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, would hurt the Congress and benefit the ruling NDA.BJP president Amit Shah will meet in Delhi on Wednesday the leaders of the key constituents of his party-led coalition government in Goa.

Panaji: BJP president Amit Shah will meet in Delhi on Wednesday the leaders of the key constituents of his party-led coalition government in Goa to discuss the political situation in the coastal state, a minister said on a day two Congress MLAs resigned and were set to join the saffron party.

Besides Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief Vijai Sardesai, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) leader Sudin Dhavalikar will participate in the meeting.

In a setback to the Congress, two of its 16 MLAs in the coastal state  Dayanand Sopte and Subhash Shirodkar  resigned as members of the House as also from the primary membership of the party Tuesday. Both of them are set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Town and Country Planning Minister Sardesai had on Monday said, "With or without Manohar Parrikar as the chief minister, the state government should complete its term."

Sopte and Shirodkar, who went to Delhi on Monday night, met Shah on Tuesday, before sending their letters of resignation by fax.

"Leaders of the alliance partners have been invited to Delhi tomorrow to discuss the current political situation with BJP national president Amit Shah," Sardesai said on Tuesday.

Referring to the development, he said the Congress was becoming more and more irrelevant in Goa.

"While trying to pull down the state government, the Congress has destabilised itself," Sardesai added.

In the 40-member Goa Assembly, the Parrikar government enjoys the support of 23 MLAs, including 14 of the BJP, three each from the GFP and MGP and three Independent legislators.

The resignations of Sopte and Shirodkar have brought down the strength of the Congress, hitherto the single-largest party in Goa, from 16 to 14 MLAs, which is equivalent to the number of lawmakers of the ruling BJP.

Chief Minister Parrikar is away from office for long due to ill health, triggering speculation over the stability of his coalition government.

The Congress had demanded a floor test in the Assembly, claiming that the state government had become rudderless and was in disarray.

Shah has already ruled out a change of guard in Goa.Two Goa Congress legislators Dayanand Sopte and Subhash Shirodkar Monday midnight left for Delhi amidst speculations that they may join the BJP. A senior BJP leader said they were likely to meet BJP president Amit Shah in the national capital.

Panaji: Two Goa Congress legislators Dayanand Sopte and Subhash Shirodkar Monday midnight left for Delhi amidst speculations that they may join the BJP. A senior BJP leader said they were likely to meet BJP president Amit Shah in the national capital.

"Both the Congress MLAs will be resigning from Congress party on Tuesday and joining the BJP," a senior BJP leader told PTI. While Sopte, who defeated former BJP chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar in 2017 State legislative assembly election, represents Mandrem constituency, Shirodkar was elected on a Congress ticket from Shiroda constituency. Both the legislators left by a midnight flight to Delhi.

Goa health minister and BJP MLA Vishwajit Rane also left for Delhi, little before their departure. "I am going on a business trip," Sopte told reporters at the airport. Similarly, when Shirodkar was asked whether he was joining the BJP, he responded, "You will come to know if I do it".

Goa is currently witnessing hectic political activities with Congress party petitioning President Ram Nath Kovind, seeking his intervention to ask Goa Governor Mridula Sinha to call them to form the government. BJP state core committee and party's legislature party also met in Panaji during the day. The meetings are happening at the backdrop of the poor health condition of Chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who is currently being treated by doctors from state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital at his residence at Dona Paula.

When contacted, All India Congress Committee Secretary A Chellakumar said he had spoken to both the legislators  Sopte and Shirodkar  who had assured him that they were not resigning from the party. "I spoke to both of them Monday evening and they have refused that they are resigning," he said. Congress currently has 16 MLAs in the Goa Legislative Assembly. Their strength would be reduced to 14 if two legislators resign. BJP is having 14 MLAs while three each are from Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Independents. One legislator is from the NCP.In a setback to the Congress in Goa, two of its legislators, Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte have resigned as members of the state Assembly Tuesday, Speaker Pramod Sawant said.

In a setback to the Congress in Goa, two of its legislators  Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte  joined the BJP after resigned as members of the state Assembly, and also from the primary membership of the party on Tuesday. The Congress lawmakers had earlier said that they would be joining BJP after meeting party chief Amit Shah in Delhi.

Delhi: Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte join BJP in the presence of Union Minister Piyush Goyal. The two Goa MLAs resigned from Congress earlier today pic.twitter.com/EgHdmI7YvN  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2018

The development comes in after Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar returned to the state on Sunday.

"Congress legislators Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte faxed their resignations as members of the Assembly to my office. We have received their resignations," Speaker Promod Sawant earlier told PTI.

Shirodkar was quoted by an NDTV report as saying that two to three more MLAs are also expected to join the BJP "in the coming days."

While Sopte, who defeated former BJP chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar in 2017 Assembly election, represents Mandrem constituency, Shirodkar was elected on a Congress ticket from Shiroda constituency.

Prior to the resignations of Sopte and Shirodkar, the Congress was the single largest party in the 40-member state Assembly with 16 MLAs. Whereas the Parrikar government has the support of 23 MLAs comprising 14 BJP MLAs, three each from the Goa Forward Party and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party as well as three Independents.

Goa is currently witnessing hectic political activities with Congress party petitioning President Ram Nath Kovind, seeking his intervention to ask Goa Governor Mridula Sinha to call them to form the government. BJP state core committee and party's legislature party also met in Panaji on Monday. The meetings are happening at the backdrop of the poor health condition of Parrikar, who is currently being treated by doctors from state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital at his residence at Dona Paula.

Congress currently has 16 MLAs in the Goa Legislative Assembly. Their strength would be reduced to 14 if two legislators resign. BJP is having 14 MLAs while three each are from Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Independents. One legislator is from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

With inputs from PTItech2 News Staff

As social media giants of the likes of Facebook, Google and Twitter fight hard to battle extremism on their platform, a new tool appears to have to have come to the fore. It is one that aims to provide an insight into how hate speech spews on Twitter.

As per a report by The Verge, this tool called the Exploring Online Hate dashboard essentially tracks hateful activity stemming from over 1,000 of the most active extremist accounts on Twitter. The dashboard screens everything from popular topics, hashtags, articles and links shared by these accounts.

The model behind the project involved researchers selecting 40 accounts that were known to share hateful content and then used algorithms to form a larger catalogue of accounts that do the same. As per the report, crunching the data provided by the dashboard can be used by researchers to relay information on trending topics and sources of discussion.

In a report by Quartz, developers of the dashboard believe that the main purpose of the tool is not aimed at enforcement but directed more towards helping communities.

The dashboard will help us see when things are spikingwhether theyre anti-Muslim, anti-Semitic, or anti-LGBTQ, says Robert McKenzie, a senior fellow at New America, a think tank which developed the dashboard along with the Anti-Defamation League.

The online hate dashboard keeps its list of accounts secret making way for independent scrutiny. Something that publicising the list wouldn't because it could lead to changes in the listed users behaviour. The developers also state that the dashboard has been deliberately launched ahead of the 2018 US midterm elections, expecting a spike in the spread of disinformation.Reuters

Facebook will ban false information about voting requirements and fact-check fake reports of violence or long lines at polling stations ahead of next months US midterm elections, company executives told Reuters, the latest effort to reduce voter manipulation on its service.

The worlds largest online social network, with 1.5 billion daily users, has stopped short of banning all false or misleading posts, something that Facebook has shied away from as it would likely increase its expenses and leave it open to charges of censorship.

The latest move addresses a sensitive area for the company, which has come under fire for its lax approach to fake news reports and disinformation campaigns, which many believe affected the outcome of the 2016 presidential election, won by Donald Trump.

The new policy was disclosed by Facebooks cybersecurity policy chief, Nathaniel Gleicher, and other company executives.

The ban on false information about voting methods, set to be announced later on 15 October, comes six weeks after Senator Ron Wyden asked Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg how Facebook would counter posts aimed at suppressing votes, such as by telling certain users they could vote by text, a hoax that has been used to reduce turnout in the past.

The information on voting methods becomes one of the few areas in which falsehoods are prohibited on Facebook, a policy enforced by what the company calls community standards moderators, although application of its standards has been uneven. It will not stop the vast majority of untruthful posts about candidates or other election issues.

We dont believe we should remove things from Facebook that are shared by authentic people if they dont violate those community standards, even if they are false, said Tessa Lyons, product manager for Facebooks News Feed feature that shows users what friends are sharing.

Links to discouraging reports about polling places that may be inflated or misleading will be referred to fact-checkers under the new policy, Facebook said. If then marked as false, the reports will not be removed but will be seen by fewer of the posters friends.

Such partial measures leave Facebook more open to manipulation by users seeking to affect the election, critics say. Russia, and potentially other foreign parties, are already making pervasive efforts to interfere in upcoming US elections, the leader of Trumps national security team said in early August.

Just days before that, Facebook said it uncovered a coordinated political influence campaign to mislead its users and sow dissension among voters, removing 32 pages and accounts from Facebook and Instagram. Members of Congress briefed by Facebook said the methodology suggested Russian involvement.

Trump has disputed claims that Russia has attempted to interfere in US elections. Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied it.

Weighing ban on hacked material

Facebook instituted a global ban on false information about when and where to vote in 2016, but the 15 October move goes further, including posts about exaggerated identification requirements.

Facebook executives are also debating whether to follow Twitters recent policy change to ban posts linking to hacked material, Gleicher told Reuters in an interview.

The dissemination of hacked emails from Democratic party officials likely played a role in tipping the 2016 presidential election to Trump, and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats has warned that Russia has recently been attempting to hack and steal information from US candidates and government officials.

A blanket ban on hacked content, however, would limit exposure to other material some believe serves the public interest, such as the so-called Panama Papers, which in 2015 made public the extensive use of offshore tax havens by the worlds wealthy.

Months ago, senior Facebook executives briefly debated banning all political ads, which produce less than 5 percent of the companys revenue, sources said. The company rejected that because product managers were loath to leave advertising dollars on the table and policy staffers argued that blocking political ads would favor incumbents and wealthy campaigners who can better afford television and print ads.

Instead, the company checks political ad buyers for proof of national residency and keeps a public archive of who has bought what.

Facebook also takes a middle ground on the authenticity of personal accounts. It can use automated activity it finds to disable pages spreading propaganda, as happened last week, but it does not require phone numbers or other proof of individual identity before allowing people to open accounts in the first place.

On the issue of fake news, Facebook has held off on a total ban, instead limiting the spread of articles marked as false by vetted fact-checkers. However, that approach can leave fact-checkers overwhelmed and able to tackle only the most viral hoaxes.

Without a clear and transparent policy to curb the deliberate spread of false information that applies across platforms, we will continue to be vulnerable, said Graham Brookie, head of the Atlantic Councils Digital Forensic Research Lab.

(This version of the story was corrected to say that polling-place misinformation will be fact-checked, not that it will be banned outright in paragraph one; in 8th graph adds explanation of how reports on polling places will be handled)More than 40 individual plenaries, summits, open discussions and taskforce sessions will be part of the second edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) taking place in Riyadh next week.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) disclosed that the sessions for the second edition of the FII, from October 23 to 25, will be focused on three core pillars: Investing in Transformation, Technology as Opportunity, and Advancing Human Potential.

Thousands of delegates from all over the world are expected to arrive for the event, PIF said.

With more than 150 speakers confirmed from over 140 different organisations, including 17 global partner organisations, the FII programme will closely examine how investment can be used to drive growth opportunities, fuel innovation and tackle global challenges, it said.

Ten years on from the global financial crisis, the world is undergoing a period of large-scale economic and technological transformation. FII will convene global leaders, investors and innovators to discuss how businesses, governments and global institutions can work together to drive long-term growth and prosperity.

The Public Investment Fund added that the key sessions include:

 One world: A look at how leaders from business and government develop a collective vision for the future;

 Power moves: How the shifting geography of investment will change the future of innovation;

 Capital flows: How leading financial institutions will stay competitive in the new economy;

 Market drivers: How global investors can encourage capital market development in emerging economies;

 Digital currency: How the convergence of money and data will change global commerce;

 Better business: How global CEOs can support the UNs Sustainable Development Goals;

 Immersive technology: The extraordinary technological advancements that are coming next, and how we ensure these changes benefit society;

 Frontiers of health: How tomorrows advancements will impact longevity and quality of life, and the consequences of technologies that fundamentally change our underlying biology;

 Urban future: How urban development can amplify its potential to incubate world-changing technologies, and the global investments required to drive these investments forward;

 Giga-project showcase: A look at Saudi Arabias ambitious projects to create new economic ecosystems and drive development, including Neom, Red Sea and Qiddiya.

FII is a global platform focused on identifying future economic trends and opportunities, defining the future of industries and discussing how investment can contribute to overall global prosperity and development. - TradeArabia News ServiceIndo-Asian News Service

Over four decades after he began his scientific engagement with gravitational science, Professor Abhay Ashtekar is set to receive the prestigious Einstein Prize conferred by the American Physical Society (APS).

The prize for 2018, which carries an award of $10,000, is scheduled to be announced on October 23.

The prize's citation reads: "For numerous and seminal contributions to general relativity, including the theory of black holes, canonical quantum gravity, and quantum cosmology."

Ashtekar is professor of physics, Evan Pugh Professor, Holder, Eberly Chair, and director of the Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos at the Pennsylvania State University.

"The prize is special because is it the highest honour bestowed by APS in the broad area of gravitational science. The first Einstein prize was awarded jointly to Peter Bergmann and John Wheeler, who introduced general relativity to American universities by creating research groups. Perhaps because the first award often sets the tone, subsequent prizes have come to recognise lifetime achievements'. So the news was deeply satisfying," Ashtekar told IANS in an email interview.

Newton's Laws transcend both art and literature

Ashtekar's passion for physical sciences started while he was in high school in India. "At first I knew only Marathi literature  that is my mother tongue, and was the medium of instruction until I was 11. Then was exposed Hindi and English literature and realised how deeply literature is tied to specific cultures. What is considered great in one language or context could well be mediocre in another. At the same time, I learned Newton's laws and universality of gravity  what makes the apple fall on earth also makes the planets go around the sun. This was stunning by itself," he said.

What he found most remarkable was that, unlike art and literature which are "so tied to human conditions", Newton's laws transcend both. "It was striking to me that the same Newton's laws are taught and admired in India as in China, Japan and the West."

"Later, in college, fundamental physics seemed to me to be the deepest and purest way to pursue understanding of nature. In graduate school, I chose to work in general relativity, cosmology and quantum physics because that is where the most fundamental questions about space, time and the nature of the physical universe are discussed," he said.

Gravity is unique among the forces of nature

Somewhere along the line, he also recognised that although one of the main four forces of nature, gravity is the weakest, yet it is so crucial to the way the universe formed and exists.

"Gravity has two key features that other forces do not share. Unlike the weak and strong force, it is long-range and therefore key to the large-scale structures and phenomena. Electromagnetic force is also long-range. But because electric charge comes with both signs, the force can be both attractive and repulsive.

"Large bodies like the sun and planets are all electrically neutral and so they don't exert any electromagnetic force on one another. The dominant force between such bodies is therefore gravitational," he explained.

After receiving his PhD in 1974 from the University of Chicago, Ashtekar went on to hold influential positions in France, Canada and India.

His biography is also on the National Academy of Sciences, to which he was elected a member in 2016.

The truly golden age for gravity

After such a long career in a diversity of physics disciplines, he said science is currently in the "truly golden age for gravity". "Until about the mid-1960s, general relativity had remained isolated from mainstream science  a pristine and beautiful theory, to be admired from a distance.

"The paradigm has shifted completely and relativistic gravity has moved to centre stage of physics and astronomy. Through the big bang, black holes and gravitational waves, we realised that the universe is not a calm, peaceful place that the astronomers believed it to be in much of the 20th century," he pointed out.

"There are highly energetic explosions sourced by strong gravity that have shaped the history of our universe. Thus, relativistic gravity has completely overhauled our understanding of the cosmos," he said.

"The deepest puzzles in fundamental physics today are at the interface of general relativity and quantum physics. What really happened at the big bang? What is the end point of the quantum evaporation of black holes? How do we incorporate gravity into the unified theories of all fundamental forces? It is clear therefore that gravity will continue to dominate research in physics and astronomy in the coming decades as well," he said.

Asked whether physicists in India are producing world-class research, Ashtekar said: "There are extremely talented physicists in India who are making first-rate contributions to pure physics in areas I have first-hand acquaintance with. I am particularly pleased by the LIGO-India' project that is now placing India firmly in the front ranks of international efforts. The Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics in Pune, in particular, will play an important role in the major discoveries that will be made with the international network of gravitational wave observatories between 5 and 10 years from now. In this area India is ahead of China, for example."

"My colleagues in other areas of physics, on the other hand, tell me that this is not the case in their field; that there is a lot of good research but not enough great' research that gets published in the most visible journals," he said.Bangladesh's newspaper editors formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka to protest against a newly enacted internet law.

Bangladeshs newspaper editors formed an unprecedented human chain on Monday in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka to protest against a newly enacted internet law, which they say is a blow to freedom of expression and independent journalism. However, the government has brushed off their concerns by giving the nod to a new draft broadcasting law that would authorise up to three years of jail for anyone presenting misleading and false information in television talk shows.

The members of the influential Editors Council  including those thought to be sympathetic to the government  called for an overhaul of the Digital Security Act to safeguard journalists, while carrying a banner seeking to annul anti-free speech clauses of the law.

Opponents say the law is a part of a broader attempt by the government to silence its critics, but Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her son, also her adviser, Shajeeb Wazed, defended the act, saying it was necessary to prevent fake news and rumours, and protect citizens data.

The Editors Council, which has opposed the law since it was introduced, earlier held meetings with three cabinet ministers, hoping to soften the law. They initially postponed their human chain programme upon requests from the ministers who promised to address their concerns. However, while the ministers assured that they would discuss the matter with the prime minister, the president approved it on 8 October, making it effective.

On Monday, after the editors protest, the ministers drew the attention of Hasina on their concerns in a cabinet meeting. She responded by saying, The law has already been passed. What is now to discuss in the cabinet?

Claiming that harsher laws exist in the US and the UK, she also said, The law was not enacted to harass anyone. The government will take a tough stance against anyone who harms society. Truth-seekers arent supposed to have any problem (with the law). This law is against those who intentionally take a stand against the government, the country and the spirit of the liberation.

Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, the editor-in-chief of Bangla daily Manab Zamin and a member of the council, told Firstpost, Its very unfortunate. After having repeated discussions with the ministers, we didnt expect her to dismiss our concerns outright. After her 'no', I dont see any possibility or scope to amend the law.

We would discuss the matter in our next meeting, he added.

The same day, the cabinet approved draft Broadcasting Law 2018 to regulate TV channels, which would penalise anyone presenting false or misleading information. When contacted by Firstpost, Professor Golam Rahman, the chairman of the drafting committee, declined to comment on a particular provision. We have submitted our draft. But I havent seen how much of it has been retained or how much omitted, he said.

Chowdhury said, The fact that the government approved another equally repressive draft law the day we protested against one sends a disturbing message.

Whether ones statement is 'misleading' or 'false' is subject to interpretation, he added. We will also discuss this new draft act in our next meeting.

Journalism or espionage?

Unveiled in January 2016, the-then draft digital security law immediately drew criticism from the local journalist community. Its espionage clause  which promises a 14-year jail sentence for entering a government office and gathering information secretly using any electronic device  triggered #AmiGuptachar (I am a spy) campaign by journalists. They say the provision constitutes a hindrance to investigative journalism.

Badruddoza Babu, an award-winning journalist with Maasranga TV, says both the Digital Security Act and the proposed Broadcasting Act pose a challenge to independent journalism.

Its entirely frustrating, he told Firstpost. Those among us who are involved in investigative journalism report on public interests. If such repressive laws exist, our scope will severely shrink. Many would now be discouraged to investigate allegations of corruption.

Moreover, these laws are susceptible to misuse, he added.

In addition, the digital security act authorises prison sentences of up to three years for publishing information that is aggressive or intimidating and up to 10 years for posting information that ruins communal harmony or creates instability or disorder or disturbs or is about to disturb the law and order situation.

The US-based Human Rights Watch said the law was overly broad, ripe for abuse.

In the wake of several social media-inspired massive student protests, the law was made a priority by the government. It came into effect weeks after Shahidul Alam, an internationally acclaimed photographer, was arrested for making false and provocative statement on Facebook Live, after he gave a scathing interview to Al Jazeera during the protests.

He is now investigated for allegedly violating the Information and Technology Act, another much-criticised internet law, controversial sections of which have been incorporated in and replaced by the Digital Security Act.

(Nazmul Ahasan is a journalist based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.)The lawyers of Jho Low, who has been accused of money laundering and who is the subject of an Interpol notice, have sent out letters to bookstores, warning them of the book's 'defamatory' content

Bookshops across the world have reportedly received threatening letters from lawyers representing Malaysian financier and fugitive Jho Low to prevent the distribution of the book Billion Dollar Whale, which is about his alleged role in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scam.

This book, written by Wall Street Journal reporters Tom Wright and Bradley Hope, delves into Low's alleged involvement in the siphoning of billions of dollars from the State-owned fund 1MDB. Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, then reportedly transferred the money to bank accounts in Singapore, the Virgin Islands and Switzerland.

Though Low has not sent a legal notice to Hachette, the publisher of the book, the distribution of the book in the UK has been effectively blocked because of these letters, which have been sent by the firm Schillings, reports The Guardian. Additionally, the book has been taken off retail websites such as Amazon and Waterstones.

Hachette issued a response saying that because these letters are not a court order, they do not merit a response. It said excerpts of the book have been carried in publications around the world, and no lawsuit has been filed. Additionally, the matter is not sub judice in India, and no letter has been sent to bookstores in the US.

Low, who is currently a fugitive, faces allegations of money laundering in Malaysia. Interpol reportedly published a red notice to locate him. He has claimed he is not guilty of fraud, has not broken any law and is not facing any investigation. Terming the contents of the book as being "untrue and defamatory", his lawyers mention in the letters sent to bookshops that publishing synopses of it constitutes libel of Low.

Jho Low also financed the movie The Wolf of Wall Street, and Leonardo DiCaprio thanked him during the Golden Globes award ceremony in 2011.Matthew Hedges' wife Daniela Tejada claims he has been 'held in an undisclosed location in the UAE in solitary confinement' with limited access to the consulate and his family as well as no access to a lawyer until last week.

Dubai: The United Arab Emirates has charged a British PhD student with spying in the Gulf country, as his wife on Tuesday called on Britain to defend his innocence.

Matthew Hedges stands accused of "spying for a foreign country, jeopardising the military, political and economic security of the state", UAE attorney general Hamad al-Shamsi said late Monday.

The 31-year-old, who was researching the UAE's foreign and internal security policies after the 2011 Arab Spring revolutions, was detained at Dubai airport on 5 May.

Hedges' wife Daniela Tejada said Tuesday he been "held in an undisclosed location in the UAE in solitary confinement" with limited access to the consulate and his family as well as no access to a lawyer until last week.

She said Hedges had been told last week he "was being charged with gathering information and sharing it with a foreign agency - the UK Government".

Tejada called on the British government to "clarify publically that Matt is innocent of the charges and that there have been many falsehoods said about him". "This horrifying situation has been going on for far too long," she said.

Britain's foreign office said it was supporting Hedges and his family and had been "in close contact with the local authorities", a spokesperson said.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told AFP last week he was "very worried" about Hedges' fate.

"I've spoken to the Emirati foreign minister twice now on this matter face to face so they are very aware of our concerns and we are monitoring it very closely," he said.

The charges against Hedges are based on evidence from investigations carried out by the public prosecution, according to the attorney general.

Hedges had been posing as a researcher to cover his activities, he said, adding that the accusations were backed by "information taken from his electronic devices".

Tejada, who has visited her husband once and spoken to him on the phone several times, told AFP last week her husband "simply isn't guilty of anything".

"He was just doing academic research," she said, adding that his research involved only open source material.

"He's not disclosed anything... classified or confidential," she said, adding that Hedges had lived in the UAE for "several years" before he returned to Britain in 2015.Song Tao said China is ready to join hands with Pakistan to facilitate the construction of CPEC

Islamabad: China and Pakistan agreed on Monday to build closer ties and facilitate the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The pledges were made during Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan's meeting with Song Tao, head of the international department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Xinhua reported.

Khan said the new Pakistani government sees the relations with China as the priority and corner stone of its diplomacy, and is willing to enhance bilateral ties with China and jointly push forward the construction of CPEC.

He said his government is willing to further strengthen relations between the two countries' ruling parties, learn from CPC's experience in party and country governance, and bring benefits to people of the two countries.

For his part, Song said China and Pakistan are "iron friends" and China treasures the bilateral friendship with Pakistan. He said China is ready to join hands with Pakistan to facilitate the construction of CPEC under the Belt and Road Initiative and to build closer bilateral ties.

Song said the CPC is willing to enhance communication and cooperation with Khan's ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, and play a political guiding role in China-Pakistan ties and CPEC construction.

During his visit to Pakistan, Song also held meetings with chairman of the senate Sadiq Sanjrani, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Zubair Mahmood Hayat, foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and leaders of main political parties.General Fang Fenghui is the latest in the list of a host of top defence officials caught in the anti-graft campaign launched by China president Xi since 2013.

Beijing: China's ruling Communist Party has expelled former military chief General Fang Fenghui from the party and referred his graft case to a military court for trial, the military said on Tuesday.

General Feng, 67, headed the 2-million-strong People's Liberation Army (PLA) till last year. He was also the former chief of the Central Military Commission (CMC), which is now headed by President Xi Jinping.

The CMC is the overall high command of the Chinese armed forces.

The former general has been expelled from the party and his case has been transferred to a military court to answer graft allegations, state-run China Daily quoted the military statement as saying on Tuesday.

Also Zhang Yang, the former head of the Central Military Commission's Political Work Department who committed suicide in November last, was expelled from the Communist Party of China and assets related to the illegal activity have been confiscated, it said.

Zhang was recently given posthumous punishments by the military for corruption exposed during an internal investigation, the military said.

General Fang is the latest in the list of a host of top defence officials caught in the anti-graft campaign launched by President Xi since 2013. Over 50 top generals have been punished under the anti-graft campaign which, observers say, also helped him to consolidate his power.

Fang, once the youngest commander of a People's Liberation Army (PLA), was described as an "opportunist" by military insiders, according to earlier media reports.

"Fang has close links to Zhang's superiors and subordinates because they were both proteges of disgraced former CMC vice-chairmen Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, with Fang being the most skilful opportunist, closely following Guo," the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported earlier.

General Guo Boxiong and General Xu Caihou, who were Vice Chairmen of the CMC under previous President Hu Jintao, were accused of heavy corruption including selling the top posts of the PLA for the highest bidder.BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany has deported a Moroccan associate of the Sept. 11 hijackers after he served most of a 15-year jail term for helping organise the 2001 attacks on U.S.

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany has deported a Moroccan associate of the Sept. 11 hijackers after he served most of a 15-year jail term for helping organise the 2001 attacks on U.S. targets, authorities said on Monday.

Mounir El Motassadeq was a member of a group of radical Islamists based in the northern German city of Hamburg who helped bring about the suicide attacks with hijacked airliners that killed nearly 3,000 people.

Handed the maximum sentence of 15 years in 2007 for being an accessory to mass murder, Motassadeq is one of only two men convicted to date of involvement in the plot.

"It's good to know that Mr. Motassadeq is now out of the country so we can close this chapter for Hamburg," State Interior Minister Andy Grote said in a statement e-mailed to Reuters.

Photographs showed a man with covered eyes being led by two armed policemen to a helicopter. German media had reported that Motassadeq was taken to Frankfurt to be deported to Morocco, where his family lives.

At his 2007 trial, his lawyers argued that Motassadeq knew nothing about the Sept. 11 plot. But prosecutors said he played a central role in suicide hijacker Mohammed Atta's group by running the financial affairs of some cell members.

(Reporting by Madeline Chambers and Michael Nienaber; Editing by Mark Heinrich and David Stamp)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.By Nate Raymond BOSTON (Reuters) - Harvard University discriminates against Asian-American applicants in order to illegally limit how many it admits, a lawyer for a group suing the school said on Monday at the start of a closely watched trial. The trial in federal court in Boston pits the Ivy League school against Students for Fair Admissions, whose 2014 lawsuit challenges the use of race as a factor in college admissions decisions. The lawsuit, backed by the Trump administration, could eventually reach the Supreme Court, giving the newly cemented five-member conservative majority a chance to bar the use of affirmative action to help minority applicants get into college

By Nate Raymond

BOSTON (Reuters) - Harvard University discriminates against Asian-American applicants in order to illegally limit how many it admits, a lawyer for a group suing the school said on Monday at the start of a closely watched trial.

The trial in federal court in Boston pits the Ivy League school against Students for Fair Admissions, whose 2014 lawsuit challenges the use of race as a factor in college admissions decisions.

The lawsuit, backed by the Trump administration, could eventually reach the Supreme Court, giving the newly cemented five-member conservative majority a chance to bar the use of affirmative action to help minority applicants get into college.

Conservatives have long argued that affirmative action, which aims to offset historic patterns of racial discrimination, hurts white people and Asian-Americans, who outperform other minority groups on academic measures.

SFFA, which is headed by anti-affirmative action activist Edward Blum, claims Harvard illegally engages in "racial balancing" that artificially limits the number of Asian-American students at the elite school.

Even statistics showed Asian-Americans applicants outperformed other racial groups on academic measures, yet that was not necessarily borne out on Harvard's campus, Adam Mortara, a lawyer for SFFA, said in his opening statement on Monday.

Harvard pushes down the scores Asian-Americans receive on "personal" rating that measures an applicant's subjective likability, grit and positivity and improperly allows race to play a factor in those scores, Mortara said.

"There's no other possible explanation," he said.

But William Lee, a lawyer for Harvard, told U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs, who is presiding over the non-jury trial, that SFFA's claims were based on heavily manipulated data and "invective accusations and innuendo."

He said that in order to promote diversity, Harvard does consider race as one factor among many, as the U.S. Supreme Court has long permitted. But he said race alone never by itself explains why an applicant is denied admission.

"Harvard never considers an applicant's race to be negative," Lee said. "If it considers race at all, it is always considered in a positive way."

Asian-Americans, who represent about 6 percent of the U.S. population, comprise 23 percent of Harvard's current freshman class.

The U.S. Justice Department, which launched a related probe of Harvard after Republican President Donald Trump took office last year, has backed SFFA's case, saying that Harvard has not seriously considered alternative, race-neutral approaches to admissions.

The Justice Department last month launched a similar investigation into whether Yale University also discriminates against Asian-Americans, an allegation it denies.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond; Editing by Scott Malone and Frances Kerry)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.US officials are worried that countries have been falling victim to what they call China's 'debt trap' diplomacy, giving up control of major assets.

With the United States and China locked in a trade war, US president Donald Trump is attempting to counter China's influence and its use of financing to advance its interests by signing a bill which created a new foreign aid agency.

The Better Utilisation of Investments Leading to Development (BUILD) Act was passed as part of a bill to reauthorise the Federal Aviation Administration. The measure creates a new agency, the US International Development Finance Cooperation, that consolidates the Overseas Private Investment Corp (OPIC) and other government development organisations.

Those institutions lend money for projects such as energy, ports and water infrastructure in developing countries. Backers of the bill, according to Reuters, have argued that OPIC needed to be modernised and US lending in general made more efficient to keep up with Chinas increasing investment throughout the world.

US officials are worried that countries have been falling victim to what they call China's "debt trap" diplomacy, giving up control of major assets such as ports or roadways when they fund infrastructure projects with Chinese loans that they cannot pay back.

This, along with the tariffs imposed on China by the Trump administration, is an attempt by Washington to prevent Beijing's economic and political dominance, according to The New York Times.

China has been promoting an ambitious Belt and Road initiative since 2013, as President Xi Jinping expands trade corridors along a modern-day Silk Road linking Asia, Europe and Africa, pumping credit into building roads, railways and ports in a trillion-dollar infrastructure initiative.

The Centre for Global Development has estimated that of the 68 countries currently hosting BRI-funded projects, 23 countries are at risk of debt distress, and in eight of those countries, future BRI-related financing raises serious concerns about sovereign debt sustainability.

Scott Morris, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development, told Foreign Policy that rather than just criticising China's use of development finance, the Trump administration decided to support the legislation that gives countries an alternative to seeking funding from China.

US vice-president Mike Pence had also accused China of using "debt diplomacy" to expand its influence. "Today, that country is offering hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure loans to governments from Asia to Africa to Europe to even Latin America. Yet the terms of those loans are opaque at best, and the benefits flow overwhelmingly to Beijing," he added.

Pence also called the new development finance push a way of "giving foreign nations a just and transparent alternative to China's debt-trap diplomacy".

China looks to deepen ties with India

China, meanwhile, is seeking to deepen ties with India in the wake of its trade war with the US. The Chinese embassy said India and China need to deepen cooperation to fight trade protectionism in the wake of the unilateral approach being adopted by the US on trade-related disputes.

It said practising unilateral trade protectionism in the name of "national security" and "fair trade" will not only affect China's economic development, but also undermine the external environment of India and hinder India's booming economy.

India and China have also launched a programme to train Afghan diplomats and China's Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui said it would likely be followed by joint programmes in other fields to help war-torn Afghanistan.

Within Afghanistan, India and the China have been on opposite sides with China relying on its old ally Pakistan as it seeks to stabilise Afghanistan by various means, including brokering talks to end the Taliban insurgency.

India, on the other hand, has invested billions of dollars in economic projects and training of military officers to strengthen the Afghan government in its fight against the Taliban.

Chinas ambassador to India said the joint training of 10 Afghan diplomats at the Indian Foreign Service Institute was the first step in China-India-Afghanistan cooperation that was agreed at a summit between President Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi this year.

Beijing has also reached out to New Delhi to create joint projects in south Asia, according to The Economic Times. Chinese ambassador suggested that China-India Plus cooperation should be extended from Afghanistan to other countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Iran and Myanmar, the report added.

With inputs from agenciesUS President Donald Trump had dispatched Mike Pompeo to speak to the monarch of the world's top oil exporter over Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance.

Istanbul: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met on Tuesday with Saudi Arabia's King Salman over the disappearance and alleged slaying of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, who vanished two weeks ago during a visit to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

Pompeo's arrival came hours after a Turkish forensics team finished a search inside the consulate. Police planned a second search, this one of the Saudi consul's home in Istanbul, a Turkish Foreign Ministry official said.

Turkish officials say they fear Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the Istanbul consulate. Saudi officials previously have called the allegations "baseless," but reports in US media on Tuesday suggested the kingdom may acknowledge the writer was killed there.

Pompeo landed in Riyadh on Tuesday morning and was welcomed by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on landing. He didn't make any remarks to the media.

Soon after, Pompeo arrived at a royal palace, where King Salman greeted him. America's top diplomat thanked the king "for accepting my visit on behalf of President (Donald) Trump" before going into a closed-door meeting.

Trump had dispatched Pompeo to speak to the monarch of the world's top oil exporter over Khashoggi's disappearance. Trump, after speaking on Monday with King Salman, said without offering evidence that the slaying could have been carried out by "rogue killers." That potentially offers the US-allied kingdom a possible path out of a global diplomatic firestorm.

"The king firmly denied any knowledge of it," Trump told reporters Monday. "It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. I mean, who knows? We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial."

However, left unsaid was the fact that any decision in the ultraconservative kingdom rests solely with the ruling Al Saud family. Pompeo also was to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom Khashoggi wrote critically about for The Washington Post and whose rise to power prompted the writer to go into a self-imposed exile in the United States.

"The effort behind the scenes is focused on avoiding a diplomatic crisis between the two countries and has succeeded in finding a pathway to deescalate tensions," said Ayham Kamel, the head of the Eurasia Group's Mideast and North African practice. "Riyadh will have to provide some explanation of the journalist's disappearance, but in a manner that distances the leadership from any claim that a decision was made at senior levels to assassinate the prominent journalist."

CNN reported that the Saudis were going to admit the killing happened but deny the king or crown prince had ordered it  which does not match what analysts and experts know about the kingdom's inner workings.

The New York Times reported that the Saudi royal court would suggest that an official within the kingdom's intelligence services  a friend of Prince Mohammed  had carried out the killing. According to that reported claim, the crown prince had approved an interrogation or rendition of Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia, but the intelligence official was tragically incompetent as he eagerly sought to prove himself. Both reports cited anonymous people said to be familiar with the Saudi plans.

Saudi officials have not answered repeated requests for comment over recent days from The Associated Press.

Saudi officials have been in and out of the building since Khashoggi's disappearance 2 October without being stopped. Under the Vienna Convention, diplomatic posts are technically foreign soil that must be protected and respected by host countries.

Turkey has wanted to search the consulate for days. Permission apparently came after a late Sunday night call between King Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In statements after the call, both praised the creation of a joint Saudi-Turkish probe.

The Turkish inspection team included a prosecutor, a deputy prosecutor, anti-terror police and forensic experts, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. Certain areas of the consulate were to remain off-limits, although officials would be able to inspect surveillance cameras, Turkish media reported.

What evidence Turkish officials gathered at the consulate remains unknown, though Erdogan told journalists on Tuesday that police sought traces of "toxic materials," without elaborating. Turkey's private DHA news agency said the Saudi consul's office was among the rooms searched.

On Tuesday, a Turkish Foreign Ministry official acknowledged police want to search the Saudi consul's home as well. Surveillance footage previously leaked in Turkish media shows vehicles moving between the consulate and the consul's home immediately after Khashoggi's disappearance.

The Foreign Ministry official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations.

Khashoggi has written extensively for the Post about Saudi Arabia, criticizing its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of women's rights activists after the lifting of a driving ban for women. Those policies are all seen as initiatives of Prince Mohammed, the son of King Salman, who is next in line to the throne.

Prince Mohammed has aggressively pitched the kingdom as a destination for foreign investment. But Khashoggi's disappearance has led several business leaders and media outlets to back out of the upcoming investment conference in Riyadh, called the Future Investment Initiative.

They include the CEO of Uber, a company in which Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars; billionaire Richard Branson; JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Jamie Dimon; and Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford.

Trump previously warned of "severe punishment" for the kingdom if it was found to be involved in Khashoggi's disappearance, which has spooked investors in Saudi Arabia and SoftBank, a Japanese firm that manages tens of billions of dollars for the kingdom.

Trump's warning drew an angry response Sunday from Saudi Arabia and its state-linked media, including a suggestion that Riyadh could wield its oil production as a weapon. The US president has been after King Salman and OPEC to boost production for weeks to drive down high crude oil prices, caused in part by the coming re-imposition of oil sanctions on Iran after the USwithdrawal from that's country's nuclear deal with world powers.Kanoo Shipping, a business division of Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo Group, recently concluded its annual regional meeting attended by prominent maritime leaders from its Middle East/Africa network.

The event was held under the theme Onwards and Upwards onboard the iconic Queen Elizabeth 2 in Dubai, UAE.



Executives from Kanoo Shipping including Jonathan Bygrave, executive general manager Kanoo Shipping; and Nikolai Norman, head of Commercial Kanoo Shipping; as well as members of the management team welcomed the regional participants with the presence of Fahad Kanoo, acting chief executive officer, The Kanoo Group (UAE and Oman) and Ali Abdullah Kanoo, member of the board, Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo, it said.



Kanoo Shipping Management together with representatives from key ship-owner and commodity trading customers held a lively Q&A panel session aimed at gathering a better understanding of customer requirements, expectations and issues aimed at enhancing their mutual relationship as well as taking the opportunity to discuss emerging opportunities and challenges currently faced by the regional maritime sector, it added.



Generally, the meeting focused on enhancing customer value through efficiency and Industry IT leadership whilst underlining Kanoo Shippings core fundamentals of compliance, transparency and sustainable excellence.



Kanoo Shipping, a member of The Kanoo Group, is the first Arab shipping agency in the region in 1911 and one of the founders of S5 Agency World.



At present, Kanoo Shipping is the largest regional shipping agency in the Middle East which operates in 20 countries.



Furthermore, Kanoo Shipping handles over 15,000 ship calls every year through its professional network which covers all ports in the Suez to Sri Lanka range and East/South Africa, it stated.  TradeArabia News ServiceThe radical fighters were supposed to withdraw from the buffer as a final condition to implementing a Russian-Turkish deal to stave off a regime offensive on the northwestern region of Idlib. The accord hung in the balance on the early hours of Monday, seven years into a grinding civil war that has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions.

Beirut: A deadline passed on Monday without jihadists leaving a planned buffer zone around Syria's last major rebel bastion of Idlib as set out under a Russian-Turkish deal.

The radical fighters were supposed to withdraw from the buffer as a final condition to implementing a Russian-Turkish deal to stave off a regime offensive on the northwestern region of Idlib. The accord hung in the balance on the early hours of Monday, seven years into a grinding civil war that has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions.

Just hours before the cut-off time, Idlib's dominant jihadist group vowed to continue to fight but did not give a clear position on the deal reached in the Russia resort of Sochi. "We have not abandoned our choice of jihad and fighting towards implementing our blessed revolution," said Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an alliance led by the jihadists of Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate.

"We appreciate the efforts of all those who strive inside and abroad to protect the liberated area," it said in an apparent reference to Turkey. "But at the same time, we warn of the deceitfulness of the Russian occupier," it said of the regime's ally. Under the accord, heavy weapons were meant to have been withdrawn from the horseshoe-shaped buffer by October 10 and radical fighters were meant to have left by Monday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it had not observed any jihadists leaving the outlined demilitarised area by the time midnight struck. And deadly mortar rounds fired late Saturday from the planned buffer, according to the Britain-based monitor, appeared to indicate the first part of the deal was not fully implemented either.

"The jihadists not withdrawing gives the regime and Russia an excuse to carry out a military operation at least within the demilitarised zone," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said. HTS had likely "tried to gain time by neither explicitly refusing nor accepting the deal" between Russia and Turkey, he said.

Sam Heller, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, on Twitter said the HTS announcement appeared to be a "tacit agreement of the Sochi deal". "HTS emphasizes its responsibility and flexibility (within limits), which seemingly adds up to a tacit acceptance of the Sochi deal," he wrote. Late Saturday, "heavy mortar shells" were fired from the planned buffer area into regime territory, killing two soldiers, the Observatory said.

Rebels and jihadists had reportedly fulfilled the first part of the deal, with Turkish officials, armed factions and the Observatory reporting that the area was free of heavy-duty weaponry. But the shells which on Saturday hit an army position in Hama province appear to have violated the accord.

But it was unclear which groups fired the mortars late Saturday, it said, as both the Turkish-backed National Liberation Front and rival jihadist factions were present in the area. The NLF  which holds just under half of the Idlib region and has welcomed the accord  did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment on the shelling.

The lion's share of Idlib is held by HTS, as well as more hardline jihadists like Hurras al-Deen and Ansar al-Islam. Those fighters also control more than two-thirds of the planned buffer zone and are supposed to withdraw by Monday. Hurras al-Deen has publicly rejected the agreement, although it apparently withdrew its heavy arms from the area last week.

HTS, widely considered the most powerful force in Idlib, had quietly abided by the deal's first deadline and re-stationed heavy arms elsewhere. But getting them to agree to the second part of the deal has proven more difficult. In a recent report for the Turkey-based Omran Center, expert Nawar Oliver described HTS's approval as the deal's ultimate "test".

"If HTS acts as a spoiler to the agreement on the ground, this will probably lead to one of two scenarios: either Turkey and the NLF launch military action against HTS, or Russia will seize the opportunity with the support of the regime and its allies to enter Idlib," he said. "The ramifications of that move could be vast," he added.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and other top government officials have warned that the Idlib deal was only a "temporary" measure. On Friday, residents around Idlib received warning messages on their mobile phones from the Syrian army. "Get away from the fighters. Their fate is sealed and near," one said.New document published by a French aviation website may raise new questions on Dassault Aviations stand that it freely chose Indias Reliance Group as offset partner in the Rafale deal.

As the Rafale row escalates between the Opposition and the Narendra Modi government, a French aviation blog has published what it claims to be a summary of meetings between two French trade unions which may spark fresh controversy on Dassault Aviation's stand of 'choosing' its offset partner.

The documents published on the website portail-aviation purportedly state it was 'imperative and obligatory' for Dassault Aviation to accept Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) as "contrepartie" (counterpart) in order to obtain the export contract. The images are of documents published by two unions of Rafale-manufacturer Dassault: the Confederation francaise democratique du travail (CFDT) and Confederation generale du travail (CGT).

Yves Pagota Paris-based researcher, former Air Force official and defence writerpublished what he claims to be the same 'internal' Dassault document presented by COO of Dassault Aviation Loik Segalen before a French confederation of trade unions. The French journal Mediapart also cited an 'internal document' that allegedly indicates that the offset partnership with Reliance was obligatory and mandatory for Dassault Aviation to sell Rafale jets to India.

The CGT statement towards the end states:"...a complete presentation of 'Make in India' with the creation of the enterprise 'Dassault Reliance Aerospace' at Nagpur was done for us. According to Mr (Loik) Segalen it was imperative and obligatory for Dassault Aviation to accept this "contrepartie" in order to obtain the export contract Rafale India."

The second report of meeting with CFDT mentions that the Indian government's "Make in India" was "the inevitable consequence" of the deal "imposed" by India and hence "the Joint Venture with Reliance was created to attain this objective", NDTV reported.

In his post, Yves Pagot refused to interpret the document and has mentioned that he leaves it open to the readers "if Reliance was a company imposed by the Indian government after the offsets or not?".

Earlier, French portal Mediapart published a report which allegedly referred to the second document where Dassault deputy CEO Segalen is quoted as informing his staff members in May 2017 that Dassaults joint venture with Ambanis Reliance group (called Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd, or DRAL) for discharging offsets in the Rafale deal was a precondition". It was apparently imperative and obligatory for the jet manufacturing firm to win the 36-aircraft deal. It was this report that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi relied on to further criticise the Modi government and terming the deal as a case of corruption.

Dassault is obligated under French law to explain to its workers union why it was shifting its production of Falcon business jets to Nagpur in India under joint venture DRAL (Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd) instead of creating jobs for French labourers. The firm identified Reliance as counterpartie or counterpart in the French document.

However, Dassaults CEO Eric Trappier clarified in an interview with news agency AFP that the document refers to Indias offset clause and shifting of a part of the work to India as mandatory part of the 36 aircraft deal, and nowhere, he claims, has Segalen said that the company was obligated to take Reliance on board. The company owed an explanation to its workers why the deal wont yield as many jobs as labour unions would have hoped, and cited the offset contract under Indias Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) as the reason.

Under India's Defence offset policy, a foreign supplier of equipment agrees to manufacture a given percent of his product (in terms of value) in the buying country. The defence offset policy is a part of Defence Procurement and Procedure (DPP). The DPP also aims to overcome other hurdles prevalent in the defence sector such as India's dependence on import of defence technology. To change the same, the government introduced several measures including defence FDI and promotion of private sector participation. A major policy push in this direction is the defence offset policy which may become a chief instrument for India to develop its indigenous defence manufacturing sector.

Dassault Aviation in its press release maintained that has freely chosen to make a partnership with Indias Reliance Group so the publication of this new document may raise new questions on the contradiction between Dassault's previous statements and the summary of meetings with French trade unions.The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is understood to be preparing a report in which it is likely to admit dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi died during an interrogation at its consulate in Istanbul, according to a media report.

Washington: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is understood to be preparing a report in which it is likely to admit dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi died during an interrogation at its consulate in Istanbul, according to a media report.

Khashoggi is feared to have been killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. The incident has resulted in a global outrage and more so in the US as he lived here as a legal permanent resident and worked for The Washington Post. US lawmakers have been demanding to scrap the $110 billion mega defence deal with the Saudis, whereas heads of several companies, CEOs, newspapers have announced not to attend an upcoming finance conference in Saudi Arabia.

President Donald Trump on Monday talked to the Saudi King, during which the latter flatly denied having any knowledge of the missing journalist. Officially, Saudi Arabia has insisted that the journalist left its consulate, but so far has not been able to give any proof of it. Trump, who has warned Saudi Arabia of severe consequences, has dispatched his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for talks with the Saudi leader.

Amidst global outrage, CNN on Monday reported that the Saudis are preparing a report that will acknowledge that Khashoggi's death was the result of an interrogation that went wrong. The interrogation was intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey, the news channel said citing two unnamed sources. "One source says the report will likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held responsible," the news channel reported, cautioning that things could change as the report is still being prepared.

Earlier in the day, Trump told reporters that it is possible that some "rogue element" within the government could have carried out this inhuman act. Some of the lawmakers criticized Trump for such a statement. "President Trump's suggestion that Khashoggi's elaborately planned murder in the Saudi's own consulate was orchestrated by 'rogue killers' defies reality," said Senator Chris Van Hollen. "Orders must have come from the top. The US must not be complicit in an effort to cover up this heinous crime," he said. "This is not leadership. We need answers from the Saudis about Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance. The President should be leading that effort and standing up for human rights," Senator Mark Warner said. "Trump accepting Saudi Arabia's Khashoggi story without a thorough, independent investigation only enables authoritarian behaviour," said Senator Ed Markey.

Senator Dick Durbin called for a strong response from the US. "I cannot support President Trump's proposed arms sales given the fact that Saudi Arabia is apparently complicit in the disappearance of Khashoggi," he said. "Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin should cancel his participation in the Saudi investor conference and it's long overdue that the Trump Administration nominate a US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Durbin said. A day earlier he called on Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Ambassador to the United States. "I told Ambassador bin Salman that he should expect a very negative response from both sides of the aisle in Congress if Mr Khashoggi was in fact kidnapped and murdered. And if that is the case, I do not believe the US should continue to be party to supporting the Saudis in the bloodshed in Yemen  a halt that is long overdue given the humanitarian disaster resulting from that conflict," Durbin said.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post and Politico reported that two lobbying groups  BGR and Glover Park  have said that they would no longer represent Saudi Arabia. Several organisations and individuals have announced that they will not attend the mega summit in Saudi Arabia as a mark of protest. These include the World Bank, The New York Times, Bloomberg, CNBC and Uber. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, KKR executive David Petraeus and Ford Motor Chairman Bill Ford have also said that they will not attend the Saudi event.

Senator Richard Blumenthal in a tweet alleged that Trump is giving the Saudis a pass on Khashoggi murder maybe because he continues to benefit from Saudi rentals, hotel bookings and other payments to the Trump Organisation. "Saudi govt payments violate our Constitution's chief public corruption prohibition. Our lawsuit holds Trump accountable, he said.Xiaomi has finally announced that the Mi MIX 3, the companys flagship smartphone in the MIX series will be introduced at an event in Beijing on October 25th. Xiaomi President Lin Bin already posted a photo of the smartphone, revealing the slide-out design.

The phone will likely include 3D face unlock that was introduced in the Mi 8, large FHD+ AMOLED display with screen-to-body ratio of over 90%, Snapdragon 845 with up to 8GB, and similar AI dual rear cameras as the Mi 8. It is not clear if the phone will feature an in-display fingerprint sensor, but there might be a special edition with the feature, like the Mi 8 Explorer Edition.

The company already hinted at the 5G support for the phone when it posted photo revealing the Mi MIX 3 using various bands for the 5G connectivity. Now the company has confirmed that it will be the first commercial smartphone with 5G connectivity. It also said that it is more than just a sliding full screen. The company has also hinted at support for up to 10GB RAM. We will know more details when the phone gets certified by TENAA in the coming weeks.

Source 1, 2It is not necessary to do extraordinary things to get extraordinary results. -- Warren Buffett

Warren Buffet became one of the world's greatest investors by sticking to businesses he understood, investing for the long term, and being greedy when others were fearful. Of course, if it were that easy, we would all be investors as rich as Warren Buffett. And while we aren't, three Motley Fool contributors have picked some Warren Buffett stocks that might be good investments for you right now: Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), General Motors (NYSE:GM), and U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB).

A renowned investment bank selling for cheap

Jeremy Bowman (Goldman Sachs): 2018 has been a rough year for financial stocks, as worries about a flattening yield curve, weakening economies in emerging markets, and trade tensions with China have largely sent bank stocks and their peers lower. Goldman Sachs, however, has been one of the worst performers in its sector; the stock is down 32% after facing fallout from the 1MDB scandal, in which Goldman Sachs has come under attack for its role in a series of misdeeds around a Malaysian state investment fund. Most recently, Malaysia filed criminal charges against Goldman Sachs, which collected $600 million in fees from a bond raise for the Asian nation, for its role in the scandal.

While the threat from the 1MDB scandal is real, it will likely only cost Goldman in the range of hundreds of millions of dollars, and investors seem to have accounted for those consequences, as the stock trades at a P/E of less than 7 based on this year's expected earnings per share.

Warren Buffett has been a buyer of Goldman Sachs shares this year. The Oracle of Omaha is a fan of financial stocks generally and looks for companies with valuable brands. Goldman, a leading global investment bank, has such a brand despite the current scandal. Buffett also likes the rapid growth of Goldman's new consumer banking division, Marcus, which has rapidly expanded since late 2016 and has now made more than $4 billion in loans.

Factor in the stock's 1.9% dividend yield and a new $5 billion stock repurchase plan, and this looks like a classic Buffett value play. As he's said before, "Be greedy when others are fearful."

Forget about peak auto

Daniel Miller (General Motors): I'll go against the grain a little bit and take General Motors, but only if investors share two of Buffett's investment tendencies: long-term outlook and value emphasis. You'll need a long-term outlook to own shares of General Motors, because vehicle sales in the world's most profitable auto market, right here in the States, are plateauing this cycle and will likely decline in the years ahead. And if you're a value investor, General Motors' consensus forward price-to-earnings ratio, a paltry 5.43 times, is in your wheelhouse. Here are three quick reasons GM is still a Warren Buffett stock worth buying.

First, thanks to the company's low stock price, its dividend yield is a juicy 4.4%. However, that yield is only valuable long term if the company can sustain its payouts. The good news is that through the first three-quarters of 2018, GM's dividend payout ratio was only 28.3%. While that's a low level, and investors shouldn't count on GM increasing the dividend anytime soon, sustaining it should not be an issue. Also remember that GM has $18 billion in cash at the end of the third quarter.

The second reason goes hand in hand with the first: restructuring to save cash. General Motors is ahead of the curve in preparing for a downturn and announced a massive restructuring that will boost GM's annual adjusted automotive free cash flow from $4 billion this year to roughly $10 billion by the end of 2020. This frees up cash for GM to invest in the future business of driverless vehicles, electric fleets, and smart mobility projects -- and to prepare for how all those futures combine.

Third, while GM has ample cash to invest in its future, it has possibly already struck gold with its self-driving subsidiary, GM Cruise. GM acquired Cruise Automation in 2016 for a little more than $1 billion. With SoftBank Group's (OTC:SFTBF) $2.25 billion investment in the subsidiary, GM Cruise is valued at $11.5 billion already. But wait, there's more: RBC Capital Markets auto-industry analyst Joseph Spak wrote to clients that it could be worth $43 billion and could be incredibly profitable by 2030.

If you have a long-term outlook, enjoy dividends, and are interested in value stocks, GM could be a Warren Buffett stock worth buying.

The best bank in Buffett's bunch

Jordan Wathen (U.S. Bancorp): If there is one industry Buffett knows best, it's likely the banking industry, where being choosy has helped the renowned super-investor earn impressive returns through the economic ups and downs over the course of several decades.

Buying all the banks Buffett owns wouldn't be the worst idea, but if you could only pick one, U.S. Bancorp would likely be a top choice, because it is one of the least bank-like banks in his portfolio. While the super-regional bank takes loans and makes deposits, its "special sauce" is a mix of fee-generating businesses that help it earn higher returns on equity than virtually all of its peers.

Fee-generating businesses are the Holy Grail of the banking world because profits are earned largely without risk, and fee income is less cyclical than income earned from lending. Consider that in the first nine months of 2018, U.S. Bancorp's noninterest sources of income covered approximately 77% of its operating costs. In that respect, almost everything it earns from lending flows directly into pre-tax profit.

Banks that have no need to make risky loans often don't. U.S. Bancorp's loan book is stuffed to the brim with high-quality loans to businesses and mortgages backed by hard collateral. These loans should perform better than average during the next economic downturn, just as they did during the 2008 financial crisis, when U.S. Bancorp's credit metrics were head and shoulders above those of its peers.

Best of all, recent declines in the stock market give investors the opportunity to buy in at an attractive price. Shares now trade at a double-digit discount to the price at which Buffett was buying U.S. Bancorp in the third quarter.The price of oil has rocketed over the past couple of years, by more than 200% from its bottom in mid-January of 2016 to $85 per barrel in recent weeks. One of the factors fueling that rally has been the institution of new economic sanctions on Iran by the Trump administration. Some analysts believe crude could have further to go as those sanctions take effect next month, with some forecasting that it could top $100 per barrel once again.

That may only be the beginning: The suspicious disappearance of a journalist -- who is both a U.S. resident and a prominent critic of Saudi Arabia -- could cause the Trump administration to also impose sanctions on that Middle Eastern country. If that were to happen, "no one should rule out the price [of oil] jumping to $100, or $200, or even double that figure," according to a recent op-ed by the general manager of a Saudi-based TV station. While his prediction is making headlines, it's not likely to come to fruition.

A doomsday prediction

It has been almost two weeks since journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Turkey. The Turkish government claims that Saudi Arabia had him murdered, which Saudi Arabia has flatly denied, though recent reports suggest the country has admitted that he was killed during an interrogation attempt.

President Trump, meanwhile, threatened "severe punishment" against Saudi Arabia if it turned out that the country was behind the journalist's disappearance. The Saudis countered by saying that they would retaliate if hit with sanctions; those could include turning off the country's oil supplies, which currently account for 10% of the global total. "It would lead to Saudi Arabia's failure to commit to producing 7.5 million barrels (per day)," according to the op-ed, and that likely would send crude prices skyrocketing. The world can't afford to lose any more barrels since the oil market is already starting to enter a danger zone, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), which recently called on Saudi Arabia to pump more oil.

With the oil market tightening, and oil prices rising, the IEA is starting to see some erosion in projected demand growth. It recently reduced its forecast for demand growth in 2018 and 2019 by 110,000 barrels per day each year, due in part to the impact higher oil prices are having on the global economy. If Saudi Arabia suddenly withheld millions of barrels per day, it would be "an economic disaster that would rock the entire world," according to the op-ed writer.

No one can afford this game of chicken

While the U.S. can threaten sanctions on Saudi Arabia, Americans can't afford to have it shut off the taps. That's because the Saudis supplied about 9% of America's oil imports last year, an amount sizable enough that it would be tough to replace, especially since pipeline constraints in Canada -- which supplies 40% of America's oil imports -- and the Permian Basin have stunted the growth potential of both regions. Meanwhile, Venezuela, which provided 7% of America's oil imports last year, has seen its oil production fall off a cliff in recent years, and is expected to decline even further due to that country's economic troubles.

At the same time, Saudi Arabia can ill-afford to cut off its oil supplies from the world market. The nation currently gets about two-thirds of its fiscal revenue from oil. While it's aiming to get that below 50% in the future, it needs petrodollars in the meantime to achieve its diversification plan. That's especially true after enduring a tough stretch in recent years due to lower oil prices, which forced the kingdom to tighten its fiscal belt. If it turned off its oil pumps to punish the U.S., the action would not only cut into its revenue but could wreck global demand. The demand destruction alone from skyrocketing crude prices could quickly cause a reversal in prices, though likely not before inflicting serious long-term damage to the oil market.

Look for oil stocks that can thrive no matter what happens to oil prices

Geopolitical risks have the potential to increase oil market volatility in the coming year, with attention-grabbing headlines calling for big price spikes, and the increasing likelihood that crude will plunge if the global economy slows down. Investors need to brace themselves for what could be a wild ride. One way to do that is by owning oil stocks that can thrive no matter what happens to crude prices.

Two great options to consider buying in light of the market's current uncertainty are ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) and EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG). Both oil producers can thrive even if crude prices were to plunge below $50 a barrel. At that price point, ConocoPhillips could still grow its production at a 5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) while EOG Resources could boost its output at a 15% CAGR.

Meanwhile, at higher prices, both companies would be able to increase their dividends at a high rate, while ConocoPhillips could also buy back a boatload of stock and EOG could pay off even more debt. Their flexibility to thrive, no matter what oil does, has them in a strong position to continue creating value for their investors over the long term.Retailer Walmart (NYSE:WMT) doled out $16 billion earlier this year to buy a 77% stake in Indian e-commerce company Flipkart. That decision might very well pay dividends for Walmart down the line, but for now, it's hurting the company's bottom line.

Walmart cut its full-year earnings guidance on Tuesday due to the impact of the deal. The company also now expects earnings per share to decline in fiscal 2020.

Short-term pain

Walmart still expects to grow total sales by about 2% this year adjusted for currency. And the company sees that growth accelerating to 3% in fiscal 2020, despite headwinds from Walmart Brazil and a planned reduction of tobacco sales.

The U.S. business is expected to continue performing well. Walmart expects both Walmart U.S. and Sam's Club to post 3% excluding fuel comparable sales growth this year and roughly the same growth in fiscal 2020 excluding fuel and tobacco. The international business will get a boost from Flipkart, with sales expected to rise by 5% in fiscal 2020.

But Flipkart is expected to take a toll on Walmart's earnings. The company lowered its full-year adjusted EPS outlook to a range of $4.65 to $4.80, down from a previous range of $4.90 to $5.05. In fiscal 2020, Walmart sees this metric declining by a low single-digit percentage. If Flipkart is excluded, adjusted EPS would rise by a low- to mid-single-digit percentage in fiscal 2020.

An e-commerce slowdown

The U.S. e-commerce business will slow down a bit in fiscal 2020. Walmart sees 35% growth, down from the 40% growth the company expects this year. Walmart has invested heavily in e-commerce over the past few years, but it has taken some steps recently that might be hurting overall sales growth. The Wall Street Journal reported in August that Walmart had started displaying "out of stock" statuses on products too expensive to ship profitably. And earlier this year, Walmart reportedly told suppliers to focus on items priced at more than $10, a move that could boost e-commerce profits but hurt sales.

Part of Walmart's e-commerce strategy is online grocery delivery and pickup. The company plans to offer grocery pickup at 3,100 stores by the end of fiscal 2020, with grocery delivery available at 1,600 stores. Grocery pickup was available at 1,800 stores at the end of the second quarter, so Walmart plans to nearly double the availability of that service.

In addition to competing with Amazon, Walmart is facing off against a newly aggressive Target (NYSE:TGT). Target has rolled out free two-day shipping, a next-day home essentials delivery service, and same-day grocery delivery this year. The retailer has also been lowering its prices, an effort that includes the new Smartly brand of low-cost household items. Target is growing its own e-commerce sales at a 40% rate, and it's using its stores to fulfill most online orders.

Walmart's expected 35% e-commerce growth is still a solid number. Amazon's first-party online sales, which exclude its vast third-party marketplace business, only grew by 12% during the second quarter. Walmart can eventually catch up to Amazon on that front if it can keep its growth rate up.

Taking it in stride

Shares of Walmart opened higher on Tuesday, so investors don't seem to mind the lowered earnings guidance and the e-commerce slowdown. The Flipkart investment is a long-term bet on India, and investors might be willing to accept lower profits today for potentially higher profits tomorrow.

Walmart hosts its annual meeting for the investment community on Tuesday, and CEO Doug McMillon will go into more detail on all the company's initiatives. Third-quarter results will follow on Nov. 15. The stock is down slightly this year after surging about 55% since the beginning of 2016. With shares now trading for about 20 times the midpoint of Walmart's full-year adjusted earnings guidance, further gains might be elusive until earnings growth returns.Danfoss, a provider of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) solutions, recently organised a seminar in the UAE and Saudi Arabia to discuss harmonics, energy efficiency and the challenges and trends in variable frequency drives (VFDs).



Held on October 9 and 10 in Riyadh and Dubai, respectively, the seminars shed light on key considerations for maximising VFD performance, achieving greater energy efficiency, minimising costs and achieving the highest return on investment.



Gregers Geilager, the head of Next Generation Platform at Danfoss, led the session on harmonics mitigation, which centered on effective methods of reducing harmonic distortion to maximise potential energy savings.



He also conducted the closing session, which zeroed in on key factors, standards and processes involved in specifying the appropriate VFDs for various applications and systems.



Niko Honkonen, the product manager for Vacon 100, Danfoss, conducted the second session, which centered on the current trends in the business as regards efficient energy consumption and on global efficiency standards.



Speaking on the sidelines of the successfully concluded seminars, John Conboy, the director of sales, marketing and services for drives, Danfoss Middle East and North Africa said: "We pride ourselves on providing the best technical support to our partners and customers, which we are able to offer through events such as the ones we just concluded. We have always been a trailblazer in the drives sector."



"As such, the onus is upon us to recognise and address not only key technical issues but also larger concerns affecting our world today, such as energy efficiency and cost mitigation," he stated.



Conboy said: "This year, we are celebrating Danfoss 50th year in the drives business. This milestone was made possible by the commitment and dedication of our professionals around the world, and by the trust, support and collaboration from our partners and customers."



"The active participation and the warm acceptance for our products only show that our key stakeholders are as passionate as we are about the future of the technology and of our rapidly changing world," he added.-TradeArabia News ServiceTCN News:

Indian Social Forum (ISF), Kuwait extended their helping hand to an Indian migrant worker Hameed Islam hailing from Elanthila village of Belthangady Taluk in Dakshina Kannada District.

Hameed left to Kuwait in year 2013 and was working as cook in a restaurant. Everything was fine for the first 4 years. However, problems began when his sponsor closed his restaurant which forced him to join another employer for a new job. The new sponsor not only failed to renew his residency but also failed to pay him his wages. As a result, he had to struggle about a year in Kuwait without proper accommodation and even food.

Support TwoCircles



Upon hearing his plight, a relative of Hameed contacted ISF officials through SDPI who rushed to his aid.

ISF office bearers with the help of Kuwaiti Authorities contacted his present sponsor and made necessary arrangements for his repatriate from Kuwait to Mangalore.

Hameed who could neither attend his daughters marriage nor could take part in his mothers funeral because of his travel ban from Kuwait recalls his ordeal and expresses his gratitude to ISF members for their timely intervention which helped him to re-join with his family back in India.Giant Tiger Roars into Saskatoon, Saskatchewan!

Celebrate fun and savings for the whole family

OTTAWA - October 12, 2018 /CNW/ - On Saturday, October 13th, Giant Tiger will celebrate the official opening of a new store in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The brand new 24,000 square foot Giant Tiger will be located at 2325 Preston Avenue. Giant Tiger stores are stocked with affordable, on-trend home and family fashions, brand-name groceries and everyday necessities at low prices. Giant Tiger is committed to saving Canadians time and money through our lower prices, flyer program and our ad match guarantees. For you. For less. Every day!

The grand opening will be a fun-filled day with plenty of free activities for customers of all ages, including free face-painting, promotional and gift card giveaways and, of course, a visit from Friendly, the Giant Tiger. There will also be Giant Value product sampling for all to enjoy.

As a community proud retailer, Giant Tiger Stores Limited and store manager Dennis Hiebert will be making a charitable donation to support the Prince Philip School and the store will be hosting a charitable BBQ with proceeds going to the same organization.

For more information regarding the grand opening plans, visit the store's Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/GTSaskatoon

What : Giant Tiger Saskatoon grand opening

: Giant Tiger Saskatoon grand opening Where : 2325 Preston Avenue

: 2325 Preston Avenue When: Saturday October 13, 2018

7:30 a.m.: Speeches, ribbon-cutting

8 a.m.: Giant Tiger Saskatoon officially opens

10 a.m.  3 p.m.: Charitable barbecue for the Prince Philip School

About Saskatoon's new Giant Tiger:

24,000 square feet

Hours of operation: Monday to Saturday 8 a.m.  10 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.  8 p.m.

About Giant Tiger

Giant Tiger is the leading Canadian-owned family discount store, committed to providing on-trend family fashions, groceries and everyday household needs. Known as Canada's best-kept secret, the privately held company has over 245 locations across Canada and employs over 8,000 team members. You can also shop online at gianttiger.com. All Giant Tiger locations are locally owned or operated by a team member who knows the community. The friendly stores with the iconic yellow logo are not only where Canadians shop more and spend less, but also are proud to be known as retailer of choice. #ForYouForLess #GTCommunityProud #GTCanadaProud

Join the conversation and keep up to date on all Giant Tiger news:

Like us on Facebook: Giant Tiger

Follow us on Instagram: @Gianttigerstore

Follow us on Twitter: @GTBoutique

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Giant Tiger Store

Media inquiries Contact:

Alison Scarlett

Director, Brand Communications

ascarlett@gianttiger.com

SOURCE Giant Tiger Stores Limited

###

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DisqusUprooted Palestinians are at the heart of the conflict in the M.E Palestinians uprooted by force of arms. Yet faced immense difficulties have survived, kept alive their history and culture, passed keys of family homes in occupied Palestine from one generation to the next.Samsung unveils new Exynos and ISOCELL chips for automobiles News oi-Vishal Kawadkar Samsung eyes on the automobile industry.

Samsung Electronics has announced the launch of two new automotive solutions - the Exynos Auto and Samsung ISOCELL Auto. Exynos is the company's mobile semiconductor brand which was launched back in 2011. ISOCELL, on the other hand, is for imaging sensors and was unveiled in 2017. The chips for vehicles will thus be called as Exynos Auto and ISOCELL Auto.

Though it has already used the Exynos Auto branding, it is now further dividing the brand. The Exynos chips will be categorized into Exynos Auto V, Exynos Auto A, and Exynos Auto T. The alphabets represent a specific area of focus. The V chips take care of the infotainment, while the A chips will be used for advanced driving aids and T for telematics.

"With the fast-changing telecommunications sector, accurate sensing and powerful processing capabilities, Samsung's auto-branded solutions will enable a new driving experience for next-generation smart vehicles," the company said in a press release.

The ISOCELL brand was introduced for the company's CMOS image sensors last year.

The new sensors will build on Samsung's pixel isolation technology to offer greater visibility of the road in low-light conditions. These sensors will be crucial in the future automobiles as they collect crucial data for the advanced driving solutions.

The company will be showcasing the new chips at the International Suppliers Fair (IZB) in Wolfburg, Germany this week. Samsung's other affiliates also offer components to automotive customers including OLED displays and batteries for electric vehicles.

Apart from automobiles, Samsung is also planning to put smarter chips on its smartphones. A new report suggests that the upcoming smartphone will have a processor with a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) developed for specific AI computing.

The new functionality, however, will only be seen on select Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 models. Samsung has already developed the second-generation NPU solution, as suggested by a LinkedIn profile of one of its former employees.

It doesn't give away any specifics about the chip, though the platform is expected to be found inside the Exynos 9820, which is the company's next flagship processor for phones and tablets.

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow NotificationsXiaomi Mi MIX 3 will launch on the 25th of October: Expected to cost Rs 34,000 News oi-Vivek Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 is will have an in-screen fingerprint sensor

Xiaomi is all set for the launch of the next flagship smartphone, the Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 on the 25th of October 2018. The company has officially confirmed the same on the Chinese social media platform Weibo with a launch event teaser.

The teaser of the Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 does reveal that the smartphone will have a retractable camera module on the back, similar to the one seen on the Oppo Find X. In fact, Donovon Sung has also posted a picture on Twitter with the actual smartphone.

Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 specifications

Under the hood, the smartphone is expected to run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC. However, there are rumours and speculations regarding the fact that the Mi MIX 3 will be available with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 SoC, with true 5G networking support.

The Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 is also expected to come with a 6.4-inch OLED display with more than 90% screen to body ratio offering an entirely new smartphone experience. Just like the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition, the Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 is speculated to launch with an in-screen fingerprint sensor with 3D facial recognition system.

That's a lot of #MiMIX phones! Can anyone find the highlight in this photo? #Xiaomi pic.twitter.com/GjYbswbJmD  Donovan Sung (@donovansung) October 15, 2018

The smartphone is expected to offer a dual camera setup with a 16 MP wide-angle lens and a 13 MP telephoto lens to offer 2x optical zoom and portrait mode with a 20 MP selfie camera.

The Mi MIX 3 is expected to launch with MIUI 10 with Android 9 Pie OS with features like gesture-based navigation system, and customisation options like installing third party themes, fonts, and icon package.

The mobile is expected to come with a 3500 mAh battery with support for fast charging via USB type C port and wireless charging. Just like the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2s, the smartphone will not have a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Lastly, coming to the pricing the Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 is expected to cost 3399 (Rs 34,000) for the base variant with 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage, whereas the high-end variant with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB storage is expected to cost 5299 Yuan (Rs 53,000), which makes the costliest Xiaomi smartphone.

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow NotificationsGoogle Doodle celebrates tabla maestro Lachhu Maharaj's birth anniversary News oi-Sandeep Sarkar The Lachhu Maharaj Doodle has been designed by Sajid Sheikh who is a guest artist.

Google is known for celebrating birthdays and special events with its Google Doodle. A Google Doodle is a temporary alteration of the Google logo on Google's homepage to mark some special events such as holidays, events, the birth anniversary of renowned personalities and more. This time Google has dedicated its Doodle to one of the acclaimed tabla artist Lacchu Maharaj.

Lachhu Maharaj also known as Lakshmi Narayan Singh was born on October 16, 1944, in India. Lacchu Maharaj belonged to a family of musicians and had gone through some rigorous training under his father Vasudev Maharaj's supervision.

Lacchu Maharaj had started performing on stage starting at an early age and was among most of the celebrated tabla players of his time. At the age of eight the talent which Lachhu Maharaj had grabbed the attention of another eminent table player Ahmed Jaan Thirawa. It is said that back then Thirawa was amazed by Lachhu Maharaj's performance. Being from a family of musicians he had an inherent sense of rhythm which made him popular.

As for the performances, Lachhu Maharaj's solo performances are said to be the best ones as they showcased his table skills. He also played alongside with most of the famous tabla players of his time and yet he was known for his solo table skills which made him stand out of the crowd. Lachhu Maharaj had also received awards and recognition for his contribution to music. The tabla maestro had received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1957. The Sangeet Natak Akademi award is given by the National Academy for Music in India for the musicians and is the highest award which is given to the performing artists.

As for the design, the Lachhu Maharaj Doodle has been designed by Sajid Sheikh who is a guest artist. Sheikh is a Mumbai-based visual artist specialist who specializes in designs and illustrations. You can check out the new Google Doodle at Google's homepage.

Best Mobiles in IndiaFormer U.S. Senate Employee Pleads Guilty to False Statements Charge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, October 15, 2018

Longtime Director of Security for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Admits Lying to FBI About Disclosing Information to Reporter

James A. Wolfe, 57, of Ellicott City, Maryland, a former staff employee of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), pleaded guilty today to one count of making a false statement to special agents of the FBI during the course of an investigation into the unlawful disclosure of classified national security information.

The guilty plea was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu for the District of Columbia, and Special Agent in Charge Timothy M. Dunham of the Counterintelligence Division of the FBI's Washington Field Office.

Wolfe was indicted in June 2018 on three false statements charges. Under the plea agreement, the government will move to dismiss the remaining counts at sentencing.

At the time Wolfe made the false statement to the FBI, he was the Director of Security for the SSCI, a position he held for more than 28 years. As SSCI Director of Security, Wolfe was entrusted with receiving, maintaining, and managing classified national security information provided to the SSCI by the Executive Branch of the United States.

According to a statement of offense filed at the hearing, the FBI opened an investigation in April 2017 into the unauthorized disclosure of classified national security information that had appeared in a specific article published by a national news organization. In December 2017, during the course of the investigation, Wolfe was interviewed. Wolfe was asked specifically about whether he had been in contact with any reporters and, if so, who those reporters were, and what were the nature and extent of those contacts and the means by which those contacts occurred.

By his guilty plea, Wolfe admitted making false statements to the FBI concerning whether he had provided unclassified, but not otherwise publicly-available, information to reporters. Specifically, on Oct. 16, 2017, and again on Oct. 24, 2017, Wolfe provided a particular reporter with non-public information concerning a witness who had been subpoenaed to testify before the SSCI. Wolfe also admitted making false statements to the FBI about his contacts with three additional reporters, including one of the authors of the aforementioned article.

The charge of making a false statement to special agents of the FBI is a felony punishable by a statutory maximum of five years in prison and potential financial penalties. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. The sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Honorable Ketanji Brown Jackson scheduled sentencing for Dec. 20.

The investigation into this matter is being conducted by the FBI's Washington Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Ballantine and Tejpal S. Chawla and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Ingersoll of the District of Columbia, with assistance from the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Component(s):

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - District of Columbia

Press Release Number: 18-1338

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'UK's top spy agency viewed blacks as threat'

Iran Press TV

Mon Oct 15, 2018 10:43AM

Britain's internal spying apparatus, the MI5, viewed black people as security risk and refused to give them sensitive positions, the agency's declassified documents have revealed.

After scouring through papers released by the interdepartmental committee on security, Dan Lomas, a University of Salford professor, that the racial discrimination within the MI5's senior officials dated back to the 1960s.

The papers, which belong to a period when then-Labour government considered introducing racial equality legislation in 1967, revealed increasing concerns within the agency's ranks about proposed laws that made it illegal to not employ a person on the grounds of color.

Those proposals went on to become enshrined in the 1968 Race Relations Act.

British security chiefs feared that allowing people from ethnic minorities to get positions in secretive agencies posed a security risk because they allegedly lacked the information required for background checks.

MI5 specifically was under the impression that "the color of a man's skin" was the main issue because it "gave him a chip on his shoulder. It would be a long time before this chip was removed."

According to The Guardian, the "chip" referred to the possibility that the racial disparity dominating the British society meant that black people were more likely to become disaffected and therefore persuaded to spy for other countries.

Lomas, who teaches international history, said while the MI5 had acknowledged its history of distrust for Jewish people, he had found a "surprising omission" of any references to the security concerns about blacks in the agency's official history.

"Since the 1940s, there were bans on communists and fascists working in government. In the 1950s, this was extended to what was described as 'character defects', such as homosexuality, mental illness and alcoholism  on the grounds that this would make people vulnerable to blackmail  but these papers reveal the officials also saw race as a security issue," he said.

"The discussions around new legislation on racial discrimination being introduced in the 1960s seem to have presented a threat to the established, but unspoken, rule that black people risked national security," the academic argued.

Although the government had started to recruit black people for junior clerical or manual roles by the 1960s, the racial minority was still not trusted with secret documents and serious intelligence-related posts, the files revealed.

Jabeer Butt, the chief executive of the Race Equality Foundation, said the findings were in no way surprising given the UK intelligence community's record.

"Various investigations into the civil service as well as a recent report have all pointed towards the lack of diversity," he said.

British spy agencies  Mi5, MI6 and GCHQ  have long been criticized for their lack of black leaders.

In July, a report from the parliamentary intelligence and security committee revealed that these agencies rarely appointed black and Asian staff to senior positions.

The report further revealed that neither the MI6, which is in charge of overseas intelligence affairs, nor the MI5 had any people from a black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds in top posts in 2016-17.

In fact, the GCHQ was the only British spying agency that at some point had hired any senior level staff from a BAME background.

"To discover that this has been a long-running issue is not surprising considering what the recent report said. It shows yet again that things are not changing and haven't for a very long time," Butt said.

"They [the papers] show that identity has always been a big part of who has been appointed, yet history shows those who have gone on to betray the country have nearly always been white British men," he added.

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MI5 Avoided Recruiting Black Spies in the 60s, Citing 'Security Risk' - Reports

Sputnik News

19:29 15.10.2018(updated 19:32 15.10.2018)

The head of MI5 at the time is said to have remarked that the risks of employing "coloured staff" originated "simply from the colour of a man's skin, which gives him a chip on his shoulder," adding that "It would be a long time before this chip is removed."

Back in the 1960s senior MI5 officials believed that black people could not be trusted in high-level security roles, newly declassified documents reveal.

The papers reportedly show how senior officials at the UK's Security Service consciously sort to avoid recruiting black spies, and moreover, that people from the minority community could not be trusted in such jobs because of harboured anger over racial discrimination.

According to the UK's Guardian, the shock revelations were discovered by Professor of international history, Dan Lomas, who apparently found the files while sifting through papers at the British interdepartmental committee on security.

The files are said to show how employers at the spy agency practiced a policy of refusing to employ people based solely on skin colour.

Reportedly, Mr Lomas was looking at documentation from a period in the 1960s when the then Labour government of Harold Wilson was vying to introduce legislation aimed at racial equality.

Lomas has been quoted widely in the British media as saying that while it was known that MI5 had a mistrust of Jewish people, there has been a "surprising omission" on how they felt about black people.

The Salford University professor is quoted by the Guardian as saying that, "the discussions around new legislation on racial discrimination being introduced in the 1960s seem to have presented a threat to the established, but unspoken, rule that black people risked national security."

"Since the 1940s, there were bans on communists and fascists working in government. In the 1950s, this was extended to what was described as 'character defects,' such as homosexuality, mental illness and alcoholism  but these papers reveal the officials also saw race as a security issue," he added.

At the height of the Cold War in the 1960s, British officials were seemingly worried that politically frustrated black citizens could be easy recruitment targets for the Soviet Union. In fact, the declassified papers are said to contain minutes from a Cabinet Office meeting, which was attended by then MI5 chief, Martin Furnival Jones and the UK Defence Minister. According to the documents, Jones declared that, "it must be assumed that the communist intelligence services are fully aware of the possibilities of recruiting agents from among disaffected coloured people in this country."

For some, the findings will no doubt have resonance today. It was only in July 2018 that a report by the UK government's Intelligence and Security Committee blasted the country's main intelligence agencies  MI5 and MI6  for what it described as their "lamentable" lack of black and Asian staff in senior positions. At that time, it was found that neither MI6, which deals with overseas intelligence, nor MI5 had a single person of black or Asian background in top posts between 2016-17.

 Sputnik

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Airmen parajump into Chievres Air Base for the first time in 51 years

By Senior Airman Joshua Magbanua & Airman 1st Class Ariel Leighty, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs / Published October 15, 2018

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) -- Airmen from the 424th Air Base Squadron at Chievres Air Base, Belgium welcomed Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Oct. 4, in a way not seen in over a half century.

"It's the first time in 51 years that we are conducting airdrop exercises at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Airfield. In addition to the airdrop, crews will be using the newly certified assault landing zone to conduct Engine Running On-loads and Offloads," said Maj. Tim O'Rourke, 424th ABS director of operations.

Parajumpers from Ramstein's 435th Air Ground Operations Wing participated in the jump, conducted from C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron.

As a geographically separated unit of Ramstein's 86th Airlift Wing, the mission of the 424th ABS is to provide airfield operations support for the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and NATO. The newly implemented drop zone provides NATO nations a training arena to practice and hone skills vital for combat readiness.

"The objective of the exercise was to demonstrate the new capability of the airfield," O'Rourke said. "In doing so, we were able to contribute to the readiness and training for tactical airlift crews and airborne units. All of our Airmen were essential to today's mission. Without their contributions, and the support from the local community, SHAPE, USAG-BENELUX, the 86 OG, and 435 CRG, none of this would have been possible."

Leaders at the 424th ABS have been identifying ways to expand their airfield's ability to support various Army and Air Force missions and training opportunities.

When it became known that SHAPE airfield had infrastructure to support landing and drop zone operations, research was conducted to determine whether or not it was viable to establish such operations at Chievres, O'Rourke said.

A series of site surveys and risk assessments showed the capability was possible, and the landing and drop zones were soon certified for use.

The recent airdrop of 435th AGOW Airmen served as a proof of concept that Chievres can accommodate tactical airlift training, O'Rourke added.

"If we were to use the proverbial 'crawl, walk, run,' I would say we are in the walking stage," he said. "We are getting closer and closer to becoming fully operational in terms of our in-house capabilities to support expanded operations."

Lt Col Craig Lindstrom, 424th ABS commander, described the expansion of Chievres' capabilities as a collaborative effort which required ingenuity on the part of all of the squadron's mission partners. At Chievres, the U.S. Army operates the installation, while local farmers own portions of the property within the perimeter of the base, including on the airfield.

Lindstrom said the location of SHAPE airfield is ideal for the use of C-130s from Ramstein AB because of the relatively short flight time and the available maneuvering airspace to conduct airdrop. The squadron's intent is to look at the airfield not merely as a transit hub, but a training arena for NATO aircrews and airborne forces to get realistic, easy-to-schedule training opportunities in the heart of Western Europe.

"We are excited to see this vision become a reality, and are hopeful it will make positive contributions to NATO training and readiness."

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Stoltenberg, Scaparrotti Talk Deterrence Aboard Aircraft Carrier USS Truman

Oct. 15, 2018

By Jim Garamone

Defense.gov

WASHINGTON -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and commander of U.S. European Command, made a statement about deterrence just by their presence aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the North Sea during an Oct. 12 news conference.

The carrier is participating in Exercise Trident Juncture 18, the largest NATO exercise since the 1980s. The exercise will be held Oct. 25-Nov. 7.

"From these decks, the USS Truman projects power to keep us all safe," Stoltenberg said on the hangar deck of the massive ship. "It delivers deterrence every day. It helps keep our sea lines of communication open and it has been critical in the fight against terrorism, against ISIS in Syria and Iraq."

Trident Juncture showcases the defensive might of the 29-nation alliance. More than 45,000 service members, 60 ships and thousands of vehicles will participate in the exercise in and around Norway.

Testing NATO's Collective Response Capability

Trident Juncture will test NATO's collective response to an armed attack against one ally. "To keep our nations safe in an unpredictable world, we need to keep our alliance strong," Stoltenberg said. "We do need to have the training and we need to train together in all domains; at sea, in air, on land and in cyberspace."

The exercise will test NATO's high-readiness forces, and send a clear message of alliance.

The exercise will test NATO nation's ability to work together in a time of crisis, Scaparrotti said. "It will be an important test and, as you've seen today, a demonstration of our collective capabilities," he said. "With all 29 nations, as well as Finland and Sweden participating across air, land and sea,  this Trident Juncture exercise is a prime example of NATO allies and partners working together. Trident Juncture 18 will demonstrate that, in an unpredictable world, NATO remains an anchor of stability."

The general stressed that the alliance is changing and adapting to new threats not only from Russia but across the spectrum. Trident Juncture itself includes the cyber domain, space and activities short of war. NATO nations must train together to handle these new multinational, multi-domain threats.

"The challenge of doing that across 29 nations makes this complex," he said. "I was just aboard a Danish flagship connected with ships from the United States, Portugal, Norway, sharing a common picture, working on common operating procedures, tactics and procedures, and doing quite well. So again, we're ready and we're getting stronger every day."

Both Stoltenberg and Scaparrotti noted that the ship's namesake, President Harry S. Truman, was in office when the Washington Treaty that established NATO was signed in 1949.

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ESG-3 Visits Naval Postgraduate School

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS181015-10

Release Date: 10/15/2018 11:29:00 AM

From Expeditionary Strike Group 3 Public Affairs

MONTEREY, Calif. (NNS) -- Expeditionary Strike Group 3 and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) met to discuss Littoral Combat Force Implementation and Integration Initiative (LCF-I3) in Monterey, California, on October 9, 2018.

Rear Admiral Cedric E. Pringle, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3 (ESG3), discussed fifth generation assets, weapons systems and future plans for the strike group with professors, students and advisors at NPS.

"LCF-I3 affords us an opportunity to speak with our naval innovators," said Pringle. "By collaborating with Naval Postgraduate School, we are able to directly ask the students hard questions we are being posed on the waterfront and across the fleet, and work together to come up with solutions."

Pringle asked the students to analyze their processes at all levels in order to generate and integrate next generation capabilities.

This innovation effort included topics such as effective integration of the Marine Corps team on future amphibious assets, future weapon system augmentation and the littoral combat force organization.

ESG-3 comprises three amphibious squadrons, eight naval support elements and 15 amphibious warships comprised of more than 15,000 active-duty and reserve Sailors and Marines. The mission of ESG-3 is to serve as the command element for Marine expeditionary-brigade level expeditionary operations as commander of an amphibious task force.

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US weapons sales surge by one-third under Trump's policies

Iran Press TV

Mon Oct 15, 2018 08:18AM

The United States has sold over $55 billion of weapons during the 2018 fiscal year, a sharp year-on-year increase in the wake of President Donald Trump's push to encourage more US arms sales.

That's 33 percent more than fiscal year 2017, Trump's first year in office, when the Pentagon contractors managed to sell almost $42 billion in weapons and military services around the globe, according to the latest report by the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

According ding to the report, the Pentagon funded $4.42 billion of the 2018 foreign purchases while an additional $3.52 billion in arms sales was funded by the State Department. The buyers paid for the rest of the sales themselves.

The deals included the sales of a significant number of aircraft and equipment, including Boeing deals to sell surveillance aircraft in Asia and Europe.

American missile systems, such as Raytheon's Patriot and Lockheed Martin's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), also received a boost in sales during this period.

The Trump White House has been actively pushing members of the NATO military alliances and other allies across the world to increase defense spending and investing in American military gear.

In a blatant attempt to force its own products upon others, Washington launched introduce a "Buy American" initiative that streamlined foreign sales and encouraged US officials abroad to facilitate sales.

Moreover, the Trump administration have been warning allies against purchasing rivaling technologies from other countries such as Russia and China.

Earlier this year, the protectionist behavior backfired after the US imposed sanctions on China for purchasing Russian weapons, including the advanced S-400 missile defense system.

In reaction, China postponed direct military talks with the US and warned of further "consequences" down the road.

The US also tried to force Turkey to stop buying the Russian missile defense system, arguing that it would hurt Ankara's ties with the NATO.

Trump's thirst for military sales became more apparent last week, when he said he would not throw away his $110 billion military deal with Saudi Arabia that he signed with the Kingdom last year over the mysterious disappearance of a dissident journalist, who has gone missing since entering the Saudi consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul on October 2.

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Afghan-Pakistani Border Crossing Closed After Clashes

RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan, RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal October 15, 2018

A major border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained closed on October 15 following clashes between the two countries' security forces, leaving hundreds of people and vehicles stranded on both sides.

The Chamman-Spin Boldak border crossing was shut on October 14 after an exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces that lasted for several hours, officials in both countries said.

The clashes erupted when Afghan troops opened fire on Pakistani soldiers who were trying to erect a fence along the disputed border between the two neighbors.

"We are ready to defend our soil in any case," Zia Durani, a spokesman for the police chief in Afghanistan's Kandahar Province, told RFE/RL on October 15.

Both sides blamed each other for the closure of the border crossing.

Afghan media reported that at least three Pakistani soldiers were killed in the October 14 fighting.

Khan Wasseh, a spokesman for the Frontier Constabulary paramilitary force manning the Pakistani side of the border, denied that.

Pakistan says it is building a fence along its volatile border with Afghanistan to improve security, a move that has sparked condemnations in Kabul.

With reporting by dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan-pakistani-border- crossing-closed-after-clashes/29544877.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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EU Ministers Approve New Chemical-Weapons Sanctions Regime

Rikard Jozwiak October 15, 2018

BRUSSELS -- EU foreign ministers have approved a new sanctions regime targeting people and entities using chemical weapons all around the world.

The October 15 decision will allow the European Union to impose asset freezes and visa bans on people and entities for the development and use of chemical weapons, regardless of their nationality and location.

EU individuals and entities are also not allowed to make funds available to those listed.

The move follows repeated accusations of the use of chemical weapons by President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria and the poisoning of the Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury in March, which London has blamed on the Russian government.

Moscow denies any involvement in the incident.

Work on listing people under the new sanctions regime is under way.

According to the draft conclusions seen by RFE/RL of an upcoming EU summit in Brussels on October 18, the EU leaders "look forward to early progress on the listing of relevant individuals and entities."

The summit is also due to discuss the possibility of creating another sanctions regime dealing with cyberattacks after the accusations by British and Dutch authorities earlier this month that Russian agents in April had tried to hack the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The draft so far states that "recalling its previous conclusions concerning the Salisbury attack, the European Council condemns the hostile cyberattack operation carried out against the OPCW. Such threats and attacks strengthen our common resolve to further enhance the EU's internal security and disrupt hostile activities of foreign intelligence networks on our territories."

It also states that "in order to strengthen EU resilience against cyberattacks, negotiations on all cybersecurity proposals should be concluded before the end of the legislature."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu- ministers-approve-new-chemical-weapons- sanctions-regime/29544273.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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New Name Won't Hide Same Old Problems For Younger Macedonians

Alan Crosby, Maria Mitevska October 15, 2018

As lawmakers in Skopje consider changing the country's name, Flora Jusufi is one of thousands of young Macedonians considering a change of countries.

The 21-year-old student from Kumanovo says she plans to go abroad after completing her studies even though she'd rather not. The problem she faces isn't Macedonia's name, it's a lack of opportunities.

For Jusufi and other younger Macedonians, the fall of communism and subsequent conflicts were supposed to give way by now to a world of opportunities.

Instead, even the best and brightest are finding it tough to be optimistic about the future when there are dim prospects for employment.

"As far as I am concerned, I don't think there are any conditions for having a life in Macedonia," she told RFE/RL.

"I'm studying European studies. I want to learn German as soon as possible, and after that I'll go live somewhere abroad."

Macedonia's parliament opened debate on October 15 on proposed constitutional amendments to change the country's name to the Republic of North Macedonia and possibly settle a decades-old dispute with neighboring Greece.

The change, which stems from a deal hammered out in June between the Macedonian and Greek governments, sees Athens lifting its objections to the former Yugoslav republic joining both NATO and the EU in exchange for the name switch.

Athens and many Greeks say the name Macedonia implies territorial and cultural claims on the northern Greek region of the same name. An EU and NATO member, Greece has cited the dispute to veto Macedonia's bids to join the two organizations.

The move may open the way to the economic benefits membership in Western structures bring, but it is unlikely to bring them quickly enough for younger Macedonians, almost half of whom are unemployed.

"The main reason for leaving the country is the battle for an existence; that is, solving the employment problem," says Zoran Ilieski, executive director of the Coalition of Youth Organizations.

Poorest Republic

When Yugoslavia broke up in 1991, Macedonia was considered by many to be its poorest republic. Not a lot has changed over the years, with Macedonia's economy sputtering further after a financial crisis in recent years.

The overall unemployment rate remains stubbornly high at above 20 percent, while the average monthly net salary of about 350 euros ($400) is the lowest in the region.

For 29-year-old Denis Zandevski, those figures are far better than what younger Macedonians like him face as they try to find their place in the economy.

"When you see that rent is 150 to 200 euros, and your salary is around 200 euros as well, then nothing really remains for you," he says, adding that IT may be the only sector where there are prospects.

To counter, the government this year launched a program called "Youth Guarantee " that increases the inclusion of young unemployed people in the labor market. The plan is part of an EU initiative launched in 2012.

Labor and Social Policy Minister Mila Carova says that high interest in the program is encouraging for a country where nearly one-quarter of 2.1 million citizens are estimated to be living abroad.

"Young people in Macedonia are a quarter of the population -- and they're one of the largest marginalized groups," according to Dona Kosturanova of the Youth Educational Forum.

"They're struggling with poor education, high unemployment, and few opportunities for prosperity. They're desperate to see advancement toward a prosperous environment."

Jana Ivanovska is one of the Macedonians to be bucking the trend.

She left the country a decade ago in search of a new life, but after almost six years decided to return.

After studying design in the Czech capital, Prague, she now lives in Skopje, where she has her own office.

Still, she sympathizes with her generation even if she found that the grass wasn't necessarily greener on the other side.

"It was much as I imagined it would be. So, many opportunities for young people, opportunities to prove, to learn, to advance," she says of her time abroad.

"But I decided to return from Prague because I missed the people I love and the warmth I feel here."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/new-name-won-t-hide-same- old-problems-for-younger-macedonians/29544946.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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116th ACW deploys Airmen to distribute food, water for Hurricane Michael relief

116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs / Published October 15, 2018

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) -- Airmen from the 116th Air Control Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, deployed from Robins Air Force Base Oct. 15, to help distribute food and water to citizens affected by Hurricane Michael in Seminole County, Georgia.

The team of 11 Airmen join other members of the wing who are already working in Seminole County clearing roadways to allow access for first responders and utility companies to begin caring for victims affected by the storm.

"I think it's important for us to be here to support the people who have been affected by Hurricane Michael," said 2nd Lt. Justice King, officer in charge of the operation. "A big reason many of us joined the Air National Guard is to help with humanitarian missions when unexpected events like this happen."

The 116th ACW is highly trained and experienced in accomplishing these types of missions. In 2005, Airmen from the wing deployed in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and more recently in support of Hurricane Irma relief in September 2017 and Hurricane Matthew relief in October 2016.

"Our Airmen train consistently for these types of situations. This is part of what we do and what the Georgia Air National Guard is all about, to help the citizens of Georgia when something like this occurs," said Col. Jonathan Cox, 116th Mission Support Group commander. "Citizens in our state are in need and we have the capabilities to help relieve some of that distress."

The 116th ACW's primary missions include the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System and domestic operations including route clearance, security, communications, and medical response during domestic emergencies like Hurricane Michael.

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Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein Delivers Remarks Regarding the Importance of Combatting Transnational Criminal Organizations

Washington, DC

~ Monday, October 15, 2018

Thank you, Jessie, for that introduction. I am grateful to you and your team here at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., for all of the vital work that you do in support of the Department's mission.

To our colleagues and law enforcement partners here today, thank you for joining us for these important announcements about the Department's fight against transnational organized crime.

Looking around this room, I see many people I know from our years working together, investigating and prosecuting crimes. We are all fortunate to have one of the most rewarding legal jobs: The pursuit of justice. You do it every day. You do it professionally, with humility, and often without much recognition.

The public may not know you, but they see the fruits of your hard work. Neighborhoods and communities made safer. Wrongs made right. Victims made whole.

The job of serving as a prosecutor has become more complex since I started in this business 28 years ago. It is more challenging. The threats do not just come from our own cities. They also come from foreign nations, thousands of miles away.

Transnational Criminal Organizations  whether they are gangs, drug trafficking cartels, or terrorist groups  are a scourge. They sow violence and sell poisonous drugs. They bribe public officials and fuel corruption. They terrorize law-abiding citizens.

And they are increasingly smart about how they commit their crimes. They use the financial system and modern technology cell phones, social media, encryption, and other tools  in support of their illicit activities.

We sometimes refer to transnational criminal organizations as TCOs. TCOs operate on multiple fronts.

And so must we.

We need to use every tool in the government's arsenal to combat them. Investigations, prosecutions, financial penalties, sanctions, and collaboration with foreign partners.

We need to strike at TCOs wherever they are, and with whatever means are at our disposal. Dismantle their command and control structure. Recover ill-gotten gains. Cut them off from opportunities to commit crimes.

As we redouble our efforts and target more TCOs, they will feel the full weight of the U.S. government and its partners.

We are here to announce what is just the beginning of a multi-front campaign against TCOs.

I am joined here by two people who will be integral to the Department's efforts. First, Adam Cohen. Adam serves as Director of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, our nationwide program to fight drug trafficking. An experienced narcotics and gang prosecutor, Adam most recently served as Chief of the Special Operations Unit of the Office of Enforcement Operations in the Criminal Division. Adam also led the National Gang Targeting Enforcement and Coordination Center and served as a Deputy Chief of the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section. His wealth of experience will serve the Department's mission well.

We are also joined today by Patrick Hovakimian, a federal prosecutor who investigates and prosecutes transnational public corruption and fraud. Patrick joined us last year in Main Justice, where he now serves as an Associate Deputy Attorney General. In that capacity, Patrick also will serve as the Department's first Director of Counter-Transnational Organized Crime. Patrick is working with the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies to build a whole-of-government initiative to dismantle TCOs.

Everyone in the law enforcement community should know that you have the full support of the Attorney's General and the Department of Justice. We know that the long days and nights you spend make a difference. They matter to us and to the people of the United States. And you will continue to have our full support

Now it is my distinct honor to introduce a man who has dedicated his distinguished career to upholding the rule of law. Before becoming Attorney General of the United States, Jeff Sessions served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, United States Attorney, state Attorney General, and United States Senator. He is a public servant of the highest order. He is not here just to carry on business as usual. He is here to deliver on President Trump's commitment to make America safe. We at the Department are fortunate for his leadership and for the example that he sets every day. So please welcome the 84th Attorney General of the United States, Jeff Sessions.

Speaker: Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein

Topic(s):

National Security

Violent Crime

Component(s): Office of the Deputy Attorney General

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World Health Organization calls crisis meeting over deadly Ebola outbreak in DR Congo

15 October 2018 - World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called an Emergency Committee meeting on the Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has already claimed around 130 lives.

The WHO has assessed the national and regional risk of the current Ebola outbreak in DRC as "very high," although the global risk remains low and, so far, the UN's health watchdog has not called for any trade or travel restrictions to be imposed.

The Emergency Committee, scheduled for Wednesday at WHO headquarters in Geneva, will decide whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, and what recommendations should be made to manage the spread of the disease.

This outbreak, the tenth to hit the DRC over the last four decades, was declared in North Kivu Province on 1 August, this year and, based on the worsening security situation in and around the city of Beni, WHO elevated the risk from "high" to "very high" on 28 September.

The agency identified 39 new confirmed cases were reported between 1 and 11 October, 32 of which are from Beni.

The DRC Ministry of Health, WHO and other partners have been responding to the outbreak with teams on the ground, but WHO has warned that continuing insecurity severely affects both civilians and frontline workers, forcing the suspension of the response for several days in late September, and raising the risk that the virus will continue to spread.

More than 20 civilians in Beni were killed in the incident that provoked the suspension, which came on the heels of multiple attacks in previous weeks. It's estimated by the UN that more than a million civilians under threat from armed groups, are internally-displaced in North Kivu; around 500,000 this year alone. The eastern region is close to the border with Uganda, and Rwanda.

Meanwhile, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) reports that one month after the beginning of the school year, 80 per cent of school-aged children have returned to school in Beni and Mabalako health zones, the two epicentres of the Ebola outbreak. UNICEF has identified more than 1,500 schools in the areas affected by the epidemic.

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Germany Deports Accomplice of 9/11 Attacks to Morocco

By VOA News October 15, 2018

Germany has deported an accomplice of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States to his home country of Morocco.

Mounir al-Motassadeq had spent almost 15 years in prison in Germany before he was deported Monday to Morocco.

German media published photographs of Motassadeq wearing a blindfold and being led by two armed policemen to a helicopter. German officials confirmed he was flown out by plane from Frankfurt airport on Monday evening.

Motassadeq was convicted of helping Mohamed Atta, the alleged pilot of one of the hijacked 9/11 planes, and other suicide pilots to help plot the attacks on New York and Washington. The suicide pilots were part of an al-Qaida cell based in Hamburg, Germany, where Motassadeq also lived.

Motassadeq was found guilty in 2003 of being a member of a terrorist organization and an accessory to the murder of the passengers aboard the four airliners used in the September 11 attacks. His five years of trials in Germany involved multiple appeals, overturned convictions, and reinstated verdicts. In the end, he received the maximum sentence the German court could hand down for the crimes  15 years in prison.

Motassadeq denied being involved in the 9/11 plot, but admitted to being friends with those who did. He said his actions to send money to the suicide pilots were merely favors for his friends.

He was the first person convicted anywhere in the world in connection with the September 11 attacks, in which nearly 3,000 people died.

Motassadeq was released shortly before completing his 15-year sentence on the condition that he agreed to be deported to Morocco. Germany says it will re-arrest him if he ever returns.

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Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC ImagesChance the Rapper admits he was nervous at his engagement party over the weekend.

I have slight goosebumps. Im at MY engagement party surrounded by my family and best friends and the woman I need, he tweeted.

I feel so honored and God just real talk has a plan for me and like I just needed to let him guide me real talk Just had to share that, he added. The rapper also posted an Instagram photo with his fiancee, Kirsten Corley.

The couple got engaged on the 4th of July during a barbecue in Chicago. Chance and Kirsten have a two-year old daughter, Kensli Bennett.

The three-time Grammy-winner also helped raise money for Chicago's school system as a Lyft driver, according to Page Six. He picked up a passengers while wearing a disguise, identified himself as John, and had fun dropping hints about his true identity. He also encouraged riders to use the Lyft Round Up & Donate app feature to donate money to their favorite charity.

In March, Chance pledged one million dollars to the Chicago Public Schools system. Last week, he pledged a million dollars to fund mental health services in the city.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.China to launch first satellite for space-based gravitational wave detection next year

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:11, October 15, 2018

China plans to launch its first satellite to test the technologies of the space-based gravitational wave detection program "Tianqin" by the end of 2019.

The program Tianqin, meaning "harp in sky," was initiated by Sun Yat-sen University in south China's Guangdong Province in 2015. It will consist of three satellites forming an equilateral triangle around the earth.

"It's like a harp in space. If the gravitational waves come, the 'harp's strings" will be plucked," said Luo Jun, president of the Sun Yat-sen University and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, at a conference held recently in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province.

The detection will be based on high-precision laser interferometry technology to measure the changes of the distances and locations of the three satellites, according to Luo.

Gravitational waves are "ripples" in the fabric of space-time caused by some of the most violent and energetic processes in the universe. Albert Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves in 1916 in his general theory of relativity.

The first-ever discovery of gravitational waves by the American Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), announced in February 2016, has encouraged scientists worldwide to accelerate their research.

Different from LIGO, the space-based probes will be used to detect gravitational waves at much lower frequencies, which are generated by the merging of massive or supermassive black holes, scientists say.

The European Space Agency has also launched a space-based gravitational wave detection program, the "Laser Interferometer Space Antenna" project.

Luo admitted that although China had achieved some breakthrough results in the detection technology, there was still a huge gap to realize the space-based detection of gravitational waves.

Laser-ranging is one of the necessary technologies for detection. China accomplished its first successful laser-ranging between earth and the moon in January this year.

The relay satellite of China's Chang'e-4 lunar probe, launched in May this year, carries a reflector developed by the Sun Yat-sen University, and is expected to extend laser-ranging to a record distance of 460,000 km in 2019.

Scientists from Germany, Italy and Russia have expressed their willingness to cooperate with China in gravitational wave detection.

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BepiColombo Space Mission Set to Blast Off to Hot and Mysterious Mercury

Sputnik News

14:45 15.10.2018(updated 14:48 15.10.2018)

BepiColombo, Europe's first mission to Mercury - a joint endeavor of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) - is set to arrive at the planet in 2025, where it will endure temperatures as high as 350C.

The joint space mission to the smallest, innermost, and least explored of the planets in the inner Solar System will set off in five days. BepiColombo will gather data during its 1-year nominal mission, with a possible 1-year extension, according to the ESA.

Two spacecraft will comprise the mission. One of them  the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO)  is built by ESA, while the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will contribute the other, the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO).

The scientific objectives of the missions include gaining information about the composition of the solar nebula and the formation of the planetary system and determine whether the core of Mercury is solid or liquid. BepiColombo aims to answer a dozen questions by space researchers, interested to learn more about the composition, geophysics, atmosphere, magnetosphere and history of Mercury.

The science objectives of the BepiColombo mission cover all aspects of the planet and its environment.

Mercury remains a mystery to scientists on Earth. It has only been visited by two spacecraft in the past: NASA's Mariner 10, which flew past three times in 1974-5 and returned the first close-up images of the planet, and NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft, which performed three flybys (two in 2008 and one in 2009) before entering orbit around the planet in March 2011.

Mariner 10 was the first mission to use the gravity of one planet to reach another  a manoeuver known as a gravity assist or gravitational slingshot.

ESA described the BepiColombo mission as one of the 'cornerstones' in its long-term science program. Although large and costly, the mission presents enormous opportunities to further space exploration and understanding of the universe.

BepiColombo will be ESA's first in sending a spacecraft to a region even hotter than Venus. All of the agency's previous interplanetary missions have been to relatively cold parts of the Solar System.

 Sputnik

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Strange aircraft makes stealthy appearance at air force gala

Global Times

By Ma Xiu Source:Global Times Published: 2018/10/14 22:53:39

The silhouette of an unknown aircraft was spotted at an evening gala for China's strategic bomber division, leading military observers to speculate on Sunday that it could be the new H-20 stealth bomber.

The gala was held on October 7 at an unspecified strategic bomber division under the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command, the official PLA Air Force website reported on Thursday.

At a morale-boosting gala to build a "first-class strategic bomber division," the silhouette of a mysterious aircraft appeared on a big screen in photos released with publicity for the event.

The front of the aircraft did not resemble China's known strategic bomber as it sported angled winglets on the ends of its wings, with no visible tail.

The report did not mention the mysterious aircraft, but online readers speculated that it could be the H-20, China's in-development long-distance strategic stealth bomber.

This is not the first time an aircraft rumored to be the H-20 made a mysterious appearance.

In May the Aviation Industry Corporation of China released footage to commemorate the 60th anniversary of its subsidiary the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation.

The footage showed a mysterious aircraft shaped like a US B-2 stealth bomber, leading military experts to believe that could be the H-20. But that unknown aircraft had no winglets.

If the H-20 indeed features winglets, that must be a choice made for the new aircraft after balancing all factors including stealth capabilities, a military expert told the Global Times on Saturday. He asked not to be named.

China is independently developing weapons and not necessarily following foreign designs, the expert noted.

The B-2 uses a flying wing design without winglets to reflect less radar waves, making it stealthier, said US manufacturer Northrop Grumman.

Winglets reduce the drag associated with the creation of lift, allowing the wings to be more efficient and making planes require less thrust, Business Insider reported in 2016.

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Chinese ambassador dismisses as 'groundless' US accusation Beijing interfering in domestic affairs

People's Daily Online

(CNTV) 08:52, October 15, 2018

China's ambassador to the U.S. has hit back at claims his country is trying to hack next month's congressional elections. Cui Tiankai's comments come amid a deepening trade war between the U.S. and China.

He's yet to offer any proof beyond China placing a paid-for supplement in an Iowa newspaper - a practice governments all over the world do.

But U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Beijing of trying to swing next month's U.S. congressional elections against his Republican party.

Ambassador Cui told Fox News Sunday, "All these accusations are groundless."

"One of the fundamental principles of China's foreign policy is non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. We have been consistent in this position," he said.

Washington and Beijing have been locked in a trade dispute for months. Trump is threatening to escalate it by potentially taxing a further $267 billion worth of Chinese goods.

Cui said the U.S. was at fault for unilaterally imposing duties first. "It's important to notice who started this trade war," he said. "We never wanted this. But if someone started a trade war against us, we have to respond and defend our own interests."

The Trump administration contends China employs unfair trade practices against the U.S. These include using industrial subsidies to undercut American producers and forcing U.S. companies to give up their trade secrets in order to do business in China.

China has long denied these claims. Ambassador Cui added, "I think all of these accusations about how China has developed are groundless and not fair to the Chinese people." "You see, China has 1.4 billion people. It would be hard to imagine that one-fifth of the global population could develop and prosper not by relying mainly on their own efforts, but by stealing or forcing some transfer of technology from others - that's impossible."

There are also military tensions between the two sides. Last month, a U.S. and Chinese warship nearly collided with each other in the South China Sea, where islands are the subject of ongoing territorial disputes.

"It's not Chinese warships that are going to the coast of California, or to the Gulf of Mexico," Cui said. "It's so close to the Chinese islands, and it's so close to the Chinese coast. So who is on the offensive? Who is on the defensive? This is very clear."

Despite these tensions, Trump has often stressed his personal chemistry with President Xi Jinping, and the two are reportedly due to meet at next month's G20 summit in Buenos Aires.

Cui said: "There's a good mutual understanding and good working relationship between the two. I hope and I'm sure this will continue."

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US moving closer to new Cold-War era with China: Report

Iran Press TV

Mon Oct 15, 2018 07:29PM

The administration of US President Donald Trump is moving deliberately to counter what the White House views as years of unchecked Chinese aggression, signaling a new and potentially much colder era in relations between Washington and Beijing.

The Trump administration is now taking aim at military, political and economic targets in Beijing, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing interviews with senior White House officials and others in government.

"In the first 18 months of the administration, ties between the world's two biggest powers were defined by negotiations over how to restrain North Korea and ways to rebalance trade. Those high-profile endeavors masked White House preparations for a more hard-nosed stance with Beijinga strategy now surfacing as China's help with Pyongyang wanes and trade talks stall," the newspaper said.

The recent eruption of tensions in what appears a new Cold War aren't the exception to Trump's China policy, they are exactly what the administration wants, the White House officials said.

Last week, US Vice President Mike Pence gave a blistering speech on US-China relations, saying "the United States has adopted a new approach to China."

Pence's big idea is that US presidents Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Barack Obama fundamentally misunderstood the China challenge. He said the nation they embraced as a "strategic partner" is in fact a "strategic competitor", "rival", indeed "adversary."

Accusing previous administrations of having ignored or even "abetted" China's abuses, Pence insisted that the Trump White House will speak up, stand up, fight, and win.

John Bolton, the new national security adviser, has long advocated for a tough approach to China. In an interview with US media on Thursday, Bolton said Trump is the toughest US president China has ever seen.

Bolton said Trump believed China had misused the international order for far too long and not enough Americans had stood up to it.

On Wednesday, the US Treasury Department announced new rules targeting China that tighten national security reviews of foreign investment. On the same day, the Justice Department said it had brought a Chinese intelligence operative arrested in Belgium to the U0S to face charges he conspired to steal trade secrets from GE Aviation and others.

The US Energy Department announced Thursday that Washington will "sharply restrict"exports of nuclear technology to China. Officials in Washington believe Beijing has been "diverting civilian nuclear technology to power the new generations of Chinese submarines, aircraft carriers and floating nuclear power plants."

The administration also signed off recently on Justice Department directives that force a pair of Chinese state media outlets to register as foreign agents.

The speed of the US shift to a more confrontational China strategy has surprised many Chinese officials, analysts said.

"The US is getting tougher and tougher, confronting China on all fronts," said Zhu Feng, an expert on China-US relations and international security at Nanjing University. "Beijing should be very coolheaded because does a new Cold War serve China's interests? No."

The US moves represent an emphatic shift from a "constructive engagement" strategy that dates to the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1979. It was based on hopes that it would lead China to develop a free market economy, democracy and acceptance of the so-called US-led world order.

Underpinning the change is the view that China has reversed course since Chinese President Xi Jinping took over in 2012 and began recentralizing political and economic controls, pledging to build his nation into a great world power.

The more aggressive US approach was forecast last December in the White House's National Security Strategy that put China on par with Iran, Russia and North Korea as the biggest threats to the US. At the time, the strategy contrasted with Trump's personal diplomacy.

"When I came we were heading in a certain direction that was going to allow China to be bigger than us in a very short period of time. That's not going to happen any more," Trump said in August.

The dramatic shift comes amid an intensifying trade war between the two countries, which Trump launched in the Summer to help reduce the massive US trade deficit with China.

The Trump administration has imposed tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods and has threatened to place tariffs on all Chinese imports to the US. China has retaliated by imposing duties on $110 billion worth of US exports.

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Caution, Cancellations, Protests as Concerns Grow on China's Belt and Road

By Bill Ide, Joyce Huang October 15, 2018

Concerns about debt diplomacy on China's expansive infrastructure megaproject  the Belt and Road  have become an increasing source of debate from Asia to Africa and the Middle East. In recent weeks, more than $30 billion in projects have been scrapped and other loans and investments are under review.

Public opposition is also testing the resolve of ruling authorities from Hanoi to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, as concerns about Chinese investment build.

In late August, Malaysia's newly elected Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad canceled more than $20 billion in Belt and Road projects for railway and pipelines, and Pakistan lopped another $2 billion off plans for a railway following a decision late last year to cancel a $14 billion dam project, citing financial concerns. Nepal canceled its dam project last month and Sierra Leone announced last week that it was dropping an airport project over debt concerns.

In some countries such as Vietnam, it is just the idea of Chinese investment  against the backdrop of the Belt and Road  that has led to push back.

Following public protests, Vietnam recently decided to postpone plans for several special economic zones.

Several Belt and Road projects have seen setbacks in countries where debt concerns have coincided with political elections and a change of power  be it Pakistan, Malaysia or the Maldives, says economist Christopher Balding.

"The people in these countries are very worried about the level of debt that these countries are taking on in regard to China and I think that is very important to note," Balding said. "It's not just anti-China people that are driving this, but that there is a lot of concern on the ground in the countries about that."

China says there are no political strings attached to its investments and loans. It also argues it is providing funding in places others will not. But Beijing's takeover of a port in Sri Lanka last year and the sheer volume of Chinese investments along the Belt and Road project have done little to ease those concerns.

String of ports

Late last year, according to the New York Times, China agreed to forgive Sri Lanka's debt in exchange for a 99-year lease of Hambanthota Port and 15,000 acres of surrounding land.

The government of Sri Lanka denies it divested land to a Chinese company, but the deal has convinced some that China is setting up debt traps to then take over the infrastructure that Chinese state-run companies build.

Hambanthota is one of 42 ports where China has participated in construction and operations, with more on the horizon.

In 2021, China will take over operation of one of Israel's largest ports in Haifa. Beijing is also being eyed as a possible candidate for the development of Chabahar port in Iran, which is near the Iran-Pakistan border.

The port proposal remains in limbo, however, due to U.S. sanctions. And that's not the only obstacle, according to David Kelly, research director at the Beijing-based group China Policy.

"It's in the driest and most remote part of Iran," Kelly said. "It looks like a real loser commercially, unless it handles a lot of oil."

Analysts say the Middle East, with its oil money and deep pockets, is less at risk for debt traps.

However, the port that is most likely to follow in Sri Lanka's footsteps is Djibouti, a strategically important country on the Horn of Africa, where China recently established its first overseas military base.

According to official figures, Djibouti's debt is more than 88 percent of the GDP and China owns $1.4 billion of that. That kind of debt overhang could lead to the same type of concessionary agreements as in Sri Lanka, analysts note.

Debt traps

A report released earlier this year by Washington, D.C.-based Center for Global Development said 23 of the 68 countries where China is investing for Belt and Road projects are at high risk of debt distress. Another eight, including Djibouti, are vulnerable to debt distress linked to future projects.

China argues its investments are aimed at boosting trade and commerce and giving developing countries a leg up.

China Policy's Kelly says places where the debt situation is more critical are countries such as land-locked and poverty-stricken Zambia. There, concerns are causing a very public push for the government to disclose the full burden of Chinese debt.

"The upset and upheaval in Zambia recently, where you've got African civil society coming out and making this case," Kelly said, "That is always going to be more significant where you have the local people, making a local case."

BRI indigestion

Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow with the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, says cancellations and changes are what he calls Belt and Road indigestion.

Concerns about debt traps and debt diplomacy will not have an impact on China going forward, he says, but stops, starts and cancellations will continue.

Oh says China's model of development  build infrastructure and the economy will grow  may have worked at home, but it doesn't always fit along the Belt and Road.

"In many of these Belt and Road initiative countries, if you lay out the infrastructure, it doesn't automatically mean that trade and investment will take place," Oh said, "Some of these projects will have to be more attuned to the local requirements of particular countries."

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Moon: World must end mistrust of Kim's bid to abandon nukes

Iran Press TV

Mon Oct 15, 2018 08:23AM

South Korean President Moon Jae-in says he has been "convinced" that the North's leader is sincere in his bid to abandon nuclear arms, urging the world community to end its "mistrust" of Kim Jong-un and reward him, instead, for his peace efforts.

Moon told French newspaper Le Figaro in an interview published on Monday that he had found Kim "sincere, calm and polite" during their recent meetings.

"This year I have discussed in depth with Kim for hours. These meetings have convinced me that he has taken the strategic decision to abandon his nuclear weapon," Moon said.

Pyongyang stopped its internationally-criticized nuclear and missile tests this year as part of an agreement signed between Kim and United States President Donald Trump during a historic summit in Singapore in June. During those talks, the two sides agreed on the need for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

That summit was followed by three meetings between Kim and Moon.

Over the past months, talks have been under way between Washington and Pyongyang, but the dialog has achieved little progress, with US sanctions against Pyongyang remaining in force despite Pyongyang's measures towards denuclearization.

Contrary to that process, negotiations between the two Koreas have been fruitful. The two Korean leaders, during their latest summit in September, agreed to restart economic cooperation, including re-linking railways and roads.

North Korea also said it would permanently abolish key missile facilities in the presence of foreign experts.

The two Koreas also inked a military deal aimed at decreasing tensions at their border.

Washington has voiced concerns over the rapid pace of the detente between the two neighbors, saying this could be outpacing negotiations to dismantle North Korea's nuclear and missile program.

Moon further told Le Figaro that Kim "felt frustrated by the international community's continuing mistrust."

"We need to assure Kim Jong-un that he took the right decision in deciding to denuclearize and we need to accompany him in his wish for a durable and solid peace," Moon said.

Media sources, citing a transcript of the Le Figaro interview distributed by his presidential office stated that Moon, pointed out that North Korea's economy was in such dire straits that Pyongyang could not afford to return to its old missile and nuclear development programs, even if it wanted to.

Despite these facts, in order to move forward with the peace negotiations, Moon said, it is required to make a formal declaration of an end to the 1953 Korean War, which ended with an armistice instead of a peace treaty, effectively leaving the two Koreas in a state of war.

"Declaring an end to the Korea war would be a start to establishing a regime of peace," he said, also calling for the United States to take "reliable corresponding measures to guarantee the security of the regime."

"We could also in the future discuss the easing of sanctions, in accordance with progress on denuclearization," he added.

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Two Koreas Agree to Start Connecting Railways in November-December  Reports

Sputnik News

11:01 15.10.2018(updated 11:08 15.10.2018)

TOKYO (Sputnik) - North and South Korean authorities have agreed to hold a ceremony for the launch of work on interconnecting roads and railways through the buffer zone that separates the countries in late November  early December, Yonhap news agency reported on Monday.

According to the Yonhap news agency, the agreement has been reached at the high-level talks in the Panmunjom border village.

The sides also agreed to begin the joint on-site survey of the Gyeongui railway line in late October and the Donghae railway line in early November, the media outlet noted.

Earlier, North Korean Railways Ministry's Department of the External Affairs Deputy Director Kim Chang Sik noted that North Korea would develop the project on connecting the railways jointly with Russia and South Korea, noting that the countries of the Korean peninsula should become "owners" of the project.

The North and South Korean authorities have also agreed to hold general-level military talks as soon as possible, the joint statement released on Monday said.

"The South and the North decided to hold general-level military talks in the near future and discuss the issues of ending military tensions in the confrontation areas, including the demilitarized zone, in accordance with the military section of the Panmunjom Declaration, as well as the establishment and work of the joint military commission," the joint statement read.

Earlier in the day, the two countries held high-level talks in the Panmunjom border village.

The two Koreas saw a significant thaw in bilateral relations following the meetings between the two leaders, as well as meetings of the two with US President Donald Trump.

 Sputnik

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Kim Refuses to Provide Lists of Nuclear Sites to US - Reports

Sputnik News

05:25 15.10.2018(updated 05:42 15.10.2018)

TOKYO (Sputnik) - North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un refused to provide the list of the Asian nation's nuclear facilities to US State Secretary Mike Pompeo until the signing of a declaration ending the 1950-1953 Korean War, media reported citing sources.

When asked to provide at least a partial list of nuclear sites, Kim allegedly said that in the absence of trusting relationship between Washington and Pyongyang, the United States will not believe the list even if it gets it, according to the Japanese Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper. The Korean War ended with the armistice but a peace treaty was never signed.

Pompeo and Kim Jong-un during their recent meeting in Pyonyang agreed to direct working groups to discuss four point of a document signed in Singapore, State Department said last week. US Secretary of State said after his recent meeting with North Korean leader that he can now see a path forward toward the goal of denuclearizing Pyongyang.

Kim invited inspectors to visit the Punggye Ri nuclear test site to confirm it has been irreversibly dismantled, and both Kim and Pompeo agreed to have working-level teams meet in the near future to discuss other unresolved issues from the Singapore summit, State Department said last week.

The situation on the peninsula improved this year since the leaders of North and South Korea began bilateral talks that resulted in a joint agreement to reach a peace deal. In June, Kim and Trump struck an agreement requiring Pyongyang to denuclearize in exchange for sanctions relief and a halt to US-South Korean military drills.

However, In July, US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said it was unlikely that North Korea would dismantle its nuclear program within a year. US media reported earlier that Pyongyang was continuing to develop its nuclear program and trying to deceive the United States about its denuclearization efforts.

Pompeo went on a three-day tour of East Asia earlier this month with a mission to advance the process of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and setting up the next summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump.

 Sputnik

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Koreas Resume High-Level Talks as Moon Presses for Sanction Relief

By Steve Miller October 15, 2018

North and South Korea held high-level talks within the heavily fortified demilitarized zone Monday.

The meeting discussed the implementation agreements made during the recent Pyongyang summit as South Korean President Moon Jae-in called upon the international community to reward North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for his efforts to denuclearize. Despite Moon's assertions, experts remain cautious that any real denuclearization progress has been made.

Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon led the five-member South Korean delegation to Panmunjom. The South Korean team was greeted by Ri Son Gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the country, who headed the North's contingent.

North and South Korean leaders agreed in September during the third inter-Korean summit to intensify cross-border cooperation and to promote various programs to bring about an era of peace on the peninsula and one without nuclear weapons.

At Monday's session the two nations agreed to begin a joint project to modernize and connect their rail and roadways before the end of the year. Teams will begin inspecting the transportation links mid-October on the Gyeongeui line and in early November on an eastern route. They also agreed to discuss issues related to a North Korean art troupe performing in the South as soon as possible. Furthermore, they agreed to hold Red Cross talks at the North's Mount Kumgang Resort in November related to families separated from the Korean War.

Other projects proposed by the Moon administration could be a problem, said Senior Research Fellow for Northeast Asia at the Heritage Foundation, Bruce Klinger.

It's his opinion that South Korean President Moon appears "eager" to provide a "long and growing list of economic benefits and economic promises to North Korea."

"All of which would be violations of [United Nations] sanctions or [United States] law," said Klinger.

He added there are growing concerns in Washington about Moon's "eagerness to improve inter Korean relations without a commensurate progress in [North Korea's] denuclearization."

However, Bruce Cumings, an American scholar who has extensively studied North Korea and the Korean Peninsula, said North Korea has made some progress.

Cumings said it is "very significant" that nearly a year has passed since North Korea stopped testing missiles and nuclear bombs, "particularly at the point where they haven't proved that they can marry a warhead to a missile and carry it across the oceans."

Should North Korea be rewarded?

South Korean President Moon Jae-in is currently traveling on a multi-nation European tour. He renewed calls to engage with Pyongyang and ease sanctions on North Korea as it makes progress toward denuclearization.

Moon said that over the course of his conversations with Kim, the "meetings have convinced me that he has taken the strategic decision to abandon his nuclear weapons." Moon made the remarks to the Le Figaro newspaper before departing to France for a state visit.

"We need to assure Kim Jong Un that he took the right decision in deciding to denuclearize and we need to accompany him in his wish for a durable and solid peace," Moon said in the interview.

However, former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Christopher Hill said that while the atmosphere on the peninsula has changed, that wasn't necessarily facilitated by Pyongyang.

"I think people who call for a reevaluation of sanctions need to explain how North Korea has somehow changed with respect to denuclearization," Hill said.

"I'd like to hear the argument that suggests that they've done something in denuclearization," Hill added.

Former U.S. National Security Advisor General H.R. McMaster recently said in Seoul, that "while we all hope that Chairman Kim Jong Un is undergoing a radical change of heart, we must remain alert."

McMaster said the possibility remains that Kim intends to use his nuclear arsenal as a "'treasured sword' designed to pry apart the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea, by making America think twice about ever coming to South Korea's aid in time of war."

The RAND Corporation's Bruce Bennett said moving forward, it's important to know which of "three Kims" the world is dealing with: Is it the "cautious Kim," who is concerned about internal rebellion as he moves to denuclearize, the "hard bargainer," who is trying to get the best deal possible, or the "Kim" who doesn't want to truly denuclearize?

Therefore, "we need to be testing Kim Jong Un" to determine his true intent, said Bennett.

That led Scott Snyder, Senior Fellow for Korea Studies to muse, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. But [the idiom] doesn't say anything about what happens if you're fooled a third time."

Like Ambassador Hill, Snyder said the critical question is what makes current discussions with North Korea about denuclearization different than past talks. He added it is incumbent on those "pushing forward to try and explain" what those difference are.

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Iran seeking global peace, self-defense: Defense Minister

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mon / 15 October 2018 / 15:59

Tehran (ISNA) - Iran has shown once more that while feeling responsible, it is seeking global peace and remains to be committed to human rights and international obligations and the country never abandon its firm position in self-defense, Iran's Defense Minister said Monday.

"Iran's Defense Ministry is a member of the country's National Committee of Humanitarian Law, and through the committee it is cooperating with the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) in relief activities, including demining operations," Iranian Defense Minister, Brigadier General Amir Hatami said, addressing the 4th International Committee of Military Medicine in Tehran.

The world has been witnessing Iran's goodwill in the face of all the fabricated nuclear crises, he said.

The country has adopted a policy of restraint in the face of the non-commitment of the US, the General added.

"The Americans have sanctioned us with inhumane measures that are against the humanitarian law only because we seek to preserve our sovereignty and freedom," the Iranian defense minister said, stressing that Washington, by following a policy of economic terrorism, is hindering countries from receiving necessary medicines and providing their basic needs.

Touching on the losses inflicted on Iran during the Iraqi eight-year imposed war, General Hatami said, "During the years of war, the former regime of Saddam attacked Iran more than 570 times, but the international organizations did not convene even one meeting to condemn those attacks".

Genocide and killing children should be seriously confronted all across the world, and the war-crimes victims, particularly in Yemen, should be helped out of the dire situation, the Iranian minister said.

He called on the world nations to make allegiance to try to eliminate weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and respect the humanitarian law, IRNA reported.

"The world is witnessing some states violating laws, without any concern for the world security, and breaching global norms with the pretext of protecting their own national interests," he said.

"Humankind should get united to address part of the sufferings; Countries that are trying to beat the war drums and do not hesitate to use unconventional and banned weapons," he said.

"The rogue countries in the world should not be allowed to lead countries toward more wars," he added.

End Item

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Iran rejects Trump, Bolton's baseless accusations

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mon / 15 October 2018 / 11:18

Tehran (ISNA) - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Bahram Qassemi has dismissed the latest anti-Iran statements made by US President Donald Trump and his national security adviser John Bolton as well as the accusations levelled in the National Strategy for Counter terrorism.

In a statement, Qassemi slammed as "baseless and unfounded" the US officials' allegations and parts of the document of Trump's National Strategy for Counter terrorism which allegedly condemns the Islamic Republic for supporting terrorism and destabilizing the West Asian region.

"Such comments, baseless and worn-out accusations, and the daydreams which we've recently seen in the words of US officials, especially the US president and some of his closest associates, are the result of the successive defeats that Washington has suffered in different fields over the past few months in the face of the determination, resistance and wisdom of Iran and Iranians," he noted.

He also referred to the September meetings of the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council, and said they proved the isolation of the US and its unilateralist policies.

What the people of the world saw in those meetings had nothing to do with the worn-out rants of the US president and his national security adviser, he noted.

Qassemi further underlined that in the remarks made by Trump and Bolton and their so-called National Strategy for Counter terrorism, one can find the trace of warmongers and the lobby of some regional regimes whose names have always been synonymous with terrorism and extremism.

These regimes are also the most notorious military and financial supporters of terrorist groups in the region, he underlined.

By making such misleading statements, they are trying to distract the world's attention from their own bloody, disgraceful, brutal, destabilizing and aggressive measures in the region, he went on to say.

End Item

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Iran's 'accurate' plans will foil US policies: President Rouhani

Iran Press TV

Mon Oct 15, 2018 05:16PM

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the United States will not be able to continue its anti-Iran policies for long, because Tehran has drawn up "accurate plans" to counter them.

"The [Iranian] administration has extensive plans to counter the enemies' psychological and economic warfare and solve problems," Rouhani said in a meeting with a group of economic experts and academics in Tehran on Monday.

He stressed the importance of raising hope in the country to defeat the enemies' psychological and economic warfare against Iran.

Rouhani noted that Iran has been plagued by some economic ailments that are rooted in the past.

"We are not in a critical situation, but conditions are not normal either," the Iranian chief executive said, adding this issue must be taken into consideration in all decision-making processes.

He said critics have the right to express their grievances about the economic conditions in the country, but they should also propose solutions to problems.

Rouhani made the remarks as the United States has ramped up pressure on Iran after US President Donald Trump withdrew Washington in May from the landmark Iran nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The US administration reintroduced the previous sanctions while imposing new ones on the Islamic Republic. It also introduced punitive measures  known as secondary sanctions  against third countries doing business with Iran.

A first round of American sanctions took effect in August, targeting Iran's access to the US dollar, metals trading, coal, industrial software, and auto sector. A second round, forthcoming on November 4, will be targeting Iran's energy sector and financial transactions.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said last month that enemies of Iran have unleashed an all-out economic and media war against Iran with the aim of creating "despair" and "pessimism" among people.

"Today, the Islamic establishment is faced with an all-out economic war, which is being led from a war room with full precision and hard work," the Leader said.

In a meeting with the heads of Iran's executive, legislative and judicial branches on October 11, Ayatollah Khamenei called on all branches of the government to join forces to counter the negative impacts of brutal American sanctions against the Iranian nation.

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Iran plans private sector participation in Syria reconstruction

Iran Press TV

Mon Oct 15, 2018 10:34AM

Iran's Foreign Ministry has announced that the country plans to have its private sector participate in the reconstruction of post-war Syria.

Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Bahram Qassemi said in a press briefing on Monday that Iran has had an active presence in the fight against terrorism in Syria based on the Syrian government's request and will be present in reconstructing the Arab country as well.

"Iran's plan is for the private sector and commercial, industrial, and technological enterprises to have a presence in Syria," Qassemi said. "We hope conditions would be created as soon as possible for work to begin and for the [Iranian private] sector, too, to be able to serve the people of Syria."

Syria has been fighting militancy since 2011. But the Syrian government, with advisory military help from its allies Iran and Russia, has taken back control of much of the country since then, and the conflict is generally believed to be winding down. Countries are already planning to help reconstruct war-hit Syria.

Iran-Saudi relations

The Iranian spokesman was asked in the presser whether relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran could be restored, given that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif recently tweeted about Iran's readiness to cooperate with Riyadh despite the lack of diplomatic relations between the two countries, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

Qassemi said Iran's stance is clear on the matter and has been repeatedly expressed before.

"In case [the right] conditions are created in the region, cooperation between regional countries can definitely have considerable impact on the peace, stability, and security of the region," he said.

Foreign Minister Zarif has reaffirmed that principled stance, he said.

Saudi Arabia has shown open hostility toward Iran in recent years. It severed its diplomatic relations with Iran in January 2016, shortly after it executed prominent Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr and when small groups of Iranians attacked Saudi diplomatic perimeters in Tehran and Mashhad  both of them vacant at the time of the attacks  in protest against that execution.

Foreign Minister Zarif's tweet came after US President Donald Trump said Saudi rulers may not last "for two weeks" without Washington's support.

Iran has received US note on 'Treaty of Amity'

Qassemi also confirmed the receipt by Iran of a "written note" from the US about America's withdrawal from the "Treaty of Amity," signed between the two countries in 1955.

The US said it would be pulling out of the treaty after it was handed a defeat at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a case filed by Iran that had invoked the treaty.

Iran has filed another lawsuit against the US at the same court but over a different matter. The Islamic Republic has invoked that same treaty in its new complaint.

Qassemi said that despite a declaration of withdrawal, the pullout from the "Treaty of Amity" would take at least a year to take effect.

'America had better exit Syria soon'

The spokesman was also asked about the US military presence in Syria.

He said that that presence is "unlawful and in contravention of international regulations" because America has deployed its forces to Syrian territory without the government's permission.

"Our advice is that America had better exit Syria at the earliest and refrain from interfering in the [internal] affairs of the country," he added.

The US started an aerial campaign against what it said were the positions of the Daesh terrorist group in Syria in September 2014. It has had special forces on the ground there as well. Both of those activities have lacked Syrian government permission.

Qassemi said that, given the US reputation as an expansionist country, it will act to create instability and insecurity in Syria and to prop up the terrorists who have largely been defeated there.

No bombing at Iranian Embassy in Ankara

Separately, in a notice published on the website of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Qassemi rejected media reports about a "suicide bombing" at the site of the Iranian Embassy in Ankara and the evacuation of Iranian personnel.

"This news [...] is sheer falsehood, and our Embassy personnel are present at their workplace, in full safety and health, and are engaged in their daily work," he said.

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Iraqi court cancels Abadi's order on ex-Hashd al-Sha'abi head

Iran Press TV

Mon Oct 15, 2018 03:30PM

An Iraqi court has overridden an earlier decision by outgoing Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to dismiss the former head of the pro-government Popular Mobilization Units, and declare himself as the replacement.

The Iraqi Administrative Court ruled on Monday that the dismissal of Falih al-Fayyadh as the chief of volunteer fighters  better known by their Arabic name as Hashd al-Sha'abi  and a number of security agencies will result in hiatus in those organs, and will expose the country's security to terrorist threats.

The court further noted that Fayyadh must also reclaim his position as the head and advisor of the National Security Council.

On September 3, Abadi named himself the new Hashd al-Sha'abi head.

The premier's office announced in a statement that the commander-in-chief of Iraqi forces had visited the command center of the pro-government forces to oversee the situation there.

"He (Abadi) lauded the hero fighters of the Hashd al-Sha'abi, their enormous sacrifices to achieve victory over terrorism in addition to their continued efforts to rebuild and reconstruct the country," the statement added.

It concluded, "He is keen on the rights of the fighters, and is willing to provide them with all forms of support."

Fayyadh was removed from his post as head of Hashd al-Sha'abi on September 1, with Abadi's office stating that the decision was taken due to his involvement in government formation talks, adding that this would undermine the performance of the country's security apparatus.

The decision was largely been attributed to the country's ongoing efforts to form a new government following parliamentary elections in May.

Senior cleric Muqtada Sadr's Sairoon bloc came first in the polls, while the Fatah (Conquest) Alliance led by Hadi al-Amiri, and Prime Minister Abadi's Nasr finished second and third.

Before Abadi's decision, reports surfaced alleging that Fayyadh was working with other heavyweight political groupings to establish the largest parliamentary bloc with expected influence in the make-up of the next government.

Abadi's office said Fayyadh's alleged involvement in government formation talks would undermine the performance of the country's security apparatus.

As an apparent answer to the prime minister's move, a number of Nasr's leaders have made Fayyadh their candidate for premiership, according to various media reports.

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Ruling PTI, Opposition PML-N Each Win Four National Assembly Seats In Pakistan By-Elections

RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal October 15, 2018

Unofficial by-election results show that the ruling Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf party (PTI) and the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) each appear to have won four seats in the lower house of parliament.

Pakistanis voted on October 14 to elect 11 members of the lower house, known as the National Assembly, and to fill 24 seats in provincial assemblies.

According to preliminary figures, the PTI won in the 53, 60, 63, and 243 constituencies.

The PML-N won seats in the 56, 103, 131, and 124 constituencies.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid e Azam (PML-Q) won two seats, while the Mutihida Majlis-e-Amal Party (MMA) won one seat.

For the first time, Pakistanis living abroad could cast their ballots online. Officials said that 7,364 people applied to vote online and were declared eligible.

Pakistan's main opposition parties have formed an electoral alliance against the ruling PTI in an effort to increase their representation in the national and provincial legislatures.

PTI leader Imran Khan became prime minister after the party won the most parliamentary seats in that vote, which was marred by allegations of massive rigging.

The by-elections were held for seats that were vacated by candidates who had won more than one seat in the July 25 general elections. Some 370 candidates competed for the 11 National Assembly seats.

The National Assembly has 342 members, 272 of which are directly elected. The rest are reserved for women and 10 for religious minorities.

The ruling coalition had 176 seats prior to the vote.

Geo TV reported that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived at a polling station in the NA-124 constituency of Lahore but was unable to vote because he did not have his national identity card.

Khan cast his vote in the NA-53 constituency in the capital, Islamabad.

With reporting by Geo TV, Dawn, and The International News

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-pti-pml-national- assembly-elections/29543844.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Ingush Leader Says Putin Told Him To Use Dialogue, Not Force, To Handle Protests

RFE/RL October 15, 2018

The leader of Russia's Ingushetia region says President Vladimir Putin has made it clear to him that protesters demonstrating against a deal to redraw the border with Chechnya should not be forcefully dispersed.

In an interview with Ekho Moskvy radio on October 14, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov said he has spoken to Putin once since the round-the-clock protests in the Ingush capital, Magas, began on October 4.

"He called and asked about the situation, asked whether help was needed," Yevkurov said, adding that he and Putin also discussed what might be done to end the protest, one of the most persistent in Russia in recent years.

According to Yevkurov, Putin said that there should be "no forceful action" and urged him to "speak to the people" and resolve the problem peacefully.

The Kremlin has said nothing publicly about a conversation between Putin and Yevkurov.

Protesters say an agreement signed behind closed doors by Yevkurov and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov unfairly hands parts of Ingushetia to Chechnya. They have called for Yevkurov's resignation and a referendum on the September 26 agreement, which officials announced was approved by the parliaments of both regions several days later.

Ingush lawmakers later said they had not approved the deal.

On October 14, Yevkurov's office said he ordered state authorities "to provide security and safety for the protesters," including having ambulances and firefighting units close to the protesters.

Last week, Magas authorities allowed the protesters, many of whom are elderly men and women, to hold their sit-in protest through October 15. That period was subsequently extended to October 17.

Yevkurov tried to meet with the protesters on October 4 but fled after the crowd booed and threw empty water bottles at him.

Like many regions of Russia's North Caucasus, Ingushetia is plagued by poverty, high unemployment, corruption, and the threat of Islamic extremism.

Chechnya was the site of two devastating separatist wars from 1994-2001 and the epicenter of a subsequent Islamist insurgency that spilled violence into Ingushetia and other republics in the North Caucasus.

Ingushetia and Chechnya, its larger eastern neighbor, were parts of a single administrative region in the Soviet era and split in 1992, a year after the Soviet collapse.

Concerns about losing territory are strong in Ingushetia, which lost control of the disputed Prigorodny district to another neighbor, North Ossetia, following a conflict in 1992 that left some 600 people dead, predominantly Ingush.

There has been little to no outcry to the land swap in Chechnya, where Kadyrov rules unchallenged with Putin's backing.

He recently threatened the Ingush protesters, saying they "will be held accountable."

With reporting by Ekho Moskvy and Caucasus Knot

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ingush-leader- says-putin-told-him-to-use-dialogue-not-force-to- handle-protests/29544158.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Orthodox Church Holds Synod In Minsk Over Ukraine Church Issue

RFE/RL October 15, 2018

Leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church were meeting in the Belarusian capital on October 15 amid a dispute over moves toward independence for the Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who is considered the leader of the worldwide Orthodox community, on October 11 agreed to recognize the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The decision was criticized as "catastrophic" by the Russian Orthodox Church, which has promised a "tough" response and is expected to make an announcement after the meeting in Minsk.

The synod was called by Moscow Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, to assess the latest developments.

"It will be a very important meeting, during which certain decisions regarding the situation in Ukraine will be made," Kirill said ahead of the synod.

"I hope the Orthodox Church will find the strength to overcome the crisis and preserve its unity," Kirill said on October 13 in Minsk, according to Russian media.

Ahead of the synod, Kirill held a meeting with Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka on October 15, according to the Belarusian state news agency BelTA.

"A schism is always bad. It means negative consequences, and that's the most dangerous thing," Lukashenka was quoted as saying.

He wished Kirill "and all the bishops of our church wisdom and patience," adding: "As church members, we will try to maintain unity."

The Belarusian Orthodox Church, which is by far the biggest religious denomination in the nation of nearly 10 million, is under the direct jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church.

A spokesman for Kirill, Aleksandr Volkov, said on October 13 that the Russian Orthodox Church's response to Bartholomew's decision will be "appropriate and tough."

On the same day, Metropolitan Ilarion, the head of external relations for the Russian Orthodox Church, told the Rossiya 24 television channel that the move has forced the Moscow Patriarchate to end its unity with Bartholomew.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's Security Council discussed the issue of the church in Ukraine at a meeting late on October 12, the Kremlin said.

Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said earlier that day that Russia will protect the interests of the faithful in Ukraine if the historic split leads to illegal action or violence. He promised that it would use "exclusively political and diplomatic" means to do so.

Meanwhile, in Kyiv on October 14, thousands of people gathered on a central square to take part in a thanksgiving prayer following the decision by Bartholomew to kick off the process of granting independence to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

With reporting by TASS, dpa, and Interfax

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian- orthodox-church-holds-synod-in-minsk-over- ukraine-church-schism/29543919.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Orthodox Church Breaks Ties With Constantinople Patriarchate

RFE/RL's Belarus Service October 15, 2018

The Russian Orthodox Church has decided to end its relationship with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in protest over its endorsement of Ukraine's request for an autocephalous, or independent, church.

Metropolitan Ilarion, the head of external relations for the Russian Orthodox Church, made the announcement on October 15 following a meeting of the church's leaders in Belarus's capital, Minsk.

The Holy Synod was called by Moscow Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, after the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who is considered the leader of the worldwide Orthodox community, on October 11 agreed to recognize the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Ilarion told journalists that the synod -- the Russian Orthodox Church's decision-making body -- was left with no choice but to sever ties with the patriarchate based in Istanbul.

"A decision has been made to rupture full communion with the Constantinople Patriarchate," he said, meaning that priests from the two churches cannot serve together while worshippers of one cannot take communion in the other.

'Schism'

Ilarion said that Constantinople's decision to back what the Russian Orthodox Church considers a schismatic church is "illegal and canonically worthless," and effectively drives it into a schism.

"We cannot be in communication with this church, which is in a schism," he said, adding that the Russian Orthodox Church hopes that "common sense prevails and that the Constantinople Patriarchate changes its mind."

Reacting to the Russian Orthodox Church's announcement, the press secretary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate said "Patriarch Kirill has personally been an architect of the schism in the Ukrainian church since 1991" and that his conduct has "pulled all of Orthodox Christianity into conflict."

"Sooner or later this will be fixed and the Russian Orthodox Church will return to communion," Archbishop Yevstratiy also wrote on Facebook, adding, "Now the question stands before everyone belonging to [parishes of] the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine: To go with the Russian Orthodox Church into schism or to remain in unity with the Ecumenical Patriarch through the Local Ukrainian Church."

Yevstratiy also said that the Russian Orthodox Church "is repeating the Kremlin's policy of self-isolation in response to the legitimate decisions of the international community."

Ahead of the synod, Patriarch Kirill held a meeting with Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka on October 15, according to the Belarusian state news agency BelTA.

"A schism is always bad, it means negative consequences, and that's the most dangerous thing," Lukashenka was quoted as saying.

He wished Kirill "and all the bishops of our church wisdom and patience," adding: "As church members, we will try to maintain unity."

The Belarusian Orthodox Church, which is by far the biggest religious denomination in the nation of nearly 10 million, is under the direct jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's Security Council discussed the issue of the church in Ukraine at a meeting late on October 12, the Kremlin said.

Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said earlier that day that Russia will protect the interests of the faithful in Ukraine if the historic split leads to illegal action or violence. He promised that it would use "exclusively political and diplomatic" means to do so.

Meanwhile, in Kyiv, on October 14, thousands of people gathered on a central square to take part in a thanksgiving prayer following the decision by Bartholomew to kick off the process of granting independence to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, TASS, dpa, and Interfax

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian- orthodox-church-to-break-with-patriarchate -of-constantinople/29545003.html

Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Saudis preparing to announce Khashoggi died in interrogation: Sources

Iran Press TV

Mon Oct 15, 2018 08:08PM

The Saudi Arabian government is working on a report that would include admitting to the murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi during an interrogation that went wrong in the monarchy's consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul, sources says.

The report could implicate those involved in the possible murder operation to portray it as done without clearance and transparency, one source told CNN on Monday.

The CNN report could itself affect the content of such a report before its release and might even be a part of the Saudi crisis management through its sources.

Another source, meanwhile, cautioned that the report is being prepared and subject to change.

Turkish prosecutors have also asserted that they have the "evidence of killing" at the Saudi consulate.

"They have found evidence that supports their suspicions that Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate," a source at the Attorney General's office, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Al Jazeera.

"This is a significant step forward after several days of an impasse," he said.

According to The New York Times, Saudis are trying to develop a scenario that would shield Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman from involvement in the embarrassing event.

Turkish media has previously released the identities of Saudi operatives, who had apparently travelled from Riyadh to Istanbul on two private jets and entered the Saudi mission on October 2, when Khashoggi was last seen while entering the building.

Khashoggi had been there to obtain a document certifying he divorced his ex-wife.

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Two pilots killed as Royal Saudi Air Force jet crashes during training

Iran Press TV

Mon Oct 15, 2018 04:35PM

Two Royal Saudi Air Force pilots have lost their lives when their training jet crashed during a routine mission in the kingdom's northwestern region of Tabuk.

The British-made and single-engine BAE Systems Hawk aircraft was on a routine operational training mission on Monday when it suffered the mishap 100 kilometers away from the city of Tabuk and close to the border with Jordan, online Arabic-language newspaper Sabq reported.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known and the air force has launched a probe to determine it.

On September 14, a Saudi Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed in Yemen's eastern province of Mahra.

An official of Provincial Supreme Security Committee, who asked to remain anonymous, said, "The Saudi helicopter crashed while conducting a reconnaissance mission over Tanhala Mountains."

He confirmed that the Saudi pilot and his assistant died as a result of the crash.

Saudi media outlets later identified the pair as Captain Saud bin Nasser bin Jaris and First Lieutenant Ahmed bin Abdulaziz al-Dabian.

Yemen's Arabic-language al-Masirah television network reported earlier this year that Yemeni air defense forces, supported by allied fighters from Popular Committees, had intercepted and targeted a Saudi F-15 fighter jet while flying in the skies over the capital Sana'a.

The development came shortly after Yemeni troops stated that they had shot down a twin-engine and multi-role Panavia Tornado combat aircraft belonging to the Saudi-led military alliance over Kitaf wa al-Boqe'e district in the country's northwestern mountainous province of Sa'ada.

Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies launched a devastating military campaign against Yemen in March 2015, with the aim of bringing the government of former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi back to power and crushing the country's Houthi Ansarullah movement.

Some 15,000 Yemenis have been killed and thousands more injured since the onset of the Saudi-led aggression.

More than 2,200 others have died of cholera, and the crisis has triggered what the United Nations has described as the world's worst humanitarian disaster.

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Turkish police say audio recording shows Khashoggi murdered

Iran Press TV

Mon Oct 15, 2018 03:08PM

Turkish police are reportedly in possession of an audio recording, which allegedly indicates that the missing Saudi dissident journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, was killed at the Saudi consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul, a Turkish official and a security source claim as Saudi Arabia still insists that it has no knowledge whatsoever regarding the fate of its national.

"Turkish police have an audio recording that indicates that Khashoggi was killed at the Saudi consulate" the Reuters quoted the two sources speaking on condition of anonymity as saying on Monday, giving no further details.

Turkey's probe into the disappearance of Khashoggi has reportedly revealed recordings made on his Apple Watch, which was synced with his iPhone being carried outside the consulate by Khashoggi's fiancee.

Turkish officials have reportedly shared with Washington the contents of video and audio recordings that allegedly contain evidence supporting claims that the journalist was murdered by the Saudi government.

Saudi Arabia has strongly denounced the murdering allegations, branding them as a bunch of "lies."

Khashoggi, an outspoken critic of the Saudi government, had been living in self-imposed exile in the United States since 2017, when Saudi authorities launched a massive crackdown on dissent. He was seeking to secure documentation for his forthcoming marriage when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, but never came out despite Riyadh's claim that he exited the mission less than an hour after entering.

His fiancee waited outside the consulate for hours without hearing from him, prompting her to report his disappearance to Istanbul police. Ankara says there is no proof Khashoggi left the consulate.

Saudi king orders internal probe into Khashoggi's case

Meanwhile, as diplomatic pressure is growing on Riyadh to give a fuller explanation, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued an order for launching an internal investigation into the unexplained disappearance of the 60-year-old journalist.

"The king has ordered the public prosecutor to open an internal investigation into the Khashoggi matter based on the information from the joint team in Istanbul," an unnamed official was quoted by Reuters as saying.

Last week, Ankara accepted a Saudi proposal to establish a joint working group to probe into Khashoggi's disappearance.

Turkish investigators enter Saudi consulate in Istanbul

Later on Monday, Turkish police investigators entered Saudi Arabia's Istanbul consulate in Istanbul, two weeks after the disappearance of Khashoggi, Reuters reported.

According to AFP, Uniformed Turkish police and other officials in suits believed to be prosecutors went inside the consulate after receiving agreement from Riyadh to conduct the search.

A Turkish diplomatic source had earlier said that a joint Turkish-Saudi team would conduct a search of the consulate, following delays last week when Riyadh and Ankara reached an agreement to work together to figure out what had happened to the journalist.

Trump calls Saudi king on journalist's disappearance

Separately on Monday, US President Donald Trump said he had spoken with the Saudi king regarding the missing journalist earlier in the day, and that he was sending American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet with the king immediately.

Trump added that King Salman had denied "any knowledge of whatever may have happened" to Khashoggi. The Saudi monarch also told Trump that Riyadh was working closely with Ankara on the case.

Meanwhile, Spain also called for an urgent probe into the mysterious disappearance of the Saudi journo.

"Spain clearly joins the concern that other countries have already expressed, particularly the European Union, and demands a transparent and urgent investigation," said Isabel Celaa, the Spanish government's spokeswoman on Monday.

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Saudi king, Turkey's Erdogan discuss Khashoggi case over phone

Iran Press TV

Mon Oct 15, 2018 08:31AM

Saudi Arabia's King Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have discussed the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi as pressure builds up on Riyadh to come clean about the fate of the prominent journalist.

Khashoggi has been missing since he stepped inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, with Turkish officials saying they believe he has been killed.

Erdogan has behaved cautiously in the controversy, expressing concern but stopping short of directly accusing Riyadh.

King Salman phoned Erdogan Sunday evening "to thank the president for welcoming the kingdom's proposal to form a joint working group" to discuss the disappearance, the Saudi foreign ministry said.

Few details have emerged over how the joint working group will function, sparking suspicion that Saudi Arabia might be trying to coax Turkey with certain concessions at a time of the latter's economic problems.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Saudi Arabia had not cooperated in the investigation, despite proposing to create the joint working group with Turkish authorities.

Turkish officials have reportedly shared with Washington contents of video and audio recordings that allegedly contain evidence supporting claims that Khashoggi was murdered by the Saudi government.

President Donald Trump initially made it clear that whatever the outcome of the inquiry into the disappearance of Khashoggi, the US would not forgo billions of dollars in arms deals with Saudi Arabia.

However, he told CBS News on Saturday that the US was investigating the case which he called "really terrible and disgusting" and that "there will be severe punishment".

His remarks prompted Saudi Arabia to threaten to use its economic muscle to respond to any punitive measure but Rai al-Youm, a pan-Arab newspaper based in London, said the kingdom might have to ready itself for new "milking" by the US.

Saudi Arabia appears to be increasingly cornered. Britain, France and Germany, which have also tended to prioritize economic ties with Riyadh, issued a joint statement saying they "expect the Saudi government to provide a complete and detailed response".

The kingdom seems to be taking on each challenge one by one, beginning with Turkey where the macabre incident took place.

The Saudi foreign ministry said King Salman affirmed his country's "solid" relations with Turkey in the phone call with Erdogan, stressing that no one could undermine their relationship.

For his part, Erdogan reportedly expressed his keenness to enhance ties between the two countries.

Turkey's investigation into the disappearance of Khashoggi has reportedly revealed recordings made on his Apple Watch, which synced with his iPhone being carried outside the consulate by Khashoggi's fiancee.

The recordings purportedly indicated that the prominent Saudi journalist was tortured and killed at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul, according to the Turkish Sabah daily.

The paper cited "reliable sources in a special intelligence department" as saying that Khashoggi is believed to have turned on the recording feature on the phone before entering the consulate.

The Washington Post, to which Khashoggi contributed as a columnist, has said the Turkish government had told US officials it had audio and video recordings showing how Khashoggi was "interrogated, tortured and then murdered" by a 15-member Saudi security team inside the consulate before his body was dismembered.

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Saudis to Acknowledge Columnist Khashoggi's Death  Report

Sputnik News

22:51 15.10.2018(updated 23:11 15.10.2018)

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is reportedly going to produce a report admitting that not only was a Washington Post columnist killed at its consulate building in Istanbul, but also that the murder was the result of an interrogation gone awry.

CNN's Jake Tapper reports that Jamal Khashoggi's death will be confessed to by Riyadh  a move that would mark a stunning reversal following King Salman's denial that the writer was killed under the watch of Saudi Arabian officials. Tapper cited two anonymous sources, qualifying his announcement by stating the Saudis' report "is still being prepared" and adding that a source "cautioned things could change."

"Report will likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held responsible," Tapper reports.

An anonymous Turkish official told the New York Times last week that the alleged slaughter was carried out by 15 Saudi operatives flown in to Turkey, and that Khashoggi's body was disposed of with the aid of a doctor toting a bonesaw. Khashoggi's body was reportedly dismembered and smuggled out of the consulate building. These reports have yet to be confirmed publicly by Turkish officials.

Earlier on Monday, US President Donald Trump spoke with Saudi King Salman on the phone. During the call, Salman was "very, very strong" in his denial of knowledge about what happened to Khashoggi, Trump told reporters. The US head of state then floated the idea that the writer was slaughtered by "rogue killers"  a statement that was immediately called out as an alternative theory meant to help Saudi Arabia defend its reputation. "Absolutely extraordinary they were able to enlist the President of the United States as their PR agent," Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) said Monday.

 Sputnik

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Body of Vanished Saudi Journalist Might Have Been Dissolved in Acid - Reports

Sputnik News

19:12 15.10.2018(updated 19:15 15.10.2018)

ANKARA (Sputnik) - The Turkish police are currently examining the version alleging that the body of Saudi opposition journalist Khashoggi, who disappeared after entering the Saudi Consulate General in Istanbul, might have been dissolved in acid, the Haberturk TV reported on Monday.

The police first doubted the viability of this version, but then, as the investigation progressed, the Turkish police and security officers have not managed to rule out such a hypothesis, the broadcaster said.

The news comes following the disappearance in Turkey of Jamal Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post on October 2. According to the journalist's fiancee, he was invited to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul but never left the consulate building.

In addition, media reports stated that the Turkish investigators believe the journalist was murdered inside the consulate, but Saudi Arabia claims that Khashoggi went missing after he left the building.

Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that Saudi Arabia should prove its non-involvement in the journalist's disappearance. The Turkish president also said that he considered Riyadh's comments in connection to the case unconvincing. Hami Aksoy, the spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, confirmed earlier in October that Ankara had received the permission from Riyadh to search the consulate's building as part of the probe into the case.

 Sputnik

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Saudi King Orders to Open Internal Investigation Into Khashoggi Case - Official

Sputnik News

13:19 15.10.2018(updated 17:28 15.10.2018)

Earlier, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman declared that Turkish authorities could search the Consulate General building if necessary. Riyadh also affirmed "its total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it", and promised to retaliate against any possible sanctions that might be imposed against the country.

"The King has ordered the Public Prosecutor to open an internal investigation into the Khashoggi matter based on the info from the joint team in Istanbul," a Saudi official, who is not authorized to speak publicly, said as quoted by Reuters.

Jamal Khashoggi, known for his criticism of Saudi Arabia's policies, vanished on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain a marriage document, as reported by Turkish media. The Saudi authorities said that the journalist left the consulate on the same day that he arrived.

After Ankara claimed that Khashoggi could've been arrested or even killed while inside the diplomatic mission, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman replied that Turkish authorities could search the Consulate General building if necessary.

The King and the President Talk

According to the Saudi press agency, King Salman also discussed the Khashoggi case with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a telephone call.

The king thanked the Turkish president for welcoming the Saudi government's proposal to form a joint working group to probe the journalist's disappearance, and stressed that no one could undermine the relationship between Riyadh and Ankara.

Searching the Consulate

Earlier today, a Turkish diplomatic source has revealed that Turkey will search the Saudi consulate in Istanbul as part of the investigation into Khashoggi case.

"It is expected that a search will take place towards the evening," the source said, adding that the search will be conducted jointly with the Saudi authorities.

The Washington Post previously reported that Turkey informed US officials about audio and video recordings suggesting the journalist had been murdered in the Saudi consulate.

A Response to Threats

A number of states, including Germany, France and the United Kingdom, have expressed serious concerns over the journalist's disappearance. US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to "punish" Riyadh if it were proven to be behind the suspected killing.

However, a Saudi official source said in a statement distributed by Saudi Press Agency that Riyadh would retaliate to any sanctions imposed against it.

"The Kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it, whether by threatening to impose economic sanctions, using political pressures, or repeating false accusations. These will not undermine the Kingdom and its staunch positions and its stature at the Arab, Islamic and international level," the source said as quoted by Saudi Gazette.

The source also pointed out that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia "affirms that if it receives any action, it will respond with greater action."

"The Kingdom's economy has an influential and vital role in the global economy and its economy is affected only by the impact of the global economy," the source added.

 Sputnik

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Former CIA Director Brennan Says Claims of Innocence by Riyadh 'Ring Hollow'

Sputnik News

04:50 15.10.2018

Speaking in an interview for NBC, Brennan expressed his doubts about Saudi Arabia's claims of innocence in the alleged killing of journalist Khashoggi.

Former CIA Director John Brennan suggested that Saudi Arabia's denials of involvement in the alleged murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi "ring hollow."

"If Khashoggi had disappeared in Turkey when he was at a hotel or a private residence, I think there is plausible deniability on the part of the Saudi government. But he disappeared when there is video evidence of him being at the consulate," Brennan said, during an interview for NBC.

"Their denials ring hollow, very much ring hollow," he added. "To go after a permanent resident of the United States who writes for The Washington Post, and doing it on foreign soil, at a diplomatic mission, to me it would be inconceivable. That such an operation would be run by the Saudis without the knowledge of the day-to-day decision maker of Saudi Arabia, that's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. I think it is just beyond reality."

Brennan argued that a thorough investigation of the incident is required and remarked that any prosecution of Saudi officials would eventually be up to King Salman. However, Brennan opined, the King is ageing and might not have enough political authority or even mental capacity to act effectively.

"He is aging and there are indications he has failed a bit, and whether or not now he is able to muster the strength and the capacity to find out what happened, including the role of his son," Brennan said.

According to Brennan, the de-facto leader of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been "emboldened" by the relationship he has with US President Donald Trump and his senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Brennan worked in Saudi Arabia, first as a political officer at the US embassy between 1982-1984, and later as a CIA station chief, between 1996-1999. Talking to NBC, the former spook said that there have been past princes under King Salman who had been held accountable for transgressions of the law, if not executions.

Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi, known for his criticism against King Salman and the Crown Prince, went missing nearly two weeks ago after entering the Saudi Arabia Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, to retrieve documents he was told were required for his wedding.

Turkish officials claim that the journalist was killed within the consulate, but Riyadh denies all allegations, insisting that Khashoggi left the building under his own power on the same day that he entered it.

Turkish officials are currently conducting an investigation.

 Sputnik

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CNN: Saudi Arabia to Admit Missing Journalist Was Killed

By VOA News October 15, 2018

Saudi Arabia is preparing to admit that missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed, U.S. news organizations report.

The stories quote sources who say Khashoggi's death was an "interrogation that went wrong." CNN reports those behind the operation may have intended to kidnap Khashoggi from the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and take him back to Saudi Arabia for questioning.

Stories say the Saudi report is expected to say that the operation that led to his death was carried out without official clearance and that those behind his death will be held responsible.

Khashoggi was seen walking into the consulate two weeks ago and has not been seen since.

Earlier Monday, President Donald Trump suggested "rogue killers" might have murdered him.

Trump said Saudi King Salman told him in a 20-minute phone conversation Monday he had no knowledge of what happened to Khashoggi, a critic of the heir to the Saudi throne, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

"His denials to me could not have been stronger," Trump said at the White House. "Maybe I do not want to get into his mind, but it sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers  I mean, who knows?"

Trump has sent Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Riyadh to talk with Salman about Khashoggi's disappearance.

Trump vowed to "leave nothing uncovered" in determining what happened to Khashoggi.

Meanwhile, in Istanbul, Turkish police started a search of the Saudi Arabian consulate.

Khashoggi entered the consulate October 2 to get documents he needed to marry his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, a Turkish national who waited in vain outside for Khashoggi to return.

Late Sunday, the Saudi monarch and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed forming a joint working group to look into the disappearance of Khashoggi, whom Turkish officials believe was murdered by Saudi agents inside the consulate.

Saudi Arabia has called the allegations "baseless" and said Khashoggi left the consulate on his own. But neither Turkey nor Saudi Arabia has provided clear evidence to support its version of events.

Trump told the CBS news show 60 Minutes on Sunday that Saudi Arabia would face "severe punishment" if it is determined Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate, but Riyadh dismissed the U.S. threat and said it would retaliate if Trump took any action against Saudi Arabia.

The official Saudi Press Agency quoted an unnamed government source Sunday as saying, "The Kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it, whether by threatening to impose economic sanctions, using political pressures, or repeating false accusations."

The statement said the Saudi government "also affirms that if it receives any action, it will respond with greater action," noting that its economy, as the world's biggest oil exporter, "has an influential and vital role in the global economy."

Khashoggi was living in self-imposed exile in the United States and had criticized the Saudi crown prince in columns written for The Washington Post.

Trump said "nobody knows yet" what happened inside the consulate, "but we'll probably be able to find out" if the crown prince ordered Khashoggi's murder. Trump added the United States "would be very upset and angry if that were the case."

But Trump, who has frequently boasted about his business ties with the kingdom, suggested during the CBS interview that ending U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia would not be an option, saying, "I don't want to hurt jobs."

In protest of Khashoggi's disappearance, several U.S. businesses leaders have pulled out of next week's Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, dubbed "Davos in the Desert," after the annual meeting of world economic interests in Switzerland.

Media reports say Khashoggi may have recorded his own death on his Apple Watch. The reports say Khashoggi turned on the sound recording capability on his device as he entered the Saudi consulate, and that the watch was connected to the iCloud and cell phone he left with his fiancee Cengiz before he went inside.

Cengiz said she waited for Khashoggi to come out of the consulate, but he never left.

The Washington Post reported in recent days that the Turkish government informed U.S. officials it was in possession of video recordings that prove Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate, but have not made them public.

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Turkish and Saudi Leaders Discuss Khashoggi Disappearance

By VOA News October 15, 2018

The leaders of Turkey and Saudi Arabia have discussed forming a joint working group to look into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who went missing October 2 at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

State news agencies from both countries said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi King Salman talked about the case in a Sunday night phone call.

Saudi Arabia and Turkey have given differing accounts of what happened to Khashoggi after he entered the consulate.

Turkish officials have said they believe Khashoggi was murdered, while Saudi Arabia calls the accusation "baseless" and says Khashoggi left the consulate on his own. Neither side has provided clear evidence to support its version of events.

Saudi Arabia dismissed threats of sanctions from U.S. President Donald Trump, who told the CBS news show "60 Minutes" there would be "severe punishment" if it is determined Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate.

The official Saudi Press Agency quoted an unnamed government source as saying, "The Kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it, whether by threatening to impose economic sanctions, using political pressures, or repeating false accusations."

The statement said the Saudi government "also affirms that if it receives any action, it will respond with greater action," noting that its economy, as the world's biggest oil exporter," has an influential and vital role in the global economy."

Khashoggi was living in self-imposed exile in the United States and had criticized Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in columns written for The Washington Post.

Trump said "nobody knows yet" what happened inside the consulate, "but we'll probably be able to find out" if Salman ordered Khashoggi's murder. Trump added the United States "would be very upset and angry if that were the case."

But Trump, who has frequently boasted about his business ties with the kingdom, suggested during the interview that ending U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia would not be an option, saying, "I don't want to hurt jobs."

A key U.S. lawmaker, Republican Senator Marco Rubio, told CNN on Sunday that if Saudi agents "went medieval" on Khashoggi, "that would be an outrage." He said any response to Khashoggi's killing "needs to be strong, not symbolic," including the possibility of cutting off U.S. weapons sales to Riyadh, or it would undermine the U.S.'s moral standing in the world.

In protest of Khashoggi's disappearance, several U.S. businesses leaders have pulled out of next week's Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, dubbed "Davos in the Desert," after the annual meeting of world economic interests in Switzerland. Rubio said U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin should also withdraw, but White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said the Treasury chief is still planning to go.

Media reports say Khashoggi may have recorded his own death on his Apple Watch. The reports say Khashoggi turned on the sound recording capability on his device as he entered the Saudi consulate, and that the watch was connected to the iCloud and cell phone he left with his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, before he went inside.

Cengiz said she waited for Khashoggi to come out of the consulate, but he never left.

The Washington Post reported in recent days that the Turkish government informed U.S. officials it was in possession of video recordings that prove Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate, but have not made them public.

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"Iran to participate in reconstruction of Syria"

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mon / 15 October 2018 / 14:54

Tehran (ISNA)  Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Bahram Qassemi stressed that Iran will participate in reconstruction of Syria.

Speaking in his weekly press conference on Monday, Qassemi said, "Given the request of the Syrian government and presence of Iranian military advisors in the Arab country in order to assist Syrian forces in fighting against terrorism and considering the importance of reconstruction of Syria, Iran will participate in the important issue".

"Our plan is that private sector, industrial and commercial enterprises as well as technology sectors to have active participation in reconstruction of Syria and I hope conditions would be created as soon as possible for work to begin and for the Iranian private sector, too, to be able to play its vital role in serving the Syrian people," he added.

Answering the question that whether relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran could be restored, given that Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif recently tweeted about Iran's readiness to cooperate with Riyadh despite the lack of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Qassemi said, "Iran's stance was clear on the matter and has been repeatedly expressed before".

"In case the right conditions are created in the region, cooperation between regional countries can definitely have considerable impact on the peace, stability, and security of the region," he added.

"This issue is definitely in line with Iran's interests and has many advantages" Qassemi said about approving and implementing FATF bills.

"By taking into consideration our laws and frameworks, the Islamic Republic will keep moving on this path, which is highly beneficial" he added.

Qassemi also confirmed the receipt by Iran of a "written note" from the US about America's withdrawal from the "Treaty of Amity," signed between the two countries in 1955.

He said that despite a declaration of withdrawal, the pullout from the "Treaty of Amity" would take at least a year to take effect.

End Item

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Syrian army raises national flag on Quneitra crossing after official reopening

Iran Press TV

Mon Oct 15, 2018 02:39PM

The Syrian army has raised the national flag over Quneitra crossing on the border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights after nearly five years since it was taken over by militant groups.

In a statement to Syria's official news agency SANA on Monday, Quneitra Governor Hammam Dbayat said the official reopening of the key crossing came after the great victory achieved by the Syrian army against anti-government militants and the return of the UN peacekeepers to the Golan Heights.

In August, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) returned to the border between Syria and the occupied territories and carried out a first patrol in the area, about four years after it was shuttered due to militant attacks.

The UN force returned to the area after Syrian government forces, backed by Russia, succeeded in recapturing territory near the Golan Heights and driving out armed militant groups from a "de-escalation zone."

SANA news agency said the reopening of the crossing would ensure communication with Syrian people in Golan, facilitate the transfer of humanitarian aid and crossing of students along the border.

In addition to Quneitra, Jordanian officials announced a day earlier the reopening of Naseeb crossing, Jordan's main border crossing with Syria, after a three-year closure due to the presence of foreign-backed terrorists.

In July, Syrian troops recaptured the crossing, which terrorists had seized in 2015, disrupting the major trade route between Syria and Jordan, Lebanon and oil-rich Persian Gulf countries.

The reopening of the crossing is a major boost to Jordan's struggling economy amid price rises and austerity measures which have sparked the country's worst protests in decades.

"The Naseeb crossing is a vital lifeline for trade between the two brotherly countries Jordan and Syria through them to other Arab countries," said Jordan's government spokeswoman Jumana Ghunaimat.

The resumption of commercial trade through the crossing is a diplomatic victory for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose government is facing boycott by Arab states allied to Saudi Arabia.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The Syrian government says the Israeli regime and its Western and regional allies are aiding Takfiri terrorist groups wreaking havoc in the country.

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East of Euphrates Syria's next target after liberation of Idlib: FM

Iran Press TV

Mon Oct 15, 2018 11:38AM

Syria's Foreign Minister Walid Muallem says the next target after the liberation of Idlib is to retake the area east of the Euphrates, which is held by US-backed Kurdish militants.

"After Idlib our target is east of the Euphrates," he said at a press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari in Damascus Monday, stressing his country's determination to restore sovereignty over all Syrian territories.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday the US is seeking to establish a quasi-state east of the Euphrates River and create illegal structures there.

"On Syrian territory there are vast lands east of the Euphrates where absolutely unacceptable things are taking place," Lavrov told France's Le Figaro.

"The US is trying to use these lands through their Syrian allies  above all, through the Kurds  in order to establish a quasi-state there," he went on to say.

The US has been conducting airstrikes against what it says are Daesh positions inside Syria since September 2014 without any authorization from the Damascus government or a United Nations mandate.

The US and its allies have repeatedly been accused of targeting and killing civilians and drawn criticism over their failure to destroy Daesh, which they claim to be fighting.

Muallem on Monday said the US has destroyed Raqqah Province under the pretext of fighting Daesh. US-sponsored militants are refusing to hand back Raqqah to the government control after taking it over from Daesh last year.

Amnesty International's new Secretary General Kumi Naidoo said on Friday he had been shocked by the horrific destruction and utter human devastation left by US airstrikes in Raqqah.

Muallem said Washington continues to support Daesh and evacuate its members to the east of the Euphrates.

A retaliatory attack by Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps late last month hit Daesh headquarters near Albu Kamal, east of the Euphrates, with a US defense official telling CNN that Iranian missiles came within three miles of US troops in the country.

In his remarks, Muallem touched on a deadline which passed Monday without Takfiri terrorists leaving a planned buffer zone in Idlib as set out under a Russian-Turkish deal.

The minister said other options are on the table if the militants do not comply with the requirements of the deal, without elaborating.

The deal, agreed last month on Turkey's initiative, forestalled an imminent offensive by the Syrian government forces to liberate the province, the militants' last major stronghold in Syria.

"We cannot keep quiet about the continuation of the current situation in Idlib if the Nusra Front refuses to comply with this agreement," Muallem said.

The minister said it was up to Moscow now to judge whether the deal had been fulfilled.

"Now we must give the time to our friends the Russians to judge whether the agreement was fulfilled or not," he said.

Muallem said Ankara has the means to ensure the agreement is complied with.

"For us we said always Idlib, as any other province, has to return back to Syrian sovereignty. We prefer to have it through peaceful means, through reconciliation, but if not there (are) other options," he added.

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War games to be staged Tuesday, Wednesday

ROC Central News Agency

2018/10/15 18:06:24

Taipei, Oct. 15 (CNA) In response to a growing military threat from China, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) is to conduct two days of war games in eastern Taiwan from Tuesday, according to a government notice issued Monday.

Codenamed Joint-Electronic 107-2, the exercises to be held Tuesday and Wednesday will simulate attacks involving China's People's Liberation Army against military bases on Taiwan's eastern coast, according to sources.

In conjunction with forces from the Army and Navy, the Air Force will scramble F-16 jet fighters from the Chiashan () Airbase in Hualien County to intercept imaginary enemy jets from China.

The drills mean that units tasked with electronic warfare on military bases on Taiwan's east coast will be subject to testing for the first time, the sources said.

The drills are aimed at examining the Taiwan military's ability to withstand a coordinated air and electronic attack, while seeking to strengthen the combat readiness of the armed forces, they said.

Meanwhile on Monday, a one-hour drill involving Chengkung-, Kidd- and Lafayette-class naval vessels was staged to sharpen the country's naval combat capability.

(By Lu Hsin-hui and Flor Wang)

Enditem/J

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Turkey suspends almost 260 local officials amid crackdown

Iran Press TV

Mon Oct 15, 2018 03:23PM

Turkey has suspended nearly 260 senior local officials over alleged terror links and activities unrelated to their posts, the interior ministry says.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu removed 259 local neighborhood heads, known as "muhtar" in Turkish, from their posts, his office said in a statement on Monday.

The statement did not provide further detail on what terror organisations the officials were allegedly linked to.

The muhtar is the elected chief of a village or a city neighborhood, and responsible for day-to-day services for residents such as registration.

Turkey has suspended or sacked over 140,000 public sector employees because of alleged links to a movement led by US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the Ankara government accuses of having masterminded the July 2016 coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Tens of thousands of people have also been arrested in Turkey on suspicion of having links to Gulen and the failed coup.

During the 2016 botched putsch, a faction of the Turkish military declared that it had seized control of the country and the government of Erdogan was no more in charge. The attempt was, however, suppressed a few hours later.

Ankara has since accused Gulen of having orchestrated the coup. The opposition figure is also accused of being behind a long-running campaign to topple the government via infiltrating the country's institutions, particularly the army, police and the judiciary.

Gulen has denounced the "despicable putsch" and reiterated that he had no role in it.

The international community and rights groups have been highly critical of the Turkish president over the massive dismissals and the crackdown.

Turkey suspended over 500 village guards

Last week, the interior ministry suspended 559 village guards, locals employed to combat Kurdish militants, accused of links to terror organizations while 76 were accused of people trafficking and drug crimes.

Village guards, ethnic Kurds armed men paid by the government supporting the Turkish state, have the right to carry arms, to inform on suspected separatist activities.

Turkish authorities detained 137 people in country-wide operations earlier this month over alleged links to the PKK militant group.

PKK militants regularly clash with Turkish forces in the Kurdish-dominated southeast of Turkey.

Turkey, along with the European Union and the United States, has declared the PKK a terrorist group and banned it. The militant group has been seeking an autonomous Kurdish region since 1984.

More than 40,000 people have been killed during the three-decade conflict between Turkey and the autonomy-seeking militant group.

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Trump Reiterates 'No Deal' with Turkey for Pastor's Release

By VOA News October 15, 2018

U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated the United States did not negotiate a deal with Turkey for the release of American pastor Andrew Brunson.

"We had no deal with Turkey," Trump said Monday at the White House. "I feel much differently about Turkey today than I felt about them two days ago. I have a very good feeling toward Turkey, two days ago, I did not."

Evangelical Christian minister Andrew Brunson had been imprisoned in Turkey for two years before his release last week.

The freeing of Brunson marked the end of a bitter diplomatic dispute between Washington and Ankara. Brunson was facing 35 years in jail if he had been convicted on terrorism and espionage charges, allegations Washington called baseless.

Asked by VOA on Friday what had led to Brunson's release, Trump said, "We spoke to Turkey, and he went through a system and we got him out. We've been trying to get him out for a long time."

Trump, partly in retaliation for Brunson's prosecution, slapped Turkey with trade tariffs in August. The action led to the collapse of Turkey's currency.

Brunson had lived in Turkey since the 1990s.

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Chiru Is No More A Congress Leader?

Has megastar Chiranjeevi ceased to be a member of the Congress party? The answer is yes, according to the party sources.

Chiranjeevi, who has been keeping away from the Congress party activities for quite some time and focussing only on his film at present, is learnt to have refused to renew his party membership, which has expired recently.

He politely turned down the request of the Andhra Pradesh Congress leaders to take the lead in the party activities by renewing his membership.

It would mean Chiranjeevi is no more a Congress party member.

However, it is not clear whether he has decided to quit politics altogether or take a plunge into his brother Pawan Kalyans Jana Sena Party at the time of election campaign for the coming assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

Already, all the Chiranjeevi fans have shifted their loyalties to Jana Sena Party lock, stock and barrel. While they continue to be fans of Chiranjeevi for his films, they are going to take active part in Jana Sena Party activities politically.

The megastar has been in a silent mode ever since the Congress party was wiped out completely in the 2014 elections.

He continue to remain a Congress MP till recently, though he hardly attended the Rajya Sabha sessions, but remained concentrated in films. At present, he is busy in shooting abroad for his multi-crore movie Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy.

Another reason for Chiranjeevi deciding to come out of the Congress party is its plans to join hands with the Telugu Desam Party, which he does not like. Instead, he is learnt to have thought it right to give backroom support to Pawan Kalyan.

The latest comment by former assembly speaker Nadendla Manohar that he had joined Jana Sena with the blessings of Chiranjeevi lent credence to the reports that the megastar is playing crucial role in building up Jana Sena, sources said.

Click Here for Latest Direct-to-OTT Releases (List Updates Daily)Pawan Shaking TDP In Godavari Districts?

It looks like power star and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan is going to cause severe dent in the Telugu Desam Party rather than splitting the anti-establishment vote which would have caused a lot of damage to the YSR Congress party, particularly in East and West Godavari districts.

According to reports coming from the Godavari districts, a large number of TDP leaders and cadre are eager to join the Jana Sena Party in these districts.

On the other hand, there are hardly any leader from the YSR Congress party who is evincing interest in joining hands with Pawan Kalyan.

Prominent among the TDP leaders from East Godavari district is Thota Trimurthulu from Ramachandrapuram assembly constituency. Many other Kapu and Dalit leaders are also keen on following him into the Jana Sena.

Similarly, Pawan also is holding sway in Guntur district. The joining of former assembly speaker Nadendla Manohar has given a big boost to Jana Sena Party.

According to party sources, former minister and Prathipadu MLA Ravela Kishore Babu and Guntur West MLA Modugula Venugopal Reddy also might join the Jana Sena shortly.

Ravela, who has been sulking ever since he was dropped from the state cabinet last year, has been raising his voice against the TDP and has been participating in anti-government demonstrations since then.

On Monday, Ravela was assaulted by a group of TDP workers in Mutluru in Guntur district, where he was holding a meeting with Dalits.

May be he will announce his plan of action in a day or two.

Click Here for Latest Direct-to-OTT Releases (List Updates Daily)The Trump administration formally launched trade talks with the European Union, Britain and Japan on Tuesday as the president looks to expand his "America First" trade policy.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer sent Congress three letters Tuesday notifying lawmakers that Trump and his team are going to negotiate trade deals with those governments. The move was widely expected - Trump has been discussing trade with EU, British and Japanese leaders for months. But giving notice to Congress signals an intent to make wide-ranging free-trade agreements with those countries and a commitment to keep pursuing deals around the globe even as Trump escalates his fight with China.

The aim is to "address both tariff and non-tariff barriers to achieve fairer, more balanced trade," Lighthizer said in the letter.

Trump says that the United States has been taken advantage of by its trading partners and that tough tactics, including tariffs, will bring other nations to the negotiating table. He has been emboldened to continue his trade agenda and tactics after finalizing a new trade agreement with Canada and Mexico last month.

If Trump can reach a deal with Japan, it would mark the first free-trade deal between the world's first- and third-largest economies. Under President Barack Obama, Japan and the United States attempted to finalize the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, but Trump pulled the United States out of the TPP in his first week in office. Japan agreed to commence talks for a bilateral trade deal with the United States at the end of September.

Obama also tried to finish a major trade deal with the EU before leaving office, but both sides were not able to complete it. U.S. trade with the EU supports 2.6 million American jobs, according to the Commerce Department.

Trump has slapped tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the EU, Britain and Japan and has threatened to put tariffs on car imports. Germany and Japan are both major players in the U.S. auto market.

Trump says he is using the tariffs to get leverage in the trade negotiations, but the affected nations see them as an affront to their long friendship with the United States. French President Emmanuel Macron went as far as to say Europe will not negotiate "with a gun at our head."

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross met with European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom this week as the two sides try to advance trade talks.

The Constitution gives Congress oversight over trade, but lawmakers typically delegate the negotiation of the details of a trade agreement to the president and his top officials. Any deal would ultimately need the approval of Congress. Top Republican lawmakers, who have generally supported free trade and shown frustration with Trump's tariffs, praised this latest move.

"New, ambitious, and high-standard trade agreements with each of these economies would expand our ability to sell 'made in America' products around the globe and deepen our partnership with these close trading partners and vital allies," Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said in a statement.After incurring a $100,000 fine from state regulators last month, a Milford man was arrested Monday and charged with stealing $60,000 that had been placed with him for investment by an elderly victim.

Christopher J. Sakelarakis 34, entered a plea of not guilty on fraud and money laundering charges brought by the office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, with the Wilton and Greenwich police departments having assisted in the investigation. He was released on $60,000 bond.STORRS  Former FBI Director James Comey, greeted like a conquering hero on the UConn campus Monday night, said that when President Donald Trump fired him last year, he felt as if he had been pushed off a speeding train.

But after the shock of watching the TV announcement in the Los Angeles bureau of the FBI, and flying back East in an agency airplane  sipping wine from a paper cup  Comey said that his saving grace was a set of core values.

He warned that Trump is a threat, a literal forest fire, which, fortunately, is sowing seeds for the future in the scorched earth.

I already see growth in this country, Comey, 57, said, detailing the increasing interest in public policy, from young people to veterans. But he warned that most Americans are still not engaged.

This isnt about taxes, or immigration, its about the values of the United States, he said.

During a sometimes humorous half-hour monologue, then a 45-minute conversation with UConn President Susan Herbst before more than 2,000 students, faculty and guests in the Jorgensen Auditorium, Comey  at 6 feet 8 inches a self-described giraffe warned that unfulfilled potential is a trap for many people, but true leaders help others realize their best.

The privately funded annual Edmund Fusco Contemporary Issues Forum paid Comey, who teaches this year at his alma mater, The College of William and Mary, $100,000 for the appearance.

Comey said that Trump was different in one important way from the two other presidents for whom he worked: George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

I have never seen President Trump laugh, said Comey, a former Westport resident and lead attorney for the Bridgewater hedge fund there. Laughter requires a balance of confidence and humility. It requires an admission. The insecure cant do it.

Comeys best-selling memoir, A Higher Loyalty, which blew the lid off his relationship with Trump, put Comey in a new place.

I never wanted to be an unemployed celebrity, he quipped.

He saved his animus for the national gun debate, which he said is being used as a political tool. He recalled living in Connecticut at the time of the Sandy Hook School massacre.

Ethical leadership isnt about decisions, Comey said. Its about the way we make decisions.

A few days after he was terminated in May 2017, he said he realized that in the future he had to help make good to follow bad. He boils down ethical leadership to four traits: kind and tough, confident and humble.

Visiting the Los Angeles field office minutes before he watched his own firing on live on TV, Comey said that at that moment he felt tremendous job security. The audience laughed. I know it sounds nuts.

Comey said that Trump tried to pull him closer, but he pushed away.

We need to be in the executive branch, but never entirely of the executive branch, he said, harkening back to the Watergate scandal that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. When Trump had him for dinner in the White House, and asked for his personal support, It was clear to me that he didnt know anything about loyalty.GREENWICH  A judge ruled Monday that the young woman at the heart of a lawsuit against Brunswick School over its handling of an alleged sexual abuse in 2016 can maintain her anonymity as the court case proceeds.

In addition, Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis said she would not issue a cautionary order that would prohibit the lawyers involved in the case from speaking about it in the media, though she said that was not the final word on the matter. The judge said the anonymous Jane Doe classification could continue, while the issue could be revisited at anytime.

The judge issued her rulings during a hearing in state Superior Court in Bridgeport.

A lawsuit filed by the young woman and her family against the Brunswick administration claims its handling of the matter inflicted emotional distress on the then-16-year-old girl.

Another lawsuit is pending against the Greenwich Police Department, claiming it improperly handled an accusation that a Brunswick student sexually assaulted the young woman at a 2016 pool party at her home.

A lawyer for Brunswick, James Sconzo, maintained it was improper for the womans family and her lawyer to speak about the case in the media. He filed a motion last week arguing the young womans anonymity should not continue if there were more public statements from the plaintiffs.

If you choose to travel through the system anonymously, you then give up the right to go out into the news media, Sconzo argued Monday.

The lawyer said he found it to be a conflict that the young woman is under duress, as the lawsuit stated, yet her father is out in the press.

Meredith Braxton, the lawyer representing the young womans family suing Brunswick, said attempted muzzling of her or her clients was a way of asking plaintiffs to shut up.

She said her First Amendment rights were also at issue. The statements that were cited ... that we want a safe community where young women should have access to justice - why should I be prevented from saying that? Thats my First Amendment right to say that.

Braxton added, We did not access publicity or court publicity, the press came to us.

Braxton also cited longstanding tradition at state agencies and police departments. Connecticut has a public policy of not identifying sexual assault victims, she said.

She also noted that the request for a motion to quell pre-trial publicity came very early in the process. Their main argument is its poisoning the jury pool  were not even in discovery yet, she added.

The lawsuit states a Brunswick student forced himself on the young woman inside the pool house, pulling her clothing down and placing his hands on her genital area as she struggled to break free. The girl was a Greenwich Academy student, and later came across the alleged perpetrator. The two schools have shared classes and social events. The lawsuit says the school should have done more to ensure the young woman did not cross paths with the Brunswick student.

rmarchant@greenwichtime.comGREENWICH  Everyone has a complaint about traffic  from delays on I-95 and the Merritt to backups in central Greenwich. But as the Western Connecticut Council of Governments begins to work on an updated transportation plan for the region, its calls for input are going unheeded.

The plan is important: All transportation projects that receive federal funding must be included in or consistent with the plan, which will be finalized by spring.

The council wants to involve as many people as possible in developing the plan, Executive Director Francis Pickering said Monday night at the Greenwich meeting.

We really want to hear from the public, Pickering said. Unfortunately, it can be hard to turn the public out when youre talking about a long-term plan because its not tangible.  We want to have a conversation with the public so they actually inform whats in the plan upfront. We want the public to drive this process.

No one attended the councils public meetings on the plan held Monday in Greenwich and Stamford, but there is still time to give input. Meetings are scheduled in all the 18 municipalities that make up the council. If residents want to voice their views on what is needed in Greenwich, the council said it will set up another meeting in town.

Residents are more likely to turn out for an immediate plan in a specific neighborhood, he said. But with a long-term plan, its harder for residents to understand how it will affect them directly, Pickering said.

Ideas under consideration include widening of I-95, changing the Merritt Parkway, adjusting service on Metro-North trains and local buses, installing more bicycle routes and sidewalks, and improving access to Westchester County Airport, he said.

Anything you can imagine transportation-wise, except for air and boat, will be in this plan, Pickering said. Its a regional plan so we wont necessarily drill down to the neighborhood level, but there might be spot improvements like adding a turning lane at an intersection and replacing traffic signals.

The plan will look at all surface transportation, which includes cars, buses, trains, bicycles and even pedestrians, he said. The overall goal is to develop a vision for what the regions transportation system of the future will look like.

We dont have a crystal ball, Pickering said. Many things have changed over the last 30 years. Thirty years ago, no one conceived of smartphones, let alone Lyft and Uber, and how much online shopping could be at the scale its at now. This is having significant changes on our travel patterns.

Residents can send input to the council via email at plan@westcog.org. Project updates and more information can be found online at www.plan.westcog.org, along with a schedule for future meetings.

Were looking for: what peoples experience is with the current transportation system, said Kristin Hadjstylianos, senior planner with the council. Thar way we can better understand the challenges they face and what improvements they want to see in the future.

Pickering said if people want more parking at train stations? Or more places to walk? What about more early-morning trains or better access to the airport? Thats the type of information the council wants to hear, said Kristin Floberg, the councils associate planner.

The plans last update had a much more suburban focus, Pickering said. With the development happening in cities such as Stamford, there will now be more of an urban focus, he said.

The Western Connecticut Council of Governments is made up of 18 municipalities, including Greenwich. One of its responsibilities is transportation planning. To use federal funds for any of the transportation projects, Pickering said, the federal government requires the plan to be updated and to look forward 30 years.

The plans we have are due for updates, he said. They are historic plans, and ... theres a lot more emphasis now on performance measures and data-driven policy-making. ... To optimize our investments in transportation, we need to use data and figure out how to spend money in the most judicious way possible and bring in the greatest return in investment.

To do this, Pickering said, the existing plan needs an overhaul to be compliant with the new federal standards. The plan needs information on the conditions of roads, bridges, and train and bus routes as well as data on traffic congestion and safety.

The public comment phase is just part of the overall process. The plan will be drafted through the fall, and it will be shared with the public for an up to 45-day public comment period in the winter. It should be up for final approval in spring 2019.

Once the plans text is complete, it must be approved by the municipalities in the Western Connecticut Council of Governments and then sent for final approval by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Any project that is federally funded must either be in the plan or consistent with the plan, Pickering said. If a major project is not in there, it may not be able to be funded unless the plan is amended at a future point. Its really critical that we reach out to as many stakeholders as possible, including the public.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.comWASHINGTON - Sen. Elizabeth Warren's decision to release a DNA test verifying a claim to (very distant) Native American heritage was always a strategy of necessity rather than choice. This claim dogged Warren in her first Senate campaign in 2012, and regardless of the appropriateness of President Trump's "Pocahontas" attacks on her, it very much threatens to be a liability if the Massachusetts Democrat runs for president in 2020.

Now the gambit seems to have backfired with some prominent Native Americans - most notably the Cherokee Nation. And that group's response is particularly important when you consider this: Six years ago, it gave Warren a pass.

The Cherokee Nation's secretary of state, Chuck Hoskin Jr., released a blistering statement Monday in response to the test showing Warren was between 1/64th and 1/1,024th Native American:

Trump played up the statement in a tweet Tuesday morning: "A DNA test is useless to determine tribal citizenship. Current DNA tests do not even distinguish whether a person's ancestors were indigenous to North or South America. Sovereign tribal nations set their own legal requirements for citizenship, and while DNA tests can be used to determine lineage, such as paternity to an individual, it is not evidence for tribal affiliation. Using a DNA test to lay claim to any connection to the Cherokee Nation or any tribal nation, even vaguely, is inappropriate and wrong. It makes a mockery out of DNA tests and its legitimate uses while also dishonoring legitimate tribal governments and their citizens, whose ancestors are well documented and whose heritage is proven. Senator Warren is undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage."

Trump played up the statement in a tweet Tuesday morning: "Thank you to the Cherokee Nation for revealing that Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, is a complete and total Fraud!"

However you feel about Trump's rhetoric or Warren's claims, the rebuke is a significant political moment. This is the very nation to which Warren claims a connection saying that she is "undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage." They're effectively saying her claims and efforts to prove her heritage are no longer helpful and even harmful. Individual Native Americans have denounced Warren before; now the Cherokee Nation has taken a pretty firm stand against her, thanks to the DNA test.

And just as important as the tone of the statement is its trajectory - something of a reversal of course for the Nation, which back in 2012 declined to criticize Warren and even defended her.

In an interview at the time, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker said of the controversy that Warren "never claimed to be a member of the Cherokee Nation" and only claimed Native ancestors. "I wish every congressman and senator in the U.S. had a kinship or felt a kinship to the Cherokee Nation," Baker said. Baker was also often cited by Warren's supporters, given his on limited Native Cherokee ancestry. He is 1/32nd Cherokee.

The Cherokee Nation otherwise didn't weigh in on Warren's claim.

The nation did rebuke one candidate in that 2012 race, but it was then-Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., rather than Warren. After Brown staffers and supporters were caught on camera making war whoop chants and doing the tomahawk chop, Baker took issue with Brown's lackluster response.

"The Cherokee Nation is disappointed in and denounces the disrespectful actions of staffers and supporters of Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown," Baker said. "The use of stereotypical 'war whoop chants' and 'tomahawk chops' are offensive and downright racist. It is those types of actions that perpetuate negative stereotypes and continue to minimize and degrade all native peoples."

" . . . I call upon Sen. Brown to apologize for the offensive actions of his staff and their uneducated, unenlightened and racist portrayal of native peoples."

It's one thing for Warren to lend some credence and proof to her ancestry claim; it's another for that claim to be judged sufficient for Warren to use it in a professional setting. The Cherokee Nation's statement and the reactions of other Native Americans suggest they're unwilling to accept the latter.

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Video: President Trump on Oct. 15 said he did not owe $1 million to a charity of Sen. Elizabeth Warren's (D-Mass.) choice because he did not 'personally' test her DNA.(The Washington Post)

Embed code:Federal health officials are worried about an increase in a mysterious and rare condition that mostly affects children and can paralyze arms and legs, with 127 confirmed or suspected cases reported as of Tuesday.

Of those, 62 cases of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, have been confirmed in 22 states, according to Nancy Messonnier, a top official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 90 percent of the confirmed cases have been in children 18 and younger, with the average age being 4 years old.

The surge in cases has baffled health officials, who on Tuesday took the unusual step of announcing a change in the way the agency will count cases in the future. They also wanted to raise awareness about the frightening condition so parents can seek medical care if their child develops symptoms, and so reports of the illness can be quickly relayed back to the CDC.

"We understand that people, particularly parents, are concerned about AFM," said Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Despite extensive laboratory and other testing, CDC has not been able to find the cause for the majority of the cases. "There is a lot we don't know about AFM, and I am frustrated that despite all of our efforts, we haven't been able to identify the cause of this mystery illness."

The increase in cases has been happening since 2014, usually in August and September, but only in 2014 and 2016, Messonnier said in a news briefing with reporters. The CDC knows of one child who died with the disorder in 2017.

Since officials have been unable so far to determine how the disease spreads, they are starting to count suspected cases as well as confirmed to better anticipate increases in confirmed cases over the coming months, she said.

There is no specific treatment for the disorder, and long-term outcomes are unknown. The rare but serious disorder affects a person's nervous system, specifically the spinal cord. Neurological conditions like it have a variety of causes, such as viruses, environmental toxins and genetic disorders.

Among the cases under investigation are five reported to Maryland health officials in recent weeks, a health department spokeswoman said Tuesday. Maryland's first case was reported Sept. 21. No known cases have been reported in Virginia or the District this year, but there were three confirmed cases in Virginia in 2016, health department officials said.

"We know this can be frightening for parents, and I know many parents want to know what signs and symptoms they should be looking out for in their children," Messonnier said. Parents should seek medical care right away if their child develops sudden weakness or loss of muscle tone in the arms and legs.

Some patients diagnosed with this condition have recovered quickly, but some continue to have paralysis and require ongoing care, she said.

CDC began tracking the condition in 2014, when there were 120 confirmed cases. Then in 2016, there were 149 confirmed cases. Officials said it's too early to know whether the total for 2018 will surpass those previous years. But the data reported Tuesday represents "a substantially larger number than in previous months this year," Messonnier said.

She said it was important for parents and clinicians to remember that this is a rare condition, affecting less than 1 in 1 million people under 18. "As a parent myself, I understand what it's like to be scared for your child," she said. "Parents need to know that AFM is rare even with the increase in cases we are seeing now."

Still, because this is a "pretty dramatic disease," Messonnier said health officials want to raise awareness about the symptoms to make sure parents seek medical care immediately if their children show a sudden onset of weakness in their arms and legs.

The agency knows that poliovirus is not the cause of these cases, because CDC has tested every single stool specimen from patients, and none have tested positive for poliovirus. Messonnier said West Nile virus, which had been listed as a possible cause on CDC's website, is not causing the illnesses.

In some individuals, health officials have determined that the condition was from infection with a type of virus that causes severe respiratory illness.

So far, the CDC has found no relationship between vaccines and children diagnosed with AFM from the 2014 cases. Officials will be conducting additional analysis on this year's cases. "Our medical team has been reviewing vaccine records when available during this year's investigation and do not see a correlation," said CDC spokeswoman Kristen Nordlund. The disorder has been diagnosed in children who have received some of their recommended vaccinations and in unvaccinated children, she said.

The agency doesn't know who may be at higher risk for developing this condition or the reasons they may be at higher risk. CDC has tested many different specimens from patients with this condition for a wide variety of pathogens, or germs, that can cause AFM. But so far, no pathogen has been consistently detected in the patients' spinal fluid.

Parents can best protect their children from serious diseases by taking prevention steps, such as washing their hands, staying up to date on recommended vaccines and using insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites, Messonnier said.

There is no specific treatment for AFM, but neurologists who specialize in treating brain and spinal cord illnesses may recommend certain interventions, such as physical or occupational therapy, on a case-by-case basis.

Benjamin Greenberg, a neurologist who has treated children with AFM at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, said AFM is "exquisitely rare." But, if their child is diagnosed, parents should prepare for extensive physical therapy - therapy that isn't always covered by insurance, he said. Some children paralyzed by AFM have eventually regained their ability to walk, but need time.

"Families really sticking with it are seeing slow but steady recovery," he said.

CDC is not releasing a list of the 22 states with confirmed and suspected cases because of privacy issues. But some state health departments have been making public their reported cases. States are not required to provide this information to CDC, but they have been voluntarily reporting their data.

- - -

The Washington Post's Dana Hedgpeth and Justin Wm. Moyer contributed to this article.MILWAUKEE - Five years ago, if you made a list of Democratic surrogates that candidates in purple states such as Wisconsin would want to campaign with, Kathleen Sebelius's name would not appear. The botched rollout of Obamacare made her politically toxic, and she took the fall as the Obama administration's scapegoat for the early problems with Healthcare.gov.

But fortunes change in politics. A law that cost scores of Democratic lawmakers their seats over four election cycles is now widely seen as an asset. And the former secretary of health and human services was welcomed to the campaign trail on Monday with open arms by Tony Evers, the Democrat challenging Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wis., in one of the hardest fought contests of 2018.

Sebelius reminded a group of Democratic volunteers at a field office of what Sarah Palin used to say about her. "I was going to run the death panels - choosing who got to live or die. That was me," she quipped. "There were lots of accusations. . . . Yada, Yada, Yada. None of which turned out to be true."

The former governor of Kansas said she's campaigning for multiple Democratic gubernatorial candidates this fall, including Laura Kelly in her home state and Richard Cordray in Ohio. She added that she's also done "some remote advising" for Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan and called Stacey Abrams in Georgia a good friend. "My eye is on governors," said Sebelius.

Her ability to go to states like these puts in stark relief how much Democrats have become emboldened to play offense on Obamacare. "It is nice to know that health care is now probably the top issue in the 2018 election, and people finally understand that it's a right that people have access to health care in this country," said Sebelius. "It does make me a little bit unhappy to watch people who have tried for eight years to do anything they could to kill the law now claim to be big supporters."

Feeling vindicated, the 70-year-old was clearly pleased to be on the stump defending her own legacy and relished going on the attack against Walker for, as she put it, "playing politics with people's lives."

"When President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act in 2010, we knew there would be a problem between the time the law was signed and the time that the full benefits started to roll, which was January 2014," said Sebelius. "So there were almost four years, and those four years were pretty deadly [politically] because all kinds of assertions were made. What we have right now are . . . about 22 million Americans who have health coverage [and] who now say, 'Wait a minute! You're not going to take my insurance away. You're talking about me, or my child, or my aunt or my brother. Everybody now has a very personal connection to the benefits that are finally in place."

Sebelius' focus during her stops in Milwaukee and Madison was the pending lawsuit by states, including Wisconsin, that challenges the constitutionality of Obamacare. Democrats say that, if the litigation succeeds, the entire law - including the popular requirement that insurance companies must cover people with preexisting conditions - would get struck down. The airwaves are full of attack ads accusing Walker of wanting to take away coverage from people with preexisting conditions.

In an interview Monday afternoon after a campaign stop at a manufacturing plant on the outskirts of town, Walker blasted Sebelius and promised he will make sure people with preexisting conditions are still protected if the law got struck down. He noted that she was among the Obama administration officials who promised people would be able to keep their doctors if they liked them. "It's only fitting that they would bring her in to lie about our record here," said Walker. "My wife is a Type 1 diabetic. My mother is a survivor of breast cancer. My brother has a heart condition. Like a lot of families in Wisconsin, it's personal to me."

The governor said Obamacare is still "a huge mess," and that you can keep some of the good parts but still get rid of most of the law. Walker mostly focuses his stump speech on highlighting the low unemployment rate, which he calls "the Wisconsin comeback." He warns that Democrats would raise taxes if they regain power and restore the union power he rolled back in a way that would make the state less economically competitive. "They want you to be distracted by that [preexisting conditions] debate," Walker said during his event in Milwaukee. "They want to talk about that because they want you to ignore the failure of Obamacare. Particularly if you're a small-business owner or a family farmer or anyone buying your health insurance on the individual market, Obamacare has failed you."

Walker spent Monday crisscrossing Wisconsin with another former HHS secretary, Tommy Thompson, who is better remembered locally for his 14 years as governor. In a brief interview, Thompson said it was always inevitable that public attitudes about the law would "moderate" over time. "It always does," said Thompson, 76. "There were some good things in Obamacare. There were some bad things. The problem was it was just a partisan bill. I'm not blaming either party. . . . If you look back in history, when you have big moments in society, it's always best done in a bipartisan way: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, workers comp." Thompson predicted that political pressure might mount next year for a bipartisan bill to improve the existing law. "Hopefully now, after this election, both political parties can come together and come up with a better health-care bill."

The airwaves here are full of commercials hammering Walker on this specific issue. The latest went up Monday from A Stronger Wisconsin, an outside group funded by the Democratic Governors Association:

Walker's impulse has been to not let these hits go unanswered. He responded yesterday by recording a straight-to-camera video on his campaign bus and posting it to Twitter, in which he promises to "always" cover preexisting conditions. His running mate, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, talks about her own battle with cancer in another response ad. A Republican state representative, Mary Felzkowski, says in a separate ad that she's been diagnosed with breast cancer twice and accuses Democrats of playing politics with health care.

Some of the Democratic rhetoric has grown quite hyperbolic. "The governor wants to get rid of your health care. That's what this all comes down to," said Mandela Barnes, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, as he introduced Sebelius. "We know we've been right on this issue for a very long time. Gov. Walker hasn't seen the light. He's seen poll numbers."

A Marquette University Law School poll released last week underscored why Democrats have zeroed in on preexisting conditions. The survey found the governor's race neck-and-neck, with Walker at 47 percent and Evers at 46 percent. Fifty percent said they would like to see the Affordable Care Act remain in place, while 44 percent would like it repealed. But 78 percent said the ACA's requirement that preexisting conditions should be covered by insurance companies is "very important" to them. Another 15 percent said it's "somewhat" important. Only 5 percent said it's not important. Even two-thirds of the people who still want to repeal Obamacare say forcing insurance companies to cover preexisting conditions is "very important" to them.

But there's also widespread agreement that the status quo is not good. Only 4 percent of respondents said the ACA should be kept as it is, while 55 percent favor making improvements to the law. Another 25 percent endorse the idea of "repeal and replace," but only 10 percent want to repeal Obamacare without a replacement. On a separate question, half of those polled said they would favor a "Medicare-for-all," single-payer government plan, while 41 percent oppose such an approach.

An NBC-Marist survey, also published last week, put Evers ahead of Walker by 10 points among likely voters, 53 percent to 43 percent. In that poll, 27 percent of voters picked health care as the issue that will determine their vote - edging out the 26 percent who named jobs and the economy.

Walker promised that, if the lawsuit he greenlighted succeeds, he will immediately call a special session and prod the state legislature to come up with a solution. "For us, still we believe we're better off making those decisions at the state level," he explained in the interview. "That's what the lawsuit allows us to do if we're successful. Every credible observer knows any action by the courts or the Congress isn't going to happen until next year. So we'd have plenty of time not only on preexisting conditions but anything else to set up the kind of plan we want to have in Wisconsin. This is just a huge excuse for them to make a false claim. . . . I could be the inventor of covering preexisting conditions, and they would still claim I wasn't."

- - -

The Washington Post's Breanne Deppisch and Joanie Greve contributed to this story.The caffeine flowed freely, and so did conversations by dozens of coffee entrepreneurs -- who perhaps talked a tad faster than normal -- at the fourth annual New York Coffee Festival in Manhattan this past weekend.

Featured at the event were booths for espresso machines, French presses and eco-friendly coffee cups, plus free tastings of every flavor of roasted bean imaginable -- as well as latte design demonstrations, and even coffee bean-inspired jewelry from the Czech Republic.

Related: How This Coffee Startup Rocketed to National Retail Within a Few Months of Its Launch

There was also one especially popular booth inviting coffee aficionados to swap out the simple syrup in their morning joe for syrup infused with CBD (the cannabis compound cannabidiol) -- something thats now legal in multiple states.

These are the people that are genuinely obsessed by coffee, Jeffrey Young said in an interview. Hes the Australian-born founder and CEO of London-based Allegra Group, which puts on the festival in Manhattan and next month will launch a West Coast version, in Los Angeles, starting Nov. 9.

Young glanced happily back over his shoulder at the jam-packed Metropolitan Pavilion event space (with a line outside of still more attendees waiting to get in). Based on registrations, Young said he expected a total of 12,000 to 14,000 visitors over three days. These coffee devotees had come to hobnob with about 100 vendors plus their guest vendors, who included some 200 different roasting companies, Young said.

Its a passion for them, Young said of the festival-goers sipping free lattes and nibbling pastries across the Pavilions huge expanse, or wandering upstairs to hear coffee lectures. Somehow they like the personality of coffee, whatever that means. Its very personal to them.

And its not just about coffee itself," he continued. "Its about coffee spaces, about the community that coffee brings.

Related: How This Woman Perked Up Her Family's Coffee Business and Jolted Sales by 300 Percent

And the entrepreneurs? That room is full of entrepreneurs, Young confirmed. These are the young coffee entrepreneurs building their businesses, some of them growing very, very rapidly. And theres a few big businesses in there, like Breville, [and other] coffee equipment companies. But underlying this is, its a very entrepreneurial marketplace.

To underscore that point, Young described the flurry of acquisitions that has occurred in the industry this year. JAB Holding Co., a privately held company, really set the tone for acquisitions in this market, Young said. Youve seen Nestle acquire [a majority stake in] Blue Bottle Coffee this year; and, local here to New York, a business created here in New York and spreading all over the country is Bluestone Lane. Theyre being invested in by Stephen Ross, the billionaire chairman of Related Cos.

In recent years, Young added, JAB acquired Stumptown Coffee Roasters, as well as Peets Coffee, and took a majority stake in Pret a Manger last year. JAB further led the group of investors that acquired Keurig Green Mountain. And this year, JAB was also reported to be interested in the Italian chain Illycaffe SpA (Nestle reportedly was, too); Coca-Cola, meanwhile, invested in Costa Coffee.

What these beverage companies have realized is that coffee is the most exciting beverage at the moment, Young said. As a result, Entrepreneurs are seeing these [high] valuations out there in the marketplace; and theres a lot of interest in investment in the small boutique coffee chains.

A stroll through the Pavilion reflected Youngs assessment, as various entrepreneurs spoke with enthusiasm about their caffeine-fueled passion:

Azuca

In an interview, Eben Freeman, executive product development director, was bullish about his Massachusetts-based companys CBD-infused simple syrup. It solves most of the problems you have with CBD oils or edibles, Freeman said of the syrup. Thats good, he explained, because, in a word, CBDs natural flavor tastes like  cabbage.

What makes Azucas line of sweeteners, which will be available online this week and are already sold in some outlets (including company owner Ron Silvers Bubbys restaurants, in New York) special is their absence of terpenes. Terpenes are the hydrocarbons that give CBD products their bad smell.

Image credit: Azuca

When you put [the product] into dilution, a cup of coffee, you really dont taste it at all, Freeman claimed.

CBD, for those not in the know, has been credited with helping people combat depression, anxiety and chronic pain. It lacks the cannabis ingredient THC and so produces no high.

Azucas CBD syrup is sold in bottles, whose smaller version offers four servings -- each with 10 milligrams of CBD -- priced at $18. You can put it into your coffee in the morning, into your tea in the afternoon or your cocktail at the end of the night, Young said.

Biohazard Coffee

Kelly Driscoll, marketing director of the two-year-old company Biohazard Coffee, frequently had to step aside at her companys booth to allow her colleague Patch to pose for selfies being taken by visitors eager to be seen with him, because he was attired in a biohazard suit and mask.

The stunt was related to the companys name, which Driscoll explained stems from the coffees 928 kilograms of caffeine for 12 fluid ounces. That makes it three to four times the amount of caffeine youll find in normal barista-made coffee, she said.

The company prides itself on not adding anything to the raw coffee and on using 100 percent robust beans which, Driscoll said, strips away the beans natural bitterness. For me personally, I drink three or four cups of coffee a day, Driscoll said. So, instead of having three to four cups a day, I have one in the morning and Im good to go.

In the U.S. were by far the strongest coffee, Driscoll continued, while acknowledging that a competitor could beat Biohazard at its own game. Thats the thing with highly caffeinated coffees, she said. Someone could always come out with something stronger.

Breville

My name means to be calm, which Im not, declared Rachael Calmas, referring to her career as a publicist who promotes a company making espresso machines. Specifically, Calmas works for the Australian food equipment company Breville, whose U.S. headquarters, for 15 years, has been in Torrance, Calif.

The companys focus is on kitchen machines for the home market -- such as wood fired pizza ovens -- as well as espresso machines for coffee-adoring Americans.

Some of those stainless steel works of art were on display at the Coffee Festival. Brevilles most recent machines, the Oracle Touch and Barista Touch (both automatic and manual), each won a Best New Product award at the Specialty Coffee Association Expo.

Coming out next month is Brevilles newest machine, the Bambino-Plus, a $500 mini espresso machine. Its joining a crowded market -- one, Calmas said, that boasts machines that are beautiful statement pieces for your kitchen counter, as well as machines for the smart home category, where you have a phone [and tell it] Make my coffee before I get out of bed.

The real key to a good espresso? Not just a fancy machine, Calmas acknowledged, but the right texture of milk" -- and thats not easy to get every time. Honestly, she added, the highest-fat whole milk is going to give you the best quality.

Ecoffee Cup

David McLagan, founder and CEO, explained how he founded Ecoffee Cup, an eco-cup company, back in 2014, when we found out that over 100 billion single use cups go to landfills.

His company is English and Dutch, and based in London and Amsterdam, but its establishing a U.S. foothold, in Brooklyn, N.Y., soon.

The companys eco-cups -- which come in 100 different designs and four different sizes -- are made from a composite of bamboo fiber, cornstarch and resin. The cups offer the same durability as ceramic and also the ability to hold temperatures stable for 45 minutes. The $11.76 cups are phthalate-free.

Cafes, McLagan said, are willing to put their coffee in customers own eco cups; Starbucks gives a 10 cent discount.

Interestingly, Ecoffees website boasts the relatively new extension eco on its name. Companies have to apply for the honor of using that eco extension by providing an impact statement and environmental credentials.

At the festival overall, environmentalism was a concern voiced not only by Ecoffee Cup but by Project Water Fall, a British nonprofit whose mission is to bring clean, safe drinking water, sanitation and education to coffee growing communities

The Northeast Recreational Coffee Association

Latte artists -- the folks who put those cool cinnamon designs on your latte foam -- have the souls of entrepreneurs in that theyre out to push the envelope and throw their heart into their work.

The Association holds a monthly New York-based throwdown among baristas, and is part of a wave of such competitions nationwide, said organizer Lanny Huang.

Huang equivated latte art to plating a dish meaning the art upscale restaurants engage in to create a beautiful dinner plate. Latte art is pouring a design over a latte, and the skills involved have a lot to do with texturing whole milk correctly, he said.

Basically, latte art has grown and specialty coffee has grown because its kind of a signature of elevating the coffee experience, Huang said, pointing out the La Marzocco espresso machine behind him. As a matter of fact, that company thought enough of the Associations efforts to sponsor its festival booth.

Related: These Entrepreneur Brothers Ditched Coffee for Matcha and Built a Multimillion-Dollar Drink Brand

You generally wont find good coffee served without latte art on top, Huang declared.

Related:

These Entrepreneurs Were Even More Energetic Than Usual: They Were at the New York Coffee Festival!

Stirring a Storm with Cold Brew



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reservedPresident Donald Trump has topped $100 million in fundraising for his 2020 reelection bid - an enormous haul for a president barely two years into his first term, according to new figures reported by his 2020 campaign.

Trump pulled in more than $18 million last quarter through his campaign committee and two joint fundraising committees with the Republican National Committee, for a total of at least $106 million since January 2017, according to his campaign and federal filings.

His reelection committee entered October with a stockpile of more than $35 million, the campaign said.

The figures are expected to be reported in new Federal Election Commission records due to be filed Monday night.

No other president dating back to at least Ronald Reagan had raised as much money as Trump at this point in his first term, according to the Campaign Finance Institute, a nonpartisan research group.

Unlike his predecessors, Trump began fundraising for his reelection shortly after his 2016 win.

Trump continues to be buoyed by an avid small donor base. According to his campaign, 98 percent of the total raised last quarter came from donations of $200 or less.

Despite his haul, Trump was not the biggest fundraiser last quarter. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, the Democratic challenger to GOP incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas, reportedly raised more than twice as much, pulling in $38.1 million - a new quarterly fundraising record for a Senate campaign.

Lara Trump, senior adviser to the Trump campaign, said in a statement that the campaign hopes to see its grass-roots supporters "and millions more like them to get out and vote in the midterms so President Trump can continue to build on his agenda with even greater success for the forgotten men and women of this great country."An idyllic home off Route 123 in New Canaan, this 51-year-old masterpiece offers an open floor plan to enjoy living and entertaining with every detail thoughtfully considered.

Loaded with home improvements and renovations done in the last few years, the colonial on 1.29 acres is hard not to love. Its the home of Kelly Hennigan, who purchased it from foreclosure eight years ago. Since that time, Hennigan has updated almost the entire home from refinished hardwood floors in 2010 to fully gutting and remodeling the upstairs guest bedroom in 2012 to converting a seasonal sunroom to a four-season room with electric heat in 2014 to a new driveway with Belgium block in 2018.

Its very private and located at the end of a cul-de-sac, Hennigan said. The bones of the house were good, but it needed some updating and refreshing, and we did that.

Hennigan said her favorite part of the house  which has a lower level, main level and second floor  is the kitchen because the kitchen becomes the sunroom. Its really the gathering area when people visit. They gather in the kitchen and go into the sunroom. There is a backyard patio, Hennigan said, in which she has had more than 50 people attend parties.

To the left of the entryway on the main level is the formal living room with a wood-burning fireplace with marble surround. The room also has a piano. To the right of the entryway, Hennigan said, is a nice-sized dining room with large windows that have natural light coming through. Then, Hennigan said, is the kitchen.

The renovated gourmet eat-in kitchen has stainless steel appliances and, Hennigan said, has a cooktop and motion center faucet which I just love. There is also a center island and lighted display glass cabinetry. Four can sit comfortably at the kitchen table. There is also very large room in the kitchen that can seat eight, she said. Adjoining the kitchen is a half bathroom.

This level also features an oversized family room.

Its a large room in which the sun comes in, Hennigan said. It has large windows and decorative wood beams.

Details Address: 111 Glen Drive, New Canaan Price: $1.11 million Rooms: 10 Features: This colonial features a modern kitchen with top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances and it opens to a four-season sunroom. The house has a laundry list of recent home improvements, including to the upstairs guest bedroom and new driveway. Schools: East Elementary, Saxe Middle, and New Canaan High School. See More Collapse

The second level, she said, has four bedrooms including the master suite.

The master, which is about 250-square-feet, offers a nice-sized custom organized walk-in closet. The master bath is also attached to the master bedroom and has double sinks and marble countertops. There is also a glass-enclosed shower.

The other three bedrooms, Hennigan emphasized, are all well-proportioned with ample closet space. With older homes, you might think there are very small bedrooms and closets and that is not the case here.

The walk-out finished lower level boasts 690-square-feet of additional living space and includes an optional fifth bedroom.

Amenities include a grocery store, banking, a pharmacy, restaurant and the towns train station.

Listing agent: Susan Leone, Higgins Group/Christies International Real Estate, (203) 209-2075, susan@susanleone.com.ab@alishabrook.com

Often, first-time homebuyers dont even know the questions to ask. Thats why its so important to have a broker who can help first-time home buyers navigate the process.

Some frequently asked questions from first-time home buyers include dilemmas about schools, location, value and the condition of the house. Thats why having an experienced, licensed Realtor to help buyers sort through their options is so very important.Xiaomi's rumored Black Shark 2 is still a big mystery with only a couple of leaks to work with. Yet, the company is seemingly teasing an international release on its new global website and now we probably know when's the handset arriving.

What seems to be an official poster was just posted, revealing the announcement date of the handset - October 23 at 18:00 local time. Since the poster is in Chinese, we assume it will begin its global rollout from there.

However, we can't be absolutely sure of the legitimacy of the image and the fact that we still haven't heard anything solid from Xiaomi suggests that we probably shouldn't get overly excited just yet.

ViaSamsung launched its in-house chip business back in 2010, but it gained traction in recent years when the Exynos SoCs powered many of Samsung's handsets on the global market. The same goes for the ISOCELL CMOS camera sensors that make Galaxy flagships one of the best camera phones on the market. And today, the Korean giant announced that it's bringing Exynos and ISOCELL to the automotive industry.

How will Samsung's mobile technologies benefit today's car makers, you may ask. With the push for smarter and safer cars, the industry needs more advanced sensors and computational performance. Here's where Exynos Auto and ISOCELL Auto come into play.

In a blog post, Samsung briefly explains what the Exynos Auto chips and ISOCELL camera sensors are capable of. The Exynos Auto SoCs are tested in the harshest conditions making them extremely reliable. They are also grouped into three sub-categories - Exynos Auto V takes care of the in-vehicle infotainment system, Auto A is used for the advanced driver-assistance systems while the Auto T-series are used for the telematics.

The ISOCELL Auto sensors want to become your car's eyes. Samsung brings its a-game by implementing all the know-how from its ISOCELL cameras - the company promises that the ISOCELL Auto sensors are capable of capturing more details in the dark resulting in more precise object identification and better low-light visibility. Applications allow the vehicle to perceive potential road hazards even in tunnels and "other high-contrast environments."

The Exynos Auto and ISOCELL Auto products will be showcased during the International Suppliers Fair (IZB) in Wolfsburg, Germany on October 16.

SourceWith the Mi Mix 3 coming on October 25, the company started teasing the handset with a cryptic message. Two notebooks with 5G and 10G on their covers popped up on Weibo's official account hinting at a set of exciting features aside from the slide-out camera mechanism and the full-screen display.

It's fairly easy to guess what those refer to. 5G stands for the next-generation 5G cellular network while 10G could mean 10GB of RAM. The latter seems quite plausible but the 5G connectivity is a bit of a long stretch because we still don't have chips with proper modems available on the market that can support the new standard. Not to mention the lack of network infrastructure, although we have to start somewhere so why not here.

Then again, that tweet from last month serves as another confirmation about the Mi Mix 3 having 5G support. We wonder how Xiaomi will pull it off. Probably Qualcomm is ready to release its X24 and X50 modems or 5G and 10G mean something entirely different.

SourceHavre City Council President Andrew Brekke officially handed in his letter of resignation Monday during the council meeting in Havre City Hall.

Brekke told the council he is resigning because he is moving to another district and because state law dictates that council members must be a resident of the ward they are representing. The date of the resignation is left open, he said. Technically, he will be resigning from his seat 30 days after Nov. 1, which is his last day in his old home, but Monday he closed the deal on his new property.

"I appreciate my time," Brekke said, "I will just miss the 11-year mark and the final year of my third term. I've appreciated working with all of you and the staff and the constituents of Havre. I'm not going anywhere, just moving up the street and over a little ways."

Brekke said he will appear at the next two City Council meetings as needed.

The City Council will have to begin the process of finding a replacement for the seat. Mayor Tim Solomon said the item will be on the next meeting agenda. Solomon said that now there is an official vacancy, the council will recognize the vacancy and appoint a temporary president to take on the process of finding a new member. He added that the vacancy will be advertised for any one of interest to come forward. If the number of applicants is seven or greater it would be subject to an interview process and the applicant is required to have a council person recommendation, Solomon said.

Council member Caleb Hutchinson said whoever is selected for the position will serve out the rest of Brekke's term in City Council.

Director of Public Works Dave Peterson gave an update to the council on the Public Works Department.

Peterson said Public Works has completed a water line near First Street West and Sixth Avenue West, where erection of a Burger King is proposed. In 2001, he said, Public Works worked on the water line on First and Second streets, although due to budget restrictions at that time the line was not connected. Public Works has now completed the connection of the 8-inch water line, Peterson added, and if Burger King does build near that location it will give a better opportunity to connect to the water for the property without hooking up to the main transmission line.

Peterson said this is not a guarantee Burger King will be building, adding whoever decides build at that location will be able to hook up to the line. The system will also provide better flow in town, he added.

Vy Trinh of Meridian, the company planning to build a Burger King in Havre, said this morning the company plans on having the business open next year.

Peterson said the water tank at Legion Field project is also 50-75 percent complete with only a couple of weeks left to redo the interior of the tank. He added there will also be new valves installed on the tank.

Public Works is also still out paving and filling potholes, Peterson said, and will continue until Sand and Gravel, the city's supplier, stops producing asphalt for the fall.

Branches that were broken in the early October blizzard last year are still hanging on trees, he said, but Public Works is on track with Parks and Recreation to work to take care of the tree hangers, and work can still be done until the temperature gets too cold.

Peterson said the department has received a newer sewer vac truck to clean out all the storm drains and catch basins so they do not freeze during the winter.

He added that in the fall season the department is also running its street sweeper trucks to pick up the leaves on the streets.

"But just a reminder to, I guess, the public," Peterson said. " ... Don't put the leaves in the street for us to pick up, it's the responsibility of the property owners with the boulevards to bag the leaves and put them out for us to be able to pick up."

Bags of leaves should be left by a trash can, Peterson said, adding that if people should put their bags of leaves out before Oct. 31.

Joe Sarmiento spoke to the City Council during the public comment section of the meeting requesting the Zoning Board meet with he and his wife, Kerma Boyum, about opening an Airbnb. Sarmiento said Airbnb is where Uber was a few years ago in Montana and it is a viable alternative to hotels and motels.

Peterson said Sarmiento and Boyum can speak with him or Public Works Deputy Director Jeff Jensen for more information on how to pursue the idea.

The City Council passed a resolution to amended its 911 budget to account for a new state procedure where funds go directly to the city rather than the county before being distributed to the city.

The council also approved the appointment of Nate Baltrusch to the City-County Planning Board and approved the Independence Bank Pledged Securities for the quarter ending in Sept. 30.Havre Public Works Director Dave Peterson told the City Council Monday that the city has won its arbitration in the dispute over work on the Bullhook storm drain system under the city and the bonding company is planning how and when to resume work.

The city entered arbitration last spring with Kincaid Civil Construction out of Mesa, Arizona, the company that Havre awarded the contract to rehabilitate the drainage system that runs under the streets and even buildings of Havre.

Peterson said the arbitration came back in favor of the city, including the city receiving money for attorney fees, and Havre is now moving to next phase with Kincaids bonding company, Guaranteed Company of North America, taking over the project.

The remaining part of the project will not be taking funds from citys coffers, Peterson said.

He said the bonding company is now talking to the city attorney to explore its options and when work will resume on the project and when it will be complete is not set.

Bullhook drainage starts at Saddle Butte southwest of Havre and runs into the city near Havre High School on the south edge of Havre and meanders through the city. A few spots still are open, but most of the drainage has been covered by streets and buildings and dirt work over the last century.

The city grew up around the channel over the years, with some buildings erected right over the drainage, with concrete pipes and metal culverts in the ground to convey storm drainage.

The extent of deterioration of the system became evident in October 2013 when sections of street and sidewalk over the drainage began collapsing.

One of the first, a 10-foot-by 4-foot section of the street near Taco Treat on the 500 Block of Third Street collapsed Oct. 4, 2013.

After investigating, researching, planning and fund seeking for nearly three years, the city contracted with Kinkaid in August 2016 in a $1,972,503 contract, paid through a $500,000 grant from the Treasure State Endowment Program, a loan and city funds.

When Kinkaid did not meet its deadline in December 2016, it sought an extension, and the city then went into negotiations with the company until it entered arbitration this year.Students talk with business representatives Monday in the Armory Gymnasium. A wide variety of businesses met with potential employees at the Montana State University-Northern Fall Career Fair.

A myriad of employers filled Armory Gymnausium at Montana State University-Northern Monday and all seemed pleased with the student turnout.

About 36 employers came from across the nation Monday morning and were looking to fulfill open job positions or internships.

Ethan Partch and Brandy Tannahill, representatives for RD4Ag, said the career fair was going well for them and they received a lot of interest from students in Northern's College of Technical Sciences. Both Partch and Tannahill are Northern alumni.

"We decided it would be good to recruit from the program we're from," Tannahill said.

RD4Ag was founded in 1982 and is an independent, contract agriculture research organization, Partch said.

"It's similar to what's done at the Northern Ag Research Center here, but on a private basis," Tannahill added. "Our trials that we conduct are done typically for industry and are protected by non-disclosure agreement."

The Northern Agricultural Research Center at Fort Assinniboine southwest of Havre is part of the Montana State University College of Agriculture. It has been doing agricultural research since it was established by the Bozeman college in 1915.

Tannahill added the type of internships they are offering are well-suited for the ag operations technology program at Northern. Tannahill also said this was the first time that RD4Ag has attended the Career Fair, but they would definitely consider coming back again.

Chet Garrison of Titan Machinery said they had a lot of foot traffic at the Career Fair and met some interesting students. Garrison said they were previously in Bozeman for a career fair at Montana State University and that was a success for them as well.

Garrison said they would absolutely come back to Northern again and were talking with Mary Heller, director of the career center and industry relations, about coming back in November and doing an information session.

Titan Machinery is a full-service agriculture and construction equipment dealership and, Garrison said, are "the largest Case, Case International and New Holland Dealership in North America."

Marty Haflinger and Linda Boatman of Torgerson's said the career was going well for them.

Haflinger said Torgerson's has been sending representatives to the Northern career fair for years.

"We get a lot of student interest," he added. "We end up with a lot of good technicians."

"I like it because it's like a one-stop shop," Boatman said. "I can come here and recruit for all of our locations across Montana. I know that the quality coming out is very good."

Torgerson's was founded in 1912 in Ethridge, Montana and is an ag equipment dealership and also deals in production agriculture.

Craig Miller of BNSF Railway said they received a lot of interest at the career fair as well.

Miller said the company has regularly attended the career fair and likes the quality they get from Northern diesel graduates.

"The diesel program here is excellent," he said. "It's always nice to find good young recruits coming out of diesel with that four-year degree."

BNSF Railways has been in business for 160 years and has acquired almost 400 different railroad lines in that time.

Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson

Bryce Greg of Fairbanks-Morse said the career fair was very beneficial for the company.

"It's been pretty good," he said. "We're double-booked all afternoon for interviews. I should plan another day here."

Greg said he was a graduate of Northern and Fairbanks-Morse recruited from Northern heavily in the 1990s. Greg added he likes the students and faculty and likes that the company hires good, quality students. He also said most graduates they hire as technicians and "we put them right to work".

Fairbanks-Morse has been in business for 125 years and is part of Enpro Industries. The company specializes in engines and power systems. Greg said one of their main jobs is building diesel engines for the U.S. Navy.Press release

The quiet rustle of Montanas undisturbed wilderness invites hunters from far and near. Many hunters use this as time to enjoy the outdoors, spend time with family and friends, and fill their freezer for the upcoming year. But what happens when the animal is too large and the freezer is too small?

Hunters Against Hunger, a partnership between Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Montana Food Bank Network, allows hunters to donate a portion or all of their legally harvested big game animals to authorized meat processors located throughout Montana. The meat is then processed into venison and provided to the nearest local food pantry, providing much needed food for those in Montana struggling with food insecurity.

Since its inception in 2014, more than 130,000 pounds of meat has been donated through the program and distributed across the state through 29 local food pantry sites. Meat is an extremely expensive commodity for food pantries to provide yet, a highly nutritious resource for their clients.

We have never in my time here had this much game. Truly a huge gift said Jill Holder, operations manager at Gallatin Valley Food Bank.

Participation by local meat processors and hunters are the keys to success for this growing program. Big game donations  deer, elk, antelope, moose and wild buffalo  can only be accepted as part of the program by authorized participating meat processors set up around the state. Only legally harvested or confiscated big game animals can be donated. No road kill can be donated. A full list of authorized processors can be found at the Montana Food Bank Network website at https://mfbn.org/

To offset the cost of processing, hunters purchasing a Montana hunting license are given the opportunity to make a monetary donation to this program. Additional donations to the program are being accepted by the Montana Food Bank Network.

For more information, contact the Montana Food Bank Network at (406-721-3825Health care providers strongly back I 185. Doctors wish to see their patients smoke less and enjoy better health care. I 185 does both things. It makes cigarettes less affordable through a hefty tax. It also ensures health care for 100,000 working Montanans. As a doctor, I share those sentiments. However, I am also a conservative voter. I have spent years fighting to oppose government-run health care. Why as a voter, do I support I 185?

When we tally up other government funded programs including Medicare, Medicaid, the VA, workmans compensation, Childrens Health Insurance Program and others, the government extends a guarantee to a majority of people. The government funnels gigantic amounts of money into health care. This fact has profound impact on how we deliver health care, and therefore, how much it costs. Consequently, health care costs have risen faster than almost anything else because of the giant infusions of government money into the system.

When the Affordable Care Act was passed, both sides agreed on two things  that there were too many uninsured Americans and that rapidly rising health care costs were already too high. Even conservative think tanks like the Heritage Foundation worried about what people called the Medicaid cliff. They referred to the fact that the income offered by low wage jobs was enough to disqualify someone from traditional Medicaid but was not enough to buy private health insurance. This was the problem that basically everyone wanted addressed. The Medicaid expansion is meant to address this critical problem. Although the U.S. Supreme Court upheld other more dubious parts of the ACA, it ruled that the states must opt into the Medicaid expansion. Typical of Washington, the only thing that really needed to get done didnt, while everything else did. Our Legislature did opt-into the Medicaid Expansion in 2015 but, despite the robust enrollment of 10 percent of Montana who couldnt otherwise afford health insurance, there is great concern that that program will not be renewed in the next legislature. One conservative Legislator said that the results of ballot measure I 185 will be seen by the Legislature as a referendum on the Montana Medicaid expansion.

If Montana does not pass I 185, 100,000 Montanans will likely become uninsured. The lost revenue will strain our already strained hospitals. If the uninsured do get care, the costs will inevitably be shifted onto others. The people at risk are ordinary Montanans. These people work hard for low wages. They support their families and contribute to society. Often they own or are employed by one of Montanas many small businesses who cant provide health insurance. Meanwhile, people who qualify for nearly free government health care programs may make more money, be retired with resources, or be chronically unemployed. See the inequity? An 80-year-old retiree can take six medicines, get a new hip, and two new knees, all paid for. A prisoner in Deer Lodge, no problem, free back surgery. A waitress at my favorite restaurant, two jobs, two kids, no husband? Shall we tell her too bad, we have decided to limit government health care?

I plan to continue to advocate for health care reform. I will try to advocate for reduced government involvement, for a more affordable market based system and for a health-system which responds to the consumer, not to big government and corporate America. This is a generational battle which will be decided at the Federal level. With massive government subsidy in the marketplace, health care will remain unaffordable. Until we untangle the Federal mess, I will stand up for hard working low income Montanans. Even if you are a conservative, I hope you will stand with me and support I 185.



Dr. Carter Beck, M.D.

MissoulaHistorically, the only thing we know that is going to happen is change, says Miller. Yet people typically get nervous about that  they wonder whether they will have the skills and the knowledge to keep up with whats happening.

Certainly, concerns about the way technology and automation will change the workplace are nothing new. But the reduction of some roles will also mean new roles will be created. Reskilling and upskilling will be necessary, even for those who remain in roles that are similar in name.

With this in mind, businesses must be aware of the importance of providing pathways to this knowledge so that it can be effectively accessed by staff. These can take a variety of forms: curated audio playlists, video content, quizzes, database access  it will likely vary according to the industry. Whats crucial is that employees have access to the appropriate information to upskill themselves.

The new face of learning

The good news is that technology has also brought about greater opportunities for employees to take advantage of learning opportunities; the internet has enabled a greater democratisation of and access to learning. Workers of the future do not necessarily need to be defined by traditional notions about job history, experience, the university they attended or the degree they earned.AN army reservist completed a 100km horse ride through France and Belgium to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Freja Galliven, 23, of St Marys Close, Henley, took part in the International Cavalry Associations Pursuit to Mons last month to commemorate the last cavalry offensive of the conflict.

The 70 riders followed the route from Cambrai to Mons taken by the allied forces as they pushed the Germans through Belgium in 1918.

Miss Galliven, a former student of Gillotts School and The Henley College, signed up for the challenge in December while she was in her final year at Southampton Solent University studying for a degree in criminology and psychology.

She said: I was utterly honoured to be a part of something like this. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and an extremely memorable experience.

Miss Galliven is a reservist in the 94 Berkshire Yeomanry, Royal Corps of Signals and rode Gisella, a 17-year-old ex-trotter.

The horse belongs to Roger Crevel, who runs a riding school in France.

Miss Galliven prepared for the challenge by riding in formation and for long periods and by training in Windsor with the Light Cavalry, part of the Honourable Artillery Company.

The ride itself took eight days and involved sitting on the horse for about seven hours a day in a period saddle while wearing a wartime army uniform.

Miss Galliven said: We would stop for lunch and there would be organised parades in some of the towns. Each night we would bed down the horses and set up in a field or local park before trying to get our heads down.

My friends and family thought I was absolutely bonkers for doing it but it was both humbling and moving to take part. She raised more than 700 for Brooke, an international animal welfare charity dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules.

Miss Galliven hopes to enrol at Sandhurst Military Academy for officer training in September and will spend the next year on courses.

She said: I joined the officer training corps as an extra curriculum activity and it opened my eyes to the opportunities within the army. I decided it would be a better career choice than joining the police, which I had hoped to do.

Miss Galliven has loved horses since she was a child. Her late grandfather Ove Hoglund, who lived in Sweden, used them for work.

She said: He relied upon them heavily to earn a living through ploughing fields and dragging cut- down trees off the snow-covered mountains. I would go over to Sweden and spend time with him and with his horses every day.

One thing I learnt from my grandfather was that these magnificent beasts should be treated with respect and gratitude for the unrewarding work they do for us.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.

com/fundraising/freja-gallivenJames Manning was stopped for using mobile while driving

A motorist was caught with 3.5m worth of drugs in his van when gardai stopped him for driving while using his mobile phone, a court heard.

At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, James Manning, of Belclare Avenue, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to possession of 177kg of cannabis last Dec- ember 1.

Judge Francis Comerford sentenced him to nine years in jail with the final three suspended for three years.

Gda Thomas Barrett told prosecutor John Byrne that an officer in Offaly became suspicious of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van parked outside a house and began following as it drove towards Dublin.

He contacted Lucan gardai, who dispatched Gda Barrett to wait on its arrival on the N4.

Firearm

When his car pulled up beside the van, he saw Manning (49) was using his mobile phone and signalled him to pull up.

In a search, 15 cardboard boxes were found containing 177kg of cannabis in bags with an approximate street value of 3.5m.

Manning has 29 previous convictions, including one for false imprisonment, one for possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and one for dangerous driving causing death.

Gda Barrett agreed with Giollaiosa O Lideadha, defending, that his previous offending was linked to "alcohol abuse".

Mr O Lideadha said Manning had struggled with alcohol and had been homeless.

He stopped drinking in 2013 and had a job with Ikea at the time of his arrest.

Mr O Lideadha said Manning had agreed to transport the cannabis to pay off a drug debt.

Judge Comerford said this was "a crime of utmost gravity" and that without mitigation the appropriate sentence would have been 12 years in prison.Martin Aylmer has been jailed for three years and nine months for his part in the murder of Michael Barr. Photo: Collins Courts

A Dublin criminal jailed for helping the Kinahan cartel organise the murder of Michael Barr is also suspected of involvement in another feud murder.

The Herald can reveal that Martin Aylmer (31) - who was yesterday jailed for almost four years - has been arrested by detectives investigating the murder of Eddie Hutch Snr.

Mr Hutch (58), a brother of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, was gunned down at his home in Poplar Row, Ballybough, on February 8, 2016, in retaliation for the Regency Hotel killing of David Byrne three days earlier.

Phones

Detectives believe that Aylmer helped the four-man hit team behind the murder. He was questioned in January last year about his suspected role in the murder plot.

"Gardai believe he played a similar role in the Hutch murder as he did with the Barr killing, in supplying mobile phones and other logistics for the hit team," a source said.

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Aylmer, of Casino Park, Marino, Dublin 3, was detained on suspicion of being in possession of ammunition linked to the Hutch murder but was later released without charge.

Yesterday, he was sentenced to three years and nine months by the Special Criminal Court in what is believed to be one of the first convictions of its kind.

Mr Barr (35), the manager of the Sunset House in Dublin's north inner city, was shot seven times by a masked gunman at the pub on April 24, 2016.

His murder was directly linked to the deadly Hutch-Kinahan feud which has so far claimed up to 18 lives.

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Aylmer's conviction is understood to be the first time a person has been successfully prosecuted for this offence under organised crime legislation introduced in 2006.

The court heard that gardai recovered a mobile phone beside the partially burned-out getaway car after the murder.

CCTV footage later showed Aylmer buying the phone in Dublin's Ilac Shopping Centre two days before Mr Barr's death.

The offences occurred between April 23 and 25, 2016.

Passing sentence, Mr Justice Tony Hunt said that it appeared the actionable assistance rendered by Aylmer was not at the higher end of the scale.

The judge pointed out that while the provision of any assistance to a criminal organisation was a grave matter, Aylmer did not approach this in a covert or disguised manner.

"His unsophisticated approach left him open to identification and demonstrated an absence of calculation or guile," he added.

He said it could not be established that Aylmer knew he was making a contribution to the crime of murder, and there was no evidence on his part of moving firearms.

However, the judge said it must have been apparent to him that he was assisting in some serious criminal activity.

Mitigation

He said the maximum sentence was 15 years, but the headline sentence in this case was five years' imprisonment.

He said the most significant mitigating factor in Aylmer's sentence was his early guilty plea and for this he was entitled to "a straight discount of 25pc".

Another factor in mitigation, the judge said, was the fact he was a relatively young man without a serious criminal record and that future rehabilitation remained a live issue in this case.

Aylmer has two previous convictions for minor public order issues which Mr Justice Hunt said were not relevant.

He sentenced him to three years and nine months in prison with one year suspended. "It is appropriate he should serve the last portion of his sentence in the community," the judge said.

He added that the court had already expressed its condolences to the deceased's family at the conclusion of a previous trial. Eamonn Cumberton (30), of Mountjoy Street, Dublin 7, was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court in January after being found guilty of the murder of Mr Barr.

Speaking outside the Criminal Courts of Justice yesterday, Chief Superintendent Sean Ward said he was "precluded to some extent" from commenting as there was still a live investigation into the murder of Mr Barr and that gardai "still have two individuals to speak to".

"This is a significant case in conviction for the community in Dublin's north-east inner city which has suffered considerably over the last number of years as a result of this criminal activity," he said.

"It also demonstrates that individuals who participate in activities that facilitate the commission of a serious crime by a criminal organisation will be fully investigated, and every effort made by An Garda Siochana to get the evidence we require to bring them before the courts, as happened in today's case.

"There is no doubt that individuals that engage in serious crime do look for individuals to support them logistically, and that would include accessing mobile phones, as was today's case. It is therefore important that people considering engaging in that activity should think twice as we will pursue those individuals and bring them before the courts."Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been discussing a political truce with Micheal Martin until the UK agrees a Brexit deal

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin met last night to discuss a political truce until a Brexit deal is nailed down.

Mr Martin has made what he described as a "very reasonable offer" to continue propping up the Fine Gael minority Government into the new year.

Fine Gael is cautious about the proposal but has moved to shore up support among Independent TDs, including Michael Lowry.

The party leaders agreed last night to select two teams who will meet in the coming days to kick-start talks on a new confidence and supply arrangement.

Tensions

It comes as Brexit negotiations ignited tensions once more as the UK tried to distance itself from the prospect of an unlimited guarantee of no hard border on the island of Ireland.

Instead, British prime minister Theresa May insisted that the so-called backstop must be a "temporary solution".

The idea of applying a time limit has been shot down by EU negotiators, and last night European Council President Donald Tusk said a no-deal was "more likely than ever before".

However, British and EU officials agreed the talks ahead of a crucial leaders' summit tomorrow evening in Brussels had been "put on hold", but had not "broken down".

While all sides claimed to be trying to keep cool heads, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar warned that a failure to reach a deal would be "really bad for Ireland, relatively bad for the European Union but quite a disaster for the United Kingdom".

In a further blow, he also warned that it could be December before the final outcome of the negotiations becomes clear.

"Nobody knows for sure. The date on which the UK leaves the European Union is the end of March next year," he said.

"Any withdrawal agreement requires parliamentary app- roval.

"In order to meet that timeline, we'd have to have a deal before the end of this year."

There is significant frustration in Dublin and Brussels at the manner in which the UK acted over the weekend, but sources said there is "no desire to get into a war".

Having agreed last December and March to work out a way of keeping Northern Ireland within the customs union in order to avoid a hard border, Mrs May now wants the whole of the UK to abide by EU customs rules for a defined period of time.

A date of December 2021 has been proposed.

It is understood that EU neg- otiators, led by Michel Barnier, have said such a move would still need some acknowledgement of the special circumstances in Northern Ireland.

Tanaiste Simon Coveney met with EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg yesterday, and insisted the backstop "cannot be time-limited".Incensed by the detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson, President Donald Trump called for a plan to be drawn up in late August for the complete withdrawal of U.S. diplomatic personnel from Turkey, senior administration and State Department officials tell ABC News. As ABC News writes in the article Trump called for plan to remove all US diplomats from Turkey in frustration over detention of American pastor, the unprecedented plan to essentially shutter an American embassy and all diplomatic missions of a NATO ally would have occurred over a 60-day period, starting with the removal of chief diplomats and ending with the eventual drawdown of all diplomatic personnel, according to one senior U.S. official with knowledge of the plan. The plan to remove the diplomats over the two month period was designed to put incremental pressure on the Turkish government.

"For a while, we were in fear of an apocalyptic break in relations with Turkey," a senior State Department official said. "It would be starting with the charge [d'affaires] to send a message: 'no personnel left behind,'" the official said. The U.S. has not had an ambassador in Turkey since October of 2017, making the charge d'affaires the most senior diplomat in the country. The plan was among half-a-dozen options including increasing sanctions on business and Turkish officials, and its execution would have been more seriously considered if Brunson was not released at his hearing in October.

But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was said to be vocal in opposition to the plan, nevertheless took on the president's order and an eight-page plan was drafted, according to the State Department official. It was so closely guarded and sensitive that few State Department officials dared to even utter that it was a Turkish withdrawal plan. Some referred to it as "the Turkey thing."

The State Department has denied that any such plan was drawn up. "The assertion that there was a plan to close our diplomatic relations with Turkey or our diplomatic facilities in Turkey is patently false," said State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert. "As a matter of policy, we never discuss our internal process other than to say that we always consider a full range of options when addressing international responses, Nauert said. Mission Turkey is one of our most important posts in Europe. We will continue to devote the necessary diplomatic attention and resources befitting a NATO ally." A White House spokesperson did not comment on the record.

According to multiple administration officials, Trump was furious with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan because the president was given assurances that Brunson would be released when the pastor filed an appeal to his house arrest. The appeal was rejected by a Turkish court in August.

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly suggested the U.S. only remove nonessential personnel from the U.S. missions in Turkey, according to a source familiar. Yet others who had the presidents ear, like National Security Adviser John Bolton, did not oppose the plan for removing all personnel.

Pompeo, who has been one of the presidents most trusted Cabinet members since he took office, expressed the most opposition. According to two administration officials, he argued it should only be a last resort, and that such a move could cause irreparable damage to the relationship with a key NATO ally. While the plan for full diplomatic retreat was most drastic and drew comparisons among State Department officials who were working on the plan to the American diplomatic relations with Iran and North Korea. "It took immense effort from Pompeo to slow it down," this official said.

The presidents strong desire to remove U.S. Embassy personnel from Turkey ended when pastor Brunson was released on Friday. He had been detained in Turkey for two years on charges of alleged terrorism and espionage -- part of a wide crackdown by President Erdogan after an attempted military coup in 2016. Brunson and U.S. officials denied the charges.

The presidents orders for a plan to shutter the U.S. diplomatic presence came just weeks after he had levied harsh steel and aluminum tariffs on Turkey, citing national security concerns, which greatly impacted the countrys currency, the lira.

It's unclear if Turkish officials knew the complete extent of the plan, but the State Department source said they felt increased pressure in recent weeks as the president became focused on freeing the evangelical pastor who has become a symbol of religious freedom among his political base.

On Saturday, the president met with Brunson in the Oval Office of the White House, where he reiterated that there was no secret deal made with Turkey in exchange for his release. "We do not pay ransom in this country," Trump said, as he proudly celebrated Brunson's return.Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, was known as a connoisseur of woman's beauty. In his youth, he studied in the prestigious boarding school Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland, and when he returned home, his father strongly recommended a 19-year-old son to marry an Egyptian princess in order to strengthen regional contacts.

Pahlavi's choice fell on Fawzia Fuad, 17-year-old daughter of Fuad I, the Sultan of Egypt and Sudan. She was extraordinary beautiful. One of Fawzia's great-grandfathers was Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Major-General Muhammad Sharif Pasha, who was of Turkish origin; one of her great-great-grandfathers was Joseph Anthelme Seve, a French army officer who served under Napoleon, converted to Islam, oversaw an overhaul of the Egyptian army, and received a new name Suleiman Pasha al-Faransawi (French Suleiman).

Princess Fawzia, like her future husband, was educated in Switzerland, and was fluent in French and English. Reza and Fawzia were engaged in May 1938, and a year later they got married and lived at the Marble Palace in Tehran. Reza was preparing to become a shah; Fawzia was engaged in charity work and led the newly founded Association for the Protection of Pregnant Women and Children (APPWC) in Iran. On October 27, 1940, she gave birth to a daughter, Shahnaz.

But two years later, Fawzia appeared on the cover of the Life magazine, who described her as an "Asian Venus with a perfect heart-shaped face and strangely pale but piercing blue eyes".

But the marriage was not a success - in 1942 the princess obtained a divorce and moved to Cairo. There were various rumors about the reasons for the divorce. Some said that Reza was not quite wealthy as a man, others, on the contrary, argued that he was unfaithful. Probably, the second version is closer to the truth, since Reza was married twice after the first marriage.

Fawzia was forced to leave little princess Shahnaz in Tehran and suffered depression. After her return to Cairo, Fawzia become heir to the Egyptian throne again.

The princess married a graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge and Egyptian minister of war and the navy, Colonel Ismail Chirine. In 1950, they had a girl named Nadia Chirine. In 1955, Fawzia provided Ismail with a heir - Husain Cherine Effendi. Ismail died in 1994, and Fawzia outlived him by almost 20 years. She passed away on July 2, 2013.

The fate of Reza Pahlavi was more dramatic - the 1979 Islamic Revolution overthrew the Iranian Shah. He bounced from country to country, lived in Morocco, the Bahamas, Mexico, the U.S. and died in Cairo, near which Fawzia lived with her new husband.

The daughter of Reza and Fawzia , Princess Shahnaz, has been living in Switzerland for many years. She was married twice, has three children. On October 27, Shahnaz will celebrate her 78th birthday.

Shahnaz Pahlavi with her husband and daughter in Washington. 1961Iran's Foreign Ministry has announced that the country plans to have its private sector participate in the reconstruction of post-war Syria. As Press TV writes in the article Iran plans private sector participation in Syria reconstruction, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Bahram Qassemi said in a press briefing on Monday that Iran has had an active presence in the fight against terrorism in Syria based on the Syrian government's request and will be present in reconstructing the Arab country as well. "Iran's plan is for the private sector and commercial, industrial, and technological enterprises to have a presence in Syria," Qassemi said. "We hope conditions would be created as soon as possible for work to begin and for the [Iranian private] sector, too, to be able to serve the people of Syria."

Syria has been fighting militancy since 2011. But the Syrian government, with advisory military help from its allies Iran and Russia, has taken back control of much of the country since then, and the conflict is generally believed to be winding down. Countries are already planning to help reconstruct war-hit Syria.

Iran-Saudi relations

The Iranian spokesman was asked in the presser whether relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran could be restored, given that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif recently tweeted about Iran's readiness to cooperate with Riyadh despite the lack of diplomatic relations between the two countries, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Qassemi said Iran's stance is clear on the matter and has been repeatedly expressed before. "In case [the right] conditions are created in the region, cooperation between regional countries can definitely have considerable impact on the peace, stability, and security of the region," he said.

Saudi Arabia has shown open hostility toward Iran in recent years. It severed its diplomatic relations with Iran in January 2016, shortly after it executed prominent Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr and when small groups of Iranians attacked Saudi diplomatic perimeters in Tehran and Mashhad  both of them vacant at the time of the attacks  in protest against that execution.

Foreign Minister Zarif's tweet came after US President Donald Trump said Saudi rulers may not last "for two weeks" without Washington's support.

Qassemi also confirmed the receipt by Iran of a "written note" from the US about America's withdrawal from the "Treaty of Amity," signed between the two countries in 1955. The US said it would be pulling out of the treaty after it was handed a defeat at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a case filed by Iran that had invoked the treaty. Iran has filed another lawsuit against the US at the same court but over a different matter. The Islamic Republic has invoked that same treaty in its new complaint. Qassemi said that despite a declaration of withdrawal, the pullout from the "Treaty of Amity" would take at least a year to take effect.

'America had better exit Syria soon'

The spokesman was also asked about the US military presence in Syria. He said that that presence is "unlawful and in contravention of international regulations" because America has deployed its forces to Syrian territory without the government's permission. "Our advice is that America had better exit Syria at the earliest and refrain from interfering in the [internal] affairs of the country," he added.

Qassemi said that, given the US reputation as an expansionist country, it will act to create instability and insecurity in Syria and to prop up the terrorists who have largely been defeated there.

No bombing at Iranian Embassy in Ankara

Separately, in a notice published on the website of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Qassemi rejected media reports about a "suicide bombing" at the site of the Iranian Embassy in Ankara and the evacuation of Iranian personnel. "This news [...] is sheer falsehood, and our Embassy personnel are present at their workplace, in full safety and health, and are engaged in their daily work," he said.New COVID cases surge in Tri-State; 25 die last week from illness

The number of new reported COVID cases surged last week in the Tri-State area, with some counties reporting a more than 95% increase.Three new provincial governors have been appointed at the Armenian government's extraordinary meeting today.

Former deputy chief of the countrys police department Hunan Poghosyan has been appointed governor of Syunik Province, deputy territorial administration minister Davit Gevorgyan has assumed the office of Aragatsotn province governor, and Hambardzum Matevosyan has been designated Armavir governor.

The new governors of Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, and Lori provinces were appointed in the previous Cabinet meeting, ARKA reported.

On October 2, after three parties lawmakers in a bid to retain their seats in the National Assembly passed a bill hobbling dismissal of the parliament, Armenian Prime Minster Nikol Pashinyan called on people to come to the area outside the parliament building. Immediately after that call people flooded the entire Baghramyan Avenue.Contacts between heads of state and foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia give a positive impetus to move forward in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said, addressing the meeting of foreign ministers of the Eastern Partnership countries in Luxembourg.

"Two meetings I held with my Armenian counterpart (the July meeting in Brussels and the September meeting in New York), the conversation held between the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia (on the sidelines of the CIS summit in Tajikistan) gives us a positive impetus to move forward," TASS cited the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's message as saying.

He explained that after the upcoming elections in Armenia, it will become clearer how ready Yerevan is for peace and stability.

Mammadyarov stressed that in the first place Armenia must withdraw its troops from Azerbaijans territories. Baku, in turn, the diplomat recalled, is ready for substantive and results-oriented negotiations.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister added that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution is one of the most important issues for the sustainable development of the region.U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said President Donald Trump told him he supports the retired Marine general "100%."

The assertion comes just days after Trump mused on national television about Mattis leaving his post, TIME reported.

Mattis said Trump gave him this assurance during a phone call while Mattis was flying from Washington to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Tuesday. A few hours earlier, Mattis told reporters traveling with him that he and Trump had never discussed the possibility of Mattis leaving the Pentagon job.

Mattis initially was responding to reporters questions about Trumps comments on CBS '60 Minutes' Sunday that Mattis "may leave" his administration and that he thinks the retired Marine Corps general is "sort of a Democrat."

Asked what he made of Trumps comments, in which the president also said he likes Mattis and that eventually all appointees move on, Mattis said, "Nothing at all," adding, "We have never talked about me leaving.'The verdict of the Supreme Court of India on womens entry into Sabarimala temple has generated a renewed debate on the status of women within religion as practised and as interpreted. It is useful to historicise this discussion.

The key question is a simple one. Should women be prohibited from entering this temple/place of worship? There is no denying the fact that there is, in this case, discrimination based on gender  women as a class are barred entry for 40 years of their life extending from minority to late adulthood  and it does not affect men in similar ways. The prohibition is pre-constitutional  so although ancient custom has the force of law, in the constitutional era, it must pass the test of manifest arbitrariness. Sati and untouchability were ancient customs in the pre-constitutional era. Tied to this last point is the argument on essential features of a religion : a plural democracy must guarantee equality between men and women of a faith. It may need different measures in respect of different faiths, but the court cannot vote with dominant sections within a community of believers. Is exclusion admissible as an essential feature in a constitutional era?

The point is not really whether some women or all women comply with the rule. A proscription cannot be rationalised by an argument that most women will comply, nor can it be justified by defining the denomination in exclusionary ways. Temple entry must be opened up to persons irrespective of gender and caste. It may well be the case that only those believers self-identifying as male may choose to go. Even here, there is a problem  are men only those identified as men by the Thantris men, or is it all those self-identifying as men, which would include transmen? We are today, in a new place for reckoning with gender normativities, lest we forget.

Once that is settled, we could look at the question of womens entry. When a proscription is in place (with threats of an organised, coercive, counter constitutional enforcement) we have no basis for saying that women of faith will not enter. The point is to remove all coercion and mob threats and leave the decision to individual women believers. Dissent by believers has been central to the reform of religious practice and dogma.

The right to privacy judgment asserts that the de minimis approach is bad law/rule: numbers do not matter; the possibility of unjust exclusion does matter. Let individual believers decide (a) whether they have the will to undertake the arduous trek; (b) whether they would like to enter the temple (c) whether they agree with the brahmanical male view that a pious womans mere presence poses a threat to divine celibacy. What are the implications of this investing of sexual desire in deities?

It has been argued that Sabarimala is not to be conflated with temple entry for Dalits. The proscription of temple entry on the basis of ideologies of pollution and impurity are at the core of caste supremacist ideologies and extend on a continuum from women to Dalits and Dalit women. Graded inequality is tied inextricably to graded patriarchies in the caste system.

It is in fact quite shocking that enlightened sections of Indian society continue to subscribe to the view that women are inherently polluting. That educated women in Kerala do is doubly tragic, coming as it does after centuries of radical social reform. We have had an anti-caste renaissance that has resisted the bigotry of caste and religious orthodoxy right from the time of the Bhakti movement. Can we forget so easily the figures of Akkamahadevi and Mirabai, both of whom in very different ways challenged masculinist interpretations of faith and spirituality? Or even Tarabai Shindes brilliant call to women and men alike to understand the basis of womens subjugation in her iconic tract written in 1882, Stree Purusha Tulana? Can we forget Babasaheb Ambedkars Mahad Satyagraha, the insistence on temple entry for Dalits? Or importantly the struggles led by Narayana Guru, Ayyankali and so many after them? The roots of constitutional morality lie in these struggles.

Kalpana Kannabiran is professor and director, Council for Social Development, Hyderabad

The views expressed are personalA Rossville woman died early Monday morning when the vehicle she was driving near I-24 in Brainerd wrecked.

The victim was Sandra Faye Witzel, 67.

Chattanooga Police said the fatal crash occurred at approximately 5:42 a.m. at 5300 North Terrace. The Chattanooga Police Department's Traffic Unit responded to the scene.

The Witzel vehicle was traveling west on North Terrace. For some reason, it left the roadway and struck a tree.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ms. Witzel was a member of Rossville Church of Christ. She was a graduate of Manchester High School and attended the University of Alabama at Montgomery.

She was employed with Vision Hospitality in corporate sales. It was stated, "During her tenure in the hospitality industry as a professional hotelier, she was acclaimed and highly regarded for her infectious positive attitude."

Survivors include her husband, George Larry Witzel; children, George Bradford Witzel, Tammy Ponder and Kevin Witzel; five grandchildren; two sisters, Rebecca Combs and Vicki Willis; one brother, Richard Willis; several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Rossville Church of Christ with Minister Jack James officiating. The family will receive friends from 122 p.m. on Wednesday at the church.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge.Militants have abducted 14 Iranian security personnel near the Pakistan border, Iranian media reported.

The reports cited an unnamed but informed source as saying two of abducted are members of the powerful Revolutionary Guard's intelligence department. The rest include seven members of the Basij, a volunteer wing of the Guard, as well as regular Iranian border guards.

"These 14 people were kidnapped around 4 or 5 a.m. in Lulakdan border area," IRNA cited the unnamed official as saying.

The area has seen occasional clashes between Iranian forces and Baluch separatists, as well as drug traffickers.India has been ranked among the bottom 11 countries in a new worldwide index released on October 9, 2018, on the commitment of nations to reduce inequalities. UK-based charity Oxfam Internationals Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index ranks India 147th among 157 countries analysed, describing the countrys commitment to reducing inequality as a a very worrying situation.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Amitabh Behar, CEO, Oxfam India, talks about the report and what India needs to do to get its act right.

KD: Inequality is bad for all. Why?

AB: The question to ask is do we believe that inequality is good? Are we happy to live in a country alongside people who are dying of hunger; girls who are being denied education, children trafficked for money, hard-working men and women who despite working for 15 hours a day are unable to buy medicines for their ailing children? The extreme inequalities that divide us are human made and consequence of misguided policies. Inequality is not a sign of a prosperous world, on the contrary, it reduces the economic growth of the country.

KD: What impact does it have on women?

AB: Oxfams new index finds that on labour rights and respect for women in the workplace, India fares poorly. While the bulk of farming work is done by women, they own only about 10-15% of the land. The wage gap between men and women in India is 32.6%. If the government ensured women were paid the same amount as men for the same job, womens incomes would be boosted by almost a third. Women and girls are paying the real price of growing inequality. As things stand today, women living in poverty will never be able to come out poverty, unless the economy is re-build for them.

KD: Nigeria, Singapore, India and Argentina are among a group of governments that are fueling inequality says the report. How is the Indian government fueling inequality?

AB: India has a responsibility and accountability as it is one of the largest democracies in the world with a population of 1.3 billion people, many of whom live in extreme poverty. Its inactions affect the worlds commitment to reduce the gap between the rich and poor. Sadly, India ranks amongst the bottom 15 countries on the commitment to inequality index, which means the government is not doing enough to fight extreme inequality. Oxfam has calculated that if India were to reduce inequality by a third, more than 170 million people would no longer be poor. India can lead the global movement and help in creating an equal world. What is required is political will.

Government spending on health, education and social protection continues to be woefully low. Indians are the sixth biggest out-of-pocket health spenders in the low-middle income group of 50 nations. The amount India spends on public health per capita every year is Rs 1,112, less than the cost of a single consultation at the countrys top private hospitals.

Indias tax structure looks reasonably progressive on paper, but in practice much of the progressive taxation, like that on the incomes of the richest, is not collected. Indias low tax GDP ratio (17%) is one of the lowest in the world.

KD: If inequality is so rampant in India, then meeting Sustainable Development Goal No 10 will be a great challenge. What kind of policy interventions does the Indian government need to do for tackling inequality?

AB: The Indian government needs to adopt a multi-pronged approach to tackle economic inequality. This includes  among other policy interventions  increasing social sector spending and regularly evaluating programmes to improve delivery efficiency, building and implementing fairer tax systems, and ensuring workers  especially women workers  are better paid and protected. At the same time, it must also improve the quality and quantity of publicly available data on inequality in India and provide timely and predictable reports on the schemes utilised to tackle it. A full assessment of whether governments are delivering on their commitments to reduce inequality  made when they signed up to the SDG framework  will only be possible if this data is available.

Schemes like the merger of schools under the One School One Campus initiative in Madhya Pradesh foster greater privatisation which inevitably hurts the marginalised. The Ayushman Bharat scheme, while inclusive on paper, does not help solve the problem of an increasingly strained if not broken public health system which, in turn, results in greater private participation to meet demand. On nutrition, the governments allocations to key centrally sponsored schemes like the Mid Day Meal scheme rose by a mere 5% from the year before to Rs10,500 crore in the 2018 budget, which is woefully low.

KD: The report recommends that all countries should develop national inequality action plans. Please expand.

AB: The different levels of inequality that exist from one national context to another show that inequality is far from inevitable; rather, it is the product of policy choices made by governments. There are, of course, contextual challenges to consider in every situation, as well as contextual advantages in some cases.

Currently, no country is doing particularly well. Even top-ranking countries still have large room for improvement. For example, Denmark comes first overall but 126th in the indicator of progressivity of the tax structure; Germany comes second overall but 142th on education spending and Finland comes third overall but 52th in the minimum wage indicator.

All governments must do more to tackle inequality, develop national inequality action plans. These plans should include delivery of universal, public and free health and education and universal social protection floors. They should be funded by increasing progressive taxation and clamping down on exemptions and tax dodging.

Social spending is almost always progressive because it helps reduce existing levels of inequality. Despite this, in many countries, social spending could be far more progressive and pro-poor.Claims and counter claims can be mind numbing and more so in the case of Me Too. Among the many Bollywood personalities who have been called out by various women is Pyaar Ka Punchnama director Luv Ranjan. The anonymous woman who had called out to the director, nearly six days back, has written an open letter to all those people who have tried to discredit her account.

The actress, who was sexually harassed by director Luv Ranjan, writes an open letter to him and his friends. Please stop gaslighting the victim, she's getting nothing out of this.



We know the truth. #IBelieveHer #MeToo #TimesUp pic.twitter.com/awSP1FrrsW  Rohit - #SayNoToSilence  (@desijourno) October 15, 2018

In an interview to Mid Day, the anonymous actor had detailed out how the said director had allegedly harassed her. While Luv quickly denied any wrongdoing, it is Nushrat Bharucha, the lead heroine in four of his films including Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Akaash Vani, Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 and most recent Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, who came in defence of Luv and said that she loved with Luvs team as she feels safe, protected, respected and cared for.

This is my story. I stand by Luv sir. pic.twitter.com/lqNBAjrQgt  Nushrat Bharucha (@NushratBharucha) October 13, 2018

Her claims have obviously not gone down well with the actor in question. In her open letter she attacked all the women and men who have come out in support of Luv, saying: Just because he was nice to you and did not put you through the traumatic experience that I went through, does not make my story false. You are free to portray him in a positive light because thats your experience with him, but it is extremely low of you to call me a lair. This is precisely why men have gotten away with such acts and women have remained quiet all these years. shame on you all for questioning my motives!

The actor had accused Luv of asking her to strip down to her undergarments and had allegedly asked her if she masturbated. She now explained how after she walked out of the film, he messaged her continuously for a month, insisting that she had misunderstood him. He was probably afraid of the repercussions of his actions and that was the reason he mended his ways. Thats how others didnt face the same experience as she did.

But I didnt deserve to be treated that way for you to enjoy the benefits of it, she added.

She has gone on to say that she had chosen not to reveal her identity as she wasnt keen on publicity and neither is she suing Luv. Naming Nushrat, Sonnali Seygall and Shobha Sant, she wanted to know just how she was being accused of having agendas.

This is my story. I stand by Luv sir. pic.twitter.com/lqNBAjrQgt  Nushrat Bharucha (@NushratBharucha) October 13, 2018

Expressing her solidarity with the likes of Vinta Nanda, Chinmayi Sripaada, Sandhya Mridul, Saloni Chopra, Natashja Rathore and Sanjana Chowhan, the actor said that all she wanted was an honest apology and acknowledgement from him of what he had done. I want him and all the other men to atone for their terrible behaviours and never repeat it.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreKatrina Kaif and Ali Abbas Zafar, star and director of the upcoming Salman Khan film Bharat, have shared images to mark the end of the Abu Dhabi shooting schedule of the film. The ambitious film will be set across several decades and will show Salmans character in various avatars.

The movie marks a reunion between the lead actors - Salman and Katrina - and director Ali, after the hugely successful Tiger Zinda Hai. Ali has previously directed Salman in Sultan, and their partnership is proving to be very successful for them both. Katrina was a last minute addition to the film, after original star Priyanka Chopra departed the project weeks before filming due to her engagement with Nick Jonas.

Sharing an image of herself, Salman and their co-star, Sunil Grover, Katrina wrote on Instagram, Schedule wrap#bharat @aliabbaszafar went for shopping. Katrina also shared several snippets on her Instagram stories, which you can check out here.

A collage of Katrina Kaifs Bharat photos.

Ali, on his own Instagram, shared an artistic photo of the vast Arabian desert, with a horde of extras walking in front of a lake. He captioned it, Wrap on @bharat_thefilm #abudhabi #schedule #thank you @2454abudhabi #uae #government #see#u#soon.

Speaking about working with his idol Salman Khan, Sunil had said in an earlier interview to IANS, I have grown up watching his films. So when the opportunity came my way, I was a little nervous about it because he is a superstar and I thought how will I manage to match up with him.

Salman had share several pictures of himself from the Malta sets of the film, photographing Sunil. The films producer, Atul Agnihotri, had also shared constant updates for fans on his Instagram.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreWith female actors such as Tanushree Dutta and Sandhya Mridul, among many others, sharing their sexual harassment stories through social media, the #MeToo movement has gained pace in India.

In this atmosphere, the fight is no more gender-specific, says the Race 3 actor Saqib Saleem, who shares his story of meeting someone on professional grounds and being harassed. Asked if he ever faced sexual harassment, Saqib says, Yes, I dont want to take names, but when I started out as an actor  I was only 21 years old  there was a man who tried to assault me. He tried to put his hand in my pants.

Recalling the shock of that moment, the 30-year-old actor says that his instinct was to hit this man, who happened to be gay. I smashed the person, says Saqib. The actor also makes it clear that he was reacting not to that persons sexuality but to his action.

I have gay friends, and theyre the most wonderful friends Ive ever made. I dont blame the persons sexuality in this matter; it is the persons mentality, says Saqib. When it happened with me, I whacked the guy and I told him to mind his own f******g business, and I left. I was 21, and of course, it scarred me, but I moved on. Im sure that everyones different and an incident such as this must affect different people differently.

He adds that growing up around women makes him take a stand against sexual predators all the more strongly. Ive also faced it. I can empathise with every girl who has been abused. It made me disgusted, so I know what women are going through, says Saqib. Every sexual offender out there should be punished in the severest manner.

However, Saqib emphasises that a strong movement like this shouldnt be misused. He says, I kid you not when I say that Ive read each and every story that has come out on social media. Now, I think we can understand which one is right or [is] a lie.What Im really worried about is, these anonymous posts that are coming out.

The actor says, These stories are heartbreaking and sexual offenders are horrible people. But now the government needs to figure out a way. The country is in a position where a Twitter trial is happening. You should definitely call out a person on social media, but theres also legal system in our country, and we should go to court and take a legal recourse.Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Monday urged volunteers, supporters and people in general to donate to empower the fund-starved party to contest elections.

It is for the first time in history that a party is kangaal (bankrupt) and the government is cash-rich. That is because we run on your funds. We do not depend on money from corrupt millionaires, Kejriwal said while launching the nationwide crowd sourcing campaign, AAP Ka Dhaan, Rashtra ka Nirmaan, from Talkatora stadium in central Delhi.

There are elections in the next two years. We do not have money. Party needs money. All working volunteers must contribute at least Rs 100 per month. Your family members who earn have to contribute, the Delhi chief minister said while addressing a gathering of around 1,000 party workers from the national capital.

The fresh donation appeal comes at a time when the partys funding has been questioned by the Election Commission over the alleged concealment of donations and money coming through the hawala route.

The party, however, has termed the poll panels questions a witch-hunt by the Centre.

In the campaign, the partys members of Parliament and MLAs, accompanied by volunteers, would be going door-to-door in their respective areas to seek donation.

Apart from online donations, people across the country can support the campaign by dialling a number that was launched at the event.

The party has invited its supporters to contribute at least Rs 100 per month. Until now, the party has been depending on random donations, which have seen a dip of late, leading to a financial crunch.January 1, 2019 may begin without one of Delhis most ubiquitous sights for the past two decades - Delhi Metro Rail Corps (DMRC) construction work.

DMRC is yet to receive approval for Phase IV from the Delhi government, which has not cleared it since 2015. After it receives the state governments approval, DMRC will have to approach the Centre for its go-ahead. Given that it is already the middle of October, theres little chance of that changing by the end of the year.

Senior DMRC officials said that by the end of December they will finish Phase III and also start operations. In an e-mail response, DMRC confirmed this and added that with no approval in sight , it will  not be in a position to start the implementation of Phase IV.

This is the first time since 1998 that Metro construction work will not take place in at least some part of the city.

Delhis Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government declined comment.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has on two occasions in the past few months  the inauguration of the Janakpuri West-Kalkaji Mandir section of the Magenta Line and the flagging off of the Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus-Lajpat Nagar corridor of the Pink Line  assured that the Phase IV proposal would be cleared at the earliest .

Union minister of housing and urban affairs Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday criticised the Kejriwal government for holding up development projects in Delhi. He said that the Phase IV proposal has been stuck with the Delhi government for almost three years now with no signs of progress.

Whenever I meet the CM I remind him to expedite the Phase IV proposal but he keeps giving some excuse or the other. There is a pattern with this government. They are not allowing development projects to happen, Puri said.

There are six routes proposed under phase IV.

PHASE-BY-PHASE ACCOUNT Construction of Metro service, which would go on to become Delhis lifeline, began 2 decades ago PHASE-1 Red Line, Yellow Line, Blue Line Construction began: 1998 First section opened: 2002 Last section opened: 2006 PHASE-2 Green Line, Violet Line, Orange Line EXTENSIONS: Blue Line, Red Line Yellow Line Construction began: 2006 First section opened: 2008 Last section opened: 2011 Construction began:First section opened:Last section opened:Blue Line, Red Line Yellow LineConstruction began:First section opened:Last section opened: PHASE-3 Pink Line, Magenta Line, Grey Line EXTENSIONS: Red Line, Yellow Line, Blue Line, Green Line, Violet Line, Orange Line Construction began: 2011 First section opened: 2014 Last section opened: Ongoing, expected to be completed by December 2018 PHASE-4

Awaiting approval from Delhi government Red Line, Yellow Line, Blue Line, Green Line, Violet Line, Orange LineConstruction began:First section opened:Ongoing, expected to be completed by December 2018

In media statements in April this year, the Delhi government rejected the proposed 21.73km Rithala-Narela corridor and the 22km Tughlakabad-Terminal 1 section, citing financial losses . Senior Delhi government officials who asked not to be named said at the time that the other four corridors  Janakpuri West-RK Ashram (28.92km), Mukundpur-Maujpur (12.54km), Inderlok-Indraprastha (12.58km ) and Lajpat Nagar-Saket G Block (7.96km)  were cleared.

DMRC said on Monday that it has not received any official communication from the Delhi government rejecting these two routes or approving the other four routes. Anuj Dayal, executive director (corporate communications) at DMRC, said that the Delhi government had on January 29 intimated that two corridors (Rithala-Narela and Tughlakabad-Terminal 1) could be deferred for the time being.

This is the first time since DMRC started construction work in the city in 1998 that any proposed corridor of the Delhi Metro has been stuck in bureaucratic delays.

Virendra Kumar Sharma, transport economist and infrastructure planner, said that the reason of financial viability cited by the Delhi government should not stand in the case of large development projects such as the Metro.

Properties develop on the pretext of Metro projects. Areas such as Dwarka, Mundka and Noida Extension have developed only after the announcement of Metro reaching there. The coming of the Metro makes a locality financially viably. Such infrastructure plans should be kept away from politics, Sharma said.The 400-metre-long skywalk at ITO in central Delhi  the construction of which led to the latest face-off between the Centre and the Delhi government, with both claiming stake in the process  was thrown open to the public on Monday. Union minister for housing and urban affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi lieutenant governor Anil Baijal and New Delhi Member of Parliament Meenakshi Lekhi were present at the launch event.

While inaugurating the skywalk, Puri alleged that the state government created roadblocks in providing clearance for the Rs 54.84-crore project, a claim that the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government rebutted.

In 2016, we had approved several projects to be taken up under the urban development fund. We had decided that the Centre would provide 80 per cent of the fund, while the rest 20 per cent would be provided by the state government. When I asked why this specific project  the construction of the ITO skywalk  was not moving forward, I found out that it was stuck because the Delhi government had, for a year, not given clearance to agree to pay the 20 per cent of the entire amount, Puri said, adding that the Union ministry later asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to fund 20 per cent for the project.

Last year we decided that if Delhi government doesnt give the necessary clearances, we will go ahead ourselves. We have seen the same pattern for all Delhi government projects, he said.

Refuting Puris claim, the Delhi government said they have spent Rs 12 crore on the construction of the ITO skywalk. Delhi government spokesperson Nagendra Sharma said, Hardeep Puri is either not aware of the facts or he is misleading the public. The project was designed, approved and executed by the Delhi government.

Earlier in the day, Sharma had tweeted, Sir please put the concept note, design & funding details of Delhi ITO Skywalk in public domain so that the people of Delhi can decide for themselves.

Sharma maintained that Delhi Public Works Deparment (PWD) minister Satyender Jain had conducted an open design competition. From the designs that had been submitted, a unique design was selected for the ITO skywalk.

Almost immediately after that, a PWD secretary appointed by the central government raised objections in the project. Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia overruled his objections and provided Rs 12 crore for the project. The allegation against the Delhi government that they did not pay their share for the construction of the ITO skywalk is false, Sharma said.

On Sunday, the Aam Aadmi Party had alleged that the Centre was taking credit for the construction of the skywalk by not inviting anyone from the Delhi government for the launch event.

There are over 25 major offices and institutions at ITO and approximately 30,000 pedestrians cross various roads around the ITO crossing on a daily basis, making it one of the busiest intersections in the country.

Meanwhile, Delhi lieutenant governor Anil Baijal said that there needs to be better infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. He also noted that citys underpasses also remain underutilised. This city has been very cruel to pedestrians and cyclists. In my last meeting with DDA, Ive told them that they must incorporate a plan for making life convenient for cyclists and pedestrians. I have advised DDA that when they are drafting the 2041 plan, we must match anticipated growth of the city and special infrastructure accordingly, he said.For India to solve its employment challenge, it needs a big push in manufacturing. This is why the fate of the Make in India initiative is crucial. A study by the ministry of commerce shows that some of the success stories of Make in India could be more optics than concrete gains. Heres one such example. Indias import of mobile phones from China came down from $6.3 billion to $3.3 billion between 2014 and 2017. This is in keeping with the recent rise in number of mobile phone factories in the country. But the import of telecom parts from China increased from $1.3 billion to $9.4 billion during this period.

These statistics capture the harsh reality of manufacturing in the world of globalised supply chains. Large manufacturers strategically spread their production across the globe to maximise their profits at each stage of production. These decisions could be driven by better availability of cheap and skilled work force in a given sector, spill-over of technological knowledge from similar industries working in that country or significant promises of benefits by the host government. While some of these issues are structural in nature and can only be improved in the medium to long term, it is important to understand that a manufacturing take-off and challenges such as improving skill sets and technological knowledge in an economy are a bit like the chicken and egg problem. A big mobile company might not be willing to bring all its manufacturing activity in a country due to lack of skilled workforce. Workers in that country will not become experts in making state of the art mobile phones by spending a few years at a polytechnic.

Politics too plays a role. Ideas such as calling for boycott of Chinese goods to reduce trade deficit are, to put it politely, completely wrong. The report says that only 20% of Indias imports from China are consumption goods (which can be boycotted); 60% of Chinese imports are intermediate goods, which are used in manufacturing of so-called Indian products. In an age where big companies go venue shopping to set up factories, increasing a countrys share in global value chains cannot be achieved without active state intervention. This needs to be done both at the micro level, such a focusing on a particular cluster or industry, and the macro level, which basically means acknowledging the fact that we need an industrial policy.The Gurugram cybercrime police has written to Google, Facebook, WhatsApp and YouTube to figure out what prompted 32-year-old personal security officer (PSO) Mahipal Singh to shoot the wife and son of an additional sessions judge.

Singh is accused of shooting them in a busy Gurugram area on Saturday. While Kants wife succumbed to her injuries, his 18-year-old son is in a critical condition at a hospital.

The police has sought help from social media websites and search engines to get details of the browser history of the accused, who had told investigators after his arrest that he had converted to Christianity, and that he used to frequently watch videos on religion on YouTube.

The police said the accused has two Facebook accounts and called himself Mahipal ji.

The police added the accused had not been cooperating with the investigation and was a tough nut to crack. They also said they had no concrete explanation for his motivation to commit the crime.

Investigators said that preliminary probe had revealed that he was very active on social media.

His first Facebook account was created in 2015  he now has 124 friends  and the second account was created in October 2017. He is connected to 420 people through it; the latest update on the account was posted on October 12 at 8.08pm. He was connected to his batch-mates, relatives and school friends through Facebook and WhatsApp, a police officer, familiar with the investigation, said.

Investigators said that the accused shared posts related to religion on social media.

In a cryptic message shared by him on Facebook on Friday, a day prior to the incident, the accused had shared a post with a reference to one Pastor Robin. We are questioning him about the people he was in touch with and whether he had been radicalised online, Sumit Kuhar, deputy commissioner of police (crime), said.

The police had not received any complaint related to the accuseds behaviour from the judge or his family members in the past. Kuhar added that if the accused had been unhappy serving as PSO, he would have informed the authorities, and they would have shifted to him to another role.

His mobile phone was seized immediately after his arrest. During the interrogation, we found that he made several calls, including one to his cousin Manoj Koshal, and informed him that he had shot the wife and son of the additional sessions judge, Kuhar said.

A case under sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the India Penal Code and Section 27 of the Arms Act has been registered against Singh at the Sector 50 police station in Gurugram.

Singh was terminated from duty on Sunday and sent to police custody for four days by a city court. He will be produced in court on Thursday.Amid talk of a November wedding in Jodhpurs grand Umaid Bhawan, the glamorous couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, never misses a chance to enjoy the outdoors. Nick shared a picture of the two of them together from an outdoors location and wrote: When the future looks oh so bright... @priyankachopra.

In the throwback picture, the two are on a vehicle and are looking away from the camera. Given that Priyanka is in London shooting for Shonali Boses The Sky Is Pink, in all probability this seems like it was taken during their trips to Texas and Oklahoma, around Nicks birthday in September this year. Both are dressed casually and look absolutely at ease with each other.

Around that time, Priyanka and Nick shared a number of pictures from the US countryside and they showed how comfortable they seemed together with their many friends.

On their marriage front, the duo has reportedly zeroed down on Umaid Bhawan in Jodhpur, where Priyanka is planning her grand Indian wedding, as per a report in Filmfare. In their last visit to India, the two also went scouting for a venue in Jodhpur. The wedding will see only 200 guests which will include some of their closest friends and family members. Priyanka is also planning a grand bridal shower, to be held in New York, prior to her Rajasthan wedding. Since lot of Priyanka and Nicks Hollywood friends are settled in New York, PeeCee is quite excited to have her bridal shower there followed by a grand wedding in Jodhpur, the report said.

Priyanka and Nick first met at the MetGala in 2017 and stayed friends for a while. Couple of months later, they met again and acknowledged their feelings for each other. Soon they were often spotted together across the globe and at one such visit to India, in August this year, they made their engagement official. Since then, the globe-trotting couple has been spotted in Mexico, Singapore, Italy, London and the US and kept their fans engaged.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreRussian-Pakistani military drills "Friendship 2018" will be held in the mountains of Pakistan from October 21 until November 4, head of the Russian Southern Military District Vadim Astafyev said.

"The joint drills of units of the Russian and Pakistani armed forces 'Friendhsip 2018' will be held from October 21 until November 4 at the training range of the National Counter-Terrorist Center in Pakistan's Pabbi," TASS cited him as saying.

Astafyev said that more than 70 mountain shooters from Karachay-Cherkessia will take part in the drills, adding that the servicemen from the two countries' armed forces will perform tasks at the altitude of 1,400 meters above the sea level.Two CRPF jawans were injured in a militant attack on a security force camp in Newa area of Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir late Monday night, police said. The militants escaped after the attack.

Terrorists late night fired upon a security forces camp at Newa in District Pulwama in south Kashmir, a police spokesman said here.

The attack was repulsed by the forces, he said. In this incident, however, two jawans sustained injuries, the spokesman said.

The injured men, Amit Kumar and Santosh Bharti who belong to 183 Battalion of the CRPF, are being treated, he said. Police have registered a case and investigation has been initiated in the matter, the spokesman added.

Soon after the attack, the forces launched a search and cordon operation in the area.

The attack took place less than two days after police and security forces killed a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist during an encounter in the Kangan area of the same district.

The attack also came ahead of Tuesdays fourth and final phase of the urban local body polls in 36 wards in central Kashmirs Srinagar and Ganderbal districts.A three-year-old girl was allegedly raped and choked to death in Gujarats Surat by a neighbour, police said on Tuesday, days after a man from Bihar was arrested for raping a 14-month-old in Himmatnagar district leading to violence against migrant labourers in some areas of the western state.

The girl went missing on the night of October 13. The body, wrapped inside a polythene bag, was found from a locked room of a neighbour on October 15 evening, an official with Limbayat Police said on condition of anonymity.

Police said the room on the ground floor of a two-storey building was occupied by a man from Bihar called Anil Yadav, who is said around 18- or 20-year-old. He is absconding since Saturday night.

The girl lived with her parents and other two little siblings on the first floor of the same building, police said. Her family is not from Gujarat, they added.

CCTV footage revealed that the girl had not gone outside the society gate. That led us to do an extensive search within the society premises. On October 15 evening, police broke the locked door of Yadav only to find the body, the official said.

Preliminary reports suggest he might have fled to his native place in Bihar.

The girls family said on Tuesday that they will not accept her body from the hospital until the absconding accused was arrested. The family members, supported by their community, have been sitting on a protest outside Simer Hospital demanding action against the accused man.

Two teams have left for Bihar in search of the accused. The police have been talking with the family to accept the body, the official said.

Surat, a hub for diamond and textile industry with a huge population of migrant workers, has been rocked by multiple cases of rape and murder of minors recently. Two five-year-old girls were raped in two separate incidents in September. Both have survived. An 11-year-old was raped and murdered in April.

Thousands of labourers fled the state after alleged threats and violence they have been facing after the 14-month-old was raped leading to a war of words between the Congress and the ruling BJP blaming each other for the exodus. Chief minister Vijay Rupani on Monday said that migrants labourers from across the country were welcome in Gujarat.

Raghuvir Sahu, a ceramic factory worker from Bihar, was arrested for allegedly raping the infant on September 28 in Himmatnagar.Ahead of Kumbh Mela-2019, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to rename Allahabad as Prayagraj amid protests by the opposition parties.

Briefing mediapersons about the state cabinets decisions, UP minister for medical and health and government spokesman Sidharth Nath Singh said, Allahabad will be known as Prayagraj from today. We will take this process ahead and write to the central institutions to change their names. These institutions include Allahabad University, Allahabad high court and Allahabad railway station.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath presided over the cabinet meeting that cleared the proposal for renaming of Allahabad.

Singh, who himself has been raising the issue and writing to governor Ram Naik in this connection, said various organisations and local people had been demanding that the name of Allahabad be changed to Prayagraj.

He said the CM had moved a proposal at the meeting of Kumbh Mela Margdarshak Mandal held in Sangam city on Sunday.

A number of saints raised the demand for renaming of Allahabad. Governor Ram Naik and chief justice of the Allahabad high court justice DB Bhosale had also attended the Kumbh Mela Marg Darshak Mandal meeting, he said.

Allahabad was known as Prayagraj about 500 years ago. We are restoring its name now, said Singh.

Replying to a question, Singh said Allahabad was the most important of 14 Prayags in India.

Meanwhile, the Yogi governments move triggered a fresh round of politics with the opposition parties taking strong exception to the decision.

Hours after the decision, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav expressed his opposition, saying, BJP must learn to differentiate between naam aur kaam (name and work). When will BJP end the politics of name change? It is already over a year-and-a-half, when will the BJP government in the state will begin working? When will development become part of politics? BJP must reply all these questions. People wont benefit by the daily talks about cow-dung or brooms. BJPs government has exhausted four-and-a-half years at the Centre and one-and-a-half year in UP. BJP is the failed political party.Talks between the Travancore Devasom Board (TDB), the tantri (supreme priest of Sabarimala temple) and the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam began amidst mixed signals Tuesday morning to defuse the tension in Kerala which is on the edge with protesters insisting they will not allow women inside the temple complex despite a Supreme Court order.

While TDB president A Padmakumar sounded conciliatory ahead of the talks in Thiruvananthapuram, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan insisted that his government wont budge from implementing the Supreme Court order. The CM spoke after the weekly cabinet meeting.

We will not allow any one take law & order in their hands. The government will ensure facilities to devotees to go to #SabarimalaTemple and offer prayers. Government will not submit a review petition. We've said in court that we'll implement the order: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan pic.twitter.com/TgyZnc0xOO  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2018

The Sabarimala temple opens on Wednesday for monthly rituals.

On the ground, devotees remained belligerent. On Tuesday, women devotees blocked other women in Nilakkal, first camp en route hilltop temple. Devotees are checking buses and other vehicles and have forced some women to alight. Many small hamlets leading to Nilakkal are tense.

Despite a large deployment of police, no protester has been stopped.

Ahead of the talks, Padmakumar who is also a former CPI (M) legislator expressed hopes for a breakthrough.

We are confident the issue will be sorted out amicably. We will hear all stakeholders patiently. We dont want to make it a political issue. At the same time we will convince them about our limitations, Padmakumar said.

The Pandalam royal family has put the ball in the TDBs court to find a solution to the imbroglio.

We stick to our decision to maintain the status quo at the temple. It is for the TDB to find a solution, Pandalam royal family member Sasikumar Verma said before the talks.

Earlier this month, the royal family and the tantri had turned down an invitation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for talks

Sources said the TDB is likely to propose a plan to seek more time to implement the verdict since the row appeared to be getting out of hand.

The temple board is likely to cite poor infrastructure to seek more time to implement the top courts verdict. It is also expected to point to the recent floods that have damaged many facilities at Pambha the base camp for the hilltop temple, sources said.

The apex courts verdict declaring the ban on women of reproductive age from entering the Sabarimala temple as unconstitutional sparked an immediate backlash among the devotees. The BJP and the Congress in Kerala have backed the devotees which has made it difficult for the Left front government to implement the Supreme Court order.

The BJPs Long March which started last week from Pandalam in protest against the state governments decision to implement the top court order without appealing for a review, reached Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.

Hundreds of activists of Antarashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP) also took out a rally, urging the state and central government to address the concerns of the devotees. AHP president Pravin Togadia called for strike in the state on October 18 if the government implements the apex court order.

The board and Keralas Left Front government, which had argued in court to allow women entry, has refused to file a review petition against the top courts four-one majority verdict.A former BSP lawmakers son, seen pulling out a gun and threatening a woman at the entrance of a 5-star hotel in south Delhi in a viral video, was at his Lucknow flat till Tuesday morning but left soon after the clip began to be aired on TV channels, police said.

A joint team of Uttar Pradesh and Delhi police raided Ashish Pandeys flat number 301 and 302 at the B Block of the Santusthi Apartments, situated near the Gulistan colony where politicians and bureaucrats live, but only found a domestic help there, Lucknows additional superintendent of police, east, Sarvesh Mishra said.

The man told police that Pandey comes to flat only once or twice in a month but had come on Monday and left around 9 am Tuesday soon after the video of him brandishing a gun outside the Delhi hotel went viral. Pandeys wife also left the flat at around 11am, he added.

Another senior police official said Pandeys location was traced to different parts of the city till Tuesday afternoon. However, his last location was traced to Basti district.

Director general of police OP Singh has deployed the Special Task Force (STF) to trace Pandey on a request from the Delhi police.

He said the UP police are extending all possible help to the Delhi police and the three teams of STF have already been formed to nab Pandey.

Apart from Pandeys flat in Gautampalli area, his office in Gomti Nagar was also searched while a team has also been sent to his hometown Ambedkarnagar, he added.

The DGP said that Pandey had a license for a pistol since 2000 but could not confirm whether the pistol that he is seen brandishing in the viral video, was the same licensed one.

Pandeys father Rakesh Pandey was elected as MP on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket from Ambedkarnagar constituency in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. Before joining BSP in 2007, he was a Samajwadi Party MLA.

The accuseds younger brother, Rakesh Tripathi, is a sitting BSP MLA from Jalalpur constituency of Ambedkarnagar.

Pandey and his family members are involved in real estate and liquor business for the past many years.A young couple is harassed in the portico of a five-star hotel by a powerful Uttar Pradesh politicians son who brandishes a pistol and drives away in a BMW car. A video of the incident later goes viral on social media. It could be a typical Delhi story of entitlement, wealth, connections, bluster, and a lethal weapon.

The son of a former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislator, in pink trousers and a black t-shirt, was seen waving a pistol to threaten a former Delhi MLAs son and his woman friend at the luxury hotel in Delhi during a quarrel in the early hours of Sunday. Since neither the victims nor the hotel authorities approached the police, suspect Ashish Pandey may have gotten away with the crime if a video of the act had not gone viral. Two days later, Delhi Police booked him on Tuesday, taking suo motu (on its own) cognisance of the incident.

They issued a lookout circular against Ashish to stop him from leaving India and have also strengthened security at the Nepal border. The police have issued a show cause notice to the hotel over withholding information and helping Ashish escape.

A Lucknow-based realtor, Ashish is the son of Rakesh Pandey, a former MP from the Ambedkar Nagar constituency in Uttar Pradesh from 2009 to 2014.

Ashishs brother, Ritesh Pandey, is a serving BSP MLA from UPs Jalalpur.

Ashish Pandeys Facebook profile showed him posing with several weapons, including a rifle, pistols and knives. UPs director general of police (DGP) OP Singh said Pandey has had a licence for a pistol since 2000.

Whether it was the same pistol he brandished early on Sunday morning, and the licence status of the other weapons seen in the pictures, would be known only after Pandeys interrogation. Delhi Police have sought to get the arms licence of Ashish Pandey cancelled.

Pandey was initially booked by Delhi Police only under the Arms Act on Monday morning, but police later added Indian Penal Code sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 354 (criminal force used against woman to outrage her modesty).

If convicted under the Arms Act, the most stringent of all these offences, Pandey could land in jail for at least seven years. Ashish switched off his mobile phone and escaped from his Lucknow home with his wife and children at 9.30am today (Tuesday). The UP Police have formed multiple teams and are helping us to arrest him, said Devender Arya, deputy commissioner of police (south-west).

The incident took place at the Hyatt Regency hotel in south Delhis Bhikaji Cama Place at 3.40am on Sunday. The DCP said Pandey was at the hotel with five friends  three women and two men  to attend a party.

Gaurav Singh, the son of Kanwar Karan Singh, a former Congress MLA from Delhis Model Town constituency from 1998 to 2013, was visiting the coffee shop of the same hotel. My friend wanted to throw up after having soup. I walked her to the washroom and waited outside. Three seemingly drunk women entered the same washroom moments later. They were randomly abusing and cursing. As I called for the hotel staff to assist my friend, the three women began bullying and abusing her, Singh told a news channel.

According to an investigator, the women also abused Singh for standing near the washroom meant for women.

Singh said that he requested to be left alone. But as he and his friend were planning to leave the hotel, they were again allegedly confronted by three women, accompanied by Pandey, in the portico of the hotel.

My friend retaliated by showing the women her middle finger. As I was calming down my friend, Ashish brought out a pistol from his BMW car and threatened to shoot me at the porch of the hotel, alleged Singh.

The video, apparently shot by one of Pandeys woman friends on her mobile phone, shows him carrying a pistol and being accompanied by a woman friend as the duo went about threatening the couple. The hotels security guards appeared to talk to the two groups.

In the video, Pandey is heard saying he is from Lucknow and is seen threatening to bury the couple and their kranti (revolution). The video also shows one of Pandeys male friends trying to calm him down but it did not stop him or the women from hurling expletives.

Pandey and his friends later drove away while the other couple went on to have dinner before leaving. Hyatt Regency management issued a statement on Tuesday saying the hotel was cooperating with authorities and that the safety and security of their guests was its primary concern. Pandey and his family members were not available for comment, despite repeated calls.The special security group (SSG) of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is tasked with the protection of cabinet ministers and the member of parliaments (MPs), will soon acquire high-tech defence weapons, such as Belgium-made Five-seveN (FN) pistol of herstal coy and FN P90 sub machine guns, that are used by elite forces across the world, an official said on the condition of anonymity.

The CISFs VVIP security wing currently owns Glock pistols, MP 5 sub-machine guns and AK 47 rifles. The force, which provides security to 78 VVIPs, including ministers, RSS leaders, and former and current members of legislative assemblies (MLAs) among others, is set to increase its personnel strength from 1,200 to 2,800.

An official memorandum issued by the Union ministry of home affairs had in December said that protectees covered by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will be progressively phased out and assigned to the CISF wing.

The SSG was formed by the CISF in 2006 specifically to provide security to the VIPs. While the CISF is in charge of the security of 78 VIPs, the CRPF provides cover to 75 VIPs and the ITBP to 17, 10 of whom are judges.

Since the MHA has clearly said that in the future, the CISFs SSG will protect all the VIPs, apart from those protected by the SPG (Special Protection Group), we are increasing the (personnel) strength and the weapons are also being modernised. We have proposed to buy new weapons and double the strength of the SSG, the CISF officer cited above said.

The SSG guards the prime minister (PM) and the former PMs and their families.

Another CISF official said these guns are also used by the United States Secret Service, and the assault rifles are able to fire multiple rounds within seconds.

SSG commandos provide security cover of different categories: Z+, Z, Y and X. Threat perception is reviewed on a regular basis and the MHA, depending on the review, upgrades or downgrades the security provided to an individual.Eight years after the rape and murder of two girls, aged five and eight, in Kurlas Nehru Nagar, the Navi Mumbai police said that forensic tests have proved 34-year-old Rehan Qureshi committed the crimes. Qureshi, who was arrested last month for at least 12 cases of targeting and raping minors, has also confessed to committing crimes during interrogation, said the police.

Qureshi is the accused in at least nine cases in Navi Mumbai, three in Palghar, two in Thane rural, one in Thane and five cases in Mumbai. While 18 of the cases are since 2015 and of sexual assault upon minor girls, the two rape and murder cases are from 2010, in Mumbai.

We called for the DNA profiling of the accused and they matched with that of the girls, providing conclusive proof of his involvement as the DNA is unique to every individual. We also confirmed that he had been staying in the area at the time of the rape and killings. On being interrogated, he confessed to both the murders, said Sanjay Kumar, commissioner of police, Navi Mumbai.

Based on CCTV footage, the Navi Mumbai police believe there is another serial sexual offender who has been targeting girls. He is yet to be traced.

The investigation revealed Qureshi would lure the girls by telling them their father is waiting for them and then take them to secluded terraces where he would force the girls to undress, said Kumar. If the girls protested or tried to raise an alarm, Qureshi would rape them.

Speaking to the Hindustan Times, the mother of the nine-year-old who was raped and murdered in Nehru Nagar by Qureshi said, My daughter will not return but there should be justice, and he should be hanged.

Hunt for Qureshi

When the cases start recurring, the police found a similar pattern and concluded that they were committed by a serial offender.

The police investigations revealed that there were two suspects: one of the suspect wore a blue shirt on many occasions and it turned out to be Qureshi, while the other one wore a red shirt and is yet to be arrested.

As the molestation cases came in we took it seriously, and scanned CCTV cameras in and around the area were the crime was committed thoroughly. And we then devised a plan to nab the suspects, Tushar Doshi, deputy commissioner of police, told HT.

The first success came when we identified Qureshi as one of the suspect through a CCTV footage in one of the cases where he is seen speaking on the phone and is dressed in a blue shirt and blue jeans, said Doshi.

Navi Mumbai police circulated his image that they got from the CCTV footage, and declared a cash prize of ~25,000. They also had advertised in Marathi newspapers. With no tip-offs, the police started to scan the CCTV footages of railway stations such as Thane and Panvel.

The accused was seen travelling from Panvel railway station and while we were keeping a watch, similar cases were reported in Nallasopara on September 13 and 20 this year, said Doshi. We found him getting down at Mira Road railway station, and we realized that he might be staying there, said Doshi.

The police were sure that Qureshi would strike again and had kept teams in place across Mira Road. He ran out of luck on October 26, when a police team nabbed him near his residence while he had stepped down for having tea. Qureshi was grilled and Navi Mumbai got confirmation of his involvement in several cases. Qureshi kept hiding details about his stay in the city and would develop cold feet when asked about his stay in Kurla, said Doshi. It was later revealed that Rehan lived in Kurla where he committed the gruesome rapes and murders.

The investigation further revealed that Qureshi had confessed to his mother and had told her that he was committing crimes and would be caught. He had not, however, elaborated on the crimes he was committing, said Sanjay Kumar.Five people were killed and 22 others were injured after an overcrowded bus plunged into a shallow canal at Haripal in Hooghly district of West Bengal Tuesday morning.

Hooghly district police superintendent Sukesh Kumar Jain said the dead are yet to be identified. The injured persons have already been rushed to a local hospital. The condition of four inured is quite critical, said Jain.

The incident took place at around 7.30 am, he said.

While four passengers died on spot, the fifth died on the way to hospital.

The passengers trapped in the bus were rescued jointly by district police and disaster management personnel, assisted by local people. The rescue team had to break open the glass windows of the bus to bring out the trapped passengers, Jain said.

The Kolkata-bound bus had started from Arambag in Hooghly. We are not sure about why the accident happened. It might be because of over speeding following which the driver lost control or may be because of any technical problems in the vehicle. Investigation in on, Jain said. Around 50 passengers were on board while the accident happened.

There was some tension in the area with locals alleging that the police arrived late at the accident spot. Jain denied the allegations and said that his team rushed to the spot and immediately started rescue operations.

According to a state government official, who did not wish to be named, each of the families of the deceased will be provided with a compensation of Rs 5 lakh. Those seriously injured will be eligible for a compensation of Rs 1 lakh.

In January this year, at least 36 people were killed after a bus of West Bengal Transport Corporation fell into a canal at Daulatabad in Murshidabad district.India imported $6.3 billion worth of mobile phones from China in 2014, the year Narendra Modi became the countrys prime minister. This number has declined continuously and reached $ 3.3 billion in 2017 according to a study conducted by the ministry of commerce and industry.

This would suggest that the ambitious Make in India programme of this government is working. But another set of statistics indicates otherwise. Indias import of parts of mobile phones as well as telecom equipment from China increased from $1.3 billion in 2014 to $9.4 billion in 2017.

The total import of mobile phones and telecom parts increased from $7.6 billion to $12.7 billion during this period.

The study explains what has been happening. Through the assembly of final telecom products in India, the Chinese firms have started assembly in India but as yet import substantially from home country to support (the) assembly line, the study says. These findings capture the complex challenge of promoting domestic manufacturing to reduce import dependence in skill-intensive products in a country like India.

A company setting up manufacturing facility in a country might only lead to the final assembly of a product while bulk of the inputs, which have a big share in the overall cost of the equipment, might still be imported.

These findings also raise questions about the claims and setting up of targets vis-a-vis mobile phone manufacturing by the current government in India.

In April 2018, the Indian Cellular Association informed the telecom and IT ministry that India had become the second largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world. In late 2014, the government set the target of 500 million mobile phones to me made in India by 2019. This has now been revised to 1 billion units by 2025 under a newly released draft proposal on National policy on Electronics by ministry of Information and Technology

If fulfillment of such targets comes in the form of just the final assembly of imported components being done in India, itll have limited gains for both stimulating domestic economic activity and bringing down the trade deficit. The challenge is real when seen in the context of Indias rising non-oil trade deficit with both the rest of the world and China.

The increase in mobile phone manufacturing within the country is a result of the Phased Manufacturing Programme, which mandated localization of manufacturing activity.

Such a policy however cannot ensure an increase in value addition in manufacturing activity within the country, said Biswajit Dhar, professor of economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

What needs to be done is to develop a complementary set of policies which incentivise foreign firms to increase the value added component when they open factories in the country, he added.The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church has ruled that further Eucharistic ties with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople are impossible, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchates Department for External Church Relations Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk said after a session of the Holy Synod in Minsk.

"The decision was taken at a session of the Holy Synod to fully break contacts with the Patriarchate of Constantinople," TASS cited him as saying.

"The Russian Orthodox Church does not accept these decisions and wont abide by them. Schism is schism, and leaders of schism remain leaders of schism. While the church that has started relations with the dissenters after recognizing them, has thus expelled itself from the canonical field of the Orthodox Church," Hilarion stressed.

"This is the main reason why we have to stop contacts with the Patriarchate of Constantinople that has filly identified itself with schism," the Metropolitan added.

On October 11, a Synod meeting of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople decided to "proceed to the granting of Autocephaly (self-governance) to the Church of Ukraine." The Synod revoked a legally binding status of the 1686 letter, which empowered the Patriarch of Moscow to ordain the Metropolitan of Kiev. In addition, the Synod decided to re-establish the office of the Stavropegion of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Kiev, which means its head would be subordinate directly to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. Moreover, the Synod lifted anathema from the heads of two non-canonical churches in Ukraine - Filaret of the Kiev Patriarchate, and Makary of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Church.Hang him was the instant reaction of the mother of the nine-year-old girl who was allegedly raped and murdered by Rehan Qureshi on March 7, 2010 at the terrace of police quarters opposite the Nehru Nagar police station.

Who gave him the right to take away life of my daughter in such a way? questioned the mother. My daughter will not return but there should be justice, and he should be hanged. The girls family shifted from their old house five years ago to another place in Kurla (east). But the memories are still fresh. It was evening and my daughter was playing outside. I had cooked food and stepped out to call her for dinner but she was nowhere to be found. She had disappeared, the mother recounted.

That night was very painful. My husband and I along with several residents of our chawl searched for her everywhere, but to no avail, she said.

At around 4 in the morning, when we returned home, my husband was so tense that he started to hallucinate. He could hear my daughter crying for help saying papa, save me and he ran out of the house once again to search her, she recalled.

The police, who were also informed by then, traced the body in the morning. The minor dead body of the girl was found on the terrace of the police quarters opposite the Nehru Nagar police station.

Incidentally, the then senior police inspector from Nehru Nagar stayed in the same building along with other police officers. The quarters do not have any lift . The police pointed out that the accused walked with the girl to the terrace of the four- storey building.

I never lost hope, even though our relatives told me that the culprit may never get caught. God is with us, she said. Things have changed since in Nehru Nagar as people have become more cautious. But lack of security in slums, where children play, make them vulnerable to kidnappings and sexual assaults. There are, however, more CCTV cameras for the police to scan.An 18-year-old student in Nagpur ended his life claiming he was summoned by the spirit of a boy whose accidental death he had witnessed a few weeks ago, police said on Tuesday.

Saurabh Nagpurkar, a student of the P.B. College of Engineering, hanged himself at his home in Kasabpura late on Sunday night, leaving behind a suicide note, said investigating official of Tahsil Police Station, Tulshiram Dhakulkar.

The suicide note says that he had witnessed a small boys accidental death on Umrer Road nearly two months ago. Since that day, that boys soul kept haunting him and beckoning him, Dhakulkar told IANS.

Nagpurkar also said that he kept hearing mysterious voices and strange visions and himself met with a couple of minor accidents because of what he had witnessed. It also kept troubling his mind, and the boys soul kept calling him.

We are scanning his mobile, laptop, the kind of films or games he was interested in, to get more clues. We are also speaking with his friends and college-mates to ascertain what exactly was wrong with him, Dhakulkar said.

However, the boys distraught family - including a father who is a National Cadet Corps officer and an older sister who is an M.Tech. student, besides mother and aged grandparents - said they dont suspect anybody, he added.

Nagpurkar profusely apologised to his parents and even requested his elder sister to look after them properly after his death.

Dhakulkar termed Nagpurkars death and suicide note as very strange, since he was a very intelligent student, appeared rational and normal by all accounts.

In fact, a day earlier, he had celebrated his birthday by going to an orphanage along with 15 friends of his alma mater, New English High School, Mahal.

Celebrating your birthday in this way gives you more happiness, more pleasure. Just look at the smile of the orphan kids... I request all of you please dont waste food, cakes on your birthdays, Nagpurkar had said.

He was running an online campaign among friends and social sites asking them to save at least Rs 100 from their birthday celebrations and spend it on the orphans in the city.

Many of his friends are shocked at Nagpurkars decision to end his life.Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday waded into the controversy over allegations of sexual harassment against Union minister MJ Akbar and attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of not speaking up when ruling party lawmakers and ministers are involved in crimes against women.

Modiji says beti padhao, beti bachao but it so happens that when a complaint against his minister comes, he keeps quiet, Rahul Gandhi said at a public meeting in Morena districts Joura area, according to news agency PTI.

Gandhi is on a two-day tour of Madhya Pradesh where Assembly polls are scheduled to take place on November 28.

The Congress president did not name MJ Akbar who has been accused of harassment by several women journalists. The junior foreign minister has rejected the allegations made as part of #MeToo movement in the country, mostly on social media, and filed a defamation case against the first journalist to have named him.

This is the first time that Gandhi, 48, has attacked the BJP government at the Centre over the allegations against Akbar.

The Congress had recently lent his support to the movement, calling it a big issue.

The truth needs to be told loud and clear in order to bring about change, he tweeted last week.

At his public meeting in Madhya Pradeshs Morena, Rahul Gandhi kept the barbs coming.

When an Uttar Pradesh MLA rapes a woman, UP CM Yogi (Adityanath) keeps quiet and the prime minister keeps quiet. Their true slogan should be beti padhao aur beti ko BJP ke neta, mantri aur MLA se bachao, he said, according to PTI.

Gandhi has been mostly accompanied by state Congress president Kamal Nath and the partys campaign committee chief Jyotiraditya Scindia during his programmes in Madhya Pradesh.

Tuesdays public meeting in Joura was also attended by senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who had been conspicuous by his absence during most of the programmes and rallies addressed by Gandhi in Madhya Pradesh over the last few weeks. His presence came days after he is seen explaining his absence from the campaign to the view that his party could lose votes if he speaks out.India and France are laying the groundwork for a new format of military exercises involving their armies, navies and air forces in what will be a major boost for defence cooperation between the two countries.

The joint tri-service drills came up for discussion when defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman met her French counterpart Florence Parly in Paris last week to explore ways to strengthen bilateral military ties, a senior official familiar with the developments said on condition of anonymity.

The first such tri-service exercise may take place next year, the official added. The existing military exercises between India and France are army-to-army, navy-to-navy and air force-to- air force. While the navy-to-navy exercise is held annually, the army-to-army drills are biennial. The two air forces exercise together once in three to four years. India and France announced their intention to enhance the level of joint military exercises during a summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in March. Russia is the only country with which India holds a joint tri-service exercise  the first of these was held at Vladivostok last October, when more than 900 soldiers, sailors and air warriors from the Indian military took part in the exercise with over 1,000 personnel from the Russian defence forces.

India and the United States are also in the process of formalising a new tri-service exercise, and discussed it at the inaugural 2+2 dialogue between the two countries last month. The plan to conduct the joint tri-service drill with France is being implemented at a time when the two countries are taking steps to operationalise a logistics support pact, which was signed this March and seeks to extend logistical support on reciprocal access to military facilities.

The new tri-service drills will help us understand how western forces work in a joint environment, said Air Vice-Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (retd), additional director general, Centre for Air Power Studies.

Sitharamans visit came in the middle of a fresh round of allegations surrounding the Rafale jets deal between India and France that has sparked a bitter political battle between the National Democratic Alliance government and opposition Congress party. Last week, a report in French website Mediapart suggested that Rafale-maker Dassault Aviation was forced to choose Reliance Defence as its Indian offset partner for the deal.

But the French firm reiterated that it had freely chosen Anil Ambanis company and sold 36 fighters to India within the framework of a government-to-government agreement between the two countries.India has moved a step closer to dealing with contemporary and new threats with the Cabinet Committee on Security recently clearing the formation of three agencies, the Defence Cyber Agency, the Defence Space Agency and the Special Operation Division, a government official familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity.

All three will be tri-service agencies, which means they will draw from each service and serve under the command of the Chairman, Chief of Staff Committee, a second official confirmed.

In 2012, the Chiefs of Staff Committee recommended the formation of three separate joint commands  cyber, space and special operations to deal with new and emerging threats. The Centre has also been pushing for more synergy and jointness to prepare for threats from the emerging triad of space, cyberspace and special operations for future combat.

It is big a step and these will later branch out to form separate independent, stand-alone Commands dealing with Space, Cyber Space and Special Operations, a third official said. The agencies will lead to lot more synergy, economy and sharing of resources building of best practices.

China, for instance, has already demonstrated its offensive capabilities in the space. In February, it demonstrated its capability to destroy a target in space. It used a long-range missile interceptor, identified as the DN-3, to accomplish the mission. Earlier in 2010, China used a midcourse interceptor to destroy a target missile roughly 62 miles above the earths surface.

China is the second country after the US to have demonstrated this capability.

The Space agency will deal with issues such as these and work in close coordination with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The Special Operations Division will have commandos from the Indian Army, Navy and the Indian Air Force. They will train together to deal with various exigencies when the need arises.

The Army, Navy and Indian Air Force all have special forces  Para-Commandos, Marine Commandos and the Garud Commandos. However, these train separately and largely operate in silos. The Para- Commandos and the Marine Commandos will form the core of the Special Forces Agency. An agency for special operations will bring a lot of synergies, a fourth government official said, asking not to be named.

Hindustan Times learns that the cyber and space agencies will be based out of Delhi for close coordination with their civilian counterparts.

Lieutenant General KJ Singh, former Western Army Commander, said it was a good move. One should hold course and these need to be upgraded to the next level - commands... But these dont need to be staffed all by the military personnel alone. In the areas of cyber and space, experts on contractual basis should be included to get the best talent. And in the case of special operations, it will be a good idea to include the National Security Guard as well, since the NSG is being used increasingly. They should all train together.Clearing the air on return of the 17th Karmapa, Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay on Monday said Tibetan spiritual leader Ogyen Trinley Dorje will return to the country in November after his extended stay in the United States.

Karmapa will absolutely come back to India and the Centre has put no restriction on his movement. He is scheduled to visit the country for heads of religious sects meeting in Dharamshala, slated to be held in last week of November, Sangay said on the sidelines of Thank You Himachal event hosted by the Tibetan government-in-exile here on Monday.

On Ogyens recent meeting with Thaye Dorje, another claimant to the title of Karmapa, Lobsang said, Its a welcome step. The outcome of the meeting has been positive.

The meeting between the two in France was aimed at resolving the decade-old rift in Karma Kagyu lineage. Thaye Dorje and Ogyen later issued a joint statement in which they said the meeting was aimed at knowing each other. They added that they wished to work to heal the divisions in Kagyu Karma school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Majority of Tibeta recognises Ogyen Trinley Dorje as head of Kagyu school, but there is a section of Tibetan Buddhist who consider Thaye Dorje as real claimant to the title.

Who is Ogyen Trinley Dorje?

Ogyen made a dramatic escape from Tsurphu, a monastery in China-occupied Tibetan Autonomous Region, in 1999 and reached Dhramshala in January 2000 where he met the Dalai Lama. Since then, he lived under watchful eyes of Indian agencies at Gyuto Tantric Monastery at Sidhbarhi village, 6km from Dharamshala.

Karmapa is the parallel head of Kagyu Karma school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Karmpa visited US last year for a short trip. However, went on to extend his stay citing health reasons, which raised suspicion amongst the Indian government about his future course.

The Centre repeatedly urged him to return to his abode in Dhramshala. Karmapa was reportedly unhappy over restrictions imposed on his movement and was seeking land for building a monastery in New Delhi.With Diwali on the horizon, the Madras High Court on Tuesday banned the online sale of firecrackers till November 15, on a petition by a fireworks trader, who alleged this was illegal and also raised safety concerns.

Justice S Vaidyanathan, who passed the interim order, also issued notice to the deputy chief controller of explosives and the Chennai police commissioner as well as the citys municipal commissioner.

Diwali comes in the first week of November and the ban would last a week after the festival of lights.

In his petition filed last month, M Shaik Abdullah, a member of the Chennai Metro Fireworks Dealers Association sought restraint of online sale of fireworks and crackers by retailers.

He submitted that the association was committed to support the fireworks cottage industry in and around the states Sivakasi and its members were selling only the products of the cottage industry. But, due to the lethargic attitude of the deputy chief controller of explosives, several traders were engaged in the sale of crackers online, which is illegal, he added.

Arguing that sale of crackers and fireworks through online was illegal, Abdullah said this also helped the dumping of Chinese crackers, posing a threat to public safety.Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupanis two-day visit to Lucknow was dominated by the issue of the exodus of north Indians from the western state following the alleged rape of a 14-month-old girl last month.

Rupani accused the Congress of fomenting trouble in Gujarat which is likely to trigger a fresh war of words between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition parties.

The Gujarat chief minister was in Lucknow to invite his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath for the unveiling of the 182-metre high Statue of Unity at Sardar Sarovar Dam by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31.

Yogi had earlier spoken to Rupani over the phone and was assured that action has been taken against those responsible for attacks on north Indians in Gujarat. Therefore, the exodus issue did not figure in talks between the two chief ministers, an official spokesperson said.

Other officials, however, claimed that the issue came up for discussion during Rupanis meetings with state leaders. Rupani also met deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma, who has earlier worked as the BJPs in-charge in Gujarat.

The BJP is bound to use Rupanis visit and his meetings with Adityanath to control the political damage on the issue as the Congress has been consistently raising it for the past few days to gain mileage.

The Gujarat chief ministers move to visit Lucknow to invite not only chief minister Yogi Adityanath but also to extend an invitation to the people of the state to attend the October 31 event is sufficient proof of the BJPs honest intentions, said BJPs state unit spokesperson Harish Chandra Srivastava.

Rupani spoke about the contribution of the people of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in the development of Gujarat and said that the north Indians have blended in Gujarat just as sugar in milk, his observations have evoked mixed reactions.

It is good that the Gujarat chief minister has visited Lucknow and met Yogi Adityanath. Action should be taken against those responsible for the exodus or else the affected people will give a befitting reply, president of Bhojpuri Samaj PN Rai said.

However, the Congress was not amused. Leaders of the state unit of the opposition party showed black flags to Rupani as he arrived in Lucknow on Sunday evening. The Congress leaders also released black balloons on Monday as well to protest against the issue.

The UP CM is not sensitive to the problems of the people. The Gujarat CM is not coming out with the truth on the issue. Rupani is not aware of the meaning of unity, UP Congress Committee president Raj Babbar said.

There was an exodus of north Indians in Gujarat and the CM is not following raj dharma. He is inviting Yogi for the inauguration of the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who worked for the unity of India, Babbar said.The Indian Navy has spotted a Chinese attack submarine in the Indian Ocean, the first such sighting since last years Doklam border standoff, said an official familiar with the development. The Chinese navy has deployed a submarine, a Type O39A Yuan class boat, in the ocean for the first time in over a year.

China claims that such deployments are in support of its anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. The submarine is accompanied by a rescue vessel.

In an interview to HT in May, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said the Peoples Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) is here to stay in the Indian Ocean and its military movement had fuelled concerns about Chinas intent in the region.

The navy keeps a sharp eye on the pattern and periodicity of extra-regional deployments in the Indian Ocean Region. A fleet of 50 combat-ready Indian warships is carrying out round-the-clock surveillance of the waters. At any given time, China has six to seven warships deployed in the region. The PLAN is known to send two conventional submarines to the area every year, Lanba had said.

Navy officials have maintained that anti-piracy patrols and freedom of navigation are the reasons cited by China for its rising presence in the regionNational Students Union of India (NSUI) chief Fairoz Khan on Tuesday resigned from the post in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment against him.

The party has accepted his resignation and will announce his replacement soon, a Congress leader said.

NSUI national president voluntarily resigned from him position for the goodwill of his party. The allegations being levelled against him are false and he will now go to the court and prove himself, said NSUI national secretary Saimon Farooqui.

An NSUI office bearer from Chhattisgarh had in June this year levelled charges of sexual harassment against Khan following which the Congress leadership formed a panel to probe the allegations. She had also filed a police complaint against Khan.

The woman had alleged that Khan used to sexually harass young women for political appointments in the NSUI.

A senior Congress leader said the resignation comes days after the partys internal complaint committee, set up to probe the allegations against Khan, submitted its report to the Congress leadership last week.

The committee comprised of All India Mahila Congress president Sushmita Dev, Lok Sabha member Deepender Hooda and partys national media panelist Ragini Nayak to investigate the complaint.

The Congress leadership had examined the report threadbare, the functionary said.

Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi had last week maintained that the party had immediately formed the committee which heard all sections while preparing the report.

We would be undermining the entire investigation by trying to even comment on it or passing judgment on something which is now in the hands of police. We are not in any way undermining the entire investigation, she had said.Two new ministers were appointed in Armenia. Armenian President Armen Sarkisyan signed the decrees appointing Gegham Gevorgyan as agriculture minister and Tigran Khachatryan as economic development and investments minister.

On October 2, after three parties lawmakers in a bid to retain their seats in the National Assembly passed a bill hobbling dismissal of the parliament, Armenian Prime Minster Nikol Pashinyan called on people to come to the area outside the parliament building. Immediately after that call people flooded the entire Baghramyan Avenue.

At that rally, the premier informed people about the dismissal of the ministers. Later, ministers were appointed to four of these six vacant positions and yesterday the two remaining appointments were confirmed, ARKA recalls.A Delhi police team is in Lucknow to look for a BSP leaders son seen waving a gun outside a Delhi hotel late in a video that provoked national outrage. Ashish Pandey, the former Bahujan Samaj Party lawmakers son and a Lucknow realtor, was not found at home and a look-out circular has been issued against him to trace him, police said.

A team of the Delhi police, which had filed a case against Ashish Pandey, the son of former Bahujan Samaj Party MP Rakesh Pandey reached his flat in Santhushti Apartments near the VIP Gulistan colony in Lucknow but he wasnt there, said officials.

In the 10-second video clip that has been widely circulated, Pandey is seen brandishing a handgun and threatening a woman outside Hyatt Regency hotel in south Delhi, police said, adding the incident that took place early on Sunday.

Reacting to the incident, BSP leader Sudhindhra Bhadoria said a proper investigation should be done and action should be taken. The incident doesnt have any connection with BSP. He is neither a leader nor a member of BSP, he told ANI.

According to police sources, after the verbal quarrel outside the hotel, Pandey went to his car and then took out the gun before threatening her.

The video also showed another woman said to be Pandeys friend and a security guard trying to hold him back and calm him down, and ends with Pandey being dragged away by the hotel staff.

A man who was with the woman told a news channel that the accused, who held the gun, walked up to him threateningly and hurled abuses, reported PTI. I was intimidated and scared. The hotel staff were present at the spot. They tried to intervene but could not as they were also scared, the victim claimed.

A woman accompanying the accused allegedly abused the victims, a senior officer privy to the probe said, adding it is suspected both the parties involved in the incident were drunk at the time of the incident, according to PTI.

The hotel issued a statement saying the safety and security of the guests was the primary concern. We take the incident seriously and have been working with the local police authorities on the same, the statement said.

Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijuju tweeted; Delhi Police has initiated action on this incident which is also being shown in the media. FIR has been registered under Arms Act and IPC. Strong and appropriate action will be taken. Also verifying the identity of others.

According to police sources, Pandey is a regular at the hotel and was accompanied by a few friends including women.

A case under the Arms Act was registered on the basis of video, and a complaint from the assistant security manager of the hotel and legal action is being taken as per law, Delhis deputy commissioner of police (southwest) Devender Arya said.

Joint commissioner of police (New Delhi) Ajay Chaudhary said on the incident took place on October 14 at 3.40 am, but no complaint was lodged by the victim and the hotel staff.

There is negligence on the part of three parties -- the victim, hotel authorities and the accused, he said, adding Delhi police was coordinating with the UP police and teams are looking out for Pandey.

Pandeys father Rakesh Pandey was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2009 from Ambedkar Nagar. PTI said that the accuseds brother Ritesh Pandey is a sitting MLA in Uttar Pradesh.Janata Dal (United) president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday appointed poll strategist Prashant Kishor as national vice-president a month after he joined the party, signalling a bigger role for him in state and national politics.

The post of JD (U) vice-president had been vacant since 2016 when Kumar became the partys president, replacing Sharad Yadav. Partys principal general secretary KC Tyagi confirmed Kishors appointment.

Gratitude from the heart of the leadership of the party for this responsibility and respect. I am committed to the ideology of justice and Bihar in the development of law, Kishor wrote in a Twitter post following his appointment.

JD (U) state spokesperson Sanjay Singh said Kishors experience as a poll strategist would help strengthen the party. Party leaders said the first task of Kishore will be to strike a seat-sharing deal with the BJP, where Kishor was the chief poll strategist for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. His role will be cut out. The party expects a miracle from him again. What he did in 2015, by virtually scripting a sweep for the Grand Alliance, comprising JD (U), RJD and the Congress, which was unimaginable in the midst of the Modi wave, said a senior JD(U) leader, requesting anonymity.

Party leaders who are happy with his elevation feel that Kishor will be an asset with his in-depth and ground-level understanding of social equations of each and every assembly and parliamentary constituency in Bihar, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

.Dassault Aviation will deliver its Rafale fighter jets to India from 2019 and may see new orders in coming months, chief executive Eric Trappier told Reuters ahead of the worlds largest business jet show in Orlando on Monday.

India signed a deal with Dassault in 2016 for the transfer of 36 Rafale jets but the deal has since faced criticism from opposition parties who allege wrongdoing in one of the biggest defense deals.

The French planemaker is also looking to nudge up its production rates on certain business jet models, a sign of broader industry demand for corporate aircraft.

Trappier said Dassault expects to deliver 40 business jets in 2018. Trappier said he would increase production of certain models in 2020.The construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya and so-called urban Naxalism are expected to feature in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwats annual Dusshera speech on Thursday, senior Sangh functionaries said on Tuesday.

According to RSS functionaries aware of the developments, Bhagwat, who has articulated the Sanghs unyielding stance on the Ram Temple, is expected to reiterate the demand. In the past few months, the RSS chief has underscored that the construction of a temple on the disputed site in Ayodhya will assuage Hindu sentiment and put an end to communal differences between Hindus and Muslims.

Ram is bhagwan (god) for many, but there are some who consider him as an icon of maryada (moral standards), for some he is imam-e-hind (spiritual leader). This is an issue of faith for all sections of society that there should be a temple at his birthplace, Bhagwat said during three-day lecture series, Bharat of Future: An RSS Perspective, organised in New Delhi in September.

The issue of urban naxalims is being taken very seriously by the RSS. Their networks operating through academia, media and social sector pose as threat to the countrys security and this needs to be addressed, said one functionary on condition of anonymity. Urban naxals is a recently coined term for left-wing intellectuals who, the authorities allege, have links to Maoist organisations. Bhagwats speech last year was heavily annotated with political messaging, raising concerns over policy issues such as demonetisation, state of small scale enterprises, employment and the farm crisis.

Over the past few years the Sangh has pushed its cadre to counter the Left propaganda by publishing articles and books. For instance, RSS ideologues were encouraged to counter the narrative that the RSS did not participate in the freedom struggle; and that it was involved in Mahatma Gandhis assassination. The speech will come in the backdrop of the forthcoming assembly and LS so there will be mention of political issues, but the essence of the speech will be more social than electoral. The issues of secularism, RSS not being anti-Muslim, their view on women and Dalits... could again be elaborated on in the speech, said Dilip Deodhar, author and columnist who writes on the RSS.

Other issues that are likely to be part of the speech are the centenary of Jallianwala Bagh massacre next year and the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.More police force reach Nilakkal

More police force reach Nilakkal. Pathnamthitta SP T Narayanan at camps in Nilakkal.

Wont allow women, ready to die for Lord Ayyappa: Female devotee

Come what me we wont allow women to enter Sabarimala. No force cant prevent. Ready to die for Lord ayyappa, said a tribal devotee, Neeli, in her 50s.

RSS womens wing to march to Nilakkal on October 17

On Wednesday, RSS womens wing Durga Vahini, slated to march to Nilakkal.

Board is unwilling to discuss about review petition today: Erstwhile royal family

We have urged Devaswom Board to file a review petition. Until it is disposed off status quo should be maintained: Pandalam royal familys Sasikumar Verma.

Board said that they can discuss about review petition on Oct 19. Were upset that theyre unwilling to discuss it today. Meeting wasnt satisfactory.We came out of meeting because theyre not ready to accept our demands: PG Sasikumar Verma.

Talks to resolve Sabarimala crisis have failed, says erstwhile royal family

Talks to resolve Sabarimala crisis fail, says Pandalam royal familys Sasikumar Verma.

Government refuses to file an immediate review petition in Supreme Court against its order to allow women of all ages entry into Sabarimala temple: Sasikumar Verma.

Police foil suicide attempt by a woman devotee in Nilakkal

Police foil suicide attempt by a woman devotee in Nilakkal after she threatened to hang herself from a tree.

Situation tense at Nilakkal base camp

Situation tense in Nilakkal base camp where it is heavily raining. Police is keeping restraint. The situation is peaceful so far.

Devotees randomly check vehicles and ask women to go back. A group of college students from Bengaluru were sent back.

Devotees search buses, force women to alight

Devotees check bus and other vehicles and force women to alight.

In Nilakkal, police are also monitoring crowd movement. Many small hamlets leading to Nilakkal tense. Tribal people also come out in large numbers.

Well implement the order: Kerala CM

We will not allow any one take law and order in their hands. The government will ensure facilities to devotees to go to SabarimalaTemple and offer prayers. Government will not submit a review petition. Weve said in court that well implement the order: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Women devotees block women in Nilakkal

Women devotees block women in Nilakkal, first camp en route hilltop.

Govt committed to implement SC verdict: Kerala CM

Govt committed to implement Supreme Court verdict, says Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Talks begin at 11 am

Talks between the Travancore Dewasom Board (TDB) and the tantri (supreme priest) and the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam started at 11 am in Thiruvananthapuram.Talks between the Travancore Devasom Board (TDB), the tantri (supreme priest of Sabarimala temple) and the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam to resolve the row over the entry of women into the Sabarimala temple have failed, Sasikumar Verma of the erstwhile Pandalam royal familys said on Tuesday.

The failure of the talks has raised the tension in the state with devotees intent of stopping women from entering when the temple opens for monthly rituals on Wednesday.

(The) Board said that they can discuss the review petition on October 19. Were upset that theyre unwilling to discuss it today. Meeting wasnt satisfactory. We came out of meeting because theyre not ready to accept our demands, said Verma, according to news agency ANI.

The erstwhile royal family, which is the custodian of the temple and the temple priests, have been demanding status quo in the hill top shrine and had been pushing the government to file a review petition in the apex court.

In the morning, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan insisted the government would not file a review petition and that no one would be stopped from visiting the temple.

We will not allow any one take law and order in their hands. The government will ensure facilities to devotees to go to Sabarimala Temple and offer prayers. Government will not submit a review petition. Weve said in court that well implement the order, ANI quoted Vijayan as saying after the weekly cabinet meeting around the time the talks began.

On the ground, the situation around Sabarimala temple is tense as devotees staged protests to stop women from entering the complex despite the Supreme Courts historic ruling last month.

At Nilakkal, 15 km away from Pambha which is the base camp for the hill shrine, devotees, mostly women began checking vehicles amid heavy rain and asking women to go back. Despite a large deployment of police, no protester has been stopped from preventing women who were headed for the temple. A group of college students from Bengaluru were sent back. Besides private vehicles, devotees even stopped and inspected Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and asked young women to get out.

Women journalists, who tried to reach the hill temple as part of their official assignments, were also stopped. Police foiled suicide attempt by a woman devotee in Nilakkal after she threatened to hang herself from a tree.

The temple opens its doors at 5 pm Wednesday but there is already speculation that chief tantri wont show up for the rituals following the failure of the talks.

Security remains a concern amid the tense situation. More police force is expected to reach Nilakkal. Pathnamthittas superintendent of police T Narayanan who is camping in Nilakkal refused to speak to the media.

Earlier, Padmakumar who is also a former CPI (M) legislator had expressed hopes for a breakthrough in the talks.

We are confident the issue will be sorted out amicably. We will hear all stakeholders patiently. We dont want to make it a political issue. At the same time we will convince them about our limitations, Padmakumar said.

The former royal family of Pandalam had put the ball in the TDBs court to find a solution to the imbroglio.

We stick to our decision to maintain the status quo at the temple. It is for the TDB to find a solution, Verma said before the talks.

Earlier this month, the royal family and the tantri had turned down an invitation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for talks

The apex courts verdict declaring the ban on women of reproductive age from entering the Sabarimala temple as unconstitutional sparked an immediate backlash among the devotees. The BJP and the Congress in Kerala have backed the devotees which has made it difficult for the Left front government to implement the Supreme Court order.The allotment of a big Lucknow bungalow, previously used by Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, to politician Shivpal Yadav appears to have sent BJP ally and Uttar Pradesh minister Omprakash Rajbhar into a sulk.

Rajbhar, who heads the backward classes welfare ministry, has said the bungalow in Lucknows posh Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg was allotted by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government to Samajwadi Secular Morcha chief Shivpal Yadav in an attempt to weaken the Samajwadi Party.

But, the minister warned, the hurried decision would have a negative impact on the BJP.

At the heart of Rajbhars unhappiness is the fact that his demand for a government building as a party office has been ignored.

I had been asking for a government bungalow for office since March 2017 but dont know why they were afraid of granting me one...Yesterday, a decision was taken to allot the bungalow vacated by Mayawati to Shivpalji for his party, he said on Saturday in Ballia.

Shivpal is the estranged uncle of the former chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.

The allotment of the bungalow on Friday was seen as an attempt to prop Shivpal further up against the Samajwadi Party ahead of the Lok Sabha election next year when the BJP hopes to power a return at the Centre by replicating its spectacular performance in Uttar Pradesh in 2014.

The SP is the chief rival of the BJP in the northern state. The BJP had won 71 seats and its ally Apna Dal won two of the total 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The SP had won five and the Congress two.

The BJP will get to know its status in the upcoming general election if it doesnt change its way of functioning, Rajbhar said.

Rajbhar had categorically denied having any truck with Shivpals SSM after the two met in August. We had met. It was a courtesy meeting, but I have nothing to do with his secular morcha, he had said.

Rajbhar was invited at an event in Lucknow organised by SSM on Sunday, but he did not turn up.

He alleged that bureaucrats are not obeying instructions of chief minister Yogi Adityanath. He also appealed to his party workers to join a rally in large numbers in Lucknow on October 27 to help him take a further decision.

This is not the first time that Rajbhar is peeved with the BJP government and the bigger ally. He has been blowing hot and cold ever since the government came to power in Uttar Pradesh.

He has frequently accused the government of ignoring the backward classes. He had attacked the Adityanath and Modi governments over the issues of reservation for backwards, law and order situation, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, etc.

The BJP considered SBSP an important ally ahead of the 2017 polls as it was consolidating the backward classes votes for itself. The SBSP is a political outfit with its clout in eastern UP districts and was founded by Rajbhar in 2002.

The BJP has been engaged in intensive attempts to consolidate backward castes and Dalits away from SP and BSP. The backward classes have been a major vote bank of the SP while Dalits of the BSP.

Rajbhar is an eminent backward class leader in eastern UP and acting against him might be detrimental to the BJP.A three-year-old girl was allegedly raped and choked to death in Gujarats Surat by a neighbour, police said on Tuesday. The incident comes days after a man from Bihar was arrested for raping a 14-month-old in Himmatnagar district, sparking violence against migrant workers in some areas of the western state.

The girl went missing on the night of October 13. The body, wrapped inside a polythene bag, was found from a locked room of a neighbour on October 15 evening, an official with the police in Limbayat,a zonal down in Surat district, said on condition of anonymity.

Police said the room on the ground floor of a two-storey building was occupied by a man from Bihar, Anil Yadav, who is said to be around 18 or 20 years old. He has been absconding since Saturday night.

The girl lived with her parents and other two siblings on the first floor of the same building, the police said.

CCTV footage revealed that the girl had not gone outside the society gate. This led us to do an extensive search within the society premises. On October 15 evening, police broke open Yadavs house to find the body, the official said.

The girls family said on Tuesday that they will not accept her body from the hospital until the suspect was arrested. The family members, supported by their community, have been sitting on a protest outside Simer Hospital demanding action against the suspect.

Two teams have left for Bihar in search of the accused. Police have been talking with the family to accept the body, the official said.

Surat, a hub forthe diamond and textile industry with a huge population of migrant workers, has been rocked by multiple cases of rape and murder of minors recently. Two five-year-old girls were raped in two separate incidents in September. Both have survived. An 11-year-old was raped and murdered in April.Two lawmakers from Goa quit the Congress on Tuesday in a major blow to the party, which is trying to cobble together numbers at a time when the political situation in the state is fluid because of the ill health of chief minister Manohar Parrikar.

The two MLAs, Dayanand Sopte and Subhash Shirodkar, sent their resignation letters to the state Congress leadership after a meeting in New Delhi with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah.

Union minister Shripad Naik, Goa BJP president Vinay Tendulkar and health minister in the BJP-led Goa coalition government Vishwajit Rane, too, were present.

Both the strong leaders will strengthen the hands of chief minister Manohar Parrikar in Goa, Union minister Piyush Goyal said. Parrikar, who was admitted in New Delhis All India Institute of Medical Sciences for almost a month, returned to Goa on Monday and is continuing treatment at home.

Over the last few weeks, the Congress has been demanding Goa governor Mridula Sinha to invite the party to form the government. Before Tuesday, it was the single largest party in the 40-member state assembly with 16 lawmakers. With the exit of Sopte and Shirodkar, its strength is down to 14, the same as the BJP.

The exits have also lowered the assemblys strength to 38, and the majority mark to 19.

Sopte, who was earlier in the BJP, joined the Congress ahead of last years Goa assembly elections and defeated former chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar. Shirodkar was elected from South Goa.

Parsekar appeared upset with the developments. They (the electorate) had high hopes of him (Sopte) ... Does it seem like these people will re-elect him ? he asked. Kishor Naik Gaonkar, a political analyst, too said, The BJP has its task cut out in securing the re-election of these two.

The resignations came as a shock to the Congress.

Till yesterday, they were with us. They attended the Congress legislature party meeting. But since Monday night, we could not get through to them, said Goa Congress president Girish Chodankar. The two MLAs were wooed by Vishwajit Rane, a former Congress MLA, alleged the Congresss Goa in-charge, A Chellakumar.

I got a message that Vishwajit Rane ... has bargained with the BJP high command that if he got the two Congress MLAs, he should be made the chief minister, Chellakumar said. Rane did not respond to phone calls.

The BJP-led coalition has a clear majority in the assembly with support from allies.

Said Vijai Sardesai, the leader of the GFP: The Congress kept claiming it was the single largest party. Do you think the BJP was going to sit tight? The Congress had promised a political earthquake, but has itself become the victim of one, Sardesai said.The winter session of Parliament could be scheduled for December, after the end of five state elections, people familiar with the matter said on Monday. This will be the second year in a row when the winter session starts in December. Last year, the session, which usually starts in November every year, began in December on account of elections in Gujarat.

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) is expected to meet next week to take a call on the issue, said one of the people, a Parliament functionary who asked not to be named, adding that there is a precedence to defer the session to avoid an overlap with the elections. The office of the minister of parliament affairs declined to comment on the issue.

Polling will take place in Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram on November 28, in Chhattisgarh on November 12 and 20, and in Telangana and Rajasthan on December 7; counting for all five states will be on December 11.

When elections were held to pick new assemblies in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh in 2017, which also coincided with the winter session, it was decided to commence the session a day after Gujarat polling concluded. This was done to allow parties to focus on campaigning, said another person familiar with the matter.

Members of both the BJP and the Congress said that the possibility of moving the winter session to after the polling dates, has not been discussed.

There is a possibility that the dates of the session will be moved to allow parties to campaign, since the state elections are being billed as the semi-final to the 2019 general election and most parties will depute all their senior leaders who are also Parliamentarians to these election-bound states, the functionary added.

The opposition will likely raise issues such as the Rafale deal, farmer protests, the price rise, and the arrest of civil rights activists during the session.

The government will be looking to complete some legislative business during the session. There are two ordinances, one on the disbanding of the Medical Council of India and the other making Triple Talaq illegal that need to be converted to laws.

The government is also hopeful of introducing the draft personal data protection bill that mandates explicit consent for processing sensitive personal information. Among the bills pending in the lower house are the The Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018, the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2018, The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2018, and The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, 2018, and The Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2018.ISIS terrorists have attacked a refugee camp in Syrias Deir ez-Zor province on October 13 and took hundreds of people hostage, the head of the Russian Reconciliation Center, Major General Vladimir Savchenko said.

The assault on the El Bahra refugee camp saw 130 families of about 700 people abducted and taken away to Hajin, he said, adding that the kidnapped civilians can be used by terrorists as a 'human shield' to protect them from the possible advance of the US-backed Syrian democratic forces.

"The US-led coalition and the Kurdish forces continue to imitate the fight against ISIS in the south of Deir ez-Zor province," without making actual steps to eradicate the terrorists, Savchenko stressed.We consume food in two ways: one, by the actual act of eating and the other with our eyes, on Instagram. #food is one of the most popular hashtags on social media and we interact with it on a daily basis. So, this World Food Day, we thought of putting together a neat list of some of the best people in the food industry that you need to follow right now. Their grids are not only drool worthy but also offer a lot of inspiration to experiment in the kitchen.

Chef Thomas Zacharias (@cheftzac)

With over 43k followers, Chef Thomas Zacharias of The Bombay Canteen in Mumbai is one of the most popular chefs on social media. His posts inspire people to experiment with traditional Indian ingredients such as millets and vegetables that are native to the country. And his love for these reflects in not only his food at the restaurant but also through his travel series #chefontheroad. So far, hes visited some remote parts of North East, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and more in search of traditional regional cuisine.

Chef Pooja Dhingra (@poojadhingra)

Shes aptly called the dessert queen of India. Her Instagram is full of delicious sweet treats and trials for upcoming desserts on the menu at Le15, her chain of patisserie in Mumbai. She has over 839k followers, making her one of the most popular chefs on social media. Every Sunday, Dhingra posts videos and recipes of desserts that people can make at home. Follow her for baking tips, recipes and her travel posts.

Chef Saransh Goila (@saranshgoila)

He is the man who gave the humble butter chicken a new lease of life through his venture Goila Butter Chicken, which has outlets in Mumbai. While the dish has always been popular across the globe, Goilas version introduced it to newer audiences and even appeared on popular cooking show, Masterchef Australia. With over 98k followers, Goila is your go-to chef for India-inspired recipes and his street food stories.

Chef Anahita Dhondy (@anahitadhindy)

This young chef popularised Parsi cuisine across the country with SodaBottleOpenerWala, a chain of restaurant. Her Instagram is a must for all Parsi food lovers whod like to recreate the classic dishes such as Dhansak and cutlets at home. With over 41k followers, Dhondy gives a peek into her life in a professional kitchen and her travels that are always food related.

Chef Ranveer Brar (@ranveer.brar)

He is known for his cooking shows and is a well-followed chef on social media with over 176k followers. He often champions the cause of giving traditional ingredients a modern spin through his food. He is currently celebrating Indian Grains Month on his Instagram and has featured the goodness of ragi, rajgira and jowar through his posts.A 20-year-old student was arrested on Monday for the murder of an aspiring model. The victim was identified as Mansi Dixit. Initial investigations suggest Dixit was murdered by the accused, Muzammil Sayyed, who allegedly strangled her, stuffed her body in a suitcase and then dumped it in Malad. Police arrested Sayyed on Monday evening.

According to the Bangur Nagar police, 20-year-old Dixit was from Rajasthan and had come to Mumbai to become a model. The police believe Dixit met Sayyed, a student, on the internet. The two had met at Sayyeds apartment in Andheri on Monday afternoon and after an argument, Sayyed allegedly hit Dixit with a blunt object and then strangled her to death.

The accused then stuffed the body in a suitcase and hailed a private cab from Andheri to Malad. He then dumped the body near Mindspace, in the cover of mangroves and fled from the spot, said an officer, requesting anonymity. This happened between 3pm and 4pm.

The police were alerted to Dixits murder by the driver of the cab that Sayyed had hired. The driver saw Sayyed dumping the bag and leaving the spot in a rickshaw. He then called the police to report Sayyeds actions. The police reached the spot within minutes and found Dixits body in the abandoned suitcase. Sources said the rope that was used to strangle her was intact around her neck.

Using CCTV footage, the police traced the rickshaw that Sayyed had hailed and were able to arrest him. Deputy commissioner of police Sangramsinh Nishandar, zone XI, said, We have lodged a first information report (FIR) under murder sections of the Indian Penal Code and have arrested the accused. Sayyed will be produced before a metropolitan court on Tuesday. The police said Sayyed has confessed to murdering Dixit. Dixits body has been sent for an autopsy.Fifteen years, 64 arrests and dozens of people conned  40-year-old Ramesh Jaiswal has made stealing, and getting arrested, a habit. On Saturday, the Vanrai police arrested Jaiswal for the 64th time since 2003, after he stole a gold chain from a senior citizen at Goregaon (East) on September 15.

Around 2pm that day, Jaiswal started talking to 61-year-old Nilesh Ghag, who was standing near a bus stop outside the railway station. Jaiswal introduced himself as one, Narayan Patil, and engaged Ghag in a conversation with the help of two of his aides. He asked Ghag to remove his gold chain, saying he wanted to take a look. Before Ghag realised what was going on, the three men fled the spot.

Ghag then filed a case at the Vanrai police station.

On the same day, Jaiswal also stole a gold chain and gold ring, worth 80,000 from 54-year-old Vivek Dhuri outside the Borivli railway station.

These two cases were Jaiswals undoing  at least for now.

He was arrested after Manik Patil, a sub-inspector at the Kasturba Marg police station, who had earlier seen his photograph, took Jaiswal into custody. His custodial interrogation revealed he had similar cases registered at the Dindoshi and Vanrai police stations too.

Jaiswal gets out on bail and repeats the same crime under the jurisdiction of a different police station, said a senior police officer from the Vanrai police station.

When Ghag came to us with his complaint, we suspected Jaiswal was behind it and showed Ghag a photo of Jaiswal. Ghag identified him, said another police official from the Vanrai station. The Dindoshi police also said Jaiswal had a case against him after he stole a gold chain from a 55-year-old man in Malad (East).

Jaiswal is a hardened criminal, and getting information out of him is difficult, said the senior officer from the Vanrai police station. He keeps changing his address, making it difficult to even arrest him.

Hindustan Times visited the address Jaiswal gave as his to the police  a room in Chemburs Mahul village  but it turned out to be someone elses home. Jaiswal, a Class 4 dropout, also claimed he is married and has a daughter.Decades ago, members of Bombay Durga Bari Samiti at Kala Ghoda used to wait at the railway station for the idol, which was being brought all the way from north India.

The 88-year-old puja of the Samiti has become grander since then.

It held the first Durga puja in 1930 at Kala Ghoda and after various locations, the celebrations have moved to Tejpal Hall at August Kranti Maidan.

Jayanta Kumar Basu, president of the group, said, For several years now, the Samiti has been sourcing talent from the rural areas of West Bengal to make the idols and perform traditional dances. This is a step to safeguard and promote the long forgotten art.

Durga Bari Samiti has gone green this year with zero use of plastic and the materials used for decor are sourced from Bengal.

Bengal Club at Shivaji Park, Dadar, is celebrating its 83rd Durga puja with the usual traditional touch. Visitors can see the elaborated religious rituals such as the dhunuchi dance, where devotees dance with earthen pots filled with smoldering coal and dhoop, sindoor utsav, where women offer sweets and sindoor (vermillion) to the Goddess and also smear each other with it, and the Kumari puja, where a small girl is worshipped as a goddess.

Every year, Bengal Club brings handicrafts and handlooms from Bengal to sell in the city. Joy Chakraborty, president of the club, said, The inauguration of the idol was done by multi-faith priests this year, which is not a common thing.

North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti at Vile Parle is celebrating its 71st year and boasts of the highest eco-friendly Durga idol (17.5 feet tall) in the city crafted by Kolkata artisan.Thirty-two of the states 36 districts are staring at drought this year, a report by governments forecasting agency, National Centre for Crop Forecasting (NCCF), has found.

The states relief and rehabilitation department will now study the conditions on the ground at 179 tehsils in these 32 districts , before officially declaring them as drought-hit.

The state had earlier said 201 tehsils that got less than 75% of the average annual rainfall they need were at risk of drought.

Based on the NCCF report, which was compiled with data about the areas where crops are sown, the groundwater table index and the amount of water in the reservoirs, the state has now narrowed down on the 179 tehsils. Officials will conduct ground truthing, or manual verifications of the conditions on the ground in these tehsils  a mandatory step before drought is declared.

Chief Secretary Dinesh Kumar Jain directed all divisional commissioners to begin ground truthing, in a meeting held on October 11. The ground truthing report is likely to be submitted by the end of this week. The last time the state was faced with drought, in 2016, the affected districts were mainly in the Marathawada and Vidarbha regions.

This time, the 36 districts hit by deficient rainfall are spread out across the state, in Vidarbha, Marathwada, north and west Maharashtra and the Konkan region.

They include Aurangabad, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Nanded, Latur, Osmanabad, Parbhani, Ahmednagar, Dhule, Jalgaon ,Nashik, Nandurbar, Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Yavatmal, Washim,Wardha, Gondia, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Bhandara from Vidarbha, Kolhapur, Pune, Sangli, Satara, Solapur, Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg.

According to the Centres manual for drought management, the state can declare drought only based on the NCCF report and ground truthing.

Under the ground truthing method, 10% of the total affected villages are randomly selected from the 179 tehsils, where officers from the district collectorate and state agriculture department will verify the ground situation with remote sensing data, an official said, requesting anonymity.

Once the report is submitted, drought will be declared after a government resolution is issued, the official added.

After drought is declared, the farmers affected will get relief from the state government including exemption in land revenue, restructuring of farm loans, stay on recovery of farm loan, 33.5% concession in the electricity bills of agriculture pumps, stop disconnecting electricity supply of agriculture pumps over non-payment, exam fees of the students in school and colleges will be waived, norms of employment guarantee scheme will be relaxed so that more farmers can be accommodated and starting supply of water through tankers in the areas facing scarcity.

Water sources in Marathwada and north Maharashtra have already started drying up, and the state has deployed 380 water tankers to supply water. Of them, more than 200 tankers are deployed in Marathwada, and around 150 tankers in the north Maharashtra region, figures from the state water supply and sanitation department said. We may have to deploy more tankers soon, a senior official from state water supply and sanitation department said.A day after the body of Mansi Dixit, a 20-year-old model, was found dumped in the mangroves at Malad, the police on Tuesday ruled out sexual assault. Muzzammil Syed, a 19-year-old student arrested in connection with the murder, has been remanded in police custody till October 22.

Dixit, a model, had returned from her native town in Rajasthan on Sunday, said police. Syed too had arrived in the city only a couple of days ago from his native place in Hyderabad. They are checking as to why the two decided to have their first meeting at his home in Al Ohad, in Millat Nagar at Andheri (West). The police will also check their call records to get an idea about their social circle. Dixits parents arrived in the city early on Tuesday.

Syed had hailed a private cab and sought help of the driver to load the suitcase containing her body in the boot of the vehicle. The driver, out of curiosity, asked him why the bag was so heavy, said an officer.

The accused got down from the cab at the backroad near Mindspace in Malad (West)  a spot he frequently visited. We received a call on 100 after the cab driver saw the accused get into an auto. Growing suspicious, he alerted us. Syed left the auto a few junctions ahead and then booked another cab, said Sangramsingh Nishandar, deputy commissioner of police, zone XI.

The CCTV network helped the police identify the vehicles. Within a couple of hours, a police team landed at Syeds apartment, when he was in the process of destroying evidence, officials said.

The police have seized a wooden stool and a bloodstained bedsheet from his apartment.

Police suspect that the two met either on a dating site or a social media application. A fight between the two may have led to the murder, said sources. After dumping the body, Syed fled with Dixits phone. When her phone was recovered from Syed, we still had no way to contact her friends or family, as it was locked. Luckily, one of the casting agency workers called on her phone and we answered it, said a police source. It is difficult to believe what has happened. We had a shoot last week in Karnataka, said a photographer who accompanied her on the shoot.The accused in multiple cases of sexual assault and two cases of rape and murder, Rehan Qureshi, had hinted to his mother that he was doing something wrong.

According to Navi Mumbai Police, Qureshi, 34, told his mother, Mein galat kar raha hoon aur pakda ja sakta hoon (I am doing wrong and may be caught). However, the police do not believe his mother knew the extent of his criminal activity.

Since last year, the Navi Mumbai crime branch has been investigating molestation and rape complaints that showed a similarity in their modus operandi. When the cases start recurring, we believed that it was a serial crime as there were similarities, said Tushar Doshi, deputy commissioner of police. As the molestation cases came in, we took them seriously and scanned CCTV cameras in and around the areas where the crimes were committed. And we then devised a plan to nab the suspects, said Doshi.

Police investigations revealed two suspects. One turned out to be Qureshi while the other, frequently seen wearing a red shirt, is yet to be arrested.

Before they were able to identify him, the Navi Mumbai police took Qureshis image from CCTV footage and circulated it. A cash prize of Rs 25,000 was also declared. When no information or tip-off followed, the police started to scan footage from CCTVs at railway stations, such as those in Thane and Panvel. The accused was seen travelling from Panvel railway station and while we were keeping a watch, similar cases were reported in Nallasopara on September 13 and 20 this year, said Doshi. We found him getting down at Mira Road railway station, and we realized that he might be staying there, he said.

Teams were stationed in Mira Road and on September 26, Qureshi was arrested when he came out of his residence to have tea. While being questioned, Qureshis demeanour made the police more suspicious. Rehan kept hiding details about his stay in the city and would develop cold feet when asked about his stay in Kurla, said Doshi.

Forensic evidence would later connect Qureshi to the gruesome rape and murder of two girls that took place in 2010, in Nehru Nagar. The police also learnt that Qureshi lived in Kurla at the time. The DNA samples collected in 2010 helped us and we could match Qureshis DNA, said Doshi.As the Shiv Sena gears up for its annual rally on Dussehra , it has gone on the offensive, attacking its ally in the state government the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray recently criticised the government on a host of issues, including the law and order situation in Mumbai, the recent proposal to allow home delivery of liquor, and the lack of a full-time home minister in the state.

An editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana said Nagpur has the highest crime rates in the state and this wave has now come to Mumbai. The criticism of the law and order situation was made in light of the recent attack by unknown assailants on Sena MLA Tukaram Kate. Kate escaped unhurt, but one of his supporters was injured while fending off the attack. Moreover, a 31-year-old weighing machine technician was shot dead in Dadar on Friday. The daily incidents of crime have made the people of Mumbai anxious. The way criminals and goons are roaming freely is dangerous, the editorial said.

Taking on the proposal to allow home delivery of liquor, Thackeray said it was against the states culture and that the government should instead focus on delivering aid to the doorsteps of drought-affected people. Last week, state excise minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced that the government would allow online sale and home delivery of liquor. However, Fadnavis later assured that no such decision will be taken by his government.

People are reeling under a drought-like situation. They want help, not liquor delivered at home. Online liquor sale does not suit the states culture. Marathwada region has been badly affected by drought...Do not make affected people wait in queues to get help, Thackeray said, in a statement.

Additionally, Sena has also been demanding a full-time home minister for the state, a portfolio currently held by chief minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis. The post of minister of state for home is currently held by Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar. With the cabinet expansion expected to take place this month, bringing up the law and order situation in the state could be seen as an attempt to pressurise the government into appointing a full-time home minister.

The Sena said the BJP seems to be more focussed on expanding the base of the party than governing the state. Hinting at BJP MLA Ram Kadams statements about kidnapping girls, the Sena said, The legislators of the ruling party are talking about [helping] daughters elope, and the police give protection to such people... What else can you expect if criminals and goons are inducted in the party?The management of AIIMS-Patna on Monday filed a FIR against former JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar and his supporters following his alleged misbehaviour with a doctor, nurses and a security guard of the hospital, police said.

An FIR was lodged following a directive from state health department after AIIMS-Patna doctors threatened to go on an indefinite strike if action was not taken against Kanhaiya and his supporters, said Phulwarisharif police station house officer (SHO) Mohd Qaiser Alam.

Kanhaiya, according to AIIMS-P sources, along with his supporters visited the hospital on Sunday night to enquire about the health of All India Students Federation (AISF) leader Sushil Kumar, who had undergone surgery in his right hand on October 10 at the hospitals orthopaedic ward. During their visit , some of them allegedly misbehaved and threatened the doctor on duty, nurses and the security guard, after the guards objected to the entry of a large number of people in the ward.

After an emergency meeting on Monday morning, the doctors issued an ultimatum to the government to take action against Kumar and his supporters by evening, failing which they would go on a strike. They decided to resume duty after the case was filed and assurance of security from the authorities.

Condemning the incident, health minister Mangal Pandey said the state government would not tolerate such type of vandalism. People like Kanahiya Kumar are trying to vitiate the atmosphere in the institutes at behest of the RJD. But the government will deal with such elements firmly, said Pandey.

The former JNU president is likely to contest 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Begusarai seat. He is trying unsuccessfully to project himself as a leader in Bihar politics. We will not allow anybody to take law and order in hand, warned Pandey.

Meanwhile, a release issued by Janmaijay Kumar, secretary, All India Students Federation, Patna unit, alleged that the junior doctors behaviour was politically motivated and the police case was lodged at the behest of Union health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey.

The doctors threatened to discharge AISF state secretary Sushil Kumar from hospital. This has put his life in danger. The AISF will organise statewide protest on October 16-17 against this decision, said Kumar.After sharing stage with rebel leader Sukhpal Khaira during the Bargari protest on Sunday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday formed a five-member coordination panel under deputy leader of Opposition Sarabjit Kaur Manuke to broker peace with the rebel group.

The decision was taken at the core committee meeting of the party in Chandigarh. The other members of the coordination panel are Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann and MLAs Meet Hayer, Rupinder Kaur Ruby and Kulwant Singh Pandori.

The move comes weeks after the Khaira faction formed a five-member panel on September 24 to resolve their differences after he unfurled banner of revolt against Kejriwal on being sacked as leader of Opposition.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Khaira said the five-member panel will hold discussions with AAP state leaders to resolve differences under framework of resolutions passed by them at the Bathinda convention, including autonomy for the state unit.

The rebel group comprising eight of partys 20 MLAs in Punjab also gave a veiled warning of forming its grassroot organisational set-up after a meeting of its 15-member political affairs committee (PAC) on October 24.

Neither AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal nor his deputy Manish Sisodia have made any effort to broker peace during their Punjab visits, Khaira said.

On October 3, Sangrur MP Mann and leader of Opposition Harpal Cheema had announced formation of a 22-member committee, comprising MLAs, two MPs and party leaders, for independently taking decisions in connection with state issues.

This core committee can form a sub-committee to reach out to Khaira group to call truce with them, Mann had then said.

But the two factions went their own way on October 7. Khaira held a protest march to Bargari to show solidarity with protesters seeking action against culprits of sacrilege and police firing incidents of 2015 and Cheema and other MLAs sat with the Sikh radicals at the Bargari dharna.

Rebel MLA Kanwar Sandhu said on demand of volunteers, they would be appointing district chiefs, presidents of different wings, halqa in-charges and village committees. But he did not close doors to peace talks saying these appointments would be ad hoc. After that, we will launch our membership drive, Sandhu said.Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the governments extraordinary meeting that he will make a statement this evening on the final stage of the velvet revolution.

He stressed that today is an important day, because Armenia will enter a new historical period, the results of which will complete the velvet revolution. "But I will speak about this today evening," ARKA cited the PM as saying.

The Prime Minister is expected to resign today, since he said recently in an interview with France24 that he intended to resign on October 15 for dismissing the parliament and conducting early parliamentary elections on December 10.

The director of the Armenian branch of the CIS Institute, Alexander Markarov, speaking with Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that "the party system that emerged during the last three electoral cycles ceased to exist, since the counterparties, which have became the de facto political majority, were a political minority until April of this year. The parties, of course, will fight for the parliament seats, some will receive 20-30% of the votes not given to Pashinyans party," he explained, stressing that about 70% of voters will vote for Pashinyan and his team.

"As a result, if earlier Pashinyan fought for the title of the main opposition force to other parties, now other parties will fight for the title of the main opposition force to Pashinyan. It is an interesting question who will it be, because Gagik Tsarukyan, the leader of the Prosperous Armenia party, signed a memorandum of cooperation with Pashinyan. ARF Dashnaktsutyun should understand how it will position itself in these elections. The republicans have very ghostly chances of overcoming the 5% barrier (or 7% if they form some block)," Alexander Markarov said.

Today we have a strong leader and the absence of strong political parties as elements of the political system. If we are talking about democracy, then it presupposes the existence of a strong, workable and constructive opposition. For now, we see that the political field is monopolized - but monopolization does not lead to anything good," the director of the Armenian branch of the CIS Institute concluded.Days after three students of Jammu and Kashmir were arrested from the hostel of a private engineering college in Jalandhar for their alleged involvement in terror activities, the Ludhiana police commissioner has written to all the colleges and institutes in the district to provide a list of students from other states and countries for the verification of their credentials.

In a letter issued on Monday by police commissioner Sukhchain Singh Gill, it has been mentioned that for the safety and security of foreign students and those form other states, all colleges have to send the information regarding outreach programmes.

The letter reads, Provide the list of institutes having foreign students of other states, database of foreign students and students belonging to other states.

The colleges and institutes have been asked to send the information within two days.

The colleges have to provide all details related to students home state or country, permanent address, date of birth, contact numbers, name of the course with duration, date of admission and a latest photograph.

As per sources, this was for the first time that the police commissioner asked the colleges to provide the information of students from outside the state or country.

Savita Uppal, principal of Arya College, said, We have four students from other states and the record of same has been sent to the police commissioner. Those four belong to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Uttarakhand.

Dharam Singh Sandhu, principal of Satish Chander Dhawan (SCD) Government College, said, We are preparing the state-wise data and will send the information to the police commissioner tomorrow. There are several students from other states pursuing different courses in our college.

When contacted, police commissioner Sukhchain Singh Gill said, It is a routine exercise and keeping in mind the safety and security of the foreign students and those from other states, the colleges have been asked to provide their database.

The trigger

On October 11, the Punjab Police and special operations group of the Jammu and Kashmir Police had busted a terror module in Jalandhar with the arrest of three Kashmiri students linked to Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH).

Another student associated with the outfit has also come under the scanner. He was identified as Sohail of Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir, reportedly studying at a private institute in Dera Bassi.Australia is considering following US President Donald Trumps lead in moving the nations embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Australia should be open-minded to this, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday. Were committed to a two-state solution but, frankly, it hasnt been going that well.

The announcement is causing concern in Indonesia -- home to the worlds largest Muslim population and Australias northern neighbour -- although not enough to threaten the countries imminent free-trade deal.

Indonesia conveys our strong concern on the announcement and question the merit of the announcement, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, referring to the potential embassy move.

However Indonesian government has not made any representations to Australia about the free trade agreement or whether it was in jeopardy, Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir said. The comments were made immediately following a meeting between Marsudi and her Palestine counterpart, Riad al-Maliki.

World leaders from the Vatican to Tehran denounced Trumps decision to relocate the US embassy from Tel Aviv. The contentious inauguration in May, timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Israels independence, escalated clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Morrison said he would ask his Cabinet to consider recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the embassy switch -- a potential move welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Im very thankful to him for this, Netanyahu said in a tweet after speaking with Morrison. We will continue to strengthen ties.

Australia will also review its support for the Iran nuclear agreement due to potentially destabilizing behaviour in the Middle East when it comes to the activities of Iran, Morrison said on Tuesday.

Asked in parliament about media reports the potential embassy move could damage Indonesian-Australian relations, Morrison said he had explained his announcement to President Joko Widodo and had been very pleased with the response.

In August, Indonesia and Australia concluded talks begun in 2010 on a free-trade deal thats due to be signed next month. In 2017, two-way trade of goods between the nations was A$11.2 billion ($8 billion), making Indonesia Australias 14th-largest trading partner.

Morrison said he was persuaded to consider reversing the governments long-held position to keep the nations embassy in Tel Aviv by Dave Sharma, a former Australian ambassador to Israel and the governing Liberal Partys candidate in a special election this weekend in the Sydney-based district of Wentworth. The electorate has a relatively high Jewish population.

Should it fail to win the seat, Morrisons government will lose its one-seat majority in the lower house, meaning it will be forced to rely on the support of minor parties to survive and pass legislation.

The main opposition Labor party, which polls show is on track to win national elections that must be held by May, said Tuesdays announcement showed just how desperate the government is to win in Wentworth.

Both the government and the opposition have supported the approach of most other nations of maintaining our embassy in Tel Aviv on the grounds that Jerusalems status must be determined as part of an overall two-state solution, Labor foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said in a statement. The people of Wentworth, and all Australians, deserve a leader who puts the national interest ahead of his self-interest.

Morrison, an evangelical Christian, denied the potential embassy switch was motivated by domestic politics, his religious beliefs, or that Australias main strategic ally, the U.S., had influenced the decision.

Relations between Australia and Indonesia have been damaged by a series of scandals and spats over the decades but improved under Morrisons predecessor Malcolm Turnbull, who lost his job in a leadership coup in August.

Morrisons embassy announcement seems reckless and has the potential to be received poorly in nations such Indonesia and Malaysia, said Greg Barton, chair in global Islamic politics at Melbournes Deakin University. It may not end up a big deal but it does seem unnecessary and it may not even help the government win its election in Wentworth.India and Chinas decision to jointly train diplomats from Afghanistan marks a beginning by the two countries to work together in new areas, the ministry of foreign affairs (MFA) said soon after the trilateral project was inaugurated in New Delhi on Monday.

Ten Afghan diplomats who began training in New Delhi on Monday will later travel to China to be tutored in diplomacy in the second stage.

This project marks the formal start of Sino-Indian-Afghanistan cooperation and the development of Sino-Indian cooperation in new areas, the MFA said in a statement emailed to the Hindustan Times.

The Afghan diplomats will receive training in India and China one after another, the statement added.

The project also shows the willingness and efforts of China and India as responsible big countries to work together to promote regional peace and stability, the MFA statement added.

The Joint India-China Training Programme for Afghan Diplomats from October 15 to 26 is part of a consensus reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their first-ever informal summit in the city of Wuhan in central China.

During the informal summit in Wuhan, President Xi Jinping and PM Narendra Modi agreed to strengthen policy coordination in surrounding regions and discussed developing Sino-India+Plus cooperation, the statement added.

The two leaders agreed to maintain communication and coordination on the issue of Afghanistan jointly promote peace, stability and development in Afghanistan, it said.

The statement added that in order to implement the consensus made by the leaders -- after negotiating with Afghanistan -- China and India officially launched the project.

The Afghan diplomats attending the training program felt elated and excited to undertake the first-of-its-kind training programme which, they said, would help them in understanding the issues confronting their country from an international perspective, Chinas official news agency, Xinhua, reported.

Jahan Zeb Salimankhil, a serving Afghan diplomat told Xinhua that it was a good and unique experience for them.

It is a unique experience for all ten of us, of undertaking training at Indias Foreign Service Institute. It is all the more important as this is a joint training programme of India and China, the two great countries in this part of the world.

According to Salimankhil, after completing this training in New Delhi, they will go to China to undertake a similar ten-day long training programme.

Last month, diplomatic sources had told HT that decision by India and China had disappointed Afghanistan as Kabul was expecting a large-scale one that could directly impact the lives of the people in a country ravaged by war.

India had, in fact, conceded Chinas request to jointly implement a limited capacity building project to opt for a smaller project in Afghanistan, possibly to assuage its ally Pakistans misgivings.Pakistans former top diplomat to the US Husain Haqqani has slammed Chinas deputy ambassador in Islamabad Zhao Lijian for his undignified trolling after the ex-envoy shared a story about the Chinese governments treatment of minority Uyghur Muslims.

Over the past few days, Haqqani has been involved in a public spat with Zhao which started over a tweet.

Haqqani, 62, tweeted a London Times article which said that China demands the Uighur Muslims eat pork.

Zhao, instead of responding to the shared article, criticised Haqqani for the tweet.

Joke of the day. A person without soul and nationality is joining a groundless attack against China. What a pity! he said.

Responding to the criticism, Haqqani said diplomatic courtesy usually required diplomats not to attack people of the country where they are serving and certainly not by attacking their patriotism towards their own country.

I respect Zhao Lijians rights to defend China and Chinas policies, but for him to act as a troll on behalf of those in Pakistan who called me names was very undignified, Haqqani told PTI on Monday.

Haqqani, who is critical of the Pakistani Army and the fundamentalist groups, has a considerable following in Pakistan.

The former envoy said Monday that he will continue to write, tweet and say what he believes.

I am not somebody who is going to toe the line of either the Pakistani establishment, the civilian Pakistani government or Mr Zhao Lijian, who until a few months ago was known as Muhammad Zhao Lijian, he said, adding that he had never met the Chinese diplomat.

Earlier, after Zhao questioned Haqqanis nationality, the ex-envoy responded saying, Pitiful act of the day: a Chinese diplomat who dropped Muhammad from his name attacks me for tweeting an article rather than denying the article from the Times.

How much are they paying you? Youre lying like this and attacking China. I respected you as a former Ambassador, but no more from now on, Zhao had hit back.

I just tweeted an article from the London Times with a question mark. And the article said that Uighurs in a re-education camps in China were being forced to eat pork. It was a news story that has appeared in many other newspapers. He decided to attack me for tweeting it and by calling me a person without a nationality and a soul, Haqqani said on Monday.

Firstly, I do have a nationality and secondly, as far as having soul is concerned, I thought atheist didnt believe in the notion of soul, said Haqqani who is now associated with the Hudson Institute, a top American think-tank.

Over the past few days, the Chinese diplomat has been slammed on Twitter for attacking Haqqani and not responding to the news story on Uighurs.

Hes a Pakistani national, which is a sovereign country. What kind of a diplomat gives out statements against the citizens of a host country? Kindly respond to the queries raised on your countrys policies without insulting Pakistani citizens. We are a nation with diverse views, tweeted a user Marvi Sirmed.

PRC ambassador to Pakistan attacking senior Hudson Institute researcher/former Pakistan ambassador to the US for retweeting story about PRC forcing Uighurs to eat pork, tweeted another follower Matt Schrader.

Around one million minority Uighur Muslims have reportedly been sent into detention and indoctrination centres in Xinjing region during a surveillance and security campaign run by the Chinese government.

The Chinese Muslim community has resisted coercive re-education efforts by the authorities, which have progressively restricted religious minorities from observing the basic articles of their faith.An IT advocacy group representing more than 1,000 small IT companies mostly run by Indian-Americans has filed a lawsuit against the US immigration agency for issuing H-1B visas for shorter than three years durations.

The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. These visas are typically issued for three to six years to employers to hire a foreign worker.

Based out of Dallas in Texas, the ITServe Alliance in its lawsuit 43-page lawsuit filed last week alleged that the US Citizenship and Immigration Services has recently begun a practice of approving H-1B petitions for shorter than three years durations.

These petitions are often valid for only months or days at a time, and some cases are expired by the time the approval is received, it said.

ITServe lawsuit against the USCIS alleges that the agency has no authority to misinterpret the existing regulations and shorten the approval durations.

In fact, the United States Congress has specifically granted power to the Department of Labor and DOLs regulations grant three-year approvals, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit also alleges that the itinerary requirement put forth by the USCIS is also unlawful.

This is the second lawsuit filed by ITServe against USCIS. In the first lawsuit filed in July 2018, ITServe demanded USCIS to remove language from their website prohibiting F-1 STEM OPT students working at the third part client locations.

The USCIS has been making arbitrary rules and memos for over eight years, its our top priority to set things right and hold USCIS accountable to follow the regulations set by the Unites States Congress, said ITServes national president for 2018, Gopi Kandukuri.

Referring to the recent spate of H-1B denials that ITServe members received, Kandukuri added members of ITServe Alliance are tired of receiving random denials for no reason.

The new battlefield for us is the federal courthouse and not USCIS service centers, he said.Britain said Tuesday it was deeply concerned about the well being of a PhD student charged by the United Arab Emirates with spying in the Gulf country.

British citizen Matthew Hedges stands accused of spying for a foreign country, jeopardising the military, political and economic security of the state, UAE attorney general Hamad al-Shamsi said late Monday.

We remain deeply concerned about Matthew Hedges and are in regular contact with the Emiratis regarding his health and wellbeing, said the Foreign Office in London.

We continue to press for consular access. We also remain in close contact with Matthews wife, Daniela.

It added that it was longstanding British policy not to comment on intelligence matters.

The 31-year-old, who was researching the UAEs foreign and internal security policies after the 2011 Arab Spring revolutions, was detained at Dubai airport on May 5.

Hedges wife Daniela Tejada said Tuesday he been held in an undisclosed location in the UAE in solitary confinement with limited access to the consulate and his family as well as no access to a lawyer until last week.

She said Hedges had been told he was being charged with gathering information and sharing it with a foreign agency - the UK Government.

Tejada called on the British government to clarify publically that Matt is innocent of the charges and that there have been many falsehoods said about him.

This horrifying situation has been going on for far too long, she said.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told AFP last week that he was very worried about Hedges fate.

Ive spoken to the Emirati foreign minister twice now on this matter face to face so they are very aware of our concerns and we are monitoring it very closely, he said.

According to the UAE attorney general, Hedges had been posing as a researcher to cover his activities. The accusations against him were backed by information taken from his electronic devices.

Tejada, who has visited her husband once and spoken to him on the phone, told AFP last week her husband simply isnt guilty of anything.

He was just doing academic research, she said, adding that his research involved only open source material.

Hes not disclosed anything... classified or confidential, she said, adding that Hedges had lived in the UAE for several years before he returned to Britain in 2015.Senator Elizabeth Warren suggested President Donald Trumps comment about him personally administering a DNA test to her to prove her Native American heritage is creepy.

She tweeted Monday that the president makes creepy physical threats about women who scare him, including her.

Hes trying to do what he always does to women who scare him: call us names, attack us personally, shrink us down to feel better about himself, the Massachusetts Democrat responded on Twitter after Trump made the comment during an appearance in Georgia. It may soothe his ego - but it wont work.

Warren, who is seen as a potential 2020 challenger to Trump, appears to have taken a page out of his political playbook, striking back almost instantly at the president who continues to ridicule her claim of Native American ancestry. Trump relishes a good fight, those close to him have said, and will hit back twice as hard when hes been attacked.

A sharp critic of Trump, Warren wasted little time going after him on Monday.

She opened the day by releasing DNA test results that provide some evidence of a Native American in her lineage, though the ancestor probably lived six to 10 generations ago, according to the analysis. Trump has ridiculed her as Pocahontas over the ancestry claim.

In July, the president offered to donate $1 million to her favourite charity if a DNA test proved her Native American bloodline.

On Monday, he first denied ever making such a promise, then said later that Ill only do it if I can test her personally.

That will not be something I enjoy doing either, he added.

Warren tweeted that Trump is a cowardly elitist and she wont sit quietly for Trumps racism so she took the test.

I took this test and released the results for anyone who cares to see because Ive got nothing to hide. What are YOU hiding, @realDonaldTrump? she wrote. Release your tax returns - or the Democratic-led House will do it for you soon enough. Tick-tock, Mr President.

Warren was referring to the Nov. 6 election, when Democrats hope to regain control of the House, which would put them in position to examine and possibly publicly release Trumps returns.

Trump has bucked decades of precedent by refusing to release his income tax returns during the 2016 presidential election, as well as after taking office.Pipeline

16 October 2018

Canopy by Hilton, Hilton's (NYSE:HLT) lifestyle brand, announces its first property in Latin America with the signing of Canopy by Hilton Sao Paulo Jardins, slated to open in late 2019. Owned by Tati Construtora e Incorporadora and managed by Hilton, the 98-room adaptive re-use hotel will introduce locals and travelers alike to the brand's guest-directed service and locally-authentic experience.

Designed as a natural extension of the vibrant and pedestrian-friendly neighborhood of Jardins, Canopy by Hilton Sao Paulo Jardins will welcome guests with a strong sense of place inspired by the area's local surroundings, including an intimate lobby with chic design elements that provide a glimpse of the area's trendy, upscale offerings. The hotel will feature Canopy Central, an area with a restaurant and bar serving local contemporary cuisine and a flexible meeting space, as well as a lounge and fitness center.

Known as one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Sao Paulo, Jardins boasts high-end clothing stores, fine dining, and a culturally rich experience with museums such as the Sao Paulo Museum of Image and Sound, and the MASP (Sao Paulo Museum of Art). In the evening, the area bustles with some of the best nightclubs, live music venues, pubs and theaters to entertain every personality. The hotel will also boast easy access to the famous Paulista Avenue and Ibirapuera Park - one of Latin America's most visited urban parks. As with all Canopy by Hilton hotels, Canopy by Hilton Sao Paulo Jardins will complement the energetic city by appealing to travelers looking for a culturally unique upper-upscale experience.Appointment

16 October 2018

CHMWarnick, the preeminent asset manager and business advisor to the hospitality industry, today appointed Joe DeFrank (CHAM) to the position of senior vice-president and asset manager. DeFrank will join Craig A. Mason (CHAM), executive vice president, in the company's recently established Washington, D.C. Metro office and further cement the company's presence in the mid-Atlantic region.

Previously, DeFrank was a senior-vice president of asset management for Host Hotels & Resorts and was responsible for a portfolio of approximately 40 hotels with 20,000-plus rooms throughout the southeastern and central regions of the U.S., as well as Mexico and Latin America. The portfolio included a diversified mix of full-service Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, Hilton, Accor and independently branded hotels. DeFrank also held several prominant positions within Marriott International for nearly a decade and a half, culminating in director of finance. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting with an emphasis in finance from the Smeal School of Business at Pennsylvania State University. DeFrank also received a Certificate in Strategic Hospitality Management from Cornell University's Professional Development Program. He is a member of the Marriott International Westin Brand Ownership Advisory Board and the AH&LA's Food & Beverage Committee and Sustainability Committee.Appointment

16 October 2018

Angus Spurr has been appointed as the new Head of Operations: Rooms Division and Revenue Optimisation at the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront in Cape Town, having previously been the hotel's Food and Drinks Manager. A born-and-bred South Africa, Spurr hails originally from Roosevelt Park in Johannesburg, and studied Hospitality Management at WITS Technicon. His career in the hospitality industry spans some 20 years, including eight years in the UK working for a variety of hotels.Spurr began his career in the industry with the Protea Group, his first position being Marketing Co-ordinator at the Protea Hotel Wanderers in Johannesburg from 2001 to 2003. Wanting to go into the operational side of the industry, he moved across to the position of Assistant Food and Beverage Manager where he stayed until 2005. A promotion then saw him become the Head of Department, Food and Beverage Management, at the Protea Hotel Gold Reef City. But, in 2006, the United Kingdom beckone d.From there, he moved on to the Novotel London Waterloo, where he continued in the role of Food and Beverage Manager - a position which developed into Operations Manager. While he considers his biggest achievement to be his family (he has a wife and three daughters who he credits for his success as being his "support system"), he quite unexpectedly says that his biggest learning moment was getting lost on a Leadership Course in Arthog, Wales.Supplier News

16 October 2018

Silicon Valley, CA and Singapore - Nor1, the leader in upgrade, upsell, and merchandising technology is proud to announce and welcome Sandra Tye as Regional Director, Business Development, APAC. Ms. Tye, based in Nor1's Singapore office, will be responsible for expanding and strengthening Nor1's relationships with industry partners throughout APAC.

Photo: Nor1

"I am very excited to be working with Nor1 to provide hotels and resorts intelligent upsell solutions that optimize the amount of revenue they can realize from every single guest transaction," said Sandra Tye, Regional Director, Business Development, APAC.

Tye added, "I am eager to help hotels dramatically increase RevPAR, ADR, and guest satisfaction by utilizing Nor1's intelligent upgrade, upsell, and merchandising platform. One crucial, deciding factor for my joining Nor1 was the realization of how many upgrade and upsell opportunities are being overlooked by all of the other approaches I've seen or experienced. Nor1's suite of products can maximize total revenue and enhance the guest's journey at the same time. Nor1 is truly the leader in this space."

"We are very pleased and excited to welcome Sandra to the Nor1 Team," said Jason G. Bryant, Nor1's Founder and CEO. "We are confident that her knowledge, reputation and experience in the APAC region will be a great asset to Nor1 in expanding adoption of our upgrade, upsell, and merchandising platform.

About Nor1, Inc.

Nor1 is the leader in hospitality upgrade, up-sell, and merchandising technology.

Headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices across the world, Nor1 provides data-driven pricing and merchandising products that maximize incremental revenues for Hilton, IHG, Radisson Hotel Group, Accor, Wyndham, and other global hotels and resorts.

Nor1s real-time pricing and merchandising intelligence engine, PRiME, powers eStandby Upgrade, eXpress Upgrade, CheckIn Merchandising, eReach, and eDirect to recommend the most relevant upgrade to the right guest at the right time for the most optimal price.

Our investors include, Concur Technologies, Goldman Sachs, and Accel Partners.

For more information, please visit www.nor1.com.Opinion Article

16 October 2018

The trip planners are very common these days because they help us to plan our holiday day by day. This article will prove that they may be also helpful for hotel owners who would like to get more organic traffic at their websites.

The typical tourist

The average tourists travel once or twice a year. They usually do not have much time to plan their holidays in details so they look for facilitations, such as trip planner that will help them to select the most suitable places to visit or events to join. In fact, a great number of holidaymakers select the particular tourist attraction, for example the Big Ben, then they select the number of days they want to stay in the destination and finally they book the room and the flight.

From the SEO point of view

If a hotel owner wants to encourage the Google browser's visitor, there must be some SEO services implemented. It is worth to underline that there are some keywords that are less competitive and cheaper and still they may get lots of organic traffic. Some of those are:

London attractions - the keyword is typed by 49 thousand Google visitors a month.

- the keyword is typed by 49 thousand Google visitors a month. things to do in London - it is typed by 201 thousand Internet users monthly.

- it is typed by 201 thousand Internet users monthly. what to do in London - it is looked for by about 49 thousand people every month.

What is more, those keywords are more and more popular these days. It was observed that the number of people who type them increases of 2% every month. It is some great news for people who plan to use it to Search Engine Optimization.

How to make a use of this knowledge?

The simplest method is creating a trip planner at your website that will consists of map and information about places worth seeing in your neighbourhood and events that take place in the nearest area. In this way, you may use the keywords and save money on professional SEO services.

What can you do when you do not know how to do it or you are simply busy?

When you need to professional trip planner to be installed at your website, you should see the offer of Our.Guide. It is an advance guidebook that is also a widget at your website. It is full of information about interesting spots located in the hotel area. In this way, the hotel guests may gain the relevant knowledge and the hotel website may generate more organic traffic. It is a SaaS software so it does not have to be updated by the hotel staff, everything is done independently within one day and it is provided in reasonable price, from 9.Opinion Article

16 October 2018

The news this week that Airbnb rival Wimdu is closing, despite $90million in funding, proves that Airbnb continues to dominate the home lodging & vacation rental industry.

Advertisements

Yet with whispers of an IPO as early as 2019, they have been busy exploring additional revenue streams. Chief among them is their desire to move towards operating like a hotel.

Their new Airbnb Friendly Buildings Program and tools for landlords mirror the relationship between hotel owner and brands. Their current partnership with Pillow, their official PMS

(property management software/service) partner, is due to end in Fall 2018. No one knows yet if this relationship will continue, end or be scaled back but given the cross over with

Friendly Buildings Program, it's likely it will either be scaled back significantly or even end the partnership. They will discover that it's easier and better to keep things inhouse than

outsource them, especially if you have the capabilities.

How does this affect the multitude of PMS firms in their Ecosystem?

Airbnb have helped fuel an explosion of startup firms in their ecosystem. It's allowed smaller start-ups to operate with Airbnb's system/customer at the center, offering support

ranging from cleaning, customer checking, property management to even revenue management, yield and pricing.

Many PMS firms operate a end-to-end solution for host, covering all the topics as described above. Despite their relatively small size and localized market, many of these firms have

raised substantial amounts of funding. According to Sean O'Neill from Skift "vacation rental management is becoming professionalized, and the gold rush is on".

GuestReady, based in Switzerland, has raised over $3million dollars and operates in the UK, France, UAE, Portugal, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Hostmaker, launched in 2012 by an ex Intercontinental Hotel Group executive, has raised over $24million and operates in 8 cities.

Guesty, launched in 2014, has raised $25million in total.

Evolve Vacation Rental raised $80 million in 2018 yet operates only in the US and the Caribbean. Total funding since 2011 tops $103 million.

Despite the investment, these firms, while strong in their home city, are not able to quickly cover another city or territory without first deploying a team there, which takes time and

resources to establish their brand in a city or location that is new to them.

As Skift admits "the gold rush is on" and these firms have raised significant amounts of funding, not because of their innovative product offering (which could be argued is as far

removed from 'disruptive technology' as it could be) but because they all have grandiose plans to either become Airbnb's official PMS or number 1 in the market. Yet as described

above, these firms are discovering that local success does not translate easily into worldwide success.

Enter the Soft Brands

Within the vacation rental sector, we're now witnessing another gold rush - the soft brands that have also raised significant levels of funding. Soft brands are well funded, buy or lease

housing stock in an area, refurbish them in line with their brand, similar interior design, and operate them as a hotel / vacation rental.

Sonder, founded in 2012 with 2,200 units, recently raised $85 million take their total funding to $135 million.

Lyric, founded in 2014 and appealing to a creative mindset, has already raised $20 million.

Sweet Inn, founded in 2014, has raised $22 million and operates 360 apartments, mainly across Israel, Italy and France.

Sonder has raised $85million in 2018, which in total adds up to $135million funding to date.

Even Airbnb have entered the soft brands market with the launch of Airbnb Plus. They now offer some 2,000 properties worldwide that have been individually checked and guaranteed consistent, certain level of quality.

The Future

Hotels are the real success story, historically, of soft brands. With changing consumer/traveler habits, the new plethora of soft brands entering the vacation rental

sector are guaranteed success if they continue to invest in building and maintaining a strong, consistent brand.

So where does that leave the PMS only firms as listed above. Their future is not so secure. Few of them have any unique competitive advantage that can be easily scaled up

worldwide. Indeed, while successful at a local level, many of them are no different from a mom and dad estate agency.

For many PMS firms, acquisition by Airbnb is the ultimate prize. However, given Airbnb's history of acquiring only specific niche business that add real value (i.e. $200 million to

acquire Luxury Retreats), it's a struggle to see if any of them are an attractive acquisition target.

It's easy to predict that, like Wimdu which failed to innovate and differentiate themselves from Airbnb, we will soon see a casualty of PMS ecosystem firms closing.Opinion Article

17 October 2018

Travel customers have an unprecedented number of options to shop and book hotels, with new competitors constantly jumping into the distribution channel pool. Determining what inventory to sell through which channels has become a critical component in operating a profitable hotel. The industry is seeing online travel agencies (OTAs) with market values higher than many hotel brands and commissions rising at twice the rate of revenue growth.1 Despite these intimidating numbers, intermediary distribution channels should not be looked upon with enmity, but rather as key players in your unique channel mix strategy - designed to bring you greater success and profitability in 2019.

KNOW YOUR GUESTS & WHERE THEY SHOP

Before you can determine the optimal channel mix strategy for your hotel, you must identify your ideal business mix. Perform a thorough analysis of your current customer segments, including demographics, source markets, the purpose for visiting, length of stay, and of course, which channels they're using to shop for hotels. In particular, you want to understand the total guest value of each customer segment, moving beyond revenue per available room (RevPAR) or even net revenue per available room (NetRevPAR) - which accounts for acquisition costs. In addition, consider guest spend on ancillaries such as food & beverage, recreation, spa services, and merchandise. With this information at your fingertips, you can plan which higher-value customer segments you want to target in 2019, and through which channels you can best reach them.

DO YOUR DATA & INSIGHTS MEASURE UP?

With the current influx of big data, hotels are hit with a literal firehose of information to sort through. To create an intelligent channel mix strategy for 2019, you need more than just data - you need insights. The right technology and tools help you perform an accurate assessment of your performance in light of the overall business available in your market, allowing you to zero in on the actions necessary for achieving your channel optimization goal.

Channel Profitability

Acquisition costs have risen to up to 25 percent of guest paid revenue,2 and include commissions, transaction fees, and loyalty program costs, as well as property-level or franchisor sales and marketing costs. It's important not only to evaluate each channel's top-line revenue but also track the costs necessary to secure the revenue. Additionally, evaluate your proprietary website (brand.com) just as you would a third-party partner. Finally, you need to clearly understand which channels your highest-value guests are booking through in order to adequately value the ROI of each channel.

Attribution & Campaign Tagging

It's important to track visitor statistics, hotel website navigation paths, and sales transactions from your booking engine. However, a guest's purchase channel doesn't always correlate with their shopping channel.3 In China, for example, despite high shopping activity on brand.com websites, more hotel bookings occur through OTAs. More than 40 percent of travelers say they bounce back and forth4 between exploring the details for one destination and then zooming out to reconsider all their options again. To address the challenge of accurately attributing credit to the myriad actions that result in conversion, a newer tracking tool known as "campaign tagging" identifies website traffic by source as well as by the promotional campaign and distribution channel that triggered their visit.

Ancillary Spend

Each channel's ancillary revenue contribution must also be factored into the equation.5 On the surface, it may appear as if a specific hotel is gaining more business through a certain OTA versus direct. However, a deeper analysis may reveal that the brand.com customer is spending more than double in ancillary revenue and room rates than the OTA channel customer, while also maintaining longer lengths of stay and higher retention rates.

Marketing Results

Evaluate your marketing spend by channel6 to see if you're getting enough return on your investment. Some channels may bring in better results during specific weekdays or seasons. Analyze different combinations in order to allocate your marketing resources to the right channels at the right time.

In-depth analysis of these factors, in light of your target business mix and KPIs will reveal your most profitable distribution channels in the truest sense. However, this is not a "one and done" scenario. Hotels must consistently monitor and reevaluate their channel strategy, determining ways to efficiently gain the optimal mix of traffic, and convert the traffic into the highest profitable transactions.

OPTIMIZE YOUR CHANNEL MIX FOR REVENUES AND ROI

In the past, when it came to managing channel mix, hotels rarely looked beyond revenues and occasionally costs. By only considering these metrics, you may believe it's in your best interests to fill your rooms purely through direct channels. However, the goal is not to eliminate intermediary channels, it's about creating your most profitable mix. And most hotels need a blend of demand from multiple channels.7

With so many channel options available, sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees. Just because a particular channel is popular,8 or is working well for a market leader, doesn't mean it's ideal for you. It's about strategy. Use your own data and be realistic in terms of your specific market demand drivers, location, and costs.

Set clear goals by channel, by day of week, and by season. Build your strategy, which may involve reducing or eliminating participation in some channels, while stimulating greater flow into others. The channel mix that brings you the greatest profitability is going to be unique to your hotel, involving an effective balance between direct, indirect, online, and offline channels.

Direct Online

Your proprietary website and Internet booking engine, outshines the results of OTA bookings9 in terms of guest loyalty, rates, frequency, and length of stay.

Optimize it: With 40 percent of U.S. travel site visits coming from mobile,10 make certain your website is mobile-friendly. Take advantage of upsell and cross-sell opportunities, and build relationships to gain lucrative repeat business. Use market intelligence to create targeted promotional campaigns that are likely to convert.

Direct Offline

Voice is a particularly effective offline channel, with average rates and length of stay trending higher than many other channels,11 and even scoring points with Millennials.12 Optimize it:

Like its online sister, offline direct channels also provide opportunities to upsell and offer revenue-maximizing add-ons. Make things easy for guests by incorporating seamless click-to-call capability.

OTAs & Metasearch

In 2017, Phocuswright reported that approximately 22 percent of hotel gross bookings occur through OTAs.13 And while the Billboard Effect may be dead,14 clearly, OTAs and metasearch sites remain an important part of your distribution channel toolkit. Their advertising budget affords them a much larger reach into emerging markets individual hotels can never hope to duplicate. This creates exposure to your brand you wouldn't be able to achieve on your own. Optimize it: Develop a strategy to capture email addresses for OTA guests at check-in. Acquiring the email addresses of those who booked through an OTA will give you the ability to market to those guests in the future. Hopefully, you will be able to convert those customers from an OTA loyal customer to a "your brand" loyal customer

GDS

The Global Distribution System exposes your hotel to millions of travel agents around the world. It is estimated that greater than 55% of the business that books via the GDS is managed business. However, with annual worldwide hotel room revenue production estimated at $8.5 billion dollars, there is still a significant amount of business you can influence.15

Optimize it: Work with your GDS connectivity provider to make sure your listing is optimized. Consider GDS advertising or even possibly placement programs.

Wholesalers (Offline & Online)

While this business tends to be more influential in gateway cities and destination markets, it can bring valuable guests to hotels. These guests will likely be from markets many hotels do not have the ability to reach on their own. Additionally, this segment tends to have a longer length of stay which benefits the hotel's bottom line.

Optimize it: Make sure your profiles are consistent and accurate, filled with engaging descriptions and images designed to attract your target audience.

Competition is fierce in this hybrid-channel marketplace. And as the distribution landscape evolves in complexity, hotels must take a comprehensive approach to developing their channel optimization strategy. One that's rooted in a solid foundation of analytics combined with accurate tracking of the right performance metrics. Your channel mix is crucial to your property's ability to grow and achieve financial success. Once you've developed your strategy, you must continuously monitor and refine it - always keeping the goal of maximizing your profit potential top of mind. Hotels that create an optimal channel mix strategy, and pair it with the power of top-line technology, will find themselves well along the path to long-term profitability.

Kristi White will be hosting a webinar on the topic of "Are You Ready for 2019?" on 10/30 at 2 PM EST. Click here to register.Opinion Article

16 October 2018

The events and meeting segment of the hospitality industry has come a long way in the last few years. With the rapid progression and disruption of mobile and consumer-centric technology changing the way in which hotels approach their business, the rise of group booking technology appears to be the last piece of the puzzle to fall into place. And if there is anyone who knows a thing (or many) about the long-awaited revolution of the events booking process, it's Lauren Hall, the CEO of iVvy.



Hall began her journey into entrepreneurship with a background in programming, accounting, marketing and business management with expertise spanning manufacturing, retail, advertising and technology across multiple industries. With accolades such as 'Innovator of the Year 2016', 'Silver Stevie Awards for Entrepreneur of the Year Globally 2016' attached to her name, it's no surprise that she has become a widely respected voice of innovation and technological reform amongst hospitality leaders and technology vendors alike.



Hall co-founded iVvy in 2009 with the intention to finally empower a process that, despite offering a wealth of revenue opportunity for hotels, had been largely neglected and restricted within broken, manual legacy systems. After identifying the problem, Hall and her co-founder James Greig had a clear vision for the solution. A solution which allowed hotels and event planners alike to ditch the spreadsheets and manual processes, for something efficient and concurrent with industry demand.



"When I started iVvy, I did not have a background in events or in IT. However, what I had was an awful experience trying to book an events space, a process that took six weeks, only to be later told it wasn't available."



Making RFPs a Thing of the Past



Through iVvy, Hall has created the world's only fully integrated platform to help manage, search, compare, book and pay for your events in real time, from anywhere, on any device.

Today, iVvy is already loved by thousands of users, including Shangri-La, Pan Pacific, Fairfax Media, Mantra, Choice Hotels and many more.

"You don't have to work as an event planner to know that the process of securing a venue and solidifying event details can be dubious  especially under the fast-paced time restraints created by eager, last-minute clients or company demands." Hall explains, "And yet, up until recently, the process was broken. Sales Managers within hotels and restaurants were constantly inundated with largely unqualified RFPs, spending the bulk of their time simply trying to catch up on emails, rather than actually effectively selling venue space. Individual travelers were no longer faced with these kinds of booking aggravations and delays, so why should the group booking segment be any different? I was determined to make RFPs a thing of the past."

Breaking free from the confines of manual processes and email follow-up, the iVvy platform allows hotels to distribute their (live) inventory and availability, optimize their sales activity and enable real-time bookings. This means instant quotes and contracts, easy booking and resource management, instant payments, reports on trends and performance, mobile access to the platform and so much more. Why is this so important? Because finally, hotels have access to a tool which allows them to effectively sell a segment of their business that boasts so much revenue potential, while better empowering their staff to do their jobs.

Keeping Pace With Technological Demands

Technology today is moving faster than ever before, and if you ask Hall  you can either get ahead of it or be left behind. This shouldn't be seen as a threat to the industry and the way things have always been done, but rather, as an opportunity to transform antiquated processes and optimize revenue potential with next-gen technology. After all, with the increased adoption of mobile functionality, AI technology, virtual reality and more, the future of the events segment looks more exciting than ever before.

"If you're not keeping up with the trends of future buyers, if you're not visible, you're invisible. Our generation and industry have become more dependent on mobile with a greater demand for instant gratification and digital convenience. Event organizers, potential travelers, etc., they aren't willing to be limited when the technology exists that eliminates those restrictions to their experience. The opportunity at hand is to monetize the services and assets in the meetings and events industry, much like all other industries such as e-commerce who can offer their products at all times."

With improved group booking management comes increased customer retention, lower costs of acquisition, better customer experience, the ability to manage return on investment, and the opportunity to connect directly with qualified planners that are ready and willing to confirm their reservation.

"We have finally transformed the event planning process in a way that benefits everyone. With a digital booking entity intact, hotels can attract a whole new level of meetings and events to their property."JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.



You should upgrade or use an You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browserCanopy by Hilton, Hilton's (NYSE:HLT) lifestyle brand, announces its first property in Latin America with the signing of Canopy by Hilton SAo Paulo Jardins, slated to open in late 2019.

Canopy by Hilton, Hilton's (NYSE:HLT) lifestyle brand, announces its first property in Latin America with the signing of Canopy by Hilton Sao Paulo Jardins, slated to open in late 2019. Owned by Tati Construtora e Incorporadora and managed by Hilton, the 98-room adaptive re-use hotel will introduce locals and travelers alike to the brand's guest-directed service and locally-authentic experience.

"Boasting the largest economy in Latin America, Brazil has consistently been a focus market in our development plans while we've explored opportunities to introduce Hilton's industry-leading brands in the region," said Leonardo Lido, director, development, Brazil, Hilton. "As we continue our expansion into Latin America, we look forward to working with Tati Construtora e Incorporadora and debuting our first Canopy by Hilton property in this diverse Latin American destination."

Designed as a natural extension of the vibrant and pedestrian friendly neighborhood of Jardins, Canopy by Hilton Sao Paulo Jardins will welcome guests with a strong sense of place inspired by the area's local surroundings, including an intimate lobby with chic design elements that provide a glimpse of the area's trendy, upscale offerings. The hotel will feature Canopy Central, an area with a restaurant and bar serving local contemporary cuisine and a flexible meeting space, as well as a lounge and fitness center.

"We are thrilled to introduce the Canopy by Hilton brand to Latin America," said Gary Steffen, global head, Canopy by Hilton. "As we seek opportunities to provide guests with thoughtful local choices, Canopy by Hilton fits seamlessly into the Jardins neighborhood and we look forward to bringing a fresh and energizing experience to one of Sao Paulo's most recognized areas."

Known as one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Sao Paulo, Jardins boasts high-end clothing stores, fine dining, and a culturally rich experience with museums such as the Sao Paulo Museum of Image and Sound, and the MASP (Sao Paulo Museum of Art). In the evening, the area bustles with some of the best nightclubs, live music venues, pubs and theaters to entertain every personality. The hotel will also boast easy access to the famous Paulista Avenua and Ibirapuera Park - one of Latin America's most visited urban parks. As with all Canopy by Hilton hotels, Canopy by Hilton Sao Paulo Jardins will complement the energetic city by appealing to travelers looking for a culturally unique upper-upscale experience.

"It has been a great experience to work with Hilton on this initial stage of our project," said Arnaldo Goldstein, owner, Tati Construtora e Incorporadora. "We look forward to collaborating further and together, introduce the Canopy by Hilton brand in Brazil."

Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe

 2021 Hotel News ResourceOver the past few months, 50 Cent's been engulfed in a legal battle with HipHopDX. The two of them settled half of their legal drama when Fif accepted a $20K payment after he sued them for using his picture with permission. Now, 50 Cent and HipHopDX have settled the defamation part of the case and Fif has come on top, once again, according to The Blast. DX's parent company, Cheri Media, dismissed their suit against the rapper.

50 Cent initially sued HipHopDX for using his picture which prompted the website to countersue on defamation claims. They said that 50 Cent ruined their reputation by dubbing them "fake news" after they wrote an article doubting that he actually landed a $1M deal with Bellator for "Get The Strap" which ultimately proved to be true.

During the legal battle, Fif said that the website was threatening his freedom of speech and called the suit "an affront to the fundamental protections to free speech by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution."

He added that is the defamation case continues, it will open a floodgate of defamation suits by news organizations against the very subjects of their news reports for simply criticizing or refuting the reports as fake news.'

50 Cent's $1M deal with Bellator for "Get The Strap" was confirmed in late September. The rapper signed a partnership and licensing deal which includes clothing with Fif's slogan across it.It looks like Jordan Brand has plans to release multiple Air Jordan 4s in celebration of "Singles' Day," November 11.

Nike officially introduced one of the special edition Air Jordan 4s earlier this month as part of their 2018 Women's Holiday Collection, revealing a "Fire Red" colorway that is highlighted by the following feature: "Over time, whether done intentionally as a creative expression or rubbed off organically with regular wear, a second layer on the upper reveals an ornamental design."

Today, J23 App has provided details about another all-new Air Jordan 4 that also features a black & white graphic print on the upper. Dubbed the "Tattoo" Air Jordan 4, it is believed that the kicks will release exclusively in Greater China on 11/11, followed by a global release on December 29.

Singles Day is a holiday popular among young Chinese people that celebrates their pride in being single. The date, November 11, was chosen because the number "1" resembles an individual who is alone.

Take a look at the newly unveiled "Tattoo" Air Jordan 4 in the posts embedded below and stay tuned for additional details.

https://twitter.com/_/status/1052269414115135488



https://twitter.com/_/status/1052275188900003840



https://www.instagram.com/p/BpATF5ilgVq

After a string of controversies including appearances at SNL and a visit to meet Donald Trump in the Oval Office, Kanye West flew out to Uganda with his wife and his kids to work on his upcoming album, Yandhi. 'Ye and his wife have been documenting their trip via social media. During their visit to the East African country, the couple visited the town of Masulita for a kids charity event where they danced with the children and gifted them pairs of Yeezys.

Kanye West hasn't only been locking in studio time in Uganda during his visit, but he's been hanging out with the locals and taking in as much of the culture as possible. According to TMZ, the Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni, allowed Kanye and Kim to fly from Chobe, Uganda to Masulita on his presidential helicopter to surprise children at a kids' charity event. Not only did Kanye rap for the kids and dance with them, but he and Kim also brought out a big duffel bag full of Yeezys as gifts to the children.

Earlier this week, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian met with President Museveni where they reportedly discuss how to promote tourism and the arts in Uganda. Kanye West also gifted the president with a pair of Yeezys as well.

Peep the footage of Kanye West and Kim gifting children with Yeezys below.Kanye West is currently in Uganda working on his forthcoming album, Yandhi which is due out in November. Since heading to the East African country, he also made his return to Twitter. However, the rapper's use of social media might end up costing him some change.

According to PageSix, a social media tax implemented in Uganda could mean that Kanye West is being charged for his Twitter use. The tax, which was protested after going into effect on July 1st, charges 200 Ugandan shillings or $0.05 per day to use 60 mobile apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The tax itself is the first of its kind, Electronic Frontier Foundation says.

The tax bill was met with controversy. President Museveni, who seems to have formed a bond with Kanye and Kim, referred to social media as a luxury item. However, the government previously blocked social media in 2016 during the elections in an effort to stop protests and block opposition.

Kanye West has been documenting his trip to Uganda since he touched down, however, he's faced some backlash for his meeting with President Museveni. A former musician and current Parliament member, Robert Kyagulanyi has opposed the ban and also led protests against the social media tax.

It would have been great if he had used his voice for the good of people in Africa Im a musician but I am not allowed to stage a show in my own country because I disagree with the president. It is very disappointing. He said in a report.

At this point, it's unsure how long Kanye West will be in Uganda for, but according to PageSix, the rapper might extend his trip longer. Sources said that "Kanye wants to get involved in creating a tourism and hospitality school for higher education.Kanye West has been revealing many different facets of his character to the public recently. His latest display, after having a controversial meeting with President Donald Trump last week, was his visit to Uganda. During his trip, he decided to visit the nation's president with his wife. The country's leader asked him about his growing family.

When prompted to share the number of children the Wests already have, Ye responded, "We have 3. I would like to have 7." Kardashian, seemed slightly uncomfortable with the statement, keeping on her smile while she expressed her opinion, simply stating, "I would not like to have 7."

Kim's reaction is understandable considering the complications she has experienced during her past pregnancies. If they were to have another, they would are likely to ask a gestational carrier for help as they did for their last child.Following Khabibs threat to leave the UFC last week, 50 Cent has been trying to get the Russian fighter to join his fighting league at Bellator. Fif reportedly said he offer Khabib $2 million dollars to switch fighting leagues, but that doesnt look to be nowhere near enough for him. According to Khabibs manager thats a garbage offer, and no way hell leave for $2 million. "For $2 million, [that won't even] open a Coca-Cola bottle for Khabib," he told TMZ over the weekend. "Khabib make a lot of money. We talk about $50 MILLION and up, we can talk. But $2 mil? This is garbage.

Well on Monday evening, 50 Cent shared the article TMZ published on his Instagram page, saying Khabibs manager, Ali Abdelaziz, was another case of bad representation, before calling his suit cheap.

Shortly after 50 Cents post went up, Khabibs manager caught wind of it and jumped in the comments, saying all sorts of crazy talk to 50 Cent. He told 50 that if he wants to talk shit he can do so by tagging him on IG, which Curtis didnt do, and that hes just doing all this for attention. Ali Abdelaziz did acknowledge the trolling and attention isnt bad for him and he gets it, but he just wants to be relevant.

I get it its not bad for you or him, but get the fuck out of here with your 2 million you just want to be relevant, Khabibs manager tells him.

Check out the posts and comments (below).

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo-BlGoABpi

Kodak Black is quite a character these days. He's always been fun to keep track of but ever since he's been released from prison, the Florida rapper has been one of the more entertaining figures in the rap world. He's been collaborating with a long list of artists and it appeared that he was on good terms with Post Malone, reaching the studio with the hitmaker a few weeks ago, but it now seems that something went awry and the two are no longer tight.

In a video posted by DJ Akademiks, Kodak Black can be seen speaking about how he wanted to fight Post and his team after the star allegedly skipped out on a studio session with him. A member of Kodak's team tried to calm him down by saying that Malone was actually leaving the studio before deciding to wait around after hearing Kodak was on his way. "Why the fuck that fuck n***a left?" yells the Broward County rapper before explaining on Instagram Live that he was about to go viral. "I was about to walk in somebody studio session, beat they fucking ass and just go live."

In the same video, Kodak ends up switching his tone and shooting his shot at Cardi B's sister Hennessy Carolina. He did so out of respect for Cardi and her husband Offset, he said. In case Hennessy doesn't come through, his backup plan happens to be Kim Kardashian if she's ever tired "of that fuck n***a Kanye."Roll into your companys parking lot in the morning, press a button on a mobile phone app and, voila, a tanker truck of gasoline appears to fill up your car. Or, if home convenience is preferred, download another app and have your gas tank topped off in the driveway.

These services sound like work of the latest band of Silicon Valley disruptors aiming to upend a long-established industry, but they are, in fact, offered or backed by two of the largest oil companies in the world, Royal Dutch Shell and Exxon Mobil. Shell, which introduced its app-based fueling service last year in the Netherlands, will soon introduce it in Houston while Exxon Mobil, in addition to providing the fuel, has invested some $4 million in the gas-up-without-leaving-home company Yoshi.

Big Oil is moving into the on-demand economy at a time when energy companies are fighting to hold onto market share as gasoline demand plateaus with the spread of hybrid, electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles. With high real estate costs and razor-thin profit margins forcing 25 percent on the nations gas stations out of business over the past 25 years, oil majors are seeking new models for selling their product while looking to stay ahead of the type of technological changes that have refashioned retail, taxi, hotel and other industries.

Related: Shell launching retail fuel pilot program

Analysts said that oil companies have little choice but to experiment with new products and business models as growing concerns about climate change and increasing pressure to shift away from fossil fuels create what are perhaps the most uncertain times in the industrys history. It makes sense for Shell, Exxon Mobil and other oil majors to at least try out various technologies and not ignore trends that have the potential to reshape how companies and their customers do business, said Claudio Galimberti, head of demand and refining for S&P Global Platts Analytics in Houston.

You need to hedge your bets, Galimberti said, and you need to start early to avoid missing the train entirely.

Fill-ups on demand seemed only a matter of time when consumers could get food from favorite restaurants delivered, chores around the house done and grocery shopping completed with the touch of a mobile phone. The concept of bringing the gasoline to the car, instead of vice versa, surfaced about four years ago and has slowly gained traction.

Yoshi was founded in 2015 in San Francisco. It expanded into Houston in August and now operates in more than 20 cities across the country, including Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth. Exxon Mobil, along with General Motors, bought stakes in the company this year.

Yoshi charges a membership fee of $20 a month, plus the price of gasoline. Bryan Frist, co-founder and president of the company, said he and his partners decided that on-demand fueling offered opportunity because the gas station model has been largely unchanged for more than a century, making it ripe for disruption.

We were looking at industries that had not been touched by technology, Frist said. Its a time suck for people and usually at the most inopportune times.

Rather than invest in another company, Shell started its own program called Shell TapUp near its corporate headquarters in the Netherlands. Now, Shell is ready to roll out a pilot program of TapUp in Houston, starting with Shell employees in December and expanding to other companies early next year.

Shell will fill up the vehicles of participating employees in companies parking lots or garages, and eventually expand to provide service to other customers while theyre shopping at the grocery or dining at a restaurant. Even though Shell has more than 14,000 U.S. gas stations in 50 states, people still like having options and convenience, said Istvan Kapitany, Shells executive vice president of global retail.

We are here to offer choices to our customers, Kapitany said. You just dont know what will happen, so we take small steps to learn.

In Houston, the field is already attracting more players. Earlier this year the Houston startup GasMob lauched on-site refueling services at several Houston office buildings and apartment complexes, including the Greenway Plaza, which has close to 5 million square feet of office space and parking for some 15,000 cars.

Related: GasMob fills your tank while you work or sleep

GasMob, which also operates in Miami, partners with landlords of office and apartment complexes, which see the service as an amenity for their tenants. GasMob estimates people fill up an average of twice a week, spending 15 minutes or so each trip, and its app-based service will save people the time equivalent of a day over the course of a year.

GasMob, which doesnt have membership fees, charges prices similar to those at gas stations. Adam Cooper, GasMobs co-founder, said hes not worried about competing with some of the biggest companies in the world.

I see the oil companies investing in this market as a positive thing, Cooper said. They see the industry evolving and changing.

Silicon Valley companies such as Filld, which operates on West Coast and in Washington, D.C., and Booster, which began its service fueling corporate fleets and clients in Fort Worth, are also confident they can more than hold their own against much larger competitors.

Big Oil wont be able to innovate as quickly as the smaller players, Filld CEO Michael Buhr said, adding the on-site fueling is just part of the broader energy transition toward cleaner energy and greater convenience. Its fuel-charging today, but EV-charging tomorrow.

Shell, however, already has plans to add electric vehicle charging to its refueling service. And, as Shell and Exxon show, major oil companies are unlikely to cede their business to Silicon Valley interlopers easily, said Denton Cinquegrana, chief oil analyst for the OPIS by IHS Markit energy consulting firm.

Fuel on demand could be the wave of the future, Cinquegrana said At the end of the day, no one likes going to a gas station.

Katherine Feser contributed to this report.

jordan.blum@chron.com

twitter.com/jdblum23Occidental Petroleum Corp. dropped the most in over a year after deciding to hand over an oil field in Qatar to the government, an announcement that appeared to catch some investors off-guard.

The stock fell 6.1 percent to $72.24 on Monday, making it the worst performer in the S&P 500 Index, after Houston-based Occidental confirmed it will walk away from the 100,000-barrel-a-day Idd El-Shargi North Dome field next year when its 25-year lease expires.

Its the second time in just over two months that the company has surprised shareholders. Occidental also plunged in August after announcing a $1.1 billion hike to its capital spending budget to keep pace with rivals and maintain its position as the biggest oil producer in the Permian Basin.

SANCTIONS: Iranian oil exports fall to 1.6 million barrels a day

For several years now, Occidental has sold foreign assets and invested less abroad in order to focus on the worlds fastest-growing major oil region in its own backyard. But while the company has made its overall strategy clear, the wider investment community appeared to be caught unprepared by the Qatar decision, according to Leo Mariani, an Austin-based analyst at NatAlliance Securities LLC.

Most energy specialists were generally aware but Oxy is a widely held stock by generalist investors so that may have caught some people by surprise, he said in a phone interview.

The move also stands in contrast to previous comments from Occidental. Speaking in September last year, Chief Executive Officer Vicki Hollub described the fields "excellent performance" and said the company had started talking with Qatar about extending its contract. Occidental disclosed that the fields lease will expire in 2019 in its 10-K filing in February.

STATE SUPPLY: Texas oil production to grow by 68,000 next month

The company said in a statement Monday that the Qatar field needed major infrastructure investment, and that the assets annual free cash flow would drop by 77 percent to an average of $70 million over the next five years.

The fields management and operation will be taken over by state-owned Qatar Petroleum, which first announced the decision on Sunday. The field represents about 4 percent of Occidentals worldwide output, according to NatAlliance Securities LLC.

Redirecting capital to the Permian, rather than spending on costly infrastructure in the Persian Gulf is a more constructive use of funds, Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Vincent Piazza and Michael Kay wrote in a note. However, higher spending and underwhelming growth aid skeptics.

2018 Bloomberg L.P.U.S. plastics shipments to China are expected to slide next year amid an escalating trade battle between the two countries that could curtail export opportunities for Gulf Coast petrochemicals producers banking on Asian demand growth.

A recent report by research firm Wood Mackenzie expects U.S. exports of plastic resins used to make packaging, consumer goods and other products to fall by as much as 50 percent next year if recently imposed tariffs remain in place. The firm expects the Asian powerhouse to instead import those volumes from the Middle East, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore, eating into profit margins for U.S. exporters shipping to China.

The prediction comes after China in August levied a 25 percent tariff on many American chemical products after the Trump administration expanded the number of Chinese imports subject to tariffs. The list now includes several grades of polyethylene  the worlds most common plastic  as well as other resins and petrochemicals accounting for nearly $11 billion in Chinese imports.

On HoustonChronicle.com: How the ethane molecule changed the Gulf Coast  and the world

The trade battle has escalated as petrochemicals producers along the U.S. Gulf Coast pour billions of dollars into new plants and expansion projects to capitalize on low-cost natural gas feedstocks from West Texas and elsewhere. Many companies are building with an eye toward China and emerging markets in Asia where population growth is expected to drive demand in the coming years.

Analysts say that in the near term, the tariffs should have limited impact on U.S. exports of polyethylene and other base plastics because only a portion of them are destined for China. Exporters are already rerouting shipments to other markets.

Jonas Oxgaard, a chemicals analyst with New York investment and research firm Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., noted earlier this year that China accounted for an estimated 11 percent of U.S. polyethylene exports in 2017. He said in an interview that Latin America, Europe and Asian countries, including India, could import a larger amount of plastic resins as domestic production ramps up.

Even with other plants coming online, we dont need China to take it, he said. We can find a home for it in other markets.

Analysts anticipate the tariffs could have a larger impact in the coming years as companies decide if and when to expand petrochemicals operations in the U.S. The American Chemistry Council, a trade group, estimated that chemicals industry has already invested more than $200 billion in 333 new projects across the U.S, many of which are along the Gulf Coast.

Many companies are building with the expectation that China will continue to drive long-term demand growth. The Wood Mackenzie report noted that China, which lacks the production capacity to meet its domestic demand, is fastest-growing market for American plastic resins.

On HoustonChronicle.com: From Houston to Asia and back

In a recent interview, LyondellBasell CEO Bob Patel said that he expects tariffs could influence a near-term shift in trade flows with minimal impact on operations. But he noted the trade dispute could have longer-term effects on Gulf Coast investment decisions if tariffs remain in place.

His company is investing heavily to expand along the Gulf Coast. It began construction last year on a $725 million plant to produce polyethylene at its La Porte complex, and this year, it started work on a $2.4 billion plant in Channelview to produce chemicals used in either polyurethane foam or high-octane gasoline.

If were building for exports, and the drive for global demand is coming from China, we would consider whether this is the right place to build the next plant, Patel said. We would want to factor in the impact of tariffs and how that impacts returns.

katherine.blunt@chron.com

twitter.com/katherinebluntThe Georgia deer firearms season opens Sat., Oct. 20 and continues through Jan. 13, 2019, statewide.

Hunting is a grand tradition in Georgia, with all types of people participating, said Charlie Killmaster, state deer biologist for the Wildlife Resources Division. It is an exciting activity enjoyed by many, and Georgia has one of the longest deer seasons, with a deer harvest that is sustainably among the highest, and with quality bucks.



During firearms deer season last year, more than 321,000 hunters harvested almost 310,000 deer in the state. The use of regulated deer hunting ensures that Georgias deer population continues to be healthy and strong.



Either Sex Day Map: Hunters can check out the interactive map created to see the opportunities available for the counties they hunt. If you hunt on National Forest land, either-sex days may be different than on private land. More info athttp://georgiawildlife.com/ hunting/deer-opportunities .



Georgia Game Check: All deer hunters must report their harvest using Georgia Game Check. Deer can be reported on the Outdoors GA app (which now works whether you have cell service or not), at gooutdoorsgeorgia.com, or by calling 1-800-366-2661.



Georgia hunters have access to more than one million acres of public hunting land across the state, including over 100 state-operated wildlife management areas. In addition to traditional hunts, a number of special hunts are offered, including ladies-only and adult/child hunts. Dates and locations for these hunts, as well as WMA maps, can be found in the 2018-2019 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations Guide at http://georgiawildlife.com/ hunting/regulations .



Hunters are allowed a harvest of up to 10 antlerless deer, and no more than two antlered deer (with one of the two antlered deer having a minimum of four points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers).



To pursue deer in Georgia, hunters must have a valid hunting license, a big game license and a current deer harvest record. Licenses can be purchased online at https://gooutdoorsgeorgia.com, by phone at 1-800-366-2661 or at a license agent (list of agents available online).

The glossy remake of Italian cult horror film "Suspiria" starring Dakota Johnson and Tilda Swinton unfurls later this month. But local moviegoers can get a taste of the original, and its eerie music, in November.

Legendary horror soundtrack composer Claudio Simonetti and his band Goblin will live score the 1977 original during a Nov. 3 event at White Oak Music Hall. Simonetti and Goblin will perform their original, acclaimed soundtrack to the film in its entirety.Even during Halloween season, there arent many places in the U.S. where you can order custom-made spiral unicorn fangs with a glitter finish and have them delivered to your home. You can in Houston, though.

Thank Mia Black for that.

For fives years, the fangsmith has specialized in high-end dental caps designed to slip over your normal teeth and provide a bit of mystery or intimidation or seasonal fun. With her Black Smith Fangs, she stands by her own work, as you can tell by looking in her mouth. Shes worn a pair of her own handiwork almost daily for three years.

Older Houston goths might have purchased a pair of wearable fangs back in the day at Erotic Cabaret or Dare Ware. They were inexpensive and often came in a tasteful coffin-shaped box, but never lasted more than a few wears. Blacks work has a longer run.

The process of getting fit for these fangs is similar to having fake nails applied. Each set is molded to fit around a customers tooth, as Black uses dental acrylic trimmed with a Dremel tool. Once theyre crafted  which can take, literally, just a handful of minutes  theyre applied to the teeth and adjusted. They dont require glue or denture adhesive. Rather, moisture in the mouth helps create a suction effect that locks the fangs and holds them in place.

Black Smith Fangs facebook.com/pg/blacksmithfangs See More Collapse

A pair runs around $90 and can take as little as two minutes to create, though an hour is more typical. Black can even create teeth for two people at once, moving back and forth between them as they dry.

Ill happily stay an extra hour to make sure they get they fangs they want, Black says of her clients.

Blacks career started at the Texas Renaissance Festival, and that is still where she gets about half of her business (the other half comes from the local vampire coven). After observing a person with fangs, she expressed an interest in trying to make a pair herself. A friend offered to buy her initial equipment if she would make his fangs first.

Since then, shes branched out a lot. Simple vampire fangs are her most popular item, but she also can create orc tusks, jagged monster teeth or the previously mentioned spiral unicorn fangs. For the last one, she mixes nondissolving food glitter or nail glitter in with clear acrylic.

They were completely ridiculous and absolutely beautiful, Black says.

One client asked her for fangs that could be seen from across the street. Despite her warning that he wouldnt be able to talk with such monsters in his mouth, she made them. He quickly asked for a trim job.

Before you ask, no, its not a good idea to try and bite someone and suck their blood with these attachments. Questions of hygiene and legality aside, Blacks fangs are not dental implants. Drinking with the fangs in the mouth is fine, but they should be removed before eating.

Say youre eating a PB&J, or something with a little pull to it, Black says. You can pull a fang off a tooth. And its really uncomfortable to swallow a fang.

Even people with missing teeth can have fangs installed. It requires a thicker backing and maybe some denture adhesive, but Black has happily filled clients empty sockets with terrifying mouth daggers.

Based in Beaumont, Black says most of her customers are in Houston. Word of mouth is her most popular advertisement, thanks to the public nature of her work being quite a conversation starter.

I like to travel, and Houston is so big, Id rather hit the road than have people try to find where Im staying, says Black.

So, if you see someone sporting fangs walking down a Houston street this October, dont worry. Its probably just one of her many satisfied customers.

Probably. Maybe keep a crucifix handy, just in case.More than a year ago, Hurricane Harvey dumped 1 trillion gallons of water on Harris County in four days, flooding thousands of homes in the watershed-heavy 2nd Congressional District.

With Harvey fresh on residents minds, recovery and flood control have emerged as top issues in the race to represent the district, which includes hard-hit areas such as Spring and Kingwood.

Flooding also is the topic on which Republican Dan Crenshaw and Democrat Todd Litton have found the most common ground as they vie to replace U.S. Rep. Ted Poe. The Humble Republican is not seeking re-election.

Crenshaw and Litton are at odds on most topics, revealing differences during a pair of recent debates on gun laws, immigration and health care. At a forum hosted last week by the nonprofit advocacy group Residents Against Flooding, and in separate interviews on flooding, however, they had few policy dissents, instead differing in style and priorities.

The sharpest difference appears to be their respective approaches to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the federal agency that operates the Addicks and Barker dams and reservoirs. The Army Corps oversees scores of flood studies and projects nationally, including some announced earlier this year in Harris County.

Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL, sees a key part of his role as pressuring the Army Corps to hasten upgrades on the Addicks and Barker reservoirs and its study of a potential third reservoir.

If we actually dedicate some effort to it and put some pressure on the right people, I think you can speed these things up without forfeiting quality, Crenshaw said. I have a lot of experience with the Army. It doesn't matter whether they're engineers or whether they're in Afghanistan. I come from a social operations background where we specialize in breaking down barriers and getting the job done.

At the flooding forum, Crenshaw answered the opening question  What is your big-picture strategy for solving flooding in the Houston region?  in part by saying he would target committee assignments in Congress that would deal with flooding and give him oversight and authority over the Army Corps.

It means, tell me exactly why you can't get this done in less than three years, Crenshaw said. And they'll give me a set of reasons, and I'll say, got it, let's break down all those things.

Litton, the former director of an education nonprofit, is skeptical that Crenshaw could exert enough pressure on the agency to make much of a difference.

That doesnt make any sense, Litton said. Because thats where this stuff gets bogged down. We need to work in a more targeted, specific fashion that meets the local needs of our community.

While Crenshaws flood plan mentions the Army Corps frequently, the summary of Littons plan omits the agency entirely. His workaround involves greater emphasis on local leaders and people in the community  and the idea of lifting the congressional ban on earmarks in a way that only allows for specific, targeted spending, which Litton says would speed up the flow of funds to flood projects.

Nobody wants a bridge to nowhere, Litton said, a reference to the infamous Alaska project that played a role in ending earmarks. What we have right now is Congress drawing up these massive bills to fund the Army Corps of Engineers.  And then the Army Corps of Engineers has got to go figure it all out, and everybody is competing for the funding.

The earmark idea has drawn bipartisan support, with Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, previously co-sponsoring an amendment that would bring back the practice but require more transparency while barring funds from being used for recreational facilities. Houston Democratic Reps. Al Green and Gene Green backed the proposal.

Meanwhile, some Democrats have signaled they would like to revive earmarks if they gain control of the House. The move likely would take power from federal agencies, including the Army Corps, which have gained sway without Congress earmarking projects.

Crenshaw strongly advocates for local control, reserving a tab on his website for Federalism & the 10th Amendment. He also consulted with the Harris County Flood Control District about what may be missing from the Army Corps list of approved projects earlier this year.

Regarding the administrative challenge posed by the Army Corps, Crenshaw said, Bureaucrats will stick to their procedure.  It's my job to break down whatever barriers are in front of them so that they can do their job a little bit better.

Otherwise, both candidates flood plans have a lot of crossover. The next congressman from Texas 2nd District will support dredging the West and East forks of the San Jacinto River, improving the emergency warning system, increasing detention throughout the district and at least exploring the idea of creating a new authority  or multiple watershed districts, as Litton floats in his plan  to improve regional coordination.

Litton and Crenshaw also have gotten behind the idea of a third reservoir, but each acknowledges unsettled questions such as location and design. They also both support efforts to develop a coastal spine, otherwise known at the Ike Dike, to protect the Port of Houston.

Asked about his flood control disagreements with Litton, Crenshaw jabbed at his opponent for releasing his flood plan in September, months after Crenshaws went up. Flooding was a key topic in Crenshaws heated Republican primary.

This is the No. 1 (issue), and he's got a pretty weak position on it, Crenshaw said before Litton had released his plan.

Litton said hes been talking with experts and residents about flooding throughout the campaign, and considers himself well-versed in flood policy and its effects, having lived in the district since the days of Tropical Storm Allison.

My plan, by the way, will continue to change, Litton said. Its a matter of making sure were connecting with people all over this district rather than trying to crank something out.

Litton and Crenshaw agree climate change is real, but disagree over the extent to which human activity is creating more intense storms.

I just think there's a very reasonable debate going on, on exactly what human activity does to climate change, whether it's 100 percent or whether it's 1 percent, Crenshaw said. Is there a percentage? Yeah, there probably is  certainly. But to attribute one weather event to it, and also there's plenty of other studies that show we're about average for the amount of hurricanes that we have in this country.

Crenshaw said there simply is not enough data to have a good indication of the impact of climate change on storm intensity, and those who say otherwise are cherrypicking.

On his website, Litton calls for the U.S. to re-enter the Paris Agreement and advocates for seeking innovative new solutions in wind and solar energy.

In the section titled global warming and climate change, he writes: The effects of global warming cannot be fully anticipated, but great swings in extreme or weird weather seem to be the new normal.

A study by the American Geophysical Union found global warming tripled the chances of Harveys record 51 inches of rainfall when comparing todays climate to that of the 1880s.

jasper.scherer@chron.com

twitter.com/jaspschererAs the Russian spacecraft skidded to a halt Thursday just outside a dusty city in Kazakhstan, NASA astronaut Nick Hague thought not about how he was robbed of a six-month stint on the International Space Station but about how lucky he was to survive.

"I'm just super thankful to be alive and kicking today," Hague said Tuesday during his first interview with reporters since surviving a dramatic emergency landing of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft last week.

Then he quickly corrected himself: Fortunate was a more accurate description, he said.

"There are thousands of people working tirelessly to put these systems in place, these systems that saved us," Hague said. "I'm just thankful that they do their job and take it so seriously and that the system was ready to go. That thought helped temper my disappointment at not being on the station right now."

Hague, 43, and his crewmate, Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, were aboard the Soyuz rocketing to the space station Thursday when a rocket booster failed, forcing the launch to abort. It was the first aborted launch of a Soyuz spacecraft in 35 years.

THE INCIDENT: American, Russian astronauts safe after emergency landing of Soyuz MS-10

Since NASA's space shuttle program was shuttered in 2011, the U.S. has relied on Russia to ferry American astronauts to the station. The U.S. has spent billions of dollars on the space station in its 20-year lifetime, but NASA currently has no other way to reach the space station and therefore is grounded until Russia sorts out what happened.

Hague said he is confident Russia will fix the problem, as well as one that occurred in August when a hole that caused a loss of air pressure was discovered in a different Soyuz attached to the station. Russian officials are investigating both issues.

"I'm not concerned with the Soyuz," Hague said. "I have complete faith in [the Russians] and ... they are committed to making sure the crew is staying healthy and that we're safe. I have no reason to doubt that."

'Absolutely ready'

Standing outside the Soyuz in the Kazakhstan desert Thursday, Hague finally was able to take a breath and call his wife, Catie.

She and their two sons, ages 11 and seven, were in Kazakhstan for the launch and witnessed the spacecraft's terrifying tumble through the sky as a ballistic landing  which occurs when the spacecraft comes back to Earth at a sharper angle than what's considered normal  was executed.

Hague described the landing as "a bumpy roller coaster ride" in which he was shaken violently and subjected to heavy gravitational force. But he was no worse for wear, he said, and he wanted Catie to know that.

But Catie didn't answer. So he left a message that likely will live on for years.

"I'm fine," he told her. "It was one wild ride."

The photos of he and Catie fiercely hugging after being reunited later that day have been seen across the world. In that embrace, he said, he finally felt safe after the harrowing abort.

"Being able to hold my wife in my arms and give her a hug was enormous," he added.

His kids, on the other hand, were concerned about something much more important.

"My youngest, God bless him, looks at me and asks, 'When are you going back to space?' " Hague said with a laugh. "Everyone realizes what I'm doing is difficult and that there's risk involved and its important to understand it's worth the risk."

It helps that both he and his wife are in the Air Force, with each one used to the other being in dangerous situations.

"My wife is amazing and it's not her first time," he said, adding that she worked in public relations at Edwards Air Force Base in California where he was a test pilot.

"She's had practice hearing that my flight is not going well and managing emotions," he said.

CANCELLED: NASA cancels this week's spacewalk after aborted launch

The failed mission Thursday would have been Hague's first spaceflight since being tapped as an astronaut in 2013. NASA officials aren't sure when he will get to fly again, but Dmitry Rogozin, head of the Roscosmos, tweeted a photo of himself Friday with Hague and Ovchinin, saying the duo would get to fly again in spring 2019.

How that would work still is unclear. The Soyuz' April 2019 launch already has an assigned crew and NASA has yet to offer insight into the development.

But Hague said Tuesday he is "absolutely ready" to fly again.

Awaiting assignment

Immediately after the aborted launch Thursday, the Russians jump-started an investigation into the cause of the rocket booster failure.

Russian officials have attributed it so far to a collision of the rocket's first and second stages as they separated, but a final report on the failed launch is expected to be complete this weekend. The investigation into the hole found in August is supposed to conclude in November.

It's still not clear how last week's incident will impact the launch of the Russian cargo ship headed to the space station later this month, or how the crewed, Dec. 20 flight there will be affected.

WHY IT HAPPENED: Russians say they know the cause of rocket booster failure

Even as the Russians continue their space program, Hague said he's excited about commercial crew vehicles under development by Boeing and SpaceX. When they are finally up and running, astronauts will have multiple ways to get into space.

The commercial crew program offers "robust means to get to the space station," he said. "So if we have a problem with one vehicle, we can still deliver on time and not have to do the types of things you have to do if there are delays with other vehicles. I'm excited to see that progress continue."

Boeing and SpaceX's commercial crew vehicles are expected to have their first test flights in summer 2019. The vehicles, which would eliminate U.S. dependence on Russia for trips to the station, were supposed to be ready this year. And the launch dates could easily slip again.

The aborted launch from Kazakhstan was the fourth major setback for NASA last week. On Oct. 8, the space agency announced that the Hubble Space Telescope was temporarily shut down because of a mechanical failure that crippled the groundbreaking observatory. Two days later, on Oct. 10, NASA's inspector general reported that cost and scheduling problems will likely delay the launch of Orion  the spacecraft being built to take humans back to the moon  past its scheduled mid-2020 liftoff.

That same day, NASA's 19-year-old Chandra X-ray Observatory went dark for an unknown reason. By Monday, however, space agency personnel had traced the problem back to a glitch with one of its gyroscopes, which keeps it pointed accurately for extended periods of time. It will return to normal science operations by next week, NASA said.

The United States funnels a significant amount of money into the space station each year  $1.45 billion in fiscal year 2017 alone, plus the $82 million it pays Russia for each seat on the Soyuz.

It's not clear if the U.S. already has paid Russia for Hague's seat  NASA has repeatedly failed to answer the question.

Hague, who returned to Houston on Saturday, said he is awaiting his next assignment from the astronaut office. NASA astronauts live and work in Houston because the city is home to Johnson Space Center, where human space flight research and training take place.

"I've been told to take some time off and spend it with my family," Hague said. "It's good to be back in Houston."

Alex Stuckey writes about NASA and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey.Cabinet and Opposition Briefed over the Weekend as Brexit Negotiation Intensifies Towards Conclusion

There was an extraordinary session of the Cabinet on Saturday in order to update Ministers about the continuing negotiations for Gibraltar and the United Kingdom to leave the European Union.

This was followed by a briefing with Opposition Members of the Brexit Select Committee.

The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo made it clear during the last meeting of the Gibraltar Parliament that Brexit negotiations would intensify with the approach of the European Council meeting this week. There have been intensive Brexit meetings in London and in Brussels. The Chief Minister flew from London to Brussels and was joined there by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia who flew in from New York.

Both flew back to Gibraltar on Friday evening and back again to Brussels on Sunday morning. The Attorney General Michael Llamas has been permanently based in Brussels for the last two weeks. The Financial Secretary Albert Mena is also part of the team.

The Government of Gibraltar has been, and continues to be, fully involved in the negotiations. The position as articulated for the United Kingdom remains the same for Gibraltar. No deal is better than a bad deal.

The meetings have centred on the details of a specific Protocol to the Withdrawal Agreement about Gibraltar to be entered into between the United Kingdom and the European Union. There will be similar protocols on Northern Ireland and on the UK Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus.

The definition of the term United Kingdom, under the Withdrawal Agreement, includes Gibraltar. The United Kingdom, under the 2006 Constitution, remains responsible for entering into international agreements on behalf of Gibraltar.

However, the Government has made it clear that the practical implementation of the benefits and obligations of such agreements can only rest with the Gibraltar Government.

The recourse mechanism for the UK-EU Agreement, if agreed, will be a Joint Committee at the top, with separate Specialised Committees covering areas like Gibraltar, Northern Ireland and Cyprus.

There will be a set of practical measures spelt out in separate arrangements with Spain covering tax cooperation, police and customs cooperation, the environment, citizens rights and tobacco. These will be time limited, where necessary, to the end of the transition period which is December 2020. In keeping with the UK-EU structure, the proposed plan is for a number of Coordinating Committees to cover some of these topic areas and to report up the chain to the main UK-EU Committee.

It is important to bear in mind that the discussions on Gibraltar are part of the wider negotiations for the UK to exit the European Union and they play out against this broader background. The Government of Gibraltar, in the meantime, continues to prepare for all eventualities including the possibility of a no deal Brexit.Tom Reel, Staff / Staff photographer

For the second and final time before early voting begins on Monday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Democrat Beto ORourke will square off in a nationally televised debate.

The 1-hour debate will be in San Antonio tonight in the studios of KENS-TV starting at 8 p.m. You can watch the live stream here but it will also be broadcast in 10 other media markets live, including on KHOU-TV in Houston and WFAA-TV in Dallas-Fort Worth. It will also air nationally on C-SPAN.Last winters flu season was a rough one, dominated by a particularly troublesome virus strain. But it did not have to be nearly as deadly as it was. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that more than 80,000 Americans died of influenza in the 2017-18 flu season, the highest number in four decades. More than 900,000 were hospitalized.

Nearly 12,000 of those deaths  about 1 in 7  occurred in Texas, which was hit particularly early and hard.

We Americans had the best tool readily available to reduce these numbers by untold thousands. What happened? Its simple and sad. Too many of us did not use that tool  the flu shot. More than 40 percent of children went without flu vaccines and about half of adults. The numbers were similar to previous flu seasons.

We grieve for those who died and for the families who miss them. In Texas, they include 4-year-old Leon Robert Sidari, the son of two Air Force physicians, who died on Christmas in San Antonio. Leon was scheduled to get his flu shot soon. His parents have set up a fund to promote flu vaccinations. Heather Holland, a 38-year-old teacher and mother from North Texas, died of the flu in February. Her husband could not remember whether or not she had been vaccinated.

Now, with a new flu season upon us, we have a chance to honor the memories of those victims and so many others by reducing the toll influenza takes on our nation. The CDC recommends flu vaccination for most people over the age of 6 months.

Many people who didnt vaccinate last year had heard that the vaccine was only about 10 percent effective. One lesson we can learn is to put less faith in scuttlebutt and early reports. Even the CDC doesnt know how effective the vaccine is in any given year until well into the flu season. As it turned out, the vaccine was 36 percent effective in adults and nearly 60 percent effective in children. Thats not as high as the measles vaccine, but it still amounts to millions of cases of flu that should not have happened.

The benefits go far beyond that, though. Every person who remains healthy because of the flu vaccination is someone who cannot pass the disease to others, including elderly people, for whom the vaccine is generally less effective, babies too young to be vaccinated and people with compromised immunity. Texans who get the flu shot are protecting our communities and our state as well as ourselves.

Even when the flu shot does not keep a person from falling ill, research shows that there is a strong chance the person will have a much milder case. Deaths and hospitalizations are prevented. This is also a good time to slay a myth that has lived for too long: You cannot get the flu from the flu shot. The vaccine uses a killed virus, and every batch is checked to ensure this.

Last years flu season was dominated by a strain called H3N2. This is a particularly virulent, shape-shifting strain that can mutate even while the vaccine is being incubated in eggs. Early signs are that this coming year might be dominated by the H1N1 strain, for which the flu vaccine tends to have higher effectiveness rates.

In other words, you have every reason to get the flu vaccine for you and your loved ones. Health officials recommend that people be vaccinated by the end of October. We can join together to fight flu and drastically reduce the toll of illness, hospitalization and death. Protect yourself and all those around you. Make your appointment for a flu shot.

Winnike is the president and CEO of The Immunization Partnership, a nonprofit vaccine advocacy and education organization serving the state of Texas.Attorney General: Justin Nelson

Ken Paxton - Republican Party: 

Justin Nelson - Democratic Party: 

ENDORSEMENTS: The Houston Chronicle editorial board recommends...

ALSO: Why do the candidate endorsements have star ratings?

This is it. This is the race.

The election for attorney general offers the single best reason for a Texas Republican to cross over and vote for a Democratic candidate. You dont even have to scroll down the burdensome ballot. Right on the front screen in the voting booth youll be able to vote the straight ticket for other Republicans and then vote for Justin Nelson. Hit the cast ballot button and youre done.

Why youd vote for Nelson is similarly straightforward. Hes an astoundingly qualified attorney who has a nonpartisan focus on ethics, ending gerrymandering and fulfilling the basic duties of the office. Plus, Republican incumbent Ken Paxton is facing felony indictments for fraud, which should automatically disqualify him in the minds of voters.

Valedictorian of his class at Columbia Law, Nelson is an adjunct professor at the University of Texas Law School and partner at the Susman Godfrey law firm in Houston. He clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor and founded One Nation One Vote, a nonprofit dedicated to ending gerrymandering. During his endorsement meeting with the Chronicle editorial board, Nelson said he would use the attorney generals office to continue fighting against the partisan gerrymandering that lets politicians pick their voters, rather than the other way around.

Nelson has also released a four-point plan to improve state ethics, some of which can be done by the attorney general without legislative action.

Although hes running as a Democrat, Nelson is an independent lawyer dedicated to doing the job well. In fact, he pointed to Republican U.S. Sen John Cornyn as a model of someone who had served well as state attorney general.

Meanwhile, Paxton has been a model of the worst possible attorney general.

Hes the sort of politician who makes you wish Texas had a Lone Star version of Saturday Night Live to mock the fact that our states top lawman is facing two charges for felony investment fraud and another count of failing to register as an investment adviser. Paxton allegedly didnt reveal he was being paid to solicit clients for a North Texas investment firm, which the law requires to help prevent fraud.

The former state representative and state senator successfully postponed his trial until after the election. It is worth noting, however, that Paxton has already admitted to soliciting investors without registering and paid a $1,000 fine to the state securities board. Or, to put it bluntly, he effectively confessed to a third-degree felony. No one should be above the law, but Paxton seems determined to try.

His ethical lapses dont end there. Paxton once accepted a $1 million loan from the right-wing Empower Texans advocacy group  his largest political donor  and now refuses to defend the Texas Ethics Commission from the groups attacks. Its hard not to see a quid pro quo that puts campaign donors ahead of the public good.

He also was once caught stealing another lawyer's $1,000 pen.

Paxton has been using his office to pursue a quixotic political agenda that even members of his own party question. For example, hes leading a lawsuit that would eliminate the preexisting conditions protections of the Affordable Care Act. If Paxton succeeds, more than 4 million Texans could be denied coverage.

Beyond his own legal problems, Paxton is simply doing a bad job as attorney general. He doesnt aggressively go after crooked payday lenders or exploitive nursing homes. His campaign website still touts how hes going to sue the Obama administration  a policy agenda two years out of date.

While Nelson is stumping across the state to get Texans to pay attention to this often ignored position, Paxton is hiding away, apparently hoping straight-ticket voting will carry him to victory. He refuses to face his fellow Texans in person, instead appearing on Fox News like some modern-day Max Headroom who exists exclusively within the four corners of the television screen.

Nelson probably cant win without some crossover support from Republicans, but theres plenty of good reasons for regular red-state voters to back him.

Joe Straus Republicans should vote for Nelson because hes willing to defend the Texas Ethics Commission from Empower Texans.

Libertarian-style Republicans should vote for Nelson because hes willing to target government power and break the partisan gerrymandering system. Its worth noting that the man who spearheaded investigations into Paxton, Ty Clevenger, considers himself part of the Rand Paul strain of the GOP.

The people of Texas already know their attorney general has admitted to being a lawbreaker. The question is whether to give him another term in office.

Nelson offers a refreshing vision of how the attorney general can truly be a lawyer for the people. He deserves your vote.Ghanas fish stocks decimated by illegal fishing

by Isabella Kaminski

October 12,2018 | Source: chinadialogue

Chinese involvement in industrial trawling is depleting Ghanas fish stocks and harming livelihoods, says a new report by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF).



Many West African countries rely heavily on their seas for food and income. But as the fishing industry has grown and internationalised, foreign interests have muscled their way in.



'Chinas Hidden Fleet in West Africa', published on 11 October, examines the extent and impact of illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing in Ghanas waters. It recommends urgent reforms to improve transparency and accountability in the sector and says both governments must tackle the problem together.



The government banned foreign companies from trawling in Ghanaian waters in 2002 to retain more profits from fishing.



However, the EJF reports that foreign interests, particularly from China, are known to be extensive within Ghanas trawl fleet. This is harming Ghanas fish stocks and local economies, and depriving communities of the fish they depend on.



The analysis of official data sources, company reports and on-the-ground interviews, shows that 90% of vessels licenced in the country in 2015 were built in China. It concludes that the majority of trawlers operating in Ghanas waters are likely to have some Chinese involvement.



The report says the Chinese operate through Ghanaian front companies to import their vessels into the Ghanaian fleet register and obtain a licence to fish. Opaque corporate structures circumvent nationality criteria.



With the balance of control invariably resting with the Chinese investor, such arrangements quite clearly contravene the spirit and purpose of the legislation, if not the letter of the law, says the report.



Bolei Liu, oceans campaigner at Greenpeace East Asia, says that the opaque fisheries co-ownership structure has been a serious problem to transparent oceans governance in West Africa, which makes it difficult, not just for civil society but also for fisheries officials, to identify illicit fishing operations at sea.



Chinese involvement is undercutting local people who fish mainly in wooden boats, meaning fish and profits from the industry are leaking out of Ghana to other countries. Meanwhile the lack of transparency in the fishing sector is exacerbating the damage to local fish stocks and biodiversity.



Ghanas fish stocks are under severe pressure. Its pelagic fishery (sardinella, anchovy and mackerel) could collapse within three to seven years unless management improves. Annual landings have declined to around 20,000 tonnes even though fishing effort has increased. In the early 1990s they were over 80,000 tonnes. This is putting livelihoods and food security at risk, says the report.



Stephen Akester, director at fisheries management consultancy MacAlister Elliott and Partners and a consultant for the World Bank, says overfishing by industrial trawlers has reduced the biomass and trophic level of local marine ecosystems.



Ghana now imports 60% of its fish supply, which it has to pay for in hard currency rather than tackle the political problem of stopping revenue to politicians from fronting Chinese owners, says Akester.



As well as under-reporting the catch in Ghanas waters, there is a very real and urgent threat from saiko fishing, finds the report. This is where trawlers catch juvenile and small pelagic fish and transfer them at sea to special canoes.



Saiko fishing is illegal under Ghanaian law and can attract fines of up to US$2 million. It undermines local artisanal fishing practices and is unsustainable.



But the practice is lucrative and growing. The EJF points to research showing an estimated 100,000 metric tonnes of illegal and unreported saiko catches were made in 2017, worth US$34-65 million in their pre-processed state. That represents a real loss of state revenue from tax and fishing licence fees.



It is not the first time Chinas distant water fishing practices have come under scrutiny since the industry exploded in the mid-1980s. However, China has been taking action recently to stop illicit activities by the countrys fleet, especially operators in West Africa.



This crackdown includes the publication of a blacklist and tougher regulations and penalties.



Akester notes that the Chinese state supports its distant water fishing vessels with subsidised fuel and tax exemptions.



But although IUU is a lucrative international business, it is not solely a foreign problem. Ghanas fish stocks are also declining because of overcapacity in the artisanal and industrial sectors, and weak domestic governance and enforcement of the law.

 chinadialogue

Theme(s): Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods.7th Global Conference on Gender in Aquaculture & Fisheries (GAF)

October 16,2018 | Source: GAF

Women make up half the global labor force in fisheries and aquaculture, supporting a dynamic global economic sector that is also crucial to food security and nutrition. Yet, the gender dimension receives scarce attention. How does this lack of awareness of womens contributions affect the sectors performance? How can womens roles and rights be secured for better outcomes for all?



Over 120 experts, researchers and practitioners from more than 25 countries, including ICSF Founding Members Nalini Nayak and Cornelie Quist, will discuss strategies to enhance gender inclusiveness and equality in the sector at the 7th Global Conference on Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries in Bangkok on 1821 October 2018.



The event will be opened by Dr. Eden Woon, President, Asian Institute of Technology, with opening remarks also by Mr. Bunchong Chumnongsittathum, Deputy Director of Inland Aquaculture Research and Development Division, Dept. of Fisheries, Thailand. The keynote speech -The Gender Agenda  turning #MeToo into #WeToo in Aquaculture and Fisheries- will be given by Dr. Darian McBain, Global Director for Sustainable Development, Thai Union.



With a theme of expanding the horizons, the triennial conference will explore case studies from around the world to find ways to create a sustainable and socially-just fishing industry from catch to consumer. Specifically, the conference will address three questions:



How can womens contributions be better valued, and their rights secured to create social, material and environment benefits for all?

How can researchers better account for women in their investigations and when developing innovations?

How can womens voices be better heard in policy and management decisions?

The conference program includes:



Holly Hapke, Research Development Director, University of California Irvine, Marilyn Porter, Professor Emeritus, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and Kyoko Kusakabe, Professor, Asian Institute of Technology, presenting a special workshop on how an intersectional approach can be applied to research on gender in aquaculture and fisheries.

Janine Pierce, School of Management, University of South Australia, and Aquaculture without Frontiers, running a special workshop on how photovoice enables participants to tell their own stories.

Nalini Nayak and Cornelie Quist, International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF), will articulate feminist visions of fisheries by sharing stories from women involved with ICSF.

Cynthia McDougall, Steven Cole and Afrina Choudhury from WorldFish, presenting on how gender transformative approaches can lead to shifts in inequitable gender norms, attitudes and behaviors.

Editrudith Lukanga, Executive Director, Environmental Management and Economic Development Organization, Tanzania, and Kafayat Adetoun Fakoya, Department of Fisheries, Lagos State University, Nigeria, presenting on the role of women fishworker organizations in implementing and monitoring the small-scale fisheries guidelines.

More than 100 papers and posters will be presented during the conference sessions, which look at gender issues related to gender assessments, gender-disaggregated statistics, the seafood industry, governance, climate change, the sustainable development goals, research methods, and learning exchanges.



The conference is organized by the Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries Section of the Asian Fisheries Society, the Asian Institute of Technology and the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific. It is sponsored by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, WorldFish, The Crawford Fund, Plan International, USAID Oceans and Fisheries, Thailand Convention and Exhibitions Bureau and the Commission on Gender and Geography, and has 17 partners and supporters from Asia, Australia and beyond.

Theme(s): Communities and Organisations.Imperial Valley News Center

ADA, JDRF and Helmsley Charitable Trust Announce Funding of Quantitative Analysis of Insulin Purchased from Pharmacies

Chicago, Illinois - The American Diabetes Association (ADA), JDRF International (JDRF) and The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust (Helmsley) together announce the awarding of funding to the University of Florida for a one-year investigation by Dr. Timothy Garrett of the consistency and potency of insulin that is purchased at retail pharmacies across the United States.

This effort was prompted by a small study published in the December 2017 edition of the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, by Carter and Heinemann. The study, which was not initiated or supported by JDRF, the ADA or Helmsley, found a wide variation in the level of activity in insulin available at U.S. pharmacies.

Carter and Heinemann examined 18 10-mL vials of NPH and regular insulin produced by two major manufacturers and randomly purchased in U.S. pharmacies. It found an average dosage of 40.2 U/mL with levels ranging from 13.9 to 94.2 U/mL. None of the vials met the 95-U/mL standard at the time of testing. The U.S. Pharmacopeia and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration require insulin vials and cartridges to contain a minimum of 95 percent intact insulin (95 U/mL).

Their report raised concerns among people with diabetes and health care providers, and controversy among manufacturers, clinicians and biochemists because the studys findings were inconsistent with data from previous regulatory audits, as well as detailed checks and balances from manufacturers. Dr. Garretts research will help identify and assess the potential for insulin degradation across a wide range of formulas.

Insulin activity is of utmost importance to the diabetes community, he said. In collaboration with Insulin for Life, we have designed a comprehensive measurement approach that incorporates standard methods for quality assessment, along with new methods that taken together will provide the best assessment of insulin activity for the patient.

The University of Florida-based investigation team, led by Garrett and consisting of internationally recognized experts, will examine eight insulin formulations that vary on time-action profiles, across five U.S. regions, for 12-months, and using multiple potency testing methodologies. The results of their work will be published by mid-2019.

The December 2017 study shed light on an issue that affects millions of insulin-dependent Americans, said Sanjoy Dutta, JDRF Assistant Vice President of Research. Along with our partners at the ADA and the Helmsley Charitable Trust, we are confident that Dr. Garrett and his team will help to accurately analyze the quality of insulin at the point of sale to ease the concerns of our community.

We look forward to Dr. Garrett and his teams findings to help us clarify the findings of Carter and Heinemanns study. With this information, we hope to bring peace of mind to the millions of people with diabetes who rely on insulin every day, said ADAs Chief Scientific, Medical and Mission Officer William T. Cefalu, MD. Patients and their loved ones should not have to worry about whether or not the insulin at their local pharmacies will be effective. The ADA is grateful for the collaboration and support of JDRF and Helmsley to help make this research possible.

Dr. Garretts investigation aligns with our long-term goal of improving the lives of people with type 1 diabetes, said Sean Sullivan, PhD, Helmsley Type 1 Diabetes Program Officer. Daily management of this disease is time-consuming, complex, and challenging. It is critical for those living with this disease to know the quality of their insulin and we are confident this rigorous study will allow that. We are happy to partner with ADA and JDRF to fund this effort.IWTC Virginia Beach Forges New ISs for the Fleet

Virginia Beach, Virginia - Eighteen intelligence specialists (IS) graduated from the 12-week Intelligence Specialist A school at Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Virginia Beach, October 12.

IWTC Virginia Beach has convened 21 IS courses in the last year and graduated 480 students.

Over 12 weeks of training, the students proceed through a demanding curriculum comprised of basic intelligence, information warfare, and information technology. The curriculum directly supports Navy requirements for trained and ready intelligence professionals. The curriculum culminates in a final exercise comprised of in-depth critical thinking and analysis, as well as a rigorous briefing schedule ultimately providing real-world indications and warnings across several areas of responsibility. Core intelligence disciplines taught during the course develop the essential skills Sailors need to continue to advanced training schools, and prepare them for rigorous duties in the fleet.

This course is very demanding and stressful but class 18-210 was ready to answer that challenge, said Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Langley, an IS A school Instructor IWTC Virginia Beach. The past 12 weeks have prepared them for the completion of their final exercise and, furthermore, the fleet. Congratulations on your completion of IS A school and good luck with your follow-on schools and fleet assignments."

Seaman Nicole Baker received the Personal Excellence Award for her highly motivated efforts towards academics, commendatory involvement within the course, and positive influence on her peers.

I really enjoyed the real-world information provided in order to appropriately portray significant events in the fleet, said Baker. I found IS A school challenging. However, I believe it was ultimately worth it."

Intelligence Specialist A school is the foundational course for our intelligence specialists, said Cmdr. Andrew Boyden, commanding officer IWTC Virginia Beach. This training crucible plays a huge role in preparing them for the fleet, and Im continually impressed by the quality of graduates and the excellence our team is pushing out to the fleet.

IWTC Virginia Beach currently offers 65 courses of instruction in information technology, cryptology, and intelligence with an instructor and support staff of 280 military, civilian, and contract members who train over 6,400 students every year at five training sites in the Hampton Roads area. It is one of four school houses for Center for Information Warfare Training and also oversees learning sites at Jacksonville and Mayport, Florida; Kings Bay, Georgia; and Groton, Connecticut to continue aligning IW community training.

The Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) delivers trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services, enabling optimal performance of information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations.Governor Jerry Brown of California recently signed Senate Bill Number 826, which requires all male corporate boards to have at least one women, in an effort to address the issue of gender equality within 165 public companies statewide.

The legislation has received criticism and praise from both sides of the isle, as such a drastic measure has finally brought awareness to an issue that has limited the professional ascension of women in the C-Suite.

Regardless of which side of the debate you may lean toward, no where in California has been more impacted by the lack of women on corporate boards than Silicon Valley. There is an assumption that Senate Bill Number 826 is aimed directly at the tech industry, which has notably been criticized for a lack of diverse perspectives.

More importantly, I dared to ask the question: Should gender inclusion be on any legislative agenda or is it just a private company issue? Did California get it right? To gain more perspective on the issue, I spoke with Tiffany Apczynski, VP of Public Policy and Social Impact at Zendesk, which is headquartered in San Francisco, to discuss how women in Silicon Valley are responding the legislation.

Here are the five key takeaways from our conversation.

The world is changing.

Tiffany stated the SB 826 is "one small step in dissolving the cycles of [bias] in the all male business world. In addition, it helps to change the landscape and bring more voices to the table, which brings equity across all aspects of the business model." Although the bill is a corrective measure that provides strict timelines for public companies in the state, the bill provides extensive data and research to support the value that women bring to corporate boards and the outlook for the future of the country.

Opens up internal policy discussions.

Two of the largest debates by far are parental leave and child care, which have placed women in high-level careers with limited options. Considering women are primary child care providers, and with no federal protection policies on maternity leave, it is difficult to present such a debate to an all male-corporate board. Apczynski added, "fewer people leave the workforce if you have better parental leave policies and child care subsidies. At the corporate level, we can have these discussions and implement policies that are best for the team."

Broadens perspectives.

There are diversity and inclusion experts, who believe that implicit biases are based on access within peer groups. Board members depend on the recommendation and advice of other board members to assist with filling vacancies.

Tiffany says that tech cannot be innovative or disruptive if the decision makers are not exposed to different experiences and people. She believes the legislation will open up the world view for the members of corporate boards to begin taking another look at diversity from the members that have a seat at the table.

Improves Corporate Culture.

Apczynski shared that "Zendesk does not have a problem with corporate culture." It is probably due to their commitment to gender equity, which has a board comprised of 50 percent women, exceeding the requirements of SB 826. Tiffany also stated, "we are not afraid of going against the status quo."

In addition, Zendesk has witnessed an improvement in corporate morale due to their social impact policies, which creates opportunities for their team to volunteer as an organization and gain first hand knowledge of how diverse perspectives impact the social landscape of the community.

Transparency.

Perhaps, California is taking a page out of Britain's push toward equal pay through regulating transparency. Britain's stance on publicly shaming companies for their unfair pay policies through an annual report, which must disclose their gender wage gap, is a push toward pay equality, and the first major corrective measure toward gender equity. "The submissions have made for uncomfortable reading for company executives," in a recent commentary in the New York Times.

California's legislation may create the same level of shame. According to the legislation, "one-fourth of California's public companies in the Russell 3000 index have no women on their boards of directors." In addition, companies with more women on their board are more likely "[to have] strong governance structures, demonstrate a high level of transparency, and avoid large-scale controversy," as mentioned in Women Create a Sustainable Future by UC Berkeley Haas School of Business 2012.

Tiffany added that transparency provides hope for women that there are advancement opportunities within an organization, which improves retention and provides women with the advocacy and support to advance professionally.Mark Cuban wants to reinvent the applesauce industry.

On Sunday's episode of Shark Tank, Cuban agreed to invest $150,000 for 25 percent of applesauce startup Sanaia, which sells organic applesauce targeted at adults rather than children. The company offers exotic flavors like guava and ginger, and generated $40,000 in sales during a six-month test period. Founder Keisha Jeremie sells four-packs of Sanaia's applesauce in glass jars for $19.99, but plans to introduce a plastic container version for $1.70 each. While the Sharks were impressed with Jeremie's pitch, Kevin O'Leary took issue with the fact that she still works a full-time job as the head of human resources at News Corp.

"You're not full time, which really bothers me," O'Leary said. "If you believed in this, you'd quit your job and you'd be telling me you don't sleep on weekends."

Jeremie said that because she supports her parents and siblings financially, she can't afford to quit her day job--yet. She had, however, hired a chief operating officer and small team, investing $250,000 of her own money and setting aside another $250,000 for future growth. While the Sharks have in the past insisted that entrepreneurs looking for a deal should work full time at their companies, Robert Herjavec defended Jeremie by noting that he couldn't quit his job while he was starting his IT-security firm.

"Not everyone can do that," Herjavec said. "I wanted to be all in. You know what? I had a mortgage. I had a child at home. I didn't have a choice."

Holding back tears, Jeremie reaffirmed her dedication to her company. "I would never squander the commitments I have to my family members if I didn't believe in it," she said. "I take care of so many people financially. This is the first thing I have ever done for myself."

While reinventing a classic product like applesauce might be a hard sell to an investor, Jeremie noted that Chobani grew the yogurt category from an $8 billion market to a $125 billion market by repositioning it as a premium snack for adults. Cuban seemed skeptical that $40,000 in sales were enough of a track record to put Jeremie's business on a path to success, but he ultimately expressed his confidence in her--and Sanaia's potential.On Monday evening, a passenger died on board Delta Air Lines flight 583 from Detroit to Shanghai. Well, although the passenger -- Yury Rubel, who suffered from hypertensive cardiovascular disease -- was quite dead on the airplane as it returned to Detroit, it wasn't until after the plane landed and Yury was taken into the airport for examination that he was officially declared dead by on-site medical staff.

You see, there's one thing that Delta, United, American, Southwest, or any other airline will ever let you do while you're in the air: Die. At least not officially.

It's no secret that plenty of people fall ill on airline flights every year. While colds are common and relatively benign (according to one study, people sitting in close proximity to someone with a cold have up to an 80 percent chance of catching it themselves), other illnesses are quite serious. Heart attacks, strokes, seizures, alcohol poisoning, and more are not uncommon.

According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, one in every 604 flights reports a medical emergency, which works out to about 44,000 in-flight emergencies a year.

And, sometimes, these in-flight medical emergencies end up with a passenger death. The leading cause? Cardiac arrest at a whopping 86 percent.

Flight attendants receive extensive training in dealing with medical emergencies, and they can consult with medical professionals on the ground for assistance with difficult cases. But, according to one report, when a passenger dies on a flight, the airplane's crew is not allowed by the airline to consider the passenger to be deceased "unless pronounced so by the local medical authorities after the aircraft has landed."

As a Southwest Airlines spokesperson explained in an interview, "We technically don't have any mid-flight deaths."

Death prompts Delta flight to return to DTW. https://t.co/BWsHXlxx22 pic.twitter.com/X37wOVoP8K -- The Detroit News (@detroitnews) October 9, 2018Last month, comedy writer Richard Curtis appeared at the Cheltenham Literature Festival to discuss his craft.

In addition to the revelation he had hoped to cast the late Alan Rickman instead of Hugh Grant as the lead in Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), Curtis lamented not writing more about the complicated aspects of romantic love while still championing the form.

We are lucky we live in a country and a world where there is enormous amounts of love and happiness and its worth writing that, he told his audience.

Recommended Why Richard Curtis wanted to cast Alan Rickman in Four Weddings

The screenwriter, hugely admired for his work scripting such seminal BBC comedy series as Not the Nine OClock News (1979-82), Blackadder (1983-89) and The Vicar of Dibley (1994-2007), has specialised in the genre on the big screen.

While he has deviated from his tried-and-tested formula for two Mr Bean outings with Rowan Atkinson, the pirate radio ensemble caper The Boat That Rocked (2009) and an adaptation of Michael Morpurgos War Horse (2011) for Steven Spielberg, his sweary, upper-middle class comedies of manners have proven a wildly popular British export.

Heres our assessment of his romcoms, ranked from worst to best.

7. Love Actually (2003)

A Christmas Eve mainstay on ITV2, Curtiss directorial debut summoned an all-star cast to weave together disparate stories about love and relationships during the festive season, with decidedly mixed results.

While Emma Thompson unwrapping a Joni Mitchell album  and therein discovering her husband (played by Rickman) is pondering an affair with a colleague  is absolutely heart-wrenching, much of it borders on the outright ghastly.

Liam Neeson grieving for a late spouse without immediately seeking violent revenge is just tedious, the Laura Linney and Kris Marshall interludes belong in entirely different films (one much better than the other) and Andrew Lincolns creepy cue cards rightly became a meme.

Andrew Lincoln being terrifying in Love Actually (Rex)

Tonally uneven in the extreme, Love Actually did at least predict the advent of Donald Trump through the person of Billy Bob Thorntons sleazy president. I understand Grants prime minister dancing to Girls Aloud also has its fans.

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6. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)

In attempting to repeat the success of the blockbuster original about Britains favourite hapless singleton, this sequel stuck far too close to its predecessor, hitting the exact same comedic beats one after another. Theres even a tired reprise of the famous Darcy-Cleaver brawl.

The indignities are heaped upon Renee Zellweger thick and fast, from being splashed repeatedly by lorries to humiliation via speaker-phone in front of a room full of diplomats.

She is as adept at pratfalls as ever and an entirely endearing presence but theres little original here, despite the films nod towards a serious theme: what happens after the happily ever after?

5. The Tall Guy (1989)

Inspired by Curtiss early career as the straight man in Rowan Atkinsons stage act, The Tall Guy stars Jeff Goldblum as Dexter King, an American living in Camden, who serves as Atkinsons foil and just cant take it anymore.

Thompson is vibrant as Goldblums love interest, a nurse treating his chronic hay fever, and the film from first-time director Mel Smith is interesting as a time-capsule record of Londons late 1980s comedy circuit, a world of nasty carpets, spilled lager and Madness records.

4. About Time (2013)

Domhnall Gleeson made a game leading man in the writers not-wholly-successful attempt to introduce magic realism to Curtisland.

While his characters discovery that the menfolk of his family can travel through time is riddled with plot holes and logic problems, the films Cornish locations are unusual and Bill Nighy is very moving as the dying patriarch, urging his son to make the most of his gifts before its too late.

3. Bridget Joness Diary (2001)

The casting of Texan actress Zellweger in Curtiss adaptation of Helen Fieldings comic novel, which was originally a column in The Independent, caused uproar on announcement but her Method commitment to the role won over all doubters.

Renee Zellweger as Bridget Jones (Moviestore Collection/Rex/Shutterstock)

By casting Colin Firth  a definitive Mr Darcy for the BBC  it also riffed brilliantly on Jane Austen. Grant, meanwhile, has rarely been more deliciously caddish than as Bridgets boss and sometime lover Daniel Cleaver.

Some gushing cameos from Salman Rushdie and Jeffrey Archer and the improbable spectacle of Christmas snow in London aside, Bridget Jones is an unmitigated joy if you can overlook its cosily bourgeois values and vision of an England without poverty.

2. Notting Hill (1999)

A film that inspires near-deranged fandom in certain dank corners of the internet, Notting Hill was Curtiss attempt to repeat the international success of Four Weddings and is arguably the more polished piece.

Drawing loosely on the princess-and-the-everyman plotting of Roman Holiday (1953), the film once again starred Grant as the Curtis stand-in, a travel bookshop opener who quite literally bumps into Hollywood megastar Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) on the street, a textbook example of the meet-cute.

 Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Gina McKee and Hugh Bonneville are touching as Grants friends but its Rhys Ifans answering the door to the worlds press in his underpants that stays with you, however hard you try to unsee it.

1. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

The original and still the best. Accept no imitations.

Yes, Andie McDowell is wooden as a door and Is it raining? I hadnt noticed is a contender for one of the most ludicrous lines in cinema but its still a cracking ending.

Andie McDowell and Hugh Grant in Four Weddings (Rex)

Of course, Kristen Scott Thomass unrequited love for Charles (Grant) is the real story, lending the film pathos to go along with the punchlines. Her waspish turn as Fiona indicative of the strength in depth of Mike Newells cast, which also has terrific supporting work from Simon Callow, Charlotte Coleman, Anna Chancellor and James Fleet.

From the elderly guest who spits, Dont be ridiculous! Charles died 20 years ago, when introduced to Grants character of the same name to the boorish public schoolboy who refers to Carrie (McDowell) as a Damn fine filly... I think Im in there, Four Weddings is freighted with comic gold.

John Hannahs reading of Funeral Blues by WH Auden at the memorial for Gareth (Callow), laid low by ceilidh dancing, also belongs to the ages.Film score legend Hans Zimmer has announced The World of Hans Zimmer  A Symphonic Celebration, a new show starring a symphony orchestra that will tour the UK and Ireland next year.

While his previous Hans Zimmer Live tour focused on Zimmers band and electronic sound, this new concert will see the German composers most famous works arranged for a live symphony orchestra for the first time, following months of preparation.

The Lion King, Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Da Vinci Code, The Dark Knight, Inception and Interstellar are among the scores that will be featured, under the direction of Gavin Greenaway, Zimmers longtime conductor who Zimmer says he trusts more than he trusts himself.

Recommended The sound illusion that makes Dunkirk so intense

The composer earned his 11th Oscar nomination in January this year for his work on Christopher Nolans latest film, Dunkirk.

One of his shows last year took place the day after the Grenfell Tower tragedy, with Zimmer donating all the proceeds from the show to those affected by the blaze.

(Kilimanjaro & MCD)

The World of Hans Zimmer  A Symphonic Celebration tour dates are as follows:

Wednesday 20 March  Manchester Arena

Thursday 21 March  Birmingham Arena

Friday 22 March  Glasgow Hydro

Saturday 23 March  Londons Wembley Arena

Monday 25 March  Dublin 3Arena

Tickets go on sale 19 October and will be available here.

 Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Got sweaty palms already? Check out our handy tips for dealing with the demand:

1) Make sure you are ready and waiting with the web page up at least five minutes before 10am.

2) Do not let your computer, phone or whatever device holds the key to your happiness run out of battery.

3) Register your details with the website you are booking from in advance, if you can, but dont panic if you havent left enough time as your tickets will be held while you fill out your information.

4) Check how many tickets you are allowed to buy in one purchase. If you try to buy more than the limited number, your booking may be cancelled without notice, meaning no-one gets to go.

5) Get your friends to try too, but stay in contact in case you all succeed and end up with a bunch of tickets you didnt want. If you do need to sell any on, do so at face value. No-one likes a tout.

6) Be patient and avoid refreshing or switching between browsers. Stick with one tab and have some faith! Be prepared to wait for an hour to get tickets. Close Great British Bake Off 2018 Trailer

The Great British Bake Off had quite the dramatic quarter-finals.

There were just five contestants  Ruby, Briony, Rahul, Kim-Joy and Manon  left to tackle Danish Week, inspired by host Sandi Toksvigs heritage. And, despite the assumption the bakers would have an easier time of things after last episode's Vegan Week, this week's Scandi-themed challenges proved just as monumental a task to tackle.

The spread of delightfully named treats  smrrebrd, bleskiver, and kagekone  saw some bakers struggling to capture the Viking spirit, with a surprise reveal of who's headed home leaving some viewers scratching their heads.

Now that, hopefully, the remaining bakers have had a chance to breathe a sigh of relief, we look back at all the biggest talking points from the episode.

Manon was betrayed by her own Frenchness

It was Manon who was ejected from the tent this week, which fans have found a rather controversial decision. She has remained a fairly strong, consistent baker so far, but it appears judge Paul Hollywood had no time for any foolishness during Danish Week. That proved a problem when Manon not once, but twice, managed to bake a French food instead of a Danish food.

First off, her Signature Challenge attempt at rye bread was too pale and lacked enough seeds, essentially making it a French loaf. Meanwhile, for the Showstopper Challenge, her kagekone actually featured a pain au chocolat and not a Danish.

Rahul cracks under the pressure

Rahul has spent the entire series dripping with negativity, but almost always managed to whip out something successful to impress the judges with. During Danish Week, it looks as if his luck has run dry. Not only was he a swearing, frustrated mess  with butter leaking out of his pastries left, right, and centre  but none of his bakes turned out successful.

His rye bread was far too heavy, his bleskiver balls had "serious issues", while his pastries were burnt. He at one point even admitted: I dont deserve to be here anymore. I just need to be kicked out." However, he survived the elimination: which means either he'll get booted off next week, or he'll turn out the perfect underdog and win the whole competition.

Ruby makes a nifty recovery after last week's disaster

After last week's cake-collapsing disaster, Ruby not only stayed cool, but managed to walk away as Star Baker. Her kagekone was "absolutely sweet" and her smrrebrd, one with asparagus and another with a tandoori flavour, were a hit. Both challenges managed to make up for the fact she cheated on bleskiver and added her flavour after.

Everybody cried (except Ruby)

It's been a tough week for our contestants and they're clearly feeling the pressure, in the way that actually made this episode a little bit of a tough watch. The only baker who didn't break down seemed to be Ruby, whose sense of humour about the situation and eager support for the rest of the contestants might prove to be the right attitude needed to take her all the way to the top.

We found out the Danish like to make cakes of people, then cut their heads off

The kagekone is a birthday cake that's meant to be designed to look like someone you know. You then cut the head off and everyone screams. Well, it's certainly a way to pass the time.

Catch-up below with the rest of the events of this week's The Great British Bake Off (please allow a moment for the liveblog to load).Amid warnings that we have just 12 years to save the world from climate change, fans of our planets continued survival will be pleased to hear that one of the UKs biggest energy firms has decided to ditch fossil fuels. On Tuesday morning Scottish Power announced all of the electricity it generates in the future will come from wind turbines.

It sounds good on paper, but beyond the headline Scottish Powers pledge looks a little less clear-cut. Rather than closing down its gas-fired power stations for good, it is selling them to Drax  a company that has faced a lot of criticism in the past for its green credentials.

Back in August, dozens of environmental groups urged the government not to support Draxs conversion of an old Yorkshire coal station into the countrys largest gas plant. They feared investment in gas would lock the UK into a high carbon future totally incompatible with our international obligations.Beset with instability and sporadic violence since its independence from colonial occupier France in 1960, the Central African Republic was plunged into its most recent turmoil after a violent coup in 2013.

In March of that year, Seleka rebels pushed out President Francois Bozize, and in the ensuing conflict between the mainly Muslim Seleka group and the largely Christian anti-Balaka militia, hundreds of civilians were killed.

And while a tentative ceasefire in 2014 ushered in a degree of calm, tensions prevail, and outside of the capital Bangui, most of the country is in the hands of armed groups, according to the International Crisis Group.

While one part of the country might seem peaceful, violence can flare elsewhere, says Ben Bartlett, programmes operation coordinator for CAR at the NGO War Child.

It can change on a daily, hourly basis. You have different hotspots across the country.

Recommended Children in CAR grew up surrounded by war but now dreaming of future

Years of conflict have forced much of the population from their homes, with over 700,000 people living as Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), and a further half a million living as refugees in neighbouring countries. Rape and sexual violence are also routinely used as a weapon of war by parties to the conflict, and according to the UN, 2.9 million people  representing 64 per cent of the total population  require humanitarian assistance.

The unpredictability of fighting between militias means that families can never know for certain if its safe to return home.

Asides from all the usual challenges that face IDP and refugee populations around the world, often living in densely populated centres, under harsh conditions, and with limited access to opportunities, health care, and sanitation, the camps in CAR are also hard to access, says Bartlett.

The Central African Republic is not one of those sexy crises Ben Bartlett, War Child's programmes operation coordinator for CAR

Its a real challenge in the CAR, particularly because of security considerations, and lack of access, he says.

This year alone, six aid workers have been killed in the country, and 24 in total since 2014.

On top of logistical difficulties, there are also severe funding issues.

CAR is not one of those sexy crises, Bartlett laments, NGO-speak for those conflicts or emergencies which are more likely to attract news coverage and subsequent funding.

For this year thus far, the 2018 response plan is only 36 per cent funded, thus illustrating, with only a few months left of the year, how much more money is needed to meet basic humanitarian needs.

Governments and funding bodies dont see sub-Saharan and Central Africa as response priorities, Bartlett says, as these are often countries where conflict has been dragging on for years or even decades and they represent a perceived lack of political importance.

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And while there are ongoing peace initiatives, such as one sponsored by the African Union, myriad obstacles remain. The mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in CAR, MINUSCA, is set to expire in November.

But despite the challenges on the ground, War Child, alongside other organisations, operates in CAR, with around 40 aid workers supporting their programmes there.

The Independent met staff and children at its VoiceMore programme in Bangui, where Stephanie, who once had to flee her home amid tribal violence, is now receiving educational support form War Child.

War Childs country director in CAR, Eric Mamboue, says he is grateful for what The Independents Learn to Live campaign has already done to help him and his charges.

Many children when they arrive here will not even speak, he said of his charges. You see them standing alone. But they must not focus on what they lived through but their hopes for a brighter future so they can become the engineers, the doctors, that are needed. Lets now open their eyes to all that is possible for them to achieve.Stephanie was just 12 years old when the world she knew collapsed around her. One moment all was normal: she was at her grandparents house helping with chores and talking about her day at school. The next, with a screech of truck wheels and the sound of guns firing, she was having to desperately flee for her life.

The cause was members of the militia army that in recent weeks had extended its control over her country. This was a force whose brutality and violence had already become infamous in a nation, the Central African Republic, which since independence from France in 1960 has seen little but coup and counter-coup as peace and stability eludes it.

Stephanie was standing outside when they appeared in her community; armed men filling the back of a pickup truck. They were chasing a local tribal leader who had turned down her road in a desperate search for safety. As Stephanie watched, he ran past her. Then she saw the militiamen shoot him in the back, and him fall onto the dirt street.

They shot him, she recalls. They shot him in front of the house. I had never seen anything like that before. I saw him killed him with my own eyes.

Stephanie lives in Bangui, an African capital city few people have heard of and even fewer would be able to point to on a map, but it is the capital of a country that should be imprinted on all our minds and hearts as the centre of so much of the suffering that has blighted the continent in recent years.

It is a place where blood diamond traders compete with ivory poachers and tribal and religious demagogues to carve out their own zones of control. Even when I was there last week, during a period that is meant to be relatively secure by Central African Republic standards, three Chinese workers were murdered, their heads sawn off and displayed in triumph by their killers.

Yet, even amid such a history of instability, the force that arrived outside Stephanies door that day  and that would go on to oust the president and seize control of the government  was one which was particularly feared.

Part-manned by children seized from their families in rural villages and then brainwashed through beatings and drugs to become child soldiers, its troops were known for enforcing order with machetes and summary executions, often forcing entire communities to flee in terror into the bush.

Stephanie found sanctuary with her family in a church. Hundreds slept and lived in the churchyard for months as the priests and nuns negotiated with the militia leaders to spare them.

Now 18, she can never forget what life was like before.

There was only plastic sheeting to sleep on. Everything would flood when it rains. Always people were crying.

What makes her so remarkable is that, despite all she has been through, the young woman I meet is not one to focus on the past  but on the future.

 Meet the refugee who is working on a cure for cancer

Her conversation is filled with her pride in the grades she is now achieving at school and her plans to become a successful business executive, and her dream to open more schools for children who have not received the opportunities she has in recent years.

For that, War Child is to thank. It is at its VoiceMore centre in Bangui, which is part-funded by the players of the Peoples Postcode Lottery, that Stephanie has been one of the lucky children to receive special help to boost her education  and to help her address the mental scars left by what she and the other children there have been through.

It is why the centres project leader, Eric Mamboue, is so grateful for what The Independents Learn to Live campaign has already done to help him and his charges.

Last week, up to 500,000 was secured in special funding from the Department for International Development for its work. Already the children at his centre have been twinned with a school in London, with whom they are now writing a song to sing together.

But Eric wants even more to be done as the campaign enters its final stage.

Many children when they arrive here will not even speak, he says of his charges. You see them standing alone. But they must not focus on what they lived through but their hopes for a brighter future so they can become the engineers, the doctors, that are needed. Lets now open their eyes to all that is possible for them to achieve.Bauer Media has announced the closure of Cosmopolitan Australia after 45 years in circulation.

The international magazine, which is owned by Hearst Communications and licensed by Bauer Media in Australia, currently has more than a quarter of a million readers.

However, as Paul Dykzeul CEO of Bauer Media Group in Australia and New Zealand explained, the magazine is no longer commercially viable in the growing, digital landscape of publishing.

Recommended Cosmopolitan editor defends decision to put Tess Holliday on cover

Today, Bauer Media announced the closure of the Cosmopolitan brand in Australia, with the December issue being the last, he said in a statement.

It has not been an easy decision to make, however, the commercial viability of the magazine in Australia is no longer sustainable.

He continued, stating that magazine closures are never easy, desirable or done without careful consideration for all those involved.

In September, it was revealed that Bauer Media would be merging the print and digital teams of Elle and Harper's Bazaar in Australia, cutting 13 individuals from the company in the process.

Cosmopolitan Australia isnt the first major magazine to have announced its closure in recent times.

Earlier this year, NME revealed that it would be closing the print edition of its magazine in order to focus on and expand its digital platforms.

However, the entire Cosmopolitan Australia brand will be closing by the end of the year including the magazine and its website.

Recommended Bands pay tribute to NME as magazine closure announced

We have to ensure that we are continually reshaping and defining the business so that our readers of today, and those of tomorrow, remain engaged with the content we publish and the platforms upon which we deliver, Dykzeul says.

Ita Buttrose, former editor of Australia's Womens Weekly, doesnt find the announcement surprising considering the evolving demands of Cosmopolitan Australias readership.

I think its reflecting that younger women have different interests and different needs, she tells Nine News.

Many of them find it online, and a lot of the material is online so they dont buy magazines in the traditional way that perhaps their mothers and grandmothers once did.

 Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Kate Leaver, former features editor for Cosmopolitan Australia, has expressed her commiserations to those working at the magazine.

Thinking of my Cosmo Australia girls today, as the magazine closes, she tweets.

In my time there, I was delighted to work with smart, capable, funny women."All British political adverts posted on Facebook will need to carry disclaimers and identity flags as part of a crackdown on the spread of misinformation through so-called "dark ads," the social network has announced.

Facebook was among several tech firms criticised for allowing propaganda stemming from Russia to spread on their platforms in the build up to the 2016 US elections.

From Tuesday, any political advertisements will now be subject to much greater oversight in the UK in a move that lawmakers said will help protect democracy in the digital age.

"While the vast majority of ads on Facebook are run by legitimate organisations, we know that there are bad actors that try to misuse our platform," Facebook said in a statement.

"By having people verify who they are, we believe it will help prevent abuse... We see this as an important part of ensuring electoral integrity and helping people understand who they are engaging with."

How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Show all 9 1 /9 How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Lock your profile down If you havent done this already, do it now. In Settings, hit the Privacy tab. From here, you can control who gets to see your future posts and friends list. Choose from Public, Friends, Only Me and Custom in the dropdown menu. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Limit old posts Annoyingly, changing this has no effect on whos able to see your past Facebook posts. Instead, on the Privacy page, you have to click on Limit Past Posts, then select Limit Old Posts and finally hit Confirm on the pop-up. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Make yourself harder to find You can stop completely random people from adding you by selecting Friends of Friends from the dropdown menu in the Who can send you friend requests? section of the Privacy page. Its also worth limiting who can find your Facebook profile with your number and email address. At the bottom of the page is the option to prevent search engines outside of Facebook from linking to your profile. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Control access to your Timeline You can limit who gets to post things on your Timeline and who gets to see posts on your Timeline too. In Settings, go to Timeline and Tagging and edit the sections you want to lock down. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Block people When you block someone, they wont be able to see things you post on your Timeline, tag you, invite you to events or groups, start conversations with you or add you as a friend. To do it, go to Settings and Blocking. Annoyingly, you have to block people on Messenger separately. You can also add friends to your Restricted list here, which means theyll still be friends with you but will only be able to see your public posts and things you share on a mutual friend's Timeline. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Review tags One of Facebooks handiest privacy features is the ability to review posts youre tagged in before they appear on your Timeline. Theyll still be visible on the News Feed while theyre fresh, but wont be tied to your profile forever. In Timeline and Tagging, enable Timeline review controls. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Clean up your apps You can view a list of all of the apps youve connected to your Facebook account by going to Settings and Apps. The list might be longer than you expected it to be. Its worth tidying this up to ensure things you no longer use lose access to your personal information. If you dont want to log into websites and apps with your facebook account, scroll down and turn Platform off. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Change your ad preferences You can view a list of everything Facebook thinks youre into and tinker with your ad preferences by going to Settings and Adverts. A lot more information is displayed on the desktop site than the app, so wed recommend doing this on a computer. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Download your data Facebook lets you download all of the data it has on you, including the posts youve shared, your messages and photos, ads youve clicked on and even the IP addresses that are logged when you log in or out of the site. Its a hell of a lot of information, which you should download to ensure you never over-share on the social network again.

The roll out of the new system, which will require anyone wanting to post a political advert to first verify their identity and location, came on the same day that Facebook's UK public policy manager appeared before MPs during a Science and Technology Committee.

Karim Palant said during the hearing that Facebook would welcome greater government regulation of social media.

"I think there are areas where that could be a positive," he said. "For example, transparency around elections."

A House of Commons report this year said democracy is facing a crisis because data analysis and social media allow campaigns to target voters with messages of hate without their consent.

Similar systems have already been introduced in the US and Brazil in the build up to elections in both countries.

The Government is taking action to tackle disinformation in the UK to ensure people can tell the difference between fact and fabrication," Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said.

Online platforms should be taking the most effective steps they can to ensure transparency and I look forward to seeing the impact of these political advertising measures by Facebook.

Additional reporting by agenciesIn a small office in central London, a man from Microsoft stares at me through thick-rimmed glasses and lays his fingertips on a black rectangle that sits on the table separating us. "You may have seen a black laptop before," he says, with a disconcerting sincerity, "but you've never seen a black laptop like this before."

Lifting the lid of the computer, he invites me to touch it. "Go ahead," he says. "Stroke it." I do as I'm told and run my fingers along the soft surface of the palm rest. "That's Alcantara cloth," he continues. "Usually you'd find it in luxury cars. It's absolutely stunning."

Sure enough, it feels more suited to being something you'd sit on than cover an electronic device with, and even the smell is more like a new car than a laptop. Researching it later I learn Alcantara has been used in everything from Formula 1 race cars to space ships, and the fact Microsoft has decided to use it in its latest laptop is a supremely smooth statement of intent in a high-end hardware category typically dominated by Apple.

The Alcantara material on the palm rests is designed for 'maximised typing comfort' (The Independent)

The man from Microsoft - Simon Lambert, devices category lead for Surface - takes 10 minutes just to talk me through the design decisions that went into creating the Surface Laptop 2. For starters, there are no visible screws on its exterior and no bumpers on the edge of the screen to protect it when you close it. ("Why would you need them when you've got Alcantara cloth to cushion it?")

For a high-performance laptop with an impressive 14.5-hour battery life, it is also absurdly thin. I use the smallest flagship smartphone on the market - the Sony Xperia XZ1 - and at its thinnest point the Surface Laptop 2 is the same depth: less than 1 cm thick. As it thickens out towards the base of the screen, it adds less than half a centimetre. Yet despite the slim profile, it feels incredibly sturdy and is able to offer a typing experience rarely found in the so-called Ultrabook category of laptops.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 is less than 1.5cm at its widest point (The Independent)

The most obvious comparison in terms of size and design would be the now-ancient MacBook Air, but in terms of internal specs it would be more appropriate to put it up against this year's 13-inch MacBook Pro. It features the same 8GB or 16GB of RAM, together with an 8th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 - depending on the version you choose.

Beyond specs, Microsoft is also able to put itself alongside both Apple and Google in combining their own hardware with their own software, meaning the Laptop 2 is built with Windows 10 in mind.

The Surface Laptop 2 comes less than a year and a half after Microsoft unveiled the first Surface Laptop, which the Redmond-based firm described at the time as "50 per cent faster" than the MacBook Pro. This time, Lambert tells me the Surface Laptop 2 is 85 per cent faster than its predecessor.

The Surface Laptop 2 features a 13.5" touchscreen display (The Independent)

Lambert explains that the attention to detail goes right down to the travel of the keys on the keyboard, which punch down 1.5mm - a full 1 mm more than the 13-inch MacBook Pro. For someone who types words for a living, this kind of thought is appreciated. With the Alcantara cloth cushioning the heels of my hands, and the thick clunk of the keys making each letter from my fingertips feel purposeful, even writing these words for this review feels good.

Backlit keys also help to improve the typing experience, but it is not just light that emanates from the keyboard. The OmniSonic speakers mean sound plays straight out from between the keys, offering both a rich and loud sound that once again belies the delicate size of the Surface Laptop 2.

The generous size of the palm rests means that there has inevitably been a compromise with the size of the trackpad. Moving the mouse around the screen felt cumbersome and took some getting used to - a burden that is addressed to some extent by the inclusion of a touchscreen. This proves particularly useful when flicking through Netflix or scrolling down webpages.

If you're looking for further downsides, the other obvious one is the lack of ports. Beyond holes for a power cable and a single USB drive, there is only a Mini Display Port, meaning anything else like an HDMI cable will require a dongle - proving that Microsoft is able to borrow both the bad and the good from Apple.

But overall, the Surface Laptop 2 is a powerful combination of performance, design and battery life, that is able to fulfil even the most fawning of plaudits gushed by Lambert. "With the best hardware combined with the best software," he tells me, with genuine adulation, "this black laptop is the only black laptop that will let you do more, achieve more, and dream more."If you come across someone who is unresponsive and they dont seem to be breathing, being able to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) before the emergency services arrive could save their life.

According to a study commissioned by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in 2018, nearly a third of UK adults wouldnt feel confident enough to perform CPR if they saw someone suffering a cardiac arrest.

Here is everything you need to know about how to carry out CPR when needed.

Assess the situation

In order to check whether or not a person is in need of CPR, the first thing you need to do is to gently shake their shoulders while simultaneously asking if theyre alright, the BHF explains.

You also need to be aware of your surroundings, as you may be in an environment thats putting you and the unresponsive individual in danger.

After scanning the area for potential risks, such as incoming cars on a road, shout in order to attract the attention of any passersby that can help you.

You must never leave an unconscious person on their own, even if youre searching for aid, as this can put them at risk.

Check theyre breathing

If a person is unresponsive, then St John Ambulance advises opening their airway.

To do this, place one hand on their forehead and two fingers under their chin.

Then, gently tilt their head back while lifting their chin at the same time.

If a person has suffered a cardiac arrest, then they will either not be breathing normally or not be breathing at all.

To check whether they're breathing, keep an eye on their chest to see if you can spot any movement while keeping their head tilted back.

Listen intently to see if you can hear their breath, and place your face near their mouth to see if you can feel any breath on your cheek.

If you cant detect any breathing at all, then an ambulance will need to be called at either 999 or 112.

While waiting for the ambulance, you can then begin performing CPR.

(Getty Images (Getty Images)

Chest compressions

First, kneel beside the unconscious individual with your knees level with their chest.

Next, the NHS advises placing the heel of one of your hands on the centre of their chest, placing your other hand on top and interlocking your fingers.

Make sure that your shoulders are above your hands before pressing down hard on their chest, straightening your arms and using your entire body weight.

The BHF recommends trying to push down by at least five to six centimetres, before releasing and pushing down again.

The organisation states that you should aim to give 30 chest compressions at a speed of 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute, which is around two per second.

iStock

The New York Presbyterian Hospital has created a Spotify playlist that contains a list songs that maintain the tempo needed to perform chest compressions, all at 100 beats per minute.

The songs include "Just Dance" by Lady Gaga, "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman and "Gives You Hell" by The All-American Rejects.

If performing CPR on a child under the age of one, the NHS states that you should carry out the chest compressions by placing two fingers in the middle of their chest and pushing down by about four centimetres.

Rescue breaths

After carrying out 30 chest compressions, youll need to give two rescue breaths if the individual is showing no signs of breathing.

To do this, first open the airway using the same method outlined by St Johns Ambulance above.

Once their head has been tilted back and their chin has been lifted, pinch the soft part of their nose closed.

(Getty Images/iStockphoto (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

First, inhale as normal. Then, place your mouth on top of theirs and breathe out.

Once youve done this once, remove your mouth from theirs and carry out the same process again.

You should be able to spot chest movement while carrying out the rescue breaths.

If carrying out CPR on a child, the NHS states that you should initially give five rescue breaths after carrying out the chest compressions.

Then, after repeating the chest compressions, continue the process by giving two rescue breaths.

Keep repeating the chest compressions and rescue breaths until an ambulance arrives or until the person starts regaining consciousness or breathing properly.

If youre feeling tired, have someone else take over the CPR, making sure that theyre performing it correctly.

For more information on CPR, visit the NHS website here.Following the controversial confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, self-proclaimed witches have decided to use their powers to make the justices life miserable.

Operating out of Brooklyn bookstore Catland Books, described on its website as Brooklyns premier metaphysical boutique and event space, co-owner Dakota Bracciale is coming for Kavanaugh - alongside dozens of others this Saturday, as part of a planned ritual to hex the newest Supreme Court judge.

The event, which was advertised on Facebook as a public hex on Brett Kavanaugh and upon all rapists and the patriarchy which emboldens, rewards and protects them, is sold-out - which is both bad news for Kavanaugh and for the more than 14,000 people who have expressed interest in going.

Recommended Brett Kavanaugh website becomes resource for sexual assault victims

Fortunately for those who couldnt get tickets, the unprecedented interest in the event has led Bracciale to schedule a second hexing on November 3.

In addition to putting a hex, defined as casting a spell or bewitching, on Donald Trumps nominee to the highest court, the New York City-based witches want to use their craft to make a statement regarding the state of the nation.

On the practical aspect, yes there is spell casting and we are going to curse him and hex him and wish him bad things, Bracciale told The Independent. But on a more important level, this is a coming together of people who recognise this as an important moment in our country.

The trial was a crystallisation and outing of what we now see is the truth."

Bracciale also told us the event will function as a place of support and camaraderie and community and, most importantly, solidarity for survivors - with the main idea to convey we hear you, we see you, we believe you, we dont want you to be silent, we dont want you to be afraid.

Following the hexing, there will be a second ritual called The Rites of the Scorned One, which will be a "more cathartic but supportive act, according to Bracciale, who described it as a ritual centred around the understanding that rage is an extremely important part of our person and self-sovereignty.

In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing Show all 21 1 /21 In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing EPA In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AP In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AP In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing REUTERS In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing REUTERS In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing REUTERS In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing EPA In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing EPA In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images

Rage helps us survive and carry on and, as survivors, it can help us really build the life we want," Bracciale said.

As for the actual hexing, details of what it entails wont be revealed until the night, but Bracciale did tell us: The harm we want to inflict on Kavanaugh and Trump ... is that they be exposed and shown for what they are and ousted or at least discredited.

However, while the hex does involve a full ritual and spells, Bracciale is adamant that a previous knowledge of witchcraft is unnecessary - and that believers and non-believers can come and join.

People are welcome to be critical, they told us. Witchcraft is about scepticism and doubt and critical thinking, and choosing your ethics and morals, and choosing what your world view is and how you interact with the world around you.

You dont need prior knowledge or any level of expertise. You dont have to engage or participate either. We dont want anyone to be discouraged. They are more than welcome to come and participate or not participate - that is totally up to them.

As for Bracciales reaction to the immense interest in the event, they aren't surprised - as three previous group hexes targeted towards President Trump received similar responses but on a smaller scale.

We are at a crisis point in America and we have to figure out who we are and what we believe and what we are going to allow, Bracciale said.

 Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Although tickets to the first hex against Kavanaugh are sold out, the November event is still open - with 50 per cent of the proceeds from the first event set to be split between Planned Parenthood and the Ali Forney Centre, dedicated to helping homeless LGBT youths, and proceeds from the second event going to the Southern Poverty Law Centre and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project.

You can purchase tickets to the November event here.Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan is well known for his divisive and controversial comments. His latest? Mocking one of Britain's favourite action heroes, James Bond.

Morgan, 53, took to Twitter to criticise Daniel Craig for carrying his child across his body using a papoose  a sling or carrier people use to keep their baby close, while also having their hands free for other activities.  as he walked the streets of New York with his daughter.

The actor and his wife, Rachel Weisz, welcomed their little girl, Ella, last month.

Alongside a photo of Craig, Morgan wrote: Oh 007  not you as well?!!! before declaring him an #emasulatedBond.

After some initial backlash, Morgan attempted to explain his tweet by claiming that Bond would never use baby carrier.

Imagine believing carrying your own baby in public is emasculating, Morgan wrote.

Hes not carrying it, thats my point. Hes using an emasculating papoose. James Bond would never use a papoose to carry his babies.

He later tweeted, Carrying a baby is harder work, but worth it for the unashamedly masculine joy of NOT Wearing a papoose.

The controversial presenter was widely criticised for the dad-shaming stunt with some users, including Captain America actor Chris Evans, calling him out for his skewed image of manhood.

You really have to be so uncertain of your own masculinity to concern yourself with how another man carries his child, Evans tweeted.

Any man who wastes time quantifying masculinity is terrified on the inside.

Morgan later responded with: Captain America wouldnt wear a papoose.

In addition to Evans, many social media users stood up to Morgan. While some reacted by calling him names like insecure manbaby, others explained the benefits of using a baby carrier.

There is nothing more masculine than a father taking an active role in nurturing and looking after his child, one person wrote.

Another added: Proud to wear my kid all day every day. If youre not secure enough in your masculinity to wear your kid, well... theres something wrong with your idea of what it is to be a man.

A third person wrote: Emasculated? I dont think Ill ever feel more of a man than when Im looking after my children.

A number of disgruntled fathers even responded with photos of themselves proudly carrying their own children in a pappose.

I also cook, clean, do laundry, tuck the kids in, wash them, read to them, do homework with them, hold them when they are sad and laugh with them when they joke, one father tweeted.

Im not as much of a looker as Daniel Craig, but Im happy im in good company.

Another wrote: I loved wearing my baby. Fancy a dad enjoying being close to his child!

Despite the backlash, Morgan stood by his stance, insisting that a baby carrier is a "ridiculous instrument of emasculation". His only conclusion was that there must be a change in James Bond casting.

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One things clear after tonights ferocious Papoose-gate debate: we need a new James Bond, he wrote.

A 007 who looks sharp in a tux and wouldnt be seen dead in a papoose."Sainsburys has set out to tackle the problem of loneliness, which impacts up to a fifth of UK adults, by launching Talking Tables  a scheme which asks stores to set up dedicated tables where people can have a chat.

The supermarket announced that the initiative will be trialled in 20 stores across the country with the hopes of bridging the loneliness gap and bringing people together.

The concept has been developed in close association with the Chatty Cafe Scheme, which was launched in 2017 by mother-of-one, Alexandra Hoskyn, after she spotted an elderly woman alone in a supermarket cafe and a young man with his support worker who looked like he could use some company.

Talking Tables will appear in a variety of formats including a sign-posted table located in cafes in-store, a variation where colleagues whod like to be involved can volunteer to be table hosts, and a charity-led format where stores will partner with community groups and work with their volunteer networks to host scheduled sessions.

Sainsburys will also be trialling the programme internally with colleagues by setting up Talking Tables in back-of-house areas in its stores, depots and Store Support Centres.

The initiative comes as new research from Sainsburys Living Well Index developed in partnership with leading researchers Oxford Economics and the National Centre for Social Research, reveals the UKs sense of wellbeing has fallen in the past twelve months  with loneliness identified as a key characteristic of those with a low sense of wellbeing.

The study of over 8,000 people found that one in ten Brits feel lonely all or most of the time  equivalent to almost six million adults across Great Britain.

In addition, it revealed that more than a third of us have admitted to feeling lonely some of the time (42 per cent)  with this figure increasing to almost two thirds (65 per cent) amongst young people aged 18  24.

Theresa May at the launch of the first loneliness strategy Show all 8 1 /8 Theresa May at the launch of the first loneliness strategy Theresa May at the launch of the first loneliness strategy Prime Minister Theresa May makes a hot drink during a meeting at a social group in from a charity working to combat loneliness at the launch of the first loneliness strategy in Vauxhall, London EPA Theresa May at the launch of the first loneliness strategy PA Theresa May at the launch of the first loneliness strategy PA Theresa May at the launch of the first loneliness strategy PA Theresa May at the launch of the first loneliness strategy PA Theresa May at the launch of the first loneliness strategy PA Theresa May at the launch of the first loneliness strategy PA Theresa May at the launch of the first loneliness strategy PA

We know from our Living Well Index that community connections are a key driver of helping people to live well, says Judith Batchelar, director of Sainsburys brand.

Yet with almost two thirds of us feeling lonely some of the time, its important that we contribute to helping to improve the lives of our customers and communities.

We hope that by bringing people together at our Talking Tables, we can utilise the potential of our store-space to help people be better connected to the communities they live and work in.

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The supermarket is following in the footsteps of Costa, which launched Chatter and Natter tables in more than 3,000 branches of its stores in August.

Sainsburys branches taking part in the Talking Tables scheme include:

Barnstaple

Bishop Auckland

Canley

Cwmbran

Dorridge

Falmouth

Hull

Longbridge

Monks Cross

Newport

Newquay

Northfield

Penzance

Pontllanfraith

Redditch

Scarborough

Sedgefield

Swansea

Tewkesbury Road

Truro

It will be trialled from October to December 2018.Nicole Kidman has claimed that being married to Tom Cruise provided her with protection from sexual abuse in Hollywood.

Kidman and Cruise were married on Christmas Eve in 1990 after meeting on the set of action film Days of Thunder in 1989.

The pair were married for over 10 years and adopted two children: Isabella Jane, who was born in 1992, and Connor Antony, who was born in 1995.

Recommended Nicole Kidman gives powerful Emmys speech on domestic violence

Kidman has previously been disinclined to discuss her relationship with Cruise since he filed for divorce from her in 2001.

However, she has now spoken openly about how being married to the Mission Impossible actor provided her with a sense of security as a young woman in Hollywood.

Being married to Tom Cruise at 22 is something Im always reluctant to talk about, because Im married now to the man who is my great love [Keith Urban], and it almost feels disrespectful, she writes in an essay for New York Magazine's women and power series.

That said, I got married very young, but it definitely wasnt power for me - it was protection.

I married for love, but being married to an extremely powerful man kept me from being sexually harassed.

I would work, but I was still very much cocooned.

While they were married, Kidman and Cruise starred in two more films together: Far and Away in 1992 and Eyes Wide Shut in 1999.

Having married Cruise at such a young age, Kidman felt as though she had to grow up when they divorced more than a decade later.

Despite the protection that she felt her ex-husband was able to provide her with in the early stages of her career, Kidman explains that shes still experienced sexual harassment throughout her life.

Of course Ive had #MeToo moments - since I was little! she writes.

But do I want to expose them in an article? No. Do they come out in my work? Absolutely.

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Im open and raw. I want to have my well of experience and emotion tapped into, used - and Im not just talking about sexual harassment. Im talking about loss, death, the full array of life.

Last year, Kidman penned a powerful essay about domestic violence, which was published in Porters Incredible Women issue.

The actor plays Celeste Wright in HBOs Big Little Lies, a woman who experiences domestic violence at the hands of her husband.There are many rational reasons that motivate consumers to spend 50bn annually on household cleaning products. But non-rational mechanisms are nevertheless still at work in the cleaning products market, as in all others.

Advertisements for domestic hygiene products usually follow the same simple yet powerful structure: the threat of bacterial contamination looms large, but antibacterial gels, soaps, fluids, powders or foams can offer protection against it. We are encouraged to think of bacteria as entities that threaten our secluded, sovereign cleanliness. This has led us to a limited, and dangerous relationship with bacteria.

Consider how bacteria is portrayed visually. Although it is possible to take photographs of bacteria  and there are some great pictures out there  these images are generally found only in scientific and medical contexts. For the rest of us, bacteria do not appear in a realistic way. Instead, they come to us through the filter of advertisements for antibacterial products.

Recommended Parents who kiss kids on lips before teeth develop may spread bacteria

And its quite a filter. Our analysis of advertising images of bacteria from 1848 to the present day finds four broad conventions. Understanding these conventions shows how our relationship with this essential dimension of Earths biome is subject to the aims and desires of the manufacturers of cleaning products.

1. Cute bacteria

First, bacteria are cute. They are small, vulnerable and toy-like. Their eyes are big and their limbs are tiny. This is strange, considering that advertisements for bacterial products are persuading us to kill these beings by the billion.

(Wellcome Collection (Wellcome Collection)

But cuteness can have a strange effect on the viewer. Sure, we want to touch, hold and even protect the thing that is cute, like a soft toy. But the cute object evinces a range of minor negative effects: helplessness, pitifulness and excessive availability. These in turn summon a set of complex secondary reactions: of resentment at being emotionally manipulated, contempt for the weakness of cute objects and disgust at the cheapness of cute things. To judge something as cute can accompany a desire to touch, clasp, dominate and destroy it; in other words, it is something both pleasurable and disgusting.

It is small wonder, then, that the objects that are most often rendered as cute in consumer aesthetics  women, technology and children  are the ones that have been regarded as inherently dangerous and in need of control. And the uncomfortable truth is that this cuteness often places them as objects below ethical consideration, with the result that we feel no remorse in eliminating them.

2. Overpopulated bacteria

Second, bacteria dont come in ones and twos. They flourish in their billions. This can be terrifying and it can awaken fears of overpopulation. Perhaps this is no coincidence  after all, the massive urban population growth of the 19th century was accompanied by a revulsion at the new bacteriological knowledge that we gained thanks to the microscope.

(Josef Reischig (Josef Reischig)

A sketch of a woman horrified at the contents of her magnified tea dates from a period of exponential population growth in London, the dawn of Malthusian economics, a time when the Thames was an open sewer. The cramming full of many life forms into tiny spaces was an uncanny microcosm of the imagined, and feared, socioeconomic order.

This anxiety-laden pairing of overpopulation and bacterial proliferation continues to be provoked in visualising contemporary bacteria. Bacteria live in obscene proximity to each other, their intimacy an affront to the forces of modernity, anathema to the grid of science and civic control. This historical confluence of factors means that bacteria became, and continue to be, a channel for fears about overpopulation, immigration and the corruptive influence of living too closely with millions of others.

Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. An international team of conservationists spotted the bee, that is four times the size of a typical honeybee, on an expedition to a group of Indonesian Islands Clay Bolt Science news in pictures New mammal species found inside crocodile Fossilised bones digested by crocodiles have revealed the existence of three new mammal species that roamed the Cayman Islands 300 years ago. The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary

3. Poor bacteria

Third (and this is a closely related factor), bacteria often seem to live in squalor and poverty. Their skin is slimy, their teeth and skin are unhealthy, and their clothes are ill-fitting and dirty. They are criminal.

(Wellcome Collection (Wellcome Collection)

This makes for a drastic contrast with the consumer, the person who uses antibacterial products. While they are lower class, grimy and slothful, the antibacterial person is middle class, reassuringly clean and busy in her or his daily life.

4. Sexual bacteria

Fourth, bacteria seem to have no regard for proper sexual roles and behaviours. People who fail to use antibacterial products are associated with promiscuous, non-reproductive sexual behaviours.

One 2010 ad visualised a woman in a red dress lying asleep in a dark alley on a pile of binbags, with the tagline: Dont Go to Bed Dirty. This is arguably a conflation of sexual promiscuity with bacterial promiscuity, at odds with the ideal of a bleach-white nuclear family.

(Wellcome Collection (Wellcome Collection)

Another depicts bacteria treated with antibacterial products as stereotypical homosexuals with the tagline germs just cant reproduce. Yet another shows the archetypal besuited middle class man surrounded by the traces of bacterial others who have been at the toilet cubicle before him, including a transvestite. And lets not forget of course the long history of war propaganda warning soldiers on leave to avoid sexual contact with women, who were equated with bacterial disease.

Why it matters

This sketch of the ways that bacteria appear in popular culture is also a sketch of ourselves. What our research demonstrates is that bacteria are a kind of vehicle for fears of what we might be, and of aspects of ourselves and our society that we find it difficult to confront directly.

Unfortunately, this has disastrous consequences for our planet and for the things that live on it, which of course includes us and bacteria. Were stuck together: there are about 5 million trillion trillion of them on this planet; if every one of them were a penny, the stack would stretch a trillion light years. They are a complex, ancient entity.

But the visual vocabulary of fear, disgust and dread that has been so effective at selling antibacterial products for well over a century has brought us to an ecological dead end. Our overuse of antibiotics is the most obvious evidence of the failure of the demonise-and-destroy approach that antibacterial thinking produces, leading to a market failure that some experts posit is bigger than climate change.

A totally new understanding of bacteria as a realm that we must live within, from which it is foolhardy to think we can escape, is needed. An important step in that direction is describing the destructive ways of thinking about bacteria that have stepped in between us and these necessary cohabitants of our planet.

Norah Campbell is an assistant professor in marketing at Trinity College Dublin, and Cormac Deane is a lecturer in media at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology. This article first appeared on The Conversation (theconversation.com)Carmaker Audi has been fined 800m (701m) by a public prosecutor in Germany over diesel emissions.

The company admitted responsibility for failings in certain V6 and V8 engines, and said it accepted the fine and will not log an appeal against it.

According to Audi, the affected vehicles were advertised and sold to customers worldwide in a period running from 2004 until 2018.

Considering these special items the Audi Group will significantly undercut major financial key performance indicators forecasted for the fiscal year 2018, Audi said in a regulatory statement.

The manufacturers parent company Volkswagen said its earnings will also be affected.

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Audi halted V6 deliveries earlier this year after informing German authorities of irregularities in emissions systems.

The recent round of emissions-related failings follows the global emissions test cheating scandal that Volkswagen became embroiled in three years ago after it emerged that the carmaker had cheated tests on diesel vehicles in the US and Europe.

Earlier this month, Volkswagen sacked Audi chief executive Rupert Stadler, who is under investigation for suspected involvement in the emissions cheating. Mr Stadler has also been arrested in Germany for his part in the scandal.Oct 16, 2018 | By Thomas

The wide release of the 3D-printed gun blueprints has become an issue for policymakers. With 3D printers, a person could download a schematic for a firearm online, and create a gun on the spot. No serial number to trace the 3D printed guns, which will become cheap and accessible for would-be criminals.

Photo illustration of how the technology works. Credit: Wenyao Xu, University at Buffalo.

Researchers at University at Buffalo, however, report theyve found the first accurate method to help law enforcement and intelligence agencies track the origin of 3D-printed guns and counterfeit products. The technology, called "PrinTracker," can precisely trace the physical object to its source 3D printer based on its fingerprint.

Potential untraceable 3D printed objects acquired from the crime scene

In a press release, Wenyao Xu, PhD, associate professor of computer science and engineering in UBs School of Engineering and Applied Sciences explains part of the methodology:

Each layer of a 3D-printed object contains tiny wrinkles  usually measured in submillimeters  called in-fill patterns. These patterns are supposed to be uniform. However, the printers model type, filament, nozzle size and other factors cause slight imperfections in the patterns. The result is an object that does not match its design plan. For example, the printer is ordered to create an object with half-millimeter in-fill patterns. But the actual object has patterns that vary 5 to 10 percent from the design plan. Like a fingerprint to a person, these patterns are unique and repeatable. As a result, they can be traced back to the 3D printer.

3D printers are built to be the same. But there are slight variations in their hardware created during the manufacturing process that lead to unique, inevitable and unchangeable patterns in every object they print, Xu says.

To test PrinTracker, the research team 3D printed five door keys each from 14 different commercially available 3D printers  10 frequency division multiplexing (FDM) printers and four stereolithography (SLA) printers. The team created digital images of each key with an inkjet scanner, then enhanced each image to identify the filament pattern. They then developed an algorithm to calculate variations of each key down to the millimeter to verify the authenticity of the fingerprint. Owing to the effective comparison from the fingerprint in the pre-formed database, the physical object in forensic scenes can be precisely traced to its source 3D printer.

The system overview of PrinTracker.

According to researchers, they were able to match the key to its printer 99.8 percent of the time. They ran another round of tests 10 months later to determine if additional use of the printers would affect PrinTrackers ability to match objects to their machine of origin. The results were the same. Researchers also ran experiments involving keys damaged in various ways to obscure their identity. PrinTracker was 92 percent accurate in these tests.

The two types of texture on a 3D printed object.

Xu hopes PrinTracker can be used to trace any 3D-printed object to its printer.

Weve demonstrated that PrinTracker is an effective, robust and reliable way that law enforcement agencies, as well as businesses concerned about intellectual property, can trace the origin of 3D-printed goods, Xu says.

However, regulating guns that aren't traditionally manufactured won't be easy. Tracing 3D printed guns would require a record of all 3D printers being sold and information of whoever buys it. Their "fingerprints" would have to be stored in a government database. Given that only 79 million civilian guns are actually registered, which is just 9% of the total suspected guns, it might take a while before the teams method could ever be implemented.

The PrinTracker study will be presented in Toronto at the Association for Computing Machinerys Conference on Computer and Communications Security, which runs from Oct. 15-19. It includes coauthors from Rutgers University and Northeastern University.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Jin wrote at 12/2/2018 1:45:02 AM:I feel like this is a potential solution to an insubstantial problem. The cost and time of 3D printing a gun is ridiculously higher than someone just going to a US walmart and just buying said gun. Real guns need stricter regulations so that's what taxpayer funding should go to, not ridiculous projects such as this. I don't know if the researchers on this project just realize how cheap buying new nozzles and new 3D printers cost. Certainly not as much to cost more than a rifle but definitely more than enough to put this project to shame.Fused Deposition Modeling wrote at 11/16/2018 3:51:12 PM:So how much would a post CNC'ing process affect printed parts? It'd be the equivalent of burning off finger prints, right?Wilwrk4tls wrote at 10/24/2018 6:43:01 PM:I think part of the constantly overlooked issue is that it is, in the United States, legal to make firearms for personal use and they don't need to have serial numbers. Beyond that, I imagine that after running some carbon filament through your printer its fingerprint wouldn't be the same. As already mentioned a database would be unnecessary. It would also be overly complicated, almost never up to date, and inaccurate as soon as someone sells their printer to someone else. Thankfully that, at the moment, is still legal. Of course, an attempt could be made to regulate any and all tools related to the possible manufacture of firearms, at which point nothing will go unregistered. I'm sure someone out there is giddy at the thought of having a computer capable of tracking all those possible devices. When the world is back to being gun free people will still do harm to one another in other (more creative) ways. Good luck tracking the next potential.Bernhard Slawik wrote at 10/22/2018 3:25:44 PM:FDM stands for "Fluid Deposition Modeling" in this context.James wrote at 10/18/2018 5:13:16 PM:Add a reasonable amount of mass to the moving print head and suddenly those fingerprint features are different. The subtle "wrinkles" described are now damped differently, overshoot is different, etc.marcus2tts wrote at 10/17/2018 3:37:36 PM:There is so much wrong with this. Did they test objects from multiple printers of the same model? I don't see that. They would have no way of knowing what parameters were used to slice the object they are testing. The set-up would have to be exactly the same to test against. What version of firmware was running? Has the nozzle changed? What filament was used? What environmental conditions were present at the time of the original printing? This "evidence" would be ripped apart in a court of law.Andy Hasara wrote at 10/16/2018 8:36:07 PM:2 Comments: First: No, you would not need to store a database of all 3D Printers. This method would be used like matching a bullet to a gun: It merely needs to to be tested against a specific printer to show it was used in that manufacture. Second: FDM, in this context, does not refer to "frequency division multiplexing".



BHP Billiton, the worlds largest mining group, is on track to meet its target of a 50 per cent female workforce by 2025, after increasing the number of women working for the company by 40 per cent in recent years.

The Anglo-Australian firm has introduced several initiatives aimed at increasing hiring of women, and has employed 2,000 women and just 500 men since it introduced its 50 per cent target in 2016, the Financial Times reported.

This has pushed the proportion of female workers on its 26,000-strong staff from 17.6 per cent up to 22.4 per cent.

Part of its strategy for increasing the number of women joining the company includes allowing more flexible working.

Athalie Williams, chief people officer at the Anglo-Australian company, said this was the key to ensuring that women stayed at BHP and did not feel they had to leave to raise a family.

Weve got to have balanced hiring and balanced retention - so its not a revolving door where we bring women in and they dont stay, she said.

BHPs target, announced two years ago, came as a surprise to the mining industry, which has a poor track record in making diverse hires. According to a 2015 report by PwC, just 11.1 per cent of board members within the top 100 mining companies were female.

At the time, BHPs chief executive officer Andrew Mackenzie said: Without new initiatives it would take us 30 years just to get to 30 per cent female representation.

More must, and will, be done. And our 2025 aspirational goal is to achieve gender balance at all levels of the organization over the next decade.

This week, Ms Williams said the target had given BHP the space to have conversations and to understand the way our organisation works in a way that we wouldnt have done if we hadnt set the target.

I believe well get there and were on track, she said. The resources industry hasnt traditionally been attractive to women.

How do we rebrand and make people see that future roles in mining are not a white man in a hard hat with a dirty face but a place of technological innovation?

Earlier this year, BHP Billiton reported a 15.7 per cent gender gap in hourly pay for its UK workforce, while the average bonus paid to female staff was 0.8 per cent higher than for male employees.Google, HSBC, Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered have all pulled out of a technology and business conference in Saudi Arabia as pressure mounts on the Gulf kingdom to explain the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Billed as Davos in the Desert, the lavish Future Investment Initiative (FII) summit is meant to showcase Saudi Arabias modernising drive under Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman.

But the build-up has been calamitous for the de facto Saudi ruler as a string of big-name sponsors, speakers and partners have dropped out after Mr Khashoggi walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October and never re-emerged.

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Just days ago, the attendee's list read like a whos who of the corporate, media and technology worlds but on Monday the boss of Googles cloud services business, Diane Greene, became the latest name to be crossed out.

When the curtain is pulled up next week the conference will likely be somewhat more sparsely populated than Saudi Arabias Crown Prince would have hoped.

There will be no John Flint from HSBC, nor Tidjane Thiam of Credit Suisse or Bill Winters of Standard Chartered; all three all pulled out on Tuesday.

JPMorgan boss Jamie Dimon said on Monday he would no longer attend while BlackRock chief executive Larry Fink, Ford chairman Bill Ford and Uber boss Dara Khosrowshahi are among others to have already pulled out as international pressure mounted on the Saudi regime.

The PII is supposed to demonstrate Riyadhs move away from a dependence on oil towards a more broad-based, high-tech economy.

Alongside sweeping economic reforms, the Crown Prince, often referred to by his initials MBS, has been keen to trumpet a liberalisation of social values in the conservative kingdom.

But the withdrawal of vast dozens of the worlds leading media outlets and companies from the high-profile event suggests that his Saudi rebrand has already been badly, perhaps fatally, damaged by events in Istanbul.

Allegations that senior Saudi officials ordered the murder of a journalist and prominent critic will, if proved correct, pile further pressure on firms to distance themselves from the country and its billions.

Dozens of Turkish and Saudi officials entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Monday to begin a joint investigation into the disappearance of Mr Khashoggi.

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That came after claims that the Saudis may be ready to admit the dissident journalist was killed during an interrogation that went wrong.

CNN cited an unnamed source as saying the Saudis would claim the operation was carried out without clearance or transparency and that those involved would be punished  although another source cautioned that Riyadh could change its version of events.

Hours before the 60-year-olds scheduled consular visit, 15 Saudis  some of whom were later identified as security officials  arrived in Istanbul, leaving the country shortly after he disappeared, according to information published by Turkish media close to the government.The first female boss of a major UK accountancy firm will step down after facing criticism from colleagues for her socialist agenda.

Sacha Romanovitch will leave her role as chief executive of Grant Thornton  the countys fifth largest accountancy firm  as soon as the company has found a successor.

Grant Thornton said Ms Romanovitch would not stand for re-election to the firms top job and would be replaced before the end of 2018.

Colleagues attacked Ms Romanovitch in an anonymous letter sent to several media outlets last month, saying she had created a culture of fear.

The letter, which claimed to represent the views of 15 partners or directors, alleged that Grant Thornton was out of control and had no focus on profitability.

Ms Romanovitch has worked at Grant Thornton for 28 years, becoming a partner in 2001, but she has provoked the ire of colleagues in her time as chief executive with policies some have labelled socialist, including capping her own pay at 20 times the firms average and introducing a profit-sharing scheme for all staff. Standard practice in the industry is to share profits only among equity partners who can earn several million pounds a year at the biggest firms.

Responding to the letter, Ms Romanovich said: A small cadre of partners will find it hard we are making decisions that will depress profits in the short term but will help profits in the long term  If profits get unhinged from purpose it might not hurt you now, but it will come back and bite you on the bum.

Ed Warner, independent chair of Grant Thornton UKs partnership oversight board, said on Monday that: Following discussions with Sacha, the board has agreed that a new CEO is the logical next step to create long term sustainable profits for the firm.

The departing chief executive said the time is right for a new figure to take the firm forward.

I will be working to support a smooth transition to our next chief executive, focusing on continuing to deliver sustainable value for our clients through our diverse and talented team, she said.

The announcement comes as regulators and politicians ramp up the scrutiny of the accountancy profession and the big firms; in particular for failing to recruit women into top jobs, and signing off the books of a number of firms that later collapsed.

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None of the Big Four of KPMG, Deloitte, EY and PwC have ever appointed a female chief executive and all revealed gender pay gaps significantly larger than the national average, a fact they acknowledged was partly due to the relative scarcity of women in senior roles.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) this month launched a detailed investigation into the audit sector to examine concerns that it is not working well for the economy or investors.

The CMA pointed to the collapse of construction giant Carillion in January just months after its accounts had been signed off by KPMG.

In February, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee chair Rachel Reeves described Carillions annual reports as worthless.The NHS is not referring the vast majority of older people who self-harm to specialist psychiatric support, despite their chances of committing suicide significantly increasing, a study has found.

Researchers from the University of Manchester found that over-65s whose medical records showed reported self-harm were 20 times more likely to die from suicide in the following year  but just 12 per cent were referred to psychiatric specialists.

Over the entire 13 year follow up period, unnatural deaths  predominantly suicides  were 145 times higher among older people who self-harmed.

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Although suicides are rare among over-65s, the findings, published in the journal Lancet Psychiatry on Monday, suggests an urgent need to prioritise the age group for support  particularly as they are referred at a lower rate than younger adults who self-harm, the study warns.

Self-harm is a stronger risk factor for suicide in older people than it is in younger people, Nav Kapur, professor of psychiatry at the University of Manchester told The Independent.

In previous studies of adults aged 15 to 64, around 15 per cent of people who self-harmed were referred  rather than 10 to 12 per cent we saw.

We sometimes think of self-harm as a problem in younger people  but it affects older adults too.

Depression, low mood, suicidal behaviour at any age needs to be taken seriously, he added. At a young age youve got to do a proper assessment and see whats behind it, at an old age thats equally if not more important because theres potentially other things going on.

Professor Kapur and his colleagues are calling for GPs and the NHS to do more to close the gap, particularly in poorer areas with other health inequalities.

The study showed that referrals to specialist support were up to 30 per cent lower in the most deprived areas, when compared to the most affluent. Just 8 per cent of older people were referred after an episode of self-harm in these areas despite rates being higher.

Charities have warned that too often signs of depression are written off by doctors and inequalities are set to grow with spiralling demand for mental health support.

NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary Show all 18 1 /18 NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, addresses demonstrators following the march AFP/Getty NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary EPA NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary Reuters NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary REUTERS NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary EPA NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary REUTERS NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary PA NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary REUTERS NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary REUTERS NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary PA NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary AFP/Getty Images

Sadly these findings fit with what we know about older peoples access to mental health care, said Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK.

Many of the risk factors for depression increase as we get older  bereavement, poor physical health and loneliness can all lead to depression and poor mental wellbeing.

Yet too many older people living with mental illness are often told, quite incorrectly, that it is just part of the ageing process.

Unless the government ensures these pressures are urgently addressed and sustainable funding actually reaches the frontline, significant numbers of older people are going to continue to miss out on the support they desperately need to live well.

In 2015 the suicide rate among men aged 60 and over was 14.8 deaths per 100,000, nearly 50 per cent higher than the rate for males in their teens and 20s. Suicides are increasing among older women at a faster rate than in younger females as well.

The Lancet study tracked cases from 674 UK general practices and identified 4,124 patients aged 65 and older with a note of self-harm in their medical record between 2001 and 2014.

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To understand rates of suicide they compared these with 48,921 patients of similar age and gender but with no record of self-harm. In the 12 months after self-harm was recorded 29 out of 330 deaths were down to suicide in the self-harm group, compared to 41 out of 2,415 deaths in the general population.

In the 13-year follow up period there were 36 suicides among the self-harm group, compared to 12 in the general population  a rate 145 times higher.

The most common method of self-harm was overdose, in 81 per cent of cases, followed by self-cutting in six per cent of cases, with one in seven of the latter group self-harming again within 12 months.

This suggests another way GPs can support patients, the report said.

Since drug ingestion is one of the main methods of self-harm, we highlight the need to prescribe less toxic medication in older adults for the management of both mental illness and pain related conditions, said Carolyn Chew-Graham, professor at Keele University and a co-author of the study.My first encounter with the dark web was an envelope. A friend handed it to me and told me to look inside, to really look inside, and see if I thought there was anything strange about the contents. The slim package contained a screen protector for a smartphone and a small cleaning cloth sealed in a plastic wrapper, together with an official-looking receipt. I unwrapped the plastic and turned each item over until I finally spotted a hidden fold behind the label on the wrapper. Inside, under several more layers of plastic, was a gram of cocaine.

It had come from a website on a part of the internet that cant be reached by normal means. My friend, Ill call him Colton, had paid for the drug using a semi-anonymous currency called bitcoin and received it through the post  much more cheaply and safely than if he had bought it from a dealer in person. It was 2012 and it felt like the future had arrived.

When I visited the dark web myself, I discovered that beyond the digital stalls of the drug markets was an entire town that lived without law. I never lingered long, as browsing felt like walking through a bad neighbourhood at night. Except instead of hooded figures in the shadows were hackers lurking behind links, waiting to steal my identity and syphon off my bitcoin .Vast explosions, throwing out gold, platinum and many of the world's most precious elements, could be happening throughout the universe.

Nasa scientists have spotted what they think are immense explosions caused by neutron stars colliding into each other in distant space.

When that catastrophic event happened, it sent an intense jet of of high-energy particles through space that made their way past the scientists who spotted them using Nasa's array of space telescopes.

Looking at the data from those telescopes could shed more light on some of the most spectacular and intense collisions found in space. And it could suggest that significant events of the kind described by scientists are relatively common.

Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Show all 30 1 /30 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An image from Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows a 200,000 mile long solar filament ripping through the Sun's corona in September 2013 Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa Celebrates 50 Years of Spacewalking For 50 years, NASA has been "suiting up" for spacewalking. In this 1984 photograph of the first untethered spacewalk, NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless is in the midst of the first "field" tryout of a nitrogen-propelled backpack device called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Hubble Cosmic Couple The spectacular cosmic pairing of the star Hen 2-427  more commonly known as WR 124  and the nebula M1-67 which surrounds it ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Veil Nebula Supernova Remnant Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled in stunning detail a small section of the Veil Nebula - expanding remains of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago Nasa's most stunning pictures of space The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launch The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, carrying three new astronauts to the International Space Station. It also took caviar, ready for the satellite's inhabitants to celebrate the holidays Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth from the ISS From the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry W. Virts took this photograph of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Gulf Coast at sunset Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Black Hole Friday Nasa celebrated Black Friday by looking into space instead  sharing pictures of black holes Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space NuSTAR X-rays stream off the sun in this image showing observations from by NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, overlaid on a picture taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Cassiopeia A c A false colour image of Cassiopeia A comprised with data from the Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes and the Chandra X-Ray observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Orion Capsule splashes down The Orion capsule jetted off into space before heading back a few hours later  having proved that it can be used, one day, to carry humans to Mars Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth Observations From Gemini IV in 1965 This photograph of the Florida Straits and Grand Bahama Bank was taken during the Gemini IV mission during orbit no. 19 in 1965. The Gemini IV crew conducted scientific experiments, including photography of Earth's weather and terrain, for the remainder of their four-day mission following Ed White's historic spacewalk on June 3 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Frosty slopes of Mars This image of an area on the surface of Mars, approximately 1.5 by 3 kilometers in size, shows frosted gullies on a south-facing slope within a crater. The image was taken by Nasa's HiRISE camera, which is mounted on its Mars Reconaissance Orbiter Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Yellowstone from space NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shared this image of Yellowstone via his twitter account Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Saturn This near-infrared color image shows a specular reflection, or sunglint, off of a hydrocarbon lake named Kivu Lacus on Saturn's moon Titan Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Worlds Apart Although Mimas and Pandora, shown here, both orbit Saturn, they are very different moons. Pandora, "small" by moon standards (50 miles or 81 kilometers across) is elongated and irregular in shape. Mimas (246 miles or 396 kilometers across), a "medium-sized" moon, formed into a sphere due to self-gravity imposed by its higher mass Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An X1.6 class solar flare flashes in the middle of the sun in this image taken 10 September, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy An image of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy seen in infrared light by the Herschel Space Observatory. Regions of space such as this are where new stars are born from a mixture of elements and cosmic dust Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Mars Rover Spirit Nasa's Mars Rover Spirit took the first picture from Spirit since problems with communications began a week earlier. The image shows the robotic arm extended to the rock called Adirondack Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Morning Aurora From the Space Station Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station Nasa/Scott Kelly Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Launch of History - Making STS-41G Mission in 1984 The Space Shuttle Challenger launches from Florida at dawn. On this mission, Kathryn Sullivan became the first U.S. woman to perform a spacewalk and Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space. The crew of seven was the largest to fly on a spacecraft at that time, and STS-41G was the first flight to include two female astronauts Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Fresh Perspective on an Extraordinary Cluster of Galaxies Galaxy clusters are often described by superlatives. After all, they are huge conglomerations of galaxies, hot gas, and dark matter and represent the largest structures in the Universe held together by gravity Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Sees a Galactic Sunflower The arrangement of the spiral arms in the galaxy Messier 63, seen here in an image from the Nasa Hubble Space Telescope, recall the pattern at the center of a sunflower ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Pluto image Four images from New Horizons Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) were combined with colour data from the Ralph instrument to create this enhanced colour global view of Pluto Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Fresh Crater Near Sirenum Fossae Region of Mars The HiRISE camera aboard Nasa's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter acquired this closeup image of a "fresh" (on a geological scale, though quite old on a human scale) impact crater in the Sirenum Fossae region of Mars. This impact crater appears relatively recent as it has a sharp rim and well-preserved ejecta Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Peers into the Most Crowded Place in the Milky Way This Nasa Hubble Space Telescope image presents the Arches Cluster, the densest known star cluster in the Milky Way NASA & ESA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space An Astronaut's View from Space Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman tweeted this photo from the International Space Station on 2 September 2014 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Giant Landform on Mars On Mars, we can observe four classes of sandy landforms formed by the wind, or aeolian bedforms: ripples, transverse aeolian ridges, dunes, and what are called draa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Expedition 39 Landing A sokol suit helmet can be seen against the window of the Soyuz TMA-11M capsule shortly after the spacecraft landed with Expedition 39 Commander Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Jupiter's Great Red Spot Viewed by Voyager I Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and perhaps the most majestic. Vibrant bands of clouds carried by winds that can exceed 400 mph continuously circle the planet's atmosphere Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Chandra Observatory Sees a Heart in the Darkness This Chandra X-Ray Observatory image of the young star cluster NGC 346 highlights a heart-shaped cloud of 8 million-degree Celsius gas in the central region

The researchers think the explosion could be a "kilonova". That is a bright flash of radioactive that flings out huge quantities of important elements like silver, gold, platinum and uranium.

The announcement comes after scientists announced last October that they had seen the first explosion of this kind. They spotted super dense stars smashing into each other 130 million light years away  wobbling the spacetime of the universe, and allowing them to be picked up by gravitational wave detectors at LIGO.

At the time, that discovery was hailed as a "new chapter in astrophysics" and an unexpected discovery. It allowed scientists to understand the spectacular explosions of neutron stars, as well as answering questions about where gold comes from.

Now, scientists have found what they think might be a related event, known as GRB150101B  and one that suggests such spectacular explosions could be far more common than we had realised. The similarities between the two events have led researchers to suggest they might in fact be related.

"It's a big step to go from one detected object to two," said study lead author Eleonora Troja, a researcher at the University of Maryland and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "Our discovery tells us that events like GW170817 and GRB150101B could represent a whole new class of erupting objects that turn on and off  and might actually be relatively common."

The two look very similar: both threw out a short gamma-ray burst and a flash of bright, blue optical light. They also seem to come from very similar galaxies. Together, that has led scientists to believe that they are related  and that therefore many more similar events might be happening throughout the universe.

"We have a case of cosmic lookalikes," said study co-author Geoffrey Ryan, a postdoctoral researcher in the UMD Department of Astronomy and a fellow of the Joint Space-Science Institute. "They look the same, act the same and come from similar neighbourhoods, so the simplest explanation is that they are from the same family of objects."

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Scientists are able to learn less about the new collision because, unlike in October, they did not pick up the gravitational wave that was thrown out by the explosion because the new one was so much further away. With that data, it is possible to work out the masses of the two objects that merged  but they hope to gather that kind of data in the future.

"Surely it's only a matter of time before another event like GW170817 will provide both gravitational wave data and electromagnetic imagery. If the next such observation reveals a merger between a neutron star and a black hole, that would be truly groundbreaking," said study co-author Alexander Kutyrev, an associate research scientist in the UMD Department of Astronomy with a joint appointment at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "Our latest observations give us renewed hope that we'll see such an event before too long."Crimes motivated by hostility towards women and men could be brought under hate crime laws after a review, the government has announced.

The Law Commission is to identify any gaps in current offences, look at how to make them more effective and consider if there should be additional protected characteristics, such as misogyny and age.

A spokesperson for the Law Commission told The Independent both misogyny and misandry would be considered and that it was not prioritising one area over another.

The review is part of a raft of measures announced during national hate crime awareness week, which aims to tackle rising reports of Islamophobic and antisemitic incidents.

Taxi drivers and door staff will be given guidance on spotting the offences and the government is launching a public awareness campaign and new training for police, and giving 1.5m to groups fighting prejudice among young people.

The Home Office is extending a scheme to increase security at places of worship deemed vulnerable to attack, including mosques, churches, Sikh gurdwaras and Hindu temples.

Sajid Javid, the home secretary, said: Hate crime goes directly against the long-standing British values of unity, tolerance and mutual respect  and I am committed to stamping this sickening behaviour out.

Our refreshed action plan sets out how we will tackle the root causes of prejudice and racism, support hate crime victims and ensure offenders face the full force of the law.

Prosecutors currently class offences including assaults, vandalism and harassment as hate crimes if they are motivated by race, religion, gender identity, sexuality or disability.

Figures show spikes in hate crimes associated with major events (Home Office)

Some police forces also log other types of hostility under hate crime, including reports of misogyny and incidents where victims were targeted because of their age or membership of an alternative subculture, such as goths.

Laws permit courts to hand down longer sentences to anyone found to have committed a hate-based crime, and to those in a position of authority or with influence over large numbers of people.

The Law Commissions brief includes considering whether crimes motivated by hatred based on sex and gender characteristics, or hatred of older people or other potential protected characteristics, should be hate crimes.

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The independent body will also consider extending laws on inciting racial hatred, and said any recommendations will comply with human rights obligations and freedom of expression.

Professor David Ormerod QC, the law commissioner, said: We are pleased to have this opportunity to identify more effective ways of tackling hate crime in all its forms.

The review comes after police recorded a spike in racially and religiously motivated hate crimes following the Brexit referendum result and last years terror attacks in London and Manchester.

There were 80,393 hate crimes recorded by police in England and Wales in 2016-17, an increase of almost a third on the previous year. The figures for 2017-18 will be released on Tuesday morning.

The governments action plan said there has been a welcome increase in reporting, reflecting improved identification of hate crime by police, a willingness of victims to come forward and an improvement in crime recording.

But the increase is also thought to reflect a rise in hate crime linked to events, the document says, adding: We continue to see a gap between the occurrence of, and reporting of, hate crime.

Brexit racism and the fightback Show all 9 1 /9 Brexit racism and the fightback Brexit racism and the fightback Demonstrators protest against an increase in post-ref racism at London's March for Europe in July 2016 PA Brexit racism and the fightback These cards were found near a school in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, the day after the EU referendum Twitter/@howgilb Brexit racism and the fightback Getty Brexit racism and the fightback Romford, Essex, June 25 @diamondgeezer Brexit racism and the fightback A worker at this Romanian food shop was asleep upstairs at the time of this arson attack in Norwich on July 8, but escaped unharmed. Hundreds later participated in a love bombing rally outside the shop to express their opposition to racism and their support of the shop owners. JustGiving/Helen Linehan Brexit racism and the fightback This neo-Nazi sticker was spotted in Glasgow on June 26 Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback But after news emerged of neo-Nazi stickers appearing in Glasgow, some in the city struck back with slogans of their own. Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback Getty Brexit racism and the fightback More signs began to appear in some parts of the UK, created by people who wanted to show their opposition to post-referendum racism Courtesy of Bernadette Russell

The blueprint includes steps designed to ensure taxi and private hire vehicle drivers identify and report offences witnessed during the nighttime economy.

Advice will be included in the Department for Transports best practice guidance on taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, which is scheduled to be updated in 2019 and which will be considered for adoption by all 293 licensing authorities in England.

New guidance for door supervisors sets out how they can ensure transgender people can have a safe and enjoyable time in pubs, clubs, festivals and events.

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The government has pledged to work to challenge the attitudes underpinning the attacks, including by supplying 1.5m of new funding for programmes working in schools and with young people.

A scheme to increase security at places of worship is also being extended after being launched in the wake of the Finsbury Park terror attack, which saw a man plough a van into Muslims leaving two mosques during Ramadan.

A further 45 places of worship  22 mosques, 12 Sikh gurdwaras, nine churches and two Hindu temples  will receive nearly 800,000 for improvements.

Synagogues are covered under a separate scheme administered by the Community Security Trust.

Lord Bourne, the minister for faith, said: Britain is a proudly tolerant nation, where everyone has the right to live according to their beliefs. Despite this, in recent years we have seen increased reports of religiously motivated hate crime, intolerance and prejudice.

The publication of todays updated plan reaffirms this governments belief that there can never be an excuse for hatred towards anyone. Wherever we find it, we will oppose it and challenge it.

Baroness Williams, the minister for countering extremism, said the scheme aimed to provide reassurance to communities.

There are pockets of people who attempt to intimidate religious communities through violence and abuse just because of their faith, she said.

The Crown Prosecution Service plans to update materials for schools to teach pupils about hate crime, and the government says it is working with disabled people and LGBT+ groups.A judge will decide whether to jail Tommy Robinson for contempt of court for a second time next week.

Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC, the Recorder of London, said the case would be heard on 23 October at the Old Bailey.

In a 30-second procedural hearing, the judge said he had decided not to refer the matter to the Attorney General for him to consider whether or not to institute proceedings.

I will hear the matter myself on 23 October as ordered by the Court of Appeal," he said.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, did not attend the hearing.

Last month, Judge Hilliard invited representatives of Robinson and prosecutors to make written submissions on whether there should be a substantive hearing and how it should proceed.

That hearing saw hundreds of the English Defence League (EDL) founders supporters descend on the Old Bailey, chanting his name in the street outside the court and clashing with counter-protesters amid a heavy police presence.

Tommy Robinson being greeted by supporters after a contempt hearing was adjourned at the Old Bailey on 27 September (Getty)

Many of Robinsons supporters were holding their own signs, reading no to Sharia law, attacking the fake news media and calling for freedom of speech.

But that freedom was not applied to counter-demonstrators, who were shouted down and labelled scum, or for a woman holding a placard listing Robinsons previous criminal offences.

City of London Police said one person was arrested for breach of the peace and they are also investigating whether an offence was committed by one of Robinsons key supporters.

Ezra Levant, the activists former employer at Canadian website Rebel Media, may have broken contempt of court laws himself by breaking the filming ban inside the Old Bailey.

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Another demonstration is being planned for next week, when police are expected to repeat requests for surrounding bars and pubs to close or serve drinks in plastic for the day.

Judge Hilliard will consider allegations that Robinson published a matter which is likely to cause contempt of court during ongoing trials in Leeds.

He was originally jailed for 13 months over a Facebook Live video he broadcast from outside the citys crown court in May, but the findings were overturned in August and he was freed on bail.

The Court of Appeal found that procedural failings gave rise to unfairness and meant proceedings were fundamentally flawed.

But judges ordered a rehearing, saying the alleged contempt was serious and the sentence might be longer than that already served.

Robinson is also accused of breaching the conditions of a three-month suspended sentence he was handed for a separate contempt offence in Canterbury in 2017.

Contempt of court laws aim to ensure fair trials in Britain by preventing juries from being swayed by information from outside the hearing, and apply to all forms of online and offline publications.

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Show all 16 1 /16 Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey A Tommy Robinson supporter in London after former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson left the Old Bailey where his contempt of court case was adjourned PA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey A Tommy Robinson supporter outside the Old Bailey in London where the former English Defence League (EDL) leader is accused of contempt of court PA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Tommy Robinson supporters outside the Old Bailey in London before former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson arrives accused of contempt of court PA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson protest at the Old Bailey Courthouse EPA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of former English Defence League leader Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, or 'Tommy Robinson', who was jailed for contempt of court in May and later released, wait for him to arrive at the Old Bailey to attend a court hearing Reuters Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Tommy Robinson arrives for his hearing at the Old Bailey Reuters Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right spokeseman Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, AKA Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the right-wing EDL (English Defence League) wave flags as they demonstrate outsise The Old Bailey AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey EPA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey EPA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Robinson gestures to supporters from inside the Old Bailey AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey EPA

The offences are covered by a strict liability rule, meaning that intent and knowledge of committing them are not necessary for a conviction.

While on bail awaiting the next hearing, Robinson triggered a furore over far-right sympathies in the British Army by posting footage of recruits he ran into at a motorway service station online.

At least one soldier has so far been discharged, while troops have been disciplined for inviting Robinson to their barracks following the incident.

It has sparked an online campaign, petition and merchandise by supporters of Robinson who see the Army investigation as a political witch-hunt.

The 35-year-old shared an audio recording claiming to show an Army major ordering soldiers not to support his message, or face discharge.

I will not be associated with f***ing people like that, I take it as a f***ing personal affront, he said.

We fight people who oppress other peoples freedom of speech and thought because theyve got a narrow-minded review of what the world should look like.

This c*** - thats exactly what he f***ing does.

An Army spokesperson said anyone is in breach of the its values and standards would face administrative action, adding: Far-right ideology is completely at odds with the values and ethos of the armed forces. The armed forces have robust measures in place to ensure those exhibiting extremist views are neither tolerated nor permitted to serve.

It came months after the Army launched a new recruitment campaign aiming to address concerns about discrimination, which featured a Muslim soldier.

The Muslim Council of Britain said Robinson does not represent our armed forces, however much he tries to claim otherwise.Britain will be hit by a life-threatening category 1 cyber emergency in the near future, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned.

The NCSCs annual review revealed it is currently repelling around 10 attempted cyber attacks every week, with hostile states said to be responsible for the bulk of thwarted strikes.

Since it became fully operational two years ago, the centres teams have dealt with 1,167 cyber incidents.

Ciaran Martin, the centres head, said he had little doubt it would have to deal with the most serious type of cyber emergency in the future.

The majority of these incidents were, we believe, perpetrated from within nation states in some way hostile to the UK, he said. They were undertaken by groups of computer hackers directed, sponsored or tolerated by the governments of those countries. These groups constitute the most acute and direct cyber threat to our national security."

He added: I remain in little doubt we will be tested to the full, as a centre, and as a nation, by a major incident at some point in the years ahead, what we would call a category 1 attack.

The NCSC defines a category 1 incident as an attack which causes sustained disruption of essential services or affects national security, leading to severe economic or social consequences, or to loss of life.

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Although there have been several very significant incidents, Mr Martin said the UK has yet to witness a category 1 event.

He added: But even if this continues, we must be alert to the constant threat from countries who will attack critically important national networks to steal information for strategic or commercial reasons, and give themselves a starting point  pre-positioning  for a significant attack in the future.

The assessment comes less than a fortnight after Britain accused the GRU, the Russian military intelligence service, of being behind a campaign of cyber attacks which targetted political institutions, businesses, media and sport.

Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Show all 23 1 /23 Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Russian passports belonging to (top row) Oleg Sotnikov (left), Aleksei Morenets, (bottom row) Evgenii Serebriakov (left) and Alexey Minin, who have been named as the four GRU officers who tried to hack the global chemical weapons watchdog which is investigating the Salisbury nerve agent attack PA Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot On April 13 the officers parked a car carrying specialist hacking equipment outside the headquarters of the OPCW in The Hague Dutch Ministry of Defence/PA Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Specialist equipment intended for the alleged hacking of WiFi networks of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Russia's military intelligence service has been accused of trying to hack the global chemical weapons watchdog which is investigating the Salisbury nerve agent attack PA Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot The Dutch counter-terrorism officers intervened to disrupt the operation and the four GRU officers were ordered to leave the country Dutch Ministry of Defence/PA Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Mobile phones and a camera recovered from four GRU officers who were alleged to have hacked the WiFi networks of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) PA Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot The four Russians arrived on diplomatic passports Netherlands Defence Ministry Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Alexey Minin, who has been named as one of the four GRU officers who tried to hack the global chemical weapons watchdog which is investigating the Salisbury nerve agent attack PA Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot A car carrying hacking equipment used by GRU officers, travelling on official Russian passports, parked near the headquarters of the OPCW in The Hague Dutch Ministry of Defence/PA Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Oleg Sotnikov, who has been named as one of the four GRU officers PA Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Hacking equipment belonging to four Russian officers Dutch Ministry of Defence/AP Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Evgenii Serebriakov, who has been named as one of the four GRU officers PA Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Equipment found in possession of four Russian citizens Reuters Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Photos of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and its surroundings taken on the 11 April, found on the phone of GRU officer Alexey Minin Dutch Ministry of Defence/PA Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Equipment found in possession of four Russian citizens REUTERS Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Aleksei Morenets, who has been named as one of the four GRU officers PA Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Dutch Ministry of Defence/PA Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot A combo of a taxi bill and a map, with a ride from a street next to the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, GRU, to Sheremyetevo airport in Moscow, found in possession of one of four GRU officers AP Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Yevgeny Serebryakov, an alleged Russian agent AFP/Getty Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Netherlands Defence Ministry Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Netherlands Defence Ministry Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Netherlands Defence Ministry Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Netherlands Defence Ministry Dutch security services expel Russian spies over cyber plot Netherlands Defence Ministry

Mr Martin stressed there is much, much more to the cyber security threat faced by the UK than just Russia.

While nation state activity represents the most acute threat, he said, low-sophistication but high-volume cyber crime is the most chronic one.

The NCSC launched the Active Cyber Defence initiative to protect the UK from high-volume commodity attacks that affect peoples everyday lives.

Since its introduction, the UK share of visible global phishing attacks dropped from 5.3 per cent to 2.4 per cent, according to the report.Religious hate crime has rocketed by 40 per cent in a year across England and Wales, as the number of offences recorded hits a record high.

Statistics released by the Home Office showed more than half of religiously-motivated attacks in 2017-18 were directed at Muslims and the next most commonly targeted group was Jewish people.

Police recorded a total of 94,098 hate crime offences  more than double the total five years ago  and all categories saw a rise.

Recommended Misogyny and hatred of older people could become hate crimes

This increase is thought to be largely driven by improvements in police recording, although there has been spikes in hate crime following certain events such as the EU referendum and the terrorist attacks in 2017, the Home Office document said.

It is thought that the sharp increase in religious hate crimes is due to a rise in these offences following the terrorist attacks in 2017.

The period covered by the report, April 2017 to March 2018, covers the Islamist atrocities in Manchester, London Bridge and Parsons Green, as well as the far-right Finsbury Park attack.

Darren Osborne, who ploughed a hired van into Muslims leaving Ramadan prayers, cited Isis-inspired attacks among his motivations after being radicalised online in a matter of weeks.

The Home Office said terror offences may also be considered hate crimes, but while the Finsbury Park attack was counted because it was directed against Muslims, Islamists declared hatred for western values could not yet be counted.

Number of racially or religiously aggravated offences recorded by the police by month, April 2013 to March 2018 (Home Office)

Iman Atta OBE, the director of Islamophobia monitoring group Tell Mama, warned of the potential for real impacts on long-term social cohesion.

We saw this coming years ago, she added. The snail-like pace of social media to act on anti-Muslim accounts from 2012, the rise of the far-right and manipulation of the online world by them, terrorist attacks, inflammatory media headlines and the mainstreaming of anti-Muslim bigotry into the political mainstream have all added to the problem.

Three-quarters of hate crimes were recorded as racially motivated, with the number of offences rising by 14 per cent.

Police currently include xenophobic attacks and those against refugees and travellers in the category.

Another 12 per cent of incidents were motivated by sexual orientation, up 27 per cent, 9 per cent religious, up 40 per cent, 8 per cent disability, up 30 per cent, and 2 per cent transgender, which was up 32 per cent.

The overall conviction rate for hate crimes has increased to 84.7 per cent, but only a small proportion of reported incidents  12 per cent  end with someone being charged or summonsed to court.

Around two-thirds of victims felt police had treated them fairly, lower than average, and they were more likely to say they had been emotionally affected or been left feeling vulnerable.

Alex Mayes, policy advisor at Victim Support, said there was greater awareness around hate crime and an improved police response.

These statistics also mirror our own experience as over the past year we have offered information and support to around 25,000 people which is an increase of 23 per cent on the previous year, he added.

Brexit racism and the fightback Show all 9 1 /9 Brexit racism and the fightback Brexit racism and the fightback Demonstrators protest against an increase in post-ref racism at London's March for Europe in July 2016 PA Brexit racism and the fightback These cards were found near a school in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, the day after the EU referendum Twitter/@howgilb Brexit racism and the fightback Getty Brexit racism and the fightback Romford, Essex, June 25 @diamondgeezer Brexit racism and the fightback A worker at this Romanian food shop was asleep upstairs at the time of this arson attack in Norwich on July 8, but escaped unharmed. Hundreds later participated in a love bombing rally outside the shop to express their opposition to racism and their support of the shop owners. JustGiving/Helen Linehan Brexit racism and the fightback This neo-Nazi sticker was spotted in Glasgow on June 26 Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback But after news emerged of neo-Nazi stickers appearing in Glasgow, some in the city struck back with slogans of their own. Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback Getty Brexit racism and the fightback More signs began to appear in some parts of the UK, created by people who wanted to show their opposition to post-referendum racism Courtesy of Bernadette Russell

Despite these rises, hate crime remains hugely underreported. We want people to know that hate crime will be taken seriously and there is support available to anyone who needs it.

Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, said: The fact that hate crime has more than doubled in the last five years must serve as an urgent wakeup call. We must stand up to hatred and discrimination wherever it is found.

The Tories promised to tackle burning injustices but they are clearly not tackling the injustice of people being attacked simply because of their religion, sexuality, the colour of their skin or their disability.

The figures were released the day after the government announced a wide-ranging review of hate crime laws, which will consider whether to add new protected characteristics including age and gender.

A spokesperson for the Law Commission told The Independent both misogyny and misandry would be considered and it is not prioritising one area over another.

Baroness Williams, the minister for countering extremism, said the government stands in solidarity with communities affected by hate crime.

Government and police forces must not be complacent in rooting these crimes out, she added.

It is why today we have launched a newly updated Hate Crime Action Plan and announced a wide-ranging review of hate crime laws to be conducted by the Law Commission.

 Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Yvette Cooper, chair of the Home Affairs Committee, said more action was needed to counter online offences.

She added: Hate crimes can be devastating for victims, deeply divisive for communities, and dangerously linked to extremism  it is very damaging both for those who are targeted by appalling violence or abuse and for entire communities too.

Hate crime is not an offence in itself, but is used to describe other crimes motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone based on a personal characteristic, such as attacks and vandalism.

Violence against the person, public order offences, criminal damage and arson made up 96 per cent of hate crime-flagged offences. There were 1,065 online hate crimes in the year.

But despite the increase in recorded crime, the number of completed prosecutions fell by over 2 per cent from 14,480 in 2016-17 to 14,151 in 2017-18.

Hatred was used to increase punishments handed out in court in more than two-thirds of cases involving hostility on the grounds of race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability in the year.

A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) report said sentences were uplifted in around 7,700 cases, compared to just a handful a decade ago.

Chris Long, a chief crown prosecutor, said: We know being a victim of hate crime is particularly distressing because of the personal nature of the incident and the CPS is committed to robustly prosecuting these cases.

The continuing increase in the number of offenders who receive increased sentences is a testament to the work of the CPS in building the cases correctly and providing the courts with the information they need to sentence appropriately.

Findings from the separate Crime Survey for England and Wales, which tracks the publics experience of crime rather than what is recorded by police, indicate a drop of 40 per cent in hate crime incidents in the past decade.Postcard of the Santaella cigar factory on Armenia, circa 1910.

Stories of Tampas cigar industry are more often tied to Ybor City than to any other area in Tampa due to its historic importance and continued popularity as a draw for tourists and locals alike. That tends to leave West Tampa undeservedly dismissed simply as Tampas other Latin district. In truth, its history is as rich and varied as any community in the state.Though the majority of West Tampas citizens were Cuban, the city was founded by a Scotsman: Hugh Campbell Macfarlane. He arrived in Tampa in 1884, and as a city and states attorney, he helped re-establish the City of Tampa. He also purchased several hundred acres of swampland on the western bank of the Hillsborough River.Through generous loans and land grants, Macfarlane and his partners enticed cigar factory owners to relocate their businesses from other cities, like Key West and New York. The City of West Tampa was incorporated with 2,815 residents on May 18, 1895, and survived as a separate municipality until January 1, 1925, when it was annexed by the City of Tampa.West Tampas first generation of cigar manufacturers includes Cuesta, Rey, & Co., Ellinger Brothers, and the Armena Cigar Company. The inadvertent misspelling of that last one on street signs has led some to think there were Armenian immigrants among the Spaniards and Cubans.Hugh Macfarlane did not build West Tampa on his own. Macfarlane depended greatly on his wife, Frances Pettingil Macfarlane. It is said that Mrs. Macfarlane had the head for business, while Mr. Macfarlane used his power and influence to foster the growth of the promising cigar colony. Very little is known about Frances Macfarlane. Prior to her marriage to Hugh Macfarlane, she was a successful businesswoman and the owner of Pettingil and Company, a stationary and bookstore, which featured a lending library.While still in its infancy, West Tampa was called everything from a wild-west town to an alligator hole (the area was first nicknamed La Caimaneria, or place of alligators). Travel to and from West Tampa was difficult until the Macfarlanes extended the Tampa streetcar line into the development, but it was not until 1903 that the West Tampa City Council began paving its streets, first with clay from Bartow and later with bricks. Macfarlane also constructed the Fortune Street Bridge over the Hillsborough River to connect West Tampa to Tampa and Ybor City.West Tampas growth was rapid. By 1900, the population had eclipsed that of Tallahassee and by 1912, it was Floridas fifth largest city, with 8,258 residents -- larger than Miami and Orlando at the time. By comparison, the City of Tampas 1912 population was over 40,000, ranking it second to Jacksonville among Florida cities. Almost half of the residents of the Tampa area, and more so in West Tampa, were immigrants or had at least one foreign-born parent.Among the second wave of cigar manufacturers to arrive in West Tampa was Antonio Santaella, who left an indelible mark on West Tampa through his still-standing cigar factory. Billed as the largest cigar factory in the world, the A. Santaella & Co. building on Armenia Avenue and Spruce Street is a classic example of cigar factory architecture. Like most Tampa cigar factories, it is built on an east-west axis so sunlight remains fairly even as it comes through the north and south facing windows. Those windows are also slightly larger on the south side, which helps to draw fresh air into the building  an important feature in an era before air conditioning.The cigar factory on Armenia was not Santaellas first location. His company had endured two fires, both of which destroyed the factory buildings he was using. He did not take any chances with his third building. After the devastating West Tampa Fire of 1904 torched his second factory building, Santaella purchased the rest of the property on the block where his factory once stood and then built his new factory in the center of that block -- providing a buffer should another fire break out in the neighborhood. In addition, he installed one of the earliest fire suppression systems within his building. Finally, if all else failed, he built a fire station for the West Tampa Fire Department next door to his factory.The economic health of West Tampa was tied directly to that of the cigar industry. Ravaged by strikes in the 1920s and 1930s, and hobbled further by the Great Depression, the industry was damaged beyond the point of a full recovery. Following World War II, returning soldiers used money from their GI Bills to build homes in newer suburbs, joining the ranks of other former West Tampa residents. Always more welcoming to African-Americans than most neighborhoods, West Tampas black population began to increase dramatically in the 1950s and 1960s, in part the result of the loss of African-American housing closer to downtown Tampa.In the 1970s, Interstate 275 cut through West Tampa, contributing to the degradation of the surrounding neighborhood. Despite these obstacles, West Tampa persevered. New uses have been found for the factory buildings, from office space to loft apartments. The Santaella building, which now houses art studios for local artists, was recently purchased and is undergoing intensive restoration.West Tampas business district remains active to this day. The Centro Espanol building on Howard Avenue, long empty, is experiencing a new life. The structure was purchased by the City of Tampa and has since been used by the Tampa Urban League, as a temporary location for the Tampa Museum of Art, and, currently, home to the Hillsborough Education Foundation. The neighborhood survives and stands as a legacy to a proud, independent past.Rodney Kite-Powell is the Director of the Touchton Map Library at the Tampa Bay History Center. He can be reached by phone, (813) 228-0097, or email, [email protected] Support for publication of this column comes from the Tampa Bay History Center. Read additional history columns by Kite-Powell:The brother of a Syrian refugee who was accidentally left to die in Grenfell Tower, has said firefighters ignored him when he told them his sibling was still trapped inside.

After fleeing the conflict in his homeland, Omar Alhaj Ali arrived in the UK with his brother, Mohammad, in 2014. The pair lived on the 14th floor of the west London highrise.

As flames raced up the building on 14 June last year, the brothers moved into a neighbours flat at number 113, where six other people were also waiting.

Firefighters eventually came to rescue some of the residents, but four, including Mohammad, were left behind.

He later jumped to his death from a window after watching the other residents stop breathing, Omar said.

In a written statement to the Grenfell Tower inquiry, Omar said he panicked when he realised his brother had not managed to escape.

He telephoned him and discovered he was still trapped in the flat with Zainab Deen, 32, her son Jeremiah Deen, two and Denis Murphy, 56.

I said to Mohammad: Why didnt you come with us? and he replied saying no one took him out of the flat, Omar said. While I was still on the phone to Mohammad I walked over to a fireman inside the tower and told them that my brother was still in the flat and could not get out.

I was saying: Please go upstairs, please. There are children upstairs. Some firefighters were saying that they were sure that they took everyone out. They ignored me and didnt believe me.

I was told by a firefighter that I was in shock and maybe I was in panic. I walked from one fireman to another and I spoke to many of them telling them to help my brother. I felt like they were ignoring what I was saying.

Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Show all 18 1 /18 Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Kitchen in flat 16 where the fire started Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began The kitchen from flat 16 ReutersGrenfell Tower Inquiry/Reuters Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began The kitchen from flat 16 PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Hallway in flat 16, leading to the kitchen where the fire started Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began The kitchen from flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began The kitchen from flat 16 PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Bedroom in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Living room in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Toilet in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Living room in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Bedroom 2 of flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/Reuters Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Bedroom in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Bedroom 2 of flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/Reuters Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began The kitchen from flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Kitchen in flat 16 where the fire started Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Door to flat 16 from the lobby on floor 4 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Living room in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Hallway in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA

One of the firemen did listen and wrote 113 on his hand, Omar Alhaj Ali, but none of them then went inside.

He told Mohammad firefighters were coming and he should leave on his own if they did not, but he was scared to leave by himself because of the thick smoke in the hallway.

I tried 100 times to speak to any fireman I could, he wrote.

I even passed one of the firemen the telephone to speak to my brother himself but he didnt take the phone. He didnt want to speak to him. I was upset and angry. The firemen then moved me back next to the childrens playground.

None of them listened to me. If they had, my brother could have been saved.

As he watched the fire travel closer to flat 113, Omar made several attempts to go into the tower, but each time firefighters blocked his path.

 Grenfell witness made a joke about stay put policy a month before the fire

They were not helping him and would not let us help him, he wrote. I started to shout lots of things like my brother, my brother, he is dying inside. I felt like I had lost my mind. I was panicking. I was emotional and I was saying random things. I was overwhelmed with worry. I lost my mind.

Omar was later taken to Kings College Hospital after vomiting and struggling to breathe.

He was told of his brothers death when he awoke. A friend said a photo of his brothers body lying in Grenfell Walk had been posted on Facebook.

He said: My brother Hashem was the last person to speak to Mohammad, he said. Hashem told me that Mohammad had watched the others in the flat [Dennis, Zainab and her son] all stop breathing and he didnt know what to do. This must have been when Mohammad decided to jump from the flat.

He added: I felt like nothing was real. I could not believe what had happened. Losing someone suddenly is easier than losing someone in the way that I lost my brother. We had been together in the fire; we were scared together and were planning on leaving together. This makes me even sadder. It all happened so slowly.

You try to be strong but it was like torture. Having to look at the flat while my brother was inside was torture.

Omars account of the night of the blaze appeared to contradict the one given by firefighter Peter Herrera, who previously told the inquiry he did not search for any more residents in flat 113 because Omar told him no one had been left behind.

Omar wrote: I am angry that it happened. But I know nothing will change. We had never experienced this before. When the firefighters came upstairs, we could have left much earlier. Why did they leave us for so long? I think when they took me outside; they closed the front door behind me. They didnt go inside to check the other people inside the flat.

Omar said the firefighters account was false, adding: Mr Herrera made a terrible mistake not checking the flat. I understand that it must make him feel very bad for what happened. But it is very wrong for him to put words into my mouth that I did not say and which put the blame on me for the death of my own brother and the other people in the flat who were my friends.

What he has said in his statement has caused a lot of stress and upset to me and to Mohammads family and Im sure the other families of those who died. Close Brexit secretary Dominic Raab says Northern Ireland backstop will have to be time-limited

Donald Tusk has said there are "no grounds for optimism" in relation to a Brexit deal ahead of a key summit of EU leaders.

The European Council president was speaking as Theresa May prepares to travel to Brussels on Wednesday to convince the EU to back her Brexit plan.

Mr Tusk said the prime minister must put forward "concrete proposals on how to break the impasse", which centres on a disagreement over a customs backstop to preserve an open border Northern Ireland.

Earlier in the day, Ms May attempted to convince her Cabinet to back her Brexit plan, which could see the UK remain in the customs union indefinitely if no other method is found for avoiding a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The prime minister told ministers they must "stand together" but Downing Street said no decision was made on her controversial plan during a three-hour meeting.

Elsewhere, John Bercow reportedly told friends he would step down as House of Commons Speaker next summer. It came as he faced criticism from MPs over allegations of bullying, which he has denied, following the publication of a report into harassment in Parliament.

Follow our live coverage as it happened...Brexit talks are nearing their conclusion and well soon know whether therell be a deal or not.

If youve not been paying attention so far, now is a good time to start  but all the jargon can look daunting.

If you dont know your Salzburg from your Single Market, or Cherry-picking from Chequers, heres an explanation of some basic terms you need to know to understand Brexit.

Free trade agreement (FTA)

An agreement between two countries or trade blocs to reduce barriers to trade. Often involves reducing or eliminating import taxes or quotas, and recognising or following each-others regulations so companies can sell into other countries markets without bureaucracy.

Customs union

A free trade area in which all countries abolish tariffs between each other and charge the same tariffs to goods coming from outside the customs union. The EU has one. Countries in the bloc collectively do trade deals with other countries outside the bloc, because they all follow the same conditions. Labour wants to be in one with the EU after Brexit.

Single market

Free movement of goods, capital, services, and labour between all the countries in the EU; the so-called four freedoms. Not a specific thing or organisation, but rather the result of all EU agreements and countries following the same rules. A work in progress, but the most comprehensive trade agreement between sovereign countries on earth so far.

Canada+++

A free trade agreement like the one Canada has with the EU, but better (hence +++). Goods traded between the UK and EU have to be checked at the border but there wouldnt be any import taxes. Brexiteers want it because it takes the UK out of the EUs orbit compared to now; EU says its the only sort of deal possible within the Prime Ministers red-lines.

Chequers

Theresa Mays proposals for trade with the EU after Britain leaves, named after her official country residence where she locked her Cabinet in until they agreed to them. Rejected by the EU, and disliked by Tory eurosceptics.

Common rulebook

Part of Theresa Mays Chequers plan to keep bits of the single market it likes: the UK would follow EU rules for most goods that cross border. UK hopes this would mean no border checks would be needed, in combination with another deal on customs. EU says this is cherry-picking.

Facilitated customs arrangement

Another part of Theresa Mays Chequers plan: an attempt by the UK to eliminate customs checks between Britain and the EU without having to be in a customs union. UK would collect EU customs taxes for it and then forward them on. EU says it could never agree to delegating its customs responsibilities to a country that isnt in the EU.

Norway option

A relationship with the EU like the one Norway has  close, but not inside it. UK would follow most EU rules but get better trade access to single market. Achieved through membership of the European Economic Area  a non-EU agreement.

Transition period

A 21-month period that would start on 29 March 2019, the date Britain is set to leave the EU. During this period, the UK would continue to follow all EU rules and free movement would continue; asked for by Theresa May to give the UK more time to prepare.

Salzburg

A summit held in the Austrian city of Salzburg in September. EU leaders rejected Theresa Mays Chequers plan and laid down the law, widely regarded as a humiliation for the Prime Minister.

Article 50

A legal mechanism from the EUs founding treaty that member states use to leave the EU. A two-year period begins the day it is triggered in which the country can negotiate an exit. Britains is due to expire on 29 March 2019. Can be extended with consent of all EU member states. Its legally unclear whether it can be revoked by Britain or not and the European Court of Justice will rule on this aspect in late November.

Peoples Vote or Final Say

A call for a referendum on the final deal Theresa May brings back from Brussels, or a second referendum giving the option of staying in  depending on who you ask.

Lancaster House speech

The Prime Ministers original Brexit speech, where she laid down her red lines about wanting to leave the single market, customs union, and end freedom of movement.

Red-lines

Negotiating principles the Prime Minister has laid down and said she will not cross: she wants to leave the single market, leave the customs union, end the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, and end free movement. Others have their own red lines: the Northern Irish DUP say they won't accept checks between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The EU says the UK can't cherry-pick the things it likes about the EU and keep them.

Hard border and Soft border

A soft border, relating to Northern Ireland, is what currently exists  there are no real border checks or often even a sign that youre crossing between the UK and the Republic. A hard border would see the introduction of checks and might happen because of Brexit. A soft border is required by the Good Friday Agreement, which ended the Troubles.

Backstop

A legal mechanism to prevent a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland after Brexit, no matter what happens elsewhere. Insisted upon in order to preserve the peace process. Both sides are trying to negotiate one that they are both happy with, but its a major sticking point in talks.

Withdrawal agreement

A legally-binding deal the UK and EU want to sign before the UK leaves. Covers areas such as what happens to citizens living in other countries, who pays who what, and what happens to the Northern Ireland border. Does not include a trade deal, which is dealt with by

Future relationship political declaration

A second agreement the UK and EU want to sign before Britain leaves next year. This agreement is not legally binding, but a political statement of intent by the two parties about what the two countries future relationship will look like  e.g. will it be Norway, Canada, Chequers whatever. The actual future relationship will be negotiated after Britain leaves, probably during the transition period. Includes both trade and aspects on other areas like security cooperation.

Cherry-picking

What the EU calls British attempts to keep the bits of the single market it likes and ditch the bits it doesnt like. Also called cake, or having your cake and eat it, after something Boris Johnson once said. Not allowed by the EU, which says it would ruin the integrity of the single market.

WTO rules

World Trade Organisation rules. The default rules of world trade for countries that are part of the WTO (164 are). What Britain will likely be trading with the EU on if there is no-deal. Not very flexible rules that would require customs checks and tariffs between Britain and the EU, which would be highly disruptive. Most countries dont actually trade with each other on WTO rules and have some kind of agreement on top.

European Commission

The EUs executive and civil service in Brussels, which has been in charge of Brexit negotiations so far. Reports to member states. Led by president Jean-Claude Juncker; its chief negotiator is Michel Barnier.

European Council

The 28 EU member state leaders  heads of state and government, depending on the country. For Brexit they meet as 27 without Theresa May. They meet four times a year for a summit in Brussels to set the blocs political direction  in the case of Brexit that means giving instructions to the Commissions negotiators. Also have some extra summits every now and again (like Salzburg).Brexit negotiations have been frozen over the party conference season as neither side were sure what would happen Theresa May.

Time is running short for the EU and UK make a deal; heres a timeline of the next steps as Britain heads towards the exit door.

17-18 October 2018  Last chance summit

Theresa May arrives for a meeting with European Council (Reuters)

The EU has described this meeting of EU leaders at the European Council in Brussels as the moment of truth for Brexit and says a deal should be basically completed by this point. The 27 other national leaders will put out a statement and decide what to do next.

18 November 2018  Very last chance summit?

Workers prepare the EU headquarters for yet another summit (Reuters)

The EU nations have said that if a deal looks possible in October but hasnt been finalised then they will arrange a special summit in November to finalise it.

13 December 2018  Very, very Last chance summit?

Theresa May shakes hands with European Council President Donald Tusk (Reuters)

Another meeting of the European Council is scheduled for December that could be the very, very last chance to sign a deal if the timeline slips. But the EU in particular wouldnt be happy.

December? Or January? Or February?  House of Commons vote on deal

Protesters outside the Palace of Westminster (AFP/Getty)

We dont know when the House of Commons will get to vote on the final deal, but if one is struck, then it will  probably sometime in December, January, or February. This vote could be difficult for the Prime Minister as she could face rebellions by the DUP and Tory MPs.

21 January 2019  No-deal legal cut-off date

The Prime Minister Theresa May at Downing Street (Getty)

This is the very last cut-off date for a deal to be presented to Parliament under UK law. If no withdrawal agreement is presented to MPs by 21 January, they will get a vote on what should happen next. A second referendum? A bid for an extension? This all happens here.

December? Or January? Or February? Or March?  European Parliament vote on the deal

The European Parliament's base in Strasbourg (EPA)

The European Parliament will get a vote on the Brexit deal, too. The last date they can physically do so is during its sitting from 11-14 March, though it could happen before if an agreement is finalised earlier.

21-22 March 2019  Britain's goodbye meeting

EU leaders attend a round table meeting (AP)

The last European Council meeting that Britain will attend. Since it will be literally a week before the UK leaves it will probably be mostly a goodbye, as there wont be much time to do anything.

29 March 2019  Brexit Day

Big Ben will bong Britain into Brexit

Barring an extension, Britain will officially leave the European Union two years after Theresa May triggered Article 50 of the EUs treaty and set the country rolling towards the exit door.

31 December 2020  End of the transition period

Barring a change of policy there will be new checks on vehicles once Britain leaves the customs union and single market (Reuters)

Theresa May has negotiated a 21-month Brexit transition period under which the UK will continue to follow EU rules as if nothing has change. But at the end of 2020 this is set to end and Britain will be on its own.Brazils far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro has taken a commanding lead over his rival less than two weeks before an election which has already polarised the country.

Polls show Mr Bolsonaro is on course to take 59 per cent of the vote, leaving his opponent, leftwing academic and former mayor of Sao Paolo, Fernando Haddad, with just 41 per cent.

The Ibope poll, published by the Estado de S.Paulo newspaper on Monday, interviewed 2,506 people and also showed Mr Haddad now has a higher rejection rate, with 47 per cent of those polled saying they would never vote for him, compared with 35 per cent rejecting Mr Bolsonaro.

Mr Bolsonaro, a 63-year-old congressman, has led a populist campaign which has seen him openly defend Brazil's 1964-1985 military dictatorship, call for his political opponents to be killed, promise to relax gun-laws, and attack feminism.

But his pitch as the anti-establishment candidate has won over voters frustrated with political corruption and violent crime.

Meanwhile, Mr Haddad, of the Workers Party (PT), has so far been unable to distance himself from the disdain many Brazilians harbour for his party and its imprisoned founder, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was convicted on corruption charges last year.

The PT held the presidency for 13 of the last 15 years and Lula remains loved by swathes of the population for his social policies, credited with easing the lives of the poor in one of the world's most unequal countries.

But the stunning levels of political graft that flourished under the PT governments, revealed by federal investigators in the last four years, have effectively kneecapped Mr Haddad's run.

He has struggled to both stick by Lula, whom the PT considers an unjustly convicted political prisoner, and also acknowledge the party's errors, promising to clean up the loathed political system.

Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round Show all 15 1 /15 Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round Supporters of Brazilian presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro celebrate outside his home in Rio AFP/Getty Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round Jair Bolsonaro gives his thumbs up after casting his vote AFP/Getty Images Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round Supporters of presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro of the Social Liberal Party set fire to an electronic voting machine EPA Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round Supporters of Brazilian presidential candidate for the Workers' Party Fernando Haddad react AFP/Getty Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round Supporters of Jair Bolsonaro, far-right lawmaker and presidential candidate of the Social Liberal Party, react, in Brasilia Reuters Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round Fernando Haddad (R), presidential candidate of Brazil's leftist Worker Party (PT), reacts with supporters REUTERS Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round AP Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round Supporters of the Liberal Social Party (PSL), party of far-right candidate Jair Bols EPA Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round A supporter of Brazilian presidential candidate for the Workers' Party Fernando Haddad reacts AFP/Getty Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round Supporters of Jair Bolsonaro celebrate outside his home AFP/Getty Images Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round Supporters of Jair Bolsonaro, presidential candidate with the Social Liberal Party celebrate in front of his house AP Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round Supporters of Brazilian presidential candidate for the Workers' Party Fernando Haddad react AFP/Getty Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round Supporters of Jair Bolsonaro celebrate in Brasilia Reuters Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round People watch Brazilian presidential candidate for the Worky Party (PT) Fernando Haddad's press conference on TV at a bar of Lapa neighborhood AFP/Getty Brazil elections: far-right candidate wins first round AFP/Getty Images

Pollsters had previously said they expected Mr Bolsonaros popularity to reach a limit, particularly given his repeated attacks on black people, the LGBT+ community, women and feminism.

Over the course of his career he has said he would not pay women the same as men, told a fellow congresswoman she didnt deserve to be raped, called the secretary of womens policy a big dyke, and said he is in favour of dictatorship.

During his campaign his son Eduardo, who is also a congressman, said: Rightwing women are prettier than leftwing women. They dont show the breasts in the streets, nor do they defecate in the streets. Rightwing women are more hygienic.

But his campaign has confounded expectations, growing greater momentum and seeing more and more supporters flock to back him, with his popularity among women growing.

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Mr Bolsonaro remains unable to lead street rallies as he recovers from a near-fatal stabbing last month.

The run-off vote between the two candidates takes place on 28 October.

Agencies contributed to this reportDonald Trump has threatened to stop aid to Honduras should a caravan of 3,000 refugees and migrants from the Central American country not be stopped from heading to the US.

Mr Trump tweeted the US informed Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez that if the large Caravan of people heading to the US is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!"

The message was driven home by Vice President Mike Pence in a later call with the Mr Hernandez.

The migrants crossed over the border into Guatemala, heading north, after a standoff with riot police and stern warnings from the US to not attempt illegal entry through Mexico.

It is unclear how Honduran authorities would be able to exercise control the group given that they have already left the country. However, the Honduran security ministry said on Tuesday that an organiser of a migrant caravan travelling north from Honduras - Bartolo Fuentes - was detained in Guatemala and will be deported back home in the coming hours.

The problem is that he did not comply with Guatemalan immigration rules and will have to be returned to Honduras in the coming hours, said ministry spokesman Jair Meza.

 Melania Trump: I really dont care jacket was message for media, not separated migrant children

The group, which began with 1,300 people has been dubbed the "March of the Migrant.

According to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) the US currently gives nearly $128m in aid across all federal agencies for counter-narcotics activities, military training, agricultural subsidies, and violence prevention.

Mexican officials also issued their own warning to the caravan, stating only those who met the countrys standards for refugee status would be allowed to enter at its southern border.

Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Show all 14 1 /14 Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Immigrant children, many of whom are separated form their parents, are housed in Texas' tent city Reuters Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border A two-year-old Honduran asylum seeker cries as her mother is searched and detained near the US-Mexico border Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Undocumented migrants ride on the top of a freight train referred to as the beast, or La Bestia Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border A cage inside a US Customs and Border Protection detention facility in Texas Reuters Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US Border Patrol Academy All new agents must complete a months-long training course at the New Mexico facility before assuming their posts at Border Patrol stations, mostly along the US-Mexico border Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US-Mexico border fence A group of young men walk along the Mexican side of the US-Mexico border fence in a remote area of the Sonoran Desert Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US-Mexico border fence in the US Man looks through US-Mexico border fence into the US in Tijuana, Mexico Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US-Mexico border fence US Border Patrol agent Sal De Leon stands near a section of the US-Mexico border fence while stopping on patrol on in La Joya, Texas Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US Border Patrol Academy US Border Patrol instructor yells at trainees after their initial arrival to the academy Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Memorial service in Guatemala Families attend a memorial service for two boys who were kidnapped and killed in San Juan Sacatepequez, Guatemala. Crime drives emigration from Guatemala to the United States, as families seek refuge from the danger Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Arrests on the border Undocumented immigrants comfort each other after being caught by Border Patrol agents near the US-Mexico border Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Detention holding facility A boy from Honduras watches a movie at a detention facility run by the US Border Patrol Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Mexican farm workers Mexican migrant workers harvest organic parsley at Grant Family Farms in Wellington, Colorado Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Mexican family in Arizona A Mexican immigrant family sits in the living room of their rented home in Tuscon, Arizona. The family that Arizona's new tough immigrant law had created a climate of fear in the immigrant community. Getty

Katie Waldman, a spokesperson for the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement the US will continue to have de-facto open borders that guarantee future 'caravans' and record numbers of family units entering the country illegally unless Congress acts to reform immigration law.

She noted in the statement the caravan was "what we see day-in and day-out at the border as a result of well-advertised and well-known catch-and-release loopholes."

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Ms Waldman is referring to a policy dating back to Barack Obamas administration which involves capturing a migrant who crosses the border illegally, but releasing them to their community in the US as they await an immigration court hearing rather than detaining them.

A similar caravan of approximately 1,500 people had made its approach at the beginning of April 2018, just weeks before the Trump administration began its family separation policy and putting National Guard troops along the 2,000-mile US-Mexico border. The separation policy stemmed from a zero-tolerance approach to illegal immigration where all adults face prosecution, even if it means removing them from infants travelling with them.

Several members of that caravan entered the US to seek asylum after being threatened by gang violence in their home countries.

US Citizenship and Immigration Service rules state asylum seekers have up to one year to "demonstrate [they] have suffered persecution or fear that they will suffer persecution due to" five factors: race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

The Trump administration is carrying on to build a large border wall, the funding for which is still up for debate in Congress.Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, has met with King Salman of Saudi Arabia to discuss the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The Washington Post columnist is rumoured to have died under interrogation in Riyadh and President Donald Trump has vowed to get to the bottom of the situation.

With the eyes of the world on the former CIA director, who succeeded Rex Tillerson in March, you might be wondering more about him.

Recommended Mike Pompeo visits Saudi Arabia to discuss Jamal Khashoggi case

What did Mike Pompeo do before entering Trumps administration?

Before serving as director of the CIA for 14 months, developing a close relationship with Mr Trump by delivering the daily intelligence briefing, Mr Pompeo was a three-time Republican Congressman, representing Kansas.

As a member of the House of Representatives, Mr Pompeo defended the CIAs use of torture during former George W Bushs administration, saying: These men and women are not torturers, they are patriots... the programmes being used were within the law, within the Constitution.

He also advocated for keeping the US prison housing several prisoners believed to be members of terrorist groups in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba open because closing it would potentially result in endless litigation and rights expanded well beyond those afforded to enemy combatants.

The international law on the matter is murky as long as the US is technically at war despite US law dictating these prisoners deserve due process.

The West Point graduate served as a member of the US Army in Germany and in the first Gulf War.

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo waves to the media during a photo opportunity at the State Department (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty) (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

After graduating from Harvard Law School, Mr Pompeo worked as a lawyer for Koch Industries. The multi-billion dollar conglomerate is led by brothers Charles and David Koch, who have been fairly reliable financial and ideological supporters of Mr Trump and small-government views.

Mr Pompeo received thousands in political contributions from the Kochs and employees while he was in office.

Why was Mike Pompeo chosen to succeed Rex Tillerson at the State Department?

Mr Trump referred to Mr Pompeo as having the same thought process as himself, implying his predecessor, Mr Tillerson, did not.

Recently departed US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called the replacement a great decision at the time.

Pompeo was the most political CIA director in memory, an administration official told Reuters upon his appointment, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Mike Pompeo after a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a trip to Pyongyang (Twitter)

He dived into policy matters in a way that unnerved many professionals at the agency, the official added.

Morale was taking a blow that was spreading from the analytical side, where some people feared he was tailoring some PDBs [Presidents Daily Briefs] to tell Trump what he wanted to hear rather than what the intelligence assessments were.

Mr Pompeo is also on the same page regarding the Iran nuclear deal with the president.

In October 2017, the president decided not to re-certify the historic deal, signed by Iran and six world powers  a signature foreign policy achievement by predecessor President Barack Obama. It opened the door for harsher economic sanctions to be placed on the country, the mitigation of which was a key inducement for Iran to comply with the deal.

Tehran had pledged to rein in its nuclear programme in return for some easing of those economic restrictions imposed on it by the US, the UN and the European Union.

European allies, and even Mr Tillerson according to some reports, continued to urge the president to extend the sanctions relief in order to save the deal. Mr Trump will not hear that from the hawkish Mr Pompeo.

I look forward to rolling back this disastrous deal with the worlds largest state sponsor of terrorism, he had tweeted in November 2016, when he was under consideration for the CIA post.

The other issue that puts Mr Trump and Mr Pompeo in the same sphere of thinking is on the general issue of terrorist groups. As a Congressman, he routinely criticised Mr Obama for not using the term radical Islamic terrorism when referring to groups like al-Qaeda or Isis. He has no problem framing terrorism, particularly in the Middle East, as a religion-based issue.

Mike Pompeo with Chinas foreign minister Wang Yi in Beijing (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

Mr Tillerson, however, lauded Mr Trump for leaving the term out of a speech in August 2016.

Terrorism has manifested itself in many types of organisations. The president has charged us to develop policies and tactics both diplomatically and militarily to attack terrorism in its many forms, wherever it exists in the world, and wherever it might present a threat to the homeland or Americans anywhere. This means that we need to develop techniques that are global in their nature, he said in response to former Trump aide Sebastian Gorka saying the president should have used the term.

Was Mr Pompeos appointment related to the FBI Russia investigation?

Mr Tillersons dismissal to make way for Mike Pompeo followed quickly on from his saying the poisoning of a former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the UK was a really egregious act that appears to have clearly come from Russia.

He had called the Kremlin an irresponsible force of instability in the world, acting with open disregard for the sovereignty of other states and the life of their citizens.

In the hours before his sacking, Mr Tillerson also said Russias alleged poisoning, in public and on foreign soil, could certainly will trigger a response from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato).

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

Long a critic of the presidents decision-making, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer said he hoped Mr Pompeo would turn over a new leaf and toughen policies towards Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin.

Americans should rest assured that we have a very good understanding of the Russian programme and how to make sure that Americans continue to be kept safe from threats from Vladimir Putin, Mr Pompeo told Fox News.

While Rex Tillerson, a former Texas oil and gas executive, shied away from media coverage whenever it could be avoided, Mr Pompeo welcomed it.

He has repeatedly, publicly and unequivocally defended the president during the ongoing FBI and Congressional investigations into possible collusion between Trump campaign team members and Russian officials.

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In January 2017, the US intelligence community issued a joint report that concluded it did not make an assessment of the impact that Russian activities had on the outcome of the 2016 election.

In October 2017, Mr Pompeo said the opposite during an appearance at a think tank that the intelligence community  that the intelligence community said Russia had no impact on the result of the election.

While serving as CIA director, he catered to Mr Trumps political whims as well, taking a meeting at the Presidents request with a conspiracy theorist who believes Russias hack and release of Democratic National Committee emails last summer was instead an inside job, according to Vox.On Monday evening, the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church resolved to break with the Patriarchate of Constantinople  setting the largest branch of Eastern Orthodoxy on a collision course with its spiritual centre.

The move was driven by a decision by Bartholomew I of Constantinople to remove barriers to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church gaining autocephaly (independence) from Moscow. A spokesman for the Russian church had called the decision lawless, an intrusion into [its] canonical territory, and one that liquidated Constantinople as the centre of Eastern Orthodoxy.

That, at least, was the detail. The broader context is the complete breakdown in relations between Moscow and Kiev  and a four-year war that has left more than 10,000 people dead.Australia is considering officially recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moving its embassy to the holy city.

Prime minister Scott Morrison said he was open-minded to the idea but denied he had been influenced by last year's controversial decision by US president Donald Trump.

Mr Morrison said it was suggested to him by a former ambassador to Israel, Dave Sharma, who is a candidate for Morrisons conservative Liberal Party in a crucial by-election this week.

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When sensible suggestions are put forward that are consistent with your policy positioning and in this case pursuing a two-state solution, Australia should be open-minded to this and I am open-minded to this and our government is open-minded to this, Mr Morrison told reporters.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Mr Morrison had informed him of the potential move and tweeted: Im very thankful to him for this. We will continue to strengthen ties between Israel and Australia.

Mr Morrisons announcement came 10 months after Mr Trump confirmed the US would recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

I have made this decision without any reference to the United States. It has not come up in any discussion I have had with the president or with officials, he told reporters.

There has been no request, and there has been no discussion with the United States.

Australia makes its decisions about its foreign policy independently. We do so in our own national interests consistent with our own beliefs and our own values.

It prompted ambassadors from 13 Arab countries to meet in Canberra to discuss the implications of the potential move.

Egypts ambassador said the group had agreed to send a letter to the Australian foreign minister to express their worries and concern.

Any decision like that might damage the peace process, said Mohamed Khairat. This will have very negative implications on the relations between Australia and not only Arab countries but many other (Islamic countries) as well.

Mr Morrison also announced that Australia would vote against a United Nations resolution this week to recognise the Palestinian Authority as the chair of the Group of 77 developing countries.

However he confirmed Australia remained committed to finding a two-state solution to Israels conflict with the Palestinians.

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The Australian opposition centre-left Labor Party said the Jerusalem announcement was a desperate attempt to win the by-election for Mr Sharma in Wentworth, Sydney.

If Mr Sharma is not elected, the government will lose its single-seat majority in the House of Representatives.

Foreign policy, and Australias national interest are far too important to be played with in this fashion, said Penny Wong, the leader of the opposition in the senate.

The people of Wentworth, and all Australians, deserve a leader who puts the national interest ahead of his self-interest, and governs in the best long-term interest of the nation.

George Browning, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, accused the government of aligning itself with the most erratic, reactionary and bullish US foreign policy ever.

Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Show all 37 1 /37 Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Palestinian mourners carry the dead body of Mukhtar Ebu Hamas, 25, killed by Israeli forces in Gaza on 14 May Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures A Palestinian woman flashes a victory sign during a protest near the border fence AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Israeli soldiers guard on top of a watch tower along the Israel-Gaza border AP Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Palestinian demonstrators react to fired tear gas Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Palestinian demonstrators run for cover Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures US President's daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Senior White House Advisor Jared Kushner arrive for the controversial inauguration of the US embassy in Jerusalem. The United States moved its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem after months of global outcry, Palestinian anger and exuberant praise from Israelis over President Donald Trump's decision tossing aside decades of precedent. AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Palestinians carry a demonstrator injured during clashes AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman speaks during the dedication ceremony of the new US embassy in Jerusalem Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures A Palestinian man walks in the smoke billowing from burning tyres AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves as he arrives ahead of the dedication ceremony of the new US embassy in Jerusalem. Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Palestinian protesters lying on the floor during clashes Rex Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Palestinian protesters burn tires AP Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his wife Sara, Senior White House Advisor Jared Kushner, US President's daughter Ivanka Trump, US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and US ambassador to Israel David Friedman attend the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem. AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures A Palestinian man assists a wounded protestor AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures A Palestinian man holding his national flag walks in the smoke billowing from burning tyres AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Ivanka Trump unveil an inauguration plaque during the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Palestinians carry a protester injured AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Ivanka Trump and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin stand next to the dedication plaque at the US embassy in Jerusalem Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures A Palestinian demonstrator uses a sling to hurl stones at Israeli troops during a protest against U.S. embassy Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures A female Palestinian demonstrator stands amidst smoke Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Ivanka Trump attends the opening ceremony of the new US embassy in Jerusalem AP Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Palestinian medics and protesters evacuate a wounded protester AP Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures An Israeli soldier aims his weapon at Palestinian demonstrators Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Gazans carry an injured protestor Rex Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Protestors gather to demonstrate Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures An Israeli soldier fires tear gas at demonstrators Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures A Palestinian demonstrator poses with a slingshot Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Protestors carry tires Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures A demonstrator kicks a burning tire Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Palestinians congregate prior to their demonstration against the US moving their embassy to Jerusalem Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Female Palestinian demonstrators react to tear gas fired by Israeli troops Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures A Palestinian demonstrator reacts Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures A Palestinian man throws leaflets dropped by the Israeli military during a protest against the US embassy move to Jerusalem and ahead of the 70th anniversary of Nakba, at the Israel-Gaza border, east of Gaza City Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures A boy holds a Palestinian flag as he stands amidst smoke Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures A Palestinian demonstrator tries to put out a fire caused by objects dropped from Israeli drones during a protest against the US embassy move to Jerusalem and ahead of the 70th anniversary of Nakba, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures A Palestinian demonstrator with a slingshot REUTERS Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem  in pictures Protesters look up at falling tear gas cannisters dropped by an Israeli drone AFP/Getty

This is an irresponsible policy that compromises the future of millions of people in the Middle East for a handful of votes in Wentworth, Mr Browning said in a statement.

The new US embassy in Jerusalem was opened in May despite widespread protests by Palestinians about the decision.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas denounced Mr Trumps policy as the slap of the century.

Additional reporting by Associated Press and ReutersTurkish police have found evidence suggesting Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul but disclosed no further details, according to the Associated Press.

The purported evidence was found despite a declaration by Turkeys president that Saudi operatives may have painted over crucial evidence at the consulate.

A Turkish Foreign Ministry official confirmed the Saudi consuls home in Istanbul is going to be searched. Investigators who inspected the consulate on Monday found toxic materials, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said. The consul general himself, Mohammad al-Otaibi, has left Turkey. It is not clear if his departure was routine or whether he had been declared persona non grata by Turkish officials.

The developments in the fast-moving case came as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Saudi officials in Riyadh over Mr Khashoggis fate.

Mr Khashoggis disappearance ignited a global political and diplomatic uproar. Turkish officials confirmed he was coming to Turkey after meeting with officials that included a chummy sitdown with Saudis controversial crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdoms de facto ruler and the alleged mastermind behind Mr Khashoggis disappearance.

Recommended Turks and Saudis launch probe into Jamal Khashoggi disappearance

Mr Pompeo met with King Salman and then Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who said of the relationship with the US: We are strong and old allies. We face our challenges together  the past ... tomorrow.

CNN and other news outlets cited anonymous sources saying the Saudis may admit culpability for The Washington Post columnists fate  presumed to be murder  but describe it as an unauthorised rendition attempt gone wrong. Saudi officials have not commented on the reports, and have continued to insist that Mr Khashoggi walked out of the consulate shortly after arriving.

A joint team of Saudi and Turkish investigators and officials swarmed into the consulate Monday evening in a possible attempt to examine the facility for traces Mr Khashoggi.

Mr Erdogan, speaking to reporters in parliament on Tuesday, raised the possibility that parts of the consulate had been repainted.

The investigation is looking into many things such as toxic materials and those materials being removed by painting them over Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan

The investigation is looking into many things such as toxic materials and those materials being removed by painting them over, he said.

The family of Mr Khashoggi released a statement calling for an international inquiry into his disappearance, saying they were in contact with him just before he entered the consulate on 2 October and vanished.

We are sadly and anxiously following the conflicting news regarding the fate of our father after losing contact with him two weeks ago, when he disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, said the statement.

Our family is traumatised, and yearns to be together during this painful time. The strong moral and legal responsibility which our father instilled in us obliges us to call for the establishment of an independent and impartial international commission to inquire into the circumstances of his death.

 Donald Trump says Jamal Khashoggi could have been work of 'rogue killers'

Diplomatic missions across the world are often treated like foreign soil, enjoying immunity from local laws.

The UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday called on Riyadh to waive its rights on its diplomatic missions in Istanbul and give Turkish authorities access to all properties and staff. She called on both Riyadh and Ankara to publicly disclose all the information they had gathered about Mr Khashoggis disappearance.

The residence of the Saudi consul general, located north of the consulate where Mr Khashoggi was last spotted entering by security camera footage leaked to Turkish and international media, may be a key element in the investigation.

A 15-man team of Saudi nationals that arrived in Istanbul hours before Mr Khashoggis scheduled consular visit and made their way to the consulate, eventually drove away in black minivans with tinted windows to the consul-generals residence before heading back to the airport and leaving Istanbul aboard private jets, according to security camera footage and flight data released by Turkish authorities to local media.The first electric-hybrid aircraft to use Heathrow Airport will escape landing charges for a year  a prize worth up to 1m.

The airports chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, is to launch the race at the BusinessGreen Leaders Summit in London. The first plane is expected to touch down at Europes busiest airport within 12 years.

Ahead of the event, Mr Holland-Kaye said: We championed carbon-neutral growth in global aviation, which will come into effect in 2020.

The next frontier is zero-carbon flying, and I hope this prize will help to make it a reality at Heathrow by 2030.

The aim of the offer is to accelerate development and uptake of electric aircraft.

While small electric-powered craft have made successful flights, the challenge is to create planes that are big enough and have sufficient range to compete with conventional aircraft.

Some of Heathrows busiest routes are at the initial target range for commercial electric aircraft: Amsterdam (231 miles), Dublin (280 miles) and Edinburgh (331 miles).

Dozens of projects are seeking to make electric aircraft commercially feasible.

Britains biggest budget airline, easyJet, has teamed up with a US firm, Wright Electric, to develop a 150-seat plane capable of flying up to 300 miles. The airline plans to fly from Heathrow when a third runway is built.

The chief executive of easyJet, Johan Lundgren, said: We support airports who are encouraging airlines to operate the most sustainable aircraft and welcome this initiative from Heathrow Airport.

We firmly believe it is not if, but when, electric commercial aircraft become a reality.

The key issue for designers is energy density, which is far higher for jet fuel than for even the most advanced batteries.

Initially many developers are focusing, like Heathrow, on aircraft which combine electric and conventional gas-turbine power.

Using electricity during take-off, when jet engines are noisiest and thirstiest, could dramatically reduce both fuel consumption and noise.

Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Siemens are collaborating on an electric-hybrid solution.

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A British Aerospace 146 commuter aircraft is being adapted to carry two tons of batteries and the worlds most powerful flying generator. One of its four engines will run on electricity.

Earlier this year, Norways airport operator, Avinor, pledged to switch to electric air transport for flights of up to 90 minutes by 2040.

A leading US start-up, Zunum Air of Seattle, says: Our aircraft are hybrid-to-electrics that sip fuel only when they have to, will use even less over time as batteries upgrade, and will one day go completely without.

The aviation minister, Liz Sugg, said: Heathrows initiative is an innovative programme which will encourage airlines to invest in electric-hybrid aircraft.

While Heathrow Airport has been chosen as the location for the next runway in the London area, it faces stiff environmental opposition.

Electric transportation, both in the air and on the ground, could help the expanded airport meet targets on noise and emissions.

On Thursday, rival Gatwick Airport will unveil plans to bring its standby runway into use at the same time as the main runway.A photo of Ryanair cabin crew sleeping on the floor in Malaga Airport quickly circulated online after employees were stranded there on 13 October by Storm Leslie in Portugal.

However, new footage released by the airline shows the photo was staged.

A Ryanair spokesperson said in a statement: This picture is clearly staged and no crew slept on the floor. Due to storms in Porto a number of flights diverted to Malaga and as this was a Spanish national holiday, hotels were fully booked.

The crew spent a short period of time in the crew room before being moved to a VIP lounge, and returned to Porto the next day (none of the crew operated flights).

Although transferred to another lounge, the 24 crew members were not provided with food or drink by the airline during this time and were forced to share eight chairs to try to get some sleep, claimed Portuguese union official Fernando Gandra, a former Ryanair cabin crew member himself.

Im not going to comment on whether it was staged or not, he told the Irish Times. Only the people who were there can make that statement.

The only place they had available was the floor The point is that Ryanair did not give their crews any place to rest.

SNPVAC, the union that represents Portuguese airline crew, issued a statement, shared to Facebook group Ryanair Must Change.

It said: Upon arrival to Malaga airport, the 24 crew (eight pilots and 16 cabin crew) were placed in a room, without the minimum rest facilities, where the crew that are based on that airport perform their briefings and where Ryanair has their Malaga offices.

The 24 crew members were there from 1.30am until 6am (local time) without access to food, drinks and even a place to sit down, as there were only eight seats available for the 24 crew.

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They had no other choice, as the photo illustrates, than to attempt to rest on the rooms floor.

Around 6am the 24 Crew members were placed in the airport lounge, where they stayed for more than four hours but still with no access to food or drinks.

It added: It is regrettable and inconceivable that, in the 21st century, we observe this kind of events where we can verify that Ryanair operates without any respect for their employees and their customers, who were also left stranded in the airport terminal, in the highly regulated aviation sector.

Former Ryanair pilot Jim Atkinson, who has been vocal in his criticism of the low-cost airline, tweeted the picture, writing: This is a Ryanair 737 crew based in Portugal, stranded in Malaga, Spain a couple of nights ago due to storms. They are sleeping on the floor of the Ryanair crew room. RYR is earning 1.25 billion this year but will not put stranded crews in a hotel for the night.

Peter Bellew, Ryanairs chief operations officer, replied: Unfortunately all hotels were completely booked out in Malaga. The storm created huge damage in Portugal. Later after this the crew moved to VIP lounge. Apologies to the crew we could not find accommodation.Its fashionable to claim that progressive politics has been in decline across the western world since the global financial crash of 2008, that progressive politicians dont know what they stand for anymore, and that parties of the far right and far left have been insurgent.

But just because others on the extremes may not agree with their politics, it does not mean these activists, politicians and thinkers  a group that includes me  have no politics. For ours is a politics that promotes individual freedom but understands it relies on strong collective provision and an active state to be realised.

We believe in reciprocity, which requires an inclusive economy that rewards those who work hard and play by the rules, while caring for those who cant support themselves. We are advocates of a rebalancing of power between capital, labour and the consumer, and rigorous competition to keep the balance of power in check.

At the core of our beliefs is the value of work  yet we acknowledge there is more to life than work. Family life, in all its forms, and the importance of the place where people live are the building blocks of the communitarian ideals to which progressives subscribe.

We dont wish to subvert democracy but to enhance it by ensuring decisions are taken at the lowest possible level. We are unapologetically patriotic and internationalist in orientation too.

It is true that many progressive political parties have been on a losing streak in some countries since the crisis. The centre-left administrations of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown lost power in 2010, having won three general elections in a row since 1997. In elections last year, the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) got 20.5 per cent of the vote, and the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA) got just 5.7 per cent of the vote. This year Matteo Renzis Democratic Party lost office on 23 per cent of the vote to the ugly extremes of left and right in Italy.

But this does not tell the whole story. There is a new generation of politicians, mostly in their late thirties and forties, leading the progressive charge internationally. These politicians respect the achievements of the wave of third way leaders of the Nineties and Noughties, but also recognise times have changed, which means different, modern solutions to todays problems. They often get lumped in with the leaders of the past  but the big difference between this generation and the earlier generation of progressives is that their politics has been formed in a post-crash world.

They are illustrating that modernising does not mean going down a neoliberal avenue (a point I have made here before). More and more of them are showing it is possible to win, in what some call an age of populism, on a popular progressive platform.

 'We all face the same problems': Chuka Umunna makes speech about Brexit at People's Vote event in Hull

Forty-six-year-old Justin Trudeau took the Liberal Party in Canada from third place on 18.91 per cent back into office with 39.5 per cent of the vote in 2015. His party has been polling around the 38 per cent mark this year and he has won plaudits recently for standing up Donald Trump on a number of issues, not least in the trade dispute between the two countries. In their first two years in office his government welcomed refugees, increased child benefit and invested heavily in early learning and childcare, advanced reconciliation with Canadas indigenous peoples, put gender equality front and centre of their programmes, and lowered small business taxes to help entrepreneurs.

New Zealand Labours 38-year-old Jacinda Ardern  who describes herself as a progressive and a social democrat  became leader of her party just three months before their general election in October 2017. She went on to become prime minister of a coalition government after substantially increasing Labours vote share. In her first budget she ploughed billions more into health and education and her government declared it would be the first in the world to measure its success by the improvement of its peoples wellbeing, all in a fiscally responsible way.

Spains prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, also aged 46, took the reins of a minority government in June this year, vowing to end brutal spending cuts and the austerity of his right wing-predecessor Mariano Rajoy. On his appointment, the centre-left PSOE leader pledged to transform and modernise his country, improving job security and fighting inequality. He forced through a law to remove the remains of the fascist dictator Franco from the mausoleum he built in Madrid.

Last week, he and his coalition allies agreed a budget pact to implement a 21 per cent rise in the Spanish minimum wage, the largest ever increase. Further government spending on public services is to be funded by measures including a 3 per cent tax on big tech companies and a tax on the super-rich.

Sanchez released an eight-point declaration with fellow progressive Emmanuel Macron of France in July, in which the two pledged to work together on immigration seeking a migratory model based on solidarity and respect for human rights, on eurozone integration and on reform of the EU. Many, of course, cite the election of Macron and the formation of En Marche! in 2017 as further evidence of the progressive renaissance.

Of course, these leaders have already had their ups and downs, and by the time they face fresh national elections, they will bear the scars of incumbency. But what is without doubt is that there has been a changing of the guard.

While these new leaders have emerged, the debate in the UK has been stuck along two tramlines: the battle between the hard left and so-called centrism, principally in the Labour Party, too often framed by claimed allegiances to leaders of another generation; or one that seeks to pitch metropolitan, Remain-voting Britain against blue-collar Brexit-voting Britain. But the debate could be about so much more than this if we could lift our sights beyond the domestic to the international, drawing on fresh ideas and initiatives shown to work by progressives in power.

This month, The Progressive Centre UK, a new think tank and network of progressives  to which I have been appointed chair  launches with the explicit aim of connecting progressives from across the UK with the latest ideas and experience from across the globe. As it happens, Ardern, Trudeau and Sanchez were all involved in the gathering the centre co-sponsored in Canada last month, organised by the Global Progress network. Progressives are winning again: its vital we learn from them instead of allowing ourselves to be locked in the stale, boring, polarised nonsense that characterises too much debate in UK politics.

Chuka Umunna is the Labour MP for StreathamIt is customary to describe any imminent set of elections as the most important for the country concerned since a certain date. In fact, the truth is that the midterm elections in the United States in four weeks time are probably among the less important such contests in recent history.

Obviously, it matters somewhat to the citizens of 36 states including Florida, Ohio and Nevada, for example, who their state governors will be. Many Americans also care deeply whether their district or their state is represented in Congress by a Republican or a Democrat. And the media is greatly interested in whether the Democrats can gain a majority in the House of Representatives (likely) and in the Senate (not likely).

However, the implications of the votes on 6 November for the next presidential election  which is an important contest not just for America but for the rest of the world  are muted.

From the point of view of journalists, the main significance of the midterm elections is how they affect the prospect of impeaching President Trump. This requires a vote by a simple majority in the House of Representatives, which would be a realistic possibility if the Democrats were to gain such a majority next month. Nate Silver, the statistician who famously predicted the outcome in 49 of the 50 states in the 2008 election and all 50 in 2012, suggests that there is a 75 per cent chance of this happening.

But, as all students of US politics should know, impeachment is merely the first stage of an entirely political process. There is almost no prospect that Donald Trumps opponents could muster the two-thirds majority required in the Senate to convict the president of high crimes or misdemeanours, and to remove him from office.

In which case, the opening of impeachment proceedings would risk looking like precisely the kind of partisan abuse of procedure that is so corrosive of US politics  as the struggle over Brett Kavanaughs nomination to the Supreme Court became.

It would seem, however, that the Democrats search for a silver lining in Mr Kavanaughs confirmation  that it would mobilise their supporters on 6 November  has been frustrated, as an opinion poll suggests that Republican voters have in fact been the more energised by the Supreme Court battle.

As we approach the halfway point of Mr Trumps first term, the state of public opinion remains surprisingly hard to read. The presidents approval rating at this stage is not very different from those of presidents Reagan, Clinton and Obama, all of whom were re-elected, or of presidents Ford and Carter, who were not.

The real importance of these elections, therefore, might lie in their implications for the field of Democratic contenders vying for the right to take on Mr Trump in 2020. Kamala Harris, the California senator who is favourite for the nomination, raised her profile in the Kavanaugh hearings, and these elections might push other candidates forward, such as Beto ORourke, who is challenging Ted Cruz as senator in Texas.

That Mr Trump has a realistic prospect of re-election in two years time is surprising to most British eyes, but the evidence suggests the chances of a second term for Mr Trump are evenly balanced. For that reason alone, every aspect of the vote on 6 November deserves to be reported and analysed for the clues it might offer for the future of the US and the world.In America, about three weeks ago, the stomach churning brutality of party politics was set in blindingly clear focus in front of a fascinated world, through the prism of a rich, white Republican man seeking a position on the Supreme court. In his way stood a woman who accused him of having sexually assaulted her. For speaking up, her reputation was publicly savaged.

The allegations of bullying of members of the House of Commons staff against Speaker John Bercow are hardly as captivating. The fabric of American society is not at stake, only the fabric of Prime Ministers Questions. But that two lessons into the grim nature of party politics should have come along at once is as instructive as it is depressing.

Recommended John Bercow to stand down as speaker after Commons bullying report

The report into bullying in the House of Commons has been published. The House of Commons does not emerge from it well. On Tuesday afternoon, Mr Bercow had to chair a debate into its findings, which was little more than a debate about his own misconduct. It divided the house, which naturally it would. Dividing is what the house does. But it divided not down the lines of right and wrong, which scarcely got a look in, but down the lines of political self-interest, which are rarely seen as fully naked in as broader daylight as this.

Mr Bercows critics, and they are chiefly his own party, dislike him because they believe he uses the privilege of the speakers chair to tilt matters in favour of the Labour. It is his privilege to choose which urgent questions to grant, which speakers to call. It is a position that demands an absolute bipartisanship - a quality in which they find him lacking. For many this is bound up in straightforward personal animosity, too. Mr Speaker is not without his pomposity, and he also voted Remain.

Those gunning for him are well known. James Duddridge, the member for Rochford, devotes a frighteningly high percentage of his House of Commons time to the issue of who should and shouldnt be presiding over the House of Commons. One suspects it is not a matter that animates his constituents quite as much.

But then, Mr Bercows political journey is a remarkable one. As a young Conservative he was a member of the Monday Club, a wing of the party so right wing that Iain Duncan Smith banned it (among their policy proposals had been the repatriation of immigrants). He had also been involved in the Federation of Conservative Students, an organisation considered too right wing by Norman Tebbit. Now he is all but an honorary member of the Labour Party, his centre left credentials never more confirmed than when he launched an extraordinary attack against Donald Trump, the President of the United States, and from the speakers chair.

That Mr Duddridge was on his feet to attack the speaker was no surprise. That the speaker had to listen to him, reeling off a list of the allegations against him, including but not limited to taunting, mocking, belittling, making offensive personal comments and belittling someones junior status, while the speaker looked sheepishly on was, in less serious circumstances, amusing in its way.

Later on, there was Ben Bradshaw, one of the commonss self appointed high priests of Remain, to inform that: We need a speaker who is prepared to stand up for backbenchers, stand up for this house, against an over mighty and over bearing executive, especially one who is seeking to drive through a brexit that is intolerable to the majority of this house.

Jess Philips, to her credit, took an equally dim view of both sides, with finger pointed over the floor of the house and rage in her voice.  I have spoken to hundreds of people who are the victims in this, she said. The neither right, nor honourable, in my view member for Rochford has probably spoken to none of them.

Ouch.

Some of us dont care who is the offender, she continued. It is the victims that we care about. And we will not use the victims for political gain, nothing upsets them more than when we play with their feelings for political gain, so dont do it.

It was passionate stuff, made all the more so by John Bercow himself having to point out to her that she was not allowed to suggest Mr Duddridge was not honourable. Everyone in this place is honourable, he informed.

In that one sentence, so much of what counts for modern political life was distilled. The subject at hand  the abuse of parliamentary staff, one of whom has said the bullying of her was so severe it left her with post traumatic stress disorder.

The subject was batted about for political gain and nothing more. The victims unmentioned. And then, here was the alleged bully himself, stepping in, gently to remind of the truth that cannot be questioned.

Everyone is honourable.

Mr Speaker, mate, maybe, you know, if you need to say it...Pepper from Middlesex University had been billed as the worlds first artificial intelligence robot that is culturally aware. As she responded to questions from a committee of MPs by sticking rigidly to a script fed to her by her handlers before eventually appearing to nod off, it cant be denied they might be on to something.

How Pepper, who is bald, wide-eyed, bright white, about three and a half feet tall, and with a Middlesex University branded iPad where her chest would be, had become such an expert at giving evidence to parliamentary select committees was never fully made clear. Its theoretically possible her computers were able to hoover up all the available video footage of such proceedings in a single electrical heartbeat. But its a possibility too depressing for this particular humanoid, who has taken in far too many of these things the far too slow way, to dwell on for too long.

What had been made clear, to those only too keen give to the Education Select Committee the media attention it had craved when it announced it would be receiving evidence from a robot, is that the evidence would centre less around the rise of artificial intelligence and more around the robots culturally aware aspects.

Recommended UK Parliament invites robot to give evidence

Peppers arrival was preceded with a full hour of wonkspeak from various AI-related humans on the matter of what a three-foot robot might do for outcomes in diverse societies. Peppers cultural awareness would, apparently, allow her, in the end, to provide care and companionship for the elderly. In order for robots to be more acceptable to older people, Pepper informed, in twee robotic monotone, it is essential that they are programmed to be able to adapt to diverse backgrounds.

Try to imagine a fully self-parodic Guardian-reading R2-D2 and youre almost there.

The chief concern most people tend to have with artificial intelligence is not whether their algorithms will extend wide enough to allow them to care for elderly folks from all backgrounds, but whether or not they are coming for everyones jobs. To that end, James Frith, the Labour MP for Bury North, asked Pepper what the role of humans would be in the fourth industrial revolution.

Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care Show all 15 1 /15 Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care Residents follow moves made by humanoid robot 'Pepper' during an afternoon exercise routine at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care Funabashi Hiroshi from A Fun, repairs broken'AIBO's, pet dog robots, at his office in Kasama. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care A caretaker wearing a 'HAL for care support' robot suit pushes a wheelchair at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care Residents follow moves made by humanoid robot 'Pepper' during an afternoon exercise routine at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care Yoichi Suzuki spends time with 'AIBO', a pet dog robot, which his father used for his rehabilitation at his house in Takahag.i Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care A resident approaches humanoid robot 'Pepper' to pat its head during an afternoon exercise routine at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care A caretaker, wearing walking rehabilitation equipment 'Tree', helps a resident with his walking training at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care Yoichi Suzuki shows 'AIBO', a pet dog robot, to his bed-ridden mother at his house. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care A broken'AIBO', a pet dog robot, waits for repair in A Fun's office in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care A resident touches 'AIBO', a pet dog robot, at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care A resident touches robot seal 'PARO' at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care Yoichi Suzuki and his wife take care of his bed-ridden mother as 'AIBO', a pet dog robot walks around at his house in Takahagi. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care A caretaker wearing a motion assist equipment 'Muscle Suit' carries a resident from a bed to a wheelchair at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care 'AIBO', a pet dog robot, which Yoichi Suzuki's father used for his rehabilitation, is seen at Suzuki's house in Takahagi. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care A resident claps to call 'AIBO', a pet dog robot at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters

Pepper answered with reference to the soft skills that are unique to humans, an opinion it would later be explained she had come to form by virtue of one of her keepers typing it out in the form of a script, with all of the questions put to her by the committees MPs having been agreed in advance.

A reassuring answer perhaps, but the real reassurance on the jobs front came through the fact that Peppers AI capability appeared to rival that of a tape recorder, and had nevertheless required a fleet of four human handlers to make it happen.

Pepper, one suspects, has a long way to go before she can provide care to the elderly from diverse backgrounds. But in the meantime, why not aim a little lower? A glittering career in politics is clearly already well within reach.A woman whose daughter killed herself after years of online torment has vowed to continue a campaign to change cyber-bullying laws in Ireland.

Jackie Foxs daughter Nicole died in a Dublin hospital in January after years of online abuse, harassment and threats.

Despite reporting the abuse after her daughters death, Ms Fox, from Dublin, was told by gardai there was nothing they could do as no law was broken.

Nicole, 21, also known as Coco, was the victim of a three-year online bullying campaign.

After she died, to my horror I learned that it was not an offence to tell someone to self-harm, die, go kill themselves and slit your wristJackie Fox

Bullies targeted her through messaging platforms and a fake Facebook page set up to specifically to harass and bully her.

Daily threats were made to kill her and put her on a life-support machine.

After she died, to my horror I learned that it was not an offence to tell someone to self-harm, die, go kill themselves and slit your wrist, Ms Fox said.

The guards said it was a grey area and they could not charge anyone.

There are no laws in Ireland that specifically address cyber-bullying, and harassment laws have not been updated to reflect messages sent on social media.

Ms Fox has called for tougher laws and wants harassment legislation to be amended to make online bullying a crime.

There are lots of kids who feel the way Nicole did. Action needs to be taken now, not next yearJackie Fox

Earlier this year, she told TDs at Leinster House there was a need to introduce an anti-bulling law, but she says nothing has been done since.

This is an issue that wont go away and it needs to be addressed, she added.

There are lots of kids who feel the way Nicole did. Action needs to be taken now, not next year.

This is a huge problem, bullies are getting younger and so are the victims.

The current 1997 Act is so outdated and back then there wasnt Facebook or Snapchat.

This amendment would save a lot of heartache and a lot of devastation for families. These bullies need to be held accountable for their actions.

Ms Fox said she will organise marches and rallies to draw further attention to the issue.

I am not going to give up or stop until something is brought in by the Government, she added.

The campaign is backed by Geraldine Swift and Sarah Mannion Butler, whose children have also suffered from online bullying.

There have been calls for a social media watchdog with powers to make tech firms act faster on bullying.

The Digital Safety Commissioner would have the power to identify and take down illegal content.

The social media companies need to wake up to the reality of what is going on under their watch and face up to the fact that it is their responsibility to prevent this bullying from happeningGino Kenny

People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny has called for social media companies to bring in policies to tackle online bullying and for schools to introduce an education programme.

The party also says a tax should be imposed on social media companies, ring-fenced for the provision of child and adolescent mental health services.

Mr Kenny added: Legislation alone is not going to solve bullying, its a societal problem.

There is a major onus on social media firms that provides the platforms to be engaged with and make a contribution to an anti-bullying programme.

The social media companies need to wake up to the reality of what is going on under their watch and face up to the fact that it is their responsibility to prevent this bullying from happening.Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald speaks to journalists, flanked by Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Fein's leader in the North, before a meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May in London. REUTERS/Simon Dawson

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has urged the Irish Government to "hold its nerve" in the current Brexit impasse.

Speaking ahead of talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May in Westminster yesterday, Ms McDonald said Mrs May needed to show leadership.

"Ireland should not be the collateral damage of a Tory Brexit agenda, and if Mrs May hitches her wagon to the most extreme Brexiteers - including the DUP - I think that history will judge her very badly."

She warned that a hard Brexit would be followed by "an immediate demand for a referendum on Irish unity".

"I think it's imperative that the Irish Government holds its nerve, I think it's imperative that our European partners do as Michel Barnier promised and don't blink.

"We are not asking for anything unreasonable. We are making the very reasonable assertion that Ireland cannot be the collateral damage in a Tory Brexit," she added.

She said it was time for the prime minister to show "long-term leadership" and it would be unacceptable for her to act "purely for political expediency to hold her party together.

"It's decision time now for Mrs May. She can choose to do the right thing by Ireland, the thing that demonstrates foresight, the thing that demonstrates responsible politics. Or she can tie herself to the DUP."

The Sinn Fein delegation, which included its leader in the North, Michelle O'Neill, also met Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for talks about Brexit.Douglas Neil Blackwell, II, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, has received a public censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Officials said, "Mr. Blackwell accepted a refundable retainer fee from a client in a conservatorship proceeding without depositing the fee into his client trust account until earned. Mr. Blackwell failed to diligently represent his clients interest and failed to properly communicate with his client. Mr. Blackwell failed to include critical documentation with legal pleadings. After he was removed from representation, Mr. Blackwell failed to provide his former client with the client file. Mr. Blackwells fee affidavit was found to be unreasonable and based upon misrepresentations.

"By these acts, Douglas Neil Blackwell, II, has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (competence), 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 1.5 (fees), 1.15 (safekeeping property), 1.16 (terminating representation), 3.2 (expediting litigation), 3.3 (candor toward tribunal), 8.1(b) (disciplinary matters), and 8.4(a)(c)(d) (misconduct) and is hereby Publicly Censured for these violations."

A public censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneys ability to practice law.British Prime Minister Theresa May is trying to walk away from a deal which would ensure a hard border never again emerges on the island of Ireland.

An agreement on Brexit was all but ready to be signed off on this week when the British side baulked at the prospect of an unlimited guarantee of no border between the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Instead, Mrs May insisted the so-called 'backstop' must be a "temporary solution".

The idea of applying a time limit was shot down by EU negotiators and European Council President Donald Tusk said no deal was "more likely than ever before".

However, both British and EU officials agreed the talks ahead of tomorrow's crucial summit had been "put on hold" but had not "broken down".

Meanwhile, DUP leader Arlene Foster has refused to rule out collapsing the British government if her "blood-red lines" on Brexit aren't met.

On a visit to Dublin, Ms Foster called for "calm heads" ahead of this week's EU summit - but said she was "very clear" in her demands.

However, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar warned a failure to reach a deal would be "catastrophic" for Britain.

Mr Varadkar said such an outcome would be "really bad for Ireland, relatively bad for the EU, but quite a disaster for the United Kingdom".

In a further blow, he also warned it could be December before the outcome of the negotiations are clear.

"Nobody knows for sure. The date on which the UK leaves the European Union is the end of March next year. Any withdrawal agreement requires parliamentary approval."

"In order to meet that timeline we'd have to have a deal before the end of this year.

"The initial target was October, that's now slipped to November," he said, adding that if it can't be done next month there is a regular meeting of EU leaders scheduled for December.

There is significant frustration in Dublin and Brussels at the manner in which the British side acted over the weekend, but sources said there is "no desire to get into a war".

The EU sees Theresa May as its best chance of securing a deal and therefore does not want to do anything which could precipitate a leadership heave within the Conservative Party.

One EU source suggested last night that while Mrs May does not command a majority of MPs for her Brexit plan, if one is agreed she may be able to tell the country she is the only person with a plan to get them past March 29.

Having agreed last December and March to work out a way of keeping Northern Ireland within the customs union in order to avoid a hard Border, Mrs May now wants the whole of the UK to abide by EU customs rules for a defined period of time. A date of December 2021 has been proposed.

It is understood EU negotiators, led by Michel Barnier, have said such a move would still require some acknowledgement of the special circumstances in Northern Ireland.

Tanaiste Simon Coveney met with EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg yesterday where he insisted the backstop "cannot be time-limited".

In Dublin, Mr Varadkar said: "We're always open to compromise. As the European Union, of course we are. But there are some fundamentals that we can't compromise on and that is the need for the United Kingdom to honour the commitments it made last December, which is that we will have a withdrawal agreement and as part of that there must be a legally operable and legally binding assurance that no matter what happens, that no hard Border will emerge on the island of Ireland."

Mrs May admitted: "The EU still requires a 'backstop to the backstop' - effectively an insurance policy for the insurance policy.

"And they want this to be the Northern Ireland-only solution that they had previously proposed.

"We have been clear that we cannot agree to anything that threatens the integrity of our United Kingdom. And I am sure the whole house shares the government's view on this."

Tying Britain to the EU on customs would limit Mrs May's power to strike new trade deals around the world - a key goal of those who voted to leave the EU.

Questions were being asked last night about the surprise visit to Brussels on Sunday afternoon by British Brexit Minister Dominic Raab. Initially, it appeared his presence signified an important breakthrough in the talks.

However, well placed sources in Brussels said Mr Raab's intervention was to seek to stall the talks so Mrs May could get through a difficult cabinet meeting fixed for this morning.

Reports from London were that some ministers were threatening resignation if the prime minister conceded too much ground.

Some sources in Brussels were still insisting progress can happen this week.

Mr Tusk said that while preparations for a 'no deal' scenario are being ramped up, that "must not, under any circumstances, lead us away from making every effort to reach the best agreement possible". He has invited Mrs May to address her other 27 EU leaders tomorrow evening.

Meanwhile, Mr Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin met last night to discuss a political truce until a Brexit deal is nailed down.

Mr Martin has made what he described as a "very reasonable offer" to continue propping up the Fine Gael minority Government into the new year.

Fine Gael is cautious about the proposal but has moved to shore up support among Independent TDs, including Michael Lowry.

The party leaders agreed last night to select two teams that will meet in the coming days to kick-start negotiations on a new confidence-and-supply arrangement.Why is Brexit back in the news?

The truth is that Brexit never really left the news agenda but it did slip off the front pages for a while as negotiations dragged on in Brussels.

Expand Close Simon Coveney, Taniaste and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for Brexit and Helen Mcentee, Minister for European Affairs at a press briefing about Brexit after the budget announcements. Pic credit; Damien Eagers / INM / Facebook

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Whatsapp Simon Coveney, Taniaste and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for Brexit and Helen Mcentee, Minister for European Affairs at a press briefing about Brexit after the budget announcements. Pic credit; Damien Eagers / INM

We are now reaching a crunch point where big decisions will have to be made.

A meeting of EU leaders this week has long been signalled as the key deadline for making some progress, particularly on the question of the Irish Border.

If neither the EU nor UK wants a border on the island of Ireland, why is it the main sticking point in the negotiations?

Last December, both sides agreed to the so-called 'backstop' which would ensure that, regardless of whatever else happens, nothing will lead to the re-emergence of a hard border in Ireland.

However, they are split on how to achieve this. The obvious answer would be for Northern Ireland to remain inside the customs union and single market. This idea is ridiculed by the DUP, which insists that Northern Ireland must be treated the same as the rest of the UK.

Expand Close Impasse: EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier met Dominic Raab on Sunday evening, to no avail. Photo: AP / Facebook

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Whatsapp Impasse: EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier met Dominic Raab on Sunday evening, to no avail. Photo: AP

What's the UK's alternative?

The UK government suggested applying a backstop customs deal to Britain too.

Brussels dismissed that as a dodge to get British goods into the single market by a back door.

Didn't a majority of people in Northern Ireland vote to stay in the EU?

Yes. Almost 56pc of voters in Northern Ireland voted to Remain. Most political parties advocated this position but the DUP backed Leave.

The fact that most people in the North want to stay in the EU isn't factored into Theresa May's thinking on Brexit.

She believes the vote of the whole of the UK is the one that matters.

So what happened at the weekend?

EU negotiators tried to take the sting out of the backstop by stressing it might never be triggered.

They said the transition could be extended by a year to December 2021 to give more time to clinch an EU-UK trade deal that would keep the Irish Border fully open anyway.

But that didn't wash?

British negotiators insisted that a permanent EU-UK customs arrangement was the answer.

It's a position EU officials see as keeping the UK in the EU customs union but using a different name because May and many of her allies have ruled that out.

So we're at an impasse?

The EU response was that such a customs union is possible but it can only be negotiated and agreed after Brexit and in any case not in the next few weeks - hence the EU demanding a legally binding backstop must remain.

The UK's Brexit Secretary, Dominic Raab, flew in to confirm the impasse with EU negotiator Michel Barnier on Sunday evening - and also raised new problems that EU negotiators thought were settled.

What happens next?

Theresa May is sounding out her allies ahead of a trip to Brussels tomorrow for summits with other EU leaders. Negotiations have been paused until after those meetings.OPPOSITION politicians have expressed serious concern at the lack of a deal on avoiding a post-Brexit hard border in Ireland ahead of this week's European Summit.

Labour leader Brendan Howlin raised fears over what he said were suggestions in Europe that reaching an agreement on the issue should be postponed.

And Fianna Fail's Brexit spokesperson Lisa Chambers has said the true deadline for an agreement now seems to be November and warned that Ireland could be in a "very lonely" position if the issue gets "kicked down the road".

The concerns come after the failure over the weekend by EU and UK negotiators to reach a deal on the so-called backstop to avoid a hard border even if Britain crashes out of Europe without an overall withdrawal agreement.

The EU has shot down a British proposal to put a time limit on the backstop.

There is now little prospect of a deal being reached before EU leaders meet in Brussels tomorrow as had previously been hoped.

Mr Howlin said he had feared the border would become the "fulcrum issue" after the target date for reaching an agreement was previously put back from June to October.

He said he had been speaking to colleagues in the Party of European Socialists and - while solidarity remains - that "for the first time that there is actually suggestions being made that the Irish backstop issue should be postponed."

He said: "I think that is very dangerous for us and its something that we have to resist."

Mr Howlin said he doesn't know where suggestions that a postponement could happen is coming from, but said it's the first time he's been told about such a prospect from social democratic colleagues on the Continent.

Expand Close Lisa Chambers TD / Facebook

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Ms Chambers it's "quite worrying that were at this late stage now where the Irish issue remains the unresolved issue.

We still are no closer to having a legally binding backstop that will ensure no hard border on this island.

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She noted European Council president Donald Tusks comments that a no-deal Brexit was more likely than ever before but said there is still goodwill left on both sides and they want a deal.

But I think its quite clear to everybody involved that time is fast running out, she added.

Asked about Mr Howlins remarks on suggestions there are some in Europe who want to postpone the border issue, she said there are "lots of rumours flying around".

She said it's "no secret" that the UK want it resolved through a future trading arrangement.

But she said the position of the Fine Gael-led minority government, of Fianna Fail, and the EU's negotiating team lead by Michel Barnier is that the border in Ireland has to be part of the withdrawal treaty.

Ms Chambers added: "Our position on it remains unchanged.

"It is... the view of the Fianna Fail party that if we allow that issue to get kicked down the road, if its not resolved now we could find ourselves in a very lonely situation if thats left to a further point."

She said: In fairness to the EU negotiating team. They really havent moved from their position that the four freedoms [of the EU Single Market] are indivisible and that the Irish border issue must be resolved in the withdrawal treaty.Mr Coveney was in Luxembourg today where he met with the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. Photo: Steve Humphreys

TANAISTE Simon Coveney has dismissed a claim that some in Europe want a deal on avoiding a post-Brexit hard border postponed.

It came after Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin raised fears over what he said were suggestions on the Continent that reaching an agreement on the issue should be deferred.

He said he had heard this from colleagues in the Party of European Socialists.

Mr Howlin's concerns come after the failure over the weekend by EU and UK negotiators to reach a deal on the so-called backstop to avoid a hard border even if Britain crashes out of Europe without an overall withdrawal agreement.

Mr Coveney was in Luxembourg today where he met with the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.

He insisted: "There is no sense from any of the conversations that I have had with other EU foreign ministers that anybody is questioning or undermining the EU position on the Irish backstop, quite the opposite in fact."

Mr Coveney said that Mr Barnier told him he continues to have the "absolute support" of the 27 member States on the approach to the issue of the border.

He added: "the solidarity is as strong as its ever been so Im not sure what sources Brendan Howlin is actually getting information from but I suspect they are not as credible as the assurances that were getting from the chief negotiator today."

Despite a current impasse in talks Mr Coveney said the government is confident that a deal for a "managed, sensible Brexit" can still be done but added: "clearly there is work still to do".

He said it's unlikely there will be a lot agreed at the European Council meeting tomorrow night.

He expects Mr Barnier to brief EU leaders and British Prime Minister Theresa May to update them on her government's perspective.

Mr Coveney said he expects what will be needed is an acceptance that more time is required for the negotiating teams to re-engage.

His remarks follow serious concerns being raised by opposition politicians here on the lack of a deal on the border this week.

The EU has shot down a British proposal to put a time limit on the backstop.

Mr Howlin said he had feared the border would become the "fulcrum issue" after the target date for reaching an agreement was previously put back from June to October.

He said he had been speaking to colleagues in Europe and - while solidarity remains - that "for the first time that there is actually suggestions being made that the Irish backstop issue should be postponed."

He said: "I think that is very dangerous for us and its something that we have to resist."

Mr Howlin said he doesn't know where suggestions that a postponement could happen is coming from but it's the first time he's been told about such a prospect from social democratic colleagues on the Continent.

Fianna Fail Brexit spokesperson Lisa Chambers said it's "quite worrying that were at this late stage now where the Irish issue remains the unresolved issue.

We still are no closer to having a legally binding backstop that will ensure no hard border on this island.

She noted European Council president Donald Tusks comments that a no-deal Brexit was more likely than ever before but said there is still goodwill left on both sides and they want a deal.

But I think its quite clear to everybody involved that time is fast running out, she added.

Asked about Mr Howlins remarks on suggestions there are some in Europe who want to postpone the border issue, she said there are "lots of rumours flying around".

She said it's "no secret" that the UK want it resolved through a future trading arrangement.

But she said the position of the Fine Gael-led minority government, of Fianna Fail, and the EU's negotiating team lead by Michel Barnier is that the border in Ireland has to be part of the withdrawal treaty,

Ms Chambers added: "Our position on it remains unchanged.

"It is... the view of the Fianna Fail party that if we allow that issue to get kicked down the road, if its not resolved now we could find ourselves in a very lonely situation if thats left to a further point."

She said: In fairness to the EU negotiating team, they really havent moved from their position that the four freedoms [of the EU Single Market] are indivisible and that the Irish border issue must be resolved in the withdrawal treaty.The group, which has almost three million members, said that in 2017 and 2018, an undercover research team visited 13 Irish farms. Stock Image: PA

Irish beef is in the headlines in the Netherlands for all the wrong reasons after animal rights activists alleged welfare abuses on farms here.

Animal rights group Wakker Dier accuses some Irish beef farms of poor animal welfare standards after what it called undercover research.

The group, which has almost 31,000 members, said that in 2017 and 2018, an undercover research team visited 13 Irish farms. On its website, it claimed that some of the farms were part of Bord Bia's Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS) and gave permission to enter the farms and take pictures. However, the group said they pretended to be journalists from a Polish newspaper, investigating the influence of Brexit on the Irish beef sector.

Among the main criticisms the group made was that animals were kept indoors during the winter, usually on "hard concrete grids". It also claimed that many young calves suffer from castration and dehorning without pain medication.

The group is demanding that castration and slatted floors in sheds be prohibited.

"Irish beef has an animal- friendly image of grazing cattle on green meadows. But that is in the summer. In winter, these animals can really have a rotten life," said Valeska Hovener, from Wakker Dier. The group wants Dutch supermarkets to stop selling Irish beef as long as it does not meet its welfare standards.

However, according to Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy, the allegations do not give a factual representation of the standards of Irish beef production. In 2017, Bord Bia audited 33,000 farms. Only seven farms of all the audited SBLAS farmers housed animals indoors for the full year.In recent weeks, farmers have been gathering the last of the winter fodder and are now looking to make the most of what they have. Alltech Nutritionist, Cathal Bohane highlighted several key areas on buffer feeding at the recent Farmex event.

According to Cathal, when it comes to buffer feeding - quantity is more important than quality. He said that in Ireland, generally farmers are underfeeding animals.

The majority of farmers that we work with, over the course of the year, by the end of the year on average cows that were feeding are eating half a kilo more than what they started with, explained Cathal.

He said when cows milk yield goes up so does their intake. He did agree that quality was important but that it was secondary to quantity.

Id rather be putting in an extra one UFL (the measurement of energy contained in 1kg of dry feed) through dry matter intake rather than trying to make it up through the quality, the nutritionist said at the recent seminar held in Kilkenny.

He also said to use concentrates appropriately. He said that many Irish farmers are over feeding concentrates during the summer and are under feeding during the spring.

He said there is plenty farms out there growing a lot of grass and feeding 2kg to 3kg of concentrates to cows during the summer period. However, during spring time when cows could be milking up to 40L a day, are not being fed enough.

During the spring period, were putting in just 6-7kg of concentrates with 60-65pc DMD silage, which is not enough, he explained, adding it may not be the case that farmers need to feed any more to the cows, but just move more meal back into spring rather than summer.

High quality forage is essential, he said. However, before cows are even fed, he highlighted the importance of not wasting any silage.

Often farmers put out four blocks of silage and one is thrown away after two or three days, thats 25pc wastage. In a year where were trying to conserve forage, 1000 tonnes of silage, thats 250t of waste silage. Thats 30 acres of second that we actually could be wasting, he explained.

Expanding on from wastage at feeding out, he said that measuring grass and measuring the animals intake was essential to reduce wasted feed.

I think every should be measuring silage out there, also measuring the dry matter intake of their animal.

We always get asked, if Im buffer feeding, cows go out to the field and lies down rather than eat the grass thats out there.

He said that for the farmers that measure grass and that measure the intake of their animals, this is less of issue.

The cows eating 20kg of DM - 11kg of buffer and 11kg of grass, something will suffer. If the grass is very tasty, theyll leave the grass after them and vice versa. So, make sure you know the DM intake, what grass theyre eating and what concentrates theyre eating.The group, which has almost three million members, said that in 2017 and 2018, an undercover research team visited 13 Irish farms. Stock Image: PA

Irish beef is in the headlines in the Netherlands for all the wrong reasons after animal rights activists alleged welfare abuses on farms here.

Claims of welfare abuses on Irish beef farms was reported by a host of Dutch news outlets after an influential animal rights group in the country Wakker Dier made claims of poor animal welfare standards following what it described as undercover research.

The Group which has almost 31,000 members said that in the winter of 2017 and 2018, an undercover research team visited thirteen Irish farms. On its website it claimed that a number of the thirteens farmer said they were part of Bord Bia's Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS) gave permission to enter the farms and take pictures.

However, in its report the group also states that the researchers were given access to the farms with a cover story.

They pretended to be journalists from a Polish newspaper who were investigating the influence of the Brexit in the Irish beef sector.

Among the main criticisms that the group has made is that animals are kept indoors during the winter, usually they say on hard concrete grids.

It also claimed that many young calves suffer from castration and dehorning without pain medication.. Among other things, the group is demanding that castration without pain medication and slatted floors in sheds be prohibited.

"Irish beef has an animal-friendly image of grazing cattle on green meadows. But that is in the summer. In winter, these animals can really have a rotten life, " stated Valeska Hovener from Wakker Dier.

Wakker Dier wants Dutch supermarkets to stop selling Irish beef as long as it does not meet its animal welfare standards.

However, according to Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy, the allegations made by Wakker Dier do not give an honest or factual representation of the high standards of Irish beef production.

To judge, and seek to damage, the reputation of our entire nations beef production system based on an analysis of just 13 farms is unjust and wilfully malicious.

"Equally, to suggest animal welfare it is not important to Bord Bias SBLAS members is fundamentally and entirely inaccurate. SBLAS is an important guarantee for buyers of Irish beef throughout the world, and farmers who do not meet the strict criteria of the system, will not be certified.

In 2017, Bord Bia audited 33,000 farms. Only 7 farms or .00001pc of all audited SBLAS farmers were housed indoors for the full year. These farms were specifically finishing cattle.

Bord Bia has said the SBLAS is widely recognised, based on an internationally accredited standard, benchmarked against similar quality standards internationally and provides requirements for the welfare of animals on 49,500 Irish beef farms and almost 5 million cattle.

The Netherlands has been among Irelands top five export destinations for beef so far this year with almost 70m exported in the first four months of 2016 alone.Christor OCrualaoi of Ballyburden, Ballincollig woke up this morning to find 110 bales slashed, causing hundreds of euros worth of damage.

The bales were stacked in a heap near the road on the farm and had been sold and ready to be collected by the buyer, according to Christor.

"There was 310 stacked, 110 of which had being slashed by a knife.

Whoever did it just walked across with a knife a slashed what they could. They left the top and the bales in the middle because they couldnt get at them, said Christor.

He said the Gardai had been alerted and were investigating.

The bales in questions were sold to a buyer and were left near the roadside to make it easy to collect, he said.

The standard cost to wrap silage bales this year is around 4.50/bale, but Christor said he wouldn't know the extent of the cost until contractors quote him.

Local contractors will be out later to check out the bales and hopefully we wont have to wrap them completely and get away with a few layers."

Last week a farmer in Limerick had 16 bales of silage slashed to pieces in what he describes as a despicable crime.

Half of 32 bales made on land in Ardroe, Pallasgreen, owned by Patsy OKeeffe, were cut. It is believed the perpetrator, armed with a knife or sharp implement, damaged the precious fodder under the cover of darkness.

It is a chilling thing to see a field full of bales and have of them cut to shreds, said Mr OKeeffe.

We consider ourselves a decent, hard-working family and we cant understand why somebody would do this, he continued.

Mr OKeeffe, aged 60, lives in Kilteely but farms 10 acres in Pallasgreen that were left to him by his late mother.When polling stations closed in the UK referendum on leaving the EU more than two years ago, euro was worth 76 pence - fast forward to today and it is at 88, with sterling's moves pegged to leaks and spin from the talks between London and Brussels.

Last week's gains for the pound have already been eradicated by a slew of negative headlines from the Democratic Unionists and the threat of a rebellion by Conservative hardliners, but as London-based foreign exchange specialist Hamilton Court noted yesterday, "the market hasn't thrown its toys out of the pram yet".

For Irish business, it may now be a case of dealing with the known. Any move by the pound in the event of a hard Brexit will be small compared to the 8pc fall the day after the vote and the 11pc loss by the year end. Bank of Ireland is forecasting the pound will drop to a level in the mid-90s in the event of a "no-deal" while others have warned that parity with the euro looms.

Ireland rode out the immediate shock from Brexit, with exports in 2016 falling just 4pc and bouncing back by 8pc in 2017. Exports appear to have outperformed as economic theory suggests that a sharp fall in the value of the pound would initially widen Britain's trade deficit before industry there started to replace more expensive imports with domestic goods.

A survey by Bord Bia showed 88pc of food and drink companies with sales of more than 100m are hedged against currency, but among smaller companies found there is little or no hedging. "Larger corporates will have a very sophisticated approach to currency risk management and in general, they will tend have higher levels of currency hedging in place," said John Moclair, who heads BoI's Customer Group.

The Board Bia report, published in June, said 37pc of those surveyed would face "severe difficulty" with an exchange rate of 90-94 and 23pc would at 95-99 pence to the euro. As many as 15pc don't see severe stress until parity and beyond. For smaller companies, Mr Moclair said, the issue "was finding the time and resources to devote to considering managing currency risks", although he noted that perceptions that hedging was expensive or that getting hedging lines in place was difficult were misplaced. Bank of Ireland itself has a 20m fund to make it easier for smaller companies to hedge.

While the talks may go down to the wire amid rising risks of a hard Brexit, Brussels still has most of the cards. The 27 have stuck together and have been far better prepared than a fractured coalition in London.

Meanwhile, UK economic growth has skidded to the slowest in the Group of Seven and the costs of choices in the wake of the 2008 crisis and the run-up to Brexit have mounted. Median earnings in Britain are still below 2007-8 levels and barely higher than in 2002.Criminals are using social media to check when customers are contacting banks about problems, and then posing as the bank in order to hack people's data.

That's according to the head of the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau, who said gardai have had multiple incidents of this activity reported to them.

Det Supt Michael Gubbins said cyber crimes will become increasingly stealthy and hard to detect in the coming years.

One example could be the increasing use of so-called fileless malware, where malware doesn't sit on a computer's hard drive but in its RAM, a temporary storage part of the computer where the malware is harder to detect.

But social engineering - using manipulation and deception in order to obtain the information being sought, like the example of calling people who have been interacting with banks online -remains "at the very top" of potential threats, he said.

He said businesses need to educate their employees to be conscious of cyber security best practice.

"You've got to let them know what's happening out there...it's not all about technology or having the best IT equipment, because it doesn't capture everything," he said. "Co-operation among all relevant actors is key."

Det Supt Gubbins was speaking at Dublin Information Sec 2018, a cyber security event organised by Independent News & Media, the publisher of this newspaper.

The increasing usage of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin has seen new types of cyber crime emerge, Det Supt Gubbins said, with users of the currencies being targeted by hackers attempting to steal the digital currency.

So-called "crypto-jacking" has also emerged, whereby hackers infiltrate a computer and use it to engage in the resource-intensive process by which a Bitcoin is created, known as "mining".

Other common attacks include ransomware - for example where a computer is locked by a hacker who demands a payment in order to allow a user to regain access.

Det Supt Gubbins said this has become less common in recent years as people had become more savvy in terms of preventing it.

He also urged attendees to make sure to stress-test their cyber-security systems in the same way as they would carry out a fire drill.

Appoints Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

Sydney, Oct 16, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Lithium Power International Limited ( ASX:LPI ) ( OTCMKTS:LTHHF ) ("LPI" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of a new CEO and Managing Director, Cristobal Garcia-Huidobro. The appointment of this highly qualified Managing Director, together with the appointment of Martin Borda as Non-Executive Director (announced on 30 August 2018) adds considerable breadth of experience to the Board as LPI moves into the critical development phase of the Maricunga Project, which is regarded as one of the highest quality pre-production lithium brine projects in the world.Highlights- Mr Cristobal Garcia-Huidobro, currently a Non-Executive Director, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Managing Director of Lithium Power International ("LPI").- Mr Garcia-Huidobro is a highly respected member of the Chilean business community and will also retain his role as CEO of the joint venture company, Minera Salar Blanco S.A. ("MSB").- This appointment consolidates the already seamless connection between LPI and MSB.Consistent with other Director appointments, Mr Garcia-Huidobro and Mr Borda will each be granted 2,000,000 unlisted options with an exercise price of $0.60 and a term of three years. The grant of options is subject to approval at the Company's Annual General Meeting to be held on 28 November 2018.- Mr Cristobal Garcia-Huidobro - Chief Executive Officer and Managing DirectorMr Garcia-Huidobro was appointed a Non-Executive Director of LPI on 3 September 2018 and is now being appointed as CEO and Managing Director. He will also continue as the CEO and Director of LPI's joint venture company, Minera Salar Blanco S.A. ("MSB") thus ensuring excellent synergies between the two entities.Mr Garcia-Huidobro has an unrivalled reputation and a very strong commercial network in Chile, along with a deep understanding of the operational and political background and requirements of the Maricunga Project.His appointment has been approved by LPI's joint venture partners in MSB, as required under the joint venture Shareholders Agreement and was further cleared of any potential conflicts of interest under Chilean law and/or regulations.Mr Garcia-Huidobro was instrumental in the finalisation of the joint venture shareholder and investment agreements for the Maricunga Project. He leads MSB's exploration and development program of the Maricunga Project.Mr Garcia-Huidobro is a qualified civil engineer and holds an M&A certificate from Chicago University, with 18 years' experience in the development and financing of mining, energy, infrastructure, finance and property projects. He was formerly the CIO of Centinela, an investment company with a global portfolio of investments. He has been involved in the development of a wide range of projects mainly related to hydroelectric and wind power generation, oil and gas exploration and production, real estate developments and mining. He also served as a board and committee member on several mining, property and agricultural funds in North and South America.Mr Garcia-Huidobro's appointment as CEO and Managing Director takes effect on 16 October 2018.LPI 's Chairman, David Hannon, said:"Mr Garcia-Huidobro brings a wealth of experience and specialised skills to LPI which will be invaluable as the Company moves through the next stages of developing the Maricunga Project. The Managing Director appointment of Mr Garcia-Huidobro has taken time to secure and finalise, requiring corporate and regulatory approvals, and indicates the importance that the Board places on the overall strategic and operational needs of both LPI and MSB.The appointment of Mr Garcia-Huidobro as CEO is a natural extension to his role as CEO of MSB and was approved by LPI's joint venture partners. It follows LPI's recent acquisition of an additional 1% of MSB in September 2018 and provides a strong, politically strategic outcome for both LPI and MSB.On behalf of the existing Directors, I am delighted to announce Cristobal's appointment as CEO and to welcome him to the LPI Board in the capacity of Managing Director."To view the release, please visit:About Lithium Power International Ltd

Lithium Power International Limited (ASX:LPI) is a pure-play lithium explorer and developer, focusing on developing and fast-tracking to production the high-grade Maricunga lithium brine project in Chile.

LPI has a well-known performing technical team with the experience to take the Maricunga project all the way through the development stages to production.

The regions that LPI is currently focused on are:

1. Maricunga JV (Chile) - Located within the "Lithium Triangle", Maricunga is Chile's highest grade and most advanced lithium project outside the Salar de Atacama. The project lies 170 km northeast of Copiapo and 250 km from the port of Caldera.

2. Pilbara (Western Australia) - LPI has three granted exploration tenements covering 203 km2 in the Pilbara region of northern Western Australia. The largest granted exploration tenement is the Pilgangoora tenement which is 2-3 km west of the Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) and Altura Mining (ASX:AJM) lithium deposits.

3. Greenbushes (Western Australia) - LPI has two granted exploration tenements covering 400 km2 in the Greenbushes area of southern Western Australia. The tenements are adjacent to the world's largest hard rock lithium mine owned and operated by Tianqi/Talison.

4. Centenario (Argentina) - Through its Argentinian subsidiary, Lithium Power holds a total of seven granted tenements in the Centenario lithium brine salar within the Salta province of the Puna Plateau. In total, the seven granted tenements cover an area of 68.46 km2.

With the exception of the Maricunga JV, all tenements are 100% owned by LPI or LPSA (including rights to the Centenario tenements).Opulent: Killashee House is one of a number of hotels owned by Tetrarch Capital

OPERATING profits at the four-star Killashee House hotel in Co Kildare last year increased marginally to 1.99m.

This followed revenues at hotel firm, Craigfort Taverns Ltd, going up from 12.03m to 12.12m last year.

The directors state that they expect to continue to invest in the business in the coming year with a view to achieving managed growth and profitability in the company's operations.

The firm recorded a pre-tax profit of 1.49m after paying bank interest charges of 499,178. The pre-tax profit of 1.49m is less than half the pre-tax profits of 3.74m recorded in 2016. However, the 2016 profits were boosted by an exceptional non-cash 2.5m gain in the increase of the company's property.

The hotel is one of a number of hotels owned by Tetrarch Capital. Other hotels in the Tetrarch group include the Marker hotel in Dublin, Mount Juliet in Co Kilkenny and the five-star Powerscourt hotel in Co Wicklow. The 141-bedroom hotel located near Naas was previously owned by businessman Jack Tierney. The hotel's conference and events business contributed to last year's strong performance.

The company paid a dividend of 1.3m to its parent firm, Chalus Holdings Ltd, on March 31 2017 and the firm paid a dividend of 630,000 to Chalus in March of this year. Numbers employed by the hotel in 2017 increased from 143 to 158, with staff costs increasing from 4.51m to 4.59m.As Greencore's shares sank yesterday, it appears that at least some shareholders aren't convinced by the decision to sell its US business.

As you'd expect, CEO Patrick Coveney was painting it in the best possible light and, to be fair, analysts were generally positive. But the sale of assets representing 41pc of the group's enterprise leaves Greencore doubling down on its bets on the UK.

With Brexit around the corner and no certainty that a deal will be achieved between London and Brussels, it could be seen as a courageous wager. The prize for Greencore is a "rising tide" of food-to-go sales, playing into its strengths in the sector, according to Mr Coveney. Health and wellness are all the rage, while office workers still pop out to their local stores in droves at lunchtime to snap up pre-packed sandwiches.

Sainsbury's, Asda, Marks & Spencer, Morrison and Co-Op are among the UK multiples that exclusively buy sandwiches from Greencore. It's also a major supplier to chains such as Aldi and Lidl.

Greencore had appointed a new CEO for its UK business during the summer - Peter Hayden. So what will Mr Coveney be doing?

"He will take responsibility for day-to-day delivery," said Mr Coveney. "I'll take responsibility for three things: group strategy; the development and activation of senior level commercial relationships in the UK, which I have always done; and thirdly, I will be responsible for joining up the talent-culture performance agenda in the UK." Mr Coveney is also keeping his eyes peeled for potential M&A deals.

"In a two- to three-year time frame, we think M&A will play a part of our strategy in the UK," he told the Irish Independent.

He remains largely unperturbed by Brexit, but warned it could have an eventual impact on labour supply and its cost.

"Our products are not bought on a whim and they tend to be pretty resilient to changes in economic circumstances, if we look at history," he said.Ryanair has appointed a third managing director at Austrian carrier Laudamotion, tightening its grip on the leisure airline at a time when the Irish company is dealing with unrest among its employees across Europe.

Ryanair holds a 75pc stake in Laudamotion, whose founder and minority shareholder Niki Lauda.

Michael O'Leary and Mr Lauda teamed up early this year after the collapse of Air Berlin in an attempt to expand in Germany and Austria.

Colin Casey, who was a commercial manager for Ryanair, will work together with managing director Andreas Gruber and Lauda, Laudamotion said.

"All three managing directors are only jointly authorised to represent the company," Laudamotion said.

One of the most pressing issues is negotiations with the Austrian GPA trade union over a collective wage agreement.

A deal, initially envisaged in summer, is now expected in the autumn. So far, Laudamotion passengers have been spared strikes.

Ryanair has struggled with labour relations despite bowing to pressure to recognise trade unions for the first time last December. A pan-European body representing Ryanair pilot unions on Friday called the its decision to close two bases and reduce its capacity this winter as a "declaration of war" on unions and said it must be reversed.

ReutersGood catch: Celebrity chef Martin Shanahans renowned Fishy Fishy restaurant in Kinsale is going from strength to strength

TV chef Martin Shanahan landed a large catch of profits last year as those at his Kinsale Fishy Fishy restaurant totalled 182,833.

New accounts filed by Mr Shanahan's Kinsale Gourmet Store Ltd show that accumulated profits at the company last year increased from 1.863m to 2.046m.

The cash pile at the restaurant company totalled 421,074 at the end of December last.

He shot to fame in the RTE Cork series 'Martin's Mad About Fish'.

Mr Shanahan moved back to Ireland in 1991 and opened a gourmet store in Kinsale, Co Cork, which has morphed over time into a restaurant business that can now seat 160 people.

In 2015, Mr Shanahan added an extension to his restaurant and the investment continued to pay dividends last year.

The business has made consistently strong profits in recent years - the profits of 182,833 last year follow profits of 224,355 in 2016, profits of 390,809 in 2015 and 117,927 profits recorded in 2014.

The restaurant is recording far greater profits in recent years due to the growing popularity of the business - in 2013, profits increased by 71,136 and by 74,952 in 2012.

The value of the company's fixed assets increased going from 3.24m in 2016 to 3.37m last year. The amounts that the firm owes to creditors within one year increased from 2.17m to 2.19m.A US-headquartered digital currency exchange intends to expand Ireland's crypto economy as it opens an office in Dublin.

Founded in San Francisco in 2012, Coinbase supports five assets on its consumer app: Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Ethereum Classic and Litecoin.

With more than 500 employees worldwide, the company has offices in San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Portland, Tokyo, London and now Dublin.

Coinbase, which became available to European customers in 2014, is used in 33 countries, and ZRX is expected to be added to the app in the coming weeks.

The group's London office, which opened in May 2017, will remain the European headquarters but the opening of the Dublin office is part of Coinbase's Brexit contingency plan.

UK CEO Zeeshan Feroz said that the development reflects the company's growing presence in Europe, which is currently its fastest growing market.

"When considering the location of our second European office, Dublin was the clear choice - its an English-speaking EU member state that boasts a diverse talent pool, entrepreneurial spirit, and long-standing support for technological innovation," he said.

"The Dublin team will compliment Coinbase operations in London and host a variety of new business-related functions, including roles for which were hiring right now."

Coinbase could not give Independent.ie an exact figure in terms of job numbers but stated that all open roles could be seen in the careers section on their website.

Minister for Financial Services and Insurance Michael DArcy said that Coinbase's decision to locate here "highlights the competitive offering and attractiveness of Ireland for financial services".

"Dublin is a talent hotspot for companies like Coinbase as they scale and internationalise critical businesses operations," said Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland.An artists impression of the new MSD plant in Dublin

MSD will be building a second manufacturing facility at its existing site in Carlow, creating 170 new jobs.

The new hub will focus on the production of vaccines and biologics, while the warehouse and laboratory services at the site will be expanded.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar welcomed the news from the multinational pharmaceutical firm, that has been operating in Ireland for 50 years.

"The company has gone from strength to strength since first opening in Carlow in 2008 and it now employs more than 2,000 people across the country," he said.

MSD have announced a number of expansion developments in the last 18 months here including the 280m in its manufacturing facilities in Carlow and Cork, and a new biotech facility in Dublin.

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD said that the new facility will be "a tremendous asset to our pharma industry and will deepen the great partnership that already exists between Ireland and the company".

Currently employing over 400 staff, MSD Carlow opened in 2008 as MSDs first vaccines facility outside of the US.

Meanwhile Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland said the decision is a strong endorsement of the talent and skills in Ireland and in the South East Region.

"The ability to attract highly skilled employees and develop the skillsets required through collaborative partnerships with third level institutions and NIBRT has helped to deepen MSDs commitment to Ireland and we wish them continued success."

Recruitment for the new facility will commence immediately and it is intended that the new manufacturing operations will commence in 2023.Cybercrime incidents have greatly increased and are a threat to Ireland's attractiveness as a business location, according to Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan.

Citing a report by PwC which said more than 60pc of Irish businesses reported suffering cybercrime in the past two years, Mr Flanagan said the issue was "an obvious concern for Ireland's digital economy and for investors looking at Ireland as a business destination".

Mr Flanagan was speaking at Dublin Information Sec 2018, a cybersecurity conference hosted by Independent News & Media, the publisher of this newspaper. He said the Government was working on a new national cybersecurity strategy, which will be published early next year.

"As noted by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres last May, cybercrime is now estimated to generate some $1.5trn (1.3 trillion) in revenue a year. Some EU member states now report that the recording of cybercrime offences may have surpassed those associated with traditional crimes," Mr Flanagan said.

"Almost all aspects of our lives have a digital dimension, and while the ubiquity of connected devices - the 'Internet of Things' - has brought truly massive benefits to our society, it has also opened up a number of new and unpredictable threats ... increased interconnectedness means increased vulnerability to external interference."

Mr Flanagan said the availability of illegal content - particularly child abuse material - was of particular concern, with referrals to gardai regarding child abuse material having increased "exponentially" in recent years.

He said law enforcement and the private sector needed to work together to tackle the problem - particularly because of the way in which cybercriminals are able to easily cross geographical boundaries to carry out their attacks.French President Emmanuel Macron faces a testing week as reports that even his wife Brigitte finds him arrogant add to damaging revelations in a new biography of her confidante as he struggles to keep his government on track.

Mr Macron is struggling to reshuffle his government after the resignations of two high-profile ministers, one of whom complained on television that his presidency "lacked humility".

He suffered further damage to his reputation with reports yesterday that his wife is also fed up with his "high-handed" manner.

Brigitte Macron has urged his entourage to speak truth to power, complaining that she is one of a very few people who dare to tell him when he is being overbearing, according to 'Le Parisien'.

He is "too arrogant, too snappy", she has reportedly told members of her circle.

Ms Macron has also vowed revenge on the person who spread rumours that her husband was in a gay relationship, according to a new book.

Her remarks appear in an unauthorised biography of Michele 'Mimi' Marchand, a PR adviser to the Macrons and the owner of a celebrity photo agency, Bestimage.

The book has also depicted the Macrons as excessively reliant on Ms Marchand, a PR legend who ran lesbian nightclubs in the 1990s and whose former partner was jailed for armed robbery.Stephen Avery and his nephew were both convicted of the murder of Halbach in 2005

Making A Murderer Part Two takes us back to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to follow the post-conviction process of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey. Moira Demos and Laura Ricciardi - the pair behind the huge Netflix hit - tell us more.

It's been almost three years since the world became obsessed with the stories of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey.

Yep, we're talking about the subjects of Netflix's Making A Murderer, which became an instant hit after its launch in December 2015.

Filmed over a 10-year period, Part One of the US thriller-documentary showed how Avery, a DNA exoneree, was in the midst of exposing police corruption when he became a prime suspect in the murder of 25-year-old photographer Teresa Halbach.

At the end of the first 10 episodes, Avery was sentenced to life in prison, along with his nephew Dassey, who has learning difficulties and, at the age of just 16, confessed to helping his uncle kill Halbach. But both remained hopeful about the possibility of their eventual release.

So, what can we expect from Making A Murderer Part Two? Moira Demos and Laura Ricciardi, the American filmmakers behind the show, have all the details.

POIGNANT RETURN

Expand Close Making A Murderer: Part 2. Pictured: (L-R) Moira Demos, Laura Ricciardi. See PA Feature SHOWBIZ TV Making A Murderer. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/Netflix/Austin Hargrave. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Making A Murderer: Part 2. Pictured: (L-R) Moira Demos, Laura Ricciardi. See PA Feature SHOWBIZ TV Making A Murderer. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/Netflix/Austin Hargrave.

This time round, the twists and turns follow the post-conviction process of both Avery and Dassey.

"We're documenting and showing the experience of someone who's convicted, serving life, and challenging their sentence," as Demos puts it.

It's also clear from the first episode, she adds, that Manitowoc is not the same world it was in Part One, because of the show's enormous global success.

"We understood that the response to Part One was the context within which Part Two was going to take place, and felt like we had to put that in there, otherwise nothing would make sense," she follows.

Video of the Day

WE MEET KATHLEEN ZELLNER

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There are major new characters involved - including Chicago-based lawyer Kathleen Zellner, who specialises in wrongful convictions, and took on Avery's case shortly after Part One aired, vowing to prove his innocence.

"We've never witnessed anybody working in the way that she does: her strategy, her methodology, her confidence, her vision," notes Ricciardi passionately.

"It's ultimately Steven's decision whether or not his attorney can let people like us in, so we're really grateful that they chose to let us in, and we understand part of the reason why.

"They value transparency, and as you watch some of the episodes it becomes clear that Kathleen, at the post-conviction stage, what's paramount to her is that she's representing someone that she believes to be innocent.

"She doesn't want to use her abilities, her experience, to free someone who she believes actually committed the crime, or knows committed the crime."

THERE ARE STILL UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

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We see Zellner assemble a host of world-class experts who employ the latest scientific methods to raise questions about the forensic evidence used to convict Avery in the 2007 case - including the discovery of his sweat DNA on the hood latch of Halbach's car.

"What I understood Kathleen's DNA consultant to be saying is that there is no such thing as sweat DNA," says Ricciardi.

"I think the closest thing there would be is DNA that's left behind from someone touching an object."

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An experiment Zellner and her team carry out involves trying to quantify the amount of DNA left behind when three people touch the same bonnet latch five times each, and comparing it to the amount of DNA found on Halbach's car.

Explaining the experiment further, Ricciardi continues: "The argument of Kathleen and her experts is that there's a great disparity - they said at one point in the filing that Steven would've had to have touched the hood latch like 90 times in order to yield the amount of DNA that the state's expert claimed to have retrieved from the hood latch."

WE SEE NEW PERSPECTIVES

Expand Close Teresa Halbach was murdered in 2005, with Brendan Dassey sentenced to life in prison in 2007 after he told detectives he helped his uncle, Steven Avery, rape and kill her. (Tom Pearce via AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Teresa Halbach was murdered in 2005, with Brendan Dassey sentenced to life in prison in 2007 after he told detectives he helped his uncle, Steven Avery, rape and kill her. (Tom Pearce via AP)

A huge number of people have been involved in Making A Murderer, as Ricciardi and Demos wanted to include a variety of those connected to and affected by the story.

But it was notable the family of victim Halbach were absent from the first series.

"We asked the Halbachs if they wanted to directly participate, if they wanted to sit down with us, and they declined both for Part One and Part Two," says Ricciardi.

She reasons we still heard their point of view though through Mike Halbach, Halbach's brother who was a self-appointed spokesman for the family and gave a number of press conferences.

And this series, they've tried to find creative ways to include the Halbachs.

"We had licensed footage from a local media outlet and they had some archival footage where they filmed with Mrs [Karen] Halbach in her kitchen, where it was at a point were Teresa was missing and [she] was very upset," adds Ricciardi.

We will also see one of Halbach's college friends give a "very thoughtful" interview.

THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS EXPLORED FURTHER

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Dassey's post-conviction lawyers, Laura Nirider and Steve Drizin, are seeking to overturn their client's conviction in the federal courts by arguing that Dassey's confession, the key element of the prosecution's case against him, was coerced.

Another interesting element of Part Two is that there was an opportunity for parties who were not involved in the litigation to file what is called a friend of the court brief.

"They can say, 'We know a lot about this particular field, and we want to try and help educate the court or the judges who are going to hear the case'," Ricciardi explains.

In Dassey's case, members of law enforcement actually came out in favour of the court taking his case, she adds.

"They said, 'There have been developments through social science, research, and there is such a thing as proven false confessions and we think it's important that you take a look at this and consider that'."

IT'S BOUND TO BE EMOTIONAL

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Anyone who's seen Part One will know this is a hard-hitting show; though one that's very easy to binge-watch.

The question is, what's it been like spending time with the defendants' families throughout the filming process?

"Brendan's lawyer, Laura Nirider, talks about it quite profoundly - how you're so used to not having hope when you're fighting in this system, and how it's sort of a double-edged system when you finally do have hope, and how painful that can be if those get dashed again," suggests Demos.

"I think it was a really difficult time for the family. But again, we're so grateful that the Avery and the Dassey family let us in on some of their darkest times, which are some of the hardest moments to share.

"The rest of us can learn a lot from those experiences."

Making A Murderer will be released on Netflix Friday October 19.

Youanmi Vanadium Project Metallurgical Test Results Confirms Significant High Grade Beneficiation of Oxide Samples

Perth, Oct 16, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The Directors of Venus Metals Corporation Limited ( ASX:VMC ) ("Venus" or the "Company") are pleased to announce the results of preliminary beneficiation testwork on an oxide composite sample from the Youanmi Vanadium Project, Western Australia.HIGHLIGHTS:- The grade increased from 0.58% V2O5 to 0.80% V2O5 with a recovery close to 80% of the Vanadium.- At -1 mm more than 40% of the mass can be rejected whilst recovering 80% of the Vanadium.- Mass rejection of gangue minerals decreases downstream processing volume and is expected to reduce acid consumption.- Assay by size data suggests the oxide sample can be significantly beneficiated without the need to grind the sample.- Crush sizes tested showed minimal variation in the beneficiation potential.- Further testwork is planned for hydrometallurgical studies on a beneficiated sample.Metallurgical TestworkThe Company commissioned METS Engineering Group ("METS") to develop a series of metallurgical tests aimed at beneficiating an oxide composite formed using different intervals from the deposit (see Table-1 in link below) (see Figure 1 in link below). The oxide composite was formed from shallow intervals spanning five diamond core holes seen in the table below (see link below). Only half of the mass for each interval was utilised, with the remaining kept in reserve. A total composite mass of approximately 48 kg was formed. The representative composite encompassed various weathered zones and a range of different spatial locations throughout the deposit.Beneficiation testwork focused on low cost methods that avoided grinding. The testwork was conducted at three crush sizes: -3.35 mm, -2 mm and -1 mm (refer Appendix-1 JORC Table) (see link below). Due to the friable nature of the oxide ore these crush sizes are expected to be achievable using a combination of comminution technologies.Detailed size by assay tests illustrated that a significant portion of the mass reports to the fine size fractions and contains very little vanadium. Simple rejection of fines resulted in an increase in Vanadium grade from 0.58% V2O5 to a maximum grade of 0.83% V2O5. The beneficiation process was not overly sensitive to crush size, suggesting fine crush sizes may not be required. The grade-recovery profiles for each crush size can be seen in Figure 2 (see link below).A key outcome from this testwork was the high Vanadium recovery achieved. The grade-recovery profile illustrates that the material can be beneficiated to 0.80% V2O5 whilst recovering close to 80% of the Vanadium.This compares to conventional magnetic separation, which typically struggles to achieve high vanadium recoveries on oxidised material.Mills can contribute a significant amount of capital and operating expense, with much of the power utilised in milling consumed by the grinding of gangue minerals. This alternative beneficiation process avoids milling and the associated costs.Further Metallurgical work- Hydrometallurgical studies will be completed on a beneficiated sample in order to assess direct vanadium extraction using sulphuric acid from the beneficiated sample without the need to roast at high temperatures.- Higher grades may be achieved at finer sizes, and future work will aim to assess the maximum grade achieved by crushing within the limits of modern comminution technologies.To view tables and figures, please visit:About Venus Metals Corporation Limited

Venus Metals Corporation Limited (ASX:VMC) is a West Australian based Company with a focus on gold and base metals exploration. The Company aims to increase shareholder value through targeted exploration success on its projects.

The Company's major gold project is the Youanmi Gold Mine, located 500km north east of Perth. The Youanmi Gold Mine is now jointly owned by Venus Metals (30%) and Rox Resources Limited (70%) (OYG JV); Indicated and Inferred Resources of the mine is 1.7 million ounces of gold.

Exciting new discoveries at the Youanmi Gold Mine have been made at the Grace prospect in footwall granites where very high grades of free milling gold have been intersected, including 25m @34.7g/t Au from 143m (RXRC 287) and 13m @60.49 g/t from 181m (RXRC 239). The Grace Prospect may substantially add to the Youanmi Gold Mine resources.Between the 1940s and the 1970s, at least 2,000 children were trafficked from Ireland to America for adoption.

They included Michael Hawkes, whose birth mother relinquished control of him and his twin sister to St Patrick's Guild Adoption Society in 1961, when they were three.

They went to live with a family in Saratoga, California, and were brought there by the adoptive father's brother, Los Angeles-based priest Monsignor Benjamin Hawkes.

The priest died in 1985 and years later it would emerge he was a paedophile.

"When I was 11 or 12 I unfortunately was sexually abused by this same adoptive uncle during times when I was flown down to serve Mass with him at his church in Los Angeles," Mr Hawkes said yesterday at the launch of the Clann Project's report 'Ireland's Unmarried Mothers and their Children: Gathering the Data'.

"I never spoke about it. Nor did I even tell my adoptive parents. For years I lived quietly with the nightmare."

The adoption did not go well for other reasons, too. According to Mr Hawkes, he and his sister were treated like second-class citizens compared to their parents' natural children.

He said the parents told them they had "made a mistake" in adopting them.

"We were often told we had come from a very bad situation in Ireland and we should feel very lucky and happy we had been adopted. We were not made to feel part of the family," he said.

Years later, Mr Hawkes went in search of his birth family, but says St Patrick's Guild tried to dissuade him. By the time the guild passed on information about his mother in 1998, she had already died.

"St Patrick's Guild needlessly prevented me from being united with my family for decades, frustrating my efforts to learn about them," he said.

"The Church institutions committed serious wrongs, selling babies, trafficking babies, not doing proper vetting of the people you were handed over to as a child, even paedophile priests. They sent vulnerable children into homes with no vetting."

Another woman, who did not want her name disclosed, told the Clann Project she learned aged 36 she had been adopted, years after her adoptive parents died. She was born at St Rita's nursing home in Dublin in 1962, but has been unable to find much about her adoption.

What she did learn was that a Mary Keating was named on her birth certificate as the informant. Mary Keating was the owner of St Rita's and was prosecuted for falsifying birth certificates in 1965. It is alleged Ms Keating gave Irish babies to Americans, complete with official birth certificates in their own names.

The woman made efforts to track down her birth mother, but these proved unsuccessful.

"I have come to the conclusion that my real mother is probably deceased. I would like to think that if she were living, she would like to make contact with me," she said.

"My doctor recently asked me for my family medical history, which I obviously don't know. I was struck that I have no idea what could be lurking around the corner for me. This is causing me anxiety. Not only for me, but for my daughter.

"I feel that the authorities are biding their time. Sooner or later, everybody concerned with these adoptions will be deceased and that will be the end of it."James Manning was stopped for using mobile while driving

A MOTORIST was caught with 3.5m worth of drugs in his van when gardai stopped him for driving while using his mobile phone, a court heard.

At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, James Manning, of Belclare Avenue, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to possession of 177kg of cannabis last December 1.

Judge Francis Comerford sentenced him to nine years in jail with the final three suspended for three years.

Gda Thomas Barrett told prosecutor John Byrne that an officer in Offaly became suspicious of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van parked outside a house and began following as it drove towards Dublin.

He contacted Lucan gardai, who dispatched Gda Barrett to wait on its arrival on the N4.

FIREARM

When his car pulled up beside the van, he saw Manning (49) was using his mobile phone and signalled him to pull up.

In a search, 15 cardboard boxes were found containing 177kg of cannabis in bags with an approximate street value of 3.5m.

Manning has 29 previous convictions, including one for false imprisonment, one for possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and one for dangerous driving causing death.

Gda Barrett agreed with Giollaiosa O Lideadha, defending, that his previous offending was linked to alcohol abuse.

Mr O Lideadha said Manning had struggled with alcohol and had been homeless.

He stopped drinking in 2013 and had a job with Ikea at the time of his arrest.

Mr O Lideadha said Manning had agreed to transport the cannabis to pay off a drug debt.

Judge Comerford said this was a crime of utmost gravity and that without mitigation the appropriate sentence would have been 12 years in prison.A garda sergeant who was harassed and intimidated by false claims posted about him on the internet was awarded 8,000 damages at a Garda compensation hearing.

Mr Justice Michael Twomey said the damages related to personal injuries suffered by Sgt Conor Gilmartin as a result of the internet posts and were not in relation to damages for injury to character.

Judge Twomey asked Sgt Gilmartin if he had considered suing 57-year-old architect Sean Carraher for defamation of character. But Sgt Gilmartin said he could not afford to and his representative body, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, had refused to fund such a claim.

Sgt Gilmartin, who was transferred from Shankill in Co Dublin to a station in Co Cork as a result of phone calls and online harassment by Mr Carraher, said he had been branded "evil" and "corrupt".

He said Mr Carraher, of Stradbrook Hill, Blackrock, Co Dublin, who he believed to be now living on social welfare payments, had been jailed for five years for harassment of him between 2009 and 2011.

Sgt Gilmartin said allegations to the HSE about him having been involved in child abuse had been found to be false and baseless.

He said through his own efforts, he had more than 50 posts taken down off Google and Facebook - but some still remained to be read by his children and others in years to come.KENNETH OBrien transferred more than 52,000 into murder accused Paul Wells bank account over the space of 18 months before he was killed, a jury has heard.

Mr OBrien had been working in Australia when he sent the money, mostly through a foreign exchange service, to Mr Wells.

The Central Criminal Court also heard Mr OBrien told his boss he could not go to an arranged job in Limerick the day before he went missing because he had to look after some business.

The next day, his torso was found in a suitcase in the Grand Canal.

Mr Wells (50), of Barnamore Park, Finglas, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr OBrien at that address between January 15 and 16, 2016.

He admitted to gardai that he shot him dead but said it happened when they struggled during a row after Mr OBrien turned up at his home with a gun.

The accused claimed Mr OBrien (33) had wanted to have his own partner Eimear Dunne murdered and Mr Wells refused to kill her.

He said after he shot Mr OBrien, he panicked and dismembered the remains, which were later found in a suitcase and shopping bags in the canal in Co Kildare.

Mr OBrien was an exceptional worker in every respect, a former employer Declan Porter said in evidence today. He kept in touch with Mr OBrien when he went to work in Australia in 2013. He agreed with prosecutor Sean Gillane SC that he was aware Mr OBrien was seeing someone in Australia but he wouldnt delve into his private affairs.

He thought Mr OBrien had said he was coming home to stay in 2016, but after being away for three years I wasnt sure he was going to come back.

He collected some tools that Mr OBrien had sent home in a crate from Australia. Mr Porter was glad to hear Mr OBrien was coming home because I could have done with him in our company.

In the week that he returned, Mr Porter asked Mr OBrien if he would come back to work with him and he wasnt sure what he was going to do.

He told the jury Mr OBrien was due to go to a job arranged in Limerick on January 12 and 13, 2016. This was re-arranged for Friday, January 15 but the day before, he got a call from Mr OBrien saying that he wouldnt be able, that he had to look after some business.

That was the last time he spoke to him.

As he was returning from Limerick, he got a call from Ms Dunne who was looking for Mr OBrien and he told her he had not come with them and had made arrangements to do something else.

Mr Porter tried several times to ring Mr OBrien after that but the phone was off or out of coverage. Over the next few days he received information that Mr OBriens remains had been found in the canal.

In cross examination, Michael OHiggins SC, defending, said Mr OBrien had no plans to work in Ireland in the near future.

When he returned, yes, Mr Porter said, but added that Mr Obrien had volunteered to do a job for him.

He said Mr OBrien was only back a short time and getting his bearings about what he was going to do.

He agreed in his statement he had described Mr OBrien as a secretive type of guy, if he wanted you to know something he would tell you.

Mr OHiggins said it seemed Mr OBrien was not much of a drinker but tended to be all or nothing and asked if that went over into other areas of his life.

I wouldnt think so, he replied.

Mr OHiggins said in his statement, Mr Porter said he had called Mr OBrien on January 14, 2016 to tell him he did not need him for the Limerick job. Mr OHiggins asked him which was correct.

I think it ended up that if he had other arrangements for that day then we didnt need him, he said.

When Ms Dunne rang him she was under the impression that Mr Porter was collecting Mr OBrien from their Lealand Road, Clondalkin home for the job at 2pm that day, but there was no such arrangement.

Mr Porter agreed with Mr OHiggins that Mr OBrien had showed him some photos of an African girl he was apparently doing a line with. This was in 2014 or 2015.

Gda Supt Gerard Wall said one of the early lines of enquiry in the investigation related to the transfer of money to Ireland by Mr OBrien while he was in Australia.

He sought evidence from a number of bank accounts; Mr OBriens Permanent TSB account at Ballyfermot Shopping Centre, his account at the Ulster Bank Mortgage Centre, an AIB account of Lorraine Leeson (Mr OBriens aunt), his father Gerard OBriens AIB account, a PTSB account of Eimear Dunne, and the accuseds PTSB account, as well as his credit union account.

The court heard Mr OBrien had transferred 52,000 and change into Mr Wells account over 18 months .

Garda John Faherty said 47,900 of this was through a foreign exchange company Currency Fair, with the rest from another account held by Mr OBrien.

Fintan Byrne of Currency Fair said Mr OBriens first account log in was on December 18, 2013 and his most recent was on January 12, 2016.

There was a log in from Dubai Airport which was consistent with somebody travelling back and forth, he said.

The jury then heard a breakdown of the series of Currency Fair transfers to Mr Wells account between June 2014 and November 20, 2015, totalling 47,925.

As well as this, a total of 8,000 was transferred to Gerard OBrien, 2,700 to Lorraine Leeson, 23,982 to Eimear Dunne, and over 11,000 to Mr OBriens own account.

Yvonne Traynor of PTSB Crime and Loss Prevention then told the jury of a series of bank withdrawals totalling tens of thousands of euros the accused made in December 2015 and January 2016. These were up to 5,000 at a time, with further withdrawals from an ATM minutes later.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.A man who helped a crime gang murder a Dublin bar manager has been sentenced to three years and nine months in jail by the Special Criminal Court in what is believed to be one of the first conviction of its kind.

Michael Barr (35), the manager of the Sunset House pub in Dublin's north inner city, was shot seven times by a masked gunman at the pub in April 2016.

Martin Aylmer (31), of Casino Park, Marino, Dublin 3, pleaded guilty in July to participating in or contributing to activity intending to facilitate the commission by a criminal organisation or any of its members of a serious offence, namely the murder of Mr Barr at the Sunset House, Summerhill Parade, Dublin 1, on April 25, 2016. This is believed to be the first time a person has been prosecuted for this offence under the organised crime legislation brought in in 2006.

The court heard that gardai recovered a mobile phone beside the partially burned-out getaway car following the murder and CCTV footage later showed Aylmer buying the phone in Dublin's Ilac Shopping Centre two days before Mr Barr was shot. The offences occurred between April 23 and April 25, 2016.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding at the three-judge court, said that it appeared the actionable assistance rendered by Aylmer was not at the higher end of the scale.

The judge said that while the provision of any assistance to a criminal organisation is a grave matter, Aylmer did not approach this in a covert or disguised manner. "His unsophisticated approach left him open to identification and demonstrated an absence of calculation or guile," he added.

However, the judge said it must have been apparent to him that he was assisting in some serious criminal activity.

Eamonn Cumberton (30), of Mountjoy Street, Dublin 7, was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court in January after being found guilty of the murder of Mr Barr.The property is the third North inner city premises that has been the subject of High Court proceedings after they were occupied by the protesters. Picture: Tony Gavin

Protesters have complied with orders directing them to vacate and end their occupation of a building in Dublin's north inner city, the High Court has been told.

Last month, the court granted MJH Property Management, owners of 41 Belvedere Place, Dublin, an injunction compelling persons unknown to immediately vacate and cease their unlawful trespass on the property.

The matter was briefly mentioned before Ms Justice Caroline Costello on Tuesday, who was informed that the protesters have left the building.

Stephen Hanaphy Bl for the MJH said that the owners had taken back possession of the building from persons, believed to be members of "Take Back the City" campaign, and said that the proceedings could be struck out.

When seeking the injunction MJH said the building is unsuitable for what they say is an illegal occupation, and is not safe.

The owners have plans to develop the four-story over basement Georgian property into apartments, which it acquired in 2016.

41 Belvedere Place was one of several inner-city premises occupied by those protesting the current accommodation and homeless crisis.Cruel policy: Dillon Nolan has told of his distress at the news. Photo: Steve Humphreys

A teenager who was fostered was told he could face homelessness just four months before sitting his Leaving Cert.

Dillon Nolan (22), from Clondalkin, Dublin, was aged 17, living in a residential care centre and studying for the State exam when he was told he would need to start looking for alternative accommodation.

"I was angry and upset because I was there studying for my exams and suddenly they just told me you have to focus on homelessness and how to do a rent book," he told the Irish Independent.

"It was almost like no one knew where I was going to go, I thought it wasn't real."

Dillon was able to get a place for a year in Focus Ireland accommodation, but since then has been in private rented accommodation.

Some 6,000 children currently rely on foster carers and residential care placements to support them when they cannot live in their family home.

But when children turn 18, foster carers can choose to continue fostering, while residential care centres are forced to evict to free up places for new children coming in.

Focus Ireland, which provides aftercare services, says there aren't enough supports.

A report from advocacy organisation Empowering People in Care showed an increase of 17pc in the number of people contacting it for help and advice. Some 16pc of those cases were related to housing and accommodation issues.

"I now volunteer with a youth helpline, and time and time again the calls I get are from young people that have come out of care who are homeless," Dillon said.Women who have undergone cervical screening through CervicalCheck and been referred on for further investigation of abnormalities which could turn into cancer are now experiencing delays in getting the procedure, it emerged yesterday.

The HSE revealed that waiting times are being affected in these colposcopy clinics where women are referred after getting an abnormal test.

These women would have been found to have abnormal cells after a smear test.

The cells can go away on their own, but sometimes there is a risk they could eventually turn into cervical cancer if not treated.

The delays are due to the surge in women who took up the offer of an additional free smear test since the CervicalCheck scandal erupted in early summer.

In May the target number of tests was exceeded by 140pc and in June alone, 20,000 extra women came forward, putting huge pressure on labs which cannot return results for up to 12 weeks. It has also had a knock-on effect on colposcopy clinics, the HSE revealed.

Meanwhile, women who are the victims of negligence by CervicalCheck from now on will only need to sue the State.

From this week the liability has transferred to the State, which has a new deal with two private labs, one in the United States and the second in Dublin.

Quest lab in New Jersey and Medlab in Dublin, which had reached the end of their contracts with CervicalCheck, have agreed to an extension of the service. The labs will continue to be legally responsible for any successful retrospective cases brought by women who developed cervical cancer after getting a test result which was wrongly interpreted due to negligence.

Under a new agreement, between 10 to 15 laboratory scientists will leave Medlab and become State employees. Its CervicalCheck work will be taken over by the State.

However, around 132,000 tests will continue to be outsourced to Quest lab in the United States.

Meanwhile, the report of Judge Charles Meenan, setting out alternative options to court for women taking legal cases, will be brought to Cabinet by Health Minister Simon Harris today.

Among the options he is expected to propose is mediation, which would be conducted in private.

A mediator would be appointed.

The woman will continue to have to prove the test was negligently read and that the result was not due to limitations of science.A TRIBUNAL of compensation should be set up to hear legal claims by women at the centre of the CervicalCheck scandal, a High Court judge said today.

Mr Justice Charles Meenan was asked to look at alternatives to going to court for women who developed cancer after getting a wrong test result from CervicalCheck.

In his report published today Judge Meenan has called for a tribunal of compensation to be established.

It would be able to award damages to women who can prove they are the victims of negligence.

They would continue to have the right to go to the High Court if they are not satisfied with the tribunal.

Up to 221 women, including twenty who have died, were given wrong test results.

Not all are the victims of negligence and in some cases the limitations of the test meant their abnormalities could not be detected.

It was acknowledged an alternative to the ordeal of going to court, particularly for women who are fighting cancer, had to be proposed.

The highest court award was given so far to the late Emma Mhic Mhathuna, the mother of five who recently died.

Vicky Phelan, whose High Court case revealed the existence of CervicalCheck audits ,most of which had not been passed on to women, received 2.5m .

Hearings in a tribunal of compensation would be heard in private and be less formal than a court process.

This alternative system would take into account the issue of liability, each person's Constitutional right of access to the courts and all parties' Constitutional rights to fair procedures.

For these reasons he notes that the system must be voluntary.

In his report Judge Meenan recognises the courage and fortitude of the women and their families who told him of their experiences of dealing with the devastating consequences of cervical cancer.

He also acknowledges the effects of the non-disclosure of audits, or disclosure in an unacceptable way, of the results of audits carried out following diagnosis.

Health Minister Simon Harris said: "I would like to thank Judge Meenan for his invaluable report. He has carried out an extensive piece of work, including consultation with the women, their families and their representatives."

"Judge Meenan's report requires consideration by a number of Government Departments and I have committed this morning to returning to Government with proposals next month."Money in place: Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has said resources have been allocated for latest financial package. Photo: Steve Humphreys

Nurses face the threat of a nine-month delay in pay rises and an increment freeze if they take industrial action to win another wage hike.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has warned that unions who put themselves outside the current public sector pay deal cannot expect to reap its benefits.

This would mean having to wait much longer for pay rises than other public servants.

They are due increases worth between 6pc and 10pc of wages over the next three years. They would also have to sacrifice annual increments.

Members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) are today expected to reject a 20m Government proposal to resolve retention issues.

The Government's advisory body on pay recommended this package that is worth up to 4,500 per nurse under the current wage deal.

Last week, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe promised that "resources have been allocated" to pay it from March next year.

In addition, nurses who were hired over the last seven years are in line for an average 3,300 pay hike as a result of a deal to address a two-tier pay system in the public sector.

But the 20m package to address retention issues that includes hikes in allowances and a shortened pay scale only applies to specialised nurses.

Members of INMO are therefore tipped to reject it.

The union's executive council recommended a no vote, and demanded an across-the-board pay rise to put its 40,000 members' wages on a par with professionals like physiotherapists.

Members of the executive are due to meet today to consider the ballot result.

A Department of Public Expenditure and Reform spokesperson confirmed that nurses or any group that puts itself outside the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) faces sanctions.

"Where individual unions or associations reject the measure and do not adhere to the terms of the PSSA 2018-2020 (eg through industrial action) they cannot expect to attract the benefits of the PSSA (including the awarding of pay increases and the payment of increments in line with those who are party to the PSSA)," said the spokesperson.

"The awarding of pay increases to those groups who would not be covered by the PSSA would be delayed by a period of nine months."

Patent Granted for Kaolin to HPA Production Process

Perth, Oct 16, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Altech Chemicals Limited (Altech/the Company) ( ASX:ATC ) ( FRA:A3Y ) is pleased to announce that it has received the Certificate of Grant for an Innovation Patent from the Australian Patent Office (IP Australia), for the Company's process of producing high purity alumina (HPA) from kaolin (aluminous clay). Altech originally filed the patent titled 'A Method for the Preparation of Alumina' in October 2014.Highlights- Patent granted to Altech for its kaolin to HPA production process- Affords protection to Altech and its unique 8 step production method- Altech now in a strong position to defend its intellectual property rightsThe granted patent covers the production of alumina from all types aluminous clay including kaolin, using hydrochloric acid and includes the following steps:1. treating kaolin or aluminous material to reduce particle size and increase the alumina content;2. calcining the kaolin or aluminous material;3. leaching the aluminous material with hydrochloric acid;4. solid liquid separation to provide a pregnant liquor;5. crystallising aluminium chloride hexahydrate by adding hydrogen chloride gas;6. precipitating and separation of aluminium chloride hexahydrate;7. dissolving the aluminium chloride hexahydrate in water and repeating the crystallisation process; and8. roasting and calcining aluminium chloride hexahydrate to provide alumina.The grant of the patent acknowledges that Altech's process for producing HPA from aluminous material such as kaolin is unique. Other potential new entrants into the HPA industry that have publicised the proposed use of a process similar to Altech's for the production of HPA from kaolin, will need to take extreme care not to breach the Company's patent.Altech Chemicals managing director Iggy Tan said, "The journey to patent grant was quite arduous. We commenced the process in 2014 and have now received the Certificate of Grant - 4 years later. The patent will help protect the Company's unique HPA production process and the technology that we have developed.Over the past 18 months it has been quite frustrating to read a number public announcements from other companies aiming to be HPA producers that have included HPA process flow diagrams that appeared to be blatant copies of Altech's process - some even using the same unique icons developed by the Company. Now that this patent is granted, Altech is in strong position to defend its intellectual property rights with the assistance of WRAYS, our patent attorney", he said.To view figures, please visit:About Altech Chemicals Ltd

Altech Chemicals Limited (ASX:ATC) (FRA:A3Y) is aiming to become one of the world's leading suppliers of 99.99% (4N) high purity alumina (Al2O3) through the construction and operation of a 4,500tpa high purity alumina (HPA) processing plant at Johor, Malaysia. Feedstock for the plant will be sourced from the Company's 100%-owned kaolin deposit at Meckering, Western Australia and shipped to Malaysia.



HPA is a high-value, high margin and highly demanded product as it is the critical ingredient required for the production of synthetic sapphire. Synthetic sapphire is used in the manufacture of substrates for LED lights, semiconductor wafers used in the electronics industry, and scratch-resistant sapphire glass used for wristwatch faces, optical windows and smartphone components. Increasingly HPA is used by lithium-ion battery manufacturers as the coating on the battery's separator, which improves performance, longevity and safety of the battery. With global HPA demand approximately 19,000t (2018), it is estimated that this demand will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% (2018-2028); by 2028 HPA market demand will be approximately 272,000t, driven by the increasing adoption of LEDs worldwide as well as the demand for HPA by lithium-ion battery manufacturers to serve the surging electric vehicle market.Pope Francis at the closing Mass at the World Meeting of Families at Phoenix Park in Dublin. Photo: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

MOST Irish people believe Pope Francis did not do enough to address clerical abuse during his recent visit, researchers have said.

The pontiff made his first papal trip to the Republic in August and his many protests and public pronouncements on the wrongdoing helped define the visit.

But a research study from Queen's University Belfast said only 30 per cent of Irish people believed he did enough, although half of practising Catholics concurred.

Queen's University Belfast researcher Dr Gladys Ganiel said: "Francis' visit to Ireland has revealed a lot about how people in Ireland think about the Catholic Church.

"Even a pope as popular as Francis cannot distract from the widespread dismay about the way that the Church has handled clerical sexual abuse.

"At the same time, this survey shows clear evidence that Francis' pontificate has had a positive impact on a significant minority of people's perceptions of the Catholic Church, both since his visit to Ireland and since he became pope in 2013."

She said indifference was the main reason why attendance at some of the papal events, including the farewell Mass at Phoenix Park in Dublin, was lower than expected.

Dr Ganiel designed the survey, which received 840 responses. She is a research fellow from the Senator George J Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queen's.

Key findings included:

- 31pc agreed the visit had been "a healing time for victims and survivors of clerical sex abuse", 36pc disagreed and 24pc said neither/nor or had no opinion;

- 23pc agreed the visit had been "a healing time for LGBTQI people and their families", 40pc disagreed and 37pc said neither/nor or had no opinion;

- 66pc said their opinion of the Catholic Church has not changed since Francis became pope in 2013, with 22pc saying their opinion had become more favourable;

- 50pc agreed that Pope Francis's visit was good for the Catholic Church in Ireland and Ireland as a nation, and 75pc of practising Catholics agreed with this statement;

- 80pc did not attend any of the events surrounding the papal visit, 51pc because they were simply not interested and 30pc said they disagreed with how the Church has handled abuse.

For practising Catholics, 39pc said the main reason why they did not attend any of the events was because the travel/walk was too difficult, 22pc said they were not interested and 18pc said they disagreed with how the Church handled abuse.

Dr Ganiel added: "For all the respondents except practising Catholics, indifference seems to have trumped anger about abuse as a reason for not attending - although abuse is still the next most significant factor."The drugs were discovered in separate parcels originating in Thailand and the USA and were destined for addresses in Dublin.

Revenue officers at Portlaoise Mail Centre have seized over 7kg of herbal cannabis.

The illegal drugs were discovered in separate parcels originating in Thailand and the USA and were destined for addresses in Dublin.

They have an estimated value of 140,000.

The cannabis was discovered with the assistance of detector dog Stella.

Yesterday, Revenue seized 3.5kgs of cannabis resin worth 21,000.

The parcel, which originated in Thailand, was bound for an address in Dublin.

The cannabis was concealed in the inner lining of a suitcase, declared as baby clothes.

These seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting drug importations.

If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding drug smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.

Investigations are ongoing.Geoffrey Magee with his wife Amy and their children Luke (6), Jack (2) and Lara (10 months) from Lucan Photo: Kyran O'Brien

Brian Clery with his children Luke (3) and Ruby (5) from Clonmel Photo: Kyran O'Brien

Brian Kavanagh with his wife Caroline and their daughter Amber (3) from Wexford Photo: Kyran O'Brien

Sean McInerney with Lisa Hurley and their daughter Bella (21months) from Cork

Danny Quinn with his partner Imelda and their children Holly (22 months) and Daniel (3) from Kilkenny Photo: Kyran O'Brien

TEARS, smiles and homemade banners greeted some 119 Irish troops serving in Golan Heights as they returned home to Ireland this morning - following a high profile two-week delay.

Hundreds gathered at Dublin Airport arrivals shortly after 6am this morning to welcome the 57th Infantry Group from Syria, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Mark Brownen.

The soldiers were due to return almost two weeks ago but had to remain in Syria due to a paperwork error.

The personnel- from 15 counties across Ireland, including Kilkenny and Waterford- were on the UN peace keeping mission for the last six months.

The group were the first Irish unit to redeploy Syria following a UN evacuation of personnel in 2014.

The return today was an emotional one for some, with many disappointed when their anticipated return date was pushed back.

Were planning on celebrating a birthday that dad missed, said Ciara Kavanagh, after her husband Brian missed their daughter Ambers birthday last week.

He was supposed to be home, but these things happen, the Wexford mother said.

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Whatsapp Sean McInerney with Lisa Hurley and their daughter Bella (21months) from Cork

But for many it was a morning of delight at airport arrivals, with some partners preparing the chores for the boyfriends and husbands to carry out.

Oh I've plenty, I've a list done out. Im going to be a lady of luxury now for the next few months, said Imelda Quinn, who looked after children Daniel (3) and baby Holly when her partner Daniel was away.

Some of the challenges the crew faced were not seeing their loved ones for six months, but there was no doubt that they would fall straight back into their home routines, according to many of the troops.

Its fantastic to be home, its a long six months but we get stuck into the job out there, keep the head down and try not to think too much about whats going on at home because youve a job to do out there, said Corporal David Sweeney, who went to Syria on his fourth mission abroad.

Were home now and its all forgotten about now. In a couple of days, well be back to reality, back to normality.

It was tough but if it's not tough its not worth doing, thats what I say.

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Spending time with family and plenty of rest are on the agenda for many members of the 57th Infantry for the next week few weeks.

Time to make up for lost time now, catch up with the family and friends over the next few weeks. Weve a holiday booked on Saturday too so therell be more sun as well thankfully, Corporal Sweeney from Co Cork said.

"He's looking forward to dad helping him with his homework and helping pick out Halloween decorations," Amy Magee from Lucan in Dublin said, who was waiting with children Luke (6), Jack (2) and Lara (10 months) for husband Geoffrey to land on Irish soil.

For others, a trip to the pub and catching up on the sport were top of the list of things they missed while they were deployed.

We just want to chill out, have a few drinks, relax and spend time with the loves ones, added Jason ODowd, Lee Smith and Shane Dempsey, who were three of 41 personnel on their first tour of duty overseas.

We missed the All-Ireland Final, within the first two weeks wed missed out on that. We tried to get home for it, but we couldnt.

Defence Forces chief of staff, Vice Admiral Mark Mellet, congratulated the Irish personnel on tackling a complex operation.

The work of the 57th Infantry Group, under the command of Lt Col Mark Brownen, is a great source of pride to the Defence Forces and to Ireland, he said.

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The unit is also flying the United Nations flag, a symbol of hope and of peace, in a very challenging operational environment.

It is the blend of experience, leadership, training and equipment that makes the men and women of Oglaigh an hEireann so effective, even in the most complex situations.

The 330km move through Israeli Occupied Golan Heights, through Israel and Lebanon into Syria, past Damascus and into Camp Faouar was broken into four stages and initiated on August 14.

During their time there, the Infantry Group carried out peacekeeping duties under chapter 6 of the UN Charter, acting as the Force Reserve Company and supporting the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO).

The group were replaced by the 58th Infantry Group at the weekend, who will be the first Irish unit to deploy directly to Syria in the last four years.The level of taxpayer-funded subsidy for the rural broadband project remains the crucial issue to be decided, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has told the Dail.

Mr Martin said that is why questions about contacts between the final bidder for the 500,000 contract, David McCourt, and government ministers was so important. He was commenting on the controversy which last week saw Communications Minister, Denis Naughten, resign.

The Fianna Fail leader asked what was the situation of junior industry minister, Pat Breen. He has acknowledged setting up a dinner meeting between then-Minister Naughten and the Irish-American investor.

Mr Martin wanted to know how Mr Breen conveyed the dinner invitation from Mr McCourt to Mr Naughten. He also asked about the junior minister continuing in his post - and he criticised the Taoiseachs attitude to the issue, in saying Mr Breen had just passed on a dinner invitation.

I think its a lot more serious than that and it should be taken more seriously than that, Mr Martin said.

The Taoiseach said Mr Breen had relayed the dinner invitation by word of mouth which was unwise. Mr Breen had no role whatsoever in the broadband project.

I dont think its a resigning matter, Mr Varadkar insisted.

The Taoiseach said the Government remained very committed to connecting 540,000 homes with high-speed broadband as soon as possible. He said the government planning had already encouraged commercial providers to improve their rural services.

The Taoiseach also said he expected the independent auditor, Peter Smyth, who is overseeing the national project will be given terms of reference for an investigation in the coming days. A full report by Mr Smyth was expected in three to four weeks.Almost straight away they got to the main issue of this presidential debate. The dogs.

Michael D may have been watching the debate in a cosy flannel dressing gown with his feet up back at the Aras, but even in his absence, he made it perfectly clear that nobody could diss the First Pets.

Michael D couldn't defend the use of the Learjets. He couldn't defend the expenses for the dog, Peter Casey had shrugged.

Meanwhile back at the Aras, somebody picked up the phone.

Claire Byrne solemnly relayed the message that a spokesperson for the President said "allegations about the expenses for the dog are completely inaccurate".

"He should be here Claire," snapped Casey.

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"RTE should not be a spokesperson for the President."

"There should be two extra pillars here standing idle," Joan Freeman indignantly chimed in.

"It's his job to show up," added Casey.

"I can't allow inaccuracies to be broadcast," said Claire.

Expand Close Sinn Feins Liadh Ni Riada. Photo: Arthur Carron / Facebook

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That was that. And with a sigh, we turned back to the debate proper.

So what did we learn from the first presidential debate, aired on the 'Claire Byrne Live' show on RTE One last night?

That Liadh Ni Riada, the Sinn Fein candidate, would wear a poppy - though she "wouldn't be leaping up and down with joy about it".

That Gavin Duffy is a millionaire. That was...less interesting.

Expand Close Gavin Duffy and wife Orlaith Carmody. Photo: Arthur Carron / Facebook

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Joan Freeman claimed there were four millionaires in this race - apparently including Michael D in this cohort - given that Freeman herself had to take out a loan to run for president, while Ni Riada said she had "bills to pay".

"Are you a millionaire, Gavin?" Claire Byrne demanded.

Gavin grimaced, smiled bashfully and sighed.

"Yes," he admitted modestly, in a voice of gloom. But he didn't go to college, he told us.

Peter Casey gave a similar answer. He might be a millionaire - but he came from a family of nine children.

We missed Michael D in all of this. It was on the dull side.

When the unmistakable voice of Bunty Twuntingdon McFluff piped up midway, saying she had "had enough" and that "Bunty was robbed", few could disagree.

It was the only real drama of the night, such as it was.

The President had appeared on the 'Six One' news - but couldn't hang around.

On the news, he explained his non-appearance on the 'Claire Byrne Live' debate by saying he would be appearing on two television debates in the future and had other media work.

He said: "I have a great respect for the Irish people. And they want me, while I am President, to give precedence to the presidency.

"So what I am doing is putting the presidency first."

There had earlier been a very Victorian spat via letters between the President and Sean Gallagher in which Gallagher said the President had shown "contempt" for the Irish people by not turning up.

The four who did turn up, included Gallagher in this "contempt" as they began the debate.

"This idea that you're above the Irish people is completely unacceptable," said Ni Riada.

"There's an air of entitlement and you must be careful," warned Freeman.

"We are trying to represent the people of Ireland. It is not the right thing to do for Sean Gallagher to jump on this," she added.

"We haven't heard much from Sean for the past seven years," purred Gavin Duffy.

"I'm disappointed the Fianna Fail candidate didn't show up," agreed Peter Casey.

Gallagher wasn't the party of destiny's candidate, Claire pointed out. Casey looked dramatically sceptical.

Round two comes tomorrow on Virgin Media. But whether we can stay awake for it is the real debate.Ready for battle: The candidates in the RTE radio centre ahead of the first presidential debate on Saturday. Photo: Tony Gavin

Sinn Fein has been accused of a "political response" after closing down a private WhatsApp group following "leprechaun" remarks about President Michael D Higgins.

The party has a history of bullying allegations but it quickly moved to shut down the group following the exchange during the RTE Radio One presidential debate.

A phone number linked to Ciaran Doherty, a party official in Finglas, posted the remark: "They could at least give the leprechaun a booster seat."

The party has declined to say if members at the centre of the WhatsApp exchange, deemed "inappropriate" by the party, will be disciplined.

Councillor Anthony Connaghan, who sits on Dublin City Council, yesterday apologised for his comments in the group. He had responded "that's gas" to the initial message before going on to say the President's microphone had to be angled downward "as it would be blocking his face".

In a statement shared online, Mr Connaghan said: "Yesterday I commented in a WhatsApp conversation about a post that was inappropriate and offensive to [Michael D Higgins]. I realise I was wrong to do this and I apologise to the President for any hurt caused."

The messages, first revealed in the 'Irish Daily Star', were deemed "inappropriate and disrespectful" by the party, who said it contravened their social media policy.

However, Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin said "Sinn Fein has a long ways to go" when it came to tackling bullying.

"Vulgar abuse is no substitute for policy," he said.

Mr Howlin accused the party of having a "political reaction" to the group, noting the party has a history of allegations about bullying within its ranks.

"I think it was a political response on this occasion because they know there would be a political reaction in the middle of a political campaign," he told the Irish Independent.

"There is a need to ensure anyone who wants to serve in public office can do so without the threat of bullying and Sinn Fein has a long way to go."

In response to queries about the exchange, a campaign spokesperson for Mr Higgins said he had pledged that he and his supporters would conduct a respectful campaign and "work to sustain the dignity of the office of President, which belongs not to any individual, but to the present and future citizens of Ireland.

"That's why it's important that this presidential election campaign is conducted with dignity and respect by all."Creamed goat's cheese with strawberry and gingerbread from Gregan's Castle

Simon Haden and Frederieke McMurray receiving their Good Hotel Guide Cesar Award 2019 with Niki Davies, Ian Belcher and Adam Raphael.

Gregans Castle, set in the Burren near Ballyvaughan, Co Clare, has been revealed as the Good Hotel Guide's best hotel in Ireland for 2019.

The Good Hotel Guide is a leading independent guide, listing 860 editorially-selected properties throughout the UK and Ireland.

Each year, its editors announce 10 Cesar award winners, named after legendary Swiss hotelier Cesar Ritz, that demonstrate a particular "excellence in their field".

"The elegant, antique-filled interior gleams with modern art and fresh flowers," it says of Gregans Castle, a country house run by Simon Haden and Freddie McMurray.

It also singles out the hotel's captivating Burren views, head chef Robbie McCauleys Atlantic and Burren-inspired menus, and nods to its pet-friendly nature - "a friendly cat may be curled up on one of the armchairs."

Good Hotel Guide Cesar Awards 2019

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Gregan's Castle Gregan's Castle Gregan's Castle: mouthwatering crab Gregan's Castle. Photo: Andrew Downes Creamed goat's cheese with strawberry and gingerbread from Gregan's Castle Gregan's Castle Gregan's Castle's fine dining / Facebook

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Newcomer of the year: Pentonbridge Inn, Penton, Cumbria

Pentonbridge Inn, Penton, Cumbria Luxury hotel of the year: Kinloch Lodge, Sleat, Isle of Skye

Kinloch Lodge, Sleat, Isle of Skye Seaside hotel of the year: The Nare, Veryan-in-Roseland, Cornwall

The Nare, Veryan-in-Roseland, Cornwall Country hotel of the year: Tudor Farmhouse, Clearwell, Gloucestershire

Tudor Farmhouse, Clearwell, Gloucestershire B&B of the year: Stoberry House, Wells, Somerset

Stoberry House, Wells, Somerset Romantic hotel of the year: The Salutation, Sandwich, Kent

The Salutation, Sandwich, Kent Inn of the year: The Star Inn, Harome, North Yorkshire

The Star Inn, Harome, North Yorkshire Irish hotel of the year: Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan, Ireland

Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan, Ireland Scottish hotel of the year: Knockendarroch Hotel, Pitlochry, Scotland

Knockendarroch Hotel, Pitlochry, Scotland Welsh restaurant-with-rooms of the year: Restaurant James Sommerin, Penarth, Wales

"This years 2019 Cesar winners have demonstrated excellence at every turn, providing guests with delicious food and warm hospitality," said Good Hotel Guide co-editors Adam Raphael and Ian Belcher.

"They have also succeeded in getting the all-important basics right, from a comfortable mattress or very good ambient lighting to that vital but often overlooked welcoming atmosphere and smooth service.

Celeb guests at Gregans, where a dinner, bed and breakfast offer starts from 379 per room, have included Steven Spielberg, Sharon Stone and Ewan McGregor.

The Good Hotel Guide 2019: Great Britain & Ireland is available now at 16 on goodhotelguide.com, or or priced at 20 in UK bookshops.

Read more:Minister Brendan Griffin pictured at one of his favourite spots in Kerry.Caher Marsh Loop, near his home place on the Dingle Peninsula. Photo: Valerie OSullivan

Minister Griffin is pictured at one of his favourite spots in Kerry.on the Sliabh Mish Mountains, near his home place on the Dingle Peninsula. Photo: Valerie OSullivan

A new, global social media campaign is asking locals along the Wild Atlantic Way to share images and video of their 'hidden gems' online.

The crowd-sourcing-style Call of the Wild was announced today by Minister Brendan Griffin (pictured above) as a joint initiative between the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland.

It encourages people along the 2,500km route to share images and videos of their locality using the hashtag #MyWildAtlanticWay before October 31.

The best images will then be chosen as part of a global promotional campaign by Tourism Ireland - which now has around 4.3 million Facebook fans, almost 500,000 Twitter followers and 425,000 followers on Instagram.

Entrants could also win a two-night Wild Atlantic Way getaway.

"Collaboration with local communities has been key to the success of the Wild Atlantic Way and our new Call of the Wild campaign asks local people to tell us about the hidden gems in their counties, whether it be a secluded beach, unknown coastal walkway or the perfect cafe, so that we can share it with the world, said Niall Tracey, Failte Irelands Director of Marketing.

The videos will be seen by more than one million people  encouraging holidaymakers everywhere to come and visit the Wild Atlantic Way outside of the peak travel season, added Tourism Irelands Director of Markets, Siobhan McManamy.

The Wild Atlantic Way celebrates its fifth anniversary next year - since its launch in 2014, it has become one of Ireland's most successful tourism marketing and development initiatives.

Previous promotional campaigns have included a Wild Atlantic Way passport, a video soundtracked by Irish band Walking on Cars (below), and a British-targeted effort to offset the impact of Brexit on visitor numbers.

While Irish tourism numbers continue to grow, efforts are underway to spread revenue and visitors beyond 'honeypots' like Dublin and Kerry and into the off-season.

As well as user-generated content, 'Call of the Wild' is teaming up with eight sporting ambassadors - Aidan OMahony in Kerry, Orla Finn in Cork, Podge Collins in Clare, Michael Murphy in Donegal, Roisin Upton in Limerick, Lee Keegan in Mayo, Alan Cawley in Sligo and David Collins in Galway. Each will share their own favourite destinations across their social media accounts.

This is the first of a number of regional tourism initiatives made possible due to the increased funding in tourism," said Minister Griffin.

"From stunning landscapes to exquisite food, there are many hidden gems along the Wild Atlantic Way known to locals, but undiscovered by the rest of the world."

Read more:

Renounceable Rights Offer to Raise up to $2.3 Million

Perth, Oct 16, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - White Cliff Minerals Limited ( ASX:WCN ) ("White Cliff" or "the Company") is pleased to announce a partially underwritten renounceable pro rata offer of two New Shares (2) for every one (1) White Cliff Share held, at an issue price of $0.015 per New Share to raise up $2,309,754 (Rights Offer). For every New Share issued, shareholders will receive one free attaching option exercisable at $0.045 on or before 30 September 2020. ASX listing of the option will be sought. A total of 153,983,628 New Shares together with 153,983,628 New Options are to be offered under the Rights Offer.Key Highlights of the Offer:- Two for one renounceable rights issue to raise up to $2.3m- Attractively priced at $0.015, a discount of 40% to closing price pre offer- One free option issued for every new share, exercisable at $0.045 on or before 30 September 2020- ASX listing of new options will be sought- Shareholders may apply for additional new shares, above their entitlement- Offer partially underwritten by CPS Capital- Funds raised to focus on:o The high grade Aucu gold deposit (3Mt at 5.1 g/t containing 484,000 Oz gold) and;o Defining cobalt-nickel resources at Coronation Dam and Ghan WellThe Rights Offer is underwritten to the amount of $500,000 by Perth based CPS Capital Group Pty Ltd ("CPS"). The Offer is open to all eligible shareholders who have a registered address within Australia or New Zealand, and who hold White Cliff shares at 22nd October 2018 (the "Record Date"). The Offer will close on 8th November 2018 (unless extended). The shares offered are attractively priced at 40% discount to the previous close plus the value of the free (to be listed) option.The funds raised by the Rights Offer will be used primarily for:- Drilling to define further gold resources at the Company's gold deposit in Central Asia (the deposit already contains a resource of 3 Mt at 5.1 g/t gold containing 484,000 Oz of gold from surface).- Pre-development studies including metallurgy, environmental, economic and licence conversionIn Western Australia funds will be used for:- Resource estimate for the Coronation Dam Cobalt and Nickel Deposit- Preliminary metallurgical test work on Coronation Dam Cobalt and Nickel Deposit- Drilling to define cobalt and nickel resources at the Ghan Well Cobalt-Nickel project- General working capitalAll New Shares issued will rank equally with existing Shares on issue and the Company will apply for official quotation of the New Shares and New Options. A prospectus in relation to the Rights Offer will be lodged with ASIC during the course of today. Existing Option holders are not entitled to participate in the Rights Offer without first exercising their options to be registered as a Shareholder in Australia or New Zealand before the Record Date, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the options.Prospectus and Entitlement & Acceptance FormA prospectus setting out details of the offer will be dispatched to you on the 25th October 2018 and accompanied by a personalised application form with instructions how to accept your entitlement.White Cliff Managing Director Todd Hibberd said: "The Company has delivered two significant exploration outcomes this year with a 60% increase in the gold resource at the Aucu gold-copper project in the Kyrgyz Republic (now 3Mt at 5.1 g/t containing 484,000 ounces of gold) and the identification of extensive and high grade cobalt and nickel results from the Coronation Dam project in Western Australia.Both projects have substantial economic potential and provide a platform for further strong positive news flow and resource updates.By undertaking a rights issue, all existing shareholders will be given the opportunity to acquire New Shares at the same price with a free attaching option for which the Company will seek ASX quotation. If the maximum funds are raised the Company will be funded such that its primary focus can be on defining cobalt and nickel resources via drilling in WA and defining further gold and copper resources at the Aucu Gold project."INDICATIVE TIMETABLEThe following are indicative dates in respect of the Rights Offer:Event: Announcement of OfferDate: 16 October 2018Event: Lodgement of Prospectus with the ASICDate: 16 October 2018Event: Lodgement of Prospectus & Appendix 3B with ASXDate: 16 October 2018Event: Notice sent to OptionholdersDate: 17 October 2018Event: Notice sent to ShareholdersDate: 18 October 2018Event: Ex dateDate: 19 October 2018Event: Rights start tradingDate: 19 October 2018Event: Record Date for determining Entitlements (5:00pm WST)Date: 22 October 2018Event: Prospectus and personalised Entitlement and Acceptance Forms sent out to Eligible ShareholdersDate: 25 October 2018Event: Rights Trading EndsDate: 1 November 2018Event: Securities quoted on a deferred settlement basisDate: 2 November 2018Event: Last day to extend the Closing DateDate: 5 November 2018Event: Closing Date (5:00pm WST)*Date: 8 November 2018Event: ASX notified of under subscriptionsDate: 13 November 2018Event: Issue date. Deferred settlement trading endsDate: 15 November 2018The above dates are indicative only and may be subject to change. The Directors may vary these dates subject to any applicable requirements of the Corporations Act or the Listing Rules.About White Cliff Minerals Ltd

White Cliff Minerals Ltd is a Gold, Copper, Cobalt, Nickel resources and mining company listed in Australia (ASX:WCN). The Company is focused on developing low cost high value mineral deposits that have near term cash flow potential.

Major projects include the Aucu gold deposit that contains 484,000 ounces of gold (3mt at 5.1 g/t) starting at surface and Chanach copper deposit that contains 64,000 tonnes of copper (17.2Mt at 0.37% copper). Both projects have substantial blue sky potential with drilling covering only 5% of the known structures. In Australia the company is developing the Coronation Dam cobaltnickel deposit where a maiden resource will be announced in the late 2018.Influencers: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry received gifts for the new baby as they started their Australia tour in Sydney last night. Photo: PA

In 1948, Buckingham Palace issued a cryptic statement to say that the queen, then Princess Elizabeth, would "undertake no public engagements after the end of June".

This was the only allusion to her pregnancy, and she later withdrew from official duties during her third and fourth pregnancies with barely a word to the press.

Fast forward to the 1980s, and Princess Diana famously said: "The whole world is watching my stomach."

Expand Close Britain's Prince Harry (R) and his wife Meghan (L) walk to their boat after a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney on October 16, 2018 / Facebook

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Whatsapp Britain's Prince Harry (R) and his wife Meghan (L) walk to their boat after a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney on October 16, 2018

Bump watch has since become a global pastime.

As soon as the official royal announcement was made that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were expecting a baby, critics were commenting on everything from Meghan's roomy coat at Princess Eugenie's wedding on Friday to the binders she held over her stomach in Sydney this week to whether they conceived on their visit to Dublin in July.

It is understood that members of the royal family were told about the pregnancy before the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, but that Meghan (37) and Harry (34) were keen to wait until after his cousin's celebrations to reveal their news.

The queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Camilla Parker-Bowles, Prince William and Kate Middleton were said to be "delighted" for the couple.

Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, said she is "very happy about this lovely news" and "looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild". Thomas Markle, Meghan's estranged father, has not yet made a statement.

The pregnancy was announced on the eve of the Sussexes' trip to Australia. Meghan is said to have had a successful 12-week scan, and the baby is due in late April. But the former actress can now expect intense scrutiny in the months ahead.

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Meghan's sister-in-law Kate influenced everything from maternity fashion to baby gear throughout her three pregnancies.

The Duchess and Duke of Cambridge eschewed a nimble Bugaboo for vintage-style prams. And despite their royal status, Kate and Wills like to affect a thoroughly middle-class appearance, leading to a rise in nostalgic British childrenswear like cardigans, smocked dresses and knickerbockers.

Meghan and Harry tend to keep things a bit more modern, with Meghan in particular showing a preference for sustainable brands. Could they spark a trend for eco-friendly childrenswear?

Meghan also prefers a more minimalist wardrobe to Kate, so she may pass that on to her child, perhaps opting for understated designs over Kate's favourite ditsy florals.

Expand Close Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex take their seats ahead of the wedding of Princess Eugenie of York and Mr. Jack Brooksbank at St. George's Chapel on October 12, 2018 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex take their seats ahead of the wedding of Princess Eugenie of York and Mr. Jack Brooksbank at St. George's Chapel on October 12, 2018 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

"If Kate's pregnancies are anything to go by, fashion mavens on our boards will be watching Meghan's maternity wardrobe closely in the hope of picking up some tips," said Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet.

Like many royals before her - along with Amal Clooney - Meghan is expected to give birth in the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, London, and will likely pose for a shot on the steps just like Kate and Diana.

Meghan's mother Doria is believed to be planning a move to London.

Given her background as a yoga instructor, we might even see Meghan and Harry taking parent-and-baby yoga classes, or trying out the broccoli soup recipes Meghan used to post on her now-defunct lifestyle blog, 'The Tig'. In any case, it's likely to be a much more modern pregnancy than the royals are used to.

Which brings us to the most ground-breaking part of this news: that Meghan and Harry's child will be the first biracial member of the royal family.

Tom Sykes, royal commentator for the Daily Beast, said Meghan and Harry's marriage and baby was an example of the royals "keeping in step with modern thought, only a few polite steps behind it".Meghan, Duchess of Sussex reacts during a ceremony at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. Kirsty Wigglesworth/Pool via REUTERS

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex poses during a Welcome Event at Admiralty House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a Welcome Event at Admiralty House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex poses during a Welcome Event at Admiralty House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex poses during a Welcome Event at Admiralty House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a Welcome Event at Admiralty House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a Welcome Event at Admiralty House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex greets member of the crowd at the Sydney Opera House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex greets members of the crowd at the Sydney Opera House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are presented with native flowers from children, Dasha Gallagher (L) and Finley Blue, during a ceremony at Taronga Zoo on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meets a Koala called Ruby during a visit to Taronga Zoo on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during a visit to Taronga Zoo on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex depart after visiting Taronga Zoo on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during a visit to Taronga Zoo on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet and greet the public at the Sydney Opera House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex watch a rehearsal of Spirit 2018 by the Bangarra Dance Theatre at the Sydney Opera House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan walk down the stairs of Sydneys iconic Opera House to meet people in Sydney on October 16, 2018

Britain's Prince Harry (R) and his wife Meghan (L) walk to their boat after a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney on October 16, 2018

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan arrive by launch at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney on October 16, 2018

Britain's Prince Harry (L) and his wife Meghan (R) arrive at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney on October 16, 2018

Britain's princess Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, smiles as she meets with people outside the Sydneys iconic Opera House on October 16, 2018

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan walk down the stairs of the iconic Opera House to meet people on October 16, 2018

Britain's Prince Harry greets well-wishers during a public walk at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney on October 16, 2018

Britain's Prince Harry and wife Meghan arrive for a public walk at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney on October 16, 2018

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at Man O'War Steps on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Chris Jackson/Pool via REUTERS

The Duchess of Sussex meets members of the public during a walkabout outside the Sydney Opera House, in Sydney on the first day of the Royal couple's visit to Australia

The Duchess of Sussex meets a Koala called Ruby during a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney on the first day of the Royal couple's visit to Australia Tuesday October 16, 2018

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan walk down the stairs of Sydneys iconic Opera House to meet people in Sydney on October 16, 2018

Meghan Markle paid tribute to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana by wearing some of her beloved jewellery in her first appearance since announcing her pregnancy.

Britain's Duchess of Sussex (37) and husband of five months Prince Harry yesterday announced they're expecting their first child ahead of their 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. And they kicked off their busy tour in Sydney on Monday with two engagements - opening the Taronga Institute of Science & Learning as well as visiting the Taronga Zoo, where they befriended a koala and greeted some tiny fans.

For the appearance, Meghan wore two of Diana's pieces, first, a pair of diamond butterfly earrings, which she wore to her Canada trip in 1986 and her gold bracelet, which she wore in 1990. It was a fitting homage to Harry's mother, who died when he was xx, in particular as she knew all eyes would be on the royal couple as they appeared Down Under just hours after confirming they will be expecting a baby in Spring 2019.

Expand Close Britain's Prince Harry (R) and his wife Meghan (L) walk to their boat after a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney on October 16, 2018 / Facebook

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Whatsapp Britain's Prince Harry (R) and his wife Meghan (L) walk to their boat after a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney on October 16, 2018

Meghan dipped her toe into the world of fashion diplomacy, opting for a white sleeveless dress by Australia designer Karen Gee, which she first wore under a knee length trench coat, a pair of nude suede Stuart Weitzman pumps and let her understated, yet striking, accessories doe the talking.

Both Harry and William were given a number of pieces from their mother's jewellery collection, some of which they have gifted to their wives and others which they have securely kept in a vault.

The couple were given their first official baby gifts by Governor General Peter Cosgrove and his wife, Lady Lynne Cosgrove, in the form of a stuffed kangaroo toy and baby Ugg booties.

Harry took advantage of opportunities to raise a smile during his first overseas tour with his wife, which started early during their visit to Taronga Zoo, the same facility where Kate Middleton and Prince William visited with then one-year-old Prince George in 2014.

Expand Close Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends a ceremony at Taronga Zoo on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia / Facebook

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Whatsapp Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends a ceremony at Taronga Zoo on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

Finley Blue, four, and six-year-old Dacha Gallagher both presented their bouquets of traditional flowers in Meghan's direction, with Harry joking: "Oh, you're giving them both to her!"

He lso showed off his sense of humour when the zoo's director Cameron Kerr spoke of the various work the zoo does with pre-school groups, and Harry pointed to the 20 Youth at the Zoo volunteers aged 13-19 in the crowd and pulled a mock confused face.

Video of the Day

When Mr Kerr appeared to briefly struggle to get out all the syllables in "Duke of Sussex and Duchess of Sussex", Harry was on hand to smile and pronounce "Sussexes".

He followed this up with a cheery "G'day" as he spoke at Admiralty House for an afternoon reception hosted by the Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove.

Expand Close Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a Welcome Event at Admiralty House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia / Facebook

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Whatsapp Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a Welcome Event at Admiralty House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

He thanked the couple for giving their "magnificent" home over to the Sussexes for the week, before adding "We are inviting all our mates in Sydney..."

"Finally, we are both absolutely delighted to be here. We are really impressed to see you serving beer and tea at an afternoon reception in true Aussie style," Harry added.

Expand Close Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a Welcome Event at Admiralty House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia / Facebook

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Whatsapp Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a Welcome Event at Admiralty House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia

As the couple were preparing to cut the ribbon to open the institute, Meghan appeared to realise she was still holding her coat.

She moved towards an aide and a member of the crowd shouted out, "I'll look after it for you!", to which Mr Kerr added: "You might not get it back!"

Additional reporting by Press AssociationBelfast model Mairead O'Neill has passed away suddenly at the age of 21.

Ms O'Neill was pronounced dead on Monday night.

She was originally from the Market area of Belfast and had recently graduated from University.

Ms O'Neill worked for CMPR Models and was considered one of the top up and coming models within the industry locally.

Expand Close Model Mairead O'Neill. Picture: Instagram / Facebook

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Whatsapp Model Mairead O'Neill. Picture: Instagram

She had worked at Belfast Fashion Week and the recent Carl Frampton fight at Windsor Park.

Cathy Martin of CMPR Models paid tribute to Mairead on social media and said she was "devastated to hear of her passing".

It is understood that her mother recently passed away as a result of bowel cancer.Ten people died and at least five were seriously injured as floods hit an area of southern France popular with tourists.

The Aude department, home to the medieval fortress city of Carcassonne, had seven months' worth of rainfall in one night, causing the worst floods in the area since 1891.

A nun was swept to her death by rising waters in the village of Villardonnel, where her convent was partially destroyed, and at least four people died overnight in Villegailhenc, according to local authorities.

A sixth person also died in Trebes and local authorities had raised the death toll to 10 by yesterday afternoon. "This is a temporary toll and as reconnaissance continues during rescue efforts, it is possible it could get worse," said Edouard Philippe, France's prime minister.

The threat of further flooding has not yet abated, according to Vigicrues, the French agency responsible for monitoring water levels.

More than 1,000 residents of the town of Pezens were evacuated amid fears that a dam might burst. Six helicopters were dispatched to help rescue people from rooftops but continuing poor weather hampered operations, Alain Thirion, the prefect of Aude, said.

"We have people stranded on rooftops. We're going to have to use aircraft to evacuate them because we cannot reach them by boat, given the force of the water. It's too dangerous," he said.

Torrential rain at this time of year is not uncommon in France but meteorologists have warned that exceptionally warm seawater along the Mediterranean coast may be fuelling this year's floods. ( Daily Telegraph, London)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]Stephen Hawking: Remember to look up at the stars, not down at your feet

In 'A Brief History of Time', Professor Stephen Hawking was equivocal about the possibility of a creator, stating that finding a complete theory of the universe would allow mankind to "know the mind of God".

But in his final book, which is published today, the astrophysicist is clear: There is no God. Or an afterlife. And certainly no heaven.

Shortly before his death, Prof Hawking began compiling the answers to 10 fundamental questions which he had been asked frequently by readers since the publication of 'A Brief History of Time' in 1988.

They include "Is time travel possible?", "Should we colonise space?" and "Is there a God?"

Answering the final question just months before his death, he said he had come to the "profound realisation" that there was no afterlife or supreme being.

"We are each free to believe what we want, and it's my view that the simplest explanation is that there is no God," he said.

"No one created the universe and no one directs our fate. This leads me to a profound realisation: there is probably no heaven and afterlife either. I think belief in the afterlife is just wishful thinking.

"It flies in the face of everything we know in science. I think that when we die we return to dust.

"But there is a sense we live on, in our influence, and in the genes we pass to our children."

The eminent cosmologist, who had motor neurone disease and died in March, also had his final public thoughts broadcast at the event ending with an emotional address to younger generations.

"Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet," the familiar voice-generation computer generated said. "Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist.

"Be curious, and however difficult life may seem there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don't give up. Unleash your imagination. Shape the future."

His daughter Lucy was asked how if felt to hear her father once again.

"It was very emotional. I feel sometimes like he's still here because we talk about him and we see images of him, and then we have the reminder that he's left us."

Her brother Timothy, who also attended the launch, said that while reading the new book he could hear his father's voice "leaping off the page".

Speaking at the launch of the book, 'Brief Answers to the Big Questions', at the Science Museum in London, his daughter Lucy Hawking said she liked to think her father would find his final resting place between Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin at Westminster Abbey and he would never be alone again.One of Britain's most prolific paedophiles, who blackmailed a string of vulnerable victims, has won a challenge against his "manifestly excessive" 32-year prison sentence.

Cambridge graduate Matthew Falder had his custodial term reduced to 25 years by Court of Appeal judges in London on Tuesday.

Bespectacled Falder watched the proceedings via video link from prison.

His barrister Andrew Smith QC told the court during the hearing: "This was grave offending with undoubtedly profound consequences for those who were the victims of this applicant."

But he submitted that "the custodial element of 32 years imposed was manifestly excessive".

The decision to allow the sentence challenge was announced by Lord Justice Holroyde, sitting with Mr Justice King and the Recorder of Winchester Judge Keith Cutler.

He said the court had concluded that the "appropriate" custodial term, taking into account credit for the guilty pleas, and "the principle of totality", was 25 years.

The sentencing judge at Birmingham Crown Court in February concluded that Falder was a dangerous offender and gave him a six-year extended licence period. This was increased to eight years by the appeal judges.

Falder, of Harborne Park Road, Birmingham, committed his offences over nearly 10 years, manipulating victims "behind a computer screen" by duping them into providing nude images and personal details.

He admitted 137 offences, including voyeurism, encouraging child rape, and sharing images showing the abuse of a newborn baby, after being caught by an international inquiry led by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

The 29-year-old was arrested in June last year after traumatised victims, who were tricked into sending him humiliating images, threatened or attempted to end their own lives.

Sentencing "warped and sadistic" Falder in February for "a tale of ever-increasing depravity", Judge Philip Parker QC said: "As for your equally extraordinary sexual offending - no-one who knew you, above ground, had an inkling of what you were doing below the surface."

Branding him an "internet highwayman" who targeted 46 victims, he added: "You wanted to assume total control over your victims.

"Your behaviour was cunning, persistent, manipulative and cruel."

Of the victims, he said: "The damage is ongoing. For these individuals it will never end, knowing the abuse caused by you still exists in other unknown persons' computers."

The unprecedented operation to catch Falder, who used specialist software to hide his online accounts, was aided by GCHQ, the US Homeland Security Department and law enforcement bodies in Israel and Australia.

On his arrest, the former post-doctoral researcher and lecturer in geophysics at the University of Birmingham quipped to officers that the list of then suspected offences sounded "like the rap sheet from hell".

Birmingham Crown Court heard that Falder coerced male and female victims into producing "increasingly severe self-generated indecent images of themselves, the focus of these images being to humiliate and degrade".

Opening the facts of the case against Falder, prosecutor Ruona Iguyovwe told the court many images were distributed on so-called "hurtcore" websites on the dark web, showing material depicting sexual and physical abuse.German special Police walks near the main train station in Cologne, Germany, after the train station was closed after hostage-taking. Photo: Thilo Schmuelgen/Reuters

A man threw a Molotov cocktail into a crowded McDonald's cafe before taking a woman hostage in Cologne's main railway station in what police say may have been a failed terror attack.

A 14-year-old girl suffered burns to her legs when the man, claiming to be a member of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil), attacked the restaurant.

He then took a woman hostage in a pharmacy inside the station complex while onlookers fled. Witnesses described him as shouting that he was acting for Isil.

Police special forces stormed the station and freed the hostage, who suffered moderate injuries, according to emergency services.

The suspect was shot in the stomach by police marksmen and was said to be in critical condition last night.

The incident began at around 11.45pm when the suspect threw a Molotov cocktail into the station's McDonald's. A 14-year-old girl was injured but managed to escape.

"It was indescribable, terrible to look at," a witness who saw the teenager's injuries told the local Express newspaper.

The girl was rushed to hospital and was said to be in stable condition last night.

Police made the decision to storm the station when the suspect threatened to set light to a female hostage. He had taped gas cartridges to her body and poured fuel over her.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) walks alongside Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir after arriving in Riyadh Photo by LEAH MILLIS / POOL / AFP)LEAH MILLIS/AFP/Getty Images

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo greets Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir upon his arrival in Riyadh Photo by LEAH MILLIS / POOL / AFP)LEAH MILLIS/AFP/Getty Images

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) walks alongside Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir after arriving in Riyadh Photo by LEAH MILLIS / POOL / AFP)LEAH MILLIS/AFP/Getty Images

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo is set to meet King Salman in Saudi Arabia over the disappearance and alleged killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

The meeting comes as a Turkish forensics team finished its search for evidence in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul where Mr Khashoggi went missing two weeks ago.

Some reports have claimed that Saudi officials may concede the killing took place in the consulate.

Forensic officers treated the consulate as a crime scene during their lengthy search.

After speaking with King Salman, US president Donald Trump said that the alleged murder could have been carried out by "rogue killers" - offering the kingdom, a US ally and one of the world's top oil producers, a possible path out of a global diplomatic firestorm.

However, what was left unsaid was the fact that any decision taken in the ultra-conservative kingdom rests solely with the ruling Al Saud family.

Noticeably absent from discussions was Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom Mr Khashoggi wrote critically about for The Washington Post and whose rise to power prompted the writer to go into a self-imposed exile in the US.

Ayham Kamel, the head of the Middle East and North Africa branch of political risk consultancy the Eurasia Group, said: "The effort behind the scenes is focused on avoiding a diplomatic crisis between the two countries and has succeeded in finding a pathway to deescalate tensions.

Expand Close US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) walks alongside Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir after arriving in Riyadh Photo by LEAH MILLIS / POOL / AFP)LEAH MILLIS/AFP/Getty Images / Facebook

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"Riyadh will have to provide some explanation of the journalist's disappearance, but in a manner that distances the leadership from any claim that a decision was made at senior levels to assassinate the prominent journalist."

CNN reported that the Saudis were going to admit the killing had occurred but deny the king or crown prince had ordered it - which does not match what analysts and experts know about the kingdom's inner workings.

The New York Times reported that the Saudi royal court would suggest that an official within the kingdom's intelligence services - a friend of Prince Mohammed - had carried out the killing.

According to that reported claim, the crown prince had approved an interrogation or rendition of Mr Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia, but the intelligence official had been too eager to prove himself, with tragic consequences.

Saudi officials have been in and out of the consulate since Mr Khashoggi's disappearance on October 2. Under the Vienna Convention, diplomatic posts are technically foreign soil that must be protected and respected by host countries.

Earlier on Monday, a cleaning crew with mops, rubbish bags and what appeared to be bottles of bleach walked into the building past waiting journalists.

Turkey had wanted to search the consulate for days. Permission apparently came after a Sunday night call between King Salman and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In statements after the call, both praised the creation of a joint Saudi-Turkish probe into the matter.

Mr Khashoggi has written extensively for the Post about Saudi Arabia, criticising its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of women's rights activists after the lifting of a driving ban for women.

Those policies are all seen as initiatives of Prince Mohammed, the son of King Salman, who is next in line to the throne.

Prince Mohammed has aggressively pitched the kingdom as a destination for foreign investment. But Mr Khashoggi's disappearance has led several business leaders and media outlets to back out of the upcoming investment conference in Riyadh, called the Future Investment Initiative.

They include Virgin supremo Sir Richard Branson; the CEO of Uber, a company in which Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars; JPMorgan Chase & Co chief executive Jamie Dimon; and Ford executive chairman Bill Ford.

Mr Trump had previously warned of "severe punishment" for the kingdom if it was found to be involved in Mr Khashoggi's disappearance.

The warning drew an angry response from Saudi Arabia, including a suggestion that Riyadh could wield its oil production as a weapon in retaliation.

The US president has been after King Salman and OPEC to boost production for weeks to drive down high crude oil prices, caused in part by the coming re-imposition of oil sanctions on Iran after the US withdrawal from that's country's nuclear deal with world powers.Yemen is in the grip of a civil war that began three years ago with air strikes by Saudi Arabia contributing to the humanitarian crisis

Some 13 million people are on the brink of starvation in war-torn Yemen, the UN has warned.

It says the country is facing the worst famine for a century and that there are just three months left to avoid catastrophe.

Yemen is in the grip of a civil war that began three years ago with air strikes by Saudi Arabia contributing to the humanitarian crisis.

Lise Grande, the UN's humanitarian co-ordinator for Yemen, told the BBC: "I think many of us felt as we went into the 21st century that is was unthinkable that we could see a famine like we saw in Ethiopia, that we saw in Bengal, that we saw in parts of the Soviet Union, that was just unacceptable.

"Many of us had the confidence that that would never happen again and yet the reality is that in Yemen that is precisely what we are looking at.

"We predict that we could be looking at 12 to 13 million innocent civilians who are at risk of dying from the lack of food."

When asked if the world should be ashamed, she responded: 'Yes. There's no question we should be ashamed, and we should, every day that we wake up, renew our commitment to do everything possible to help the people that are suffering and end the conflict."

The United Nations and humanitarian workers also condemned an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition targeting Yemen's Shi'ite rebels that reportedly killed at least 15 civilians near the port city of Hodeida.US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, right, greets Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir (Leah Millis/AP)

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has met with Saudi Arabias King Salman over the disappearance and alleged killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, who vanished two weeks ago during a visit to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

Mr Pompeo landed in Riyadh on Tuesday morning and was welcomed by Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir on landing.

Soon after, Mr Pompeo arrived at a royal palace, where King Salman greeted him.

Americas top diplomat thanked the king for accepting my visit on behalf of President (Donald) Trump before going into a closed-door meeting.

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Turkish officials say they fear Mr Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the Istanbul consulate.

Saudi officials previously have called the allegations baseless, but reports in US media suggested the kingdom may acknowledge the writer was killed there.

Meanwhile, a Turkish forensics team finished earlier in the morning a search inside the consulate.

Technicians in coveralls, gloves and covered shoes treated the diplomatic mission as a crime scene during their hours-long search.

It was not immediately clear what evidence they gathered.

Mr Trump, after speaking with King Salman, had dispatched Mr Pompeo to speak to the monarch of the worlds top oil exporter over Mr Khashoggis disappearance.

Mr Trump himself said without offering evidence that the killing could have been carried out by rogue killers, offering the US-allied kingdom a possible path out of a global diplomatic firestorm.

However, left unsaid was the fact that any decision in the ultraconservative kingdom rests solely with the ruling Al Saud family.

Mr Pompeo also was to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom Mr Khashoggi wrote critically about for The Washington Post and whose rise to power prompted the writer to go into a self-imposed exile in the United States.

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The effort behind the scenes is focused on avoiding a diplomatic crisis between the two countries and has succeeded in finding a pathway to deescalate tensions, said Ayham Kamel, the head of the Eurasia Groups Mideast and North African practice.

Riyadh will have to provide some explanation of the journalists disappearance, but in a manner that distances the leadership from any claim that a decision was made at senior levels to assassinate the prominent journalist.

CNN reported that the Saudis were going to admit the killing happened but deny the king or crown prince had ordered it which does not match what analysts and experts know about the kingdoms inner workings.

The New York Times reported that the Saudi royal court would suggest that an official within the kingdoms intelligence services, a friend of Prince Mohammed, had carried out the killing.

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According to that reported claim, the crown prince had approved an interrogation or rendition of Mr Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia, but the intelligence official was tragically incompetent as he eagerly sought to prove himself.

Both reports cited anonymous people said to be familiar with the Saudi plans.

Saudi officials have been in and out of the building since Mr Khashoggis disappearance on October 2 without being stopped. Under the Vienna Convention, diplomatic posts are technically foreign soil that must be protected and respected by host countries.

Forensics tests like spraying luminol, a chemical mixture, can expose blood left behind, said Mechthild Prinz, an associate professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice who previously worked at the New York Citys Office of the chief medical examiner.

It depends on how well they cleaned it up, Ms Prinz said.

Obviously, you dont want anybody to have a chance to clean it up, but very often people do miss blood.

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Told that a cleaning crew walked into the consulate before the team arrived, she said: You saw that? Wow. Thats going to be a problem.

Turkey has wanted to search the consulate for days.

Permission apparently came after a late Sunday night call between King Salman and Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In statements after the call, both praised the creation of a joint Saudi-Turkish probe.

The Turkish inspection team included a prosecutor, a deputy prosecutor, anti-terror police and forensic experts, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

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Certain areas of the consulate were to remain off-limits, although officials would be able to inspect surveillance cameras, Turkish media reported.

What evidence Turkish officials gathered at the consulate remains unknown.

Turkeys private DHA news agency said the Saudi consuls office was among the rooms searched.

Mr Khashoggi has written extensively for the Post about Saudi Arabia, criticising its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of womens rights activists after the lifting of a driving ban for women.

Those policies are all seen as initiatives of Prince Mohammed, the son of King Salman, who is next in line to the throne.

Prince Mohammed has aggressively pitched the kingdom as a destination for foreign investment.

But Mr Khashoggis disappearance has led several business leaders and media outlets to back out of the upcoming investment conference in Riyadh, called the Future Investment Initiative.

They include the chief executive of Uber, a company in which Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars; billionaire Sir Richard Branson; JPMorgan Chase & Co chief executive Jamie Dimon; and Ford Motor executive chairman Bill Ford.

Mr Pompeo later met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Prince Mohammed said: We are strong and old allies.

We face our challenges together, the past, the day of, tomorrow.

Mr Pompeo thanked Prince Mohammed for hosting him.Canada - Legalisation of Recreational Cannabis



Positioned for Canadian Recreational Cannabis

Sydney, Oct 16, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The Hydroponics Company Limited ( ASX:THC ) ( OTCMKTS:HDRPF ) (to be renamed THC Global Group Limited) (THC Global or the Company) provides the following information with respect to its Canadian operations.Key Points- THC Global welcomes legalisation of recreational cannabis in Canada - expansion of THC Global's addressable market- THC Global incorporating new subsidiary in Canada - Vertical Canna Inc to undertake further investment in the Canadian market- Crystal Mountain expanding warehouse complex and product range to support increased demand including rebranded website to be launched in daysOn Wednesday 17 October 2018 it will be legal for adults in Canada to purchase, possess, or grow recreational cannabis:- THC's wholly-owned subsidiary, Crystal Mountain (CM), currently manufactures and distributes hydroponic equipment and supplies, with Canada being its principal market;- CM has expanded its warehouse complex and product range to meet expected demand resulting from the legalisation of recreational cannabis;- THC Global CEO, Ken Charteris, is currently in Canada with Jason Colquhoun, the Global Head of CM to promote THC Global to the investment community and to further develop strategic alliances across THC Global's cannabis and hydroponics businesses;- THC Global's various partnerships and alliances provide THC Global with market access to Canada in both the medicinal and recreational cannabis sector and through hydroponics equipment which is expected to be in high demand, driven by the multitude of new micro-cultivator and home-growers in Canada; and- CM will launch a new website and undertake a corporate rebranding to target the Canadian micro-cultivator and home-grower markets.THC is incorporating a new subsidiary, Vertical Canna Inc which will be used as an investment and operations entity for the Company's expanded Canadian operations over the coming months.Ken Charteris commented from Canada,"This is a historic time to be in Canada, on the eve of legalisation of recreational cannabis."Whilst our focus remains on revenue generation from our global medicinal cannabis operations, our expanding presence in the Canadian market through Crystal Mountain and our partners will enable us to take advantage of the broadening of the Canadian market. THC Global has a vertically integrated strategy, providing both the means to grow cannabis to micro-cultivators and home-growers from Crystal Mountain with a view towards selling cannabis products into the Canadian market".Jason Colquhoun commented,"We are excited to be able to expand our operations to take advantage of this new opportunity in Canada. Combined with the launch of our new website and additional focus towards the micro-cultivator and home-grow markets, we expect to see great results over the coming quarters".Crystal Mountain (CM)Crystal Mountain is located in Vancouver, Canada. It has been operating for over a decade. CM holds 9 trademarks and two patents. It manufactures and distributes wholesale across North America and is expanding into Europe.CM has been able to compete with competitors while operating with a very low overhead. This allows CM to be competitive, nimble but also scalable. As a subsidiary of THC, CM is well positioned to take advantage of the rapidly changing cannabis market and growth in personal indoor farming.To view figures, please visit:About THC Global Group Limited

THC Global Group Limited (ASX:THC) (OTCMKTS:HDRPF) (FRA:9TH) operates under a 'Farm to Pharma' pharmaceutical model, now holding all three key cannabis licences being a Cannabis Research Licence, a Medicinal Cannabis Licence (Cultivation), and a Manufacture Licence through its domestic medicinal cannabis subsidiaries THC Pharma and Canndeo. THC Global has secured a significant cannabis growing capacity over multiple cultivation projects and owns a pharmaceuticals bio-manufacturing facility with attached testing and product development laboratory. THC Global is in prime position to commence medicinal cannabis production to service both domestic patients and the global export market. THC Global is active globally with operations in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada and partnerships across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. In addition to its core Australian medicinal cannabis assets, THC Global has a significant Canadian presence  both in cannabis and in hydroponics equipment. THC Global's Canadian cannabis operation, Vertical Canna, holds property in Nova Scotia, Canada being developed into a large scale cannabis production site. THC Global's hydroponics equipment division, Crystal Mountain, is a revenue generating manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer of hydroponic equipment and supplies.US secretary of state Mike Pompeo meets with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Leah Mills/AP)

The US secretary of state met on Tuesday with Saudi Arabias King Salman and his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the disappearance and alleged killing at the kingdoms hands of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi at its consulate in Istanbul.

Mike Pompeo smiled and shook hands with both men, who warmly greeted him just hours after a Turkish forensics team finished a search inside the Saudi Consulate, looking for evidence of the Washington Post columnists alleged killing and dismemberment.

Police plan a second search at the Saudi consuls home in Istanbul, a Turkish Foreign Ministry official said, where leaked surveillance footage show diplomatic cars travelled to shortly after Mr Khashoggis disappearance on October 2.

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Saudi officials previously have called Turkish allegations that the kingdom killed Mr Khashoggi baseless, but reports in US media suggested the Saudis may acknowledge the writer was killed at the consulate.

Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir greeted Mr Pompeo when he landed in Riyadh.

Soon after, Mr Pompeo arrived at a royal palace, where he thanked King Salman for accepting my visit on behalf of President (Donald) Trump before the two went into a closed-door meeting.

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Mr Pompeo then met a smiling Prince Mohammed, the 33-year-old heir apparent to the throne of the worlds largest oil exporter.

Mr Khashoggi fled Saudi Arabia and took up a self-imposed exile in the United States after the princes rise.

We are strong and old allies, the prince told Mr Pompeo as journalists watched.

We face our challenges together, the past, the day of, tomorrow.

Today in #Riyadh @SecPompeo met with Saudi Arabias King Salman to discuss regional & bilateral issues. He also thanked the King for his commitment to supporting a thorough, transparent & timely investigation of #JamalKhashoggi s disappearance. pic.twitter.com/EC1rDSxLXr  Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) October 16, 2018

Mr Trump, who dispatched Mr Pompeo to speak to the monarch over Mr Khashoggis disappearance, said on Monday after talking with King Salman that the slaying could have been carried out by rogue killers.

Mr Trump provided no evidence but that statement potentially offers the US-allied kingdom a possible path out of a global diplomatic firestorm.

The king firmly denied any knowledge of it, Mr Trump said on Monday.

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It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers.

I mean, who knows? Were going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial.

However, left unsaid was the fact that any decision in the ultraconservative kingdom rests solely with the ruling Al Saud family.

The effort behind the scenes is focused on avoiding a diplomatic crisis between the two countries and has succeeded in finding a pathway to deescalate tensions, said Ayham Kamel, the head of the Eurasia Groups Mideast and North African practice.

Riyadh will have to provide some explanation of the journalists disappearance, but in a manner that distances the leadership from any claim that a decision was made at senior levels to assassinate the prominent journalist.

CNN reported that the Saudis were going to admit the killing happened but deny the king or crown prince had ordered it, which does not match what analysts and experts know about the kingdoms inner workings.

The New York Times reported that the Saudi royal court would suggest that an official within the kingdoms intelligence services, a friend of Prince Mohammed, had carried out the killing.

According to that reported claim, the crown prince had approved an interrogation or rendition of Mr Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia, but the intelligence official was tragically incompetent as he eagerly sought to prove himself.

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Both reports cited anonymous people said to be familiar with the Saudi plans.

Saudi officials have been in and out of the building since Mr Khashoggis disappearance without being stopped.

Under the Vienna Convention, diplomatic posts are technically foreign soil that must be protected and respected by host countries.

Turkey has wanted to search the consulate for days.

Permission apparently came after a late Sunday night call between King Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Turkish inspection team included a prosecutor, a deputy prosecutor, anti-terror police and forensic experts, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

Certain areas of the consulate were to remain off-limits, although officials would be able to inspect surveillance cameras, Turkish media reported.

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What evidence Turkish officials gathered at the consulate remains unknown, though Mr Erdogan told journalists that police sought traces of toxic materials and suggested parts of the consulate had been recently painted, without elaborating.

Mr Khashoggi has written extensively for the Post about Saudi Arabia, criticising its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of womens rights activists after the lifting of a driving ban for women.

Those policies are all seen as initiatives of Prince Mohammed, the son of King Salman, who is next in line to the throne.

Prince Mohammed has aggressively pitched the kingdom as a destination for foreign investment.

But Mr Khashoggis disappearance has led several business leaders and media outlets to back out of the upcoming investment conference in Riyadh.

Mr Trump previously warned of severe punishment for the kingdom if it was found to be involved in Mr Khashoggis disappearance, which has spooked investors.

Mr Trumps warning drew an angry response Sunday from Saudi Arabia and its state-linked media, including a suggestion that Riyadh could wield its oil production as a weapon.

The US president has been after King Salman and Opec to boost production for weeks to drive down high crude oil prices, caused in part by the coming re-imposition of oil sanctions on Iran after the US withdrawal from thats countrys nuclear deal with world powers.Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with his childhood friend Bill Gates before becoming a billionaire philanthropist, has died at the age of 65.

Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with his childhood friend Bill Gates before becoming a billionaire philanthropist, has died at the age of 65.

His death was announced by his company Vulcan last night.

Earlier this month, Mr Allen announced that the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma he was treated for in 2009 had returned and he planned to fight it aggressively.

"While most knew Paul Allen as a technologist and philanthropist, for us he was a much-loved brother and uncle, and an exceptional friend," said his sister Jody Allen in a statement.

Mr Allen met Bill Gates at school in north Seattle.

The two friends would later drop out of university to pursue the future they envisioned: a world with a computer in every home, and on the way became billionaires.Handshake: US President Donald Trump with and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in Riyadh in May last year. Photo: GETTY

US President Donald Trump suggested yesterday that "rogue killers" might be responsible for murdering Jamal Khashoggi, the missing journalist, after speaking to the Saudi king on the phone.

The US president said King Salman had "firmly denied" that the Saudi state was behind the alleged killing.

He also dispatched Mike Pompeo, his secretary of state, to fly to Riyadh to meet the king and seek answers about Mr Khashoggi's alleged murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

"I don't want to get into his [King Salman's] mind but it sounded to me like maybe it could have been rogue killers, who knows?

"We're going to try get to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial," Mr Trump said.

His comments came as Saudi Arabia was last night said to be preparing to admit that Mr Khashoggi died as a result of an interrogation that went wrong, according to reports in the US.

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Turkish officials had speculated that the Saudi government would blame "rogue" elements of its security services as a way of insulating Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince, from international criticism.

Mr Trump's reference to the theory is likely to further fuel speculation that Riyadh will blame individual Saudi operatives for Mr Khashoggi's disappearance, while denying that there was any government order to kill him.

After meeting the Turkish foreign minister yesterday, British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "There remain questions about Mr Khashoggi that only Saudi Arabia can answer."

Meanwhile, a joint Turkish-Saudi team began their first search of the Istanbul consulate.

Saudi officials had reportedly resisted allowing Turkish police into the consulate after learning that investigators planned to use Luminol, a forensic chemical that reveals bloodstains even if they have been washed clean.

The search team did not appear to be carrying equipment and it was not clear whether they would carry out a forensic investigation.

Several hours before the searchers arrived, journalists spotted a cleaning crew going inside the consulate.

King Salman also ordered prosecutors to launch an internal Saudi probe.

The opening of the probe and the consulate search marked a new flurry of activity on the Saudi side, after two weeks in which Riyadh has done little except deny responsibility.

The shift in the Saudi position came as the kingdom remained under intense pressure from Washington and business leaders over the case.

The White House said it expected Saudi Arabia to carry out "a swift and transparent" investigation "this week".

Larry Kudlow, Mr Trump's economic adviser, said the US would take "stern action" if necessary" and brushed off Riyadh's threats to drive up oil prices.

Meanwhile, the chiefs of Blackstone and BlackRock, two major US investment firms, joined an exodus of executives pulling out of Crown Prince's "Davos in the Desert" summit.

A number of major media outlets has also pulled out of the forum.

Those sceptical about Saudi Arabia criticised Mr Trump for invoking the "rogue killers" theory, suggesting that he was falling for a Saudi ploy.

"Been hearing the ridiculous 'rogue killers' theory was where the Saudis would go with this. Absolutely extraordinary they were able to enlist the president as their PR agent to float it," said Chris Murphy, a Democrat senator.

Dr Neil Quilliam, senior research fellow at Chatham House, an international affairs think tank, said it was "highly unlikely" that senators would buy the rogue killers theory.

Mr Khashoggi, a familiar face on Arab talk shows, moved to the US last year fearing retribution for criticism of Prince Mohammed, who has cracked down on dissent.

The former newspaper editor once interviewed Osama bin Laden and later became a consummate insider, advising former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal when he served as ambassador in London and Washington.

A pro-government Turkish daily published preliminary evidence last week from investigators it said identified a 15-member Saudi intelligence team which arrived in Istanbul on diplomatic passports hours before Khashoggi disappeared.Donald Trump has said Saudi Arabias crown prince denies knowledge of what happened to a journalist who went missing after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, saying answers will be coming shortly.

The US president tweeted after a phone call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the fate of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, who vanished on October 2 while visiting the consulate to pick up paperwork he needed to get married.

Mr Khashoggi had written columns for the Washington Post that were critical of the crown prince.

Mr Trump said the Saudi heir to the throne totally denied any knowledge of what took place in their Turkish Consulate.

He added that the crown prince told me that he has already started, and will rapidly expand, a full and complete investigation into this matter. Answers will be forthcoming shortly.

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo travelled to Saudi Arabia to talk to King Salman and the 33-year-old crown prince about the fate of the journalist.

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It comes as a high-level Turkish official said police searching the Saudi consulate found evidence that Mr Khashoggi was killed there.

Authorities also appeared ready to search the nearby residence of the consul general after the diplomat left the country.

Saudi officials have called Turkish allegations that a team of 15 Saudi agents killed Mr Khashoggi baseless, but US media reports suggested that the kingdom may acknowledge the writer was killed at the consulate, perhaps as part of a botched interrogation.

The close US ally is ruled entirely by the Al Saud monarchy, and all major decisions in the ultra-conservative kingdom are made by the royal family.

Washington Post publisher and chief executive Fred Ryan said the Saudi government owes the Khashoggi family and the world a full and honest explanation of everything that happened to him, noting that Tuesday marked two weeks since the disappearance of the 59-year-old journalist.

The Saudi government can no longer remain silent, and it is essential that our own government and others push harder for the truth, Mr Ryan added.

The high-level Turkish official said police found certain evidence of Mr Khashoggis killing at the consulate.

Police planned a second search at the Saudi consul generals home, as well as some of the countrys diplomatic vehicles, Turkeys foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.

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Leaked surveillance video shows diplomatic cars travelled to the consul generals home shortly after Mr Khashoggi went into the consulate.

Consul General Mohammed al-Otaibi left Turkey on Tuesday afternoon, state media reported, just as police began putting up barricades around his official residence.

Saudi Arabia did not immediately acknowledge he had left or offer a reason for his departure.

Earlier in the day, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said the inviolability or immunity of people or premises granted under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations should be waived immediately.

That convention covers diplomatic immunity, as well as the idea that embassies and consulates sit on foreign soil in their host countries.

Given there seems to be clear evidence that Mr Khashoggi entered the consulate and has never been seen since, the onus is on the Saudi authorities to reveal what happened to him, Ms Bachelet said.

Turkey had wanted to search the consulate for days.

Permission apparently came after a late Sunday night call between King Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Certain areas of the consulate were to remain off-limits, although officials would be able to inspect surveillance cameras, Turkish media reported.

Mr Erdogan told journalists on Tuesday that police sought traces of toxic materials and suggested parts of the consulate had been recently painted, without elaborating.US President Donald Trump is backing off his claim that climate change is a hoax, but says he doesn't know if it's man made and suggests that the climate will "change back again".

In an interview with CBS's '60 Minutes' he said he did not want to put America at a disadvantage in responding to climate change.

"I think something's happening. Something's changing and it'll change back again," he said. "I don't think it's a hoax. I think there's probably a difference. But I don't know that it's man made. I will say this: I don't want to give trillions and trillions of dollars. I don't want to lose millions and millions of jobs."

Mr Trump called climate change a hoax in November 2012 when he sent a tweet stating: "The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make US manufacturing non-competitive." He later said he was joking about the Chinese connection, but in years since has continued to call global warming a hoax.

"I'm not denying climate change," he said in the interview. "But it could very well go back. You know, we're talking about over a ... millions of years."

As far as the climate "changing back", temperature records kept by Nasa and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show that the world hasn't had a cooler-than-average year since 1976 or a cooler-than-normal month since the end of 1985.

Mr Trump, who was scheduled to visit areas of Georgia and Florida damaged by Hurricane Michael yesterday, also expressed doubt over scientists' findings linking the changing climate to more powerful hurricanes.

"They say that we had hurricanes that were far worse than what we just had with Michael," said Mr Trump, who identified "they" as "people" after being pressed by '60 Minutes' correspondent Leslie Stahl.

She asked: "What about the scientists who say it's worse than ever?" to which the president replied: "You'd have to show me the scientists because they have a very big political agenda."

Mr Trump's comments came just days after a Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a warning that global warming would increase climate-related risks to health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security and economic growth.

Citing concerns about the pact's economic impact, Mr Trump said in 2017 that the US will leave the Paris climate accord. The agreement set voluntary greenhouse gas emission targets in an effort to lessen the impact of fossil fuels.

On a different topic, Mr Trump said that he's been surprised by Washington being a tough, deceptive and divisive place, though some accuse the former property tycoon of those same tactics.

"So I always used to say the toughest people are Manhattan real estate guys and blah, blah," he said. "Now I say they're babies."

He said the political people in Washington have changed his thinking.

"This is the most deceptive, vicious world. It is vicious, it's full of lies, deceit and deception," he said.

Last night, actor Alec Baldwin urged voters to "overthrow" the US government led by Mr Trump at the ballot box.

He was speaking at a fundraising dinner for the New Hampshire Democratic Party ahead of the November 6 midterm elections.

"The way we implement change in America is through elections. We change governments here at home in an orderly and formal way," he said. "In that orderly and formal way and lawful way, we need to overthrow the government of the US under Trump."

Baldwin said on issue after issue that Republicans are destroyers, not builders.

He said: "There is a small cadre of people currently in power who are hell-bent on continuing a malicious immigration policy that has set this country up for human rights violations charges... This cadre has looted money from the federal treasury and deposited it directly into the bank accounts of their most ardent political supporters."US secretary of state Mike Pompeo is set to meet King Salman in Saudi Arabia over the disappearance and alleged killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

The meeting comes as a Turkish forensics team finished its search for evidence in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul where Mr Khashoggi went missing two weeks ago.

Some reports have claimed that Saudi officials may concede the killing took place in the consulate.

Forensic officers treated the consulate as a crime scene during their lengthy search.

After speaking with King Salman, US president Donald Trump said that the alleged murder could have been carried out by rogue killers  offering the kingdom, a US ally and one of the worlds top oil producers, a possible path out of a global diplomatic firestorm.

However, what was left unsaid was the fact that any decision taken in the ultra-conservative kingdom rests solely with the ruling Al Saud family.

Noticeably absent from discussions was Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom Mr Khashoggi wrote critically about for The Washington Post and whose rise to power prompted the writer to go into a self-imposed exile in the US.

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Ayham Kamel, the head of the Middle East and North Africa branch of political risk consultancy the Eurasia Group, said: The effort behind the scenes is focused on avoiding a diplomatic crisis between the two countries and has succeeded in finding a pathway to deescalate tensions.

Riyadh will have to provide some explanation of the journalists disappearance, but in a manner that distances the leadership from any claim that a decision was made at senior levels to assassinate the prominent journalist.

CNN reported that the Saudis were going to admit the killing had occurred but deny the king or crown prince had ordered it  which does not match what analysts and experts know about the kingdoms inner workings.

The New York Times reported that the Saudi royal court would suggest that an official within the kingdoms intelligence services  a friend of Prince Mohammed  had carried out the killing.

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According to that reported claim, the crown prince had approved an interrogation or rendition of Mr Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia, but the intelligence official had been too eager to prove himself, with tragic consequences.

Saudi officials have been in and out of the consulate since Mr Khashoggis disappearance on October 2. Under the Vienna Convention, diplomatic posts are technically foreign soil that must be protected and respected by host countries.

Earlier on Monday, a cleaning crew with mops, rubbish bags and what appeared to be bottles of bleach walked into the building past waiting journalists.

Turkey had wanted to search the consulate for days. Permission apparently came after a Sunday night call between King Salman and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In statements after the call, both praised the creation of a joint Saudi-Turkish probe into the matter.

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Mr Khashoggi has written extensively for the Post about Saudi Arabia, criticising its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of womens rights activists after the lifting of a driving ban for women.

Those policies are all seen as initiatives of Prince Mohammed, the son of King Salman, who is next in line to the throne.

Prince Mohammed has aggressively pitched the kingdom as a destination for foreign investment. But Mr Khashoggis disappearance has led several business leaders and media outlets to back out of the upcoming investment conference in Riyadh, called the Future Investment Initiative.

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They include Virgin supremo Sir Richard Branson; the CEO of Uber, a company in which Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars; JPMorgan Chase & Co chief executive Jamie Dimon; and Ford executive chairman Bill Ford.

Mr Trump had previously warned of severe punishment for the kingdom if it was found to be involved in Mr Khashoggis disappearance.

The warning drew an angry response from Saudi Arabia, including a suggestion that Riyadh could wield its oil production as a weapon in retaliation.

The US president has been after King Salman and OPEC to boost production for weeks to drive down high crude oil prices, caused in part by the coming re-imposition of oil sanctions on Iran after the US withdrawal from thats countrys nuclear deal with world powers.A police officer and a woman walk past the Saudi Arabia consuls residence, in Istanbul, (Emrah Gurel/AP)

The Saudi consul to Istanbul has left for Saudi Arabia, hours after Turkey said his official residence would be searched in connection with a Saudi writers disappearance.

The Anadolu news agency reported Tuesday that Consul Mohammed al-Otaibi flew out of the country on a 2pm flight.

Saudi Arabia had no immediate comment on his departure.

The Turkish foreign ministry says police will search his official residence and vehicles belonging to the consulate.

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Authorities have offered no time frame for those searches.

Turkish forensic teams finished a search of the Saudi Consulate early Tuesday, two weeks after Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi vanished.

Turkish officials fear Saudi agents killed him in the consulate and disposed of his body.

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Saudi Arabia previously called the allegation baseless, but US media reports suggest the Saudis may acknowledge Mr Khashoggi was killed there, perhaps as part of a botched interrogation.

Overnight, Turkish forensic teams searched the consulate building in Istanbul where Mr Khashoggi was last seen entering.

Turkish officials have said evidence was found during the search.

Surveillance footage leaked in Turkish media shows vehicles moving between the consulate and the consuls home after Mr Khashoggis disappearance.Equipement for analysing the paintings condition is seen next to Rembrandts Night Watch (Peter Dejong/AP)

Rembrandt van Rijns Golden Age masterpiece The Night Watch will undergo its first restoration in 40 years.

Amsterdams Rijksmuseum announced that next year it will work on its most famous painting in a project that will be open to the public and viewable online.

Rijksmusem general director Taco Dibbits said that from July the huge Golden Age masterpiece will be encased in a specially built glass chamber as it first undergoes a thorough varnish-to-canvas examination using a precise microscope and other modern techniques.

In July 2019 the Rijksmuseum will embark on the most detailed examination of Rembrandts 'The Night Watch' ever conducted. It will be carried out in full view of the visiting public. https://t.co/L1N5kWiCHJ pic.twitter.com/dMsbv7tk4h  Rijksmuseum (@rijksmuseum) October 16, 2018

The findings will guide the subsequent restoration.

The restoration techniques we now have are so advanced that we will safeguard the painting for future generations, he said.

The painting is ready for a little TLC.

The work, which last underwent a restoration 40 years ago, is starting to show blanching in parts of the canvas.

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We want to understand what that change is so that we can restore it as well as possible, Mr Dibbits told reporters at a presentation of the planned restoration.

The painting of a citizens militia completed in 1642 has suffered in the past.

During the Second World War Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, it was hidden along with other valuable artworks in a cave in the southern city of Maastricht.

In 1975 a man slashed it with a knife, leaving 12 scars in the canvas, and in 1990 an attacker sprayed acid on the canvas damaging the varnish.

It took restorers only a couple of weeks to repair the damage inflicted by the acid.

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Mr Dibbits said the painting has been retouched many other times in the past and that the later additions are starting to fade.

The next restoration should change all that.

I think it will look much better, Mr Dibbits said.

If you stand close to it, it will appear far more detailed. So it will be very special to see, but the restoration process itself will also be very special.

In the past, restorations have often been carried out behind closed doors, but museums now are starting to open up the process to the public.

The Night Watch belongs to us all, Mr Dibbits said.

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That is why we have decided to conduct the restoration within the museum itself and everyone, wherever they are, will be able to follow the process online.

More than two million people each year visit the Rijksmuseum, which has the worlds largest collection of Rembrandt works.

The Golden Age master is known for his innovative use of light and rebellious compositions.

The restoration project comes in the year that marks the 350th anniversary of the artists death in 1669 and will be part of a Year Of Rembrandt at the museum.

Before its restoration, The Night Watch will be part of a major exhibition of all the Rembrandt works owned by the museum, 22 paintings, 60 drawings and 300 of his 1,300 prints.Rescue workers retrieve a body from floodwaters in the town of Trebes (Fred Lancelot/AP)

A woman whose husband was killed in an Islamic extremist attack has now lost both of her parents in flash floods that killed at least 13 people in south west France.

Martine Mazieres husband, Jean, was one of four people killed in a carjacking, shooting and supermarket hostage-taking in the Aude region in March.

On Monday, her father and mother were among victims of the flash floods that ripped through area towns.

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The parents deaths were confirmed by the mayor of Trebes, the town hardest-hit by the flooding and where extremist gunman Radouane Lakdim took hostages in a supermarket.

The mayor spoke Tuesday to RTL radio.

Martine Mazieres lives in the nearby town of Villedubert, said town councillor Norbert Acco, reached by phone.

She (Martine Mazieres) immediately told me that she feels as though fate is conspiring against herMayor Marc Rofes

He, too, confirmed that her parents were among the flood victims in Trebes.

Le Parisien newspaper quoted Villeduberts mayor, Marc Rofes, as saying that when he visited Mrs Mazieres, she immediately told me that she feels as though fate is conspiring against her.

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Rescue workers were still searching for three people listed as missing in the floods.

The Aude regional government and the Interior Ministry in Paris said the death toll had risen to 13.

The regions top local official, Alain Thirion, said on BFMTV that flood victims were mainly older people who were surprised by the amount of rain when storms swept in from the Mediterranean and dumped several months-worth of rain in a few hours.

In Trebes, the town with the most deaths, the Aude River quickly swelled from about knee-height to a destructive flood.Get AfricaFocus Bulletin by e-mail! Format for print or mobile Africa/Global: Drug Company Profits vs. Public Health AfricaFocus Bulletin

October 16, 2018 (181016)

(Reposted from sources cited below) Editor's Note "Oxfam examined publicly available data on subsidiaries of four of the largest US drug companies and found a striking pattern. In the countries analyzed that have standard corporate tax rates, rich or poor, the corporations pretax profits were low. In eight advanced economies, drug company profits averaged 7 percent, while in seven developing countries they averaged 5 percent. Yet globally, these corporations reported annual global profits of up to 30 percent. So where were the high profits? Tax havens. In four countries that charge low or no corporate tax rates, these companies posted skyrocketing 31 percent profit margins." - Oxfam, September 2018 Giant pharmaceutical companies are hardly unique in finding ways to maximize profits by avoiding taxes. But even compared to giant corporations in other industries, they are strikingly successful in such efforts. They are also exceptional in the extravagance of their claims to benefit the public by innovative medical research, while resisting efforts to make those medical advances available to all who need them. Oxfam's report analyzing this contrast is not comprehensive. But it includes four of the ten largest pharaceutical companies with worldwide scope: Pfizer (largest pharmaceutical company worldwide), Johnson & Johnson (#4), Merck (#5), and Abbott (#7), according to http://www.pharmexec.com/pharm-execs-top-50-companies-2018. The separate subsidiaries of the four companies examined by the Oxfam research team were limited to those for which public information on revenue and profits was available, including 844 subsidiaries in four tax havens (Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, and Singapore), 53 subsidiaries in 7 different developing countries (Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, India, Pakistan, Peru, and Thailand), and 222 subsidiaries in 8 advanced industrial countries (Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, and UK). For previous AfricaFocus Bulletins on health, visit http://www.africafocus.org/intro-health.php For previous AfricaFocus Bulletins on tax dodging and related issues, visit http://www.africafocus.org/intro-iff.php For more background information on campaign to lower the price of new drugs, highly successful to date in cases such as basic HIV/AIDS treatment and ongoing for new drugs for drug-resistant TB, cancer, and other diseases, see the Doctors without Borders Access Campaign website (https://msfaccess.org/) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ AfricaFocus Publication Break AfricaFocus Bulletin will be taking a break from publication until after the November 6 U.S. midterm elections. Like many other U.S. citizens, I am planning to put as much time and energy as possible into helping elect progressive candidates at all levels. This will include passing on relevant action opportunities for others making the same commitment through my personal networks and through my public-facing Facebook pages for AfricaFocus and other issues (Intersections). ++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note+++++++++++++++++ Prescription for Poverty : Drug companies as tax dodgers, price gougers, and influence peddlers September 2018 Oxfam https://www.oxfam.org/en/research/prescription-poverty Executive summary The worlds biggest drug companies are putting poor peoples health at risk by depriving governments of billions of dollars in taxes that could be used to invest in health care, and by using their power and influence to torpedo attempts to bring down drug costs and police their behavior. New Oxfam research shows that four major pharmaceutical firmsAbbott, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Pfizersystematically stash their profits in overseas tax havens. As a result, these four corporate giants appear to deprive the United States of $2.3 billion annually and deny other advanced economies of $1.4 billion. And they appear to deprive the cash-strapped governments of developing countries of an estimated $112 million every yearmoney that could be spent on vaccines, midwives, or rural clinics. Such tax dodging corrodes the ability of governments everywhere to provide the public services that are essential to reducing poverty and that are particularly important for women. And it weakens governments ability to invest in health research, which has proven to be fundamental to medical breakthroughs. As if this werent enough, the corporations mount massive lobbying operations to give price gouging and tax dodging a veneer of legitimacy. Their influence peddling is most blatant in the United States, where the pharmaceutical industry outspends all others on lobbying. But it is equally pernicious in developing countries, where the companies have won sweetheart deals that lower their taxes and divert scarce public health dollars to pay for their high-priced productsand where they deploy the clout of the US government to protect their profits. Tax dodging by pharmaceutical companies is enriching wealthy shareholders and company executives at the expense of us allwith the highest price paid by poor women and girls. Oxfam is not accusing the drug companies of doing anything illegal. Rather, this report exposes how corporations can use sophisticated tax planning to take advantage of a broken system that allows multinational corporations from many different industries to get away with avoiding taxes. When funding is cut, families lose medical care or are driven further into poverty by health care debts. When health systems crumble, women and girls step into the breach to provide unpaid care for their loved onescompromising their own health and their prospects for education and employment. When governments are deprived of corporate tax revenues, they often seek to balance the budget by raising consumption taxes, which tend to take a larger bite out of poor womens incomes. Corporations should be more transparent about where they earn their money, they should pay tax in alignment with actual economic activity, rather than abusing tax havens, and they should use their political influence responsibly, rather than undermining governments efforts to provide medicines, schools, and roads for us all. Tax dodging Oxfam examined publicly available data on subsidiaries of four of the largest US drug companies and found a striking pattern. In the countries analyzed that have standard corporate tax rates, rich or poor, the corporations pretax profits were low. In eight advanced economies, drug company profits averaged 7 percent, while in seven developing countries they averaged 5 percent. Yet globally, these corporations reported annual global profits of up to 30 percent. So where were the high profits? Tax havens. In four countries that charge low or no corporate tax rates, these companies posted skyrocketing 31 percent profit margins. While the information is far from complete, the pattern is consistent: this is either an astounding coincidence or the result of using accounting tricks to deliberately shift profits from where they are actually earned to tax havens. Pfizer, Merck, and Abbott are among the 20 US corporations with the greatest number of subsidiaries in tax havens; Johnson & Johnson is not far behind. All four were among the US corporations with the most money stashed overseas: at the end of 2016, these four companies alone held an astounding $352 billion offshore. Profits can vary from country to country for any number of reasons, aside from the deliberate shifting of profits to avoid tax. Corporations may have higher transportation costs in some markets, for example, or employ more people. But it is highly unlikely that these explanations can fully account for the consistent pattern of much higher profits being posted in countries with very low tax rates where these corporations do not sell the majority of their medicines. Pharma corporations profit-shifting may take the form of domiciling a patent or rights to its brand not where the drug was actually developed or where the firm is headquartered, but in a tax haven, where a companys presence may be as little as a mailbox. That tax haven subsidiary then charges hefty licensing fees to subsidiaries in other countries. The fees are a tax-deductible expense in the jurisdictions where taxes are standard, while the fee income accrues to the subsidiary in the tax haven, where it is taxed lightly or not at all. Loans from tax-haven subsidiaries and fees for their services are other common strategies to avoid taxes. Recent research by tax economist Gabriel Zucman estimates that nearly 40 percent of all corporate profits were artificially shifted to tax havens in 2015one of the major drivers of declining corporate tax payments worldwide. Drug companies are masters at taking advantage of the global race to the bottom on tax. Both corporations and governments are to blame. A dysfunctional international tax system allows multinational companies to artificially shift their profits away from where they sell and produce their products to low-tax jurisdictions. Companies are only too glad to take advantage of the broken systemand to invest millions in lobbying to further tilt the playing field in their favor. .......... More transparency would shed light on how unjust the current system is. None of the four drug companies publish country-by-country reporting (CBCR)basic financial information for every country in which they operate, including revenue, profits, taxes paid, number of employees, and assets. Nonetheless, it is possible to use the data that is publicly available to estimate how much tax these companies may be avoiding due to an unequal distribution of profits. In seven developing countries aloneand just from the small sampling of subsidiaries Oxfam was able to accessthe four companies may have underpaid $112 million in taxes annually between 2013 and 2015, which is more than half of what they actually paid. Johnson & Johnson may have underpaid $55 million in taxes every year; Pfizer, $22 million; Abbott, $30 million; and Merck, $5 million. ........ These amounts are pocket change to these corporate behemoths. But they represent significant losses to low-income and middle-income countries. Developing countries could use the money to address the yawning gaps in public health services that keep many of the poorest people in the world from lifting themselves out of poverty. The HPV vaccine is one example. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical cancer, the fourth-most-common cancer among women worldwide and the second-most-common cancer in women living in less developed regions. HPV kills 300,000 people every year; every two minutes a life is lost to this disease, and nine out of 10 of these deaths are women in low- and middle-income countries. For example, in India, 67,477 women died of cervical cancer in 2012. The HPV vaccine drastically reduces the incidences of HPV and cervical cancer. The amount of money we estimate these companies may have avoided in tax is enough to buy vaccines for more than 10 million girls, about two-thirds of the girls born in 2016 in the seven developing countries Oxfam examined. India could buy HPV vaccines for 8.1 million girls, which is 65 percent of the girls born in 2016. In Thailand, where 4,500 women die each year from cervical cancer, the $18.65 million in taxes we estimate these companies underpaid per year would be enough to pay for HPV vaccines for more than 775,000 girls, more than double the number born in 2016. One might think that pharmaceutical profits really are lower in poorer countries, where purchasing power is small and drugs are sold at a discount. But the data indicates a different story. In advanced economies with larger markets and ample purchasing power, the drug companies profit margins are just as slim as in developing countries. The corporations may have avoided even more in taxes in these larger markets, a total of nearly $3.7 billion annuallyequivalent to two-thirds of the $5 billion they actually paid. Johnson & Johnson led the pack with an estimated $1.7 billion underpaid annually. Pfizer may have underpaid by $1.1 billion, Merck $739 million, and Abbott $169 million. Profits and innovation Tax dodging, high prices, and influence peddling help explain the extreme profitability of these companiesand the extreme benefits they offer their wealthy shareholders and senior executives. The 25 largest US drug companies had global annual average profit margins of between 15 and 20 percent in the period 20062015; the figure for comparable nondrug companies was 4 to 9 percent. 27 These high profits, in turn, increase the incentive that these corporations have to shift profits and avoid tax. The current system for biomedical research and development (R&D), a cornerstone of these corporations business model, is based on monopoly protection secured by intellectual property rules as pharmaceutical companies invest in development of products that can produce the highest profit. The IP-based system of R&D has failed to produce many medicines needed for public health. For example, there has been no new class of antibiotics developed since 1987 despite the rising problem of antimicrobial resistance. 28 The companies claim they need superprofits so they can invest in discovering new medicines to treat the worlds ailments, but this simply isnt true. Big drug companies spend more on whopping payouts to shareholders and executives than on research and development. In the decade from 2006 to 2015, they spent $341.4 billion of their $1.8 trillion in revenue on stock buybacks and dividendsequivalent to 19 percent. They spent $259.4 billion on R&D, or only 14 percent. Whats more, R&D expenses are tax deductible. The cost of medicines, many of which were originally set at exorbitant prices, has continued to rise dramatically, with seven of the nine best-selling drugs sold by Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson seeing double-digit price increases in 2017.0 For example, Pfizer raised the price of Lyricawhich treats diabetic nerve pain, has no generic competition, and generated $4.5 billion for the company in sales last yearby more than 29 percent in 2017. In July the South African government negotiated a reduction in price to $400 for a six-month course for bedaquiline (see http://tinyurl.com/y8d3cxqt).

But that is still far greater than the estimated potential price for a generic equivalent. New medicines are also set at sky-high prices from the start. Take, for example, Ibrance, a drug for metastatic breast cancer, which Pfizer put on the market for nearly $10,000 per month. These high prices are unaffordable in the US, where medical costs are the primary reason for individual bankruptcy. In low- and middle-income countries, such outrageous prices break public health budgets and place the burden of paying on sick people and their families, who cannot afford it. As another example, a new medicine to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, bedaquiline, was priced by Janssena subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson in South Africaat $820 for the six- month course, which makes it unaffordable for most who need it, especially galling when researchers estimate a generic equivalent of the medicine could be made available for only $48. In recognition of the global nature of this crisis in access to medicines, the UN Secretary-General set up a High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines that produced a report containing important recommendations to ensure innovation and access to medicines. Oxfam has called on governments and international health organizations to fully implement the recommendations of the High-Level Panel. Even while Pfizer hiked the price of dozens of drugs, the total compensation of Pfizers CEO leaped up by 61 percent in 2017, to $26.2 million. That year Johnson & Johnsons CEO earned $22.8 million, Mercks earned $17.1 million, and Abbotts earned $15.6 million. The average compensation for a drug company CEO in 2015 was $18.5 million, 71 percent greater than the median earned by executives in all industries. The companies R&D spending is also smaller than the billions they spend on marketing. In 2013, Johnson & Johnson spent more than twice as much on sales and marketing than on R&D ($17.5 billion vs. $8.2 billion). Pfizer nearly did as well ($11.4 billion vs. $6.6 billion), and Merck spent 20 percent more ($9.5 billion vs. $7.5 billion). These marketing costs are also tax deductible. The reality is that the taxpayer-funded National Institutes of Health in the United States is by far the largest investor in health research, with European governments providing substantial funding, as well. All 210 drugs approved in the United States between 2010 and 2016 benefited from publicly funded research, either directly or indirectly. The source for these public investments, of course, is taxes. Patients thus often pay twice for medicines: through their tax dollars and at the pharmacyor three times if we count the extra tax dollars we pay because the companies dont. Corporate social responsibility Pharmaceutical corporations paint themselves as noble scientists leading the charge against disease. Pfizers code of conduct says: Integrity is more than just complying with the law. It is one of our core values. Johnson & Johnsons corporate credo states: We must be good citizenssupport good works and charities and bear our fair share of taxes. Unfortunately, the reality of these corporations business practices bears little resemblance to this rhetoric. These companies should choose the high road. Rather than engage in elaborate schemes to hide their profits, they must pay their taxes in an open and transparent way. After all, the companies very profitability depends on publicly funded research, public drug certification, public procurement, and public protection of intellectual property. Governments must do more to reverse their race to the bottom on taxation. They must mandate basic transparency measures that would prevent abuse by multinationals. They must also open up budget and spending processes to citizens to ensure that public spending meets citizen priorities. Oxfams Fiscal Accountability for Inequality Reduction (FAIR) program supports citizen engagement in government decisions on taxes, budgets, and expenditures, including on health, in dozens of countries around the world. Governments must allocate sufficient available public resources to important social services, and citizens must engage governments to ensure that budget decisions reflect citizen priorities, including access to affordable health care. Serious coordinated action is essential if we are to unravel the global web of secrecy that encourages rich corporations to avoid paying their fair share. Women and men around the world are standing up and calling for better and fairer tax and health systems, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with them. The way forward Tax dodging, high prices, and influence peddling clearly victimize the most vulnerable. Abbott, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Pfizer funnel superprofits from people living in poverty to wealthy shareholders and corporate executives, driving ever wider the gap between the richest and the rest. As with most drivers of inequality, exorbitant drug prices, aggressive tax avoidance, and excessive lobbying are not accidental. They result from deliberate choices made by companies and by the politicians under their sway. It is our hope that this report will encourage the four companies and others to reform their policies and practices, and that it will spur governments to enact rules that promote responsibility and benefit all society. We believe such a change is in the companies long-term interest. Just as extreme inequality is toxic for society, undermining public institutions is no recipe for a stable, profitable industry. Oxfams recommendations We call on companies to: Be more transparent by publishing all information necessary for citizens to understand and assess the companys tax practices. Publish full country-by-country reporting (CBCR) of key financial information.

Publish a full list of all company subsidiaries in every country where they operate. Pay their fair share by aligning tax payments with actual economic activity. Publicly commit to pay tax on profits where value is created and economic activity takes place, and to stop artificially shifting profits to low-tax jurisdictions.

Take concrete steps to progressively align economic activities and tax liabilities, including shutting down subsidiaries in tax havens when a primary purpose of those subsidiaries is to avoid taxation. Use their influence responsibly to shape a more equitable tax system for sustainable and inclusive growth. Publicly commit to advocate for greater transparency, for an end to abusive tax practices, and for stronger international cooperation to stop the dangerous race to the bottom on corporate tax.

Publicly disclose all contributions made to political candidates, policymakers, trade associations, think tanks, coalitions, and other political entities to influence policy in the US and abroad.

Publicly commit to align the corporations financial contributions and private advocacy with their credos and codes of conduct on tax policy issues.

Monitor the impact of their policies, pricing, and other practices on women and girls living in poverty. Enable access to affordable medicines for all by: Publicly declaring actual spending on R&D, production, and marketing of medicines and committing to full transparency on medicine prices, results of clinical trials, and patent information.

Publicly declaring support for the UN High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines and its recommendations, including governments right to use mechanisms in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade- Related Intellectual Property (known as the TRIPS agreement) to reduce medicine prices, affirming that intellectual property protection must not take precedence over public health needs. We call on governments to: Require companies to adhere to full transparency and pay their fair share of taxes. Mandate and implement public country-by-country financial reporting for all large multinational corporations.

Require large multinational corporations to pay a fair, effective tax rate on their profits, strengthen rules to discourage profit-shifting, and take action against tax havens. Ensure access to medicines for their citizens. Require corporations to disclose the cost of R&D, production, and marketing of medicines before approving product registration.

Implement the recommendations of the UN High-Level Panel report at the national level and call for implementation by international institutions including the World Health Organization (WHO), the WTO, and the UN.

Invest in public health services that are free for patients at the point of use. We call on citizens to: Join Oxfam to demand that drug companies stop cheating women and girls out of the chance to beat poverty. AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus Bulletin is edited by William Minter. AfricaFocus Bulletin can be reached at africafocus@igc.org. Please write to this address to suggest material for inclusion. For more information about reposted material, please contact directly the original source mentioned. For a full archive and other resources, see http://www.africafocus.orgSweeney, who is Inupiat from the Native Village of Barrow , made history when she was confirmed to the political post at the Department of the Interior . She is the first Alaska Native to hold the position and the first woman on the job in two decades.

I am honored to be able to serve Indian Country in this capacity, Sweeney said after she was sworn in this summer

Sweeney was nominated as Assistant Secretary in October 2017. The announcement came as the Alaska Federation of Natives was holding its annual convention, where she will be returning this week as a presenter.

According to the agenda , Sweeney will be addressing AFN on Thursday morning. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke will also be providing a video message to attendees.

AFN is broadcasting the conference in its entirety. The session can be viewed at nativefederation.org/watch-convention-live

While in Anchorage, Sweeney is also meeting with tribes and Native corporations. The state is home to 229 federally recognized tribes and to 13 regional corporations that were established by Congress through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971.

Sweeney has experience on both fronts. She served on the board of the Alaska Federation of Natives, the largest inter-tribal organization in the state, for more than a decade and as a vice president for the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation , which is active in energy development in Alaska.

That history is being put to the test as the BIA hosts consultations on two Alaska-specific issues while Sweeney is in town. Sessions being held on Wednesday and on Sunday in Anchorage address how tribes in the state can organize under the Indian Reorganization Act and whether they can follow the land-into-trust process.

The day after Sweeney was confirmed by the Senate in June, the Trump administration put a hold on all land-into-trust applications in Alaska. Since she had not been sworn in by that time, she had no input into the matter.

The decision was instead made by Principal Deputy Solicitor Daniel Jorjani , the top legal official at the Department of the Interior. There was no prior consultation of tribes or Native corporations.

"I'm very disappointed that the Solicitor would take that action without us knowing about it first," Mike Williams, a leader of the Akiak Native Community , said at the first listening session on the issue on July 26. His tribe had won a landmark court ruling that opened the door for tribes in Alaska to restore their homelands

Following the historic ruling, the BIA in 2014 finalized a new regulation addressing Alaska. And the first land-into-trust application in the state was approved in January 2017.

The process is now on hold for at least one year while the Trump administration solicits comments from tribes and Native corporations.

"Were really in a situation here where how much more information does the department need?" attorney Matt Newman of the Native American Rights Fund , which represented the Native communities in the homelands case , said at a consultation in Ketchikan on August 3. "Are you unsatisfied with the answer that you got in 2014? Why are we rehashing these issues again?"

Wednesday, October 17

Alaska and the Indian Reorganization Act

ANC (Alaska Native Corporation) Consultation

10am - Noon

Egan Convention Center

555 West 5th Avenue

Anchorage, AK 99501 Wednesday, October 17

Land-into-Trust in Alaska

ANC (Alaska Native Corporation) Consultation

1pm - 3pm

Egan Convention Center

555 West 5th Avenue

Sunday October 21

Alaska and the Indian Reorganization Act

Tribal Consultation

10am - Noon

Egan Convention Center

555 West 5th Avenue

Anchorage, AK 99501 Sunday October 21

Land-into-Trust in Alaska

Tribal Consultation

1pm - 3pm

Egan Convention Center

555 West 5th Avenue



The schedule for the BIA consultations follows:

Future consultations are being held in Bethel on December 5 and in Kotzebue on December 7. Tribes and Alaska Native corporations can also participate in two teleconferences on December 12. Additional information can be found on indianaffairs.gov

As the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Tara Sweeney oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs as well as the Bureau of Indian Education

Federal Register Notices

Federal Court Decisions

Join the Conversation

Related StoriesIn the ongoing wake of the #MeToo movement in India, national-award-winning writer-lyricist-comedian Varun Grover was accused of touching a fellow student inappropriately while studying at IIT-BHU, Varanasi in 2001.

Instagram

Grover had reacted to the accusations. Reacting to them, he had tweeted a statement. Calling them misleading and defamatory, he had earlier written,

Here's my detailed statement about the completely fabricated, misleading, and defamatory allegations against me. Am absolutely willing to cooperate and clear my name. Let's not allow such agenda-driven tactics to derail this movement please. pic.twitter.com/VTFeIjygcl   (@varungrover) October 9, 2018

Grover has again stood up for himself. Maintaining his stance of not being involved in any such incident with anybody in his entire life, Grover wrote an open letter.

Agencies

In his open letter, Varun Grover mentions how there were only 36 women studying with him in the university, out of which only four were a part of the theater group. In his letter, he explains his stand and mentions how according to him, all these four women not only expressed their solidarity but also checked with the remaining 32 if such an incident happened.

Twitter

In his open letter, Varun wrote,

'Revolutions are beautiful. They are cathartic, powerful, necessary, and like #metoo  inevitable. And revolutions, inevitably, have some collateral damage too.

Last week has been a whirlwind of sorts in my life. Amidst the distress and confusion, I have discovered the kind solidarity of many strangers. I was at the receiving end of an anonymous allegation that I know and can prove to be false. In the macro perspective, the wave is bigger and way more important than my isolated small case. Centuries of patriarchy and oppression have created a system that cannot be taken down through polite means.

However, at the same time, my isolated small case does mean the world to me, my family and friends. It affects not just my mental health and professional life but my ability to take a social stand on every injustice I want to speak about.

And therefore, I feel this earnest need to present my side even though no formal complaint has been filed against me. This closure is needed to maintain my own sanity.

The allegations:

On 9th October 2018 at around noon, two screenshots sent by an anonymous account on Twitter alleged that I had sexually harassed the person, a junior to me in college (IT-BHU, Varanasi) in 2001. Within minutes the screenshots went viral and within an hour, news channels framed me as a sexual assaulter bundled with other prominent names. It was hurtful and disappointing that the media did not even make the simple distinction while reporting this allegation and other cases. The charges were made by a single anonymous account in my case and multiple well-known women they could reach directly for comments in many of the other cases.

My stance:

I categorically deny the allegations in their entirety as completely baseless fabrications. I have never been involved in any such incident with anybody in my entire life.

The evidence of my innocence:

As stated in my initial statement, I will be readily available to face any independent inquiry to present the facts and help bring the truth out.

Until that happens, I can only present some new findings from my side that refute the allegations made.

A female junior in college in 2001:

a) I joined IT-BHU in July 1999 for a 4-year under-grad course in Civil Engineering. New batches arrive in July every year. So a junior to me in 2001 would mean two batches  20002004 and 20012005.

As per official records, in the batch of 20002004, a total of 25 females joined the under-grad course and in the batch of 20012005, the total female strength was 11. That makes it a total of 36 female students that were my junior at that time.

Out of these 36, my theatre group worked with only four during the course of our stay at the institute and they have remained friends. As the news broke out, these four reached out to me and expressed their solidarity.

Extending their support further, these 4 women reached out to the rest 32 of the female students (spread across the globe) that were my junior at that time and have received confirmation from each one of them that such an incident did not happen. These confirmations can be verified by any independent inquiry.

This proves clearly that the person making the allegations on twitter did not even attend the same college as mine at the time of the incident stated in the allegation.

b) The same check can be done by any independent authority asking the person making the allegations to furnish any valid id card (Engineering completion degree from IT-BHU, semester mark-sheets, original college ID card) to see if they even went to IT-BHU in the batches of 20002004 or 20012005.

The deadlock:

I completely understand and support the need for anonymity in #metoo stories as our highly biased societal systems and male toxic behavior leave most women no space or platform to speak of their traumas openly or even in private.

No account should be stopped from being published because of its anonymity  but once fact-based counter-claims are made by the accused, the movement as a collective can perhaps make space for the intent to verify them. Further, if the allegations are found untrue, the movement can announce them to be considered removed or at the very least the account can be labeled as pending verification, till the contested claims are checked.

Over the last 5 days on social media  my requests for carrying out these basic checks have been met with silence, leaving me in a constant state of mental trauma and anguish.

Well-wishers have repeatedly suggested going the legal route to force a solution but I respect the movement, its volunteers, and all the brave women speaking out (openly or anonymously) immensely and wont intend to affect it negatively. We all will be better allies if the closure is reached mutually.

I understand the excruciating lengths every volunteer and supporter of the movement is traversing to make this cathartic moment in our history happen. I also understand that men have, throughout history, paid very little price even when found guilty while women have constantly suffered even by the faintest of rumors made on their character. A few factually inconsistent cases like mine wont matter in the larger success of the movement. I am just a number, an abstract concept for the world outside.

But I am not an abstract concept for myself  my family and friends, suffering with me, deserve clarification. We deserve the same fairness this movement stands for.

The resolution:

Ive said all that I can on this situation and shared the facts that clearly refute the allegations made. If someone still has any concerns, I urge them to reach out to the National Commission for Women (NCW) or an independent commission and file a formal complaint. I will be grateful to present my case.

And one last thing:

Am I angry? Yes. Is my mental health in shambles? Yes. Do I occasionally feel like a victim of an agenda? Yes. And would I still say Believe All Women? Yes. But please bring in the checks to differentiate it from Believe All Screenshots.

Revolutions can be messy but they cant be perceived as unjust."

Read Grover's statement here.Katrina Kaif and Akshay Kumar together are every filmmaker's dream. The duo has starred in several films together and many managed to strike gold at the box-office. The duo starred in 'Namaste London' in 2007 and the film was a massive hit.

Eros Now

Now that another part of the Namaste Franchise is all set for its release, director Vipul Amrutal Shah explains why he couldn't get them for the film.

eros now

"Katrina could not have been an Indian desi girl. We both did speak about it. And she said this role is something that people may not accept her in. I was going to do the film with Akshay but his dates were blocked for two years so he recommended I go to another actor," Vipul told PTI.

The director said he then approached Arjun Kapoor who had everything that he needed in an actor to play the part. He added,

"I met Arjun and I told him I was going to do this with Akshay but he doesn't have dates. He heard the script and agreed to do it and that's how he came into the picture. I wanted someone desi who can also look modern and who has got a certain honesty in his face. He was the most suited boy for the part. Parineeti was already part of it when I was going to do it with Akshay," he added.

Released in 2007, Namastey London made Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif a hit pair. The filmmaker said he is aware that comparisons will be made with the first film and most of the people will prefer the original over the sequel.

"I am sure eight out of ten people will say 'Namastey London' was better, this is bad, because it's human nature, whatever is old is gold. They must've have seen 'Namastey London' so many times, have been listening to its music all these years. And that's because you are already emotionally connected to the first one so you treat this as a lesser cousin of the original one."

Vipul, however, said he did not make the sequel to cash in on the franchise but because he saw potential in the story.

"People tell us to make sequels of 'Singh is Kinng', 'Holiday' and other films. There is a demand for it. There's no dearth of fresh ideas. Even in sequels, the story is new, just the world is similar."

The film is all set for its release this Thursday.Chitrangda Singh who had reportedly walked out of Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer Babumoshai Bandookbaaz has once again spoken of the harassment she had to face on the sets of the 2017 movie. If reports are to be believed, Chitrangda was asked to take off her sari, get on top of her hero and rub herself. She protested, spoke about it, but in the end, she had to bear the brunt as she was declared troublesome and moody, she said.

Once again, talking about the incident to Bollywood Hungama, Chitrangda Singh said that Nawazuddin Siddiqui didnt take a stand for her. She said instead of extending support to her, he waited for the storm to blow over.

firstpost.com

I pleaded that this was not in my comfort zone. I said I was wearing only a petticoat underneath the saree. The director told me not to fuss and just do what was required. I was intimidated, bullied and threatened into doing it. Some crew members were mortified. But, Nawaz just sat there waiting for the storm to blow over, she added.

townnews.com

She said later Kushan Nandy paid a visit and didnt even inquire if she was okay. He didnt ask me if I was okay. He just asked, Are you doing the scene? I said no. He left. Nawaz couldve taken a stand against my harassment. He didnt. When empowered men in the film industry do not take a stand, the harassers feel encouraged, she said.

Pointing out that Bidita Bag was soon roped in for the role, she said the women in the industry need to join hands and extend support to each other.A lot of Bollywood celebrities are coming out and talking about the ongoing #MeToo movement in India. Joining the bandwagon is actress Neha Dhupia says the ongoing #MeToo wave in India is the best clean up act that could have happened to Bollywood and the country in a long time.

"I think the #MeToo movement is the best clean up act that could have happened to our industry and our country in a long time. I'm glad that more and more women are talking about it and they have my full support," Neha told IANS in an interview from Mumbai.

"It is high time, and people are raising their voice against such issues. There are such issues that exist and I am are glad that people are talking about it," she added.

bccl

The #MeToo movement in India sparked when Tanushree Dutta came forward to renew allegations against Nana Patekar over an incident that happened in 2008. Since then, a number of women have come forward with complaints against names like Alok Nath, Rajat Kapoor, Subhash Ghai, Vikas Bahl, Subhash Kapoor, Kailash Kher and Sajid Khan.

The #MeToo movement began a year ago in Hollywood after The New York Times and The New Yorker published several stories about decades-long predation of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

However, it does not just work that is keeping Neha busy as she is also expecting her first child with husband Angad Bedi. How has Angad been as a husband during this changing phase? "He has been amazing and I think it's a blessing for me to have a husband, a friend and a companion as wonderful as him. I know for a fact that he'll make for a great father as well," she said.A recent series of papers by The Lancet has stated that the increase of disability due to lower back pain has increased so dramatically world over that it is now being called as the leading cause of disability worldwide.

Lower back pain is estimated to be affecting 540 million people across the world at any given point in time, according to the study! It comes as no surprise then lower back pain is the fourth highest cause of disability in India?

A survey from last year that evaluated patients who sought help for back or neck problems showed that almost three-fourth patients (73%) had lower back problems. Around 45% of the patients waited for seven weeks before seeking assistance.

LATIGG.COM

Every fifth patient was aged 16-34, indicating that spine-related problems were occurring earlier in people. The four-city survey showed that 18% of Mumbais patients were under 34. The 34-54 age group formed the biggest patient group in the survey, while the 75-plus group was barely 5%. The four-city survey was conducted by clinical director and senior spine specialist, QI Spine Clinic, Dr Garima Anandani.

Dr Garima Anandani, Senior Spine Specialist & Clinical Director, QI Spine Clinic throws light of the burgeoning issue of spine-related issues in the country.

What is a spine-related injury or problem and why has it picked up importance since the early 2000s?

Your Spine is made up of Bones, Nerves, Discs & soft muscle tissues. 70% load of your spine is borne by the soft muscle tissues (mechanical components of the spine) while 30% is borne by the structural components (namely bones & discs). When there is excess load on the bones it caused problems like spinal injuries, disc degeneration, dis herniation (slipped disc) etc.

CARCI.COM.BR

One of the main reasons for this excessive load? A sedentary lifestyle.

Since most people end up leading sedentary lifestyles and sitting more than 9 hours a day, spine problems have emerged as one the leading lifestyle diseases in India. In fact, according to WHO it is one of the leading causes of disability in the world affecting about 540 million people at any given time.

Chronic back pain can be debilitating for any individual. Simple tasks like sitting , standing & walking feel difficult making them feel handicapped or dependent all the time. The psychological impact on the individuals confidence and self-esteem is enormous as pain consumes the mind of the patient causing other mood issues, says Dr Garima Anandani, Senior Spine Specialist & Clinical Director, QI Spine Clinic.

A sedentary lifestyle combined by poor posture at work and while using gadgets contributes to the rise in such conditions. More than half of the people that come to us with severe back pain lead a sedentary lifestyle. The youth doesnt understand how something as simple as sitting for long hours is harming them gravely.

FB_SPORTLIFE.ES

The scary part is the fact that people in young age group of 16-34, which make up 23% of the population in the country are suffering from some form of spine issue.

Back Pain is growing at an average of 58% year on year. This is a 3% increase since last year. In fact, data shows that the rise in children with back pain has been 4X since 2015.

Qi Spine clinics director Dr Garima Anandani, who conducted the four-city survey said that The report shows that back or neck pain patients neglect their pain or try other approaches that give temporary relief as pain usually returns. The rate of negligence at 45% is quite high. She said this indicated lack of awareness.

A spinal deformity can alter the shape of your child's back, rib cage, shoulders, and hips and can lead to back pain and poor self-image. In short, scoliosis not only has physical effects but serious mental and emotional repercussions on patients as well as their family members. There is a need for education and early detection. This is why QI Spine Clinic offers treatment for children below 15 at no cost.*

gantdaily.com

Lack of awareness, poor nutrition, posture, lack of activity, smoking , being overweight are all key lifestyle-related contributors to back pain.

Dr S Mohanty, professor of orthopedics at KEM Hospital, Parel, said most people suffer from spine problems because of their lifestyle. People have bad posture, eat junk food, put on weight and rarely exercise. Their muscles become weak due to their sedentary lifestyle, resulting in the spine getting inadequate support. Two other contributory factors are Vitamin D deficiency and osteosporosis, said Dr Mohanty.

Urban schedules contribute immensely to the rising incidence of back problems, said Dr Mohanty. Children start on an unhealthy lifestyle really early. They eat junk food because of convenience as their parents are working and not at home to monitor them, he said. Children are so addicted to TV that they have their meals sitting in front of it. They dont play outdoors. This sedentarism worsens as they get into adulthood, leading to spine-related problems earlier on.

INTEGRISOK.COM

Is lower back pain also connected to spine issues?

Lower back pain is one of the most common complaint especially in women. Neck pain is an increasing complaint in working individuals and phone users. Apart from this there are many types of pains which originate in the spine but manifest as pain in the knee, arm, shoulder, hip etc.

It does not occur to many patients that this may be due to a spine problem. We have seen many such cases where patients were advised knee or hip replacement without doing a thorough analysis of the spine. If you have been advised surgery, do get a second opinion with a spine specialist before going under the knife"

What are type of spine injuries?

dvpainandspine.com

- Muscle strains

- Structural damage

- Disc herniation / prolapse / extrusion

- Nerve compression / Sciatica

If treated in time 90% of these issues can be resolved non-surgically through spine rehabilitation. Delaying treatment increases the risk of surgery.

What are the obvious signs & symptoms and how to you recognize that you have a spine-related problem:

- Sharp or dull pain that is either constant or intermittent

- Pain that does not improve with rest

- Radiating pain that spreads from the lower back to the legs and even the toes

- Sustained cramping or tightening of the lower back muscles

- Numbness or tingling, especially in the feet

- Leg weakness that impedes mobility

If you experience radiating pain or loss of bowel movement, please consult a spine surgeon immediately.

cosme.net

The problem we face when it comes to treating to spine-related injuries is lack of awareness and timely advice.

Unfortunately, in India most spine conditions go untreated due to lack of sound advice. Pain killers and most home remedies focus on treating the symptoms of pain but do not focus on addressing the root cause of the problem. This ends up delaying the patients visit to the doctor. Most patients visit us when they are bedridden or crippled with pain. Many have gone through multiple failed surgeries until they have realised they could have solved the issue non-surgically if they have come to a spine specialist on time.

European, American and Australian guidelines recommend spine rehabilitation as the most effective way to treat back pain. Surgery is usually advised after conservative treatment like spine rehabilitation for more than 6 months has failed or the patient experiences loss of bowel control and other symptoms of neurological weakness. Self care is usually not advised for individuals in pain. A spine rehabilitation treatment plan is only advised after a thorough medical examination by the doctor.

EL-PERIODICO.COM.AR

Some of the precautionary measure you should take while you get treated for a spine-related injury include:

- Walk more and stay active.

- Take breaks from sitting every half an hour.

- Avoid use of painkillers often. If pain comes back consult a spine specialist.

- Avoid smoking.

- Use a laptop stand at work.

- Treat back pain on time.Aham Brahmasmi

Most of us would have heard these two words for the first time in the Netflix India's web TV series Sacred Games. Only a few know that these two words, essentially a Sanskrit aphorism, hold great significance in Hindu mythology. And even fewer can vouch to know its meaning.

WordPress

The term comes from the Sanskrit, aham, meaning I and brahma, meaning divine, or sacred. While Brahms is the Hindu creator god, Asmi translates to I am.

Aham Brahmasmi is a term that is used in Hindu and yoga philosophy to describe the unity of the Atman (individual self or soul) with Brahman (the Absolute).

It is typically translated as I am Brahman or less literally as I am divine. It reflects the ultimate goal of yoga  union with the higher self. Yoga itself means union.

WordPress

Aham Brahmasmi is one of the main Mahavakyas- the short statements known as the "Great Utterances" from the Upanishads.

These utterances are considered as part of self-exploration and are used in association with prayer, meditation and mantra chanting. Jnana yoga, in particular, focuses on contemplating the Mahavakyas.

Other Mahavakyas include:

1. Prajnanam Brahma (Brahman is intelligence)

2. Tatvamasi (That you are)

3. Ayamatma Brahma (My Self is Brahman)

4. Isavasyam idam sarvam (All this is enveloped by God)

5. Pranosmi (I am breath)

6. Prajnatma (I am the intelligent Self)

Mind Body Bloom

According to several commentaries by Shankaracharya, Narayana Guru and several thinkers and spiritual leaders, the essence of all Upanishads is the same and all the Mahaavaakyas essentially say the same in a concise form.

"If we can have the realization that we are one with Brahman (reality), we can love each other and love all living and non-living beings. If I realize that you and I are part of Brahman, how can we hate or destroy each other? I am destroying myself when I attack the others."In a major victory to the efforts to protect UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) has notified 56,825 sq km of the Western Ghats spread along a 15,000km in six states as ecologically sensitive area (ESA).

The draft notification, if it gets final clearance, will ban activities including constructions, mining, quarrying and sand mining.

BCCL

The final notification will be issued after 60 days following the submission of objections or suggestions. The six state Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala and Gujarat are likely to seek modifications to the notification.

So far Karnataka has made it clear that it won't accept the notification as, It will have an adverse effect on states economy.

BCCL

Goa, where a total of 1,461 sq km of the Western Ghats area including 99 villages has been earlier been identified as ESA is also likely to seek to exempt at least some parts from the final draft.

Earlier, following the recent Kerala floods, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had restricted six states from giving environmental clearance for activities that could harm eco-sensitive areas.

BCCL

In 2011, a committee headed by ecologist Madhav Gadgil, had recommended 64% of the area come under ESA, but it was dropped after protests from various states.

Another expert committee, in 2013 headed by former ISRO chairman K Kasturirangan had suggested that 37 per cent (60,000 hectares) of the Western Ghats should be declared as ESA. This too was not implemented.

BCCL

The calls to declare the Western Ghats as ESA got louder recently after the Kerala floods. Many environmental experts including Gadgil had blamed it on the rampant destruction of the Western Ghats and the mindless construction and mining activities in ecological fragile areas in the state.

BCCL

Western Ghats, also known as Sahyadri which sprawls across six states over a distance of approximately 1,500 kilometres from Tapti river in the north to Kanyakumari in the south is considered a treasure trove of rare flora and fauna including 7,402 species of flowering plants, 1,814 species of non-flowering plants, 139 mammal species, 508 bird species, 179 amphibian species, 6,000 insects species and 290 freshwater fish species.

In 2012 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the eight "hottest hot-spots" of biological diversity in the world.What is the most distinct feature of Kolkata? Its tramcars. The city of joy has always been known for its yellow mini bogies that make its way through crowded market streets.

Now, the city has come up with a gift for its citizens by launching a fancy tramcar restaurant. The initiative which aims to celebrate Kolkatas tram services unveiled Victoria restaurant on Sunday.

From October 14, the tram begun its service from Shahid Minar in central Kolkata to Kidderpore passing through the verdant Maidan, the Hindu reported. Victoria tram will take four trips in a day over a period of two hours each during lunch and dinner.

Photo: The Hindu/ Victoria tramcar restaurant

The commuters will not only get a glimpse of the suburbs of the city but will also be served with lip-smacking Bengali cuisine. The restaurant operators will also provide an additional fifth service from 11 pm to 1 am. Victoria restaurant can accommodate up to 27 guests.

State Transport Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who inaugurated the service, described it as a gift to the people of the city before Durga Puja.

Photo: Dainik Bhaskar

Trams which were like the DTC buses of Delhi were a major public transport. However, the slow-moving cars were soon overtaken by an alternative mode of transport like buses, taxis, digital ride-hailing apps and the metro.

To ensure survival and sustainability of the project, the service provider is looking at tying up with well-known retail brands by offering them a renovated version for exhibiting and selling their merchandise around the city. Kolkata trams which used to cover 52 routes over a distance of 70 km in the 1960s, the cars now operate only on five routes covering only 17 km.At least two Indian origin captains were among the four pilots who flew the first New York-Singapore flight, the worlds longest nonstop, last Friday.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) had the inaugural Changi-Newark (EWR) last Thursday and the return leg was operated a day later. While sources say both the commanders of the first Newark-Singapore nonstop on the Airbus A350 ultra long range (ULR) are of Indian origin, SIA did not comment on that.

There were four pilots operating the inaugural Newark-Singapore flight. Out of the four pilots, three are Singaporeans while one is Malaysian. Their names and ranking are: Captains I R Chaudhury and Ruben Gamoo and senior first officers Maxx Tan and KH Lim, a SIA spokesperson said.

afp

With a flying time of almost 19 hours to cover 16,800 km, this nonstop has two sets of pilots with each set having a Captain and a first officer (FO). SIA, which has almost 2,000 pilots, did not say how many of them are of Indian origin.

Indian pilots have being proving their mettle globally and foreign airlines are getting to fly the latest aircraft. The A350 ULR, for instance, is the latest bird in the sky with SIA its launch customer that started commercial operations using this plane last week.

Earlier this year, TOI had reported that at least 60 Indian origin pilots are flying the A380 with airlines like Emirates and Etihad.

afp

While monetary aspect is obviously there when we go flying for foreign airlines, the other reason is also that we get a chance of fly aircraft that are not on the radar of Indian airlines. Kingfisher had ordered five A380s but it closed before taking delivery of any of them, said an Indian pilot.

Officials of some big foreign airlines say on condition of not being identified that there has been a spurt in job applications from pilots of wide body aircraft of the only two Indian carriers that currently operate planes like the A330 and Boeing 777, 787 and 747.

Jet and Air India are the only airlines here with both single and twin aisle planes and they are both facing severe financial turbulence. All other Indian carriers as of now have only single aisle Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family planes apart from turboprops.

In India, Tata-SIA JV Vistara has ordered Boeing 787 and some pilots of AI (which has been flying this aircraft for years) and Jet (which has B-777) are applying there. IndiGo and SpiceJet have been talking of inducting wide body aircraft in their fleets.

afp

The ramp up of Vistaras widebody fleet is going to be a gradual one and we do not know what the low-cost carriers will do when. So the number of wide body pilots these three airlines can absorb is rather limited and applying for foreign airlines with twin aisles in their fleet is an option that we have to look at, said a wide body pilot of an Indian carrier.

A leading Gulf carriers website says the total monthly salary (tax free with accommodation allowance included) is about Rs 7.9 lakh for first officers on Boeing 777 and A-380. For captains, this figure goes up to about Rs 10.5 lakh.

While in overall terms, the salary may not seem too high compared to what pilots earn in India. But being tax free makes it really big for us. Then we get to fly planes which we cannot aspire to in Indian carriers, said an Indian pilot working with a domestic airline.















A lawsuit settlement against a DC rabbi who was convicted of voyeurism has been approved by a judge, in a decision taken only after nearly two years of negotiations with the settling defendants.

The former Towson University professor, Rabbi Bernard Freundel was convicted of secretly recording about fifty-two women naked. The Orthodox rabbi in Georgetown carried out the act between 2004 and 2014, secretly videotaping women as they undressed to immerse in the Jewish ritual bath, mikvah.

The women victimized by Freundel, filed a class action lawsuit against him and Georgetown Synagogue-Kesher Israel Congregation, the National Capital Mikvah, Inc., The Rabbinical Council of America, Inc., and the Beth Din of the United States of America the four religious institutions that he was affiliated with.

The victims will now get $25,000 eachas a settlement has been reached between the parties involved, while a number of others who had stripped but were not confirmed to have been videotaped may equally receive $2,500 each.

According to the modern Orthodox synagogue, Kesher Israelwhere Fruendel, who was convicted of the same crime in 2015, served as rabbithe total amount of in settlement is $14.25 million. Already, Freundel was sentenced and is currently serving six and a half years in prison, after pleading guilty.

Apart from Freundel and Kesher Israel, the National Capital Mikvah, the Rabbinical Council of America and the Beth Din of America, a court of Jewish law, were also named in the settlement. A class-action lawsuit, which included more than 150 women who were confirmed to have been capture naked on camera, had sought a $100 million settlement.

Being a repeat offender, it could be said that Fruendel had a fetish for voyeurism. However, it is completely inappropriate and unnecessary to record non-consenting adults secretly when you can easily visit Voyeurhouse.com and explore your healthy sexual fantasies with fellow consenting adults. The Voyeur House is an adult project that offers unique services, giving users the opportunity to legally observe other people's private life 24/7 with cameras that stream live 24/7, unscripted, and uncut.

A press notice released on Sept. 3, indicated that the Jewish organizations sought to exonerate themselves from the cases, arguing that they were not at fault because they had no prior knowledge of Freundels illegal actions. Soon afterwards, the victims then entered into settlement discussions

Although Kesher is confident that it would have been found without fault if the case were litigated to final judgment, Kesher believes that resolving the case at this time is in its best interests, as well as the best interests of the community and the victims, said Kesher Israel President, Andrew Cooper in a report.

The settlement would enable the parties to avoid the further burdens of litigation and would allow Kesher to continue its focus on serving the needs of the Jewish community in Washington, D.C., without the distraction of the lawsuits.

According to Alexandra Harwin, a partner at Sanford Heisler Sharpa public interest class-action litigation law firm that oversaw the class actionthe victims were very happy with the settlement.

One of the things that is very appealing to the class members is that payments are easy to access and dont require an intrusive inquiry, she said. What this settlement does is provide substantial andprompt recovery for class members instead of the delays and risks of protracted litigation.

For several of the settling defendants, the $14.25 million payment will be made by the liability insurer.

"This settlement will help the many women traumatized by Freundel avoid the ordeal of protracted litigation  including its burdens, risks, costs, and uncertainties," said David Sanford, founder of Sanford Heisler Sharp and Lead Interim Class Counsel for the proposed class in a press release.

"This settlement provides an excellent recovery for class members in a complex and highly sensitive matter."Delhi Police has booked a man after a video of him waving his gun in full public view at the entrance of a five-star hotel in the national capital went viral. Read More.

Here's More Top News For The Day:

1) Sikkim Becomes The First 100% Organic State In The World; Wins Future Policy Award 2018

Indias north-eastern state of Sikkim has won the award for the being the 100 per cent organic state that promotes agroecological and sustainable food systems. Read More.

2) 57,000 Sq Km Of Western Ghats Notified As Ecologically Sensitive Area, Construction And Mining Banned

In a major victory to the efforts to protect UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) has notified 56,825 sq km of the Western Ghats spread along a 15,000km in six states as ecologically sensitive area (ESA).Read More.

3) Caught On Camera: Cops In Bihar Found Sleeping During A Briefing On Law And Order

People depend on police for their safety, for maintenance of law and order, but what if the cops are not interested in doing so? Ignorance of Bihar police has been caught on camera. In a shocking visual accessed by news agency ANI, two cops can be seen sleeping during a briefing on law and order ahead of Durga Puja celebrations in Patna.Read More.

4) #MeToo Movement Not Restricted To Urban Women, Domestic Workers Most Vulnerable To Harassment

Rural areas and domestic workers more often than not fall prey to sexual harassment at places where they perform petty jobs for a living. Women working as housemaids recount horrific details where they were the object of obscene gazes. Read More.

5) This Is How Indias First DNA Data Bank Helped Nab Rape And Murder Accused After Eight Years

In a first, the Navi Mumbai Police cracked an eight-year-old rape and murder case. All this was possible with the help of the first criminal DNA Bank. Read More.In a first, the Navi Mumbai Police cracked an eight-year-old rape and murder case. All this was possible with the help of the first criminal DNA Bank.

The police took a man named Rehan Qureshi into custody after he was found guilty of raping and murdering two minor girls, ages five and seven. The girls were abducted, raped and murdered in Nehru Nagar locality of Kurla in Mumbai.

A report by India Today says that a press conference on this matter will be held at Navi Mumbai Commissionerate on Tuesday.

Representational Image





This cases led to the creation of India's first of its kind DNA databank in which DNA of more than 3000 persons were recorded. These include petty criminals, chain snatchers, suspects, vagabonds and even policemen. The process of recording the DNA went on until recently for the two cases which were unsolved, says the report.

Rehan has confessed to having raped and molested hundreds of minors. His DNA matched the samples taken from two victims in Nehru Nagar. His arrest has closed one of the most shocking rapes and murder mystery that remained unsolved for the longest time.In 2016, in one of the most daring attacks carried out by the Indian security forces carried out a surgical strike inside Pakistan Occupied Kashmir targeting terrorist launch pads.

Now, another neighbour, fed up with Pakistan's support to terrorist groups have threatened to carry out another surgical strike on the country.

AFP

This comes after fourteen Iranian security personnel, including Revolutionary Guards intelligence officers, were abducted on the volatile southeastern border with Pakistan on Tuesday.

According to the official IRNA news agency, the border guards were "abducted between 4 am and 5 am in the Lulakdan area of the border by a terrorist group".

Accusing Pakistan of supporting Sunni militant groups and providing them safe havens inside the country, Iran has warned there will attack on their bases if Islamabad does not take action.

AFP

We expect Pakistan to confront these terrorist groups that are supported by some regional states, and immediately release the kidnapped Iranian forces, the Revolutionary Guards said in a statement carried on state television.

Lulakdan, from where the Border Guards were abducted is in Sistan-Baluchistan, a mainly Sunni province that has long been tormented by unrest from both separatist Baluchi separatists and jihadists based in Pakistan.

Tehran has regularly accused the Baluchi separatists of attacking Iranian security posts.New Zealand has just crowned an overly-fluffy, drunk, and adorably clumsy pigeon as the bird of the year and it's turning into somewhat of a lifestyle icon for many.

Your #BirdOfTheYear for 2018 is that absolute unit, the roundest boi, the devourer of fruit, the whooshiest of whooshes, the mighty keruru. A big round of applause for the kereru, as well as for @Kereru4PM who ran a top campaign. https://t.co/BMjEN8Pymp pic.twitter.com/Lsf3w0FKGA  Forest & Bird (@Forest_and_Bird) 14 October 2018

Found in both the North and South Islands, the 'kereru'New Zealand pigeongets high on rotting fruit that has fallen from trees.

"They were coming in absolutely drunk as can be. It was ridiculous, we were getting people bringing armfuls of these flaming drunk pigeons, the sanctuarys manager Robert Webb told The New Zealand Herald in 2013.

VOTE KERERU! Because it loves food even more than you do.https://t.co/H67w86qL07 pic.twitter.com/y7YPmdyMpZ  Ms Fish (@faiako) 3 October 2018

 Remember, before you grab a hearty (( berrie )) lunch today, lock in your vote for the Kereru for #BirdOfTheYear!  #teamkereru #kerecrew

VOTE FOR BIG BOI HERE: https://t.co/I4Mc79DEmt pic.twitter.com/NtUjebIJiz  Vote Kereru  #BirdoftheYear 2018 (@Kereru4PM) 2 October 2018

The kereru is endemic to the country are infamous to be the 'drunkest' bird in New Zealand. Its also one of the only birds in the islands ecosystem that can disperse the seeds of local large fruit.

Described as 'clumsy, drunk, gluttonous and glamorous', the Kereru population is not endangered but is vulnerable to attacks by predators such as feral cats and stoats, reports The Guardian.People splurge on all kinds of crazy things - old wedding cakes of royals, toilets made of gold, number plates for cars, the list is endless. How would you like to splurge on an island of your own? Of course, you have to be stinking rich for that - 6 million rich!

Drakes island in Devon is a 6.5-acre island - including some underground network tunnels - which is just off the coast of Plymouth in South West England. The fortress of an island that's worth 6m is up for sale. That's about Rs 58,24,47,672. Let that sink in.

Twitter

The island was named after Sir Francis Drake - he sailed from the island in 1577 and returned in 1580, after which in 1583 he was made the governor of the island. The fortress played a significant role in defending the city from the Spanish and French invaders.

Twitter

In 1995 when the Drake island was up on sale, Dan McCauley, a businessman purchased it. Becoming the highest bidder, he got the island for 384,000 with a plan to turn the island into a hotel with a helipad.

So, if you've got Rs 58.2 crore lying around, this might be a good time to go island-shopping.People do all kinds of crazy stuff, but this man plunged into a pool of death - shark tank at the Ripleys Aquarium in Toronto, Canada on Friday night.

The video shows that the man is naked and diving into the tank with a large number of sharks in it. You can hear jazz music playing in the background, people shouting for the man and the security guards shouting for him to get out of the water.





However, he seemed to be in no hurry. After swimming around a bit, with lots of sharks and fish below him, he got out of the water. Apparently, that was not enough for him. So, he dived in again, this time doing a stylish backflip. At last the man climbed back and asked where his clothes were.

#BREAKING | Police have identified 37 year old David Weaver as the man who allegedly assaulted a man outside Medieval Times and then jumped into the Ripleys Aquarium shark tank Friday night. @globalnews pic.twitter.com/qYXbGJdfHg  Kamil Karamali (@KamilKaramali) October 16, 2018

According to Reddit, the police says that neither the man nor the animals were hurt in this act.

The Toronto Police said that at 8:30 PM, the same evening, a person was attacked by an unidentified person near Dufferin Street and Saskatchewan Road and the victim was seriously injured. At 10:30 PM, another phone call about a man who took off his clothes and jumped into a shark tank, came. The police update said that they are looking for a 37-year-old man named, David Weaver who is supposedly connected to both incidents.Local Republicans in Texas are trying to remove Shahid Shafi from the post of vice chair of the local GOP, which he was just appointed to in August. (Shahid Shafi/Facebook photo)The University of Houston has said that it will rename an engineering building on campus as the Durga D. and Sushila Agrawal Engineering Research building, thanks to a gift provided by the Indian American couple. (uh.edu photo)Switch the Market flag

Open the menu and switch the

Market flag for targeted data from your country of choice.

for targeted data from your country of choice.Johns noted that Australian employers are best placed to help their staff improve their physical and mental health, considering that people spend 35 hours a week, or a third of their lives, in the workplace.

From the programs weve rolled out with employers across the globe, weve seen meaningful reductions in medically-related claims and significant improvements in employee-engagement metrics, Johns said. Healthier people perform better, are happier, and are more likely to stay.

Johns also pointed out how employers often overlook mental health as a workforce issue.

The reality is that our bodies do not differentiate between a physical threat like being chased in a dark alley, and psychological stress, Johns said. Mental and physical health are not separate domains  they are fundamentally linked, so when we stress over a problem continuously, our body reacts to it as if it were facing a real-life threat, resulting in an outpouring of hormones from our endocrine system that fuels inflammation in our body.

Johns, whose area of interest is in data-health analytics, is responsible for developing and implementing health and wellbeing strategies globally. She has four tips for engaging employees about their health:Marsh & McLennan Companies (MMC) now has one less thing to think about in its 4.3 billion (around AU$7.93 billion) takeover deal with Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group (JLT), having secured US antitrust approval from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

In a joint announcement, the two firms said the agency has granted an early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, effectively concluding the competition review of both the FTC and Department of Justice. This means the acquisition has cleared an important condition to its closing.It is a privilege to take the helm at Lloyds, the worlds most important commercial insurance and reinsurance marketplace, and the place where I started my career in 1985, commented the CEO.

Meanwhile chair Bruce Carnegie-Brown is confident that Lloyds will continue to thrive under Neals leadership, given not only his wealth of experience but also real enthusiasm for tackling the challenges ahead.

Carnegie-Brown said the new chief executive joins at an important time, with critical areas of focus including the launch of the Lloyds subsidiary in Brussels and improving underlying performance.

The Lloyds market is like no other (re)insurance organisation in the world, noted Neal. With an unrivalled pool of underwriting expertise, and a reputation built on 330 years of providing insurance solutions for our customers, it plays a unique role in supporting businesses and economies through its unmatched global reach and customer focus.

As I begin this role, it is important that we focus on maintaining the markets reputation for innovation, accelerating our efforts to modernise the ways in which we do business, and take the time to listen to all of our stakeholders, who are critical to the future wellbeing of the Lloyds market.Founded with the goal of promoting initiatives for closer international collaboration and expertise sharing, IFTRIP is made up of the following members, observers, and invitees: Australia (ARPC), Austria (GRAWE), Belgium (TRIP), Denmark (FINANSTILSYNET), France (GAREAT and CCR), Germany (Extremus) , India (GIC), Israel (ITC), Namibia (NASRIA), Netherlands (NHT), Russia (RATIP), South Africa (SASRIA), Spain (CCS), Sri Lanka (NITF), the US (TRIP), and the UK (Pool Re).

IFTRIP is a unique organisation, said RATIP chair Alexander Gulchenko. It brings together the worlds leading terrorism risk pools, with all their expertise and knowledge, and facilitates the sharing of information and knowledge.

The terrorism threat is a global one, and, in order to bring stability and security to lives and economies, we should face it together. I am therefore very pleased that Moscow has had the honour of hosting this important conference.

RATIP, a national association of companies that provide services in the field of terrorism and sabotage risks insurance and reinsurance, was organised in 2001 by Russias largest insurers.

Governments and the private sector, acting independently and in partnership, all have a responsibility to help mitigate the terrorist threat, noted Francois Vilnet, chair of IFTRIP. Following the success of our previous congress in Paris, we have worked tirelessly over the past year in our Cyber Working Group and other IFTRIP committees to improve our understanding of terrorism and how it is evolving in methods, ideologies, and approaches.

I would like to thank the RATIP team for their tireless work, and we are looking forward to our next Congress in Brussels.Gibsons appointment comes after the insurance company hired Said Taiym as its new chief digital officer. Both Gibson and Taiym join Locktons senior management team in Kansas City.

Gibson has spent the last seven years as client partnership director at international marketing firm Global Prairie. In this role, she served client partners such as Bayer Crop Science, the city of Kansas City, Missouri, Google Fiber, KCP&L, Populous, the University of Kansas Health System and Sprint Center.

She is also currently president of both the Missouri Court Appointed Advocates Association Board of Directors and the Shawnee Mission School District Committee for Excellence. Gibosn, along with her husband, is a volunteer and co-chair for the 2018 and 2019 Child Protection Centers Cook for Courage event.

Gibson is a graduate of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Centurions Leadership Program and the Civic Councils Kansas City Tomorrow program, and received her bachelors degree from the University of Missouri in political science, majoring in Journalism.

In Julie, we found a dynamic executive who brings a strategic and consultative mindset to this new position. Her deep brand, communications and public affairs experience across a wide range of industries makes her a great fit for Lockton, Clune said in a statement. She brings fresh ideas and new approaches that will help us grow our brand and Lockton Associates and Producers grow the business.

As we continue our growth trajectory, Julies role will be to ensure the Lockton culture and client focus is felt all over the world, commented Lockton CEO Ron Lockton. She will be critical in activating and communicating the Lockton brand globally to propel our growth. We are excited to welcome her to our team.Authorities believe a natural gas explosion at a Virginia home caused a fire that has injured nine people.

Chesapeake Fire Lt. Anthony P. Barakat tells news outlets that the two homeowners were hospitalized in critical condition following the significant explosion Sunday evening.

Firefighters say their home, a neighboring home and a tree caught fire. Four people were treated for injuries at the scene, while neighbors took another person with unknown injuries to the hospital. Two firefighters were also hospitalized with minor injuries.

Barakat says firefighters dont yet know how or why the explosion happened.

The Red Cross is assisting a family of six that was displaced from the second home damaged by the fire.

No identities have been released.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics VirginiaThe European Union summit in Brussels this week was meant to be historic: a Brexit divorce deal would be reached and sent to parliaments to be approved. That is now not going to happen, once again raising the risk that the U.K. will leave Europe with no deal at all.

There is a worrying parallel between the current stage of the Brexit negotiations and the run-up to the 2016 U.K. referendum on leaving the EU. What it suggests is that unless Britain gets good and scared about leaving without settling the terms of a withdrawal agreement, risk is all it will get.

In 2016, most people assumed that the U.K. would vote to remain in the EU. The Leave campaign made outrageous claims  a promise that weekly savings of 350 million pounds ($460 million) would be plowed back into the health-care system was the most famous one. The argument that Brexit would be a) easy, b) quick, and c) wildly advantageous were repeated endlessly, and went mostly unchallenged. A lot of people believed them.

With only minutes left on the negotiating clock, something similar is happening now. Those who once advocated giving up EU membership now insist the only way to leave is to cut all the ties built up over four decades, including access to the EUs single market and many other trade benefits guaranteed by the customs union. Anything less would be a betrayal of Brexit, the argument goes: Having no deal at all isnt great but its really nothing to be dramatic about either.

The no-deal, no-drama narrative has gotten louder. Negotiations on a Brexit divorce deal are stalled over how to ensure that there will be no physical border between Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland after Brexit if the future trading relationship doesnt solve the problem. Hard-liners in Prime Minister Theresa Mays Conservative Party, and the small Northern Irish party that props up her government, are unhappy with her proposed compromise and say that its worse than walking away.

Arlene Foster, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, Mays Northern Irish ally, says she now thinks that no deal is the likeliest outcome. Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of a group of hard-line Brexiter members of Parliament told a radio show on Monday that a no-deal Brexit would bring transition issues, but also asserted that any difficulties should be overcome as we begin to trade with the EU on a perfectly normal World Trade basis.

World Trade basis was shorthand for the Brexiters claim that the U.K. would be no worse off if it jettisoned the EU agreements and lived instead with the ones encompassed by Britains continuing membership in the World Trade Organization. Thats almost certainly false, but the problems inherent in whats called the WTO-option have been rehearsed plenty, and they resonate no more than the warnings of economic cost did during the referendum campaign. As tension rises over the course of negotiations, so has the emotional appeal of what Rees-Mogg called a much cleaner and quicker Brexit.

A study published on Monday by the think tank Open Europe provides fodder for the no-deal arguments. The authors say that if the U.K. unilaterally liberalizes tariff and non-tariff barriers, a no-deal exit would lead to a 0.17 percent per year drag on growth until 2030, much lower than many other studies show. Even that negligible impact, they argue, could be wiped out with the construction of an additional 30,000 homes per year and other mitigation measures.

If you just focus on tariffs and non-tariff barriers, its true that you can legitimately get smallish aggregate figures, said Alex Stojanovic of the Institute for Government, who has studied the impact of Brexit on various sectors. This still obscures the big sectoral damage, like the car sector, and the loss of jobs in particular regions.

The study is at least honest about its assumptions. Among them: the model does not capture the effects of the disruption of deeply integrated value chains, sector-specific regulatory impediments to U.K.-EU-27 trade, the labor market impacts of limiting access to EU labor, or the impact of Brexit on the strategic considerations of multinationals, who may locate their businesses elsewhere.

It also assumes that the U.K., having ended its two-year EU negotiations without a deal, will manage to quickly form side deals on everything from data to aviation to agri-food and financial services. Given all the factors that are taken out of the equation, its breathtakingly bold to ask anyone to draw comfort from the conclusions.

Plenty of other studies suggest that no deal is not just a little bit worse than a deal within the range of options that May and the EU are looking at  its a lot worse. And the U.K. is not prepared for it. The British Chambers of Commerce say that 62 percent of member firms havent even done a Brexit risk assessment to ascertain what leaving will mean.

The government appears to be similarly unprepared. Despite massive hiring and attempts to gear up for the biggest legislative and institutional change in a generation, a study of Whitehall by Joe Owen, Lewis Lloyd and Jill Rutter in June showed that the machinery of government is nowhere near geared up for a challenge of that scale.

As with the referendum campaign, the pushback against the no deal, no drama fiction has been weak. The assumption, which markets seem largely to share, is that a deal will happen at the 11th hour and 58th minute. Thats how the EU always works, the argument goes. And because May has had to maintain the pretense in negotiation that she is ready to walk away, there is no effective counter-narrative coming from the government.

The paradox now is that Mays best chance of getting a deal is for a no-deal Brexit to be a prospect that most Conservative MPs genuinely fear. Only then will they hold their nose and cast a vote for a deal they hate.

That, in turn, favors yet more brinkmanship and a summit of perhaps some soothing words but no real progress. The fear of failure will only become real when the markets buy it and businesses make more noise. At the moment, they are more inclined to shrug, just as many remainers did in 2016.

Related:

Copyright 2021 Bloomberg.

Topics Europe Uk BrexitGlobal broking network Brokerslink announced it has appointed Jose Manuel Fonseca as its new chairman, replacing Gregory Allard, who steps down after a two-year tenure.

As one of the original founders of Brokerslink, Fonseca also is the CEO of Porto, Portugal-based broker MDS Group and sits on the board of directors of reinsurance brokerage Ed.

Fonseca will be supported in his role by Steve Hearn, Brokerslink board member and group CEO of Ed, who has been appointed vice chairman, replacing Patrick Chan, managing director and general manager of Nova Risk Services.

When Brokerslink was founded in 2004, I wanted it to become a credible alternative to the large alpha house brokers, offering the strength and support of a global network but with a commitment to allowing regional brokers across the world to maintain their independence and continue to service their own clients with the wealth of local specialist knowledge that they are known and trusted for in their markets, said Fonseca in a statement. With the commitment and dedication of a fantastic team over the years, I have seen this vision become reality.

Brokerslink recently announced the expansion of the network with 13 new affiliates. In February 2018, it appointed Jacqueline Legrand as CEO, succeeding Fonseca. Legrand also is chief operating officer and board member at MDS Group.

Related:

Topics AgenciesMat Beren and his friends used to drive by the vast greenhouses of southern British Columbia and joke about how much weed they could grow there.

Years later, its no joke. The tomato and pepper plants that once filled some of those greenhouses have been replaced with a new cash crop: marijuana. Beren and other formerly illicit growers are helping cultivate it. The buyers no longer are unlawful dealers or dubious medical dispensaries; its the Canadian government.

On Oct. 17, Canada becomes the second and largest country with a legal national marijuana marketplace. Uruguay launched legal sales last year, after several years of planning.

Its a profound social shift promised by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and fueled by a desire to bring the black market into a regulated, taxed system after nearly a century of prohibition.

It also stands in contrast to the United States, where the federal government outlaws marijuana while most states allow medical or recreational use for people 21 and older. Canadas national approach has allowed for unfettered industry banking, inter-province shipments of cannabis, online ordering, postal delivery and billions of dollars in investment; national prohibition in the U.S. has stifled greater industry expansion there.

Hannah Hetzer, who tracks international marijuana policy for the New York-based Drug Policy Alliance, called Canadas move extremely significant, given that about 25 countries have already legalized the medical use of marijuana or decriminalized possession of small amounts of pot. A few, including Mexico, have expressed an interest in regulating recreational use.

Its going to change the global debate on drug policy, she said. Theres no other country immediately considering legalizing the non-medical use of cannabis, but I think Canada will provide almost the permission for other countries to move forward.

At least 109 legal pot shops are expected to open across the nation of 37 million people next Wednesday, with many more to come, according to an Associated Press survey of the provinces. For now, theyll offer dried flower, capsules, tinctures and seeds, with sales of marijuana-infused foods and concentrates expected to begin next year.

The provinces are tasked with overseeing marijuana distribution. For some, including British Columbia and Alberta, that means buying cannabis from licensed producers, storing it in warehouses and then shipping it to retail shops and online customers. Others, like Newfoundland, are having growers ship directly to stores or through the mail.

Federal taxes will total $1 per gram or 10 percent, whichever is more. The feds will keep one-fourth of that and return the rest to the provinces, which can add their own markups. Consumers also will pay local sales taxes.

Some provinces have chosen to operate their own stores, like state-run liquor stores in the U.S., while others have OKd private outlets. Most are letting residents grow up to four plants at home.

Canadas most populous province, Ontario, wont have any stores open until next April, after the new conservative government scrapped a plan for state-owned stores in favor of privately run shops. Until then, the only legal option for Ontario residents will be mail delivery  a prospect that didnt sit well with longtime pot fan Ryan Bose, 48, a Lyft driver.

Potheads are notoriously very impatient. When they want their weed, they want their weed, he said after buying a half-ounce at an illicit medical marijuana dispensary in Toronto. Waiting one or two three days for it by mail, Im not sure how many will want to do that.

British Columbia, home of the B.C. Bud long cherished by American pot connoisseurs, has had a prevalent marijuana culture since the 1970s, after U.S. draft-dodgers from the Vietnam War settled on Vancouver Island and in the provinces southeastern mountains. But a change in government last year slowed cannabis distribution plans there, too, and it will have just one store ready next Wednesday: a state-run shop in Kamloops, a few hours drive northeast of Vancouver. By contrast, Alberta expects to open 17 next week and 250 within a year.

No immediate crackdown is expected for the dozens of illicit-but-tolerated medical marijuana dispensaries operating in British Columbia, though officials eventually plan to close any without a license. Many are expected to apply for private retail licenses, and some have sued, saying they have a right to remain open.

British Columbias ministry of public safety is forming a team of 44 inspectors to root out unlawful operations, seize product and issue fines. Theyll have responsibility for a province of 4.7 million people and an area twice as large as California, where the black market still dwarfs the legal market that arrived in January.

Chris Clay, a longtime Canadian medical marijuana activist, runs Warmland Centre dispensary in an old shopping mall in Mill Bay, on Vancouver Island. He is closing the store Monday until he gets a license; he feared continuing to operate post-legalization would jeopardize his chances. Some of his eight staff members will likely have to file for unemployment benefits in the meantime.

That will be frustrating, but overall Im thrilled, Clay said. Ive been waiting decades for this.

The federal government has licensed 120 growers, some of them enormous. Canopy Growth, which recently received an investment of $4 billion from Constellation Brands, whose holdings include Corona beer, Robert Mondavi wines and Black Velvet whiskey, is approved for 5.6 million square feet (520,000 square meters) of production space across Canada. Its two biggest greenhouses are near the U.S. border in British Columbia.

Beren, a 23-year cannabis grower, is a Canopy consultant.

We used to joke around all the time when wed go to Vancouver and drive by the big greenhouses on the highway, he said. Like, Oh man, someday. Itd be so awesome if we could grow cannabis in one of these greenhouses. We drive by now, and were like, Oh, were here.'

Next to Canopys greenhouse in Delta is another huge facility, Pure Sunfarms, a joint venture between a longtime tomato grower, Village Farms International, and a licensed medical marijuana producer, Emerald Health Therapeutics. Workers pulled out the remaining tomato plants last winter and got to work renovating the greenhouse as a marijuana farm, installing equipment that includes lights and accordion-shaped charcoal vents to control the plants odor. By 2020, the venture expects to move more than 165,000 pounds (75,000 kg) of bud per year.

Some longtime illegal growers who operate on a much smaller scale worry they wont get licensed or will get steamrolled by much larger producers. Provinces can issue micro-producer licenses. But in British Columbia, where small-time pot growers helped sustain rural economies as the mining and forestry industries cratered, the application period hasnt opened yet.

Sarah Campbell of the Craft Cannabis Association of BC said many small operators envision a day when they can host visitors who can tour their operations and sample the product, as wineries do.

Officials say they intend to accommodate craft growers but first need to ensure there is enough cannabis to meet demand when legalization arrives. Hiccups are inevitable, they say, and tweaks will be needed.

Leaving it to each province to decide whats best for their communities and their citizens is something thats good, said Gene Makowsky, the Saskatchewan minister who oversees the provinces Liquor and Gaming Authority. Well be able to see if each law is successful or where we can do better in certain areas.

British Columbia safety minister Mike Farnworth said he learned two primary lessons by visiting Oregon and Washington, U.S. states with recreational marijuana. One was not to look at the industry as an immediate cash cow, as it will take time to displace the black market. The other was to start with relatively strict regulations and then loosen them as needed, because its much harder to tighten them after the fact.

Legalization will be a process more than a date, Farnworth said.

Oct. 17th is actually not going to look much different than it does today, he said.

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Topics USA Cannabis CanadaOhios Central Insurance Companies announced the election of Evan Purmort to chief marketing officer and Cindy Hurless to chief operating officer.

As CMO, Purmort is responsible for the companys regional operations, communications, distribution and industry relationships. He previously held the position of vice president  Northeast regional office manager.

Purmort previously has served the company as commercial lines technician in the Southeast Region, commercial lines underwriter and marketing manager for Arizona. He was promoted to the Southwest management team in 2012 as a commercial lines supervisor and was then promoted to the position of personal lines manager in 2014.

Purmont joined Central in 2003 during high school in the mail and supply department in Centrals home office. He has earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associates in Claims (AIC) and Associates in Insurance Accounting and Finance (AIAF) designations.

In her role as COO, Hurless responsibilities will include oversight of the companys services, claims, underwriting and loss control operations. She joined central in 2002 as manager of the mail/supply and commercial lines services departments, and was promoted to vice president of customer services in 2004. She has earned the Associates in Insurance Services (AIS) and Associates in General Insurance (AINS) designations. She serves as a member of the IIABAs Agents Council on Technology, Van Wert City Schools Board of Education, VWAPF Board and YWCA Board.

The Central Mutual Insurance Co. was founded in Van Wert, Ohio, in 1876 and has evolved into the Central Insurance Companies, a property/casualty group providing insurance for more than 350,000 automobiles, homes and businesses in 23 states. Headquartered in Van Wert, Central operates regional offices in Boston, Atlanta, Dallas and Van Wert. The Central group of companies has combined assets of over $1.6 billion. Centrals A.M. Best rating is A (Excellent).

Source: Central Insurance CompaniesFor 35 years, Ruth DEredita tried to dismiss her former professors behavior  the way he touched her, groped her and kissed her. But last year, as dozens of women came forward to share similar encounters with powerful men, she started to see her memories differently.

It made me look at that incident and say, no, it was wrong, said DEredita, a 1984 graduate of Mount Holyoke College, a womens school in Massachusetts. I went there with a heart full of passion, eager for scholarship, just to throw myself into it, and this man looked at me as a potential sexual partner.

Shes now among a wave of women inspired by the (hash)MeToo movement to report past sexual misconduct to their colleges, breaking sometimes decades of silence in an attempt to acknowledge the wrongdoing, close old wounds and, in some cases, seek justice.

The reports from deep in the past have also raised big questions about how to investigate such cases and how to usher them through newer discipline systems built upon updated ideas about right and wrong.

In many ways, schools say, they face the same frustrations that arose in last months Senate hearing over Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexually assaulting another teenager in the mid-1980s. Memories fade. No one agrees. Witnesses stay quiet.

But unlike the Senate or the White House, which have broad investigative powers, colleges are left to tease out the truth with legal authority that does not extend beyond their campuses.

We dont have subpoena power. We dont have the same kind of reach or authority that courts would have, said Rob Kent, interim chief of the Title IX office at Michigan State University.

Colleges from New England to the West Coast say theyve seen an uptick in historical complaints over the past year, a shift they credit to the national reckoning sparked by (hash)MeToo. Cases that were never reported in the past are coming to light as much as 50 years later.

In the first half of 2018, for example, Michigan State University received 22 complaints from two decades ago or longer, according to public records obtained by The Associated Press. In the previous five years combined, there were just nine cases that old.

Most cases involve women who say they were harassed or assaulted by male professors, advisers or others who worked on campus.

People feel theyve got a voice, said Saunie Schuster, a lawyer who advises colleges across the country and co-founded the Association of Title IX Administrators. I think its a trend were going to see for the coming few years.

The uptick has prompted some schools to rethink policies that placed time limits on investigations. Rutgers University dropped a two-year limit this month, saying it will now look into all sexual misconduct complaints.

At Mount Holyoke, DEreditas case is among at least three that have emerged from the 1980s. In a letter to the school in October 2017, she described how a professor drove her to an art museum for an academic outing, but then began forcefully kissing and groping her in the car and later in an empty museum gallery.

The professor, who still works at the college, denied the accusation. The school hired an outside firm to investigate but ultimately concluded there was not enough evidence to prove her account.

She said she views the final decision as wrong but understandable.

I know what he did to me. I know where he did it. I have been reliving it, said DEredita, who now lives in Vienna, Virginia.

Mount Holyoke officials declined to comment on the case but said they are crafting a new policy on historical complaints and have hired the schools first full-time Title IX coordinator, among other changes.

DEreditas case illustrates the bind that some colleges are in: They encourage victims to come forward but struggle to verify their claims. Often it comes down to deciding which side is more credible, based on whatever scant evidence may exist.

Even deciding whether to investigate can be a challenge. Many alleged offenders have retired or taken new jobs, placing them outside the schools reach. And while federal rules now require schools to take action if a hostile environment exists, they are not obligated to explore older cases that pose no threat.

As a result, some schools pass by older complaints to focus on newer ones.

Kellie Brennan, Title IX coordinator at Ohio State University, said her office takes complaints as they come in and tries to determine if they need to be addressed. The older they are, the less likely that is, she said.

Additionally, many schools weigh alleged misconduct against rules that were in force at the time, not those in effect now. The issue often arises in cases dealing with relationships between faculty and students, which many schools allowed until the past decade.

What constitutes harassment might be much different now than what it was in 1980, but the reporting that were getting is based on standards of conduct that apply today, said Kent, at Michigan State. If officials find the offense wouldnt violate rules at the time, he added, a lot of times it stops right there.

Investigations can also carry a hefty cost. Ohio State has paid an outside firm $1.4 million for an ongoing inquiry into a former team doctor accused of sexual misconduct against scores of athletes dating back to the 1970s.

And even when schools verify misconduct, if the offender has been hired elsewhere, many opt not to notify the new employer for fear of a defamation suit. Only recently have some started drafting policies requiring such disclosure, including the University of Wisconsin.

Campus officials from across the country gathered to discuss such matters on Thursday at a conference for Title IX administrators. Michael Dunn, who helped lead a panel on the topic, encouraged officials to ask victims what they hope to gain from reporting. Some want an investigation, he said, but some just want their stories to be heard.

We need to be really thoughtful and sensitive to whats motivating someone to come forward now, Dunn, who is Title IX director at St. Marys College of Maryland, said in an interview. What are the steps that theyre looking for, and what are the steps the college needs to take?

DEredita said she was looking for justice, but thats not all. By coming forward, she hoped to make sure that what happened to her does not happen to young women today. And if it does, she says, she hopes they speak up.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Claims Michigan Education UniversitiesThe Tennessee Department of Education released graduation rates for the graduating class of 2018.

"Bradley County Schools has maintained steady graduation rates for the past few years. We did have an increase this year as we went from a graduation rate of 91.7 percent to a rate of 92.2 percent," officials said. "This is above the state graduation rate of 89.1 percent, but our goal is to increase our graduation rate to 95 percent by the year 2021.

"We have some areas that we need to continue to grow, but we also have some areas that we want to highlight.

"We are very proud of the results of our Career Technical Education students, as they had a graduation rate of 97.98 percent.

"Our goal is to have students ready for their next steps, and we are focused on preparing students for life after high school, whether their path takes them to college or to careers. To help reach our goals, our students have opportunities to take part in mock interviews, job shadowing, career fairs and college visits, just to name a few.



"We do recognize that we need to support our special education students. We are encouraged, as we saw an increase in the graduation rate of this subgroup from 65.88 percent to 72.46 percent. We will collaborate with our Director of Special Education Ruth Ann White to continue to address the needs of this subgroup.

"Another subgroup that we will need to pay attention to is our economically disadvantaged students. We saw a decrease from 88.48 percent graduation rate to 84.87 percent."



"We are also proud to see that both of our primary high schools improved their graduation rates this year", stated Dr. Linda Cash. "Walker Valley High School increased their graduation rate to 97.12 percent and Bradley Central High School increased to 88.66 percent. Bradley Central does have a higher percentage of students that are economically disadvantaged and special education but irregardless, we will continue to focus on ways to address the needs of all students at BCHS.

"Bradley County Virtual School and GOAL Academy did see a decrease in their graduation rates. Both of these schools are so small in numbers that even one student not graduating makes a big difference in the graduation rate. GOAL Academy produced a 93.I percent graduation rate and Bradley County Virtual had a 75 percent graduation rate."A New Jersey man who died from a rare brain-eating amoeba was likely exposed to it during his visit to a Texas water resort last month, health officials said.

The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District said testing done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found evidence of Naegleria fowleri  a rare but deadly amoeba that can cause a brain infection  at one of the four attractions at the BSR Cable Park and Surf Resort in Waco, and conditions favorable for its growth at the other three.

Health officials said the amoeba was found at the attraction thats a natural body of water, but itll remain open because risk of exposure is considered the same as at any natural body of water. But officials added that the other three attractions wont reopen until all health and safety issues are addressed.

Fabrizio Stabile , 29, died Sept. 21 after contracting the deadly amoeba.

People are usually infected when contaminated water enters the body through the nose, according to the CDC. The CDC reports the amoeba is usually found in warm freshwater, such as lakes, rivers or hot springs.

The New Jersey Department of Health said the man had visited the park on Sept. 8. Symptoms generally start about five days after infection, with death occurring about five days later, according to the CDC.

The infection can start out with a headache, fever and nausea, and worsen into a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures. The CDC said only four of the 143 people known to have been infected in the U.S. between 1962 and 2017 have survived.

The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District said that even though the amoeba wasnt detected at the establishments Surf Resort, Lazy River or Royal Flush, the water at those attractions was very cloudy, had organisms that indicated the presence of feces, had low chlorine levels and conditions favorable to Naegleria fowleri growth.

BSR Cable Park and Surf Resort owner Stuart Parsons said in a statement that they will be installing a state-of-the-art filtration system to make sure water at the Surf Resort, Lazy River and Royal Flush are as clear and clean as humanly possible.

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Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics TexasFor the second time this year, a large fire has torn through American Furniture Company in northern Pontotoc County.

Pontotoc County Fire Coordinator Adam Patton tells the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal that the fire was reported around 6 a.m. Saturday.

Firefighters from more than a dozen fire departments battled the fire, which began in a warehouse/shipping area of the large manufacturing facility. Fire crews had to shuttle water from area fire hydrants to the fire.

More than 21 fire departments fought a massive fire at the same facility in January. That fire destroyed a large portion of the warehouse, sewing department and production development space. More than 35,000 pieces of furniture inventory was lost.

The cause of both fires is unknown.

American Furniture employs more than 700 workers.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics MississippiSeeman Holtz Property & Casualty, Inc. has acquired Allstar Assurance, headquartered in Weston, Fla.

Allstar Assurance has been serving south Florida for over 14 years offering multi-line property and casualty insurance coverage for commercial, personal and financial industries.

With the addition of Allstar Assurance, Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty, Inc. will continue to reach new and current clients and strengthen its presence in its home state of Florida.

SHP&C offers:

Homeowners Policy

Automobile Insurance

Renters Policy

Private Client

Umbrella Coverage

Commercial and Employee Coverage

Personal Liability Coverage

Employee Benefits

Human Resources

Professional Liability Insurance

The Seeman Holtz family of companies provides comprehensive financial and insurance advice to clients across the country.

Topics Mergers Florida Property Property Casualty CasualtyCalifornias largest public utility cut off electric power to about 60,000 customers in an unprecedented move to prevent wildfires such as those that erupted in the states wine country last fall, as high winds threatened to topple trees and power lines.

As faster winds were forecast on Sunday, Pacific Gas & Electric warned customers via text, email and phone of the blackout that would last until at least Monday evening, causing some schools to cancel classes in the six affected northern California counties.

The power outage, which started on Sunday, came just days after Californias Department of Forestry and Fire Protection found that last years Cascade Fire in Yuba County, which burned nearly 10,000 acres and killed four people, was started by sagging power lines coming into contact during heavy winds. Investigators said at least one of the lines was owned by PG&E.

Climate change-induced drought, heat and 129 million dead trees have heightened wildfire risks, PG&E said on its website.

This is the first time that we have proactively turned off the power due to fire threat conditions, said Melissa Subbotin, spokeswoman for the utility, which is owned by PG&E Corp . This is the new normal. We determined that in order to ensure thesafety of our customers and the communities that we serve, we would be turning power off during extreme fire conditions.

Future power outages might be needed to prevent wildfires such as one in 2017 that destroyed 245,000 acres in northern parts of the San Francisco Bay area and killed 46 people. A report released by that state in June found that some of those fires were caused by toppling trees that made contact with PG&E power lines.

The move prompted many customers to complain on Twitter that the outage was spoiling food, disabling traffic lights and keeping them from doing their jobs.

With analysts estimating that PG&E could face having to pay billions of dollars in about 200 lawsuits on behalf of 2,700 plaintiff, California lawmakers in September passed a bill that could help the utility avoid those potentially crippling liabilities.

Due to the disruption to customers, the power cutoff was a last resort measure as part of a program that includes a team monitoring weather and other conditions in several high-risk counties, especially during wildfire season, typically late summer and fall, Subbotin said.

We take into consideration climate change here as the new normal, she added. That has unfortunately increased the risk of wildfires.

Customers in the counties  Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Lake, Napa and Sonoma  were warned of the cutoff by telephone, text message and email, Subbotin said. PG&E provides between one and 48 hours advanced notice, she added.

The Konocti Unified School District in Lower Lake, California, which includes 3,500 students, was one of four Lake County districts that closed, Superintendent Donna Becnel said.

I always hate to cancel school, Becnel said by telephone. But with the number of power outages and not knowing how long it was going to last, there was no way to have classes without heat, lights and the ability to provide food for students.

(Reporting by Peter Szekely in New York; Additional reporting by Suzannah Gonzales in Chicago; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Richard Chang)

Related:

Topics California Catastrophe Natural Disasters WildfireWorkers compensation premium rates fell considerably nationwide, while California continued to see among the worst rates in the nation, according to a new study out from the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services.

The department puts out its Oregon Workers Compensation Premium Rate Ranking Summary report every two years.

Premium rate indices are calculated based on data from 51 jurisdictions for rates in effect as of Jan. 1. The 2018 median value is $1.70, a drop of 7.6 percent from the $1.84 median of the 2016 study. This is the largest drop in the study median since 2012.

View the report on Insurance Journals Research and Trends section.

Weve noticed that generally everyones still moving down, said Jay Dotter, who authored the report along with Chris Day. Its the most weve seen for a while.

The full report is due out in about two months, and is expected to include details such as classification code rankings for each state.

Day noted that majority of states saw rates move down on the index. He couldnt say exactly why that was, but offered some possible explanations.

For (National council on Compensation Insurance) states, loss costs have been dropping, Dotter said. Weve been seeing that the losses due to medical and indemnity have been going down.

California was behind only New York as the state with highest index rate. The Golden States index rate was $2.87, or 169 percent of the study median.

However, Californias ranking and rates have improved the study shows. The state had the highest index rate in the 2016 study at $3.24, 176 percent of the median. Its ranking in the 2014 report was 188 percent of the median.

The California Department of Workers Compensation, which has touted the success of system-wide changes that have been ongoing over the past six years, took issue with the states ranking.

Oregons study is based on the industrial mix in their state and does not reflect actual costs in Californias workers compensation system, a statement provided by a DWC spokesperson reads.

The Oregon report compares 50 classification codes with the largest losses for Oregon only and is based on payroll figures over a three-year period in that state from 2012 to 2014. This gives an overall index rate for the state based on state rates by class code weighted by premium. The authors of the report use a common set of class codes so they are comparing the rates without a class codes difference added in, since class codes vary broadly from state to state. However, the index rates are based on each states rates as of Jan. 1, 2018.

Since the 2012 workers comp reforms were enacted, California has seen a reduction in costs to employers while increasing injured workers benefits and improving access and quality of evidence-based care, according to the DWC statement.

This is the result of our work to identify and reduce high litigation and administrative costs, the statement continues.

The statement also notes that as a result of these changes, the Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau has for the past three years consistently recommended that pure premium costs be lowered.

The WCIRB in August submitted to the insurance commissioner proposed advisory pure premium rates to be effective Jan. 1, 2019 that average $1.70 per $100 of payroll. That indicated average pure premium is 4.5 percent less than the average approved July 1, 2018 advisory pure premium rate of $1.78 and 20 percent less than the corresponding industry average filed pure premium rate of $2.13 as of July 1, 2018.

New York was the worst ranked state $3.08, or 181 percent of the study median. New Jersey ($2.84), Alaska ($2.51) and Delaware ($2.50) followed.

Oregons $1.15 index rate ranked 46th. North Dakota (.82 cents), Indiana (.87 cents), Arkansas (.90 cents), West Virginia ($1.01) were the top ranked states with the lowest index rates.

Oregon ranked 43rd on the previous list, the best performance since the list first started to be complied in the late 1980s, according to Dotter.

The state first began tracking premium rankings to show how much reforms were needed to reduce high workers comp costs in Oregon, Dotter said.

The state ranked 6th on the first report. Oregon later initiated reforms that included reducing litigation and sending contested workers comp cases through newly created administrative review processes, according to Dotter.

Related:

Topics California Workers' Compensation Pricing Trends OregonWhen it comes to leisure travel, Europe is the most frequently visited region in the world, according to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); in fact, in 2019, it hosted just over half of the 1.5 billion international tourists traveling that year. While its possible to travel around Europe on a shoestring, getting there eats up a big chunk of the travel budget. The good news is that there are times of the yearand even days of the weekwhen flying costs less.

Key Takeaways The late fall and winter monthsfrom mid to late October through mid-to-late Marchare often the cheapest time to fly to Europe (though fares can spike in December).

Its often cheaper to fly to Europe mid-week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in particular.

Sometimes it's most economical to fly from the U.S. to London, the busiest route, then take discount airlines to Continental cities.

Pick an Off-Peak Season

Like most leisure-travel destinations, Europe has peak travel seasonswhen airfares are at their highestand off-peak ones, when its possible to find better deals on airfare (and, possibly, on your other vacation expenses as well). The summer season, which runs from late May or early June through the end of August, is when many families are available to travel. As a result, it's the most expensive time to visit Europe.

The late fall and winter monthsfrom mid to late October through mid/late Marchare often the cheapest time to fly. Cold weather, of course, is partly to blame, but a winter vacation to Europe has its benefits. In addition to the cheaper airfare, Europe has some of the best ski and snowboard resorts in the world (Meribel, Zermatt, and St. Anton am Arlberg, to name a few). Leave the ski resorts, and you can experience Europes other top attractions without the company of thousands of other tourists.

December is the exception, of course. Families are reuniting or traveling together for the holidays, so you can expect to pay a premium for flights at that time of year.

Don't Fly Direct

The busiest air travel route between the United States and Europe is New York to London (yes, we know Britain's not technically in Europe oras of Jan. 31, 2020the European Union, but most Americans lump it together with other places across the pond). Sometimes it's most economical to fly from the U.S. to London, then take discount airlines to Continental cities.

Here again, though, seasonality matters. As of April 2021, a search on Kayak.com for round-trip tickets out of New York to London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) shows fares for a seven-day trip climbing steadily from May on, jumping from a low of $711 in mid-May to $1,123 in July. They then begin to drift downward to around $705 by early August.

Of course, airfare prices fluctuate constantly, and you may not be able to reproduce these results when you shop for tickets, but this is the general trend.

Pick Your Days

Trying to save money by traveling on a certain day of the week can be hit-or-miss with flights to Europe. Its often cheaper to fly mid-week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in particular, but sometimes you can get the same mid-week fare on a Saturday. The length of your stay can make a big difference in price. Plan on a Saturday night stay-over to get the best fares.

If you can be flexible, you may be able to save money by adjusting your departure and return dates. Google Flights, as well as some other online airfare aggregators (including Kayak and Travelocity), have flexible travel date searches, so you can see fares for a specific date and see fares for the surrounding dates.

Europe and Covid-19 Restrictions As of May 2021, most of Europe is currently off limits for unrestricted travel from the U.S. but these rules may be relaxed soon for those who have received vaccinations and test negative for the coronavirus before travel. Check with specific country Covid-19 travel policies before booking flights.

How Far in Advance?

Plan ahead, but not way far ahead. If you wait till the last minute, fares tend to be high, but they can also be high if you book too far in advance. Because airfares to Europe fluctuate so much (often, it seems, quite randomly), it can be helpful to sign up for price alerts that send email or text fare updates for routes that you specify.

The Bottom Line

You will probably pay the most if you fly to Europe during the summer when everybody else wants to go. You can find cheaper rates by flying during the winter (except for December) and by having flexible dates. Fares to London are sometimes among the lowest fares to Europe.

Once you cross the Atlantic, you can book flights from the U. K. on discount airlines like EasyJet and Ryanair to hop from city to city or purchase a Eurail pass, a ticket that lets you travel by train throughout 33 countries in Europe.What Is a B-School?

In finance, the term B-School is a shorthand term that refers to schools that specialize in business subjects. These include both undergraduate colleges and graduate schools. The most well-known B-School offering is the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program.

B-Schools are known for their highly competitive admission standards, with the most sought-after schools regularly rejecting over 90% of applicants. These schools have also been the subject of debate in recent years because of their substantial financial costs (the tuition of some B-Schools can surpass $100,000 per year).

Key Takeaways B-School is a shorthand term that refers to universities that offer business degrees.

B-Schools offer both undergraduate and graduate programs, although their most famous programs are Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree programs.

B-Schools can differ greatly in terms of their national and international rankings, and in terms of their costs of attendance.

Topics of Study at B-Schools

B-Schools are similar to other post-secondary higher education institutions, except that they are focused on subject areas related to business and finance. Common examples include accounting, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship. In some cases, schools will offer specialized programs in less common areas of study, such as actuarial sciences or taxation law.

As with other institutions, various rankings exist which aim to help students assess the quality and prestige associated with specific schools. These include rankings published by The Financial Times, The Economist, and BusinessWeek, among others. Although the exact placement of schools changes from year to year, examples of schools with consistently high rankings include the Stanford Graduate School of Business, the University of Chicagos Booth School of Business, London Business School, Harvard Business School, and the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School.

Although schools at the upper echelon of international B-School rankings will excel in multiple areas, they are often known for having certain areas in which they are particularly strong. For instance, the Wharton School is known for its excellence in finance, whereas Harvard Business School is known for its general managerial education.

Financial Cost of Attending B-Schools

In addition to considering each B-Schools prestige and specialization areas, it is also important for prospective students to carefully weigh the costs of attendance against the potential benefits of obtaining a B-School degree. After all, attendance costs can reach above $100,000 per year for the elite B-Schools, and even less prestigious schools will routinely cost over $50,000 per year. For many students, this will require incurring substantial student debt. Student debt can be a drain on a student's financial life for many years or even decades following graduation.

Pros and Cons of B-Schools

Given the brand recognition of famous B-Schools such as Harvard Business School and the Stanford Graduate School of Business, it can be tempting to think that these schools should be a top priority for any student able to gain admittance to them. However, once the full costs of attendance are taken into account, other B-Schools may appear more attractive by comparison.

For example, the student loan refinancing company SoFi published a ranking of B-Schools in 2018 that aimed to show the best return on investment (ROI) of those schools MBA programs. The analysis was done by comparing the average salaries obtained by their graduates to those same graduates average student debt levels.

The results from this analysis showed that the highest ROI among the schools surveyed was offered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which offered an average salary-to-debt ratio of 2.33. By contrast, the salary-to-debt ratios of Harvard Business School and the Stanford Graduate School of Business were given as 2.21 and 2.18, respectively.

For context, the average salary-to-debt ratio for all B-Schools was found to be roughly 1.5, with an average salary of just under $110,000 and an average debt level of approximately $75,000.October 16, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Technical analyst Clive Maund charts silver and discusses the factors that he believes will lead silver upward.

Unlike gold and precious metals stocks, silver did not break out strongly on Thursday  although it rose, it did not break out at all, nor was volume exceptional, as we can see on its latest 6-month chart below. However, this is not a cause for concern, because in the early stages of sector bull markets gold leads, so we can expect silver to "follow suit" shortly. This is worth knowing, because it means that it is still possible to pick up a lot of silver stocks (and ETFs) at knock down silly prices before it really starts to move.

Silver's latest COT chart, like gold's, is most encouraging too, with the dumb and wrong Large Specs emboldened to try shorting it again  good luck with that.

Click on chart to pop-up a larger, clearer version.

Meanwhile the silver Hedger's chart is showing record bullish extremes.

Click on chart to pop-up a larger, clearer version.

Chart courtesy of sentimentrader.com

On silver's latest 10-year chart we can see that the pattern may have morphed from what we earlier  and erroneously  thought was a downsloping Head-and-Shoulders bottom into a potential Double Bottom. It should turn up, especially given what gold and PM stocks did late last week. While this chart viewed in isolation doesn't look too inspiring, you will feel a lot better about it after you take into consideration the powerfully bullish COTs and Hedgers charts that we looked at above.

The conclusion is that it is time to take positions in silver, silver futures, ETFs and stocks before everyone else gets the same idea. Speculative short positions in silver are huge and could drive a big spike once silver really starts to move against them.

Clive Maund has been president of www.clivemaund.com, a successful resource sector website, since its inception in 2003. He has 30 years' experience in technical analysis and has worked for banks, commodity brokers and stockbrokers in the City of London. He holds a Diploma in Technical Analysis from the UK Society of Technical Analysts.

Disclosure:

1) Statements and opinions expressed are the opinions of Clive Maund and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. Clive Maund is wholly responsible for the validity of the statements. Streetwise Reports was not involved in the content preparation. Clive Maund was not paid by Streetwise Reports LLC for this article. Streetwise Reports was not paid by the author to publish or syndicate this article.

2) This article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.

3) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article, until one week after the publication of the interview or article.

Charts provided by the author.

CliveMaund.com Disclosure:

The above represents the opinion and analysis of Mr Maund, based on data available to him, at the time of writing. Mr. Maund's opinions are his own, and are not a recommendation or an offer to buy or sell securities. Mr. Maund is an independent analyst who receives no compensation of any kind from any groups, individuals or corporations mentioned in his reports. As trading and investing in any financial markets may involve serious risk of loss, Mr. Maund recommends that you consult with a qualified investment advisor, one licensed by appropriate regulatory agencies in your legal jurisdiction and do your own due diligence and research when making any kind of a transaction with financial ramifications. Although a qualified and experienced stock market analyst, Clive Maund is not a Registered Securities Advisor. Therefore Mr. Maund's opinions on the market and stocks can only be construed as a solicitation to buy and sell securities when they are subject to the prior approval and endorsement of a Registered Securities Advisor operating in accordance with the appropriate regulations in your area of jurisdiction.

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Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions.

More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com

Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.aspJackson Hole, Wyoming - October 16, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) From November 8-9, 2018 the Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs (www.jhcga.org), a bipartisan think tank based in Jackson, Wyoming, will be holding a two day Jackson Hole Global Forum: Climate Solutions, Coal Communities, and Economic Diversification (www.jhcga.org/globalforum). Bringing in over 40 international speakers and experts, the forum will host policymakers, business leaders, civil society, and academia to discuss and compare the current challenges and potential opportunities for U.S. coal communities and similar regions around the world to generate climate solutions and new models of economic growth.

"With the state of Wyoming looking in earnest into new ideas and policy models that can drive economic diversification, now is the ideal time to also discuss how climate and clean energy solutions can factor into future pathways that create new prosperity and reduce carbon emissions at the same time for Wyoming and places like Wyoming" said Nathan Wendt, Vice President, Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs.

As the energy industry contends with significant uncertainty, the forum stands as a timely discussion on the future of power generation in a state that represents the heart and soul of the coal industry. Wyoming is the nation's largest producer of coal, the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, which provides much of the state's public revenue and jobs. While efforts are already underway in earnest to expand and diversify the state's economy, coal, oil and gas industries across the country are already feeling the pinch from energy competitors and fluctuating prices. Wyoming is a microcosm of the larger macro challenges also facing various regions around the world, including in China, Europe, and the American mid-west. All these regions are striving to generate new sources of growth which reduce carbon emissions and strengthen their economies.

This forum will focus on the particular challenges faced by carbon-intensive areas. It will help provide the global context, new ideas, new partnerships, and new recommendations for communities, businesses, policymakers and concerned citizens in Wyoming, places like Wyoming, and beyond.

Panels and speakers will cover a range of relevant topics including:

Global Perspectives in Energy, Climate and Economics

U.S.-China: Clean Energy Investment and Infrastructure

What is Coal's Future?

Policy Models

Climate Change and National Security

Perspectives from Coal Communities

Investing in Climate

Wind and Economic Diversification

Blockchain as an Economic Growth Driver?

The conference will feature speakers from diverse backgrounds including keynote speakers Han Wenke, Former Director General, Energy Research Institute of the National Development Reform Commission, People's Republic of China, and Greg Hill, President and Chief Operating Officer, Hess Corporation and Chairman, Economically Needed Diversity Options for Wyoming (ENDOW). Additional speakers will include Trevor Houser, Partner, Rhodium Group; Hon. Bob Holden, Former Governor of Missouri; H.E. Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S. Kare Aas; H.E. Consul General of the United Arab Emirates in Los Angeles Abdulla Ali Alsaboosi; retired senior military leaders, representatives from Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Peabody Energy and others and thought leaders from the University of Wyoming, foundations, and Wyoming State Legislators.

Financial Sponsors supporting the Jackson Hole Global Forum include the Wolfensohn Family Foundation, Steve Denning, Patagonia, Citi, the ClearPath Foundation, the Willow Street Group, Jay Varley, and the Wort Hotel. The forum's partners include media partner POWER Magazine, the Stroock Forum at the University of Wyoming, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Washington, and the Energy Africa Conference.

This will be the first Jackson Hole Global Forum. Convened in Jackson Hole, the forum will tap into the valley's "Power of Place" to advance new ideas and collaboration. Almost thirty years ago Jackson Hole's inspirational surroundings played a central role in the pre-summit discussions of U.S. Secretary of State James Baker and Soviet Foreign Minister Edward Shevardnadze, which helped bring an end to the Cold War. The Federal Reserve and other major organizations have also chosen Jackson Hole as a site to incubate new ideas and develop innovative approaches.

About the Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs:

Founded in 2002, the Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs (JHCGA) is a bipartisan think and do tank based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. JHCGA mobilizes ideas and action outside of government to impact the policy process with a focus on climate change, coal communities, and U.S.-China cooperation.

For further information about JHCGA, visit www.jhcga.org

More Info:

This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders

Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions.

More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com

Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.aspPosted on: October 15, 2018 3:26 PM

The former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams led an Anglican delegation to the Vatican this weekend for the canonisation of Oscar Romero. The current Archbishop, Justin Welby, sent a letter to Pope Francis in which he described the former Archbishop of San Salvador, who was assassinated as he celebrated Mass in March 1980, as a true example to all Christians, and particularly to our fellow bishops. The weekends service at St Peters Basilica in the Vatican, also saw the canonisation of Pope Paul VI and five other saints: Francesco Spinelli, Vincenzo Romano, Maria Katharina Kasper, Nazaria Ignazia of Saint Teresa of Jesus, and Nuncio Sulprizio.

In his letter to Pope Francis, Archbishop Justin said of Oscar Romero: as a champion of peace and justice he stood up against oppression and was consistently on the side of the poor, the underprivileged and the marginalised. In this he emphasised and demonstrated the love of Christ himself.

Your Holiness, Blessed Oscar is held in great esteem in the Church of England. He is commemorated in our liturgical calendar and his statue appears as one of the martyrs of the twentieth century on the West Front of Westminster Abbey. May his example of courage and commitment be a model for us all.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams with some of the Anglican delegation at the Vatican yesterday (Sunday) for the canonisation of Oscar Romero.

Photo: Centro Televisivo Vaticano / Vatican Radio

Bishop Rowan led a delegation of 10 Anglican bishops at the service, which included the suffragan Bishop in Europe, David Hamid. In my time as Mission Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean for the Anglican Church of Canada during the years of the civil wars in El Salvador and other Central American countries, I made many visits to the region, most often in support of those seeking to defend the human rights of the poor and exploited, including many priests and pastors in El Salvador, Bishop David said in a blog post after the service.

I recall meeting so many who were inspired by Oscar Romero to continue the struggle for justice for the poor of the region, he said. In the hearts of the people of Latin America Romero was already considered a saint; San Oscar de las Americas they acclaimed him, almost right after he was assassinated. On the occasion of his canonisation, for the poor of the Americas this is a moment of great joy to have his martydom officially recognised by the Church. I never imagined I would be present to witness this event.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams with the Anglican and Methodist delegations to the Vatican yesterday (Sunday) for the canonisation of Oscar Romero, with Bishop Brian Farrell, the Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Photo: Anglican Centre in Rome

Pope Paul VI was the first Pope to receive an official visit by an Archbishop of Canterbury since the Reformation, when, in 1966, he welcomed Archbishop Michael Ramsey to the Vatican, famously giving him his episcopal ring.

During the service, Pope Francis used three symbolic and historic elements, including the Pope Paul VIs favourite chalice and pastoral cross. He also wore the blood-stained cincture that Romero was wearing when he was murdered.

Following the service, Pope Francis delivered his weekly Angelus address to some 70,000 pilgrims in St Peters Square. During this, he gave a special welcome to Bishop Rowan and the Anglican delegation, expressing his deep gratitude that they were there representing Archbishop Justin Welby.

Romero was assassinated on the eve of Archbishop Robert Runcies installation in Canterbury Cathedral on 25 March 1980. In response, Archbishop Robert made a point of going to the spot in the Cathedral at which Archbishop Thomas Becket was martyred eight centuries earlier to offer prayers during the installation liturgy in an act of solidarity following the killing.

In a statement, the Anglican Bishop of El Salvador, Juan David Alvarado Melgar, said that the diocese in our prayers thank God for giving us the gift of Saint Romero, our brother.

He said: We take on the commitment to follow his legacies, how to recognise the presence of Christ in human beings, in the poor and vulnerable; to fight for their human and divine dignity, with very concrete actions; to work for the Kingdom of Love of the Gospel.

He began his statement by saying: Saint Romero was assassinated coldly and with planning, because he had a passion for defending women and men who were exploited, mistreated, victims of human rights violations. He pointed out those who were responsible and he asked for their conversion to Christ.

He had the clarity that God was revealed, incarnated in those malnourished, sick people, who had difficulty living with miserable, inhuman and starving income. It was a scandal for the saint, that the Son of God, present in the poor, would continue to be crucified for the greed and sin of the false Christian worshipers of idols, usurpers of the earth and its fruits.

He added: Saint Romero leaves us as a legacy the commitment to work together in the construction of peace and to follow the path to the kingdom of God. Peace has a radical ingredient, and it is justice.

Watch Bishop Juan deliver his statement:By Fiachra O Cionnaith and Daniel McConnell

DUP leader Arlene Foster and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar have refused to give way on the crucial backstop standoff, despite growing pleas from London and Brussels to find a solution to the escalating crisis.

Ms Foster insisted she has no intention of backing down on her constitutional right to prevent the deal during a day-long visit to Dublin where she held talks with Mr Varadkar over his own insistence that the backstop must stand.

Speaking to reporters in Dublin before meeting Mr Varadkar last night, Ms Foster said she remains very clear that the whole of the UK leaves the EU together and there arent any differences made between Northern Ireland.

While saying it is important we engage with each other because there is no point standing back and shouting at each other, Ms Foster said that what Brussels and London are suggesting for Northern Ireland will simply not be allowed.

It [the backstop plan] is not the best of both worlds and that is where the problem is. I know it is being sold in that fashion but of course it would create barriers between us and the rest of Great Britain, said Ms Foster.

I think I have a very cool head indeed and I think she is absolutely right there has to be cool heads in what is a very febrile atmosphere.

I know that the [British] prime minister [Theresa May] is a unionist. It is very important that she sticks by those instincts and delivers for the whole of the United Kingdom.

Asked three times if she would clarify if she is willing to bring down the British government over her stance, Ms Foster repeatedly refused to say if she will or not do so, saying: I do not enter into hypotheticals, what I want to see is a deal that works for everybody.

However, in a clear warning to British prime minister Theresa May, who is dependent on the DUPs support to remain in power, she added: We want to see a Brexit that works for the whole of the United Kingdom and one that works in a way that does not create any barriers between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Unionism is united on that issue, not just in Northern Ireland but actually, right across the United Kingdom. For me, that is the red line.

At a separate media event yesterday morning, Mr Varadkar was similarly clear in his position, saying that while the EU is always open to compromise the reality is there are some fundamentals we cant compromise on.

That [the fundamentals] is the need for the United Kingdom to honour its commitments made last December, which is that there will be a withdrawal agreement and, as part of that withdrawal agreement, there will be a legally binding assurance that, whatever happens, no hard border will happen on the island of Ireland, said Mr Varadkar.

Ms Foster and Mr Varadkars comments came as European Council president Donald Tusk warned that a Brexit no-deal is now more likely than ever before.

While saying he remains hopeful and determined before this weeks crucial EU summit in Brussels, Mr Tusk said at the same time, we must prepare the EU for a no-deal scenario.

Tanaiste Simon Coveney and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin agreed with the Taoiseachs position.By Christy Parker

A scenic fishing village which has reinvented itself as a tourist destination is facing chronic traffic problems.

Ballycotton has only one access-exit route and a single, half-mile street hemmed between hill and harbour.

A local traffic committee is appealing to Cork County Council to help resolve the traffic deadlock.

Among more worrying considerations is the difficulty of emergency service access in a village with a large number of elderly residents.

Committee spokesman Stephen Belton warned that the high volume of visitors, especially at weekends and in peak summer, posed a serious risk of a severe or fatal accident. Locals are seeking passing bays and a stop/go system to alleviate gridlock and congestion.

Road surfaces were deemed to need upgrading, amidst worn lines and poorly laid out car parks.

Mr Belton told the East Cork Municipal District Committee that infrastructural development and employment are linked. Pleading for help, he said residents understood all their requirements could not be met immediately. Locals, he said, are trying hard to resolve the problems but need the expertise of the council.

Cllr Michael Hegarty suggested locals proposals be forwarded to the roads, design, and traffic engineer.Hundreds of victims of the cervical cancer test scandal will be told today of new Government plans to ensure they are not dragged through the courts system to obtain justice.

Health Minister Simon Harris will outline the legal reforms when he brings the interim Meenan report on the controversy to Cabinet this morning in a bid to prevent a repeat of the Vicky Phelan and Emma Mhic Mhathuna cases.

In July, the Government appointed High Court judge Charles Meenan to examine options available to ensure more cancer test victims are not forced to go through a combative legal process.

While no decisions have been made, the Irish Examiner understands Mr Harris will today reveal that Mr Justice Meenan has recommended a number of reforms.

Mr Justice Meenan was asked to examine ways in which women and families affected by the cervical cancer test scandal could seek justice without going through the normal legal process.

In particular, Mr Justice Meenan was told to engage with those affected on what alternatives to court they want to see, assess who is responsible for certain cases, and crucially offer other ways to resolve cases in a sensitive and timely manner ... outside of the adversarial court processes.

Concerns had grown in recent weeks that the scale of the work involved may lead to the interim report deadline of mid-October not being reached, a situation which would further delay the planned final Meenan report publication in January.

However, in a statement last night, a spokesperson for Mr Harris said: The Minister for Health, Simon Harris, has received the report of Mr Justice Charles Meenan, who was asked to examine alternatives to court proceedings for resolving clinical negligence claims.

The minister intends to bring Mr Justice Meenans report to the Cabinet meeting.

The report will be published today after a Cabinet meeting which is also expected to include changes to the laws governing when a senior garda can retire from the force.

As part of the committee stage amendments to the public service superannuation bill, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan will say that new rules will be put in place to allow for senior gardai to work past the age of 60.

The proposed law change is believed to be linked to the fact that An Garda Siochana will witness declining numbers of officers in the coming two years due to planned retirements.

The Cabinet meeting is also expected to be dominated by Brexit, with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar due to attend the EU summit in Brussels later this week.By Elaine Keogh

Gardai in Dundalk are appealing for witnesses to an alleged assault on a 12-year-old girl in the town by two other girls.

The girls mother said today that her daughter was waiting to get the bus home after school when she alleges she was jumped on by two girls.

She said her daughter received blows to her head and could have been killed.

Joyce said the assault lasted for around 15 minutes and her daughter was held down while being hit.

She was waiting outside the St Louis Secondary girls school at the time and Joyce said the bus driver came to her rescue by pulling her onto the bus.

The assault happened on Thursday, October 4, and the following Saturday her mother brought her back to hospital because she felt unwell. She underwent a CT scan in case of concussion.

In a statement the school said: "We were upset as a school community to learn about an incident that took place after school, outside the grounds, on the evening of Thursday 4th October 2018."

"In response we followed our agreed Code of Behaviour to ensure students were treated with fairness, care and respect. We are not permitted to comment further, in line with the Childrens Act, 2001."

Gardai in Dundalk said they are investigating an incident of an alleged assault in the Fatima Park area of Dundalk.

He said a number of females were involved and anyone who saw it or who has information on it we are asking to contact us here at Dundalk garda station.

We are looking for witnesses to come forward, he added.

Meanwhile Gardai in Dundalk confirmed they are investigating another incident at a different secondary school in the town.

A video appearing to show a student sniffing a white substance was circulated on social media.

Gardai said the school in question reported it to Gardai on the 3rd October, the day of the alleged incident, and enquiries are continuing.By Ann O'Loughlin

A 7-year old boy with cerebral palsy who sued over the circumstances of his birth at Cavan General Hospital has settled his High Court action for 9.1Million.

Jarrah Folkman can't talk or walk and his mother today told the High Court she will never hear her son's voice.

Elysha McCrudden said the settlement will go a long way towards her son's care, but she said she felt that windows of opportunity for Jarrah had been lost. Ms McCrudden said for the last seven years she and Jarrah's father Ben Folkman have been made feel that what happened was their fault.

Approving the settlement against the HSE, Mr Justice Cross praised Jarrah's parents for the care they have given him night and day.

"Don't think its in any way your fault," the judge told Jarrah's parents.

Jarrah Folkman, Station Road, Cootehill, Co Cavan had through his mother Elysha McCrudden sued the HSE over the circumstances of his birth at Cavan General Hospital on April 19, 2011.

It was claimed there was a failure to correctly interpret the CTG trace which showed a number of decelerations when Ms McCrudden presented at the hospital on April 15, 2011. At that stage, the mother was sent home and she returned to the hospital two days later.

It was claimed following Ms McCrudden's admission there was a failure to note and or to heed the initial CTG trace was decelerative and a failure to put a plan in place for continued close monitoring and expedited delivery.

On April 18, 2011, it was alleged there was for a time a failure to carry out any CTG monitoring of the baby.

It was alleged that an unsafe set of conditions had been allowed to persist during the course of the labour. The baby it was claimed should have been born sometime on April 16 and there was a failure on April 19 to take any or any timely action hours earlier in response to the non reassuring features on the CTG trace.

Liability was admitted in the case which was before the court for assessment of damages only.

Denis McCullough SC for Jarrah told the court that when Jarrah was born he was flat and unresponsive and he required resuscitation. The family he said had lived for a time in Australia but had returned to Ireland in 2013.

Jarrah, he said needs 24-hour care and while the boy does not have speech, his parents can interpret his sounds.

Counsel said Jarrah smiles and is a content child.

Approving the settlement Mr Justice Cross wished the family well.Posted on: October 16, 2018 4:07 PM

Both Church of Ireland Archbishops took part in the AllIreland Triennial Thanksgiving Service of the Mothers Union (MU) this month at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. The highlight of the service was the dedication of a stained glass plaque commissioned to celebrate 130 years of the MU in the island of Ireland last year. The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, led the service; and the sermon was preached by the Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Richard Clarke, the Primate of the Church of Ireland.

The stained glass plaque features a tree with 13 branches, representing the 13 decades of MU in Ireland. It echoes an initiative that took place year to mark the anniversary: the planting of 12 trees across Ireland, one in each diocese. The new piece which has been placed in the Laurence OToole / Mothers Union Chapel in Christ Church Cathedral.

There had been many changes in Ireland since the last Triennial Thanksgiving Service, Archbishop Richard said. He referenced changes to laws on marriage and abortion, and the dreaded b word  Brexit (the United Kingdoms withdrawal from the European Union). He said that politicians, different generations, communities and even families were divided by the Brexit process.

So if the Church as a whole does not understand what is going on around us, then we must sink into irrelevance, he said. And the same applies to us here today.

He said that giving thanks for the companionship and Christian witness that the MU provided could not be taken for granted and pointed to the MUs foundation in prayer. However, he said that the MU also had a vital role to play in ensuring that people in Ireland did not become complacent about systemic injustice, genderbased violence and the exploitation of women and children.

Mothers Union has reminded all of us that genderbased violence is always in our midst, he said. Mothers Union has worked to make us more aware, more conscious and more alert and for this we give thanks. . . Mothers Union has much to offer in this chaotic world. To you it may seem insignificant but nothing is insignificant when it is touched by Christ.

He added: Mothers Union cares about families. Mothers Union cares about justice for women and children and you help the church to explore these moral issues. . . You bring a different perspective which can enable the wider church to act with compassion and give a wider dimension to thinking.

Mothers Union is about the totality of the family and the family in joy but equally the family in pain, the family in need, the family faced with the pain of letting someone go. Please be ready to help the rest of us make good judgements about complex issues.

He concluded his sermon with the personal prayer of Mary Sumner  the founder of the MU. All this day, O Lord, let me touch as many lives as possible for thee; and every life I touch, do thou by thy spirit quicken, whether through the word I speak, the prayer I breathe, or the life I live.The crunch confidence and supply deal talks must end by Christmas to allow the public to know exactly where the Government stands in the lead up to any no deal Brexit crisis, Fianna Fail has said.

The party's justice spokesperson Jim O'Callaghan confirmed the de facto deadline before formal talks begin next week on whether the deal can be renewed.

Speaking to reporters after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin held their first face to face talks on the confidence and supply deal on Monday night, Mr O'Callaghan said clarity must be brought to the Government's future.

Asked if deal renewal talks need to conclude by Christmas, in part because of the ongoing questions surrounding the risk of a no deal Brexit, he said it is important people will know where they stand by this date.

"I would hope so, that we would know by then.

As you know, I was part of the talks [which set up the three budget confidence and supply deal after the February 2016 general election] at Trinity college.

"They went on for six weeks or so, maybe seven weeks, of all our lives down there.

"I would hope this process wouldn't take as long and that by Christmas we would be aware of whether it's going to be renewed or not," Mr O'Callaghan said, adding he would like to be part of Fianna Fail's talks team if asked.

Speaking during the same media briefing, the party's Brexit spokesperson Lisa Chambers the genuine concern over the Brexit negotiations means it is vital there is "stability here in this island, we need stability in Leinster House".

Noting the ongoing EU-UK talks taking place, and the central role Ireland plays in the negotiations, she added "there is no doubt in my mind London and Brussels is watching us so we need to ensure we do present that united front".

Mr O'Callaghan and Ms Chambers' comments came after Mr Varadkar and Mr Martin held their first face to face talks on whether to renew the confidence and supply deal at Government Buildings on Monday night.

It is understood both party leaders agreed to appoint four-TD strong negotiating teams by the end of this week, before full-scale negotiations begin early next week.

While Mr Varadkar has said he wants to see talks end by the Halloween break and would like a new deal to last until 2020, sources close to Mr Martin have insisted a Christmas timeframe is more likely and that his party would like a one year deal extension.

The latest Ipsos/MRBI opinion poll published on Tuesday morning placed Fine Gael on 33% and Fianna Fail on 25%, figures which are respectively up 2% and down 1% on the previous poll by the same group.

Speaking to reporters, Labour leader Brendan Howlin - whose own party is languishing on just 4% according to the Ipsos/MRBI poll - said: "bluntly, I would believe there should be a general election right now".

He added Ireland needs to have "a sustainable Government and we need to know what this looks like", saying that due to Brexit "I'm of the view we need to have a Government that can speak with authority".By Natasha Reid

A Dublin father-of-one, whose dismembered remains were found in a canal, had transferred more than E50,000 into his alleged murderers account, a court has heard.

Kenneth OBrien had transferred the money over an 18-month period while he was working in Australia, from where hed returned shortly before his death.

The evidence was heard by the Central Criminal Court today in the trial of 50-year-old Paul Wells Senior of Barnamore Park, Finglas, Dublin, who has admitted shooting Mr OBrien dead and dismembering his body.

However, he has pleaded not guilty to murdering the 33-year-old at his home in Barnamore Park on 15th or 16th January, 2016. He told Gardai that the deceased had wanted him to murder Mr OBriens partner so that he could take their child back to Australia.

The court heard from Fintan Byrne, Head of Risk and Chief Compliance Officer at CurrencyFair Ltd, a foreign exchange and transfer company.

He told Sean Gillane SC, prosecuting, that Mr OBrien had opened an account with them in 2013 and that the last login on that account was on 12th January 2016.

He detailed 10 transfers from that account to a PTSB account held by the accused between June 2014 and November 2015. This amounted to a total of 47.925.

Mr OBrien also transferred money to his own PTSB account, his partners PTSB account and to the accounts of two other family members.

Mr Byrne said that the total amount transferred to Ireland through Mr OBriens CurrencyFair account was about E90,000

Yvonne Traynor of PTSBs Crime and Loss Prevention Unit gave evidence of a transfer of E5,000 from Kenneth OBriens PTSB account to that of Paul Wells in February 2015.

She also detailed a number of large withdrawals that Mr Wells made from his own account in December of that year and in early January 2016. The transactions involved a number of counter withdrawals of E5,000, leaving a balance of less that E300 on 15th January, the day Mr OBrien went missing.

The jury earlier heard from Declan Porter, who had been Mr OBriens boss before he left for Australia in 2013. He described the deceased as an exceptional worker in every respect. They had stayed in touch while the deceased was in Australia.

Mr Gillane asked if he was aware that Mr OBrien was seeing someone in Australia.

If he wanted to tell me, he would tell me, but I wouldnt ask or delve into his private affairs, he replied.

Mr OBrien had told him that he was planning to move home.

He said he would probably come back, he said. But, after being away for three years, I wasnt sure he was going to come back.

He said that he would have been delighted to have him back working for the company in January 2016 but that he wasnt sure what he was going to do.

However, he had asked the deceased for help for a job in Limerick, scheduled for the Friday Mr OBrien went missing, and the deceased had agreed to go.

I got a phone call from him to say he wouldnt be able to come, he had to look after some business, he said.

Under cross examination by Michael OHiggins SC, defending, he agreed that he had described the accused as secretive. He also agreed that Mr OBrien would not be easily persuaded to change his mind on things, but that he (Mr Porter) would have been able to persuade him.

He was asked to confirm whether Mr O'Brien had cancelled on him for that Friday or he had told Mr OBrien that he wouldnt need him, as he had said in his statement.

I think it ended up that if he had other arrangements for that day, we didnt need him, he replied, but agreed that it had been clear to both that he wasnt going.

He was informed that Mr OBrien had told his partner that Mr Porter was going to collect him at 2pm that day.

No, I was never to collect him, he said.

The search for Kenneth O'Brien

The trial has now been adjourned until Thursday and will resume then before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.By Liam Heylin

A cannabis user came up with a scheme to pay his rent by growing his own cannabis.

Cannabis with a potential street value of 7,200 was seized at a flat in Cork and yesterday Kevin Bulman, aged 30, pleaded guilty to a charge of cultivation of cannabis at his home at Cork District Court.

Sergeant John Kelleher told Judge Olann Kelleher that nine plants were allegedly seized during a search of the defendants home, a flat on 8 Adelaide Place, St Lukes, with a potential street value of 7,200. However, he added that they were at an early stage of growth when they were seized.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the accused admitted the offending behaviour and gave the explanation for it.

Judge Kelleher remarked on the fact that the accused was engaged in this cultivation of illegal drugs to pay his rent.

Mr Buttimer said: This was a scheme he decided upon where he might generate some income.

Sgt Kelleher said the accused had five previous convictions, all of which were for having drugs for his own use.

Judge Kelleher said that on this occasion he would direct the accused do 200 hours of community service instead of five months in prison.By Alison ORiordan

A Central Criminal Court jury has found a 51-year-old man who admitted stabbing his life-long friend following a fight over a can of beer not guilty of his murder but guilty of manslaughter.

The five-day trial heard evidence that Paul Keating stabbed father-of-six Mark Richardson (47) in the chest at his family home. The single stab wound severed the main pulmonary artery causing very heavy bleeding.

Paul Keating of Harmonstown Road, Artane, Dublin 5 had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mark Richardson (47) on March 16 2017.

The defendant told gardai it was the last thing on his mind to injure his friend and he had just lost it when the deceased had him by his neck.

The jury of six men and six women took three hours and 28 minutes to come to their unanimous verdict.

Following todays verdict, Mr Justice Robert Eagar thanked the jury for the attention they had given to this case and exempted them from jury service for a period of five years.

The court adjourned sentencing until December 14 and Mr Justice Eagar remanded Keating in custody until that date when a victim impact statement will be before the court.

It is likely I will reserve my judgment into the new year, said Mr Justice Eagar.

Members of Mr Richardsons family wept when the verdict was announced by the court registrar.

During the trial Aisling Kenny, the partner of Mark Richardson, testified that they had been in a relationship for 15 years and had three children together. They had moved into their home the previous year but had been homeless before that.

Aisling Kenny, the partner of victim Mark Richardson. Pic: Courtpix

Ms Kenny gave evidence that her partners lifelong friend, Mr Keating, lived a few doors away and that he often visited their home, where he would drink with the deceased.

She said that both men had gone out together that day and arrived back around lunchtime with an eight-pack of cans each.

She joined them drinking in their dining room around 6pm. She said that the men had got through most of what they had bought by the time of the stabbing.

She gave evidence that her partner and the accused were messing. They were slagging each other over nicknames they used to call each other, she said.

There was a time I can remember Mark having Paul in a headlock and kind of nuggying, she said, explaining that this was "kind of like rubbing his head".

She said she didnt remember either of them getting annoyed during this time and that both men then went out the back for no more than five minutes. The next thing I remember is Mark being stabbed in the kitchen, she said. She confirmed that Paul Keating had stabbed him with a long, kitchen knife.

Dean Connors, Mr Richardsons adult son, gave evidence that he arrived with his partner and their child about half an hour before the stabbing.

He said that a "discussion" arose between his father and Mr Keating as to who owned a can of drink his father gave him when he visited that evening.

My father gave me a drink. There was a little discussion between my father and Mr Keating about who the can belonged to and a little scuffle between them, he said. He said that this scuffle lasted about 30 seconds.

My father ended up getting a bit upset and went out to the back garden and was giving out, he said.

Kim Valentine, partner of Dean Connors, gave evidence that she heard a kitchen drawer "being slammed open" before she saw Mr Keating stab Mr Richardson with a kitchen knife.

She also spoke of a scuffle between the men, and the deceased having his arm around Mr Keatings neck after the disagreement over the can of beer.

She said that Mr Keating "just snapped" and she saw "a whole change". She agreed that everything that happened after this point was "very, very quick".

Chief State Pathologist, Professor Marie Cassidy, gave evidence in the trial and said she carried out a postmortem examination on Mr Richardson's body on March 17.

In her evidence, Dr Cassidy said the cause of death was a single stab wound to the right upper chest, which punctured a lung and severed the main pulmonary artery.

A toxicology report showed he had been drinking up to the time of his death and there was traces of a tranquilliser drug.

Under cross-examination by Caroline Biggs SC, defending, Dr Cassidy agreed that stab wounds to the lungs are potentially fatal but one can recover with "fairly rapid medical attention". Dr Cassidy further agreed with Ms Biggs that the stab wound was a "good distance away" from the heart.

The trial also heard that Mr Keating was interviewed by gardai on two occasions in Clontarf Garda station on March 17.

The defendant told gardai he had been drinking with Mr Richardson since March 15 and they had started arguing. Before I knew it he had me up by my neck, I picked up the knife, I just lost it and before I knew it he was on the ground, he said.

He did not know why he stabbed his friend as it was the last thing on his mind to injure or hurt him, the court heard.

Mr Keating said he thought he got a knife from the counter top in the kitchen and had stabbed Mark in the shoulder once. It all just happened so quickly, it was pure drink. I was taking tablets as well which he was giving me, he said.

The accused agreed with gardai that he had lost the head and just flipped.

Mr Keating said he did not mean to kill his friend, it made him feel sick and he will never know why the incident had occurred.

The court also heard from forensic scientist Sarah Fleming who testified that blood-staining taken from the knifes blade which was recovered at the scene matched Mr Richardsons DNA profile. Ms Fleming said the probability of Mr Richardsons DNA matching someone else was considerably less than one in a thousand million.Fiachra O Cionnaith and Daniel McConnell

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has called for sanctions to be imposed on high-ranking gardai found to have been involved in repeated attacks on whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe.

Mr Martin said the move needs to be considered in the wake of the Disclosures Tribunal findings.

He also rejected Taoiseach Leo Varadkars demands for a Dail apology over his role in calling for Frances Fitzgerald to resign as minister last November.

Mr Martin said actions are needed to ensure those responsible for the alleged Garda conspiracy against Sgt McCabe are pursued.

While not mentioning former Garda commissioner Martin Callinan and former press officer David Taylor, who have since retired from the force, Mr Martin said sanctions may be needed.

There does appear to be a total lack of sanction when very bad behaviour emerges. Tribunals do not have legal effect. But legally, it should be looked at, said Mr Martin.

The argument has always been that property rights provisions in the Constitution restrict any attempt to go after pensions or to financially penalise someone who has done wrong. It needs to be looked at.

Mr Martin was speaking at a press briefing after the Taoiseach had called on opposition parties to apologise for chasing Ms Fitzgerald out of power.

Mr Varadkar said that in the wake of the Disclosures Tribunal findings, Mr Martin and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald should apologise for their role in Ms Fitzgeralds resignation last November.

Mr Martin said we did not hound anyone out of office and that he sees no reason to apologise to the Dail.

Meanwhile, Mr Varadkar said that while the role of Pat Breen, the junior business minister, in organising a private dinner between ex-communications minister Denis Naughten and broadband bidder David McCourt was unwise, but a resigning matter it is not.

He separately said while Ms Fitzgerald remains a backbencher, he believes she could return one day to the highest office in the land.By Ann O'Loughlin

The Minister for Defence is entitled to change the rules for admission to the Army Cadet School and a disappointed student cannot seek to bind him to any particular set of rules, the High Court has been told.

Gavin Morrissey had no legitimate expectation in law that rules applying to admissions in 2016 and 2017 would also apply in 2018, Patrick Leonard SC, for the Minister and State, said.

A student beginning their final year in secondary school who wants to apply for a cadetship has to be aware the rules are set out in March or April each year and that existing rules may be changed, he said.

There is a warning to that effect in the rules themselves and Mr Morrissey would have seen that had he read the 2016 and 2017 rules, he said.

While the court or others may have a view about that approach, there is nothing unlawful about it.

Counsel was opposing Mr Morrisseys case aimed at securing orders quashing the refusal of a place in the Army Cadet School.

From Airmount Road, Slieve Rua, Co Kilkenny, Mr Morrissey wants to pursue his dream career of an army officer but claims a material change this year in entry requirements prevents him doing so unless he sits the Leaving Certificate a third time.

Because the 2018/19 cadet course started late last month, his case has been fast-tracked.

It opened on Tuesday before Mr Justice Michael McGrath and continues on Wednesday.

The dispute concerns whether Mr Morrissey, who sat and passed the Leaving Cert in 2017, and again in 2018, was entitled to 'carry forward' a pass in Maths achieved by him in the 2017 exam to meet the requirement of achieving passing grades in six higher or ordinary level subjects.

Mr Morrissey says he only learned, as a result of a Defence Forces email of June 2018, of the Ministers decision of March 29, 2018 to prevent results being carried forward from one Leaving Cert to another.

The email set out terms and conditions for cadet school admissions and noted all the minimum educational requirements must be met in a single sitting of the Leaving Cert.

Mr Morrissey said the first maths paper of the Leaving Cert was over when he got the email.

In submissions on Tuesday, his counsel Oisin Quinn said the Minister was not entitled to operate a cadet admissions procedure in breach of his clients fundamental rights, including to earn a livelihood.

He relied on various legal authorities including the recent High Court judgment in the successful case by Rebecca Carter arising from an error in totting her Leaving Cert marks.

While Mr Morrissey is not saying the rules cannot be changed, Mr Quinn said he had a legitimate expectation they would not have been changed without his getting clear warning of that.

In sworn statements, Mr Morrissey had said, while he has secured a place in NUI Maynooth, his father is a retired non-commissioned officer in the Defence Forces and his "long-held ambition" is to become an officer.

He first sat his Leaving Cert in 2017 and sat it again in 2018 because he needed an additional language to meet the three language requirement for entry to the cadet school.

Because he passed maths in the 2017 exam, he decided in January 2018 not to sit that exam again as he understood he could carry forward his maths result, a pass in maths being an entry requirement.

Resitting the exam cost his parents about 6,000, the court was told.

He says he was also told at a Defence Forces open day in April 2017 that successful candidates for cadet school did not have to pass the required subjects in a single Leaving Cert and could count subjects passed in a previous Leaving Cert.

A 2018 entry on the Defence Forces website also stated, in a section entitled Naval Service Frequently Asked Questions, the specific subjects listed "need not be in a single sitting".By Joe Leogue

Corks city councillors were not consulted on the cost of the We Are Cork brand campaign, it has emerged, following criticism of spending on the marketing push.

On Saturday, the Irish Examiner revealed that the We Are Cork branding exercise and an economic marketing strategy for the region cost 290,305.10.

The majority of the cost has been borne by Corks city and county councils. The net cost to Cork City Council is 139,407.34, while Cork County Council will contribute 115,897.78. The figures were released to this newspaper via the Freedom of Information Act.

Labour local area representative, Peter Horgan, also submitted a Freedom of Information request to the city council on the spending and other aspects of the campaign, and City Hall revealed that no meetings were held with councillors to discuss the design cost of the We Are Cork brand.

Mr Horgan said: Elected councillors are the guardians of the citys operations on behalf of the people. It is clear that councillors have been circumnavigated on this issue  public monies being spent regardless of reserved or executive functions.

It is simply wrong to ignore the views of council, and by extension the people of Cork, by not seeking out those views in the first place. We have housing issues, transport requirements, and crumbling roads to name just three service areas where that money would have been better spent. I understand the We Are Cork brand hasnt even been pushed outside of the city and county. We effectively spent 300,000 to tell Cork people theyre from Cork.

Fianna Fail city councillor, Ken OFlynn, said he recently created a new corporate logo and a suite of stationery and social media accounts and graphics for 500.

I think it is imperative that the chief executive, Ann Doherty, would explain where exactly all this money has gone and who has received it. People and especially business people are furious that such a brand could cost this amount when everyone knows that all such branding can be produced at a fraction of this cost, he said.

Yesterday, Lord Mayor Mick Finn said: At first glance, the expenditure does seem high but an educated and informed drill-down into the itemised spending on the We Are Cork place branding  something that has been sought by the two councils and a wide extent of partners across Cork  reveals the full extent of the marketing and branding of Cork across the world to attract investment, new multi-nationals, students and tourists.

Both the city and county council are the main funders, but there is also buy-in from the third level sector, Cork Chamber and CBA, IBEC and Port of Cork. Promotion of Cork as a single brand around the world stands to reap huge benefits and when you consider all the players who will contribute to the overall cost, I think its great that Cork is stepping up to the plate and being ambitious.

We often bemoan the fact that Dublin gets everything: this is Cork moving up a gear. I realise sceptics may think differently but I would suggest to some commentators that the value for money aspect of funds given to political parties at various elections, amounting to considerably more than what is involved here for the promotion of Cork, should be the first port of call for evaluation rather than the strategic development of Cork as a global city.Ryanair has dismissed claims from a European pilots union that its decision to close bases and reduce fleet from early next month is a declaration of war.

At the start of October, the airline announced that it was trimming its winter 2018 capacity, closing its Eindhoven and Bremen bases and cutting its five aircraft at its Niederrhein base to three from November 5.

Last week, the European Cockpit Association (ECA) said the development would seriously exacerbate the recent deterioration in the relationship between the airline and its pilots and cabin crew which had led to the strikes.

The aggressive move by Ryanair management comes on top of already tense relations with its employees and stalling negotiations in numerous countries, it said.

The ECAs president Dirk Polloczek said the hostility from Ryanair management would not be tolerated.

However, yesterday Ryanair dismissed, what it said were, false claims of the ECA and its pilot unions who falsely claim that Ryanairs base closures are a punishment rather than a sensible response to deteriorating market conditions characterised by higher oil prices and declining air fares.

Ryanair pointed out that: In recent weeks Lufthansa closed its Dusseldorf base Wizz closed its Poznan base, Norwegian closed Belfast and Edinburgh, EasyJet has cut two aircraft from its Porto base, and all airlines are trimming flights and routes this winter as oil prices escalate to $85pbl, and all airlines report a weakening fare environment.

Kenny Jacobs of Ryanair said: The ECA and these pilot unions are silent when Lufthansa, Wizz, and Norwegian close bases or cut schedules.

They are also silent to the reality of Small Planet (Ger) and Primera going bankrupt in recent weeks causing hundreds of job losses.

He said the closure of the two Ryanair bases and reduction from five to three aircraft in another is a small but necessary response to these adverse circumstances.By Liam Heylin

A man who knocked another young man unconscious with a single punch while he was socialising in a Cork city centre pub was jailed yesterday for six months.

Kevin McGhee, of 29 Ballyhooley Road, Dillons Cross, Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm at The Corner House on Coburg St, Cork, on July 22, 2017.

Sgt John Kelleher said: The punch was of such force that it knocked him to the ground and caused him to lose consciousness.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer said the parties had not known each other previously and struck up a conversation that night about a match that was played earlier. He said the defendant and victim were wearing jerseys from the opposing teams.

Sgt Kelleher noted from the defendants previous convictions that he had one for assault causing serious harm to another person.

Sgt Kelleher said that on the night of the incident, the 34-year-old clenched his fists aggressively when the guards arrived and he said, Fucking arrest me so.

Judge Olann Kelleher said: This had a serious effect on the victim as per the victim impact statement. This was a man who was out minding his own business.

Sgt Kelleher said the assault was carried out when the injured party went to the counter to order a drink. The defendant struck him in the jaw with a single punch.By Dan Buckley

More than 20 birds of prey were illegally shot or poisoned in the country last year, new figures show.

However, the figures released by the National Parks and Wildlife Service are only the 'tip of the iceberg', according to the organisation Birdwatch Ireland.

In total, 23 poison and persecution incidents were identified in 2017. The NPWS annual report for the year reveals 16 poison incidents, six where birds of prey were shot and one incident involving collision with a wind turbine. A number of suspected and unconfirmed incidents were also recorded.

A kestrel was found at the base of a wind turbine in West Limerick, with haemorrhaging found to its skull, says the report by Dr Barry ODonoghue, Head of Agri-Ecology, NPWS.

Interestingly, no wing damage was found. The full extent to which wind farm mortalities (whether through turbine or wire or fence collisions) occurs in Ireland is relatively unknown in the absence of large-scale coordination of systematic surveys involving a range of techniques and modelling.

The number of incidents in 2017 was around average in terms of the annual incidents confirmed and recorded since the NPWS began recording deaths and attacks since 2011 under what it calls the RAPTOR scheme.

Of the raptors species confirmed to have died as a result of direct human impact in 2017, the most frequent casualty was Common Buzzard (11), followed by Red Kite (3), Kestrel (1), and White-tailed Sea Eagle (1).

These figures may not go anywhere near reflecting the full figure, according to Niall Hatch of Birdwatch Ireland. While welcoming the report, he said it was regrettable Birdwatch Ireland and other NGOs like the Golden Eagle Trust and the Irish Raptor Study Group were not invited to contribute.

Mr Hatch said the NPWS figures only reflect a very small proportion of what Birdwatch Ireland believes is the real extent of illegal killings and persecution of birds of prey.

"It is important that instances of bird-of-prey killings are checked and categorised but these figures may not reflect the actual numbers. We have a good relationship with the NPWS but it should work more closely with NGOs like Birdwatch Ireland.

"It is also disappointing that there is no reference to the Garda Siochana in the report. Many of these incidences are crimes against wildlife, yet they are not recorded on the Garda PULSE system and enforcement against those responsible is very poor. There was not a single prosecution in 2017, for instance, although there was one in Waterford this year for the killing of peregrine falcons and we welcome that."It was a long march for Rhys Darby to go from the New Zealand army to starring in Flight Of The Conchords, writes Richard Fitzpatrick

THE comedian and actor Rhys Darby had a plan for what he was going to do once he finished high school in Auckland, New Zealand in the early 1990s. He was going to join the army and achieve world domination.

To take over the world, he says, I needed to rise up through the ranks and become commander. I started as a cadet in the regular force cadet school. They trained me there. I graduated and became a radio operator. I was in the Royal New Zealand Signal Corps for three years.

Then I got a girlfriend. It was all over then. You go away for two weeks on these military exercises. I said, Im not doing this army crap anymore. I also looked at some of the other soldiers who were living in these government houses next to the base and I thought: Oh, God, I dont want that; I have visions of owning a huge mansion somewhere.

Darby says he thought military life was a bit like the scouts  a training thing where you wear a nice hat. What I should have done was joined the Territorials or the part-time soldiers and then I would have got the digging holes and running around in the forest thing out of the way, and then had a different job.

The 44-year-old says he has no regrets about enlisting. I enjoyed every minute of it. I learned Morse code. I learned how to do my own ironing and keep my boots clean. Part of it was Mum trying to get me off the streets. I had become a teenager and she was a solo mum. She really pushed for the military career. She said: Stay in there, and one day youll be commanding a huge army. Boy was she wrong.

Instead, Darby drifted into a career in show business. He moved to the UK after the turn of the millennium, working the comedy scene with his gift for mime, physical comedy and sound effects. It was his role towards the end of the Noughties in Flight of the Conchords  the HBO hit comedy series  that propelled him into stardom.

Darby played the bands gormless, deeply uncool manager, Murray Hewitt. He kept getting it wrong, mixing up, for example, hip-hop icons with comic strip characters.

Murray: Who were those people you were dissing? The only one I could make out was Snoopy! Whats your problem with him?

Bret: No, Snoop Dogg.

Murray: Yeah, I know hes a dog, Bret. Im not totally in the Dark Ages.

Murray might have been a loser. He may not have had street cred, but fans loved him. He had an everyman quality to him, explains Darby. Everybody sees a part of them in this person  a person who doesnt have much direction in life. Doesnt really know where hes going. Hes kind of latched onto something he thinks is cool  a couple of musicians who have old shirts and wavy hair; they look cool. Hes thinking: I can be part of this.

Hes got very limited ability in the managerial sense but hes got enough, ie he knows that he has to do a roll call. Hes got a pad so he can write down an agenda. Thats enough really for these young, cool-looking idiots to think, This guy is going to take us somewhere. Its the blind leading the blind.

Everyone goes into a job or a career when they leave school  even like I did with the army  with no real idea where its heading and you kind of hope for the best. You fake it until you make it. Thats what Murray represents. Hes the loser in all of us, but he becomes a winner  because he manages the Conchords!

Darby has featured with some A-list celebrities since his starring role in Conchords, including a part alongside Jim Carrey  who once described Darby as having the spirit of Peter Sellers within him  in the 2008 film Yes Man and a recent appearance on The X-Files. David Duchovny is a Conchords fan, he says.

Darby is currently touring his comedy show, Mystic Time Bird, which he will perform during Galways Vodafone Comedy Carnival next week.

It is, as expected, an offbeat set-up, with a spice of philosophical depth added in.

The baseline of it is my mother passing away two years ago and how that affected me, he says.

I missed her and I wanted to find out what was going to happen to me now that I dont have a mum. So I looked into mysticism and taking the advice of a shaman. I didnt want to talk to a counsellor. Thats very American. I said: Im going to go into the forest and talk to someone who can read my future. This chap told me I had lived many lives. This was an attractive notion to me. Maybe we do live again. Maybe Ill see my mum again.

In your previous lives, he said You were birds. I thought it was crazy but then as I left I thought about it; I started dreaming about birds. I realised maybe I was a bird in my previous life because it made sense  I can do all the sound effects. I can mimic anything. Its the one thing Ive taken from my previous life.

This became the idea for the show. Its full of crazy impressions of pre-historic birds but also theres a bit of where do we go in our lives and how do we feel when our loved ones pass and how do we get through it.

Rhys Darby will be performing as part of the Vodafone Comedy Carnival Galway, Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent (8pm, Wednesday, October 24) and Town Hall Theatre (8pm, Thursday, October 25). See vodafonecomedycarnival.comThe former justice minister had to resign for many reasons  just not because she failed to stop a challenge to Maurice McCabes motivation in 2015, writes Michael Clifford.

Wherefore the vindication of Frances Fitzgerald?

Since the publication of the Disclosures Tribunal report last Thursday the V-word has been used unsparingly. Ms Fitzgerald, we are told, has been vindicated.

She was forced to resign as minister last November over matters surrounding her knowledge of various issues at the OHiggins commission in May 2015.

Mr Justice Peter Charleton concludes that everyone got the wrong end of the stick.

By the time the tribunal came to hear these matters, the Minister for Justice and Equality had selflessly decided to resign in the national interest in November 2017.

In recent days, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Health Minister Simon Harris, and the Blueshirt tribe in general, have all been crying that poor Frances was done a grave disservice by the troublemakers in Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein, not to mention Labours Alan Kelly.

Fitzgerald did not, as per the narrative of recent days, resign because she did anything wrong in 2015.

She resigned as a result of her handling of the fallout from those days. That is an entirely political, rather than legal, matter. It reflects not on her integrity but on her political judgment.

As such, her vindication in political terms is highly qualified.

Here is what we now know.

The OHiggins commission, investigating complaints of malpractice made by Sergeant Maurice McCabe, began hearings in May 2015.

Early on, a legal strategy was deployed by An Garda Siochana to attack the motivation of Sgt McCabe. This was, as the forces solicitor noted, political dynamite.

Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan told the Disclosures Tribunal it placed her in an almost impossible dilemma, as she had been publicly supportive of Sgt McCabe.

The department was informed that there would be a challenge to Sgt McCabe. An email was sent to Ms Fitzgerald to that effect.

She told the Disclosures Tribunal she would have read it.

The way I would have responded to the email was that, first of all, it was about something happening at the OHiggins commission, she said.

Now I would have regarded the OHiggins commission as quasi-judicial it was private, it was independent. I would not have seen any role for myself in relation to the OHiggins commission.

Mr Justice Charleton found this approach from the minister to be entirely correct, hence the cries of vindication.

Fast-forward 12 months.

In May 2016, on publication of the OHiggins report, the Irish Examiner reported about the attack on Sgt McCabes motivation.

It set off a political storm.

Mr Justice Charleton has reported that the leaking of partial transcripts to the media was deception that led to a rush to judgement.

Initially, it appeared that a tape-recording of an eight-year-old meeting had been central to Sgt McCabes defence of the attack on his motivation.

In the course of that storm, Ms Fitzgerald came under pressure as the Minister for Justice.

On RTEs Prime Time on May 16, 2016, she certainly gave the impression that the whole matter was new to her.

Yet while she didnt know the details of what had occurred 12 months previously, she had been told about the legal strategy.

The following day in the Dail, she responded to a question from then Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams on the matter.

Neither I nor my department had any involvement in the approach taken by the Garda at the commission of investigation, she said.

"There is no question of that. The duties of confidentiality on the commissioner imposed by the commission of investigation are not over-ridden by any duty of the commissioner to account to me in relation to the commission."

All of which are accurate statements. But the answer does give the impression that she knew absolutely nothing about what had occurred in May 2015 at the time.

Fast-forward now to November 2017.

Mr Kelly submitted parliamentary questions around what was known in the Department of Justice about what was going on at OHiggins back in 2015.

The answers he received were vague. He kept digging. His efforts gained some traction in the media.

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin jumped on board. The opposition caught the scent of political blood.

The subtext to the issue was that if Ms Fitzgerald knew about attempts to attack Sgt McCabe, why didnt she do anything to stop it? That, as Mr Justice Charleton agreed, would have been wrong.

But a different question was now arising. Have the department and the minister anything to hide?

No, was Mr Varadkars answer.

When the matter was brought up in the Dail, the Taoiseach responded that Ms Fitzgerald told him that she had no hand, act, or part informing the commissioners legal strategy, nor did she have prior knowledge of the legal strategy she found out about it after the fact, but around the time it was in the public domain when everybody else knew about it as well.

We now know that was not the case.

She knew about it in May 2015, not May 2016, as the Taoiseach had told the Dail. To be sure, he ordered a trawl of emails in the department.

That threw up the email which showed that she had been informed about the legal strategy at the time.

RTEs Katie Hannon broke the story about the new email on November 27.

Crucially, that email and others had not been sent to the Disclosures Tribunal which had been sitting for 10 months by then. The minister resigned the following day.

In a speech marking her resignation, Mr Varadkar noted that she had no knowledge of it [the legal strategy] until the commissions hearings were already under way and that her knowledge of the detail was limited.

The last sentence was at great variance to what the Taoiseach had told the Dail previous week, inadvertently misleading the House.

Ms Fitzgerald did not have to resign because she failed to stop a challenge to Sgt McCabes motivation in 2015.

She was correct in how she handled that matter.

She had to resign because she misrepresented the extent of her knowledge about what went on in 2015, she was slow in answering legitimate questions, her briefing to the Taoiseach saw him mislead the Dail, and her department failed to discover important documents to the Disclosures Tribunal.

Now Fine Gael wants to brush over that reality and claim the political high ground.

Well, there was nothing to stop Mr Varadkar restoring Ms Fitzgerald to an empty Cabinet post at the weekend.

Why shouldnt there be second acts in Cabinet lives?

Perhaps the selective interpretation of recent history is being undertaken to deflect from the fact that there is now no room at the top table for the former minister, irrespective of her vindication.Arts Veteran Modernists Striking Experiment in Nudes

Paintings on display at Samudaya Sacca, artist Aung Wins latest solo exhibition at Nawaday Tharlar Art Gallery.

YANGONTo his third solo art exhibition, Aung Win has brought a subject completely different from his previous shows.

Aung Win made his name as an artist for his paintings of Kyaukse elephant dancers, but this time, nude damsels have provided the 69-year-old artist with an inspiration.

Entitled Samudaya Sacca, which is the name of one of the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism and can be translated as the truth of the origin of suffering, Aung Wins solo show features young rural women in the nude.

I experimented with a new subject and then continued it as I enjoyed it, said Aung Win who focused on lines in these nude paintings.

In his famed paintings depicting the elephant dance festival, Aung Win tended to use vibrant colors, but in his new series, he draws in more muted colors with marked tones.

His human figures are as unique as his elephants. His love and respect for and his trust in his style, as well as his boldness and decisiveness, are reflected in his paintings, said veteran artist U Win Pe.

The exhibition at Nawaday Tharlar Art Gallery features 15 acrylic paintings and will continue to be held there through Friday.

Born in Kyaukse, Aung Win is a graduate of Mandalay State School of Fine Arts and joined Myanmars modernism movement in the 1970s.

People have known Aung Win in connection with the elephant dance, but now he has drawn a totally different subject with new ideas and new creations. And I like it very much. At his age, it is quite hard to create a totally different subject without courage. I like his courage to change, said curator Ko Pyae Wai.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko KoAsia Malaysia's Mahathir Says Uighurs Released Because They Did Nothing Wrong

People mingle in the old town of Kashgar, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, China, March 22, 2017. / Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR  Malaysia freed 11 ethnic Uighur Muslims who fled to the Southeast Asian nation after a Thai jailbreak last year because they did nothing wrong there, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Monday.

Reuters, citing the mens lawyer, reported last week that Malaysia had released the 11 from detention and sent them to Turkey, disregarding Chinas request to hand them to Beijing.

They have done nothing wrong in this country, so they are released, Mahathir said in brief comments to reporters in Parliament, the first from the Malaysian government since their release.

Malaysias move was likely to strain ties with China, which have already been tested since Mahathir won a stunning election victory in May and canceled more than $20 billion worth of projects awarded to Chinese companies.

China, which had asked for their extradition, said on Friday that it resolutely opposed Malaysias decision to release the 11 Uighurs and send them to Turkey.

Prosecutors in Muslim-majority Malaysia dropped charges against the Uighurs on humanitarian grounds, their lawyer said.

The men were detained and charged with illegally entering Malaysia after Novembers daring prison break, during which they punched holes in a prison wall and used blankets as ladders.

Reuters reported in February that Malaysia was under great pressure from China to send the men there. Some Western missions sought to dissuade Kuala Lumpur from sending them to China, which has been accused of persecuting Uighurs.

Beijing accuses separatist extremists among the Uighur minority of plotting attacks on Chinas Han majority in the restive far western region of Xinjiang and elsewhere.

China has been accused of rights abuses in Xinjiang, torture of Uighur detainees and tight controls on their religion and culture. It denies wrongdoing.

Over the years, hundreds, possibly thousands, of Uighurs have escaped the unrest by traveling clandestinely via Southeast Asia to Turkey.News Beer Lovers Face Price Spikes, Shortages as Climate Changes: Study

Less barley in the coming decades due to climate change will mean beer shortages and price spikes. / Reuters

WASHINGTON  Climate change will brew trouble for beer lovers in coming decades as it shrinks yields of barley, the top grain used to make the worlds most popular alcoholic drink, a study published on Monday said.

Extreme weather events featuring both heat waves and droughts will occur as often as every two or three years in the second half of the century if temperatures rise at current rates, the study said.

Average global barley yields during extreme events are expected to drop between 3 and 17 percent, depending on the conditions, said the study, published in the journal Nature Plants.

Less barley will mean beer shortages and price spikes. Under the hottest scenario, China will suffer the most shortages this century, followed by the United States, Germany, and Russia, it said.

Prices will spike the most in Ireland, Italy, Canada and Poland. During the extreme climate events, prices for a 500-milliliter bottle, slightly more than a pint, in Ireland will rise from about $2.50 to $5.00.

Dabo Guan, a professor of climate change economics at the University of East Anglia and the studys lead author, said beer issues pale in comparison to other climate induced problems, including food security, storm damage and fresh water scarcity. But the threats to a beverage people have enjoyed for thousands of years is an indicator that even consumers in developed countries cannot escape the effects of a changing planet.

Climate change will affect all of us, not only people who are in India or African countries, Guan said.

The study did not consider climate changes affects on other staple ingredients of beer such as hops.

Consumers in developed countries who want to avoid shortages would be wise to support policies reducing emissions of gases scientists blame for warming the planet, Guan said.

Last year US President Donald Trump announced his intention to pull the United States out of the 2015 Paris pact on climate, doubting the extent to which human activity is warming the planet.

Many companies realize the risks of climate on barley, 17 percent of which is used to make beer. Many countries keep emergency reserves of staple crops such as corn, rice and wheat to stave off price spikes and shortages. But most do not do so for barley, making it vulnerable to climate.

Anheuser-Busch InBev, the worlds biggest brewer, said this year it would cut its greenhouse gas emissions by a quarter by 2025.

Jess Newman, the head of US agronomy for Anheuser-Busch, said the company was experimenting with developing drought-resistant barley and working with farmers to reduce their need for water by, for example, encouraging them to place irrigation sprinklers closer to the ground.

Its definitely an incremental process but we have many varieties in the pipeline, Newman said when asked how close the company was to breeding a drought-resistant barley in the United States. For several years, Anheuser-Busch has used a winter barley in Idaho that gets moisture from melting snow, cutting the need for irrigation.Burma Chinese-Made Fighter Jets Crash in Magwe, Killing Girl, Pilots

Wreckage from a military plane crash is seen in Magwe Regions Minbu Township on Tuesday. / Aung Myo Naing / Facebook

YANGON  A sixth-grade girl and two pilots were killed when a pair of military planes crashed in Magwe Regions Minbu Township on Tuesday morning.

Thwel Zin Nyein, who lived in Minbus 4th Ward, was struck and killed by debris from one of the planes that crashed during a training exercise.

She was reading for the exam when the parts hit her in the back. She died at the hospital, Lower House lawmaker U Win Win, who represents Minbu, told The Irrawaddy.

Four other students were also reading with her in a group at the time of the accident, but none of them was seriously injured, said U Win Win, who visited the victims house.

The Office of the Commander-in-Chief blamed the crashes on bad weather.

According to a statement from the military, four F-7 fighters from Magwe Airbase were taking part in the training exercise when the weather suddenly turned bad at about 6:20 a.m. It said two of the planes landed safely and two crashed, killing Captain Hein Thu Aung and Captain Phyo Maung Maung.

One of the planes crashed near the Sar Bwak creek and the other crashed in a field 1 kilometer west of That Nat Pin Su village.

Photos of one of the crash sites shared on social media showed bullets spread around the aircraft parts.

Locals who said they witnessed one of the crashes told The Irrawaddy that the plane struck a broadcast tower before hitting the ground. One resident, Ko Hsan Win Tun, said he went to the scene and saw that the tower was broken.

In April, an F-7 fighter from Toungoo Airbase also crashed, killing the pilot.

The F-7 is a version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 licensed and built by China.

In September, a military G-4 jet fighter from Pathein Airbase crashed about 19 kilometers from Rakhine States Gwa Township. Two pilots died in the accident.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.Burma EU Trade Preference Halt Would Cause Widespread Harm to Myanmar: Activists, Lawmakers

Workers iron and arrange clothing at a garment factory at Hlaing Tar Yar industrial zone in Yangon. / Reuters

YANGONThe withdrawal of EU trade preferences would impact the lives of ordinary people, putting more than 400,000 jobs at risk in the fast-growing garment sector, which is the countrys largest foreign income earner, lawmakers, labor policy makers and rights groups warn.

The EU Trade Commissioner announced on Oct. 5 that the bloc was considering withdrawing Myanmars preferential trade status due to human rights violations against the Rohingya in Rakhine State.

The action will affect ordinary people and the families who rely on them, U Maung Maung, the president of the Confederation of Trade Unions in Myanmar (CTUM), told The Irrawaddy.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom warned that Myanmar could lose its everything but arms (EBA) trade privileges over the violation of human rights cited in a United Nations fact-finding missions report. (That report, however, recommended the Security Council adopt targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, against those individuals found to be most responsible for serious crimes under international law.)

CTUM recently published an open letter to the EU strongly opposing the withdrawal of trade preferences and pointing out that the move would only harm the countrys social development as it undergoes a transition to democracy.

Malmstrom said the European Commission and the European External Action Service would notify the Myanmar authorities that it would send an emergency, high-level EU mission to the country in the coming days to assess the situation on the ground.

She said, There is a clear possibility that a withdrawal could be the outcome.

Myanmar is not the only country under threat of losing privileged access to the European market. Earlier this month, Malmstrom announced that Cambodias access to the EBA scheme was under review in response to a finding by Brussels that the elections in the country earlier this year were unfair and that voters rights had been abused.

According to the conditions of the scheme, EBA preferences can be withdrawn in case of some exceptional circumstances, in case of serious and systematic violation of principles laid down in fundamental human rights and labor rights conventions.

A part of the EUs Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), the EBA scheme grants full duty-free and quota-free access to the EUs single market for all products except arms and armaments. To qualify, a country must be listed as a Least Developed Country (LDC) by the UN Committee for Development Policy.

Since 2013, the EU has lifted duties on goods from Myanmar under the EBAs zero-tariff import regime. This has helped Myanmar attract foreign investment and become a major support for its economic boom centering on the garment sector. Nearly 70 percent of Myanmars exports go to EU countries, and more than half of these are garments.

According to the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA), as of 2014 Myanmars garment sector was booming, with both foreign- and locally-owned factories exporting to the European and U.S. markets.

The EU is Myanmars largest trade partner for garments, purchasing more than 47 percent of the products, while Japan, the second-largest, purchased just 27 percent of garment products in 2017. Myanmar exported $1.2 billion worth of garments in 2013, $1.5 billion in 2014, $1.7 billion in 2015, $2.1 billion in 2016 and $2.7 billion in 2017, according to the MGMA.

Garments account for 71 percent of overall exports to the EU, fisheries products 8 percent, rice 4 percent, beans 4 percent, precious stones 8 percent and wood products 5 percent.

According to MGMA, the garment sector has become the most labor intensive of Myanmars major industries since the opening of the EU market, with the number of factory workers growing from 240,000 in 2012 to 450,000 currently.

According to CTUM, however, there are more than 500,000 garment workers in Myanmar, of whom at least 400,000 work in factories that mainly export to the EU.

As of Sept. 30, 2018, according to the MGMAs records, there were 518 factories in Yangon, Thilawa, Pathein, Hpa-An and Mandalay, supplying European and other international brands like H&M, Inditex, Next, Adidas, Primark and Gap. Yangon is home to about 200 garment factories.

The garment sector is an incredibly powerful generator of livelihoods and opportunity for hundreds of thousands of families in Myanmar, the MGMA said.

Lawmaker Daw Pyone Kay Thi Naing, a member of the Lower House International Relations Committee, told The Irrawaddy the government is doing its best to solve the Rakhine crisis.

The lawmaker said the EU should consider the fact that over 400,000 people, mostly women, would be affected by sanctionsmore than half the number of people who fled from Rakhine State into Bangladesh.

I see no connection between those women and human rights abuse accusations in Rakhine State. If those grassroots women become jobless due to the EU sanctions, its a kind of war crime, she said.

Lawmakers said withdrawal of trade preferences is not the right way to apply pressure over human rights violations against the Rohingya in Rakhine State, as they would also disrupt the governments major economic reforms, which have seen the country open up after more than six decades of isolation under military dictatorship.

It is the wrong button. Trade sanctions are not the right way to apply pressure over human rights violations in Rakhine State. They would only send the civilian government into another crisis, Daw Zin Mar Aung, a Lower House lawmaker, told The Irrawaddy.

The EU should think about who will suffer as a result of removing trade preferences. Their approach should be positive, whether the government has committed human rights violations or is trying to make conditions better, she said.

Lawmakers said that while the government rejected the UN fact-finding report, it did set up its own commission of inquiry to investigate human rights violations in Rakhine State. Moreover, it has been implementing the recommendations in the report by the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State chaired by the late Kofi Annan.

Eleven groups comprising the European Burma Network based in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland, Sweden and Germany, including Burma Campaign for UK, Burmese Rohingya Organization UK, Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Civil Rights Defenders Burma, warned the EU that such a move risks having a disproportionate impact on ordinary people who have played no role in human rights violations against the Rohingya and others, and in fact themselves suffer from a lack of human rights and genuine democracy in Burma.

The statement warned there is a danger that such measures could be blamed on the Rohingya, further hardening public sentiment against them. There is also a danger that the impact on ordinary people will discredit all sanctions in the public mind and in the media, making it harder to secure support for sanctions that are more likely to have a meaningful impact.

In April, the EU extended and strengthened the EUs arms embargo on Myanmar and prohibited the provision of military training to and cooperation with Myanmar. In June, the EU imposed sanctions against seven senior military, border guard and police officials who it said were responsible for or associated with serious human rights violations against the Rohingya population in 2017. The sanctions comprise an asset freeze and a travel ban.

Rights groups have urged the EU to impose targeted sanctions against the Burmese military and its leadership, who according to a recent UN investigation are responsible for crimes against humanity, war crimes and perhaps even genocide.

The Irrawaddy asked Kinga Malinowska, the European Commissions press officer for trade issues, about the review period and the process of withdrawing Myanmar from the EBA. However, the spokesperson simply referred to the statement by the trade commissioner, and would not answer any further questions.

Policy makers from trade unions said the withdrawal process takes about six months, adding that they would negotiate as best as they can to persuade the EU not to withdraw the trade preferences.

The EU should not only listen to the one-sided lobbyists; they should also listen to our voices. We will let them know that [ending the EBA is] the wrong goal, said U Maung Maung, the CTUM president.Burma Govt, EAOs Agree Guidelines for Further Discussion of Key Peace Stumbling Blocks

State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi greets General Yawd Serk of the Restoration Council of Shan State on the second day of the peace summit in Naypyitaw on Oct. 16, 2018. / Myanmar State Counselors Office / Facebook

YANGONThe government and a group of ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) that are signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) concluded a two-day summit Tuesday with an agreed set of guidelines for continued discussion on two key issues that have stalled the peace process.

The contentious issues are the process of forming a unified military, and the militarys insistence that ethnic groups vow never to seek secession from the Union.

Participants told reporters in Naypyitaw after the summit that the guidelines for further discussion agreed to at the meeting aim to address the concerns of both sides.

The issues of non-secession and a single national army dominated the talks on Tuesday, with the leaders taking extra time to discuss the former, according to the ethnic leaders.

Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong, the vice chair of the Chin National Front, told reporters in Naypyitaw that, As non-secession is a key issue, our ethnic leaders requested the government let us consult first with the non-signatories to the NCA, as we have more than 10 ethnic groups.

The government and the EAOs agreed to meet again in November.

Padoh Kwe Htoo Win, vice chairman of the Karen National Union and a key negotiator at the summit, said, If our constitution [established] a democracy and were a federally-based constitution, as called for by the ethnic groups, no one would seek to secede.

He reiterated that the right to secede and the demand for self-determination are two separate issues.

However, peace negotiations have been stalled over these issues for more than a year. This weeks summit was held in an effort to overcome the deadlock.

U Zaw Htay, the director general of the Ministry of the State Counselors Office, said, The leaders openly shared their concerns on the issues but in the end they will all move forward as per the agreement. He was referring to the joint statement released by the government and EAOs on Tuesday, which stated that both sides would move forward.

In the statement, seven goals were agreed: to convene Union peace conferences before 2020 prioritizing democratic and federal principles; to break the deadlock on the peace negotiations; to simplify the current political dialogue; to implement any agreement made between the leaders; to begin discussion on security sector integration; to seek to include the remaining ethnic armed groups who have not yet signed the NCA; and to continue discussions on strengthening the ceasefire.

Regarding the issue of forming a unified army, Padoh Kwe Htoo Win, the vice chairman of the Karen National Union who has been a key negotiator at this summit, said the EAOs agree to the principle of having a single army, but will have to continue discussions on how to form a multiethnic army.

U Zaw Htay added, Before, we did not know where to start on the issue [of the single army, which forms part of broader security concerns]. Now we have got a specific topic [for discussion]. He said a timeframe had been set to continue these discussions.

Padoh Kwe Htto Win was optimistic that future negotiations will be smoother thanks to this weeks gathering for informal but high-level negotiations to break the impasse in peace negotiations.

On the government side, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and deputy military commander-in-chief Vice Senior General Soe Win led the talks on Tuesday, while all 10 EAO leaders were there for the second day of the summit.

Army chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing joined the peace summit on Monday morning to outline the Tatmadaws stand on the ongoing process and the non-secession issue.

Also on Monday, the Army chief, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and General Saw Mutu Sae Poe of the KNU, accompanied by Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win, met separately to discuss their concerns.Burma Night Market in Thandwe Gets the Green Light

A mermaid statue on Ngapali Beach in Thandwe Township. / The Irrawaddy

YANGONThe Rakhine government has given the green light for a new night market in southern Rakhines Thandwe Township, the location of the miles-long uniquely beautiful Ngapali Beach, as a means of introducing the night-out culture in the Rakhine community and drawing some tourists too.

Ko Tun Thant Kyaw, the managing director of Shwe Khine Thazin, a public company in Thandwe, said nearly 100 residents submitted a collective proposal for the night market project to the Rakhine State government in August. On Oct. 12, it was officially approved by the governments administrative office.

Although night markets and nightlife culture are commonplace for residents in the commercial cities of Yangon and Mandalay, it is a new concept in Rakhine State. Ko Tun Thant Kyaw has learned that tourists visiting Thandwe sometimes ask if there is a market or place where they can buy traditional Rakhine dishes and local handicrafts.

He said, Despite [producing] a number of sea and fish products, locals cant easily buy them around the downtown area. By creating this project, Thandwe locals will at least have a place to visit.

According to him, the project will not be funded by the state government but by Thandwe locals and business people. They plan to support the night market by establishing the relevant infrastructure including electricity and a water supply, a land labeling process as well as a drainage system. He believes that the new project could provide a number of jobs for locals.

The government-approved location for the night market is to be in front of Thandwes Myoma Playground, near the Thandwe River Bridge. However, this location, at 8 kilometersa 14-minute drivefrom hotels serving Ngapali Beach may not be close enough to attract tourists. Late afternoons and evenings at Ngapali are usually spent enjoying the sunset and swimming and playing on the beach. Thus, implementing a night market closer to the beach and hotel zone would likely draw more tourists.

The initial step, which is to be carried out by the Shwe Khine Thazin company in the coming months, will be plot designation. The selected compound will have a concrete floor laid. The public company has estimated that the project will cost approximately 100 million kyats ($63,200). However, a committee is to be formed to decide who is to be assigned to which market plots.

Apart from pagodas, we dont have any places to visit in Thandwe at nighttime. As you know, pagodas and temples are not a tourists favorite location to visit at night. Even locals want to eat out at night, but there is no proper market where they can get a variety of foods in one place, said Ko Tun Thant Kyaw.

He said the township municipality will arrange garbage management for the night market. Its unclear, however, whether they would have sufficient human resources to handle a new project, as the head of the township municipal previously told The Irrawaddy that a lack of staff was the cause for poor waste management reported at Ngapali Beach. As for management of the market, he suggested the authorities form a committee made up of members of the municipal government and some influential businesspeople.

In one way, it is the right idea as there is nothing [to do at night] in Ngapali. But people do not want to drive or travel far in the evening, especially before or after dinner, so it would need to be nearby, said Oliver E Soe Thet who operates Laguna Lodge Eco Hotel in Ngapali.

In terms of the night market project, he believes its a good idea as long as the products sold are predominantly Rakhinetraditional souvenirs, Rakhine dishes and snacksinstead of selling imported Chinese or Thai products. Authentic local products like coconut leaf maps, hats, coconut shell artwork, items made from seashells as well as bamboo-made accessories could attract more tourists. He hopes for the market to be Rakhine-driven with Rakhine goods to ensure jobs for Rakhine people and a proper income for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

It should have many Rakhine desserts and food like monti (rice noodles) made by family-style shops, not by chain [restaurants] which would spoil the image. Women should be at the forefront and sell their goods and food, especially desserts. It should be something the local people are proud of themselves about.

As well as running Laguna Lodge, Oliver is active in promoting environmental conservation in Ngapali and has an anti-sand-mining campaign so is concerned that sand from Ngapali Beach will be used in the construction of the market with the excuse that it is being used for public interests.

Oliver, a German native based in Ngapali for many yearsincluding during the military regimesaid that in late 2017 he submitted his own proposal for a community-based night market project in the village at Ngapali Beach to Rakhine State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu but a year later, however, its status is still pending. His more recent suggestions for the planned night market to be established near Ngapali Beach rather than in Thandwe have also been ignored.

The town of Thandwe is home to a mix population including Muslims and Kaman with a majority of Buddhists. When sectarian conflict between Rohingya Muslims and the Rakhine community erupted in 2012, Thandwe residents also suffered tremendously and over the past few years, the authorities have occasionally announced curfew orders in the area. Following the violence in northern Rakhine State in August of 2017, it was reported that some members of Thandwes community instigated racial hatred by spreading false information on two separate occasions, though no acts of violence are reported to have taken place.Burma Protesters Injured in Labor Dispute

Strike leaders from the Fu Yun Garment Factory held a press conference on Oct. 15. / The Irrawaddy

YANGON  Six people were seriously injured in a beating of employees on strike at a Chinese factory in Yangon and were hospitalized, said strike leaders on Monday evening.

A group of men beat employees who had joined a sit-down strike at the west gate of Fu Yun Garment Factory in Dagon Seikkan Township against the dismissal of their colleagues on Monday morning. More than 20 were injured in the beating.

More than 200 workers, most of them young women, are on strike.

The Yangon Youth Network sent a letter to social affairs minister U Naing Ngan Lin of the Yangon regional government on Tuesday, asking him to intervene, saying that violence against them seriously harms their dignity and modesty.

I heard that two were injured on their heads and had to be stitched. But it is a rumor that a pregnant woman was stabbed. I request not to spread rumors under such circumstances, said U Aung Myint, a supporter of the strike.

The beating was followed by a fight between local residents and those who beat the employees.

The strike will continue unless our demands are met, said strike leader Ma Thet Htar Swe.

Employees have been on a strike since the management of the factory sacked 30 members of the factorys labor union, calling for their re-employment.

The management said that the dismissal was in line with its employment contract and that only those who loafed on the job, breached the contract, were absent without leave, and instigated to disrupt production were let go.

At the press conference on Monday, strike leaders said that they would open a case with the police, and claimed that they were beaten by a group of men.

But, the Yangon Region Police Force said that the fighting was between two groups of workers, as workers on strike asked their colleagues who were still working at the factory to join the strike.

Nine working employees a man and eight womensuffered minor injuries in the fight and 23 workers on strike were also injured, seven of whom are receiving treatment as in-patients at Thingangyun Hospital, said the police.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 (12:01 am) - Score 700

The Central Lancashire Local Plan (development strategy), which covers the geographical areas of Preston, Chorley and South Ribble, looks set to include a new measure that would require local property developers to ensure that all new build homes have access to Superfast Broadband from the outset.

At present any new build developments seeking planning permission in the UK are already required to be equipped with a high-speed-ready in-building physical infrastructure, up to the network termination points (EU rule adopted into UK legislation), although ensuring that enough spare cable ducts and access points are available is rather different from requiring broadband ISPs to actually make use of them.

The UK government has also long been advising councils to ensure that they factor the need for superfast broadband into local planning approvals, which in the future will be supported by the new Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review proposals (here).

The review promises it will guarantee full fibre (FTTP/H) ISP connections to new build developments (i.e. changes to streamline wayleaves and mandate fibre connections) but that could take time to filter down, not least because larger projects can spend years in planning before the work actually begins.

A number of councils have already implemented stricter policies to encourage superfast broadband as part of the planning process for new developments and, by the sounds of it, the Central Lancashire Local Plan (CLLP) is now looking to do the same.

According to a recent meeting of Chorleys Overview and Scrutiny Committee (here), Planning and ICT officers recently attended a meeting outlining The Street Works Tool Kit which is a framework for UK Fibre Broadband Delivery. This confirmed that the CLLP is to incorporate an appropriate policy about providing fibre broadband and allowing connection to the doorstep for all developments (end 2020).

But in the shorter term a practice note for developers is to be prepared and/or planning conditions instigated, which will help to encourage uptake of the service by new developments. The CLLP Review team have also said that they plan to liaise with Openreach (BT) about serving new developments, both residential and commercial.

At this point its worth noting that most of the major home builders (e.g. Home Builders Federation) have already entered into partnerships with network operators (e.g. Openreach and Virgin Media etc.) in order to better facilitate the roll-out of fibre optic (FTTP/H) and hybrid fibre (FTTC / HFC DOCSIS) based broadband. Recent data shows that most new builds are getting better broadband but theres room for improvement (here).

The first draft of the new CLLP is due to be published next spring 2019, although final adoption is still a long way off and set for Winter 2020 (assuming all goes well).Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has died of complications from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 65, his company Vulcan has announced.

Allen, who died in Seattle on Monday, started Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1975. He was the older of the two, and the more technically competent one.

His sister Judy said in a statement: My brother was a remarkable individual on every level. While most knew Paul as a technologist and philanthropist, for us he was a much loved brother and uncle, and an exceptional friend.

We salute technology pioneer and Microsoft cofounder, Paul Allen, on his passing at the age of 65. Mr. Allen has been battling cancer for the past several years. Photo: Paul Allen, right, with Bill Gates in 1983. Photo credit: Doug Wilson/Corbis pic.twitter.com/GJgluMdSzm  AXICOM, Inc. (@AXICOM_Tech) October 15, 2018

"Pauls family and friends were blessed to experience his wit, warmth, his generosity and deep concern. For all the demands on his schedule, there was always time for family and friends.

Statement from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on the passing of Paul Allen: pic.twitter.com/1iLDLenLKz  Microsoft (@Microsoft) October 15, 2018

"At this time of loss and grief for us  and so many others  we are profoundly grateful for the care and concern he demonstrated every day.

Vulcan chief executive Bill Hilf said: "All of us who had the honour of working with Paul feel an inexpressible loss today. He possessed a remarkable intellect and a passion to solve some of the worlds most difficult problems, with the conviction that creative thinking and new approaches could make profound and lasting impact.

Paul Allen saved the Seahawks from relocation in 1997. He helped bring us to 3 Super Bowls, winning 1. Thank you for EVERYTHING, Paul. You are a Seattle icon forever. With tears in my eyes, Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/SsaFFUkA1Q  ryan leclair (@ryan_leclair) October 15, 2018

"Millions of people were touched by his generosity, his persistence in pursuit of a better world, and his drive to accomplish as much as he could with the time and resources at his disposal."

Allen owns the Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trailblazers, Stratolaunch Systems, the Allen Institute and the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence.

Hilf added: "Pauls life was diverse and lived with gusto. It reflected his myriad interests in technology, music and the arts, biosciences and artificial intelligence, conservation and in the power of shared experience  in a stadium or a neighborhood  to transform individual lives and whole communities.

"Paul loved Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. The impact of Pauls efforts can be seen here at every turn. But the true impact of his vision and generosity is evident around the globe.

He attended WSU.

He helped save the Seahawks from moving to CA.

He voted to keep the Sonics in Seattle.

He helped rebuild & bring new life energy to SLU.

He helped build MoPop.

And much, much more!



He was as Seattle & PNW as they come. RIP Paul Allenhttps://t.co/mpTyyQl9Sn  710 ESPN Seattle (@710ESPNSeattle) October 15, 2018

"Paul thoughtfully addressed how the many institutions he founded and supported would continue after he was no longer able to lead them. This isnt the time to deal in those specifics as we focus on Pauls family. We will continue to work on furthering Pauls mission and the projects he entrusted to us. There are no changes imminent for Vulcan, the teams, the research institutes or museums.

This photo caption says it all.



"Paul Allen and his business partner in 1982."https://t.co/3uh9br5hMO pic.twitter.com/0zLRDIrjwz  drew olanoff (@yoda) October 15, 2018

"Today we mourn our boss, mentor and friend whose 65 years were too short  and acknowledge the honour it has been to work alongside someone whose life transformed the world.Don't worry, I'm the one who put Nearmap's logo on the Opera House, no need to call radio broadcast Alan Jones

Nearmap's aerial mapping product offerings disrupted the aerial imaging market, but to accelerate its progress from start-up to the beginnings of a true global player, it used Zuora's subscription service to map a new course to provide "reality as a service" on an ever widening scale, as you'll discover in this email interview below.

I was offered an email Q&A interview with Seth Ephron, the Global Commercial finance manager at Nearmap and Iman Ghodosi, general manager APAC at Zuora.

At its Australian website, Nearmap describes itself as offering "Current, clear aerial imagery as a service for Australian businesses", allowing you to "cirtually inspect locations from anywhere, turning digital maps into a powerful project management tool".

Meanwhile, Zuora's site states that the company is "powering the subscription economy", and that it "creates cloud-based software on a subscription basis that enables any company in any industry to successfully launch, manage, and transform into a subscription business."

So with that, let's dive straight into the questions and answers, with Ephron from Nearmao and Ghodosi from Zuora's answers denoted accordingly.

Could you tell us a bit about Nearmap?

Ephron: Nearmap provides up-to-date, high resolution aerial imagery of urban and regional metro areas in Australia, the US and now New Zealand.

We make our content available via a subscription service, which means our customers can access current and historical imagery remotely from any device at any time. We work with a wide range of organisations, from urban developers, government agencies, large construction and engineering companies all the way to small business operators like solar panel installers, roofers etc.

Use cases of our product expand from remotely inspecting a site, right through to planning and monitoring large development and infrastructure projects, which ultimately saves our customers time and money spent on site visits and gathering location data.

With our business model, we have been able to rapidly expand into new markets and deliver enhanced product offerings to our subscribers, becoming one of the top ten largest aerial imagery companies in the world. We now have over 9,000 customers globally, 75,000+ users and a total annual contract value portfolio of over $66m.

How is Nearmap embracing the Subscription Economy?

Ephron: Nearmap has disrupted the aerial imagery market in the same way that the likes of Spotify and Netflix have disrupted theirs. We provide subscription access to frequently updated aerial imagery of what is on the ground. Effectively we provide reality as a service.

Gone are bespoke captures of a defined area, which take a long time to deliver and are very expensive. Weve turned this model on its head, and in doing so have enabled access and adoption for a much wider range of businesses. As a matter of fact, about 80% of our customers had never used aerial imagery before they subscribed to Nearmap.

As we were growing as a business, we partnered with Zuora, whos billing platform has allowed Nearmap to scale from an Australian start up to a global aerial image provider. And, its this subscription business model that is key to our competitive advantage in the global market.

Ghodosi: Zuora has helped Nearmap to rapidly expand and scale its aerial mapping products, offering its services to a wide variety of industries that would otherwise have remained untapped. The company is a true Aussie innovation success story that is now reaping the rewards that a flexible business model offers.

Could you talk us through Nearmaps relationship with Zuora?

Ephron: Like most start-ups, Nearmap began as a simple concept  using a payment gateway, before integrating a Salesforce platform. We have experienced rapid growth over the past ten years and as our business changed, so did our need for scalability and complex billing.

Given the complexities of recurring subscription billing, Nearmap chose Zuora because of its reputation for offering a scalable solution capable of supporting global business expansion. We wanted to offer our subscribers the best possible user experience and we needed to have the right systems in place to provide a seamless customer journey.

An added bonus was the fact that Zuoras system easily navigated the tax requirements of the new markets we were entering i.e. the US, further eliminating our barriers to entry.

Ghodosi: Scaling a subscription-based business is not without its challenges, particularly when you want to expand into overseas markets. The right critical system must allow a business to deliver exceptional customer service regardless of the customers location.

Nearmap chose Zuora as the cloud-based subscription management platform of choice due to its ability to scale and process new customers within a matter of hours rather than days.

Zuora also allows Nearmap to offer flexible pricing and packaging, bundling and add-ons, while easily supporting international payments and recognising revenue across multiple geographies.

Subscription metrics deliver insights into what Nearmap customers are actually doing and help the company to action this data in terms of delivering innovative, product offerings.

The company recently reported having over 8,800 global customers with a group average revenue per subscription of $7,473, which just highlights the value of a subscription-based approach to business.

What are the benefits of the subscription model?

Ephron: Nearmap captures 88% of Australias population, 70% of the US population, and 72% of the New Zealand population multiple times a year, ensuring that our imagery is always current.

Combined with our patented technology, which enables us to capture at this large scale efficiently and economically, providing access to the content via subscription creates multiple benefits.

For the customer, the cost to access imagery is reduced, including the entire gallery of current and historic imagery, meaning greater accessibility to our product for a wider audience.

For Nearmap, we experience the powerful benefits of recurring revenue inherent in the subscription business model, enabling continued innovation and product development, which is key to maintaining our market leading position and meeting the continually evolving demands of the market. Unlike traditional businesses, the point of sale in a subscription business marks the start of the relationship with the customer rather than the end.

The customer is at the heart of everything we do, at all steps along the subscription life cycle. If we succeed in providing a positive customer experience, we are rewarded with increased customer loyalty, maximising the life time value of the recurring revenue stream.

Ghodosi: From a commercial point of view, businesses love the certainty that subscription offers through recurring revenue and new ways of measuring their business performance.

Additionally, subscription models enable companies to focus less on the nitty gritty details of running their business and allow the executive team to instead focus on constant innovation, learnings and improvement.

Businesses are thus in a better position to develop and commit to longer term strategies knowing just how many subscribers they will have next month and next year. From a customer point of view, subscription offers flexibility and democratises access to services such as aerial imagery and remote mapping that were previously inaccessible to many due to cost alone.



What do you think is the key to success for companies adapting to this new business model?

Ephron: Businesses need to consider the agility of their existing models. Flexibility is key to surviving in this new economy where customers expect fast outcomes and a fully personalised user experience. At Nearmap, we realised early on that whats really important is to continuously evolve the relationship with our customers based on their needs and expected outcomes.

Ghodosi: This new era brings with it a new business imperative - to turn customers into recurring subscribers. In order to thrive in the Subscription Economy businesses need to prioritise customer happiness and satisfaction which requires constant iteration.

If a company or business isnt continuously improving upon its products and outcomes, it clearly isnt listening to what its customers actually want. A business model based on an in-depth understanding of your customers and the relationship you have with them ultimately leads to growth.Two of Australias travel technology companies  GoSeeAustralia and RMS  have joined forces to deliver what they claim is the countrys first integrated online booking channel and customised industry-specific website solution for the Australian caravan and camping industry.

Developed in response to todays increasingly competitive digital environment, the solution is claimed to be designed to slash up to 34% on big global company online travel agency (OTA) booking fees.

And, the two companies say that by using GoSeeAustralia as a lead generation and booking channel, fees for parks will be up to 30% to 40% cheaper than those charged by global OTAs.

As a result of RMS existing partnership with the Commonwealth Bank, the solution will also offer all CommBank merchants reduced merchant fees of up to 16%, and up to a 50% reduction on all terminal transaction fees.

The partnership was developed to help businesses within the Australian Caravan and Camping Industry be more profitable and compete more effectively online and in digital marketplaces, said GoSeeAustralia chief executive Nick Baker. Many businesses today are finding margins and profitability strangled by the ever-increasing commissions and fees being charged by, and paid to, overseas OTAs.

When you consider millions of dollars in commissions and fees are going offshore, its a negative outcome for Australian small business owners, the camping and caravan industry, and the Australian economy.

This partnership is step one in a strategic vision to build an ecosystem of Australian technology travel companies that will collaborate to deliver significant value to the Australian industry and its hard-working stakeholders.

Our goal is twofold: to help deliver better value in booking costs, and to help significantly grow the audience for camping and caravanning holidays."

GoSeeAustralia says the offering has received strong endorsement from the countrys national industry body, the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, and, according to association chief executive Stuart Lamont, it is great to see the Australian caravan and camping industry receive genuine alternatives to offshore OTAs.

It is important that industry support such initiatives as not only are we seeing industry-specific technology solutions committed to growing the market, they also save caravan holiday parks money relative to these large offshore OTAs that put nothing back into the caravan and camping sector.

A key feature of the integrated GoSeeAustralia and RMS solution is a fully-customisable website and webstore, powered by Marketplacers technology, that is built specifically for parks. And, integrated into RMS, GoSeeAustralia and onto other OTAs, it enables park owners and operators to grow their own digital channels and compete directly online for a monthly fee.

RMS founder Peter Buttigieg said he was delighted with the stamp of approval from the Caravan Industry Association of Australia and to be a part of an ecosystem he knew would be of help and support to the industry.

The partnership with GoSeeAustralia is something we are extremely proud of for a number of reasons, said Buttigieg.

All Australian-based companies [are] partnering to give the parks industry a world-class solution, while creating enormous cost benefits in a space that is becoming increasingly expensive. Its Australian-developed, industry-endorsed and will unquestionably reduce the ever-increasing cost of transactions made with OTAs.Global corporate lending platform Trade Ledger says it has warned the Australian Government of substantial weaknesses in its proposed Open Banking implementation plan, when compared to the global best-practice model.

Trade Ledger claims the Federal Governments open banking plans primarily include the lack of an independent implementation and governance organisation, and limited consumer and SME representation in the development of industry standards.

According to the Australian-based global fintech, these omissions risk a scaremongering campaign around data security that could stall progress and reduce the scope of the changes, leaving the door open for overseas financial markets to take over local markets when open banking arrives.

Open banking has the potential to revolutionise the Australian financial landscape  which is to say, the Australian economy as a whole, said Trade Ledger co-founder and chief executive Martin McCann.

Businesses and consumers could gain real-time control of their own financial information, allowing them to evaluate financial products from multiple lenders, and switch instantaneously to a better deal. Currently, only 2% of bank customers switch products, despite the fact [that] most could access a better deal.

Unlocking a veritable treasure trove of bank customer data and placing it in the hands of technology-driven fintechs could also bring forth all manner of new and exciting financial products and processes that could change the way we transact forever.

However, its my fear that we may not see this array of potential benefits by not learning from the best practices and mistakes of the UK, the only country to have already implemented open banking.

McCann said that in the UK, the banks were made to pay for implementation of open banking under law; this incentivised them to act rapidly and efficiently.

The UK also set up a range of trade and consumer lobby groups to balance the power of the incumbent institutions, and a governance body with unprecedented powers to compel all parties to work in the national interest.

So far, Australia does not have most of this in its implementation plans.

McCann pointed to the fact that Open Banking Review chairman Scott Farrell specifically recommended that Australia use the UK Open Banking technical specification as a starting point for developing Australias technical standards.

And, he said Prime Minister Scott Morrison also stated that Australia could become a global leader in open banking in his recent Australian Fintech Awards dinner speech.

This is a once-in-a-generation transformation on the global banking industry, driven by governments around the world legislating adoption of disruptive technology, McCann said.

However, given the fact that digital banking services dont observe national borders, the consequences of getting this wrong could be catastrophic for our local industry.

It could mean a shift away from a local-banks-versus-fintechs stand-off, and instead Australia might find itself competing against a whole hoard of unstoppable open banking entrants from overseas  an absolute tragedy for Australian financial services.Facebook officials are debating whether to ban posts that link to hacked material, a policy that has been put in place by Twitter, the company cyber security chief Nathaniel Gleicher says.

He told Reuters that in the run-up to the mid-term elections in the US, the company would also ban false information about voting requirements and fake reports about violence or long lines at voting booths which could lead to people deciding not to vote.

But Facebook has not gone so far as to ban all fake or misleading posts because it fears being tarred with the brush of censorship  apart from having to spend a good amount to do so.

Some reports have linked the Democrats' loss in the 2016 Presidential election to the dissemination of material hacked from Party officials.

Facebook is hesitant to impose a blanket ban on posts which link to hacked material because that would mean exposure to material such as that exposed in the Panama Papers leak  about the way the rich used offshore tax havens to evade paying income tax  would also not be possible.

On fake news, too, Facebook has taken a middle path and will only get rid of material that has been marked as bogus by its fact-checkers. This leaves plenty of room for a lot of fake material to remain on the site.

The company has also backed down on a move to ban all political advertising in order to keep out bogus ads. Reuters said this had not been adopted because product managers were unwilling to sacrifice the revenue that such ads brought in.

A few days back. Facebook said it was removing 32 pages from the site and Instagram because they were part of a campaign to create disharmony among voters.Sundar Pichai: "There are many, many areas where we would provide information better than what's available."

In what are Google's first public comments about its plan to launch a censored search engine in China, chief executive Sundar Pichai has told a conference that what has been developed so far is "very promising".

Pichai was quoted by the Wired website on Monday night US time as saying that the censored search engine would be able to serve more than 99% of queries made by users. There was no indication of how Pichai knew what queries would come from Chinese users.

The Google chief also stressed that there were numerous areas in which the search behemoth could provide better information than what was available, citing cancer treatments as one example.

And he added, "Today people either get fake cancer treatments or they actually get useful information.

The Intercept, the website thattheon 1 August, has never received a response from Google to its queries about the project, which is codenamed Dragonfly. According to Ryan Gallagher, the journalist who broke the story, more than a dozen requests for comment

Pichai has even ignored questions from US legislators about the move to re-enter China, a country Google quit in 2010 after running a censored search engine there for four years, after its servers were hacked.

Responding to a letter from six senators  Republicans Marco Rubio of Florida, Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Cory Gardner of Colorado, and Democrats Mark Warner of Virginia, Ron Wyden of Oregon and Robert Menendez of New Jersey  Pichai evaded answering any of the questions they had raised.

His response contained what could be characterised as motherhood statements, like ""We are committed to promoting access to information, freedom of expression, and user privacy, as well as to respecting the laws of jurisdictions in which we operate. We seek to strike the right balance in each context."

In the Wired report, Pichai also doubled down on the Dragonfly project, saying: "We are compelled by our mission [to] provide information to everyone, and [China is] 20% of the world's population. There was no mention of who had given Google this mission or whether the company was doing so just to increase its profits.

He described the Chinese market as wonderful and innovative. "We wanted to learn what it would look like if we were in China, so that's what we built internally," he said. Given how important the market is and how many users there are we feel obliged to think hard about this problem and take a longer-term view.

The six senators had asked Pichai the following questions:

"Is Google in the process of developing a censored search engine or other censored applications for China? If so, will this be part of a joint venture with a Chinese domestic partner?

"What has changed since 2010 to make Google comfortable cooperating with the rigorous censorship regime in China?

"In many cases, the entrance of a western firm in China is conditioned upon that firm entering a joint venture with a domestic Chinese ?rm. Was Google's decision to enter a joint venture with Tencent connected in any way with its efforts to enter the Chinese market via the custom search app?

"If Google is working on a search product for the mainland Chinese market, which 'blacklist' of censored searches and websites are you using? Are there any phrases or words that Google is refusing to censor?

"Will Google employees involved in managing 'Dragonfly' be required to attend the official mandatory trainings on 'Marxist news values' and 'socialist values' as required of other technology companies that provide Internet news content services in China?

"Presumably Google will comply with China's Cyber Security Law and its data localisation requirements. Will Google provide information about the search histories of individual users to Chinese government authorities? What confidence does Google have that its local joint venture partner will abide by any user protections that Google puts in place?"

In the two months since Gallagher broke the story, there have been a number of developments:With the new era of Windows as a service, Microsoft is rolling out changes to the operating system twice a year. Many of those changes will allow you to improve your security posture and offer more security choices. You no longer have to wait for a new operating system to deploy new security features.

Windows 10 21H1

The May 2021 release of Windows 10 may be the most stable Windows 10 release ever. Because of the pandemic, and due to potential more changes in the next version of Windows 10, this release is nearly anti-climatic in its release. If you are already on 2004 or 20H2, the install will be fast and should not cause any major issues. If you have never used Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or Intune to approve and manage feature releases to Windows 10, this might be the release youll want to test the process with. Look for the Feature Update to Windows 10 Version 21H1 x64-based systems 2021-05 via Enablement Package and approve that in your WSUS console to upgrade to 21H1. In a sign that this release is not major, the ADK for 2004 and 20H2 still works for 21H1. Servicing stack changes As with 20H2, Windows 10 21H1 combines the update with the related servicing stack update so you no longer need to install the servicing stack first if you manually approve updates. Rather, the two are combined for easy installation and the experience is similar using Windows Update for servicing. Windows Intune changes For those moving to cloud-only connections, Windows Intune is maturing as a potential replacement for WSUS. Windows Update for Business can be used to manage patching versus using WSUS. If you have Windows 10 Professional, you can use Group Policy to manage and deploy the Windows update for business settings. If you have Microsoft 365 E3 or higher, you can use Intune to manage the settings. More information about Windows Intune and its ability to manage patches can be obtained online. Additional features can be reviewed online. Windows Hello Multi-camera support has been added to 21H1, which allows users to choose an external camera priority when external and internal Windows Hello-capable cameras are present. Windows Defender Application Guard Windows Defender Application Guard (WDAG) has been improved to increase the document opening times, in particular when opening a file over a universal naming convention (UNC) path or server message block (SMB) shares. Finally, the performance of robocopy is improved when copying large files. Whats been removed The biggest change between 21H1 and its predecessors is the removal of the original Edge browser. The Chrome-based Edge browser is now the new recommended browser of the Windows 10 ecosystem. Microsoft will also be making a big change with its Internet Explorer browser in June 2022 by finally retiring it in versions of Windows 10. Note that this does not impact LTSB (long term servicing branch) versions of Windows as those will still support IE. While the launching of the browser will be removed, components of the application will remain under the operating system for developers to still call on for legacy desktop applications. For those that love the WMI command line (WMIC), 21H1 announces the beginning of the end. The WMIC tool is deprecated in Windows 10 version 21H1 and the 21H1 semi-annual channel release of Windows Server. This tool is superseded by Windows PowerShell for WMI. WMI itself is not affected.

Windows 10 20H2

Microsofts semi-annual Windows 10 feature release for Windows 10, called 20H2, for the second half of 2020 is the smaller May incremental release to version 2004. The naming changed to align with the Windows Insider channel releases. You can move from any older version of Windows 10 to the 20H2 release. If you move from 2004, the installation time will be quick as 20H2 is an enablement package for software already installed. Installing from any older release will take longer as it will go through the normal installation and staging process.

Microsoft has also released a draft of the security baseline documents for 20H2. (Security baselines for Edge are released separately as you can install it separately from the operating system.)

Version 20H2 is supported through May 10, 2022, for Home, Pro, Pro Education, Pro for Workstations and IoT Core, and through May 9, 2023, for Enterprise, Education and IoT Enterprise.

Chromium-based Edge browser

The major change in 20H2 is the inclusion of Microsofts new Edge browser based on the Chromium engine. To download the Group Policy files to control the new Edge in your environment, go to the Edge for business web page. Click the drop-down menu item Select Channel/Build, then choose the version of Edge you plan to use. Next, select the platform from the drop-down menu and select your operating system. Click on Get policy files to download the Cabinet (CAB) Group Policy files you need to manage Edge.

Service stack update changes

Deployment of servicing stack updates has changed with 20H2. You no longer must look for and approve servicing stack updates separately from the latest cumulative updates. Servicing stack updates help keep Windows 10 updating healthy. Before 20H2 when a servicing stack update was released and you used Windows Server Update Service (WSUS), System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) or another patching platform to look for and approve latest cumulative update and then find and approve the servicing stack released for the month (if there was one). If both were not approved, you risked having patching issues with the operating system. Now both are included in one update, like the streamlined process for consumer patching.

DisableAntiSpyware setting

In 20H2 Microsoft has deprecated the DisableAntiSpyware setting. Now when Microsoft Defender sees another antivirus tool installed, it will automatically turn itself off. Note that if you deploy Windows Server or Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) versions, you might still need this setting or to manually disable antivirus tools as those versions dont sense all antivirus vendors.

Microsoft Defender Application Guard for Office

The 20H2 release also includes support for Microsoft Defender Application Guard for Office. With this enabled, untrusted Office documents sent from outside of your organization automatically open in an isolated sandbox. This prevents malicious content from compromising your system. You will need a Microsoft 365 E5 license to fully implement this solution.

Expanded Windows Sandbox policies

Windows Sandbox policies have been expanded to support Windows Intune policies. The additional policies include:

WindowsSandbox/AllowAudioInput allows you to enable or disable audio input to the Sandbox.

WindowsSandbox/AllowClipboardRedirection allows you to enable or disable sharing of the host clipboard with the sandbox.

WindowsSandbox/AllowPrinterRedirection allows you to enable or disable printer sharing from the host into the Sandbox.

WindowsSandbox/AllowVGPU allows you to enable or disable virtualized GPU for Windows Sandbox.

WindowsSandbox/AllowVideoInput allows you to enable or disable video input to the Sandbox.

Biometric authentication via Windows Hello

Windows Hello offers support for fingerprint and face sensors in virtualization so it further isolates and ensures that a users biometric authentication.

Four new security settings

Four new settings included in 20H2 are an interesting mix, and one addresses a recent security vulnerability that has been in the headlines.

The first new setting is Domain controller: Allow vulnerable Netlogon secure channel connections. This is needed due to the Zerologon vulnerability that has been recently patched. It allows exclusions for non-complying devices that cannot connect to a domain after these patches (CVE-20201472) have been applied to your domain controllers. It is located at Machine, then Security Options.

The next new setting is Turn off cloud optimized content. This is located at Machine then Windows Components\Cloud Content.

Another new setting relating to Windows Update is Disable Safeguards for Feature Updates. Microsoft blocks feature updates to systems that are not able to properly deploy the feature releases. This setting allows you to override that block. It is located at Machine and then at Windows Components\Windows Update\Windows Update for Business.

The final new setting is Configure the inclusion of Edge tabs into Alt-Tab. It is located at User and then at Windows Components\Multitasking.

Windows 10 2004

Microsoft released Windows 10 2004 to developers in mid-May 2020 and then to the general public at the end of May. Many organizations are on 1903 and have not moved to 1909. Version 2004 has new security features that might make an upgrade worthwhile.

Windows 10 2004 is a spring feature release, so has an 18-month servicing time from release date. Version 1909 will be supported until May 11, 2021 for Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations editions, and until May 10, 2022 for Education and Enterprise versions. This extended due date in response to the impact of the public health situation. Version 2004 was built to minimize update processing time and does not share the code of Windows 10 1903/1909, and thus is a more impactful feature release than version 1909.

Windows 10 Hello

Windows 10 Version 2004 emphasizes passwordless technology and lets you use Windows 10 Hello biometric security system to sign on. To turn this feature on, launch Settings. Then click on Accounts and Sign-in options Under Require Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts, select On. Once Hello is enabled you can then login for Microsoft services on company devices.

Windows Hello allows for log in with your face, iris, fingerprint, or a PIN. Support depends on youre your devices support for authentication. Windows Hello can take data from a camera, iris sensor, or fingerprint reader. The data is then encrypted before its stored on the device. Research if your hardware supports Windows Hello before deploying it.

Windows Defender Application Guard upgrades

Windows Defender Application Guard is a security tool originally developed for Microsofts HTML-based Edge browser. It protects users by isolating files received from untrusted or potentially dangerous sites. In Windows 10 2004 Pro or Enterprise. Application Guard also works in the new Chromium-based Edge and allows Edge extensions to run in containers. This is a change from prior versions, which allowed Device Guard/ Application Guard policies to be created only on Enterprise but enforced on any SKU. Version 2004 allows Application Guard policies for Windows 10 Pro specifically for the new Edge version.

Windows Update Delivery Optimization

Microsoft has enhanced Delivery Optimization to allow for more control over the bandwidth used during Windows 10 updates. You can set a limit cap at which the computer will stop Delivery Optimization features to more efficiently use network resources while downloading installation packages.

Susan Bradley Delivery Optimization settings

Controlling rebooting

Microsoft has long struggled to make updates more dependable and take less time. The company claims that user downtime during feature updates for version 2004 has been reduced to 20 minutes and requires just one reboot. Updates are optimized when the computer has adequate resources. Even with these changes, its still recommended to optimize your Windows 10 deployments by providing devices with SSD hard drives and adequate RAM for the function you need them to perform. Unless the device is purpose built, I recommend at least 8GB of RAM.

Resetting the PC

Microsoft has made the process of deploying Windows 10 extremely fast. This process has normally required an ISO file mounted locally. Windows 10 2004 allows you to reset the PC with the option of downloading the media from online. If any of the following optional features are installed, However, the reset from cloud will not work if any of these optional features are installed:

EMS and SAC Toolset for Windows 10

IrDA infrared

Print Management Console

RAS Connection Manager Administration Kit (CMAK)

RIP Listener

All RSAT tools

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

Windows Fax and Scan

Windows Storage Management

Wireless Display

WMI SNMP Provider

Susan Bradley Reset PC now allows for cloud downloads

The cloud download option can use more than 4GB of data, so plan accordingly.

Windows Subsystem for Linux 2

A new version of Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is released in 2004. Unlike the prior version that used an emulator, WSL 2 uses its own kernel. This should increase compatibility and performance. The new version allows you to run ELF64 Linux binaries on Windows. Individual Linux distros can be run either as a WSL 1 or WSL 2 distro. They can also be upgraded or downgraded at any time, and you can run WSL 1 and WSL 2 distros side by side.

The new Microsoft Edge browser

While not part of Windows 10 2004, the new Edge browser based on Chrome should be included in your deployment plans. The major advantage of the new Edge is that its based on Chromium, the same foundation as Googles Chrome, so any Chome extensions you use can be easily ported over to the new Edge.Microsoft has jiggered and rejiggered Windows 10's release and support model enough times to befuddle even the most astute follower. Each time, the company downplayed what had been true and highlighted what had become the new truth. That's how things work. But it's left users without context.

Here is a brief history of how Microsoft reacted to balking customers and changed the cadence of Windows 10.

3...

Before Microsoft got around to launching Windows 10, it was talking up the development and release cadence, promising that it would roll out a refreshed operating system at the unprecedented rate of three times a year.

In an April 2015 Microsoft-hosted webinar, the company said the impending OS would receive upgrades - those that included new features and functionality - about every four months. Under that schedule, Windows 10 Home would first receive each feature upgrade; the same version would be served to Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise four months later.

(Microsoft may have selected the four-month span after running into resistance earlier, when in 2014 the company told enterprises that they had to deploy the then-new Windows 8.1 Update within 30 days or be denied future security fixes. After pushback, Microsoft extended the deadline to 120 days, or approximately four months.)

Microsoft admitted that the delay between Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise was so that consumers, shanghaied into testing, could find overlooked bugs - giving engineers time to produce more stable, reliable code before it reached the company's most important customers, businesses.

Each feature upgrade would be supported with monthly security updates for only 12 months. That meant Microsoft would support three consecutive upgrades - N, N-1 and N-2, where N represents the current version - at a time.

Microsoft followed through on its every-four-months pace in 2015 when, after its July 29, 2015 launch of Windows 10, the first feature upgrade was released Nov. 10, 2015.

But the schedule was quickly tossed out the window. During 2016, Microsoft released just one feature upgrade; it was named "Anniversary Update," marked 1607 and began reaching customers Aug. 2, 2016.

By then, Windows 10's initial release model was already a shambles.

2...

Just days after the November 2015 feature upgrade appeared - designated 1511 in Microsoft's then-new yymm numeric label format - a Gartner Research analyst agreed that the Redmond, Wash. developer was already signaling an impending slow-down.

Those signals came from changes to online documentation, which began to use the phrase "two to three times per year" when discussing the pace of feature upgrades. Previously, the tempo had been described as a flat three times per year.

Microsoft also began to stress that the calendar wouldn't drive upgrades, seeming to reinforce the idea that fewer upgrades might be issued. "Although Microsoft is currently planning to release approximately two to three feature upgrades per year, the actual frequency and timing of releases will vary," the firm said in a detailed description of Windows 10's release and maintenance strategy.

But it wasn't until April 2017, about 18 months later, that Microsoft formally announced a twice-a-year schedule for Windows 10's feature upgrades. It also set March and September as the targets for the two annual releases. ""We've ... heard our customers want more predictability and simplicity from the Windows 10 update servicing model to help make deployments and updates of Microsoft products easier," Bernardo Caldas, general manager of Windows commercial marketing, said in an April 19, 2017, blog post.

The uncertainty Caldas referenced was, of course, a result of Microsoft's own waffling: Two upgrades the year of release, just one the entire year after that. What was next? One upgrade? Two? More? And when? Questions like those were sore spots for Microsoft's commercial customers. "From an enterprise perspective, predictability is always key," Michael Silver of Gartner said in an interview.

Two years of twice-annual upgrades followed - tagged 1703, 1709, 1803 and 1809 - even though the releases were sometimes problem-plagued. This spring's 1803, for instance, was held up several weeks after a critical "blue screen of death" (BSOD) flaw was discovered. Six months later, 1809 was pulled from distribution early on because Microsoft missed a bug that annihilated users' files during the migration.

The twice-a-year upgrade release schedule required Microsoft to expand security support from 12 to 18 months. But the company would still support three upgrades simultaneously, the same N, N-1 and N-2 backed previously.

1...?

Two remains Microsoft's upgrade strategy at this point, but the company's also made moves that can be read as presaging another reduction.

Still wrestling with enterprise customers' complaints, Microsoft last month declared another major change to support, if not to the release cadence. Beginning with 1809, Microsoft said it would support each fall's Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education feature upgrade for 30 months, not 18. (Enterprise's/Education's spring upgrade, and all those for all other editions, would continue to receive the now-standard 18 months.)

But Microsoft would keep spitting out two feature upgrades annually, one in March-April, the other in September-October. "This [change] maintains the semi-annual update cadence as our north star and retains the option for customers that want to update twice a year," Jared Spataro, lead marketing executive for Office and Windows, said in a Sept. 6 announcement.

Outside industry analysts said that that is unlikely. "I think enterprises will fall into an annual cadence," said Gartner's Stephen Kleynhans. The reason: Microsoft's business customers had long pressed the vendor to change what they saw as a frantic tempo. They would not skip the opportunity to slow down.

Organizations running Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Education could do that by leveraging the longer 30-month support span to skip one, two or with some fancy deployment footwork, even three feature upgrades. (Computerworld spelled out how IT could adopt an every-two-year cadence by ignoring three consecutive upgrades.)

With the 12-month support gap between fall and spring feature upgrades - for Enterprise and Education, anyway - would Microsoft reduce the release number to just one a year?

Susan Bradley, a computer network and security consultant, moderator of the PatchMangement.org mailing list and writer for AskWoody.com - the Windows-centric site run by Woody Leonard, a Computerworld blogger - didn't know whether Microsoft would slow the pace. But she definitely thought it should.

"The odd cadence [in which] spring gets the shorter [support] period, fall gets the longer, means, in my opinion, that they realize that enterprises will drop into a fall-only cadence model and only update at most, every two years," Bradley said. "[But] I still think that all customers, from home users to enterprises, need this two-year support. All customers need this same acknowledgement that change management isn't easy and we need time to deal with these feature releases."

Others had more confidence in Microsoft continuing to issue two upgrades a year.

"I don't see them backing off on two a year," countered Gartner's Kleynhans. Instead, he envisions Microsoft modifying the roles of the fall and spring upgrades.

"I think the spring update may become a little more experimental," he said, seeing Microsoft soliciting feedback on what he thought would be "a little more risky" features, which could conceivably be dropped if the trial balloon didn't lift off.New York University professor and global economist Nouriel Roubini testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking last week, saying cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin are the mother of all scams and bubbles.

He followed that assertion up by calling blockchain, the technology unpinning bitcoin, "the most over-hyped  and least useful  technology in human history."

Today, Roubini doubled down on his claims in a column published on CNBC.com in which he said blockchain has promised to cure the world's ills through decentralization but is "just a ruse to separate retail investors from their hard-earned real money."

Blockchain, which can be used to create a decentralized, permissioned electronic ledger for all kinds of business transactions, "has not even improved upon the standard electronic spreadsheet, which was invented in 1979," Roubini wrote in the op-ed column.

"There is no institution under the sun  bank, corporation, non-governmental organization, or government agency  that would put its balance sheet or register of transactions, trades, and interactions with clients and suppliers on public decentralized peer-to-peer permissionless ledgers," Roubini wrote. "There is no good reason why such proprietary and highly valuable information should be recorded publicly."

Roubini is known for having been one of the few economists who predicted the 2008 financial crisis. Yet, after witnessing bitcoin's fall in value over the past year, Roubini said it and other cryptocurrencies represent the mother of all market bubbles, enticing investors, "especially folks with zero financial literacy  individuals who could not tell the difference between stocks and bonds"  into a frenzy of bitcoin and crypto buying.

Does Roubini understand cryptocurrency and blockchain?

Roubini's testimony before the Senate Banking Committee was "certainly entertaining and will get lot of media attention," said Vipul Goyal, an associate professor in the Computer Science Department at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). "However, it's unclear to me if he is really a technology expert and understands the world of crypto," he added.

Forrester Research

Goyal pointed to leading tech vendors such as Amazon, IBM, Microsoft and Oracle who are investing heavily in blockchain and have rolled out blockchain-as-a-service offerings (BaaS) that let businesses use the cloud to create permissioned blockchains for business partners to use.

Prior to becoming a professor at CMU, Goyal worked as a Microsoft researcher for seven years. He noted that while he was employed there, Microsoft's CEO, Satya Nadella, spoke multiple times about his vision for blockchain.

"Surely, these are not naive gullible people which Roubini talked about," Goyal said.

Created in 2009, a single bitcoin's value as a universal digital currency skyrocketed in 2017 and early 2018, reaching $19,666 at its apex last year. Over the past nine months, however, bitcoin's value has tumbled more than 65% to about $6,500 today. Roubini called the collapse the "crypto-apocalypse."

At the same time bitcoin's value was plummeting, the technology underpinning it was growing in popularity as a business transaction tool, enabling a "permissioned" or private electronic ledger that is both immutable and transparent to anyone authorized to view it in a group.

Blockchain has been piloted and rolled out for cross-border financial transactions, as a platform for supply chain management and as the basis for a new "trust economy." Even healthcare facilities are investigating the technology as a way to securely exchange patient healthcare information.

In some ways, blockchain is a victim of its own success, Goyal said, noting that blockchain was taken "public" too soon.

"Wall Street and financial investors started tracking it on a daily basis and that became the measure of success rather than how the underlying technology was developing," Goyal said.

Any disruptive technology takes several years to play out, become mature and find its place in the world, he said. The internet, Goyal noted, needed a decade to gain traction, and AI took even more time. Even cloud computing took several years to catch on, he said.

"I think one should be patient and give [blockchain] time to mature rather than pass a sweeping judgement without any technical understanding just based on the price of cryptocurrencies," Goyal said.

Martha Bennett, a principal analyst at Forrester Research, said that while blockchain is not unique in its ability to securely exchange data among disparate parties, other technologies lack key blockchain attributes.

For example, blockchain-based architectures provide the basis for exchanging data and automating processes in a shared infrastructure, without any single party being in charge, Bennett noted.

"This, combined with the innovation opportunities inherent in the tokenization of digital and physical assets, means that we can build new business and trust models," Bennett said via email. "However, we need to design these first; evidence to date suggests that this is going to be the hardest part."

FinTech is the real revolution

Roubini was adamant, however, arguing that the real revolution in financial services is FinTech  and it has nothing to do with Blockchain or crypto.

"It is a revolution built on artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things," he said.

Thousands of businesses such as PayPal, Venmo and Square use FinTech to disrupt every aspect of financial intermediation involving hundreds of millions of daily users in the US. Around the globe, billions more use similar low-cost, efficient digital payment systems such as Alypay and WeChat Pay in China; UPI-based systems in India; and M-Pesa in Kenya and Africa, according to Roubini.

Maersk A blockchain solution from IBM and Maersk can help manage and track the paper trail of tens of millions of shipping containers across the world by digitizing the supply chain process.

"And financial institutions are making precise lending decisions in seconds rather than weeks, thanks to a wealth of online data on individuals and firms," Roubini said. "With time, such data-driven improvements in credit allocation could even eliminate cyclical credit driven booms and busts."

James Wester, IDC's research director Worldwide Blockchain Strategies, said he read all 37 pages of Roubini's Senate testimony and while some of his criticisms are "slightly overstated," they're not off-base  especially the ones concerning bitcoin, blockchain and financial services.

Blockchain and other cryptocurrencies are currently less efficient than existing solutions for clearing and settling a high volume of transactions, Wester noted.

For example, Roubini accurately pointed out that because its proof of work (PoW) consensus mechanism requires nodes (servers) to complete a complicated mathematical problem as a way of authenticating new data entries, bitcoin only allows for five to seven transactions a second.

"It is secure  so far  but at the cost of no scalability," Roubini told legislators. "And since its mining is now massively centralized  as an oligopoly of miners now control its mining  its security is at risk."

IBM After piloting a blockchain-based supply chain tracking system, Walmart and Sam's Club are telling suppliers to get their product data into the system so they can begin tracking produce from farm to store. The deadline: September 2019.

Industry groups, including the Ethereum Foundation, have taken on the challenge of increasing the scalability and performance of blockchains.

"But, he [Roubini] insists on using a very narrow definition of 'blockchain' that discounts implementations and use cases that are already seeing some traction and success," Wester said via email. "For instance, he says private permissioned blockchains are 'not truly a 'blockchain.'"

Wester took the biggest exception to Roubini's implication that everyone involved in blockchain is a charlatan.

"There are certainly people who are selling blockchain as a panacea for just about everything that plagues humanity, but even within the community of technology providers, programmers and more who are involved in blockchain projects  those people are not taken seriously," Wester said.

"There are also plenty of thoughtful, smart people involved in blockchain across multiple industries who are looking to apply the technology  even as Professor Roubini defines it  to solve some interesting problems," he continued. "It might be more fruitful to engage them in good faith."As Ive written previously, Im very skeptical of Bloombergs report about the Chinese placing hardware spy chips on server motherboards used by U.S. companies. China is actively spying on U.S. businesses all the time, I believe, and has already stolen most of the intellectual property secrets they are interested in. The Chinese are on their way to becoming the worlds leading economic power, and manufacturing computer chips is a big part of that equation. I dont think they would jeopardize that business so blatantly.

If any good is to come out of the Bloomberg article, it is bringing the problem of the supply chain to the forefront. If nearly every computer device and chip is made by potential adversaries, how can you ever be assured that what you are buying doesnt have intentional bugs or even spying chips?

If nearly every computer device and chip is made by potential adversaries, how can you ever be assured that what you are buying doesnt have intentional bugs or even spying chips?

The supply chain is the aggregation of all entities that provide the products and services needed for other entities to provide their products and services to their customers. Theoretically, any entity can knowingly or unknowingly introduce insecurity that impacts the final product. This is the exact issue that the Bloomberg authors and their anonymous sources allude to: that a spy chip can be placed on motherboards that eventually get placed into servers used by foreign companies.

IT supply chain risk has always existed

This is not a new issue. The worlds best security analysts, intelligence agencies, and security teams have been working on this issue for well over a decade. It has become a huge concern and is possibly one of the biggest problems all nations could face. In an interconnected world, how can you trust any of the dozens to hundreds of separate components and companies involved in the supply chain?

Well, to start off, were already trusting it and have done so for over a half-a-century. Weve been living with computer device supply chain risk since personal computers were invented. They contained foreign-supplied chips from the start and have ever since. So far, despite occasional media flare-ups, compromise by foreign adversaries has been sparse to non-existent, depending on which nation youre trying to defend. It isnt just the U.S. that has a supply chain trust issue. As I pointed out last week, the NSA and FBI are known for placing spying software and hardware into other adversaries supply chains.

We are handling the cost/risks trade-off fairly well. Yes, a compromise executed through the supply chain has happened a few times, but it hasnt been widespread. Or has it? The sad fact is that, because the world has no coordinated way of checking for or detecting maliciously placed spy software or hardware, we really dont know how bad the problem is. Its very hard to do a cost/benefit analysis on something you cant even put a price tag on.

Keeping the supply chain status quo is not an option

So, one solution is no solution: Keep things as-is. As far as we know, incidents of nations using supply-chain malicious inducements are rare. If a nation-state compromised the supply chain too routinely, none of the other nations would buy its chips. It would be a self-solving solution. Weve made it so far, so good, using this strategy.

When do you use a detect-and-regulate supply chain strategy?

How do you measure the risk of an adversary maliciously compromising your nations supply chain, especially regarding military weapons, like the U.S. did with North Korea for years? If youre unfamiliar with this story, lets just say that North Koreas earlier string of bad luck in testing ballistic missile rockets, where they either exploded upon take-off or went careening badly off course soon after take-off, was a supply chain issue, likely involving the U.S. Once the Russians stepped in to help North Korea get rid of its supply chain issues, those ballistic rockets stopped exploding and stayed on course. Whos to say it cant happen to the U.S. or any other nation?

Well, for one, the military already has programs to prevent supply chain issues for its most critical infrastructure. Many levels of the U.S. government have programs that look for malicious supply chain issues. Thats precisely why I dont believe that we have a widespread issue of Chinese spying chips all over the U.S.

The question is at what level of the supply chain do we start requiring stricter oversight and monitoring? For example, we know there are tens of millions of vulnerable wifi routers and web cameras, many of which are just consumer-focused. How do we know a foreign adversary isnt exploiting the router or camera (or baby monitor) at the home of engineers and executives of critical infrastructure companies, as an example? We dont.

The question is at what level of the supply chain do we start requiring stricter oversight and monitoring?

The opposite school of thought to the keep the status quo argument is that we need to check all computer devices for spying hardware, software and firmware. This can be done by government or industry groups (like the Underwriters Laboratories [UL] or Consumer Reports). The problem is that all governments want to spy on people  its own people, and those in other countries. Asking the government to make sure everything is secure and not spying is asking for the fox to guard the henhouse. At the same time, Im not sure we can do what needs to be done without governmental involvement.

The supply chain security solution needs to be global

To instill trust in the IT supply chain, we need to start with a global, universal declaration, which all signatory nations agree to, that says something like: We will not hack using intentional, maliciously induced supply chain issues. I like this declaration because it leaves governments wiggle room to take advantage of zero day exploits they discover but are not involved in causing. Heck, just getting this agreement would be a huge win for the world.

Second, we need the government to create a nationally funded regulatory group, much like the UL, but focused on testing for and ferreting out supply chain issues on computer devices. Any citizen could buy a device without the supply chain stamp of approval, but know they have a higher risk of a supply chain issue being involved. This would allow people and entities that want more assurance against supply chain attacks to get it, while still allowing companies that need to innovate faster than a regulatory framework allows to do so.

Every nation needs a nationally created and funded regulatory group that can look for supply chain issues but isnt directly governed by the government. Its not perfect. Its like asking the foxes to pay for the shepherds who protect the henhouse, but I dont see any other realistic way for a supply chain security solution to actually work. Or we can keep the status quo and hope for the best.Google will aim Google Plus solely at enterprise users as it shuts down consumer access to its ailing social network over the next few months.

Google announced plans to discontinue Google Plus last week, following reports of a security flaw that exposed user data to third-party developers. The breach was discovered and patched by the company in March as part of an internal audit of privacy controls, dubbed Project Strobe. But the incident was not made public until recently.

Google launched 'Plus' in 2011 as a competitor to Facebook, but failed to gain significant traction in trying to displace its rival. Despite having 395 million monthly active users, actual time spent with Plus remains low; Google said that 90% of user sessions last less than five seconds.

Consumer access to Google Plus is slated to end in August 2019.

Even so, Google said that it remains committed to supporting the platform for G Suite subscribers, Google's cloud productivity suite for business customers. (This is not the first time Google has canned a struggling consumer product that it continued selling to businesses: Google Glass saw a similar fate.)

[W]e have many enterprise customers who are finding great value in using Google Plus within their companies, said Ben Smith, Google Fellow and vice president of Engineering, in a company blog post. Our review showed that Google Plus is better suited as an enterprise product where co-workers can engage in internal discussions on a secure corporate social network.

At the companys Cloud Next event in London last week, the company unveiled new business-focused features as part of the new direction for Google Plus, and cited Nielsen and French retailer Auchan as large organizations already using the application to connect thousands of employees.

New features include the ability for G Suite admins to moderate and review employee posts, which builds on other recent additions such as a dashboard for community engagement metrics. Admins will also be able to define custom streams that contain communications related to a particular subject.

Google G Suite admins will have more control to moderate and review employee posts in Google Plus.

In addition, message tags should make it easier for workers to share information with the right colleagues, Google said, with draft posts and the ability to see suggested tags. The goal is to help employees keep track of discussion topics that are relevant to their role.

The new features will roll out in 2019.

With this new Google Plus experience, G Suite customers can create a stronger connective tissue across large organizations, said David Conway, product manager, in a blog post.

Googles announcement should be seen as a starting point, analysts said. Its good to see Google talk about enterprise social networks more seriously, but these features appear to be incremental, said Larry Cannell, a research director at Gartner.

As an enterprise social network, Google Plus faces competition from established tools such as Microsoft Yammer, Jive and Facebook's Workplace, which recently bolstered support for collaboration between multi-company groups.

Googles repositioning of Google Plus comes as more businesses embrace the team chat tools that have emerged in recent years, such as Slack and Microsoft Teams. Google has its own take, Hangouts Chat, which started life within Google Plus.

These workstream collaboration tools promise to aid more effective communication and collaboration between colleagues, and deliver higher adoption rates than past iterations of social networks.

Google is boosting its efforts in the enterprise communication and collaboration space at a time of transition, said Richard Edwards, service director and distinguished research analyst at Freeform Dynamics.

Microsoft is slowly but surely leading its customer base to Office 365 where it has Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Yammer, and Teams waiting, he said. Google Plus is designed to help communities form and engage, just like Yammer. But things have moved on, so its the likes of Teams and Slack that Google needs to think about now.Support Local Journalism

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Subscribe or contributeNew Illinois Wesleyan Trustees Named, Officers Elected

Oct. 16, 2018

BLOOMINGTON, Ill.  Five new members  Rick Hanna 81, Martha Henderson 83, Nancy J. Hutson 71, Colleen L. Kannaday and Dr. Laura Randolph 92  have been named to the Illinois Wesleyan University Board of Trustees.

Of the 43 Board members, 10 current members were re-elected, and four new trustees and one new Alumni Association Trustee representative were named. The five new members include:

Rick Hanna 81

Rick Hanna 81 served as PricewaterhouseCoopers Global Automotive Leader from 2010 until his retirement in June of 2017, after several decades of work in the automotive industry.

Throughout his career, Hanna served a number of public and multinational companies, including a Fortune 10 company and two Fortune 50 companies as Global Engagement Partner. Hanna has extensive expertise in the automotive industry having worked with both automakers and suppliers with their U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reporting matters, preparation of financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and international accounting standards, and development of international standard governance policies and practices. Hanna earned a bachelors degree in accounting from Illinois Wesleyan.

Martha Henderson 83

Martha Henderson 83 has worked as an attorney for numerous Fortune 500 companies, including General Motors and Toyota, throughout her career spanning more than 30 years.

In addition, she has handled complex litigation for public agencies such as Los Angeles Airports District and Air Quality Management District. She has worked both independently and as a Managing Partner for several large law firms. Outside her career as an attorney, Henderson has authored and published three novels: Life, Unraveling, Unreasonable Xpectations and Firemens Wives. She graduated with honors from Illinois Wesleyan with a bachelors degree in business and political science, before earning her Juris Doctor degree from the National University School of Law.

Nancy J. Hutson 71

Nancy J. Hutson 71 currently serves on the boards of several health and pharmaceutical companies following her extensive career in scientific research.

Hutson joined Pfizer, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, as a research scientist in 1981 after serving as a member of the faculty at the Pennsylvania State University School of Medicine. During her 25 years with the company, she held several research and development (R&D) leadership positions and served as a mentor to many senior women in her field. After retiring from her position as Senior VP of Global R&D and Director of Groton/New London Laboratories, Hutson continues to serve on many pharmaceutical industry boards. Hutson earned a bachelors degree in biology from Illinois Wesleyan and a Ph.D. in Physiology and Biochemistry from Vanderbilt University, after which she took part in a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Oxford.

Colleen L. Kannaday

Colleen L. Kannaday is the president of Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, in Normal, Illinois as well as Advocate Eureka Hospital, in Eureka, Illinois.

Prior to joining Advocate, Kannaday served as president of St. Francis Hospital & Health Center in Blue Island, Illinois. She was also Vice President of Operations at St. Eugene Community Hospital in Dillon, South Carolina. She currently serves on the Bloomington-Normal Airport Authority Board, the Community Cancer Center Board and the Illinois State University Foundation Board. She is also the chair for BN Advantage and a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Kannaday holds a masters degree in health care administration from Saint Louis University and a bachelors degree in political science from Santa Clara University.

Dr. Laura Randolph 92

Dr. Laura Randolph 92 is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has been in practice in the Bloomington-Normal area since 2004.

Her involvement in the local community includes serving on the Easter Seals Central Illinois Chapter Presidents Council, the Childrens Discovery Museum Foundation Guild, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and The Illinois Heart & Lung Society. In previous years, she has also offered free skin cancer screenings for Illinois Wesleyan students and faculty. Graduating from Illinois Wesleyan with honors in biology, Randolph obtained a doctorate of medicine from the The Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago. Randolph completed her residency in general surgery and her second residency in plastic surgery at Loyola University Medical Center.

Board of Trustees officers that were re-elected for the 2018-19 academic year include: George A. Vinyard 71, Chair; Willie G. Brown, Vice Chair; Herbert A. Getz 77, Vice Chair; W. Thomas Lawrence 80, Vice Chair; Robert E. Field 67, Treasurer; and Ann Marquis Fisher 82, Secretary.

Those members re-elected include: Michael A. Clark 76, Steven J. Dudash 99, Herbert A. Getz 77, Michael A. Mason 80, Stephen L. Ondra 80, Marc F. Talluto 94, Byron Tucci 66, George A. Vinyard 71, Steven J. Wannemacher 73, and Jill E. York 85.With Election Day about two weeks away, residents are reminded to participate in this years school board election.VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / Belmont Resources Inc. ("Belmont" or the "Company") (TSX.V:BEA; FSE: L3L1; DTC Eligible  CUSIP 080499403).

Kibby Basin Drilling to continue

Belmont plans to conduct up to 4,800 feet of additional drilling across four diamond core drill holes, as permitted in the Kibby MT survey area. Additionally, Belmont plans to conduct downhole geophysical surveys to test specific prospective layers for potential aquifers. Drilling is expected to commence shortly.

Belmont Resources Inc. is engaged in an option agreement with MGX Minerals Inc. (CSE: XMG) to carry out assessment and development of the Kibby Basin Property. MGX has until December 31, 2018 to earn another 25% (total 50%) interest with the goal of forming a 50/50 Joint Venture (the "Joint Venture") to utilize MGX's rapid lithium extraction technology.

Further to our news releases of September 12th and 28th, 2018 of encouraging Lithium values (up to 580 ppm in two separate depths). As previously reported September 12th a highlight of 100 feet between 1110 and 1210 feet averaging 415 ppm Li included a high of 580 ppm Li. On September 28th we reported; 20 of 25 samples below 1270 feet to 1798 feet exceeded 100 ppm Li with seven (7) samples containing greater than 375 ppm Li, including another high of 580 ppm Li at 1791 feet.

Belmont has delivered an additional 59 core samples on October 2nd from the lower section of drill hole KB-3 to ALS labs in Reno for assaying.

The Kibby Basin shares many characteristics with Clayton Valley, where lithium brines are being exploited, including: closed structural basin, large conductor at depth, lithium anomalies at surface and depth, evidence of a geothermal system, and potential aquifers in porous ash and gravel zones.

KB-3 water samples

KB-3 water samples were tested for various dissolved elements, however lithium concentrates were not anomalous, even though high concentrations were present in sediments (see above).Unexpected complications incurred in the geophysical logging and only a partial log was obtained due to collapse of the PVC casing at depth and inability to pull the upper steel casing. KB-4 methods will include down-hole geophysical surveying to improve the chances to accurately locate layers of high conductivity and porosity and allow high quality, representative samples to be taken where lithium concentrations are potentially higher.

NI 43-101 Disclosure

Robert ("Bob") G. Cuffney, Certified Professional Geologist, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

About Belmont Resources Inc.

Belmont is an emerging resource company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in Canada and Nevada, U.S.A.

For further information see our Website at: www.BelmontResources.com

-Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Nevadalithium/

-Twitter https://twitter.com/Belmont_Res

On March 30, 2016; the Company acquired sixteen placer (16) mining claims, representing 1036 hectares (2,560 acres) in Esmeralda County, Nevada, U.S.A. The Kibby Basin property is located 65 km north of Clayton Valley, Nevada-U.S.A. The Company believes the property to be highly prospective to host lithium. Subsequent ground geophysics & gravity surveys, surface sampling and a two hole- 2046 ft. diamond drill program have confirmed the presence of lithium on Kibby.

In June 2018; the Company has updated its land position staking, and now holds 126 x 20 acre additional placer mineral claims totaling approx. 1,020 hectares ( 2,520 acres) , adjoining the Kibby 16, for a total Kibby Basin land position (the "Property") to 2,056 hectares (5,080 acres).

In 50/50 ownership with International Montoro Resources Inc., Belmont has acquired and is exploring joint venture opportunities for its two significant uranium properties (Crackingstone -982 ha & Orbit Lake  11,109 ha) in the Uranium City District in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"James H. Place"

James H. Place

CEO/President

This Press Release may contain forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties, based on assumptions and judgments of management regarding future events or results that may prove to be inaccurate as a result of exploration and other risk factors beyond its control. Forward looking statements in this news release include statements about the possible raising of capital and exploration of our properties. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Companies forward-looking statements and expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval; that we may not be able to raise funds required, that conditions to closing may not be fulfilled and we may not be able to organize and carry out an exploration program in 2016; and other risks associated with being a mineral exploration and development company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable laws, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.According to author Mickey Dubrow Many people believe that America either is a Christian nation or should be. To be a true Christian nation, America would have to become a theocracy.

In his timely debut novel, American Judas, to be released by Newnan, Ga.-based publisher SFK Press, Mr. Dubrow illustrates how America cant be both a theocracy and a democracy without erasing the freedom we cherish.

He said, I was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

According to the American Bible Society, Chattanooga is the most Bible-minded city in the U.S. There were times when I experienced what happens when the wall between church and state is ignored.

One of my junior high school teachers required students to read from the New Testament before class. My high school scheduled events in the auditorium where preachers witnessed to the students about Christianity. My Jewish faith was occasionally challenged and I was asked why I didn't believe in God."

Dubrows novel isnt anti-Christianit is pro-freedom of religion, SFK Press publisher Steve McCondichie said. What makes the lead character heroic is not only his stance against tyranny but the motives for his bravery - an innate desire to freely exercise the religion of his ancestors as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

American Judas is a dystopian tale about a young couples life after opportunistic U.S. politicians abolish separation between Church and State. Seth and Maggie Ginsberg do their best to navigate an oppressive theocracy where fundamental Christianity is the only legal religion, and abortion, homosexuality, and adultery are outlawed. When a co-worker outs Seth as a Jew, Seth escapes to Mexico, but Maggie is sent to a Savior Camp. American Judas mixes political satire, suspense, and family drama, and explores, among other possibilities, lost faith in America and what this might mean for the freedoms we hold dear.

An award-winning writer/producer, Mickey Dubrow has written television promos, marketing presentations, and scripts for over thirty years. He has written personal essays and short stories for both print and online publications. He holds a BFA from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and is a member of the board of the Decatur Writers Studio. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and five cats.Vancouver, B.C., Canada / TheNewswire / October 16, 2018 - Deep-South Resources Inc. ("Deep-South" or "the Company") (TSX-V: DSM) announces that it has issued 3.5 million shares to Jeanette Gyldstoff Borg ("Seller") for the acquisition from Jeanette Gyldstoff Borg of 75% of RCR Quantum ("Quantum"), a Turkish company, which holds the Kapili Tepe project ("Project") comprising of one (1) mining license and two (2) exploration licenses in the Sivas Province in the North Central part of Turkey. Furthermore, Deep-South has issued 700,000 to Afrasia Mining & Energy Investment Holdings Ltd ("Afrasia") for the acquisition of all the exploration and metallurgical data of the project.

The shares will remain "in trust" with Deep-South's legal advisers until the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey ("Ministry") has notified its acceptance for the transfer of the shares of Quantum. The procedure for the acceptance is well advanced.

In the mean time, Deep-South's technical team will start planning the exploration program that will lead to a resource estimation report compliant with the NI 43-101.

The full terms of the acquisition can be seen in the press release of the company dated September 19, 2018 at the following link: Click Here

All securities issued pursuant to the Agreement will be subject to a holding period of four months and a day from the date of issuance.

Mr. John Akwenye, Chairman of Deep-South stated, "We are very enthusiastic with this transaction. We are securing a large area in the heart of a highly prospective area in one of the most mining friendly countries in the world. Kapili Tepe is a high-quality asset that adds strong value for our shareholders."

About the Kapili Tepe Project:

The Project is located close to Imranli in the province of Sivas in north-east Central Turkey, approximately 500Km due east from Ankara by good asphalt roads. The Kapili Tepe project is situated within Tethyan Orogenic Belt of Turkey. The project comprises one Mining License and two Exploration Licenses, which importantly are both contiguous and adjacent.

The licensed area covers approximately 50 Km2 and both the mineralized zones and structural hosting features have been proven by both geological and structural mapping to extend for many Km to both the north-east (of the Main Zone (MZ) and east (of the South-East Zone (SEZ) offering district size potential for the project.

Geologically the project could broadly be described as follows;

The project area sits on the Tethyan Orogenic Belt of Turkey. The property as a whole consists of ultramafic rocks that have been sheared and broken along thrust faults. Fluids travelling through the shear and along the thrust faults strongly altered the rocks over an area of several square kilometres.

The broad geology of the project area can therefore be regarded as several ophiolite thrust sheets bounded by highly altered and brecciated shear zones ("mineralized zones") which dip moderately to the south-east. The resultant copper and nickel mineralization which is strongly disseminated was deposited within the layered rocks, as evidenced by the numerous surface exposures of copper mineralised materials and staining.

The most important observations are :

There are more than twenty surface locations recorded with grades of over 1% copper showing, mainly oxides but some disseminated sulphides also appear;

The upper zone areas show stronger copper oxide mineralization, i.e. Malachite, Azurite and Cuprite, with high nickel grades;

More sulphide mineralisation occur as one gets deeper and disseminated as both grains and veining of dominantly chalcopyrite, but with Bornite, Chalcocite and Covellite;

All of these sulphides indicate potential Volcanic Massive Sulphide ("VMS") origin and the latter two; Chalcocite and Covellite are interesting as strong indicators for a significant zone of secondary enrichment (supergene).

The project has been explored by Falconbridge in the early 2000's. They have conducted geological mapping, large and deep induced polarization (IP) surveys, grab and rock sampling programs. Falconbridge has identified two extensive outcropping areas. The Main Zone (MZ) is outcropping over a length of 4,500 metres and a width between 75 and 100 metres. The South East Zone (SEZ) has overlapping outcrops over a length of 1,500 metres and an average width of 30 metres. Some of the rock sampling results as follows:

2002 assay samples Main Zone

Sample Cu (ppm) Ni (ppm) Co (ppm) Au (ppm) PG 09205 79,000 700 32 0.05 PG 02955 20,000 190 24 0.02 PG 02903 15,000 47 14 0.07

2002 assay samples South-East Zone

Sample Cu (ppm) Ni (ppm) Co (ppm) Au (ppm) PG 02918 56,000 3,900 210 0.04 PG 02906 730 36,000 89 0.01 PG 02956 120 11,000 220 0.01

In 2011, Red Crescent Resources, a company previously listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) acquired the project and has conducted a further confirmatory deep IP study review and some 1500 metres of drilling and some channel sampling. The diamond drilling was conducted at a maximum depth of 100 metres and included some results such as follows in MZ:

MZ - 001: Drilled 69 metres including:

True thickness (m) Weighted Average Cu (%) Depth from Depth To 10 0.49 27.8 37.8 Including 5.8 0.60 30.0 35.8

And some results such as follows in SEZ:

SEZ- 007 82.5 metres including:

True thickness (m) Weighted Average Cu (%) Depth From (m) (Depth To (m) 6.0 0.57 30.7 36.7 7.0 0.36 39.7 46.7 26.6 0.59 48.9 75.5 Including 8.3 1.12 54.3 62.6

In SEZ RCR has also conducted surface channel sampling over a 60m wide zone of outcropping copper mineralisation within listvenite exposures. The sampling was undertaken in the form of continuous 2 m channel samples as well as a 25-tonne bulk sample for process metallurgical test works. The channel samples were sent for mineralization study and preliminary metallurgical test work in South Africa at 3 independent laboratories and these tests were significantly indicative of both the strong poly-metallic nature of the mineralization for base & precious metals, as well as best potential process route.

The central portion of the sampled zone contains stockwork quartz and barite veining and returned an average grade of 1.04% Cu over approximately 26 m including a higher-grade zone of 2,1% Cu over 4 m.

Cobalt grades for the SEZ were not seen as representative as they were only tested from samples taken from the small bulk sample test pit area. However, they assayed with grades of 0.35% to 0.66%. The 0.66% Co sample also tested at 19.7% Ni.

Mineral resources have not been estimated yet on the project nor has it demonstrated economic viability at this stage. The historical drilling and sampling results demonstrate potential to classify the project as one of merit but are considered too speculative geologically to complete a NI 43-101 resource estimation at this time and it is uncertain that those historic results will be converted into minerals resources.

All the reports and information above are available at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey and is also available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com in the file of Red Crescent Resources.

Alan M. Clegg Pr. Eng PMP Pr.CPM FSAIMM, has approved and is responsible for the scientific and technical part of this press release and is the designated Qualified Person under the terms of National Instrument 43-101.

Alan M. Clegg was President & CEO of Red Crescent Resources Ltd (RCR) and was supervising the exploration project and was a qualified person for Red Crescent. Data verification and exploration results reported by RCR were all filed on SEDAR and were verified by the qualified person of RCR. MSA Group of South Africa were contracted by RCR to manage the field exploration programs and were responsible for the data verification, including sampling, analytical and test data. As such Alan M. Clegg verified the underlying information contained in this press release. The data and information from Falconbridge reports has not been fully verified but MSA Group was able to verify the geophysical surveying data and soil and rock chip sampling under custody at the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey. MSA were contracted by RCR and their work was verified by Alan Clegg. MSA nor than Alan Clegg have reported any limitation or failure in the data disclosed in this press release. However, the historical work and results, such has drilling results by Flaconbridge, that have not been verified by MSA Group or Alan Clegg are not reported in this press release.

The drill and sampling of RCR were assayed independently as follows: Gold and copper assays were performed by the ALS Chemex laboratory in Izmir, Turkey. Sample preparation and gold analysis using conventional fire assay procedures with AAS finish on 50g aliquots was carried out (method code Au-AA24). Copper analysis was carried out by aqua regia digest with AAS finish (method code Cu-AA46). In addition, gold and multi-element analyses are currently being performed by ISO17025 accredited ALS Chemex laboratory in Vancouver, Canada.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) for the Kapili Tepe Copper Project includes a chain of custody protocol, and systematic submittal of approximately 20% QA/QC samples including field duplicates, field blanks and certified reference samples into the sample stream submitted to the laboratory.

About Turkey

Turkey is considered as one of the most prospective and mining friendly country. Their recent amendments to the mining legislation and Investment incentive scheme provide value added taxes exemptions, custom duty exemptions, reduced royalty for strategic metals employee income tax relief and 80% tax reduction rate for certain projects depending on their geographical position within the country. Large companies such as Eldorado Gold, Teck Resources, Inmet Mining, and First Quantum Minerals are operating in Turkey currently.

About Deep-South Resources Inc.

Deep-South Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company largely held by Namibian shareholders and Teck Resources Ltd, which holds about 35% of Deep-South share capital. Deep-South is actively involved in the acquisition, exploration and development of major mineral properties. Deep-South currently holds 100% of the Haib Copper project in Namibia, one of the largest copper porphyry in Africa. Deep-South growth strategy is to focus on the exploration and development of quality assets, in significant mineralized trends, close to infrastructure, in stable countries.

More information is available by contacting Pierre Leveille, President & CEO at

+1-819-340-0140 or at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or

Paradox Public Relations at +1-514-341-0408.

Cautionary statement on forward-looking information

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws.

Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release.

All such forward-looking information and statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Deep-South's management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believe are appropriate in the circumstances. These statements, however, are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information or statements including, but not limited to, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices, including the price of copper; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, or delays in the development of infrastructure, the failure of exploration programs or other studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued studies, development or operations, and the results of economic studies and evaluations. Other important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements also include those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the company's most recently filed MD&A filed by Deep-South. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. The factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information and statements, and the risks that could cause the actual results to differ materially are set forth in the "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in the company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis report and Annual Information Form, available at www.sedar.com.

This news release also contains references to estimates of Mineral Resources. The estimation of Mineral Resources is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation, which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Mineral Resource estimates may have to be re-estimated based on, among other things: (i) fluctuations in copper prices or other mineral prices; (ii) results of drilling; (iii) results of metallurgical

testing and other studies; (iv) changes to proposed mining operations, including dilution; (v) the evaluation of mine plans subsequent to the date of any estimates; and (vi) the possible failure to receive required permits, approvals and licences, or changes to any such permits, approvals or licence.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release.VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Kirkland Mining Inc. (WKM:TSXV) (West Kirkland, WKM or the Company) reports results from recent surface continuous channel chip sampling by the Company on the newly identified MJ Zone, located on the 75% owned portion of the Companys regional Hasbrouck Nevada land position:

2018 Surface Composite 20' Rock Chips  MJ Zone Traverse Length (ft) Length (m) Au Grade (g/t) Au Grade (opt) Orientation MJ-01 80 24 2.69 0.078 Across strike MJ-04 80 24 0.70 0.020 Oblique to strike

The new MJ Zone on the Hasbrouck property was previously intersected with drilling on the adjacent Gold Mountain ground near the property boundary. See the Companys news release dated October 4, 2018. A historic 230 foot (70m) drill intercept returned a grade of 0.42 g/t gold (0.012 ounces per ton gold) starting at 250 feet (76m) from surface and was located on the same MJ Zone structure now mapped and sampled by WKM on surface. The historic drill intercept is open up-dip and was not further investigated at the time of drilling due to its proximity to the property boundary as it existed at that time. The property position has now been consolidated by WKM through its 100% option of the Gold Mountain property. The true thickness of the MJ Zone is not known at this time.

The historic drill hole was approximately 400 feet (122m) to the NW along strike from the new gold values on surface reported today. Since consolidating the district into one property package, WKM has compiled all the data, mapped the structures and conducted sampling. The MJ Zone is well defined with 1,000 feet (305m) of untested strike length that will now be tested by WKM.

The mineralization at surface is very similar in style to the Three Hills ore hosted nearby in the same formation and the same structurally controlled setting.

The MJ Zone adds to the exploration potential at surface announced previously at the Gold Zone Adit area of the Gold Mountain property where underground workings, and WKM and previous operators drilling have outlined a clear near surface target.

The objective of the WKM work is to add near surface resources for early planning in addition to permitted gold reserves on the district-scale land position controlled by the Company near Tonopah, Nevada.

WKM controls (75% interest) and operates the Hasbrouck gold project with 762,000 ounces of proven and probable reserves (45,270,000 tons at 0.6 Au g/t; 8.0 Ag g/t for 10,569,000 contained Ag ounces) and has a 100% option interest in the Gold Mountain area which is the subject of recent exploration.

Figure 1





Interest in southwest Nevada has increased recently as a result of increased gold exploration activity in the area and a corporate acquisition. WKM has one of the few permitted projects with well drilled reserves.

ABOUT THE HASBROUCK GOLD PROJECT

The Hasbrouck Gold Project contains Proven & Probable Reserves of 784,000 gold equivalent oz, (45,270,000 tons at 0.58 Au g/t for 762,000 contained Au oz; 7.99 Ag g/t for 10,569,000 contained Ag ounces. NPV5 Post Tax (US$1,275/oz Au) estimated at US$120M, IRR 43% (Technical Report and Updated Preliminary Feasibility Study for The Hasbrouck and Three Hills Gold-Silver Project, Esmeralda County, Nevada, USA, Report Date: September 14, 2016).

QUALIFIED PERSON

R. Michael Jones P.Eng., CEO of West Kirkland Mining, is a non-independent Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by NI 43-101. He has reviewed the information contained in this news release and has verified the data, including the historical data, by hiring qualified geologists and engineers and has completed a review of the detailed technical information. Mineral Reserve information in this news release relating to the Hasbrouck Gold Project has been developed and approved by Thomas L. Dyer, P.E., of MDA following CIM standards. Historic information does not have a chain of custody and is accepted by the QP for exploration target work.

QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL

West Kirkland Mining Inc. utilizes a well-documented system of inserting blanks and standards into the assay stream and has a strict chain of custody for samples taken by the Company. Assays by the Company are completed at independent laboratories which have internal quality assurance and quality control systems and procedures. Assays were performed by ALS Chemex Labs Ltd., by fire assay and ICP methods.

On behalf of West Kirkland Mining Inc.

R. Michael Jones

Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please see the Companys website at www.wkmining.com or contact us by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, without limitation, the exploration and project approach of a Prefeasibility Study. Historical mineral title also has risk of an unrecorded claim. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the market for gold or other minerals that may be produced generally, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's ability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies and other risks associated with the exploration and development of mineral properties. The reader is referred to the Company's public filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects which may be accessed through the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / Prophecy Development Corp. ("Prophecy" or the "Company") (TSX:PCY, OTCQX:PRPCF, Frankfurt:1P2N) is pleased to announce that the Company has executed a lease agreement (the "Lease") with an arms-length private Mongolian company (the "Lessee") whereby the Lessee plans to perform mining operations at Prophecy's Ulaan Ovoo coal mine, and will pay Prophecy US$2 (the "Production Royalty") for every tonne of coal shipped from the Ulaan Ovoo site premises.

Bekzod Kasimov, Prophecy's VP, Business Development, comments:

"This Lease signifies the potential restart of the Ulaan Ovoo mine to supply quality thermal coal for much needed regional consumption.

With nameplate production capacity of 2 million tonnes a year, Ulaan Ovoo is a large coal field featuring a single, massive coal seam of 40 to 80 metre thickness with outcrops and low strip ratio carrying minimal technical risk.

Ulaan Ovoo's Production Royalty is expected to provide Prophecy with a passive income stream while Prophecy continues to advance the Gibellini vanadium project in Nevada as the Company's top priority."

About the Lease:

The Lessee is an established company actively mining at Mongolia's largest coking coal deposit, Tavan Tolgoi. The Lessee has paid Prophecy US$100,000 in cash, as a non-refundable advance royalty payment and is preparing, at its own and sole expense, to restart and operate the Ulaan Ovoo mine with its own equipment, supplies, housing and crew. The Lessee will pay all government taxes and royalties related to its proposed mining operation.

The Lease is valid for 3 years with an annual advance royalty payment ("ARP") for the first year of $100,000 due upon signing, payment of which is announced herein, $150,000 and $200,000 due on the 1st and 2nd anniversary of the Lease, respectively. The ARP can be credited towards the $2 per tonne Production Royalty payments to be made to Prophecy as the Lessee starts to sell Ulaan Ovoo coal. Many parties have expressed buyer interest in Ulaan Ovoo's coal. Prophecy will provide a further update once the Lessee finalizes the mine start date and sales plans for 2019.

The 3-year Lease can be extended upon mutual agreement.

About Ulaan Ovoo:

Ulaan Ovoo is located in northern Mongolia, 17km from the Zeltura border to Russia by dirt road, and 120km by road from Mongolia's Sukhbaatar railway station (which connects to the Trans-Siberian railway network).

Ulaan Ovoo produced over 500,000 tonnes of coal from 2012 to 2014 which was sold to 28 separate Russian and Mongolian customers such as Erdenet Copper Mining Corporation, UB Railway, and Khutul Cement before it was put on standby in 2014.

The benchmark Newcastle thermal coal price has rebounded from a 2014 low of US$61 per tonne to a current price of $114 per tonne, which are levels not seen since 2011.

Ulaan Ovoo features an average strip ratio of 1.8 BCM waste/tonne of coal. The coal mined yielded 5,000 kcal/kg GCV, less than 1% sulphur and 8% ash which is well-suited for power plants, cement plants and heat boiler applications. Wardrop Engineering (Tetra Tech) estimated 174 Mt of measured and 34 Mt of indicated coal resources in an NI 43-101 prefeasibility study in 2010.

Qualified Person

The technical contents of this news release have been prepared under the supervision of Danniel Oosterman, VP, Exploration. Mr. Oosterman is not independent of the Company in that he is employed as a consultant to the Company and most of his income is derived from the Company. Mr. Oosterman is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.

About Prophecy

Prophecy is developing the Gibellini project  the only large-scale, open-pit, heap-leach vanadium project of its kind in North America. Located in Nevada, Gibellini has the largest NI 43-101 compliant measured and indicated primary vanadium resource known in the USA and is currently undergoing EPCM and EIS preparation. Prophecy also has mining projects in Mongolia and Bolivia. Further information on Prophecy can be found at www.prophecydev.com.

PROPHECY DEVELOPMENT CORP.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"John Lee"

Chairman

For more information about Prophecy, please contact Investor Relations:

+1.888.513.6286

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.prophecydev.com

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts, are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements, which reflect managements expectations regarding Prophecys future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These estimates and assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and other uncertainties and contingencies, many of which, with respect to future events, are subject to change and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by Prophecy. In making forward-looking statements as may be included in this news release, Prophecy has made several assumptions that it believes are appropriate, including, but not limited to assumptions that: all required third party contractual, regulatory and governmental approvals will be obtained for the development, construction and production of Prophecy's properties and the Chandgana power plant; there being no significant disruptions affecting operations, whether due to labour disruptions or other causes; currency exchange rates being approximately consistent with current levels; certain price assumptions for vanadium, silver, coal and other metals, prices for and availability of fuel, parts and equipment and other key supplies remain consistent with current levels; production forecasts meeting expectations; the accuracy of Prophecy's current mineral resource estimates; labour and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with Prophecy's current expectations; any additional required financing will be available on reasonable terms; and market developments and trends in global supply and demand for vanadium, energy, silver, coal and other metals meeting expectations. Prophecy cannot assure you that any of these assumptions will prove to be correct.

Numerous factors could cause Prophecys actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including the following risks and uncertainties, which are discussed in greater detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in Prophecy's most recent Management Discussion and Analysis and Annual Information Form as filed on SEDAR and posted on Prophecy's website: Prophecy's history of net losses and lack of foreseeable positive cash flow; exploration, development and production risks, including risks related to the development of Prophecy's mineral properties; Prophecy not having a history of profitable mineral production; commencing mine development without a feasibility study; the uncertainty of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates; the capital and operating costs required to bring Prophecy's projects into production and the resulting economic returns from its projects; foreign operations and political conditions, including the legal and political risks of operating in Bolivia and Mongolia, which are developing countries and being subject to their local laws; the availability and timeliness of various government approvals, permits and licenses; the feasibility, funding and development of Prophecy's projects; protecting title to Prophecys mineral properties; environmental risks; the competitive nature of the mining business; lack of infrastructure; Prophecy's reliance on key personnel; uninsured risks; commodity price fluctuations; reliance on contractors; Prophecy's need for substantial additional funding and the risk of not securing such funding on reasonable terms or at all; foreign exchange risk; anti-corruption legislation; recent global financial conditions; the payment of dividends; the inability of insurance to cover all potential risks associated with mining operations; conflicts of interest; and cyber-security risks related to the Companys reliance on information technology systems.

These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on Prophecy's forward-looking statements. Prophecy believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by reference herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In addition, although Prophecy has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Prophecy undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law.Infill drill hole SDH18-67 returns 1.81 g/t Au and 167.55 Ag over 17.9 meters near surface, including 4.46 g/t Au and 981.48 g/t Ag over 2.7 m

WHITE ROCK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / Orsu Metals Corporation (TSX-V: OSU) ("Orsu" or the "Company") is delighted to announce new excellent drilling results from infill holes at Zone 23, as part of the extended 12,500 meters ('m') drilling program at its Sergeevskoe Gold Project in Russia. The program is designed to deliver an estimation of a maiden resource in Q4 2018.

Highlights:

The Company received the assay results for drill holes SDH18-65, SDH18-66, SDH18-67 and SDH18-68 in Zone 23 with gold mineralization in all of them

Drill hole SDH18-67 returned particularly exceptional intercepts:

1.81 g/t Au and 167.55 g/t Ag over 17.9 m from 8.5 m (including 4.46 g/t Au and 981.48 g/t Ag over 2.7 m ) ,



4.62 g/t Au over 0.8 m from 40.2 m,



1.94 g/t Au over 3.65 m from 82.1 m,



0.55 g/t Au over 5.65 m from 120.2 m

Dr. Alexander Yakubchuk, Director of Exploration of Orsu commented: "We are extremely pleased with a flow of excellent drill intercepts, confirming high grade gold shoots and adding silver as bi-product at Zone 23. Very high grade silver intercepts demonstrate that some parts of the system are enriched in this important by-product metal, which will be further assayed and explored".

Dr Sergey V Kurzin, Executive Chairman of Orsu, commented: "It is the first time that we hit some truly high silver grades at Sergeevskoe. We have been systematically assaying, but largely ignoring the potential economic value of silver until now and concentrated on gold. But one can't ignore 5.5 ounces of silver, a rough equivalent of 2 grams of gold, crossed over almost 18 meters. We need to understand this silver occurrence, conceptualize it and test our emerging understanding of silver at Sergeevskoe while doing the next stage of exploration. I also note that we have already completed some in-fill drilling which means that even in our maiden NI43-101 resource to be prepared later in 2018 we expect to have some resources in measured and indicated categories, not just inferred."

The license of the Sergeevskoe Gold Project occurs immediately east from the Alexandrovskoe open pit and plant owned by Zapadnaya Gold Mining Ltd and to the west from the Klyuchevskoe license owned by Sun Gold Mining (Figure 1). The Klyuchevskoe (Klyuchi) gold deposit represents a +6 Moz gold endowment (see Orsu press-release dated September 21, 2016). Orsu owns a 90% interest in the Sergeevskoe Gold Project (see Orsu press-release December 1, 2017).

Figure 1. An outline of the 7.6 sq km Sergeevskoe license area with location of principal gold prospects and two adjacent open pits.

Orsu previously reported most promising gold mineralization at Zone 23 in the Main, Southern and New stockworks (see Orsu press-release August 22, 2018 and October 1, 2018). The quartz-tourmaline-sulfide stockworks are hosted primarily in the pre-mineral Permian granite intrusion, whereas mineralization appears to be Jurassic in age.

Both Main and Southern stockworks are now continuously drill-proven from sections 9080E to 9620E and only 1-m-intervals were intercepted in drill holes from section 9010E (Figure 2). The New stockwork can be most continuously traced from section 9720E to 9010E in the westernmost drilled section of Zone 23 and remains open westward.

Infill drill holes SDH18-67 and 68 intercepted Main, Southern and New stockworks (Table 1; Figures 2 and 3). Drill hole SDH18-67 intercepted 1.81 g/t Au and 167.55 g/t Ag over 17.9 m from 8.5 m (including 4.46 g/t Au and 981.48 g/t Ag over 2.7 m) in Main stockwork. This drill hole also intercepted 4.62 g/t Au over 0.8 m from 40.2 m, 1.94 g/t Au over 3.65 m from 82.1 m, 0.55 g/t Au over 5.65 m from 120.2 m. High grade silver mineralization is recorded in oxidized material and may be a product of supergene enrichment.

Figure 2. Surface expression of multiple west-east-trending gold-mineralized intervals at Zone 23, Adit 5 and southern part of Klyuchi West, Sergeevskoe Gold Project.

Figure 3. Section 9080E (looking west) showing mineralization in holes SDH18-67 and 68.

Drill hole SDH18-68 intercepted weaker mineralization at depth. This correlates with the lower grade parts of stockworks in accordance with the previously recognized eastward plunging higher grade gold shoots in Zone 23 (Figure 4). Infill drill holes SDH18-65 and 66 (Table 1; Figure 4) also returned gold-mineralized intercepts in accordance with the eastward plunging higher grade gold shoots.

1 Business Standard, a leading Indian daily newspaper, reported on 21 September 2018 that "Chinese company China National Gold will invest about $420 million in the development of the Klyuchevskoe gold deposit in Russia, while another $65 million will be invested by India's SUN Gold. The annual production volume is expected at about 6.5 metric tons of gold per year, the Russian Industry and Trade Ministry reported."

Figure 4. Interpretation of gold mineralization in vertical projections of the Main and Southern stockworks (looking north) with eastward-plunging +2 g/t Au mineralized shoots.

The above interpretations are based on selection of the previously and newly-reported mineralized intervals, based on a 0.5 g/t Au cut-off for compositing, with maximum 2 m length of 0.3-0.5 g/t Au mineralization included into a mineralized interval. Composited intervals in drill holes are presented uncapped (Table 1). The assays for some infill drill holes are still pending. No significant intercepts were received for hole SDH18-62.

Table 1. Mineralized intercepts in drill holes SDH18-65, 66, 67 and 68 at Zone 23 (above 0.5 g/t Au cut-off).

Number From

(m) To

(m) Interval

(m) True Width

(m) Gold

(g/t) Stockwork Drillhole

SDH18-65 (197 m)

Section 9460E

Azimuth 180, Dip 50 60.8 79.4 18.6 16.8 1.31 Main 84.15 87.9 3.75 3.4 1.05 Southern 91.3 94.8 3.5 3.15 1.25 New 106.6 108.65 2.05 1.85 1.35 New 144.0 147.15 3.15 2.8 0.68 New Drillhole

SDH18-66 (291.3 m)

Section 9540E

Azimuth 180, Dip 60 23.3 25.15 1.85 1.4 0.64 214.85 217.3 2.45 2.15 1.17 Main 257.25 258.9 1.65 1.5 3.55 Southern 268.05 275.25 7.2 6.5 0.93 New Drillhole

SDH18-67 (149.9 m)

Section 9080E

Azimuth 180, Dip 50 8.5 26.4 17.9 14.3 1.81 Main 9.8 12.5 2.7 4.46 40.2 41.0 0.8 0.6 4.62 Southern 82.1 85.75 3.65 2.85 1.94 Southern 120.2 125.85 5.65 5.0 0.55 New Drillhole

SDH18-68 (223.75 m)

Section 9080E

Azimuth 180, Dip 50 95.8 111.15 15.35 12.3 0.59 Main 163.9 169.3 5.4 4.3 0.56 Southern 176.2 180.1 3.9 3.2 0.56 New

Quality Assurance - Quality Control ("QA/QC")

Thorough QA/QC protocols are followed on the project including insertion of duplicate, blank and standard samples in all trenches. Duplicate samples were inserted after every 20 samples. All standard samples were inserted once per 20 samples. Blanks were also inserted once per 20 samples and consisted of the previously assayed barren granitoid rocks.

Drill core samples were submitted directly to the SGS Vostok laboratories in Chita, Russia, which are independent from Orsu, for sample preparation and analysis. Analysis for Au is performed using fire assay method with atomic absorption ("AA) finish and with a gravimetric finish for samples exceeding 10 g/t Au. Results published are from the gravimetric finish if above 10 g/t Au and from the AA finish if lower than 10 g/t Au.

Qualified Person

This release and the technical data reported have been reviewed and approved by Alexander Yakubchuk, Director of Exploration of the Company, also a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement:

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "suggest," "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. There may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.Hate crimes keep on rising as more victims sought

Is being rude and setting out to cause offence a crime? The latest Home Office data shows that religious hate incidents rose by 40%, from 5,949 to 8,336 from April 2017 to May 2018. Overall hate incidents rose to 94,098, up 17% over the aforesaid period. Of those, 71,251 were marked as race hate.

If you want a definition of hate crime, the BBC provides one:

Hate crime is defined as an offence which the victim considers to be driven by hostility towards their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity.

Its subjective. If you think the offence was powered by the alleged villains prejudice, then it was. And what is meant by hostility? The CPS explains it employs the everyday understanding of the word which includes ill-will, spite, contempt, prejudice, unfriendliness, antagonism, resentment and dislike. Being unfriendly could be a crime.

And  get this: the CPS will accept the victims perspective, even where we are unable to identify sufficient evidence to prosecute the case as a hate crime. To say it is, is to establish a truth.

Crimes targeted at people because of their sexual orientation made up 12% of the total (11,638), with religious hatred at 9%, disability hate 8% (7,226) and transgender hate crimes 2% (1,651).

Do we hate more? Do loud mouths and the criminally minded pick on soft targets for abuse? Do some people complain more than others? And is being a nasty, racist sod online the same as screaming into someones face in the street or firebombing a kosher restaurant? The CPS says it is all on the same page.

And you can add the old, women, men, boys and girls to the list of protected characteristics, too. Yesterday the Government announced plans to included other protected characteristics in hate crime law, including age and gender. You wonder which group will be left off the list  and if in leaving them off, they become a group in need of protecting?

Be in no doubt that hate crime numbers can only rise:

According to the police figures, the number of hate crimes has more than doubled since 2012/13, when 42,255 were recorded. And one quirk of the figures is that a single hate crime offence can be recorded more than once if it is deemed to have multiple motivations  for example, if an individual feels that they were targeted because of their race and their religion.

So an elderly, one-eyed, heterosexual, black, female, French Jew dressed as a teenage Goth can be the victim of nine hate crimes at once.

And there are more quirks. The BBC adds:

Curiously, police recorded 237 incidents where the perceived target religion was no religion at all. Weve asked the Home Office to explain how that can be a religious hate crime  they dont know why the police recorded the figures that way. They stress that this is the first set of statistics and  as such  is experimental, adding that it will be improved in the future One element these figures simply dont cover is sectarianism  where one branch or sect of a faith targets another. While this is fully understood in Northern Ireland, it goes less noticed in the UK, despite the fact that it does happen. There is definitely evidence of tensions between some Sunni and Shia Muslims, the two traditions of Islam, and documented persecution of the separate small Ahmadiyya community, which is theologically rejected by others.

Confused? Dont worry if you are  the police can read minds. Theyre in control of this. If they believe hate was involved in a crime, the miscreant can expect an uplift in their sentence. Good-oh.

Anorak

Posted: 16th, October 2018 | In: News Comment | TrackBack | Permalink(ANSA) - Rome, October 16 - Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said Tuesday that Italy had not accepted Paris's apology after a French gendarmery police van was seen dropping off two men in woods on Friday near the border at Claviere - as Italian prosecutors said they were investigating a second such incident. The men are suspected of being migrants of African origin. A French official said the incident was a "mistake" committed by two officers who were new to the area. "Abandoning immigrants in an Italian forest cannot be considered a mistake or an incident," Salvini said.

"What happened in Claviere is an unprecedented offence against our country and I wonder whether the international organizations - starting with the UN and Europe - find it 'sickening' to leave people in an isolated area with no assistance.

"We are faced with an international shame and Mr (Emmanuel) Macron cannot pretend nothing has happened.

"We don't accept the apology".

Salvini later said Italy demanded that France give it "the names of the migrants left in the woods".

The Elysee retorted, according to Le Figaro's website, that Salvini was making political capital out of the incident, which it said the local prefecture had acknowledged as "a mistake".

Meanwhile Turin prosecutors said they were investigating another French foray to Claviere in August, when French officers allegedly checked up on two Italians living there.

The Italians were checked by four armed men in camouflage jackets who were "in all likelihood French", said Turin Chief Prosecutor Armando Spataro.

The incident took lace on August 2 and was reported by Carabinieri on August 20, he said.

(ANSA) - Trieste, October 15 - Finance Guard tax police on Monday searched the offices of the harbour master in the northeastern Italian port of Trieste.

The port authority was not involved in the operation.

The police reportedly seized documents and official acts, sources said.

The operation follows several recent complaints against the harbour master's staff, sources said.

Police searched the office and home of one of the staff, who has had various complaints filed against him, sources said.

They seized documents and files from him, the sources said.

The operations regarded irregularities committed in the private sphere, sources said.

(ANSA) - Brussels, October 16 - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker suggested on Tuesday that the EU was unlikely to give the thumbs up to Italy's draft budget, which foresees the country's deficit rising to 2.4% of GDP next year.

"If we accepted the slip, some European countries would cover us with insults and tirades with the accusation we are being too flexible with Italy," Juncker told Italian media.

ASHLAND, Ore.  Late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen had a long and storied career in business that kicked off in the Seattle, Washington area  but his influence would come to be felt in Oregon from top-to-bottom.

Although Allen is perhaps best known in Oregon for his tenure as owner of the Portland Trail Blazers  which he bought back in 1988  Allen was also a major patron of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) here in Southern Oregon.

Paul and his family have been coming to OSF for decades, and Pauls love of and support for the Festival has been essential to the art and community we create here," said OSF Communications Manager Julie Cortez.

Following a $3 million grant from the The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation in 2013, OSF renamed its Elizabethan Stage/Allen Pavilion to the 'Allen Elizabethan Theatre'  the name that the building holds to this day.

"He had a particular, inspiring passion for making art and the classics relevant to young audiences," said Cortez. "Just last night we performed in the space that bears his family name  the Allen Elizabethan Theatre  for the final time this season. Our hearts go out to the Allen family.

At the time of the donation, Allen had this to say:

OSF masterfully makes the classics relevant to new generations and introduces compelling contemporary work, said Paul G. Allen. OSF has been an Allen family tradition for many decades and were proud to support this exceptional theater group. Without a doubt it is one of the, if not the, top drama festivals in the country.

According to the organization, the grant would go toward funding work on the stage, maintaining and restoring the organization's buildings, and attracting more visitors to the festival.

Allen's sister Jody Allen also served on OSF's Board of Directors between 1996 and 2005, then again from 2006 to 2010.

In 2013, following the $3 million grant, OSF estimated that the Allen Family Foundation had given more than $11 million to their organization over the years.

Allen loaned his copy of the 1623 Dryden-Puleston-Bemis Shakespeares First Folio, Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies, Published according to the True Originall Copies  one of the finest copies remaining in private hands, according to OSF  to the organization for viewing tours and special educational events. He would do this several times over the course of years.

In 2016, Allen visited OSF to mark the 400-year anniversary of Shakespeare's death, commemorating the occasion with OSF Artistic Director Bill Rauch [pictured above].MEDFORD, Ore.  An Ashland youth will stay in a juvenile detention facility until the age of 25 for killing his mother and seriously wounding his sister in January of 2017, a judge decided today.

Police took 12-year-old Ezekial Holmes into custody on January 10 of 2017 after officers arrived at the family home to find his mother, Pamela Wolosz, dead and his 16-year-old sister seriously wounded  both stabbed with a knife. Holmes would later admit guilt to those crimes at a hearing in August of 2018.

Although Oregon law allows for the possibility of a 12, 13 or 14-year-old to be tried as an adult in cases of murder, provided the State proves the youth at the time of the alleged offense was of sufficient sophistication and maturity to appreciate the nature and quality of the conduct involved, experts concluded that Holmes did not meet the required criteria.

Instead, investigators found that Holmes had been "playing and watching very violent video games and reading violent graphic novels for a period of time," according to the Jackson County District Attorney's office, although he personally had no reported history of violence.

No one noticed anything out of the ordinary with Holmes in the days leading up to the murder, but Holmes would later tell police that "his mother had taken his computer away due to a poor grade in school," the DA's office said.

While in juvenile detention awaiting the outcome of his trial, the DA's office reports that Holmes has had no disciplinary issues and has "done very well" in that structured environment.

However, psychiatric experts did not find any evidence of a psychotic disorder in Holmes that may have better explained his behavior  a result that left a "chilling effect" on the courtroom, Judge Ravassipour reportedly said.

"Judge Ravassipour said this has been an extremely difficult case and no words could describe the anguish and betrayal felt by the family," the DA's office said in a statement.

Holmes will remain in the custody of the Oregon Youth Authority until he reaches the age of 25, after which he will be set free.

Ezekial Holmes' father, Jim Holmes, released the following statement after the sentencing:

Sentencing for my son Zeke is now complete. Tomorrow he heads to Portland to the MacLaren Oregon Youth Authority facility. His sentencing and relocation are an important step for my entire family, as we're finally done with nearly two years of uncertainty and ambiguity, all heaped atop grief, tragedy, and shock.

As I mentioned in the letter I sent earlier this year to DA Heckert and Deputy DA Herriot, then gave to the judge today, my primary concern has been for the safety of my daughter Lydia and society at large.

Mental health evaluations by the defense team's experts and the report of the state's own expert convinced me that with appropriate treatment Zeke will not be a threat to his sister or anyone else in society when he leaves the juvenile system at age 25.

I want to emphasize that leaving Zeke in the state's juvenile system is the best possible outcome. I greatly appreciate the editorial in the Daily Tidings from 29 August supporting this same conclusion.

Remanding him into the adult system and incarcerating him for decades would have no positive outcomes. None.

I hope the community can grow to see a different picture of Zeke than they may have heard from the DA's office or that which people may have drawn on their own.

Zeke was just 12 years old when he committed these awful acts. Despite the terrible situation, he's a great kid.

He was involved with Boy Scouts, the Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon, and several bands at Ashland Middle School. He spent time volunteering and caring for animals at local animal shelters. He was an avid reader and spent large amounts of time in the AMS library either reading or playing chess with other students. He had a great love and close bond with the dogs and cats we've had in our home.

He had an incredible, close bond with his grandmother Joanne who lives with us. He was very close to my parents who live in northern California.

Zeke has matured and grown in the last 22 months of incarceration at the Juvenile Detention Center.

He's doing well academically and continues to be an avid reader, moving out into many new, mature genres.

Zeke continues to have close, important contact with his grandmother Joanne, and he also has weekly calls with my parents. Zeke has taken a wonderful step in his faith thanks to the terrific staff from Rogue Valley Youth For Christ.

Finally, Zeke is looking forward to the future. He's gotten excited about continuing his education and is looking forward to finishing regular school and moving on to college opportunities.

Again, I am very thankful for the incredible support of so many people in the local community. We've had extraordinary support and outreach from my professional community, and the love and support from our own families have been beyond words.

Thank you.PARIS - Christophe Castaner was named French interior minister on Tuesday, two weeks after the surprise resignation of Gerard Collomb.



Castaner is a Macron loyalist, until now head of Macron's party En Marche and secretary of state for parliamentary relations. The current head of France's intelligence agency DGSI, Laurent Nunez, has been tapped to serve as deputy interior minister.



Nunez will be charged with the important task of coordinating the country's law enforcement agencies and intelligence services.



Other changes in the cabinet include Franck Riester as culture minister, replacing Francoise Nyssen; Didier Guillaume as agriculture minister, replacing Stephane Travert; and Jacqueline Gourault, former deputy interior minister, as territorial cohesion minister, replacing Jacques Mezard.



Deputy economy minister Delphine Geny-Stephann is also leaving the government.



The Elysee Palace released a statement in which it said the reshuffle provides a "renewed team, with new momentum, but a political mandate that remains identical".



"The government team will act in continuity with the policy carried out thus far and according to the calendar of reforms in the coming months," it said.

BRUSSELS - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker suggested on Tuesday that the EU was unlikely to give the thumbs up to Italy's draft budget, which foresees the country's deficit rising to 2.4% of GDP next year.



"If we accepted the slip, some European countries would cover us with insults and tirades with the accusation we are being too flexible with Italy," Juncker told Italian media. The European Union would not survive Italy exiting the bloc, Juncker said. "Europe needs Italy and Italy needs Europe," Juncker said, answering "No" when asked if Europe could survive an Italian exit. Juncker recalled that recent surveys suggest that the majority of Italian people are in favour of Italy being in the eurozone.

What the medical profession can learn from this patient

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A excerpt from A Mind Unraveled: A Memoir . Copyright  2018 by Kurt Eichenwald. Published by Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved.

I awoke in pain. Sometime during a seizure, I had fallen down the stairs outside of my bedroom and banged myself up. I suspected I broke a bone and decided to get an X-ray once I was more coherent. About an hour later, I hailed a cab and asked to go to the nearest hospital. Any doctor, I figured, could find a fracture. The cabby dropped me off at Capitol Hill Hospital.

I remember little that followed, but my father later told me what happened. Someone checked my blood sugar levels with a test strip. The person wrote down the results incorrectly, stating they came from a complete glucose testinvolving drawing bloodrather than the finger stick that was performed. Mistake piled on mistake, and soon a doctor diagnosed pancreatic cancer. I may have gone into convulsions in the emergency room, and my planned short visit turned into a major hospitalization.

No one checked my MedicAlert, which disclosed my epilepsy and instructed medical teams to check my wallet for a card with my anticonvulsant schedule and emergency contact information. As a result, the hospital stopped providing my medication. For days, each time I went into convulsions, the staff infused IV valium to stop the seizure. At one point, I opened my eyes and saw my friend Neil Fisher standing by me. I didnt know how he had ended up there, but I recognized I was in danger.

Call my parents, and tell them to get here right now! I begged him. Tell them this is an emergency!

Later that day, I was admitted to the intensive care unit.

I woke with someone stuffing pills into my mouth. I pushed up my tongue to block them, then spat them on the floor. I recognized the red bands around the white capsules; it was Dilantin, three times my normal dose.

A short, dark-haired man stood beside me. Get the fuck away! I growled.

You need your medicine, he said.

Right. In my sleep. At triple the dose. Get away from me, or Ill scream!

I watched him leave the enclosed area and saw my parents in a main room. My father was confronting a doctor. They were too far away for me to hear the words, but I could tell Dadwho as a leading academic physician had plenty of experience brutalizing unprepared interns and residentswas ripping apart the other physician.

As staff members rushed about, producing records for my father, my mother saw I was awake and came to my bedside.

Are you all right? she asked.

Feel like Ive been hit by a truck, I said. My tongue moved as if coated in molasses.What happened?

She told me I had been in the hospital for days and that the doctors had made one terrible gaffe after another. The medical team learned of my epilepsy only when my parents arrived. At first, the doctors insisted they had given me my medication, which set my father off: How the hell would they have known to provide me with my prescribed anticonvulsants if they didnt understand I had epilepsy? He called the doctor a liar to his face.

My father came in with my chart. Dont worry about how you feel; its not because of something wrong with you. Youre in intensive care. The doctors made a mistake with a blood sugar test and decidedbut you dont!they incorrectly decided you had pancreatic cancer.

From one blood sugar test?

My father shook his head. Dont get me started.

Why do I feel so awful?

Theyve been giving you IV valium every time you had a seizure, and theyve used too much. It settles in muscles and fatty tissue. Dont try to get out of bed. Youll fall.

Another man arrived who looked familiar, a Washington lawyer who was friends with my family. He had picked up my parents at the airport and driven them to the hospital.

Soon after, my boss, Hedrick Smith of the New York Times showed up. Assuming he would be panicked by my disappearance, my mother had notified him I was at the hospital in intensive care. When he saw me, his usual expression of calm assurance drained away, replaced by a look of shock.

The area around my bed was packed, with everyone listening to my father explain the incompetence I had faced. At some point, a doctor burst in, angry about the number of visitors surrounding my ICU bed.

Who are all you people? the doctor barked.

My mother stepped forward, gesturing to each individual as she made the introductions. Im his mother, this is his father, this is his lawyer, and this is Hedrick Smith of The New York Times.

They all stared at the doctor in silence. Oh, he said. Then he scurried away.

Within the hour, I was transported to Georgetown University Hospital to recuperate from the damage caused at Capitol Hill Hospital. The doctors diagnosed a valium overdose but also found that my anticonvulsant levels had dropped below the therapeutic level. When sufficient time had passed, a doctor told me they were going to infuse Dilantin. I asked what that meant.

Were giving you a load of Dilantin directly into the bloodstream, he explained.

You know I have a lot of valium in me?

I heard a voice. They know. It was my father, who was beside my mother in the room. Theyve been monitoring it, and its okay now.

Its okay? Already? How long have I been here?

Since yesterday, my father said. Youve been sleeping.

I remembered: My shoulder. It didnt hurt anymore.

What happened to my shoulder?

My mother spoke. That was a dream. Nothing happened to your shoulder.

No, it was real. Thats why I went to the hospital. I fell down the stairs and hurt my shoulder. What did the X-ray show?

Thats why you were there? my father asked. We assumed you had been found on the street.

So what did the X-ray show?

My father seethed. They didnt take an X-ray.

The doctor beside me asked how my shoulder felt now.

Its fine, I said. Guess I would have been safer if I had just stayed home.

Time detached from reality. There were moments of consciousness, then not. Hours, perhaps days, passed without my taking notice.

My next memory is of a middle-aged doctor knocking on my door and asking for permission to speak with me. He walked in with a group of fresh-faced young people in lab coats, then introduced himself.

These are medical students, he explained. Im visiting patients with them and was hoping youd be willing to talk to them about why youre here today.

Damn straight Ill talk to them.

I chose my words carefully. Im here because a doctor at another hospital failed to take a proper medical history. The doctornot a disease, not some chronic medical conditioninjured me so badly I had to be brought here.

I gave an account not just of the latest near-fatal mistakes but also of the times over the years when doctors failed to ask questions, conduct follow-up, or listen. By shortchanging the importance of a patients past, doctors could cause incalculable damage, I said.

I studied the students faces. Do they understand?

So someday, when you have a patient in front of you, remember me. Remember how bad I look right now, I said. Remember this happened because a doctor didnt take a proper history. All the labs and machinery are useless if you dont talk to patients extensively.

You need to ask about their health and about their medications. You need to look them up in the Physicians Desk Reference to know if theyre taking the right amounts or are on drugs that conflict. Dont let gadgets and drugs be your first thought. Ask questions. Write down the answers. Figure out why those answers are important and what they show.

I ended my lecture, and a few students tentatively asked questions.

Then the doctor told them to head to the hallway.

Thank you, he said to me. I wish I had recorded that.

Kurt Eichenwald is a journalist and author of A Mind Unraveled: A Memoir.

Image credit: Shutterstock.comROSEBURG, Ore.  The Douglas County District Attorney has dropped criminal charges against a Roseburg mother whose child died in a hot car this summer.

Nicole Engler was facing manslaughter charges after police said she left her 21-month-old daughter, Remington Engler, in her car seat while she was at work in June.

READ MORE: Roseburg mother charged with manslaughter in child's death

Prosecutors said they reviewed evidence, including text messages between Engler and her husband, and determined that Engler believed she had dropped her daughter off at Cobb Street School day care when she went to work at Evergreen Family Medicine.

When Engler returned to her vehicle after 4 p.m., she discovered her daughter in the backseat unconscious and blue. Engler rushed her daughter into the medical facility, where staff members tried to revive her, but were unsuccessful.

The child was taken to Mercy Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

RELATED: 'She doesnt want to live:' Roseburg mom accused in hot car death released from jailEUGENE, Ore. -- Representative Peter DeFazio, Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis and State Treasurer Tobias Read gathered at the Eugene Public Library to discuss President Trump's tax bill.

DeFazio, Vinis and Read discussed what they say is the negative impact President Trump's tax bill is having on state and local economies and how his tax plan is hurting people in the state of Oregon.

KEZI spoke with DeFazio who said 200,000 Oregonians are going to pay three billion dollars more in federal income taxes next year.

"That three billion dollars is going to be transferred to the largest corporations, the wealthiest among us, those who earn more than $500,000 a year, those who have estate worth more than $10 million and a significant portion is going to multi-national corporations, said DeFazio. That's not what I think is on the priority list of many Oregonians who are going to be paying more federal taxes to the federal government."

President Trump has said his tax plan will protect low-income and middle-income households, not the wealthy and well-connected.DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. -- Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Alexis Taylor was scheduled to travel to Roseburg, Central Point and Medford Tuesday, Oct. 16.

According to the ODA, southern Oregon is well known for growing tree fruit such as pears, wine and grapes, but also raising cattle.

During the visit Taylor will speak with members of the Douglas County Livestock Association, the small farms program at Oregon State University Extension, farmers and vineyard owners.

Taylor's face-to-face meetings are part of her ongoing regional tour of the state that began earlier this year.

Douglas County ranks in the top 10 statewide for cattle, sheep and lambs.PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The cost of saving a Portland, Oregon, mobile home park is continuing to increase.

KOIN reports the City Council will consider spending $3.2 million in federal housing funds to preserve 22 units in the aging Oak Leaf Mobile Home Park in Northeast Portland on Wednesday.

The money would be matched by $2 million from other public and private sources for a total of around $5.2 million for infrastructure upgrades and other improvements.

That comes to about $236,000 per unit. Originally, when the Portland Housing Bureau was first asked to help save the park in in 2016, it had 34 units. By January 2018, it was determined that zoning and other requirements only allowed for 22 units to remain.

At that time, preservation costs were estimated at $4.3 million, or around $195,000 per unit. The total cost the council will consider Wednesday is $1 million more.

Despite the higher cost, the PHB Housing Investment Committee recommended approval of the funding in September.

The council voted to change the zoning for 56 other manufactured home parks in the city in July to preserve them as affordable housing.LANE COUNTY, Ore. -- If you plan on voting in Oregon's general election, today is the last day to register

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and the Oregon Student Association will be working with students at the University of Oregon and Oregon State University to register young voters.

At 9:30 Tuesday morning Senator Wyden and Representative DeFazio will be at the old bus stop on East 13th Avenue and University Street in Eugene to help get students registered.

At 1:30 p.m. Senator Wyden will be at the OSU Student Experience Center in Corvallis to continue to help register students.

On Wednesday, counties will start mailing out the ballots which are due by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 6.LINN COUNTY, Ore. -- Business owners who claim they have not been paid after working during the Willamette Country Music Festival have reached out to law enforcement and the Oregon Attorneys General's office for help as another government agency reports they also haven't been paid.

Lebanon Fire District Chief Gordon Sletmoe said they sent an invoice to Willamette Country Music Concerts for $45,377 soon after the festival ended and still haven't been paid.

"Originally they could not locate the invoice that we sent them, and we are certain that we did," Sletmoe said. "We reissued the invoice. We've been in communication, and we haven't seen any money yet."

RELATED: Country music festival vendors say they haven't been paid

Sletmoe said over 50 first responders worked during this year's festival in August and put in over 700 man hours combined. He said the late payment won't impact their daily operations.

Linn County Sheriff Jim Yon said six vendors who worked during the festival selling goods have filed fraud complaints with his office against Willamette Country Music Concerts, and he said he's expecting more businesses to come forward.

MORE: Commissioner: Country music fest owes sheriff's office $78,000

The festival also owes the Linn County Sheriff's Office $78,000 dollars for security. Yon said he still thinks it's appropriate for them to investigate the cases.

"At this point what we are doing is putting all the information together, and look at them individually, and I think we are going to objectively look at these and take them for what they are," Yon said.

Meanwhile, officials with the Oregon Attorney General's office said they've received multiple consumer complaints from vendors against Willamette Country Music Concerts. Officials are still reviewing the complaints to see if there is a basis for an investigation.

A spokeswoman for IMG, the company which owns Willamette Country Music Concerts, previously said they are assessing the finical situation and said there have been no decisions made for the 2019 festival.Corvallis, Ore. -- After battling through injury yet again, Oregon State QB Jake Luton is aiming to return to the lineup against Cal after a long bye week to rehab the high ankle sprain he suffered against the University of Nevada.One day before early voting begins in Tennessee, candidates for seats on Signal Mountains town council are hearing plenty from their potential constituents.





Frequent topics, the office seekers said this week, include the potential sale of the towns water system; unwise depletion of town funds; a perceived lack of civility and transparency at council meetings; issues related to commercial development and growth in general; the poor condition of the current septic/sewage system and a related longstanding moratorium on new sewer hookups.





A sizable number of voters also want to rehash last years contentious debate over whether Signal should break away from Hamilton County Department of Education and create an independent school district (ISD) on the mountain, some candidates noted.





Some see this election as a referendum of sorts on the subject, said Dan Landrum, a current town council member who is seeking reelection. They talk more about the turmoil created by the ISD discussion than the proposal itself. A few still ask why we ever spent so much time considering splitting in the first place, and even more so in light of recent reports about how well our students are doing. They talk more about the turmoil created by the ISD discussion than the proposal itself. A few still ask why we ever spent so much time considering splitting in the first place, and even more so in light of recent reports about how well our students are doing.





Councilman Landrum and five other candidates  Joe Durek, Robert Hensley, Dun Monroe, Rick Saputa and former Mayor Bill Lusk  all responded Monday to questions regarding the ISD and other issues.





Attempts to contact the remaining candidate, Susannah Murdock, were unsuccessful.





Six of the seven office seekers  Mayor Lusk, Councilman Landrum and Mr. Durek, Mr. Monroe, Ms. Murdock and Mr. Saputa  have indicated their opposition to an independent school district, at least at this time.





Their positions were outlined in their answers to a survey emailed Aug. 15 to all town council candidates. Mr. Hensley did not respond to that questionnaire.





Candidates responses this week indicated that, although more than eight months have passed since current council members voted to disband the committee tasked with exploring the viability of an independent school system, the issue still looms large with some voters  and some aspiring council members.





I have been told by (Mayor) Chris Howley and (Council member) Amy Speek that the ISD is dead, Mr. Monroe wrote, but I dont quite think so. What I want is an ironclad guarantee that the issue will never be brought to the council again.





Across Signal, its easy to find residents who  regardless of their opinions of the proposed ISD  lament the bitter arguments and harsh disagreements that divided the community into factions, of which some traces remain today.





Stay with HCDE, an organization formed to oppose the ISD, still has a presence online, for example; so does the group Friends of Signal Mountain Schools which was created to support an independent school district.





But time moves on and the ISD is far from the only topic on peoples minds and on their own, candidates said.





For me, other important issues are debt and deficit spending, wrote Mayor Lusk, noting that such practices significantly reduce the financial reserves needed to fund the towns operations.





ISD certainly isnt an overwhelming issue that everyone brings up, according to Mr. Hensley, who created his own survey to circulate among potential voters.





 One topic that hasn't been in the headlines recently, he noted, (but) that many have raised, is dissatisfaction with the septic/sewer issue in the town.





Mr. Hensley, one of the leaders of the effort to create an ISD, said most of the people who fill out his surveys are  relatively consistent when asked to identify the three things that make SignalMountain a wonderful place to live.





However, he added, they differ greatly on another topic: the three things that would make SignalMountain an even better place to live.





This is most often when the school district issue comes up . . . some strongly in favor and some strongly opposed, he explained.  It's tough for me to say whether it's a top three issue. I don't think so but not sure since I haven't compiled all the responses in a spreadsheet and have just been reading them as they come in.





Mr. Monroe, moving beyond his stance on the ISD, said the he wants to maintain Signals identity as a small mountain town and is bothered by the moratorium, although without many, many millions to replace the old sewers we might have to with that for a long time.





The problem here is that citizens wearing rose colored glasses might give false hopes for expansion . . . (S)preading false hopes is not to my liking, he wrote.





In his response, Mr. Durek stressed that he supports HCDE and is opposed to an independent school system, as are a majority of the voters with whom he has spoken, he said.





He reported recently meeting with Dr. Bryan Johnson, superintendent of Hamilton Countyschools, to talk about two issues: a second road into the Signal Mountain Middle/High School complex, and the need to change school hours.





Mr. Saputa said he believes independent schools are considered a dead issue now, apparently viewed as not viable and not supported. Although that has not stopped the subject from coming up.





The main issue in the race for town council seats is the proposed sale of the municipal water system., he continued. Second to that, commercial development and growth in general, particularly relating to environmental and sewer issues.The town council itself would not be far behind.





Councilman Landrum agreed, to some extent.





The school issue is secondary to the immediate concern about (a possible) water company sale, he explained. Most folks seem to think the council has already agreed to sell and ask why. I keep explaining that were still exploring options, one of which is keeping and improving the system.





The other hot issue seems to be civility, or the perceived lack thereof, at council meetings, he added.



Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE) Irish Water, working in partnership with Carlow County Council, has issued a Do Not Consume Notice for all consumers on the Borris Public Water Supply.

The notice has been issued following reservoir draining where material from the floor of the reservoir has entered the network. In addition to this chlorine levels are not being maintained in the network.

The notice applies to 629 customers supplied by the Borris Public Water Supply.

It is especially important that mains drinking water is not given to bottle fed infants.

Please note this is NOT a Boil Water Notice. Boiling the water will not make the water safe to consume. This notice does not apply to other areas and water schemes in Co Carlow.

Alternative water supplies will be available to the public at a number of locations tomorrow (Tuesday) morning and the locations will announced in the morning.

Customers are asked to use their own containers when taking water from the tankers and to boil water from the tankers before consumption as a precautionary measure.

Irish Water drinking water compliance and operational experts are working with colleagues in Carlow County Council to resolve this situation as soon as possible.

Water should not be used for

 Drinking

 Drinks made with water

 Food preparation, washing or cooking of food,

 Brushing of teeth

 Making of ice

 Children under 12 months old should not drink this water

 In particular, children under 12 months old should not drink this water. This water should not be used for making up infant formula for bottled fed infants. An alternative source of water should be used. Bottled water can also be used to make up infant formula. All bottled water, with the exception of natural mineral water, is regulated to the same standard as drinking water. It is best not to use bottled water labelled as Natural Mineral Water as it can have high levels of sodium (salt) and other minerals, although it rarely does. Natural Mineral Water can be used if no other water is available, for as short a time as possible, as it is important to keep babies hydrated.

- If bottled water is used to make up infant formula it should be boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute), and cooled in the normal way

 Ready-to-use formula that does not need added water can also be used.

 Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink

 Caution should be taken when bathing infants to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water

 Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges

What can you use water for?

 The water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing, flushing toilets, laundry and washing of utensils

 Irish Water and Carlow County Council will continue to liaise with the Health Service Executive with a view to lifting this drinking water restriction as soon as practicable.

Updates will be available on our Water Supply Updates section, on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1850 278 278.The annual Petermarkathon takes place Friday 26th  Sunday 28th October 2018, with events taking place in Peter Mark salons in Market Cross and Mac Donagh Junction.

This year the Peter Mark team will be raising vital funds for the Irish Cancer Society to help support its Cancer Nurseline, a free helpline staffed by trained cancer nurses, to offer a listening ear and practical advice to anyone who has concerns or questions about cancer.



The Peter Mark salons in Kilkenny are tasked with coming up with their own unique way to raise money, so visitors to their local Peter Mark Kilkenny salons can expect braid bars, raffle prizes, guess how many clips in the jar competitions and lots of other fun events over the weekend!



Commenting on the launch, Peter ORourke, CEO, Peter Mark said, Our annual Petermarkathon is a key event in our calendar and one we as a team very much look forward to. Over the years we have raised hundreds of thousands of Euros for charities across Ireland. Each year we select a new charity to raise money for and we are delighted to partner this year with The Irish Cancer Society. In particular, we will be raising money to support the wonderful work of the Cancer Nurseline.



Averil Power, CEO of Irish Cancer Society said: We are delighted to be the beneficiary of the Petermarkathon which will raise vital funds for our Cancer Nurseline service. This year over 40,000 people will get a cancer diagnosis in Ireland. That diagnosis can be frightening and overwhelming. Thats why our Cancer Nurses are available on the Freephone Cancer Nurseline to offer emotional support and advice to anyone concerned about any aspect of cancer.

This service is reliant on donations, so we are very grateful to salons across Ireland who will participate in the Petermarkathon and ensure those facing cancer get the support they need. We wish you the best of luck with your fundraising activities and hope the event is a huge success!



Check out all the activities:



Peter Mark Market Cross will be hosting a Nerd day & Trainee-athon on Friday 26th October, a Sponsored Walk on Saturday 27th and a raffle all weekend.

Peter Mark in Mac Donagh Junction have a cake sale on Friday 26th, a cake sale and Pie your Manager event on the Saturday, and finally a sponsored walk on Monday 29th October. They will have a braid bar, raffle for hamper & guess how many hair clips are in the jar challenges all weekend.Kilkenny is set to benefit as Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Sean Kyne TD, has announced the provision of funding of 1.2m from the Dormant Accounts Fund to upgrade eight Volunteer Information Services to full Volunteer Centres.

This announcement gives effect to the commitment contained in the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan 2018, announced by the Minister last July, to provide the necessary funding to upgrade Volunteer Information Services to full Volunteer Centres, in order to provide a consistent level of volunteering service nationwide.

The locations involved are Cavan, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Laois, Offaly, Roscommon, Waterford and Wexford.

Volunteer Centres provide a placement service between individuals and groups who want to undertake voluntary activity and organisations that are seeking to involve volunteers.

Minister Kyne said: I am very pleased to have secured through my Departments Budget 2019 an allocation to enable the upgrade of the eight Volunteer Information Services at these locations to full Volunteer Centres. These organisations play a central role in facilitating and supporting the development of volunteering in their areas.

The Minister went on to say that the value of Volunteer Centres and their direct impact on volunteering cannot be overstated. In 2017, over 14,000 people used the services of Volunteer Centres to explore the potential for volunteering, while over 8,000 volunteer involving organisations engaged with Volunteer Centres. As a result, over 480,000 hours of volunteering were provided in 2017 at a value of over 10.5 million.

The Minister concluded: Volunteering has a key role to play in developing sustainable communities. The funding provided by my Department is designed to strengthen and foster volunteering in Ireland. As a result of this additional funding, the entire country will now have the necessary volunteering infrastructure support.By Frank Jack Daniel

MEXICO CITY, Oct 15 (Reuters) - The United States is seeking to impose quotas on Mexican steel exports as part of a negotiation to remove metals tariffs, the chief trade negotiator of Mexico's incoming government said on Monday, adding the issue needed to be resolved within weeks.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump imposed the tariffs on Canada and Mexico in June, citing national security reasons. Although the three countries agreed a renewed trade deal earlier this month, the measures remain in place.

Jesus Seade, who represented Mexico's President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in the wider trade talks, said the current Mexican government was leading the metals talks but that he had spoken to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on the matter.

"I have had a couple of calls with Lighthizer, and it is along those lines, to manage volumes etc with Mexico and with Canada," Seade said in an interview with Reuters, declining to give more details about the content of the discussions.

Seade said the issue of tariffs on Mexican steel had to be resolved before the new government takes office on Dec. 1.

"There is a month-and-a-half left, so it needs to be resolved now," he said.

Mexico's economy ministry, which leads trade talks, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Mexico is a net importer of steel from the United States, although it did export $2.5 billion of iron and steel to its northern neighbor in 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

In March, the United States signed a deal with Seoul where in exchange for an end to steel tariffs, South Korea agreed to cut exports by 30 percent of the past three years' average. During talks on the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), U.S. officials told Canada they wanted a similar arrangement for steel and aluminum, one source told Reuters last week, declining to give specific details. Canada rejected the demand and made clear any cap on the metals would have be at a level higher than current exports to allow room for shipments to grow.

(Reporting by Frank Jack Daniel Editing by Joseph Radford)

Messaging: frank.daniel.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))* U.S. seeking to make forex part of trade talks* Tokyo trying to tip-toe around yen, but strategy may not work* Japan-U.S. have agreed to trade talks, autos in crosshairs

(Adds details on NAFTA, economist's quote)

By Stanley White

TOKYO, Oct 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. government had not spoken to Japan about including provisions in free trade agreements to deter currency manipulation, Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said on Tuesday, although the two sides are likely to enter talks sometime next year.

Aso's comments come after U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday that Washington wants to include such

provisions in future trade deals, including the one it will negotiate with Japan. The new provisions would be based on the currency chapter in Washington's new deal to revamp its trade pact with Canada and Mexico, which urges members to refrain from competitive devaluation.

Mnuchin's remarks have raised concerns that the Japanese government's efforts to keep currency policy separate from free trade talks are not working, and that it could be dragged into a dispute with Washington about the yen's valuation.

"The U.S. side has not brought up the issue of currencies since we agreed in February last year that these matters would be discussed between Mnuchin and myself," Aso said.

"Our basic position is talks with the U.S. Trade Representative don't include currencies," he told reporters.

Aso said Japan and the United States agreed in February last year that any issues related to currency policy would be discussed between him and Mnuchin, keeping them separate from talks on trade.

In a bid to jolt its economy out of years of deflation and slow growth, Japan embarked on a ultra-easy monetary stimulus in 2013, which also led to a sharp depreciation of the yen, benefitting its exporters.

Currency matters remain a sensitive topic for Japan because even moderate yen appreciation can have a major negative impact on export earnings and tends to hurt corporate sentiment.

Japanese policymakers say a currency chapter similar to the one Washington signed with Mexico and Canada won't bind Tokyo beyond guidelines by the International Monetary Fund to refrain from competitive devaluations.

Pressure from the U.S. administration to include such a chapter could create a challenge for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's reflationist policy, which has rested on a weak yen and aggressive monetary easing.

"The weak yen, and the BOJ's aggressive monetary easing that caused it, has been the corner stone of Abenomics," Hiroshi Shiraishi, senior economist at BNP Paribas Securities, said, referring to Abe's economic policies.

"If that is challenged, that basically means Abenomics will be challenged and things could go in reverse."

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, the Japanese government's top spokesman, did not directly answer questions by reporters on Tuesday about currency provisions.

When asked if Japan would reject such provisions in trade talks with the United States, Suga said Tokyo's position was the same as it always has been but did not elaborate.

Mnuchin has expressed concern about avoiding competitive currency devaluation, whereby a country artificially weakens its currency to make its exports more competitive.

U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing to re-write trade relationships to lower the U.S. trade deficit and change conditions he considers unfair to U.S. workers and companies.

His administration has engaged in a tit-for-tat tariff war with China and wants to make currencies a part of any solution to its trade dispute with China. The United States recently renegotiated the NAFTA trade pact with Mexico and Canada. It has also agreed with Tokyo to enter negotiations for a trade deal that could potentially limit Japanese auto exports to the U.S. market Group of 20 countries, including China and Japan, have in principle agreed with IMF guidelines that competitive currency devaluation should be avoided. But there has been disagreement over what constitutes a currency decline designed to boost exports and one designed to stabilise markets.

(Reporting by Stanley White Editing by Sam Holmes & Simon Cameron-Moore)

twitter.com/stanleywhite1; Reuters Messaging: stanley.white.reuters.com@reuters.net))(Kitco News) - Australian scientists are proposing to launch a satellite that would be able to look 300?km (186 miles) beneath the Earths surface, unlocking Australias hidden mineral wealth, according to the Australian Academy of Science's National Committee for Earth Sciences.

This kind of downward-looking telescope would completely change the exploration game for Australia, said committees chair Sue OReilly said in a press release on Monday.

A piece of infrastructure like this would transform our minerals sector by making deep Australia visible. It would give us a new understanding of the vertical makeup of the continent and allow us to direct our mineral exploration efforts in the two-thirds of Australia that arent currently cost-effective to explore, OReilly said.

The committee believes this new technology could be the answer to one of the obstacles Australias geoscience will face this coming decade  to know how and where to explore for the critical resources needed for Australias future.

The proposal submitted by the countrys top scientists is part of a larger 10-year plan on how to meet the worlds rising global demand for metals.

The 10-year plan highlights how the worlds shift towards mobile device technology, renewable energy sources and electric cars will involve massive increases in demand for copper, cobalt, gold, rare-earth elements and other specialty metals, the press release stated.

The surge in global demand for metals in undeniable, especially in light of the world-wide shift towards mobile technology and renewable energy, according to the committee.

For example, OReilly sees global demand for cobalt rise 47 times by 2030 from what it was in 2016.

Australia may be held to ransom with massive price increases and chronic shortages, she said. This exemplifies the need to generate new geoscience knowledge that will allow us to explore successfully in the covered areas of Australia.

The 10-year plan also calls for making geoscience a part of the national school curriculum as well as expanding Australias computation capabilities to ensure the mining nation stays competitive in the fields of geoscience simulation and modelling.(Reuters) - BlackRock Inc (BLK.N) reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit on Tuesday, helped by lower taxes, but the companys sales growth sank as investors cut risk in their portfolios.

The companys revenue and earnings before interest and taxes nonetheless fell short of Wall Streets estimates as BlackRock reported its lowest sales of equity, bond and other long-term investments since the second quarter of 2016.

Investors pulled money from the asset managers institutional stock index funds, while putting more into ostensibly lower risk bond funds and continued to flock to its booming iShares exchange-traded funds (ETFs) business as a low-cost way to access the market.

Revenue of $3.6 billion was nearly 2 percent short of analyst forecasts and earnings before interest and taxes of $1.4 billion fell about 5 percent short.

It was a tough quarter for the whole industry, BlackRock Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink told CNBC. I was disappointed in our net flows.

Shares of BlackRock, the worlds largest asset manager, were down 1.6 percent in premarket trading.

The results reflected increased investor preference for low-cost ETFs that own broad swathes of the market and make it easier to move in and out of the market. The company makes most of its money by charging a percentage of the value of the assets it manages.

Yet uncertainty in global markets due to an escalating U.S.-China trade dispute and a rout in the Turkish lira kept market volatility elevated through most of the third quarter.

BlackRocks total long-term net flows were down $3.1 billion, the lowest since the second quarter of 2016.

The companys iShares ETFs took in $33.67 billion in new money, down from $52.31 billion, a year earlier, while investors pulled $24.76 billion from its lower-fee institutional accounts, which BlackRock attributed to investors cutting risk.

Net income attributable to the company rose to $1.22 billion in the third quarter ended Sept. 30 from $944 million a year earlier.

On a per share basis, BlackRock earned $7.54, compared with $5.76 a year earlier.

Excluding items, the company earned $7.52 per share, while analysts had expected $6.84, according to I/B/E/S data from Refinitiv.BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Central Bank has reached a preliminary decision to revoke the license of Maltas Pilatus Bank after its chairman was charged with money laundering, two ECB officials told Reuters, though legal hurdles remain.

The bank was accused of processing corrupt payments for the Azeri and Maltese leadership by investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed a year ago by a car bomb in Malta(tinyurl.com/yd8nmmap).

Serious gaps have since been found in the supervision of Pilatus, but the limited options open to the ECB and European Union regulators in this case and others over the past year have served to demonstrate the blocs weak legal framework for countering money laundering.

The ECBs supervisory board has already agreed to withdraw the banks license, one ECB official told Reuters, but the decision will be finalised only after some legal issues are resolved.

A second ECB source confirmed that the process of revoking the banks license is under way but was more cautious on its outcome until legal hurdles are overcome.

Neither source clarified what legal issues the ECB is facing to withdraw Pilatus Banks license, a move that many observers had taken for granted after the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) recommended the withdrawal in June.

Reuters tried to contact Pilatus Bank several times but was unable to talk to a bank representative. A spokeswoman for the ECB declined to comment.

Only after the murder of Caruana Galizia in October 2017, for which there is no proven link to the reports she wrote about the bank, did the EU begin investigating the Pilatus case.

The Maltese took no action until the Iranian chairman of the bank, Ali Sadr Hashemi Nejad, was arrested in the United States in March this year on charges of money laundering and sanctions violation.

After that arrest, the MFSA Maltese banking supervisor froze the assets of the bank and recommended the withdrawal of its license.

EU RESPONSE

The EU has become engulfed in recent months by a rash of banking scandals over suspected money laundering, involving Denmarks Danske Bank (DANSKE.CO) and Latvias ABLV among others.

Other cases have received less media coverage, such as a Spanish investigation into the Luxembourg-headquartered Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), which is accused of having laundered hundreds of millions of euros through its branch in Madrid.

Luxembourg fined the bank 8.9 million euros ($10.3 million) last year, legal sources told Reuters, but a loophole in EU anti-money laundering rules allowed the Duchy to avoid disclosure despite international guidelines that recommend publication of sanctions as a key measure to help prevent financial crime.

Other loopholes in EU rules allowed the Maltese MFSA to grant Pilatus Bank a banking license in January 2014.

That triggered an investigation by the European Banking Authority last year, but the watchdog was forced to halt inquiries last month because EU rules are too vague and make it difficult to conclude that there have been breaches of clear and unconditional obligations, the agencys chairman, Andria Enria, told EU lawmakers in a letter seen by Reuters.

These rules are not expected to change soon.

The European Commission, which is in charge of proposing EU legislation, has ruled out immediate changes to money laundering rules after several reforms in recent years.

The EU executive has instead proposed a limited overhaul of the blocs banking supervision, giving the EBA more powers to investigate suspicious cases. However, the measures face opposition from some EU states, led by Luxembourg and the Netherlands, according to a confidential EU document seen by Reuters.TOKYO, Oct 16 (Reuters) - No country would benefit from any escalation in global trade tensions that were fueled by the United States' push this year to impose tariffs, the head of Austrian steelmaker Voestalpine AG said on Tuesday.

"If we build up trade barriers, there will be only losers," Chief Executive Wolfgang Eder told Reuters on the sidelines of the World Steel Association's general assembly in Tokyo.

Citing Section 232 of U.S. trade law, which allows for tariffs on national security grounds, the Trump administration imposed global tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminium in March, sparking similar retaliatory responses from its trade partners.

The United States and China have since engaged in a tit-for-tat tariff war covering hundreds of billions of dollars of goods traded between the world's two largest economies.

"Until we came to the U.S. Section 232 tariffs and similar protectionism moves by others, the global situation was well-balanced. But that's being questioned now," said Eder.

"We should do all (we can) to bring back the standard which we had before," he said, adding the world has moved in the right direction by developing a fair trade system over the past two decades.

Voestalpine said last week that Washington has granted more than half of the exemptions to its steel import tariffs that the company and its customers applied for. "We have not gotten answers to all of the applications, with some of big ones still being unanswered," Eder said. "So we can't comment on the final outcome."

Eder said it was not right for countries to build trade barriers and ask companies to apply for exemptions.

"What we should aim for is to have as much free trade as possible," he said.

(Reporting by Yuka Obayashi Editing by Manolo Serapio Jr.)

Messaging: yuka.obayashi.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))(Kitco News) - Gold prices are modestly up and not far below Mondays 10-week high in early U.S. trading Tuesday. The near-term technical posture for the yellow metal has dramatically improved the past few sessions, which continues to invite the chart-based buyers. Also, the recent volatility in world stock markets and some heightened geopolitical tensions are continuing to provide some demand for safe-haven gold. December gold futures were last up $1.80 an ounce at $1,232.50. December Comex silver was last up $0.063 at $14.79 an ounce.

Global stock markets were mixed overnight, with European stocks mostly up and Asian stocks mostly down. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward firmer openings when the New York day session begins.

European shares were lifted today by reports the new Italian government is more or less falling in line with European Union constricts, with the new Italian Prime Minister saying Italys membership in the EU is unrenounceable.

The rift between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia regarding a missing Saudi journalist who many think was killed by the Saudi Kingdom is still on the front burner of the marketplace. The U.S. Secretary of State is in Saudi Arabia talking to the king. President Trump over the weekend said there would be severe punishment of the Saudi Kingdom if it was determined it killed the journalist. Some reports are now saying a Saudi may admit to killing the journalist.

In other overnight news, Chinas consumer price index hit a seven-month high in Septemberat up 0.7% from August and up 2.5%, year-on-year.

The closely watched German economic indicator, the ZEW index, dropped to -24.7 in October from -10.6 in September. ZEW officials said the steep drop is mostly due to worries about world trade warsespecially the U.S. vs. China.

In a sign of the wide spread between U.S. government and German government bond yields, the German government auctioned a two-year note today, which fetched an average yield of -0.56%. The U.S. two-year note is currently yielding 2.87%.

The key outside markets today find the U.S. dollar index slightly lower. Meantime, November Nymex crude oil prices lower and trading just above $71.00 a barrel.

U.S. economic data due for release Tuesday includes the weekly Goldman Sachs and Johnson Redbook retail sales reports, industrial production and capacity utilization, the NAHB housing index, and Treasury international capital data. The Treasury will also issue a report on world currency markets, but is not expected to label China a currency manipulator.

Technically, gold price action last week produced a big and bullish upside breakout from a sideways trading range on the daily bar chart. This suggests a market bottom is in place and that prices can trend sideways to higher for at least the near term. Gold bulls' next upside near-term price breakout objective is to produce a close in December futures above solid resistance at $1,250.00. Bears' next near-term downside price breakout objective is pushing prices below solid technical support at $1,200.00. First resistance is seen at Mondays high of $1,236.90 and then at $1,240.00. First support is seen at the overnight low of $1,228.40 and then at Mondays low of $1,220.40. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.0

December silver futures bears still have the overall near-term technical advantage. Silver bulls' next upside price breakout objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $15.00 an ounce. The next downside price breakout objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at the September low of $13.965. First resistance is seen at the October high of $14.95 and then at $15.00. Next support is seen at Mondays low of $14.615 and then at last weeks low of $14.255. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 3.5.CAPE TOWN, Oct 16 (Reuters) - South Africa expects Moody's to release its ratings review after next week's medium term budget policy statement (MTBPS), Dondo Mogajane, the director general of the National Treasury said on Tuesday.

Mogajane said he met Moody's representatives at an international financial conference in Bali last week and told Reuters that the ratings agency "will obviously get back to us after the MTBPS."

Moody's, the last of the top three agencies to still rate the country investment grade, did not publish the review on Friday as was widely expected.

(Reporting by Wendell Roelf Writing by Mfuneko Toyana Editing by James Macharia)

Messaging: mfuneko.toyana.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))NAIROBI, Oct 16 (Reuters) - China is likely to boost imports from African countries as it seeks new sources of commodities in the wake of a trade war with the United States, a senior executive of Standard Chartered Bank in China said.

Trade links between the Asian economic powerhouse and African nations like Kenya have been growing robustly in recent years, offering opportunities to lenders who serve Chinese clients doing business on the continent like Standard Chartered.

Carmen Ling, Standard Chartered's global head of the internationalisation of the Chinese currency renminbi (RMB), cautioned there would be no winners from the trade war in the short term, but added some African nations could gain in the long term.

"We believe that countries like Kenya and Nigeria will benefit because China will look to import more from Africa; some agricultural products from Kenya, some oil products from Nigeria," she told Reuters late on Monday.

"Trade flow patterns will change because China will need to look for new trade partners."

Kenya's trade with China grew 59 percent in the four years to 2017, to a total of $5.2 billion, Standard Chartered said, boosting the bank's business from Chinese clients operating in Kenya by "double digits".

The East African nation turned to China over the past few years for funds, technology and equipment to develop its infrastructure, including its biggest project since independence, a $3.2 billion railway linking Mombasa to Nairobi, which was opened last year.

"We see more and more Chinese clients coming to Kenya, we have seen Kenya grow in importance to become a belt and road hub. This is the gateway ," said Ling.

She was referring to China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative, a multi-billion dollar series of infrastructure projects upgrading land and maritime trade routes between China and Europe, Asia and Africa.

The initiative has caused anger in some quarters with critics saying it increases China's loans to African nations, placing a debt burden on future generations.

Ling decried the slow adoption of the RMB in trade settlements for deals between China and Africa, partly blaming the problem on lack of adequate clearing houses for the currency.

(Reporting by Duncan Miriri Editing by Alexandra Hudson)

Reuters Messaging: duncan.miriri.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))LONDON (Reuters) - The pound rose above $1.32 on Tuesday on stronger-than-expected labour data, but investors said doubts about a European Union summit yielding much progress on Brexit would limit the currencys advance.

Negotiations are deadlocked over the status of the border between Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland after Britain leaves the bloc in March.

Some traders have been unwinding short positions on sterling, seeing potential for a breakthrough at Wednesdays summit. But no agreement is in sight.

Still, the pound jumped on Tuesday after data showed that British workers wages rose at their fastest pace in nearly a decade over the summer months.

It rose 0.4 percent to $1.3235, and 0.3 percent to 87.75 pence against the euro.

The increased likelihood of the (Brexit) deal not being reached during the summit limits the positive spillover from solid UK data into GBP, said Petr Krpata, an currency strategist at ING.

It is not clear what EU leaders will be able to agree on on Wednesday, when UK Prime Minister Theresa May will give her view of the Brexit talks.

Even if the Irish border issue is resolved, investors fear it could signal the start of another, potentially tougher battle for May with her own lawmakers, many of whom want a clean break from Europe.

Latest positioning data shows that traders have become more cautious about sterling after a recent unwinding of short positions.(Reuters) - BlackRock Incs (BLK.N) quarterly revenue fell short of Wall Streets expectations on Tuesday as the worlds biggest asset manager reported its lowest sales of equity, bond and other long-term investments since the second quarter of 2016.

Investors pulled money from BlackRocks institutional stock index funds, while putting more into ostensibly lower-risk bond funds and continuing to flock to its booming iShares exchange-traded funds (ETFs) business as a low-cost way to access the market.

It was a tough quarter for the entire industry, BlackRock Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink told Reuters. BlackRock shares were down 4 percent in trading on Tuesday morning.

Overall, the companys closely-watched earnings per share figure continue to grow, helped by lower taxes and beating analyst forecasts. But another measure, earnings before interest and taxes, fell short of forecasts.

Edward D Jones & Co LP analyst Kyle Sanders called the results disappointing.

All these asset managers have just been getting clobbered the last couple of months, and todays results arent going to alleviate any of those concerns, he said. Shares of global asset managers tracked by Thomson Reuters .TRXFLDGLPUINVM are down 18.3 percent this year.

BlackRocks publicly-traded competitors include State Street Corp (STT.N), T. Rowe Price Group Inc (TROW.O) and Franklin Resources Inc (BEN.N). All three were up about 1 percent Tuesday.

Sanders said the withdrawal of institutional money from the stock market is being interpreted as particularly concerning not just for BlackRock but for markets generally. Investors pulled $30.8 billion from BlackRocks institutional equity index accounts, which BlackRock attributed to investors cutting risk.

Thats the smart money, said Sanders. Thats what everyone looks to, and when people see that head to the sidelines, theyre going to read that as more challenges to come.

Markets grew anxious during the quarter about escalating U.S.-China trade disputes, U.S. Federal Reserve policy holding back economic growth, and a rout in emerging market currencies from Turkey to Argentina and India.

Revenue of $3.6 billion at BlackRock was nearly 2 percent short of analyst forecasts, and earnings before interest and taxes of $1.4 billion fell about 5 percent short.

BlackRocks total net flows were down $3.1 billion and long-term flows, excluding accounts where investors hold cash, were up by $10.6 billion, the lowest figure in nine quarters.

The results reflected increased investor preference for low-cost ETFs that own broad swathes of the market and make it easier to move in and out of the market. That ETF business is one in which BlackRock is, along with a very small group of competitors, dominant. The company makes most of its money by charging a percentage of the value of the assets it manages.

The companys iShares-brand ETFs took in $33.67 billion in new money, down from $52.31 billion, a year earlier. Meanwhile, revenue from technology services, a growing area of emphasis for the company, grew 18 percent year-over-year.

In an interview, Fink touted recent wins with clients, including increasing the number of ETFs available without trading commissions through Fidelity Investments as well as Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L), awarding the company a near-$40 billion slice of one of Europes biggest investment contracts to be invested using various BlackRock index strategies.

Net income attributable to the company rose to $1.22 billion in the third quarter ended Sept. 30 from $944 million a year earlier. On a per share basis and excluding nonrecurring items, charges that do not affect the companys book value and tax items that do not impact cash flow, BlackRock earned $7.54, compared with $5.76 a year earlier.LONDON, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Hardline eurosceptics in British Prime Minister Theresa May's party are threatening a vote of no confidence in her leadership within the next couple of weeks, unless she drops her "Chequers" plans for Brexit, the Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday.

"If the cabinet does not chuck Chequers I think we will have a vote of no confidence ... by this week, next week. We are completely on the brink now," an unnamed source from the European Research Group of anti-EU lawmakers in May's ruling Conservative party told the Telegraph.

Earlier on Tuesday housing minister James Brokenshire called on his colleagues to rally behind May's Brexit plan before a meeting of her top ministerial team to discuss her proposals for a deal. May said on Monday she believed a Brexit agreement was still achievable although European Council President Donald Tusk warned that the chances of a no-deal divorce had increased. May is to address her 27 EU peers on Brexit at a summit in Brussels on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Andy Bruce; editing by Michael Holden)

Messaging: andy.bruce.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

* Contraction in revenues putting stress on government

* Moody's to release review after next week's budget (Adds treasury official's comments on ratings, analyst) By Wendell Roelf CAPE TOWN, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Falling revenues and a recession mean South Africa will struggle to finance the public services that form the largest part of its budget, the National Treasury said on Tuesday. Africa's most industrialised economy slipped into recession in the second quarter for the first time in nearly a decade and faced political uncertainty that caused turmoil in its currency and financial markets over its finance minister. Next week's medium term budget, to be delivered by the new finance minister, Tito Mboweni, will be closely watched for details of President Cyril Ramaphosa's stimulus plan to pull the economy out of recession and avoid further ratings downgrades. "The contraction of our public finances is placing tremendous stress on us and our ability to finance public services and this threatens the affordability of planned expenditure," Treasury's Director-General Dondo Mogajane told a parliamentary committee. National debt is approaching 2.5 trillion rand ($175 billion), with debt seen at 60 percent of gross domestic product in 2020, as debts of state firms, particularly Eskom, increase rapidly while tax revenues plummet. The Treasury has also warned of a shortfall in revenue collection in the current fiscal year after a 50.8 million gap in 2017/18, the financial year ended in March . President Ramaphosa announced a multi-billion-dollar stimulus programme on Friday, earmarking funds for job creation and infrastructure development as he seeks to make good on a pledge to revive the country's ailing economy.

And while his appointment of Mboweni as the country's fourth finance minister in two years, replacing Nhlanhla Nene, was well received by investors, there are still doubts over his ability to deliver growth . "The MTBPS will be calm on the surface but hide some furious kicking below the surface to hold the line against revenue underperformance and the political pressures for a real stimulus," said analyst Peter Attard Montalto of Intellidex. Moody's, the last of the top three agencies to still rate the country investment grade, said in September that while it did not expect to downgrade the country to junk status, the size of the plan announced by Ramaphosa would have little impact. Mogajane said the expects Moody's to release its ratings review after next week's medium term budget policy statement. The agency did not publish the review on Friday as was widely expected.

($1 = 14.2951 rand) (Writing by Mfuneko Toyana; editing by James Macharia, Larry King) Messaging: mfuneko.toyana.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.If you are interested in US politics, I can recommend a great podcast to listen to. Slow Burn, by Slate.

There have been two seasons so far  one on Watergate and one on Clintons impeachment. Each season has eight around one hour episodes. This allows them to get into detail far beyond what most people knew. I thought i knew both scandals well but learnt a lot.

They also get many interviews with first hand participants. With the Clinton season they even got Linda Tripp to talk for several hours. First time in two decades.

Some of the stuff I learnt on Watergate:

The wife of the Attorney-General was forcibly restrained and sedated to stop her telling a journalist how one of the Watergate burglars was her husbands driver. She was smeared as crazy when she told people this as no one could believe such wild claims

Nixon is the one who got Senate staffers suspicious he might have taped conversations because Nixon used the tapes to argue against claims by John Dean, and his statements had so much detail of conversations, the staffers wondered if he had taped them

The tapes were only confirmed when the former WH Deputy COS was asked directly about them. He had resolved not to volunteer any info on them but to tell the truth if asked directly. Only four people knew of the taping system.

Nixon doctored some of the transcripts that were released, in an effort to not release the tapes.

The Clinton stuff was more dramatic.

The description by Juanita Broaddrick of how Clinton maneuvered their meeting to be in her hotel room (he said there were too many journalists around the coffee shop) seemed eerily similar to the Harvey Weinstein allegations. Also I was unaware that she told someone within hours of the (alleged) rape that it had happened and Clinton (then Arkansas AG) had done it. In the absence of witnesses, that is strong evidence she is being truthful.

NBC delayed an interview with Broaddrick for weeks, so it wouldnt air until after the vote in the Senate on convicting Clinton

Lewinsky was threatened with 27 years jail for perjury to convince her to co-operate. She still tried to warn Clinton though and refused to wear a wire to a meeting with him

When Clinton first wanted to stand for President in 1988, his COS talked him out of it by giving him a list of women it was rumoured he had slept with. It was not a short list.

Paula Jones also told two friends with Clinton had done, the day it happened

Tripp says that she she did betray Monica awfully, she did it to protect her from Clinton. She says Monica was an emotional 15 year old in a 24 year olds body and Clinton was abusing her and using her for sex, while Monica thought it was true love. She claims (and of course this is self serving) that blowing the whistle was the only way to get it to stop and free Monica

Tripps lawyer was friends with Ann Coulter and the tapes were first listened to at Coulters house

The original Drudge Report story was not reported on by mainstream media until 72 hours after first published

Clinton recorded a 79% approval rating at one stage during the scandal!

Clinton argued he didnt lie about having sexual relations with Lewinsky as that meant contact with an intent to arouse or gratify and she gratified him but he didnt gratify her. So his argument was she had sexual relations with him but he didnt have sexual relations with her!

Id forgotten how badly many liberals treated Lewinsky. Bill Maher said that she had seduced Clinton and she should apologise to America, not him. Maureen Dowd called her nutty and slutty etc.

Both Nixon and Clinton come out looking worse, after you listen to these. I was unaware how Nixon had even gone to the extent of fabricating transcripts to cover up. And with Clinton I wasnt aware how credible and chilling the rape accusation was.

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By Park Jae-hyuk



More nuclear energy scientists and engineers are exiting the country to work for foreign companies as the Moon Jae-in administration pursues controversial "nuclear-free" energy policies, an opposition party lawmaker said Tuesday.



Rep. Jung You-sub of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party said the increase was notable in the past few years. Fourteen workers left for the United Arab Emirates between January 2017 and August 2018, after quitting their jobs at Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), KEPCO Engineering & Construction (KEPCO E&C) and KEPCO KPS.



From 2015 to 2016, only three workers moved to the Middle Eastern country from the state-run enterprises.



The Korean workers joined Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and Nawah Energy in the U.A.E., the country which has been increasing the number of nuclear power plants on its soil.



In particular, 12 retirees among the 14 who went abroad from 2017 to 2018 had worked for KEPCO E&C, which designs nuclear power plants.



KHNP operates the plants, while KEPCO KPS is in charge of their maintenance.



Given that the lawmaker surveyed the retired workers by making personal phone calls to them, the number of nuclear experts who joined overseas companies may be bigger.



According to industry officials, one of the retirees who began working for a UAE company in 2017 said 20 Korean nuclear experts have become his colleagues since then.



"The government has denied a possible exodus of human resources, but nuclear experts have already begun leaving the country," Jung said. "If the trend persists, the industry's supply chain will collapse and the nation's competitiveness in nuclear power technologies will wither."



Concerns are also growing over possible outflow of technologies as China seeks to hire Korean nuclear experts.



"When I visited China a few months ago, I had an opportunity to see a controller that China uses for its nuclear power plants. China's controller was inferior to Korea's," said Whang Joo-ho, professor of nuclear engineering at Kyung Hee University. "Manpower is necessary for technological improvement, so China's demand for Korean experts will grow further."



Against this backdrop, students are also reluctant to major in nuclear engineering.



According to Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), only five students decided to major in nuclear engineering this year.



Before 2017, more than 20 KAIST students had annually selected nuclear engineering as their major.



Chung-Ang University's School of Energy Systems Engineering also had to meet its student enrollment quota this year with students who did not choose nuclear engineering as their first preference.



It took the measure as the number of students who want to major in nuclear engineering dropped sharply.

This building, identified as part of the Koryo Sungkyunkwan Academy, opened in 2012 next to the historic site of Koryo Sungkyunkwan in Kaesong. / Jon Dunbar





This is the second in a three-part series about travel in North Korea.







By Jon Dunbar







Road travel anywhere outside Pyongyang is extremely unpleasant. Google says the 172.3km Pyongyang-Kaesong Highway is a 102-minute trip, but the actual time is closer to two and a half hours due to the patchy roads that hinder travel speeds. Despite this, leaving the capital at least once on a visit to North Korea is worth it.







Pyongyang is a showcase city, but Kaesong better represents North Korean urban life. It served as the capital of the 918-1392 Goryeo Kingdom and still has numerous historic attractions. After division of the peninsula, Kaesong was part of the South, but changed hands during the 1950-53 Korean War.







Yet, most people in the South would only think of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex (GIC, spelled with a G to reflect the South's Revised Romanization style), located about 5km outside the populated area.







Kaesong is a beautiful and sunny, yet gritty and textured metropolis, among the North's top 10 by population with around 200,000 people. It's suffused with broad apartment buildings of many bright colors and porous back alleys offering a glimpse into real North Korean city living. Colors are stronger here than my 2010 visit, suggesting a citywide major beautification project since then.







Tongil Street cuts north-south through the city bisecting a valley, so when you enter Kaesong from the south, the road curves down and then up again to statues of former leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il.







Kaesong's Tongil Street cuts a gently sloping north-south axis through the city, creating a distinctly welcoming scale to the city. / Jon Dunbar





The city is a pleasing combination of medium-rise apartments and older houses, what we in the South would call hanok. But that word is foreign to North Koreans, who speak joseonmal rather than hangukmal and wear joseon-ot instead of hanbok.







Kaesong's streets are crawling with life. You can see people of all ages riding bikes everywhere, assembled together or just hanging out with no clear objective. It's different from Pyongyang where the streets feel emptier and everyone has somewhere to go. On a short bus ride through Kaesong, I witnessed people setting up stands or traveling around to sell stuff, and saw one kid offering shoe repairs.







Soon our bus pulled into a parking lot located between two mirror-opposite gift shops made in a traditional Korean style. We were at the entrance to the Kaesong Koryo Museum, which people in the South might better understand by its original name: Sungkyunkwan.







This institute of higher education, originally named Gukjagam, traces back to 992. With the changing of dynasties in the 1390s, the capital moved south to Seoul and Sungkyunkwan moved too. The Koryo Sungkyunkwan buildings remained until their destruction in the 1592-98 Imjin War. Many of the reconstructions were said to date back to 1602. Just like in the South, some of the trees were even older.







I'm one of only two members I know of an exclusive club of people who've been to all three Sungkyunkwan campuses: in Kaesong, Seoul and Suwon. After my 2010 visit, I worked for Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) in Seoul, serving as the de facto English-language tour guide for the old campus.







Both Sungkyunkwan traditional campuses are identical in layout, centered around two separate rectangular yards arranged like a geomantic circuit board, one for academics and one for worship. Gukjagam was a cultural import from China's Confucianist Song Dynasty, its curriculum focused on the Confucian classics necessary for the complicated civil service exam. However, the museum, opened in 1987, highlights the prerevolutionary bad old days and emphasizes the Buddhist relics on view at this historic Confucian site.







A Confucian Temple at Koryo Sungkyunkwan, now repurposed for the Kaesong Koryo Museum / Jon Dunbar





Nevertheless, a stone plaque boasts the site was added to UNESCO's World Heritage list in Juche 102 (2013), an accomplishment still out of reach of our Sungkyunkwan.







To the west of Koryo Sungkyunkwan was a massive palatial building my guide said was Sungkyunkwan University of Light Industry. Wikimapia labels it as Koryo Sungkyunkwan Academy, and I can't guess its affiliation to the university, whose main campus is located about a kilometer south.







Yes, North Korea has its own SKKU, and it had ties with the South's during the Sunshine Era. Our SKKU claims to be the oldest in Asia, but theirs is a full four centuries older. Imagine that, if you own any SKKU paraphernalia, after reunification you might have to upgrade your "Since 1398" gear for "Since 992."







Next, we had a great lunch at a Kaesong restaurant, made possible by tour organizer Paektu Cultural Exchange. They served insam dakgom (ginseng chicken stew, indistinguishable from South Korean samgyetang), and I found actual Chinese-labeled Pepsi available. Ginseng is a staple of the region. Most of our group agreed it was our best meal so far.







A ginseng chicken soup, called "insam dakgom" but resembling the South's samgyetang, is served at a tourist restaurant in Kaesong along with a Pepsi with Chinese labeling. / Jon Dunbar





As we left, I noticed a grand traditional house through the trees behind the restaurant. My guide told me it was the home of Jeong Mong-ju, a Goryeo loyalist who refused to recognize the rise of Joseon and put to death. Jeong is one of Korea's 18 Men of Virtue, and a biannual ritual at Seoul's Sungkyunkwan still honors him every year.







Kaesong's fate is to serve as a gateway between the Koreas. The city, located between Seoul and Pyongyang on Korea's oldest train line, the Gyeongui Line, has incredible cultural value. And as the site of the GIC and SKKU, it will likely serve to distribute the wealth, vocational skills and cultural savvy needed to reconnect the Korean Peninsula. In Kaesong, the inherent value in reunification for both Koreas will shine brightly.





President Moon Jae-in toasts with French President Emmanuel Macron during a state dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Tuesday. Macron's wife Brigitte is seen on Moon's right. AP-Yonhap



Summits with British and German leaders planned



By Kim Yoo-chul



PARIS _ French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris will support Seoul's efforts to achieve the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization (CVID) of North Korea.



"France hopes North Korea will take more relevant measures to completely denuclearize. Precisely, France is waiting for a clear commitment from North Korea to demonstrate its willingness to dismantle its nuclear programs," Macron told a news conference alongside President Moon Jae-in at the Elysee Palace, early Tuesday morning (KST), following their summit.



"Yes, CVID is a feasible diplomatic rapprochement. France has highly-appreciated South Korea's efforts to make headway in getting North Korea to publicly and unequivocally embrace the CVID concept. We are here to help you and support you," the French leader said.



France, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), isn't directly involved in negotiations between the key stakeholders in the North's denuclearization.





President Moon Jae-in poses with Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yun-mo, right, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, fourth from left, NHN's chief investment officer Lee Jae-jin, third from left, and other dignitaries during the France-Korea Business Leaders Summit at the Westin Paris-Vendome, central Paris, Tuesday (KST). / Yonhap



By Kim Yoo-chul



PARIS  The government will continue to encourage leading Korean technology companies to invest in France because of its "open collaboration and open attitude" to foreign investment, President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday (KST).

The President was speaking at the "France-Korea Business Leaders Summit" held at the Westin Paris-Vendome in central Paris.

"My administration will continue to encourage our companies to commit to France. Seoul plans to expand overall bilateral trade volume as seen by the increase in the types of products traded between the two countries through this year. Aerospace parts, cosmetics, startups and eco-friendly vehicles are industries where two countries' business groups have mutual interests," President Moon said at the start of the meeting.

He said the home of world leading technology firms such as Samsung has a specific interest in artificial intelligence (AI), fuel cell technology and obtaining know-how on startup ecosystems.

"NHN, Korea's dominant web portal, has created funding aimed at investing in French startups. Samsung Electronics built its brand-new AI research center in Paris; while Hyundai Motor signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to supply fuel cell vehicles to and expand its partnership with French companies. Seoul will support them and explore opportunities to elevate partnerships in emerging business sectors," Moon said.

French President Emmanuel Macron is hoping to make France a "startup nation" by providing assistance to private companies and offering incentives to foreign firms.

According to data from global consultancy Ernst and Young, innovative companies raised about two billion euros ($2.36 billion) in the first half of this year in France, compared to 2.6 billion euros for all of 2017. France is catching up with the United Kingdom, the region's leader, which attracted 3 billion euros in venture capital over the same period.

Macron plans to reduce taxes, including those on foreign investment, as he sets out to persuade investors that France will have a big enough pool of "unicorns," or closely held startups, valued at more than $1 billion in 2019.

President Moon said his government will support Korean venture firms seeking to enter France.



The SSA management has reviewed the prevailing situations and explored all possibilities to get funds.

BSNL is a white elephant. Financial resources are scarce. For some of its field offices even paying rentals or power bills are beyond their means.

New Delhi: BSNL is a white elephant. Financial resources are scarce. For some of its field offices even paying rentals or power bills are beyond their means. But employees, it seems, keep their spirit up. They are pooling in money from their own pockets to keep the company going, a la crowd-funding.

A case in point came to light on October 5 when the authority concerned at a telecom district in Vijaywada issued an earnest appeal to its employees to personally contribute to a corpus  Rs 5,000 or above for executive rank personnel and Rs 2,000 or above for non-executives.

A senior official of the telecom district at Vijayawada issued an earnest appeal to all his employees on October 5 (a copy of letter is available with Financial Chronicle) which said that the financial status of BSNL is day-by-day deteriorating and more particularly the cash flow from the corporate office to field units is very much alarming.

The secondary switching areas or SSAs are unable to clear the pending bills like electricity, rents, and vendor payments in time, he said in the letter. Industry sources pointed out that network maintenance depends on field unit performance. A stage has come for all field officers as they expressed their inability to maintain the network in tact due to paucity of funds, even from their own pockets, a source said.

Neither BSNL chairman and managing director Anupam Shrivastava nor its spokesperson responded to several phone calls and messages by Financial Chronicle.

The source added that the field units of Vijayawada district is not the only case but many other field units are facing the same situation in other parts of the country as well. The government needs to be intervene as soon as possible to tackle such financial problems.

In order to ease the financial burden, the SSA management has reviewed the prevailing situations and explored all possibilities to get funds from corporate/circle office for clearing all pending temporary advances sanctioned for the maintenance of the network.

The information received either from corporate office or from circle office that the cash flow crunch may continue for some more months as revenue generation in BSNL is declining day-by-day and unable to mobilise funds from outside, said the senior official.

Considering the present scenario in BSNL, he added, the SSA management has discussed with all unions and associations and proposed to have corpus fund by taking interest free hand loans from all employees (non-executives /executives) till easing the cash flow from corporate office.

During the discussions with all the unions/associations of executives and non-executives, it was decided to appeal to all employees with a request to give interest-free hand loans, i.e., minimum of Rs 2,000 or above from each non-executive and Rs 5,000 or above from each executive of Krishna SSA to contribute towards this proposed corpus fund to enable the SSA management for maintaining network intact by avoiding huge disconnection in all segments, the official said in the appeal.

In August this year, the government had claimed that the telecom majors income stood at Rs 32,411 crore in FY16, Rs 31,533 core in FY17 and Rs 27,818 crore in FY18 (provisional and unaudited).

The company also claimed it narrowed losses to Rs 4,785 crore during 2017-18, even as its income declined to Rs 27,818 crore as against the previous fiscal, it added.Pradhan warned that unless oil producing countries look at the affordability of the consuming country alternative will be there.

New Delhi: Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan indicated on Tuesday that the US sanctions on Iran is not about availability of crude oil but a sentiment issue which along with other factors is driving the prices higher.

The minister said that the government does not interfere in the pricing of petroleum products which had been deregulated, allowing state-owned retailers to fix rates of petrol and diesel based on the international benchmark.

The government has no business to interfere in pricing mechanism of petroleum products which has been left to the oil companies to decide on a daily basis, Mr Pradhan said.

Mr Pradhan warned that unless oil producing countries look at the affordability of the consuming country alternative will be there.

On US sanctions on Iran the minister said that issue is not availability but due to geopolitical challenges there is a sentimental issue. From day one, we are confident that there is no problem in sourcing of crude. There is plenty available in different parts of the world.

Issue is not shortfall. Issue is sentiment, he said.

Mr Pradhan said that oil production in Venezuela is sliding, which had significant share in worlds global crude basket. He said that all these factors along with Iran sanctions is pushing oil prices up.

On Prime minister Narendra Modi meeting with captains of domestic and global oil industry on Monday, Mr Pradhan said that Prime Minister was speaking from the prospective of consumer community of emerging economies. During the meet, Modi had warned high oil prices stalling global growth and ultimately hurting producing countries.Arjun Kapoor's next film, which also features Parineeti Chopra, is a sequel to 2007 hit Namastey London.

Mumbai: Sequels have often proved to be money spinners but Arjun Kapoor, who will be seen in "Namaste England", believes there is no sure-shot formula to make a film successful.

The film, which also features Parineeti Chopra, is a sequel to 2007 hit "Namastey London".

"It is tough to call sequels as a safe bet, it does have a recall value and it has goodwill. But eventually beyond the Friday, the audience will judge the film on the basis of merit. Eyeballs is easier to get (for franchise or sequels). The audience has become sensible today they do not just come in for franchise but they see what new and interesting a film offers to them," Arjun told PTI.

The film marks Arjun and Parineeti's first collaboration after "Ishaqzaade" and the actor said he was excited about working with her as they had an opportunity to present their on-screen chemistry differently.

"This film made sense as we want to show the audience our pairing in a unique manner. We are married in the first 15 minutes of the film. This is a film where most love stories end (with marriage), this one begins with it."

In the trailer, Parineeti's character is feeling stifled by the restrictions decides to move to London. Arjun, 33, says though the country has progressed, patriarchal mindset still exists.

"Our parents decide how we should live, especially women and the girls are not allowed to decide for themselves.

"And men are told they are breadwinners of the family and not women. We have touched upon a topic that will strike a chord with a lot of people."

The film, directed by Vipul Shah, will release on October 18.Reacting to this news Sham Kaushal took the social media platform to defend him.

Action director Sham Kaushal, actor Vicky Kaushals father, has issued an unconditional apology after being accused of sexual harassment. Nameeta Prakash who has worked as an assistant director on films such as Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd, Ab Tak Chappan has revealed some shocking details about Shams sexual misconduct on Twitter.

Nameeta wrote: Back in 2006 on an outdoor shoot, Sham Kaushal, the famous and award-winning Bollywood stunt director decided that I should be going to his room after wrap to drink vodka, the sound of that was just so wrong that I lied to him & told him I dont drink at all. He tried to insist, by saying that I didnt know what I am missing out on and when I stuck my ground he picked up his phone and suddenly plugged it in-front of me with a porn MMS video clip on it.

Reacting to this news Sham Kaushal took the social media platform to defend him.

Sham wrote, Ever since I have been working in this industry I have tried my best to be a good human being professionally and personally, never wishing to hurt or disrespect anyone. I have read the allegations made against me made by some crewmembers. If I have unintentionally caused any hurt or anguish I unconditionally apologize to the ladies, to the production houses and each and every member of the film fraternity.Tennessee Promise provides two years of tuition-free attendance at a community or technical college in Tennessee to qualifying students. Tennessee Promise is both a scholarship and mentoring program focused on increasing the number of students that attend college in our state, according to TNpromise.gov. It provides students a last-dollar scholarship, meaning the scholarship will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees not covered by the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship, or the Tennessee Student Assistance Award. Students may use the scholarship at any of the states 13 community colleges, 27 colleges of applied technology, or the eligible institution offering an associate degrees program.

Tennessee Promise participants must complete and submit eight hours of community service per term enrolled.

That is where JustServe.org comes in. JustServe.org is a place where students can go to sign up for a service project. JustServe is a website where organization and volunteers come together to do good things for the community for free. JustServe links communities with volunteers and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. It serves as a platform for organizations to post needs and for volunteers to search for places to serve.

JustServe is so popular that local and State governments are using it to promote service. JustServe is even being used to help those affected by Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Florence. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains the website but that is where the affiliation stops. The site is a gift from the church to communities everywhere.

Again, JustServe is free for everyone  including students who want to volunteer in their communities to fulfill the requirements of Tennessee Promise. Tennessee is the first state in the nation to offer high school graduates two years of community or technical college tuition-free.Prince Tucy offered a symbolic apology for destruction of the Ram temple by the Mughal ruler by placing the charan-paduka of Lord Ram on his head.

Lucknow: In another twist to the Ram temple dispute in Ayodhya, prince Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy, a self-proclaimed sixth generation descendant of Babar, will now meet the President of India and offer the disputed land for temple construction.

Prince Tucy who claims to be the great grandson of the Mughal emperor, was in Ayodhya on Sunday where he met Swami Chakrapani, national president of Hindu Mahasabha.

I am the sixth generation descendant of Babar and by that position; I apologise from the bottom of my heart, to the entire Hindu community and to all Ram devotees for the destruction. I say this in all my consciousness and I will stand by construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya by all means possible, he said.

He further said that since the dispute was mainly regarding the title of the disputed land, he would gift the land for temple construction. I would also want to be given the privilege of placing the first gold brick for temple construction, he added.

Prince Tucy said that, Even Babar, in his will, had condemned the act and had called it a blot. He had instead asked for respect to be given to the saints and Mahatmas and protection of temples in the country.

Prince Tucy offered a symbolic apology for destruction of the Ram temple by the Mughal ruler by placing the charan-paduka of Lord Ram on his head.

This was Prince Tucys third visit to Ayodhya in the past two years and he had offered prayers at the makeshift temple on each of the visit.

Swami Chakrapani, who was present on the occasion, warned that if temple construction did not begin before 2019, Hindus would wage a do-or-die battle.Randeep Surjewala took to Twitter and said the country needed a finance minister and not a 'babble-blogger'.

The Congress fired the fresh salvo after Jaitley on Tuesday accused its president Rahul Gandhi of 'concocting' falsehood and wondered if he has a personality issue where 'he lies a dozen times and then in self-delusion believes it to be true or is it a case of a Clown Prince' out-clowning himself?' (Photo: File)

New Delhi: The bitter war between the Congress and the BJP over Rafale deal on Tuesday saw more name-calling with the opposition party dubbing Finance Minister Arun Jaitley as a "babble blogger" and dismissing his "clown prince out-clowning himself" barb at Rahul Gandhi as "hollow rants of a court jester".

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala attacked Jaitley accusing him of "banging" the economy by his "incomprehension".Taking to Twitter, he said the country needed a finance minister and not a "babble-blogger".

"Hollow rants of a Court Jester' - Jait-Lie' won't change the truth that- You bang the truth to hide ineptitude, You bang the Rupee by your mismanagement, You bang exports by your incompetence, You bang the Economy by your incomprehension. "India needs a FM, Not a Babble Blogger'," he tweeted.

The Congress fired the fresh salvo after Jaitley on Tuesday accused its president Rahul Gandhi of "concocting" falsehood and wondered if he has a personality issue where "he lies a dozen times and then in self-delusion believes it to be true or is it a case of a Clown Prince' out-clowning himself?"

Read: Arun Jaitley hits back at Rahul Gandhi over PNB fraud case, Rafale deal

Asked about Jaitley's allegations, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said it was unfortunate that the finance minister had time only to write blogs while the country's economy was in "bad shape".

He said the time will come when the country will render this government out of power for its ministers to have all the time to write blogs. He also said the government's functioning was "funny", where the finance minister talks about defence matters, the Railway minister about finance and the Law minister about other matters.

"There is absolute chaotic and absurd state of affairs in this government," Tewari alleged, adding that "these people do not know how to govern." "Therefore, the time has come for people to show the door to these people for them to write only blogs," he said.

Jaitley, in a Facebook post, said, "How does he (Gandhi) concoct this falsehood? At the Hindustan Times Summit, he referred to a meeting he had with me and attributed same statements to me. When asked I merely said that I can't answer hallucinations'. "'I am in the distinguished company of President Macron. Today I feel it is much more than hallucinations. Is it a personality issue where he lies a dozen times and then in self-delusion believes it to be true or is it a case of a Clown Prince' out-clowning himself?"

On allegations made by the Congress party president on Rafale, Jaitley said the aircraft and its weaponry are not being manufactured in India at all, neither by Dassault or by any other private company. All 36 aircraft and their weapons in a fully flyable and usable form will arrive in India, he said. After the supplies begin, Dassault has to make purchases in India for 50 per cent of the contract value, he said.

The Congress has been attacking the government over the Rafale deal and has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of indulging in corruption and favouritism. The allegations have been denied by the government.CM will take action against MLA for provocative speech.

Lucknow: Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani said here on Monday that the efforts of the Congress to incite violence in Gujarat had failed and it was now up to Congress president Rahul Gandhi to take action against those elements responsible for this.

Mr Rupani was speaking at the Uttar Pradesh-Gujarat Ekta Samvad and said that his government had taken adequate steps to ensure the safety and security of non-Gujaratis in the state.

We will take legal action against the MLA who gave a provocative speech. We have arrested all the people involved in the incident, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani said.

He further said that India is one, and this Gujarat is of Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is a mini-India for all the Indians, and everyones honor, safety and development is ensured.

The Gujarat chief minister stated that people from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other states have contributed to the development of Gujarat.

The Gujarat chief minister also invited his counterpart in Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, to attend the unveiling of the Sardar Patel statue on October 31.

The Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani also promised all help to Uttar Pradesh in becoming Uttam Pradesh.

Speaking on the occasion, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said that north-Indians had played an important role in the development of Gujarat. He said that people from Uttar Pradesh are treated with respect in Gujarat.

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister said that in the past two decades, Gujarat had developed rapidly under the leadership of Mr Modi. The Gujarat development is a model for all states now, he said.

Meanwhile, the Congress workers in Lucknow let off hundreds of black balloons to protest against the attack on north-Indians in Gujarat.

The protesting Congress workers were arrested and taken to the police station where they continued their protest.Mr Sonowal said that it would strengthen the peoples faith in the judiciary of Army also.

Guwahati: Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday welcomed the court martial verdict sentencing seven Army personnel, including a former major general, to life imprisonment for a fake encounter 24 years ago in Assam.

Mr Sonowal said that it would strengthen the peoples faith in the judiciary of Army also.

The court martial verdict was pronounced in connection with the extra-judicial killing of AASU activists Prabin Sonowal, Pradip Dutta, Debajit Biswas, Akhil Sonowal and Bhaben Moran. A unit of Punjab Regiment had picked them up along with four others from different places in Tinsukia district between February 17 and 19 in 1994.

The judgment, pronounced by the court martial held at the 2 Infantry Mountain Division at Dinjan in Upper Assams Dibrugarh district, will have to be confirmed by higher competent authorities like the Eastern Army Command in Kolkata and the Army headquarters in New Delhi. This may take two to three months.

The seven Army personnel held guilty are Major General A.K. Lal (Retd), Colonels Thomas Mathew and R.S. Sibiren and junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) Dilip Singh, Jagdeo Singh, Albindar Singh and Shivendar Singh.New Delhi, Oct 15 (PTI) Two persons were injured Monday in a minor fight that broke out between two groups of students inside the Jamia Millia Islamia, the police said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Chinmoy Biswal said the police were informed around 5 pm that some students have been surrounded by other students at SRK Masjid inside the varsity.

"Enquiry revealed that it was a quarrel between two groups of students in which two students sustained simple injuries. Legal action is being taken," he said.

The officer said the action is being taken on statement of one student whose medical examination was carried out.

Two persons have been detained, he said.

Police have been deployed outside the varsity campus to ensure no untoward incident happens.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)Thiruvananthapuram, October 16: A woman attempted to hang herself from a tree in Thiruvananthapuram in protest against the Supreme Court's verdict allowing the the entry of women of all age group in Sabarimala temple. The woman was saved by the locals and the police, said reports. This news comes amid reports of the already prevailing tension near the temple site as women devotees are being reportedly stopped from travelling to the temple. Sabarimala Row: Women Devotees Being Dragged Out of Public Buses, Stopped at Nilakkal.

This is another case of protest by a woman on the judgement by the Supreme Court allowing women of all age groups to enter the temple of Lord Ayyappa. Protests by several women groups have been taking place ever since the apex court's judgement. Check the picture of the woman who tried to commit suicide in protest of the SC's order.

Kerala: A woman attempted to hang herself from a tree in Thiruvananthapuram in protest against the Supreme Court's verdict over the entry of women of all age group in #SabarimalaTemple. She was saved by locals and the police. pic.twitter.com/HAth1nj0eB  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2018

The Lord Ayyappa Temple is set to open on Wednesday for the monthly pooja, and female devotees are joyed at the prospect of entering the temple for darshan of Lord Ayyappa. But media reports said that women devotees are reportedly being dragged out of the buses and are being stopped from approaching the base camp.

Supporters of various Hindu organisations on Tuesday, October 2 had also taken to the streets to protest against the September 28 Supreme Court verdict. The protest was led by former Travancore Devasom Board (TDB) President and former Congress legislator Prayar Gopalakrishnan who said that he will oppose the verdict "come what may". The Shiv Sena has threatened a mass suicide by its women workers if young women enter the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala. The Kerala wing of the Shiv Sena has said that they will hold the suicide protest on October 17 and 18.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2018 03:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).Mumbai, October 16: The special court in Mumbai, earlier last month, rejected the bail plea of Indrani Mukerjea, accused of murdering her daughter Sheena Bora with her husband Peter Mukerjea. Today, she argued herself before the special court and said, "Will CBI take responsibility if I die?. She made this statement after her bail plea was rejected by CBI multiple times.

Indrani has several times filed a bail plea on the grounds of poor health and cited that she is facing severe illness. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) while opposing her bail plea said that she is fine and being given medical attention whenever required. Indrani Mukerjea Demands Jewellery, Artworks and Keys to Safe From Peter Mukerjea, Divorce Hearing Tomorrow.

Indrani who is lodged in Byculla jail, earlier in September, was admitted to JJ Hospital after she complained of double vision, headache, and restlessness. Doctors examining her said that she is facing hypertension and cervical spondylitis.

Indirani is accused of killing her 24-year-old daughter Sheena Bora in April 2012. The crime came to light in August 2015 after her driver Shyamvar Rai was arrested by police for a different case and during interrogation, he disclosed about Sheena's murder. Her husband Peter Mukerjea and former husband Sanjeev Khanna are co-accused in the case.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2018 05:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).The Bhim Army has demanded that the practice of burning Ravan's effigies on Dussehra be stopped as it hurts the feelings of many tribal groups. According to reports, the Pune unit of the Bhim Army in Pune submitted a letter to the Pune police. In the letter, the Bhim Army has called Ravan "a symbol of humanitarian culture" adding that Ravan is not a demon but an idol for many Adivasi (tribal) and Bahujan groups.

The letter states that Ravan should not be burnt in the name of demon. The Bhim Army group also warned that if their demands are not met and Ravan effigies continue to be burned, they will not be responsible for any disturbance in law and order situation. The group has even demanded that burning of Ravan's effigies be considered an offence under The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which invites jail term and penalty.

In the year 2017, the Supreme Court had dismissed a petition asking for a ban on burning of Ravan effigies. The petition was filed by one Anand Prakash Sharma, and stated that burning the Ravan effigies hurt feelings of certain sections in the society. In September, the Uttar Pradesh government had ordered an early release from jail of Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar 'Ravan' who was jailed under National Security Act (NSA) charges in connection with 2017 Saharanpur caste violence case.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2018 12:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).Tehran, October 16: Fourteen Iranian security personnel, including Revolutionary Guards intelligence officers, were abducted on the volatile southeastern border with Pakistan on Tuesday, state media reported. The border guards were "abducted between 4 am and 5 am in the Lulakdan area of the border by a terrorist group," the official IRNA news agency said.

Lulakdan is a small village 150 kilometres southeast of Zahedan, capital of the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan. The 14 were involved in "a security operation" and included two members of the elite Revolutionary Guards intelligence unit, seven Basij militiamen and five regular border guards, the Young Journalists' Club (YJC), a state-owned news website, said.

The report was deleted from the YJC website shortly afterwards.

The province has long been a flashpoint, with Baluchi separatists and jihadists based in Pakistan regularly attacking Iranian security posts. Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Crossing Closed After Tension over Its Fencing.

On September 28, the Guards said they had killed four militants who had slipped across the border. Sistan-Baluchistan has a large, mainly Sunni Muslim ethnic Baluchi community which straddles the border.

Sunni extremist group Jundallah (Soldiers of God) launched a bloody insurgency in the province in 2000 targeting the security forces and officials of Iran's Shiite-dominated government.

The campaign peaked with a spate of deadly attacks from 2007 -- including twin suicide bombings against a Shiite mosque that killed 28 people -- but abated after the group's leader was killed in mid-2010.

In 2012, Jundullah members formed a successor organisation called Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice), which has carried out a spate of attacks on the security forces. Iran has alleged that the group has received support from the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, with the complicity of Pakistan.Congress president Rahul Gandhi has accepted his resignation, the sources told PTI.

Fairoz Khan, who is from Jammu and Kashmir, submitted his resignation on Monday. (Photo: Twitter | @Fairoz_JK)

New Delhi: The national president of National Students' Union of India (NSUI) Fairoz Khan has stepped down from his post following charges of sexual harassment, sources in the Congress said Tuesday.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has accepted his resignation, the sources told PTI.

Fairoz Khan, who is from Jammu and Kashmir, submitted his resignation on Monday.

The party had set up a three-member committee to look into the issue after a woman levelled charges of sexual harassment against the chief of its youth wing.

The Congress worker from Chhattisgarh also filed a complaint against him in the parliament Street police station, saying that she feared for her life.Boko Haram militants have killed a female aid worker held by the group since March, the Nigerian government has confirmed. The aid worker was shot in the head, execution style after a deadline imposed to release imprisoned members of the armed group expired, the government said.

The Nigerian government said it was "shocked" and "saddened" by the killing of the woman, the information ministry said in a statement.

A clip of the execution of 24-year-old Hauwa Leman was seen on Monday by a correspondent of Nigeria's online news platform, The Cable. "Leman was forced to kneel down, with her hands tied inside a white hijab which has a crest symbol, and then shot at a close range," The Cable reported.

Leman, a nurse with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), was kidnapped by the armed group in March along with two other medical workers in Rann, Borno state in the country's northeast. One of the workers - Saifura Ahmed, who had been abducted at the same time, was executed by Boko Haram in September. Boko Haram has made the countrys northeast its stronghold and regularly carries out attacks, raids and kidnappings.

"We have kept our word exactly as we said, by killing another humanitarian worker, Hauwa Leman, who is working with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that were abducted during a raid on a military facility in Rann, Kala Balge in March 2018," Boko Haram said in a short statement sent to the Cable.

"Saifura and Hauwa were killed because they are considered as Murtads (apostates) by the group because they were once Muslims that have abandoned their Islam, the moment they chose to work with the Red Cross, and for us, there is no difference between Red Cross and UNICEF," the group added.

"If we see them, we will kill the apostates among them, men or women, and chose to kill or keep the infidels as slaves, men or women."

An ICRC spokeswoman told Reuters on Monday, "We are hearing devastating reports that Hauwa has been executed. At this stage, we have no confirmation that this is true. We desperately hope not. This situation is heartbreaking and our thoughts remain with the family."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2018 07:17 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).Maldives' top court has rejected to hear the three "secret" witnesses offered by President Abdulla Yameen in his petition which alleges that there was mass tampering of election results that led to his September election defeat.

The Supreme Court concluded its hearings on Tuesday during which the judges rejected Yameens lawyers offer to bring forward secret witnesses to corroborate their charge. Yameens lawyer Mohamed Saleem, had said the three unnamed witnesses would reveal how the vote was rigged. The country's independent Elections Commission (EC) through its lawyers argued Yameen's petition was based on false allegations and should be dismissed.

During this hearing Yameens side also alleged that supporters of the opposition party had infiltrated the Election Commission and used disappearing ink on ballot papers to harm the chances of the incumbent president. Local media also reported four of the five election commissioners have fled the country and sought refuge in neighbouring Sri Lanka following death threats after Yameen lost the election.

Yameen's lawyer Mohamed Saleem told the court that the printer of ballot papers coated them with an unnamed substance that made votes marked in Yameen's box disappear. Saleem also alleged that a "special pen with disappearing ink" was given to people who were going to vote for his client.

Counting officials also allegedly carried secret pens, in the form of rings on their fingers, which they used to mark ballots for the opposition.

Opposition lawyer Hisan Hussain said the entire challenge was based on "pure conspiracy theories". "Pen rings and disappearing ink are fanciful. The only thing missing from the case are magic carpets," she told reporters after the hearing concluded. She insisted that Yameen had not presented any "real evidence" to back his claims of vote rigging and fraud.

The Supreme Court said it would deliver its verdict at an unspecified later date.

Despite Abdulla Yameen ensuring that his main competitors were out of the way  in jail or in exile as in the case of former President Mohammed Nasheed and his own half-brother Abdulla Gayoom, he was beaten by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the candidate put up by a coalition of opposition parties.

After the elections the news rapidly showed that Yameen had lost by a hefty margin and he initially conceded defeat and said he would step down on November 17, but then last week filed his petition against the election results.

The world is watching how the events are playing out in Male -- from New Delhi to Beijing to Washington. Ahead of the court hearing in the capital Male, the United States has warned "appropriate measures" would be taken if the will of the Maldivian people was undermined. European Union and India have also issued similar warnings. (With PTI inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 17, 2018 04:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).Dar es Salaam, October 16: The kin of Mohammed Dewji, Tanzania's richest man and Africa's youngest billionaire, has offered a $436,000 reward to anyone who provides information leading to his abductors. Mo, as the kidnapped industrialist is popularly called, went missing in the morning on October 11.

As per the probe conducted by Dar es Salaam police so far, it has been found that Mo was attacked by armed gunmen at 5:35am last Thursday, when he stepped out from his Range Rover to enter his commercial building at the Colosseum hotel.

Regional police commissioner Paul Makonda, who is heading the investigation, said a "gang of whites" are suspected to have a role in his abduction. The suspects, heavily armed, came in two vehicles and dragged Mo into one of them, he said.

So far, 20 suspects have been rounded up by the police in Dar es Salaam region, Makonda said, adding that his department will not rest till Mo is successfully rescued.

Meanwhile, Mo's uncle Azim Dewji addressed a press conference on Monday, announcing a reward of one billion Tanzanian shillings, valuing nearly $4,36,000, to anyone who discloses information related to Mo. Azim further added that the identity of the one who shares the relevant info would be kept anonymous.

The reward was also announced by Mo's company MeTL (Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania) on their twitter handle:

For every matter that you fear, God has his plans MO#BringBackOurMO#MrudisheMoWetu#BringBackMo We are offering a reward of 1 billion TSHS for any tip that will help us find our MO! Please email tips to findmo@metl.net The family promises to maintain secrecy pic.twitter.com/YHiSlVXuBX  MeTL Group (@MeTL_Group) October 15, 2018

Mo, who is the only African entrepreneur to have featured in the Forbes magazine list of richest individuals this year, had pledged to donate half of his wealth towards a campaign to "end poverty in Tanzania".

His firm, MTeL contributes nearly 3.5 per cent to the nation's gross domestic product. The company currently employs over 24,000 workers.

Mo, 43, has a net worth of $1.5 billion, as per the Forbes report. The billionaire had earlier also ventured into the political realm, serving as a member of the Parliament for 5 years representing the ruling centre-left Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party between 2010-2015.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2018 06:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).The legislators also said that two to three more Congress MLAs are likely to follow their steps in coming days.

'We are joining BJP today. We expect two to three more MLAs to come, not today but in the coming days,' Subhash Shirodkar said. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

New Delhi: Two Goa Congress legislators Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte on Tuesday announced that they would be joining the BJP after meeting party president Amit Shah in the national capital. They also said that two to three more MLAs are likely to follow their steps in the coming days.

The development comes at a time when the BJP is trying hard to keep the alliance and its government in the state intact as Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is suffering from a pancreatic ailment.

We are joining BJP today. We expect two to three more MLAs to come, not today but in the coming days, Subhash Shirodkar said.

Following their meeting with Shah, the two MLAs resigned as members of the state assembly.

Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte left for Delhi on Monday midnight.

"I am going on a business trip," Sopte had told reporters at the airport. When Shirodkar was asked whether he was joining the BJP, he responded, "You will come to know, if I do it".

In the 2017 Goa Assembly elections, Sopte had defeated former BJP chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar. Shirodkar was also elected on a Congress ticket from Shiroda constituency where he defeated BJP candidate.

Goa Health Minister and BJP MLA Vishwajit Rane also left for Delhi, little before their departure.

When contacted, All India Congress Committee Secretary A Chellakumar said he had spoken to both the legislators  Sopte and Shirodkar  who had assured him that they were not resigning from the party.

Congress currently has 16 MLAs in the Goa Legislative Assembly. Their strength would be reduced to 14 if two legislators resign. BJP is having 14 MLAs while three each are from Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Independents. One legislator is from the NCP.

(With PTI inputs)Oct 16, 2018, 9:43am ET

Police report spike in Honda airbag thefts

The stolen airbags are said to be resold on eBay or to unscrupulous repair shops.

Police in some cities have reportedly warned residents of an increase in airbag thefts from Honda and Acura vehicles.

Victims are said to face repair bills worth thousands of dollars after finding their vehicle's door or window damaged and the steering wheel missing its valuable airbag, according to a USA Today report.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau suggests around 50,000 airbags are stolen each year. Thieves are said to focus solely on the driver's airbag, which can cost more than $1,000 as a new part from the dealer and reportedly fetches $200 to $300 on eBay. The NICB also says stolen components will end up at repair shops and installed as new parts, sometimes involving a form of insurance fraud if the shop bills the insurance company or vehicle owner the full price of a new airbag.

The latest report found that airbag thefts more than quadrupled in Florida's Miami-Dade County from 2016 to 2017. In Northern Virginia, thieves managed to steal 37 airbags from one neighborhood in the same night.

Police speculate Honda models are being targeted due to their popularity, with no apparent connection to the Takata airbag recalls that have focused on older vehicles.Oct 16, 2018, 10:02am ET

VW CEO: German automakers have '50-50' chance of faltering due to tightening regulation

VW CEO Herbert Diess said German manufacturing centers could go the way of Detroit.

Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess said Tuesday that German automakers have only a heads-or-tails chance of surviving an increasingly hostile regulatory climate without making sweeping changes to the way they approach their business.

"From today's point of view the chances are perhaps 50-50 that the German auto industry will still belong among the global elite in 10 years' time," he said.

Diess made the comments at an auto industry supplier conference in Wolfsburg, Germany, according to Reuters.

"If you look at the former bastions of the auto industry like Detroit, Oxford-Cowley or Turin, you understand what happens to cities when once-powerful corporations and leading industries falter," Diess said, in what was plainly a call to action for industry groups.

German automotive association VDA claims that further bans on combustion engines could cost the German auto industry as many as 600,000 jobs.

As CEO of Volkswagen, Diess is under particular pressure to change the way his company does business. The fallout of its Dieselgate scandal has forced a complete overhaul of VW's future product plan, including a mandate for funding electrification initiatives worldwide.

Volkswagen had the unfortunate luck to be the first company caught lying about diesel emissions in Europe, a scandal which became the tipping point in European regulatory attitudes toward diesel-powered vehicles.

VW subsidiary Audi just paid a US$927m fine for its roll in the scandal.A Bethlehem Township man attacked his wife and daughter, and both bit him during the scuffle, according to township police.

Alaa Abdalla, of the 4700 block of Conway Court in Bethlehem Township, was arrested and charged with strangulation and two counts each of simple assault and harassment.

The 50-year-old Abdalla was free after posting 10 percent of $25,000 bail. An attorney has not yet entered an appearance in the case.

Township police said they were called to Abdalla's home Saturday afternoon for a domestic assault and he was fleeing the residence.

Officers stopped Abdalla in a vehicle several blocks away and he told officers there was an altercation and he was leaving to get away from the situation.

Abdalla's wife and daughter reported he had been sleeping on the couch when he woke up and became angry.

Abdalla allegedly began throwing items from an upstairs bedroom over a railing, police said. When his daughter stood in the doorway to stop him he grabbed her neck and shoved her, police said.

Abdalla's wife stood in front of their daughter and Abdalla reportedly said he would shoot her in the face.

Abdalla then grabbed his wife by the neck with both hands, and did not let go until his daughter hit him on the head with a rope, police said.

Abdalla allegedly had his wife by the hair when he grabbed his daughter and the three of them fell to the ground.

Police said the wife and daughter bit Abdalla during the scuffle.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.Mr Shah lashed out at Congress for disrespecting late Vijayaraje Scindia, founding member of BJP, for allegedly persecuting her and troubling her.

Bhopal: Bharatiya Janata Party national president Amit Shah on Monday said his party always worked for true empowerment of women and cited the triple talaq ordinance promulgated by the Narendra Modi government as a testimony to it.

Despite stiff opposition from the Congress party, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured that the triple talaq would no longer be practiced in India, Mr Shah said while addressing the Kamal Shakti Samvad function attended by among others a sizeable number of Muslim women, at Satna in Madhya Pradesh.

The Congress has never bothered for the welfare of Muslim mothers and sisters. Mr Modi ensured that triple talaq has no place in India despite facing opposition to his move by Congress, Mr Shah who winded up his two-day election tour to MP on Monday said.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriages) Ordinance was brought into force on September 19 under which triple talaq has been declared illegal and punishable with a jail term of three years for the husband.

Stating that his party believed in true empowerment of women, Mr Shah said six women governors were appointed during the current regime of Modi government in which also nine women ministers were inducted.

While Sushma Swaraj was given the key responsibility of developing good relations with other countries as minister of external affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman was given important portfolio like defence, he added.

Mr Shah lashed out at Congress for disrespecting late Vijayaraje Scindia, founding member of BJP, for allegedly persecuting her and troubling her.

Persecution of Rajmata, as she was fondly called by her followers, led the lotus (Bharatiya Janata Party) to bloom in the entire region, Bharatiya Janata Party national president said.Bucks County's district attorney is again warning the public to keep an eye out for suspicious devices as his office continues to investigate a series of explosions in the upper part of the county.

Prosecutors have charged David W. Surman Jr. and Tina May Smith in the case, alleging Smith drove Surman around as he threw explosives from the car on several occasions.

District Attorney Matthew Weintraub said on Tuesday that some devices deployed by the Milford Township couple may have failed to explode and could still be live.

"This is more an FYI than an SOS," Weintraub said.

There have been no reports of additional explosions since Surman's June 28 arrest.

"If you find something suspicious, please do not investigate it on your own. Call 911," Weintraub said.

Smith was charged last week with four dozen counts of conspiracy, half of which are felony charges, and one count of reckless endangerment. She is free after posting $100,000 cash bail.

Surman was arrested on June 28 in connection with investigation into 30 explosions since April at seven sites in his Milford Township community.

Weintraub said the the investigation has concentrated in the greater Quakertown area, especially Milford Township, as well as locations near Ottsville and Upper Black Eddy.

In announcing Surman's arrest, authorities released pages from notebooks seized from him that include a collage of photos that appear to show a woman driving him in a black Ford Explorer as a cartoonish bomb explodes in the background.

Investigators found that same collage on Smith's phone and say she was driving Surman in a black Ford, according to the affidavit of probable cause that led to her arrest. Court documents also confirm the collage has photos of Smith in the driver's seat and Surman as the passenger.

Surman is due Nov. 2 in Bucks County Court for his formal arraignment, and is awaiting a preliminary hearing in a separate case for allegedly possessing child pornography.

As investigators in the bomb case combed through Surman Jr.'s home in the 2400 block of Old Bethlehem Pike in Milford Township, they found a hard drive in his bedroom containing "dozens of pornographic images and videos featuring children, including an image of a young girl engaged in a sexual act with an animal," the district attorney's office previously said.

He is free on bail in both cases.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.In 2015 Sophia Kivleham of Allentown and 20 other students filed suit in the U.S. District Court in Oregon against the United States for failure to address climate change and thereby endangering the future world in which they will live. The trial is scheduled to start at the end of this month. The ultimate goal of the suit is for the U.S to develop a fixed plan to address climate change and divorce us from fossil fuels.

We have seen this summer and fall the current impact climate change on the world and on the U.S. Furthermore, the U.S. government conceded this summer that we are on course for a 4degC change by the end of the century.

Also, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently issued a special report on the impact of 1.5degC global warming, with the warning that we will blow past this limit by mid-century unless we take drastic actions within the next decade.

Fortunately, there already exists just such a plan -- a carbon fee and dividend program, which has been proposed in slightly different forms by the Citizens' Climate Lobby and by the Climate Leadership Council. Both approaches use a carbon fee that is collected when the fossil fuel is removed from the ground and then returns the funds collected to the consumers.

This program would strongly encourage free market solutions to reduce carbon uses while protecting the most vulnerable consumers. A 2013 study determined that such an approach would also result in the fastest reductions in greenhouse emissions.

Thomas H. Pritchett

EastonBy Stephen Ellis

Like many facts about living in a community, safely handling sewage has been a need since the start of civilization. The town of Phillipsburg has an aging infrastructure that is experiencing issues that our skilled staff has been addressing as emergencies. We find ourselves dealing with decades of neglect of our infrastructure, until now.

Stephen Ellis.

I must comment on inaccurate statements and distortions made by public officials in a Sept. 30 report by Kurt Bresswein that appeared in The Express-Times under the highly subjective headline, "Massive sewage spills revealed."

The reported stormwater leaks occurred on three distinct dates, each lasting for a limited number of hours before being addressed by the sanitary plant operator and expert third parties. One referenced leak occurred before the current administration. In all cases, proper containment and repair protocols were followed.

Comments from elected officials serve to distract us by trivializing the severity of the state of our infrastructure. In his article, Kurt Bresswein quoted an email message from Council President Robert Fulper, who stated, "It's even more concerning to me that, despite the political differences we share, our mayor has not come to the governing body or the public with these issues but instead has rather focused more on his social media postings, and this is definitely a problem."

My issue is with Fulper's use of the media to feed on a conflict instead of offering a constructive solution.

Council oversight includes the operation of sewage infrastructure. That, by definition, includes more than approving fee increases. Fulper failed to share in his comments to The Express-Times that as recently as Sept. 18, in executive session, the topic of sewer issues was discussed with the town council.

Referring to Phillipsburg Town Code, Chapter 123-1: "The municipal sewer treatment plant ... shall hereafter be operated, maintained, managed and controlled by the Town Council of the Town of Phillipsburg."

Fulper, aware of his responsibility, stated in his recent email to the The Express-Times, "Council, acting as the overseeing party to the utility, has acknowledged the advice of our peers and voted to increase the rate by ordinance."

As mayor, I hold myself ultimately responsible for the safety and quality of life of our residents, as should all elected officials. I pledge to pursue a path to improve Phillipsburg's infrastructure by bringing attention to distractions that have become commonplace at the well-publicized council meetings. Although the office of the mayor does not "oversee the sewer utility," with the assistance and cooperation of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, I have acquired an $8 million loan toward upgrading our sewer utility.

I continue to request we take a cooperative approach to address this critical issue as we court investors to Phillipsburg. That said, in a town our size, addressing single issues is not an efficient approach. As mayor, my role is to keep moving forward on multiple fronts as a way to build on the momentum created by recent investments of new businesses creating opportunities right around the corner.

Stephen Ellis is the mayor of Phillipsburg.Police are asking for information about two home burglaries earlier this month in Warren County, where a thief or thieves stole guns and jewelry.

Both burglaries occurred during the day in Knowlton Township and have a similar pattern, Blairstown police said.

The first break-in was between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 2 on Station Road.

The home's front door was kicked in and the burglar stole multiple guns and jewelry from the bedrooms, Blairstown police said. A pillowcase was missing, and police believe it was used to carry the stolen items.

The second break-in was between 6:10 a.m. and 3:20 p.m. last Wednesday on Knowlton Road in the township, police said.

Again, the front door was kicked in and multiple guns and jewelry were taken from the bedrooms. A pillowcase was also missing.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call New Jersey State Police at the Hope barracks at 908-459-5098.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.There was a big welcome home for the 119 Irish troops from the 57th Infantry Group, United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) who arrived in this morning two weeks later than planned following a six month deployment to the Golan Heights and Syria.

The personnel, six of whom are from Kildare were met by their families and friends at Dublin Airport.

The troops were serving with the UN on the Golan Heights and Syria and were due to return home on Monday, October 1 however there was an issue in relation to their diplomatic clearance. They had to stay on longer than planned in Camp Faouar in Syria. All troops were given an 1,000 ex gratia payment in recognition of the disruption caused to them and their families.

The 57th Infantry Group were drawn primarily from the 3rd Infantry Battalion, stationed in Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny, but also contained personnel drawn from all over the country including Kildare.

The 57th Infantry Group were the first Irish unit to redeploy to Syria following a UN evacuation of personnel in 2014.

Their replacements, the 58th Infantry Group, have completed their deployment to Syria and have joined their UNDOF colleagues in theatre.

Pictured above is Kildare based Officer Commanding the 57th Infantry Group, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Brownen, with his wife Anita and their children on the return of the 57th Infantry Group.

SEE ALSO: Six Kildare troops delayed in SyriaThe Mayor of Kildare, Sean Power, together with An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar and Mayor of Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, Councillor Murty Aspell, officially opened Kildare County Councils new housing development at Athgarvan

Road, Newbridge yesterday.

The mayor welcomed the delivery of this scheme constructed by Kildare County Council under the Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness programme.

Read also: EPA lists Kildare firm for failing to meet environmental standards

He noted that the 13 'Towards Carbon Neutral' residential units have a BER rating of A2 and are Nzeb compliant. The Mayor acknowledged the work of Letitia Hanratty, MRIAI, from Kildare County Council's Architectural Services Section who designed

and project managed the scheme.

Kildare County Council signed contracts with C&A Build and Civil of Rosemount Park Drive, Dublin, on 3 August 2017 for the construction of 4 single storey one bed houses, 2 two storey two bed houses and 6 one bed apartments and one two bed

apartment located in a prime town centre location.

Kildare County Councils Chief Executive, Peter Carey, welcomed the delivery of 13 social homes in Newbridge, noting that the construction of new homes by local authorities will play a key part in meeting delivery targets under the Rebuilding Ireland programme.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pictured with some of the residents at the official opening of the Liffey Tce, Housing Development, Newbridge PICTURE: TONY KEANE

Mr Carey added that there are many more homes in the pipeline which will be delivered under the current housing delivery programme. He thanked the contractor for the efficient delivery of the houses and also acknowledged that this development was much needed in Newbridge.

New resident, Carrie OConnor, with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, in her new home

The Mayor, An Taoiseach and the Chief Executive extended best wishes to the new residents of Athgarvan Road and wished them every happiness for the future in their new homes.

Dep Fiona OLoughlin said it is great to see the units being opened, albeit after "a 15 year wait and at an excessive price per unit."

She wishes the new residents good health and happiness in their new homes and is also glad that the residents in adjoining Liffey Terrace are also having improvement works facilitated.

Social and affordable homes are desperately needed and a major programme of social housing building is the only means of bringing them quickly on stream to alleviate the crisis in demand," she said.

By cutting through red tape, Fianna Fail has facilitated local authorities to by-pass planning hoops in the Department of Housing. Councils will now be in the position to build up to 30 social units without going through the drawn out 59 week, four stage process," she said.

This will ultimately ensure that badly needed units are delivered at a faster, more sustained pace.

The measures announced as part of Budget 2019 are not enough alone to solve this emergency but by applying even more pressure over the coming weeks this Government might finally begin to wake up," she said.A man who was banned from keeping animals at a previous court case has appeared at Naas District Court charged with breaching the order and keeping animals in an unsuitable state.

The court has been told that the ferrets involved had eaten rabbits.

Seamus Duffy (68), Ballykilroe, Ballinagoe, had previously been prosecuted for offences at Clonkeen, Carbury, under animal regulations and the court had ordered him not to keep animals as a result.

But at the October 10 sitting, the Gardai said they had charged Mr Duffy with keeping other animals in an unsuitable state at Clonkeen on March 16 this year. They included eight geese, eight pheasants, five goats, nine rabbits, two ferrets, five pigs and two dogs.

Mr Duffy, who was present in court, made no reply to the charges.

A Garda told the court it will be alleged there was unecessary suffering to the animals and the premises was not fit for purpose. There were veterinary reports available.

The court was told that Mr Duffy now lives in Mayo.

Judge Desmond Zaidan was reminded of some details of the previous cases.

In January 2017, the District Court fined Mr Duffy for breaches of the regulations and banned him from keeping any animals.

Evidence was given by a representative of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at the time. It emerged that a dog had eaten part of a sow.

The new charges related to a period just over a year after that order was made. The case has been adjourned until December 4.The new Leitrim Heritage Officer Sarah Malone outlined her role to the members of Manorhamilton Municipal Meeting this week.



The Leitrim Heritage Forum will have 22 members including elected representatives, council staff, tourism, farming and wildlife and environment experts.

The forum will identify key themes of the Leitrim Heritage Plan and develop a mission statement. There will be public consultations before the publication and launch of the plan.



Ms Malone said she expects its will take 12-18 months before the plan will be ready. She wants to hear voices from all sectors and around the county about what is your Leitrim Heritage?

The forum will also have three working groups: natural; built and archaeology and culture.



Members of forum will discuss ways to educate people on our local heritage and include communities and schools. There will be a focus on tourism and conservation as well as access to sites.

If there are sites which are not currently listed as heritage, Ms Malone said they can look at getting them added to the Irish Heritage List.



The new officer was welcomed by Manorhamilton councillors and Cllrs Sean McDermott and Justin Warnock were nominated to the new forum. Councillors from Carrick-on-Shannon and Ballinamore districts will also be nominated.

Also read: Leitrim Church is finalist in Lottery Good Causes AwardsPM Modi appealed to top oil producers to help India bridge what he called resource crunch' - a fallout of rising crude prices.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with the CEOs and experts from Oil and Gas sector, from India and abroad, in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday warned oil producers like Saudi Arabia that high crude prices were hurting the global economy as he sought reasonable rates and a review of payment terms to provide a temporary relief to the local currency.

At the third annual brainstorming session with the chief executives of top global and Indian oil and gas companies, PM Modi also appealed to top oil producers to help nations like India bridge what he called a "resource crunch" - a fallout of rising crude prices.

The rising crude oil prices have pushed the rupee down - this year it has fallen 14.5 per cent, making imports costlier. The country is over 83 per cent dependent on imports to meet its oil needs.

"The oil market is producer driven and both the quantity and prices are determined by the oil-producing countries... Though there is enough production, the unique features of marketing in the oil sector have pushed up the oil prices," a statement issued at the end of the meet quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

Saudi oil minister Khalid A Al-Falih, who was present at the meet, however, said oil prices were not within their control.

"Many factors lie outside the control of oil producers like us... we only control supply," Falih told reporters on the sidelines of the event.

He, however, said he has met the Prime Minister and oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan and "assured them of full and continued commitment of meeting India's oil demand as well as continuing to invest here in India".

Saudi Arabia is the India's second-biggest oil supplier behind Iraq and is committed to meet any shortfall that may arise due to sanctions on Iran, Falih said.

The meet was held as petrol and diesel prices continued their upward march despite a drop in crude oil prices by 5 to 6 dollars a barrel. The hike has almost wiped out the Rs 2.50 cut made by the government last week.TO mark Limerick Mental Health Week, metropolitan mayor Daniel Butler has honoured three people who have played an insurmountable role in supporting people in the city.

Cllr Butler invited Samaritans stalwart Jean Ryan, Marie Breen, who helped set up Le Cheile and Lucy OHara, Limerick Suicide Watch to share in a special reception in City Hall.

When I give these receptions, people often ask: why me? I think what you will find with the guys here is this common theme of humility. Its that incredible humility they have to business and service, he said.

Each recipient received a commendation from a close friend or colleague in their mental health organisation.

One of them, John Downey, said of Jean: Within many organisations, there are those that go above and beyond. Jean is a bit of a superwoman when you think about it. She is so deserving of this honour. I hope her family and friends are as proud of her as we are and acknowledge all the great work she has done for so many people.

For her part, Jean said: Im still speechless about getting this. Im still in shock at the call I got from Daniel. It means an awful lot to me. There is so much need for people to be there for the suicidal. We know it, we hear it from all the calls we get to the Samaritans she said.

Jean, who also draws up the rotas for the Samaritans staff at Barrington Street, also used the occasion to put out a call for more volunteers to join the service, which provides a round-the-clock listening ear to people in distress.

It was also an emotional moment for Lucy OHara, who has given years of service to Limerick Suicide Watch, which provides patrols of the River Shannon.

The team, which goes out several nights a week, keeps an eye out for people who may be considering taking their lives in the river.

Lucy said: Limerick Suicide Watch has helped me come along in leaps and bounds personally. For me to give back to you, and the people of Limerick means a lot. And to be recognised like this  I never in a million years thought id get any award like this, from the mayor of Limerick.

Sinn Fein councillor John Costelloe said: Ive known Lucy many years. Im living on this majestic Shannon River, and late in the evening-time when its dark and were all at home watching television with our loved ones, youd often look out of the window and see beacons meandering along our river bank, stopping every now and then. They make the banks of our rivers and streets so safe  I cannot express the love we feel for Limerick Suicide Watch.

Marie Breen was responsible for securing te funding to open Le Cheile in Sexton Street.

The service, aimed at people in isolation and experiencing depression, provides a range of activities like painting classes, writing classes, and indeed just the chance to catch up over a cup of tea and a biscuit or cake.

And that is so important, she said: People feel isolated and coming to Le Cheile makes them feel good  to be able to play games, have a cup of tea and meet each other.GARDAI are investigating the circumstances of a suspicious house fire in Patrickswell in the early hours of this Tuesday.

The alarm was raised shortly after 1am after flames and smoke were seen coming from the former Parochial House which is located at Creamery Road on the outskirts of the village.

Three units of Limerick Fire and Rescue - from Limerick city and Rathkeale - attended the scene for several hours with the final unit leaving shortly after 5am.

The driveway leading to the house remains sealed off as gardai have preserved the scene pending a forensic and technical examination.

A garda spokesperson told the Limerick Leader the results of the examination will determine the nature of the investigation.

The house, which was recently refurbished, was extensively damaged by the fire although there was nobody in the premises at the time.

One line of enquiry being following by gardai is that the fire was started intentionally.

According to local residents, there have been significant problems with antisocial behaviour in the area in recent weeks.A YOUNG man who had more than 8,000 worth of drugs strewn across his bedroom has been told he may avoid a prison sentence if he completes community service.

Jamie Naughten, aged 21, who has addresses in Bruff and at Dromroe, Rhebogue in the city has pleaded guilty to possession of the drugs for sale or supply on July 18, 2017.

Detective Garda Pat Whelan said just under 1.5kgs of cannabis resin and a quantity of cocaine, worth 280, was located when gardai called to the defendants home in relation to a entirely separate matter.

Judge John King was told the defendant told gardai that he was holding the drugs for a third party and immediately admitted his role in the offence.

Barrister David McHugh said his client had gotten involved due to his association with people that were a lot more sinister than him.

Detective Garda Whelan accepted Mr Naughten has since removed himself from the situation he was in and is now living with his partner in County Limerick.

He was sucked into this world by more sinister individuals, said Mr McHugh, who added that his client, who is not working, did previously have a bad drug habit.

After he was asked to consider not recording a criminal conviction given the potential impact it would have, Judge King commented it was a big ask given the nature of the charge and the quantity of drugs seized.

He was an integral part of the sale and supply network, he said, adding that drugs such as cocaine are a scourge on this country.

The judge said it is unlikely he will apply the Probation Act but he requested that a probation report be prepared and that the defendant be assessed for community service in lieu of a prison sentence.

The matter was adjourned for sentence in early December.India signed a deal in 2016 for the transfer of 36 Rafale jets but the deal has since faced criticism.

Orlando: Dassault Aviation will deliver its Rafale fighter jets to India from 2019 and may see new orders in coming months, Chief Executive Eric Trappier told Reuters ahead of the world's largest business jet show in Orlando on Monday.

India signed a deal with Dassault in 2016 for the transfer of 36 Rafale jets but the deal has since faced criticism from opposition parties who allege wrongdoing in one of the biggest defence deals.

Earlier, Trappier had said that Dassault Aviation's joint venture with Reliance represented around 10 per cent of the offset investments under the Rafale jet deal.

"We're in talks with about 100 Indian firms, including around 30 with which we've already confirmed partnerships," Trappier had told AFP.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who visited Paris last week, reiterated the government's claim that it had no idea that Dassault Aviation would team up with Reliance Group, run by Anil Ambani.

Several reports say Dassault was forced to choose Reliance by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite it having almost no experience in the aviation sector.However, All India Congress Committee Secretary A Chellakumar assured that their MLAs were not resigning from the party.

Panaji: Two Goa Congress legislators Dayanand Sopte and Subhash Shirodkar Monday midnight left for Delhi amidst speculations that they may join the BJP.

A senior BJP leader said they were likely to meet BJP president Amit Shah in the national capital.

"Both the Congress MLAs will be resigning from Congress party on Tuesday and joining the BJP," a senior BJP leader told PTI.

While Sopte, who defeated former BJP chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar in 2017 State legislative assembly election, represents Mandrem constituency, Shirodkar was elected on a Congress ticket from Shiroda constituency.

Both the legislators left by a midnight flight to Delhi. Goa Health Minister and BJP MLA Vishwajit Rane also left for Delhi, little before their departure. "I am going on a business trip," Sopte told reporters at the airport.

Similarly, when Shirodkar was asked whether he was joining the BJP, he responded, "You will come to know if I do it".

Goa is currently witnessing hectic political activities with Congress party petitioning President Ram Nath Kovind, seeking his intervention to ask Goa Governor Mridula Sinha to call them to form the government.

BJP state core committee and party's legislature party also met in Panaji during the day. The meetings are happening at the backdrop of poor health condition of Chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who is currently being treated by doctors from state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital at his residence at Dona Paula.

When contacted, All India Congress Committee Secretary A Chellakumar said he had spoken to both the legislators  Sopte and Shirodkar  who had assured him that they were not resigning from the party.

"I spoke to both of them Monday evening and they have refused that they are resigning," he said. Congress currently has 16 MLAs in the Goa Legislative Assembly. Their strength would be reduced to 14 if two legislators resign.

BJP is having 14 MLAs while three each are from Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Independents. One legislator is from the NCP.The picture shows evidence of at least four small items of local postal interest: #1 - the postmark reads, "CHATT ROME ATLANTA" with the word "TRIO" under the date. "Trio" refers to the three post offices indicated, and the trilogy of names indicates a postal "star route", of which there were others in my dad's 41 years at the local post office (1913-1954).

#2 -Star routes were "cream of the crop" jobs for postal workers in my father's time, and one letter-carrier made the entire circuit by truck in one day. That meant that Atlanta and Rome had "next day delivery" from Chattanooga - a feature that lasted for many years, though brand new in 1917. Bear in mind that roads were much poorer in those days, and that a route from Chattanooga to Rome, to Atlanta, and back to Chattanooga might easily consume an entire day.

#3 -An increase in the number of star routes was made possible by the ending of World War One. Seems the country had over-prepared for a much longer stay in the European war zone, and there were many war vehicles which were either brand new or "gently used", so that they could be easily freshened up with Post Office khaki colors and re-distributed throughout the entire country. When Chattanooga got its new fleet of Model "A" postal vehicles after that war, few people could drive. Cars were still "a dream away" for the average person. To my dad's good fortune he already had a car of his own and was able to drive. He therefore became Chattanooga's very first "mounted" letter carrier.

#4 -Note the address: The Post Card is addressed to my dad, W. B. Martin, at his long-time residence (before marrying), at "816 1/2 Georgia Avenue", which would be the Ross Hotel, still standing today, over 100 years later, in 2018. It is the building on the north side of Patten Parkway, which faces on Georgia Avenue. (He liked to point his former window out to us - his family - though I have long forgotten which one it was). From the Ross Hotel he could easily walk to work over on East 11th Street where the "old" post office building is also still in daily use. (The much newer post office of the early 1940s is even closer to the Ross Hotel, but is now re-named the "Joel Solomon Federal Building").

Although not of any special local interest, the ONE CENT STAMP might be of more general interest, for in my early life you could send an ordinary (sealed) letter of one ounce or less for 3 cents. And you could mail unsealed Christmas cards for one and a half cents. (They were sold either in rolls or books of 3 cent increments). "Penny Post Cards" were quite the rage!

Please note that the green color of the stamp in the picture does not "sing out" so brightly as in the original, as I have darkened the entire image to make it more legible.

* * *



Chester Martin is a native Chattanoogan who is a talented painter, sculptor and artisan as well as local historian. He and his wife, Pat, live in Brainerd. Mr. Martin can be reached at cymppm@comcast.net.The video was recorded on Oct 13 but it emerged on a day Rahul Gandhi is in the state to campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections.

Significantly, Singh, the two-time former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, has been conspicuous by his absence in the programmes and rallies which Gandhi has been addressing in the state over the last few weeks. (Photo: ANI | Twitter)

Bhopal: A controversy erupted in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh Tuesday after a video went viral in which senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh is heard saying that his party's votes get reduced if he campaigns for it.

The video was recorded on October 13 but it emerged on a day Congress president Rahul Gandhi is in the state to campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections.

Significantly, Singh, the two-time former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, has been conspicuous by his absence in the programmes and rallies which Gandhi has been addressing in the state over the last few weeks.

".. mera kaam keval ek. Koi prachar nahi, koi bhashan nahi. Mere bhashan dene se to Congress ke vote kat-te hai, mai jata nahi" (I have only one job, no campaigning, no speech. When I deliver a speech, Congress votes get reduced, so I don't go)," Singh is heard saying in the video.

In the video, in which he is seen talking casually to party workers at the residence of MLA Jitu Patwari here, Singh also advises Congress workers to campaign for candidates wholeheartedly to achieve victory.

"Dekho, khwaab dekhte rah jaaoge agar kaam nahi kiya to. Nahi banegi sarkar agar aise kaam kiya to. Jisko ticket mile, chahe dushman ko mile, jitao (You will continue dreaming if you do not work. You can't form the government if you work like this. Even if the ticket is given to a rival in the party, you should ensure his victory)," he is seen telling the party workers.

When contacted by PTI, Singh said the video was not being shown in a proper manner.

"It is not being shown in the right manner, especially the first part. If you hear the first part, you will understand it in a proper way," Singh said.

The ruling BJP was quick to take a dig at the opposition party over Singh's comments, with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan saying the Congress should not treat one of its senior leaders in this manner.

"We (BJP) have not given him (Singh) this pain. It was given by the Congress itself. His posters are not being put up, he is not being given prominence," Chouhan said.

"I never imagined the Congress will treat one of its leaders in this manner. Congressmen should, at least, respect their leader," the chief minister added. State Congress chief Kamal Nath parried questions on Singh's video by saying, "I am not aware of the context in which he was stating this". Polls for the 230-member MP Assembly are scheduled for November 28 while counting of votes will be taken up on December 11.Since then, the land has healed and recovered much of its natural beauty, but it's likely Mount St. Helens won't stay quiet forever. [Striking Images of Mount St. Helens Before, After and Now]

Geologic records suggest the volcano has gone through several stages of activity, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Since at least 1800, the volcano experienced a period of intermittent eruptions until 1857, then a few minor, steam-driven eruptions in 1998, 1903 and 1921. Otherwise, the volcano remained relatively peaceful throughout the 20th century and was a popular recreational area until its 1980 eruption.

On shaky ground

On March 1, 1980, the University of Washington installed a new system of seismographs to monitor earthquake activity in the Cascades, especially around Mount St. Helens, where there had been a recent increase in seismic activity. According to the Department of Geological Sciences at San Diego State University, the first key indication that major volcanic activity was imminent was when a 4.2-magnitude earthquake rumbled below Mount St. Helens on March 20.

Just three days later, on March 23, a 4.0-magnitude earthquake shook the ground and set off a chain of smaller-magnitude earthquakes  about 15 per hour. The shaking continued and began to intensify over the next couple of days. By March 25, seismographs were detecting an average of three, 4.0-magnitude quakes every hour. Aerial observations revealed new fractures in the surrounding glaciers and numerous rockslides.

Around noon local time on March 27, tension was released as the peak of Mount St. Helens burst open, shooting steam 6,000 feet (1,829 meters) into the air and blasting a 250 foot-wide crater (75 meter) through the summit, according to USGS.

Smaller eruptions continued at a rate of about one per hour throughout March, then decreased to about one per day in April until they stopped on April 22. On May 7, eruptions started back up again, and the rate of eruptions gradually increased for the next 10 days. By May 17, the north side of the volcano had bulged out about 450 feet (140 m) nearly horizontally, indicating that magma was rising toward the summit of the volcano and pressure was building.

This photograph of the eruption of Mount St. Helens on July 22, 1980, shows a cloud from pyroclastic flow rising through cloud layer. (Image credit:  United States Geologic Survey; Photo by Jim Vallance)

"This is it!"

On the morning of May 18, USGS volcanologist David Johnston, woke up at his campsite on a ridge 6 miles north of the volcano, and radioed in his regular 7 a.m. report. The changes to the bulging mountain were consistent with what had been reported several times daily since the watch began and left no indication of what was about to happen, according to USGS.

At 8:32 a.m., a magnitude-5.1 earthquake registered on the seismographic equipment about 1 mile beneath the volcano. His excited radio message, "This is it!" was followed by a stream of data. It was his last transmission; the ridge he camped on was within the direct blast zone. [Gallery: The Incredible Eruption of Mount St. Helens]

Overhead, Keith and Dorothy Stoffel were making an aerial survey of the volcano when they noticed a landslide on the lip of the summit's crater, USGS reported. Within seconds, the whole north face of the mountain was on the move. Just as they passed around to the east side of the mountain, the north face collapsed, releasing superheated gases and trapped magma in a massive lateral explosion. Keith put the plane into a steep dive to gain the speed to outrun the cloud of incandescent gas; Dorothy continued to photograph the eruption through the rear windows of the plane as they made their escape.

The abrupt release of pressure over the magma chamber created a nuee ardente, a glowing cloud of superheated gas and rock debris blown out of the mountain face moving at nearly supersonic speeds. Everything within eight miles of the blast was wiped out almost instantly, according to USGS. The shockwave rolled over the forest for another 19 miles, leveling century-old trees; all the trunks neatly aligned to the north. Beyond this tree down zone the forest remained standing but was seared lifeless. The area devastated by the direct blast force covered an area of nearly 230 square miles (596 square kilometers).

Shortly after the lateral blast, a second, vertical explosion occurred at the summit of the volcano, sending a mushroom cloud of ash and gases more than 12 miles (19 km) into the air. Over the next few days, an estimated 540 million tons (490,000 kilotons) of ash drifted up to 2,200 square miles (5,700 square km), settling over seven states.

The heat of the initial eruption melted and eroded the glacial ice and snow around the remaining part of the volcano. The water mixed with dirt and debris to create lahars, or volcanic mudflows. According to USGS, the lahars reached speeds of 90 mph (145 km/h), and demolished everything in their path. Most of the glaciers surrounding Mount St. Helens melted, too, and likely contributed to the destructive lahars, Benjamin Edwards, volcanologist and professor of Earth Science at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania, told Live Science in an email.

Trees knocked down by the lateral blast. (Image credit: US Geological Survey, Author provided)

Most destructive U.S. volcano

The 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption was the most destructive in U.S. history. Fifty-seven people died, and thousands of animals were killed, according to USGS. More than 200 homes were destroyed, and more than 185 miles of roads and 15 miles of railways were damaged. Ash clogged sewage systems, damaged cars and buildings, and temporarily shut down air traffic over the Northwest. The International Trade Commission estimated damages to timber, civil works and agriculture to be $1.1 billion. Congress approved $950 million in emergency funds to the Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration to help with recovery efforts.

Will Mount St. Helens erupt again?

Today, scientists keep a close watch on Mount St. Helens and other volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest. The volcano's location on the Cascadian Subduction Zone means another eruption is inevitable, Howard R. Feldman, chair of geology and environmental science at Touro College in New York, told Live Science.

But predicting when that will happen is extremely difficult.

Long-term seismic data is key to knowing when a volcano might be on the verge of erupting, Edwards said. A jump in the number of earthquakes over the course of a week, or even a day, can signal the start of new activity.

For the last few years, the seismic activity going on around Mount St. Helens has fallen within the normal range, as data from the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network suggest.

This article was updated on October 16, 2018, by Live Science Contributor, Rachel Ross.Astronaut Harrison Schmitt with the American flag and the Earth in the background, during a trek on the lunar surface as part of the Apollo 17 mission.

A former NASA astronaut who was the 12th person to walk on the moon may have seen Earth from space  but he doesn't see that human actions are shaping global climate change.

Today (Oct. 15), Harrison Schmitt, a geologist who flew on the Apollo 17 mission in 1972 and who was the last person (who is still living) to have visited the lunar surface, told a roomful of science journalists that he did not believe climate change is caused by human activity, despite overwhelming evidence and scientific consensus to the contrary.

Schmitt is known for denying scientifically proven aspects of climate change, Discover Magazine reported in 2011; in an article Schmitt co-wrote for the Wall Street Journal in 2013, he claimed that increasing levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) would actually benefit humanity. Schmitt recently doubled down on these views while at the Science Writers 2018 conference in Washington, D.C., during an appearance in a panel about the past, present and future of the U.S. space program. [Photographic Proof of Climate Change: Time-Lapse Images of Retreating Glaciers]

At a Q&A after the panel "Apollo Plus 50," New York Times reporter Nicholas St. Fleur asked Schmitt about his documented denials of human-influenced climate change. Schmitt countered by saying that he "saw no evidence" that global warming was taking place as a result of human activity, and that climate change wasn't happening as quickly as reported, audience member and astrophysicist Adam Becker wrote in a thread on Twitter.

According to Becker, St. Fleur first read aloud from a 2009 article in the New York Times that quoted Schmitt bemoaning the stubborn denial of conspiracy theorists who claim astronauts never visited the moon. St. Fleur then asked if Schmitt saw the irony in denying climate science, after speaking out about people who claimed that the moon landing was a hoax.

See more

"I see no irony at all," Schmitt answered St. Fleur (his response was recorded by National Geographic writer Maya Wei-Haas, who shared the audio in a tweet).

In the recording, Schmitt said that the Earth had experienced climate change events in the past and was undergoing climate change now. "The only question is, 'Is there any evidence that human beings are causing that change?'" Schmitt said. A chorus of voices rose immediately from the audience, responding with cries of "Yes!" But Schmitt countered by saying that in his profession  geology  there was no evidence of human influence on the climate, only models. And models are "often wrong," he said.

But a geologist in the audience, Betsy Mason, also a writer for National Geographic, quickly interjected that Schmitt "should reconsider speaking for all geologists on that topic."

In fact, The Geological Society of London concluded that humans were the cause of rapidly accelerating climate change in a statement published in 2010. Society members wrote an addendum to the statement in 2013 explaining that new climate data from the geologic record bolstered their original conclusion  "that CO2 is a major modifier of the climate system, and that human activities are responsible for recent warming."

Schmitt was correct about one thing: Earth has undergone dramatic climate shifts in its geologic past. However, those climate change events unfolded over millions of years; the current effects of global warming  spurred by excessive quantities of carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere by human activity  are spooling out over decades. Climate hazards such as droughts, floods, wildfires and extreme storms are already reshaping the world, and their impacts will only intensify if CO2 consumption continues unchecked, 700 scientific authors and editors recently wrote in a report for the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Originally published on Live Science.HPV infections usually go away on their own, but sometimes they persist and can cause certain cancers.

A new study adds to earlier evidence that getting vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV) does not lead girls to be less careful about sex.

HPV is transmitted during sexual activity. When the Canadian province of British Columbia opted to vaccinate all teenage girls against HPV, some parents were concerned this would lead to more kids engaging in risky sexual behaviors.

But vaccinated girls may actually be less likely to start sex younger, less likely to have more sexual partners, and less likely to ignore safe-sex methods, the new study suggests.

When we implemented the program over a decade ago, there were three main concerns: Would the vaccine be effective? Would it be safe? And might it influence sexual health choices? said coauthor Dr. Gina Ogilvie, a professor at the University of British Columbia and senior public health scientist at the British Columbia Center for Disease Control. But the girls continued to make very safe sexual health choices. In fact, they actually made better choices. So parents can be reassured that the HPV vaccine does not lead young girls to make poor sexual health choices.

HPV infections usually go away on their own, but sometimes they persist and can cause certain cancers.

British Columbia introduced a publicly funded HPV vaccination program in schools for girls in 2008. To look at the effects of the program, Ogilvie and her colleagues pored through three sets of British Columbia Adolescent Health Surveys taken by students in grades seven through 12. Two surveys - the ones done in 2003 and 2008 - contained responses gathered prior to the HVP vaccination program. Those responses were compared to answers in a 2013 survey, five years after the program started.

As reported in CMAJ, 302,626 self-identified heterosexual girls were included in the surveys. The percentage of girls who reported ever having sex was 18.3 percent in 2013, down from 21.3 percent in 2003 and 20.6 percent in 2008. Moreover, the proportion of girls who said they had intercourse before age 14 declined between 2008 and 2013, from 13 percent to 10.2 percent, and the use of condoms increased from 63.3 percent in 2008 to 68.9 percent in 2013.

Though the study was done in Canada, its findings probably apply to the U.S., too, said Dr. Anna-Barbara Moscicki, a professor of pediatrics and chief of adolescent medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine.

In fact, Moscicki said, There is another recent paper showing in the U.S. that vaccinated teens do not initiate sex more often.

Ogilvie wasnt willing to speculate on why girls seemed to be making healthier sexual choices after the implementation of the HPV vaccination program.

But its entirely possible that doctors sometimes throw in some education about sex when giving the vaccine, said Susan Rosenthal, director of the Division of Child and Adolescent Health at NewYork-Presbyterian/ Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City.

Theres been pretty consistent evidence from the U.S. that when you provide information about contraception and condoms, teens reduce sexual risk-taking, delay sexual initiation and when they do have sex, they use protection, Rosenthal said.

While its not known if a bit of sex ed came with the HPV shots in British Columbia, vaccination time can be a good opportunity to start a conversation, Rosenthal said. A lot of times parents and others dont know how to bring the subject up, she added. The HPV vaccination potentially provides you an opening and an opportunity to have a sex education conversation with families.Carvings uncovered in the Canadian Arctic may be the earliest portraits of the Vikings created in the Americas. But archaeologists have been puzzling over whether the artwork really shows the infamous seafarers.

Now, scientists think a simple, flammable liquid called acetone could help solve this mystery by removing sea-mammal oil and fat from these artifacts and other artifacts found near them. Until now, those contaminants have prevented scientists from getting an accurate radiocarbon date, according to a paper published in the August issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science.

Oily problem

The Vikings, along with other peoples who lived in arctic or subarctic environments, used oils and fat from sea mammals for a variety of purposes, including preparing food and cooking. The substances interfere with radiocarbon dating, because rather than getting the date of the artifact, you may get the date for the oil and fat covering the object, study authors Michele Hayeur Smith, Kevin Smith and Grill Nilsen wrote in the new paper.

Hayeur Smith is a research associate at the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology at Brown University in Rhode Island, where Smith is chief curator. Nilsen is an archaeology professor at the Arctic University of Norway. [In Photos: Viking Settlement Discovered at L'Anse aux Meadows]

The carvings were created by the indigenous peoples of the Canadian Arctic. The new method may help date them. This particular carving is from Axel Heiberg Island. (Image credit: Owen Jarus)

Arctic environments often have little soil accumulation, making it easier for oil and fat to get on artifacts lying in the ground. "Across the Arctic, where most sites are shallow, reoccupation episodes thousands of years apart may be separated from one another by mere centimeters of soil development," the scientists wrote. This means that artifacts can intermix with oil and fat from a variety of time periods making it hard to tell when artifacts date to.

Acetone to the rescue

To solve this radiocarbon-dating problem, Nilsen developed a few methods to remove sea-mammal oil and fat from artifacts. To test the methods, Nilsen used samples of wood dated, via radiocarbon methods, to around 42,000 years ago. She drenched those samples in modern-day sea-mammal oil.

Her first method used a mix of acids and alkalis, but it failed, resulting in dates of 16,000 years ago. That suggested the process hadn't stripped off all of the oil and fats, Nilsen said. She then tried two acetone-based methods, and both were successful.

Solving mysteries

The ability to remove sea-mammal oils and fats from artifacts is a "major breakthrough" for archaeologists studying the Vikings and other Arctic peoples, the three researchers said. [Fierce Fighters: 7 Secrets of Viking Seamen]

A sample of spun yarn found in the Canadian Arctic. A new method of removing sea mammal oil from artifacts helped prove that the indigenous people of the Canadian Arctic already knew how to spin yarn when the Vikings arrived in the area. (Image credit: Michele Hayeur-Smith, Canadian Museum of History collection number KdDq-9 4268 )

The new method has already helped solve one mystery, the scientists said. They used it to radiocarbon-date samples of spun yarn found by archaeologists at various sites in the Canadian Arctic.

A long-running debate disputes whether the Vikings taught indigenous peoples in the Canadian Arctic how to spin yarn when the invaders arrived in the region around 1,000 years ago. The team found that some of the spun yarn dates back at least 2,000 years, long before the Vikings arrived in the area. This shows that the indigenous peoples in the Canadian Arctic developed yarn-spinning technologies without any help from the Vikings, the scientists said.

Wooden carvings

Now it may be possible to solve the mystery of the wooden carvings from the Canadian Arctic. These carvings, which were created by the region's indigenous peoples, have features that some scholars believe identify the objects as Viking.

Researchers haven't radiocarbon-dated any of the wooden carvings so far, Hayeur Smith told Live Science, adding that the initial round of radiocarbon dating focused on textiles.

One of the carvings was excavated in the 1970s at the Okivilialuk site on southern Baffin Island.Two textiles found near the Okivilialuk carving date back to the 16th century, suggesting that the carving may also date back to that time, the scientists said. This carving may not show a Viking, but it could show someone from one of Sir Martin Frobisher's expeditions to the Canadian Arctic in the 1570s, the researchers said.

Researcher Patricia Sutherland urged caution on these findings, saying that excavation records indicate that the Okivilialukcarving was found at a lower level (meaning it was created earlier) than the textiles. Sutherland is a research associate at Carleton University in Canada who has excavated extensively in the Canadian Arctic but is not involved in the new research. That finding, Sutherland said, suggests that the carving may date back to earlier than the 16th century meaning it could show Vikings.

Originally published on Live Science.The weapons systems being developed by the U.S. Department of Defense are vulnerable to cyberattacks, meaning some evildoer with hacking skills could potentially take control of such weapons without being noticed, according to a new report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), released Oct. 9.

And the DOD seemed oblivious to the threats: Even though tests conducted by the DOD itself have shown such vulnerabilities, department officials told the GAO that they "believed their systems were secure and discounted some test results as unrealistic," according to the report, which is based on an analysis of DOD cybersecurity tests, policies and guidelines, as well as DOD interviews. [The 22 Weirdest Space Weapons]

"Using relatively simple tools and techniques, testers were able to take control of systems and largely operate undetected, due in part to basic issues such as poor password management and unencrypted communications," the report said.

In fact, one test team cracked an administrator's password in just 9 seconds. A DOD official said that the password-cracking time is not a useful measure of the security of a system because an attacker can spend months or years trying to break into a system; with that timeline, whether it takes a few hours or a few days to guess a password is not meaningful. However, the GAO said such an example reveals how easy it is to do so at the DOD. (Wired writer Emily Dreyfuss reported on the 9-second password crack on Oct. 10.)

The analysis and report were requested by the Senate Armed Forces Committee in anticipation of the $1.66 trillion the DOD plans to spend to develop its current "portfolio" of major weapons systems.

Increasingly, weapons systems are dependent on software to carry out their functions. The weapons are also connected to the internet and other weapons, making them more sophisticated, according to the GAO. These advances also make them "more vulnerable to cyber attacks," the GAO said.

Any part of a weapons system that's driven by software can be hacked. "Examples of functions enabled by software  and potentially susceptible to compromise  include powering a system on and off, targeting a missile, maintaining a pilot's oxygen levels, and flying aircraft," the GAO report said.

Though the DOD has begun to make improvements in cybersecurity over the past few years, the GAO said, it faces several challenges, one of which is the lack of information-sharing across programs. For instance, "if a weapon system experienced a cyber attack, DOD program officials would not be provided specific details of that attack from the intelligence community due to the type of classification of that information," the report said.

In addition, the DOD is having a tough time hiring and retaining cybersecurity experts, the report said.

Though the GAO said itdoesn't have recommendations now, the agency thinks the vulnerabilities spotted in its analysis "represent a fraction of total vulnerabilities due to testing limitations. For example, not all programs have been tested and tests do not reflect the full range of threats."

Original article on Live Science.A beetle eye surrounded by glittery emerald-green scales took the top prize in this year's Nikon Small World microphotography challenge.

The annual contest, now in its 44th year, celebrates stunning images of objects too small to be seen without a microscope. This year, winning photographers turned their magnifying camera lenses toward such wee marvels as a spider embryo, filaments in a peacock feather and illuminated blood vessels in the oviduct of a mouse.

First prize went to photographer Yousef Al Habshi of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for his spectacular image showing the pitch-black compound eye of an Asian red palm weevil (Metapocyrtus subquadrulifer). In the photo, the beetle's dark eye is ringed by tiny yellow hairs and an expanse of glowing scales in shades of brilliant green, which was captured by stacking dozens of images, Nikon representatives said in a statement released Oct. 11. [Photos: Peer at Glittering Insect Eyes and Glowing Barnacle Hairs in Prizewinning Photos]

Capturing close-up photos of a weevil's head is challenging, to say the least, as the insect's entire body typically measures less than 0.4 inches (11 millimeters). Al Habshi stacked 128 micrographs to achieve the remarkable color and texture details in his image, which balanced the deep black of the beetle's eye and skin with the brilliant green of the scales around it, he explained in the statement.

"Not all people appreciate small species, particularly insects," he said. "Through photomicrography we can find a whole new, beautiful world which hasn't been seen before."

A colorful fluorescent cluster of spore-producing structures in a fern earned the second place spot for Rogelio Moreno Gill, a photographer in Panama City, Panama; while Naperville, Illinois, photographer Saulius Gugis nabbed third place with a photo of a bubble-blowing spittlebug nymph huddled inside its bubble home on a leaf.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Nikon Small World)

Other standout photos include a spider embryo, its baby legs wrapped tightly around its tiny body; the central region of a human retina, illuminated like a fireworks display; and the incredibly intricate, frond-like structures inside a single human teardrop.

"Every year, we continue to be astounded by the winning images," Nikon Instruments representative Eric Flem said in the statement. "Imaging and microscope technologies continue to develop and evolve to allow artists and scientists to capture scientific moments with remarkable clarity," Flem said.

You can see all of the winners, honorable mentions and images of distinction  95 in all  on the Nikon Small World website.

Originally published on Live Science.On Monday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released results from DNA testing, suggesting she has Native American ancestry and thrusting the issue of genetic testing and Native American identity into the spotlight.

The DNA report comes after years of political back-and-forth exchanges between Warren and Republican opponents, who accuse her of pretending to have Native American blood to further her law career. A DNA "fact check" on a political debate would have seemed like science fiction even a few election cycles ago. Even today, though, DNA ancestry testing is not as simple as it might seem, especially when it comes to the search for a Native American identity. [How Do DNA Ancestry Tests Really Work?]

"It's important to be thinking about where community and culture is derived from," said Matthew Anderson, a geneticist at The Ohio State University, who is of Eastern Cherokee descent. "It's not the DNA."

What native means

Warren, who was born in Oklahoma, has long held that her relatives on her maternal side had Native American blood, a family story that has been passed down from generation to generation. The new DNA test shows that Warren does indeed have five segments in her genome that are common to indigenous American populations. Carlos Bustamante, a Stanford University geneticist who conducted the analysis, told the Boston Globe that the results indicate that Warren had a Native American ancestor six to 10 generations back. The results seem trustworthy, genetics experts contacted by Live Science said.

Bustamante's assessment is "plenty good enough to do what he says," said J. Douglas McDonald, a professor emeritus of chemistry at the University of Illinois who developed biogeographic analysis software for ancestry testing.

But Warren's results wouldn't qualify her to seek tribal membership. Tribes determine their own rolls (list of members) and do not use DNA ancestry testing to do so. Some use genealogy research and set certain requirements for the percentage of Native American blood needed to qualify for membership; others require applicants to prove that they are related to someone already on the tribal membership rolls.

"A DNA test is useless to determine tribal citizenship," Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. said in a statement. "Current DNA tests do not even distinguish whether a person's ancestors were indigenous to North or South America."

Indeed, Bustamante told the Boston Globe that he compared Warren's gene sequences to genetic segments from South American indigenous populations, because there is only a limited amount of data available from native North American populations. Because South and North American indigenous people share common ancestors  a population that probably crossed the Bering Strait at least 15,000 years ago  they also have more genetic sequences in common than they do with people of European ancestry. But that information is far too unspecific for the test to be able to assign a person's ancestor to a certain tribe. [In Photos: Human Skeleton Sheds Light on First Americans]

Complicated genes

In fact, no DNA test can conclusively prove or disprove a person has an ancestor of a specific ethnicity. Results are reported in terms of probabilities, not certainties, Anderson said. That's because of the way genes are passed down.

As you travel back in time through your family tree, each relative contributes an ever-smaller portion of their DNA to your genome. Each of your parents contributes about 50 percent; by the time you get to your 16 great-great grandparents, each contributes only about 6.25 percent of their DNA to you. Your 64 great-great-great-great grandparents contribute just 1.56 percent apiece.

It's easy to imagine that if only one of those 64 great-great-great-great grandparents were Native American, their contribution could be hard to find amid the rest of your DNA, particularly since commercial DNA tests don't screen the entire genome, but rather certain segments of it. (Different commercial tests also screen different segments of the genome, which is why ancestry results can differ slightly from test to test, according to Roots & Recombinant DNA, a blog authored by genetic genealogist T.L. Dixon.)

The picture gets even blurrier, because the amount of DNA passed down is not fixed. Strands of DNA randomly recombine as they're passed down from sperm and egg; this random reshuffling can mean that any given great-great-great-great grandparent contributes even less than the 1.56 percent they're theoretically allotted. [Genetics by the Numbers: 10 Tantalizing Tales]

"You inherited half of your DNA from your mom and half of your DNA from your biological father," Anderson said. "That's pretty clear-cut, but where did the DNA from your two parents come from? That's a mixture of their parents.  It could be really skewed toward Grandparent 1 instead of Grandparent 2."

Because of this reshuffling, the genetic contribution of a known ancestor can essentially disappear, or "wash out" after a few generations.

Genetic washout becomes particularly likely when a specific ethnic group is prevented from mixing with the wider population, as has happened with Native Americans, thanks to the U.S. government's policies to remove them from their land and isolate them on reservations, Dixon wrote. That means that someone could have a Native American ancestor, but no genetic contribution from that ancestor in their DNA.

Frame of reference

On the other hand, a DNA test that reveals segments common to Native American populations can't prove your ancestor was indigenous. Because Native Americans share common ancestors with East Asians, a "Native American" genetic segment might originate from an East Asian ancestor. Again, it's all about probabilities, Anderson said. Typically, the more segments you have that are associated with a specific ethnicity, the more likely you are to be descended from people of that ethnicity. But since such variants appear the world over in different populations and different frequencies, "It's challenging to say that just because you have a specific variant, you are inherently derived from a certain population," Anderson said.

Historical policies about who "counted" as Native American blur the lines, too. Some Asian populations who immigrated to the United States in the 1700s and 1800s ended up lumped in and living among Native Americans, and many tribal members today have genetic backgrounds chock-full of European, African and Asian DNA, thanks to historical admixture (a genetics term for the mixing of different populations). This can mean that people who are legally and culturally Native American have DNA with relatively few "Native American" sequences.

An example of the complications of blood and culture is the Cherokee Freedmen case, a dispute over tribal membership that reached the Cherokee Nation's Supreme Court in 2006. The Cherokee Freedmen were the descendants of slaves held by Cherokee tribe members. After emancipation, these Freedmen were first allowed to join the Cherokee Nation. But in the 1980s, the tribe's citizenship laws changed to require a genealogical connection to a tribe member who was listed as Cherokee by blood on the Dawes Rolls, a federal government list of Cherokee members dating to the early 1900s. This change stripped many Freedmen of their tribal citizenship, despite the fact that they were culturally Cherokee and had descended from generations of relatives who were also culturally Cherokee. The legal debate lasted through 2017, when a U.S. District Court ruled that the Freedmen had rights to Cherokee citizenship, and the Cherokee Nation accepted the ruling.

"Folks forget that people we would assume are black can be Native American as well, and they get left out of these conversations entirely," Anderson said.

Many tribes are wary of genetic testing because of their history of forced relocation and assimilation, according to the American Indian & Alaska Native Genetics Resource Center. Tribes have also had fraught interactions with medical researchers, as in an Arizona State University project with the Havasupai Tribe of the Grand Canyon. In that case, blood samples originally collected in the late 1980s were later used for additional research projects without participants' consent, resulting in a lawsuit. Some tribes, like the Navajo Nation, have issued moratoriums on genetic research on their lands. Other tribes, like the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, have built partnerships with researchers so they have a say in how studies are conducted. Still, data on Native American DNA remains relatively sparse compared to some other groups, according to Dixon.

The advent of commercial genetic testing flooded the offices of many tribal authorities with applications based on DNA results alone, Anderson said. While many early tests overestimated probabilities based on small amounts of ancestry, McDonald said, today's Ancestry.com tests seem to be doing a better job avoiding bogus results. No matter how accurate the tests are, however, they can't define Native American identity.

"What communities are you part of, what stories do you have, what traditions have you maintained," he said. "Those are the things that define who you are, more so than what fraction of the genome you have."

Originally published on Live Science.WASHINGTON - One exhibit focuses on Alexander Hamilton. Another casts new light on the great 20th-century violinist Jascha Heifetz. Others illuminate immigration to America, Amelia Earhart's first trans-Atlantic flight and John Lennon. I would expect to find this at the Smithsonian Museum of American History - but I confess it took me by surprise at the National Postal Museum.

This is a failure of imagination on my part, not least because I've lived in Washington, D.C., for 10 years and passed the museum, in its imposing building across from Union Station, more times than I can count, imagining it to be stodgy all the while. In my stamp-collecting childhood - back in the days when department stores still had stamp departments, and my friends and I saved up our allowances to go to them - the National Postal Museum represented something of a Mecca. Stamps, I believed, offered something for everyone.

Since my own passion has waned, I foolishly assumed the museum had stayed locked in around the same period; stamps, after all, are on the way out, in an era when you can customize and print your own. But the museum has cheerfully moved into the modern age, self-printing stamps, state-of-the-art exhibits and all.

It certainly reaches out to children. In the main exhibition hall, airplanes hang suspended from the roof, Air and Space Museum-style, with a chain of Pony Express horses pointing aspirationally skyward beneath them, like Santa's reindeer. You can walk through a diorama re-creating America's first mail route between New York and Boston (now U.S. 1) as it looked when it was first used in the late 17th century. You can look at mail that was sent to the dead-letter office as undeliverable and see if you can decipher the addresses. You can board a vintage railway car still set up for mail-sorting duties. You can examine a relief model of Lower Manhattan depicting postal innovations in the early 20th century, with a wealth of illustrative detail worthy of a fine children's book.

Arguably the museum's greatest accomplishment, though, is to make the stamps as exciting to a general audience as the rest of the displays - and as they were to me when I was in the throes of a collector's ardor. History geeks and philatelists will go giddy on the upper floor, where one whole room is lined with rows of metal frames that you can pull out from the wall to examine, close up (and there are magnifying glasses available), the stamps inside - never knowing exactly what you're going to get.

There are the sketches that Franklin Delano Roosevelt, an ardent stamp collector, made as suggestions for stamp designs. There are the printing errors that marred commemorative stamps, like the 1962 stamp commemorating a new bridge over the Panama Canal, in which the bridge was left off a few sheets. (The most famous error, the 1918 "inverted Jenny," one sheet of the first issue of stamps commemorating the start of airmail in the United States printed with the airplane flying upside down, has an exhibit and a film of its own.)

The frames extend around a whole wall that traces the entire history of American stamp issues and continue in other rooms that include rotating selections of international stamps, juxtaposed with more conventional displays of particular highlights. Here is one of the 50 pieces of mail that Earhart took with her on her first solo trans-Atlantic flight. Here are stamps charred in the great Chicago fire of 1871; here is a stamped envelope that the astronaut David Scott canceled on the moon in 1971.

For me, one of the most delightful surprises was pulling out a frame to find page after page from the five stamp albums that Heifetz, a lifelong collector, donated to the museum in 1978, nine years before his death. Heifetz's collection, inspired and encouraged by piano manufacturer and fellow collector Theodore Steinway, focused entirely on stamps relating to music: images of composers, performers and instruments from countries around the world. Notable among them are stamps that Bolivia issued in 1960 when the violinist Jaime Laredo won the Queen Elisabeth competition in Belgium, mounted on a page with Laredo's affectionate personal inscription.

Other music lovers, though, might be more star-struck by a temporary exhibit of Lennon's childhood stamp album, which he inherited from a cousin but made his own, down to drawing a beard and mustache on the images of King George VI and Queen Victoria on the title page.

And to anyone inspired to follow in these famous collectors' footsteps, the museum offers a souvenir. On one table are several trays of mixed, unsorted stamps, with the invitation to select six to take home and start a collection of your own. Or, for some of us, to add to those childhood albums. I confess I feel the itch.

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Smithsonian National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, D.C.

postalmuseum.si.eduCHICAGO - In the Middle Ages, your barber moonlighted as your surgeon and bloodletter. But anesthesia and the rise of hospitals led to a late 19th- and early 20th-century "surgical renaissance," said Justin Barr, a Duke University medical history instructor. "These and other factors catalyzed the expansion of safer surgery that could treat effectively a broader array of conditions."

The trade's gruesome tools from centuries past are among the collection highlights in the International Museum of Surgical Science's early 20th-century mansion on Chicago's Lake Shore Drive. The 64-year-old museum was founded as a "hall of fame to surgery." But with items such as a circa 1500 Austrian amputation saw and trephined Peruvian skulls from 4,000 years ago, upon which cranial surgery was performed, it's aware of its yuck factor.

Student visitors are treated to an interactive "amputation demonstration" with replica Civil War-era surgical tools, and an after-hours "morbid curiosities" tour emphasizes surgical history's darker moments, said Michelle Rinard, manager of education and events.

Works such as the museum's 1970s copy of Rembrandt's graphic painting "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp" can be "really shocking for the extremely squeamish," Rinard said. "We try and let them know in advance when they go through the museum that they might see something that's not for the faint of heart."

The museum largely addresses X-rays, pain and pain management, but the after-hours tour emphasizes "the kind of gross factor," Rinard said. "It has more of an intention to gross people out or make them squeamish, which actually has a large following."

Art therapist Katharine Houpt, who lectures on medicine and comics at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, brings students to the inconspicuous museum. "As you walk up, you might be unsure if you're in the right place," she said. "Once inside, it feels like you are stepping into someone's home - someone with an obsessive collection of surgical ephemera."

In the library, Houpt says she thinks visitors can all but sense the mansion's previous occupants, and she directs students to a first-floor apothecary, where "an animatronic pharmacist orients you to the healing elixirs and pep pills like a creepy Disneyland," she said. "The foot X-ray machine is also not to be missed."

Houpt's students are shocked to hear that 19th-century Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis was committed to an asylum after being ridiculed for suggesting that physicians wash their hands after surgery. "It was an outrageous idea at the time because 'a gentleman's hands are always clean,' " she said. "Stories like this give students a memorable narrative to attach to history, which allows them to use humor to reflect how related concepts show up in present-day discourse around health care."

For squeamish visitors, Houpt recommends a tour, which peppers the morbid with humor. But those who are drawn to the gross factor aren't part of a uniquely modern fad.

"Crowds watched gladiators kill each other in Rome; people came from miles around to witness public hangings for centuries," Barr said. Graphic disease lists helped sell books in the 1600s, and the dissected-cadaver exhibit "Bodies," whose website touts 15 million viewers, "remains financially successful for the sole reason that people are interested in the morbid," he added.

"I think museums or other instances of public history can effectively utilize morbid stories or pathologies to engage an otherwise uninterested audience, as long as they put such material in context," he said. "Gross for the sake of being gross is inappropriate. But leveraging people's interest in dead bodies or dramatic stories to inform them about the history of surgery has utility."

Spread over four floors, the museum is the brainchild of surgeon Max Thorek, who founded the International College of Surgeons in the 1930s. When the building adjacent to the college, at 1516 N. Lake Shore Dr., went up for sale in the 1950s, Thorek persuaded the college's foundation to purchase it to create a surgical hall of fame. He donated his personal collection of letters and rare medical texts, and the museum commissioned art from the start.

The museum collection includes the first artistic commissions, including 12 stone statues in the Hall of Immortals depicting the men Thorek felt were medicine's top luminaries. Works in the Hall of Murals portray those figures in action. Over time, representatives of the college's outposts around the world donated artifacts, or often casts or reproductions, that were significant to their locations.

One world president of the college, who was Peruvian, persuaded his government to donate the skulls reflecting ancient surgeries and historical tools from about 2000 B.C. "Those are really significant and rare," Rinard said. Unique among science museums, the collection combines historical artifacts such as the skulls, artwork and a medical text library, she added.

The museum's longevity in the pricey neighborhood came into question last year, when the college sought in vain to unload its headquarters and the museum building for $22 million, Crain's Chicago Business reported in October 2017. It has decided against trying again to sell the museum building. "I think that they realized that the museum in this location is too valuable to move," Rinard said.

The museum - which collects admission fees (Tuesdays are free for Illinois residents), has members, rents spaces for private events and operates a gift shop - is updating exhibitions and hoping to keep growing its visitorship and team. From 2015 to 2016, it had more than a 50 percent growth in visitors, and it saw further increases in the past two years, according to Rinard. But it still has its work cut out for it.

"It's pretty unknown, I would say, in Chicago," she said.

The museum has an active presence on social media, and many visitors share photos on Instagram. Unlike at other museums, where wall labels may be undergoing a disappearing act, museum staff think that sometimes extensive didactics are important to help visitors understand a collection that includes obsolete and unfamiliar tools, Rinard said.

Photography is encouraged, although sensitive content can require cautionary signage. The museum encourages visitors to pause before sharing images of its exhibit on tattoos that David Allen creates for women who had mastectomies. It asks visitors to be respectful and remember that the subjects are actual people, Rinard said.

The museum also often works with Chicago Public Schools to bring students to the collections. "A lot of times, the museum is the only venue that they have to learn about medical history, because it's not always taught in school," Rinard said. "This is a good place for them to learn about the careers in medicine. Not only surgery, but nursing or medical illustration."

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International Museum of Surgical Science, 1524 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago

imss.orgEVANSTON, Ill. - When Stephen Mullins was in summer camp and sent his mother six ceramic drinking jugs he bought for $1 apiece, he didn't anticipate that that single gesture hinted at a lifelong pursuit.

That was 1947. Seventy-one years later, Mullins displays more than 8,000 of the jugs at the American Toby Jug Museum in this lakeside suburb north of Chicago. The jugs, some going as far back as the 18th century and other as recent as the "Black Panther" film, are commonly referred to as Toby jugs. The name, some have suggested, is either a reference to Sir Toby Belch, the jolly drunkard in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," or to the character in an 1871 English drinking song championing the fictional Toby Fillpot, whose indulgence in alcohol turned his frame into a permanent drinking vessel.

Whatever the truth, the mugs have endured for centuries. The earliest jugs depict a jovial British everyman, usually holding a mug of beer and topped by a tricorn hat that serves as the jug's spout. While Toby jugs depict the full body of the person, jugs forming just the bust of a person are known as "character jugs." Mullins' museum features both.

His is the largest public collection in the world, featuring more than those even in Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, England, where easy access to clay, coal and other ingredients in the mid-1700s led to a revolution in pottery manufacturing. The earliest Toby jugs can be traced there; the Evanston museum has about 200 jugs from that period as well as others made throughout the world.

The museum is overwhelming at first: Rows of glass cabinets line the floor holding jugs from different centuries. There are terra cotta and ceramic representations of pirates, mystical creatures, Dickens characters, British prime ministers, American presidents, movie stars and starlets, and even Looney Toons and Marvel characters, from Daffy Duck to Spider-Man.

Mullins, a real estate investor and developer, built the six-story complex where the museum is located in South Evanston. He opened it in 2005 after moving his growing collection from his Evanston home to his downtown office to the back of a collectibles shop. The museum, now a public nonprofit entity, attracts about 3,000 people each year, many of them collectors. Besides his hobby of collecting, there are also the books he writes: He and co-author David Fastenau have written three volumes, which they continue to update, on the history of the jugs.

Mullins started collecting almost immediately after that fateful summer as a teenager. As a college student on his way each semester to Dartmouth from Chicago's North Shore, he commonly pulled his car to the side of the road and visited small-town china shops, where he pulled dusty Toby jugs off the shelves and sent them home, once again, to his mother. More arrived packed in a steamer trunk after he was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army. By then, his patient mother counted 100 jugs that her son sent home in her name. It was time to have a talk.

"She acknowledged that maybe this was my collection and not hers," he said.

Mullins kept collecting throughout his professional life, and by 1999, he had amassed 4,000 jugs, which he stored for display in custom-built glass cabinets in his office. His obsession, he says, is not grounded in anything more than simple intrigue and a gene for collecting. "There's something fascinating in the faces," he says. They are also compact, unlike antique cars he started collecting, then abandoned when he realized the hobby wasn't practical. "I knew myself too well, so I just concentrated on this one thing," he says. That thing has taken him from small towns across the Midwest to places all over the world, including in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Today, the surest way to find the jugs is eBay.

Jamie Doerr, the senior research director at M.S. Rau Antiques in New Orleans, one of the oldest antiques business in North America, says Toby jugs appeal to certain collectors because of the workmanship. But their mystery is also a strong attraction, considering that "nobody can agree on how they originated or who came up with them first."

The museum is open three days during the week and two Saturdays a month. Admission is free, which means the museum is sustained largely through the online sale of duplicate Toby jugs that are stored in a back room. When Mullins is in town, he says, he likes to watch people enter through the front doors and see their eyes widen when they turn the corner and see the first of 100 display cabinets. "They have no idea what they are coming into. I like to think they're about to have a one-of-a-kind experience," he says.

Now 86, he has already made plans for the museum to continue showcasing his "lifetime love" when he's gone. Some associates, such as assistant curator Sandra Lachler, have agreed to continue the museum's mission. As for those original 100 or so jugs he sent home to his mother, they remain on display in a special place: his home.

"Although we have duplicates of each one at the museum," he adds.

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American Toby Jug Museum, 910 Chicago Ave., Evanston, Illinois

tobyjugmuseum.comHarry who has been known to be quite a party animal, it seems, has not touched a drop for three months.

The couple were last pictured with alcohol when they were seen with glasses of champagne during a visit to Dublin in July. (Photo: AP)

It seems like booze-loving Prince Harry is giving up alcohol to support his wife Meghan during her pregnancy.

Harry who has been known to be quite a party animal, it seems, has not touched a drop for three months, which has led to him seeing less of his friends.

Harry was once renowned for his boozy antics  including being photographed naked in a Las Vegas hotel room during a wild night playing strip billiards in 2012.

According to a royal source, Meghan cannot drink during her pregnancy and Harry wants to be there to support her.

The couple were last pictured with alcohol when they were seen with glasses of champagne during a visit to Dublin in July and Meghan is believed to have found out she was pregnant shortly after the trip.After a long, seven-year wait, a Laredo family says they can rest a little easier knowing that a man who killed their loved one is finally behind bars.

On Monday, Victor Manuel Palomo, 30, stood before 341st District Court Judge Beckie Palomo, who sentenced him to 99 years in prison for fatally shooting Alberto Garcia and wounding another man at an after-prom party in 2009.

Victor Palomo had been on the run ever since he failed to return from lunch during his murder trial in 2011.

On Thursday, he was detained in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and later extradited to the United States.

READ MORE: Laredo fugitive to serve 99-year sentence after years on the run

During Monday's hearing, Palomo wanted to address Garcia's family, but he wasn't allowed to do so.

"From the bottom of my heart, I'm sorry," Palomo told the court. "I had no idea that happened. It was never my intention. It's all I can say. I'm sorry."

Edgar Garcia, Alberto Garcia's brother, said he pursued his career in law enforcement after his little brother died.

"I started climbing up the ladder in this field because I don't want any other families to go through what we went through," Garcia said. "My life has changed completely. I will never have the opportunity to see my brother again."

Webb County District Attorney Isidro Alaniz said he is happy his office came through with its promise to the family.

"I feel very relieved and grateful for this day to finally come since 2011," Alaniz said. "We made a promise to the family that justice would be served."

Palomo was arrested in 2015 near Monterrey, Mexico on a theft charge, and at that time, the District Attorney's Office advised Garcia's family that he had been apprehended and faced extradition to the United States. But Palomo and another inmate ended up escaping from a prison in Nuevo Leon using a hacksaw.

"When I first found out he was in custody in Nuevo Laredo, I held my breath," Alaniz said. "I couldn't celebrate until he was on U.S. soil. It wasn't until close to 5 p.m. that (Palomo) was deported from Nuevo Laredo to the United States. And only then could I let out a deep breath knowing that he was finally on U.S. soil. At that time is when I called (Edgar) and told him the great news. That his brother's killer was under arrest and in the United States."

Garcia said he is not happy, but he is satisfied that Palomo was caught and sentenced.

READ ALSO: Laredo man wanted in fatal family get-together detained in Corpus Christi

"It makes me feel a little more calm in my daily life," he said. "I feel that my parents are going to be a little bit satisfied as well. Even though the day came, that's not going to bring my brother back at all."

Garcia's family has celebrated Alberto Garcia's birthday every year since he was killed. This time the celebration will be more enjoyable, his brother said.

"We've always celebrated my brother's birthdays every year. Always," Garcia said. "I feel like this time, we are going to be more at peace. (My parents) are going to be more calm. We're actually going to enjoy his birthday party. He would've been 29."

In July 2011, Palomo stood trial for fatally shooting Garcia and wounding Enrique Garza at an after-prom party in northwest Laredo.

During the third day of his trial, he failed to return from lunch. A manhunt followed to no avail. The trial continued without him, and jurors ended up convicting Palomo of murder and aggravated assault. Palomo was sentenced to 99 years in prison.

Police said Garcia was killed May 17, 2009 after Palomo's friend began an argument with Garza after Garza asked him to leave a party. Palomo and his friend left but later returned. Police said Palomo entered the home and sprayed gunshots into the air and the crowd of after-prom partygoers.

Maria Salas may be reached at 728-2580 or msalas@lmtonline.comThe son of a local district court judge has been released on bond following his arrest on an aggravated assault with deadly weapon charge, according to custody records.

Daniel Palomo Jr., 19, was released soon after his arrest Friday.A woman has been arrested for robbing a store while her children were waiting in the vehicle, Laredo police said.

Blanca Perez, 24, was arrested Friday following a traffic violation in the intersection of Salinas Avenue and Frankfort Street.

READ ALSO: LPD: Mother arrested after not seeking medical attention for infant who had fever for days

She was then found in possession of narcotics, according to police. Authorities charged her with two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Authorities also discovered she had two warrants for her arrest. She was charged with robbery and abandonment, endangerment of a child with intent to return.

The robbery and child abandonment cases date back to Sept. 20 when police responded to a theft report in the 600 block of Park Street. The complainant stated to police that Perez tried to steal food from the store, according to LPD. Perez became aggressive when confronted, police said.

RELATED: LPD: Man admits to robbing convenience store with pellet gun

A struggle ensued between Perez and the complainant, who had visible bruising following the robbery, according to LPD.

Authorities reviewed surveillance footage. The recording showed Perez leaving her children alone in the car during the robbery, police said.The terrorist is expressionless as he arrives at a camp full of trusting and cheerful teenagers. Dressed as a police officer and bearing an arsenal of firearms, he proceeds to slaughter dozens. Some victims, cowering in fear, are tricked by his instructions and get executed lying face down. Others get shot in the back as they flee for safety. The terrorist himself meekly surrenders to the security forces who eventually corner him, receiving the clemency he refused to give others.

The terrorist in question is Anders Behring Breivik, who carried out the bloodiest massacre in modern Norwegian history on July 22, 2011. Breivik detonated a car bomb in a government complex in Oslo and then proceeded to the island of Utoya, where members of the youth wing of Norway's center-left Labour Party had gathered for a retreat. His rampage led to 77 deaths.

The massacre is the subject of a film by acclaimed British director Paul Greengrass that was released last week. "22 July" offers an unflinching account of the attacks and then delves into what followed - a court case that tested Norway's legal system and its patience, as an unrepentant hate-filled murderer was allowed to take the stand and revel in his crimes.

Breivik's actions were seen as those of a deranged, far-right lone wolf. A manifesto that he circulated before embarking on the killing spree railed against immigration, multiculturalism and the supposed Marxism of the political establishment, quoting various members of the fringe far-right in Europe and the United States. He styled himself as a crusading warrior of the Knights Templar and boasted of a network of comrades ready to take up arms alongside him - though investigators never found much evidence of any such fellow travelers.

But seven years later, Breivik no longer seems so isolated. Across Scandinavia, Europe and even the United States, far-right, anti-immigrant politics are ascendant. Speaking to us, Greengrass said Breivik's "intellectual worldview has migrated" closer to the political center.

"We can test the extent we should be disturbed by the extent to which you can see Breivik's manifesto come into the mainstream," Greengrass said in an interview last week while visiting Washington. With President Donald Trump and others railing against "globalists," immigrants and liberals, the suggestion is that we should be very disturbed, indeed.

Greengrass has made a veritable canon of films that dwell on political violence and terrorism, from Irish sectarianism to Somali piracy. He links "22 July" to his 2006 movie "United 93," which recounts the events aboard a passenger jet seized by al-Qaida hijackers on 9/11. Passengers fought back against the terrorists who had taken over the plane, which ultimately crashed in a wooded clearing in Pennsylvania.

Both the Islamist militants and Breivik were engaged in "a revolt against globalization," said Greengrass. While Breivik hardly represents all far-right populists, the filmmaker argued there is a segment of the movement that is "starting to use language and espouse beliefs that are no longer compatible with democratic norms." Breivik's manifesto - though, thankfully, not yet his actions - offer a window into the real peril facing liberal democracy.

"We are in the early stages of an ideological struggle for an open or closed world," Greengrass said.

At an event marking the film's release in Washington, Greengrass spoke alongside a number of former government officials and experts in right-wing radicalization. They argued the film ought to make the Trump administration's moves to stoke ultranationalist politics in America - as well as cut funding from federal programs aimed at tackling far-right domestic terrorism - all the more alarming.

Gen. Michael Hayden, a former CIA director in the George W. Bush administration, warned that the "line of discourse has shifted" in the United States in worrying fashion. He said while European countries may be able to reach back to a more ethnocentric past, the United States is built on pluralism.

"If we no longer embrace the concepts" upon which the United States was founded "and turn instead to the politics of blood and soil, then the impact may be far greater and more destructive," Hayden said.

Newsweek tweeted "Trump-supporting 'Proud Boys' group will be investigated by New York hate crimes unit after violence in Manhattan"

In the United States and Europe, such entreaties have fallen on deaf ears. Voters - irked by feelings of cultural resentment and deepening social inequity - have opted for parties on the extremes and aren't bothered by the scolding of establishment voices. Greengrass describes what he deems the "populist insurgency" raging in the West "like seeing a storm blow over buildings."

The question is whether the existing structures can withstand the assault. Centrist politicians are being chastened or defeated in elections across the continent. Jens Stoltenberg, the Norwegian prime minister during Breivik's massacre and a heroic figure in "22 July," was drummed out of power in 2013. He's now the secretary general of NATO, the military alliance widely disliked by the West's populists.

The dramatic tension in Greengrass's film hinges on Norway's ability to confront Breivik's deeds and beliefs. "They showed great courage and wisdom to take the hard road and uphold the rule of law," said Greengrass.

We see the powerful moment when youthful survivors of Breivik's attack on Utoya speak before him in the courtroom. "What they did was come into that court and confront him - some morally, some intellectually, some emotionally - and collectively they defeated him," said Greengrass. Breivik's life is now forever consigned to the "confined space" of prison.

"What you see in the trial is two radically different worldviews," said Greengrass. He clings to hope that the beliefs of Breivik's victims "are going to emerge stronger."It was a moment that seemed to reflect the current political temperature, measuring just how momentous the midterm elections have become - and how the rhetoric has been amped up to match.

Any old criticism won't do. In the closely watched Senate race in Arizona, "treason" was the accusation leveled Monday by Republican Rep. Martha McSally against her Democratic opponent, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema.

In the sole debate of the campaign, McSally, a retired Air Force colonel and combat pilot, asked Sinema to apologize for a 15-year-old radio interview about American intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan, suggesting that her comments were tantamount to levying war against the United States. Sinema responded by accusing the Republican of playing dirty.

The two women are squaring off for the seat being vacated by Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., in a race that will help decide which party controls the chamber. Polling shows that the contest remains close ahead of the Nov. 6 vote.

The two-term Republican congresswoman lobbed the "treason" charge near the end of the hour-long debate, which featured fierce disagreement over other issues, including immigration and health care. Instead of answering a question about climate change, McSally turned to address her opponent directly about a CNN report last week that brought to light comments made in 2003 by Sinema, then an activist with ties to the Green Party.

As part of her effort to publicize a February 2003 antiwar protest in Patriots Square Park in Phoenix, Sinema appeared on the radio show of a local libertarian activist. The host, Ernest Hancock, laid out a rambling hypothetical situation - difficult to follow at times - and concluded by asking Sinema if she would be okay with him joining the Taliban.

"Fine, I don't care if you want to do that, go ahead," Sinema replied, before adding: "What we're talking about here are two different things. When you say, 'We owe something to the world,' my definition of owing something to the world does not involve war and destruction."

She then added that she wanted to get back to discussing her antiwar position.

McSally characterized Sinema's response as saying that "it was okay for Americans to join the Taliban to fight against us."

"You said you had no problem with that," she said. "Kyrsten, I want to ask right now whether you're going to apologize to the veterans and me for saying it's okay to commit treason?"

As Sinema began to reply, the Republican added, "It's treason."

The three-term Democratic congresswoman dismissed the inquiry without revising her 15-year-old remarks.

"Martha has chosen to run a campaign like the one you're seeing right now, where she's engaging in ridiculous attacks and smearing my campaign," Sinema said. "And she's just trying to cut, cut, cut and not share the full picture. But the truth is that I've always fought for Arizona, and I've been proud to serve our state in elected office for over 13 years."

As the hosts told the candidates that time had elapsed, McSally repeated again, "It's treason."

Her campaign later circulated a definition of treason under U.S. code, which speaks of waging war against the United States or aiding its enemies. The penalty envisioned is death or imprisonment paired with a steep fine. Anyone found guilty is also barred from holding public office.

Meanwhile, Sinema's camp declared victory in the debate and retweeted a post from Grant Woods, a former Arizona attorney general, saying the Democrat was "calm, cool, and collected and her opponent wasn't."

The accusation by McSally marked an escalation of earlier efforts to counterpose her military service to the Democrat's antiwar activism. Sinema rose from a hardscrabble childhood to finish Brigham Young University in just two years, later earning four graduate degrees - in social work, law, business and justice studies. She served as spokeswoman for the Arizona Green Party in 2000 and as a state legislator before winning a congressional seat in 2012.

McSally tacked hard to the right to fend off rivals in the Republican primary courting the endorsement of President Donald Trump. She toughened her stance on immigration and held Flake, one of the president's primary GOP adversaries, at arm's length. She has even emulated the president's coarse speech, saying in an ad, "I'm a fighter pilot and I talk like one."

"That's why I told Washington Republicans to grow a pair of ovaries and get the job done," she added.

Her strategy appears to have paid off with the president. Trump is expected to stump for McSally on Friday in Mesa, east of Phoenix, the same day that former president George W. Bush is scheduled to hold a fundraising breakfast for the Republican candidate in Scottsdale, according to the Arizona Republic.

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https://youtu.be/EKp8X8UY3mUThe court is likely to hear the matter on November 29, they said.

Activists protest against the decision to close the Najeeb Ahmed disappearance case in New Delhi on Monday. (Photo: GN Jha)

New Delhi: The CBI on Monday closed the case pertaining to the mysterious disappearance of Najeeb Ahmed, a student of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), who had gone missing from his hostel on October 16, 2016.

Sources in the agency said, CBIs efforts to trace Najeeb have yielded no results. The agency has submitted its report in Patiala House courts after getting permission from the Delhi high court. The court is likely to hear the matter on November 29, they said.

While taking permission of the Delhi high court to close the case, the agency, which began their probe in May last year, said all aspects were looked into but it could not find any trace of an offence.

Najeeb Ahmed, a student of School of Biotechnology and a native of Badaun, went missing on October 16, 2016 following an on-campus scuffle allegedly with the members of some other student group.HONG KONG - China will release some Muslim detainees held in the far western region of Xinjiang after they complete their "de-extremization education" by the end of this year, a regional leader said Tuesday as China unfurled its most extensive defense of the mass internment program to date.

In a lengthy state media article aimed at rebutting a mounting chorus of international criticism, Xinjiang's de facto No. 2 official, Shohrat Zakir, characterized the detention program as an effort to provide legal education and job-training in humane, "people-oriented" facilities in a region steeped in poverty and religious fundamentalism.

Western governments and human rights groups, as well as a United Nations panel, estimate that China has held up to a million people - nearly all of whom belong to Muslim ethnic minorities - in a secretive network of reeducation centers operating outside the scope of Chinese courts. A growing body of first-person testimony from inside the centers, backed by satellite imagery and Chinese government documents and reports, have painted a picture of grueling facilities that ostensibly offer educational courses but operate to erase detainees' sense of religious and ethnic identity through forced repetition, confessions and drills.

Although various Chinese government officials have previously issued patchy defenses of the program or denied its existence outright, Beijing has made a concerted push in recent weeks to argue its perspective: that the facilities dispense mild but necessary education to steer the population of Xinjiang, which has at least 10 million Muslims in an area half the size of India, away from extremist ideology.

"As a result of the vocational education and training, the social environment of Xinjiang has seen notable changes, with a healthy atmosphere on the rise and improper practices declining," said Zakir, who is himself a member of the Muslim Uighur ethnic minority that makes up a majority of those detained.

In the past decade, Xinjiang, a vast territory bordering Central Asia, and other parts of China have suffered a series of attacks, including bombings and mass knife assaults, that officials blame on Uighur extremists. And between 2013 and 2015, Syria-based militant groups have used messaging apps to goad hundreds, probably thousands, of men, women and children to flee the suffocating security environment in Xinjiang for the Middle East.

Chinese authorities responded with an unprecedented crackdown that combines sophisticated digital surveillance with a sprawling reeducation effort, sweeping up Muslim residents who maintain contact with overseas relatives, study at Islamic schools known as madrassas abroad or simply keep habits such as praying regularly or growing beards. The measures are vastly disproportionate to the militant threat facing China and could exacerbate violent extremism, international rights groups and U.S. State Department officials have warned.

Large numbers of people are believed to have been swept up since the centers began proliferating in 2017, and relatively few have emerged. Zakir signaled Tuesday that that might change once some students finish their training, although he did not give details about the number of detainees who might be released - or how many are held.

He did, however, acknowledge that some of those held had been merely "influenced" by extremism and did not commit crimes. Those detainees are receiving lenient treatment that involves lessons in Mandarin, garment-making and electronics assembly, he said in an apparent counterpoint to criticism about the mass detentions' arbitrary and extrajudicial nature.

Zakir denied any mistreatment of detainees, instead describing them as liberated in a setting where radio, TV, sports, dancing and singing can be enjoyed by those who were previously under the sway of fundamentalist religion.

"Now they have realized that life can be so colorful," he added.

Hours later on Tuesday evening, China's state broadcaster CCTV aired a 15-minute segment about the centers, in which men and women in uniforms were shown reciting from Mandarin textbooks, learning to sew and playing board games.

"Before, I didn't have any skills," a young man named Miqit said to the camera as a narrator explained how he previously did not work or study because he was consumed by religion. "Now my parents are happy. I am happy."

Maya Wang, a China researcher at Human Rights Watch who has published extensively about Xinjiang's reeducation centers, said China's argument that the reeducation system is designed for the benefit of those held inside "only serves to deprive detainees of basic procedural protections available in China's criminal justice system, such as access to lawyers."

"The speech is targeted at the international community in response to an avalanche of international reporting and condemnation on Xinjiang's political education camps and high level of repression," Wang said. "The Xinjiang authorities' clumsy justifications for these camps only serve to illustrate what 'the rule of law' in China means - that the [Communist] Party bends it to its will and uses it as a weapon against perceived political enemies, whether they are human rights activists, minorities or political rivals."

Zakir's comments appeared to be designed to rebut allegations of the detention program's human rights violations - and criticisms about its lack of grounding in Chinese law - at a time when Beijing is preparing to face an annual United Nations Human Rights Council meeting. The remarks surfaced days after Xinjiang's legislature announced a revision to its anti-extremism law that offered legal cover for local authorities to establish "education and transformation organizations."

If the Xinhua article, published in English and Chinese, was carefully measured in its construction, other officials and state organs have hit more strident - and conspiratorial - tones in China's defense.

Last week, a Xinjiang website run by provincial authorities compared Western governments that criticized human rights in Xinjiang to "shrill housewives." Over the weekend, a Chinese diplomat in Islamabad publicly lashed out at Hussain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to Washington who had tweeted a report about Xinjiang. The diplomat called Haqqani corrupt and "without soul" - comments that ricocheted around Pakistani social media.

After Xinhua published Zakir's statements on Tuesday, Hu Xijin, the influential editor of the state-run Global Times tabloid, argued that Western forces were using the Xinjiang issue to try to undermine China.

"The West just cares about finding faults with China and accusing us with nonexistent wrongdoings," he said in a video post on Weibo, a Chinese microblogging website. "They put pressure on China on the global stage and try to mess up the governance of Xinjiang. In fact, those Western forces don't care about the well-being of Xinjiang residents at all."Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, the most endangered Senate Democrat in next month's midterm elections, apologized Tuesday for a newspaper ad that included names of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or rape without their permission.

The ad was fashioned as an open letter to Rep. Kevin Cramer, Heitkamp's Republican opponent, criticizing comments he made during the confirmation process for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

In a statement Tuesday, Heitkamp said that her campaign "recently discovered that several of the women's names who were provided to us did not authorize their names to be shared or were not survivors of abuse."

"I deeply regret this mistake and we are in the process of issuing a retraction, personally apologizing to each of the people impacted by this and taking the necessary steps to ensure this never happens again," the statement said.

The ad included names of 127 women. It was not clear how many names were erroneously included or how they came to be part of the newspaper ad.

After publication of the ad, several women whose names were included spoke out on social media.

Lexi Zhorela of Bismarck wrote on Facebook that she was "beyond FURIOUS." She said many women on the list, including her, "didn't want our name spread across the news for everyone to see" and risked retribution from a prior rapist or boyfriend who beat them.

Kady Miller, also of Bismark, wrote on Facebook: "A lot of these people listed, including me, did not give anyone permission for our names to be posted. I don't even support Heidi Heitkamp and I am not a domestic abuse survivor. Should this even be legal?? Using people's names as part of your campaign??"

The Heitkamp ad came in response to Cramer's characterization of the #MeTo0 movement as a "movement toward victimization." He spoke against the backdrop of the controversy over the nomination of Kavanaugh, who faced decades-old allegations of sexual misconduct that he vigorously denied.

Heitkamp voted against Kavanaugh's confirmation while Cramer supported the nomination.

"We are here to let you know that you are wrong - this is not 'a movement toward victimization,' it's about being a survivor," said the open letter in the ad.

Cramer told the Associated Press that he considered the mistakes in Heitkamp's ad "a revictimization of victims."

"This is what happens when desperate people do things for their own personal political gain," he said. "She proved a point that her personal politics matter more than someone's personal pain."As he so often does, President Donald Trump falsely declared on "60 Minutes" on Sunday night that North Korea and the United States were going to war before he stepped in to thwart it.

Interviewer Lesley Stahl was having none of it. "We were going to war?"

Trump immediately retreated to safer ground, expressing a view rather than trying to assert a fact: "I think it was going to end up in war," he said, before moving on to his "impression" of the situation.

The 26-minute-long interview was typical Trump - bobbing and weaving through a litany of false claims, misleading assertions and exaggerated facts. Trump again demonstrated what the Post has long documented: His rhetoric is fundamentally based on making statements that are not true, and he will be as deceptive as his audience will allow.

The CBS News program was one of the more difficult public settings Trump has allowed himself to be put in. It was the rare national audience outside the friendly confines of Fox News and in a one-on-one, televised interview with a skilled reporter who challenged him repeatedly.

The result was Trump resorting to all of his favored moves to sidestep the truth.

On Stahl's first question, about whether Trump still thinks climate change is a hoax, the president dodged by saying "something's happening." He then completely reversed course and declared that climate change is not a hoax and that "I'm not denying climate change."

Trump also falsely said the climate will change back again, even though the National Climate Assessment approved by his White House last year said that there was no turning back. He said he did not know whether climate change was man-made, though the same report said "there is no convincing alternative" posed by the evidence.

Trump did his usual shrug when asked whether North Korea is building more nuclear missiles. "Well, nobody really knows. I mean, people are saying that." Among the people who are saying that are U.S. intelligence agencies, who have concluded that North Korea does not intend to fully surrender its nuclear stockpile and is instead workingto conceal its weapons and production facilities.

Even when he adjusts his rhetoric, at times contradicting what he has just said, Trump almost always appears to believe firmly in what he is saying. While he quibbled with Stahl over some details regarding North Korea, for instance, he refused to concede error on the big picture.

He dismissed a question from Stahl about a shout-out he gave to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at one of his recent rallies - "we fell in love" - as "just a figure of speech." Yet he went on to insist that Kim had agreed to denuclearization, a goal long sought by U.S. presidents.

Kim actually has only signed a nonbinding statement of goals - and the goal to "work toward complete denuclearization" was listed third. The communique the two men signed was far less detailed than a declaration issued by North and South Korea more than a quarter-century ago, with little consequence.

On trade, the president continued to suggest that trade deficits mean that the United States is losing money: "I told President Xi we cannot continue to have China take $500 billion a year out of the United States."

That's wrong. The trade deficit just means Americans are buying more Chinese products than the Chinese are buying from America, not that the Chinese are somehow stealing U.S. money.

Trump also continued to misstate the trade deficit with China. It's not $500 billion, as he told Stahl; it was $335 billion in 2017. The United States imported $505 billion of goods from China, so maybe that's where Trump gets his number.

Curiously, he denied to Stahl that he ever said he was engaged in a trade war with China, even though he has said and tweeted it many times, including on Fox News last week. Again when confronted with his own words, he dialed them back. He insisted he had only called it a "battle" - a term he has used at times - but was now suddenly downgrading it to a mere "skirmish."

He also falsely said that "the European Union was formed in order to take advantage of us on trade." That's a misreading of history, at best. The EU got its start shortly after World War II as the European Coal and Steel Community - an early effort to bind together bitter enemies such as Germany and France in a common economic space to promote peace.

Trump surfaced another old favorite knock on U.S. allies - "we shouldn't be paying almost the entire cost of NATO to protect Europe." Actually, the United States pays 22 percent of NATO's common fund. Trump keeps counting U.S. defense spending devoted to patrolling the Pacific Ocean and other parts of the world as part of NATO funding.

When it was pointed out that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, a former general who served in the military for 44 years, believes NATO has kept the peace for 70 years, Trump sniffed, "I think I know more about it than he does."

Questioned about Russian interference in the 2016 election, Trump conceded that "they meddled." But he added, "I think China meddled, too." When Stahl said he was "diverting the whole Russia thing," Trump insisted he was not. "I'm not doing anything," he demurred. "I'm saying Russia, but I'm also saying China."

There is no evidence that China engaged in the same disinformation efforts as Russia, which intelligence agencies have said was designed to swing the election toward Trump.

Finally, Trump continued his habit of mischaracterizing what his predecessor did. He claimed that President Barack Obama "gave away" the Crimea region of Ukraine, when actually Russia seized it and Obama then led an effort to impose sanctions in response.

He also falsely claimed that "Obama had the same thing" as Trump's controversial family separation policy on the border. This is wrong. There is a collection of policies and court rulings spanning Democratic and Republican administrations, but none required the Trump administration to separate children from their families, as Stahl correctly noted.

"I wanted the laws changed," Trump said. But his preferred approach failed in the Senate, getting only 36 of 51 possible Republican votes. He has made little effort to negotiate a compromise.

In one of the testier back and-forths, Trump tried to shut down Stahl with one line that was indisputably true: "I'm president," he said, "and you're not."Woman would blackmail him by threatening to file a criminal case against him.

Mitkaris note said that the woman was aware that he was married but nonetheless, kept pursuing him for sexual relations.

Mumbai: A 38-year-old man committed suicide in Maharashtras Parbhani district allegedly because he was fed up of a womans persistent demand for illicit sex, the police said on Monday. Sachin Mitkari, who worked in a hospital at Parbhani along with the woman, was found hanging from the ceiling of his house on Parbhani-Vasmat road Sunday, the police said.

The neighbours who found him hanging alerted the police, which sent his body for a post-mortem, said a police official at Parbhani, which is around 500 km from Mumbai. A suicide note written by Mitkari was found at the spot, the police said. In it, he accused the woman of harassing him and insisting on having a sexual relationship with him, the police said. Mitkaris note said that the woman was aware that he was married but nonetheless, kept pursuing him for sexual relations.

She would blackmail him by threatening to file a criminal case against him, a police official said, quoting from Mitkaris note. The police has registered an abetment to suicide case against the woman, the official said. Further investigation in the matter is underway, the official said.Federal health officials are worried about an increase in a mysterious and rare condition that mostly affects children and can paralyze arms and legs, with 127 confirmed or suspected cases reported as of Tuesday.

Of those, 62 cases of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, have been confirmed in 22 states, according to Nancy Messonnier, a top official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 90 percent of the confirmed cases have been in children 18 and younger, with the average age being 4 years old.

More for you State: 39 children have virus that can cause polio-like symptoms

The surge in cases has baffled health officials, who on Tuesday took the unusual step of announcing a change in the way the agency will count cases in the future. They also wanted to raise awareness about the frightening condition so parents can seek medical care if their child develops symptoms, and so reports of the illness can be quickly relayed back to the CDC.

"We understand that people, particularly parents, are concerned about AFM," said Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Despite extensive laboratory and other testing, CDC has not been able to find the cause for the majority of the cases. "There is a lot we don't know about AFM, and I am frustrated that despite all of our efforts, we haven't been able to identify the cause of this mystery illness."

The increase in cases has been happening since 2014, usually in August and September, but only in 2014 and 2016, Messonnier said in a news briefing with reporters. The CDC knows of one child who died with the disorder in 2017.

Since officials have been unable so far to determine how the disease spreads, they are starting to count suspected cases as well as confirmed to better anticipate increases in confirmed cases over the coming months, she said.

There is no specific treatment for the disorder, and long-term outcomes are unknown. The rare but serious disorder affects a person's nervous system, specifically the spinal cord. Neurological conditions like it have a variety of causes, such as viruses, environmental toxins and genetic disorders.

Among the cases under investigation are five reported to Maryland health officials in recent weeks, a health department spokeswoman said Tuesday. Maryland's first case was reported Sept. 21. No known cases have been reported in Virginia or the District this year, but there were three confirmed cases in Virginia in 2016, health department officials said.

"We know this can be frightening for parents, and I know many parents want to know what signs and symptoms they should be looking out for in their children," Messonnier said. Parents should seek medical care right away if their child develops sudden weakness or loss of muscle tone in the arms and legs.

Some patients diagnosed with this condition have recovered quickly, but some continue to have paralysis and require ongoing care, she said.

CDC began tracking the condition in 2014, when there were 120 confirmed cases. Then in 2016, there were 149 confirmed cases. Officials said it's too early to know whether the total for 2018 will surpass those previous years. But the data reported Tuesday represents "a substantially larger number than in previous months this year," Messonnier said.

She said it was important for parents and clinicians to remember that this is a rare condition, affecting less than 1 in 1 million people under 18. "As a parent myself, I understand what it's like to be scared for your child," she said. "Parents need to know that AFM is rare even with the increase in cases we are seeing now."

Still, because this is a "pretty dramatic disease," Messonnier said health officials want to raise awareness about the symptoms to make sure parents seek medical care immediately if their children show a sudden onset of weakness in their arms and legs.

The agency knows that poliovirus is not the cause of these cases, because CDC has tested every single stool specimen from patients, and none have tested positive for poliovirus. Messonnier said West Nile virus, which had been listed as a possible cause on CDC's website, is not causing the illnesses.

In some individuals, health officials have determined that the condition was from infection with a type of virus that causes severe respiratory illness.

So far, the CDC has found no relationship between vaccines and children diagnosed with AFM from the 2014 cases. Officials will be conducting additional analysis on this year's cases. "Our medical team has been reviewing vaccine records when available during this year's investigation and do not see a correlation," said CDC spokeswoman Kristen Nordlund. The disorder has been diagnosed in children who have received some of their recommended vaccinations and in unvaccinated children, she said.

The agency doesn't know who may be at higher risk for developing this condition or the reasons they may be at higher risk. CDC has tested many different specimens from patients with this condition for a wide variety of pathogens, or germs, that can cause AFM. But so far, no pathogen has been consistently detected in the patients' spinal fluid.

Parents can best protect their children from serious diseases by taking prevention steps, such as washing their hands, staying up to date on recommended vaccines and using insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites, Messonnier said.

There is no specific treatment for AFM, but neurologists who specialize in treating brain and spinal cord illnesses may recommend certain interventions, such as physical or occupational therapy, on a case-by-case basis.

Benjamin Greenberg, a neurologist who has treated children with AFM at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, said AFM is "exquisitely rare." But, if their child is diagnosed, parents should prepare for extensive physical therapy - therapy that isn't always covered by insurance, he said. Some children paralyzed by AFM have eventually regained their ability to walk, but need time.

"Families really sticking with it are seeing slow but steady recovery," he said.

CDC is not releasing a list of the 22 states with confirmed and suspected cases because of privacy issues. But some state health departments have been making public their reported cases. States are not required to provide this information to CDC, but they have been voluntarily reporting their data.

- - -

The Washington Post's Dana Hedgpeth and Justin Wm. Moyer contributed to this article.Minnesotan Karin Housley, Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, once compared former first lady Michelle Obama to a "chimp," according to a Facebook posting reported Monday by the Huffington Post.

In the 2009 post, Housley opined on the former first lady's posture and compared her to a chimpanzee from the 1951 film, "Bedtime for Bonzo," which starred Ronald Reagan.

"Speaking of Bedtime for Bonzo, I think even that chimp stood up straighter than Michelle. Uh-oh, someone is going to make a comment," Housley wrote, according to a screenshot of the post reported by the Huffington Post.

Racist attacks comparing black people to monkeys have a long history in the United States. After Republican Florida Senate nominee Ron DeSantis warned voters in August not to "monkey this up" by electing his Democratic opponent, Andrew Gillum, the NAACP Florida State Conference decried such comparisons as "by far the best-known racist references to African-Americans in our national folklore."

Housley is running against Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., for the seat that was previously held by Democratic Sen. Al Franken, who resigned in January amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

Housley appeared onstage with President Donald Trump at a "Make America Great Again" event in Rochester, Minnestoa, earlier this month. A recent NBC News/Marist poll shows Smith leading Housley by double digits in the race.

In a statement, Housley campaign spokesman Jake Schneider did not dispute that Housley wrote the comment and blamed Smith's campaign for "using an out-of-context Facebook post from ten years ago to manufacture outrage."

"This is what the radical left does when they are losing - they attack Republicans so they don't have to come up with solutions to the problems Minnesotans are facing," Schneider said.

The Smith campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The police swung into action and tracked down a 20-year-old student who had killed the woman and dumped her body in the bushes at Malad.

Mumbai: The body of a model in her twenties was found dumped inside a travel bag in Malad on Sunday afternoon. The police swung into action and tracked down a 20-year-old student who had killed the woman and dumped her body in the bushes at Malad.

The arrested accused and the deceased were identified as Muzammil Sayyad and Manasi Dixit respectively, both residents of Andheri. The police zeroed in on Sayyad with the help of the CCTV camera footage of the spot, which had captured the accused person's face and the vehicle he used to reach the spot.

"Sayyad killed Dixit with a blunt object following a tiff and argument that got heated. He then stuffed her body in a bag and took a car and travelled for some distance. He then took an auto rickshaw and parked it. Following this he took a rickshaw to Mindspace in Malad and dumped the bag in the bushes, said an officer of Bangur Nagar police station.

Sayyad was, however, captured by CCTV camera that was then looked into for further leads. The police went on to trace the car that led them to Sayyad. The police arrested him and is interrogating him on the motive. The police said that they would meet regularly.

Officials have informed Dixit's family about the incident. The family is on their way to Mumbai.

The police said that Sayyad hails from Hyderabad, whereas Dixit was a Rajasthan native. The body was sent for a post-mortem in Siddharth Hospital and the police has arrested Sayyad for murder as per the Indian Penal Code.The police said that the accused were under the influence of alcohol when they tried to hire the preoccupied cab which led to the spat.

Mumbai: The Gamdevi police has nabbed four persons for allegedly attacking a television journalist after he alighted from a cab. The police said that the accused were under the influence of alcohol when they tried to hire the preoccupied cab which led to the spat.

According to the police, journalist Herman Gomes alighted from the cab at Gamdevi while his friend remained inside to continue his journey to Byculla. The accused occupied the cab despite Mr Gomes friends presence, which led to a heated argument.

The accused were identified as Nilesh Khedekar (20); Hemant Chougule (30); Siddhesh Parab (19); and Avinash Aamle (26)  all residents of Malabar Hill and Tardeo areas.

The officials said that the group had consumed alcohol and were waiting to hire a cab. Soon after they saw Mr Gomes alighting from the cab, they entered it only to be told off by his friend who was sitting inside. This led to a verbal spat among them and they allegedly started thrashing the occupant. Mr Gomes had gone a few steps ahead but after hearing the fracas, he returned and at that point the accused attacked him.

The victims rushed to the Gamdevi police station, where the police began the process of registering a FIR. Sources said that Mr Gomes was reluctant to go for a medical examination and he misled the police saying that the accused assaulted him with knuckle dusters.

Deputy commissioner of police Rashmi Karand-ikar, reached the police station soon after Mr Gomes reported the incident. She then took him to Bhatia Hospital for medical examination.

While we acted swiftly, Mr Gomes was never asked for any proof of the assault by any policeman, as he claimed earlier. There must have been some miscommunication which led to this confusion," said Pravin Padwal, additional commissioner of police (south region).

The police, through CCTV footage, identified the accused who were arrested and produced before the court, which remanded them to police custody.Centrestage Theatre will wrap up the year with one of Hollywoods all time favourite stories The Wizard of Oz.

L. Frank Baums tale of a Kansas farm girl who travels over the rainbow to discover the magic of home has been entertaining audiences for generations.

The show at Centrestage in Orewa runs from October 27 to November 17, with 18 performances in total.

It is directed by Michael Sanders, who directed the same show 20 years ago when United Players, a forerunner of the Centrestage Theatre Company, put it on.

Centrestage president Debbie Hogan says the cast is made up of 18 children, aged between eight and 14 years, as well as 17 other players.

A number of families are involved including the three McMurray children  Matthew, Hannah and Emily  and Olwyn Hobman and her son and daughter, Noah and Ilan.

The lead role of Dorothy is played by Annelie Maddock, with Maxwell Hutton playing the Scarecrow, Kaelin Wade as the Tin Man and Carlin Diprose as the Lion.

The musical director is former Orewa College student Leon Reynolds.

Debbie says one of the aims of the Centrestage company is to nurture young talent.

Rehearsals for The Wizard of Oz started in July and this will be the companys sixth show this year.

Its been a fun show to rehearse, but it is not without its technical challenges, Debbie says, referring to the scene where Dorothys home is pulled from the ground by high winds and taken up into the eye of a tornado.

Auditions for the first show next year  42nd Street  started last week.

The company, which is run entirely by volunteers, welcomes new members who are willing to help in any capacity. For more information, contact the theatre on 426 7282.

Tickets for The Wizard of Oz are available at centrestagetheatre.co.nzWhile the storage of a 3000-strong vinyl record collection may be causing a little domestic disharmony in a home in Millwater, the collections owner Christiaan Els is in no hurry to curb his obsession.

Christiaan jokes that his wife, former world champion high jumper and Olympic medalist Hestrie Cloete, often urges him to get rid of the collection, but he loves the records too much.

He is also keen to share his passion with other collectors and regularly holds retro record sales on the Coast and North Shore.

When I was a kid in South Africa I worked at a national radio stations record library during the school holidays and got paid in vinyl, so I started selling records for pocket money, he says.

Some of those records are still part of Christiaans collection.

He went on to become a successful solo recording artist, known as Jurie Els and was signed with Sony Music until the couple  and Christiaans record collection  emigrated to NZ.

A gold boxed complete Beatles collection, that has never been played, is probably one of the most valuable items in the collection.

In a strange irony, the more popular an album was when it was released, then the less valuable it is likely to be now.

Neil Diamonds Hot August Night and a lot of the ABBA albums, for instance, were so popular that just about everyone has a copy, Christiaan says. Other albums by artists like the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix were popular, but most were trashed at parties, so if you can find some of those old albums in good condition, they are worth something.

Christiaan says it is not just older people wanting to remember their glory days who are collecting vinyl.

Kids between about 16 and 23 are also big fans of vinyl and very knowledgeable about the records as well.

He did have a laugh to himself though when one youngster asked how the remote worked on the record player!

Anyone interested in buying or selling records can catch-up with Christiaan at the Red Beach Methodist Church Hall on Saturday October 20 (9am-1pm) or the Silverdale Hall on Monday October 22 (9am-3pm).Thackeray is set to visit Ayodhya after Diwali.

Mumbai: Despite chief minister Devendra Fadnavis efforts to woo Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray ahead of the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, Mr Thackeray will reiterate his decision to go solo in the elections during the Senas traditional Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park, Dadar.

Mr Thackeray will also raise the Hindutva agenda and Ram temple issue and slam the Narendra Modi government for delay in the construction of the temple. Mr Thackeray will visit Ayodhya after Diwali, said a senior leader.

Considering the elections next year, the Shiv Sena is preparing a show of strength on Dussehra. A Sena leader said, Mr Thackeray will declare his stand to go solo in the upcoming elections, as the party doesnt have trust in the BJP. A source said the BJP wants an alliance with the Shiv Sena only for the Lok Sabha elections and wants to fight solo in the Assembly elections like it did in 2014. The Shiv Sena doesnt want to allow the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to use the party as per its convenience. Even if the BJP proposes an alliance in both elections, the Shiv Sena still will not trust it, if the polls are to be held separately as per the routine schedule, the source said.

Mr Thackeray is preparing for the rally with senior leaders and discussing the agenda with them. As he decided to march for Ayodhya and Varanasi, he will announce the dates of the rallies in the Dussehra rally. He will go there after Diwali after completing the preparations, said a party leader. Mr Thackeray will be focussing on a Hindutva agenda considering elections next year, he added.

Mr Thackeray is likely to slam Modi government more than the Devendra Fadnavis-led government on account of its wrong policies and decisions and the Sena leader will target the BJP more than the Opposition, said sources.Coasties will have a contestant of their own to barrack for when The Great Kiwi Bake Off premieres this week on TVNZ 2.

Vanessa Bradley, of Orewa, will be one of 12 contestants going spatula to spatula in the new series, vying for the coveted title of New Zealands best amateur baker.

Each week, the bakers will have their cake-baking, pastry, bread-making and patisserie skills tested to the limit.

On hand to judge their efforts are award-winning baker Dean Brettschneider and renowned chef Sue Fleischl.

Vanessa, a mother of three, is the owner and manager of a skincare business, which she runs with her husband Chris. She has been baking for as long as she can remember, learning her skills from her mother, aunty and sister.

She says although she has an extensive baking repertoire, Vanessa is least experienced in dough and would much prefer to whip up a sweet treat.

I love making things like lemon cakes, lemon meringue pies, lemon curd and tarte au citron, but Im also pretty good at bread, she says.

I would love to win The Great Kiwi Bake Off. I want to show my children that Im more than just the woman who cooks and cleans for them!While local politicians on both sides of the political divide are cautiously supporting the idea of fast-tracking Penlink with an overseas investor, they agree it is too early to pop the champagne corks.

The NZ Transport Agency has confirmed it has received an unsolicited bid from a Chinese company to build Penlink  a 7km road connecting Whangaparaoa Peninsula with State Highway 1. The proposal is for a four-lane toll road.

Auckland Business Chambers chief executive Michael Barnett is quoted as saying the company is willing to foot most of the $400 million cost of the road as a BOOT (build, own, operate, transfer).

The news came as no surprise to Rodney MP Mark Mitchell.

He says the company approached him three or four months ago, and he introduced them to the appropriate Government representatives.

He says they are a company experienced in delivering big infrastructure projects, but he is uncomfortable with the idea of getting peoples hopes up before the bid has gone through due diligence.

Weve had enough of Penlink being a political tool, he says.

The Government needs to get on with a proper investigation, which shouldnt take more than six months. If it stacks up, its a level playing field and taxpayers interests are delivered, then I have no problems with getting Penlink built with a PPP (Public Private Partnership).

Long-time Penlink Now campaigner and Hibiscus and Bays Local Board member Janet Fitzgerald has welcomed the news of the bid.

If successful, this will bring Penlink forward by a considerable amount of time  at least 10 years, Ms Fitzgerald says. The benefits for the Hibiscus Coast community are huge.

It would also be a four lane tolled road instead of the two lane tolled road currently planned. Penlink has overwhelming public support and the Local Board has advocated strongly for it over many years. Now is the time to consider this bid seriously, work through all the details and then if everything stacks up, get on and build it.

Auckland Councillor John Watson says he hopes that it is a serious offer.

It would be great to see the construction timeline brought forward from the 2025 start previously signaled, he says.

As it stands, Council is already looking at how that date might be brought forward given that Penlink is consented and ready to go. If a private entity was able to fast-track this process Im sure it would meet with a lot of public support.

Cr Watson says the one assurance he would be seeking was over the toll price, which in his view should sit around $2.

As a councillor I have taken other international proposals to Auckland Transport but they have invariably failed to progress, usually as a result of a closer examination of the financials. If the company is Chinese and partners with NZ contractors providing local employment I see no issues given that they would be subject to the same regulations and oversight as anyone else.

If the project includes another park and ride and pedestrian/cycle links then this would tie in with the planned Northern Busway extension to Silverdale and secure our areas long term transport needs.

Cr Wayne Walker says the pressing need is to get a practical Penlink project to start and two lanes are more than adequate especially when considering that Whangaparaoa Road itself will be less congested with Penlink.

It would be great to have it done ahead of time, but it is very difficult to comment further with so little to go on, he says.

The problem with a bigger budget project is that the liability still sits on Councils books and pushes us over our debt limits  its much easier to get a lower budget project over the line. We need to keep that in focus.

Cr Walker says there have been issues with Chinese steel that are a concern and he believes that NZTA has a preference for the involvement of NZ companies with a track record of delivering on these types of projects.

Of immediate concern is the need for more ferry services at Gulf Harbour, including on the weekend, using the Public Works Act to have full Council control over the Hammerhead, making the Park and Ride at Silverdale fully operational, completing the Curley Ave/East Coast Road connection, sorting the Tavern Road/East Coast Road intersection, fixing the Whangaparaoa New World entry and exit onto Whangaparaoa  to name a few quick fixes.

Labour MP Marja Lubeck says NZTA will consider the bid through its normal commercial processes.

Its not a process for politicians to involve themselves in and politicise NZTA, she says.He would however make frequent trips to Mumbai but not stay here for long.

Mumbai: In a major breakthrough in the unsolved rape and murder cases of 2010, involving two juvenile girls in Kurla Nehru Nagar, the Navi Mumbai Crime Branch succeeded in getting the accused arrested and getting a positive match of his DNA. The said serial rapist was arrested on September 26 from Nalasopara in connection with other half a dozen cases of sexual assaults that had taken place in Navi Mumbai in past three years.

The whole line of investigation however turned after the special team of Navi Mumbai Crime Branch, headed by deputy commissioner Tushar Doshi, learnt that the accused Rehan Qureshi was staying at Kurla in 2010, when the three girls were raped and murdered brutally.

Upon further interrogation, the officials further found that Qureshi was involved in the two crimes and that he was staying in the Kasaibada area in Kurla (east) and worked as a salesman. After the accused confessed his crimes, the officials took his blood sample with the samples of the victims and sent it to the Forensic Sciences Laboratory (FSL) at Kalina for testing, which turned out to be positive on Monday.

While he was away, his family continued to stay in Kurla. The accused later shifted to Nalasopara and continued to commit offences. We have found that he committed at least 18 crimes between 2010 and 2018 in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Palghar and Thane, said Mr Doshi.

On February 9, 2010 the Nehru Nagar police found a body of five-year-old Sania Shaikh in a gunny bag on the staircase of a Nehru Nagar building. Her post-mortem confirmed of rape before being killed. The neighbourhood was stunned after second incident was reported on March 6, 2010 when body of eight-year-old Anjali Jaiswal was found on the terrace of a building at Nehru Nagar police quarters, opposite the police station. The post-mortem report confirmed that she had been raped before being murdered.

Similarly, the third incident was reported on June 19, 2010 after Nusrat Shaikh (9), who had gone missing since June 6 was found in a room at an abandoned building in the Vatsalatai Nagar area of Nehru Nagar. The police had solved this case and arrested an auto rickshaw driver for killing the girl and then sexually assaulting her.

The police said that after committing the two brutal crimes, he shifted to Saudi Arabia and stayed there for around three years. He would however make frequent trips to Mumbai but not stay here for long.

The officials said that the accused is a pervert and he executed the crimes single handedly. When contacted Prakash Kale, the then senior inspector of Nehru Nagar police station, he said, I am learning this from you. It is really great news for the police officials who were posted there during that fateful time. The arrest of accused has got justice to the aggrieved family of the victims.SPRINGFIELD -- Sears Holdings filed bankruptcy Monday as expected, leaving consumers who invested money in Sears, Kenmore and Craftsman products with questions.

Below are answers culled from the news releases and public statements.

Q: Will Sears continue to honor warranties on products consumers have already purchased, or may purchase in the future?

A. Sears said it is currently honoring its warranties, protection agreements and guarantees as normal, according to an online Q and A.

That includes the Kenmore brand, which Sears still owns but is expected to sell in the bankruptcy. It also includes the Craftsman brand.

Sears sold Craftsman tools to Stanley Black & Decker in January 2017 for $775 million. Stanley now makes saw blades and other tools for Craftsman, as well as those under other brand names, at its factory in East Longmeadow.

Q: What about Craftsman tools? They were famous for their warranty.

A: Stanley Black & Decker has a chart on its Craftsman website detailing warranties for various products, including the full lifetime warranty on hand tools and mechanic's tools:

"If the product fails to perform for any reason, we will replace it. Return damaged product to a stocking Retail Partner or call 1-888-331-4569 for details. No proof of purchase required."

Q: Who is a "retail partner"?

Besides Sears, Craftsman products are sold at Kmart, at Lowe's and at Ace Hardware stores like the Springfield-area Rocky's chain, Blain's Farm & Fleet and Atwoods Ranch and Home.

Blains is in the midwest. Atwoods is based in Oklahoma.

Lowe's promotes the warranty information on its website, linking back to Craftsman.

Q: What's Rocky's doing?

A: A spokesman said Monday that Rocky's is working on a strategy to handle its Craftsman line, given the Sears news.

Q: Will consumers receive the product / appliance / parts they've ordered that are currently being shipped?

A: Sears said it will make every effort to ensure a timely delivery for your order.

Q: Can customers with Sears or Kmart gift cards redeem them?

A: Sears says yes. The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and business Regulation has a blog detailing Gift card rules and consumer tips. It's available at: blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/gift-card-tips/

Sears is at this point only reorganizing, not liquidating. But the state warns that if a company goes out of business and liquidates, people with gift cards may be left out of luck.

It's best to use them quickly.

Q: Will Sears still offer leasing and layaway?

A: Yes, Sears said.

Q: What about people with a Sears Credit Card or Sears Mastercard? What about accumulating rewards points?

A: Sears said the cards should continue to work as normal.

Q: Will the Sears Hometown Stores in Hadley, East Wareham , Great Barrington and the Sears Outlet stores in Holyoke, Shrewesbury and Fall River remain?

A: Yes, according to the parent company.Philadelphia 76ers guard Markelle Fultz inspired quite a bit of sympathy last season -- even most Boston Celtics fans hoped the young guard could figure out what was wrong with his shot and get his career back on course.

Fultz will start Philly's regular-season opener against the Celtics, and Boston's biggest trash talker -- Marcus Morris, who mixed it up against Joel Embiid during the Eastern Conference semifinals -- said he's happy for the 20-year-old.

"Physicality is going to definitely be different," Morris said, when asked about Fultz's debut. "I'm happy for Fultz being able to play. Hopefully he does well, not against us."

The rest of the Sixers? Morris would understand if they were a little salty after their abrupt dismissal from the postseason in May. The Celtics dispatched Philadelphia in five (admittedly close) games.

"I could see that, because if I knew I was on their side, almost getting swept, I would put some stuff away," Morris said. "I expect it to be a lot of fire, lot of energy. I feel it's going to be that type of atmosphere, like playoffs."

Embiid will be the biggest challenge, both figuratively and literally. Brad Stevens remained mysterious about his opening-night starting lineup, which he said he won't reveal until before game time. But that starting lineup could include Aron Baynes -- one of the toughest competitors against Embiid.

Not that any one person can contain Joel Embiid consistently.

"(Embiid) is a guy you have to guard with a multiple number of guys," Stevens said. "It just can't be the guy that's guarding him in isolation. Sometimes you have to double him and you always have to show appropriate help, so it's not all one guy. Baynes ended up being the one assigned to him quite a bit, but Baynes will be the first to tell you it's not just one guy that guards a great player and Joel is a great player."

However the Celtics matchup, and however the new-look Sixers perform, Boston expects tonight's game to be informative.

"I think that, because you prepare all year for this and you get ready for a new season, you have the practice games and have this three weeks, we're all just anxious to play somebody else and see where we stand and go from there," Stevens said. "One of the things you probably learn sooner than later in this league is that you have 82 of them. We're going to have a lot of information after tonight."Modi will be at Shirdi, Maharashtra to attend the e-griha pravesh programme of 40,000 beneficiaries of the PMAY scheme.

Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modis inauguration programme of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) schemes e-griha pravesh has run into controversy as the rural development ministry has sanctioned Rs 2 crore to bring people to the event.

Opposition leader Dhananjay Munde has tweeted a picture of the ministrys letter and raised questions on the need for such a lavish programme at a time when the state facing a drought-like situation.

Mr Modi will be at Shirdi, Maharashtra to attend the e-griha pravesh programme of 40,000 beneficiaries of the PMAY scheme. This scheme pertains to affordable housing and the government has been pushing it, claiming a great response from the public. Mr Modis personal attendance has forced government officials to reach out to all five nearby districts of Ahmednagar and bring people for the function.

Director of Management of Rural Housing body Dhananjay Mali has sent a letter to project directors of Nashik, Ahmednagar, Pune, Beed and Aurangabad districts regarding bringing people to the programme. Beneficiaries around 20,000 people from these five districts with one family member of theirs shall attend the programme, Mr Mali wrote to the officers.

In the same letter, the amount of money allocated for bringing the people is also mentioned. Nashik Rs 75 lakh, Ahmednagar Rs 45 lakh, Aurangabad Rs 15 lakh and Beed and Pune Rs 7,50,000 each has been allocated for the work, it read. In total, this amounts to Rs 1,50,000. Also, Rs 25,000 has been sanctioned for other work.

Slamming the government, Mr Munde said, The BJP has realised that people wont flock to Modis rally by their own volition. So, the government money is being used for this.BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE - THREE STARS - (R) Seven strangers, each with a secret to bury, meet at Lake Tahoe's El Royale, a rundown hotel with a dark past. Smart, stylish, and packed with solid performances, it delivers pure popcorn fun with the salty tang of social subtext. (140 min.)

CRAZY RICH ASIANS - THREE AND A HALF STARS - (PG-13) Rom-com about a native New Yorker who accompanies her longtime boyfriend to his best friend's wedding in Singapore. She is unprepared to learn that he comes from a wealthy family and is a sought-after bachelor. (120 min.)

FIRST MAN - THREE AND HALF STARS - (PG-13) First Man uses a personal focus to fuel a look back at a pivotal moment in human history - the riveting story of NASA's mission to land a man on the moon, focusing on Neil Armstrong in the 1960s. (138 min.)

GOOSEBUMPS 2: HAUNTED HALLOWEEN - TWO STARS - (PG) Slappy is back to wreak more havoc this Halloween in a brand-new comedy adventure based on R.L. Stine's 400-million-selling series of books. (100 min.)

HALLOWEEN - THREE STARS - (R) Jamie Lee Curtis returns to her breakout role as Laurie Strode, who comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago. (109 min.)

THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS -TWO AND A HALF STARS - (PG) The House with a Clock in Its Walls is a family-friendly blend of humor and horror with an infectious sense of fun. Directed by Eli Roth. (104 min.)

JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM - TWO AND a HALF STARS - (PG-13) "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" is more fun than "Jurassic World." It's not exactly a high bar, but still a welcome surprise. In the hands of a new director, J.A. Bayona, with Chris Pratt's high-wattage charisma on full blast and a fair amount of self-aware humor intact, there are certainly worse ways to spend a couple hours in the air-conditioned multiplex this summer. (128 min.)

THE MEG - TWO STARS - (PG-13) A deep-sea submersible--part of an international undersea observation program--has been attacked by a massive creature, previously thought to be extinct, and now lies disabled at the bottom of the deepest trench in the Pacific... with its crew trapped inside. (114 min.)

THE NUN - TWO STARS - (R) When a young nun at a cloistered abbey in Romania takes her own life, a priest with a haunted past and a novitiate on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate. Together they uncover the order's unholy secret. Risking not only their lives but their faith and their very souls, they confront a malevolent force. (96 min.)

PEPPERMINT - ONE AND HALF STARS - (R) A young mother (Jennifer Garner) awakens from a coma after her husband and daughter are killed in a brutal attack on the family. When the system frustratingly shields the murderers from justice, she transforms herself into an urban guerilla. (102 min.)

THE PREDATOR - TWO AND A HALF STARS - (R) In this reboot, the universe's most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having genetically upgraded themselves with DNA from other species. (108 min.)

A SIMPLE FAVOR - THREE STARS - (R) Stylish post-modern film noir directed by Paul Feig, centers around Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), a mommy blogger who seeks to uncover the truth behind her best friend Emily's (Blake Lively) sudden disappearance from their small town. (116 min.)

SMALLFOOT - TWO AND A HALF STARS - (PG) Smallfoot turns the Bigfoot legend upside down when a bright young Yeti finds something he thought didn't exist -- a human. News of this Smallfoot throws the simple Yeti community into an uproar over what else might be out there in the big world beyond their snowy village (109 min.)

A STAR IS BORN - FOUR STARS - (R) With appealing leads, deft direction, and an affecting love story, A Star Is Born is a remake done right -- and a reminder that some stories can be just as effective in the retelling. Stars Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. (135 min.)

VENOM - ONE AND HALF STARS - (PG-13) - Venom's first standalone movie turns out to be like the comics character in all the wrong ways - chaotic, noisy, and in desperate need of a stronger attachment to Spider-Man. (112 min.)The driving abilities of Massachusetts residents have inspired at least one nickname. Now those skills behind the wheel will be put to the test in costume.

A live Mario Kart competition called Mushroom Rally is coming to Boston next spring for a one-day event. Racers will dress as their favorite Mario Kart character from a selection of provided costumes and race on a customized track, the location of which has yet to be announced. Tickets are expected to cost $55 per person, limited to those 16 years and older.

Boston is one of several cities to host the Australian-born racing event. Following the events, a grand finale will be held in Las Vegas with a winner from each city.

To be selected as one of the 600 to participate, sign up on the Mushroom Rally website.ADAMS - An Adams woman pleaded innocent Monday in Northern Berkshire District Court to charges that she was intoxicated when she fatally stuck a man with her car last month.

Debra M. Milesi, 57, is charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident that resulted in death, motor vehicle homicide while under the influence of alcohol, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle, according to the office of Berkshire District Attorney Paul Caccaviello.

She is charged with striking Jerome Berard with her car in Adams on Sept. 29. Berard was critically injured and taken to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. He died on Oct. 7.

According to iBerkshires.com, Milesi was stopped by police at Meadow and East Hoosic streets shortly after 1:30 a.m. Another officer responding to the scene to provide backup spotted Berard lying injured in the road a short distance away.

Judge William Rota released Milesi on $1,000 bail on the condition that she remain under 24-hour house arrest and wear a GPS electronic monitor. She is also not allowed to drive or to leave the state.

She is due back in court on Oct. 29.AMHERST -- A petition with more than 1,000 signatures is now in the hands of the Select Board, requesting it change downtown parking enforcement hours to Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and keeping Sundays free.

But the board's chairman said he does not plan to act on the request and that the new Town Council would do so.

The petition asks parking enforcement hours on parking meters, lots and Boltwood Garage changed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (a line of parking meters located east of the Amherst police station on Main Street going towards Emily Dickinson Museum are in effect until 6 p.m.)

The petition, dated Sept. 27, and publicly released by the town on Monday, says: "Many business and property owners were extremely upset when the Downtown Parking Working Group recommended to the Select Board that they extend the hours of enforcement on parking meters and lots in downtown to 8 p.m. This change has been detrimental to business in downtown Amherst and many visitors and customers have stated their disapproval."

Though most of those signing the petitions live in Amherst and surrounding towns, some are from out of state, including California and New York.

A Springfield man signed the petition, saying his reason for being in town was to see shows at Amherst Cinema at night -- a reason numerous signers gave.

The great interest in the parking enforcement hours has become an issue in the campaign to elect the Town Council, according to Select Board Chairman Douglas Slaughter.

On Nov. 6, voters will elect 13 town councilors who will replace the five-person Select Board for administrative functions and the 240-member Town Meeting for legislative duties.

In an email to two residents who asked Slaughter for the board to make the change to parking enforcement hours, the chairman said that the new council will have to grapple with the dispute. The council is expected to begin meeting in December.

"We are operating under the Transition Provisions of the Town Charter," Slaughter wrote in the email to the residents. "Significant changes to the Town -- such as this, which has actually become an issue in the campaigns for Council -- cannot be taken by the Select Board."

"For that reason," Slaughter wrote, "and that the plans for the renovation of the North Common and Main Street parking lot, still being developed, will likely impact downtown parking, I will be referring the petition to the Downtown Parking Working Group with the expectation that the new Town Council will take up this request once it gets organized."

There are three proposals town officials are now considering to make changes to North Common.

One idea proposes eliminating an entire 30-vehicle parking lot at the north end of the common that borders Main Street.

Another proposal eliminates about 13 parking spaces, and the third maintains most parking spaces, eliminating one spot.

In a letter to the Select Board, Carol M. Johnson, executive director of Amherst Cinema Arts Center, Inc., located a stone's throw from the 30-space municipal parking lot, said eliminating public parking is the wrong way to go.

"I am writing to convey Amherst Cinema's fervent hope that the plan chosen for the renovation of the North Town Common and Main Street Parking lot will conserve every possible parking space," Johnson said in the letter dated Sept. 18. "Amherst Cinema draws an average of 2,300 patrons a week. ...

"Our downtown has become a very desirable and enjoyable place to be," Johnson wrote. "At the same time, we at Amherst Cinema worry about the future and the fact that there seem to be no current plans to expand parking, or to otherwise address the stresses on parking that we are already experiencing and that we expect will only grow. Parking is already the #1 complaint we hear at the cinema."

Sarah la Cour, executive director of the Amherst Business Improvement District, who has been a member of the Downtown Parking Working Group, said, "We have to address the parking ... we have to get this right."

On the issue of parking meter enforcement, la Cour said that the Amherst BID fully supports the change to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.EASTHAMPTON -- Bike share kiosks will soon become part of the city's downtown landscape.

Easthampton won a $225,000 state grant that will enable it to become part of Valley Bike Share, the office of Mayor Nicole LaChapelle announced Tuesday. The grant from the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development will pay for 4-5 rental stations and 35 pedal-assist bikes.

If all goes as planned, by June of 2019, Easthampton will join Amherst, South Hadley, Northampton, Holyoke, and Springfield, which are already Valley Bike Share communities.

Bewegen Technologies Inc., of St-Georges, Quebec provides the bikes and Corps Logistics has been hired to set up and maintain them.

In other bike-related news, the Conway School of Landscape Design has agreed to explore ways to connect the Manhan Rail Trail to the planned elementary and middle school at 200 Park St. The new school is slated to open in 2021.

The preliminary design work could form a basis for more specific design and engineering work, Lachapelle said.

"Easthampton has a truly rich history of supporting bicycles," the mayor's press release reads. "The creation, expansion, and continued popularity of the Manhan Rail Trail supports our creative economy. It provides alternatives to using cars and allows a truly unique recreational experience."

On the regulatory side, the City Council on Oct. 3 revamped the wording of the city's bicycle rules to be consistent with state law, which allows cyclists to ride in the full lane of traffic.

The previous ordinance, passed in 2012, told cyclists to stay to the right at all times. The new language eliminates that requirement, but does ask for simple cooperation.

"The operator of the bicycle shall not unnecessarily obstruct vehicles wishing to safely pass on the left and shall yield to the passing vehicle by moving as far to the right as is safe," the new ordinance reads.

The city has also planned a revamped and expanded police auction of abandoned bicycles, LaChapelle said.The Fall River City Council has "no basis" to remove Mayor Jasiel Correia after his federal indictment, the mayor's attorney said in a letter that threatened legal action if they attempt a vote to oust him from office.

Greenberg Taurig attorney Mark Berthiaume wrote a letter to Cliff Ponte, the City Council president, ahead of a scheduled Tuesday night meeting of council members. Correia has declared he is innocent and says he won't resign over the fraud allegations, stemming from an app he helped develop.

Berthiaume said in the letter that the section of the city's charter that allows councilors to remove a mayor from office "is not intended to apply to Mayor Correia's current situation."

The section is "clearly intended to apply to situations where the mayor is too sick, disabled or otherwise physically or mentally incapacitated to the point where he can no longer perform his duties as mayor," he added.

"Thus, simply being charged with a state or federal crime is insufficient to justify removal under the charter," Berthiaume wrote. "Second, Mayor Correia has not given any indication that he is unable to perform his duties."

Any attempt to remove Correia "runs contrary to the Massachusetts Constitution, [existing] state law, and the City Charter," he added.

The letter came hours after Correia reiterated that he is not guilty of the fraud charges leveled by federal prosecutors last week.HOLYOKE - Mayor Alex B. Morse has vetoed a City Council order that would limit the time a temporary sign could remain in front of a home or business.

The sign order originated with Ward 3 City Councilor David K. Bartley.

Bartley's orders, which the council approved 12-0, read: "... create a 'temporary sign' ordinance that regulates when such temporary signs can be placed in homeowners' yards and on commercial buildings or otherwise in public view."

In addition, the orders read, "No temporary signs shall be placed between the dates of December 1st and March 1 of each year in any location within the City. Signs to be placed in any location between these dates shall be registered with the Building Department prior to placement."

The orders also include a ban on "temporary signs" placed on or affixed to vehicles.

In a letter accompanying his veto, Morse wrote, referencing the lawn sign restriction, "This ordinance forces residents, for three months of the year, to register their temporary signs with a government entity for any use, from exercising their rights to free speech to putting up a 'for sale' sign on their house. ...

"The requirement to register a sign during the three winter months serves no discernible purpose but to dissuade citizens from placing a sign on residential property, which are the most likely signs to express political views," the mayor wrote.

Morse found the restrictions, intentional or not, an "unreasonable" restriction on residents' freedom of speech.

He argued that the ordinance places undue burden on citizens and "restricts their speech on their property," places an undue burden on the Building Department, and "improperly regulates vehicle signage and restricts speech through vehicles."

In an email, Bartley countered that the city's Law Department helped craft the language to ensure the ordinance adhered to First Amendment principals and jurisprudence.

"It is the prerogative of any mayor to veto any order passed by the city council. It is also the prerogative of the city council to override any mayoral veto," Bartley wrote. "The City Council has consistently done just that over my seven years in office, which is exactly the amount of time the mayor's been in office."

Bartley said the Planning Board held seven public hearings and the Ordinance Committee conducted three, which included public input. "Not one time did any of us hear from the mayor," he said.

"The mayor, I know, is very busy but somehow he finds the time to write veto letters. I just wish that he'd find the time to attend a meeting," Bartley said.

In a recent unanimous Supreme Court decision (Reed v. Town of Gilbert, Arizona), the court considered any restrictions, whether content or time limits on public placement, violated the First Amendment and regulated free speech.

The decision, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, examined content restrictions and the messages the signs conveyed.

For example, does a political campaign sign hold equal, lesser or more value than say a "We Buy Homes" sign, and whether a municipality can impose time, content or placement restrictions?

Thomas's decision cast doubt if such municipal ordinances could survive "strict scrutiny."

Justices on both sides of the court concurred with Thomas, garnering support from Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer and Anthony Kennedy, who wrote separate opinions.

Morse Veto Letter by The Republican/MassLive.com on ScribdPITTSFIELD - Police are investigating the stabbing death of 34-year-old man who was found lying on the sidewalk on Robbins Avenue Monday evening.

The man, identified as William Catalano of Pittsfield, was taken by ambulance to Berkshire Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at around 7 p.m. according to the office of Berkshire District Attorney Paul Caccaviello.

Police were called to in front of 219 Robbins Ave. just after 5:30 p.m. for a report on a man lying on the sidewalk. Officers found Catalano on the ground suffering from what were described as multiple stab wounds.

The death remains under investigation, but the preliminary investigation has determined the stabbing was the result of some kind of altercation involving multiple people.

Those involved in the fight fled through the neighborhood when residents of the area shouted that they were calling the police.

According to the DA's office, it was not a random attack, and Catalano and his assailants knew each other. Officials believe there is no danger to the general public.

The investigation is being conducted by members of the Pittsfield Police Department with assistance from State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney's Office, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, Forensic Scientists from the Crime Laboratory and the Berkshire County Sheriff's Department.

Anyone who may have witness the attack or who may have information about the incident is asked to call the Pittsfield Police Department Detective Bureau at 413 448-9705.Updated at 9:12 p.m. to embed a draft of the proposed ordinance that would regulate recreational marijuana businesses. The update also includes Councilor E. Henry Twiggs and Associate City Solicitor Tasheena Davis addressing the issue of possession in a motor vehicle and Councilor at Large Jesse Lederman discussing the need to specify what is meant by a container's "seal."

SPRINGFIELD -- The City Council took the first of three steps required to establish rules to regulate recreational marijuana businesses Monday at City Hall.

The Council's unanimous voice vote was one of three required to establish an ordinance, "Marijuana - Adult Use and Establishments." (see draft below)

The draft of the proposed ordinance was referred to the Council General Government Committee after councilors discussed amendments related to fines, jail time and other parts of the proposed ordinance.

Ward 3 Councilor Melvin A. Edwards, chairman of that committee, said a meeting will be held later this month to continue fine-tuning the measure.

Ward 4 Councilor E. Henry Twiggs asked about the legality of possessing small amounts of marijuana in Massachusetts vs. the part of the proposed ordinance that would fine someone for possession of pot in an "open container" in a vehicle.

"Don't we have a state law now that allows you to have an ounce?" Twiggs said.

Associate City Solicitor Tasheena Davis said that that was correct but that what the provision in the proposed ordinance addresses is possession in a motor vehicle. In that case, the proposal states that marijuana that is possessed in the passenger area of a vehicle -- in other words, not the trunk or glove compartment -- must be enclosed in an unopened container.

The proposed ordinance defines open container this way: "Open Container shall mean that the package containing marijuana or marijuana products has its seal broken or from which the contents have been partially removed or consumed."

Violation of that provision would net a $100 fine and forfeiture of the pot under the proposed ordinance.

Councilor at Large Jesse Lederman said the nature of what constitutes a container's seal in such a case should be specified. Davis said she would explore that.

The proposed ordinance contains definitions such as "marijuana," "marijuana retailer" and "marijuana transporter," explanations of violations and penalties, host community agreement details and security and building code requirements.

The proposal the Council considered Monday is different from a zoning ordinance the Council also is fine-tuning that would limit areas and streets in the city where recreational marijuana facilities could be located, Council President Orlando Ramos said.

Check back with The Republican and MassLive.com for more coverage of the Springfield City Council's consideration of regulations for recreational marijuana businesses.

Draft of Springfield City Council regulations for recreational marijuana businesses: by Mike Plaisance on ScribdPresident Donald Trump said he'd hand over $1 million, but only after he "personally" tests Sen. Elizabeth Warren on whether she has Native American roots.

Touring the damage wrought by Hurricane Michael in Georgia, Trump questioned the results of the DNA test Warren released Monday. The test indicated she does have Native American ancestry.

"How much?" asked Trump, who has repeatedly mocked Warren's claims of heritage and referred to her as "Pocahontas." First Lady Melania Trump stood next to him as reporters shouted questions.

Asked whether he owes Warren an apology, Trump said, "She owes the country an apology. What's the percentage?"

Trump was then asked about his remark earlier this year at a Montana rally, in which he pledged $1 million, "paid for by Trump if you take the test and it shows you're an Indian." Earlier on Monday, Trump had denied saying that.

In Georgia, asked again about the million dollar pledge, Trump said, "I'll only do it if I can test her personally. Okay? That will not be something I enjoy doing, either."

Pres. Trump says he doesn't owe Sen. Warren an apology following release of DNA test showing "strong evidence" she had a Native American ancestor dating back several generations.



"She owes the country an apology. What's her percentage, 1/1000th?" https://t.co/cyAHgf38yt pic.twitter.com/lZrxHjhpBI  ABC News (@ABC) October 15, 2018

While releasing the DNA test results earlier in the day, Warren said she wants the money, if she receives it from Trump, to go towards the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center, a anti-violence nonprofit.

Along with the test, Warren released a campaign-style video on its results. Warren, a Cambridge Democrat, is running for a second six-year term in the US Senate but has said she is weighing a run for president in 2020.

"I took this test and released the results for anyone who cares to see because I've got nothing to hide," Warren said on Twitter, before demanding Trump release his tax returns or Democrats will "do it for you" if they win control of the US House of Representatives after the November midterm election.@DukeEnergy/Twitter (MEXICO BEACH) -- Hurricane Michael's death toll has climbed to 26, with 16 people dying in Florida, according to state officials. Twelve of those deaths were in Bay County, which was hit hard by the monster Category 4 storm.



Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach in Bay County Wednesday with winds around 155 mph, decimating nearly every home and business in the small seaside community, including the Mexico Beach Police Department.



"We don't have a building -- from my understanding, the water surge moved it off its foundation," Police Chief Anthony Kelly told ABC News on Friday.



When Emily Mitchell returned on Saturday afternoon to see what was left of her family's Mexico Beach home, she found the roof ripped off and the walls blown in. She called it a "total loss."



As Michael barreled up the coast, it brought death and destruction with it, leaving 10 people dead in Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.



Among the victims were an 11-year-old girl in Georgia and a firefighter in Virginia.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.Lee Universitys Dr. Delia Price, assistant professor of education, and Dr. Donna Summerlin, chair of the Department of Language and Literature, presented at the annual Appalachian College Association Summit in Kingsport, Tn.

The summit brings together faculty, staff, and administrative leaders from across the ACA to engage in ongoing collaboration and share best practices in preparing students for achievement.

Their presentation, titled Effective Teaching Practices for Student Engagement, provided research-based strategies for instructors to support active learning in their classrooms, both with and without the aid of technology.

Coming to Lee as a part-time faculty member in 2009, Dr. Price joined the full-time faculty of the Helen DeVos College of Education in 2013. Prior to Lee, Price worked in the Hamilton County public school system for 25 years, serving as a middle school teacher and, later, a principal at the Tyner Middle Academy. Dr. Price earned her doctorate and masters in education from Trevecca Nazarene University and her bachelors from Tennessee Temple University.

Teaching is my great passion and has been my lifelong career, so I am always excited to share my knowledge to support excellent classroom practices, said Dr. Price. The session was overflowing with participants who willingly participated and exchanged ideas.

Dr. Summerlin joined the Lee faculty in 1988. In addition to serving as chair of the department, she also serves as a professor of English. She received the Excellence in Advising Award in 2003 the Excellence in Teaching award in 2016, fellowships from the ACA during the 1992 and 1993 academic years, and the Janet Rahamut Award for service to students outside the classroom in 2015.

Dr. Summerlin earned her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, her Master of Education and Master of Arts at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and her Bachelor of Arts in English from Lee University.

The session was well attended and participants seemed to benefit from the pedagogies we introduced, said Dr. Summerlin.

According to Dr. Price, the conference brought together teachers from approximately 35 private Appalachian colleges. Lee University was well represented, with a number of faculty and students presenting.

For more information about the ACA Summit, visit https://acaweb.org/events/summit/.



For more information on the Appalachian College Association, visit https://acaweb.org/.Russia still planned to go ahead as planned with its next manned flight to the ISS in December.

A Russian cosmonaut and a US astronaut survived an aborted liftoff after a Soyuz rocket bound for the ISS failed in mid-air.

The next manned flight of a Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station (ISS) could take place on Nov. 28, Interfax news agency quoted a Russian space industry source on Saturday as saying.

A Russian cosmonaut and a US astronaut survived an aborted liftoff after a Soyuz rocket bound for the ISS failed in mid-air two minutes after the launch in Kazakhstan, leading to a dramatic emergency landing.

Russias space agency Roscosmos was not immediately available for comment on Saturday on the Interfax report.

A Russian space agency official said on Friday that Russia still planned to go ahead as planned with its next manned flight to the ISS in December despite a rocket failure this week.

(Source)SPRINGFIELD -- The City Council voted Monday to seek a legal opinion on the permitting status of Palmer Renewable Energy, a 35-megawatt wood-burning biomass plant proposed at 1000 Page Blvd. in East Springfield.

City Solicitor Edward Pikula now has 30 days to respond to the singular question: Are the controversial plant's building permits still valid?

The permits were first issued in 2011, later revoked by the zoning board and City Council, and reinstated in September of 2015 as the result of an appeals court decision. In 2016, the city's health commissioner cleared the way for the project to proceed.

However, developers never built the plant, and many thought the project was dead -- until a lawyer for Palmer Renewable Energy recently said that a spring 2019 groundbreaking is planned.

"Have the permits expired?" asked City Councilor Michael Fenton at Monday's special meeting, which was called by City Council President Orlando Ramos.

Pikula said he would look into it, and give his legal opinion during an executive session of the council.

While building permits are generally good for 120 days, the state's Permit Extension Act gave another four years of life to certain permits issued between August 15 of 2008 and 2012. Since the Sept. 2015 court decision upheld building permits issued in 2011, they could potentially be good through Sept. of 2019.

Councilor E. Henry Twiggs asked Pikula if the council could prevent the plant from gaining new building permits if the current ones are deemed invalid.

"This body should never interfere with the building commissioner's duties," said Pikula.

Code Enforcement Commissioner Steven Desilets, also present, said he had received no recent communication from Palmer Renewable Energy. Desilets said the two permits he issued in 2011 are for excavation and foundation work.

Over the course of a decade, Palmer Renewable Energy gained state environmental permits, even as it weathered litigation and strong opposition from the City Council, neighbors, and other groups, including the Conservation Law Foundation. In addition to air quality, opponents had expressed concern about the impact of biomass electricity on forest health.

Ramos told reporters he wanted answers after reading news reports about the plant's possible revival. "I heard about it it through the media," he said. "I had assumed it was dead. It came as a surprise."

Ramos said he remains staunchly opposed to the project.

"We have some of the poorest air quality in the country, according to the American Lung Association," Ramos said. "We don't need a biomass plant."

Massachusetts recently reversed a previous policy and now allows woody biomass power plants to qualify for clean energy incentives if they meet certain criteria. Qualifying plants must find a way to use their waste heat, meet certain efficiency standards, and use only "sustainably harvested" wood.

Palmer Paving Corporation and its Springfield site were sold last month to Peckham Industries of White Plains, New York. The biomass plant will be a tenant of the Palmer Paving site, project lawyer Frank Fitgerald previously told The Republican.A tip campaign to help generate more information in the 1993 killing of 10-year-old Holly Piirainen will be held Sunday at the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Confernce Center.

The campaign, called "Hope for Holly" is hosted by cold case consultant Dr. Sarah Stein and volunteers with the Center for the Resolution of Unresolved Crime. The event located at 366 Main St. in Sturbridge will be from noon to 6 p.m.

There will be a public vigil to honor Holly immediately following the tip campaign.

Holly went for a walk with her younger brother to see a new litter of puppies near their grandmother's lake house in Sturbridge on Aug. 5, 1993.

Holly's brother returned home alone. The little girl went missing. Only her shoes could be found.

More than 80 police officers and volunteers began searching for Holly with the number increasing to 350 by the next day.

Hunters found Holly's body on Oct. 23, 1993, in a wooded area of Brimfield. It was about five miles away from where Holly was last seen.

The 25th anniversary of Holly's death was this year. No one has been charged with her killing.

Carla Jackman, Holly's aunt, said the recent anniversary has been tough on the family. Holly was the daughter of Christina Harrington and Richard Piirainen. She also had two younger brothers.

"It has been difficult going through a big anniversary like this. It just brings it all back," Jackman told MassLive. "We remain hopeful that somebody knows something."

Jackman also hopes technology continues to evolve where DNA evidence can yield more clues.

Any tips will be given to State police working for the Hampden County District Attorney's office.

Information can also be emailed to thomas.w.sullivan2@massmail.state.ma.us.

People with information are also asked to contact Hampden County State Police Detective Unit at 413-505-5993. You may also text information to "CRIMES" (274637) with the subject line "SOLVE Holly Piirainen."

Jackman said as people's lives change, they may be more willing to come forward with information.

"We will take tips any way we can get them," Jackman said.

Family are meeting with Massachusetts State Police Col. Kerry Gilpin and Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni Tuesday.

Jackman said the family met with Gilpin previously. The colonel's sister, Tracy Gilpin, was killed in 1986 and for years the case remained unsolved.

Michael Hand was arrested earlier this for Tracy Gilpin's killing.

Those arrests give Holly's family hope, Jackman said. Gilpin also told the family to continue to push and publicize Holly's death, Jackman said.

"If other families can get answers after all these years, so can we," she said. "It can happen."An Auburn man accused of starving his dog to death after leaving the animal tied to a column with a rope will be arraigned in a Worcester court Wednesday.

Eric J. Hannon, 21, faces one count of animal cruelty, according to paperwork filed in Worcester Central District Court.

Hannon was arrested over the weekend after failing to appear in court on Oct. 10. Records show he posted $1,000 cash bail on Friday after his arrest.

The discovery of the dead dog came as Board of Health officials in Auburn went to Hannon's 29 Pinehurst Ave. home in August.

The home had been an issue in town and Board of Health officials went to the location to check the property. After finding an open door, health officials called police.

Officers saw the remains of a dog in the basement.

Detective Eric Dyson Sr. and Detective Sgt. R. Scott Mills went to the home on Aug. 24.

The town's animal control officer knew Hannon had a dog named Athena. The dog had a microchip after the animal was found running loose in May 2017.

The investigators located the dead dog near a support column in the basement. The dog had been tied to the column with a two-and-a-half-foot long rope with a collar, according to a statement of facts filed in court.

Only bones and fur were remaining, according to police.

The town's animal control officer scanned the dog's body, which revealed the dog was Athena, who was owned by Hannon.

Police interviewed Hannon on Aug. 31.

"During the interview, Hannon eventually told me that he had left the dog tied to the pole in the basement with the short rope and pinch collar when he went to visit his girlfriend for one night in February 2018," the statement of facts said.

Hannon told police he was gone for two days, according to authorities.

He allegedly said he returned home to find his basement flooded and the dog dead.

"Hannon claimed that he was not sure if the dog drowned or was electrocuted, but that he was afraid to investigate further," the statement said.

Hannon then moved from the home a short time later. It wasn't until six months later that the dead dog was discovered by police.

Authorities said one of the dog's femur bones was sent to Michigan State University and tested. The test showed the dog suffered from starvation.

Police did find a bucket that Hannon said was filled with food near the dog. Police believe however, the dog died from starvation.

In the statement of facts police said Hannon subjected the dog to "cruel and inhumane conditions and gave the dog, little if any, chance to survive any unforeseen circumstance by abandoning it and tying it to a column in his basement and then leaving for an extending period of time to visit his girlfriend in New Hampshire."Healthcare, immigration and gun control were among the topics discussed as incumbent Congressman James McGovern and opponent Tracy Lovvorn debated at Worcester's Mechanics Hall Monday night.

As the debate carried on, the pair had one heated exchanged when Lovvorn discussed the poverty rate in Worcester.

Lovvorn, a Republican candidate for the 2018 Massachusetts 2nd Congressional District pointed out that in 2017, the number of households in Worcester reporting incomes below $15,000 rose to 21.9 percent in 2017.

McGovern, who has served on the House of Representatives for more than 20 years, was annoyed with her reference.

"You trashed my city," McGovern, a Democrat, said.

"You trashed your city," Lovvorn fired back.

She later added that she wasn't badmouthing Worcester, but simply stating issues that need to be fixed.

The debate, which lasted about an hour-and-a-half, only saw one person escorted from the room during an outburst.

Lovvorn, the founder and CEO of Evolution Physical Therapy in Grafton, accused McGovern of being part of the dysfunction in Washington D.C.

It is time for new blood, she said.

"What more can he do? He is part of the dysfunction," Lovvorn said in a packed room.

McGovern quickly turned to the development in Worcester and the renaissance going on downtown as reasons the city is moving forward.

He said the government needs to focus on inequality and "do better" for the middle class and those struggling to get into the middle instead of giving tax cuts that only benefit the wealthy.

Questions were submitted before the debate from residents living in the district. One Worcester resident asked about addiction and the opioid crisis after losing a son to an accidental overdose while struggling with depression.

McGovern said he works with district attorneys and community health centers and obtains funds to help combat the opioid crisis.

"We need to make sure we treat this issue as a healthcare issue and not a criminal justice issue," he said.

Mental health and healthcare need to be treated on an equal level, Lovvorn said.

During the discussion on gun violence in the country, McGovern discussed the shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut and Marjory Stoneham Douglas High School in Florida.

Access to guns needs to be changed, McGovern said. People on a terrorist watch list cannot fly but can obtain guns, he said.

He supports universal background checks for people purchasing firearms and the ban on bump stocks.

Lovvorn said people on terrorist watch lists have no way of being removed from the list. That needs to be fixed before universal background checks are implemented, she said.

Gun lobbyists bankrolled Congress and President Donald J. Trump, McGovern contends.

When a question about the government paying more than $17 million in taxpayer money over 20 years to resolve sexual harassment, overtime pay issues and workplace violations filed by employees of Congress, McGovern said he was unaware it was going on.

"How did you not know that was going on? "How could you be there for 22 years and not know that existed?" Lovvorn asked.

McGovern said if a member of Congress is abusing someone on their staff, they need to pay out of their own pocket and not use taxpayer cash.

Thundering away at Trump, McGovern said immigration reform is needed badly in the United States. Right now, he said, children are being separated from their parents at the border under the Trump administration.

Lovvorn believes better border security is needed and the immigration process needs to be streamlined in order to make the process easier and less expensive.

In closing statements, McGovern said the United States is a great country, but he fears it is losing its humanity. Trump degrades women, said McGovern, who was referencing Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who accused Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault.

The president lies on big policy issues, attacks his opponents and is engulfed in scandals, McGovern added. All political parties need to stand together and say they've "had enough," he said.

Lovvorn promised to end the "them and us" divide in Washington D.C.

"We're not them and us, we're us," she said. "I want to represent us."It all started with two women who had an idea.

Now, three years later, Laura Marotta and her wife, Stacy Lord, have obtained nearly all of the $8.1 million in funding that it's going to take to transform the former Ionic Avenue Boys Club into a hub for the arts in Worcester. Marotta and Lord hope to close out the financing of their capital campaign by the end of the year and begin construction with an opening date of spring 2020.

Through that process, they've joined a community of female entrepreneurs in the city, becoming more confident and empowered during the age of the #MeToo movement, when the narrative around women is changing.

"Real women lift up other women, that's so important," Marotta said. "We're all dealing with and facing the same types of adversity in our lives."

They said traditionally, women have been taught that it's bad to make others feel uncomfortable. But with the need to raise tens of thousands of dollars for the facility, Marotta said she's become less afraid to speak up and push back.

"I don't feel like I'm in a box anymore where I have to protect people from anything, people don't step around us and especially in the world that we're in, the fundraising world, there's no tip toeing," she said. "When I was growing up, I never wanted to disappoint anybody - you have to take that out of it. You have to learn that this is not your personal life, this is not a friend thing, this is something that you're building and that you have to convince people, no matter what, that this is going to happen."

The 1914 building, once home to thousands of boys every day, will become a dynamic ecosystem of creative offices, a visual arts maker space, classroom space with educational programming for local youth, an art gallery, private studio rentals, and a rooftop event venue for creative and cultural events.

Lord said the three-year process has been a rollercoaster, and learning how to adapt became a necessity. Both she and Marotta are teachers, which they said made the process easier.

As educators, she said they learned to be flexible and juggle multiple things at the same time, assessing situations and reacting accordingly. Marotta and Lord also want to hear any and all ideas from the community, as the space is intended to be a true community hub.

"It's passion-driven and it has been since the beginning," Lord said. "If it's something you're very passionate about, you go after it with everything you have and hope for the best."

Through that process, both women said they've found more strength in their own voices.

"It's not inherently masculine to want to be powerful and want to have your voice heard and want to get to a 'yes,' and I don't want to see a future where you have to be like men, I think that's the wrong way to look at it," she said.

And once Creative Hub is complete, Marotta and Lord said it will be home to many female tenants, from weavers and event planners to dancer instructors. They hope to create an ecosystem of positivity, encouragement and creativity within the space.

"We are now mentors to young women wanting to start businesses," Lord said. "It's very empowering to see that. It's an offshoot that I wasn't expecting."

The women are now in the final stages of wrapping up their capital campaign, with $467,000 left to raise. They plan to do so, in part, through naming rights and a brick-engraving program.

"Getting the whole community involved with the fundraising aspect, too, is kind of nice," Marotta said. "We want the big fish and the small fish. We want the whole community to feel owernship of what's here."When all else fails, push some crackpot theory. Like "rogue killers," maybe.

This is the latest nonsense excuse -- brought up by the president of the United States, even -- for the disappearance and likely killing of a Saudi journalist who had dared to criticize the kingdom's royal family.

On Monday, 13 days after dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared after walking into Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, Turkish investigators were allowed to enter the facility. Just hours earlier, a cleaning crew, carrying mops and buckets and what was likely cleaning solution, was photographed heading into the diplomatic mission. Think they were there for their regularly scheduled cleaning? Think again.

There's every reason to believe that the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, cooked up an operation to lure Khashoggi to the consulate, perhaps in an attempt to have him captured and brought back to Saudi Arabia. It's widely believed that once he was there, Khashoggi was tortured and killed inside the facility. In fact, Turkish officials are thought to have audio and video evidence of this.

If it is shown that the Saudi government was behind Khashoggi's killing, there must be serious consequences. Even President Donald Trump said that, at least briefly, before changing course.

On Monday, Trump said he'd spoken by phone for some 20 minutes with King Salman, the Saudi ruler, who had denied any involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance and probable killing. Wouldn't be the first time that someone had lied about his alleged misdeeds. Wouldn't even be the first time that a nation's leader who'd been up to no good had lied about it to Trump. (See: Putin, Vladimir, president of Russia.)

But it gets worse. Speaking with reporters on Monday, Trump not only noted the Saudi king's denials, but added a foolish new twist, perhaps of his own making, or maybe only parroting something he'd heard from the kingdom's ruler.

"I don't want to get into his mind, but it sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers," Trump said. "Who knows? We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial."

Well, that makes everything better, no?

Though Trump had briefly exchanged threats with the Saudis, he quickly backed down. Why? Because imposing sanctions or canceling arms sales would be bad for business, he said. Astonishingly.

Our president has no moral compass. Many of us have long known that, but it is still nonetheless sometimes shocking, and deeply disturbing, to see it on full display.

The Saudi royal family is thought to have been behind the killing of a dissident journalist, and Trump is fretting about the bottom line. Good God.

Thankfully, tech and media companies and the heads of several major financial firms have pulled out of a significant investment conference that will be held in Saudi Arabia later this month. That's a start, but only a start. Next, members of Congress -- from both parties -- need to act together, to speak with one voice, making it clear that our nation will not simply turn a blind eye on what happened.

If our president won't stand for what's right -- and he clearly won't -- then it's got to be up to business leaders and lawmakers to send a clear message to the kingdom: We know what you did, and you will not get away with it.Now that Elizabeth Warren has cleared up the nation's most pressing issue, which is the matter of her heritage, we can examine how this reflects on the woman who is obviously running for president and, in her spare time, running for re-election to her Massachusetts Senate seat.

Anyone who sees some good that came out of this, raise your hand. The only hands going up should be from Trump supporters who can't believe how such an intelligent senator can be lured into such a ridiculous game.

By submitting to DNA testing that says yes, she did have a faint trace of Native American blood, Warren proved she can go as low as the president. Sometimes she seems almost pleased to match the King of Tweets with irreverent, irrelevant snark attacks.

The president has been wrong from the start to use "Pocahontas" as a nickname for Warren. For one thing, it's very unfair to Pocahontas, who was able to bring differing cultures together 400 years ago, something neither Trump nor Warren is interested in doing now.

Whoever thinks they can beat Trump will have to stand up to him, which more than a dozen Republicans and Hillary Clinton realized, too late, in 2016. Warren can do that. Trying to out-Trump the master, though, is a losing hand.

She also made a farce out of DNA testing and true heritage, and frankly she showed a disrespect the Native Americans who actually are Native Americans. Don't take my word for it. Listen to Chuck Hoskin Jr., the secretary of state for the Cherokee Nation, who called it a "mockery" of DNA tests while "dishonoring legitimate tribal governments and their citizens."

The tests show Warren likely had a Native American link six to 10 generations ago. Her lineage could be as small as 1 in 1,024. According to a Boston Globe investigation, Warren was identified as a white woman when hired by Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, though she did formally identify as Native American at both places.

My understanding is that when universities and other employers apply diversity hiring standards, they're not looking for the Elizabeth Warrens of the world to fill the quotas of the most disenfranchised minorities. They look for people whose ethnicity has provided true and often unfair obstacles. If anything, viewing Warren through that lens is a disingenuous way to circumvent those goals.

Ethnic diversity, in short, is not a fashion statement. Hoskin is accusing Warren of precisely what Democrats are accused of routinely doing: using and manipulating minorities as a political tool, and not because of any true connection to their cause. That charge is often unfair. It's not unfair here.

Why did Warren feel the urge to go through this spectacle and play Trump's game at all? Does she really think any of the millions who can't stand her will now say wow, we had her pegged all wrong and she's really A-OK?

Does she really think the millions who support her needed this affirmation of her miniscule Native American background, and one where the facts and percentage defeat her claim more than strengthening it? Does it speak well of her leadership that when Trump tells her to jump through a DNA test, she doesn't ignore him but asks "how high?"

Didn't these people learn anything from the Obama birther controversy? If Warren has any chance of winning the 2020 presidential election, it will be because A) the economy tanks and Trump's softer support bails out, or B) enough people like Warren's politics and already want to get rid of Trump.

The Clintons are going on tour, where they will whine to adoring audiences about how they've been mistreated. Every time one of them says something, especially when Monica Lewinsky's name is in the question, Democrats slap their foreheads in dismay.

Now Warren is stealing the platform, just when Democrats who hope to change Congressional majorities need every moment of the last three weeks to make their pitches. This will hurt them in red states while not helping them in blue or purple states.

The tone-deafness of Bill, Hillary and now the senator is distressing - not to Trump people who must be laughing at the show, but to Democrats who are being handed chances to win, only to hand them right back.

Warren's participation in this farce isn't outrageous, but it is hugely disappointing to anyone trying to keep an open mind about her. Regardless of how much joy Trump takes in needling her, I always assumed the senator was far too intelligent to play his game and too ethical to manipulate the important matter of ethnic heritage. Maybe I was wrong.Anthony Amore, the Republican candidate for secretary of the commonwealth, only registered as a Republican in 2012, according to public records.

Before that, he was a Democrat, and he voted in the Democratic primaries in 2006 and 2008.

"I was a Democrat most of my life," Amore said.

Amore, who works as the head of security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, is challenging Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin, a Democrat.

Amore has a unique background for a candidate, as a former immigration inspector who then worked for the Federal Aviation Administration and helped overhaul security at Logan Airport before coming to the Gardner. A look at public records shows that Amore's voting record is also unusual for a GOP candidate.

According to the Swampscott town clerk, where Amore has voted since 2004, Amore has voted regularly in state elections.

The clerk confirmed that Amore voted in the Democratic state primary in 2006, the year when Deval Patrick won a contested Democratic primary for governor.

In 2008, Amore voted in the Democratic primary for president, where Hillary Clinton beat eventual nominee and president Barack Obama in Massachusetts. Amore also voted in the Democratic state primary in 2008.

Amore was registered in Boston in 2012, where he did not vote, and in Westwood in 2014. The Westwood town clerk asked for a written request before providing Amore's voter history, and that request is pending. (Update, 2 p.m, Oct. 16: According to the Westwood clerk, Amore voted in the Republican special state primary in 2013.)

When Amore returned to Swampscott in 2016, he voted in the Republican primary that year. He voted in the Republican primary again this September, when he was on the ballot unopposed.

Amore switched from being a registered Democrat to unenrolled in 2010. He became a Republican two years later.

Amore, in an interview, said he grew up in Rhode Island, where his father was an ironworker and an active union member. He described his parents as "died-in-the-wool Democrats."

Amore said he decided to unenroll in the Democratic Party after the 2008 elections.

For one, Amore was "unimpressed" with President Obama. "I didn't think he came into office with the qualifications befitting a chief executive," Amore said.

Amore said he had "been veering away from the party for some time" based on his personal reading. He said his decision to switch parties was shaped primarily by his views on national and domestic security.

Amore said the biggest eye-opener for him was reading "Love, Poverty and War," a collection of essays by Christopher Hitchens.

Hitchens, an English-American intellectual known for his critiques of religion and politics, was a Marxist leftist who broke with the political left to support the war in Iraq and President George W. Bush's policies after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Amore himself was directly involved in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. An aviation consultant at the time, he was asked by the Federal Aviation Administration to return to the agency to work on aviation security. He oversaw the federalization of the Providence, R.I. airport, when in the months following the terrorist attacks, the Transportation Security Administration began taking over security at airports around the country. He then helped lead the federalization effort at Logan Airport in Boston.

Amore said the more he read about George W. Bush's actions after the attacks, "I looked at his actions after 9/11 with a different set of eyes."

In addition to voting as a Democrat, Amore has also donated to Democrats. He gave $200 to State Rep. Marty Walz, a Boston Democrat, in 2004. He gave $100 to Patrick's gubernatorial campaign in 2005. He gave $350 to fellow security expert Juliette Kayyem, a Democratic candidate for governor in 2014. He gave $1,100 to Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley, a Democrat, between 2013 and 2017.

Amore has also donated to Republicans. He gave $1,050 to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker's campaign between 2015 and 2017, and another $250 to Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. He gave $100 to current Republican candidate for treasurer Keiko Orrall.

In 2016, Amore gave $50 to State Rep. Jim Lyons, an Andover Republican. In 2015, he gave $50 to State Rep. Geoff Diehl, a Whitman Republican now running as the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate.Three veterans are suing the state treasurer for denying them a veterans bonus for receiving a discharge that was not honorable after multiple tours of duty.

Massachusetts offers veterans who served after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks a Welcome Home bonus as long as they receive an honorable discharge. The bonus is $1,000 for veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan and $500 for those who served elsewhere for at least six months.

The case pending in Suffolk Superior Court, which will have a hearing this Thursday, is about whether someone who served multiple tours of duty but was not honorably discharged from the final one is eligible for the benefit. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and the Veterans' Bonus Appeal Board said those veterans are not eligible.

The case is Jeffrey Machado, Herik Espinoza, and Washington Santos vs. Goldberg and the Veterans' Bonus Appeal Board.

Machado served in the U.S. Army from March 2011 to September 2014. He struggled with returning to post-combat life and received an "other than honorable" discharge for a domestic violence-related violation of military regulations. He applied for Welcome Home bonuses for his deployment to Afghanistan and his service domestically. The Veterans' Bonus Division of the treasurer's office denied his request because of his discharge.

Machado appealed, arguing that he was honorably discharged from his first tour of duty, so he should receive the benefit for that service. The board disagreed and found that the Army had characterized his entire service as dishonorable.

Similarly, Espinoza served three tours of duty, received an "other than honorable" discharge, and applied for Welcome Home bonuses for his service during his first two tours.

Espinoza was on active duty in the U.S. Army from November 2004 to February 2016. He applied for a bonus for his deployment to Afghanistan in 2011-2012, for which he received an Army Commendation Medal.

The board reached the same conclusion as in Machado's case. Both cases were decided May 30, 2017.

This April, attorneys for Machado and Espinoza asked to add a third plaintiff. Santos was in a similar situation, in which he appealed a bonus denial after he received an "other than honorable" discharge after three tours of duty, having served in Qatar, Korea and Afghanistan and earned multiple medals for his service.

Santos had filed his own lawsuit, seeking to represent all veterans in a similar situation - which he estimated could be as high as 4,000.

"The Massachusetts Legislature has long chosen to recognize the virtues and sacrifices of those who serve in the armed forces by providing to them special benefits, among them a Welcome Home Bonus for returning post-9/11 service members who deployed to war," attorneys for Santos wrote in his complaint. "However, the State Treasurer - charged with administering the Bonus program - has violated that long tradition by unfairly and unlawfully withholding the Bonus from thousands of Massachusetts veterans."

Santos' brief argues that often, less than honorable discharges stem from conduct related to mental or physical problems that come from military service, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or brain injury.

Nearly 7 percent of post-Sept. 11, 2001 veterans have received a less than honorable discharge. A May 2017 report by the federal government found that 62 percent of veterans separated from the military for misconduct over a four-year period had been diagnosed with a mental health condition, such as PTSD.

Goldberg and the appeal board, in briefs filed by Attorney General Maura Healey's office, argue that the state law establishing the bonus states clearly that the veteran must have been discharged "under honorable conditions." Under that law, they argue, these veterans are not eligible for the bonus.

"It is rational and serves a legitimate purpose for the state, on one hand, to pay the bonus to applicants whose then-known conduct is 'honorable,' and on the other hand, not to pay the bonus to applicants whose then-known conduct is other than honorable," wrote Assistant District Attorney Maryanne Reynolds. "'Honorable' service has been the hallmark of the bonus, and similar bonuses in the past."

The treasurer's office still approves the vast majority of applications it receives. Between fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2018, the office received 5,881 applications for the Welcome Home Bonus and denied 467 of them. The office paid out $5.32 million in bonuses during those years.In a series of tweets published Tuesday morning, President Donald Trump spoke critically of the release of a DNA analysis by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Reviving his go-to nickname for the senator, "Pocahontas," he called the results "bogus," adding, "it showed that she may be 1/1024, far less than the average American."

Warren took a DNA test in August seeking to address the controversy regarding family claims of Native American heritage. The senator says her parents eloped because her father's family was opposed to the marriage, citing her mother's Native heritage.

"The way I see it, at the end of the day, what the people of Massachusetts said is they cared a whole lot more about their families than they did about my background," she said. "My brothers and I, we grew up in Oklahoma, we know our story from our mom and our dad, and our grandmothers and our grandfather, and from our aunts."

The analysis of the DNA test analyzed by geneticist and Stanford University professor Carlos D. Bustamante concluded there was strong evidence to the family's claim. Bustamante's report states that Warren's ancestor was likely six to 10 generations removed.

If the ancestor is 10 generations back, she would be 1/1024 Native, as the Trump referenced Tuesday morning, later referring to it as "Indian heritage."

The president was not the only one critical of Warren's announcement about her heritage this week.

A Cherokee Nation official accused Warren of "undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage."

Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. said "using a DNA test to lay claim to any connection to the Cherokee Nation or any tribal nation, even vaguely, is inappropriate and wrong," adding that DNA tests do not determine tribal citizenship.

Warren has said her family descends from Cherokee and Delaware tribes. She has not claimed citizenship, which is determined by tribal nations, and does not list herself as Native American in the Senate.

Her lineage came under fire during her first campaign for the Senate against incumbent Republican Scott Brown.

Following critical comments made by Brown, staffers for the senator chanted war whoops and performed tomahawk chops leading up to the election, actions for which they later apologized.Asian-Americans, who represent about 6 per cent of the US population, comprise 23 per cent of Harvards current freshman class.

The US Justice Department, which launched a related probe of Harvard after Republican President Donald Trump took office last year, has backed SFFAs case, saying Harvard has not seriously considered alternative, race-neutral approaches to admissions. (Photo: File)

Boston: Harvard University discriminates against Asian-American applicants in order to limit how many it admits, a lawyer for a group suing the school said on Monday at the start of a trial that could have wider implications for the role of race in US college admissions.

The trial in federal court in Boston pits the Ivy League school against Students for Fair Admissions, which was founded by an anti-affirmative action activist and whose case is backed by the Trump administration.

The case could eventually reach the US Supreme Court, giving the newly cemented five-member conservative majority a chance to bar the use of affirmative action to help minority applicants get into college, legal experts say.

In previous rulings on affirmative action, which aims to offset historic patterns of racial discrimination, the Supreme Court has allowed colleges to include race as one factor among others in assessing applicants.

In his opening statement, Adam Mortara, a lawyer for SFFA, accused Harvard of going further than the court has allowed by engaging in racial balancing and keeping Asian-American admissions in the years before SFFA sued in 2014 at or under 20 per cent annually.

Mortara said while Asian-Americans outperformed other groups on academic measures, they received low scores on the personal rating that measures an applicants subjective likability and grit, a fact he said Harvard cannot prove was not due to racial bias.

Theres an Asian-American penalty, and its significant, he said.

William Lee, a lawyer for Harvard, countered that SFFAs claims were based on heavily manipulated data and invective accusations and innuendo.

Harvard never considers an applicants race to be negative, Lee told US District Judge Allison Burroughs, who is presiding over the non-jury trial. If it considers race at all, it is always considered in a positive way.

He said the Supreme Court had long supported Harvards approach, describing it as an illuminating example in a landmark 1978 ruling that allowed race to be considered in college admissions in order to promote diversity.

Were here because SFFA would like to change that law, he said.

Asian-Americans, who represent about 6 per cent of the US population, comprise 23 per cent of Harvards current freshman class.

SFFA is headed by Edward Blum, an activist involved in other high-profile cases that have challenged the use of race in colleges admissions.

The US Justice Department, which launched a related probe of Harvard after Republican President Donald Trump took office last year, has backed SFFAs case, saying Harvard has not seriously considered alternative, race-neutral approaches to admissions.

The Justice Department last month launched a similar investigation into whether Yale University also discriminates against Asian-Americans, an allegation it denies.

Jennifer Holmes, a lawyer with the NAACP Legal Defence Fund representing 25 Harvard student and alumni organizations who support Harvards defence, told Burroughs that the universitys policies are helping it move beyond its past as a bastion of the white, privileged and male.

The remedy SFFA seeks would slash the number of minorities on campus and turn back the clock to a time when whites dominated the campus, she said.Sen. Elizabeth Warren suggested President Donald Trump's comment about him personally administering a DNA test to her to prove her Native American heritage is "creepy."

She tweeted that the president makes "creepy physical threats" about women who scare him, including her.

"He's trying to do what he always does to women who scare him: call us names, attack us personally, shrink us down to feel better about himself," the Massachusetts Democrat responded on Twitter on Monday after Trump made the comment during an appearance in Georgia. "It may soothe his ego - but it won't work."

We all know why @realDonaldTrump makes creepy physical threats about me, right? Hes scared. Hes trying to do what he always does to women who scare him: call us names, attack us personally, shrink us down to feel better about himself. It may soothe his ego  but it wont work. pic.twitter.com/2rfPSlvlQA  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) October 15, 2018

Warren, who is seen as a potential 2020 challenger to Trump, appears to have taken a page out of his political playbook, striking back almost instantly at the president who continues to ridicule her claim of Native American ancestry. Trump relishes a good fight, those close to him have said, and will hit back twice as hard when he's been attacked.

A sharp critic of Trump, Warren wasted little time going after him on Monday.

She opened the day by releasing DNA test results that provide some evidence of a Native American in her lineage, though the ancestor probably lived six to 10 generations ago, according to the analysis. Trump has ridiculed her as "Pocahontas" over the ancestry claim.

In July, the president offered to donate $1 million to her favorite charity if a DNA test proved her Native American bloodline.

On Monday, he first denied ever making such a promise, then said later that "I'll only do it if I can test her personally."

That will not be something I enjoy doing either," he added.

Warren tweeted that Trump is a "cowardly elitist" and she "won't sit quietly for Trump's racism" so she took the test.

"I took this test and released the results for anyone who cares to see because I've got nothing to hide. What are YOU hiding, @realDonaldTrump?" she wrote. "Release your tax returns - or the Democratic-led House will do it for you soon enough. Tick-tock, Mr President."

Warren was referring to the Nov. 6 election, when Democrats hope to regain control of the House, which would put them in position to examine and possibly publicly release Trump's returns.

Trump has bucked decades of precedent by refusing to release his income tax returns during the 2016 presidential election, as well as after taking office.HOUSTON -- Red Sox lefty Chris Sale was released from Mass. General Hospital on Monday morning and will re-join the team in Houston on Tuesday, according to the team.

Sale was admitted to the hospital Sunday with a stomach illness and stayed overnight. While he is likely to start Game 5 in Houston on Thursday, manager Alex Cora said the team will wait to talk to Sale to decide its plan.

"We'll see how he feels physically, and then after that we'll decide what we're going to do," Cora said.

Sale started Game 1 for the Red Sox, which Boston would lose 7-2. Nathan Eovaldi is slated to start Game 3 on Tuesday and Rick Porcello will start Game 4.President Abdul Hamid had approved the Digital Security Act on October 8 amidst widespread protests by journalists and rights group.

Mediapersons are particularly concerned about a provision in the law under which journalists can be convicted of espionage for entering a government office and gathering information secretly using electronic device -- an offence that would carry a 14-year jail sentence. (Photo: AP)

Dhaka: Bangladeshi newspaper editors formed a human chain in the heart of the national capital on Monday to protest a newly enacted digital security law, which they say will stifle constitutionally protected freedom of speech and curtail press freedom.

President Abdul Hamid had approved the Digital Security Act on October 8 amidst widespread protests by journalists and rights group.

Mediapersons are particularly concerned about a provision in the law under which journalists can be convicted of espionage for entering a government office and gathering information secretly using electronic device -- an offence that would carry a 14-year jail sentence.

"The punishment will be life imprisonment and a monetary fine of Tk 5 crore for second offenders," Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Mostafa Jabbar had said when tabling the bill in parliament.

The law also allows police to arrest a journalist without any warrant and confiscate his equipment.

"The law is contrary to independent journalism and media," Mahfuz Anam, general secretary of the Editors' Council, said.

"The Editors' Council is not opposed to the Digital Security Act, it is just demanding amendment to some of the provisions of the law," Anam, who is also the editor of The Daily Star, said.

The protesting editors said they were open to any discussion on the amendment of the law but "the discussion must be meaningful".

Top editors and journalists had held a last-minute meeting with ministers demanding that nine sections of the legislation be changed.

The law minister had promised that he would discuss the issues.

However, the President went ahead and signed the Act into law.

The editors demanded that the proposed changes should be brought in the upcoming parliament session.

The government, however, said the law is needed to "fight misinformation".

Ruling out journalists' fear, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said no one should be worried about the law unless someone was harbouring "criminal mind".

She said the law was meant to combat the abuse of digital platforms in spreading radicalisation, terrorism and pornography.

The law was enacted weeks after top Bangladeshi journalist and activist Shahidul Alam was arrested during massive student protests in Dhaka for allegedly making "false" and "provocative" statements.

Rights groups, UN rights experts, Nobel laureates and hundreds of academics have called for the immediate release of the 63-year-old, who says he has been beaten in custody.by Giovanni Pang Chenyu

A Salesian educator talks about his interactions with young people in the metropolis and with students from mainland China. Expressing love for Christ through witnesses and fellow Christians is urgent. The maturing of the faith in young people is delayed by making compromises with those who hold economic and political power.

Rome (AsiaNews)  Giovanni Pang Chenyu is a young man from Hong Kong, who has been involved in the Salesian community since adolescence. At present, he teaches young people linked to the religious communitys schools. Giovanni is famous for a selfie taken with Pope Francis at the Asian Youth Congress in Daejeon (Korea) in 2014 (pictured). Here is the testimony he gave at the AsiaNews Symposium.

For the past decade, the housing supply in Hong Kong has not been able to meet the drastic growth in population. This has become a major social problem. Young people in Hong Kong cannot see a way out, so they tend to remain reluctant to respond proactively. On the other hand, a few year ago Hong Kong a group of young entrepreneurs established an online platform called TVMOST, (100in Chinese) with limited resource. TVMOST has produced and broadcast many short videos which clearly address the views of young people in Hong Kong, including myself.

"This is the best of time, this is the worst of time". At some time in the past, we Catholics in Hong Kong did clearly understand and perform our role as a bridge between the Church and society. However, it seems that the current "Agreement" has been presented as the best, and that we should accept it.

On 8 December 1965, in a message from the Vatican II to youth, the Church acknowledged and appreciated the ability and passion of young people to cope with challenges and changes, to seek opportunities. However, I see great discrepancy between the above message from Vatican II and the situation of young people in Hong Kong 50 years later. Young people in Hong Kong cannot feel and bear witness to the "Love of the Church" promised by Our Father.

Hong Kong is currently still an international city, and young people in Hong Kong have been meeting people from different countries. They also love to travel to other countries. So they have adopted a so-called "Instant-noodle culture". They want everything to be ready instantly, do not want to wait for more than three minutes. However, their families, schools, the Church cannot fulfill their expectations. The local church cannot follow the pace and expectations of young people. Finally, few and few young people return to the Church, even if they were baptised into it when they were born!

One case goes back a few year ago. A parish priest was brave enough to organise a "Halloween Youth pastoral event" aiming at attracting young people and help the participants to think about the issue of "ghosts and spirits". The event did attract nearly a thousand young people, as well as the media.

A reporter asked the parish priest a question about "The Devil". The parish priest said local property developers or landlords were like devils who drive us towards the material world. A few day later, the Diocese received a complaint from a local billionaire, demanding an apology from the parish priest. Some discussions in society followed about the response of the Diocese.

After a year, the event organiser and the parish priest were called to meet five high officials, including the Bishop. After listening to the Bishop, the young organiser asked: " Am I facing a trial? Have I done anything wrong? I do not understand why I have come to see five priests because of the 'Halloween event'." Things that happened at the meeting did not meet the young person's expectations about the local Church. I think that the local church has not been on same side of youth, they have turned to side of the rich and of the authorities.

I believe that "church", "school", "family" and "playground" are four elements that bring young people to us.

I would like to mention a second incident. It happened during the ten-day university summer camp. There were nearly a hundred of students in the camp. They celebrated the usual Church liturgy but in an interactive way, through the real-life drama of re-enacting the Way of the Cross that Jesus endured, so as to deepen participants religious experience.

The event was held between two parishes, A and B, which are at some 30 minutes walking distance from each other. Each station was well-prepared by the youth and caught the attention of many pedestrians. The scene in the street showed how Jesus was crucified.

Suddenly at the seventh station, five black vehicles stopped in front of our procession preventing it from moving forward. Some people from the vehicles told us to stop the event and disperse the participants immediately. The incident lasted for 20 minutes.

In the end, we sent our youth in different directions. An hour later, we met them at the final station in Parish B. The latter could accommodate only 30 people but a hundred university students kneeling before the Christ with tears. Some of them felt depressed, sorrow, some were crying. One of the youths asked whether they should continue to the eighth station. That was no longer necessary because they were at the fourteenth station where Jesus was placed in the tomb.

These university students wept because they knew that it is not easy to have faith and be Catholic. Indeed, they know they can even encounter danger. However, the experiences of the Way of the Cross strengthened their faith. This incident occurred in mainland China, where the agreement was signed.

In this case, university students encountered not only the faithfulness and catechism of the traditional Church, but also the questioning of what religious freedom is in their life. They cannot live their religious life, which was gifted by God, in mainland China. Even those under 18 were not allowed to go inside the parish. Arent teenagers not our future hope? But they cannot seek any hope.

A letter was sent to me. It said: thank you for your happiness, which accompanies me in every sleepless night; your laughter heals my misfortune, my depression was lifted by such trust.

After I read it, my heart got heavier. In my diocese, lots of people perform charity work; unfortunately, they are not good company to patients. We hope the Church can raise the value of missionary companions.

Because they always rely on Church, school, family, playground, these four elements are for development. When youth are impressed by this witness of love, they have the courage to find true love and vocational discernment. Now, most of us wade through the river by groping for stones. Is it because there is no one encouraging and leading us to move forward?

Lets ask in which parish we could find the discriminated? Let us think about those who are divorced, those who abort, homosexuals, drug addicts, prisoners Why we cannot find them in the Church? Youth are willing to accept and start to walk on the path of sanctification. But they are defeated by different voices in the Church. If we found supportive companions, would the current situation be any different?

If we can love each other in the Church, it is because I see the Father as a shepherd, not as a leader. Among Catholics, we see our family, not visitors in the zoo, the faces of joy in the youth, not the hardship of volunteers. Why do we still have hope? Because I am convinced, God is love.The Global Care Management Solutions Market has been expanding on account of the high adoption of care management solutions among healthcare institutions. The upsurge in the global geriatric population is also a key market driver. With the growth in the geriatric population, the burden of chronic diseases on healthcare is rising which requires proper management of healthcare costs and quality of care.

Care Management Solutions are deployed to enhance the experience of care, improve the health of populations and to reduce per capita costs of healthcare. With care management solutions, various processes can be automated such as adding patients to healthcare programs, sending reminders, scheduling appointments, assigning patients to care teams. In addition, care management solutions facilitate streamlining of processes of different healthcare departments.

However, lack of interoperability, high cost of deployment, lack of awareness and high incidences of healthcare data breaches are expected to constrain the growth of the global care management solutions market.

Care Management Solutions Market  Competitive Landscape

The notable players operating in the Global Care Management Solutions Market include AthenaHealth, Epic Systems Corporation, Cerner Corporation, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, EXL Healthcare, Cognizant Technology Solutions, HealthSmart Holdings, Casenet LLC, and Medecision.

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Care Management Solutions Market  Segmentation

The Global Care Management Solutions Market has been segmented based on component, application, delivery method, and end user. By component, the market has been segmented into software and services. By application, the market has been segmented into diseases management, case management, utilization management, EMR management, and others. By the delivery method, the market has been segmented into web, cloud, and on-premise. By end-user, the market has been segmented into payers, providers, and others.

Care Management Solutions Market  Regional Analysis

Regionally, the global care management solution market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. North America is a strong market for care management solutions driven by a robust economy, high healthcare expenditure and the presence of key players in the region. Europe is also a profitable market and is expected to exhibit high growth in the forthcoming years. Government initiatives to promote care coordination and quality of healthcare drives the Europe market for care management solutions. Asia Pacific is an emerging market and expected to exhibit substantial growth over the forecast period. Improving economy, high expenditure on healthcare sector and rise in geriatric population support the growth of the market in Asia Pacific.

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Major Table of Content

Chapter 1. Report Prologue

Chapter 2. Market Introduction

2.1 Definition

2.2 Scope of the Study

2.2.1 Research Objective

2.2.2 Assumptions

2.2.3 Limitations

Chapter 3. Research Methodology

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Primary Research

3.3 Secondary Research

3.4 Market Size Estimation

Chapter 4. Market Dynamics

Continued.

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Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.comContinuing our series of conversations with healthcare thought leaders about the burgeoning world of blockchain technologies, Medgadget spoke with Chief Technology Officer of the Nicholson Center, Dr. Roger Smith. The Nicholson Center is a medical research and training center founded in 2001, which operates within the Florida Hospital network. Dr. Smith has been researching blockchain in healthcare and has spoken about how blockchain technology has the potential to impact billing and insurance, drug verification, research distribution, and electronic health records. Notably, Dr. Smith has made an effort to demystify the complexity around blockchain technology with intuitive analogies and a clearer vocabulary to which the average lay person can relate.

Michael Batista, Medgadget: Dr. Smith, thank you for taking the time to shed some light on blockchain technology and its applications in healthcare. To start, can you tell us a little about your background and work at the Nicholson Center?

Dr. Smith: The Nicholson Center is an education and research facility that is best known for our work in robotic surgery. We provide the initial training in robotics for about 1,000 surgeons a year and a much wider array of skills to another 10,000 physicians and surgeons annually. My work is research into the application and effectiveness of robotic devices and training simulators by these surgeons.

In one study for the Department of Defense we explored the potential to conduct robotic telesurgery between US hospital facilities using the existing IT infrastructure. We measured the communication latency that would be experienced between two hospitals located in the same city, then across a state, and finally across the country. We found that communication latency for the data being transferred within our own hospital networks in the same city was just 5 milliseconds. For two hospitals across the state of Florida it ranged from 75 to 200 milliseconds and the same for test intrastate. Then we measured the impact of various levels of latency on experienced robotic surgeons. We found that they were unaware of latency below 200 ms, able to compensate rather well for latency between 200 ms and 500 ms, but struggled when the levels rose above 500 ms. So, it looks like the current communication networks in the US could support safe telesurgery if it were needed and available. That is just one example of the studies we have conducted with robots, simulators, and IT networks.

Medgadget: I know you recently spoke at the Digital Healthcare Innovations Congress in Boston where you broke down blockchain for the average individual to understand. Could you share the analogy for blockchain you used there and help set the scene in terms of what is blockchain technology?

Dr. Smith: The audience in Boston was composed primarily of hospital administrators who were leading business expansion efforts involving new technologies. Of course, they had heard the hype about blockchain, but were still mystified by what it actually was or could do. So, my analogy was from one of the many water parks that we have in Orlando.

Visitors experience all of the exciting water slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers where the water moves and splashes them around. But there is an invisible infrastructure of pipes, pumps, and computers that the visitors never see that make the entire park function. Blockchain is one piece in a hidden infrastructure like a water park. Just as new pumps and machinery make new water rides possible, blockchain enables new business services across the global reach of the internet. Users of these services may be aware that a blockchain is involved, but they will never know how it actually works, nor will they need to. Gradually users will come to understand that something has made the exchange of valuable information via the internet much safer, at much lower operating costs. Just as it took a few years for all of us to trust the internet with our credit card numbers, we will gradually learn that it is safe to trust blockchain applications with other valuable digital objects. These might be the titles to our automobiles, records of ownership of stocks and bonds, or our professional licenses. We will be able to sell our used car to a stranger, receive guaranteed payment, transfer ownership via a blockchain and never need a paper title that is certified by the DMV. The blockchain can be trusted to prove ownership just as via a government office.

Blockchain is a trusted broker for anything that can be represented as a digital file that needs to be recorded and exchanged between people who do not know each other well enough to trust each over. It was created for bitcoin and other digital currencies, but we are realizing that society is full of transactions involving digital files that have real value just like a bitcoin, such as a car title, that can be handled by a blockchain just as it does with bitcoin.

Medgadget: Now that we have a sense of what blockchain technology is, how does it apply to healthcare?

Dr. Smith: Since blockchain is used to protect and exchange digital objects of value between parties that are not part of the same trust circle, we should look for healthcare situations that resemble this. Remember that blockchain is still very new and is still structured for just a few specific business cases. It still needs to evolve to fit most problems that appear in healthcare.

Currently there are hundreds of healthcare organizations, consulting firms, and digital systems integrators that are looking at applications in the healthcare space. These organizations have identified a set of core applications that seem to be well formed for a blockchain solution.

The first will probably be a tracking system for pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Blockchain can provide a record of the provenance of these products from the manufacturer all the way to the final consumer. Such a record can play a valuable role in curtailing counterfeit products and theft. Today, it is possible for counterfeit or stolen drugs and medical devices to be sold into certain weak points in the supply chain. This is of tremendous concern to the manufacturers and consumers alike, even if these products are a perfect chemical formulary or fully functional device. A blockchain record would require that each device or lot be traceable back to its origins. With a blockchain the validation of the product can be carried out in minutes and is 100% reliable and unforgeable. A supply chain bridges multiple companies where the participants do not know each other well or trust each other completely, which is exactly the environment that blockchain was made for.

A second application is in processing insurance claims that fall across multiple service providers. This blockchain would include all of the injury claims, conditions, expenses, and current actions on a claim. Parties privy to the contents of this chain can all see what has happened and how it is being handled, including the patient who is usually very much in the dark on their own claims. The blockchain will provide a level of transparency that does not exist today. The current opaqueness of the claims process is a problem for everyone involved in the transaction. Insurance companies are primarily concerned with ensuring that a claim is valid, being handled within the terms of the contract, and not an instance of fraud. Accomplishing all of this with traditional systems is very labor and time intensive. Blockchain solutions should be able to reduce the processing costs for these claims, while also speeding up settlements. It is a win-win for all parties involved.

Finally, the most beneficial and most difficult application is in handling a patients protected health information (PHI) that currently resides in multiple disparate and barely interoperable Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems. Blockchain idealists envision a future in which a healthcare blockchain exists separately from the medical providers, like other internet services. In this picture, the patient subscribes to a record service online and holds the keys to the data on that chain. Then, every time they visit a medical provider, the patient provides a public key to the provider which allows them to access past medical data and to post a new record on the chain. In this design the patient has ownership, access, and control of all of their own medical data, which they do not have with todays systems. It would enable better care and give the patient more power in choosing where to go for services. That is a beautiful picture and it may be a reality someday. But the path from where we are today to something like that is long and complicated. There are many baby steps to be taken before we could arrive there.

Medgadget: Where are we in terms of blockchain technology adoption today in healthcare and in general? I understand that the fintech sector is moving more rapidly in terms of implementing blockchain-based applications, with healthcare, not unexpectedly, lagging behind.

Dr. Smith: Fintech has moved much more rapidly because they can see the direct parallels between trading bitcoins and trading traditional stocks, bonds, and derivatives. All are digital objects with value that need to be exchanged between parties that do not know each other. In the past, the entire fintech sector has served as the trusted layer between the buyer and seller. But now a blockchain service can replace much of the trust that brokers provided. So, it is clear that fintech is about to be disrupted in a big way by blockchain. When buyers and sellers can trust the software infrastructure to exchange ownership in stocks and bonds, what do they need a broker for? Add smart contracts to the mix and that enables even more complex financial transactions on a blockchain without the broker as a middleman.

Healthcare has a very different structure in its relationships and data. Blockchain and bitcoin are not immediately a perfect fit, but they do point to designs for customized systems that can handle patient data or the credentials of clinicians. Healthcare systems and startups are all looking for implementations that are safe to pilot and that offer advantages over the current business processes.

In 2016, IBM surveyed healthcare executives and asked them when they thought a blockchain system would be operating within their organizations. Sixteen percent of them believed they would be using it by 2018. We have arrived at that destination and, to my knowledge, there have not been any major blockchain implementations in healthcare. Optimism and media hype got the better of those executives, it was just too early for anyone to make a reliable prediction.

Medgadget: At Medgadget, weve recently spoken to companies seeking to leverage blockchain for things like patient verification, prior authorization, genetic sequence documentation and sharing, and even tokenizing cannabinoid products. Any thoughts on some of these applications of blockchain technology?

Dr. Smith: Those are all interesting applications. Patient health records are one of our most valuable digital products that healthcare systems possess, and one of the most complex. As a patient, you may have noticed that when you visit a doctor, every office posts your results to an EHR and every one of them is using a different system. Even within large healthcare networks and systems, there are multiple EHRs in use because those systems got large through multiple acquisitions, each of which had its own legacy EHR. In this picture, literally no single organization has the ability to access all of the medical data about a specific patient. The patient cant do it, the physician practice cant do it, the hospital cant do it, no one can do it.

A very powerful application would be in unifying all of the disparate records that exist within a large healthcare system where a single IT team has the ability to actually work on the problem from every angle. Hospital systems know that thousands of patients have multiple records in their IT systems, but they do not have a means of unifying those. A blockchain is one place where references to individual medical records can be collected for each patient. Such a chain might begin as a layer above all of the EHRs that store the actual records, it would just contain pointers and enough metadata to make it possible to traverse the chain and identify records of interest to the clinician who is about to deliver treatment.

From the perspective of the blockchain idealist, this application misses the point of giving patients control of their own data and it does not provide the cryptographic security that is inherent to real blockchain storage. But it does address a real problem that exists in the current EHR environment, one that healthcare networks are seeking solutions for right now. Once a system can find and unify the records of its patients, it is in a position to provide better and cheaper care. Eventually this modest start might grow into something with more patient empowerment and ownership.

Medgadget: Are there any specific examples of healthcare organizations or companies using blockchain technology in a way you find particularly compelling?

Dr. Smith: Hashed Health is supporting a project called ProCredEx (Professional Credential Exchange) on which all clinicians, doctors, nurses, and technicians, can post the professional credentials that allow them to provide specific healthcare services. When a clinician is hired into a hospital or clinic, the new employer has to verify all of that persons professional credentials, a process that can take months. During this time, the clinician is not able to perform some of these services, so there is significant cost for every day that this process takes. ProCredEx would keep a current record of all credentials and an employer could verify those records in minutes, allowing a clinical employee to become fully productive almost immediately. This system would provide immediate value with little or no risk to the healthcare system. Focused projects like this are a great start and will allow us to become comfortable and proficient with the technology.

Imagine a blockchain service that unifies data that is collected by multiple health trackers and sensors. This service might contain the data from your cell phone step tracker, FitBit, Garmin GPS watch, Strava, blood oximetry, food consumption, and all of the minutia of your daily physical actions. That is real health data, as opposed to hospital visits which are actually sickness data. Understanding what people do with and to their bodies all day every day would be very powerful in prescribing better behaviors and diagnosing the triggers that cause a sickness.

Medgadget: Is the hype real? Is blockchain technology going to be the next big thing in healthcare technology? Is it going to be a flop, or are we going to land somewhere in the middle?

Dr. Smith: The hype around blockchain is off the charts. We hear the term applied to absolutely every kind of data storage and exchange process. There have been statements like, blockchain will be bigger than the internet, which is just insane. This technology is starting up the roller coaster ramp of the Gartner Hype Cycle graph and it will come swooping down into the trough of disillusionment as people realize that it is not the solution to every problem their organizations face. But while that shakeout is happening, real applications will be built that will solve some of the real problems described earlier. It is going to make a positive contribution to a number of healthcare processes, and will enable new businesses that dont exist today.

Medgadget: Thank you again for your time Dr. Smith. To close, what do you think the next few years will hold for blockchain-based healthcare applications and/or healthcare innovation in general?

Dr. Smith: Just as we saw an explosion in fitness trackers a few years ago, blockchain is going to power the creation of new data collection and exchange services that are impractical today. Many of these will be very simple, but very useful. They will bring blockchain into peoples lives in an invisible form. People will benefit from the apps and not really understand or care how the blockchain enabled them.

I have not seen much discussion about the conflict between the nature of blockchain and the recent European GDPR regulation. One of the tenets of GDPR is that a customer has the right to be forgotten upon request. But one tenet of blockchain is that nothing that is placed on the chain can ever be removed or erased. How are these two going to coexist?

We are about the reach the crest of the Gartner Hype Cycle rollercoaster, so get ready for the plunge down the other side. It is not a sign that blockchain has failed, merely that the global hype is being shaken off so the really valuable business applications can be created.

Link: Florida Nicholson CenterAn eco-friendly alternative to tampons and sanitary pads, menstrual cup is derived from medical-grade silicone. It is a female sanitary product that comes in the form of a bell-shaped cup and can be inserted into the vagina during menstruation. Such cups prevent leakage of menstrual fluids which makes it highly convenient.

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Global Menstrual Cup Market  Competitive Analysis

With the entry of industry players in the menstrual cup segment, a trend of solid, volume-driven growth has been observed in the market with the development of different varieties of product types. The companies are aiming to capture a considerable share of the market segment as early as possible, they are competing and experimenting with various advantage points. To attract the customers the companies have launched the products of different materials and in different sizes. Some companies have adopted the strategy of acquisition and collaboration to expand their market and minimize the competition.

The key players profiled in menstrual cup market are Diva International Inc. (Canada), Lune Group Ltd (Finland), The Keeper Inc. (US), Mooncup (UK), Intimina (Sweden), Me Luna (USA), Ruby Cup (UK), Lunette (U.S.), VCup (India), Mooncup (U.K), Anigan (U.S.), and others.

Industry/Innovation/ Related News:

January 18, 2018  My Cup NZ, a social enterprise and the Tukau Community Fund together announced that these partnering companies are aiming to convert all women and girls in Northland to menstrual cups and to lift women out of period poverty offered them free menstrual cups and to give them an opportunity to experience a wide range of benefits of these cups.

Global Menstrual Cup Market  Segments

MRFR has segmented the analysis into four key dynamics for the convenience and enhanced understanding of the report;

By Types: Comprises Hollow, Pointy, Flat, and Round among others.

By Usage: Disposable and Reusable.

By End Users: Hospitals, Clinics and Individual Woman.

By Region: North America, Europe, APAC and Rest of the World.

The Disposable segment accounted for 45% of market share in 2016.

Whereas, the Reusable segment accounted for the largest segment owing to its aspects such as eco-friendliness, reduction of waste disposal, durability, cost-effectiveness, and reusability.

Global Menstrual Cup Market  Regional Analysis

The Global Menstrual Cup Market is segmented into America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. Global menstrual cup market is highly dominated by America and Europe owing to the presence of huge players, and more attention toward the health hygiene. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market due to presence of huge opportunity and untapped market. India and China are the major contributor for the Asia Pacific market. On the other hand, the Middle East & Africa show the steady growth due to the poor economic condition especially in Africa region.

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Major Table of Content

Chapter 1. Report Prologue

Chapter 2. Market Introduction

2.1 Definition

2.2 Scope of the Study

2.2.1 Research Objective

2.2.2 Assumptions

2.2.3 Limitations

Chapter 3. Research Methodology

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Primary Research

3.3 Secondary Research

3.4 Market Size Estimation

Chapter 4. Market Dynamics

Continued.

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Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.comHome Healthcare Market Highlights

In the coming years, the global economy will witness a sharp increase in the home health industry. The increased competition among existing and new market players to develop a device with higher accuracy and more advanced features will ultimately results in the growth of the market. Diabetes is one of the serious complications. So, most of the market players are focused to develop an efficient, and affordable blood glucose monitor, especially, for low income population. For instance, Abbott brought a flash glucose monitoring (FGM) system to the market i.e., Freestyle Libre. In contrast to the available CGM systems, the Freestyle Libre does not require calibration.

Rise in aging population, technological advancements, rising treatment cost and hospital stay, and rising approval from regulatory bodies are propelling the growth of the market. However, patient safety concerns may hinder the growth of market to an extent. Various issues have been found in home healthcare settings such as unsanitary conditions, medication errors and others.

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Global Home Healthcare Market Segmentation:

The Global Home Healthcare Market is segmented on the basis of product, services, and software.

By product, the market is segmented into testing, screening, & monitoring products, and therapeutic products. The testing, screening, & monitoring products are further segmented into blood glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors, sleep apnea monitors, pulse oximeters & heart rate monitors, cholesterol monitoring devices, Holter and event monitors, and others. The therapeutic products are further segmented into respiratory therapy equipment, insulin delivery devices, IV equipment, wound care products, dialysis equipment, others.

On the basis of services, the market is classified into skilled nursing services, rehabilitation therapy services, unskilled care services, respiratory therapy services, infusion therapy services, and pregnancy care services.

On the basis of software, the market is classified into clinical management systems, agency software, telehealth solution, and hospice solutions.

Home Healthcare Market Players & Key Strategies

Abbott, GE Healthcare, Becton Dickinson Company, Omron Corporation, Apple, Medtronic PLC, Koninklijke Philips N.V., LG Electronics, Fresenius SE & Co KGaA, McKesson Corporation, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, B. Braun Melsungen AG, 3M, A&D Company, Kinnser Software and others.

Home Healthcare Market Regional Analysis:

The Americas dominate the home healthcare market owing to the presence of geriatric population, the presence of the leading players, and high healthcare expenditure. According to the WHO, worlds population aged over 60 years will nearly double from 12% to 22% by 2050, and in the United States over 20% of the total population will be aged 65 years or over by 2030.

Europe holds the second position in the home healthcare market. It is expected that the support provided by the private, and government bodies for research & development, along with a well-developed technology drives the home healthcare market in the European region.

Asia Pacific region is projected to be the fastest growing region during the forecast period. Rising treatment cost and hospital stay, and the presence of huge patient pool drive the Asia Pacific market. According to the National Heart Foundation of Australia, the cardiovascular disease is one of the most costly disease group, which costs around USD 7.7 billion a year or 10.4% of the direct healthcare expenditure. The direct healthcare expenditure for this disease includes USD 4.5 billion in hospital admissions and USD 1.65 billion in pharmaceuticals.

The Middle East and Africa hold the least share in the market is owing to the presence of poor and slow developing countries, especially, in the African region.

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Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comby Luca Bolelli

Cambodia is at a critical juncture. In the past few years, it has been moving into the modern world from a predominantly rural society that existed for thousands of years. Always having the Lord beside us and walking with him gives them [young people] a lot of strength, the light to make the choices they have to make and courage in carrying them forward.

Kdol Leu (AsiaNews)  Modernity has brought rapid and profound changes to Cambodian society such as urbanisation, new forms of communication and new family relations. Fascinated, and yet frightened, young people want to play a leading role in society.

Through her work in the field of education, the Church accompanies them and tries to protect them from the dangers of this "new world", where meeting and exchange are increasingly difficult.

In his address at the 2018 AsiaNews Symposium, Fr Luca Bolelli, a PIME missionary who has been in the Asian country for 11 years, talked about the young Catholics who are preparing to face the future, strong because of the presence of Jesus and inspired by a deep spirit of collaboration.

I am Fr Luca, a missionary with the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME). I have been in Cambodia for 11 years. For the past nine, I have been the parish priest in the village of Kdol Leu. Right now, I am at the entrance of the church with some young people from the parish who have come to pray with me this morning.

Cambodia is a very young country. According to some statistics, the average age is just 22 years. This is due to the fact that the nation went through a long period of war, which decimated the population (seniors will certainly remember the name of Pol Pot).

In the 1990s there was a baby boom, which led to a large number of young people. People who come from Italy are struck by the number of children in the villages but also in the church, which is unusual nowadays among Italians. Some might compare Cambodia to the Italy of the 1960s that went through a period of reconstruction after the war and therefore saw a strong rise in the number of births.

Cambodia is at a critical juncture. In the past few years, it has been moving into the modern world from a predominantly rural society that existed for thousands of years. This has had a great impact on the people, especially the young. A few days ago, a woman told me she had lived like her mother, who had lived like her grandmother, and so on for generations. Her daughter's way of life, on the other hand, is completely different. A truly epochal change is underway, creating fears but also raising expectations. Speaking on behalf of the young people you see next to me, whom I asked to talk to me, I will try to give them a voice.

For them, especially those who grew up in the countryside, entering modernity means entering a new world. On the one hand, the novelty fascinates them because it leads them to new relationships and knowledge; on the other, it frightens them. The possibility of using the new means of communication like mobile phones and social media, which have taken everyones life like a storm, puts the world in their hands. This was not possible before. Imagine that when I arrived in this village, just nine years ago, I was the only one with a mobile phone. Now, I am the one with the cheapest model. All the kids, even those from poor families, have a smartphone that, at a low cost, puts them in touch with the world.

As you can imagine, all this attracts them and involves them a lot. At the same time, however, it frightens them because they already see the consequences. For example, at school they see friends completely caught up in these media, wasting time and at risk of getting into dangerous situations. Like in many other parts of the world, this is happening in Cambodia as well. The problem is that here the kids lack a past, perhaps the 'antibodies' or the ability that would allow them to enter modernity as players. This is what we missionaries and the Church in Cambodia are trying to do.

The Cambodian Church is very much involved in the education of young people through schools, linked to Salesians or some parish and missionary group, youth centres for students going to government schools and then go home, youth groups that are not common in Cambodia. Young people do not have places to meet. The latter do not exist in Cambodia, not even in pagodas. At home, in the family there is little communication between parents and children. Even in schools, priority is given to content, not education. The possibility they have of getting together in youth groups in our parishes and missions is incredible and new. Young people are attracted to the idea of being able to meet and talk about what they care about the most.

Modernity is turning Cambodia into an urban society, especially in the capital Phnom Penh, which is becoming a megalopolis with two to three million inhabitants. Compared to a few years ago, it is completely different. When I arrived in Cambodia 11 years ago, the first skyscraper was being built; now there are skyscrapers almost everywhere. Unfortunately, villages are losing their young people, so that even the kids you see already know that their future is far from here, in the city. For some, this is a great attraction; for others it is a lot of sadness, because they would like to stay in their hometown. I know that the future of this community is uncertain because all the kids are going away. In the villages we can see a "generational gap" among those in their twenties.

For them, what is happening means a big change because the family network they have in the village does not exist in the city. If here they are used to an extended family with grandparents, uncles and relatives who help each other, in the city they are alone. The number of children is also changing. These kids have a lot of siblings but they are likely to have smaller families in the future.

Cambodia is a country where 93 per cent of the population is Buddhist. Being a Christian here is not easy. Kids often say that showing their religious affiliation, at school or in other public places, is risky because it exposes them to criticism and scorn on the part of those who think they are betraying their Cambodian identity. However, the situation is changing. Christianity is known more than before, and it is no longer hated as it once was when it was the object of absurd rumours.

Some of these kids are Christian like their parents; others have become Christian. Faith for them is the certainty of not being alone, but always in the presence and in the company of the Lord Jesus. This is a very strong aspect, which they might not be able to experience otherwise. Always having the Lord beside us and walking with him gives them a lot of strength, the light to make the choices they have to make and courage in carrying them forward. Knowing or not knowing Jesus makes a huge difference.

I asked them if they have anything theyd like to tell the Pope. First, they said that they would like the Pope to come to visit us in Cambodia. So, if any of you could to talk to the Pope, please invite him. Secondly, they would like to help young people to be players in the Church.

These kids are very much involved in the life of the community, helping children, including those in other villages. Someone might have noticed that they are exclusively girls. Here, as in other parts of the world, faith attracts women above all. Passing on the faith to others is another challenge we face. Thank you for your attention, keep Cambodia in your heart, because here lies the future of the Church.Namely Healthcare IT Market Report has Been Published by Market Research Future Which Covers All the Geographical Locations with Demand, Trend Analysis with near about Forecasted results and Also Covers the Market Expectations.

Global Healthcare IT Market is expected to have a CAGR of approximately 15% during 2018 to 2023.

Global Healthcare IT Market Overview:

Healthcare Information Technology (IT) is a vast field that applies IT for creating, designing, using, and maintaining the data systems in the field of healthcare. The market for healthcare IT is anticipated to grow at an immense rate due to the collective demand for improved healthcare facilities along with technological advancements in this field, globally.

It allows the exchange of health-related information electronically among numerous organizations. There are several wireless technologies available in the market such as Bluetooth, WLAN, WMAN, WWAN, zigbee technology, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), and others.

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The growing need to manage regulatory compliance through healthcare IT solutions, the increasing need to curtail healthcare costs, government support for HCIT solutions, and high return on investment for HCIT solutions are the factors expected to drive the market over the forecast period. However, the high cost of deployment and reluctance among medical professionals to adopt advanced healthcare IT tools may constrain the market growth.

Global Healthcare IT Market Key Players:

Epic Systems Corporation (U.S.), Cerner Corporation (U.S.), Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (U.S.), McKesson Corporation, (U.S.), Oracle Corporation (U.S.), Infor, Inc. (U.S.). Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (U.S.), athenahealth, Inc. (U.S.), Dell Technologies (U.S.), McKesson Corporation (U.S.), United Healthcare Group (U.S.), GE Healthcare (UK), Koninklijke Philips N.V. (The Netherlands), Wolters Kluwer (Netherland), IBM (U.S.), 3M health Information Systems (U.S.), Conifer Health Solutions (U.S.), Kronos Incorporated (U.S.), Anthelio Healthcare Solutions Inc. (U.S.), Lexmark Healthcare (U.S.), Orion Health (New Zealand), CSI Healthcare IT (U.S.), Syntel Inc. (U.S.), Spok Inc. (U.S.), and others.

Global Healthcare IT Market Segmentation:

The global healthcare IT market has been segmented on the basis of products and services, component, and end-user.

On the basis of products and services, the global healthcare IT market can be segmented into healthcare provider solutions, healthcare payer solutions, HCIT outsourcing services, and others.

The clinical solutions are categorized into electronic health records/electronic medical record systems, picture archiving and communication systems and vendor neutral archive systems, computerized physician order entry systems, clinical decision support systems, e-prescribing solutions, radiology information systems, radiation dose management, specialty management information systems, medical image analysis systems, population health management solutions, patient registry software, healthcare IT integration systems, practice management systems, laboratory information systems, mobile health applications, telehealth solutions, and infection surveillance solutions.

The nonclinical  healthcare IT solutions are further categorized into pharmacy information systems, medication management systems, healthcare asset management software, Workforce Management Systems (WFM), revenue cycle management solutions, medical document management solutions, financial management systems, Healthcare Information Exchange (HIE), supply chain management solutions, healthcare analytics, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM).

Healthcare payer solutions are categorized into pharmacy audit and analysis systems, claims management solutions, analytics and fraud management solutions, member eligibility management solutions, provider network management solutions, billing and accounts (payment) management solutions, customer relationship management solutions, population health management solutions, and others. HCIT outsourcing services are divided into provider HCIT outsourcing services market, payer IT outsourcing services, operational IT outsourcing services, and IT infrastructure management services.

On the basis of component, the global healthcare IT market can be segmented into services, software, and hardware.

On the basis of end-user, the global healthcare IT market is segmented into healthcare providers, healthcare payers, research centers, third-party administrators, and government institutions.

Healthcare providers are further divided into hospitals, ambulatory care centers, home healthcare agencies, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, diagnostic and imaging centers, and pharmacies. Moreover, healthcare payers are also divided into private payers and public payers.

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Global Healthcare IT Market Regional Analysis:

The global healthcare IT market consists of four regions, namely, the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa.

The Americas region accounted for the largest market share of the global healthcare IT market owing to the presence of high-quality healthcare systems and modern medical technology in the country.

The European healthcare IT market is the second largest market followed by Asia Pacific. As per the Medtech Media, over 31% of healthcare providers are using social media for professional networking. Healthcare providers across Europe are adopting social media technologies, and this is driving the European healthcare IT market.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to exhibit the fastest growth throughout the forecast period owing to the accelerated economic growth of countries in the region and the increasing need to control the soaring healthcare costs. These factors are also responsible for the emerging trend towards the digitization of patient records among healthcare organizations in this region.

Countries such as China and India are exhibiting rapid growth, followed by South Korea. Subsequently, the government in these developing economies have taken various efforts to mend the healthcare services and provide better infrastructure. In these circumstances, healthcare IT acts as a bridge that connects all healthcare entities, minimizes manual errors, and curbs expenses. Although the healthcare information technology industry in India is still at its nascent stage, the demand for healthcare IT solutions is expected to increase during the forecast period.

The Middle Eastern region is expected to grow at a steady pace owing to factors such as increasing occurrence of chronic disorders, improving healthcare infrastructure, and growing demand for better healthcare services.

Table of Content

Chapter 1. Report Prologue

Chapter 2. Market Introduction

2.1 Definition

2.2 Scope of the Study

2.2.1 Research Objective

2.2.2 Assumptions

2.2.3 Limitations

Chapter 3. Research Methodology

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Primary Research

3.3 Secondary Research

3.4 Market Size Estimation

Chapter 4. Market Dynamics

4.1 Drivers

4.2 Restraints

4.3 Opportunities

4.4 Challenges

4.5 Macroeconomic Indicators

4.6 Technology Trends & Assessment

 Continued!

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Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comHearing Screening and Diagnostic Devices Market Scenario

The global market for hearing screening and diagnostic devices is expected to show promising growth by the end of the forecasted period with a CAGR of 8.5%. Hearing screening and diagnostic devices are the instruments used in the treatment of deafness. Hearing loss can arise from hereditary as well as non-hereditary factors or due to certain complications during childbirth. The market for hearing screening and diagnostic devices is expanding worldwide due to driving factors such as increasing geriatric population, the rise in the patient pool due to increasing levels of noise pollution along with ear infections, birth complications, and genetic disorders. Furthermore, continuous technological advancements in medical devices and government fundings in clinical research has fueled the growth of the market. However, the high cost of the implant devices may hamper the market growth. Lack of awareness about the disease, unavailability of proper healthcare infrastructure, and unaffordability in middle-income countries are the major challenges to the market. Introduction of the cochlear implants and its high adoption rate will triumph the market growth during the forecast period. Unsatisfactory performance of some devices such as unidirectionality and discomfort associated with the utility are major challenges for the market.

Latest Industry Updates

Being a competitive market, a number of different manufacturer are focusing on the product launch, and acquisition for the market development. Some of the latest development in the market are-

Oct 2017, Sohum Innovation Labs, a MedTech company provides an affordable neonatal screening system for hearing impairment will soon launch a device for screening hearing impairment in newborns.

June 2014, Natus Medical, a leading provider of medical devices, software & services for newborn care, neurology, sleep, hearing and balance markets introduced the Echo-Screen III hearing screener, which is an advanced handheld hearing screening device. Introduction of this product will help the company to strengthen their product portfolio to sustain its position in the market.

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Key Players for Global Hearing Screening and Diagnostic Devices Market

Owing to the presence of the huge player in the market, some players are involve in the launching of the new products. Whereas, some major player are focusing on the acquisition and collaboration for the development of the market.

Abbott (U.S.),

Siemens Healthcare GmbH (Germany),

Audiology Systems (U.S.),

Phillips Plastics Corporation (The Netherland),

OTODYNAMICS LTD (U.S.),

GE Healthcare (U.K),

Intelligent Hearing Systems (U.S.),

Natus Medical Incorporated (U.S.),

Otometrics (U.S.),

Starkey Laboratories Inc. (U.S.),

Vivosonic, Inc. (U.S.),

Welch Allyn (U.S.) and others.

Segments for Global Hearing Screening and Diagnostic Devices Market

Global hearing screening and diagnostic devices market has been segmented on the basis of product, indications, and test.

On the basis of the test, the market is segmented into a test for middle ear, pure-tone test, and speech reception threshold test (SRT), most comfortable listening level test (MCL), uncomfortable loudness level test (UCL), speech discrimination test, bone conduction test, and others. Test for the middle ear is further segmented into tympanometry tests, acoustic reflex measures, and static acoustic impedance. Pure-tone test is further segmented into visual reinforcement audiometry, and conditioned play audiometry.

On the basis of the type of product, the market is segmented into screening devices, audiometric examination devices, and others. Screening devices are further segmented into OAE/ABR testing devices, screening audiometers, immittance screeners, and others. Audiometric examination devices are further segmented into diagnostic audiometer, screening audiometer.

On the basis of indication, the market is segmented into a conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, combination hearing loss and others.

On account of the end- user, the market is segmented into hospitals and clinics, personal use, and ambulatory care settings.

Regional Analysis for Global Hearing Screening and Diagnostic Devices Market

Regionally, the global hearing screening and diagnostic devices market is segmented into: America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. America commands the major share of the market owing to the presence of leading companies, huge geriatric population and well developed technology. Additionally, high per capita income and increasing demand for the better devices will fuelled the market growth. Europe holds the second position in the global hearing screening and diagnostic devices market owing to availability of the funds and strong government support. Asia-Pacific is fastest growing market region for this market due to presence of huge patient pool, and rapidly developing economies. Whereas, the Middle East and Africa accounts for the least and slowest growing market due to the limited technological development and poor economic conditions. The Middle East is the major contributor for the market in the Middle East and Africa due to the presence of well-developed economies and huge healthcare spending.

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Phone: +1 646 845 9312by Bill Duggan , October 15, 2018

Terry Kawaja is founder and chief executive officer of LUMA Partners, the venture firm focused on marketing technology.

Kawaja will be speaking at the ANA Masters of Marketing Conference set to begin Oct. 24 in the new Second Stage forum, a more intimate setting for learning about whats new and whats next.

The Association of National Advertisers' group executive vice president, Bill Duggan, interviewed Kawaja on the challenges and opportunities in todays complex marketing ecosystem.

Bill Duggan: Your firm, LUMA, is the leading investment bank focused on digital media and marketing. What is it about the digital media and marketing industry that currently excites you the most?

Terry Kawaja: What I love about digital media and marketing is its dynamics. Never have I seen a sector evolve so rapidly and undergo so much change.

advertisement advertisement

In the span of only 10 years, programmatic spend grew from zero to over $50 billion and that attracted over 5,000 new companies that were formed to help along the way in terms of software, data, media or services. This change comes with a price, as existing players cope with these new technologies, new business models and a new competitive set.

Today, I am most excited about the digital addressability of TV as it shifts toward more audience-based buying. I am hopeful that we will witness the advantages that digital addressability brings in terms of targeting and efficiency while avoiding the pitfalls of what happened to display, all while preserving the incredibly powerful storytelling capability of sight, sound and motion.

I suspect someday soon we will simply drop the adjective digital.

Duggan: Given your focus on digital, how concerned are you with the various issues in the digital ecosystem such as viewability, brand safety, bot fraud, and transparency?

Kawaja: I am very concerned over these issues as they have material ramifications on the health of the channel.

It is right for marketers to demand changes, and the power of the purse will ensure these issues are addressed, even by the largest players.

Sometimes I feel like these aspects are built into media pricing. That said, certain trends towards first-party identity and performance media will serve to mitigate these problems. If the marketer is only paying for business outcomes, many of these issues go away.

Duggan: Your LUMAscapes are important industry resources that organize the ecosystem across critical categories and provide clarity to a complex landscape. When did you publish your first LUMAscape, and how many are there now? Do you see any new LUMAscapes emerging in the near future?

Kawaja: I first created the precursor to the LUMAscape in 2009 as an internal tool to understand the complex sector. It became popular once I debuted the original DISPLAY LUMAscape publicly in early 2010.

Today there are 19 LUMAscapes, depicting over 5,000 companies, which thave been viewed and downloaded over 7 million times from people in over 200 countries  which is crazy.

We will keep making maps of important channels as they emerge. To cite two examples, we are working on an AUDIO LUMAscape to capture the high growth of marketing applications from podcasts to voice command home speakers, and a D2C BRAND LUMAscape to map the explosive growth of the direct-to-consumer marketer sector. It is this latter D2C category that is the focus of my upcoming talk in Orlando.

Duggan: Your session at ANA Masters of Marketing will address how traditional marketers can reinvent themselves. Can you give us a glimpse of how that reinvention could be done?

Kawaja: As the theme of your event  Growth: Mastering Brands and Driving Results  points out, the underlying priority of marketing is results. While such growth has been tepid across marketers as a whole, D2C Brands are experiencing explosive growth. My talk examines whythis phenomenon occurred, how D2C Brands are achieving such incredible results, and what can be learned by other marketers to reinvigorate growth.by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, October 16, 2018

As Google pushes to make search and its other platforms the first and last stop to find and buy products, the company on Tuesday announced partnerships with Best Buy, Nike and Sephora just prior to U.S. retailers heading into the end-of-year holiday season.

Best Buy, Nike and Sephora join hundreds of merchants that use Google Shopping Actions to serve product ads across Google Search, Google Assistant, and Google Express, reaching the three-quarters of U.S. holiday shoppers age 18 and older who use three or more channels, according to Google.

Consumers move from browsing to buying with a universal cart that works across all three platforms whether theyre on mobile, desktop or even a Google Home device, explains Daniel Alegre, president of retail, shopping and payment at Google, in a post.

advertisement advertisement

Sephora allows customers to buy across Googles properties, as well as earn Beauty Insider points with each purchase as part of the retailer's loyalty program.

The platform represents a step toward integrating the web, making it easy for consumers to search for and buy products. Google insists that the majority of searches for products and services begin on its platform, but several analyst and data companies have released findings in the past six months that show Google losing search ad budgets to Amazon. For example, about 49% of product searches begin on Amazon, according to Survata.

Citing two media agencies, CNBC reports that in some cases, brands are moving 50% to 60% of their Google Search ad budgets to Amazon.

As CNBC points out, Alphabet has remained somewhat insulated from any threats in terms of losing a large percentage of its ad revenue to competitors, but brands are shifting money to Amazon, and most of the movement is coming from consumer packaged goods.by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, October 16, 2018

A federal judge won't allow Maine Governor Paul LePage to immediately appeal a decision requiring him to face a free speech lawsuit for blocking critics on social media.

U.S. District Court Judge John Woodcock, Jr. in Maine said in a ruling issued late last week that the legal questions raised by the lawsuit can't be answered until more facts have been established. The decision means that two of LePage's critics will be able to continue to gather evidence in a lawsuit accusing the governor of violating the First Amendment by banning them on Facebook.

The battle dates to last year, when the ACLU sued LePage on behalf of Karin Leuthy and Kelli Whitlock Burton, who cofounded the progressive group Suit Up Maine. Both say they were banned from LePage's Facebook page in July 2017, after posting comments that were critical of him or his administration.

They alleged that LePage violated their First Amendment rights by censoring them based on their viewpoints.

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LePage initially urged Woodcock to dismiss the case at a preliminary stage for several reasons -- including that the Facebook page was personal as opposed to official. He argued the page reflected his "private speech," and that he has a First Amendment right to decide what material to allow on the page.

Leuthy and Burton countered the page was run by the government. They argued the page was labeled as "official," and that LePage uses his Facebook page to discuss government business with the public.

Last month, Woodcock rejected LePage's argument. The judge said in a written opinion that Leuthy and Burton presented a strong enough case that the page was official to move forward with their lawsuit -- but suggested his view of whether the page was official could change as more evidence is developed.

LePage then asked Woodcock for permission to immediately appeal the ruling to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, and to stay all proceedings pending appeal.

Woodcock rejected that request late last week.

The problem continues to be that the parties do not agree on the nature of the webpage at the center of this dispute, he wrote. At its crux, the central issues in this case are factual, and questions on the appropriate legal analytical framework can only be resolved once the underlying facts have been clarified. As a result, this matter is not appropriate for interlocutory appeal.by Bernardo Cervellera

The gathering held today will hear testimonies from Iraq, China, Cambodia, Brazil, and Hong Kong. A contribution to the Synod on Youth taking place in the Vatican. Overcoming a sociological and political view of the world of young people. Faith in Jesus Christ and the company of adult missionaries a path to exalt the qualities of young people and lead them to become builders of a new society.

Rome (AsiaNews) - "Young people who resist. Testimonies from Iraq, China, Cambodia, Brazil ": this is the title we gave at the 2018 AsiaNews Symposium, which takes place today in the AsiaNews Hall Rome, in Via A. G. Barrili, 42, starting at 5.30 pm.

Participants at the gathering include: Fr. Paul Thabet Mekko, priest at Karamles the first priest returned to the Nineveh Plain (Iraq), after the defeat and the expulsion of the Islamic State; Fr Luca Bolelli, PIME missionary in Kdol Leu (Cambodia), involved in evangelizing young people in an almost completely Buddhist society that is rising from the ashes of the Khmer Rouge; Giovanni Pang Chun Yu, Salesian educator in the megalopolis of Hong Kong; Fr. Marcelo Farias dos Santos, PIME missionary for Japan, who speaks of how his missionary vocation has blossomed.

Today's meeting hopes to be a contribution to the Synod on Youth which is taking place in the Vatican from October 3 to 28.

It is a somewhat counter-current contribution: before and during the Synod we have been bombarded with statistics on the religiosity of the young, on their attendance at Masses and Christian gatherings, on their isolation from families and from the adult world.

This sociological view does not satisfy us, nor does the purported emphasis on the "participation of young people in the life of the Church", reduced to a political question of greater spaces to be conquered, of freedom to defend, as if the Church were an institutional skeleton, old and suffocating, which oppresses young people and adults.

The testimonies we present at the Symposium are young people who found their strength and joy in their faith in Jesus Christ (not in sociology or politics). They have found in the company of the Church a fraternity that exalts their qualities: a momentum of ideals, courage, the desire to build the future. At the same time, the wisdom of the adults who accompany them helps them avoid becoming slaves not only to social networks, but also to dominant public opinion, making them capable of being builders of the society to which they belong, often marked by war, misery and anonymity.

Some commentators say that the Synod that is being held in the Vatican is keeping an eye on the West and its problems and has little or no universal vision.

In the West we are used to seeing young people marked by a constant searching and individualism, by virtual friendships and loneliness. In the East it is no different. Yet the situations we present at the Symposium, where war, underdevelopment, life in the megalopolis dominate, illustrate that something new is growing, that faith in Jesus Christ shapes the lives of young people, their vocational prospects, their commitment to their society no matter how destroyed it may be. This "newness" of the East, which is faith lived and witnessed, can also inflame the West.Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Katrougalos, speaking today at the General Affairs Council which met in Luxembourg, emphasised that a significant delay exists in the creation of a cohesive European migration policy. The Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that the xenophobic voices of demagogues in Europe take advantage of this inability in order to undermine solutions that are based on solidarity and international law, and to act as demagogues in light of the European elections in May 2019. The issue of migration is not a national issue, but rather a European one. Mr Katrougalos stressed that this requires a holistic strategy in order for it to be tackled, and especially a new asylum system which will fairly distribute the weight of migrational challenges in conjunction with the foreign dimension of migration; in other words, to support growth in neighbouring countries in order for them to be able to ensure an attractive future for their citizens. The relevant decisions must be taken by the end of the year.

The Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the acceptance of Greeces proposal to create a mechanism for political protection in the European Union to deal with natural disasters and threats, which must be outfitted and financed with the required funds. He also noted the need for social deepening of European integration as the only path to regaining citizens trust in the European endeavour. For this purpose, the new community budget will need to be ambitious and socially oriented.

Referring to the issue of BREXIT, Mr Katrougalos expressed the hope that an agreement will be reached, provided that the United Kingdom takes into account the significant progress in the negotiations and responds with a creative approach to recent pending issues, specifically with regard to the key issue of the Irish border in which European solidarity is a given. Our country is nonetheless preparing for any outcome, as is the European Union, including a worst-case scenario in which an agreement is not reached.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating the preparation and reaction of all ministries concerned, attaching special importance to the protection of the rights of Greek citizens living in the UK, protection of agricultural products and geographical designations as well as tourism, education, and shipping issues. Moreover, in conjunction with the Ministry of Digital Policy, a related web page is being prepared to provide updates to all interested citizens and institutions.Before the meeting of the General Affairs Council, Mr Katrougalos participated as an observer in the preparatory meeting of the European Affairs Ministers of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats where the above issues were discussed in a general climate of converging views.Today we started by discussing the issues pertaining to the fYROM. I explained that it should be understood by the authorities in Skopje that there can be no solution without endorsement of the Prespa agreement. I also explained that what the two main opposition parties, both in Greece and the fYROM respectively, claim, namely that they can secure a solution which, compared to the current one, would be better for both parts at the same time, is utterly impossible; this sort of calculation wont work, the numbers don't add up.

We also discussed the need to safeguard the functioning of institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. While discussing the third item on the agenda, that is migration, I also stressed that massive migrant flows keep pouring in from the Eastern Mediterranean and that such migrant flows have doubled in size compared to last year; in fact, they are, even today, larger compared to those originating from Libya and the Central Mediterranean. Consequently, we should not for a moment stop keeping an eye on and taking care of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Finally, during lunch we discussed Venezuela; I told my colleagues that we must propose compromise solutions and seek ways and procedures that will afford the possibility for democracy to function and the country to be led to democratic elections.

Thank you very much.by Ruohan Shen Fu

In his intervention at the Symposium - and a contribution to the Synod on Youth - a priest from central China paints the picture of evangelizing young people in China: the urbanization of migrants, who distance themselves from the faith; rural churches that are empty; the "confusion" city life Parents are true catechists.

Xian (AsiaNews) - Education and the economy are important factors that influence human and social progress. But these two factors have become two important enemies and producers of a crisis of faith.

Above all, education. In these years, education has become a heavy burden for Chinese children. They study at school, after school, they have teachers at home for private lessons and homework ... Holidays are spent doing lessons in their various interests, such as dance, piano, art and other courses.

In theory, they have two months of vacation. But in reality the young peoples leisure time is all about education. It's only for elementary school kids. Their time is all about learning. They start classes in the morning early and do not leave school until 10 pm. Holidays are almost impossible. And unfortunately, in the end, not many have access to university.

With this educational background, cultivating faith is really difficult. And for one reason: learning is very demanding and there is no time to go to church. The disturbing fact is that the cultivation of the faith is very important, but Chinese Catholic young people are losing their faith. If we add the fact that the government prohibits children under 18 from entering the church, the situation gets even worse.

In the bulletins issued by many Chinese churches, there are news of many young people who participate in church activities in church. But these newsletters are not representative of the situation and most often incomplete.

And this is because, as China develops and urbanization increases, many children and young people from the countryside go to school and work in the city. Therefore, the number of people who go to churches in the city seems to be growing, but in fact they are the children of the peasants who have migrated to the city.

In conclusion, the situation of rural churches in China is very tragic: there are increasingly fewer young people, boys and girls. And even if these young people and children go to the city, the chances for them being educated in the faith are not very high. For economic reasons, it has become almost heroic for these young people to be able to participate in Sunday mass.

Let's talk now about the economy. With the increased urbanization of China, a large number of people from the countryside have moved to the cities to find work [there is talk of almost 200 million people-ed]. We all know that China is an atheist country and that education in the faith is almost zero. The young people who work see that their masters have no consideration for their faith. Therefore, many members of parishes, who were engaged in activities, especially the young, care less and less for their faith, because of work. If you add the pressure to get married, buy a house, etc., many young people do not even have time to think and take care of their faith.

Likewise parents who bring their children with them to the cities have to worry about wages often working until they are exhausted and so they do not have time to instill faith in children. Thus you can imagine what kind of faith their children have.

In this way the enthusiasm for the faith grows less and less and little by little they move away from the church. So a bunch of young believers become faithful in the holidays: when they are on vacation or at rest, they have the chance to go to church.

This is why many rural churches are full only during the Chinese New Year holidays. After that, only a few old people and a few children remain.

In a situation such as this, how can we cultivate the faith of young people?

Faced with these problems, I, as a priest in a rural parish, first of all must be able to take advantage of their limited time. When young people have time, I do my best to organize something and invite them to participate in some ecclesial activity, to keep them tied to the faith.

For example, during short holidays, especially those of the New Year and children's winter and summer holidays. If possible, I try to organize catechism classes for children on Sunday. This is important and necessary.

But it is also necessary to support the faith of the parents. Because their children are less and less in touch with the church because of their studies and work, encouraging parents to "re-educate" their children is urgent: because at least they have more opportunities than the priest to be in contact with them.

Thirdly, it is necessary to ask Chinese bishops and priests living in the city to pay attention not only to their relationships and economic problems, but also to the growing number of members of the rural Catholic community who have migrated to the city, since their faith decreases as urbanization grows.

China is growing faster and faster, and the Chinese Church is growing in many ways. In any case, the priests who live in contact with the lower levels of the Church in China are deeply aware that the faith of young people not only face challenges, but risks being eliminated.

From our point of view, when these young men and women arrive in the city, although the number of churches in the cities has increased, their education in the faith is not perfect and few people worry about them: they are treated like foreigners.

Thus, these young people not only face great crises and challenges in their faith, but also feel confused about life in the cities.

On the other hand, being within Chinese society, they accept atheistic education, along with political propaganda and political pressure. In this way, more and more young people abandon their faith and decide to pursue the ideals of a materialistic life, throwing away their human nature. For them, this becomes the value and meaning of life. And I think this is the biggest drama of Chinese youth.by Vladimir Rozanskij

For the Patriarchal Synod of Moscow, it is a "forced decision" after the recognition of the "schismatics" (ie Filaret of Kiev, of the independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church). Also Putin and his Security Council worried about the tensions between Orthodox of Russian obedience and of Kiev in Ukraine.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - The Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate declares that it is impossible to maintain Eucharistic communion with the Orthodox Church of Constantinople. This was announced by the patriarchal synod gathered yesterday in plenary session in Minsk in Belarus. Also present at the Synod was Metropolitan Onufrij of Kiev, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox jurisdiction loyal to Moscow.

According to Metropolitan Ilarion (Alfeev), the Russian bishops consider the decision to break communion with Constantinople a forced one, the result of "the recent actions of the Patriarchate of Constantinople". The decision means that the priests of the patriarchate of Moscow will no longer be able to celebrate the liturgy together with the representatives of the ecumenical patriarchate, including the churches of the monasteries of Mount Athos, where monks of the two Churches now in conflict are often present in the same community.

"The Church that recognized schismatics [ie Filaret of Kiev - ed], and has restored relations with them, has excluded itself from the canonical scope of the Orthodox Church," concluded Ilarion.

At the same time Russian President Vladimir Putin gathered the Security Council in Moscow, to evaluate the announced recognition of Ukrainian autocephaly. According to statements by the spokesman Dmitri Peskov, "we talked about the situation of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, the other Churches considered schismatic do not interest us".

Responding to journalists' questions about the possible measures of the Russian government to resolve the issue, Peskov noted that "obviously the civil authorities in Russia cannot meddle in inter-church dialogue, they never have and never will, but since Orthodoxy is one of the religions confessed in the Russian Federation, everything that happens in the Orthodox world is subjected to special attention by the State".

However, Russia is determined to defend the rights of its nationals in every circumstance and in every country, Peskov recalled, even in the case of possible confiscation of the properties of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

In recent days, some statements by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko have thrown more fuel onAnd let us be careful with ourselves for this should lead us to think about our own life. Do I seek to look only at appearances, and not change my heart? Do I not open my heart to prayer, to the freedom of prayer, the freedom of almsgiving, the freedom of works of mercy?

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  Pope Francis centred his homily this morning in Casa Santa Marta on the Gospel (Lk 11:37-41) that tells how Jesus, invited to dinner by a Pharisee, did not perform the ablutions required by the law.

Jesus warns against those who focus on appearances, be they laity, priests, bishops, as well as those who present themselves as perfect but do not open up their heart to Jesus.

In reacting to the Pharisees astonishment, Jesus says: Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil.

These are not beautiful words, eh? Francis said. Jesus spoke clearly, He was not a hypocrite. He spoke clearly. And he said to them, But why do you look at what is outside? Look at what is inside. Again, He said to them, You are whitewashed tombs. A nice compliment, eh? Beautiful on the outside, all perfect all perfect but inside, full of rottenness, hence of greed, wickedness, He says. Jesus distinguishes appearances from inner reality. These gentlemen are doctors of appearances: always perfect, always. But what is there inside?

Pope Francis went on to say that the Pharisees and the doctors of the Law are rigid people, unwilling to change. But always, under or behind rigidity, there are problems, serious problems, the Pope said. Behind the appearance of a good Christian  appearance lets be clear, always trying to appear [in a certain way], to put make-up on our souls  there are problems. Jesus is not there. The spirit of the world is there.

Jesus calls them foolish and advises them to open up their souls to love in order to let grace inside. Because grace is a freely-given gift from God. No one can save themselves, no one. No one can save themselves, even with the habits of these people.

In a final warning, the pontiff said, Be careful around those who are rigid. Be careful around Christians  be they laity, priests, bishops  who present themselves as so perfect, rigid. Be careful. There is no Spirit of God there. They lack the spirit of freedom. And let us be careful with ourselves for this should lead us to think about our own life. Do I seek to look only at appearances, and not change my heart? Do I not open my heart to prayer, to the freedom of prayer, the freedom of almsgiving, the freedom of works of mercy?The Junior League of Chattanoogas first annual Touch-A-Truck fundraising event will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Warner Park (1100 McCallie Ave). Touch-A-Truck is a family friendly, hands-on event that offers opportunities for children to explore, climb and touch more than 20 trucks of all kinds, including emergency response vehicles, heavy machinery and other equipment. Tickets may be purchased at the event or online at www.touchatruckchatt.com.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the personnel who protect, serve, and build the community, as well as learn about how the featured vehicles relate to the Tennessee economy and careers like farming, manufacturing, construction and public service. The event will also feature food trucks, inflatables, and face painting. Silent hour will be from 9-10 a.m. for those who are more sensitive to noise and flashing lights.

"The idea behind Touch-A-Truck was to provide children with an opportunity to come see, learn and explore the different kinds of vehicles in the community from people that protect, serve and volunteer, said Junior League President Elect Sarah Arata. Kids see these trucks every day, but this event is a great way for them to touch and see the vehicles up close, talk to the operator, and learn what the trucks are used for. Not to mention the fun of getting to honk the horn or flash the lights.

The money raised at the event will support Junior Leagues A League of Learners initiative, which is focused on fostering lifelong learners in the Chattanooga community. This includes the Leagues Adopt-A-Teacher program, in which League members partner with new teachers in HCDE Opportunity Zone elementary schools to provide them support through their first year of teaching, as well as the Mini-Grants and Kids in the Kitchen programs.

Tickets are $5 per person, and $20 for family passes of four and more. Tickets are available for purchase at the event or online here.

This event will be held rain or shine.MADISON  Acclaimed realist artist Vincent Giarranos 10th solo exhibition at Susan Powell Fine Art is now on display, continuing through November. ]

Giarranos new series explores contemporary women living their lives in New York City. Soho streets, hip, historic, and atmospheric cafes, restaurants and bar environments, workshops, rooftops and interiors set the scenes for his subjects. Giarrano portrays the modern urban female, with the beauty, color, vibe, and reality of life he sees and feels in the city says Susan Powell, owner of the gallery.

Among the striking and powerful pieces is Waitresses at Caffe Reggio, a meticulously painted, spontaneous scene of two waitresses attending to their work in the 1920s Greenwich Village cafe which has been the setting for numerous movies. The rich interior of memorabilia is the backdrop for the casual ordinary scene, making a fascinating narrative.

Meeting at the Rabbit Club shows a hip young woman in dramatic perspective, at the cellar door of this contemporary beer bar in Greenwich Village, whose name is an ode to the old rabbit clubs of late-19th century Manhattan.

Broome Street in Soho portrays another young woman walking on the historic Soho street on a bright afternoon. The details on the distinctive buildings and textures are beautifully painted in this classic New York city scene.

Susan Powell Fine Art is located at 679 Boston Post Road, Madison, near the fire station. Call 203-318-0616 for more information. View works online at www.susanpowellfineart.comGod has commanded that Frank, Sammy and Dean leave Heaven where they all currently reside to return to earth on a mission. Apparently Mr. Sinatra committed an unpardonable sin 25 years ago, and now he and his famous cohorts have to correct it.

With your help and encouragement, the Connecticut Cabaret Theatre in Berlin will be holding court weekends until Saturday, Nov. 3 to determine in which direction God will force Mr.Martin, Mr, Sinatra and Mr. Davis. Jr. to go. Credit goes to James Handyman and Ray Broderick for The Rat Pack Lounge, with musical arrangements by John Glaudini, for this singing and drinking tribute to the Chairman of the Board and friends.

With a three piece band Tommy and the Gang behind them, this trio rocks the joint, a down on its luck bar owned by one Vic (Nick DAngelo), the guy who was victimized those many years ago. Now, on New Years Eve 1998, Vic is ready to end his life  and God does not want that to happen. He sends a three unlikely guardian angels down to assure it doesnt.

To prevent Vics suicide, the men, who have taken over the bodies of guys who happened to be in the bar at the time, work to restore Vics confidence in himself and his musical talents, with Jayson Beaulieu as Frank, Jonathan Escobar as Dean and Rick Bennett as Sammy.

With appropriate formal wear, the requisite mannerisms and shtick, this dynamite team sings, dances and banters like the men they emulate. Their easy camaraderie on stage makes their performance a fun experience and crowns each of them as kings of the road. Gradually Vic catches on to their musical magic and is snapping his fingers and crooning like a champ. All along the way a blonde Kristin Iovene sashays in and out to guarantee their progress. Tunes like High Hopes, Volare, You Make Me Feel So Young, My Way, Fly Me to the Moon, Ive Got the World on a String and Birth of the Blues fill the lounge with great song, Kris McMurray directs this homage to the best crooners of the past, in a show in the spirit of Its a Wonderful Life.

Gather around the bar and lift up a glass in tribute to the legends of Frank, Sammy and Dean who are living large again in the Rat Pack Lounge. Keep those champagne bottles popping.

For tickets ($34), call the CT Cabaret Theatre , 31-33 Webster Square Road, Berlin at 860-829-1248 or online at www.ctcabaret.com. Shows are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7:15 p.m. Remember this is a cabaret, so bring goodies to share at your table or plan to buy them at the concession stand on site.The U.S. Air Force is not ready to say just how many F-22 Raptors left behind at Tyndall Air Force Base sit damaged or crippled following Hurricane Michael's catastrophic incursion on the Florida installation.

A service spokeswoman told Military.com on Monday that officials are still assessing the damage and cannot comment on the issue until the evaluation is complete.

Air Force Secretary Heather A. Wilson, Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright were briefed by base officials as they toured Tyndall facilities on Sunday. The leaders concurred there was severe damage, but were hopeful that air operations on base may one day resume.

"Our maintenance professionals will do a detailed assessment of the F-22 Raptors and other aircraft before we can say with certainty that damaged aircraft can be repaired and sent back into the skies," the service leaders said in a joint statement. "However, damage was less than we feared and preliminary indications are promising."

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Officials have yet to describe what kind of maintenance was taking place on the stealth jets that led officials to leave them at Tyndall instead of moving them to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where the other F-22s from the 325th Fighter Wing were evacuated to last week.

It is rumored that anywhere from seven to 17 aircraft may have been damaged by the Category 4 storm. Photos of F-22s left behind in shredded hangars that have surfaced on social media have some in the aviation community theorizing that a significant chunk of the F-22 fleet -- roughly 10 percent -- may be left stagnant for good.

The Air Force has not confirmed any of these numbers.

In the meantime, the unspecified number of F-22s that were able to escape the storm to Wright-Patterson have now been moved to Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, Air Combat Command said Monday. Officials have not said how long the aircraft will remain there.

Experts say this is a perfect argument for why the Air Force should have invested more heavily in its greatest "insurance policy" in an air-to-air fight.

"This storm shows they should have purchased more," Richard Aboulafia, vice president and analyst at the Teal Group, told Military.com in a phone call Monday. "If history ever does resume, and a near-peer fight is in our future, you need to keep the skies clean."

While some aircraft have been moved out of active status for testing purposes, the Air Force has 183 of the Lockheed Martin Corp.-made F-22s in its inventory today. More than 160 belong to active-duty units; the remainder are with Air National Guard elements. Four aircraft were lost or severely damaged between 2004 and 2012.

Production was cut short in 2009, with original plans to buy 381 fighters scaled down to a buy of just 187.

As with any small fleet, the limited number of F-22s has presented its own challenges over the years.

According to Defense News' fiscal 2017 statistics, F-22s had a 49.01 percent mission-capable rate, meaning less than half were flyable at any given time. In 2014, more than three-quarters of F-22s were deemed mission capable.

The Pentagon wants to increase readiness rates for the F-22, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-35 Lightning II and F/A-18 Hornet to 80 percent by next September -- a 31 percent bump for the Raptor alone.

In July, the Government Accountability Office found that the F-22 is frequently underutilized, mainly due to maintenance challenges and fewer opportunities for pilot training, as well as the fleet's inefficient organizational structure.

But the recent misfortune does not mean the F-22 is no longer valuable. In fact, it may be the opposite, experts say.

So far, the U.S. has not seen what the F-22 is truly capable of, one defense analyst told Military.com on Monday. It remains, like intercontinental ballistic missiles, a capability for assurance and deterrence. And that's reason enough for it to be prized for any fleet.

"Remember the example of the B-36 [Peacemaker], the bomber that was supposed to be so intimidating, no one would mess with us," said the Washington, D.C.-based defense analyst, referencing the Air Force's largest wing spanned strategic bomber with intercontinental range, used between 1948 to 1959.

"It was solely intended for strategic conflict, and so never flew an operational mission. Was that a success? Was it worth its money? The same kind of question can apply to the ICBM fleet," the defense analyst, who spoke on background, said.

The analyst continued, "F-22 has yet to be in the fight it was designed for. So there's no way to say if it's a good value or not. You certainly don't need it to blow up drug labs....[But] you don't ever want to use them" for what they're intended because that means you're in a high-scale war.

"Until such time that it gets to perform its intended function, value is hard to evaluate. [But] that doesn't necessarily mean they're a bad investment," the analyst added.

Aboulafia agreed, but added now that there may be even fewer Raptors, the clock is ticking down for the next best thing. And it may not be the Pentagon's other fifth-generation fighter, the F-35.

"I would tell the Air Force to...cut back on F-35 [Joint Strike Fighter] purchases and move forward with [Next-Generation Air Dominance]," Aboulafia said.

The service in 2016 debuted its Air Superiority 2030 roadmap, which includes the sustainment of old fighters and new jets such as the F-22 and F-35, but also outlines next-gen air dominance, defined as the use of advanced fighter aircraft, sensors or weapons -- or all of the above -- in a growing and unpredictable threat environment.

Officials say the Air Force's next-generation platform may defy traditional categorization, with service leaders opting for a "family of systems" approach, but the aviation community remains eager for news of an advanced fighter.

"Either an all-new air vehicle or a hybrid," Aboulafia said of what he'd expect from a potential sixth-generation fighter.

His reasoning? Because the F-35 may not be able to step up to the F-22's designated role.

"The F-35 is great for situational awareness, great for ground attack. Is it the best for air-to-air [combat]? Far from it," Aboulafia said.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @oriana0214.The status of a U.S. Air Force pilot who was aboard a Ukrainian Su-27UB fighter that crashed in that country's Khmelnytskyi region during Exercise Clear Sky still remains unclear hours after the disaster.

The crash occurred at approximately 5 p.m. local time, officials with U.S. Air Forces Europe-Africa said in a statement.

"We understand there was an American in the backseat of the aircraft," the statement said, adding that the Air Force is investigating the incident.

The Ukrainian General Staff had issued an earlier online statement indicating that both a Ukrainian pilot and an American pilot were on board and killed in the crash. The statement has since been taken down.

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The accident follows an emergency landing by an Air Force F-15 Eagle that occurred Friday.

An F-15D participating in the exercise "had a minor mechanical issue in flight on Friday that caused the sortie to be cut short," Air Force Maj. Tristan Hinderliter told Military.com in an email. "The aircraft landed without incident back at Starokostiantyiv Air Base and is expected to resume participating in the exercise this week."

Hundreds of U.S. and Ukrainian airmen are conducting flight operations at Starokostiantyiv between Lviv and Kiev in Ukraine's western region in the two-week exercise, a first of its kind.

U.S. assets participating include six F-15C Eagles from the 144th Fighter Wing, based at Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif.; an F-15D from the 48th Fighter Wing, at RAF Lakenheath, England; and C-130Js from the Guard's 146th Airlift Wing, operating out of Vinnytsia Air Base.

Pararescue airmen from California's 129th Rescue Wing are also in Vinnytsia for combat search-and-rescue training with their Ukrainian counterparts. Other airmen and aircraft, such as an MQ-9 Reaper drone, are operating out of Poland for the missions.

Officials told Military.com last week that Clear Sky is the first time F-15s from the California Air National Guard have touched down in Ukraine, and the first time the aircraft has been in Ukraine overall since 1998.

The exercise is meant to enhance regional security, offering training with the Ukrainians to increase interoperability with NATO allies and other partners in the region, officials have said.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.Defense Secretary Jim Mattis brushed off President Donald Trump's suggestion that he's "sort of a Democrat" and said he has no intention of resigning his Cabinet post.

'I'm on his team," Mattis said of Trump. "We have never talked about me leaving. We just continue doing our job."

When asked what he made of Trump's remarks on his status, Mattis said, "Nothing at all."

He also said that, as a career Marine, he has shunned politics and is neither a Democrat nor a Republican.

"I've never registered for any political party," he added.

Mattis was speaking to defense reporters traveling with him en route to Vietnam on Monday. A transcript of his remarks was made available by the Pentagon.

The first question put to him was on the president's interview, broadcast Sunday night on CBS' "60 Minutes" program, in which Trump speculated on the possibility of Mattis resigning.

"It could be that he is," Trump said. "I think he's sort of a Democrat, if you want to know the truth. But General Mattis is a good guy. We get along very well. He may leave. I mean, at some point, everybody leaves. Everybody. People leave. That's Washington."

Trump did not spell out what he meant by the "Democrat" suggestion, but Mattis has not always been in line with the direction of Trump's policies on a range of issues.

Mattis has stressed the value of alliances such as NATO while Trump questions them. He also presides over a Pentagon that has been unenthusiastic about the president's plans for a Space Force, a big military parade on Veterans Day, the deployment of National Guard troops to the southern border, and a ban on transgender troops in the military.

On the plane to Vietnam, Mattis indicated that Trump's musings on his status were his privilege as commander-in-chief. "We continue in the Department of Defense to do our job. It's no problem," he said. "I have seen Republicans and Democrats come and go," and his own views on avoiding politics have not changed.

"When I was 18, I joined the Marine Corps and, in the U.S. military, we are proudly apolitical," Mattis said. "By that, I mean that in our duties we were brought up to obey the elected commander-in-chief, whoever that is."

As defense secretary, "my portfolio is bipartisan by its very basis, and that is the protection of the United States," he said. "That's what President Trump has told me to do, and I eagerly carry that out. So that's where I stand. That defines me."

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.This article by Paul Szoldra originally appeared on Task & Purpose, a digital news and culture publication dedicated to military and veterans issues.

A maintenance worker accidentally fired a 20mm Vulcan cannon from an F-16 jet he was working on at Belgium's Florennes Air Force Base earlier last week, destroying another F-16 while damaging another aircraft nearby, according to multiple media reports.

A worker apparently opened fire across the flight line while performing maintenance Oct. 11, according to Avio News.

The F-16 that was racked by cannon fire quickly caught fire and exploded, since it was loaded with fuel and being readied for an afternoon sortie, according to Scramble Magazine.

"You can't help thinking of what a disaster this could have been," Col. Didier Polome, the base commander, told a Belgian television news station.

The Belgian Air Force confirmed a fire broke out on the base during maintenance work, causing one plane to burn while causing collateral damage in a second, without mentioning cannon fire as being the cause.

Belgium's Ministry of Defense said in a statement that two technicians suffered hearing injuries and were treated on the spot, while adding that an investigation into the incident had been launched.

The Belgian Air Force did not respond to a request for comment from Task & Purpose.

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Dont Look Now But Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Is Quoting 2Pac Rap LyricsThe National Guard has begun standing up its new Security Force Assistance Brigade, with battalions in six states, a move that will finalize the Army's push to create a permanent force of combat advisers.

The establishment of the "54th SFAB" -- an unofficial name pending Army approval -- will join the service's five active-duty SFAB brigades, designed to be responsible for advise-and-assist training of conventional combat units in friendly nations.

The National Guard SFAB battalions will be located in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Texas, according to Lt. Col. Wes Parmer, a spokesman for the Army National Guard.

"They are manning these units now," he told Military.com, adding that the effort began in early September.

The states the battalions will be located in are listed at www.nationalguard.com/sfab, a webpage on the Guard's recruiting website.

The new brigade has been referred to as the 54th SFAB, but that is part of a "pre-decisional discussion" based on a concept from the Army's Center of Military History, Parmer said.

"That is not the approved name," he said, adding that it is "still being staffed for approval by Army senior leaders."

The SFAB's headquarters battalion will be located at Stout Field Armory in Indianapolis.

Other locations include:

1st Battalion, Infantry, will be based at Columbus Armory in Columbus, Georgia.

2nd Battalion, Infantry, will be based at Pinellas Park (City) in Pinellas Park, Florida.

3rd Battalion, Cavalry, will be based at Gainesville Training Site in Gainesville, Florida.

4th Battalion, Field Artillery, will be located at Dallas Red Bird Readiness Center in Dallas, Texas.

5th Battalion, Brigade Engineer Battalion, will be located at Columbus Defense Supply Center in Columbus, Ohio.

6th Battalion, Brigade Support Battalion, will be located at Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Illinois.

"Those selected for assignment to an SFAB will receive special training, including language and cultural training, as well as special weapons training at the Army's Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, N.C.," according to the nationalguard.com SFAB webpage. "Ultimately, soldiers assigned to an SFAB will deploy on missions worldwide."

The Army is in the process of standing up four of its five active SFABs. The 2nd SFAB, which is close to being ready to deploy, is based at Fort Bragg.

The 3rd SFAB will be stationed at Fort Hood, Texas; the 4th SFAB will stand up at Fort Carson, Colorado; and the 5th SFAB will be based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

The Army's 1st SFAB, which is based at Fort Benning, Georgia, is deployed in Afghanistan and has taken losses in two insider attacks.

Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Bolyard, 42, the 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, was killed in early September when a member of the Afghan National Police opened fire on him and another soldier, Newsweek reported.

Cpl. Joseph Maciel, a 20-year-old infantryman, was killed in July in Tarin Kowt district, Uruzgan province, in an apparent insider attack.

Individuals selected for SFABs are all experienced soldiers who go through a specialized training program to prepare them for these deployments, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said recently.

"These soldiers are all volunteers, he said. "They are very, very high-quality individuals. They go through a vetting process, so roughly speaking, about 56 to 60 percent are being selected for this outfit. They are meeting the physical fitness standards of the [75th] Ranger Regiment, and there is a whole other selection-quality criteria that we put on these folks."

Currently, the deployment focus for SFABs will remain in the Central Command region, "but we think the United States Army ... will be in an advice-and-assist role for years and decades to come, Milley said.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa -- Pvt. Colton Cornelius and Lance Cpl. Wellington Daniels have made mistakes.

The two III Marine Expeditionary Force Marines drew the ire of their commanders recently for minor alcohol-related infractions while stationed on the tiny southern Japanese island prefecture of Okinawa. But leadership determined they were valuable to their units and should be given another chance rather than punished with separation from the Marines.

They were placed in the Correctional Custody Unit, a new rehabilitation program aimed at setting Marines on the straight and narrow and reintegrating them into their units. Dubbed CCU 2.0, the program began May 2 at Camp Hansen and could soon be launched at stateside Marine bases.

Cornelius and Daniels thought the program was going to be mostly manual labor and grueling punishment.

"I was watching old videos and all I saw was the hammering rocks, so I'm like, 'We're going to be busting rocks in jail?' and I'm like, 'man,'" said Daniels, 28, a motor vehicle operator from Miami. "But when I first came in, it was totally different."

The program includes mindfulness training, goal-setting and classes on a variety of topics, such as financial literacy and learning the jobs of other Marines, such as machine-gun operation.

Cornelius said it didn't take long for him to realize that CCU 2.0 was helping him.

"I had really bad problems with patience. I was always frustrated," said the rifleman, 24, of Huntsville, Ala. "This program has actually allowed me to kind of like calm down, assess situations and just kind of go with the flow of things."

Marine officials are optimistic about the program.

"The mission is to get that wayward Marine to serve their initial contract obligations," said Gunnery Sgt. Loren Ortiz, staff noncommissioned officer in charge. "Anything after that is icing on the cake -- re-enlistment, meritorious promotion ... We've received support from the highest levels of leadership."

Participants are called "awardees" and spend seven or 30 days under the constant watch and critique of a senior watch stander and assigned watch standers. Each awardee has an individual dorm room with a bed, sink, water fountain and toilet. The program can accommodate 32 service members at a time.

When it was launched in May at the Camp Hansen brig, planners decided to scrap a controversial part of the program that saw flak jacket-clad Marines pulverizing rocks with sledge hammers in the Okinawan heat.

Day 1

On Aug. 15, the seven-man Class 4-TAC-18 arrived in the rain outside the Hansen brig. Only the fourth class to go through the fledgling program, they stood outside with sea bags slung over their shoulders and were told to enter one at a time for in-processing.

The first Marine through the thick steel brig door didn't make it one step before a watch stander was in his face shouting about neglecting to give the proper greeting.

"Get out," he barked.

The Marine exited and re-entered.

"Good morning gentlemen," he said sheepishly.

The awardee was instructed to dump his sea bag's contents onto the deck and segregate it. His cellphone, wallet and other personal items were confiscated as contraband. He was given a foot locker and told which items should go inside. They were checked as each item was entered.

This process was repeated for each Marine while a commanding officer met with Ortiz to go over any health concerns the awardees might have, appointments and rules for visitation.

Next, awardees stood on footprints, just like in boot camp. But these were not the kind welcoming them to the Marine Corps; these welcomed them to the portion of the brig where incarcerated inmates are housed.

They toured the in-processing center and learned about body-cavity searches and prison uniforms, the cells and the cafeteria. Everything was cold and stark.

"It is vitally important that you give everything you have to this program," Ortiz said. "There is hope, regardless of what it feels like right now. I am telling you; there is hope."

Day 16

The CCU program is broken up into three weeklong periods called "conducts," Ortiz said. Conduct 1, the first week, is the most strict. Rules are established, and battlefield communication -- shouting, essentially -- is used to enforce them. A board approves passage to the next phase.

"First thing I thought was everything was like boot camp all over again," Daniels said. "Everything was stern, discipline, everything had to be done to the exact 'T.'"

Reveille is typically at 4:30 a.m., the awardees said. They shave, brush their teeth and make their racks before physical training, which can be a hike or a run.

After, they shower and eat. Then they work on book reports and other tasks while waiting for classes to start. These run until evening, breaking only for lunch and dinner. Then they meet with senior watch standers who act as mentors.

They head for their racks for taps.

In Conduct 2, watch standers ease off and let appointed awardee squad leaders delegate and lead. Watch standers interject when necessary.

During Conduct 3 -- the release phase -- watch standers generally don't need to step in.

On Aug. 31, the awardees completed a 3-mile run with cadence at 6 a.m. with the law enforcement battalion. They showered and got into their dress uniforms for inspection.

The process was rigorous.

The awardees changed out of their dress uniforms and filed into a classroom. They went over essays they had written and watched a video about goals, happiness, health and inner well-being by motivational philosopher Jay Shetty.

Some of the classes awardees take include "Thinking for Change" and "Prime for Life," as well as a core-values refresher.

Correctional treatment specialist Michael Long asked the class about some of the things that bring short-term happiness as opposed to long-term or total happiness. They discussed goals.

They also participated in mindfulness training. Long said that's one of the most beneficial aspects of the CCU program.

"We try to get them to be more reflective of what they're doing; I think it's getting them to slow down a little bit," he said. "Making a good decision, making a bad decision, is just that brief moment; anger is a secondary emotion. So, if somebody is out drinking and they get mad, having the ability to just take a breath, think, can help you make the right decision."

Day 28

By Sept. 12, the Conduct 3 awardees were ready to return to their units. They donned dress uniforms and made their way by van to the Camp Hansen theater. A tori gate had been set up on the stage along with the U.S. and Marine Corps flags.

Friends and members of their units sat in the audience as a show of support.

After several speeches extolling their accomplishments, the awardees were called to the stage one by one. They received a certificate and shook hands with Ortiz and CCU 2.0 commander Chief Warrant Officer Rachel Jacobs. They walked with pride and there were no signs of shame or dishonor.

"It feels great to graduate," Cornelius said. "I still plan on improving."

With the right attitude, Daniels said, one can easily become a better Marine through the CCU. He said he is nervous heading back to his unit, but he has seen the improvement in himself.

"It's like being given a second chance," he said.

Cornelius said he didn't have any goals when he entered the program. He was leaving with a plan to use tuition assistance to take college courses until he separates from the service. Then he plans to use his G.I. Bill to go to welding school.

"I didn't have that planned out until I came here, so I would definitely say it's been beneficial for me in that aspect," he said.

History of CCU

The first CCU program was started in 1979 to give commanders an alternative to discharging undeveloped or immature service members who get into trouble for minor violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. It became widespread in the mid-1990s, around the time one was founded at Camp Hansen, Marine officials have said. Marine Corps hubs of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and Camp Pendleton in California also had versions of the penal institution and program.

The units were known for strenuous physical training that resembled boot camp and were last operated in the United States and on Okinawa in 2004, when they were ended due to staffing shortages while the U.S. military was preoccupied in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In recent years, Marine leaders on Okinawa began looking to revive the program to cut down on administrative separations and help Marines finish their enlistments honorably. Headquarters Marine Corps approved the relaunch in February.Officials who oversee the Pentagon's vast household goods moving system said they are rolling out a series of system changes and upgrades after a rash of complaints regarding lost and broken household goods over the summers peak moving season gained national attention.

Those problems sparked interest from lawmakers and the Pentagon's service chiefs after a Change.org petition started by a military spouse gained over 102,000 signatures.

Now officials at U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, said they are putting in place a series of shifts within their own structure to work towards a smoother moving process for military members, while asking the military services to make other changes.

"We recognize the importance of ensuring military families have a positive move experience when they're relocating," Rear Adm. Peter Clark, who directs strategy, capabilities, policy and logistics for TRANSCOM, told Military.com. "If nothing else, the visibility of the challenges of this year has really helped align a lot of forces towards making things better. So there is a strong commitment throughout the Department of Defense, the services, TRANSCOM and even Congress to make a difference."

First among the upgrades, Clark said, are changes TRANSCOM officials can make within their own structure.

A change to the Defense Travel Regulation that TRANSCOM helps oversee requires more quality assurance inspectors at base personal property offices. Clark said their goal is to have enough inspectors to conduct visits to half of the homes where pack-outs are taking place on any given day.

And starting in nationwide is December, all troops and families will have the option of watching their household goods get packed into sealed crates at their home for all moves except those with confirmed door-to-door delivery arrangements, Clark said. Currently, only moves outside the continental United States or those with goods going into long-term storage include that option.

"It does cost a little more, but I am long past worrying about a few more pennies," Clark said. "This is about providing a better relocation experience for the families."

TRANSCOM is also working to replace the legacy Defense Personal Property System with a more user-friendly version that will make booking a move and filing claims easier, he said. That system should be available to some users over the summer of 2019.

Many of this year's specific challenges, Clark said, stem from a national truck driver shortage and the improving economy. Companies have had trouble staffing experienced packers, movers and drivers, he noted. That issue, paired with a high demand for moves over the 14 weeks of summer -- 42 percent of all military moves take place in the summer months -- puts unsustainable pressure on the system, he said.

And that's why the change that will have the most impact on whether or not each family has a positive moving experience -- spreading moves out throughout the year -- must come from the military services. TRANSCOM has no final say on when troops get their orders or the services' manning cycles.

"We're working with the service to level-load the demand as much as possible," he said.

But even facets of TRANSCOM's in-house changes are up to the services to implement, he said. For example, while TRANSCOM has spelled out quality assurance inspector staffing levels in the travel regulation, it's up to the services to fund those positions. And Clark said he would like to see bases hire military spouses as seasonal quality inspector employees, something Scott Air Force Base is working with TRANSCOM to test out. But ultimately making it happen isn't up to him.

"I would love for the services to offer seasonal employment to spouses, because they'll be the biggest advocates and most demanding quality assurance advocates you can possibly imagine, and we know that spouses like to look after and take care of each other," he said. "I see this as a great possibility, we just need to get it off the ground."

DoD has also put together an advisory team of service representatives, TRANSCOM officials, service members and military spouses to weigh in on changes, Clark said. They are scheduled to begin meeting late this month.

In the meantime, Clark said he is hoping to help military families better understand their rights when they move, and the services and protections offered to them when a move goes poorly.

He said Move.mil, the DoD's military move education portal, is packed with information that can help families move smoothly. And the post-move survey troops are sent after their move, which currently only 30 percent of moving families take, can help gives officials a snapshot of whether or not families are having a good moving experience.

-- Amy Bushatz can be reached at amy.bushatz@military.com.

This article was updated Oct. 16 to reflect TRANSCOM's role in development of the Defense Travel Regulation and the name of TRANSCOM's legacy system.A U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds pilot crashed his F-16 Fighting Falcon in April after experiencing a gravity-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) during an aerial maneuver over the Nevada Test and Training Range, according to a new investigation report.

Maj. Stephen "Cajun" Del Bagno was performing a routine "Split-S" demonstration when he became fully incapacitated at the end of that five-second maneuver, leading to the crash, states the Air Force Investigation Board report, released Tuesday.

Del Bagno did not attempt an ejection, the report said. He was killed on impact.

"During the 'High Bomb Burst Rejoin,' an aerial maneuver near the scheduled end of the aerial demonstration training flight, the [mishap pilot] flew the [mishap aircraft] for approximately 22 seconds in inverted flight between 5,500 and 5,700 feet above ground level," the report states.

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During that time, Del Bagno experienced G-Forces at levels between -.5 to -2.06. At -2.06 Gs in inverted flight, he "initiated a descending half-loop maneuver," known as the Split-S, it said.

"After five seconds in the Split-S, the [mishap pilot] attained a maximum +8.56 Gs," which caused him to experience G-induced loss of consciousness, the report continued.

The aircraft crashed April 4 at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time, roughly 20 minutes after Del Bagno took off from Nellis Air Force Base, where the Thunderbirds are stationed.

The report, authored by Brig. Gen. Case A. Cunningham, said that, based on witness testimony and the heads-up display audio recordings, Del Bagno "did not announce problems" with his Advanced Technology Anti-G Suit, which was worn by the demo team, as well as other pilots, for high-velocity operations. Nor did he report an intolerance for +Gs prior to the mishap.

Normally, a pilot begins Anti-G Straining Maneuvers, or forcefully "exhaling against a closed glottis (back of the throat) while simultaneously tensing leg, arm, and abdominal muscles" as well as the muscles of the buttocks, to increase blood pressure and flow to prevent G-LOC.

Furthermore, a pilot would be subjected to the "Push-Pull Effect," which results from a relaxed "subject's exposure to -Gs, the 'push,' prior to the onset of +Gs, the 'pull,' " the service said.

"Under -G conditions, the subject experiences a decrease in blood pressure, widening of the blood vessels, and a lowered heart rate. These three factors reduce the subject's resting +G tolerance in an amount directly related to the magnitude and duration of the preceding -Gs," the report said.

During that five-second maneuver, Del Bagno experienced a max of +8.56 Gs, resulting in G-LOC "due to reduced blood flow to the brain," the report said.

Cunningham said the Push-Pull Effect greatly contributed to the accident.

"I find by a preponderance of evidence two factors substantially contributed to the mishap: (a) the MP's diminished tolerance to +Gs induced by the physiology of exposure to -G's ("Push-Pull Effect") and (b) an associated decrease in the effectiveness of the MP's Anti-G Straining Maneuver (AGSM) under those conditions," he said.

Del Bagno was the slot pilot flying the No. 4 jet for the Thunderbirds.

Before joining the team, he was an F-35A Joint Strike Fighter evaluator pilot and chief of standardization and evaluation with the 58th Fighter Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

The Valencia, California, native had more than 3,500 flying hours in over 30 different aircraft, with 1,400 hours as an Air Force pilot, his official biography said.

Del Bagno commissioned out of Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, in 2007. He was in his first season with the demonstration team.

The Thunderbirds canceled multiple appearances following the crash. They resumed traveling in May.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.Widower Takes Ban on Military Injury Claims to Supreme Court

More than four years after Navy Lt. Rebekah Daniel bled to death within hours of childbirth at a Washington state military hospital, her husband and former Coast Guard officer Walter Daniel is still looking for answers  and he's taken the question to the Supreme Court. For more details, see this Military.com article.Military members and veterans can get up to four free months of Apple Music through the Apple Music military discount -- but...There's no question that child and abuse and neglect is a problem among military families both on and off base. And while officials aren't sure why, exactly, families are suffering, one thing is absolutely known: As a community, we need to do a better job protecting our kids.

Some of those efforts focus on education. At the University of Minnesota, researchers have developed a parenting education program known as ADAPT to help "buffer children from deployment stress and promote resilience in families."

Originally developed for and tested on the state's National Guard and Reserve families, the university has received a grant from the Defense Department to trial the program on active-duty Army families, with a special focus on Special Forces soldiers with a high op-tempo.

"Families' needs differ. Some parents need or want less intensive or online programs, whereas others may need more intensive or in-person programs; some parents may do better in a group program whereas others may need individual support," researchers said on their site. "In addition, ADAPT was originally developed primarily for Reserve component families. In this study, we will modify ADAPT specifically for Special Operations families dealing with high OPTEMPO environments, as well as for 'regular' Army families."

ADAPT researchers are looking specifically for several hundred families at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Both bases have a mix of special operations and regular Army soldiers.

And both bases have high op-tempos for basically everyone. If you're at Bragg or Campbell, you've probably just returned from deployment or are getting ready to go back.

Bonus: Participants can earn up to $520 in gift cards over the course of the study.

To qualify, families must be at Bragg or Campbell and have experienced one deployment in the last five years or, if special forces, must have deployed twice in the last three years.

Families can apply for the study online.Nathan Wertz is the editor of ThisAndThatTech.com.

Pete Buttigieg, United States Navy Lieutenant and veteran of the War in Afghanistan, is a politician currently serving as the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana.

Pete has a notable background as the youngest mayor of a city with a population over one hundred thousand (elected at 29 in 2011), a graduate of Harvard University, Rhodes Scholar, Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow, John F. Kennedy New Frontier Fenn Award recipient, and first openly gay executive in the state of Indiana, even being hailed by outlets as the "first gay president" in the United States of America.

Pete shares details with us of his time in service, what it's like to be involved in U.S. politics, and how to pursue that career path.

Can you give us a brief background on where you grew up?

I was raised in South Bend. My parents came to South Bend to work at Notre Dame and I was born pretty soon after that in '82. Went to St. Joe High School and then left for a while for school and work, but moved home around 2008.

And you were elected mayor of South Bend, Indiana, in 2012?

2011. Yeah, I took office in '12.

At the time you were the youngest mayor in a population over 100,000.

Yeah, at that time, I was. So I think before me it was the mayor of Pittsburgh who was quite young. He was 26 when he came in. And there's someone in Michigan who I think took the title from me, but you know for at least a period of time I was the youngest in America for a city our size.

And look, to be honest, running for office isn't something younger people normally pursue. What was the catalyst to make you want to pursue something like that?

Well, for us it had a lot to do with the state of affairs in South Bend. Having grown up there, I knew what some of our challenges were. And as I grew older, more and more conversations with friends, especially people who, like me, had moved away. You know we were having more and more conversations about what was going on back home and what it would take to really reenergize the city.

And I believed in South Bend, I cared about the place, but felt that it needed really a different kind of energy and needed somebody to step forward and say that it was the kind of place young people want to be excited about, growing up in, or moving home to.

Plus, I thought that I had a background that fit well. What the city really needed at the time was somebody who's not too caught up in various local party factions and someone with a little more business or economic experience, which was my background. So it was a matter of feeling like in that moment I had the attributes that the city really needed.

39th U.S. President, Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and his husband, Chasten Glezman Buttigieg. The 2018 Carter Work Project took place in South Bend, Indiana, building and improving 41 homes in Mishawaka and South Bend. (Pete Buttigieg Twitter)

When did you decide to join the military?

I joined the Reserves and started drilling in late 2009.

And why did you decide to join the military at that point? You had already graduated from Harvard.

I mean I would say, like a lot of people, it probably first entered my mind around the time of 9/11, but it always felt like there was something else going on that I needed to focus on, whether it was school or work.

And things really started to shift for me when I visited Iowa. I was a campaign volunteer and knocking on doors in a low-income area of South Central Iowa. I was with a couple of old friends from Harvard. It was just really striking how many teenagers from these rural towns were headed straight to the military as soon as they were old enough.

And it prompted some soul searching for us. I got to thinking about how many of my Harvard classmates had served and there weren't many. Of course, I was raised on some of the legends of the Kennedys and other figures from previous generations, when actually going to a place like Harvard meant it was almost assumed that you would serve. And by the time I was there, the reverse was true.

And so it prompted me to ask myself, "If teenagers in rural communities are routinely stepping up and serving, why have I not been wearing my country's uniform?" And I saw the Reserve as an opportunity to continue to have my career in the private sector. I was in management consulting at the time, but also be doing some kind of public service.

Any takeaways from your time serving?

Yeah, so a lot of things, obviously. I think for anyone who serves, it's very formative.

And for me a lot of it had to do with teamwork, understanding how you build a diverse group of people to do a mission, how to make sure people are flexible, that people are communicating well.

And obviously you learn a lot about how to adapt. There's the kind of plan that's on paper and then there's how things actually get done. And I think anyone, especially in the deployed environment, figures out very quickly how to take what's in the book and then adapt that to the reality on the ground.

Did people know you were a mayor or was that something you kept more close to yourself?

So I certainly didn't go around broadcasting it. The people in my unit figured it out pretty quick. It was an intel unit and of course they're gonna Google the new guy.

There's a healthy amount of razzing when I got there, but within a few days it wore off. You know I was driving and guarding vehicles a lot. When somebody got in my vehicle, I don't think they really much cared what my day job was. They just wanted to know if I was gonna keep them safe.

But to others who I had more indirect contact with, even my roommate, actually, because it wasn't somebody from my unit, I don't think he had any idea the entire time that I was there that I was a Reservist, let alone what my day job was.

So you didn't have the nickname, "The Mayor?" I feel like that's such a missed opportunity...

[laughs]. There were a few people who called me "The Honorable Lieutenant," so I got to wear that well.

Pete was deployed to Afghanistan in 2014. (Pete Buttigieg Facebook)

When you got back from deployment, did you reenter your position as mayor fairly quickly? How did that play out?

Yeah, you know the military has gotten better and better at helping people handle redeployment and return. In my case, it was difficult to take as much leave as was offered. I think I was encouraged to take several weeks, but we figured one week was about as much as I could get away with. So that's what I did, just because once I was home, I couldn't really not be mayor for long.

How would you describe your job to a layman who asks what you do for a living?

Well, I guess I would say I have two jobs. One is to run an administration of about a thousand people who represent everything from police officers to firefighters to office clerks and people who pick up the trash. And just making sure that that organization is tuned up in the right way and serves residents well.

My other responsibility is as a leader for a community of a hundred thousand people, trying to set the right tone, trying to call people to their highest values, to trying to heal divisions and build solidarity in a community that's very diverse, that goes through a lot of ups and downs like any community does.

Pete speaking at the Michiana Women Leaders Event. (Pete Buttigieg Twitter)

How has your military service influenced your position as mayor?

Well, I think that experience has certainly been helpful to me. You know understanding how to operate in a deployed environment has helped me be more nimble and flexible in a civilian environment.

I'd say one experience I've often had with veterans is you have a sense of perspective and a sense of calm. Some of the situations that come along that can be very stressful, you have a bigger frame of reference that helps you put them in context and not get thrown off by them too much.

Any moments that come to mind where your position has significantly changed or problems along the way?

Well, every day is different. A good day is one where you're working on the priorities you set out, which in my first term had to do with making abandoned houses, public safety, and our downtown streetscape. Today, it continues to be a public safety, but also working on things like transportation, infrastructure, and parks and public spaces.

So a good day is one where we're on the front foot, but there are a lot of days where we simply have to respond to whatever is going on, kind of good, bad, or indifferent around us. And you know the job is really about understanding the two or three things that deserve to be at the top of the list and how to lay aside the hundred or so that may be important, but you can't get to right away.

My trajectory has been pretty straightforward, except for the period when I decided I would run for chair of my political party at the national level, which was another experience that I learned a lot from. But wound up ending that experience more appreciative than ever of the rewards of a job like being mayor of your hometown.

Pete Buttigieg receiving the New Frontier Award in 2015 from the JFK Library. Pictured from left are Chasten Glezman Buttigieg, Pete Buttigieg, Joe Kennedy, and Petes mother, Jennifer Anne Montgomery. (Pete Buttigieg Twitter)

We always hear about burnout in certain positions. You spend the majority of your day with mayoral activities, even with responsibilities after hours. Is it plausible to have work/life balance in your field? And if so, how do you personally manage that?

It's not easy because the job is always on and, as you said, it involves a lot of nights and weekend commitments. But you learn to, as you do in any demanding job, you learn to carve out time for yourself. Physical fitness is a really important part of that. And I would say being married has also helped me a lot with work/life balance because there's someone else in my life who is going to fight to make sure that we get enough time together and I'm taking care of myself.

Military.com has a lot of active duty and veteran readers that may someday want to work in your field. If you were to mentor somebody to get to where you're at today, what is the optimum path to travel? Any shortcuts? What comes to mind?

Well, the great thing about public service is that there's no set professional path that you have to follow. We have a lot of different ways for citizens to assume leadership roles. And if somebody has served in uniform, then they've already done a lot to qualify themselves for public service and leadership. I think the most important thing is to cultivate the experience and habit of listening to learn to engage people with radically different values or experiences and incorporate what they have to say into a bigger picture.

And the other thing that I think is great about local government and local leadership is that it's sometimes a little easier to make sense of than other levels of government. I think it's more likely to welcome a newcomer or an outsider. I was not particularly well-connected locally when I first ran for mayor and a year later I was in charge, so it shows if you have good ideas, if you engage people, and if you pay attention to what they have to say and build a good team around you that can help you be responsive, then really those doors are open to anybody.

Pete Buttigieg at the Police & Fire Appreciation Day. (Pete Buttigieg Twitter)

It is difficult for some to get in front of people, put their ideas out there, and get judged based on that. Is that a muscle you have always had or was it developed? Were you nervous at times putting yourself out there?

I think practice teaches you to develop a thick skin. You also learn how to respond  how to make sure things go well, but also how to respond when they don't. And like anything else, the more time you spend in a walk of life or in a professional space, the more comfortable you get with the boundaries and the ups and downs that it has to offer.

Due to the advent of the internet, will it eventually be possible to win an election focused more on internet/social media rather than knocking on doors and shaking hands? Will we get to that point?

Well, I'm a fan of some of the more old-fashioned tactics. I'm a big believer in face-to-face interaction, but I think it's certainly the case that things are changing. I think phone banking will probably become less effective over time because people are less likely to take phone calls that they don't know.

And I think there's a huge opportunity on the internet side. I think the Democratic Party is behind on this. I think both parties are looking at it, but my party has a lot of catching up to do, if you just look at the percentage that we currently spend on digital communications in campaigns. And I think whoever figures that out  and I believe this cycle, 2018 election that's coming up, will probably produce a few people who will be very impressive on this, we just don't know who they are yet. But when they do, I think we ought to pay close attention who shows early signs of mastering digital campaigning, because I think  yeah, bottom line, I think it could be a huge factor.

I watched your live stream drive around South Bend with Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook last year. Did you know him from college?

Oh, you know I didn't know  yeah, we overlapped in college. I didn't know him very well at the time, but I've gotten to know him since, especially while I was in the process of running for DNC Chair. And obviously I love showing off South Bend to anybody. Let him come see our city for himself.

Pete Buttigieg and Mark Zuckerberg touring South Bend. (Photo from WNDU.com with credit given to Mark Zuckerbergs Facebook live stream)

Any books, podcasts, or mentors that maybe helped you along the way, that you'd like to recommend for people?

Oh, tons. Let me think. There's some that were especially useful. I'm a big fan of history because everything that we do, there's been some kind of precedent or pattern for it. And I think even good television tells us a lot about politics. Shows like "The Wire" have a lot to offer in understanding how cities work.

I enjoyed reading about Teddy Roosevelt right around the time I was first running for mayor. And it was interesting to come into contact with someone who had an enviable level of energy and focus. And probably the best novel I've read about politics recently is called "Wolf Hall." It's about the time of Henry the VIII, but there are a lot of lessons from there that are not that different.

What's next for you? Are you thinking about running for mayor again? There's been rumors you may run for president. People talk about that because you have an interesting background. Where do you see yourself?

Yeah, a lot of other folks have lots of ideas about what my next steps are to be, but obviously that's a discernment process that you just have to go through from time to time. Right now, most of my energy is going into serving as mayor, of course. And then my political energy is mostly going into helping people that I believe in over the next six weeks between now and election day. Once that's happened and we've gotten through the midterms, I think that'll be a healthy time to step back and think about what my own next moves ought to be.12:49pm: The Marlins added $500K in spending capacity to their coffers in todays swap, per MLB.coms Mark Feinsand (via Twitter).

11:04am: The Marlins and Astros have officially struck a deal that will send yet more international bonus pool availability to the Miami organization, as MLB.coms Joe Frisaro first reported (via Twitter). Houston will receive a pair of prospects  outfielder Adonis Giron and lefty Brayan De Paula  in the swap.

It is not yet known how much spending capacity will flow to the Marlins in this deal. Per another Frisaro tweet, though, the Fish believe theyve now got deeper pockets to work with than do the Orioles  the other primary competitor for the top international amateur talent left for bidding in the current signing period.

At last glance, the Marlins had moved past $6MM in pool space after yet another swap. The club needed to pick up over $2MM in funds to exceed the $6.7MM the Orioles were believed to be working with. Bonus pool availability  which sets a hard cap on spending  can only be dealt in $250K increments. Teams are limited to adding 75% of their starting allocation.

The remaining international market is widely said to offer three top prizes, all of whom evidently are objects of the Marlins and Orioles affections. Victor Victor Mesa is generally viewed as the best player available, with his younger brother Victor Mesa Jr. and righty Sandy Gaston also graded as intriguing young assets. Each member of this trio of Cubans is subject to international spending limitations.

Much like the other teams that have struck deals of late with the Marlins  the Nationals and Reds  the Astros werent able to put their existing international pool space to full use. By virtue of prior spending penalties, imposed under the prior rules regime, the Houston organization was barred from spending more than #400K on any given player.

The Stros, then, decided instead to use that availability to pick up a pair of youthful players  recent international signees themselves. The 17-year-old Giron spent the year with the Marlins Dominican Summer League entrant, slashing .255/.331/.362 in 275 plate appearances. He previously inked for $350K, with a reputedly intriguing bat. De Paula, 19, also appeared on the DSL roster for a second consecutive year, spinning 44 1/3 innings of 2.23 ERA ball with 9.1 K/9 against 2.4 BB/9.PITTSFIELD TWP., MI - Five men charged in the shooting death of a former Eastern Michigan University wrestler during an alleged drug deal appeared in court Tuesday morning to coordinate future proceedings.

Karon Hadden, Deandre Hinton, Charles Robertson, Camron Williams-Evans and Garvin Crout, all 18, appeared before District Judge Elizabeth Hines Tuesday, Oct. 16, to meet with their attorneys, who agreed with prosecutors to adjourn future hearings until Nov. 6.

All five are charged as co-defendants in the shooting death of Christopher Marsh Jr., 19, of Ypsilanti Township, who was found fatally wounded about 9:30 p.m., April 28, outside Glencoe Hills Apartments complex in the 2100 block of Glencoe Hills Drive.

He was transported to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, where he died from his injuries. Police believe the shooting was the result of a robbery in a meet-up for narcotics.

Hadden and Hinton are both charged with one felony count each of felony murder, armed robbery, assault with intent to rob while armed, carrying a concealed weapon, felonious assault and three counts each of felony firearms.

Robertson, Williams-Evens and Crout are all charged with one felony count each of felony murder and armed robbery.

The five men were arrested Oct. 2 when police conducted a vast SWAT operation, executing 11 search warrants throughout Washtenaw County, Canton Township and Grand Rapids, police said.

A preliminary examination has been scheduled for Nov. 13 though that date will likely change to a later date based on the extent of the case and the number of people involved, prosecutors said.

Several of the men's attorneys noted in court they will be spending the next few weeks going through more than 1,500 pages of investigative records in the case.

All five men are being held in the Washtenaw County Jail without bond.

Felony murder carries with it a mandatory prison sentence of life without the possibility of parole; however, Hinton was not 18 at the time of the incident and will not be subjected to the mandatory sentence due to changes in state law regarding life sentences for juvenile offenders.

Marsh Jr. was a member of EMU's now-defunct wrestling team, leaving the team in February 2018, EMU officials said.

Marsh was an electronic media and film major at EMU and hailed from Atlanta, where he attended St. Pius X Catholic High School, according to an EMU media guide.ANN ARBOR, MI - The Ann Arbor District Library's board of trustees is unanimously against a proposal for a central park and civic center commons next to the downtown library.

The library board voted Monday night, Oct. 15, to voice opposition to Proposal A, which city voters will decide on Nov. 6, said Board President Jamie Vander Broek.

The board is opposed to the ballot proposal "due to its potential negative lasting effect on the future of the downtown library," according to a statement released by AADL.

"Proposal A would designate, in perpetuity, any city-owned land bounded by Fifth Avenue and William, Division and Liberty streets as an urban park and civic center," the statement reads.

"Designating the majority of the block in perpetuity as parkland, without the formal planning process, funding or public engagement that any other park or development would undergo, significantly limits future options for the downtown library and downtown area."

The City Council, which is in favor of selling the city-owned Library Lot next to the library for development, voted early Tuesday morning, Oct. 16, to approve another agreement with Chicago developer Core Spaces for a 17-story high-rise to be built on the site.

The Core Spaces development would include a 12,000-square-foot plaza, slightly larger than Liberty Plaza.

The proponents of a larger central park and civic center commons hope to stop the Core Spaces development.

The Library Lot, the property at the center of the longstanding debate, is the surface parking lot atop the city's underground parking garage along Fifth Avenue, just north of the downtown library.

Library leaders have cautioned over the years that a park next to the library there could attract nuisance behavior.

"We're not saying 'no park.' We're saying take the time to plan it properly in the context of what is truly occurring downtown," Library Director Josie Parker told city officials in 2014, voicing concerns about drug use and drunk and disorderly behavior in and around the library, including heroin dealing and overdoses.

The Ann Arbor library board includes President Jamie Vander Broek, Vice President Linh Song, Treasurer Jim Leija, Secretary Ed Surovell, Victoria Green, Jan Barney Newman and Colleen Sherman.

Song has been a vocal supporter of the Core Spaces development and is a member of a group known as Voters for a Responsible Ann Arbor, which is campaigning against Proposal A.

The City Council voted to approve a $10 million sale of the Library Lot's development rights to Core Spaces in April 2017.

A group of citizens interested in stopping the high-rise development and turning the property into a park and civic center commons submitted thousands of petition signatures to the city earlier this year to force a vote of the people in November.

City officials then executed a purchase agreement with Core Spaces, which is now the subject of ongoing litigation.

What legal effect passage of Proposal A might have and whether it would stop the sale and development remains to be seen.

After recently approving a workforce housing covenant and a parking agreement with Core Spaces, the council voted 6-4 Tuesday morning to take another step forward, approving a master deed and condominium bylaws for the development known as The Collective on 5th, which includes a hotel, apartments, retail and office space.

Consistent with the sale agreement executed earlier this year, the master deed legally creates under Michigan law the "vertical air space unit" that will be sold to the developer, Senior Assistant City Attorney Kevin McDonald told council members.

"It specifically describes the building envelope for the proposed development, and establishes the rights and duties of the condominium association that will manage and maintain common areas for the condominium, including the structural support elements for the parking deck and proposed development," McDonald wrote in a memo. "The condominium association will be controlled equally by the city and the developer, and costs of maintenance and repair for common areas will also be equal.

"The city will continue its ownership, control and operation of the Library Lane Parking Structure, and the developer will separately control the proposed development."

Because the development has not gone through the city's site plan approval process yet, the documents are subject to change as other details are finalized, McDonald said.

Depending on how things play out on the ballot and in court, the new City Council being seated next month may be asked to approve the Core Spaces site plan sometime in 2019.

The four council members against approving the master deed for the Core Spaces development Tuesday morning were Anne Bannister, Jack Eaton, Sumi Kailasapathy and Jane Lumm.

Lumm argued the city should hit pause and wait until voters have a say on Nov. 6.

Mayor Christopher Taylor and his allies were in favor of moving forward. Graydon Krapohl was absent.

In a recent letter, Taylor urged city residents to reject Proposal A, arguing the proposed central park and civic center commons would be a costly failure, requiring millions of dollars the city doesn't have.

He supports having Core Spaces fund a plaza instead and believes the mixed-use development would help activate it.

Taylor has said he fears a large park without activation of the space in the way that Core Spaces proposes with its development would replicate the problems the city has with Liberty Plaza, a corner park on the same block where the city has struggled with issues such as drug activity, overdoses, fights, assaults, disorderly conduct, larceny, malicious destruction of property, open intoxicants, panhandling, noise complaints, urinating in public, littering and vagrancy.

Ann Arbor resident Mary Hathaway, one of the members of the Ann Arbor Central Park Ballot Committee, issued an open response to the mayor's letter, offering a different perspective.

"Why does an urban park evoke such pessimism?" she wrote. "Downtown parks can be well-designed attractions. In other cities they even serve as economic engines, giving vitality to the surrounding neighborhood. Why do you assume the worst for our city?"

Hathaway added, "By retaining public land at the center of the city, we can take a more holistic approach to planning for development on the Library Block. Rather than looking at a parcel in isolation and insisting on maximum development of a 17-story tower (or one even taller than that), we should look for an integrative approach that strengthens the relationships between the neighboring structures and welcomes pedestrian movement. Planning for this should begin immediately after voters approve Proposal A."ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor is moving forward with creating a police oversight commission, and Mayor Christopher Taylor hopes it can help address a legacy of white supremacy in America.

The City Council gave final approval during an eight-hour meeting that stretched until nearly 3 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, to form a new council-appointed body consisting of 11 voting members to provide a new layer of citizen oversight of the Ann Arbor Police Department.

Taylor said he believes the AAPD is committed to protecting the community without bias and it's important for everyone to feel confident they're in good hands when they encounter police.

"But we also know that this common confidence is not reality," he said. "We know of the wearing stress and uncertainty that people of color and marginalized groups experience every day in America and here in Ann Arbor, just as they're trying to go about their daily lives."

Taylor said Ann Arbor is committed to ensuring equity drives everything it does, and he expects the new commission to help bring residents and police together to make the community better, and reduce "the stress and uncertainty that has been created by the legacy and continued endurance of white supremacy and the stain of privilege" one day at a time until it's eliminated.

"And so I believe that that is our task and that's what we're going to work on," Taylor said.

The official name for the new commission is the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission.

The city will be recruiting residents to serve on it, with its first members expected to be appointed by January.

As spelled out in the new ordinance, the commission will be able to receive complaints against police, forward them to AAPD for internal review and then scrutinize the outcomes of those investigations, following up with its own queries, publishing findings, making policy recommendations and giving input on policing strategies, as well as gathering information and questioning police officials.

The commission also will have its own independent legal counsel, though legally the commission will be part of the city.

Its recommendations will not be binding and it will have no authority to discipline police officers.

Monday night's meeting was at times contentious as some community members pushed the council to give the commission more independence and power than what's contemplated.

Council members were accused of not fully understanding the plight of people of color when it comes to interactions with police.

Community members said racism exists in Ann Arbor. Some pointed to the 2014 shooting of Aura Rosser, a black woman killed by an Ann Arbor police officer when she reportedly came at officers with a knife, as an example of why police oversight is needed.

"I have a right to speak my anger," Shirley Beckley, a longtime black community activist, told council members. "I'm not going to sit here and watch my people being killed throughout this country and right here in this city and sit here and look like it's OK."

Dwight Wilson, a member of the city's Human Rights Commission and the city's police oversight advisory task force, said he's been working to try to bring justice into society his entire life.

Wilson, who is black, said he's lived in 12 different places and Ann Arbor is the only one where he's had his house egged twice and where he's had white paint thrown on his house.

He also said one of his sons was once meditating in front of his house and police stopped and questioned him.

"This is no bubble. This is not paradise," Wilson said.

Taylor, who blended recommendations from the city's administration and the citizen-led advisory task force to come up with a compromise ordinance that was further revised through a series of council-approved amendments, said he believes the commission is being set up in a way that will work within the framework of existing laws and collecting bargaining agreements with police officers.

"This commission will provide a place for civilian oversight, a public and powerful check and balance," he said.

"This oversight will provide a place for civilian engagement with AAPD and government, a place where civilians can review AAPD policies and practices, where they can demand and receive data and information about AAPD's doing and why they're doing it.

"Critically, it will be a place where civilians can review and audit complaint files and complaint resolutions, a place where commissioners can receive all legally available information and report to PD, the administrator, the council and the public their conclusions about complaint investigation and resolution."

The ordinance also includes a process for the commission to hear concerns from people in the community who don't necessarily want to file a formal complaint against police.

Those concerns would be relayed through community liaisons identified by the commission, and the commission could evaluate the concerns raised and decide whether further review is warranted.

Rich Friedman, co-chair of the task force that advised the city on forming a commission, said the end result is not perfect, but it's more than he expected and he thinks the commission will be robust. He said it's a mistake for anyone to suggest it's going to be powerless.

"It has many strengths, more frankly than the University of Michigan committee that I chaired for several years," said Friedman, a law professor who served for seven years as chair of UM's police oversight committee.

"It has excellent access to information. It will file public reports on incidents and policies," he said, noting the ordinance also requires senior officials to respond and engage with the commission.

"The commission has independent counsel. It will have a diverse membership with a good, open process, I think."

Members of the black community in Ann Arbor have been publicly calling for more police oversight for decades.

In 1970, a group called Blacks United for Liberation and Justice, led by Albert H. Wheeler, accused city leaders of allowing racist police action to continue against the black community, saying the city had a backlog of complaints against police and "the continued failure of local government to deal honestly and promptly with these charges has caused the black community to lose all faith in local government's willingness and ability to deal with its own employees."

Unhappy with the response to their demands, the group staged a walkout at a City Council meeting in August 1970, as Wheeler told the audience that not only blacks and the poor should be concerned about the power of the police, but affluent whites "better investigate whether there is any civilian control" over the police.

The intro to the new police oversight ordinance refers to a history of racism in society and in law enforcement.

"Historically, across the nation, policing has been used as a mechanism for social control by means including racial bias, disparities in police use of force, and the impacts of officer-involved shootings and other violent encounters with law enforcement officers. This fact, combined with ongoing racial discrimination in America today, creates distrust and tension between marginalized populations and law enforcement," the ordinance states.

It goes on to say the city and AAPD are committed to building trust and positive relationships with all segments of the community.

"The city cannot achieve this end without addressing our national history of using the police as a tool to reinforce systems of racial inequity," the ordinance states.

"The formation of the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission is a necessary step in reframing the relationship that the residents of Ann Arbor have with the police and an investment in the smart, equitable, community-oriented policing that the Ann Arbor Police Department strives for and that our community deserves."

Friedman said the success of the commission depends on the commission being responsible and the city doing what it's supposed to do and providing the information it's supposed to provide.

"If that's done, it'll be fine," he said.

"As I said, I felt we did very well with the university's committee with a much weaker set of procedures."

Though some have expressed concerns that not all of the task force's recommendations were accepted, such as giving the commission subpoena power, Friedman said he feels like city officials used the aspirational framework put forward by the task force, so the task force's work has paid off.

"I don't think everybody got everything we'd like, but I think we got a great deal," he said. "And I just hope members of the public who've been so actively engaged do not talk the commission down before it starts and make its job harder."

The mayor and other council members suggested the police oversight commission's role may evolve over time.

Council Member Chuck Warpehoski, D-5th Ward, won support Tuesday morning for a resolution to provide an additional $50,000 in startup support for the commission on top of $25,000 already previously approved. That's to get the commission through to July 1, the start of the next fiscal year. The council may decide the commission's budget for the next year in May.

Warpehoski said the information transparency requirements in the ordinance are important.

"We have a proactive requirement that the department will make available to the commission all documents related to incidents, including statements by police officers involved, video evidence and descriptions of tangible evidence," he said.

"That and other commitments to information transparency, I think, is going to go a long way to uncovering problems that are present and to shining the light on and dispelling concerns where there aren't problems present," Warpehoski said.

One example of a past problem that's come up during police oversight discussions is that an AAPD officer offered young women leniency with traffic tickets in exchange for sex. The officer, Jason Kitts, pleaded no contest to the charges in 2015 and resigned amid the allegations.

City officials maintain police misconduct complaints need to go to AAPD for investigation and disciplinary action, after which the police oversight commission can conduct its own reviews.

Council Member Jack Eaton, D-4th Ward, suggested the ordinance approved Tuesday morning can be improved upon in the future.

He thanked the city's Human Rights Commission for getting the current police oversight discussions going, and the task force members and community members who've been actively involved.

"While this end product is not exactly what we sought, it is nonetheless the framework of what the task force presented to us," he said, telling community members he hopes they're not discouraged.

"I hope that you don't give up," he said. "This is a worthy project to continue working on. For decades, activists have sought an oversight process and we are now started in that direction. We will have a commission who can come back to council and advise us to do better, so I believe that justice is worth the long struggle."

Eaton won support for an amendment to the ordinance, stipulating that no one can serve on the commission if they've been employed by the city in the last five years. The draft ordinance had already stated that no active-duty police officers and no city employees could serve as voting members of the commission.

Eaton tried unsuccessfully to get other amendments approved, including establishing an annual budget for the commission equal to at least 1.15 percent of the AAPD's budget starting next fiscal year.

Eaton said that $300,000-plus per year could be used for legal counsel and other support for the commission, but a majority of council members believed the commission's annual funding should be decided as part of the city's annual budget process, not written into city code.

Ackerman won support for multiple ordinance amendments, including one stipulating there must be one youth member on the commission and another to allow disputes concerning the production of information to be resolved through alternative dispute resolution.

Ali Ramlawi, a 5th Ward resident who will be replacing Warpehoski on council next month, addressed the council shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday and said he feels confident the commission that's been approved will be a workable body, but he thinks the council is being cheap about how much money to allocate toward it.

"And this is not a place to be cheap," he said.GLADWIN, MI -- An Amish man will spend more than a decade in prison for sexually assaulting three girls over a several years.

Gladwin County Circuit Judge Thomas R. Evans on Monday, Oct. 15, sentenced 53-year-old Ora F. Troyer to one term of 15 to 25 years in prison and two terms of 10 to 15 years. The three terms are to run concurrently.

The judge gave Troyer credit for 70 days already served. He also ordered Troyer to pay a total of $1,454 in fines and court costs.

Troyer on Aug. 27 pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a relation and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a relation.

First-degree involves penetration and is punishable by up to life imprisonment, while second-degree is limited to touching and is a 15-year felony.

In exchange for his pleas, prosecutors dismissed 15 additional charges. Troyer had been arraigned on the 18 charges on Aug. 9.

Gladwin County Sheriff Michael Shea previously told MLive his investigators believe the sexual assaults began in 2003 with one girl and advanced to the two others as time went on, through June 2018.

The abuse came to light when Amish community elders notified police, Shea has said.

Troyer, described in court records as a married farmer, made admissions to police that corroborated the victims' descriptions of abuse, the sheriff told MLive.John James, the Republican hoping to unseat Democratic Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow in November, says the inclusion of a footage containing a swastika in a campaign ad was a "terrible error."

"I'm responsible for everything that our team does and fails to do and I will do everything in my power to make sure this never ever happens again," said James, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq. " ... This is also an indication of how low people are willing to go ... Sen. Stabenow will say and do anything to get re-elected."

James called a press conference Monday, Oct. 15 in Livonia after controversy arose surrounding the appearance of a swastika on a bulletin board that appears in a campaign commercial. When asked by a reporter if he knew what school the footage was recorded in, James said he did not and that it came from stock video.

James took the opportunity to play a new commercial his campaign plans to release that begins with the candidate saying his father "grew up in the Jim Crow South, but he persevered."

The swastika controversy made it's way to the public shortly after James and Stabenow held the second of two debates in two days on Monday afternoon at the Motor City Casino and Hotel hosted by the Detroit Economic Club.

The candidates also debated in Grand Rapids on Sunday.

Read more MLive election coverage here.GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Kent County voters in Wyoming and Byron Township will have four options when they head to the polls next month to vote in the 77th District state representative race.

Challenging Republican incumbent Tommy Brann, 66, are Dana Knight (Democrat), Patty Malowney (Libertarian) and Brandon Hoezee (U.S. Taxpayers).

Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 6.

This year, MLive Media Group partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund to provide candidate information for readers. Each candidate was asked to outline their stances on a variety of public policy issues.

Information on all state and federal races and many of Michigan's county and local races will be available at Vote411.org, an online voter guide created by the League of Women Voters.

Brann, 66, was first elected to the 77th District House seat in 2016. The owner of Brann's restaurants earned 91.7 percent of the 9,788 total votes cast in August to beat his primary opponent, Jordan Oesch.

In 2016, Brann beat out Knight after taking 65.8 percent of the 42,474 total votes.

Knight didn't fill out the candidate questionnaire and did not respond to additional requests for information. A background check showed that she pleaded guilty in December 2014 to third-degree retail fraud, a misdemeanor, according to Michigan State Police records.

In August, Knight beat Robert Van Kirk in the Democratic primary by earning 66.4 percent of the 5,939 total votes.

Malowney, 45, is the founder and editor of a motherhood website, JustMommies.com, which was founded in 2004. She said she's also been a landlord and has bought and sold real estate.

Hoezee, 33, works in sales at Ace Hardware, according to his personal Facebook page. He earned his bachelor's degree in communication arts from Kuyper College.

In 2016, he ran for the 76th District seat but finished fourth in a race that saw Democrat Winnie Brinks win the seat with 56.7 percent of the votes.

Here's a look at how the candidates responded to questions about their top priorities, education, and the economy.

What are your top three state legislative priorities and how would you address them?

Malowney

"Auto insurance: We have tried to introduce no-fault reform in the past. While we may not be able to completely overhaul no-fault insurance, we can make significant changes to make auto insurance more affordable.

"Roads: I would make sure that funding our roads is a priority. I would address spending that doesn't directly go towards our roads, and improve the quality of the roads going forward.

"Family Court: Children need both parents in their lives. I would like to see friend of the court eliminated or downsized, and reduce the child support burdens on parents."

Hoezee

"I will work to Protect life, liberty and property. If elected I will do everything I can to protect the lives of the unborn. I will work to protect your rights from all levels of government. I will work to protect the people from the government stealing their property. I believe that property taxes should be banned in Michigan because it violates people's right to own property."

Brann

"1. Fixing our Roads and Bridges by spending your hard-earned tax dollars efficiently and effectively. It is important to have a stable infrastructure to attract good paying jobs to our state and local communities.

"2. Increasing Entrepreneurship and Innovation in our Schools so our children have the opportunity to learn how to open their own business and create jobs. Mentorship is also a key part in giving hope to struggling students.

"3. Ending Homelessness with a community-focused approach, including access to job training and housing incentives. I will always advocate for those struggling to get ahead in life."

What measures do you support/propose to achieve improved educational outcomes and accessibility for Michigan students from early childhood through post-secondary education?

Howezee

"We should get the federal government out of education. I oppose common core. I also believe in more local control over education."

Brann

"Parents deserve to send their children to a school that best fits their child's needs. I support proposals that fund students, not institutions, and give parents more control over their child's education. Students deserve every option and every chance at success.

"I support expanding career opportunities in the skilled trades for our high school students and post-high school graduates. I will continue to work with the business community to look for opportunities to address the talent deficit in the skilled trades and meet the increasing demand in the work force."

Malowney

"Educational needs for Michigan children should be decided on a local level and parents should be able to decide how best to educate their children. A parent knows what is best for their children's education whether it be to homeschool, attend private school, charter school, or public school. I'd like to see more options in online schools or tech/trade schools, as well as teaching life skills.

"In addition, I believe measuring educational outcomes should not be based on test scores or college enrollment alone."

What policies do you support to increase jobs and help Michigan residents improve their economic positions?

Brann

"While Michigan's economy continues to improve, we must remember to keep advocating for families that are struggling. I want to continue the culture of entrepreneurship and innovation that we are seeing here in Michigan, including teaching our students that they have what it takes to be the job creators of the future.

"I also support a broad-based economic environment that is friendly to job creation and business growth, no matter the size of the business. Good paying jobs will help those who are working to achieve the American Dream, while also boosting our state and local economies."

Malowney

"We need a lower corporate tax and personal income tax in Michigan, not tax breaks to big companies. Small business is the foundation of our economy. Rather than trying to incentivize corporations to "create jobs" by way of tax breaks, I believe we should make Michigan a great state to live and do business in by creating a competitive business climate."

Howezee

"I support getting the government out of the way of the economy. I also oppose corporate subsidies because the government should not try to control the economy."

For the candidates' complete answers, check out the District 77 section in the voters' guide.

All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for necessary cut if a reply exceeded character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should not be considered as an endorsement. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties.KENT COUNTY, MI -- Three candidates -- Democrat David LaGrand, Republican Daniel Schutte and Jacob Straley, of the Green Party -- will face off in the November election in a bid to represent Kent County's 75th District in the Michigan House of Representatives.

The district, which includes the core of the city of Grand Rapids and leans Democratic, is currently held by LaGrand, who is seeking another term.

This year, MLive Media Group partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund to provide candidate information for readers. Each candidate was asked to outline their stances on a variety of public policy issues.

Information on all state and federal races and many of Michigan's county and local races will be available at Vote411.org, an online voter guide created by the League of Women Voters.

Here's a look at the candidates:

LaGrand, 52, received his bachelor's degree from Calvin College and a law degree from the University of Chicago. He served on the Grand Rapids City Commission from 2007 to 2009, and from 2012 to 2015 was a member of the Grand Rapid Public Schools Board of Education.

Schutte, 63, declined to fill out the candidate questionnaire from the League of Women Voters. In an email to MLive, he identified himself as a pastor, and said he was running for office to "proclaim The Glory and The Gospel Of The Lord Jesus Christ" and to end the practice of abortion.

Straley, 35, is a licensed master electrician. He said he completed electrical vocational school training through the Associated Builders and Contractors in June of 2009. He said his political experience is limited, and that he's been an activist since 2016. He said he helped reestablish the Kent County Green Party and has served as its co-chair.

Here's a look at how the candidates responded to questions about their top priorities, how they would improve educational outcomes in schools, protect Michigan's natural resources and boost the state's economy. Responses, in some instances, have been edited for clarity and grammar.

What are your top three state legislative priorities and how would you address them?

LaGrand

"Mass incarceration: Need to reform cash bond system, fines and costs, sentencing guidelines, fund programming in jails and prisons, and do expungement reform and decriminalize child support offenses and non dangerous driving offenses.

Education: Need to stop overfunding cyberschools, and support discipline reforms that keep children in schools learning and safe.

Health care: Need to cover as many people as possible so that citizens can live productive lives without the stress and fear of lack of medical coverage."

Straley

"Our campaigns three priorities are energy, education, and wages.

Michigan's electrical energy could be transformed to 100% renewable in 20 years if we had legislators with experience in the field. Being an electrician and having worked in the solar energy industry in California, I have experience other candidates do not have.

Our K-12 system simply needs better funding. We need to reallocate funds to our K-12 system to include better pay for teachers, more teachers to create smaller class sizes, and safer buildings.

Wages for any job need to be a minimum of $15/hr to afford the cost of living."

What measures do you support/propose to achieve improved educational outcomes and accessibility for Michigan students from early childhood through post-secondary education?

LaGrand

"Expulsion and suspension models of discipline fail. We need to fund full use of restorative practices in schools.

We need a funding model that moves beyond equal funding per pupil and fully funds students needs, such as special ed, ESL, poverty related obstacles.

We need a free k-14 model, and to aggressively fund all higher ed with tax dollars not student debt. We should also have free day care on every higher ed campus."

Straley

"One measure I would propose for our K-12 education system is better funding. I have continually heard stories about large class sizes which makes it more difficult for students to learn and receive one on one time with a teacher. I do support extended publicly funded education into the college level."

What policies do you support to increase jobs and help Michigan residents improve their economic positions?

LaGrand

"Living wage. Real housing support. Accessible and cheaper higher ed. Better k-12, mass transit and green energy initiatives to attract employers who value quality of life. Support Cities, as density makes for more affordable lifestyles."

Straley

"One of the largest employment opportunities was have as a state is transforming our energy grid to renewable energy. This will create jobs in manufacturing, engineering, installation, and maintenance. We should offer small grants to small business startups that don't have access to traditional funds. Individuals deserve to make living wages at 40 hours a week without assistance. The minimum wage should be tied to the cost of living."

What actions or policies do you support to protect Michigan's water, air and land for current and future generations, while meeting the state's energy needs? Explain how those actions or policies would affect the future of Enbridge Pipeline 5.

LaGrand

"We should restore net metering, offer incentives for private solar installations and electric vehicles, support cities who are the best providers of clean drinking water and managers of waste water, and discourage sprawl. Ideally, we eliminate any use of fossil fuels. In the interim, Line 5 is an unacceptable risk to our great lakes system and should be closed."

Straley

"We have reached a time where we know how to produce electrical energy cleanly and efficiently. With the rise of electric vehicles, our dependency for crude oil can be dramatically reduced. Moving our state to 100% renewable energy would reduce the demand for natural gas as well. This reduced demand of both crude oil and natural gas would eliminate the need for a pipeline under the Straits, ending Line 5. Individuals and corporations alike need to be financially responsible for polluting our environment."

What state policies do you support regarding campaign funding and voting rights?

LaGrand

"We should have publicly financed elections and eliminate campaign contributions from any other source. The easier it is to vote, the better."

Straley

"Our current campaign finance laws have too much room to lose track of where money comes from. Candidate committees should not be able to donate to other candidate committees during an election cycle. I would support measures to stop political action committees from donating funds to candidates and spending money on behalf of candidates."

What policies will you pursue to promote social justice and racial justice in our state?

LaGrand

"Mass incarceration is our nation and our state's greatest scandal, and is inextricably linked to race and class injustice. Our abandonment of any real interest in a safety net for all citizens is second, and likewise linked to race and class injustice. I believe that all citizens deserve decent housing, food, health care, education and freedom. I also believe that all citizens deserve the opportunity to pursue meaningful vocations, and that we need to revalue child care by parents and reward that care in real ways. I believe that the only way to make real progress on this vision is with a progressive tax."

Straley

"We, as people, I think need to have a better understanding and respect for diversity. Our societal problem of discrimination based on race, class, gender, sexual orientation, age, nationality, religion, or physical or mental ability is learned. We need to offer equal opportunities and protections for all citizens. I would support policies that uphold equality for all."

All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for necessary cut if a reply exceeded character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should not be considered as an endorsement. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties.GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A Kent County commissioner is organizing an "All Kids Matter March" on the Grand Rapids Police Department in response to the most recent juvenile-handcuffing incident.

Robert S. Womack took to Facebook on Tuesday, Oct. 16, to call out the Grand Rapids police chief for his response to an incident last week in which police handcuffed a 12-year-old girl at gunpoint while responding to a report of an alleged shooting.

The girl was released in less than two minutes after no weapons were found, according to police. Police Chief David Rahinsky said the officers acted with "good discretion" and showed "compassion" and "good judgment."

But shortly after Rahinsky held a press conference Tuesday, Oct. 16, to further explain the incident and share body-worn camera footage and the 911 call, Womack posted on his personal Facebook page inviting community members to march with him on the police department.

"I am calling out my community to put a stop to the handcuffing of our innocent children," Womack wrote. "Rahinsky said the officers 'did nothing wrong.' Our chief has made a terrible mistake believing that we are going to agree to this as normal behavior."

Womack is inviting community members, including all women and children who have been handcuffed, to join him for the "All Kids Matter March" at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, at the police department at 1 Monroe Center St.

"I am an elected official, elected by the people to speak up for them," Womack wrote. "With all due respect to the chief, he cannot dictate how innocent children are treated. These parents are taxpayers and we both work for them. The police do not treat black people like taxpayers or victims."

Police were dispatched around 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, after receiving a report of a shooting at a residence on Batavia Place NE, just north of East Fulton Street. The 911 caller told a dispatcher that her (adult) daughter saw someone shoot one of their neighbors.

"There was a lady, she came out of her house, she said, 'No, no, don't do it, don't shoot me,' and then shots rang out," the 911 caller told the dispatcher. "She came out her front door and somebody shot her."

Once on scene, police ordered each person out of the house and checked them for weapons. Those searched included a 12-year-old girl, who was handcuffed for less than two minutes, and a 10-year-old boy, who wasn't handcuffed.

Rahinsky didn't elaborate on why one of the children was handcuffed while the other wasn't, but said police acted with good discretion, and talked to the children in an age-appropriate tone.

Police also stopped a car leaving the home and detained the occupants while investigating the 911 call. They were released that evening.

No guns or shooting victims were located at the house, but police said they don't believe the 911 call was malicious.

"I heard the original call, there's real concern in that caller's voice that someone has been shot," Rahinsky said. "The fact that we were unable to locate a victim doesn't necessarily mean there wasn't one. We did check with local hospitals and no victim was identified but we have no reason to believe that that call was made with anything other than the best of intentions."

In response to a comment from Womack about "officer stupidity," chief said the police department's response "transcends race," and that his officers responded the way they would to any neighborhood when there's a report of a potential shooting.

"With respect to the commissioner, who I think has served an important role in terms of liaisoning between the department and law enforcement and the community, with respect to those comments, I think he does a disservice to both the community and the police department.

"Some of these issues transcend race. This didn't have to be a racialized issue ... This response would be the same at any ZIP code in the city. It'd be the same if it was my house, yours, or Commissioner Womack's."

But Womack said, "it is racial."

"If they get a call to Amway, they won't put the DeVos family in handcuffs and say march out backwards," Womack said. "We are not slaves anymore and being shackled is not for innocent people who have not even been accused of a crime."

Womack said police should be able to search children without handcuffing them.

"I don't believe you have to handcuff a 12-year-old girl to find out if she has a weapon," he said. "Every time I talk to them about children, they don't take it seriously. They talk about children like they're adults. It's always 'they could have had a gun,' but a lot of people could have a gun."

The county commissioner also said he wants the police department to release all video from the incident. After speaking with the family involved in the incident, he said he believes there was more to the story than the clip released by the police department, and he wants the public to be able to review additional footage.

The police department released a video clip from one officer's body-worn camera Tuesday, and Rahinsky said he is still reviewing footage and reports from the incident.

Womack is a Kent County commissioner who represents District 17 in the city of Grand Rapids. He was elected to the seat in 2016. The Grand Rapids native is also a local radio personality and president of WYGR-FM 93.3.

The commissioner said he hadn't spoken with the police chief about the incident as of Tuesday afternoon. He said he reached out to his contacts at the department, but hasn't heard back from them.

"I feel bad for the chief," Womack said. "I believe he's a good person but he must not have good counsel around him to let him know this situation has come to a head ... To say there won't be significant change and African Americans can expect this treatment from police going further, that's why we're marching."

Now we are marching on the Grand Rapids Police Department! Sunday at 5pm. I am calling out my community to put a stop to... Posted by Robert S. Womack on Tuesday, October 16, 2018GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Stefan Nava says Grand Rapids is ready for a taste of Cuba.

And residents will soon be able to find it at his new restaurant, Danzon Cubano, in the city's Fulton Heights neighborhood that's slated to open by the end of October.

Inside, customers will find a menu complete with four types of Cuban sandwiches, stews and soups, yuca fries, Cuban paella, and entrees such as "Picadillo a la Cubana," which features traditional Cuban beef hash in a white wine tomato sauce served with white rice and sweet plantains.

Nava, who works in the tech industry and is making his first foray into the restaurant business, describes the food as a blend of European and Spanish influences, and says the restaurant brings a new twist to the Grand Rapids culinary scene.

"We feel we're unique in the sense that we're bringing a new type of cuisine for people to experience," said Nava, 35. "Grand Rapids hasn't had anything like this, and so we wanted to introduce it because we believe Grand Rapids is ready."

The restaurant is located on the ground-floor of Fulton Square, a mixed-use housing and retail development at 1 Carlton Avenue SE. Including its outdoor patio, the restaurant can seat 142 people.

Its centerpiece is a wood bar, some of which was built using repurposed wood from a former barn. Painted above it is the Cuban flag. There's plans to put a map of the island nation, about 90 miles south of Miami, near the entryway.

Nava estimates he spent about $311,000 renovating the space, and between $50,000 and $60,000 on equipment.

Nava is not of Cuban decent - his parents are from Mexico - but when he was planning the restaurant concept he was inspired by the story of Cubans who fled to America in the wake of the Cuban Revolution and Fidel Castro's rise to power in 1959.

He says his goal is to create an authentic, family-friendly Cuban restaurant. He wants to introduce West Michigan residents to the island nation's cuisine but also provide members of the Cuban community with a taste of their homeland.

"That's the one thing we want to make sure of, that this food isn't fusion," Nava said. "We wanted to keep it authentic because a lot of people don't know about the Cuban food and the Cuban food has a lot of history. It has a lot of flavor."

The restaurant features beer, a selection of Spanish wines, and Cuban-inspired rum cocktails. Nava says he wanted to get Cuban beer, but the U.S. trade embargo against the communist nation kept him from doing so.

Named after a song by American composer Aaron Copeland, Danzon Cubano will feature live Cuban music and dancing on weekends, Nava said.

"They're very lively people," he said. "They love the music. Cuban music is fantastic."

Nava works as director of managed sales for CenturyLink, a global telecommunications company. His job has taken him to locations throughout the world, and he says one of his favorite things to do while abroad is to sample the local cuisine. Owning a restaurant is a chance to dive deeper into one of his favorite pastimes - and expose people to good food.

"I love cooking, I love the foods, I like trying everything," he said. "I get frustrated when I go to a place and the food is just not there. I'm the kind of guy that I'm just looking for the flavors."GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A group of citizens are suing the Kent County Board of Commissioners on claims the public body violated the Michigan Open Meetings Act (OMA).

The suit argues county officials violated the state's meeting laws at their Sept. 27 board meeting when the public was barred from attending nearly all of the proceedings and let in, one-by-one, only during public comment.

It requests a judge to find the board in violation of OMA at its Sept. 27 meeting, invalidate all actions by the board at that meeting and compel the board to comply with OMA at all future meetings.

Grand Rapids resident Marta Johnson filed the suit Thursday, Oct. 11, in Kent County Circuit Court. She and fellow resident Christian Bell previously filed a complaint with the Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker, who told them it would be a conflict of interest for him to take up the case.

Linda Howell, the county's corporate counsel, said the county hasn't yet been served with the lawsuit and therefore can't comment on it. She said the county has made great efforts to ensure the compliance with OMA, even seeking an outside opinion from Grand Rapids attorney Rock Wood.

Wood, in his opinion, states the Sept. 27 measures "seem permitted under the OMA."

At the meeting in question, the public was barred from entering the chambers. They were instead told to go to a room next door to watch the proceedings on a video monitor until public comment.

Attendees could give public comment by writing their personal information and comment on a card and giving it to county staff. Only then were they ushered in and out of the meeting room, one-by-one.

The measures were a response to ongoing meeting disruptions by people protesting the county's jail contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Johnson previously said she was not part of the disruptions.

County staff and board Chairman Jim Saalfeld enacted the restrictions at the board's Sept. 27 meeting. They did so without a board vote and to the ire of some commissioners.

The lawsuit alleges the county violated OMA by requiring public comment information to enter the meeting, by not allowing the public to actually be present at the meeting and by preemptively removing all attendees for fear of disruption.

"Watching proceedings at a remote location or in a room adjacent to the chambers is the same," the suit states. "The critical difference, and the difference that makes a meeting in compliance with the OMA, is being able to be physically present within the room where the public body is working."

Saalfeld reinstated public access to the chambers at the following board meeting on Oct. 11. Kent County Administrator Wayman Britt said Saalfeld did so because he "realizes the importance of maintaining collegiality" with fellow commissioners.

OMA forbids requiring information from the public, like a comment card, as a condition of entrance into an open meeting. Saalfeld said at the meeting that "any member of the public that wishes to address the board during either public comment period may do so by filling out a card, giving the card to our staff in room 311 and they'll get the card to me."

Howell contended she told deputies posted at the entrance door "that anybody that didn't want to fill out a card didn't have to."

The legal memo drafted by Wood for the county states that measures like those undertaken at the Sept. 27 meeting "seem permitted under the OMA, more specifically, MCL 15.263(1)," according to a copy provided to MLive/The Grand Rapids Press.

The OMA provision cited by Wood states, in part, that "a public body may establish reasonable rules and regulations in order to minimize the possibility of disrupting behavior."

The public body, the Kent County Board of Commissioners, did not take a vote on the rules and regulations implemented at the Sept. 27 meeting.

Howell contends that was an unnecessary step, as commissioners previously fulfilled that condition when they endowed Saalfeld with the power to "preserve order and decide all questions of order" in the standing rules adopted April 2017.

"In our standing rules it very specifically says, it is the duty of the chair to preserve order and decide all questions of order," Howell said. "So to say that there's nothing in our established rules that would preclude the chair from making sure that meetings could be held in a normal orderly process, that's not accurate."

The measures are an attempt to comply with OMA while not resorting to arrest or physical removal, Howell said.

Howell said the measures at the Sept. 27 meeting were a "step back" from those taken at the full board meeting prior, when commissioners recessed during a disruption and relocated to another county building across the street. Protesters were not allowed into the relocated meeting.

"... We wanted to be as open as we could so we came up with the idea of a way to preserve that openness, preserve the ability of anybody that wanted to talk to the board to come in and talk to them in our regular public comment period," Howell said of the Sept. 27 meeting.

Howell contended the county can "exclude the public," even those not disrupting, from a relocated open meeting. When asked where that was enshrined, Howell said to "start with the (Regents of the University of Michigan vs. Washtenaw County Coalition Against Apartheid Michigan Court of Appeals ruling)."

The 1980 decision upholds the ability of a public body to recess, relocate and bar disruptors from entry.

Though only the press and "other members of the public within the discretion of the Regents" were allowed in to the relocated meeting in question, the ruling does not take a stance on the selectivity, only the recess and remove procedure and the barring of disruptors.

"We do ... share the concern obviously felt by defendants and the trial court that a meeting which is recessed remain open to the public," the decision states.GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Tony Streets Jr., the man accused of killing Joey Vitale at his pizza parlor, will undergo a probable-cause hearing Nov. 9.

The hearing was set for next week but defense attorney Damian Nunzio, who was retained by Streets' family, said he needs additional time to conduct his own investigation, including a review of police reports and video.

Nunzio said Tuesday, Oct. 16, that he has not asked that his client undergo a psychiatric examination. Streets has a history of mental-health issues and violence, court records say.

Streets, 33, has admitted to police that he had an altercation with Vitale on Oct. 3 at Vitale's Burton Heights Pizza. Police say Streets created a disturbance in the restaurant before he stabbed Vitale twice.

Vitale, 31, a married father of two girls, tried to drive himself to the hospital but crashed. An ambulance took him to Mercy Health Saint Mary's hospital where he later died of stab wounds.

Police say Streets, as he fled, robbed a man of his cell phone while he was calling 911, then tried to carjack a motorist at Darwin Avenue SW and Quigley Boulevard where he was arrested.

Streets allegedly "grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, and pulled him close and told him that he needed his car."

Police recovered the suspected murder weapon on other side of the fence near the scene of the arrest.

The Vitale family has operated restaurants in West Michigan for decades.Grand Rapids Police Chief David Rahinsky discusses how police responded to an Oct. 9 report of a shooting on Batavia Place NE in Grand Rapids.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- The Grand Rapids police chief said his officers showed "compassion" and "good judgment" in how they responded last week to a report of a shooting in a neighborhood on the city's Northeast Side.

Officers handcuffed a 12-year-old girl at gunpoint, and patted down a 10-year-old boy, before releasing both to their mother on scene. The girl was handcuffed for 1-2 minutes. No weapons were found, and police did not locate a shooting victim.

Police Chief David Rahinsky held a press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 16, to provide preliminary details about the Oct. 9 incident and to show a clip of body-worn camera footage and a portion of the 911 call recording.

"Officers showed compassion, they showed good judgment," Rahinsky said. "The individual, the 12-year-old who was handcuffed, was handcuffed for a minute and change. The tone of the officer, I think, was appropriate. Officers did as they were trained to do which puts themselves and the individuals they're dealing with in the best possible position in terms of officer safety and community safety."

His response came after the mother of the 12-year-old girl told WZZM-13 that she wanted justice for her children being "terrified." Attempts by MLive/The Grand Rapids Press to contact the mother, Rennae Wooten, were not immediately successful Tuesday.

Police were dispatched around 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, to a report of a shooting at a house on Batavia Place NE, just north of East Fulton Street. The caller told a dispatcher that her (adult) daughter saw someone shoot one of their neighbors.

"There was a lady, she came out of her house, she said, 'No, no, don't do it, don't shoot me,' and then shots rang out," the 911 caller told the dispatcher. "She came out her front door and somebody shot her."

Police on scene ordered the inhabitants of the house where the alleged shooting occurred to come out, one-by-one. Video shared by the police department shows the 12-year-old girl being instructed to get on her knees, and place her hands behind her back.

"Can you separate your arms for me, yup, great, thank you," the officer said. "I'm going to help you stand up, OK? You're alright. You got no weapons on you, anything like that?

"I'm going to quick check you for weapons."

The girl told police she was 12 and was going to turn 13 in the spring.

An officer responded by asking if it was OK if his partner did a "quick check" to make sure she didn't have any weapons.

"Yeah, you're OK. We're going to quick check you for weapons and then we'll get you out of those handcuffs, OK?" the officer said.

Rahinsky said the 12-year-old was handcuffed for less than 2 minutes. She was released once it was determined that she didn't have any weapons.

Afterward, officers called for the 10-year-old to come out of the house. He was not handcuffed, but was searched to make sure he didn't have a weapon.

"What's up man, that's a nice sweatshirt," an officer said. "This is your sister and mom, right? OK, we're going to hang out right here for a second ... You alright? You're not scared are you? You OK? You've got nothing to be scared about, we're OK."

Asked why the 10-year-old wasn't handcuffed, Rahinsky said officers used good discretion. He acknowledged that adults sometimes ask youth to hold weapons for them when police arrive on scene, and said it's easy to question the officers' decisions a week after the fact.

"When you have young men and women with limited knowledge in terms of what they're facing on a dark street where they're potentially at risk and want to ensure safe outcomes for both community members and themselves, this is a good outcome," he said.

Rahinsky didn't elaborate on why officers chose to handcuff one of the two youths but not the other. He called the department's investigation of the incident "an evolving review" and said he's going through hours of video as well as the reports from the officers involved.

The department was notified of the incident on Monday, Oct. 15 via media inquiries, according to Rahinsky. He said he called the house of the family involved on Monday, but the person who answered hung up on him and didn't answer a second call.

As for the original 911 caller, the police said there's no reason to suspect the call was malicious.

"I heard the original call, there's real concern in that caller's voice that someone has been shot," Rahinsky said. "The fact that we were unable to locate a victim doesn't necessarily mean there wasn't one. We did check with local hospitals and no victim was identified but we have no reason to believe that that call was made with anything other than the best of intentions."

The chief asked community members to call the department if there are concerns about how officers handle an incident.

"The fact that a week transpired before we heard about the mother's concern and the way we heard about it, I don't think does justice to the community or her concerns," Rahinsky said. "I would really implore any resident of the city or anyone who comes in contact with a member of the Grand Rapids Police Department, if they have questions, we pride ourselves on transparency and accountability.

"As a community and as a department, if we're going to continue to build trust, I think we need to open those lines of dialogue and we have to be direct."

Last week's incident was the fourth in a 19-month span in which African American youths were stopped at gunpoint, handcuffed and searched for weapons. In three of the incidents, police were responding to a report of a shooting or a gun being seen. The fourth incident was during a search for a woman accused of stabbing a family member earlier that day.

Asked about all of the juveniles involved in these incidents being black, Rahinsky said the departments response in these incidents "transcends race."

"The training is consistent, our response is consistent, regardless of the neighborhood, regardless of the race, regardless of the gender," Rahinsky said. "When we respond to a call of someone being shot, that's the response that you're going to get. Now whether a similar response in a different neighborhood would result in a phone call to media or a phone call to an elected official, I can't say."

Community members can request review of an incident involving police by contact the department's Internal Affairs Unit by visiting or sending mail to the police station, 1 Monroe Center NW, or by calling 616-456-3480.

If the complaint is found not to be valid, or an officer is exonerated, the complainant can appeal to the Civilian Appeals Board.Can Democratic nominees to the Michigan Supreme Court defeat a pair of Republican incumbents?

Will Justice Beth Clement's vote to put a gerrymandering proposal on the November ballot hurt her among conservatives?

Two Michigan Supreme Court seats are at stake in the Nov. 6 election, and there are six contenders, including two incumbent justices appointed last year by Gov. Rick Snyder.

The winning candidates will serve eight-year terms.

Although justice candidates are on the nonpartisan part of the ballot, the candidates are nominated by political parties.

The incumbents are Kurtis Wilder and Elizabeth Clement, both appointed Snyder in 2017 and nominated this year by the Michigan Republican Party.

The Michigan Democratic Party nominated Megan Kathleen Cavanaugh and Samuel Bagenstos.

Kerry Lee Morgan is the Libertarian nominee and Doug Dern was nominated by the Natural Law Party.

Bagenstos, a University of Michigan law professor and former U.S. deputy attorney general during the Obama administration, has easily raised the most of the six candidates -- more than $500,000 this election cycle, according to campaign finance statements filed in late September.

The Michigan Supreme Court currently has five Republicans, including Clements and Wilder, and two Democrats.

Here is a look at the six candidates.

Elizabeth Clement

Clement, 40, was appointed to the Supreme Court in November 2017. She formerly served as Snyder's chief legal counsel.

Clement filled a seat being vacated by Joan Larsen, who was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Elizabeth Clement

Clement, who has four children, has a bachelor's degree in political science from Michigan State University and her law degree from Wayne State University. She was a legislative aide and legal counsel for state Senate Republicans before joining the Snyder administration.

Her husband, Thomas Clement, is the Supreme Court's legal counsel.

Clement angered some conservatives earlier this year when she sided with fellow justices David Viviano, Bridget Mary McCormack and Richard Bernstein in a majority ruling that put the Voters Not Politicians ballot initiative on the ballot. If approved, the proposal would implement an independent redistricting commission in Michigan.

In her candidate questionnaire for the League of Women Voters, Clement wrote she was running "because my experience demonstrates measured deliberation, attentive listening, collaborative decision making and my sincere commitment to equal justice to all and independence of the judiciary."

She also said she supports doing away with political party involvement in the Supreme Court nomination process. "I'd like to see process changes that protect the independence of the judiciary through the removal of partisan politics from the elective process," she wrote.

The two biggest issues facing the Supreme Court, she wrote: Trial court funding and indigent defense.

"The public deserves fines and fees that are fair, reasonable, and affordable," Clement wrote in her questionnaire. "Those involved in the criminal system deserve their Constitutional promise of an attorney if they cannot afford one."

Clement has raised about $332,000 so far in campaign contributions.

Kurtis Wilder

Wilder, 59, was appointed to the Supreme Court in May 2017. He replaced Robert Young, who retired.

Kurtis Wilder

Wilder was previously on the Michigan First District Court of Appeals for 19 years. In 1992, he was the first African-American judge elected to the Washtenaw County Circuit Court.

Wilder has a bachelor's degree in political science from University of Michigan, and is a graduate of the U-M law school.

He is married with two children.

Wilder did not fill out a League of Women Voters questionnaire.

However, on his campaign website, Wilder wrote this: "At the heart of my judicial philosophy is the belief that a court's most basic function is to facilitate and make every effort to secure equal justice under the law. To this end, a Justice should decide what the law is, not what it ought to be, and then apply that law as dictated by the facts in the case. A Justice should not legislate from the bench, substituting his or her policy preferences for those of the legislative and executive branches, but instead should apply the law as written."

Wilder has raised about $231,000 so far in campaign contributions.

Samuel Bagenstos

Bagenstos, 48, a Democratic Party nominee, is the Frank G. Millard Professor of Law at University of Michigan.

Bagenstos earned his bachelor's degree at University of North Carolina and graduated first in his class from Harvard Law School.

Samuel Bagenstos

He is former law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and was a former U.S. deputy attorney general for civil rights during the Obama administration.

"The Court needs justices who have fought for people's rights," he wrote in his questionnaire for the League of Women Voters.

Bagenstos said he supports reforming the way Michigan elects Supreme Court justices, saying both the selection process and financing of campaigns is problematic.

"First, in our current process, candidates are nominated by political parties, but they appear on a 'nonpartisan' ballot that hides that information from voters. Either a purely nonpartisan system or an honestly partisan system would be preferable," he wrote in his questionnaire. "Second, campaigns for the Michigan Supreme Court are expensive, and they are largely funded by attorneys and others who might have business before the Court. That corrodes public confidence in the impartiality of the Court. Campaign finance reform would improve things."

In response to a question about the greatest areas of need to be addressed by the court, Bagenstos said the Supreme Court "must be prepared to perform the state courts' historic function of serving as the last line of defense for basic rights, such as the rights to liberty, equality, and a clean environment. As the federal courts pull back from protecting these rights, the role of the Michigan courts will grow in importance.

"Second, the Michigan Supreme Court should use its administrative authority to maintain public confidence in the courts (by addressing such issues as jury diversity) and to promote alternatives to the criminal justice system as appropriate (for example, through problem-solving courts)," he wrote.

Bagemstos has raised about $570,000 so far in campaign contributions.

Megan Kathleen Cavanaugh

Cavanaugh, the other Democratic Party nominees, is a partner in the Detroit law firm of Garan Lucow Miller.

Megan Cavanaugh

She is a 1993 graduate of the University of Michigan College of Engineering and a 2000 graduate of Wayne State's law school.

An experienced appellate attorney, she wrote her experience "reflects a commitment to improving the fairness of Michigan's justice system."

In her League of Women Voters questionnaire, she wrote she would reform the election of Supreme Court justices by instituting public funding for campaigns. "The job of a Justice is to make decisions according to the law, no matter who likes that decision. Public funding would eliminate the influence of dark money on judicial elections," she wrote.

Cavanaugh wrote the two areas in greatest need of judicial reform in Michigan are "reform of the juvenile justice system and improving access to justice."

Cavanaugh has raised about $207,000 so far in campaign contributions.

Kerry Lee Morgan

Morgan, the Libertarian Party nominee, is an attorney with the Detroit law firm of Pentiuk, Couvreur & Kobiljak.

He has a bachelor's in political science from Michigan State University; a master's in public policy from Regent University, and a law degree from the Detroit College of Law.

Kerry Morgan

"I can bring a balanced respect for the written law and the Constitution in particular to the bench," Morgan said in his questionnaire for the League of Women Voters.

He wrote that he does not support changing the way Supreme Court justices are selected. "The nomination and election process for Supreme Court Justices is adequate," Morgan wrote. "Campaigns will always be funded in part by special interest sand those who propose schemes to limit the effect of those interests, have an interest of their own in influencing the outcome of elections."

In response to a question about the greatest areas of need to be addressed by the court, Morgan said that Michigan lawyers "must also be freed from the politicized State Bar of Michigan by elimination of compulsory membership. The Supreme Court should be leading this fight. Instead, it sides with the Bar."

Morgan did not file a campaign finance statement because he did not raise more than $1,000.

Doug Dern

Dern, who was nominated by the Natural Law Party, is a Waterford defense attorney who specializes in drunken-driving cases.

"I have been a lawyer working in the trenches helping everyday people. I have a deep understanding of how rule rulings effect the common Jane. My opinion is that the current justices have lost site of that," Dern wrote in his League of Women Voters questionnaire.

Asked about the greatest areas of need to be addressed by the court, Dern wrote, "Police corruption is always a concern. The Flint water situation should be a concern. I think the current is light on reviewing criminal appeals. The Flint water crisis is the result of corporate greed."

Dern did not file a campaign finance statement because he did not raise more than $1,000.

Voters guide for November election

Information on all state and federal races and many of Michigan's county and local races are now available on MLive via Vote411.org - the election-information website run by the League of Women Voters.

All responses in the voters guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for necessary cut if a reply exceeded character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected.

Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement by the League of Women Voters. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties.The Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld a pair of state budget appropriations that reimburse private schools for the cost of fire drills, inspections and other state requirements.

The decision overturns an April ruling by Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Diane Stephens, who said the 2016 and 2017 budget laws violate the state constitution's ban regarding direct or indirect aid to non-public schools.

It was a 2-1 ruling, with Judges William Murphy and Anica Letica in support and Judge Elizabeth Gleicher in dissent.

At issue is about $5 million in appropriations spread over two years.

The appeals court pointed to previous court rulings that determined the state could support private schools on matters involving health and safety, which was the case here.

The decision ordered the case be returned to the Court of Claims for reconsideration. Stephens can look at "each specific cost or action" to see it goes beyond the bounds of the constitution, the appeals court said, but the entire statute cannot be declared invalid.

Stephens had said that providing money to offset compliance costs "supports the employment of nonpublic school employees" and cedes a "significant degree of control" to private schools -- unlike other allowable expenses such as "shared-time" aid for public schools that enroll private students in non-core elective classes.

The budget appropriations were challenged in a lawsuit filed in March 2017 by the Michigan Association of School Boards, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and groups representing school districts, administrators and parents.

"Clearly, we're not happy with this decision," Don Wotruba, MASB executive director, said today. "Voters have been clear in Michigan that they expect dollars in the School Aid Fund to go to public schools. This is a direct expenditure for private schools to operate."

He said the lawsuit plaintiffs are still considering their options, but "we'll be continuing the legal battle," whether that is appealing to the Michigan Supreme Court or contesting the expenditures as the Court of Claims goes through them item by item.

Brian Broderick, executive director of the Michigan Association of Nonpublic Schools, applauded the decision.

"Michigan's nonpublic schools are pleased with the thoughtful opinion issued today by the Court of Appeals," he said in a written statement.

"The Court appropriately outlined criteria for analysis using Michigan Supreme Court precedence. The health and safety mandates outlined in law are assuredly incidental to teaching and providing educational services to nonpublic school students, do not constitute a primary function or element necessary for a nonpublic school to exist, operate, and survive and do not involve or result in excessive religious entanglement," the statement said.

In 1970, Michigan voters approved an amendment to Michigan's constitution that prohibits using public money to directly or indirectly aid or maintain parochial and other private schools. Courts have interpreted the amendment to bar state support for general educational programs unless the main effect is to further a "substantial" governmental purpose.Nowhere in the United States are consumers as loyal to American-made cars than in Michigan.

That's the word from the car magazine Autowise, which set out to discover which states have the most interest in American cars based on Google search data.

Perhaps unsurprisingly considering Ford's location in Metro Detroit, Michigan led the country in searches for U.S. brands by a significant margin coming in at 71 percent.

"There's really no contest here, Michigan is comfortably the U.S. state most loyal to American car brands," said Autowise founder Chris Riley. "To say they love their Fords is an understatement."

South Dakota and North Dakota were second and third, respectively at a distant 38 percent and 37 percent. Overall, Ford continued to be America's favorite car brand, with more than 2.4 million new vehicles hitting U.S. roads last year.

Hawaii, California, and Rhode Island had the least searches for U.S. car brands at 25 percent, 31 percent and 32 percent, respectively, according to Autowise.

The study does note that American vs. foreign debate does have some nuance, since 69 percent of Japanese cars sold in 2017 were manufactured in America and only 64 percent percent of Fords sold in 2016 were manufactured in the USA.

Japanese brands like Toyota, Honda, and Nissan sold more than 5 million new cars between them in 2017.

According to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Japanese automakers assembled 3.8 million vehicles in their U.S. factories in 2017, while 1.7 million cars and trucks were imported.

Chevrolet is the only other U.S. name currently in America's top 5, according to Autowise.KALAMAZOO, MI -- A new tool intended to collect taxes for development of Kalamazoo's downtown was approved Monday.

The Kalamazoo Downtown Economic Growth Authority was approved as a replacement to the former tax collection mechanism, Monday, Oct. 15 by the Kalamazoo City Commission.

Kalamazoo's Downtown Development Authority uses tax increment financing (TIF) to reinvest taxes into a specific part of the city. DEGA will replace this mechanism, which is no longer a sustainable source of revenue, according to the recommendation approved by commissioners.

Since the great recession in 2008, the DDA's tax capture has dropped from about $3.5 million to $200,000.

The new system will collect a portion of property taxes on development, but from a new TIF district that reaches other areas of the city.

Taxes would be reinvested into things like streetscape furniture, improvements to pedestrian and bicycle traffic routes, a more robust event schedule and inviting public spaces.

In a packed meeting Monday night, a long line of residents, business owners and representatives of community organizations voiced opinions on the proposal.

Business owners spoke in support of the proposal while other citizens called for inclusivity of minorities in downtown development. Members of a homeless encampment recently removed from Bronson Park criticized development that they said displaces homeless people from downtown.

Carl Wiseman questioned commissioners on how the proposed economic development would assist homeless people in Kalamazoo.

"It's not the case it's for everybody," Wiseman said. "It's only going to benefit people with a lot of money."

Commissioner David Anderson, who serves as chairperson of the Kalamazoo County Public Housing Commission, questioned how other city organizations who benefit from property taxes feel about the proposal.

Downtown Kalamazoo, Inc. President Andrew Haan said places like Kalamazoo Valley Community College collect taxes county-wide, therefore the impact to their property tax revenue will be "nominal."

"We've had robust conversations with taxing jurisdictions," Haan said. "We don't see this having any impact on K-12 education."

Mike Collins, vice president for college and student relations at KVCC, said during public comment that the college supports the proposal.

"It will be a key opportunity to help us with attraction and retention of our students," Collins said.

The next step for DEGA will be a December vote from the commission on a full-length development plan, Rebekah Kik, community planning & economic development director for the City of Kalamazoo, said during a presentation to the board.

DEGA extends the taxable property boundary south down Stadium Drive to Oliver Street, allowing for investment in the southwest gateway from Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College into downtown.

It also includes commercial blocks of West Michigan Avenue and Academy Street between Westnedge Avenue and Stadium Drive.

The new boundary also crosses the Kalamazoo River to include the redevelopment site known as Merchant's Crossing. The site is a collection of vacant commercial buildings and parcels in the River's Edge District owned by the Kalamazoo County Land Bank.

Charged to lead the new authority will be a five to nine-member board and an executive director. As a member of the board, the Kalamazoo City Mayor will appoint eight other people to serve, according to the board's bylaws approved by the city commission.

The board's first team of members will be appointed for various term lengths. Two will be appointed for one year, two for two years, two for three years, and two for four years, the bylaws said. For subsequent years, board members will be appointed to four-year terms.

At least five of the members must be business owners of property located in the development area, while at least one member will be a resident from inside or within a half of a mile of the development area, according to the bylaws.

The authority would be funded by through the tax increment financing plan, but it could also issue revenue bonds, accept donations, levy special assessments and receive fees from property controlled by the authority, the bylaws said.Lori West (Photo provided to MLive by Lori West)

GALESBURG, MI -- Two candidates will face off this November for the City of Galesburg mayor seat.

Incumbent Keith Diller was appointed mayor earlier this year after former mayor Carl Newton died.

Diller faces a challenge from candidate Lori West.

The candidate elected on Nov. 6 will be elected to a two-year term as Galesburg's mayor.

In a questionnaire response submitted via email to MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette, West explained why she is running and outlined top-priority issues she would address if elected.

Diller, who previously served on Galesburg City Council, did not respond to the questionnaire.

West is the owner of Jive Junktion Vintage Market, LLC and sponsors the Galesburg Farmers Market, she said in her questionnaire response. She said she received multiple certifications from Kellogg Community College. West said she has served as a governor-appointed co-chair to the Medicaid Advisory Council, as a team member on a juvenile delinquency prevention program and as a member of the Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council.

In the MLive questionnaire sent to candidates, West shared why she is running for office and her top priorities if elected:

Why are you running for this office?

LORI WEST

I am running for Mayor because I want to help Galesburg back to greatness! We need new and fresh ideas and a Leader that can harness and direct our new-found energy! It's time to tell our citizens

they matter

by making Galesburg a safe place to live and work. We must embrace a strategic plan, acting as a guideline for partnering with citizens, business, schools and churches, to beautify, promote and sustain our City. We must plan for our future and be proactive in our budgeting. We must provide transparency in government and solicit and engage our citizens and all stake holders. We must work together and move in a direction that is beneficial to all.

I live in the city of Galesburg and own a thriving business in downtown. I'm involved in DDA, Galesburg Business Association and City Council activities. I have 30 years' experience in non-profit management, proven leadership, grassroots development of collaborative networks, conservative budget management, grants development from concept thru management and implementation, along with dedication and hard work. I've been trained in facilitation and strategic planning and have been an advocate for the underserved. I will use my skills and knowledge and "roll up my sleeves" to promote our beautiful city! That's why I'm asking for your vote on November 6!

What are your top three priorities if elected and how would you address them?

LORI WEST

My first priority is planning for a strong and healthy community by engaging in the strategic planning process. This process needs to involve citizens, business, schools, churches, the DDA, and any other vested stake holder. It must be comprehensive, with measurable outcomes. The strategic plan will provide direction and future priorities set forth by the community. In other words, it will be our guide, which will direct priority-based budgeting and allow us to spend our tax dollars more efficiently and effectively.

Secondly, I will promote the value that "all citizens matter". We must do a better job of including and supporting our diverse community, and promoting a "together we are stronger" value system in order to be a healthy and vibrant community where people and business want to live. Healthy cities meet their citizens where they are at, without judgement, often bringing the continuum of care to them.

Finally, I will continue the work to clean up the city. This includes working with the Downtown Development Association and the Business Association, as well as current businesses and citizens. Providing sustainable options for community cleanup is essential. This also includes working with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department to negotiate the best possible services for safety and our war on drugs. I am currently enrolled in the Kalamazoo Citizen's Police Academy to learn about the vast services they provide. I will also promote engaging in Economic development. Galesburg has a unique location and a rich history. We must think creatively and promote our local businesses that are getting it right! When our community is strong, united and healthy it will be a desirable city for people and business to live, work and thrive!MUSKEGON, MI - A purchase offer for Muskegon Public Schools' historic Hackley Administration Building has been withdrawn -- at least for now -- due to "negative feedback."

Businessman John Essex said he pulled the $200,000 purchase offer off the table, but is willing to talk about a possible purchase later following a more public process to garner interest in the building.

Muskegon school board President Cindy Larson expressed disappointment at a Monday meeting, saying it was "terrible" that the offer was removed and citing "negative press." She also called out a fellow school board member who expressed reservations about moving out of the iconic building and had called for a more public process for selling the building.

The administration building was appraised at $400,000 in 2013, according to a document obtained by MLive/Muskegon Chronicle through a Freedom of Information Act request.

MLive first wrote about Essex's purchase offer on Sept. 17, noting the board was expected to vote on Essex's offer during a meeting on Sept. 18. That vote didn't happen.

After the MLive story was published, the district was contacted by two other interested parties, schools Superintendent Justin Jennings said on Sept. 19. At that time, Jennings suggested the district might list the building with a Realtor, an idea he repeated at the Oct. 15 board meeting.

Essex said he "got a lot of negative feedback" about his purchase offer.

"I was quite surprised - we're trying to do a nice thing here," he said.

The iconic Hackley building, built in 1889 with money donated by Muskegon's most well-known philanthropist Charles Hackley, was once home to the city's school. It now serves as administrative offices but is larger than what's needed and requires more repairs and upkeep than the district can afford. Roof repairs alone have been estimated at $1 million.

Essex said he withdrew his offer to allow the district to have an open process in the sale of the building.

"See if you can't generate some interest," Essex said, recounting a note he'd sent to Jennings. "If you don't, come back to me. It's not that I'm walking away from it. ... My whole goal is for the building to be preserved. If this process gets us there, then it was worth it. Let everybody who has an interest get involved."

In addition to $200,000 for the building, Essex had offered up to $70,000 to cover the district's moving costs and construction of offices at Muskegon City Hall or another location, according to the purchase agreement between Essex and the district that was signed by Essex. The agreement was acquired by MLive/Muskegon Chronicle through a FOIA request.

At Monday's board meeting, Larson expressed frustration that Essex's offer had been withdrawn.

"This whole thing with the Hackley building and the negative press that has gotten out there, I think is a travesty," she said. "We had an excellent offer on the table for this building. We were told by a couple of people, 'You're not going to get a better offer,' and now thanks to all the negative stuff that offer is off the table and I find that terrible and what I say is shame on us because we had a great opportunity to sell this building, which is all people have ever talked about.

"We can't afford it," Larson continued. "We certainly can't afford the repairs. We don't have enough of us in this building to warrant what it costs."

Finding a new use for the historic building has been a topic of discussion since at least 2012.

Larson also called out Secretary Pro-tem Billie Bruce for being "kind of negative" about the potential sale.

Bruce came out against moving the district's administrative offices to city hall when the idea was first floated in September. She said the building is part of the district's identity and called for a public hearing on its possible sale.

On Monday, in response to Larson, Bruce said the community needs to be involved in the process and that there should be an appraisal.

Essex is a Muskegon native and entrepreneur. He owns Port City Group, Core Development and CoreRealty. Core Development is currently working toward the establishment of a food processing incubator in Muskegon and has purchased the former Ameribank building in downtown Muskegon.MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI - Two candidates are vying to represent District 8 on the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners.

Incumbent I. John Snider, a Republican, and Democrat Lea Markowski will appear on the Tuesday, Nov. 6 general election ballot.

This year, MLive Media Group partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan to provide candidate information and other voting resources to our readers. Each candidate was asked to answer a series of questions about their policy stances.

Information on all state and federal races and many of Michigan's county and local races will be available at Vote411.org - the election-information website run by the League of Women Voters Education Fund.

Muskegon County's District 8 covers the city of North Muskegon and Fruitland and Laketon townships, and a portion of Dalton Township.

Snider, 83, is a retired attorney and is the current county commissioner representing District 8. He is seeking election to his seventh term.

Markowski, 36, is a an information technology sales and project manager. She previously served on the Muskegon City Commission and is a member of the Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership.

Below is how each of the candidates answered their questionnaire.

What are your top three priorities for Muskegon County and how would you address them?

I. JOHN SNIDER

Reducing pension and benefit underfunding by increasing revenue without increasing taxes while balancing the budget.

LEA MARKOWSKI

Financial stability and a balanced budget: making hard choices and considering creative solutions to meet our obligations and provide a solid footing for decades to come. Invest wisely in both our human capital and our infrastructure to prevent decay and promote growth.

Citizen Engagement: appeal for video of commission meetings to increase participation and resident understanding. Hold regular district coffee hours for residents to bring concerns and ideas.

Health: From fresh food access to mental health resources, Muskegon County has made great strides in recent years, but continues to fall short of these and many other health metrics. Expand on the power of community by tapping our current residents and organizations for their ideas and skills to increase health outcomes. A focus on safety and educational resource awareness (such as 211.org).

What policies do you support to increase jobs and help your residents improve their economic position?

I. JOHN SNIDER

Look to expand port operation and foster food processing development, building on initiatives already underway.

LEA MARKOWSKI

Additional focus on skills training of student population as well as current workforce to fill the current skilled-worker shortage.

Support of expanded internet delivery to promote additional service-sector positions and small businesses.

Review County policies and ordinances that may be unnecessarily reducing business opportunities. Continue to promote Muskegon as the place to live, work and play.

What actions or policies do you support to protect the county's water, air and land for current and future generations while meeting community energy needs?

I. JOHN SNIDER

Expand utilization of the waste water property with energy development - solar; look to consolidate basic infrastructure for effective low cost industry expansion with water availability.

LEA MARKOWSKI

As solar and wind energy component costs have reduced, opportunity for investment in our area has risen. With proper oversight and long-term planning, I encourage development of these resources on appropriate county properties.

As Muskegon grows, sustainable land uses must consider and account properly for stormwater drainage and runoff, promote a healthy lake and riparian habitat, and when possible, provide innovative and creative solutions to housing, business and industrial needs.

Strong partnerships between the County, planning agencies, other municipalities and private partners are of absolute importance to complete the work of removing legacy pollution and planning for a pollution-free future.

What initiatives or policies do you support to help increase tourism and recreational activities in your municipality for residents and visitors?

I. JOHN SNIDER

Continue expansion of State Park as a destination for team building from out-of-state business entities. Support convention center development.

LEA MARKOWSKI

Muskegon's best assets are our natural beauty and countless outdoor recreational opportunities. Given that, we need additional focus on ease of use for disabled users.

Completion of Mosquito Creek mountain bike trails, connecting area bike trails, expanded kayak launches, and Lake Michigan Water Trail coordination are excellent efforts I highly support and value.

I strongly encourage a coordinated County-wide effort to assure all area children and teens are competent swimmers with a high level of water safety knowledge. Muskegon should be a leader in promoting water-based recreation, stewardship, and safety. With safety comes confidence and community pride.

What, if any, specific steps will you take to address inequalities facing women and minority populations in your municipality?

I. JOHN SNIDER

Assuming the accuracy of the facts stated in the question, I would try to find ways to educate the population further.

LEA MARKOWSKI

The people of Muskegon County are full of amazing potential. At 29, I was appointed to the Muskegon City Commission. Thereafter, Debra Warren was elected at age 26. The goal is to blaze a trail and encourage others to run for office with youthful enthusiasm and new ideas to more accurately reflect our population.

Another way area women and minorities can gain traction is in creating new businesses within the County. I would seek to work with agencies and organizations that promote entrepreneurial learning and funding, especially in technology, to grow our community from within and coordinate mentorship for success.MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI - Two candidates are vying to represent District 7 on the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners.

Incumbent Gary Foster, a Republican, and Democrat Ken Ferrier will appear on the Tuesday, Nov. 6 general election ballot.

This year, MLive Media Group partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan to provide candidate information and other voting resources to our readers. Each candidate was asked to answer a series of questions about their policy stances.

Information on all state and federal races and many of Michigan's county and local races will be available at Vote411.org - the election-information website run by the League of Women Voters Education Fund.

Muskegon County's District 7 covers Casnovia, Cedar Creek, Egelston, Holton and Moorland townships.

Foster, 54, is the owner of Gary's Guns, 4021 Apple Ave., in Muskegon Township.

Ferrier, 60, is a real estate broker and the owner of HomeFlex Realty, which has been in operation for 30 years. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Below is how each of the candidates answered their questionnaire.

What are your top three priorities for Muskegon County and how would you address them?

GARY FOSTER

To continue working hard at financial stability of Muskegon County. To continue making this our highest priority. I will continue to ensure all the townships (under my watch) receive top priority with their concerns to assist them on getting them solved.

I will continue working so that we can see more road patrol throughout the county. To get our animal control service up to speed and in getting that service done. We have been lacking in the animal control system for some time. We need to be giving them the resources needed to get them on the streets working with our residents, as we recently started a program with four new animal control officers.

KEN FERRIER

To respect the wishes of our voters and implement their wishes first. To be frugal with our citizens taxes and to ensure an effective and accountable administration of government services. To adequately staff our first responders. Emphasis on public works, roads, first responders, public health, etc.

What policies do you support to increase jobs and help your residents improve their economic positions?

GARY FOSTER

The policies I support are the ones we have been practicing for the last 20 months or so.

We are on the right track to eliminating debt and (we) continually look at unmandated and mandated services to ensure we provide all residents with the service they expect. By the county achieving a AA credit rating. One of the important things that it does for the county and its residents, as it will attract future business.

KEN FERRIER

Support and attract new industries and existing growth with projects that employ construction and skilled trades with an emphasis on hiring local first. Work with educators to build cooperation with local business for increased opportunities to teach skilled trades, robotics, computer and engineering. Encourage and work for affordable college tuition at our local colleges.

What actions or policies do you support to protect the county's water, air and land for current and future generations while meeting community energy needs?

GARY FOSTER

I will ensure we uphold all MDEQ standards for our water and land testing and are upheld by our county for our residents. And will continue to encourage additional testing, as we do now.

On energy, the biggest project for the last two years that we have worked on is, we hope, to break ground and start the solar farm in Moorland Township. I will continue to work closely with our economic department to continue to bring these projects to Muskegon for us and for our children's future.

KEN FERRIER

Continue to explore and work to get existing companies to improve their environmental and energy use. Encourage wind and solar technology investment while protecting the rights of the neighbors and community.

What initiatives or policies do you support to help increase tourism and recreational activities in your municipality for residents and visitors?

GARY FOSTER

We are lucky to have our Muskegon County Convention and Visitors Bureau working hard for us. We have had a solid increase year after year.

An example is our accommodations tax. In 2017, it was (at) $1.2 million (in revenue) and we will beat that for 2018. For incentives and policies, I truly believe we have supported these departments for continued success.

We are already advertising Muskegon in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. And for every one of those tourists that visit Muskegon and spends money, our local economy wins.

KEN FERRIER

Encourage and explore the use of the lakeshore area to create a town feel, with features and services unique and drawing to visitors. Mixed use with residential and small business weaving a fabric that would be inviting to those that want to enjoy our Lakeshore community. Market them with our county bike paths and trails.

What, if any, specific steps will you take to address inequalities facing women and minority populations in your municipality?

GARY FOSTER

A way to ensure equality is to ensure equal education here in Muskegon.

We have the Muskegon Promise. An example: both Holton and Oakridge participate in the promise. Basically, as long as a student graduates with a 3.5 GPA, they will be given a scholarship to Muskegon Community College or Baker College for two years.

When you educate the men and women and minorities, you put them on a level platform to succeed. Our (country), state and county have very strict equality standards.

KEN FERRIER

Create a better and earlier role for the students to be introduced to skilled trades. Not everyone wants a career from college. Many youth don't see a path for themselves. Start introducing them to trades as early as 13 or 14. Early skills may lead to motivation to finish a high school education and certification. Many minorities and women would appreciate this experience.

I would also encourage better education to students on the training provided in the military and degrees or certification that they may earn. It is important in our school systems that respect and fairness be taught at all grade levels.Dandre Leon Smart

MUSKEGON, MI - In a calm and steady manner a woman described in court Tuesday how a stranger who first bummed a cigarette from her brutally raped her on her own apartment patio.

The petite senior citizen described saving some of her attacker's semen on a napkin, which a police detective later testified matched the DNA of Dandre Smart.

Following the two witnesses' testimony on Oct. 16, Muskegon County District Judge Raymond Kostrzewa bound Smart over to circuit court for trial for first-degree criminal sexual conduct and armed robbery. Smart, 28, of Muskegon is accused of raping the woman at her Hickory Village apartment on Sept. 20, 2017.

Kostrzewa, calling Smart a "dangerous person" and his alleged actions "egregious," refused the defense's request to lower Smart's $500,000 bond. If anything, Kostrzewa said the seriousness of the crime warranted a higher bond.

"This is by all accounts a violent stranger rape situation," he said.

The woman, who was 68 at the time, said she was following her morning routine of smoking a cigarette and enjoying a soft drink on her patio when a stranger approached her around 6:30 a.m. He asked for a cigarette, which she gave him, and then smoked and lingered nearby before returning to ask for another cigarette for his grandmother, she said.

The woman gave him that too, but balked when he wanted a glass of water, she testified. She said he wouldn't leave and so she turned to go inside her apartment.

"That's when he jumped me," she testified.

He put his hand over her nose and mouth and disrobed her, she said.

"I was fighting him to breathe," she testified.

The stranger repeatedly struck her on the back of her head with a hard, black metal object, told her he had a gun, and that "he was going to blow my head off," the woman said.

"I closed my eyes and said to the Lord, 'Here I come,'" she testified, later adding "I was so scared, I was shaking. I thought my heart was going to blow out of my chest."

After he sexually assaulted her - which involved two acts of penetration - the stranger took her cell phone and ran, the woman testified.

"I went in the house and grabbed my other phone and I dialed the law," she said.

Four months later, on Jan. 21, 2018, the woman said she saw the man who raped her at a local grocery store. He was staring at her, she said. She called the police.

In the courtroom, the woman identified Smart as her attacker.

Muskegon Police Detective Logan Anderson testified that the semen the woman saved on the napkin contained DNA that matched that of Smart.

Smart also faces two counts of resisting and obstructing police stemming from his actions when police went to arrest him. He waived his preliminary examination on those charges, which were automatically bound over to circuit court.

Smart has two prior misdemeanor convictions: domestic violence in 2012 and receiving and concealing stolen property in 2016.MOUNT PLEASANT, MI -- Central Michigan University recently dropped a fraternity as a registered student organization, warning students to keep away from Phi Sigma Phi.

The university's decision follows the suspension of two other fraternities in the 2017-2018 school year.

Is CMU's Greek system out of control? An official who oversees it says no.

"We have been very clear with our groups with what is expected of them. The vast majority of groups adhere with those expectations," said Anthony Voisin, associate vice president of student affairs.

About 1,600 students are involved in the 12 sororities and 14 fraternities on CMU's campus. There were 18,155 students registered for on-campus classes in 2017.

In the case of Phi Sigma Phi, CMU received over a dozen reports of sexual misconduct, hazing and harassment in the past three years associated with the fraternity, according to school officials. One of the fraternity's members died earlier this spring following a fraternity social event, CMU has said.

None of the accusations led to any formal charges by the university.

"Those cases that we had - those victims or survivors had reported it had spoken to various folks and offices on campus and then made the determination that they didn't want to go forward with any investigation," Voisin said.

However, Voisin said the university temporarily suspended the fraternity on Aug. 30 for potential violations of the university alcohol policy and registered student organization rules.

He said during the time the fraternity was suspended, the school received two more allegations of wrongdoing and that's when officials made the decision to drop the fraternity as a registered group.

When a registered student organization is suspended, the group is prohibited from participating in any Central Michigan University events, programs, or any other social events as a student organization.

In the 2017-2018 school year, three other Greek organizations at Central Michigan University were suspended.

Phi Kappa Tau - Suspended through Fall 2020

Pi Kappa Phi - Suspended for three years

Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority - Suspended by its national office through Fall 2028

The sorority was suspended by its national organization for claims of hazing.

New recruits of Phi Kappa Tau were participating in a scavenger hunt where students took a shot of alcohol when each item was found. One of the destinations on the scavenger hunt included a computer lab on campus.

Pi Kappa Phi was under investigation by CMU for suspected hazing and was suspended by the university for failing to comply with previous sanctions, according to a report by the campus newspaper, Central Michigan Life.

Under CMU's Greek Policies, hazing is prohibited, including activities such as forced consumption of alcohol, threats or peer pressure; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue or forced exercise; physical and psychological shocks; scavenger hunts and road trips; wearing of apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; assigning pranks and any other activities not consistent with the CMU policies or state laws.

Voisin said the school tries to educate students of registered students organizations with speakers, trainings and events.

"We do an awful lot of education, all universities do," Voisin said. "That's not something we just sit back and let them do what they want to do and it's ongoing, continuously. In instances where groups have been suspended that is an educational process."

Fraternity fights back

Despite CMU permanently removing Phi Sigma Phi's status as a registered student organization, the group says it will still operate as incorporated business and is taking legal action against the university.

"We are actually working with our attorney's on a cease and desist letter to print a retraction on their statement on their removal of the chapter from the university and asking the university to go back to their own code of conduct and provide a fair trial," said Travis Steinke, the fraternity's national president.

Steinke claims the school failed to give the organization a fair chance because CMU didn't respond to requests for meetings or provide evidence of wrongdoing.

Voisin replied by saying, "That is true if it were a code of conduct violation. The university's action was not a code of conduct violation and code of conduct action."

Steinke said if there's evidence of the allegations brought against the chapter then the national fraternity would decide how to discipline those select members.

"If any of this was true, we would have to investigate ourselves to see if this was an entire group or one group of people or a small handful and if it's a small handful, you can't throw out everybody for the improper actions of a couple of people," Steinke said. "Those people would absolutely, unequivocally be removed and disaffiliated with the organization."

He said if all members were involved in the accusations, those members would be removed, but there would still be an effort to work with the university to recruit new members.

The national fraternity was established in 1981 in South Bend, Indiana. The local chapter was established at CMU in 1994. Fifty students were registered to Phi Sigma Phi.

Voisin said the university is enforcing its rules fairly.

"All of our student organizations are under scrutiny in the same manner," he said.SAGINAW TWP, MI -- Months after announcing his cancer diagnosis, Saginaw Diocese Bishop Joseph R. Cistone has died at age 69.

Erin Looby Carlson, director of communications for the Diocese, confirmed Cistone's death to MLive.

Saginaw Township Police Chief Donald F. Pussehl told MLive his officers responded to Cistone's home at about 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16, for medical call. Cistone was dead upon officers' arrival.

"Apparently, he had passed away in his sleep," Pussehl said.

A statement on the Diocese's website states Cistone died at his home during the night of Monday, Oct. 15. He had been scheduled for a medical procedure on Tuesday to relieve symptoms of his lung cancer.

"Please pray for the repose of his soul, for his family and friends, and for all of the Faithful of the Diocese of Saginaw," the statement reads.

Cistone on Feb. 1 sent a letter to his priests and diocesan leaders informing them of his lung cancer affliction. The diagnosis followed a series of tests Cistone submitted to after suffering a persistent cough since September 2017.

In late September of this year, Carlson provided MLive with an update on Cistone's condition.

"Following the initial treatments, he began a series of immunotherapy which, in many individuals, helps attack and control the growth of cancer cells," Carlson said at the time. "However, this did not prove as effective for the bishop and tests have shown that the cancer is evident in other areas of the body. Therefore, he began a new series of chemotherapy which would more aggressively control and remediate the cancer."

Carlson said Cistone remained positive despite his decreased energy. She added he was relying on prayers from parishioners and was grateful for their support.

Cistone was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1975. He served as an auxiliary bishop there from 2004 through 2009.

In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Cistone as bishop of the Saginaw Diocese, making him the sixth man to hold that position.

Cistone's death comes as the county and state are investigating claims of sexual abuse in the diocese and other dioceses in Michigan.

The Michigan Attorney General's Office in August began investigating all of the state's dioceses on allegations of sexual abuse and its coverup going back to 1950. That office on Oct. 3 announced state police had executed search warrants on all seven diocese offices.

Saginaw Diocese officials have pledged their cooperation with the Attorney General's investigation.

One of his last statements to parishioners saw Cistone address the investigation in the form of a letter he penned, published on the Diocese's website on Sept. 23.

"Without doubt, these have been very devastating and humbling days for us as a Diocese and the Church universally," Cistone wrote. "Our prayers are ceaseless for all those who have been victims of abuse by priests and Church personnel. I know from letters I have received that the grief is so deep that no words are adequate. I weep with you and for you."

Cistone wrote that he "pledge(s) my prayers and support to all of you. Along with your priests and parish leaders, I walk beside you in your suffering. In my heart, I know that God is with us and will see us through.

"Be assured of my unwavering care and concern," the letter continued. "I am deeply sorry for the failures in our Church's leadership, which have caused you both shame and sorrow. I support actions being taken by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to hold bishops to greater accountability."

The letter concluded with Cistone stating parishioners' faith must remain strong.

"We must never lose trust in the Lord or His Church," he wrote. "The current purification is truly the work of the Spirit and we must set our minds and hearts on this truth."

The Saginaw Diocese covers Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties. It encompasses 6,955 square miles and is home to 100,000 Catholics.A traveler coming from Ecuador found out the hard way that sneaking two pounds of roasted pig and its head through the world's busiest airport is a difficult task.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports its trained Beagle K-9 "Hardy" sniffed out the roasted pig, and tipped off agents to the traveler's luggage Oct. 11 at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

If you can't tell by the photo provided by the agency, Hardy was pretty eager to get a closer look at his big find.

Pork and pork products originating from other continents are prohibited from entering the United States due to risks associated with foot and mouth disease, swine fever and swine vesicular disease.

"Our best defense against destructive pests and animal diseases is to prevent the entry of prohibited agriculture products from entering the United States," Carey Davis, CBP Area Port Director in Atlanta, said in the release.

"This seizure at ATL illustrate the tremendous expertise of our four-legged K-9 partners in protecting the United States."

According to the agency, the two pounds of roasted pig were seized and destroyed.

The CBP reports that Hardy is a six-year-old rescued Beagle that joined the agency in Atlanta back in 2015. Check out his official government photo below:In its latest update, NASA says that after a month of increasing its command frequency it still has yet to hear from the long-silent Opportunity Mars rover.

The U.S. space agency has not heard from its Opportunity rover since June 10, which is when Mars was engulfed by a global dust storm. NASA says most of the dust has settled and it has even spotted the rover on the surface of Mars, but it has still not received transmission back in more than four months.

"NASA hasn't set any deadlines for the mission but will be briefed later this month on the progress and prospects for the recovery campaign being carried out at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California," the space agency reports on its website. "JPL engineers are employing a combination of listening and commanding methods in case Opportunity is still operational.

"It's possible that a layer of dust deposited on the rover's solar panels by the recent global dust storm is blocking sunlight that could recharge its batteries. No one can tell just how much dust has been deposited on its panels."

While we work to recover the rover, you can send a message to @MarsRovers Opportunity and her team: https://t.co/QIwL8JTR0f

#OppyPhoneHome pic.twitter.com/iEkFmKl6S9  NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) October 11, 2018

The Opportunity rover has lasted nearly 15 years in action despite only being designed for a 90-day mission back in 2003. On top of that, the rover was designed to travel about 1,000 yards while it has logged more than 28 miles in reality.

"Even if the team hears back from Opportunity during either phase, there is no assurance the rover will be operational," the space agency previously reported.

"The impact of this latest storm on Opportunity's systems is unknown but could have resulted in reduced energy production, diminished battery performance, or other unforeseen damage that could make it difficult for the rover to fully return online."

--File photo of Zhang Yang (left) and Fang Fenghui (right). [Photo: Global Times]

Fang Fenghui, former member of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) and former chief of staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Fang's expulsion from the CPC has been approved by the CPC Central Committee, while the CMC has already expelled him from the People's Liberation Army and stripped him of his rank of general, according to a CMC statement on Tuesday.

Investigators said that Fang had seriously violated discipline and law.

Zhang Yang, a former member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and former head of the CMC Political Work Department, was also expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) for multiple violations, according to a military statement released Tuesday.

The property involved in Zhang's case will be confiscated in accordance with laws and disciplines, said the statement.

The CMC had decided to expel Zhang from the military and strip him of his rank of general, it said.

Zhang committed suicide at his home in Beijing on Nov. 23, 2017 after authorities launched an investigation into his links to two corrupt former senior military figures Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou.

Upon the approval of the CPC Central Committee, the CMC has conducted an investigation of Zhang's case.

The investigation found that Zhang had violated the Party's political discipline and rules, organizational discipline, and discipline on upholding integrity, as well as national laws and regulations.

He was also suspected of offering and accepting bribes and holding a huge amount of property from unidentified sources, said the statement, describing Zhang's case as "extremely serious" with "extremely vile" influences.

Disloyal to and dishonest with the Party, Zhang was a person of duplicity who was politically decayed, economically greedy, living a degenerate life, had bad behavior, and showed no signs of restraint after the 18th CPC National Congress, said the statement.

Zhang committed suicide in an attempt to evade the punishment of Party discipline and state laws, it added.The apex consumer commission has asked Hitachi India's Delhi franchise to pay more than Rs 5 lakh to a travel company for installing faulty air-conditioners at its premises.

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has asked the Delhi branch of Amtrex Hitachi Appliance Ltd (now Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited) to pay Rs 5,40,000 to Stic Travels Private Ltd within 45 days.

It set aside the Delhi state commission's order which asked the multinational air conditioning manufacturer to pay Rs 10 lakh to the tour operator.

"The complainant (Stic) is definitely entitled to get the payment of this amount as compensation, as even after installation of additional air-conditioners, the situation did not improve," presiding member Prem Narain said.

Since Hitachi has admitted that they offered many solutions to improve cooling, including the provision of additional split air-conditioners, it showed that there was some less cooling and the company itself suggested ways to improve the same, NCDRC said.

"In a way, the shortcoming is accepted to some extent by the company," it said.

The tour operator bought the air-conditioning scheme from Hitachi for Rs 19,37,820 and ancillary work charges of Rs 2,12,180 in 2002.

The complainant claimed the air-conditioning system did not work properly after a year.

When they wrote to Hitachi, the company responded by saying the air-conditioning system was working perfectly and the complaints were related to remote operational issues or voltage problem. There was nothing wrong with the equipment installed, the company added.

Despite installing additional air-conditioners on the advice of Hitachi, the situation did not improve.

The complainant approached the state fora which had awarded a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for deficiency of services.business 3 Point Analysis | How will the automobile sector fare this festive season? Why is this time of the year important for automotive companies?live bse live

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Faced with lackluster sales on pricing pressure in the key US market, a lack of significant generic approvals and regulatory woes, drug maker Dr Reddys Laboratories has stepped up efforts to cut costs across the board.

The company has been selling manufacturing plants, optimising product portfolios, removing layers of management that it considers wasteful and taking a re-look at R&D investments.

The company believes these efforts will help it rein in expenses and streamline operations as it deals with base business erosion in the US on account of channel consolidation and commoditisation of generics market.

As part of those efforts the company announced the sale of its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) plant in Jeedimetla, Hyderabad to Therapiva, a privately held joint venture between Omnicare Drugs India, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Neopharma and Laxai Life Sciences. Neopharma is promoted by India-born UAE-based billionaire BR Shetty.

Late last month, Dr Reddys concluded the sale of its antibiotic manufacturing plant in Bristol, Tennessee to Neopharma for an undisclosed sum.

Some of our urban sites we will close down, both as a measure of reacting to the urbanization around our plants as well as rationalization, GV Prasad, CEO and Co-Chairman of Dr Reddys told analysts in July.

That is one part. The other part is there are sites which are bit outdated and we are shifting those products to our newer sites. So, we will do all this with the minimal impact on revenue and we will do a combination of site transfers as well as arrangements of continued supply as we sell these sites, Prasad added.

The company is also reviewing the product portfolio. It sold the rights of specialty skin cream Cloderm and its authorised generic to EPI Health. The financial details were not disclosed.

Though the drugmaker didnt provide specific details, the Hindu Business Line reported in July that the company had laid off a couple of hundred employees across functions.

To be sure Dr Reddy's has been talking about cost-cutting initiatives for some time, but the intensity of those efforts picked up with the arrival of Erez Israeli as head of operations.

Israeli, a Teva veteran joined Dr Reddy's in March this year as Chief Operating Officer and Global Head of Generics of Dr Reddys.

One person with the knowledge of the events told Moneycontrol that Israeli has been tasked with reorganising systems and processes to optimise costs even before he can focus on driving the growth.

The company has promised analysts that the cost-cutting will begin to show up from the second half of FY19 and will incur savings of "hundreds of crores".

Consequent to the efforts, the selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A), which is related marketing and promotion for the first quarter remained flat on a sequential basis at Rs 1,211 crores.

Dr Reddy's revenues grew 1 percent to Rs 14,202.8 crore while net profit declined 2 percent to Rs 1,434.1 crore. The US market that contributes little over 40 percent of those sales declined 6 percent. The company is relatively debt free with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, one of the lowest in the industry.

Dr Reddys annual sales have stagnated for last three years  pushing the company down to fifth place from second place in terms of sales among India generic makers.

The company received a major jolt in November 2015, when it received a warning letter from USFDA citing violations in manufacturing standards for its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) plants at Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh and Miryalaguda in Telangana, and an oncology formulations facility in Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). The company was able to resolve Miryalaguda plant.

But still Srikakulam API plant CTO-6 and Duvvada oncology injectable are yet to get a clean chit from USFDA.

While Duvvada plant severely hit the companys new complex approvals, the Srikakulam API plant impacted margins.

Analysts have broadly welcomed the company's cost optimisation efforts.

"The cost-cutting definitely augurs well for the company when the base business is under pressure," said a pharma analyst at HDFC Securities.

"The key for Dr Reddy's is the resolution of Duvvada plant and approvals of generics of Suboxone film, Nuvaring and Copaxone,"

Chalke added the company has over 100 pending ANDAs, with a good mix of complex injectables.Rural shop_SKB

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Last week, Hindustan Unilever (HUL) said the rural market - which accounts for about 40 percent of its revenues  is growing at 1.25 times that of the urban market which helped the packaged goods company post a 10 percent volume growth. That suggests a robust improvement in rural income coming on the back of a four percent volume growth a year ago.

However, HULs quarterly earnings also add to the confusion surrounding the rural economy for quite some time now. While packaged goods company earnings and other high-frequency indicators show an improvement in rural consumption, it has to be reconciled with rising rural distress. For instance, on October 2, police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse a large contingent of farmers from entering the national capital.

Sure, such an incident can be dismissed as a political move by a farmerss organisation less than a year before the general elections, but there is one telling statistic which shows rural distress is real: Growth of rural wages has been decelerating sharply since the middle of last year to touch a three-year low in January this year, and has not shown much recovery till June.

A Crisil report stated calendar 2018 is turning out to be another year where farmer incomes remain low as rainfall distribution has been patchy. Higher minimum support prices (MSPs) have done little to lift crop profitability so far.

So, the question is where is the rural demand coming from? There are a couple of factors that could explain this seeming dichotomy.

For one, the demand increase in rural markets is happening in some pockets only as loan waivers put more money in the hands of people. Some state governments such as Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab have already written off farm loans. HDFC Bank Chief Economist Abheek Barua had said in July that the lender has its reservations over the extent of increase (in rural incomes) as this could be due to loan waivers.

Second, while the true impact of MSP implementation will be known only by November, rural sentiment may have improved because of expectations of populist policies from the government in the run-up to the general elections. A related point is that non-farm income is improving as the government accelerates projects to develop housing, roads, electrification, irrigation etc. given the importance of rural India.

For companies such as HUL, there is a third factor that explains a spurt in rural consumption. This would not be applicable across the board and explains why the 10 percent volume growth should not be taken as a sign of a larger trend.

That factor is fresh customer acquisition in new markets because of increasing formalisation. The implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has helped HUL to increase speed to market by 1.4 times and enhanced reach and quality of distribution by 1.3 times, its management noted in the company s second quarter results presentation.

During the past couple of years, HUL also expanded its retail reach from around 6.3 million outlets to about 7 million outlets, most of which are in non-urban markets. Thus, a fresh set of consumers, who are trading up from local brands or unbranded products will show up in the formal sector indicators. Penetration of formal sector goods is low in rural areas. Even on an all-India basis, many packaged goods products have a very low penetration, such as antiseptic cream (25 percent), face wash (11 percent), ayurvedic oil (8 percent), deodorants (8 percent) talcum powder (41 percent), according to a CARE study.

The implementation of GST has made the supply chain mechanism simpler. Markets, that were so far untapped by the formal sector or partly covered through unorganised Kirana retail, are now coming into the fold. While this might have been happening in a smaller way earlier, it would have speeded up after GST.

Thus, while HULs earnings could well continue to be robust, this is not to be taken as a signal that all is well with rural India. Terms of trade are against the farmer. Even in pockets, where farm loan waivers are driving consumption now, the question is what happens over the medium run. For a sustainable rise in rural incomes, more needs to be done to address the structural problems in the agriculture sector and continued rural infrastructure investments will also help.Jet Airways owes banks nearly Rs 8,000 crore.

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Beleaguered airline Jet Airways is offering its flight attendants leave up to 50 days without pay. The airline called it an employee-friendly move, but this could help it save money.

The move was first introduced in October for 15 days for cabin crew operating Boeing 737 planes and has now been extended to the crew of wide-body Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s in November and December, the report said.

Attendants based out of Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bengaluru can apply for these leaves without pay between November 1 and December 20 and would be granted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The scheme is limited to cabin crew only and in-flight supervisors or cockpit crew are not eligible.

Jet Airways fleet consists of 125 planes and operates over 650 daily flights. It has over 4,000 cabin crew, which is more than the airlines requirement.

The cabin crews monthly compensation is based on seniority and is in the Rs 50,000-120,000 range, the report stated. This includes basic component and flying allowance. When the crew is called to the airport as stand-by, they are paid an allowance and also offered transport to and from the airport. When this leave without pay scheme kicks in, the airline can save the basic component.

In a response, the airline told Moneycontrol, This is a voluntary exercise and is driven keening in mind the upcoming festive season. Typically, with multiple crew bases, crew rostering during the festive season (October-December) is better planned if leave requests are budgeted well in advance."

According to Sunil Goel, Managing Director of research firm GlobalHunt India, such practices by companies are a good way of saving money, even though they are presented as employee-friendly steps.

Two months will be a huge cost saving for the airline and 16-17 percent of the resource cost will be saved. Asking people to take unpaid leave is a cost correction from the companys point of view, he told Moneycontrol.

Jet Airways though refuted these claims and said, "The conjecture of cost-cutting is technically incorrect as the amount will be minuscule."

: The copy has been updated to incorporate the company's responseAround 15 major data and payments service providers that have failed to meet Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) data localisation norms, will be closely monitored over the next few months by the central bank. However, the service providers that include Mastercard and Visa, may not attract a penalty or restriction of business operations for now.

"Most companies have adhered to the deadline and the rest of the companies have made significant progress. It is a matter of time - in a few days or months' time  the norms will be dealt with...A penalty or any restriction is not being looked at as of now," a source told Moneycontrol.

The 15-odd firms are at various stages of implementing the RBI directive, and the central bank will meet with the individual companies over the next few days to know about their progress.

All payments service providers were given until October 15 to ensure transaction data of Indian citizens is stored locally and not abroad. Almost 80 percent of industry players including Amazon, Alibaba and WhatsApp have reportedly complied with the data storage norms.

"The regulator will look at the reasons and rationale on why the companies have not adhered to it. An action will be taken only after that, depending on the severity and nature of the violationThese companies have made significant progress and RBI is taking updates every 15 days," sources said.

A former RBI official said, some companies will require special proprietary hardware and may need more time to indent, acquire and import the same.

"Time is also required to make changes in the software disassociate or de-merge the data or Balkanise data to meet India's requirements. Overall, there will be a financial impact, but surely not earth shaking for these large companies. The audit report needs to be submitted in December and that time can be used to manage the strategy for the road ahead," the source added.

Emails sent to RBI and Mastercard remained unanswered. Visa, on the other hand, declined to comment saying that the company would come up with a statement on the issue at a later stage.

In April, RBI had given global payments companies operating in India six months time to localise Indian customers data.

"While it is not possible to guess the forthcoming action of the regulator, it surely could involve financial penalties or imposition of restrictions on further growth of business (i.e. no additional consumers or merchants or a freeze on level of transactions in volume and value)In any case, the data on soil concept is not unique to India and has been faced by these international players in other jurisdictions also," the RBI official said.

Industry bodies representing US firms, such as the US India Business Council and the US India Strategic Partnership Forum have written to the finance minister to lobby against data localisation. However, the government refused to budge and stuck to the deadline issued by RBI.

A week ago, in a closed-door meeting between RBI Deputy Governor BP Kanungo, top foreign data companies and other stakeholders, the banking regulator rapped foreign firms and their representative bodies for trying to take a diplomatic route, another source aware of the discussions told Moneycontrol.

According to sources, apart from representatives from Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Amazon, Western Union, Discover, and MoneyGram, think tank iSPIRT (Indian Software Products Industry Round Table) was present at the meeting.

Some companies have sought more time from RBI stating that their fraud detection and other data processing systems were distributed on machines across the world, and that it could would take some time before it is redesigned to work in India alone. As an alternative, they offered to store copies of data of Indian citizens or data mirroring in the country for easy access by regulators, tax authorities and law enforcement.

Essentially, this means maintaining an identical copy of all the data stored in India, which is otherwise stored on a server in another country.

Nehaa Chaudhari, Public Policy Lead, Ikigai Law said, "Mirroring data will work or not work depending on the problem you are trying to solve. The circular doesn't make the problem very clear If it is a question of data access (by RBI or authorities), then mirroring works. If it is just about supervision then also mirroring should be enough. So the demand of keeping financial data only in India also doesnt make senseIt is not clear what unfettered access in the RBI circular means."

Nonetheless, the former RBI official quoted above said that the regulator should be the only entity to be approached for any suggestion and not the government.

Kiran Shetty, CEO of SWIFT India, which was one of early companies to set up a data centre in India said, "Every regulator has a reason for requesting an architecture and am sure there are legitimate requirement if they need it. I think from the business point of view, the operating model and cost structures don't change.

"As for competition, it is always constructive and the players are willing to accept because there is value in India and the level-playing field is something that is bringing companies here," Shetty added.Former RBI Governor Bimal Jalan said the government needs to focus on jobs creation and stressed that the long-term prospects for economic growth are good. Also, he said the Narendra Modi-led government has a majority and can take tough decisions.

"I am positive about medium to long-term growth perspective of the economy... If you look at the all factors of production, India is strong today," he said during an interaction organised by 'Algebra, the Arts & Ideas Club'.

However, on employment opportunities front, Jalan said not enough jobs are being created. The banking sector is grappling with the problem of bad loans, he added.

"...something which is going now is depressing, there is not enough job created, there is NPA problem," the former RBI governor noted.India attracted USD 22 billion of FDI flows in the first half of 2018, according to a UN report which states that the global foreign direct investment dropped by 41 percent in the same period due to tax reforms carried out by the Trump administration.

The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said on Monday in its 'Investment Trends Monitor' report that in South Asia, India attracted USD 22 billion of FDI (foreign direct investment) flows, contributing to the subregion's 13 per cent rise in FDI in the first half of the year.

The report, however, said that with the USD 22 billion FDI, India just about managed to make it to the top 10 host economies receiving the most FDI during the period.

China was the largest recipient of FDI, attracting an estimated USD 70 billion in inflows in the first half of the year, followed by the UK with USD 65.5 billion, the US with USD 46.5 billion, The Netherlands at USD 44.8 billion, Australia with USD 36.1 billion, Singapore got USD 34.7 billion and Brazil received USD 25.5 billion, it said.

Global foreign direct investment fell by 41 per cent in the first half of 2018, to an estimated USD 470 billion from USD 794 billion in the same period of 2017, mainly due to large repatriations by the US parent companies of accumulated foreign earnings from their affiliates aboard following tax reforms, the report said.

Overall, the global financial picture is "gloomy", said James Zhan, UNCTAD's Director, Division on Investment and Enterprise.

The decline in global FDI is mainly owing to recent tax reforms implemented by US President Donald Trump's administration that led to big firms in the US to bring home earnings from abroad  principally from Western European countries.

Other factors have contributed to this year's "huge difference in repatriation" of overseas profits by US multinationals, Zhan said.

These include uncertainty about the detail and impact of tax reform and the potential impact of unresolved international trade disputes; such as the tit-for-tat tariffs imposed by the US and China, Zhan added.

In contrast to the overall decline in foreign investment, the report highlights a 42 percent increase in so-called "greenfield" projects to USD 454 billion.

These initiatives can involve building operations in a foreign country from scratch and they are seen an indicator of future trends, Zhan said, adding that investment in this sector had been at "relatively low levels" in the same period last year.

The report noted that while the fall in foreign direct investment had happened mainly in richer nations, including Ireland (down USD 81 billion) and Switzerland (down USD 77 billion), developing economies saw FDI flows declining "only slightly" in the first half of the year by four per cent to USD 310 billion compared with 2017.

This includes developing Asia - down four per cent - to USD 220 billion - in the same period, driven mostly by a 16 per cent decline in investment in East Asia. Latin America and the Caribbean saw a six per cent drop in investment, amid uncertainty over upcoming elections that were offset by higher commodity prices, the report said.Risk-based solvency in the insurance sector is likely to take another three years to be implemented in India.

Sources told Moneycontrol that the industry is looking at their organisational structure as well as their risk management framework to decide on the path to new capital norms. Hence, it will come into force only from April 2021.

The industry needs more time to move into a risk-based regime. Not only will this mean significant tweaks in the accounting system, the business strategies will also need to be altered, said the CEO of a mid-size private life insurer.

Currently, insurers assets are required to be 1.5 times, or 150 percent, of their liabilities. Once risk-based capital (RBC) framework comes into place, insurance companies will have to hold capital in proportion of the business they write. Riskier the business, higher is the capital requirement.

Hence, the solvency that stands at 1.5 times could rise to 3.5-4 times depending on the risks written by the insurer.

This is to ensure that the companies have adequate reserves in case there is a large claim on the books. Further, companies not wanting to maintain large cash reserves will have to rejig their portfolio towards less-riskier business.

Initially, RBC was to be implemented from April 1, 2019. However, considering the fact that the industry did not have the systems in place to implement it, it was pushed by a year. Now, it is likely to be pushed to April 2021 or FY22.

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) said that RBC will first be introduced for the insurance sector, followed by intermediaries.

In the financial sector assessment programme of 2017, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank recommended that IRDAI moved towards an RBC supervisory regime. In Europe, several insurers and reinsurers have adopted the Solvency II regime, where the solvency capital is directly proportional to the risks written by them in their books.

India currently follows Solvency I or a factor-based solvency capital model. This means that a set factor (3 or 4 percent) is multiplied with the mathematical reserves to arrive at the minimum capital that is to be held by insurance companies.

Once Solvency II is introduced, insurers will have to redeploy staff for better risk assessment. At a later stage, IRDAI will assess each insurer based on its risk profile and will focus on entities that have a higher risk compared to others.So, if an insurance company writes more of group health business where the claims instances are high, they will be required to maintain a higher level of capital. This is to ensure that the claims-payment abilities of insurers are not impacted by their business decisions.live bse live

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Ahead of the US sanctions against Iran, India on Tuesday said availability of crude oil to replace lost volumes is not an issue but the "sentiment" around losing a big oil supplier is driving prices higher.

Refusing to say if India has sought a waiver of sanctions from the US as to continue purchasing crude oil from Iran, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said he has articulated the country's position on importing oil from the Persian Gulf nation in November and "there is nothing new to repeat."

Last week, Pradhan said two state-owned oil refiners have booked import of 1.25 million tonne (MT) of crude oil from Iran in November.

US President Donald Trump in May withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, reimposing economic sanctions against the Persian Gulf nation.

Some sanctions took effect from August 6, while those affecting the oil and banking sectors will start from November 4. Those sanctions would block banking channels, making payment for oil bought from Iran difficult as well as stop re-insurance cover to refineries processing such oil.

"There is no issue of availability of crude oil today. But due to geopolitical uncertainty in different parts of the world, there is a sentimental issue. That is the primary challenge," Pradhan told reporters on the sidelines of India Energy Forum here. "From day one, we are confident that there is no problem in sourcing of crude. There is plenty available in different parts of the world."

The sentiment in the market that going out of a big oil producer from the market may hamper supplies, is impacting prices and causing volatility in the market.

"Issue is not shortfall. Issue is sentiment," he said.

Oil prices hit a four-year high of USD 86.74 a barrel earlier this month as the market grapples with the expected loss of Iranian exports due to the US sanctions.

Rates have cooled to around USD 81 in hope that the US may extend deadline for imposing sanctions on Iran by a couple of months.

IHS Markit vice chairman Daniel Yergin, who was present along with Pradhan while addressing reporters, said oil markets have a sentiment problem and not a supply issue.

"Oil market is physically balanced but emotionally unbalanced because of uncertainty, because of geopolitical issues. That is what is impacting the price," he said.

Pradhan said oil cartel OPEC has to ensure market stability that is beneficial to both consuming and producing countries.

OPEC, he said, had in June decided to raise production by 1 million barrels per day. While Saudi Arabia and Russia have increased production, "according to our information some of the (OPEC) countries are lagging behind."

On Monday, officials in the government and oil companies said Indian firms like IOC have optional volumes built in their annual crude oil purchase contracts with suppliers like Saudi Arabia and Iraq that will be more than enough to make up for any shortfall in supplies from sanction-hit Iran.

India had contracted to import about 25 MT of crude oil from Iran in 2018-19, up from 22.6 MT imported in 2017-18.

Out of this, supplies in the first seven months, till October, have not been impacted. For the remainder, enough cushion is available to avert any supply disruption, they had said.

"When oil companies enter into annual term contracts for buying crude oil, there are two components mentioned - firm supplies and optional supplies. Firm volumes are the ones that oil companies commit to necessarily take and there is an optional volume on top of it which they can dip into if the need arises," a top official at a state-run refiner said.

"These optional volumes can be taken at any time of the year and would be more than sufficient to make up for any shortfall that may arise because of the US sanctions against Iran."

India, the world's third-biggest oil consumer, meets more than 80 per cent of its oil needs through imports. Iran is its third-largest supplier after Iraq and Saudi Arabia and meets about 10 per cent of the total needs.

Last week, Pradhan said Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals (MRPL) have together placed orders for import of 1.25 MT of crude oil from Iran.Essar Steel

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ArcelorMittal, in a letter to lenders of Essar Steel, has offered to pay Rs 4,554 crore to settle dues of Uttam Galva Steels and KSS Petron.

The offer comes after the Supreme Court, in its October 4 order, had asked ArcelorMittal and Numetal to clear dues to become eligible to bid for Essar Steel. The court had given both companies two weeks to comply.

ArcelorMittal was a significant shareholder in both Uttam Galva and KSS Petron, before it divested its shareholding in them in February.

But its offer has evoked a sharp reaction from the opposing camp. "From the publicly available data, it is clear that the due is over Rs 8,000 crore," said an executive.

ArcelorMittal's mail was in response to a letter from the Committee of Creditors (CoC), consisting of Essar Steel's lenders. Sources say that the banks have also written to Numetal, which has been asked to clear dues of Rs 37,000 crore.

Neither ArcelorMittal, nor Numetal responded to queries.

In its reply to the CoC, ArcelorMittal has calculated the interest payable on the principal loan up to February 7, in the case of Uttam Galva and February 9 in the case of KSS Petron.

The LN Mittal-company had sold its stake in the two companies on these two days.

According to the above formula, says ArcelorMittal, the outstanding dues of Uttam Galva Steels amount to Rs 3,987 crore, while those of KSS Petron amount to Rs 567 crore.

"That is not the right method to calculate dues. The interest should be calculated as of date," said the executive quoted above.

ArcelorMittal had earlier parked Rs 7,000 crore in an account in State Bank of India, "showing its intent" to clear the dues of the two companies.

The dues have to be paid to clear Clause 29A of the Insolvency and Bankrupcty Code, which bars promoters of defaulting companies from bidding for stressed assets.

Apart from ArcelorMittal, the Supreme Court had also asked Numetal to clear dues of Essar Steel.

The troubled steelmaker has dues of Rs 48,000 crore.

Interest calculation

Even as the deadline to pay dues draws closer, a debate has erupted on how the amount should be calculated.

While ArcelorMittal has taken its exit date (from Uttam Galva Steels and KSS Petron) to calculate the interest payable, sources close to Numetal argue it should be calculated on a "as on date" basis.

Legal experts Moneycontrol talked to say that this is a "tricky question." A senior advocate from a leading law firm said: "The interest should be accumulated as on the date of the submission of the second round of bids, which is April 2."

The Supreme Court had asked Essar Steel lenders to consider bids submitted in the second round of the auction.

While ArcelorMittal's offer has evoked countering views, it is unclear how the Rs 37,000-crore bill for Numetal was calculated.

A senior executive from the industry said that Essar Steel's principal debt amounts to Rs 39,600 crore, and along with interest, amounts to Rs 48,000 crore.EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran. A general view of the port of Kalantari in the city of Chabahar, 300km (186 miles) east of the Strait of Hormuz January 17, 2012. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN - Tags: SOCIETY) - GM1E81I0ES001

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India and Irans strategic infrastructure investment in Chabahar Port would fructify only if New Delhi is successful at obtaining a waiver from the US against its economic sanctions on Tehran, officials said.

We need waiver to operate Chabahar Port otherwise it will be difficult We need exemption, a senior official from Shipping ministry told Moneycontrol. He further added that Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is engaging with the US for the same.

New Delhi and Tehran entered into a contract in 2015 to construct two terminals at Chabahar Port along with cargo and container terminals.

Participation in the Chabahar Port development will provide India an alternative and reliable access route into Afghanistan utilising Indias earlier investment in Zaranj-Delaram road built in Afghanistan, said a statement released by MEA.

India began expanding its presence in Iran after the then US President, Barack Obama, lifted economic sanctions against the gulf country. Known as agreement among P5+1 (permanent members to the United Nations: the US, the UK, Russia, France and China + Germany), the European Union and Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iran Nuclear Deal was a trade-off between dismantling of Irans nuclear might and opening economic gates to the country.

Iran would redesign, convert, and reduce its nuclear facilities and accept the additional protocol (with provisional application) in order to lift all nuclear-related economic sanctions, freeing up tens of billions of dollars in oil revenue and frozen assets, the joint statement issued by the parties involved read.

Indias problems arose when the present US president, Donald Trump, pulled out of the Iran deal and vowed to re-impose economic sanctions. While the first round of sanctions came into play from August, 2018, the final sanctions will come into effect from November 4, 2018.

Alternative payment mechanism

New Delhi is looking at making payments in rupee denomination once the sanctions are in place as using dollar would not be feasible.

We need an alternative payment mechanism to avoid those sanctions, another official said.

He said that India has roped in Bank Parasgad Iran (BPI), an Iranian private bank to route payments in the gulf country. The bank has a branch in Mumbai through which payments can be made.

Earlier, government had suggested UCO Bank and IDBI bank to make payments to and fro Iran. Media reports, however, said that the plan has hit a roadblock.

UCO Bank has shown reservations in resuming the old payment channel, while the finance ministry is not in favour of using IDBI, officials were quoted as saying.

New Delhi is one of the largest importers of oil from Iran and thus sanctions on the country could jeopardise its energy requirements. The Centre is engaging with the US to obtain a waiver on the sanctions in order to continue dealing with Iran.

A US government official said in September that the Trump administration was considering waivers for countries that were reducing their imports of Iranian oil. While India has already reduced its import, it has indicated that it is unlikely to go down to zero given its massive energy needs.

The United States is consulting with all of its friends and partners to discuss the implementation of the sanctions after the snapback...We recognise India has a need for significant oil imports, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asia Region Alice Wells told news agency PTI a fortnight ago.

She said that the conversation between the US and Indian experts continues on the implementation of the sanctions and exploring new supplies of oil.

According to a Reuters report , India could obtain waiver by the end of this month.October 16, 2018 / 04:27 PM IST

Infosys Q2 Earnings:

Country's second largest software services company Infosys has reported 13.8 percent sequential growth in second quarter consolidated profit at Rs 4,110 crore.

Consolidated revenue grew by 7.7 percent to Rs 20,609 crore compared to Rs 19,128 crore in previous quarter.

We are delighted with broad-based growth across all business segments and geographies during the quarter. This is a testimony to strong client relationships, digital led full service capabilities, and intense focus on the needs of clients," Salil Parekh, CEO and MD said.

Revenue in dollar terms increased 3.2 percent quarter-on-quarter to $2,921 million and 4.2 percent in constant currency.

Large deal wins at over $2 billion during the quarter demonstrate increased client relevance and also give better growth visibility for the near-term, he added.

The company has maintained its full year constant currency revenue growth guidance at 6-8 percent and EBIT margin at 22-24 percentThe Income Tax Department may start an investigation against reversal of trade in the equity derivative segment. The department presented its case to the Central Board of Direct Tax (CBDT) last week and sought trade data from the market regulator, Securities and Exchanges Board of India (SEBI).

The move follows reversal of trade in around 14,000 entities in the illiquid derivative segment of the BSE. An official, on condition of anonymity, said the department is inspecting trade reversal on long-dated derivative contract of NSE, which is usually an illiquid or hardly traded contract.

Sources told Moneycontrol the I-T Department suspects the trade reversal mechanism is being used to evade taxes. On BSE alone, 14,000 entities have used this platform. These entities are now under the I-T scanner, the source added.

A query to NSE went unanswered till the time of publication while BSE declined to comment on this story.

"On a daily basis, a number of reversal trade transactions happen on the NSE, which may also be investigated by the I-T Department. The investigation agency should not constrain itself to long-dated or illiquid derivative contracts only," a market source said.

Lets understand this better with an example. For a derivative trade to be executed, a specific buy quantity by investor A has to be matched with a corresponding sale transaction by investor B. Now, trader A can get into an agreement with B to buy back the illiquid contract any time before expiry at a pre-determined higher price. Now, there will be a profit in the books of A and an equivalent loss in Bs books.

Trader A will now be able to convert his black money into white because of this profit, despite having to pay securities transaction tax and short-term capital gains on this profit. Though trader B incurred a loss, he will be paid off in black and can carry forward this loss for 8 years, which can be set off against future capital profits.

This is not the first time that I-T officials suspected tax evasion through the capital market. In 2014-15, the Director General of Income Tax, Kolkata prepared a report detailing how penny stocks were used for over Rs 80,000 crore in evasion of long-term capital gains.

Later on, SEBI gave a clean chit to entities listed in the report, thus watering down the tax evasion case. The markets regulator at that time mentioned in its internal note to the SEBI board that they are concerned only with price manipulation and not tax evasion as the latter comes under the I-T Departments preview.

In 2010, unique client code modifications worth Rs 55,000 crore per month were made on the NSE by 82 brokers in the equity, equity derivative and currency segments. This amount collectively is over several lakh crores.

Some figures in this article have been updated.8 | Infosys | Market Cap for the week ended October 30: Rs 4,51,753.23 crore crore | Loss during the week: 26,152.79 crore.

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India's second largest software services company Infosys reported the second quarter results above analysts' estimates, helped by large deal wins.

Infosys on October 16 reported 13.8 percent sequential growth in the second quarter consolidated profit at Rs 4,110 crore, while consolidated revenue grew by 7.7 percent to Rs 20,609 crore compared to Rs 19,128 crore in the previous quarter.

Analysts polled by Reuters on average expected Infosys to post revenue of Rs 20,292 crore, and profit of Rs 4,088.6 crore in the September quarter.

The company has maintained its full-year constant currency revenue growth guidance at 6-8 percent and EBIT margin at 22-24 percent.

Infosys also said it signed $2 billion worth of deals during the quarter.

The digital business accounted for 31 percent of overall revenue, or $905 million during the September-ended quarter. It showed a sequential growth of 13.5 percent in constant currency terms.

Operating margin in the second quarter was 23.7 percent, within the 22-24 percent Infosys's forecast range.

Revenue in Infosys's largest business  financial services and insurance  grew 5.8 percent in constant currency from a fall of 1.5 percent in the previous quarter. The vertical accounted for nearly a third (32.2 percent) of the companys revenue in the quarter.

Infosys stock closed 0.4 percent down at Rs 696.40 ahead of the second quarter results on Tuesday.

The story was updated to include additional information.live bse live

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India's Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) expects India to get a waiver from US sanctions on Iranian oil exports this month, a company official said on Tuesday.

The United States plans to impose new sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector on November 4 to try to stop the country's involvement in conflicts in Syria and Iraq and bring Tehran to the negotiating table over its ballistic missile programme.

The Trump administration is actively considering waivers on sanctions for countries that are reducing their imports of Iranian oil, a U.S. government official said earlier this month.

"The waiver should happen pretty fast, hopefully this month," M. Venkatesh, managing director at MRPL told reporters on the sidelines of the IHS CERA conference.

India is hopeful of waivers as it has made progress on qualifying for exceptions called SRE waivers, or significant reduction exemptions, he said.

"It is not easy to replace Iranian barrels," Venkatesh added.

MRPL would look at buying Iraqi oil to replace Iranian oil, he said, adding that the company has already made some payments in rupees to Iran for oil.

MRPL, which has an annual deal to buy 4.5 million tonnes of Iranian oil, has so far taken about 60-70 percent of its contracted volumes, Venkatesh said. It also has an option to buy an additional 1 million tonnes.

"It is important for India to get some barrels of crude from Iran otherwise if Saudi and major producers are not able to jack up their production, it will impact prices," he said.

Indian refiners imported around 10 million barrels of Iranian oil in October, and its November shipments are expected to be lower.

India, Iran's top client after China, has close diplomatic ties with Iran, where it is building a strategic port called Chabahar that is expected to be operational by 2019.

At the same time, India is closely working with the United States to further its strategic interests.Canara Robeco Mutual Fund has elevated Nimesh Chandan as the Head  Investment, Equity with immediate effect, a release from the fund house said on October 16.

This is a new position in the company.

Chandans role will be to guide the equity team in providing a strategy for various equity funds, which form 45 percent of Canara Robeco Asset Managements AUM.

As of September 30, Canara Robeco Mutual Fund managed assets worth Rs 14,045 crore.

Chandan comes with approximately two decades of experience in the financial services sector. Of which, Chandan has been associated with Canara Robeco Mutual Fund for over a decade. He started as a senior fund manager, managing domestic equity funds and later on moved to set up and head the offshore investments division for the fund house.

Prior to joining Canara Robeco Mutual Fund, Chandan was also associated with ICICI Prudential Asset Management, SBI Mutual Fund and Birla Sunlife Mutual Fund. He was an analyst during his initial years at Strategic Capital (Stratcap) Securities for the technology and pharmaceuticals sector.

Last month, Canara Robeco Mutual Fund appointed Krishna Sanghavi as Head of Equity, replacing Ravi Gopalakrishnan who quit the fund house in May.

Canara Robeco Asset Management is a joint venture between Canara Bank and Robeco of the Netherlands, a global asset management company.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may not immediately penalise payment companies for not meeting its data localisation deadline of October 15, The Economic Times reported.

About 80 percent of industry players including Amazon, Alibaba and WhatsApp have complied with data storage norms. The remaining will have to submit a schedule for adhering to RBI's guidelines on data storage if they havent done so already, the report said.

Around 15 of the 78 payment companies in India are yet to comply with these norms, according to a report in Business Line. These include: Visa, Mastercard, and Amex.

Read  Opinion| Why data localisation regulations are hastily thought out

"The companies that are yet to comply have asked for more time to set-up local data centres. Of the 15 players, four international players  American Express, Mastercard, PayPal and Visa  have shown intent to comply and submitted a roadmap to the banking regulator on how and when they intend to set up a data centre in the country," a source told Business Line.

Several payments companies had lobbied to dilute RBI's directive to store all payments data in India only, but the regulator stood firm on its decision mandating all digital payments companies comply with data localisation norms.

"All system providers should ensure that the entire data relating to payment systems operated by them are stored in a system only in India. This data should include the full end-to-end transaction details/information collected/carried/processed as part of the message/payment instruction," RBI said in a notification in April.

Read  Explained: RBI vs payments companies on data localisation

The central bank had given payments operators, including Visa, MasterCard, Google and Paytm, six months to comply with the directive. It had also asked payment services companies to provide an update every fortnight on action taken by them to store transaction data in the country. Now that the deadline is past, RBI will take stock of the compliance status.

Earlier, US Senators John Cornyn and Mark Warner said India's data localisation policy will be counterproductive to the country's efforts to modernise its framework regarding law enforcement requests for data, adding that it will adversely affect American businesses in India.

Read  Opinion | Data localisation offers Indian firms a chance to evolve their mindset

"Data localisation requirements, such as those contained in the draft data protection bill and draft national e-commerce policy framework will have negative impacts on the ability of companies to do business in India, may undermine your own economic goals, and will likely not improve the security of Indian citizens' data," Cornyn and Warner said.live bse live

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French energy giant Total SA on Tuesday said it is in discussions with multiple Indian companies to acquire a stake in LNG import terminals and city gas distribution projects and is also interested in setting up petrol pumps in the world's fastest growing energy consuming nation.

Total Chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanne said the French company is "very interested" in investing in downstream sectors in India.

"We are in discussion with many players (for a stake in liquefied natural gas import terminals)," he told reporters here.

Refusing to give details, he said Total was interested in selling LNG into India as well as retailing to consumers. It wants to do that through partnership with local companies.

PTI on Sunday reported that Total is in talks to buy up to half of Adani Group's stake in LNG projects in Gujarat and Odisha, a under-construction LPG import facility and in the firm's city gas projects.

"City gas is interesting business" that can use the imported LNG, he said.

Pouyanne said Total was also interested in fuel retailing in the country but hasn't yet qualified for a license for that.

"We need to have license for that (petrol, diesel retailing). We need to get a license, so we are working on that," he said.

A license to set up petrol pumps in India is contingent upon a company investing Rs 2,000 crore in oil and gas infrastructure like refineries, pipelines, import terminals and oil and gas fields.

He said, Total's investment in a LPG import terminal in Andhra Pradesh doesn't qualify it for a retailing license.

Sources said the French firm is keen on investing in the fast growing gas market in India and finds Adani a suitable vehicle as it owns the crucial downstream infrastructure.

Adani holds 25 percent stake in just-completed 5 million tonnes a year liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal at Mundra. It is also building a similar capacity LNG import terminal at Dhamra in Odisha at a cost of Rs 5,100 crore.

Sources said Total is in talks to buy half of Adani's stake in the two terminals.

It is also looking at buying a 50 percent stake in under-construction LPG import terminal that Adani is building at Mundra in Gujarat as well as a stake in Adani's flourishing city gas distribution projects, they said adding a preliminary pact may be signed this week during the visit of Total CEO Patrick Pouyanne to India.

India is looking at more than doubling the share of natural gas in its energy basket to 15 percent in next few years and is giving major push to city gas distribution projects. It imports half of its gas needs, which are projected to rise exponentially as it shifts from polluting liquid fuels to environment friendly natural gas.

While the Mundra LNG terminal has Gujarat State Petroleum Corp (GSPC) as the lead partner, Adani is building a new LPG import facility at the same port with a total capacity to 3.56 million tonnes per annum. The LPG terminal is to be completed by next month.

Adani Gas, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Ltd, is developing city gas distribution (CGD) networks to supply the piped natural gas (PNG) to the industrial, commercial, domestic (residential) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to the transport sector.

It already has set up city gas distribution networks in Ahmedabad and Vadodara in Gujarat, Faridabad in Haryana and Khurja in Uttar Pradesh.

It in the recently concluded CGD bid round won rights to 13 cities on its own and another 9 in joint venture with state-owned Indian Oil Corp (IOC). These are in addition to the 50:50 Adani-IOC joint venture winning rights to develop CGD network in Allahabad, Chandigarh, Ernakulam, Panipat, Daman, Dharwad, and Udhamsingh Nagar in previous bid rounds.

Sources said Total is looking at buying half of Adani's stake all the CGD networks.

The development comes weeks after Total announced its exit from Royal Dutch Shell-operated Hazira LNG terminal in Gujarat.

It sold its 26 percent stake in the project to Shell.Answer: Donald Trump.

US President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to withdraw funding and aid from Honduras if it does not stop a caravan of people that is heading to the US, in his latest effort to show his administration's tough stance on immigration.

Up to 3,000 migrants crossed from Honduras into Guatemala on Monday on a trek northward, after a standoff with police in riot gear and warnings from Washington that migrants should not try to enter the US illegally.

"The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the US is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!" Trump said on Twitter.

It was not clear how Honduras would be able to exercise control over people who had already left the country.

The crowd more than doubled in size from Saturday, when some 1,300 people set off from northern Honduras in what has been dubbed "March of the Migrant," an organiser said.

The migrants plan to seek refugee status in Mexico or pass through to the US, saying they are fleeing poverty and drug-fueled violence in their countries.

Reuters could not independently verify the number of participants, but images showed a group carrying backpacks and clogging roads near the border, some waving the Honduran flag.

The impoverished nations of Central America, from which thousands of migrants have fled in recent years, are under mounting pressure from Trump's administration to do more to curb mass migration.

Guatemala said in a statement on Sunday that it did not promote or endorse "irregular migration." Guatemalan police initially blocked migrants from reaching a customs booth, Reuters images showed. The group was ultimately able to cross, said march organizer Bartolo Fuentes, a former Honduran lawmaker.

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez said last month cuts in US support for Central America would hinder efforts to stem illegal immigration as he welcomed China's growing diplomatic presence in the region as an "opportunity."

In an interview with Reuters, Hernandez expressed regret that prior US commitments to step up investment in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador had been scaled back since Trump took office.

China is strengthening ties with Central America. In August, El Salvador broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favour of China, citing economic reasons and following on the heels of Panama in 2017.

Honduras is one of a dwindling number of countries that still has formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.1.2 billion data Aadhaar records were compromised in the first half of 2018, according to Breach Level Index, a global database of public data breaches, released by digital security platform Gemalto.

The Breach Level Index revealed that a total of 945 data breaches led to 4.5 billion data records being compromised worldwide during the period.

When compared to the corresponding period of 2017, the number of lost, stolen or compromised records increased by an alarming 133 percent. However, the total number of breaches decreased, which implies that the severity of each incident has increased.

The report pointed out that six social media breaches alone accounted for over 56 percent of the records that were compromised  the largest being the Cambridge Analytica-Facebook data breach.

The Aadhaar number, a 12-digit unique identifier assigned to every Indian citizen, can be used to retrieve personal information stored by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on any of India's 1.1 billion citizens including their name, address, photo, phone number and email address. The data security platform that releases the Breach Level Index has cited the report in The Tribune which suggested that an anonymous service allowed anyone who could pay Rs 500 to access any citizen's information.

What is the Breach Level Index and how does it work?



Number of records compromised



Type of data



Source of the breach



How the data was used, and whether or not the data was encrypted



The Breach Level Index is a global database that tracks data breaches and measures their severity based on multiple parameters including:

This way, the index compares the breaches and sets the severe ones aside from the non-serious ones.

What else does the report point out?

During the first six months of 2018, more than 25 million records were compromised or exposed every day globally, the report said. That is 291 records being compromised every second.

These records include information ranging from credit card numbers and financial transactions to medical records and personal identifiable information.

The report suggests that outsiders are the primary source of data breaches followed by accidental loss of records. Meanwhile, identity theft continues to be the leading type of data breach since 2013, when the index started tracking data breaches. In addition, the US makes for the majority of all breaches and the number of records compromised.

Gemalto, on September 18, withdrew its report which claimed that data breach incidences in India were the second highest globally on account of compromise in the Aadhaar database.

"Gemalto profusely regrets on its Breach Level Index Report 2018 and the subsequent press release issued in India on 15th October where it has by mistake taken into account an unverified news article about alleged Aadhaar data breach," the company said in a statement.

"...all concerned should take note of it that we have not been able to track any verified or substantiated data breach of Aadhaar database of UIDAI. As a result, Gemalto has withdrawn this alleged data from the Breach Level Index. Any inconvenience caused to UIDAI is deeply regretted," the statement said.

: Gemalto withdrew the report later in the day. Click here to read the story.India's hard-fought victory against polio is at risk as 1.5 lakh contaminated vials of a polio virus strain are suspected to have entered the government's immunisation programme.

India eradicated the highly-infectious viral polio years ago, with the last reported case registered in 2011. However, drug inspectors are planning to check Indonesias vaccine producing enterprise PT Bio Farma, to decode the contamination of some batches of a polio vaccine which may bring back the disease in India.

Bio Farma supplies the key raw materials used by Indian manufacturers that make polio vaccines in oral forms. This medicine carries weakened polio viruses to build immunity in people against the disease.

An official from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) told Livemint that four drug inspectors will travel to Indonesia to inspect the company. PT Bio Farma provides the key starting material  KSM to companies here to prepare the vaccine. We were going to leave on October 29, but we have advanced the trip. The proposal is pending approval from the ministry, he added.

Where did it start?

The news of this contamination surfaced on September 29 when vaccines made by Ghaziabads Bio-Med Pvt Ltd were found to have type 2 strain of polio.

It is interesting to note that the current polio vaccines do not protect against type 2 strain anymore as it was eradicated a long time ago. Vaccine producers were asked to remove its traces from the vaccines and destroy their stock.

Polio vaccines were called trivalent vaccines as they had three strains of viruses  type 1, type 2 and type 3 (also called P1, P2 and P3), and P2 was withdrawn from the vaccines worldwide.

The virus was found in some of the batches of polio drops given to children under the government-run immunisation drive. One vial of the vaccine has 20 doses and 50,000 such compromised vials are believed to be used in Uttar Pradesh and Telangana.

Sylvia Karpagam, a public health expert in Karnataka told the paper that this contaminated vaccine has put many in danger of getting vaccine-derived polio. She added that the virus can mutate and no one knows what form it will take.

Major players

In India, there are four major manufacturers of the bivalent vaccineBio-Med, where the tainted medicine surfaced, Bharat Biotech International, Panacea Biotec, governments Bharat Immunological and Biologicals Corp (Bibcol) and Mumbai-based Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corp.

The regulator is trying to find out if the companies retained P2 strain despite governments order of 2016 to destroy it completely.

The managing director of Bio-Med was arrested on September 29 after an FIR was filed by CDSCO and was released on bail later. Inspectors have been in and out of Bio-Med plants ever since.

An official from the regulatory body said that the company was not following good manufacturing practices to the full extent.

Why further testing didnt help

Before any vaccine is sent across the country for use, it is mandatorily tested by the Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh. The questionable batches were manufactured in March 2018 and sent to CDL.

The testing, however, is done under the assumption that the manufacturer has provided details of all that is in the vaccine, and only tests those. For example, if the label mentions P1 and P3 stains, the lab would only test these and not P2.

CDL Kasauli director Arun Bharadwaj told Mint that this is the protocol that is followed. The testing standards are set by the Indian Pharmacopeia Commission (IPC), an autonomous institution of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. All samples are tested for their potency as per the label claim he added.

The lab officials, justifying the reason for such a protocol, said that if the lab started testing for everything suspecting the batches and test vaccines, the process would be so time-consuming that no medicine would ever reach the market.

The CDL was established by the government to ensure the safety and efficiency of the vaccines and antisera produced, distributed and imported in India.

Karpagam also said that money invested in Indias successful polio campaign will be a waste if regulatory mechanisms and quality control measures are not top notch.

However, Dr Raj Shankar Ghosh, deputy director, vaccine delivery and infectious disease at Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, told the paper that the current status, children are protected and there is no immediate threat of an outbreak. India has a robust surveillance programme and it must be continued, he added.The historic city of Allahabad was on Tuesday officially renamed as Prayagraj. The decision was taken by the Uttar Pradesh cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, senior Cabinet minister Siddhartha Nath Singh said, "The renaming of Allahabad as Prayagraj before Kumbh came for approval in the meeting and I am happy to say Allahabad will now be known as Prayagraj."

"Rig Veda, Mahabharat and Ramayana also mention Prayagraj (for Allahabad)," he noted.

"The people of entire Allahabad, the sages and seers wanted that Allahabad should be known as Prayagraj.Two days back, when the chief minister had chaired a meeting pertaining to Kumbh there, he had himself mooted that Allahabad should be called Prayagraj. All the sages and seers had given their unanimous approval for the same," he added.

On a trip to Allahabad on Saturday last, the chief minister had said there was a proposal to rename the city ahead of the 2019 Kumbh Mela.Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has claimed that the allotment of Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati's former bungalow and provision of Z-plus security to Shivpal Yadav indicated that he had started working for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

According to a report by News18, the state government's move to allot the swanky bungalow to Shivpal has not gone down well with Rajbhar. Rajbhar said that his demand for a government building, for his party office, has been ignored for over a year.

"I had been asking for a government bungalow for office since March 2017 but don't know why they were afraid of granting me one... A decision was taken to allot the bungalow vacated by Mayawati to Shivpalji for his party," the Minister for Backward Classes Welfare, said.

Rajbhar is the leader of BJP ally Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, which currently has four seats in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.

Former UP minister Shivpal is Samajwadi Party (SP) patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav's brother and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav's uncle.

In August, Shivpal floated a new political front called the Samajwadi Secular Morcha, after being "neglected" in SP.

"I have formed Samajwadi Secular Morcha. I was neglected in the Samajwadi Party and waited for two years. I was neither informed nor invited in party programmes and no responsibility was given to me," Shivpal had said during the front's launch in Lucknow.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, BJP and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partner Apna Dal had won 73 out of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. SP was reduced to five seats in the lower house, Congress won two, while BSP failed to win a single seat.

NDA repeated its performance in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, bagging 325 seats, while the SP and Congress alliance were reduced to 54 seats in the 403-member Assembly. BSP managed to win only 19 seats.

Following electoral success in the Gorakhpur, Phulpur and Kairana Lok Sabha bypolls, arch rivals SP, BSP and the Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) have announced that they will contest the 2019 general election together. The 'opposition alliance' could also accommodate Congress in the arrangement as well. A seat-sharing formula is currently being worked out.

By doing so, the alliance is hoping to make sure that the anti-BJP vote does not get split among themselves.

Now, with Shivpal's new political front, observers feel the non-BJP votes could get split to some extent. Shivpal may also drive a significant percentage of the crucial Yadav caste votes away from SP, thus denting the opposition alliance's chances in several seats.Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the ITO skywalk and foot overbridge in Delhi on Monday.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had, as part of the decongestion plan of Delhi roads, sanctioned an amount of Rs 54.84 crore under the urban development fund to decongest the W Point.

The skywalk is funded by the Centre and is designed and constructed by Delhi governments Public Works Department.

It connects Sikandra Road, Mathura Road, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Pragati Maidan, ITO Metro stations and Supreme Court.

The ITO Crossing and W Point junction are the two busiest crossings in Delhi. Approximately 30,000 pedestrians cross various roads around ITO Crossing and W Point. There are over 25 major offices and other institutions located in this area.

The skywalk is 400m long and 5m wide. The length of the loop and ramp is 130m and its width is 3m. The length of Foot Over Bridge (FOB) at Hans Bhawan is 54m and width is 5m. The FOB at Hans Bhawan has also been constructed for pedestrians.

The skywalk and FOB have been constructed in steel. The granite flooring and stainless steel railing have also been provided. The structure has tensile fabric roofing.

The skywalk will have 6 passenger lifts with a capacity to carry 20 persons and another lift with a capacity of 16 persons. Solar PV modules, Wi-Fi, CCTV have also been provided in the skywalk and FOB. LED fittings have also been provided. The entire structure is under CCTV surveillance.Congress president Rahul Gandhi's visit to the city during Durga Puja has been called off due to his preoccupation with the campaign for the elections in the five states, a senior state Congress leader said.

The AICC chief, who had asked the party's Bengal unit to strengthen the organisation ahead of the crucial 2019 elections, was proposed to pay a visit to Kolkata on Ashtami (eighth) day of Durga Puja on October 17.

It was a tentative visit his schedule was not finalized. But now elections for five states have been announced and he is too preoccupied with the campaign in those states. So his visit to Kolkata has been called off for the time being, state Congress president Somen Mitra said.

Rahul Gandhi, had asked the party's newly appointed West Bengal unit to strengthen the organisation in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

It was during this meeting last month that the proposal for Gandhi's visit to Bengal during Durga Puja - the biggest festival of Bengal, came up, according to state Congress sources.

Last month, Somen Mitra was made West Bengal's PCC president replacing Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary.Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Madhya Pradesh

Congress president Rahul Gandhi said he would desist from opposing Narendra Modi the day the prime minister stopped "dividing" the country and started helping the poor.

Campaigning for his party in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi again attacked Modi over his alleged proximity to businessmen, saying he worked for a handful of rich people.

Addressing a public meeting in Morena district, he said, "Someone said yesterday that Rahul Gandhi opposes Narendra Modi. I say that I do not oppose for the sake of opposing, there is a reason.

"I will stop opposing Narendra Modiji the day he starts helping the shopkeepers, labourers and the poor. The day he stops the work of dividing the country, I will stop opposing Modiji."

Accusing Modi of working for "15-20" rich people, Gandhi said, "Until Modi talks about justice, waives the loans of farmers, stands with the labourers, whatever the rest of Hindustan says, Rahul Gandhi will stand against him, because I believe you people are behind the progress of the country."

He alleged that the prime minister, in his Independence Day speech, had insulted the ancestors of those who toiled hard to build this country.

"The US president says only India and China can compete with it (America). The country was poor and hungry 70 years back. There was no city, no railway lines, no plane, no industry and the prime minister says nothing has happened in the last 70 years," the Congress president said.

He accused Modi of helping his "friends" convert their black money through the demonetisation exercise, under which high-value currency notes were scrapped in November, 2016.

"Two years ago, Modi had imposed demonetisation and made the entire country stand in queues. Did we see a Vijay Mallya or Nirav Modi or Anil Ambani in those queues? Modi helped them convert their black money into white," he said.

Gandhi attacked Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the issue of corruption.

He said, "Corruption is rampant in Madhya Pradesh. There is a hierarchy of corruption that reaches the chief minister and his family."

"Scams like Vyapam (a multi-crore-rupee admission and recruitment racket) have destroyed education in Madhya Pradesh and made it expensive. In the e-tendering scam, everyone knows who is involved.

"You can study for hours. But you cannot go ahead until you have money to offer, which means Vyapam. This scam has killed 50 people. The entire state knows what is the role of the chief minister and his wife in this scam," Gandhi said.

In the past, Chouhan has vehemently denied his or his family's involvement in the Vyapam scam.

Gandhi said if voted to power, his party would create jobs for the youth of Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress is in the opposition since 2003.

"The Congress chief minister will work hard for 18 out of 24 hours to create employment for the youth of Madhya Pradesh. We will not make false promises like the BJP, which had promised to give two crore jobs to the youth," he said.

The Congress chief promised to set up food processing units in every district of the state to promote the "Made In Madhya Pradesh" brand and said his party would announce farm loan waiver if elected to power.

Gandhi also addressed public rallies at Joura and Sheopur as part of his election campaign in Madhya Pradesh.

Before addressing the rallies, he visited the Bandi Chhor Gurdwara, located in the Gwalior Fort. He was accompanied by state Congress president Kamal Nath and senior party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia.

After the public meetings, Gandhi held a roadshow from Joura to Bamor in Morena district and headed for Gwalior, from where he will leave for New Delhi, concluding his two day visit to the state.Parliament

The winter session of Parliament is likely to be postponed till the upcoming assembly elections in five states conclude.

The session, which usually commences in the third week of November, could now be rescheduled for December, according to a report by the Hindustan Times.

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) is expected to take a call on the issue in a meeting scheduled for next week, the report suggests.

There is a precedence to defer the session to avoid an overlap with the elections, the report adds.

Polling in Chhattisgarh will take place on November 12 and 20 while Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram will vote on November 28. Rajasthan and Telangana will vote on December 7. Counting for all five states will be held on December 11.

Also read | Assembly Polls 2018: All you need to know about upcoming state elections in 5 states

The dates of the parliamentary session could be postponed due to the election campaign. Most parties are likely to depute their senior leaders, who are also Members of Parliament (MP), to the election-bound states.

If the session is postponed, it will be the consecutive second year when the winter session starts in the last month of the calendar year. In 2017 too, the session began in December because of the assembly elections in Gujarat.

In 2016, the session had commenced slightly early to expedite passage of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill and to make way for an early Budget Session in 2017.

Members of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress however said that the possibility of moving the session after the polling dates had not been discussed yet, the report adds.

As per the rules, the dates have to be announced at least 15 days before the session starts, giving MPs enough time to reach New Delhi from their respective constituencies.Everything comes at a price. But during this one rather extended period of time of the year, there is a discount to that price. Nothing, of course, is free.

While Flipkart and Amazon kicked off their festive sales starting October 10, offline players are also gearing up to offer interesting deals for consumers.

We here at Moneycontrol collated some of the best deals offered in the online and offline space across four-wheelers, two-wheelers, white goods, and retail industries. So, as your reward for reading and listening, we will end the podcast with some of those deals. On our Story of the Day, its an update on the shopping that we Indians have been up to during this festive season.

But first, how are the giants doing?

The e-tailing industry has sold $2.3 billion worth of goods during the five-day festive sale this year compared to $1.4 billion generated in 2017, showing a year-on-year (YoY) growth of 64 percent, according to Redseer Consulting, a research and advisory firm.

As per Redseer's analysis, an increased awareness about the sale among the online consumers and the resultant surge in buying particularly from Tier 2-3 cities helped overall sales this year. Sales also got a boost from the multiple affordability schemes, bank and wallet offers, and loyalty and subscription services offered by e-tailers.

The industry witnessed a higher growth this time compared to last year. This was driven by multiple drivers, the key being a larger shopper base from Tier-2+cities. Affordability and loyalty schemes introduced by e-tailing players also played a huge role in converting the visitors into shoppers, said Ujjwal Chaudhry, Engagement Manager.

Earlier Redseer reported that around $800 million worth of smartphones, $170 million worth of large appliances and $120 million worth of fashion have been sold in the three days of the festive season.

It also estimated sales may reach $3 billion by the end of the five-day sale period.

For the first time, both Amazon and Flipkart started their sale on the same date. Both the companies offered Rs 60,000 credit to consumers under their cardless scheme, besides credit and debit card EMIs.

What is the competition looking like?

Walmart-owned Flipkart on October 15 claimed 70 percent market share of the entire Indian e-commerce space during the five-day festive sale, with the total value of goods sold almost doubling.

"Gross merchandise value is 80 percent of last year whereas units grew by close to 2X year on year," the company said in a statement.

While rival Amazon did not comment on market share, it said that the fashion segment emerged as its biggest category in terms of units sold, with 63 percent orders in this segment coming from tier 2 and 3 cities, as its six-day festive sale came to an end. Interestingly, Flipkart claimed 85 percent share in the fashion category of the online market.

While Amazon's The Great Indian Festival sale concluded on October 15, Flipkart's Big Billion Days ended a day earlier.

Amazon claimed to have sold over 1 million Xiaomi smartphones in a day and Rs 400 crore worth of OnePlus phones in one day. It did not share the units sold by OnePlus. While Xiaomi phones on Amazon registered a 200 percent growth over last year's Great Indian Festival, the growth for OnePlus was 100 percent.

"We have received an overwhelming response to the fifth Great Indian Festival, with sales in the first 36 hours nearly surpassing entire first wave last year and the event exceeding our most aggressive plans across all categories. With 3x times surge in Prime member signups across the country, more than 80 percent of new customers coming from small towns, and orders from 99 percent of serviceable pin-codes in just four days, we are humbled that Amazon.in is trusted by India to find, discover, and buy anything online," said Amit Agarwal, senior vice president and country head, Amazon India.

Flipkart, however, said it saw 3 million smartphones sold on a single day, claiming 85 percent of overall market share for that day.

Amazon, on the other hand, shared that 80 percent of new customers came from small towns and added that new customers on its Hindi website grew 2.4x over a normal business day. The Hindi version of the platform was launched last month to boost its presence in smaller towns.

Both Amazon and Flipkart have launched easy payment options this year to attract small town and first-time buyers. Amazon claimed that 70 percent of EMI customers who shopped came from tier 2 and smaller towns. Amazon Pay, the payments arm of the company witnessed a three fold increase in daily active users as compared to an average business day. Flipkart, on the other hand, claimed that 50 percent of its customers used payment options like EMIs and bank offers driving 60 percent of overall sales and enabling customers to upgrade products in categories like mobile, TVs and laptops.

DEALS! DEALS! DEALS!

(With inputs from Swaraj Baggonkar, M Saraswathy and Himadri Buch)

No good deed goes unpunished, sure, but we are a little more optimistic than that. So here  as your reward, a collation of some great deals doing the rounds.

Auto Sector:

Tata Motors has announced a special festive campaign named Festival of Gifts for new customers. As part of this campaign, the company will offer assured gifts to the customers on every purchase of a new Tata car.

Customers stand a chance to win gifts like Tanishq vouchers, iPhone X, Tablet, LED TVs and more worth up to Rs 1 lakh. Additionally, on the purchase of a new car, customers stand a chance to win a brand new Tata Tigor through a lucky draw every week.

Buyers will receive a scratch coupon on the delivery of their car through which they can avail the gifts. This can be done by downloading the Festival of Gifts app from the Play Store or by registering on the website.

Other four-wheeler companies such as Maruti Suzuki India, Mahindra & Mahindra are yet to announce their offers

In a bid to boost sales, two-wheeler manufacturers are also offering discounts ahead of festive season.

Bajaj Auto has launched a 5-5-5 scheme on a select range of its motorcycles and the scheme is applicable to Platina, Discover, Pulsar, V15 and V12. The company is offering 5 years of free own damage insurance cover, 5 years of free services and 5 years of free warranty.

Largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp has also announced a slew of festive offers for customers. The company has offered a low down payment finance scheme of Rs 4,999 from October 10 to November 10.

White Goods and Home Appliances

Thomson has announced heavy discounts on all its models including the new 50 and 55 4k UHD television sets. For Flipkart's Big Billion Days sale that started on October 10, the brand offers full smart TVs starting from Rs 12,499 and 4k TV from Rs 16,999.

Panasonic is celebrating 100 years of the brand and the company is offering special offers on TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, AC, beauty products and small appliances. The company is offering a 4-year warranty on its 4K television, a combo offer on the sound system, free iron on receiving washing machines.

Godrej has also launched 40 new product models this festive season. The company is offering the facility to take home any premium product with only Rs 60 down payment and zero cost EMI. Apart from this, there is also an easy finance scheme on the refrigerator, microwave and other appliance, wherein consumers can take the product home by paying just Rs 999.

Electronic retail chain Vijay Sales is dishing out additional offers this festive season on a host of items. On a purchase of a premium TVs, AC or a refrigerator through HDFC, ICICI or Axis Bank Cards, the customer will be eligible for a 10 percent discount.

Apart from this, many more options like free smartphones or soundbar speakers are available on buying a premium television.

Chinese handset-maker Vivo has come up with offers and discounts for its customers across offline stores and retail outlets for the festive season. The company will offer discounts, no cost EMIs and cashback offers across the Vivo portfolio from October 9-November 15.

Prestige with its Shubh Utsav is also luring customers by giving up to 25 percent discounts from September 16 to November 29. One example  buy a pressure cooker, get a kettle free! Buy a gas stove and a cooker free! Now thats what I call a deal.

Zero-cost EMI!

Collaborating with e-tailers such as Flipkart and Amazon, companies are also offering customers easy delivery and zero cost EMI.

Amazon India booked Rs 400 crores worth of OnePlus smartphones within 36 hours of the Amazon Great Indian festival 2018.

For the first time, both Amazon and Flipkart started their sale on the same date.

Flipkart is looking forward to selling twice the value of goods it sold last year during the festive season.

Both the companies are offering Rs 60,000 credit to consumers under their cardless scheme, besides credit and debit card EMIs.

Samsung Galaxy S9 is up for grabs with the purchase of a family hub refrigerator  and that is just one of the many offers up for grabs. Head over to the Moneycontrol website now to see what else is available.

Consumerism  its fun. The alternative is not Soviet Union style living. The alternative is not political. The alternative is to understand that those holes in our soul that need filling can sometimes entertain the notion of something that is not a one lakh rupee mobile phone.

The sad thing, though, is that the one lakh rupee phone might be an easier alternative. But until such a realisation, whee, SALES!Congress President Gandhi

The Maharashtra unit of Congress on October 15 said it was ready to support Prakash Ambedkar-led Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, according to a report by The Indian Express.

It is true that the Congress is ready to support Prakash Ambedkar if he chooses to contest next years parliamentary election, Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant told the newspaper. Discussions with Ambedkars party are underway and Congress is hopeful of striking an alliance, Sawant added.

Ambedkar has reportedly demanded 12 seats in next year's Lok Sabha elections. However, Sawant said the decision would be taken during discussions 'at the state and highest level'. We are sure something positive will come out, he added.

The Congress has, however, said an alliance with BBM would require Ambedkar to cut off ties with Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM).

We consider AIMIM as the B-team of the BJP and therefore any alliance with Ambedkars party will not be possible if they joins hands with AIMIM, the Congress leader said.

Ambedkar has reportedly said that he is willing to ally with the Congress to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but would not have anything to do with Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The BBM leader had said he would only tie-up with Congress if AIMIM could go along.

AIMIM and BBM have announced an alliance for the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly polls in 2019. The two parties held a joint rally in Aurangabad on October 2.

Following the announcement of a tie-up between BBM and AIMIM, Congress and NCP had also initiated talks with Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP).

Congress and NCP were in an alliance in Maharashtra from 1999 to 2014, when they snapped ties ahead of the assembly polls. The two parties are already holding talks to finalise their seat sharing.

In the 2014 Maharashtra Assembly polls, AIMIM and BBM had won two seats and one seat, respectively. However, they had garnered 13.16 percent and 3.64 percent vote share, respectively, in the seats they contested.

While the 2019 Lok Sabha polls are expected to happen in April-May, Maharashtra is expected to head for assembly polls in October-November next year.

With 48 parliamentary constituencies, Maharashtra has the second largest pool of Lok Sabha seats.Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleged that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's family was involved in the multi-crore-rupee Vyapam scam that came to light a few years ago.

On the campaign trail in Madhya Pradesh, where the Assembly polls will be held on November 28, Gandhi said the massive recruitment and admission racket destroyed the future of lakhs of students in the state.

He also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale fighter jet deal and his alleged proximity with a handful of industrialists.

Addressing a public meeting at the Phool Bagh Maidan here, Gandhi said, "Fifty people were killed in the Vyapam scam. The future of lakhs of students was destroyed. People gave money to clear the exams (conducted by a state-run body).

"I want to know from Shivraj Singh Chouhan, how many people were sent to jail? The entire Madhya Pradesh knows that the chief minister's family is involved in the scam."

In the past, Chouhan has denied his or his family's involvement in any recruitment test conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board, popularly known by its Hindi acronym -- "Vyapam" (Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal).

The scam also hogged limelight for the death of a number of accused and witnesses.

Taking potshots at Modi, Gandhi said the prime minister made false promises.

"Who does the marketing of the prime minister? Who gives the money for his posters and his appearances on TV. This money is taken out of your (people's) pocket and given to Anil Ambani, Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya, who are doing his marketing. This is the truth," he added.

The Congress chief said Modi had promised to be the "chowkidar" (guard) of the people, but only 15-20 industrialists of the country had benefitted under his government.

He said the prime minister let jewellers Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi and liquor baron Vijay Mallya flee India with the country's money.

Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are the key accused in the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, while Mallya, who is currently in the UK, is wanted in India for charges of money laundering and defaulting on bank loans.

Referring to the Rafale deal, Gandhi said the prime minister did not have the courage to answer why the offset contract for the French aircraft was "snatched" from the State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and given to Anil Ambani's firm.

Led by the Congress, the opposition parties are attacking the Modi government, alleging that it is procuring 36 Rafale fighter jets from France at an exorbitantly high cost.

The government has denied charges of irregularities in the Rs 58,000-crore deal and Ambani, too, has dismissed the Congress's allegations that he got undue benefits under it.

Earlier, Gandhi held a five-km roadshow in Gwalior after paying obeisance at the Achleshwar Mahadev temple.

The Congress president also paid a visit to Jhansi's legendary queen Rani Laxmi Bai's memorial in the Phool Bagh area.

He also paid tribute to late Congress stalwart Madhavrao Scindia at his memorial here.

Congress leader and Scindia's son Jyotiraditya Scindia and state Congress president Kamal Nath were present on the occasion.

Gandhi is on a two-day visit to Madhya Pradesh, where his party is out of power since 2003.In a major setback to the Congress in Goa, two of its Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) -- Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte -- resigned as legislators on October 16, Speaker Pramod Sawant said.

The two MLAs are set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) amid its vigorous efforts to strengthen the thin majority of its alliance government in the state.

Shirodkar and Sopte met BJP National President Amit Shah on October 16 and later said they will be joining the party.

BJP sources said more opposition MLAs may join its ranks.

With this, the Congress' strength in the 40-member Assembly reduced to 14 from 16.

"Congress legislators Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte faxed their resignations as members of the Assembly to my office. We have received their resignations," Sawant told PTI.

Sopte, 54, represented the Mandrem Assembly constituency in North Goa district and Shirodkar, 66, was elected from the Shiroda in South Goa district.

Both the legislators had gone to Delhi on October 15, fuelling speculation that they might quit the Congress and join the BJP.

Goa was witnessing hectic political activity against the backdrop of the ill-health of Chief minister Manohar Parrikar. He is currently being treated by doctors from state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital at his private residence at Dona Paula, near Panaji.

Prior to the resignations of Sopte and Shirodkar, the Congress was the single largest party in the state Assembly with 16 MLAs.

(With inputs from PTI)KTM 125 Duke| Rs 1.41 lakh | The KTM 125 Duke is probably the priciest 125cc bike but the premium hardware justifies that. Also because of this, the 125 Duke mainly competes with others in the 150cc segment.

Having bolstered its presence in the country with the Duke 200 and Duke 390, KTM is reportedly considering introduction of the Duke 125 in the Indian market.

The Duke 125 is the smallest variant in KTM's Duke range. While Duke 125 is manufactured at Bajaj's Chakan plant, it is primarily exported to the European market.

Reports suggest that KTM is planning to launch the Duke 125 in India as early as next month.

KTM's idea was that the Indian market for 125cc bikes is a commuter market and the Duke 125 would not fit the profile, not only in terms of the segment, but also the price point.

The youngest Duke shares almost all of its components and styling with its 390 sibling. It employs the same styling, minus the decals and stickering, the same full colour TFT dash, upside down WP suspension, dual channel ABS and even the headlamp design. All of those costs add up.

To launch the bike in India, KTM may have to make some drastic changes. For example, KTM could go with the older styling package from the Duke 200 range and instead of ABS, switch to the combi-braking system while still complying with the upcoming safety norms in India. This will however still place the bike's price point at above Rs 1 lakh.

However, the Duke 125's engine is something to talk about too. While it is a 125cc mill, it produces power on par with most 150cc bikes in India.

The liquid-cooled single cylinder churns out 15 PS of power and 12 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a six-speed gearbox. This would make it the best performing 125cc bike in India with no real competition in the segment.

It remains to be seen what the official prices will be and whether it will do well in our market. What is certain, is that the most powerful 125cc bike will also be the most expensive.Over 2,000 non-combatised personnel of border guarding force - SSB - have been finally ordered to be moved to the Intelligence Bureau (IB) as part of an ambitious central government plan to bolster the internal snoop agency's on-ground presence at Indian borders, especially along China and Nepal.

PTI has accessed an October 12 order issued by the Union home ministry directing that a total of 2,104 posts of the civilian component of the force, often dubbed as the 'dying' cadre, will be transferred to the IB "immediately".

Few of these posts are not occupied at present. The unique move was in the making for the last few years after National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval had in June, 2016 written to the then Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi underlining the need to effectively utilise this manpower for "enhancing" border security gathering better intelligence.

The ministry has now ordered that out of the total 24 cadres of these personnel in the SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal), 19 will be sent to the IB.

"These cadres will get integrated with relevant and comparable cadres of IB. They will be governed by service conditions of IB after transfer from SSB," the ministry order said.

A blueprint prepared in this context said that this cadre, which is trained, experienced and well acquainted with the border areas, could be effectively used to upgrade country's intelligence generation and gathering capability along 15,000-kms of its border.

In addition, the blueprint said, the personnel could undertake tasks aimed at generating nationalist sentiments among the border population, as in the past.

A senior official privy to the development said the future tasking of these personnel would be charted over a period of next few months and both the central agencies will "mutually decide the detailed implementation modalities including those related to transfer of assets of the Sashastra Seema Bal to the IB."

A small component of 94 posts, spread across five cadres, will be retained by the SSB, the order said.

The decision was made after Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba early this month held a meeting on the subject with IB Director Rajiv Jain and newly appointed SSB Director General S S Deswal and after review of the subject, the home ministry flagged it green.

The news agency had first reported in September last year that the proposal is a work in progress and 2,765 posts of the civilian cadre of the SSB will be shifted to the IB in the coming days. Since then, few people have retired leaving about 2,198 posts, out of which 2,104 are now being transferred. This manpower of the civil wing of the SSB is termed as "dying" as it does not have any substantial promotional and work avenues after SSB was declared an armed force in 2001. Last year, the SSB was sanctioned a full-fledged intelligence wing which is manned by combat personnel.

Officials had earlier said that the plan of the security establishment is to use the services of these personnel to strengthen the IB's presence, especially on the eastern border front along China, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, where these officials have worked for long.

The men and women of this cadre were seen as fast losing their sheen as they were not getting timely promotions and could not opt for combat posts as their physical fitness did not allow them to perform arduous tasks and their recruitment rules were different from those of the uniformed staffers.

The average age of the personnel in this cadre is about 50 years.

Their task was to help the border population in integrating with the mainstream, and also act as the "eyes and ears" of the SSB, the designated lead intelligence agency along open Indian frontiers with Nepal and Bhutan.

The cadre was first raised in 1963, in the aftermath of the Chinese aggression of the previous year, to work in the border areas and promote a sense of national belonging and pro-India feelings among the local population and till 2001, they were called as the Special Service Bureau.

The name of the force was changed to Sashastra Seema Bal in 2003, following the 1999 Kargil conflict. It was then tasked with guarding the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders on the country's eastern flank.

The SSB, with a strength of about 80,000 personnel, has been guarding the 1,751-km Indo-Nepal border since 2001 and the 699-km Indo-Bhutan border since 2004.The emergency plan to combat air pollution came into force on October 15 in the Delhi-NCR where air quality remained poor, even as the Centre claimed that bad air quality days in the city have come down considerably this year. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which has come into effect for the second year, ensures stringent actions are taken based on the air quality.

Under the plan, measures like mechanised sweeping of roads, ban on garbage burning, pollution control measures at brick kilns and deployment of police to ensure smooth passage of traffic at vulnerable areas are in force in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) as the air quality lies in the poor category.

Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan, who launched an air quality early warning system for Delhi, said the Badarpur Thermal Power Plant will be closed from October 15.

He also said the number of mechanised road sweeping machines in the national capital will increase from 52 to 64 by November-end.

With farmers already burning stubble, the Environment Ministry said the government has released Rs 591.65 crore to Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi for promotion of agricultural mechanisation to manage crop residue.

It said the number of active fire detections was less in 2018 when compared to 2017 and 2016.

The air quality in Delhi remained poor with a drop in wind speed, even as authorities predicted further fall in the air quality index of the national capital in the coming days.

The overall air quality index (AQI) recorded at 4 pm Monday was 218 which falls in the poor category, according to Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). On Saturday, the AQI of the national capital stood at 201.

According to the CPCB website, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 318, DTU registered 288, ITO recorded 253 and Jahangirpuri recorded an AQI of 311.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'.

Delhi's neighbouring regions of Faridabad and Gurgaon both recorded poor air quality.

If the air quality deteriorates further to very poor category then additional measures under GRAP like enhancing parking fees 3-4 times and increasing frequency of metro and buses would be implemented, an official with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said.

It said if the air quality falls in the severe category, measures like increasing frequency of sprinkling of water on roads and identifying road stretches with high dust generation would be implemented.

If the air quality falls to severe plus emergency category, then measures like stopping entry of trucks into Delhi (except essential commodities), stopping construction activities and appointment of task force to take decision on any additional steps, including shutting of schools, are implemented.

Union minister Vardhan said the use of water sprinklers and the opening of the Western Peripheral Expressway will bring about a further reduction in pollution.

He said along with the initiatives taken by the government, the participation of the society is an imperative.

"With an outlay of Rs 1,151.80 crore under the new Central Sector Scheme, the Centre has already released Rs 591.65 crore to Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi for the promotion of agricultural mechanization for in-situ management of crop residue," an official statement quoting Vardhan said.

The minister said 41 teams of the CPCB have been deployed in Delhi and NCR cities of Ghaziabad, NOIDA, Gurgaon and Faridabad to monitor and supervise dust mitigation and other air pollution abatement measures to ensure effective compliance, while terming them as "eyes and ears" of his ministry.

He also said the use of water sprinklers and the opening of the expressway will bring about a further reduction in pollution.

Union Environment secretary C K Mishra said the number of "Good, Satisfactory and Moderate" days was 157 in 2018 (Up to October 13) compared to 150 in 2017 and 107 in 2016 during the corresponding period.

He added that similarly, the number of "Poor, Very Poor and Severe days" have come down from 167 in 2016 to 136 in 2017 to 129 in 2018 during the corresponding period.

Comparing the PM10 and PM2.5 levels, Mishra underlined that both PM 10 and PM 2.5 have shown a significant reduction in the winter months (September-October) this year compared to last year.

"There is a reduction of 46 per cent in PM10 levels in September 2018 compared to last year and a 15 per cent reduction in October.

"There is a reduction of 28 per cent in the PM2.5 levels in September 2018 compared to last year and a reduction of 22 per cent in October," Mishra said.

He said the number of active fire detections in 2018 is less in comparison to 207 and 2016 till October 14, 2018 (From Sep 1, 2018).

"The numbers are 75 per cent lower than last year in Punjab and 40 per cent lower in case of Haryana," he said.A protester raises a placard reading "#MeToo" during a rally against harassment at Shinjuku shopping and amusement district in Tokyo, Japan, April 28, 2018. Picture taken April 28, 2018. REUTERS/Issei Kato - RC19441C57D0

Almost lost among the headlines flagging the recent, ongoing outing of men accused of sexually harassing women in workplaces are reports on the extraordinarily prompt action that has followed many of these revelations: inquiries and investigations, transfers and administrative leaves, resignations and suspensions, dropping of actors from films and films from festivals, exits from one company, dissolution of another, and at least one complaint registered with the police -- all in the space of a little more than a week.

Not everyone may be satisfied with the action taken so far, and some people, no doubt, disapprove of the summary action taken against a few of the accused, even if much of it is temporary, pending inquiry. But to anyone who has followed the course of complaints about sexual harassment experienced at workplaces in India in the past -- certainly in media workplaces -- what has happened over the past few days is nothing short of miraculous.

From a situation where even private apologies were rare, there are now public mea culpas. Where once editorial and managerial bosses routinely disbelieved complainants or advised them to quietly grin and bear it or quit, companies are now issuing public statements assuring appropriate action. Where once even friends and family invariably dissuaded survivors from lodging complaints, and colleagues played ostrich, there is now widespread support for those who have gone public with their harrowing experiences. Where once discussions on sexual harassment and harassers were largely confined to the whisper network, the subject has now become a political hot potato.

The fact that even close relatives of at least one accused (all Bollywood celebrities) have expressed solidarity with women who may have been hurt by his behaviour suggests that sexual harassment is finally being acknowledged as an unacceptable reality. With professional bodies of various kinds speaking out on the subject for the first time, and some professional associations quickly setting up committees to address this long-standing problem at least now, there is hope that survivors will no longer be isolated and left to fend for themselves as they have been all this time.

The sudden, unprecedented institutional response can, of course, be seen as too little too late. After all, the Supreme Court had defined sexual harassment in a judgment 21 years ago, placing the onus on employers to prohibit, prevent, address and redress such behaviour in workplaces. It has been five years since the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 was passed, superseding the 1997 'Vishaka Guidelines'. The law not only specifies procedures for dealing with complaints but also includes a separate section listing the various duties of an employer under the Act.

There was a scramble by some media houses to comply with the Act, at least in terms of setting up Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs), after the Goa police initiated action against editor Tarun Tejpal in November 2013 in a case involving sexual assault of a young journalist.

However, it is clear that the current #MeToo movement in Indian media has been the shock treatment required to jolt more organisations into more effective action. It remains to be seen whether or not they follow through on the initial kneejerk reaction to the public naming and shaming. In the past, several known offenders were reinstated once the controversy died down  often after the complainants were forced out.

In any case, much more remains to be done. There are indications that at least a few media houses are going beyond the minimum requirement of setting up ICCs to plan activities such as town halls and workshops to create more awareness about sexual harassment and company policies and measures to address the issue. According to a recent newspaper report, there has been a sudden rush by a range of companies to hire firms offering anti-sexual harassment training.

Workshops and awareness programmes that can help create a safe working environment are actually mandated by the law. But clearly the problem of sexual harassment will not disappear without a fundamental change in gender relations in general, and many men's attitudes towards women and girls in particular  not only in workplaces but in society as a whole. And, of course, the movement needs to move beyond high profile areas of work to focus attention on sectors in which women (also men and transgenders) are even more vulnerable, with even less access to justice.

Whether in workplaces or elsewhere, the most effective agents of change would be all the men who do not approve of such behaviour. They may well make up the majority but are often unsure what they can do about it; they remain helpless bystanders and, thus, involuntary enablers. Some survivors have said their greatest disappointment has been the inaction of colleagues, even when they could see what was going on. Yet others have said that some male colleagues have later apologised to them for not intervening when they could and should have. Happily, quite a few men are now speaking out. It is time for more "woke" men to join them.Rafale jet

Bharat Karnad

The current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has, in its penultimate year in office, signed a flurry of arms deals, the largest among them, inevitably, enmeshing it in no end of trouble. The most important of these being for the French Rafale combat aircraft and for the Russian S-400 air defence system. Both these decisions are problematic for various reasons.

The charge of personal corruption, as alleged by sections of the Opposition, against Prime Minister Narendra Modi may not stick. However, what may be harder to defend are the procedural shortcuts adopted  no prior approvals by the Defence Acquisitions Council (DAC) and, more significantly, by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CAS)  before announcing the buy of 36 Rafale jets from the French aviation major, Dassault Avions, in April 2015.

Even worse, the Rafale was a redundant purchase that fills no clear or definite requirement or military need thats not already being adequately met by the Su-30MKI in service with the Indian Air Force.

The long-hanging S-400 contract, on the other hand, can be faulted on the grounds that the mandatory offsets clause was waived.

At its core, the mindless hankering of the Indian military for the supposedly more sophisticated Western-origin armaments, in this case, of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the Rafale, may be to blame. Time and again, it has led to corruption, scams, scandals and tainted regimes being voted out of power by an enraged and disillusioned public.

First, some basic facts. The Rafale is no more medium weight than the Su-30  both actually being in the heavy, 18-20 tonne, combat aircraft category. The concept of a medium, multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) was invented out of thin air  advanced air forces subscribe to only the light and heavy types of fighter-bomber planes  to meet a non-existent requirement to be filled by a Western warplane.

This goal was finessed and the original Air Staff Qualitative Requirements (ASQRs) modified in 2002 by the directorate in air headquarters headed by AL Matheswaran to favour Rafale among the six aircraft in the MMRCA race  the EADS Typhoon Eurofighter, Saab Gripen, Lockheed F-16, Boeing F-18, and the Russian MiG-35.

The official explanation offered for the Rafale tilt during the Manmohan Singh decade was that it realised the strategic objective of 'diversifying' sources of military supply because over-dependence on Russia was imprudent. This flew in the face of common sense and historical record and, worse, exacerbated the logistics nightmare for the Air Force, especially in crises and war, with a mind boggling array of imported aircraft in its inventory  at last count over 27 different varieties, each requiring a separate supply line of spare parts and specialised support infrastructure.

Moreover, whether there is one aircraft or 200 of any given type, the investment in building up the repair and servicing infrastructure in far-flung air bases will be the same  humongous! The enormity of the logistics problems spawned by a too diverse inventory of planes is beginning to dawn on the IAF. For the first time a former chief, Air Chief Marshal Anil Tipnis has voiced concern.

The rationale of diversification doesnt stand up to historical scrutiny. Russia has never sanctioned India and stopped the flow of spares and servicing support for its hardware in Indian militarys employ. What spares shortages have been experienced is because the Indian military has yet to understand the Russian system of indentation of spares.

This is not the case with the Western suppliers, with the United States, in particular, proving an extremely unreliable and punitive source. It has frequently imposed sanctions on India, cut off spares and grounded Indian capability, as happened, for instance, with the Indian Navys Sea King anti-submarine helicopter fleet after the 1998 nuclear tests.

In this context, the United Kingdom, Germany and France are equally susceptible to American pressure to tow its line. Around 40 percent of components and technology packages in Swedens Gripen is sourced to US companies. Washington can thus at any time stymie Indias military forces and who knows the stranglehold it could have in case the government follows through on its inclination to buy the F-16 or F-18.

These are the sorts of reasons that persuaded former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to be partial to the cost-effective option of enlarging the Su-30MKI force instead of getting embroiled in the MMRCA/Rafale deal.

Parrikars successor, Nirmala Sitharaman, has been vocal these past few weeks, giving interviews in a bid to staunch the criticism and stop the Rafale from becoming for the BJP what Bofors is for the Congress  the perennial sword of Damocles.

Sitharaman justified buying only 36 aircraft from France and that too without any transfer of technology (ToT) for almost the same amount as the cost of 126 Rafale as part of the MMRCA transaction that would have permitted 108 of this aircraft to be built in India with ToT. The original deal, she contends, was bad because the aircraft would not have been available for urgent induction.

Except, by her own lights the IAF will not be flying all 36 Rafale jets before 2022. But this is around the time that the first of the India-assembled aircraft would have been inducted. She brushed aside the scepticism about just two squadrons  too few aircraft to be used effectively  by saying there is a tender to be issued for 100 more of such aircrafts for production in India.

Given the controversy, Rafale will stand no chance of increasing its numbers in IAF, not even with ToT. That will mean an altogether new but still more dated single-engine aircraft from the MMRCA sweepstakes of the early 2000s (Eurofighter or F-16 or F-18 or Gripen or MiG-35) with yet another separate logistics set up and a rocketing price tag for a force of essentially antique aircraft entering the 2030s and 2040s. This is absurd, but try telling the IAF or the government that.

On its part, the IAF rationalises the small offtake of Rafale jets by talking of the Beyond Visual Range (BVR) weapons such as the Meteor air-to-air missile on board the Rafale as giving it uncommon punch. The trouble is the greater the stand-off range from which these BVR missiles are fired, the more likely they are to miss the target. If BVR ordnance are as effective as they are cracked up to be, then why is it that the 5th and 6th generation combat aircraft are emphasising their enhanced manoeuvring ability? This last would suggest that BVR missiles can be easily countered by good pilots on fast, agile, platforms.

As regards the charge of the government was favouring Anil Ambani, Sitharamans view that Dassault decided on its own to choose Reliance Defence as its strategic partner was refuted by a Dassault representative.

The ministers defence of the deal for 36 Rafale jets is not credible. But is her rationale as to why the multi-billion dollar S-400 deal has no technology offsets, any more so? She says that negotiating technology offsets is time consuming and the immediate need for it led to the government fast-tracking a straightforward buy minus offsets.

In the Rafale case, the buy was likewise justified in terms of an oppressive timeline, but the outcome in both cases is that India has paid good money for no technology whatsoever. This is at a time when China too has acquired a few S-400 units and is expected to reverse-engineer this system inside of a decade, field it, and to pass it to its partners, like Pakistan.

With the defence procurement system titled towards importing arms, Indias status as an arms dependency is preserved. This gives the impression that the Make in India programme, as many long ago suspected, is only an empty slogan.China has backed Prime Minister Imran Khan's "New Pakistan" initiative and said the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects being undertaken in the country will play an important role in Pakistan's economic development.

China's Minister of International Development Song Tao met Prime Minister Imran Khan on October 15 and assured Beijing's support to Pakistan at all regional and international fora.

He also assured Khan of China's support in his agenda of poverty alleviation, fight against corruption and agricultural development, an official statement said on October 16.

The $60 billion CPEC is the flagship venture of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a pet project of Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at enhancing Beijing's influence around the world through China-funded infrastructure projects.

India has opposed the CPEC project and protested to China as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

"He (Song Tao) termed CPEC as a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, which would make significant contributions towards building a New Pakistan," the statement said.

Underscoring the importance attached by the leadership and people of China to Pakistan-China relations, Song said exchanges between political parties would help in sharing ideas to achieve common and shared development.

During the meeting, Khan said that the "all-weather friendship" between Pakistan and China held particular significance to the people of Pakistan.

Khan will embark on his first visit to China on November 3 during which he is expected to meet President Xi and other top leaders and discuss ways to boost defence ties as well as the controversy-hit CPEC projects.

Pakistan has recently slashed the Chinese investment in railways by $2 billion citing a huge burden of loans.

"This (visit) would provide an opportunity to underscore the importance of the 'all weather strategic cooperative partnership' between the two countries," Khan was quoted as saying.

Describing President Xi as "a great statesman", he said the people of Pakistan has great admiration for him.

"President Xi Jinping's terming of this friendship as that of 'iron brothers' reflects an undeniable reality," Khan said.

"This (visit) would provide an opportunity to underscore the importance of the 'all weather strategic cooperative partnership' between the two countries," he added.

Khan added that Pakistan would like to learn from Chinese experience in poverty alleviation, fighting corruption and agriculture development through sharing expertise, technology and best practices in the sector.

The China International Import Expo would provide an opportunity to the two sides to look into export possibilities from Pakistan to China, he said.

Hailing the growing relations between his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and the Communist Party of China (CPC), the prime minister emphasised on further enhancing the ties through exchange of delegations and sharing of ideas.Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif speaks at the inauguration of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor port in Gwadar, Pakistan November 13, 2016. REUTERS/Caren Firouz - RTX2TGFZ

China said on October 16 there will be more projects planned under the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) amid the concern over piling up of debt by Pakistan prompting it to approach the IMF for a bailout package.

Cash-strapped Pakistan has formally approached the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package as it reeled under serious economic crisis.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang on October 16 said that there will be more projects under the CPEC, a day after he stated that the CPEC debt liabilities were in low proportion.

He also said the China-Pakistan ties will make new headway under the new government.

The entire project is stated to be worth around $60 billion.

"China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners. In recent years, our bilateral relations are operating at a high level," Lu said replying to question about the high-level visits planned between the two countries.

He said since the establishment of the new government in Pakistan headed by Imran Khan, "this sound momentum is sustained."

"Going forward, we expect more high-level important exchanges and there will be more projects in the CPEC and practical cooperation in various fields," he said.

Reports said Khan is expected to visit Beijing on November 3 for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top leaders.

Lu said "we will also see people-to-people cooperation in various fields. China and Pakistan maintain sound coordination on important regional and international issues. So under the concerted efforts China-Pakistan relations will make new headway," he said.

After the new government took over, China has agreed to extend the CPEC projects to Balochistan province to address the criticism that only the dominant Punjab province grabbed most of Chinese investments.

On October 15, Lu while reacting the move by Pakistan to approach IMF for a bailout package said that China wants an "objective and professional" evaluation of its loans to Pakistan by IMF. The measures to be worked out by IMF should not affect the China-Pakistan relations, he said.

An IMF team is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on November 7 to negotiate the programme, likely to span over a three-year period, Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar said on October 14 after his meeting with the Managing Director Christine Lagarde in Indonesia.

He said Pakistan's current year debt repayments were about nine billion US Dollars.

Pakistan also announced the plans to cut an $8.2 billion railway project between the Karachi and Peshawar the biggest under the CPEC by about two billion US Dollars to reduce the debt burden.

The Trump administration has been critical of China's Belt and Road initiative, saying that it has saddled some developing countries with debts they cannot afford to repay.L&T Technology Q4 | Profit rose to Rs 204.8 cr vs Rs 191.5 cr, revenue rose to Rs 1,446.6 cr versus Rs 1,343.1 cr YoY. (Image: Reuters)

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Engineering and construction major Larsen & Toubro, which is majority owned by its employees, is the only domestic firm to be featured among the top 25 companies in the Forbes' global 2000 best employers list that is led by Google parent Alphabet.

While L&T is ranked 22, there are only four domestic firms in the top 100 list which include Mahindra & Mahindra at 55, Grasim Industries at 59 and HDFC at 91, and only 24 domestic companies in the overall list, as per the US magazine.

While for the second year in a row Alphabet tops the list, at the second slot is Microsoft and American companies account for six of the top 10 spots.

There are only 24 domestic companies in the list which include the state-run GIC Re ranked 106, tobacco major ITC at 108, state-run alloy major SAIL at 139, Sun Pharma at 172, Asian Paints at 179, and HDFC Bank at 183.

At 201 is Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone, JSW Steel is placed at 207, at 253 is Kotak Mahindra Bank, Hero Motocorp is ranked 295, Tech Mahindra comes at 351, ICICI Bank at 359, Wipro at 362, Hindalco at 378, State Bank of India is ranked 381, Bajaj Auto at 417, Tata Motors scores 437, Power Finance Corporation is at 479, Axis Bank at 481 and the state-run Indian Overseas Bank is ranked at 489, according to the list.

Over 430,000 recommendations have been analysed to create the world's best employers list, according to Forbes. The ranking is based on the feedback on the likelihood of an employee recommending his/her employer to a friend or family member.

This list is based on Forbes' 2018 global 2000 rankings, which includes publicly traded companies from 60 countries that together accounted for $39.1 trillion in sales, $3.2 trillion in profit, $189 trillion in assets and $56.8 trillion in market value, the magazine said.

Besides Alphabet and Microsoft, the top 10 include Apple at the third slot, Walt Disney Company (No 4), Amazon (No 5) and Celgene Corporation (No 9).

American companies dominate the list in general. Of the top 500 employers, 185 are in the list, while 80 are in the list from China and Hong Kong.

This year, German companies are the second most represented on the top 10. Auto company Daimler ranks seventh, and BMW scores the tenth spot.North Korea's state media on Tuesday slammed the United States for an "evil" attempt to maintain sanctions against Pyongyang, accusing President Donald Trump of blocking progress in inter-Korean relations.

The declaration threatens to upset the negotiations between Washington and the nuclear-armed North, in which Trump is expected to hold a second summit soon with Pyongyang's leader Kim Jong Un.

At their first meeting in Singapore in June they signed a vaguely-worded pledge on denuclearisation, but little progress has been made since then with the two sides sparring over the meaning of the text.

Pyongyang has not made any explicit public promise to give up its existing arsenal but has repeatedly called for UN Security Council sanctions imposed over its weapons programmes to be loosened, citing a freeze in its nuclear and missile tests.

For its part Washington has been adamant the measures should be maintained until Pyongyang's complete denuclearisation.

Washington was playing a "double game", said a lengthy commentary carried by the North's official KCNA news agency, and was "little short of destroying" the rare diplomatic opportunity between the two.

"Hostile policy and reciprocity can not go together," it said, and negotiations would not move forward "an inch with an obstacle called sanctions".

"The US... is responding to good faith with evil," it added.

KCNA said the article, nearly 1,700 words long and titled "What Do Ill-boding Remarks from US Signify", had been "made public" by Kim Chol Myong.

No further details about its origins or the author's affiliation were given, suggesting that "Kim Chol Myong" is likely to be a pseudonym. But the fact that it was carried by Pyongyang's official news agency indicates that it has the authorities' approval.

It was published just days after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Pyongyang and said he had "productive" talks on denuclearisation with the North Korean leader.

After an earlier Pompeo visit in July the North issued an angrily-worded official foreign ministry statement condemning what it called his "unilateral" demands for its disarmament, describing them as "gangster-like".

It cast doubt on the prospects for progress -- even though it proclaimed "our good faith in President Trump" -- and prompted the US leader to cancel a scheduled August trip to Pyongyang by his Secretary of State, before a fresh round of visits and a letter from Kim restarted the process.

But Tuesday's declaration went further, implicitly criticising the US leader -- who is known to consider personal relationships important.

Without naming Trump, it referred to his comments last week that Seoul would not lift its own sanctions against the North "without our approval". "Even the White House made such threatening words," KCNA said, "enraging not only south Koreans but all other Koreans".

South Korea's dovish President Moon Jae-in -- who has held three meetings with Kim this year -- has vowed to honour the UN sanctions but agreed to pursue a handful of joint economic projects with the North.

After his visit this month Pompeo said Kim had agreed to allow international inspectors to visit a nuclear test site that the North dismantled in May but did not elaborate on any offers made by the US in return.State energy giant Qatar Petroleum said on Tuesday it had signed a five-year agreement to supply China with 600,000 tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) per year.

The long-term agreement was signed by Qatar Petroleum and China's Oriental Energy with the contract starting in January 2019, QP said in a statement.The United States cannot do much more to target Iranian oil exports, Iran's oil minister said on Tuesday, speaking before new U.S. sanctions kick in on November 4.

"America has done most of the things it could do, and there is not much left to do against Iran," Bijan Zanganeh was quoted as saying by the semi-official ISNA news agency.

U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of an international nuclear deal with Iran in May and announced sanctions against the OPEC state.

Washington is pushing allies to cut imports of Iranian oil to zero. It is also encouraging Saudi Arabia, other OPEC members and Russia to pump more crude to meet any shortfall.

But Washington said this month it would consider waivers for Iranian oil buyers such as India, although it said they would eventually have to halt imports from the third biggest oil producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Under the 2015 nuclear deal, most international sanctions against Tehran were lifted in 2016 in exchange for Iran curbing its nuclear programme.As recently as in July 2018, through a disclosure to the stock exchanges , IL&FS Employee Welfare Trust (EWT) brazenly ripped off the beleaguered parent organisationInfrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS). The scam was fully disclosed in an announcement to the stock exchanges on 27th July in the form of a debt settlement announcement

My attention was first drawn to this rip-off by G D Agarwal of REDD Intelligence, whose deep analysis of IL&FS has been reported extensively by Moneylife.

Heres what happened. On 27 July 2018, A2Z Infra Engineering (A2Z Infra) reported a one-time settlement with lenders of A2Z Green Waste Management Limited (A2Z Green, previously known as A2Z Infrastructure Ltd), a subsidiary of A2Z Infra Engineering Ltd, to settle a debt of Rs 275.94 crore for a consideration of just Rs70 crore.

This was part of a cumulative debt reduction from Rs1,001.14 crore to Rs271.80 crore. It included settlements with SICOM, Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction, Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC Group, A2Z Green and Earth Environment Management Services Pvt Ltd (EEMSPL). The last two entities belong to A2Z Infra and we will focus on the machinations there.

While Standard Chartered Bank (Rs62.41 crore loan reduced to Rs21 crore), Yes Bank (Rs36.05 crore to Rs12 crore); Axis Bank (Rs54.65 crore to Rs17.25 crore), Barclays Bank(Rs33.95 crore to Rs4.75 crore) and IDBI Bank (Rs69.05 crore to Rs15 crore) took a deep haircut, the ILFS Financial Services Ltd (IFIN) outstanding went from Rs19.83 crore to zero. And this was only a part of what A2Z Infra owed IFIN. As the disclosure shows, there was a more dubious deal that was being worked out.

Remember, this announcement was just before IL&FS, with a mammoth debt of over Rs1.2 lakh crore, began to default on its payment obligations. And it was three days after founder chairman Ravi Parthasarathy suddenly stepped down after 31 years at the head of the organisation. As I highlighted in my previous article, IL&FS EWT appears to have functioned solely to enrich a close group of 10 persons who were part of Ravi Parthasarthys close crony circlewhile IL&FSs marquee board, including major investors, were sleeping, even as they were being ripped off.

This is what IL&FS worked out with A2Z as a one-time settlement.

A2Z Green agreed to transfer its Kanpur project of 1,500TPD of pick up & delivery unit along with 15MW power plant to EEMSPL for Rs203.75 crore as a slump sale along with all assets and liabilities (including loans from Axis Bank, Barclays Bank and Yes Bank). No details on how this value was arrived at.

A2Z Greens outstanding liability of Rs19.83 crore, by way of fully convertible debentures (FCD) issued to IFIN, would be written off which is at a loss to the parent company.

EEMSPL itself shall also be transferred to Energy Development Corporation Ltd, IL&FS EWT and IIDC Fund and eventually the outstanding liability of Rs188.02 crore of IFIN shall also be extinguished in the books of EEMPSL.

IFIN invoked a pledge of one crore equity shares of A2Z Green, held by A2Z Infra towards the loan/interest payable by EEMSPL to IFIN. Again, no mention of valuation. But, as part of the deal, it will give back A2Z Greens shares at a paltry Rs1 lakh to A2Z Infra. This would almost double the stake of A2Z Infra in A2Z Green from 47.89% to 91.98%.

In this manner, three entities controlled by a small cabal, cornered a valuable asset at the cost of other IL&FSs shareholders and IFIN, a direct, unlisted subsidiary and one of its most powerful fundraiser, with Ramesh Bawa heading it until his quiet exit before the main board was sacked. The value of this asset would be at least Rs203 crore or higher.

Who or what are these entities?

IL&FS EWT: As I have written earlier, this employee trust, probably, has only 10 major beneficiaries. From time to time, these employees seem to have extracted value out of EWT through bonuses which lends itself to a clear case of disgorgement. Outrageously enough, EWT part owns a power plant, which the Uday Kotak-led board needs to claw back into the parent company so that whatever value it can extract goes into paying those loans.

IIDC Fund: A Google search throws up very little information about IL&FS IIDC Fundwhich is the full name. IIDC Ltd (formerly IL&FS Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd), set up in 1999, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IL&FS. It claims to provide assistance as a project developer to work out bankable projects in PPP format. But what is the IIDC Fund? It is unclear.

The 2013 annual report of IFIN, the notorious and beleaguered subsidiary of IL&FS, shows IL&FS IIDC Fund as a fellow subsidiary . Curiously, it also shows up under Fellow subsidiaries in the 2017 annual report of IL&FS Investment Managers . How?

A search of IL&FS Investment Managers throws up IIDC, IIDCL and IIDC Fund at various points as related entities without any explanation on what is the difference between themall having collected advisory fees. Only a forensic audit and an SFIO investigation will unravel the true role and beneficiaries of this strange group.

IIDC Fund appears to control Urban Mass Transit Company Limited (UMTC) through four of its directors: Ajai Mathur, Paritosh Gupta, Ajay Pande and RCM Reddy. UMTCs website describes itself as an urban transport consultancy partnership between the ministry of housing and urban affairs, Andhra Pradesh government, Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) and IL&FS. On 26 September 2018, Brickworks Ratings downgraded this company, although it gives some credit to the government presence in the company.

Energy Development Corporation Ltd: If one goes by the exact name reported to the stock exchanges, this is a global entity based in the Philippines. Dig deeper and you realise it is a wrong and careless disclosure. The company is, in fact, IL&FS Energy Development Company Ltd (not corporation) yet another subsidiary of IL&FS under its energy segment. To add to the confusion, there is also another listed entity by that same name. Shouldn't the market regulator impose some penalty for such nonsensical, or deliberate, false disclosures? And who will pull up the registrar of companies (RoC) for permitting such confusion in names?

The energy company was set up in 2008 and has a bunch of controversial projects, including a power plant at Cuddalore, a transmission project at Nepal (we have a mountain of information on both of these which needs separate analysis) and others in the north-east.

As for A2Z Infra Engineering (formerly A2Z Maintenance & Engineering Services Limited), which has struck this shady deal with IL&FS, it was once a high-profile company with marquee investors including Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and his wife. Mr Jhunjhunwala had even accepted a board position in the company and was invested in it since 2006, long before it went public in 2010. However, in 2013, he stepped off the board and also offloaded a part of his holding. As recently as in 2018, another controversial but high-profile market-player, Shankar Sharma, had reportedly recommended the stock at the famous Sohn Conference.

Interestingly, publicly available information shows that the promoters have pledged over 94% of their shareholding and the company has delivered poor growth and negative returns over the past five years.

Here is how a foreign institutional investor describes the shocking audacity of the IL&FS deal with A2Z Infra: This is a deal for which those in charge of the IL&FS EWT should be going to jail. It is a criminal breach of fiduciary duty to IL&FSs shareholders such as ADIA (Abu Dhabi Investment Trust), LIC (Life Insurance Corporation), ORIX, HDFC, State Bank and others. It is a good challenge for Mr Uday Kotak and his new board as well as the Serious Frauds Investigation Office (SFIO).When Larry Young started requesting records from police, he just wanted to find out what had happened to his daughter, Molly.

More than six years after the 21-year-old was found shot to death in her ex-boyfriends Carbondale apartment, Young is still fighting law enforcement agencies for records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA.

Youngs battle has become a long, often painful example of both the promise and weakness of government-transparency laws in Illinois, including an overwhelmed and inconsistent enforcement system overseen by outgoing Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

Police and other government agencies have offered a series of reasons why Young cant see certain records from the investigations into Mollys death. At times theyve claimed the information should remain under wraps to protect the privacy of his daughter, even though shes dead and hes the executor of her estate. On other occasions theyve simply ignored his requests and disregarded four different rulings from the attorney generals office.

In 2009, Madigan and state legislators crafted a new law they promised would help citizens like Young by improving access to government records and proceedings. Under one of its key provisions, the attorney generals office was given authority to interpret and enforce the state Freedom of Information and Open Meetings acts. Since then, thousands of citizens, mostly individuals but also journalists and businesses, have appealed for help from the offices public access counselor, known as the PAC. As she prepares to leave office after 16 years, Madigan has touted her work in promoting transparency as one of her signature achievements.

Often, though, the public still gets shut out. Government bodies around the state routinely ignore or misinterpret the FOIA and OMA, according to a ProPublica Illinois analysis of the nearly 30,000 appeals the PAC has received.

The PACs staff of more than a dozen attorneys struggles to wade through the cases, regularly taking months or even years to resolve them. When it does rule, it seldom uses its full authority to order government agencies to comply with the laws. And in the rare cases when it does, the offices orders are sometimes blown off. Violators face few consequences.

A number of people who turned to Madigans office for help say it is too slow, cautious and unpredictable. That sends the message that public agencies can get away with breaking the transparency laws.

Heres what they need to do: Pull the plug on the PACs office, said Bruce Rushton, a staff writer for the Illinois Times newspaper who has written about delays and inaction from the office. Rushton argued that the attorney generals office is too politicized to oversee disputes involving other politicians and government bodies, including state agencies its charged with representing in court.Dr Aalima Nowhera Shaik, chairman of the controversial Heera Islamic Business Group, better known as Heera Gold, has been arrested by Hyderabad Police. Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar told media persons about the arrest of Dr Shaik, who is accused of collecting money as deposits from thousands of Muslim people from several states. Police also conducted searched her residence in the city, the Commissioner says.

In a statement Hyderabad Police said, "Central Crime Station (CCS) has taken up investigation, recorded statements of various stakeholders and other victims and collected evidences from different sources and found substantial incriminating evidences against Ms Shaik. Based on available evidences, Ms Shaik was arrested on 15th October at New Delhi and brought to Hyderabad on transit remand."



As per information available, the Police said, Ms Shaik is heading 15 companies under different names under Heera Group of companies. "Many of the companies are involved in collection of deposits and investment in different modes of gold scheme from public, where there companies commit a return of around 36% per annum for the invested amount. While exact number of investors, depositors is not known because the companies have not disclosed complete information before the Police. It is estimated that the number of depositors could be in thousands in different states of the country," the release says.



Hyderabad Police has identified more than 160 bank accounts of Heera group from across India and are seeking more details from the banks. The Police says, "Different properties have been identified and necessary action under the Telangana Deposits of Financial Establishment Act, 1999 and the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978, are under consideration."

Last month, over a 100 victims of Heera Gold held public protests in Hyderabad along with victims and investors from other parts of India.

The protests were led by Shahbaz Ahmed Khan, who had told Moneylife that over 200 investor victims have filed complaint against Heera Gold and its founder Dr Aalima Shaikh Nowhera (Nowhera Shaik). Every day, I am receiving calls from panicky victims of Heera Gold from across the country seeking my help in recovering their investment. There are many who had invested more than Rs1 crore in Heera Gold and are now facing difficulties. They are neither receiving interest nor getting the principal amount back, Mr Khan had said.

Replying to an email sent by Moneylife with videos of panicky investors, the market regulators Hyderabad office wrote to say, "Upon examination into the matter, it was found that the activities of Heera Group are in the nature of Ponzi Scheme. Further, the nature of activities of Heera Group was also discussed in the meetings of State Level Co-ordination Committees (SLCC) of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, which are headed by Chief Secretaries of the respective states. It was decided in the meetings of SLCC that the activities of Heera Group appear to be beyond the regulatory ambit of SEBI and RBI and the case would be taken up for investigation by relevant authorities such as CID-EOW, and Serious Frauds Office of India (SFIO). Accordingly, SEBI had already referred the case to CID-EOW, Enforcement Directorate, Commissioner of Police-Hyderabad."

On 10 September 2018, Farzanaunissa Mohammad Khaja filed an FIR under Section 406, 420 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 5 of the Telangana Deposit of Financial Establishments Act, in Bajara Hills Police Station at Hyderabad. Ms Khaja has alleged in the FIR that her husband had invested Rs25 lakh in Heera Retail Hyderabad Pvt Ltd, but the company has refused to return her money.

Thousands of investors of Heera Gold are in a panic since past several months over payment delays and rumours about financial difficulties faced by the group, which has amassed vast sums of money by specifically targeting the Muslim community by invoking the name of Allah in its sales pitch.

The trigger for people gathering to protest at Heera Golds plush offices in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and other cities was the decision to 'share profit' once in three months instead of every month. But that is not the only issue.

In 2017, Dr Shaik, CEO of Heera Gold formed the All India Mahila Empowerment Party under the banner of justice for humanity. This party even contested 221 out of the 225 seats in the recently concluded Karnataka Assembly elections with a 'diamond as its symbol. It is rumoured to have lost large sums of money. This and other rumours has triggered panic among people who want their money back.

Heera Group claims to be a gold trading company with business all over the world. In the past four years, the lack of any enforcement action by investigation agencies has allowed it to grow rapidly and diversify into diverse business. In the past two years Moneylife has raised the issue of Heera Gold's Ponzi operations with two SEBI Chairman  Mr UK Sinha as well as Mr Ajay Tyagi  because it operated like a vast collective investment scheme. Neither of the two SEBI chairmen bothered to respond.

Our communication we said, "We hope SEBI will take note of this and hasten action so that people do not end up losing money. Many women too are being conned into borrowing against property to invest in these companies on the claim that the returns would be significantly higher than the interest they would pay on their loans."

Investigations and information by a premier government agency, perused by Moneylife, claim that Heera Gold is involved in hawala activities. The note lists various actions against the group. For instance, on 17 May 2014, the Hyderabad Police apprehended six accused, while Heera Group promoter, Dr Shaik was named an absconding accused. Subsequently, on 21 May 2014, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched Heera Group premises and seized documents pertaining to the illegal transfer of money through hawala.

In August 2012, Asaduddin Owaisi, member of parliament (MP) from Hyderabad, had registered a case against Dr Shaik for cheating a large number of local investors from his constituency. The Hyderabad Police are investigating this case as well.

The Heera Group began its operations in 2010 and since then, claims to have created 25 legal entities. Of these, only 10 were found to be registered on registrar of companies (ROC), Hyderabad and only four are found to have filed balance sheets (FY2012-13), which are being analysed. It is not registered under FCRA, says a government source.It used to be that people were wondering whether or not technology would replace the role of the originator. At Originator Connect 2018, Steve Richman, a national spokesperson, sales trainer, marketing manager, and consultant at Genworth Mortgage Insurance, noted that even with the advent of automated underwriting systems and automated valuation models, there are still underwriters and appraisers.

They are not going to get rid of [originators] anytime soon. How can we ensure that they dont get rid of us? First off, I hear a lot of these complaints: This industrys getting really, really complicated. Thats good. The more complicated our industry is, the more theyre going to need us. Once it becomes simplistic and anyone can do it, guess what? Thats when we get replaced, Richman said.

Rather than looking at people as potential loans, Richman said, originators need to look at people as individuals, learning their particular story and establishing relationships on a one-to-one basis.Plans for a park to house 12 modular homes at East Dormard Avenue and North Lamesa Road were deferred at the request of the developer during Mondays Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

The applicant wanted to defer the request so they could talk with the residents and those whose kids go to the school, said Josh Sparks, commission chairman. There was a lot of opposition, so they wanted to talk with them and try to change some minds.

Among those speaking in opposition to the plan were Jaquez Anders and Jennifer Rodarte, who expressed concern about safety, particularly increased traffic and how it could threaten the children in the neighborhood.

A higher crime rate was also a concern for Anders, who said crime has increased with the building of an apartment complex in the area.

Its crowded over there, she said. A mobile home park is not good. You dont know whos living there. I dont know that a park fits there.

Rodarte joined Anders in expressing concern about the impact of the park on the value of their homes.

We had planned on meeting with the neighbors before this hearing, said Andrew Mellen, managing partner with Maverick Engineering, who discussed the plans on behalf of the developer, Chapel Samuels. We are planning to do so before the next meeting.

Zoning already allows for modular homes, but the request, for a specific use permit without term for a mobile home park, was to allow for additional units, Mellen said. The site would accommodate 12 modular units, plus an on-site manager to monitor the tenants coming in and monitor for safety. (The manager) would also do background checks on individuals, just as apartment complexes do, he said.

The request will now be considered at the commissions first November meeting.

Mellen also represented the developers of a planned apartment community in their request for a zone change from PD, planned district for shopping center to PD planned district for housing development at South Loop 250 West and Leisure Drive. The request was unanimously approved by the commissioners.

Salil Gaitonde, senior vice president with Dallas-based CMC, said it will be a 256-unit, three-story Class A apartment community.

It will be a good community with attention to amenities within the complex and the units themselves, he told the Reporter-Telegram. It will be a great asset for that neighborhood.

Pending final approval by City Council, he said he expects ground will be broken by mid-2019.

Commissioners also approved a request for a specific use with term for the sale of alcohol for on-premises consumption in a parking lot at West Ohio Avenue and North Colorado Street.

We received approval from City Council to continue our Urban Market for another year, Monica Ramirez, an owner of So Fly Boutique downtown, told the Reporter-Telegram. Today were proposing that the market become a licensed Texas Alcohol Control Board vendor. Right now, we have others on our property selling alcohol.

The Urban Market is twice a month and featuers as many as 60 vendors. There also are Brunch Market and Night Market.

Also Monday, commissioners approved a request by We Cant Believe Its Not LLC for a specific use permit with term for the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption at a new restaurant at the south side of Spring Park Drive and North Big Spring Street.

Kali Davis, owner of the restaurant, to be called Butter, said it will be a new-build location that will serve as a bar and small plates restaurant.

In other action, commissioners approved a request by

-- Tkilaz Mexican Restaurant Bar and Grill at 4610 N. Garfield St. for a specific use permit with term for the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption in its 10,250 square foot restaurant.

--Vandergriff Group Architects for a zone change from PD planned district for shopping center to amended PD, planned district for shopping center at the West Loop 250 frontage road and the west side of Whitmire Boulevard. The request was made to allow Vandergriff Group to construct a storage building at the back of their property to house exhibition materials.As Permian Basin oil and gas operators seek to optimize production in their wells by better determining the sweet spots, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin is looking to help.

Ahmed Alzahabi, a member of the petroleum engineering faculty at UTPBs College of Engineering, has been studying shale rocks for the last four years and is the co-author of two new books on the subject: PVT Property Correlation: Selection and Estimation and Optimization of Hydraulic Fracture Stages and Sequencing in Unconventional Formations.

Hes working on a new model that would make hydraulic fracturing more efficient and could save companies time and money as they drill for more oil. Alzahabi wants to eliminate the process of crews drilling multiple wells at one site and sending sensors down the wellbore in the hope each well will strike oil. This process does not always result in optimal production, he said.

Alzahabi believes a special algorithm and screening criteria on the surface of a drilling site can more accurately determine the sweet spot.

We believe companies will be able to cancel unnecessary wells. They can cancel unnecessary frac stages before even drilling it, he said. We will save companies billions of dollars.

His students are assisting him with his research, which is being sponsored by the College of Engineering. He said he hopes his students can start testing the model immediately.

Alzahabi took some time from the busy first week of UTPBs fall semester to discuss the research.

Q. Exactly how will this model work? Is it a computer program crews can use?

A. We are building a set of correlations to work as a predictive model for the Wolfcamp data. These correlations can be used by anyone with easy available data on the surface to predict the number of fracture stages, clusters and perforations in horizontal wells.

This work targets a predictive model to evaluate the number of stages, clusters and perforations as one of the completion strategies and treatment for the Wolfcamp shale play and to guide future selective optimum completions. Many important parameters that control producing well behaviors such as number of days on production, depth, fluids in each barrel, horizontal well completion configurations, stages per well, fracture type, average water requirement, proppant type, fluid type, hydraulic horsepower per stage, pounds per square foot of proppants per stage, number of stages, and lateral length and completed interval of the horizontal wells, have been analyzed.

We analyzed the performance of thousands of horizontal wells right from the Wolfcamp formations using available data. The analysis of the data identified key parameters -- depth, barrels of fluids, type and amount of proppant, fluid type, and 30-day initial potential in defining the number of stages, clusters and perforations.

The procedure used in exploring the data can be used as a decision criterion for similar cases in deciding the number of fracture stages and the main important factors that lead to the optimum way of developing these resources. A multivariate linear regression predictive model for number of fracture stages, clusters and perforations were advised. The models show relatively good in-sample predictions.

Q. Would you say this is part of the Big Data that is increasingly a part of oil and gas operations?

A. The answer is simply, yes, it is. The concept is to make sure that we frack the optimum number of stages in our horizontal wells here in the Permian Basin that would provide us with the optimum hydrocarbon production.

Q. How will you test this model? Will you test it with a small number of wells? How long do you think the testing period will last?

A. We will test the model using publicly available data.

Q. Do you find  as others have  that operators are willing to provide data to help develop such algorithms?

A. We have an interested local company that kindly supports us with the data for building these set of new correlations.

Q. Are your students helping to develop this model?

A. Yes, I am guiding our undergraduate students to build the models and test them. I am collaborating with a professor from Texas Tech as a part of my research team.Drilling rig masts and pumping units will be towering above Odessa's 42nd Street and Andrews Highway this week as the Ector County Coliseum and Fairgrounds displays the latest in technology and equipment.

It's time for the Permian Basin International Oil Show, set for Tuesday through Thursday, and organizers expect it to be well-attended, especially after falling oil prices put a damper on the 2016 show.

"The theme is 'We're back,' sort of like Arnold Schwarzenegger," said Steve Castle, president of this year's show.

OIL REPORT: Desalination process could yield fresh water from Permian's produced water

Tony Fry, PBIOS executive director, anticipates oil and gas producers will come on out.

"Our results do mirror the recovery in the industry," he said.

After the industry downturn sent traffic at the 2016 show tumbling by 20 to 25 percent, Fry said he expects traffic this year will return to "those nice numbers of 2014," or about 40,000 visitors.

Fry said exhibit space is sold out and a waiting list at the end of August totaled 300. Some exhibitors are seeking to expand their space this year, according to organizers.

Castle said the oil show offers value to small businesses, such as his Cowboys Resources.

"Being a small operator, it's nice to be able to talk to people, mainly on the services side. For example, if Halliburton has a new proppant or a new procedure, I don't want to be a guinea pig. I can call the oil show's executive board, which has 24 or 25 members, or the big board of directors, with 200 members, and ask them who is a good pulling unit company or a good hot oiler."

As important, is PBIOS's role in showcasing technology, he said.

OIL REPORT: Covenant Testing leverages human capital to help producers improve output

"It's labeled the working man's oil show," Castle said. "You'll see guys in coats and ties, but you'll also see guys in their coveralls. You'll see all walks of life."

Castle said that, unlike some other shows at the coliseum, the oil show does not receive funds from the Odessa Development Corp. Instead, he said the oil show actually pays for upgrades to the facility, such as electrical wiring.

Also, the PBIOS board contributes scholarship funds to Midland College, Odessa College and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin for industry-related education. Since 2004, the show has given $1.2 million in scholarship funds.Thirty-one years ago on October 16, 1987, millions of Americans rejoiced when 18-month-old Jessica McClure was pulled up from an eight-inch-wide well pipe in Midland after being stuck for more than 58 hours.

After the toddler fell 22 feet down into the well in her aunt's backyard, she was without food or water for more than two and half days. Over the 58 hours she was stuck, TV stations and newspapers continued to cover the potentially fatal incident and America was grasped by the images.Autumn quickly descended upon Texas Sunday and Monday, bringing drastic temperature drops, record lows, heavy rain and even snow to the Lone Star State.

The cold front's path through the state was rapid, but it didn't hit the whole state at once. Cities in the panhandle and North Texas were showing 30-degree temperatures Sunday while San Antonio, Houston, and other southern cities maintained their summery 70-90 degree temperatures, the National Weather Service said.Adek Berry | AFP (Getty Images)

CARLINVILLE  Five Illinois cities, including Carlinville, will receive federal funding to help people find quality housing or keep current homes.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $47 million in housing counseling grants. Illinois will receive $1.4 million to assist nearly 53,000 households. HUD counseling money will go to Carlinville, Chicago, Grayslake, Joliet and Springfield.Morgan County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Brittany L. Shingleton, 32, of 1010 N. Clay Ave. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 3:34 a.m. Sunday on a possession of methamphetamine charge.

Jacksonville Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Shedrick T. Williams, 48, of 5 Sommerset Drive was arrested at 8:42 p.m. Sunday on a domestic battery charge after police say he hit a 12-year-old boy in the face.

 Quinton D. Hatfill, 27, of Lewistown was booked into the Morgan County jail at 12:24 a.m. Sunday on a charge of criminal trespass to residence.

 Jeffery S. McAfee, 39, of 1360 Woods Lane was booked into the Morgan County jail at 2:05 a.m. Sunday on charges of battery and disorderly conduct.

 Grant A. Kimler, 33, of 1846 Plum St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 12:30 p.m. Sunday on a driving under the influence charge.

 Chad L. Slater, 49, of 121 E. Independence Ave. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 1:34 a.m. Monday on a domestic battery charge.

 Stephanie M. Thomas, 40, homeless, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 9:04 a.m. Monday on a charge of driving while license is revoked or suspended.

ACCIDENTS

 Nancy J. Hinton, 67, of Alexander was cited on a charge of following too closely after police say she hit the rear of a vehicle being driven by Amanda M. Littig, 39, of Bluffs while it was stopped at Massey Lane and West Morton Avenue at 3:40 p.m. Saturday.

 Sasha R. Middleton, 30, of Virginia was cited on a charge of improper lane use after police say the vehicle she was driving hit the side of a vehicle that was pulled over to allow an emergency vehicle to pass in the 1600 block of West Morton Avenue.



Brown County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Felix Castro III, 36, of Versailles was arrested at 9:20 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of cannabis, possession of ammunition by a felon and possession of more than six cannabis plants.

The arrest came after a search by the Brown County Sheriffs Department and Mount Sterling Police of a residence in the 600 block of 1350 East Street in Versailles.

 Jason L. Hammon, 43, of Ripley was arrested at 5:37 p.m. Thursday on a domestic battery charge after an incident in the 100 block of North Jackson Street in Ripley.

Compiled by Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree, David C.L. BauerIt was never really about the alleged sexual assault. Or the beer drinking. Or the scribblings in a high school yearbook. Or the alleged lying. Or even judicial temperament.

For the vast majority in the Senate as well as the general public, at stake was political control of the Supreme Court. The framers of our constitution would understand, but they would also be disappointed. In perception, if not reality, their plan for an independent judiciary has failed.

To be sure, there are people who changed their minds on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Some early supporters of Kavanaugh found his emotional and combative testimony disqualifying, while others were persuaded that a credible allegation of sexual assault, even without corroboration, requires that we accept the accusation as true. There are also people who opposed Kavanaugh until they witnessed his treatment at the hands of Democrats and their presumption that he was guilty until proven innocent.

However, for all but a handful of those who would determine Kavanaughs fate, the die was cast before the allegations of sexual assault, excessive drinking, uncouth teenage behavior  and before the allegations of a lack of judicial temperament and lying to the Senate Judiciary Committee. At the end it came down to the same handful of senators whose votes were in question from the outset. And those few votes were thought to depend on politics, not the candidates merits.

Whatever the truth of Dr. Christine Blasey Fords accusation, she was made a pawn in a nasty political campaign to sway the votes of Republican senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Jeff Flake and Democratic senators Heidi Heitkamp and Joe Manchin.

The effort succeeded with Heitkamp and Murkowski, but failed with the other three. Among Republican senators, only Murkowski was persuaded by the case against Kavanaugh. Among Democrats, only Manchin found Kavanaugh qualified for a position on the Supreme Court. It is impossible to describe that outcome as anything but a highly partisan contest for political control of the high court.

Until Kavanaughs confirmation, the court was split evenly between liberals (appointed by Democratic presidents) and conservatives (appointed by Republican presidents). Republicans prevented Democrats from gaining a 5-4 advantage with their refusal to act on President Obamas nomination of Merrick Garland, a clearly qualified nominee. Democrats were determined to return the favor, whether or not the nominee was qualified.

In the Garland nomination Republicans had the votes, so we cannot know whether they would have stooped to character assassination. The problem for the Democrats is that they do not have the votes, so to have any hope of defeating a clearly qualified conservative nominee they were forced to descend all the way to an alleged ice throwing incident of the distant past.

Everyone seems to agree that the process was an embarrassing disaster. But opinions about the nature and causes of the disaster are as divided as opinions on the Kavanaugh nomination itself. Each party blames the other, offering little hope for a return to near unanimous confirmations of clearly qualified nominees of presidents of either party.

If there is hope, it will require senators of both parties to take to heart the lecture delivered by Senator Ben Sasse during the Judiciary Committee hearings and the statement of Collins in announcing her intention to vote for Kavanaughs confirmation.

Sasse explained to his colleagues a major reason judicial confirmations have become so partisan  Congress has abandoned the politically hazardous task of passing clear and precise laws that do not require the courts to fill in the blanks and thus effectively engage in policy making. In a tour de force Collins reminded her colleagues on both sides of the aisle what it means to advise and consent to a presidential nomination  giving a nominee a fair hearing focused on judicial qualifications and not declaring opposition before the hearings begin and even before a nominees name is revealed.

There seems little doubt that had the tables been reversed, Republicans would have been digging for dirt to besmirch an otherwise qualified nominee of a Democratic president. It is the way of most elections in this age of ultra partisanship. Neither party has clean hands in this now recurrent spectacle.

Nor are the voters free from blame. When a senators vote on a Supreme Court nominee turns largely on predictions of how confirmation might affect partisan interests without regard for the law, not to mention its anticipated effect on the senators prospects for re-election, we are doomed to relive the nightmare that was the Kavanaugh confirmation process.

James Huffman is dean emeritus at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.During the Democratic Weekly Address, Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) discussed health care and stated that while the Affordable Care Act isnt perfect, instead of sabotage, we need solutions.

Jones was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words

Hi, Im Doug Jones, United States Senator from the great state of Alabama. Its a place that values family and community, where folks still look out for their neighbors.

Thats why, as their senator, Ive made it a priority to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to expand access to quality, affordable health care to every family in Alabama and across the country. And while weve made great strides, like funding the Childrens Health Insurance Program for another 10 years, weve seen this President, his administration, and Republicans in Congress take steps to undermine our health insurance markets and put Americans at risk.

Some folks might think that just because multiple attempts to push health care repeal through Congress failed last year, that theres no longer a threat to the coverage that they have today. Sadly, thats just not true.

In August, the administration took yet another step to weaken our health care system by expanding the availability of junk insurance plans. And thats exactly what they are: junk.

Originally, these plans were conceived as a way to get folks cheap, very short-term coverage between plansfor example, if you were in between jobs, these plans would be a bridge between those jobs. Recent health care reforms limited their use to three months for good reason. But with the administrations new rule, people can buy these plans for up to a year, with the option to renew for three years.

Now for a young, healthy person, that might seem like an attractive option. But if you ever actually needed to use it, you might find that it falls far short of what you expected it to cover.

These junk plans dont have to cover maternity care, hospital visits, addiction treatment, pre-existing conditions, and much more. Worse yet, if you buy a plan like this thinking youre just saving a buck and dont realize its an empty plan  God forbid you find out that once youre facing a medical emergency. Regardless, someone ends up footing that bill, whether its you or the hospital or the taxpayers.

And because healthier people might gravitate towards an option like this, it could destabilize the entire risk pool for traditional plans  potentially sending premiums soaring for older individuals and people with pre-existing conditions who need robust coverage.

It is no wonder that, according to reports, during the public comment period not a single group representing patients, doctors, nurses, or hospitals voiced support for this rule. Along with insurance commissioners and policy experts, these groups all agree: junk plans are just thatjunkand are not worth the risk. Thats why all Senate Democrats earlier this week forced a vote on legislation that would have overturned the rule allowing the expansion of junk plans, which unfortunately failed mostly on a party-line vote.

Unfortunately, this effort is just one of many that have had the express intent of undermining a federal law and its vital protections like those for pre-existing conditions that was upheld by the Supreme Court. Weve seen the open enrollment period cut in half, health care navigator and advertising funds nearly wiped out, and even scheduled maintenance on Healthcare.gov during high-volume registration times. These actions have the net effect of keeping Americans in the dark about their options, or worse yet, discouraging them from accessing health care coverage at all.

The administration has even abandoned their defense of the law in the face of a lawsuit brought by a dozen states, including Alabama, that seeks to gut the core provisions of our health care system. If that lawsuit succeeds, protections for pre-existing conditions would no longer be guaranteed.

For the one-in-three Alabamians under age 65 who have a pre-existing condition, they could face devastating consequences.

No law, including the Affordable Care Act, is perfect from the start. But instead of sabotage, we need solutions.

With your help, we can keep this important issue at the top of the agenda. Together, our voices can drive the national conversation around health care and get us back on track to ensure quality, affordable care for all Americans.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.Update at 3:47pm: CAL Fire reports that a vegetation fire that broke out around 3:30 p.m. was contained within a 20-by-20 foot spot by the time firefighters arrived.

Officials remind folks that fire danger is currently high as much of the area remains under a red flag warning for high winds until 11 oclock tonight.

Original Post at 3:35pm: Sonora, CA  If you hear airplanes overhead, Columbia aircraft are among the responders to a reported vegetation fire in the Phoenix Lake-Cedar Ridge area.

The incident, reported at 3:30 p.m., is described as being in the 16,300 block of Estralita Drive near Canyon View Drive. No other details are available at this time. We will provide more information as it comes into the news center.Department of Justice View Photos

Valley Springs, CA  Following a multi-state investigation by the FBI, a Valley Springs man was sentenced to 25 years in prison, which will be followed by 10 years of supervised release.

30-year-old Nicholas Carroll Watkins used the internet applications Kik Messanger and SayHi to engage in sexually explicit communications with other adults, as well as numerous minor females. The US Attorney Eastern District of Californias office reports that Watkins discussed his sexual interest in children and often solicited and received explicit images directly from minors.

Watkins will also be required to register as a sex offender. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The FBI offices in both Stockton and Miami were involved in the investigation.Sonora, CA  The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors heard an update on projects related to the Master Stewardship Agreement that was signed last December between the county and the Stanislaus National Forest.

The goal is to work together to identify and seek funding for mutually beneficial projects to improve the forests health and make it more resilient to wildfire. Part of the stipulation is that the projects receive consensus support of the Yosemite Stanislaus Solutions group, which is comprised of representatives of both industry and conservation interests. YSS has created a Supplemental Project Agreement subcommittee that helps identify projects and make recommendations to the county. Also, the county has subcontracted with the Tuolumne River Trust for project management. The county is required to fund at least 20-percent of the revenue of the MSA and the forest service covers the remainder.

An early project that is near completion is the Looney Stewardship Project, Phase 1. It covers the design work for 994 acres in preparation of a timber sale.

A project that will get underway this winter is referred to as the Two Mile Fuel Reduction Project that will result in 318 acres of mechanical shredding.

Also, the county has recently received a $5-million grant via the California Climate Investment program. The money will allow for commercial thinning of 2,457 acres, up to 500 acres of reforestation, and prep work for 3,788 acres for prescribed burning. However, the most hyped aspect mentioned at todays meeting was to provide Lidar mapping of 1,403,312 acres across the county. The 3D laser mapping will help identify areas most in need of forest health improvements.

The various supervisors lauded the Lidar plan. District Two Representative Randy Hanvelt stated, This is high tech, and it eliminates a lot of the cost and manpower of trying to do this. The neat thing is that we are doing the whole county. It will set up our private landowners, and our fire safe councils, to do work inside the county, to supplement everything else we are doing (on forestlands). This is just amazing.

A contract has been awarded for the Lidar mapping, and the plan is for it to be carried out sometime later this fall when trees still have leaves and there is minimal snow on the ground.

The county also learned that around $155-milliion in additional California Climate Investment money will be available each of the next five years as part of recent state legislation signed by the governor. County staff, the Forest Service and YSS will meet over the coming months to discuss applying for the next round of funding, as applications are due January 29.Mayoral hopeful Julian Castro acknowledged Wednesday that his twin brother took his place in a parade this week, waving at onlookers who mistook the stand-in for the candidate.

Castro told The Associated Press he had a conflicting event and didn't intend to deceive anyone when state Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, boarded the City Council barge in the city's River Parade.

"We can't help that we look like each other," said Julian Castro, a council member and leading contender for the mayor's post.

As many as 250,000 people gathered along the famous River Walk to watch the decorated barges float by on Monday night. Many mistook the state representative for the mayoral hopeful.

"When he was waving, they would say, 'Julian,' and he would say 'No, it's Joaquin,' but you can't really yell at 200,000 people along the route," Julian Castro said.

River Parade announcer Bob Guthrie told radio station WOAI, which first reported the story, that materials provided to him showed Julian Castro _ not his brother _ among passengers on the City Council float. He said he wasn't told about the replacement.

"I thought it was Julian Castro myself, as I'm sure tens of thousands of others did," said retired state appeals court judge Phil Hardberger, one of Castro's opponents.

Joaquin Castro did not immediately return a phone call to his Austin office from The Associated Press. A woman who answered said the lawmaker was in a committee meeting Wednesday afternoon.

Hardberger said he believes the parade appearance was dishonest and deceptive.

"If you're 18 years old and having a date, it might be a youthful prank when you swap out your brother, but when you're running for mayor of a city with 1.3 million people and sending in your brother as an impersonator  I do see a problem with it," Hardberger said.

Julian Castro said his brother usually accompanies him in the parade, and they are rarely mistaken for each other when together.

"Both of us were going to go, and at the end, we scheduled another meeting," Castro said. "He still wanted to go, and council members could bring family members, and I don't have a spouse."

The council member said his brother has never taken his place in more than 50 debates he has held with his opponents, which also include City Council member Carroll Schubert.

Julian Castro said the two have never stood in for one another in their official duties.

"I would never be able to fill in for him, I don't know the issues," he said.

The election is May 7.Midland Crime Stoppers and the Midland authorities are seeking the public's help to find some of the area's most-wanted fugitives.

Crime Stoppers will pay the first person who calls Midland Crime Stoppers with information that leads to a fugitive's arrest. Information can be reported by calling Call 694-TIPS or 1-800-7-LOCKUP, submitted online at www.midlandcrimestoppers.com or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app. All tipsters remain anonymous.Whataburger and James Avery fans can show everyone that their cups runneth over with love for the two brands via a brand-new sterling silver charm.

The Texas companies teamed up to create a one-of-a-kind collector's item, a tiny replica of the Whataburger cup, complete with hand-painted orange enamel.

Starting with regular business hours on Tuesday, Oct. 16, customers can shop the burger bling on either the Whataburger or James Avery websites or at the jeweler's locations for $80.

RELATED: Whataburger's new 'Then & Now' feature shows the restaurant's early days

"Whataburger and James Avery are both known for quality and fine craftsmanship  whether it comes to burgers or to jewelry. And just like Whataburger's completely customizable burgers, this hand-painted charm is so unique," Whataburger Vice President of Retail Mike Sobel said in a written statement. "We'd like to think we're making Santa's job just a little bit easier this year."

The burger and jewelry companies teamed up for the first time exactly a year ago. The product of that collaboration, a Texas-shaped charm engraved with the Whataburger logo, sold out in less than 24 hours.

That $60 Whataburger James Avery Charm has since been restocked and can be paired with the new cup bauble.

Get your first look at the latest release in the gallery above.

Madalyn Mendoza is a digital reporter for MySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| mmendoza@mysa.com | Twitter: @MaddySkyeEric Gay/STF

The trade gap for energy products in the United States has narrowed over the past decade as the nation has shifted from importing oil and other fuels to exporting fuels to other countries.

Between 2003 and 2007, the value of energy imports to the United States - fuels like oil, gasoline and diesel fuel - was about 10 times greater than the value of fuels the United States exported. But by 2017, imports were running only about 1.5 times higher than exports, according to the U.S. Department of Energy which got the data from the U.S. Census Bureau.A professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio is developing machine learning algorithms that could detect and categorize malicious software.

Shouhuai Xu, director of the Laboratory for Cybersecurity Dynamics at UTSA, was awarded a nearly $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to work on the algorithms. The grant runs through 2021.

The research will help our city continue developing effective countermeasures against sophisticated cyber-attacks, Congressman Joaquin Castro said in a statement. This new research will inevitably support communities across our city, state, nation and globe, having real-world applications in areas such as fraud and crime detection.

Cybercriminals and defenders are engaged in a game of cat-and-mouse: each side is constantly evolving and changing their techniques to counter the other, Xu said. Attacks represent a growing threat for companies of all sizes, but particularly for smaller businesses that may not have as-ample resources to prevent them.

Its like an arms race, Xu said. Thats the nature of cybersecurity.

With 28 million residents and an abundance of energy, technology and medical companies, Texas in particular is an alluring target. The state experienced the highest number of malware attacks in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2017, according to data released in June by security firm Malwarebytes.

On ExpressNews.com: Small businesses in Texas at rising risk of cyberattacks

Texas also had the third-highest number of victims of internet crimes last year, according to a report by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Residents filed more than 21,000 complaints and reported losing about $115 million to hackers last year, the second-highest reported loss, according to the report.

Related: FBI report shows Texans hit hard by cybercrimes last year

The algorithms Xu is working on are another tool the good guys could use to mount an effective defense and rebuff attacks, he said. The goal is to make the research available to companies that could use it.

The bad guys are getting smarter, Xu said. What we need to do is invest a new generation of technology that can defeat them.

The technology will be able to detect how the software hides and disguises itself and unmask it, he added. It will also be used to classify different families of malware, and help researchers learn more about attacks and how to defend against them.

There may be attacks that may not be defensible by the existing knowledge or artificial intelligence, Xu said. This will help us understand the boundary between what can and what cannot be done.

madison.iszler

@express-news.net | Twitter: @madisoniszlerOver the past year, more than 500 people have been injured or died during their visits to Texas state parks.

The spring and summer months are the most dangerous, according to data obtained from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department spanning September 2017 through August 2018. Nearly one-quarter of the incidents occurred during May or June, and 13 of the 20 deaths reported occurred between May and August.The attorney for alleged serial killer and Border Patrol supervisor Juan David Ortiz is seeking a bail reduction for his client, claiming he is illegally confined and restrained.

Ortiz remains behind bars at the Webb County Jail, held on a $2.5 million bond. He is charged with four counts of murder, unlawful restraint and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

READ ALSO: Border Patrol agent deemed 'serial killer' is married and has two children

On Friday, Ortiz's attorney, Jose Salvador Tellez, filed an application for writ of habeas corpus seeking bail reduction. In the application, Tellez states that Ortiz's detention is illegal because his confinement and restraint without probable cause is a violation of the Fourth and 14th amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Tellez also says the bond is excessive, oppressive and beyond the financial means of his client.

The court record adds, "Juan David Ortiz's confinement and restraint is illegal because of the cruel and unusual punishment defendant is being subjected to at the Webb County Jail. Defendant has been held in a padded cell since September 15, 2018. Defendant has further been held without any clothing."

The Webb County District Attorney's Office declined to comment Monday on the claims made in the application. The Sheriff's Office could not be immediately reached for comment.

A hearing is set for Wednesday in the 111th District Court.

READ ALSO: WCSO: Border Patrol agent accused of killing four under suicide watch

An affidavit filed by Tellez goes into further detail about his client's incarceration since his arrest.

"The conditions that I am being subjected to are intolerable," the affidavit states.

It says that from Sept. 15 to Sept. 25, Ortiz was held in a padded cell under suicide watch even though he did not try to die by suicide. On Sept. 25, he was moved to an isolation cell that is not padded and consists of four walls, no window and a steel door, according to the affidavit.

"Since my arrest, I have been taken outdoors to recreation once, on September 25, 2018 for one hour," the affidavit states. "When I am fed, I am not given any utensils. I have to eat with my bare hands. I am not allowed to have a toothbrush or toothpaste. I brushed with a toothbrush on my second day in jail and that's it. I am also not allowed to use deodorant or shampoo.

"When I showered, I am not allowed to use a towel, I must use the clothes that I am given to walk to and from the restroom to dry myself so when I put them on I have to wear them wet until I get to the isolation cell."

Since his arrest, he has not been allowed to use socks, underwear, pants or a shirt, the affidavit states.

RELATED: Family mourns victim allegedly killed by Border Patrol agent

"All I am currently allowed to wear is a green velcro vest and am nude the whole day even though the cells are extremely cold. My wife tried to have the jail give me my seeing glasses and she was told they couldn't give them to me because they were metal so she went and bought me plastic glasses like they told her to and the jail still refused to give them to me.

"I am also not allowed to write letter or access to magazines."

Ortiz is accused of fatally shooting four women between Sept. 3 and Sept. 15. All four were sex workers whom Ortiz picked up off San Bernardo Avenue, authorities said.

"There appears to have been a history between Ortiz and this community ... a community that is vulnerable, defenseless and has no voice," Webb County District Attorney Isidro Alaniz previously said.

In confessing to the crimes, Ortiz also revealed a hostility toward the sex workers who are found nightly along the tattered stretch of San Bernardo, according to authorities.

"I know he mentioned a dislike for the community. Whatever the anger was, we don't know," said Fred Garza, chief for the Webb County Sheriff's Office, which assisted the Texas Rangers in the investigation.Hurricane Harveys legacy is more than a record rainfall or flooded homes and businesses.

It includes increased incidents of domestic abuse, according to Katy Christian Ministries Crisis Center director Susan Denise Hastings. KCMs year-to-date report for January-August 2018 records 1,025 domestic violence victims compared with 417 for the same months in 2017. This year weve had a major increase, primarily due to Hurricane Harvey, said Hastings. Increased outreach by KCM to the community shows families under more stress since the hurricane, she said.

KCM provide free confidential assistance to victims from crisis intervention to emergency shelter placement and from therapy to accompanying them to the hospital, court and law enforcement agencies.

The nonprofit also is being affected by the #metoo movement on social media. A lot of people are reaching out to us because of that movement, said Hastings, who added that law enforcement officials shes talked with report a similar trend. The high-profile alleged sexual abuse cases in the news and social media has made it easier for people to talk about the issue. Before people didnt want to talk about sexual or domestic abuse, she said as she remembered when she started working for KCM in 2003.

HIGH PROFILE ARREST: Celebrity's son arrested for domestic violence. Again.

Increased grant funding will allow KCM to add a full-time and part-time employee this month to the crisis center staff which now includes two full-time advocates and a part-time advocate. KCM operates a 24/7 emergency hotline every day of the year, Hastings said. An answering service relays the callers message to the staff person on call with responses dependent upon whether the caller is a law enforcement officer, a victim or hospital personnel.

More Information Want to Go? What: Night to Remember Those Lost to Domestic Violence When: 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 25 Where: Westland Baptist Church, 1407 West Grand Parkway Cost: Free admission RSVPs required at:www.ktcm.org/silentwitness or susan.hastings@ktcm.org See More Collapse

Hastings used as an example a nurse calling from a hospital about a victim who has sought treatment. KCMs advocate will go to the hospital, meet with the victim, bring undergarments and socks and assess needs. That could include calling law enforcement and emergency shelter placement. If a protective order is involved, the KCM advocate will accompany the victim through the court system and mediation with the abuser in cases where children are involved. The journey from the date of the first call for help to the end of business in the court system can take between two and three years for each person, said Hastings. Harveys flooding of the Harris County courts in downtown Houston caused a tremendous delay, she added.

Shortly after the initial contact with KCM, a victim is involved in 12-week long support group. KCM organizes groups for domestic violence victims, sexual assault victims, parents and teens. We dont wait till the end of the court cases, said Hastings. We want the healing to start. Those initial months also focus on crime victims compensation, shelter relocation and related issues.

KCM partners with The Childrens Assessment Center Houston and in Fort Bend. Many times victims lack access to transportation and KCM is a more convenient site for them to reach, Hastings said. Because we go to hospitals to see people, theyre not just from the Katy area.

Hastings and Deysi Crespi, KCM executive director, agree that there is no typical victim or abuser. The majority of the time the offender is someone the victim knows, said Crespi. Its not a stranger. Its actually someone theyve put their trust in  a friend, a neighbor, relative or spouse.

Children often become secondary victims in a household where domestic violence occurs, she said. KCM provides a support group or individual counseling for youths. They learn that domestic violence isnt their fault and that its not normal, Crespi said.

Proactive programs are offered to teens. We talk with teenagers about healthy relationships, said Hastings as part of an effort to prevent abuse.

KCM calls attention to Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. Deysi said the agency wants people to know about the services that it provides and how they can help by providing resources and volunteering.

It raises awareness through its annual Night to Remember Those Lost to Domestic Violence, too. The free event, which includes dinner, will be 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Westland Baptist Church, 1407 West Grand Parkway S. RSVP to www.ktcm.org/silentwitness or susan.hastings@ktcm.org for the evening which will feature keynote speaker Carvana Cloud, division chief, Family Criminal Law Division, Harris County District Attorneys Office. The event includes a traveling exhibit of life-size red silhouettes representing Harris County victims who lost their lives to domestic violence.

The mission of this project is to remind us of the impact of domestic homicides and family violence within our community, said Hastings. Because these women/men/children no longer have a voice, the silhouettes are called the Silent Witnesses.A New York woman became the subject of ridicule and hatred on social media after she falsely accused a boy of groping her while she was shopping inside a deli.

Teresa Klein, who is white, created a commotion earlier last week outside the Sahara Deli Market in Brooklyn's Flatbush neighborhood as she appeared to tell a 911 dispatcher that the boy, who is black, assaulted her. The spectacle was captured in a now-viral video, and Klein, a 53-year-old Brooklyn resident, has been nicknamed #CornerstoreCaroline.

"No, I want the cops here right now," Klein said as she held her phone to her ear and a crowd of angry onlookers began to gather around.

The boy, wearing a tucked-in green shirt and carrying a backpack, began to cry as the woman in aviator glasses and knee-high boots accused him of grabbing her.

The crowd grew angrier, screaming at Klein, who had covered her other ear as she continued to talk to the 911 operator.

"I just was sexually assaulted by a child," Klein said.

"Are you seriously calling the police?" a woman can be heard saying.

New York resident Jason Littlejohn recorded the Wednesday incident and shared it on Facebook, where it has since been viewed millions of times. The incident comes amid several controversies involving black or brown people who have found themselves the subjects of 911 calls. Such false-alarm emergency calls over non-emergency incidents, many of which have been captured on video, have raised questions about whether these calls had less to do with what someone was doing than with the person's race.

On Friday, Klein went back to the store, where reporters surrounded her. Later, Klein, the reporters and several onlookers, many with phones held up, crowded inside the small deli, where surveillance footage of the alleged grabbing was being played on a screen mounted on a wall.

The video showed Klein standing at the register as the boy walked past behind her with his blue backpack and a plastic bag in his right hand. As the boy's bag appeared to brush against Klein, she looked behind her, seeming startled.

Another Facebook video, also uploaded by Littlejohn, showed Klein watching the surveillance footage. Onlookers screamed at Klein and called her a liar after the footage revealed she was wrong. But Klein seemed oblivious and spoke only to the reporters, who asked her what she thought after watching the footage.

"The child accidentally brushed against me," she acknowledged.

Looking into one of the TV cameras, she apologized to the boy. "Young man, I don't know your name, but I'm sorry."

The Washington Post was unable to reach Klein. A number she was heard giving to the dispatcher during her 911 call is no longer in service. She told Fox affiliate WNYW that she is not racist, and that she called 911 because the boy's mother had become aggressive toward her.

New York police said the department did not receive any complaints or 911 calls coming from the deli's address.

On Monday, the boy - identified as 9-year-old Jeremiah Harvey - attended a community meeting hosted by the Brooklyn borough president, WABC reported.

He "fought back tears at the meeting," WABC reported, "to deliver a simple message. 'Friendship is really the key.'"

The station said the child rejected Klein's earlier apology.

"I don't forgive this woman at all, and she needs help," said Jeremiah.

"What happened to us respecting one another, having unity and being neighborly, did we forget that?" the boy's mother said, according to WABC.

There have been several incidents in the past year involving black people whose ordinary activities were viewed with suspicious lenses -- leading to the hashtag #LivingWhileBlack.

For a 12-year-old black boy in Ohio, it was mowing the lawn. For an 8-year-old girl in California, it was selling water outside the apartment building where she lives. And for a pair of young black men in Philadelphia, it was sitting inside a Starbucks waiting for a person they were supposed to meet. For a black lawmaker in Oregon, it was canvassing in her district. For a Yale University graduate student, it was napping in one of the school's common rooms. For a group of black sorority girls in Pennsylvania, it was picking up trash on a highway as part of a community-service effort.

For former Obama White House staffer Darren Martin, it was moving into his new Manhattan apartment. Martin is one of a group of black people who wrote to the House and Senate judiciary committees last summer, asking for a hearing on racial profiling, The Washington Post's Cleve R. Wootson Jr. reported.

In September, New York Democratic state Sen. Jesse Hamilton of Brooklyn held a town hall meeting called Living While Black. Hamilton also had introduced legislation that would make falsely reporting an incident a hate crime. The bill remains in committee.

- - -

The Washington Post's Cleve R. Wootson Jr. contributed to this article.Squatting amid loose red dirt and rocks, Blake Fischer posed for a picture, a triumphant grin stretching across his face. Arranged in front of him, resembling a macabre family picture, are the bodies of four baboons. The smallest one's head is lolled back, it's mouth slightly agape. Crimson blood stains its abdomen. A quiver of arrows is in the foreground.

It is this photo that has landed Fischer, one of Idaho's fish and game commissioners, in the middle of a firestorm of backlash, which includes an increasing number of calls for his resignation from a position he has held for four years, the Idaho Statesman first reported Friday.

It all began when Fischer and his wife returned from a hunting trip to Namibia last month. Fischer compiled photos of the animals the pair had hunted, which included a leopard, giraffe, impala and waterbuck, and sent the images along with descriptions of each kill to more than 100 people, KBOI reported.

At the very top of Fischer's email was the picture of the baboons, according to the Statesman.

"Fellas," Fischer wrote in the Sept. 17 email, according to the Idaho State Journal, "I have been back for a week, but have been hunting and trying to get caught up. Anyways, my wife and I went to Namibia for a week . . . first she wanted to watch me and 'get a feel' of Africa . . . so I shot a whole family of baboons. I think she got the idea quick."

Fischer's email did not sit well with a number of people who received it, some of whom are former fish and game commissioners. The email and responses to it were obtained by local media outlets through a records request to the Idaho governor's office.

"They killed a whole family, including small baboons, and I think that's revolting," former commissioner Keith Stonebraker told the Statesman. ". . . It just puts a bad light on us."

At least three former commissioners have supported calls on Fischer to resign, the Statesman reported.

In a lengthy email, Fred Trevey, who served as a commissioner for eight years, advised Fischer to "take responsibility and resign, sooner rather than later," the KBOI reported.

"My reaction to the photo and accompanying text of you smiling and holding a 'family' of primates you killed, dismays and disappoints me," Trevey wrote. "I have a difficult time understanding how a person privileged to be an Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner can view such an action as sportsmanlike and an example to others."

More for you After rangers disarmed, 87 elephants slaughtered in Botswana

Though it is legal to hunt baboons in Africa, Trevey wrote "legal does not make it right." According to the Idaho State Journal, Trevey's email included a reference to a hunting manual endorsed by the state's Department of Fish and Game, which states that hunters should "refrain from taking photographs of the kill and from vividly describing the kill within earshot of non-hunters."

"Your poor judgement has unnecessarily put the institution's credibility, and hunting in general, at risk in a blink of an eye," he wrote.

Keith E. Carlson, another former commissioner who called for Fischer to resign, echoed a similar condemnation of the photo.

"I don't know how you can say anything good about a photo of a guy smiling with a stack of dead baboons with a baby in front," Carlson told the Statesman. "If you're an anti-hunter, that's raw meat. And I'm a hunter - I've been a hunter forever."

Fischer's email was forwarded to the governor's office by Idaho Fish and Game Commission Chairman Derick Attebury, according to the Statesman. Fish and game commissioners are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate, the department's website states. Each commissioner serves a four-year term. Fischer, according to the Statesman, was reappointed by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter to serve until 2022, but has yet to be confirmed.

Fischer, who told the Statesman he received a call from a fellow commissioner expressing concerns about the photo, said he apologized for sending the pictures, but defended the hunt.

"I didn't do anything illegal," he said. "I didn't do anything unethical. I didn't do anything immoral. . . . I look at the way Idaho's Fish and Game statute says we're supposed to manage all animals for Idaho, and any surplus of animals we have we manage through hunting, fishing and trapping. Africa does the same thing."

Fischer said he received a list of animals that could be hunted, some of which required a trophy fee, according to the Statesman. Baboons are "free," Fischer said.

Idaho Fish and Game could not be reached for comment. A spokesman declined to comment to the Statesman and said commissioners "are appointed by the governor and not employees of the department."

On social media, reactions to the photo have been fierce, many decrying Fischer's actions as "disgusting" and "disturbing."

Comedian Ricky Gervais, a longtime animal rights advocate, posted a scathing two-word tweet in which he called Fischer a "Pathetic [expletive]," using a vulgar word to describe female genitalia. "#BanTrophyHunting," he added.

"Blake Fischer liked to kill lots of African wildlife," biologist Dan Schneider tweeted. "Some animals on the verge of being declared endangered (and he knows this). He shouldn't be a U.S. Game [Commissioner]."

Robin1473 tweeted "@ButchOtterThe first thing I saw when i woke up this morning was a picture of your Fish &Game Commissioner Blake Fischer gleefully posing with an entire family of baboons he killed with a bow and arrow. I am disturbed beyond words. What kind of people work for you?? Horrific."

Calls for Fischer to resign or be fired resounded.

"Please address the Blake Fischer issue immediately," one person tweeted. "He needs to be removed from his post as he has proven that he is not a champion for wildlife."

Ess Elle Ess tweeted "@idfgIs this how your commissioners act? I'm sickened and outraged. Please fire Blake Fischer!"

Jon Hanian, a spokesman for the governor's office, told the Statesman that Otter is aware of the email.

"It's fair to say the governor is concerned about it," Hanian said, adding that Otter has seen the pictures. "We're looking into it."

Hanian told the Idaho State Journal he would not speculate on Fischer's employment status.

"I don't want to get ahead of our process," he said.

Fischer told the Statesman he was "raised in a very ethical hunting family." In each photo, he said he tried to "pose the animals in a natural position," adding that blood was wiped off their mouths and rifles or bows placed over bullet holes.

"These are normal hunting photos," he said. "You shoot an animal, you take a picture of it."

While the photos may have adhered to proper hunting etiquette, other avid hunters, such as Steven Alder, were still troubled by what appeared to be the killing of an entire baboon family. Alder is the executive director of the pro-hunting group Idaho for Wildlife.

"He killed the whole baboon family and you've got little junior laying there in mom's lap," Alder told the Statesman. "You just don't do that. I hate wolves as much as anyone, but I'm not going to take a wolf family and put it on display and show the baby wolf."Late one night last week, Nonso Muojeke got some amazing news. The 14-year-old was awakened by his mother at 1 a.m., he said, after she found out that the family had been granted permission to stay in Ireland.

Nonso was born in Nigeria in 2004. After his father died in 2006, his mother "became property" of her husband's brother, according to a petition circulated to keep Nonso in Ireland. The petition said that "she was seriously mistreated by that brother and the rest of the family." In 2007, she fled with Nonso, age 2 at the time, and his 7-year-old brother.

The family lived in a hostel in Dublin before moving to Offaly, about 60 miles west.

Nonso's mother filed for asylum and was rejected in 2009; she appealed the case. In 2017, the justice minister denied the request and ordered the family to leave. The teenager told his friends that he was "terrified" at the prospect of moving back to Nigeria, a country he'd never known. He didn't even speak the language, he worried.

When his classmates heard the news, they quickly put together a "Save Nonso" campaign, complete with a petition and a video targeted at Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan, who can overrule deportations.

"The boys have been here since they were very young children and have been brought up as active Irish members of their community," the students wrote in their petition. "They are excellent young persons (one is still a fourteen year old child) who are making, and want to make, a positive contribution to this society. The Irish Constitutional guarantee on the best interests and rights of children is not empty rhetoric; and it must be honoured."

The cause quickly went global, and thousands of signatures poured in. Last week, the students delivered 22,000 signatures to Flanagan. Days later, Nonso and his family were informed that they could remain in Ireland. The Irish Department of Justice and Equality said it came to that decision after a "detailed reconsideration of the family's immigration case."

"Nonso has lived virtually his whole life here - over 11 years," Nonso's teacher Joe Caslin told the Irish Examiner. "Forcing him to leave the only home he knows will inflict great harm on this young boy."

Nonso, for his part, said he's just happy to be able to stay with his friends. "I would like to thank the minister for the humane way in which he handled my case," the teenager said in a statement. "I am really looking forward to my future here in Ireland."In the madness of the Trump era, terrible things happen with almost no notice. An announcement is made, some news stories are written, and the issue quickly disappears, engulfed in a storm of crazy tweets and lies, followed by expressions of outrage among President Trumps foes.

A good example is the administrations decision last month to slash the number of refugees who can be resettled in the United States next year to 30,000, down from the already shamefully low level of 45,000.

The new figure is the lowest ceiling imposed on the refugee program since it was created in 1980 and reflects a sharp decline from the cap of 110,000 that President Barack Obama proposed in his last year in office.

In all circumstances, the move would be shortsighted, mean, politically opportunistic and embarrassingly out of line with what we have always claimed our values are. But it is even more cruel and wrongheaded now, as the world confronts what Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., called the worst refugee crisis since World War II.

We are turning our backs on it, McGovern recently told me, when we should be exercising global leadership.

The Trump administration has taken a hatchet to the program, said David Miliband, president of the International Rescue Committee. Now, he added in an interview, America is closing its doors to the worlds most vulnerable, and its a green light to others who want to do the same.

Can anyone honestly believe that this makes America great?

The moral tragedy is also a political tragedy. Historically, refugee resettlement was a bipartisan issue. Administrations of both parties understood not only the United States obligations to humanitarian relief, given our countrys wealth and international status, but also the nations self-interest in reducing the instability that large concentrations of refugees can create.

Part of the way you protect our homeland is by not letting children grow up in refugee camps, McGovern said. It promotes resentment toward us. Thats where terrorism breeds.

There are still glimmers of cross-party cooperation on the issue. McGovern co-chairs the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (named after the late San Mateo congressman who championed this cause) with Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Ill. They joined in a statement condemning the administrations decision.

The United States cannot abandon its role as a place of sanctuary for the individuals and families seeking to escape violence, turmoil and persecution, they said.

Hultgren noted in an interview that the actual number of refugees admitted runs well below the cap.

We can do better than this, Hultgren said. These are incredible people who arent looking for anything but a place of security. They are working hard and taking care of their families. This a part of the story that doesnt get told enough.

But Trumpian Republicanism means turning away from basic decency in the name of politically motivated attacks on newcomers to our shores.

The policy of reducing the ceilings on refugees has been pushed hard by Stephen Miller, the presidents senior policy adviser who never met a form of nativism he didnt like. Miller reportedly overcame the objections of officials in both the Defense and State departments. They challenged Millers ill-founded claim that letting in more refugees would make it harder to deal with a backlog in asylum-seekers.

And as Rep. Hultgrens comments on who these refugees are suggest, it is a libel to link them with terrorism, especially given a highly intensive vetting process. As a 2016 Cato Institute report noted, the risk of an American being killed by a refugee in a terrorist attack in any given year was 1 in 3.64 billion.

Especially appalling  the worst of the worse, said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn.  is the way the administration is making entry to the U.S. exceedingly difficult even for the tens of thousands of Iraqis and Afghans who have helped American diplomats and the military during our wars. This, Himes noted, stands in sharp contrast to our policies toward rescuing our Vietnamese allies after one of the most unpopular wars in our nations history.

In an election year, McGovern noted, Going out and saying that we have to resettle more refugees might not win you more votes. But most people in our country are good, and I think they understand whats right here.

Youre not going to lose an election, he added, by saying were going to do our share with other countries to help people in dire need. And you surely shouldnt win one for refusing to do so.

 2018,

Washington Post Writers Group

Email: ejdionne@washpost.com Twitter: @EJDionneFAIRBURY (AP)  A 21st century GPS device resting atop a tombstone from the 19th century connects with a satellite orbiting more than 12,000 miles above the Earth so high school students can map the graves location.

This joining of space-age technology with the past is all part of an ongoing project involving Prairie Central High School students in Andrew Quains Human Geography class. Their mission: to map locations and record other information from graves in all 21 cemeteries in the school district.

Ive always been so impressed by students at Prairie Central, said Quain. I wanted to do something lasting that wouldnt be tossed out at the end of the school year.

He got the idea for the cemetery mapping project after Roger McDowell of the Fairbury Veterans of Foreign Wars approached him about finding veterans gravestones that were in need of repair. Quain figured that if the students were going to be walking through the cemeteries looking for damaged gravestones, they might as well map all of them.

This is the fourth year of the project. Students have mapped more than 13,000 graves in eight cemeteries. They are working on four cemeteries this semester.

Prairie Central serves the communities of Chatsworth, Cropsey, Fairbury, Forrest, Strawn and Wing in southern Livingston County and Chenoa in northern McLean County.

Students are proud of it. It has lasting power. The community loves it, said Quain. Its been really rewarding for all.

Sophomore Abby Bergstralh of Fairbury said, It actually feels really good doing a project that helps the community.

Its hard to read the old graves. It takes more time, she said. But Bergstralh said she has learned dont get frustrated.

Cameron Vinyard, another sophomore from Fairbury, said the cemetery looked bigger when he saw it on Google Maps, and he was surprised by how close together the graves are. That wasnt the only surprise.

I didnt know this place existed and I live 5 miles from here, he said after recording the location of another grave.

Quain said the students have located about 40 gravestones in need of repair so far  and weve found veterans from just about every American conflict, including the Spanish-American War.

Among the graves in Avoca Cemetery are those of William McDowell, a veteran of the War of 1812 who was born in 1785 and died in 1834, and Civil War veteran J.C. Crull of Co. 3, 178 Illinois Infantry.

One of the more recent graves is of Army veteran Jerry Leonard Fairley, a Purple Heart recipient who served in the Vietnam War and died this year.

The project fits with one of the learning standards, using self-collected data to make maps, explained Quain. Students also do a geographical analysis of the cemetery, and each student researches a person buried there, he added.

One of the goals every teacher has is self-motivated students, said Quain.

That hasnt been a problem with this class, he said. As soon as the school bus pulls up, students get out and quickly get to work. Many go beyond whats required.

Quain cited the example of a student who found a gravestone with German words on it. The student remembered his math teacher had mentioned she spoke German, so he asked her to translate it for him.

Some students have even found the graves of family members they didnt know and started asking their parents questions to learn more of their history.

As students were taking satellite measurements last week, one stopped to carefully clear away some overgrown vegetation on the edges of a gravestone.

In addition to Avoca Cemetery, this falls students are mapping Germanville, Payne and Spence cemeteries. The information is recorded on a spreadsheet that can be searched by people doing genealogy research or looking for family members.

The schools website says, Our hope is to preserve the history of this area and share it with the generations to come.WASHINGTON - Environmentalists demanding action on climate change often complain that the news media does not pay enough attention to what they see as the biggest long-term crisis facing the world.

But over the weekend, there was a sign that the issue of global warming is breaking though the maelstrom of political news - at least a little bit.

At least a half-dozen members of Congress and the Trump administration, including the president himself, were questioned about climate change during major network news programs Sunday.

The interviews themselves "are news because they are complete aberrations," said Anthony Leiserowitz, an environmental scientist at Yale who studies public perceptions of climate change. "The news networks very rarely ask about climate change."

CBS's John Dickerson, for instance, asked Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, whose home state of Florida was rocked by Hurricane Michael last week, whether "humans are the chief contributor to climate change."

Elsewhere on the dial, ABC's George Stephanopoulos asked White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow whether "the president is going to do anything about" a dire report from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) describing how the world governments have just over a decade to avoid global temperatures creeping past 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming over preindustrial levels.

The interview subjects spanned the political spectrum, as U.S. senators such as Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., were asked to weigh in on the government response to the U.N. report. In total, at least six government officials were asked about climate change during television interviews airing Sunday.

The wellspring of discussion about climate change, seemingly spurred by the publication of the U.N. report and the onset of another devastating hurricane season, stands in contrast to the dearth of discussion on the broadcast networks throughout the rest of the year.

"Had the IPCC report not come out," Leiserowitz said, the networks would not be as likely to press hard on climate change after the hurricane.

Before this past Sunday, climate change was mentioned only three other times in all of 2018 on the three major networks' flagship Sunday morning shows, according to Media Matters for America, a left-leaning watchdog group that tracks that information. Those morning news programs are "Face the Nation" on CBS, "Meet the Press" on NBC and "This Week" on ABC.

Later in the day on CBS's "60 Minutes," Lesley Stahl asked President Donald Trump whether he still thinks climate change is a "hoax," as he had used to tweet before being elected president.

Green groups cheered the increased coverage, even if it only came off the heels of the sort of rapidly intensifying hurricane that climate scientists say will be more common in this warming world.

"This is one of the most pressing crises facing humanity, and Beltway media too often treats it like a partisan game or ignores it altogether," said Adam Beitman, deputy director of media relations at the Sierra Club. "Serious discourse on climate solutions is more than welcome, and shouldn't only come after catastrophes."

If the fact that interviewers decided to bring up climate change at all was encouraging to environmentalists, the responses from Republicans were less so.

While Flake, who is not running for reelection, urged Republicans "to be at the forefront" of the issue, Kudlow questioned the extent to which human activity such as the burning of fossil fuels is increasing global temperatures.

"I think they overestimate," Kudlow said of the U.N. report.

Rubio acknowledged some role humans are playing, but demurred when asked by Dickerson whether he accepted the scientific consensus that humans are chiefly responsible for rising temperatures.

"That's what a lot of scientists say," Rubio said. "I think there are others that dispute what percentage of that is humans and not."

And Trump? He actually seemed to back away from comments he made before becoming president that climate change was a Chinese fabrication.

"I don't think it's a hoax," Trump told CBS's Stahl.

But then he added, "You don't know whether or not that would have happened with or without man."All four Democratic candidates vying for competitive U.S. House seats in Virginia outraised their Republican counterparts in the latest fundraising period and had more cash on hand going into the final weeks of the mid-term elections.

The Virginia numbers are in keeping with national trends as Democrats try to capitalize on President Trump's unpopularity in suburban districts to take control of the House of Representatives.

Comstock-Wexton:

Of the four Virginia races, TV advertising is most expensive in northern Virginia's 10th District where Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock is working to defend her seat against a challenge from Democratic state Sen. Jennifer Wexton.

Wexton raised $2.6 million for the quarter ending Sept. 30, compared to Comstock who raised 1.3 million. Wexton had about $1.6 million cash on hand; Comstock had $1 million.

Former FBI Director James Comey and his wife, Patrice, are among Wexton's notable donors. Both gave her campaign the maximum possible donation of $2,700. They previously gave to Republicans exclusively, including Mitt Romney's presidential campaign, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

Five independent polls since June have found Wexton leading Comstock, including a Washington Post-Schar Center survey released last week.

Taylor-Luria:

Rep. Scott Taylor, a former Navy SEAL, leads Elaine Luria in the latest poll of the district that includes Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore. Luria, a former Naval commander, raised $1.9 million for the quarter compared to his $677,000 and had $1.3 million cash on hand compared his $492,000, reports show.

Taylor and Comstock outraised their Democratic challengers for the election cycle overall.

Comstock, who is seeking a third term, raised about $5.1 million; Wexton raised about $4.6 million. Taylor, who is seeking a second term, raised about $3.5 million; Luria raised about $3.2 million. They are the most seasoned incumbents of the GOP field in Virginia and they are running in districts that President Trump either lost or won by a small margin.

Brat-Spanberger:

In the suburbs of Richmond, Rep. Dave Brat is locked in a tight race with former CIA operative and first-time candidate Abigail Spanberger who outraised him three to one for the quarter. She raised about $3.6 million, making her the candidate who raised the most money of either party between June and September. That was more than three times the amount Brat collected.

She also leads in cash on hand, $1.6 million to Brat's $1.3 million, and for the campaign overall, $4.95 million to his 2.4 million, according to reports.

Two public polls since September have shown a very close contest with split results - Spanberger was ahead in one survey while Brat was ahead in the other.

Riggleman-Cockburn:

In a huge swath of central Virginia, Denver Riggleman and Leslie Cockburn are vying for the seat of retiring Rep. Tom Garrett, R-Va., who announced in the spring that he is an alcoholic and would not seek reelection in order to focus on recovery.

Cockburn, a former journalist who campaigned over the weekend with her actress daughter Olivia Wilde, raised $1.1 million while he raised about $695,000 for the quarter. She had $1 million cash on hand; Riggleman had about half that.

Overall, reports show, she raised $2.4 million for the election to his $910,000.

Stephen J. Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said Democrats' strong showing in 2017 - winning the governor's race by nine points and flipping 15 state delegate seats - convinced donors Virginia is a good political investment.

"The unpopularity of Trump that you saw last year is present this year as well," he said, "and these financial numbers suggest that a lot of donors think 2018 is going to look like 2017 in Virginia."WESTPORT  After a two-year saga fighting mold strung along while students remained in class, Coleytown Middle School will now be shuttered for the remainder of the year.

The relocation of 450 Coleytown students grades six through eight first appeared to be a temporary fix but has now become a permanent solution, according to officials.

The way I see it there are multiple challenges, structural challenges, with that building, even more than we realized. We knew there were some challenges but there are even more, and theyre even more significant than we had realized, Board of Education member Elaine Witney said in reference to preliminary reports that revealed the extent of work needed to remediate Coleytown.

Whitney, along with her six other school board members, voted unanimously to keep Coleytown sixth- and seventh-graders at Bedford Middle School and the schools eighth-graders at Staples High School for the duration of the school year.

Roof and facade leaks are allowing water into the building envelope  where it doesnt belong. Water entering the envelope is causing deterioration, and its allowing algae and moss to grow on (and perhaps inside) the facade and roof, Thomas Olam, president of Watsky Associates, a Valhalla, New York-based engineering consulting firm, wrote about the state of Coleytown in a report dated Oct. 4.

A congruent preliminary report from the Mount Kisco architectural engineering firm KG+D confirmed the significant structural damage at Coleytown due to extensive water saturation and moisture at the school.

I just dont want to risk that if we move them back in, wed have to move them out again. That to me would be devastating, Superintendent Colleen Palmer said noting the severity of Coleytowns structural deficiencies would likely pose health and safety hazards throughout the year that could prompt another school evacuation.

I think the best thing we can do for the kids and the parents at large is take the uncertainty out, board member Vik Muktavaram said, adding a definitive answer on whether Coleytowns students will return to the Coleytown campus this year will allow the board to put full attention toward constructing a permanent fix for the school.

To date, the district has spent $684,568.64 on expenses related to Coleytown remediation and that number is expected to climb to over 800,000, Westport schools Chief Financial Officer Elio Longo said.

To accommodate the 300 Coleytown sixth- and seventh-graders at Bedford, the board plans to rent six new portable classrooms that will likely not be set up for another two months, Palmer said. A new class schedule will be implemented at Bedford to alleviate overcrowding and at Staples, the eighth-grade students who have been quarantined to a hallway of eight classrooms will be given more freedom to walk around the school in order to make the at-first temporary fix more comfortable for the Coleytown students until the school year ends in June.The trial of a once-rising star of Ballet San Antonio accused of raping a fellow dancer was briefly delayed Tuesday to give defense attorneys a chance to review video of officers interviewing the woman who made the accusation.

Hugo Ihosvany Rodriguez, 27, is charged with sexual assault. A fellow dancer accused him of attempting to have sex with her as she slept after they had gone out with a group of co-workers for drinks in March 2017.

State District Judge Catherine Torres-Stahl was about to let the jurors into court to start hearing testimony Tuesday afternoon when defense attorneys asked for a delay to review five hours of body camera footage from interviews with the victim, so she recessed until Wednesday morning.

The Express-News doesnt publish the names of victims in cases of sexual assault.

An arrest affidavit released at the time indicated Rodriguez and a group of co-workers, including his accuser, went out for drinks, and the accuser and her roommate went home around 1 a.m.

Rodriguezs accuser told police she began receiving text messages from the man, asking her if he could go to her apartment, but she never responded, and went to sleep, the affidavit stated.

According to the document, Rodriguez then contacted the roommate around 4:30 a.m., and told her he had been invited over, but that the woman was not answering her phone, and the man mentioned he had once stayed over and slept on the couch.

The roommate told Rodriguez he could sleep on the couch and then went back to her room, but the affidavit states he went into the victim's bedroom instead of staying on the couch. The victim told authorities she awoke to Rodriguez sexually assaulting her, told him to stop, and he did, then left the apartment.

The woman then went into her roommate's bedroom sat on the floor, cried hysterically, and told her what had happened, the affidavit stated.

On the advice of friends, the accuser went to a hospital, where she met with police.

Rodriguez was interviewed later by authorities and told officers he assumed she was awake because she began moving when he got close to her, but also told them the two never spoke until the woman told him to stop, according to the affidavit.

Rodriguez is being tried in 175th state District Court.

Sexual assault is a second-degree felony. If convicted, Rodriguez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Members of the Ballet San Antonio board said earlier this year that Rodriguez was suspended when the board found out about the rape allegation and that he was terminated within a week.

Elizabeth Zavala is a courts and crime reporter in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863The recent heavy rains in Central Texas have led to major flooding for lakes and rivers in the region.

After a record-breaking amount of rainfall in September and even more rain in October, the area is becoming a "saturated sponge," according to National Weather Service meteorologist Paul Yura.A woman testified Tuesday that she was sleeping at her grandfathers house on the East Side when gunfire woke her up early one summer morning two years ago.

Kenya Garza, 22, was called by the prosecution in the trial of Xavier DeShawn Johnson, 24, who is accused of killing Christopher Dotson, 33, on June 27, 2016.

Dotson was shot several times in the street in the 1200 block of Center Street.

Related: Johnson arrested seven months after fatal shooting on East Side

Under questioning, Garza told the jury that when she heard the gunshots, she ran outside and spotted Dotson, known as Short Dog.

I saw Short Dog laying on the ground, she testified. He was already on his last breath.

He had been shot in the head, she said. A woman was screaming and someone told her to call an ambulance, which she did.

Garza, who acknowledged that she was testifying in exchange for having assault and marijuana possession charges dismissed, said she didnt see the actual shooting.

At the time Dotson was killed, police speculated it was drug-related, based on the evidence recovered.

Tuesday, crime scene investigator John Valadez testified that a white substance was found in a pocket of the victims clothes.

Earlier in the day, during opening arguments, prosecutor Jason Goss told jurors they would see video and learn about cellphone tower activity that would place Johnson at the scene of the shooting.

San Antonio is a big city, and there's cell towers all over the place, prosecutor Jason Goss told the panel in his opening statement. A cell tower will tell which area a person is in.

Defense attorneys Ed Shaughnessy and Dan Rodriguez deferred their opening statement until its their turn to begin presenting witnesses.

Testimony is expected to resume today.

Elizabeth Zavala is a courts and crime reporter in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863TOM REEL /San Antonio Express-News

Services for retired Senior District Judge Wayne Patrick Pat Priest, who died unexpectedly Friday, will be Wednesday night, with burial set for Thursday.

Priest, a longtime judge who presided over several high profile regional, state and national cases, died Friday from septic shock with multiple organ failure after a brief illness. He was 77.Five Bexar County sheriff's deputies were suspended last month for their role in a brawl outside of a house party in 2017, according to records obtained by mySA.com.

According to the records, an argument that began around 5 a.m. on June 18, 2017, at a house party attended by the deputies spilled outside, where a physical fight erupted.An enlisted airman was arrested Monday in San Antonio after police found several images depicting child pornography on his computer, laptop and external hard drive, officials said.

Marcus Haynes, 27, was taken into custody on suspicion of possessing child pornography.

San Antonio police began investigating on April 29, when a mother told police her 16-year-old daughter had sex with Haynes, according to an arrest affidavit.

RELATED: 5 deputies suspended for street brawl outside house party

When San Antonio police and Air Force investigators spoke to the girl, she said she and Haynes met through social media and then in person at a park. She told investigators they had sex five times and Haynes recorded them once, the affidavit says.

Police obtained a search warrant and seized all of Haynes' electronic devices.

Though authorities didn't find the video the girl said Haynes had, they found evidence of child pornography, according to the affidavit.

By the time they completed their search through Haynes' devices on Oct. 10, police had found "several" images of child pornography depicting underage girls in different sexual acts, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit did not say where Haynes is stationed.

Haynes was arrested on a $15,000 bond, according to jail records.

Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSAA Bexar County jail deputy was arrested Monday on a theft charge in Balcones Heights, bringing the running tally of deputies arrested this year to 21.

The deputy, Cpl. Joseph Anthony Becerra, faces a charge of theft between $100 and $750, a Class B misdemeanor. He was booked into the Bexar County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

RELATED: 14 arrested, charged with child sex crimes in September

Little information about his arrest was immediately available, but the sheriff's office said Balcones Heights police arrested Becerra at about 6:30 p.m.

Becerra was previously assigned to the detention bureau but became a uniformed detention deputy in February 2017.

RELATED: SAPD looking for 2 cars after 68-year-old man found dead in South Side home

Sheriff Javier Salazar visited him in the Bexar County Jail following the arrest, at which time Becerra tendered his resignation from the sheriff's office.

The sheriff's office's Internal Affairs Unit will conduct a separate but concurrent investigation into Becerra's alleged crimes, pending further investigation by Balcones Heights police.

Becerra was the 21st deputy to be arrested in 2018. This year, Sheriff Salazar has made several efforts to curb behavioral issues at the jail. He's added a staff psychologist to identify at-risk deputies, and he updated the job application requirements for deputies to reject anyone who has previously been arrested for a crime.

Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

Caleb Downs is a crime reporter for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here.| cdowns@mysa.com | Twitter: @calebjdownsEarlier this week, Texas State University suspended all Greek activities following the death of a 20-year-old sophomore.

Matthew Ellis of Atascocita, Texas was found dead Monday morning after attending a fraternity event the night before.

Sadly, tragic incidents like Ellis' death have occurred in Texas fraternity history before.

RELATED: Costumes of Texas State University sorority draw criticism

In November of 2006, freshman Tyler Cross died after falling from his dorm's fifth-floor balcony. Investigators said Cross and other Sigma Alpha Epsilon members were given half-gallon bottles of liquor to drink and beaten with large bamboo sticks and paddles as part of a pledge ritual.

In December of 2005, University of Texas freshman Phanta "Jack" Phoummarath died from alcohol poisoning at a Lambda Phi Epsilon binge-drinking party.

When Phoummarath passed out at the pledge event, partygoers used markers to write obscene statements and drawings on Phoummarath's head, face, torso, legs, and feet. His body was found a day later with a blood-alcohol level of 0.41, more than five times the legal limit for driving in Texas.

Unfortunately, promoting alcohol safety among fraternities is a difficult task, one that researchers are still examining.

A 2016 study published by the American Psychological Association found that "interventions designed to reduce alcohol use among fraternity members are no more effective than no intervention at all."

In other words, when looking to prevent alcohol-related deaths in Greek letter organizations, universities may have abandon old methods that would normally work on college drinking students and think outside the box.

Click through the gallery to see controversial moments from college fraternities:Re: 2 districts want to see brakes put on charters, front page, Oct. 10:

I am a San Antonio parent whose children first attended an independent school district school and now attend IDEA Mays, a public charter school.

When I read the comments about charter schools made by Northside and North East ISD superintendents last week, I was disappointed. The superintendents asked for a community conversation about how charter schools harm ISDs.

I believe we should have a community conversation, but not one side against another. The conversation we should have is about how to give every child a great public education. What is working? What isnt? How can we work together? Those are the issues I want to discuss.

As a parent, it doesnt help my child when we focus on labels. I want us to focus on finding out what methods work best to help students succeed.

My oldest son has been attending IDEA Mays College Preparatory since the school opened. He brings home As on his report card and has achieved mastery on the STAAR reading and math tests.

My middle child started at IDEA this school year. He has a learning disability, and I am amazed by the progress he is making.

My youngest is in kindergarten and is already using big words and even starting to read on her own. The first time I heard her read something, I shouted out loud, I was so happy.

IDEA Public Schools does many things differently.

As a parent, I love the intervention program it has to help struggling students make two years of academic growth in just one year.

I want each of my children to get extra attention when they need it. I think thats a program any public school, ISD or charter, could learn from. At the same time, I want charter schools to learn from what is working in ISDs.

In my mind, it shouldnt matter where a new idea comes from. If its helping students, we should learn from it. If we are facing challenges, we should address them together.

So lets have that community conversation and come together for San Antonios kids.

Renee Nieto is a San Antonio parent of children in charter schools.Mexico's 'La Catrina' Symbolizes More Than Just Death

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Death is the great neutralizer. No matter who we are or what we possess, we are all going in the same direction and headed for one particular place. Nowhere in the world celebrates the end of life quite like Mexico, including Puerto Vallarta.

The Mexican Revolution gave birth to La Catrina, an image created by the talented engraver Jose Guadalupe Posada that satirized the government, the governing, and the ruling class.

The original name for "La Catrina" was actually La Calavera Garbancera, a name that the working class and poor used to refer to Mexicans who held their native heritage in contempt and made every attempt to pass as Europeans. The skeletal resemblance came from the propensity to wear very pale makeup, in an effort to whiten the skin.





Withthe goddess of death of the underworld as his muse, Posada came up with what we know today as the current image of La Catrina. Mictecacihuatl is the keeper of bones in the underworld; the ancient overseer of Aztec fiestas. In modern times, these celebrations have become intertwined with All Saints' Day and other adopted ceremonies of the Catholic Church.

Posada's creation was the simple head shot with an ornate aristocratic French hat. Credit for changing her name is given to Diego Rivera, who took the hat-adorned head of Garbancera and gave her a full body, completely dressed in elegant clothing.

Her debut can be seen today in Mexico City on the preserved mural Sueno de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central ("Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park") at the Museo Mural Diego Rivera. This revered display of Rivera's art is laden with much symbolism, innuendo and legend. Trips to Mexico City can be arranged by your choice of travel agents in Puerto Vallarta.

La Catrina has always represented the disparity between the classes of Mexico and as much as there are those who claim things have changed, the reverence to this symbol only succeeds to point out how things have truly remained the same. Before the revolution, the rich enjoyed many privileges completely unavailable to those with less money. Though there is much more visibility of the lower classes in current times, poverty is still a huge political issue and daily wages remain at amazingly low levels.

Given that, the imagery of Mexico and her celebrations is a testament to the differences between borders. Though citizens of the US see death as something to be feared and avoided, Mexicans are able to maintain a sense of humor regarding death. They remember their loved ones who've passed on with total awareness and spend hard-earned money on gifts for the dead. They couldn't care less who takes offense. Que es como es

Timothy Real Estate Group has been the number one selling and listing agency in the greater Bay of Banderas region since 2011. If you are looking to sell or purchase a property, please contact one of the Timothy Real Estate Group agents for the best experience in Puerto Vallarta real estate. With 5 sales offices around the bay TREG agents know the local neighborhood markets and can ensure your experience is the best that it can be. For more information, visit TimothyRealEstateGroup.com.The reports about Jamal Khashoggi, the missing Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor, whom Ive known for more than 15 years, grow steadily more sickening.

Turkey claims to have audiotape of Saudi interrogators torturing Jamal and killing him in the Saudi Consulate. None of this is confirmed, and we still dont know exactly what happened. But increasingly it seems that the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, better known as MBS, orchestrated the torture, assassination and dismemberment of an American-based journalist using diplomatic premises in a NATO country.

That is monstrous, and its compounded by the tepid response from Washington. President Donald Trump is already rejecting the idea of responding to such a murder by cutting off weapons sales. Trump sounds as if he believes that the consequence of such an assassination should be a hiccup and then business as usual.

Frankly, its a disgrace that Trump administration officials and American business tycoons enabled and applauded MBS as he imprisoned business executives, kidnapped Lebanons prime minister, rashly created a crisis with Qatar, and went to war in Yemen to create what the United Nations calls the worlds worst humanitarian crisis there.

Trump has expressed great confidence in MBS and said that he and King Salman know exactly what they are doing.

If he could be feted after kidnapping a Lebanese prime minister and slaughtering Yemeni children, why expect a fuss for murdering a mere journalist?

In the end, MBS played Jared Kushner, Trump and his other American acolytes for suckers. The White House boasted about $110 billion in arms sales, but nothing close to that came through. Saudi Arabia backed away from Trumps Middle East peace deal. Financiers salivated over an initial public offering for Aramco, the state-owned oil company, but that keeps getting delayed.

MBS crackdown on corruption sounded great, but MBS himself has purchased a $300 million castle in France and a $500 million yacht  and he didnt buy them by scrimping on his government salary.

He did allow women to drive. But he also imprisoned the womens rights activists who had been campaigning for the right to drive. Saudi Arabia even orchestrated the detention abroad of a womens rights activist, Loujain al-Hathloul, and her return in handcuffs. She turned 29 in a Saudi jail cell in July, and her marriage has ended. She, and not the prince who imprisons her, is the heroic reformer.

Just last month in London, unidentified Saudi men, one wearing an earpiece, attacked a Saudi dissident named Ghanem al-Dosari, who has mocked MBS as the tubby teddy bear. As they punched Dosari, they cursed him for criticizing the Saudi royal family.

The crown prince showed his sensitivity and unpredictability in August when Canadas foreign ministry tweeted concern about the jailing of Saudi womens rights activists. Saudi Arabia went nuts, canceling flights, telling 8,300 Saudi students to leave Canada, expelling the Canadian ambassador and withdrawing investments. All for a tweet.

Western companies should back out of MBS Future Investment Initiative conference this month. That includes you, Mastercard, McKinsey, Credit Suisse, Siemens, HSBC, BCG, EY, Bain and Deloitte, all listed on the conference website as partners of the event.

We need an international investigation, perhaps overseen by the United Nations, of what happened to Jamal. In the United States, we also must investigate whether Saudis bought influence with spending that benefited the Trump family, such as $270,000 spent as of early 2017 by a lobbying firm for Saudi Arabia at the Trump hotel in Washington. The Washington Post reported that Saudi bookings at Trump Chicago increased 169 percent from the first half of 2016 to the first half of this year, and that the general manager of a Trump hotel in New York told investors that revenues rose partly because of a last-minute visit to New York by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.

If Saudi Arabia cannot show that Jamal is safe and sound, NATO countries should jointly expel Saudi ambassadors and suspend weapons sales. The United States should start an investigation under the Magnitsky Act and stand ready to impose sanctions on officials up to MBS.

America can also make clear to the Saudi royal family that it should find a new crown prince. A mad prince who murders a journalist, kidnaps a prime minister and starves millions of children should never be celebrated at state dinners, but instead belongs in a prison cell.Earlier this month Jennifer Rubin, the prolific #NeverTrump pundit who writes for The Washington Post, got something that every columnist craves: a petition against her.

The signatories, a collection of conservatives assembled by the American Principles Project, demanded that The Post cease identifying Rubin, whose blog used to be called Right Turn, as conservative or center right because since President Donald Trumps election she has sided against conservatives on a dizzying array of issues.

They went on to blast the prevalence of #NeverTrump conservatives on The Posts op-ed pages: How can an average reader take the Posts opinion section seriously when, of its numerous regular columnists, none can be found which defend the policies of our nations elected president?

As an op-ed conservative who opposed Trump and finds some of his policies indefensible, I have a self-interested resistance to this logic. Its obviously possible to be a serious conservative and still oppose many of the policies of our nations elected president. And if most of your conservative columnists are hostile to a Republican president, that tells you something about his flaws that simply relabeling all his critics as liberals would obscure.

But labels do sometimes need to shift with political realities. The neoconservatives of the 1970s, former liberals who became Nixon or Reagan backers, eventually accepted the neocon description instead of calling themselves The Real New Deal Democrats forever. And for an important part of the NeverTrump movement a similar shift may happen, with some other term thats yet to be invented.

This expectation doesnt apply to many NeverTrumpers. It doesnt fit Reaganite Trump-skeptics who hate the presidents temperament but have been pleasantly surprised by his judicial appointments and tax cuts, or younger, heterodox conservatives who regard Trump himself as a bigot but consider his populist campaign a possible road map for the future.

But an important group of NeverTrumpers identified with the right on a very specific set of issues  support for the 1990s-era free trade consensus, Wilsonian hawkishness, democracy promotion  are unlikely to animate conservatism again any time soon no matter how the Trump presidency ends. These intellectuals and strategists arent particularly culturally conservative, theyre allergic to populism, they dont have any reason to identify with a conservatism thats wary of nation-building and globalization  and soon enough, they wont.

Along with Rubin Im thinking here of Max Boot, her fellow Post columnist and the author of a new book denouncing the Trump-era right, who self-defined as a conservative mostly because he favored a democratic imperialism of the kind that George W. Bush unsuccessfully promoted.

People in this camp will remain interesting, as converts and apostates often are. But observers trying to imagine what a decent right might look like after Trump should look elsewhere  to thinkers and writers who basically accept the populist turn, and whose goal is to supply coherence and intellectual ballast, to purge populism of its bigotries and inject good policy instead.

For an account of policy people working toward this goal, read Sam Tanenhaus in the latest Time magazine, talking to conservatives on Capitol Hill who are trying to forge a Trumpism-after-Trump that genuinely serves working-class families instead of just starting racially charged feuds.

For a specific dive into the most contentious Trump-era subject, read my old friend Reihan Salams compelling Melting Pot or Civil War?, a rigorous, policy-driven argument for more-humane-than-Trump immigration restriction  on the grounds that only immigration limits and a different skills mix will promote assimilation and solidarity, and forestall class division and racial conflict, in the nations of the West.

I dont know if any of these efforts can pull the post-Trump right away from anti-intellectualism and chauvinism. But their project is the one that matters to what conservatism is right now, not what it might have been had John McCain been elected president, or had the Iraq War been something other than a misbegotten mess, or had the 2000-era opening to China gone the way free traders hoped.

And for anyone whose commitment to conservatism is defined by those now-lost possibilities, the logical turn to make goes left.PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa and opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa have taken hardline stances to political engagement, which has stalled progress towards interparty dialogue seen as critical to pulling the southern African nation out of international isolation and launching economic recovery, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has said.

ZCC has been trying to bring Mnangagwa and Chamisa, who were the main contenders in the July 30 poll, to the negotiating table, but despite both of them insisting they were ready to dialogue, they remain far apart.

Chamisa has rejected Mnangagwas victory despite the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) throwing out his petition challenging the result and has since maintained that he won the election, frequently calling his rival illegitimate.

Mnangagwa has reportedly offered an olive branch to his nemesis, saying he has a vital role to perform in Zimbabwes future and proposed an official Westminster style Leader of Opposition post in Parliament for his rival to be part of the national discourse, but insists that Chamisa must recognise his Presidency.

ZCC secretary-general Kenneth Mtata yesterday said none of the parties seemed ready to compromise.

Our hope is that political expediency will not jeopardise the possibility of fruitful dialogue. The challenges are not secret at all. They are open for everyone. The first issue is that the MDC (Alliance) leader has not yet accepted the officially announced results of the election, even after the verdict of the ConCourt, Mtata said.

The ZCC secretary-general suggested Chamisa was held up by a need to appease his supporters, while Mnangagwa wanted recognition from the opposition leader first before any talks could begin.

There are challenges for him (Chamisa) to accept the result because it has been his rallying cry for his followers. But this is the problem for Mnangagwa, who says he cannot go into dialogue with Chamisa if he doesnt recognise him as President, Mtata told NewsDay.

Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said the ruling party did not have an appetite for the dialogue.

Elections were held and (are) gone, and the opposition challenged the elections, but the Constitutional Court endorsed them (polls). What is the issue now? Lets look ahead in terms of our economic development, that is the challenge we are facing, the stabilisation of the economy in terms of our Vision 2030, Khaya Moyo said, adding Zanu PF was already setting its sights on the 2023 elections.

Chamisa has submitted five demands, including one suggesting that Mnangagwa should cede power to him.

The MDC leaders spokesperson, Nkululeko Sibanda, yesterday maintained his boss stance.

The president still says his doors are open for dialogue, and he has a five-point plan, which must be part of any dialogue, he said, without revealing whether or not there was progress on the talks.

Mtata, however, said ZCCs agenda was to find a common post-election national narrative in the country as well as to find a shared understanding of the role of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament proposed by Mnangagwa.

This is a ministry of the church. We were given that ministry of reconciliation in the Bible, and we believe this is a core mandate of the church and this is the reason why we wont give up. On the other hand, I can say no, because we havent moved fast enough.

While Zanu PF hawks insist Mnangagwa has a clear mandate from Zimbabweans to govern, Mtata suggested elections alone could be an impediment to nation-building.

The national question is always resolved by dialogue in Zimbabwe. Anyone who thinks only elections can make things right will have to check again because national questions cannot be resolved by a process that produces winners and losers, but by courageous people who choose to forgo their personal advantages and personal gains to seek the common good at a dialogue table, he said. This is true in the past, present and future. If there are people who are waiting for the national question to be resolved by elections, then they can wait forever.

Zimbabwe is gripped by a worsening cash crisis and escalating shortages of some basic products.

 NewsDay

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Related Zimbabwe Latest NewsSOUTH Africa stands ready to assist Zimbabwe so that reforms being implemented in the country to turn around the economy can succeed, the neighbouring countrys International Relations and Co-operation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has said.

Zimbabwe is in the process of implementing a new economic blueprint, Transitional Stabilisation Programme, meant to turn around the countrys economic fortunes.

The economic blueprint is running from this month to December 2020.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has also announced a vision to turn the country into a middle income nation by 2030.

According to South Africa media reports, Minister Sisulu said her country was hoping for economic stability in Zimbabwe.

As and when Zimbabwe requests our support in anything, we will be able to provide them with that support, fully. We wish the people of Zimbabwe well.

Its a country that we regard as a friend, and we would like some stability there. We would like the economic reforms that have been put in place to succeed there, said Minister Sisulu.

In so far as Zimbabwe is concerned, we stand very ready at all times to assist the people of Zimbabwe. We have had a very long standing relationship with the people of Zimbabwe from the time we were in the struggle.

She said her country would not impose itself on Zimbabwe but would assist if requested to do so.

At any time they need our assistance, they are able to request our assistance. We would not be able to go to Zimbabwe and say here is a bag of whatever and you will have it. I think international relations depends on reciprocity, Minister Sisulu said.

South Africa is Zimbabwes largest trading partner and the two nations share a rich history dating back to the liberation struggle of the two countries.

More than 169 000 Zimbabweans are set to benefit from South Africas Zimbabwe Exemption Permits allowing them to stay in the neighbouring country up to 2021.

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Related Zimbabwe Latest NewsA prominent South African prophet, Alph Lukau says witchcraft is behind the deteriorating health of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, raising fears that the Zanu PF infighting might have taken a new twist.

Lukau made the prophecy at his Sandton church Alleluia Ministries International on Sunday after praying for a woman in the congregation who claimed to be Chiwengas niece.

The situation with your uncle right now is not natural, thats why no matter how doctors are trying to look, they are not finding satisfactory results.

They do not really know what is happening because this is witchcraft.

I am saying this with respect and understanding the sensitivity of what is happening because this is the vice president of a nation but Im telling you, your uncle stepped on the tail of a lion, he said.

Chiwenga is currently admitted at a top South African hospital where he is said to be in bad shape.

He was the face of the November 2017 armys operation Restore Legacy that led to the dramatic ouster of then president Robert Mugabe, who was replaced by his long term confidante-turned-foe Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa went on to appoint Chiwenga, who was the commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, as one of his two deputies.

During the prophecy, Lukau described Chiwengas critical condition which the woman confirmed.

His body is swollen, you may lose your uncle, the vice president of Zimbabwe.

I can even see him, he is like bleaching, he is losing his colour and right now he is critical, he told the crying niece.

Chiwengas health has been a closely-guarded secret but the public has been scrutinising his changing skin colour and swollen hands which they spotted at gatherings.

Lukau said if Chiwenga does not accept the prophecy, he will die.

Im not just saying this but there will be bad news if the family does not pray.

Tell your uncle that the Lord has spoken about him and if he believes he will be healed, he told the woman.

If he does not open up, we will meet in heaven because the greatest obstacle is himself, Lukau added.

The South African prophet urged Zimbabweans to pray against witchcraft as its level has increased in the country.

He said everyone in the country should find a good Bible-believing church and commit themselves.

Right now there is spiritual warfare in the atmosphere as not seen before happening in Zimbabwe, he said before raising his congregates to pray for Chiwenga and the country.

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Related Zimbabwe Latest NewsTWO women and a man suspected to have been preying on unsuspecting worshippers, mourners and wedding guests in various parts of the country were arrested on Sunday.

Maria Kagwa (35) and Violet Jaure (28) both of Chitungwiza have been visiting different churches in Harare, Chitungwiza, Dema, Chinhoyi and Guruve pretending to be worshippers at churches, mourners at funerals and guests at weddings while making away with handbags among other valuables.

The two would search the handbags and steal cash, cellphones and other valuables which they then gave to Danmore Tsimba, 37, of St Martins for sale.

The three are detained at Waterfalls police station after their luck ran out at Glad Tidings where they were spotted.

Waterfalls Police officer in charge Chief Inspector Christopher Mupita confirmed the arrest warning worshippers and mourners to safeguard their belongings.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to confirm the arrest of two women and one man suspected to have been stealing hand bags to unsuspecting worshippers in various churches during services around the country, said Chief Insp Mupita.

The duo confessed to have been carrying criminal activities since 2016 and one claimed to have learnt it while she was in one of our neighbouring countries.

We want to thank members of the public for leading our officers with information that led to the arrest of the suspects.

Investigations are continuing and the three are expected to appear in court tomorrow (today), said Chief Insp Mupita.

In an interview with H-Metro, Violet, a cross border confirmed stealing several handbags saying she was introduced to Danmore by one of her friends and recruited Maria into the activity.

I have been stealing handbags since 2017 after learning it in South Africa where I was living, said Violet.

We would pretend to be a worshipper and take front seats and would steal bags during prayers or when one left her bag going to the toilet.

When I left the country Maria carried on with the job and Danmore would sell the cellphones on our behalf and we shared the money.

We dump the bags after searching them and this has been our business for the past year, said Violet.

Danmore confirmed dealing with Violet and Maria arguing that he wanted to fend for his family since he was not employed.

Ndopanga pachindiraramisawo wangu; handina basa rimwe saka vasikana ava vanga vachindibatsira ini ndotengesa macellphone anenge awanikwa, said Danmore.

Maria refused to entertain H-Metro and remained calm while shying away from the camera.

Some of the churches that fell victim include ZAOGA Waterfalls, Glad Tidings Waterfalls, Methodist In Zimbabwe Machipisa, ZAOGA Dema, Roman Catholic Guruve, UFIC Chitungwiza, Methodist Church in Zimbabwe at Mbudzi round about, Hatfield Anglican, Roman Catholic Ruwa, Chinhoyi AFM, ZAOGA Zengeza and Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, DDF Chibwe, a wedding at Makoni in Chitungwiza, Seke Methodist Church in Zimbabwe and Stoneridge AFM.

The two would even steal from their relatives.

A congregant who witnessed the incident at Glad Tidings Church in Waterfalls said the two women came in as visitors and no one knew them prior.

The two ladies arrived during prayers that are conducted before the service between 8 and 9 am.

The prayers are done in the prayer room adjacent to the church where some women had left their handbags, so while the prayers were ongoing, they proceeded to the church and started going through peoples bags while stealing some bags as well.

After the prayers, the congregants moved to the church for the service to commence that was when some ladies discovered that their bags were missing while others discovered that some items had been stolen from their bags said the congregant.

It is quite fortunate that someone, and I dont know who exactly had identified the culprits and their car so a search party was sent out to find them.

It is by the grace of God that we found them parked at Waterfalls shopping centre separating the valuable items like money, bank cards and phones from the bags and because it was a few meters from the Waterfalls police station, we rushed to inform the police who pounced on them while they were still emptying the bags.

It is not the first time that we have had theft cases in our church and we would like to believe that they were involved in those cases, narrated the congregant.

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Related Zimbabwe Latest News- The Nigerian Guild of Editors has charged INEC to ensure that votes count in 2019

- The guild pointed out that vote-buying is a threat to Nigerias democracy; and also decried the level of insecurity in the country

- It also called on politicians and security agencies not to intimidate the electorate but allow them to freely make their choices for democracy to thrive in Nigeria

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been charged by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) to allow votes to count in 2019; noting that vote-buying is a threat to Nigerias democracy.

The NGE made the call in a communique issued by its president and general secretary, Funke Egbemode and Victoria Ibanga, at the end of the 14th All Nigeria Editors Conference in Asaba, Delta state, Vanguard reports.

Legit.ng gathers that the guild pointed out that that vote-buying is a threat to Nigerias democracy; and also decried the level of insecurity in the country. It said Nigeria deserves more than rhetoric and political slogans on issues of citizens welfare.

READ ALSO: President Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky wasn't abuse of power - Hillary Clinton

The communique read: The conference commends the 91 political parties in the country for the maturity displayed during the party primaries but frowns on the allegations of vote buying which the editors observed was a subtle but worrisome way of institutionalising corruption.

We commend the government and good people of Delta state for the rapid growth in infrastructure across the state as well as human capacity development

The conference observed that elections in Nigeria are not built on truth and, therefore, urged the umpire, INEC, to remain independent in its practice by allowing citizens votes to count as such is cardinal to sustaining democracy.

Editors expressed the need for Nigerian journalists to intensify efforts that will deepen democracy through sustained investigative, balanced and analytical reportage.

The conference challenged media practitioners to join in the mobilisation of Nigerians through unbiased reports to take collective responsibility in choosing leaders for the nation in the next general election.

The guild observed that the role of traditional media is being threatened with the emergence of the social media where balanced reporting, truth, and accuracy are gradually and consistently being relegated.

Editors, at the end of deliberations, agreed to defend the truth through professional practice. Editors urged the publishers and chief executives of media establishments to play down on the commoditisation of information to enhance objectivity.

Editors called on politicians and security agencies not to intimidate the electorate but allow them to freely make their choices for democracy to thrive in Nigeria.

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The NGE lauded Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta for contributing to the success of the conference, and also thanked Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for attending the forum.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it is ready to conduct the 2019 general elections.

The national commissioner of publicity, INEC, Solomon Soyebi, made the statement during a TV interview on Sunday, September 9.

Election-2019: (Don't) mark your calendar - on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit.ng NewsThe history of Oyo state will never be complete without recognizing the Alaafin of Oyo. It appears that Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III is presently the longest serving king the state has ever had.

On Monday, October 15, Oba Adeyemi turned 80 and his beautiful queens took to their various Instagram handle to celebrate their husband. The controversial birthday message came from the second to the last queen, Olori Memunat Omowumi.

Olori Memunat who recently gave birth to twin girls, shared several pictures of her husband and in one of her social media posts, she referred to Alaafin of Oyo as her ancestor.

READ ALSO: Trouble in paradise? Sonia Ogbonna removes her husbands name

Her post reads: You are truly amazing. You are my everything. Few hours to your birthday. My ANCESTOR. Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband. You are the definition of a noble husband and a great father. You are always there to depend on. Im proud to call you my husband. On this special day, Im wishing you lots of love and laughs. I love you with all my heart. Happy Birthday. And After 48 years on throne. History was made. You've been working so hard to achieve your dreams. I am so proud of you and so lucky to call you my husband. Happy birthday, my love. Still your day sugar.

See more posts below:

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Also Olori Badirat celebrated her husband saying: 80 YEARS AGO... A PRINCE WAS BORN INTO OYO KINGDOM WHO LATER TURNED TO THE DEITY SENT TO COME AND TRANSFORM THE LAND. YOU ASCENDED THE THRONE FOR CLOSE TO FIVE DECADES NOW, BRINGING UNPRECEDENTED DEVELOPMENT IN ALL SPHERES OF HUMAN ENDEAVOURS INTO THE KINGDOM IN ALL RAMIFICATIONS, PROMOTING PEACE AMONG YOUR SUBJECTS, THE ONLY YORUBA CULTURAL AMBASSADOR RECOGNIZED ACROSS THE GLOBE , YOU INSTALLED THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF OBAS IN OUR HISTORY, THE ONLY OBA THAT INSTALLED TWO AARE ONA KAKANFOS. AN EMBODIMENT OF KNOWLEDGE THAT IS WORTH INSTITUTIONALIZING FOR FUTURE GUIDANCE IN OUR HISTORY, SOCIO POLITICAL, GOVERNANCE, ECONOMY COME URBAN TOWN PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT. YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HUMANITIES AND THE HISTORY OF THE ENTIRE GLOBE , YOUR STYLE OF ADMINISTRATIONS, YOUR PHILANTHROPY CONFIRMS YOU ARE TRULY A DEITY SENT TO ALL. YOUR COSTUME AND CULTURAL CARRIAGE CONFIRMS YOU'RE THE HERITAGE AND REMAINS THE ONLY REFERENCE OTHER ROYALTIES EMULATES, WHAT OF YOUR DANCING SKILLS, OUR PRIDE, THEIR ENVY. ALMIGHTY ALLAH, KEEP ATANDA LONG ENOUGH TO DO MORE OF WHAT YOU SENT HIM TO DO FOR US IN THIS LAND, IN ABUNDANCE OF ALL GOOD THINGS OF LIFE. AMEN AND AMEN. HAPPY BIRTHDAY OKOMI OLAYIWOLA ATANDA OMO IBIRONKE. HAPPY CELEBRATION TO THE YORUBA RACE. IKUBABAYEYE ALASE IGBA KEJI ORISA.

Happy birthday!

Nigeria Celebs Who Are Happy Together Despite The Age Gap - Dare Art-Alade, Kaffy and Peter Okoye - on Legit.ng TV.

Source: Legit- 2, 969 households in Bauchi state are to be included in the federal governments conditional cash transfer scheme

- Jibrin Yusuf, the coordinator of scheme in Bauchi, says 80% of those that have benefited from the programme are women care-givers in their various households

Some 20,344 poor households in Bauchi state have reportedly received disbursements of N1.5bn under the federal governments conditional cash transfer scheme.

The Nation reports that the coordinator of the scheme in the state, Jibrin Yusuf, on Monday, October 15, said the funds were disbursed in Bauchi from 2016 to date.

READ ALSO: I dont care how long EFCC will decide to keep me - Fayose

He said additional 2, 969 households would soon be injected into the scheme to raise the total beneficiaries to 23, 313 across the state.

The CCT programme also trains beneficiaries in techniques, saving groups and skills to improve their living condition, he said.

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Yusuf told the Bauchi state council of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) who visited his office that more than 80% of the beneficiaries were women care-givers in their various households.

The money was reportedly disbursed to very poor households to ease their hardships and encourage them to send their children to school.

In a related report, President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly shared N500 million free cash to needy people in Adamawa state.

Buhari distributed the money from August 2017 to August 2018 through the house uplifting programme under the cash conditional transfer programme.

Zhegun Joseph, the head of programme, Adamawa, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, October 8, in Yola.

Top 3 poorest countries: Where people have to live on a dollar a day - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- The director of President Muhammadu Buhari campaign organisation, Festus Keyamo, has indicted the PDP in dealings related to petrol subsidy

- Keyamo said that the opposition, during its administration, was paying for products that were never imported into the country

- He said the Buhari-led government came to cleanse the system and alleviate the pain of Nigerians

Festus Keyamo (SAN) the director of Buhari campaign organisation, recently said that Nigeria has the best-performing economy in Africa.

Speaking with newsmen on Channels TV on Monday, October 15, Keymo: I need to remind Nigerians about the GDP growth. Of the 11 countries that went into recession around the world, Nigeria has exceeded all of them in terms of GDP growth.

READ ALSO: I dont care how long EFCC will decide to keep me - Fayose

None of them has crossed 1.4 to 1.5 percent, Nigeria is doing close to two percent GDP growth right now. Let us get that one clear. Forbes Africa has rated Nigeria as the best-performing economy in Africa. The results came out two-three weeks ago, we are the best-performing economy in Africa.

He denied claims that that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is not paying subsidy like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did, but admitted that the the federal government is only paying premium.

What happened under the PDP government was that they were paying for products that did not land at all. That was the scam that was happening, It was fraud, the greatest stealing in the history of this country happened under them.

All the PDP bigwigs were all involved in this subsidy scam, then you saw that many of them refunded money. Like I said, they were paying for products that did not land at all, they will tell you they have brought product and you have to pay subsidy on those products. The NNPC officials knew, everybody knew that the products did not come at all.

"What did Buhari do when he came? He said he wanted to cleanse that industry, he said NNPC should take complete charge of importation.

The government wanted to eliminate subsidy at that time, but as the price of crude went up, the price of production went up, the price of the bye-products also went up, its normal.

"He said at the point when oil was $28 to $30, government was not paying subsidy, but the difference occurred when oil prices went beyond $43 per barrel, because that was the benchmark, as it rose beyond $43, the delta started, not subsidy.

"We started to pull away from N145. So the landing cost came to N203/N205, and we are still selling for N145 and the president said you cannot suffer the masses. Now how do they cover it? Not subsidy.

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The NNPC Act allows the NNPC to make refunds to the federation account, in other words, they can spend money and return the balance to the federation account, by law," he said.

Asked why the government was not appropriating this premium, Keyamo responded: It is now in the 2019 budget; despite the fact that it is backed by law, that premium has been put in the 2019 budget proposal.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that Keyamo had said that the PDP could not be trusted with power in 2019.

Legit.ng gathered that he was reacting to the party's apology to Nigerians through its national chairman, Uche Secondus, on Monday, March 26, over its past mistakes.

Keyamo likened the PDP's apology to a patient who underwent a major surgical operation to cure a disease who cant be discharged immediately.

EXCLUSIVE: Be patient with President Buhari, Femi Adesina tells Nigerians - On Legit.ng TV

Source: LegitIt is no longer news that one of Charly Boys pretty daughters, Dewy Oputa, has no interest in men as she has fallen in love with a fellow woman. The duo never fail to gush about each others feelings on Instagram.

Charly Boys lesbian daughter, Dewy Oputa, has once again taken to her social media handle to gush about her female partner. According to the young lady, she is celebrating their first anniversary as a couple.

The same gender couple who have a joint Instagram account are obviously in love with one another. They have learnt to put aside negative comments from close friends and family in order to concentrate on the feelings they have for each other.

READ ALSO: Snake pastor feeds his congregation dog meat and frogs to heal HIV and cancer

To celebrate their anniversary, they shared a picture collage with the caption: Our first Pride celebration as a couple. Cheers to many more! 14/10/2018 SWIPE RIGHT.

See post below:

Dewy earlier shared a picture of her and her partner with the caption: Always smiles with this beautiful soul. Thank you for not only being an amazing partner but my friend, my voice of reason & my rock. I love you.

See post below:

PAY ATTENTION: Get your daily relationship tips and advice on Africa Love Aid group

Legit.ng earlier reported that Dewy Oputa, who seems to be crazily in love with her female boyfriend took out time to make some other lovers jealous on social media. Dewy on Monday, August 20, shared a loved up picture with her sweetheart as she sang praises of SJ.

Happy anniversary!

Nigeria Celebs Who Are Happy Together Despite The Age Gap - Dare Art-Alade, Kaffy and Peter Okoye - on Legit.ng TV.

Source: Legit- Senate President Bukola Saraki has been appointed as the director general of PDP presidential Campaign Council

- Sokoto state Governor Aminu Tambuwal is named the zonal coordinator for northwest

- Benue state Governor Ortom Samuel is now the zonal coordinator for north central

The Peoples Democratic Party has appointed Senate president Bukola Saraki as the director general of its presidential Campaign Council ahead of 2019 general elections.

The national publicity secretary of the party, Kola Ologbodiyan, made this known in his official twitter handle, @OfficialKolaO, on Tuesday night, October 15.

The tweet read: PDP names the president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki as director general Atiku presidential Campaign Council.

READ ALSO: I dont care how long EFCC will decide to keep me - Fayose

HE Tambuwal is zonal coordinator for north west. Dankwambo is zonal coordinator for north east. Ortom Samuel is the zonal coordinator for north central.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, won the PDP primary election to emerge as its presidential candidate for the 2019 presidential election.

In the election conducted on Saturday, October 6 at the partys convention which took place in Port Harcourt, the former vice president defeated 11 other political bigwigs in the party.

He is expected to provide stiff competition to President Muhammadu Buhari who emerged as the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate.

In a related development, Atiku picked former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi in Abuja, as his running mate for the 2019 presidential elections.

Obi arrived at Abubakars residence in Asokoro neighborhood this afternoon and both had undisclosed talks.

The former Anambra governor is widely speculated as the running mate to Atiku for the 2019 general elections. Several options have been suggested in the public domain, with the candidate being widely expected to choose from either the southeast or southwest.

Atiku's acceptance speech after being declared PDP presidential flag bearer | Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit- Atiku Abubakar has said that APC's major problem is working as an opposition against itself

- He said the APC-led administration has failed to manage its electoral successes

- According to Atiku, President Buhari's health condition is one of the party's major challenges

The presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is its own greatest opposition.

Atiku also said that one of APC's greatest challenge is the health condition of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The former vice president who was quoted in an interview published in a new book by Isa Odidi: Atiku Abubakar: The Best Choice for President of Nigeria in 2019 said the APC-led administration has failed to manage its electoral successes.

READ ALSO: I'm aware of EFCC's order for my arrest - Fayose

Speaking on the forthcoming presidential election, Atiku queried: "Are the vast majority of Nigerians satisfied with their economic and social conditions? Has there been any progress in tackling poverty, hunger and unemployed in our nation?

The APC government has not been able to manage its electoral success. The greatest opposition to APC is itself. It is an agglomeration of disparate groups separately seeking to control the soul of the party.

As long as Buhari remains and is encouraged to seek re-election in his doubtful state of health, the more attritional internal responses within the APC will be, moving towards 2019," Atiku said.

READ ALSO: We did everything any responsible government should do - FG reacts to killing of Hauwa Leman

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the national chairman of the Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC), Alhaji Buba Galadima, on Saturday, October 13, urged Nigerians to cast their votes for PDP's presidential candidate.

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Galadima while delivering his speech at the official inauguration of Enyimba Progressive Association (EPA), Abuja Chapter, said what annoyed him about President Muhammadu Buharis administration was its inability to secure lives of Nigerians and their property.

Nigeria Latest News: Buhari vs Atiku - 2019 Elections | Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng- Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha, is not giving in easily on who succeeds him

- He has anointed his son in-law, Uche Nwosu, as his successor

- But in the primary, Uche lost to Uzodima, prompting the governor to seek legal means

The battle of successor race to the Imo state governor's stool is still generating concern as the incumbent governor, Rochas Okorocha, is reportedly trying an alternative court means to install his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, as the next governor of the state

Leadership reports that Governor Okorocha, who is not ready to give in easily, has sought the judiciary assistance towards removing Senator Hope Uzodimma, the winner of the Imo All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries on October 1.

Legit.ng gathers that Uzodima, upon his victory, has secured a high court injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC from fielding or accepting the name of any other person except his name.

READ ALSO: I dont care how long EFCC will decide to keep me - Fayose

However, Governor Rochas who is desperate to bring in a successor has boasted that he would channel all moves to ensure that his hope to install Nwosu is not dashed, adding that he has got the backing of the party's national working committee.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo had expressed that they had made Governor Rochas Okorocha politically irrelevant in their determination to rescue the party from imminent collapse.

Theo Ekechi, who spoke to newsmen after a closed-door meeting with the APC national leadership on Thursday, May 17, in Abuja, said the stakeholders had overwhelming evidences against Okorocha's plan to hold the structure of the state

Ekechi said stakeholders, had however made it impossible for the governor to get attention from any quarter in the state and in the southeast region.

Why Governors Steal? Rochas Okorocha of Imo State | Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- The PDP is already making moves to pacify aspirants who lost at the presidential primaries

- The chairman of the party's reconciliation committee, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state, met with two aspirants in Abuja on Monday, October 15

- The two aspirants Dicskon met with were Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state and Dr Ahmed Makarfi

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has begun its reconciliation process by meeting with 11 aspirants who lost out during its just-concluded presidential primaries in Port Harcourt.

The chairman of the party's national reconciliation committee, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state alongside his Delta and Taraba states counterparts, Ifeanyi Okowa and Darius Ishaku, met with Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state in Abuja on Monday, October 15, Vanguard reports.

Legit.ng gathers that Dickson also met with another candidate and former national chairman of the party, Dr Ahmed Makarfi in Abuja.

In a statement by the special adviser to Governor Dickson on media relations, Fidelis Soriwei, the governor commended both candidates for displaying maturity after loosing at the primaries.

He said. I am leading a team of the committee of governors to interact and compare notes with our brother, His Excellency Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state. As you all know, he ran a great race and we are all proud of what he did and what he continues to do.

In his own remark, Tambuwal said the PDP be united, stressing that emphasis should be on the country and not on individual ambition.

According to Makarfi, while the PDP aspirants went into the election as aspirants, they emerged collectively as a party. He said he had known the former vice president for many years and had shared many political ideas with him on national issues and was confident he would coast home to victory in the 2019 general elections.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said that the success of its just-concluded presidential primary election had demonstrated its strict adherence to democratic rules, principles of transparency and fairness.

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar won the PDP presidential ticket with 1,532 votes to defeat other contestants including Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state who came second with 693 votes, and president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, who placed third with 317 votes.

Atiku supporters jubilate with him as he emerge winner | on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng- Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto says he is not angry about his loss in the PDP presidential primary

- Tambuwal insists that the PDP family remains united after the partys convention which saw to Atiku Abubakar emerge as the partys presidential candidate

- The governor urges Nigerians to work with the PDP to wrestle power from the ruling party which he accused of maladministration

The Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state has promised to work with the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) towards ensuring that the party emerges victorious in the 2019 presidential election.

Tambuwal made the promise on Monday, October 15, when the peace and reconciliation committee of the PDP paid him a visit in his Abuja residence, The Punch reports.

The governor who lost out to Atiku Abubakar during the PDP presidential primary, said he is not angry about his loss and pledged his commitment to fully support the partys presidential candidate.

I want to reassure you, our party men and women and Nigerians that I am committed to the success and victory of our party at the general elections, come February 2019," Tambuwal said.

We have had a robust and fruitful engagement on the way forward and I have made my commitment immediately after the convention that I am going to support our candidate, Wazirin Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar, 100% for us to have victory at the general elections. So, I am not wavering, I am not looking back.

Work has started for us to ensure that the PDP family remains united and other lovers of democracy come and partner with us for us to ensure that we convincingly win the election."

He urged Nigerians to work with the PDP to wrestle power from the ruling party, warning that it will be suicidal to allow the administration to continue for another four years.

Meanwhile, the presidential candidate for the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is its own greatest opposition.

Atiku also said that one of APC's greatest challenge is the health condition of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The former vice president who was quoted in an interview published in a new book by Isa Odidi: Atiku Abubakar: The Best Choice for President of Nigeria in 2019 said the APC led administration have failed to manage its electoral successes.

Nigeria Latest News: Buhari vs Atiku - 2019 Elections | Legit.ng TV

Source: LegitA heartbroken man has just exposed his wifes escapades to the Mapo customary court in Ibadan, Oyo state. According to the Islamic teacher, Abdulrazak Adeniyi, he disclosed that he is set to divorce his wife, Barakat.

According to Punch, Adeniyi filed for divorce after he found out his wife got pregnant for her lover. This happened just five months after she delivered his baby, their first child.

The man added that, he discovered that Barakats lover started visiting her in his home especially when he was not around. She got pregnant afterwards and shamefully left his house.

READ ALSO: Snake pastor feeds his congregation dog meat and frogs to heal HIV and cancer

He said: Just five months after Barakat gave birth to our first child, I discovered that she stopped breastfeeding the baby without notifying me. Within a twinkle of an eye, Barakats ex-lover started visiting her in my own home, especially anytime I was not around. Shortly, Barakat became pregnant and she shamefully abandoned my house because I had stopped making love with her by then. This is the reason the baby started feeding on custard and milk, which I usually provide. In fact, anytime I went to give Barakat money for the babys feeding, I usually see her secret lover in the same room with her. Therefore, Barakat is a pathological liar for branding me as irresponsible. I want to pray this honorable court to give me custody of the baby because I am capable of taking care of him in my school.

Barakat who is a petty trader also disclosed to the court that her husband is in not a responsible man. She added that he is very wicked and does not care what she and the child eats.

PAY ATTENTION: Best love tips and relationship advice on Africa Love Aid group!

She said: My lord, Abdulrazak is such a wicked husband who doesnt care about what happens to me and our child. For two weeks, he may not even ask about the babys welfare.

On Monday, October 15, the court dissolved the two years marriage based on acts of irresponsibility and infidelity. The couple also agreed to the decision of the courts president, Suleiman Apanpa.

Nawa o!

Nigerian Women Hustling to Keep Their Families Together | Legit.ng TV.

Source: Legit.ng News- Abuja court has ordered the police to pay a sum of N10m to a businessman

- The money was to be paid to the man for violating his human rights

- The court also stopped the police from further arresting him

The Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, October 15, ordered the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to pay N10 million as compensation to one Aondofa Shenge for violating his fundamental human rights.

The judge, Justice John Tsoho, in his judgment, also restrained the police from further arrest and detention of Shenge.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tsoho upheld the prayers of the counsel to the applicant, Matthew Onoja, and dismissed the preliminary objection raised by counsel to the police, Matthew Omosun.

Legit.ng gathers that Onoja had earlier told the court that his client was arrested by some police officers in Makurdi in August 2017, and held in detention for more than a year without charges.

Onoja said his client who is a businessman, was arrested and detained in the NPF Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) office in Makurdi, until January 2018, when he was formally transferred to Abuja.

READ ALSO: I dont care how long EFCC will decide to keep me - Fayose

He said when the police failed to release the applicant on bail, the matter was taken to the court. Onoja said the case of fundamental human rights abuse was formally filed in April 2018.

The lawyer maintained that the case was filed to challenge the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and his deputy on arrest and detention of the applicant from August 2017, until date.

He said the matter first came up on April 20, before the court went on vacation, and the respondent did not file any process, even after the vacation. Onoja said this further led to adjourning the case until October 3, for hearing.

He said: On that date, we indicated our interest to go on with the matter since we had already filed our processes but counsel to the NPF said he was not ready.'

He also said that counsel to the police, Omosun told the court that he was yet to file his processes, working behind the scene to ensure that the applicant was granted bail.

He said that as the case progressed, counsel to the police later filed application for preliminary objection; which the court dismissed on point of law.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that An Abuja high court had ruled that the Nigerian Police Force must compensate Adebayo Eric Edun, a graduate of Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, with the sum of N6 million for unlawfully detaining him for 39 days.

The court also ruled that the force must publicly apologise to the applicant in one national newspaper for his unlawful arrest and detention.

Nigeria News Today: James Brown - I am not GAY; Police Arrested Me Despite My HIV Status Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- Valentine Obienyem says a certain twitter account purportedly being handled by the PDP vice presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is a fake

- Obienyem discloses that the PDP vice presidential candidate is not on any social media platform

Valentine Obienyem, an aide to Peter Obi, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)'s vice presidential candidate for the 2019 elections does not own a twitter account as being reported in a section of the media.

The aide made the statement after a Twitter account purported to be owned by Peter Obi surfaced and gathered thousands of followers, Vanguard reports.

READ ALSO: We did everything any responsible government should do - FG reacts to killing of Hauwa Leman

It was just brought to our notice about a certain twitter account purportedly handled by former Governor of Anambra State and PDP Vice Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, Obienyem said.

He said Peter Obi was not on any social media platform and called on Nigerians to disregard any disregard any Twitter or Facebook account bearing the name of Peter Obi.

Obienyem said Obi was yet to join any social media platform for fear of misrepresentation from suspected mischief makers.

Below are tweets from some fake Twitter accounts attributed to Peter Obi .

Meanwhile, the appointment of a former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, as the running mate to an ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar has been met with various reactions from different quarters.

While many approve of the decision made by Atiku, some politicians addressed as southeast leaders have condemned the action stating that they were not consulted before the said appointment.

However, sources within the PDP have said replacing Obi for another candidate is not an option for Atiku at the moment. According to Sahara Reporters, the PDP presidential candidate will not replace Obi despite opposition from some party leaders in the southeast

Nigeria Latest News: Buhari vs Atiku - 2019 Elections | Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- An aide to Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state, Joe Iniodu, has reportedly resigned

- He was said to have resigned due to the recent political developments in the state

Joe Iniodu, the special assistant to the Akwa Ibom governor on media, has resigned his appointment.

According to Vanguard, Iniodu stepped down from his post due to what he termed irreconcilable differences with the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

READ ALSO: 2019: 42 senators will not return, 62 get ready for polls

Legit.ng gathers that a source with knowledge of the content of the resignation letter said one of the reasons cited by Iniodu was the recent political developments in the state.

The source reportedly stated: Iniodu was said to have complained that as a media aide to the governor, there was an unwritten code that to be seen to have done well, one must abuse Senator Godswill Akpabio; a task he was not willing to lend himself to do.

The source further reportedly added: The former media aide was said to have told the governor that it would be against his conscience to work against Akpabios re-election as the senator representing Akwa Ibom north-west senatorial district.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that unidentified gunmen suspected to be hired assassins, shot the former special assistant on electoral matters to Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state, Mfon Udeme.

The former aide, who resigned from his post and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in September 2018, was shot in the leg by the gunmen, who were said to be nine in number.

Why governors steal - Rochas Okorocha of Imo state - on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit- The APC in Akwa Ibom has accused the state government of advertising fake civil service job vacancies to unsuspecting applicants

- The opposition party in the state alleged that Governor Udom Emmanuel was using the scam to regularise the illegal employment he offered to his kinsmen

- The party also said that the governor was making the move because he has realised that he will lose the 2019 governorship poll

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom has alleged that there is an employment scam by the state government, which they claimed was aimed at regularising the long-concluded employment of Governor Udom Emmanuels kinsmen from his Awa clan in Onna local government area, New Telegraph reports.

READ ALSO: We did everything any responsible government should do - FG reacts to killing of Hauwa Leman

Moreover, the APC said that the alleged fraudulent move was targeted at unsuspecting job-seekers and members of the public, deceiving them that there were genuine vacancies in the state civil service.

The party made this revelation public in a press release signed by Nkereuwem Enyongekere, its state publicity secretary, following the recent advertisement for the aforesaid.

The APC said in the release that the whole scam was a panicky measure by the governor to regularise the illegal employment he had given his kinsmen, some of whom were employed over a year ago, realising that he would lose the 2019 governorship election.

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It insisted that the scam became known with the total shutdown of the job application portal by the state government just after it was opened and the denial of printout to applicants, even within that brief period, to prevent them from having any evidence of application.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that one person had been killed in Akwa Ibom on Sunday, September 30, over the governorship primary of the APC in the state.

The victim identified as Ukeme Efanga, an APC member, was said to have been shot dead in Ifiayong, Uruan local government area, during a disagreement over the distribution of election materials in the area. Legit.ng gathered that the late Efanga is a father of three children.

As at 8: 10 pm the victims corpse was dumped at the premises of the state secretariat of the APC, along Ikot Ekpene road, brought all the way from Uruan.

Can Sowore Break APC/PDP Stronghold on Nigerians? 2019 Election - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- The outgoing British high commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, says President Buharis EO6 is important for rooting out corruption

- He, however, stated that it is not for him to say who should or should not be on the list

- The diplomat added that ahead of 2019, it is a priority for meetings to take place with political candidates

The implementation of the Executive Order (6) by the federal government is important for rooting out corruption in the country, says Paul Arkwright, the outgoing British high commissioner to Nigeria.

The diplomat stated this during a Channels TV interview on Monday, October 15.

READ ALSO: Imo workers stage protest over unpaid salaries

Legit.ng gathers that he said: Ive heard that this is an anti-corruption measure. Its not for me to say who should or should not be on the list.

But what I would say is that its very important in continuing this fight against corruption and rooting out corruption where it is happening.

He added that it is a priority for meetings to take place with political candidates, in order to discuss expectations for the 2019 general elections.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the decision of Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which held that the Executive Order 6 (EO6) issued by President Muhammadu Buhari did not violate the right of citizens to own property, has been appealed by two legal practitioners - Ikenga Ugochinyere and Kenneth Udeze.

Delivering judgment on October 11, Justice Ojukwu had ruled that the EO6 was in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Buhari is the general overseer of corruption - on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit- Former NUC secretary, Prof. Peter Okebukola, has reacted to incessant female harassment in Nigerian higher institutions of learning

- He said that the admission of academically weak students by the higher institutions should be blamed on the harassment

- Okebukola said that there would be no room for any lecturer to harass academically sound students

Former executive secretary of National University Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, on Tuesday, October 16, said the admission of academically weak students by Nigeria higher institutions was responsible for the trending sex-for-mark menace in the system.

The Punch reports that Okebukola, who made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, said that if universities and other institutions admitted students who were academically sound and had good scores on entry, there would be no room for any lecturer to harass such students.

READ ALSO: 2019: Jerry Gana blasts SDP leaders, accuses them of betrayal

Legit.ng gathered that he said that the students run after the lecturers or can be harassed by lecturers are those who are academically weak.

He said: If, in the first instance, a student is academically good, what will a lecturer tell her, se.x-for-which mark? All those girls who run after those lecturers or can be harassed by lecturers are those who are academically weak.

Even, if the lecturers do not want to get engaged with them se.xually, the girls will offer them their bodies.

If at the point of admitting our students, we ensure that they have met some respectable score that when you teach them in class, they can understand and do well on their own; then the problem would have been addressed, he said.

The former NUC boss noted that many of the universities in an attempt to make money from different programmes in various satellite campuses, admit wishy-washy students who are desperate to pass.

NAN reports that Nigerian universities that recently had cases of se.xual harassment include Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Lagos State University, University of Lagos and Covenant University, Ota, Ogun. (NAN)

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the Lagos State University (LASU) on Tuesday, October 9, confirmed the dismissal of three of its academic staff for sexual harassment and misconduct.

The universitys spokesman, Ademola Adekoya, said the institutions governing council took the decision at its 119th statutory meeting on Thursday, October 4, as recommended by the joint council and Senate (Academic) disciplinary committee.

Top 3 World Universities And Their African Students | - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it has appointed a new operation head

- The new head, Friday Ebelo, took over from Johnson Babalola

- He is a pioneer member of the commission with 14 years experience

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has assigned Friday Ebelo, a deputy chief detective superintendent as the new Head of Operations (HoO), Gombe zonal office, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Bello Adamu, the public relations officer of the commission made this known to newsmen in Gombe on Tuesday, October 16.

Legit.ng gathers that Adamu said that Ebelo took over from Jonson Babalola, an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) who was transferred to the headquarters of the commission in Abuja.

READ ALSO: 2019: PDP names Saraki DG Campaign Council

According to him, Ebelo was one of the pioneer staff of the commission with 14 years experience.

Adamu said that before his posting, Ebelo was the head of Advance Fee Fraud Section (AFF) in Abuja.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that EFCC said that it has secured the conviction of one Kayode Gabriel Adeniji of Mide Landmark ventures before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

In a statement available on the anti-graft agency's website, EFCC said it received a petition from one Christiana Adetola Makanjuola, alleging Adeniji of duping her (Makanjuola) of property worth N235 million naira.

The EFCC stages a walk against corruption / Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit Newspaper- A well known Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana has charged youths to wake up and change the nation's future

- Falana said that the youths are capable of making the much needed change because they have the advantage of number

- He also maintained that although the present administration is embarking on an anti graft war, there are still corrupt persons in its ranks

Femi Falana, a renowned human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on Monday, October 16, urged Nigerian youths to organise themselves and take the bold step in changing the destiny of the country using the advantage of their numbers.

Falana gave the charged at the 2018 Felabration event tagged Fela @80: Overtaking Overtake, at the Fela debates in Lagos, which was titled, African Leadership in the Millennium, Punch reports.

READ ALSO: 2019: PDP names Saraki DG Campaign Council

The SAN said: Let me challenge young people to get organised, not antagonise. If we are organised, the sky is the limit. Out of about 80 million registered voters, 60 million of them are young people.

So, we can change the fate of our country, we can make it possible like Fela insisted all his life. And if we can get it right in Nigeria, the Blackman would be proud all over the world.

Concerning the state of things in the nation, Falana said that even if present government claims to be be waging a war against corruption, there are still a lot of persons in its ranks that are both corrupt or are facing trial bordering on misconducts.

Falana further said: There is a government in power, which claims to be fighting corruption. A few millions of Naira have been recovered but the real criminality has not been arrested. That is why they are trying to regroup once again. Some of those who are trying to regroup should actually be standing trial if Nigeria had taken the advice of Fela.

He advised the presidential candidates, who were present at the debate to listen to Felas songs and deduce solutions to Nigerias problems from them.

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He stated: I want most of these presidential aspirants to listen to Felas music very well. Thats where they can find solutions to most of our problems.

Our country is rich as Fela sang in his music, but our people are still hungry and poor; you must understand our society before you can lead us.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Falana urged Nigerians to make wise decisions in 2019. He admonished them not to allow themselves to be hoodwinked by people who had nothing to offer the country.

Falana said the power to change the country was in their hands, urging them to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCS) to achieve that in 2019.

In his speech, a former governor of Kaduna state, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, described Fawehinmi as a true democrat who did a lot to grow the countrys democracy. He said Fawehinmi was a philanthropist who impacted positively on the lives of the downtrodden.

The Next President of Nigeria. Who Will Win the 2019 Elections? | Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ngEditor's note: One of the means of transportation in Nigeria is the sea transportation. But the incident of incessant accidents on the sea in some parts of the country really needs attention from the concerned authorities.

An investigation by Legit.ng regional reporter in Port Harcourt, revealed the harrowing experiences of sea travelers in Rivers state.

Within the space of two years, Mrs. Angela Michael, a mother of four, survived two boat mishaps. The boat accidents happened in 2017 and 2018.

She is an itinerant riverine trader, traveling from Nembe Jetty in Port Harcourt to the Bonny Island in Rivers state and from the Jetty to Nembe in Bayelsa state. Her articles of trade are Periwinkles, Crayfish and fish.

Ihunwo's investigation in some of the jetties like Abonnema Warf jetty, Okrika jetty and the Nembe Jetty in Port Harcourt, revealed terrible experiences of maritime travels.

In the accounts of Mrs Angela Michael, she was yet to recover from the traumatic experiences she had passed through.

According to her, the first time she was involved in a boat accident was when the boat she boarded was attacked by sea pirates. The boat driver suddenly ran into a blockade by the sea pirates along the Nembe-Brass route.

"In an attempt to maneuver a stave off gun shots from the hoodlums who had laid ambush in thick mangroves of the creeks, the boat capsized", she said.

READ ALSO: Breaking: Kayode Fayemi sworn in as Ekiti governor

The rampaging marauders who were masters of the terrain capitalized on their helplessness and stole their goods and personal effects while the passengers who could swim struggled to safety.

In that incident the sea pirates stole the 200 horsepower engine of the boat which was one of their priced targets because the market price runs into millions of Naira, food items, personal effects and others.

Another close shave with death happened when the boat she was in ran into solid debris made-up of floating plastics and disused barges.

In the two incidents, she was in the overloaded boat, especially the one they popularly called "Ghana boat" that has double decks that carries both human and other cargoes like logs of woods, food items and none of the passengers were kitted with life jackets and vision of the drivers was impaired because the journey was between 6.30pm and 7.30pm and the clouds and darkness had started enveloping the high seas.

Passengers traveling on high seas in Rivers state. Credit: Tony Ihunwo

Source: UGC

The above live scenerio typifies the endemic dangers faced by Maritime travelers in Rivers state and Niger Delta.

Safety of passengers who must necessarily navigate through the sea and creeks of the Niger Delta has always been endangered by several factors.

One of the major ones is the lack of government's regulation of the operations of boat drivers.

Typical "Ghana Boat" in the Niger Delta carrying both human and heavy materials but none of the passengers are kitted with life Jackets

Friends of Dakuku Peterside led by Hon. Victoria Nyeche sailing to Jetties to donate life jackets to boat operators in jetties in Rivers

As a result, there are no adequate training for boat operators and drivers. There are no strict standard requirements for boat operators before they can mount on boats. There are no compulsory requirements that every boat owner must provide life jackets for boat drivers and their passengers before they ply the waterways.

There is another issue of overloading of the boats with human and materials cargoes for maximum gains by the boat operators contributed to the risks marine transportation in the waterways.

As part of enforcement of safety, the Rivers state police command through its spokesman, DSP Nnamdi Omoni told Legit.ng that the Marine police department will be monitoring the jetties to ensure that passengers and boat drivers are kitted with life jackets.

"We will double our efforts to make sure that that the standard safety measures are enforced in our loading jetties around the state which is the takeoff points", DSP Omoni said.

Within Saturday, July 28, 2018 and Sunday, August 5, two boat accidents occurred in the waterways of Rivers. The first one claimed the life of one Joe Blackson, who rescued 13 boat passengers plying along Bakana waterways but got exhausted trying to save the 14th passenger.

Another 24 passenger boat capsized along the Okrika - Marine Base axis near Port Harcourt on Sunday, August 5, claimed the lives of two infants all of the same parents.

It was gathered that the boat was carrying 24 passengers but ran into the solid debris forcing the operator to lose the control of the boat before it capsized

According to the eyewitnesses the boat operator and Divers were able to rescue the 22 of the passengers while some of them were able to swim to safety. But the two infants were missing and feared dead.

Survivors called on government and its agencies for adequate training for the boat operators in the state. And also life jackets should be provided for infants on boat transportation. They also called for divers to be stationed at sea shores in case of accidents.

"Government should pay adequate attention to the how boat operators drive their boats. We normally say our last prayers each time we are traveling on boats. Whenever we demand for safety jackets they will tell us that they don't have that we should manage." A female survivor complained.

On the part of the boat owners, they complained of the exorbitant costs of life jackets.

A boat driver who gave his name simply as 'Captain' said: "The costs of life jackets range between:"N7, 000 and N9, 000. For us to have a full load that includes the drivers of 24 passengers, the total cost ranges between N168,000 and N216, 000. Not all boat owners can afford that kind of amount.

Some passengers have also complained about the use of expired life jackets by boat operators in the state which remain ineffective anytime accidents occur.

The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) in Rivers state has decried the frequency of boat accidents in the state.

The state chairman of the group, Tonye George, who said he has witnessed the accident said the two infants were of the same parents, females of the ages of six and four years old. He called for the provision of life jackets for infants.

However, in a reaction to the recent mishaps, the he chairman, board of directors of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Maj. Gen India Garba (rtd), expressed government concerns over the current increase of boat mishaps with attendant loss of lives and property across the country.

Garba said the boat mishaps often occur during the rainy season, while calling for an active collaboration between NIMASA and other relevant agencies of government including National Waterways Authority (NIWA) Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to checkmate the tragic incidence.

He said NIMASA is doing everything possible to come up with innovative measures to reduce boat accidents in the country. The agency has already set up maritime safety volunteers (Search and Rescue Team) who are to be deployed to jetties to assist in ensuring that safety standards are adhered to by boat operators and to also help in providing relief in times of crisis in the waterways.

Garba, however, insisted that in spite of this intervention, NIMASA cannot do it alone considering the vast number of rivers and waterways that boats traverse in this country hence the need for collaboration with relevant agencies of government.

In a statement issued in Abuja, and obtained by the NIMASA chairman identified overloading and improper kitting of passengers for water journeys as the main factors responsible for the various boat mishaps in the country.

He disclosed that plans are underway to deploy officials and security agents to various jetties to ensure strict compliance to safety standard of boat operations in our waterways.

In most cases, it is our recklessness and refusal to stick to safety instructions that lead to these mishaps. Jetty operators must comply with safety standards; they mustensure that the appropriate number of passengers are seated in a boat and that they are appropriately kitted with life jackets before embarking on journeys in the waterways.

It is disturbing that these tragedies keep recurring; NIMASA intends to collaborate with relevant agencies in order to reduce and checkmate these ugly incidences across the country, he stressed, noting that President Muhammadu Buhari is quite saddened at the sequence of these catastrophic accidents that have claimed a number of lives in the recent past.

Meanwhile, in fulfillment of the earlier promise of the Director-General of NIMASA, Dakuku Adol Peterside to donate 1,000 life jackets to start the distribution of free life Vests to jetties on Thursday, August 16, in Rivers state.

A programme which kicked off at Abonnemma Wharf Jetty in Port Harcourt saw the donation of brand new Vests to Ke, Cawthorne Channel and Bakana Units of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria.

Team leader of Friends of Dakuku, Hon.Victoria Nyeche, representing Port Harcourt constituency 2 in the Rivers House of Assembly informed the union that the DG was deeply touched by recent accidents on the water ways and decided to intervene in order to put a stop to such ugly occurrences.

Passengers traveling on high seas in Rivers state. Credit: Tony Ihunwo

Source: UGC

Also speaking, the state chairman of the Maritime Workers Union, Comrade Jonah Jumbo thanked the DG and his friends for the show of care, he lamented that the Maritime workers have been abandoned by the state government, which has no visible policies to address the challenges faced by the Riverine people of the state.

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He asked the the union called on government and private individuals to contribute in providing life Vests for Drivers and passengers.

Jumbo also said that plying the waterways after 6pm sale of alcoholic drinks and dru.gs have been banned to avoid night travels and driving under the influence of dru.gs and alcohol.

The issue of abandonment of disused barges, boats and the presence of solid wreckages in the water ways pose serious impediment to marine transportation.

Jumbo pleaded with both the state government and federal agencies agencies to help clear the solid debris in the waterways that are obstacles to free movements of boats.

It is clear that attention must be paid to hazards of Maritime transportation as those in coastal areas in Rivers state and entire Niger Delta have no other alternative but be in boat as the vital means of movement.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the heroic effort of a young contractor, Joseph Blackson, who saved 13 passengers, during a boat accident that claimed the lives of six persons has been lauded by residents of Bakama in the Degema local government area of Rivers state.

National Day of Mourning for Victims of Violent Killings Across Nigeria | - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- Actress Oge Okoye was spotted in the church of a very popular pastor in South Africa

- The beautiful lady also took her daughter along with her

- Oge sobbed and wept as the South African minister prayed for her

Nollywood actress Oge Okoye is a popular veteran in the film industry who dazzled many fans with any role she played in a movie. Her several acts in the Nigerian movie scene have left many unsuspecting that she could in any way be very spiritual.

The beautiful lady has, however, proven that she can be very spiritual and religious. Recently, the the actress was spotted in a popular church which belongs to a very controversial pastor.

The church named Alleluia Ministries International belongs to one Alph Lukau, a pastor known for his extravagant and lavish lifestyle. The pastor who owns a very large auditorium in South Africa hosted the actress during a church service.

Photo: Nollywood actress Oge Okoye and her daughter pays visit to the church of popular South African pastor Source: Aproko Girl

Source: UGC

Photo: Nollywood actress Oge Okoye and her daughter pays visit to the church of popular South African pastor Source: Aproko Girl

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: South African pastor Alph Lukau shows off his luxurious life (photos, video)

He also specially ministered to her and prayed for her. Oge Okoye did not, however, go alone. She went along with her beautiful daughter. Alph also attended to the little girl who he hugged and cuddled.

From the pictures, the wealthy South African pastor could be seen holding two pictures which belong to the actress. These old photos showed a little girl and a grown up adult as well.

Photo: The photos Nollywood actress Oge Okoye present to Alph Lukau Source: Aproko Girl

Source: UGC

Photo: Popular South African pastor Alph Lukau hugs Oge's daughter Source: Aproko Girl

Source: UGC

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With regards to the images, it can be inferred that the pastor was praying and prophesying on the characters contained in them. This is quite common with many Pentecostal pastors.

Photo: Nollywood actress Oge Okoye and her daughter pays visit to the church of popular South African pastor Source: Aproko Girl

Source: UGC

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Soon enough, Oge sobbed soberly as the pastor ministered to her. Although the reason for the visit of the actress to the South African based church is yet to be known, the pastor has, over time, been appraised for working miraculous deeds such as prophesying and even raising the dead. This certainly hints at the purpose of the celebrity's call on his assembly.

Who is The Most Influential Nigerian Pastor? | Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- The crisis in the Imo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) seems to getting worse

- A chieftain of the party in Imo, says the APC does not have a governorship candidate in the state yet

- Dr Theodore Ekechi is the convener of the APC Restoration Coalition in the state

Convener of the APC Restoration Coalition in Imo, Dr. Theodore Ekechi, has said that contrary to speculations, the party is yet to choose a candidate for the 2019 gubernatorial election in the state.

Ekechi, who spoke to Daily Trust in Owerri on Tuesday, October 16, also said that the inability of Governor Rochas Okorocha to have his way in the ongoing political crisis in the state has exposed him as a paper weight in Imo politics.

The present crisis in our party in the state has shown clearly that he does not have the political weight being attributed to him and that APC as a party is not in his grips.

So it is now left for the people to take over the party and work towards saving the party in the state, knowing that the party belongs to them and not to one man," he said.

READ ALSO: Imo successor race: Okorocha insists on his son-in-law being governor, seeks legal means

Ekechi also dismissed insinuations that the party has chosen a governorship candidate in the state, with Ugwumba Uche Nwosu and Senator Hope Uzodinma claiming the mandate.

He said: As far as the party is concerned, we dont have a candidate yet. Unless it was done overnight, but as I am talking to you the court order in the suit filed by Uzodinma comes up today and we are heading to the court to know whether the order will be vacated or not.

On what would be the fate of Uzodinma should he lose the governorship ticket, Ekechi said, There are ongoing consultations on these positions, but three things are clear to both parties; one Hope Uzodinma is holding both the senatorial ticket of APC for Imo West (Orlu zone) as well as the governorship, two, Senator Ben Uwajumogu, is still the senatorial candidate for the Okigwe zone, while Emeka Nwajiuba remains the candidate for Okigwe south Federal constituency. At the end, Uzodinma may choose to go higher or retain his position, but this will be determined as I told you by the outcome of the consultations still going on.

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Meanwhile, election observer group, YIAGA Africa Watching The Vote (WTV), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make public its report on the monitoring of political parties primaries held recently in preparations for the 2019 general elections.

The group made the demand on Thursday, October 11, in Abuja, during a press briefing on the conduct of political party primaries for the 2019 general elections.

Speaking at the briefing, Ezenwa Nwagwu, co-chair, WTV working group, and Cynthia Mbamalu, project director, YIAGA Africa WTV, raised issues around exclusion of youth and women, high cost of nomination forms, vote buying and selling, access and transparency, open flouting of party guidelines, INEC guidelines as well as the Electoral Act.

Nigeria Latest News: Not Too Young to Run Pay a Visit to APC and PDP | Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- President Buhari assured Nigerians the 2019 elections will be fair

- He said the political atmosphere has also improved

- The president said this is evident in the number of political parties

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians and the international community that the 2019 general elections will be free and fair.

This was contained in a statement by Femi Adesina on Tuesday, October 16.

The president said the 2019 election will also usher another clime of maturity, peace and unity. He noted that there was more political consciousness in the country evident by the increased number of registered political parties.

President Buhari, who received Letters of Credence from four ambassadors at the State House, including the Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of Japan, Yutaka Kikuta, said the countrys political and electoral institutions have continued to evolve in strength, skill and experience after each election.

READ ALSO: Breaking: Fayose arrives EFCC office accompanied by Governor Wike (photo, video)

We are currently at the threshold of another general election and after five general elections in the country since 1999, we expect that the 2019 elections will be free and fair. The political system is good and if people work hard they will succeed," the president said.

President Buhari also said the increase in number of political parties that will field candidates in 2019 elections indicates more democratic consciousness among Nigerians and willingness to serve the country.

Receiving Letter of Credence from the ambassador of the Russian Federation, Alexey Shebarshin, the president noted that discussions on reviving the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, partnerships in agriculture and other bilateral interests in trade and economic development will be sustained, commending the country for always standing by Nigeria.

We have opened discussions on the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, and we will continue," President Buhari added.

The president told the ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Richardo Guerra De Araujo, that the historical ties between both countries and the shared potentials for growth will be further explored, with strong emphasis on economic and social development.

He said the number of Nigerians in Brazil already provide a strong reason for deeper and richer discussions for both countries.

Receiving the Letter of Credence of the ambassador of United Arab Emirates, Fahad Al Taffaq, President Buhari assured him that Nigeria remains committed to strengthening the bilateral relationship that has existed between both countries for many years.

The president said the courtesies extended to Nigerians in the United Arab Emirates was commendable, assuring the envoy that his administration will continue to strengthen business and trade relations between both countries.

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In his remarks, the ambassador of Japan said his country remained grateful for Nigerias concern and support during the flooding that devastated the country, promising to work hard to further enhance relations in technology, agriculture and trade.

The ambassadors of Russia, Brazil and United Arab Emirates assured the president that they will work hard to ensure improved relations in key sectors of the economy, while wishing Nigeria the best in the forthcoming elections.

Meanwhile, the national chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has called on Nigerians to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari rather than bringing in Atiku Abubakar for another eight years.

In an interview with Vanguard, Okorie noted that the Buhari administration has done its best although this may not be enough. He however said it was better to stick with Buhari than bringing in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Buhari to Contest for Presidency in 2019! Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ngThis is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 816 donors have already invested in our efforts to combat corruption and predatory conduct, particularly in the financial realm. Please join us and participate via our donation page, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Read about why were doing this fundraiser and what weve accomplished in the last year, and our current goal, thanking our guest bloggers.

The UK press today appears to be trying to find happy potents in the entrails of the roadkill of this round of Brexit negotiations. May gave a speech to Parliament in which she didnt blame the EU for the collapse of the talks, after a week of breathless breakthrough rumors. Since her man Dominic Raab was the one to reject the latest draft text, which had apparently been agreed at the negotiator level, it would be hard to pin this last minute deadlock on the EU, although I should not underestimate the willingness of Fleet Street to amplify jingoistic messaging from No. 10.

However, May, while insisting a deal could still be had, also maintained that an Irish border backstop could only be a temporary measure. This is yet another retrade of deal terms; its at odds with the Joint Agreement she signed last December. Moreover, it is hard to see how the EU can give ground. No backstop or one that becomes void as of a date certain means the UK could try to use it as a weapon in negotiations if it hits an impasse in its trade negotiations. The EU presumably recognizes this and wants to put the matter to bed, as it thought it had with the Joint Agreement.

We thought we had made a mistake on reading the order of battle issues, but perhaps in the end we hadnt. We had initially read May after Salzburg as succeeding in getting the EU to drop its demand, which appeared to have been made in anger, that she hop to and show enough progress by October 18 or else. That interpretation looked all wet as the Government went into frantic negotiations mode, only to have Raab throw cold water on the UK presenting a final framework in October.

May is now apparently not only angling to have the EU keep negotiations open until November, but even hopes to have until December. From the Financial Times:

Theresa May will try to hold together her fractured cabinet on Tuesday by playing for time on Brexit, amid rising expectations that the timetable for finalising an exit deal could slip into December. The prime minister sought to lower tensions on Monday ahead of an EU leaders summit on Brexit that starts on Wednesday. She told MPs that it was a time for cool, calm heads and insisted: I dont believe the UK and European Union are far apart. Instead of confronting her cabinet by trying to force through agreement on a Brexit withdrawal treaty ahead of the European Council, originally billed as a key moment in the negotiations, Mrs May has left important issues unresolved.

Its not obvious why the EU should go along. Even if it were to plan only to go through the motions, it has seen May refuse to commit and even try to wriggle out of settled points too many times. The reason for the rough handling of May at Salzburg was likely not just a display of personal pique, but also collective frustration that she is not agreement capable and theres no point in continuing this farce. Indeed, there are now large, looming costs. No one wanted to take a crash out as a serious possibility, so everyone is very far behind in preparation. The EU has deep enough bureaucracies that it has some hope of stitching up a lot of what it needs if it goes into overdrive now (that does not mean there still wont be a very large amount of dislocation, but governments will have done much of what they can to reduce the pain). Continuing to talk to the UK if there really is no deal to be had sends all the wrong signals to EU officials and even more important, businesses. Its hard to press them to get all hands on deck to prepare for a disorderly Brexit when talks are still underway. This may be one of the downsides of Barniers patience as a negotiator: he may not be willing or able to walk away from the table, yet some of his principals may want him to say things look unsolvable before they pull the plug.

And as for May having gamed all this out, the UK side has never exhibited strategic genius. This outcome is more likely the result of accident and error.1 At a minimum, May saw what we did: the DUP and the Ultras would oppose the plan her team had tentatively worked out with the EU, and she couldnt begin to get enough votes from Labour or anywhere else to make up for their loss. A failure on a Withdrawal Agreement vote would almost certainly bring down her Government, if the DUP didnt take it out and shoot it sooner by opposing her budget.2 As Financial Times reader Sean Citizen said in commments:

Ive been reflecting self critically on the headline Mrs May plays for time on Brexit Agreement. I have repeatedly accused Mrs May of inconsistency and at a superficial level, this is true. For example she has twice given the EU a written commitment to an all-weather backstop but now misrepresents her broken promise as a new demand by the EU. But the headline is a reminder that, at a deeper level, she has actually been quite consistent in her approach. Playing for time seems to be the only trick in her playbook. And in relentlessly playing for time, she is willing to ignore scuples and logic. To gain time, the Prime Miniter will promise anything to anybody, break any commitment, ignore or misrepresent inconvenient truths. And for the umpteenth time, Im reminded of Einsteins definition of madness: repeating the same experiment and expecting a different result. Various commentators are speculating that the Prime Minister is pursuing some complex and subtle strategy. I prefer Occams razor and choose the simplest explanation. Mrs May has been grossly overpromoted and is completely out of her depth. There is no grand strategy. There arent even any short term tactics. Unless she is removed from office, the hapless Mrs May will continue to aimlessly play for time, right up to when the bus hits the wall on the 29th March deadline  for the simple reason that she hasnt a clue what else to do.

Finally, on another happy UK press idea of the day, that Mays upcoming speech Wednesday at the EU summit might open new paths up, I could explain why not, but Richard North has already done so with considerable vigor:

But there was no need to rest with the perception that the prime ministers words were unreal. By any measure, they were beamed down from another planet, lacking corporeal form and unable to exist in this atmosphere. This is the woman who, just days before the crucial European Council which is supposed to resolve the Brexit agreement, has watched her strategy crash and burn, with negotiations totally stalled and no likelihood of a deal this month. And despite that, and all the background that goes with it, she stands up in the Commons and declares: I continue to believe that a negotiated deal is the best outcome for the UK and for the European Union. She then tells us that she continues to believe that such a deal is achievable, and that is the spirit in which she will continue to work with our European partners, then burbling somewhere in between about the EU wanting a backstop to a backstop The paper [the Guardian] has it that the prime minister is expected to plead with EU leaders to drop their Irish backstop proposal at a make-or-break summit dinner on Wednesday night after seeking the support of members of her cabinet on Tuesday morning. After all this time, it still doesnt understand that Mrs May will not be allowed to negotiate directly with EU Member States. If they hear Mrs May on Wednesday evening, then protocol demands that she is heard in silence, with no questions asked of her. In that context, the Commission proposes and the Council disposes. There are no circumstances where Mrs May can short-cut the process and work round the established system. The best she can hope for is aa grudging resumption of talks once the Council is over.

In the 2015 bailout negotiations, the Greek government knew it was playing a game of chicken with the Troika and overestimated how much damage it could do by defaulting, and thus the odds that the creditors would relent. But the government was inexperienced and Greece was prostrated by austerity and desperate to break free of rule by the IMF. It was a high-stakes gamble but Greece only had poor choices.

By contrast, it would be hard to chart a course for Brexit worse than the one the UK has followed. And of course, the so-called leaders responsible for this mess will suffer far less than UK and EU citizens.

_______

1 From Frank Herberts Dune: Then, as his planet killed him, it occurred to Kynes that his father and all the other scientists were wrong, that the most persistent principles of the universe were accident and error.

2 As weve said, it isnt clear that failing to pass a budget would force new elections under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act. The Government of course argues not but my sense is that this is an untested question. UK readers are encouraged to pipe up.

I also very much discount the idea that the DUP could be bought off. The leaders all survived the Troubles. Fosters father nearly died and she had a close call when a school bus she was on was targeted. You can deplore their aims, but they do seem to be willing to go down for their principles.This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 817 donors have already invested in our efforts to combat corruption and predatory conduct, particularly in the financial realm. Please join us and participate via our donation page, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Read about why were doing this fundraiser and what weve accomplished in the last year, and our current goal, thanking our guest bloggers.

Youve been grating cheese all wrong! Woman is shocked to discover the correct way to use the kitchen gadget  but do YOU know how to do it? Daily Mail. Youre probably hanging your toilet paper the wrong way, too.

Dangerous Rapidly Intensifying Landfalling Hurricanes Like Michael and Harvey May Grow More Common Weather Underground

Who Is the We in We Are Causing Climate Change? Slate

The idea that action against climate change will destroy the economy couldnt be more wrong Jared Bernstein, WaPo

I leave the car at home: how free buses are revolutionising one French city Guardian

Setting The Record Straight On Why Fighter Jets Cant All Simply Fly Away To Escape Storms The Drive (DK).

The Big Blockchain Lie Nouriel Roubini, Project Syndicate. Roubini really hammering this.

BofA Stung by Shadow Banks as Investment-Banking Fees Slip Bloomberg

A pandemic killing tens of millions of people is a real possibility  and we are not prepared for it Vox

Brexit

Macron cabinet reshuffle delayed France24

Germanys jubilant Greens storm centre-left stage FT

Brazils all-corrupt politics Glenn Greenwald & Victor Pougy, Le Monde Diplomatique

Syraqistan

China?

Catalyst or catastrophe? Lessons from Asias high-speed rail failures Nikkei Asian Review

Low Food Prices Are a Budget Problem for Indias Modi Bloomberg

Trump Transition

Pages purged by Facebook were on blacklist promoted by Washington Post WSWS. Well, well.

Democrats in Disarray

Eric Holder talks Rod Rosenstein, His Work with Uber and Airbnb, and His Record Prosecuting Bankers New York Magazine. Presidential hopeful Holder is still at it: Lets say there are, I dont know, bad executives whove done inappropriate things. Well, there are shareholders who can be impacted by a decision the government makes, there are other employees who might number in the thousands who could be impacted by a decision that the government makes. Again  doesnt mean that youre not taking action. Deferred prosecution agreement typically involves monitoring the activity of the company, having some degree of assurance that the company wont repeat, that the companys conduct will change. Bad executives whove done inappropriate things. Periodically I run this YouTube of Holders deputy, Lanny Breuer: Breuer: I think about a lot of things, including justice. Justice is one of the many things that I have to consider. It is, perhaps, needless to say that this YouTube is a parody. Nearly Every Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Still Takes Corporate PAC Money The Intercept How Hillary Clinton could win in 2020 The Week. Shockingly plausible.

Health Care

No end in sight: EHRs hit hospitals bottom lines with uncertain benefits Modern Health Care. Read all the way to the end [puts head in hands].

Class Warfare

Big Tech, big problems FT

Ubers secret weapon is its team of economists Quartz. So, Ubers core competency really is public relations?

Did Uber Steal Googles Intellectual Property? New Yorker

Apple says dangerous Australian encryption laws put everyone at risk CNET

Living in a Crumbling World (PDF) Valdai Club Annual Report

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 815 donors have already invested in our efforts to combat corruption and predatory conduct, particularly in the financial realm. Please join us and participate via our donation page, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Read about why were doing this fundraiser and what weve accomplished in the last year, and our current goal, thanking our guest bloggers.

An important new study that finds a dramatic fall in the insect population in a protected tropical rain forest hasnt gotten the attention it deserves. To its credit, the Washington Post appears to be the lone mainstream media exception. Its story, Hyperalarming study shows massive insect loss, not only covers the new PNAS article, Climate-driven declines in arthropod abundance restructure a rainforest food web, but also summarizes other recent studies on insect populations that show similar alarming declines. And what is particularly troubling is that the new studies attribute the fall in insect numbers to climate change, not pesticides.

Google News shows only one other story on the PNAS study, Several species of insects have almost completely vanished from some tropical forests in Science Magazine. Two other articles discussed insects as food: INSECT CUISINE: HOW TO EAT (AND ENJOY) THE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY SUPERFOOD in Newsweek and The ever-growing case for eating insects The Takeout. It looks like this idea may have arrived too late.

The PNAS study measures insect biomass over time in an isolated rain forest in Puerto Rico. The authors point out that insects in tropical settings are more vulnerable to changes in temperature than insect species that live in other habitats.

As the article title indicates, the plunge in insect numbers has devastated the species that feed on them:

Arthropods, invertebrates including insects that have external skeletons, are declining at an alarming rate. While the tropics harbor the majority of arthropod species, little is known about trends in their abundance. We compared arthropod biomass in Puerto Ricos Luquillo rainforest with data taken during the 1970s and found that biomass had fallen 10 to 60 times. Our analyses revealed synchronous declines in the lizards, frogs, and birds that eat arthropods. Over the past 30 years, forest temperatures have risen 2.0 C, and our study indicates that climate warming is the driving force behind the collapse of the forests food web. If supported by further research, the impact of climate change on tropical ecosystems may be much greater than currently anticipated. A number of studies indicate that tropical arthropods should be particularly vulnerable to climate warming. If these predictions are realized, climate warming may have a more profound impact on the functioning and diversity of tropical forests than currently anticipated. Although arthropods comprise over two-thirds of terrestrial species, information on their abundance and extinction rates in tropical habitats is severely limited. Here we analyze data on arthropod and insectivore abundances taken between 1976 and 2012 at two midelevation habitats in Puerto Ricos Luquillo rainforest. During this time, mean maximum temperatures have risen by 2.0 C. Using the same study area and methods employed by Lister in the 1970s, we discovered that the dry weight biomass of arthropods captured in sweep samples had declined 4 to 8 times, and 30 to 60 times in sticky traps. Analysis of long-term data on canopy arthropods and walking sticks taken as part of the Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research program revealed sustained declines in abundance over two decades, as well as negative regressions of abundance on mean maximum temperatures. We also document parallel decreases in Luquillos insectivorous lizards, frogs, and birds. While El Nino/Southern Oscillation influences the abundance of forest arthropods, climate warming is the major driver of reductions in arthropod abundance, indirectly precipitating a bottom-up trophic cascade and consequent collapse of the forest food web.

As Science Magazine put it:

Insects and other arthropods have declined by up to 99% over 4 decades in a Puerto Rican forest, apparently because of climate change, according to new study. And thats not the only bad news. Something similar happened in the Chamela forest of Mexico when the two researchers compared the abundance of arthropods in 2014 with their previous survey in 198788. Meanwhile, the average maximum daily temperatures in the Puerto Rican forest have risen 2C, and by 2.4C in the Mexican forest. Ecologists know excessive heat can harm animals, especially those that have evolved to live in relatively constant tropical temperatures.

The Washington Post pointed out that the (few) other studies on insect population have had similar grim findings:

Insects around the world are in a crisis, according to a small but growing number of long-term studies showing dramatic declines in invertebrate populations. A new report suggests that the problem is more widespread than scientists realized. Huge numbers of bugs have been lost in a pristine national forest in Puerto Rico, the study found, and the forests insect-eating animals have gone missing, too. In 2014, an international team of biologists estimated that, in the past 35 years, the abundance of invertebrates such as beetles and bees had decreased by 45 percent. In places where long-term insect data are available, mainly in Europe, insect numbers are plummeting. A study last year showed a 76 percent decrease in flying insects in the past few decades in German nature preserves. This study in PNAS is a real wake-up call  a clarion call  that the phenomenon could be much, much bigger, and across many more ecosystems, said David Wagner, an expert in invertebrate conservation at the University of Connecticut who was not involved with this research. He added: This is one of the most disturbing articles I have ever read. The food web appears to have been obliterated from the bottom. Its credible that the authors link the cascade to arthropod loss, {Louisiana State University entomologist Timothy] Schowalter said, because you have all these different taxa showing the same trends  the insectivorous birds, frogs and lizards  but you dont see those among seed-feeding birds. A recent analysis of climate change and insects, published in August in the journal Science, predicts a decrease in tropical insect populations, according to an author of that study, Scott Merrill, who studies crop pests at the University of Vermont. In temperate regions farther from the equator, where insects can survive a wider range of temperatures, agricultural pests will devour more food as their metabolism increases, Merrill and his co-authors warned. But after a certain thermal threshold, insects will no longer lay eggs, he said, and their internal chemistry breaks down. Lister [one of the co-authors] pointed out that, since 1969, pesticide use has fallen more than 80 percent in Puerto Rico.

Readers have been pointing out that they can tell there are fewer insects. A long highway trip no longer produces a windshield crudded up with dead bugs. Even in concrete-heavy Manhattan, Ive noticed that the usual few flies that manage to make their way up the elevator and into my apartment during the summer, much to the delight of my cats, are a thing of the past. When I go to outdoors-y places during mosquito season, I get a fraction of the number of bites I used to receive.

Cockroaches may inherit the earth, but it looks like its dicey to bet on anything else.This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 820 donors have already invested in our efforts to combat corruption and predatory conduct, particularly in the financial realm. Please join us and participate via our donation page, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Read about why were doing this fundraiser and what weve accomplished in the last year, and our current goal, thanking our guest bloggers.

Yves here. Im old enough to remember Sears fondly. I grew up mainly in small towns where the Sears store. although dull to me as a child, was clearly important to my parents and other adults. I remember it as a straightforward purveyor of staples like hardware (those Craftsman tools!) and reliable Kenmore white goods. I know there was more to Sears; both my mother and grandmother, who live with us a big chunk of the year, read their catalogues closely.

Wolf Richter explains why Sears is going down for good. I do have one quibble: he lists Toys R Us as being liquidated. That had been the plan, but its new owner apparently didnt get the bids on the intellectual property it wanted, and has decided to revive the stores with a less sprawling physical store presence and more emphasis on online sales. Toys R Us might be able to make it because it was a very much loved store crushed by too much debt. By contrast, as Wolf describes, theres very little of what is left of Sears for customers to care about.

Private equity expert Eileen Appelbaum has a new article at CEPR, Jobs, Pensions Lost in Sears Bankruptcy, but Hedge Fund King Gets Paid, that describes at length the machinations that hedge fund kind Eddie Lampert went to in successfully enriching himself at the expense of Sears, in particular stripping Sears of real estate that reduced its expenses and had allowed it to ride our recessions and invest. The business and the workers that depended on it didnt have a chance. Key sections of Appelbaums piece:

By Wolf Richter, a San Francisco based executive, entrepreneur, start up specialist, and author, with extensive international work experience. Originally published at Wolf Street

This follows the script of the brick-and-mortar meltdown of retailers that were bought by Wall Street and subsequently subjected to asset-stripping and cost-cutting, which ruined what little was left of their brands. Mired down in survival mode, those retailers failed to build a vibrant online presence and fulfillment infrastructure. As sales withered and losses ravaged the company, debts became unmanageable. But the bankruptcy by Sears Holdings is just so much richer  and the restructuring in bankruptcy has a zero chance of succeeding.

Monday morning, Sears Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with the intent to restructure its debts and obligations, close 142 more stores, in addition to the 46 store closings it recently announced, and in addition to the thousands of stores it closed in prior years. This would bring its store count from the 866 stores in Q2 to about 678 Sears and Kmart stores by the end of 2018. The new goal is to shrink and somehow thrive. Same as the old goals. This chart shows how Sears cut its way to health and profitability, by reducing the number of stores from nearly 4,000 in 2011 to 678 by the end of 2018:

And at this unstoppable trajectory, the store count will drop below 300 by the end of 2019 and dip into the negative by 2020  if only that were possible.

Every wave of store closings came with corporate verbiage about transforming the company into a smaller but profitable retailer. And so inevitably, there was more of the same in todays announcement of the bankruptcy filing.

Over the last several years, we have worked hard to transform our business and unlock the value of our assets, hedge-fund owner and Sears Holdings CEO Eddie Lampert said with deadpan sarcasm. He, his hedge fund ESL, and related entities are Sears Holdings largest shareholders and largest creditors, and what they have lent the company is secured by the companys best assets. So the value of our assets that he has unlocked has already gone, or will go, to him and ESL.

In financial terms, the filing listed $6.9 billion in assets and $11.3 billion in liabilities. On paper, there is a hole of $4.4 billion. The size of the hole may change, depending on the magnitude of further losses and the ultimate sale price of the assets, ranging from inventories to the remaining company-owned stores.

In the announcement, Sears said that it has lined up a debtor-in-possession (DIP) loan of $300 million to fund its operations through the bankruptcy proceedings, and that it is negotiating an additional $300-million Junior DIP loan. Reuters reported on Sunday that according to sources, Lampert may participate in the DIP loan.

One of the ways for Lampert to get the real estate is to pledge it as collateral for a loan and then have the company default on the loan.

Another way is this: Sears Holding already sold 235 of its best stores for $2.7 billion in sweetheart deals to Seritage Growth Properties, when it was still a Sears entity, some of them on a lease-back basis. Seritage was then spun off from Sears via a rights offering in July 2015. Lampert is chairman of Seritage and owns a big chunk of it via the rights offering. Aggrieved investors in Sears Holdings filed suit. In 2017, Sears Holdings and Lampert settled for $40 million.

The Seritage deal is one reason the bankruptcy filing had to be dragged out so long. The two-year look-back period for fraudulent conveyance in the federal bankruptcy code incentivized Lampert to keep the company out of bankruptcy at least through July 2017. And state law often provides a longer look-back period. So now was apparently long enough to avoid fraudulent conveyance issues of the Seritage deal under state law as well.

Lampert will remain chairman of Sears Holding but will lose his role as CEO, according to the announcement. The Office of the CEO  a three-person committee  will assume the executive role.

Sears Holdings had about 89,000 employees in the US as of February, down from 246,000 people five years ago. The employee count will go to zero not long from now.

Sears Canada too filed for restructuring in Canadian courts in June 2017 to somehow muddle on in restructured form. By October 2017, it became clear that restructuring efforts had failed, and the Sears Canada was liquidated .

Toys R Us, which was owned by private equity firms, went through a similar program, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2017 in order to restructure its debts and go on, but those efforts failed, and in March, it was over, and Toys R Us was forced into liquidation.

Retailers are notoriously difficult to restructure. After years of losses  Sears Holdings has lost money since 2011, including nearly $1 billion in the first half this year  theyre burdened with debts and dont own enough assets to cover those debts.

But in the case of Sears Holdings, its not just a financial problem. Its a retail problem that is much worse than the retail problems at Toys R Us.

Sears Holdings has willfully killed its sales. In its Q2 loss report on September 13, Sears Holdings disclosed that revenues had plunged 26% from the same quarter last year, to $3.18 billion, continuing their seven-year astoundingly straight line to hell. The chart below shows revenues for Q2 of each year since 2011. My estimates are marked in red, based on past revenue declines:

According to Q2 data, zero revenues loom at the end of 2020. But it will not last that long. The show will end sooner: The bankruptcy filing will speed up the sales plunge to perhaps 40% or 50% year-over-year over the next two quarters (purple arrow in the chart above). And liquidation is likely early next year after the inevitable holiday sales fiasco.

You cannot turn around a debacle like this by restructuring its debts and closing stores. This would require an operational turnaround: branding, marketing, merchandising, sales, customer relations, employee relations, etc. Sears would have to get employees excited again about working there and consumers excited again about shopping there. But that wont work because over the years, the company destroyed customer goodwill, surgically removed any reasons to shop at its desolate run-down stores, and mauled what was left of the brands.

I dont give free advice to hedge fund managers. But if I were to give free advice to Eddie Lampert, it would sound like this: Dont write any more blog posts to blame pensioners for the collapse of Sears Holding after you wasted $5.8 billion on share buybacks. Read My Free Advice for Sears Holding CEO Eddie LampertBy Diligens, a member of the Establishment not loyal to his class

Yves asked me to explain why CalPERS matters, not just to government workers or taxpayers in California, but to anyone who cares whether our financial institutions serve citizens or whether the reality is the opposite.

Let me tell you something about myself. I know a lot about public pension funds and financial institutions generally, having done business with many in both categories in the U.S. Ive also been giving faithfully to Naked Capitalism because I recognize the importance and high caliber of its coverage. So please join me by going to the Tip Jar.

Here are two key facts about CalPERS. First, and you may find this hard to believe, but CalPERS continues to be one of the best-run public pension funds in the U.S. Yes, I mean that, and I think Yves agrees. Thats why her reporting on CalPERS many lapses is so important: This is as good as it gets, folks. Its mostly downhill from here in terms of the government organizations managing trillions in savings for worker retirements.

Second, to offer CalPERS another back-handed compliment, it is almost certainly among the most, and perhaps THE most, transparent financial institution of significance in the U.S.

Wait a minute, you may be saying, weve seen on the blog what a complete, utter mess CalPERS is. How can what you say be true? Well, its time to wake up and smell the coffee, folks. This is how the world operates. Financial institutions sell out the interests they are supposed to protect every second of every day. They do it for a variety of reasoninstitutional aggrandizement, laziness, fear of career reprisals, money in the pockets of decision-makers.

Where are the customers yachts? Youve heard the line, first asked decades ago by a writer pointing out that financial institution employees often lived the high life while their clients didnt. Nothing has changed, and in some sense, nothing ever will in the sense that the tendency, absent countervailing pressure, will always be for financial institutions to sell out their clients. Naked Capitalism is an important countervailing pressure, as we all know.

A key factor that distinguishes CalPERS from other financial institutions that are equally or more vulnerable to the pernicious impact of self-interest is that CalPERS is required by law to perform much of its business in public. You are never going to see a Goldman Sachs board meeting on YouTube. So, in that sense, CalPERS is a proxy for what happens everywhere but is usually invisible.

There are some inter-related reasons why CalPERS lapses are so tragic, beyond the recognition that it is almost certainly worse everywhere else.

First, at some point in the past, the organization credibly served as tribune for ordinary working people with respect to financial markets and the business world. I mean this not in the very narrow, cramped sense that CalPERS has retreated to, which is currently as an advocate in the business world for a grab-bag of left-of-center environmental and social issues, but in the much more expansive sense in which it was clearly true 20 years ago.

Back then, the CalPERS was engaged in a frequently sophisticated, nuanced, and impactful way across a huge number of financial issues on behalf of the public interest. In a sense, they were financial revolutionaries.

CalPERS played a major role in forcing the SEC to require CEO employment contracts to be disclosed. CalPERS was instrumental in reforming so-called soft dollar kickbacks from brokers to investment managers. CalPERS published a report publicly challenging the then-prevailing terms and conditions of private equity funds, and in so doing, put great pressure on the fund managers. CalPERS was among the first institutional investors to take on the role of lead plaintiff in securities litigations, alleging that public companies had defrauded investors.

One could go on and on, listing the many ways in which CalPERS stood shoulder to shoulder with the interests of the little guy on financial issues during its glory days. The immensity of its accomplishments during that revolutionary era inspired many  financial reformers, academics, politicians  who thought they saw in CalPERS a rapidly-emerging model of public-interest-centered capitalism.

As we now know, the organization started to lose momentum in the early 2000s, with the critical juncture almost certainly having been the installation in 2003 of the CEO who is now in federal prison for bribery. The reasons why CalPERS lost steam are complex and somewhat open to debate. But its not unreasonable to argue that, leaving aside the political intrigues and personalities, the fundamental, structural cause of failure was of the same sort that we see in non-elite actors of all types when they successfully storm the gates of the financial and social aristocracy.

Put simply, revolutionary ideals are hard to sustain. Once insurgents find themselves inside the walls, the elites generally dont treat them as overt enemies. In fact, its usually the opposite  here, have a seat at my beautifully appointed table. How about a glass of wine? Have you been to Davos to raise your important concerns with the audience there? Let me get you an invitation. Oh, and theres a thing at the Aspen Institute next week with a dozen CEOs. Its lovely there at this time of year, and Im sure everyone will be interested in what you have to say.

Sadly, the path from revolutionary leader to dupe is an incredibly short one, but in the process of walking down it, the journey is lined with ego gratification. And the trip is definitely in business class, that I can assure you.

All institutions are vulnerable to this kind of decline, but CalPERS was particularly so. This was mainly true because there were never more than literally a handful of people driving the organization in the right direction. Everyone else supported it passively, either because they valued the good PR as politicians, or because they were bureaucrats who did what they were told, even if they had no understanding of the larger why behind the orders.

When things started to change for the worse at CalPERS, the media was very slow to pick up on it, given their incredibly superficial understanding of almost everything they cover.

As a result, the national and foreign press continued to depict CalPERS as a revolutionary force for many years after this clearly ceased to be true. That had the effect, for a long time, of obscuring to CalPERS leaders how far the organization had fallen. Almost all of them are non-experts in finance, and so their understanding was reliant on how the press presented their activities as opposed to how much impact the activities actually had. And, as politicians, many of them only cared about the press perception anyway.

This is where we all join the story as readers of Naked Capitalism, observing how the blog finally demolished the remnants of CalPERS narrative about itself, along with the associated tragi-comic actions of the institution to push even harder on the PR spin, like a 50 pound-overweight man who still believes that a long session in the steam bath will get him into his high school jeans.

Talking to Yves, its interesting to be reminded that what first provoked her ongoing coverage of CalPERS was her interest in private equity. Again, we see the theme of CalPERS exceptional transparency here, as Naked Capitalism has been able to write a larger volume of material about CalPERS private equity program at this point, because the information is available, than has collectively ever been written about Cerberus, for example, one of the largest and lowest profile PE firms which works very hard to be as non-transparent as possible.

The private equity issue is also particularly important because it is the end point of CalPERS path from revolutionary leader to dupe. As Naked Capitalism has so extensively documented, CalPERS has responded to the blogs revelations in this area by a combination of: 1) defending the PE firms that are scamming them, 2) crying theres nothing we can do, 3) engaging in half-hearted pseudo-reforms, 4) planning to re-structure the PE program to radically reduce its transparency.

One final point about the significance of CalPERS and Naked Capitalisms coverage of it, and this also relates to private equity.

One area in which Yves has been relentless, across all the topics she covers, has been the economic betrayal of the working classes by elites who crave recognition for their progressive views. This sell-out is especially significant among the key enablers of PE scamming, the lawyers. Even among the big law firms representing PE managers, like Ropes & Gray and Simpson Thacher, most of the attorneys almost certainly are Democrats and view themselves as progressives, at least on social issues.

Yet these white shoe lawyers spend their days constructing misleading contracts intended to fool representatives of the little people whom they like to see themselves on the side of. On the extremely rare occasions that an investor or the SEC shows up asking questions about dubious practices, they sit with the PE managers helping them to construct explanations for their behavior that they know are misleading, though not quite false. Naked Capitalism has made it harder for lawyers like this to look away regarding the consequences of their actions, and for this it is to be commended.

We readers recently saw a Sacramento Bee columnist, discussing Yves CalPERS coverage, effectively label her as an outside agitator, akin to the Freedom Riders of the civil rights era. Undoubtably, this reflects CalPERS institutional position regarding the blog. What a tragedy that a once great institution, which once successfully agitated for change across the financial domain, has been reduced  like Bull Connor  to standing athwart history, yelling, Stop!

So join us at the barricades. Unlike well-meaning but clueless CalPERS staffers, Yves wont sell out because, unlike too many erstwhile reformers who lose their way, shes already had a seat at the table and learned to loathe the hypocrisy she saw and sometimes even unwittingly enabled. That means she also has seen the legal, messaging, and psychological tricks insiders play and is therefore effective at picking them apart. As Matt Stoller said in 2012:

When every institutional power center is leaning on every policymaker to push more carbon into the atmosphere, to cut social programs for all of us, to ratchet up the war machine, to empower the TBTF banks, dissent becomes more and more difficult. But the irony is that it is times like these when the system is weak, when the lies become even more important. Naked Capitalism is the antidote. It isnt the whole solution, obviously. But do not underestimate the importance of having a consistent top quality community discussing financial regulations, politics and economics with social justice as the goal. This stuff is actionable, it can and sometimes does turn into policy.

So give to support taking on predatory elites and their well-paid minions. Whatever you can give, whether $5, $50, or $5000, will come back many times over, in the form of a society that is more humane, that is more just, and that we can be proud of.On 15 and 16 October 2018, the Political Affairs and Security Policy Division received a delegation of Diplomats from the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Group photo of the delegation of Diplomats from the Kingdom of Bahrain

The visit took place in the framework of NATO Public Diplomacy activities under the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.

The Bahraini delegation received briefings from senior officials from the International Staff and International Military Staff at NATO. Briefings delivered by NATO officials covered the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), relevant areas of NATO-Bahrain cooperation and NATOs operations and current agenda.

The visit to NATO headquarters concluded with a visit at the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre.Top US and Icelandic officials met in Reykjavik on Tuesday (16 October 2018) to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic, World War IIs longest continuous military campaign. On a ceremony aboard the Icelandic Coast Guard Vessel THOR, Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson and Admiral James G. Foggo III, Commander of NATOs Joint Force Command Naples and US Naval Forces in Europe and Africa, jointly laid a wreath into the sea to honour all those who fell in the fight for freedom.

In his remarks, Foreign Minister Thordarson recalled the importance of Allied solidarity, and standing up for NATOs shared values of democracy and human rights. He added: we also remember how crucial unimpeded shipping routes over the Atlantic are for Iceland. That was certainly the case 75 years ago and it still applies today.

Admiral Foggo stressed Icelands key role in the Battle of the Atlantic, saying: Officially neutral, the Icelanders allowed British, American and Canadian servicemen and women to be stationed on their shores and to have ships, submarines and aircraft operate from Icelandic airfields and Icelandic ports. Calling this contribution indispensable, Admiral Foggo thanked Iceland for its unwavering commitment to its Allies, and paid tribute to all those that made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom, including more than 200 Icelanders.

On Wednesday, US Marines will arrive in Iceland, storming a beach at Sandvik and flying into Keflavik Airport as part of NATOs Exercise Trident Juncture. The drills, which will take place primarily in Norway, are set to be the Alliances largest in many years. The main phase will begin on 25 October, bringing together more than 50,000 personnel from all 29 Allies, as well as partners Finland and Sweden.(Natural News) Certain cleaning chemicals have been linked to health problems, according to a study published in the American Thoracic Societys American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. In the paper, the authors cited asthma and even lung decline as primary illnesses that can be gotten from using these products.

Compared to women who do not clean, those who often use cleaning sprays or other cleaning products at home or those who are employed as cleaners seem to experience a greater decline in lung function over time.

Researchers from the University of Bergen in Norway studied data from 6,235 individuals who took part in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey.

In the study, titled Cleaning at Home and at Work in Relation to Lung Function Decline and Airway Obstruction, participants with an average age of 34 when they enrolled were observed for over 20 years.

Dr. Cecile Svanes, a professor at the universitys Centre for International Health, explained that even though the short-term effects of cleaning chemicals on asthma were now being properly documented, there was no data when it came to its long-term impact.

Svanes, who was also the senior author of the study, added that the team is concerned that these chemicals are steadily damaging the airways of women. Although the damage is minimal, it will all add up and it might even accelerate the rate of lung function decline as women age.

The study found that compared to women who did not clean as often:

Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), or the amount of air a person is able to forcibly exhale in one second, decreased 3.6 milliliters (mL)/year faster in women who cleaned at home and 3.9 mL/year faster in women who are employed as cleaners.

Forced vital capacity (FVC), or the total amount of air a person can forcibly exhale, decreased 4.3 ml/year faster in women who cleaned at home and 7.1 mL/year faster in women who are employed as cleaners.

The researchers determined that the advanced lung function decline in the women who worked as cleaners was similar to smoking less than 20 pack-years.

istein Svanes, a doctoral student also from the Department of Clinical Science and studys lead author, noted that they were surprised with the level of lung impairment. According to Svanes, the results should not be shocking since the small particles from the cleaning agents are meant to be cleaning the floor and not being inhaled into your lungs.

The scientists posited that a decline in lung function could be caused by the irritation that most cleaning chemicals cause on the mucous membranes along the airways. In time, this irritation could even lead to persistent changes in the airways and airway remodeling.

For the study, factors that could affect the results, like smoking history, body mass index, and education, were taken into account by the researchers.

Svanes cautions that based on the results of the study, it is highly possible that cleaning chemicals are causing significant damage to the lungs. He continues that the chemicals may even be unnecessary and that you can clean most of your home with microfiber cloth and water. (Related: Household Cleaning Products could be Making You Sick.)

Finally, he concludes that public health officials must monitor cleaning products closely and encourage producers to create cleaning agents that are safer to use and cannot be inhaled.

DIY cleaning products

If you want to cut down on harsh chemical cleaning products, try some of the DIY options listed below:

Ammonia  Since its an alkaline solution, clear ammonia is a stronger window and all-purpose cleaner than acidic vinegar. Get a non-sudsing type. Suds may look like theyre better for cleaning but theyre hard to rinse and remove.

 Since its an alkaline solution, clear ammonia is a stronger window and all-purpose cleaner than acidic vinegar. Get a non-sudsing type. Suds may look like theyre better for cleaning but theyre hard to rinse and remove. Baking soda  Baking soda has a mild abrasive action and natural deodorizing properties. Put some baking soda on a damp sponge to clean bathtub rings, vanity units, or food deposits on your kitchen sink.

 Baking soda has a mild abrasive action and natural deodorizing properties. Put some baking soda on a damp sponge to clean bathtub rings, vanity units, or food deposits on your kitchen sink. Rubbing alcohol  Rubbing alcohol/isopropyl is a good base for an evaporating cleaner. You can use it to clean windows, mirrors, and chrome fixtures. It can also give hard-surface ceramic tiles a shiny finish.

You can read more articles about harmful chemicals and how to avoid them at Chemicals.news.

Sources include:

Science.news

Newswise.com

HGTV.com(Natural News) If you thought digging into Brett Kavanaughs high school yearbook revealed some bizarre history, look what internet sleuths have managed to dig up about Elizabeth Warren.

Warren, who falsely claims to be Native American (Cherokee), recently publicized a DNA test she says vindicates her claim. The DNA test showed her to be 1/1024th a combination of Colombian, Mexican and Peruvian DNA. No Native American DNA comparisons were conducted whatsoever. Furthermore, her claimed percentage of Native American ancestry (0.098%) is about half the level of Native American ancestry found in the average white American (0.18%).

Thus, Elizabeth Warren is no more Indian than any typical white woman in America.

But it gets even worse. Now, it turns out the husband of Warrens so-called great-great-great grandmother was actually a militia member who rounded up Cherokee Indians, according to historical records, separating Cherokee from their families in one of the most brutal chapters of American history.

As Breitbarts Michael Patrick Leahy reports:

When recently asked to provide evidence of her ancestry, she pointed to an unsubstantiated claim on an 1894 Oklahoma Territory marriage license application by her great-great grand uncle William J. Crawford that his mother, O.C. Sarah Smith Crawford, Ms. Warrens great-great-great grandmother, was a Cherokee.

O.C. Sarah Smith Crawford had no Cherokee heritage, was listed as white in the Census of 1860, and was most likely half Swedish and half English, Scottish, or German, or some combination thereof. (Note, the actual 1894 marriage license makes no claim of Cherokee ancestry.)

But the most stunning discovery about the life of O.C. Sarah Smith Crawford is that her husband, Ms. Warrens great-great-great grandfather, was apparently a member of the Tennessee Militia who rounded up Cherokees from their family homes in the Southeastern United States and herded them into government-built stockades in what was then called Rosss Landing (now Chattanooga), Tennesseethe point of origin for the horrific Trail of Tears, which began in January, 1837.

Jonathan Crawford, O.C. Sarah Smith Crawfords husband and apparently Ms. Warrens great-great-great grandfather, served in the East Tennessee Mounted Infantry Volunteer Militia commanded by Brigadier General R. G. Dunlap from late 1835 to late 1836. While under Dunlaps command he was a member of Major William Lauderdales Battalion, and Captain Richard E. Waterhouses Company.

These were the troops responsible for removing Cherokee families from homes they had lived in for generations in the three states that the Cherokee Nations had considered their homelands for centuries: Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

So wait, you mean Elizabeth Warrens ancestor BRUTALIZED Cherokee Indians?

Elizabeth Warren used her claim of Native American ancestry to gain minority advantages in law school and her professional career. At the University of Pennsylvania, for example, she requested the university change her faculty designation to Native American. She also self-identified as Native American in the Association of American Law Schools Directory.

Yet when we start to dig into her ancestry, we dont find any evidence at all that qualifies her as Native American. Cherokee require 1/8th Native American ancestry a far cry from the 1/1024th Warren now claims (and he DNA test didnt even test for Native American ancestry it focused on Colombian, Mexican and Peruvian ancestry).

Instead, what we do find is a record of those who brutalized the Cherokee. Will Elizabeth Warren now own up to that and admit shes related to a militia member who separated Cherokee families via armed militia raids?

Doubtful. Like all liberals, Elizabeth Warrens claims arent rooted in verifiable facts. Rather, Warren wants you to believe her fairy tale fiction, regardless of what actual DNA tests or historical records show. Facts may be stubborn things, but for liberals, theyre irrelevant to the narrative.

Elizabeth Warren owes an apology to all genuine Native Americans

In the big picture, the heritage of Elizabeth Warren doesnt really matter, but a person who would lie about her own blood would obviously lie about almost anything. Thats the issue here: A pattern of deception and self-victimhood to achieve an unfair advantage over other women who are just as white as Elizabeth Warren herself.

Elizabeth Warren owes Native Americans an apology. In making her own false assertions, she makes a mockery of all genuine Native Americans, many of whom have suffered for their heritage, in great contrast to the way Elizabeth Warren exploited it for her own personal gain. Warren never suffered under the banner of being an Injun. Instead, she wrapped herself in the false banner of minority victimhood, then claimed to be a woman of color who needed an extra boost from society because of the grave injustices carried out against her ancestors.

It turns out her ancestors actually committed those grave injustices against the Cherokee. Go figure.

Shame on you, Elizabeth Warren. You owe an apology to all Americans but especially Native Americans. You are an embarrassment to history, genetics and human dignity, all at once.(Natural News) Just as predicted, several hundred more independent news outlets have reportedly been removed from Mark Zuckerbergs Facebook echo chamber over the weekend, including multiple pages that had several million followers.

The Free Thought Project (3.1 million fans), The AntiMedia (2.1 million fans), Police the Police (1.9 million fans), Cop Black (1.7 million fans), Press for Truth (350,000 fans), and Punk Rock Libertarians (125,000 fans) are among the most prominent alternative media pages that were pulled from Facebook without a valid reason.

When asked why the pages were removed, Facebook told the Los Angeles Times that each of the pages had violated the companys spam policies.

Today, were removing 559 Pages and 251 accounts that have consistently broken our rules against spam and coordinated inauthentic behavior, reads a Facebook blog post about this obvious act of censorship being disguised as guidelines enforcement. People will only share on Facebook if they feel safe and trust the connections they make here.

Facebooks own spam policy contradicts Facebooks latest excuses for purging independent thought

So politically correct, isnt it? But theres just one problem: Facebooks own spam policy doesnt say any of this. In fact, theres nothing in it to suggest that any of the independent news sites that Facebook purged from its platform ever did anything wrong, other than to contradict the leftist narrative embraced and perpetuated by Zuckerberg et al.

Facebooks spam policy claims that the company only targets pages that spread commercial spam or that engage in false advertising, fraud, and security breaches. Again, none of the pages that were pulled over the weekend engaged in any such behavior.

Even The Washington Post agreed, at least at first. An article published by the fake new rag claimed that Facebook was compelled to remove the pages in question for pushing political messages for profit  which is completely ironic coming from the likes of The Washington Post.

After realizing that this excuse indicted themselves, the leftist lemmings over at The Washington Post quickly changed the headline to read political spam  whatever that means  instead of political messages for profit.

Like with InfoWars, Twitter purges exact same pages just minutes after Facebook completed its purge

Not long after Facebook completed its online book burning, Twitter reportedly did the exact same thing. As you may recall, its exactly what happened to Alex Jones and InfoWars a few weeks back, as the tech cabal simultaneously removed all of his content at pretty much the exact same time, using the exact same pathetic excuses.

This signifies a re-consolidation of the media, explained John Vibes from Sputnik News, which was also purged from Facebook, to The Free Thought Project. Cable news media controlled the narrative for most of modern history, but the internet has lowered that barrier to entry and allowed the average person to become the media themselves.

The changes that the internet brought to the world, mainly the flourishing of free speech, has caused the mainstream dinosaur media to basically become irrelevant. And its precisely for this reason that the fake news brigade, in collusion with Big Tech, has decided to silence all voices that oppose the official leftist narrative.

Now it seems the platforms that have monopolized the industry are favoring mainstream sources and silencing alternative voice, Vibes added. So now, instead of allowing more people to have a voice, these platforms are creating an atmosphere where only powerful media organizations are welcome, just as we had on cable news.

Be sure to read the full report by The Organic Prepper about this latest censorship sweep by Facebook.

You can also keep up with the latest news on censorship by visiting Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

TheOrganicPrepper.com(Natural News) If your feet are itchy, you may be suffering from a foot rash caused by a fungal infection. A person with a foot rash may experience symptoms such as a burning itch, oozing blisters, peeling skin, and red bumps.

These symptoms may be caused by various reasons such as eczema or contact with something that you are allergic to (e.g., the dye in your socks). A foot rash is also a common symptom of fungal infections like athletes foot.

There are different home remedies for foot rash, but you need to find out whats causing the irritation before you can determine how to treat the condition. If youre not sure what caused the foot rash, consult a healthcare professional before trying the treatments below.

Allergic reaction

If your foot rash is caused by an allergic reaction, you need to determine whats causing the irritation. It could be something common, like poison ivy, or something obscure, like a chemical used in an article of clothing. Consider any recent changes youve made in your life, then remove them one by one. Once your rash clears, youve identified the irritant causing the foot rash.

While youre trying to find out whats causing the allergic reaction, a soothing oatmeal foot soak can relieve your symptoms.

Ingredients:

1 gallon of hot water

1 cup of Epsom salt

1 cup of milk

1 cup of oatmeal

1/4 cup of baking soda

1/4 cup of honey

Steps:

Pour the hot water into a basin. Add the baking soda, Epsom salt, honey, and milk. Mix the ingredients well. Transfer the mixture to a large tub, then soak your feet until it feels better.

The ingredients for this foot soak help minimize skin inflammation, relieve itchiness, and soothe minor irritations.

Eczema

The word eczema comes from a Greek word that means to boil over, which also describes the red, inflamed, itchy patches that people experience during flare-ups. The condition can range from mild, moderate, to severe.

The skin condition is caused by extremely rapid rates of skin growth. Tough, thick patches of skin form when new cells beneath make their way to the surface before the current cells are shed. When this happens, you may experience itching, peeling, and burning. Eczema flare-ups are characterized by the formation of red pustules, scales, crusts or scabs, either alone or in combination. The condition is incurable, but it isnt contagious and its symptoms can be treated.

If you have eczema, a milk foot bath can help relieve your symptoms. Milk contains vitamins that can nourish the skin and reduce the itchiness. Lactic acid can help loosen and dissolve skin plaques.

Ingredients:

1 cup of powdered milk

1 gallon of hot water

Steps:

Add the powdered milk to the hot water. Stir the mixture well. Transfer the hot milk to a shallow tub. Soak your feet in the milk bath for about 10 minutes. Repeat the treatment two to three times daily until your symptoms subside.

Fungus

If the remedies for an allergy and eczema dont cure your foot rash, you may have a fungal infection. The symptoms of a fungal infection include skin damage that occurs between the toes instead of across the base of the foot. This kind of infection is very contagious, and you can get infected if you walk barefoot in damp areas like beaches, pools, or saunas.

This apple cider vinegar foot bath can help cure some common forms of fungus. Both tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar have potent antifungal properties, but they they may be too harsh if applied to the skin undiluted. (Related: Plantar warts on your feet can be easily treated with tea tree oil.)

Ingredients:

2 cups of apple cider vinegar

2 cups of warm water

1 tablespoon of tea tree oil

Steps:

Combine the apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, and warm water. Transfer the solution to a large tub or container. Let your feet soak in the apple cider foot bath for at least 20 minutes. Use a clean towel to dry your feet. Use a hair dryer set on low to blow-dry the skin between your toes. Put on a clean pair of cotton socks and wear well-ventilated footwear. Soak your feet in this apple cider foot bath twice daily until the infection clears up.

Once youve determined the cause of your foot rash, try the natural remedies listed above to soothe the pain and itching.

Read more articles about home remedies for skin conditions like eczema and itchy feet at Healing.news.

Sources include:

Homeo-Pathic.ESY.es

NationalEczema.org(Natural News) The concept of politically correct speech is a construct of the Left, but it is something that the vast majority of Americans absolutely loathe, according to a new study.

Academics Stephen Hawkins, Daniel Yudkin, Miriam Juan-Torres, and Tim Dixon argue in their paper, Hidden Tribes: A Study of Americas Polarized Landscape, that despite what we see on social media and on the cable news channels, most Americans dont fit neatly into what many view as typical Left-Right categories, The Atlantic reports.

Not only that, but the researchers also found that most Americans share much more common ideals than it would seem on social media.

The most common concerns among those involved in the study were that, because of PC rules, people are far less able to express themselves as they want to, but feel they have to be careful, as theyre required to. The survey did not specifically define political correctness, however, so there wasnt any agreement on a certain definition.

That said, as to Americans aversion to PC, The Atlantic reported:

According to the report, 25 percent of Americans are traditional or devoted conservatives, and their views are far outside the American mainstream. Some 8 percent of Americans are progressive activists, and their views are even less typical. By contrast, the two-thirds of Americans who dont belong to either extreme constitute an exhausted majority. Their members share a sense of fatigue with our polarized national conversation, a willingness to be flexible in their political viewpoints, and a lack of voice in the national conversation.

The academics note specifically that most of the exhausted majority  and more  are no fans of political correctness. In fact, among the American people, a whopping 80 percent believe that political correctness is a problem in our country.

Whats more, even younger Americans who you might think are well schooled in PC thought (as in, propagandized) are not supportive of it, either. Of Americans 24-29, nearly three-quarters  74 percent  dont like political correctness, while that figure rises to 79 percent for those under 24.

On this particular issue, The Atlantic notes, the woke are in a clear minority across all ages. (Related: Army BLOWING UP Obamas PC culture; getting back to what its for: BREAKING things and killing enemies.)

The SJW trend is dying out

In terms of demographics, Native Americans (88 percent) believe PC is a problem; Hispanics are right behind them (87 percent), followed by Asians (82 percent) and then whites (79 percent).

Noted one Native American who commented in his focus group: It seems like every day you wake up something has changed  Do you say Jew? Or Jewish? Is it a black guy? African-American?  You are on your toes because you never know what to say. So political correctness in that sense is scary.

Conservatives are the biggest opponents of PC; 97 percent believe its grown into a massive problem in our country. For liberals, the number is far less but still significant  61 percent.

But only 30 percent of self-avowed progressives dont like political correctness, but interestingly, those who do are disproportionally white and rich. Go figure.

[P]rogressive activists are much more likely to be rich, highly-educated  and white, the study says. More than twice as likely as the average American to make more than $100,000 a year, they are also three times more likely to have a postgraduate degree.

With the exception of the small tribe of devoted conservatives, progressive activists are the most racially homogenous group in the country, the study found.

So what does this study really represent? It means that a country full of perpetually angry social justice warriors (SJWs) is not the future of America but rather they are dwindling in numbers, and quickly. At some point, theyre going to die out altogether.

Its about time. PC  like the progressives who espouse (and demand) it  are a bane on American society. And they are not supported by most of us.

Read more about libtard PC behavior at Libtards.news.

Sources include:

TheAtlantic.com

NewsTarget.comContra Costa County Fire Protection District crews were at the scene of a two-alarm blaze at a two-story apartment complex in Antioch that displaced nine people early Tuesday morning, according to fire officials.

The fire was in the back of an apartment complex in the 1000 block of Claudia Court, making it difficult for crews to access, according to Fire Battalion Chief Richard Sonsteng.

There are no initial reports of injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation but officials said the fire could have been started by cigarettes.

Some of the displaced tenants said they've complained several times about the tenant of the apartment where the fire started and her smoking habits but nothing was done.

Lawrence Elliott, one of the displaced tenants, said "The police officers told me there was nothing they could do. It's up to the managers and the office to take control of that. She wouldn't even let the officers in last night."

The woman was seen taken into custody by police officers.

Some residents were initially trapped by the blaze, but assisted out by fire crews who arrived on the scene and Antioch police, officials said.

Sonsteng said there were no sprinklers in the building and at least one apartment was fully involved.

No further information is immediately available.Editor's Note: The voting results of each proposition will be updated below.

There were ballot measures that could change the way you eat, how much you pay for gas, and even change the time of day in California in Tuesday's statewide election.

Scroll down for results updates.

Prop 1: Veterans' Home Loans

With 23,622 of 24,312 precincts reporting (97 percent)

Yes, 3,651,760 - 54 percent

No, 3,095,915 - 46 percent

This proposal allows the state to sell general obligation bonds for $4 billion to finance affordable housing for low-income people, including war veterans.

Its financial impact in California is an increase in state costs to reimburse the average amount of these bonds of about $170 million per year over the next 35 years.

Those for the measure say the best part is it finds a solution, while not raising taxes.

Those against the measure say there are better ways to fix California's housing crisis. They also argue it would waste taxpayer money on interest payments.

Proposition 1 would allow the state to sell general obligation bonds for $4 billion to finance affordable housing for low-income people, including war veterans. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 2: Homelessness Prevention

With 23,258 of 24,312 precincts reporting (96 percent)

x-Yes, 4,136,994 - 61 percent

No, 2,629,166 - 39 percent

This proposal would allow the state to use funds from county mental health programs to fund housing for the homeless with mental issues.

The approval of this proposal would not increase state taxes and makes the existing legislation that establishes the program official.

Homeless advocates, social workers, doctors and emergency responders urge voters to say yes to Prop 2.

Those against it however, say it makes no sense to take money away from mental health services to build homes with that money.

Proposition 2 would authorize the state to use revenue from Proposition 63 (2004)  a 1 percent tax on income above $1 million for mental health services  on $2 billion in revenue bonds for homelessness prevention housing for persons in need of mental health services. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 3: Water and Environmental Projects

With 23,258 of 24,312 precincts reporting (96 percent)

Yes, 3,187,440 - 48 percent

No, 3,501,515 - 52 percent

The proposition authorizes the use of $8.877 billion in general obligation state bonds to finance aquifer and environmental projects.

The fiscal impact for the state would be the increase in costs to pay bonds of $430 million as an annual average for more than 40 years. However, the state government could save hundreds of millions of dollars annually in water-related projects in the coming decades.

Proponents say it is a measure that will guarantee safe drinking water and drought protection. But those against it say it hands money over to a lot of different organizations, but doesn't provide a new way of getting clean water.

They also say "interest payments on the bonds will double the amount that has to be repaid." They say it does nothing to solve our water shortage problems.

Proposition 3 would authorize $8.877 billion in general obligation bonds for water infrastructure, groundwater supplies and storage, surface water storage and dam repairs, watershed and fisheries improvements, and habitat protection and restoration. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 4: Children's Hospitals

With 23,258 of 24,312 precincts reporting (96 percent)

x-Yes, 4,098,796 - 61 percent

No, 2,666,599 - 39 percent

It would allow the state to sell $1.5 billion in general obligation bonds to finance the construction, expansion, renovation and equipping of children's hospitals.

The fiscal impact for the state would be the increase in costs to reimburse bonds of $80 million per year over the next 35 years.

Those for the measure argue the hospital systems are like cellphones -- think of how much they've increased in technology over the last 10 years. They argue the demand for specialized pediatric care has only gone up, and hospitals are needed to meet that demand.

Those against say the proposition really only benefits the hospitals backing the measure, and that the money could be spent in a better way.

Proposition 4 authorizes $1.5 billion in bonds for the construction, expansion, renovation, and equipping of children's hospitals in California. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 5: Home-buyers' Taxes

With 23,258 of 24,312 precincts reporting (96 percent)

Yes, 2,815,851 - 42 percent

x-No, 3,909,288 - 58 percent

The approval of this prop would allow all homeowners over 55 years of age, of any property contaminated or affected by a natural disaster, and severely disabled owners, to be eligible for property tax savings should they move to another home.

The fiscal impact would be for schools and local governments, which would lose more than $100 million per year in property taxes.

It essentially the "moving penalty."

Those against it say it cuts "$1 billion in local revenue from public schools, fire, police, health care and other services" but doesn't build any new housing. They say it's going to make it harder for cities to pay for schools while giving a nice tax break to the wealthy.

Proposition 5 would amend Proposition 13 (1978) to allow homebuyers who are 55 or older or severely disabled to transfer their tax assessments, with a possible adjustment, from their prior home to their new home, no matter (a) the new home's market value; the new home's location in the state; or the buyer's number of moves. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 6: Gas Tax

With 24,312 of 24,312 precincts reported (100 percent)

Yes, 3,141,881 - 45 percent

x-No, 3,857,819 - 55 percent

Prop 6 would have repealed a 12-cent gas tax and an increase in vehicle registration that was approved last year to fund road fixes and better transit programs. The aim was to pay for $5 billion a year in improvements, and raise $52 billion over a decade for road repairs. The gas tax took effect last November.

Construction industry and firefighter unions opposed repealing the measure.

Former Republican councilman Carl DeMaio proposed it, saying the cost of living in California is outrageous enough as it is.

"Everything in California is so much more expensive and the question is why," he once said.

Voting no keeps the tax right where it is.

Opponents say since cars are becoming more energy efficient and using less gas, there won't be enough funds to support the program.

Opponents contend there aren't enough funds to keep up with the transit needs of California's 40 million people. Over the last two decades, automobiles have become more fuel efficient  a boon for the environment but a challenge to transportation budgets as drivers need less gasoline.

Approval of Prop 6 would repeal the gas and diesel tax increases and vehicle fees that were enacted in 2017 and require voter approval for fuel tax and vehicle fee increases in the future. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 7: Daylight Saving Time

With 23,258 of 24,312 precincts reporting (96 percent)

x-Yes, 4,014,400 - 60 percent

No, 2,694,858 - 40 percent

Daylight saving time may not seem that big of a deal to most Californians, but its a divided issue.

If Californians vote yes, theyd be asking to end daylight saving time, meaning no "spring forward" nor "fall back." But voting yes wouldnt make it a done deal -- the measure would still need to clear the hurdle in the federal government. The measure would need a two-thirds vote from the Legislature.

Basically, the time wouldnt change twice a year, like in other states that dont follow Daylight Saving Time: Hawaii and Arizona (except for in Arizonas Navajo Nation).

Voting no would mean that everything would stay how it is  you lose an hour in spring, and gain an hour in fall.

Some proponents say the idea is very outdated. It all started during WWI as an energy saving program. They argue that studies have shown that daylight saving time may actually increase electricity use in the summertime. They also argue that daylight saving time would cause more pedestrian crashes because the sun sometimes doesnt rise until 8 a.m. in winter.

Those who are against the measure say its too much change, and Californians are used to switching their clocks back and forth.

Proposition 7 would allow the California State Legislature to (1) change the dates and times of the daylight saving time (DST) period, as consistent with federal law, by a two-thirds vote and (2) establish permanent, year-round DST in California by a two-thirds vote if federal law is changed to allow for permanent DST. NBC4s Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 8: Dialysis Clinics Refunds

With 24,312 of 24,312 precincts reporting (100 percent)

Yes, 2,660,633 - 38 percent

x-No, 4,260,758 - 62 percent

Proposition 8, while at first glance is not as controversial as the gas tax or daylight savings props, actually is a source of heated debate. If passed, it would cap profits at kidney dialysis clinics by using a formula.

Proponents of 8 say big dialysis companies are netting monster profits without putting enough money back into sanitation and patient care. Those in support, like the Democratic Party and veterans, say the proposition would stop the companies from overcharging, and would help provide quality care for patients.

But those against the prop  which includes nurses, doctors and physicians  say many clinics would be forced to close if the prop passes. Many people without functioning kidneys depend on the clinics, and those against the prop say it would increase costs for tax payers, and reduce access to care because clinics would have to close.

A "yes" vote on Proposition 8 supports requiring dialysis clinics to issue refunds to patients or patients' payers for revenue above 115 percent of the costs of direct patient care and healthcare improvements. A "no" vote would oppose that requirement. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 10: Regulating Rent

With 24,312 of 24,312 precincts reporting (100 percent)

Yes, 2,675,378 - 38 percent

x-No, 4,310,298 - 62 percent

This was set to be a big source of debate in November. Voting yes would have meant state law would not limit rent control laws in cities and counties. What that means is it would establish rent control authority in communities, in hopes to keep people in their homes and reduce the homeless population.

But those opposing the measure say that if state law is not allowed to continue overseeing rent control, it would actually make the housing crisis worse. They argue Prop 10 is bad for homeowners because it allows the regulation of single family homes and would allow more fees on top of rent.

Those against it say it will hurt homeowners because it will lower real estate values. They also say it would limit new construction and cut the already-choked housing supply in California. Opponents also say landlords who managed smaller properties would struggle or be pushed out.

Prop 10 repeals Costa-Hawkins Housing Act, and it is one of the most expensive propositions on the ballot.

According to the state, renters in California already spend more than half their income on rent.

Those in favor say Prop 10 would help people getting pushed out of their homes, because it would control how much landlords increase rent per year as well as regulate how much they are asking of new renters.

A yes vote on Proposition 10 supports allowing local governments to adopt rent control on any type of rental housing, thus repealing the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 11: On Call Ambulances

With 23,258 of 24,312 precincts reporting (96 percent)

x-Yes, 4,019,252 - 59 percent

No, 2,744,992 - 41 percent

With Prop 11, ambulance workers would have to stay on call during their paid lunchbreaks so they could respond to 911 calls. It would also give them more training. Proponents argue it's a proposition that would save lives.

Voting no means EMT's and paramedics would have to remain unreachable while on a paid break, and cannot provide care, even if they are the closest ambulance available.

State Assembly Member Freddie Rodriguez argues however that the proposition is not what it seems.

Rodriguez says it would allow private companies to get out of paying millions in wages.

If Proposition 11 passes, ambulance workers would have to stay on call during their paid lunchbreaks so they could respond to 911 calls. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.

Prop 12: Ban Selling Meat From Confined Animals

With 23,258 of 24,312 precincts reporting (96 percent)

x-Yes, 4,126,366 - 61 percent

No, 2,635,545 - 39 percent

A yes vote requires farmers to provide more space to caged animals used for meat or food, like egg-laying hens, pigs, and calves. It would ban the sale of meat and eggs from animals in cages that do not meet specific measurements.

If it sounds familiar, it's because in 2008, Prop 2 was passed preventing caged animals from being raised in confinements so small they couldnt move.

But its back in the form of Prop 12, because out-of-state farmers arent subjected to the same requirements. Also, there were no specific measurements in Prop 2.

Hens would also have to be totally cage free by 2022.

Starting in 2020, a calf would have to be given at least 43 square feet of floor space.

Pigs would need 24 square feet starting in 2022.

In 2020, egg-laying hens, would need 1 square foot of floor space each  the cages would be totally gone by 2022.

Costs would probably rise for the foods produced by using meat and eggs from these animals, the state's nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office found.

The Association of California Egg Farmers says it could cause a shortage of eggs for sale because farmers would have to make a lot of unforeseen changes to structures.

Proposition 12 would prohibit the confinement of calves raised for veal, breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens in areas below a specific number of square feet, rather than restrictions based on animal behavior and movement. NBC4's Conan Nolan explains.A Massachusetts public school employee is on leave and under investigation by the Secret Service after allegedly sending a threatening tweet in which the president's son, Donald Trump Jr., was tagged.

Police confirmed to NBC10 Boston Monday evening that the Secret Service was investigating an employee of Fitchburg Public Schools. The school district confirmed that a paraprofessional had been placed on paid administrative leave following a social media post.

"This is being done to protect the interests of the employee as well as the interest of the district," Rick Zeena, administrator of human resources at Fitchburg Public Schools, said in a statement. "It will allow the investigation to conclude and minimize any disruption and distraction in the schools."

School officials and police did not identify the woman, but the Sentinel and Enterprise shared a screenshot of a since-deleted tweet from the school employee in response to a tweet from former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Illinois) reading "If @MichaelAvenatti and @DonaldJTrumpJr go through with this MMA fight, could we make sure they both lose?"

"No just kill Trump..." the woman allegedly wrote.

As of Monday evening, the Twitter account seen in the archived tweets is protected, with only followers allowed to view content.

The woman's husband, a principal in the school district, told NBC10 Boston that the tweet was taken out of context and that the couple is embarrassed by the situation. He said she "regrets sending out the tweet and did not mean for it to be threatening."

Fitchburg Police said they would assist in the Secret Service investigation if needed, but added that their "current role is nothing more than a liaison."U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Tuesday to cut aid to three Central American nations if they let people travel to the U.S. illegally, reacting to a caravan of some 2,000 migrants advancing through Guatemala with hopes of reaching the U.S. border.

Late Tuesday, Trump said via Twitter that the U.S. had conveyed the same message to the governments of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, telling them that U.S. aid will stop if they allow migrants to travel from or across their countries with the intent of entering the United States without permission.

"Anybody entering the United States illegally will be arrested and detained, prior to being sent back to their country!" he added.

Amid the tweeting, the migrants continued their trek. Despite having walked all day Monday with swollen, blistered and aching feet, the group rose shortly after sunrise from sleeping on the ground in their clothes in the town of Esquipulas.

Dozens attended Mass at the basilica in the city just across the border from Honduras and about 90 miles (150 kilometers) east of Guatemala City. The migrants resumed their journey escorted by Guatemalan police and covered some 30 miles to arrive in the town of Chiquimula for the night.

The group's numbers have snowballed since about 160 migrants departed Friday from the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula, with many people joining spontaneously carrying just a few belongings. A Guatemalan priest estimated more than 2,000 were fed at three shelters run by the Roman Catholic Church.

Three weeks before midterm elections in the United States, the caravan elicited a tough response from Trump.

Earlier Tuesday, Trump had aimed his threat at Honduras.

However, the Central American nation's ability to do anything appeared limited as the migrants already crossed into Guatemala on Monday, twice pushing past outnumbered police sent to stop them  first at the border and then at a roadblock outside Esquipulas.

Trump did not follow through on a similar threat to the Central American nation in April over an earlier caravan, which eventually petered out in Mexico.

In a statement, Honduras' Foreign Ministry accused unidentified "political sectors" of organizing the caravan with "false promises" of a transit visa through Mexico and the opportunity to seek asylum in the United States.

It urged the migrants not to let themselves "be used by a movement that is obviously political and seeks to upset governability, stability and peace in Honduras and the United States."

Meanwhile, Mexico's immigration authority sent out a fresh warning late Monday that only those who meet entry requirements would be allowed into the country and each migrant would have to satisfy Mexican migration agents. Hondurans need visas to visit Mexico in most cases.

Still, it remains unclear if Mexico and other governments in the region  many of whose own people are migrants  have the political will to physically halt the determined border-crossers, who are fleeing widespread poverty and violence in one of the world's most murderous countries.

"In Honduras there are no jobs, and the jobs that do exist aren't enough to live on," said Jose Francisco Hernandez, a 32-year-old from Copan state in western Honduras. "We can't go to the city because it is full of gang members, and that is hurting us. We decided to migrate from the country to see if we can find a better life."

Carlos Reyes, 20, said he was attacked a week ago for being gay and dressing in women's clothing.

"Some men were going to kill me. ... They wanted to kill me for who I am," Reyes said.

The migrants hope that traveling en masse affords them protection from robbery, assault and other dangers that plague the journey north.

Many carried only a few belongings in backpacks and bottles of water. Some pushed strollers or carried toddlers on their shoulders. As the day wore on, the crowd splintered into smaller groups as some walked faster and others fell behind.

Nery Jose Maldonado Tejada, a 29-year-old from San Pedro Sula, said he lost both feet in a June 2015 freight train accident in Mexico while trying to make it to the United States.

On Tuesday, he was being pushed in a wheelchair by a friend, his lower legs wrapped in bandages and a green duffel bag on his lap. He was intent on making it to the U.S. this time, he said.

"I know that there they can put a prosthesis on my feet and I will be able to walk," Tejada said. "And to work, because my hands are still good."

On Tuesday, Guatemalan officials detained a former Honduran lawmaker, Bartolo Fuentes, who was traveling with the caravan, along with two other men, according to a migration official. Some Honduran organizations had identified Fuentes as a coordinator or spokesman for the caravan, though the migrants said he was merely accompanying them and helping.

Fuentes was to be taken to a shelter in Guatemala City and then deported, said the official, who agreed to tell about the detention only on condition anonymity because she was not authorized to discuss the case.

Guatemala also closed migration facilities at the Agua Caliente border crossing to prevent the entry of any more Hondurans.

Last week, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence urged leaders in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to persuade their citizens to stay home and avoid the long, risky journey to the United States.

On Tuesday, Pence tweeted that he had spoken with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez.

"Delivered strong message from @POTUS: no more aid if caravan is not stopped. Told him U.S. will not tolerate this blatant disregard for our border & sovereignty."

In the evening, Pence tweeted that he had spoken with Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales and "made clear our borders & sovereignty must be maintained. We expect our partners to do all they can to assist & appreciate their support. Reiterated @POTUS' message: no more aid if it's not stopped!"

Since 2014, the United States has committed $2.6 billion in aid for Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. For 2019, Washington has earmarked $65.7 million in aid to Honduras for security, democracy building, human rights and economic and social development programs.

In Honduras, recriminations flew across the political aisle.

Salvador Nasralla, a former opposition presidential candidate, tweeted that stopping the caravan would only bring "temporary relief" for the United States. "What we need is to fight against the corrupt government," he said.

Fernando Anduray, leader of the governing National Party, claimed opponents of Honduras' president were behind the migrant exodus. "It is a strategy planned and financed by the opposition," he said.

Trump's threat seemed unlikely to dissuade the migrants, some of whom expressed displeasure with Hernandez.

Gabriela Natareno, 27, who was traveling with her 16-year-old cousin, said her president is to blame for continued migration by desperate Hondurans.

"He keeps the country mired in poverty and corruption," she said.

Associated Press writers Freddy Cuevas and Luis Alonso contributed to this report.A 13-year-old girl, missing after her parents were found dead in their western Wisconsin home on Monday, may have been spotted in Miami, Florida, according to police.

Jayme Closs "may have been seen" in the area of NW 11th Street and NW 27th Avenue on Monday afternoon, Miami police tweeted early Tuesday.

"If it was her, she was in a black Ford Explorer with a possible WI place of I60WER," police continued, asking anyone with information to call 911 immediately. [[497666761, C]]

Authorities issued an Amber Alert for Jayme Monday afternoon, saying they believed her to be in danger after her parents were found dead in their home in Barron, Wisconsin. [[497645351, C]]

Deputies went to the home after dispatchers received a 911 call from an unknown person at around 1 a.m. Monday, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said. He said they found the bodies of Jayme's parents, though he didn't release their names. He also said there had been gunshots, but he stopped short of saying that's how the couple died.

Investigators don't have any leads or suspects, but they have enlisted the help of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the FBI, which has agents who specialize in missing children cases, the sheriff said. He said Jayme is not considered a suspect in her parents' deaths. [[497624491, C]]

Deputies searched the area around the family's home, roughly 80 miles northeast of Minneapolis, with drones and infrared equipment, but they didn't find any clues as to her whereabouts. Fitzgerald said investigators are frustrated they haven't developed any leads and asked for the public's help with any information about what could have happened to the girl.

"At the end of the end of the day, I want a 13-year-old here safe and sound. That's our goal. That's our only goal right now," Fitzgerald said at a news briefing. [[496367021, C]]

Officers also were at Jayme's middle school talking with her friends and acquaintances, hoping to develop some leads, officials said.

Jayme is described as 5-feet tall and weighing 100 pounds, with strawberry-blond hair and green eyes. Anyone with information was asked to contact the Barron County Sheriff's Office at (855) 744-3879.UPDATE: An Amber Alert has been issued for a missing Wisconsin teenager whose parents were found dead in their home.

_______________________________________________________________

Authorities searched Monday for a 13-year-old girl they believe is in danger after her parents were found dead in their western Wisconsin home.

Deputies went to the home in Barron after dispatchers received a 911 call from an unknown person at around 1 a.m. Monday, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said. He said they found the bodies of Jayme Closs' parents, though he didn't release their names. He also said there had been gunshots, but he stopped short of saying that's how the couple died.

Investigators don't have any leads or suspects, but they have enlisted the help of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the FBI, which has agents who specialize in missing children cases, the sheriff said. He said Jayme is not considered a suspect in her parents' deaths.

Deputies searched the area around the family's home with drones and infrared equipment, but they didn't find any clues as to her whereabouts. Fitzgerald said investigators are frustrated they haven't developed any leads and asked for the public's help with any information about what could have happened to the girl.

"At the end of the end of the day, I want a 13-year-old here safe and sound. That's our goal. That's our only goal right now," Fitzgerald said at a news briefing.

Officers also were at Jayme's middle school talking with her friends and acquaintances, hoping to develop some leads, officials said.

Jayme is described as 5-feet (1.5 meters) tall and 100 pounds (45 kilograms), with strawberry-blond hair and green eyes.

Barron is about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of Minneapolis.A Wisconsin teenager who has been missing since her parents were found dead in their home isn't a runaway and investigators believe she's in danger, a sheriff said Tuesday.

Authorities have been searching for 13-year-old Jayme Closs since deputies responding to a 911 call early Monday found her parents , James and Denise Closs, dead in their home in Barron, a rural western Wisconsin community about 80 miles northeast of Minneapolis.

The call came from a cellphone inside the home, but the caller didn't communicate with the dispatcher, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said during a Tuesday news conference. He said gunshots had been fired at the home, but he declined to say whether the couple had been shot and said his office won't disclose how they died until after the autopsies are completed.

Jayme was last seen at a family gathering Sunday afternoon, said Fitzgerald, who said Monday that investigators don't consider her a suspect in her parents' deaths. On Tuesday, he declined to elaborate as to why investigators believe Jayme is not a runaway, saying that disclosing more information would compromise their investigation.

"I'm telling you, Jayme is missing and endangered," Fitzgerald said.

Her grandfather, Robert Naiberg, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that nothing seemed amiss at the gathering, which was to celebrate the birthday of a grandson who is cousins with Jayme.

"She was quiet as always. She was a quiet girl," he said.

Naiberg, 72, said his daughter, Denise Closs, and Jayme attended the party, and that his son-in-law, James Closs, was working and couldn't make it. He described his daughter as a "thoughtful person" who brought "a little gift for everybody" at the party.

A girl resembling Jayme was spotted at a gas station in south Florida on Monday afternoon, according to a tip Miami police say they received. Fitzgerald said authorities looked into the tip, but by Tuesday afternoon, they concluded the information was not credible. He said Miami police did not check with Wisconsin authorities before tweeting information about the tip and reminded the public that updates would come from the sheriff's department.

"If we think it's key to the case where we need the public's help, we will disseminate that information," he said.

Miami is about 1,700 miles south of Barron.

Surveillance video obtained by a local news station showed footage recorded off a screen at the gas station.

"That video did not come from Miami police, that video came from a news media source," Fitzgerald said, adding that Wisconsin authorities "have no credible information about the Miami incident."

"I cant say that it was not her. Im telling you that it didnt come from us," Fitzgerald said. "We have no credible information that it was a credible tip."

Endangered Juvenile, Jayne Closs from Barron, WI, may have been seen in the afternoon of 10/15/18, in the area of N.W. 27 Ave and 11 St. If it was her, she was in a black Ford Explorer with a possible WI plate of I60WER. If you have any information please call 911 immediately. https://t.co/BX6ouqPDKi  Miami PD (@MiamiPD) October 16, 2018

He noted that the FBI was looking into the tip.

Jayme is described as 5-feet (1.5 meters) tall and 100 pounds (45 kilograms), with strawberry-blond hair and green eyes.

The FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are helping in the search. An Amber Alert was issued without a description of a suspect or vehicle. Meanwhile, deputies searched the area around the family's home with drones and infrared equipment and talked to Jayme's friends and middle school classmates, hoping to develop some leads.

Fitzgerald urged the public to come forward with tips.

"Often, someone in the community will have knowledge of a crime and may not realize it," he said. "Individuals who commit acts of violence may display changes in their behavior and individuals around that person may observe those changes."A tip that a Wisconsin girl, who is the subject of an Amber Alert after her parents were found dead in their home this week, may have been seen in Florida is "not credible," according to the Barron County Sheriff's Department, which is leading the search for the missing teen.

A girl resembling 13-year-old Jayme Closs was spotted at a gas station in south Florida on Monday afternoon, according to a tip Miami police say they received. Fitzgerald said authorities looked into the tip, but by Tuesday afternoon, they concluded the information was not credible. He said Miami police did not check with Wisconsin authorities before tweeting information about the tip and reminded the public that updates would come from the sheriff's department.

"If we think it's key to the case where we need the public's help, we will disseminate that information," he said.

Miami is about 1,700 miles south of Barron.

Surveillance video obtained by a local news station showed footage recorded off a screen at the gas station.

"That video did not come from Miami police, that video came from a news media source," Fitzgerald said, adding that Wisconsin authorities "have no credible information about the Miami incident."

Endangered Juvenile, Jayne Closs from Barron, WI, may have been seen in the afternoon of 10/15/18, in the area of N.W. 27 Ave and 11 St. If it was her, she was in a black Ford Explorer with a possible WI plate of I60WER. If you have any information please call 911 immediately. https://t.co/BX6ouqPDKi  Miami PD (@MiamiPD) October 16, 2018

"I cant say that it was not her. Im telling you that it didnt come from us," Fitzgerald said. "We have no credible information that it was a credible tip."

Authorities have been searching for 13-year-old Closs since deputies responding to a 911 call early Monday found her parents, James and Denise Closs, dead in their home in Barron, a rural western Wisconsin community about 80 miles northeast of Minneapolis.

The call came from a cellphone inside the home, but the caller didn't communicate with the dispatcher, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said during a Tuesday news conference. He said gunshots had been fired at the home, but he declined to say whether the couple had been shot and said his office won't disclose how they died until after the autopsies are completed.

Jayme was last seen at a family gathering Sunday afternoon, said Fitzgerald, who said Monday that investigators don't consider her a suspect in her parents' deaths. On Tuesday, he declined to elaborate as to why investigators believe Jayme is not a runaway, saying that disclosing more information would compromise their investigation.

"I'm telling you, Jayme is missing and endangered," Fitzgerald said.

Her grandfather, Robert Naiberg, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that nothing seemed amiss at the gathering, which was to celebrate the birthday of a grandson who is cousins with Jayme.

"She was quiet as always. She was a quiet girl," he said.

Naiberg, 72, said his daughter, Denise Closs, and Jayme attended the party, and that his son-in-law, James Closs, was working and couldn't make it. He described his daughter as a "thoughtful person" who brought "a little gift for everybody" at the party.

Jayme is described as 5-feet (1.5 meters) tall and 100 pounds (45 kilograms), with strawberry-blond hair and green eyes.

The FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are helping in the search. An Amber Alert was issued without a description of a suspect or vehicle. Meanwhile, deputies searched the area around the family's home with drones and infrared equipment and talked to Jayme's friends and middle school classmates, hoping to develop some leads.

Fitzgerald urged the public to come forward with tips.

"Often, someone in the community will have knowledge of a crime and may not realize it," he said. "Individuals who commit acts of violence may display changes in their behavior and individuals around that person may observe those changes."A woman who has taught music in Bridgeport schools since 1983 has been honored as Connecticut's Teacher of the Year.

The governor and the state education commissioner visited Warren Harding High School to deliver the news Tuesday to Sheena Graham.

Graham, 57, was educated in the Ansonia public school system and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in music education from Western Connecticut State University and earned masters degrees from St. Joseph University and Southern Connecticut State University.

She was one of four finalists for the honor. The others were from Newington, Wallingford and Mansfield.

My greatest contribution to students today is providing them with opportunities, through music, to discover their passions, develop their voice, create community connections, and see that they have the ability to impact others positively, Graham told the council as they were reviewing candidates. Yes I teach music, but the more important goal for my students is to leave my classroom with positive connections to life.

Graham will go on to a competition for the national Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Sheena Graham exemplifies an abundance of passion for her profession and her extraordinary love of music transcends to each student she has the pleasure of interacting with each school day, Bridgeport Superintendent Dr. Aresta Johnson said in a statement. She is admired, respected, and revered within her profession and the Bridgeport community.Andy Slavitt, one of the people who led Medicare, Medicaid, and administration of the Affordable Care Act, said Monday that Ned Lamont has a better handle on how to improve access to health care and make it more affordable for Connecticut residents.

This is one of the widest gulfs of two candidates in terms of candidates that Ive observed around the country, Slavitt told the audience at the Yale Child Study Center where he spoke on a panel with Lamont.

He said Lamont, a Democrat and wealthy businessman from Greenwich, would do a better job of working toward and achieving goals that make health care more accessible than Republican Bob Stefanowski would.

Theres a very clear choice. One candidate does, the other candidate is very far from that, he said.

Lamont said during his two previous runs for office and up to Monday, hes asked all the time about health care issues. He said he would reach out to other governors in New England in order to band together when it comes to prescription drugs.

Maybe Connecticut teams with Gina Raimondo and Charlie Baker to use our purchasing power to drive down those costs, Lamont said.

Republican nominee Bob Stefanowski provided NBC Connecticut with a statement where he actually found a good deal of common ground with his Democratic counterpart.

Stefanowski wrote that there is a need to increase the number of providers on Access Health Connecticut, explore federal options to reduce cost and risk for insurers, and reducing ER visits while increasing quality preventative care.

He wrote of reducing costs relating nursing care, We need to be more proactive in transitioning seniors from costly nursing home care to more effective home and community care -- telemonitoring services under our Medicaid program are a great solution.

On that topic, Lamont said, How we can incent people to stay in their homes longer, not have to go to a high priced nursing home. Our parents dont want to go to that nursing homes.Petitioning candidate Oz Griebel is hopeful that his solid performance in the most recent Quinnipiac Poll on the Connecticut Governors race holds through November 6.

This isnt just a blip, Griebel said during an interview in Meriden.

Griebel, a former bank executive who most recently was president of the Metro Hartford Alliance, is making his second run for governor. He lost as a Republican in his partys primary in 2010.

He says this time is different because many of his views and policy positions, he says, are within the mainstream for many of the nearly one million unaffiliated voters in the state.

Griebel favors tolls, wants to renegotiate the states long term labor agreement with the SEBAC bargaining unit, and he wants to ensure the states pension obligations are met, by doing the least harm.

We have to demonstrate to Connecticut voters that were serious about getting our costs under control structurally, whether thats going after seriously the regional delivery of services or going after seriously the unfunded liability issue, whether its being serious about getting at this $4.6 billion operating deficit thats staring us right in the face.

He says his campaign has resembled a credible run for office, and not just a gimmick.

Were going anywhere any time, to forums, were responding to media inquiries, were disclosing our tax returns. Were operating a very different campaign than either of the major parties and thats appealing to people.

While Griebel exudes confidence, the battle to win as an independent candidate is a serious one. In 2014 Joe Visconti eventually ended his bid for governor days before the Election. He reached nearly 10 percent in one Quinnipiac Poll. Griebel hit 11 percent support last week in the same poll.

The last independent candidate for governor that was successful was Lowell Weicker in 1990, but there hasnt been a credible such candidacy since.

Griebel says this year is different, and urges voters from both parties to look at his run in a different light.

We say to people dont figure out what your neighbor is going to do. Vote for the best ticket. Vote for the ticket thats going to take Connecticut back. Vote for the ticket thats going to focus on Connecticut residents and taxpayers and employers not whos in charge of the legislature whether its a Republican or Democrat.Police are looking to speak with alumni who attended St. Francis Parochial School in Naugatuck in 1965.

Police said they are looking for information about a priest who used to work in Connecticut and was recently arrested outside of the state to see if anyone had any inappropriate contact with him while he was here.

Naugatuck police said there is no crime report here in Connecticut.

Federal agents said Former Catholic Priest Arthur Perrault fled the country amid child sex abuse allegations before his federal arrest in New Mexico last month.

Court papers state that Perrault was accused in 1991 and 1992 of showered victims with gifts and food before abusing them and later fleeing the country to Canada and Morocco.

In 1965, Father Perrault was briefly assigned to the St. Francis Parish in Naugatuck. Joyce Luzio graduated St. Francis prior to Perraults arrival in 1965.

l remember Father Perrault. If hes the same one you know, but we didnt have a lot of dealings with him, Luzio said.

According to a letter from a clinical psychologist at a treatment facility Perrault was sent to in New Mexico in 1966 from Connecticut and obtained by NBC affiliate KOB, the chancery office in Hartford had been contacted.

... Father Perrault came to the attention of his chancery office because of two alleged incidents of homosexual approaches to some of the young men with whom he was working. From our contacts with the Chancery Office I gather they are convinced that these two incidents did indeed take place.

The letter goes on to recommend Perrault be considered for permanent assignment at the high school or college level to the Diocese of Santa Fe, adding we ask that we not condemn him for something which is a normal product of a slightly abnormal situation.

KOB sued the diocese for Perraults records and won. Other documents obtained by KOB indicate Perrault was ordained in Hartford in May of 1964, before he served briefly at the Blessed Sacrament in East Hartford and St. Joseph in New Haven on Yales Campus.

Naugatuck police said at this time this is not a criminal investigation but an exploratory mission. Authorities would like to speak with anyone who can recollect what the atmosphere and the culture of student life was like during this time frame.

NBC Connecticut reached out to the Archdiocese of Hartford but has not heard back.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Sergeant Mark Pettinicchi at 203-720-2590 with any information.You have to be 21 years old to legally drink, but how about 21 to smoke? Community leaders are hoping Hartford will become one of the first cities to raise the smoking age.

Some doctors and lawmakers are all for it, but Hartford business owners are not happy.

"We're seeing more and more vaping," said Dr. Seth Lapuk, of Connecticut Children's Medical Center.

He says Hartford should raise the legal age for the sale and distribution of tobacco from 18 to 21.

"There is strong evidence that you do not start smoking by 18 years old, there is a 90 plus percent chance that you will never start smoking," he said.

Hartford would be the first city in Connecticut to go above the current state law requiring people to be at least 18.

"I think that's a good idea," said parent Betta Redman.

"People who want to smoke, they're going to smoke," said Jennifer Malse, of West Hartford.

Residents and business owners like Sam Rayyshi will have a chance to weigh in on the issue at a public hearing on Monday.

Students in Hartford urging Hartford City Council to raise the minimum age for sale/distribution of tobacco & nicotine products from 18 to 21, @NBCConnecticut #nbcct pic.twitter.com/9xSm0jvR7t  Jill Konopka (@jillkonopka) October 15, 2018

"It's designed to make everyone stop smoking, but they should do the whole state, not just the city of Hartford," he said.

Rayyshi thinks the proposed change is unfair to him.

"We'll lose more business. People just go out of the city to buy it," he said.

Hartford City Council member Dr. Larry Deutsch says it's a matter of public health.

"I understand it's a shame in a sense. On the other hand, if they want to sell to those who are over 21, this would not stop them from doing that," he said.

He says something needs to be done to combat the e-cigarette and vaping epidemic.

"It's targeted to young people, especially minorities and Hartford is primarily Latino and African-American, and targeting them and making them sicker," he added.

Cities and towns in other states have passed similar laws. Deutsch says the hope is if Hartford does it, the state will follow.A New York Uber driver is accused of kidnapping a woman he was supposed to be driving to her home in New York and instead traveling toward Massachusetts before leaving the victim on the side of Interstate 95 in Connecticut.

Harbir Parmar, 24, of Howard Beach, New York, faces federal charges of kidnapping and of wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Prosecutors allege that Parmar, while working as driver for Uber on Feb. 21, picked up a woman in Manhattan, and rather than taking her to her desired destination in White Plains, New York, changed her destination in the companys app to Boston, Mass.

The victim, who fell asleep during the ride, told authorities that she woke up in the car with Parmar in the backseat with her, his hand under her shirt and touching her breast. When the victim woke up, Parmar got back into the drivers seat and continued the trip. When the victim asked to be taken to White Plains or a police station, Parmar refused and dropped her off on the side of I-95 in Branford, Conn., prosecutors said.

As alleged, Harbir Parmar was hired to transport a woman from Manhattan to her home in White Plains. Instead, Parmar kidnapped, terrorized, and assaulted the woman before dumping her on the side of an interstate. No one  man or woman  should fear such an attack when they simply hire a car service, wrote U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman in a statement.

Investigators said that from December 2016 through February 2018, Parmar sent false information about customer destinations at least 11 times. He also sent false information about cleaning fees for his vehicle at least three times. Parmars actions led to over $3,600 in improper charges to customers, officials said.

Uber released the following statement on the situation:

"Whats been reported is horrible and something no person should go through. As soon as we became aware, we immediately removed this individual's access to the platform. We have fully cooperated with law enforcement and will continue to support their investigation."

Authorities believe there may be more victims. Anyone with information or a complaint can contact FBIs Westchester Resident Agency at 914-925-3888.What to Know Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi has been missing for two weeks after a visit to the Saudi Consulate in Turkey

President Donald Trump on Monday sent Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Saudi Arabia for talks over Khashoggi

Pompeo's first order of business upon his arrival Tuesday was a meeting with King Salman

President Donald Trump Tuesday criticized rapidly mounting global condemnation of Saudi Arabia over the mystery of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, warning of a rush to judgment and echoing the Saudis' request for patience.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Trump compared the case of Khashoggi, who Turkish officials have said was murdered in the Saudis' Istanbul consulate, to the allegations of sexual assault leveled against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing.

"I think we have to find out what happened first," Trump said. "Here we go again with, you know, you're guilty until proven innocent. I don't like that. We just went through that with Justice Kavanaugh and he was innocent all the way as far as I'm concerned."

Trump's remarks were his most robust defense yet of the Saudis, a U.S. ally he has made central to his Mideast agenda. They put the president at odds with other key allies and with some leaders in his Republican Party who have condemned the Saudi leadership for what they say is an obvious role in the case. Trump appeared willing to resist the pressure to follow suit, accepting Saudi denials and their pledge to investigate.

The Oval Office interview came not long after Trump spoke Tuesday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He spoke by phone a day earlier with King Salman, and he said both deny any knowledge of what happened to Khashoggi.

After speaking with the king, Trump floated the idea that "rogue killers" may have been responsible for the disappearance. The president told AP Tuesday that that description was informed by his "feeling" from his conversation with Salman, and that the King did not use the term.

In Turkey earlier Tuesday, a high-level Turkish official told the Associated Press that police investigators searching the Saudi Consulate had found evidence that Khashoggi was killed there.

Also Tuesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with the king and crown prince in Riyadh and said the Saudis had already started a "serious and credible investigation" and seemed to suggest it could lead to people within the kingdom. The secretary of state noted that the Saudi leaders, while denying knowledge of anything that occurred inside the consulate, had committed to accountability "including for Saudi Arabia's senior leaders or senior officials."

Pompeo was heading next to Turkey, where officials have accused the Saudis of using a 15-member team to kill Khashoggi inside the consulate.

Trump said he hoped the Saudis' own investigation of Khashoggi's disappearance would be concluded in "less than a week."

Also Tuesday, Turkey revealed new information about members of the Saudi hit team it says traveled to Istanbul to kill Khashoggi, providing NBC News with scans of the passports they allegedly used to enter the country.

In the meantime, there were signs at home that Trump's party was growing uncomfortable with his willingness to defend the Saudis.

In an interview with Fox News, a prominent Trump ally in the Senate called on Saudi Arabia to reject the crown prince, known as MBS, who rose to power last year and has aggressively sought to soften the kingdom's image abroad and attract foreign investment.

"This guy has got to go," said Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, turning to speak to the camera. "Saudi Arabia, if you're listening, there are a lot of good people you can choose, but MBS has tainted your country and tainted himself."

Khashoggi, a Saudi citizen but resident of the United States, has been a contributor to The Washington Post and a critic of Saudi leaders, especially Crown Prince Mohammed.

International leaders and business executives are severing or rethinking ties to the Saudi government after Khashoggi's high-profile disappearance. Trump has resisted any action, pointing to huge U.S. weapons deals pending with Saudi Arabia and saying that sanctions could end up hurting the American economy.

He said it was too early to say whether he endorsed other countries' actions. "I have to find out what happened," he said. But his complaint about "guilty until proven innocent" and comparison to the Kavanaugh situation suggested he was giving the Saudis more leeway than other allies.

Khashoggi went to the consulate on Oct. 2 to get documents for his upcoming marriage to a Turkish woman while his fiancee waited outside. She and Turkish authorities say he never emerged and he has not been heard from since.

Khashoggi, 59, had been living in the U.S. for a year in self-imposed exile and writing columns for the opinion section of The Washington Post.

Trump said Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin's trip to attend a Saudi investment conference is still on but could be canceled by Friday depending on what the investigation finds.

"I think we'll also be guided by what other countries are doing," he said.The U.S. military on Tuesday announced its deadliest airstrike against the al-Shabab extremist group in Somalia in nearly a year, killing about 60 fighters.

The U.S. Africa Command said Friday's airstrike occurred near the al-Shabab-controlled community of Harardere in Mudug province in the central part of the country. According to its assessment no civilians were injured or killed, the statement said.

It was the largest U.S. airstrike since one on Nov. 21, 2017, killed about 100 al-Shabab fighters. The statement gave no further details about what was targeted, and a U.S. Africa Command spokesman said it was not a camp.

The U.S. military has carried out more than two dozen airstrikes, including drone strikes, this year against the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab, the deadliest Islamic extremist group in sub-Saharan Africa.

Somalia on Sunday marked the first anniversary of al-Shabab's deadliest attack, a truck bombing in Mogadishu that killed well over 500 people. It was one of the world's deadliest attacks since 9/11 and the worst extremist attack ever in Africa.

The U.S. Africa Command spokesman said the airstrike had no link to the anniversary.

The United States, which also has targeted a small number of fighters linked to the Islamic State group in northern Somalia, has increased its military presence in the long-chaotic Horn of Africa nation since early 2017 to about 500 personnel after President Donald Trump approved expanded military operations.

Al-Shabab, which seeks to establish an Islamic state in Somalia, continues to hold parts of the country's south and central regions after being chased out of Mogadishu several years ago. The group, estimated at several thousands of fighters, still carries out deadly attacks against high-profile targets such as hotels and checkpoints in the capital and other cities. It also remains a threat in parts of neighboring Kenya.

While some observers have questioned the effectiveness of airstrikes by the U.S. and Kenya and raised concerns about civilians being killed, the U.S. military maintains that they "reduce al-Shabab's ability to plot future attacks, disrupt its leadership networks and degrade its freedom of maneuver within the region."

Somali forces in the next few years are expected to take over responsibility for the country's security from an African Union peacekeeping force, which already has started withdrawing hundreds of personnel.

The U.S. says it continues to support that transfer even as some U.S. military officials have joined AU officials and others in expressing concern that Somalia's forces are not yet ready.

___

Anna reported from Johannesburg.Republican Rep. Martha McSally accused her Democratic opponent, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, of supporting "treason," citing a 15-year-old radio interview  a charge that Sinema dismissed as part of a "ridiculous" negative campaign during Monday's debate in the race for Arizona's open Senate seat.

McSally, a former Air Force colonel and combat pilot, made the explosive charge in the final moments of the debate that had already included heated clashes over issues such as health care and immigration.

When she was asked the final question, about climate change, McSally complained there'd been no discussion of national security in the hour-long debate, the only one of the campaign. She attacked Sinema for protesting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and referenced a 2003 radio interview in which the host engaged in a lengthy, rambling hypothetical that ends with him asking Sinema if she'd be OK with him joining the Taliban.

"I don't care if you want to do that, go ahead," Sinema replied in that interview, reported by CNN last week, before asking if they can return to explaining her anti-war stance.

McSally described that exchange Monday as Sinema saying "it was OK for Americans to join the Taliban to fight against us." Then, turning toward Sinema and pointing at the Democrat, she asked if she going to apologize to veterans like herself for saying "it was OK to commit treason."

Sinema said: "Martha has chosen to run a campaign like the one you're seeing right now where she's engaging in ridiculous attacks." After the debate, Sinema called the charge "ridiculous."

The two congresswomen are vying for the seat of Republican Sen. Jeff Flake, who is retiring. The Arizona Senate seat of the late John McCain is filled by appointee Jon Kyl until a 2020 election.

McSally is a former combat fighter pilot who was a Donald Trump critic in 2016 and represents a Tucson district that voted for Hillary Clinton. She's now embraced the president and hopes his visit to Arizona on Friday helps unites Republicans against Sinema.

Sinema represents a district based in the Phoenix suburb of Tempe and is a former Green Party activist who transformed herself into a centrist Democrat. She has one of the most conservative voting records among Democrats in Congress and presents herself as a nonpartisan problem-solver.

Both congresswomen engaged in attacks Monday night as they have throughout the race, Democrats and Sinema have hammered McSally for voting to weaken protections for people with preexisting conditions and for shifting to the right on immigration. McSally dismissed those charges as "lies" Monday as she tried to steer the conversation back to Sinema's old anti-war activism.

Sinema contrasted her own voting record with McSally's, saying her rival was a blind partisan who voted 98 percent of the time with President Trump. Sinema says she was willing to buck party leaders and back the president when he was right, but oppose him when he was wrong, citing a 60 percent voting record with the president.

Citing Sinema's support for Trump, McSally scoffed: "60 percent with the agenda is a failing grade in every school."

Trump won Arizona in 2016 but only by three percentage points and Democrats hope Sinema can appeal to enough disaffected Republicans to turn the normally red-leaning state blue in November. McSally spent the debate trying to goad Republicans into voting with their party and reject Sinema. "The economy is doing great and Arizonans feel it every day," McSally said, crediting unified GOP control of government.

The two also tangled on the perennial Arizona issue of immigration. McSally supports Trump's border wall and slammed Sinema for not voting for two immigration bills that would have built it earlier this year. Both were only supported by Republicans but couldn't muster enough support to pass the House because some members of the GOP voted against them.

Sinema said "there was no bipartisanship in any of this discussion" and noted she voted to stiffen penalties against some people in the country illegally who commit crimes, which has angered members of her party.The Orange County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider the first draft of an ordinance to regulate sober-living facilities in the county.

State law requires facilities that offer alcohol or drug abuse programs to register with counties, but Orange County officials are unaware of any county in California that has a registry.

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, who has assembled a task force to crack down on the industry, is pushing for the county to adopt an ordinance regulating the sober-living industry.

"There's no way for us to track them or inspect them to make sure they can only provide the services they are authorized to provide," Board of Supervisors Chairman Andrew Do said. "These halfway houses can't have treatment or testing programs, but many of them do anyway because nobody regulates them."

The proposed ordinance would require operators to register, making them available for random and periodic inspections by the Orange County Health Care Agency.

"Can you even open up a lemonade stand without getting an inspection and an OK from the health department, and yet you have these halfway houses dealing with people, especially from out of state, and basically providing a medical service that is completely unregulated and unknowable in terms of locations and operations," Do said.

According to the state Department of Health Care Services, there were 140 licensed outpatient drug and alcohol addiction treatment and recovery centers, and 323 halfway houses in Orange County as of Aug. 8.

"This does not include unlicensed facilities or numbers of sober living homes, many of which are operating as treatment centers," according to a county staff report.

Rackauckas recently filed criminal charges against 11 people he said were involved in a multi-million-dollar insurance fraud scheme at a sober- living facility.What to Know California Fall Color blog

Green Valley Lake, Big Bear Lake, and other foliage spots

Several spots are in the "Go Now!" range, color-wise

Listen here, please, if you will: You are not obligated to pay any nevermind to those naysayers who claim that fall flat-out doesn't happen in Southern California.

After all, they're using another region's template of autumn to judge what happens here, when one thing is for sure: Our area of the planet has always confidently done things in its own inimitable way, thank you very much, up to and including the very seasons of the year.

See our chilly, gloomy May and June, for starters.

And this is how we autumn: We let our mountains address the whole leaf-turning topic first, in October, before we watch our lowland oaks and cottonwoods go golden closer to Thanksgiving.

So it is no surprise that, as of the middle of October 2018, our close-by mountains are holding up their autumnal end of the beautiful bargain.

The California Fall Color blog, the one with the tagline "Dude, autumn happens here, too," reports that several spots around the San Bernardino Mountains are reaching peak fall color.

In fact, the urgent call of "Go Now!" has been sounded for Green Valley Lake, Big Bear, and Grass Valley Lake, with the colorful foliage standing at around 75%-100% (as in, fully turned).

Lake Arrowhead has been deemed "Near Peak" as of Oct. 15, but don't dally if you'd like to see the pretty hues this area has to offer: They're up next.

"A Painter's Palette of Peak" is how the foliage-lush areas of the San Bernardino Mountains are being described on the fall-championing blog, if that tempts your leaf-peeping soul.

A soul, we'll guess, that is uncowed and unpersuaded by anyone who says that autumn and Southern California just don't mix.

They do, is the true thing, and the proof is in the peak, or peaks, rather, right now, in the spectacular San Bernardinos.Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti plans to announce his support Tuesday for Proposition 4, the Children's Hospital Bond measure on the November ballot, which would authorize a $1.5 billion bond to expand and upgrade California's 13 children's hospitals.

Garcetti plans to make the announcement at a news conference with CHLA President & CEO Paul Viviano at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where he will also visit a patient.

Proposition 4 is supported by Los Angeles County Supervisors Janice Hahn and Sheila Kuehl, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Los Angeles Times has also recommended a yes vote on the measure.

"The eight children's hospitals that would be the main beneficiaries of this bond issue are being squeezed financially by the state in two ways. A growing percentage of their patients -- 63 percent -- is on Medi-Cal, and the state reimburses hospitals for those treatments at one of the lowest rates in the country," The Times Editorial Board wrote. "At the same time, the state has imposed more stringent seismic retrofitting standards that the hospitals must meet by 2030, and to do that, almost 30 percent of their inpatient capacity needs to be upgraded."

Some critics of the proposition say it is not specific enough in how the money will be spent, and that it would dedicate public funds to private institutions.

"While the League supports quality healthcare for all Californians, Prop 4 would use $1.5 billion in public, general obligation bond money to support privately owned children's hospitals, along with five children's hospitals in the University of California system," according to the the League of Women Voters of California. "State funds should not be used to support private facilities. This principle stands even when, as is the case in this measure, the facilities serve severely ill children."Authorities continued their search Friday for a 21-year-old man whose vehicle was found abandoned near Topanga nearly three weeks ago.

Matthew Jonathan Weaver Jr. was last seen about 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 10 in the 2600 block of Stearns Street in Simi Valley. His vehicle was located the following day on the Topanga Tower Motorway, near Rosas Overlook above the Backbone Trail and Hondo Canyon areas, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

LAPD Officer Rosario Herrera told City News Service that no new information has surfaced about the whereabouts of Weaver, who is white, 5 feet 9 and about 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Weaver had just moved to Granada Hills shortly before his disappearance. His family appealed for help today to find the missing man.

"Matthew would never torture his brother and sister by disappearing like this. Please help us find him," Brooke Tipton, Weaver's stepmother, told reporters.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts was urged to call the LAPD's Missing Persons Unit at (213) 996-1800 or dial 911. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.Republican Congressman Carlos Curbelo is facing a formidable challenge in his effort to be re-elected in South Florida's District 26, with Democratic rival Debbie Mucarsel-Powell slightly behind, according to a new survey released on Monday.

According to the Mason-Dixon survey conducted for Telemundo 51, Curbelo has a 46 to 45 percent edge over Mucarsel-Powell, with 9 percent of voters undecided.

The study was conducted from October 3 to 9 among 625 registered voters in District 26 and has a margin of error of +/- 4 percentage points.

The Cuban-American representative was considered one of the vulnerable Republican congressmen in the Nov. 6 election because he represents a district with a more liberal composition than other areas of South Florida. The district supported Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the last two presidential elections.

Although Curbelo is better known than the Democratic activist who is originally from Ecuador, the survey shows that he is at a disadvantage among all ethnic groups except Cuban-Americans.

Mucarsel-Powell is favored by white voters (51-34 percent), African-Americans (83-10 percent) and non-Cuban Hispanics (62-25 percent).

Curbelo, on the other hand, has broad support from the influential Cuban-American vote (74-22 percent), as well as a majority among men and people over 50 years of age.

District 26, which includes southwest Miami-Dade County and all of Monroe County, was created in 2012 and had Democrat Joe Garcia as its first representative. Curbelo is seeking reelection for the second time after defeating Garcia in 2014 and 2016.Police say a New York City teacher has been arrested, accused of assaulting a 15-year-old student in class last Friday.

Jose Garcia, 50, allegedly pulled a chair out from under the student and then pushed the student against a wall using a desk, police say.

He was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and assault.

It's not clear which school the incident took place. A message has been left with the Department of Education.What to Know NYCHA is sending crews to exterminate and patch up holes in a Bronx building where rats have been overrunning the building

Residents say vermin has always been a problem but it became bad when a garbage compactor was shut down in the basement last week

One mother says she found a rat biting her 1-year-old son's stomach while he was sleeping. NYCHA has now offered to move her and her family

The mother of the 1-year-old boy who was allegedly bitten by a rat in his sleep amid a disgusting infestation inside a New York City public housing building is demanding a complete and thorough fix.

"They need to take everybody out of this building and really need to get to this rat problem," said Asia Clemente, a tenant in the Claremont Consolidation Complex in the Bronx. "Don't just cover up the holes and tell us, 'When you see another one, call us back.'"

Clemente first told News 4 New York she found a rat biting her toddler son's stomach while he was sleeping Monday morning. She thinks the rat was gnawing at the feeding tube attached to the stomach of baby Daniel, who suffers from chronic lung disease and other health problems.

The rats, she believes, are "smelling the milk that comes out when we disconnect [the tube]," said Clemente.

She took her son to the hospital and he was put on antibiotics. Returning home Tuesday, "his stomach is very tender due to being bit for the second time, so it's kind of hard feeding him and giving him medicine since he's crying, doesn't want to be touched," she said.

Complaints about rats overrunning homes inside NYCHA's Claremont complex have exploded since last week, when a basement garbage compactor was shut down, displacing the rats and driving them upward. One video taken last week shows a group of rats popping out from behind a washing machine and scampering across the kitchen sink, one right after another. The family in that apartment boarded up the kitchen, fearful the rats would attack their dog.

"There were as many rats in that apartment as there are in a sewer," said councilman Ritchie Torres. "I don't believe that NYCHA is just now learning it was this bad."

"They come out here, run around here. This is their playground," said tenant Jessica de Jesus.

Torres is now calling for an investigation into how the rat problem got so bad both inside and outside people's homes in the complex. NYCHA said it shut down the compactor room last week so that it could aggressively fight the existing complaints of infestation. But the basement is important to residents because that's where Con Edison meters are located -- and since the rats prevent workers from going into the basement to read the meters, the utility has been sending estimated bills to customers.

One family said they were charged $458 for one month. On one notice, the utility said it will charge an extra $25 if they don't get access to the meter.

"I'm not sure what I am paying for is very accurate at all," said Clemente.

Clemente said her family arrived at Claremont to escape rats in another NYCHA building. After NYCHA saw her story on News 4 New York Monday night, the agency contacted her on Tuesday in order to schedule a meeting about finding a new place to live.

As for Con Edison, the utility said Tuesday it will reimburse any fees that residents incurred because it couldn't read the meters. Con Ed also said it had reached out to NYCHA since the summer saying it needed the problem fixed immediately so that workers could do their job.

In a statement Monday, NYCHA spokesman Michael Giardina said, "Our residents should not have to live in these conditions. Since this first came to our attention, we have taken aggressive steps to address the current infestation by eliminating rodent access to the building and the apartments, which will also keep future rodents away. We apologize to our residents and will continue to vigilantly monitor this situation."What to Know A ride sharing service driver kidnapped and "terrorized" a woman who hired him to take her from Manhattan to White Plains, prosecutors said

Harbir Parmar allegedly started taking the woman to Boston instead of White Plains after she fell asleep

Parmar also allegedly got into the backseat of the vehicle and put his hand under the woman's shirt while she was asleep, prosecutors said

An Uber driver has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and "terrorizing" one of his passengers earlier this year, prosecutors say.

Harbir Parmar, 24, of Howard Beach in Queens, picked up a female passenger at 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 in Manhattan and was scheduled to take her to her residence in White Plains, court papers say.

After Parmars victim passenger fell asleep in the vehicle, a 2016 Toyota Highlander, he allegedly changed the victims destination in the companys mobile application to an address in Boston and drove toward Massachusetts, prosecutors say.

When the victim awoke, the vehicle was parked by the side of the road and Parmar was in the backseat with her with his hand under her shirt touching the top of her breast, prosecutors said.

Parmar then went back to the drivers seat and continued driving.

The victim requested to be taken to White Plains or to a police station but he refused and dropped the victim off on the side of I-95 in Branford, Connecticut.

The victim was able to memorize Parmars license plate before seeking assistance at a nearby convenience store, court papers say.

Investigators determined the license plate was registered to Parmar.

When the woman reported the incident to Uber the next day, she learned she had been charged more than $1,000 for the bogus trip in which she'd been kidnapped.

Prosecutors say Parmar also changed the destinations of other Uber customers through the companys mobile application on at least 11 occasions between December 2016 and February 2018.

As alleged, Harbir Parmar was hired to transport a woman from Manhattan to her home in White Plains. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said in a statement. Instead, Parmar kidnapped, terrorized, and assaulted the woman before dumping her on the side of an interstate.

Parmar appeared in federal court in White Plains on Tuesday afternoon.

He was released on bail, will be subject to home detention enforced by electronic monitoring, as well as strict pretrial supervision, and will not be able to work as a cab or ride-sharing driver, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan said.

In a statement, Uber said: Whats been reported is horrible and something no person should go through. As soon as we became aware, we immediately removed this individual's access to the platform. We have fully cooperated with law enforcement and will continue to support their investigation.

A message left with Parmar's attorney, a federal public defender, was not immediately returned.

There may be more victims of this alleged conduct, investigators say. Anyone with information to report is urged to contact the FBI's Westchester Resident Agency at 914-925-3888.What to Know Tenants at the Claremont Rehab public housing complex are dealing with a skin-crawling infestation of rats

They say vermin has always been a problem but it became bad when a garbage compactor was shut down in the basement last week

One mother says she found a rat biting her 1-year-old son's stomach while he was sleeping Monday morning

Hordes of rats are brazenly taking over homes inside a New York City public housing building, stomach-turning video shows, and even worse, may have bitten a baby Monday morning.

Hordes of rats are brazenly taking over homes inside a New York City public housing building, stomach-turning video shows, and even worse, may have bitten a baby Monday morning.

Tenants at NYCHA's Claremont Rehab in the Bronx say the giants rats have been taking over their apartments after a basement garbage compactor was shut down last week, driving the rats upward.

One video taken last week shows a group of rats popping out from behind a washing machine and scampering across the kitchen sink, one right after another. The family in that apartment boarded up the kitchen, fearful the rats would attack their dog.

Another tenant showed video of two drowned rats in his toilet.

"We're getting tired of this every day -- look, wake up and we see rats, not even mice, in our toilets," he says. "It's disgusting. We pay rent every month on time, and this is why we pay rent for?"

Worst of all, Asia Clemente said she found a rat biting her 1-year-old son's stomach while the child was sleeping Monday morning, and showed photos of the bloody wound. She took her son to the hospital, where he was placed on antibiotics.

"Every mother's worst nightmare when you have a child, especially a sick one,' she said. "You can't do nothing, you helpless."

Clemente thinks the rat was gnawing at the feeding tube attached to baby Daniel's stomach. She said it was the second time that the boy, who suffers from multiples health conditions, has been bitten by a rat. She's worried now that the rats will chew through her son's oxygen tube: "My son's not getting no air" if that happens.

Clemente said she can't leave because the family was already transferred once this year. They arrived at Claremont to escape rats in another NYCHA building.

NYCHA tenant leader Daniel Barber said Con Edison workers won't even go into the basement because the rat infestation was so bad.

In a statement, NYCHA spokesman Michael Giardina said, "Our residents should not have to live in these conditions. Since this first came to our attention, we have taken aggressive steps to address the current infestation by eliminating rodent access to the building and the apartments, which will also keep future rodents away. We apologize to our residents and will continue to vigilantly monitor this situation."

NYCHA says staff have been stationed at the building throughout the weekend to inspect and address the conditions, and are plastering walls to block any passageways for rats to get in. Exterminators are also treating the basements, and four compactor rooms have been closed while work is being done down there, NYCHA says.Authorities searched Monday for a 13-year-old girl they believe is in danger after her parents were found dead in their western Wisconsin home.

Deputies went to the home in Barron after dispatchers received a 911 call from an unknown person at around 1 a.m. Monday, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said. He said they found the bodies of Jayme Closs' parents, who were later identified by the sheriff's department as 56-year-old James Closs and his 46-year-old wife, Denise Closs. Fitzgerald also said there had been gunshots, but he stopped short of saying that's how the couple died.

"At the end of the day, I want a 13-year-old here safe and sound. That's our goal. That's our only goal right now," Fitzgerald said at a news briefing.

Investigators don't have any leads or suspects, but they have enlisted the help of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the FBI, which has agents who specialize in missing children cases, the sheriff said. He said Jayme is not considered a suspect in her parents' deaths.

Miami police tweeted that Closs may have been seen Monday afternoon, possibly in a black Ford Explorer with Wisconsin plate I60WER. They asked anyone with information to call 911.

Barron County deputies searched the area around the family's home with drones and infrared equipment, but they didn't find any clues as to her whereabouts. Fitzgerald said investigators are frustrated they haven't developed any leads and asked for the public's help with any information about what could have happened to the girl.

Officers also were at Jayme's middle school talking with her friends and acquaintances, hoping to develop some leads, officials said.

An Amber Alert was issued Monday for Jayme, although it did not include information about a suspect or vehicle.

Jayme is described as 5-feet (1.5 meters) tall and 100 pounds (45 kilograms), with strawberry-blond hair and green eyes.

Barron is about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of Minneapolis.What to Know Emergency power supply repairs are causing the closure of 3 Philadelphia PATCO stations Tuesday.

The 8th & Market Station will be the only Center City Philadelphia PATCO station open during Tuesday's commute.

Free rides will be offered to anyone boarding at 8th & Market streets in Philadelphia.

PATCO says all stations have reopened after power problems prompted closure of stations on Locust Street.

The regional rail carrier said Tuesday afternoon that a fault in a power line provided by SEPTA required emergency repairs at the stations.

PATCO said in an update on Twitter shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday that all stations had reopened and trains would depart about every five or six minutes from the 15th/16th and Locust station during rush hour.

PATCO carried just under 11 million passengers in 2017, an average of about 39,000 per weekday.What to Know The new anti-hazing legislation would make the most harsh forms of hazing a felony.

The law is named after former Penn State student Timothy Piazza. The 19-year-old died in February 2017 after a series of falls at a frat.

Gov. Tom Wolf said he plans to sign the legislation.

Stricter criminal penalties for hazing will soon become Pennsylvania law under legislation inspired by the death of a Penn State student that cleared its final hurdle Monday.

The Senate voted unanimously for a bill named for fraternity pledge Timothy Piazza who consumed a dangerous amount of alcohol and suffered a series of lethal falls at a party nearly two years ago.

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said he planned to sign the bill.

"Hazing is counter to the experience we want for college students in Pennsylvania," Wolf said. "We must give law enforcement the tools to hold people accountable and ensure schools have safeguards to protect students and curb hazing."

The legislation makes the most severe forms of hazing a felony, requires schools to maintain policies to combat hazing and allows confiscation of frat houses where hazing has occurred.

Piazza, 19, was a sophomore engineering student from Lebanon, New Jersey. He died in February 2017 after a night of drinking and hazing after a bid acceptance ceremony at the now-closed Beta Theta Pi house.

The legislation's prime sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, a Republican who represents State College, said the dismissals of charges against former Beta Theta Pi members showed how existing law can be a challenge for prosecutors to apply effectively.

"It's been very difficult for the prosecutors, on the current statute, to match up the appropriate charge with the crime," Corman said.

Piazza's parents, Jim and Evelyn Piazza, have become national anti-hazing advocates.

Their lawyer, Tom Kline, said the law will be "a national model for anti-hazing legislation. In particular, today was a significant step forward in deterring and eradicating the scourge of hazing on university campuses throughout the nation."

It defines hazing as conditioning acceptance into a group on breaking the law; consuming food, booze or drugs that put someone in emotional or physical harm; brutality of a sexual nature; putting them through whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics or exposure to severe weather; or sleep deprivation, "exclusion from social conduct" or extreme embarrassment.

It would create tiers for hazing, making it a summary offense unless someone is hurt or dies. Hazing that is reasonably likely to injure someone would be a misdemeanor, while an incident that results in severe injury or death would be a felony.

The bill includes a "safe harbor" provision that under certain circumstances would insulate people from prosecution if they sought help for someone involved in a hazing incident.

Tim Piazza was injured in falling down a set of basement steps, after which fraternity members made inept and even counterproductive efforts to help him. The house's security video captured his excruciating night on a first-floor couch, including him stumbling in the darkness and falling.

He was discovered unconscious in the basement the next morning, and it took fraternity members 40 minutes to summon an ambulance. Authorities say he had severe head and abdominal injuries, and a blood-alcohol content several times the state's legal limit for driving.Police are investigating after a suspicious letter was sent to the Maine home of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.

Bangor police said officers responded to Collins' West Broadway home just before 2 p.m. Monday for a report of a suspicious envelope that had been delivered to the home.

Firefighters and a local hazardous materials crew also responded to the scene, according to police.

Although no other details about the nature of the suspicious letter were immediately released, authorities in Bangor reassured residents that there was no information to indicate a public danger.

WCSH reports that Collins' husband was home at the time when the letter was received and that Collins is heading to Bangor from Washington, DC.

"We are very grateful for the immediate and professional assistance that we received from the Bangor Police Department, the Maine Crime Lab, the Maine State Police Department, the Capitol Police, the FBI, the Orono Hazmat Unit, the Bangor Fire Department, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service," Collins and her husband, Tom Daffron, said in a written statement. "We are also truly appreciative of the many well wishes that we have received today. Our friends and neighbors have been incredibly kind and have even offered to open their homes to us. We feel blessed to live in such a supportive community."

The investigation is ongoing.

Collins became the target of partisan ire after the moderate Republican voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this month following sexual misconduct allegations.San Diego police arrested a man in connection to a Little Italy sexual assault claim Monday afternoon.

Christopher Merron, 28, was taken into custody at 1:30 p.m.

He was found near Fenton Parkway in the City of San Diego.

Merron faces charges of assault with intent to commit a sex crime, sexual battery, false imprisonment, burglary, brandishing a deadly weapon, criminal threats, and auto theft, according to SDPD.

A man allegedly attempted to sexually assault a woman while she was at work in Little Italy. NBC 7's Erika Cervantes is at the scene with more.

On Sunday, a custodian was attacked by a man who attempted to sexually assault her while she was working at Cafe Italia in Little Italy.

The armed suspect entered the building around 4:33 a.m. and pushed the victim into a back room, according to SDPD. The woman was able to fight him off and ran out of the building.

The suspect then took the victim's car keys and stole her tan 1998 GMC Jimmy.

The car and weapon were later recovered by police.

Anyone with information can call SDPD's Sex Crimes Unit at (619) 531-2210 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.Joanne Garone Behnke has replayed every possible scenario in her mind a hundred times.

Maybe her 79-year-old aunt sought shelter at the sturdy condo nearby that withstood Hurricane Michael's devastating winds. Maybe she was rescued and is lying in a hospital bed somewhere. The pile of rubble that was once her Mexico Beach home is shallow, too shallow for a body to go unnoticed, Garone Behnke tells herself.

"It's torture," says Garone Behnke, who last talked to her Aunt Aggie Vicari right before the storm hit, begging her to leave her cinderblock home.

Five days after the hurricane slammed into the Florida Panhandle, people are struggling to locate friends and loved ones who haven't been heard from, though how many residents are missing seems to be anyone's guess.

"I've been on the phone to reporters, to fire chiefs, to heads of task force from Miami, to you name it, I've called them. I've called every hospital," Garone Behnke said Monday, then stopped to look at a text from the fire chief in Mexico Beach.

To her disappointment, it read: "We're still working on it ... we'll keep you posted."

As President Donald Trump visited the devastated zone, the death toll from Michael's march from Florida to Virginia stood at 19, and the search for victims continued.

As the hurricane closed in and more than 375,000 people were warned to evacuate, emergency authorities expressed frustration that many residents weren't leaving.

Since the storm, many people have been rescued from the devastated zones. Emergency officials said that because of widespread cellphone outages, others could be safe and just haven't been able to tell friends or family.

Rescue worker Trevor Lewis and the rest of his six-member squad lent their cellphones to storm victims so that they could contact loved ones for the first time in days. He said he watched them "cry out in joy."

"Just the desperation in the family members' voices that hadn't contacted their loved one for a few days was bad," he said. "Then we get on scene and find their family members and they have no food, no water, no power."

There was just one confirmed death so far in Mexico Beach, the town of about 1,000 people that was nearly wiped off the map in a direct hit from the hurricane and its 155 mph (250 kph) winds.

Mexico Beach City Clerk Adrian Welle told local media Sunday that 46 people were unaccounted for. That number had previously been 285, but officials think many left right before the storm hit. Other city officials told reporters that the number of unaccounted for was three.

A Houston-based organization called CrowdSource Rescue that takes calls from worried family members and sends the details to rescue crews on the ground said it has helped find nearly 1,500 people across the region since Michael struck.

George Ruiz, a former Coast Guard rescue boat driver from Alabama who runs Geaux Rescue, a nonprofit search-and-rescue operation, complained that authorities aren't allowing volunteer groups into hard-hit Mexico Beach and Panama City.

"There's a lot of work to be done still as far as the rescue and recovery goes," said Ruiz, whose organization still has 433 requests for help from family members looking for loved ones.

"We listened to voicemails we received overnight," he said, "and you can just hear in their voice their desperation, wanting to know if their family member is alive and well or if their family member has passed."

Melissa and Rodney Reinhardt spent days wondering whether Rodney's 79-year-old father survived the storm at his home in the devastated Port St. Joe area.

"Our hope was that he evacuated but nobody had heard from him," she said. "It's horrifying not knowing. It's scary. Seeing the pictures on the news makes it even scarier."

Emergency officials checked on him Thursday night and said he was there, but that was all the information they received. Rodney finally went in with a church group on Sunday and picked him up.

"It was a happy ending," Melissa Reinhardt said.

During his visit to the devastated zone, Trump commended Republican Gov. Rick Scott for an "incredible" response to the disaster and said: "You're a great governor." Scott, who is running for the U.S. Senate, returned the praise, saying, "Every time I've called, he's come through."

Some in the affected area were lukewarm about the president's visit.

About 5 miles from a neighborhood Trump visited, 57-year-old Sheila Vann sat on a cooler in her garage, taking a break from cleaning up. The hurricane tore off much of her roof in Panama City, and most of her ceiling collapsed. She had four freezers filled with fish and meat that were starting to spoil and smell.

"You want to see the president?" Vann asked her husband, Joseph, with a dismissive tone. "I ain't got time, unless he wants to help clean up."

Nanya Thompson, 68, of Lynn Haven, said of the president: "He's doing this, I believe, to project a different image of himself because of all the bad publicity he's had. He's not going into get into the sewage water with other people and start digging."

"If this is just going to be another reality show, I don't think he should come," she added.

One way to help people affected by Hurricane Michael is by donating to the Red Cross. Find more information on how to donate here.

Contributors include Associated Press writers Brendan Farrington, Gary Fineout, and AP Photographer Gerald Herbert.

Harvard University intentionally uses a vague "personal rating" to reject Asian-American applicants in favor of students from other racial backgrounds, according to a trial that started Monday and carries weighty implications for dozens of other U.S. colleges.

Harvard's legal team denied any discrimination in its opening statement at Boston's federal courthouse, saying race is just one factor that's considered and can only help a student's chances of getting admitted. In its hour-long opening, lawyers for Students for Fair Admissions accused Harvard of intentionally discriminating against Asian-Americans through a "personal rating" score that's used to measures character traits such as "courage" and "likeability."

Dozens of supporters and observers packed into the courtroom and two overflow rooms Monday, a day after backers from both sides hosted separate rallies in the Boston area.

The trial began nearly four years after Harvard was sued by Students for Fair Admissions, a nonprofit in Arlington, Virginia, that believes schools should not consider race when selecting students. It comes at a time when the nation's elite colleges have come under mounting scrutiny over the way race factors into the admissions process.

The suit says Asian-American applicants bring stronger academic records than any other race, yet they are admitted at the lowest rate. The group says that's because Harvard consistently gives them low scores on the personal rating, which, according to a document revealed by the group Monday, is only loosely defined in Harvard policies.

Lawyers for the group presented a document they say is Harvard's only guidance on the personal rating. It was simply a numeral rating ranging from one, for "outstanding," to five, for "questionable personal traits."

Adam Mortara, a lawyer for Students for Fair Admissions, says the measure's subjectivity creates an opportunity for racial discrimination.

"You have let the wolf of racial bias in through the front door," he said.

Students for Fair Admissions is led by Edward Blum, a legal strategist who has fought against the use of race at other colleges, including a Supreme Court case in 2016 that upheld policies at the University of Texas.

Yet Mortara argued Monday the lawsuit is not a broader attack on affirmative action, saying Harvard has simply gone too far in its "zeal" to consider race.

"Diversity and its benefits are not on trial here. Students for Fair Admissions supports diversity on campus," he said.

But Harvard's lawyers argued the lawsuit represents an attack on the school and many other universities that consider race as a way to admit a diverse mix of students.

William Lee, a lawyer for the school and a member of its governing board, said race is just one of many factors that can work in favor of an applicant, getting no more weight than a student's geography or family income.

"Race alone is never the reason a student is granted admission," Lee said. "And race is never the reason a student is denied."

He downplayed the influence of any single numerical rating, saying the final decision comes down to a 40-person committee that spends weeks reviewing and discussing applications.

The trial is expected to last three weeks, with two weeks for the plaintiff's case and one for Harvard. The final decision will be made by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs.

The legal showdown begins amid a revived national debate over the role race should play in college admissions. The U.S. Justice Department is also investigating Harvard over alleged discrimination against Asian-Americans, and Yale was recently announced as the subject of a similar investigation by the Justice and Education departments.

The Harvard case has captured the attention of many in the education world, including leaders of some colleges that say a loss for Harvard could put their own policies in jeopardy.A former Fairfax County Sheriff's deputy has been charged with sexually assaulting a former inmate, Fairfax County police say.

Keith Washington was arrested and charged Tuesday with one count of carnal knowledge of an inmate and one count of sexual battery.

The investigation into the 47-year-old deputy began more than a year ago. Police say the victim told the sheriff's office on Aug. 13, 2017 that Washington assaulted her in December 2016 or January 2017.

Warrants for Washington's arrest were issued Tuesday, and he turned himself in immediately, police say.

The sheriff's office says Washington was relieved of his duties after the victim reported the assault. He resigned on Dec. 14, 2017, in lieu of a pending termination.

If you experienced a similar situation or you have information that can help police, call 703-246-7800 or submit an anonymous tip.Nearly a week after four high school students were hurt when a car crashed into them at a bus stop, a 15-year-old boy is still fighting for his life.

Devin Garcia is still in a D.C. hospital after the crash Tuesday, Oct. 9.

"It just breaks my heart," his mother, Lilia Garcia, said Monday.

Devin Garcia has a brain injury, internal bleeding and broken bones.

Students were standing at a bus stop near Wendy Lane and Georgia Avenue in Aspen Hill about 7 a.m. when two cars collided in the northbound lanes of Georgia Avenue, sending one of the vehicles onto the sidewalk and toward the group.

Fire officials say seven people were hit; five of them, including the driver of the striking vehicle, were taken to hospitals.

The students attend Kennedy High School, which is located about four miles from the bus stop. Montgomery County police spokesman Paul Starks said the students all were between 14 and 15 years old.

No one was charged with a crime. Police are still investigating.

The Montgomery County Council is set to speak with state highway officials next month to discuss pedestrian safety and speed along busy roadways where there are school bus stops.

Garcia's family is fundraising for his medical expenses. Go here to learn more.A Prince George's County police officer in Maryland has been arrested on rape charges after a woman living in the United States illegally told police he pulled her over and attacked her.

Officer 1st Class Ryan Macklin, a six-year veteran of the department, was arrested on charges including rape and assault, Chief Hank Stawinski announced Monday night. The officer has been suspended without pay.

The woman told police the officer pulled her over about 1 a.m. Thursday on University Boulevard in Langley Park. Then, she said he forced her to perform a sex act in her car in a nearby parking lot.

She is an undocumented immigrant, sources told NBC Washington.

"The charges against this officer are highly troubling. Officers take an oath to protect others, not to abuse their authority in order to victimize someone," Stawinski said. "Those who live and work in Prince George's County deserve the very best from the men and women of this department."

Police do not believe the officer targeted the woman because of her immigration status, the chief said.

It was not immediately clear if Macklin had a lawyer. He was in jail Tuesday and set to appear in court for a bond review the following day.

Macklin was named a patrol officer of the month in March 2014. He conducted a traffic stop and found a handgun, a police blog says.

It's unclear why he was in District 1, in Langley Park, the night of the crime. He was assigned to District 3, miles away in Palmer Park.

Donelan stressed that police were taking the allegation seriously.

"Within hours of the woman coming forward and telling us the events of what she says occurred to her, our officer was suspended. He is no longer a police officer. He can't act as a police officer. His police powers have been suspended," she said.

The officer has been stripped of his gun, badge and marked cruiser, Donelan said.

People living in the U.S. illegally are uniquely vulnerable to abuse by authorities, said Nick Katz, a lawyer with CASA de Maryland, an immigration advocacy and assistance organization.

"When the police are viewed as a gateway to immigration, to deportation, you're afraid to report crimes, especially something as intimate as sexual assault," he said.

Prince George's County police are looking into whether the officer may have assaulted more than one person.

"We have, during the course of the last 72 hours, come into information that leads us to believe that there may be additional people impacted by this officer's conduct," Stawinski said Monday night.

Anyone with information on the attack or other attacks is asked to call 301-772-4795. Help in English and Spanish is available.

Casa de Maryland also has resources available. They are available at 866-765-2272.Facing the prospect of bruising electoral defeat in congressional elections, President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he won't accept the blame if his party loses control of the House in November, arguing his campaigning and endorsements have helped Republican candidates.

In a wide-ranging interview three weeks before Election Day, Trump told The Associated Press he senses voter enthusiasm rivaling 2016 and he expressed cautious optimism that his most loyal supporters will vote even when he is not on the ballot. He dismissed suggestions that he might take responsibility, as his predecessor did, for midterm losses or view the outcome as a referendum on his presidency.

"No, I think I'm helping people," Trump said. "I don't believe anybody has ever had this kind of impact."

Trump spoke on a range of subjects, defending Saudi Arabia from growing condemnation over the case of a missing journalist, accusing his longtime attorney Michael Cohen of lying under oath and flashing defiance when asked about the insult  "Horseface"  he hurled at Stormy Daniels, the porn actress who accuses him of lying about an affair.

Asked if it was appropriate to insult a woman's appearance, Trump responded, "You can take it any way you want."

Throughout much of the nearly 40-minute interview, he sat, arms crossed, in the Oval Office behind the Resolute Desk, flanked by top aides, including White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and communications director Bill Shine. White House counselor Kellyanne Conway listened from a nearby sofa.

The interview came as Trump's administration was being urged to pressure Saudi Arabia to account for the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Instead, Trump offered a defense for the U.S. ally, warning against a rush to judgment, like with what happened with his Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault.

"Well, I think we have to find out what happened first," Trump said. "Here we go again with, you know, you're guilty until proven innocent. I don't like that. We just went through that with Justice Kavanaugh. And he was innocent all the way."

Weeks away from the midterms, Democrats are hopeful about their chances to recapture the House, while Republicans are increasingly confident they can hold control of the Senate.

Trump has been campaigning aggressively in a blitz of rallies aimed at firing up his base. He said he believes he's doing his job, but allowed he has heard from some of his supporters who say they may not vote this November.

"I'm not running. I mean, there are many people that have said to me, 'I will never, ever go and vote in the midterms because you're not running and I don't think you like Congress.'" He added: "Well, I do like Congress."

If Democrats take the House and pursue impeachment or investigations  including seeking his long-hidden tax returns Trump said he will "handle it very well."

The president declared he was unconcerned about other potential threats to his presidency. He accused Cohen of lying when testifying under oath that the president coordinated on a hush-money scheme to buy Daniels' silence.

Trump on Tuesday declared the allegation "totally false." But in entering a plea deal with Cohen in August, federal prosecutors signaled that they accepted his recitation of facts and account of what occurred.

Trump said that Washington lawyer Pat Cipollone will serve as his next White House counsel and that he hoped to announce a replacement for U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in the next week or two. He again repeated his frustration with Attorney General Jeff Sessions over the special counsel investigation, saying, "I can fire him whenever I want to fire him."

On the ongoing Russia investigation, Trump defended his son Donald Trump Jr. for a Trump Tower meeting with a Kremlin-connected lawyer offering damaging information about Democrat Hillary Clinton. Trump called his son a "good young guy" and said he did what any political aide would have done.

Trump again cast doubt on climate change, suggesting, incorrectly, that the scientific community was evenly split on the existence of climate change and its causes. There are "scientists on both sides of the issue," Trump said.

"But what I'm not willing to do is sacrifice the economic well-being of our country for something that nobody really knows," Trump said.

He added: "I have a natural instinct for science and I will say that you have scientists on both sides of the picture."

Asked about his wartime leadership, Trump acknowledged that he has not brought U.S. troops home from conflict zones overseas and that there are more Americans serving in harm's way now than when he took office.

"It's not a lot more. It's a little bit more," he said.

Saying he's trying to preserve "safety at home," Trump added that if there are areas where people are threatening the U.S., "I'm going to have troops there for a period of time."

Trump increased U.S. troop totals in Afghanistan by about 4,000 last year.

The president engaged on several other topics, including:

 He said he has given no consideration to pardoning Paul Manafort, his former campaign chairman who was convicted of numerous financial crimes.

 He suggested that his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would happen after next month's midterm elections and would likely not be in the United States.

 He broke with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's proposed changes to entitlement programs like Social Security to control the deficit.

 And he defended his decision to break from his predecessors and not yet visit a military base in a combat zone, claiming it was not "overly necessary."

Repeatedly stressing what he saw as the achievements of his first two years, Trump said he'd be seeking another term because there was "always more work to do."

"The new model is Keep America Great," Trump said. "I don't want someone destroying it because I can do a great job, but the wrong person coming in after me sitting right at this desk could destroy it very quickly if they don't do the right thing. So no, I'm definitely running."Amid speculation that he may soon be replaced, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said President Donald Trump told him he supports the retired Marine general "100 percent."

The assertion comes just days after Trump mused on national television about Mattis leaving his post.

Mattis said Trump gave him this assurance during a phone call while Mattis was flying from Washington to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Tuesday. A few hours earlier, Mattis told reporters traveling with him that he and Trump had never discussed the possibility of Mattis leaving the Pentagon job.

Mattis initially was responding to reporters' questions about Trump's comments on CBS' "60 Minutes" Sunday that Mattis "may leave" his administration and that he thinks the retired Marine Corps general is "sort of a Democrat."

Asked what he made of Trump's comments, in which the president also said he likes Mattis and that eventually all appointees move on, Mattis said, "Nothing at all," adding, "We have never talked about me leaving."

Later, Mattis approached reporters traveling with him to say he'd just spoken to Trump. He said he called the president aboard Air Force One to discuss damage to military bases caused by Hurricane Michael. During that conversation, Trump asked Mattis whether he had seen the "60 Minutes" interview broadcast on Sunday. Mattis said he had not. Trump then expressed his full support for Mattis and suggested Mattis let the press know this.

By telling "60 Minutes" that he suspected Mattis is "sort of a Democrat," Trump seemed to suggest that he thinks Mattis is too moderate in his politics, although he did not say so directly or cite any area of disagreement with Mattis.

Whereas Trump has made a hardline policy on immigration a centerpiece of his agenda, Mattis has publicly cited the valuable contributions that non-citizen members of the military have made over the years. Mattis also is a staunch supporter of NATO, whereas Trump has questioned its value to America.

Mattis, who had never previously held a civilian position in government before he became defense secretary in January 2017, told reporters he has sought to carry out and reinforce Trump's military and national security policies without regard to partisanship. Those policies, he said, are now "reaping significant bipartisan support."

Asked directly whether he is a Democrat, Mattis said, "We're all built on our formative experiences. When I was 18 I joined the Marine Corps, and in the U.S. military we are proudly apolitical."

Asked if that meant he was not a registered member of either major political party, he replied, "I've never registered for any political party."

Presidents in recent decades have sometimes picked a member of the opposite party to head the Pentagon. President Bill Clinton's second-term defense secretary was William Cohen, a prominent Republican member of the Senate. And President Barack Obama's first Pentagon chief was Robert Gates, a Republican who had served as CIA director and defense secretary in Republican administrations.

The post of defense secretary is typically the least political in a president's Cabinet. That is because of the non-political tradition of the military and long-standing bipartisan support for U.S. military alliances such as NATO.

Mattis flew to Vietnam for his second visit this year to the country with which the U.S. fought a 10-year war. He told reporters the violent history between the two countries is a thing of the past.

"The legacy of the war has turned into actually a basis for defense cooperation," he said.

An example of this is a U.S.-funded $390 million project to clean up war-era chemical contamination of the ground at an air base near Ho Chi Minh City.

Mattis planned to visit the base at Bien Hoa on Wednesday to see firsthand the area that is to be decontaminated in a 10-year project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Barrels of Agent Orange had been staged at Bien Hoa for U.S. use as a defoliant elsewhere in Vietnam, and when the U.S. decided to stop spraying Agent Orange, the remaining barrels of toxic liquid were collected and stored at Bien Hoa before being flown out of the country.

Mattis also plans to attend a regional meeting of defense ministers in Singapore later this week. He said he may meet there with his Chinese counterpart, even though Beijing had recently told Mattis that if he came to China his counterpart would not be available to meet.After only a month of marriage, sources close to Justin Bieber are concerned that the star might be falling back into old habits. Prior to joining Hillsong Church in 2017, Bieber had gotten himself into an enormous amount of trouble. He visited a brothel in Rio de Janeiro, was sued for assault and emotional distress after kicking and punching a photography in Los Angeles while on a date with Selena Gomez, was caught urinating in a New York City restaurant kitchen and was busted for drug possession in Sweden all during 2013. Less than a year later, he was arrested for driving under the influence, assaulted a limousine driver in Toronto, was arrested again after an ATV wreck led to a physical altercation in Ontario and had to pay over $80,000 in damages after he vandalized his neighbors mansion.

Bieber seemed to clean up his act after he began investing more time in his faith in 2017. He canceled his Purpose World Tour and began paying more attention to his health. Hes come a long way, said JonBoy, a friend of Biebers. Its amazing how much hes changed and how much God has done.

Biebers recent actions, however, have made those close to him wonder if he is slipping back into bad habits. In August, he was found crying on the West Side Highway bike path and looked disoriented while shopping shirtless in Tribeca. A week after his wedding saw Bieber busking outside Buckingham Palace, and an even more recent video showed Bieber shaking and acting jittery while meeting fans in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A friend of Hailey Baldwin, Biebers newlywed wife, said that Biebers wide eyed and unsteady appearance was very reminiscent of his party days.

You could tell he wasnt all there [at the parties], the friend said. He would be slurring his words or shaking. You could tell he was not normal.

Bieber has also faced some scrutiny over who he apparently did not tell about his whirlwind romance with Baldwin or their short two month engagement. I wasnt told [about the engagement or marriage], said George Bieber, Justins grandfather. Hes old enough, I guess. I was young when I got married, 17 or 18, but that didnt last.

Both Biebers team and his mentor, Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz, were also caught off guard by the sudden engagement and quick marriage. Lentz and Bieber had a falling out, and Lentz offered noticeably hesitant congratulations to the couple when he was informed of the engagement during an interview. One source close to Bieber suggested that the newlywed was having an ongoing identity crisis. One can only hope the star manages to overcome his crisis before it damages his young marriage or hurts his newlywed wife.An investigation is underway after a school bus was involved in a crash in Boston Tuesday morning.

State police said minor injuries were reported following the crash, which took place on the Arborway at South Street in Jamaica Plain.

One student was transported to a local hospital as a precaution, and the bus continued on its trip, according to police.

No other details were immediately available.House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is feeling confident three weeks before the midterm election.

"I do believe that today, we would win the Congress for the American people," the California Democrat said Tuesday in Massachusetts.

Her confidence is not stopping her from crossing the country campaigning for members of her party.

"No one can question her determination with winning seats across the country," said Lori Trahan, running to represent Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District.

If the House flips in November, Pelosi is in line to become House speaker once again  though female candidates like Ayanna Pressley, and even Trahan, have yet to commit to supporting that move.

"I think that's a conversation that I look forward to having once I get through Nov. 6," Trahan said Tuesday.

Trahan's Republican opponent, Rick Green, thinks that is at the core of Pelosi's visit, which started with a high-priced fundraiser for Trahan in Concord.

"That's kind of standard operating procedure for DC when you're trying to buy leadership votes," Green said.

Pelosi is considered one of the more polarizing political figures. She is often held up by Republican candidates as all that's wrong with their Democratic challengers.

"Nancy Pelosi is here to spread her San Francisco system of sanctuary state policies," Green said. "I believe firmly that the people of this district are absolutely going to reject that at the ballot box in November."

If Pelosi is concerned about the lack of public support from some potential incoming house members, she's not letting on.

"What one person or another wants to say about me is not so important as what this election is about," Pelosi said.

The minority leader ended her day in Massachusetts speaking to students at the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School.Massachusetts lawmakers have passed a supplemental spending plan.

The budget approved Monday would let Massachusetts build up its rainy day fund and set aside money for infrastructure projects, including $40 million for local roads and bridges.

The plan also includes a $10 million reserve for the Merrimack Valley to support everything from public safety to housing stability as the region recovers from last month's gas fires.

The plan would pour $240 million to the state's stabilization fund -- also known as the rainy day fund -- bringing its total balance to $2 billion. That's the largest amount in the fund in over a decade.

The budget also includes $5 million for evacuees from Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The bill now heads to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker for his signature.Editor's note: Microsoft has temporarily put its rollout of Windows Server 2019 on hold due to a glitch with Windows 10 that could affect Windows Server 2019. This story provides advice on what do do about Windows Server 2019 deployments once that problem is cleared up.

Microsoft has released Windows Server 2019 to general availability, formally bringing to market the first major release of the Windows Server operating system in three years.

Subscribers have had the chance to explore the new platform for months, but for those who have held off fiddling with Windows Server 2019 until this official release, it is now formally available for download.

Security, resiliency, SDNNEW MILFORD  For the past 31 years, Lt. Spencer Cerruto has worked with the Watertown community through his various roles in the police department.

Residents of New Milford can expect that same sense of civic engagement when he takes over as the new police chief next month. Cerruto, 52, was named the new permanent chief for Monday afternoon. He replaces Chief Shawn Boyne, whose contract expired on Sunday.

Im very proud, Cerruto said. Its a department with a lot of potential and Im very fortunate to lead such capable, experienced and professional officers and staff."

Mayor Pete Bass said he chose Cerruto because of his community involvement vision and his experience.

Im very excited to have the new chief come in and join our force, Bass said, adding he will bring a lot of experience and enthusiasm to town.

Cerruto was chosen from 11 applicants  all from Connecticut. Bass selected him with the help of other first responders, including former New Milford officers and others in law enforcement. One member is also the head of IBMs human resources. The search began in July shortly after Bass announced Boynes contract would not be renewed in the fall.

The details of Cerrutos contract and salary are still being negotiated, Bass said.

Cerruto started his career at the Watertown department in 1987 as a patrol officer, advancing to detective, then sergeant before overseeing the research and development division and the office of professional standards as a lieutenant. He also spent a combined 12 years in the U.S. Army Reserves and the Connecticut Army National Guard.

Hes also an adjunct criminal justice professor at Post University and Naugatuck Valley Community College. He has several degrees himself, including a masters degree in justice and law administration from Western Connecticut State University, as well as a bachelors degree in law and society from the University of Connecticut.

He lives in Torrington with his two sons, Spencer Jr., 23, and Joseph, 19.

Cerruto hopes to start his new post in New Milford by mid-November. Interim Chief Jeff Covello is leading the department in the meantime.

I want to thank the mayor for the confidence hes shown in me, Cerruto said. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work.

Cerruto said he was drawn to New Milford because of the tight-knit community and the high calibre of the department.

He said he plans to be very visual in the community hopes to evolve the departments community policing. This includes starting a citizens police academy where residents can understand what the towns police officers experience, implementing bicycle patrols and adding programs for the youth, senior citizens and veterans. He also strives to be approachable and said his door will always be open to the public and officers.

I think working together, we can make a difference, Cerruto said.

Another goal is to improve officer development, safety and well being. In Watertown, he serves as the accreditation manager and the training officer.

I believe that were all in this together and no one of us is smarter than all of us," he said.

Watertown Police Chief John Gavallas said the community has responded very positively to all of Cerrutos efforts to build relationships between residents and officers. Cerruto started the citizen police academy about eight years ago and hundreds of residents have since completed it. Cerruto also is a regular at community events and active in veteran affairs.

Our loss is certainly New Milfords gain, he said. Im confident the men and women of New Milfords department will benefit from Chief Cerrutos leadership.

Gavallas has known Cerutto since he joined the department about 30 years ago. He described Cerutto as highly dedicated, highly motivated and committed to the mission of law enforcement. He said hes looking forward to working with him as a fellow chief.

Hes going to be missed here in Watertown, Gavallas said. We wish him the best.DANBURY  Officials have yet to say what prompted a flight instructor to stop Saturday at Danbury Muncipal Airport before a fatal crash off Long Island that killed both the instructor and two passengers.

Authorities have identified 41-year-old Munidat Raj Persaud, of Waterbury, as the owner and pilot of the Piper twin turbo prop airplane that crashed into the water about three miles southeast of Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach, N.Y., Saturday afternoon.

The two others killed in the crash were Richard P Terbrusch, 53 of Ridgefield and Jennifer Landrum, 45, of Augusta, Georgia.

WRDW.com reports that Landrum went to New York on school break. Traveling with her boyfriend, she was on her way back home to Georgia planning for a Sunday dinner with her two children. "She was beautiful. She was just a wonderful person and a wonderful mother. She has two children, Carol Landrum, Jennifer's mother, told the TV station.

Landrums death was announced by McDuffie County School District Superintendent Mychele Rhodes. She had been previously employed with the system in 2001 as the 21th Century Program Coordinator before leaving and returning on July 31, 2017, according to The Augusta Chronicle.

Dr. Landrum will certainly be missed. Please keep her family in your thoughts as they go through this most difficult and trying time, Rhodes said.

Federal investigators have yet to say what caused the crash.

Michael Safranek, the assistant administrator at Danbury Airport, declined to comment on whether Persaud picked up any passengers or fueled up his plane before departing the air strip Saturday for a flight to South Carolina.

Authorities with the U.S. Coast Guard did confirm over the weekend that video footage from the airport is being reviewed in order to help determine the identity of the two passengers.

Persaud had purchased the Piper involved in the crash in June, according to the pilots Facebook page.

Just took delivery of our new Piper Seneca to add to the fleet, he posted on June 15. This aircraft is awesome has full de-ice capabilities and they did away with all the analog engine gauges.

Persaud owned Oxford Flight Training, which he operated out of the Waterbury-Oxford Airport, and had considered expanding the business into Danbury earlier this year. Safranek said Persaud sent the citys Aviation Commission a letter stating his intentions to provide flight instruction services at the airport.

He was looking to secure office space at one of the (businesses) at the airport, Safranek said.

Persaud even developed a web presence for Danbury Flight Training, a company that never materialized, and posted photos of the companys business card on Facebook.

Persaud is a former airline flight engineer who worked for several airlines, including Pan American World Airways, as a technical representative and avionics technician, according to the company web site. He was also an experienced bush pilot, having flown thousands of hours in the jungles of South America.

Safranek said he talked to Persaud about the expansion two weeks ago.

We hadnt heard anything from him in a while and I wanted to check in, Safranek said. Persaud said he wasnt going to be doing anything in Danbury anymore.

Persaud owned about a dozen planes, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, including another Piper that was involved in a fatal plane crash earlier this year.

Samson Kalani Ah Nee, 31, of Manchester, was killed when he crashed near Bald Mountain in Vermont on May 20. Investigators determined that Ah Nee had received his certificate to fly the multi-engine aircraft the day before and had been advised by his instructor not to fly due to weather conditions.

Persaud, according to reports, was a native of Guyana and also offered flight instruction services from that country under the name Oxford Aviation.

Newspaper reports from the Guyana Chronicle in June 2016 showed that authorities were investigating Persaud for flying a Cessna out of the country without permission.

The newspaper stated that Persaud had a murky history of operating in the region, a claim the pilot rejected on his Facebook page.

This was third world propaganda. he said on the social media web site. The whole story was BS. This is state controlled newspaper...

dperrefort@newstimes.comNEW MILFORD  The school board has authorized up to another $70,000 to remove and replace the oil tank at Hill and Plain Elementary School.

Interim Superintendent Stephen Tracy said the additional money is needed because workers discovered the schools electrical transformer and switchbox were on top of the tank.

Disturbing the box by removing the tank would have caused the school to shut down for two weeks so officials decided to empty it, seal it off and abandon it in place. Water is located about eight feet underground, so a new underground oil tank couldnt be installed. Instead, officials have decided to switch to an above ground tank, which tends to be more expensive.

Fortunately the digging was done carefully, the problem was discovered and were able to get it done with no disruption to the school, Tracy said.

In May, the school board approved ETT Environmental Services to replace the underground oil tank at Hill and Plain for $92,000. The money for the project will come from the schools capital reserve.

Hill and Plain is the first of the three school tanks to be replaced. The other two  Sarah Noble Intermediate School and the Lillis administration building are being considered with the towns three tanks. Hill and Plain is the only tank that solely heats the building and so is cold-weather dependent.

We want to prepare our building properly for the heating season, said school board Chairman David Lawson.

Part of the $70,000 can be used to cover a temporary oil system if needed, Tracy said.

The work is expected to be done by mid-November, he said.

School officials discovered they needed to replace the three 10,000-gallon fuel tanks last fall after pulling permits to add check valves.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection requires fuel tanks be replaced when they reach 30 years old  a deadline established by the manufacturers and enforced by the state. If a tank is left in the ground after this deadline, the owner is charged a $10,000 fine for each tank and a daily fine until it is removed.

To meet this stipulation, New Milford must complete the work this calendar year.

Oil tanks were installed at Sarah Noble and Hill and Plain in 1989. Its unknown when the tank was installed at the Lillis Building, but its estimated to be at least 25 years old.

The tank for Sarah Noble doesnt have to be done before it gets cold because the building is heated with natural gas and the fuel tank is required more to power the generator, which is used if the town needs an emergency shelter.

kkoerting@newstimes.com; 203-731-3345Warren Historical Society will hold its annual meeting Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. at town hall.

The meeting will include a business meeting, including plans for 2019, and a presentation and discussion of Native American artifacts from Warren.Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, New England Properties

Located in Riverside Acres, 49 Long Meadow Road is a turnkey 1959 colonial. The setting is like living in Maine, 45 minutes away from New York, according to the listing brokerages description. The home has 2,652 square feet of living space. In typical colonial style, theres both a formal living room and a formal dining room. The floor plan allows for two family rooms  one with a cathedral ceiling and prominent Palladian window, just off the kitchen. The second family room is on the lower level, where theres also a playroom, office, laundry room, full bath, utility space and access to the attached garage. The kitchen has a white-on-white color scheme, with a pantry and built-in desk. There are three bedrooms on the second level, including the master, which has an en-suite bath and walk-in closet. The Riverside Acres association maintains the local beach and park, privately accessed by residents of the neighborhood. The assigned public schools for this address are North Mianus, Eastern Middle and Greenwich High.

Listing agent: Susan Holey, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, New England Properties; (203) 869-0500 office; (203) 969-4320 cell; susanholey@bhhsne.comCesarean-born mice show altered patterns of cell death across the brain, exhibiting greater nerve cell death than vaginally delivered mice in at least one brain area, a finding by Georgia State University researchers that suggests birth mode may have acute effects on human neurodevelopment that may lead to long-lasting changes in the brain and behavior.

The team of neuroscientists examined the effect of birth mode (vaginal delivery versus Cesarean section) on neuronal cell death, an important process that reshapes neural circuits early in development. This process, which takes place in mice during the first week after birth, also occurs in humans. Their study's findings are published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

With the advent of modern medicine, Cesarean births, also known as C-sections, are becoming a widespread practice around the world. In the United States, C-sections account for about 30 percent of births every year, and many of these are elective. Cesarean births have been linked to behavioral effects in the offspring, which suggests effects on the brain, but human studies are confounded by the medical complications, altered birth timing and maternal factors often associated with Cesarean delivery.

Dr. Alexandra Castillo-Ruiz, Dr. Nancy Forger and their students in the Neuroscience Institute at Georgia State addressed these limitations in a carefully controlled study in mice by examining the brains of offspring before and after a vaginal or Cesarean birth up to weaning age, carefully matching pups for time of delivery.

They found that vaginally delivered mice had a decrease in cell death across the brain within hours of birth, but this did not occur in Cesarean-born offspring. The most dramatic difference was seen in a region of the hypothalamus that regulates the stress response and brain-immune interactions. The greater cell death in Cesarean-delivered newborns was associated with a reduction in the number of neurons in at least one brain area and was also associated with altered behavior in a maternal separation test.

Birth mode did not affect general measures of development such as total brain size or day of eye-opening in juvenile mice. However, the authors did observe increased weight gain in Cesarean-born mice at weaning age, which is consistent with clinical reports of higher body mass index in humans born by C-section.

Source: https://www.gsu.edu/The number one medical complication of pregnancy and childbirth for mothers is depression and/or anxiety, with one in seven women suffering from a mood disorder during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Further, substance-use disorder remains one of the most pressing public health issues in Rhode Island, and pregnant and postpartum women are not immune. Each of these health issues is treatable, but the key to successful outcomes is proper screening so treatment can begin.

Toward ensuring that pregnant and postpartum women are properly screened, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has recently awarded the Rhode Island Department of Health a five year, $650,000 per year grant in partnership with the Center for Women's Behavioral Health at Women & Infants Hospital. Together, they will establish a centralized resource to assist health care providers in screening and treating pregnant and postpartum women who have behavioral health conditions.

Margaret M. Howard, PhD, is division director of the Center for Women's Behavioral Health and founder of the Day Hospital at Women & Infants Hospital, the nation's first mother-baby perinatal psychiatric partial hospital program. She has long been an advocate for mental health screening in pregnant and postpartum women and recently received the 2018 Leadership Award from the American Psychological Association's Committee on Women in Psychology.

"Many people, including health care providers who treat pregnant and postpartum women, don't realize how common mood disorders are and that they can affect any woman. Postpartum depression cuts across social, economic, geographic, racial, and ethnic lines," said Dr. Howard. "While there are risk factors for developing postpartum depression, the postpartum period (up to one year after delivery) is the most vulnerable time in any woman's life to come down with a mood or anxiety disorder. This is exactly why screening is so important."

According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, the overarching goal of the grant is to improve the mental health and well-being of pregnant and postpartum women and, thereby, their infants' social and emotional development through increased access to affordable, culturally and linguistically appropriate treatment and recovery support services.

"The period of time just before and after a family welcomes a baby is one of excitement and hope, but it can also be one of the more vulnerable periods in a woman's life. Among the many challenges that women can face are depression during pregnancy, post-partum depression, and substance-use disorder. For each of these issues, broad, comprehensive screenings programs are a key to successful treatment," said Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH. "This partnership will allow us to get vital screening services to women throughout the state and will allow us to focus on critical risk factors, such as experiencing stressful life events, being a teen mom, and having a history of depression. Working together, we can get every woman and family in Rhode Island the supports they need to ensure their health and wellness during every phase of life."

Source: http://www.womenandinfants.org/news/behavioral-health-screening.cfmThe general public has trouble understanding differences between obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), according to new research from Binghamton University, State University at New York.

"Our culture tends to value individuals who are highly organized and detail-oriented," said Binghamton University Ph.D. student Elyse Stewart, lead author on the paper. "It is common to hear someone joke, 'I am so OCD!' because of this cultural emphasis. But these statements fail to recognize that both OCD and OCPD are debilitating conditions."

A research team including Elyse Stewart and Binghamton University psychology professor Meredith Coles analyzed data from hundreds of phone interviews to study how the public recognizes and understands OCD and OCPD. They asked questions regarding the differentiation between someone who is "obsessive-compulsive" and someone who has OCD or OCPD. Each individual was asked three questions. The questions were: (1) "Sometimes people are said to be 'obsessive-compulsive.' What do you think this means? There is no one perfect answer." (2) "Have you ever heard of obsessive compulsive disorder?" (3) "As far as you know, is a person with obsessive-compulsive disorder different from someone who you would describe as obsessive-compulsive? In what ways do they differ?" The individuals were also asked to describe their race, sex, income and level of education.

The researchers found that the public was generally unsure of the difference between OCD and OCPD. Those with higher education and incomes were more likely to be able to recognize and define OCD than those with lower education and incomes, with emphasis on education level. Almost half of participants felt there was no difference between someone with OCD and someone who is obsessive-compulsive.

"Individuals who have OCD experience extreme distress related to unwanted intrusive thoughts or feelings," Stewart said. "They engage in a compulsion (some behavior or mental act) to reduce this distress. Individuals with OCPD are characterized by a preoccupation with perfectionism and orderliness that can interfere with their ability to be flexible in different situations."

The project confirmed what previous research had indicated, that more work is necessary to increase the public's knowledge and awareness of OCD.

"It is critical for schools to discuss mental health care with young people," Stewart said. "The earlier that individuals learn about mental health conditions, symptoms, and treatment options, the sooner those individuals can seek appropriate and proactive care. Implementing mental health curriculum in early education would help destigmatize the topic and prioritize care and intervention."

The team is planning to look into how OCD develops and how symptoms are maintained. They hypothesize sleep-related factors may influence the severity of OCD symptoms.A new study from Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki and the Finnish Cancer Registry shows that survival after glioblastoma has improved since the millennium. The improvement in survival was, however, modest in elderly patients, raising concerns whether current treatment strategies are optimal for this patient group.

Glioblastoma is the most common brain cancer, and one of the deadliest cancers known. Unfortunately, there is no cure for these rapidly progressing tumors.

A randomized controlled trial in 2005 showed that a new chemotherapy (temozolomide) given at the same time with radiation therapy increased survival from 12.1 to 14.6 months in 18 to 70-year-old glioblastoma patients. Therefore, today's glioblastoma treatment consists of surgical removal of the tumor followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, so-called chemoradiation. In many treatment centers, chemoradiation is given also to elderly (>70 years) glioblastoma patients, even though this elderly patient group was not included in the randomized controlled trial.

Randomized controlled trials are often referred as "gold standard" studies for assessing treatment outcomes. However, these studies have highly selected patient population that rarely represents the "real-life" populations. For that reason, real-life studies are needed to estimate the true benefit of a new treatment in everyday practice. In a recently published nationwide Finnish study, researched explored if glioblastoma survival has truly improved after the implementation of chemoradiation treatment.

"Finland has a tax-funded and government-subsidized social welfare and health care system, where socioeconomic factors and health inequalities affect much less cancer treatments and treatment outcomes than for example in U.S. Moreover, Finnish cancer treatment outcomes are shown to be among the best in the world. For these reasons, Finland is an optimal country to conduct so-called real-life cancer studies", explains Dr. Rahul Raj, Associate Professor of Experimental Neurosurgery, Helsinki University Hospital, and one of the lead authors of the study.

"We used data from the Finnish Cancer Registry, which enables evaluation of all cancer patients' survival with high quality", says Janne Pitkaniemi, director of statistics at the Finnish Cancer Registry.

The study encompassed over 2,000 patients that had been diagnosed with glioblastoma in Finland between 2000 and 2013. The study was divided into two periods: 2000-2006 (prior to standardized chemoradiation treatment) and 2007-2013 (today's chemoradiation treatment widely established).

According to results, patients treated during the latter period had a 24% lower excess risk of mortality compared to those treated during the earlier period. Time-wise, the median survival time increased by 2.4 months in patients younger than 70 years (from 9.3 months to 11.7 months). Contrary to the randomized controlled trial in 2005, the Finnish study included also elderly (>70 years) glioblastoma patients. The median survival time increased only by 0.9 months in the elderly patient group (from 3.6 months to 4.5 months).

"It is important to notice that the improvement in survival was notable in the younger patient group but only dismal in elderly patients. As the median age of glioblastoma patients is increasing at the same time than the incidence of glioblastoma is increasing, the number of elderly glioblastoma patients grows fast in the future. Today we do not have effective treatment strategies for this patient group, and it is questionable whether current heavy treatments and numerous hospital visits are always justified from patients' perspective", says Dr. Miikka Korja, Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Helsinki University Hospital, and one of the lead authors.

Although the prognosis for elderly glioblastoma patients has remained poor, the researchers stress the fact that there has been continuous improvement in treatments.

"We think our results highlight the fact that the future glioblastoma research should more and more focus on elderly, that will soon constitute over half of all newly diagnosed glioblastomas", Dr. Korja says. "We are very hopeful that survival rates will improve in the future."The Trump administration and drugmakers are squaring off over a proposal to show drug prices in television ads.

"Putting list prices in isolation in the advertisements themselves would be misleading or confusing," argued Stephen Ubl, CEO of the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America, known as PhRMA, the major trade group for branded drugs.

Ubl issued his statement hours before Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar was scheduled to speak about drug prices and what the Trump administration plans to do to lower them. He went on the offensive, questioning the legality and practicality of showing list prices of drugs in TV ads.

Instead, Ubl, whose trade group represents the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers on the globe, promised that pharma companies would direct consumers to websites that include a drug's list price and estimates of what people can expect to pay, which can vary widely depending on coverage.

Drug manufacturers will voluntarily opt in to this disclosure starting next spring, he said.

Within an hour of PhRMA's announcement, Azar fired back with a statement of his own, characterizing PhRMA's strategy as still "resistant to providing real transparency around their prices" but a "small step in the right direction."

He promised the White House "will go further" in requiring drug price transparency. Its proposal comes weeks before midterm elections, in which health care is a top voter concern. Polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation suggests most voters support forcing price transparency in drug advertisements. (Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the Foundation.)

The White House's plan for direct-to-consumer advertising, which was teased in President Donald Trump's blueprint this summer, has won praise from insurance groups and the American Medical Association. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) also proposed the plan in the Senate last month, but it failed to garner enough support. Experts pointed out a host of complications, suggesting that neither PhRMA's approach nor the White House's would fully explain to consumers what they'll actually pay for drugs.

That's because a drug's list price  the metric HHS wants to emphasize  often bears little relationship to what a patient actually pays at the drugstore. Insurance plans and pharmacy benefit managers often negotiate prices that are below the list price. Some patients qualify for other discounts. And often patients pay only what their copay or deductible require at any given time.

Other consumers could be stuck paying the full price tag, depending on how their insurance plan is designed, or if they don't have coverage.

"The system is very opaque, very complicated and, importantly, there isn't a huge relationship between list prices for drugs and what patients will expect to pay out-of-pocket," said Adrienne Faerber, a lecturer at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice who researches drug marketing.

But the industry's strategy, she said, also appeared lacking.

Under PhRMA's plan, drugmakers would not standardize how they display their information. Where consumers go could vary on Pfizer's website versus Merck's to learn about the list price and the range of out-of-pocket costs. That, Faerber argued, would make it difficult for people to unearth relevant information.

PhRMA also announced it is partnering with patient advocacy groups to create a "patient affordability platform," which could help patients search for costs and insurance coverage options.

Ubl cast their proposal as a way to address more effectively the government and public concern about drug price transparency.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers rely heavily on national advertising and now represent the third-highest spender in national television advertising, according to Michael Leszega, a manager of market intelligence at consulting firm Magna.

At certain times of day, pharmaceutical ads make up more than 40 percent of TV advertisements. And those commercials stand out because they are generally longer, with their long list of side effects and warnings the pharmaceutical industry must tag on at the end.

Those disclaimers highlight another challenge for the administration: legal action.

There is a body of Supreme Court decisions that dictates how disclaimers and disclosures can be required, said constitutional law expert Robert Corn-Revere. He filed a "friend of the court" brief in a 2011 U.S. Supreme Court case related to commercial speech and the pharmaceutical industry.

Generally, the administration's requirement must meet the standards of being purely factual, noncontroversial and not burdensome, Corn-Revere said.

On the question of whether requiring drug prices be listed in advertising violates the First Amendment's free-speech guarantee, Corn-Revere said it "all comes down to the specifics."

Ubl, when asked Monday morning about a potential lawsuit, didn't rule out the possibility. "We believe there are substantial statutory and constitutional principles that arise from requiring list-price disclosure, Ubl said, adding: "We do have concerns about that approach."

KHN's coverage of prescription drug development, costs and pricing is supported in part by the Laura and John Arnold Foundation.Financial Secretary Paul Chan attends the APEC Finance Ministers Retreat in Papua New Guinea.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan today attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers' Retreat in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

The focus of this years meeting is effective public finance strategies to support inclusive growth, particularly the role of public financial management, good governance and investment in productivity-enhancing reform.

Finance ministers and other participants attending the meeting shared their experiences.

Mr Chan will take part in various sessions of the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting tomorrow.Sorry!

This content is not available in your regionNew Delhi:

A Hisar court will on Tuesday and Wednesday pronounce the quantum of punishment for self-styled godman Rampal, who was convicted on October 11 in connection with the two murder cases registered against him and 27 of his followers in 2014. The verdict was pronounced at the Hisar Central Jail. Rampal was not taken out of the prison. He was instead produced inside the makeshift court via video conferencing. Rampal is currently lodged in Hisars Central Jail-2.

Read More | J-K: Terrorists attack CRPF camp in Pulwama, two soldiers injured

Rampal and the 27 others were booked on charges of murder and wrongful confinement after four women and a child were found dead in the Satlok Ashram on November 19, 2014. Another case was registered against the self-styled godman and his followers after a woman was found dead at his ashram in November 2018.

The Hisar administration has deployed forces to contain any violence. In August last year, another self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahims followers had unleashed violence in Hisar after the Dear Sacha Sauda chief was convicted of rape. As many as 30 people had died in the aftermath of the verdict and properties worth several crores destroyed.

Also Read | Faf du Plessis introduces something unique to cricketing world - 'Coin Tosser'

Rampal founded the Satlok Ashram in Karotha village of the Rohtak district in Haryana in 1999, based on his following from within the Kabir Panth.New Delhi :

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday slapped Rs 50 crore fine on the Delhi government for not following its order to shut the stainless-steel pickling units in residential areas as they fall under the prohibited list of industrial activity.

Hearing a petition filed by an NGO, All India Lokadhikar Sangthan, a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel slammed the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for not closing the industrial units despite the green courts clear directions.

Also Read | Setback for Congress in Goa as two MLAs resign from party, set to join BJP

Besides the fine, the tribunal also ordered the Kejriwal government to shut these units with immediate effect.



Earlier, the green panel had directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to act against stainless steel pickling industries in residential areas. The court had said that they fall under the prohibited list of industrial activity as per the Delhi Master Plan (DMP), 2021.

The plea alleged that the liquid used by such units to remove impurities of steel is discharged in open drains which ultimately met the already polluted Yamuna river. The plea asserted that time is being taken by the Delhi government and the environment is made to suffer continuously.

Also Read | Sabarimala Row: Tension escalates as women stopped from travelling to Lord Ayyappa Temple

What is pickling?

Pickling is the process of removing impurities, such as stains, inorganic contaminants, rust or scale from ferrous metals, copper, precious metals and aluminium alloys. In the process, a solution called pickle liquor, which contains acid, is used to remove the surface impurities.New Delhi:

Pippa Middleton, the sister of Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, has welcomed her first child with husband James Matthews, Kensington Palace said on Tuesday.

James and Pippa have had a baby boy. He was born Monday 15th October at 1.58pm, weighing 8lb and 9oz. Everyone is delighted and mother and baby are doing well, a Kensington Palace spokesman said.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge [Prince William and Kate Middleton] are thrilled for Pippa and James, Kensington Palace said in a statement.

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The 35-year-old author and columnist had married hedge fund manager James Matthews, 43, last year and their first child was born at the famous Lindo Wing of St Marys Hospital in London on Monday.

The little boy is the cousin of Britains future King Prince George, five, his brother Prince Louis, five months, and their sister Princess Charlotte, three.

According to sources, the couple are yet to reveal what they have decided to name their new-born baby boy.

Pippa announced her pregnancy in June in her fitness column for Waitrose Weekend magazine.

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I was lucky to pass the 12-week scan without suffering from morning sickness, adding, that meant I was able to carry as normal and continue my sports, Pippa wrote.

The new arrival comes just a day after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle revealed they are expecting a baby next spring.

(With PTI inputs)

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Hollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.African nation brands advance in brand value, with six out of the world's 10 fastest-growing coming from the continent, according to the African Lions Roar Brand Finance Nation Brands report released last week.

 Natthapong Khromkrathok via 123RF

The USAs nation brand strengthened, with brand rating improving to AAA and brand value up 23% to US$25.9tn.

China continued growth, with brand value up 25% to US$12.8tn, despite trade war fears.

Germany solidified third position with fastest-growing brand value in top 50, up 28% to US$5.1tn.

Despite Brexit uncertainties, UK brand value increased 20% to US$3.8tn.

Top 10 Fastest-Growing Nation Brands



Rank 2018



Rank 2017



Nation Brand



% change



Brand Value (USD bn) 2018



Brand Value (USD bn) 2017



Brand rating 2018



Brand rating 2017



96



100



Cyprus



+39%



21



15



AA-



AA-



95



98



DR Congo



+38%



22



16



BBB



BBB



56



57



Egypt



+37%



121



88



A+



A+



72



77



Kenya



+37%



52



38



A+



A+



88



93



Tanzania



+35%



29



22



A+



A



78



83



Ethiopia



+29%



40



31



A



A



62



62



Slovenia



+29%



82



63



AA-



AA-



84



90



Ghana



+28%



32



25



A+



A+



3



3



Germany



+28%



5,147



4,021



AAA



AAA-



82



87



Estonia



+27%



35



28



AA+



AA+



Top 10 Most Valuable Nation Brands



Rank 2018



Rank 2017



Nation Brand



Brand Value (USD bn) 2018



% change



Brand Value (USD bn) 2017



Brand rating 2018



Brand rating 2017



1



1



United States



25,899



+23%



21,055



AAA



AAA-



2



2



China



12,779



+25%



10,209



AA



AA



3



3



Germany



5,147



+28%



4,021



AAA



AAA-



4



5



United Kingdom



3,750



+20%



3,129



AAA



AAA



5



4



Japan



3,598



+5%



3,439



AAA-



AAA-



6



6



France



3,224



+9%



2,969



AA+



AA+



7



7



Canada



2,224



+8%



2,056



AAA-



AAA-



8



9



Italy



2,214



+9%



2,034



AA-



A+



9



8



India



2,159



+5%



2,046



AA



AA



10



10



South Korea



2,001



+8%



1,845



AA



AA



Chinas boom

Britain stable

Turkey turmoil

Singapore possibilities

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Ghana have all recorded outstanding growth between 28% and 38% year on year.David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance, commented: Starting from a low economic base and still troubled by political instability, Africa is nonetheless beginning to demonstrate its true potential. Following in the footsteps of Asian tigers with remarkable advances in this years ranking, African lions are the future of global economic growth.In spite of fast brand value growth among other African nation brands, South Africa and Nigeria remain the continents most valuable, with brand values at US$207 and US$203 respectively.Jeremy Sampson, managing director of Brand Finance Africa, commented: Ranked 49and 50in the world, South Africa and Nigeria are still the main powerhouses of the African economy, but compared to other fast-growing African nation brands, look like two lions that have lost their roar. As South Africa struggles to recover from the mismanagement and criminality of the Zuma years, it is also in danger of being overtaken by Nigeria.Also highlighted in the report:Topping the table as the worlds most valuable nation brand, the USAs brand value has gone up 23% over the past year to US$25.9 trillion.The US economy has expanded at a speedy pace, with growth expected to continue in the months to come. Alongside the GDP, also consumer sales, construction orders, car output and other indicators of growth have each seen an increase  proving the US economy truly is booming.In addition, thanks to the falling tax rates, which have created a more business-friendly environment, the USAs Brand Strength Index (BSI) score has improved from 83.8 in 2017 to 85.6 out of 100 this year. As a result, Americas brand rating has been upgraded from AAA- to AAA, and the brand value leader has also moved up the brand strength ranking, replacing Sweden as the 8strongest nation brand in the world.David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance, commented: As Donald Trump approaches the start of his third year at the White House, in the longer run, negative perceptions of his personal brand have turned out to have little impact on the nation brand as a whole. Rather, the new free-market policies have resonated with business leaders and the economy is growing, driving an improvement in Americas brand strength and brand value alike.China maintains its spot as the second most valuable nation brand, with brand value up 25% to US$12.8 trillion. China performs well despite the prospects of a protracted trade war with the US, displaying the established robustness of the Chinese economy.This rise in brand value is also a credit to booming cities like Beijing and Shanghai, for their worldclass infrastructure and well-educated workforce, which make them some of the world's best places to do business.Whilst Chinas brand strength remains relatively low at 73.5, it has grown faster than for any other big nation brand, with whole two points added to the countrys Brand Strength Index (BSI) score over the past year. The improvement comes as China steps up its role on the global stage, championing free trade and leading the efforts to combat climate change at a time when the USA is turning towards protectionism and prioritising own interests over a collaborative energy policy.Recent years have also seen China shift focus from commoditised production to building world-class brands, such as Huawei and Alibaba, whose success in turn reinforces the strength of the nation brand.David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance, commented: The rise of Chinas nation brand is down to global leadership, pro-business outlook, and a steely determination for the country to create brands rather than just products. The current governments renewed commitment towards free trade, opening up of the Chinese market, and enhancing protection of intellectual property will make for a yet improved business environment in the years to come.The fastest-growing brand in the top 50 of the Brand Finance Nation Brands 2018, Germany has seen a 28% brand value jump to US$5.1 trillion over the past year. This has solidified the countrys position as Europes most valuable nation brand and the worlds third.Following strong growth, Germany has more than doubled the lead over the fourth brand in the table, from US$582 billion in 2017 to US$1.4 trillion this year. Reinforced by the countrys status as the leading force in the European Union and its growing global role both economically and at the political negotiating table, Germanys brand strength has also improved, leading to a lift in brand rating from AAA- to AAA.Perceived vulnerability undermines Britains standing on the global stage, reflected in the nation brands strength falling slightly since last year, from 85.3 to 84.8, but a healthy economy and positive growth forecasts show Britains resilience in the face of Brexit. The UKs nation brand has recorded a solid 20% growth year on year to US$3.8 trillion, replacing Japan in fourth place.David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance, commented: Britains performance in this years study of the worlds nation brands shows that perceptions of Brexit go against the economic reality. What the exact scenario and consequences of exiting the EU will be still remains to be seen, but both current market conditions and economic forecasts for the coming years reaffirm Britains ability to make the most of its post-Brexit future.The ongoing economic crisis alongside the fall in value of the Lira have seen Turkeys brand value decline by one third to US$382 billion from US$570 billion last year. Turbulent political times in the wider region, such as the ongoing crises in Syria and Iraq, have also played a part.The mission ahead is to nurture global Turkish brands, such as the national carrier Turkish Airlines, which has shown a promising rise in its brand value since last year, up 6% to over US$2.0 billion.In addition to measuring overall brand value, Brand Finance also evaluates the relative strength of nation brands, determined by performance on dozens of data points across three key pillars: goods and services, investment and society.According to these criteria, Singapore has claimed the title of the worlds strongest nation brand once again this year, earning the elite AAA+ rating and a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 92.4 out of 100. A strong nation brand denotes a highly attractive environment for investment and Singapore has carved a global reputation for itself as a well-educated nation with a high quality of life. Singapore is also the recognised technology hub in Asia - where most of the sectors companies have their headquarters and where Facebook has just announced plans to open its new data centre in 2022.Whilst also boasting a good infrastructure, the Asia Pacific powerhouse is ideally positioned for connections with China, Hong Kong and Australia.Los Angeles:

Actor Viggo Mortensen is all set to make his directorial debut with family drama Falling. The film, which is about a son's relationship with his aging father, has been written by the actor and he will also produce it. The 59-year-old actor will also star in the project and he will be joined by Lance Henriksen and Sverrir Gudnason in the cast, reported Deadline.

Mortensen will play John Petersen who lives with his partner Eric and their adopted daughter Monica in Southern California. His father Willis (Henriksen) is a farmer whose attitudes and behaviour belong to a more traditional era and family model.

Also Read | Robin Wright to be honoured at Marrakech Film Festival

When Willis travels to Los Angeles for an indefinite stay with John's family in order to search for a place to retire, the two different worlds collide.

The actor, best known for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, is currently awaiting the release of drama Green Book. The film, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, also features Oscar winner Mahershala Ali.

Also Read | Marriage to Tom Cruise protected me from harassment: Nicole Kidman

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Hollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

Union Minister MJ Akbar slapped a private criminal defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani on Monday amid the raging #MeToo campaign against male predators. Now, reports have been doing the rounds that the Union Minister has hired a battery of 97 lawyers to represent him in the Patiala House Courts. However, Karanjawala & Co, the law firm which is fighting Akbar's case, said that only six will appear on MJ Akbars behalf.

Read More | Stephen Hawking's final book offers brief answers to big questions

Our firm has 100 lawyers. We usually have all the names printed in one vakalatnama with only the ones who will appear in the case signing it. Our criminal team has six members and only those six will appear in this case. Only they have signed the vakalatnama, a spokesperson of the firm told News18.



Senior partner Sandeep Kapur, Principal associate Veer Sandhu, Senior associates Niharika Karanjawala, Apoorva Pandey, Mayank Dutta and Associate Gudipati G Kashyap, are the ones who have signed the vakalatnama and are likely to appear in the case, according to the firm.

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Ramani recently accused the minister of state for external affairs of sexual misconduct as the #MeToo campaign took India by storm.

Reacting to the accusations and allegations against him, Akbar had issued a statement on Sunday and said that he would take legal action against the accusers.





For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi :

A history student in Tamil Nadus Coimbatore was suspended by her college allegedly for celebrating the birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh, a revolutionary of Indian independence movement.

S Malathi, a student of MA first year in Government Arts College, Coimbatore was suspended indefinitely by the college authorities for celebrating Bhagat Singhs birth anniversary on September 28. She was handed a suspension from the classes on October 1, a day before Gandhi Jayanti.

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I and some of my friends went to the Principal seeking her permission to celebrate Bhagat Singh's birth anniversary. She refused and asked us to talk to out HoD. However, the HoD was on leave so I asked my tutor. He also denied the permission. But I decided to celebrate it being a student of history, news agency ANI quoted Malathi as saying.

She said that she was given suspension later a week after not being allowed to attend the classes. For a week, I kept on going for classes but my teacher kept me out. On the 9th day, I was told that I am suspended," she said.

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A college official, however, said that she was suspended for arguing with the principal. According to The Times of India, the official said that the principal had denied the permission but "directed them to conduct it at the department level after obtaining permission from the head of the department".

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

Beer supply worldwide might suffer shortages owing to severe climate changes across the world that may affect its consumption and price, experts say. Climate change in different places across the globe such as widespread drought and heat may lead to fall in the consumption of the drink and rise in its prices, according to a new study published in Nature Plants.



The study warns that widespread severe drought and heat may cause substantial fall in the global production of barley which is used to make beer, the most popular alcoholic drink in the world.

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According to researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in the UK, during the most severe climate events, the results indicate that global beer consumption would decline by 16 per cent, or 29 billion litresroughly equal to the total annual beer consumption in the USand that beer prices would on average double.



Even in less severe extreme events, beer consumption drops by four per cent and prices rise by 15 per cent, researchers said. The findings suggest that total beer consumption decreases most under climate change in the countries that consumed the most beer by volume in recent years.

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For example, the volume consumed in China the largest consuming countryfalls by more than any other country as the severity of extreme events increases, and by 4.34 billion litres in the most severe, researchers said.



(With inputs from agencies)

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday and held talks with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud over the disappearance of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the official said.

Pompeo is also scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over dinner on the same issue as the investigation into the missing of prominent journalist intensifies.

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According to reports, Saudi Arabia is preparing to acknowledge that Khashoggi was killed during a botched interrogation by mistake. However, King Salman denied of having knowledge of what happened to the missing journalist.

Pompeo, one of the US top diplomats, was dispatched to the Kingdom by President Donald Trump to seek answers over the disappearance of Khashoggi during a face to face meetings with the Saudi leadership, sources said.

He (Saudi King Salman) said that they are working closely with Turkey to find answer. I am immediately sending our Secretary of State to meet with King, US President Donald Trump tweeted.

Just spoke to the King of Saudi Arabia who denies any knowledge of whatever may have happened to our Saudi Arabian citizen. He said that they are working closely with Turkey to find answer. I am immediately sending our Secretary of State to meet with King!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 15, 2018

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Khashoggi, a Saudi national and a US resident, went missing after he walked into his countrys consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

"Rogue killers" could be to blame for the disappearance of Khashoggi, who has not been seen since he walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to sort out marriage paperwork, Trump told reporters after telephone talks with the king.

(With inputs from agencies)

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.BETHEL  Police officers began the complex task Tuesday of moving into their new headquarters on Judd Avenue.

Originally we were planning to move out by the end of August but the day has finally arrived, said Police Chief Jeffrey Finch. From security cameras to phones, radio communications and even key fobs, there are a lot of details that have to be considered in such a move.

Officers began unpacking their belongings early in the day as crews with a variety of companies helped with the arduous task of switching the 911 dispatch center and radio communications to the new facility.

Capt. Steven Pugner said dispatch services were transferred temporarily to the Danbury Police Department Tuesday afternoon while the Bethel equipment was taken out of the old building on Plumtrees Road and installed in the new facility, which is around 25,000 square feet.

If all goes as planned we should have the 911 center up and running and be using the new headquarters by this evening, he said.

Signs on the front door of the old police station were already directing residents and visitors to the new building on Judd Avenue around midday.

Several detectives were also preparing evidence that needed to be transported to the new building while construction crews completed shelving in the new evidence room. Because of the courts chain of custody laws, only police officers can move the evidence.

Besides evidence and technology, there was also about 70 years worth of records that had to be transported to the new facility. Clerks had begun running out of room to store records at the old building. Files had been stored everywhere from closets to a shed out back.

Construction on the new, larger and more modern building began in May 2017 and was originally slated to cost about $13.5 million. However, because of cost overruns with the plumbing and HVAC systems officials needed another $900,000 to complete the project. Voters approved the additional funding during a Town Meeting in May.

Among the residents who voted in favor was Tom Mason, the former head of the Police Commission who pushed the department in 1999 to explore expanding its station.

This building is a sign of what Bethels future will be, he said in May.

While most of the building is complete, additional financing will be needed to complete the firing range.

Finch said he plans to ask sometime after the station is complete for a special appropriation from the town to pay for the ranges equipment. This has been estimated to cost around $600,000, but that number could change.

dperrefort@newstimes.com/ Contributed photo

BROOKFIELD  The Brookfield Veterans of Foreign Wars is collecting the names of residents serving in the military.

The VFW aims to mail supplies and letters and provide other support to these soldiers, sailors and Marines. Brookfield students are also encouraged to help write letters.DANBURY  As math testing scores lag well below the state average, city school board members are worried about the districts struggle to lift the scores of the neediest students.

Between growing numbers of poor students and children still learning to speak English, school board members say the gap will only get harder to close without major changes.

District administrators said it will be a while before overall scores improve as children work through the districts new, updated math curriculum in the coming years.

It will take some time for teachers to adjust to the new math and for students to adjust to the new math, but in the meantime weve identified some of the gaps students have been experiencing, said Kara Quinn Casimiro, director of instruction and assessment.

Its been difficult to implement, but we are on the right path, I believe, she said. Its not where it needs to be and we can do a lot better  but we do have a plan in place.

Only 36.3 percent of Danbury students met state standards on their math assessments, compared to 46.7 percent of students statewide, according to district statistics.

Although scores have improved both locally and statewide over the past three years, Danbury students have lagged about 10 points behind each year.

Despite gains in most Danbury grade levels, school board members were concerned over the perceived lack of progress toward closing the gap between local sores and the state average at a recent meeting.

Board member David Metrena lamented that the board and administration have spent several years redeveloping and tweaking their Common Core math curriculum  often derided  seemingly to no avail.

It doesnt surprise me that were seeing this on standardized testing when, in my opinion, were missing the absolute basics in math, he said. Were doing all these different things and models on how to solve problems, but the core foundational ability to add, subtract, divide and multiply  I see a correlation there.

The districts new math curriculum has shown double-digit growth in the classrooms where it has been piloted and that improved curriculum will be rolled out to each classroom by the end of this school year, said Kara Wanzer, the districts administrator for data, assessment and research.

About 40 percent of all Danbury students are still learning English and a full two-thirds qualify for free or reduced-price lunch this school year.

The district populations continuing shift toward poor and English- language-learner students poses another challenge to pulling scores up, district leaders said.

Its hard to want to know more about math or science when you cant even ask when you need to go to the bathroom, school board Emanuela Palmares said.

No longer are those children a subset of the student body, but really the meat and potatoes of who the district serves, Palmares said.

Understanding how that shifts the needs of students, teachers and the curriculum is the only way for the district to make dramatic improvements to its overall scores, she and school board member Richard Janelli agreed.

There has to be some adjustment in terms of the way we have been teaching and the way we now should be teaching to address this particular population, Janelli said. That combined with the high percentage of the free and reduced price lunches puts a phenomenal challenge on the district.

zach.murdock@hearstmediact.comWASHINGTON - Jahana Hayes, a political newcomer vying for the 5th District congressional seat, has pulled in nearly $1.3 million in campaign donations since she announced her candidacy in May.

Hayes, a former national Teacher of the Year, raised about $790,000 for her campaign in the last quarter, the latest filings with the Federal Elections Commission show.

Hayess Republican opponents, former Meriden Mayor Manny Santos, reported raising about $52,000 in his bid for the 5th District congressional seat and had about $14,000 in his campaign as of Sept. 30. Hayes ended the quarter with more than $610,000 in cash on hand.

Hayess personal story has captured national attention - she grew up in public housing in Waterbury and was a teen mom - and many of her contributions come from out of state.

Hayess campaign has also raised a sizable amount of money, about $240,000, from political action committees, or PACs, something candidates who are not incumbents usually find hard to do.

PACs representing a wide range of interests  from defense contractors like General Dynamics to teachers organizations like the National Education Association  donated to Hayess campaign. So have a number of Democratic organizations and progressive groups, including the Congressional Progressive Caucus, MoveOn.org. and Emilys List, which donates to pro-choice candidates.

Hayes has also received contributions from at least a dozen members of Congress, including Reps. Jim Himes, D-4th District, and Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, who hosted a fund raiser this summer for Hayess primary opponent, Mary Glassman. Each gave the campaign $2,000.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi also contributed $2,000 , as did the No. 2 Democratic leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who came to Connecticut last week to hold a round table with Hayes on health care.

Hayes has said House Democrats need to usher in fresh faces and new leadership so that we represent diverse perspectives.

There is something to be said for the knowledge and experience of our current leadership, however if we are not opening the doors now to welcome future generations to the table it is to our peril, she said in an interview this summer.

Both Pelosi and Hoyer are in their late 70s. Some House Democrats  and younger Democratic candidates seeking office this year, are expected to push for younger leadership in the new Congress.WASHINGTON  For Connecticut residents and lawmakers living in the shadow of the 9/11 terror attacks, the presumed murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul has an all-too-familiar ring to it.

It shows essentially what the 9/11 families have been saying for the past 17 years, said Brett Eagleson, 32, of Middletown, who was 15 when his father Bruce, a manager for the Westfield shopping-center development company, died in the collapse of the World Trade Centers south tower. Saudi Arabia is not a friend of the United States.

News of possible Saudi government complicity in the death of Khashoggi evokes painful memories for Eagleson and countless family members of the 750 Connecticut residents who died the day terrorists, many of them Saudi citizens, hijacked jetliners and crashed them into the towers  bringing both to the ground and killing almost 3,000.

And for Connecticuts two Democratic senators, neither a fan of the Saudi kingdom to begin with, the disappearance and likely death of Khashoggi is added evidence for what they view as a needed redefinition of U.S.-Saudi relations.

The Saudis have to change behavior, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal. What we need to do over all is demand accountability transparency and respect for the basic values of humanity.

Sen. Chris Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he does not advocate blowing up the relationship, but I dont think it should be unconditional.

Uneasy relationship

Saudi Arabia has long adhered to an austere brand of Islam that identifies non-practitioners as heathens and enemies. It is said to be the theological basis for the terror tactics of Muslim extremists including ISIS and al-Qaida.

Weve been warning them to stop and they have not listened, Murphy said. I have never understood why we view them as invaluable ally.

The U.S. has a decades-long dependence on Saudi Arabia for oil,

but if (America) stopped buying, it would hurt Saudi Arabia more than the U.S., Murphy said.

Blumenthal was active in congressional approval of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act  JASTA  in 2016. Congress that year overrode a veto of it by President Obama.

JASTA allowed Eagleson and other family members to move forward on a lawsuit in federal court in Manhattan against the Saudi government. Plaintiffs are enmeshed in discovery  pursuing un-redacted documents from the FBI and Department of Justice that will aid their case.

On Sept. 26, Blumenthal co-sponsored a Senate measure along with Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, calling on the Justice Department to release all relevant documents. It won voice-vote approval.

Pursuing evidence

So far, according to Eagleson, the process has yielded a few documents with tantalizing clues  despite blanked-out portions. Among them are documents suggesting involvement of Saudi personnel at the kingdoms embassy in Washington.

Another document, according to Blumenthal, is one in which two named Saudis are tasked to provide support and financing to the hijackers by a third, whose name is redacted. Nine of the 15 hijackers involved in the 9/11 attacks were Saudi citizens.

Saudi Arabias royal family has long denied involvement in the 9/11 attacks. And on Tuesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with both King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh to discuss the Khashoggi disappearance.

Trump said Monday that the king had offered a flat denial. But Trump also said the death of Khashoggi may have been the work of rogue killers.

After complete denials, an emerging Saudi explanation appears to be that interrogation of Khashoggi went awry. But Turkish officials have said that among those entering the Istanbul consulate prior to the disappearance was a forensic specialist carrying a bone saw  suggesting Saudi agents dismembered Khashoggis remains for easier transport.

Trump has also said he is worried that any rupture in Saudi relations might cause the kingdom to renege on a $110 billion arms deal with the U.S.

Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee that oversees arms sales, said the number was wildly exaggerated and in part represented deals in the pipeline prior to Trump taking office last year.

Blumenthal said arms sales to Saudi Arabia should be halted and sanctions imposed.

dan@hearstdc.comThis appears in Tuesday's Washington Post:

---

Saudi Arabia, so far, has tried bluster and bullying to silence the questions about journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who disappeared in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago Tuesday. On Sunday, a regime statement threatened to "respond with a larger action" to any sanction stemming from the case; Saudi-owned media floated such steps as cutting back oil production, buying arms from Russia and holding back counterterrorism intelligence. On Monday, King Salman told President Donald Trump in a phone call that he "denies any knowledge of what took place," according to Trump, who added "it sounded to me like maybe it could have been rogue killers."

That preposterous suggestion may have anticipated a change in the Saudi story; CNN reported that the regime was preparing to admit that Khashoggi died in an interrogation gone wrong. If so, there must be consequences not just for those who supposedly erred in killing the journalist but also for whomever ordered the illegal operation in the first place. U.S. intelligence intercepts suggest the order came from Mohammed bin Salman, the reckless crown prince whose excesses had been criticized by Khashoggi in columns for The Washington Post.

We expect to learn more soon: Whatever happened to Khashoggi appears to have been recorded on video or audiotape. In the meantime, it's worth considering just how much the United States might have to lose if its relationship with Saudi Arabia ruptured. What about that oil, and the $110 billion in arms purchases Trump keeps talking about? What about the war on terrorism?

Start with the oil. Saudi Arabia, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, supplied 9 percent of U.S. petroleum imports in 2017, or about 960,000 barrels a day. But thanks to the shale revolution, the United States is essentially energy independent: It, not Saudi Arabia, is now the world's largest crude-oil producer. Last year, U.S. daily oil exports averaged 6.38 million barrels, or nearly seven times the Saudi imports. If the Saudis cut back production or boycotted the United States, they could temporarily drive up prices, but the beneficiaries would be U.S. shale companies, which over time would fill the gap - and deal a devastating blow to the Saudi oil industry.

As for arms sales, someone needs to brief Trump on the actual results of the promises made to him when he visited Riyadh last year. As Bruce Riedel of the Brookings Institution sums it up, "The Saudis have not concluded a single major arms deal with Washington on Trump's watch." Moreover, an end to supplies of U.S. spare parts and technical support, something Russia cannot provide, would quickly ground the Saudi air force. That would have the welcome effect of ending a bloody bombing campaign in Yemen that a U.N. investigation concluded was probably responsible for war crimes.

Saudi Arabia does supply the United States with counterterrorism intelligence. But as Andrew Miller of the Project on Middle East Democracy points out, stopping it "would be a colossal error . . . when there's already a strong perception in Congress and with Americans that Saudi Arabia has fueled extremism." Miller notes that a law passed by Congress in 2016 opens the way for civil suits against the Saudi government for any terrorist acts it enables.

The reality is that Saudi Arabia, which, as Trump himself has crudely pointed out, would not survive without U.S. security support, has everything to lose from a break in relations, while the United States no longer needs the kingdom as much as it once did. Trump has overvalued the relationship and encouraged Saudi leaders to believe they can behave recklessly and even criminally without consequence. Whatever the outcome of the Khashoggi case, a fundamental reshaping of the relationship - mandated by Congress, if necessary - is imperative.CALGARY, Oct. 16, 2018 /CNW/ - Inner Spirit Holdings Ltd. ("Inner Spirit" or "the Company") (CSE:ISH) is pleased to provide an update on its progress over the last 18 months in anticipation of opening its first Spiritleaf corporate and franchise recreational cannabis dispensaries in the coming weeks. The Company also announces the opening of its flagship lifestyle store at 6008 Macleod Trail in Calgary on October 17th. At this location, customers will have the opportunity to experience the Spiritleaf brand, purchase accessories and learn more about cannabis and Inner Spirit's initiatives, as it prepares to open its dispensaries.

"As we celebrate the end of prohibition, Inner Spirit is proud of the foundation our early work established: the infrastructure and partnerships we have put in place will help facilitate a prompt and smooth roll-out of our retail locations. We continue to build our franchise relationships and construct new stores as we await final municipal and provincial approvals for the openings of our Spiritleaf locations."

Regional Update: Licenses & Stores

BC  Along with its franchise partners, the Company has secured the maximum number of eight potential Spiritleaf locations in BC, which are all conditional upon receiving the necessary municipal and provincial permits. The Company and its franchise partners have started to submit their applications to the BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch and the respective municipalities in which it plans to operate with the first two applications referred to local government for approval.

Alberta  Collectively, the Company and its franchise partners have submitted applications to the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission ("AGLC") and various municipalities to operate stores throughout Alberta, with approvals anticipated in the coming weeks. The Company, along with its franchise partners, has received its first 21 conditional municipal development permits for stores to be located at:

1136  10th Avenue SW (Calgary) 10561  109 Street (Edmonton) 715 2nd Street West (Brooks) 2550 Country Hills Blvd (Calgary) 10903  23rd Avenue (Edmonton) 6014  48 Avenue (Camrose) 920 Centre Street North (Calgary) 10134  82 Avenue (Edmonton) 305 1 Street West (Cochrane) 3814 Bow Trail SW (Calgary) 13756  50 Street NW (Edmonton) 10119  101 Street (Lac La Biche) 1704  61 Street SE (Calgary) 9941  63 Avenue NW (Edmonton) 1335 TransCanada Way (Medicine Hat) 329 5th Street South (Lethbridge) 13111  156th Street (Edmonton) 10716  82 Avenue (Grande Prairie) 3444  99ST NW (Edmonton) 150 Bellerose Drive (St. Albert) 52 Brentwood Blvd (Sherwood Park)

The Company has secured an additional 23 locations in Banff, Beaumont, Calgary, Canmore, Cold Lake, Drayton Valley, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Fort Saskatchewan, Lac La Biche, Red Deer, Spruce Grove and Sherwood Park, which remain conditional on municipal and provincial approval.

Saskatchewan  Inner Spirit's franchise partner, 102037242 Saskatchewan Ltd., has been selected as a cannabis retailer for Moose Jaw, the province's fourth largest city. The franchise partners have completed their training, and with the nearing completion, Inner Spirit looks forward to sharing the Spiritleaf experience with the Moose Jaw community. To ensure individuals across the province can purchase from Spiritleaf online, the Company has selected Shopify to provide a secure and reliable e-commerce solution for Saskatchewan customers.

Manitoba  The Company has prequalified for the next Manitoba lottery for cannabis retail licences to be granted by the Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Procurement Services Branch. The Company has committed to allocate at least 33% of its franchises in Manitoba to Indigenous entrepreneurs and has received a letter of support from Chief Keith Pashe of the Dakota Tipi First Nation. Inner Spirit believes that its franchise model presents economic development opportunities for all Manitobans, including Indigenous entrepreneurs. In addition, Inner Spirit believes its approach aligns with the province's goal that, within two years of legalization, 90% of Manitobans will be able to access legal cannabis within a 30-minute drive or less.

Ontario  The Company has opened its Ontario office and secured prime locations throughout the province to open its first wholly owned corporate cannabis stores when private recreational cannabis retail becomes legal on April 1, 2019. It has also granted its first 13 franchises and continues to perform its due diligence on the hundreds of franchise applications that it has received from prospective entrepreneurs who want to join the Spiritleaf team. The Company is simultaneously exploring other strategic opportunities to maximize its footprint in the province.

Spirit Fund Update: Community Engagement

The Spirit Fund is a community engagement program with a focus on establishing deep roots in the community through education and local initiatives. With the legalization of cannabis in Canada comes the opportunity for Spirit Fund to support and enrich its communities in new ways. As part of Inner Spirit's corporate update, the Company would like to call attention to Spirit Fund's participation in Secret Path Week, a national movement commemorating the legacies of Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack. Secret Path Week aims to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous people together in the spirit of reconciliation through education, awareness and understanding.

The Spirit Fund and The Calgary Underground Film Festival (CUFF), as part of the Downie Wenjack Secret Path Week, will be presenting a screening of The Secret Path. This animated film is an adaptation of Gord Downie's album and Jeff Lemire's graphic novel. Working with Downie's poetry and music, Lemire has created a powerful visual representation of the life of Chanie Wenjack. The screening takes place at the Globe Cinema, 617 8 Ave SW on Thursday October 18, at 7:00pm. Admission is by donation, and all proceeds will go to the Downie Wenjack Fund.

For more information please contact [email protected] or visit CalgaryUndergroundFilm.org.

About Inner Spirit

Inner Spirit is establishing a chain of recreational cannabis dispensaries under its Spiritleaf brand. Supporting local entrepreneurs by applying its award-winning franchise and retail models, Inner Spirit has more than 110 franchise agreements in place for potential Spiritleaf locations and will also operate corporate dispensaries in certain jurisdictions. Developing a diverse portfolio of quality and curated lifestyle cannabis products  including Spiritleaf's own locally sourced lines  Inner Spirit's Spiritleaf brand is positioned to be an iconic Canadian brand and the most trusted source for recreational cannabis. More information can be found on Inner Spirit's website at www.innerspiritholdings.com.

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains statements and information that, to the extent that they are not historical fact, may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information may include financial and other projections, as well as statements regarding future plans, objectives or economic performance, or the assumption underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "except", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "project", "estimate", "outlook", "potential", or the negative thereof or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the objectives and business plans of the Company; the establishment of recreational cannabis dispensaries in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario; the intention to grow the Company's business and operations; the receipt of necessary licenses and permits to open stores; the legalization of cannabis for recreational use in Canada, including federal and provincial regulations pertaining thereto, including the establishment of private retail in Alberta and the timing related thereto and the Company's intention to participate in such market, if and when legalized; the competitive conditions of the industries in which the Company operates; and laws and any amendments thereto applicable to the Company.

SOURCE Inner Spirit Holdings

For further information: Investor Relations, Email: [email protected], Phone: 1 (403) 930-9300, www.innerspiritholdings.comState Forest Rangers came to the rescue recently of a female hiker who tripped, fell on a rock and was knocked unconscious.

Rangers also responded to incidents involving hikers who were lost and suffered other injuries, in addition to helping find a lost hunter.

The incidents noted below occurred between Oct. 10-14. All specifics were supplied by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Town of Wilmington

Essex County

Wilderness Mountain Rescue: "On Oct. 13 at 12:23 p.m., DEC's Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Essex County 911 reporting a 20-year-old woman who had fallen while climbing Esther Mountain. She proceeded ahead of her group and was later found shortly after, unconscious from hitting her head on a nearby rock. The hiking group was about a half-mile up the trail from the parking lot at the Atmospheric Science Research Center in the Wilmington Wild Forest. Under the direction of Lt. Gary Friedrich, Rangers Robert Praczkajlo and Kevin Burns responded to the trailhead. At 1:15 p.m., Rangers Praczkajlo and Burns and the Wilmington EMS were preparing to carry the subject back to the waiting ambulance. At 1:45 p.m., the hiker was at the ambulance and en route to the local hospital for additional medical attention."

Town of Waverly

Franklin County

Wilderness Search: "On Oct. 10 at 10:47 a.m., New York State Police in Plattsburgh requested Forest Ranger assistance for a missing 80-year-old man from Ogdensburg. The man was initially reported missing from his camp situated near the Santa Clara Conservation Easement. At 4:25 p.m., the man was located in good health by Rangers David Russell and Peter Evans. The Rangers had followed his tracks for approximately one-half mile from his camp before making voice contact. At 5:49 p.m., the man was turned over to St. Regis Falls EMS for transport to Canton-Potsdam Hospital for evaluation. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents also aided in the search. "

Town of Webb

Herkimer County

Wilderness Mountain Rescue: "At 1:15 p.m. on Oct. 10, DEC's Ray Brook Dispatch was contacted by a hiking group leader on Bald Mountain concerning a 73-year-old female from Apache, AZ, who fell near the summit, injuring her ankle. Five Rangers from Region 6 and two Rangers from Region 5 responded along with volunteers from the Old Forge Fire Department. Rangers reached the woman at 2:10 p.m. After treatment, she was packaged into a litter and prepared for a carry out. As the trail was muddy and slippery, low angel rope rescue techniques were used at five different locations along the trail. The rescue team arrived at the trailhead at 3:30 p.m., and the woman was transferred to Old Forge EMS and transported to St. Luke's in Utica for treatment. The incident concluded at 4:30 p.m."

Town of Keene

Essex County

Wilderness Search: "On Oct. 11 at 9:09 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a request for assistance from two hikers, 25 and 26 years old from Buffalo, who became disoriented while descending the Great Range. Coordinates provided by the subjects placed them slightly off the trail. Ranger Robbi Mecus was dispatched to search for the subjects and arrived on scene at 10:30 p.m. Ray Brook reestablished contact with the subjects and transferred the call to Ranger Mecus, who advised the pair to head in a direction for 15 minutes to locate the trail. This attempt was unsuccessful. Ranger Mecus then advised the hikers to head in the direction of Deer Brook. Once they reached Deer Brook, the pair followed it down to the falls. Ranger Mecus located the subjects at 11:56 p.m., and escorted them out to the trailhead to her Ranger patrol vehicle. The subjects were given a courtesy ride back to their vehicle and the incident concluded at 12:45 a.m. "

Town of Diana

Lewis County

Wilderness Search: "On Oct. 13 at 4:24 p.m., Ranger Peter Evans was called by Lewis County 911 requesting assistance with locating a disoriented 51-year-old hunter from Harrisville. The hunter had started his day off of Route 812 when he realized he had become disoriented. He called for assistance, and the coordinates obtained by Lewis County 911 placed him about half a mile off Route 3. Under the direction of Lt. Scott Murphy, Rangers Luke Evans and Brandon Poulton were assigned to assist with the search. At 5:22 p.m., Rangers located the man and guided him to Route 3 where he got a ride back to his vehicle."

Town of Fort Ann

Washington County

Wilderness Search: "On Oct. 13 at 6:48 p.m., a call came into Ray Brook Dispatch through Washington County 911 reporting two hikers in their 20s stranded off trail on Buck Mountain. The pair started their hike from Pilot Knob and on the descent found themselves in unfamiliar territory without headlamps and darkness setting in. The hikers were roughly three-quarters of the way up the mountain from the Pilot Knob Trailhead and were losing cell phone battery power. Under the authority of Lt. Jaime Laczko, Rangers Anthony Goetke and Mark St. Claire responded to the trailhead to assist the hikers off the mountain. At 10:26 p.m., Rangers found the men in good health and started the long hike back to their vehicle. At 12:06 a.m., everyone was back to the trailhead and en route to their residences."

Towns of Keene and North Elba

Essex County

Wilderness Mountain Rescues: "On Oct. 14 at 3:36 p.m., Essex County 911 transferred a caller to DEC's Ray Brook Dispatch reporting a 33-year-old woman from Ottawa, Ontario, with a possible broken ankle below the summit of the first of the Three Brothers. The hiker had slipped and fallen on the trail and was immobile. Six Forest Rangers responded per Lt. Gary Friedrich's orders for a carryout. The hiker was returned to the trailhead at 7:51 p.m. Her ankle was re-splinted by Rangers and she was transported by her hiking party back to Canada for further medical care. Just as this rescue concluded, Rangers were directed to a second rescue in progress involving a second ankle injury on the Lake Arnold Trail. Initially, Rangers Robert Zurek and Thomas Gliddi responded to a call at 6:43 p.m. for a 19-year-old woman from Bay Shores with a broken ankle. The Rangers from the first rescue met up with the injured party and assisted Rangers Zurek and Gliddi with the long carryout to Marcy Dam. The woman was returned to Adirondack Loj by 11:38 p.m."

Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC's Hiking Safety and Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for more information.Rochester, N.Y. -- New York's highest court officially removed Rochester City Court Judge Leticia Astacio from the bench today.



The state's judicial watchdog, the Commission on Judicial Conduct, recommended that Astacio be removed in April, according to the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. She appealed to the state Court of Appeals, which ruled unanimously against her today.





Astacio's problems began in 2016 with an arrest for misdemeanor drunken driving. She cursed at law enforcement during the incident and tried to use her position as a judge to get out of trouble, the commission found.



She tried to start her vehicle months later after testing positive for alcohol on an ignition interlock device. She skipped a court-ordered alcohol test and failed to appear in 2017 after departing for a trip to Thailand.



She was jailed for 60 days when she returned. Astacio was arrested again after the commission's initial investigation for trying to buy a gun at Dick's Sporting Goods, in violation of her probation from the earlier drunken driving charges.



She was turned away by the store.



Astacio also showed questionable temperament on the bench in several cases and made inappropriate comments, according to the D&C.



The Court of Appeals said Astacio did not seem to grasp the "gravity and impact of her behavior" and how it tainted public perception, the D&C said. Astacio did not respond to requests for comment, the paper said.



She is facing a felony gun charge in connection with her attempt to buy a firearm at Dick's, according to WHEC in Rochester.



"It is never a pleasant duty to remove a judge from office," Robert Tembeckjian, administrator for the judicial conduct commission, said in a statement, according to the D&C. "Where the misconduct is egregious, there is little choice, if the public confidence in the administration of justice is to be preserved."



The appeals court had already suspended Astacio from the bench. She has largely been absent from work since the initial drunken driving arrest after administrators decided she shouldn't hear cases, according to the D&C.



She continued to collect her salary of over $187,000. The pay ended Tuesday, the D&C said.

Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.

Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.

A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.IT research and consulting firm Information Services Group is aiming to tap into the growing market for blockchain with a new service aimed at improving clients operations through the distributed-ledger technology.

Officials at Stamford-based ISG cited their belief in the growth potential of blockchain as a motivator for rolling out the ISG Blockchain Now service. The global market value of blockchain could surpass $300 billion by 2025 and $2 trillion by 2030, the firm estimates.

Blockchain is demonstrating its practical application now within enterprises, ISG CEO and Chairman Michael Connors said in a statement. As the technology matures, it has the potential to be the next internet, a decentralized system that will dramatically disrupt all supply chain processes and commercial transactions.

Often described as a network that functions as a digital ledger for transactions, blockchain is gaining popularity as a tool to bolster businesses data security and transaction-processing speeds. It plays an increasingly prominent role in financial services including cryptocurrency. But more than half of its uses are outside that sector, according to ISG.

ISG Blockchain Now would support businesses through a three-step process that would prepare clients for blockchain, identify operations that could be improved with the technology and then develop and implement blockchain applications.

Our clients want to understand where the opportunities are, the value of those opportunities and which technology providers are best able to meet their needs, Connors said. Our ISG Blockchain Now solution will help them answer those important questions, and quickly begin to realize the value of blockchain right now."

ISGs operations and revenues have grown significantly in recent years.

Second-quarter revenues hit $71 million, up 4 percent from a year ago. The company recorded a $2.4 million profit, compared with a $300,000 loss a year ago.

Among recent milestones, ISG opened in May an 18,000-square-foot headquarters at 2187 Atlantic St., in the Harbor Point neighborhood of the citys South End.

In the recently renovated 2187 Atlantic, ISG has taken the entire eighth floor, where about 25 are based.

The new offices include a tech bar for employees, similar to an Apple stores Genius Bar, a training center for employees and clients and a space where the company can showcase digital services such as robotic process automation involving software bots. RPA technology automates functions including extracting and sending out overdue invoices, allowing workers to focus on other tasks.

We wanted to be in a physical space that was vibrant, emerging and growing, Connors said at an opening ceremony for the new headquarters. As we measured and considered alternatives, we felt the Harbor Point area met all of our criteria.

ISG had formerly occupied about 9,000 square feet in the downtown office block at 281 Tresser Blvd., its home since its founding.

Worldwide, ISG employs about 1,300, including about 500 at its Global Operations Center in Bangalore, India.

The company serves some 700 clients in about 20 countries. It does business with about 20 large companies headquartered in Connecticut including Pitney Bowes and Marriott International subsidiary Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide  both based in Stamford  as well as Norwalk-based Xerox and United Technologies.

pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; Twitter: @paulschottGot a question or tip? Contact us at bizmojoidaho@gmail.com.Seven Connecticut were among 31 drivers arrested by New York State Police on DWI charges last weekend.

New York troopers from a number of barracks worked together to removed the 31 impaired drivers from public roads last Saturday and Sunday.

The Connecticut drivers included:

State Police from Brewster arrested Sara L. Tomascak, 27, of New Milford, for DWI. She was traveling on State Route 22 in the town of Southeast, when she was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that she was impaired by alcohol, and was arrested.

State Police from Brewster arrested Elsa I. Chanchavac, 40, of Danbury, for DWI. She was traveling on Danbury Road in the town of Southeast, when she was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that she was impaired by alcohol, and was arrested.

State Police from East Fishkill arrested Kleber N. Curay-Munoz, 36, of Danbury, for DWI. He was traveling on I-84 in the town of Southeast, when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was arrested.

State Police from Bedford arrested Maria J. Jeton Torres, 30, of Brookfield, for DWI. She was traveling on I-684 in the town of Bedford, when she was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that she was impaired by alcohol, and was arrested.

State Police from Dover Plains arrested Miltiathis J. Partalas, 32, of Hamden, for DWI. He was traveling on State Route 343 in the town of Washington, when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was arrested.

State Police from Livingston arrested Marissa A. Novack, 30, of Stamford, for DWI. She was traveling on State Route 23B in the town of Greenport, when she was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that she was impaired by alcohol, and was arrested.

State Police from East Fishkill arrested Danniel Monteiro Santos, 27, of Danbury, for DWI. He was traveling on I-84 in the town of Southeast, when he was stopped for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Investigation revealed that he was impaired by alcohol, and was arrested.

For the complete list of DUI arrested from last weekend, click hereNEW HAVEN  A massive fire in 2007 and subsequent demolition of two buildings left a gaping hole through a block on Chapel Street, one that has remained there for more than a decade.

The incident generated multiple lawsuits as the city tried to recover the $1.8 million cost to raze the building owned by Paul Denz of Mid-Block Development LLC and a second building that was damaged as a result of the demolition.

Those grievances were ameliorated in a 2011 settlement in which New Haven recovered $1.77 million and the large space was converted to a gravel-covered parking lot and sometime art display site.

That is all in the past now as Denz submits plans to the City Plan Commission for a 7-story, mixed-use building that will front on Chapel Street and feature 120 apartments and 2,079 square feet of retail space on the first floor.

The plans proposed by Denz include a two-level garage with a total of 54 vehicle parking spaces split between the first floor and an underground level. Some 45 bicycles can be accommodated on the first floor of the garage with more space on the lower level.

The garage entrance would be on Crown Street which is where vehicles using the current parking lot now enter the site.

A description of the plans, as outlined by DTC engineering consultants, said the apartment complex would have a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units with amenities on the second and third floors.

There will be outdoor patio areas and a partial vegetated green roof on the second floor as a way to retain stormwater, as well as an outdoor deck area on the roof level, according to documents at the City Plan Department.

The engineers said surface storm drainage will be collected on the building roof, routed through the building and then piped into the existing storm drainage on Chapel Street.

Denz could not be reached for comment Monday.

The building that was razed originally housed the Kresge variety store. It was bound by 842 Chapel St., as well as Orange, Center and Church streets.

A multi-level building at 808-810 Chapel St., at the corner of Orange Street, next to this property  also owned by Denz  had to be demolished in 2015 when a 3-foot piece of a roof cornice fell onto the sidewalk.

Denz previously had talked about a smaller apartment complex  some 40 units  at this corner site and he already has constructed four apartments at 91 Church St. above commercial space leased to Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

The proposal for the 7-story complex originally had been scheduled for discussion Wednesday at the City Plan Commission, but it is expected to be tabled until the developer submits a stormwater management report and answers other questions, according to city plan staff.

Part of the site under review is a small piece of land at 848 Chapel St. that the city owns.

It was the location of Concord 9, a jewelry store, that was damaged when an I-beam gave way from the partially demolished adjoining building in 2008. The city subsequently purchased that razed lot for $700,000 in a settlement.

The proposed apartment house development will include a land disposition agreement for this piece of property with New Haven that will need approval by the Board of Alders.

Denz, through his firm, Northside Development Co., owns or owned multiple buildings downtown.

He sold the iconic Exchange Building in April 2017 at the corner of Church and Chapel streets, for more than twice what he paid for it in 2013.

New England Investment Partners out of Boston bought the four-story Greek revival office building at 123-127 Church St. for $6.4 million, more than doubling the $2.7 million it cost Denz.

The developer also owns 96 Orange St., where there is a Davita Health Center, a parking garage and a now-closed art gallery.

Northside Development Co. also owns the 18-story former First Niagara Bank property at 195 Church St., which Denz bought for $18.25 million three years ago.

mary.oleary@hearstmediact.com; 203-641-2577NEW HAVEN  The Board of Education has placed numerous computers and devices in high schools with the largest need through numerous funding streams, and a school board Finance Committee discussed Monday how to expand the way those devices are being used.

James Hillhouse High School Principal Glen Worthy mentioned the district recently ordered 650 Apple computers for the school, but the computers do not travel home with the students because the district has not worked out a suitable insurance policy.

My dream is that a kid can go anywhere in New Haven and pick up Wi-Fi, said member Tamiko Jackson-McArthur.

According to New Haven Public Schools Chief Operating Officer Will Clark, the school now has more computers than students.

However, while fighting an estimated $8.4 million deficit this year, the district laid-off about two-dozen educators before the school year, with a number of library media specialists, who provide students with technology education, being cut.

Clark said, in the absence of having students go home with their laptops, officials are working to optimize the amount of experience students get with their machines during school hours and in after-school programs. Clark said he, with Worthy, have been working to identify which parts of Hillhouse have good Internet connectivity and which spots are poor, with plans to improve connectivity moving forward.

This year, Hillhouse and Wilbur Cross also are piloting a project with freshmen in partnership with telecommunications company Sprint, as part of its 1Million Project, which has a stated goal of giving 1 million high school students without easy access to wireless Internet a device with a built-in hotspot connection.

Clark said hundreds of students have signed a contract with Sprint to receive tablets through the program.

According to the 1Million Project contract, the school district is liable for communicating to students with tablets about the possibility for data collection or theft. The contract also orders that the district offer seniors who complete the project an offer for wireless service.

The contract also stipulates that Sprints networks generally know the location of your Device when it is outdoors and/or turned on.

Recently, members of the school board have argued over how to negotiate contracts that work with student data. The stated reason a contract with the Weiss Institute that would bring in a team to audit the districts finances was rejected by the school board was that language put forth by the contractor was not compatible with a state mandate on protecting student data.

Additionally, members of the community previously have expressed skepticism about a program at Career High School called CT Rise that uses data dashboards across the school to give teachers in-depth data about all students in the school.

Clark said the city also has made efforts to expand wireless connectivity around public spaces. Last year, the city announced a partnership with Spot On Networks to give the public free wireless Internet access on the Green.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.comNEW HAVEN  Attorneys in Damarquis Grays murder trial Monday clashed over the credibility of states witnesses who testified they saw Gray shoot Durell Law four years ago outside an apartment complex on Eastern Street.

During closing arguments, Senior Assistant States Attorney Michael Pepper asked the jurors to consider: Is it an incredible coincidence that four eyewitnesses gave the same relative version of what happened? What motive did they have to finger Mooka.? That was Grays street name.

Witnesses called by the state said they saw Gray, carrying a gun, approach Law, point the weapon at him and attempt to rob him. They said Law punched Gray, causing Gray to stumble back but that Gray then shot Law .

However, defense attorney Dean Popkin noted three of the four witnesses said they couldnt remember much of what happened at the shooting scene and so prosecutors had to rely on the witnesses pre-trial testimony.

Popkin said of the fourth witness: He is a liar. He will change his story however it suits him.

For example, Popkin noted, that fourth witness testified he saw Gray going through Laws pockets moments before the shooting, yet Grays DNA was not found on the pockets. (The prosecutors have said this doesnt necessarily mean Gray didnt briefly touch the pockets.)

Gray, 20, of New Haven, is charged with murder, felony murder (because Law was killed during the course of another crime: attempted robbery), conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, attempted first-degree robbery and carrying a pistol without a permit.

The 12 jurors began deliberating Monday at 3:05 p.m. When they had not reached a verdict by 4:45 p.m., Superior Court Judge Elpedio N. Vitale instructed them to suspend their efforts until Tuesday morning.

The closing arguments were filled with references to three other people who witnesses said were near the shooting: Joel Alexander, Arik Fraser and Thomaine Riddick. All three of them are charged with felony murder in the shooting and are awaiting trial.

But Popkin repeatedly brought up the name of another person who witnesses said was outside the Fairways Apartments, the site of the shooting. He has not been charged in the case.

Popkin asserted that this uncharged man found out Durell Law was messing around with his 14-year-old sister, so he wanted to fight Durell. Law was 20 at that time.

Popkin said this man arranged for someone else to call Law and lure him to the Fairways Apartments, supposedly to buy marijuana.

Popkin said the uncharged man is the one who set this whole thing up.

Popkin told the jurors, If you think its possible (the uncharged man) was responsible for this, if its reasonable that maybe he was involved, thats a reasonable doubt. Popkin said if they reach this conclusion, they must find Gray not guilty because the jury needs to decide the state proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt to reach a guilty verdict.

However, Pepper said blaming the uncharged man was a strategy cooked up by Alexander and Gray to clear them in the case. Pepper noted New Haven police Detective David Zaweski testified he interviewed Alexander a few hours after the shooting and Alexander said he was 100 percent sure the uncharged man was the shooter.

But Pepper said Zaweski continued to investigate and determined there was no credible evidence linking the uncharged man to the shooting. He didnt buy Joels story that night and neither should you, Pepper told the jury.

Pepper cited a letter written at the New Haven Correctional Center in June 2017, when Gray was being held there. The letter was intercepted by a state Department of Correction officer. That letter, which prosecutors assert was written by Gray, told the intended recipient he should instruct the witnesses to recant their statements to police. The letter writer said they should throw (the uncharged man) under the bus.

Im not saying the letter is a confession, Pepper told the jurors. But it corroborates the four witnesses. The letter writer targeted those four.

Although the letter was not signed and the name of another inmate was listed on the envelope, Assistant States Attorney Lisa DAngelo noted in her closing argument that a state forensics lab examiner testified nine impressions from the letter match Grays fingerprints.

Pepper read aloud portions of the letter during his closing argument. The phrases he read included, They fear for their life just by taking the (witness) stand and If they charge us, were gonna beat it because they dont have (expletive).

Are those the words of an innocent man? Pepper asked.

But Popkin said, I look at this letter and I see a 16-year-old kid whos scared. Hes sitting in jail for something he didnt commit. Its the stuff of movies, the stuff of TV. Its not real. Theres no plan, no threat. Just a scared kid.

Popkin also countered prosecutors assertion that witnesses were afraid to testify because they feared retaliation by member of the Playboys, a neighborhood group to which Gray belonged. New Haven is not a dangerous place, Popkin said. Be skeptical of all these claims of people being scared. Its not credible. ... Theres no evidence at all of the Playboys trying to intimidate anybody.

Pepper responded by pointing to Gray: Youve got one of the Playboys sitting over there. That letter was one big fat intimidation.

randall.beach@hearstmediact.comALBANY  The planned merger of two of the nation's largest cannabis companies is being closely watched by industry insiders in New York who are wondering just how state regulators are going to handle an acquisition that, on its face, seems to violate state law.

MedMen Enterprises and PharmaCann announced the $682 million deal to stockholders last week, noting that the acquisition would create the nation's largest cannabis company with licenses to operate 79 facilities across a dozen states, including two cultivation facilities and eight medical marijuana dispensaries in New York.

The only catch?

New York Public Health Law, which allows marijuana for medical use only, prohibits a registered marijuana organization from owning and operating more than four dispensaries in the state. The provision was designed to prevent market domination, even as some argue it limits access for patients who must travel to far-flung destinations to get their medicine.

In response to that concern, the state last year doubled the number of medical marijuana organizations allowed to operate statewide from five to 10  a move that also doubled the number of allowed dispensaries statewide from 20 to 40.

The four-dispensary-per-company limit remains, however.

MedMen, a Los Angeles-based company known for its high-end marijuana stores, would acquire the assets and licenses of Illinois-based PharmaCann in the stock deal, though it must gain regulatory approval from local and state authorities in each of the markets where those assets are held.

"We are in talks with the regulators in all of the jurisdictions impacted by this acquisition, including New York," said MedMen spokesman Daniel Yi. "The first step in any acquisition is for the two parties to agree to the terms and enter into a binding contract. Then you go seek approvals from all the relevant regulators. We have begun that process now."

New York's Department of Health, which oversees the state's still-nascent medical marijuana program, said Monday that any merger proposal submitted to the agency for approval must be in compliance with state law. There are also requirements regarding ownership changes, said department spokeswoman Jill Montag.

"Regulations prohibit a registered organization from changing the composition of its ownership without prior written approval of the Department of Health," she said. "MedMen and PharmaCann do not have approval from the department to conduct this transaction, and at this time the department has insufficient information to determine if approval can be granted."

MedMen said it expects the transaction to close within six months to a year. It declined to speculate on its plans should New York reject the deal.

"It would not be proper for us to get ahead of the process," Yi said. "We are currently in talks with regulators and we feel confident about the outcomes."

In a news release issued Monday, MedMen said that it will use "commercially reasonable efforts" to transition licenses to a third party if it is unable to gain regulatory approvals within a two-year time span, with proceeds going to the company and its investors.

Founded in 2014 in Oak Park, Ill., PharmaCann was one of the five original organizations registered to operate grow sites and retail stores in New York, which went live with its medical marijuana program in January 2016.

The firm quickly became a major player in the industry, and today is considered one of the nation's leading providers of medical cannabis with operations in Illinois, New York, Maryland and Massachusetts, and planned expansions in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Its facilities in New York include a cultivation center in Orange County and dispensaries in Albany, the Bronx, and Central and Western New York.

MedMen, meanwhile, had become a major player of its own, primarily out west, selling both recreational and medical marijuana. It entered the New York market last year when it bought out Bloomfield Industries, one of five original organizations licensed to operate in the state.

But it didn't garner much attention until this past spring, when MedMen opened its first dispensary in Manhattan on pricey Fifth Avenue. The move appeared to be a gamble that New York would soon legalize recreational marijuana, since the state's tightly regulated medical marijuana program is small by industry standards and unlikely to generate sizable revenues without significant expansion.

Indeed, New York appears poised to jump on the recreational bandwagon. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in January ordered a study into a regulated, adult-use program, and by June the Department of Health concluded such a program would have more positives than negatives.

A task force is currently researching and crafting legislation for consideration in the upcoming 2019 legislative session, and public hearings on the matter are being held statewide.

MedMen said Monday that it has consistently advocated for full legalization of marijuana, as well as an increase in the number of licenses and dispensaries.

"We believe that legal, regulated cannabis leads to safer, healthier and happier communities," Yi said.A cab driver was hailed a hero Monday for chasing and tackling a knife-wielding robber who police say moments earlier had tried to hold up a 53-year-old woman at a bus stop in Cliffside Park.

Elias Guarcas

Elias Guarcas, 30, was charged with first-degree robbery and fourth-degree weapons possession after the alleged robbery and ensuing scuffle, which occurred shortly after 6:30 a.m. at a bus stop on Palisade Avenue.

The woman was waiting for a bus when a man ran toward her, brandished a knife and demanded cash, according to police Lt. Vincent Capano.

The woman, who had only $10 on her, tried to give it to him, but Guarcas attempted to grab her purse, Capano said. A struggle ensued.

A woman delivering newspapers in the area saw the struggle and called 911, Capano said.

A cab driver passing by also saw the man lunge at the woman with a knife in his hand, said Capano.

The driver began honking his horn and then jumped out of the cab. That's when the alleged robber ran off and tossed his knife, Capano said.

The cabbie chased the suspect a short distance before tackling him in an alley between two houses, Capano said.

The cab driver - whose name was not released - held onto Guarcas as police officers arrived, Capano said.

Capano identified the driver as a man in his 30s who works for Johnny's Taxi in Fairview. A dispatcher at the company said the driver did not want his name published in the media.

No one was injured in the melee, Capano said.

In addition to robbery and weapons charges, Guarcas was charged with a disorderly persons offense of theft.

Bergen County Jail records show Guarcas, a citizen of Guatemala, was being held without bond Tuesday on the charges along with a detainer issued by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.A 32-year-old Palisades Park man has been jailed on sexual assault charges after investigators discovered he had abused a child for over a three-year period, county prosecutors said Tuesday.

Jose Tenecela (Police photo)

Borough police and prosecutor's detectives arrested Jose Tenecela after learning Friday of the alleged assault, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement.

The victim in the case was under 13 at the time of the assaults, the prosecutor's office said.

Tenecela faces a first-degree charge of aggravated sexual assault and second-degree charges of sexual assault by contact and endangering the welfare of a child.

Authorities said Tenecela remained in the Bergen County jail Tuesday pending a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Jail records show Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday placed a detainer on Tenecela, asking authorities to hold him temporarily for potential federal detention if a judge decides he should be released from jail.

It was not immediately clear if Tenecela had an attorney who could comment on the charges.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tipsAnton Chekhov sings a siren song that theater makers and -- more perilously -- adapters cannot seem to resist. The regional hit, "Songbird," most recently at Red Bank's Two River Theater, sloppily updates the Russian playwright's "The Seagull" to a contemporary honky-tonk. Two separate versions of "Uncle Vanya" are currently up on New York stages. Take any random selection of interviews that ask playwrights or directors about their influences, and don't be surprised if the great Bard of Ennui garners more than a few citations.

But the collection of theatrical ships lured in by this Russian siren and dashed against the rocks of lumbering, sorrowful drama is vast. His themes prove not as translatable to the contemporary as may seem, and his characters demand more nuance than quickie updating allows.

Hudson Theatre Works' current "Uncle Vanya: Scenes from a Jersey Life in Four Acts" finds itself snared by all the familiar Chekhov traps. The adaptation is heavy-handed, and its characters' drives are opaque. It crawls for three meandering hours (the advertised runtime of 2.30 is either wishful thinking or willful deception) toward a belabored conclusion with little insight on either the play or its updated environs.

Chalk up another victory for the false spell of Chekhovian Universality.

Michael Puzzo's adaptation, a Hudson Theatre Works commission, transplants "Uncle Vanya" from a 19th-century Russian countryside to the Jersey Shore in post-Sandy 2016. Vanya (Kevin Cristaldi) and Sonya (Bess Miller) tend the beachside bed-and-breakfast owned by wealthy documentarian Alexander (Mike Folie), Sonya's father by his deceased first wife, Vanya's sister.

The frequently absent Alexander swoops into town with a new sexy young wife, Helena (Meredyth Kenney), requiring frequent visits from his doctor (Vincent Sagona), himself psychologically beset by the constant life-saving duties required of him by the opioid crisis. Everybody is either miserable, hopelessly in love or some mixture of the two, resulting in unbearable self-loathing. Just Chekhov being Chekhov.

This version shows a slavish fidelity to its source: seemingly every speech of every scene is transplanted to a new context without much consideration of whether it actually fits. The play seems more an experiment in whether or not "Uncle Vanya" can be done in a contemporary setting than a cohesive new take. To adapt may have been to make active choices about the value or importance of certain characters and scenes -- but neither Puzzo nor director Frank Licato seem much interested in such pursuits.

Instead, the anxiety of Chekhovian influence overpowers this production. The acting, like the directing and adapting, seems always to be trying to achieve some sort of ideal of classical theater or existential angst, rather than real drama of actual people. Certainly, these characters do not feel like actual people -- they are contemporary costumes placed on Chekhovian forms.

Taking place in the winter off-season down the shore, the play exemplifies the mood of its setting: sleepy and out-of-focus.

Uncle Vanya: Scenes from a Jersey Life in Four Acts

Hudson Theatre Works

80 Hauxhurst Avenue, Weehawken

Tickets available online at www.hudsontheatreworks.com. Through October 28.

Patrick Maley may be reached at patrickjmaley@gmail.com. Find him on Twitter and Instagram @PatrickJMaley. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.Like the best historical drama, "Black Tom Island," an excellent new play, sharply produced by Premiere Stages, tells an old story that teems with contemporary resonance.

Telling the story of an actual explosion on the Jersey City outpost of Black Tom Island, Martin Casella's play -- a world premiere -- examines how the psychological pressures of a zeitgeist inhospitable to unassimilated outsiders can accumulate to dangerous and destructive levels. A play about family, loyalty, America, and the immigrant experience, its treatment of 1916 reverberates keenly and forebodingly through 2018.

Martin (Mason Hensley) and Ewa (Jenna Krasowski) are a young Slovakian couple who have fled their war-torn homeland in the hopes of safety and prosperity in America. Their story is familiar enough: living in a rundown tenement with little money or prospects, they struggle to keep hold of their vision for the future against encroaching bitterness and dreams of home.

The pregnant Ewa is more clear-eyed and resolute than her husband, who works two jobs and bears the scorn of his coworkers for his accent and other markers of difference. Martin's daily strife festers, growing into anger at America and its people, making him a prime target of German spies who want to exploit his night watchman job at the railyard. When Martin brings home $500 and a small satchel of explosives given to him by the Germans to be placed at what turns out to be a strategic military location on Black Tom Island, Ewa is aghast.

Martin, though, is less certain that the prospect of getting a leg up at the expense of the country whose scorn he has felt is such a bad thing.

A one-act play spread over two tense scenes, "Black Tom Island" finds its energy in the competing drives of its characters. Krasowski's Ewa is resolute in her immigrant ethic of hard work and fortitude, but Casella and Hensley craft Martin at his breaking point, exasperated by the elusiveness of the American Dream. Under the direction of John J. Wooten, the first scene thrives not simply as a clash between competing mindset -- but rather as the desperate efforts of each character to convince the other.

Neither Martin nor Ewa simply wants to win an argument: they want to rip what they perceive to be a veil off the eyes of their counterpart, and make them see America anew.

The tension only grows after the explosion, as the scene shifts (through elegant maneuvering of Bethanie Wampol Watson's smart set, cozily built into an old carriage house at Union's Liberty Hall Museum). Suddenly we're in the rectory of Father Prosco (Damian Buzzerio), who finds himself visited by the imposing and no-nonsense private detective, Tim McMillan (Bart Shatto). At stake here are ideals of loyalty and country as much as individual lives. As danger mounts, the strength of these performances deepens: Shatto makes clear that McMillan is a very real threat to Buzzerio's Prosco. Eventually Krasowski's Ewa must find ways to respond.

Throughout the play, Wooten and his cast consistently ratchet up the pressure on these four lives, whose options for easy resolution steadily dwindle. Answers and clarity are few and fleeting throughout the play. In these and other ways, "Black Tom Island" recalls the work of early-twentieth-century Irish playwrights like Lady Gregory and Sean O'Casey, whose plays probe the volatile lives of the poor and oppressed who yearn for change in the face of oppressive resistance. Like the work of the early Abbey, this play is astute and unabashedly subversive.

Much more than some historical pageant, "Black Tom Island" engages directly with contemporary debates and attitudes about immigration and the American experience. Martin's grievances and the environment they paint resound though the current landscape, and so this play emerges as a compelling lens through which to examine and contextualize current challenges of policy and mindset.

Black Tom Island

Premiere Stages

Liberty Hall Museum, 1003 Morris Ave, Union

Tickets available online at www.premierestagesatkean.com or by phone, (908) 737-7469. Through October 21.

Patrick Maley may be reached at patrickjmaley@gmail.com. Find him on Twitter and Instagram @PatrickJMaley. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.South Jersey's own Democratic Party power broker, George Norcross III, was reportedly the subject of a federally authorized wiretap in 2016. It wasn't the first time he's been recorded by federal investigators, although he has never been charged with doing anything illegal.

Apparently, the lucrative tax breaks handed out by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to businesses Norcross owns, or that he is connected with, drew the attention of the Feds. An EDA program targeted to businesses that move into Camden City and other urban areas was created through the efforts of U.S. Rep Donald Norcross, D-1st Dist. -- George's brother, who was a state senator when the EDA program was approved.

You didn't think Donald Norcross was working for us, did you?

Mike Critchely, an attorney representing George Norcross, said they've been notified that the investigation into the tax credits is closed. Michele Mucelin, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, said the office does not confirm or deny existence of any investigation. So, who do you believe?

In New Jersey, you don't have to have much of an imagination to envision politicians using their positions to enrich themselves. Although he was not convicted on federal charges that he faced, U.S. Sen, Robert Menendez, D-N.J., was admonished by the Senate for taking or failing to disclose gifts from a wealthy donor, among other things,

I'm still patiently waiting for the results of a reported federal investigation that began in 2013 into how the Delaware River Port Authority, where George Norcross also has connections, awarded nearly $500 million in economic development funds to certain projects.

Where are Columbo and Jessica Fletcher when you really need them?

Carol Rhodes, Barnsboro

Editor's notes: Some news outlets report that the 2016 wiretap of George Norcross was not related to the EDA, but to a separate investigation of a powerful Philadelphia union leader. Rep. Donald Norcross faces Republican Paul E. Dilks and three independent candidates in his Nov. 6 re-election bid.

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.comHillary Clinton came out to Jersey City to help raise money for embattled New Jersey U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez on Monday.

Clinton was the featured guest at the event to raise money for Menendez, his leadership political action committee, and the New Jersey State Democratic Committee. at the Liberty Prime Steakhouse in Jersey City on Oct. 15. Tickets ranged from $500 to $5,400, according to an invitation.

Menendez, D-N.J., supported Clinton's presidential campaigns in both 2008 and 2016, against her Democratic primary opponents. In endorsing Clinton shortly before the June 2016 New Jersey primary, he called her opponent, Donald Trump, "an unmitigated disaster."

Menendez's Republican challenger, former Celgene Corp. executive Bob Hugin, launched a million-dollar ad campaign Monday to target unproven allegations that Menendez was involved with prostitutes during trips to the Dominican Republic with friend and campaign donor, Dr. Salomon Melgen.

Menendez was indicted on corruption charges, but after a mistrial and having some counts against him dropped, the federal government said earlier this year that it was dropping its case against him.

Across the street from the fundraiser Monday night, protesters held signs saying "Tax the rich" and "Stop the Hypocrisy." Many also wore costumes and masks.

A Journal photographer wasn't allowed inside but the action was visible from outside.Te'Myah Layauna Plummer's body was found along train tracks near Journal Square on April 11.

An autopsy of the 23-month-old girl whose body was found in a suitcase in Jersey City in April has revealed the toddler died of cocaine intoxication and unspecified violence.

The state Regional Medical Examiner's Office has classified the death of Te'Myah Layauna Plummer as a homicide and concluded the cause of her death to be "violence" and cocaine intoxication, a spokesman for the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office said.

The autopsy results are a stunning development in the case, which began in Virginia with the girl's disappearance and led to the arrest of her father in Puerto Rico. Travis Plummer, 37, is charged with one count of disturbing or concealing human remains, a second-degree offense.

Ray Worrall, a spokesman for the HCPO, said there are no additional charges pending against Plummer at this time.

The toddler's body was found in a pink suitcase along train tracks near Journal Square on April 11, several weeks after she and her father were reported missing from Richmond, Virginia. The girl's mother told a Richmond newspaper that Plummer had taken her daughter from her and went to North Carolina.

However, Plummer was arrested April 19 in Puerto Rico and extradited to New Jersey. In July, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Lynne Seborowski revealed in court that Plummer had "traveled to New Jersey with the decomposing body of Te'Myah wrapped in multiple bags in a suitcase" and that he hid her remains in a friend's garage in Jersey City before disposing of them along the train tracks.

It remains unclear when or where the girl died. When asked if Richmond police are still investigating the case, a spokeswoman for the department deferred all questions to the HCPO, the lead agency in the investigation.

Plummer returned to court last week where the state said it would seek an extended prison term based on his criminal record. The crime he is currently charged with is punishable by five to 10 years in prison under New Jersey law, but an extended term would mean more prison time if convicted.

Andre Vitale, an assistant deputy public defender representing Plummer, said a plea deal has not been offered by the prosecution.

"We're still developing our narrative of what happened," Vitale said, adding that the case is in its early stages.

In 2005, Plummer was convicted of child abuse in Virginia when his 8-month-old son drowned in a bathtub after he was left unattended, The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.

Plummer also has convictions for felony child neglect, abduction and possession of a deadly weapon as a prisoner. He additionally has multiple drug-related convictions, including for distribution of cocaine, according to the newspaper.

Journal staff writer Aya Elamroussi contributed to this report.JERSEY CITY -- A key witness for the state who recanted when called to the witness stand last week reiterated under cross-examination today that he lied when he identified the defendant as the killer because police threatened him.

The 23-year-old, who the court ordered not be photographed, was testifying in the trial of Anthony Shuler, who was 19 years old when authorities say he fatally shot Darren Edwards on June 28, 2010 at the corner of Duncan and Olean avenues in Jersey City.

In opening statements, the state alleged Edwards was killed because he switched gangs and because he was gay. A witness is expected to testify on being in a relationship with Edwards and a gang expert is also expected to testify.

Under cross examination by defense attorney Joseph Mazraani today, the 23-year-old said he gave a recorded interviewed by detectives for hours on the night of the homicide.

"You didn't tell them you could identity anybody?" Mazraani asked.

"Yes," the witness said.

"They told you you were lying over and over again," Mazraani said.

"Yes," the 23-year-old said.

But the witness, who was 14 years old and on probation at the time, said there was a 49-minute period after the first interview which was not recorded. The witness said that during that time, investigators told him which picture to pick and threatened him and his mother.

"He told me if I didn't pick the picture they wanted me to pick, they would arrest me and my mother," the witness said. "They just told me they were going to arrest me and my mother because I was lying."

"Were you lying?" the attorney asked.

"No," the witness said.

During the next interview session, the recorder was turned back on and the witness identified Shuler by choosing his pictured from among six shown him.

"You don't know this guy right here -- Anthony Shuler?" Mazraani asked. "You never met him before?"

"Not in my life," the witness said.

But Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Karen Kazanchy showed the jury that the witness had a habit of lying.

Kazanchy noted that at a hearing prior to the trial the 23-year-old said he did not want to testify at trial because "I'm afraid for my life because people are going to try and kill me." He said he was being harassed and threatened because he gave the statement to police.

He also said that "Every day when I come out of my house I have to look behind me... Every day I come outside I have to look behind my back. I can't even walk to the store with my son because I'm afraid."

Kazanchy asked the witness if he ever gave another reason for not wanting to testify other than that the police forced you to identify Shuler?

"Because I was being threatened," the 23-year-old answered.

"Who threatened you?" Kazanchy asked.

"It was a lie," the witness responded.

"You lied when you said you had been threatened and harassed multiple times for this matter?" Kazanchy asked.

"Yes," said the witness.

Shuler awaited trial in jail for more than 8 years due to a number of factors, including charges filed against his former co-defendants.

Robert Dawson pleaded guilty on Sept. 17 to the second-degree crime of conspiracy and witness tampering to cause false testimony. His twin, Eric Dawson, pleaded guilty to second-degree witness tampering to cause false testimony on the same day.

Charges against Golden Williamson were dismissed at the request of the prosecution on Sept. 19, the records indicate.

The trial is before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Patrick Arre in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. Arre ordered that no pictures be taken while the 23-year-old was on the stand.A 44-year-old worker was killed Monday morning at a Macy's warehouse in Edison after falling 35 feet from a cargo lift, authorities said.

Jose R. Caba, of Perth Amboy, was not tethered to the lift while handling merchandise on storage shelves at the warehouse on Clearview Road, Edison police said in a statement.

Caba, who landed on a concrete floor, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders just after 7:30 a.m.

Caba worked for Retailers and Manufacturers (R&M), a distribution service, at Macy's Raritan distribution center since 2006, a Macy's spokeswoman said.

"On behalf of Macy's and the colleagues at Macy's Raritan Big Ticket Distribution Center, we extend our deep condolences to Mr. Jose Caba's family, friends and those that worked with him," the company said in an emailed statement. "Macy's and R&M are currently reviewing policies and procedures as well partnering on the investigation with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to determine the cause of this unfortunate accident."

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.A retired Middletown police officer has been accused of stealing various political signs in his Monmouth County town over the weekend, authorities said.

Irvin Beaver, 73, was charged Sunday with two counts of theft and released on a summons, Middletown police said in a statement.

Police stepped up patrols in areas where signs belonging to candidates running for township committee, the board of education and other offices had gone missing.

An officer saw Beaver put signs in his car and then pulled him over near the corner of Cherry Tree Farm Road and Chanowich Court, according to Lt. Paul Bailey.

In all, hundreds of signs have been swiped across town, police said.

Beaver, a township resident, retired form the Middletown police department in November 1988, according to state pensions records. The registered Democrat also made an an unsuccessful bid for state assembly the following year.

He is due in court Oct. 29.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.A N.J. college professor who is running for local office is crying foul after he was barred from hosting a Congressional candidate in his classroom.

Mark Washburne had been expecting Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic candidate for Congress in District 11, to speak to his two 20th Century American History classes at County College of Morris on Tuesday afternoon.

Mikie Sherrill, on right, during a 11th Congressional District candidates' debate with Jay Webber at NJTV in Newark, Oct. 10, 2018 (Photo by D. Falk | NJTV)

Instead, the college in Randolph disinvited Sherrill on Monday after raising concerns with Washburne about the appearance of taking sides in the closely-watched race to succeed Republican Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen.

Sherrill and Republican Jay Webber, a current member of the New Jersey Assembly representing the 26th district, are facing off in the race.

Washburne, a Democrat, lost to Sherrill in the Democratic primary and is on the Nov. 6 ballot as the Democratic candidate for mayor in Mendham Borough.

His Republican opponent, Mendham Councilwoman Christine Serrano Glassner, is the wife of Michael Glassner, who was President Trump's deputy campaign manager for the 2016 election.

The college's spokesperson, Kathleen Brunet Eagan, said blocking the appearance by Sherrill was not a reflection on her campaign.

"This is a non-story, as it's a simple issue of protocols not being followed to host an event of this magnitude," Eagan said.

Washburne said he was caught off guard by the college's rejection, explaining that Frelinghuysen had spoken twice with his class in solo appearances.

"That's why I thought it would be no problem. When he (Frelinghuysen) came, nobody said you had to get a Democrat to come in," said Washburne, a tenured associate professor of history and political science who has been teaching at the college since 1995.

Christina Serrano Glassner, on left, and Mark Washburne (Photos courtesy of Mendham Borough and Mark Washburne)

Recounting the process, Washburne said he notified the college Oct. 6 that Sherrill had agreed to appear before two of his classes, totaling 45 students, jointly at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Three days later, the college's interim vice president of academic affairs, Bette M. Simmons, did not explicitly say no but suggested to Washburne in an email to wait until after the election to host Sherrill.

"The college does not encourage presentations by candidates for political positions or for them to have access to our community unless competing candidates are given the same opportunity," Simmons wrote to Washburne in an email provided to NJ Advance Media.

When Washburne followed up by asking if an invitation to Webber would resolve the process, Simmons responded favorably.

"If he declines, you would still be able to host Ms. Sherrill as the offer had been extended to her opponent," she wrote to Washburne, who then sought to contact the legislator by phone and email.

However, when several days passed without a response from Webber -- and Washburne broached the possibility of expanding Sherrill's visit beyond his classroom and into a larger campus facility -- Simmons contacted a representative for Sherrill on Monday afternoon to call off the event.

"I thought I'd be fine in inviting Mikie Sherrill," Washburne said, adding, "They kept on changing the goal posts."

Neither the Sherrill nor Webber campaigns immediately responded to requests for comment.

The race between Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor, and Webber is drawing national attention as Democrats seek to wrestle control of the House from Republicans.

Though Republicans have an edge in the 11th district, which includes the hometown of former Gov. Chris Christie, Sherrill is seen as having a real chance at winning.

Sherrill had a slight lead over Webber, 48 percent to 44 percent, in a Monmouth University Poll released a week ago.

Washburne said he had no intention of promoting Sherrill's candidacy during her visit. He said that, in 2016, he invited representatives of both Trump and Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate, to speak with his students.

"In the past, we've tried to get students excited about politics," Washburne said.

Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.Many victims of violent crime say they are unaware there is financial help available from the state.

That could change under new legislation introduced Tuesday, which would require hospitals and ERs to provide information about compensation and other help available to those victims. The mandate, proposed by Senator Declan O'Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, both R-Monmouth, was aimed at increasing awareness about the state's victims' compensation fund, which critics say often fails to reach those who need it most.

The sponsors said bill was introduced in response to an investigation by NJ Advance Media earlier this year, highlighting the struggles many crime victims and their families say they routinely face when seeking help from the state.

The report, Twice the Victim, found that the amount of money paid to victims has dropped significantly over the past decade, with some saying they were never told that help was available. At the same time, an analysis of data obtained through public records requests found the state returned $382,833 in related funding earmarked for federal assistance grants, which had been intended for support services across the state but was never spent.

"Reading the NJ.com article was heartbreaking," said DiMaso."Sending back over $380,000 of unspent federal victim assistance grant funding when it is so clear there are families struggling is something we need to correct."

O'Scanlon, a member of the Law and Public Safety Committee, said there is no question that the Victims of Crime Compensation Office needs substantial reform. He called the proposed legislation "a simple first step" that focuses on where victims will go for medical care--hospitals and emergency rooms--to let them know that is available.

"The fact that we are not making people aware of these tremendously-needed resources, in the most obvious places, and then sending unspent money back to the federal government, is outrageous," O'Scanlon said. "This is a simple action that should have happened a long time ago."

The legislation would require the Commissioner of Health to work with the Attorney General to develop signs containing information on the benefits, contact information, and the procedure for filing a victims' compensation claim, that would be posted in all hospitals and satellite emergency departments.

State officials have acknowledged that the claims process for aid from the victims' compensation program remains cumbersome.

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal has said the state needs to redouble its efforts in reaching those who need help--especially to "more vulnerable populations" in the state's urban areas. However, his office, which oversees the program, has yet to take any major steps aimed at reform.

The agency still has no permanent executive director, although it has added staff in recent months after Grewal said the office had been "gutted" during the Christie administration.

Victims' advocate Elizabeth Ruebman, an organizer with Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, a national organization of crime survivors, said it was "common sense" to connect with crime victims in hospitals and emergency rooms.

"The New Jersey Trauma Center at University Hospital in Newark sees approximately 1,200 victims of violence and over 600 firearm injuries annually," she said. "Crime victims are traumatized and seeking out help can be more than they can handle. Help should come to them."

The investigation by NJ Advance Media detailed a program operating under rules and regulations that have scarcely changed for decades, and many consider to be out of date with the times. Some advocates said the victims' compensation office acts more like an "insurance agency" looking to deny claims. Last year, only half of the people who applied received aid.

Families can be denied burial expenses if the agency determines a victim had any responsibility for their own death. And the maximum amounts that can be paid out for most claims has not increased in nearly 20 years.

Several other reform bills are currently pending in the legislature, but have yet to be moved.

Assemblyman Gordon Johnson, D-Bergen, has been pushing for changes that would raise the caps on victim payments, as well as expand the definition of who is a victim under the law to include additional family members, including the surviving unmarried parent of a child of a victim.

A hearing on a similar bill, sponsored by Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, is scheduled for Thursday in Trenton. It would increase attorneys' fees, increase emergency awards, and expand the list of crimes for which a victim is eligible for compensation to include simple assault and harassment.

Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.A former Catholic high school vice principal - previously accused of repeatedly molesting a teenage girl - was among at least two dozen priests named Monday by the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington as being "credibly accused" of sexually abusing minors.

In the New Jersey case, a woman reached a settlement with the Paterson Roman Catholic Diocese in 2015 over her claims that Monsignor Ronald Tully fondled her 20 times while she was a 16-year-old student in 1977 at Pope Pius XII Regional High School in Passaic County.

The Archdiocese of Washington listed Tully among 31 others who faced allegations of abusing minors since 1948. Details on the allegations that landed Tully on the list remained unclear.

The allegations disclosed Monday were separate from accusations against Tully in New Jersey, according to a diocese spokeswoman.

"Our strong commitment to accompany survivors of abuse on their path toward healing is unwavering, but it is also important to note that to our knowledge there has not been a credible allegation of abuse of a minor by a priest of the archdiocese in almost two decades," Cardinal Donald Wuerl said in a statement.

"There is also no archdiocesan priest in active ministry who has ever been the subject of a credible allegation of abuse of a minor," said Wuerl, who is stepping down after criticism over his handling of abuse allegations in Pennsylvania.

Before coming to New Jersey, Tully was an Augustinian priest and teacher at Archbishop Carroll High School in northeast Washington, D.C. in the 1960s, according to the archdiocese. He became a priest at the Diocese of Paterson in the 1970s, and was a priest at Sacred Heart Parish in Dover before being placed on leave in 2004, church officials said.

Alleged abuse involving Tully was reported to the The Archdiocese of Washington in 2011, according to the statement released Monday. He was the only priest on the Washington list with apparent links to New Jersey.

Mitchell Garabedian, a Boston-based attorney who represented the accuser in the Passaic County case, previously told NJ Advance Media his client reported the allegations to prosecutors, but the statute of limitations for criminal charges had expired. It was unclear if Washington, D.C. authorities were involved in any claims involving Tully.

Tully was placed on administrative leave more than a decade ago and diocese officials in 2012 filed to have the Vatican defrock him, a process known as laicization in the church, an attorney for the Paterson Diocese said in a 2015 interview. Tully, however, opted to voluntary laicization.

The Archdiocese of Washington list was made public as "a necessary step toward full transparency and accountability and the process of healing," the Washington Post reported, citing a letter to clergy.

Some 50 dioceses have published similar lists of accused priests in recent years, Terry McKiernan, of BishopAccountability.org, told the newspaper. The public disclosures can help victims and encourage more reports.

"There's enormous value for a survivor in knowing that his or her perpetrator abused someone else," McKiernan told the Post. "It's a sad fact, but it's a validating fact."

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.New Jersey could become the first state in the country to regulate pet groomers after a bill unanimously passed a committee hearing Monday.

The Pet Grooming Licensing Act was pushed through after an investigation by NJ Advance Media documented dozens of cases of dogs dying shortly or after groomings at PetSmart. Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle introduced the bill in 2014.

"Everyone I tell, they're surprised groomers don't require licensing," she said. "There's room for regulation. No one is against safety. It's time to put pets over profits."

The bill, known as Bijou's Law, would establish a Pet Groomers Advisory Committee within the Division of Consumer Affairs and require groomers pass an exam for a license. The groomer would also need to be at least 18 years of age and "be of good moral character."

Bijou's Law, named after a 6-year-old shih tzu that died during a routine grooming at a big box pet salon, is sponsored by Huttle, Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez and Assemblyman Paul Moriarty.

Sen. Christopher "Kip" Bateman is sponsoring a companion bill in the Senate, which has yet to receive a committee hearing.

Rosemary Marchetto, Bijou's owner, testified to committee members that her goal is to make it mandatory for groomers to be licensed across the country, but said she's proud to see New Jersey taking the first step.

"I'm elated the state assembly sees and recognizes the need for dog grooming to be a regulated, licensed industry," Marchetto said. "This has been four years in the making, but it's well worth it knowing New Jersey dogs will be safer at groomers."

Other states, such as Colorado, require grooming facilities and private groomers to register with state agencies, providing some oversight of what is largely an unregulated industry.

While groomers who spoke at the committee meeting said they mostly supported what the bill calls for, they expressed concerned about the financial burden of licensing and the credentials of the oversight committee members. Some groomers said education and consumer transparency should be the focus.

"We want to get rid of those bad apples but legislation won't enforce that. The license is only as good as the integrity of the holder," said Lisa Correia, a pet groomer and educator.

Huttle said the renewed interest in the bill came after NJ Advance Media's expansive investigation into PetSmart, the nation's leading pet-retailer. Similar bills have also been introduced.

The report documented 47 cases of dogs dying during or shortly after PetSmart groomings during the past decade. But that's hardly a definitive number as most groomers are not required to publicly report deaths.

The probe revealed the company has offered affected families money, sometimes as little as a few hundred dollars, in exchange for non-disclosure agreements. In addition, former employees detailed allegations of inadequate training and intense pressure to grow profits.

PetSmart -- which operates more than 1,600 stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico -- fiercely defended its safety record and denies wrongdoing.

"As a company of pet lovers who are dedicated to the health and happiness of all pets, we empathize with these grieving families," it said in a statement. "Nevertheless, we are not aware of any evidence suggesting that PetSmart services caused the deaths of these pets."

[Read the company's full response to the investigation]

Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tipsDon't look now, but Donald Trump is on the verge of accomplishing one of the biggest goals he endorsed during the 2016 presidential campaign.

He promised he would debunk the notion that the Beltway crowd was capable of micromanaging the Mideast.

Thanks to Saudi Arabia's recent conduct, we now have irrefutable proof of that thesis.

The way Trump did so was brilliant. He named as his envoy to the Mideast a Jersey guy whose prior experience in diplomacy consisted of getting the Eatontown Township Committee to cooperate on his plan for remaking an aging mall his family owns there.

Jared Kushner then went off to Riyadh to canoodle with new Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman - "MBS" as he's known. The goal was to finally negotiate that Mideast peace agreement that's been missing for the past 20 centuries or so.

But if those audios surreptitiously recorded by the Turks are accurate, it looks like MBS was responsible for that plan to snatch exiled journalist Jamal Kashoggi when he showed up at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey.

The resulting scandal threatens to bring an end to the special relationship the U.S. has had for almost a century.

Nice work, kid.

That relationship was always a bit nutty. But that didn't stop the typical American diplomat - or journalist - from visiting Saudi Arabia and offering an analysis that went something like this:

"Sure they chop people's hands off, they chop people's heads off and they crucify people, but let's look at the bright side."

That bright side was evident last year to New York Times columnist Tom Friedman after he visited with MBS.

"I've interviewed M.B.S. twice," Friedman wrote. "He is a young man in a hurry. I've found his passion for reform authentic, his support from the youth in his country significant and his case for making radical change in Saudi Arabia compelling."

Friedman's taking a lot of heat for that at the moment. (In that regard, check his "Suck on this" video here.)

But that was the Beltway consensus until Kashoggi, who contributed columns to the Washington Post, walked into the Saudi consulate and didn't walk out.

Even now, the consensus is that "Any sensible U.S. administration would support a Saudi reformer willing to help restrain Iranian military adventurism," as the Wall Street Journal wrote in an editorial Sunday.

Sensible? When it comes to military adventurism, it's the Saudis that are busy bombing neighboring Yemen. On Saturday a U.S.-built Saudi plane bombed a busy checkpoint and killed 17 civilians in a bus.

As for the Iranians, their recent adventurism of note has been in attacking some of our worst enemies, such as ISIS in Syria.

During his 2016 campaign, Trump promised to rid the Mideast of ISIS. He's been largely successful at that thanks in part to the Iranians.

As for the Saudis, they weren't much help in going after a Sunni Muslim movement that wanted to run the rest of the Mideast the way Riyadh is run.

Perhaps that's why Trump hit out at "allies" that are "paying ISIS" during that campaign. He also criticized Hillary Clinton for being too close to the Saudis, saying, "they treat women horribly ... Gays are executed under Saudi law in some of the other countries. You know, they wouldn't let you build a Christian church or a Jewish temple."

Once in office, however, Trump succumbed to the establishment view that the Saudis are our natural allies and the Iranians our natural enemies.

Nonsense, says a former CIA agent who's been to both places.

"It's like deciding between the Crips and the Bloods," said Bob Baer.

But of the two, the Iranians have been much better behaved of late, he said.

"They never kidnapped or beheaded people," Baer said. "That's a Saudi thing."

And the notion that the Iranians are the leading state sponsor of terrorism is nonsense as well, he said. That was true in the 1980s, when he was stationed in Lebanon, Baer said. But in this century the terrorism has come from the Sunnis, the Islamic sect centered in Saudi Arabia.

In his book about Saudi Arabia "Sleeping with the Devil," Baer asked why the U.S. gave the Saudis a pass in explaining the connections the 9/11 hijackers had to leading Saudi figures.

The standard explanation is that the U.S. needs the oil. Not any more. The U.S. has become the world's largest oil-producing nation.

Another explanation, one furthered by Kushner, is that deep down inside the Saudis are peace-loving sorts who seek to partner with the Israelis to finally bring peace to the Mideast.

If you believe that, I've got a shopping mall in Eatontown I'd like to sell you.

I fear it's time for Jared to get back to Jersey and resume running it.

ADD: Even the neocon/liberal internationalists at the Washington post who got us into this mess are taking shots at Jared.

There's a reason we genuine conservatives have been urging Trump to keep his campaign promises and get out of the Mideast. This fiasco is the best evidence yet he should have stuck to his "America-first" agenda instead of putting countries like Saudi Arabia first.

Unfortunately, Trump let himself get captured by the Beltway and abandoned much of his "America first" campaign stand in favor of globalism.

Read conservative Pat Buchanan on that.

Perhaps this fiasco will remind Trump that if you put America first, you put the Saudis last.Gov. Phil Murphy had a chance to investigate a top aide accused of sexually assaulting a woman, before the guy was hired for a government job. He blew it.



Even worse, so did the prosecutor. So while we welcome the probe that the governor promised Monday, to be headed by former Supreme Court Justice Peter Verniero, it still won't be enough.



Verniero is a Republican, so this is not just some partisan wash job. That said, though, we're a state that has been burned by the fictional Mastro report. So why take that risk?

Phil Murphy launches investigation into why alleged rapist was hired for top state job



Part of the Legislature's job is to oversee the executive branch. Sen. Loretta Weinberg is calling for hearings on the handling of sexual misconduct, but we also need to look at this case specifically, and why Al Alvarez flew under the radar for so long.



The woman who came forward is also a Murphy official, and has a credible story. Katie Brennan told the Wall Street Journal that Alvarez gave her a ride home, entered her Jersey City apartment on the pretense of using the bathroom and then forced himself on her until she managed to escape.



She immediately reported the assault to her husband, close friend and police, and got a rape kit done in the emergency room. Her accusations and the corroborating statements seem like solid evidence.



So our first question is, why did Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez's office decline to press charges?

Woman accusing Murphy staffer of rape says she 'received no justice'



Now that the press has wind of this, she's handed it off to the Middlesex County Prosecutor, citing a conflict of interest, because she knows both Brennan and Alvarez. Suarez claims she didn't realize that earlier. We find that hard to believe. How close was this prosecutor, really, to Alvarez?

"I don't know how to answer that," said her spokesman, Raymond Worrall, on Monday night, when asked if Suarez is friends with Alvarez. He added, "You're going down a path that I'm not comfortable going down."



After Brennan reported the alleged assault to Hudson county prosecutors months ago, she says Alvarez claimed it was consensual. If that's his defense, it's dubious, given her reaction at the time. Women don't typically rush out to get a rape kit done, and call a husband and best friend, right after having consensual sex.



Brennan's friend said she was in such a state of shock that she was physically shaking. Now Suarez's office is trying to tell us a jury shouldn't have had a chance to weigh Alvarez's claim against the testimony of these three people?



And what about his reported offer to pay a $15,000 settlement to shut Brennan up? And another accuser who just came forward, saying Alvarez also sexually assaulted her, back in law school? Claims like Brennan's often expose a pattern of predatory abuse.



Legislative leaders should call on the Attorney General to investigate how the prosecutor handled this. Then they should hold their own hearings with subpoena power to learn how Alvarez was vetted for his job.



How is it possible that the governor never heard about this, when senior staffers like his chief counsel, Matt Platkin, knew the details as early as March?



The woman emailed both Murphy and his wife directly in June, citing a "sensitive matter." The governor moved to set up a meeting with her, but it never happened. Why didn't he express curiosity, or at least have the decency to hear her out?



Why did no one call the AG directly, instead of channeling this to its office of "Equal Employment Opportunity," to handle a sexual assault allegation? Was it just to give the appearance of consulting the AG, without really doing it?



Now they have a problem of public trust. "The folks in power are less than willing to investigate when it may gore their own ox," as retired lawmaker John Wisniewski, who helped shine a light on Bridgegate, put it.



It took real guts for Brennan to step up. None of this gets fixed without someone like her leading the way, at great personal cost. The very least we owe her is an investigation that isn't a sham.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.Less than 24 hours after a woman publicly accused a former senior staffer in Gov. Phil Murphy's administration of rape during the campaign, a second woman came forward Monday, telling her own story of how the same man attempted to sexually assault her during a law school party nearly 20 years ago.

The woman, who spoke to NJ Advance Media on the condition she not be identified, said Albert J. Alvarez attacked her during a Rutgers Computer and Technology Law Journal gathering in the fall of 1999, and that she feels remorse for not reporting it to police

Alvarez was the chief of staff to the Schools Development Authority until Oct. 2, and played key roles in Murphy's campaign and transition team effort.

The woman said she felt compelled to speak up after reading Katie Brennan's account in the Wall Street Journal on Sunday, in which Brennan accused Alvarez of raping her after a campaign event in April 2017,

"I just wanted people to be aware there were prior allegations, to help support this woman, Katie Brennan, so people don't sit there and say she is lying," the woman said in a phone interview Monday afternoon. "I wanted her to know she is not standing alone."

The woman's account was first reported by Politico New Jersey on Monday afternoon.

John Hogan, Alvarez's attorney, has denied his client did anything wrong. He declined to comment on the latest allegation Monday.

The woman described how Alvarez had walked up behind her as she was about to make a telephone call and pushed her against a wall. She told him to stop and tried to fight him off as he kissed her, pulled off her shirt and touched her breasts.

"It was like he wasn't hearing me," she said. "He just kept doing what he was intent on doing."

Someone walked into the room, allowing her to break free and run away, she said.

The woman, who was 26 at the time, said she did not report the violent encounter to the police, not wanting to upend his life. When Alvarez put himself in the running for editor of the law journal, she told the two deans overseeing the law journal, as well as fellow students. He was elected editor anyway.

The woman, a married attorney with two children, said she was reminded of the assault after the U.S. Senate confirmation hearings for Brett Kavanaugh sparked a national debate on why sexual assault victims often do not report the attacks.

Aware that Alvarez had a rising political career, the woman said she wrote a letter to Murphy on Oct. 1.

Busy with a trial, she sent Murphy the letter Oct. 11, as the rape allegations came to light last week. She sent the letter with a legal certification, attesting to the truthfulness of her claims.

"For all I know, he may have led an exemplary life since that night at the law school party and it is not my place nor intention to disrupt that," according to the woman's letter, which she shared with NJ Advance Media.

"I simply write to you now so that if he ever ascends in political circles or is nominated to the bench, I do not want anyone to say that I never told anyone before or to question why I had not raised these allegations sooner."

In a statement Sunday, Murphy's office made an oblique reference to receiving another allegation involving Alvarez. A spokesman for the governor, Mahen Gunaratna, confirmed that Murphy's office on Oct. 11 received a separate accusation against Alvarez that was "promptly referred" to the state attorney general.

The governor's office declined comment on Monday.

On Monday, Murphy announced he had hired former state Attorney General and state Supreme Court Justice Peter Verniero and the law firm of Sills Cummis and Gross to investigate how Brennan's complaint was handled by the administration.

Murphy said Monday his administration will "conduct a real and exhaustive independent investigation into how this hire was allowed to go forward."

Murphy said it was a mistake for members of his transition team to offer Alvarez a job after she notified the team of the assault in December.

In June, a campaign attorney told Brennan that Alvarez would be departing his job soon. But he did not resign until the Journal contacted him on Oct. 2 seeking comment for its story on the rape allegations.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.BERLIN -- Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday said he told the woman who has accused a former top staffer in his administration of sexually assaulting her that he admired her courage and felt "profound heartbreak" when he learned about the allegations.

The Democratic governor, speaking on the first day of a nine-day business mission to Germany and Israel, said he spoke on the phone Monday afternoon with Katie Brennan, a former Murphy campaign volunteer who said she was assaulted by Albert J. Alvarez, former chief of staff of the state's Schools Development Authority.

"I unequivocally said, 'Our hearts are broke. We admire your courage,'" Murphy said. "(I) expressed a lot of the profound heartbreak that I mentioned publicly."

The conversation occurred sometime after the governor held a news conference Monday to answer questions about the alleged assault Brennan said occurred in April 2017. Brennan went public with her story Sunday in a Wall Street Journal report after saying she "received no justice" when she pursued criminal charges against Alvarez.

"I'm incredibly impressed by her. Period," Murphy said Tuesday.

First Lady Tammy Murphy, who earlier this year disclosed that she was sexually assaulted while in college, was also on the phone call, the governor said.

The governor added he wanted to have a face-to-face meeting with Brennan "sooner than later."

When asked if he's fully on Brennan's side, Murphy said: "You have to. ... You have to. Tammy ... she was a victim to this and the courts didn't believe her and justice wasn't done. We got to get to a different place."

Before flying to Berlin, Murphy announced Monday there will be an independent investigation to look into how the case was handled and why Alvarez was hired to a top state job despite the sexual assault allegation.

Brennan, chief of staff of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, said she alerted Murphy's team of the accusations three times over the last year. But Alvarez remained in his job at the New Jersey Schools Development Authority until Oct. 2.

Alvarez stepped down from his $140,000-a-year post after The Wall Street Journal made inquiries about the alleged assault.

Murphy told reporters on Monday that that was the first time he heard about the allegations.

But when asked about Alvarez's resignation on Oct. 9, Murphy batted away additional questions at the time, telling reporters he learned his former staffer resigned and that he had "no more color to offer" on the matter.

"I didn't know all the facts," Murphy said Tuesday.

"There's a lot of moving parts and I just did not have all the facts," he said. "I wasn't going to go out half-baked. In fact, I didn't have a good chunk of the facts until I read The Wall Street Journal article."

Both Democratic and Republican state lawmakers have called for additional inquiries into how the allegations against the former top staffer were handled by the administration.

NJ Advance Media reporters Brent Johnson and Susan K. Livio contributed to this report.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook.Lawmakers from both houses of New Jersey's Democrat-controlled state Legislature are now set to investigate the sexual assault controversy consuming Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy's administration.

State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin announced Tuesday afternoon that members of the lower chamber are joining a special, bipartisan legislative committee convened by the state Senate to look into how Murphy's team handled allegations that a senior staffer who has since resigned raped a woman while working on the Democrat's campaign last year.

More broadly, the panel will examine the state government's hiring practices and background checks and conduct a review of New Jersey's laws and policies regarding sexual assault, abuse, and harassment allegations.

State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, announced earlier in the day that six senators -- four Democrats and two Republicans -- would make up the panel, which is expected to hold public hearings.

Coughlin, D-Middlesex, said his members will be named in the near future.

The speaker praised Katie Brennan, the state official who publicly accused Albert J. Alvarez, the former chief of staff of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority, of raping her.

Coughlin said Brennan was "remarkably brave to come forward with her heartbreaking account of the assault she endured."

"Her description was painful to read, as it detailed the abhorrent behavior to which she was subjected," Coughlin said in a statement. "Ms. Brennan deserved to be heard, respected and believed. Unfortunately, that did not happen.

"I will not allow future victims to be subjected to the same unacceptable response," he added. "This committee will determine why the current system failed Ms. Brennan and what reforms must be enacted."

The announcement from lawmakers comes a day after Murphy announced he has ordered an independent investigation into Alvarez's hiring. Verniero, a former state Supreme Court justice and state attorney general, will handle that probe.

Brennan, 31, of Jersey City, accused Alvarez of raping after a Murphy campaign event in April of 2017. Alvarez was director of Latino and Muslim outreach for Murphy's campaign at the time, while Brennan was a supporter of the campaign.

Alvarez, 44, of Wood-Ridge, was never charged with a crime.

Brennan, who later volunteered for Murphy's campaign and is now chief of staff of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, said she told Murphy's team of the allegations three times over the last year.

But Alvarez remained in his state job until he resigned Oct. 2, the same day the Wall Street Journal contacted him for comment on the accusations.

Murphy said Monday while his administration handled the situation according to state protocol, Alvarez shouldn't have been hired for his position in the administration.

Mahen Gunaratna, a Murphy spokesman, said Alvarez was hired after the transition team learned a criminal investigation into the allegations produced no charges. Gunaratna said Alvarez passed a background check.

Neither Alvarez nor his attorney, John Hogan, have returned messages seeking comment. Hogan denied the accusations in a statement to the Wall Street Journal.

Dan Bryan, a spokesman for the governor, said Tuesday that Murphy "believes it is critical that there be a system in place that makes sexual assault survivors feel as though they can achieve a sense of justice."

"The governor has mandated a legal review of the transition hiring process, an internal review of the existing processes in state government for reporting sexual assault, and has directed the attorney general to review how these cases are handled by law enforcement," Bryan added.

"While the governor is aware of actions being taken by the Legislature to review hiring practices and sexual misconduct allegations, he is confident that the three steps being taken by the administration will significantly help improve our current system."

The state Attorney General's Office has also assigned the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office to review the case amid questions over how the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office handled it.

Sweeney, who has a sometimes frosty relationship with Murphy, said Tuesday that "we need a full accounting of what went wrong and what needs to be done so that sexual survivors are heard, that they are treated with respect and compassion, and that they can trust the system to provide justice.

The committee will be chaired by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, New Jersey's highest-ranking woman state lawmaker.

It's unclear whether the committee will have power to subpoena witnesses to testify and hand over documents.

Republican lawmakers have spent days calling for a legislative probe into the matter. Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, R-Union, called Sweeney and Coughlin's move "the right thing to do."

"We should move quickly to get the answers we need to protect those who courageously come forward and take steps to prevent this from happening again," Bramnick said in a statement.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Susan K. Livio contributed to this report.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.UPDATE: N.J. Assembly joins investigation into Murphy staffer sex assault scandal

New Jersey's Democrat-controlled state Senate will launch its own investigation into the sexual assault controversy surrounding Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy's administration, NJ Advance Media has learned.

Senate President Stephen Sweeney will announce Tuesday afternoon the upper house of the state Legislature is convening a special, bipartisan, six-member committee that will specifically examine how Murphy's team handled allegations that a senior staffer who has since resigned raped a woman while working on the Democrat's campaign last year.

More broadly, the panel will also look into the state government's hiring practices and background checks and conduct a review of New Jersey's laws and policies regarding sexual assault, abuse, and harassment allegations.

The committee is expected to hold public hearings.

Sweeney, D-Gloucester, said in a statement that the account of Katie Brennan, who accused former New Jersey Schools Development authority chief of staff Albert J. Alvarez of raping her last spring, was "heart-wrenching and repulsive."

"And the repeated failures of authorities to hear her voice and respond to her attempts to achieve justice made me frustrated and angry," added Sweeney, New Jersey's highest-ranking state lawmaker.

"We need a full accounting of what went wrong and what needs to be done so that sexual survivors are heard, that they are treated with respect and compassion, and that they can trust the system to provide justice," Sweeney continued.

The committee will be chaired by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, New Jersey's highest-ranking woman state lawmaker.

It will also include three other Democrats (Sandra Cunningham, D-Hudson; Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex; and Fred Madden, D-Gloucester) and two Republicans (Steve Oroho, R-Sussex, and Kristin Corrado, R-Passaic).

"We expect the full cooperation of the administration so that we can obtain a full accounting and take the necessary actions to prevent these abuses from happening again," Sweeney added.

It's unclear if the state Assembly, the lower house of the Legislature, will be involved in this probe, or if it will launch its own.

Liza Acevedo, a spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, said: "As Speaker Coughlin stated yesterday, all options are on the table."

"That remains the case today," Acevedo added.

The move comes a day after Murphy announced he ordered an independent investigation into the hiring of Alvarez, who resigned from the schools authority Oct. 2 -- the same day the Wall Street Journal contacted him for comment on the accusations.

That probe will be headed by Peter Verniero, a former state Supreme Court justice and state attorney general.

"Sexual misconduct in any form is and will be continued to be treated by this administration with the utmost gravity," Murphy said during a news conference Monday. "Now we must lead and prove that commitment. Words are not enough."

Murphy also insisted the investigation will be thorough.

"Peter Verniero is a highly qualified a lawyer," the governor said. "This will be no whitewash."

But lawmakers from both parties in the Legislature have called for a separate legislative probe.

Republicans say that's needed to get to the bottom of why Alvarez kept his state job even as Brennan told Murphy's team three times about the allegations.

Alvarez worked as director of Latino and Muslim outreach for Murphy's campaign at the time of the alleged incident in April of 2017, while Brennan was a supporter of the campaign and later a volunteer. Brennan, 31, of Jersey City, is now chief of staff of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.

Alvarez, 44, of Wood-Ridge, was never charged with a crime.

Mahen Gunaratna, a Murphy spokesman, said Alvarez was hired for the schools authority job after the transition team learned a criminal investigation into the accusations produced no charges. Gunaratna said Alvarez passed a background check.

But Murphy said Monday that while his administration handled the situation according to protocol, Alvarez shouldn't have been hired for the state position.

Neither Alvarez nor his attorney, John Hogan, have returned messages seeking comment. Hogan denied the allegations in a statement to the Wall Street Journal.

Weinberg, the state Senate majority leader, announced Monday she wanted a joint legislative committee to examine how to improve how state officials and law enforcement handle sexual assault allegations in the wake of Brennan's account.

Weinberg told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday she's not worried about Murphy's independent investigation being a "whitewash" but insisted the Legislature should also look into the situation.

"We kind of know what happened here," Weinberg said. "I'd like the Legislature to get on with its business. I don't need Peter Verniero to tell us what to do next."

"The way I feel about Peter Verniero is: I hope he answers any questions the governor might have," she added. "But I don't need to wait for him to tell me what's wrong."

Murphy also says his administration will examine how the state can strengthen laws and policies to protect sexual assault victims.

Dan Bryan, a spokesman for the governor, said Tuesday that Murphy "believes it is critical that there be a system in place that makes sexual assault survivors feel as though they can achieve a sense of justice."

"The governor has mandated a legal review of the transition hiring process, an internal review of the existing processes in state government for reporting sexual assault, and has directed the attorney general to review how these cases are handled by law enforcement," Bryan added. "While the governor is aware of actions being taken by the Legislature to review hiring practices and sexual misconduct allegations, he is confident that the three steps being taken by the administration will significantly help improve our current system."

The state Attorney General's Office has also assigned the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office to review the case amid questions over how the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office handled it.

It's unclear whether the Senate committee will have subpoena power to compel witnesses to testify and hand over documents. Corrado, one of the Republican senators on the panel, said that's needed to be "truly effective."

Oroho, the other Republican on the committee, said the panel will investigate "important matters" that will "help us to protect our institutions of government and improve the ability of our state to provide justice to the victims of sexual assault."

Both houses of the Legislature -- the Senate and Assembly -- are controlled by Democrats. But Murphy has had a sometimes strained relationship with lawmakers from his own party. He and Sweeney especially have clashed at times.

Meanwhile, another Republican lawmaker on Tuesday called for New Jersey's U.S. attorney to oversee its own investigation into Murphy's hiring practices.

"History has proven that so-called independent investigations by past administrations into their own actions are fallible," Wirths, R-Sussex, said.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Susan K. Livio contributed to this report.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.BERLIN -- He's not running for president. Really. He promises.

Gov. Phil Murphy has said as much in New Jersey -- both before he won his election and since he took the oath of office nine months ago.

But here in Germany, where he served as U.S. ambassador for four years, it was the local press interested in whether the Democrat would run.

"I've got my hands full in New Jersey," Murphy said with a laugh when Annette Riedel of German's public broadcasting radio station posed the presidential question.

"(New Jersey) is my complete and exclusive focus," Murphy insisted.

Murphy was asked in front of an audience at the Aspen Institute Berlin Transatlantic Forum, where he was peppered with questions about U.S. politics and Republican President Donald Trump:

How will the midterm elections shake out? "I think it leans that way" that Democrats will take back control of the U.S. House of Representatives, Murphy said.

The U.S. Senate? "Wouldn't say it's out of reach. (But) it's harder."

Will a Democrat-controlled chamber in Congress move to impeach Trump? "I haven't thought of one second about it," Murphy said. Instead, he's too focused on the election and on Democrats winning their races.

The questions were a build-up to the one Riedel ultimately asked of Murphy, who's widely known among German press and politicos from his 2009-to-2013-stint as ambassador.

Seriously, New Jersey. Murphy says doesn't have any higher office in mind. Take it to the bank, he says.

When was pressed later in the afternoon by another reporter Murphy, exasperated, took a knee, as to plead with the person asking to believe him.

No, he said. It's not happening.

"I don't," he said, about seeking a White House bid. "I have to figure out a way to prove to, like, prove (it) where people can say, 'Oh, I get it. He really means it.'"

So, if not president, how about the secretary of state?

"No. Zero interest and neither of those," Murphy said.

"There is no other hidden government job behind those."

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook.The Times-Picayune is marking the tricentennial of New Orleans with its ongoing 300 for 300 project, running through 2018 and highlighting 300 people who have made New Orleans New Orleans, featuring original artwork commissioned by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune with Where Y'Art gallery. Today: children's advocate Judy Watts.

The icon: Judy Watts.

The legacy: Judy Watts got involved in child care when she took a part-time job at the nursery school her children attended. Learning from the director, whom she described as "a stickler for doing it right," she would move on to directing preschool programs as well as for lobbying in favor of such causes as child-care licensing, which initially was met with horror from people who fretted the government was trying to tell them how to rear their children. She persisted, however -- and she won. In 1984, she founded Agenda for Children and became its first president and CEO. Agenda, which is Louisiana's largest child-advocacy organization, moved beyond child care and health to take on such issue as juvenile-justice reform, early-childhood education, child-abuse prevention and foster care. Watts retired in 2010 and died in 2015, but evidence of her loving legacy can be found in the smiling faces of the countless New Orleans children whose lives she positively impacted through her determined struggle on their behalf.

The artist: Connie Kittok.

The quote: "Judy is the very best example of everything a leader in child advocacy should be. She is passionate without being threatening, she is honest without being self-righteous, she is smart without being pompous, and she is in it for the long term." -- Carol Kamin, executive director of Children's Action Alliance of Arizona and a board member of Voices for America's Children, a national advocacy group, in a 2006 Times-Picayune story

Explore more of Kittok's work online at WhereYart.net and in person at the Where Y'Art gallery, 1901 Royal St.

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, who moved to New Orleans in 1961, Watts embraced the city's lifestyle. Friends said she was enthusiastic about live music and masking for Mardi Gras.

By John Pope, contributing writer

Source: The Times-Picayune archives; AgendaForChildren.org; staff research

More on 300 for 300:The retail line down at bankruptcy court continues to grow: Toys 'R' Us, Radio Shack, The Limited, Payless Shoe Source, Mattress Firm, Nine West and now Kmart and Sears.

Sears, in many ways, is both the most and least surprising name on the list. It is the epitome of 20th-century big-box approach, hasn't turned a profit since 2011 and remains the anchor for dying malls across the country. On the other hand, it has lasted for more than 130 years, survived the Great Depression and, as almost every post-mortem analysis will tell you, was the "Amazon of its day." A disruptor before we had a name for it.

Sears has not yet gone the way of Blockbuster or Circuit City. Sears Holdings, the parent company of Sears and Kmart, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday (Oct. 15) and announced plans to close at least 142 stores by the end of the year, in addition to the 46 closures already slated for next month.

The reorganization will leave just two Sears stores operating in Louisiana -- one at the Clearview Mall in Metairie and one at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge -- down from 14 stores in the state less than a decade ago.

And although there are huge swaths of younger people who have never entered a Sears store and wouldn't be caught dead hanging out at a mall, they live in a retail world unmistakably shaped by Sears.

The comparisons to Amazon are not all superficial. Amazon began by selling books and then branched out into pretty much everything. Richard Sears, a railway station agent, started selling watches in the 1880s and ended up with his name on a company offering lawnmowers, sewing machines, dining room furniture and First Communion outfits.

Sears began as a mail order business, the online ordering of the day. Sears mailed out catalogs for customers to peruse at their leisure and then shipped their orders via rail and the postal service right to their doorsteps. Even with the shipping costs, Sears was able to beat the price of local merchants who had limited inventory and a smaller customer base. Sound familiar?

In the 1920s, Sears hired a retired World War I general named Robert Wood to pull the company into the next century. Wood, who turned out to be a visionary, decided to open Sears' first brick and mortar outlet in 1925, gambling that the new mobility that came with the automobile would produce the needed foot traffic.

Within four years, Sears had opened 324 stores across the country. By 1931, store purchases had eclipsed those from the catalog.

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Wood used the U.S. Census numbers to guide his decisions as he watched the country's population moved from the farm to the city and then from the city to the suburbs. Wherever they arrived, they generally found a Sears store within driving distance. The promise of free parking and easy access in the suburbs helped put the traditional downtown department stores out of business and would spawn the explosion of suburban malls and retail outlets. RIP D.H. Holmes and Maison Blanche.

For much of the 20th century, Sears Holdings Corp. defined American retailing. It is hard to overstate its impact.

For a time, Sears sold cars and even houses. By the 1970s, 1 out of every 204 working Americans was employed by Sears. It sent out 315 million catalogs a year, making it America's largest publisher.

It launched its own popular brands with Kenmore appliances, Diehard car batteries and Craftsman tools. It created Allstate Insurance Co., the Discover credit card and acquired Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group, Land's End clothiers, and the Dean Witter Reynolds stock brokerage and securities firm. When it opened the 110-story Sears Tower in 1973, it was the world's tallest building.

But by the 1990s, Sears had lost its edge as Home Depot and Walmart began to take eat into its market share and Amazon dominated internet sales. Its diversity seemed more like a distraction as its stores languished in those decaying malls and a hedge fund manager took over to begin selling off assets.

Sears as a brand may yet survive, but it will likely never be the leader it was.

The message here is that nothing lasts forever and today's innovator can be tomorrow's bankruptcy filing. There is nothing more Darwinian than retail.

Tim Morris is a columnist on the Latitude team at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Latitude is a place to share opinions about the challenges facing Louisiana. Follow @LatitudeNOLA on Facebook and Twitter. Write to Tim at tmorris@nola.com.A 27-year-old Marrero man faces charges after New Orleans police say he admitted he drove a car last month that carried a gunman away from a Hollygrove shooting scene, court records show. Baron Williams, who was arrested Sunday (Oct. 14) after meeting with NOPD detectives about the shooting, claimed his passenger was not the first to fire his gun, booking records show.

The shooting occurred about 11:20 p.m. Oct. 11 at outside a tire repair shop in the 3000 block of Earhart Boulevard, which the wounded man told police belonged to his motorcycle club," according to a summary of the arrest filed in court. It states that after being read his Miranda rights, Williams told detectives the person who was shot fired his gun first. The document, though, sworn by NOPD 6th District Detective Paul Pettengill, states surveillance video shows the gunman who rode away in the car with Williams was the first to shoot.

Williams was initially booked on charges of obstruction of justice and aggravated battery, court records show. During his first appearance hearing on Monday (Oct. 16), however, Orleans Magistrate Judge Harry Cantrell found no probable cause for either charge, instead finding probable cause only for a charge of principal to aggravated battery. Private attorney Kelly Ursin represented Williams at the hearing, records show. Cantrell set Williams' bond at $10,000.

According to police, the person who was shot walked outside the repair shop and saw a gray or silver Nissan parked in front of the business, the report states. He argued with a man who stood near the front passenger door of the Nissan. The man standing near the car then began to shoot...striking him once in the knee, the NOPD document states. The wounded man returned fire, police said, hitting the back of the car multiple times, as the car fled.

Two days after the shooting, 6th District officers found the silver car in the 1700 block of St. Andrew Street with damage consistent with the victims statement." A license plate check revealed it was reported stolen out of St. Bernard Parish just over two hours after the time of the shooting, the report states. Interviews with witnesses revealed Williams was the driver of the car on the night of the shooting, Pettengill wrote.

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Man shot on Earhart Boulevard in Hollygrove, NOPD says

When Williams met with detectives, he told them a 27-year-old man asked him to pick him up and take him to a bike club in the 3000 block of Earhart to meet with the man who was later shot, Pettengill wrote. Williams said when he arrived at the club, his passenger and the man at the bike club argued verbally. Williams said he got out the car to speak to the man at the bike club then got back in his car, at which time he stated he heard multiple gunshots. His passenger then got back in the car after shooting at the victim, and they fled in the car, the report states. The car had two flat tires, the report says Williams told police, so he parked it on St. Andrew Street, where both men then fled from the car.

Pettengill also wrote that Williams called the Nissans owner and apologized, stating it had been shot up and was located somewhere Uptown, the report states. He also told the cars owner they had been shot at while in her vehicle and they had to shoot back, states the report. The report does not expressly say who gave detectives information about Williams' conversation with the cars owner.

Detectives viewed several videos of the shooting, the report states, and found the footage corroborated the wounded mans statement: Williams passenger shot at him first and the wounded man returned fire in self-defense. The report then states Williams was in the drivers seat when his passenger opened fire.

It does not appear that the man Williams named as the shooter has been arrested.Police are searching for a stolen Honda Accord -- along with the man accused of taking the car in an early Friday (Oct. 12) carjacking just outside of the French Quarter, according to the NOPD.

The unidentified man, believed to be 25 to 27 years old, is suspected of stealing the car at gunpoint about 1:15 a.m. in the 1300 block of Conti Street.

The victim, a 45-year-old man, was walking to his car when the gunman approached and demanded money, police said in an initial report. After taking cash, the gunman snatched the victim's car keys from his hand and drove off in the victim's car, heading south on Conti Street and then west on Basin Street toward Canal Street.

The stolen vehicle is described as a gray 2008 four-door Honda Accord with Louisiana license plate 163BYB.

Anyone with information on the carjacking, the identity of the suspected carjacker or the whereabouts of the stolen car is asked to call the NOPD's 1st District Investigative Unit at 504-658-6010 or call Crimestoppers anonymously at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-7867.This months bills for Louisianas two million or so electricity customers are $11.67 higher, on average, than they were in October 2020, according to the reports compiled by the Public Service Commission, which regulates the privately owned for-pThe Archdiocese of New Orleans will release the names of the clergy who have been "credibly accused" of abusing minors dating back 50 years, amid a scandal that has rocked one of the world's largest and most influential religious institutions.

The move to release the names comes three weeks after Archbishop Gregory Aymond told NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune in an exclusive interview that he and other Louisiana bishops were in discussions over whether to release the names. The decision follows similar transparency efforts in dioceses around the country, as Catholic Church leaders attempt to quell outrage among the faithful over a decades old clergy abuse scandal rooted in south Louisiana.

"The clergy files are being examined very carefully," Aymond said in a prepared statement Tuesday (Oct. 16). "It is important to note that the review of the files will go back at least 50 years to ensure the list is accurate and complete. We will publish the list as soon as the work is finished. It will be sooner rather than later."

Aymond did not say how and where the names will be published. Dioceses in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette and Houma-Thibodaux reported Tuesday they too will release of names of credibly accused clergy in their areas. It was not immediately clear if other Louisiana dioceses will release the names of priests accused there.

Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel of the diocese of Lafayette issued a statement later Tuesday saying he applauds and fully supports Aymond's decision to release the names of accused clergy and will follow suit. He did not say when the names of priests in his diocese will be released.

"Our diocese is currently embarking on the same process of examining 50 years of clergy files very closely and carefully to ensure the accuracy of any list of priests accused of abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult," Deshotel said. "Disclosure of that list is a good idea to foster healing and provide assurance that no one accused of abuse is currently serving in ministry."

The diocese of Shreveport issued a statement saying it "will follow the lead of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and release names of those credibly accused." A spokesman for the Houma-Thibodeaux archdiocese said it intends to release a list, but could provide no additional details.

Deacon Dan Borne, communications secretary for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, said releasing the names of the credibly accused clergy members "is of the highest priority to us."

The Louisiana archdioceses will join a growing list of dioceses around the country opting to identify priests who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse. On Monday, the archbishop of Washington, D.C., released the names of 31 clergy members who had been credibly accused of abusing minors there over the past seven decades.

The U.S. has nearly 200 Catholic dioceses or archdioceses. Recently, more than 50 of those have published lists of accused priests, according to the website BishopAccountability.org.

In a Sept. 20 interview, Aymond said while he believes transparency is key to helping the church through the crises, he added that releasing the names of clergy members who were accused of abuse decades ago is "riddled with problems" and "messy," particularly in cases where the abuser is deceased.

The archbishop, in the interview, stressed that there have been no credible reports of clergy abuse occurring in the Archdiocese of New Orleans in more than a decade, and that the vast majority of cases occurred before preventative measures were put in place by the U.S. Conference of Bishops in 2002.

Aymond said the local archdiocese adheres strictly -- and even goes beyond -- the guidelines bishops set forth 16 years ago in the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People." That landmark document responded to the crisis by establishing accountability for, and prevention of, future acts of abuse. It was revised in 2005, 2011 and 2018.

Under archdiocese policy, anyone who claims to have been abused by a clergy member is put in contact with a victim's assistance coordinator. If the case involved a minor, police are immediately notified. If an adult reports abuse, that victim is given the option of going to police.

Any priest against whom a charge is made is immediately removed the ministry while an investigation is conducted, according to the policy. The results of the investigations are turned over to a lay review board chaired by a psychiatrist.

If the review board determines that the complaint is credible, the priest is immediately defrocked and the parishes in which he worked are notified.

Aymond, who is secretary and an executive committee member of the influential U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has said the Catholic hierarchy's history of shielding pedophile priests amounts to "terrible, terrible, terrible" sins.

The clergy abuse scandal that some fear could cause long-term damage to the Catholic church, which has approximately 1.3 billion worldwide followers, has its origins in the Diocese of Lafayette. In 1985, the Rev. Gilbert Gauthe was convicted of sexually abusing as many as 39 young children between 1972 and 1983.

The issue resurfaced most recently in August when a Pennsylvania grand jury's report, citing internal documents from six Catholic dioceses in that state, identified more than 300 priests credibly accused of sexually abusing more than 1,000 child victims over several decades.

The document described the church's earlier response to the accusations as "a playbook for concealing the truth."New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis spent part of his week off in New York receiving an award for his involvement in social justice.

Davis, who previously played for the New York Jets, received the In Pursuit of Justice award from the Bronx Defenders at a gala last Thursday (Oct. 11).

According to the Bronx Defenders website, the group is a "public defender nonprofit that is radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the justice system and, in doing so, is transforming the system itself."

Davis said he partnered with the Bronx Defenders for a handful of events last year while he was with the Jets, including a visit to the New York capital in Albany.

"It was pretty neat to be honored by them, but we don't do it for the awards," Davis said. "We do it because it's peoples lives being impacted. That's what it's about. I just feel like I'm doing my part as a human being, helping people who can't help themselves."

A member of the Players Coalition, Davis is among the most active players in terms of social justice reform. Since signing with the Saints in March, Davis has participated in several events in Louisiana, and he and other Saints players are focusing this month on voter restoration.

When Davis received the award Thursday, Saints owner Gayle Benson and Jets owner Chris Johnson were in attendance.

"It's always neat to have the team owners support us in our works off the field, especially when it comes to social justice," Davis said.The Sunshine Bridge in Donaldsonville will remain closed for "months rather than days" due to damage caused by a barge accident Friday, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced Monday (Oct. 15).

The bridge, which crosses the Mississippi River, was closed indefinitely Friday (Oct. 12) after a barge carrying a crane collided with the southwest portion of the bridge. Over the weekend, DOTD announced that the damage was more significant than originally thought.

Now the department is waiting on designs from bridge engineers to develop a more accurate timeline.

"At this point, the potential timeline is believed to be months rather than days," said DOTD in a release.

During the duration of the Sunshine Bridge closure, additional Plaquemine ferry service hours will be:

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Monday through Friday, a second boat will run from 5:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. to 7p.m.

When two ferries are in operation, they are scheduled to depart every 15 minutes. When there is only one, it leaves every 30 minutes departing Plaquemine at the top of the hour and half hour and Sunshine at a quarter after the hour and a quarter before the hour.

The possibility of reopening the White Castle ferry has been ruled out since it would require approval from the Coast Guard, which oversees new ferry routes, the White Castle landing landowner and the Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees levee building.

Motorists can also use the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Gramercy to cross the river.

The Sunshine Bridge was opened in 1964 and was named for former Governor Jimmie Davis's hit song "You Are My Sunshine."Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here.Today

Mostly clear. Low 64F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low 64F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 78F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.Oct 16, 2018 NR

The Regional Censor Board in Chennai has completed the censor formalities of Vishal's dubbing film, Pandem Kodi-2 which will release this Thursday. The movie was awarded UA certificate with no notable cuts.

The movie will fight with Ram's Hello Guru Prema Kosame releasing on the same day and NTR's Aravindha Sametha which will be in its second week. Noted Tollywood producer Tagore Madhu is releasing the Telugu version. Click the Movie button below for more info:

Pandem Kodi-2LOS ANGELES  With devastating wildfires becoming more frequent in California, power companies have found themselves on the defensive. Their equipment has been singled out as a frequent culprit. Now, to reduce the hazard, they are pulling out a rarely used tool: the blackout.

Power for tens of thousands of Northern Californians was cut Sunday as high winds prompted fire alerts in a region hit hard by fires a year ago  including parts of Napa and Sonoma Counties, the states leading wine area.

The action was taken by Pacific Gas and Electric, whose territory covers most of central and Northern California. PG&E and Southern California Edison warned tens of thousands of others that they, too, could face imminent blackouts.

Officials said they were acting purely for safety reasons. Weve always had this as a tool, said Phil Herrington, senior vice president for transmission and distribution at Southern California Edison. Based on our experience, based on our view, the wildfire threat is increasing.The report released recently by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change laid out the drastic reductions in coal, oil and gas consumption necessary to avoid catastrophic warming of the planet. But to stave off the most disastrous damage, we need to swear off another product, too: hydrofluorocarbons, better known as HFCs. And banishing them shouldnt be so hard, relatively speaking.

In a bitter irony, these chemicals, used to cool, have also been driving global temperatures up. Used in refrigerators and air-conditioners since the 1980s, HFCs are extremely potent contributors to the earths warming. One HFC, 134a, used in most American refrigerators traps 1,300 times more heat than carbon dioxide does . Another, 410a, used in most American air-conditioners, is worse. Around the world, as more people rely on air-conditioning to cope with severe heat, the HFCs that routinely leak out of appliances and into the atmosphere have become the fastest-growing type of greenhouse gas emitted in every country on earth.

There is a seemingly simple solution to this feedback loop: Stop making and using HFCs. But so far, weve been unable to do it  not for scientific reasons, but for political ones. Just as we do with fossil fuels, we already have alternatives to HFCs that dont contribute to warming. For cooling, a range of substances including ammonia, propane and iso-butane can do the trick.

Yet, instead of moving forward, our country has been reversing the steps it has already taken toward solving the HFC problem. This year, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would not be enforcing a 2015 rule that prohibited the use of HFCs. The E.P.A. has also proposed weakening an Obama-era effort to limit HFC leaks from appliances.The information superhighway cracks apart more easily when so much of it depends on privately owned infrastructure. An error at Amazon Web Services created losses of service across the web in 2017; a storm disrupting a data center in Northern Virginia created similar failures in 2012. These were unintentional blackouts; the corporate custodians of the internet have it within their power to do far more. Of course, nobody wants to turn off the internet completely  that wouldnt make anyone money. But when a single company with huge market share chooses to comply with a law  or more worryingly, a mere suggestion from the authorities  a large chunk of the internet ends up falling in line.

The power of a handful of platforms and services combined with the dismal state of international cooperation across the world pushes us closer and closer to a splintered internet. Meanwhile, American companies that once implicitly pushed democratic values abroad are more reticent to take a stand.

In 2010, Google shut down its operations in China after it was revealed that the Chinese government had been hacking the Gmail accounts of dissidents and surveilling them through the search engine. At some point you have to stand back and challenge this and say, this goes beyond the line of what were comfortable with, and adopt that for moral reasons, said Sergey Brin, a Google co-founder, in an interview with Der Spiegel at the time.

But eight years later, Google is working on a search engine for China known as Dragonfly. Its launch will be conditional on the approval of Chinese officials and will therefore comply with stringent censorship requirements. An internal memo written by one of the engineers on the project described surveillance capabilities built into the engine  namely by requiring users to log in and then tracking their browsing histories. This data will be accessible by an unnamed Chinese partner, presumably the government.

Google says all features are speculative and no decision has been made on whether to launch Dragonfly, but a leaked transcript of a meeting inside Google later acquired by The Intercept, a news site, contradicts that line. In the transcript, Googles head of search, Ben Gomes, is quoted as saying that it hoped to launch within six to nine months, although the unstable American-China relationship makes it difficult to predict when or even whether the Chinese government will give the go-ahead. There is a huge binary difference between being launched and not launched, said Mr. Gomes. And so we want to be careful that we dont miss that window if it ever comes.In a rare political riposte, Senator Elizabeth Warren on Monday released an analysis of her DNA indicating that she has a Native American ancestor, likely between six and 10 generations back in her family history.

President Trump has mocked Ms. Warrens claims of Native American ancestry, often calling her Pocahontas. The new analysis appeared to be scientifically rigorous, researchers said, but it cannot give someone a cultural identity as Native American.

The research on Ms. Warrens DNA was led by Carlos Bustamante, a Stanford University geneticist who has written a number of studies on the genetic ancestry of people in the Americas. The results were first reported by the Boston Globe.

The study did not appear in a peer-reviewed journal and had not gotten rigorous scrutiny from other scientists. But Deborah Bolnick, a geneticist at the University of Connecticut who studies Native Americans and was not involved in the analysis, said the Stanford team used well-established methods.Like Lincoln, and for similar reasons, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has become more than an actual historical human: Hes a cultural touchstone. We are used to seeing that civil rights leader, or his pseudonymous stand-ins, fictionalized and anatomized in plays like The Mountaintop by Katori Hall, The Good Negro by Tracey Scott Wilson and The Man in Room 306 by Craig Alan Edwards.

But we havent seen much onstage about Coretta.

In Fireflies, which opened on Monday at the Atlantic Theater Company, the playwright Donja R. Love daringly sets out to correct that, subverting the standard portrait of a great-man marriage by making the wife infinitely more interesting than the husband.

Though the Martin figure is called the Rev. Charles Emmanuel Grace, there is no mistaking his face of the movement stature for anyone elses. As the play begins, Charles (Khris Davis) has been called upon, just as King was, to speak at the funeral of the black girls killed in the Birmingham, Ala., church bombing in September 1963.

But in Mr. Loves fantasia, it is the reverends wife, Olivia, a pencil always handy in her hairdo, who writes the words that soar and console.HOUSTON  After months of campaigning in the shadows of his Democratic rival, Senator Ted Cruz goes into his second debate with Representative Beto ORourke on Tuesday on decidedly better footing.

Mr. Cruzs bid for re-election should have been an easy one in Republican-dominated Texas, but Mr. ORourke, an El Paso congressman, has turned the race into one of the tightest and most closely watched in the country. Republican leaders had publicly and privately worried that Mr. Cruz might lose the seat he has held since 2013, especially with Mr. ORourke managing to raise a staggering $38 million in the past three months, the most of any Senate candidate in history.

But those fears have largely evaporated recently as Mr. Cruz has surged in the polls, riding on conservative enthusiasm for the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh and an aggressive performance in a debate last month that reassured his Republican base. Mr. Cruz has become far more assertive on the campaign trail, rallying earlier this month with Donald Trump Jr., the presidents son, and even in Mr. ORourkes hometown. And on Monday, Mr. Cruz got yet another boost from his onetime Republican rival  President Trump will hold a long-planned rally for Mr. Cruz and other Texas Republicans in Houston next week.Yes, said the dean, who has been in charge of Harvard admissions since 1986.

Asians are not included in that list? Mr. Hughes asked.

Not in that particular list, Mr. Fitzsimmons replied.

The exchange signaled that the trial was delivering on the plaintiffs promise to lay bare secrets of the admissions process at one of the worlds most selective and prestigious universities. Harvard fiercely fought the disclosure of thousands of admissions documents, saying they were the equivalent of trade secrets.

The plaintiffs say that the university holds Asian-American applicants to a higher standard than people of other races, and that it resorts to racial balancing to shape its incoming classes.

The university readily acknowledges seeking a diverse incoming class each year, but denies using racial quotas or discrimination to achieve it. The case is widely seen as having the potential to reach the Supreme Court, and to be a major test of the constitutionality of affirmative action in educational admissions, even though that is not the legal question directly before the trial judge, Allison Burroughs.

The lawsuit was brought by an organization called Students for Fair Admissions, which recruited Asian-American students who were rejected by Harvard; the court has allowed the students to remain unnamed.I shot a Leopard. Super cool, super lucky, Mr. Fischer wrote. The Leopard is one of the big 5, as in one of the 5 animals in Africa that will kill you before you can kill it.

As one of seven commission members, Mr. Fischer  who was originally appointed to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission in 2014 and was reappointed this June  was responsible for administering the fish and game policy of the state, according to the departments website.

Within a few weeks of Mr. Fischers email, at least one former Idaho fish and game commissioner, Fred Trevey, replied to him and called for his resignation sooner rather than later, according to other emails obtained by The Times. He accused Mr. Fischer of gratuitously sharing photos and descriptions of kills, violating the spirit of responsible hunting.

I have a difficult time understanding how a person privileged to be an Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner can view such an action as sportsmanlike and an example to others, Mr. Trevey wrote.

Im sure what you did was legal, however, legal does not make it right, he added.

Another former commissioner wrote to the governors office to say he and other former fish and game commissioners objected to the contents of Mr. Fischers email.

Namibia places restrictions on when, where and what people can hunt. Trophy hunting season runs from February through November, and hunters must obtain permits, including special permits for large cats, according to the Namibia Professional Hunting Association.

Trophy hunting is also allowed only on properties where hunters have been granted permission by the landowner, the association says.WASHINGTON  Democratic candidates are outpacing the fund-raising of their Republican rivals in key congressional races, but huge checks from conservatives assured that their side will remain financially competitive in the weeks before next months midterms.

In an election season that appears likely to shatter midterm fund-raising records, Democrats outraised their Republican opponents in 32 of the closest 45 House races by a total margin of $154 million to $108 million since November 2016, according to an analysis of reports filed Monday with the Federal Election Commission. Even in the 13 targeted races in which Republicans outraised their Democratic rivals, the margin was a less gaping $41 million to $31 million.

The breakneck Democratic campaign fund-raising, much of which was fueled by donors giving small sums online, has boosted the confidence of party leaders. They believe the financial advantage will give them the resources they need to harness an enthusiasm gap and capitalize on enmity for President Trump headed into Election Day.

To take the majority in the House of Representatives, Democrats need to flip at least 23 seats currently held by Republicans. For Democrats to win control of the Senate, a more difficult task, they would have to defend 26 seats  including 10 in states won by President Trump in 2016  and flip two of the five Republican seats considered in play.ATLANTA  Reports that tens of thousands of Georgia voters, predominantly African-Americans, were placed on a list for further scrutiny have exploded into the Georgia governors race, leading to bitter exchanges between the candidates and leaving many residents uncertain what to expect as the state began early voting Monday.

The uproar over voting seems almost an inevitable development in the race, which pits two candidates on opposite sides of the nations voting wars who have battled with one another over access to the polls for years.

Stacey Abrams, the Democrat, who is hoping to be the nations first black female governor, forged her political profile through a group she founded that in the last five years has registered thousands of new minority voters. Her opponent Brian Kemp, Georgias secretary of state since 2010, has advanced strict voting rules that he says are needed to combat fraud, but which critics call a form of voter suppression directed at precisely the new voters Ms. Abrams is aiming to bring to the polls.

Their race is the latest example of how contentious and far-reaching voting issues have become in American politics, where once largely nonpartisan issues have been weaponized to gain an edge.We have seen numerous distortions on social and other media of the facts of this matter, they said. So we emphasize again today that Jim was never charged with having compromised classified information, nor is such a charge part of todays plea. Jim has accepted responsibility for his actions and has chosen to resolve this matter now so that he and his family can move forward with their lives.

The charge to which Mr. Wolfe pleaded guilty originated with the F.B.I.s scrutiny of an October 2017 article  apparently by a reporter for NBC News  that revealed that the Senate Intelligence Committee had issued a subpoena to Carter Page, who later became a foreign policy adviser to the Trump campaign. That fact was unclassified, but otherwise not publicly available, according to a court filing on Monday that Mr. Wolfe agreed was accurate.

Mark Kornblau, a spokesman for NBC News, declined to comment.

A court filing said Mr. Wolfe used the encrypted messaging app Signal to tell the unidentified reporter that he had served Mr. Page with a subpoena, then gave that reporter Mr. Pages contact information, and later told the reporter that Mr. Page was coming in for his testimony.

In an interview with F.B.I. agents in December, Mr. Wolfe initially denied having had any personal or professional contact with the unnamed reporter who wrote about the subpoena, with Ms. Watkins or with a third reporter, who was also not named.

The F.B.I. investigation apparently began after it was reported in an April 2017 article in BuzzFeed News that the bureau believed that Russian spies had tried to recruit Mr. Page in 2013. The fact that Russian spies had tried to recruit someone had already been revealed in court documents, but the identity of their target was not public information.

That article was written by Ms. Watkins, who has denied that Mr. Wolfe told her government secrets during their relationship.

Earlier this year, months before Mr. Wolfes arrest, the government notified Ms. Watkins that it had subpoenaed her communications records, but she did not tell The Times about it at the time. Management at the newspaper opened a review and eventually reassigned her from its Washington bureau to the Metro desk in New York.The second of three aid workers kidnapped in Nigeria by Islamist militants has been executed, government officials said Monday night.

A Nigerian government minister said that Hauwa Liman, a 24-year-old midwife who worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross, was killed after failed attempts to secure her release. Her captors are believed to have demanded a ransom.

On Sunday, the Red Cross Committee released a videotaped statement pleading for the two remaining captives rescue, and warning that there might be only hours left before the militants killed one of them. The group cited a deadline given by the militants, who belong to a faction of Boko Haram called the Islamic State West African Province.

Ms. Liman, a Nigerian, was one of three aid workers seized by the militants during an attack in March in Rann, a town where tens of thousands of internally displaced people are seeking shelter.BERLIN  Many people thought Bavarias election would be a backlash against the hundreds of thousands of migrants Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed into Germany three years ago. It turned out to be a backlash against Ms. Merkel herself.

Voters on both the left and the right are saying it is time for her and her government to go.

The vote in one of Germanys biggest and richest states may offer the first glimpse of a post-Merkel Germany: A vibrant opposition being rewarded for, well, providing vibrant opposition. Populists galvanizing voters on the fringes, but less than expected. And the resounding collapse of the two parties associated with the chancellors 13-year reign.

Ms. Merkel may not have been breathing a sigh of relief, but some of those worried about the health of German democracy were.

We have a governing problem, we dont have a democracy problem, said Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff, a former adviser to the German president and director of the Berlin office of the German Marshall Fund. All the parties in government were punished, all the others gained and turnout was up.KRAKOW, Poland  Last week, in the sun-bathed, historic city of Krakow, the streets were lined with posters for the right-wing nationalist Law and Justice party, which looks set to make gains in local elections on Sunday. Also unmissable were advertisements for Clergy, Wojciech Smarzowskis excoriating film about sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, which has become a surprise domestic hit despite condemnation from members of the Law and Justice party and the church itself.

The sense of a divided city persisted elsewhere. Krakow is also home to Unsound, an annual festival of experimental and club music from across the globe, staged in dramatic venues across the city. Its one of the worlds more unusual music festivals. And it is a roaring success  despite now being been banned from the citys churches, after a furor in 2015 in which a blog accused one of the festivals acts of being a Satanist.

Unsound was founded in 2003 by Mat Schulz, an Australian writer living in Krakow, who was persuaded by his roommate to stage a small festival celebrating the sort of esoteric music they both loved. It expanded throughout Krakow, and now the weeklong October festival takes place in buildings ranging from a synagogue to a Baroque palace to Hotel Forum, a huge disused Soviet-era hotel, which hosts the club portion of the program.Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous nights highlights that lets you sleep  and lets us get paid to watch comedy. If youre interested in hearing from The Times regularly about great TV, sign up for our Watching newsletter and get recommendations straight to your inbox.

Elizabeth Warren Would Like Her Donation Now

Senator Elizabeth Warren says she successfully called President Trumps bluff, but hes not admitting it. The president repeatedly accused Warren of lying about her Native American heritage, saying he would donate $1 million to a charity of her choice if a DNA test showed her to have Native American ancestry.

But last week, she received the results of a DNA test that showed her to have a small amount of Native American blood. Now she says she expects Trump to pay up. Stephen Colbert said the whole thing seemed to imply that Warren has her sights set on a higher office.

This test accurately reveals, with high confidence, that Elizabeth Warren is running for president.  STEPHEN COLBERT

On The Daily Show, Trevor Noah highlighted Trumps response: The president told reporters on Monday that he did not care about Warrens DNA test, and claimed he had never offered to pay $1 million to charity.Anna Burns won the Man Booker Prize on Tuesday for her novel Milkman, which is narrated by an unnamed 18-year-old girl living in 1970s Northern Ireland who is coerced into a relationship with a mysterious older married man with ties to a paramilitary group.

The Bookers judges cited Ms. Burnss use of dark humor to explore weighty themes like the perils of tribalism, state-sponsored terrorism, social division and the ways that sexual and political oppression often overlap.

None of us had ever read anything like this before, the writer and philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah, chair of this years judges, said in a statement. It is a story of brutality, sexual encroachment and resistance threaded with mordant humor.

The novel unfolds in an unnamed city during the Troubles, a prolonged civil conflict in Northern Ireland that gave rise to sectarian violence and guerrilla warfare. Against the background of this turbulent epoch, with the constant threat of car bombs and riots, the narrator deals with a menacing stalker, who is known only as Milkman, though he doesnt deliver milk.When did you become aware of what it means to be undocumented?



JOSE OLIVAREZ My dad became a citizen when I was in fifth grade, and it wasnt until I saw him studying for the civics test that I realized that my parents were undocumented. For years before that we would spend every Saturday in the basement office of an immigration lawyer. My parents wouldnt tell us why; I just knew every Saturday we had to go to this office, and my parents would talk to the lawyer. When I found out, I was like, "How is it that me and my brothers are citizens but almost no one in my family is?

Explore the New York Times Book Review Want to keep up with the latest and greatest in books? This is a good place to start. Learn what you should be reading this fall: Our collection of reviews on books coming out this season includes biographies, novels, memoirs and more. See whats new in October: Among this months new titles are novels by Jonathan Franzen, a history of Black cinema and a biography by Katie Couric. Nominate a book: The New York Times Book Review has just turned 125. That got us wondering: What is the best book that was published during that time? Listen to our podcast: Featuring conversations with leading figures in the literary world, from Colson Whitehead to Leila Slimani, the Book Review Podcast helps you delve deeper into your favorite books.



My high school had a poetry slam team, and it was the first time I saw that you were allowed to write stories about all these questions I had been collecting  big questions I had been taught, as a survival method, not to ask.

ARCE When I found out I was undocumented, I was 14, and I was bugging my mom about going to Mexico for my quinceanera. I kept bugging her, and, finally, she blurted out, You cant go to Mexico because your visa is expired, and if you go, you cant come back. Because I was 14, I couldnt process the weight of the thing my mom had just shared with me. To me, I was a normal teenager, like everybody else at my school.

Thats why this young adult book was so important for me. When I was in middle school I never read a book about undocumented people or in which the protagonist is a Latina. Today, I went to a school, and I talked to 200 fifth graders. We talked about what someone like me can do. These kids were like Someone like me can become a doctor and Someone like me can become a biologist. Some of those kids were undocumented, and I really wanted them to feel like someone like them can  even if they dont look like the people in all of the books theyre reading.

VARGAS I found out I was undocumented when I was a freshman in high school, and by then I was like, Im undocumented, so whats the point of trying? Then, I learned that when you get a byline, your name would be in the paper, and thats literally the only reason I became a journalist  just so my name could be on a piece of paper.

ARCE Its so interesting. Jose, you found out you were undocumented, and you wanted your name to be on a piece of paper, that meant something to you. When I found out I was undocumented, I decided, I am going to get rich, and when I am rich its not going to matter that Im undocumented. Its what you do when you find out your status  think of how you are going to solve it or be able to live with it.Audi, the luxury car division of Volkswagen, has agreed to pay a substantial fine in Germany for its role in an emissions-cheating scandal that has become a serious threat to the countrys auto industry.

The fine of 800 million euros, or about $930 million, will resolve civil claims against the company, but it does not affect a criminal investigation of Audi executives that resulted in the arrest of the former chief executive, prosecutors in Munich said.

Audi said in a statement that it accepts the fine and, by doing so, admits its responsibility. The division, which accounts for a disproportionate share of Volkswagens profit, also warned that the punishment would cause it to miss its financial targets for the year.

The penalty brings the scandals cost to Volkswagen, from fines and lawsuits, to more than $32 billion, a cash drain that hampers the companys ability to invest in new technologies like autonomous vehicles. And there may be more financial fallout to come: Shareholders seeking 9 billion are suing the company n German courts.Get the DealBook newsletter to make sense of major business and policy headlines  and the power-brokers who shape them.

__________

BlackRock, the worlds largest asset manager, reported a 27 percent increase in its earnings for the third quarter compared with a year ago. But the strong performance masked an increase in investor outflows, driven by growing fears of a stock market correction.

During the third quarter, retail and institutional investors yanked $24 billion from BlackRocks index funds, an indication that investor anxiety has been building for several months now  not just over the past week.

The biggest concern I see is that we may be at peak earnings, said Laurence D. Fink, BlackRocks chief executive, referring to a worry that the growth in corporate earnings, after the Trump administration tax cuts, will begin to taper off. We definitely see anxiety.They also fear retribution from Saudi Arabia, which has shown a penchant for holding grudges.

One talking point among some executives has been Citigroups experience in Saudi Arabia. For decades, the bank had a joint venture with the Saudi government, Saudi American Bank. But after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, and a lawsuit by 9/11 victims against Saudi American Bank, Citi decided to sell its stake. The government was furious and made its feeling clear: Several years later, when Citi sought a license to do business in the kingdom, it found the gates closed. It took years of lobbying and trips to Riyadh before Citi gained the license last year.

Despite pleas from corporate leaders for help, Mr. Trump continued to instruct Mr. Mnuchin to attend the conference  while also saying that he would consider punishing the country if it was found to have killed Mr. Khashoggi. Saudi Arabias combative posture  it said it would respond to any measure against it with an even stronger measure  left business leaders worried that their companies could become targets.

And many chief executives took notice of the vindictive nature of the Saudi response to the criticism from Canada this summer over Saudi Arabias arrest of human rights activists: The kingdom instructed its investment mangers to start dumping its stakes in shares of Canadian companies, even if the sales would result in losses.

Last week, as Mr. Khashoggis disappearance drew headlines, companies began pulling out of the Saudi conference, known as the Future Investment Initiative. The New York Times and CNN pulled out as media partners. Late Thursday, Dara Khosrowshahi, the chief executive of Uber, said he would not attend. His decision was perhaps the most courageous: His company had received a $3.5 billion investment from the Saudi sovereign wealth fund in 2016 and one of his own board members is the head of the fund, which was putting on the conference.

I also had to make my own hard decision. I was scheduled to moderate several panels, like I have done at other conferences. But I chose to end my participation because, quite simply, it was the right thing to do. There was no guarantee that I would have the opportunity to ask tough questions of people in power about Mr. Khashoggis disappearance, and my participation, I feared, would be perceived as an endorsement of the kingdom rather than a journalistic enterprise.

So the exodus had already begun before the three financial titans began strategizing over the weekend. In a series of phone calls, Mr. Dimon, Mr. Schwarzman and Mr. Fink scrambled to find a way to gracefully exit the conference  or at least put it off, according to the people briefed on the conversations. Those people spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the business and political sensitivity of the discussions.Nancy Barnes, the executive editor of The Houston Chronicle, will be the new senior vice president of news and the editorial director at NPR, a position last officially held by Michael Oreskes, who resigned last November amid allegations of sexual harassment.

Ms. Barnes, 57, who is also the executive editor for Hearst Texas Newspapers, will start on Nov. 28. She will take over from Chris Turpin, who has held the role temporarily. He will become vice president for editorial innovation and newsroom development, the public radio network said on Tuesday.

Im very excited about this opportunity to work at NPR, Ms. Barnes said. Its a great opportunity to grow and do something a little bit different and still serve the great journalistic work.

In a statement, Jarl Mohn, NPRs president and chief executive, said, Nancy has the news judgment to guide our storytelling, believes in the power of the NPR mission, sees the tremendous opportunity in unifying NPR and member station newsrooms, and has the business acumen to think creatively about how we can bring our journalism to even more eyes and ears.With luxury housing developments in the works, including a $1.4 billion, 815-unit tower, the district is neck deep in gentrification and facing hyper-development, said Tomie Arai, an activist and a co-founder of the Chinatown Art Brigade. She added that the area now had more than 100 art galleries, which have displaced mom-and-pop businesses.

You can picture how devastating this development is on the lives of the people who live there, Ms. Arai said. An increasingly white population is threatening to replace the cultural identity of the neighborhood.

In San Francisco, more than 14,000 residents, mostly Chinese, live in densely packed quarters in Chinatowns 20-block core, according to the Chinatown Community Development Center. Many of them are low-income and elderly people renting single rooms in buildings with health and safety violations that are twice the citys average, according to the centers 2017 report.

Despite these challenges, civic improvements are helping enhance the neighborhood, including mural art, cleaner alleys and better affordable housing. A much-anticipated Chinatown Station subway hub is expected to open in 2019. Recently enacted laws curb short-term vacation rentals, keeping out companies like Airbnb and VRBO, and a legacy business program offers financial incentives to landlords who sign long-term commercial leases with qualifying Chinatown enterprises.The dish may not scream Korean cuisine, but the next one does. This is hwe  Korean for raw, youll recall, and also the term for Korean-style sashimi. The fish is striped jack, brushed with plum vinegar sauce. Slices of it are folded around a mild fermented chile, a few drops of sesame oil and bits of kimchi made from cabbage and ramps. Sitting over each slice of jack is a crisp square of gim, which the Japanese call nori. Pinch some fish inside the gim and eat it, and the flavors that unspool are some of those that are brought to the table with Korean sashimi, but theyre put together with a harmony thats hard to achieve when you swab them yourself under the influence of a few glasses of soju.

Inspired by a poem from the Choson era, Mr. Park summoned an entirely different set of flavors for the hwe on Atomixs opening menu, which ran from late May to early September. Then, the fish was sea bream, firm and chewy, marinated overnight with ginger in a magnificently good tangerine vinegar from the island of Jeju. Eaten with sea urchin, plain spinach, sparkling shards of jelly made from pale young soy sauce, and Chinese-mustard leaves fermented in some wonderful way, it was so deeply harmonic I wouldnt have minded if Mr. Park had served it over and over for the rest of the meal.

Centuries before it became the fashion among American chefs, fermentation was a pillar of Korean cuisine. Atomix exploits it in all kinds of ways. Fermentation bends a mix of juices from Korean pears, green apples and pineapple toward a cidery direction that makes it a thrilling marinade, braising liquid and sauce for exquisitely rich Wagyu strip loin. Its the foundation for an array of vinegars you wont find on the average table in Koreatown: cherry blossom, persimmon, mugwort, birch. And, of course, fermentation is behind the restaurants arsenal of pickled vegetables, the most interesting of which may be the tart brussels sprouts that Mr. Park serves in banchan format alongside roast duck with a mole sauce that could pass muster in Mexico if Mr. Park did not up the funk level with gochujang.

Some of these ingredients were fermented or otherwise preserved in South Korea. Many more were put up for storage at Atoboy, the Parks other restaurant, over the past year or more as the Parks prepared to open Atomix.Headliner

Elea

Kyma, an established Greek restaurant in Roslyn, N.Y., planted its flag in the Flatiron district this year, serving mostly Greek-style seafood in a bright, bustling setting. Now, Reno Christou, who heads the group behind these establishments, has opened another taste of Greece, this time on the Upper West Side. The ground floor has a central bar and seats all around, with a fairly intimate 40-seat dining room off to one side. Its just the beginning, since downstairs, the spacious main dining room can accommodate 130 people with an appetite not just for seafood, as at Kyma, but also for what the director of operations, Joe Ragonese, describes as more traditional, Greek home cooking. The chef, David Perez, was at Estiatorio Milos. There are braised gigantes beans with tomatoes and feta, roasted cauliflower fritters and grilled sausages among the starters, in addition to raw-bar items and the typical spreads like skordalia. Main courses are split about 50-50 meat to fish. We think it will be a different clientele in this location, Mr. Ragonese said. And we also think that what Elea offers would be easier to replicate in other neighborhoods. The room is done in beige accented with white, with vintage pottery accents.

217 West 85th Street, 212-369-9800, eleanyc.com.

Opening

Undercote

The long-awaited underground bar at Cote, the Korean steakhouse in the Flatiron district, has opened. Its dark, yet filled with greenery. Sondre Kasin is the mixologist in charge of creations like Rain (a gin drink with pear, lemon juice, shiso leaf and ginger) and Cola Nerve Tonic (made with rye, lavender-infused sweet vermouth, Campari and tonka beans). Salt figures in several of the cocktails, and the martini is made with orange bitters. There is no food menu, though complimentary bar bites are offered.

16 West 22nd Street, no phone, cotenyc.com; reservations from janus@undercotenyc.com.

Pickle Shack

Fermentation rules at this Sunset Park, Brooklyn, spot, which was in Park Slope but closed more than two years ago. It is now an annex to Brooklyn Brines production facility in the Industry City development. The vegan menu includes items like a tofu banh mi and macaroni with vegan cheese and coconut bacon. Pickles are sold. The plant and the cafe are owned by Shamus Jones.

67 35th Street (Third Avenue), Sunset Park, Brooklyn, 877-219-0256, brooklynbrine.com.

Zai Lai

Edward Huangs quick take on home-style Taiwanese fare, already featured at Turnstyle Underground Market in the Columbus Circle subway station, has opened in the Midtown food hall Urbanspace at 570 Lex, serving rice bowls, noodles and pork buns.

570 Lexington Avenue (51st Street), zailainyc.com.A federally-supported database, ClinVar, allows laboratories to publicly share data on genetic mutations and what they are thought to mean. But some companies, like Myriad, which host huge databases on genetic mutations, do not contribute to ClinVar.

Even the terminology for DNA variants may not be widely shared. Different labs have different naming schemes.

For example, ClinVar renders one DNA variant this way:

NM_004004.5(GJB2):c.101T>C (p.Met34Thr).

But another lab does it like this:

c.101T>C, p.Met34Thr, GJB2.

Patients searching for information on their own would not be sure what to type into ClinVar, said Dr. Heidi Rehm, a clinical geneticist at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Broad Institute.

In addition to the terminology problem, Dr. Ross said, there is a problem of discordance among labs.

When one big lab reports a reclassification and the other labs do not, and you have family members who get tested at different labs, we have different interpretations of the same patient data, Dr. Ross said. How do we deal with that? What do we tell our patients?

Labs like Myriad often notify a doctor who ordered a genetic test when the results were reclassified. But even when they do, doctors may not be able to reach and inform their patients.

Ive changed my practice location over the years, and my patients have moved, Dr. Plon said. I have received updated reports for patients who no longer live in Houston, and we have no idea where they live.In many ways, it often feels like Ive gone back to the late 1990s, when I was reporting on tech startups. The stock market value of each of the three largest players in Big Weed is now well over $10 billion. But all of those companies report losses in the tens of millions of dollars from their current medical marijuana businesses. The question now is whether some of those companies will meet the fate of many tech firms after the dot-com bubble burst, and how many will meet their investors dreams.

Around the system as a whole, theres confusion. In most of the country, actual stores will have scarce supply at first. The rules about where you can smoke marijuana will also vary. In some provinces, its use  like alcohol  will not be allowed in public places. In others, it will be legal wherever cigarette smoking is allowed, including while strolling down the street. (No doubt someone is making an app for travelers who want to keep things straight.)

Driving while impaired by drugs has long been a crime in Canada. While the penalties for it have now been increased, the government has admitted that police are lagging when it comes to things like the blood-testing systems necessary to lay charges. Nor does it appear that the police will be making much of an effort to shut down the illegal marijuana shops that have popped up in many cities.

Stoned students and employees arent anything new, particularly among young Canadians, who are among the worlds biggest pot users. But many Canadians fear that legalization will make usage more widespread. And it adds another wrinkle to conversations about marijuana between parents and their children.

Somewhat lost in the discussion here in Canada has been its health effects. While a lot remains unknown, no medical group in Canada endorses regular marijuana use. Aside from the ill effects of smoking anything, there are concerns about how marijuana alters the brains of users who are under the age of 25.

This week, an editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal called on Mr. Trudeau to rework legalization if it leads to more marijuana use. But those marijuana companies Ive visited can only justify their staggering stock prices by encouraging the use of their products. Ill be following closely to see who wins that conflict.The average cost of tuition and fees at an in-state public college is almost $10,000 per year; at a private college it is over $35,000 per year; and at over 100 private colleges the sticker price tops $50,000 per year.

Its true that many students are eligible for loans, grants and scholarships to defray or delay some of these expenses, but any way you look at it, college is expensive for most Americans, and the cost keeps rising.

How concerned are you about the price of college?

In Hello! May I Assist You in Taking on a Lifetime of Debt?, Elena Valenzuela-Stookey, a senior in college, writes about what she learned while answering calls to her universitys student helpline:

If you have ever worked in a customer service position, you are probably familiar with managerial lectures about not veering off script. I spent last summer working one of those jobs, as a phone operator. I processed eight-digit codes, helped customers determine whether they were eligible for any discounts and made sure no bill was left unpaid. This is a business, my supervisor would say. No matter how difficult the conversation, you must try to remain pleasant and patient with the caller. But I wasnt working at the Gap and our callers werent asking about the return policy on a frayed sweater. I was an employee of the University Helpline at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and my callers were students and parents, who were often trying to reach the financial aid office and the bursar. We started every morning at 10 with a queue of callers already on hold. Students were lost in the bureaucratic shuffle of loan applications, tax-verification documents and arcane equations that calculate their expected ability to pay down to the last penny. I spent my days reciting instructions for requesting tax return transcripts from the I.R.S., applying for loans and reading nauseating overdue charges off student accounts. And those were just the easy calls. I also spoke to a mother who cried as I explained that if she couldnt pay more than $8,000 by the next business day, her child would not be allowed to return to college in the fall. Our team consisted of 12 undergraduates and a graduate-student supervisor; salaried administrative staff members would step in when a caller had a more complex question we didnt know how to answer. We were frequently reminded to handle as many calls as possible, as quickly as possible. At the end of each week, we received a report on how many calls we failed to properly account for. After 11 weeks, our team had taken a total of 11,807 incoming calls. The university presents the Helpline as a useful service. A spokesman said the student operators answer a variety of questions, including about financial aid, billing, parking and housing. The purpose is to help and guide the caller. But it felt to me that our only real job was to decrease callers average wait time. It seemed the theory was that parents and students would be so comforted by the opportunity to speak to a real person that the process of taking on tens of thousands of dollars of debt would feel almost worry free.

Students, read the entire Opinion piece, then tell us:

 Has the cost of college gotten out of hand? Should it be more affordable? Or, is a college education one of those life experiences that is always worth the cost, no matter the financial burden? Explain your reasoning.

 Are universities spending money on other priorities, such as constructing new dining halls and water parks, when they should be trying to reduce the cost of tuition? Or, are these amenities an important part of the student experience and essential for making universities competitive?

 Ms. Valenzuela-Stookey writes, The least colleges can do is be more considerate of the dreams that slip through the bureaucratic cracks. Students deserve patient and reliable guidance tailored to their financial needs, not a disjointed network of administrative offices that seem most concerned with collecting money. Do you agree? What do you think patient and reliable guidance looks like, if not the University Helpline as she describes it?

 What do you think about Ms. Valenzuela-Stookeys Opinion piece, both the content of what she says and the style of her writing, including her use of satire? Do you think her piece is effective? Explain.

2. Why has Mr. Khashoggis disappearance made international headlines and created a diplomatic crisis?

3. According to Turkish officials, what happened to Mr. Khashoggi? What evidence has Turkey provided so far?

4. Why might Prince Mohammed of Saudi Arabia have seen Mr. Khashoggi as an enemy?

5. How have Saudi officials reacted to Mr. Khashoggis disappearance? Read this article to learn how Saudi Arabias official explanation may shift.

6. How have President Trump and U.S. officials responded to the journalists disappearance?

Finally, tell us more about what you think:

In In Trumps Saudi Bargain, the Bottom Line Proudly Wins Out, Peter Baker writes a news analysis about how the United States government has so far responded to this foreign policy issue  as well as how it might respond in the near future:

When President Trump made Saudi Arabia his first foreign destination after taking office last year, he struck what amounted to a fundamental bargain with the royal family: He would not lecture them about human rights, and they would buy plenty of American weapons and military hardware. So as the world recoils at reports that the Saudis sent agents to Turkey to kill and dismember a Saudi dissident journalist with a bone saw, Mr. Trump faces the most profound test of that trade-off. For days, he has rebuffed pressure to punish the Saudis by canceling arms sales that he secured during his visit, arguing that it would cost Americans money and jobs. That he would prioritize potentially tens of billions of dollars for the United States over moral outrage about the apparent death of a single dissident may not be a major surprise. Other presidents have tempered concerns about human rights overseas with what they perceived to be Americas own security or economic interests. What is different is how open Mr. Trump has been in expressing that realpolitik calculation no matter how crass or cynical it might appear.

If you were an adviser to President Trump, would you advise him to prioritize U.S. business and military interests or human rights concerns with regard to Saudi Arabia? How would you advise him to handle the disappearance of Mr. Khashoggi?This kind of subtlety is not of much use in politics, if we assume politics to be primarily about achieving power. A leader who recognizes nuance may be nice, but a nuanced campaigner is a bad campaigner; a nuanced speaker risks being misunderstood; nuanced proposals sound a lot like compromise. A politician steeped in nuance may appear not smart but spineless; a politician who avoids it may seem not simple-minded but determined.

Leadership cannot thrive on nuance or uncertainty, wrote the legal scholar Richard A. Epstein in The Washington Post in 2011, praising Ronald Reagans unshakable commitments. Reagans successor, George H.W. Bush, was a man for whom shades of gray and nuances were annoying, the military historian Rick Atkinson told PBS in 1996. For the next president, subtlety was a problem: The nuances and complexities of the middle ground Clinton seeks are sometimes difficult to convey in a highly charged campaign, wrote Marshall Ingwerson in The Christian Science Monitor in 1992. (Linguistic shading of a different sort would haunt his legacy.) George W. Bush abandoned that burden, reportedly proclaiming that I dont do nuance. Barack Obamas instinct to shade and equivocate was easy for opponents to mock as weakness or aloofness; it could frustrate supporters too.

Then came Donald J. Trump. To the extent that nuance is a virtue, he is one of the least virtuous figures in modern history, but to the extent that it is a burden, he is utterly liberated. To say that he does not appreciate the nuances of problems is to say nothing at all; nuance is not a useful spectrum on which to evaluate him, or populist politics in general. And so, disorientingly, it is currently critics of the president who are accused of lacking nuance or not recognizing it where it exists. They erupt when Trump, in a conversation about immigration but also criminal gangs, uses the word animals, and are met with sighs about their failure to acknowledge the specific context of these particular remarks, as Cathy Young put it in a Newsday column: Thats not excessive nuance; its factual reporting. The Resistance style of politics  an inverted personality cult, animated by the singular unfitness of one politician  is an easy target for such criticism, give that it is an agitated response to a perceived emergency, a taking up of rhetorical arms. But there is a hint of vengefulness in this effort to turn nuance against the people who once lauded it, in the long shadow of perhaps the least subtle man alive.

Today the loudest calls for nuance are coming from the opposition to the opposition: people united less by a coherent politics than a belief that the politics of others  not those actually in power, but the aggrieved mob questioning that power  have gone too far. It is a pet concern of publications like The Federalist and National Review, and, though less so than before the election, of certain Never Trump conservative pundits. In an April column in The Wall Street Journal, William McGurn, a former speechwriter for George W. Bush, rattled off a litany of supposed overreactions, suggesting a willingness of those who know better to go along with them, as long as Trump is the target. The same people who accuse Mr. Trump of lacking depth and nuance, he wrote, toss off allusions to Hitler, Stalin and a parade of murderous dictators. Such unsubtlety, critics say, prevents valid criticisms from being taken seriously, or it poisons our common discourse, or it alienates opponents and is Why Trump Won. (No topic has inspired more demands for nuance than the Trump voter.) This allegiance to nuance may be genuine, and the broad claim of its value  that politics is complicated, and everyone must face this reality  is at least engageable. But it is a curious choice to finally stand up for political subtlety, and for not painting with a broad brush, with your back turned to Donald J. Trump.Nov. 11 will mark 100 years since World War I ended. More than four million Americans served in the armed forces during the war, and millions more people from other countries fought on battlefields across Europe even before the United States entered the conflict.

We want to hear from readers whose family members served in the military or supported the war effort another way during World War I. Were looking for photos, anecdotes, journal entries and more. In the form below, tell us the one story that was passed down through your family that you never forgot.

Alternatively, if you or your family commemorated the World War I centennial this year, please tell us about that experience and send us a photo.What Lee falls into is no ordinary criminal enterprise, and her eventual accomplice is not a typical underworld minion. For a time, the only nonfeline companion Lee can tolerate is Jack Hock (Richard E. Grant), a bon vivant of infinite charm, no fixed address and ambiguous professional bona fides. If Lee is a rent-stabilized Dorothy Parker, Jack is a couch-crashing Oscar Wilde  utterly ignorant of literature but naturally witty and great fun to be around. Hes game for anything, including serial fraud.

The scam arises by accident. Lee stumbles across  O.K., steals  a Fanny Brice letter and discovers that theres a modestly remunerative market for that kind of memorabilia in the citys used bookstores. The problem is that the letters for sale are often boring, perfunctory notes valued mainly for the famous signature. Lee sets out to improve the epistolary record (and increase the asking price) by fabricating dazzling missives from the likes of Parker, Lillian Hellman and Noel Coward. (The films title is a priceless bit of faux Parker.) Its an elaborate grift, but also, she begins to feel, a literary art form in its own right.

Can You Ever Forgive Me?, directed by Marielle Heller (The Diary of a Teenage Girl), is catnip for the bookish. It will also appeal to anyone with nostalgia for a generally underappreciated era in New York history, when the high glamour felt a little scuffed, the urban apocalypse had been postponed, and Manhattan abounded in bookstores and scruffy gay bars. Enough of these are still around  including Argosy Book Store on East 59th and Julius on West 10th  to provide the film with locations and an atmosphere of lived-in cosmopolitan bohemianism. There were no Starbucks or co-working spaces back then. A person could breathe, and read.

Partly because the movie is so splendidly and completely absorbed in its characters and their milieu, it communicates much more than a quirky appreciation for old books and odd readers. Ms. Heller and the screenwriters, Jeff Whitty and the great Nicole Holofcener, resist the impulse to moralize about Lees misdeeds or to sand down her rough edges. Like The Diary of a Teenage Girl, which handled disturbing material with grace and good humor, Can You Ever Forgive Me? is neither judgy nor ethically neutral. Lee and Jack can be gleefully amoral, and will go to great lengths to justify their actions, but they dont entirely lack conscience or decency.The word impulso, the flamenco dancer Rocio Molina explains, refers to an urge that passes through the body before reaching the senses. The documentary Impulso, directed by Emilio Belmonte, follows Molina, who has been credited as one of flamencos rising stars for combining traditions with improvisations and other experiments, as she prepares for a show in Paris.

The movies challenge is to bottle her spontaneity, which is clearly thrilling to behold in person but less dynamic in a medium that requires every move to be selected in advance, without the suspenseful bond that an artist shares with a live audience. Belmonte gets caught between two modes of nonfiction filmmaking.In the months before President Trumps election in 2016, only one candidate for Congress  the speaker of the House  raised more than $2 million in the final full quarter before Election Day.

This year is different.

In New York and New Jersey alone, four Democrats, all first-time candidates, broke the $2 million benchmark, and one nearly doubled it. In those states, all of the Democrats running to unseat Republican House members outraised their opponents in the last three months  some by multiple orders of magnitude, others by millions of dollars.

In Central New York, Representative Claudia Tenney saw her Democratic challenger nearly double her money haul  even though President Trump personally traveled to her congressional district to headline a fund-raiser for the Republican.After leaving Vice in 2008 because of creative differences with his partners, Mr. McInnes went on to write a series of books, like How to Piss in Public, and articles for right-wing websites, like Takis Magazine and VDARE.

Even in his earliest work, Mr. McInnes often took an adolescent pleasure in offending liberals, women, beta male culture and transgender people, writing in a voice inflected with a crass, contrarian bigotry that left him just enough room to declare it all a joke.

In 2016, Mr. McInnes founded the first official chapter of the Proud Boys in New York after, he said, he realized that fans of his former television program, The Gavin McInnes Show, liked to spend time in his studio, drinking beer with him and telling private jokes.

He has described the group, which has since spread to dozens of cities and to countries, like Australia and Japan, as an ordinary mens club, like the Shriners or the Elks. It serves as a sort of safe space for him and what he calls his fellow Western chauvinists.

In its guise as a fraternal organization, the Proud Boys get together in New York and other cities once a month at beery meet-ups that can draw as many as a few hundred participants. Women are not allowed at the groups formal gatherings (though they are permitted at the warm up sessions, Mr. McInnes has written). As a character-building exercise, the Proud Boys forbid both masturbation and the watching of pornography. The groups initiation rituals include reciting the names of five breakfast cereals while being slugged by other members.

The monthly meet-ups are largely social events where people have fun and laugh and drink and share stories about their kids and businesses and stuff like that, said Pawl Bazile, the editor of Proud Boy magazine. Its a celebration of the West, of America and of freedom and liberty.

But in the last two years, members of the group have also had a second preoccupation, taking part in a string of violent street fights with their anti-fascist rivals in cities like Berkeley, Los Angeles and Portland, Ore.Ahead of Novembers general election, which Mr. Cuomo is heavily favored to win, Ms. Miner spoke to The New York Times about her unorthodox campaign, her bad blood with the governor, and why, despite polls predicting she will capture just 1 percent of the vote, she thinks the race is worth it.

The following is an edited and condensed version of the conversation.

Q. You had to know coming in that it was going to be a long shot. Why did you jump in anyway?

A. I knew all along that it was not going to be easy, but its important. Its important to stand up for values particularly when it is not easy. I feel very reassured at the frustration that people have over the corruption that is almost daily now in New York State. And I feel reassured that people want to have a better government.

We are living in a time of tremendous divisiveness. I feel that being able to stand up and talk about that  that theres a way that we can be constructive in this divisive environment  is also important.

But so many people think the country is becoming more polarized than ever, and that people are just retreating into their respective political corners. Do you think theres an appetite for what youre selling?The woman called an Uber car in Manhattan late one night in February to take her home to the nearby suburb of White Plains. She was exhausted and fell asleep in the back seat.

She woke to discover that the car had stopped and the driver was in the back seat with her, his hand under her shirt, touching her breast, federal prosecutors said Tuesday. The woman reached for her cellphone to call for help, but the driver grabbed it from her.

He eventually left her on the side of Interstate 95 near New Haven, prosecutors said. Her credit card was later charged $1,047.55 for a trip to Massachusetts.

The driver, Harbir Parmar, 24, of Howard Beach, Queens, was arrested Tuesday and charged with kidnapping and wire fraud, the government said. If convicted of the kidnapping charge, he could face life in prison. (Mr. Parmar did not face a charge related to the alleged touching.)What does it mean to be a Palestinian? In recent years, more and more individuals have turned to one creative field or another to offer up their own answer to that question, in the hope that a better understanding of it will bring real change.

With the continued failure of the political process, many of us now believe that culture is where we should channel our resources, energy and hopes, Zina Jardaneh, chair of the board of the Palestinian Museum in Birzeit, in the West Bank, told me recently, echoing the words and sentiments of a number of other Palestinians I have spoken to in the past two decades. Drowned out by other events, their efforts deserve broader acknowledgment and support.

What started out as independent artists wishing to express themselves has grown into a collaborative campaign of sorts, with individuals and cultural organizations banding together to promote Palestinian arts.

The Palestinian Museum, conceived and built by Taawon, a nonprofit civil society organization formed in Europe by a group of Palestinian businessmen and intellectuals, is one example. Since the opening of its sprawling home in 2016, it has become a symbol of the ambitions and determination of those involved in this informal cultural movement.Last week, the head of the curial office that appoints bishops finally commented on Archbishop McCarricks rise through the ranks. He said, It must be understood that the decisions taken by the Supreme Pontiff are based on the information that the Curia provides him and are the object of a prudential judgment which is not infallible. Thank you, Rome.

I know good and holy men who work for the Curia. I hope they will forgive me for saying that they do not appear to be setting the tone these days. Too many curial officials appear to embody everything that anti-Catholic prejudices have long taught many of our fellow Americans to fear.

An authoritarian foreign clique flaunts its sovereign immunity in American courts. Wealthy old men in Italy roll their eyes at American puritanism and wink at peccadilloes that we call sexual abuse. A secretive clerical aristocracy designs a church governance system that minimizes transparency and accountability for American crimes against Americans.

But the priests and deacons of this country can remind our fellow citizens that the Roman Catholic Church is much more than the Roman Curia. They can seize the initiative before political or legal pressure forces some more painful and destructive set of reforms. They can reclaim their rightful share in our churchs governance.

Our American priests and deacons should be picking their own bishops. If they think so, too, then they should tell our current bishops, who can regain some credibility by demanding this of Rome. When each incumbent bishop reaches retirement, his own clergy can elect his successor. West Virginia and Washington, D.C., would be great places to begin immediately.

Rome will of course always retain the right to veto our clergys choice. But the American laity deserve to know who that choice was. And if Rome does veto, we will want to know why.

Those who make decisions in our church should have to live with their consequences. Our clergymen are more or less stuck in their own diocese. They know that their own lifes happiness will always be tied to their local churchs well-being. The same was true of bishops throughout much of Catholic history. It ought to be more true today.Some might object that our current challenge is vastly different from those met by past technological changes, because were not just talking about a thing, like a radio or cellphone, but about changing our entire energy system. But these earlier transformations involved systems, too. Just as energy technology isnt one thing, neither were the railroads, radio, electricity or the internet. Those systems all involved many parts, including federal, state and local policies to support them (the land grants that made the railroads possible, for instance, or role of the Federal Trade Commission in licensing radio and television stations).

What makes large-scale technological change challenging is the integration of all of those parts. Electricity wasnt just a matter of turbines, or even turbines, power lines and transformers. Financing and regulation were also required. After electricity was introduced to the urban marketplace, the biggest obstacle to its expanded use was profitability. The private sector was able to make money bringing electricity to densely populated cities like New York, St. Louis and Chicago, but it took federal intervention, under the 1936 Rural Electrification Act, to bring it to rural communities across America.

And even then, uptake was not immediate. Rural electrification boosters insisted that hard-working farmers urgently needed electricity, but initial demand was less than expected. The Tennessee Valley Authority wanted to cut rates to drive up demand. But private utilities opposed this, worrying that low rates would threaten their financing, and the T.V.A. settled on an appliance subsidy to drive increased household consumption. Demand had to be built.

Opinion Conversation The climate, and the world, are changing. What challenges will the future bring, and how should we respond to them? What should our leaders be doing?

Al Gore, the 45th vice president of the United States, finds reasons for optimism in the Biden presidency.

Al Gore, the 45th vice president of the United States, finds reasons for optimism in the Biden presidency. What are the worst climate risks in your country?

Select a country, and we'll break down the climate hazards it faces.

Select a country, and we'll break down the climate hazards it faces. Where are Americans suffering most?

Our maps, developed with experts, show where extreme heat is causing the most deaths in the U.S.

Our maps, developed with experts, show where extreme heat is causing the most deaths in the U.S. What does climate devastation look like?

In Sept. 2020, Michael Benson studied detailed satellite imagery. Here's the earth that he saw  and the one he wants to see.

The internet was created by scientists funded by the federal governments Advanced Research Projects Agency. Al Gore didnt build it, but he did sponsor the 1991 legislation that made it public, which laid the foundation for the World Wide Web, Silicon Valley, smartphones and our information-driven society.

We might also imagine that earlier technologies were easier to develop because they offered immediate benefits for consumers and quick profits for business. It certainly looks that way in hindsight, because those benefits are now thoroughly integrated into our lives. But its not so. The historian Richard White at Stanford has shown that railroads offered almost no immediate benefit to anyone except the railroad barons, because they were built far ahead of demand, and often into places where white settlers had no interest in going. When radio was first invented, no one could figure out why any ordinary person would buy one, so programming had to be invented, which meant sponsors had to be found, which in turn contributed to the rise of modern mass media advertising.This article is part of the Opinion Today newsletter. You can sign up here to receive the newsletter each weekday.

The American left needs its own nationalism. It would obviously be a nationalism that rejected the racism and corruption of President Trumps version. But it would still be a coherent story about how progressive policies would protect and promote the interests of Americans above all.

It would be a story about the threats to todays United States  climate change, global autocracy, a rising China and a plutocratic class trying to dominate the American political and economic system s . This progressive nationalism would promote itself as the antidote to these threats. And I think it would have a much better chance to win over voters than a set of sensible but disjointed economic policies.

The Democratic Party has not offered any such story in this years midterms, but that may be O.K. A midterm election is almost unavoidably a referendum on the governing party. A presidential campaign is different, however, and the 2020 campaign will soon be underway.Perhaps Facebook did absolutely everything right and was just unlucky. If thats the case, then it would be unfair and unproductive to penalize the company severely. On the other hand, if Facebook ignored several warning signs and failed to properly vet its new tools before releasing them, then it is entirely appropriate for the company to face a significant fine as an incentive to be more attentive to security in the future.

The difficulty lies in trying to determine where the line is between companies that do their due diligence and those that are negligent. In one of the few cases that directly tackled this issue, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled in 2015 that the Wyndham Worldwide hotel chain had failed to provide its customers with reasonable security protections because it failed to use firewalls or encryption and did not require users to change default passwords. But for a company like Facebook, which certainly clears that very low bar, it is still not clear what level of security is high enough for it to fulfill its responsibility to its customers.

Beyond the challenge of deciding whether a company like Facebook was negligent, it is often difficult for judges and regulators to put a dollar value on how much harm a data breach has caused to the people affected. Its easier to assess the damages if the stolen data can be directly tied to financial losses, but often stolen data leads to more personal humiliations, as in the case of the 2015 breach of the Ashley Madison website that revealed the identities of people seeking extramarital affairs, or Sony Pictures employees whose embarrassing emails were leaked in the aftermath of the companys 2014 breach.

We do not know how to put a price on these types of losses of privacy, and that makes it harder to use legal or regulatory remedies to punish the companies that are responsible. That, in turn, reduces the financial incentives for all companies to invest in securing user data. The class action lawsuit brought against Ashley Madison, for instance, culminated last year in a settlement totaling $11.2 million. And the F.T.C., which had initially sought a penalty of $17.5 million for that breach, agreed to a $1.6 million settlement. Meanwhile, the company reported strong growth in its user numbers following the breach.

After its 2017 breach of 146 million peoples data, the Equifax credit reporting bureau is also doing just fine. Just one year later, it is on track to post record profits. Yes, Britain fined Equifax 500,000 pounds last month (hardly a staggering sum for a company that brings in upward of $3 billion in annual revenue), but the United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau decided this year to back off from its investigation of the breach.I would flip the question: Does the racial and ethnic diversity at Harvard enhance the quality of the education there? My answer is a resounding yes. The best college education includes intellectual and social interactions among thoughtful people from a broad range of cultural and racial backgrounds, both inside and outside the classroom. Restricting diversity efforts will ultimately reduce the quality of education.

I am now a faculty member at the University of California, Berkeley, a public university that is sometimes used as a counterpoint to Harvards holistic undergraduate admissions policy. Berkeley eliminated affirmative action in graduate and professional schools in 1996 and in its undergraduate school in 1998. The passage of State Proposition 209 in 1996 prevented a reconsideration of this position, eliminating race as a factor for admissions.

After this policy change, the percentages of underrepresented minorities  defined as African-American, Chicano/Latino and Native American students  already low, dropped even further and havent fully recovered since. For example, African-Americans now account for only 3 percent of the student body at Berkeley. At Harvard, according to The Boston Globe, recent data shows they make up about 8 percent of the student body, and represent about 15 percent of admitted students.

Berkeley is working hard to promote racial diversity among its undergraduate body, but it has a long way to go. The elimination of affirmative action hinders this progress. Still, the university is able to get students representing a wide range of interests, backgrounds and identities because its so big (with over 30,000 undergraduates, it is almost five times the size of Harvard). Forbidding race as a factor in admissions would be a bigger blow to diversity at smaller universities, whose smaller student bodies limit the cross-section of the world that can be accommodated.

Though Im a professor, I readily acknowledge that much of the learning occurs outside the lecture hall, in the spaces where students live and socialize. As an undergraduate at Harvard in the early 1990s, I spent countless late nights debating religion, science, culture and politics with classmates of a wide variety of belief systems, backgrounds, interests, political viewpoints, ethnicities and race. These interactions made my mental constructs of society more flexible, allowing me to incorporate new information and to learn from the experiences of others.But this was another Jared misjudgment: M.B.S. imprisoned business executives, kidnapped the prime minister of Lebanon and surely had knowledge of, if not a hand in, the silencing of Khashoggi.

And so the list of Jareds screw-ups grows.

He was among the Trump intimates who wanted all those fat-cat bankers in the administration; the resulting optics have dazzled. He pushed for the firing of the former F.B.I. director James Comey; that worked out brilliantly. He advocated the hiring of Anthony Scaramucci for the White Houses communications operation; that was the stuff of farce.

Meantime he and Ivanka told the world  and themselves  that they were the better angels of the administration. Never mind that to campaign for her father, they shelved many of the principles that they had prattled about at Hamptons cocktail parties across the years. They werent really shelving them, you see. No, they were sneakier than that! They were positioning themselves to be traitors within the new regime. They would bring it to power, then undermine it. They would create the problem in order to solve it.

This made no sense unless you factored in their desire for the heady adventure and personal advantage that a Trump presidency would afford them, no matter how wretched it turned out to be. They wanted the ride. So they rationalized it.

Then they crashed. To measure their softening effect on Trump, just watch his recent 60 Minutes interview. He dismissed climate change. He blithely shrugged off the brutality of Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un. He all but begged Jim Mattis to resign.

Stephen Miller lives large. Steve Bannon lives on. Jared, are you alive?

From where did he get this outsize confidence of his? His father bought him his admission to Harvard. His management of his familys company  in particular, his $1.8 billion purchase of 666 Fifth Avenue  was questionable enough that a headline in Vanity Fair last year asked, Is Jared Kushner the Worlds Worst Real-Estate Investor?

He hasnt really done anything, a prominent Republican who knows and is sympathetic to him recently said to me, referring to how little on Jareds resume can be divorced from his inheritance. Ill give Jared this: He has at least kept Uncle Sam at bay. As The Timess Jesse Drucker and Emily Flitter reported last weekend, he appears to have paid almost no federal taxes for years while quintupling his net worth over the past decade to almost $324 million.

Hes the embodiment of the Trump administrations ethos that youre entitled to take a whack at something by dint of affluence and arrogance, not because of any manifest expertise. Hell reinvent government! Hell end the violence between the Israelis and Palestinians! Hell do justice to yet another cliche. Its the one about fools rushing in.

I invite you to sign up for my free weekly email newsletter. You can follow me on Twitter (@FrankBruni).To the Editor:

Re Forms Suggest Kushner Paid Tax Bills of $0 (front page, Oct. 14):

As a lifelong Democrat, I am discouraged by your publication of this article. My knowledge of tax laws, as a former investment manager of institutional funds and trusts, confirms that the Kushners did nothing underhanded, despite what this article insinuates. They only followed our tax code as thousands of other large and small real estate investors do.

If the writers of the article want to propose that depreciation and depletion allowances be changed or eliminated, that is a reasonable point of view. But the characterization of depreciation as phantom losses or a lucrative giveaway  for anyone holding investment property is simply inflammatory.

Their argument should be with Congress and the tax policies it has enacted, not the Kushners use of them.

Peter V. Haight

Los Angeles

To the Editor:

You report that 37-year- old Jared Kushner, with a net worth of $324 million , has likely paid no federal income taxes during five of the past eight years.I received a disconcerting email this year from a senior staff member in the Office of Diversity and Campus Engagement at Sarah Lawrence College, where I teach. The email was soliciting ideas from the Sarah Lawrence community for a conference, open to all of us, titled Our Liberation Summit. The conference would touch on such progressive topics as liberation spaces on campus, Black Lives Matter and justice for women as well as for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and allied people.

As a conservative-leaning professor who has long promoted a diversity of viewpoints among my (very liberal) faculty colleagues and in my classes, I was taken aback by the colleges sponsorship of such a politically lopsided event. The email also piqued my interest in what sorts of other nonacademic events were being organized by the schools administrative staff members.

I soon learned that the Office of Student Affairs, which oversees a wide array of issues including student diversity and residence life, was organizing many overtly progressive events  programs with names like Stay Healthy, Stay Woke, Microaggressions and Understanding White Privilege  without offering any programming that offered a meaningful ideological alternative. These events were conducted outside the classroom, in the students social and recreational spaces.

The problem is not limited to my college. While considerable focus has been placed in recent decades on the impact of the ideological bent of college professors, when it comes to collegiate life  living in dorms, participating in extracurricular organizations  the ever growing ranks of administrators have the biggest influence on students and campus life across the country.People who get into orphanage work think theyre doing the best for kids, Mr. Aspegren said. They give them a home and food. But kids need love and connection more than they need that.

In Latin America, as in most developing countries, orphanages are the standard. About 240,000 children live in orphanages in the region. Matilde Luna, the director of the Latin American Network for Foster Care, estimates that only about 60,000 children are in foster care. The network is trying to increase that number; for example, it has pilot foster care programs in five Mexican states.

Latin Americans prize themselves on valuing family. When a child loses his parents, its common to be with grandparents or an aunt, and this happens spontaneously, Ms. Luna said. Nothing in the culture suggests that children belong in institutions, she said, yet foster care as a public policy is not established in many countries.

Youve probably heard the horror stories about children abused by foster families, even in wealthy countries. These failures, though real, are the story of a small percentage of children, because successes dont make it into the news. A much more widespread problem is that children in foster care dont get the services they need, and many wind up dropping out of school, pregnant, or incarcerated. (The outcomes would be far worse and tragedy more common if those children came from orphanages.) Foster care is neglected and underfunded. It needs more services and better monitoring. Despite foster cares troubles, however, no one in America is clamoring to bring back orphanages. In poor countries, however, the picture is the opposite.

Volunteers from rich countries make childrens lives worse in two ways. One, paradoxically, is by hugging them. By definition, every child in an orphanage has been abandoned. Their attachment issues get worse with each volunteer who showers them with love for a week or two  and then flies away.

Volunteers are also perpetuating a system that takes children from their families. The word orphanage is a misnomer, because the vast majority of children in orphanages have at least one living parent. These parents give up their children because they are too poor to care for them.

What drives the growth in orphanages isnt motherless children. Its donors and volunteers from countries that dont use them. Some orphanages charge volunteers $1,000 a week  and the volunteers often continue to raise funds once they get home. Churches sponsor orphanages and send numerous teams to help out.His early success at Kmart wowed Wall Street. In 2003, the operating profit at Kmart was around $400 million; the next year, it was $900 million. Thats about when the hubris kicked in. He thought he knew something about retailing, even though what he really knew about was financial engineering. In 2005, he merged the rejuvenated Kmart with Sears, then a conservatively run but still thriving nationwide retailer. Kmart was a turnaround, he told me in a rare 2017 interview for Vanity Fair. Putting Kmart and Sears together was a transformation.

Mr. Lampert was wrong about that. He decided not to invest the capital needed to refurbish the Sears and Kmart stores to keep their inventory and appearance fresh. Instead, he made a huge gamble, one that never really paid off, to invest in Searss website and online shopping. He was too early, and the Sears customer base never cottoned to shopping online. Instead, Amazon ate Searss lunch (and breakfast and dinner) until he threw in the towel this year and joined forces with Amazon to allow it to sell Kenmore appliances, something that he long refused to do.

It was too little too late. Desperation had set in. Mr. Lampert used every financial engineering tool he had ever learned. (He and the company have disputed that notion, insisting that Searss financial moves have all been part of an operational strategy.) He began selling off Searss valuable brands, including Craftsman tools, which went to a competitor; he carved out hundreds of Sears stores into a separate publicly traded company that he and other wealthy investors controlled; and he became Sears Holdings largest creditor and shareholder.

Most others would have bailed years earlier. Not Mr. Lampert. It really was little more than an intellectual exercise. Could he figure out ways to save Sears and Kmart from bankruptcy, even though nearly everyone told him he could not? The answer, of course, was no.

Mr. Lampert will be a billionaire either way; his investments in Sears and other companies have made him one of Americas richest people.Roberta A. Kaplan, a founder of the Times Up Legal Defense Fund, said on Tuesday that she will represent Moira Donegan, the creator of a widely circulated list of media men accused of sexual misconduct. Ms. Donegan is the only named defendant in a lawsuit that was filed against her by Stephen Elliott, one of the men named on the list.

Mr. Elliott, a writer based in New Orleans, filed the lawsuit last week in the Eastern District of New York, asking for no less than $1.5 million, an additional $500,000, and written apologies from Ms. Donegan and other anonymous women who contributed to the list, which was created on a Google spreadsheet last year and spread rapidly in the 12 hours that it was live online.

In his suit, Mr. Elliott said that the claims about him on the list, which included rape accusations and sexual harassment, were false and defamatory, and that they had caused him significant professional and personal problems. He is being represented by Andrew T. Miltenberg, a lawyer who has worked on behalf of other men prominently accused of sexual misconduct.

The document, commonly known as the shitty media men list, created a stir in the industry and preceded the firings of eminent journalists. The men listed were said to have engaged in some form of sexual misconduct; their names were added, often from anonymous sources, through a crowdsourcing effort.LONDON  Google has always made its Android mobile operating system available free as a way of getting its search engine, web browser and other applications on as many devices as possible to collect data about users and to sell advertising.

But on Tuesday, in response to a European antitrust ruling this year, the company said it would for the first time begin charging handset manufacturers to install Gmail, Google Maps and other popular applications for Android in the European Union.

The new arrangement is the latest sign that global technology companies are adjusting their business practices in Europe to account for stiffer regulations there.

Online privacy regulations adopted in May have forced companies doing business in Europe to add new data-protection policies that restrict how people are tracked across the internet. Germany has enacted tough laws to prevent the spread of hate speech and misinformation that require Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to take down objectionable content or risk fines, a strategy that other countries in the region are considering. A copyright law being negotiated in the European Union would also limit what articles and videos a website could post online without a license.Most Americans come from somewhere else. That is as true of presidents as it is of newcomers reciting naturalization oaths across the United States today. Donald Trump, the 45th president, is a second generation German-Scot  two nationalities that happen to be the first and tenth most common in the United States. Trumps mother and grandparents arrived in America in the late 19th and early 20th century from Scotland and Germany. Two of his three wives are relatively recent arrivals from Eastern Europe and four of his children are half Slavic.

Last fall, researching a book on the women of the Trump clan, I set off on a three-week dash to the remote corners of Europe from where the Trump family hails. Besides interviewing people who knew them, I wanted to capture the history and rhythm of life in areas where the Trumps have roots, and so I wandered, sampling food, culture and ambience.

The following is a collection of observations from the west coast of Scotland and a little-traveled swath of Mitteleuropa, a German term for Central Europe. Its an area that includes modern Germany but also Austria and whats sometimes called Germania Slavica, the eastern edge of the German medieval settlement in parts of the modern Czech Republic and Slovenia. Besides the Trump clan, this slice of Europe is the birthplace of Freud, Grimms fairy tales, the Nazi movement, schnitzel, pilsner beer and some of Europes great writers and musicians including Kafka, Dvorak and Mozart.Here, polarization is taking a toll on both parties. Even the strongest Republican incumbents appear to have fallen behind in most of the relatively white and well-educated suburban districts ringing Americas major cities. In the suburbs of Washington, New York, Denver, Philadelphia and Kansas City, Mo., recently completed or continuing Times/Siena polls show Democrats well positioned to flip Republican seats, even against battle-tested Republican incumbents who won easily in 2016.

Democratic prospects in these suburban areas are bolstered by the expectation of strong turnout among college-educated voters, who typically represent a larger share of the electorate in midterm elections and this year are poised to back Democrats by a wide margin.

Strength by Democrats in moderate suburbs makes them favorites to retake the House, even if Republicans dodge Democratic breakthroughs in conservative and less educated areas, where theres tentative evidence that Democrats are struggling.

As in our recent Senate polls, Times/Siena House polls show Democrats struggling in rural, conservative districts like those in northern Minnesota, South Texas, southern North Carolina and western Pennsylvania.

It should be emphasized that these districts are only a small sample of the dozens of conservative districts where Democrats are thought to have a realistic chance to compete. And Democrats would need to break through in only a handful of them to be very well positioned to take control. But the overall trend in both the House and Senate polling is fairly clear.

The view that Democrats are overwhelming favorites to take control in the House hinges on the assumption that they will break through in a meaningful number of the conservative districts theyve put into play. But the difference between Democratic breakthroughs or defeat could come down to just a few percentage points in many of these contests .

Republicans can reasonably hope that these last few percentage points will be very challenging for Democrats in conservative districts. But Democrats can hope to muscle their way over the top with strong turnout, especially from young and nonwhite voters who so far do not appear especially enthusiastic about voting. If that changes over the final weeks, it could be decisive in a long list of closely fought contests.When he was questioned by the police soon afterward, Mr. Roberts denied the affair. The authorities showed him a photo of a watch found at the scene that they believed belonged to him. He agreed that it appeared to be his. Later, his wife came forward to say that she had found his watch at home.

He was convicted by a jury based on his truck, lies he told at the police interview about their affair and the watch, Mr. Semanchik said.

After Mr. Roberts had spent four years in prison, and after several denied appeals, a fellow inmate told him about the California Innocence Project. In 2003, Mr. Roberts filled out and mailed a 75-page questionnaire to have his case reviewed. The nonprofit group accepted the case.

The goal was to add Mr. Roberts to the list of 362 people who have been exonerated by DNA evidence since Gary Dotson, the first such exoneree, was freed in 1989, according to data from the Innocence Project, a nonprofit based in New York that is separate from the California Innocence Project. Of those 362 cases, 130 exonerees were wrongfully convicted of murder. African-Americans make up nearly two-thirds of those exonerated by DNA, or 222 of the 362 former inmates.

DNA testing of the watch and some rope found at the crime scene, as well as of debris found under Ms. Cheeks fingernails, turned up a DNA profile for an unidentified man and the DNA of Mr. Harriss son Googie Harris Jr., who was 19 at the time of the killing, according to Mr. Semanchik.

Lawyers with the California Innocence Project presented their case to the district attorneys office in 2012, but were unsuccessful at getting Mr. Roberts exonerated.

The new DNA results connected the watch to Googie Harris Jr., but the unidentified mans DNA was not sufficient to upload to the Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS  the F.B.I.s program that allows forensic laboratories to create and search databases of DNA profiles.The debate over the citys statue of Robert E. Lee and the white supremacist march last year set Charlottesville apart, and spurred it to confront its Confederate past. But the city has not fully come to terms with another aspect of its Jim Crow legacy: a school system that segregates students from the time they start, and steers them into separate and unequal tracks.

Charlottesville is beautiful physically and aesthetically pleasing, but a very ugly-in-the-soul place, said Nikuyah Walker, who became its first black female mayor during the self-recrimination that swept the city after last years white nationalist rallies. No one has ever attempted to undo that, and that affects whether our children can learn here.

Today, white students make up 40 percent of Charlottesvilles enrollment, and African-American students about a third. But white children are about four times as likely to be in Charlottesvilles gifted program, while black students are more than four times as likely to be held back a grade and almost five times as likely to be suspended from school, according to a ProPublica/New York Times examination of newly available district and federal data.

Since 2005, the academic gulf between white and black students in Charlottesville has widened in nearly all subjects, including reading, writing, history and science. As of last year, half of all black students in Charlottesville could not read at grade level, compared with only a tenth of white students, according to state data. Black students in Charlottesville lag on average about three and a half grades behind their white peers in reading and math, compared with a national gap of about two grades.

Over the decades, school board members have often brushed aside findings of racial inequality in Charlottesville schools, including a 2004 audit  commissioned by the districts first African-American superintendent  that blamed inadequate leadership and a history of racism for the persistent underachievement of its black students.

Officials in the 4,500-student district  which spends about $16,000 per pupil, one of the highest rates in the state  instead point to socioeconomic differences. The vast majority of Charlottesvilles black children qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school because of low family income.To her surprise, it passed.

You Have to Believe in Something

Shortly after the vote, Pamela Merritts cellphone started pinging with texts. An abortion rights activist who was a member of the platform committee, Ms. Merritt had not attended the vote, but started hearing about it almost immediately from angry friends demanding an explanation.

My stomach dropped, said Ms. Merritt, who had agreed to join the committee after the partys steep losses of 2016, thinking she needed to do more than criticize from the sidelines.

In her view, Missouri Democrats needed more progressive politics, not less.

I dont understand Democrats who quote Truman and F.D.R. and then act like they are terrified to run as an actual Democrat, said Ms. Merritt, 45, who lives in St. Louis. You have to believe in something in order for somebody to believe in you. You cant be such a watered-down thing.

The fight over abortion in the party, she said, epitomized that. So she sprang into action, talking on Facebook and Twitter with hundreds of angry progressives, some of whom were threatening to stop their donations, calling her fellow committee members, and ultimately the partys chairman.

I felt horrified that someone would associate me with that bizarre, regressive anti-woman language, she said.

The party was trying to placate people who opposed abortion at the very moment that abortion was most under threat, Ms. Merritt said. Days before the vote, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy had announced his retirement and the court had backed anti-abortion pregnancy centers. Missouri, one of the most restrictive states in the country, is now down to one abortion clinic.

The last thing we needed was for that language to linger, she said of the plank. It was a foul stench that needed to be addressed sooner rather than later.White House officials are worried that the apparent killing of the dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and Saudi Arabias changing account of his fate, could derail a showdown with Iran and jeopardize plans to enlist Saudi help to avoid disrupting the oil market.

Officials said the dilemma comes at a fraught moment for the Trump administration, which is expected to reimpose harsh sanctions against Iran on Nov. 5, with the intent of cutting off all Iranian oil exports.

But to make the strategy work, the administration is counting on its relationship with the Saudis to keep global oil flowing without spiking prices, and to work together on a new policy to contain Iran in the Persian Gulf.

If that carefully coordinated plan moves forward, the Saudis would likely see a significant increase in oil revenue at exactly the moment Congress is talking about penalizing the kingdom over the Khashoggi case. It is one reason that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was sent, with a few hours notice, to see King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday.By this point, youd have to be living inside the Voyager spacecraft to be surprised by President Trumps Twitter account. But I think its worth a reminder that theres a pattern to the patter.

My brilliant colleague Julie Hirschfeld Davis and I racked our brains to come up with a list of all the women who had been publicly insulted by Mr. Trump since he became a presidential candidate.

Megyn Kelly: Bimbo; blood coming out of her wherever. Heidi Klum: Sadly, shes no longer a 10. Heidi Cruz: A picture is worth a thousand words (next to an unflattering photo of her). Carly Fiorina: Look at that face. Would anyone vote for that? Alicia Machado: Disgusting; Miss Piggy. Mika Brzezinski: Bleeding badly from a face-lift. Natasha Stoynoff, who accused Mr. Trump of sexual assault: Look at her, look at her words, you tell me what you think. I dont think so. Omarosa Manigault Newman: That dog. Arianna Huffington: Extremely unattractive (both inside and out). Representative Maxine Waters: An extraordinarily low IQ person. Senator Elizabeth Warren: You find anything nice about her cheekbones? I dunno. Hillary Clinton: When she walked in front of me, believe me, I wasnt impressed.

Will any of this matter? Well, it didnt in 2016. (See: tape, Access Hollywood.)

But it might be different this year, because  and this is important  midterms are not presidential elections. The fact that more than 60 percent of white, college-educated women back Democrats is likely a sign that Mr. Trumps sexism may be having an impact on some voters. (Those numbers are part of the reason you hear us going on and on about suburban women.)

Strategists from both sides say the gender gap shows that Mr. Trumps denigration of women  including those he allegedly had affairs with  is undoing years of work by the Republican Party to court female voters.Good Tuesday morning. Here are some of the stories making news in Washington and politics today.

_____________________

 President Trump, after a call with King Salman of Saudi Arabia, speculated that rogue killers might be behind the disappearance of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and said he would send Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet with the king. Read the story.

 Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts released DNA results showing that she has some Native American ancestry, hitting back at Mr. Trumps mocking of her claims about her heritage and signaling her intent to run for president in 2020.

 Mr. Trump visited Florida on Monday to tour the damage from Hurricane Michael. Read how the president handles the recurring barrage of disastrous storms.Hello from pre-midterm America, where we are now three weeks away from the elections.

I had some extra time before last weeks rally (the one in Pennsylvania), so I talked to a few folks in the crowd about why they had come, and how they felt about President Trump.

I was a little nervous. Mr. Trumps contempt for what he calls the mainstream media, by which he means most news organizations apart from Fox News, has successfully infected the views of many of his supporters. (They especially hate my newspaper, which Mr. Trump routinely singles out for particular opprobrium.)

In these divisive times, all of us retreating to our corners, its easy  even in what should be anodyne political conversations  to become defensive or combative, or to make the person you are talking to feel that way, too. So I was extra friendly, and most of the people I approached were happy to talk to me, if a little wary to begin.

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They were people like George Gross, 43, a supervising technician at a heating-and-cooling-supply company in Erie. Five of the six people at the firm, he said, are Trump supporters, and the sixth  he pointed to the woman next to him  is a Democrat.In his tweet, Mr. Trump was referring to a federal judges decision to dismiss a defamation suit filed by Ms. Clifford, who is known professionally as Stormy Daniels. The judge also ordered Ms. Clifford to pay the presidents related legal fees.

The presidents use of the term horseface was jarring, even though he has previously used similar disparaging language to describe women who challenge him. But it could also prove problematic for Republicans facing female opponents in the upcoming midterm elections, now just weeks away.But Democrats expect that Mr. Trump and his appointees within the Treasury would outright refuse to comply, tempting a lawsuit by the House and all but ensuring a long court fight over the legitimacy of Congresss oversight of the chief executive.

Rudolph W. Giuliani, Mr. Trumps lawyer, said in a brief interview on Tuesday that he would advise Mr. Trump to fight any such request and saw reason to think he could win. With control of the House, he said, Democrats would merely be conducting a circus and would probably have a difficult time proving they had any legitimate legislative or oversight objective.

It is really for the purpose of political harassment, Mr. Giuliani said, adding, It is a heck of a good battle for a president.

Democrats have publicly vowed to move forward if they gain control of the House after Novembers elections. Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the Democratic leader, told The San Francisco Chronicle last week that the public was owed transparency in light of Mr. Trumps refusal to release his tax returns, a breach of modern presidential norms.

That is one of the first things wed do  thats the easiest thing in the world, she said.

Could it backfire politically?

But mindful as much of the partys prospects in 2020 as of inflicting short-term pain on Mr. Trump, party leaders are divided on how quickly and aggressively to act. Some in the party fear that if they fail to build an adequate public rationale first, Mr. Trump would paint the majority as cravenly abusing its authority, undercutting Democratic efforts to project a steady-hand alternative to the Republicans.Anxiety has often been linked to the primitive part of our brain, an irrational remnant left over from our time in the savanna dodging wild animals. This framing can make anxiety doubly problematic: it is seen as both destructive and useless. Most coping strategies based in cognitive behavior therapy likewise assume this view of anxiety and strive to eradicate, or at least quiet, it. And we have learned to fear it.

For a variety of reasons, we are engaged in a feedback loop with anxiety. Fearing it, and in response, trying to avoid it or push it down, is part of what can make it such a problem for us. It feels like an obstacle because we have been treating it as such. But the less we fear anxiety and can embrace it, the more useful and helpful it can be.

A large-scale study from the University of Wisconsin in 2012 demonstrated that how we think about anxiety and stress can change how those feelings impact us. Regardless of actual stress levels, the less harmful you believe the feeling is, the less harmful it will be. Our minds arent passive observers simply perceiving reality, the Stanford research scientist Alia Crum explained in a speech at, of all places, the World Economic Forum. Our minds actually change reality. In other words the reality we will experience tomorrow is in part a product of the mind-sets we hold today.

Here are three ways to tap into anxiety as a resource.

1. Think of anxiety as a signal

You dont have to like the experience of anxiety to use it effectively. Its designed to be uncomfortable so you pay attention and do what you need to make it stop. Much like a babys cry, anxiety lets you know there is an issue that needs addressing. Just as you try to figure out why the baby is in distress and resolve it, you must work to determine what your anxiety is trying to tell you. Once you determine that and start executing solutions, youll notice the anxiety begins to dissipate.

2. Label the feeling to steer your experience

Naming anxiety  and then renaming it  allows you to process its message rather than just react to its discomfort. This reduces distress and activates better emotional regulation, problem solving and planning.WASHINGTON  The Pentagons Africa Command said on Tuesday that it had carried out the deadliest attack against the Islamist extremist group Shabab in nearly a year, killing about 60 fighters in central Somalia.

The strike took place Friday in the vicinity of Harardhere, about 300 miles northeast of Mogadishu, Somalias capital, the military said in a statement. Africa Command officials offered no other details except to say it did not kill or injure any civilians, suggesting the militants were in a camp or massing for an attack.

The strike came after a recent spate of attacks that the Shabab have conducted against Somali security forces and their American advisers across the country.

On Sept. 21, Shabab fighters attacked American and Somali troops 30 miles northwest of Kismayo. Ten days earlier, militants struck Somali and American forces in Mubarak, in central Somalia, killing one Somali soldier.This is Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right candidate that may become Brazils next president. Hes been compared to President Trump and Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte for his highly controversial statements, including his embrace of the military dictatorship that ruled Brazil for 20 years. Bolsonaro is a retired military captain who has been in Congress since 1991. Hes been in the fringe far right for most of his political career, making headlines more for his outrageous statements than for any political achievements. In one infamous episode in 2003, he had an argument with a fellow congresswoman who accused him of promoting violence. Over the years, hes had a long list of other divisive remarks. Last year, as he was toying with a presidential run, he managed to take aim at several groups in one statement alone. Despite the incendiary comments, Bolsonaros popularity has grown in recent years. Hes vowed to crack down on crime, a message that is resonating with many Brazilians. Bolsonaro wants to make it easier to own guns and has said hed give police permission to kill suspects. But most of all, he represents extreme opposition to the leftist Workers Party, of former President Lula, whos now in jail serving a 12-year sentence on corruption charges. Bolsonaros Workers Party rival in the election is Fernando Haddad, a former mayor of Sao Paulo and minister under Lula. Bolsonaro uses voters distrust in the Workers Party to his favor and relies heavily on social media to spread his message. In September, he was stabbed during a rally and spent three weeks in a hospital. He continued to campaign through live videos on Facebook. But his past statements continue to spark anger. Women across the country have rallied against Bolsonaro using the hashtag #EleNao, or Not Him. Despite the critics, Bolsonaro continued rising in polls. In the first round of the election, he won 46% of the vote. Hes going to a runoff on Oct. 28 against Haddad, who now faces an uphill battle.But a group of migrants earlier this year drew the attention of President Trump, who posted messages on Twitter warning that they posed a threat to American sovereignty. He used their migration to help justify the deployment of the National Guard to the southwest border of the United States.

That caravan, which also included many Hondurans and at one point numbered an estimated 1,200 before diminishing in size, eventually reached the northern border of Mexico, with an enormous international media contingent in tow. After a tense standoff at the border crossing in Tijuana, several hundred migrants were eventually allowed through to petition for asylum in the United States, while others melted back into Mexican society, returned to their home countries or attempted to cross into the United States illegally.

During that migration, Mr. Trump also threatened Honduras, saying foreign aid to that nation, as well as to the countries that allow this to happen, was in play.

Honduras, where gangs exercise widespread control in certain neighborhoods, has one of the worlds highest homicide rates, though the numbers have been falling in recent years after hitting a peak in 2011. The rate plunged by more than a quarter in 2017, according to the Honduran government, which attributed the drop to an effort by security forces to attack drug traffickers and gangs.BEIJING  Under mounting international criticism, China has given its most extensive defense yet of its sweeping campaign to detain and indoctrinate Muslims, with a senior official on Tuesday describing its network of camps in the far west as humane job-training centers.

Rights groups, American lawmakers and a United Nations panel have assailed the transformation through education camps holding Uighurs and members of other Muslim minority groups in Chinas far northwestern Xinjiang region. Hundreds of thousands have been held in the camps  one estimate says a million  and former inmates who have fled abroad have described them as virtual prisons that engage in harsh brainwashing.

But the chairman of Xinjiangs government, Shohrat Zakir, himself an ethnic Uighur, called the camps a humane and lawful shield against terrorism in an interview published by Chinas official Xinhua news agency. He said the facilities gave Uighurs and other Muslims courses in the Chinese language and taught them to be law-abiding citizens. They also receive training in job skills such as making clothes, e-commerce, hairdressing and cosmetology, Mr. Zakir said.

Mr. Zakir said that students in the facilities were provided with free meals, air-conditioned dormitories, movie screenings and access to computer rooms.PETOBO, Indonesia  Most of Petobo, a middle-class neighborhood in the eastern Indonesian city of Palu, vanished into the vortex of mud created by the earthquake on Sept. 28. One of the greatest horrors born that day was that it was little surprise.

The city straddles the Palu Koro fault, in one of the most tectonically violent zones on Earth. And despite earthquake after earthquake here over the years  and an explicit warning from scientists that Palu faced deadly consequences if precautions were not taken  the 7.5 magnitude quake last month caught officials unprepared for a fully predicted disaster.

We failed the people of Palu, said Rusdy Mastura, the citys former mayor.

In the aftermath, with thousands of bodies still thought to be submerged in the buried debris, there is growing evidence that this was a crisis that was both natural and man-made.

In a front-line earthquake zone, much of Palu had sprung up in the form of unreinforced buildings on soft ground. A tsunami was quickly detected, but no siren rang around the city. And despite hard lessons from previous natural disasters in which the Indonesian authorities discouraged outside help at the expense of their citizens, the international aid effort in Palu was still dogged by resistance and confusion.And even if Mr. Mattis is not a registered Democrat, he is viewed more warmly by Democrats than any other member of the Trump administration. Mr. Mattis famously clashed with President Barack Obama over Iran policy when he was the head of United States Central Command, but he had a good relationship with Hillary Clinton and was viewed by many as a likely candidate for defense secretary had she won the 2016 presidential election.

She didnt, and he became defense secretary anyway, initially embraced by Mr. Trump, whom Mr. Mattis only met for the first time at his job interview during the transition. The two men got off to a great start, with Mr. Mattis talking Mr. Trump out of torturing detainees and advocating on behalf of American alliances around the world.

But in recent months, strains have started to show, in part because, aides say, Mr. Trump has come to resent the narrative of Mr. Mattis as the only adult in the room in a chaotic White House.

Whats more, the decision by John R. Bolton, the national security adviser, to appoint Mira Ricardel as his deputy was viewed by many at the Pentagon as a direct affront to Mr. Mattis, who clashed with Ms. Ricardel when she served as a Pentagon transition official for the new administration.

The presidents decision to publicly air differences with his defense secretary is bound to make Mr. Mattiss job even tougher, especially as he goes about the business  as he is doing this week  of trying to represent the Trump administration on the world stage.

Mr. Mattis pointed to his trip to Vietnam, where he will be seeking to clear up some of the last remaining issues of the Vietnam War, and Singapore, where he will be meeting with Asian defense ministers, as proof that he remains part of Mr. Trumps national security team.

You can see right here, were on our way, we just continue doing our job, he said.

But the counterparts he will be meeting here may have questions of their own about whether the defense secretary is on the same page as his boss. The fact is that Mr. Trump has the final say on a wide range of issues, from how to handle the deteriorating relationship with China, which Mr. Mattis is trying to mend, to whether the United States should continue to suspend military exercises in the Korean Peninsula as a sweetener to North Korea, a concession that Mr. Mattis opposed.SEOUL, South Korea  Officials from North and South Korea and the United Nations began talks on Tuesday to turn a border village into an unarmed neutral enclave where military guards and tourists from both sides would move freely across the demarcation line.

The village of Panmunjom, also known as the Joint Security Area, lies inside the Demilitarized Zone, a buffer zone one and a half miles wide that has divided the Korean Peninsula since the Korean War was halted in a truce in 1953. Panmunjom was originally created as a neutral area. But since North Korean soldiers wielding axes killed two American Army officers there in 1976, it has been divided by a demarcation line like the rest of the DMZ, with armed guards from both sides engaged in a tense, daily standoff.

When President Moon Jae-in of South Korea and North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, met last month in Pyongyang, the Norths capital, both sides agreed to disarm Panmunjom to turn it into what South Korea hopes will become a symbol of peace on the divided peninsula.

Under the terms of the Korean War armistice, the American-led United Nations Command, which fought the war on the Souths behalf, administers the southern half of the DMZ. In the next month, the command and representatives from both Koreas will discuss erasing the demarcation line at Panmunjom, disarming their military guards there and moving their sentry posts to the perimeters of the zone, officials said.BANGKOK  Two Chinese-made fighter jets flown by Myanmars air force crashed on Tuesday morning, killing both pilots and a young bystander and drawing attention to the accident-plagued record of one of Asias largest armed forces.

Officials said the planes, both single-seat F-7 fighters, apparently struck a broadcast tower. One plummeted into a rice paddy, while the other nose-dived near a famous Buddhist pagoda in the Magway region of central Myanmar. Both jets broke into pieces upon hitting the ground at around 7:30 a.m., said U Aung Moe Nyo, the chief minister of Magway.

An 11-year-old girl, Thwal Zin Nyein, was killed when debris from one of the jets struck her as she was studying outside at a private school. The chunk of the aircraft, which had instructions for the installation of a bomb affixed to it, scattered notebooks, rulers and pencil cases decorated with cartoons.

The doctor said she passed away but I still cant believe my daughter died like this, said U Khin Maung Phyu, her father. She will always be alive in my heart.SYDNEY, Australia  Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday raised the possibility of moving the Australian Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, an idea that drew criticism as a baldly political gambit meant only to win a crucial local election.

Moving the embassy to Jerusalem would represent a break in Australias longstanding position on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and could have global consequences by encouraging others to follow suit.

Mr. Morrison made the announcement on Tuesday, saying he was open-minded about moving the embassy while insisting that he remains committed to a two-state solution.

But frankly, it hasnt been going that well, Mr. Morrison said of efforts toward a two-state solution. Not a lot of progress has been made. And you dont keep doing the same thing and expect different results.We are right on the eve of the legalization of trees in Canada. At 12 oclock midnight, you can smoke what you want, take hits from the bong. Canadians, make some noise! Its a new era for Canadians  the full legalization of marijuana across the country. Its been legal to consume cannabis here for medical reasons since 2001. But now, anyone in Canada over the legal age can get high. And that means Canadas booming weed business is about to get a whole lot bigger. We went to see some of the producers who are set to take advantage of this opportunity. Its got kind of a citrusy and pine smell both at the same time. This is one of the Kushes. Its got more of a turpentine, maybe a little more earthy smell. This is a very popular strain for us. We call this deep purple, very fruity. Warren Bravo was a co-founder of Green Relief, a medical marijuana company that is now well-placed to enter the recreational space. Hes aiming to increase production 20-fold over the next year and a half. And thats nothing compared to Canadas top marijuana producer: Tweed Inc., a brand of big-time operation, Canopy Growth. One vault here can hold about $150 million worth of cannabis. Yeah, so in this facility, on this side that were touring here, we have 24 flowering rooms and then about another 24 on the other side as well. This is, at the end of the day, what all of the fuss and excitement is about, I guess. When we reached out the first time, I think, you know, the New York Stock Exchange probably, you know, rightly said, No way. You know, were not having a cannabis company. And then that education process started. And if you try to break down these barriers, and demonstrate were a normal company creating a normal product like anyone else. And its a product thats becoming a formal field of study, fast. Were running the only postgraduate certificate program in cannabis in Canada. Bill MacDonald teaches a class of 24 highly dedicated students, that includes a former police officer. It did take some reconciliation because I was, obviously, on the other side. But its in society. Its out there, now. So, if were going to have it and its going to be here, lets control it properly. Thats the thing  for people who were hoping for a free-for-all and one-love openness, its a disappointment. Cannabis is going to be legalized in certain contexts, but its also going to be very heavily regulated. And my concern is that people dont recognize the extent to which it will still, in certain contexts, be illegal. And that might bring them in conflict with the law. African-Canadian people, our community is very afraid to now come out and actually be a part of this market, because weve been criminalized for so long. Noni Haynes is part of a group leading a discussion on new cannabis laws at a local community center. And who is making money from the weed? Not the average person. I dont know if you dont know, we live in a capitalist society. And, you know, within capitalism, anything goes. Thats a very good point. I mean, now is the opportunity. If you capitalize on that, you have your business, or you grow your business, you expand your clientele. And you treat it like an actual corporation. A few days before legalization, we came to a kind of marijuana farmers market in Toronto, at Planet Paradise. In the past few years, this place has been tolerated by police. But now, fines have been ramped up, and the organizers here are shutting shop, worried about a crackdown. Were planning on not really having anything like this till we see where the law is going to go. Because we dont want to have a bunch of issues ourselves, right? So we figured wed have one last hurrah, just to get people together and smoke. We travelled to an indigenous Mohawk territory, another place where marijuana is openly sold illegally. There are over 40 unlicensed dispensaries here. Jamie Kunkel owns one of them, Smoke Signals. Hes not worried. The amount of customers that we go through, I believe, is going to increase because of the system that theyve set up. Theyre not providing the Canadian constituency with a reasonable place to purchase this plant. I personally think theyve set themselves up for failure. Jamie is pointing to the fact that there are no legal brick-and-mortar dispensaries in the province of Ontario. Lawful purchases must be made online, and those do not include any of the cannabis-infused products sold here. Milk chocolate espresso beans, milk chocolate almonds. Jeez, you know, I was really looking forward and hoping it was going to be the salsa. Canada is only the second country in the world to legalize cannabis after Uruguay. But its the first major economy to run this experiment. And whatever it leads to, Canada will be leading the way.There has been a vocal movement calling for amnesty for those people. So far, it has gone unanswered.

But according to a government official, a program to make it easier for Canadians convicted of possessing small amounts of marijuana to obtain a pardon will be announced on Wednesday.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that because several details must still be worked out, the program will not become active immediately. Pardons are to be available only for people convicted of possessing 30 grams of marijuana or less, the legal limit under the new system.

To get a government license to grow or sell pot, you must first pass a stringent security check that eliminates anyone convicted of drug trafficking, corruption or violent offenses. .

What will happen at the Canada-U.S. border?

Canadians who admit at the border to using marijuana may be refused admission, according to the United States border authorities. But the border agency said it would not routinely quiz Canadian travelers about their cannabis habits after Wednesday.

Employees of marijuana companies and their investors will generally be allowed to enter the United States, the agency said, if they are not coming on marijuana-related business. But the agency said those people might no longer be able to obtain or hold cards that speed up border crossings.

Will Canadian politicians start smoking pot?

Funny you should ask. Canadas young and telegenic prime minister, Mr. Trudeau, has admitted to smoking pot a few times, including once while he was an elected member of Parliament. But he said he never really liked it.

What are your unanswered questions around marijuana legalization in Canada? Let us know in the comments below.PARIS  President Emmanuel Macron of France chose a party loyalist Tuesday to head the countrys police and counterterrorism operations, underscoring a focus on personal allegiance among his aides in a government some analysts have called the most top-down in modern French history.

The appointment of Christophe Castaner, who once declared an aspect of love in his relationship with Mr. Macron, to lead the Interior Ministry came on a day of government reshuffling in lesser posts. Mr. Macron took on eight new government ministers and got rid of four others, none big names in French politics.

But nothing had fueled as much intense speculation in Parliament and political circles as how the French president would fill the gaping vacancy at the Interior Ministry left by the resignation of his most senior aide, Gerard Collomb, who quit two weeks ago.

Would the new minister, whose offices are just down the street from the presidents in the heart of Paris, breathe fresh life into a government undermined by a sharp drop in public approval? Or would Mr. Macron close ranks and circle the wagons?Manila (CNN Philippines Life)  The Philippine pantheon of creatures is expansive, consisting of a mix of beautiful and powerful deities, bloodthirsty creatures, and downright inexplicable oddities. Yet when most people talk about mythological creatures, its not uncommon to hear of Greek gods, goddesses, centaurs, and cyclops, mystical creatures like unicorns and dragons, or those from Western horrors like witches, vampires, and zombies.

But earlier this year, Neil Gaimans response to a tweet urging him to write about Philippine myths prompted many online to shed light on books and stories on local mythology, especially ones written by local authors. If were seeing a revival of interest in our local mythology, perhaps well be seeing a resurgence in modern depictions of these creatures as well.

To better visualize how these can be interpreted today, CNN Philippines Life sought the help of an artist to interpret some creatures from our local mythology.

Illustration by MARI HOSALLA

Haliya

Haliya is a lunar goddess worshipped mainly by those who lived in pre-colonial Bicol. Haliyas arch enemy was Bakunawa, a giant serpent who, according to legend, had devoured her brother Bulan, the embodiment of the moon, whom she had sworn to protect. Haliya is said to have forged a mask of gold to hide her beauty.

The Haliya outfit draws inspiration from the Visayan royalty depicted in the Boxer Codex, a Spanish manuscript that serves as a record of the lives of pre-colonial Philippines.

Illustration by MARI HOSALLA

Bakunawa

Bakunawa is a sea serpent deity of Bicolano and Visayan origin.

In the Visayan version of the tale of Bakunawa, the beautiful sea goddess transmogrified into a fearsome sea serpent when she was spurned by the seven moons, the siblings of Haliya. Bakunawa would fly into the night sky and swallow the seven moons whole, save for Bulan, who was rescued by the god Sidapa, Mayari who had escaped, and Haliya the masked goddess who would remain to battle with her.

According to folklore, Bakunawas devouring of the moon (or moons) explains the occurrence of a lunar eclipse. When this would happen, priestesses would perform a ritual to call out to the monster to release the moon.

Illustration by MARI HOSALLA

Kapre

Kapres are known to be tall, dark, and sometimes hairy beings that are neither benevolent or malevolent (though some believe that kapres may act out when angered). They are tree-dwelling giants, often believed to be hiding in mango and balete trees, where they smoke and laze about.

According to some legends, kapres possess magical items, such as an enchanted belt or a mysterious stone, that should any person gain possession of this, the kapre would grant them a wish.

The Kapre is wearing clothes inspired from the Northern tribes of Luzon.

Illustration by MARI HOSALLA

Dalikamata

Dalikamata was a clairvoyant goddess in the Visayan pantheon. She is said to have thousands of eyes all over her body, each one possessing the ability to see far and wide and see everything that was, is, and will be. In some accounts, Dalikamata is also a goddess who could heal.

Dalikamatas outfit is derived from the depictions of Visayan royalty in the Boxer Codex.

Illustration by MARI HOSALLA

Manananggal

The manananggal is a vampire-like creature that supposedly wreaks havoc among provincial towns. The manananggal is said to be capable of severing its upper torso from its lower torso, after which the upper torso sprouts leathery wings and flies off into the night to hunt and eat its prey: humans. According to legend, one way to defeat a manananggal is to find its lower half and rub salt or crushed garlic on where it has split itself in half, making union between the two parts impossible, thus killing it

Illustration by MARI HOSALLA

Tikbalang

The tikbalang is a being that was said to have long, stretched human limbs and the head of a horse. It reportedly lives in the mountains, where it would lead travelers astray. It is said that when it rains while the sun was shining, a tikbalang was getting married.

Illustration by MARI HOSALLA

Lakapati

Lakapati was a harvest deity from the Tagalog pantheon. Said to be a deity with a merciful heart, they were also a divine being who was a symbol of fertility. Although often depicted as feminine, some accounts say that they are genderless, which represents balance of all things in nature.

Lakapati's gown is inspired from the noble Tagalogs attire as depicted in the Boxer Codex.

Illustration by MARI HOSALLA

Berbalang

The berbalang is a creature from said to hail from smaller towns in Mindanao. They are said to be ghoul-like creatures, who lurk in graveyards to feast on the blood of corpses. They are similar in appearance to humans, although they have many characteristics similar to the manananggal, such as bat-like wings.

The berbalang's outfit is inspired from the patterns sewn and crafted by the tribes of Mindanao.

***

References:

Oddities: A Book of Unexplained Facts by Rupert T. Gould

El Folk-lore Filipino by Isabelo de los Reyes y Florentino

Talindaw: kasaysayan ng panitikan sa Pilipino para sa kolehiyo at unibersidad by Efren R. Abueg, Simplicio P. Bisa, and Emerlinda G. Cruz

"Tabi-Tabi Po: Situating the Narrative of Supernatural in the Context of the Philippines Community Development" by Paolo Miguel Vicerra and Jem R. Javier

aswangproject.comISTANBUL  One of the suspects identified by Turkey in the disappearance of the Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi was a frequent companion of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman  seen disembarking from airplanes with him in Paris and Madrid and photographed standing guard during his visits this year to Houston, Boston and the United Nations.

Three others are linked by witnesses and other records to the Saudi crown princes security detail.

A fifth is a forensic doctor who holds senior positions in the Saudi Interior Ministry and medical establishment, a figure of such stature that he could be directed only by a high-ranking Saudi authority.

If, as the Turkish authorities say, these men were present at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul where Mr. Khashoggi disappeared on Oct. 2, they might provide a direct link between what happened and Prince Mohammed. That would undercut any suggestion that Mr. Khashoggi died in a rogue operation unsanctioned by the crown prince. Their connection to him could also make it more difficult for the White House and Congress to accept such an explanation.

The New York Times has confirmed independently that at least nine of 15 suspects identified by Turkish authorities worked for the Saudi security services, military or other government ministries. One of them, Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb, was a diplomat assigned to the Saudi Embassy in London in 2007, according to a British diplomatic roster. He traveled extensively with the crown prince, perhaps as a bodyguard.BEIRUT, Lebanon  The Trump administration pushed back on Tuesday against rising condemnation of Saudi Arabia and showed support for its crown prince, who has been linked to the disappearance and possible murder of a leading dissident journalist inside a Saudi consulate in Turkey.

In his strongest language to date over the missing journalist, President Trump said in an interview with The Associated Press: Here we go again with youre guilty until proven innocent.

Hours earlier, Mr. Trumps top diplomat, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, arrived in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, smiling and shaking hands with the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

Mr. Pompeo issued a statement saying Saudi leaders had promised a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation into what had befallen the journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, after he entered the consulate on Oct. 2. Mr. Trump and Mr. Pompeo also said the Saudi leaders had repeated their emphatic denials of any involvement in Mr. Khashoggis disappearance.The Saudis have warned that they could push oil prices to $100 or $200 a barrel, an act that would probably plunge the American and global economies into recession. They have suggested that United States defense companies could forfeit tens of billions of dollars in deals that could instead go to Russia or China.

These threats by Saudi Arabias monarchy in recent days were its answer to Americas own threats of punishment over the disappearance and reported killing and dismemberment of a dissident journalist that has shocked the world.

Yet petroleum and defense experts have largely discounted such possibilities.

While Saudi Arabia is still the leading producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and can exert enormous influence over oil prices, it is no longer the energy superpower that American motorists feared during the Arab oil embargo era of the 1970s.

And as longstanding clients of the American arms industry, the Saudis cannot easily switch to other providers.When this project was being conceived, a storm named Florence did not exist. It had not formed far off in the Atlantic yet, and it had not swirled toward North Carolina, where it would unload more than 30 inches of rain and remind us again of a simple, elemental truth: The weather contains us, not the other way around.

Florence made landfall in Wilmington, N.C., about 25 miles from the Elwell Ferry. The boat, driven by Pat Soesbee and Betty Rose Dolce, crosses the Cape Fear River. As we started our research, a North Carolina official said they may be kin. And indeed they are, cousins who take people from one riverbank to the next. Two cars max, four minutes each way, three if the water is on your side.

These women fit squarely with one of the aims of this project: to tell the untold stories of people throughout the United States. People living lives of unannounced grace and dignity.An army of Democrats giving money over the internet has lifted the partys House candidates to a strong financial advantage over Republicans in the final weeks of the 2018 midterm election, with Democrats in the most competitive House races outraising their Republican rivals by more than $78 million.

Democratic challengers have outpaced Republican incumbents in large part by drawing in millions of dollars from many thousands of supporters online  a strategy wielded by Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders in presidential elections but never replicated on a massive scale in House races, until now.

Across the 69 most competitive House races, Democrats have raised a total of $46 million from small donors during the 2018 election, compared with just $15 million for their Republican opponents, according to campaign finance data released this week.

Total raised by candidates in tight House races, in millions From small donors Total amount raised Democrats $46 $252 Republicans $15 $172 From small donors Total amount raised Democrats $46 $252 Republicans $15 $172 From small donors Total amount raised Democrats $46 $252 Republicans $15 $172 Note: Numbers are for races considered competitive by the Cook Political Report , a nonpartisan election handicapper., as of Oct. 12

Democrats have taken in $252 million altogether in those races over the course of the campaign, versus $172 million for Republicans. The gap in small donors accounts for about 40 percent of the Democrats overall financial advantage.

Nicco Mele, director of Harvards Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public policy, said the breakout fund-raising by Democratic congressional candidates reflected a confluence of two forces: the steady growth of political giving online over more than a decade, and the unique passion of Democrats this year to challenge Mr. Trump.

We have been building toward this, said Mr. Mele, a former political strategist who built online outreach campaigns. I think when we look back, we will not see this year as an outlier.

The flood of online donations on the Democratic side has reshaped the campaign for control of the House, diminishing the financial might Republicans expected to wield in the closing rounds of battle to keep their majority. Republicans have long enjoyed stronger support than Democrats among wealthy individual donors and much of the business community, and the party can still rely on a network of lavishly funded super PACs to blanket many districts with advertising in the coming weeks.

But the influx of Democratic donations touched every corner of the House map, from high-profile races in the suburbs of New York and California, to more rural, conservative-leaning stretches of Indiana, Kansas and Alaska.

Message with our politics correspondent Alex Burns as he covers the most contested races by signing up in the NYT app for The Campaign Reporter.

Scores of Democratic candidates were less reliant on money from wealthy check-writers and industry groups that tend to support incumbents, instead tapping into the churning political energy of distraught liberals around the country. Some raised millions to attack their partys favorite bogeymen: Andrew Janz, a Democratic prosecutor in California, collected $4.3 million, since June, in a long-shot challenge to Representative Devin Nunes, the House Intelligence Committee chairman who is a high-profile ally of President Trump. (The race is not among the 69 considered most competitive by The New York Times.)

Mr. Janz, who appears to have raised more from donors than any other Democratic congressional candidate in the last quarter, despite receiving little help from the national party, said he had benefited from Mr. Nunes being globally disliked among progressives.

We put together, I think, a credible national message that revolves around ending the corruption in Washington, Mr. Janz said in an interview. And Nunes is at the heart of all of that.

Democrats without lightning-rod Republican opponents also disclosed enormous fund-raising numbers. Several were women with compelling personal biographies, including Amy McGrath, a former fighter pilot running in Kentucky, and Sharice Davids, a lawyer running in Kansas who would be one of the first Native American women elected to Congress.

Ms. McGrath raised $3.6 million in the last three months and Ms. Davids raised $2.7 million. Both women have raised more than a fifth of their money during the 2018 campaign from small donors.

Democrats who raised the most from small donors

District Candidate Total raised (in millions) From small donors Percent small donors Wisc. 1 Randy Bryce $7.41 $4.52 61% Ohio 12 Danny O'Connor 6.85 2.36 34 Ky. 6 Amy McGrath 6.69 1.63 24 Calif. 25 Katie Hill 6.29 1.31 21 Tex. 31 Mary Hegar 3.54 1.30 37 Calif. 45 Katie Porter 5.03 1.17 23 Wash. 5 Lisa Brown 4.60 1.12 24 Calif. 10 Josh Harder 6.09 1.08 18 Calif. 48 Harley Rouda 6.36 1.06 17 Calif. 49 Mike Levin 4.91 1.01 20 N.J. 11 Mikie Sherrill 7.02 1.00 14 Wash. 8 Kim Schrier 5.34 0.90 17 Va. 7 Abigail Spanberger 4.95 0.90 18 Minn. 3 Dean Phillips 4.03 0.85 21 Va. 10 Jennifer Wexton 4.56 0.84 18 Ill. 6 Sean Casten 4.73 0.81 17 N.J. 3 Andy Kim 4.43 0.81 18 N.Y. 19 Antonio Delgado 6.59 0.80 12 Calif. 50 Ammar Campa-Najjar 2.49 0.79 32 Minn. 2 Angie Craig 4.24 0.73 17

A number of Democrats in close races appeared to turn Republican super PAC ads to their advantage in the last quarter, converting Democratic outrage about Republican tactics into campaign donations. Antonio Delgado, an African-American lawyer running for Congress in New Yorks Hudson Valley, raised $3.8 million in part by decrying Republican ads blasted him as a big-city rapper.

In Virginia, Abigail Spanberger, a former intelligence officer, took in $3.6 million after a Republican group, the Congressional Leadership Fund, was revealed to have obtained a copy of her confidential application for a federal security clearance. The document contained information that the group has since used in attack ads.

Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United, a Democratic group that favors strict campaign finance regulations, said Democratic candidates had effectively upended the traditional model of financing congressional campaigns. She said Democrats had marshaled so many small contributions in part through a pointed message attacking corruption and the influence of corporate money in politics.

This is not just a backlash to Trump, Ms. Muller said. This is a fundamental difference in the way were funding campaigns.

Percentage of money raised by small-donor dollars 15% 15 % Democrats 10 7% Republicans 5 0 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 15% 15 % Democrats 10 7% 5 Republicans 0 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 15% 15 % Democrats 10 7% 5 Republicans 0 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 Note: Numbers are through the third quarter of the election year. Only candidates who raised at least $50,000 are included.

Republicans continue to hold an important upper hand in super PAC fund-raising, which allows partisan electioneering groups to collect money in unlimited amounts from wealthy individuals. The principal Republican group focused on defending the House, the Congressional Leadership Fund, has raised and spent a titanic sum this cycle, collecting about $126 million and ending last month with $36 million left to spend.

House Republicans have leaned especially hard on a small number of extremely prolific political donors as the political climate has darkened. More than a third of the money the Congressional Leadership Fund has raised has come from just two people: Sheldon and Miriam Adelson, who have given the group $50 million from their casino fortune.

Still, in recent days, Republican strategists have warned of a green wave approaching from the left  a tide of Democratic money pouring in online to dislodge entrenched lawmakers. That money, delivered directly to candidates, gives Democrats in the hardest-fought races a better chance to hold their own against a barrage of Republican advertising.

Corry Bliss, who heads the Congressional Leadership Fund, warned donors in a memo last week that Democratic candidates were overwhelming some Republican candidates with advertising.

Democratic candidates are outspending Republican candidates in key races by $50 million, Mr. Bliss wrote, invoking the green wave metaphor and noting that Democrats had billionaire backers, too, including Michael R. Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor.

Mr. Mele said Republicans had plainly failed to match Democrats enthusiasm for online political giving, noting that the party had struggled for years to match the infrastructure Democrats have constructed for amassing small dollars.Mike Roman, a teacher from New Jersey, recently got his five minutes in the internet spotlight after coming on a podcast to discuss his unusual eating habits. The 41-year-old claims to have eaten pizza at least once a day for the last 37 years.

Romans longtime love affair with pizza began at age 3 or 4 (he doesnt remember exactly), when his mother introduced him to the Italian dish for the first time. He apparently loved it so much that he kept asking for more every day until his parents finally gave in and stopped trying to convince him eat other foods as well. He has been eating pizza at least once a day ever since, all through his childhood, teenage years and into adulthood. Mike has reportedly eaten pizza for all three meals of his life, for many years, but he recently started switching between pizza and peanut butter sandwiches for lunch. He still has pizza for dinner every day, though.

Photo: PublicDomainPictures/Pixabay

I get it from different places, so its a nice variety, Roman told Tom La Vecchia, host of the New Theory podcast. Its not a big deal. I know some people are really into fine dining, or theyre called foodies or whatever, and they like things, but dinner to me is nothing really that special. You gotta eat because youre hungry

The 41-year-old teacher admitted to sometimes munching on toast or crackers for some meals throughout his life, but he also found himself returning to pizza. The mozzarella covered pie played a big part in his dating life as well, as he would also tell his dates that the restaurants they were going to had to serve pizza.

Look if we go anywhere it has to have pizza. It doesnt have to be a pizza spot, Roman explained on the podcast.



The New Jersey pizza head even enjoyed a pizza on his wedding day, a year ago, and he managed to keep the tradition going on his honeymoon in Aruba. While his cholesterol did go up over the years, Mike Roman said that it recently gone down and his general health has been fine, as have his bowel movements.

Speaking about his favorite pizzas, Roman told Tom La Vecchia that he prefers plain thin crust Margarita pizza.

I love pizza, but eating one every day for nearly 40 years? I dont think I could do that for four weeks. Still, Mike Roman isnt alone. Back in 2012, we wrote about a 33-year-old woman who claimed to have survived on pizza alone since she was only 2, and four years ago we featured a man who had eaten nothing but pizza for 25 years.WPP's Glover Park Group and BGR Group have quit their Saudi Arabia accounts following the alleged torture, murder and dismemberment of Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist, by Saudi agents in the Kingdom's consulate in Istanbul.

Glover Park's $150K per-month pact was for counsel regarding foreign policy, as well as legislative, public policy and media-related activities, according to Justice Dept. filings. It also agreed to conduct specific advocacy programs selected by the client.

BGR Government Affairs received $80K monthly for strategic counsel on issues of concern to Saudi Arabia and advice on US policies. It also maintained contact with Members of Congress and their staffers.A jury verdict which found a driver guilty of manslaughter, after doctors agreed that he met the criteria to be found legally insane, has been causing the Director of Public Prosecutions some difficulty, the Court of Appeal has been told.

Polish national Dariusz Alchimionek (44), with an address at Barrow Way, Spa Street, Portarlington, Co Laois, had denied the manslaughter of Offaly man John Gorman (19) and assault causing harm to his brother, Adam, on December 29, 2015.

The brothers had been returning home from Tullamore when a vehicle, driven by Alchimionek, suddenly crossed the road into the path of their oncoming car at Ballycrystal, Geashill, Co Offaly. Tullamore Circuit Criminal Court heard how Alchimionek had become convinced the Islamic State group, or Isis, were about to invade Europe and a third World War was about to begin.

Consultant psychiatrists for both the prosecution and the defence agreed that Alchimionek met the criteria to be found not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury had the option of returning of three verdicts: guilty, not guilty or not guilty by reason of insanity.

After two hours and 50 minutes of deliberations, the jury returned majority guilty verdicts of 11-1 on both counts, which were met with applause in the courtroom.

The accused was then sentenced nine years imprisonment with the final three suspended by Judge Keenan Johnson in October 2017.

Alchimionek has lodged an appeal against his conviction on the sole ground that the jurys verdict was perverse and against the evidence.

His appeal was due to be heard in the Court of Appeal Tuesday, October 16. However, lawyers for the Director of Public Prosecutions successfully sought an adjournment of the case on Monday.

Counsel for the DPP, Michael Delaney SC, said it was a case "on which the Director has been reflecting for some time" and it has caused "some difficulty".

Mr Delaney said the prosecutions consultant psychiatrist effectively agreed with the consultant psychiatrist hired by the defence that Alchimionek met the criteria for a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.

The prosecutions consultant psychiatrist had not been called to give evidence. However, the jury was told that the prosecutions doctor effectively agreed with the doctor for the defence.

Mr Delaney said the DPP wished to carry out "further enquiries" some of which had a bearing on questions asked by the jury". He said the DPP would be seeking a further opinion from their consultant psychiatrist which would take some weeks.

Counsel for Alchimionek, Kenneth Fogarty SC, said the atmosphere in the Circuit Court had been "highly charged". There was an "outpouring of emotion" that was "humanly understandable" but not desirable in terms of how the law was to be applied".

Mr Fogarty said the prosecution had made a decision at one point to "change what the accused man was facing". What started out as a dangerous driving causing death charge later became a manslaughter charge.

He said it was explained to Alchimionek that the foregone conclusion of a not guilty verdict by reason of insanity, was a referral to the Central Mental Hospital (CMH).

Mr Fogarty said Alchimionek was currently on a landing in Wheatfield Prison and his only instructions were that hed be more suitably detained in the CMH. He said the medication in Wheatfield was the same as in the CMH but the resources were not.

President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham, who sat with Ms Justice Maire Whelan and Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, put the matter back for case management to November 30, next.

Mr Justice Birmingham said the court would try to get the parties an early date for hearing if necessary but it may not be.An Offaly County Councillor has raised concern over possible job losses within Bord na Mona in Offaly and the wider Midlands region.

Speaking at the council's monthly meeting on Monday, October 15, Cllr Eamon Dooley claimed that workers had become aware of a number of upcoming job losses in Bord na Mona.

Addressing the meeting of councillors and council management, Cllr Dooley said, "it's more bad news" and suggested the "writing was on the wall" three years ago when Bord na Mona announced it would end peat production by 2030.

Cllr Dooley said he had spoken to a group of workers in the days prior to the meeting, and based on that interaction said he expected the announcement of further job losses to come "before year's end."

He tabled a motion, which was supported broadly by his fellow councillors, to set up a working group to look into the "possibilities out there" to resolve possible job losses and the future of the workforce in Offaly. He also said that the council needed to know timelines from Bord na Mona and what funding is out there to replace or diversify jobs lost.

In response to the fears expressed at council level, Bord na Mona told the Offaly Express, "Bord na Mona began a journey of de-carbonisation over a decade ago. In 2008, Bord na Mona committed to not opening new bogs under A New Contract with Nature. In 2015, Bord na Mona announced it would exit Peat for energy purposes by 2030. During this time, we have also increased the co-firing of Peat and Biomass in Edenderry Power Station at a rate now in excess of 40%."

"There is an ongoing process of engagement with employees and the Group of Unions regarding the strategy to de-carbonise which means we will be harvesting less peat over the coming decade as we exit Peat for energy purposes, as announced back in October 2015."

"This engagement process has not reached any conclusions regarding the final shape of the peat business either in terms of employee numbers or operations. As this process is ongoing the company will not be making any further comment at this time," a spokesperson added.

At Monday's council meeting, representatives from across the county and party lines supported Cllr Dooley's motion. Cllr John Leahy said, "we also need a delegation to meet the new Minister following the resignation of Denis Naughten last week. From what's been said here, these job losses are coming down the track fairly lively."

Cllr Noel Cribbin also supported the motion for a working group to meet Bord na Mona and discuss all possible outcomes, saying, "jobs gone in Bord na Mona would have serious implications if they came in Edenderry with the Power Station there."

Cllr Tommy McKeigue insisted that, "Bord na Mona should be part of any working group," going on to say, "there's no point in us sitting around here talking to the wind."

Cllr Peter Ormond suggested there was "no opportunities beyond peat production and Bord na Mona jobs in many areas, so a meeting with the Minister is essential as soon as possible."

Cllr John Clendennen cautioned, "nothing is official yet so we should meet Bord na Mona to discuss it further," adding, "Bord na Mona's transition and a general move to renewable energy present new opportunities for energy generation in Offaly."

Cllr Dervill Dolan suggested that although nothing was official, "people on the ground often get word on what's going on and coming down the tracks fairly early on."

Cathaoirleach Danny Owens said, "this is not good news, and anything we need to do with delegations and so on, we should do it."

Responding, Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, Anna Marie Delaney, also cautioned against "scaremongering among employees" in the absence of an official announcement from Bord na Mona.

The Chief Executive said she has met with the new Bord na Mona Managing Director and CEO Tom Donnellan to discuss the possibility of a working group being established to deal with the futureproofing of jobs and the upskilling of people in the county.

Speaking at a meeting earlier this year, Anna Marie Delaney suggested Offaly County Council was "best placed to head up just such a working group," saying Offaly County Council and councillors could be joined on the steering group by the likes of the Laois-Offaly Education and Training Board, The Department of Social Protection, the Regional Skills Forum, as well as Bord na Mona itself.

It's thought that these stakeholders could be involved in any upskilling or re-training necessary to ensure long-term employment in Offaly after peat production is ceased in the coming years.

Speaking this week, Anna Marie Delaney said during her meeting with Tom Donnellan, it was mentioned that Bord na Mona's new strategy is currently being written. It was suggested that this strategy, which would outline the peat and renewable plans for the company into the future, will be available "later in the Autumn."

"That will reveal more," she said, while she also agreed with a delegation from the council meeting the Minister. Offaly County Council management agreed to write to Bord na Mona and the Minister's office.Offaly County Councillors hit out at the IDA during the October meeting of the local authority on Monday, October 15, where the investment promotion agency gave a presentation.

Denis Curran, Divisional Manager, Corporate Governance and Legal, EIT and Regional Business Development; Anne-Marie Tierney Le Roux, Head of Regional Development; and Ken Whitelaw, Regional Business Development Manager, Midlands, attended the council chamber to deliver a progress report on the IDA's work in the region and the county.

Speaking to councillors, Denis Curran, pointed out IDA targets as part of a 2015-2019 plan, which include the ambition to create 80,000 new jobs from 900 investments, bringing foreign direct investment employment in the country to 209,000 during the lifetime of the plan.

Mr Curran delved specifically into the number of jobs secured through IDA client companies across the region, revealing that the Midlands region had the lowest number of any region. He pointed out that the 4,327 jobs in the Midlands represented a 1.2% increase, while figures for the rest of the country appeared a lot healthier.

The West has 23,286 jobs created by IDA client companies, the Border region has 11,469, Dublin and the Mid-East has 101,222, the Mid-West has 17,787, the South-West has 37,434, while the South-East has 14,918. The growth achieved in the Midlands was also the lowest at 1.2% with the figure for the South-East and the Dublin Mid-East regions standing at 9.2% and 5.7% respectively.

Denis said the IDA was making strides in the Midlands, revealing that there are 34 IDA client companies currently operating in the region. His presentation also referenced the Live Register figures for the region, which have fallen from 6.3% in January of this year to 5.3% in September.

Pointing to the criteria used by the IDA and ultimately companies when deciding on a location, Mr Curran mentioned population mass and regional centres; talent pools; property stock; educational institutions and facilities; regional infrastructure like roads; financial support and stability. Referencing population specifically, he said Irish locations were competing with international areas where population centres of over one million people can are more widely available.

In conclusion, Mr Curran said the IDA plan from 2015 to 2019 is there "most ambitious ever," and insisted the organisation has achieved "impressive results" to date.

The presentation drew a strong reaction from the chamber with Cllr Tony McCormack saying, "We've heard it all before from different members of the IDA at different times."

Cllr McCormack said he had met with the IDA in various roles, including as President of the Tullamore Chamber of Commerce and previously as a member of the old Tullamore Town Council, reiterating that "little has been done for Tullamore and Offaly" in that time.

He said he admired the work being done by the IDA, even referencing his own dissertation where he says he "praised the IDA for attracting foreign direct investment to Ireland."

"My gripe, however, is with the lack of work being done to bring it to Tullamore and Offaly. We are just twenty minutes from Athlone IT, forty minutes from NUI Maynooth and an hour from Dublin Airport and yet Athlone is getting the lions share of jobs announcements," Cllr McCormack continued.

"All we want is balanced growth in our region. We have great amenities, schools and facilities, as well as an able and willing workforce. You won't sell it unless you market it," Tony said as he criticised the IDA for failing to promote Offaly as a destination similar to Athlone.

The Tullamore councillor concluded by saying, "I will keep beating this drum until you are fair to Tullamore. We will hold you to account until Tullamore gets a fair crack of the whip."

Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick echoed those sentiments by saying, "We don't seem to be getting the full support we need," asking whether the IDA was instructed to "push Athlone as the hub for the Midlands." In response, Denis Curran said, "it is simply not true to suggest we're not promoting this reason. We don't take any county and promote it in isolation."

"When companies come to view locations, they want to view multiple sites at one time. So, if they come to view Tullamore, they will also want to see Athlone, that's just the harsh reality of it," the IDA official said.

Cllr Noel Cribbin pointed out the considerable landbanks currently in the possession of Bord na Mona that "could be used for IDA sites." He said, "there is a 750-acre Bord na Mona site in Rhode, two minutes from the motorway. Is that on the IDA's radar? You could put anything you like in there."

In response, Anne-Marie Tierney Le Roux, Head of Regional Development with the IDA, said the organisation met with Bord na Mona last year. "The IDA has been fully briefed on Bord na Mona's land portfolio and we keep negotiations live with our commercial property team. We are fully aware of the site in Rhode."

Cllr John Foley claimed the IDA had simply "forgotten about Offaly," suggesting the investment promotion agency has "bypassed it, much like Enterprise Ireland."

"Motorways in this country are all heading in one place and they are a carpark every morning and evening. My understanding when the motorways were being built was that they were going to open up the Midlands," he said.

Referring to the building of IKEA in Dublin, Cllr Foley claimed, "they changed the rules to put an exit onto the M50 for IKEA."

"We, on the other hand, are being left behind - motorways are meant to go both ways, not one," he concluded.

Cllr John Leahy criticised the IDA for making just one site visit to Offaly in 2018, while making 307 in total around the country. He asked if pumping companies into Dublin was sustainable in terms of the housing crisis and travel congestion.

In response, Denis Curran said the IDA has in fact made four visits to meet with Offaly County Council officials this year to date and that they were working on new promotional material. He also indicated that the final two quarters of the year would see an improvement in terms of visits to Offaly.

Cllr John Carroll followed that by asking for a meeting between Offaly County Council and the IDA once a year for "frank discussion" and for councillors and council management to receive feedback on "what has been done and what can be done to secure more foreign direct investment."

"We have to work together going forward," he added.

After a number of other councillors asked the IDA to spell out what they could do at council level to make Offaly more attractive for foreign direct investment, Tony McCormack stood once again to vent his frustration at the lack of action.

"I admire you, Denis, for standing up there with your lovely words, but we've heard it all before," he commented.

In conclusion, Denis said Brexit was "at the forefront" for the IDA and would be "constantly monitored," but also said it could present opportunities for Ireland if a number of companies choose to relocate from the UK as a result.

In terms of what councils and councillors can do, he suggested "a stronger message for FDI into the future," as well as a factual housing stock directory. He said projects like the one planned to turn the Tullamore Harbour into a Grand Canal Dock-style mixed-use development would also be of benefit going forward.

The Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, Anna Marie Delaney thanked the delegation for attending. "I can understand the level of frustration with slow progress on this front. A collaborative approach between Offaly County Council and the IDA will hopefully pay dividends," she commented.

She also said that Offaly County Council has contributed to a data centre survey from the IDA which aims to find suitable and possible locations for future data centre developments.Centre vs State: Why the battle for Delhi could be far from over

12 courts set up to try pending criminal cases against legislators, Centre tells SC

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Oct 16: The Centre has told the Supreme Court that 12 courts have been set up to try MPs and MLAs who have pending criminal cases against them. 12 such courts have been set up in 11 states, the SC was also informed.

The court had warned the States and Union Territories that the Chief Secretaries and Registrar Generals would be made responsible if details of the pending criminal cases against sitting lawmakers were not provided.

48 hours ahead of Sabarimala's opening, temple body may seek more time from SC to implement order

On October 10, a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi had given 11 States/Union Territories and the High Courts of Karnataka, Kerala and Tripura a deadline of four weeks to comply with its order dated September 12.

The court had sought data to determine the number of special courts that had been set up across the country to exclusively try legislators with pending criminal cases.

Terminated twice by UP government, Supreme Court comes to rescue of SC man

The court asked senior advocate, Vijay Hansaria and his associates to examine the status reports and affidavits filed by the States/UTs so far. The court while taking a serious note of the issue had said that it would monitor the compliance of its orders to form the special courts.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 6:30 [IST]Blessings of 130 cr people with you: PM Modi celebrates Diwali with soldiers in J&Ks Nowshera

With 2 more arrests NIA steps up heat on terrorists targeting civilians in J&K

Cleaning up the inside rot: The importance of gunning down Kashmirs white collared terrorists

2 soldiers injured in CRPF camp terror attack in J&K

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Srinagar, Oct 16: Two soldiers have been injured after terrorists attacked a CRPF camp at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack comes at a time when the state is polling in the fourth and final phase of the civic body polls.

The terrorists are said to have attacked the sentry post of the CRPF camp in Kakapura, an official told OneIndia. The two injured soldiers Santosh Bharti and Amit Kumar have been admitted at the District Hospital, Pulwama. They were later referred to the SMHS hospital, which is a speciality hospital in Srinagar. Their condition is said to be stable.

[J&K: Jawan among three injured in mine blast along LoC]

The terrorists fired a UBGL grenade at the 183 CRPF battalion. Bharti sustained injuries on his hand, while Kumar suffered soldier injuries.

The attack took pace at 10 pm on Monday.

The grenade attack was followed by indiscriminate firing, which caused injury to the security personnel, officials also said. The entire area has been cordoned off and a search operation has been launched.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 7:51 [IST]A 2 year search ends where it began, but where is JNU student Najeeb Ahmad

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Oct 16: The Central Bureau of Investigation has closed the case of missing JNU student, Najeeb Ahmad. The agency said that it had decided to close the case as all efforts to trace him yielded no results.

The report has been submitted in the Patiala House court after the agency got permission to close the case by the Delhi High Court. The matter would be heard on November 29.

The case has been on for almost two years now. During the investigation, the CBI had stumbled upon several leads and clues, but none of them led anywhere. The CBI says that it had looked into all aspects.

Where is missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed?, Delhi HC reserves order

With the case coming to a close, a pertinent question is where is Najeeb Ahmad. A CBI officer informed OneIndia that various angles had cropped up during the investigation. At times we heard that he had gone abroad and there was also information that he had been staying in the outskirts of Delhi.

The long chase that led nowhere:

It all began with a complaint being registered by Mohit Pandey, the then president of the JNU students union. In the complaint it was stated that nine ABVP members had assaulted Ahmad and threatened him with dire consequences, following which he had gone missing.

Following the complaint and an uproar, a massive team comprising over 500 police personnel was formed. The search began at the campus, following which the team began an extensive operation at the railway stations, hospitals, houses of his friends and relatives.

The teams even combed religious places, but not one clue emerged. The police then began scanning almost all the UDR (Unidentified Death Reported) that had been filed. The search even extended to the various morgues, where the police looked for unclaimed bodies. No result yielded from these searches as well.

On one day the police received a tip-off that he may have left for the Ajmer Dargah. A team was immediately dispatched over there, but nothing came out of here as well. During the course of the investigation, the nine accused persons were questioned extensively, but no clues emerged from there as well.

The tip-offs that never were:

During the course of the investigation, it was decided that the case would now be handed over to the CBI. Once the CBI took over the probe, the agency began receiving several tip-offs. We worked on every tip-off, irrespective of it being actionable or not, the CBI officer said.

Auto driver forced by cops to say he dropped Najeeb at Jamia: CBI

The analysis of the CCTV footage suggested that Ahmad had taken an auto-rickshaw from the JNU campus on October 15 2016. After tracking down the auto and questioning the driver, the investigators were told that Ahmad had been dropped off at Jamia Nagar.

The police learnt that the place where he had been dropped off was close to where his uncle lived. A team was dispatched there, but he was not found. The uncle told the cops that Ahmad never came to his place.

The chain broke here since there was no further information available as to where Ahmad had gone from Jamia Nagar in southeast Delhi. No CCTV footage was available at the spot at where he was dropped off.

Another tip-off was received that he had been living in outer Delhi as an ascetic. However this turned out to be a hoax. Several more tip-offs suggesting that he could be in other states such as Bihar and Madhya Pradesh were received, but none of them turned out to be true.

There was also a social media trail during the probe. The police analysed his social media accounts. A technical analysis of his emails and social media accounts suggested that he may have been in Badaun. When a team reached there it was learnt that the email and social media account was being used by a relative.

The agency had announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for anyone giving information about Najeeb and informed police chiefs of all state police in the country.

It also received some inputs from Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi where teams were immediately dispatched but to no avail, the officials said.

The agency had carried out a thorough check on unidentified bodies and pasted Najeeb's photograph on toll stations seeking information about him but these efforts did not result in any positive results.

Out of the country:

During the early days of the probe, the crime branch had information that he could have left the country. There was one tip-off received by the investigators that Ahmad may have left for Nepal. The police worked on this, but found that this was not true.

Then came the controversial Islamic State link. This was an angle under probe as during the analysis it was found that he had clicked on a radical site by mistake. He however did not surf the site, but shut it down immediately.

CBI gets HC green signal to shut JNU student Najeeb Ahmed missing case

The police scanned his laptop, but found nothing suspicious. There was no link to any radical site and we did not find any pattern suggesting that he was in touch with such elements, the police also said.

Following the Nepal lead, a team had been dispatched to the border. Posters of Ahmad were put up. However this did not yield any result either. The counterparts in Nepal too were contacted, but this too did not yield any leads or results, the police say.

Where is Najeeb Ahmad:

For now, everyone including the CBI is clueless about his whereabouts. It is one of the darkest mysteries in recent times and after working on every possible lead, the investigators got nowhere.

On being asked whether he was alive or not, the source said that they believe he is not dead. This brings us to the question as to what happens to this case, now that the CBI has decided to close Iit.

In official records, the case remains closed. However it is not the end. If the agency of the police receive any concrete lead or tip-off, they can act upon it. However it would largely now depend on the information that could flow in the future. Nothing prevents the police or the agency from re-opening the case, if a new lead crops up.

Search ends:

While taking permission of the Delhi High Court to close the case, the agency which began their probe in May last year had said all aspects were looked into but it could not find any trace of an offence.

Najeeb Ahmad had gone missing from the Mahi-Mandvi hostel of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) here on October 15, 2016, following a scuffle the previous night with some students allegedly affiliated to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 12:12 [IST]Amid calls for resignation over sexual harassment charges, Akbar praises Modi govt

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Oct 16: Union minister M J Akbar, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment, Tuesday praised the Modi government's efforts towards poverty alleviation and hit out at the Congress for its "continued campaign of defaming India".

"A Brookings study says that about 44 people are coming out of poverty every minute in India. A large credit goes to Modi Government's implementation of National Food Security Act which covers 80 crore people. But Congress cannot see this and continues its campaign defaming India," Akbar, who is Minister of State for External Affairs, tweeted.

A Brookings study says that about 44 people are coming out of poverty every minute in India. A large credit goes to Modi Government's implementation of National Food Security Act which covers 80 crore people. But Congress cannot see this and continues its campaign defaming India.  M.J. Akbar (@mjakbar) October 16, 2018

The National Food Security Act 2013 was during UPA's tenure.

Some interesting facts you need to know about #MeToo movement

Amid allegations and mounting demand for his resignation, Akbar has dug in the heels and refused to quit. He had slapped a criminal defamation suit against journalist Priya Ramani, one of the first to make the charges against Akbar.

The Opposition parties, led by the Congress, have been actively seeking the Centre's response over the matter and have been demanding Akbar's resignation from the cabinet of ministers.

Another woman accuses MJ Akbar of sexual harassment, says he 'greeted her in bare minimum clothing'

There is a view within the BJP that there is no legal case against him, and allegations pertain to a time long before he became a minster.

On Sunday, upon his return from Africa where he was leading a delegation, Akbar claimed that he was the victim of a political conspiracy ahead of general elections, a charge which Ramani and the other accusers have denied.Another woman accuses MJ Akbar of sexual harassment, says he 'greeted her in bare minimum clothing'

India

oi-Vikas SV

New Delhi, Oct 16: The list of women who have accused Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar of sexual harassment only seems to be getting longer. Tushita Patel, a journalist, has become 16th woman to accuse Akbar of harassment.

Patel, in a first person account published in Scroll.in, has narrated in detail what she experienced way back in the 90s. She wrote that Akbar opened the door dressed just in an underwear when she went to his hotel room. She also wrote that Akbar, who was in Kolkata then, got her number from someone else and called her "incessantly".

"You opened the door dressed only in your underwear. I stood at the door, stricken, scared and awkward. You stood there like the VIP man, amused by my fear. I did go in and carried on blabbering out of fear till you finally put on a bathrobe. What would you say that was? Does greeting a 22-year-old in a state of undress pass your test of morality?" Patel wrote.

Also Read | MJ Akbar-Priya Ramani criminal defamation case to be heard on 18 Oct

"Is that not "doing" something? I have visions of you like that. After that it's a bit hard to imagine you as the minister of external affairs representing India," her first person account further said.

Patel then goes on to write that once in Hyderabad Akbar grabbed her and kissed when she was working as a sub editor in Deccan Chronicle.

Also Read | Minister MJ Akbar denies #MeToo allegations, warns of legal action

"Suddenly you got up, grabbed me and kissed me hard - your stale tea breath and your bristly moustache are still etched in the recesses of my memory. I wriggled out and ran till I reached the road, jumped into an auto rickshaw and started crying," she wrote.

Akbar held senior positions in several prominent newspapers/ media organisations like The Telegraph, Asian Age and India Today. In the past few days, multiple women have accused Akbar of sexual harassment when he was a journalist.

One of the first women to bring MJ Akbar's name to the fore was Priya Ramani, a journalist formerly with India Today and The Indian Express. She first wrote about her encounter with him a year ago. She did not reveal his name initially but dubbed him as a 'male editor' who behaved inappropriately. As the #MeToo Movement began to gain momentum, Priya made it clear that the detailed account was about Akbar's misconducts.

Also Read | 'False and fabricated': MJ Akbar's full statement on #MeToo allegations

Among other women journalists to have accused Akbar of misconduct are Prerna Singh Bindra, Kanika Gahlaut, Suparna Sharma, Shutapa Paul and Ghazala Wahab. Wahab's account of MJ Akbar's persistent sexual abuses against her are deeply upsetting and harrowing.

Akbar, who returned to India after an official foreign trip, has denied all accusations against him and dubbed them as false and fabricated. He has, in fact, filed a criminal defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani on Monday.BJP talks development in Chhattisgarh; for opposition unemployment and agrarian crisis an issue

India

oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla

New Delhi, Oct 16: Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh are going to be very interesting with a triangular contest in the state. Besides the Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led by Raman Singh, former chief minister of the state Ajit Jogi is in the fray along with his alliance partners like Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)-led by Mayawati and the Communist Party of India. Raman Singh is seeking the fourth term in a state that has been electing the government with one or two per cent vote difference. The Chhattisgarh Assembly polls will be held in two phases on November 12 and 20 and the counting of votes will be taken up on December 11.

CM facing anti-incumbency but still firmly in saddle

The BJP is talking about schemes of the central government right from Mudra Yojna to Health scheme and also the achievement of the state government during the election campaign. But despite 15 years' anti-incumbency, Chhattisgarh chief minister is still very popular among people. However, the intra-party rivalry is making things little difficult for him but he is still firmly in the saddle. Amid all this distress among farmers is denting his popularity. The CM known for his effective PDS and distribution of rice and other grains is likely to bear the brunt in rural areas. The government has also launch scheme of distributing 50 lakh smartphone to people so they can know about the scheme of the government. Sources said that BJP leaders are not getting encouraging reports from the rural areas due to anti-incumbency. But the CM and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi are still popular.

BJP Central Election Committee to meet on October 20 to announce first list of Chhattisgarh

What are the issues for opposition political parties?

Leaders from the Congress and other opposition parties are taking up the issue of low human development indicators. Corruption at low-level is being raised by many in the state. The issue of unemployment is also being talked about the Congress and others with Chhattisgarh seeing 118,000 lakh new voters and for these young people lack of job options is a major cause of concern. As per the official data, 25 lakh people have registered with various employment exchanges in the state. Moreover, it is alleged that the government has turned dilatory after three terms in the state. So it is time for the government to go.

Agrarian distress increasing in Chhattisgarh

In the rural areas of the state, the agrarian distress is increasing and it is likely to be the key issue with nearly 1,500 farmers have committed suicide in the past three years. Around 96 tehsils in 21 districts in the state were declared drought-hit in September last year and Chhattisgarh received 12.8 per cent less rainfall, as compared to the last 10 years. Inadequate rainfall during the Kharif crop last year affected over 11 lakh farmers in the state. Last year's drought forced farmers and even agricultural labourers from different parts of the state to migrate to urban centres in search of livelihood. Those who have remained in Chhattisgarh feel like they've been backed into corners by their misfortune. Farmers in the state have been protesting for the past four years, demanding hikes in the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy, bonus and free electricity for water pumps that use up to 5 HP.

Chhattisgarh elections: Will the BJP gain from Jogi-BSP-CPI combine?

Caste factor in the state too works

In 2013 elections, the Congress was behind BJP just by around 0.7 per cent votes, a margin that the Congress feels could be managed this time around. Dalits (Satnamies) and tribals form the core vote base of the Congress and around 65 per cent of its votes come from this segment. The BJP banks on upper caste and backward caste votes and get around 70 per cent of its votes from them. Congress appointed Tamradhwaj Sahu, a backward caste leader as a member of Congress Working Committee and head of its OBC Cell. The Chhattisgarh PCC president is a Kurmi, Bhupesh Bhagel, while the general secretary in-charge PL Punia is a Dalit. National secretary in-charge of the state is Chandan Yadav. Congress is trying to woo Kurmis and Yadavs, who form a sizable population of the state. This is an attempt by the Congress to make a dent in the OBC support base of the BJP.

New alignment in state with CPI-JCC(J) and BSP joining hands

The Communist Party of India entered into an alliance with Ajit Jogi's outfit Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) for the Assembly polls. Earlier, Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party had forged an alliance with Jogi's outfit, as part of which the BSP will fight 35 seats while the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) will contest the remaining 55 seats in the 90-member Assembly.

CPI joining the JCC (J)-BSP has made it a 'mahagatbandhan' (grand alliance) of the shorts in the state which has added the strength of the alliance and poll prospects in the Bastar region and areas with labour-intensive factories. The alliance wants its government in the state to work in the interest of Dalits, Adivasis, the poor, villagers, farmers, labourers and minorities and to take decisions for the welfare of people of Chhattisgarh. They claim that over 50 per cent of the state's population continued to live below the poverty line despite 15 years of BJP rule. Under the new alliance the JCC (J)-BSP will support candidates of the CPI in Konta and Dantewada while the Left party and affiliated labour unions will campaign for the former's candidates in Chitrakoot and Bijapur in Bastar division and industrial areas like Korba and Bhilai Nagar. The development is being seen as a blow to the Congress which was planning to forge a grand alliance in Chhattisgarh.

Offensive against Naxalism an achievement for the government

The Chhattisgarh government has been claiming that it has dealt with Maoists sternly making the life of villagers fearless and taking development to the areas where it was not reached earlier. The BJP claims that this is the reason that people in the Naxal-affected areas support the BJP and its presence is increasing in those areas.By earning goodwill of Muslims, Lashkar trying to set up major base in India

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Oct 16: The probe by the National Investigation Agency into the module of the Falah-e-Insaniyat has unearthed several routes that the group had used to bring in money to India.

The arrest of Mohammad Samlam and his subsequent questioning has helped the NIA unearth the routes that were being used by the FeF, which is the financial wing of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba.

Raids on Falah-e-Insaniyat office: Rs 18 lakh cash recovered

During the course of the investigation it also came to light that members of the FeF were constantly routing money in several places to create a base. It also came to light that the outfit had funded the construction of a Mosque in Mewat, Haryana.

NIA officials say that the idea was to create a goodwill among the people and then rope them into their fold. This was clearly done with the intention of creating a base and the outfit was taking it one step at a time.

The construction of a Mosque and then paying money to poor families in the village was all part of a larger propaganda, NIA officials have also learnt. Nearly 70 lakh had been pumped into Haryana alone.

Similar modus operandi:

The modus operandi by the FeF originally the Jamaat-ud-Dawa is similar in India as well as in Pakistan. The JuD or FeF is the financial wing of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, which carried out the Mumbai 26/11 attack.

Over the years, it has built up a solid network in Pakistan. It is the first to run to calamity hit areas and pump in money before setting up relief camps. Over the years, this group has earned a lot of good will among the poor. They in turn are ready to send their children to join the group, who later go on to become terrorists.

Terror groups funding Mosques: How Kashmir-Kerala paved the way towards radicalisation

Going by the latest investigation by the NIA, it is clear that the FeF was implementing a similar modus operandi in India as well. Money was being pumped in through hawala networks from Dubai. The route was set up following a meeting of Salman with the Deputy Chief of the outfit in Dubai.

By constructing Mosques, doing charity work etc, the group was trying to earn legitimacy. This was the case in Pakistan as well and for years the country has defended the JuD as a charitable outfit.

However Indian Intelligence Bureau officials say that the charity work is just a cover.

While a certain sum of money is used for charity, a large amount is moved towards terror related activities. In the past we have seen how the JuD had been collecting money from Hajj pilgrims in Saudi. Most of the money that was collected was pumped in for terror related activities.

During the investigations, the NIA has seized cash to the tune of Rs 1.5 crore apart from other incriminating material such as mobile phones, laptops, pen drives etc. The NIA said that when Salman had visited Dubai, he met with the Deputy Chief of the FeF. He was identified as the point man who would receive the money and then distribute it. The idea was to earn the good will of the people, who in turn would be later expected to do work for the terror group.

Terror funding: Kashmir businessman Watali's bail stayed by SC

The probe is ongoing and the NIA is now studying the books of the Mosque to ascertain how much money this terror group had pumped in. The trail of the money leading up to the homes of the poor is also under investigation, NIA officials say.

What is Falah-e-Insaniyat:

Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation is a Lahore, Pakistan based organisation established by Jamat-ud- Dawa. It is a front-end organisation of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, a terror organisation proscribed under the UAPA.

It was founded in 1990 by Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, who is designated as global terrorist by the USA.

FeF is placed on the list of terrorist organisations as per entry 33 in the First Schedule to the UAPA read with Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism (Implementation of Security Council Resolutions) Order 2016. Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation was also designated as a Terrorist entity by USA in 2010.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 16:52 [IST]PIL in SC challenges Centre's ordinances on powers to extend tenure of Directors of CBI, ED

Fugitive Vinay Mittal extradited to India from Indonesia

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar P

New Delhi, Oct 16: Vinay Mittal, involved in bank frauds worth around Rs 40 crore, extradited to India from Indonesia's Bali on the request of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Interpol had earlier issued Red Corner Notice against Mittal on CBI's request. Mittal is one of the 28 or more fugitive offenders who had fled the country earlier after defrauding banks in six cases to the tune of Rs 40 crore.

Delhi court orders attachment of Vijay Mallya's Bengaluru properties

The Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate are pursuing legal actions to bring back 28 Indians, including six women, who have been charged for financial irregularities and criminal offences, and are believed to be living abroad since 2015.

ED resisted my efforts to repay banks, Vijay Mallya tells court

As of March 2018, India has signed extradition treaties with 48 countries including the USA, UAE, France, Germany, the U.K, and Hong Kong. In addition, extradition arrangements have been signed with Croatia, Italy, and Sweden.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 18:29 [IST]HIGH ALERT: To espouse Rohingya cause JMB plans strikes during Durga Puja

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Kolkata, Oct 16: A high alert has been declared in West Bengal ahead of the Durga Puja celebrations.

The alert comes following a meeting that was held in the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka in which was decided to launch the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen into Kolkata and carry out a series of blasts.

India on high alert for sea borne terror strike: How terror groups built maritime capabilities

The Intelligence Bureau states that while there is a general alert every year ahead of the celebrations, this year, it is more concrete. The JMB would look to rake up the Rohingya issue by carrying out blasts. It may be recalled that the same outfit had planted bombs at Bodhgaya while the Dalai Lama was visiting.

A recent alert stated that a meeting was held at the High Commission in Dhaka in which it was decided that sustained anti-India activities should be carried out. Pakistan has been notorious for planning terror activities from its high commissions. In the recent past, Pakistan had plotted attacks in India from its High Commission in Delhi and Colombo.

To make a comeback in AP, naxal plan to execute a 20 year old hit-list

Speaking of the threat perception in West Bengal, the IB says that it has alerted all police stations to remain on very high alert. An alert has also been sounded in the remotest areas of the state, which have been notorious for breeding cadres of the JMB. An incident at Burdhwan back in 2014 showed how terrorists of the JMB were preparing scores of bombs.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 10:46 [IST]Expect system to stabilise this week: Infosys on on new income tax portal glitch

Infosys turns 40: Sudha Murthy recollects how she helped NR Narayana Murthy by handing over her savings

Infosys Q2 net profit up 10.3% to Rs 4,110 cr; sees strong demand outlook

India

pti-PTI

Bengaluru, Oct 16: The India's second-largest software services exporter Infosys Tuesday posted a better-than-expected 10.3 per cent net profit growth in the second quarter after margins were boosted by large deal wins and reiterated its revenue forecast for full year.

Net profit in July-September rose to Rs 4,110 crore, or Rs 9.45 per share, from Rs 3,726 crore, or Rs 8.15 a share, a year ago, the company said in a statement.

Revenue from operations grew 17.3 per cent to Rs 20,609 crore. Infosys lifted the number of USD 100 million-plus clients to 23 from 19 in the previous quarter and said it stands by the previously projected 6-8 per cent revenue growth in constant currency terms for the full year ending March 31, 2019.

Sudha Murthy inaugurates Mysuru Dasara, announces Rs 25 crore for flood-hit Kodagu

"We are delighted with our broad-based growth across all business segments and geographies during the quarter.

This is a testimony to our strong client relationships, digital led full-service capabilities, and intense focus on the needs of our clients," said chief executive Salil Parekh.

He said there is a strong demand outlook backed by good fundamentals in the US and Continental Europe, so the company has a "fairly comfortable outlook, both in demand and revenue". "Large deal wins at over USD 2 billion during the quarter demonstrate our increased client relevance and also give us better growth visibility for the near-term," he added.

Infosys said it would comply with the arbitration award that asked it to pay the company's former chief financial officer Rajiv Bansal Rs 12.17 crore and would make the necessary payments.

Bansal had dragged the company to arbitration after payments on his over Rs 17 crore severance, were halted.

The firm had filed a counterclaim against Bansal asking for the refund of the previously paid severance of Rs 5.2 crore and other damages. An arbitration tribunal headed by Justice (retd) R V Raveendran had ruled in favour of Bansal.

"The company has received a legal advice and will comply with the award and make the necessary payments," the company said Tuesday.

Revenue from the digital services vertical jumped to 31 per cent during the quarter to USD 905 million. "We will continue to make strategic investments in digital to leverage opportunities and at the at the same time keep sharp focus on key operational efficiency parameters," CFO M D Ranganath said, adding Infosys had seen "blockbuster financial and operational performance" in the just-ended quarter.

The results were announced after market hours. The Infosys shares closed marginally lower at Rs 696.40 a share on BSE, while the broader market was up 0.7 per cent.

Sanjeev Hota, AVP Research at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, said Infosys had delivered "better than expected numbers on topline and bottomline front for Q2, though margins performance missed the mark".

Infosys has seen a broad-based growth across all business segments and geographies during the quarter with many of the sectors expanding at over 10 per cent year-on-year.

In dollar terms, Infosys saw its net profit increase marginally to USD 581 million in September quarter, while revenues at USD 2.92 billion marked a 7.1 per cent year-on-year growth. The company has declared an interim dividend of Rs 7 per share. Infosys added 19,721 (gross) and 7,834 (net) people during the September quarter, taking the total headcount to 2,17,739.

Attrition (annualised consolidated) was at 22.2 per cent. "We have had another quarter of solid operating parameters with utilisation being stable and offshore mix improving to an all-time high," said COO U B Pravin Rao. "Our digital services grew double digits sequentially, while growth in top clients was also robust."

PTIIs the clown prince out-clowning himself: Arun Jaitley targets Rahul Gandhi in Facebook post

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Oct 16: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on launched a scathing attack at Congress president Rahul Gandhi referring to him as a "clown prince".

Hitting back at the Gandhi scion over allegations of the Finance Minister meeting fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya before his departure to London, Jaitley said, "Is it a case of Clown Prince out-clowning himself?"

Taking to Facebook, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader gave a point-by-point rebuttal to several allegations levelled by the Congress chief on the government, ranging from Rafale fighter jets deal to fleeing of Mallya and Nirav Modi.

What is the Rafale deal? An explainer and the controversy around it

"Many young Lawyers practising criminal law used to get an advice early in their career from Veterans in the field. They were told 'if you are strong on facts, bang the facts. If you are strong on law, bang the law. If you are weak on both, then bang the desk.' Those who advise Rahul Gandhi appear to have persuaded him that he is cut out only for the third option," the finance minister wrote in a Facebook blog today.

"Since beating the desk itself would not suffice, it has to be accompanied with a new narrative. If the factual narrative does not suit him then concoct an alternative.

Repeat the false narrative a dozen times and convince yourself that falsehood is in fact is the truth. Thereafter, you can comfortably live in self-delusion," he added.

Rafale deal: Shatrughan Sinha slams BJP govt

Jaitley gave "five examples" to counter Rahul Gandhi.

Without naming Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence, Jaitley said that only 3% of offset may come to the said business house which is less than Rs. 1000 crore and not "Rs. 38,000 crore to Rs. 1,30,000 crore" as stated by the Congress president.

He also slammed Rahul Gandhi for building a "false narrative of the PM having waived the loan of his 15 friends".

"Loans were given during the UPA period. Not a single Rupee has been waived. The Promotors of the defaulting companies have been thrown out through the IBC, and banks are successfully recovering their dues. Through the process of NCLT banks are recovering their loans," Jaitley wrote in the blog.

Jaitley also mocked the Gandhi scion for saying that footwear are not being manufactured in India.

"Ill-informed as he is, India has become the second largest manufacturer of footwear in the world. Our exports in footwear are about Rs.20,000 crores each year. He just has to take a trip to Bahadurgarh on the outskirts of Delhi to realise the competitive nature of India's footwear industry," the FM wrote.

The BJP leader also took on Rahul Gandhi on GST saying that the Congress leader is "unaware" of the fact that "India has witnessed the most successful implementation of the GST".

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 18:40 [IST]WASHINGTON CROSSING >> In preparation for the nations Semiquincentennial in 2026, the Pennsylvania State Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) unveiled a DAR America 250! Patriots Marker on Saturday at the Washington Crossing Historic Park Visitors Center. Pennsylvania DAR State Regent Elizabeth Watkins joined Judi Biederman, Washington Crossing DAR Regent, and Hope Bailey, Washington Crossing DAR, to unveil and dedicate...Maharashtra: 50-year-old woman infected with Zika virus, Chickungunya; officials say no need to panic

JP Nadda calls for high level meeting over Zika outbreak in Rajsathan

India

oi-Vikas SV

New Delhi, Oct 16: With the number of people tested positive for Zika virus touching 72, Union Health Minister J P Nadda has called for a high level meeting to review the situation.

Twelve new cases of Zika virus disease were reported in Jaipur on Monday, taking the total number of cases reported in the past 25 days to 72. A Rajasthan health department official said that out of 72 positive cases 60 have been cured.

The Union health ministry on Monday asked states to check mosquito breeding and intensify vector control strategies to contain the spread of the disease.

Also Read | All you need to know about Zika Virus; Transmission and symptoms

Over 280 teams of medical and health department are conducting surveys in affected areas. Till now, 96,000 houses have been surveyed. Fogging is being done regularly to prevent mosquito breeding. Total fine of Rs 44,000 imposed on 68 houses where larva was found. O

On Saturday, reports said the number of Zika monitoring teams in Jaipur has been increased from 50 to 170, and an isolation ward created at the Hira Bagh Training Centre to treat patients. The Centre has also provided the Rajasthan government with information, education and communication material to create awareness about the virus among the public.

Also Read | Zika virus in Rajasthan: 60 out of 72 positive cases cured

Rajasthan is witnessing the worst outbreak of Zika virus in India. The first Zika virus outbreak occurred in Ahmedabad in January and February 2017 and second outbreak in July 2017 from Krishnagiri District in Tamil Nadu. So, this is the third outbreak of Zika in India.

Zika virus is similar to dengue fever, yellow fever and West Nile virus. Carried by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitos, Zika is largely transmitted through bites, but can also occur through intrauterine infection.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 11:15 [IST]In Mandya, Ramanagara by-poll results, BJP has something to smile about

Karnataka bypolls: BJP releases list of candidates

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Oct 16: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday released list of candidates for the Karnataka bypolls that are due to be held in November.

By-polls for three Lok Sabha constituencies- Shimoga, Bellary and Mandya, and two assembly constituencies- Ramanagara and Jamkhandi, will be held on November 3. The counting of votes will be on November 6.

While BJP had already finalised the names of candidates for a few seats, the Congress and JDS had been trying to work out the names of candidates and seat-sharing formula between the two parties.

Karnataka bypolls 2018: JDS to contest from Mandya, Shimoga, Cong gets Bellary

BJP state chief BS Yeddyurappa's son BY Raghavendra and former MP Shanta will be contesting the polls on Shivamogga and Bellary constituencies.

Meanwhile, the Janata Dal Secular (JDS) and the Congress who are in alliance in Karnataka are fighting the upcoming bypolls in the state together. The two parties have worked out a seat-sharing arrangement for the polls as per which, JDS will be contesting on two seats while Congress will fight on one seat.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 13:49 [IST]After Shastri in 1964, PM Modi first PM to attend AMU event

Kashmiri students at AMU holds silent protest

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Aligarh, Oct 16: Kashmiri students studying at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), held a silent protest on Tuesday during a function held for alumni of the University.

Three Kashmiri students of AMU were booked on sedition charges for allegedly for raising "anti-India" slogans and trying to hold a prayer meeting for Hizbul Mujahideen commander Manan Bashir Wani on October 12 (Friday).

Twenty-seven-year-old Wani, pursing a PhD course in Allied Geology at the AMU, had quit the university and joined militant ranks in January this year.

Also Read | Kashmiri student who went missing joins Hizbul

He was killed in an encounter at Shatgund village in Handwara area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district on Thursday.

Aligarh's Senior Superintendent of Police Ajai Sahni said police took the action (on October 12) after a video surfaced, showing the three Kashmiri students raising "anti-India" slogans.

The three students were suspended from the AMU earlier.

Also Read | Hizbul's overground module in Kashmir busted

Some AMU students from Kashmir had on Thursday (October 11) gathered near Kennedy Hall on the campus to hold funeral prayers for Wani, following which the varsity staff and the students union leaders had rushed to the spot and tried to stop them.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 13:00 [IST]Madhya Pradesh polls: What is the SAPAKS effect that has the BJP worried

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Bhopal, Oct 16: The battle in Madhya Pradesh will be an interesting one. Political observers say that this would be the hardest fought elections in the past 15 years. Will Shivraj Chouhan defend his throne or will he overthrown by the Congress?

There is an interesting terminology which has cropped up in the Madhya Pradesh elections 2018. It is known as the SAPAKS effect.

Madhya Pradesh elections: Will the strong undercurrent of disunity hurt the Congress?

SAPAKS stands for Samanya, Pichda and Alpasankhyak. Samanya would comprise the general category including Brahmins and Thakurs. Pichda would have the backward classes and Alpasankhyaks the minorities.

The BJP is now closely watching the SAPAKS Samaj Party which has said that it would contest all the 230 seats. The party claims the support of 65 per cent of the people in the state and its president Hiralal Trivedi appears confident of forming the government.

While the caste wars are hotting up, the problem for the BJP began after the SAPAKS rally of Brahmins that was held in Ujjain last month. This worried the BJP as it appeared as though its core voter was moving away from it.

The BJP did some course correction in this regard and just two days before the model code of conduct came into force, it hurriedly announced a 300 per cent hike in honorarium for some 52,000 priests.

The SAPAKS effect would be seen in Madhya Pradesh in the upcoming elections. While it would be hard to substantiate the claim that the party would form the government, both the BJP and Congress are worried that it could mess up the caste equations to a large extent. The BJP however feels that the Brahmin voter will continue to back it and the SAPAKS effect in terms of the Brahmins would not exist.

Madhya Pradesh elections: Unfazed by BSP ditch, Congress still in driver's seat

The BJP is however not taking this issue lying down. Several Brahmin leaders of the party have emerged in the past couple of weeks. To neutralise this effect, Chouhan had held a meeting with former BJP minister, Laxmikant Sharma at Vidisha. Sharma an accused in the Vyapam scam was meeting with CM after a span of two years. The CM followed this up with two more meetings with Anup Mishra and Rakesh Chathurvedi.

Chathurvedi, a former Congressman had switched sides and joined the BJP. Mishra is the Morena MP. These meetings with these three leaders, who were forgotten by the party is a clear indicator of how the BJP is trying to neutralise the SAPAKS effect especially where the Brahmins are concerned.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 10:02 [IST]#MeToo: 20 women journalists come out in support of Ramani; to testify against Akbar

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Oct 17: As the #MeToo movement intensifies, more women journalists who have worked with 'The Asian Age' newspaper, came out in support of their colleague Priya Ramani who has accused Union minister M J Akbar of sexual harassment.

The journalists have urged the court to hear their testimonies against Akbar, claiming that some of them suffered sexual harassment by the minister and others have been a witness to it.

Another woman accuses MJ Akbar of sexual harassment, says he 'greeted her in bare minimum clothing'

"Ramani is not alone in her fight. We would request the honourable court hearing the defamation case to also consider the testimonies of sexual harassment of some of us at the hands of the petitioner, as also of the other signatories who bore witness to this harassment," the journalists said in the joint statement undersigned by them.

"What Akbar has demonstrated through his legal actions is his refusal to introspect, acknowledge or atone for his actions that have caused immense pain and indeed harm to many women over the years. He himself, in the meanwhile, continues to enjoy enormous power and privilege as minister and Member of Parliament," the statement said.

Also Read MJ Akbar-Priya Ramani criminal defamation case to be heard on 18 Oct

"When Ramani spoke out against him in public, she spoke not only about her personal experience, but also lifted the lid on the culture of 'casual misogyny, entitlement and sexual predation' that Akbar engendered and presided over at The Asian Age," it said.

Who are the petitioners?

Meenal Baghel who worked for Asian Age (1993 to 1996), Manisha Pande (1993-1998), Tushita Patel (1993-2000), Kanika Gahlaut (1995-1998), Suparna Sharma (1993-1996), Ramola Talwar Badam (1994-1995), Hoihnu Hauzel (1999-2000), Aisha Khan (1995-1998) and Kushalrani Gulab (1993-1997) have signed the statement. Kaniza Gazari (Asian Age 1995-1997), Malavika Banerjee (1995-1998), A T Jayanthi (1995-1996), Hamida Parkar (1996-1999), Jonali Buragohain, Meenakshi Kumar (1996-2000), Sujata Dutta Sachdeva (1999-2000) and Sanjari Chatterjee are the other journalists to sign the statement.

Minister MJ Akbar denies #MeToo allegations, warns of legal action

Background

Many journalists from multiple media platforms have come forward with their stories of harassment against the Minister of State for External Affairs under the social media campaign '#Metoo' against sexual misconduct.

Akbar, however, has denied the allegations and on Monday filed a private criminal defamation complaint against Ramani. Hours after returning from a trip to Africa, the Union minister issued a statement trashing the charges against him, saying accusations without evidence has become a "viral fever" among some sections.

Ramani Monday asserted that she was ready to fight the defamation complaint filed against her, and expressed disappointment over the minister's statement, saying it paid no heed to the "trauma and fear of the survivors". "I am ready to fight the allegations of defamation laid against me as truth and the absolute truth is my only defence," she had said.

OneIndia News (with PTI inputs)MJ Akbar-Priya Ramani criminal defamation case to be heard on 18 Oct

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Oct 16: Delhi's Patiala House court has listed the matter of MJ Akbar, the junior minister for external affairs who has been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women to 18 October at 2pm. He had filed a criminal defamation case in the Court against journalist Priya Ramani on Monday.

Ramani was the first woman to come out and accuse Akbar of sexual harassment and predatory behaviour. The accusations date back to the time when Akbar was in the media and was the editor of a national daily.

Ramani in a tweet on October 8 had revealed that a 2017 article she wrote was about MJ Akbar. In that article, Ramani spoke of a senior editor who interviewed her for a job in a hotel room and made her feel uncomfortable.

Also Read | RSS too divided on the issue of M J Akbar but majority wants him to go!

On Sunday, Akbar, who was on an official tour to Africa when the #MeToo allegations against him blew up, returned to India and issued a strong statement in which he rejected the charges against him.

Akbar said the allegations were lies being spread with a malicious intent and threatened to take legal action against his accusers.

The sections that Akbar's lawyers have invoked carry a maximum punishment of two years in prison.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 11:29 [IST]Look Out Circular issued against neta's son for brandishing gun outside 5-star hotel in Delhi

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar P

New Delhi, Oct 16: Look Out Circular (LOC) had been issued by Delhi Police against Ashish Pandey, son of former BSP MP Rakesh Pandey, for brandishing a gun outside a 5-star hotel.

On the basis of the viral video, a case has been registered under the Arms Act. The abuse-filled video that has provoked outrage and disgust on social media.

Also Read | Delhi: Bank robbed, cashier shot dead in Dwarka

According to reports, in the video shot on a mobile phone, Ashish Pandey has a gun in his hands as he argues with a woman and threatens her, allegedly after she objected to him walking into the women's washroom. Pandey's woman friend and a security guard are seen trying to hold him back and calm him down. The video ends with Pandey being dragged away by the hotel staff as he continues to shout expletives and threats.

The accused Ashish Pandey is probably hiding somewhere in Noida and Ghaziabad area. The key members of his family, including his father and MLA brother, all are there in Ghaziabad trying to manage the situation.

#WATCH A man brandishes a gun outside a 5-star hotel in Delhi on October 14. A case has been registered in connection with the incident. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/G14eqVJU0U  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2018

Delhi Dy CM, Manish Sisodia, said, "Law and order is no one's priority. Priority is to frame AAP MLAs in fake cases. The day law&order is made a priority, it'll be on right track. It's a 5-star hotel in VIP area, how did this happen?."AIMPLB's Zafaryab Jilani

"When it comes to Aligarh Muslim University, BJP makes mountain out of a molehill. Students should be seen as students. If they make a mistake, it should be viewed as mistake by a student and that is what the University is doing," AIMPLB's Zafaryab Jilani told news agency ANI.

Also Read |Kashmiri students at AMU holds silent protest

"Just because they were taking out Namaz-e-Janaja, they can't be considered anti-national. Maybe they were friends with Manan Wani. He was a student here. It can be an offence and police has registered case. It shouldn't be viewed as if all Kashmiri students are against nation," he added. (Image credit - ANI/Twitter)

Kashmiri students held silent protest

Earlier today (October 16), the students marched outside the varsity campus carrying placards, which read: ''Being a Kashmiri is not a crime.'' The students also pasted posters on the walls of the varsity demanding the withdrawal of the sedition case against three students and their suspension. (Image credit - ANI/Twitter)

Students carried placards

On Saturday, sedition cases were registered against the three students for allegedly raising "anti-India" slogans and trying to hold a prayer meeting for Hizbul Mujahideen commander Manan Bashir Wani, a aluminous of the varsity who was killed in an encounter with the security forces in north Kashmir. (Image credit - ANI/Twitter)

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Tuesday spoke to Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar and sought his intervention to ensure smooth studies of the Kashmiri students at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

Also Read |HRD seeks report from AMU over alleged prayer meeting held for slain terrorist Manan Wani

Twenty-seven-year-old Wani, pursing a PhD course in Allied Geology at the AMU, had quit the university and joined militant ranks in January this year. He was killed in an encounter at Shatgund village in Handwara area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district on Thursday.Patriot missile losing market to S-400: Is that the real worry of US?

India

oi-Vikas SV

New Delhi, Oct 16: The United States is yet to take a firm stand on whether to impose sanctions on India or not over the purchase of S-400 air defence missile system from Russia. While India is hoping for a waiver from sanction under CAATSA, New Delhi has made it clear that national interest comes first and the defence deals with Russia will go on.

The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA is a US federal law that imposed sanctions on Iran, North Korea and Russia. CAATSA also proposes sanctions on countries indulging with Russia in significant defence deals. India's close $5 Billion worth purchase of S-400 missiles definately falls under the category of significant.

China has also purchased S-400 missiles from Russia and for that the US has imposed sanctions on Beijing. The US has imposed sanctions on China's Equipment Development Department (EDD), the military branch responsible for weapons and equipment, and its director, Li Shangfu, for engaging in "significant transactions" with Rosoboronexport, Russia's main arms exporter

US says that CAATSA is aimed at punishing Russia for its aggression in Ukraine and involvement in Syria's civil war. CAATSA also seeks to penalise Moscow for meddling in the 2016 US election, something which Russia denies.

The US may or may not impose sanctions on India, that is something only time will tell. There is another aspect to this entire sanctions in the name of CAATSA debate. Is there something else that is making the US impose sanctions on whoever buys S-400 missiles? Although, it must be acknowledged that the US is imposing sanctions on countries even for other reasons, like on China, purchase of 10 SU-35 combat aircraft in 2017 was cited as one of the reasons.

[Sanctions over S-400 deal: Why India seems unperturbed?]

But somehow one cannot stop thinking that the US is particularly irked whenever any nation buys S-400 missiles from Russia. Is there a specific reason for this? One can only speculate, but the fact remains that US made MIM-104 Patriot, a system comparable with S-400, is losing market to the Russian weapon system across the globe.

[S-400: India will find out says Trump on possible CAATSA waiver]

Both are surface-to-air systems designed to shoot down aircraft and ballistic missiles. But the S-400 has a longer range than the Patriot, 250 kilometers vs 160 kilometers. An upgrade coming later this year is expected to stretch the S-400's range to 400 kilometers. It also has a more powerful radar that can destroy targets moving twice as fast, and is quicker to set up. While both systems are mounted on trucks, the S-400 can be ready for action in five minutes, compared with an hour for a Patriot battery. The S-400 is also slightly cheaper than the Patriot, on a per-battery basis.

Again, no definitive conclusions can be drawn from this, but it is something worth considering, as arms lobby in the US is considered very strong. A lot has been written about how arms lobby in the US does influence the political decision making.Depression soon, heavy showers likely in several regions of TN; Puducherry

Person injured during anti-Sterlite protests dies after 5 months

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar P

Chennai, Oct 16: A person injured during anti-Sterlite protests in Thoothukudi on 22nd May passed away on Monday after being in the coma for five months.

The victim, Justine was injured in lathi-charge by police during anti-Sterlite protests in Thoothukudi. The total death toll in anti-Sterlite protest till now is 14.

Tamil Nadu: Student who was arrested for shouting anti-BJP slogan granted bail

Thirteen people agitating against the expansion of the copper smelter were killed on May 22 and May 23 - prompting the state government to permanently shut down the plant days later. Several people were arrested for rioting, burning vehicles in the premises of the collectorate, pelting stones and damaging public property.

Sterlite Protests: Rajinikanth blames 'anti-social' elements led to Thoothukudi police firing

The CBI has registered riot case against persons belonging to 20 organisations in Tamil Nadu over the connection with anti-Sterlite protests that were held in Thoothukudi in May 2018.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 9:30 [IST]PNB scam: If Choksi wants case details, let him return to India, ED tells Interpol

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Oct 16: The Enforcement Directorate has told the Interpol that if PNB scam accused Mehul Choksi wants details about the case, he should first return to India.

The Central Bureau of Investigation and ED have been seeking a Red Corner Notice (RCN) to be issued against Choksi.

PNB fraud: ED attaches assets worth Rs 637 crores of Nirav Modi

The Interpol had written to the ED stating that a copy of the cases and allegations be officially provided. However the ED has told the Interpol that Choksi needs to return to India, if wants a copy of the cases and allegations.

"Why is he asking for the case details from the Interpol. The chargesheet against him has been filed in a special court at Mumbai. As an accused, he has full right to seek a copy from the court. He is making such demands from the Interpol periodically with the sole purpose of delaying the issuance of the RCN against him," the ED said.

PNB fraud: Mehul Choksi cites TV debate phone-in in plea to get NBW cancelled

This is not for the first time that there has been such a communication between the ED and Interpol. Earlier the ED had told the Interpol not to share details of the case with Choksi after he had raised queries about the details of the investigation against him.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 6:19 [IST]Rajasthan CMs inaccessibility and arrogance the biggest issue in the state

India

oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla

New Delhi, Oct 16: In the Rajasthan Assembly elections chief minister Vasundhara Raje has become an Achilles Heel for the Bharatiya Janata Party and the biggest issue which the opposition Congress is capitalising on. The Bharatiya Janata Party too feels the same way while people say that the party by projecting her as the chief ministerial candidate has offered the state to the Congress in the platter.

People say that arrogance, corruption and inaccessibility of its leaders especially the chief minister along with some of its minister is the biggest issue in the state. The most popular slogan that is doing round in the state is: 'Rani Teri Khair Nahi, Modi Tujhse Bair Nahi' (Queen (Vasundhara) you won't be spared, however, there is no grudge against Modi). Sources said that people would vote for the Congress not because they are unhappy with the BJP but they are unhappy with the Vasundhara. So the change in leadership could have done tricks for the BJP.

Rajasthan assembly polls: The not so easy battle and why BJP could struggle

The BJP too knows it and trying to give a message to the people by not giving much importance to Vasundhara now on. People are so much angry with her that when she was taking out her Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra in the state, she was protested against at many places and even routes were changed due to heavy opposition.

Rajasthan Congress president Sachin Pilot is giving slogan that Rani (queen) must be sent back to the palace. The Central Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi is not able to do much in the state but it is anger and arrogance of the CM that is helping the Congress to establish a fresh rapport with the people of the state. Understanding the image of the chief minister, the BJP has decided to make the fight in the state as Modi versus Rahul instead of Vasundhara verses Sachin.

The issue of anger against the chief minister is so much that the party is devising the strategy to change as much ticket as possible without much interference of the CM so that a message is sent across to the people that it is BJP, not Vasundhara that is at the forefront in the state. Sources said that the BJP could have won the election in the state had Union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore or Gajendra Singh Shekhawat would have been projected as the chief ministerial candidate of the state.

Also

Congress to adopt same methodology for ticket distribution as done in Gujarat and Karnataka

So the Congress is racking up the issue of Vasundhara while the BJP is trying to get rid of this tag and trying to project the BJP more instead of Vasundhara. People accept that works have been done right from infrastructure to social security but the only issue is Vasundhara in the state.'Save daughters from BJP minister': Rahul Gandhi takes dig at Modi govt

India

oi-Deepika S

Bhopal, Oct 16: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took a dig at the BJPs slogan of "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" while targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence over the allegation made against Akbar.

Rahul said the slogan should be tweaked to read "Beti Padhao BJP ke netaonse, mantrionse, MLAs se beti bachao (save the daughter from BJP leaders, ministers and MLAs)".

"Modi ji says Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao but when allegations are made against his own minister then he remains silent on the matter," Gandhi said.

Madhya Pradesh elections 2018: These 25 seats are a serious headache for Congress

Gandhi was taking a dig at the prime minister over the allegations of sexual harassment against Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar and the rape charges against BJP's Uttar Pradesh MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar.

"Not only the PM but even the (BJP) chief ministers in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh did not say a word," Gandhi said.

Congress to field its senior leaders to contest elections on tough seats in Madhya Pradesh

Akbar, the Minister of State for External Affairs in the NDA government, has been accused by over a dozen women of sexual misconduct. The Opposition parties led by the Congress have been actively seeking the Centre's response over the matter and have been demanding Akbar's resignation from the cabinet of ministers.

Akbar, however, has rubbished the charges against him and have filed a criminal defamation case against one of the accusers, journalist Priya Ramani.

UP's Bangermau MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar is an accused in the Unnao rape case. CBI named him in the chargesheet filed in the case on June 11.

MP elections: Congress-SP fissure widens over Budhni fiasco?

The incident had come to light in April after the 17-year-old girl, who had alleged to be raped by Sengar at his residence, tried to commit suicide outside UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's residence, alleging police inaction even though she had approached them several months earlier.

The kin of the victim had also alleged that the family was thrashed after a complaint was filed with the police in this regard. The incident had led to nationwide anger, prompting the state government to hand over the investigation to CBI.TRS being accused of backtracking promises made to people and party

India

oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla

New Delhi, Oct 16: The Telengana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) government led by K Chandrasekhar Rao has dissolved Assembly around eight months before it completes its term to contest Assembly elections. But there are different view on the issue as opposition are accusing him of running away from the responsibility and commitment as he failed to fulfill promises made to people while people of the state are clueless about his decision. But they are sure of one thing that TRS is not going to get a cakewalk this time round.

TRS accused of backtracking promises it made

The TRS is being accused that the Congress has allowed Telengana to happened but it cheated the party and it also cheated people of the state as they have a fair idea that how the Congress facilitated Telengana to happen. The Congress and others are now reminding that how KCR promised that if the Congress allows formation of Telengana then TRS would be merged with it but KCR backtracked and rejected the very idea of TRS merging with the Congress. Now at the time of elections, it is also being reminded that KCR made some promises during the 2014 elections like making Dalit a CM candidate. It also promised free education from LKG to PG which will be applicable in all universities in the state.

Telangana elections: Will the promise made to 'Sonia Amma' in 2014 be fulfilled in 2018?

Where is water, employment and resource distribution?

Now the issues on which people supported carving Telengana out of Andhra Pradesh included better utilisation of resources. Three points were discussed like proper utilisation of water, better employment opportunity and proper utilisation of other resources. But the government failed on the issue of providing employment and there is ongoing tussle with Andhra Pradesh and some other neighbouring state on the issue of utilisation of water resources. This is also happening on several other project, management of projects and issues like water storage. Telengana keeps on fighting with Andhra Pradesh on many issues. However, Telengana is selectively concentrating on water irrigation projects like Kaleshwaram projects but other projects are neglected.

Telangana elections 2018: Here is what the BJP's manifesto looks like

Delayed water management projects

There is a need to understand that Telengana is in the upper area and water flows in the lower area so to provide water to Telengana has the only option to lift water to send them to areas for irrigation and other projects. Water needs to be pumped out to the area it is required. This is a natural to Telengana and nothing can be done except this. But for the utilization of project one needs to work judicially which is not happening. Polavaram project is need of the hour and one can asses how a water management project is implemented by Andhra Pradesh and how Polavaram project is being taken ahead. Andhra Pradesh CM Chandra Babu Naidu did a project called Pattiseema with similar resources. There is also problem with project assessment before KCR that is 2014, the project that was taking Rs 100 has been escalated to Rs 1000 with some modification. The government failed on both counts water utilization and job creation.

Telangana elections: KCR has a new challenger in Gaddar

Issue of farmers remain as bad as ever

As far as problem of farmers is concerned, it is mainly the problem of water supply that they don't get and on this the Telengana government failed miserably to do anything. The Rythu Bandhu scheme in which government provides Rs 4000 to Rs 8000 per acre to farmers directly. There is an increasing burden of subsidy on the government. The Rythu Bandhu scheme is not helping the actual tiller of the land rather the land owner. In Telengana 60 to 65 per cent land owners don't cultivate land and other people cultivate land so the land owner is getting benefited instead of tiller or landless people getting benefited by these government schemes. Actually people cultivating land are facing the real problem.

Infographic: How Telangana voted in 2014

Caste do matter in the entire country

The issue of Dalits is major factor in Telengana as upper caste is very less. The promise of a Dalit CM is being talked about who form 20 per cent of the population of state. KCR is a Velama who are 4-5 per cent of the state. BC are 40 per cent and sizable in population then comes tribals which are 10 per cent of the total population. After that Reddys come and preceded by Khamma which are around 6-7 per cent while other castes are very less in Telengana. It was promised during Telengana movement that lakhs of jobs will be created with formation of Telengana but all promises remained hollow as per the opposition.

How Muslim voters can be game changers in Telangana polls

Is TRS support base shrinking?

People of Telengana are unable to understand that what prompted KCR to get early Assembly elections. They are unable to understand the reason behind it that why this early elections. In 2014, TRS had won election and formed the government in the state as he invited TDP, Congress and other people to join TRS to win elections. He created some ministries and given important portfolios to people joining the TRS from other parties.

During Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections where majority of people are settlers, they too are disappointed with him. So during HMC elections many people had opposed this government and people's mind got changed that the TRS is actually creating problem for all. They feel, "If we support TRS this time round it will be problematic for the future."

Alternate front: Mamata choses Naidu over Rao

The NTR factor still works among BC and Kammas

Reddys and Kammas are dominating factor in the state because major infrastructure companies and business houses are owned by Reddys and Kammas too are big in business then Velamas come. The Congress is very strong among the Reddy community while the TDP is strong among Kammas and BC because of N T Rama Rao. TDP still holds control over these communities. When KCR came to power some of the leaders of Reddy community joined the TRS but not people of the community. They have gone into dormant made and now the Congress is bringing them to mainstream once again. The TDP has activated them once again and Reddys are also backing the Congress.

How will the alliance fare in Telengana?

The TDP, the Congress and the CPI are contesting election in the state together against KCR by forming Mahakutami. The TDP and Congress are going to be a major force in the state but seat sharing and other things are yet to be worked out. They are assessing the situation constituency wise. The alliance of the Congress, TDP and the CPI is going to give TRS a real tough time in the state with BJP emerging as a force.

Finally the anti-incumbency

Every TRS MLA is facing negative report from their constituency and anti-incumbency is impacting in a big way. The Mission Bhagiratha the drinking water project started by the Telengana government to provide potable water to every household of the state especially in the rural area also failed to take off with only 10 per cent project being completed. So the TRS has to save itself from all round attack but things are not in good shape for the party.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 21:07 [IST]Rahul has lunch at roadside eatery in Goa, rides pillion on two-wheeler taxi for few kms

Goal is to serve country; time to focus on my journey in politics: Leander Paes

Two Goa Congress MLAs resign from party after meeting Amit Shah, set to join BJP today

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Oct 16: Two Goa Congress lawmakers resigned from party after a meeting with the Bharatiya Janata party chief Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday. Both are expected to join the BJP later today

The two MLAs Dayanand Sopte and Subhash Shirodkar reached Delhi past Monday midnight amidst speculations that they may join the BJP.

Goa is currently witnessing hectic political activities with Congress party petitioning President Ram Nath Kovind, seeking his intervention to ask Goa Governor Mridula Sinha to call them to form the government.

Also Read | Ensure Goa Assembly is not dissolved by 'foul play': Congress to Ram Nath Kovind

Goa Congress desk in-charge A Chellakumar said that the two MLAs have assured him that they will be back. "After joining the BJP and becoming a minister, Vishwajit Rane used to ring me and tell me that there is a threat to him and his family. He told me over the phone that he is still Congressman by heart. I don't know whether similar threats were given to tow these MLAs."

On the other hand Goa Forward Part (GFP) has also started putting pressure on the BJP government at the Centre. GFP chief Vijay Sairdesai told media that "Onus is on central-BJP leadership to ensure stability of this government".

Also Read | Manohar Parrikar returns to Goa, to continue medical treatment at home

Currently, Congress has 16 MLAs in the Goa Legislative Assembly. Their strength would be reduced to 14 if two legislators resign.

The BJP has 14 MLAs while three each are from Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Independents. One legislator is from the NCP.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 13:21 [IST]Trump or Putin?

The situation for India is such that it cannot choose one over the other which means the New Delhi needs both the US and Russia for its defence requirements. India wants to maintain its storng military ties with Russia, but at the same time does not want to sour relations with the US.

Also Read |Patriot missile losing market to S-400: Is that the real worry of US?

For that matter, even the US may not take a strong stance and punish India for being close to Russia. By doing so, the US may harm defense relationship with India which is considered as one of the world's most lucrative markets for arms exporters. According to a 2017 report by the UK's Royal Institute of International Affairs, India was responsible for 10.3% of global arms imports between 2000 and 2016, with Russia supplying 72% of those imports. So, it is all pure business in a way. Everyone wants a share of India's big defence spending.

S-400 Triumf Air Defence system

S-400 deal is something which made headlines, apart from this there are many other India-Russia deals in the pipeline like New Delhi's plan to buy of four Krivak III-class frigates, a US$1.5 billion deal to build 200 Kamov-226T light helicopters in India and a billion-dollar contract to manufacture Kalashnikov assault rifles in India.

BrahMos is a result of India-Russia collaboration

India just cannot do away with its dependence on Russia for help in defence supplies. Two of the most important projects - BrahMos and Sukhoi- have Russian involvement. Moreover, there are still a lot MiG fighters in IAF's fleet which need service support from Russia. Russia has in the past stood by India as a strong ally, since Nehru's times.

IAF's Sukhoi fighter jet

As far the US is concerned, India Air Force is facing with the problem of depleting squadron strength. Reports suggest that India might consider a number of F-18 or F-16 fighter jets to address this problem. Recently, India had purchased Apache helicopters from the US. During PM Modi's last visit to the US, it was being speculated that India may buy Predator drones from US.

Also Read |US strike in Syria: Reason behind India's carefully worded response

So, all in all, India needs both the US and Russia and cannot afford to irk either of them.West Bengal: 6 killed, 20 injured as bus falls into canal in Hooghly district

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Kolkata, Oct 16: Around six passengers were killed and 20 were injured after a bus fell into a canal at Haripal in Hooghly district, West Bengal.

"The bus overturned and fell into the Dakatiya Khaal (a canal) on Haripal Road this morning. The injured were rushed to hospital," a police official said.

The rescue operation was still underway and the cause or extent of damage due to the accident was not yet clear, he added.

Locals and policemen were involved in rescue operations. The injured passengers have been rushed to the Haripal Hospital.Sheena Bora murder: Peter Mukerjea walks out after spending four years in jail

Will CBI take responsibility if I die? Indrani Mukerjea argues for bail in court

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Oct 16: Former media owner and the prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, Indrani Mukerjea on Tuesday asked a special CBI court if the agency would "take responsibility if I die".

Earlier this month, Indrani had submitted an application seeking bail on medical grounds. "I am filing the bail application on medical grounds due to recent change in the circumstances of my health condition," she said.

The court had in September rejected her bail application, stating her claims of ill-health were exaggerated.

Sheena Bora murder case: CBI Court rejects Indrani Mukerjea's bail plea

In a fresh plea, Indrani had said her health has further deteriorated and she has been diagnosed with a "new neurological complication in the brain."

Indrani, who is lodged in Mumbai's Byculla Jail, had been rushed to the hospital on a number of occasions in the past few months after she complained of headache and double vision.

Peter Mukerjea replies to Indrani's notice, agrees to grant divorce

Sheena Bora, 24, was allegedly killed on April 24, 2012 by her mother Indrani Mukerjea with the help of others. According to the CBI, financial dispute was allegedly one of the main reasons for the murder.

Indrani Mukerjea, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and her former driver were arrested for the alleged murder in August 2015. Her husband and media baron Peter Mukerjea was arrested for allegedly being part of the conspiracy.

Indrani and Peter Mukerjea filed for divorce by mutual consent last month.Norovirus outbreak in Kerala: How contagious is it? Symptoms, treatment, all you need to know

World Food Day 2018: The global reach of 'Langar'

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar P

Bengaluru, Oct 16: The theme of World Food Day 2018 is Zero hunger. It means working together to ensure everyone, everywhere, has access to the safe, healthy and nutritious food they need. To achieve it, the United Nations advises us to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle, work with others, share our knowledge and be willing to help change the world - for the better.

Providing food for the people in distress is rooted in Sikhism, a hallmark of its faith. Langar is the term used in Sikhism for the community kitchen in a Gurdwara where a free meal is served to all the visitors, without distinction of religion, caste, gender, economic status or ethnicity. The free meal is always vegetarian.

Indonesia earthquake: French rescuers fail to find any survivors trapped under hotel wreckage

The tradition of 'langar' was established by the first Guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, around the year of 1481. It is designed to uphold the principle of equality between all people of the world regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender, or social status; to eliminate the extreme poverty in the world, and to bring about the birth of "caring communities". In addition to the ideals of equality, the tradition of Langar expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness, and oneness of all humankind. "..the Light of God is in all hearts." (Guru Granth Sahib, 282)

Thanks to Khalsa Aid, the service of langar has reached nook and corner of the world for serving humanity in distress -from Kerala to Syria to Indonesia. Khalsa Aid International is a UK-based humanitarian relief charity providing support around the world to victims of natural and man-made disasters such as floods, earthquakes, famine and war. Khalsa Aid is an international NGO with the aim to provide humanitarian aid in disaster areas and civil conflict zones around the world.

Hunger eradicated by Langar Khalsa aid volunteers set up Langar (community kitchen ) in Tsunami hit parts of INDONESIA ! Our thanks to SAYA Indonesia, Khalsa Aid India & Sikhs In Indonesia for their wonderful assistance. Khalsa Aid International is in Indonesia Preparing hot food for those affected by the Tsunami in Indonesia. Volunteers are working together with the locals to serve hot meals each and everyday. Operation Smudra Maitri: IAF embarks on relief mission to Indonesia Kerala Floods The charity was founded by Ravinder (Ravi) Singh, who was struck by the plight of the refugees in Kosovo in 1999. Khalsa Aid has special wing called 'Langar Aid' to support its work on providing humanitarian aid in disaster and war zones. In Syria As per data provided by Khalsa aid, In Syria, the charity has provided 864,000 meals till date, 500 liters of clean water. Total, 16,000 lives have been impacted by the humanitarian service.Yogi defends renaming of Allahabad, says those opposing it have 'zero understanding of history'

India

oi-Vikas SV

Lucknow, Oct 16: Hitting back at those opposing his government's decision to re-name Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday (October 16) said those questioning the move have zero understanding of history and traditions.

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday passed a resolution to rename Allahabad to Prayagraj ahead of the Kumbh Mela. The move was announced by Minister Siddharth Nath Singh. Singh, talking to reporters, said that all departments like Railways would be asked to change the name to Prayagraj from Allahabad.

"Prayagraj was named Allahabad during the Mughal era, around 500 years ago. The place is a confluence of three Holy rivers namely the Saraswati,Yamuna, and Ganga, hence the name Prayagraj.People who have zero understanding of our history and traditions would question the move," Adityanath told media.

[UP Cabinet passes resolution to rename Allahabad to 'Prayagraj' ahead of Kumbh Mela]

However, the Congress along with Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party had decried the proposal. In a Twitter post Monday, former UP CM, Akhilesh Yadav had said that today's rulers were trying to show that they are working by just changing the name of Allahabad. Congress party on the other hand said that the change would diminish the importance that Allahabad had in the country's freedom movement.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during his visit to Allahabad on Saturday had announced that there was a proposal to rename the city as Prayagraj ahead of the 2019 Kumbh Mela.

Prayag is the erstwhile name of Allahabad that was changed after Mughal emperor Akbar built a fort near Sangam, where the holy rivers of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati met.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 18:48 [IST]With a hardliner at the helm of the ISI, India set to re-strategise Pakistan policy

International

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Oct 16: India's response to the appointment of Lieutenant General Asim Munir as the new ISI chief was a tepid one. Several officers, both retired and within the establishment that OneIndia spoke with said that they had no new expectations from Munir and he would continue from where his predecessor had left off.

What makes Munir's appointment an interesting one is that he was handpicked by General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Moreover this was the first major call taken by the General after he took over as the Pakistan army chief in November 2016. While in the past too the ISI chief's have been handpicked by the army, this time around there was a slight difference.

Asim Munir is new ISI chief and why India expects nothing from him

Convention demanded that the army sends three names to the Prime Minister, who then choses and appoints the chief. This time Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan did not have that privilege as only the name of Munir was sent to him. This sums up the allegation that the entire election in which Imran Khan won was said to be stage managed by the Pakistan army.

The army chief's guy:

Several reports in the Pakistan media have described Munir as the army chief's guy. Munir had always been General Bajwa's go to man. A Hafiz-e-Quran ( person who has memorised the Quran) and the recipient of the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, the second highest civilian award given to both civilians and military officials, Munir's tenure would be an interesting one.

His close association with Bajwa began when he was posted in Gilgit-Baltistan as a force commander. General Bajwa was the head of the Corps X in Gilgit-Baltistan and Munir reported directly to him.

BrahMos spy case: Why India must not ignore the US role in it as well

Munir's three major challenges would be India, China and Saudi Arabia. He has expertise in dealing with the Saudis and Chinese. His posting at Gilgit-Baltistan saw him being closely associated with the Chinese as it was here that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor starts.

He was also posted as a Lieutenant Colonel in Saudi Arabia. This means that he has first hand experience in dealing with two of Pakistan's most strategic partners. The Pakistan army on the other hand has major expectations from him especially when it comes to Saudi and China. Pakistan wants its military interests to be protected at any cost and this is when the role of Munir would come in having dealt with both those countries.

Danger signs:

A report in the Asia Times describes Munir as a hardliner. He was a hardliner when he was in the army. He would introduce the same approach in the ISI as well. This would mean that the ISI would increase its control over the people and would involve itself more in civilian matters.

The increasing ISI hand in civilian matters had come in for criticism by the Islamabad High Court. The court had noted the involvement of the ISI in the disqualification and imprisonment of former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif.

Subramanian Swamy calls Imran Khan a 'chaprasi' and says Islamabad is run by terrorists

This approach by Munir would have a direct bearing on India as well. The battle is on at Kashmir and Pakistan has shown no signs of relenting. The Indian Army too has upped the ante and in the wake several intelligence reports suggesting increased infiltration, the days ahead are hard. Munir, according to Indian agencies would engineer several more acts of terror in India, especially at Kashmir. His prime focus would be to keep Kashmir on the boil for as long as possible.

Moreover with Imran Khan having very little or no say in key matters, it is clear that the ISI and army in Pakistan would seek to take more control over the situation on the Indo-Pak border and in Kashmir as well. Indian officials say that they do not expect any change in the style of the ISI's functioning under Munir. He is a hardliner in terms of both his religious nature and also his style of functioning. This would only mean that the ISI will get more difficult to deal with in the days to come, observers in India say.

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Story first published: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 14:22 [IST]| BY Ricki Green |

AWARD School has announced Josie Burns (far right) as the new national school head for 2019, including two new appointments across Victoria and Western Australia.

Host/Havas Sydneys associate creative director Josie Burns has been appointed as 2019 National/NSW AWARD school head, alongside Leo Burnetts Karen Ferry, who has in been in the role since August 2017. Josie succeeds Clemenger BBDOs Brendan Willenberg as national and NSW school co-head.

Jess Wheeler (far left), associate creative director and partner at Fenton Stephens has been appointed Victoria school head. Rikki Burns (centre), associate creative director at Meerkats has been appointed Western Australia school head.

Says Mike Spirkovski, AWARD chair: Were thrilled to welcome Josie, Jess and Rikki as our newest school heads  their experience, leadership qualities and commitment to AWARD School are all factors that made them the perfect candidates for the position.

Josie has demonstrated her long-standing dedication to AWARD School, and has an in-depth understanding of our values  which is really the icing on the cake. That is why we are also excited to welcome her to the AWARD Committee!

Josie started her advertising career in Canberra as a copywriter and radio producer, and was promoted to the associate CD role with Host/Havas in 2017. In 2010, she was recognised as Queenslands AWARD School Top Student. More recently, Josie has been involved with AWARD School as a tutor and judge, and in 2018, she was appointed as an AWARD committee member.

Says Josie: The AWARD School community was incredibly supportive of me when I entered the industry from a different career seven years ago. Now I feel just as lucky to be helping make others feel as welcome as I did, and playing a part in bringing new, diverse thinking into advertising.

Joining her from the Melbourne post is Jess Wheeler, who is behind some of Fenton Stephens most internationally recognised work. Previously a student, judge and tutor of AWARD School, he was recognised as the Top Tutor in 2018 after five of his students finished in the top ten.

Says Wheeler: An eternal misfit up until that point, AWARD School is where I finally discovered what I wanted to do in terms of a career and so it will always hold a special place. I loved every (somewhat torturous) minute of it and was lucky enough to have some incredibly supportive tutors. Im super excited to now have the chance to be co-head of such an important institution as AWARD School.

While attending AWARD School in 2004, Rikki Burns was poached by The Brand Agency, where she stayed for seven years. With the digital tsunami looming, Rikki Burns shifted gears to digital-first agency, Longtail, as head of art, before moving into her current role at Meerkats in 2016.

Says Rikki: After two years of tutoring AWARD School students, I feel privileged to step into the WA School Head role. WA never disappoints in the talent department, so Im excited to see what were working with, and to help this new generation of creatives get off to the best start.

The AWARD School state heads for 2019 are:

National / NSW School Heads

Karen Ferry, Senior Copywriter, Leo Burnett Sydney

Josie Burns, Associate Creative Director, Host/Havas Sydney (newly appointed School Head)

VIC School Heads

Sarah McGregor, Creative Director, Cummins&Partners

Jess Wheeler, Associate Creative Director & Partner, Fenton Stephens (newly appointed School Head)

WA School Head

Rikki Burns, Associate Creative Director, Meerkats (newly appointed School Head)

QLD School Head

Benjamin Davis, Executive Creative Director, McCann Queensland

SA School Head

Nick Brz, Creative Director, NATION Creative

In thanking outgoing national school head Brendan Willenberg, Spirkovski said: Brendan was a true champion of diversity inclusion and made a lasting contribution to AWARD School through a number of initiatives since his appointment in November 2016.

During his appointment, AWARD School introduced the Tutor of the Year Award, the AWARD School mentoring program and signed on Facebook as its newest sponsoring partner. And we have a lot more in store for 2019.

Registrations for the AWARD School Application Workshop are now open. To book visit https://awardonline.com/education/award-school-application-workshop.| BY Ricki Green |

Inner West Council (IWC) in metropolitan Sydney has called for expressions of interest (EOI) from brand/design agencies to developits new visual identity, associated collateral and guidelines.

Established in 2016, Inner West Council was the result of the amalgamation of the former Ashfield, Leichhardt and Marrickville Councils.

The current IWC logo was developed in response to the sudden merger and intended for short term use only.

Since then, extensive visioning work and engagement has been undertaken to form the foundation for a new IWC visual identity.

The EOI is to establish agency credentials only. As a result of the EOI process, a shortlist of agencies will be provided with a detailed brief for quoting. IWC stress there will be no free pitching throughout the process.

For full EOI details and documentation visit http://www.tendersonline.com.au/innerwest (free of charge).

Submissions: EOIs are to be submitted via Tenders Online.

EOI enquiries should be directed to Joe Cavagnino on 02 9392 5031.| BY Ricki Green |

The Global Awards now in its 24th year of honoring the worlds best wellness and healthcare advertising, has announced the 2018 Finalists.

This years Finalists were selected by the Grand Jury and 6 Live Juries (Australia, Brazil, Great Britain, India, South Africa, and USA) from entries submitted from 26 countries on 6 continents. The competition expanded its global footprint receiving entries from 70 new companies in 2018 with entries from such far-reaching destinations as Cambodia and Iceland achieving Finalist status and moving on to the next judging round.

Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness leads the Australia agency pack with three finalists in the Health & Wellness category for Sanofi Pasteur Adacel Blown Out of Action as well as two finalists in the Pharma category. Ogilvy CommonHealth has scored two finalists in Health & Wellness for Coloxyl Stefan the stool expert. McCann Health has scored two finalists for Metamucil Gutsy and Ward 6 has two for Nicotinell Unsmoke and Peg lgrastin  chemotherapy treatment Easier to Access. Scoring one finalist each is BWM Dentsu for The ALS Association Project Revoice and Orchard for MSD Australia Contraceptive Match.

Says Fran Pollaro, executive director, Global Awards: With entries submitted from 70 new companies this year, the Global Awards is proud to continue its legacy of honoring the worlds most innovative healthcare and wellness advertising. This years entries are representative of the brilliant work emanating from some of the worlds most prominent agencies  and according to feedback from Grand Jury members, the bar has been raised again, which is incredible considering the progress that has already been made over the past couple of years.

The 2018 Grand Jury selected 133 Health & Wellness and 84 Pharma (Rx) entries as Finalists. Entries moving on to the trophy round will be judged by the 2018 Pharma (Rx) and Health & Wellness in Executive Juries in a live session in New York City on Tuesday, October 16th. For 2018, the competition expanded trophy opportunities to include Gold, Silver and Bronze level recognition.

USA agencies led this year with a robust 92 entries achieving Finalist status, the USA saw 59 within Health & Wellness and 33 from Pharma (Rx) categories. Agencies from the United Kingdom saw 55 entries move forward, 20 within Health & Wellness and 35 from Pharma (Rx). Additional countries showing a robust number of Finalists include India with 9 Health & Wellness and 6 Pharma (Rx); Australia with 8 Health & Wellness and 5 Pharma (Rx) and Japan with a total of 8 in Health & Wellness categories.

An expanded world view of entries moving to the next round saw Germany achieve 8 Finalists total. Thailand saw 4 entries advance; Canada and China moved ahead with 3 Finalists: Spain, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates with 2; Brazil, Iceland, Italy, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the US Minor Islands each saw an entry advance. In addition, USA/Canada shared 2 entries moving on to the trophy round. To view the entire 2018 Global Awards Finalist List, please visit: HERE.

Entrants achieving Finalist status utilized multiple tactics to create awareness, educate and engage on behalf of the brand including activations, events, live experiences, ambient advertising, innovations and traditional approaches including print, mail and publishing.

To humanize the opioid crisis, Energy BBDO Chicagos installation/memorial Prescribed to Death, tells stories on an individual level and puts a face to the problem of the opioid crisis. On behalf of the National Safety Council, data was turned into facesengraving the faces of the 22,000 people that die each year from opioid overdoses onto pills. The powerful installation, which visited cities across the country and the Ellipse at Presidents Park (just a few hundred feet from the White Houses South Portico), illustrated the epidemic with a new pill being carved every 24 minutes to dramatize how often a person dies of a prescription opioid overdose.

Serviceplan South Korea received a Finalist slot in product innovation for Making The World Accessible, Dot by Dot. The campaign showcases how Dots portable smart translation device allows the user to store and carry 10,000 books, providing the visually impaired individual to access text books, magazines, and almost any content. The device uses AI to understand context and translate immediately to braille allowing for instant downloading of books.

Blink to Speak TBWA Indias campaign for Asha Ek Hope Foundation for ALS earned Finalist status for their print and product innovation campaign that provided an accessible and affordable method of communication for patients with an alert mind but a paralyzed body. A book and downloadable e-book provided an eye language guide with a created alphabet using eight simple eye movements designed for patients and families to ease their difficulty in speech.

McCann Health Japans Washable Book earned Finalist Status for client Angfa/Save Soap. The Washable Book, a low-tech innovation that transforms reading into a physical learning to inspire behavioral change in Cambodian children. The books characters reach their colorful futures only by having their dirty hands physically washed on the pages helping the children make the connection between handwashing and reaching their future goals to be free from infectious diseases transmitted through dirty hands.

The Global Awards Grand Jury evaluated entries to determine the 2018 Finalists. International Grand Jury live judging sessions were hosted by the following agencies: FCB Health Brazil, Fine Group South Africa, Medulla Advertising India, TBWA\WorldHealth Chicago, and TBWA\WorldHealth London.

The Executive Jury, headed by Globals Chairwoman Elizabeth Elfenbein, Partner/Chief Executive Officer, Fasttwitch Group, is assembled into two split juries and led by two of Healthcare & Wellness most respected leaders. For 2018s Executive Jury sessions, Kathy Delaney, Global Chief Creative Officer, Publicis Health, Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness USA will serve as Health & Wellness Jury Chairwoman and June Laffey, Chief Creative Officer, McCann Health USA will act as Pharma Rx Jury Chairwoman. All Executive Jury members will meet in New York City on October 16th to determine the 2018 Global Award winners at a live judging session.

To view the 2018 Global Awards Finalists, please visit: HERE.

DOWNLOAD THE HEALTH & WELLNESS SHORTLIST Winners+shortlist+Health&Wellness.04.pdfThe Member for Papua New Guinea's Moresby North-West, Sir Mekere Morauta has called for a full independent inquiry into government spending on APEC, the behavior of the APEC Authority including the letting of contracts, and the cost to the nation of holding the event.





Over the past few days, with the revelations about the importation of luxury Maserati cars by the APEC Authority, it has become clear that corruption surrounding APEC is out of control, he said.





We need to get to the bottom of it, and hold the guilty parties to account.





Sir Mekere said the first step should be for the Fraud Squad and the Ombudsman Commission to investigate the Prime Minister, the APEC Minister, and APEC Authority officials in relation to the major discrepancies in the Maserati purchase, and contradictory statements by all involved.





In the meantime, APEC Minister Justin Tkatchenko and APEC Authority CEO Christopher Hawkins should stand down.





The second step should be a wider inquiry into all aspects of APEC, focusing on corruption, waste and mismanagement and the impact the cost of the event has had on ordinary Papua New Guineans through the diversion of funds away from essential services such as health and education.





The Maserati purchase is a scandal, he said. There is no other word for it. The most basic legal and financial procedures appear not to have been followed, and it looks to me as if there is a discrepancy of several million kina in the transaction. Why would the Government buy vehicles from Italy via Sri Lanka?





The Prime Minister must explain in detail the entire transaction, and he must account for every toea of the peoples money that has been spent. For example, he must publicly provide evidence that a competitive public tender was held for the purchase of the cars, as required by section 21 of the APEC Authority Act. Was the purchase approval given by NEC, as required by the Act?





He must cease the secret sale of the cars to PNC cronies and others in the private sector, and conduct a proper tender under Section 21. Mr Tkatchenko says the cars are selling like hot cakes to private buyers. What is the price? What are the terms and conditions? Who is buying them? And yet the Prime Minister says there will be a public auction for the vehicles after APEC. Whom are we to believe  PM or Justin? They are both trying to deflect all questions, and in the process are contradicting each other.





Did any part of the transaction go before the APEC Supply and Tenders Board? Did it go before the Independent Probity Auditor required under Section 24 of the Act? These questions and many more are a matter of great public interest and they should be answered immediately.





Sir Mekere said the Maserati scam had exposed the broader issue of the extravagant expenditure of the Government on APEC at a time when the nation cannot afford it.





Let me be clear. I am not against APEC, he said. I am against the way the Government has sucked Papua New Guinea dry to pay for it. According to figures provided to the International Monetary Fund by Government officials, PNGs budget for APEC was about K3 billion between 2015 and the end of this year. It could actually be more; the public needs to be told the truth.





The fact that we have had to ask other APEC countries to help meet the costs shows that Papua New Guinea cannot afford to host APEC. Australia has apparently contributed $130 million to APEC security on top of the cost of the internet upgrade and other support for APEC; China has spent hundreds of million of Kina on APEC  upgrading roads and buildings, etc; New Zealand, the United States of America, Japan, Canada and Indonesia are also contributing to APEC security and costs.





Sir Mekere said the opportunity cost  the price of diverting funds from elsewhere to pay for APEC  is enormous.





Cuts to departmental budgets; PNG missions overseas starved of funds  none of the recently-appointed heads of mission for example have been able to take up their posts as the department allegedly has no money for such use; foreign governments being asked to pay for PNG ministerial travel; cuts to teachers salaries; deteriorating health and education services; failure to immunize children resulting in a polio epidemic; a looming measles outbreak; an increase in the incidence of TB and malaria; no basic drugs or medical equipment in hospitals and health centres; a huge backlog of arrears  debts to businesses for goods and services already supplied to the Government.





The list is endless, Sir Mekere said. Virtually every sector of the economy is suffering from Mr ONeills cuts to pay for his grandiose and wasteful self-promoting projects in Port Moresby.





As I said in Parliament in July, APEC was being portrayed as a king tide that will float the nation to high planes of social and economic development and drown our sorrows for good.





It is not. It is a burden on ordinary Papua New Guineans. It has helped bankrupt the nation. It has become a source of ill-gotten gains by a favored few. StatementRandy Holmes/ABC via Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump lashed out at adult-film star Stormy Daniels and her attorney Tuesday morning, vowing to go after the pair, who he referred to as Horseface and her 3rd rate lawyer.



The tweet from Trump comes a day after a federal judge in California handed the president a rare legal victory in his ongoing legal battles with Daniels.



Daniels lawyer Michael Avenatti  who has been teasing a possible run for president against Trump in 2020 - wasted little time in responding in kind to the insults, calling Trump a disgusting misogynist and an embarrassment to the United States.



Bring everything you have, Avenatti crowed, because we are going to demonstrate to the world what a complete shyster and liar you are.



Also firing back on her (usually) not-safe-for-work Twitter feed, Daniels wrote, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present your president.



[H]e has demonstrated his incompetence, hatred of women and lack of self control on Twitter AGAIN! Daniels wrote.



The barrage of Twitter barbs follows a ruling Monday by US District Court Judge S. James Otero that dismissed Daniels defamation claim, one of two lawsuits she filed against the president.



Otero ruled that a tweet Trump sent earlier this year mocking Daniels credibility was free speech protected by the First Amendment.



The judge noted that Daniels had "sought to publicly present herself as an adversary" to Trump, and that to deny him the ability to engage in responding to her allegations "would significantly hamper the office of the President."



An attorney for the president, Charles Harder, characterized that ruling in a statement as "a total victory for President Trump and a total defeat for Stormy Daniels."



The court also ordered Daniels to pay Trumps legal fees and costs associated with defending the lawsuit. The amount has yet to be determined.



Daniels' attorney Michael Avenatti quickly filed a notice of an intention to appeal the ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.



The dismissal of the defamation claim has no bearing on Daniels separate lawsuit challenging the validity of the non-disclosure agreement she signed in 2016 to keep quiet about her allegations of a sexual tryst with Trump in 2006.



Trump has denied her allegations.



The defamation claim from Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford, was originally filed in New York federal court earlier this year. The lawsuit claimed Trump acted with "actual malice" and "reckless disregard for the truth" when he posted a tweet mocking her claim that she was threatened by an unknown man to stay silent. The case was later transferred to federal court in California.



In an April appearance on ABCs "The View," Daniels and Avenatti released a sketch of the man she claims menaced her and her toddler daughter in 2011 in a Las Vegas parking lot shortly after she granted an interview to In Touch magazine about her alleged relationship with Trump, then a real estate mogul and reality-TV star.



Daniels alleges the man told her to "leave Trump alone" and to "forget the story."



The magazine didnt publish its story about Daniels claims until January of 2018 - after the Wall Street Journal published the first accounts of a non-disclosure agreement signed just weeks before the 2016 election.



In interviews with The View and on CBS 60 Minutes earlier this year, Daniels intimated that either Trump or his then-personal attorney, Michael Cohen, must have been behind the alleged threat.



To date, no evidence has emerged to support the claim.



One day after Daniels revealed the sketch - Trump ridiculed the claim on Twitter as "a sketch years later about a non-existent man." He called it a "total con job, playing the Fake News Media for Fools."



In deciding in favor of the president, Judge Otero - who is also overseeing Daniels' pending lawsuit over her non-disclosure agreement - ruled that Trump's tweet "constitutes 'rhetorical hyperbole' normally associated with politics and public discourse in the United States."



"Any strongly-worded response by a president to another politician or public figure could constitute an action for defamation," Otero wrote in his opinion. "This would deprive the country of the discourse common to the political process."



"Such a holding would violate the First Amendment," Otero ruled.



Otero also denied Daniels' efforts to engage in what he called a "fishing expedition" to seek evidence that Trump was aware of the alleged threat.



Otero has scheduled a hearing for early December on Trump and Cohens motions to dismiss Daniels other lawsuit, which seeks a court ruling that the $130,000 non-disclosure agreement she signed in late October 2016 in invalid. Those proceedings have been on hold for months, following the April law-enforcement raids on Cohens law office and residences in New York.



Trump initially denied having any knowledge of where the money to pay Daniels came from, referring reporters questions in April to Cohen.



He subsequently acknowledged reimbursing Cohen for the costs of the deal but has maintained he learned about the arrangement only after the fact.



In August, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight felonies, including one count of violating campaign finance laws in connection with the deal with Daniels. At a plea hearing in federal court in Manhattan, Cohen told the court that he had acted in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office, referring to then-candidate Trump.



I participated in this conduct for the principal purpose of influencing the election, Cohen said.



Cohen is due to be sentenced in December.



Last month ABC News reported that Cohen is cooperating with Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, sitting for multiple interview sessions that were also attended by prosecutors for the Southern District of New York.



Cohen and Trump have recently abandoned their opposition to Daniels lawsuit, effectively conceding that the non-disclosure contract is void, and they have each asked Judge Otero to dismiss the claim.



Avenatti, Daniels attorney, has countered that the case should continue because the public deserves to know why a candidate for president and his attorney were so determined to silence his client.



"I have been practicing law for nearly twenty years," Avenatti tweeted last month.

"Never before have I seen a defendant so frightened to be deposed as Donald Trump, especially for a guy who talks so tough," Avenatti wrote. "He is desperate and doing all he can to avoid having to answer my questions. He is all hat and no cattle."

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.Global Cobalt Sulfate Market: Japan to Catch Up with China in Terms of Import and Consumption in the Coming Years

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Cobalt Sulfate Market: Japan to Catch Up with China in Terms of Import and Consumption in the Coming Years" to its huge collection of research reports.Global Cobalt Sulfate MarketRecycle and reuse practices are impacting the sales of virgin materials, resulting into lesser dependency on volume-driven growth. New materials are showcasing potential for driving value-based growth, but chemical companies are still some time away from achieving voluminous production, while maintaining high quality at the same time. Barring few exceptions, a majority of players are still prioritizing short-term volume growth over long-term value growth. Pressure on improving bottom-line is influencing manufacturers to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs. The impact of value-driven growth may not be visible in the short-term, but long-term outlook remains in favor of a balanced approach between value and volume.Manufacturers are under increasing pressure to incorporate digital solutions in their offerings. Forward-thinking manufacturers are investing in technology to reduce human interference and streamline key operational aspects such as ordering and shipping. Resonating its influence over every industry, Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to transform and disrupt the chemical sector. Connectivity through IoT devices is gaining traction, whereas product-level sensors on dispensing equipment and barrels are helping manufacturers track their consignments digitally. Through assessment of long-term benefits, chemical companies are capitalizing on digitization by adopting digital platforms & processes that eliminate human error in profit-associated operations.Manufacturers continue seeking low-priced feedstock in a bid to marginally reduce pre-production costs. Industry leaders are joining forces to replace fossil fuel-derived feedstock with bio-based alternatives. However, concerns related to producing affordable and sustainable feedstock at mass scale remains a challenge. Access to quality and affordable feedstock will continue to remain a focus area for manufacturers. Chemical manufacturing processes are running on limited energy, while volume of feedstock is getting stranded at ports as disapproval from import authorities keeps disrupting supply chains in sectors, such as oleo chemicals and petrochemicals industries.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Chemical manufacturers have promised support and adherence to governments & regional authorities that are committing towards green, sustainable initiatives. Development of bio-alternatives is gaining momentum. Research & academic institutes are teaming up with manufacturers to formulate sustainable substitutes for commonly-used chemical substrates. Many companies are keeping a close eye on advancements in green chemistry. Shift towards eco-friendly chemicals will gain momentum in the future on the back of government regulations and end-user preference. Rising costs of fossil fuels will also instrument the upsurge for sustainable chemicals manufacturing.List of factors tracked in the Chemicals and Materials Market ReportChemical Industry Value AddChemical SalesPer Capita ConsumptionStandard Capacity FactorsPlastics Consumption OutlookGlass Consumption OutlookPolicies and RegulationsHistorical growth of top playersGrowth in associated marketsNet trade scenarioApparent production capacityResearch MethodologyPMR utilizes robust methodology and approach to arrive at market size and related projections. The research methodology for this report is based on 3 dimensional model. We conduct about 45-60 min duration detailed interviews with product manufacturers; apart from this we also collect market feedback from industry experts. To validate this data, we interact with senior panel members having more than 10 years of experience in relevant field. The panel members help in validating the findings and fill the gaps if any. In addition, we leverage on our existing pool of information, paid database and other valid information sources available in public domain. Usually industry interactions extend to more than 50+ interviews from market participants across the value chain.Browse TOC @Data CollectionPMR collects data from secondary sources including company annual reports, association publications, industry presentations, white papers, and company press releases apart from these we leverage over paid database subscriptions and industry magazines to collect market information and developments in exhaustive manner. After being done with desk research, detailed questionnaire and discussion guide is formulated to initiate primary research with key industry personnel; the discussion aims at collecting key insights, growth perspectives, prevalent market trends and quantitative insights including market size and competition developments. Both of these research approaches help us in arriving at base year numbers and market hypothesis.Data ValidationIn this phase, PMR validates the data using macro and micro economic factors. For instance, growth in electricity consumption, industry value added, other industry factors, economic performance, growth of top players and sector performance is closely studied to arrive at precise estimates and refine anomalies if any.Data Analysis and ProjectionData analysis and projections were made based on proprietary research frameworks and statistical analysis, which was further validated from industry participants. These frameworks include Y-o-Y growth projections, macro-economic factor performance, market attractiveness analysis, key financial ratios, and others.For public companies we capture the data from company website, annual reports, investor presentations, paid databases. While for privately held companies, we try to gather information from the paid databases (like Factiva) and based on the information we gather from databases we estimate revenue for the companies. In addition, the team tries to establish primary contact with the companies in order to validate the assumptions or to gather quality inputs.Standard Report StructureExecutive SummaryMarket DefinitionMacro-economic analysisParent Market AnalysisMarket OverviewForecast FactorsSegmental Analysis and ForecastRegional AnalysisCompetition AnalysisMarket TaxonomyThe global cobalt sulfate market has been segmented into the following:GradeBattery GradeIndustrial GradeAgriculture & Feed GradeApplicationBatteries/Energy StorageMetal FinishingAnimal Feed & Soil AdditiveInks & PigmentsChemicalsOthersRegionNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSouth East Asia & PacificMiddle East & AfricaSpecific Report InputsThe analyst of the report on cobalt sulfate has specifically scrutinized the production capacity of the companies operating in the global market in order to arrive at the respective and desired data. Other than this, the report has also gauged the number of new companies venturing into the market.About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @Follow us on Blogger @Urea Cycle Disorders (UCD) Treatment Market to Reflect Impressive Expansion During 2017-2025

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According to national urea cycle disorders foundation of USA, a urea cycle disorder is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation that results in a deficiency of one of the six enzymes in the urea cycle. These enzymes are responsible for removing ammonia from the blood stream. The urea cycle involves a series of biochemical steps in which nitrogen, a waste product of protein metabolism, is removed from the blood and converted to a compound called urea in the blood. Normally, the urea is transferred into the urine and removed from the body. In urea cycle disorders, the nitrogen accumulates in the form of ammonia, a highly toxic substance, resulting in hyperammonemia (elevated blood ammonia). Ammonia then reaches the brain through the blood, where it can cause irreversible brain damage, coma and/or death.The estimated incidence of urea cycle disorders is 1 in 8500 births. Because many cases of urea cycle disorders remain undiagnosed and/or infants born with the disorders die without a definitive diagnosis, the exact incidence of these cases is unknown and underestimated. It is believed that up to 20% of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) cases may be attributed to an undiagnosed inborn error of metabolism such a urea cycle disorder which are expected to drive the urea cycle disorders treatment market for over the forecast period. However, lack of definitive treatment options & diagnostic procedures, dearth of diseases prognosis data are expected to impact the urea cycle disorders treatment market revenue growth negatively over the forecast period.Request Sample Report@Urea cycle disorders treatment market has been segmented on the basis of treatment type, enzyme deficiency type, and regionBased on the treatment type, the urea cycle disorders treatment market is segmented into the following:Amino Acid FormulasPhenylbutyrateSodium benzoateOthersBased on the enzyme deficiency type, the urea cycle disorders treatment market is segmented into the following:Carbamyl Phosphate Synthetase (CPS1)N-Acetylglutamate Synthetase (NAGS)Ornithine Transcarbamylase (OTC Deficiency)Argininosuccinic Acid Synthetase (AS)Argininosuccinate Lyase (AL or ASA Lyase)Arginase (AG)Based on end user, the urea cycle disorders treatment market is segmented into the following:Hospital PharmaciesRetail PharmaciesOnline PharmaciesUrea cycle disorders treatment market is less competitive as few molecules and players are operating in the market place. Players in the market working to create awareness regarding disease among healthcare professionals, family members. For instance, in March 2017, Horizon Pharma plc. launched UCD in Common, an initiative for people impacted by a urea cycle disorder (UCD) in collaboration with people living with a UCD, their families, caregivers and healthcare professionals to offer supportive, educational and interactive resources.Geographically, urea cycle disorders treatment market is segmented into regions viz. North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America and Europe regions are expected to garner larger market revenue share over the forecast period owing to presence of key players in the regions and rising awareness among key stakeholders which are expected to propel the demand for urea cycle disorders treatment during the forecast period in the above mentioned region.Request TOC@The players in urea cycle disorders (UCD) Treatment market include Horizon Pharma plc. Lucane Pharma, Recordati Rare Diseases Inc., and Synlogic. to name a few.ABOUT US:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:Consumer IAM Market By Top Players - Microsoft Corporation, IBM Corporation,Globalsign,Forgerock,Janrain, Inc

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Market Overview:The Global Consumer IAM Market was valued at USD 12.46 billion in 2016 and is projected to reach USD 53.4 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 17.56% from 2017 to 2025.IAM or identity access management is a system of management that enables authorized individuals to be able to access the correct resources for the correct reasons at the correct time. Consumer identity access management system has features such as being able to scale several partner offerings, consumer bases, and business units, connect clients to both internal as well as third-party applications and to register and authenticate the consumer.Industry Insights with Latest And Upcoming Trends :The implementation of smart devices, cloud-based IAM solutions as well as the rising practice of the Internet of Things is leading to escalating concerns with respect to the management of consumer identities. These issues are causing the necessity for biometric authentication in order for the proper management of customer identities. These factors result in the growth of the consumer IAM market. Factors such as the weak identity standards that are implemented across businesses, problems with customary IAM resolutions as well as the need to link consumer data which is dispersed throughout multiple locations are restraining the consumer IAM market.Competitive Landscape:The major players in the market are as follows:Microsoft CorporationTrusonaPing Identity CorporationGigya, Inc.IBM CorporationGlobalsignJanrain, Inc.IwelcomeLoginradius, Inc.ForgerockOkta, Inc.PDF Sample for New Advancements with Applications :About us-Verified Market Research has been providing Research Reports, with up to date information, and in-depth analysis, for several years now, to individuals and companies alike that are looking for accurate Research Data. Our large database includes the latest Content from renowned authors and publications worldwide. Weve recently developed a one of its own kind smart-system, which helps us determine the authenticity and reputation of the content and its author. This smart-system ensures that we always include high  quality content in our database. We also provide customized Data and Reports according to the need of our client. We strive for excellence and perfection in all our work, and our in-house team is working 24/7 so that you get the Data, Reports, and Analytics you need to help make better decisions. We believe in Customer Satisfaction, and to achieve that we aim to understand the clients need to provide tailor-made services.Our aim is to save your Time and Resources, providing you with the required Research Data, so you can only concentrate on Progress and Growth. Our Data includes research from various industries, along with all necessary statistics like Market Trends, or Forecasts from reliable sources.Contact us -218 Washington StreetBoonton, New Jersey  07005Email: sales@verifiedmarketresearch.comToll-Free Number: +1 (800) 782 1768Cancer Biological Therapy Market Analysis by Leading Key Insights Amgen Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene Corporation, ELI Lilly and Company, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, EnGeneIC Ltd, Merck & Co., Inc.

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This Market report Global Cancer Biological Therapy Market Research Report 2018provides detailed insight covering all important parameters including Development Trends, Challenges, Opportunities, Key Manufacturers and Competitive Analysis.World Cancer Biological Therapy Market - HighlightsCancer is the leading and second largest cause of death across the globe. The disease is characterized by disordered and deregulated cellular and stromal explosion along with reduced cell death and growth factor deprivation, and such other factors.GET FREE SAMPLE REPORT @Biological therapy treatment is done with the help of living organisms, parts of living organisms or laboratory manufactured version of such content. Most of the biological therapies use bacteria or vaccines to mimic the bodys immune system to act against cancer developing cells.These various types of biological therapies, which are most of the times stated to biological response modifier therapy or immunotherapy, but these types of therapies do not always target cancer cells directly.World Cancer Biological Therapy Market - Eminent PlayersAmgen Inc.Bristol-Myers SquibbCelgene CorporationELI Lilly and CompanyF. Hoffmann-La Roche AGEnGeneIC LtdMerck & Co., Inc.Novartis,Pfizer Inc.Further there are other biological therapies like sections of genetic material or antibodies which are commonly known as DNA or RNA, do aim at targeting cancer cells directly.There are also other types of biological therapies that inhibit specific molecules involved in development and growth of cancer tumor. Such therapies known as; cancer targeted therapies.The critical restraints include high cost of cancer biological therapy and the risks involved in the treatment. The poor rate of healthcare insurance penetration in developing regions is also a drag on the market.Considering all these factors the market for Cancer Biological Therapy is expected to reach $ 82,276.8 million by the end of 2023, this market is projected to growing at a CAGR of ~ 4.7 % during 2017-2023.OBTAIN REPORT DETAILS WITH TOC @World Cancer Biological Therapy Market -SegmentationThe global Cancer Biological Therapy market is segmented on the basis of phases. Based on the phases, the market has been segmented as phase I, phases II and phases III.Based on the type, the market has been segmented as monoclonal antibodies, interferons, interleukins, cancer growth inhibitors, gene therapy and colony-stimulating factors.Based on the end-users, the market has been segmented as hospitals & clinics, cancer research centers and laboratories.World Cancer Biological Therapy Market -Regional AnalysisGlobal cancer biological therapy market, on the basis of regions is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa. North America is expected to commands the largest market share due to advanced technologies are continuously on rise in these countries.Europe accounts for the second largest market, where as Asia Pacific with lots of opportunity and continuously growing economies, is expected to be the fastest growing segment.Middle East and Africa with less economic developments and extremely low income accounts for least market share in 2016 but is expected to grow with better cancer treatment in the countries.World Cancer Biological Therapy Market -Major Points from TOCChapter 1. Report PrologueChapter 2. Market IntroductionChapter 3. Research MethodologyChapter 4. Market DynamicsChapter 5. Market Factor AnalysisChapter 6. Global Cancer Biological Therapy Market, By TypeChapter 7. Global Cancer Biological Therapy Market, By TreatmentChapter 8 Global Cancer Biological Therapy Market, By End UserChapter 9. Global Cancer Biological Therapy Market, By RegionChapter 10 Company LandscapeChapter 11 Company ProfilesChapter 12 MRFR ConclusionChapter 13 AppendixFEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUERY @About USMarket Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact UsMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone: +1 646 845 9312Polyurethane Insulation Global Market Research Report 2018

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GET SAMPLE REPORT @Polyurethane Insulation Report by Material, Application, and Geography  Global Forecast to 2022 is a professional and in-depth research report on the world's major regional market conditions, focusing on the main regions (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific) and the main countries (United States, Germany, united Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and China).The report firstly introduced the Polyurethane Insulation basics: definitions, classifications, applications and market overview; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures, raw materials and so on. Then it analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand and market growth rate and forecast etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.The report includes six parts, dealing with:1.) Basic Information;2.) Asia Polyurethane Insulation Market;3.) North American Polyurethane Insulation Market;4.) European Polyurethane Insulation Market;5.) Market Entry and Investment Feasibility;6.) Report Conclusion.ACCESS REPORTTable of ContentsPolyurethane Insulation Definition1.2 Polyurethane Insulation Classification Analysis1.2.1 Polyurethane Insulation Main Classification Analysis1.2.2 Polyurethane Insulation Main Classification Share Analysis1.3 Polyurethane Insulation Application Analysis1.3.1 Polyurethane Insulation Main Application Analysis1.3.2 Polyurethane Insulation Main Application Share Analysis1.4 Polyurethane Insulation Industry Chain Structure Analysis1.5 Polyurethane Insulation Industry Development Overview1.5.1 Polyurethane Insulation Product History Development Overview1.5.1 Polyurethane Insulation Product Market Development Overview1.6 Polyurethane Insulation Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.1 Polyurethane Insulation Global Import Market Analysis1.6.2 Polyurethane Insulation Global Export Market Analysis1.6.3 Polyurethane Insulation Global Main Region Market Analysis1.6.4 Polyurethane Insulation Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.5 Polyurethane Insulation Global Market Development Trend AnalysisChapter Two Polyurethane Insulation Up and Down Stream Industry Analysis2.1 Upstream Raw Materials Analysis2.1.1 Upstream Raw Materials Price Analysis2.1.2 Upstream Raw Materials Market Analysis2.1.3 Upstream Raw Materials Market Trend2.2 Down Stream Market Analysis2.1.1 Down Stream Market Analysis2.2.2 Down Stream Demand Analysis2.2.3 Down Stream Market Trend Analysis. CONTINUEDFOR ANY QUERY, REACHContact Us:Office No. 212/213, B Block 2nd Floor,Parmar Chambers,Sadhu Vaswani Road, Pune  411001Phone Number: 020 - 2612 6969Email: info@research2reports.comResearch 2 Reports offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.Office No. 212/213, B Block 2nd Floor,Parmar Chambers,Sadhu Vaswani Road, Pune  411001Global Tire Chemicals Market 2018 - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Strategies and Forecast to 2025 Global Tire Chemicals Industry



New Study On 2018-2025 Tire Chemicals Market Global Key Player, Demand, Growth, Opportunities and Analysis Forecast Added to Wise Guy Reports Database



This report researches the worldwide Tire Chemicals market size (value, capacity, production and consumption) in key regions like North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (China, Japan) and other regions.

This study categorizes the global Tire Chemicals breakdown data by manufacturers, region, type and application, also analyzes the market status, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis.



Tires manufactures in automobile sector use various chemicals such as, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, carbon black, sulphur, fillers and synthetic textile to enhance different properties in tires like tensile strength, tear strength, abrasion resistance, crack growth resistance, rolling strength and strong grip.

Tire chemicals market witnessed a significant decline all across the world over the past few years, on account of oversupply of natural and synthetic rubber by various Asian countries, which created a situation of demand deficit in the global tire chemicals market. Consequently, resulting in declining prices of natural and synthetic rubber globally. However, increasing government interventions in these Asian countries is expected to positively affect market revenues for natural and synthetic rubber across the world in the coming years, thereby propeling global tire chemicals market during the forecast period.

This report focuses on the top manufacturers' Tire Chemicals capacity, production, value, price and market share of Tire Chemicals in global market. The following manufacturers are covered in this report:

Birla Carbon

Von Bundit

Sri Trang Agro-industry

Cabot

Sinochem

LANXESS

Sinopec

Jiangxi Black Cat Carbon Black

Orion Engineered Carbons

Evonik

Eastman Chemical

Sumitomo Chemical

U.S. Zinc

Zochem

Emery Oleochemicals

Oriental Carbon & Chemicals

Shikoku Chemicals

Phillips Carbon Black

BASF

ExxonMobil

SABIC



Try Sample Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3409248-global-tire-chemicals-market-insights-forecast-to-2025



Tire Chemicals Breakdown Data by Type

Natural Rubber

Synthetic Rubber

Carbon Black

Plasticizers

Synthetic Textile/ Fabrics

Fillers

Zinc Oxide

Stearic Acid

Anti-Oxidants

Accelerators & Sulphur

Tire Chemicals Breakdown Data by Application

Passenger Car

Bus and Truck

Two & three Wheeler



Tire Chemicals Production Breakdown Data by Region

United States

Europe

China

Japan

Other Regions



Tire Chemicals Consumption Breakdown Data by Region

North America

United States ...



The study objectives are:



To analyze and research the global Tire Chemicals capacity, production, value, consumption, status and forecast;

To focus on the key Tire Chemicals manufacturers and study the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans in next few years.

To focuses on the global key manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis.

To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region.

To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.

To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth.

To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments.

To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the market.

To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market.

To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.



For Detailed Reading Please visit WiseGuy Reports @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3409248-global-tire-chemicals-market-insights-forecast-to-2025



Some Major Points from Table of content:



Global Tire Chemicals Market Research Report 2018-2025, by Manufacturers, Regions, Types and Applications

1 Study Coverage

1.1 Tire Chemicals Product

1.2 Key Market Segments in This Study

1.3 Key Manufacturers Covered

1.4 Market by Type

1.4.1 Global Tire Chemicals Market Size Growth Rate by Type

1.4.2 Natural Rubber

1.4.3 Synthetic Rubber

1.4.4 Carbon Black

1.4.5 Plasticizers

1.4.6 Synthetic Textile/ Fabrics

1.4.7 Fillers

1.4.8 Zinc Oxide

1.4.9 Stearic Acid

1.4.10 Anti-Oxidants

1.4.11 Accelerators & Sulphur

1.5 Market by Application

1.5.1 Global Tire Chemicals Market Size Growth Rate by Application

1.5.2 Passenger Car

1.5.3 Bus and Truck

1.5.4 Two & three Wheeler

1.6 Study Objectives

1.7 Years Considered



2 Executive Summary

2.1 Global Tire Chemicals Production

2.1.1 Global Tire Chemicals Revenue 2013-2025

2.1.2 Global Tire Chemicals Production 2013-2025

2.1.3 Global Tire Chemicals Capacity 2013-2025

2.1.4 Global Tire Chemicals Marketing Pricing and Trends

2.2 Tire Chemicals Growth Rate (CAGR) 2018-2025

2.3 Analysis of Competitive Landscape

2.3.1 Manufacturers Market Concentration Ratio (CR5 and HHI)

2.3.2 Key Tire Chemicals Manufacturers

2.4 Market Drivers, Trends and Issues

2.5 Macroscopic Indicator

2.5.1 GDP for Major Regions

2.5.2 Price of Raw Materials in Dollars: Evolution



8 Manufacturers Profiles

8.1 Birla Carbon

8.1.1 Birla Carbon Company Details

8.1.2 Company Description

8.1.3 Capacity, Production and Value of Tire Chemicals

8.1.4 Tire Chemicals Product Description

8.1.5 SWOT Analysis

8.2 Von Bundit

8.2.1 Von Bundit Company Details

8.2.2 Company Description

8.2.3 Capacity, Production and Value of Tire Chemicals

8.2.4 Tire Chemicals Product Description

8.2.5 SWOT Analysis

8.3 Sri Trang Agro-industry

8.3.1 Sri Trang Agro-industry Company Details

8.3.2 Company Description

8.3.3 Capacity, Production and Value of Tire Chemicals

8.3.4 Tire Chemicals Product Description

8.3.5 SWOT Analysis

8.4 Cabot

8.4.1 Cabot Company Details

8.4.2 Company Description

8.4.3 Capacity, Production and Value of Tire Chemicals

8.4.4 Tire Chemicals Product Description

8.4.5 SWOT Analysis

8.5 Sinochem

8.5.1 Sinochem Company Details

8.5.2 Company Description

8.5.3 Capacity, Production and Value of Tire Chemicals

8.5.4 Tire Chemicals Product Description

8.5.5 SWOT Analysis

8.6 LANXESS

8.6.1 LANXESS Company Details

8.6.2 Company Description

8.6.3 Capacity, Production and Value of Tire Chemicals

8.6.4 Tire Chemicals Product Description

8.6.5 SWOT Analysis

8.7 Sinopec

8.7.1 Sinopec Company Details

8.7.2 Company Description

8.7.3 Capacity, Production and Value of Tire Chemicals

8.7.4 Tire Chemicals Product Description

8.7.5 SWOT Analysis

8.8 Jiangxi Black Cat Carbon Black

8.8.1 Jiangxi Black Cat Carbon Black Company Details

8.8.2 Company Description

8.8.3 Capacity, Production and Value of Tire Chemicals

8.8.4 Tire Chemicals Product Description

8.8.5 SWOT Analysis

8.9 Orion Engineered Carbons

8.9.1 Orion Engineered Carbons Company Details

8.9.2 Company Description

8.9.3 Capacity, Production and Value of Tire Chemicals

8.9.4 Tire Chemicals Product Description

8.9.5 SWOT Analysis

8.10 Evonik

8.10.1 Evonik Company Details

8.10.2 Company Description

8.10.3 Capacity, Production and Value of Tire Chemicals

8.10.4 Tire Chemicals Product Description

8.10.5 SWOT Analysis

8.11 Eastman Chemical

8.12 Sumitomo Chemical

8.13 U.S. Zinc

8.14 Zochem

8.15 Emery Oleochemicals

8.16 Oriental Carbon & Chemicals

8.17 Shikoku Chemicals

8.18 Phillips Carbon Black

8.19 BASF

8.20 ExxonMobil

8.21 SABIC



Continued..



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About Us

Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available.



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Permanent link to this press release: Copy Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release.Global Dental Chairs Market 2023 Key Information by Top Key Players Danaher, PLANMECA OY, Dentsply Sirona,A-dec, Midmark, Cefla, Diaco, DentalEZ, J. Morita, SDS Dental, SHINHUNG

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The newly released research at Market Study Report titled 2018-2023 Global Dental Chairs Market Report provides data, information, brief analysis, company profiles, statistics for past years and forecasts for next few years.The report enumerates the regional spectrum of Dental Chairs Market is appreciable detail. Spanning the belts of North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa the report explains the contribution of every region toward the global Dental Chairs Market share. The geographies have been individually analyzed in terms of the parameters such as production, market share in terms of the manufacturers as well as with regards to Type and Applications.Request a sample of this premium report at:The report holds intricate details about the contribution by pivotal contenders and the opportunities that the industry can offer them over 2023. The competitive landscape of global Dental Chairs Market, inclusive of companies such as company Danaher, PLANMECA OY, Dentsply Sirona,A-dec, Midmark, Cefla, Diaco, DentalEZ, J. Morita, SDS Dental, SHINHUNG, TECNODENT the report presents details regarding the basic information of every industry magnate, their prominent rivals in the business, manufacturing base, and the business overview. Substantial information about the company revenue, production, price, as well as gross margins have been provided.Dental chairs are compact, space-saving equipment that can be adjusted for height, backrest, and armrest to provide support to patients and HCPs. Dental chairs are used by dentists. They have a foot switch, an imaging system, a balance arm, an operating light, an X-ray viewer, and an extended tray attached to them.The increasing of product bundling will be one of the latest trends that will gain traction in the dental chairs market during the next four years. The manufacturers in the market are offering other product along with dental chairs, for instance Midmark has extended its promotional program, which is called the Midmark Corporation Game Changer Operatory Promotion, to offer significant price reductions on select product bundles. This will help manufacturers to increase their market penetration and sales for their product, such initiatives will drive the growth of the market.Owning to the presence of a several regional and global manufacturers, this market appears highly fragmented and competitive. The manufacturers in the market are competing based on the price, quality, delivery time, service and support, warranty, product design, and product portfolio. The players in the market are increasing their market penetration by marketing their products through various distribution channels.This market study estimates that in terms of geographic regions, EMEA will be the major revenue contributor to the market. The growing adoption of technologically advanced dental chairs and increasing number of dentists in the region due to increasing focus on preventive care will propel the market growth. The replacement of dental offices and laboratories with dental chairs with dental chairs with advanced technology will drive the market growth in the forecast period.Market Segment by Type, covers:Powered dental chairsNonpowered dental chairsMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into:HospitalDental clinics and laboratoriesOthersRequest a discount on standard prices of this premium report at:Table of Content:1 Market Overview2 Manufacturers Profiles3 Global Dental Chairs Market Sales, Revenue, Market Share and Competition by Manufacturer (2016-2017)4 Global Dental Chairs Market Analysis by Regions5 North America Dental Chairs Market by Countries6 Europe Dental Chairs Market by Countries7 Asia-Pacific Dental Chairs Market by Countries8 South America Dental Chairs Market by Countries9 Middle East and Africa Dental Chairs Market by Countries10 Global Dental Chairs Market Segment by Type1 Global Dental Chairs Market Segment by Application12 Dental Chairs Market Forecast (2018-2023)13 Sales Channel, Distributors, Traders and DealersMore Details on this Reports At:Related Report:Global Dental Chairs Market Research Report 2018This report studies the global Dental Chairs market status and forecast, categorizes the global Dental Chairs market size (value & volume) by key players, type, application, and region. This report focuses on the top players in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa.Read More on this report at:About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study Report4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:Blog:IBM, CISCO SYSTEMS Profiled in Network Forensics Market Analysis 2023 - FIREEYE, SYMANTEC, NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, EMC RSA, VIAVI SOLUTIONS, LOGRHYTHM, NIKSUN

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Market Study Report adds 2018-2023 global Network Forensics market report that offers an exhaustive coverage of the industry with brief analysis, data charts, figures, statistics that help take business decisions, company profiles and more.The report enumerates the regional spectrum of Network Forensics Market is appreciable detail. Spanning the belts of North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa the report explains the contribution of every region toward the global Network Forensics Market share. The geographies have been individually analyzed in terms of the parameters such as production, market share in terms of the manufacturers as well as with regards to Type and Applications.Request a sample of this premium report at:The report holds intricate details about the contribution by pivotal contenders and the opportunities that the industry can offer them over 2023. The competitive landscape of global Network Forensics Market, inclusive of companies such as company IBM, CISCO SYSTEMS, FIREEYE, SYMANTEC, NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, EMC RSA, VIAVI SOLUTIONS, LOGRHYTHM, NIKSUN, SAVVIUS the report presents details regarding the basic information of every industry magnate, their prominent rivals in the business, manufacturing base, and the business overview. Substantial information about the company revenue, production, price, as well as gross margins have been provided.Increased need to secure networks from advanced attacks, such as ransomware, DDoS, and APTs is expected to drive the network forensics market.APAC is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.The global Network Forensics market is valued at xx million in 2017 and is expected to reach xx million by the end of 2023, growing at a CAGR of xx% between 2017 and 2023.The Asia-Pacific will occupy for more market share in following years, especially in China, also fast growing India and Southeast Asia regions.North America, especially The United States, will still play an important role which cannot be ignored. Any changes from United States might affect the development trend of Network Forensics.Europe also play important roles in global market, with market size of xx million in 2017 and will be xx million in 2023, with a CAGR of xx%.Market Segment by Type, covers:IDS/IPSSIEMThreat IntelligencePacket Capture AnalysisAnalyticsMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into:Medical AuthoritiesEducation AuthoritiesRetailManufacturingITEnergyOtherRequest a discount on standard prices of this premium report at:Table of Content:1 Market Overview2 Manufacturers Profiles3 Global Network Forensics Market Sales, Revenue, Market Share and Competition by Manufacturer (2016-2017)4 Global Network Forensics Market Analysis by Regions5 North America Network Forensics Market by Countries6 Europe Network Forensics Market by Countries7 Asia-Pacific Network Forensics Market by Countries8 South America Network Forensics Market by Countries9 Middle East and Africa Network Forensics Market by Countries10 Global Network Forensics Market Segment by Type1 Global Network Forensics Market Segment by Application12 Network Forensics Market Forecast (2018-2023)13 Sales Channel, Distributors, Traders and DealersMore Details on this Reports At:Related Report:Global Network Forensics Market Size, Status and Forecast 2025This report studies the global Network Forensics market size, industry status and forecast, competition landscape and growth opportunity. This research report categorizes the global Network Forensics market by companies, region, type and end-use industry. This report focuses on the global top players, covered IBM Corporation, Cisco Systems, Fireeye, Corero Network Security, LogRhythm, NETSCOUT, RSA Security (Dell), Symantec CorporationRead More on this report at:About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study Report4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:Blog:Global Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia Prevention Market  Industry Key Player - Sage Products LLC, Inter surgical Ltd., Medline Industries Inc., Halyard Health Inc.

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Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) has recently updated its massive report catalogue by adding a fresh study titled Global Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia Prevention Market Valuable Growth Prospects and Insights on Future Scenario. This business intelligence study encapsulates vital details about the market current as well as future status during the mentioned forecast period of 2026.The report also targets important facets such as market drivers, challenges, latest trends, and opportunities associated to growth of manufacturers in global market for Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia Prevention Market. Along with these insights, the report provides the readers crucial insights on the strategies implemented by leading companies to remain in the lead of this competitive market.To Get Sample Copy of Report Click here @MRRSE has recently conducted extensive study on the global hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) prevention market. HAP is the most common nosocomial infection occurring in hospitalized patients. HAP is defined as a lower respiratory infection, which does not incubate at the time of hospital admission but presents clinically 2 or more days after hospitalization. Incidence of HAP is more prevalent in the medical and surgical Intensive Care Units, and results in additional cost to the healthcare centers and increases the length of stay in ICU. The scope of the report includes market size of oral care products (FMCG + Medical based) in the Asia Pacific region. However, the scope does not consider the services cost associated with oral care protocol across hospitals.The report provides in-depth insights on key drivers to market growth, key factors hampering market growth, most impact full trends in the industry, and significant opportunities that are likely to hit the market in next few years. The report includes executive summary and market definition, which offer an introduction to the global HAP prevention industry and various aspects associated with it. Further, the report provides analysis of the HAP etiology, patho genesis, and value chain involved in the marketplace. It also discusses the epidemiology of HAP, which indicates that the incidence of hospital-acquired pneumonia ranges from 5 to 15 cases per 1000 hospital admission, and is more frequent in general wards ranging from 1.6 to 3.65 cases per 1000 admissions. Incidence of HAP in ICU varies by geographical areas. For instance, in Europe, nearly 9.1% of total admitted patients developed hospital-acquired infection, with approximately 83% of cases being HAP, whereas in Asian countries hospital-acquired pneumonia ranges from 9% to 23%.The research methodology incorporates both primary and secondary research to collect the relevant market data. We have analyzed the global hospital acquired infections control market by considering the revenue through extensive primary research to understand the usage patterns, historic trends, problems faced by the medical staff, the required treatment developments, and most preferred products. Key opinion leaders have been considered for the primary research, including experienced healthcare professionals in various healthcare facilities at the country level. These estimates are further validated with product manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Extensive secondary research has been carried out to understand the treatment rate, adoption rate, regulatory scenarios, average selling price, and reimbursement scenario by referring to published scientific literature from various databases such as the WHO, PubMed, Springer, and Wiley among others. We have also analyzed various market companies annual reports, investor presentations, SEC filings, 10k reports and press releases to fetch substantial information about the market size, trends, opportunities, drivers, restraints and other market dynamics.Global Hospital-acquired Pneumonia Prevention Market TaxonomySegmentation by RegionNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia Pacific excluding China (APEC)ChinaMiddle East & Africa (MEA)Segmentation by Product TypeOral Care KitToothbrushSwabMoisturizerMouth WashSuction ToolsSegmentation by End-userHospitalsRehabilitation CentersHome Care SettingsEnquire about this Report @About Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:Engage in Learning highlights Leadership Fundamentals

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An article on e-learning supplier Engage in Learnings website argues that successful leaders are business chameleons. In other words, says the article, they should be able to take on the role of directors, facilitators or motivators depending on the particular challenges that they are facing at the time.Acknowledging that every leader has a natural style of leadership, the articles author, Kate Carter, says that the key to being able to leading a team or organisation successfully in all situations is for the leader to adapt that natural leadership style to get the best results.In a crisis situation - where time factors are critical - taking the directive stance of telling staff what to do may be the quickest way to resolve the problem, Kate says.In such situations, business and personal reputations could be at stake. Theres no time for group discussion or procrastination. As a leader, its your role to ensure that any damage is limited and critical operations run smoothly while youre resolving the problem.In times of change  say, where a company is merging with another - leaders need to be both visionary and confident, Kate believes. Its up to the leader to ask their team to have faith in the vision.Times of change - even if they represent a huge opportunity for the business  are unsettling and can easily be worrying. At such times, its the leader's responsibility to enthuse others and nurture team bonding, which enables colleagues to adapt and change as their future becomes clearer and more secure.There will also be times where, in terms of experience and expertise, a team will be best placed to solve problems but the team will still need its leader to empower them to make the choices which will solve the problem effectively and efficiently, adds Kate. Thats the time when the leader needs to play the role of the facilitator - providing the team with the tools and techniques the team members need in order to move forward.Personality, experience and excellent communication skills, coupled with a clear vision, all combine to make leaders successful and admired, Kate concluded.According to Chris Horseman, Engage in Learnings CEO, Kates article, along with articles on other aspects of leadership, are being published on our website to help raise awareness of Engage in Learning's Leadership Fundamentals e-learning materials.We believe  and, increasingly, our growing customer list is discovering - that the materials contained within these courses are the building blocks to creating successful leaders and teams.You can read the full article at:For further details about Engage in Learnings growing portfolio of e-learning materials, visit:About Engage in LearningA UK-based supplier of eLearning courses and solutions focusing on helping organisations improve their safety, compliance and performance, Engage in Learning provides engaging and affordable learning thats practical and effective in an organisational setting.Engage in LearningKestrel Court, Waterwells Drive, Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 2AT, UKTel: +44 (0) 845 456 0465; Website:Contact: Chris Horseman, Engage in Learning, +44 (0)20 3758 9530, chrishorseman@engageinlearning.comPR contact: Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, +44 (0)1727 860405, bob.little@boblittlepr.comGlobal Electric Motorcycles & Scooters Market By Battery (SLA, Li-ion, NiMH) with companies  (Zero Motorcycle, Yamaha Motor, Terra Motors, Suzuki Motor of America, KTM, Honda Motor Europe, Harley-Davidson Motor, BMW ) 2018-2024

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Electric Motorcycles & Scooters Market size is estimated to surpass USD 22 billion by 2024; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc. Lithium-ion battery is expected to witness highest growth in electric motorcycles & scooters market at around 11% over the forecast timeframe owing to their high charge density, light weight and high charging discharging efficiency. In 2018, KTM announced the introduction lithium-ion batteries that offer 50% more power range than its prior model. In addition, these batteries are swappable and can be installed in their conventional bike models.Get Sample Copy of This Report @48V battery dominates the electric motorcycles & scooters market, accounting for over 35% volume share in 2017. Superior power output along with ease in compatibility of these batteries with e-vehicles will drive the segment growth. Vehicles equipped with 60V & 70V will witness strong growth over the forecast timeframe owing to constant R&D in enhancing the speed of the vehicle.Company profiled in this report based on Business overview, Financial data, Product landscape, Strategic outlook & SWOT analysis:1. AIMA2. Alta Motors3. Amego Electric4. Amper Vehicles5. BMW6. Energica Motor Company S.p.A7. Govecs Group8. Harley Davidson9. Hero Eco10. Honda Motors11. KTM12. Mahindra GenZe13. Lightning Motorcycles14. Shandong Incalcu Electric Vehicle Co. Ltd15. Sunra16. Suzuki Motors Corporation17. Tailing Electric Vehicle Co. Ltd.18. Terra Motors Corp19. Victory Motorcycles20. Vmoto Limited21. Yamaha Motors22. Z Electric Vehicle23. Zero MotorcycleMake an Inquiry for purchasing this Report @E-motorcycles are estimated to witness strong growth over 10% from 2018 to 2024 owing to new product offerings and reduced price of the product. Industry players are focusing on competing the e-motorcycles with gasoline powered vehicles with improved speed and superior power output. Electric scooters dominate the industry share owing to less priced compared to electric motorcycles.SLA battery dominates the electric motorcycles & scooters industry share accounting over 85% share in 2017. Low cost, ease in compatibility, and robust structure are among the key factors for segment dominance. However, these are estimated to lose its market share with introduction of lithium-ion and NiMH batteries offering reduced charging time and superior efficiency of the product.Asia Pacific dominates the electric motorcycles & scooters market volume share owing to strong demand of the product from China, Indonesia, India & Japan. Proliferating population, less price of the product, low maintenance cost and no requirement of license are the key factors for volume dominance in the region.Browse Report Summery @North America electric motorcycles & scooters market will witness growth over 16% from 2018 to 2024. The growth can be attributed to new product offering in the region. In May 2015, the European Union initiated project European Green Vehicle related to e-vehicles focusing on improving the public private partnership, reducing economic challenges and reducing carbon emissions.Some of the key participants include Alta Motors, Hero Eco, BMW, KTM, Terra Motors Corp., Zero Motorcycle and AIMA Hi-tech. Improving the battery and motor performance, enhancing the speed range and power output are the key focus area of the industry participants. Strong value chain development and increasing the product visibility will improve electric motorcycles & scooters sales.About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Disaster Relief Logistics Market 2018 Global Analysis By Key Players  Blue Water Shipping, Damco, Deutsche Post DHL Group, Kuehne + Nagel, UPS

Disaster Relief Logistics Market

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WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On  Disaster Relief Logistics Market 2018 Global Analysis By Key Players  Blue Water Shipping, Damco, Deutsche Post DHL Group, Kuehne + Nagel, UPS.Description:-Disaster relief logistics service providers must be equipped with require quantity of resources and expertise to aid the society during disasters. Also, these logistics companies offer information and communication technology platforms to aid in rescue operations. This market study identifies the increased need for handling logistics operations by professional logistics companies to be one of the primary growth factors for the disaster relief logistics market. The rising occurrences of disasters and rising volatility of the economy, and the limited availability of funds and necessary resources will drive the need to outsource the management to logistics companies. These logistics service providers are equipped with the required resources and skills for transportation and distribution of relief supplies. Also, they comprise of the required number of qualified personnel, proper infrastructure, and necessary resources for efficiently distributing supplies after a disaster.Scope of the Report:This report studies the Disaster Relief Logistics market status and outlook of Global and major regions, from angles of players, countries, product types and end industries; this report analyzes the top players in global market, and splits the Disaster Relief Logistics market by product type and applications/end industries.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comThe growing implementation of drones for disaster relief logistics will drive the growth of the disaster relief logistics market. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) operating without any pilot on board are termed as drones and are controlled remotely by a drone pilot. In addition to military, logistics sector is also implementing the usage of drones in disaster affected areas. Drones can easily access areas that are inaccessible to vehicles and humans owing to damaged routes. Currently, they are used in disaster-hit areas to assess the situation, evaluate the damage, and identify the areas needing immediate attention or supplies. These drones immediately reach and distribute essential supplies such as medicine, food, water, and clothing.The global Disaster Relief Logistics market is valued at xx million USD in 2017 and is expected to reach xx million USD by the end of 2023, growing at a CAGR of xx% between 2017 and 2023.The Asia-Pacific will occupy for more market share in following years, especially in China, also fast growing India and Southeast Asia regions.North America, especially The United States, will still play an important role which cannot be ignored. Any changes from United States might affect the development trend of Disaster Relief Logistics.Europe also play important roles in global market, with market size of xx million USD in 2017 and will be xx million USD in 2023, with a CAGR of xx%.Market Segment by Companies, this report coversBlue Water ShippingDamcoDeutsche Post DHL GroupKuehne + NagelUPSMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (United States, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversNaturalMan-madeMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoFood providingShelter providingClothing providingMedical relief providingTemporary shelters providingCounseling to victims of domesticEnquiry About Report @Table Of Contents  Major Key Points1 Disaster Relief Logistics Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Disaster Relief Logistics1.2 Classification of Disaster Relief Logistics by Types1.2.1 Global Disaster Relief Logistics Revenue Comparison by Types (2017-2023)1.2.2 Global Disaster Relief Logistics Revenue Market Share by Types in 20171.2.3 Natural1.2.4 Man-made1.3 Global Disaster Relief Logistics Market by Application1.3.1 Global Disaster Relief Logistics Market Size and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2013-2023)1.3.2 Food providing1.3.3 Shelter providing1.3.4 Clothing providing1.3.5 Medical relief providing1.3.6 Temporary shelters providing1.3.7 Counseling to victims of domestic1.4 Global Disaster Relief Logistics Market by Regions1.4.1 Global Disaster Relief Logistics Market Size (Million USD) Comparison by Regions (2013-2023)1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico) Disaster Relief Logistics Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy) Disaster Relief Logistics Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia) Disaster Relief Logistics Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.4.4 South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia) Disaster Relief Logistics Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.4.5 Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa) Disaster Relief Logistics Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.5 Global Market Size of Disaster Relief Logistics (2013-2023)2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Blue Water Shipping2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.2 Disaster Relief Logistics Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Product A2.1.2.2 Product B2.1.3 Blue Water Shipping Disaster Relief Logistics Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2 Damco2.2.1 Business Overview2.2.2 Disaster Relief Logistics Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Product A2.2.2.2 Product B2.2.3 Damco Disaster Relief Logistics Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3 Deutsche Post DHL Group2.3.1 Business Overview2.3.2 Disaster Relief Logistics Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Product A2.3.2.2 Product B2.3.3 Deutsche Post DHL Group Disaster Relief Logistics Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4 Kuehne + Nagel2.4.1 Business Overview2.4.2 Disaster Relief Logistics Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Product A2.4.2.2 Product B2.4.3 Kuehne + Nagel Disaster Relief Logistics Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.5 UPS2.5.1 Business Overview2.5.2 Disaster Relief Logistics Type and Applications2.5.2.1 Product A2.5.2.2 Product B2.5.3 UPS Disaster Relief Logistics Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)3 Global Disaster Relief Logistics Market Competition, by Players3.1 Global Disaster Relief Logistics Revenue and Share by Players (2013-2018)3.2 Market Concentration Rate3.2.1 Top 5 Disaster Relief Logistics Players Market Share3.2.2 Top 10 Disaster Relief Logistics Players Market Share3.3 Market Competition TrendContinuedBuy 1-user PDF @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028.Comprehensive Analysis on Dental Adhesives Market with Key Players: 3M, Esschem Europe, Dentsply Sirona, GSK, Ultradent Products, BISCO, Dental Speed Graph, DETAX Ettlingen, Dental Tech

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MarketStudyReport.com adds New Global Dental Adhesives Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2023 new report to its research database. The report spread across 151 pages with table and figures in it. The report provides information on Industry Trends, Demand, Top Manufacturers, Countries, Material and Application.Market Study Report Add New Global Dental Adhesives Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2023. It provides Industry analyses the important factors of this market based on present industry situations, market demands, business strategies utilized by Dental Adhesives Market players and their growth synopsis. This report divides the Dental Adhesives Market based on the key players, Type, Application and Regions are Mentioned Below.The report enumerates the regional spectrum of Dental Adhesives Market is appreciable detail. Spanning the belts of North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa the report explains the contribution of every region toward the global Dental Adhesives Market share. The geographies have been individually analyzed in terms of the parameters such as production, market share in terms of the manufacturers as well as with regards to Type and Applications.Request a sample of this premium report at:The report holds intricate details about the contribution by pivotal contenders and the opportunities that the industry can offer them over 2023. The competitive landscape of global Dental Adhesives Market, inclusive of companies such as company Dentsply Sirona, GSK, 3M, Ultradent Products, BISCO, Dental Speed Graph, DETAX Ettlingen, Dental Tech, Esschem Europe, GC Corporation, GluStitch, Harvard Dental, Heraeus Kulzer, Ivoclar Vivadent, JJ Orthodontics, Kerr, Kuraray America, Medicept, PDT, Prime Dental Manufacturing, Procter & Gamble, Queisser Pharma, SDI Limited, SEABOND, Septodont, Sino-dentex, Wuhe Greenland Biotech, YAMAHACHI DENTAL. the report presents details regarding the basic information of every industry magnate, their prominent rivals in the business, manufacturing base, and the business overview. Substantial information about the company revenue, production, price, as well as gross margins have been provided.Dental adhesives are type of glues which are used for attachment of dental crowns and dentures. It helps in dental restoration, minimizes dental sensitivity, reduces the chances of infection, and provides stability between the tooth and gum.The increasing number of patients for dental procedures?makes the demanding of dental adhesives market keeping extending. The growth of this market will owe to factors such as the rise in orthodontic diseases, increasing oral maxillofacial surgeries, the growing periodontal problems in the geriatric population, and the increasing dental problems in elderly population. Additionally, the increase in awareness about dental diseases and poor oral health that will encourage people to choose dental treatment, will also increase the demand for dental adhesives.With the presence of several large and small scale companies, the dental adhesives market appears to be competitive. The competition among the market players is expected to intensify during the forecast period due to technological advancements in product development. To manufacture and distribute dental adhesives, the larger companies will focus of forming partnerships with other players.The Americas will be the major revenue contributor to the market by 2021. The most common dental problem encountered among the adults and children is dental caries and the need for the treatment of such problems will drive the growth of the dental adhesives market. Additionally, the increase in adoption of dental adhesives in hospital outpatient settings will also fuel the growth of the market in this region during the forecast period.Market Segment by Type, covers: Denture adhesives Restorative dental adhesiveMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into: Hospital Dental clinics and laboratories OthersRequest a discount on standard prices of this premium report at:Table of Content:1 Market Overview2 Manufacturers Profiles3 Global Dental Adhesives Market Sales, Revenue, Market Share and Competition by Manufacturer (2016-2017)4 Global Dental Adhesives Market Analysis by Regions5 North America Dental Adhesives Market by Countries6 Europe Dental Adhesives Market by Countries7 Asia-Pacific Dental Adhesives Market by Countries8 South America Dental Adhesives Market by Countries9 Middle East and Africa Dental Adhesives Market by Countries10 Global Dental Adhesives Market Segment by Type1 Global Dental Adhesives Market Segment by Application12 Dental Adhesives Market Forecast (2018-2023)13 Sales Channel, Distributors, Traders and DealersMore Details on this Reports At:Related Report:2018-2023 Global Dental Adhesives and Sealants Consumption Market ReportDental adhesives are designed to bond composite resins to enamel and dentin. Dental sealants are dental treatment intended to prevent tooth decay. Dental sealants are materials placed in pits and fissures to fill them in, creating a smooth surface that is easy to clean.Dental adhesives are wildly used in dental treatment. Dental sealants are used for the prevention of childhood tooth decay. So, demand for dental adhesives and sealants is large and varies with the number of people. Also, people in China are not concerned about dental health like people in USA or Europe. China dental adhesives and sealants consumption is not too much.Read More on this report at:About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study Report4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:Blog:Insight on ICT Investment Trends in Colombia: Business transformations influencing ICT investment strategy

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HTF Market Report released a new research document of 35 pages on industry titled as 'ICT Investment Trends in Colombia: Business transformations influencing ICT investment strategy' with detailed analysis, Competitive landscape, forecast and strategies. The study covers geographic analysis that includes regions and important players/vendors such as Adobe, Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, SAP, Dell, McAfee, EMC, Entrust, Google, Alibaba, Amazon Web Services. The report will help you gain market insights, future trends and growth prospects for forecast period of 2016 - 2021Request a sample report @SummaryICT Investment Trends in Colombia: Business transformations influencing ICT investment strategySummary"ICT Investment Trends in Colombia", presents the findings from a survey of 65 Colombian enterprises regarding their Information & Communications Technology (ICT) investment trends. The survey investigates how Colombian enterprises currently allocate their ICT budgets across the core areas of enterprise ICT expenditure: hardware, software, IT services, communications, and consulting.The report illustrates the core technologies that enterprises are investing in, including enterprise applications, security products, IoT, and cloud computing. The survey also highlights the approach to purchasing technology adopted by enterprises in Colombia. Through The survey, the report aims to provide a better insight to ICT vendors and service providers when pitching their solutions to enterprises in Colombia.The Colombian economy is set to perform better in 2017 compared to 2016, primarily driven by the recovery of non-oil exports and oil prices, and the 4G infrastructure program.In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following -- How ICT budgets are set to change in 2017 in terms of their overall size- Allocation across the core elements of IT spend, including hardware, software, services, communications, and consulting- Distribution of ICT money in areas such as the networks, applications, service desk, and data centers- Which ICT functions Colombian enterprises are interested in outsourcing- Colombian enterprises investment priorities based on their budget allocations across core technology categories such as enterprise applications, security products, IoT, and cloud computing- Factors that are influencing Colombian enterprises investments in each technology category- How Colombian enterprises IT budgets are currently allocated across various segments within a technology category- Colombian enterprises distribution of their ICT budget across various segments within a technology category- Vendor satisfaction ratings for various core and advanced technology categories- Insight into Colombian enterprises preferred buying approaches- Business objectives that Colombian enterprises are looking to achieve through their IT investment strategies- Factors that are influencing Colombian enterprises decisions to select an ICT providerScope- Colombian enterprises are allocating a major proportion of their IT services budget to advanced cloud computing solutions and software licensing in order to reduce IT costs and to better utilize their assets.- In an effort to support digitization and promote IoT development, many Colombian enterprises are adopting IoT technology to extend beyond the traditional ICT perimeter. To highlight, in October 2017, Claro, a Colombia-based telecom operator is planning to launch intelligent products and solutions related to advanced hyper-connectivity using IoT technology.- The Colombian government is collaborating with the mobile industry under the Vive Digital plan to promote broadband coverage and adoption across the country.Reasons to buy- Understand how the Colombian enterprises' ICT landscape is set to change in 2017 to prioritize your target market- Comprehend how ICT money are being allocated by Colombian enterprises in specific geographies and size bands to improve your market penetration- Make effective business decisions by recognizing the opportunities within each of the core areas of ICT spend (hardware, software, IT services, telecommunications, and consulting)- Realign your sales initiatives by understanding the current strategic objectives of Colombian enterprises- Enhance your market segmentation with the included, detailed breakdown of opportunities within selected technology categories (enterprise applications, security products, IoT, and cloud computing)- Prioritize your focus areas by understanding which factors are influencing Colombian enterprises decisions when selecting an ICT provider- Understand the changes in customers priorities and identify the business objectives that Colombian enterprises are looking to achieve through their ICT investment strategies.Companies Mentioned in the ReportAdobeMicrosoftIBMOracleSAPDellMcAfeeEMCEntrustGoogleAlibabaAmazon Web ServicesGet Customization in the Report, Enquire Now @Table of ContentsKey findingsKey implications for vendorsExecutive summarySurvey demographicsICT budget changesICT budg....ContinuedView Detailed Table of Content @It's vital you keep your market knowledge up to date. If you have a different set of players/manufacturers according to geography or needs regional or country segmented reports we can provide customization accordingly.Buy this report @Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.About Author:HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact US :Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager)HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA  08837Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218sales@htfmarketreport.comConnect with us atData Analytics to Power the Global Corporate Wellness Market | Arizton

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The integration of work culture, data analytics, and technology will revolutionize the global corporate wellness market.Ariztons recent market research report on the global corporate wellness market provides comprehensive industry analysis, trend forecasts, and competitive analysis. The research study segments the market by program (HRA, nutrition & weight management, smoking cessation, fitness services, alcohol and drug rehab, stress management, health & education services, and others), by end-users (large private sector businesses, medium private sector businesses, public sector companies, small private sector businesses, non-profit organizations, hospitals/health systems, and universities), by revenue model (recurring revenues and seasonal revenues), by delivery model (onsite and offsite), by geography (North America, Europe, APAC, and ROW), and offers detailed competitive analysis.The global corporate wellness market is estimated to generate revenues of around $72 billion by 2023, growing at a CAGR of more than 8% during 2017-2023.The uneven educational systems, stricter immigration rules, the development of technology and an aging workforce are the main factors attributing to the growth of the global market. The growing need for therapeutic alternatives, provision of in-home monitoring, and alerts for taking medication as and when prescribed is propelling the demand in the global corporate wellness market.Request for your free sample today!The top 3 drivers and trends attributing to the demand in the global corporate wellness market are discussed below:Broad Shift in Perspective of WellbeingA new sense of identity that is related to wellbeing which is increasingly valued in contemporary culture is creating new avenues in the global corporate wellness market. Digitalization is encouraging the customers to look for detoxification from their digital frenzy and re-claim their time for personal growth, harmony, and wellbeing, thereby driving the growth of the global market. The target consumers are participating in activities such as meditation and tai chi and investing in products like foods, apps, and devices that further a healthy lifestyle in the market. The change in the perceptive about health and wellness will propel demand in the global corporate wellness market. The incorporation of gyms, games, and nap rooms at the workplace is revolutionizing the corporate culture and contributing to the increased level of job satisfaction in the global market. The focus on wellness will encourage organizations to enable the promotion of long-term health solutions as people tend to spend a good portion of their day at work. Various employees look for inspiration at work to stay fit, make new healthy habits, and alter old unhealthy ones. Additionally, employers are capitalizing this opportunity to influence behavior by offering a supportive environment that constitutes social, psychological, and organizational conditions, and effective interventions. Such initiatives will augment the development of the global corporate wellness market.Data Analytics Increasingly Powering WellnessData-driven decision making is gaining importance and propelling the demand in the global corporate wellness market. The integration of work culture, data analytics, and technology will revolutionize the global market over the next few years. Several organizations are investing in technologies and expanding their current HR capabilities to measure their initiatives through big data. The increasing use of data planning for work health strategy is enabling the creation of an evidence base for workforce health needs and boosting revenues in the global corporate wellness market. The use of data analytics enables employers and vendors to constantly review productivity data and employee health information such as findings from online HRAs, face to face health risk assessments, EAPs, and insurance claims. Wearables, onsite programme delivery, software platforms, employee feedback, online screening and surveys, and other data sources are used to garner information about the wellness programs initiated by companies in the global market. Key companies such as Georgia Pacific, Autodesk, and NetApp are using mobile applications, wearable devices, and employee-submitted data to follow the health of their employees in the market. Also, the use of data analytics will help organizations create personalized programs and contribute to the sales in the global corporate wellness market.Request for your free sample today!Growing Reign of Artificial IntelligenceThe advent of the new era of customized education and solutions that tend to each employee's individualized wellbeing through AI will transform the global corporate wellness market. Several employers are using AI to sustain employee engagement between human touchpoints, build a deeper profile about their employees in real-time, and aid in scaling up their wellness programs without relying heavily on resources. These systems are used to analyze personality traits and habits, thereby simplifying the wellness journey of employees in the global corporate wellness market. AI-integrated programs identify trends, understand how the current health issues or statistics are going to pan in the future, and create an action plan that will keep diseases or future health and well-being complications at bay. Moreover, the use of chatbots increases the probability of employee participation in wellness programs, creating greater chances of success. These chatbots offer rapid responses and hyper-personalizing well-being of employees by capturing data via e-forms and using analytics to explore the employees personal well-being goals in the global corporate wellness market.The leading vendors in the global corporate wellness market are Compsych, Wellness Corporate Solutions, Virgin Pulse, Provant Health Solutions, and Sodexo.The complete overview of the latest market research report on the global corporate wellness market by Arizton is now available.The report also offers a detailed study of major trends, drivers, challenges, and also provides the market size and forecast for major geographical regions and key countries.Read more:About Arizton Advisory & IntelligenceArizton  Advisory and Intelligence is an innovation and quality-driven firm, which offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients across the world. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services.Arizton has gained a paramount standpoint in the market research arena as it offers top of the line solutions to clients to assess market landscape and to finalize foolproof business strategies. We are committed to provide inclusive market research reports and consulting services to clients from diversified industries including Consumer Goods & Retail Technology, Automotive and Mobility, Smart Tech, Healthcare and Lifesciences, Industrial Machinery, Chemicals and Materials, IT and Media, Logistics and PackagingArizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered in generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports.Arizton Advisory & IntelligenceChicago, Illinois, 60605Mail: enquiry@arizton.comCall: +1-312-465-7864Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market 2023 Key Players  Biolase Inc., Danaher Corp., Midmark Corp., PLANMECA Oy, Sirona Dental Systems Inc, Acteon, A-dec, Aribex, ASAHI Roentgen, Being Foshan Medical Equipment

Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market, Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market trends,

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The Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market Research Report Forecast 2018-2023 is a valuable source of insightful data for business strategists. It provides the Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment industry overview with growth analysis and historical & futuristic cost, revenue, demand and supply data (as applicable). The research analysts provide an elaborate description of the value chain and its distributor analysis.Market Study Report Add New Global Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2023. It provides Industry analyses the important factors of this market based on present industry situations, market demands, business strategies utilized by Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market players and their growth synopsis. This report divides the Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market based on the key players, Type, Application and Regions are Mentioned Below.The report enumerates the regional spectrum of Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market is appreciable detail. Spanning the belts of North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa the report explains the contribution of every region toward the global Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market share. The geographies have been individually analyzed in terms of the parameters such as production, market share in terms of the manufacturers as well as with regards to Type and Applications.Request a sample of this premium report at:The report holds intricate details about the contribution by pivotal contenders and the opportunities that the industry can offer them over 2023. The competitive landscape of global Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market, inclusive of companies such as company Biolase Inc., Danaher Corp., Midmark Corp., PLANMECA Oy, Sirona Dental Systems Inc, Acteon, A-dec, Aribex, ASAHI Roentgen, Being Foshan Medical Equipment, Bien-Air, DCI International, DentalEZ, Dentatus, Dentsply, GC Corporation, Henry Schein, KaVo Dental, MinXray, Morita, Nakanishi, NOUVAG, Patterson Dental, SciCan, Sybron Dental Specialities, TECHODENT, Varian Medical Systems, W&H, Young Innovations. the report presents details regarding the basic information of every industry magnate, their prominent rivals in the business, manufacturing base, and the business overview. Substantial information about the company revenue, production, price, as well as gross margins have been provided.Dental diagnostic and surgical equipment are used for the diagnosis and treatment of dental problems such as gingivitis, tooth decay, dental caries, periodontitis, injury, and other forms of oral cancers.The increased adoption of evidence-based dentistry will lead to the growth of dental diagnostics and surgical equipment market during the forecast period. Recently, it has been observed that many dental associations rely on evidence-based dentistry to set up policies and protocols. The establishment of policies and protocols helps to provide an approach to oral healthcare that follows a defined process of systematically analyzing and collecting scientific evidence to answer a specific clinical question. This evidence will help dentists in their routine clinical practice and will also be helpful in developing a protocol that will make dental treatments more affordable to the oral care population. Another important factor that will drive the prospects for growth in this market is the rising adoption of computer-aided design (CAD)/ computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technology. Recent advances in CAD/CAM technology have allowed manufacturers to produce dental implants and crowns that are superior to conventional dental crowns and implants. The ability of this technology to shorten the overall treatment time in patients will lead to the augmented adoption of this technology among dental end users. Furthermore, its ability to customize the design of implants and crowns according to the patient?s oral anatomy will also lead to its increased adoption during the next four years.The research have estimated the Americas to be the largest market for dental diagnostics and surgical equipment during the forecast period. The prospects for growth in this region are driven by the increasing demand for oral and cosmetic dental procedures among the older population.This market is an organized and highly fragmented market owing to the presence of many global, medium, and small players. The market is currently growing significantly across the globe and is likely to grow rapidly in emerging countries during the next few years. The manufacturers that focus on implementing innovative strategies and introducing a strong portfolio of products will gain maximum market traction during the predicted period.Market Segment by Type, covers: Dental systems and equipment Dental radiology equipment Dental lasersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into: Hospitals Dental clinics and laboratories OthersRequest a discount on standard prices of this premium report at:Table of Content:1 Market Overview2 Manufacturers Profiles3 Global Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market Sales, Revenue, Market Share and Competition by Manufacturer (2016-2017)4 Global Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market Analysis by Regions5 North America Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market by Countries6 Europe Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market by Countries7 Asia-Pacific Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market by Countries8 South America Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market by Countries9 Middle East and Africa Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market by Countries10 Global Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market Segment by Type11 Global Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market Segment by Application12 Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Market Forecast (2018-2023)13 Sales Channel, Distributors, Traders and DealersFor more information on this report, Please visit at:Related Report:Global and Chinese Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Industry, 2018 Market Research ReportThe 'Global and Chinese Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment Industry, 2013-2023 Market Research Report' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Dental Diagnostic and Surgical Equipment manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology.Read More on this report at:About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study Report4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:Blog:Internet Service 2018 Global Market Key Players  ATandT, Verizon, China Telecom Global, Vodafone Group, Comcast, China Mobile, China Unicom -Analysis And Forecast To 2025

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Internet Service Market 2018Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Internet Service  Global Market Growth, Opportunities, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2025 To Its Research Database.Description:This report focuses on the global Internet Service status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. The study objectives are to present the Internet Service development in United States, Europe and China.Internet services refer to the services provided by enablers, which gives users access to the internet. They facilitate the transfer of huge amounts of data such as texts, sounds, images, graphics, and software between servers, portals, and devices such as computers, laptops, and mobiles.Widening mobile network coverage and increasing mobile internet adoption will boost the Internet service market.In 2017, the global Internet Service market size was xx million US$ and it is expected to reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, with a CAGR of xx% during 2018-2025.The key players covered in this studyATandTVerizonChina Telecom GlobalVodafone GroupComcastChina MobileChina UnicomRequest for Sample Report @Market segment by Type, the product can be split intoDial-Up ServicesDedicated Internet AccessVirtual Private Network (VPN)DSLMarket segment by Application, split intoGovernment UsePrivate UseBusiness UseMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaCentral & South AmericaEnquiry before Buying @If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of Content:1 Report Overview1.1 Study Scope1.2 Key Market Segments1.3 Players Covered1.4 Market Analysis by Type1.4.1 Global Internet Service Market Size Growth Rate by Type (2013-2025)1.4.2 Dial-Up Services1.4.3 Dedicated Internet Access1.4.4 Virtual Private Network (VPN)1.4.5 DSL1.5 Market by Application1.5.1 Global Internet Service Market Share by Application (2013-2025)1.5.2 Government Use1.5.3 Private Use1.5.4 Business Use1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered2 Global Growth Trends2.1 Internet Service Market Size2.2 Internet Service Growth Trends by Regions2.2.1 Internet Service Market Size by Regions (2013-2025)2.2.2 Internet Service Market Share by Regions (2013-2018)2.3 Industry Trends2.3.1 Market Top Trends2.3.2 Market Drivers2.3.3 Market Opportunities..12 International Players Profiles12.1 ATandT12.1.1 ATandT Company Details12.1.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.1.3 Internet Service Introduction12.1.4 ATandT Revenue in Internet Service Business (2013-2018)12.1.5 ATandT Recent Development12.2 Verizon12.2.1 Verizon Company Details12.2.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.2.3 Internet Service Introduction12.2.4 Verizon Revenue in Internet Service Business (2013-2018)12.2.5 Verizon Recent Development12.3 China Telecom Global12.3.1 China Telecom Global Company Details12.3.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.3.3 Internet Service Introduction12.3.4 China Telecom Global Revenue in Internet Service Business (2013-2018)12.3.5 China Telecom Global Recent Development12.4 Vodafone Group12.4.1 Vodafone Group Company Details12.4.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.4.3 Internet Service Introduction12.4.4 Vodafone Group Revenue in Internet Service Business (2013-2018)12.4.5 Vodafone Group Recent Development12.5 Comcast12.5.1 Comcast Company Details12.5.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.5.3 Internet Service Introduction12.5.4 Comcast Revenue in Internet Service Business (2013-2018)12.5.5 Comcast Recent Development12.6 China Mobile12.6.1 China Mobile Company Details12.6.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.6.3 Internet Service Introduction12.6.4 China Mobile Revenue in Internet Service Business (2013-2018)12.6.5 China Mobile Recent Development12.7 China Unicom12.7.1 China Unicom Company Details12.7.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.7.3 Internet Service Introduction12.7.4 China Unicom Revenue in Internet Service Business (2013-2018)12.7.5 China Unicom Recent DevelopmentContinued..Contact US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Internet Servicenning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:: Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt Ltd: Pune  411028: Maharashtra,: Ph: +91 841 198 5042Interior Design Market 2018 Global Analysis By Key Players  Gensler, Gold Mantis, HOK, HBA, Perkins+Will

Interior Design Market

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Interior Design Market 2018Wiseguyreports.Com adds Interior Design Market Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2025 To Its Research Database.Report Details:This report provides in depth study of Interior Design Market using SWOT analysis i.e. Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat to the organization. The Interior Design Market report also provides an in-depth survey of key players in the market which is based on the various objectives of an organization such as profiling, the product outline, the quantity of production, required raw material, and the financial health of the organization.This report provides detailed historical analysis of global market for Interior Design from 2013-2018, and provides extensive market forecasts from 2018-2028 by region/country and subsectors. It covers the sales volume, price, revenue, gross margin, historical growth and future perspectives in the Interior Design market.Leading players of Interior Design including:GenslerGold MantisHOKHBAPerkins+WillJacobsStantecIA Interior ArchitectsCallisonNelsonLeo A DalySOMHKSDB & BCannon DesignNBBJPerkins EastmanCCDAECOM TechnologyWilson AssociatesM Moser AssociatesSmithGroupJJRAreen Design ServicesRequest a Sample Report @Market split by Type, can be divided into:North AmericaEuropeChinaRest of Asia PacificCentral & South AmericaMiddle East & AfricaMarket split by Application, can be divided into:ResidentialCommercialOthersMarket split by Sales Channel, can be divided into:Direct ChannelDistribution ChannelMarket segment by Region/Country including:North America (United States, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Spain etc.)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia and Southeast Asia etc.)South America Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Chile etc.)Middle East & Africa (South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia etc.)Key StakeholdersInterior Design ManufacturersInterior Design Distributors/Traders/WholesalersInterior Design Subcomponent ManufacturersIndustry AssociationDownstream VendorsIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Complete Report Details@Major Key Points in Table of Content:Chapter 1 Interior Design Market Overview1.1 Interior Design Definition1.2 Global Interior Design Market Size Status and Outlook (2013-2028)1.3 Global Interior Design Market Size Comparison by Region (2013-2028)1.4 Global Interior Design Market Size Comparison by Type (2013-2028)1.5 Global Interior Design Market Size Comparison by Application (2013-2028)1.6 Global Interior Design Market Size Comparison by Sales Channel (2013-2028)1.7 Interior Design Market Dynamics1.7.1 Market Drivers/Opportunities1.7.2 Market Challenges/Risks1.7.3 Market News (Mergers/Acquisitions/ Expansion)Chapter 2 Interior Design Market Segment Analysis by Player2.1 Global Interior Design Sales and Market Share by Player (2016-2018)2.2 Global Interior Design Revenue and Market Share by Player (2016-2018)2.3 Global Interior Design Average Price by Player (2016-2018)2.4 Players Competition Situation & Trends2.5 Conclusion of Segment by PlayerChapter 7 Profile of Leading Interior Design Players7.1 Gensler7.1.1 Company Snapshot7.1.2 Product/Business Offered7.1.3 Business Performance (Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share)7.1.4 Strategy and SWOT Analysis7.2 Gold Mantis7.2.1 Company Snapshot7.2.2 Product/Business Offered7.2.3 Business Performance (Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share)7.2.4 Strategy and SWOT Analysis7.3 HOK7.3.1 Company Snapshot7.3.2 Product/Business Offered7.3.3 Business Performance (Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share)7.1.4 Strategy and SWOT Analysis7.4 HBA7.4.1 Company Snapshot7.4.2 Product/Business Offered7.4.3 Business Performance (Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share)7.4.4 Strategy and SWOT Analysis7.5 Perkins+Will7.5.1 Company Snapshot7.5.2 Product/Business Offered7.5.3 Business Performance (Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share)7.5.4 Strategy and SWOT Analysis7.6 Jacobs7.6.1 Company Snapshot7.6.2 Product/Business Offered7.6.3 Business Performance (Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share)7.6.4 Strategy and SWOT Analysis7.7 Stantec7.7.1 Company Snapshot7.7.2 Product/Business Offered7.7.3 Business Performance (Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share)7.7.4 Strategy and SWOT Analysis7.8 IA Interior Architects7.8.1 Company Snapshot7.8.2 Product/Business Offered7.8.3 Business Performance (Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share)7.8.4 Strategy and SWOT Analysis7.9 Callison7.9.1 Company Snapshot7.9.2 Product/Business Offered7.9.3 Business Performance (Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share)7.9.4 Strategy and SWOT Analysis7.10 Nelson7.10.1 Company Snapshot7.10.2 Product/Business Offered7.10.3 Business Performance (Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share)7.10.4 Strategy and SWOT AnalysisContinued.Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Sales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRESS:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaTelemedicine 2018 Global Market SWOT Analysis and Opportunities To 2022 | Key Players : McKesson Corporation, Philips Healthcare, GE Healthcare Ltd., Cerner Corporation, IBM, Honeywell Life Care Solutions

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WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On  Telemedicine 2018 Global Market SWOT Analysis and Opportunities To 2022 | Key Players : McKesson Corporation, Philips Healthcare, GE Healthcare Ltd., Cerner Corporation, IBM, Honeywell Life Care Solutions.Description:-Telemedicine technology is a game changer for the healthcare industry, as it brings healthcare directly into patients doorstep. Telemedicine makes use of electronic technologies, such as email, smart phones, and video conferencing, for exchanging the medical information of the patient. This technology has helped the healthcare providers to extend their services to remote areas effectively. Furthermore, this technology is also extensively being used for elderly population as well as for people who are unable to reach healthcare provider due to inability to walk or chronic disease. Consultations through video calling, transferring medical images, and vital signs monitoring amongst others are the major applications of telemedicine.Global Telemedicine Market Outlook 2022, the market for telemedicine was valued at US$ 29.6 Billion in 2017 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of approximately 19% during 2017-2022. The growth of the market is likely to be driven by increasing adoption of telemedicine, rising incidences of chronic diseases, growing geriatric population, government initiatives, and shortage of physicians amongst others.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comThe report provides insights about various factors that are affecting the growth of the markets. Furthermore, the report also includes the major trends and opportunities that will propel the industrys growth.Based on end users, the report broadly categorizes telemedicine market into Telehospitals/Teleclinics and Telehome. Telehospitals/Teleclinics emerged as the major revenue earners of the industry, holding the largest share. The telehospitals market is further sub-divided into teleradiology, telecardiology, telepsychiatry, and teledermatology amongst others, based on Specialty. Teleradiology accounted for the largest share of the telehospital market by Specialty. This large share of the market is attributed to wide usage of this technology for transferring patients medical reports.Based on component, the telemedicine market is further categorized into services, hardware, software, and telecom and networking. The telemedicine service market accounted for largest share in the total telemedicine market in 2017.The report also offers a geographic analysis of the global telemedicine market by segmenting into four major geographic regions - North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. North America is the largest market for telemedicine. This high share is attributed to relative high adoption of technology in the market coupled with higher government support. The Asia Pacific market is poised to witness the highest growth owing to increasing focus of players in this region.Overall, the report provides an extensive information and rational analysis of the global telemedicine market. A separate section is devoted to the major mergers & acquisitions that have taken place in the past few years. The report concludes with detailed business profiles along with strength and weakness of some of the key players operating in the market. Some of the key players operating in the market are McKesson Corporation, Philips Healthcare, GE Healthcare Ltd., Cerner Corporation, IBM, Honeywell Life Care Solutions, AMD Global Telemedicine, Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc., and Medtronic plc. In addition, the report elucidates key developments of players related to telemedicine, which will enable clients to formulate market strategies and assess the opportunity areas in key geographies.Enquiry About Report @Table Of Contents  Major Key Points1. Analyst View2. Research Methodology3. Telemedicine: An Introduction4. Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.1.1 Enabling Remote Patient Monitoring4.1.2 Combating Doctor Shortages with Telemedicine4.1.3 Strong Government Support in the US4.1.4 Ability of Telemedicine to Reduce Healthcare Cost4.1.5 Rising Adoption of Tele-health in Developed Economies4.1.6 Increasing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases4.1.7 Growing Geriatric Population4.2 Restraints4.2.1 High Cost4.2.2 Legality, Privacy, and Security Concerns4.2.3 Relatively Low Adoption of Telemedicine in Developing Countries4.2.4 Lack of Proper Regulatory Framework4.3 Opportunities4.3.1 Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS)4.3.2 Video Diagnostic Consultation4.3.3 Remote Cardiac Services4.3.4 More ACOs Using Technology to Improve Care and Cut Costs4.3.5 Expanding Reimbursement and Payment Opportunities4.4 Trends4.4.1 Increasing Number of Retail Clinics and Employer Onsite Health Centers4.4.2 Emergence of Remote Clinical Enterprises5. Global Telemedicine Market6. Global Telemedicine Market by End-Users6.1 Global Telehospital/Teleclinic Market6.1.1 Global Telehospital/Teleclinic Market by Specialty6.1.1.1 Teleradiology6.1.1.2 Telecardiology6.1.1.3 Telepsychiatry6.1.1.4 Telepathology6.1.1.5 Teledermatology6.1.1.6 Others6.2 Global Tele-home Market7. Global Telemedicine Market by Component7.1 Services7.2 Hardware7.3 Software7.4 Telecom & Networking8. Global Telemedicine Market by Geography8.1 North America8.2 Europe8.3 Asia Pacific8.4 Rest of the World (RoW)9. Mergers & Acquisitions10. Company Profiles10.1 McKesson Corporation10.2 Philips Healthcare10.3 GE Healthcare Ltd.10.4 Cerner Corporation10.5 IBM10.6 Honeywell Life Care Solutions10.7 AMD Global Telemedicine, Inc.10.8 Cisco Systems, Inc.10.9 Medtronic plcContinuedBuy 1-user PDF @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028.Genentech says it will open an office in Portland's Lloyd District and hire 300 people.

The California company, owned by the Swiss-based Roche Group, already employs 400 in a Hillsboro distribution and packaging facility that opened in 2010.

The new Portland office will help patients check whether their insurance covers Genentech drugs and services to provide assistance in buying the company's products, according to the company. Genentech said it will closely integrate its new Portland office with its main site in South San Francisco.

The Portland Business Journal first reported Genentech's plans in the Lloyd District.

Business Oregon, the state's economic development agency, said the state expects to provide a $500,000 grant to help subsidize the new office.

Genentech must repay the money, with interest, if it doesn't meet hiring and wage targets. The program requires at least 50 jobs with an average wage greater than 150 percent of the state or county average, whichever is lower.

Oregon's average wage is the lower of the two, at nearly $54,000 annually. So Genentech will need to pay an average of more than $80,000 annually to quality for the grant.

One of the world's leading drug manufacturers, Genentech has 15,000 employees worldwide. It is known for medicines including Rituxan (for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma), Avastin (breast, lung and colorectal cancers), and Herceptin (breast cancer).

"Genentech's choice of Oregon for this expansion reflects Oregon's talented workforce, our competitive business climate, and our ability to work in partnership with the business community," said Gov. Kate Brown said in a written statement.

-- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699Two women died Monday night when a driver pulled out in front of a car on Oregon 99W northwest of Eugene into oncoming traffic.

According to Oregon State Police, Sandra Boynton was trying to turn left onto the highway in her 2005 Toyota Prius when she drove in front of a vehicle headed northbound on Oregon 99W two miles northwest of Eugene. The Prius was hit by a northbound vehicle.

Boynton, 76, died at the scene as did Gail Purkerson, her 74-year-old passenger. Both women were Eugene residents.

The incident continued what Oregon transportation officials have described as a worrisome trend in 2018 of multiple people dying in traffic crashes statewide.

Rebecca Weston, the driver of a 2005 Ford Explorer involved in the crash at 6:35 p.m., suffered minor injuries as did a juvenile passenger.

As of Oct. 10, 373 people have died on Oregon roads or highways so far this year, a more than 15 percent increase from the same time period last year.

-- Andrew Theen

atheen@oregonian.com

503-294-4026

@andrewtheen



Accanto, the casual Belmont Street restaurant first opened as a sister cafe to the since-closed Italian destination Genoa, will close later this month, The Oregonian has learned. The restaurant's last day will be Saturday, Oct. 27.

Italian for "next door," Accanto opened at the end of 2009 as a stylish, neighborhood-facing cousin to the rebooted Genoa, the decades-old fine-dining restaurant that launched the careers of top Portland chefs such as Cathy Whims of Nostrana, Jerry Huisinga of Bar Mingo and Kevin Gibson of Davenport.

The restaurant plans to go out in style, offering old favorites as well as new specials including a foie gras "soppressata" with braised artichoke salad, fried chicken cacciatore, cacio e pepe fritters and lobster roe bucatini through their final day.

"It's a bittersweet day to be sure," owner Trish Eiting wrote in an email. "Accanto is as busy as it's ever been, and I have loved the place, its amazing staff and wonderful guests for almost 10 years. That said, every restaurant has its arc, and somehow it just feels right to end on a high note."

Opened by former Genoa patron Eiting, the new Accanto tapped a handful of prominent Portland chefs over the years, including David Anderson, Sean Temple, Jake Martin and, more recently, Chris Frazier, whose relatively inexpensive amatriciana and lumache bowls landed the restaurant among Portland's top five pasta spots.

When Frazier left for Renata in 2017, Eiting brought on Erik Van Kley and Gabriela Ramos, the duo behind the up-for-sale Taylor Railworks. Perhaps best known for his time at the French-ish Le Pigeon and Little Bird, Van Kley promised to keep Accanto's menu Italian -- even turning to old Genoa recipes for inspiration -- while incorporating new techniques.

A meal this spring showed where his head was at, combining a loose Italian focus with some of the globe-hopping ingredients he worked with at Taylor Railworks. I loved the perfectly dressed field greens with frozen and shaved Gorgonzola, and a super-seasonal strozzapretti pasta with fat coils of the so-called "priest strangler" noodles wrapped around plump peas, asparagus and a caulking of sheep's milk ricotta around the rim. Van Kley seemed to be trying to push the menu a bit closer to destination territory, bridging the gap between Accanto and Genoa.

In hindsight, Van Kley's style might not have been the best fit for a casual Italian restaurant, something the chef recognizes. "It was clear this wasn't for me by the spring," Van Kley says. A couple of service hiccups further clouded the picture.

"When I moved here, blind, I wandered into Clarklewis, and they sent me to Gotham and the rest of it has been relatively easy, from Le Pigeon to Little Bird to Taylor to here," Van Kley said. "This is the first time where I don't know what's next. I'm going to take a month and work on my running and play my guitar for a bit."

The revived Genoa preceded Accanto in closing, going on an "extended hiatus" in 2014 that has yet to end. The cloistered Southeast Belmont Street space is now home to Nodoguro, a "by appointment only" Japanese chef's counter consistently ranked among Portland's best restaurants.

What will become of the space? According to Eiting, who owns the 1930s-era building, the time might be right to explore Here's one novel idea: Nodogoru has been quietly experimenting this summer with a more casual (but still ticketed) pop-up, Peter Cat, serving craft cocktails and Japanese bar snacks with a jazz soundtrack in their back lounge. Nodoguro chef Ryan Roadhouse doesn't rule it out, writing in a text that "it's a possibility."

Accanto, 2838 S.E. Belmont St., plans to refund gift certificates through Nov. 30, though if used for dinner, Accanto will honor them at 25 percent above face value; direct questions to info@accantopdx.com



-- Michael RussellJefferson High School has suspended its relationship with Self Enhancement Inc. for at least a week while allegations of sexual relationships between staff and students are investigated.

A current employee of the nonprofit that provides in-school and after-school help to students filed a lawsuit last week with explosive allegations against Self Enhancement's leaders. The lawsuit said that the nonprofit failed to pay overtime wages, that the employee was sexually harassed at work and that staff who worked with students made comments about dating students, touched them inappropriately, circulated photos and videos of their genitals and admitted to dating students.

Self Enhancement officials denied on Monday all claims in the lawsuit, filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court. Chief Operating Officer Libra Forde said that the employee's complaints had been investigated before and that they would be investigated again.

The lawsuit focused on Jefferson High School's outreach, specifically, but Self Enhancement works with students from elementary through high school age at various schools.

The nonprofit's track record has been excellent in helping students graduate at rates disproportionate to peers not in the program.

Here is the full note from Portland Public Schools and Jefferson's principal:

Dear Jefferson community,

On Friday we learned of a lawsuit in which allegations are made of inappropriate conduct by certain employees of Self Enhancement Inc. (SEI). As you know, SEI operates a number of programs at our school.

We take seriously any allegations about conduct that threatens the safety and well-being of our students. For that reason, we have made a decision to temporarily suspend our SEI programs at Jefferson for at least the next week until we can learn more. We hope and expect to know in a week when SEI staff will return to our campus. Students will continue to have access to after-school meals through our SUN program. We will also have additional support personnel at school this week to support students who have questions, concerns, or want to share information.

Our District Title IX, human resources, and legal teams are looking into the allegations raised in the lawsuit, including talking with representatives from SEI. We understand that these allegations may cause concerns, and we will share new information with you as we have it.

If you or your student(s) have information about these allegations, please contact us. You can also contact our Title IX Coordinator at 503-916-3340 or the anonymous SafeOregon tip line at 844-472-3367 or tip@safeoregon.com.

Thank you, as always for all you do for Jefferson students and the community.

Margaret Calvert, Principal, 503-916-5180

Kregg Cuellar, PPS Chief of Schools

Elisa Schorr, PPS Title IX Coordinator

-- Molly Harbarger

mharbarger@oregonian.com

503-294-5923

@MollyHarbargerSelf Enhancement Inc., a nonprofit that works with African-American youth in Portland, responded to allegations for the first time on Monday that its adult staff have had sexual relationships with students and created a sexualized environment for employees.

In a statement, Chief Operating Officer Libra Forde denied that Self Enhancement staff and leaders have done anything inappropriate toward students or employees. She declined to comment when The Oregonian/OregonLive originally reported on a lawsuit that sought damages for a long list of allegations Friday.

"Late last week, we were made aware that a lawsuit was filed against SEI by a current SEI employee," Forde said. "First know that the safety of the students that we serve has and continues to be our top priority, and we take all allegations of sexual harassment or assault extremely seriously.

"With that said, we deny the allegations in this lawsuit. These allegations have been investigated multiple times, without corroboration, over a period of several months prior to the filing of this lawsuit."

Forde was one of the nonprofit's leaders named in the suit filed by Fyndi Jermany. Jermany said that several managers, including Forde, ignored her complaints. Jermany said she brought up repeatedly that she was owed overtime pay that she never received and was sexually harassed at work. She also said that President Tony Hopkins Sr. kissed her on the cheek in front of staff and looked her over and told her she looked nice in a sexually suggestive tone.

Jermany's lawsuit also alleges that she was retaliated against for calling out incidents when adults who worked directly or closely with students circulated photos of students' genitals and talked about having sexual relationships with them. Jermany was hired in March 2016 as a coordinator for Self Enhancement within Jefferson High School.

Forde said that Portland Public Schools is looking into the allegations, as well as Self Enhancement's attorneys.

The nonprofit has a successful track record of helping African-American students graduate high school and go to college at rates well above their peers who are not in the program.

Forde pointed to that track record and said it speaks for itself.

Forde said the nonprofit's officials will not comment on the lawsuit or its allegations further until after it is over.

-- Molly Harbarger

mharbarger@oregonian.com

503-294-5923

@MollyHarbargerBy KATHLEEN PARKER

WASHINGTON -- Amid hurricanes, a vanished journalist, the recent Supreme Court hearings, midterms and "mobs," it is little wonder that Americans are drinking more than ever.

Factually, this is so. More than 70 percent of Americans imbibe each year, and about 40 percent drink excessively, according to two separate studies last year. A comparison to 2014 data showed a 10 percent increase in the number of heavy drinkers.

I mention these sotted stats for context. Lately, at least from my perch on the porch, the evening cocktail has become less an aperitif than a medicinal slug made necessary by the alternative of ripping off my face. To bear witness to These Times In Which We Live is to go insane, join a cult or pour your favorite poison.

Please, if you're one of the roughly 30 percent who haven't strayed from the wagon, do not feel compelled to share. We've had enough scolding from Democrats lately, which is another point of cognitive dissonance. In our topsy-turvy world, the Democratic Party, once a haven for working-class Americans, has become a green room of shaggy intellectuals who lecture the nation about the decline in morality and civility.

The Republican Party, the erstwhile home to the Moral Majority, is now wedded to a porn-star-linked president, who last week was made to look like a somber adult seated across from a stentorian Kanye West, who seemed to have (a) lost his mind or (b) emptied a bottle of Adderall into his coffee before arriving at the White House for lunch with the president.

Ostensibly, the purpose of his visit was to discuss prison reform and plead for clemency for Larry Hoover, a convicted murderer and gang kingpin. Instead, the rapper embarked on a wildly disjointed, stream-of-consciousness lecture with such rapid-fire madness that one half-expected he might suddenly start crawling up the wall and across the ceiling -- or, forgetting that his "Make America Great Again" cap wasn't really the Superman cape he thought it was, plunge through the window fully expecting to fly.

Here's a taste of his soliloquy about Hoover: "So there's theories that -- there's infinite amounts of universe and there's alternate universe so it's very important for me to get [Larry] Hoover out, because in an alternate universe, I am him. And I have to go and get him free."

Among other topical points, West mentioned that Hillary Clinton and her "I'm With Her" slogan didn't do it for him in 2016 because he was a child of separated parents and didn't get enough father time. (This is perhaps the most interesting and true thing he said.) Thus, West went with Big Daddy Trump and is proud to be an African-American supporter of the president. He said he loves Trump and threw down some choice expletives for emphasis.

His performance was, shall we say, head-swiveling and definitely alternative universe-ish. This writer can do no better than the expression on ABC News' Jonathan Karl's face during the screed. It was the look of a man who has just realized that he's the last rational being on the planet.

Throughout the 10-minute speech, Trump remained nearly mute and interchangeably bemused and, just possibly, terrified. Toward the end, his arms folded tightly across his chest, he nodded and said, "Really very interesting." Meanwhile, serious news of enormous import loitered in the vestibule awaiting the president's attention. Hurricane Michael had recently finished decimating the Florida panhandle and, on the very day of this epic confab, was drenching the Carolinas, which were still foundering from Hurricane Florence. Reports were also coming in that a Washington Post columnist who had disappeared into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul may have been tortured, murdered and dismembered on orders from Saudi Crown Prince and Jared Kushner buddy Mohammed bin Salman. Speaking of the incident Thursday evening, Trump said dismissively: "It's in Turkey, and it's not a citizen."

When the world has gone barking mad, when high-school yearbook jottings can nearly take a good man down, when a hip-hop artist and the president convene a surreality show in the Oval Office, when millions are suffering the aftermath of a killer storm and Trump seems chillingly unmoved by a reporter's alleged murder -- well, you'd best make mine a triple.

Cheers.

-- Kathleen Parker's email address is kathleenparker@washpost.com.

(c) 2018, Washington Post Writers GroupUpdated at 7:50 p.m.

Prosecutors will dismiss the manslaughter case against the mother of a 1-year-old girl who died after she was left alone for hours in a hot SUV in June, the Douglas County district attorney announced Monday.

Investigators found no evidence to show Nicole Engler, 38, was aware daughter Remington Engler was still in the car when she arrived at work in the morning, or when she returned to her Honda CRV a few hours later to get coffee nearby, District Attorney Richard Wesenberg said at a news conference.

Engler thought she dropped her child off at day care.

Her husband typically took the toddler to day care in the mornings because he works a night shift, Wesenberg said. But on June 21, Engler decided to do it because her husband was still sleeping. She drove past the day care and went straight to work, according to Wesenberg.

Engler's SUV was parked that day in an area of her work parking lot with little foot traffic, the district attorney said. The back windows in the car were tinted.

Engler wasn't impaired, and all indications showed Remington was "loved and cared for in every way a mother and a father could," according to the district attorney.

He said that a backseat mirror in the SUV was not adjusted properly for Engler, so it would not have reflected Remington still in the car.

"I recognize that reasonable minds may differ on whether criminal charges should be pursued," Wesenberg said. "But I have made my decision based on the totality of the evidence that is available to me, the limits of Oregon law in this matter and the likelihood a conviction can be obtained."

Wesenberg said he consulted with a state psychiatrist as part of the investigation to help explain Engler's mental state at the time. The doctor also determined that Engler's actions weren't out of criminal negligence. The district attorney said Oregon law doesn't specifically address children who die after being left in vehicles. In states that do have those laws, it has to be proven that the act was done on purpose.

The Douglas County Medical Examiner's Office in June ruled Remington Engler's death was an accident. She died of hyperthermia, which is a condition that occurs when the body overheats.

The temperature high was near 80 degrees on the day the child died, according to the National Weather Service. It was likely hotter inside the SUV.

Engler was arrested the same day she discovered her daughter inside the SUV. She told police she left her job at a Roseburg medical center around 4 p.m. to pick up Remington from day care and saw the child still in her car seat blue and unconscious, court records show. The mother reported that she thought she had dropped her daughter off that morning at day care about a mile and a half away.

Remington was later pronounced dead at a hospital in the area.

Roseburg police at the time said Engler was arrested because there was probable cause she caused her daughter's death by neglect. The mother was released from jail the next day on bail. Her release agreement was modified August 14 to allow her to drive again.

David Terry, Engler's attorney, said she is "ecstatic and relieved" to learn earlier Monday that the second-degree manslaughter accusation against her would be dismissed. He said she's been inlimbo since the death of her daughter and was leaning on the support of family and friends.

"It's difficult enough just to deal with the tragic loss of your only child, but to do so against the back drop of not knowing whether you're going to be indicted, taken to trial and lose your freedom for the next 10 years, this has all been very, very hard for Nicole and her family," Terry said.

He said he was grateful authorities reevaluated Engler's case and determined "losing a child was punishment enough."

The attorney said Engler, a pediatric nurse, returned to work last week mostly restricted to desk duty. The Oregon State Board of Nursing asked Engler to voluntarily surrender her license after her arrest, but Terry said the two parties negotiated that she would stop practicing until the criminal case was resolved, he said. Now that the case is dismissed, Terry said Engler hopes to return to her full duties at work.

The attorney said as Engler continues to grieve for her daughter, she still has "a very deep sense of care and compassion," for her patients.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com 503-221-8343; @EvertonBaileyA federal judge Monday dismissed President Donald Trump as a defendant in a case that a group of youth activists brought against the administration and eight federal agencies over climate change.

U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken, though, denied the Trump administration's motion to dismiss the case outright. It's set for trial Oct. 29 and estimated to last 50 days.

Twenty-one activists who hail from 10 states and range in age from 11 to 22 assert a constitutional right to a "climate system capable of sustaining human life.'' They contend the president and the federal agencies have violated that right and the public's trust.

They've asked the court to order the government to prepare a "national remedial plan'' to phase out fossil fuel emissions, draw down excess atmospheric carbon dioxide and then monitor compliance.

Aiken said she wasn't persuaded by the activists that suing the president was essential for their case. Lower-level government officials carried out the challenged policies, she noted.

"Due respect for separation of powers therefore requires dismissal of President Trump as a defendant,'' Aiken wrote.

Government lawyers had urged dismissal of the president with prejudice, meaning he couldn't be named as a defendant in the case in the future. But the judge refused to go that far.

"The court cannot conclude with certainty that President Trump will never become essential to affording complete relief,'' Aiken wrote. "Any harm the president will suffer from the continuing hypothetical possibility that he might be joined as a defendant in the future is minimal.''

In allowing the case to proceed to trial, the judge rejected several of the government's arguments.

Aiken dismissed government claims, for example, that the Administrative Procedure Act created by Congress is the sole method to challenge actions taken by federal agencies.

She cited case law from the U.S. Supreme Court and 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to find that challenges to federal agency actions can be brought either under the administrative act or through a constitutional claim, depending on the circumstances.

Yet the judge wrote that she recognized there are limits.

"Even should plaintiffs prevail at trial, the court, in fashioning a remedy, need not micro-manage federal agencies or make policy judgments that the Constitution leaves to other branches,'' she wrote.

Aiken also found that the young plaintiffs have provided sufficient evidence to argue that the government's actions over years contributed to harms suffered from climate change.

"The court is left with plaintiffs' sworn affidavits attesting to their specific injuries, as well as a swath of extensive expert declarations showing those injuries are linked to fossil fuel-induced climate change and if current conditions remain unchanged, these injuries are likely to continue or worsen,'' Aiken's ruling said. "Federal defendants offer nothing to contradict these submissions, and merely recycle arguments from their previous motion.''

Days before Aiken issued her ruling, government lawyers last week asked the 9th Circuit to halt the case pending U.S. Supreme Court review, a step they took previously that was unsuccessful.

"This suit is an attempt to redirect federal environmental and energy policies through the courts rather than through the political process,'' government lawyers wrote in their recent petition to the appeals court.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonianMembers of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer stationed themselves on a downtown Portland rooftop with a cache of guns prior to a summer protest, city officials announced for the first time Monday  the same day Mayor Ted Wheeler learned about it, his aides said.

That shocking revelation came Monday as Portland officials scrambled to find a way to end the repeated violent clashes between dueling political factions downtown.

Prior to the start of a scheduled Aug. 4 demonstration, "the Portland Police Bureau discovered individuals who positioned themselves on a rooftop parking structure in downtown Portland with a cache of firearms," Wheeler said during a City Hall press conference. Berk Nelson, a senior mayoral aide, later said the weapons included "long guns."

The people on the rooftop were members of Patriot Prayer, said Assistant Chief Ryan Lee, who appeared at the press conference with Wheeler and other police officials. Police officers seized the weapons found on the rooftop that day, but they were later given back. No arrests were made because the protesters had not broken any laws and all had licenses to carry concealed weapons, Lee said. Neither Lee nor Wheeler named the people who guns were seized from.

Asked why the public was not told of the incident sooner, Chief Danielle Outlaw said, "Hindsight is always perfect." Outlaw said the Police Bureau warns the public that protesters may be armed. Both right- and left-wing demonstrators have come to Portland protests armed, she said.

"We push out information as it becomes available to us. We do the best that we can," the chief said.

Patriot Prayer's leader, Joey Gibson, said Wheeler's statement Monday is the first he heard of the armed rooftop incident. Gibson said he spoke to a Portland police officer following the mayor's announcement, who relayed to him that Patriot Prayer members were readying for the protest at the parking garage and peacefully carrying their guns. Gibson said he does not know who among his group was stopped.

"It sounds like they completely exaggerated it," Gibson said of officials' statements Monday. He said officials made it seem as if there was "some sniper pointing his gun down at people." Gibson said he believes arrests surely would have been made if the incident was as serious as police made it seem.

Saturday, Patriot Prayer held a protests in downtown Portland that was called with one day's notice. As happened with the August 4 protest, it drew left-wing counter-demonstrators, including masked antifascist activists, or antifa, and clashes between the rival political factions ended with police violence.

Violent scenes from Saturday's protest circulated nationally, raising questions about why Portland police and political leaders are allowing the violent dueling clashes to continue month in and month out.

Wheeler learned about the rooftop weapons cache Monday while reviewing an ordinance drafted for him that is intended to end that pattern, said spokeswoman Sophia June. The ordinance would restrict the time and place protesters may demonstrate in Portland if they have clashed violently before.

Wheeler's chief of staff, Michael Cox, said the mayor is briefed by police officials after major events, including large protests. The mayor, who is also the city police commissioner, apparently did not learn of the rooftop incident at the briefing following it. Those briefings "might not include every piece of information," Cox said.

 Gordon R. Friedman

GFriedman@Oregonian.com.Portland police had limited notice of Patriot Prayer's planned demonstration in downtown Saturday night, pulled in officers from three precincts, detectives and rapid-response teams to cover it, then moved in once blows broke out between different factions protesting, Assistant Chief Ryan Lee said Monday.

"If you have people spoiling for a fight and looking for where the police aren't, they're going to find it,'' Lee said. "We don't have the ability to be omnipresent.''

Chief Danielle Outlaw, speaking separately to Warner Pacific University students about her bureau's response to protests, dismissed suggestions that police were less likely to take action against Patriot Prayer demonstrators versus anti-fascist protesters.

"We don't police based off of ideologies,'' she said.

Their comments came as the city once again grabbed the national spotlight for a bloody brawl in downtown between supporters of right-wing Patriot Prayer and the group's local leftist adversaries. Mayor Ted Wheeler also called a news conference to discuss the melee.

Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson of Vancouver had billed his demonstration as a march for "law and order" to criticize the mayor's oversight of the city's police force. Gibson pointed to another march the weekend before that included viral video of a confrontation between protesters demonstrating against a recent police shooting and an elderly driver without police intervention.

People in the brawl Saturday faced off outside a popular bar on Southwest Washington Street and used bear spray, bare fists and batons against each other. Patriot Prayer followers and black-clad antifa exchanged taunts, then punches.

While a video caught the rivals fighting outside Kelly's Olympian bar, they represented only about a fifth of the estimated 100 to 150 demonstrators who converged downtown, Lee said.

Police saw people with hard-knuckled gloves, guns, batons and knives as well as pepper spray, but didn't move to confiscate weapons and made no arrests.

Lee said officers responded to the violence within about a minute and a half and fired less-lethal rounds to stop the fighting and allow medics assigned to police to assess and treat any injuries.

The 40mm "marking foam" rounds can leave a colored-mark on someone to help officers identify them as potential suspects, he said. Officers also fired an FN 303 launcher, which can shoot pepper projectiles or pink-marking paint, he said.

The bureau considered whether officers could intervene and safely seize the weapons "without it becoming a flashpoint'' and decided not to, he said. They also decided against making immediate arrests outside Kelly's Olympian, knowing there likely was video surveillance footage that can be used to investigate further and charge people later.

That enabled the officers present to remain free to respond to any other skirmishes that resulted, Lee said. He declined to say how many officers were assigned to the demonstration.

"I understand why the public is alarmed by what they're seeing,'' Lee said. "I don't think the violent and tumultuous conduct should ever be tolerated.''

Officers must allow people to engage in free speech yet will step in when criminal conduct occurs, Lee said.

Outlaw said sometimes the bureau decides not to send in officers to avoid inflaming an already tense situation. Police must consider if officers can go in safely and whether their response might escalate the encounters.

.@PortlandPolice Chief Danielle Outlaw answering a students question, wondering why police dont step in sooner when protests turn violent Its a fine line that we walk b/c we can do too much and we can be perceived as not doing enough. pic.twitter.com/28SN8TUu7Z  Maxine Bernstein (@maxoregonian) October 15, 2018

"Sometimes for us not to step in makes the situation dissolve faster,'' Outlaw said.

Detectives are investigating the fight that broke out and ask that anyone who has information contact the police, they said.

"Finding a balanced approach isn't easy,'' Outlaw said. "It's a fine line that we walk because we can do too much or and be perceived as not doing enough.''

Lee said some responsibility rests with protesters who just want their voices heard and don't condone violence. They should separate themselves from any violent contingent and point out to police those who are creating a disturbance, he said.

"It becomes very difficult for us to weed through them,'' Lee said.

The chief said the bureau will continue to evaluate its actions at protests and work to improve it responses. Police Bureau veteran Bryan Parman was the incident commander Saturday.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonianPortland may put new restrictions on when and where protesters may demonstrate if the groups protesters belong to have a history of violence, Mayor Ted Wheeler announced Monday.

The ordinance, a draft copy of which was circulated by the mayor's office, would also allow Wheeler to restrict protests if public safety "is being threatened or will be threatened" or if there is "a substantial likelihood of violence at the planned demonstrations."

A ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals court could make that legally dicey. It said in 1996 that "First Amendment activity may not be banned simply because similar activity led to or involved instances of violence."

The ACLU of Oregon issued a statement Monday saying Wheeler's proposal "raises many constitutional concerns" because it gives him discretion to regulate speech and assembly "with no meaningful oversight."

The mayor's remarks came two days after members of right-wing and anti-fascist groups brawled in downtown Portland, one of many such clashes that on the city's streets over two years.

Videos show both sides posturing aggressively before an anti-fascist protester sprays bear mace on a member of the right-wing group. Both factions then exploded into a thrashing fistfight. Police said they were understaffed at the time and responded as soon as they could.

Wheeler, seemingly at his wit's end, said enough is enough.

"I will not allow continued planned street violence between rival factions to take place," the mayor said. "I have also asked my staff to evaluate options to hold accountable those who recklessly drain our public safety resources by using our city as a venue for planned street violence."

Wheeler also for the first time revealed that police this summer found demonstrators with a cache of guns on a downtown rooftop prior to a protest. Those protesters belonged to the right-wing group Patriot Prayer, said Assistant Chief Ryan Lee. Their weapons were seized, but later given back and no arrests were made, Lee said.

Riot police broke up Saturday evening's fistfight a minute after the first punch was thrown by shooting pepper balls into the melee. No arrests were made, the authorities said.

Other members of the Proud Boys, a nationwide far-right fraternity, fought Friday outside a Republican club in New York City, drawing calls by the state's Democratic officials, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, for a law enforcement inquiry. Three people have been charged with assault in connection to that fight.

Wheeler said he plans to introduce his proposed ordinance as early to the City Council as early as Wednesday.

It's unclear if he has the three necessary votes to pass it.

In a statement Monday, Commissioner Chloe Eudaly said there has not been enough time to review the ordinance.

"I share the mayor's concern and the public's frustration with these violent and disruptive demonstrations," Eudaly said. "However, as a strong advocate for freedom of speech, expression and assembly I am very reluctant to support a policy that could infringe in any way on these essential constitutional rights."

 Gordon R. Friedman

GFriedman@Oregonian.com.A Las Vegas man who trains service dogs said he sold a Belgian Malinois named Zeus to comedian Katt Williams a day before Williams arrived in Portland and is accused of threatening a town car driver with the dog.

But Tony Burroughs of Paws for Partners K9 Boot Camp said Williams never paid the $12,000 for the dog.

"I feel like I've been scammed,'' Burroughs told The Oregonian/OregonLive on Monday.

Burroughs said Williams frequented The Boulevard Mall in Las Vegas where Burroughs has his business and spent about a half a day asking about Zeus, a 2 -year-old trained service dog, on Oct. 4.

Williams had someone else  a Georgia businessman -- provide Burroughs over the phone with his name and credit card number to pay for the dog that day.

When Burroughs first put the card information into his purchasing system, it was accepted but later the system requested a photo of the buyer's ID and card because of the large sum. When Burroughs called back and tried to get that information from the buyer, Justin Norton of Atlanta Customer Wrap in Georgia, he wouldn't provide it, Burroughs said.

"I didn't get a chance to contact Katt because he was arrested,'' Burroughs said.

Williams was arrested Oct. 6 in Portland, accused of assaulting a town car driver the night before after an argument over the dog at Portland International Airport.

Williams later pleaded not guilty to fourth-degree assault.

He also faces a civil lawsuit from the driver, Wali Kanani, who is seeking $76,000 for assault, battery and emotional distress, claiming Williams berated him, punched him in the face and set the dog on him when he refused to let the dog ride in the front passenger seat. Williams and the dog then chased Kanani, who ran back to the airport terminal, Kanani's suit contends.

Williams was in Portland to attend a live tour performance of Nick Cannon's "Wild 'N Out" improv comedy show.

Burroughs said he spotted the photo of Zeus that ran with a story in The Oregonian/OregonLive about Williams' arrest. A man who described himself as a friend of Williams had brought the dog to court for Williams' arraignment.

Burroughs said he recognized the blue leash and service dog vest on Zeus that he provided to Williams. While Zeus is a service dog, he's also trained to attack on command as a security dog, Burroughs said.

"If he had put him on the driver, his limb would have been crushed,'' Burroughs said.

Days after Williams' court appearance, Williams' manager brought the dog back to Burroughs' business, according to Burroughs. He identified himself to Burroughs by one name, Diamond.

The manager asked Burroughs to hold the dog until Williams could get it back. But without payment, Burroughs said he's not giving up Zeus again.

"This is how celebrities treat common people,'' he said.

Diamond, reached by phone Monday, said he didn't know anything about a dog and Williams.

Norton, whose Georgia-based business Atlantic Custom Wrap does vinyl wrapping of cars, sent a text message to Burroughs, writing that he was trying to figure out how to get Burroughs the money, but later wrote he didn't work for Williams. Norton could not be reached for immediate comment.

"Take it up with Katt & leave me alone,'' Norton reportedly wrote in a text message to Burroughs, which Burroughs provided to The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Williams was released from Multnomah County Detention Center on Oct. 9. He faces a fugitive warrant in an unrelated case in Georgia. Williams, who has homes in Georgia and California, also couldn't be immediately reached for further comment.

"I'm glad the dog's back,'' Burroughs said, "but you know, karma is something else.''

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonianPortland Police are investigating a shooting that occurred just after 9 p.m. Monday in the 13000 block of Northeast Prescott Drive.



One person was being treated at a local hospital for a serious but non-life-threatening gunshot injury. The incident happened in the Argay Terrace neighborhood.



As of 10 p.m., police had closed Northeast Prescott Drive between Northeast 128th Place and Northeast 131st Avenue for an investigation.

No suspects have been taken into custody at this time, police said. They released no other information.

Anyone who witnessed this shooting, has video footage of the shooting, or has a tip learned from social media, is asked to contact Portland Police at 503-823-4106 or submit an anonymous tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/823.



Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

-- Samantha Swindler

@editorswindler / 503-294-4031

sswindler@oregonian.comHubb, an event management software company north of Vancouver, reported another $6.3 million in funding Tuesday. It has now raised about $10 million altogether, including a $3 million investment two years ago.

Started in 2015, Hubb sells software for event planners. The company has 30 employees in Clark County and plans to add sales, marketing, product development and customer service personnel with the new investment. Founder Allie Magyar has worked in the events industry since 2001.

Tuesday's round comes from a Kansas City investment firm, Five Elms Capital, joined by prior Hubb backers Elevate Capital and the Oregon Venture Fund.

For most of the past decade, investment in Silicon Forest startups has been concentrated in Portland's core. Suburban companies have done better this year, though, with eight-figure investments in Gresham-based Vetsource, Beaverton-based RFPIO and Vancouver augmented reality company RealWear, among others.

-- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699OKLAHOMA CITY -- The DNA test that Sen. Elizabeth Warren used to try to rebut the ridicule of President Donald Trump angered some Native Americans, who complained that the genetic analysis cheapens the identities of tribal members with deeper ties to the Indian past.

Warren was born in Oklahoma, which is home to 39 tribes and where more than 7 percent of the population identifies as Native American, one of the highest proportions in the nation.

But she's not a member of any tribe, and many Indians take exception to anyone who claims to be part Indian without being enrolled in a tribe, especially for political purposes.

"It adds fuel to that misconception that I can go out, get a DNA test and then, boom, that's all I really need," said Brandon Scott, a Cherokee Nation citizen and the executive editor of tribe's newspaper, the Cherokee Phoenix. "But the facts of the matter are you need a lot more than that."

The nation's 573 federally recognized tribes collectively do not have a single standard for determining membership. Tribes like the Cherokee Nation use lineal descent, meaning a person is Cherokee if an ancestor is listed on an original roll regardless of their amount of Indian blood. Descendants of black slaves the Cherokee once owned are also members of the tribe.

DNA tests are not typically used as evidence to determine tribal membership.

The genetic results released Monday provide some evidence of a Native American in Warren's lineage, though the ancestor probably lived six to 10 generations ago.

Native Americans also resented Trump's continuing use of Indian heritage as a means to mock Warren, a Democratic senator from Massachusetts who is widely expected to run for president in 2020.

Trump's references to Warren as "fake Pocahontas" are particularly offensive because they show how pop culture has glossed over the treatment of Native Americans, particularly women, said Chelsey Branham, a member of the Chickasaw Nation.

"It's a sore topic to begin with," said Branham, a Democratic candidate for a state House seat in Oklahoma City. "Then on top of that, using it as a derisive term to put someone down, it's a racial slur. It certainly was offensive to me."

Many Oklahomans take pride in their Indian blood even if, as in Warren's case, they cannot trace an ancestor to the original tribal rolls.

"Even in 1907, people were proud of that Indian heritage," said Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, referring to the year Indian Territory was dissolved and became part of the new 46th state of Oklahoma. The ceremony was marked with a symbolic "wedding" between an Indian woman and a white man.

Questions about Warren's heritage first emerged during her race for the Senate in 2012, when reports surfaced that she listed herself as a racial minority in an academic legal directory. Trump then made the "Pocahontas" jibe a laugh line at his rallies in 2016 after Warren became an outspoken critic.

Warren acknowledged identifying herself as a minority in the directory for nearly a decade, and she was listed as a Native American in federal forms filed by the law schools at Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania, where she worked, The Boston Globe reported in 2012.

Warren has denied using her heritage to get ahead, and the Globe's research found that it was not considered by the Harvard or Penn faculties or those who admitted her to law school at Rutgers University or offered her jobs at the University of Houston or the University of Texas.

In a slickly produced five-minute video also released Monday, Warren was seen walking through a working-class neighborhood of Norman, Oklahoma, and talking to her brothers about their mother's Native American ancestry.

"I'm not enrolled in a tribe, and only tribes determine tribal citizenship," Warren said in the video. "I understand that distinction. But my family history is my family history."

Claiming Native American heritage is an especially sensitive matter in Oklahoma because of the state's history as a relocation spot for Indians who were forced to move from other regions in the 1800s.

After the tribes were placed on reservations in what eventually became Indian Territory, the government decided that their communal property should be divided into individual allotments for members. The goal was to free up more "excess" land for white settlers expanding westward and to accelerate the Indians' assimilation into American society.

Unlike other states where some tribes live on separate, remote reservations, Oklahoma is a checkerboard of land where tribal members lived in the same communities with whites and intermarried over the generations, creating families with varying fractions of Native American heritage.

The tribes reject the idea that, having taken much of their land, others can now claim their ethnic heritage with any DNA connection.

People who casually mention some Indian heritage are "dishonoring legitimate tribal governments and their citizens whose ancestors are well documented and whose heritage is proven," said Chuck Hoskin Jr., secretary of state for the Cherokee Nation.

In Oklahoma, some politicians claim Native American heritage but are careful about doing so. Two of the state's five House members -- Republicans Tom Cole and Markwayne Mullin -- are enrolled members of Oklahoma-based tribes.

While there are occasional reports of false claims of Indian heritage, mostly in the art or literary communities, such claims would be terribly damaging in politics, said Keith Gaddie, a political scientist at the University of Oklahoma.

"Cultural appropriation is the dumbest thing that anybody can do, but especially a Democrat."

Said Branham: "It's not a costume. You can't put on and take off being native whenever you feel like it or whenever it benefits you. It's really actively being a part of that culture."

--The Associated PressWashington County shoppers will lose their Kmart and Sears stores as the retail company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Sears Holdings Corp., which also owns the Kmart department store chain, is closing 142 stores across the country, including three in Oregon.



The Sears store at Washington Square Mall will close, along with the store at Willamette Town Center in Salem. The Kmart at 3955 SW Murray Blvd. in Beaverton will also shut down.



The stores are expected to close by the end of the year, the Associated Press reported.

At its peak, the operator of Sears and Kmart had 4,000 stores in 2012 but will now be left with a little more than 500. Sears announced an earlier round of Portland-area store closures in August, which included locations in Gresham, Vancouver and Happy Valley.



Business Insider has the full list of stores closing across the country.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this storyThe following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter John Kennett.

Sunday, Oct. 14

12:11 a.m.  An 18-year-old Lee Township woman was arrested for possession of marijuana, following a traffic stop in Lee Township.

2:12 a.m.  A deputy found a be-on-the-lookout vehicle with a suspected intoxicated driver unconscious in his vehicle at a gas station. The man was having a diabetic emergency. EMS transported the subject to ER for treatment.

5:55 a.m.  A preliminary breath test was conducted in the Law Enforcement Center lobby.

10:04 a.m.  An 80-year-old Jerome Township woman reported that a vehicle leaving her neighbor's driveway backed over a post causing $5 in damage. The woman wanted the neighbor contacted about the incident but didn't want anything done with it. The deputy contacted the 54-year-old man.

10:48 a.m.  A 50-year-old Larkin Township man reported that a loose dog killed seven of his chicken valued at $35. At the time of the report, the dog fled the area and its unknown if it belongs to anyone or is a stray.

2:24 p.m.  A deputy was dispatched to a City of Midland location in reference to a dog bite. A 19-year-old woman was bitten by an unknown dog in Homer Township. The woman was treated for her injuries. An isolation notice was completed just in case the dog and an owner are located at a later date.

2:56 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a verbal argument at a Jerome Township residence. Contact was made with a 60-year-old woman who advised that she was having a disagreement with her son's 21-year-old girlfriend.

3:23 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to an Edenville Township residence in reference to an unknown problem. It was determined that a 70-year-old woman called 911 because she couldn't find her 73-year-old husband. The deputy contacted the woman and her husband at the scene. Its believed that the woman suffers from a mental health issue. EMS checked the woman's vitals.

4:26 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Jerome Township roadway location for a report of an unknown man dressed in hunter's orange carrying a gun near the roadway. The deputies checked the area but the man was not found.

5:17 p.m.  A 36-year-old Homer Township man called 911 because his 2017 Nissan is missing from his driveway. He believes the vehicle was repossessed by the financing institution. This complaint is being treated like a stolen vehicle investigation until that can be confirmed.

6:20 p.m.  A deputy took a report of a stolen mountain bike at an Edenville Township residence. There are no suspects in the incident.

8:26 p.m.  A deputy was dispatched to a Midland Township trailer in reference to a PDA (property damage accident) hit and run. A 55-year-old Auburn woman reported that an unknown person had struck her car while it was parked at her mother's trailer. Upon investigation, it was determined that it did not occur at the trailer and the location was unknown. The vehicle had minor damage.

Saturday, Oct. 13

5:44 a.m.  A preliminary breath test was performed at the LEC lobby.

6:29 a.m.  A 23-year-old Bay City woman was transported from the Midland County Jail to and from MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland for medical observation.

9:35 a.m.  A deputy was dispatched to the area of 4th and Monroe streets in Coleman for the report of a 911 hang-up call at an unknown location. The deputy checked the location but was unable to locate the caller.

10:06 a.m.  A 56-year-old Midland Township man reported that his 39-year-old roommate had her 37-year-old boyfriend at the residence. The 56-year-old advised that he did not want her boyfriend on the premise, but the boyfriend left before the man could tell him he wasn't welcome.

8:54 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Homer Township location for a careless driver complaint. Deputies were unable to locate the vehicle.

Friday, Oct. 12

7:56 a.m.  A Warren Township gas station reported that a subject in a black SUV drove off without paying for $20.04 in gasoline. No plate was obtained.

8:17 a.m.  A preliminary breath test was performed at the LEC.

8:29 a.m.  An arrest was made for DWLS at Eastlawn Drive and Cleveland Avenue.

2:29 p.m.  A Warren Township gas station reported $20 worth of gas not paid for. The suspects vehicle is a green truck, possibly a Chevy. There was not a description of the driver.

3:07 p.m.  A deputy responded to a City of Midland establishment for a report of a 41-year-old Mills Township woman that had not been heard from in about a day and a half. The woman's coworkers contacted 911 from the business because she did not show up for work and would not answer them via social media, text or calling. The woman was located a short time later by MCSO and MCPD detectives at a Saginaw home after it was learned that she had left her workplace intoxicated with a 30-year-old Saginaw man.

4:31 p.m.  Officers responded to a larceny in the 1400 block of Dilloway Drive.

5:13 p.m.  Officers made an arrest for DWLS/no insurance along with a warrant arrest at Washington and South Saginaw Road.

5:18 p.m.  An arrest for DWLS was made at West Main and Jerome streets.

5:18 p.m.  A warrant arrest was made in the 200 block of West Ellsworth Street.

6:11 p.m.  A caller had questions regarding property rights in a marriage that is soon to be dissolved.

6:35 p.m.  Officers responded to a crash/property damage/warrant arrest at East Lyon Road and Washington Street.

7:29 p.m.  A caller had questions regarding firearms ownership/transportation laws.

7:30 p.m.  A deputy was dispatched to Midland Township in reference to a 58-year-old Midland Township man reporting that his 39-year-old woman roommate stole his headphones and blue tooth stereo. The man recovered his stereo and advised that he would handle the headphones civilly.

7:43 p.m.  A deputy was sent to a Lee Township home for a report of a verbal argument/threats between a man and his ex-wife's current boyfriend. The complainant agreed to not call or provoke the boyfriend anymore. The complainant also agreed to only contact the ex-wife in regard to their children they have in common. Contact was made with the ex-wife and she agreed to talk with her boyfriend about the boyfriends actions and to only contact the complainant if it involved their children they have in common.

8:11 p.m.  A liquor inspection was conducted in the 1600 block of East Wheeler Street.

8:42 p.m.  A deputy responded to a Midland Township residence for a verbal between a 58-year-old Midland Township man and his 38-year-old woman roommate.

9:37 p.m.  A hit and run accident occurred in the 2400 block of Morning Dawn Drive.

10:06 p.m.  A deputy checked a Homer Township roadway for a reckless driver, but could not locate the driver.

11:03 p.m.  A BOLO was issued in the area of East Isabella Road. Police attempted to locate a vehicle.

11:33 p.m.  An animal complaint was reported in the 2600 block of Swede Avenue.To the editor:

I am worried sick about migrant children isolated and in the care of unscrupulous, questionable adult males.

Trump moved a great number of these stolen children to a tent city in a desert in Texas in the dead of night. The reason given: so they "wouldn't escape." Despite the fact escape could be so much more likely under the cover of darkness.

Prisons-for-profit, the scourge of our times, have only one motive: profit. Prisons-for-profit have one more function that even surpasses their inherent evil: to lobby for skewered laws that fill their facilities with poor, uneducated people who had few rights before they entered the criminal justice system. And they have been enormously successful.

Prisons-for-profit cut corners in all conceivable ways. Food is minimal, and if it's rotten who is going to listen to the complaints of migrant children? Or the complaints of poor people of color, for that matter.

My greatest concern are the employees in contact with these children of all ages who have been deprived of everything in their young lives, including the protection of their parents. Since prisons-for-profit cut corners in every conceivable way, who do they hire? Are their employees screened? Do they perform background checks?

We in the USA should be very afraid of what we are doing to these children as we go about our comfortable lives. At the very least, observers need to be stationed inside these isolated facilities. Questions need to be asked of all the heartless Republicans in charge of our country now; answers need to be demanded.

Wake up, USA, pleading innocence is no longer an option.

JUDY NICOL

MidlandIf Huawei had polled Android fans about what they wanted in a phone, the Mate 20 Serieswhich includes the Mate 20 and Mate 20 Prowould be pretty close to what youd get. There are distinct differences between the two handsets, but separately, the Mate 20 and the Mate 20 Pro might be the two best Android phones ever made based purely on specs and features.

Like last year, the Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro are not clones of each other, and each has its own defining characteristics. On the Mate 20, youll get a 6.5-inch Full HD display with a small teardrop notch, while the Mate 20 Pro brings a 6.4-inch Quad HD display with a curved OLED and a wider notch. Theres still a bit of baked-in confusion because the Pro model is smaller than the standard Mate 20, but for the most part, it earns its surname.

Adam Patrick Murray/IDG The notches on the Mate 20 (left) compared to the Mateo 20 Pro (right) are very different.

Both handsets are gorgeous. On the Mate 20 Pro you can barely see the bezels at the top and bottom, and the sides of the screen drape around the edges like the Galaxy Note 9. Even the bezel-heavier Mate 20 has dramatically trimmed the non-screen areas to eliminate the distracting Huawei name from the front. In the increasingly homogenous world of glass backs and notches, the Mate 20s still manage to stand out, mostly due to the attention Huawei has paid to a design element thats usually overlooked: the arrangement of the camera. Instead of a simple horizontal or vertical array in the center or the corner like every other phone does, Huawei turned its triple-camera array into a square called the Matrix, with the flash occupying the upper right corner. Its a playful, distinctive characteristic that will set the Mate 20 apart more than any color will.

The Mate 20 phones are pretty incredible on the inside as well. Huawei has spared no expense with its flagship product line, and youd be hard-pressed to find an Android handset that packs a more powerful punch:

Mate 20

Display: 6.53-inch LCD, 2244 x 1080

6.53-inch LCD, 2244 x 1080 Processor: Kirin 980

Kirin 980 RAM: 4GB

4GB Storage: 128GB

128GB Battery: 4,000mAH

Mate 20 Pro

Display: 6.39-inch OLED, 3120  1440

6.39-inch OLED, 3120  1440 Processor: Kirin 980

Kirin 980 RAM: 6GB

6GB Storage: 128GB

128GB Battery: 4,200mAH

Next-generation features

But while the design will draw people in, the features of the Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro are what will compel them to drop upwards of $900 on a new handset. It starts with security. While theres a standard fingerprint sensor on the back of the Mate 20, you wont find one on the Pro. Thats because Huawei has introduced two new secure biometrics: facial recognition and in-display fingerprint scanning.

Adam Patrick Murray/IDG Huaweis trademark twilight color looks great in any light.

Inside the Pros notch youll find a 3D depth sensing camera system similar to the one Apple uses for Face ID. Theres a dot projector and a flood illuminator for secure facial unlocking, and its secure enough to use for unlocking password-protected apps as well.

If youd rather unlock the old-fashioned way, Huawei has put a pressure-detecting fingerprint sensor under the glass of the Mate 20 Pro. I didnt get a chance to try out 3D face unlocking, but in my brief testing of the in-display fingerprint sensor, it felt about as accurate and as fast as the sensors from 2-3 years ago, which is to say it still worked well.

Huawei has packed its new phones with the biggest batteries youre likely to find in a smartphone: 4,000mAh in the Mate 20 and 4,200mAh in the Mate 20 Pro. That should be more than enough to charge through a full day, and it might even help your friends Galaxy phone last longer too. Thats because the Mate 20 Pro can double as a charger. Seriously: Just lay another Qi-enabled phone on its back, and the Mate 20 will share whats remaining of its charge with the other phone. Thats the kind of feature thats so ingenious, Im surprised no other phone-maker has though of it before.

Three cameras are better than two

While Huawei separated the two phones with looks and specs, the camera array is the same on both phones. The Leica branding weve come to know remains, but the whole system has gotten a major upgrade:

Mate 20

Main: 12MP, f/1.8

12MP, f/1.8 3X zoom: 8MP, f/2.4

8MP, f/2.4 Ultra wide: 16MP, f/2.2

Mate 20 Pro

Main: 40MP, f/1.8

40MP, f/1.8 3X zoom: 8MP, f/2.4

8MP, f/2.4 Ultra wide: 20MP, f/2.2, 2.5cm macro

The third wide-angle lens is a departure from the P20 Pros, which has a third monochrome lens for black-and-white shots, and much more useful for getting the right shot. The AI system, which Huawei introduced with the Mate 10 last year, will now be able to detect when the wide-angle would be beneficial and suggest it, and recognize objects in videos as well as pictures. Huawei has dubbed it a thinking lens, and in my testing, it was able to decipher and adjust its settings even quicker than the Mate 10.

Adam Patrick Murray/IDG The camera on the Mate 20 is as distincive as it is powerful.

Thats the result of a new dual neural processing unit, part of the home-grown Kirin 980 chip that powers the Mate 20s. As one of the few Android phones that doesnt use a Snapdragon chip, Huawei has an Apple-like level of optimization and architecture in the Mate 20s, with promised speed and power efficiency that blow away last years models. Huawei has a new architecture for its chip that splits its 8 cores into big, medium, and large cores for greater power management and allocation, which will help those giant batteries last even longer.

The biggest drawback to Huaweis phones has always been its EMUI skin. While its look and feel remains largely the same on the Mate 20 phones. Huawei has tweaked things a bitmost notably, consolidating the settings app to hide complexity and introducing system-wide gesture navigation as part of its Android 9-based overhaul. Huawei is adding is own version of Digital Wellbeing called Digital Balance, though, which is a nice touch.

But its not coming to the U.S.

If thats not enough, Huawei offers a couple more fun features in the Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro: wireless projection (so you dont need to hook up an HDMI cable to enter PC mode), NAS backup, portrait color (isolating the subject against a monochrome background), and IP68 water resistance (in the Pro model).

As far as colors go, the Mate 20 comes in blue, green, pink, gold, black, and Huaweis now-trademark twilight gradient that we saw with the P20. But also like the P20, Huawei will unfortunately not be releasing a version of either Mate 20 for U.S. carriers so your AT&T and T-Mobile mileage will vary.An unlicensed, make-shift bar in Philadelphia is now the scene of a cold-blooded murder mystery that took place during a birthday party there.

6ABC reports a man was shot and killed execution-style at point-blank range during a birthday party inside a Philadelphia speakeasy on 4700 block of D Street in the city's Feltonville section.

The victim, identified as 32-year-old Roberto Hernandez, was found lying on the ground, having been shot twice around 11 p.m. Sunday. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Witnesses tell police there were about 20 people in the bar at the time for a birthday party. The victim was playing pool when three men barged in.

"Three males walked in, they walked right up to the victim. One of them pulled a gun and handed it to another male, and that other male fired at least two shots striking the victim in the chest and stomach," Philadelphia Chief Inspector Scott Small said.

Police say there was no ballistic evidence left behind, meaning either a revolver was used or the shooters picked up the shell casings.

No suspects have been identified as yet, but police are checking surveillance cameras all around the area.

The investigation continues, and police are seeking any and all tips from the public.M. Diane McCormick took one heck of a Pennsylvania pub crawl.

In her travels she visited a dozen well-known Pennsylvania taverns, all outlined in her new book, "Well-Behaved Taverns Seldom Make History: Pennsylvania Pubs Where Rabble-Rousers and Rum Runners Stirred up Revolutions" by Sunbury Press ($19.95).

At each of the taverns, McCormick, a Harrisburg freelance journalist, uncovered the hidden history, sampled food and drink and talked to the current owners.

The common thread? All of the taverns are places where "people defied authority or stirred up the status quo in some way," she said.

"Most of them had direct ties to some kind of rebellion or uprising," McCormick added.

The 312-page book touches on plenty of history, from the American Revolution to Whiskey Rebellion, the boozy Fries Rebellion, the tumultuous Canal Era, the Underground Railroad, the Battle of Gettysburg and making of the movie "Gettysburg," the Molly Maguires and Prohibition.

Among the featured taverns are central Pa. favorites such as the Horse Inn in Lancaster, Dobbin House Inn in Gettysburg and Farnsworth House Inn & Sweney's Tavern in Gettysburg.

McCormick highlights the Horse Inn's speakeasy origins including an alley, narrow stairs to a hayloft and sliding door as well as the fact illegal breweries piped the booze through an underground system.

But it was the cheeseburgers that won her over. The burgers are so good she learned a pair of vegans from Brooklyn visits the Horse Inn just to eat the burgers.

"People really take their culinary talents to these quirky pubs and taverns and a lot of them don't have big fancy kitchens," McCormick said.

At the Dobbin House she explored a hiding place between two floors where freedom seekers found an Underground Railroad hideout. At the Farnsworth House, Confederate sharpshooters occupied the attic while Union snipers shot back, and there are 100 bullet holes on the side of the house to prove it.

Other taverns that make the book's pages include City Tavern in Philadelphia, General Warren Historic Hospitality in Malvern, Blue Bell Inn in Blue Bell, McCoole's at the Historic Red Lion Inn in Quakertown, Tavern at the Sun Inn in Bethlehem and Jean Bonnet Tavern in Bedford.

The book is available for sale on the Sunbury Press website.Report a digital subscription issue

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SubmitISTANBUL -- The Latest on the disappearance of a Saudi writer who Turkish officials fear was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul (all times local):

12:30 a.m. Tuesday

Saudi Arabia is reportedly ready to concede that a missing Saudi writer was killed in its consulate in Istanbul.

CNN reports that the Saudi government is preparing to say Jamal Khashoggi died during an interrogation that went wrong. The report was attributed to two unnamed sources. It says one of the sources told them that the intention was to abduct Khashoggi and it had not been authorized by the Saudi government.

President Donald Trump told reporters Monday that he was aware of the report but did not know if it was correct. He says the U.S. is working with Saudi Arabia and Turkey to figure out what happened.

Trump calls Khashoggi's disappearance a "terrible situation."

Khashoggi wrote for The Washington Post opinion pages. He was last seen entering the Saudi consulate on Oct. 2.

___

12:15 a.m.

A Washington think tank has announced it will no longer accept financial contributions from the Saudi Arabian government following the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

An emailed statement from the Middle East Institute says the organization's board of governors expresses its shock and outrage over what it calls Khashoggi's "possible murder." The statement describes Khashoggi as a "friend of the Institute and a frequent participant in its public panels and conferences."

READ MORE: The Saudis must answer for missing journalist Khashoggi | Opinion

The statement doesn't define what constitutes a donation from the Saudi government.

The Institute also doesn't disclose the exact amount of contributions. Information on its webpage shows that in 2017, the Institute received between $100,000 and just under $1 million from Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company. The Saudi Arabian embassy donated between $50,000 and just under $100,000.

___

6 p.m. Monday

Turkish crime scene investigators have searched the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul over the disappearance and alleged slaying of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

The search came nearly two weeks after Khashoggi, a Saudi critic, vanished after entering the building.

A joint Saudi-Turkish team arrived at the consulate in Istanbul's upscale 4th Levent neighborhood as journalists filmed and shot photographs of their arrival.

A cleaning crew walked into the consulate hours ahead of the investigative team's arrival.

Turkish officials have said they fear a Saudi hit team killed and dismembered Khashoggi, who wrote columns in the Washington Post that were critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The kingdom has called such allegations "baseless" but has not offered any evidence Khashoggi ever left the consulate.LYNN HAVEN, Fla. -- Michael Rollins shook President Donald Trump's hand Monday at the front door of his hurricane-ravaged home in the Florida Panhandle, saying he decided to ride out the storm because he didn't have anywhere else to go.

"I knew I had made my commitment to stay with my animals," Rollins told the president, standing by a massive pine tree down on the front lawn.

The president, along with first lady Melania Trump, listened to stories of survival and struggle as he surveyed the wreckage of Hurricane Michael. As Trump toured, the death toll stood at 17, with thousands of buildings gutted and tens of thousands of homes and businesses without electricity. Trump paused his election-season campaign blitz for the visit, largely -- but not completely -- putting politics on the backburner for the day.

Trump visited an aid distribution center, set up in a parking lot filled with boxes of diapers, piles of clothes and bottled water. He and the first lady handed out bottles of water to residents who came to see him and tell him their stories about the storm.

READ MORE: Hurricanes like Michael show why we can't ignore climate change | Opinion

"Somebody said it was like a very wide -- extremely wide -- tornado. ... Beyond any winds that they've seen," Trump said. "Look behind you. I mean, these massive trees are just ripped out of the earth. This is really incredible. This road -- five hours ago, you couldn't ride on it."

Trump was joined by Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Federal Emergency Management Agency director Brock Long and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.

Before visiting the city of Lynn Haven, Trump took a 55-minute helicopter tour of the region to see how the local and state rescue efforts were progressing. He saw houses stripped of their roofs, a water tower that had toppled to the ground and 18-wheel trucks scattered in a parking lot.

Trump also saw the heavy damage inflicted on Tyndall Air Force Base.

The president landed at an airport near Panama City, where power poles bowed toward the ground, pieces of metal roofing were scattered about and pine trees had been uprooted or were snapped in half. The view during the drive included houses smashed by trees, bent billboards and a demolished trailer park.

Power crews were working to restore power to thousands.

"Everything I've asked the president for, he's come through," said Scott, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. "We still have a lot of work to do. We're still getting water out, getting food out."

Rollins was among many people in the Panhandle who rode out the storm. Kayla Runyon, 22, said she evacuated to a hotel in Callaway with some relatives.

"We watched out the window and we just watched buildings be demolished," Runyon said. "Steel beams started coming through the hotel windows and through the walls. There were windows busting. We were scared. It was scary."

Trump also surveyed storm damage in Georgia, where the focus was on farmers whose crops were wiped out by the hurricane.

At a farm in Macon, Kevin Rentz, a fourth-generation cotton and peanut farmer, told Trump he lost his entire cotton crop. Rentz said he's still digging up peanuts, but the problem is storing them without electricity.

Trump tried to reassure the farmers, asking whether they had insurance and promising that electricity would be restored soon.

"You'll get it back," Trump told Rentz.

Trump still had politics on his mind, despite the devastation he was about to see.

READ MORE: Florence, Michael, likely to join these hurricane names that have been retired

Before leaving the White House, he tweeted about his rally crowds, claiming they are bigger than ever before, including during the 2016 election. "Never an empty seat in these large venues," he said.

The president refused to cancel a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, last Wednesday -- the day Michael struck the Panhandle -- saying he couldn't disappoint the thousands of people who had been lining up for hours to see him. Trump also held rallies in Ohio and Kentucky before the Florida-Georgia visit.

In Florida, the mood at the FEMA aid distribution center seemed lighthearted despite the surrounding devastation, as Trump bantered with a crowd that seemed more interested in selfies with him than in the bottled water he was offering in the heat and humidity.

A woman carrying a toddler posed for a photo and then told Trump he should come back for barbecue. Another woman thanked the first lady for her anti-bullying campaign.

___

Deb Riechmann and Darlene Superville of the Associated Press wrote this story. Superville reported from Washington.For years, scientists have issued dire warnings about climate change. Melting ice caps. Rising temperatures. Mass extinctions.

A new study released Monday bears news that is neither less filling nor tastes great: A global beer shortage.

The study, published Monday in the journal Nature Plants, indicates agricultural yields of barley - an essential ingredient for brewers - can see a 3 to 17 percent decrease under climate change.

In the U.S., that can mean a 20 percent overall reduction in beer consumption and a 50 percent overall spike in the per-bottle price of beer.

"The aim of the study is not to encourage people to drink more today," Dabo Guan, a co-author of the study and a professor of climate change economics at University of East Anglia in Norwich, United Kingdom, told CNN. Instead, the study is trying to show how climate change will impact the quality of life for individuals.

"If you don't want that to happen -- if you still want a few pints of beer -- then the only way to do it is to mitigate climate change," Guan said. "We have to all work together to mitigate climate change."

The team was looking for a way to bring the threat of climate change to the masses, CNN reports, and they developed this idea of showing the potential impact on beer while hoisting a few pints, themselves.

Using models developed by climate scientists studying rainfall, temperature, soil moisture and more, the study created several potential scenarios, ranging from worst-case to best-case, most of which show a worldwide decline in barley, according to reports.It was supposed to be a day of celebration, as Jessica Lybrand prepared for her 21st birthday on Friday. She ran some errands, and waited while her husband dropped their infant daughter off at her grandma's house.

Instead, Lybrand's anxiety about her husband not answering his phone became misery when she learned that her young family had been killed in a massive crash.

Lybrand shared a Facebook post Monday evening describing how her world has changed.

Lybrand's husband, 24-year-old Zachary Lybrand, and daughter, 16-month-old Elliana Lybrand, died when police say a tractor-trailer driven by Jack Satterfield, from Mississippi, ran into their vehicle and others on I-83 near Union Deposit Road Friday night. Police charged Satterfield with driving drunk, and with a suspended license.

Messiah College student Ethan Von Bochoven, 22, also was killed in the 12-car crash, and six others were injured.

Lybrand asked that their stories be shared.

"Share my babies stories, LET THEM BE A REASON THAT PEOPLE MIGHT CONSIDER JUST A LITTLE MORE. TAKE A SECOND AND THINK TWICE. JUST DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE. EVEN IF ITS JUST ONE LIFE, HONOR THEIR LEGACY AND DON'T PUT INNOCENT LIVES IN DANGER," Lybrand wrote. "Because I lost all of my family and I'm left without my purpose for living and unable to go to them because i know it would break their hearts."

Lybrand talked about how this was the first time her baby was going somewhere without her. How she "kissed her sweet little cheeks" while saying goodbye to her daughter that day.

But as the day went on, and she lost contact with him, and later learned of the tractor trailer that "smashed right into my babys' car." (sic)

Because of the damage to her loved ones' bodies, Lybrand said she isn't able to hold them and say goodbye.

"I don't know how to even begin to explain how badly I want to hold my babies but I can't," Lybrand wrote.

Lybrand mentioned Von Bochoven, saying her family is thinking of his family.

"My tears are gone so I'm just sobbing while writing this but being strong because their story needs to be told and this individual as well as the company need to pay for what they did," Lybrand wrote.

"They were the most beautiful and kind people I ever knew and I'm so blessed I had them for how long I did," Lybrand said. "It will never be enough. But my baby never felt pain or any hate in this world, and now her daddy is walking and holding her tighter than he ever could before and I honestly think that's the only thing keeping me going."

A GoFundMe was set up to support her family to help with the funeral and other financial needs during this time.

The page, created by Emilia Criley, called Zachary Lybrand "a heroic husband" and described Elliana as having a "radiant smile."

"Zach never loved anything more than being a father to his precious little girl," the post states. "You will never find a man as dedicated and determined to provide for every want and need for his beautiful wife and baby."

Funeral arrangements are still being made, Lybrand wrote, but asked that anyone who loves her or loved her husband attend.

"I want them remembered for their undeniably beautiful smiles and souls," Lybrand wrote. "I will never will be blessed again with someones so special."Interstate 83 accident calls in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, have trended up in recent years near the area of a major highway widening project.

That construction zone was the scene of a grotesque, 11-car pileup Friday night, apparently caused when a truck driver plowed into a string of slowed vehicles at mile marker 47.5 on I-83 North.

But police and PennDOT officials say all early indications are this crash was more a case of speed and inattentiveness at the wheel then anything else; so don't expect any easy or obvious engineering fix.

Three persons were killed in the wreckage: Ethan Van Bochoven, a 22-year-old Messiah College student from Pompton Plains, N.J.; Zachary Lybrand, 24, of Middletown; and Lybrand's 16-month-old daughter, Elliana.

The truck's driver, Jack Satterfield, 29, of McComb, Miss., has been arrested on homicide by vehicle while drunk and other charges. He told police he had had a combination of margaritas and Corona beers that evening.

That fact pattern may be the biggest part of the explanation for why this happened, officials noted Monday, even as it defies easy correction.

"We're discussing the circumstances regarding Friday night's fatal crash... and we'll review the crash report when it's available from the state police," PennDOT spokesman Greg Penny said.

"However, from what we understand at this point, this was a driver under the influence who was going too fast and wasn't paying attention.

"There is little that any adjustments to the work zone can do to prevent this kind of crash," Penny said.

A rise in crashes.

PennDOT data shows an average of 45.4 reportable accidents per year from 2007 through 2015 in the five-mile stretch of I-83 northbound that includes the Oct. 12 crash scene, ranging from 33 in 2007 to 56 in 2012.

(Reportable accidents are those with fatalities, injuries that require medical treatment or that leave a vehicle disabled.)

In 2016, however, the number of accidents in the area soared to 66, and it hit 61 in 2017. Similar trends are apparent in the southbound lanes. None of the 2016 or 2017 crashes involved fatalities.

Accident stats for 2018 are not yet available.

Penny was hesitant to blame the reported increases on the construction work, however, noting that requires a deeper dive into the types of collisions, traffic volumes and the like.

PennDOT is in the midst of a multi-year project to widen the highway to three lanes in both directions from it's intersection with Interstate 81 to the area south of Union Deposit Road.

Most of the work from 2016 to the present has focused on the replacement of three overhead bridges that will permit for the widening of the interstate underneath.

In Friday's case, police have said, based on witness accounts, traffic on the northbound side of the highway was slowing or had stopped in the minutes before Satterfield's crash.

It's not immediately clear, however, if that reported back-up was tied to the construction.

Penny said Monday a crew was in the process of setting up advance work zone signing on the northbound lanes' shoulder Friday evening for painting work north of Exit 50 later that night.

But there were no actual lane restrictions scheduled to take effect until 9 p.m. on Friday, he said, and it was not immediately clear if that had contributed to the backlog at the crash scene.

The results, however, were horrific.

The worst ever?

Colonial Park Fire Company Assistant Chief Che Kerestes and his crew were among the first to roll up to the scene Friday night - after travelling southbound on the stopped northbound lanes to get there.

They were beat, he noted, by a volunteer firefighter from Wellsville, York County, who was trapped in the traffic and was credited by Kerestes with organizing an initial response by an early crew of bystanders.

What Kerestes saw - two vehicles ablaze, one victim dead on the side of the road, others entrapped, 11 vehicles scattered across the highway in total, many crumpled like balls of tin foil - he counts as among the worst accidents he's ever seen.

"We will probably never forget this call in our entire lives," Kerestes said. "I think that's going to go down as the worst accident that has ever occurred at one time on Interstate 83."

First responders remained on the scene until 4 a.m. putting out fires, freeing trapped motorists, treating victims, taking crash scene measurements and, eventually, preparing the highway for travel again.

Six people were taken from the scene to local hospitals for treatment.

Names of the other motorists involved in the accident have not been released yet by state police, who are still finalizing aspects of their crash investigation.

But, according to Kerestes, none of the other injuries appeared to be life-threatening.

The crash also comes at a time when work zone safety has been a subject of public debate in Pennsylvania, with Gov. Tom Wolf and the legislature recently passing a bill authorizing highway work zone speed enforcement cameras on interstate highways and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Penny said Monday the I-83 work zone will be one of several regional candidates for the five-year work zone camera pilot. But the state doesn't expect to install any of those before the 2019 construction season, he noted.

Satterfield, who faces charges including homicide by vehicle while DUI, is being held in Dauphin County Prison without bail pending a preliminary hearing that's tentatively set for Oct. 31.A Hummelstown man had a blood-alcohol content level nearly three times the legal limit during a fatal crash in March, according to police.

Now, he's facing a slew of charges.

Tyler Dormer, 21, was driving southbound on Route 72 near the intersection with Spring Hill Lane in Cornwall, Lebanon County, just before 11:30 p.m. on March 31.

Karen Elizabeth Graham, 45, of the 600 block of North 9th Street in Lebanon, was traveling northbound along Route 72 in a 1998 Ford Contour when Dormer, driving a 2007 BMW 335i, crossed into her lane and struck her head-on, according to police.

Graham was pronounced dead at the scene. Dormer was taken to the Hershey Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

Officers at the scene of the crash reported Dormer "had an odor of alcohol on his breath" and had an alcoholic beverage sticking out of his jacket pocket, according to the criminal complaint.

Officers also found a marijuana grinder, an empty pill bottle, and an empty vapor tube in his possession.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined Dormer's BAC was 0.22 percent, and he was traveling 73 mph in a 50 mph zone, according to the criminal complaint. Officers also found marijuana in Dormer's vehicle during a search.

Dormer is charged with homicide by vehicle, homicide by vehicle while DUI, involuntary manslaughter, DUI, recklessly endangering another person, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and summary traffic offenses.

Dormer was arraigned on his charges Monday, and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing for Oct. 25.

Dormer is free on $100,000 unsecured bail.Two former Milton Hershey houseparents have filed a federal lawsuit alleging the non-sectarian school is sponsoring proselytization and pushing an evangelical Christian agenda on students.

Bradley and Val Darrington, who are married, say the school required them to attend and participate in evangelical religious programming, "which they found discriminatory and offense to their personal religious beliefs and that of other employees and students."

The Darringtons claim they were fired on Dec. 29 as retaliation for complaining about the school's religious programs, according to a report in Court House News.

PennLive earlier this year published a report that looked at how the school had breached the guidelines set by its founders Milton and Catherine Hershey.

Milton Hershey is the nation's wealthiest boarding school for disadvantaged children, serving an especially vulnerable population of students, as well as their parents and guardians.

The school falls under the governance of the state attorney general's office, which oversees its massive $13.8 billion endowment. The endowment, funded in part by The Hershey Co., dwarfs that of many elite universities.

Recent Milton Hershey graduates, alumni and former houseparents told PennLive that they had been subjected to a fervent brand of socially conservative evangelicalism.

The school, founded in 1909, was established as a non-denominational institution, though grounded in Judeo-Christian heritage. School guidelines, however, prohibit staff from pressuring students to convert from their own faiths.

PennLive found that a socially conservative evangelicalism has permeated the Home Life program run by houseparents, fostering a culture of intolerance against LGBT students.

Approximately 2,000-plus students are enrolled in the sprawling Derry Township campus.

In the federal complaint, the Darringtons claim the school fired them after they complained about religious discrimination.

The Darringtons have also filed two charges alleging the school violated Title VII, via religious discrimination, and the Pennsylvania Human Rights Act.

Milton Hershey was approximately two years ago the target of another federal lawsuit filed by a former student. Adam Dobson charged that Milton Hershey discriminated against him because he suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts. He contends his mental condition was aggravated when he was publicly humiliated by houseparents attempting to change his sexual orientation and "pray away the gay." Dobson said he was made to watch an anti-gay video after he was caught downloading gay pornography.

Dobson was expelled in 2013.

Top officials at Milton Hershey School have historically declined PennLive requests for interviews on this subject.A 15-year-old boy who went missing from Lebanon County this past weekend has been found safe.

State police said Corey Bliesath was found on Monday night.

Police were searching for Bliesath after he went missing from his residence on Darkes Road, Swatara Township, at around 9 p.m. Saturday.

Bliesath was believed to be heading toward the Appalachian Trail, and police said he knows basic survival skills and has "communicated" in the past about heading south to Florida.WILLIAMSPORT - Two men and a woman have been charged in an arson-for-hire case in which a mobile home was destroyed in September allegedly so the owner could collect the insurance.

Court-approved wiretaps and information from others led to Monday's arrest of James M. Confer, Richard H. Wheeler and Abbi L. Orrico, Old Lycoming Twp. police said.

Confer is accused of paying Wheeler to set the fire. An $800 amount is mentioned in one of the recorded conversations.

Orrico, described as Wheeler's live-in girlfriend, is alleged to have taken part in the planning and going with him to Confer's house Sept. 5, the day of the fire.

An insurance company set the loss for the structure and personal property at $204,006. Checks for $127,718 and $3,500 representing advances from the insurance company were cashed Sept. 18, police said.

Several people contacted during the investigation said Wheeler admitted to setting the fire and Confer saying that he wanted to burn down his house, police said.

The following are the allegations contained in the arrest affidavits:

Confer spent the night of the fire at his mother's.

Wheeler and Orrico drove to the Confer house with jugs of diesel fuel. He poured the diesel in Confer's bedroom, put pillows on top of it and set the fire.

Prior to doing so, Wheeler and Orrico had timed various routes that a volunteer fire company might take as well as a getaway route.

On Sept. 14, Confer obtained a quantity of currency from a bank and met Wheeler, who was in a car in the lot.

During a recorded conversation on Sept. 20, Wheeler expressed anger that Confer hired someone else to build a replacement home. He threatened to set fire to houses that contractor built.

In an Oct. 9 recording, Wheeler claimed he secretly taped the initial conversation with Confer during which he was offered money to set the fire.

In that conversation Wheeler said that if Confer doesn't give him the contract to build the replacement home or $2,500, he would "make sure the recording lands elsewhere."

Police said they had previous complaints related to Confer's financial issues, his inability to hold a job and that his home was in poor condition.

Confer, 41, is jailed in lieu of $99,000 bail on charges of conspiracy to commit arson, arson, insurance fraud, theft and receiving stolen property.

Wheeler, 36, of Old Lycoming Twp., also is charged with conspiracy to commit arson, arson and insurance fraud along with criminal mischief, burglary and recklessly endangering another person.

Orrico, 41, is charged with conspiracy to commit arson, arson, and recklessly endangering. She is jailed in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Wheeler was denied bail because he was free on $45,000 unsecured bail awaiting trial on charges of aggravated assault of an unborn child, aggravated and simple assault and harassment.

He is accused of punching his wife Chesney, 39, in the mouth in a neighbor's house on Jan. 29, 2017, grabbing her by the hair, dragging her outside, putting her into his car, driving her home and ordering her to remove her belongings.

At their home he punched her in the head, knocked her to the floor and kicked her several times in the stomach knowing she was pregnant, the charges allege.

Chesney Wheeler, an admitted heroin addict, is serving 20 months to four years in state prison after pleading guilty to charges of abuse of corpse and tampering with evidence.

After giving birth on April 13 in the bathroom of her home, she passed out and when she came to she wrapped the baby she claimed she knew was dead in a blanket and put it in a box.

She put the box in the backseat, drove about, twice stopping at drug treatment facility. Fearing she would be in trouble if she went to a local hospital, she had a friend drive her to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, where the body was found.York City Police say they are looking for two men wanted on bench warrants, but that came up in a recent shooting investigation.

Police were called to a shooting in the 400 block of East Market Street on Sunday, they said, and determined the shooting was a Group Violence Initiative event.

York City Police previously said GVI events can means a law enforcement response involving probation visits, traffic enforcement, and foot patrols occurs after a GVI incident.

Police identified two men that are wanted on unrelated charges:

Rodney Wayne Johnson

Rodney Wayne Johnson, 20, wanted for felony firearms violations and a bench warrant for possession of heroin.

Michael Pagan Jr.

Michael Pagan Jr., 19, wanted for felony firearms violations and a bench warrant on domestic violence charges.

Any information on the whereabouts of these men can be called in to the York City Police tip line at 717-849-2204, or York County Crime Stoppers at 717-755-TIPS.PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles signed linebacker B.J. Bello to their practice squad, the team announced Tuesday morning.

Bello, 23, appeared in 16 games for the Cleveland Browns last season but did not record any statistics. He spent a couple weeks on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad earlier this season.

Bello went undrafted out of Illinois State in 2017 after recording 9.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and two forced fumbles in 12 games. Bello originally began his career at Illinois, where he appeared in 21 games over four seasons before transferring to Illinois State.

Here are some college highlights of Bello:

The 6-foot-3, 229-pound Bello played 73 total defensive snaps for the Browns last season, but he saw more extensive action on special teams. Bello played at least two-thirds of special teams snaps in 11 games last season.

The Eagles have six linebackers on their active roster, but two of them -- key special teams contributors D.J. Alexander and Nathan Gerry -- missed the Week 6 win over the New York Giants with injuries. Bello is the third linebacker to sign with the practice squad, joining Asantay Brown and Kyle Wilson.

Bello's special teams background could come into play for the Eagles. In a meeting with reporters Monday, special teams coordinator Dave Fipp talked about how his group is feeling the strain of the Eagles injury woes. Not only did the Eagles miss Alexander and Gerry against the Giants, but players such as Avonte Maddox, Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood are having their special teams loads lightened as they take on bigger roles in the offense and defense.

Depending on roster flexibility, Bello could help add some depth to that unit.

The Eagles practice squad is currently at its 10-player limit with wide receivers Braxton Miller and Dorren Miller, tight end Billy Brown, center Josh Andrews, defensive end Joe Ostman, defensive tackle Bruce Hector, Brown, Wilson, Bello and cornerback Chandon Sullivan.

--@danieljtgallenPennsylvania is on the verge of becoming a national leader in combating hazing and the credit for that goes to the parents of

during a

at the Beta Theta Pi house on Penn State University's campus.

The state Senate on Monday voted 49-0 to send the rewrite of the state's hazing law to Gov. Tom Wolf for enactment. Wolf has indicated he will sign the bill.

"Hazing is counter to the experience we want for college students in Pennsylvania. We must give law enforcement the tools to hold people accountable and ensure schools have safeguards to protect students and curb hazing," said Wolf in a statement following the Senate vote.

The bill will take effect immediately upon Wolf's signing it.

Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, who sponsored the bill, urged Wolf to act swiftly to send a message to students and families as fraternity and sorority fall pledge season moves into full swing that hazing-related activities can come with consequences.

In his remarks prior to the Senate vote, Corman, R-Centre County, said Jim and Evelyn Piazza made it their life's work to get legislation like this on the books in Pennsylvania as well as in other states following their son's death which drew national attention to the hazing issue.

Their son, a 19-year-old engineering student from Lebanon, N.J., died on Feb. 4, 2017, from complications from unattended brain and other internal injuries received in a series of drunken falls after he accepted a bid to the Beta House two nights before.

"No piece of legislation will ever make up for loss of a child but their courage to be able to come forward and try to be constructive in a way to prevent other parents from going through what they went through is heroic in my mind," Corman said in his remarks on the Senate floor.

The legislation, for the first time in Pennsylvania, would give prosecutors the flexibility to tie penalties to the gravity of the hazing offense. It provides a range that is as low as a summary offense for a hazing-related incident that may not be that serious all the way to a felony if it results in bodily injury or death.

This flexibility is needed to avoid charges being dismissed as has happened in several instances in the prosecution of Piazza's fraternity brothers.

The bill also holds institutions and organizations accountable, among other changes including requiring schools to publish a report of campus organizations' track record of hazing incidents, requiring schools to have policies and reporting procedures in place to stop hazing, and providing safe harbor provisions so students know they can call for help for someone in distress without fear of prosecution.

Changes that the House made to the bill that won the Senate's approval on Monday make it even stronger, Corman said. Among them, the definition of hazing was expanded to include enduring brutality of a sexual nature and enduring any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury.

It also added to the definition of what constitutes aggravated hazing acting with reckless indifference to the health and safety of a student or minor or coercing them to consume alcohol or drugs. And it extended the forfeiture of assets as a penalty for those convicted of aggravated hazing as well as organizations convicted of organizational hazing.

The National Study of Student Hazing reports that 55 percent of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing.Guest commentary: How to be an advocate for your public libraryMiddletown Township has been refusing to produce the records for nearly a year, asserting they were exempt from disclosure under the states open records law. Energy Transfer, the owner of the multi-billion-dollar Mariner East pipeline system, also opposed their release.811 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

Chris Hayes put Donald Trump on blast on Monday night for leading a massive cover-up on behalf of the Saudi government after the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

Even as Saudi Arabia is preparing to admit that they killed the missing journalist in an interrogation that went wrong, Trump said on Monday that he believed the initial denials.

The king firmly denied any knowledge of it, he said. It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. Who knows?

The MSNBC host blasted Trump for trying to set the stage for what very much looks like a cover-up of murder from the Saudi government.

The president of the United States took it upon himself to stand before the cameras and defend the honor of the Saudi monarchy, Hayes said.

Video:

Chris Hayes hits Trump for his response to the Saudi murder of Jamal Khashoggi. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/GELjFIcY2r  PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) October 16, 2018

Chris Hayes said:

The president of the United States took it upon himself to stand before the cameras and defend the honor of the Saudi monarchy.  Its unclear if the rogue killer hypothesis is something Donald Trump thought up on his own or if it came from Saudi King Salman or whether the president of the United States was trying to set the stage for what very much looks like a cover-up of murder from the Saudi government.

Its all about money for Donald Trump

Trump has no moral compass. He cares only about how much others praise him or benefit his personal and financial interests.

As PoliticusUSAs Jason Easley pointed out earlier, Trump has been in the back pocket of the Saudi royal family for decades.

Not even in the case of a brutal murder of a Washington Post columnist can Trump set that aside and do whats right.

Ultimately, its important that Congress gets to the bottom of why Trump is shrugging off the murder of journalist and why, again, the U.S. president is siding with a murderous regime over American values.

Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook.1.3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

Much of the focus of the 2018 midterm elections has (appropriately) been on the fight for control of Congress. After all, with Trump continuing to do great damage in the White House, its critically important that Democrats make gains so Congress can act as a check on an out-of-control executive branch.

But whats been largely overlooked throughout this election cycle is the fight for governorships all across the country. These elections, from Ohio to Florida to Wisconsin and beyond, could be even more critical than congressional races  and Democrats are poised to make gains.

In an interview with The Hill, Democratic pollster Anna Greenberg said the blue wave wont just boost Democrats running for Congress. Itll also lead to a fair number of pickups for Democrats trying to unseat or replace Republican governors.

More from a Monday report in The Hill:

Democratic pollster Anna Greenberg said on Monday that Democrats are poised to make gains in gubernatorial and state-wide races in Novembers midterm elections. People havent really talked about governors races and state legislatures, which are hugely important, Greenberg, managing partner at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, told Hill.TVs Joe Concha on What Americas Thinking. Democrats, I think, are going to do quite well. I mean, it looks like we could possibly win Michigan. [Gov.] Scott Walkers [R] underwater in Wisconsin, she continued. I think there is potential for a fair number of pickups, which obviously is critically important going into 2020 with redistricting. So that to me is a sort of big story thats a little bit under-reported, she said.

Democrats are poised to grab eight or more governorships from Republicans

According to RealClearPolitics, Democratic candidates are well-positioned, though not guaranteed, to win at least eight governorships in the 2018 midterms  Ohio, Wisconsin, Florida, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Maine and New Mexico. Nevada, Kansas and Georgia are also in play.

Some of these states, particularly in the midwest, are battlegrounds Trump was able to flip in 2016. They helped push him over the electoral college finish line against Hillary Clinton. The fact that Democrats are charging back should worry him and other Republicans with 2020 around the corner.

But the ramifications of these gubernatorial contests goes well beyond this years midterms or even the 2020 presidential election. They could affect who controls Congress for more than a decade to come.

As CNN pointed out earlier this year, Because most governors have veto power over redistricting maps made by state lawmakers, Democratic governors have spent the year arguing that this year is their only chance at installing a check on Republican-dominated legislatures and preventing maps that would give the GOP a major advantage in the battle for control of Congress for another decade.

Not to mention the fact that having Democratic governors is key to protecting health insurance coverage, voting rights and womens rights for millions.

There is no question that the 2018 spotlight is fixed firmly on who controls Congress. But 36 states are holding gubernatorial elections, and the results of these contests could have far-reaching consequences.

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Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) is calling for an investigation into Trumps claim that rogue killers may have been behind the murder of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Video:

Chris Van Hollen said on MSNBCs Deadline: White House:



From the very start, president trump and Jared Kushner have put all their eggs in the Saudi regimes basket. Now all of that is falling apart which is why theyre probably desperate to come up with another story as well. Its really important that Congress on a bipartisan basis get the administration down here. Bring the intelligence agencies down to capitol hill and make sure that they are telling us the truth, not providing us with the Saudi regimes cover story. So far, we have had a strong bipartisan condemnation of what the Saudis appear to have done here.

And hopefully we will keep that bipartisan coalition together. And the real concern here is that Republicans somehow, you know, take the president at his word as part of this cover-up. But I dont think its going to happen in this instance because that would undermine the credibility of the United States government. If were seen at participating in a total whitewash of this heinous crime.

CNN is reporting that the Saudis are preparing a report that will acknowledge the murder of Khashoggi during an interrogation that went wrong, but if the Saudis acknowledge that they murdered the missing journalist, it should only be more cause for an investigation into what the US intelligence community knew, what they told Trump, and where Trump is getting his information.

Trump has been in the back pocket of the Saudi royal family for decades, but he cant be allowed to whitewash the murder of a resident of the United States. With the midterm election just a few weeks away, an investigation may be coming no matter what. The only question is will it be a bipartisan investigation, or will Democrats have to win all or part of Congress and then do it themselves.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

Follow Jason Easley on Facebook.2.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

MSNBCs Katy Tur wrecked one of Trumps favorite lies about a $115 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia by checking the facts of what the deal really is.

Video:

Tur said, Talking about the trade relationship we with them, the president isnt pointing to Saudi Arabia as a helpful ally in negotiating peace around the Middle East. He is pointing to this arms deal. We should do a fact check on it because hes not correctly describing this arms deal. Here is what The Washington Post writes. Most of the publicly announced items have been previously announced by the Obama administration and there appears to be a few if any signed contracts. Rather many of the announcements were MOIs, memorandums of intent. There were six specific items adding up to $28 billion. But all had been previously notified to Congress by the Obama administration. In essence, this is a wish list. Its worth recalling that Obama offered Saudi Arabia 115 billion dollars in deals, about half of which resulted in actual sales. Hes pointing over and over again to this Saudi arms deal but its not doing what the president is doing what its saying its doing.

The arms deal that Trump is using for justification not to take action after the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Trumps inaction has nothing to do with the arms deal that the president continues to misrepresent. The truth is that the Saudi royal family has been funneling hundreds of millions of dollars to Trump for decades. There is no policy reason for what Trump is doing. It is cold hard corruption. The Saudi royal family bought themselves a guy who ended up being president.

The next time Trump talks about the Saudi arms deal keep in mind that there are few signed contracts, all of the items were already agreed to by Obama, and the deal is an excuse being used as a front for Trump corruption.6.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

Rachel Maddow tore into North Dakota Republicans on Monday night for what she called a blatant attempt to choke off the votes of Native Americans in the state ahead of next months election.

As the MSNBC host pointed out, the GOP realized after Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamps 2012 victory that Native American voters were key to electing Democrats in the state  so they moved quickly to make it harder for that population to vote going forward.

What North Dakota Republicans did is fire a heat-seeking missile to nuke the Native American vote in their state, Maddow explained. If the Republicans can turn off the Native American vote, if they can end that, they can run the table.

Thats exactly what they have put in place ahead of this years midterm elections.

Video:

Rachel Maddow exposes Republican effort to cut off the Native American vote in North Dakota. #ctl #p2 #maddow pic.twitter.com/OLRpb7OvjY  PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) October 16, 2018

Rachel Maddow sounded the alarm:

What North Dakota Republicans did is fire a heat-seeking missile to nuke the Native American vote in their state. Native American vote in their state is really Democratic. Theyre a red state. The only way a Democrat is going to get through is with concentrated Native American support in the communities most likely to provide large numbers of Democratic votes. You got to appeal statewide. You got to appeal to everybody. But when it comes to mobilizing people who are almost sure are going to vote for you, if the Republicans can turn off the Native American vote, if they can end that, they can run the table. They dont have to worry about there being any U.S. Senators from the Democratic Party. Theres been legal wrangling over this voter suppression effort in North Dakota for years now.  The conservative majority in the Supreme Court has now said this North Dakota law is good to go ahead and so now next month, 22 days from now, in the general election, with Heitkamps seat up for the first time, if you show up in North Dakota with your tribal ID, with your P.O. box on it, just like youve always used before, you will be turned away and not allowed to vote. And so now 22 days out from the election, one of the most critical races in the entire country, which may determine whether or not the Senate is controlled by the Democrats or the Republicans, which honestly may decide everything in American politics for the next couple of years, now on this short time frame, now there is a scramble underway to try to protect Native Americans right to vote in that crucial race.

Heitkamp was the underdog even before these GOP suppression tactics

Its important to remember that polling in North Dakota in 2012 was similar to what its showing this year: a disadvantage for Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

But Heitkamp managed to pull off a major upset in the state six years ago. Thanks in part to large support from Native American voters, she won that race by roughly 3,000 votes.

Since then, as Maddow pointed out, Republicans have made it their mission in North Dakota to cut off as many votes as possible that could help a Democrat win again.

Given how close the 2012 contest was and how historically red the state is, it could choke off enough Native American voters in North Dakota to beat Heidi Heitkamp and steal a pivotal U.S. Senate seat.

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On both small and large matters alike, Donald Trump breaks commitments as he breathes. In the latest example, his pledge to hold a Ted Cruz rally at the biggest stadium in Texas came crumbling to the ground on Monday.

According to the Trump campaign, the president will hold a MAGA rally on Monday, Oct. 22 at NRG Arena in Houston, Texas.

The Trump Texas rally is set  next Monday in Houston pic.twitter.com/Vz5Cwp82Jt  Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) October 15, 2018

According to Yashar Ali, the capacity of NRG Arena is a weak 8,000.

Of course, the announcement from the Trump team comes after the president tweeted in August that he would be doing a major rally for Cruz at the biggest stadium in Texas we can find.

I will be doing a major rally for Senator Ted Cruz in October. Im picking the biggest stadium in Texas we can find. As you know, Ted has my complete and total Endorsement. His opponent is a disaster for Texas  weak on Second Amendment, Crime, Borders, Military, and Vets!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 31, 2018

Obviously, the president and his people didnt spend much time looking.

NRG Arena isnt even the largest venue in the neighborhood

Not only is the arena Trump picked not the biggest in the state, as he promised, but its not even the largest in the neighborhood. Nearby NRG Stadium  different from NRG Arena  holds tens of thousands of people.

As Dallas News pointed out, At least one venue in Texas holds more than 180,000 and NRG Arena isnt even the biggest venue in Houston, let alone in Texas.

Meanwhile, while Trump settled on a small venue for his Make America Great Again rally for Ted Cruz, the Democratic challenger in Texas, Rep. Beto ORourke, held what was the largest political rally since the 2016 presidential campaign in Austin last month.

According to the El Paso Times, 55,000 people stood crammed together at Auditorium Shores in Austin for an ORourke rally in September.

While polls show that Ted Cruz has the edge ahead of the Nov. 6 election, the enthusiasm and passion is clearly with the ORourke campaign. Whether that can overcome the deep-red roots of Texas is another question.

Still, the fact that the sitting GOP president and incumbent Republican senator cant fill a bigger stadium in conservative Texas is, as Trump would say, Sad!

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Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) wants to investigate the allegation that Trump laundered money for Russia if Democrats win control of the House.

Video:

Schiff said on MSNBCs The Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell, I think among the most important business that hasnt been done at all, an investigation that hasnt been done at all is the issue of were the Russians laundering money through the Trump Organization? Is that leverage that the Russians may have over the president of the United States? I think its negligent not to answer that question and be able to tell the American people yes its true or no it isnt. But if that is the explanation for that otherwise inexplicable conduct in Helsinki in which he sides with Putin over his own intelligence agencies, we need to know about it to protect the country. So I would hope on the Intel committee we can restore credibility with our intelligence agencies and comity within the committee, and I would also hope we would do a credible nonpartisan investigation of those things that could be a threat to the country.

Adam Schiff Wants Answers On Trump and Russia

Adam Schiff wants answers to the most important questions of all. Why does Trump cave to Russia? What is behind Trumps odd behavior with Putin. Trump melted down during his recent 60 Minutes interview when he was asked why he doesnt criticize Putin. The key to answering many of the questions surrounding the events of the 2016 election rests with the Trump/Russia relationship.

Trump has been trying to hide his connections to and dealings with Russia since he jumped into politics. If Democrats win back the House, the presidents secrets are going to be investigated and revealed. Rep. Schiff was correct. The American people deserve answers, and those answers will only come through investigations done by a Democratic majority in the House.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

Follow Jason Easley on Facebook.Democratic candidate Danny OConnor isnt just beating his Republican House incumbent opponent in fundraising. He is crushing him by raising $6 million in the third quarter.

The Columbus Dispatch reported:

Democrat Danny OConnor raised nearly $6 million between July 1 and Sept. 30 in his bid to represent central Ohios 12th Congressional District, receiving the bulk of the money between July 19 and Aug. 27, the period when he narrowly lost a special-election bid for the seat to Republican Troy Balderson.

About a month before the Nov. 6 general election, OConnor has about $1 million in the bank, said OConnor spokeswoman Annie Ellison, and he raised $4.06 million between July 19 and Aug. 27.

Balderson, who was sworn in Sept. 5, has not yet released his fundraising numbers for the third quarter. Campaign-finance reports are due Oct. 15. But Balderson raised $504,744 between July 19 and Aug. 27, spending $620,084 during that period. He had $92,692 in the bank as of Aug. 27.

OConnor lost to now Rep. Troy Balderson by 0.8 points in August special election. Since that narrow defeat, Democrats have come roaring back. Balderson, like most other House Republicans across the country, is struggling to raise money or find any enthusiasm for his campaign. The biggest reason is that Republicans dumped millions of dollars into keeping the seat in their column a few months ago.

Republicans arent fired up for this election. Their model of dumping millions of dollars into House races in red districts worked in special elections but has proven to be unsustainable in general election campaigns. House Republicans dont have enough cash to prop up all of their struggling candidates.

Democrats are showing their enthusiasm for the midterm election by donating to candidates. People who donate to a candidate are virtual locks to vote. The fundraising gap is an omen. The blue wave is alive and well, and it is getting ready to sweep Republicans out of office in 21 days.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

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Laura Ingrahams ratings are surging, but advertising revenues for her show on Fox News are not.

Several months after a series of boycotts by activists scared off many top national advertisers, big companies are still steering clear of her show. As a result, her show can attract only bottom feeder ads from second and third tier companies.

Months after big boycotts, big advertisers are still shunning Laura Ingrahams @FoxNews show.

Months after big boycotts, big advertisers are still shunning Laura Ingrahams @FoxNews show. https://t.co/wLITI9tYJ7 pic.twitter.com/oijwPsKNRr  Jim Roberts (@nycjim) October 16, 2018

Ingraham infuriated and alienated millions of gun-control advocates in March when she mocked Parkland, Florida shooting survivor and activist David Hogg. In a series of cheap shots at a 17 year-old boy, Ingraham on her show made nasty comments about Hogg getting rejected from a handful of colleges.

After Ingraham did this Hogg asked his followers on social media to begin to boycott companies until they stopped advertising on Ingrahams show. Hogg, along with other Parkland survivors such as Emma Gonzalez, have millions of followers on Twitter and they used that platform to launch their effective boycott.

The resulting outcry led to many major companies dropping her show. Hogg renewed his call for an Ingraham boycott in June after she compared detention facilities where immigrant children were being held to summer camps.

The incarceration of children separated from their parents as they entered the United States without proper documentation has caused global outrage at the Trump administration. Ingraham has continued to support the separation policy which has been called a crime against humanity.

Typically when there is a controversy, advertisers will leave a program temporarily. So what is going on with Ingraham is very unusual. She is suffering a long-term loss of advertising revenue. The large, nationally recognized brands now want nothing to do with The Ingraham Angle which has become radioactive among advertisers.

This result proves the newfound power of activist-led boycotts, and it show that major corporations have deep concerns about offending would-be consumers. This is a phenomenon arising from the highly politicized social environment created by Donald Trump and his brand of divisive politics.

Early this year, Ingrahams show averaged 15 minutes of advertisements per hour, the same as her Fox News primetime counterparts Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson, according to an analysis for POLITICO.

That number fell to slightly less than ten minutes per hour after the boycott campaign, and it still hasnt recovered. Last month, The Ingraham Angle averaged just 10 minutes and 50 seconds of ads per hour, according to POLITICO.

Even more significant is the fact that Ingrahams show no longer attracts top national advertisers. Before the boycotts her advertisers included Geico, Arbys, Liberty Mutual and Humira. Last month, though, that distinction belonged to lower-profile brands: HomeToGo.com, Sandals Resorts, ClearChoice Dental Implants and Nutrisystem.

That boycott held firm, regardless of the fact that audience ratings are increasing, Swollen said. There are still a number of advertisers that dont want to be associated with the program.

Brands are skittish about alienating potential customers, he said.

Before the boycott, 229 brands advertised on The Ingraham Angle, according to POLITICO. In the month following, it was 71 and, as of last month, it was 85.

Laura Ingraham has found that her particular brand of controversy and divisiveness is not paying off for her any longer.In a Tuesday tweet President Donald Trump has threatened to cut off all U.S. financial aid to the country of Honduras if its government does not stop a migrant caravan from to the United States.

The president tweeted.

The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!

The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2018

The president was responding to widely publicized media reports about a large group of Hondurans who set out on a journey from their country, hoping to find asylum in the United States.

On Sunday we reported:

A caravan of over 1,300 people left yesterday from Honduras, beginning a journey to the United States where members of the caravan hope to seek asylum as refugees. The group was composed primarily of families, including many women carrying babies. The beginning of their journey was marked by the desperation which underlies their struggle for existence in their home country where life has become almost intolerable.

These poor people hoping to reach the United States crossed the border into Guatemala on Monday. Members of the caravan have been interviewed by journalists and they all said they are fleeing poverty and violence in their home country.

According to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) the U.S. gave $175 million in aid to Honduras in fiscal 2017.

Donald Trump has made cracking down on illegal immigration the central feature of his presidency, and many people believe it was his emphasis on immigration that got him elected to the presidency.

He says that migrants bring crime and drugs into the country and he is still highlighting the issue before Novembers midterm elections. He still believes this wil fire up his conservative base of supporters.

Trump is now considering a new policy that would again separate undocumented parents from their children. His position is that this is the only way to reduce the high numbers of families coming illegally into the United States.

Were going to do whatever we can do to get it slowed down, Trump told reporters on Saturday. If they feel there will be separation, they dont come.

According to caravan organizer Bartolo Fuentes the people are part of what he calls the March of the Migrant. He said they are planning to walk from San Pedro Sula in northern Honduras through the country of Guatemala and into Mexico. Once they get there he said they will request refugee status which would allow them to stay in Mexico. They also will request a visa allowing them to pass through Mexico to the U.S. border.

Caravan of thousands of migrants moves north toward US https://t.co/CYY29DtgZc pic.twitter.com/8zaKyk0xsC  The Hill (@thehill) October 16, 2018

Last spring another caravan of migrants did the same thing and received a huge amount of attention from the news media.

The publicity surrounding the immigrants difficulties led to President Trump implementing new tough border security measures. He also said that the migrants would not be allowed to enter the United States.

People in the current migrant caravan explained their actions by saying they were leaving because of death threats, extortion and violence from powerful street gangs in their home countries. According to published reports, over 64 percent of Honduran households live in poverty, and the country has one of the worlds highest murder rates.

There is no work and so much violence that you can get killed walking down the street, said Javier Solis, 25, who said he has not found work in a year and wants to enter the United States. On a previous attempt, he was deported to Honduras upon reaching Mexico.

Nobody knows if Donald Trumps latest threats against the impoverished Central American nation will work. But if history is a guide, it will not work because the people trying to walk to the U.S. to seek refugee status are truly desperate and have no other options.ANKARA (Reuters)  Some materials at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul where journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared two weeks ago have been painted over, Turkeys President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

Speaking after Turkish police entered the consulate for the first time and searched the premises for nine hours, Erdogan also told reporters that they were looking into toxic materials at the mission.

Turkish officials have told Reuters that authorities have an audio recording indicating that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, and have shared evidence with countries including Saudi Arabia and the United States. Saudi Arabia has denied any role in Khashoggis disappearance.

My hope is that we can reach conclusions that will give us a reasonable opinion as soon as possible, because the investigation is looking into many things such as toxic materials and those materials being removed by painting them over, Erdogan told reporters in Ankara.

A Turkish diplomatic source said the investigators planned to widen their search on Tuesday to the residence of the Saudi consul. Turkish television channels have previously shown footage of a large vehicle leaving the consulate two hours after Khashoggi vanished and parking at the consuls residence.

(Reporting by Gulsen Solaker and Ece Toksabay; Writing by Dominic Evans; Editing by David Dolan and Daren Butler)160 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard

By Stephanie Nebehay

GENEVA (Reuters)  U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet called on Saudi Arabia and Turkey on Tuesday to reveal everything they know about the disappearance and possible murder of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi and said Riyadh should waive immunity on its diplomatic premises and officials.

Overnight, Turkish crime scene investigators entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the last place Khashoggi was seen before vanishing on Oct. 2, for the first time and searched the premises for over nine hours, Reuters witnesses said.

In a statement, Bachelet welcomed the investigators being given access to the consulate, despite a two-week delay, and called on authorities of both countries to ensure that no further obstacles are placed in the way of a prompt, thorough, effective, impartial and transparent investigation.

She urged both countries to reveal everything they know about Khashoggis disappearance and possible extra-judicial killing.

Given there seems to be clear evidence that Mr Khashoggi entered the Consulate and has never been seen since, the onus is on the Saudi authorities to reveal what happened to him from that point onwards, she said.

Khashoggi, a U.S. resident, Washington Post columnist and leading critic of Prince Mohammed, vanished after entering the consulate to get marriage documents.

Turkish officials say they believe he was murdered there and his body removed. CNN and the New York Times reported Saudi Arabia was preparing to acknowledge Khashoggis death in a botched interrogation, after denying for two weeks any role in his disappearance

It was important to immediately lift immunity for any premises and officials bestowed by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, she added.

Under international law, both a forced disappearance and an extra-judicial killing are very serious crimes, and immunity should not be used to impede investigations into what happened and who is responsible, Bachelet said.

Her spokesman Rupert Colville said: We hope the lifting of immunity is absolute so they can investigate, in the consulate, the (consular) residence premise, the vehicles shown on TV footage.

(Reporting by Stephanie NebehayEditing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg, William Maclean)Sputnik makes a point of reporting it "obtained amateur footage" of U.S. military vehicles moving through the Czech Republic and Slovakia, implying that there is something ominous about the fact that a NATO convoy wasnt reported in the local or foreign media.

Considering that the convoy appears to have consisted of 12 vehicles, there would be little reason to report on it, especially in the foreign press. Sputnik calls it a quiet transfer, yet it was conducted in broad daylight.

Sputnik quoted a Czech military analyst, Ivan Kratochvil, about the convoy: "The movement of foreign troops no longer needs approval from parliament. The fact that the presence of any foreign troops on our territory is perceived negatively thanks to centuries of historical experience is something authorities don't seem to care about. Sputnik, in an earlier article, described Kratochvil as a lieutenant colonel who is part of a group it calls, Retired Czech Soldiers Against War.

While Kratochvil correctly points to centuries of Czech experience with foreign powers on its soil, he omits reference to the most recent trespass -- when the Kremlin sent more than 2,000 tanks and thousands of soldiers from the Warsaw Pact to end pro-democracy reforms in 1968.

While the vehicles do appear to be American, it is important to note that the Czech Republic and Slovakia are both NATO member states.

On the topic of approval for the foreign movement of troops across the territory of member states, Polygraph.info reached a NATO official for comment.

Forces on NATO deployments have the permission of the host country to be there, the official wrote. NATO military planners work closely with national authorities when equipment is moved to try to keep disruption to a minimum, and all local regulations and laws are respected.

The article also quotes former U.S. Commander in Europe, Lt. General Ben Hodges, who spoke about a military Shengen zone in Europe, supposedly referring to a plan to make it easier to move military forces across the continent through NATO members without getting permission from governments.

However, the Sputnik article leaves out important context. The main concern for Hodges and other NATO planners included problems in the infrastructure between countries -- for example, bridges that may not support the weight of certain tanks. In March of this year, the European Union announced a plan to help facilitate quicker movement of military forces through NATO member-states.On Monday, October 15, the Kremlins press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, seized on a U.S. news interview with President Trump, making claim about the poisonings in Britain that we judge to be false.

Lets look at the background: The wide ranging interview on Sunday, October 14, by correspondent Lesley Stahl on the CBS 60 Minutes program turned to President Trumps relationship with Russia. Stahl pressed Trump on why, publicly, he never has a harsh word for Vladimir Putin.

Trump countered, saying that unlike his predecessor, he gave Ukraine offensive weapons and tank killers to help counter the Moscow-backed war in the countrys east.

Stahl then asked if Putin is involved in assassinations or poisonings.

Trump replied: Probably he is, yeah. Probably. I mean, I don't--

When Stahl pressed him on the use of the word probably, Trump added: But I rely on them (the Russians), it's not in our country.

On Monday, September 16, Putins press secretary, Dmitry Peskov responded to the Trump interview, telling reporters the Kremlin is confident no well-grounded accusations can be leveled at President Vladimir Putin in relation to his alleged involvement in the poisoning of the Skripals, the state news agency TASS reported, referring to the March poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter in Britain.

"US President [Donald Trump] did not come up with any direct accusations [against Putin in the 60 Minutes interview]," Peskov said. "Moreover, there can be no substantiated accusations against the Russian president."

While it is true that Trump leveled no direct accusations against Putin, he also conceded it was likely Russia had carried out such attacks. In any case, Trumps words have no bearing on what accusations can or cannot be leveled at Putin in this context, since the British government made the case against Russia in the poisonings, and President Trump is on the record expressing full confidence in the British conclusions.

The Case Against Russia

Putin has expressed disdain for Sergei Skripal, the former Russian military intelligence officer who, along with his daughter, Yulia, was poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok on March 4, 2018 in Salisbury, England. While the Skripals ultimately survived, Dawn Sturgess, a woman who later came across a fake perfume bottle that the British say was used to deliver the Novichok, died in July.

Earlier this month, Putin called Skripal a traitor to his homeland and scum, adding that the poisoning scandal had been artificially inflated.

Putin, himself a former KGB officer, has long expressed acrimony towards double agents, saying in 2010 that traitors would choke on their 30 pieces of silver.

Russia has dismissed revelations that the two suspects, whom the open-source investigative website Bellingcat identified as military intelligence officers Anatoly Chepiga and Aleksandr Mishkin, were behind the attack on the Skripals.

But the evidence pointing towards Russian state actors' involvement is quite strong.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed that the substance smeared on the front door of the Skripals home is the Russian-developed nerve agent, Novichok.

One week after Britain announced there was sufficient evidence to charge Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, aliases used to carry out the attack, Putin called on the men to "appear before the media to tell their story."

Shortly thereafter, an interview aired with RT head Margarita Simonyan, in which the suspects claimed they had visited Salisbury to see the citys cathedral.

But CCTV footage showed the two Russian agents in the area of the Skripals home on the day of the attack, located one mile in the opposite direction of the cathedral, which they never visited. The suspects left for Moscow the evening of the attack.

British officials say traces of Novichok were later found in the suspects London hotel room.

A report last week from Czech Radio (CR), which cited an unnamed Czech intelligence source, said the suspects had visited Prague in 2014, allegedly while Skripal was there.

According to Neovlivni.cz, when Skripal visited Prague in 2012, the Czech Republic expelled five Russian diplomats for security reasons. Following his 2014 visit, three more diplomats were sent home, CR cited the news portal as saying, though CR reports it is not clear whether it was Skripal who exposed the agents.

"It looks like the Russians had a group of people that followed Skripal long before the attempt to assassinate him," CR quoted one source as saying, as reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said that lacking a credible response from the Russian government, the Skripal poisoning amounted to an unlawful use of force by the Russian State against the United Kingdom.

May stated: Based on the positive identification of this chemical agent by world-leading experts at the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down; our knowledge that Russia has previously produced this agent and would still be capable of doing so; Russia's record of conducting state-sponsored assassinations; and our assessment that Russia views some defectors as legitimate targets for assassinations; the Government has concluded that it is highly likely that Russia was responsible for the act against Sergei and Yulia Skripal.

A joint statement on the attack, signed by British Prime Minister Theresa May, President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, read: We have full confidence in the British assessment that the two suspects were officers from the Russian military intelligence service, also known as the GRU, and that this operation was almost certainly approved at a senior government level.

So the full record establishes that Peskovs claim that no substantiated accusations can be leveled at Putin is false.Food editor and chief critic

Eating all of the chicken livers just as fast as I can.Photo: pixabay

One of the lead authors of a dire United Nations report that made headlines worldwide last week will be in Penticton for a public lecture Friday at the Shatford Centre.

First Things First Okanagan is bringing SFU professor Dr. Kirsten Zickfeld to the city for the inaugural Fred Ritchie Lecture, Keeping climate warming below 1.5 C.

Dr. Zickfeld co-authored Global Warming of 1.5 C with 90 others, which outlines the impacts of global warming in the context of improving the global response to climate change. The earths temperature has already risen 1.1 C since industrialization, causing more extreme weather and rising sea levels.

Zickfelds research shows the dire impacts a change of 2 C or more would cause.

During the lecture, she will describe climate changes in Canada and abroad, and outline what can be expected if things are left to proceed unchecked. Her research focuses on the effects of human-caused emissions of greenhouse gases on climate and the reversibility of human-induced climate change.

First Things First Okanagan is a local non-profit dedicated to climate change and green issues. The lecture Friday is the first in a series of six titled Looking the Dragon of Climate Change in the Eye.

In 2014 at the age of 94, Fred Ritchie, a former orchardist and resident of Naramata, fostered a group of concerned Okanagan residents who meet monthly to discuss climate issues. The group became First Things First Okanagan. Fred Ritchie lectures will be held annually in his honour.

The lecture starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is by donation.Get the SC business stories that matter.

Our newsletter catches you up with all the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina every Monday and Thursday at noon. Get ahead with us - it's free.Mary Katherine, who also goes by MK, covers health care for The Post and Courier. She is also pursuing a master's degree in data science. She grew up in upstate New York and enjoys playing cards, kayaking and the Blue Ridge Mountains.Jerrel Floyd is an Alabama raised reporter who covers Summerville and Dorchester County for The Post and Courier.Shortly after a law started allowing it, two South Carolina sheriffs struck a deal that appears to have put Richland County deputies instead of state agents in charge of the investigation into a mass shooting that wounded seven Florence-area officers.

The agreement permits outside deputies from the Columbia area to wield their authority in Florence County and make arrests in any probes in which the sheriffs agree to share jurisdiction. A second, similar version of the deal also was created after the shooting.

Released this week by the Florence County Sheriff's Office, the five-page documents helped explain why agents from the State Law Enforcement Division, which handles most police shootings in South Carolina, left the vast scene where a city policeman was killed and six other officers were wounded Oct. 3.

Florence County officials revealed the records after refusing last week to say whether they had reached such a written pact  a piece of paperwork required by law to legitimize arrests by officers working outside their normal jurisdiction.

Richland County deputies tasked with the probe arrested Frederick Hopkins, 74, a disabled Vietnam War marksman who is accused of using two high-power rifles and a pistol to ambush local deputies who were looking into sexual assault allegations against his son. He faces a murder charge and six counts of attempted murder. They also jailed the adopted son, 28-year-old Seth Hopkins, on charges of sexually assaulting two children in the family home.

After three Florence County sheriff's investigators were shot outside the 6,500-square-foot house on Ashton Drive west of the downtown area, city police officers and more deputies came to their aid. Four of the police officers were wounded; Sgt. Terrence Carraway died.

Two of the deputies were still in critical condition, authorities said Tuesday. Another deputy and one police officer also remained hospitalized. Two officers had been released.

Questions emerged soon after the crime about why the Richland County Sheriff's Office had taken over the probe at a large scene that stretched six blocks long and 100 yards wide. The Sheriff's Office on Tuesday listed at least 10 other agencies it had asked for help; SLED was not one of them.

Agents from SLED, the state's largest investigative agency, had shown up at the scene on the day of the shooting but left after being told that Richland County had taken over the inquiry, a spokeswoman said.

In June 2016, a new version of a state law permitted sheriffs in South Carolina to agree to share jurisdiction without first seeking approval from a county governing council. Court cases in which crime suspects challenged their arrests by officers from another jurisdiction had inspired the legislative move.

The next month, sheriffs Kenney Boone of Florence County and Leon Lott of Richland County signed the initial agreement. The date July 28, 2016, was stamped on the signature page, and it was set to automatically renew every year.

A similar version was dated Oct. 4, a day after the mass shooting. It was not stamped.

Under the document, the Richland County sheriff would bear the cost of the investigation unless a separate agreement is made. The agency must still respond to requests for public records related to the case, the paperwork added.

But the deal also would allow Florence County to maintain ultimate control over the outside deputies' probe. It calls on the outside investigators to remain "subject to the lawful orders and commands" of the officials who requested their help in the first place.Two passengers, including an attorney for former "Southern Charm" star Thomas Ravenel, were identified Tuesday as being among three people killed when a small, Charleston-bound passenger plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near the Hamptons over the weekend.

Munidat Raj Persaud, 41, of Waterbury, Connecticut, was the first of the three to be identified on Sunday.

Richard. P. Terbrusch, 53, of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and Jennifer Landrum, 45, of Augusta were identified by the New York State Police as the remaining two passengers killed when the Piper PA-34 Seneca they were in crashed 3 miles southeast of the Francis S. Gabreski Airport north of Westhampton Beach in Long Island. Terbrusch and Landrum were pulled from the wreckage Sunday.

Terbrusch has represented Ravenel, 56, in the past, who now stands accused of sexually assaulting his former nanny three years ago. Ravenel is a former state treasurer and reality TV star featured on the Bravo-produced "Southern Charm," a Charleston-based show that has cut ties with him.

Authorities said Tuesday that the fuselage of the aircraft remained submerged.

The cause of the crash is not known, and the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. The plane was headed to the Charleston Executive Airport.Abigail Darlington is a local government reporter focusing primarily on the City of Charleston. She previously covered local arts & entertainment, technology, innovation, tourism and retail for the Post and Courier.FLORENCE  Police recovered 129 guns from the home of a disabled Vietnam War marksman charged with killing one police officer and wounding six others, authorities said Tuesday.

In a sign of the fierce firefight that shook the suburban street west of Florence, investigation teams found at least 425 rounds were fired by the shooter and police officers, said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, whose agency is leading the investigation.

The shooter opened fire with a pistol and two military-style rifles and set up his house in a way that gave officers "no chance whatsoever" when he ambushed them earlier this month, sheriff told reporters.

"Just going inside ... was chilling to see how the house was set up," Lott said. "The officers had no chance whatsoever when they first came up.

"To go there and see what these officers were facing is something I never want to see again."

Police found another 126 other guns in the home  an arsenal that Lott suggested was purchased legally. The newly released information highlights the shear number of weapons in Fred Hopkins' home before one of the worst officer involved shootings since five policemen were killed in Dallas in 2016.

Lott said he was unaware if Florence County Sheriff's investigators knew Hopkins' home contained so many firearms when they showed up Oct. 3 to investigate a sexual assault allegation against his son.

"He was a gun enthusiast," Lott said "He shot a lot. He had a lot of guns."

Hopkins, a 74-year-old combat veteran and disbarred attorney, now faces a murder charge and six other attempted murder charges for the other wounded officers  four of whom remained in the hospital this week. He has been denied bond.

For more than two weeks, investigators with the Richland County Sheriff's office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation swept through six blocks of the sprawling crime scene, located in a wealthy enclave of Florence.

The law enforcement teams, including the FBI and other agencies, finished that investigation Tuesday, and turned over the house to Hopkins' wife, Florence attorney Cheryl Turner Hopkins.

The initial findings suggested that 13 Florence County Sheriff's deputies and Florence Police officers who responded to the scene fired at least 390 rounds as they tried to rescue three of their colleagues who were allegedly ambushed by the shooter. Florence Police Sgt. Terrence Carraway died from a gunshot wound after arriving at the scene.

The investigation suggested 39 bullets were fired from inside Hopkins' home, Lott said.

The shooter fired with deadly precision from a second story window in the brick-cased home. From that vantage point, the shooter could see about a half-mile directly down Ashton Drive, turning the residential street into a shooting gallery. Rounds were found up to six blocks away from the home, Lott said.

Seth Hopkins, his son who deputies wanted to interview, another unidentified adult and two children were inside the home during the shootout, the sheriff said.

The Richland County Sheriff's office did not provide details about how long the standoff between Hopkins and police took place, or how the officers ultimately apprehended the alleged shooter. They eventually brought in an armored vehicle to transport the wounded officers away from the scene.

The Richland Sheriff's office, Lott said, will now be working with the FBI to provide a comprehensive report to the prosecutors with the 12th Circuit Solicitor's office.

"This has been a traumatic experience for our entire community," Ed Clements, the solicitor, said Tuesday.

The police tape and crime scene investigators may have left the neighborhood Monday.

But signs of the deadly shooting were still evident.

The windows in Hopkins home were boarded up.

Neighbors replaced their porch lights with blue bulbs to honor the first responders.

And blue ribbons and other mementos to the wounded officers intermingled with homeowners' Halloween decorations.You are the owner of this article.Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations.Photo: Contributed

In years past, apathy played a major role in municipal elections.

Voter turnout across the province in the last municipal election in 2014 was only 33 per cent.

Many voters felt they either didn't have the time or the information available to make an informed decision, so just didn't vote.

There is hope that this municipal election is different. Throughout the North Okanagan, there seems to be a great deal of public engagement.

Simone Runyan was concerned that the public might not have a chance to get to know the candidates running in Coldstream, so she and Sharron Lawrence mobilized Coldstream Candidates Meet and Greet.

"Coldstream as a community has had a pretty great mayor and council serving us over the past few years but I still feel it is important that citizens get together and discuss the issues," said Runyan. "There are issues that need to be discussed and council and mayoral candidates need to feel that citizens are engaged and interested in the issues."

The event was held last Saturday and was attended by 60 Coldstream residents and six candidates vying for office.

Candidates introduced themselves and shared a few of their top concerns.

Then the floor was opened for questions.

Candidates were asked questions ranging from Coldstream economic development and the Greater Vernon Culture Centre referendum question to watercraft conflicts and noise levels on Kalamalka Lake and Rail Trail management.

"The civil, caring and respectful tone of the proceedings was a tribute to our great community and the high quality of the candidates running for office," said Runyan. "It worked out great in the end and hopefully the word gets out."

Further details regarding the opinions of individual candidates can be found in the meeting minutes which will be posted on the Coldstream Community Forum on Facebook.

Coldstream candidate profiles can be found here.

Advanced polls for Coldstream mayor and council:

Wednesday, Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Coldstream municipal hall;

Thursday, Oct. 18, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Coldstream municipal hall.

The general municipal election is Oct. 20.

Topics discussed at the Coldstream candidate meet and greet:Jamie Lovegrove is a political reporter covering the South Carolina Statehouse, congressional delegation and campaigns. He previously covered Texas politics in Washington for The Dallas Morning News and in Austin for the Texas Tribune.CHICAGO  When Pacific Standard Time opened in April, it was one of the citys buzziest openings, but to actually eat there was almost deafening.

"I was able to step back and say this is the biggest issue with the restaurant," said partner Joshua Tilden. "It wasnt the food, it wasnt the service, (but) I thought this problem was easily rectifiable."

In a city where bustling restaurants often mean noisy dining experiences, patrons like Claudia Fariello Bolnick, 71, of Streeterville, find themselves increasingly frustrated with their inability to have conversations with family and friends. Fariello Bolnick said shes noticed the issue isnt unique to Chicago  other cities shes visited seem to have similarly loud volume issues.

While she considers Chicago a "fabulous restaurant city," she believes diners experiences could be more pleasant if restaurants considered their volume.

"Some people have told us if we go at 5 oclock, we can have a nice experience, but we dont like to eat at 5 oclock. Were not that old!" Fariello Bolnick said. "How (restaurants) can be so shortsighted to put it (low) on the priorities list is amazing to me."

Right amount of noise?

The Acoustical Society of America is launching a subcommittee to explore this issue, while other organizations like Consumer Reports and Zagat have also conducted studies, concluding that the ability to hold a conversation is more important to patrons than previously thought.

Noisy restaurants arent always bad  sometimes its even preferred, and creating a lively atmosphere requires a certain level of noise, Tilden said. But its about getting the right amount thats key.

Tilden originally took a do-it-yourself attitude to fix the noise issue at Pacific Standard Time, laying out rugs and installing carpet beneath tables. But the restaurant remained loud. The only next step was to hire an audio engineer. A few sound-wave tests later, the restaurant installed soundproofing methods that were both effective and fit with the design.

"Its made a world of a difference," Tilden said. "You can hear conversations now. You can hear the music now. And guests comfort is something thats really important to all of us. It felt good to finally get a solution in place."

In an ideal situation, sound would be one of the highest priorities and taken into account during the design process, said David Paoli, an acoustical engineer at Shiner Acoustics. Sound absorption is the key to a good-sounding restaurant because it reduces the noisy din that can often be created by both the materials in the restaurant and the patrons themselves.

Hard surfaces like wood, concrete, steel and brick are remediated by soft, porous materials that absorb the sound waves frantically bouncing off everything in a restaurant. Stephen Blake, architectural and contract territory manager with Armstrong World Industries, which provides consultations and products for noise control for commercial spaces and homes, said that sound-absorbing tiles and "blades" (or panels) help to absorb these sound waves and prevent them from bouncing around.

Raising awareness

For Gregory Scott, who has hearing loss and lives in New York, it became near impossible to go on dates at a restaurant simply because he couldnt hear the person he was with. He had to check online reviews and ask friends about the quiet spots around town.

He began compiling a list of places that he would share with other people who had the same concerns. Before long, he created Soundprint, an app billed as "like Yelp, but for sound." Using ones iPhone (Android options are being explored), people can measure sound in a restaurant, bar or cafe with a decibel meter, and the crowdsourced measurements are shown on a map. Users can look at the app and immediately see where quiet and loud businesses are located by the crowdsourced score, allowing them to decide whether its an establishment theyd like to visit.

"(The app is raising) noise pollution awareness," Scott said. "(Noise pollution is) an epidemic, and were making ourselves deaf. Places are getting louder and louder, and people think its normal. We want to raise awareness on what is a safe environment to have conversation in."

Soundprint is now in such major metropolitan areas as Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, Nashville, New Orleans and D.C. Scott has worked with restaurants in some of these areas to find solutions to their noise problems.

Loud venues are also dangerous for employees who work for long periods of time, Scott said, and he hopes restaurants wont see the app as an attack, but rather a quantifiable way to assess their noise levels.The 11th annual Flyway Film Festival , presenting short and feature-length films, will be held Friday through Sunday at three locations in the Lake Pepin area.

Films will be shown at the Big River Theatre in Alma, the WideSpot Performing Arts Center in Stockholm, and the Minema in Pepin, all on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River.

Among the 16 feature films scheduled to be shown:

 "Amateurs," a Swedish comedy/drama about two girls who create a film to show what their hometown is really like.

 "A Fine Line," about small-town single mom and restaurateur.

 "Little Woods," set in a North Dakota fracking town and featuring Lily James ("Downton Abbey," "Cinderella").

 "Farmer of the Year," starring Barry Corbin as an old coot from Minnesota who takes a road trip with his granddaughter to a veterans reunion in California.

 "Time for Ilhan," which follows the 2016 campaign of Ilhan Omar for the Minnesota House of Representatives.

In addition, 30 short films will be shown in four programs based on type of film and content.

Complete schedules and showtimes are at flywayfilmfestival.org.

The Flyway Film Festival has been named by MovieMaker magazine as one of the "Twenty-five Coolest Film Festivals in the World."

A full festival pass, for all screenings and events, is $120. A six-ticket "binge pass" is $65. Tickets to individual films and programs are $12 for adults, $8 for students. Tickets are available at flywayfilmfestival.org.Photo: Elections BC

Elections BC is getting residents ready for the referendum on electoral reform.

The agency have begun delivering voter's guides to all households in the province in advance of the distribution of voting packages Oct. 22.

The voters guide has everything voters need to know to participate in the referendum, says Anton Boegman, Chief Electoral Officer.

Voters with questions are encouraged to contact us at 1-800-661-8683.

Short videos on the basics of the voting systems on the ballot and an online version of the voter's guide are available by clicking here.

Referendum voting packages will be mailed to households from Oct. 22 and Nov. 2.

Completed voting packages must be received by Elections BC no later than 4 p.m. Nov. 30.

Individuals can vote in the referendum if they are:

a Canadian citizen

18 or older as of November 30, 2018

a resident of B.C. for at least six months immediately before November 30, 2018.

Voters are encouraged to get ready for the referendum by getting informed about how to vote and all four voting systems.

For more information, visit elections.bc.ca/referendum or call 1-800-661-8683 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).The police officer who discovered 8 pounds of suspected methamphetamine in the vehicle of a couple charged with drug conspiracy and distribution took the stand on the fourth day of jury trial in the case.

Raymond Martinez and Juanita Moser are accused of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and money laundering. The case involves an alleged plot to bring 8 pounds of meth from California to Guam.

Torrance, California, Police Department Officer Ryan Schmitz was called to the stand Tuesday in the District Court of Guam.

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As the first officer to interact with Martinez and Moser, it was Schmitz who discovered the suspected methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Torrance. The substance was found in two buckets behind the driver's seat.

Schmitz was questioned about the condition of the evidence that was confiscated during the stop. He was specifically questioned by both prosecution and defense about the unique markings and other identifiers on the bags containing the suspected meth.

When the jurors were in recess, Assistant U.S. Attorney Frederick Black asked the court's permission to bring in one of the witnesses, senior forensic chemist Michael Brosseau, to testify on the condition of the evidence.

Black also proposed that Schmitz be brought back in court today to verify whether the condition of the evidence is the same as it was in June 4, 2015  the day it was confiscated from the defendants.

Attorney David Lujan, legal counsel for Moser, objected to the proposal.

"Whatever issues Mr. Black has with the chain of custody, these are pretrial issues which he should have asked during pretrial," Lujan said.

Drug arrests

Martinez and Moser were arrested in 2015 after being accused of conspiring to bring 8 pounds of meth to Guam from California.

The arrest followed weeks of recorded contact between Martinez and Moser, and former Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency Lt. Henry Alvendia, about their alleged "elaborate" plans to smuggle the drugs to the island.

Alvendia was charged with receiving bribes and kickbacks while he worked for the government and agreed to cooperate with federal authorities in exchange for a lighter sentence.

The defendants' first jury trial concluded May 21, during which Martinez and Moser pleaded not guilty to the charges. Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood declared a mistrial after jurors said they had been unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Trial continues at 8:30 a.m. today.Photo: The Canadian Press Republican John James waves before the debate with Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., at the Detroit Economic Club, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Detroit.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate John James of Michigan said Monday he made a "terrible error" by inadvertently showing a swastika in his campaign's first TV ad of the general election.

The ad began airing two weeks ago and already was being phased out for a new one, James said, when a left-leaning blog and then the liberal advocacy group Progress Michigan brought attention to the image on Monday. It is briefly shown on a bulletin board in a school hallway while James talks off-screen about failing schools. He said the scene is from stock footage.

"I need to fess up and admit this was a terrible error on our part," James, a businessman and military veteran, said during a news conference that was held at his campaign headquarters in the Detroit suburb of Livonia hours after he and Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow met for a debate . "We should have caught this error and we didn't, and there's no excuse. I'm responsible for everything that our team does and fails to do, and I will do everything in my power to make sure this never, ever happens again."

Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan, said ensuring that symbols of hate speech and genocide are not in political ads "should be a pretty basic thing to figure out."

"His team is either too lazy to spot check their ads or they're wilfully pushing out this type of imagery," he said. "Either way, it's a problem and shows James' lack of preparedness for the United States Senate."

James, who is black, said implying that he supports racism is an "indication of how low people are willing to go" to get Stabenow re-elected to a fourth term.

"I absolutely do not approve of hatred or bigotry in any form," he said.

Stabenow's campaign did not comment on the ad.NORRISTOWN  A Pottstown woman who sold a malnourished and ill puppy to a Berks County woman faces probation on animal neglect charges and is banned from selling other animals.

Jenifer Herrera, 47, of the 500 block of Grant Street, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 360 days of probation after she pleaded guilty to multiple summary charges of neglect of animals in connection with incidents that occurred between January and February.

Judge Wendy G. Rothstein, who accepted a plea agreement in the case, also ordered Herrera to pay $984 in restitution to the Hamburg, Berks County, woman who purchased the puppy.

The judge said Herrera is prohibited from selling any other animals and can own only her current pets, including seven cats, three dogs and seven rabbits, according to court papers. Rothstein said Herrera is prohibited from obtaining or breeding any other pets.

Court documents indicate Pottstown police began an investigation of Herrera on Feb. 9 when they were asked to assist with an investigation launched by humane society officers of the Montgomery County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

In January, Herrera, according to investigators, advertised a Labradoodle puppy for sale via Craigslist. On Jan. 29, a Hamburg woman met Herrera at Herreras Grant Street residence and purchased the puppy for $400, according to the criminal complaint filed by Pottstown Police Sgt. Brian Rathgeb.

According to (the purchaser), the puppy was very thin, lethargic, ill and in desperate need of medical care, Rathgeb alleged, adding the woman took the newly purchased puppy to the Hamburg Animal Hospital in Berks County to be examined on Feb. 1.

A veterinarian determined the puppy smelled of ammonia and feces; was very thin and underweight; had internal parasites and was suffering from an upper respiratory infection, according to the criminal complaint. The doctor concluded from the examination that the Labradoodle puppy was a victim of neglect, Rathgeb wrote in the arrest affidavit.

In a victim impact statement to the judge, the purchaser said the puppy clearly was not healthy and that numerous medical bills were incurred to improve his health.

It was very traumatic seeing the puppy so sick and seeing it have so many health issues, the Hamburg woman wrote in the statement to the judge, adding her work schedule was impacted because she had to take the puppy to numerous veterinary appointments.

On Feb. 8, a humane society police officer contacted Herrera, who admitted to selling the puppy and at that time she claimed she had the puppy in her home for a couple of days before the sale. Herrera allegedly refused to allow the humane society officer to enter her home for the purpose of checking the living and health conditions of other animals there.

During the investigation, Herrera allegedly claimed the puppy had been given to her by someone else. However, the humane society officer alleged Herrera was both misleading and deceptive, according to court documents.

When Pottstown police contacted Herrera on Feb. 26, she allegedly told the officer that she sold the puppy for another person and claimed that in exchange for her assistance with the sale of the dog that she received $50, according to the criminal complaint.

Herrera also claimed she sold a healthy, large size puppy that exhibited no signs of illness or weight issues, Rathgeb alleged in the arrest affidavit.

At the time she spoke with police Herrera said she couldnt recall if the sale of the dog occurred inside or outside of her Grant Street residence.Elizabeth Warren has proved that she is approximately as Native American as the average cigar store Indian. I wont be persuaded until Ward Churchill has endorsed her claim. Warren released a video (below) in connection with her alleged vindication. She must think were really, really stupid, and she has more evidence to support that proposition than she does her claim to official Indianship of some kind. Committing the only kind of humor of which Warren is capable, the video is unintentionally hilarious (more here).

It seems to me that Warrens target audience for this production is the Democratic Partys media adjunct. There her confidence in the stupidity of her audience is fully warrented (misspelling intended).

James Freeman provides useful context to Warrens test results. His column is worthwhile in its entirety. Freeman turns to our shared heritage as suggested by Carl Zimmers account of the biggest genetic profile of the United States to date. Freeman quotes Zimmer:

The researchers found that European-Americans had genomes that were on average 98.6 percent European, .19 percent African, and .18 Native American. These broad estimates masked wide variation among individuals. Based on their sample, the researchers estimated that over six million European-Americans have some African ancestry. As many as five million have genomes that are at least 1 percent Native American in origin.

Freeman comments: At least according to the report from Professor Bustamante, its possible that Sen. Warren has far less than one percent Native American ancestry, and that her genetic makeup is perhaps similar to that of the average white person in the U.S.

Elizabeth Warren obviously fancies herself presidential material. It would be difficult to find a candidate less appealing to a general national audience than Hillary Clinton, but Elizabeth Warren may be she. Her natural appeal extends to the narrow band of Americans those who love being lectured and hectored and condescended to.The mainstream media has criticized President Trumps reaction to reports that Saudi Arabia is responsible for the disappearance and probable death of Jamal Khashoggi. Trump has said he is waiting for more facts, clearly an appropriate position to take. He has also said that if the Saudis are responsible for killing Khashoggi the U.S. response will be severe punishment. From the medias perspective, this statement seems unobjectionable.

At the same time, however, the president has said he wont scuttle a big arms deal with the Saudis over Khashoggi. This statement is the main source of media discontent.

But according to the Washington Post, European nations seem, if anything, even less willing to see trade with Saudi Arabia affected by Khashoggis fate. Rick Noack reports:

While Britain, France and Germany issued a joint statement over the weekend in which they called for a credible investigation, none of the three countries have gone beyond the remarks so far voiced by the White House. If anything, theyve been even less vocal. While U.S. pressure on Trump has been bipartisan, in Europe, calls to punish Saudi Arabia have mostly come from opposition parties. Britains Labour Party pressed the Conservative government over the weekend to stop arms sales to the country until they changed their ways, said Labour foreign policy expert Emily Thornberry. While German observers have lashed out at Trump for refusing to punish the Saudis, German Chancellor Angela Merkels spokesman said the Khashoggi case and German exports to Riyadh were two unrelated things. The European joint statement during the weekend made no reference to possible sanctions, and British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt later only said that the country would consider an appropriate way to react if the Saudis were found to be behind the writers disappearance.

Its understandable that the U.S. and the Europeans are reluctant to damage their economies over the fate of one man in a bloody region of the world. But for the U.S. in particular, its not just a question of economics. Saudi Arabia is a key strategic ally in the quest to thwart Iranian ambitions.

Rather than remaining neutral in the struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the Trump administration picked a side. As between the two unsavory powers, it picked the Saudis.

Both decisions were reasonable and, in my view, correct. The strategic thinking behind the decisions applies in full force even if, as seems very possible, the Saudis were responsible for killing Khashoggi.

Last night, I heard Sen. Marco Rubio tell Fox News Shannon Bream that if the U.S. criticizes human rights abuses by Iran and Russia, it can hardly fail to criticize the Saudis if they killed Khashoggi. Thats true as far as it goes. The U.S. certainly should criticize the Saudis in that case. It should also couple that criticism with some sort of punishment.

The question is how far we should go. In my view, we should neither jeopardize our strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia nor inflict significant damage to our economy.Paul and Scott have joined in the general hilarity over Elizabeth Warrens disclosure that she might be something like 1/1,000 Native American. (Then again, she might not be. There is so little Native American DNA in the database that several Latin American countries, including Mexico, are used as proxies. Warren may have a better claim to being Hispanic than Indian.) It turns out that Warren likely has less Native American blood than the average white American. Not to mention the wag who noted that she has more bourbon in her blood than Warren has Indian. But Warren doggedly sticks to the one-drop rule that her Democratic forbears promulgated in the antebellum South. Good for her!

Heres the point: Warrens defense of her claim to being Native American is good for America. Because if Warren is an Indian, then so are most of the rest of us. And most of us are also African-American or Hispanic. If everyone is an Indian, then no one is an Indian. This logic is fatal to the whole corrupt affirmative action enterprise.

Harvard Law School billed Elizabeth Warren as the first woman of color on its faculty. On the contrary, if Warrens 1/1,000 Native American ancestry counts, the law school has probably had any number of women of color, both before and after her. Most of us qualify.

Affirmative action is teetering on the brink. Trial of the Asian students race discrimination lawsuit against Harvard University commenced today, I believe. Harvards denial that it discriminates against Asian applicants is transparently false, yet the academic world has rallied around the university in what likely will prove to be a vain effort to uphold the discriminatory regime in which nearly all are complicit.

Meanwhile, InstaPundit notes the documentary How Jack Became Black, in which [a] father forced by the public school system to categorize his multiracial children by primary race explores the silliness of racial identity. Here is the trailer:

Why does the edifice of racial categorization and discrimination persist in spite of its obvious irrationality and unfairness? Because many billions of dollars turn on it. And, perhaps equally important, it provides endless opportunities for virtue signaling. After all, if the Democrats didnt have race, what would they have? That question is, no doubt, frightening to them.

So lets all appreciate Elizabeth Warrens contribution to the demolition of Americas corrupt affirmative action regime. It is long past time that we stopped classifying each other by race and bestowing benefits on that basis. Warrens message is liberating: we are pretty much all Indians, or Hispanics, or African-Americans now. So lets move on.PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-16 18:10:01

A.M. Best Announces Appointment of Carlos De la Torre to Its Latin America Operations

A.M. Best

Midori Honda, +52 55 1102 2720, ext. 102

Market Development Director,

A.M. Best America Latina

midori.honda@ambest.com

or

Christopher Sharkey, +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

Manager, Public Relations

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

or

Jim Peavy, +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644

Director, Public Relations

james.peavy@ambest.com

A.M. Best is pleased to announce Carlos De la Torre as the new senior director of A.M. Best America Latina in Mexico City. De la Torre will be responsible for managing A.M. Bests Mexico-based subsidiary and its continued growth throughout Latin America.

De la Torre has more than 15 years of experience working in the insurance and reinsurance markets. He started with Marsh Mexico as a trainee broker in 2003. Two years later, he joined Cooper Gay in London as a broker for its Latin American property and terrorism reinsurance facultative business. De la Torre returned to Mexico in 2010, joining Som.us (formerly Cooper Gay Mexico), where he served as an assistant director and led the companys facultative property and casualty divisions for Central America, and aviation for Mexico, Central America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean.

"We are excited and honored to have Carlos join our Mexico city-based team and look forward to creating significant growth opportunities in Mexico and the rest of Latin America," said Andrea Keenan, senior managing director.

De la Torre holds a business management degree from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, and holds a Certified Insurance Professional designation as per the Accounted Chartered Insurance Institute (A.C.I.I.) of London, England.

A.M. Best is a trusted source of insurance market insight and data, and the only global credit rating agency with a unique focus on the insurance industry. Best's Credit Ratings are a recognized indicator of insurer financial strength and creditworthiness. Visit http://www.ambest.com for more information.

Copyright  2018 by A.M. Best Company, Inc. and/or its affiliates.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005Photo: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

Road signs recognizing the Splatsin community have been placed in the North Okanagan.

"The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Splatsin worked together to pilot this new sign initiative and have installed community gateway signage. These signs are unique, as they incorporate Secwpemcw language and the Splatsin community logo," stated the ministry in a press release.

The 14 roads signs provide directions to various buildings and services within the community, including the Splatsin Community Centre, Tsm7aksaltn Society and Shihiya School.

Ministry staff collaborated with Splatsin representatives on the content and locations for these signs, which support the revitalization of Indigenous languages and better cultural understanding.

The Splatsin community is located adjacent to the City of Enderby to the south and across the Shuswap River to the east. It is the most southern community within the Secwepemc Nation, which is the largest Interior Salish speaking First Nation in Canada.PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-16 05:08:32

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Atlanta, Georgia Real Estate Agency Global Hill Ventures Updated its Services to Help Previous Property Owners Recover Foreclosure Surplus Funds Resulting from their Foreclosed PropertiesATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / October 15, 2018 / Global Hill Ventures, a real estate agency based in Atlanta, launched an updated range of foreclosure refund consulting services for clients whose properties have been foreclosed. The company works with a team of expert attorneys to help clients recover any money that may be available from a foreclosure, offering complete assistance towards filling an adequate legal claim.More information can be found at https://www.globalhillventures.net.Individuals whose properties that have been sold in a foreclosure auction might be entitled to money from the foreclosure. Global Hill Ventures has been successful in helping clients remove FIFA's and Mortgage Liens.Global Hill Ventures provides personalized consulting services enabling clients to recover any due funds resulting from the foreclosure of their previous properties.All services are provided on a contingency basis, meaning that clients only pay after the successful recovery of their funds. The agency is responsible for any attorney, notary and filing fees.The Atlanta real estate agency has extensive experience helping previous owners recover money from their foreclosure. Recent successful claims include the recovery of more than $49,000 for 7037 Dalmatia Dr, Riverdale, and more than $29,000 for 5502 Mollie Ln, Mableton.With the recent service update, the agency continues to invest in the development of high-quality real estate consulting services for clients in Atlanta and across the America."Our clients often contact us years after we have recovered a check for them from a foreclosure, to get other real estate questions answered - from buying or selling another property, to finding the best rehab contractors in town and many others. We continue to be a trusted source of integrity and we guide them in the right direction to a competent and trustworthy professional in that particular real estate field."Interested parties can find more information by visiting the above-mentioned website.Contact Info:Name: Christopher HillEmail: Send EmailOrganization: Global Hill Ventures LLCAddress: 100 Hartsfield Center Parkway SUITE 500, Atlanta, Georgia 30354, United StatesPhone: +1-888-672-9651For more information, please visit https://www.globalhillventures.netSOURCE: PressCableFact.MR

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The broader trends impacting the packaging industry are also influencing the dynamics in the blow molded containers market. Global demand for blow molded containers is likely to reach nearly 33,000 kilo tons by 2018-end, equaling a market value of over US$ 185 billion. These insights are according to a latest market research study by Fact.MR A wide-range of discrete aspects, ranging from shift toward sustainability to rising demand for puncture-resistant packaging solutions, are likely to underpin the growth of blow molded containers market during the assessment period. Demand for blow molded containers continues to be influenced by their resistance to abrasion and high recyclability. Growing popularity of single-serve beverages and convenience foods is also likely to create sustained opportunities for blow molded containers market players during the assessment period. The report opines that market players offering customized and proprietary containers in a wide-range of shapes are likely to achieve long-term customer retention.Request For Sample Report- https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=1977 The report finds that blow molded PET containers continue to be the top-selling product type in the market. The high demand for PET bottles in the blow molded containers market can be attributed to cost savings and growing focus on sustainable packaging. Demand is also likely to be healthy for HDPE containers owing to high rigidity and excellent barrier properties.According to Fact.MR , blow molded containers will continue to witness steady demand in the manufacture of bottles and cans. The rising popularity of single-serve beverages and liquid supplements is significantly contributing to the overall demand for bottles and cans. Jugs and jars segment is further likely to trail the former in terms of adoption rate and is highly likely to introduce lucrative avenues for the stakeholders of blow molded containers market.To Get more Insights on Blow Molded Containers Market, Visit - https://www.factmr.com/report/1977/blow-molded-containers-market As per the research study, the tier 2 players in the blow molded containers market are focusing on introducing new products with advanced features and providing economical alternatives to consolidate their market stronghold. Furthermore, the tier 3 players in the blow molded containers market are focusing on gaining much-needed recognition in the marketplace and are investing on devising robust marketing strategies to achieve the same. The report also enunciates about key differential strategies adopted by the market players of blow molded containers in a bid to gain competitive advantages. Emphasis on vertical integration and use of bio-plastics are outlined as some of the key strategies adopted by the stakeholders of blow molded containers market.The report opines that the advent of advanced technologies, such as 3-D printing and accumulator head blow molding technique, are likely to diversify growth trajectory of the industry. While diverse regulations and legislations will continue to govern the market space, blow molded containers with quality assurances such as Food Safety HACCP-9000 will gain substantial prominence, unveils the report. The report also states that the blow molded containers market might be subjected to intense competition from alternative packaging solutions such as liquid cartons, plastic pouches, which might confine the adoption rate of blow molded products across the globe.To Buy Blow Molded Containers Market Report, Visit- https://www.factmr.com/checkout/1977/S About Fact.MR Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-16 14:41:03

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dutch energy storage and battery company Lithium Werks B.V. ( www.lithiumwerks.com ) and Chinese Zhejiang Jiashan Economic and Technological Development Zone Industry Corporation have signed a framework agreement with the intention to construct a 60 hectares battery gigafactory in the Yangtze river Delta. Total investments required are estimated at 1.6 billion.



The Lithium Werks factory and related facilities will produce battery cells for lithium-ion batteries, enabling the energy transition from fossil fuels to clean energy in order to reduce CO 2 emissions.

Lithium Werks expects to have installed production capacity of 500 GWh per annum by 2030 as it continues to contribute to the shift to a carbon neutral world.

With our Chinese partners help, and as we continue to grow both organically and through acquisitions, we will deliver the energy storage solutions that our customers increasingly ask for as the world transitions to clean energy, said Koolen.

We need safe, reliable, clean and sustainable energy storage. Batteries are an essential part of the energy transition. They enable us to store wind and solar energy to make it available whenever people need electricity, said Kees Koolen, chairman of the board, Lithium Werks.

The agreement, which was signed in the presence of the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, marks the start of Lithium Werks plan to build multiple gigafactories across the world as part of a 15-to-20-year program that mirrors the long-term business models of the wind and solar industry.

Lithium Werks expects its revenue to exceed $1bn by 2020 as it continues to grow its share of the rapidly expanding market for energy storage.

During the next decade alone, we can expect demand for lithium-ion batteries to grow tenfold.* The battery industry will need to respond by constructing factories to deliver capacity in excess of 10,000 GWh in the next three decades.

We are grateful and happy to work with our Chinese partners, the first to support our strategy to have a factory in their country. Speed of execution is key as is evidenced by building permit and other regulatory processes in China being completed within 100 days. Other countries and partners are invited to take up the dialogue in order to accelerate the roll out in other locations. We work closely with our customers to meet their specific energy storage requirements and are excited to develop new business relationships. said Koolen.

Lithium Werks is committed to providing energy storage solutions that make electricity generated from renewable energy available when consumer need it, thus facilitating the global transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.

Lithium Werks is working closely with the regional development organisation Oost NL, which has invested in the company, and with the University of Twente, with which it is developing a research campus that by around 2025 will employ some 2,000 engineers and other experts to focus on energy storage, transport and smart software.

"Significant investments are needed for an actual energy transition. The Chinese government has been working on clean energy plans for some time and their commitment confirms the crucial role that batteries play in this, said Victor van der Chijs, rector of the University of Twente.

Lithium Werks, with the University of Twente as a research partner, is an important player with a clear vision for a sustainable world. The University of Twente has been investing in sustainable energy research for years, including research into new materials that enable further innovation in battery technology, he said.

Marius Prins, CEO, Oost NL said: "These developments show that Lithium Werks can grow into a company that makes an important contribution worldwide to the way we handle energy and energy storage. As the development company, we were among the first to invest in Lithium Werks. We firmly believe that Lithium Werks energy research R&D activities will contribute significantly to the strength of East Netherlands economy.

*) Capgemini Research Institute, 2018

About Lithium Werks

Lithium Werks is a fast-growing global lithium-ion battery company with production facilities in the Netherlands and China, and offices in the USA, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Norway. Lithium Werks provides cells, modules and energy management systems to markets such as industrial, transportation, marine and clean energy.PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-16 14:01:37

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DECATUR, TX / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / ENERGY worldnet, Inc. (EWN) is excited to welcome Steve Allen to the EWN staff as the company's Executive Director of Pipeline Safety. An Experienced Pipeline Safety Regulator with an extensive history in the utility industry, Mr. Allen is a current member of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC). As the Executive Director of Pipeline Safety at EWN, Steve Allen will be responsible for continued contributions to the advancement of safety standards and programs in the oil and gas industry. Allen will also be responsible for the pipeline safety management program at EWN. When asked about adding Mr. Allen to the EWN staff, Coleman Sterling, CEO of EWN, stated, "We are fortunate to have our friend Steve join the EWN team. His industry experience and dedication to the betterment of our industry is inspiring and fits naturally with the EWN culture and vision. Together we will make our industry a safer place to work."Mr . Allen added, "I am excited about joining Energy worldnet in working to improve pipeline safety across the country. Operators must take a holistic approach to managing the risks associated with running a pipeline. I look forward to working with EWN and leveraging our capabilities to help move the needle towards zero safety incidents."ENERGY worldnet, Inc. has over 24 years of experience providing training, evaluations, record management, and consulting services to the energy industry. EWN's continued industry presence and leadership has earned the company a dominant position in the global marketplace. Based in Decatur, Texas, EWN supports training and compliance requirements for well over 1,000 clients throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South America.To learn more about this partnership, please contact:info@ energyworldnet.com or 855-396-5267SOURCE: ENERGY worldnet, Inc.PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-16 19:39:16

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / Viridium Pacific Group Ltd. ("Viridium" or the "Company") (TSXV: VIR) (OTC PINK: VIRFF) is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Experion Biotechnologies Inc. ("Experion"), has received an amended license from Health Canada allowing for the sale of cannabis starter material, including cannabis seeds and live plants. This license permits Experion to distribute starter material to other Licensed Producers and medical patients with personal cultivation licenses under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations ("ACMPR").Experion currently propagates all starter material at its indoor facility in Mission, British Columbia, which will serve as the initial source of commercially available product for Experion. British Columbia currently has a large industry of "personal use" or "designated use" licensed cultivators for medical reasons under the ACMPR. With Experion's cultivation facility located centrally in the Fraser Valley, it is uniquely positioned to become a major supplier of starter material for the region. As well, with the Cannabis Act becoming law on October 17, 2018, personal cultivation will be allowed and the license amendment opens the door for Experion to become a potential supplier for this market segment. Mr. Jarrett Malnarich, Viridium's COO, commented, "The market potential for quality starter material will continue after the Cannabis Act becomes law. From commercial micro-cultivators, to LPs needing specific genetics, to personal home growers, the demand for starter material should be well supported for growth. We aim to make Experion a leader in bringing high quality genetics to the broadening group of cultivators in Canada."In addition, the Company issued stock options to its officer that will be exercisable to acquire 561,797 common shares at $0.89 per share until October 11, 2021, vesting immediately. About ViridiumViridium Pacific Group Ltd. is a consumer wellness and biotech innovation company based in British Columbia, and the parent company of operating subsidiaries involved in horticultural production, (Experion Biotechologies Inc.) property development (Fish Trap Ventures Ltd.), and human resource management (Stave Lake Services Ltd.) Experion Biotechnologies Inc., is a Health Canada licensed producer of cannabis, which operates in an 8,300 square-foot indoor facility outside of Mission, BC. More information about Viridium can be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . For further information: Viridium Pacific Group Ltd.Jarrett MalnarichTel: (604) 837-8688info@ viridiumpacific.comwww.viridiumpacific.comRenmark Financial Communications Inc.Melanie Barbeau: mbarbeau@ renmarkfinancial.comTel: (416) 644-2020 or (514) 939-3989 www.renmarkfinancial.comDisclosureThis press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Although the Company believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, forecast, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to: the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities; recent market volatility; the Company's ability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies; the risks identified in the Filing Statement, and other risks and factors that the Company is unaware of at this time. The reader is referred to the Filing Statement dated September 25, 2017 and/or the most recent annual and interim Management's Discussion and Analysis for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through the Company page on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . SOURCE: Viridium Pacific Group Ltd.PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-16 15:33:16

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE /October 16, 2018 / Far Resources Ltd (CSE:FAT) (FSE:F0R) (OTC PINK:FRRSF) ( www.farresources.com) ("Far", "Far Resources" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following letter to its shareholders from President and CEO, Toby Mayo."Dear Shareholders:Far Resources continues to deliver on its exploration and corporate initiatives in a difficult time for the lithium sector. I want to thank you for your continuing support of the Company and management's strategy for developing our superior lithium assets in Canada.Globally , the best-performing lithium explorers are down by around 40% this year. The entire market is suffering.Despite the clear disconnect between the share price performance of lithium explorers and the underlying industry, which is being driven by the ongoing shift towards electric mobility, the fundamental supply and demand case for lithium remains extremely robust. Our commitment to our projects and ongoing exploration programmes reflect our belief that lithium demand will continue to grow; we will be well-positioned to meet that demand as we develop our projects through staged, strategic exploration.Exploration is a process; success cannot always be achieved over night. We are in the business of developing our assets in a staged and sustainable manner, keeping our treasury in good order. We are not in the business of short-term gain at the expense of realising our Company's potential. Over the past year, we have witnessed the negative effects of such short-term gain: our share price climbed unsustainably at the end of 2017 only to decline steeply this year.So we continue to develop our projects in a way that is consistent with the overall strategy of the company, which has been communicated regularly and effectively over the past twelve months. Our milestones are being met and our ambitious plans for the following six months make it an exciting time to be invested in Far.Since I wrote in June, we have achieved each of our stated objectives, delivering results that show the growth potential of the Company and its assets. Here are some of the highlights from the past three months: - Successful completion of the first ever drilling programme at our Hidden Lake Project in Northwest Territories, earning us our initial 60% interest. As reported in June, this programme of ten holes (1,079 metres of diamond drilling), intersected lithium mineralisation in every hole (see press release of June 27, 2018). - Announcement of the maiden resource at our 100% owned Zoro Project in Manitoba. The initial resource of 1.1 million tonnes at 0.93% Li2O (at a 0.3% cutoff) was reported on a portion of Dyke 1 and the NI 43-101 technical report was filed on SEDAR. This important step shows the huge potential for scale at Zoro, at which we have discovered a further seven dykes, with numerous additional targets to drill (see press releases of July 9 and September 5, 2018). - Outlining a very significant, high contrast lithium anomaly at Zoro. With the release of the second batch of MMI samples from last winter, the Company announced the identification of a large 1.5 km long and up to 100 m wide MMI geochemical anomaly for lithium which is viewed as very significant based on the discovery of our eighth spodumene-bearing pegmatite dyke, a discovery which resulted from the drill testing of an MMI lithium anomaly in 2017 (see press release of September 10, 2018). - Commencement and successful completion of a summer exploration programme at Zoro. Field work, including Mobile Metal Ions Technology ("MMI") soil geochemical surveys and geological mapping, was completed on the Zoro Project. The aim was to demonstrate the potential for adding significantly to the number of lithium targets, and to better understanding the controls on mineralisation (see press releases of July 26 and September 6, 2018) - Reporting numerous high-grade lithium intersections at Hidden Lake. The successful initial diamond drilling programme in NWT has shown the potential of this Project, as we drilled ten holes all intersecting mineralisation of greater than 1% Li2O, also with elevated tantalum (see press release of September 10, 2018). - Reporting numerous exciting new targets at Zoro. Expansion of the MMI sampling programme during the summer has led to the identification of multiple additional targets to the north, south and west of the existing, known dyke swarm. These high-contrast anomalies bring the total to over fifty targets for follow up, any of which could yield high grade lithium dykes of an economic scale. (see press release of October 2, 2018).As we move into the autumn and winter, we see great opportunities for continued growth for the Company. Here are some of the details:Zoro Lithium Project, ManitobaThe NI 43-101 technical report shows the great merit of the Project and justifies our excitement and conviction in continued exploration there. We are currently in the final stages of planning our autumn/winter drilling programme at Zoro, and this will be presented when we have processed all the results from summer soil sampling.The sampling has provided us with over fifty additional targets for follow-up work. We already have a large number of targets to drill and a resource to expand, but now can show the huge upside potential of the Project through science as well as our through our passion for the Project.Lastly , the winter programme will fulfil requirements for the ongoing metallurgical test study, which is an important process in de-risking the Project and attracting appropriate end-users.Hidden Lake Project, Northwest TerritoriesIn the past few weeks we released exciting results from the Hidden Lake Project, with all ten holes drilled intersecting lithium grades over 1% Li2O, with some values higher than 2% Li2O. All holes also intersected anomalous tantalum, which could have significant positive effects on economics. We are therefore very encouraged by what we have drilled and for the potential of further discovery there.We are planning a future drilling programme for this Project and have also planned soil sampling for when the ground thaws next year. As at Zoro, we already have numerous targets to follow up on, and will be working towards drilling a maiden resource at the project over the next twelve months.MarketingWe have initiated a multi-faceted marketing and PR programme aimed at raising awareness within the retail investment community, especially aimed at potential new investors in the US and Canada.We have visited and actively marketed in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Toronto, Hartford, Atlanta, Montreal and of course in Vancouver. Concurrently, we continue to push our news and progress through social media channels and actively update letter writers, analysts, brokers, bankers and shareholders alike.Meanwhile , we are attending highly targeted conferences focused onMRRSE

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The demand for licorice has revved up in pharmaceutical applications, being a vital ingredient in Chinese herbal medicine. On the backdrop of rising consumption of organic medicines, the demand for Chinese herbal medicines comprising of around 70% licorice is growing at a meteoric pace across several regions. These insights are gleaned from a new report, titled Licorice Root Market  Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2018  2026, recently added to the exhaustive repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE).Request a Sample of the Licorice Root Market Report @ https://www.mrrse.com/sample/16919 Among all the regions registering hefty demand for Chinese herbal medicines, Europe and U.S. stay at the vanguard of demand. The manufacturers of Chinese herbal medicines, in association with the harvesters of licorice root, are vying to ensure stable production patterns in a bid to prevent prices to shoot up. Such initiatives are likely to rev up the volume production of licorice root, driving growth of licorice root market.Licorice Root Market- Fortifications in the Food and Beverages Industry to Offer Prime OpportunitiesUse of licorice root in the food and beverages industry is gaining significant grounds, on the back of various health benefits. Licorice roots helps in better digestion, emerging as a pivotal ingredient in the food and beverage applications. Moreover, evolving preferences of health-savvy consumers are gravitating toward healthier alternatives of sugar, signifying an optimistic outlook for licorice root in food and beverage applications. Moreover, the licorice root market is also likely to gain benefits from increasing fad for organic and natural food products.Licorice Root Market- Tobacco to Offer Profit-making Avenues in terms of ConsumptionLicorice root extract has emerged as crucial flavoring agent and a vital component in case of confectionery applications. Apart from confectionery, tobacco is also an emerging application with a myriad of opportunities for the aspiring players of licorice root market to bank in.MRRSE Study on Licorice Root Market with TOC, Facts and Figures @ https://www.mrrse.com/licorice-root-market While gaining popularity in the food industry as a flavoring agent, licorice root is also gaining traction in tobacco manufacturing as a de-bittering agent. This helps in masking the off-note taste attribute of stevia and is emerging as a key product for enhancing the appeal of tobacco products. The transition of tobacco industry toward development of flavored tobacco is expected to create sustainable growth opportunities for licorice root market over the coming years.Licorice Root Market- Overview of the ReportThis report covers the crucial aspects impacting dynamics of licorice root market, which includes drivers, restraints, and trends. The report also portrays compelling insights, including analysis, to outline the growth potential of licorice root market across specific regions. The profiles of key stakeholders of the market landscape have also been covered in the scope of the report, in a bid to evaluate the current scenario, untapped opportunities, and futuristic potential of the market.Some of the key players featured in the report include Mafco Worldwide Corporation, NOREVO GmbH, Turkmendermansenagat [Agro-industrial complex (Buyan)], Maruzen Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Amarelli Fabbrica Di Liquirizia Di Fortunato Amarelli & C. Sas, Beijing Gingko-Group Biological Technology Co. Ltd., Naturex SA, Herbs Iran, and many more.Enquire More about This Report @ https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/16919 About (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords. MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-16 17:03:54

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The Leader in Online Content Removal and Reputation Management Helps Local Food Bank During Thanksgiving Food DriveBURLINGTON, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / Guaranteed Removals has collected and donated more than 500 lbs worth of items for the Burlington Food Bank in its annual food drive. The company holds food drives during every major holiday with staff collecting and donating some of the most needed items by the Burlington Food Bank. "We are so proud of our staff here at Guaranteed Removals. They always come through for the community and we are proud supporter of the Burlington Food Bank and other communityinitiatives." said James John, Founder, Guaranteed Removals. "Our staff work hard and look forward to helping the community every time we hold a food drive." continued John."We appreciate the efforts of companies like Guaranteed Removals and their staff for their donations to the Burlington FoodBank." said Robin Bailey, Executive Director, Burlington Food Bank. Guaranteed Removals is a proud corporate citizen and believes in helping their community and online communities. In addition to their Thanksgiving Food Drive, Guaranteed Removals held an Easter Food Drive in the Spring, helping the Burlington Food Bank by collecting more than 700 lbs worth of donations. The company also issues 5 scholarships to students in Canada and the United States that are studying in the areas of law, criminology or computer science. You can learn more about Guaranteed Removals corporate social giving at www.GuaranteedRemovals.com/press About Guaranteed RemovalsGuaranteed Removals is the largest and most successful content removal and image management company, helping people protect and defend their image online. Guaranteed Removals has been offering online reputation management services out of its Burlington, Ontario, Canada location. Guaranteed Removals has successfully removed negative content for clients across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, United Arab Emirates and New Zealand. The company has helped more than 2,500 clients improve their online image. With a team of 58 employees, Guaranteed Removals has assisted businesses and individuals who have been victimized online, to rebuild and restore their online reputation. For more information visit GuaranteedRemovals.com.For more information, please contact:Rachel SwiednickiPublic Relations, Guaranteed Removals1-866-689-2261 x. 237Rachels@ guaranteedremovals.comGuaranteedPR-Inside.com: 2018-10-16 08:08:01

Today two technology leaders signed an agreement in Beijing in the presence of Mr. Gu Shengzu Vice Chairman for Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference/Congress and the King of Norway

Kongsberg Digital and Alibaba Cloud to Explore Opportunities for Digitalizing the Energy Sector in China

Alibaba Group

Jowie Law, +86 136 2571 9035

yukman.lym@alibaba-inc.com

Luica Mak, +44 790 547 1332

luica@alibaba-inc.com

or

Kongsberg Digital

Mathilde Vik Magnussen, +47 456 78 255

mathilde.magnussen@kdi.kongsberg.com

China has taken a global number one position when it comes to investing in renewable energy sources. Digitalization is high on the countrys agenda when it comes to increased efficiency and transformed business models. To further promote that development, Kongsberg Digital and Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the opportunities provided by making KONGSBERGs industrial digital platform, Kognifai, available on Alibaba Clouds infrastructure.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181015006

Simon Hu, Senior Vice President of Alibaba Group and President of Alibaba Cloud, and Hege Skryseth, Executive Vice President of KONGSBERG and President of Kongsberg Digital, signed an MoU to explore the opportunities to make KONGSBERG's industrial digital platform, Kognifai, available on Alibaba Cloud (Photo: Business Wire)

Bringing Kognifai to the growing Chinese energy market is an important milestone for Kongsberg Digital, said Hege Skryseth, Executive Vice President of KONGSBERG and President of Kongsberg Digital. By implementing KONGSBERGs Kognifai platform on the Alibaba Cloud infrastructure, we will be able to offer our advanced joined digital solutions to the energy sector in China and other parts of Asia.

Alibaba Cloud has always been dedicated to advancing technologies to empower digital transformation across the globe, said Simon Hu, Senior Vice President of Alibaba Group and President of Alibaba Cloud. Together with KONGSBERG and Kongsberg Digital, we are looking forward to seeing how our robust cloud infrastructure and their cutting-edge platform can jointly drive the technology advancement to a new level for the energy sector.

KONGSBERG already has substantial operations in China, giving the group local knowledge and understanding of the processes in the Chinese market.

Operating Kognifai on Alibaba Cloud will make KONGSBERGs solutions for the energy sector available to a growing market in China and Asia. This includes IoT, advanced and hybrid analytics  available on secure digital ecosystems in which to develop and run scalable mission critical software and applications. Among the specific KONGSBERG solutions that could become available to customers of Alibaba Cloud is EmPower, a suite of efficiency software delivered as a service for the wind power industry.

Under the MoU, the companies will start their collaboration immediately and intend to make Kognifai available on Alibaba Cloud in 2019.

About Alibaba Cloud

Established in 2009, Alibaba Cloud (https://www.alibabacloud.com), the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, is among the worlds top three IaaS providers according to Gartner, and the largest provider of public cloud services in China, according to IDC. Alibaba Cloud provides a comprehensive suite of cloud computing services to businesses worldwide, including merchants doing business on Alibaba Group marketplaces, start-ups, corporations and government organizations. Alibaba Cloud is the official Cloud Services Partner of the International Olympic Committee.

About Kognifai

Kognifai is an open, secure and collaborative digital platform for accessing data, applying advanced analytics, running applications and accelerating digitalization initiatives in the industrial world. The platform integrates with different infrastructures that improve safe integration between the world of information technology and operational technology to accelerate business transformation in established industries. See http://www.kognifai.com/

About Kongsberg Digital

Kongsberg Digital is a provider of next-generation software and digital solutions to customers within maritime, oil and gas, and renewables and utilities. The company consists of more than 500 software experts with leading competence within the internet of things, smart data, artificial intelligence, maritime simulation, automation and autonomous operations.

Kongsberg Digital is subsidiary of KONGSBERG (OSE-ticker: KOG), an international, knowledge based group delivering high-technology systems and solutions to clients within the oil and gas industry, subsea, merchant marine, defence and aerospace. KONGSBERG has 7.000 employees located in more than 25 countries, creating a total revenue of NOK 14.5 billion in 2017.

www.kongsberg.com/en/kongsberg-digital/

www.kongsberg.com

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INCLINE VILLAGE, NV / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / LithiumOre ( http://lithiumore.net) (the "Company"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oroplata Resources, Inc. (OTCQB: ORRP), a lithium resource exploration and development company, is pleased to announce that it has signed a Joint Venture agreement with CINC Industries, Inc. for exclusive rights to its battery metals extraction technology in the U.S.For over 20 years, CINC's proprietary extraction technology has been a leader in the field of chemical extraction. CINC has serviced a wide range of industries including petroleum, chemical, mining, pharmaceutical and environmental industries. CINC's machines were utilized in the BP oil spill cleanup in 2010 and the U.S. Department of Energy uses CINC technology at their facilities for nuclear waste cleanup applications. The Joint Venture will employ this same proven technology to extract lithium from LithiumOre's salt brines in Nevada.The agreement grants LithiumOre exclusive rights to CINC's proprietary battery metals extraction technology in North America. LithiumOre will deploy the technology to extract lithium salt from salt brine at their Railroad Valley Lithium Project in Nevada and will market, promote and sell CINC's existing and/or future processing equipment to the global battery metals mining industry."It is well known in the industry that extracting lithium from brines is much more cost efficient than extracting lithium through hard rock mining. The issue with lithium brine extraction historically is that it requires evaporation ponds to remove the liquid water from the lithium brines, which can take 18 months to achieve. CINC's centrifugal technology has the potential to reduce the 18-month processing time to one week or less. This is another strong step towards achieving our goal of becoming one of the most substantial fully integrated battery metals production companies in the U.S.," said Doug Cole, Chief Executive Officer of LithiumOre. Bret Sheldon, Chief Executive Officer of CINC Industries said, "This new joint venture agreement is anticipated to significantly expand the use of our existing continuous flow solvent extraction and separation technology into the battery metals industry. Our CINC technology has the potential to reduce the processing costs and timelines for the battery metals industry and to create a new very profitable silo of business for our joint venture company. We look forward to teaming with Lithium Ore to develop the processes and products that have the potential to revolutionize the extraction of Lithium from salt brine resources."About CINCCINC Industries Inc. ( http://cincindustries.com) provides centrifugal processing solutions for liquid processing requirements worldwide. It designs, manufactures, sells, and supports liquid-liquid centrifugal separators/contactors for applications in chemical, mining and metals recovery, pharmaceutical, food and nutrition, flavors and fragrances, printing, biodiesel production, oil/water, biotech, industrial, nuclear and environmental industries. The company was founded in 1999 and is based in Carson City, Nevada.About LithiumOreLithiumOre ( http://lithiumore.net) , a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oroplata Resources, Inc. (OTC Markets: ORRP), is a lithium resource exploration and development company, whose primary focus is the establishment of a low cost, environmentally sound production base to supply the rapidly growing lithium-ion battery industry for both mobile devices and laptops, as well as the burgeoning EV (electronic vehicle) industry. LithiumOre is focused on becoming a substantial, profitable lithium producer via the timely development of valuable production-grade lithium brine deposits in Nevada.For more information, please visit: http://lithiumore.net Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, including those with respect to the expected project economics for Western Nevada Basin (Railroad Valley), including estimates of life of mine, average production, cash costs, AISC, initial CAPEX, sustaining CAPEX, pre-tax IRR, pre-tax NPV, net cash flows and recovery rates, the impact of self-mining versus contract mining, the timing to obtain necessary permits, the submission of the project for final investment approval and the timing of initial lithium ore production after investment approval and full financing, metallurgy and processing expectations, the mineral resource estimate, expectations regarding the ability to expand the mineral resource through future drilling, ongoing work to be conducted at the Western Nevada Basin (Railroad Valley), and the potential results of such efforts, the potential commissioning of a Pre-Feasibility study and the effects on timing of the project, are "forward-looking statements." Although the Company's management believes that such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that such expectations are, or will be, correct. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's future results to differ materially from those anticipated. Potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, interpretations or reinterpretations of geologic information, unfavorable exploration results, inability to obtain permits required for future exploration, development or production, general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which the Company operates; the uncertainty of regulatory requirements and approvals; fluctuating mineral and commodity prices, final investment approval and the ability to obtain necessary financing on acceptable terms or at all. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2017. The Company assumes no obligation to update any of the information contained or referenced in this press release. Contact InformationHayden IRStephen Hart(917) 658-7878hart@ haydenir.comSOURCE: LithiumOrePhoto: The Canadian Press Karl Fix and Sandra Beug are shown at their wedding in Las Vegas in 2013.

Karl Fix and Sandra Beug have had some interesting experiences marrying each other again and again in different countries around the world.

They found themselves covered in spit in Ethiopia. They both caught malaria on the way to Timbuktu in Mali and Fix almost died. In Papua, Indonesia, this year to celebrate their upcoming 15th wedding anniversary, Fix wore a koteka  a traditional type of codpiece that leaves almost nothing to the imagination.

Beug declined the Dani tradition of the bride going topless for the ceremony, but Fix figured why not be authentic with his wardrobe.

Fix, 68, owns a construction company in Regina and Beug, 58, is a dentist originally from Raymore, Sask. They met in 2001 and married in January 2004.

Since meeting, the travel buffs have visited 116 countries together and celebrated their marriage in places such as Nepal, Suriname, Mozambique, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Fix's home country of Germany.

Beug says the two share a common outlook on life and are both interested in history and geography. Fix says he was attracted to Beug's willingness to try new things.

"She had that spirit of adventure that most other people don't have."

Fix starts planning their wedding adventures a year in advance and Beug often doesn't know about the marriage until the day of.

Fix says they enjoy celebrating each culture's unique traditions.

"We try to dress like the local people and be part of the whole cultural experience."

In Ethiopia, locals wanted Beug to wear a goat hide topless. She declined, but the couple was spit on after the celebration  a substitute for rice or confetti in the African country.

"We got mucus all over us," Fix says.

On their most recent trip in Indonesia, Fix had a machete pulled on him.

While driving in Ivory Coast on the way to where they would eventually get married in Timbuktu, the couple encountered several checkpoints and had to bribe guards to move ahead.

There are no specific plans for future weddings.PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-16 15:44:02

Australias leading provider of contemporary accommodation strengthens presence of the alliance in Oceania and beyond

Oaks Hotels & Resorts Joins Global Hotel Alliance

Global Hotel Alliance

Jelena Kezika, +97144214287

Strategic Planning Director

jelena.kezika@gha.com

or

Oaks Hotels & Resorts

Marion Walsh-Hedouin, +6623657676

VP Public Relations & Communication

mwalsh@minor.com

Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the worlds largest alliance of independent hotel brands and operator of the award-winning, multi-brand loyalty programme, DISCOVERY, today announced that Oaks Hotels & Resorts (Oaks) has joined its portfolio of independent hotel brands, adding a collection of over fifty hotels, resorts and furnished serviced apartments in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Qatar and the UAE, with Beirut to be launched soon, to GHAs collaborative network of 33 independent brands and over 550 hotels.

Established in Australia in the early 1990s, today Oaks continues to expand with a focus on strengthening its international footprint. In 2011 it was acquired by Minor Hotels (Minor), the leading hotel owner, operator and investor in Thailand and the broader region. Minors hotel brands, Anantara, AVANI, Elewana Collection and Tivoli, have already been members of GHA and participated in the DISCOVERY loyalty program for several years.

Chris Hartley, GHAs CEO, is thrilled that Minors full set of brands is now participating in DISCOVERY: Back in 2007, Minor joined GHA with its Anantara brand and only a few hotels. Since then, Minors growth story has been incredible and contributed significantly to GHAs owns success. Now, with Oaks joining the alliance, DISCOVERY becomes the second largest hotel loyalty programme in Australia and New Zealand, with over 100 hotels participating in that market, as well as over one million local DISCOVERY members out of the 13 million total members globally.

Dillip Rajakarier, Minors CEO, adds: Were very committed to GHA, and DISCOVERYs multi-brand loyalty approach has suited our own brand acquisition strategy very well. We get the scale and reach of a global programme, combined with the efficiencies of operating a shared loyalty platform across 33 brands. We expect Oaks to benefit significantly from the additional customer reach that DISCOVERY brings, especially with travel into Australia and New Zealand booming at the moment.

Oaks Hotels are live and bookable on the DISCOVERY website, and members are already experiencing the recognition and programme benefits across the Oaks portfolio.

About Global Hotel Alliance

Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) is the worlds largest alliance of independent hotel brands, bringing together 33 brands with over 550 hotels in 77 countries. GHA uses a shared technology platform to drive incremental revenues and create cost savings for its member brands. GHAs award-winning loyalty programme, DISCOVERY, provides 13 million members exclusive opportunities to immerse themselves in local culture wherever they travel. GHAs hotel brands currently include: Alila, Anantara, Atura, AVANI, Corinthia, Discovery Destinations, Doyle, Elewana, GLO, Grace, JA Resorts, Kempinski, Leela, Lungarno, Marco Polo, Meritage, Meydan, Mysk, Niccolo, NUO, Oaks, Omni, Outrigger, Pan Pacific, PARKROYAL, QT, The Residence by Cenizaro, Rydges, Shaza, Thon, Tivoli, Ultratravel Collection and Viceroy. For more information, visit discoveryloyalty.com

About Oaks Hotels & Resorts

Oaks Hotels & Resorts is one of Australias largest self-contained, accommodation providers, currently incorporating a portfolio of 56 properties spanning Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the Northern Territory, South and Western Australia as well as New Zealand, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and India. Providing the luxury of space, Oaks Hotels & Resorts offers a range of contemporary accommodation, from hotel and resort rooms and suites, to furnished serviced apartments, in central city locations and resort destinations. For more information, visit oakshotels.com

*Source: AETOSWire

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- Higher dose met primary endpoint, the Overall Neuropathy Limitation Scale (ONLS), with statistical significance (p = 0.008) - Higher dose met secondary endpoint, the 10-meter walk test, with statistical significance (p=0.016) - Safe and well tolerated, no treatment related serious adverse event reported in the higher dose group - Based on these positive results, Pharnext intends to file for market approval in the US and Europe - Conference calls today at 11:30 am EDT / 5:30 pm CET in French and 1:00 pm EDT / 7:00 pm CET in EnglishPARIS, FRANCE / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / Pharnext SA (FR0011191287 - ALPHA), a biopharmaceutical company pioneering a new approach to the development of innovative drug combinations based on big data genomics and artificial intelligence, today announced positive topline results from its pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial (PLEO-CMT) evaluating two doses of PXT3003 compared to placebo during 15 months for the treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A disease (CMT1A).PLEO-CMT was a pivotal, 15-month, double-blind Phase 3 study that assessed the efficacy and safety of PXT3003 compared to placebo for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate CMT1A. The study evaluated 2 doses of PXT3003, and patients were randomized 1:1:1. The study enrolled 323 patients aged 16 to 65 years in 30 sites across EU, USA and Canada. The primary endpoint was the Overall Neuropathy Limitation Scale (ONLS) measuring patient disability, in agreement with FDA and EMA for this pathology. A reduction of 0.3 point on this scale was determined to be meaningful according to previously described methodology.1Characteristics of the three groups were comparable at baseline. For endpoint analysis, there were 87 patients in placebo, 93 patients in lower dose and 55 patients in higher dose arms at baseline. The lower number of patients in the higher dose is due to unexpected formulation/ stability issues. Nevertheless, compelling results were obtained: compared with placebo, a mean reduction of 0.4-point ONLS (95% CI [0.1,0.6], p=0.008)was observed in the higher dose group. A sensitivity analysis demonstrated the consistency of this result across various statistical models. The secondary endpoints confirmed the superiority of the higher dose, in particular the improvement on the 10-meter walk test with a reduction of 0.5 sec (95%CI [0.1,0.9], p=0.016).A linear dose effect was observed. PXT3003 was safe, well tolerated and showed a similar safety profile as seen in the Phase 2 study.In this study, PXT3003 provided first evidence of a meaningful improvement of CMT1A patients in showing a statistically significant amelioration on the ONLS disability scale (primary endpoint) confirmed by sensitivity analysis and secondary endpoints together with a good safety profile. Based on these results Pharnext intends to file for market approval in the US and EU. The statistical plan and the results have not yet been reviewed by the regulatory bodies.Pharnext initiated a 9-month, open-label, follow-up extension study, PLEO-CMT-FU, in March 2016 that is currently ongoing with patients who completed the PLEO-CMT study. It is designed to confirm the long-term safety and tolerability of PXT3003 with results expected in H2 2019.Pharnext also expects to initiate a Phase 3 trial of PXT3003 in pediatric CMT1A patients in the first half of 2019, based on a Pediatric Investigation Plan (PIP) agreed upon with the EMA. The results of this trial are not needed for market approval for the adult indication."We are thrilled with the outcome of the trial and with the clearly demonstrated efficacy of PXT3003 in addressing the debilitating disease progression of CMT1A. We look forward to working closely with regulatory agencies to bring this therapy to patients," said Professor Daniel Cohen, MD, PhD, Pharnext's Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "These results validate the broad potential of our PLEOTHERAPYTMdrug discovery platform in other neurodegenerative and other disorders and, of course, represent a tremendous milestone for Pharnext.""CMT1A is a chronic, severe and debilitating inherited condition affecting about 125,000 people in the USA and EU, and, until now, there has been no prospect of effective pharmacological treatment," said David Cornblath, MD, Professor of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. "In this trial, PXT3003 demonstrated a significant improvement in patients with mild-to-moderate CMT1A and provided encouraging results that indicate PXT3003 may change the treatment paradigm for the disease. As a clinician, I am excited about the therapeutic potential of PXT3003 and what it means for CMT1A patients and their families.""This is the first large multi-center trial that has demonstrated a positive effect in CMT," said Richard Lewis, MD, Professor of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California. "I am delighted that this safe and novel approach may be available to patients with CMT1A.""These results are the first direct translation of a preclinical treatment developed in animal models to CMT1A patients," said Michael Sereda, MD, Professor of Neurology at the Max-Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Gottingen, Germany. "I am impressed by the consistency of the therapeutic effect in both preclinical and clinical trials. Data derived from CMT rat models give us important insight regarding the effect of PXT3003 on the diseased peripheral nervous system in CMT1A."Pharnext would like to express its gratitude to the investigators and their teams and to the patients and their families for their commitment to this trial.Conference CallPharnext will host two conference calls to discuss the study data today, Tuesday, October 16, 2018: - Call in French at 5:30 p.m. CET (11:30 a.m. EDT). To participate in this call, please dial +1 (409) 217-8230 (French & International) or (866) 417-2001 (USA), and refer to conference ID 3092454. - Call in English at 1:00 p.m. EDT (7:00 p.m. CET). To participate in this call, please dial (866) 417-2001 (USA) or +1 (409) 217-8230 (International) and refer to conference ID 2099809. - To participate in either call, a local French dial-in number is available: 0170807153A live webcast and accompanying slides of each call can be accessed on the Company's website at www.pharnext.com/en/investors/presentation and will be available beginning approximately two hours after each call until 30 days. About Phase 3 PLEO-CMT TrialPLEO-CMT was a pivotal, 15-month, double-blind Phase 3 study that assessed the efficacy and safety of PXT3003 compared to placebo for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate CMT1A. The study evaluated 2 doses of PXT3003, and patients were randomized 1:1:1. The study enrolled 323 patients aged 16 to 65 years in 30 sites across EU, the USA and Canada.The higher daily dose consisted of 12 mg baclofen, 1.4 mgPR-Inside.com: 2018-10-16 14:11:48

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- Searchlight complete 51% earn-in of Bootleg Lake project ahead of schedule - Option Agreement amended to allow accelerated earn-in - Option Agreement amended to share only payment for 51% earn-inVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / Searchlight Resources Inc.("Searchlight" or the "Company") (TSX-V: SRCH) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an amendment agreement to complete the payments and work commitments to earn a 51% interest in the Bootleg Lake project, located near Creighton, Saskatchewan, five kilometres southwest of the city of Flin Flon, Manitoba. Under the amendment agreement, searchlight has accelerated the 51% earn in with an all stock payment.To date, Searchlight had completed the initial payments and the first phase of the 51% earn in, plus the $250,000 required exploration expenditure, described below as sections 1), 2), 3a) and 3c. Section 3b) originally a payment of $50,000 and 166,667 shares due June 30th, 2019 has been replaced with a share payment of 1,425,000 shares which will be paid within 5 days of TSXV approval. This completes the necessary requirements for Searchlight to earn 51%.Stephen Wallace, President and CEO of Searchlight stated, "this amendment gives Searchlight control of the Bootleg Lake project almost a year early and secures value for shareholders for the exploration investment made in the property. Further it allows the company to share exploration expenditures from core claims to claims staked in the past year."The amendment agreement is subject to acceptance of the TSXV.Original Option Agreement Terms Announced May 11, 2017Under the original terms of the Option Agreement, Searchlight has the option to acquire up to a 75% interest in Bootleg Lake project by making the following cash payments, share issuances and exploration expenditures shown below.1) Cash payment of $5,000 upon signing of agreement 2) Cash payment of $5,000 and issuing 250,000 shares within 5 days of the date of TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") acceptance.3) Searchlight will earn a 51% upon completing the followinga) Cash payment of $40,000 and issuing 250,000 shares before June 30th, 2018;b) Cash payment of $50,000 and issuing 500,000 shares before June 30th, 2019;c) Incurring initial exploration expenditures of $100,000 before December 31, 2018, and incurring further exploration expenditures of $150,000 before December 31, 2019, for a cumulative total of $250,000 of exploration expenditures.4) Searchlight will earn a 75% upon completing the followinga) Cash payment of $50,000 and issuing 500,000 shares before June 30th, 2020;b) Cash payment of $100,000 and issuing 500,000 shares before June 30th, 2021;c) Incurring additional exploration expenditures of $200,000 before December 31, 2020, and incurring further exploration expenditures of $300,000 before December 31, 2021, for a cumulative total of $750,000 of exploration expenditures.Searchlight can at its option accelerate the cash payments and common shares issuances described above. Any excess exploration expenditures incurred on the Property within an earn-in time period will be credited to successive earn-in time periods. All common share issuances by Searchlight will be subject to a 4-month hold period as per Canadian securities law.Under the terms of the Option Agreement, Searchlight will pay a 1.0 % Net Smelter Return royalty (the "NSR") to New Moon Minerals Corp. on commencement of commercial production. Searchlight will have the right, at any time, to purchase 0.5 % of the 1.0% NSR for $500,000. There is an existing 1% NSR in favour of the underlying vendor.Note Searchlight consolidated its issued and outstanding common shares at a ratio of three (3) pre-consolidated common shares to one (1) post-consolidation common share on August 16th, 2017. This reduces the number of shares in sections 2), 3) and 4) to 1/3 the original number. About Searchlight Resources Inc.Searchlight Resources Inc.("Searchlight" or the "Company") is a mineral exploration and development company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV). The company is active with mineral exploration projects in Saskatchewan, Ontario and Nevada, three of the top seven jurisdictions in the world for mining investment as ranked by the Fraser Institute. The Company holds a portfolio of gold, cobalt and base metal projects from grassroots stage to advanced exploration and NI43-101 resource development.Saskatchewan  Gold and Base MetalsThe Bootleg Lake project is 16,900 hectares of claims in Saskatchewan covering prospective areas of the Flin Flon Greenstone belt. Exploration is being carried out at the past producing Newcor, Rio (Bootleg) and Henning Maloney Gold mines located approximately 5 kilometres from Creighton Saskatchewan and less than 10 kilometres from the Hudbay 777 mine located in Flin Flon, Manitoba.In addition, the Bootleg Lake claims hold Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) base metal potential with claims adjacent to the Hudbay Mines claims hosting the producing 777 base metal and gold mine in Flin Flon and the four past producing base metal mines, Flexar, Birch Lake, Amisk and Coronation.Ontario  Copper, Cobalt, Nickel & Gold - The Munro Warden project is an early stage exploration prospect targeting VMS copper, nickel and cobalt within the Kidd- Munro assemblage of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The project covers 1,100 hectares including 9 mining lease and 11 claims blocks located approximately 90 kilometres east of Timmins, Ontario. - The Cameron project is a grassroots cobalt, gold exploration prospect located 25 kilometres southwest of Cobalt, Ontario with the highly prospective Cobalt EmbaymentNevada - CopperSearchlight's Nevada project New York Canyon hosts two copper deposits in the Walker Lane Structural Belt located in western Nevada. The Long Shot Ridge skarn deposit with a 2010 NI43-101 resource estimate and the Copper Queen porphyry deposit drilled out by Conco in the 1970's.On behalf of the Board of Directors,"Stephen Wallace" SEARCHLIGHT RESOURCES INC.Stephen Wallace, President, CEO and DirectorContact:Searchlight Resources Inc.Investor Relations(604) 331-9326info@ searchlightresources.com Forward-Looking StatementsInformation set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's limited operating history andThe Chief Executive of a U.S.-funded Charity in Liberia has temporarily resigned after a report alleged that a former senior staff member raped dozens of girls, the organisation said on Tuesday.

Katie Meyler, chief executive of More Than Me (MTM), has stepped down because of the allegations, MTM programme director Michelle Spada told journalists in the capital, Monrovia.

The resignation comes after a report was published on October 12, by ProPublica and TIME magazine.

According to the report, MTM co-founder Macintosh Johnson, who was HIV positive, raped at least 30 girls at a school in Monrovia run by the charity to promote womens empowerment.

He was arrested in mid-2014 and died in 2016 while awaiting trial.

Some of the victims reportedly contracted the virus.

MTM issued a statement on its website on Monday promising to make the safety of the children we serve our number one priority.

The charity has a zero tolerance policy for sexual violence and exploitation, the statement said.

It added that the organisation had launched an independent investigation and set up a panel to review it.

On Monday, a committee of seven Liberian government agencies said it was considering appropriate legal action in response to the allegations.

(dpa/NAN)Five people were injured in a blast that rocked Faizabad district in Afghanistans northern Jawzjan province on Tuesday, a police official Kamaludin Yawar said.

Five innocent children were passing a street in Faizabad district this morning when a mine planted by militants went off and injured the innocent children, Mr Yawar said.

Without providing more details, the official said that an investigation was underway.

Taliban militants who are active in the area and are largely relying on the suicide and roadside bombings havent commented on the incident.

However, in another development, local police said on Tuesday that at least seven Afghan police officers were killed following clashes with Taliban militants in Northern Province of Samangan overnight.

Deputy Provincial police Chief Khawani Tahari and six police officers were killed following a Taliban ambush attack in Dara-i-Suf Payyan district on Monday night.

The police unit was travelling to provincial capital Aybak city after inspecting security checkpoints in Dara-i-Suf Payyan but the clashes took place after the unit came in contact with the militants in Zarakai locality of the district.

Three policemen were also injured in the gunfight, more than 30 Taliban militants were also killed and injured after the fighting, provincial police spokesman, Munir Rahimi, said.

Violence has been on the rise as Afghan security forces struggle against a surge in attacks by militants, with the country preparing for parliamentary elections scheduled to be held on October 20.

During the upcoming polls, more than 54,000 Afghan army soldiers and police personnel would be deployed to provide security for 5,100 polling units across the country.

(Xinhua/NAN)French investigators have detained six people in connection with a shooting spree and supermarket hostage-taking in the south of the country seven months ago, judicial sources said on Tuesday.

The identities of the suspects and their ties to the attack, for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility, were not immediately known.

A petty criminal turned Islamist terrorist killed four people in a series of attacks in the town of Carcassonne and Trebes in March.

Police shot the 25-year-old Moroccan-born assailant dead after an hours-long stand-off in the grocery store.

Among those killed was a gendarmerie officer who swapped places with a hostage.

The attackers girlfriend has already been placed under formal investigation. (dpa/NAN)Maltas government says its one million-euro (1.2 million dollars) reward for information on who ordered the murder of the countrys most prominent journalist is still available, a year after her death.

Daphne Caruana Galizia, 53, who wrote an anti-corruption blog, was killed on October 16, 2017 by a car bomb.

Three people arrested in December were charged with the killing, which they have denied.

Police believe an as-yet-unidentified person ordered the attack that Justice Minister Owen Bonnici called the biggest crime that has ever happened in Malta.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, a frequent target of Caruana Galizias writings, offered the reward in 2017.

The money would be paid for anything which can unlock the facts behind the murder. So I reiterate the offer, it is still there, Bonnici told Reuters in an interview.

The minister defended the daily cleanup of a national memorial opposite Vallettas law courts that has become a shrine to the journalists memory and a center of protest against alleged corruption.

We have the rule of law in Malta. We have procedures. You cannot simply wake up in the morning and appropriate yourself of a national monument, he said.

Bonnici added that he had asked the activists to apply for a permanent memorial to be set up.

He said the government had made strides to improve the freedom of journalists since the murder, including abolishing criminal libel.

However, he declined to criticise the fact that Caruana Galizias family continued to face civil defamation lawsuits for what the journalist wrote, saying those who had been defamed felt they had the right to seek redress.

Local and international media groups, including Reuters, began following up stories covered by Caruana Galizia in the wake of her death, in an initiative called the Daphne Project.

(Reuters/NAN)U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday derided Senator Elizabeth Warren, for releasing a DNA test she says supports her claim to Native American heritage just weeks ahead of midterm elections.

Mr Trump said a DNA test that Ms Warren released showing she is 1/1,024th Native American only proves that her claim is a scam and a lie.

The president also referred to Ms Warren as Pocahontas in his tweet and said Native American groups reject her claim.

She took a bogus DNA test and it showed that she may be 1/1024, far less than the average American, Mr Trump said on Twitter. Now Cherokee Nation denies her, DNA test is useless. Even they dont want her. Phony!

Mr Trump used the nickname Pocahontas for Ms Warren during the 2016 presidential campaign after she campaigned with his opponent, Hillary Clinton.

Ms Warrens self-proclaimed Native American heritage had been challenged previously by her 2012 Republican opponent in the senate race in Massachusetts, who accused her of using it to gain an unfair advantage in getting coveted university positions.

Ms Warren has claimed Cherokee and Delaware Indian heritage, citing family stories, but until Monday had not presented documentation.

She provided on her website an analysis of her genetic data performed by a professor of genetics at Stanford University and an adviser to commercial DNA testing services.

Pocahontas, a historical figure from the 17th century who assisted English colonists in Virginia, was the daughter of a Powhatan Native American leader.

According to a well-known historical anecdote, she thwarted the execution of Englishman John Smith.

(dpa/NAN)The Government of Saudi Arabia has expressed gratitude to nations that have preferred not to rush to conclusions in connection with the case of Saudi opposition Journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Mr Khashoggi was alleged to have gone missing in Turkey, until all facts are established, Saudi Minister of Culture and Information, Awwad Alawwad, said on Tuesday.

Mr Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post, disappeared after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

According to the journalists fiancee, he was invited to the consulate to receive documents but never left the diplomatic missions building.

The Saudi authority claimed Mr Khashoggi left the building unharmed.

Turkeys NTV television reported earlier on Tuesday that the Turkish police had found evidence during their authorised search of the Saudi Consulate premises showing that Khashoggi was murdered there.

The cabinet of ministers of Saudi Arabia expressed its gratitude to all Arab, Islamic and other friendly nations, Arab and international organisations, parliaments and authorities.

It also expressed gratitude to all wise people on Earth who have preferred a balanced approach, reflection and the search for the truth to haste, rumours and accusations, Mr Alawwad told the Saudi Press Agency after a government meeting.

The Saudi government also welcomed Ankaras agreement to set up a joint commission to probe the disappearance of Khashoggi, according to Alawwad.

The disappearance of Mr Khashoggi has caused swift reaction from the international community amid the suspicion voiced by Turkey that the journalist could have been murdered at the consulate.

EU nations and the United States have voiced their concerns and called for a thorough probe.

U.S. President Donald Trump called King Salman over the high-profile case on Monday, while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh to discuss the issue earlier on Tuesday.

Both agreed on the need for a thorough investigation.

Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have sided with Saudi Arabia after warnings from U.S. and UK leaders to punish it if the Turkish inquiry confirms its role in the suspected killing of the journalist, the allegation that Riyadh rejects.

(Sputnik/NAN)No fewer than 10 Iranian security personnel, including Revolutionary Guards, were kidnapped at the border with Pakistan on Tuesday, state media has reported.

The media also reported that a separatist group had claimed that it had seized the personnel as revenge for the oppression of Sunni Muslims.

The Revolutionary Guards, Irans top security force, said in a statement on state television that some of its members had been abducted by a militant group at a border post in Mirjaveh, Sistan-Baluchestan province.

Iranian officials held talks with the Pakistani Ambassador in Tehran and called on Islamabad to use all possible means to free them.

The Guards did not say how many were kidnapped, but state news agency, IRNA, quoted an unnamed official as saying that 14 people were kidnapped at about 4 a.m.

The Guards said that they believed the Iranian forces had been deceived by insiders, but did not elaborate.

Fars news agency said there were reports that Iranian forces had been poisoned by food before being captured and taken to Pakistan.

Ebrahim Azizi, spokesman for Jaish al-Adl, a Sunni militant group, said the group had seized more than 10 people.

This morning, Jaish al-Adl forces attacked a border post in Mirjaveh and captured all their weapons, Azizi said in an audio message sent to Reuters.

The group also claimed responsibility on its Twitter account.

Azizi said the attack was retaliation for what he called the Iranian states oppression of Sunnis in Sistan-Baluchestan, a mainly Sunni province with a long history of separatist unrest.

Irans Shiite Muslim authorities say militant groups operate from safe havens in Pakistan.

Foreign Ministry spokesman, Bahram Qasemi, was quoted as saying that Pakistani ambassador had attended a meeting in the ministry.

Iran asked Islamabad to use all possible means, without any delay to free those abducted.

The Revolutionary Guards said in a statement that we expect Pakistan to confront these terrorist groups that are supported by some regional states, and immediately release the kidnapped Iranian forces.

In previous cases of cross-border clashes, Iran threatened to hit militants bases in Pakistan unless Islamabad took action.

But this time, Brig.-Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, head of the Guards ground forces, said Iran was ready to conduct joint military operations with Pakistan against the militant groups to release the kidnapped personnel.

Iran has accused Saudi Arabia of funding separatist groups on its territory. Riyadh has denied any involvement in Iranian internal affairs.

In September, the Revolutionary Guards killed four Sunni militants at a border crossing with Pakistan, including the second-in-command of Jaish al-Adl.

Jaish al-Adl kidnapped five Iranian border guards in 2014, releasing four of them two months later after mediation by local Sunni clerics.

(Reuters/NAN)Photo: The Canadian Press Jayme Closs

Authorities searched Monday for a 13-year-old girl they believe is in danger after her parents were found dead in their western Wisconsin home.

Deputies went to the home in Barron after dispatchers received a 911 call from an unknown person about 1 a.m. Monday, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said. He said they found the bodies of Jayme Closs' parents, who were later identified by the sheriff's department as 56-year-old James Closs and his 46-year-old wife, Denise Closs. Fitzgerald also said there had been gunshots.

"At the end of the day, I want a 13-year-old here safe and sound. That's our goal. That's our only goal right now," Fitzgerald said at a news briefing.

Investigators don't have any leads or suspects, but they have enlisted the help of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the FBI, which has agents who specialize in missing children cases, the sheriff said. He said Jayme is not considered a suspect in her parents' deaths.

Deputies searched the area around the family's home with drones and infrared equipment, but they didn't find any clues as to her whereabouts. Fitzgerald said investigators are frustrated they haven't developed any leads and asked for the public's help with any information about what could have happened to the girl.

Officers also were at Jayme's middle school talking with her friends and acquaintances, hoping to develop some leads, officials said.

An Amber Alert was issued Monday for Jayme, although it did not include information about a suspect or vehicle.

Jayme is described as five feet tall and 100 pounds, with strawberry-blond hair and green eyes.The Jigawa Primary Healthcare Development Agency (JSPHCDA) says over 1.5 million children were immunised against polio in the recently concluded immunisation in the state.

Kabiru Ibrahim, the executive secretary of the agency, said this on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse.

He said the agency received enough Oral Polio Vaccines (OPVs) which led to the successful immunisation of the targeted children against the disease.

Mr Ibrahim also said adequate personnel were engaged to conduct the exercise simultaneously across the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.

The executive secretary commended traditional rulers and religious leaders as well as other stakeholders in the state for their support and cooperation in ensuring the smooth conduct of the exercise.

Mr Ibrahim further expressed satisfaction at the level of compliance by parents.

He said that such cooperation would facilitate quick response in combating the disease and address other emergency situations in the state.

(NAN)Amnesty International and Nigerias senate president, Bukola Saraki, have condemned the killing of a Red Cross staff, Hauwa Liman, by the Boko-haram terrorist group.

The death of Ms Liman was confirmed by the Nigerian government Monday evening.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the ICRC on Sunday raised an alarm on the sect threatening to kill the young lady.

Ms Liman was kidnapped alongside others in March in Rann, Borno State, when the insurgents launched an attack on a camp for displaced persons.

One of the kidnapped aid workers, Saifura Khorsa, was earlier killed in September.

After the September murder of Ms Khorsa, the Boko Haram released a video threatening to kill Ms Liman and Leah Sharibu, one of the schoolgirls abducted at Government Secondary School, Dapchi in Yobe State last year.

Amnesty International, a global movement against injustice and an advocate for human rights, stated that the aid workers must be protected from attack as provided under the international humanitarian law.

Amnesty International is deeply concerned about yet another horrific execution of a health worker by Boko Haram one month after threatening to do so. @ICRC_Africa @UN, Amnesty wrote on Twitter.

The group, while commiserating with the family of the deceased, called on the federal government to ensure the release of Leah Sharibu who has been held hostage by the terrorist group after an attack launched in Dapchi, Yobe State.

On a day like this, our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased. We reiterate our call that; #BookHaram must immediately release remaining health workers, Leah Sharibu and all other civilians held hostage. #Nigeria @MBuhari @ProfOsinbajo @AUC_MoussaFaki, Amnesty posted on Monday evening.

Also, Mr Saraki mourned the death of the aid worker and tasked the government on security.

In posts on his Facebook and Twitter pages, Mr Saraki described the murder as a callous and ungodly act.

As I said on the 18th of September 2018, humanitarian workers, who go into troubled spots to alleviate peoples suffering are some of the most courageous and selfless people on the planet. They are #NotATarget, Mr Saraki said.

The senate leader promised that the Nigerian Senate will remain committed to working with the Armed Forces to find a lasting solution to the unlawful killings by insurgents and improve the security infrastructure.

He then implored the federal government to deploy every reasonable tool at its disposal to ensure the freedom of Leah Shuaibu and all the children from the Boko Haram captivity.

In his reaction, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, called on the federal government to take necessary action to rescue others in Boko Haram captivity.

Im deeply saddened by the murder of Hauwa Leman, an ICRC aid worker, by terrorists. I implore the Federal Government to deploy every reasonable tool at its disposal to bring Leah Shuaibu and all the children in Boko Haram captivity home Mr Abubakar wrote on his verified Twitter handle.

Also, the Governor Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo, expressed his sadness over the execution of Ms Liman.

I am so devastated to hear about the brutal murder of Hauwa Leman, a humanitarian aid worker with @ICRC by Boko Haram. My sincere condolences to the family of the young promising woman so devoted and dedicated to helping others, Mr Dankwambo wrote on Twitter.

For the senator respresenting Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, Ms Liman was a martyr of peace.

The cruel murder of #HauwaLeman stands unreservedly condemned. She was a martyr of peace. She paid the ultimate price in the service of humanity. She epitomized courage,resilience & sacrifice.She was a light that shined over the dark corners of our country.May Allah grant her peace, Sani tweeted.The Peoples Democratic Party has announced Senate President Bukola Saraki the head of its presidential campaign efforts.

Mr Sarakis official position as the director-general of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation was disclosed on Tuesday morning by Kola Ologbondiyan, the partys spokesperson. Mr Abubakar was elected the presidential candidate of the main opposition party at its national convention in Port Harcourt earlier this month.

Mr Saraki was amongst the 11 other aspirants who challenged Mr Abubakar for the ticket. All the aspirants have pledged support to Mr Abubakar, after deeming the exercise peaceful and transparent.

The senate president would work with six others who would coordinate the six geopolitical zones, including three other former contenders for the presidential ticket.

The zonal coordinators were announced as follows: Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal (North-west); Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi (South-East); Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo (North-east); Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike (South-south); Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom (North-central) and former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose would lead South-west push.

Kabiru Turaki, a senior lawyer and former minister, would chair legal matters; while Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel would chair fund-raising committee.

Messrs Turaki, Dankwambo and Tambuwal all unsuccessfully vied for the presidential ticket against Mr Atiku.

Other key appointments into the campaign structure would be disclosed soon, Mr Ologbondiyan said.

The announcement comes three days after Mr Umahi led other South-east governors to protest the nomination of Peter Obi as the vice-presidential running mate to Mr Abubakar. Mr Umahi and other South-east leaders, including Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and governors of Enugu and Abia states, said Mr Abubakar did not consult them before appointing Mr Obi on October 12.

Mr Abubakar has reportedly informed the South-east leaders that he would address their complaints when he returns into the country from a short vacation abroad, although his campaign insisted Mr Obi would not be replaced.

Mr Umahis seeming closeness to President Muhammadu Buhari, who is seeking re-election, has also drawn criticism after his name appeared on the list of zonal coordinators Tuesday morning.

Critics believe the governors professed admiration of Mr Buhari could adversely impact his performance in the South-east, where Mr Abubakar is expected to win, with some fearing internal sabotage.

Mr Ologbondiyan dismissed those concerns to PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday morning, saying they are whimsical allegations that have no correlation to reality.

He also dismissed concerns about Mr Fayose, whose tenure expired yesterday and is expected to turn himself in at the anti-graft EFCC office on corruption allegations.

He would not be at the EFCC office forever, Mr Ologbondiyan said. They have only accused him and he would soon be out of the place to coordinate the campaign in the South-west.The Immediate past Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, made good his words to turn himself in to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as he reported to the anti-graft agency headquarters in Abuja, 24 hours after exiting office.

Mr Fayose made a public show of the action, as he arrived the EFCCs office on Tuesday in company of some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode.

Mr Fayose wore a blue t-shirt with a bold white inscription: EFCC Im here, with a face cap to match.

The governor carried two bags in tow, perhaps containing his sleeping materials and other personal items in case the EFCC decides to keep him longer than he planned.

A fortnight ago, the governor had restated his resolve to report to the EFCC immediately after he vacates office to answer questions on corruption allegations and abuse of office leveled against him.

On September 12, Mr Fayose said several actions of the anti-graft agency, including the freezing of his personal account and an attempt to secure a temporary forfeiture of his assets, were indicative of a plan to arrest him for questioning immediately his tenure elapsed.

He said his decision to visit the EFCC was informed by his belief in the rule of law, particularly the need to clear his name.

On Monday, the PDP spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the party had information that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the anti-graft commission to arrest and detain the former governor indefinitely.

PREMIUM TIMES could not independently confirm this claim.

Mr Ologbondiyan alleged the directive was not unconnected with the plan by the government to use the EFCC and other security agencies to detain Mr Fayose for his persistent criticism of the president and the All Progressives Congress (APC) while in office.

FAYOSE, WIKE SPEAK

Before entering the EFCC office, Mr Fayose spoke briefly to reporters.

I am here in line with my promise that I will be here on the 16th of October. Like I said to the EFCC to await my arrival. This morning they came to my house, they cordoned off my street which I feel personally is unnecessary and unwarranted.

From left: A former Minister of Aviation and a PDP chieftain, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode; Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers; former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose; and a lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Mike Ozekhome, at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office in Wuse, Abuja where Fayose went to submit himself for interrogation on Tuesday (16/10/18). Fayose arrived the EFCC office, wearing a t-shirt with the inscription, EFCC, I am here. 05030/16/10/2018/Anthony Alabi/NAN

When a man says he is coming, Nigerians should be given the benefit of the doubt. I have left Ekiti so whatever they need to ask today I will be able to respond appropriately, Mr Fayose said.

Also speaking, Mr Wike said, He wrote letter to the EFCC that he would submit himself on the 16th of October. And I believe EFCC should know that he is well. He is hail and healthy.

I want Nigerians to know that he came by himself to the EFCC without anybody harassing him so that is why I have brought him here today.

There was a mild drama when those who accompanied Mr Fayose were not allowed in which led to confusion between the security operatives and the ex-governors supporters.

Some of his supporters at the EFCC Office praised the governor and railed insults at President Buhari.

The situation was later brought under control when it was agreed that three people should follow the governor inside. These were two lawyers and Mr Fani-Kayode.

Mr Fayoses legal team at the EFCC were led by activist Mike Ozekhome.

The former governor was still at the EFCC office at the time of this report.The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) has confirmed the execution of its worker, Hauwa Liman, by Boko Haram terrorists on Monday.

Ms Liman was abducted in March in Rann, Borno State. Her execution followed that of another abducted Red Cross worker, Saifura Khursa, last month by the same group.

In a statement it released to confirm Mondays incident, ICRC said the death of the two aid workers will be felt by thousands of people in Rann and other conflict-affected areas of north-east Nigeria where accessing health care remains a challenge.

The ICRC had in a statement on October 14 noted the deadline given by the terror group for the Nigerian government to address its demands and called on the government prevent another tragedy.

Boko Haram released a video in September threatening to kill the two remaining health workers, after executing a first woman; Saifura Khursa in September.

On Monday, a staff of the Red Cross who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES said she could not immediately confirm the Monday killing, but promised that the committee would issue a statement on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the ICRCs regional director for Africa, Patricia Danzi, in a statement described the killing as utterly devastating and heart-breaking.

The statement was published by the ICRC on its website, Tuesday afternoon.

Its utterly devastating that we have to write that sentence. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) received information indicating that Hauwa Mohammed Liman has been killed by her captors in a despicable act of cruelty.

Hauwa is the second abducted health worker in Nigeria to be murdered in the last month.

The news of Hauwas death has broken our hearts, said ICRCs Regional Director for Africa, Patricia Danzi.

We appealed for mercy and an end to such senseless murders. How can it be that two female health care workers were killed back-to-back? Nothing can justify this.

Hauwa, 24, was full of life, becoming a midwife at an early age. People who knew her described her as a sociable, dynamic and enthusiastic woman who was much loved by family and friends. She was truly dedicated to her work helping vulnerable women in her familys home area.

Hauwa was abducted in an attack in the north-eastern town of Rann on 01 March, together with Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa and Alice Loksha. Saifura was deliberately killed on 16 September, while Alice remains in captivity, along with Leah Sharibu, a 15-year-old student abducted by the group in a separate incident in February.

Hauwa and Saifura worked in a health-care centre supported by the ICRC; Alice worked in a centre supported by UNICEF.

ICRC also said it made sustained and committed efforts to secure the release of the three health-care workers, including a last-minute plea for mercy on Sunday to the Islamic States West African province group, to no avail.

Hauwa and Saifuras deaths are not only a tragedy for their families, but they will also be felt by thousands of people in Rann and other conflict-affected areas of north-east Nigeria where accessing health care remains a challenge. We urge the group holding Alice and Leah to release them safely, said Ms Danzi.The Nigerian Customs Service, Tincan Island Command, has refuted the allegations of extortion levelled against one of its officers, Patrick Olaniyan, serving at Clarion Bonded Terminal in Lagos.

Importers and agents had taken to the streets on Monday afternoon to protest alleged extortion by Mr Olaniyan, a Customs officer at the terminal.

According to the protesters, the official introduced a controllers watch list and mandated them to pay N100, 000 to have their containers removed from the list.

But the agency, in a statement late Monday, said Mr Olaniyans action was in order.

Our attention has been drawn to an online report by Premium Times and other media outfits of 15th October, 2018 alleging extortion by officers of the Tincan Island Port posted to Clarion Bonded Terminal. The publication further alleged acts of corruption by the O/C exit gate at the terminal, the Customs said in a statement by Uche Ejesieme, the Tincan Island spokesperson.

Consequently, it is pertinent to reiterate that the reform agenda of the Customs Area Controller is very emphatic on compliance and due diligence. It is therefore instructive to note that the command will not lower its guards in enforcing the fiscal policies of the federal government in terms of trade.

The agency said though Mr Olaniyans position might appear punitive, it is not in any way intended to victimise or frustrate any compliant trader or facility owner.

We wish to, therefore, disabuse the minds of the general public to their allegations of extortion which triggered unnecessary and mindless protest leading to disruption of activities at the Bonded Terminal in question.

We hereby enjoin importers and their agents to ensure strict compliance with import guidelines and avoid false declaration which may necessitate actions that might be viewed as high handedness.

Finally, TCIP as a user-friendly port would like to reassure importers and their agents that we are still deeply committed to our resolve to reward compliance and transparency as the task of nation-building is a shared responsibility.The police on Tuesday confirmed five persons were killed in an attack allegedly by an ethnic militia on travellers in Bali village of Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Four other victims survived the attack with injuries and have been taken to a hospital, the police said.

Police spokesperson in the state, Othman Abubakar, said the travellers were on their way to Jalingo but were ambushed by the militia along Numan-Kpasham road late Monday evening.

Mr Abubakar, however, called for calm, adding that the police had commenced an investigation into the incident.

They were attacked late evening by some militia along Numan Kpasham road who ran away after the heinous act and before the arrival of our men stationed at Bidoma outpost.

We are doing everything to bring the suspects to book, he said and pleaded against reprisal as two wrongs dont make a right,

A local farmer in the area who spoke with our reporter on phone said, some angry youth accosted the travellers, alleging that they were planning to attack their village and descended on them, killing five and injuring four others.

The farmer, who asked not to be named, said seven other persons were missing after the attack.

All effort to save the travellers from the youth by our village head in Kpasham was in vain.

Travellers had abandoned this road for long due to such attacks, until recently when assurance came that things have normalised. But here we are again, he said.

Meanwhile, officials of Adamawa State Muslim Council have visited the area to evacuate the dead who are Muslims for burial.The Labour Party says it will not field any candidate for the 2019 General Elections as the party could not hold an all-inclusive National Convention as directed by the court.

Ebere Ifendu, National Publicity Secretary of the party, said this at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mrs Ifendu said the all-inclusive national convention involving all parties was necessary as directed by an Abuja Federal Court.

On Oct. 2, 2018, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had written to the party to comply with the order of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to conduct an all-inclusive National Convention.

An all-inclusive National Convention that will involve all parties covered by the terms of settlement filled on March 14, 2018, she said.

Mrs Ifendu also noted that such all-inclusive National Convention involving the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), among other partners of the party was yet to hold.

According to her, the former National Chairman of the party, Abdulkadir Salam had on October 9, told the world that he was holding the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party.

Article 13, (2) A, explicitly spells out the composition of the Partys National Executive Council (NEC) Members, among the persons on the list are presidents and General Secretaries of NLC and TUC.

None of these constitutional members of the organ were in attendance nor represented. This clearly shows that the purported NEC meeting has nothing to do with Labour Party whatever, Mrs Ifendu added.

She also noted that the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party ended on October 10, saying that the Labour Party does not have any NWC working committee in place.

This clearly means that any nomination of candidate done by the party after Oct. 11, is null and void and it will be contempt of the court order.

So, there is no chairman and secretary at this point to sign any nomination forms, she said.

The publicity secretary of the party, however, called on the INEC Chairman and director legal to desist from conniving with the formal party chairman and acting secretary, Julius Abure.

She said that the party would no longer tolerate their unnecessary and biased interference in labour affairs.

Mrs Ifendu also said that a seven-man committee was being constituted to oversee the activities of the party and also to midwife the all-inclusive convention in accordance with the court order.

She added that the committee is expected to conclude the assignment within 30 days from today.

NAN recalls Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, had said that the Labour Party was registered under the NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Market Women Association, saying that the party certificate of registration is with them. (NAN)The police in Kano have arrested an operative of the National Drugs Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for allegedly killing a middle-aged man during a raid in the Fagge area of Kano metropolis.

The commands Public Relations Officer, Magaji Majiya, confirmed the arrest in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Tuesday.

Mr Majiya said NDLEA operatives raided a place in Fagge Local government suspected to be the hideout of drug dealers.

One of the NDLEA personnel misfired and shot the victim which led to his death, he said.

He said when the incident happened the command had to send a reinforcement to the NDLEA office at Sahuci and Kantin Kwari area where the incident happened to keep the situation under control.

He said the action was necessary so as not to allow hoodlums to take advantage of the incident and attack the place.

He said the operative that misfired the victim with a gun was already helping the police in their investigation into the matter.

The victim was confirmed dead by a doctor and the corpse had since been released to his relations for burial, the PPRO said.

(NAN)A former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Maurice Iwu, on Tuesday said restructuring is the solution to the problems facing Nigeria.

Speaking at an event organised in Lagos by Nzuko Umunna, a pan-Igbo group, Mr Iwu said there had been several funny ideas about what restructuring is all about.

For us, the whole idea of restructuring means what you are doing for so many years and is not yielding proper result, is it not better to look at the whole thing differently? Mr Iwu, a professor, said.

Nigeria has all it takes to be a great nation, blessed with natural and human resources with multi-ethnic and cultural diversities. Unity, trust, fairness are indubitably the necessary catalysts we need as a people to actualise our potential as a nation.

The group said there is an urgent need to shift the nations attention away from oil.

Yinka Odumakin, the administrator of the Core Federalists, said the groups are set to hold the maiden edition of Handshake across Nigeria and Restructuring Summit as part of a worldwide consultation process on the peace and development of Nigeria.

The event tagged Nigeria Beyond Oil aimed to bring together various thought leaders of the component regions of Nigeria to articulate progressive ideas that could foster national integration and development ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Mr Odumakin said Nigeria must begin to make preparations for life after oil.

Nigeria had a life before oil, the oil is going and Nigeria must prepare for a life after oil.

It is how we as Nigerians will collectively position ourselves in view of 2019. We need someone who will make this country a salad bowl country.

When you take a bowl of salad, you can see clearly all the ingredients but the combination ingredients sum up to what we call salad. We need someone that will kick-start a paradigm shift in Nigeria and to make us Nigeria again where there was unity in diversity.

Expected at the Handshake across Nigeria and Restructuring Summit in November include Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, the keynote speaker at the summit; Ike Nwachukwu; Ibrahim Gambari; President Muhamadu Buhari; and Atiku Abubakar among others.Photo: The Canadian Press

Bombardier Inc. announced Tuesday it is on track to meet its target for business aircraft deliveries for the year, as a lengthening order backlog points to growing demand for long-range planes.

In the third quarter, the Montreal-based company delivered 31 business jets, bringing the total to 96 so far in 2018, in line with analyst expectations.

Bombardier delivered four Learjets, 20 Challengers and seven Global aircraft during the three months ended Sept. 30.

The delivery target for 2018 is 135 business jets  the same goal as last year, which the company wound up exceeding by five planes.

Bombardier's order backlog edged up to $14.3 billion, a 1.4 per cent increase from the second quarter of 2018 and a 3.6 per cent rise over the past nine months.

Analyst Walter Spracklin of RBC Dominion Securities Inc. said confirmation of the jet deliveries was a "positive," though one that was expected and "incrementally positive" for shares.

It comes shortly after the plane-and-train maker confirmed its delivery schedule for the Global 7500, Bombardier's longest-range aircraft, which is set to enter service later this year.

Transport Canada certified the jetliner last month, marking a key milestone in the transportation giant's turnaround plan after it sold a majority share of its C Series commercial jet program to Airbus in July.

The company is aiming for US$8.5 billion in annual revenues by 2020 driven largely by Global series sales, a major bump from last year's US$5 billion, Spracklin said.

The new Global 7500, which can fly from Toronto to Hong Kong, is sold out through 2021, noted AltaCorp Capital analyst Chris Murray, though Bombardier has not revealed the number of orders.

The delivery update Tuesday came one day after the company said flight testing for its Global 5500 and Global 6500 business jet program was 70 per cent complete, keeping it on track for delivery in 2019.

The Global 7500, along with the new Global 5500 and 6500, come partly as a response to products from rival business jet manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace as demand for the jetliners gains elevation, Cormark Securities analyst David Tyerman said last month.The Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State, has sentenced 49-year-old Ehie Ehirobo to three years imprisonment for human trafficking.

This information was contained in a statement made available to PREMIUM TIMES by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Tuesday.

Mrs Ehiroba, who hails from Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, was arraigned by NAPTIP in 2011, on a three-count charge of procurement of persons for prostitution, deceitful inducement and organising foreign travels which promote prostitution.

According to the statement, these acts contravene various provisions of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibitions) Law Enforcement and Administration Act 2003 (as amended).

Mrs Ehie Ehirobo, was alleged to have recruited the victim, a secondary school dropout, for her sister, Esther Ehirobo, also known as Margret, who lives in Greece. Prior to her departure for Greece, the victim was taken to Oguname Shrine at Isuwa village in Orhionmwon LGA of Edo State, where she was administered into oath by a juju priest, after which the oath materials, comprising of different body parts, were sent to Greece.

On arrival in Athens, where Esther also known as Margaret resides, the victim was subjected to another round of oath-taking, and subsequently beaten into submission for prostitution. She managed to escape to the Nigerian embassy in Greece, where she was handed over to the Trafficked Victims Unit, and later deported back to Nigeria.

In his judgment on Tuesday, the judge, A. M. Liman, said human trafficking has eaten deeply into the society and the law must take its cause.

Mr Liman sentenced Mrs Ehiroba to three years imprisonment on each of the three counts to run concurrently.

Meanwhile in a similar case, a division of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has also convicted Charles Osagie also known as Johnson and sentenced him to jail for human trafficking.

The 36-year-old man, also a native of Edo State, was charged to court by the NAPTIP after being intercepted by officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service at the Seme border, in the company of eight young girls, trying to cross into Benin Republic.

Upon his arraignment, Mr Osagie was handed over to NAPTIP for further investigation, after which he was charged for the recruitment of eight young women for the purpose of trafficking.

The presiding judge, O.O. Oguntoyibo, following an admission of guilt and a plea for leniency by the defendant, sentenced Mr Osagie to one year in prison without an option of fine. Seven of the young women rescued reported that they were recruited via social media, through Facebook and WhatsApp Chat groups. One of them accused Mr Osagie of hypnosis.

According to NAPTIP, the victims were lured with the promise of getting jobs in Ghana as domestic staff.

The statement added: The Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, lauded the efforts of the prosecution team, and thereby called on the Greek authorities to replicate the prosecution done by NAPTIP and convict the Greek-based human trafficker.

If we prosecute the human traffickers here, while those that reside in these foreign countries are allowed to go scot-free, they will continue to recruit young girls, operate freely, and it all becomes an effort in futility.The new president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, on Tuesday promised to instill discipline in the union so as to regain its past glory.

Mr Isiguzo said this when the NUJ FCT Council welcomed him to the NUJ National Secretariat in Abuja.

He said the union over the years had derailed, hence the need to get it back on track adding that NUJ had enormous goodwill.

The president said the union degenerated to a low level and we have to do all possible to regain the ethics of the profession.

According to him, the major thing in my campaign promises has to do with discipline and order in the system.

Any society that pays lip service to law and order has only a matter of time to come crumbling.

Across the board today there is a high level of indiscipline and that is one thing we are going to change, there must be discipline in the system.

If you are a chapel chairman you do your job as a chapel chairman, if you are a council chairman you do your job as a council chairman.

Nobody is going to take the job of the other, we have had situations where the president goes straight to the chapel and takes decisions and the council chairman will not even know.

We must introduce discipline in the system so that as a journalist you must appear as one.

The union must appear as the voice of the voiceless, the conscience of the society, so there must be order in the system.

We are going to tackle the issue of welfare for members of the union, because a situation where our members work tirelessly with meager salary will no longer be acceptable, he said.

Mr Isiguzo said a situation where every other media platforms packed up because of high level of economy that was involved in maintaining such platforms would also be looked into.

Speaking, the National President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ifeyinwa Omowole, pledged the associations support noting that women were reliable backup for any administration.

She said the struggle to instill discipline would not be an easy one, hence the need for the women to support the administration with prayers.

The associations president led the women to offer prayers for the new president for a fruitful tenure.

Earlier, the acting chairman of the FCT NUJ Council, Primus Khanoba, also pledged the councils support and urged the new president to carry everyone along.

(NAN)The Director of Media of the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, Festus Keyamo, on Monday said the Nigerian government is paying for premium on petroleum products and not subsidy.

Mr Keyamo spoke Monday while featuring on a Channels Television morning programme, Sunrise Daily.

The lawyer featured alongside the spokesperson of the Atiku Abubakar campaign organisation, Segun Sowunmi.

While Mr Sowunmi pilloried the Nigerian government for the manner it has steered the affairs of the country, saying the Buhari government had no integrity, Mr Keyamo said the government was putting Nigeria on the path of economic recovery and growth.

He added that the sleaze that took place in the previous government of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) no longer occurs.

The lawyer said contrary to what happened during the government of former president Goodluck Jonathan, the government is not making payments to individuals but paying premium through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.

What happened under the PDP government was that they were paying for products that did not land at all, Mr Keyamo said. That was the scam that was happening, It was fraud, the greatest stealing in the history of this country happened under them.

All the PDP bigwigs were all involved in this subsidy scam, then you saw that many of them refunded money. Like I said, they were paying for products that did not land at all, they will tell you they have brought product and you have to pay subsidy on those products.

At the point when there was an increase in (pump) price, Mr Keyamo said, there was a slump in oil prices.

The government wanted to eliminate subsidy at that time, but as the price of crude went up, the price of production went up, and the bye-products also went up, it is normal, he added.

He explained further that at the point when oil was $28 to $30, government was not paying subsidy and everything was okay.

The delta occurred, the difference occured, when oil prices went beyond $43 per barrel, because that was the benchmark. As it rose beyond $43, the delta started, not subsidy. We started to pull away from N145.

So the landing cost as at today came to N203/N205, and we are still selling for N145 because the president said you cannot suffer the masses (make the masses suffer). Now how do they cover it? Not subsidy, unlike what happened before.

Now, you know the petroleum act, the NNPC Act allows the NNPC to make refunds to the federation account less their net; in other words, they can spend money and return the balance to the federation account, by law.

The subject of payments made by Nigerias national oil company on differentials incurred on petrol importation has been marred in controversies in recent time.

Last December, the NNPC said the Nigerian government had been resisting intense pressure to increase the pump price of petrol , noting that the landing cost of the commodity was N 171.4 per litre as of December 22, 2017 when oil price was around $64 per barrel. Analysts said the figures have since balooned following increase in oil prices.

But on Monday, Mr Keyamo explained that NEC and FEC often deliberate on the payments, adding that the books are open for perusal on the payments made for the said premium.

Now, when FEC  they all sit at the end of the month  and NEC, involving PDP governors; the books are open for them to say this is the difference we pay for premium. I told you we are not paying private people this time.

When asked why the system for payment of the so-called premium is opaque, he said it is now in the 2019 budget proposal.

It is that premium  the money on landing cost and all that. It has been put in the 2019 proposal now, the budget, he said.

You can see that he (Showunmi) can come here and talk but even PDP governors cannot raise this issue. They cannot.

Earlier in June, the immediate past Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, criticised the corporation for bringing forth for sharing at the FAAC meeting, revenue she described as unacceptably low. Mrs Adeosun spoke after a meeting of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) ended in a deadlock because the revenue remitted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was poor.

Members of the committee dispersed from the auditorium of the finance ministry, venue of the meeting, in despair refusing to share the funds proposed by the NNPC. The corporations revenue, among other concerns, is being affected by payments made as differentials on importation of products, according to analysts.In apparent move to avoid extending another invitation to the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday ignored a prayer to summon the police boss to appear before the lawmakers.

Following a point of order by Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy Senate President, Dino Melaye (Kogi-PDP) mentioned as his only prayer that the senate invite Mr Idris.

Mr Ekweremadu had urged the senate to look into the gruesome killing of a Red Cross staff, Hauwa Liman, by the Boko-haram terrorist group.

Ms Liman was kidnapped alongside others in March in Rann, Borno State, when the insurgents launched an attack on a camp for displaced persons.

Contributing, Mr Melaye berated the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration as being incompetent in providing security for the citizens.

He cited examples of police reckless killing of a corps member, Nkechi Igwetu, in July and the recent killing of another woman, Anita Akapson.

The lawmaker called for the summon of Mr Idris to explain the activities of his officers.

This is beyond standing up and giving one minute silence, said Mr Melaye.

This is a time to invite the police. Its either these policemen are on tramadol or other cheap drugs. That is the only explanation. There is a need to carry out drug audit on police in Nigeria.

The senate should invite the Inspector-General of Police and ask why insecurity persists, he said.

While citing the prayers for adoption, however, Mr Saraki left out that of Mr Melaye.

The senate adopted three prayers; to observe a two-minute silence for the deceased, condole with her family, and urge the federal government through its agencies to immediately ensure the release of Leah Sharibu and the last ICRC volunteer in Boko Haram captivity.

Mr Saraki asked that his colleagues second each of these prayers but failed to mete same treatment to the summon.

The omission may not be unconnected to series of face-off between the senate and Mr Idris before the last annual recess.

In less than a month, Mr Idris snubbed invitations by the senate thrice.

The police boss was first summoned on April 25 but he failed to appear.

On the day he was expected, the chairman of senate committee on police affairs, Abu Ibrahim, informed the lawmakers that the IGP had accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari to Bauchi.

The Senate re-summoned Mr Idris after it refused to allow the deputy Inspector-General of Operations to represent him.

The lawmakers summoned Mr Idris to appear on May 2 by 11 a.m. Again, he did not show up.

The chairman Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Abu Ibrahim, told his colleagues he had not been able to reach Mr Idris for a while.

He said he later found out the police chief had travelled to Kaduna instead of honouring the Senates invitation.

The Senate issued a third summons following a suggestion by the senate president.

Mr Idris was again asked to attend the senate plenary, May 9. But when it was time for the IGP to be ushered in to the senate chamber, the lawmakers realised Mr Idris was not available.Nigerian lawmakers on Tuesday shifted their attention to a $3.5 billion budget recovery fund allegedly spent by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Two senators of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had a heated argument during senate plenary over the issue.

Kabir Marafa (Zamfara-APC) and Ali Ndume (Yobe-APC) disagreed on which committee should investigate the matter.

The issue was brought to the notice of the senate by Biodun Olujmi (Ekiti-PDP).

I bring an issue in todays ThisDay newspaper and its about $3.5 billion budget recovery fund being used by the NNPC, she said.

It is earmarked as subsidy recovery fund by the NNPC. Mr President since 1999, there has always been a budget for subsidy but this has been jettisoned by the current government which leaves this administration in a dire situation.

What is happening is that there is a fund named subsidy recovery fund which is managed by only two individuals of the NNPC, that is the Managing Director and the Executive Director, Finance.

This fund is too huge for two people to manage. Right now, Mr President, the $3.5 billion is managed by just two and this is too huge to be managed without appropriation, without any recourse to any known law of the land.

During your remarks after the passage of the budget, you mentioned that there should be a budget for subsidy that it should be brought before the National Assembly. By the report, it is almost certain that the $3.5 billion is slush funds managed by two individuals and that is not correct.

I urge the senate to cause the downstream committee to invite the NNPC to explain why it should be so and what has happened to the funds that have been used so far and the new term recovery instead of subsidy approval.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, in his ruling mandated the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, and Chairman Senate Committee on Downstream, Mr Marafa, to summon those in the NNPC who are responsible and come back to us in four days on a report that we can all debate.

This resolution, however, did not go down well with Mr Ndume who alleged that Mr Marafas committee might have been compromised.

I dont want to be hard on the committee, he said.

I think the committee has the responsibility of oversight, when this happens they are supposed to know. Senator Marafa being chairman of the committee should be out of this. The Senate Leader and other members should look at this thing objectively. When you have a large amount of money stacked somewhere, it calls for caution. Im suggesting that the leader, as distinguished Senator Bukar Abba said  not me  that the committee might have been compromised.

The lawmakers thereafter unanimously agreed to set up an ad-hoc committee to look into the matter.

After the resolution, Mr Marafa, coming under order 53, protested the allegation levelled against him.

He said, I have no problem if we are even asked the committee of downstream to step aside totally or if it is the wish of the committee of selection that is responsible for appointing the various committees, that the committee of downstream be dissolved today. I have no problem with that. I equally have no offence with the submission of Senator Ali Ndume.

But I have serious exception when he said that the committee compromised. Let it be on record that this senate split the committee into two of public accounts to look into this issue of subsidy while the downstream sector was given the responsibility of looking into the volumes on this same matter.

For somebody to come out and say, with due respect, that I am managing subsidy programme, that is incorrect. Let all these committees, including the ones held by some people before now, be subjected to scrutiny. I have no problem with that.

But for this senate to now leave another ad hoc committee to look into the issue of subsidy, its like some people are looking for campaign money and I dont think thats the best way to get it.

Mr Marafa was cut short by Mr Saraki who asked the senator to apologise for using offensive words.

He yielded.

Mr Ndume also apologised to his colleague but insisted he only retorted to the words of another senator.

I have respect for every senator here. The suggestion was a very honest one. The offence should go to my senior, Senator Bukar Abba. I reported. When I was speaking, Senator Bukar Abba said the committee might have been compromised and I reported the same. I apologise, he said.

Mr Lawan, however, rejected the offer of chairing the committee.

I am using my privilege to decline to serve on that committee. I hold my integrity very dearly. I have worked for it over the years. I dont want it damaged. Therefore I decline.

Let me also advise us that this senate is representative of Nigeria. We are here for all Nigerians. What we do and how we conduct ourselves is a big deal. I would advise that no matter how sternly and deeply pained, let us conduct ourselves with the respect we are known for. Mr. President, Thank you for the confidence but I am not going to serve in this committee.

In his ruling, Mr Saraki pleaded with the Senate Leader to take up the responsibility.

You cannot excuse yourself form the role of leadership. Why I directed or decided you should be there is because the matter is a matter that is very weighty and it is better to do that under the leader of the senate. I dont want something partisan.

We cannot be running on something of 3.8 billion dollars ($3.5 billion) but it needs to be guided at your level of leadership to know the facts and not speculate. Then the committee under your guidance would do their work. Once we are divided like this, the agencies will continue to do as they wish.Former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, Tuesday formally took over the reins of power as governor of Ekiti State, with a vow to probe the administration of his predecessor, Ayo Fayose.

While delivering his inaugural address after taking his oath of office at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado Ekiti, Mr Fayemi said the state had been in the throes of underdevelopment and financial crisis as a result of bad governance.

The inauguration was well attended by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including its national leader, Bola Tinubu; Bisi Akande; John Odigie-Oyegun; APC governors in the south-west and from the northern part of the country; cabinet ministers; and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to Mr Fayemi, preliminary investigations have shown that the immediate past government plunged the state into a debt of about N170 billion and committed the state to needless projects.

He said the economy of Ekiti is in a state of emergency, needing the support of the Federal Government within the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

Todays event signals the end of an era, or more appropriately, the end of an error, said Mr Fayemi.

Without a doubt, Ekiti has been through a terrible wilderness experience in the past four years; our reputation as a people has been soiled, and we have become the point of jokes, due to the crass ineptitude, loquacious ignorance and ravenous corruption masquerading as governance in our state during the past administration.

As we assume office, it is our duty and we will live up to it and ensure we thoroughly review documents and widely disseminate the current state of affairs so that all and sundry can know what has become of our commonwealth.

Independently verifiable preliminary findings indicate that we have been plunged into a debt of over N170 billion with commitments to innumerable white elephant projects; an average of eight months salaries owed across government entities, many state assets unaccounted for.

We will ensure that within 100 days from today, Ekiti kete will know the true position of things in keeping with our ethos of transparency and accountability in government.

We are not interested in trial by media; witch-hunting or playing to the gallery. We will seek out the truth and lay it before our people.

The former minister also said his return as governor was not to settle scores with any one or on a revenge mission, but a healing balm on a painful wound.

However, as the events of the past four years go into the history books, we will take duty to ourselves and generation coming after us, to work together to ensure that never again shall we be deceived into making such a grievous mistake that has set us back so steeply on the development curve, he said.

He said Ekiti people should never again allow the leadership of the state to fall into the hands of those who do not know anything about governance or development. He also noted that his vision was to have a state where people would be safe and thrive.

Mr Fayemi listed agriculture, social investment, infrastructural development and entrenching knowledge economy as the focus of his administration in the next four years.

He also said he would be committed to paying all salary arrears, saying he would not rest until the burning issue of payment of salaries is fully addressed.

He also announced the reintroduction of the social safety net for the elderly and promised to improve education in the state and health care.

Efforts to get media aides to Mr Fayose, Idowu Adelusi and Lere Olayinka, to react to the address of the new governor were not fruitful, as they could not be reached on the phone.

But the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the State, Jackson Adebayo, told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday that the decision of Mr Fayemi to probe the Fayose administration was a welcome development.

He said there was nothing to fear as the government ran by Mr Fayose was transparent and devoid of corruption.

Only the person who did evil will have reasons to be running away, the government we ran for four years was very transparent and devoid of corruption, stated Mr Adebayo.

I can tell you that Fayose is ready to answer any question on the way he ran his government whenever he is called upon to do so.

He has even submitted himself to the EFCC today for probe, if he had done that, there was no need for Fayemi to be gesticulating about probing Fayose, he has already presented himself to the chief crime investigator in the country.President Muhammadu Buhari has reassured Nigerians and the international community that the forthcoming general elections in 2019 will be free and fair, saying it will usher the country into another clime of maturity, peace and unity.

Mr Buhari gave the assurance when he received Letters of Credence from four ambassadors at the State House, including the Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of Japan, Yutaka Kikuta.

The president noted that the countrys political and electoral institutions had continued to evolve in strength, skill and experience after each election.

He said: We are currently at the threshold of another general election and after five general elections in the country since 1999, we expect that the 2019 elections will be free and fair.

The political system is good and if people work hard they will succeed, he said.

According to him, the increase in number of political parties that will field candidates in 2019 elections indicates more democratic consciousness among Nigerians and willingness to serve the country.

Receiving Letter of Credence from the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Alexey Shebarshin, the president noted that discussions on reviving the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, partnerships in agriculture and other bilateral interests in trade and economic development would be sustained.

He commended the country for always standing by Nigeria.

We have opened discussions on the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, and we will continue, he added.

The president told the Ambassador of Brazil, Richardo Guerra De Araujo, that the historical ties between both countries and the shared potentials for growth would be further explored.

He stressed that this would be done with strong emphasis on economic and social development.

He noted that the number of Nigerians in Brazil had already provided a strong reason for deeper and richer discussions for both countries.

Receiving the Letter of Credence of the Ambassador of United Arab Emirates, Fahad Al Taffaq, Mr Buhari assured him that Nigeria remained committed to strengthening the bilateral relationship that has existed between both countries for many years.

The president said the courtesies extended to Nigerians in the United Arab Emirates was commendable, and assured the envoy that his administration would continue to strengthen business and trade relations between both countries.

In his remarks, the Ambassador of Japan said his country remained grateful for Nigerias concern and support during the flooding that devastated the country.

He promised to work hard to further enhance relations in technology, agriculture and trade.

The Ambassadors of Russia, Brazil and United Arab Emirates assured the president that they would work hard to ensure improved relations in key sectors of the economy.

They all wished Nigeria the best in the forthcoming elections.

(NAN)President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday spoke with Mohammed Liman, father of Hauwa Liman, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) midwife who was slain by Boko Haram terrorists.

Ms Liman was the second aid worker to be executed by the terror group.

The terror group executed another aid worker, Saifura Khorsa, last month. The aid workers were abducted at an Internally Displaced Persons Camp (IDP), in Rann, Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State last year.

The group still has another aid worker and a school girl, Leah Sharibu in captivity.

According to a statement by Garba Shehu, the presidents spokesman, in a telephone call, Mr Buhari commiserated with Hauwas family and assured her father that the Nigerian government did everything possible to save his daughters life, expressing sadness that all the efforts turned out unsuccessful.

The statement said Mr Buhari regretted that Ms Hauwas commitment to helping victims of the Boko Haram insurgency ended in such a brutal way.

Mr Shehu said Mr Buhari also spoke with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, extending condolences on the loss of the midwife.

The President commended the ICRC for the great work they had been doing in Nigeria by providing healthcare services to victims of insurgency in some of the most affected areas.

President Buhari appealed to the ICRC to continue their services in Nigeria, and not give up, despite the unfortunate and painful loss of their staff, the statement said.

According to the president, Nigeria needs the ICRC and the government will continue to do all it can to protect staff of the organisation and other aid workers that are providing much-needed humanitarian services in the North-east region, which had been affected by almost a decade-long conflict.The United Nations has condemned Mondays execution of another International Committee of the Red Cross worker by Boko Haram terrorists.

The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres called for the prosecution of the terrorists.

Hauwa Liman was killed after a deadline given by the terror group for government to meet its demands elapsed, on Monday.

The terror group had executed Ms Limans colleague, Saifura Khursa, in September, before threatening to kill Ms Liman and a third staff of the outfit, Alice Ngaddah, in October.

The three ICRC officials were kidnapped in March in an IDP camp in Rann, a community in Borno State.

The terror group promised to enslave Ms Ngaddah and a Dapchi student kidnapped by the group in February, Leah Sharibu.

The killings have been condemned by local and international groups, across the world.

In the statement by the global body, Mr Guterres called on the Nigerian government and local authorities in the North-east to ensure the protection of humanitarian workers in the war-torn region.

The UN statement was signed by Mr Gutteres spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.

The Secretary-General is appalled and strongly condemns the killing of an aid worker from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in north-east Nigeria on Monday. The aid worker, Hauwa Mohammed Liman, had been held hostage since March 2018 and was killed by her captors.

The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Ms Liman and expresses his solidarity with the President and staff of the ICRC. Those responsible for this killing must be brought to justice.

The Secretary-General expresses his concern for the safety and well-being of the remaining hostages and calls for their immediate release.

The Secretary-General emphasises that all parties to the conflict must protect aid workers who provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to the millions of people in need in north-east Nigeria.

In a similar reaction, the #BringBackOurGirls group joined other Nigerians in condemning the execution, describing it as an unfortunate consequence of the governments failure.

Today is yet another dark day in our nation. The heart-breaking news of the death of Hauwa Leman comes as an extreme shock which leaves us devastated by the deeply regrettable consequences of the Governments failure, the group said in a statement signed by its leaders, Edith Yassin, Nifemi Onifade and Gapani Tanya.

The #BBOG lamented what it described as governments obvious neglect of the remaining 112 Chibok girls and called on government to ensure the safe release of the girls and Ms Sharibu.

The #BBOG staged a protest on Tuesday in Abuja to highlight its demands.

Also, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) condemned Ms Limans murder. In a statement issued on Tuesday, it prayed for the repose of the victims soul.

CAN prays to God to give the families of the bereaved, the leadership of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), their friends, colleagues, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

May God console and comfort you all. Our heart goes with you and ask God to heal your wounds and restore sanity to our country. May those responsible for the wanton killings in the country repent and reconcile with the entire populace in Jesus Name.A labour leader, Joe Ajaero, on Tuesday said that the organised labour would never sign any agreement with the federal government on new National Minimum Wage which is less than N30,000.

N24,000 can never be the new Minimum Wage for workers. If the government pays it, then it is an award, Mr Ajaero, President, United Labour Congress (ULC), said.

Mr Ajaero told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the tripartite committee agreed that N30,000 would be paid at the end of its negotiation as the New Minimum Wage for workers.

He said it was sad that N30,000 was adopted by the tripartite committee but the representatives of government announced N24, 000.

The labour leader said that the organised labour would stand against it and would not sign any document, which does not reflect the true deliberation by the tripartite committee.

He said that the committee had concluded its meeting on the new wage and labour was expecting the government to invite them to sign an agreement on the decision.

No more meetings. A date has been fixed to sign an agreement on the figure agreed. On that day, if the amount is not what the tripartite committee agreed, the organised labour will not sign, he said.

NAN recalls that on November 27, 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari, approved the appointment of a 30-member tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee for the negotiation of a new national minimum wage for the country.

Labour collectively demanded for N65,000 per month as the new Minimum Wage for all workers as harmonised by the organised labour.

However, after many delays on reaching an agreement on the figure for a new wage, the NLC, TUC and the ULC on September 26 went on a two-day nationwide warning strike, to protest governments delay on the wage by not allowing the committee conclude its job.

(NAN)Election time will reveal not the people of Kelownas choices, but the choices of those who actually go out to vote. It is a fact of life that we have in general become infused with the idea that everyone else will vote so that we do not need to.

There are some really important issues that need to be tackled, not the least development, which although necessary, needs to be controlled with a tight leash.

Over the last few years, two extremely important issues have come into focus  they are traffic congestion and parking. The former falls under the supervision of our traffic engineers who are not elected, and control of parking falls under the bylaw office, and they are not elected.

The new mayor and council need to wake up and take a firm hand before the problem gets out of hand.

Much criticism comes from new residential developments where single-family homes, in order to meet the need of rental properties, rent rooms, suites, floors or whole houses, cause extra on-street parking, which hampers buses, mail delivery, snow clearing, ambulances, fire engines, etc.

Wake up, council. Vancouver has. All rental residential properties, whether short term or long term require a residential rental business licence at a minimal cost, but it is therefore controlled. If you offer a residential rental, offer off-street parking. If you have to dig up your front lawn to do it, so be it.

Here is what Vancouver says about short term rentals. Effective Sept. 1, 2018, all short-term rental operators in Vancouver must have a business licence and include their licence number in all online listings and advertising, or they may be subject to fines up to $1,000 per offence.

We could solve many problems that city employees run into all the time by requiring all residential rental properties to provide off-street parking.

Michael Henderson, KelownaThe African Continent is exhibiting one of the fastest growth rate in internet penetration worldwide with digital connectivity almost tripled in the last five years, the African Union (AU) revealed on Tuesday.

The pan African bloc, organising the first Africa forum on cyber-crime from October 16 to 18 in Ethiopias capital, Addis Ababa, however, expressed concern over rising cybercrime amid the growth in information and communication technologies in the continent.

According to the AU, as Africa witnessed fastest growth in internet penetration during the past few years, governments and private sector entities in the continent have been experiencing an equally increasing trend of cyber attacks.

The first African forum on cybercrime is expected to focus on cybercrime policies and national legislations, with respect to regional and international standards and relevant implementation practices.

Large-scale theft of personal data, computer intrusions, bullying, harassment and other forms of cyber violence, sexual violence against children online, are among major human rights abuses that are pervasive in the continent in recent years, it noted.

Also, hate speech, xenophobia and racism online are contributing to radicalisation and violent extremism in Africa.

According to the AU, the forum would help in improving effectiveness and exchange of information regarding common challenges and tasks across the continent.

(Xinhua/NAN)The Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Gboribiogha Jonah, on Tuesday declared N4.4 billion as balance of funds available to the state as at September 30, 2018.

The deputy governor announced this while presenting the income and expenditure financial statements for the months of August and September in Government House, Yenagoa, in line with the administrations policy of accountability and transparency.

He explained that, the amount consists of a N3 billion balance brought forward from the month of August, while N1 billion represented the balance of funds at the end of September.

According to the deputy governor, gross inflow from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), for last month, stood at N14 billion, comprising a 13% derivation of N10.7 billion, statutory allocation N3 billion and Value Added Tax of N1 billion.

He said total FAAC deductions gulped N1.6 billion, including, restructured commercial bank loans, N741 million; bond obligation N421 million, restructured refund of overpayment N128 million and excess crude account facility of N126 million.

Mr Jonah, a retired rear admiral, however, noted that total receipts for September stood at N14 billion comprising net FAAC inflow of N12.8 billion, IGR for August N1 billion, funds from other sources N400 million.

He also explained that the total amount for the outflows came up to N6.6 billion consisting of contractual guarantees of N2.8 billion, salaries for civil servants N2.8 billion while that of political appointees stood at N472 million.

Other components of the outflows include, salary grants to tertiary institutions amounted to N630 million while 10 per cent contribution to payment of primary school teachers was N47 million.

Mr Jonah also pointed out that recurrent expenditure stood at N3 billion while N3 billion was used for capital payment

For the month of August, he said, gross inflow was N13.6 billion, total FAAC deductions N1.6 billion, bringing the net inflow to N12 billion while total expenditure for the month came up to N6 billion.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the transparency and accountability policy of Bayelsa has earned the state so much respect and honour both within and outside the state.

Mr. Iworiso-Markson also commended Governor Dickson for providing responsive and purposeful leadership, adding that, the achievements of the present administration would remain an enduring legacy for posterity.The Edo Police Command on Tuesday paraded 72 armed robbery, cultism, murder, and kidnapping suspects terrorising residents of Benin City, the state capital in the past few weeks.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Johnson Kokumo, told journalists in Benin that 58 suspected cult members allegedly linked to the killings of eight persons in different locations in the state were among the suspects on parade.

There was heightened criminal activities viz cultism by rival cult groups: the black Axe, Eiye, Black Mafians, Vickings and Aye within the period 11th and 14th Oct, 2018, which led to deaths of 8 persons.

The police quickly moved in and restored normalcy and 39 arms, 54 cartridges, 3 battle axes and 5 fake drinks were recovered from the suspects.

Mr Kokomu gave break down of the murder and kidnapping cases to include the arrest of one Sampson Omorodion, 34, who was arrested for allegedly killing his younger brother, named Imuetiyan Omorodion, 27, by stabbing him twice on the neck with a knife after an argument between them.

On 10th of October, this year, the police arrested two kidnappers at Five Junction for allegedly kidnapping a 36-year-old lady at Ugbowo area of Benin City, he said.

The police commissioner emphasised the need for citizens to be vigilant at all times and to report any suspicious activity to the police for prompt attention.

He warned that the state is unsafe for criminal elements.

(NAN)The Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chikwendu Kalu, has said the state government would probe the October 12 oil pipeline explosion that claimed some lives and property in the state.

The incident occurred on Friday in two communities in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of the state.

The report said no fewer than 24 persons were confirmed dead in Umuaduru and Umuimo villages in the area.

Mr Kalu spoke when he visited survivors of the incident, Chima Kaobi and his wife, Amarachi.

The speaker also commiserated with those that lost their loved ones in the fire and promised that government would initiate necessary measures to forestall a recurrence.

He assured that the state government would institute an investigative panel to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the explosion.

Mr Kalu expressed concern over the critical condition of the couple and appealed to the hospital management to do everything humanly possible to save their lives.

The survivors suffered severe burns and were currently receiving medical attention at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Abia University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Aba.

Agnes Onyekachi-Chigbu, the Chief Nursing Officer on duty, said that the couple had mixed thickness and that the medical personnel were struggling to save their lives.

Mrs Onyekachi-Chigbu said that four victims, including the couple, were brought to the hospital on Friday but that the other two died on Saturday.

She said the couple was asleep in their house when fire from the explosion engulfed their home.

She said that the woman, who rushed to wake up her husband and their four children, was also affected by the fire with her husband, while the children escaped unhurt.

Meanwhile, the speaker has decried the power outage at the hospital, especially at the ICU during the visit.

He described the development as worrisome and ordered the management to switch on the hospitals power generator in order to save the lives of the patients.

The electrician in charge of the hospitals power unit had explained that it was managements rule that the generator should only be switched on between 7.30 p.m. and 11.30 p.m. daily.

But the speaker directed the hospital management to appear before the House over the development.

(NAN)The management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) has formally announced increase in students fees starting from the 2018/19 session.

In July, PREMIUM TIMES exclusively reported how the institution at its 133rd governing council meeting which held on July 5 decided that the hike will take effect from the 2018 / 2019 academic session.

According to a mail sent to students and obtained by PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, returning students who are indigenes of Oyo and Osun states are to pay N200,000 while non indigenes are to pay N250,000.

The new fee is against the N63,500 for returning students who are indigenes of Oyo and Osun states and N72,500 for non-indigenes.

The present 100 level students paid N120,000 for indigenes and N150,000 for non-indigenes as part of the resolution of the institution after the university strike that lasted for months.

The university is owned by the Oyo and Osun state governments.

The spokesman of the university, Lekan Fadeyi, refused to answer calls and text messages seeking clarifications on the new fees. However, a top official of the university, who asked not to be named, confirmed the increase.

The fee is increased to meet the reality of the day, the official said.

Students have continued to react to the increase.

We cant afford the money at this present days. When workers are still fighting for minimum wage, the institution came up with hike, a student, Aarinola Adegbite, said.

Another student, Kazeem Alli, told PREMIUM TIMES that the university is calling for another strike by its action.

The increment in fees seems to be the norm in Nigerian institutions of recent.

In April, medical students of University of Ibadan protested the over 100 per cent increase in accommodation fees.

Also in the same month, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, increased its fees by over 200 per cent.The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has approved the payment of N683 million bursary, and foreign and local scholarship to Lagos State indigenes in tertiary institutions across the country and abroad.

Obafela Bank-Olemoh, special adviser to the Governor on education, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Lagos.

Mr Bank-Olemoh, however, urged concerned students to exercise patience as necessary provision was being made to ensure that every beneficiary, both fresh and subsequent were accommodated.

He said the pledged commitment of the state government to sustain the scholarship and bursary scheme was in spite of the economic situation of the country.

His Excellency is committed to ensuring that Lagosians are empowered through education to contribute productively to local and global economies.

The release of the awards demonstrates the priority the administration of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode accords to educating its citizens, he said.

He said the special education provided and equipped the nations youth with the necessary skills, attitudes, and aptitude to confront future challenges and function effectively in an ever dynamic global community.

Oshinowo Steve, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Scholarship Board, commended the government for the release of the awards.

Mr Oshinowo said the government understood the pivotal role education played in defining the socio-political development of this present time and the growth and advancement of the state.

Giving a breakdown of the payment, the executive secretary said government released N19.7 million for three foreign scholarship beneficiaries.

The state government will disburse N379 million to 9, 188 bursary beneficiaries.

For local scholarship, a total of N284 million will be expended to 1, 324 beneficiaries, he said.

The executive secretary urged subsequent beneficiaries of bursary award to come for their documentation from October 22, while fresh beneficiaries of local scholarships are to come for the opening of their bank accounts.

He urged all beneficiaries to constantly visit the boards website for further and necessary information. (NAN)Women groups in Ondo State have protested the marginalisation of women in the nomination of candidates of political parties for the 2019 general elections, saying that the posture threatens genuine democracy.

It could be observed that no woman will be fielded by the major political parties in the state for any of the National Assembly seats, making it an all men affair and negating promises made by the parties to give women representation.

Three women groups: Women For Women, Restoration Of The Dignity Of Womanhood and Women Alert while addressing journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital Tuesday, vowed to mobilise women against the political parties ahead of the elections if something was not done to address the problem.

The groups were represented at the press conference by their respective coordinators, namely Olamide Falana, (WFW), Olabisi Omolona (RDW) and Kehinde Adewole-Alli(WA).

They maintained that women have the capacity to lead, adding that they should be allowed to contest for positions in the forthcoming elections.

In the statement of demand signed by the trio, the groups called on the parties to immediately made provision for 35 percent female representation in all socio-political and economic sectors.

Political parties should give us the opportunity to participate in the general elections, we are now crying out for our 35 percent right across the political board for us to be liberated. We have been marginalised across the political parties, they said.

Ondo State government should also consider women in appointments, we are also good in various offices not only in the kitchen or bedroom, we are not happy with the situation, government must do something now.

The groups explained that women in the state were prepared to participate fully in all political activities if allowed.

Ondo women are united in order to move the state forward, we want political empowerment for our young ones and widows.The Peoples Democratic Party Governorship Candidate in Lagos, Jimi Agbaje, has said that the party had assurance of winning the state governorship election in 2019.

Mr Agbaje said this in an interview with journalists at the partys national secretariat on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said coming out of the partys national convention stronger and united, with its presidential candidate and his running mate, the PDP was getting seriously ready for the 2019 general elections, including those of Lagos.

This time around, we intend to take over Lagos in 2019. The campaign for Lagos is set for us.

It is clear to us in Lagos that what Lagosians are looking for is freedom from the vested interest that have gripped Lagos for nearly 20 years.

We have a situation where it had been under the grip of one or two persons and we are tired of that.

We believe Lagos is doing well compared to other states; but it can do much better than it is doing now; but it is being crippled by vested interests.

Things that could have been done differently are being done in a manner that is slowing down the progress and that is what the campaign is set against.

Free Lagos campaign is a campaign that Lagos can be better and that the alternative can be, a lot more, better than it is today.

The structure is being put in place and I am sure that at the end of the day, it is going to be victory for PDP in Lagos and at the centre and in most of the states that we lost, he stated.

Mr Agbaje said that although the PDP had been the opposition party in Lagos since 1999, its base still remained intact and it was working to expand it.

There is a lot of confidence and dont forget in 2015 and irrespective of what happened, that base we had in 2015 still remains intact. Those that voted for us are still there for us.

The strategy is to expand that base in a way that we have every assurance that we are taking Lagos.

Asked if the defection of the Chairman, PDP Lagos State, Moshood Salvador, to the All Progressives Congress would affect PDP performance in the state, Mr Agbaje said his defection had no impact on the party.

He left on his own. If you go alone, I dont know how that will affect the party in any way.

If he was really somebody that has a structure or followership, you will expect the followership to go with him but when you leave as one person it means you are of no effect on the party.

We have not felt anything with his departure and it will not affect us. We have not had defections from the PDP in the last few years.

On his relationship with Bode George, Mr Agbaje said that Mr George remained the leader of PDP in Lagos State and I dont think anybody is going to doubt that.

(NAN)Photo: Colton Davies Penticton Oktobfest goers at the eighth annual event on Oct. 21, 2017.

Lederhosen, dancing and German beer will take over the Penticton Lakeside Resort's new convention centre on Saturday for the annual Oktoberfest.

The ninth-annual event is taking place for the first time at the resort's east ballroom, which opened in the spring.

Oktoberfest Society president Barb Schneiderat said the resort's general manager, David Prystay, has been a sponsor of the non-profit event for many years, and said it's a larger space than what they've used at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.

Schneiderat said organizers are expecting about 700 people to take part.

"Every year there's more and more people coming and trying to get the authentic German outfits. It's really turning into a great fun night."

The event raises about $7,000 to $8,000 each year which gets donated back to community causes. Last week, Oktoberfest donated $25,000 to the campaign for medical equipment at the new Penticton Regional Hospital patient tower.

Other causes the event has donated to include the YES Project, JCI, the S.S. Sicamous, and Penticton Search and Rescue, among others.

"It's a great thing, and it's a time of year when people are looking to have fun after the summer... and a great way to raise some money for community events," Schneiderat said.

Oktoberfest goes from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Tickets are $35 when bought in advance, which includes admission, a mug and a free beer. At the door on Saturday, tickets will be $40.Photo: CTV

A school has brought in counsellors to help deal with a six-year-old girl's death in an accident involving a light-rail transit train.

The girl was struck by the train on Monday morning at an intersection near a Calgary CTrain station.

She was rushed to hospital where she died from her injuries.

Officials with the Calgary Catholic School District confirmed the girl attended St. Jude, an elementary school in the southwest neighbourhood of Woodbine.

"A letter was sent home to families," Joanna French, a spokeswoman for the school district, said Tuesday. "We would just let them know of an incident that took place and to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers."

She wouldn't say what grade the girl was in for privacy reasons.

French said members of the district's critical incident response team were sent to the school to provide counselling for any students or staff struggling with what happened.

"We're offering our support," she said.For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME.

Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire.

Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III.





to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever.





Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation.





View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union.

Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history.

Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words.



Photo: Mike Biden Flooding on an acreage in Faulder, west of Summerland, in early May.

This story is part of a series highlighting each director race within the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen. Click for stories on Area C, Area D, and Area E.

The newly-elected area director for West Bench/ rural Summerland will have to address what some feel are very contrasting needs in the different neighbourhoods.

Four candidates  Riley Gettens, Rick Hatch, Ashley Jestin and Leah Schulting  are vying for the Area F seat in the municipal election, more candidates than any other rural area in the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.

There were no candidates as of Sept. 13, the day before nominations closed, before six candidates came forward at the last minute  two of whom have since dropped out. Incumbent Michael Brydon, who has been the area director for 10 years, isn't seeking a fourth term.

All candidates acknowledged a need to advocate for the entire area, including Faulder, Meadow Valley and North Beach, as opposed to mainly the West Bench area adjacent to Penticton.

Jestin, a Faulder resident in her thirties, grew up and graduated high school in Summerland and moved back four years ago after working in the film industry in Vancouver.

She's the only candidate running who doesn't reside in the West Bench, and admitted she applied thinking there wasn't going to be a race.

"My complete candidacy is that I'm not from West Bench and I'm going to focus on everybody else first. Because I believe West Bench has everything they need at the moment," Jestin said. "We all have a lack of essential services, the rest of us... I'm not fighting for anything cosmetic, I'm more fighting for services."

She said rural Summerland needs improved cell service as well as a complete flood prevention plan, better fire protection and a better policing strategy.

Riley Gettens has lived on the West Bench since 2007 and said she has a track record locally of community engagement, including with the Downtown Penticton Association, United Way and with the City of Penticton.

Gettens acknowledged issues rural Summerland residents have faced evacuation orders and alerts from floods and nearby fires recently, as well as issues with uranium in their water. She said she wants to focus on consultation with residents throughout Area F.

"This government and policy and community engagement work is what I love, and I'm pretty good at it. And I would really love the opportunity to do it... And that's really why I'm running."

Hatch has been a West Bench resident for four years and operates a small business, Cherry Tree Permaculture, and also is part of the Penticton Farmer's Market. He said he's served on the PAC at West Bench Elementary School since 2014, and said he was involved with the process to keep the school open.

"The reason they went through with the closure of the school, and it was only kind of saved at the last minute... They projected declining enrolments in the rural areas surrounding Penticton," he said. "And what's actually happening is, after a bit of a lull, we've had pretty steady increases... And that shows that the demographics are changing as well."

Hatch said his platform revolves around "keeping the character of the community," and said he has a strong interest in sustainability and preserving the planet. "I have a desire to go beyond what we can do personally and to influence the local levels of government."

Schulting has had a career in finance and has been a South Okanagan resident of more than two decades, and a West Bench resident for the past five. She said apart from improving services for rural Summerland the Area F director needs to focus on relationships with the Penticton Indian Band.

As well, she said a focus needs to be put on "maintaining the rural ambience" of the West Bench. She added that the area, like rural Summerland, has had close scares with fires, and said they need to push fire safety initiatives, such as FireSmart, and collaborate with the PIB on that.

She also encouraged everyone to vote, and pointed out Red Wing Resort residents can vote in Area F, despite being on PIB land. Only three votes were cast in rural Summerland in the 2014 municipal election, and Schulting said there was only an 18 per cent voter turnout that year.

The RDOS will have roving polls set up in Area F on election day, Oct. 20.SHANGHAI, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Acorn International, Inc. (NYSE: ATV) ("Acorn" or the "Company") today announced that sales of its Babaka posture correction products increased significantly year-over-year in the third quarter of 2018, exceeding internal forecasts as the Company expands its presence in the e-commerce channel.

With almost a twenty-year history, Acorn's popular Babaka posture correction products are a trusted brand for adults and children seeking high-quality back and shoulder support. Babaka in recent years has been sold primarily through B2C e-commerce in China. In the third quarter of 2018, Acorn's Babaka expanded its distribution to additional online B2C e-commerce platforms and overall saw stronger than expected revenue growth, reaching recent historical highs. The Company expects to release its consolidated results for the third quarter of 2018 before the end of 2018.

Acorn's CEO and President, Mr. Jacob A. Fisch commented, "During the third quarter, Acorn continued to emphasize the e-commerce channel and focused on leveraging its 20 years of expertise as a leading direct marketing company in China. I am thrilled with our team's execution in driving the continued growth of the Babaka brand, and we expect this strong momentum to continue as we incorporate more online selling platforms and introduce new products and product line extensions over time."

About Acorn International, Inc.

Acorn International is a leading marketing and branding company in China, leveraging a twenty-year direct marketing history to monetize brand IP, content creation and distribution, and product sales, through digital media in China. Previously the leading TV infomercial company in China, Acorn today has three divisions support its growth: 1) Product Division, 2) Content Division, and 3) Influencer Management Division.

In the Product Division, Acorn sells product primarily through e-commerce channels in China, as well as through offline distribution and outbound marketing. In the Content Division, Acorn monetizes content. Specifically, in the Content Division, Acorn has redirected its direct marketing know-how to digital media in China, launching Acorn Streaming, which is primarily focused on live streaming and pre-recorded video content creation and distribution. In the Influencer Management Division, Acorn brings, through the creation of digital social content, the best U.S. celebrity talent and brands to China, representing their in-country digital presence. For more information visit www.acorninternationalir.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "future," "going forward," "intends," "outlook," "plans," "target," "will," "potential," and similar statements. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties, or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE Acorn International, Inc.

Related Links

www.acorninternationalir.com

Today, with 113 new cruise vessels entering service and with customer site offices in London, Hong Kong, Miami and Seattle Across Oceans Group advises vendors, suppliers and business leaders on the jobs-to-be-done, new sales growth, consumer products, product strategies, passenger technology, total guest experience, and operations across industries, geographies, and enterprises with the purpose to drive growth and profitability.

Across Oceans Group facilitates contracts between vendors and cruise lines, global marine, offshore, hospitality, aviation, duty-free shops and travel retail. Results are a product of analytical and collaborative thinking, and by partnering with our customers, we develop strategic solutions to reduce business disruptions while maximizing resources to advance company missions.

Partnering with Across Oceans Group eliminates years from your sale's cycle by helping establish close relationships with key decision makers within the industry at the right time. AOG accelerates sales, and marketing process by allowing you to take advantage of our decades of industry expertise and relationships.

Our advisory services create, protect and transform value today so our clients have the opportunity to thrive tomorrow. AOG's track record for helping to transform the world's great companies into sharper, smarter, better versions of themselves is quite remarkable.

Across Oceans Group welcomes opportunities from companies that wish to strengthen executive relationships, sales and product support by bringing together compatible opportunities. Our collective efforts drive progressive ideas, sales and cost saving solutions by adding the most value to our partners worldwide. [email protected]

Douglas S. Diggle, CEO says, "Creating value, sales and revenue for our worldwide partners and delivering a total guest experience is very important to us; it is in our core DNA. Whether your business is Air, Ocean, or Ground, AOG has the expertise and know-how to meet your needs. Join me next month in the Philippines as I speak at the Cruise Line Shipping CrewConnect Global Conference."

Henry Murphy, COO says, "The opportunity in the cruise line, maritime, and shipping industry has never been more compelling, and we already have won the hearts and minds of many customers. I am energized to help lead our clients and company to its next phase of development and operational excellence."

Kevin Yombor, Legal Counsel says, "Many times, businesses do not keep an attorney until they need one. By the time a business realizes it requires an attorney, it is sometime too late. AOG recognizes the importance to be prepared. Having an attorney available to help navigate your business through legal channels provides you with that advantage."

Jon Ingleton, Editor of Cruise & Ferry UK says, "The growth of Across Oceans Group consultancy business into different disciplines over the past 12 years demonstrates the significant appeal for an independent and expert insight into cruise line operations."

Ken Muskat, CEO of SkySea Golden Era says, "I have known Douglas since 2005 when I interviewed for my sales team. The passion and drive Douglas has for the cruise industry is impressive and his interest in the global development of the industry, especially in the expanding Asia market, makes him a valuable resource."

Terry Stanfill, President of RLM says, "My team has hired Across Oceans Group and have engaged in mutable statement of works to develop of new product and solutions for airports, cruise lines and the global travel industry."

Michael Moore, Esq, President of Moore & Company says, "Douglas and his team at AOG have a deep and broad understanding of the shipping, cruise line, yacht and travel industries. He has been most helpful on past matters including the Tiger Woods case. I would check first with Douglas on any non-lawyer services touching the global marine, cruise line shipping, aviation and travel industries."

Related Links:

Website: http://AcrossOceansGroup.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcrossOceansGroupInc/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/across-oceans-group

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CruiseLineFocus



https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/04/18/961420/0/en/New-Cruise-Line-Association-Sails-on-the-Winds-of-Change.html



http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2015/06/10/743651/0/en/Across-Oceans-Group-Specializes-in-CEO-Special-Project-Consulting-for-Cruise-Lines-Travel-Industry.html



http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2013/04/19/539827/10029272/en/Partnership-Announcements-at-Across-Oceans-Group-Inc.html



http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2012/12/12/511059/10015375/en/Across-Oceans-Group-Announces-New-Partnership-and-Sales-Offerings-With-Journalist.html

SOURCE Across Oceans Group, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.AcrossOceansGroup.com

NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- She Leads 2018, presented by The Cunningham Group at Morgan Stanley, will take place on Friday, October 26th from 8:30am  7pm at the Morgan Stanley HQ, 1585 Broadway in NYC. This day-long conference marks the sixth annual gathering that brings together 225+ women business leaders and entrepreneurs with experts in the fields of marketing, social media, public relations, talent and freelancing, crowdfunding and finance, networking, personal branding, fashion, legal, and the news media.

She Leads 2018 Expert Speakers

The annual She Leads conference offers a primarily female audience practical and actionable advice to pursue new business opportunities, scale existing business and hone leadership skills. The conference includes keynotes by Bonnie Fuller of HollywoodLife.com, Caroline Adams-Miller, one of the world's leading experts on the science of goal setting and grit, and Kelly Hoey, author and angel investor, as well as panel discussions on topics like doing business in today's world, learning about the "Power of the Purse", and how to position yourself in the second chapter of your career.

She Leads will also feature the extremely popular Pitch The Media panel, where audience members are given the unique chance to pitch themselves or their businesses to receive live, constructive feedback from a panel of media experts such as Linda Lacina of CNBC's MakeIt, Elaine Poefeldt, freelance journalist and author of The Million Dollar One Person Business, and Kristin Marquet of FemFounder.com. Other conference highlights include a fireside chat with Lesley Jane Seymour, ex-editor of MORE magazine and CEO of Covey Club, a fashion demonstration by Aysha Saeed of AYSHA NYC and a fast-paced legal session with NYC law firm Ingram, LLP.

Adrienne Garland, CEO of She Leads Media says, "I'm so proud that this conference encourages active participation. She Leads is for those women who are committed to taking action and making an impact in a face-to-face environment to learn, network with a purpose, and do business in an intimate and genuinely supportive way." Garland adds, "It's my mission to get more women into powerful positions in the media, government, boardrooms and at the helm of thriving businesses. This world needs to achieve gender balance rapidly, and I believe women are ready to accelerate the force of change. The She Leads Annual Conference provides a live forum for women to learn from experts and one another to gain knowledge, tools and connections to take more prominent leadership roles in all aspects of their lives."

Each speaker contributes a unique perspective and is committed to helping women to lead and grow. For complete list of speakers, please visit: https://www.sheleadsmedia.com/upcoming-conferences-events.

For those looking for a truly unique experience, She Leads offers a VIP Event on Thursday, October 25th from 5:30  9:00pm. 50 VIP attendees will be treated to an intimate discussion with Celebrity Interior Designer Cheryl Eisen of Interior Marketing Group at one of her expertly appointed luxury apartments on Park Avenue.

She Leads 2018 is sponsored in part by The Cunningham Group at Morgan Stanley, Ingram Yuzek Gainen Carroll & Bertolotti, LLP, K. Turner-Bishop, and Garland Fire Systems. Vendors include Healing Headbands, Niio Perkins Designs, and Beth Lauren. Product donations are generously provided by Coca-Cola 5x20 program, Rewind SuperBar, Hint, Roar, Greetabl, Eden BodyWorks, and so many more.

Registration fee is $249. For a complete listing of the day's schedule and speakers, as well as information about the VIP Event, visit http://www.sheleadsmedia.com.

She Leads Media, Inc. is a boutique marketing consultancy and event production company dedicated to curating exceptional experiences that positively impact women entrepreneurs and leaders worldwide.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheLeadsMedia/

Twitter: @SheLeadsIt

Instagram: @SheLeadsMedia

http://www.sheleadsmedia.com

Media contact:

Adrienne Garland

[email protected]

516-776-8569

SOURCE She Leads Media

Related Links

http://www.sheleadsmedia.com

ATLANTA, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a year of positive gains for Church's Chicken - including improved sales, more guest traffic, and the launch of third-party delivery, the brand has announced another bold initiative for enhancing restaurant performance  The Excellence Advisory Council (EAC). Designed to work in concert with Church's Independent Franchise Association (CIFA), the EAC will be comprised of U.S.-based franchisees and corporate leadership to strategically address key and satisfy business initiatives, opportunities for the brand, and solutions for overcoming challenges. The Council will meet on a quarterly basis, and will be built from a maximum of 22 members, with CEO, Joe Christina acting as President, and CLO, Craig Prusher serving as Custodian of the Council.

"Throughout the past several months, we've had the pleasure of meeting with multiple franchisees, restaurant managers, and other employees across the country," explained Christina about the formation of the group. "What we realized is that the CIFA board's greatest strength is identifying what topics we need to be addressing as a system. The EAC will then follow through on those areas of focus by implementing tactics and strategies to achieve those goals. It's very much a collaborative effort aimed at delivering outstanding results in a timely manner."

The formation of the EAC was announced system wide today, after which interested franchisees and employees were invited to submit nominations for membership. Franchisee and employee candidates must have a direct impact on restaurant operations and profitability in their respective regions and must also have a track record of success within a specific business area (sales, marketing, retention, compliance, etc.). Members will be appointed in the beginning of December 2018. To ensure the EAC serves as an accurate reflection of all those working within the Church's system, members will be appointed to 2-year terms, and will be limited to a maximum of two terms (4 total years). The EAC will also provide regular updates to the CIFA board, which meets on a bi-annual basis.

"When corporate leadership steps up to engage everyone in Church's future, that's energizing for the brand," said David Newman, President of CIFA. "We're looking forward to the many achievements that measurable results shared between CIFA and the EAC can make possible."

The EAC also represents the brand's commitment to deepen their relationship with the broader franchisee community, a core initiative of the company's Strategic Plan. The EAC also represents the brand's commitment to deepen their relationship with the broader franchisee community, a core initiative of the company's Strategic Plan.

About Church's Chicken

Founded in San Antonio, TX in 1952 by George W. Church, Church's Chicken is one of the largest quick service restaurant chicken chains in the world. Church's specializes in Original and Spicy Chicken freshly prepared throughout the day in small batches that are hand-battered and double-breaded, Tender Strips, honey-butter biscuits made from scratch and freshly baked, and classic, home-style sides all for a great value. Church's (along with its sister brand Texas Chicken outside the Americas) has more than 1,500 locations in 23 countries and international territories and system-wide sales of more than $1 billion. For more information, visit www.churchs.com. Follow

Church's on Facebook at www.facebook.com/churchschicken and Twitter at www.twitter.com/churchschicken.

Contact: Kim Miller

866.571.3449

[email protected]

SOURCE Church's Chicken

Related Links

http://www.churchs.com

"There is nothing more powerful than Texans helping Texans," Abbott said. "Whether it is through everyday volunteering and giving, or by responding to the most disastrous storm in our state's history, Texans can always be depended on to answer the call to help their neighbors. This year's Governor's Volunteer Award winners are an inspiration to us all."

In the aftermath of last year's devastating Hurricane Harvey, CITGO and its employees launched the "Fueling Good. Rebuilding Lives." initiative, which is dedicated to recovery in the wake of the storm. CITGO has committed $10.9 million to storm recovery over the next three years, rebuilding homes and providing relief throughout Texas. Additionally, CITGO matches contributions that employees give to 501(c)3 organizations of their choosing, giving TeamCITGO members the means to amplify their own generosity.

But the community support goes far beyond dollars and cents. In 2017, TeamCITGO volunteers collectively donated 9,755 hours of community service in Texas and Southwestern Louisiana. Together with community partners such as Rebuilding Together Houston, Greater Houston Community Foundation, Coastal Bend Community Foundation in Corpus Christi, and Habitat for Humanity of Rockport, TeamCITGO helped rebuild homes, deliver disaster relief supplies and staff storm shelters.

"We are immensely proud of TeamCITGO for jumping into action when their communities needed it most," said Rafael Gomez, CITGO Vice President Government and Public Affairs. "Texas is our home and  at CITGO  we are first and foremost dedicated to giving back to the communities where we live and work. We are humbled and grateful to be recognized for this achievement, but the work isn't over. There is still significant work to be done to rebuild our communities and we're dedicated to being there every step of the way."

TeamCITGO was founded more than 30 years ago with the purpose of making a difference throughout the CITGO operational footprint. Through volunteerism, TeamCITGO carries out the CITGO mission by improving the quality of life in each local community served. Other notable initiatives from the Houston-based TeamCITGO in 2017 include 13 STEM events, five Caring for our Coast Events, and support for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the American Heart Association.

About CITGO

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry with a well-known brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Corpus Christi, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Lemont, Ill., and wholly and/or jointly owns 48 terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,400 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 749,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO is ranked as the sixth-largest, and one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products and supplies a network of approximately 5,200 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

SOURCE CITGOSAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation recently awarded University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry a $50,000 grant to support the school's Special Care Clinic and Hospital Dentistry Program.

The grant will support providing screenings and treatment services in the school's clinics to approximately 1,000 patients with special needs, and help pay for supplies and lab work costs. Additionally, funds will help support pre- and post-organ transplant oral health assessments and care and in-patient dental consultations at local hospitals.

The funds will also help the clinic and program provide rigorous education and experiential learning opportunities to more than 190 dental students, residents and scholars, medical students and pharmacy externs, who together will handle more than 4,600 patient visits each year.

"It is important that we train the next generation of healthcare providers to be comfortable caring for people from all walks of life and in serving the needs of those with complex medical conditions," said Nader A. Nadershahi, DDS, dean of the Dugoni School of Dentistry. "We are very appreciative of this generous support from the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation to help us achieve these goals."

"Our Foundation's mission is to increase access to quality dental care in underserved areas and we could not do so without dedicated partners such as the Dugoni School of Dentistry," said Karen Robinson, vice president of corporate affairs for Delta Dental and executive director of the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation. "Together, we can make a lasting impact to improve the health and enhance the lives of children and adults in the San Francisco Bay Area."

The grant is one of 66 given in California this year by the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation to help improve the oral health of disadvantaged children and adults by removing barriers to quality dental care. Since its inception in 2011, the Foundation has awarded nearly $5.5 million in grants to organizations throughout California.

About Delta Dental Community Care Foundation

The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of California and its affiliated companies including Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of New York, Inc., and Delta Dental of Pennsylvania. Since 2011, the Foundation has awarded nearly $39 million in funding and support to increase access to quality dental care, oral health education, and advance scientific research across the company's 15-state service area and the District of Columbia.

Media Contact:

Kathleen Brennan

[email protected]

562-659-3237

SOURCE Delta Dental Community Care Foundation

Related Links

http://www.deltadentalins.com/about/community/philanthropy

RENO, Nev., Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation recently awarded Community Health Alliance an $80,000 grant to support dental treatment services for the clinic's patients in Washoe County, Nevada.

Community Health Alliance is a Federally Qualified Health Center serving approximately 30,000 individual patients with primary care, dental care, integrated mental health and nutrition services in six fixed-site clinics and four mobile medical/dental units. In addition to three mobile units, oral health services are provided at Wells Avenue Medical and Dental Center, Sparks Health Center and Record Street Health Center.

"We're delighted to collaborate with Community Health Alliance in improving the oral health of underserved children and adults in Washoe County," said Karen Robinson, vice president of corporate affairs for Delta Dental and executive director of the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation. "Our impact is only as strong as our partnerships, and we could not make a difference without the hard work and dedication of the organizations we support."

The grant is one of six given in Nevada this year by the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation to help improve the oral health of disadvantaged children and adults by removing barriers to quality dental care. Since its inception in 2011, the Foundation has awarded nearly $1 million in grants to organizations throughout Nevada.

To learn more about the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, please visit deltadentalins.com/about/community/philanthropy.

About Delta Dental Community Care Foundation

The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental Insurance Company and its affiliated companies including Delta Dental of California, Delta Dental of New York, Inc., and Delta Dental of Pennsylvania. Since 2011, the Foundation has awarded nearly $39 million in funding and support to increase access to quality dental care, oral health education, and advance scientific research across the company's 15-state service area and the District of Columbia.

Media Contact:

Kathleen Brennan

[email protected]

562-659-3237

SOURCE Delta Dental Community Care Foundation

Related Links

http://www.deltadentalins.com/about/community/philanthropy

STOCKHOLM, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Gaming Innovation Group Inc. (GiG) has signed an agreement with game studio Jade Rabbit where they will build games directly onto GiG Games's platform.

Jade Rabbit will build games directly onto GiG's Remote Gaming Server, enabling GiG to release their games on every market which GiG is active in and to every operator GiG integrates to.

Stephen Calvert, CPO at Jade Rabbit Studios commented: "We are thrilled to announce this six game agreement, which is a testament to the capabilities and potential of Jade Rabbit. A partner such as GiG provides a fantastic opportunity for us to work with multiple brands across many markets to develop truly innovative slots and we look forward to our first launch in H1 2019."

Mathias Larsson, MD at GiG Games says: "We are very happy to announce this partnership at such an early stage with GiG Games. Jade Rabbit is an amazing game studio with tons of experience from mainly the UK market. This partnership allows GiG Games to release more games on an annual basis."

"It is part of GiG Games' strategy to work with several premium game studios spread across the world. This is the best way to build truly local games for local markets. At the moment we are in discussions with several studios and it is important for us to pick the best studios to keep our premium quality of games".

The first game from Jade Rabbit will be launched in H1 2019, the contract is for six games in total. A minimum of four games are expected be launched in 2019.

For further information, please contact:

Anna-Lena Astrom

GIG Head of IR & Corporate Communications

+356 796 998 48

[email protected]

About Jade Rabbit:

Jade Rabbit Gaming was founded in the beginning of 2018 by a small team with 30+ years of experience from the online gaming industry. The team consists of creators, developers and designers all with the aim of creating the best high-end video slots to ever hit the market. The team members are behind some of the most successful games ever in the slots market and have repeatedly created and successfully launched games for desktop and mobile game play.

About Gaming Innovation Group (GiG):

Gaming Innovation Group Inc. is a technology company providing products and services throughout the entire value chain in the iGaming industry. Founded in 2012, Gaming Innovation Group's vision is 'To open up iGaming and make it fair and fun for all'. Through its ecosystem of products and services, it is connecting operators, suppliers and users, to create the best iGaming experiences in the world. Gaming Innovation Group operates out of state-of-the-art offices in St George's Bay, Malta and is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GIG.

For more information about the Company and our services:

https://www.gig.com/

https://www.guts.com

https://www.betspin.com

https://www.rizk.com

https://www.thrills.com

https://www.kaboo.com

https://www.highroller.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/gaming-innovation-group/r/gaming-innovation-group-signs-first-contract-with-game-studio,c2645034

SOURCE Gaming Innovation GroupMadison Erhardt

Kelowna residents gathered at the Salvation Army on Sutherland Avenue Tuesday morning for a talk on the Journey Home strategy and its focus on homelessness.

Housing first is a proven approach to help address homelessness and is used all over the world, said Mike Gawliuk, of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Based on the premise that ending an individuals experience of homelessness starts by first providing them with a home, housing first is an extremely cost-effective means of addressing the needs of people who are chronically homeless," Gawliuk added.

The workshop allowed community members to learn more about how the approach is being rolled out in Kelowna.

"It's important that the broader community understands the issue of homelessness. In Kelowna, we have done a lot of work and, certainly, with the Journey Home plan moving forward, housing first is a core principal within that plan."

"The ability to understand what housing first is and ultimately what homelessness really is and how people end up experiencing that, means that a lot of misconceptions and stigma in the community will hopefully reduce," Gawliuk said.

For more information, click here.Together these funds mark the continuation of GGV's multi-stage, sector-focused investment strategy in leading global technology companies by a single U.S./China investment team. GGV's global playbook is centered on three core tenets. First, the GGV team invests in founders with companies at all stages of growth, emphasizing early stage through its Discovery fund. Second, the GGV team is aligned by sector, rather than geography to ensure value creation across key markets. Finally, the team identifies global trends such as mobility and new retail then invests in local founders to build market-leading companies, including Grab, Hashicorp, Houzz, Keep, Niu, Opendoor, Poshmark, Wish and Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book).

"We are impressed with GGV's unique cross-border investment strategy, which they have successfully executed over the past 18 years. They consistently attract the best entrepreneurs globally who actively seek GGV as their partner of choice," said Nicholas Kong, CIO, National University of Singapore Endowment.

Since its formation in 2000, GGV funds have consistently performed in the top quartile for venture capital and private equity globally, generating an IRR of more than 25%. The firm has invested in 51 market leaders across the U.S. and China that have grown to $1+ billion in valuation; half of these were Series B or earlier stage companies at the time of initial investment. In addition, 25 of these companies are now public, such as Alibaba, Square, YY, Zendesk and 21Vianet. GGV continues its strong pace of distribution with more than $1 billion returned to LPs in 2017 and 2018 to date.

"What we like most about GGV is the firm's consistent and unified approach to the two largest venture capital markets globally  the U.S. and China. We believe these markets will continue to produce the world's leading technology companies and that GGV will continue to be a trusted partner to many of them," said David Chu, Senior Investment Officer of LACERA, a long-time limited partner of GGV.

The managing partners of the new funds are Jixun Foo, Jenny Lee, Hans Tung, Glenn Solomon, Jeff Richards, and Eric Xu. The team has decades of experience working with first-time founders as well as established leaders. Their connections to robust local ecosystems and talent networks, proven "go global" track records, and commitment to leadership development helps founders navigate complex challenges as their companies grow.

The closing of these funds follows GGV's announcement earlier this year of the close of its third Chinese RMB fund, in the amount of 1.5 billion RMB (approximately $225 million). This increases the firm's total capital under management to approximately $6.2 billion across 13 funds.

"GGV is one of Northwestern's most valued relationships. Their ability to work as one team across borders in China and the U.S. is seamless and unrivaled. We look forward to continuing our long-term partnership with GGV with commitments to the new funds," said Harisha Haigh, Managing Director, Northwestern University.

"We are excited and humbled by the support of new and longstanding partners such as CalSTRS, Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund, Rockefeller Foundation and University of Texas Investment Management Company. We also want to thank the founders and CEOs we work with for their dedication to building extraordinary companies, enabling the GGV team to continue to do what we love  support entrepreneurs and their vision to change the world," said Jenny Lee, Managing Partner, GGV Capital.

Founder Perspectives

Yi Wang, Founder and CEO, LingoChamp (NYSE: LAIX)

"GGV was instrumental in helping LAIX go public last month. Starting with a $500,000 seed investment  one of GGV's earliest and smallest investments at that time  and a 15-minute chat with Jenny in May 2013, GGV started a close partnership with us to help navigate numerous growth challenges. They provide a unique perspective through both an entrepreneur's and worldwide lens, working alongside us in both Shanghai and Silicon Valley to realize our dream of building a global unicorn."

Mitchell Hashimoto, Co-founder and Co-CTO, Hashicorp

"GGV first backed Hashicorp at Series A when we were just seven people. From the outset, they understood the vision that my co-founder Armon and I had for the company. Having Glenn on our board and GGV behind us has been key to our rapid growth to more than 300 people today, serving nearly 100 of the Fortune 500."

Anthony Tan, Founder and CEO, Grab

"GGV has been one of our most value-adding investors throughout the years. Jixun, as a board member, pushed us when we needed to be pushed, and helped us hire when we needed new talent. Investors that can contribute strategically and also roll up their sleeves to help improve operations are rare, but GGV is certainly amongst that rare breed of investors."

Eduardo Musa, Founder and CEO, Yellow

"I am very impressed with how GGV adds value to Yellow  not only through deep knowledge of our business space, but also because of their knowledge of the venture capital ecosystem and typical startup challenges. Hans' global mindset and broad insights have an impact on how we think about our business. The team is very present and always ready to share their experience to help the founders and the company with all its needs."

Chris Barbin, Founder and CEO, Appirio

"One of GGV's strengths is the combination of a focused partner with the power of its overall team and resources. Jeff and the rest of the GGV team invested early, and worked with Appirio to become a world class go-to-market organization, with a world class leadership team and strategic culture. Together, we evolved the business over 10 years to an eventual exit north of $500M. Jeff and the GGV team put a premium on the entrepreneur, the team and our company culture as much as the economic returns to the firm -- a rarity in venture."

Jian LV, Founder and CEO, Zhaoyou

"Zhaoyou is my third startup and I wanted an experienced investor who would not only help me build the company but also share my vision for the company. I found that in GGV and Eric Xu, who is on our board. He is a valuable mentor and partner  from our first conversation and the many that have followed, Eric has helped to define the successful path that Zhaoyou follows every day."

About GGV Capital

GGV Capital is a global venture capital firm that invests in local founders. As a multi-stage, sector-focused firm, GGV focuses on seed-to-growth stage investments across Consumer/New Retail, Social/Digital & Internet, Enterprise/Cloud and Frontier Tech sectors. The firm was founded in 2000 and manages $6.2 billion in capital across 13 funds. Past and present portfolio companies include Affirm, Airbnb, Alibaba, Bitsight, ByteDance (Toutiao), Ctrip, Didi Chuxing, Grab, Gladly, Hello Chuxing, HashiCorp, Houzz, Keep, LingoChamp, Namely, Niu, Nozomi Networks, Opendoor, Peloton, Poshmark, Slack, Square, Wish, Xauto, Xiaohongshu, Yellow, YY, Zhaoyou and more. The firm has offices in Beijing, San Francisco, Shanghai and Silicon Valley. Learn more at ggvc.com, @GGVCapital or GGVCapital on WeChat.

SOURCE GGV Capital

Related Links

http://www.ggvc.com

NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- At Handsome Brook Farm, producer of organic pasture raised eggs, the mother hens are the heart of the business. Caring for them, making sure they are happy and healthy, and letting them be the best they can be is what sets Handsome Brook Farm apart. It was with this sentiment in mind, and the fact that the company was female-founded, that finding other Mother Hens became paramount when it came to ambassadors for the brand.

Handsome Brook Farm Organic Pasture Raised Eggs

No one could possibly understand what it takes to be the producer of high-quality food for families across the US, but the women who manage not only their restaurants, but their families too. That being said, Handsome Brook Farm is proud to announce Mother Hens: The Chefs of Handsome Brook Farm in partnership with Einat Admony, Janine Booth and Suzanne Vizethann.

Einat Admony is the chef and owner of Balaboosta, Taim, and Kish-Kash as well as the author of cookbook Balaboosta. After growing up in Tel Aviv, Einat secured illicit rations for her kitchen as a cook in the Israeli Army, she then walked away from college after two months, and roamed around Germany as a gypsy. Einat then packed up her life up to move to New York City and 20 years later, is raising her two kids, Liam and Mika, in Brooklyn with husband and business partner, Stefan Nafziger. When Einat is not at the restaurant she can be found at home, cooking for the crowd of family and friends continually gathered around her dining table.

Janine Booth, James Beard Foundation Award Semi Finalist Chef, was born and raised in Australia. She was exposed to a vast array of flavors and cuisines and began cooking classes at a young age. In 2006 Janine took an eight-month culinary sabbatical, where she travelled extensively, exploring and gaining knowledge on international flavors. Janine went on to study her craft of culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu in Miami. In 2013 Janine appeared on Bravo's cooking competition "Top Chef" and "Last Chance Kitchen." Since settling between Miami and New York City, Janine has opened Southern restaurant, Root & Bone, with her partner, Chef Jeff McInnis. A second location in Miami Beach opened in 2017 as well as another Miami concept, Stiltsville Fish Bar. She has two beautiful girls, Bryce and Sunny.

Suzanne Vizethann, a native Atlantan, is Executive Chef and Owner of Buttermilk Kitchen, the North Buckhead restaurant she opened in 2012. The beloved neighborhood restaurant serves brunch and lunch. True to Suzanne's mission to nurture people through food, all dishes are made in-house from scratch with sustainable grown ingredients from nearby farms. Paying tribute to its name, "Buttermilk," which refers to the liquid utilized after butter was churned, Suzanne carries out the philosophy of letting nothing go to waste. Suzanne was also a winning contestant on The Food Network's cooking competition "Chopped."

The Mother Hens will be sharing their favorite egg-centric dishes and preparations from their respective restaurants as well as from their personal kitchens starting today (October 16, 2018) and going through the holiday season. There will be Sabich Salad from Einat, Drunken Deviled Eggs from Janine, and a Pimento Cheese Omelet from Suzanne, just to name a few. The delicious recipes and video tutorials with egg-anecdotes can be found on Handsome Brook Farm's Instagram page, @handsomebrookfarm, as well as on the Mother Hens' Instagram handles:

Einat Admony: @chefeinat

Janine Booth: @chefjaninebooth

Suzanne Vizethann: @mrsbuttermlk

Handsome Brook Farm will also be growing the network (or flock) to include more chefs in other regions over the coming months.

Since its founding as a family-run bed and breakfast in upstate New York, Handsome Brook Farm has been committed to producing the most humane and sustainable pasture raised eggseggs that come from hens raised in open spaces and hills with plenty of room to roam and forage, and with adequate protection and roosting area indoors. Handsome Brook Farm has developed a unique supply network of small, organic family farms across several states that sustains an ethically sourced food chain system. Currently, Handsome Brook Farm is the leading U.S. producer of organic pasture raised eggs and its eggs can be found in major grocery stores including Publix, Kroger and Sprouts, as well as on Fresh Direct and many independent conventional and natural retailers.

About Handsome Brook Farm

Handsome Brook Farm was founded in 2007 at a family-run bed and breakfast in upstate New York after hearing how much the guests loved their pasture-raised farm fresh eggs. The family believed that the happier and healthier the hen, the tastier the egg and so the idea for the company was hatched. Today, Handsome Brook Farm is taking a modern approach to traditional farming methods. They've built a unique supply network of small, organic family farms that offers everyonethe hens, the farmers, and consumersa good deal. Better Eggs. Better Everything Else. For more information on Handsome Brook Farm, visit handsomebrookfarm.com

Media Contact:

Rachel Powell

516-314-7730

[email protected]

SOURCE Handsome Brook Farm

Related Links

http://www.handsomebrookfarm.com

ZOLFO SPRINGS, Fla., Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in Hardee County history, two Hispanic candidates are running for a seat in the Commission. One of them is Mexican-American and the other is Mexican-Puerto Rican. Due to this unprecedented political moment, Solmart Media, owner of WZSP-FM 105.3/WZZS-FM 106.9 and WTMY-FM 99.1/WTMY-AM 1280 will host its first ever Spanish political debate. Our only aim is to allow the candidates to take their messages directly to our Spanish speaking audience. The debate will be broadcast live on both Solmart Media signals, La Zeta and La Numero Uno, as well as Facebook Live.

The broadcast will follow a standard political debate format. Each candidate will be given a 2 minute introduction, 2 minutes to answer and rebut questions a 2 minute closing statement. The public will be allowed to ask questions in person and through Facebook. The debate will be moderated by Mercedes Soler, renowned Spanish TV journalist and co-owner of Solmart Media as well as local radio personality Diana Gonzalez.

Immediately after the one-hour live Spanish broadcast, Mercedes and Diana will invite the public gathered at the venue to participate in a similar debate but in English. The second debate will not be broadcast.

CANDIDATES: Noey Flores (R) and Rafael Arce Jr. (D) WHERE: Hardee County Chamber of Commerce 135 E. Main Street, Wauchula, Florida 33873 WHEN: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25th, 2018 FROM 5pm to 6pm (EST) WHO CAN ATTEND: The general public is invited, whether they speak English or Spanish. The debate is a bipartisan public service broadcast produced exclusively by Solmart Media

SOLMART MEDIA is a family owned Company established by renowned Spanish media executives Tomas Martinez and Mercedes Soler. Martinez has managed dozens of Spanish radio stations across the country for more than 30 years. Soler, a Spanish language newspaper columnist, radio and television broadcaster, winner of 5 Emmys award, is also an author and public speaker.

Contact: Diana Gonzalez 863-494-1111 [email protected]

SOURCE Solmart MediaATLANTA, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Huddle today announced the company is working with Tropical Smoothie Cafe to launch a Halloween-themed Huddle Rewards program in elementary schools. As part of this program, 688 participating elementary schools will be distributing Tropical Smoothie Cafe certificates to 389,600 students across the country valid for a free kid's smoothie at more than 300 participating local cafes.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Huddle Rewards allows sponsoring brands to come alongside elementary, middle or high schools to provide much needed incentives like food, school supplies and educational games for teachers to use in the classroom.

"Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a proud supporter of local schools in the communities we serve throughout the year," said Brett Campbell, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC vice president of field marketing. "This Halloween season, we are excited to share a tasty treat with schools, offering an alternative to candy. With this offer, we also hope to introduce new customers to Tropical Smoothie Cafe and look forward to sharing our better-for-you food and smoothies with them."

"Huddle is committed to growing Huddle Rewards, our newest product focused on serving schools," said Huddle CEO Joey Thacker. "Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a perfect brand to join Huddle in providing meaningful rewards to elementary schools."

About Huddle

Huddle is the leader in high school event tickets and marketing. The company has built a trusted reputation for driving local sales through innovative marketing products like Huddle Tickets. Huddle, based in Alpharetta, Georgia, builds programs rooted in serving a targeted audience and converting them into passionate brand advocates. Learn more at HuddleInc.com.

About Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a fast-casual restaurant with more than 700 locations nationwide. Tropical Smoothie Cafe's menu features blended-to-order smoothies, as well as bold, flavorful wraps, sandwiches and flatbreads. The rapidly growing franchise has received numerous accolades, including rankings in QSR's Best Franchise Deals, Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, Forbes Best Franchises, Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers and Shakers, as well as Franchise Times' Top 200+ and Nation's Restaurant News' Fastest Growing Chains.

Contact:

John Vaughn

[email protected]

6445 Shiloh Road

Alpharetta, GA 30005

Ph: 678-218-0927

SOURCE Huddle Tickets, LLC

Related Links

http://HuddleInc.com

The single origins of Arabica Selection are essentially illy's signature blend deconstructed to individually highlight each one of the unique flavor notes. An extensive 24-month research and development period executed by illy's in-house Aroma Lab, Sensory Lab and Food Science Lab along with roasting experts at the company's headquarters in Trieste, Italy included chemical and sensorial analyses with over 50 roasting samples to fine tune each Arabica Selection variety. As part of the process, illy's green (or pre-roasted) coffee department identified specific beans from each origin country that met criteria specially developed for Arabica Selection, which were then stored prior to roasting under optimal conditions for temperature and humidity. As a result of this extensive product development, each Arabica Selection has its own unique roasting temperature and length of time to highlight each origins aroma and flavor.

illy's iperEspresso capsule system makes cafe quality espresso with ease. Unlike conventional one-stage systems, the iperEspresso capsule system uses a patented two-stage process to create intensely aromatic, full-bodied espresso with rich, long-lasting crema. In addition to the availability of the single serve iperEspresso capsules priced at $19 (21 count) these best-in-harvest, 100% Arabica coffees are also available in whole bean 250 gram cans,and k-cup Pods. Available in North America at illy caffe bars and shops, specialty retailers, and online at www.illy.com.

About illycaffe

illycaffe is an Italian family business, founded in Trieste in 1933 and committed to offering the greatest coffee to the world. illy is the world's most global coffee brand, producing the unique illy 100% Arabica blend made of 9 of the world 's best selections of Arabica; each day more than 7 million cups are served in over 140 countries in the finest cafes, restaurants, hotels and in offices and homes. illy has become the standard forerunner of espresso, and thanks to three critical innovations, is considered the leader in the science and technology of coffee. With the bestowing of the first "Ernesto Illy Award for quality espresso coffee" in 1991 in Brazil, illy also pioneered direct sourcing, sharing know-how and paying a premium price for the best quality, based on partnerships underwritten by the principles of sustainable development. The company also founded the University of Coffee with the aim of fostering and spreading its culture, providing comprehensive academic and hands-on training for coffee growers, baristas and coffee lovers in order to cover every aspect of the product. Everything 'made in illy' is enhanced by beauty & art, which represent founding values of the brand, starting from its logo  designed by an artist, James Rosenquist  and including the renowned illy Art Collection, comprised of over 100 cups designed by international artists. In 2017 the company was employing 1,290 people, and posted consolidated revenues of 467 million. There are approximately 244 stores and mono-brand illy shops in 43 countries.

Media Contact

Annie Worthington and Erika Berg

Alison Brod Marketing & Communications

[email protected]

212-230-1800

SOURCE illycaffe

Related Links

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NAPLES, Fla., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1,000 infectious disease specialists attending IDWeek 2018 in San Francisco feel it is time for deeper research into the role infectious agents play in triggering and accelerating Alzheimer's disease, said Leslie Norins, M.D., Ph.D., CEO of Alzheimer's Germ Quest, Inc., upon his return from the conference.

Dr. Norins based his conclusion on conversations with attendees and the number of copies of his White Paper "It's Time to Find the Alzheimer's Germ" which were taken by attendees at the conference, the leading annual gathering of clinicians and researchers who focus on infectious diseases. "Many also told us they had privately noticed similarities between Alzheimer's and various less-common infections, but there had been no channels through which to express this growing awareness."

He explained that evidence for infectious triggers of Alzheimer's has been published over the years but this possibility has been largely ignored by research funders in government and advocacy groups. They instead favored studies of the amyloid plaques and tau tangles which are prevalent in Alzheimer's brains.

"Day versus night," was how Dr. Norins compares the IDweek interest to that he observed at the "AAIC" Alzheimer's conference in Chicago a few weeks earlier. He attributed this difference to the fact that while existing ALZ researchers are well versed in neurology and neuroscience, few are expert in the clinical and lab aspects of infectious diseases.

He says there's a new wave of Alzheimer's interest rising in the infectious diseases community, especially since after decades of research and billions of dollars spent on amyloid plaques and tau the root cause of the killer disease remains a mystery and there is still no drug to cure it.

The Foundation of the Infectious Diseases Society of America is currently offering two grants for research on infectious causation of Alzheimer's, funded by Alzheimer's Germ Quest.

Alzheimer's Germ Quest, Inc. is a public benefit corporation headquartered in Naples Florida, devoted to widening and accelerating research into infectious agents as triggers for Alzheimer's disease. It is self-funded, and neither solicits nor accepts outside donations.

SOURCE Alzheimer's Germ Quest, Inc.

Related Links

https://alzgerm.org

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Infoblox Inc., the leader in Secure Cloud-Managed Network Services, today announced it has grown topline in the mid-teens this past year and surpassed 8,000 customers across the globe with approximately 50 percent market share in DNS, DHCP, and IP address management, (the category known collectively as DDI). Additionally, the company has opened Global Centers of Excellence in Tacoma, Bangalore, and Trivandrum to serve customers around the globe.

For most enterprises, it's becoming harder to manage increasingly complex network demands across diverse physical, virtual, and cloud infrastructure. More than 70 percent of the Fortune 500 companies including Adobe, Aflac, BNP Paribas, Danone, Deloitte, GlaxoSmithKline, Hershey, Nestle, PayPal, Pfizer, Samsung, SPXFLOW Inc., Vodafone, and Walmart, rely on Infoblox to help guide them through this process.

"In an increasingly hyperconnected world, our customers understand that an entire organization's fate can rest in the hands of its network, and they want the confidence to know their network and security are tightly integrated and built on a rock-solid foundation," said Jesper Andersen, CEO of Infoblox. "Infoblox's journey has been nothing but extraordinary as we've spent the last 20 years striving to offer our customers next level security, reliability, and automation. We couldn't be more excited to continue down this path of excellence and to help our customers achieve the gold standard of networking."

Infoblox is helping over 750 hospitals and healthcare providers as well as 85 percent of the world's automotive manufacturers and more than 90 percent of the largest financial services companies to:

Protect against the rising flood of malware and cyberattacks by leveraging 14 billion threat indicators and 30+API-level security vendor integrations

Keep business up and running by providing the critical DNS service needed to ensure modern businesses can operate on a Tier 1 foundation with five nines availability

Overcome complexity and solve problems through data intelligence from 17 trillion DNS queries

"The best cybersecurity solution is like Superman's archenemy Doomsday. When he experiences an attack, he develops immunity to that method and becomes indestructible over time. Infoblox provides our enterprise with security capabilities that make us resilient to malware and data exfiltration via threat intelligence that's highly contextualized and fully automated," said DJ Goldsworthy, Director Security Operations and Threat Management at Aflac.

"SPXFLOW is a large and ever-changing company which requires a nimble network infrastructure. Infoblox DDI enables our team to keep the network up to speed and adapt it to market dynamics. In addition, Infoblox's cybersecurity benefits are impactful. Having a global view of what devices live on the network, how long they have been there and where they have been has become critical to our team's success," said Jitu Mani Das, Lead Information Security Analyst at SPXFLOW, Inc.

"Adobe has been utilizing the comprehensive Infoblox suite since 2012 to manage its global DNS, DHCP, IP address management, and NTP services. Infoblox's robust and flexible platform gives Adobe the ability to support its multi-cloud environment, allowing DDI services to scale as the business grows. In addition to agility and scalability, the existing global deployment and architectural design drive the availability and reliability metric of 99.99%," said Simran Sandhu, manager, Global Network Build & Engineering Infrastructure at Adobe.

Infoblox currently holds more than 100 patents for such innovations as Managing IP Addresses, IPv6 Network Device Discovery, and Predictive Analytics in Network Reporting. Leading research firm IDC, has recognized Infoblox year after year as the market share leader in enterprise-grade DDI. The company's products have also been recognized worldwide for such accolades as the InfoSecurity Products Guide Best Network Security and Management solution, CRN Tech Innovators, Computing Security Excellence Awards, The Data 50 Awards, and the GEC Awards for most Innovative Vendor.

Learn more about Infoblox's momentum by reading CEO Jesper Andresen's blog, and visit our customer page to see how Infoblox is helping customers go to the next level.

About Infoblox

Infoblox is leading the way to next-level DDI with its Secure Cloud-Managed Network Services. Infoblox brings next-level security, reliability, and automation to cloud and hybrid systems, setting customers on a path to a single pane of glass for network management. Infoblox is a recognized leader with 50 percent market share comprised of 8,000 customers, including 350 of the Fortune 500. Learn more at http://www.infoblox.com.

Media Contact:

Erica Coleman

Infoblox

[email protected]

(408) 986-5697

SOURCE Infoblox Inc.

Related Links

http://www.infoblox.com

BOSTON, Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Late Friday afternoon, on October 12, 2018, a jury in Boston awarded $43.1 million dollars in a historic lung cancer trial involving both tobacco and asbestos claims. The case began in June of 2015 when Levy Konigsberg LLP, and its co-counsel Shepard Law, filed the case on behalf of Louis E. Summerlin and his wife Joanna M. Summerlin, against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company ("Reynolds"), Philip Morris USA, Inc. ("Philip Morris") and numerous companies who manufactured and sold asbestos-containing products with which Mr. Summerlin worked as a brake mechanic. (1)

Before his death in October 2015, Mr. Summerlin gave sworn, videotaped testimony in the case, which was presented to the jury during trial. Mrs. Summerlin continued the action on behalf of herself and the Estate of Mr. Summerlin. Prior to trial, four companies against whom asbestos-related claims were brought settled the claims against them. The case proceeded to trial beginning on September 7, 2018 against Reynolds and Phillip Morris (the companies who manufactured and sold the cigarettes Mr. Summerlin smoked) as well as Hampden Automotive Sales Corporation ("Hampden"), a manufacturer of asbestos-containing brakes that Mr. Summerlin used in the late 1950s through early 1960s.

The jury heard evidence that Mr. Summerlin began smoking as a teenager in the late 1950s, before warnings were put on cigarette packs. When Mr. Summerlin first tried smoking he coughed and gagged on the smoke. But he then tried a menthol cigarette which -- due to the anesthetic properties of menthol  was easy for Mr. Summerlin to inhale which led to Mr. Summerlin becoming a daily cigarette smoker. The jury heard testimony from multiple expert witnesses regarding Mr. Summerlin's 50-plus year addiction to menthol cigarettes (including Kool, Salem and Marlboro Menthol), as well as his unsuccessful attempts to quit using smoking cessation aids such as nicotine gum, the nicotine patch and a prescription drug (Chantix). At trial the Plaintiff called experts in a variety of specialties including: nicotine addiction, health behavior, tobacco industry conduct, history, industrial hygiene, and occupational and environmental medicine.

After a 5 week trial, the jury deliberated for over 23 hours during the course of 4 days, before rendering a verdict against Reynolds, the maker of the menthol cigarettes (Kool and Salem) that Mr. Summerlin smoked from the late 1950s through the mid 1980s. The jury found Reynolds liable on all 5 counts: breach of implied warranty of merchantability (defective design and inadequate warning); negligence (negligent design and failure to adequately warn) and fraud. The jury awarded $5.3 million for Mr. Summerlin's pain and suffering, $3.5 million for Mrs. Summerlin's "loss of consortium", $4.3 in wrongful death damages, for a total of $13.1 million in compensatory damages. The jury also found that Reynolds was "grossly negligent" and acted "maliciously, willfully, wantonly or recklessly" in causing Mr. Summerlin's lung cancer, and awarded $30 million in punitive damages. Although the jury found that Philip Morris and Hampden breached the implied warranty of merchantability in selling "defective" products, the jury determined that these breaches were not a "substantial contributing factor" in causing Mr. Summerlin's lung cancer, resulting in a defense verdict in favor of these two companies.

The case was tried by Jerome H. Block, partner at Levy Konigsberg LLP, and Michael Shepard, founding partner of Boston-based Shepard Law. The trial team also included Robert Ellis and Amber Long (Levy Konigsberg) and Michael McCann and Erika O'Donnell (Shepard Law). Mr. Block commented on the verdict, stating: "Throughout the trial Reynolds and its co-defendants attempted to avoid responsibility by blaming Mr. Summerlin, despite his severe addiction to menthol cigarettes. We are gratified that the jury determined that Reynolds' outrageous conduct not only caused Mr. Summerlin's lung cancer, but recognized the significant damages suffered by the Summerlin family and the need to punish Reynolds with punitive damages."

Levy Konigsberg LLP is a national trial law firm based in New York City that has won numerous ground-breaking verdicts and settlements over the last four decades. Partner Jerome "Jerry" Block has won numerous verdicts in both tobacco and asbestos litigation. This is Mr. Block's third consecutive multi-million dollar verdict against a tobacco company on behalf of a plaintiff who developed lung cancer after beginning smoking as a teenager in the 1950s or 1960s. For more information, please visit https://www.levylaw.com/.

(1) Joanna M. Summerlin, Individually and as Executor of the Estate of Louis E. Summerlin, Docket No. 15-5255 (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Superior Court).

Press Contact:

Jerome Block

Partner

Levy Konigsberg LLP

212-605-6270

This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com

SOURCE Levy Konigsberg LLP

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https://www.levylaw.com

"Reading or sending a text while driving isn't worth risking your life and the lives of those around you," said Lisa Sherman, president and CEO of the Ad Council. "By helping drivers curb this habit, we will save nearly 10 lives from being lost to distracted driving each day."

Ad Council research shows that more than nine in ten Americans believe sending (94%) and reading (91%) texts while driving is dangerous or very dangerous. However, while people know that the behavior is dangerous, many still text and drive regularly.

To address the disconnect between awareness and behavior, the new creative assets, created pro bono by Pereira O'Dell, humorously depict the daily life of one man who just can't put his phone down. He stumbles through life with his eyes glued to his screen  making blunders along the way  until he gets behind the wheel and responsibly puts his phone aside. This winking creative approach acknowledges the powerful need many people feel to always keep an eye on their phone and concludes with a reminder to "text and whatever, just don't text and drive."

"We wanted to demonstrate levity alongside a very serious situation that whether or not you love to be on your phone, the road is no place for that," said Jason Apaliski, Executive Creative Director at Pereira O'Dell.

The new creative work includes TV, radio and social media assets. Per the Ad Council's model, the new PSAs will be distributed to media outlets nationwide and run in donated media time and space. To date, the "Stop the Texts. Stop the Wrecks" campaign has received approximately $225 million in donated media value.

*Data source:

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812426

About NHTSA

For more than four decades, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has served as the key federal agency charged with improving safety on our nation's roadways. As part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, NHTSA is working to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries by promoting the use of safety belts and child safety seats; helping states and local communities address the threat of distracted, drunk and drug-impaired drivers; regulating safety standards and investigating safety defects in motor vehicles; establishing and enforcing fuel economy standards; conducting research on driver behavior and traffic safety; and providing consumer information on issues ranging from child passenger safety to impaired driving. For more information visit www.nhtsa.gov.

About the Ad Council

The Ad Council brings together the most creative minds in advertising and media to address the most worthy causes. Its innovative, pro bono social good campaigns raise awareness. They inspire action. They save lives. To learn more, visit AdCouncil.org, follow the Ad Council's communities on Facebook and Twitter, and view the creative on YouTube.

About Pereira O'Dell

Pereira O'Dell (www.pereiraodell.com) is an award-winning advertising agency with offices in San Francisco and New York. The agency combines techniques from advertising, digital, social, PR and design to create innovative campaigns, experiences, programs, and products that are in sync with how consumers behave today. Among the Pereira O'Dell client roster are Ad Council, Adobe, The Cheesecake Factory, Fifth Third Bank, FTD, Memorial Sloan Kettering, MINI, Realtor.com, Rover.com and Jet.

SOURCE Ad CouncilPhoto: CTV

A B.C. man once acquitted of dangerous driving has now been charged with unlawfully feeding wildlife.

Pictures posted to social media show Randy Scott and co-accused Megan Hiltz feeding or attempting to feed dangerous wildlife.

Scott's Facebook profile still shows a photo of a tattooed arm feeding a bear a donut out of a vehicle window.

B.C.'s Conservation Officer Service posted about the charges on Facebook along with a photo of a person feeding a bear the mini Tim Hortons' donuts.

"During the summer of 2017, BCCOS in the Peace region received complaints regarding individuals posting pictures on social media of bears being unlawfully fed," the service wrote. "Yesterday charges were laid under the BC Wildlife Act concerning this matter."

Scott is no stranger to the courts. He was charged with dangerous driving in 2013 when a video showing him hitting almost 300 Km/h in greater Victoria attracted hundreds of thousands of views on social media. He was acquitted of those charges now court records show Scott and co-accused Megan Hiltz face one count of feeding or attempting to feed dangerous wildlife.

According to his social media posts Scott says, "These guys are at the very top of bc. No tourists or traffic so you can do what you want totally alone with them."

It is illegal to feed bears and cougars in B.C.

Scott was acquitted of the dangerous driving charges after the crown could not prove he was driving the motorcycle.

In 2015, Scott's Lamborghini was seized after he was caught driving twice the posted speed limit on the Trans-Canada Highway in Saanich.

The duo are set to appear in court on Nov. 5.

-with files from CTVCHICAGO, October 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

According to the new market research report "Nanocellulose Market by Type (Microfibrillated Cellulose, Cellulose Nanocrystals), Application (Pulp& paper, Composites & packaging, Biomedical & pharmaceuticals, Electronics & sensors), and Region (Europe, North America, APAC) - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Nanocellulose Market is estimated to be USD 284.7 million in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 661.3 million by 2023, at a CAGR of 18.4% from 2018 to 2023. This growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for nanocellulose in the paper & pulp application across the globe. In addition, the increasing private and government funding for research in developed nations is anticipated to fuel the demand.

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Don't miss out on business opportunities in Nanocellulose Market.

Speak to Our Analyst and gain crucial industry insights that will help your business grow.

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=56392090

Browse in-depth TOC on "Nanocellulose Market"

63 - Tables

27 - Figures

106 - Pages

View detailed Table of Content: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/nano-cellulose-market-56392090.html

The electronics & sensors segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR in the Nanocellulose Market.

Based on application, the electronics & sensors segment of the Nanocellulose Market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The increasing use of sensors in the environmental and industrial applications is expected to drive the demand for nanocellulose in this segment. In addition, newer, re-engineered paper substrates manufactured using nanocellulose are expected to address the problems of using commercial paper for electronic device fabrication which in turn would drive the Nanocellulose Market during the forecast period.

Microfibrillated cellulose is estimated to account for the largest share of the Nanocellulose Market in 2018.

Based on type, the microfibrillated cellulose is estimated to account for the largest share of the Nanocellulose Market in 2018. Microfibrillated cellulose has the ability to form a strong entangled network. As a result, it has the reinforcing potential for various applications. As microfibrillated cellulose is less expensive than other types, its usage is projected to increase gradually during the forecast period.

Request for Free Sample Report @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsample.asp?id=56392090

Europe is the largest market for nanocellulose

The Europe region is estimated to be the largest market for nanocellulose, in terms of volume, in 2018. Finland is a key consumer of nanocellulose in the European region. The presence of the pulp & paper industry along with key nanocellulose research institutes is contributing to the growth of the Nanocellulose Market. New product launches and agreements are the significant growth strategies adopted by the leading manufacturers of nanocellulose in the European region.

Innventia (Sweden), American Process (US), FPInnovations (Canada), CelluForce (Canada), Stora Enso (Finland), Kruger (Canada), Diacel FineChem (Japan), Borregaard (Norway), Nippon Paper (Japan), UPM-Kymmene Oyj (Finland) are the key players operating in the Nanocellulose Market.

Browse Adjacent Markets @ Fibers and Composites Market Research Reports & Consulting

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MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.

Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.

MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.

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SOURCE MarketsandMarketsOKLAHOMA CITY, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- New Century Hotels (NCH) is proud to announce and welcome Ronnie Krodel to their executive property leadership team as General Manager of the Aloft OKC in Bricktown. Ronnie is responsible for leading the company's largest asset. His past success and leadership style are aligned with the people focused values of NCH.

Mr. Krodel is the current title holder of Small Property Hotel Manager of the Year as recognized by the Oklahoma Hotel and Lodging Association. Mr. Krodel received this recognition while serving as the General Manager for the Riverwind Hotel in Norman. Through his leadership the property exceeded all management objectives for the year and he faithfully served team members and guests through life threatening natural disasters. His career has spanned almost two decades and included leadership in a variety of roles that cover all hospitality operations. His background provides a strong foundation for leading a full-service hotel in the dynamic downtown Oklahoma City market.

Ronnie is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma with a degree in Criminal Justice. "His firm leadership style is balanced with an equally passionate commitment to celebrating and promoting his team members," says David W. Davis Vice President of Operations for the company. Mr. Krodel has a proven track record for driving positive results. This level of success is needed as the hotel is completing the monumental and unprecedented transition from Starwood to Marriott. According to NCH CEO Jason Tabler, "we believe that Ronnie has the drive and track record to achieve these results while helping the company establish it's people focused core values in the market." At a time when the hotel industry is growing at a record rate and competition is fierce, NCH is seeking to establish itself as the company people will want to work for. Ronnie is an excellent example of the type of leader you will find at all NCH hotels. Leaders that are driven to be excellent, care about others, and do the right thing.

"We are thrilled to welcome Ronnie to our NCH Team," said Jason Tabler, CEO. Ronnie believes that community service and team member engagement are crucial to financial and other business success. His beliefs, practice, and past success are exactly what NCH is searching for as they attract the best and brightest hospitality professionals to their company. Anyone interested in people focused employment opportunities with the company should reach out to Susan Broadus at 405-760-9199, or email at [email protected]

New Century Hotels, LLC is a professional hospitality management company. We practice hospitality.

If you would like more information about this topic, please call David W. Davis at 405-714-7628, or email [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT: Jason B. Tabler, CEO

New Century Hotels

918-688-2851

www.newcenturyhotels.com

SOURCE New Century Hotels

Related Links

http://www.newcenturyhotels.com

Implementation plan for additional analytical assays and in-process controls confirmed

Company finalizing process performance qualification (PPQ) protocol in order to proceed with the manufacturing of RYPLAZIM (plasminogen) conformance lots

LAVAL, QC, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Prometic Life Sciences Inc. (TSX: PLI) (OTCQX: PFSCF) ("Prometic" or the "Corporation") announced today that it has completed a Type C meeting in which the FDA agreed with the Company's proposed action plan for the implementation of additional analytical assays and in-process controls related to Ryplazim (plasminogen) manufacturing process. As a result of the feedback received during the Type C meeting, Prometic is finalizing the process performance qualification (PPQ) protocol in anticipation of commencing the manufacturing of additional Ryplazim (plasminogen) conformance lots.

"We are pleased with the positive outcome of the Type C meeting regarding the plan that we submitted in response to the FDA's list of items outlined in the CMC section of our Ryplazim BLA," said Bruce Pritchard, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Prometic. "As a result of the feedback received, we will now continue with finalizing the remaining steps necessary to proceed with the running of RYPLAZIM conformance batches."

"We have worked diligently with our external regulatory consultants to ensure that our proposed CMC changes would be satisfactory to the FDA," commented Pierre Laurin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Prometic. "We believe that it was prudent and appropriate to first validate our plan with the agency prior to proceeding with the running of the additional conformance lots. We will continue to proceed in a careful and methodical manner and will provide further updates to our shareholders during our regularly-scheduled quarterly results communications."

About Plasminogen

Plasminogen is a naturally occurring protein that is synthesized by the liver and circulates in the blood. Activated plasminogen, plasmin, is a fundamental component of the fibrinolytic system and is the main enzyme involved in the lysis of blood clots and clearance of extravasated fibrin. Plasminogen therefore is vital in wound healing, cell migration, tissue remodeling, angiogenesis and embryogenesis.

About Prometic Life Sciences Inc.

Prometic (www.prometic.com) is a publicly traded (TSX symbol: PLI) (OTCQX symbol: PFSCF) biopharmaceutical corporation with two drug discovery platforms focusing on unmet medical needs. The first platform (small molecule therapeutics) stems from the discovery of two receptors which we believe are at the core of how the body heals: namely, promoting tissue regeneration and scar resolution as opposed to fibrosis. One of the lead drug candidates emerging from this platform, PBI-4050, is expected to enter pivotal phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). The second drug discovery and development platform (plasma-derived therapeutics) leverages Prometic's experience in bioseparation technologies used to isolate and purify biopharmaceuticals from human plasma. The Corporation's primary goal with respect to this second platform is to address unmet medical needs with therapeutic proteins not currently commercially available, such as Ryplazim (plasminogen). We are also leveraging this platform's higher recovery yield potential to advance established plasma-derived therapeutics such as Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG). Furthermore, the Corporation is continuing to secure its plasma supply through the execution of third party contracts and expansion of its own collection activities for its plasma processing needs. The Corporation also provides access to its proprietary bioseparation technologies to enable pharmaceutical companies in their production of non-competing biopharmaceuticals. Recognized as a bioseparations expert, the Corporation derives revenue from this activity through sales of affinity chromatography media which contributes to offset the costs of its own R&D investments.

We are headquartered in Laval, Quebec (Canada) and have R&D facilities in Canada, the United Kingdom ("UK") and the United States ("USA"), manufacturing facilities in Canada and the Isle of Man and corporate and business development activities in Canada, the USA, and Europe.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements about Prometic's objectives, strategies and businesses that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are "forward-looking" because they are based on our current expectations about the markets we operate in and on various estimates and assumptions. Actual events or results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements if known or unknown risks affect our business, or if our estimates or assumptions turn out to be inaccurate. Such risks and assumptions include, but are not limited to, Prometic's ability to develop, manufacture, and successfully commercialize value-added pharmaceutical products, the availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the ability of Prometic to take advantage of business opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and general changes in economic conditions. You will find a more detailed assessment of the risks that could cause actual events or results to materially differ from our current expectations in Prometic's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2017 under the heading "Risk and Uncertainties related to Prometic's business". As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement even if new information becomes available, as a result of future events or for any other reason, unless required by applicable securities laws and regulations. All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless indicated otherwise.

SOURCE ProMetic Life Sciences Inc.

Related Links

http://www.prometic.com

"Our focus for over 140 years has been to ensure that life's circumstances are never a barrier to good nutrition," says Robbert Rietbroek, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Quaker Foods North America. "Boomers have historically understood and appreciated the nutrition benefits of oats, but with so many choices and so much information out there today, we want to remind them that oats are an incredible food. We want to help reinvigorate our role in their health and wellness journey and help them to live their best lives."

Helping Boomers Thrive

To help Quaker re-establish itself as a leader in nutrition with this important and influential audience, the festival is designed to help Boomers build their confidence in navigating today's complex nutrition landscape.

Boomers are at a critical point in their wellness journey, becoming more aware of how food impacts their well-being, while wanting to get the best out of their life. The goal of Quaker Rise & Thrive is to enable Boomers to proactively take control of their health by educating them about the latest tools and technology and arming them with nutrition and wellness information from sources they can trust.

"I'm thrilled that Thrive and Quaker are joining forces for Quaker Rise & Thrive," said Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global. "We'll be putting a spotlight on how we can lead a thriving life regardless of our age. Most importantly, all of our offerings are geared toward action, offering new strategies and tools to help people move from knowing what to do to actually doing it. Because it's never too late to master a new skill, unlock your potential, or connect with people and things that bring you joy."

Exciting Line-up of Sessions and Speakers

The multi-session festival comprises five engaging and informative tracks featuring the leading experts in food and wellness:

Community Hall: includes a closing keynote by award-winning journalist Joan Lunden , a Big Fun Brunch hosted by Chef Art Smith , as well as opening and closing ceremonies featuring DJ Lani Love

includes a closing keynote by award-winning journalist , a Big Fun Brunch hosted by Chef , as well as opening and closing ceremonies featuring DJ Lani Love Fresh Bites: features a healthy eating cooking demonstration by James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Ellie Krieger and a nutrition workshop by wellness expert Candice Kumai

features a healthy eating cooking demonstration by Award-winning cookbook author and a nutrition workshop by wellness expert Mind & Body: includes a yoga session with body positivity advocate Jessamyn Stanley and a meditation workshop with author Agapi Stassinopoulos

includes a yoga session with body positivity advocate and a meditation workshop with author Podcast Pavilion: includes live podcasts of This is Fifty with Sheri Salata and Nancy Hala , as well as Food Heaven with Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones

includes live podcasts of This is Fifty with and , as well as Food Heaven with and The Marketplace: includes pampering in the Recharge Lounge, as well as the Tech Concierge where attendees can learn about the latest health and wellness apps and tools. The marketplace will also offer some of the latest food and beverage offerings from Quaker, Naked and Kevita free of charge

For the full schedule of sessions, visit QuakerOats.com/RiseAndThrive.

Tickets on Sale Now

A day pass for the event is $45, active from 7:30am to 5:00pm on November 3, 2018. The pass includes access to sessions, food and beverages including a family-style brunch, plus some special health and wellness gifts to take home.

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit QuakerOats.com/RiseAndThrive.

About The Quaker Oats Company

The Quaker Oats Company, headquartered in Chicago, is a unit of PepsiCo, Inc., one of the world's largest consumer packaged goods companies. For more than 140 years, Quaker's brands have served as symbols of quality, great taste and nutrition. Quaker Oats, Quaker Rice Cakes and Quaker Chewy Granola Bars are consumer favorites. For more information, please visit www.QuakerOats.com, www.Facebook.com/Quaker or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @Quaker.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated approximately $63 billion in net revenue in 2016, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

About Thrive Global

Founded and led by Arianna Huffington, Thrive Global is a behavior change media and technology company helping individuals, companies and communities improve their well-being and performance. Thrive Global is headquartered in New York and launched in the fall of 2016. For more information, visit www.thriveglobal.com.

SOURCE The Quaker Oats Company

Related Links

https://www.quakeroats.com

ROANOKE, Va., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- An opinion issued earlier this year by a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge in the Antigone v. Taustin, Case (CL-2017-16560, Fairfax County Cir. Ct., March 2, 2018) missed the mark on the Oyer Doctrine and how the Supreme Court of Virginia has addressed it, according to Nancy Reynolds, a Roanoke-based member of national law firm LeClairRyan in a just-published article for the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys Association's Journal of Civil Litigation.

Nancy Reynolds

Motions craving oyer "are an interesting nuance of Virginia jurisprudence dating back to ancient times," noted Reynolds in the piece (Current News on Oyer Motions: A New Wrinkle for an Old Tool), which appeared in the publication's Fall 2018 issue and was recognized at an Oct. 11 ceremony as "the best article of the year" by VADA. "The effect is to treat the documents as allegations for all purposes, including demurrer," she wrote. These motions have been used for a wide variety of documents, but "an undercurrent is developing in Virginia circuit courts to limit their application to deeds and letters probate or of administration."

In Antigone, plaintiffs sought a Declaratory Judgment and other relief related to the ownership and control of limited liability companies. The defendant filed a motion craving oyer, seeking to add to the Complaint articles of incorporation, operating agreements, and other documents. The Circuit Court denied the motion, noting that the parties to the case "presented no Supreme Court of Virginia opinions, and this court has found none, where a defendant has successfully craved oyer for corporate documents or other contracts over a plaintiff's objection." But Reynolds noted that, to the contrary, the history of Virginia jurisprudence is replete with cases of objections to oyer motions over a vast array of documents. In some cases, she reported, the courts expected oyer to be craved when the documents were necessary for the defendants to answer the Complaint.

In support of its position, the court cited to the dictum in Langhorne v. Richmond Railway Company limiting oyer to deeds and letters probate or for administration, she wrote. "But in support of this statement, the [Langhorne] Court relied neither on case law nor on established precedent." In effect, there was no basis for the limitation placed on motions craving oyer.

The dictum in Langhorne limiting oyer to deeds and letters probate or for administration "is not supported in Virginia jurisprudence nor should it be supported," Reynolds added in her article. "Such limitations allow selective reliance on documents to assert claims for which there may be no basis were the entire document considered by the court. These limitations deprive defendants of a demurrer opportunity and unnecessarily prolong litigation with the resultant increases in costs to defendants and misuse of court resources."

In the article, Reynolds highlighted Virginia trial court cases, as early as the 1780s, that shaped oyer concepts and recognized their importance. In 1847, she noted, "The Supreme Court of Virginia stated that a defendant must crave oyer of a promissory note if the defendant wanted to demur to the complaint asserting nonpayment. The Court reversed the trial court's decision to sustain the demurrer because the note was not part of the initial pleading. In essence, the Court articulated an obligation on the part of the defendant to crave oyer of the debt instrument."

In recent history  Ward's Equipment, Inc. v. New Holland North America, Inc.  the Supreme Court of Virginia stated that when a party's factual allegations are contradicted by the authentic and unambiguous documents included through an oyer motion, the complaint's factual allegations may be ignored, Reynolds added. Further, in a variety of other cases  as recently as 2017 in Hale v. Town of Warrenton  the Virginia Supreme Court did not reject the use of documents included with the complaints, pursuant to oyer motions.

The limitations proposed in the Antigone case deprive the courts of an essential function: the ability to dispose of baseless cases early in the litigation, wrote Reynolds. "The circuit court of Virginia should be made aware of these attempts to limit the Oyer Doctrine and should be encouraged to squash them," she asserted.

About LeClairRyan

As a trusted advisor, LeClairRyan provides business counsel and client representation in corporate law and litigation. In this role, the firm applies its knowledge, insight and skill to help clients achieve their business objectives while managing and minimizing their legal risks, difficulties and expenses. With offices from coast to coast, the firm represents a wide variety of clients nationwide. For more information about LeClairRyan, visit www.leclairryan.com.

Press Contacts: At Parness & Associates Public Relations, Bill Parness, (732) 290-0121, [email protected] or Lisa Kreda, [email protected]

SOURCE LeClairRyan

Related Links

http://www.leclairryan.com

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- New research published in the Journal of Dairy Science finds that changing the way manure is stored and handled is key to meeting California's 40 percent dairy manure methane reduction goal and combating climate change.

With financial support from Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and cooperation from the Dairy Cares coalition, leading scientists worked together to produce the most thorough, detailed measurements of "whole-dairy" methane emissions in California to date.

The results confirm that manure methane emissions come primarily from wet storage of manure, a valuable insight for measuring and controlling emissions of this potent greenhouse gas.

"This important work advances our understanding in two areas  how to accurately measure and estimate methane emissions from California, and how to control them," said Josette Lewis, associate vice president of sustainable agriculture at EDF. "This helps ensure our strategies for reducing these emissions remain on target, and that we can accurately assess our progress."

The study used a variety of methods, including instruments mounted in the ground and deployed in aircrafts and vehicles, to measure methane emissions at two Central Valley dairies. All methods produced similar measurements of whole-dairy emissions, increasing confidence in the results.

"Until now, relatively little research has been done to measure and pinpoint specific sources of methane emissions at dairies in California," said Michael Boccadoro, executive director of Dairy Cares. "It is important that we base our strategies on sound scientific measurements from California dairies, and not just on studies conducted in other states. This information is critical as the dairy community works with our partners, including EDF, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and technology providers to reduce emissions in a cost-effective manner."

Other study findings include:

Direct methane emissions from ruminating animals, such as cow digestive gases or burps, tend to remain steady year-round.

Emissions from manure storage can be highly variable and weather dependent; they are three to six times higher in summer than in winter.

Emissions differences between dairies appear to be linked to the amount of manure that is stored in anaerobic, or wet and airless, conditions.

Dr. Claudia Arndt, former Kravis postdoctoral fellow at EDF and current postdoctoral fellow at the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center, led the research. The diverse research team included scientists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, Penn State University, University of California, Davis, and Aerodyne Research, Inc.

"We attributed much of the difference in emissions between dairies to the proportion of manure stored in liquid form," Arndt said. "This suggests that reducing the amount of manure stored in that manner, or the length of time manure is stored in liquid form, could significantly reduce methane emissions."

Additional information

Dairy methane emissions contribute up to 5 percent of the state's carbon footprint. With a law passed in 2016, California became the first dairy region in the world to set a goal for a 40 percent reduction of methane emissions from dairy manure by 2030.

The state's current programs to incentivize emissions reductions target the exact emissions sources pinpointed by this study: liquid manure storage. California has made $260 million available for dairy methane reduction projects. These include digesters, which capture methane and convert it to clean renewable energy and fuel, and projects that change manure storage to avoid methane production from anaerobic conditions. Several additional CARB-funded studies are under way, including research to measure changes in emissions on dairies where methane reduction measures have been installed.

"Dairy Cares has always supported strong science to guide farmers in their efforts to improve environmental outcomes, and this research suggests the current strategies are right on target," Boccadoro said. "We were pleased to partner with EDF on this important work and gratified that the data supports the successful approach to use voluntary, incentive-based measures to achieve these reductions."

With continued funding through the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program, California is on its way to having 100 to 120 dairy digesters operating within the next four to five years. These digesters, one of California's most cost-effective climate investments, are capturing methane and creating clean, renewable energy.

The Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) has awarded funding to 58 dairy farms across the state. AMMP funds technologies and strategies to reduce the amount of manure solids stored in wet conditions. Funding covers manure solid separation, compost enhancement, and scrape and vacuum technologies. Ongoing research continues to verify and quantify how these technologies can reduce methane emissions while improving overall air and water quality.

Environmental Defense Fund ( edf.org ), a leading international nonprofit organization, creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. EDF links science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and our Growing Returns blog.

Dairy Cares ( dairycares.com ) is a statewide coalition with a mission to ensure the long-term sustainability of California's dairy farm families through strong environmental stewardship and responsible animal care. Members include California's farmer-owned milk cooperatives, privately owned milk processors and trade associations. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.

Contact:

Hilary Kirwan, (202) 572-3277, [email protected]

Jennifer Bingham, (916) 441-3318, [email protected]

SOURCE Dairy Cares

Related Links

http://dairycares.com

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- RAD Laboratories Inc. of Vancouver, Canada, and its wholly owned subsidiary RAD Laboratories Colombia SAS, announced today that it's concluding its relationship with NewCanna SAS and NewCanna Hub of Colombia.

Since January 2016, RAD Laboratories has worked closely with NewCanna and the indigenous peoples of Colombia developing the core of its cultivation and extraction business.

Richard Stieler, founder of RAD Laboratories, states that "Although the concept of the NewCanna Hub is appealing, it does not allow RAD to realize the value of its core competencies in the extraction and formulations of plant-based medicine through its indigenous relations."

RAD entered into a business relationship with NewCanna because of RAD's humanitarian focus and high expectations of strengthening indigenous relations and to help them better their position in Colombia's emerging legal cannabis industry.

Richard Stieler has stepped down as the chief operations officer of NewCanna SAS and NewCanna Hub to devote his time and energy to helping the indigenous facilitate the management of foreign trade and other international opportunities within the cannabis industry.

The above departures are not related to any disagreement with NewCanna regarding financial disclosures, accounting or business matters.

Contact:

Richard Stieler

[email protected]

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend," "expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

Related Links

RAD Laboratories

SOURCE RAD LaboratoriesNASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tivity Health announced today the features and benefits being offered to eligible Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in Arizona in 2019 through SilverSneakers, the nation's leading fitness program designed exclusively for older adults. Arizona seniors enrolled in participating health plans will have access to SilverSneakers at no additional cost to them. The program offers access to more than 15,000 partner locations nationwide, the ability to use the benefit at multiple locations throughout the country, a wide variety of programming options, and digital tools and activities that support physical health and social interaction.

"Each year, seniors have an opportunity to choose a health plan that will offer the most value and benefits to help them stay healthy and active, and spend time doing the things they enjoy," said Steve Janicak, Chief Growth Officer, Tivity Health. "SilverSneakers continues to maintain a Net Promoter Score of 81, significantly higher than many leading national brands both inside and outside the physical fitness industry. The NPS measures how likely members are to recommend SilverSneakers to their friends. Members in Arizona and across the country ask for SilverSneakers by name and encourage their friends to participate."

SilverSneakers is offered through more than 65 health plans including the nation's leading Medicare Advantage health plans, Medicare Supplement carriers and group retiree plans. Seniors can learn more about the program and which plans offer SilverSneakers by visiting SilverSneakers.com.

"I want to help people age successfully," said Carole Kern, SilverSneakers instructor in Gilbert, AZ. "I love it when a class member relates to me how much fitter they are and more able to do daily tasks. Recently a woman said that thanks to me she wouldn't need help getting out of her kayak anymore!"

In 2019, SilverSneakers members will have access to a broad range of benefits and resources including:

Nationwide access to more than 15,000 partner locations, including 24-Hour Fitness, Curves, Anytime Fitness, LA Fitness, participating YMCAs and independent fitness locations.

Members always have access to the entire local and national network of participating locations.

SilverSneakers GO, a new mobile fitness application designed to meet the goals, preferences and lifestyle of active older adults.

CollegeSave, a tuition discount program that will allow members to designate a beneficiary and accumulate points toward discounts at nearly 400 colleges based on the number of times they visit a participating fitness location.

Signature SilverSneakers group fitness classes taught by a trained instructor.

Access to the FLEX network, which includes community centers, senior centers, parks and other locations throughout the country.

Digital access to the latest health education information, as well as information about social activities and networking, through SilverSneakers' social media channels and SilverSneakers.com.

SilverSneakers On-Demand, bringing video workouts to our members whenever and wherever they want them. Members can log in at SilverSneakers.com and choose from hundreds of workouts in multiple categories.

About SilverSneakers

SilverSneakers is the nation's leading community fitness program for older Americans. The program was founded in 1992 and is available to more than 15 million Medicare beneficiaries through many Medicare Advantage plans and group retiree plans. For more information, to check eligibility or enroll, go to SilverSneakers.com.

SOURCE Tivity Health

Related Links

http://www.tivityhealth.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tivity Health announced today the features and benefits being offered to eligible Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in Iowa in 2019 through SilverSneakers, the nation's leading fitness program designed exclusively for older adults. Iowa seniors enrolled in participating health plans will have access to SilverSneakers at no additional cost to them. The program offers access to more than 15,000 partner locations nationwide, the ability to use the benefit at multiple locations throughout the country, a wide variety of programming options, and digital tools and activities that support physical health and social interaction.

"Each year, seniors have an opportunity to choose a health plan that will offer the most value and benefits to help them stay healthy and active, and spend time doing the things they enjoy," said Steve Janicak, Chief Growth Officer, Tivity Health. "SilverSneakers continues to maintain a Net Promoter Score of 81, significantly higher than many leading national brands both inside and outside the physical fitness industry. The NPS measures how likely members are to recommend SilverSneakers to their friends. Members in Iowa and across the country ask for SilverSneakers by name and encourage their friends to participate."

SilverSneakers is offered through more than 65 health plans including the nation's leading Medicare Advantage health plans, Medicare Supplement carriers and group retiree plans. Seniors can learn more about the program and which plans offer SilverSneakers by visiting SilverSneakers.com.

"I'm in my 13th year of teaching SilverSneakers classes," said Susie Toale, SilverSneakers instructor from Independence, IA. "When you believe in a program and see positive results from your participants, a person can't help but love their job! My members speak of many benefits including socialization, flexibility, better balance, great friendships. They know they can come and feel better when they leave than when they arrived!"

In 2019, SilverSneakers members will have access to a broad range of benefits and resources including:

Nationwide access to more than 15,000 partner locations, including 24-Hour Fitness, Curves, Anytime Fitness, LA Fitness, participating YMCAs and independent fitness locations.

Members always have access to the entire local and national network of participating locations.

SilverSneakers GO, a new mobile fitness application designed to meet the goals, preferences and lifestyle of active older adults.

CollegeSave, a tuition discount program that will allow members to designate a beneficiary and accumulate points toward discounts at nearly 400 colleges based on the number of times they visit a participating fitness location.

Signature SilverSneakers group fitness classes taught by a trained instructor.

Access to the FLEX network, which includes community centers, senior centers, parks and other locations throughout the country.

Digital access to the latest health education information, as well as information about social activities and networking, through SilverSneakers' social media channels and SilverSneakers.com.

SilverSneakers On-Demand, bringing video workouts to our members whenever and wherever they want them. Members can log in at SilverSneakers.com and choose from hundreds of workouts in multiple categories.

About SilverSneakers

SilverSneakers is the nation's leading community fitness program for older Americans. The program was founded in 1992 and is available to more than 15 million Medicare beneficiaries through many Medicare Advantage plans and group retiree plans. For more information, to check eligibility or enroll, go to SilverSneakers.com.

SOURCE Tivity Health

Related Links

http://www.tivityhealth.com/

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tivity Health announced today the features and benefits being offered to eligible Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in North Carolina in 2019 through SilverSneakers, the nation's leading fitness program designed exclusively for older adults. North Carolina seniors enrolled in participating health plans will have access to SilverSneakers at no additional cost to them. The program offers access to more than 15,000 partner locations nationwide, the ability to use the benefit at multiple locations throughout the country, a wide variety of programming options, and digital tools and activities that support physical health and social interaction.

"Each year, seniors have an opportunity to choose a health plan that will offer the most value and benefits to help them stay healthy and active, and spend time doing the things they enjoy," said Steve Janicak, Chief Growth Officer, Tivity Health. "SilverSneakers continues to maintain a Net Promoter Score of 81, significantly higher than many leading national brands both inside and outside the physical fitness industry. The NPS measures how likely members are to recommend SilverSneakers to their friends. Members in North Carolina and across the country ask for SilverSneakers by name and encourage their friends to participate."

SilverSneakers is offered through more than 65 health plans including the nation's leading Medicare Advantage health plans, Medicare Supplement carriers and group retiree plans. Seniors can learn more about the program and which plans offer SilverSneakers by visiting SilverSneakers.com.

"I started using SilverSneakers immediately after turning 65," said Richard Jones, SilverSneakers member from Wake Forest, NC. "My wife, who I exercise with, is my motivation. SilverSneakers is a great benefit. As we age we all should take advantage of being able to exercise to continue to be healthy."

In 2019, SilverSneakers members will have access to a broad range of benefits and resources including:

Nationwide access to more than 15,000 partner locations, including 24-Hour Fitness, Curves, Anytime Fitness, LA Fitness, participating YMCAs and independent fitness locations.

Members always have access to the entire local and national network of participating locations.

SilverSneakers GO, a new mobile fitness application designed to meet the goals, preferences and lifestyle of active older adults.

CollegeSave, a tuition discount program that will allow members to designate a beneficiary and accumulate points toward discounts at nearly 400 colleges based on the number of times they visit a participating fitness location.

Signature SilverSneakers group fitness classes taught by a trained instructor.

Access to the FLEX network, which includes community centers, senior centers, parks and other locations throughout the country.

Digital access to the latest health education information, as well as information about social activities and networking, through SilverSneakers' social media channels and SilverSneakers.com.

SilverSneakers On-Demand, bringing video workouts to our members whenever and wherever they want them. Members can log in at SilverSneakers.com and choose from hundreds of workouts in multiple categories.

About SilverSneakers

SilverSneakers is the nation's leading community fitness program for older Americans. The program was founded in 1992 and is available to more than 15 million Medicare beneficiaries through many Medicare Advantage plans and group retiree plans. For more information, to check eligibility or enroll, go to SilverSneakers.com.

SOURCE Tivity Health

Related Links

http://www.tivityhealth.com/

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 16)  Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada is confident his alleged involvement in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam would not affect his chances to win as senator in the 2019 elections.

Estrada, who filed his certificate of candidacy on Tuesday, said he had done it before  winning the elections despite a pending plunder case  and he can do it again this time.

"The first time I ran for senator in 2004 I also have a pending plunder case which has not been resolved by the courts. It did not affect me since I won during the 2004 elections. And I don't think it will affect now," Estrada told reporters at the Commission on Elections.

Estrada was temporarily released in September 2017 after the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan allowed him to post a 1-million bail for his plunder and graft charges. He was detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in 2014 for allegedly receiving 183 million in kickbacks from his Priority Development Assistance Fund, also known as pork barrel or funds set aside for lawmakers' projects. He was among the solons implicated by alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, who was accused of funneling 10 billion of lawmakers' funds into bogus nongovernment organizations.

Estrada has repeatedly denied the allegations. The Sandiganbayan, in allowing Estrada's provisional liberty said "the evidence has not strongly established accused Estrada as the main plunderer."

Sibling rivalry?

Estrada was accompanied by his parents, former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada and former Senator Loi Ejercito-Estrada when he filed his candidacy on Tuesday.

This prompted reporters to ask if the older Estrada supports him over his brother, Senator JV Ejercito, who is seeking reelection. He said he's not sure, disclosing that he has not talked to his brother "for quite some time."

He said he thought his brother would make good on the promise to give way if he decides to run in the senatorial polls.

"Three months after I was released from jail he made a statement, a public statement in the media, I think it was also published, that that if I decide to run for senator, he would make the ultimate sacrifice to withdraw from the race. So akala ko magwiwithdraw siya pero tinuloy pa rin niya yung kanyang kagustuhan (I thought he would withdraw from the race but he pushed through with what he wants)," Estrada said.

He, however, said he has no hard feelings and hopes they would both win a Senate seat.

'Prolific senator'

Estrada promised to push for pro-poor measures, similar to the "Kasambahay Law" he proposed which entitles domestic helpers to standard employee benefits, including paid leave, a set minimum wage, and coverage in insurance programs.

He said he was named "one of the most prolific senators," next to the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, and would continue to work to be considered as such if he wins a second term at Senate.

Estrada has made it to the top 12 in recent surveys.Photo: The Canadian Press Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale

Eleven years after a teenager killed herself after spending more than three years in segregation in prison, Ottawa is moving to ban the practice of isolating prisoners who pose risks to security or themselves.

Legislation introduced Tuesday by Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale will eliminate the practice of separating inmates from others in isolated cells for either administrative or disciplinary reasons.

Inmates who do pose risks, will instead be moved to new "structured intervention units" where they can be removed from the general inmate population while maintaining their access to rehabilitative programming, interventions and mental-health care.

Goodale said the changes are a direct result of recommendations from a coroner's inquest into the 2007 death of 19-year-old Ashley Smith. The young woman from Moncton, N.B., choked to death from self-strangulation in a segregation cell as prison guards looked on at Grand Valley Institution in Kitchener, Ont.

Smith spent more than 1,000 days in segregation in various corrections' facilities before her death.

An Ontario coroners inquest in 2013 ruled her death a homicide, and made 104 recommendations, including the banning of indefinite solitary confinement.

"The approach that we're taking now is entirely different," Goodale said Tuesday.

"Using the structured intervention units, it will allow us to maintain separation where separation is necessary, but at the same time the programming will continue."

Currently, inmates in segregation are restricted to two hours a day outside their cells and do not have access to meaningful interactions with others nor do they benefit from programming or mental health supports.

Under Bill C-83 prisoners transferred to structured intervention units will be offered the opportunity to spend four hours a day outside their cell, during which time they would be guaranteed a minimum of two hours to interact with others.

Inmates in these units will also be visited daily by a registered health care professional and be provided with access to patient advocates  a measure that was also recommended as part of the Ashley Smith inquest.

The Correctional Service of Canada will also have to make sure that considerations unique to Indigenous offenders are factored into all correctional decision-making.

Goodale says this is a "world-leading" approach to dealing with troubled inmates, focused more on intervention and rehabilitation rather than segregation and punishment.

"Remember that the vast majority of these inmates will at some point serve their sentence and be released into society," he said.

"So the key question is, are they going to be released in a condition where they have some prospect of leading a law abiding life? Or are you just going to leave them in a condition where they will undoubtedly reoffend again and there will be more victims and there will be less safe communities?"DUBLIN, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Singapore Medical and Dental Clinics Market Outlook to 2022 - Led by Inorganic Expansion of Major Clinics and Expansion into More Specialized Services" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Singapore Medical and Dental Clinics Market Outlook to 2022 - Led by Inorganic Expansion of Major Clinics and Expansion into More Specialized Services covers dental and medical clinics market segment by region, growth driver, restraints, government regulations, and competitive landscape of major players.



Singapore Clinics Market Overview

Singapore clinics market inclined at a positive CAGR during 2013 to 2017. The market is at a growing stage with major clinic groups undertaking inorganic methods of expansion and widening their service portfolio. The demand for primary healthcare services has increased due to increase in ageing population and increasing chronic diseases prevalence. Diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia were the top chronic conditions treated at clinics during the review period. Clinics in Singapore provide primary healthcare services at subsidized rates under CHAS Scheme which includes primary medical treatment, preventive healthcare and health education



Singapore Clinic Market Segmentation

By Type of Clinic: Medical clinics have accounted for the largest share in the overall Singapore Clinics market revenue in 2017. This is majorly driven by organic and inorganic expansion of large players and adoption of asset light model. Other types of clinics include dental clinics.

By Region: Majority of the clinics are located in the central and north region of Singapore driven by high population, and greater connectivity with other parts of Singapore. Within this region Woodlands and Yishun have the most number of clinics offering dental and family medicine.



Singapore Clinics Market Competition Overview

The clinics market is dominated by private GP clinics which meet majority of the total primary care demand in Singapore. These range from solo practices to medium and large corporate groups. The market has witnessed a rise in number of mergers and acquisitions and major clinics have increased their specialized doctor personnel in order to enter into new medical segments. Leading clinics groups have adopted asset light model in order to attain higher growth rates. Major competition parameters include geographic presence, services offered, doctor personnel, facilities and price.



Singapore Clinics Market Future Potential

The clinics market in Singapore is expected to grow at a double digit CAGR during 2017 to 2022. The market will be driven by emergence of more specialized group which run on asset light model and rely heavily on growing number of doctors to leverage on economies of scale. This will further enhance cross selling opportunities within the group. Such developments will lead to consolidation. Further, the organic growth of the private healthcare sector is expected to improve in the coming years as major players shift focus to offering specialized services. Participation in electronic records system could become a licensing requirement for clinics.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Singapore Clinics Market - Executive Summary



2. Research methodology

2.1. Market Definitions

2.2. Abbreviations

2.3. Consolidated Research Approach

2.4. Market Sizing and Limitation - Clinics Market

2.5. Variables (Dependent and Independent)

2.6. Singapore Hospital Market Correlation Matrix

2.7. Singapore Hospital Market Regression Matrix



3. Singapore Healthcare Ecosystem



4. Singapore Clinics Market

4.1. Market Size, 2012-2017

4.2. Key Stats



5. Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)



6. Singapore Clinics Market Segmentation

6.1. By Type of Clinics, 2012-2017

6.2. By Region, 2017



7. What are the Growth Drivers in this sector?



8. Government Initiatives to drive Primary Healthcare



9. Comparative Landscape in Singapore Clinics Market

9.1. Competitive Scenario in Singapore Clinics Market

9.2. Company Profiles of Major Clinics in Singapore

9.2.1. Singapore Medical Group

9.2.2. Q & M Dental

9.2.3. ISEC Healthcare

9.2.4. TalkMed Group

9.2.5. Singapore O & G Limited

9.2.6. Healthway Medical Corporation Limited

9.2.7. HC Surgical Specialists Limited

9.2.8. Unity Denticare



10. Singapore Clinics Market Future Outlook, 2018-2022

10.1 By Market Size, 2018-2022

10.2. By Type of Clinic, 2018-2022



11. Singapore Clinics Market - Analyst Recommendations



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/rghqh3/singapore_medical?w=5

Did you know that we also offer Custom Research? Visit our Custom Research page to learn more and schedule a meeting with our Custom Research Manager.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

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HOUSTON, Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (NYSE: SCM) will release its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, before the market opens.

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation will host a conference call to discuss these results on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 10:00 AM, Central Standard Time. The conference call will be led by Robert T. Ladd, chief executive officer, and W. Todd Huskinson, chief financial officer, chief compliance officer, treasurer, and secretary.

For those wishing to participate by telephone, please dial 877-260-1479 (domestic). Use passcode 9137982. Starting approximately twenty-four hours after the conclusion of the call, a replay will be available through Thursday, November 15, 2018 by dialing (888) 203-1112 and entering passcode 9137982. The replay will also be available on the company's website.

About Stellus Capital Investment Corporation

The Company is an externally-managed, closed-end, non-diversified investment management company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company's investment objective is to maximize the total return to its stockholders in the form of current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in private middle-market companies (typically those with $5.0 million to $50.0 million of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization)) through first lien, second lien, unitranche and mezzanine debt financing, and corresponding equity investments. The Company's investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Stellus Capital Management. To learn more about Stellus Capital Investment Corporation, visit www.stelluscapital.com under the Stellus Capital Investment Corporation link.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements included herein may contain "forward-looking statements" which relate to future performance or financial condition. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the final prospectus that will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

Contacts

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation

W. Todd Huskinson, (713) 292-5414

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

SOURCE Stellus Capital Investment CorporationLONDON, Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

New Surgical Paradigm to Deliver Value across Markets

This research service offers a strategic perspective of the customer, product, technology and competitors that are influencing the global market for surgical robotics.The report is split into three major sections, each focusing on industry overview, competitive landscape, and voice of stakeholder analysis.

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5589910

The report also includes sections for technology and product segmentation, examining the level the influence of technologies across various product portfolios. The report features an exclusive section on designing the operating theatre of the future, which highlights some of the use cases of advanced technologies being adopted along with surgical robotic systems currently in use across leading healthcare facilities worldwide.

1. To strategically review the role played by NPD (new product development) and research and development (R&D) initiatives in improving the overall adoption of surgical robotics technologies

2. To analyze the ongoing shifts in healthcare needs which are largely driving R&D developments and technology-enabled business models of established and new participants.

3. Strategic investments, technical partnerships, distributor agreements, and IPOs in surgical robotics industry is increasing. What are the strategic priorities of existing/new participants in developing the global market?

4. In addition to the above, this research service also offers insights covering an independent review of industry strategies that are unbiased. This research service also provides details of key industry contacts who also participated in this research.



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5589910



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +1 (718) 213 4904

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

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Blockchain Company Lights Up Cannabis Industry with Digital Asset Trading Platform

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As the legal marijuana industry continues to professionalize and legalize, the cannabis industry is projected to grow 220% globally in 2019 alone. Backed by the blockchain technology, the Global Cannabis Network is poised to become the first online cannabis network to seize the new market and open up multi-billion-dollar marijuana industry to the world.

Global Cannabis issued a shared statement, reinforcing their belief in this industry, "Cannabis is fast changing the way we live, learn and evolve. Businesses across the world, from growers and retailers to the tech and tourism sectors, are preparing to reap a windfall from legal marijuana. The health and wellness industry is fast changing the wellness landscape and beginning to find value and use. By aligning ourselves with this billion-dollar industry, we wish to build a strong cannabis community, one that is dedicated to continuous learning and cultivating ethical business practices. We will be holding frequent symposiums and conferences around the world to share the development, value and success stories".

The Global Cannabis Network provides a three-pronged approach -- digital asset exchange, trade network, community resources -- to addressing the murky, yet rapidly expanding legal marijuana industry. Facilitated through the exchange of cryptocurrency, Global Cannabis Coin (GCX), the project aims to ensure individuals and businesses in the cannabis industry has unremitting access to a system of informational and legal resources.

Global Cannabis Exchange Service : A global, digital asset trading platform that provides users with a secure, decentralized, and a profitable mechanism to share, trade, and exchange for other digital assets. Global Cannabis Network is the first transparent exchange on the market to accommodate cannabis-related industry needs.

Global Cannabis Trade Network : A network of resources for businesses in the cannabis industry to address legal questions, receive or provide entrepreneurial advice , access industry information and best practices, and receive or provide mentoring. Considering cannabis legalities differ around the world, the Network will initially focus their efforts in areas where marijuana is fully legal, and where there is a strong interest in cannabis.

Global Cannabis Community : A social network similar to Instagram, Reddit, Telegram, and Steem for cannabis enthusiasts and entrepreneurs. Individuals will have the opportunity to post, share, upvote, and review cannabis related material. The community is an important platform, as it encourages individuals and businesses that cannot participate in the Cannabis Trade Network or Exchange Service (due to legalities) to share their thoughts on the future of cannabis around the world.

Future Developments

The Global Cannabis team aims to open the coin listing service on Global Cannabis Exchange by November 2018, with their series of platforms developed and launched in early 2019. Interested contributors can expect a detailed white paper to be released shortly. Starting on October 14, 2018, Global Cannabis will host a pre-sale for 72 hours only.

Additional Information

Registration for coin listing on Global Cannabis Exchange will open on October 17, 2018 .

Official ITO kickoff slated to begin December 2018 .

. In compliance with anti-money laundering requirements, KYC (know-your-customer) will be compulsory.

Service and product launch will be aligned with the regulations of the country of operation.

Why Global Cannabis Network?

Participants on the Global Cannabis Exchange platform can expect lower transactional costs, heightened security, and pertinent information from industry leaders. Consumers will benefit from discounts on products, while businesses will reap the embedded smart contract rewards.

Global Cannabis Network aspires to be a global hub, buzzing with cannabis-related trade, networking, and information sharing. From project collaboration and joint venture initiatives, to mergers and acquisitions, the Global Cannabis Network is a unified blockchain solution for the cannabis industry. For more information on the Global Cannabis Network and Coin, please log on to http://globalcannabisexchange.io .

SOURCE Global Cannabis Network

Related Links

http://globalcannabisexchange.io

"We have spent years studying the most cutting-edge residential product in the world, and 'A'ali'i represents our vision of an experiential lifestyle that does not currently exist in the market," said David R. Weinreb, CEO of The Howard Hughes Corporation. "Our robust sales across Ward Village are reflective of the growing market demand for turnkey living solutions and innovative home designs that empower residents to make the most out of their homes."

Designed by award-winning architecture firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz and locally-based Ferraro Choi & Associates, in partnership with acclaimed interior designer Rottet Studios, 'A'ali'i presents a design-conscious lifestyle that embodies the hallmarks of Ward Villagea holistic community highlighting wellness, art, food, culture and convenience. The building, located next to Aeo and the recently opened flagship Whole Foods Market, will include up to 11,300 square feet of new street-level retail and nearly an acre of recreational amenities.

"The groundbreaking of 'A'ali'i marks yet another milestone in our development of Oahu's new pedestrian-friendly urban neighborhood," said Simon Treacy, President of the Hawaii region, The Howard Hughes Corporation. "We could not be more pleased with the response from homeowners who are excited to live in our innovative and diverse community that is setting a new benchmark for urban living."

Aalii pairs smart design with a collection of resort-caliber amenities to maximize health, wellness and relaxation. Amenities include Lana'i 42, a penthouse-level sky deck offering a rooftop fitness club, outdoor yoga studio, sunset lounge and ocean-view event spaces. The Aalii pool deck is complete with an adult pool, cabanas, barbecue pavilions, indoor and outdoor event spaces, and a children's play/splash area.

A community that is redefining Hawaii's modern lifestyle, Ward Village was recognized as the "Best-Planned Community in the United States" by Architectural Digest, and most recently as the "Master Planned Community of the Year" by the National Association of Home Builders. The neighborhood provides world-class amenities including walkable pathways and dedicated bike lanes that offer immediate access to a new upcoming Central Plaza, world-renowned restaurants, unique local retailers, and free community events. Since beginning sales in early 2014, Ward Village has sold more than 1,850 homes.

For more information, visit www.wardvillage.com.

About Ward Village

Being developed by The Howard Hughes Corporation, Ward Village is a 60-acre coastal master planned community in the heart of Honolulu, located between downtown and Waikiki in the Kaka'ako district. Honoring the distinct history of its land, Ward Village is at the forefront of sustainable community development, integrating significant architecture, local culture, and public space. New tree-lined sidewalks and bike lanes provide access to an over 100-acre public beach park, as well as the recently revitalized Kewalo Harbor. Since beginning sales in 2014, Ward Village has sold or contracted to sell more than 1,850 homes. At full build-out, the development will include approximately one million square feet of unique retail experiences and more than 4,500 homes to the community that was recently named "Master Planned Community of the Year" by the National Association of Home Builders and "Best Planned Community in the United States" by Architectural Digest.

Resulting from strong demand for new housing in Honolulu and the desire for an urban walkable lifestyle, Ward Village is quickly approaching the sellout of its first four mixed-use residential towers that are either delivered or under constructionWaiea, Anaha, Ae'o, and Ke Kilohanawhich are transforming the popular shopping and dining district into a vibrant neighborhood that offers ocean views and a thoughtfully curated mix of retail experiences set among walkable, open spaces. 'A'ali'i, the innovative building offering a seamless turnkey living solution, has been met with very strong demand and along with future buildings will continue to expand the selection of new homes at Ward Village and sit at the top of the Central Plaza, which will serve as a key public gathering and activation space for the community.

Art and culture play an integral role at Ward Village, with public art highlighted throughout the neighborhood, including large-scale wall murals, sculptures and locally inspired exhibits. Home of the inaugural Honolulu Biennial in 2017, Ward Village will once again be the hub when The Howard Hughes Corporation serves as the co-title sponsor of the biennial in 2019.

As the largest LEEDND Platinum certified master plan development in the country and the only one in Hawai'i, Ward Village is at the forefront of sustainable community development and will feature public amenities at a scale not offered by any other urban development in the state. For more information, visit http://www.wardvillage.com .

About The Howard Hughes Corporation

The Howard Hughes Corporation owns, manages and develops commercial, residential and mixed-use real estate throughout the U.S. Its award-winning assets include the country's preeminent portfolio of master planned communities, as well as operating properties and development opportunities including: The Seaport District in New York; Columbia, Maryland; The Woodlands, The Woodlands Hills, and Bridgeland in the Greater Houston, Texas area; Summerlin, Las Vegas; and Ward Village in Honolulu, Hawai'i. The Howard Hughes Corporation's portfolio is strategically positioned to meet and accelerate development based on market demand, resulting in one of the strongest real estate platforms in the country. Dedicated to innovative place making, the company is recognized for its ongoing commitment to design excellence and to the cultural life of its communities. The Howard Hughes Corporation is traded on the New York Stock Exchange as HHC.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements accompanied by words such as "will," "believe," "expect," "enables," "realize", "plan," "intend," "assume," "transform" and other words of similar expression, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's expectations, estimates, assumptions, and projections as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are set forth as risk factors in The Howard Hughes Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly and Annual Reports. The Howard Hughes Corporation cautions you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. The Howard Hughes Corporation does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.

Media Contacts:



The Howard Hughes Corporation

Cristina Carlson, 646-822-6910

Vice President, Corporate Communications and Public Relations

[email protected]

For HHC Investor Relations

David O'Reilly, 214-741-7744

Chief Financial Officer

david.o'[email protected]

SOURCE The Howard Hughes Corporation

Related Links

http://www.howardhughes.com

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Though widely known for picturesque canals and windmills, the Netherlands of today is a top location for foreign investment. The Netherlands is a global innovator and a fertile ground for business. In fact, Holland has the most competitive economy in the European Union, according to the World Economic Forum. It's no wonder that when North American companies seek an entry point into the European market, they look to the Netherlands.

This year, the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) celebrates four decades of helping North American companies establish or relocate operations in the Netherlands. Holland's diverse cities offer something for every company, from Amsterdam, a European startup hub, to Rotterdam, home of Europe's busiest port. Just last year, North American companies invested nearly 122.35 million in the Netherlands, creating more than 2,500 jobs. In March, Google announced a 500 million expansion to its Dutch data center to help meet demand from European customers.

"Though a small country, the Netherlands has made a big mark on global business and society," said Henny Jacobs, incoming Executive Director of NFIA Americas. "We're very proud of the more than 2,500 North American companies that choose to invest in Holland. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we look ahead with excitement and high expectations for the future."

Holland is no stranger to innovation  the Dutch are credited with the invention of the microscope, Wi-Fi and the stock market. Today, the Netherlands is leading the charge in some of the world's most rapidly changing fields. Pharmaceutical companies flock to the Netherlands to gain access to groundbreaking research. At the Hubrecht Institute, for example, scientists are testing drug therapies on miniature lab-grown organs. Holland is also on the forefront of autonomous vehicle testing and development. Ranked the No. 1 country for automotive disruption, Holland is in the driver's seat of mobility in Europe.

With a tech-savvy workforce and hard-to-beat IT infrastructure, the Netherlands is an ideal European partner for U.S. tech companies. The European Commission's Digital Economy and Society index ranks the Netherlands the world's top country for digital connectivity. This digital infrastructure supports major tech companies that invest in Holland, including Netflix, Uber, Tesla and Microsoft.

But whether in finance or fashion, the world's most respected companies continue to flock to Holland for its central European location, English-speaking workforce, favorable business climate and modern infrastructure. And as the No. 6 happiest country in the world, the Netherlands offers an ideal lifestyle for expats and international workers.

NFIA helps North American companies expand to the Netherlands from its regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Toronto. To learn more, visit: investinholland.com.

SOURCE Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency

Related Links

http://www.investinholland.com

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Thermo Fisher Scientific today announced facilitation of the next phase of the FinnGen precision medicine study that aims to deepen the overall understanding of chronic disease mechanisms in the Finnish population and to enable development of targeted therapies. The latest stage is focused on analyzing more than 50,000 samples in six months toward fulfilling the overall goal of a half-million individual samples with Thermo Fisher's custom microarray technology.

The FinnGen study represents one of the largest longitudinal precision medicine studies of its kind. The project endeavors to analyze genetic information from 500,000 individual blood samples collected by a nationwide network of biobanks and marry it with national health records. Launched in 2017 and funded by pharmaceutical partners and Business Finland, a Finnish funding agency for innovation, the research program is leveraging Thermo Fisher's Applied Biosystems Axiom Genotyping Solution, which has been custom designed to meet FinnGen's specific requirements.

Genetic data from retrospective and prospective samples have been analyzed during the ongoing program, which includes pre-planned pauses every six months to ensure the information gathered from the more than 102,000 individuals to date is saved cumulatively on a regular basis. The FinnGen project focuses on patients to maximize the number of disease cases and on the elderly to capture a long history of health record data for the study.

"The availability of health record information from birth to death, the powerful microarray technology we selected and strong collaboration from all the parties involved in the FinnGen project is key to achieving breakthroughs in disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment," said Aarno Palotie, Ph.D., research director of the Human Genomics Program at HiLIFE in the University of Helsinki/Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) and a faculty member at the Center for Human Genome Research at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and associate member at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, "Together, with hundreds of thousands of Finns, we are on a journey of discovery into shared heritage."

The Finnish population is uniquely suited for such an in-depth genetic study because it has evolved from a small founder population with little consanguinity, enabling the original genotype to mostly remain conserved. The low level of variants in the population structure increases the chances that the potential disease association findings have statistical significance.

FinnGen brings together Finnish universities, hospitals, the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), biobanks, international pharmaceutical companies and companies like Thermo Fisher for the effort. Determining how best to produce the optimum genotype data for such a large-scale endeavor was critical. A genome-wide association design (GWAS) supported by a scalable, and customizable high-throughput microarray platform was the path chosen.

"We needed a genotyping pipeline of the highest quality that provided an unrivalled post-lab analytic work flow," said Palotie. "In our case, customization was an important component due to the unique needs of the Finnish population, where the population isolate structure has resulted in an enrichment of coding, potentially deleterious variants. Thermo Fisher successfully fulfilled all of our criteria, providing us with a validated, trustworthy industry-level pipeline, which meant that we could just provide our samples and receive high-quality genotypes."

Thermo Fisher developed FinnGen's custom Axiom genotyping array through its Microarray Research Services program in Santa Clara, CA. The site is also where all genotype calling is being performed for the project after DNA is first extracted in Finland.

"We are proud to be active collaborators in this exciting study, and to contribute our powerful genotyping platform to help uncover the incidence and effects of variations relative to disease states in a founding genotype," said Shantanu Kaushikkar, director of Product Management for Thermo Fisher Scientific. "Axion arrays are consistently selected for their flexibility and reputation of delivering high-quality data."

Visit our Scientist Spotlights in Genotyping page to see how other scientists are using the Axiom solution at: www.thermofisher.com/scientistspotlight. For more information on the FinnGen study, visit www.finngen.fi/en. For more information on genotyping technologies from Thermo Fisher, visit: www.thermofisher.com/genotyping.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with revenues of more than $20 billion and approximately 70,000 employees globally. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We help our customers accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics, deliver medicines to market and increase laboratory productivity. Through our premier brands  Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services  we offer an unmatched combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and comprehensive services. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com.

Media Contact Information:

Mark Button

CG Life

+1 408 310 2168

[email protected]

Mauricio Minotta

Thermo Fisher Scientific

+1 760 929 2456

[email protected]

SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific

Related Links

http://www.thermofisher.com

With this new approach, the United Kingdom's Department for International Development is working with U.S.-based Action Against Hunger to create a new "pipeline" estimated to reach up to 250,000 children facing hunger in the next three years. This Bar Saves Lives will provide resources to fill that pipeline with life-saving hunger treatments, with their one-for-one donation model and no cap on the potential donation amount or reach. This is the largest public-private partnership of its kind and will launch in Somalia in January 2019.

"Hunger is terrible anywhere. It is heartbreaking to travel to places where hunger is more common than the flu and far more deadly," said Ryan Devlin, Co-Founder of This Bar Saves Lives. "The good news is that, when completed, hunger treatment is extremely effective. This Bar Saves Lives was created to give more kids access to the help they deserve."

Last year, approximately 1.2 million children under age five in Somalia were diagnosed with the most severe form of hunger. Fewer than one in four had access to treatment. Somali officials report that aid is down 11 percent, even though hunger is on the rise.

"The world needs a better way to deal with hunger. Together with This Bar Saves Lives, we're creating it, so no child is forgotten," said Andrea Tamburini, CEO, Action Against Hunger. "We aim to double, by 2020, the number of children who have access to lifesaving hunger treatment. World Food Day is an important reminder that it will take sustained focus from consumers, governments, and companies like This Bar Saves Lives for us to achieve that goal, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and ultimately end hunger in our lifetime."

Paul Yoo, Chief Executive Officer, This Bar Saves Lives, explains, "If you possess radical hope, you can create radical change. This is why we have a simple giving model: buy a bar, feed a child. We believe people want to improve society and give hope to others. With this new partnership, it's now very easy for all of us to help tackle world hunger together."

For more information about This Bar Saves Lives and how you can support this initiative, visit www.thisbarsaveslives.com . To learn more about Action Against Hunger, visit www.actionagainsthunger.org.

About This Bar Saves Lives:

This Bar Saves Lives is a delicious snack bar brand, and every single purchase gives life-saving food aid to a child with malnutrition. Co-founders Kristen Bell, Ryan Devlin, Todd Grinnell, and Ravi Patel launched This Bar Saves Lives with a simple motto, "Buy a bar. Feed a child. We eat together." Its snack bars contain premium ingredients and are non-GMO, gluten-free, and Kosher. Through a unique impact model, This Bar Saves Lives has been able to increase their impact while revolutionizing the way private companies drive change in the world. By 2019, more than 10 million life-saving packets of food aid will have been given to children in need, and this is just the beginning.

Products are available in retail stores nationwide, including Starbucks, Target, Whole Foods, and on Amazon.com.

About Action Against Hunger:

Action Against Hunger is the world's hunger specialist whose primary goal is to create better ways to deal with deadly hunger. For nearly 40 years, this global humanitarian organization has been on the front lines treating and preventing hunger across 50 countries; serving more than 20 million people in 2017 alone. Against Hunger is the leader in a global movement that aims to end life-threatening hunger for good within our lifetimes. The organization is committed to doubling the number of children who receive urgent hunger care, from three million to six million by 2020. Of every dollar donated, 93 cents go directly to saving lives today and preventing hunger tomorrow.

SOURCE Action Against Hunger

Related Links

http://www.actionagainsthunger.org

NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Now: The U.S. Navy awarded General Dynamics Mission Systems a five year, $208 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for the continued procurement, testing and delivery of the AN/USC-61(C) Digital Modular Radio (DMR). DMR provides multiple communication waveforms and multi-level information security for secure tactical voice and data transmissions aboard U.S. Navy ships and submarines. The four-channel DMR is the first software-defined radio to become a communications standard for the U.S. Navy.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05589954



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Read on to discover how you can exploit the future business opportunities emerging in this sector. Visiongain's new study tells you and tells you NOW.



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The report provides clear detailed insight into the top 20 companies within the global Military Embedded Systems market. Discover the key drivers and challenges affecting the market.



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 Global Military Embedded Systems Market Forecast From 2018-2028



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 Advantech Co. Ltd.

 Airbus

 BAE Systems

 Concurrent Technologies PLC

 Curtiss-Wright Corporation

 Eurotech S.p.A.

 General Dynamics

 Honeywell

 Intel Corporation

 Kontron AG

 Lockheed Martin

 Mercury Systems, Inc.

 Microsemi Corporation

 North Atlantic Industries, Inc.

 Northrop Grumman

 QinetiQ

 Radisys Corporation

 Raytheon Company

 Thales Group

 Xilinx



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Barcelona-based startup TravelPerk has secured $44 million in Series C funding from some of the most successful technology investors including Kinnevik, Yuri Milner and Tom Stafford.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/767357/TravelPerk_Logo.jpg )



(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/767358/TravelPerk_founders.jpg )



According to the Global Business Travel Association, 50% of business travel happens outside of company policy, often because existing platforms are outdated, can't offer the choice or prices of consumer equivalents, and require travel managers to endure multiple sites, emails and calls to manage a single trip.

TravelPerk is solving this problem for hundreds of thousands of travellers from some of the world's most influential companies including Uber and Transferwise - cutting the time needed to manage a trip from 3 or 4 hours to just 10 minutes and saving companies over 20% in annual travel costs.

TravelPerk's platform hosts the world's largest bookable inventory, bringing all the necessary tools and resources from booking to accounting into one simple, consumer-standard interface - incorporating cars, trains, flights and hotels from a wide range of major providers including Booking.com, Expedia and Airbnb.

TravelPerk CEO Avi Meir said: "We believe business travel should be as simple as personal travel - if not easier. As businesses grow beyond borders, organising trips is one of the most painful and unnecessary obstacles they face to expanding."

"TravelPerk is breaking new ground to propel business travel into the 21st century, disrupting a mammoth and outdated $1.3 trillion market - ensuring distance is never a barrier to future growth."

In this latest round, the company is also being supported by existing investors including Felix Capital, Target Global, Spark Capital, LocalGlobe, Suntone and Amplo, who back market-changers including Slack, Trello, Farfetch and Delivery Hero.

Since being founded in 2015 by CEO Avi Meir and CPO Javier Suarez, TravelPerk has increased revenues by 700% growth year on year, and has now raised nearly $75m in total funding. This new injection of funding will equip TravelPerk to expand into new markets, enlarge its client base by working more with small enterprises and augment its technology offering.

Chris Bischoff, Senior Investment Director, Kinnevik, said: "We are excited to invest in TravelPerk, a company that fits perfectly into our investment thesis of using technology to offer customers more and much better choice. Booking corporate travel is unnecessarily time-consuming, expensive and burdensome compared to leisure travel. Avi and team have capitalised on this opportunity to build the leading European challenger by focusing on a product-led solution, and we look forward to supporting their future growth."

For UK: Having tripled the size of its team in the past year, TravelPerk is now opening its first office in the UK. The UK business travel market was worth $50 billion in 2017, and this initial investment will allow TravelPerk to simplify travel for customers such as Aesop, Bowers & Wilkins, Adyen and Farfetch



in 2017, and this initial investment will allow TravelPerk to simplify travel for customers such as Aesop, Bowers & Wilkins, Adyen and Farfetch For Germany : Having tripled the size of its team in the past year, TravelPerk is also announcing that it will open a new office in Germany by the end of this year, the biggest business travel market in Europe at $72bn . TravelPerk is growing the fastest in Germany out of all its geographies, where it already serves businesses including GetYourGuide, Adjust and Outfittery



: Having tripled the size of its team in the past year, TravelPerk is also announcing that it will open a new office in by the end of this year, the biggest business travel market in at . TravelPerk is growing the fastest in out of all its geographies, where it already serves businesses including GetYourGuide, Adjust and Outfittery For France : Having tripled the size of its team in the past year, TravelPerk is also announcing that it will open a new office in France by the end of this year, where it already serves businesses including Mirakl, Aircall, Condeco and Ykone



: Having tripled the size of its team in the past year, TravelPerk is also announcing that it will open a new office in by the end of this year, where it already serves businesses including Mirakl, Aircall, Condeco and Ykone For Spain : TravelPerk has tripled the size of its Barcelona -based team in the past year from 50 to 150, serving customers including Globo & Typeform. The company is now opening its first office in the UK and with bases in Berlin , Amsterdam and Paris soon to follow

SOURCE TravelPerkPhoto: The Canadian Press

Jurors in the trial for a couple charged in their 14-month-old son's death heard starkly differing accounts Tuesday of why he died.

Jennifer and Jeromie Clark of Calgary have pleaded not guilty to criminal negligence causing death and failure to provide the necessaries of life for their son John.

"This is not a whodunnit. There's no mystery of what happened to John," prosecutor Shane Parker said in his closing arguments.

The Crown presented evidence from an array of medical professionals that suggested John could not fight off a staph infection because he was malnourished, and that he was close to death by the time his parents took him to hospital. But defence lawyers argued that while John was sick, he was not malnourished or suffering an infection. They said his death was the fault of doctors who treated him.

Emergency and intensive care doctors testified that when the boy arrived in hospital, his heart rate and temperature were abnormally low, he was covered in a rash and some of his toes were blackened. They said that suggested he was in the final stages of septic shock.

"The hospital did not break John. John was essentially dead on arrival," Parker said.

The Crown presented evidence that the Clarks searched online for natural cures for gangrene and poor circulation in the weeks leading up to John's death.

The boy had never seen a doctor until the day before he died on Nov. 29, 2013, Parker said.

The prosecutor urged jurors to ask themselves what they would do if they had a child with toes that were turning black and an all-over rash. He said they would urgently seek medical attention.

"They dithered; he withered," Parker said of the Clarks. "They were playing with John's life. You would have taken John to the doctor."

Earlier in the day, the Clarks lawyers' urged jurors to put emotions aside as they determine their verdict.

"In our society, we try not to just act like an angry mob, grabbing our pitchforks and torches and heading off to the windmill to kill a monster," said John Phillips, Jennifer Clark's lawyer.

Jeromie Clark's lawyer, David Chow, told jurors they must steel themselves when looking at photographs of the dead child with tubes attached to his little body.

"It's easy to fall into the trap and place those pictures at the feet of those two people," he added, gesturing toward the Clarks in the prisoners dock.

Chow said for the jury to find the pair guilty of criminal negligence causing death, the Crown must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that their behaviour was a "marked and substantial departure in the standard of care expected of a reasonable person in the circumstances."DALLAS, Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sekisui Specialty Chemicals is proud to announce the relaunch of the Selvol Ultiloc series; a range of copolymers that expand on the functionality of industry trusted Selvol Polyvinyl Alcohol products. Previously, the Selvol Ultiloc brand represented copolymers sold into barrier film and flexible packaging applications. The relaunch of this series marks the expansion of product categories and the addition of several new copolymers to the range.

Ultiloc 5003 was the first product in the Ultiloc range, and continues to be the most popular of the series thus far. Because it demonstrates superior adhesion characteristics with surface treated polymeric films (e.g. BOPP and BOPET) and excellent oxygen barrier performance, Selvol Ultiloc 5003 is often used within multilayered flexible packaging films. These properties, alongside its higher reactivity and improved crosslinking, make it an effective replacement option for other barrier technologies as well. The Ultiloc series also includes Selvol Ultiloc 5103, a product close in composition and technology to Ultiloc 5003. Both products exhibit improved adhesion, low temperature solubility and quicker dissolution when compared to standard polyvinyl alcohol products. We suggest customers try both to determine which is better suited to their application.

The Selvol Ultiloc series also includes Selvol Ultiloc 2012 and Selvol Ultiloc 4005, two unique copolymers that add new performance characteristics the already diverse Selvol brand. While the entire Ultiloc range boasts lower temperature solubility and quicker dissolution than standard polyvinyl alcohol, Ultiloc 2012 also demonstrates stability over a wide range of temperatures and pH conditions. Ultiloc 4005 displays greater film flexibility and increased moisture retention when compared to standard polyvinyl alcohol.

To find out more about the advantages of including Selvol Ultiloc copolymers in your products, view test data, download the Copolymer Guide, or request samples, go to www.Ultiloc.com.

SOURCE Sekisui Specialty Chemicals

Related Links

http://www.sekisui-sc.com

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In a new research paper, Vanguard economists examined the effects of advancements in technology on the U.S. labor market and found that technology will likely continue to help reinvent and evolve jobs, not destroy them. The future of work is the first in a new series of research pieces by Vanguard that will study "megatrends" affecting the U.S. and global economies. In the first installment, Vanguard posits technology will play a pivotal role in raising the value of "uniquely human" tasks and emphasizes that the workforce will need proper education and training to develop creative intelligence, build technological acumen, and cultivate emotional intelligence.

Tasks, not jobs, face automation

Vanguard economists utilized data from the Department of Labor's Occupational Information Network (O*Net) to better understand the wide array of occupations in the labor market. Recognizing that a series of tasks make up any particular job, Vanguard analyzed and categorized the 41 most common critically-important responsibilities spanning nearly 1,000 jobs into three simple categories: basic, repetitive, and uniquely human. Basic tasks require little advanced training, but aren't easily automated by machines or technology; repetitive tasks are a series of simple steps that could be at a higher risk for automation; and advanced or "uniquely human" tasks are those that require adaptability and conceptual thinking.

Basic Repetitive Uniquely Human - Getting information - Controlling machines/processes - Interacting with computers - Processing information - Handling and moving objects - Thinking creatively - Monitoring processes - Scheduling work and activities - Selling to or influencing others - Controlling resources - Documenting/recording information - Communicating with others - Evaluating information

to determine compliance with

standards - Analyzing data or information - Inspecting equipment/structures - Performing general physical

activities - Operating vehicles/mechanized

devices or equipment - Training and teaching others - Judging the quality of things,

services, or people - Providing consultation/advice to others - Resolving conflicts and

negotiating with others

Over the years, tasks have evolved as technology has become more advanced, enabling jobs with basic or repetitive tasks to focus more on those uniquely human elements. Those changes have taken place over a variety of occupations, skill sets, and wage levelsregardless if they were a predominately technology-focused role. For instance, drones and electronic monitors have replaced oil field laborers in inspecting pipelines, granting more time for those uniquely human tasks, like training, teaching, or problem-solving.

"Pessimistic observers have long predicted that advancements in technology would ultimately lead towards more automation and mass unemployment," said Joseph Davis, Vanguard Global Chief Economist and an author of the paper. "What they hadn't considered was how technology could complement occupations, generating more time for intellectually and conceptually-driven activities and skills."

Future of labor

To forecast how technology may continue to change tasks in the future, Vanguard researchers analyzed two time periods2003-2007 and 2010-2015to omit bias resulting from the global financial crisis. In particular, they studied the relationships between tasks, technology, and labor's contribution to growth in economic output, and drew three main conclusions:

The nature of jobs has changed. Post-financial crisis, jobs with the most uniquely human tasks made greater contributions to gross economic output. The opposite is true for those jobs with tasks that combine basic and repetitive activities.

Post-financial crisis, jobs with the most uniquely human tasks made greater contributions to gross economic output. The opposite is true for those jobs with tasks that combine basic and repetitive activities. Human tasks outpace technology. The more uniquely human tasks involved in a job shows that there is less gross economic output from technology. In repetitive or basic tasks, technology has a higher output.

The more uniquely human tasks involved in a job shows that there is less gross economic output from technology. In repetitive or basic tasks, technology has a higher output. Technology is making humans more valuable. As technology becomes more sophisticated, the need for more uniquely human tasks rises and continues to add value to labor's output, demonstrating that technology is evolving jobs, not eliminating them.

In addition, Vanguard researchers found that the financial demand generated by the global financial crisis hastened the automation of basic and repetitive tasks, but helped to uncover the value of uniquely human work. Jobs evolved, and as such, there are 9.2 million more jobs today than in 2007. Further, more than 50% of workers in the U.S. spend their time on uniquely human tasks and those tasks account for at least 50% of a job's critically important activities. In the future, Vanguard believes that jobs will not be completely replaced by technology, but rather sees a shift in the task composition of jobs.

Potential for a labor market paradox

As technology and automation accelerate and complement uniquely human tasks, the potential increases for a labor market shortage. Despite record low unemployment rates, labor market shortages will continue to occur as we see a rise in robots and a decrease in the number of people with uniquely human skills. In order to best prepare the working population for those tasks that contribute most to economic growth and output, Vanguard believes policymakers and employers need to evolve education and training to help people develop uniquely human skillslike creative and emotional intelligence and technological acumenrather than those that can be automated by a machine.

Vanguard's Megatrends series

Vanguard's "Megatrends" series is a research effort that investigates fundamental shifts in the global economic landscape that are likely to affect the financial services industry and broader society. A megatrend may bring market growth or destroy it, increase competition or add barriers to entry, and create threats or uncover opportunities. Exploring the long-term nature of massive shifts in technology, demographics, and globalization can help us better understand how such forces may shape future markets, individuals, and the investing landscape in the years ahead.

About Vanguard

Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment management companies. As of August 31, 2018, Vanguard managed more than $5.3 trillion in global assets. The firm, headquartered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, offers 408 funds to its more than 20 million investors worldwide. For more information, visit vanguard.com.

SOURCE Vanguard

Related Links

http://www.vanguard.com

Company invites individual and institutional investors as well as advisors to attend interactive real-time virtual VirtualInvestorConferences.com

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Village Farms International, Inc. (OTCQX: VFFIF; TSX:VFF), one of the largest and longest-operating vertically integrated greenhouse growers in North America and which has expanded into cannabis production in Canada through a joint venture in Delta, British Columbia that is on track to become one of the single largest cannabis growing facilities in the world, today announced that Micheal DeGiglio, Chief Executive Officer and Stephen Ruffini, Chief Financial Officer, will present live at VirtualInvestorConferences.com on October 18, 2018 at 1:00 PM ET.

DATE: Thursday, October 18, 2018

TIME: 1:00 PM ET

LINK: https://tinyurl.com/1018prepr

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time - both in the presentation hall as well as the association's "virtual trade booth." If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an on-demand archive will be available for 90 days.

It is recommended that investors pre-register and run the online system check to save time and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.VirtualInvestorConferences.com.

Village Farms' Joint Venture on Track to Be One of the Largest Single Cannabis Growing Operations in the World

Village Farms is leveraging its 30 years of experience as a vertically integrated greenhouse grower for the rapidly emerging global cannabis opportunity through 50% ownership of British Columbia-based joint venture Pure Sunfarms, Corp., which is rapidly expanding cannabis production and on track to be one of the single largest cannabis growing operations in the world. Expansion into cannabis production is expected to significantly transform the earnings power of Village Farms.

Pure Sunfarms has completed conversion of and is growing cannabis in the first half of its 1.1 million square foot state-of-the-art Delta 3 greenhouse in Delta, British Columbia for supply to the legal adult-use market in Canada. Conversion of the remaining 550,000 square feet of the 1.1 million square foot facility continues to progress on plan and remains on schedule for completion before the end of this year. In addition, Pure Sunfarms has the potential to expand production in Canada to 4.8 million square feet through options on two additional greenhouses currently owned by Village Farms that are immediately adjacent to the Delta 3 facility.

Independent of the Pure Sunfarms joint venture, Village Farms owns and operates 5.7 million square feet of greenhouse facilities (including one of the most technologically advanced greenhouses in the world) in West Texas, one of the best growing environments in North America, with unmatched operational capabilities in large-scale, low-cost growing, uniquely positioning it for potential future opportunities in industrial hemp and/or cannabis, should those products be legalized under the relevant jurisdictions.

About Village Farms International, Inc.

Village Farms International, Inc. is one of the largest and longest-operating vertically integrated greenhouse growers in North America and the only publicly traded greenhouse produce company in Canada. Village Farms produces and distributes fresh, premium-quality produce with consistency 365-days a year to national grocers in the U.S. and Canada from more than nine million square feet of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) greenhouses in British Columbia and Texas, as well as from its partner greenhouses in British Columbia, Ontario, and Mexico. The Company is now leveraging its 30 years of experience as a vertically integrated grower for the rapidly emerging global cannabis opportunity through a 50% ownership of British Columbia-based Pure Sunfarms, Corp., one of the single largest cannabis growing operations in the world.

About VirtualInvestorConferences.com

Since 2010, VirtualInvestorConferences.com, created by BetterInvesting (NAIC) and PRNewswire, has been the only monthly virtual investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for presenting companies to meet directly with investors using a graphically-enhanced online platform.

Designed to replicate the look and feel of location-based investor conferences, Virtual Investor Conferences unites PR Newswire's leading-edge online conferencing and investor communications capabilities with BetterInvesting's extensive retail investor audience network.

SOURCE Village Farms International, Inc.GEORGETOWN, Ky., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Robotics, cryptocurrency, machine learning, CGI, Internet security, and smartphones packing more computing power than NASA circa 1985  today, our lives are radically different because of computer-driven technology. But who are the men and women charting our course through this digital age with their society-altering and leading-edge discoveries?

TheBestSchools.org profiles 50 notable computer scientists alive today who are influencing how we will live both now and in the future:

The 50 Most Influential Living Computer Scientists @ TheBestSchools.org

The 50 Most Influential Living Computer Scientists

https://thebestschools.org/features/most-influential-computer-scientists/

"For the living individuals who have done the most to bring about the computer revolution, the staff of TheBestSchools.org wanted to provide a human face and a discussion of their many accomplishments," says Dr. James Barham, the article author, and the president and general editor of TheBestSchools.org. "Nowhere else on the Internet, to our knowledge, can you find the most important living innovators in computer science gathered on one page and their achievements explained."

Alan Kay, Linus Torvalds, Radia Perlman, and Tim Berners-Lee are just a sampling of selected scientists, who span disciplines ranging from cryptography to artificial intelligence to quantum computing and even to game theory. The compilation offers not only biographies, but also provides links to the scientists' websites and important writings for those who wish to explore their accomplishments in greater depth.

"Our continuing series on thought leaders in crucial disciplines helps further our commitment to education," says Dan Edelen, marketing director for TheBestSchools.org. "We want to connect our readers and their daily use of digital technology to the computer science trailblazers who designed and created these amazing devices, languages, processes, and theories that make our lives easier and more fulfilling. Recognizing the men and women behind the science is our way of helping everyone to celebrate those who are taking us into tomorrow one byte at a time."

TheBestSchools.org is a leader in school rankings  secondary, college & university, postgraduate, online, and on-campus  providing millions of prospective students with the information they need to find the right school for them. TheBestSchools.org is an educational website whose staff and advisory board believe learning transforms lives for the better and should be a lifelong pursuit.

Media Contact:

Dan Edelen, Marketing Director

TheBestSchools.org

(513) 601-8202

[email protected]

SOURCE TheBestSchools.org

Related Links

http://TheBestSchools.org

Insight by Scott Yates, HGS General Manager

CHICAGO, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- (Feature Article) - Are you taking your social media strategy as seriously as you should? Imagine you're a Fortune 100 company spending millions on marketing to create and support your brand, but you don't prioritize social media support. Your customers are driven to your social media pagesbut once they get there, they don't find 24x7 empathy-building communication or proud, positive brand representation, and a fast, solution-focused approach. Instead they are faced with thread after thread of negative customer feedback and lackluster product support. Simply put, you're doing it wrong. In fact, you're missing the plot. With this nickel-holding-up-a-dollar approach, you may have just lost 20% year-over-year growth.

Think smart about your social media strategy, and start with understanding the three ways today's fashionable feedback tool can make (or break) your CX:

1. Ensure your social media presence speaks to a personality well aligned with your company culture, product line, and, most importantly, customer base. This means shifting from a defensive to an offensive social media approach, with more proactive posts addressing brand, product, or market issues. Invest the time and resources to speak in the tongue of your brand and customers. Also:

Avoid company siloes so that Marketing and Consumer Affairs are better funded and aligned in their approach. Understand how Consumer Affairs should be in close step withand even fueldepartments like Product Innovation, Product Development, and Research and Development.

Help bolster your front lines, with agent training that includes product and company culture education and a playbook for how to communicate in precise line with your brand.

2. Treat social media customer engagements as conversations that stand on their owndeserving of response time and colloquial, culturally appropriate tone. More than ever, the art of conversation is not lost. Think of these exchanges more like a phone call than an email. While a shift to digital customer care is today's new norm, don't lose sight of the fact that a four-hour response timemuch less a 24-hour response time, is not going to satisfy (much less delight) today's customer. Also, in responses, don't hide behind a shadowy 800-numberbe present and personal, with open communication and practical solutions to customer problems. Don't be overly cautious about engaging customers with appeasement, as long as you can solve the problem, retain the customer, and not compromise the complainant.

3. Keep the end goal in sight: gaining and retaining customers. Understand the scale and importance of your social media presence. Specialize your channels and align with your CX support. For example, if you have a customer with 25,000 Twitter followers, most likely your trainees shouldn't be responding. At the front end of support, build in fast research so agents understand the social profile of each customer postingfrom their social presence to their troll factor. If a customer engages consistently in a negative waythis contact should likely be escalated to a veteran team member or set aside so as not to build steam.

Finally, once you have a sound social media strategy in place, ensure that you share the knowledge. This means integrating robust engagement and reporting tools focused on recording and building knowledge from this customer feedback. While this can be labor-intensive, know that these insights are valuable to your future growth and success.

HGS will host a webinar about this topic on November 14, 2018 at 1:00 pm EST. Please join us if you would like to learn more.

About Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS):

A global leader in business process management (BPM) and optimizing the customer experience lifecycle, HGS is helping make its clients more competitive every day. HGS combines technology-powered services in automation, analytics, and digital with domain expertise focusing on back office processing, contact centers, and HRO solutions to deliver transformational impact to clients. Part of the multi-billion dollar conglomerate Hinduja Group, HGS takes a true "globally local" approach, with over 44,854 employees across 75 delivery centers in seven countries making a difference to some of the world's leading brands across nine key verticals. For the year ended 31st March 2018, HGS had revenues of US$ 597 million.

Visit https://www.teamhgs.com to learn how HGS can help make your business more competitive.

HGS Media Contacts:

Andrew Kokes

+1 888 747 7911

[email protected]

Diana Dixon

+ 1 312 758 1380

[email protected]

SOURCE Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS)

Related Links

http://www.teamhgs.com

WOOD DALE, Ill., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ontic, a BBA Aviation company and the aerospace industry's leading provider of 'Extended Life Solutions' for OEM legacy products, has appointed AAR as its authorized inventory management partner and exclusive distributor in support of Ontic UK's Military MRO business. This business includes a variety of repair and overhaul services for a portfolio of legacy avionics parts servicing the military market, including electromechanical, barometric, gyroscopes and electronics products. Key platforms include the BAE Hawk aircraft; Leonardo Sea King and AW101 helicopters; Lockheed C-130 transports; Boeing F-15 and V22; and the Tornado.

"This partnership with AAR represents a great strategic fit for Ontic, with both organizations being very closely aligned in their approach to delivering the highest customer service levels," said Matthew Pritchard, Ontic's UK Site Director. "We believe our military MRO customers will be pleased with the increased level of service they receive as a consequence of this relationship with AAR. As Ontic continues to grow, I'm confident that our partnership will expand as we look to deliver extended life solutions to our customers and OEM partners."

"We are delighted with our appointment as Ontic's authorized inventory management partner and exclusive distributor for their military MRO business," said AAR's Tim Driscoll, Vice President and General Manager of OEM Solutions. "We look forward to working with Ontic to provide our mutual customers with the parts they need, when they need them."

About Ontic

Ontic is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BBA Aviation plc, with over 42 years of aerospace product manufacturing and aftermarket support experience. Ontic provides FAA, CAAS, CAAC, TCCA, DCA, EASA Part 21 and 145 OEM support, including new and serviceable spares and repairs for over 4,500 maturing and legacy aircraft parts. Its portfolio of products licensed or acquired from major OEMs such as Honeywell, UTC Aerospace, Safran, Thales and GE Aviation, span all major aircraft systems in both civil and military markets. For more information, please visit www.ontic.com.

About BBA Aviation

BBA Aviation plc is a market leading, global aviation support and aftermarket services provider, primarily focused on servicing the business and general aviation (B&GA) market. BBA supports its customers through three principal businesses: Signature Flight Support and Signature TECHNICAirTM, which provide premium, full-service flight and home base support including refuelling, ground handling, hangarage and MRO services through the world's largest fixed base operation (FBO) network for B&GA users with around 200 locations covering key destinations in North America, Europe, South America, Caribbean, Africa and Asia. Ontic is a leading provider of high-quality equipment and cost-effective solutions for the continuing support of maturing and legacy aerospace platforms, with locations in the USA, Europe and Asia. Engine Repair & Overhaul/Global Engine Services is a leading independent engine service provider to global B&GA operators, the rotorcraft market and regional airline fleets with locations in the USA, Europe, South America, Asia and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.bbaaviation.com.

About AAR

AAR is a global aftermarket solutions company that employs more than 6,000 people in over 20 countries. Based in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR supports commercial aviation and government customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AAR's Aviation Services include parts supply; OEM parts distribution; supply chain programs; customer fleet management and operations; aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul; engineering services and component repair. AAR's Expeditionary Services include mobility systems; command and control centers in support of military and humanitarian missions; and composite manufacturing operations. Additional information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.

This press release contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information currently available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated, including those factors discussed under Item 1A, entitled "Risk Factors", included in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2018. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described. These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Company's control. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. For additional information, see the comments included in AAR's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE AAR

Related Links

http://www.aarcorp.com

NEW YORK, October 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Adore Me, the disruptive e-commerce lingerie startup, ranks #36 as the fastest-growing company in the New York area.

The annual list curates the top fastest-growing companies in the New York area, measured by revenue growth from 2014 to 2017. The businesses on this year's list had an average three-year growth rate of 2,082%. Adore Me is honored to be recognized on the list as a front-runner for the fourth time in the past five years.

Adore Me has recently fueled its growth through international expansion and the launch of physical retail stores. Notably, the brand launched its site in Australia last year as well as its full assortment of products to United Kingdom and China this year. To accelerate the company's growth even further, the company will continue its forward trajectory with new product releases that will be announced this fall.

Morgan Hermand-Waiche, Adore Me Founder & CEO, states: "We are honored to be listed on the Crain's Fast 50 list for the fourth time. It's an indicator that our mission to support every body of all shapes & sizes resonates with many women across America and beyond. I'm thankful for the Adore Me team and grateful of the many innovative, creative, and strategic approaches we take to create a sustainable business that will continue to reach more women every year. I look forward to seeing what the future holds!"

About Adore Me

Adore Me is a lingerie e-commerce company based in NYC with +200 employees across the U.S. and Europe. The company was started by Morgan Hermand-Waiche in his days as an MBA student at Harvard Business School. Adore Me offers designer, fast-fashion, affordable and inclusive intimates. The company has established a strong customer base of over 11M women, predominately urban millennials, and 80% of its traffic comes from mobile.

MEDIA CONTACT

Iris Voltaire

Business & Brand Development

[email protected]

SOURCE Adore Me

Related Links

http://www.adoreme.com

QUARTEIRA, Portugal, October 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Algarve Lifestyle has launched a comprehensive and unique range of vacation packages for 2019 that will allow tourists to experience the sights and sounds of Portugal's southernmost region, the Algarve.

Vacationers to this exotic locale can now choose one of several packages on offer that provide a complete and authentic taste of Algarve's natural beauty, culture and cuisine. Moreover, packages based on adventurous activities like rock-climbing and hiking, along with health and wellness based programs add to the overall charm and soul of the Algarve.

Steven Vigor, CEO and Founder of Algarve Lifestyle says, "We have developed a refreshing concept, based on 'the new luxury' way of travelling, creating authentic experiences in collaboration with local people, while crafting activities focusing on education, inspiration, and emotion. Our packages offer authentic retreats and give travellers a variety of options to indulge in the culture, food and atmosphere of these exotic locations."

Highlights of some of the vacation packages on offer:

Gastronomy and Culture:

Visitors can enjoy a fine dining experience in any of the 6 different Michelin Star rated restaurants in Algarve. Also on offer is a visit to a renowned wine cellar for a premium wine tasting tour.

The package includes a tour of cultural and historical sites, and go-karting on one of the largest race tracks of its kind in Europe. Visitors can choose to spend a day with a local clam picker on a real-life adventure in a traditional fishermans wooden boat, discovering ancient clam picking secrets.

Adventure and Escape:

Escape the hustle and bustle to embark on a real adventure with family or friends, packed with activities that are sure to be a memorable experience.

Activities include rock-climbing, fishing, horse-riding and exploring one of the biggest National Parks in Europe. Experience the local flora and fauna, spend a night on a sailing boat, paddle in breath-taking caves and even discover dinosaur foot prints. Each day is unique, exciting and adventurous.

Wellness:

Algarve Lifestyle's wellness packages are designed to focus on health, and help boost wellness goals. They serve as holistic, well-balanced holidays that help improve wellbeing, both mind and body, by focusing on fitness activities & spa treatments, in stress-free, serene surroundings.

The Algarve Lifestyle team have selected the best treatments that are aimed at rejuvenating and revitalising the body, while de-stressing the mind, and help vacationers kick-start a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, health-buffs are also entitled to exclusive access to one of the most desirable spas in the Algarve region.

Nature:

Travellers can discover the pristine regions of the Algarve and immerse themselves in unforgettable and adventurous activities such as observing wild dolphins, hand picking clams with fishermen, horseback riding in the lagoons, or indulging in a floating spa experience in the midst of nature.

About Algarve Lifestyle

Algarve Lifestyle is the brand name for APCS Lda, an inbound luxury tour operator and a destination management company, while also being the only lifestyle concierge providing vacations, corporate services, and event planning in the entire Algarve region. For more information, please visit https://www.algarve-lifestyle.com or take a look at Algarve's holiday packages at https://www.algarve-lifestyle.com/algarve-holiday.html

The press release can be found on the website at: https://www.algarve-lifestyle.com/press-release.html

Media Contact

[email protected]

SOURCE Algarve LifestyleDUBLIN, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Data Center Colocation Market in Americas - Industry Outlook and Forecast 2018-2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Americas data center colocation market to witness investments of more than $11 billion by 2023, growing at a CAGR of over 3% during the forecast period. The research report offers market size analysis regarding colocation services during the forecast period.



The telecommunication service providers, colocation service providers, enterprises and government entities are making efforts to improve the network connectivity by investing in submarine cable in the Latin American market. The adoption of lithium-ion UPS systems, DRUPS, and fuel cells will lead to the transformation of infrastructure solutions in the market. Americas data center colocation market is driven by the datacenter development of Tier III and Tier IV standards in the US and Canadian region.



The increasing investments in mega-datacenter projects are contributed heavily by colocation, internet, and cloud service providers, resulting in higher revenues in the American market. The market research report provides in-depth market analysis and segmental analysis of the Americas data center colocation market by investment, service type, and geography.



Data Center Colocation Market in Americas - Dynamics



The rising demand for cloud connectivity and hybrid infrastructure services is augmenting the growth of the data center colocation market in Americas. Various colocation providers have announced cloud connectivity services to major cloud platforms such as AWS, Microsoft, Google, Oracle, IBM, Equinix, Digital Realty, and CyrusOne to widen their consumer reach in the global market. The increasing focus on facilities developments from the federal government will lead to investment in colocation facilities or private cloud datacenters in the American market.



The federal government and the state government is also planning to consolidate their data center infrastructure to reduce cost and improve efficiency in the market. The largest colocation service providers investing over than $500million in new construction and expansions in the data center colocation market in Americas. In 2017, more than 30 M&A activities were witnessed across Americas, valued at more than $18 billion, 15 million in square feet area, and 500+ MW of power. The increasing demand for superior services is contributing to the growing number of M&A activities in the American market.



Data Center Colocation Market in Americas - Segmentation



This Americas data center colocation market research report includes a detailed segmentation of the market by investment, service type, and geography. The investment segment in the American data center collocation market is classified into electrical infrastructure, mechanical infrastructure, and general construction. The general construction segment occupied the second largest market share in 2017, growing at a CAGR of over 3% during the forecast period. The increasing number of greenfield and brownfield developments is propelling the growth of this segment in the American market.



The American data center colocation market by service type is divided into retail and wholesale. Wholesale services are the fastest growing segment in the American market, at a CAGR of around 9% during the forecast period. The growing demand for high computing capacity from global enterprises in the US and Canada is driving the demand in this segment. High bandwidth, minimum power capacity, and capability to expand the space of datacenter as and when required are some of the benefits offered by wholesale colocation service providers in the American data center colocation market.



Data Center Colocation Market in Americas - Geography



The Americas data center colocation market by geography is segmented into the US, Canada, and Latin America. The US contributed to more than 85% of the investments in 2017, growing at a CAGR of over 2% during the forecast period. The report offers market size analysis in terms of colocation services, power capacity (MW), and square feet area for all the segments for 2017-2023.



Virginia, Texas, California, New York, North Carolina, and Illinois are the major market for colocation constructions in the US market. Latin America is the fastest growing region in the American market, at a CAGR of more than 10% by investment during the forecast period. The consolidated efforts to improve the broadband and network connectivity by telecommunication companies, enterprises, colocation providers, and government entities will propel the growth of the Latin American market



Key Vendor Analysis



The Americas data center colocation market witnesses million-dollar investments by Digital Realty and Equinix is investing across the US and Canadian region. Equinix, Digital Realty, CyrusOne, Switch, and Vantage Data Centers are some of the providers investing in the US. Investments by Urbacon Data Centre Solutions in Canada and Latin America to boost their market share.



The rising investments in new facilities and expanding existing ones will intensify the competition in the American market. Leading providers are estimated to add over 500,000 square feet of net rentable area and 60 MW of power capacity in the Americas data center colocation market YOY for the next few years. Various service providers are offering retail colocation and managed services to sustain the competition in the American market.



Key Topics Covered:



1 Research Methodology



2 Research Objectives



3 Research Process



4 Report Coverage

4.1 Market Definition

4.2 Base Year

4.3 Scope of Study



5 Report Assumptions & Caveats

5.1 Key Caveats

5.2 Inclusions

5.3 Exclusions

5.4 Currency Conversion

5.5 Market Derivation



6 Market at a Glance

7 Introduction

7.1 Data Center Site Selection Criteria

7.2 Electricity Prices Across Major Data Center Locations



8 Market Dynamics

8.1 Market Growth Enablers

8.1.1 Impact of Cloud Connectivity and Hybrid Infrastructure Services on Colocation Market

8.1.2 Increase in Demand for High Capacity Infrastructure will Grow Colocation Market

8.1.3 Connected Devices and IoT Likely to Increase Demand for Colocation in Edge Data Locations

8.1.4 Initiatives to Reduce Power Consumption will Increase Market Competitiveness

8.1.5 Consolidation to Increase Demand for Wholesale Colocation Facilities

8.2 Market Growth Restraints

8.2.1 Increased Power Outages and Growing Electricity Consumption in Data Centers

8.2.2 Prefabricated Infrastructure and Self-build Data Centers to hamper Colocation Service Adoption

8.2.3 Growing Concerns Over Water Consumption by Data Centers

8.2.4 Location Constraints for Data Center Construction

8.3 Market Opportunities & Trends

8.3.1 Increased Demand for Edge Data Centers

8.3.2 High Interest to Procure Renewable Energy for Data Centers

8.3.3 Growth in Merger and Acquisition Activities in Data Center Market

8.3.4 DCIM Crucial Component of Colocation Data Centers

8.3.5 Usage of Lithium-ion Batteries and Fuel Cells in Data Centers



9 Data Center Colocation Market in Americas

9.1 Market Overview

9.2 Investment: Market Size & Forecast

9.3 Colocation Services: Market Size & Forecast

9.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis



10 Investment by Infrastructure

11 Investment in Electrical Infrastructure

11.1 Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Systems

11.2 Power Distribution Units (PDUs)

11.3 Generators

11.4 Transfer Switches & Switchgears

11.5 Other Electrical Infrastructure

11.6 Market Size & Forecast



12 Investment in Mechanical Infrastructure

12.1 Cooling Systems

12.2 Racks

12.3 Other Mechanical Infrastructure

12.4 Market Size & Forecast



13 Investment in General Construction

13.1 Building Development

13.2 Installation and Commissioning Services

13.3 Building Design

13.4 Physical Security

13.5 Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)

13.6 Market Size & Forecast



14 Investment in Development Area

14.1 Market Size & Forecast



15 Investment in Power Capacity

15.1.1 Market Size & Forecast by Power Capacity



16 Market by Colocation Services

16.1 Market Overview

16.2 Retail Colocation

16.2.1 Market Size & Forecast

16.3 Wholesale Colocation

16.3.1 Market Size & Forecast



17 Market by Geography

17.1 Market Overview

17.2 Market Size & Forecast



18 Market in US



19 Market in Canada



20 Market in Latin America



21 Competitive Landscape

21.1 Market Share by Investment

21.2 Market Share of Investment by Area

21.3 Market Share by Colocation Services



22 Key Company Profiles

22.1 CoreSite Realty Corp.

22.2 CyrusOne

22.3 Cyxtera Technologies

22.4 Digital Realty

22.5 Equinix

22.6 Switch



23 Other Prominent Vendors

23.1 1547 Critical Systems Realty

23.2 365 Data Centers

23.3 Ascenty

23.4 AT&T

23.5 Axtel

23.6 Bell Canada

23.7 CentriLogic

23.8 CenturyLink (Level 3)

23.9 CloudHQ

23.10 Cogeco PEER 1

23.11 Colo-D

23.12 DataBank

23.13 Data Foundry

23.14 EdgeConnex

23.15 Entel

23.16 Expedient

23.17 Flexential (Peak 10 & ViaWest)

23.18 Green House Data

23.19 H5 Data Centers

23.20 I.C.E Datacenters

23.21 Infomart Data Centers

23.22 Internap

23.23 KIO Networks

23.24 ODATA (Patria Investimentos)

23.25 Quality Technology Services (QTS Realty Trust)

23.26 RagingWire Data Centers (NTT)

23.27 Rogers Communication

23.28 ROOT Data Center

23.29 Sabey Data Center

23.30 Stream Data Center

23.31 T5 Data Centers

23.32 TigoUne (UNE EPM)

23.33 TierPoint

23.34 Telefnica

23.35 Urbacon Data Center Solutions

23.36 Vantage Data Center

23.37 vXchnge

23.38 Zayo Group Holdings



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/mj7jk8/americas_data?w=5



Media Contact:

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Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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Related Links

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Surrounded by both his wife, Princess Nana Lee, his family and Crown Prince Yi Seok's family and friends, as well as South Korean dignitaries and City of Los Angeles officials, Andrew Lee  who is Korean American  swore upon the symbolic sword from Yi that he "will commit to the values of love, human rights, peace and freedom for humanity to the best of my ability."



Andrew Lee is the founder of Private Internet Access, a leading VPN service. Yi Seok, 77, is the nephew of King Sunjong, Korea's last monarch, and the son of Yi Kang, the fifth son of King Gojong, the 26th Joseon king.



"As we all understand, we have a sad history in Korea," said Young-dal Chang, chancellor of Woosuk University, a Jeonju institution. The Korean empire was overtaken by Japanese colonial rule in 1910. "Even though we did have a tragic end to the imperial family's history, today I feel we have a restart, a restoration."



Los Angeles Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and City Councilmembers David Ryu, Nury Martinez and Marqueece Harris-Dawson presented Andrew Lee with a proclamation in honor of the event, and said they represented both the city and county of Los Angeles, which together comprises some 10 million people. "We respect tradition and celebrate history," Ridley-Thomas said.



The ceremony also included congratulatory remarks from Bermuda Premier David Burt; Congressman Kwang-soo Kim, who represents the district in which Yi Seok currently resides, and which is hometown to Andrew Lee's father Jay Lee; Los Angeles Korean Consul General Wan-joong Kim; as well as those by Korean officials who were unable to attend, including congressmen, the governor of Jeolla North Province and the mayors of the cities of Jeonju and Namwon.



The Joseon dynasty, founded in 1392, was known as the Hermit Kingdom for its isolationist policies during its long reign. Notable inventions under its rule include the Korean alphabet Hangul, by King Sejong; the Jobo, the first newspaper in the world; and military weapons, including the bulletproof vest, the time bomb and armored warships.

SOURCE The Imperial Family of KoreaPhoto: Contributed

Cannabis dispensaries throughout the province will shut down today, this despite the fact that on Oct. 17 (tomorrow) cannabis will be legal across the country.

Legalization was supposed to be celebrated, but many cannabis consumers are left in a haze of uncertainty, and that is creating panic.

Leading up to the legalization date, cannabis dispensaries have seen a rush of clients "loading up" on forms of cannabis that won't be made available under legalization  for example, extracts or tinctures, even edibles.

As one industry veteran and current dispensary operator in the Okanagan explains, once legal, many people who use cannabis for medicinal purposes will no longer have access to their preferred method of cannabis.

"People are panicking. People are buying suppositories by the thousands at a time, and that has never ever happened before. They are buying the products they've always bought, but they are loading up because they are afraid that they are not going to be able to find these products anywhere. And they are right."

The reason for the panic is justified for many, here's why:

The cannabis industry operated in a grey area for years. The sale of cannabis in any form was illegal, but a blind eye was turned, which allowed dispensaries to offer a wide range of products, none of which were regulated by the government.

This allowed for the sale of not only smokable cannabis, but extracts, tinctures and edibles.

These products quickly became popular with consumers who would use them for medicinal as well as recreational purposes. However, up until a recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling, extracts, tinctures and edibles weren't considered under new legalization regulations.

They will be worked into the language, but it could be a while before products like these become legal.

Dispensary operators in Vernon made the decision to shut down instead of jeopardizing any future applications made to the province.

Here's why:

Retailers will only be able to sell cannabis that it purchased through the province.

Retailers can only purchase cannabis through the province if they have been issued a provincial license.

Retailers cannot get a provincial license without local government support of a specific application.

Local governments cannot give explicit support for an application until cannabis sales have been regulated through bylaws.

The City of Vernon has not yet set its zoning bylaws around recreational cannabis dispensaries.

Staff are working on amendments, which will then go to a public hearing and then adoption.

Providing the new mayor and council support the bylaws and the province processes the applications, best case scenario for Vernon to have a cannabis shop open is in January.

However, according to the City of Vernon, it has only received two notifications from the province regarding applications made by dispensaries. That is not to say there aren't more coming, it is just the city has been made aware of two.

In B.C., 173 applications received by the province so far, 62 have been reviewed and submitted to local governments for further review and 35 of those are in the latter stages of the approval process.

Only one, government cannabis store has been given a license to sell recreational cannabis in B.C., which is in Kamloops.

The industry veteran Castanet spoke with says the irony for many is that on the day recreational cannabis becomes legal in Canada, it also becomes harder to access.

"Those medical patients and the businesses that have been servicing them have been the tip of the spear in this who dialogue about let's legalize. Let's create a whole cannabis access program. This thing that was happening on the 17, has nothing to do with medical cannabis. It has to do with recreational cannabis. So, they are saying all you medical cannabis dispensaries you have to close now because we are legalizing recreational cannabis. It doesn't make any sense."

He added, "the medical conversation is falling between the cracks. That is the big take away here. The medical people have been completely forgotten in this equation."

The desire for the product is there. People have been accustomed to receiving cannabis as an extract. There is no indication that that desire will subside with the closure of dispensaries.

British Columbians throughout the province will be able to legally purchase non-medical cannabis online from: www.bccannabisstores.comDUBLIN, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Future of the Angolan Defense Industry - Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The report "Future of the Angolan Defense Industry - Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2023" offers detailed analysis of the Angolan defense industry with market size forecasts covering the next five years. This report will also analyze factors that influence demand for the industry, key market trends, and challenges faced by industry participants.



Angola's capital expenditure allocation averaged 11.1% during 2014-2018 and is expected to marginally decline over the forecast period. Consequently, the revenue expenditure is expected to increase, which will be directed towards additional recruitment, training, and development programs for military personnel. The capital expenditure allocation, is projected to increase at a CAGR of 7.36% over 2019-2023, primarily due to recovery in global oil prices which is anticipated to enable the country to finance procurement of multi-role aircraft and naval vessels.



Angola's military and security expenditure, which stands at US$2.6 billion in 2018, declined at a negative CAGR of 20.12% during the historic period. In June 2014, oil prices have plummeted nearly 60% which resulted in the decline in the growth rate of defense budget during the historic period. Over the forecast period, the defense budget is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 7.24% to reach US$3.7 billion in 2023.



This is primarily attributed to the country's efforts to upgrade its military arsenal, as well as enhance its border security. The growth in the spending of internal security will be primarily driven by the need to protect the country from internal disturbances, as well as the growing threats from human and drug trafficking. In order to counter these threats, the country is expected to invest in surveillance and intelligence technologies such as electronic identification documents, automated border crossing systems, and CCTV (closed circuit television) systems.



In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following:



- Market Size and Drivers: detailed analysis of the Angolan defense industry during 2019-2023, including highlights of the demand drivers and growth stimulators for the industry. It also provides a snapshot of the country's expenditure and modernization patterns.

- Budget Allocation and Key Challenges: insights into procurement schedules formulated within the country and a breakdown of the defense budget with respect to capital expenditure and revenue expenditure. It also details the key challenges faced by defense market participants within the country.

- Import and Export Dynamics: analysis of prevalent trends in the country's imports and exports over the last five years.

- Market Opportunities: list of the top ten defense investment opportunities over the next 5 years.

- Competitive Landscape and Strategic Insights: analysis of the competitive landscape of the Angolan defense industry.



Scope

Angola's military and security expenditure, which stands at US$2.6 billion in 2018, declined at a negative CAGR of 20.12% during the historic period.

military and security expenditure, which stands at in 2018, declined at a negative CAGR of 20.12% during the historic period. In June 2014 , oil prices have plummeted nearly 60% which resulted in the decline in the growth rate of defense budget during the historic period. - Over the forecast period, the defense budget is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 7.24% to reach US$3.7 billion in 2023.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction

1.1. What is this Report About?

1.2. Definitions

1.3. Summary Methodology

1.4. About the Publisher



2. Executive Summary



3. Market Attractiveness and Emerging Opportunities

3.1. Current Market Conditions

3.1.1. Military Fleet Size

3.1.2. Procurement Programs

3.1.3. Key Drivers and Challenges

3.2. Defense and Security Market Size Historical and Forecast

3.2.1. Angolan defense and security budget is expected to surge at a CAGR of 7.24% over the forecast period

3.2.2. Equipment modernization is expected to drive defense expenditure

3.2.3. Defense budget as a percentage of GDP expected to grow at the stable rate during the forecast period

3.3. Analysis of Defense Budget Allocation

3.3.1. Capital expenditure share of the defense budget to increase over the forecast period

3.3.2. Capital expenditure budget expected to increase during the forecast period

3.3.3. Per-capita defense expenditure expected to increase over the forecast period

3.4. Homeland Security Market Size and Forecast

3.4.1. Domestic security to drive expenditure for homeland protection

3.4.2. Angola comes under the some risk' category of terrorist attack

3.4.3. Angola faces some risk from acts of terrorism

3.4.4. Angola has a terrorism index score of 0.2

3.5. Benchmarking with Key Global Markets

3.5.1. The country's defense budget is expected to remain modest over the forecast period

3.5.2. Angolan military expenditure is limited when compared to countries with the largest defense expenditure

3.5.3. Angola allocates a modest percentage of GDP to defense

3.6. Market Opportunities: Key Trends and Growth Stimulators

3.6.1. Top 10 Defense market sectors by value (US$ Million) - Projections over period 2018-2023



4. Defense Procurement Market Dynamics

4.1. Import Market Dynamics

4.1.1. Imports into Angola expected to increase over the forecast period

4.1.2. Russia supplied the majority of defense equipment to Angola during the historic period

4.1.3. Aircraft were the major defense import during the historic period

4.2. Export Market Dynamics

4.2.1. Angola does not export arms due to its under-developed domestic arms industry



5. Industry Dynamics

5.1. Market Regulation

5.1.1. Angola does not disclose any offset obligations imposed by the country

5.1.2. FDI in defense sector prohibited by the Angolan Government

5.1.3. Budgeting Process

5.1.4. Procurement Policy and Process

5.2. Market Entry Route

5.2.1. Direct selling is the preferred market entry route for foreign OEMs



6. Competitive Landscape and Strategic Insights

6.1. Competitive Landscape Overview



7. Business Environment and Country Risk

7.1. Economic Performance

7.1.1. Gross Domestic per Capita

7.1.2. Gross Domestic Product, current US$

7.1.3. Exports of Goods and Services

7.1.4. Imports of Goods and Services

7.1.5. Local Currency Unit per US$

7.1.6. Government cash surplus/deficit as % of GDP (LCU)

7.1.7. Goods Exports as a % of GDP

7.1.8. Goods Imports as a % of GDP

7.1.9. Services Imports as a % of GDP

7.1.10. Services Exports as a % of GDP

7.1.11. Net Foreign Direct Investment

7.1.12. Net FDI as a percentage of GDP

7.1.13. Mining, Manufacturing, Utilities Output (LCU Billion)



8. Appendix



Companies Mentioned



United Aircraft Corporation (UAC)

Splav

Tactical Missiles Corporation

Sukhoi

KBP Instrument Design Bureau

Oboronprom Corporation

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/2jdh3z/angola_defense?w=5

Did you know that we also offer Custom Research? Visit our Custom Research page to learn more and schedule a meeting with our Custom Research Manager.

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PHOENIX, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Answer 1, LLC, a leading virtual receptionist company serving small and medium sized businesses across the United States, announced today that it has received a significant growth capital investment from Sunstone Partners, a growth equity firm that invests in technology-enabled services and software companies.

Answer 1 supports thousands of clients across a wide spectrum of end markets, providing a comprehensive solution set of receptionist and call center services that increases clients' lead capture rates, reduces costs, and improves brand image. Answer 1 has nearly tripled in scale since 2015, and this financing marks the first institutional equity capital ever raised by the company.

Parker Davis, Answer 1's President and Chief Executive Officer, said that this investment marks a critical inflection point for the business. "Over the past year, it has become clear to our management team that the market opportunity available to Answer 1 is vast and, with the right equity partner, we're in a prime position to capitalize on it. There are approximately 30 million small and medium sized businesses across the United States looking for ways to outsource noncore functions and improve customer experiences."

He added, "We spent approximately six months looking for the right partner, and it was clear to us after meeting Sunstone that we had a common value system and shared perspective on how to build a great business. That is, by investing in our people and technology our company will optimize client outcomes. I am confident that Sunstone is best suited to help Answer 1 continue and accelerate growth. We are eager to begin our work together."

Gustavo Alberelli, Managing Director of Sunstone Partners, said, "We are excited to build upon the great foundation that Parker and his team have created at Answer 1. Small and medium sized businesses have a demonstrable need to focus on core competencies, streamline administrative functions, and improve customer engagement despite continuing growth in communication channels. Answer 1's comprehensive solution set helps solve those pain points. We believe Answer 1 is a leader in the virtual receptionist space, and we look forward to helping the company build upon its current service offering and expand its footprint."

The new board of directors will include Gustavo Alberelli and Arneek Multani, Managing Directors at Sunstone Partners, Parker Davis, and Jeff Rich, an Operating Partner at Sunstone Partners. Previously, Jeff Rich served as CEO of Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) where under his direction ACS completed an IPO, grew annual revenues from $300 million to over $5.3 billion, and executed on 84 acquisitions and 12 divestitures.

About Answer 1

For over 30 years, Answer 1 has provided answering and virtual receptionist services to thousands of small businesses across the U.S. Excellent service and a client first mentality have allowed the business to continually grow its service offering and focus on technological advancements to better serve clients across a wide range of industry verticals. Answer 1 is headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, with additional operations in Lake Havasu City, AZ and Richmond, VA. For more information visit www.answer1.com

About Sunstone Partners

Sunstone Partners is a growth equity firm focused on minority and majority investments in technology-enabled services and software businesses. The firm seeks to partner with exceptional management teams, often as their first institutional capital partner, to help accelerate growth, fund acquisitions, and provide shareholder liquidity. Principals at Sunstone Partners have now led new platform investments in more than 50 technology businesses over the past 20 years. The firm is currently investing out of Sunstone Partners I, a $310 million fund. For more information visit www.sunstonepartners.com

Contact: Walt Conrad, [email protected], (602) 234-0111

SOURCE Answer 1, LLC

Related Links

http://www.Answer1.com

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, American Trucking Associations released the list of 34 professional truck drivers named as finalists for the 2019-2020 term of America's Road Team.

"ATA believes the men and women who work safely day after day to deliver our goods  truck drivers  are the best representatives of the trucking industry and we are inspired by the finalists for the upcoming class of America's Road Team," said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. "Throughout the evaluation process, we read and heard stories from truck drivers about pride, courage, and selflessness  the kinds of stories we are excited to share with the public, media and elected officials."

America's Road Team, a group of professional truck drivers with superior safety records, was created in 1986 to represent the trucking industry and is sponsored by Volvo Trucks. Captains, with support from their companies, dedicate a few days each month to attend industry events, speak at schools, or meet policymakers on behalf of the trucking industry.

The 34 finalists advance to the final round of the selection process, being held January 27-30 in Arlington, Virginia. A panel of evaluators, including industry officials and trucking news media representatives will judge the contenders on their knowledge of the trucking industry, dedication to safety, ability to communicate the industry's messages and overall safe driving record. The finalists, with a combined total of 90 million safe-driving miles and 946 years as professional truck drivers, are highway safety experts eager to share their experiences with the motoring public.

The newly chosen 2019-2020 America's Road Team will be announced on January 30 following a ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington. New Captains, after receiving their signature navy blue America's Road Team blazer, will begin working to share the industry's message of safety, essentiality and sustainability with the motoring public, media, business groups, public officials and their fellow truck drivers around the country.

Captains from the 2017-2018 America's Road Team, and previous teams, continue to serve as ambassadors to the industry and are called upon frequently to participate in safety events, speaking appearances and industry conferences.

"The trucking industry has millions of truck drivers who work tirelessly to safely deliver goods to our communities, so it is a major responsibility to represent that workforce as an America's Road Team Captain," said ATA COO and Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs Elisabeth Barna. "These finalists, and all the nominees, are valuable representatives for our industry and we are looking forward to meeting them in January and welcoming a new team to join the proud legacy of being an America's Road Team Captain."

To be nominated to serve as an America's Road Team Captain, professional truck drivers must be employed or leased to an ATA member company. Each nominee should have an excellent safety record, and should demonstrate an ability to communicate his or her commitment to safety and passion for the industry. Nominees should also portray a positive image of the professional truck driver in all that they do.

This year's finalists hail from 22 different states, haul a diverse assortment of products and materials, and range from short haul drivers to over-the-road drivers operating in all of the lower 48 states. The finalists represent a cross-section of the industry with experience ranging from 6 years to 55 years as professional truck drivers with anywhere from 600,000 to 6.9 million safe driving miles.

The finalists include :

Ronald Baird, Hoffman Transportation/G&D Trucking; Thorntown, Indiana

William C. Bennett III, UPS Freight; Maytown, Pennsylvania

Dale Brenaman, UPS Freight; Stamping Ground, Kentucky

Sammy Brewster, ABF Freight; Powder Springs, Georgia

Jorge Chavez, Jetco Delivery; Houston, Texas

Timothy Chelette, Big G Express; Murfreesboro, Tennessee

James Clark, Penske Logistics; Otter Lake, Michigan

April Coolidge, USA Truck; Mint Hill, North Carolina

Scott Davis, ABF Freight; Kearney, Missouri

Jesse Wayne Dennis, Prime Inc.; Springfield, Missouri

Ken Duncan, Walmart Transportation; Gorham, Maine

Douglas Frombaugh, FedEx Freight; Carlisle, Pennsylvania

William Goins, Old Dominion Freight Line; Cloverdale, Indiana

Billy Hambrick, Werner Enterprises; Yoder, Wyoming

Russell James, YRC Freight; Bonner, Montana

Ronnie Luckadoo, UPS Freight; Forest City, North Carolina

Gary Martin, FedEx Ground; Galt, California

William McNamee, Carbon Express; Christopher, Illinois

Dave Peterson, FedEx Ground; Blaine, Minnesota

Tine Peterson, FedEx Ground; Blaine, Minnesota

Brian Petrovcic, ABF Freight; McAlisterville, Pennsylvania

Robert Preston, Werner Enterprises; Winder, Georgia

Roger Price, TCW Inc.; Olive Branch, Mississippi

Jeff Rose, YRC Freight; Creston, Ohio

Rodney Rutledge, FedEx Freight; La Union, New Mexico

Richard Slack Jr., TCW Inc.; Savannah, Georgia

Theldorine Sova, Prime Inc.; Sacramento, California

James Starr, Groendyke Transportation; Wichita, Kansas

Clarence Taylor, Walmart Transportation; North Chesterfield, Virginia

Paul Wahlster, Holland; Rolling Prairie, Indiana

Nicolette Weaver, FedEx Freight; New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania

Todd Wilemon, ABF Freight; Fulton, Mississippi

James Gragg Wilson, FedEx Freight; Reno, Nevada

Ronald Vandermark, UPS Freight; Delran, New Jersey

America's Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks , is a national public outreach program led by a small group of professional truck drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway. Follow America's Road Team on Facebook or Twitter .

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward

SOURCE American Trucking Associations

Related Links

http://www.trucking.org

LUND, Sweden, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BioInvent International AB (OMXS: BINV) today announced its intention to initiate three new clinical programs in solid cancer. In addition to the previously disclosed programs (BI-1206 + rituximab  projected topline results H1 2020; and the Transgene and Pfizer collaborations), and subject to successful preclinical results and sufficient financial resources, BioInvent intends to advance the following programs in solid cancer: anti FcRllB antibody/anti-PD1 antibody  projected start phase l/lla in H1 2019; BI-1607, an anti FcRllB antibody/check point inhibitor  projected start phase l proof of concept trial in H2 2019; BI-1808 (anti-"EmergingTNFRS" antibody) +/- anti-PD1 antibody  projected start phase l in H1 2020.

On December 10, BioInvent has the pleasure to invite investors, financial analysts and media to attend the Company's Capital Markets Day at the IVA Conference Center, Grev Turegatan 16 in Stockholm between 2 pm and 4 pm. BioInvent has made a concerted effort over the past months to reframe its equity story to better bring out its value drivers  the strength of its discovery platform, the scientific and clinical rationale of targeting Fc gamma receptors in cancer immunotherapy and its leadership in that space, the substantial unmet medical need of the cancer indications it is pursuing, and the associated commercial opportunity.

Speakers at the Capital Markets Day include Martin Welschof, CEO, Bjorn Frendeus, Chief Scientific Officer and Andres McAllister, Chief Medical Officer. The presentations will give an overview of BioInvent's current and planned cancer immunotherapy programs, and the company's strategy to create shareholder value. The Company looks forward to engaging with all its stakeholders.

To attend the Capital Markets Day, please register by e-mail to [email protected] or by phone +46 46 286 85 54 no later than December 6. Following the event, a video recording will be published on BioInvent's website.

During the months of October and November, BioInvent's management will undertake an intensive program of investor meetings across the U.S., Europe, and Israel. As part of this program, BioInvent will host a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) event in New York on November 6. Details of this event, which will be webcast live and archived on BioInvent's website, will be announced shortly. At the KOL event, BioInvent's management and an invited scientific key opinion leader will engage with the U.S. investor community to present the Company's scientific and clinical value drivers.

About BioInvent

BioInvent International AB (OMXS: BINV) is focused on the discovery and development of novel and first-in-class immuno-modulatory antibodies to treat cancer. The Company's lead program BI-1206 is currently in Phase l/ll for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphatic leukemia. BioInvent's pre-clinical portfolio is focused on targeting key immune suppressive cells and pathways of the tumor microenvironment, including regulatory T cells, tumor-associated myeloid cells and mechanisms of antibody drug-resistance. The Company has a strategic research collaboration with Pfizer Inc., and partnerships with Transgene, Bayer Pharma, Daiichi Sankyo, and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma. BioInvent generates near term revenues from its fully integrated manufacturing unit producing antibodies for third parties for research through to late-stage clinical trials. More information is available at www.bioinvent.se.

For further information, please contact:

Martin Welschof, CEO

+46(0)46-286-85-50

[email protected]



Hans Herklots, LifeSci Advisors

+41-79-598-71-49

[email protected]



BioInvent International AB (publ)

Co. Reg. No. Org nr: 556537-7263

Visiting address: Solvegatan 41

Mailing address: 223 70 LUND

Phone: +46(0)46-286-85-50

www.bioinvent.com

The press release contains statements about the future, consisting of subjective assumptions and forecasts for future scenarios. Predictions for the future only apply as the date they are made and are, by their very nature, in the same way as research and development work in the biotech segment, associated with risk and uncertainty. With this in mind, the actual outcome may deviate significantly from the scenarios described in this press release.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

The following files are available for download:

http://mb.cision.com/Main/583/2645196/927114.pdf Press release (PDF)

SOURCE BioInvent

Related Links

http://www.bioinvent.com

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BMG Creative announces the opening of its new office in New York City.

BMG Creative BMG Creative

South Florida-based BMG Creative, a full-service marketing agency providing digital marketing solutions and high-end web development known for their subscription-based marketing programs, will now have a presence in the city that never sleeps: New York City. The company's new office at 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005 will provide quick access to events, news outlets and production facilities that can only be found in the nerve-center of business and media. This Sunshine State-Big Apple connection also comes with a new strategic partnership with a New York public relations expert and influencer: Dee Rivera, of Dee & Co.

Well-known for her work as a producer of live, pop-up events that help spark image awareness, attract press coverage and expand brand exposure, Rivera brings to BMG Creative her 15 years of public relations experience, working with some of the world's most recognizable fashion, beauty, luxury and lifestyle brands, plus the celebrities whose faces and voices can focus public attention and generate enthusiasm.

With a plethora of celebrity and industry contacts in the New York area Dee has worked with some of the world's biggest celebrity names, including Jennifer Lopez. Her clients are drawn from such industry-changing A-listers as Bloomingdales, IMAN Cosmetics, Celebrity Designer Cesar Galindo, SONY, WH Design, Vera Moore Cosmetics, Sirius XM, Helen Yarmak and Plush Vodka.

"I'm excited to be working with the BMG Creative team, and specifically with Douglas Scott, who has done so much in the television promotion arena," said Dee Rivera. "I look forward to helping build a dynamic presence for BMG Creative right here in New York, the epicenter of all things media."

BMG Creative's new Manhattan facility reflects the meteoric growth the company has experienced under the leadership of media entrepreneur Douglas Scott, along with his partners, Reina Lima and Tiffany Holley.

"The opportunity to work with such a consummate pro as Dee Rivera doesn't come along every day," says Douglas Scott, CEO of BMG Creative. "With her stellar talent backed up by the skills of our digital marketing experts, we can reach new heights in promoting our clients and their endeavors."

For more information about BMG Creative, please visit www.bmgcreative.com .

About BMG Creative

BMG Creative is an integrated branding and advertising agency in South Florida specializing in brand strategy and development, graphic design , print , social and digital marketing . Our creatives deliver fresh, insightful perspectives and innovative work that ignite growth for our clients' business. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of technical competency, best practices, and industry knowledge in our areas of expertise. Undergoing rapid expansion, BMG Creative is launching an office in New York City, the heart of communication and commerce.

Media Contact:

Douglas Scott

(754) 229-2256

[email protected]

SOURCE BMG Creative

Related Links

http://www.bmgcreative.com

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Korea's first blockchain project BOScoin ( www.boscoin.io, CEO: Yezune Choi, Company name: BlockchainOS) held the launching ceremony with the first group of participants for its blockchain campus program "CAMBOS" which provides college students with the powertrain to learn about blockchain and experience the dynamic blockchain business in person.

The first round of the program was launched under the slogan of "Running toward to the future, I'm a real campus boss" to provide college students with knowledge about blockchain and cryptocurrency as well as firsthand experience in the industry.

The launch ceremony started with the opening remarks by BOScoin's CEO Yezune Choi and CSO Myungsan Chun, followed by a brief lecture about BOScoin by the CEO. The students participating in the program had a lot of questions after the lecture, reflecting the young generation's great interest in the 4th industrial revolution led by blockchain technology.

They welcomed opportunities like CAMBOS. "The young generation will be the trendsetters leading the 4th industrial revolution, but it is difficult for us to keep up with technologies and acquire expertise on our own," said Ji-ha Chung, an economics major at Seoul University (enrolled in 2015) and participant in the program. "I'd like to learn the dynamics of the field which cannot be learned from school by participating in BOScoin's CAMBOS activities and play a role to increase interest in blockchain and networking potential through collective intelligence with my peers who will lead the changes together."

"I became interested in blockchain from an information security perspective while taking a liberal arts class," said Hong-cheol Shin, a biological sciences major at Korea University (enrolled in 2017). "I think you should know the trends of blockchain and cryptocurrency even if you are not a computer-related major. I'd like to put them in context so that non-computer major students like me can understand them well."

The first group of students will participate in team activities under various topics including programing, marketing, and branding for 5 months starting from January next year. BOScoin will provide a stipend to all students participating in CAMBOS activities as well as mentoring by its employees. Also, it will invite experts outside the company to give a lecture at a regular session each month, and each team of students is expected to give a presentation on different projects each month.

"The 4th industrial revolution is upon us, and BOScoin has created a program for the first time in the industry that offers college students the opportunity to obtain knowledge about blockchain and cryptocurrency. I expect this will also serve as an opportunity for BOScoin to get closer to the general public through creative ideas from the students," said an official CAMBOS program support group.

About BOScoin

Korea's first blockchain project BOScoin was launched by BlockchainOS in May 2017 through an ICO. Five hundred million BOScoins were first released, and the ICO of BOScoin reached 15.7 billion won hardcap within 9 minutes from the start. Approximately 60 billion won worth fundraising was completed within 17 hours. BOScoin opened its testnet source in June and prepares to open its mainnet based on its own technology at the end of this year. It is seeking partners who pursue to build an innovative business model by grafting blockchain technology onto their industry on the BOScoin platform, pushing ahead with the creation of BOScoin ecosystem.

SOURCE BOScoin

Related Links

http://www.boscoin.io

CHICAGO, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Attribute to Terre Constantine, Ph.D., Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer:

Today the Brain Research Foundation community mourns the passing of Paul Allen, founder of The Allen Institute for Brain Research and distinguished business pioneer as co-founder of Microsoft and others. In its short history, the Allen Institute has made significant contributions to neuroscience with its work to map the brain and central nervous system. Mr. Allen's open approach to neuroscience, whereby the institute's discoveries are readily accessible to researchers, has been a tremendous gift to neuroscience. Brain Research Foundation is pleased to have collaborated with The Allen Institute on much needed funding for research to facilitate the discovery of scientific knowledge for diseases such as Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, autism, brain tumors and spinal cord injuries. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Allen family while expressing our great appreciation for his vision and generosity that has advanced our field.

About Brain Research Foundation

Brain Research Foundation supports neuroscience research that leads to advanced understanding of brain function in children and adults. This Foundation is committed to advance discoveries that will lead to novel treatments and prevention of all neurological diseases. We deliver this commitment through research grant programs - which provide initial funding for innovative research projects  and educational programs for researchers and the general public.

Contact: Deborah Schneider, 312-280-8702, [email protected]

SOURCE Brain Research Foundation

Related Links

http://www.thebrf.org

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on several top active duty military commanders to withdraw from an event later this week in Virginia co-sponsored by the Center for Security Policy (CSP), an anti-Muslim hate group headed by notorious Islamophobe and conspiracy theorist Frank Gaffney.

CSP is co-hosting an October 17 symposium on "asymmetric threats" in McLean, Va., which includes four speakers who are lieutenant generals from several branches of the military.

Lt. Gen. VeraLinn "Dash" Jamieson, USAF

Lt. Gen. Daniel J. O'Donohue , USMC

, USMC Lt. Gen. David D. Thompson , USAF

, USAF Lt. Gen. Michael K. Nagata , U.S. Army

SEE: https://www.asymmetricthreat.net/

According to the Army's equal opportunity manual, "participation in extremist organizations and activities by Army personnel is inconsistent with the responsibilities of military service." The Air Force's manual states that participating in groups "espousing supremacist causes or advocating unlawful discrimination" is a violation of policy. Other branches of the military have similar policies.

SEE: Military Officials Aren't Supposed to Associate with Hate Groups. So Why Are These Generals Speaking at Frank Gaffney's Confab?

https://theintercept.com/2018/10/15/frank-gaffney-military-generals-anti-muslim-islamophobia/

Last year, an event at a Maryland country club featuring Gaffney was canceled after several advocacy organizations  including CAIR  raised concerns about his Islamophobic rhetoric.

SEE: Event at Kenwood Country Club with Right-Wing Speaker Canceled After Protest Threat

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/politics/event-at-kenwood-country-club-with-right-wing-speaker-canceled-after-protest-threat/

Gaffney, whose conspiracy theories have reportedly been used as the ideological basis for President Trump's recent "Muslim ban."

SEE: How the Anti-Muslim Fringe Conquered the White House

http://www.vox.com/world/2017/2/13/14559822/trump-islam-muslims-islamophobia-sharia

Meet Frank Gaffney, the Anti-Muslim Gadfly Reportedly Advising Donald Trump's Transition Team

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/12/08/meet-frank-gaffney-the-anti-muslim-gadfly-who-produced-donald-trumps-anti-muslim-poll/

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has identified Gaffney as an anti-Muslim extremist and his Center for Security Policy (CSP) as a hate group. According to the SPLC, CSP is "a conspiracy-oriented mouthpiece for the growing anti-Muslim movement in the United States."

Of Gaffney himself, the SPLC says he is "gripped by paranoid fantasies about Muslims destroying the West from within, suspicious that Barack Obama was actually born in Kenya, and a proponent of a new version of the infamous House Un-American Activities Committee to root out suspected Muslim subversives."

SEE: SPLC Designated Hate Groups: Center for Security Policy

https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/ideology/anti-muslim

SPLC: Frank Gaffney

https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/frank-gaffney-jr

Backgrounder on Frank Gaffney:

Gaffney is a notorious anti-Muslim conspiracy theorist who has claimed that "most of the Muslim-American groups of any prominence in America are now known to be, as a matter of fact, hostile to the United States and its Constitution."

He is a key promoter of the bizarre conspiracy theory that Muslims in public service are infiltrating the government on behalf of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Gaffney has questioned "whether Mr. Obama is a natural born citizen of the United States," claimed the Missile Defense Agency logo is part of a "worrying pattern of official U.S. submission to Islam," claimed an aide to Hillary Clinton was a secret Muslim Brotherhood operative, was a key witness for the plaintiffs in a controversial lawsuit seeking to block construction of a Tennessee mosque, promoted the debunked claim that Dearborn, Mich., is a "ghetto enclave in which it's Muslim-only," and hosted "white supremacist" Jared Taylor on his "Secure Freedom" radio program.

He has in the past:

Suggested that Saddam Hussein was behind the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

was behind the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Claimed Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan , was submitting to Islamic law when he condemned the burning of a Quran by a Florida pastor.

, was submitting to Islamic law when he condemned the burning of a Quran by a pastor. Objected to Reps. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) and Andre Carson (D-Ind.) serving on the House Intelligence Committee because they are Muslim.

(D-Minn.) and (D-Ind.) serving on the House Intelligence Committee because they are Muslim. Accused Pope Francis of having "rabidly anti-American" views after the pope said it is "not Christian" to urge the deportation of undocumented immigrants and to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico .

Gaffney was banned from the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in 2011 after accusing fellow Republicans of having ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Anders Breivik, the Norwegian mass murderer, cited Gaffney in his anti-Muslim manifesto.

Gaffney's staff attorney, David Yerushalmi, has advocated outlawing the practice of Islam in America and is the key promoter of anti-Islam bills in state legislatures nationwide.

White supremacist and White House senior adviser Steve Bannon hosted Gaffney on his Sirius XM radio show "Breitbart News Daily" 29 times.

SEE: The Anti-Muslim Extremists Steve Bannon Thinks Are Experts on Islam

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/anti-muslim-hate-groups-steve-bannon_us_582b1cf0e4b0c4b63b0e70c3

Muslim community members who believe their rights have been violated are being asked to contact local police and CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

La mision de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprension del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational

Subscribe to CAIR's Email List

http://tinyurl.com/cairsubscribe

Subscribe to CAIR's Twitter Feed

http://twitter.com/cairnational

Subscribe to CAIR's YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/cairtv



CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

Related Links

http://www.cair.com

SHANGHAI, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Itiviti, the leading global provider of multi-asset trading technology and financial infrastructure, today announced a new partnership with Capital Crux, a Hong Kong based digital consulting firm with its headquarter in Shanghai. Capital Crux has joined the Itiviti Global Alliance Programme (GAP) as a Business Introducing Partner (BIP), supporting Itiviti's business development efforts in mainland China.

Capital Crux provides a wide range of specialized services including cross border business enablement, project management and digital solutions consultancy to top-tier global banks and brokers in China. Through the Itiviti-Capital Crux partnership, the firms will work together on business development activities, focusing on connectivity and post-trade technology projects in the region.

"Capital Crux is pleased to join forces with Itiviti, a world-leading trading technology provider, and to introduce their proven solutions to firms in China where we see fit," commented Sammy Zhou, Managing Partner, Capital Crux. "With our solid industry knowledge and experience, coupled with Itiviti's complete trading and connectivity offering, we see great synergies and potential for our cooperation."

Philippe Carre, Itiviti's Global Partnerships Director, commented: "Itiviti is working closely with key Business Introducing Partners (BIP) globally to accelerate our growth. We are very pleased to welcome Capital Crux to this ecosystem and as a key partner in the Asia-Pacific region, confident that many joint clients in mainland China will benefit from our partnership."

Ofir Gefen, President APAC, Itiviti adds: "China continues to be a key focus market for Itiviti and we are excited to see the continued uptake of Itiviti's solutions in the commodities option market making space, and to build on that by partnering with Capital Crux. We really look forward to working with their team to enhance Itiviti's presence and offering in China."

Itiviti is exhibiting at the Australia FIX Conference (#9) at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth on October 18 to showcase its complete offering.

For further information, please contact:

Ofir Gefen, President APAC, Itiviti, Tel: +852-2167-1950, Email: [email protected]

Philippe Carre, Global Partnerships Director, Itiviti, Tel: +44-20-7743-7200, Email: [email protected]

Agnes Wong, Marketing Director APAC, Itiviti, Tel: + 852-2167-1986, Email: [email protected]

Sammy Zhou, Managing Partner, Capital Crux, Tel: +852-9732-8395, Email: [email protected]

Jason Zhang, Managing Partner, Capital Crux China, Tel: +86-138-1625-5633, Email: [email protected]

About Capital Crux

Capital Crux is a boutique consulting firm founded in 2016 by a team of top tier investment bank professionals. The team is proficient with industry best practices and operating models coupled with extensive China markets experience, and specializes in leveraging its unique position to deliver world-class digital solutions and consultancy services to financial institutions in an increasingly regulated and cost sensitive operating environment.

Capital Crux's strategy and consulting teams bring comprehensive industry experience from tier one banks and has solid expertise on a wide range of subject areas, with a focus on the greater China region. The team has advised a top global bank through their journey to setup the first foreign majority-owned securities joint-venture in China. It is also advising one of the top-tier Chinese brokers on digital transformation to expand its international business.

About Itiviti

Itiviti is a market-leading global provider of multi-asset trading technology and financial infrastructure solutions for buy-side and sell-side market participants, including NYFIX, one of the industry's largest FIX-based trading communities.

Serving around 2,000 clients worldwide, we provide consistent, reliable access to the most up-to-date and innovative order routing, connectivity and trading solutions available. Top-tier trading firms, banks, brokers, exchanges and institutional investors rely on our technology, solutions and expertise to streamline their daily operations, connect to their desired markets, and trade when and where they want. All while being able to comply with global regulations.

With global offices in 18 locations covering all major financial centers the merger of Itiviti and ULLINK in March 2018 created a full-service technology and infrastructure provider, covering all asset classes, geographies and regulatory landscapes.

For more information, please visit www.itiviti.com or www.ullink.com.

Itiviti is owned by Nordic Capital.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://newsf.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/itiviti-group-ab/r/capital-crux-joins-itiviti-s-global-alliance-programme,c2645116

The following files are available for download:

http://mb.cision.com/Main/13830/2645116/927032.pdf Press release in PDF format

SOURCE Itiviti Group ABCAMARILLO, Calif., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Camarillo Ranch Foundation will celebrate City namesake's birthday with a special Mexican-themed brunch in the historic Camarillo Ranch Red Barn from 11:30am to 1:00pm on Sunday, October 28, 2018 followed by the free annual birthday celebration from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Advance tickets and table reservations for the brunch are required and available at www.camarilloranchfoundation.org . Proceeds from the event support the Foundation's educational programs.

Ballet Folklorico dancers performing at Adolfo's 153rd birthday at the historic Camarillo Ranch. Adolfo Camarillo's 1892 Queen Anne Victorian Ranch House

This year we are expanding the event by offering brunch in the morning for ticketed guests and free family fun throughout the afternoon with performances by Mariachi Camarillo, Ballet Folklorico Bell Arts and special appearances by the famous Camarillo White Horses. The Foundation will offer sneak peek tours of Adolfo's 1892 Queen Anne Victorian Mansion, now a museum. BBQ and Mexican-themed food truck fare along with adult beverages will be for sale. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets to enjoy the afternoon under the shade of the historic heritage trees.

Interactive and immersive history-themed children's crafts and activities will be on hand. Children are encouraged to make Adolfo a handmade birthday card and families are invited to see if they can identify their home on the map of the original Camarillo Ranch property.

The birthday celebration is a tradition that honors Don Adolfo's love for community. "He always opened his home to people, throwing lavish barbeques and multi-day fiestas." said Charles Devlin, Camarillo Ranch Foundation Board of Directors Chairperson. "We are simply honoring his wishes and continuing his tradition." he added.

Visit Camarillo is the presenting sponsor for the free community event.

For information on how to become a member of the Camarillo Ranch docents or to be a sponsor for future events, please contact CEO, Marissa Lopez Elkins, at [email protected] or 805-366-4766.

Camarillo Ranch is operated by the 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation, the Camarillo Ranch Foundation, and is dependent on the generous donations of sponsors, visitors and the local community.

Charged with the mission of preserving the historic home and legacy of Adolfo Camarillo, the Camarillo Ranch Foundation offers dynamic educational programs to the community, connecting people to a shared local history and preserving the legacy of innovation, leadership, philanthropy and education that Adolfo left behind.

Camarillo Ranch offers docent-led home and school tours, community events, and can be rented for weddings and social events.

SOURCE Camarillo Ranch Foundation

Related Links

https://camarilloranchfoundation.org

PETALUMA, Calif., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Each day, CEOs encounter steady streams of bigger and smaller problems to solve. They all have one thing in common: These problems require solutions. Whether a CEO is working on a major marketing campaign that will set their business on a new course or is working out a mundane payroll problem, each challenge requires the most efficient, elegant solution out there. The stakes are high because the accumulation of all these decisions will determine the success of the organization. Strategic problem solving requires intense collaboration and the input of diverse opinions. For Brandon Frere, CEO of Frere Enterprises and other ventures, successful problem solving is the beating heart of every successful organization.

"Business environments are shifting at high speed," said Frere. "Problem solving requires flexibility and resolve. You have to be willing to hear input and then be able to make a committed decision."

Though there are geniuses in business and the arts who work on their own, most people require support in areas they are not as strong in. They also need strong outside opinions. Collaborating with others doesn't necessarily mean agreeing with the boss. Robust perspectives and passionate debate are key to coming up with innovative solutions. CEOs require this input in order to give themselves their maximum opportunity to come up with the best available solutions.

A cognitively diverse team requires an open leader who is willing and supportive of independent thinkers. CEOs can build their teams systematically, being sure to recruit individuals who are particularly analytic or creative. Foreign-born team members, or those who have spent significant time abroad, can be especially creative, coming up with ideas beyond normal cultural boundaries. Recent research by KellogInsight confirms that thinking outside the box is enhanced by experiences outside boundaries.

Collaborating with a cognitively diverse team can be especially important in a rapidly evolving economy. A strategic commitment to disrupt established business practices can only be sustainably achieved with a wide range of thoughts. Taking the beaten path to a solution may be initially expedient, but a CEO who promotes diverse thought will more often find the right path forward.

"There is no substitute for having a great team of people you can trust and who trust you," said Frere. "Building a team of competent, passionate voices allows me to turn collaboration into an essential business practice."

About Brandon Frere

Brandon Frere is an entrepreneur and businessman who lives in Sonoma County, California. He has designed and created multiple companies to meet the ever-demanding needs of businesses and consumers alike. His website, www.BrandonFrere.com, is used as a means of communicating many of the lessons, fundamentals and information that he has learned throughout his extensive business and personal endeavors, most recently in advocating on behalf of student loan borrowers nationwide.

As experienced during his own student loan repayment, Mr. Frere found out how difficult it can be to work with federally contracted student loan servicers and the repayment programs designed to help borrowers. Through those efforts, he gained an insider's look into the repayment process and the motivations behind the inflating student loan debt bubble. His knowledge of the often confusing landscape of student loan repayment became a vital theme in his future endeavors, and he now uses those experiences to help guide others through the daunting process of applying for available federal repayment and loan forgiveness programs.

BrandonFrere.com

Related Images

image1.png

business-meeting.jpg

Business Meeting

fizkes/Bigstock.com

Related Links

Brandon Frere website

SOURCE Brandon Frere

Related Links

http://www.BrandonFrere.com

CHARLESTON, S.C., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The City Marina Company, operator of Charleston City Marina, The Bristol Marina and The City Boatyard, has joined Safe Harbor Marinas. As a result, area boaters will benefit from the Safe Harbor Marinas' loyalty program and access to its extensive network of marinas throughout the United States. At this time, City Marina Company does not anticipate any changes to its management team.

"We are delighted to join forces with America's premier owner and operator of marinas and boatyards," said Robbie Freeman, managing partner of City Marina Company. "The affiliation with Safe Harbor Marinas will ensure that we offer our members the highest level of service and facilities and provide even more growth opportunities for our talented employees."

Located on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in historic downtown Charleston, Charleston City Marina features 19,000 feet of linear dock space covering 40 acres of water. Its MegaDock extends 1,530 feet and is the longest freestanding floating fuel dock in the Southeast. The Bristol Marina is located downtown on the Ashley River and features 148 wet slips and 38 drive-on docks. The City Boatyard is the state's largest and most complete full-service boatyard and yacht repair facility. Located on eight acres just north of the Charleston Harbor on the Wando River, the boatyard offers refits and repairs, yacht restorations and a 75-ton Travelift.

"It's no secret that Charleston is one of the most beloved destinations in the country. Charleston is a place that our boaters already visit, and will increasingly visit as a result of this partnership," said Jason Hogg, Senior Vice President of Safe Harbor Marinas. "The City Marina Company does an outstanding job operating these world-class facilities and we look forward to advancing their legacy of exceptional customer service."

Editor's Note: For high-resolution photos, visit https://bit.ly/2tC3gGK.

About Safe Harbor Marinas

Safe Harbor Marinas is the largest owner and operator of marinas in America. Based in Dallas, the company is dedicated to providing exceptional service and memorable experiences to the global boating community. For more information, visit www.SHMarinas.com.

SOURCE City Marina Company; Safe Harbor MarinasTOKYO, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloudera, Inc. (NYSE: CLDR), the modern platform for machine learning and analytics optimized for the cloud, announced a strategic partnership with NEC Corporation, a leading global systems integrator, to accelerate the use of big data. Through this strategic partnership, customers will be able to obtain NEC's advanced technical, consulting and support services, and access to Cloudera's data management software, Cloudera Enterprise.

Businesses today are turning data into a competitive advantage. They are finding that the key to success is to take control of their data and the infrastructure needed to unlock the data value and derive insights to make better, smarter and fact-based decisions. To do so, having a well-structured and centralized data repository is critical. This alliance will provide organizations the ability to integrate and centralize data across different business units through Cloudera's modern, scalable and secure platform, enabling them to solve many complex and important problems through the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence.

"With the number of IoT connected devices set to increase over the next few years, more data will be generated by organizations globally. NEC has chosen Cloudera's modern data platform to support our customers to derive more insights and value from their biggest asset  data. Our partnership with Cloudera has also enabled us to broaden our state-of-the-art products portfolio with the inclusion of Cloudera's Enterprise Data Hub, providing customers with enterprise class scalability, quality and support," said Yuki Moriyama, Deputy General Manager of AI Platform Division, NEC Corporation.

"Our partnership with NEC marks a significant milestone for Cloudera Japan. We are thrilled to be working with a leading global system integrator and the opportunities that our partnership will bring to the Japanese market. We are confident that through NEC's well-established enterprise customer base, our integrated solutions will further accelerate the adoption of big data supported by Cloudera's modern platform for machine learning and advanced analytics, optimized for the cloud," said Tomoki Nakamura, Representative Director of Cloudera Japan.

Additional Resources

About NEC

NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. The NEC Group globally provides "Solutions for Society" that promote the safety, security efficiency and fairness of society. Under the company's corporate message of "Orchestrating a brighter world," NEC aims to help solve a wide range of challenging issues and to create new social value for the changing world of tomorrow. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com .

About Cloudera

At Cloudera, we believe that data can make what is impossible today, possible tomorrow. We empower people to transform complex data into clear and actionable insights. We are the modern platform for machine learning and analytics optimized for the cloud. The world's largest enterprises trust Cloudera to help solve their most challenging business problems. Learn more at cloudera.com .

Connect with Cloudera

About Cloudera: cloudera.com/more/about.html

Read our VISION blog: vision.cloudera.com/ and Engineering blog: blog.cloudera.com/

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/cloudera

Visit us on Facebook: facebook.com/cloudera

See us on YouTube: youtube.com/user/clouderahadoop/featured

Join the Cloudera Community: community.cloudera.com/

Read about our customers' successes: cloudera.com/more/customers.html

Cloudera and associated marks and trademarks are registered trademarks of Cloudera, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

This press release contains forward-looking statements including, among other things, statements regarding the expected performance and benefits of Cloudera's offerings. The words "believe," "may," "will," "plan," "expect," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. If the risks materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. Risks include, but are not limited to, risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our Form S-1 Registration Statement, and our future reports that we may file with the SEC from time to time, which could cause actual results to vary from expectations. Cloudera assumes no obligation to, and does not currently intend to, update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release.

SOURCE Cloudera, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.cloudera.com

SUZHOU, China, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CStone Pharmaceuticals ("CStone") today announced the recent approval of investigational new drug (IND) application from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for CS1001, a fully human anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) monoclonal antibody independently developed by CStone. This marks CStone's first drug to gain IND approval in the United States, and henceforth the company expects to make further IND filings with the FDA for other self-developed pipeline drug candidates.

"We are very happy to gain approval to begin clinical trials in the United States, which marks the entry of CS1001 into fully global development." Dr. Frank Jiang, CStone's Chairman and CEO, commented, "CStone already had three products entering Phase I clinical trials in Australia during the first half of 2018. CS1001's IND approval further demonstrates our global clinical capabilities and aspiration. "

CS1001 is China's first fully human and full-length anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody. The US clinical trial is a bridging Phase I dose-escalation study, designed to confirm CS1001's recommended Phase II dosage (RP2D) in US patients with solid tumors.

Dr. Jason Yang, Chief Medical Officer at CStone, said, "CS1001 has already successfully completed a Phase I dose-escalation study in China. The safety and preliminary efficacy data set a solid foundation for starting clinical evaluation in the US. We aim to accelerate CS1001's global development to provide patients with a new treatment option as soon as possible."

About CS1001

CS1001 is an investigational monoclonal antibody directed against PD-L1 being developed by CStone Pharmaceuticals. Authorized by the U.S.-based Ligand Corporation, CS1001 is developed by the OMT transgenic animal platform, which can generate fully human antibodies in one step. As a fully human, full-length anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, CS1001 mirrors natural G-type immune globulin 4 (IgG4) human antibody, which can reduce the risk of immunogenicity and potential toxicities in patients, a unique advantage over similar drugs.

Currently, CS1001 has completed a Phase I dose-escalation study in China, which showed the drug to be well-tolerated and produced sustained clinical benefit during the Phase Ia stage of development. In addition, two pivotal Phase II studies have been initiated in China: for natural killer cell/T-cell lymphoma (CS1001-201) and classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (CS1001-202). Meanwhile, Phase III studies are under way or being prepared both in China and globally for various serious tumor indications.

About CSTONE

CStone Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company devoted to the development of innovative drugs. With a broad pipeline, the company engages in the development of cancer therapeutics with a special focus on immuno-oncology based combination therapies. All members of the management team are seasoned executives from top multinational pharmaceutical companies. CStone has successfully built up its core competency in clinical development and translational medicine. The company is backed by prestigious VC/PE funds via two financing rounds to date, raising $150 million in a Series A round in July 2016, followed by $260 million in a Series B round in May 2018. With an experienced team, a rich pipeline, a robust R&D model, and substantial funding, CStone is well positioned as the partner of choice for multinational pharmaceutical / biotech companies to develop drugs in China and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information about CStone Pharmaceuticals, please visit: www.cstonepharma.com.

SOURCE CStone Pharmaceuticals

Related Links

http://www.cstonepharma.com

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), announced today that it has completed the rollout of time delay safes in all of its 228 CVS Pharmacy locations in Maryland. The safes will help prevent pharmacy robberies and combat the ongoing opioid epidemic by helping to prevent diversion of controlled substance narcotic medications by keeping them out of the hands of unauthorized individuals. In addition, the safes will help CVS Pharmacy ensure the safety and well-being of its customers and employees.

Controlled substance narcotic medications that are sought after by robbers, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, are now stored in time delay safes in every CVS Pharmacy in the state of Maryland. Time delay safes help deter pharmacy robberies by electronically delaying the time it takes for pharmacy employees to be able to open the safe. CVS Pharmacy first implemented time delay safes in Indianapolis, a city experiencing a high volume of pharmacy robberies, in 2015. The company saw a 70 percent decline in pharmacy robberies among the Indianapolis stores where the time delay safes had been installed.



"Pharmacy robberies are a challenging issue for every pharmacy and we are committed to doing all we can to reduce the number of pharmacy robbery incidents in our Maryland stores," said Roger Francis, Division Vice President of CVS Pharmacy in Maryland. "In other parts of the country we have seen that time delay safes, combined with the other security policies and procedures in place at our stores, can greatly reduce these incidents. We are pleased to roll out time delay safes here in Maryland to help ensure that our pharmacies remain a safe environment for our patients and colleagues."

The time delay function cannot be overridden and is designed to serve as a deterrent to would-be pharmacy robbers whose goal is to enter and exit their robbery targets as quickly as possible. All CVS Pharmacy locations with time delay safes display highly-visible signage to inform the public that time delay safes are in use to prevent on-demand access to controlled substance narcotics.

The implementation of time delay safes across all CVS Pharmacy locations in Maryland is the latest in a series of measures put in place by CVS Health to help combat prescription drug abuse in the state. CVS Health's commitment to preventing and addressing prescription drug abuse extends to community education, efforts to encourage safe disposal of unused medication and increasing access to the opioid overdose-reversal drug naloxone. The company's Pharmacists Teach program brings CVS Pharmacists to schools across the country to talk to students and parents about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. More than 405,000 students across the country, including more than 5,600 in Maryland, have participated in the program.

CVS Health has also completed installation of 19 safe medication disposal units in CVS Pharmacy stores in Maryland, in addition to the three units it has donated to Maryland law enforcement agencies. Nationwide, 750 safe medication disposal units have been installed in CVS Pharmacy locations, adding to the more than 900 units the company has donated to law enforcement agencies. In total, the company has facilitated more than 1,650 units nationwide, which have collected more than 480,000 pounds, or 2017 metric tons of unwanted medication, including more than 6,000 pounds, or nearly three metric tons in Maryland alone. Increasing community access to safe medication disposal helps rid homes of unused medications that could otherwise be diverted, abused or contaminate the water supply if disposed of improperly.

Additionally, CVS Health has worked with 48 states  including Maryland  to increase access to the opioid overdose-reversal drug naloxone, also known as Narcan. Patients can obtain this life-saving medication, which is a safe and effective antidote to opioid overdoses, without an individual prescription in these states.

About CVS Pharmacy

CVS Pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), is America's leading retail pharmacy with over 9,800 locations. It is the first national pharmacy to end the sale of tobacco and the first pharmacy in the nation to receive the Community Pharmacy accreditation from URAC, the leading health care accreditation organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry. CVS Pharmacy is reinventing pharmacy to help people on their path to better health by providing the most accessible and personalized expertise, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS Pharmacy is available at http://www.cvshealth.com.



Media Contact:

Amy Lanctot

(401) 770-2931

[email protected]

SOURCE CVS Pharmacy

Related Links

http://www.cvshealth.com

CHONGQING, China, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) ("Daqo" or the "Company"), a leading manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon for the global solar PV industry, today announced that it will hold its annual general meeting (the "AGM") at Daqo New Energy Corp. Shanghai Office, Room D, 29th Floor, Huadu Building, No. 838, Zhangyang Road, Pudong District, Shanghai 200122, People's Republic of China on November 15, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. (Beijing time).

Holders of record of the Company's ordinary shares at the close of business in the Cayman Islands on October 22, 2018 will be entitled to attend the AGM and any adjournment or postponement thereof in person. Holders of the Company's ordinary shares or ADSs may obtain a hard copy of the Company's annual report on Form 20-F, free of charge, by emailing the Company's Investor Relations Department at [email protected], or by writing to:

Daqo New Energy Corp. Shanghai Office

Room D, 29th Floor, Huadu Building

No. 838, Zhangyang Road

Pudong District, Shanghai 200122

People's Republic of China

Attention: Investor Relations Department

ABOUT DAQO NEW ENERGY CORP.



Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) ("Daqo" or the "Company) is a leading manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon for the global solar PV industry. Founded in 2008, the Company is one of the world's lowest cost producers of high-purity polysilicon. Daqo's highly-efficient and technically advanced manufacturing facility in Xinjiang, China currently has a nameplate annual polysilicon production capacity of 30,000 metric tons, and the Company is undergoing a debottlenecking project and a capacity expansion project and expects to increase its annual polysilicon production capacity to 70,000 metric tons in the first quarter of 2020.

For more information, please visit http://daqo.gotoip1.com/

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, Daqo's capacity expansion plan contains forward-looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the demand for photovoltaic products and the development of photovoltaic technologies; global supply and demand for polysilicon; alternative technologies in cell manufacturing; the Company's ability to significantly expand its polysilicon production capacity and output; the reduction in or elimination of government subsidies and economic incentives for solar energy applications; and the Company's ability to lower its production costs. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the reports or documents that the Company has filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information or any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For further information, please contact:

Daqo New Energy Corp.

Investor Relations Department

Phone: +86-187-1658-5553

Email: [email protected]

Christensen

In China

Mr. Christian Arnell

Phone: +86-10- 5900-1548

E-mail: [email protected]

In US

Mr. Tip Fleming

Phone: +1-917-412-3333

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Daqo New Energy Corp.PITTSBURGH, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Union leaders representing thousands of workers employed at DowDuPont companies from the United States and around the globe met last week in Pittsburgh to discuss common issues and pledge unity.

"The workers of DowDuPont are facing many changes and challenges in the coming months, and the unionized sites of DowDuPont around the globe will be working together to ensure the members' best interests are represented," said Kent Holsing, chairperson of the DowDuPont North American Labor Council and president of USW Local 12075 in Midland, Mich.

"We are speaking not only for the unionized employees of DowDuPont but also for the non-union employees who don't have that voice. DowDuPont workers from around the world are rightfully concerned about taking a step back in their livelihood at a time of record profits for the corporation, and we are preparing action items to address these concerns," Holsing added.

The DowDuPont union leaders shared collective bargaining data, identified mutual obstacles and determined potential solutions over a three-day period.

Much discussion focused on the pending split of DowDuPont and its potential effect on staffing, working conditions, and employees' pensions, benefits and insurance. Other discussion topics included workplace safety, organizing, and the need for increased and proactive communication between the corporations and its respective unions.

The labor leaders strengthened their unions' international connections, and their interactions increased mutual respect and understanding across DowDuPont's unionized worksites.

Representatives from these unions participated in the annual meeting: The United Steelworkers (USW); the International Union of Operating Engineers; Texas City Metal Trades; the International Chemical Workers Union Council/United Food & Commercial Workers; National Conference of Firemen & Oilers; the Ampthill Rayon Workers Incorporated (ARWI); the Dow Chemical European Employee Forum; the Dow Chemical-Stade Works Council (Germany); UNITE the Union (United Kingdom); the Global Union Federation IndustriALL (Geneva, Switzerland), the Union of Workers and Employees Petrochemicals States-SOEPU (Argentina) and the Chemical, Energy and Mines Workers Union CEMW SPSI (Indonesia).

Contact :

Kent Holsing, chair, DowDuPont North American Labor Council, (o) 989-495-9350, [email protected]

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

Related Links

http://www.usw.org

"I'm extremely excited to get Happy Pet out on the shelves! The Happy Pet line provides dogs with quality grooming products, featuring gentle ingredients that are effective and lasting," said Dr. Antin. He is joined by other vets in recommending Happy Pet's preventative products for their holistic ingredients and for not being tested on animals. All products are manufactured in the U.S. and the majority of products have been manufactured at a solar powered facility.

The company's brand is divided into three convenient categories: Clean Pet, Fresh Pet and Active Pet. Happy Pet also provides the option to save by signing up for their subscription service, featuring a variety of four different bundles that include free shipping.

Happy Pet's Clean Collection has everything your pup needs for a gentle cleanse, whether it's for a bubbly bath with their Shampaw! (available in Original and Extra Senstive) and Cuddle me! Conditioner or an on-the-go fur refresher with a PH-balanced Dry Shampawpowder spray! All #CleanPet products are made 100% paraben and sulfate free to make sure your dog's cleanse time is free of harmful chemicals.

Happy Pet's Fresh Collection is designed to keep your pup looking and smelling clean between groomings. The Furwell Odor! Deodorizing Wipes and Spray are a perfect quick fix to have your pup smelling fresh as a daisy. If your pup has uncomfortable or irritated skin, the Hits the (Hot) Spot wipes can provide instant relief. Lastly, if your dog has dry paws, the Pawesome! Paw Moisturizer will leave them feeling smooth and soft.

The Active Collection is perfect for your adventurous pup. Protect their nose, ears and skin from harmful sunburn with the Hot Dog! Stick (compares to SPF 30 rated sunscreen for people) and spray (compares to SPF 15 rated sunscreen for people), so your precious furry friend can run around carefree and healthy.

Happy Pet products can be purchased online at happypetbrand.com as well as petco.com and in most Petco stores nationwide. These products have been featured on the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and exclusive bundles are now available for purchase through HSN. For more information please visit happypetbrand.com and follow @happypetbrand, @dr.evanantin and @petco for updates.

About Dr. Evan Antin:

Dr. Evan Antin is Instagram's most-followed veterinarian with over 1 million followers. Evan was featured in People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" issue in 2014, 2016 and again in 2017. Dubbed "the sexiest veterinarian," he took the Internet by storm. Since his catapult to fame, he has appeared everywhere from TODAY to ABC News The Doctors and more. Evan hails from Kansas City, Kansas where he grew up spending the majority of his childhood in search of native wildlife including snakes, turtles and insects. He went on to study evolutionary and ecological biology at the University of Colorado at Boulder and spent multiple semesters abroad in Australia and Tanzania to learn more about their respective ecosystems and fauna. In addition to his love for cats and dogs, Evan's passions lie in exotic animal medicine and interacting with exotic animals in their native habitats around the world. For more than a decade Evan worked with wildlife in locations such as Central America, Australia, South America, Eastern and Southern Africa, South East Asia and a variety of North American ecosystems.

SOURCE Happy Pet

Related Links

http://happypetbrand.com

Share A Legend is an open-ended storytelling project that invites fans to share their personal tales, whether they are everyday stories of triumph, the goodness of humankind or someone who has made an impact on them. Throughout the campaign, New Holland Brewing Company will release the legends of six real people who fall into the archetypes of Warrior, Huntress, Smith, Poet, Alchemist and Performer to inspire contest entrants. The videos, the new DragonsMilk.com website and other branded elements adopt a half-illustrated design that embody the true but imaginative and creative nature of legendary tales that are passed down over time.

Share A Legend Contest

To commence the storytelling project, Dragon's Milk has partnered with Glynn Washington, Michigan native and host of the award-winning radio show and podcast, "Snap Judgment," to issue a nationwide call for the stories best told around the table or campfire for the chance to win incredible prizes.

Through November 13, 2018, contestants who are over 21 and who reside anywhere in the United States may submit a video online at DragonsMilk.com or through social media via the hashtag #ShareALegend. Five semi-finalists will then be revealed for online fan voting. One grand prize winner will win a $5,000 cash prize and the opportunity to donate an additional $5,000 provided on behalf of Dragon's Milk to one of five charities selected by New Holland Brewing Company that support causes in the spirit of the brand's legendary archetypes and their stories.

"Dragon's Milk has been a catalyst for powerful and memorable stories, and the idea behind Share A Legend is to continue bringing people together when we are increasingly busy and distracted by all that's going on in the world," said Brett VanderKamp, founder and president of New Holland Brewing Company. "Over time, our stories can turn into legends, which is why we want to encourage people to share their stories, so they can live on forever."

This legendary beer's name was born from a story told in medieval times. The knight's reward for slaying a dragon was the treasured "milk of the dragon." Today, Dragon's Milk is an English term used to describe the finest liquid in the house. We believed the liquid we were crafting would be the best in our house. With characteristics of cocoa and a punch of bourbon right on the nose, Dragon's Milk drinkers can experience the love and passion that is poured into the aged brewing process with every sip of the beverage. The stout has been top rated in the craft category by Nielsen and is widely available year-round, with seasonal releases of its Reserve flavors, including Banana Coconut and S'mores.

Share A Legend Campaign

New Holland Brewing Company's broader campaign for Dragon's Milk includes the installation of a new "Instagrammable" Table of Legends room at its Knickerbocker pub in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The room features a large communal table built by New Holland's coopers intended to facilitate in-person story sharing.

To submit a story or learn more about how Dragon's Milk is made, visit www.DragonsMilk.com and @DragonsMilkStout on Instagram.

About New Holland Brewing Company

For more than 20 years, New Holland Brewing Company has been an integral member of the artisan approach, pursuing playful creativity in its authentic beer, spirits and foodservice. New Holland believes the notion of craft lives in fostering rich experiences for customers, including at its two brewpubs in Grand Rapids and Holland, Michigan. New Holland brews at least 20 beers each year, in addition to their flagship stout, Dragon's Milk, a full line of spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails. To learn more, visit www.NewHollandBrew.com.

SOURCE New Holland Brewing CompanyST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy today said it would provide flexible bill payment arrangements to customers experiencing financial hardship due to Hurricane Michael.

In addition, the company will waive late-payment charges for up to two months for customers who experienced significant property damage.

The company also will hold bills for certain customers in the hardest-hit counties to allow those customers to focus on more immediate concerns.

"Many of our customers were impacted by Hurricane Michael and will experience financial difficulty in the days, weeks and possibly months ahead. We encourage affected customers to call us so we can offer flexible payment arrangements to assist them during this time of need," said Lesley Quick, Duke Energy's vice president of revenue services.

Customers who need assistance or have questions can call Duke Energy at the following numbers:

Residential customers  800.700.8744





Business customers  877.372.8477

The company recently awarded almost $350,000 to relief organizations in Florida, and also is matching donations, dollar-for-dollar, from Duke Energy employees.

Today, 3,000 repair workers continue to restore power to Duke Energy customers on the Florida Panhandle. About 10,000 customers remained without power as of 1 p.m.

Customers can view an online map that provides the most current estimated power restoration times:

https://www.dukeenergyupdates.com/michael/florida/florida-restoration-timeline

Below is the latest power restoration information, by geographical zone.

Zone 1  Taylor , Madison , Hamilton , Suwannee , Lafayette , Dixie and Gilchrist counties: Power has been restored to all customers whose properties can receive power.





Power has been restored to all customers whose properties can receive power. Zone 2  Jefferson and Leon counties: Power has been restored to all customers whose properties can receive power.





Power has been restored to all customers whose properties can receive power. Zone 3A  Wakulla County : Power has been restored to all customers whose properties can receive power.





Power has been restored to all customers whose properties can receive power. Zone 3B  Franklin County communities of Carrabelle , Lanark Village , Panacea and Alligator Point : Power has been restored to all customers whose properties can receive power.





Power has been restored to all customers whose properties can receive power. Zone 3C  Franklin County communities of St. George Island , Eastpoint and Apalachicola : The majority of customers whose properties can receive power will have service restored no later than 11:59 p.m. , Wednesday, Oct. 17 . Visit https://www.duke-energy.com/outages for details.





The majority of customers whose properties can receive power will have service restored no later than , . Visit https://www.duke-energy.com/outages for details. Zone 4  Communities in this zone are located where the center of the hurricane made landfall, causing massive destruction. The majority of Gulf County customers whose properties can receive power, except for those in St. Joe Beach , can expect to have service restored by 11:59 p.m. , Thursday, Oct. 18 .

Duke Energy currently is unable to provide an estimated power restoration time for Bay County and Dog Island. The company is working hard to determine that information as soon as possible. Many parts of this area are difficult to access or totally inaccessible. Some areas will require extensive reconstruction of the electric system.

Visit https://www.duke-energy.com/outages for details.

More information

Estimated power restoration times apply to customers whose homes and businesses did not experience flooding or other damage that might prevent electric service restoration  due to safety reasons.





Locations impacted by flooding or other damage might require repairs by a licensed electrician and/or inspection by local officials before electric service can be restored.





Damaged meter boxes are one example. Though Duke Energy owns the actual meter at each customer's home or business, the customer owns the meter box in which the meter is mounted. The company cannot restore power to a location whose meter box is damaged, for safety reasons.





For storm or power restoration updates, visit https://www.dukeenergyupdates.com/michael/florida  or follow Duke Energy on Twitter (@DukeEnergy) and Facebook (Duke Energy).





Latest damage photos  https://news.duke-energy.com/multimedia-gallery/photos/hurricane-michael-florida

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke EnergyGREENVILLE, S.C., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As new electric vehicles (EV) enter the market and strong sales growth continues nationwide, Duke Energy has proposed an electric transportation (ET) pilot program that will allow South Carolina to join other states in deploying EV infrastructure to meet the needs of this growing market.

"Electric vehicles are coming to South Carolina, but more investment is needed to grow the adoption of this evolving technology and the benefits it brings to the state," said Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, Duke Energy's South Carolina president. "We must prepare for this by providing for and better understanding the electrical needs of this growing population."

The proposed $10 million pilot consists of four programs designed to research and better understand the effects of increasing adoption of electric transportation on Duke Energy's electric system, the behavior of customers and the potential financial and environmental benefits to the state of South Carolina. They include:

Residential EV Charging Program



This program will provide a rebate and ongoing quarterly participation payments for up to 400 residential customers installing qualifying Level II charging equipment in exchange for utility management of home charging during defined hours. A Level II EVSE allows customers to charge their EVs up to six times faster than a standard 120 volt wall outlet.





This program will provide a rebate and ongoing quarterly participation payments for up to 400 residential customers installing qualifying Level II charging equipment in exchange for utility management of home charging during defined hours. A Level II EVSE allows customers to charge their EVs up to six times faster than a standard 120 volt wall outlet. EV School Bus Charging Station Program



This program is designed to facilitate the replacement of older diesel school buses with modern, clean, zero-emission electric school buses, reducing operating costs and eliminating harmful diesel emissions from the daily commutes of school children in South Carolina . Duke Energy will provide financial support for the purchase of about 30 electric school buses. In addition to studying the charging characteristics and usage patterns of electric school buses, this program will test bidirectional power flow abilities of electric school buses and the potential to use their batteries during times of high electric demand or during disaster recovery.





This program is designed to facilitate the replacement of older diesel school buses with modern, clean, zero-emission electric school buses, reducing operating costs and eliminating harmful diesel emissions from the daily commutes of school children in . Duke Energy will provide financial support for the purchase of about 30 electric school buses. In addition to studying the charging characteristics and usage patterns of electric school buses, this program will test bidirectional power flow abilities of electric school buses and the potential to use their batteries during times of high electric demand or during disaster recovery. EV Transit Bus Charging Station Program



Duke Energy will provide financial support to eligible transit agency customers electing to procure electric transit buses for up to 30 electric transit bus charging stations. Electric transit buses also eliminate diesel emissions and reduce fuel and maintenance costs for transit agencies.





Duke Energy will provide financial support to eligible transit agency customers electing to procure electric transit buses for up to 30 electric transit bus charging stations. Electric transit buses also eliminate diesel emissions and reduce fuel and maintenance costs for transit agencies. DC Fast Charging Station Program



Duke Energy will install, own and operate up to 30 DC Fast Charging ("DCFC") installations across its South Carolina territory to provide a foundational level of infrastructure and facilitate EV market growth.

"Lack of charging stations is commonly cited as a barrier to purchasing an EV," said Lang Reynolds, Duke Energy's manager for electric transportation initiatives. "That's why our proposed pilot programs are designed to install a foundational level of fast charge infrastructure and better understand the effects of increasing adoption of electric transportation."

The estimated cost of the pilot is about $10.4 million over the proposed initial three years of the programs. The pilot must be approved by the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC) before it can be offered to customers.

Visit the PSCSC website for additional information on the proposed Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress pilot programs.

Duke Energy

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S., with approximately 29,000 employees and a generating capacity of 49,500 megawatts. The company is transforming its customers' experience, modernizing its energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding its natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves.

The company's Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit serves approximately 7.6 million retail electric customers in six states  North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Its Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to approximately 1.6 million customers in five states  North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Its Commercial Renewables unit operates a growing renewable energy portfolio across the U.S.

A Fortune 125 company, Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2018 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' 2018 "America's Best Employers" list.

More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center includes news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact:

Ryan Mosier

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke Energy

Related Links

http://www.duke-energy.com

NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- OC&C Strategy Consultants, a leading global strategy consulting firm, today announced that Ed Plummer has rejoined the company as a partner in its Private Equity and TMT practice.

Plummer has extensive experience in both B2B information and software, and often works at the intersection of enterprise application software and information services, for clients whose customers span a range of industry verticals. His work includes strategy development and commercial due diligence engagements in areas including fintech, healthcare, compliance, cybersecurity, and DevOps.

He previously led strategy development and commercial due diligence engagements at OC&C for companies and private investors in the information services and software space from 2010 until 2014, when the Boston-based practice was acquired by another firm.

"Ed is a great fit for OC&C because of his rich experience with vertical software, which we will leverage across OC&C's industry specialties, including retail, telecoms and media, industrial products and business services," said David Krucik, Managing Partner of OC&C. "Our business advising on valuation and strategy within funds has grown tremendously and Ed is essential to keeping that growth going."

"It's a great time to go back to my roots at OC&C," said Plummer. "I look forward to building on the firm's market-leading expertise in the software and B2B media sectors, and in particular expanding this capability within the U.S. market. It is an exciting time to be working in the software space, helping our clients develop new and innovative business models, embrace technological advances that allow them and their customers to bring products to market faster, and confront a myriad of compliance and security challenges."

A graduate of the University of Canterbury, who earned his Masters in Engineering at Cornell University, Plummer joins the team at a time of rapid expansion in the US for OC&C supplementing its extensive global operations.

ABOUT OC&C

Founded in 1987, OC&C is a leading global strategy consulting firm that brings clear thinking to the most complex issues facing today's management teams. OC&C's client roster includes some of the world's most respected companies throughout the retail, consumer goods, media, business services and private equity sectors.

SOURCE OC&C Strategy ConsultantsSTOCKHOLM, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today on World Food Day, the Electrolux Food Foundation, the student organisation AIESEC and Worldchefs announced that they commit to raise awareness about food waste by teaching 30,000 children on sustainable eating by 2019. The education program is based on a newly launched education toolkit that contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals on responsible consumption and production.

Earlier this year, Electrolux Food Foundation, AIESEC and Worldchef developed a joint lesson plan to inspire children to challenge and change their own food habits. The toolkit is developed through the UN initiative World's Largest Lesson, produced by Project Everyone in partnership with UNICEF. World's largest Lesson aims to introduce the UN Sustainable Development Goals to children and youth.

"One third of the food produced goes to waste while 800 million people in the world go to bed hungry. By engaging younger generations on these topics, we can help shape a more sustainable future," said Malin Ekefalk, Director of Social Responsibility at Electrolux.

A pilot phase of the project was kicked off in July-September, reaching already 2,000 children in Malaysia, Argentina, the US and Poland. During the upcoming year, the project will gear up and AIESEC's volunteers and Worldchefs members will join Electrolux employees in delivering the workshops in order to be able to educate 30,000 children.

The educational toolkit on sustainable eating is available for all and can be downloaded here: http://cdn.worldslargestlesson.globalgoals.org/2018/07/Food-Heroes-Workshop_FINAL.pdf

A PowerPoint version of the toolkit can be downloaded here: http://cdn.worldslargestlesson.globalgoals.org/2018/10/Food-Heroes-Presentation_FINAL2.pptx

For further information, please contact Electrolux Press Hotline, +46-8-657-65-07.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/electrolux/r/electrolux-and-partners-will-teach-30-000-kids-about-food-waste-by-2019,c2644879

The following files are available for download:

http://mb.cision.com/Main/1853/2644879/926843.pdf PDF http://news.cision.com/electrolux/i/food-heroes-workshop,c2508073 Food Heroes Workshop http://news.cision.com/electrolux/i/food-heroes-malaysia,c2508074 Food Heroes Malaysia

SOURCE ElectroluxDALLAS, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client, Prestige Property Maintenance Inc., to Juniper Landscaping. The acquisition closed September 14, 2018.

Prestige Property Maintenance, based in Davie, Florida, provides landscape services, including grounds maintenance as well as design and installation services, to Broward and Palm Beach counties. Typical customers are multi-family residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal properties. Founded in 1986, Prestige Property Maintenance has built a sterling reputation, with many of its business derived from repeat customers.

Juniper Landscaping offers an extensive range of landscaping services, including design, installation, irrigation, lighting, drainage, maintenance, and pest control. The company also grows its own plants in its in-house nursery and on its tree farm, which enables the company to ensure a superior product. Juniper's mission is to provide the best in market value for designing, building, and maintaining quality landscaping. With five offices in Southwest Florida, it is one of the top 25 largest landscaping companies in the U.S.

Generational Equity Senior Managing Director Terry Mackin successfully closed the deal. Executive Managing Director Edward Weber established the initial relationship with Prestige Property Maintenance.

"Our clients were looking for the right buyer to take their company to the next level," said Mackin. "With their goal of being one of the largest landscaping companies in the U.S., Juniper has positioned themselves as the perfect group to team up with!"

About Generational Equity

Generational Equity, DealForce, and Generational Capital Markets, member FINRA/SIPC, are part of the Generational Group, which is headquartered in Dallas and is one of the leading M&A advisory firms in North America. With over 250 professionals located throughout North America, the companies help business owners release the wealth of their business by providing merger, acquisition and strategic growth advisory services. Their four-step approach features exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, and M&A transactional services.

The M&A Advisor named the company the 2016 and 2017 Investment Banking Firm of the Year. For more, visit the https://www.genequityco.com/ or the Generational Equity press room.

For more information:

Carl Doerksen

972-232-1125

[email protected]

SOURCE Generational Equity

Related Links

http://www.genequityco.com

TOLLAND, Conn., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Accuracy and efficiency is at the heart of material utilization in flexible material manufacturing. Gerber has announced today that its patented Pivex reciprocating cutting tool is now available for the GERBERcutter Z1 to further enhance its accuracy and efficiency on tough to cut and high value materials.

Pivex is a patented, proven cutting technology available on several Gerber platforms including the Taurus and DCS line of cutters. By adding this cutting technology to the Z1, the unprecedented level of accuracy and cut quality Pivex brings is now available in a continuous cut conveyorized workflow for those cutting composites, technical textiles and other tough to cut or high value materials. The Pivex blade increases cut quality with the elimination of hangers, optimizes cut paths for extremely intricate patterns and reduces waste by ridding material overcuts typically experienced with round wheel cutting.

"By adding Pivex to the Z1 platform, we are taking a cutting tool that is unmatched in accuracy and combining it with a conveyorized continuous cutting platform to bring a new level of efficiency to manufacturers cutting complex materials," said Leonard Marano, vice president, product management & marketing, Automation Systems for Gerber Technology. "These two proven technologies, along with the Z1's Industry 4.0 ability to seamlessly accept production data from Gerber's AccuMark and AccuPlan software and remotely monitor equipment, help make our customer's workflow fully integrated and dynamic."

In addition, Gerber will hold demonstrations of its AccuMark and CutWorks software platforms and the integration into the GERBERcutter Z1.

About Gerber Technology

Gerber Technology delivers industry-leading software and automation solutions that help apparel and industrial customers improve their manufacturing and design processes and more effectively manage and connect the supply chain, from product development and production to retail and the end customer. Gerber serves 78,000 customers in 134 countries, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies in apparel and accessories, home and leisure, transportation, packaging and sign and graphics. The company develops and manufactures its products from various locations in the United States and Canada and has additional manufacturing capabilities in China.

Based in Connecticut in the USA, Gerber Technology is owned by AIP, a New York based, global private equity firm specializing in the technology sector and has more than $3.0 billion assets under management. Visit www.gerbertechnology.com for more information.

Contact: Jamie Bibb

Tel: +1 419 244 7766

[email protected]

SOURCE Gerber Technology

Related Links

http://www.gerbertechnology.com

DUBLIN, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Herbicide Safeners Market by Type (Benoxacor, Dichlormid, Furilazole, and Isoxadifen), Herbicide Application Stage, Herbicide Selectivity, Crops (Soybean, Corn, Wheat, Sorghum, Barley, and Rice), and Region-Global Forecast to 2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The herbicide safeners market is projected to reach USD 1,206.7 million by 2023, from USD 851.8 million in 2018, at a CAGR of 7.22%.



Using herbicides to eradicate weeds at an early stage helps in increasing the productivity and yield per unit, which has led to increased use among producers across the globe. However, in addition to killing weeds, herbicides also exert toxicity on crops. Herbicides can injure the main crop by damaging its shoots, foliage, flowers, and fruits. It can also lead to reduced yield, poor fruit quality, and can even cause death in plants. Herbicide injury to main crops may also result in the presence of chemical residues that can harm humans after consumption. Thus, safeners are added to herbicides to protect the main crops from herbicide injury. Adding safeners to herbicides improves the target selectivity between crop and weed species. Sometimes, herbicide safeners are only used with specific herbicide active ingredients. For instance, benoxacor is added as a safener to protect crops against damage caused by the herbicide active ingredient, S-metolachlor.



The rising population is one of the major factors contributing to the increased demand for food. This, in turn, has led to an increase in the area harvested for various crops. Increase in the harvested area would further lead to increased use of herbicides and herbicide safeners. Herbicide safeners are used majorly for crops such as corn, soybean, sorghum, wheat, rice, and barley. There has been an increase in the harvested area for crops such as rice, soybean, barley, and wheat, especially in the developing regions. For instance, according to the FAO, the production of corn is expected to increase by nearly 88.3% to reach 1.2 billion MT by 2027. A majority of this production is expected to arise from countries such as China and Brazil. Thus, the demand for herbicide safeners is projected to grow in these countries in the next decade.



Herbicide safeners are majorly used in selective herbicides. However, increased demand for GM crops and reported cases of crop damage in North America and South America is expected to boost the demand growth of safener products in non-selective herbicide formulations in these regions during the forecast period.



One of the major factors affecting the growth of the herbicide safeners market is the rising safety and environmental concerns related to the use of herbicides, which had led to regulatory action in many countries. This is expected to affect the growth of the herbicide safeners market during the forecast period. Thus, there is a growing need to develop sustainable herbicide and safener combinations to address the issue of toxicity of herbicides, which could serve as a new product development opportunity in the herbicide safeners market.



South America accounted for the largest share of the herbicide safeners market in 2017. The region's high production of crops such as corn and soybean to meet the export demand is likely to contribute to the demand for herbicides and eventually strengthening the demand for selective herbicides. The Asia Pacific herbicide safeners market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 8.31% from 2018 to 2023. The growth in this region can be attributed to the high production of cereals and grains to meet the domestic consumption, especially wheat and rice, where selective herbicides such as acetochlor and S-metalochlor are highly used.



Factors that are driving the growth of herbicide safeners market are the increase in instances of herbicide-induced crop injuries and a rise in demand in the cultivation of cereals and grains in developing regions.



The major factors restraining the growth of herbicide safeners market are the regulatory ban on herbicides and lack of awareness on the importance of herbicide safeners. However, the market has future prospects, which includes new herbicide active ingredient registrations and the development of sustainable safener combinations for herbicides.



Key Topics Covered:



1 Introduction



2 Research Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Premium Insights

4.1 Attractive Opportunities in the Herbicide Safeners Market

4.2 Herbicide Safeners Market, By Type

4.3 South America: Herbicide Safeners Market, By Key Type & Country

4.4 Herbicide Safeners Market, By Herbicide Application Stage & Region

4.5 Herbicide Safeners Market, By Crop & Region

4.6 Herbicide Safeners Market Share, By Key Country



5 Market Overview

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Macroeconomic Indicators

5.2.1 Increasing Demand for Herbicides

5.2.2 Rise in the Production of Cereals & Grains in Developing Countries

5.3 Market Dynamics

5.3.1 Drivers

5.3.1.1 Increasing Instances of Herbicide-Induced Crop Damage

5.3.1.2 Rising Trend of Post-Emergence Application of Herbicide Safeners

5.3.2 Restraints

5.3.2.1 Regulatory Ban on Herbicides

5.3.3 Opportunities

5.3.3.1 New Registrations of Herbicide Active Ingredients Can Support the Development of Formulations With Safeners

5.3.3.2 Development of Safener Combinations for Biologically Derived Herbicides

5.3.3.3 Herbicide Safeners as Potentially Better Solutions to Combat Herbicide-Resistant Weeds

5.3.4 Challenges

5.3.4.1 Lack of Awareness and Technical Expertise, and Low Adoption Rate

5.3.4.2 Rising Concerns About the Negative Effect of Pesticides on Human Health and Environment

5.4 Regulatory Framework

5.4.1 Introduction

5.4.2 Us

5.4.3 Canada

5.4.4 European Union

5.4.5 Uk

5.4.6 Australia

5.5 Patents



6 Herbicide Safeners Market, By Type

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Benoxacor

6.3 Furilazole

6.4 Dichlormid

6.5 Isoxadifen

6.6 Other Safeners



7 Herbicide Safeners Market, By Herbicide Application Stage

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Post-Emergence

7.3 Pre-Emergence



8 Herbicide Safeners Market, By Herbicide Selectivity

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Selective Herbicides

8.3 Non-Selective Herbicides



9 Herbicide Safeners Market, By Crop

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Soybean

9.3 Wheat

9.4 Corn

9.5 Sorghum

9.6 Rice

9.7 Barley

9.8 Other Crops



10 Herbicide Safeners Market, By Region



11 Competitive Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Company Rankings

11.3 Competitive Scenario



12 Company Profiles

12.1 Dowdupont

12.2 Syngenta

12.3 Bayer

12.4 Nufarm Limited

12.5 Adama Agricultural Solutions

12.6 BASF

12.7 Arysta Lifescience

12.8 Drexel Chemical Company

12.9 Land O'lakes, Inc. (Winfield United)

12.10 Sipcam-Oxon Group

12.11 Helm AG

12.12 Tenkoz



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9j7kjf/global_herbicide?w=5

Did you know that we also offer Custom Research? Visit our Custom Research page to learn more and schedule a meeting with our Custom Research Manager.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets

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CHICAGO, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hecate Energy ("Hecate") and InfraRed Capital Partners ("InfraRed") announce today that they have combined forces to form a new energy storage company called Hecate Grid ("HG"). The new venture will develop, build, own, and operate utility-scale energy storage projects in North America.

Hecate contributed its existing energy storage portfolio, comprising 126 megawatt-hours (MWh) of operating and contracted assets, along with 600 MWh of projects in the pipeline. InfraRed committed to fund the new company's growth. The new company will be headquartered in Chicago, IL.

Energy industry veteran Dan Walker has been named CEO of HG. He brings over 20 years of electricity industry experience in executive positions in both electricity trading and project development. Walker is a leading expert in wholesale electricity markets, having worked in 8 of the 9 North American ISO/RTO regions and co-founded several successful energy-related companies.

"Hecate Grid is the perfect combination of a proven and experienced development team joining forces with smart capital, allowing us to take advantage of a tremendous market opportunity," said Walker.

The use of battery storage is becoming increasingly important in enabling grid networks to match fluctuations in the supply and demand of electricity and to stabilize power frequency. At the end of 2017, large-scale battery storage resources with 867 MWh of energy capacity were operating in the U.S., according to the federal Energy Information Administration (EIA). Utility-scale storage capacity is projected to grow significantly as state-level energy policies establish energy storage goals and organized wholesale electricity markets evolve to fully integrate energy storage resources.

"Over the last five years Hecate Energy became one of the largest developers of utility-scale energy storage assets in North America," said Chris Bullinger, President & CEO of Hecate Energy. "In partnership with InfraRed, we are now positioned to grow our new affiliate company, Hecate Grid, into the foremost grid-scale energy storage developer and operator in North America."

"We believe the time is now to invest in the North American energy storage markets. We are excited to partner with industry leader Hecate Energy to capitalize on this fast-growing sector of the energy industry," said Thomas Buss, Investment Director and transaction lead for InfraRed.

About Hecate Grid

Hecate Grid develops, owns, and operates utility scale energy storage projects in the United States and Canada. The company's initial portfolio includes 126 MWh of operating and contracted assets and over 600 MWh of projects in the pipeline.

About Hecate Energy

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois with offices in California and Ohio, Hecate Energy is a developer of solar power plants, wind power plants, and energy storage solutions. Founded in 2012 by a team of energy industry veterans who have worked together for more than 20 years, Hecate Energy's team members have developed thousands of megawatts of electricity generation projects across the United States. They have entered into over 1.3 GW of renewable power purchase agreements since 2010 and have approximately 5 GW of additional projects currently under development.

About InfraRed Capital

InfraRed is a leading investment manager focused on infrastructure and real estate. It operates worldwide from offices in London, New York, Seoul and Sydney. With over 140 professionals it manages in excess of US $ 10bn of equity capital in multiple private and listed funds, primarily for institutional investors across the globe. Since its inception over 25 years ago. InfraRed has launched 17 funds, including two companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. InfraRed has a long and successful track record in sourcing, structuring, acquiring, managing and financing infrastructure equity investments across various sectors including accommodation, education, government, health, renewables and transportation. InfraRed implements best-in-class practices to underpin asset management and investment decisions, promotes ethical behavior and has established community engagement initiatives to support good causes in the wider community. Infrared is a signatory of the Principles of Responsible Investment.

SOURCE Hecate Energy; InfraRed Capital PartnersCHICAGO, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The value of real estate as a means to building wealth, signifying attainment and improving quality of life is highly relevant to high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) around the world. The latest report from Luxury Portfolio International, Luxury Real Estate: What Matters Most To Today's Global Elite, available for download now at luxuryportfolio.com/whitepaper , shows that 35 percent of HNWIs view real estate as the most obvious indicator of wealth. The research, which includes data from YouGov, shows that this is a powerful indicator globally, with Europeans (44 percent) and buyers in the Middle East (38 percent) each expressing a strong association between wealth and real estate. Among all the individuals surveyed, 38 percent are looking to buy luxury real estate within the next three years.

Also driving this interest in luxury real estate is the strong emotional connection to a home. Globally, 37 percent of HNWIs said that an emotional tie was the top reason they purchased their current primary residence. Only in North America did luxury homeowners state that the lot, location and size of the home was a bigger concern. "Despite this emotional connection, 85 percent of wealthy buyers consider the purchase of real estate a rational choice," said Stephanie Anton, president of Luxury Portfolio International. "Real estate signifies success for these buyers, both internally and externally to their peers."

At 23 percent, the interest in selling within the next three years is smaller, pointing to a continuation of a seller's market in the high-end, with fewer sellers than buyers expected and potential for inventory challenges to grow or persist in places already struggling with having enough homes to meet interest and demand. The difference between buying and selling is most dramatic in Asia where just 18 percent of luxury consumers are looking to sell vs 68 percent looking to buy. In both the Middle East and Asia, potential buyers overwhelmingly seek out urban locations for their next home.

"We are pleased to see that as we watch wealth grow among the top 10% of consumers globally, so too do we see continued interest in, and appetite for, luxury real estate both as a financial as well as an emotional investment," stated Anton.

Additional findings from this report:

41 percent of all HNWIs surveyed are looking to purchase a traditional-style home for their next personal residence.

The top reason (40 percent) that luxury home buyers gave for the purchase of a personal residence is to improve their quality of life.

78 percent of those surveyed said their residence is a home, a place with emotional ties, rather than just a house.

Overall, 59 percent of luxury buyers prefer urban locations. North American was the only region where suburban locations were slightly more popular (46 percent).

Europeans say that real estate is nearly twice as important as an original source of wealth as those in North America or the Middle East .

About Luxury Portfolio International

Luxury Portfolio International ( www.luxuryportfolio.com ) is the luxury home marketing division of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, the largest global network of premier locally branded companies dominated by many of the world's most powerful independent luxury brokerages. Luxury Portfolio International attracts a global audience of visitors from over 200 countries/territories every month and marketed over 57,000 luxury homes to over three million high-net-worth visitors last year.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Luxury Portfolio International

Related Links

http://www.luxuryportfolio.com

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 27, Jack's Regional Director Taylor Kitchens will get on his bike in the small town of Cuba, on the MS / AL line. From there, he'll head directly across the state to cross the AL / GA line in Phenix City. The trip is in support of the Jack's Family Fund, the nonprofit arm of Jack's Restaurants that exists to support the communities Jack's calls home.

Taylor Kitchens has a history of using his bike to give back. In 2012, he participated in "Bo Bikes Bama," raising $25,000 to support Alabama communities ravaged by the previous year's tornadoes. In 2016, it was Camp Smile-a-Mile's "Ride of Love," where Kitchens generated nearly $20,000 for childhood cancer patients.

Kitchens sees his efforts as part of Jack's larger corporate obligation to do good: "The Jack's Family Fund is a great charity that helps individuals, families, and communities in their time of need. This year we have already given out over $50,000 in grants to people in need, and this month we will support Alabama foster children with a grant of $217,818 to Kids to Love."

About Jack's Family Restaurants : The first Jack's opened in Homewood, AL in 1960. Since 1960, that location has grown into 157 restaurants in 4 states providing customers with fresh food, always cooked with Southern flavor and always served with Southern hospitality. To learn more about Jack's, visit eatatjacks.com.

About the Jack's Family Fund : The Jack's Family Fund is a non-profit corporation devoted to creating a safety net for our employees, guests, and the communities they inhabit. Whether it's supporting someone through a personal tragedy or offering local disaster relief, we plan to be there to offer hope and help in the places we call home. To donate to the Jack's Family Fund, visit jacksfamilyfund.org/donate .

SOURCE Jacks Family Restaurants

Related Links

http://eatatjacks.com

SUGAR LAND, Texas, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas) is pleased to be presenting a complimentary webinar on the outlook for the Middle East and Africa Oil & Gas sector. The webinar will be held Tuesday, October 23, at 9 a.m. CDT (2 p.m. GMT). Industrial Info is tracking more than $500 billion in active Oil & Gas projects in the Middle East and Africa.

Although the price of oil has grown substantially since reaching a low in mid-2015, it is still subject to the vagrancies of market conditions and geopolitical issues. The underlying trends seem to indicate a more positive near-term outlook for the Oil & Gas Industry in the Middle East and Africa region, and this will be discussed as well as the trends and drivers that are creating future growth opportunities.



Join Shaheen Chohan, Industrial Info's vice president of global analytics; Shane Mullins, vice president of product development; and Gordon Gorrie, vice president of Oil & Gas research, as they discuss these opportunities, including an overview of spending over the next 24 months.

For details, view the entire article by subscribing to Industrial Info's Premium Industry News, or browse other breaking industrial news stories at www.industrialinfo.com.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. To contact an office in your area, visit the www.industrialinfo.com "Contact Us" page.

Brian Ford

(713) 980-9393

SOURCE Industrial Info Resources, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.industrialinfo.com

SEATTLE, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- People with diabetes and severe obesity who had bariatric surgery were 40 percent less likely to have a heart attack or stroke within 5 years than those who had usual medical care for their diabetes, according to a new study published today in JAMA.

During the same period, those who had surgery were also more than one-third less likely to develop heart disease  and two-thirds less likely to die from any cause. This research was done at four systems in the Health Care Systems Research Network: Kaiser Permanente in Washington, Northern California and Southern California, and HealthPartners Institute in Minnesota.

The findings matter because about 30 million  more than 9 percent of adult Americans -- have type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. With time, the disease tends to worsen, raising the risks of diseases of the large blood vessels (heart attack, stroke and heart disease) and of death. Around 1 in 3 people with type 2 diabetes have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35 kg/m2, and according to National Institutes of Health guidelines, the disease plus that degree of obesity makes them eligible for bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery includes different operations that help people lose weight by making changes to their digestive system.

"For most people with diabetes and severe obesity, lifestyle changes and medication may not be successful at significantly lowering those risks," said internist and corresponding author David Arterburn, MD, MPH, a senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute. "So we're excited about our results, which suggest that bariatric surgery may reduce new cases of heart attack and stroke  and risk of death from all causes."

Members of the same research team had shown that diabetes goes into long-term remission (for an average of 7 years) for about half of people who undergo gastric bypass, one of the most common bariatric procedures. Last month in the Annals of Internal Medicine, these researchers also reported that people with diabetes who undergo bariatric surgery have half the risk of small-blood-vessel diseases of the feet, hands, kidneys and eyes within the first 5 years after surgery, compared to usual medical care for diabetes.

The new study included 5,054 Kaiser Permanente and 247 HealthPartners patients with diabetes and severe obesity (a body mass index, or BMI, of at least 35 kg/m2) who received bariatric surgery. It also included a matched control group of nearly 15,000 patients who had similar characteristics but received usual medical care for their weight and diabetes instead of bariatric surgery.

"Our study's large size gives it the statistical power to examine important health outcomes," said senior author Stephen Sidney, MD, director of research clinics at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Northern California. "Another strength is the long follow-up and comprehensive information from our health care systems, which provide integrated care and coverage."

But the study is observational, not a randomized clinical trial, so it cannot definitively prove that bariatric surgery caused the decrease in the rates of heart attack, stroke, heart disease and death.

"Ideally, randomized clinical trials would confirm  or refute  our findings," said bariatric surgeon and first author David P. Fisher, MD, who was the inter-regional chair of Kaiser Permanente Bariatric Surgery before his recent retirement. "But such trials are expensive and difficult to conduct, and they probably couldn't be done with enough patients to assess these relatively rare outcomes."

"Our results add to the evidence that should inform conversations between people with diabetes and severe obesity and their health care providers about the potential benefits and risks of weight-loss surgery," Dr. Arterburn said. "We hope this helps them make more informed decisions about their care."

A National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases award (#5R01DK092317-04) funded this study. NIH award 1K23DK099237-01 supported coauthor Emily B. Schroeder, MD, PhD, at the Institute for Health Research at Kaiser Permanente in Colorado, in Denver; and coauthor Patrick J. O'Connor, MD, MPH, at HealthPartners Institute, in Minneapolis, was supported in part by NIH award P30DK092928.

The other coauthors are Sebastien Haneuse, PhD, at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in Boston; Andy Bogart, MS, at RAND, in Santa Monica, California; Karen J. Coleman, PhD, at the Department of Research and Evaluation at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, in Pasadena; Rebecca O'Brien, MD, at the Division of Research at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, in Oakland; and Eric Johnson, MS, Mary Kay Theis, MA, MS, and Jane Anau of Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, in Seattle.

Diabetes is an active area of research at Kaiser Permanente, with more than 840 articles published since 2007. An overview of this research can be found here.

About Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute

Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) improves the health and health care of Kaiser Permanente members and the public. The Institute has conducted nonproprietary public-interest research on preventing, diagnosing, and treating major health problems since 1983. Government and private research grants provide our main funding. Follow KPWHRI research on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, or YouTube. For more information, go to: www.kpwashingtonresearch.org.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 12.2 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: kp.org/share.

For more information, contact:

Rebecca Hughes, [email protected], 206-287-2055

Heather Platisha, [email protected], 415-262-5992

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente

Related Links

http://www.kaiserpermanente.org

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Kentik, the leader in modern network analytics, today marked its expansion into Europe. The company's new European-hosted SaaS option, located in the state-of-the-art Equinix Frankfurt IBX Center in Germany, is generally available. This builds on Kentik's existing U.S.-based SaaS presence to better address the specific needs of European enterprises and communications service providers (CSPs). Kentik's proven platform now monitors over 400 Tbps of network activity across 200+ customers globally and processes over 1 trillion flow records daily.

"As networks and applications grow and become increasingly complex, the operations groups behind them must have real-time visibility into both their classic and cloud-native networks to make decisions on routing, capacity, performance, and security that drive stronger customer experiences and business results," said Avi Freedman, co-founder and CEO of Kentik. "We're investing in Europe to fulfill strong demand from enterprises and CSPs across the region."

"We are very excited for Kentik's expansion, as it will allow us to further increase our adoption of their industry-leading network analytics platform," said Jens Osterloh, global network architect at G-Core Labs S.A. , a Luxembourg-based global IT solutions provider and Kentik customer. "Kentik provides us with comprehensive traffic anomaly detection and is a core aspect of our DDoS defense strategy. The new location will further reduce latency for us and help in meeting data privacy and compliance requirements."

Now enterprises and CSPs in Europe, including Kentik's existing customers, can store data locally. Benefits of Kentik's European-hosted SaaS option also include:

Internet Insight for Digital Enterprise

Peering & Interconnection



Internet Performance



Network Forensics



DDoS Defense



Application Insight for Cloud-Native and Hybrid Networks

Traffic Cost Management



Service Dependency Mapping



Traffic Policy Validation



Business Insight for Service Providers

Subscriber Intelligence



Sales & Revenue Intelligence



Traffic Engineering



Capacity Planning



Local Data Residency

Kentik's Frankfurt, Germany facility now meets the requirements of customers who wish to store their data locally within Europe .

"Believing that the price of network visibility is far less than the cost of staying in the dark, businesses are increasingly looking for ways to gain value out their network data," said Nissreen Askar, co-partner of Diverse GmbH , a European-based Kentik channel partner. "Network analytics from Kentik make this goal a low-hanging fruit and also enable companies to gain insightful business value from their data. As a Kentik partner and selling arm in the German market, we at Diverse GmbH are happy to be part of this unfolding data revolution together with Kentik. Kentik's expansion into the European market opens the door wide open for this partnership to render value to European companies."

As part of the company's European expansion, Kentik continues to grow its channel program in the region. Kentik also has a growing team in the region and is hiring Sales and Engineering positions across Europe.

"Kentik has been a Marketplace partner since the company's early days, and we continue to be impressed by their modern network analytics solution that's now serving some of the largest service providers across Europe," said Franck Simon, president of France-IX , a leading Internet exchange in Europe and Kentik technology alliance partner. "With Kentik's expansion into the region, we're looking forward to watching them achieve new successes in helping European companies address network visibility and optimization."

For more on Kentik's new European deployment, visit Kentik's booth during the RIPE 77 conference, happening now in Amsterdam, or at the company's booth next week at Capacity Europe in London. Additionally, sign up for a free 30-day evaluation of Kentik.

ABOUT KENTIK

Easily the world's most powerful network analytics, Kentik uses real-time flow analysis, uniquely enriched with business and internet context to help enterprises and service providers protect their revenue and reputation. Kentik's SaaS platform is built on a patented big data engine to deliver modern network analytics that is both powerful and easy to use. Kentik is based in San Francisco  learn more at kentik.com .

SOURCE Kentik

Related Links

https://www.kentik.com

"Finalizing these satellites is a monumental achievement for MDA and its extensive cross-Canada industrial supply chain whose Canadian employees have worked extremely hard for many years on this program," said Mike Greenley, group president of MDA. "The program has been on budget and schedule since award of the build phase contract in 2013, which is a remarkable achievement for a program this complex. We are looking forward to Canada creating, funding and implementing a long-term space plan that sustains and grows Canada's global leadership position in space-based radar Earth observation."

RCM consists of three space-based radar satellites that can see through clouds and darkness to provide data on Canada's vast land mass and coastal approaches. Information from RCM is used for many different applications that are of benefit to Canadians and to the entire world population. These applications include monitoring of glaciers and other changes on the planet, which, in turn, are used to measure global climate change and help scientists to better understand humankind's impact on our environment. RCM data will also be used to monitor agricultural regions, which is then used to improve the efficiency of agricultural growing operations and ultimately the world food supply; and to monitor natural resources such as forests and other ecosystems enabling better management of those environmentally critical regions. For maritime surveillance, radar satellite systems are the preferred choice for marine and coastal areas with cloudy and foggy weather conditions, allowing for enhanced monitoring of oil spills. Being able to predict the direction oil spills will take and their drift by using a map of marine wind directions derived from radar images will be very helpful to environmental protection organizations.

The RCM satellite constellation is expected to operate for at least seven years providing benefits beyond our imagination both for Canadians and for the entire world. The launch of the constellation is scheduled for the week of February 18, 2019, based on launch vehicle availability.

About MDA

MDA is an internationally recognized leader in space robotics, space sensors, satellite payloads, antennas and subsystems, surveillance and intelligence systems, defence and maritime systems, and geospatial radar imagery. MDA's extensive space expertise and heritage translates into mission-critical defence and commercial applications that include multi-platform command, control and surveillance systems, aeronautical information systems, land administration systems and terrestrial robotics. MDA is also a leading supplier of actionable mission-critical information and insights derived from multiple data sources. Founded in 1969, MDA is recognized as one of Canada's most successful technology ventures with locations in Richmond, Ottawa, Brampton, Montreal, Halifax and the United Kingdom. MDA is a Maxar Technologies company (TSX: MAXR;NYSE: MAXR). For more information, visit www.mdacorporation.com.

About Maxar Technologies

As a global leader of advanced space technology solutions, Maxar Technologies (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates) is at the nexus of the new space economy, developing and sustaining the infrastructure and delivering the information, services, systems that unlock the promise of space for commercial and government markets. As a trusted partner, Maxar Technologies provides vertically-integrated capabilities and expertise including satellites, Earth imagery, robotics, geospatial data and analytics to help customers anticipate and address their most complex mission-critical challenges with confidence. With more than 6,500 employees in over 30 global locations, the Maxar Technologies portfolio of commercial space brands includes MDA, SSL, DigitalGlobe and Radiant Solutions. Every day, billions of people rely on Maxar to communicate, share information and data, and deliver insights that Build a Better World. Maxar trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information, visit www.maxar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and other information included in this release constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws. Statements including words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "plan", "potential", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate" or "expect" and other words, terms and phrases of similar meaning are often intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties, as well as other statements referring to or including forward-looking information included in this release.

Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in this release. As a result, although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. The risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, the risk factors and other disclosures about the Company and its business included in the Company's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian and U.S. securities regulatory authorities, which are available online under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, under the Company's EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov or on the Company's website at www.maxar.com.

The forward-looking statements contained in this release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. All such forward-looking statements are based upon data available as of the date of this release or other specified date and speak only as of such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this release as a result of new information or future events, except as may be required under applicable securities legislation.

Contact

Wendy Keyzer | MDA Media Contact | 1-604-231-2743 | [email protected]

Jason Gursky | Maxar Investor Relations | 1-303-684-2207 | [email protected]



SOURCE Maxar Technologies Ltd.

Related Links

www.maxar.com

TORONTO and HOUSTON, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Medicenna Therapeutics Corp. ("Medicenna" or the "Company") (TSX: MDNA,OTCQB: MDNAF), a clinical stage immunotherapy company, developing first-in-class Superkines and Empowered Cytokines, today announced that it will be presenting results related to the ongoing MDNA55 Phase 2b clinical trial for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress to be held from October 19 to 23, 2019 in Munich Germany.

The details of the poster discussion and display are as follows:

MDNA55 Poster Discussion:

Presenter: Dr. Martin F. Bexon, MBBS Session Title: CNS Tumors Title: Understanding Biological Activity, Tumor Response and Pseudoprogression in a Phase-2b Study of MDNA55 in Adults with Recurrent or Progressive Glioblastoma Presentation #: 380PD Date/Time: Saturday October 20, 2018 at 17:10 Location: Hall B3, Room 23 Discussant: Dr. Frank Winkler (University of Heidelberg and the German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany)

MDNA55 Poster Display information:

Date/Time: Starting at 9:00am Saturday, 20 October, 2018 (poster will be displayed for the duration of the whole Congress) Location: Hall B4

A press release outlining the clinical results presented will be issued following the presentation and a copy of the poster will be available on our website at www.medicenna.com

In addition, Dr. Fahar Merchant, Chairman, President and CEO and Elizabeth Williams, CFO of Medicenna will be attending the BIO Investor Forum to be held October 17 & 18, 2018 in San Francisco.

About Medicenna

Medicenna is a clinical stage immunotherapy company focused on oncology and the development and commercialization of novel, highly selective versions of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-13 Superkines and first in class Empowered Cytokines (ECs) for the treatment of a broad range of cancers. Medicenna's wholly owned subsidiary, Houston-based Medicenna BioPharma, is specifically targeting the Interleukin-4 Receptor (IL4R), which is over-expressed by at least 20 different types of cancer affecting more than one million new cancer patients every year. Supported by a significant non-dilutive grant from CPRIT (Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas), Medicenna's lead IL4-EC, MDNA55 is enrolling patients in a Phase 2b clinical trial for recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM), the most common and uniformly fatal form of brain cancer, at top-ranked brain cancer centres in the US. MDNA55 has completed three clinical trials in 72 patients, including 66 adults with rGBM, demonstrated compelling efficacy and obtained Fast-Track and Orphan Drug status from the FDA and FDA/EMA respectively. For more information, please visit www.medicenna.com .

SOURCE Medicenna Therapeutics Corp.

Related Links

http://www.medicenna.com/Home/default.aspx

MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- HDI has announced its speaker lineup for the 2019 annual conference and expo in Orlando, Florida. MetricNet is pleased to announce that Jeff Rumburg, Managing Partner of MetricNet, has been invited to speak on two separate topics at the conference. This marks the 25th consecutive year that Mr. Rumburg has been selected as a speaker for the HDI Conference & Expo. For those interested in attending, HDI 2019 is happening April 9-12, 2019, at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, FL.

Mr. Rumburg will be presenting session 205 "Radical Success: Managing Service and Support as a Business". He will also be facilitating a panel discussion in session 501 "Metrics Magic: Ask the Experts!" In session 205, he will discuss the need to adopt a paradigm shift for any IT Service and Support organization that aspires to realize the benefits of operating as a true business. And in session 501, the panelists will come together to answer audience questions about service and support metrics, including such concepts such as the linkage between metrics and business outcomes, metrics and continuous improvement, the cause-and-effect relationship of KPIs, driving accountability with metrics, and metrics as a diagnostic tool for continuous improvement.

"Even IT Service and Support organizations that have mastered metrics and achieved a degree operational success often struggle to gain visibility and credibility within their own enterprise. The all-to-common result is that service and support operates at a subsistence level, and lacks the necessary resources to deliver effective levels of service." said Jeff Rumburg "I believe that a fundamental paradigm shift is needed: IT Service and Support must start thinking and acting like a business. This also requires that service and support effectively communicates its ROI to key stakeholders, particularly to IT management."

Those interested in hearing Mr. Rumburg speak on Managing Service and Support as a Business should attend Session 205 on April 10 at 11:30am, and those interested in hearing Mr. Rumburg speak on Metrics should attend Session 501 on April 11 at 11:30am. All IT service and support professionals are encouraged to attend. This includes C-level executives, IT directors, Service Desk and Desktop Support Managers, analysts and technicians as well as any other professional in IT who is interested in expanding their understanding of industry best practices.

Mr. Rumburg is the winner of the Ron Muns Lifetime Achievement Award and was named one of the Top 25 Thought Leaders in Technical Support and Service Management for 2016 and 2017. He is co-founder and Managing Partner of MetricNet, LLC, where he is responsible for global strategy, product development, and client engagement delivery. As a leading expert in benchmarking and re-engineering, Mr. Rumburg authored a best selling book on benchmarking, and has been retained as a benchmarking expert by such iconic companies as American Express, Intel, Coca Cola, and Emory Healthcare.

If you would like more information about benchmarking your service and support functions, please visit http://www.metricnet.com or e-mail MetricNet at info(at)metricnet(dot)com.

About MetricNet

MetricNet is the global leader in IT service and support benchmarking. More than half of the FORTUNE 500 rely on MetricNet benchmarks to improve and optimize their performance. MetricNet is the first, and still the only company to offer downloadable service desk and desktop support benchmarks from their website. With a global benchmarking database of nearly 4,000 IT service and support benchmarks, MetricNet has the most comprehensive database of process and performance metrics in the industry.

About HDI

Founded in 1989, HDI is the first membership association and certification body created for the technical service and support industry. Since then, HDI has remained the source for professional development by offering the resources needed to promote organization-wide success through exceptional customer service. In other words, we help professionals in service management better serve customers. We do this by facilitating collaboration and networking, hosting acclaimed conferences and events, producing renowned publications and research, certifying and training thousands of professionals each year, and connecting solution providers with practitioners. Learn more at www.ThinkHDI.com. HDI is organized by UBM Americas, a part of UBM plc (UBM.L), an Events First marketing and communications services business. For more information, visit ubmamericas.com.

SOURCE MetricNet, LLC

Related Links

http://www.metricnet.com

"People from all walks of life must be compassionate and understanding toward one another. When we do that, we can help save lives. We will walk on Saturday to show our support for our fellow brothers and sisters, and show the entire world that we recognize that mental health is just as real as physical health," said Brent Smith of Shinedown .

The 2018 Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Community Walk is one of more than 400 Out of the Darkness Community Walk s being held nationwide this year. These walks are expected to unite more than 250,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts. The 2017 Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Community Walk hosted more than 2,000 participants and raised over $260,000. This event supports AFSP's education and advocacy programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual rate of suicide 20 percent by 2025.

"These walks are about turning hope into action," said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia. "Suicide is a serious problem, but it's a problem we can solve. The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight the science is only going to get better, our culture will get smarter about mental health, and we'll be able to save more lives."

Shinedown's powerful new single "GET UP" (listen here) from their chart-topping album ATTENTION (Atlantic Records) has been moving listeners around the globe with its offer of hope, empathy and encouragement in the face of personal struggles of any kind, especially with mental health issues. Offering a light in a time of darkness is something front man Brent Smith is deeply connected to after battling his own personal demons. The beautiful, universal song "GET UP" was born out of watching his friend, Shinedown bassist Eric Bass, deal with clinical depression.

ABOUT AFSP

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, and with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

ABOUT SHINEDOWN

Leading the charge for 21st century rock, multi-platinum, record-breaking band Shinedown - Brent Smith [vocals], Zach Myers [guitar], Eric Bass [bass, production], and Barry Kerch [drums]  has sold more than 10 million albums and 10 million singles worldwide, has 11 platinum and gold singles and four platinum and gold albums, 13 #1 active rock hits, and averages more than 4 million monthly listeners on Spotify as one of the most-listened-to rock bands on the platform with over 600 million streams, contributing to their more than 1 billion total overall streams to date. Every single released throughout the band's career has hit Top 10 on the rock charts  an unparalleled feat. Shinedown's latest album ATTENTION ATTENTION simultaneously hit #1 on Billboard's Alternative, Top Rock and Hard Rock Albums Charts and debuted Top 5 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on iTunes.

SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Related Links

http://www.afsp.org

BEIJING, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- During China's annual National Holiday, Henan Province is no stranger to influxes of tourism. With these hundreds of events, from health-conscious events focusing on Zen and Tai Chi to the more artistic, such as enamels and folk culture, this "Hometown Henan" - coined so because Henan Province offers visitors a feeling of returning home - is sure to continue developing in leaps and bounds, meaning there is plenty for visitors to see in this land of culture.

Scenic Excursions

Culture can be the quintessential spirit and motivation of traveling, under the tight bond of culture plus tourism, many major scenic spots seized opportunities to highlight their cultural "assets". For example, Mount MangDang held several cultural events such as the Han Yun Chrysanthemum Exhibition, Chinese Coming-of-Age Ceremony, and Thousand People Banquet. Such an accurate display of Chinese culture was a sight to behold. "You usually only see time travel in movies and T.V., but you get to experience it here. It makes people feel like they were part of a Han Dynasty court from 2000 years ago," praised tourist Zhang Hui, who had made a previous trip to Mount MangDang.

Jiaozuo Chenjiagou's "Taichi Master's Journey", Xuchang Zhangzhou Enamel Open Kiln Festival were also among the cultural activities held during Golden Week.

Smart Travel

Smart service was a highlight of the 2018 Golden Week. During this period, smart tourism projects such as online ticket purchase, smart route selection and facial recognition at the entrance of the park have enabled tourists locally and abroad to experience a convenient and comfortable trip.

In Luoyang, "Poetry Longmen" (An app for tourists to learn poems related to Longmen Grottoes) of Longmen Grottoes Scenic Area and other smart tourism projects have been put online so that tourists can get a detailed introduction to the scenic area through their phones. The Mangdangshan Scenic Area has made tourism traffic more accessible through big data sharing. The area's self-driving trips have increased by more than 40% compared with 2017, but there was no congestion at all this year.

Rural Tourism

Rural tourism has also emerged as a growing trend during Golden Week. Leisure vacations, rural sightseeing, and self-driving camping satisfied the needs of tourists. More than 430,000 tourists were received at various rural tourist spots in Xinxian County. "Nine Towns and Eighteen Bays", such as Western River Bay, Tianpu Bay, RV Town, and other attractions, were full of tourists. Rural self-driving was very popular, and tourists could experience farm work, pick fresh fruits and enjoy pastoral life when they come to the countryside.

Thoughtful Service

The implementation of tourism voluntary service has greatly improved the satisfaction of tourists. During the festival, volunteer service stations were all over the major stations, intersections, squares, and tourist attractions, providing civilized guidance, accommodation, catering consultation, free emergency medicine and other services to tourists, so as to make the image of "Hometown Henan" more deeply rooted in the hearts of the tourists.

Henan province is home to a large number of heritage sites including the ruins of Shang dynasty capital city Yin and the Shaolin Temple. Four of the Eight Great Ancient Capitals of China, Luoyang, Anyang, Kaifeng, and Zhengzhou are located in Henan. The province has seen a total of 61.66 million visits and with a comprehensive income of 46.5 billion yuan from October 1st to 7th, it is no surprise that it's ranked among the best destinations in China. The tourism department runs a Facebook page (@discoverhenan) with over 135k followers to help boost tourism to Henan.

SOURCE Henan Provincial Tourism AdministrationNEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Morgan James' new caregiving book release, H.O.P.E. for the Alzheimer's Journey: Help, Organization, Preparation, and Education for the Road Ahead by Carol B. Amos, helps readers develop a deeper understanding of people suffering with Alzheimer's disease. It is a handbook to prepare Alzheimer's caregivers for the difficult road ahead.

Carol Amos H.O.P.E for the Alzheimers Journey book cover

Carol B. Amos understands that caring for a patient with Alzheimer's can be very challenging. In H.O.P.E. for the Alzheimer's Journey, she provides Alzheimer's caregivers with the most preparation possible. It contains all the knowledge and advice that caregivers need to give their patients the best care possible.

H.O.P.E. for the Alzheimer's Journey was written from a personal perspective and contains real email communications from the author's own journey. Also, it introduces The Caregiving Principle, which provides a simple framework for caregivers and helps them understand their patients on a deeper level. After reading it, readers are inspired and become better caregivers in the process.

H.O.P.E. for the Alzheimer's Journey releases mid-October, just in time for National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers' Month in November.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Carol B. Amos, please call Nickcole Watkins at 516.900.5674.

About the Author:

Carol B. Amos is a writer, Dementia Specialist, and Alzheimer's Association volunteer. After experiencing the effects of Alzheimer's disease with her own mother, Carol learned everything she could about the disease by attending conferences and support groups. She then became a CARES Dementia Specialist and was certified through the Alzheimer's Association's essentiALZ Plus. Carol has a passion for sharing her knowledge and helping caregivers with Alzheimer's patients and now works as a volunteer and fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association. She also has a degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University and retired from a thirty-five-year career at The DuPont Company. Carol now lives in Delaware with her husband, where she is very active in her church.

More About This Title:

H.O.P.E. for the Alzheimer's Journey: Help, Organization, Preparation, and Education for the Road Ahead by Carol B. Amos will be released by Morgan James Publishing on October 16, 2018. H.O.P.E. for the Alzheimer's JourneyISBN 978-1683509035has 262 pages and is being sold as a trade paperback for $16.95.

About Morgan James Publishing:

Morgan James publishes trade quality titles designed to educate, encourage, inspire, or entertain readers with current, consistent, relevant topics that are available everywhere books are sold. (www.MorganJamesPublishing.com)

MEDIA CONTACT:

Nickcole Watkins

Morgan James Publishing

516.900.5674

[email protected]

SOURCE Morgan James Publishing

Related Links

http://www.MorganJamesPublishing.com

MANDEVILLE, La., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Mandeville, Louisiana-based PEC Safety has opened its third location in downtown New Orleans. The offices at 400 Poydras will serve as a critical recruitment hub for PEC's rapidly growing company.

PEC's New Orleans location will "allow us to recruit top-notch candidates from a vibrant, creative city packed with world-class talent" said CEO Colby Lane. The new office is located inside Launch Pad, a collaborative workspace of entrepreneurs, creative professionals, and freelancers in the heart of the Central Business District.

The New Orleans office is indicative of PEC's growing commitment to safety: In 2018 alone, the company has experienced over 50 percent owner client growth and introduced a new prequalification tool and midstream safety learning program. "Recruiting the best and brightest is a focus of PEC as we continue to build the most innovative, trusted, and impactful contractor management and learning content ecosystem in the world," added Lane.

About PEC Safety:

Over two decades ago, PEC Safety pioneered standardized learning content and contractor management solutions for industry - revolutionizing safety on a global scale. Now the largest interconnected safety network in the world, PEC remains committed in its mission to partner with industry to help bring workers home safe.

PEC is headquartered in Mandeville, LA with offices in New Orleans, LA and Houston, TX. For more information, visit www.pecsafety.com .

SOURCE PEC Safety

Related Links

http://www.pecsafety.com

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) today held its annual alcohol education conference, hosting educators and law enforcement personnel who discussed strategies to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking.

At the start of the conference, PLCB Member Mike Negra presented a check for $15,000, on behalf of the PLCB and the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), to representatives from the borough of State College to help fund the 2019 International Town & Gown Association's City and University Relations Conference, which will be held in State College.

"As a Centre County resident, I'm keenly aware of how Penn State and State College collaborate and work together to address the impacts of alcohol on their communities," said Negra. "Next year's conference is an exciting opportunity for Pennsylvania to lead a national conversation among higher education and government officials to explore strengthening town-gown partnerships."

Drawing about 250 participants, the PLCB conference held Tuesday included an enforcement track and a collegiate track and featured sessions addressing fake ID detection and enforcement, underage and high-risk drinking in off-campus neighborhoods, effective allocation of enforcement resources, engaging fraternities and sororities in peer-led health promotion initiatives, enforcing alcohol-related offenses and the PLCB's award-winning resident assistant training program.

The free conference is hosted by the PLCB through a grant from NABCA.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board works to educate the public about the dangers of underage and dangerous drinking through a variety of avenues, including a poster contest for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, a free annual alcohol educational conference, the creation and distribution of a wide range of educational materials, and training and technical assistance for organizations working to address the issues related to irresponsible consumption. The PLCB also provides millions of dollars in alcohol education grants to communities, educational institutions, and law enforcement agencies.

The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates more than 600 wine and spirits stores statewide, and licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups, and licensees. Taxes and store profits  totaling $16.5 billion since the agency's inception  are returned to Pennsylvania's General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania's schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives, among other important public services. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies, and local municipalities across the state. For more information about the PLCB, visit www.lcb.pa.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT: Shawn M. Kelly, 717.783.8864

SOURCE Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board

Related Links

http://www.lcb.pa.gov

AVONDALE, Pa., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Qfix will unveil new advancements for improving the reproducibility of day-to-day setups for cancer treatment later this week at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) 2018 Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX, October 21-24.

Healthcare providers face the daily challenges of repeatable cancer care delivery. Reproducibility of patient positioning is imperative to achieving the best possible outcomes during a typical course of treatment. Qfix positioning devices allow patients to be imaged and treated on the same device and in the same position to better target the tumor and preserve the surrounding healthy tissues and organs, enhancing reproducibility and enabling the delivery of high precision radiation for the successful treatment of brain, breast, and lung cancer.

"Qfix invented the first thermoplastic mask for radiotherapy treatment through its predecessor company WFR-Aquaplast and continues to lead the evolution of innovative cancer treatment positioning devices," said John Temple, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Qfix. "Our technology combined with our industry partners' treatment delivery systems has huge potential to shape the future of successful patient outcomes."

The latest technology and innovations will be on display with live demonstrations in the Qfix Booth #1913 during the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting, October 21 - 24, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas.

About Qfix

Qfix is a world leader in radiotherapy dedicated to helping medical professionals provide the best patient care with the world's finest positioning devices designed to enhance the probability of positive patient outcomes. For more information, visit www.Qfix.com.

SOURCE Qfix

Related Links

http://www.qfix.com

"It is an honor to support the WHO's mission to ensure everyone in the world, no matter where they come from, how much they earn or what their age and gender may be, can lead the healthiest life possible," says Mr. Chambers. "This requires action and engagement from many partners, led by governments, to prioritize public health by advancing universal health coverage to ensure health for all."

Mr. Chambers previously served as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Health in Agenda 2030 and for Malaria. Prior to 2016, he held the role of UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Financing the Health Millennium Development Goals, working with multiple funding partners to support international efforts to deliver health care and monitor the impact of such efforts.

Through his ambassadorship with WHO, Mr. Chambers will be raising awareness about the role played by WHO to promote health, serve the vulnerable and keep the world safe.

A key area of activity for Mr. Chambers will be to advocate for the mobilizing of resources to meet global health targets, working closely with governments, donors and the private sector.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, welcomed the appointment of Mr. Chambers as an ambassador for the Organization.

"Ray Chambers is a giant of public health who understands as well as anyone the critical need to prioritize the health and wellbeing of all people on the planet," says Dr. Tedros. "Through Ray's support as Ambassador for Global Strategy, WHO will be able to play an even stronger role in advocating among key decision makers to take all steps needed to ensure a healthier, more sustainable world for all."

Mr. Chambers, a renowned champion for malaria control, will also be an advocate for WHO's efforts to protect 1 billion more people within the next five years from health emergencies, one of the pillars of the Organization's 2009-2013 strategic plan, the Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW13).

Media Contact:

Adam Dvorin

Winning Strategies

(973) 286-8290

[email protected]

SOURCE MCJ Amelior FoundationTORONTO, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Roxgold Inc. ("Roxgold" or the "Company") (TSX: ROXG) (OTC: ROGFF) is pleased to announce its 2018 third quarter ("Q3") and first nine month ("YTD 2018") production results from the Company's Yaramoko Gold mine located in Burkina Faso ("Yaramoko").

Highlights:

30,532 ounces of gold produced in Q3 driven by record quarterly processing throughput of 78,357 tonnes  15% above nameplate capacity

106,812 ounces of gold produced YTD 2018 which puts the Company in a strong position to achieve the upper end of its guidance range of 120,000  130,000 ounces for the full 2018 year

Receipt of all permits and decrees required for Bagassi South mining and the process plant expansion

Construction works at Bagassi South continue on schedule and remains on track for delivery of first ore in late Q4 2018

Operating seven drill rigs currently at Yaramoko targeting extensions to the 55 Zone  six from surface and one from underground

"We continue to see consistently solid operating performance at Yaramoko with gold production of 106,812 ounces for the first nine months, positioning us well to meet the upper-end of our 2018 guidance range of producing between 120,000 to 130,000 ounces. With ongoing optimization activities at the plant, this quarter also saw record quarterly throughput representing 15% above nameplate capacity," stated John Dorward, President and CEO of Roxgold. "Our Bagassi South expansion project continues to make excellent progress as both the construction of the process plant expansion and mine development at Bagassi South, our second high-grade underground gold mine, continue to be on schedule with first ore expected by the end of the year."

Operating Highlights:

The 55 Zone produced 87,975 tonnes of ore at 10.74 g/t Au along with completing 1,221 metres of development. In Q3, approximately 80% of ore produced came from stoping activities as a result of extensive development with four open stopes available at the end of the quarter. The plant processed record throughput of 78,357 tonnes at an average head grade of 12.3 g/t Au for the quarter. Plant availability was 94.9% and overall recovery was 98.5% during the quarter. Importantly, the unit throughput rate at the plant has steadily increased over the last six quarters as a result of ongoing optimisation to be at 15% above nameplate capacity for Q3.

During the quarter, decline development reached the 4947 level, approximately 370 metres below surface. Ore development was completed on the 4998, 4981 and 4964 levels.

At the end of the quarter, the ROM stocks were 43,511 tonnes at 11.59 g/t Au representing approximately six weeks of plant feed.













Q3 2018 Q3 2017 YTD 2018 YTD 2017 Total Development (metres) 1,479 1,730 4,040 2,688 Ore mined (tonnes) 87,975 76,480 263,412 211,761 Ore processed (tonnes) 78,357 66,670 225,350 195,784 Head grade (g/t) 12.3 13.6 14.4 14.5 Recovery (%) 98.5 98.6 98.7 98.9 Gold ounces produced 30,532 28,410 106,812 91,970

Bagassi South Expansion Project Update

During the quarter, the Company continued to advance the Bagassi South expansion project. Highlights from the work plan of Q3 2018 include:

Receipt of all permits and decrees required for Bagassi South mining and the process plant expansion

Development and construction progressing well with overall project completion currently at approximately 70%

Commencement of mine development with approximately 258 metres completed to date

Mobilization of contractor personnel and equipment for the construction of the ventilation shaft is well underway

Completion of all structural steelwork and fabrication of CIL tanks

Commencement of processing plant tie-ins which are expected to occur largely within planned maintenance stoppages in Q4

Completion of overall project expected in the latter part of Q4; preliminary commissioning planning is underway

Exploration Update

55 Zone

Drilling activities continued on the 55 Zone during Q3. An 11,000 metre underground diamond drilling infill program is in progress at the 55 Zone between the 5151 and 4900 levels, with a single rig drilling from level 4947. In Q3, 3,342 metres were completed. This drilling program is planned to infill to an approximate 25 metre by 25 metre spacing and will continue into Q4.

Surface drilling also continued at 55 Zone during the quarter with a total of six diamond rigs operating. This is part of a 24,000 metre surface diamond drilling program that commenced in Q2 focusing on infilling the current resource and targeting the eastern and western boundaries of the deeper 55 Zone. 15,315 metres were completed during the quarter with completion of the program scheduled for the middle of Q4.

Bagassi South

Drilling activity also continued at Bagassi South. The program at Bagassi South focused on extending the QV1 western shoot and upgrading inferred resources on the QV1 and QV Prime structures. The program was completed in Q3 with 13 holes drilled for 2,708 metres. Further follow on drilling is planned for Q4 to test for further down plunge extensions in the QV1 western shoot.

Regional

A total of 2,098 metres were drilled for regional exploration during Q3. This drilling was undertaken on structural targets south of Bagassi and completed the regional targeting program for the quarter.

A total of approximately 15,000 metres of Auger drilling has been completed in 2018, around the Houko and Kaho prospects. Interpretations on the Houko Central and Kaho areas were undertaken in Q3 with drill planning underway to test multiple targets in Q4 including a recently identified 1.5km north-west trending anomaly at Kaho.

The Company plans to release its updated exploration results with its third quarter 2018 financial results, which are expected to be released after market hours on November 13, 2018. Conference call and webcast details for the third quarter financial results will be released closer to the date.

Upcoming Catalysts

Q4  Plant expansion and infrastructure construction completion

Q4  First ore from Bagassi South

Q4  Commencement of Kaho drilling campaign

Q4  Commencement of Bagassi South follow up drilling

Q4  Completion of 55 Zone resource development program

Qualified Persons

Iain Cox, FAUSIMM, Interim Chief Operating Officer for Roxgold Inc., a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, has verified and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release. This includes the QA/QC, sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information. For more information on the Company's QA/QC and sampling procedures, please refer to the Company's AIF dated March 28, 2018.

About Roxgold

Roxgold is a gold mining company with its key asset, the high grade Yaramoko Gold Mine, located on the Hounde greenstone belt in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Roxgold trades on the TSX under the symbol ROXG and as ROGFF on OTC.

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation: statements with respect to Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resource estimates (including proposals for the potential growth and/or upgrade thereof), anticipated receipt and maintenance of permits and licenses, future production and life of mine estimates, production and cost guidance, anticipated recovery grades and potential increases in throughput, the anticipated increased proportion of mill feed coming from stoping ore, future capital and operating costs and expansion and development plans including with respect to the 55 Zone and Bagassi South, and the expected timing thereof (including with respect to the delivery of ore), proposed exploration plans and the timing and costs thereof, the anticipated operations, costs, proposed funding, timing and other factors set forth in the Feasibility Study, and sufficiency of future funding. These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. In certain cases, forward-looking information may be identified by such terms as "anticipates", "believes", "could", "estimates", "expects", "may", "shall", "will", or "would". Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, the realization of resource estimates and reserve estimates, gold metal prices, the timing and amount of and results of future exploration and development expenditures, the estimation of initial and sustaining capital requirements, the estimation of labour and operating costs, the availability of necessary financing and materials to continue to explore and develop the Yaramoko Gold Project in the short and long-term, the progress of exploration and development activities as currently proposed and anticipated, the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and permits, and assumptions with respect to currency fluctuations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, and other similar matters, as well as assumptions set forth in the Company's technical report dated December 20, 2017, and entitled "Technical Report for the Yaramoko Gold Mine, Burkina Faso" available on the Company's website at www.roxgold.com and SEDAR at www.sedar.com. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect.

Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include: changes in market conditions, unsuccessful exploration results, possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, changes in the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, inaccurate reserve and resource estimates, changes in the price of gold, unanticipated changes in key management personnel, failure to obtain permits as anticipated or at all, failure of exploration and/or development activities to progress as currently anticipated or at all, and general economic conditions. Mining exploration and development is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Roxgold Inc.

Related Links

www.roxgold.com

ATLANTA, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), the global leader in CRM, today announced Salesforce Tower Atlanta, significantly expanding the company's regional headquarters in Atlanta. As part of the expansion, Salesforce plans to add 600 new jobs locally, over the next five years, helping fuel the city's economic development. The company will grow its footprint in The Atlanta Plaza in Buckhead, which will now be known as Salesforce Tower Atlanta.

Salesforce Tower Atlanta joins the ranks of other Salesforce regional headquarters, including Salesforce Tower New York, Salesforce Tower Indianapolis, Salesforce Tower London, and the company's worldwide headquarters, Salesforce Tower San Francisco.

Salesforce employees will start moving into the newly renovated floors beginning in 2019. Plans for the building include a renovated immersive lobby experience and top "Ohana Floor"  an open hospitality space for Salesforce employees, customers and partners, which is also available for nonprofits and local education groups on weeknights and weekends at no cost.

Comments on the News

"Salesforce continues to reach new heights and we're thrilled to further our commitment to the city of Atlanta," said Elizabeth Pinkham, EVP, Real Estate, Salesforce. "Salesforce Tower Atlanta provides a one-of-a-kind workspace where all of our employees can do the best work of their lives while supporting the community by giving back."

"Atlanta is a fantastic market for world-class talent and we're thrilled to grow our presence in the region," said Warren Wick, EVP, Commercial Sales, Salesforce. "Many of our top customers call the city home and we're excited to support these trailblazers in connecting with their customers in whole new ways."

"Salesforce joins other market-leading global brands that have recently announced plans to grow their operations in Atlanta," said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. "We are proud to be a top choice for companies looking for a talented workforce, quality-of-life, and a welcoming and inclusive business community. The Salesforce cloud will be an exciting addition to our ever-evolving skyline."

New Tower Supports Salesforce's Continued Growth in Atlanta

Salesforce has been named one of Fortune's Best Places to Work for the past 10 years and was recently ranked one of Atlanta's Best Places to Work by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Salesforce Tower Atlanta will be a hub for world-class, diverse talent, enabling the company to deliver new innovations to its more than 150,000 customers around the world. Salesforce has nearly 600 employees in the Atlanta area and more than 32,000 employees worldwide. Atlanta is home to many Salesforce customers including Coca-Cola, InterContinental Hotels Group, SunTrust and Kabbage.

Giving BackCommitting to 25,000 Volunteer Hours Next Year

Today, Salesforce employees in Atlanta are committing to deliver 25,000 total employee volunteer hours to local nonprofits in 2019. To date, Salesforce technology has powered more than 37,000 nonprofit and higher education institutions; Salesforce.org has provided more than $230 million in grants; and Salesforce employees have logged more than 3.2 million volunteer hours throughout the world. Employees in Atlanta have supported a variety of organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, Camp Sunshine, Open Hand Atlanta and Junior Achievement of Georgia.

In addition, more than 6,000 companies from 100 countries have committed to Pledge 1%, an initiative spearheaded by Salesforce that encourages and challenges individuals and companies to pledge 1% equity, product and employee time for their communities. Local Atlanta companies that have joined Pledge 1% include accessnow USA, Chaplain&co, Medric Networks and QASymphony.

SalesforceFastest-Growing Top 5 Software Company

Salesforce is the global leader in customer relationship management (CRM), helping companies connect with their customers in a whole new way. Founded in 1999, Salesforce enables companies of every size and industry to take advantage of powerful Fourth Industrial Revolution technologiescloud, mobile, social, internet of things, and artificial intelligenceto get closer to their customers. The Salesforce Customer Success Platform includes industry-leading services spanning sales, service, marketing, commerce, communities, collaboration and industries, all on a single trusted cloud platform.

Additional Information

We're hiring! Visit www.salesforce.com/careers for a list of openings.

Follow @Salesforce on Twitter

on Twitter Like Salesforce.com on Facebook: http://facebook.com/salesforce

ABOUT SALESFORCE

Salesforce, the global CRM leader, empowers companies to connect with their customers in a whole new way. For more information about Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), visit: www.salesforce.com .

Any unreleased services or features referenced in this or other press releases or public statements are not currently available and may not be delivered on time or at all. Customers who purchase Salesforce applications should make their purchase decisions based upon features that are currently available. Salesforce has headquarters in San Francisco, with offices in Europe and Asia, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CRM." For more information please visit http://www.salesforce.com, or call 1-800-NO-SOFTWARE.

SOURCE Salesforce

Related Links

https://www.salesforce.com

VANCOUVER, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. (TSX.V:SCZ) (the "Company" or "Santacruz") announces that it has made the final option payment to acquire from Golden Minerals Company certain mineral claims consisting of 149 concessions covering approximately 7,800 hectares, located in the Zacatecas Mining District, Zacatecas, Mexico (the "Zacatecas Properties") (see press release dated May 4, 2016).

"With this payment Santacruz now owns outright, subject to underlying net smelter royalties on certain of the claims, these important concessions and controls approximately 8,900 hectares in the historic and prolific Zacatecas silver mining belt." stated Carlos Silva, COO of the Company. Mr. Silva continued "We are confident that as we progress the exploration and development of our Zacatecas mineral portfolio we will realize the strong mineral potential of this historical mining district".

About Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.

Santacruz is a Mexican focused silver company with two producing silver projects (Veta Grande Project and Rosario Project) and two exploration properties (Minillas Property and Zacatecas Properties). The Company's corporate objective is to become a mid-tier silver producer.

"signed"

Arturo Prestamo Elizondo,

President and CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward looking information

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, that the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events, that third party mineralized material to be milled by the Company will have properties consistent with management's expectations, that the Company will receive all required regulatory approvals, and that future metal prices and the demand and market outlook for metals will remain stable or improve. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause the forward-looking information in this news release to change or to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, the risk that any of the assumptions referred to prove not to be valid or reliable, which could result in lower revenue, higher cost, or lower production levels; delays and/or cessation in planned work; changes in the Company's financial condition and development plans; delays in regulatory approval; risks associated with the interpretation of data (including in respect of the third party mineralized material) regarding the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility that results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to mineral exploration and development activities and to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information or statements, other than as required by applicable law.

Rosario Project

The decisions to commence production at the Rosario Mine, Cinco Estrellas Property and Membrillo Prospect were not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability, but rather on a more preliminary estimate of inferred mineral resources. Accordingly, there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with this production decision. Production and economic variables may vary considerably, due to the absence of a complete and detailed site analysis according to and in accordance with NI 43-101.

Veta Grande Project

The decision to commence production at Veta Grande Project was not based on a feasibility study on mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with this production decision. Production and economic variables may vary considerably due to the absence of a complete and detailed site analysis according to and in accordance with NI 43-101.

SOURCE Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.

Related Links

www.santacruzsilver.com

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Shareholder rights law firm Johnson Fistel, LLP has launched an investigation into whether the board members of SendGrid, Inc. ("SendGrid") (NYSE: SEND) breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed sale of the Company to Twilio Inc. ("Twilio").

On October 15, 2018, SendGrid announced that it had signed a definitive merger agreement with Twilio. Under the terms of the transaction, SendGrid shareholders will receive 0.485 shares of Twilio Class A common stock for each share of SendGrid stock they own, representing a per-share price for SendGrid stock of $36.92 based on Twilio's closing price on October 15, 2018. However, shareholders will be subject to the future price fluctuation of Twilio's stock price.

The investigation concerns whether the SendGrid board failed to satisfy its duties to the Company shareholders, including whether the board adequately pursued alternatives to the acquisition and whether the board obtained the best price possible for SendGrid shares of common stock. Nationally recognized Johnson Fistel is investigating whether the proposed deal represents adequate consideration, especially given one Wall Street analyst has a $45.00 price target on the stock. Additionally, the Company has over $180 million in cash. The 52-week high for SendGrid was $38.66.

If you are a shareholder of SendGrid and believe the proposed buyout price is too low or you're interested in learning more about the investigation or your legal rights and remedies, please contact lead analyst Jim Baker ( [email protected] ) at 619-814-4471. If emailing, please include a phone number.

Additionally, you can [click here to join this action]. There is no cost or obligation to you.

About Johnson Fistel, LLP:

Johnson Fistel, LLP is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm with offices in California, New York, and Georgia. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in shareholder derivative and securities class action lawsuits. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit https://www.johnsonfistel.com. Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Contact:

Johnson Fistel, LLP

Jim Baker, 619-814-4471

[email protected]

[click here to join this action]

SOURCE Johnson Fistel, LLP

Related Links

http://www.johnsonfistel.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tivity Health announced today the features and benefits being offered to eligible Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in Connecticut in 2019 through SilverSneakers, the nation's leading fitness program designed exclusively for older adults. Connecticut seniors enrolled in participating health plans will have access to SilverSneakers at no additional cost to them. The program offers access to more than 15,000 partner locations nationwide, the ability to use the benefit at multiple locations throughout the country, a wide variety of programming options, and digital tools and activities that support physical health and social interaction.

"Each year, seniors have an opportunity to choose a health plan that will offer the most value and benefits to help them stay healthy and active, and spend time doing the things they enjoy," said Steve Janicak, Chief Growth Officer, Tivity Health. "SilverSneakers continues to maintain a Net Promoter Score of 81, significantly higher than many leading national brands both inside and outside the physical fitness industry. The NPS measures how likely members are to recommend SilverSneakers to their friends. Members in Connecticut and across the country ask for SilverSneakers by name and encourage their friends to participate."

SilverSneakers is offered through more than 65 health plans including the nation's leading Medicare Advantage health plans, Medicare Supplement carriers and group retiree plans. Seniors can learn more about the program and which plans offer SilverSneakers by visiting SilverSneakers.com.

"I believe the socialization in the locker room and gym is almost as important as the workouts," said Henry Spear, SilverSneakers member from West Hartford, CT. "SilverSneakers is a great deal!"

In 2019, SilverSneakers members will have access to a broad range of benefits and resources including:

Nationwide access to more than 15,000 partner locations, including 24-Hour Fitness, Curves, Anytime Fitness, LA Fitness, participating YMCAs and independent fitness locations.

Members always have access to the entire local and national network of participating locations.

SilverSneakers GO, a new mobile fitness application designed to meet the goals, preferences and lifestyle of active older adults.

CollegeSave, a tuition discount program that will allow members to designate a beneficiary and accumulate points toward discounts at nearly 400 colleges based on the number of times they visit a participating fitness location.

Signature SilverSneakers group fitness classes taught by a trained instructor.

Access to the FLEX network, which includes community centers, senior centers, parks and other locations throughout the country.

Digital access to the latest health education information, as well as information about social activities and networking, through SilverSneakers' social media channels and SilverSneakers.com.

SilverSneakers On-Demand, bringing video workouts to our members whenever and wherever they want them. Members can log in at SilverSneakers.com and choose from hundreds of workouts in multiple categories.

About SilverSneakers

SilverSneakers is the nation's leading community fitness program for older Americans. The program was founded in 1992 and is available to more than 15 million Medicare beneficiaries through many Medicare Advantage plans and group retiree plans. For more information, to check eligibility or enroll, go to SilverSneakers.com.

SOURCE Tivity Health

Related Links

http://www.tivityhealth.com/

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tivity Health announced today the features and benefits being offered to eligible Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in Illinois in 2019 through SilverSneakers, the nation's leading fitness program designed exclusively for older adults. Illinois seniors enrolled in participating health plans will have access to SilverSneakers at no additional cost to them. The program offers access to more than 15,000 partner locations nationwide, the ability to use the benefit at multiple locations throughout the country, a wide variety of programming options, and digital tools and activities that support physical health and social interaction.

"Each year, seniors have an opportunity to choose a health plan that will offer the most value and benefits to help them stay healthy and active, and spend time doing the things they enjoy," said Steve Janicak, Chief Growth Officer, Tivity Health. "SilverSneakers continues to maintain a Net Promoter Score of 81, significantly higher than many leading national brands both inside and outside the physical fitness industry. The NPS measures how likely members are to recommend SilverSneakers to their friends. Members in Illinois and across the country ask for SilverSneakers by name and encourage their friends to participate."

SilverSneakers is offered through more than 65 health plans including the nation's leading Medicare Advantage health plans, Medicare Supplement carriers and group retiree plans. Seniors can learn more about the program and which plans offer SilverSneakers by visiting SilverSneakers.com.

"Thank you for SilverSneakers, I can't tell you how much good it has done for me," said Donna Schlechte, SilverSneakers member from Glen Carbon, IL. "The women in the class are the nicest ladies. We go to lunch to celebrate birthdays and take care of each other. SilverSneakers is a wonderful program for all aging people."

In 2019, SilverSneakers members will have access to a broad range of benefits and resources including:

Nationwide access to more than 15,000 partner locations, including 24-Hour Fitness, Curves, Anytime Fitness, LA Fitness, participating YMCAs and independent fitness locations.

Members always have access to the entire local and national network of participating locations.

SilverSneakers GO, a new mobile fitness application designed to meet the goals, preferences and lifestyle of active older adults.

CollegeSave, a tuition discount program that will allow members to designate a beneficiary and accumulate points toward discounts at nearly 400 colleges based on the number of times they visit a participating fitness location.

Signature SilverSneakers group fitness classes taught by a trained instructor.

Access to the FLEX network, which includes community centers, senior centers, parks and other locations throughout the country.

Digital access to the latest health education information, as well as information about social activities and networking, through SilverSneakers' social media channels and SilverSneakers.com.

SilverSneakers On-Demand, bringing video workouts to our members whenever and wherever they want them. Members can log in at SilverSneakers.com and choose from hundreds of workouts in multiple categories.

About SilverSneakers

SilverSneakers is the nation's leading community fitness program for older Americans. The program was founded in 1992 and is available to more than 15 million Medicare beneficiaries through many Medicare Advantage plans and group retiree plans. For more information, to check eligibility or enroll, go to SilverSneakers.com.

SOURCE Tivity Health

Related Links

http://www.tivityhealth.com/

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tivity Health announced today the features and benefits being offered to eligible Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in Indiana in 2019 through SilverSneakers, the nation's leading fitness program designed exclusively for older adults. Indiana seniors enrolled in participating health plans will have access to SilverSneakers at no additional cost to them. The program offers access to more than 15,000 partner locations nationwide, the ability to use the benefit at multiple locations throughout the country, a wide variety of programming options, and digital tools and activities that support physical health and social interaction.

"Each year, seniors have an opportunity to choose a health plan that will offer the most value and benefits to help them stay healthy and active, and spend time doing the things they enjoy," said Steve Janicak, Chief Growth Officer, Tivity Health. "SilverSneakers continues to maintain a Net Promoter Score of 81, significantly higher than many leading national brands both inside and outside the physical fitness industry. The NPS measures how likely members are to recommend SilverSneakers to their friends. Members in Indiana and across the country ask for SilverSneakers by name and encourage their friends to participate."

SilverSneakers is offered through more than 65 health plans including the nation's leading Medicare Advantage health plans, Medicare Supplement carriers and group retiree plans. Seniors can learn more about the program and which plans offer SilverSneakers by visiting SilverSneakers.com.

"Regular exercise helps me to avoid the aches, pains and health issues of my non-exercising friends," said Bobbie Huttinger, SilverSneakers member from Fort Wayne, IN. "My health and life are so much better because of exercising--don't we all want that?"

In 2019, SilverSneakers members will have access to a broad range of benefits and resources including:

Nationwide access to more than 15,000 partner locations, including 24-Hour Fitness, Curves, Anytime Fitness, LA Fitness, participating YMCAs and independent fitness locations.

Members always have access to the entire local and national network of participating locations.

SilverSneakers GO, a new mobile fitness application designed to meet the goals, preferences and lifestyle of active older adults.

CollegeSave, a tuition discount program that will allow members to designate a beneficiary and accumulate points toward discounts at nearly 400 colleges based on the number of times they visit a participating fitness location.

Signature SilverSneakers group fitness classes taught by a trained instructor.

Access to the FLEX network, which includes community centers, senior centers, parks and other locations throughout the country.

Digital access to the latest health education information, as well as information about social activities and networking, through SilverSneakers' social media channels and SilverSneakers.com.

SilverSneakers On-Demand, bringing video workouts to our members whenever and wherever they want them. Members can log in at SilverSneakers.com and choose from hundreds of workouts in multiple categories.

About SilverSneakers

SilverSneakers is the nation's leading community fitness program for older Americans. The program was founded in 1992 and is available to more than 15 million Medicare beneficiaries through many Medicare Advantage plans and group retiree plans. For more information, to check eligibility or enroll, go to SilverSneakers.com.

SOURCE Tivity Health

Related Links

http://www.tivityhealth.com/

CHICAGO, October 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

According to the market research report "Space Mining Market by Phase (Spacecraft Design, Launch, and Operation), Type of Asteroid (C-Type, M-Type, S-Type), Application (Construction, Fuel, and Others), Asteroid Distance, Commodity Resources, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, the space mining market, the overall market is estimated to grow from USD 0.65 billion in 2018 to USD 2.84 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 23.6%. Ongoing and impending space mining missions, increasing investments by private stakeholders in space mining companies, and growing number of government initiatives to frame regulations with respect to asteroid mining are the key factors driving the space mining market growth.

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Don't miss out on business opportunities in Space Mining Market.

Speak to Our Analyst and gain crucial industry insights that will help your business grow: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=129545886

The spacecraft design segment to dominate the space mining market, based on phase, during the forecast period

A spacecraft is mainly used for various purposes, such as communications, earth observation, meteorology, navigation, space colonization, planetary exploration, and transportation of humans and cargo. The design of the spacecraft has vital importance as the spacecraft has to sustain in critical or extreme conditions in space, such as microgravity. The spacecraft design segment accounts for a major market share as the spacecraft consists of a number of components, such as spacecraft instruments, altitude control systems, and electric power systems.

C-type asteroids to dominate the space mining market in the near future

Type C asteroids are carbonaceous asteroids, and the surfaces of these asteroids are almost coal-black. These asteroids contain large quantities of carbon molecules, and more usual rocks and metals. These meteorites are chippings, smashed off during collisions between asteroids. These asteroids are dark with an albedo of 0.03-0.09. As C-type asteroids contain large amounts of ice-water, many missions are likely to target C-type asteroids. For instance, JAXA's DESTINY mission is expected to be launched in 2022, which would be targeting asteroid Phaethon a C-type asteroid.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Space Mining Market"

27 - Tables

45 - Figures

113 - Pages

The US to dominate the space mining market during the forecast period

As the space industry is undergoing profound transformation and the national budgets of various countries have begun to squeeze and are more dependent on the private sector, it is observed that many countries want the private sector to indulge in space activities. The market growth is attributed to the rise in government initiatives to frame laws for space exploration activities, increased investment of private players in space mining companies, such as DSI and Planetary resources, and growth in numbers of missions to asteroids by NASA and private players. The US government updated US commercial space legislation with the passage of the Spurring Private Aerospace Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship (SPACE) Act of 2015 (also known as Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act) in November 2015. This law explicitly allows US citizens to engage in the commercial exploration and exploitation of space resources, such as water and minerals. Research activities based on space mining are primarily supported by NASA. NASA has announced many programs for various prospecting asteroid missions, which can gather the data from an asteroid and use it for further mining process.

Ask for PDF @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=129545886

Major players and space agencies in the space mining market include Deep Space Industries (US); Planetary Resources (US); Moon Express (US); ispace (Japan); Asteroid Mining Corporation (UK); Shackleton Energy Company (SEC, US); Kleos Space (Luxembourg); TransAstra (US); OffWorld (US); SpaceFab.US (US); National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA, US); European Space Agency (ESA, France); Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA, Japan); China National Space Administration (CNSA, China); and Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS, Russia).

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SOURCE MarketsandMarketsSCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Taylor Morrison Home Corporation (NYSE: TMHC), a national homebuilder and developer, today announced that it intends to implement a holding company reorganization, effective October 26, 2018. The reorganization will create a new holding company ("New Taylor Morrison") that will become the new parent company of Taylor Morrison Home Corporation ("Current Taylor Morrison"). New Taylor Morrison will assume the name Taylor Morrison Home Corporation.

The holding company reorganization and the transactions described below are intended to simplify the company's capital and tax structure and increase its operational flexibility. In particular, following the holding company reorganization New Taylor Morrison will eliminate the minority interest in its principal subsidiary and will retire all of its outstanding shares of Class B common stock so there will only be one remaining class of common stock outstanding after the transactions.

The holding company reorganization will be effected through a merger transaction among Current Taylor Morrison and certain of its subsidiaries that is intended to be a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes for Taylor Morrison stockholders. No stockholder vote of Current Taylor Morrison will be required to effect the merger transaction.

In the holding company reorganization, Current Taylor Morrison's stockholders will automatically become stockholders of New Taylor Morrison, on a one-for-one basis, with the same number of shares and same ownership percentage of the same corresponding class of Current Taylor Morrison common stock that they held immediately prior to the holding company reorganization. Following the reorganization, the ticker symbol of New Taylor Morrison Class A common stock will remain "TMHC" and the CUSIP number will be the same as the CUSIP number for the Current Taylor Morrison Class A common stock.

New Taylor Morrison has also entered into arrangements with certain holders of partnership units of TMM Holdings II Limited Partnership, the principal subsidiary of Current Taylor Morrison ("TMM II"), and the related paired shares of Class B common stock. Following the completion of the holding company reorganization, all of the outstanding partnership units of TMM II and corresponding paired shares of Class B common stock of New Taylor Morrison (held by persons other than New Taylor Morrison and its subsidiaries) will be exchanged on a one-for-one basis, for shares of Class A common stock of New Taylor Morrison. Today, Current Taylor Morrison holds approximately 99% of the outstanding partnerships units of TMM II.

About Taylor Morrison

Taylor Morrison Home Corporation (NYSE: TMHC) is a leading national homebuilder and developer that has been recognized as the 2016, 2017 and 2018 America's Most Trusted Home Builder by Lifestory Research. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona we operate under two well-established brands, Taylor Morrison and Darling Homes. We serve a wide array of consumer groups from coast to coast, including first-time, move-up, luxury, and 55 plus buyers. In Texas, Darling Homes builds communities with a focus on individuality and custom detail while delivering on the Taylor Morrison standard of excellence.

For more information about Taylor Morrison and Darling Homes please visit www.taylormorrison.com or www.darlinghomes.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements." These statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities, as well as those of the markets we serve or intend to serve, to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate to matters of a strictly factual or historical nature and generally discuss or relate to forecasts, estimates or other expectations regarding future events. Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "may," "can," "could," "might," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, including statements related to the transactions and the lack of any material operational or financial impact related thereto.

Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among other things: the impact of future regulatory requirements related to the transactions, stock market and stock analyst reaction to the transactions, and the impact of the transactions on our credit rating, if any. In addition, other such risks and uncertainties may be found in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC. We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or changes in our expectations, except as required by applicable law.

CONTACT: Investor Relations

Taylor Morrison Home Corporation

(480) 734-2060

[email protected]

SOURCE Taylor Morrison

Related Links

http://www.taylormorrison.com/ContactUs

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, some of the world's best-known tech companies committed to support enhanced defensive measures to prevent email-born attacks targeting their employees, customers, and trading partners.

The Cybersecurity Tech Accord and its 60+ global companies  have partnered with the Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) to promote the widescale use of the Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance (DMARC), a solution that prevents email scammers and criminals from "spoofing" legitimate email domains. Based on newly released research from GCA, an organization that deploys DMARC could expect to see up to a 35X ROI.

"The support from the tech community is critically important to the advancement of DMARC and improvement of email security," said Global Cyber Alliance CEO and President, Philip Reitinger. "The Cybersecurity Tech Accord support comes on the one-year anniversary of the Homeland Security Directive that moved federal agencies to implement DMARC at the highest level. The federal government has been aggressively deploying DMARC, and it is wonderful to see major companies drive adoption as well."

Following through on their promise to protect users and customers from evolving cyber threats, the Cybersecurity Tech Accord signatories will support GCA in promoting the adoption of the DMARC protocol on a broad scale.

"The Cybersecurity Tech Accord believes that it is vital for DMARC adoption to accelerate across sectors with businesses and governments taking a decisive step to enhance email security. Failing to address this issue exposes internet users everywhere to cyberattacks and the internet more broadly to systemic cybersecurity challenges," said James Livingston, Vice-President of Sales and Business Development at WISeKey, a Cybersecurity Tech Accord signatory. "That is why we are committed as a group to advancing our email security policies and the adoption of techniques such as DMARC, and we encourage other businesses to do the same with the objective to have a more secure internet ecosystem."

DMARC's power in reducing Business Email Compromise (BEC) and providing return on investment (ROI) to companies that deploy it, is demonstrated by new research from GCA. For the past two years, GCA has focused on the risk of phishing and strongly supported DMARC adoption to empower public and private organizations to defend against malicious emails. Tens of thousands of domains have been evaluated using the GCA's tools.

New GCA research shows the 1,046 domains that have successfully activated strong protection with GCA's DMARC tools will save an estimated $19 million to $66 million dollars from limiting BEC for the year of 2018 alone. These organizations will continue to reap that reward every year in which they maintain the deployment of DMARC. Additional savings over time will be realized so long as DMARC is deployed. If these 1,046 domains maintain DMARC for 10 years, the cumulative savings is likely to exceed $100 million. (This also assumes that none of the other 19,000 domains that have been tested with the GCA tools will complete a migration and that the cost of BEC will remain stable.)

For a small business or organization that is only managing a handful of domains, the cost of setting up and maintaining DMARC can be very low. Some monthly services range from approximately $20  $200. Based on the GCA report (which looks at only one impact of one type of potential threat prevented by DMARC) a single domain could realize up to a 35X return on investment from use of DMARC. In addition, this research is just a snapshot of the potential return on investment of DMARC as the number of domains used in this research is a relatively small and concerns only a single type of threat. DMARC protects against other types of threats delivered by phishing which were not evaluated in this report. Finally, the more domains that implement DMARC, the easier it is for receivers to be strict, and the greater the cumulative return on investment for everyone.

The Cybersecurity Tech Accord's commitment comes as the threats from email scams are on the rise. According to data from ValiMail, approximately 6.4 billion fake emails were sent worldwide each day in 2018  most coming from the United States, with healthcare and government being the most impacted sectors.1 Research from Agari shows that 96% of the business organizations analyzed had experienced a BEC attack in the last six months, and the average business experienced 45 attacks from June  December 2017.2

Businesses are struggling to combat BEC scams. The FBI's Internet Complaint Center, or IC3, estimated in July that BEC scams have accounted for $12.5 billion3 dollars in losses around the world the last five years, including $2.9 billion dollars of BEC-related losses here in the US. The deployment of DMARC can significantly reduce an organization's vulnerability to BEC, as DMARC prevents direct domain spoofing, one of the most difficult to detect forms of phishing, and a powerful tool for BEC.

The GCA implementation guide has helped many businesses create a DMARC policy to protect their brand. DMARC returns significant value. Several governments are now moving to DMARC, and the private sector is strongly supporting deployment of DMARC. All organizations should make the move to DMARC.

About DMARC

DMARC is an email authentication policy and reporting protocol that helps prevent impersonation attacks via email. It is free and already included on popular email services such as Outlook. However, use of DMARC by government, the private sector and other organizations operating their own email is low, which puts their emails to other businesses and consumers in the crosshairs of threat actors.

DMARC is the first and the only widely deployed technology that helps protects both customers and domain owners. DMARC is a powerful tool that helps protect against phishing attacks, which are the entry weapon of choice for many cyber criminals. DMARC allows:

Domain owners to

Signal that they are using email authentication (SPF, DKIM)

Provide an email address to gather feedback about messages using their domain  legitimate or not

Apply a policy to messages that fail authentication (report, quarantine, reject)

Email receivers to

Be certain a given sending domain is using email authentication

Consistently evaluate SPF and DKIM along with what the end user sees in their inbox

Determine the domain owner's preference (report, quarantine or reject) for messages that do not pass authentication checks

Provide the domain owner with feedback about messages using their domain

About the Cybersecurity Tech Accord

The Cybersecurity Tech Accord is a public commitment among more than 60 global companies to protect and empower civilians online and to improve the security, stability and resilience of cyberspace.

About the Global Cyber Alliance

The Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) is an international, cross-sector effort dedicated to eradicating cyber risk and improving our connected world. We achieve our mission by uniting global communities, implementing concrete solutions, and measuring the effect. Learn more at www.globalcyberalliance.org.

Contact:

Adam Benson

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 202-350-2618

1 https://www.valimail.com/blog/6.4-billion-fake-emails-every-day/

2 https://www.agari.com/business-email-compromise-report/

3 https://www.ic3.gov/media/2018/180712.aspx

SOURCE Global Cyber Alliance

Related Links

http://www.globalcyberalliance.org

Makes second delivery of cannabis products to BC Province

Absorbs cost of federal Excise Tax for medical patients

THC.CSE

THCBF - OTC

TFHC.F

VANCOUVER, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - THC BioMed Intl Ltd. ("THC" or the "Company") (CSE: THC) announces that it has purchased an additional strata lot in the industrial complex in Kelowna it currently occupies and where additional lots were recently purchased on June 29, 2018. The additional lot will be used for production purposes. THC purchased this property as part of its expansion plan due to high demand for its products.

The purchase price was $390,000.00 plus fees and taxes, for a total of $410,698.85. THC purchased the strata lot for cash and did not require a mortgage.

THC is pleased to announce it has completed shipment of its second batch of cannabis products to the Province of B.C. ahead of legalization, this will allow for a wider variety of THC BioMed's products to be available for purchase on launch day.

In line with our mandate to ensure medical cannabis patients continue to receive affordable medical cannabis, THC will absorb the excise tax imposed on all cannabis products for medical patients.

THC continues to work vigorously towards securing supply agreements with various provincial governments.

About THC

THC's vision is to be on the leading edge of scientific research, development of products and services related to the medical cannabis industry while creating a standard of excellence. As the industry develops, it will become more important to focus on scientific research and development of products and services related to medical cannabis. Management believes THC is well-positioned to be in the forefront of this rapidly growing industry.

Please visit our website for a more detailed description of our business and services available. www.thcbiomed.com

Forward-Looking Information:

This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of THC. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of THC. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "will," "may," "would," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "could" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Although THC believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because THC can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release include that: (a) THC will purchase an additional strata lot in Kelowna where it currently occupies; (b) the property will be used for production purposes; (c) THC's purchase of the property is part of an expansion plan due to high demand for its products; and (d) THC continues to work vigorously towards securing supply agreements with various provincial governments. THC disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of the contents of this release.

SOURCE THC BioMed

Related Links

www.thcbiomed.com

With this new addition to their product offering, The Flex Company demonstrates their continued investment in technology and design for the benefit of women's health. Their popular FLEX menstrual disc is known for its unique features; it is a single use product that can be worn for up to 12 hours, including during intercourse. The disc is also recognized for comfort. 65% of their users report experiencing reduced cramps compared to their previous period product.

With a surge of emerging menstrual brand launches in recent years, The Flex Company has remained at the forefront of product innovation and is growing at an incredible rate. Since launching in 2016, The Flex Company has more than doubled revenue every year. The Company recently raised $3.6M in funding from venture investors including BOW Capital, Quest Venture Partners, Halogen Ventures and Y Combinator, totaling $7.9M funding to date. The Flex Company is disrupting the $35 billion dollar feminine care industry and started by creating the menstrual disc product category. They have broken away from competitors by doubling down on their strategy to leverage agile innovation to meet consumers' changing needs.

"As a woman, I've felt that innovation has improved every part of my life except for my period. For nearly a century, we've had no significant choice in period products," shares Lauren Schulte, the founder and CEO of The Flex Company. "Advertising has conditioned us to believe that there are meaningful differences between competing brands of traditional period products. The reality is that all of those products basically function the same waywithout any tangible benefit to the consumer. I've learned that branding is the only aspect of period products that has evolved. The lack of variety in period products is frustrating because our data shows that there's no one 'right' option for everyone; our bodies are unique. We deserve better options and more choice. The Flex Company was built upon this idea. We're committed to listening to our customers' needs and supporting them by investing in worthwhile innovation. We found a shared vision with the co-founders of Keela. Together, we're excited to provide more choice with the FLEX Cup and continue championing differentiated products that solve real period problems."

The FLEX Cup is an evolved version of the Keela Cup and includes the same unique Release Ring design and body safe materials. The improvements have made FLEX Cup a more refined product for customers at an affordable price.

Keela founder Jane Hartman Adame got the idea for a new cup because she has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that makes it hard for her to remove other menstrual cups. Adame, now an employee of The Flex Company, developed the Release Ring design in partnership with Keela co-founder Andy Miller, a longtime friend and seasoned medical device inventor. Miller has also joined The Flex Company and will be leading its Research and Development team. Adame and Miller's unique menstrual cup design is unlike any product on the market because it makes removal easier and usage more accessible for people with disabilities.

The acquisition of Keela is one of many steps made by The Flex Company that demonstrates their customer centric approach. The Flex Company is committed to making periods healthy, comfortable and eco-friendly. The FLEX Cup is reusable, designed for up to 12 hours of wear, and cleaned between each use. The FLEX disc can also be worn for up to 12 hours, but is single use. Discs were designed for people on-the-go who cannot wash a menstrual cup between changes, yet are conscious of their environmental footprint. The disc creates 60% less waste than traditional disposable products. The disc may also be used interchangeably by a cup user during busy times or for mess-free period sex. In 2019, the Company plans to launch compostable removal pouches for convenient disc removal and disposal on-the-go.

The FLEX Cup will be sold individually and in the FLEX Discovery Kit, which includes one cup and two free FLEX menstrual discs. The Discovery Kit was designed for people who are new to discs and cups, and allows users to try two products for the price of one. The kit, which is now available for pre-order, will be sold online and through major retailers for $39.99 and is expected to ship in Spring 2019. Learn more at flexcup.com .

ABOUT THE FLEX COMPANY

The Flex Company creates innovative products that are better for women's health and the environment. The Company is known for its differentiated period products, including its namesake FLEX menstrual disc, Softdisc, and the FLEX Cup. The Flex Company is based in Venice, California, and exclusively manufactures its patented products in the United States and in Canada. Its products are sold online and through major retailers in the United States. Led by founder & CEO, Lauren Schulte, The Flex Company believes that everyone is unique and is working to create a world where every woman loves her body. Learn more at flexfits.com.



CONTACT | LaRue PR [email protected]

SOURCE The Flex Company

Related Links

https://flexfits.com

LONDON, Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Demand for continuous monitoring due to rise in network complexities and security concerns to drive growth of network monitoring market



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5589889



The network monitoring market is expected to reach from USD 1.82 billion in 2018 to USD 2.93 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 9.9% from 2018 to 2023. The increasing number of enterprises with strict reliability requirements drives the need for network performance monitoring equipment. Network architecture is growing in complexity and application delivery is becoming more time-sensitive. This demands the need for highly reliable, scalable network monitoring equipment. The need for robust network monitoring capabilities to ensure smooth operations of mission-critical network infrastructure and the need to quickly resolve downtime issues drive the growth of the network monitoring equipment market. However, the availability of free network traffic tools restricts the growth of this market.



Rising concerns for performance monitoring drives network monitoring market for solutions & services

The market for solutions & services is expected to grow at a higher CAGR from 2018 to 2023.Cross-domain management operations, Software as a Service (SaaS)-based network management market, and performance service level agreements in cloud monitoring are expected to redefine traditional network management.



Moreover, increasing network complexity, converging technologies, and growing implementation of virtualization are expected to transform network management technologies, tools, and practices.



Demand for higher speed drives network monitoring market for 100 Gbps bandwidth

The market for monitoring equipment with 100 Gbps bandwidth is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.Although data centers across the world are currently running at 10 Gbps, they are shifting steadily toward 40 Gbps using InfiniBand or Ethernet interconnects.



However, the need for 100 Gbps bandwidth may be needed sooner rather than later, and it will be a standard in development for enabling the transfer of frames at 100 Gbps.



Small & medium-sized enterprises largely contribute to growth of network monitoring market

The market for enterprises is expected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2018 to 2023.The increasing enterprise applications require high-performance connectivity, constant uptime, high throughput, and high reliability to manage a vast amount of data.



To address these requirements, network monitoring is being adopted in enterprises. Large enterprises across different industries have been increasingly adopting digitization to improve their business processes.



Increasing number of small and medium-sized enterprises and growing adoption of digital technologies in APAC drive network monitoring market in this region

The market in APAC is expected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2018 to 2023.Also, the increasing number of small and medium-sized enterprises and growing adoption of digital technologies further drive the demand for network monitoring.



Moreover, the increasing penetration of the Internet and growing population of internet users in the region create a huge volume of data, which, in turn, drive the demand for cloud-based services. All these parameters generate the need for high performing switching solutions across the network infrastructure in data centers.



The breakup of the profile of primary participants has been given below:

 By Company Type: Tier 1 = 30 %, Tier 2 = 45%, and Tier 3 = 25%

 By Designation: C-Level Executives = 35%, Directors = 45%, and Others = 20%

 By Region: North America = 40%, Europe = 30%, APAC = 20%, and RoW = 10%



Gigamon (US), NetScout Systems, (NetScout) (US), Ixia (US), VIAVI Solutions (Viavi) (US), APCON (US), and Garland Technology (US) are among the leading companies in the network monitoring market. Also, a few major companies, namely, Broadcom (US), Juniper Networks (US), Big Switch Networks (US), Zenoss (US), Network Critical (UK), Corvil (Ireland), CALIENT Technologies (US), Netgear (US), and Motadata (US) have also been profiled in the report.



Research Coverage:

The network monitoring market has been segmented by offering, bandwidth, technology, end user, and geography.The market, by offering, has been further segmented into equipment, and solutions & services.



Based on bandwidth, the network monitoring market has been segmented into 1 & 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, and 100 Gbps.Based on technology, the market has been segmented into Ethernet, fiber optic, and InfiniBand.



The network monitoring market, by end user, has been divided into enterprises, government organizations, telecommunications industry, and cloud service providers. Based on geography, the market has been segmented into the Americas, Europe, APAC, and RoW.



Reasons to Buy the Report:



The report would help the market leaders/new entrants in this market in the following ways:

 This report segments the network monitoring market comprehensively and provides the closest approximations of the sizes of the overall market and subsegments for different applications and across various regions.

 The report helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provides them with information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities pertaining to the market.



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5589889



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +1 (718) 213 4904

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

http://www.reportbuyer.com

Consumers nationwide can visit ThePureCompany.com to shop the company's new line of products, which includes a Carbon Filter Water Decanter for pure and delicious water, as well as two advanced technology, innovative air purifiers designed with a feature that sets them apart from any other air purifiers available today  a built-in aromatherapy option to safely and naturally scent the air with The Pure Company's exclusive line of 100% Pure Essential Oils, available in single scents and custom blends.

The smaller of the two air purifiers is sleek in design and compact in size, which makes it possible to take air purification technology on the go. With its built-in aromatherapy feature to scent small rooms, offices or hotel rooms, the Portable Air Purifier easily fits in a suitcase or tote. It's also the first portable air purifier that can be customized and styled with high quality product wraps specially designed by an interior designer with modern aesthetics in mind, quickly and easily transforming it to make a statement or perfectly blend in with a range of decor.

As industry veterans with decades of experience, The Pure Company's team of innovators spent thousands of hours surrounded by hundreds of air purifiers, water purification systems and assorted products that were confusing, bulky, boring and overly technical. So, the team set out on a mission to create technologically advanced solutions that are powerful and effective, yet easy to use and beautiful enough to deserve a front-and-center spot in the thoughtfully curated spaces women have worked so hard to put together.

"Our organization has a long history managing a family of companies that specialize in healthy living products, but we realized products that really speak to modern women were missing from the market," said Joseph P. Urso, Chairman of Aerus Holdings LLC, the 95 year old company that is adding The Pure Company to its impressive roster of innovative healthy living companies. "We brought together an amazing group of women, including designers, product specialists and professionals, who listened to the challenges other women have had finding great solutions for allergies, asthma triggers, odors in their home and water quality. This led to the creation of a line of products designed specifically to address her concerns."

Armed with hundreds of stories from thousands of interviews, the team identified issues and experiences women were facing in their home as they worked to battle everything from allergies to odors to the frustration of working with complicated products, The Pure Company brought on a team of female industrial and interior designers to create a new line of healthy lifestyle products that are thoughtfully crafted to solve her everyday home air and water purification problems.

"Something magical happens when a group of women get together to challenge each other and the status quo, and that's how The Pure Company was born," says Cortney Carroll, President of The Pure Company. "We wanted everything in our homes to be technologically advanced, yet intuitive and beautiful. When we couldn't find products that were powerful and functional, but also gorgeous enough to display in our homes, we set out to create our own. The result of that journey is a carefully curated line of healthy living products, designed by women to fit perfectly in your life and home, proving that function and beauty can coexist."

The Pure Company's initial product lineup includes:

AIR

Large Room Air Purifier, featuring natural aromatherapy ($399) : With a distinctive new way to achieve fresh, pure air, the Large Room Air Purifier is a whisper-quiet solution for a home's impurities. First, an odor-killing Activated Carbon Pre-Filter captures pollen, allergens, pet dander and dust. Next, a True HEPA Filter removes invisible pollutants and bacteria as small as 0.3 microns. This is the first air purifier of its kind, featuring a built-in aromatherapy option to scent homes in a natural way with 100% Pure Essential Oils. Choose from The Pure Company's 100% Pure Essential Oils and range of Designer Wraps to enhance the environment in any room.

With a distinctive new way to achieve fresh, pure air, the Large Room Air Purifier is a whisper-quiet solution for a home's impurities. First, an odor-killing Activated Carbon Pre-Filter captures pollen, allergens, pet dander and dust. Next, a True HEPA Filter removes invisible pollutants and bacteria as small as 0.3 microns. This is the first air purifier of its kind, featuring a built-in aromatherapy option to scent homes in a natural way with 100% Pure Essential Oils. Choose from The Pure Company's 100% Pure Essential Oils and range of Designer Wraps to enhance the environment in any room. Portable Air Purifier, featuring natural aromatherapy ($99) : The Portable Air Purifier is sleek in design and compact in size, which makes it possible to take air purification technology on-the-go. Designed also with a built-in aromatherapy feature to scent small rooms, offices or hotel rooms with 100% Pure Essential Oil, it easily fits in a suitcase or tote in its portable carrying bag. It is also the first portable air purifier that can be customized and style with designer wraps.

The Portable Air Purifier is sleek in design and compact in size, which makes it possible to take air purification technology on-the-go. Designed also with a built-in aromatherapy feature to scent small rooms, offices or hotel rooms with 100% Pure Essential Oil, it easily fits in a suitcase or tote in its portable carrying bag. It is also the first portable air purifier that can be customized and style with designer wraps. Aromatherapy Diffuser ($59) : The purposeful design of the Aromatherapy Diffuser combines ease-of-use and personalized setting options with a simple profile that blends in beautifully with any decor  whether bedside, on a bathroom shelf or as a thoughtful guest room accessory.

WATER

Carbon Filter Water Decanter ($228) : Handcrafted of food-grade stainless steel, The Pure Company's Carbon Filter Water Decanter eliminates impurities in drinking water. Easily stored in a refrigerator or on the counter, the Premium Carbon Block Filter assures every glass will be clear, pure, delicious and odor-free.

SCENTS

Custom 100% Pure Essential Oil Blends ($18) : Clarity; Comfort; Fresh; Spark; Quiet.

Clarity; Comfort; Fresh; Spark; Quiet. 100% Pure Essential Oils ($10) : The Pure Company's initial line of single 100% Pure Essential Oils includes allergy-friendly oils, such as: Lavender; Eucalyptus; Lemon; Sweet Orange; Tea Tree ; Peppermint.

In the coming months, The Pure Company will be expanding on its collection of healthy products to include additional home and beauty products designed to fit perfectly into homes.

To purchase The Pure Company products, visit ThePureCompany.com. Follow The Pure Company journey at Facebook.com/ThePureCompany and Instagram.com/ThePureCompanyLife.

About The Pure Company:

Founded in 2017, and led by women who are leading experts in creating healthier home environments, The Pure Company provides simple, trustworthy and beautifully crafted healthy living products delivering on the company's mission to enable fellow home decorators, hands-on parents and pet-lovers with options they can trust to purify the elements in their home  from air to water and everything in between. As a part of the Aerus family of brands, The Pure Company team has more than 100 years of experience in driving technological innovation, providing unmatched service and creating thoughtfully crafted products. Meticulously designed to be both aesthetically pleasing and practically functional, The Pure Company's quickly growing lineup of goods, ranging from air purifiers to water filters, are crafted with care to be affordable, beautiful, and simple to use. The Pure Company products are available across the U.S. through ThePureCompany.com. The privately held company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Media Contact:

Claire Walsh

[email protected]

The Pure Company Contact:

Jennifer Frye

[email protected]

SOURCE The Pure Company

Related Links

http://www.thepurecompany.com

"This week, we honor exceptional minority business enterprises (MBEs), their leaders, and the important role in maintaining a strong and healthy American economy," said MBDA National Director Henry Childs, II. "I am honored to recognize the 2018 National MED Week award winners who excel in business and entrepreneurship. Their stories and successes are an inspiration for all Americans."

The National Minority Business Award is the highest level of national recognition that a U.S. minority-owned firm can receive from the Department of Commerce. These prestigious awards, presented during National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week October 14 - 20, celebrate the outstanding achievements of minority entrepreneurs, as well as the individuals and organizations that have demonstrated their commitment to advancing minority business enterprises.

The 2018 National Minority Business Award recipients include:

The Abe Venable Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement celebrates high standards of excellence, dedication and accomplishment over a sustained period of time. This year's award recipient is Dr. Leonard Greenhalgh , Faculty Director and Professor at Dartmouth College . As Director of the Tuck School of Business minority business initiative, Dr. Greenhalgh has grown it into the largest minority business program of its kind in the world. For more than three decades, the program has maximized the potential of minority-owned businesses with more than 5,000 graduates from all 50 states.

celebrates high standards of excellence, dedication and accomplishment over a sustained period of time. This year's award recipient is , Faculty Director and Professor at . As Director of the Tuck School of Business minority business initiative, Dr. Greenhalgh has grown it into the largest minority business program of its kind in the world. For more than three decades, the program has maximized the potential of minority-owned businesses with more than 5,000 graduates from all 50 states. The Ronald H. Brown Leadership Award, inspired by the late U.S. Secretary of Commerce, recognizes an individual who has shown exceptional leadership and achieved significant success in supporting diversity in the public or private sector. This year's award recipient is Margo K. Cargill , founder and CEO of Titanium Linx Consulting Inc., and president of the Uniondale New York Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Cargill is best described as a partnership architect with the proven ability of bringing together stakeholders with varied interests and developing strategies for them to work together for the common good. Coining the phrase "A Global Community for a Global Economy" to describe Uniondale , her leadership helped reunite a divided community to become one of the most influential organizations in Nassau County .

CHAMPIONS OF MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

The Access to Capital Award is presented to MBE Capital Partners, LLC, the largest independent finance provider for small- to middle-market minority- and women-owned business enterprises in the U.S., Caribbean and Mexico . With more than 30 years of industry experience, MBECP focuses on producing capital solutions that allow MBEs to grow by managing cash flow effectively; reporting 31 percent as the average growth of their MBE clients. In 2017, MBECP financed $970 million in accounts receivable.

is presented to the largest independent finance provider for small- to middle-market minority- and women-owned business enterprises in the U.S., and . With more than 30 years of industry experience, MBECP focuses on producing capital solutions that allow MBEs to grow by managing cash flow effectively; reporting 31 percent as the average growth of their MBE clients. In 2017, MBECP financed in accounts receivable. The Advocate of the Year Award is presented to Natalie Cofield , founder of Walker's Legacy, a global platform for the professional and entrepreneurial multicultural woman. Today, Walker's Legacy equips multicultural women-led micro-enterprises through entrepreneurship training and business development programming and works to improve the livelihood and economic equality of low-income women and girls.

is presented to , founder of Walker's Legacy, a global platform for the professional and entrepreneurial multicultural woman. Today, Walker's Legacy equips multicultural women-led micro-enterprises through entrepreneurship training and business development programming and works to improve the livelihood and economic equality of low-income women and girls. The Distinguished Supplier Diversity Award is presented to The Coca-Cola Company. The Coca-Cola Company is committed to ensuring that minority-owned businesses have access to opportunities throughout all of the tiers of the supply chain in every industry imaginable. In 2017, the company spent $675 million with diverse suppliers.

MINORITY-OWNED FIRMS

Minority Construction Firm of the Year is presented to DAP Construction Management, LLC. Established in 2009, DAP got its start as a residential property renovation and swimming pool service company. Today, DAP is a fast-growing general contractor and construction management firm licensed in Arizona , Arkansas and Texas with an emphasis on government and commercial contracts.

is presented to Established in 2009, DAP got its start as a residential property renovation and swimming pool service company. Today, DAP is a fast-growing general contractor and construction management firm licensed in , and with an emphasis on government and commercial contracts. Minority Export Firm of the Year is McWong Environmental Technology. Since its inception, McWong Environmental Technology has been a U.S. export champion, completing numerous projects in China and the United States , while investing more than $600 million in global and local communities on labor, goods and services.

Year is Since its inception, McWong Environmental Technology has been a U.S. export champion, completing numerous projects in and , while investing more than in global and local communities on labor, goods and services. Minority Health Products and Services Firm of the Year is presented Anpac Bio-Medical Science Company. Co-founded in 2010 by Chinese-American Scientists Dr. Chris Yu and Dr. Herbert Yu , Anpac Bio is the only liquid biopsy services company fully-commercialized and earning revenue worldwide. Today, the company has more than 150 employees, maintains nine operation sites worldwide and is conservatively valued at approximately $200 million .

is presented Co-founded in 2010 by Chinese-American Scientists Dr. and Dr. , Anpac Bio is the only liquid biopsy services company fully-commercialized and earning revenue worldwide. Today, the company has more than 150 employees, maintains nine operation sites worldwide and is conservatively valued at approximately . Minority Manufacturing Firm of the Year is presented to Champion Controls, Inc. Since its inception, Champion has experienced substantial growth, averaging 40% in the first 10 years and a steady growth rate of 5% for the last three years. Champion has customers throughout Florida , Louisiana , the Caribbean , the northeast United States and Canada . In 2017, Champion reported nearly $12 million in revenue.

is presented to Since its inception, Champion has experienced substantial growth, averaging 40% in the first 10 years and a steady growth rate of 5% for the last three years. Champion has customers throughout , , the , the northeast and . In 2017, Champion reported nearly in revenue. Minority Marketing and Communication Firm of the Year is presented to Sensis, a crosscultural marketing agency driving behavior change. Started in Los Angeles in 1998 as a website development company with one employee. Today Sensis has 60 employees in four offices located in Los Angeles , Atlanta , Washington and Austin , while reporting revenues of more than $24 million .

is presented to a crosscultural marketing agency driving behavior change. Started in in 1998 as a website development company with one employee. Today Sensis has 60 employees in four offices located in , , and , while reporting revenues of more than . Minority Professional Services Firm of the Year is presented to Resource Management, Inc. Established in 1995 as a family-owned human resource, benefits and insurance solutions provider. Today, RMI is one of the largest Hispanic-owned HR businesses in the country, last year reporting revenue of $174.5 million .

is presented to Established in 1995 as a family-owned human resource, benefits and insurance solutions provider. Today, RMI is one of the largest Hispanic-owned HR businesses in the country, last year reporting revenue of . Minority Veteran-owned Firm of the Year is presented to IMR Development Corp. Established in 2009, IMR is a service-disabled veteran-owned company that was formed to serve a niche market for smaller businesses in the construction management and infrastructure sectors. Since opening its doors, IMR's income has increased from $500,000 , to a consistent $3 million in the past several years.

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week

MBDA, www.mbda.gov, is the only Federal agency dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of U.S. minority-owned businesses through the mobilization and advancement of public and private sector programs, policy, and research. Our services provide greater access to capital, contracts, and markets and better equip minority-owned firms to create jobs, build scale and capacity, increase revenues and expand regionally, nationally and internationally.

Since 1983, every U.S. president has issued a Presidential Proclamation designating National MED Week to recognize the contributions of the minority business community to the U.S. economy. MBDA has hosted the National MED Week celebration since its inception. This year, the National Minority Business Awards Ceremony is supported by corporate partners: Facebook, IBM, and Raytheon.

Contact: Velicia D. Woods

Phone: (202) 482-0491

Fax: (202) 482-5117

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.mbda.gov

SOURCE Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

Related Links

http://www.mbda.gov

NEW YORK, October 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Tyto Care, an innovative telehealth company enabling on demand telehealth visits and comprehensive medical examinations, today announced it received CE Mark approval and that its end-to-end telehealth solution is now available for European consumers and professionals.

CE Mark approval paves the way for the immediate European roll out of Tyto Care's comprehensive solution, which includes an otoscope, stethoscope, digital camera, and telehealth platform. The roll out will take place via partnerships with leading telehealth companies, health systems, and insurance providers.

Following its FDA clearance and product launch in the United States in 2017, Tyto Care has gained significant traction with major US health systems, telehealth companies, large private practices, and employers. Tyto includes a hand-held modular examination tool to remotely examine the heart, lungs, skin, ears, throat, and abdomen. Exam data can be shared with a clinician in real time as a live video telehealth visit or in advance of a telehealth session ('exam and forward') for a remote diagnosis. The platform includes proprietary self-guidance technology that enables anyone to easily and accurately capture exam data remotely.

"Receiving CE Mark approval is an important milestone for Tyto Care, and a major step in our continued strategic expansion into Europe and other new markets," said Dedi Gilad, CEO and co-founder of Tyto Care. "European doctors are struggling to keep up with the increasing medical demand of an ageing population and the rise of chronic illnesses. Tyto is uniquely positioned to ease this burden by replicating the quality of in-person doctors' visits without any barriers to access such as transportation and wait time. We look forward to working with European partners to provide this critical missing link and transform the delivery of traditional primary care."

A recent funding round led by Ping An Global Voyager Fund has helped propel Tyto Care's entrance into both the European and Asian markets as part of the company's commitment to delivering the best telehealth experience to consumers globally. As the company continues to grow, Tyto Care will focus on key market verticals including health systems, providers, and payers.

Tyto Care will be exhibiting at MEDICA 2018 in Dusseldorf November 12 - 15 in Hall 16, Booth 16G40. To see when Tyto will be speaking at MEDICA, click here.

About Tyto Care

Tyto Care is transforming primary care by putting health in the hands of consumers. The company seamlessly connects people to clinicians to provide the best virtual home examination and diagnosis solutions.

Tyto Care's solutions are designed to enable a comprehensive medical exam from any location and include a hand-held modular tool for examining the heart, lungs, skin, throat, ears and body temperature; a complete telehealth platform for sharing exam data, conducting video exams and scheduling visits; a cloud-based data repository with analytics; and built-in guidance technology and machine learning algorithms to ensure accuracy and ease of use. The Tyto platform also allows for simple integration with EHR electronic health records systems and other telehealth platforms. To watch a demo video, click here.

For more information please visit http://www.tytocare.com.

Media Contact

Allison Grey

Headline Media

[email protected]

+1-323-283-8176



SOURCE Tyto CareBIRMINGHAM, Ala., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC) will host its third quarter earnings conference call on Tuesday, October 30 at 10:00 a.m. CT (11:00 a.m. ET). Financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 will be released before the NYSE market opens.

The Company invites investors and other interested parties to listen to the live webcast of the conference call at www.vulcanmaterials.com. To participate by phone, call 323-794-2423 approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled start. For international calls, the number is 888-208-1711. The confirmation code is 3967537.

A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours after the call at the Company's website.

Vulcan Materials Company, a member of the S&P 500 index with headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, is the nation's largest producer of construction aggregates  primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel  and a major producer of aggregates-based construction materials, including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete. For additional information about Vulcan, go to www.vulcanmaterials.com.

SOURCE Vulcan Materials Company

Related Links

http://www.vulcanmaterials.com

HOUSTON, Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing to bring industry leaders face-to-face with the latest oil and gas production strategies, Hart Energy announced half-day technical programs commencing one day before next month's Executive Oil Conference and DUG Midcontinent conference and exhibition.

Executive Oil Conference's Water Forum, November 5 at the Midland Horseshoe Arena and Pavilion, will feature strategies for handling water over the full life of Permian wells. Water experts and leading producers will discuss sourcing and supply; reuse and recycle; and gathering and disposal.

University Lands' CEO Mark Houser will start the forum with his presentation on smart water infrastructure benefitting West Texas' operators, the environment and the Permanent University Fund. Following the opening keynote, Sourcewater's CEO Josh Adler and Hydrozonix's President Mark Patton will lead a panel discussion on new sourcing and supply strategies. They will focus on managing water quality, working with different water types, and the role of digital technologies in monitoring.

"Water management accounts for roughly 40% of lease operating expenses in the Permian," said Jennifer Presley, Executive Editor E&P Magazine. "This forum explores tactics for producers to use technology to control costs in these areas."

DUG Midcontinent's Midstream Technical Forum, November 13 in Oklahoma City's Renaissance Hotel, will bring together midstream experts, leading operators and service companies to look at effective strategies and new developments in the midstream sector.

An opening keynote from the president and CEO of the GPA Midstream Association focuses on technical skills and training challenges while the closing roundtable looks at human factors in operational safety. In between, a major midstream operator assesses monetary advantages from the Internet of Things (IoT), and expert panels review profitable opportunities in gas processing and effective strategies for asset protection.

"Innovations promise to deliver improved efficiency in midstream operations," said Paul Hart, Midstream Editor-at-Large, Oil and Gas Investor. "This forum is designed for producers and midstream operators to exchange views on the best paths forward."

For more information about the Water Forum, visit ExecutiveOilConference.com. For more information about the Midstream Technical Forum visit DUGMidcontinent.com.

About Hart Energy

For more than 40 years, Hart Energy editors and experts have delivered market-leading insights to investors and energy industry professionals. The Houston-based company produces award-winning magazines (such as Oil and Gas Investor, E&P and Midstream Business); online news and data services; in-depth industry conferences (like the DUG series); GIS data sets and mapping solutions; and a range of research and consulting services. For information, visit hartenergy.com.

Contact: Kate Clark

713.260.4657

SOURCE Hart Energy

Related Links

http://www.hartenergy.com

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In September 2018, Watoto, an NGO in Uganda, East Africa, brings you the Watoto Children's Choir performing their brand new album, "We Will Go". The 6-month tour, launching in the USA on the East Coast, presents the story of abandoned African children and vulnerable women, who've been empowered to rise above their circumstances, and answer the call to be part of the new Africa - ready to make a difference in the world.

Watoto Children's Choirs have traveled extensively since 1994, sharing a message of hope for Africa's most vulnerable children and women. On almost every day of the year, the choir is performing somewhere in the world. Hundreds of thousands of people get to meet some of Africa's future leaders. People see their smiles and are embraced by their hugs. The children have the distinct privilege of telling people, "It's possible to have joy, to laugh and to have hope, no matter what you're going through." Like Africa, the production is vibrant and colorful, taking you on an emotional journey from utter despair to joyous celebration, as the children and women share their personal stories of triumph in story and song.

Other than coming to Africa yourself, what better way to learn about all the good things happening in Uganda than through this stirring, musical experience. Proceeds made from the album will help Watoto provide vulnerable children and women with homes, education, medical care, and most of all the love of a family.

EDITOR'S NOTES Watoto is a family made up of people from all over the world who are working together to ensure that the forgotten have a place to belong. In a time of civil war, we planted a local church in Kampala, Uganda to speak hope and life to the nation. Since then, we've placed thousands of orphans in families, empowered thousands of vulnerable women to reach their communities, rescued babies and former child soldiers, and sent children's choirs across six continents. As we work alongside the most vulnerable in our society, our aim is to rescue individuals and raise each one as a leader in his or her sphere of life so that, in turn, they will rebuild the nation. In over 35 years, the challenges facing Africa have changed, but our vision remains the same. And, in all of this, Watoto is committed to celebrating Christ and caring for community.

Links:

https://vimeo.com/watoto/wewillgo

https://www.watoto.com/home

CONTACT: Kelsie Nussel, Office: 813-948-4343, Mobile: 813-597-6240, [email protected]

SOURCE Watoto Children's Choir

Related Links

https://www.watoto.com

HOUSTON, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wells International Foundation (WIF) is pleased to announce the success of its Future Innovators Career Exploration Table, the organization's first dedicated STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education initiative.

Miles' future job - Astronaut! Making foil boats

WIF partnered with the Children's Museum of Houston to bring Future Innovators to scores of museum visitors on Saturday, September 29. WIF volunteer Kaylan Young conceived the event to give elementary and middle school children an opportunity to assess their academic abilities in association with their creative interests. It was financially supported by a grant from Dow Chemical Texas Dollars for Doers.

Young selected simple, yet challenging activities that children and parents could experience together. At the "egg drop" station, kids were tasked with creating a cushion from flour, cornflakes, and cotton balls that would prevent an egg from cracking when dropped. The "foil float" station required them to construct a foil boat and see how many pennies the boat would hold before capsizing. At the "edible structures" station, children enjoyed assembling houses, pyramids, and other edifices from toothpicks and marshmallows, gumdrops, Sour Patch Kids, and Gummi Bears.

At the painting station, children had the opportunity to express their creativity artistically. They read a document that described numerous STEAM careers and then painted or drew their ideas about the professions to which they were exposed or their conception of a profession they already had in mind for themselves.

At the end of their visit, they had the opportunity to be photographed with their artwork or the edible structure that they created.

In conjunction with Future Innovators activities, the museum arranged to prominently display several books with STEAM themes in its Parent Resource Library.

Several teachHouston volunteer students from the University of Houston participated in the event. They manned the activity stations, encouraged the children's thoughtful consideration of the tasks at hand, and congratulated them on their efforts. teachHouston is open to undergraduate mathematics and science majors interested in secondary STEM teaching or who want to expand their professional skills.

Dr. Monique Y. Wells, WIF's founder and CEO, had the following to say about the event:

I am happy and grateful that our Dow Chemical Dollars for Doers grant funded the "maiden voyage" of the Future Innovators Career Exploration Table and that the event went so well. teachHouston's participation was an invaluable part of our success. The Children's Museum of Houston is an excellent partner and we look forward to organizing many future events there.

Access the online photo gallery for Future Innovators here: http://www.wellsinternationalfoundation.org/future-innovators-photos/

About the Wells International Foundation

The Wells International Foundation (WIF) is a U. S. non-profit organization whose mission is to empower women and persons of African descent to realize their highest potential through arts, literacy, study abroad, and other educational and cultural programs. We are building a network of global citizens who embrace inclusiveness and foster a spirit of cooperation throughout the world.

Contact:

Deborah Harlow

(415) 305-2747

E-mail: [email protected]

http://wellsinternationalfoundation.org

SOURCE Wells International Foundation

Related Links

http://wellsinternationalfoundation.org

Washington, Oct 16 : President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that "rogue killers" could be behind the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who disappeared on October 2 after entering his country's consulate in Istanbul.

Trump told reporters on Monday that he had spoken by telephone with Saudi King Salman for 20 minutes and the monarch denied having any information about Khashoggi's whereabouts or what happened to him.

"The king firmly denied any knowledge of it," Trump said as he left the White House en route to Florida and Georgia to view damage from Hurricane Michael, Efe reported.

"I don't want to get into (Salman's) mind ... (but) it sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. I mean, who knows? We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial."

Khashoggi had been working as a journalist for The Washington Post and, according to his relatives and friends, he was presumably murdered inside the consulate.

King Salman told Trump that Riyadh is working with Turkish authorities to get to the bottom of what happened to the journalist - a longtime critic of the Saudi government who distanced himself from the monarchy when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ascended to a position of power within the oil-rich country - according to what the US leader said.

"All I can do is report what he told me," Trump told reporters, adding that Salman's "denial to me could not have been stronger," and he confirmed that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel on Monday to Riyadh to meet with the king and discuss the journalist's disappearance Trump spoke last week with top Saudi officials and Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials telephoned Prince Mohammed.

On Oct. 2, Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to pick up documents he needed to marry his Turkish fiancee, who waited for him outside the building.

Since then, however, there has been no news as to Khashoggi's whereabouts and friends of the journalist say that he was surely murdered and that his body was dismembered, packed into suitcases and removed from the consulate, but the Turkish government has not officially commented on those accusations and Riyadh has denied them.

The Washington Post reported that the Turkish government told US authorities that it has video and audio recordings proving that the journalist was murdered in the consulate.Los Angeles, Oct 16 : Actor Kit Harington says he hasn't even told his wife and actress Rose Leslie how "Game of Thrones" ends.

He is set to play Jon Snow for a final time in the forthcoming and final season eight of the fantasy series.

In an interview at Esquire Townhouse, Harington spoke about the show, reports dailymail.co.uk.

The actor said he hasn't lifted the lid on details about the show as he likes "walking around knowing no one knows".

"I chose not to tell (Rose)... for this I was like I'm not telling anyone. I don't think she's guessed it right yet," he added.

Leslie played Ygritte -- the love interest of Harington's character Jon Snow -- from 2012 till 2014.

While many loyal fans have expressed their sadness about the show ending next year, the actor insisted it "ended at the right time".

"I have no desire to go back and do any more of that show... I have such a fond place I my heart for that show. For a good month afterwards I just burst into tears randomly. I can't think of a better job to have in your 20s then to play Jon Snow," he added.

The final season is set to open in 2019. It airs in India on Star World.United Nations, Oct 16 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for action to protect the rights of rural women and girls on the occasion of the International Day of Rural Women.

The empowerment of rural women and girls is essential to building a prosperous, equitable and peaceful future for all on a healthy planet, said Guterres in a message. "Yet rural women and girls remain disproportionately affected by poverty, inequality, exclusion and the effects of climate change," Xinhua reported.

The UN chief called on countries to take action to ensure that rural women and girls fully enjoy their human rights, including the right to a life free of all forms of violence, discrimination and harmful practices, and to quality, affordable and accessible education throughout their lives.

The secretary-general underscored that investing in the well-being, livelihoods and resilience of rural women and girls is needed. "Achieving this requires investment, legal and policy reforms and the inclusion of rural women in the decisions that affect their lives."

The first International Day of Rural Women was observed on October 15, 2008. The day, established by the UN General Assembly on December 18, 2007, recognizes the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.Washington, Oct 16 : US President Donald Trump undertook an aerial survey of areas in Florida devastated by hurricane Michael and said that the priority of the his government was to provide food, electricity and safety to the victims.

Accompanied by his wife Melania, Trump on Monday arrived at Eglin Air Force Base in northwest Florida, some 130 km east of Panama City, one of the areas most heavily affected by Michael's high winds and storm surge, reports Efe news.

At least 19 peoplewere killed as a result of Michael's passage across Florida and other southeastern states last week.

Trump declared the Florida and Georgia counties affected by Michael to be disaster areas, thus freeing up federal funds to repair the damage and take care of local residents.

In Florida, the President boarded a helicopter to aerially survey Panama City and the nearby town of Mexico Beach, where the storm made landfall on October 10 with 250 km/h winds that destroyed practically the entire community, along with Lynn Haven, continuing his tour in the neighbouring state of Georgia.

Thousands of trees have been uprooted in the area, along with many homes ripped from their foundations or with their roofs blown off and now covered with blue tarpaulins.

There is trash and debris everywhere and long lines of moving trucks to be seen along the roadways, according to reporters who accompanied the president on his aerial tour.

Trump also flew over the nearby Tyndall air base, also damaged by Michael, which brought a storm surge to the Gulf Coast of up to 14 feet.

The President seemed surprised that some homes had been completely obliterated, saying: "You know, many of these people have no trace of a home. You wouldn't even know it. It just got blown right off the footing."

Trump was welcomed at the scene by Florida Governor Rick Scott, whom he praised for doing an "incredible job", and he toured the zone with Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and her father, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.

The presidential party was also welcomed by Federal Emergency Management Agency director Brock Long and Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, among other civilian and military authorities.

The President praised Scott and emergency personnel for responding quickly to the storm. The governor had declared a state of emergency last week in 35 Florida counties and deployed at least 4,000 members of the state National Guard to help with rescue tasks, along with food and water distribution.

According to the Poweroutage.us Web site, some 250,000 families and businesses remain without electricity in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia.New York, Oct 16 : A federal judge has dismissed pornstar Stormy Daniels' defamation lawsuit against US President Donald Trump.

Daniels sued Trump after he said in a tweet in April that her story of a man threatening her not to come forward with her story of her alleged affair with Trump was "a total con job", CNN reported.

She argued Trump's tweet, posted April 18, "attacks the veracity of her account" of the incident and that Trump's statement was "false and defamatory, and that the tweet was defamation ... because it charged her with committing a serious crime", District Judge S. James Otero wrote in his opinion on Monday.

Trump had asked Otero to dismiss the lawsuit.

"The Court agrees with Trump's argument because the tweet in question constitutes 'rhetorical hyperbole' normally associated with politics and public discourse in the US. The First Amendment protects this type of rhetorical statement," Otero wrote.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has alleged that she Trump had an affair in 2006, after he married First Lady Melania Trump and she gave birth to their son, Barron.

Trump has denied the allegation.

Daniels is also suing Trump and his former personal attorney Michael Cohen over the $130,000 payment made to her to keep silent about the alleged affair in the weeks leading up to the 2016 election.

The ruling on Monday plays no role in that case, which continues to work its way through the court system.

Trump's attorney Charles J. Harder said in a statement to CNN: "No amount of spin or commentary by Stormy Daniels or her lawyer, (Michael) Avenatti, can truthfully characterise today's ruling in any way other than total victory for President Trump and total defeat for Stormy Daniels."

Avenatti, responded to the ruling on Twitter and said: "Daniels' other claims against Trump and Cohen proceed unaffected. Trump's contrary claims are as deceptive as his claims about the inauguration attendance."San Francisco, Oct 16 : US internet giant Google Inc. has said its Cloud CEO Diane Greene will not attend an upcoming international business conference to be held in Saudi Arabia.

The high-profile Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit, dubbed as "Davos in the Desert" is scheduled for October 23-25 in Riyadh, Xinhua news agency reported.

Greene is among the latest list of big-name executives in Silicon Valley that have announced staying away from the FII after Jamal Khashoggi, a columnist for Washington Post, reportedly disappeared from a Saudi consulate in Turkey on October 2.

Over the past week, many corporate leaders and executives have announced their decision to shun the Saudi tech summit.

Among them were Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, former AOL CEO and venture capitalist Steve Case, J.P. Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, Ford Chairman Bill Ford, and Google Android creator Andy Rubin. They have cancelled their plans for attending the event in Saudi Arabia last week.

"We can confirm Diane Greene will not be attending the FII Summit," a Google spokesperson said in a statement, without specifying whether the decision was linked to the Khashoggi incident.

Turkey media said Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi government, vanished soon after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and was said to have been killed there.

The Saudi government has denied any role in the alleged killing of the Washington Post columnist.

The business summit is being hosted by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which has invested in some Silicon Valley tech firms such as Uber and other startups.New Delhi, Oct 16 : Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh's son Manvendra Singh, who quit the Bharatiya Janata Party in September, is likely to join the Congress on Wednesday, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sachin Pilot said on Tuesday.

Manvendra Singh had exited BJP on September 22.

He will join Congress on the auspicious day of Maha Durgaashtami on October 17 in New Delhi at 10 a.m., Pilot told IANS.

Speculation regarding his joining the Congress party was doing the rounds soon after he quit the ruling party during a mammoth Swabhiman Rally organised at Pachpadra in Rajasthan's Barmer.

However, he did not open his cards during or after the rally.

Singh is a sitting legislator from Sheo and should join the Congress along with his wife. A few other BJP members might also join the Congress, informed sources said.

Singh's relationship with the BJP turned sour in 2014 when the party refused to give a ticket to his father and former Defence Minister Jaswant Singh.

The latter contested the elections as an independent candidate but lost to the BJP candidate Sonaram Chaudhary.

Other BJP leaders who left the saffron party over allegations of being neglected were seniors like Ghanshayam Tiwari and Usha Punia among others.

Earlier, when Manvendra Singh announced his departure, Pilot had said that BJP needs to do an introspection as to why so many senior leaders were the saffron fold.Panaji, Oct 16 : In a fresh twist to the ongoing saga of political instability in Goa, two Congress MLAs who left the coastal state for Delhi late on Monday, may have been "taken" by the BJP, Congress leader A. Chellakumar said here on Tuesday.

The two legislators -- Subhash Shirodkar, a former minister and Dayanand Sopte -- were expected to meet Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah in the national capital on Tuesday.

Congress Committee Secretary in-charge for Goa Chellakumar also said the two were intimidated by Shah and poached by Health Minister in the BJP-led coalition government Vishwajit Rane, who is angling for the Chief Minister's post, in case sitting Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar steps down owing to his health condition.

"I got a message that Vishwajit Rane was the man who has convinced and taken them to Delhi and he has bargained with the BJP high command, that if he got the two Congress MLAs he should be made the Chief Minister.

"On that note, money power and official machinery, they have taken these two MLAs," Chellakumar told reporters.

The Congress official also alleged that the Congress MLAs were a victim of "fear psychosis" due to constant threats from the BJP.

Rane said that Chellakumar's statements reeked of "frustration" as the Congress was bleeding MLAs. Rane, himself a former Congressman had joined the BJP in 2017.

The latest spell of political instability in Goan politics has been triggered by an ailing Parrikar, with coalition allies beginning to clamour for meaty portfolios and the BJP readying alternatives to the former Defence Minister, who is suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer.

Resignations of Congress's Sopte and Shirodkar from MLA-posts, was expected to blunt Congress' efforts to cobble together numbers for the formation of a coalition government.

The resignations were also expected to do away with the Congress' strategic advantage as the single largest party in the 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly, bringing its legislative strength on par with the BJP at 14 MLAs.

The incumbent BJP-led coalition government has 14 BJP MLAs, supported by three MLAs each from the Goa Forward, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, three Independent MLAs and Nationalist Congress Party MLA Churchill Alemao.Marrakesh, Oct 16 : "House of Cards" fame star Robin Wright will be felicitated with the Gold Star career award at the 17th Marrakech Film Festival to be held from November 30 to December 8.

The award will recognize Wright's film and television work, including "The Princess Bride" and "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo", as well as her efforts for charitable organizations, reports hollywoodreporter.com.

"I'm thrilled to be visiting the country of Morocco and grateful to be given this opportunity to experience the Moroccan culture," said the 52-year-old actress.

Known for playing the strong woman character of Claire Underwood, Wright will turn into President for the "House of Cards" finale season, which premiers on November 6.

Apart from her, "Faces, Places" director Agnes Varda will also receive the Gold Star career award.Amritsar, Oct 16 : Celebrated chefs grew out of the concept of traditional "bawarchis" and became front-of-the-house stars when India's hospitality industry was conjured up in the 1980s, says Chef Rakesh Sethi, one of the earliest television chefs and current corporate executive chef of 96 hotels under the Radisson Hotel Group.

Sethi, who began his culinary career in 1982 as a Hotel Corp of India unit chef, detailed the growth of the industry, supplemented by culinary art institutes that mushroomed in the decade.

"I passed out from a catering college in 1982. The hotel industry was growing at that time because of Asian Games in India (that year), and a lot of new hotels came up. There were a lot of opportunities and demand," the ace cuisiner told IANS.

It was a trend, and people wanted their children to pursue hotel management because of the glamour associated with it, he added.

"There were many institutes that opened within the next 6-8 years to support the growing industry but soon fizzled out," he said.

The Food Food TV channel food editor linked it back to a trend in the hospitality industry when the "General Manager and the chef of the hotel were non-Indian or expats".

"So, when the chefs came to India, they came in with their own food and culture and learnt the Indian cuisine here.

"This also gave rise to a new fusion cuisine, combining western and eastern ingredients. It's still continuing in the name of modern Indian food."

Sethi, who believes that Indians are very well-connected to food, hosted the cookery show "Mirch Masala" -- a contemporary of celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor's "Khana Khazana" -- on Star Plus in the 2000s, which had a running length of over 160 episodes.

He explained that the celebrity status that chefs got with television exposure made them household names and boosted the concept of being a chef.

Explaining about the difference between a khansama and a chef, the Delhi-based chef also said that it was just the name which had changed and the science of cooking was still the same.

While khansamas were expert cooks in the royal tradition, the chefs are in-charge of a kitchen who don't just cook but also manage it.

"The halwais and khansamas were very prominent in their domains, but today chefs are famous as well. Bringing the chefs forward gives more confidence and comfort to the guest," Sethi said.

"Chefs have now become the face of the restaurant. People go and eat because of the name of the chef. They're no more back-of-the-house worker but front of the house name and face of the hotel," added the star chef who has worked for Ramada Plaza, New Delhi, TajSats Ai, Inter-Continental The Grand, New Delhi and East India Hotels, New Delhi, among others.

The slow-food philosopher also harbours a deep desire to bring forth authentic, simple food cooked by home chefs.

"The royal food from palaces was eventually picked up by the hotels and the chefs, to showcase the lavishness and richness of the food in their restaurants.

"But that's not the real food that you and me see. I'm from Punjab, and my mother doesn't put any cream in dal makhni. Why should I spoil my own cuisine just to sell it in the hotels?"

Does he see any upcoming trends in the culinary world?

"The cuisine has gone from traditional, to fusion to molecular, but now people have started eating out. Especially with the coming in of UberEats, Swiggy and Zomato.

"Eating in-house is becoming a trend," Sethi said.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a three-day World Heritage Cuisine Summit and Food Festival, that concluded on Sunday.

(Siddhi Jain went to Amritsar at the invitation of the organisers of the World Heritage Cuisine Summit and Food Festival. She can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in)Los Angeles, Oct 16 : Actress Nicole Kidman says marrying actor Tom Cruise protected from being sexually harassed in Hollywood.

She was just 22 when she wed Cruise.

In an interview with New York magazine, Kidman, 51, has reflected back on that time, saying she now realises that her then-husband's superstar status protected her from the dark side of Hollywood, reports dailymail.co.uk.

The Oscar-winner says that being coupled with the actor gave her a special kind of "protection", discouraging men from sexually harassing her.

"I got married very young, but it definitely wasn't power for me -- it was protection," Kidman explained.

"I married for love, but being married to an extremely powerful man kept me from being sexually harassed. I would work, but I was still very much cocooned."

After the couple split, attitudes towards Kidman changed, she said.

"When I came out of it at 32, 33, it's almost like I had to grow up."

Kidman rarely talks about her relationship with Cruise, something she said was a deliberate choice made with her current husband Keith Urban in mind.

"I'm married now to the man who is my great love, and it almost feels disrespectful," she said.

Kidman adopted two children with Cruise and had two more with second husband Urban.Los Angeles, Oct 16 : Fashion designer Stella McCartney got actor Idris Elba to create a moving video to raise awareness about breast cancer.

They both lost a parent to the disease.

On Monday, the British designer launched a video called "All Is Love" starring Elba as part of her campaign, reports hollywoodreporter.com.

The actor narrates the solemn and poetic video about breast cancer, with images of female cancer survivors and their bodies as he says, "Praise to the power that cancer could not take".

Along with the video, McCartney announced the creation of Stella McCartney Cares, a UK charity that will support awareness of the cause. Her mother, Linda Louise McCartney, died of breast cancer in 1998.

As part of the project, she will donate 1,000 post-operative mastectomy compression bras, called the "Louise Listening" style, named after her mother.

The cause is also personal to Elba, who revealed he lost his father to cancer five years ago.

"Removing the taboo around men talking about breast cancer and encouraging other men to talk about with their wives, mothers, sisters is something you don't often see or hear about, but it should be," he said.

The actor also encouraged men to help women in their lives to get checkups.

Elba is known for projects like "One Love", "Daddy's Little Girls", "The Unborn", "Thor", "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance", "Avengers: Age of Ultron", "The Jungle Book", "Finding Dory" and "Thor: Ragnarok" -- which will air in India on Star Movies on October 28.New Delhi : Bengaluru, Oct 16 (IndiaSpend/IANS) As the effects of climate change on livelihoods become more pronounced, especially for people involved in agriculture and fishing in South and South-East Asia, support for rebel groups and the Naxalite movement is likely to shoot up, according to a new report.

There is evidence that climate change will worsen socio-economic and political disparity in the region as those in power will get to decide who gets the limited resources and how much, the report, co-authored by researchers Pernilla Nordqvist and Florian Krampe while working for the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), has said.

"The climate-conflict linkage primarily plays out in contexts that are already vulnerable to climate change and violence, and where income is highly dependent on agriculture and fishing," Nordqvist told IndiaSpend in an email.

Human activities have already caused warming of 1 degree Celsius as compared to pre-industrial times, according to the latest report of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). By 2030, or latest by mid-century, global warming is likely to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Close to 2.5 billion people live in South and South-East Asia, where poverty rates have been declining substantially, thanks to years of strong economic growth in countries such as India. However, the region is also prone to the fallouts of climate change, with glaciers in the Himalayas melting and several island-countries facing rising sea levels. Floods, cyclones, heat waves and droughts are now a frequent occurrence and are expected to intensify in the coming years.

"The region is highly vulnerable to the impact of climate change and also has a recent history of political violence," Krampe told IndiaSpend.

Nordqvist and Krame examined 2,000 peer-reviewed studies on the relationship between climate change and conflict and narrowed down on 21 of the most authoritative works for their report, which was published in September 2018.

Their findings from India show that rebel groups and government forces both find recruitment easier when drought is around the corner.

The IPCC report also adds that climate-related risks to livelihoods, food security, health, water supply and human security are projected to increase as the planet warms by 1.5 degrees. With a 2-degree rise, the risks will intensify.

In some areas affected by the Naxalite conflict, the worsening of livelihood conditions has been related to the increased intensity of ongoing civil conflicts. During a drought, or a potential drought, there is an increased risk that rebels and government actors recruit or cooperate with civilians in exchange for livelihood and provision of food.

Naxalites could use climate-related events to gain power in an ongoing conflict, and rebel groups more generally could increase their use of violence against civilians to ensure their groups' food security, according to the report.

"They violently remove local farmers from their land to ensure enough cropland and agricultural supplies for their own use. The risk of violence seems especially high in rural areas, where government control is scarce and the local population is dependent on the support or protection of rebels or other armed actors," Nordqvist said.

As climate change pushes up migration, it introduces the possibility of riots in urban areas over resources, the report said. Highlighting the case of riots in Tripura in northeastern India, it said the effects will be most felt in areas where there are already low levels of socio-political stability.

"Many of the climate change problems are trans-national. The Brahmaputra, for example, flows through three countries and is seeing frequent flooding. There is no question that countries will need to cooperate and tensions like the ones between countries India and Pakistan will make this difficult," Krampe said.

There is some research on the relationship between climate change and conflict in countries such as India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, the report said, adding that there is little understanding of how climate change could be driving conflict in places such as Afghanistan and Myanmar.

Elsewhere in South-East Asia, in some coastal areas of Indonesia the reduced income opportunities from fishing have been linked to a rise in piracy-related activities.

But the impact does not end there.

In Pakistan, for instance, the Islamist group Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JUD) was able to increase its stronghold in Sindh province after the group participated in relief activities following extreme floods.

The IPCC report also warns that those living along coasts and populations dependent on agriculture will be the worst hit by climate change, which will push up poverty rates in coastal areas and in developing countries.

However, "Not everyone affected by climate change will join a rebel group but this also relates to the failure of the governments to respond to disasters," Krampe said.

At the same time, not all areas will see conflict in the face of climate change. Some might even see a greater cooperation in the aftermath of a natural disaster. These regional dynamics are evolving, however, and their contours will only become clearer with time.

(In arrangement with IndiaSpend.org, a data-driven, non-profit, public interest journalism platform. Disha Shetty is a Columbia Journalism School-IndiaSpend reporting fellow. The views expressed are those of IndiaSpend. Feedback at respond@indiaspend.org)Chandigarh, Oct 16 : In a major initiative to clean up drains, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has constituted a special task force to free the Budha nallah or drain of polluting effluents in a mission mode.

The task force, with Baba Udai Singh of Naamdhari Sect as its patron, will submit its report to the Chief Minister within two months, according to an official spokesperson.

Baba Udai Singh, who met the Chief Minister on Monday, had accepted the request to act as the patron, the spokesperson told IANS. He has pledged his full support and cooperation in the government's endeavours towards the cause.

The Chief Minister has directed the Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh to constitute the task force, consisting of elected representatives, technocrats and public figures.

The task force has been mandated to study and suggest measures to address issues of treating industrial effluents, solid waste management, besides ways to proactively engage with the public at large in this cause.

The Chief Minister has also asked the Local Government Department to submit a proposal to enhance the capacity of sewage treatment plants from the current 516 million litres per day (MLD) to 675 MLD, besides augmenting the treatment facilities for industrial effluents.

Amarinder Singh directed both the Local Bodies and Industries Departments to expeditiously complete all ongoing works being carried out to flush out toxic substances from the Buddha nallah.

He also asked the Principal Secretary Water Resources Sarvjit Singh to draw up a detailed plan for a lasting remedy for channelling and beautifying the 14km-long drain, which flows through Ludhiana city.

Principal Secretary Water Resources said close to 700 MLD of water was flowing into the drain, of which 80 per cent is coming from municipal sewerage with industries contributing around 15 per cent.Ho Chi Minh City, Oct 16 : US Secretary of Defence James Mattis arrived here on Tuesday where he will meet his Vietnamese counterpart to strengthen security cooperation between the two countries.

Mattis told the media that Vietnam was growing as a partner of the US in defence during his second visit to the country this year after visiting Hanoi in January, reports Efe news.

Experts have said that the trip is part of the US plan to include Vietnam in a defence cooperation network to deal with regional security challenges, including Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea.

Vietnam and China are involved in a dispute along with Brunei, the Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan regarding sovereignty over territory in the South China Sea, one of the main conflicts in southeast Asia.

The secretary will also visit the former US air base Bien Hoa, where the US Agency for International Development has kicked off a project to clean-up Agent Orange, a toxic herbicide used by the US during the Vietnam war.

"This is America keeping her promise to remediate some of the past. But we are also looking toward the future. And the legacy of the war has turned into, actually, a basis for defence cooperation," Mattis said.

Military cooperation between the US and Vietnam has strengthened in recent years with multiple meetings between high-level officials and the historic visit of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, the first to dock at a Vietnamese port since the war, to Da Nang in March.

After his Vietnam visit, Mattis is set to travel to Singapore where the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting is due to begin on Thursday.

He had also planned to visit Beijing but the trip was cancelled.New Delhi, Oct 16 : The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday slammed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not permitting construction work for the fourth phase of the Metro rail project.

"For the past two-and-a-half years, the Kejriwal government has not given its nod for the construction of the fourth phase of Delhi Metro," Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari said.

He said that if permission for construction of the fourth phase of the rail project was not given within a week, then the machines and tools would be returned.

This would delay the project, and escalate costs, he added.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's fourth phase envisages construction of six corridors spanning 104 kilometres.

In the joint venture, DMRC is an equal partner of the central and Delhi governments.Bhopal, Oct 16 : A video of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh has gone viral on the social media in which he says that the Congress loses votes when he gives speeches.

In the video, recorded when he had gone to Congress MLA Jitu Patwari's house, Singh says: "If work is not done then the Congress will not come to power. I am not giving speeches because then the Congress loses votes."

In recent days, Singh has distanced himself from election campaigning.

Madhya Pradesh goes to polls on November 28. The results will be announced on December 11.Mumbai, Oct 16 : Writer Varun Grover, who has been accused of touching a junior inappropriately while studying at Banaras Hindu University in 2001, on Tuesday sought "closure" via an open letter in which he calls the allegation a "baseless fabrication".

Grover had been named in the #MeToo movement last week, and he had categorically denied the claim in an anonymous message which surfaced on social media. Several of his celebrity friends also spoke out in his support.

On Tuesday, Grover once again set out to clear his name in the matter, and urged people "not to believe all the screenshots" which are finding prominence via social media.

"Am I angry? Yes. Is my mental health in shambles? Yes. Do I occasionally feel like a victim of an agenda? Yes. And would I still say 'Believe All Women'? Yes. But please bring in the checks to differentiate it from 'Believe All Screenshots'. Revolutions can be messy but they can't be perceived as unjust," Grover wrote.

While he says he understands and supports the need for anonymity in #MeToo stories as "our highly biased societal systems and male toxic behavior leave most women no space or platform to speak of their traumas openly or even in private", he said "fact-based counter-claims are made by the accused, the movement as a collective can perhaps make space for the intent to verify them".

"If the allegations are found untrue, the movement can announce them to be considered removed or at the very least the account can be labelled as 'pending verification', till the contested claims are checked."

As for allegations against himself, in the Twitter post titled "Seeking closure", he narrated: "I joined IT-BHU in July 1999 for a 4-year under-grad course in Civil Engineering. New batches arrive in July every year. So a junior to me in 2001 would mean two batches- 2000-2004 and 2001-2005.

"As per official records, in the batch of 2000-2004, a total of 25 females joined the under-grad course and in the batch of 2001-2005, the total female strength was 11. That makes it a total of 36 female students that were my junior at that time."

The "Masaan" and "Sacred Games" writer said he had only 36 women studying with him in the university, out of which only four were a part of the theatre group.

"And, all these four women not only expressed their solidarity but also checked with the remaining 32 if such an incident happened and they found out that it did not happen."New Delhi, Oct 16 : Nokia and the government-owned telecom operator BSNL on Tuesday announced to work together to leverage 4G LTE technology for enabling greater operational efficiency at Nokia's Chennai plant and prepare it for the 5G era with smart manufacturing.

Nokia manufactures a range of telecom equipment across technologies at its factory in Chennai, catering to both domestic and global customers.

The factory will now leverage Industry 4.0 solutions such as Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), connected Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics and Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance operations and increase productivity.

"Nokia is already one of our key partners in developing the 5G ecosystem, and now we are exploring use cases such as Industry 4.0 that can benefit tremendously with 5G," said Anupam Srivastava, Chairman and Managing Director at BSNL.

"This network deployment for Industry 4.0 at Nokia's Chennai factory that can be scaled to 5G demonstrates our preparedness to take advantage of new opportunities that will emerge with 5G and IoT in India," he added.

Industry 4.0 relies on low-latency, high-reliability networks as well as capabilities in robotics and AI to drive new levels of automation and data exchange in manufacturing industries, resulting in improved operational efficiency and reduced costs.

Nokia's Chennai facility recently crossed the four-million unit production milestone in its 10th year of operation.

"Our collaboration with BSNL will enable us to leverage the latest technology advancements and continue in our efforts to build the increasingly digitized and connected factory of the future. It will pave the path to smart manufacturing in the 5G era," informed Sanjay Malik, Vice President and Head of the India Market at Nokia.

Nokia has deployed the network in the country using its Micro Core Network and Multi-access Edge Computing platform, delivering Edge Cloud capabilities to process data closer to end-users and lowering latency.

BSNL is already working with Nokia and Chinese player ZTE on a 5G technology roadmap.

Earlier this year, Nokia and BSNL signed a network modernisation agreement to support the launch of 4G and Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services in western and southern regions of India.Canberra, Oct 16 : Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday that he was open to recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moving the Australian embassy there as well as to review the nuclear agreement with Iran.

"We are committed to a two-state solution, but frankly, it hasn't been going that well. Not a lot of progress has been made. And you don't keep doing the same thing and expect different results," Morrison told the media here.

Morrison considered that both the creation of the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine and the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel can be achieved, although he clarified that no decision had been made in this regard, reports Efe news.

He added that the opening of these discussions gives his government the opportunity to apply a practical, innovative and common sense role in trying to work with partners around the world to help broader objectives in the case of the two-state solution.

Australia is following in the footsteps of the US, Guatemala and Paraguay.

Morrison, who made the statement before a crucial by-election in an Sydney electorate where some 12.5 per cent of the voters are Jewish, added that his government has not yet made a decision on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, to which the current governments of the US and Israel are opposed.

Morrison's announcement would mean a shift in Australian foreign policy implemented by his predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull, who refused to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate the embassy to that city as well as supported the agreement to denuclearise Iran.Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 16 : Emphatically emphasising that the Kerala government will protect the rights of all devotees, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that all those who go to pray at the Sabarimala temple will be protected.

Vijayan said this after presiding over a cabinet meeting when the media pointed out that those fighting to preserve the traditions of the temple were screening all vehicles on Tuesday to see if they had women in the age group of 10-50.

Two women journalists were prevented from proceeding to the temple town where their OB van was stationed.

The protesters are staying put at Nilakal, about 20 km from the foothills of the temple, located at Pampa.

"Yes, I have also been told that some people have started screening vehicles. Such a thing cannot be accepted. No one can take law into their hands. The government will ensure that nothing of that sort happens. Those who want to pray cannot be stopped," said Vijayan.

He pointed out that the government had made it very clear that it will not file a review petition against the Supreme Court's September 28 verdict allowing women in the age group of 10 to 50 to pray at the famed Sabarimala temple.

"We have already made this very clear that we will abide by whatever the apex court verdict is. Now that the verdict has come, we will implement it," the Chief Minister said.

On Tuesday morning, hundreds of devotees, including a large number of women, protesting against the Supreme Court ruling, gathered at Nilakal and started checking all vehicles bound to the temple town.

The temple opens on Wednesday at 5 p.m. for the customary monthly pujas.

"We are determined that come what may we will not allow a single lady in the age group 10 to 50 to reach anywhere near the temple. It's a matter of life and death and under no circumstances will we allow a breach of tradition," said a middle aged woman at Nilakal.

The protesters are said to be mainly locals and others who have arrived from nearby areas.

Meanwhile, the Travancore Devasom Board (TDB), the custodian of the temple, on Tuesday met the Pandalam royal family, representatives of the Sabarimala Tantri family and other Hindu organisations to see how best the controversy can be resolved.Mumbai, Oct 16 : Veteran actress and politician Hema Malini, who turned a year older on Tuesday, says love is a very beautiful feeling, and she learnt to express the emotion because of veteran actor and her husband Dharmendra.

The actress spoke on her relationship with Dharmendra during a conversation with BIG MJ Dilip of 92.7 BIG FM, a statement said.

Asked about her memorable phone call, she said: "It was when Dharamji called me and said I love you."

"Back in those days, it was very difficult as there used to be landline phones and you had to find a proper place to speak over the phone. Romance is a very beautiful feeling. I could express the feeling of love only because of Dharamji," she added.

The actress continued: "It is not like you can express this to anyone. A lot of people might love you, but you can only reciprocate to the one who you truly love and that's how it has been between us. It never happened with anyone else."

After giving a glimpse of their chemistry on-screen through films like "Seeta Aur Geeta", "Sholay" and "Dream Girl", they got married in 1980.

The couple was later seen in movies like "Alibaba Aur 40 Chor", "Baghavat", "Samraat" and "Razia Sultan".

On the feeling of love, she said: "When you love someone, it comes from within. That is the most beautiful thing I believe every woman should experience. They should fall in love once. Love is such a beautiful expression. When you hear the person you love, express their love over the phone, it's a different feeling altogether, you just want to keep listening and not hang up."

Hema joined her daughter Esha Deol, who was the BIG MJ of the week, to talk about her life.Karachi, Oct 16 : A motorcyclist has been injured after being hit by a US consulate car in Karachi, police said.

Abdul Jabbar was hit by the consulate vehicle near the head office of Pakistan Industrial Development Corp in the port city on Monday. He sustained minor injuries, police officials said.

According to Geo News, the car was driven by a foreign female employee of the consulate. The vehicle was impounded by the police.

A case was registered against the consulate employee for speeding.

In April, a military attache rammed his vehicle into a motorcycle in Islamabad, killing a man on the spot and injuring the other.Washington, Oct 16 : US Defence Secretary James Mattis has said that he never spoke to the President about resigning from his position and was continuing with his job, after Donald Trump called him a "sort of a Democrat" and said that the Pentagon chief may be leaving his post.

Speaking to reporters en route to Vietnam, 68-year-old Mattis said he had never registered for any political party, having joined the military when he was 18 and adhered to its apolitical underpinnings as Republicans and Democrats alike came and went as Commander-in-Chief, the Washington Post reported on Monday.

"I think he's sort of a Democrat, if you want to know the truth," Trump had said in an interview on CBS News's "60 Minutes" aired on Sunday.

"But Gen. Mattis is a good guy. We get along very well. He may leave. I mean, at some point, everybody leaves... That's Washington," he had said.

Mattis said he had not spoken to Trump about his comments and didn't watch the interview. "We continue in the Department of Defence to do our job. It's no problem."

"Where am I today? I'm a member of the President's administration. And you have seen President Trump's military policies, security policies, reaping significant bipartisan support," the retired Marine Corps general said, according to a transcript released by the Pentagon.

"When you think 83 per cent of the US Congress voting the same way on an issue put forward by the Republican President, you can see that my portfolio is bipartisan by its very basis, and that is the protection of the US," Mattis added.

There has been a lot of speculation about Mattis' future in the Trump administration in recent weeks, particularly after journalist Bob Woodward released a book claiming that the Defence Secretary had said the President had the understanding of a fifth or sixth-grader.

However, Mattis denied making the comments and dismissed Woodward's reporting as "fiction".

Mattis disagrees with Trump on key policy issues. He advocated for an extended presence in Afghanistan, pushed to keep the US in the Iran nuclear deal and argued against the cancellation of certain military exercises with South Korea as part of nuclear talks with Pyongyang.

The Defence Secretary refused to comment on Saudi Arabia's alleged killing of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey, saying that he would wait until Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's return from Riyadh.

"I need to have the facts first. I know it's unusual at times in government circles. Some people talk quickly."Moscow, Oct 16 : Russian and Pakistani troops will hold joint military drills in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from October 21 to November 4, a statement said here on Tuesday.

According to Vadim Astafyev, head of the press service of the Russian Southern Military District, the "Friendship 2018" drills will be held at a training range in Pabbi town, reports Xinhua news agency.

The servicemen from the two countries' armed forces will perform tasks at an altitude of 1,400 metres above sea level, Astafyev said.

Russia and Pakistan have been holding the "Friendship" drills since 2016.

In 2017, over 200 servicemen took part in the drills, which were held in the North Caucasus at an altitude of 2,300 metres above sea level.New Delhi, Oct 16 : State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) have placed orders for importing crude oil from Iran next month when US sanctions on Tehran are due to take effect, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Tuesday.

Reiterating India's stand, Pradhan told reporters here on the sidelines of the 3rd India Energy Forum that the current surge in global crude oil prices was more a result of the market sentiments being hit by geo-political factors which includes Iran and said there were no issues of availability.

Indian Oil Corp and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd together have placed orders for 1.25 million tonnes (MT) of crude oil from Iran, the Minister announced earlier this month.

Following US President Donald Trump withdrawal from the US-Iran nuclear deal, sanctions were reimposed on the Persian Gulf nation which will take effect from November 4.

According to OMC officials, the rupee option in paying for Iranian oil is under discussion and the Iranians have been accepting Indian currency as payment.

Iran became India's second biggest oil supplier during the first quarter (April-June) of the current fiscal, with OMCs opting for the heftier discounts offered by the Iranians, who thus replaced Saudi Arabia in this position, according to official data.

India imported 5.67 MT oil from Iran during the quarter.

Analysts attribute the change last year to the output cuts initiated by Saudi Arabia and the increased availability of heavy grades of crude from Iraq at a higher discount, which are more suited for use in Indian refinery complexes.

Briefing reporters here after the first India-US 2+2 dialogue last month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said that the sanctions were not intended to adversely impact countries like India but were intended to hurt the sanctioned country.

He said he had told the Indians "consistently that on November 4 the sanctions will be enforced and that we will consider waivers where appropriate".

Following a meeting here on Monday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief executives of major global and Indian oil and gas companies, Saudi Petroleum Minister Khalid Al Falih said that Saudi Arabia expects its oil production to rise next month from 10.7 million barrels per day so as to counteract the shortfall resulting from the US sanctions against Iran.Lucknow, Oct 16 : Allahabad will now on be officially known as Prayagraj.

A decision to this effect was ratified by the Uttar Pradesh cabinet at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday.

Briefing the media, government spokesman and Health Minister Siddhartha Nath Singh said the decision was taken keeping in mind the rich cultural, historic and religious heritage of the city.

He added that the name Prayagraj was found mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures.

Adityanath had made the announcement in Allahabad on Saturday. Allahabad will host 'Ardh Kumbh' in January.

The cabinet also took 12 major decisions including allocation of funds for seven medical colleges in the state and assimilation of 23 villages under the 'sadar' tehsil in Lalitpur district.

To encourage milk production, the cabinet approved a proposal for granting 'Nand Baba Award' to farmers who excel in milk production.Chennai, Oct 16 : Public sector telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has signed a MoU with telecom equipment maker Nokia Solutions and Networks India Pvt Ltd for Industry 4.0, an official said on Tuesday.

The BSNL will also approach various industries for implementing Industry 4.0 in the country, BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Anupam Shrivastava told reporters here.

Industry 4.0 is the next level of automation in manufacturing where machines become smart, share data and includes Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing.

According to Shrivastava, BSNL has taken several initiatives for the launch of 5G services in India by 2020. Nokia Solutions is one of its key partners in developing the 5G eco-system.

He said BSNL was exploring cases such as Industry 4.0 that can benefit tremendously with 5G.

Queried about the investment that BSNL would have to make to roll out 5G by 2020, Shrivastava said the company invested about Rs 35,000 crore for rolling out 4G and a similar amount would be required for 5G rollout.

Shrivastava was here to participate in the 10th anniversary celebrations of Nokia Solutions plant near here that has cross production of four million units.

According to Nokia Solutions, the plant will now leverage solutions like augmented and virtual reality, connected robotics, artificial intelligence, big data analytics and IoT to enhance production.

According to Nokia Solutions, it has deployed the network using its micro core network and multi-access edge computing platform, delivering edge cloud capabilities to process data closer to end-users, lowering latency and ensuring personnel are alerted to any anomalies in production so they can be quickly resolved.

Increased levels of automation will help in shop-floor processes such as remote monitoring of robots and control of automated guided vehicles.

Meanwhile, Nokia Solutions has already started shipping out 5G ready telecom equipment out of its facility near here to the US, Asia Pacific, Europe and other places.

According to Johannes Giloth, Senior Vice President, Global Operations, the factory near here is the only second owned facility for the parent company, the first one being in Finland.

He said the company has sold all other plants to its manufacturing partners.

Giloth said the 5G product will be a global product and would be produced nearer to market and also from the facility near here.

According to Sanjay Malik, Vice President and Head of the Indian Market at Nokia, the standardisation of 5G technology will be ready by the first quarter of the next year.

Malik said from chip set perspective it will be finalized soon.

"The 5G system will be ready by the middle of next year. We are working with the BSNL and others. The demand for 4G systems is also increasing," Malik said.

Malik said the ratio of 4G products domestic sales to export sales out of the company's plant near here is 50:50 and 5G products may also be of similar ratio.Riyadh, Oct 16 : US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud here on Tuesday over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as diplomatic pressure mounted on Riyadh to give a fuller explanation in the case.

Pompeo's visit came as Saudi Arabia was preparing to acknowledge that Khashoggi was killed during an interrogation that went wrong, CNN reported. The journalist's family has called for an international inquiry into his disappearance.

The top US official landed in Riyadh in the morning and was greeted by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir and Saudi Ambassador to the US, Prince Khalid Bin Salman. He was scheduled to have dinner with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, according to reporters travelling with him.

According to the US State Department, Pompeo will travel to Turkey from Saudi Arabia.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a Saudi royal insider-turned-critic, was last seen in public when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2 for paperwork needed for his planned marriage.

Turkish intelligence officials say they have audio and visual evidence that shows Khashoggi, a permanent resident of the US in self-imposed exile, was killed inside the consulate.

However, Saudi authorities maintain that Khashoggi left the consulate the same afternoon but have provided no evidence to support the claim.

US President Donald Trump, after speaking with King Salman on phone on Monday, dispatched Pompeo to Saudi Arabia to hold talks with the kingdom's leadership.

Tweeting about the call, Trump said: "Just spoke to the king of Saudi Arabia who denies any knowledge of whatever may have happened 'to our Saudi Arabian citizen'."

"The denial was very, very strong. It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. Who knows?" the President had said.

Khashoggi's disappearance has created a diplomatic rift between Saudi Arabia and the West and led to international firms pulling out of a high-profile summit in Riyadh.

Meanwhile, conflicting reports over Khashoggi's disappearance prompted his family to call for an inquiry.

"The strong moral and legal responsibility which our father instilled in us obliges us to call for the establishment of an independent and impartial international commission to inquire into the circumstances of his death," his family said in a statement published by one of his sons, Abdullah Jamal Khashoggi, on Twitter.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also urged Saudi Arabia and Turkey to make public all they knew about Khashoggi's disappearance.Agartala, Oct 16 : The Tripura government will operate a helicopter service for Durga Puja revellers to enable them to get an aerial view of tourist spots and celebrations here, a transport official said on Tuesday.

The chopper service, run by the government-owned Tripura Road Transport Corporation (TRTC), will be in the form of 20-25 minute long trips in and around Agartala from Tuesday.

There will be six sorties in a day.

"For sightseeing and witnessing Durga Puja, the per head fare for an adult is Rs 1,700 and for children below 12 years it is Rs 1,500," the TRTC official said.

"The rides would be conducted in eight-seater double-engine choppers of Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd. The rides would be conducted for three days from Tuesday."

Sponsored by the Union Home Ministry, the chopper service has been subsidised by the government.

The state-owned Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd has also been operating in the other mountainous northeastern states at a subsidised rate.

Meanwhile, Tripura State Electricity Corporation Chairman-cum-Managing Director Mahananda Debbarma said that to maintain uninterrupted electricity supply during the five-day puja period, additional power would be taken from the central grid, Assam and Meghalaya.

"Despite huge demand of power (500 MW) during Durga Puja festivities, Tripura would maintain supply of 160 MW of power to Bangladesh as this is the national commitment," he told the media.

Director General of Tripura Police Akhil Kumar Shukla said that vigil along the India-Bangladesh border and in trouble-torn areas has been incteased with the deployment of additional central paramilitary and state security personnel.

Paramilitary forces Border Security Force (BSF), Assam Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), along with the Tripura State Rifles, have intensified security to foil any attempt to disturb peace and harmony during the festivities.

CCTVs and metal detectors have been installed near the puja pandals (marquees) and other sensitive locations while over 10,000 security personnel and quick reaction teams besides bomb and dog squads have been deployed across Tripura.

Police pickets have been set up at important and strategic locations and mobile and foot patrolling has been initiated along with intelligence networks.

According to Shukla, 2,527 community and about 100 family pujas, including approximately 1,570 in the rural and interior areas, are being organised in Tripura this year -- a figure higher than last year.New Delhi, Oct 16 : Union Minister M.J. Akbar's defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani, who had accused him of sexual harassment, will be heard on Thursday, October 18.

"The defamation case will be heard by a magisterial court in the Patiala House court complex on October 18," Akbar's Counsel Sandeep Kapur said on Tuesday.

Akbar has been accused of sexual harassment by several women journalists who had worked under his editorial leadership at various publications. He has denied the charges as "false, wild and baseless".

Akbar, in his complaint, said that it was apparent that the false narrative against him was being circulated in a motivated manner and for the fulfilment of an agenda.

Around a dozen women journalists have accused Akbar of sexual harassment and molestation, triggering demands for his ouster as the Minister of State for External Affairs.

Countering the charges, Akbar claimed that the false and defamatory statements that were widely published in the media had caused irreparable loss to his reputation.Seoul, Oct 16 : The two Koreas and the UN Command (UNC), led by the US, held their first trilateral consultations on Tuesday over disarming the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the heavily fortified border area, South Korea's Defence Ministry said.

The meeting took place behind closed doors at the border village of Panmunjom and was headed by South Korean Colonel Cho Yong-geun, North Korean Colonel Om Chang-nam and US Colonel Burke Hamilton, the Secretary of the UNC Military Armistice Committee, the ministry said in a press release.

Seoul and Pyongyang had earlier agreed to establish weapon-free areas in the JSA, with the aim of lowering tensions, in the military agreement signed by defence officials in September, the biggest pact on the matter signed by the two countries since the peninsula was divided in 1945.

The UNC has jurisdiction over the JSA, where South and North Korean forces stand face to face.

"We held working-level consultations over measures to be taken for (JSA) disarmament, such as withdrawing firearms and guard posts, reducing guard personnel and readjusting monitoring equipment," the ministry was cited as saying by Yonhap news agency.

"(We) have decided to proceed with plans for disarmament measures and mutual verification procedures through the trilateral consultation body," it added.

The South and the North Koreas plan to withdraw four and five guard posts, respectively, from the JSA. Each side will station a patrol of 35 soldiers, including five officers, with no firearms, there.

Korean people and foreign tourists will be allowed to cross the military demarcation line from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, the report said.

As part the implementation of the September agreement, the two Koreas had begun joint work on October 1 to remove anti-personnel mines from the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) at the border, the results of which were reviewed at Tuesday's meeting.Kabul, Oct 16 : At least 19 members of the Afghan security forces were killed and 16 others were injured in Taliban attacks, few days ahead of parliamentary elections in the country, officials said on Tuesday.

A group of Taliban fighters launched attacks on three security check posts in Daikundi province's Kijran area, which borders the provinces of Uruzgan and Helmand -- Taliban strongholds -- at around 1.00 a.m.

Thirteen members of the security forces were killed and 13 others were injured, Daikundi Governor's spokesperson Ali Akbar Natiqi told Efe news.

In another attack in Samangan province's Darah-e-Sof district, the Taliban on Monday night killed six police officers, including provincial deputy police chief Tahir Khawani, officials said.

Three people were injured and 30 Taliban fighters were also killed and injured in the attack, reports say.

Armed attacks by the terror group have increased of late, as the country prepares to go to the polls on October 20.Nagpur (Maharashtra), Oct 16 : An 18-year-old student ended his life claiming he was 'summoned' by the spirit of a boy whose accidental death he had witnessed a few weeks ago, police said here on Tuesday.

Saurabh Nagpurkar, a student of the P.B. College of Engineering, hanged himself at his home in Kasabpura, late on Sunday night, leaving behind a suicide note, said investigating official of Tahsil Police Station, Tulshiram Dhakulkar.

"The suicide note says that he had witnessed a small boy's accidental death on Umrer Road nearly two months ago. Since that day, that boy's 'soul' kept haunting him and beckoning him," Dhakulkar told IANS.

Nagpurkar also said that he kept hearing mysterious voices and strange visions and himself met with a couple of minor accidents because of what he had witnessed. It also kept troubling his mind, and the boy's soul kept 'calling' him.

"We are scanning his mobile, laptop, the kind of films or games he was interested in, to get more clues. We are also speaking with his friends and college-mates to ascertain what exactly was wrong with him," Dhakulkar said.

However, the boy's distraught family - including a father who is a National Cadet Corps officer and an older sister who is an M.Tech. student, besides mother and aged grandparents - said they don't suspect anybody, he added.

Nagpurkar profusely apologised to his parents and even requested his elder sister to look after them properly after his death.

Dhakulkar termed Nagpurkar's death and suicide note as "very strange, since he was a very intelligent student, appeared rationale and normal by all accounts".

In fact, a day earlier, he had celebrated his birthday by going to an orphanage along with 15 friends of his alma mater, New English High School, Mahal.

"Celebrating your birthday in this way gives you more happiness, more pleasure. Just look at the smile of the orphan kids... I request all of you please don't waste food, cakes on your birthdays," Nagpurkar had said.

He was running an online campaign among friends and social sites asking them to save at least Rs 100 from their birthday celebrations and spend it on the orphans in the city.

Many friends have given shell-shocked reactions at Nagpurkar's decision to end his life.New Delhi, Oct 16 : Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda on Tuesday assured Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje that the Centre would extend full support for curbing the spread of Zika virus in the state.

The number of people infected with the Zika virus has now reached 80 in the state capital, the Ministry said in a statement.

He said that there was no shortage of medicines and testing kits, and those will be provided to the state as and when required.

Nadda called for measures, including intensive fumigation, to ensure vector control in the state.

The Minister also urged the people not to panic, but cooperate with the health officials for controlling the breeding of larvae.

According to the Ministry, 330 teams have already been deployed in the affected wards of Jaipur's Shastri Nagar, and about 434,515 people have been brought under surveillance.

Officials have been inspecting houses to detect larvae to control the mosquito-borne virus.

"86,903 houses have been surveyed. 74,483 larvae-breeding sites were detected. The health workers undertook on-the-spot source reduction and containers were treated with temiphose," the Ministry said.Mumbai, Oct 16 : Zoa Morani, actress and daughter of producer Karim Morani who has been accused of sexual harassment by an aspiring actress, says the truth about her father will be out soon as she has faith in the country's judicial system.

An aspiring actress has accused Karim of drugging her, raping her and clicking her nude pictures in 2015.

Reacting to the accusation against her father, Zoa said here: "I don't want to talk about that issue because the matter is sub judice. When judgement of court will be out, then everybody will know about it. All I can say is that I have full faith in the judicial system of our country and the truth will prevail for sure."

Karim is also an alleged accused in the 2G spectrum case.

Last year, he was booked by Hyderabad police for the rape of a 25-year-old Delhi-based student.Beijing, Oct 16 : China's ruling Communist Party (CPC) has expelled former military chief General Fang Fenghui from the party and his case has been transferred to a military court over graft accusations, the military announced on Tuesday.

Fang was a former member of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) and former chief of staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department.

His expulsion from the CPC was approved by the party's Central Committee, while the CMC had already expelled him from the People's Liberation Army and stripped him of his rank of general, according to a CMC statement cited by Xinhua news agency.

"Fang severely violated political discipline, the political code of conduct, the eight-point frugality code of the CPC Central Committee and the regulations and discipline of the military," the statement read.

He was suspected of offering and taking bribes and possessing a large amount of property from unidentified sources, which were "extremely serious violations involving a huge amount of assets and had caused an extremely bad influence", the CMC said.

Neither loyal nor honest to the CPC, Fang was found to "have been duplicitous, disintegrated politically and grown greedy economically, severely damaging the Party's cause and the image of the military," according to the statement.

The statement said that the investigation into Fang's case had concluded and the case will be transferred to a judiciary committee for prosecution.Yangon, Oct 16 : At least three people, including two pilots, were killed in two military fighter jets crash in Minbu township of Myanmar's Magway region on Tuesday.

A female student on the ground died after she was hit by pieces of the jets' wreckage in the incident, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services attributed the incident to bad weather, saying that two out of four jet fighters crashed while returning to Magway Airbase after flight training in the morning.

Despite successful landing of the first two fighters amid bad weather condition, the two others failed with one crashing near Sapwet creek bridge, south of Minbu, while the other near a field, 1 km west of Tanatpinsu village.

The pieces of the wreckage of the fighter jet that crashed near Sapwet creek bridge, hit the female high school student who died in a hospital due to injuries.

According to an initial report of the Air Force, one fighter jet hit a tower pole and its wing clapped with that of another aircraft, thus crashing together.

The local police were investigating the incident.New Delhi, Oct 16 : Congress on Tuesday demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into allegations of the state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) turning debt-ridden due to government decisions. The party accused the Modi government of "systematically attempting to destroy the public sector".

Citing a letter written by the ONGC trade union body to Prime Minister Narendra Modi detailing how government interference has broken the "economic backbone of the company", Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said a Supreme Court-appointed panel of experts was a must to probe the allegations and look into the company's affairs from the time the BJP came to power at the Centre.

"From forcing the ONGC to acquire a gas block from Gujarat State Petroleum Corp (GSPC) for Rs 8,000 crore to funding its fiscal deficit by compelling the ONGC to buy a stake in HPCL, the Modi government has systematically hit the ONGC.

"Because of all these, ONGC group's debt doubled to Rs 1,11,533 crore in 2017-18 from Rs 55,619 crore in 2016-17. Such is the condition that the ONGC has to now avail of overdraft facility to discharge the salary obligation of the employees," Tewari told the media citing the letter written by the ONGC's Employees Mazdoor Sabha.

The letter by the employees union written to Modi last month has alleged that "decisions taken over the past four-and-a-half years have broken the economic backbone of the company".

"Over the past 52 months, a profitable public sector undertaking has been systematically crippled and debt ridden. There seems to be a systematic and calibrated attempt to completely destroy the public sector in India," said TewariDhaka, Oct 16 : Two bodies suspected to be of militants were found on Tuesday after Bangladeshi security forces stormed a hideout of the Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) members in the country's Narsingdi district, the police said.

Monirul Islam, counter-terrorism unit chief of the Bangladesh police, told the media that the security forces surrounded two houses in two separate places in the district since Monday night, Xinhua news agency reported.

After the first operation on Tuesday, "two bodies were found scattered at the first militant den", Islam said, adding that one of the dead was a woman.

No further details were available.

Security has been tightened in Bangladesh since militants attacked a Spanish cafe in Dhaka's affluent neighbourhood of Gulshan on July 1, 2016, killing 22 people, mostly foreigners.

Since the cafe attack, the Bangladeshi police have conducted a series of large-scale operations against militants.Thiruvananthapuram, October 16 : AIYF, the youth outfit of the CPI, has demanded the removal of actor KPAC Lalitha from the post of chairperson of the state Sangeetha Nataka Akademi over what they termed as her irresponsible statements against the women in cinema collective (WCC).

It is unacceptable that someone who is duty bound to initiate steps against any form of discrimination and exploitation in the field of arts is making irresponsible statements while sitting at the helm of a government-appointed body, the AIYFs statement reads.

Actors Siddique and Lalitha said at a press conference that the guidelines laid down by the supreme court to prevent harassment of women at workplaces were not applicable to the actors association. Their pooh-poohing suggestion of setting up an internal committee for hearing complaints was reflective of their disdain for the rule of law, AIYF said.

Terming as preposterous Lalithas asking actresses who resigned from AMMA to apologise, the CPI youth outfit said that it must be viewed seriously that someone occupying a responsible administrative post was behaving as the handmaiden of bigwigs in the Malayalam film industry.

Ms. Lalitha had the other day at a presser alongside actor Siddique come down on the members of the WCC, a collective of women actors and technicians in the film industry, over their scathing criticism of the actors body AMMA at a press conference.

The WCC had at a presser accused AMMA of shielding actor Dileep in the actress abduction and assault case and demanded an urgent general body meeting to annul the decision reinstating Dileep in the actors association.

Responding to WCCs criticisms, Siddique and Lalitha at yesterdays presser sharply rebuked members of the WCC. Siddique went so far as to defiantly state that disciplinary action would be initiated against WCC members who are also members of AMMA for their criticism of AMMA president actor Mohanlal.

They also dismissed outright the suggestion to set up an internal complaints committee against sexual harassment in the film industry with Lalitha saying that no such discrimation against women existed in the film industry.Patna, Oct 16 : A ruling BJP legislator in Bihar on Tuesday advised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to adopt police encounter policy of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to get rid of criminals so as to improve law and order in the state.

Neeeaj Kumar Bablu, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Saharsa, said unless encounters similar to the ones taking place in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh are started in Bihar, the law and order situation will not improve in the state.

"Nitish Kumar should order police encounter of criminals on the lines of Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh if he wants to improve law and order."

Bablu said neither arrest of criminals nor patrolling will improve law and order. "Encounter policy of Yogi Adityanath is the best way rein in criminals in Bihar," he said.

Incidentally, he is the third BJP leader to have voiced support for elimination of criminals through police encounters in the state.

Earlier, two ministers of Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had supported police encounters.

Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Ramnarayan Mandal and Labour Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, expressing concern over the rising crime, had suggested encounters as the cure for the malady.

They said encounters are the best way to create a sense of fear among the criminals.Lucknow/Delhi, Oct 16 : Authorities alerted airports and a Delhi Police team reached Lucknow on Tuesday in search of a former BSP MP's son who whipped out a pistol during a scuffle with a man at a luxury hotel in the national capital, officials said.

The three-member squad, led by Inspector Harish Chandra, went to Ashish Pandey's house and those of his relatives but could not find him, an officer said.

Pandey, son of former Bahujan Samaj Party MLA and MP Rakesh Pandey, pulled out the weapon during an argument with a man at the porch of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in south Delhi on Sunday around 3.40 a.m., police said.

In the video, Ashish Pandey and his friends can be heard abusing the man who used the ladies' washroom, police said.

Delhi's Joint Commissioner of Police Ajay Chaudhry said: "We are afraid he (Pandey) might leave the country. So, a look-out circular has been issued at airports across the country.

"He doesn't live in Delhi. He has his residence in Lucknow... We are in coordination with the Uttar Pradesh Police and will be able to arrest him soon," Chaudhry said.

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju took to Twitter to say that "strong and appropriate action will be taken" against the culprits including the friends of Ashish Pandey.

Police took suo motu cognizance of the incident, which Chaudhry said wasn't reported by the hotel authorities or by the people involved in the fight but was recorded in a video that went viral on the social media.

"It happened during a party at the hotel. Ashish had an argument with someone who used a ladies' washroom and the video that showed him brandishing a pistol went viral," he said.

The Uttar Pradesh Police is assisting the Delhi Police in the hunt for Ashish Pandey.

When the police team reached Pandey's house in Vaibhav Khand in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar area, a domestic help said that Pandey visited the place once or twice a month.

A case under the Arms Act and the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the accused.

Chaudhry said the hotel was yet to respond as to why the incident wasn't reported to the police.

Meanwhile, Hyatt Hotel issued a statement saying the safety of their guests was their primary concern and that they were working with the police in this direction.Thiruvananthapuram, October 16 : Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday doubled down on the state government decision to implement the supreme court verdict allowing women of all ages to offer worship at Sabarimala temple.

Addressing an LDF campaign organised to explain the state governments position on the Sabarimala issue, the chief minister clarified that the CPI(M)-led state government decided against filing a review petition against the apex court verdict since it believed that women, like men, enjoyed the right to offer worship.

The SC declared the bar on women from entering Sabarimala as unconstitutional. Some people are asking why the government isnt filing a review petition. When it comes to issue of equality, women enjoy the same right as men to offer worship. Thats why the government decided against filing review petition. Where rule of law exists, the government can only adopt this position, he said.

The government was duty bound to implement the supreme court verdict. The government was bound to abide by the law and cannot take a stand contrary to that just because some people were stirring up passions, he asserted.

The apex court verdict did not come out of the blue. The India young lawyers association filed the writ petition seeking womens entry in 2006. The ones who approached the court have close links to the RSS. Since the then LDF government was made respondent in the case, it had to file an affidavit. The government submitted affidavit saying it was not opposed to womens entry, he said.

The subsequent UDF government did not alter the affidavit until 2016 but may be with an eye on elections they submitted fresh affidavit in 2016 opposing womens entry. When the current LDF government came to power, we told the court we stood by the affidavit filed in 2007 by the then LDF government. Now that the supreme court verdict has come, the government is bound to implement it. Traditions undergo change with time. We must understand that, Pinarayi Vijayan added.

Mr. Vijayan accused the state governments detractors on the Sabarimala womens entry issue of using it as a pretext to rupture the secular fabric of the state.Bengaluru, Oct 16 : Global software major Infosys on Tuesday reported double-digit annual growth in net profit and revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2018-19.

While the IT major's consolidated net profit for the quarter under review (Q2) grew 10.3 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 4,110 crore from Rs 3,726 crore a year ago, consolidated revenue was up 17.3 per cent YoY to Rs 20,609 crore from Rs 17,657 crore a year ago, gaining significantly from a weakening rupee against a strong US dollar.

"Sequentially, net profit grew 13.8 per cent from Rs 3,612 crore and revenue 7.3 per cent from Rs 19,128 crore a quarter ago," said the company in a statement here.

Under the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), net income in Q2, however, was flat (0.5 per cent) annually at $581 million from $578 million in the same period a year ago but up 8.8 per cent sequentially from $534 million a quarter ago.

Similarly, revenue in dollar terms grew in Q2 7.7 per cent annually to $2,921 million from $2,728 million year ago and 3.2 per cent from $2,832 million a quarter ago.

The company, however, retained revenue guidance for the fiscal (FY 2019) at 6-8 per cent YoY and operating margin at 22-24 per cent YoY.

"Operating margin for the second quarter at 23.7 per cent is at the higher end of our guidance range," noted the statement.

Digital revenue at $905 million, accounted for 31 per cent of the total revenue and grew 33.5 per cent YoY and 13.5 per cent quarterly.

"We have also signed a large deal of $2 billion," claimed the company but did not disclose the client's name, its geographic location and the vertical it operates.

The board declared 140 per cent interim dividend of Rs 7 per share of Rs 5 face value.

"We have also allotted over 218-crore fully paid-up equity shares of Rs 5 face value as bonus issue, which was approved by shareholders through postal ballot during the quarter," added the statement.

The company issued bonus shares to celebrate its 25th year of public listing in 1993.

The company's blue-chip scrip of Rs 5 face value lost Rs 2.70 per share to close at Rs 696.40 at the end of Tuesday's trading on the BSE, as against Monday closing price of Rs 699.10 and opening price of Rs 709. It was also quoted at a high of Rs 713.75 and a low of Rs 688.10 during the intra-day trading session.

"Broad-based growth across segments and geographies during the quarter is a testimony to strong client relationships, digital-led full service capabilities and focus on the needs of our clients," said Infosys Chief Executiven Salil Parekh on the occasion.

Large deal wins of over $2 billion demonstrate increased client relevance and give the company a better growth visibility for the near-term.

"We had another quarter of solid operating parameters, with utilisation being stable and offshore mix improving to all-time high. Our digital services grew double digits sequentially, while growth in top clients was also robust," said Chief Operating Officer U.B. Pravin Rao.

Operating cash flow was over $1 billion during the first half of the year and return on equity (RoE) was 24.7 per cent.

"Our focus on strong financial performance on multiple fronts continued to deliver results during the quarter. Operating margins for the quarter and half-year was at 23.7 per cent, which is near the top-end of our guidance band", said Chief Financial Officer M D. Ranganath in the statement.

The company will continue to make strategic investments in digital to leverage opportunities and focus on key operational efficiency parametres.

The outsourcing firm added 73 new customers during the quarter as against 70 a quarter ago and 72 a year ago, taking the total number of active clients to 1,222 from 1,214 a quarter ago and 1,173 a year ago.Riyadh, Oct 16 : US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and other key officials here on Tuesday over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who Turkish officials say was killed and dismembered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Pompeo's visit came as diplomatic pressure mounted on Riyadh to give a fuller explanation in the case. According to a report in CNN, Saudi Arabia was preparing to acknowledge that Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a Saudi royal insider-turned-critic, was killed during an interrogation that went wrong.

The journalist's family has called for an international inquiry into his disappearance.

Pompeo had a short discussion with King Salman before a longer meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler. He was due to meet the Crown Prince again for dinner.

US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Pompeo "thanked the King for his commitment to supporting a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation" of the Khashoggi case and expressed "concern" about the case to the Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, meanwhile, said Turkish officials, who searched the consulate for nine hours on Monday, were looking into "toxic" and "painted over material" as part of their probe.

Turkish investigators were also expected to carry out a search of the Saudi Consul General's residence in Istanbul.

Khashoggi was last seen in public when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 for paperwork needed for his planned marriage.

Turkish intelligence officials say they have audio and visual evidence that shows Khashoggi, a permanent resident of the US in self-imposed exile, was killed inside the consulate.

However, Saudi authorities maintain that Khashoggi left the consulate the same afternoon but have provided no evidence to support the claim.

The case has created a diplomatic rift between Saudi Arabia and the West and led to international firms pulling out of a high-profile summit in Riyadh. The CEOs of three top banks -- Standard Chartered, HSBC and Credit Suisse -- announced their withdrawal from the conference.

In Riyadh, Pompeo was greeted by the Saudi Foreign Minister. Trump said Pompeo had license to travel wherever necessary, including Turkey, to investigate what happened.

The US President had dispatched Pompeo to Riyadh after speaking with King Salman on phone on Monday.

Speaking to reporters, Trump later said he had talked for about 20 minutes with the King and that Salman had firmly denied the kingdom's involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance.

Trump waffled on the issue, suggesting the journalist may have been murdered by "rogue killers" but fell short of pointing a finger at Saudi Arabia, one of Washington's principal allies in the Middle East.

"I don't want to get into his (the King's) mind, but it sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers," Trump said. "Who knows? We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial."

Khashoggi's fiancAe, Hatice Cengiz, who waited outside the consulate and says she did not see him re-emerge, tweeted a Quranic verse on Tuesday promising "eternal hellfire" for the killers of "deliberate believers".

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet also urged Saudi Arabia and Turkey to make public all they knew about Khashoggi's disappearance and lift the immunity of officials who might be involved in the case.

"... I believe the inviolability or immunity of the relevant premises and officials bestowed by treaties such as the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations should be waived immediately," Bachelet said in a statement.New Delhi, Oct 16 : India will be the worst sufferer if international trade declines, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu said on Tuesday, as the US ratchets up tariff war and embarks on protectionism.

"India is the worst sufferer if the world trade does not grow, because we have a huge stake, our share in global trade is increasing," Prabhu said at an industry-body event here.

"We are at a stage where more global growth will come from more production within the country," he said.

India has the potential to become a $10-trillion economy before 2035, the Minister said at the 98th Annual Session of The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).

"I have set up some top thinkers to navigate India out of these new emerging trends and how we become winners despite these challenges," he said.

He stressed that India's integration with international trade was critical if it were to grow at a faster rate.

The government is working on improving business atmosphere in Asia's third-largest economy.

"We have to ensure that India continues to be on the forefront of growth, not only to help our people but also to contribute to global growth. So, one country growing also helps other countries as a co-beneficiary," he said.

Prabhu, who is also the Union Civil Aviation Minister, said the government was preparing a roadmap to promote manufacturing of aeroplanes in India.

India would require at least 1,000 aeroplanes, as the aviation sector expands. The government is readying a plan to manufacture aircraft locally, he added.

Further, the government's twin plan of promoting indigenous manufacturing of aeroplanes and construction of 100 airports in 15 years at an estimated cost of $65 billion would drive the aviation sector's growth, he said.

Speaking at the same event, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said that there was a need to promote corporate ethics.

"Ethical behaviour has to be promoted by individuals as well as organisations by adopting zero-tolerance towards corruption, bribery and frauds," Naidu said.

Naidu said India must capture the demographic dividend by imparting appropriate education, skills and fostering entrepreneurship, so that its youth become job creators instead of job seekers.Gandhinagar, Oct 16 : Senior Gujarat Congress leader and party in-charge for Bihar Shaktisinh Gohil on Tuesday threatened to file a criminal case against Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani for levelling "unsubstantiated charges" against him on attacks on North Indians in Gujarat.

"The Gujarat Chief Minister on his visit to Uttar Pradesh levelled charges against me that I was inciting violence on North Indian migrants," Gohil told reporters, while countering that it was the BJP which was responsible for it.

Rupani was in Lucknow on Monday to invite his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath for the unveiling of the Statue of Unity event on October 31. Rupani, in an interaction with the media in Lucknow, had blamed Congress and its Bihar in-charge Gohil for inciting people against outsiders in Gujarat.

Without naming Gohil, the Chief Minister had said: "One Congress leader who is in charge for Bihar was talking about expelling north Indian migrants from Gujarat."

Gohil said, "Contrary to the Gujarat chief minister's statement, it is the people aligned with BJP who have been spreading hatred against outsiders on social media."

The Congress leader said he would file a criminal case and also a civil suit against Rupani for levelling "baseless allegations" against him.

Gohil said: "I was in Bihar when the incidents of violence against the outsiders took place and immediately through media, I appealed for peace and demanded strong actions against the accused."

While sharing some social media posts of alleged BJP supporters, depicting anti-outsider posts in Gujarati, Gohil said: "A day after rape of a minor girl was reported, Rajendrasinh Chavda, the BJP MLA from Himmatnagar, incited BJP workers to drive away north Indians from Gujarat."New Delhi, Oct 16 : The #MeToo movement that has singed the entrainment and media industry alike besides engulfing Union Minister M.J. Akbar, on Tuesday reached Congress door with journalist Sonal Kellogg alleging that she was molested by a "powerful politician" and a minister in the Congress-led UPA-I government.

Giving an account of her ordeal on website dailyo.in, Kellog without naming the minister, said he would "greet me with a kiss" every time they met and once "pressed one of my breasts".

"During my time, a Cabinet minister, in-charge of one of the ministries which I was covering, would always greet me with a kiss when I went to meet him," wrote Kellog who in February 2006 had shifted to Delhi from Ahmedabad joining the Asian Age's main edition.

"This minister, quite an advocate of women's rights and empowerment, is highly educated. He studied from St Stephen's College and did his masters from one of the top universities in England. He is very articulate - but he is also very touchy-feely.

"In Gujarat, where I come from, politicians don't greet women journalists with hugs and kisses. But he would hold my face and try to kiss me on the mouth," said Kellogg who is now the chief content writer at Vama Communications, Ahmedabad.

She said that she didn't report the matter then as "I was new in Delhi and thought if I said anything, it would be viewed as having a small town mentality".

"I am not able to speak up against authority and mostly just try to manage to stay clear instead of shouting or slapping or something like that," said Kellogg, a survivor of "long-term child sexual abuse."

She said the last time she met the MP in his bungalow in early 2014 when he went "too far."

"At that time, I was in-between jobs. I was sitting across the table and talking to him. After some time, the minister got up to go to the washroom which was on my left, so he walked right across the table and while passing me by, he stretched his hand and suddenly pressed one of my breasts.

"I was taken aback, not quite expecting this, but I did manage to say, 'Don't touch me.' Before entering the washroom, he asked, 'Why? What is the problem?' I told him, 'Don't touch me because I don't like it'. He went to the washroom and then came back, sat down and resumed the conversation as if nothing had happened," wrote Kellogg, adding she moved back to Ahmadabad and never met the politician.

"I would like to say that even if a man is testing whether his advances are welcome or not, he can't start with squeezing the breasts of a woman. The least he can do is see whether she is interested - you cannot just grab a woman and think it is okay. Also, in this case, the minister is married and is a father of grown-up daughters, so it is definitely not okay.

So, why didn't I report the matter? Who was I going to report it to? I was in-between jobs and as I said earlier, I didn't report my sexual abuse as a child either for more than a decade and a half, in fact I never reported it. I started to speak about it publicly only a couple of years ago," she added.Kolkata, Oct 17 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi's proposed visit to the city during Durga Puja has been cancelled due to his campaign schedule ahead of the elections in the five states, said a senior state party leader on Tuesday.

Gandhi was supposed to visit the city on Ashtami (the eight Lunar day) on Wednesday.

"His visit has been cancelled. The central election committee has convened a meeting for selection of candidates for the upcoming elections in five states," party's West Bengal unit President Somen Mitra said.

Last month, Mitra was made West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee's President replacing Adhir Ranajan Chowdhury who was bitterly anti-Trinamool Congress and pro-Left.

The Congress Chief, in a message, said, "I had wanted to be present in Kolkata to offer prayers to Maa Durga and to participate in the puja celebrations, in great city of joy, with all of you. Unfortunately, the upcoming state elections and crucial preparatory meetings for them, prevent me from travelling out of Delhi at this time."

Gandhi regretted for not being able to visit the city but hoped to travel Kolkata soon.Mumbai, Oct 16 : Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of Sandeep Bakhshi as Managing Director and CEO of ICICI Bank.

"We wish to inform you that RBI vide its letter... dated October 15, 2018 has approved the appointment of Sandeep Bakhshi as Managing Director and CEO of the bank for a period of three years with effect from October 15, 2018," the bank said in the regulatory filing on Tuesday.

On October 4, ICICI Bank appointed its Chief Operating Officer Bakhshi as the new CEO and MD with immediate effect for a period of five years until October 3, 2023, subject to regulatory and other approvals.

Bakhshi succeeded Chanda Kochhar, who is facing allegations of conflict of interest.

"The Board of Directors of ICICI Bank Limited accepted the request of Chanda Kochhar to seek early retirement from the bank at the earliest. The Board accepted this request with immediate effect.

"The enquiry instituted by the Board will remain unaffected by this and certain benefits will be subject to the outcome of the enquiry. Kochhar will also relinquish office from the Board of Directors of the Bank's subsidiaries," the company had said in a filing on October 4.Hyderabad, Oct 17 : Hyderabad police on Tuesday arrested leading entrepreneur-politician Nowheera Shaik on charges of allegedly cheating the investors.

Nowheera, Managing Director of Heera Group of Companies, was arrested in New Delhi and brought to Hyderabad on a transit remand, said Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar.

The arrest was made during the course of the investigations into a case booked against her at Banja Hills police station in Hyderabad for cheating, criminal breach of trust and criminal intimidation.

She was also booked under Telangana Deposits of Financial Establishment Act 1999 and The Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978.

Police said it found incriminating evidence against Nowheera, who runs various businesses in India and the Middle East. She also floated All India Mahila Empowerment Party, which contested recent assembly elections Karnataka but drew a blank.

According to police Nowhera Shaik is heading 15 companies under different names under the Heera Group of companies.

"Many of the companies are involved in collection of deposits/investments in different modes of gold scheme from public, where in these companies commit a return of around 36% per annum for the invested amount," a police statement said.

While the exact number of investors / depositors is not known because the companies have not disclosed complete information before the Police, it is estimated that the number of depositors could be in thousands in different states of the country, it added.

Police claimed that during investigation evidences of diversion of funds came to light. Evidence has also been found of purchase of assets in different names of individuals as well as companies, police said.

"Many investors have not been paid their dues since last few months by accused companies. The companies and other accused have not cooperated with Police or provided relevant information during course of investigation. The main accused also made efforts to mislead the Police and avoid the investigation," the police chief said.

According to police more than 160 bank accounts have been identified across India, details of which are being sought from the concerned bank.

Different properties have been identified and necessary action under the Telangana Deposits of Financial Establishment Act 1999 and The Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (BANNING) Act, 1978 are under consideration, added the statement.Juba, Oct 17 : At least 17 civilians have been killed and several others injured in clashes between two rebel factions in South Sudan's border town of Yei in the southwest of the country, the police said on Tuesday.

Police spokesman Daniel Justine said the latest fighting between the main rebel group, the Sudan People's Liberation Army-In-Opposition (SPLA-IO) and National Salvation Front (NAS) in the border town of Yei has also caused mass displacement of civilians into the bushes in the area, Xinhua reported.

"We regret the loss of lives of our people at a time when the country is in full gear of peace implementation, it is very painful," Justine told Xinhua in Juba.

He said local authorities and national government are supporting the displaced population with food assistance, saying the army has been told to be on high alert to protect the lives of civilians in the area.

Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLA-IO deputy military spokesman, blamed NAS forces loyal to General Thomas Cirilo Swaka for attacking their base in Minyori and Logo in Yei area respectively.

"On Monday, the forces of the National Salvation Front attacked our position in Yei killing five civilians and injured dozens of others," Lam said in a statement.

"This is a direct declaration of war by the forces of General Cirilo against the signed revitalized agreement since he refused to sign it in September," he added.

Lam also accused the government troops based in Mboro, Wau State in the western part of the country of constant offences against his faction in Ngisa, Tado, and Ngoku since the beginning of this month, an allegation denied by a South Sudan's army spokesperson.

"These attacks have been premeditated and planned by commanders of the regime in Juba to widen their territory and deny any establishment of cantonment sites in the area," he stressed.

The fighting comes after President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar inked in September the revitalized peace deal mediated by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an east African bloc.Design studio Studio Ongarato has created four Brisbane-inspired design narratives for W Brisbane, the first 5-star hotel to open in Queenslands capital in more than 20 years.

Studio co-founder Fabio Ongarato says that creating immersive environmental design narratives, as at W Brisbane, is an emerging trend in the hotel and hospitality space.

Our first narrative-led hotel was for the W Hong Kong back in 2010," Ongarato says.

"Using narrative at that time was uncommon.

"It successfully injected greater vibrancy into the brand and rewrote the rulebook for narrative-led hotel design.

"It also successfully set the tone for all the W hotels since.

Ronnen Goren, who with Ongarato has led the studio for the past 25 years, says that Studio Ongaratos engagement with W Brisbane represents the studios ability to marry creative design outcomes with commercial objectives.

It comes at a time of international expansion for Studio Ongarato, with recent projects in China, Hong Kong and the Middle East.

W Brisbane is located overlooking the Brisbane River and marks the W brands re-entry into Australia.

Featuring 312 rooms with views over South Bank and west towards Mount Coot-tha, as well as dining, bar, pool, spa and yoga facilities, the hotel opened in June, with others scheduled to open in Melbourne and Sydney over the next two years.

W Brisbanes overarching theme A River Dreaming, developed by Nic Graham and Associates, pays respect to the Dreaming of the Turrbal people, which sees the river as the giver of life. A great snake making its way from the mountains through floodplains to the sea. In the serpents wake, a thriving and unique city has risen, one with a distinctive Australian character.

Combining brand DNA, site context and the overarching river theme allowed Studio Ongarato to come up with four sub-narratives: Native Allure, Tropical Eden, Brisvegas and Dark Paradise.Smart Hustle Conference with Seth Godin New York's best entrepreneurs attend the Smart Hustle Conference...

13th Annual Smart Hustle Small Business Conference and Awards takes place in New York City on Thursday, 8 November 2018.

http://www.smarthustle.com/conference

Hosted and produced by Ramon Ray http://www.ramonray.com , entrepreneur, global speaker and best selling author, the Smart Hustle Small Business Conference & Awards is one of the best events for business owners hungry to grow their business and better themselves! To be inspired and educated!

Also part of the conference are the Smart Hustle Awards where 20 entrepreneurs, small business owners and/or champions of small business will be recognized - full list here - http://www.smarthustle.com/awards18

Why attend?



Networking with your fellow business owners

Get inspired from the main stage presentations

Connect with sponsors such as Salesforce, Zoho and Beautiful who want to help you grow your business

Topics covered:

Seth Godin Mastermind

Hustle with Heart - Hard working and hustle are important, but without empathy, compassion and heart, its empty. Learn how to hustle with heart from Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer, VaynerMedia a Gary Vaynerchuk Company

Video Marketing - Learn how to use video to get increased sales, attract more customers and build your brand. Speaker - Roberto Blake, Youtube Celebrity

Your Perfect PItch - Learn how to quickly pitch your business to get people interested to want to hear more. Learn from Laura Allen, The Perfect PItch Girl and Adrian Miller, Adrian Miller Sales Training

With a curated mix of networking, main stage presentations and sponsors the conference is an oasis of practical insight for entrepreneurs hungry for growing their businesses.

For the past 13th years, Ramon has brought together hundreds of entrepreneurs and business owners who spend a day learning from main stage speakers and networking with each other.

One of the major highlights of the conference is the in demand Seth Godin Mastermind a 90 minute, intimate, discussion with marketing master and thought leader Seth Godin. Seth takes the time to share his thoughts on marketing, branding and more and more importantly answer specific questions from the attendees.

The conference, an all day event, is an exciting time of networking, inspiration and practical ideas to grow and scale ones business.

Speakers at the conference include:

Seth Godin, author and marketer, http://www.sethgodin.com

Roberto Blake, celebrity YouTube video expert. - http://www.robertoblake.com

Laura Allen, The Pitch Girl http://www.thepitchgirl.com/ - expert in giving the perfect pitch

Adrian Miller, expert sales trainer, http://www.adrianmiller.com

Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer, VaynerMedia http://www.vaynermedia.com

Ramon Ray, entrepreneur, global speaker and best selling author - http://www.ramonray.comKerry Cahill Cahill is passionate about the movement to support the veterans health, inspired by her father a veteran who was killed during a terrorist attack at Fort Hood, Texas in 2009. Cahill wants to carry out her father's legacy.

Actress Kerry Cahill of the Oscar-nominated film Mudbound and The Walking Dead is to attend Walker Stalker Con 2018. She will be partnering with Help Heal Veterans handing out therapeutic craft kits to veterans as well as signing autographs.

Cahill is passionate about the movement to support the veterans health, inspired by her father a veteran who was killed during a terrorist attack at Fort Hood, Texas in 2009. Cahill wants to carry out her father's legacy. In memory of her father, Cahill partnered with Help Heal Veterans in 2017 to create a wristband craft kit that replicates the one her father wore.

Cahill says, "Veterans need our support during the transitions to civilian life, they fought for us; now we fight for them. Too many veterans lose their life to depression and PTSD. HHV can assist veterans through the use of therapeutic craft therapy. I am honored to have the opportunity to support a cause dear to my heart."

Heal Vets provides arts and crafts therapy kits to help the rehabilitation of veterans. From those recuperating from injuries such as PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. Heal Vets arts and crafts also provide treatment for veterans suffering from memory loss, stroke or extremity weakness. Help Vets has distributed more than 31 million kits since 1971 from hundreds of craft categories.

About Kerry Cahill: Born in Helena, Montana, Kerry Cahill grew up an army brat in small rural towns of Montana, Oregon, and Texas. Cahill studied Drama at Loyola University New Orleans; the British American Drama Academy Oxford; and Queen's University Belfast, later moving to Chicago to study with Second City, the Profiles Theater, and Rick Snyder. Cahills film career has continued to gain momentum as she has worked alongside Reese Witherspoon, Paul Walker, Uzo Aduba, and Woody Harrelson. She appeared in Terminator Genisys and had a significant role in Free State of Jones with director Gary Ross and actor Matthew McConaughey. Having filmed projects such as The Duel, Showing Roots, Free State of Jones, and now as a regular on The Walking Dead, Cahill continues to be one of Hollywoods hottest actresses.

XXXAppRev will provide an IPPS Final Rule solution for any customer who needs support for this requirement

In August 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule to enable patients to have a better overall health care experience.

The Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule creates a requirement that hospitals under IPPS publish and update their prices. The following guidance is included in the rule:



May be the chargemaster or another form

Update at least annually

Machine readable format

Not payer specific

Requirement begins January 1, 2019

Current standard charges (CMS does not define a standard charge.")

AppRevs recommended solution is to add a reduced version of the chargemaster that would include the price(s) and description of the service to the providers current website. If there are package prices, it would make sense to include a list of those.

Were pleased to provide this vital service to our customers at no additional charge, said AppRev President, Seth Avery.

AppRev will provide a solution for any customer who needs support for this requirement. If a customer wishes to add a link on their website to the companys pricing transparency page, AppRev will store the appropriate files online to gain compliance with this requirement. Any interested customers can contact AppRev if they would like assistance at no charge.

More information on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Acute Care Hospital (LTCH) Prospective Payment System Final Rule (CMS-1694-F) can be found on the CMS website.

AppRev, an OSG company based in Temple, Texas, provides services and technology to more than 120 hospitals throughout the United States and Bermuda. AppRev delivers results through services and technology that allow hospitals and clinics to improve revenue cycle performance. The companys solutions are provided via web delivered Service Supported Software and in Charge Accuracy, Charge Review, Denials Intelligence, Pricing Analytics, CDM and DSH services. All AppRev solutions employ ongoing measurement of revenue cycle improvements and can be tailored to meet customer-specific requirements.Simulator training is one component of integrated Upset Prevention and Recovery Training "ICAO and the industrys UPRT experts agree that the integrated use of specialized academic, on-aircraft, and advanced flight simulation components provides the most robust UPRT experience possible."

Aviation Performance Solutions LLC (APS), the global leader in Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT), announced today at the Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (BACE) 2018 in Orlando, the expansion of its service to uniquely address four major classes of airplanes. APS UPRT bridges the training gap for light multi-engine turboprop, large multi-engine turboprop, multi-engine business jet, and large transport category airplanes.

APS headquarters in Arizona now operates its own advanced simulator that can be reconfigured within minutes to accommodate four distinct classes of airplanes all within a fully integrated 3-day upset training program combining the best attributes of on-aircraft training and flight simulation. The majority of the providers of Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) are either live on-aircraft training providers in real all-attitude capable airplanes or limited to the use of an advanced simulator. Assuming these providers are strictly following the guidance International Civil Aviation Organizations (ICAO) Manual on Aeroplane UPRT, then both offer a measure training value. ICAO and the industrys UPRT experts agree that the integrated use of specialized academic, on-aircraft, and advanced flight simulation components provides the most robust UPRT experience possible. APS is the only UPRT provider to have turnkey access to integrated UPRT solutions at all of its North American and European locations.

The ability for APS to quickly reconfigure its advanced simulator to four distinct classes of airplanes helps better serve our customers critical safety needs in upset prevention and recovery training, said Paul BJ Ransbury, the president of APS. Our purpose, We Help Pilots Bring Everyone Home Safely, drives us to continually develop more comprehensive and innovative solutions for every pilot to be optimally armed to overcome aviations #1 threat to safety on every single trip--Loss of Control In-Flight.

ABOUT AVIATION PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS

Aviation Performance Solutions LLC (APS), headquartered at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Mesa, Arizona, trains thousands of professional pilots and instructors in comprehensive Upset Prevention and Recovery Training skill development. APS provides integrated LOC-I solutions via industry-leading computer-based, on-aircraft (jet and piston), and full-flight simulator Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT). All training is in full compliance with the Airplane Upset Recovery Training Aid, FAA Advisory Circular 120-109A on Stall Training, ICAO Manual on Aeroplane Upset Prevention and Recovery Training, IATA Guidance Material and Best Practices for the Implementation of Upset Prevention and Recovery Training, and the FAA Advisory Circular 120-111 on Upset Prevention and Recovery Training. APS is the only Part 141 Flight School certified in the delivery of complete upset prevention & recovery, stall/spin and instrument upset recovery training courses worldwide. With additional training locations in Texas (USA), The Netherlands (Europe), and a military division in Alabama (USA), APS provides global access to the highest quality Upset Prevention and Recovery Training available. http://www.apstraining.comMars 2020 - Astro Pak

NASAs upcoming Mars 2020 mission plans to build on the discoveries made by previous rovers and landers on the surface of Mars. The rover, based on the previous and proven Curiosity design, will continue the search to determine whether life ever existed on our planetary neighbor. Like previous missions, extreme care is being taken to make sure that the spacecraft does not bring any biological matter from Earth that could contaminate the Red Planet or be mistaken for Martian life.

As part of the effort to reduce and eliminate biological contamination, NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratorys Contamination Control and Planetary Protection engineers has tasked Astro Paks cleanroom in Downey, California to process a significant portion of the 19,000 parts that make up the rover. The parts being treated are those that will touch the Martian soil samples, whether drill bits and collection scoops, those that will move the samples from collection to testing, and those involved in storing the samples for possible collection by later missions.

Astro Pak has a long history with JPL and Dr. Brent Ekstrand, the companys Vice President of Science and Technology previously served as a consultant on Mars 2020s predecessor, the Mars Science Laboratory, better known as the Curiosity Rover Program. Accordingly, he was invited back by JPL to participate as a member of the independent review board that analyzed certain portions of the upcoming Mars 2020 mission.

To meet its commitments to the program, Astro Pak allocated a dedicated team and multiple work stations for this project, which will see the components processed to meet cleanliness levels ranging from Level 300 A/10 down to Level 50 A/10. One of the tools that will be used in the decontamination process is a new high temperature cleanroom oven that will heat tools along with the foil packaging for several hours at high temperatures in order to ensure complete sterility.

Further, anything that touches the rover will be collected, packaged and labeled as part of the custodial coordination process. Samples of fluids, water, solvents, gloves, wipes and more will be packaged and stored at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas for 30 years. These samples will be used to test for false positives against any substances encountered on the Martian surface.

About Astro Pak

Astro Pak has been the leading provider of passivation, high purity and precision cleaning services in North America since 1959. Astro Pak meets the critical cleaning and surface conditioning requirements for a myriad of industries such as biopharmaceutical and aerospace via our on-site services, as well as our state-of-the-art cleanroom and shop facilities. Astro Pak is privately held with headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA. For more information, please visit http://www.astropak.com.

MEDIA CONTACT

Mary Cheng

Astro Pak Corporation

Tel: 949.270.0854

Email: mcheng@astropak.comBastyr University is pleased announce that Dr. Joseph E. Pizzorno was the recipient of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicines (AIHM) Visionary Award for his passionate efforts in forging a new health care paradigm dedicated to natural medicine.

Dr. Pizzorno was selected as AIHMs recipient of the Visionary Award due to his tireless effort in naturopathic medicine echoing the values of the organization: People. Planet. Purpose. AIHM acknowledged Dr. Pizzorno for his unwavering passion, wisdom and courage in leading the medical field toward a higher understanding of natural medicine and its practices.

Dr. Pizzornos commitment to sharing knowledge began as early as 1978, when he co-founded Bastyr University, and later led it to become the first accredited naturopathic medicine college in the country. Now 40 years later, he has gone on to become the editor-in-chief of PubMed-indexed Integrative Medicine: a Clinicians Journal (IMCJ), and currently serves on several prestigious boards including the Institute for Functional Medicine (as treasurer); American Herbal Pharmacopeia; Hecht Foundation; Gateway for Cancer Research; and Bioclinic Naturals. He has also served on two Presidential commissions focused on the integration of natural medicine into the U.S. health care system.

Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) presents this prestigious award to Dr. Pizzorno and recognizes Bastyr University as the trailblazing pioneer in integrative health and the transformation of healthcare. This award recognizes Bastyr Universitys holistic philosophy of person-centered care, an approach that focuses on prevention of illness and treating the whole person -- body, mind, and spirit -- to achieve optimal health and healing, a mindset that forms the backbone of Bastyr University as a whole.

AIHM has created a global, interprofessional community of integrative clinicians who embrace a person-centered, team-based approach to health care. They provide transformational educational programs and connections to a global network of providers.

Bastyr University focuses on putting the patient in the drivers seat by presenting them with all available options of care, both standard and holistic, and providing them with a plan that aims to take care of the person as a whole, beyond initial diagnosis.

As the demand for holistic medicine rises, Bastyr providers take care of the patient as a whole, not just their medical diagnosis, thereby improving patients overall health outcomes. A leader in science-based natural medicine, Bastyr exemplifies the future of natural medicine by their triple aim approach: healthier patients, lower health care costs, and high level of satisfaction.

For more information please visit: http://www.bastyr.edu/

ABOUT DR. PIZZORNO:

Joseph E. Pizzorno, ND, is a naturopathic physician, researcher, author, and international authority on science-based natural medicine. Through 12 published books, Dr. Pizzorno has expanded his sphere of influence to the general public. When patients, professional colleagues, academic institutions, and even two former U.S. Presidents have needed expert advice on naturopathic medicine, they have looked to Dr. Pizzorno.

ABOUT BASTYR:

Bastyr University is a nonprofit, private university offering doctoral, graduate and undergraduate degrees, with a multidisciplinary curriculum in science-based natural medicine. Recognized globally for its rigorous curriculum and strong research, the 40-year-old University has campuses in Kenmore, Washington, and San Diego, California. Bastyr's international faculty educate future leaders in the natural health arts and sciences, with an emphasis on integrating mind, body, spirit and nature.

ABOUT AIHM:

The Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine (AIHM) is a society and global community of professionals and health seekers. AIHM provides innovative education, training, leadership, interprofessional collaboration, research, and advocacy that embraces all global healing traditions, to promote the creation of health and the delivery of evidence-informed comprehensive, affordable, sustainable person-centered care. AIHM emerged in 2013 as a solution to our growing health care crisis. The formation of the AIHM is a bold response to a call to action for change  to transform the way we think about health and health care. The Academy is home to a broadening international community of Health Care practitioners, health seekers, and advocates connected by a shared holistic philosophy of person-centered care. The AIHM community recognizes the link between our health and the state of the planet and deeply considers the social determinants of health and the quality of our relationships to ourselves and one another. For more information visit: https://www.aihm.org/

EDITOR'S NOTE: For more information about Bastyr University and to arrange to speak with a spokesperson, please contact Nancy Trent or Pamela Wadler at 212-966-0024 or pam(at)trentandcompany(dot)com.We hate it when we see property owners get less money than they should, simply because they didnt know the full extent of their rights, said Stan Abrams, NC Eminent Domain Law Firm and a former NCDOT attorney.

The widening of Brawley School Road, one component of the 10-year saga of the I-77 expansion, will bring traffic to the doorsteps of more than 50 homes and businesses in idyllic Davidson, NC.

It is important to note, in addition to some owners being displaced by the project, many others may have their quality of life diminished as busy traffic will now be considerably closer to their doorsteps.

The offers some property owners receive from state officials may amount to far less than what their property is worth. Nor would these offers make up entirely for the potential danger they will face from traffic, or the frustration when faced with selling, according to former NCDOT attorneys at the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm.

These property homeowners in the path of the Brawley School Road widening will soon receive purchase offers from state officials. According to attorney Jason Campbell, with the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm and former NCDOT attorney, property owners should be careful  a project with potential for such detrimental effects can spare a few moments to ensure citizens get a fair shake.

Property owners receive a very official offer and think that is the law for what they are able to receive, Campbell said. If an offer has been made, there may be a more complete and satisfactory offer to be gained through reappraisal and negotiations.

Second Check

By North Carolina law, property owners whose land or businesses are targeted for acquisition ultimately receive an offer from the state. If the owner chooses not to accept the offer and takes no further steps, the state will still acquire the land and deposit the amount of the original offer with the County Clerk for the owner.

This is where the NC Eminent Domain Law Firms second check approach comes in. In most cases, the property owner is then free to pursue a potentially better, fairer arrangement, without losing the first offer.

If continued negotiations do not change the offer, the owner still has the first offer. But if continued negotiations are successful, the property owner will receive a second check in addition to the first offer.

We hate it when we see property owners get less money than they should, simply because they didnt know the full extent of their rights, said Stan Abrams, also with the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm and a former NCDOT attorney.

The NC Eminent Domain Law Firm is available to talk with property and business owners, and to try to answer questions about the unique circumstances regarding their individual properties. Those questions typically include:



Property owners who have questions about this project and how it will affect them are encouraged to call the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm at 1-877-393-4990.

About the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm

A division of the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm is dedicated solely to representing property owners throughout North Carolina, who may be impacted by eminent domain law. The NC Eminent Domain Law Firm is led by attorneys Stan Abrams and Jason Campbell, both of whom previously worked as Assistant Attorneys General for the North Carolina Department of Justice in the Transportation Section, where they litigated condemnation cases for the NCDOT. They have over 30 years of combined experience working exclusively on eminent domain cases. The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin has the legal resources of 46 attorneys and is based in Durham, North Carolina, with 13 additional offices throughout the state to serve its clients.

Contact Information:

Stan Abrams

1-877-393-4990

NC Eminent Domain Law Firm

1001 Morehead Square Drive

Suite 350

Charlotte, NC 28203HRH Princess Anne Presents Captain Bennett with the 2018 Merchant Navy Medal We are beyond proud of Captain Bennett not only for what she represents to the cruise industry but also her determination and perseverance in the very competitive and vital maritime industry. Belinda is a great role model for our junior officers and cadets.

Charting a course to success in the cruise and maritime industry, the Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service has been presented to Captain Belinda Bennett of Windstar Cruises, as the first black female captain in the commercial cruise industry. Captain Bennett was given the award for services to the promotion of the maritime sector under the auspices of the U.K. Department for Transport and Maritime & Coastguard Agency.

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne presented the Merchant Navy Medal honor, earned by those who have gone above and beyond in their service to the maritime industry, at Trinity House in London.

First established in 2016, the awards marks the crucial contribution that members of the Merchant Navy make to maritime safety, seafarer welfare, training and the wider blue economy. There were 19 recipients in total and Bennett is the second person at Windstar to receive this medal.

"Our Merchant Navy is crucial to keeping the U.K. thriving  helping deliver goods, energy and food to our homes. These 19 people are a credit not just to the maritime industry but to the wider nation. They have gone above and beyond their duty for the benefit of others," U.K. Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani said, adding, "Belindas trailblazing is [an example] of the outstanding service provided by our mariners."

It is an absolute honor to receive this medal. I hope that young people around the world will follow in my footsteps with hard work and dedication. I have to thank my family, friends and work colleagues for their support over the years and every day we continue to learn. My career at sea has allowed me to see much of the world and its cultures of which I am thankful. This medal may be awarded to me but it belongs to all who have supported me over the last 24 years at sea, said Captain Bennett.

Captain Bennett is Windstars first female captain and is the first black captain in the commercial cruise industry. She has been with Windstar Cruises for more than 13 years. In January 2016, Capt. Bennett was named Master of MSY Wind Star, a 4-masted sailing ship accommodating 148 guests, 101 crew, with four decks and a gross tonnage of 5,307 GRT.

We are beyond proud of Captain Bennett not only for what she represents to the cruise industry but also her determination and perseverance in the very competitive and vital maritime industry. Belinda is a great role model for our junior officers and cadets. We are happy for her success and the inspiration that is to be gained by her story, said Windstar Vice President of Operations Christopher Prelog.

Hailing originally from one of the most remote islands in the world, St. Helena  a part of the British Overseas Territory, Bennett naturally became immersed with life at sea, having started as a deck cadet at age 17 on her home island ship the RMS St. Helena  a cargo ship that transports vital supplies to the remote island from the African coast. Just four years later, she had climbed the ranks to Third Officer and ultimately stayed on board for an additional five years, until departing in 2003 as second officer. Following a brief stretch as chief officer for private charter yacht SS Delphine, and Isle of Man Steam Packet ferries, Bennett joined Windstar Cruises as Second Officer at the Port of Monaco in September 2005. Bennett has worked on a variety of Windstar ships over her 13-year career progressing to chief officer and now captain with the small ship line.

To learn more about authentic small ship cruising with Windstar, contact a travel professional or Windstar Cruises by phone at 877-958-7718 or visit http://www.windstarcruises.com.We know that employees are our most valuable asset and we cant wait to add more members to our incredible Loveland team.

Cellular Sales, the largest independent Verizon Wireless retailer by volume, announces their expansion in Colorado with a new store in Loveland. Over the next year, the store is expected to add new jobs within the local community.

On September 28, the store, at 1405 North Denver Avenue, welcomed its first customers. This is Cellular Sales 9th store in Colorado, but the first store in Loveland.

It is exciting to be coming to Loveland and expanding our number of Colorado stores, said Cellular Sales Regional Director Colby Smith. We are always excited to open a new store because it gives greater opportunity to work hands-on with our customers.

The store currently employs 12 team members with plans to add at least a dozen new team members as the store continues to grow over the next year.

Known for their innovative approach to customer service, Cellular Sales has grown significantly over the past 25 years. It has been named to Inc. Magazines 5000 list of the fastest growing companies nine times, achieving Hall of Fame status.

Before selling on their own, Cellular Sales recruits are trained for four to six weeks with senior sales reps. The training period is seen as a time where new team members are equipped the best possible tools for success. Team members are encouraged to view themselves as entrepreneurs with the support of an established, successful company backing them up.

Not only does Cellular Sales train loyal and competent employees, the training and support is valuable from a personal and professional development aspect. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects demand for retail sales jobs to grow over the next decade and sales experience will be valuable.

At Cellular Sales, we work hard to serve not only community members and customers, but our loyal employees, said Cellular Sales Regional Director James Russell. We know that employees are our most valuable asset and we cant wait to add more members to our incredible Loveland team.

Cellular Sales seeks to hire individuals with a passion for customer service to work at its North Denver Avenue store in Loveland. Those interested in applying for jobs at this Cellular Sales location may contact Cellular Sales Recruiter K.C. Wooldridge at (303) 877-4317 or kc.wooldridge@cellularsales.com.

About Cellular Sales

Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Cellular Sales was founded in 1993 and has been named to Inc. Magazines 5000 as one of the nations fastest-growing privately owned retailers for nine of the past 10 years, something only 0.5 percent of companies on that list achieve. The company currently employs 7,200 people and operates over 700 stores nationwide across 41 states. Job seekers may visit jobs.cellularsales.com. For more information on the company, visit cellularsales.com.As expectations for training and learning continue to shift, and enterprises seek new ways to generate excitement around the learning process, mobile apps are becoming a must-have strategy to help employees connect in new ways -- with the material, with instructors and with each other.

Guidebook, Inc. and Aggreko today announced that Chief Learning Officer has recognized Aggreko with Gold in the 16th annual Learning in Practice Awards. The award, which recognizes industry leaders who have demonstrated excellence in the design and delivery of employee development programs, honors Aggreko for its innovative work using mobile technology to create a collaborative and engaging digital learning experience. Using Guidebooks mobile app platform, Aggreko will offer over 300 courses to more than 2,000 employees across the globe by the end of the year.

When it comes to learning, we are always innovating. Were excited about our success using mobile apps to evolve from a traditional training model to a truly interactive learning experience, and we are thrilled to be recognized by Chief Learning Officer for our progress in this area, said Walter Davis, Global Learning Systems & Delivery Manager. With the ability to easily create and distribute mobile apps built on the Guidebook platform, weve found a way to bridge classroom training with the hands-on work environment, while also making training more inspiring.

Mobile apps offer a natural interaction with devices employees are already comfortable using, helping them feel more connected and invested in training. Aggrekos branded app built on the Guidebook platform extends the learning journey beyond the classroom, transforming how employees connect, communicate and learn. All handouts and handbooks that were printed are now accessible via the mobile device and employees have digital knowledge  even pictures and memories from the in-app social feed  in the palm of their hands. Instructors can easily update the app throughout the learning journey, from pre-course discussion questions to help employees start to engage to ongoing, post-course reference materials.

With less printed materials and no need for extra devices, Aggreko has been able to use resources more efficiently and create an interactive environment. The company is committed to innovation for better training and will continue to invest in enabling a digital, integrated, and centralized approach to learning.

Aggreko is setting the gold standard for using mobile apps to successfully modernize the corporate learning experience, said Scott Lavelle, VP of Marketing, Guidebook. As expectations for training and learning continue to shift, and enterprises seek new ways to generate excitement around the learning process, mobile apps are becoming a must-have strategy to help employees connect in new ways -- with the material, with instructors and with each other.

About Guidebook

Guidebook makes it easy to create and manage mobile apps that drive long-term user engagement. More than 50,000 organizations  from leading colleges and universities to global enterprises  rely on the Guidebook mobile app platform to fuel their mobile experiences. Guidebooks simple app builder empowers anyone in an organization to build and update powerful mobile apps for events, corporate meetings, campus tours and hundreds of other use cases. Backed by MHS Capital and Mosaic Ventures, Guidebook is headquartered in San Francisco, and has offices in Raleigh, N.C., London and Seoul. Learn more at http://www.guidebook.com and follow us at @guidebook.

About Aggreko

Aggreko works round the clock, making sure everyone gets the electricity, heating and cooling they need, whenever they need it  all powered by our class-leading equipment, trademark passion, unrivaled international experience and local knowledge. From urban development to unique commercial projects and even humanitarian emergencies, we bring our expertise and equipment to any location. Thats what has made us the worlds leading provider of modular, mobile power and heating and cooling since 1962. With more than 7,300 employees, operating from around 200 locations in 100 countries, our business helps transform the lives and livelihoods of individuals, organizations and communities across the globe, in both developed and developing countries and markets. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.aggreko.com and follow us at @aggreko_intl.Pictured: Dr. Danitris Gaines, Owner of Club Z! Tutoring of Hoover, AL I believe that no significant learning takes place without a significant relationship.

Club Z! Tutoring of Hoover, AL, proudly serving families in Hoover, Birmingham, Pelham, Vestavia Hills, and Helena in Alabama, is celebrating its official grand opening with special offers, including FREE SAT or ACT test preparation programs. Local families are encouraged to like and follow the Club Z! Tutoring of Hoover Facebook page to participate in all of its grand opening special offers and promotions or call (205) 216-4399 to register.

Club Z! Tutoring of Hoover offers in-home and online tutoring for all subjects, including SAT and ACT test preparation and study skills development. In addition, Club Z! Tutoring of Hoover has services and programs to support students of all ages, from Kindergarten readiness through college admissions counseling. Club Z! services are also available year-round, with everything from test prep classes to online reading camps available during the summer and early fall.

Club Z! is the nations largest in-home and online tutoring and test prep organization, with more than 450 offices in North America. Club Z! Tutoring of Hoover is owned and operated by educator and reading specialist, Danitris Gaines. Dr. Gaines eleven years experience as a special education teacher has helped perfectly prepare her for opening a Club Z! Tutoring franchise in Hoover. Adds Dr. Gaines:

In home tutors have the ability to offer one-on-one engagement not available in public settings such as centers or schools. In the comfort of a students home, private tutors provide a student with the time they need to grasps concepts and understand difficult concepts without feeling ridicule or embarrassment. In-home tutoring allows tutors to foster a relationship with their students and I believe that no significant learning takes place without a significant relationship. 

Club Z! Tutoring of Hoover tutors are all highly qualified, professional educators who are passionate about education. In addition, all Club Z! tutors are thoroughly screened and background checked prior to hire, and students are carefully matched to a Club Z! tutor using the companys proven Z! Tutor Match process. The Z! Tutor Match is based on academic qualifications, personality traits, and other factors that help foster student success. Club Z! even offers a 100% satisfaction Z! Guarantee backing their tutor match. And each student receives a customized learning plan, based on his/her academic goals, timeframe, and level of current achievement, which is implemented using the students classroom curriculum or one of Club Z!s proprietary curriculum options.

Dr. Gaines is particularly excited to bring the Z! Tutor Match process to Hoover families. Having been a special education teacher for 11 years and a reading specialist for 4 years, she believes our matching program will greatly benefit students by pairing them with a tutor that best supports their educational needs. That is why she is especially confident in the companys Z! Tutor Match process and its SAT and ACT diagnostic test and study tool. Club Z! of Hoover is offering all local families a free 30 day trial of the Score Booster program, now through November 15, 2018. Adds Dr. Gaines:

The match between tutor and student is so important in ensuring that the student feels comfortable, confident, and capable of learning what can sometimes be a difficult or overwhelming subject. In fact, the tutor match is a big reason why Club Z! students have such fast results, with the average student improving 2 letter grades in just 60 days! It isnt just a matter of placing a tutor; its a matter of placing the right tutor. So we go to great lengths to pick exactly the right tutor for each student we help.

Club Z! Tutoring of Hoover is also extending free online homework help to students in and around Hoover, now through November 15, 2018, in recognition of the companys grand opening. The online homework help program is one of Club Z!s most popular services, providing one-on-one access to a highly qualified tutor, to help with homework assignments in all subjects, ranging from reading to science and math. Club Z! online homework help is available Monday-Thursday from 6 pm to 10 pm Eastern, and students will have unlimited access during the promotional period.

Families are encouraged to like and follow Club Z! of Hoover on Facebook @ClubZTutoringHoover or call (205) 216-4399 to take advantage of the free offers, as well as all of the other exciting grand opening promotions.The Dallas Citizens Council is honored to host such prestigious guests at this years annual meeting, said Jere Thompson, Jr., Dallas Citizens Council chairman and Ambit Energy co-founder and CEO.

The Dallas Citizens Council will host its annual meeting at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Dec. 11, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. This years meeting will feature the Honorable Rex W. Tillerson, 69th U.S. secretary of state and former chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, and the Honorable James A. Baker III, 61st U.S. secretary of state. They will be joined by Jim Lehrer, former executive editor and anchor for PBS NewsHour.

The Dallas Citizens Council is honored to host such prestigious guests at this years annual meeting, said Jere Thompson, Jr., Dallas Citizens Council chairman and Ambit Energy co-founder and CEO. Mr. Tillerson, Mr. Baker and Mr. Lehrer are profoundly accomplished Texans, and we are grateful to be able to hear from them as they share their observations and professional challenges and successes on the world stage.

Now in its 80th year, this annual event provides the Dallas Citizens Council the opportunity to share its policy priorities in Dallas and North Texas and to host distinguished leaders. Past speakers of the event include JPMorgan Chase CEO, Jamie Dimon, AT&T CEO, Randall Stephenson, CBS News Bob Schieffer and Scott Pelley, former PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi, and former University of Texas chancellor and retired Admiral William McRaven.

Individual tickets start at $85 per person, with corporate and individual sponsorship opportunities available from $3,750. To purchase sponsorships, tickets or for more information, visit http://www.dallascitizenscouncil.org/annualmeeting. The annual meeting is expected to attract more than 1,000 attendees who will hear about the speakers global experiences in leadership and their Texas roots. In addition, The Beck Groups CEO, Fred Perpall, will be sworn in as the next chairman of Dallas Citizens Council.

About Dallas Citizens Council

Since 1937, Dallas Citizens Council has provided leadership on the issues that move Dallas forward. A non-profit organization, its membership consists of more than 150 CEOs and top business leaders in the area. The organizations purpose is to lead and serve in the moments that matter most for the people of Dallas. For more information, visit http://www.dallascitizenscouncil.org.

###Imagence enables scientists to examine specific cell biology. Imagence for HCS image analysis will revolutionize a key process in biopharmaceutical R&D.

Genedata, a leading provider of advanced software solutions for biopharmaceutical R&D, today announced Genedata Imagence, the industrys first commercial and instrument-agnostic software that automates the analysis of high-content screening (HCS) images. The deep learning-based solution accelerates, by orders of magnitude, the time-consuming and complex process of analyzing phenotypic high-content images. Delivering reproducible, unbiased results proven to be equal to or better than results from more traditional analysis approaches, the solution enables biologists to quickly and routinely set up and analyze high-content screens without requiring image analysis expertise. Genedata Imagence will be demonstrated at the SLAS Advanced 3D Human Models and High-Content Analysis Conference (Leiden, Netherlands; Oct. 17-19, 2018).

Game Changer: Genedata Imagence Reduces Analysis Time from Weeks to Hours

Genedata Imagence is the result of several collaborations between Genedata and leaders in the biopharmaceutical industry who had expressed the need for a more efficient HCS image analysis process. To address this need, Genedata invested significant resources in developing Genedata Imagence  the first commercial software solution that meets key requirements for this specific process. A joint project with AstraZeneca, based on Genedata Imagence technology, was awarded the 2018 Bio-IT World Best Practices Award for the innovation and value that the solution brings to the industry. This project demonstrated how the technology can automatically transfer learnings from one assay to another, allowing a very rapid set-up of analysis workflows for new assays. The deep learning-based solution was tested and proven with pharmacologically relevant parameters used on a very typical workflow for assay development. This collaboration also validated in real-life settings the quality of results generated by Genedata Imagence.

Deep learning has the potential to be a real game changer when applied to the analysis of phenotypic high-content screens. Genedata collaboration partners identify value in three key areas: the ability to increase the speed at which data are processed and reduce the time it takes to fine-tune assays; elimination of human bias; and most importantly, enabling scientists to better understand and examine specific cell biology.

Ultimately, Genedata Imagence will enable pharmaceutical R&D groups to broadly implement and automate the analysis of phenotypic high content screens and significantly scale-up their HCS operations, thereby reducing time consuming, labor intensive work while fueling faster delivery of R&D projects.

Interested parties can explore the technology through the Genedata Early Access program. The program allows customers early adoption of Genedata Imagence to their own projects and provides an opportunity to learn how the solution can improve existing workflows. The software is scheduled for licensing in early 2019.

With Genedata Imagence, we provide a highly innovative solution for HCS image analysis that will revolutionize a key process in biopharmaceutical R&D, said Dr. Othmar Pfannes, CEO of Genedata. We are committed to using cutting-edge technologies such as AI and deep learning that drive improved efficiencies in biopharmaceutical R&D processes, and eager to advance further collaborations to this end with industry leaders.

Editorial Note: To schedule a Genedata Imagence demonstration at the SLAS Advanced 3D Human Models and High-Content Analysis Conference, email imagence@genedata.com.

About Genedata

Genedata transforms data into intelligence with innovative software solutions and domain-specific consulting services that automate complex, large-scale experimental processes and enable organizations to maximize the ROI from their R&D. Founded in 1997, Genedata is headquartered in Switzerland and has offices in Germany, the UK, Japan, and the US. http://www.genedata.com.

Follow Genedata on LinkedIn

Disclaimer

The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties related to contract cancellations, developing risks, competitive factors, uncertainties pertaining to customer orders, demand for products and services, development of markets for the Company's products and services. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

All product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.There are many helpful therapies like PBM available to the world but not available here in the US. Optimal Living is our birthright and technology like PBM helps you get there.

Infinity Healing Center, along with sixteen other science and medical organizations, attended the first Congressional briefing on a revolutionary technology that effectively treats pain, reduces the need for opioids, and lowers healthcare costs.

Maryellen Ammons, the founder of Infinity Healing, testified on how technology using photobiomodulation (PBM) has been effective for the treatment of medical conditions like Lyme, Lupus and Fibromyalgia. Maryellen, alongside her daughter Elise and client Amy, spoke to Congressional Staffers, Doctors, Nurses, other health practitioners, and the media about the results they see and experience at Infinity Healing Center every day. The result goes beyond the elimination of medication; people have been able to recover their lives.

The timely briefing carries on the momentum from the recently passed Opioid Crisis Response Act (OCRA) of 2018, which expands programs for opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery. PBM, also known as light therapy, treats the underlying conditions causing pain, reducing the need for opioids.

PBMs effectiveness is documented in over 4,000 research papers and 500 clinical trials. It is endorsed for use and insurance reimbursement by the national health programs in Australia, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and most other European nations. The United States is notably absent from this list.

"I was really encouraged to see this dialogue starting, says Maryellen. There are many helpful therapies like PBM available to the world but not available here in the US. Optimal Living is our birthright and technology like PBM helps you get there. We see people recovering their lives every day in our center. We have a long way to go and we need to continue to foster communication and education so that people know that these therapies are available and can ask for them. We need to collaborate and cooperate broadly to implement these therapies effectively and efficiently; there is a lot of science to support the use of these therapies. We strive to be a leader in this new generation of Optimal Health and we are happy to work together with other pioneers to help people thrive in their communities."

To see how therapies like these can help you, visit our website at https://infinity.care/ or give us a call at 410.449.3028.

About Infinity Healing

Infinity Healing is a wellness center located in Lusby, Maryland. Infinity Healing is committed to bringing state of the art therapy choices to local communities, so its members experience optimal health and are enabled to positively contribute to each others lives. For more information about these and other next generation therapies, visit https://infinity.care/ or call 410.449.3028.The ETQ User Conference is a great gathering of the ETQ customer community where we can stay close to their real-world quality management concerns and share information on how to use quality as a competitive advantage, said Robert Gremley, ETQ, CEO.

ETQ, a leading provider of quality management software, today announced the 2018 finalists for The ETQ Innovation Excellence Awards. The award program celebrates customer ingenuity in implementing ETQ Reliance software in unique ways to address critical business challenges. Common to all of the finalists is their vision in using ETQ Reliance to help turn their quality programs into measurable business advantages. The finalists will present their award applications at ETQs 22nd Annual User Conference at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida, October 15 to October 18. The theme for this years conference is Building the Foundations of Compliance.

The 2018 ETQ Innovation Excellence Awards Finalists are:



RRD: RRD is a leading multichannel marketing and business communications company that helps clients better connect with their customers. As clients needs evolve rapidly in a hyper-competitive business environment, RRD leverages a range of industry-leading capabilities to develop action-oriented solutions that increase communications impact while decreasing cost and complexity. While RRD continues to transform, IT teams remain focused on maximizing the speed and efficiency of technical systems and processes to support and drive strategic priorities. RRD built the ETQ Information Center (EIC) to streamline and automate communications between RRD ETQ users and the IT development team. The resulting system provides a one-stop shop for users' administrative requests, which were previously captured in various systems. By interlinking the five unique forms and workflows in the EIC, RRD has increased efficiency, data integrity, accountability, and visibility for users. Overall, the EIC module has encouraged networking among sites, streamlined processes, and allowed the development team to reduce turnaround time of requests.

Kimberly-Clark: As companies implement transformation initiatives to grow and improve their business, new capabilities and business processes are introduced. To help assess the progress and maturity of their transformation initiatives and capacities, K-C created a Maturity Assessment tool in ETQ. This tool allows them to establish maturity level requirements for each capability, establish baselines, set annual maturity targets at the business/region/country/site level, and assess their current maturity state to measure progress towards their targets. Maturity assessment analytics utilize the ETQ data to visualize performance, identify gaps, opportunities for improvement, and opportunities for standardization.

GE Transportation: Since 2017, GE Transportation has launched an ongoing quality culture campaign to create an environment where every single employee embraces a quality of culture. The campaign has included manager led discussions, incentivized quizzes and contests, learning modules, and various communications to increase employee quality knowledge and establish shared expectations for execution and accountability. One tool that has helped the team amplify quality messages, and offer standardize quality eLearning, is the ETQ Reliance Platform. The solution is used to deliver weekly messages educating employees and suppliers on critical quality topics. As users log into the application each week, they see a new pop up message on various quality topics. The standardized eLearning via Reliance modules were specifically designed to dive deep into relevant quality topics that vary by job function. In manufacturing, ETQ Reliance Platform has also been used to deliver quality alerts to specific workstations and encourage operator signoff and escalation of issues.

The ETQ Annual User Conference is a wonderful gathering of the ETQ customer community where we can stay close to their real-world quality management concerns, exchange information on how best to use quality as a real competitive advantage, and to grow as quality and compliance professionals, said Robert Gremley, ETQ, CEO. Together we are exploring all the ways that quality creates business advantage, powerful competitiveness and unlimited innovation.

About R.R. Donnelley (RRD)

RRD is a leading global provider of multichannel business communications services and marketing solutions. With more than 50,000 customers and 43,000 employees across 34 countries, RRD offers the industrys most comprehensive offering of solutions designed to help companiesfrom Main Street to Wall Streetoptimize customer engagement and streamline business operations across the complete customer journey. RRD offers a comprehensive portfolio of capabilities, experience and scale that enables organizations around the world to create, manage, deliver, and optimize their marketing and business communications strategies. For more information, visit our website at RRD.com.

About Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people's most essential needs, we create products that help individuals experience more of what's important to them. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Neve, Plenitud, Viva and WypAll, hold the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in 80 countries. They use sustainable practices that support a healthy planet, build stronger communities, and ensure our business thrives for decades to come.

About GE Transportation

GE Transportation helps move the world and improve the world, as a global technology leader and supplier of equipment, services and digital solutions to the rail, mining, marine, stationary power and drilling industries. GE Transportations innovations help customers deliver goods and services with greater speed and savings using advanced manufacturing techniques and connected machines. The company employs approximately 9,000 employees worldwide. GE Transportation has a backlog of roughly $18 billion, including approximately 1,800 new locomotives and roughly 1,000 locomotive modernized units.

About ETQ

ETQ is the leading Quality, EHS, Operational Risk and Compliance management software provider for identifying, mitigating and preventing high-risk events through integration, automation and collaboration. At the core of ETQs framework is a compliance management platform that enables organizations to implement best-in-class compliance processes configured to meet their existing processes, create new compliance processes and automate and control their compliance ecosystem. ETQ was founded in 1992 and has main offices located in the U.S. and Europe. To learn more about ETQ and its various product offerings, visit http://www.ETQ.com or blog.ETQ.com.

# # # #

MEDIA CONTACT:

Chris Nahil

ETQ

cnahil(at)etq.com

617-529-612613th Annual FDA Inspections Summit

13th Annual FDA Inspections Summit

**Presented by FDAnews**

Oct. 23-25, 2018  Bethesda, MD

http://www.fdanews.com/fdainspectionssummit

The 13th Annual FDA Inspections Summit starts in one week.

So much has changed since last years Inspections Summit that it sometimes feels difficult to keep up. The FDA is focused on any number of new topics: more generics, lower prices, opioids, internal restructuring, and much more. But one thing that hasnt changed is that they are still doing inspections and the regulated community is still making mistakes.

The FDA will always do inspections, and Commissioner Scott Gottlieb and the FDA have certainly not provided any hint that they are going to stop doing them any time soon.

Manufacturers cant afford to be caught off guard. Warning letters and 483 citations can cost manufacturers time, energy and money.

Come to Washington, DC, Oct. 23-25, for the 13th Annual FDA Inspections Summit, the must-attend conference of the regulatory year from FDAnews.



Meet the FDAers whose actions spell fortune or failure; lawyers and consultants; industry hot-shots whove sussed out how to navigate a hyper-regulated milieu and still prosper.

o Confirmed FDA Speakers Include: David Glasgow, Deputy Director, Office of Bioresearch Monitoring Operations, OMPTO, ORA, FDA and Ellen Morrison, Associate Commissioner, OMPTO,ORA, FDA

Drug, device and clinical separate tracks. Therell be panels galore aimed specifically at the particular issues that affect drug and device makers and clinical trials professionals

Pre-Conference Drug, Device and Clinical Workshops filled with tips and tricks to help manufacturers sail through their next inspection.

Attend in person or live-stream the summit. The entire conference, including standout pre-conference workshops, is available in real time via livestreaming.

Reminder: The 13th Annual FDA Inspections Summit starts in one week.

Who Will Benefit:

Drugmakers

Devicemakers

Biologics firms

Clinical trials

Clinical research organizations

Diagnostics firms

Executive suite

Manufacturing/GMP

QA/QC

Regulatory affairs

Strategic planners

Legal counsel

Consultants

Conference Details

13th Annual FDA Inspections Summit

**Presented by FDAnews**

Oct. 23-25, 2018  Bethesda, MD

http://www.fdanews.com/fdainspectionssummit

Tuition:

In-Person Complete Summit: $1,997

Livestream Complete Summit: $1,497

Additional pricing options are available online.

Easy Ways to Register:

Online: http://www.fdanews.com/fdainspectionssummit

By phone: 888-838-5578 or 703-538-7600

About FDAnews:

FDAnews is the premier provider of domestic and international regulatory, legislative, and business news and information for executives in industries regulated by the US FDA and the European Medicines Agency. Pharmaceutical and medical device professionals rely on FDAnews' print and electronic newsletters, books and conferences to stay in compliance with international standards and the FDA's complex and ever-changing regulations.We are very impressed by FLOCKs unique combination of industry acumen and data analytics, and its commitment to partner with high-growth, high-integrity debt buyers to meet their funding needs, said J.D. Gettmann, Managing Director at MidCap Financial Services, LLC.

FLOCK Specialty Finance (FLOCK) announced today that it has closed on a new senior debt facility with MidCap Financial Services, LLC. FLOCK is an Atlanta-based, alternative funding provider of capital and expertise for the purchase of both charged-off debt portfolios as well as for the financing of subprime consumer obligations. The new funding represents a significant increase in senior debt capital for FLOCK, nearly doubling its deployment capacity.

Our new relationship with MidCap takes our specialty finance company to a whole new level of growth, providing a wider menu of offerings in a broader array of complementary asset classes. It ensures that we will have capital solutions aligned with our clients, supporting their future growth strategies, said Michael Flock, Chairman and CEO of FLOCK Specialty Finance. This financing provides three big benefits for clients. First, it enables FLOCK to finance new asset classes including subprime performing auto loans, merchant cash advances, student loans, commercial lending and second lien mortgages. Second, the new structure provides more flexibility by permitting FLOCK to use other capital sources to fund asset classes traditionally excluded from senior lines, such as charged-off high APR consumer debt portfolios. Third, it enables FLOCK to offer different financing structures including on-balance sheet funding to complement our traditional off-balance sheet SPV solution. With these three new capabilities, FLOCK is in a much better position to participate in our clients capital decisions and support their growth plans.

As consumer credit levels continue to rise steadily, the debt buying industry is poised for new growth. FLOCK believes its new funding capacity positions it to help debt buyers grow more effectively and efficiently to serve this expanding market. We are very impressed by FLOCKs unique combination of industry acumen and data analytics, and its commitment to partner with high-growth, high-integrity debt buyers to meet their funding needs, said J.D. Gettmann, Managing Director at MidCap Financial Services, LLC. FLOCKs motto is More than a transaction and were pleased to partner with Michael and his team as they continue to transform the way these businesses access capital and benefit from value-added intelligence and industry expertise.

About FLOCK Specialty Finance

FLOCK Specialty Finance is dedicated to alternative funding in a variety of specialty finance segments. FLOCKs mission is to provide clients with capital and expertise for the purchase of both charged off debt portfolios as well as for the financing of subprime consumer obligations. FLOCK believes its funding is More Than a Transaction. FLOCKs proprietary financing structure provides growth-minded clients with a competitive advantage in multiple asset classes. Founded in 2007, FLOCK is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. http://www.flockfinance.com

About MidCap Financial

MidCap Financial is a middle market-focused, balance sheet lender that provides debt solutions to companies across all industries. The companys subsidiary, MidCap Financial Services, LLC is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with regional offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. The company focuses on the debt needs of the middle market in five areas:



General Asset-Based: working capital loans collateralized by third-party accounts receivable, inventory, and other assets;

Leveraged Finance: cash flow based loans to Financial Sponsor backed companies;

Life Sciences: financing for venture backed and micro/small cap pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies;

Lender Finance: loans provided across the consumer and commercial finance sectors; and

Real Estate: loans for the acquisition, refinance and recapitalization of healthcare and commercial real estate properties.

As of March 2018, MidCap Financial has over $16 billion of commitments under management. Since our founding in 2008, we have been working with management teams and sponsors to deliver thoughtful and cost effective debt solutions. Companies need a lender that understands their business and has the creativity and flexibility to provide financing solutions that are suited to their needs. At MidCap Financial, our years of experience, strong balance sheet, and flexibility make us the lender of choice for companies across all stages of growth and complexity.

MidCap Financial refers to MidCap FinCo Limited, a private limited company domiciled in Ireland, and its subsidiaries. MidCap Financial is managed by Apollo Capital Management, L.P., a subsidiary of Apollo Global Management, pursuant to an investment management agreement between Apollo Capital Management, L.P. and MidCap FinCo Limited. References to MidCap Financial prior to January 2015 are to its predecessor, MidCap Financial, LLC."The GIC is committed to providing rapid and efficient aerial response to quickly get imagery into the hands of those who can use it to respond to citizens in times of crisis."

On Wednesday, October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael made landfall on the Florida Panhandle as a Category 4 storm. The storm has left widespread destruction totaling up to an estimated $4.5 billion in property damage, a death toll of 18 people to date, and tens of thousands without homes, electricity and food.

In response, the Geospatial Intelligence Center (GIC) on Thursday began mobilizing a fleet of aircraft equipped with Vexcel Imaging UltraCam digital aerial camera systems to capture ultra high-resolution vertical and oblique imagery of impacted areas, beginning at the gulf coastline and moving inland as far as Macon, Georgia. The entire collection covers regions in Florida, Georgia and Alabama and amounts to an area 84k square kilometers, roughly the size of Austria.

The imagery began appearing in the GIC ArcGIS Online based web map portal as early as Friday, October 12, less than 24 hours from collection, where it was made accessible to GIC member insurers, NOAA, FEMA, Red Cross and first responders involved in ground efforts. Additionally, a public-facing web map is available on the GIC web site, allowing visitors to search for properties and locations and to compare before and after storm imagery using an on-screens swipe tool.

The GIC is a National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) initiative in partnership with Vexcel Imaging that is focused on building a national database of high-resolution imagery to be used by its member companies that write almost 80 percent of all property/casualty insurance and over 94 percent of all auto insurance in the country, as well as public sector and non-governmental organizations. The Geospatial Intelligence Center has previously mapped the areas hardest hit by hurricanes and disasters and those views are also available through the web map portal. The GIC partners with Esri, a worldwide leader in GIS software and services, to leverage its ArcGIS online platform and tools to underpin the GIC web map portal for visualization and exploitation of the imagery.

Hurricane Michael is the first Category 4 storm in recorded history to make landfall in the northeast Gulf Coast, said Ryan Bank, founder of the Geospatial Intelligence Center. Regrettably, it may not be the last. The trend for billion-dollar weather and climate disasters shows a year-over-year increase. In 2017 alone, the US saw more than $300 billion in disaster related costs. The GIC is committed to providing rapid and efficient aerial response to quickly get imagery into the hands of those who can use it to respond to citizens in such times of crisis.

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau:

Headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., the NICB is the nations leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through data analytics, investigations, training, legislative advocacy and public awareness. The NICB is supported by more than 1,100 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. NICB member companies wrote over $436 billion in insurance premiums in 2016, or more than 79 percent of the nations property/casualty insurance. That includes more than 94 percent ($202 billion) of the nations personal auto insurance. To learn more visit http://www.nicb.org.

About Vexcel Imaging:

Based in Boulder, CO, Vexcel Imaging Inc. is a leading provider of geospatial data and services and mapping products. At the core of the business is the industry-leading line of UltraCam digital aerial and terrestrial camera systems widely adopted by aerial mapping firms worldwide and underpinning the Vexcel data program. The UltraCam portfolio provides a range of imaging systems including photogrammetric nadir camera systems, combined nadir and oblique image capture systems, and high-altitude wide-area mapping systems. For terrestrial collection, the car-based mobile mapping system UltraCam Mustang captures a street-level perspective, and the UltraCam Panther collects high-resolution imagery, video and LiDAR via a portable 3D reality mapping system. These systems, coupled with the UltraMap workflow software, offer geospatial data organizations and geospatial data users with highly accurate but cost-effective nadir, oblique and streetside data expertise. In 2006, Vexcel Imaging was acquired by Microsoft Corporation and contributed as a subsidiary to the success of Microsofts Bing program by pushing the envelope of photogrammetric hardware and software technology with innovations that underpinned the Bing Maps web service and mapping platform. As a direct result of these advancements, the UltraMap photogrammetric workflow software solution was born and today offers customers with an extremely rapid and efficient solution for generating aerial imagery and downstream data products such as high density point clouds, digital surface models and orthophotos. Ten years later, Vexcel Imaging is again a private company and continuing our story of success with renewed and greater flexibility and agility. Learn more about Vexcel Imaging at http://www.vexcel-imaging.com/.

To access the Hurricane Florence Portal go to: https://maps.geointel.org/app/gic-public/

About Esri:

Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, offers the most powerful mapping and spatial analytics technology available. Since 1969, Esri has helped customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Today, Esri software is deployed in more than 350,000 organizations including the worlds largest cities, most national governments, 75 percent of Fortune 500 companies, and more than 7,000 colleges and universities. Esri engineers the most advanced solutions for digital transformation, the Internet of Things (IoT), and location analytics to inform the most authoritative maps in the world. Visit us at esri.com.Grady Health System Partners with Gozio Health on New Mobile Wayfinding Platform Making it easier for our patients and guests to find their way around Grady is an important part of our efforts to enhance our patient experience. The app is an outstanding wayfinding tool that we think will prove invaluable to users, said Lindsay Caulfield, Gradys Chief Experience Officer.

Grady Health System now offers patients and visitors Grady Go! - a mobile wayfinding platform that provides step-by-step directions to any destination in Grady. Developed in collaboration with Atlanta-based Gozio Health, the hospital-branded mobile platform provides a GPS-like experience, guiding users from home, to parking, and their in-hospital destination.

Making it easier for our patients and guests to find their way around Grady is an important part of our efforts to enhance our patient experience. The app is an outstanding wayfinding tool that we think will prove invaluable to users, said Lindsay Caulfield, Gradys Chief Experience Officer.

The patient engagement platform puts all the hospitals amenities and services at the users fingertips, and includes access to medical records via MyChart, the locations of cafes, pharmacies and even the closest restrooms. The app is available for Android and iPhone mobile devices and can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play.

We are excited for the opportunity to partner with Atlantas leading Level 1 trauma center and assist families during times of stress with technology that simplifies their visit to the hospital, says Joshua Titus, CEO and Founder of Gozio Health.

About Gozio

Gozio Health transforms indoor navigation and significantly improves patient experience with a smartphone-based, indoor positioning and wayfinding platform specifically designed for hospitals and healthcare systems. Gozio's pioneering mobile platform dramatically improves mobile adoption rates for hospitals and seamlessly integrates mobile technology into patient engagement strategies. In addition to numerous industry awards, the wayfinding solution from Gozio has earned the exclusive endorsement of the American Hospital Association. For more information, visit http://www.goziohealth.com, or find Gozio Health on Twitter and LinkedIn.Wendy Johnson Lario, shareholder and chair of Greenberg Traurig LLPs New Jersey Labor & Employment Practice, has been named by the New Jersey Law Journal as one of its 2018 Top Women in the Law. According to the publication, the female attorneys who are listed as Top Women in the Law have influenced the law and legal profession in exceptional ways over the last two years.

We are incredibly proud of Wendy for her well-deserved recognition as one of the New Jersey Law Journals Top Women in the Law, said Philip R. Sellinger and David Jay, co-managing shareholders of the firms New Jersey office, in a joint statement. She is a remarkable leader and mentor at Greenberg Traurig and in the local community.

Lario represents employers in litigation involving claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and whistleblowing, among others. She appears regularly in federal and state courts in New Jersey and New York and defends employers against charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, and the New York Division of Human Rights. She also provides advice and training to management and in-house counsel on various employment issues.

Lario is active in many professional organizations including the Litigation Counsel of America; the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association; and Seton Hall University School of Law, Board of Visitors, where she serves as vice chair.

Lario was recently listed in Lawdragon and Human Resources Executive magazine, "The Nation's Most Powerful Employment Lawyers - Top 100." She has also been listed in various legal publications including Chambers USA Guide, The Legal 500 United States, and The Best Lawyers in America. She received her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and her B.A. from Duke University.

About Greenberg Traurig  New Jersey: Greenberg Traurigs New Jersey office has grown to more than 70 attorneys since its founding in 2002. The offices experienced litigators provide advice and representation in virtually every area of litigation, including class actions, complex commercial and construction cases and white collar criminal defense. The corporate and financial services attorneys, whose clients include numerous major commercial banks and finance companies in the New York/New Jersey area, handle a wide variety of matters, including sophisticated loan transactions and workouts, mergers and acquisitions, and business reorganizations and restructurings. Greenberg Traurigs New Jersey office also has a robust IP and patent prosecution practice. Other areas of practice include labor and employment, real estate, immigration, franchise law, tax, trusts and estates, and energy and infrastructure.

About Greenberg Traurigs Womens Initiative: Greenberg Traurig is committed to its women lawyers success, which includes a firmwide womens affinity group encompassing recruiting, retention, and business development. The firm regularly collaborates with like-minded organizations to address these issues on a broader scale in a variety of industries and communities. Greenberg Traurig also takes thoughtful action to address issues such as maintaining a healthy work-life balance, breaking the glass ceiling, mentoring, creating and maintaining healthy lifestyles, and giving back to the community.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, was named the largest firm in the U.S. by Law360 in 2017, and is among the Top 20 on the 2018 Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.We are excited about offering nursing services, and we welcome our RNs aboard, says Cathy Stein, CEO of HCBS Provider. Maintaining and growing our services in Pennsylvania is a direct result of our wonderful caregivers and their outstanding support to our clients.

Home Community Base Services Provider, Inc., formerly Co-op Provider Services Network, is now a corporation and is expanding their service area in southeastern Pennsylvania. They now offer services in seven counties and are considering several others in the near future. HCBS Provider remains innovative and responsive to the unique needs of the mental health/intellectual, autism and physical disabilities population and have broadened their social media presence to reach more people in need of their services in Pennsylvania.

Many families caring for adults with special needs struggle with where to turn to find help and resources. With the new website, http://hcbsprovider.com/ and the launch of their social media presence on Facebook , Twitter, and LinkedIn , HCBS Provider is reaching out to as many families in need in southeastern Pennsylvania as possible that may not know that their services exist.

HCBS Provider specializes in providing support services, in the home as well as the community, to adults with mental health and intellectual/developmental disabilities including autism. Community Living Arrangements (CLA) and Life-sharing are also available. They offer a range of support options designed to meet the specific needs of their consumers.

The trained staff at HCBS Provider provide In-Home & Community Supports, Supported Employment, Companion, Behavioral Therapy, Personal Assistance, Community Inclusion/Integration, overnight Respite (in or out of the home), as well as Nursing, new in 2018.

Depending on their clients needs, HCBS Provider can also provide light housekeeping, laundry service, meal planning and preparation, running errands, and assistance with activities of daily living such as personal hygiene. HCBS Provider also promotes social interaction to reduce the isolation experienced by some of their consumers and to improve the quality of lives. Their clients have disabilities ranging from autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities.

We are excited about offering nursing services and we welcome our RNs aboard, says Cathy Stein, CEO of HCBS Provider. Maintaining and growing our services in Pennsylvania is a direct result of our wonderful caregivers and their outstanding support to our clients. We are concentrating on integrating our consumers into rewarding supported employment opportunities. Our staffs special relationship with our clients, families and professionals in the community is a reflection on our entire company.

As HCBS Provider continues to grow and serve an ever-increasing number of individuals, they are actively looking for more direct care staff to join their team. Home-based care is a very personal business that focuses on service to the individual, not things, Stein continues. Our staff use a fresh approach with each of their clients. Its what sets our staff apart. Theyre problem-solvers and keep a positive attitude even on bad days.

HCBS Providers website is a valuable resource for individuals and families including those struggling to know where to begin looking for services. Services are provided in the following counties: Chester, Montgomery, Berks, Delaware, Bucks, Philadelphia, and Lancaster.

To join the growing HCBS Provider team, apply here http://hcbsprovider.com/join-our-team/.

About HCBS Provider, Inc.

HCBS Provider is an Approved Provider by the Department of Human Services in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, qualified by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) for the Consolidated and Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) and the Community Living Waiver programs. They are subjected to 55 PA Code 51 and 52 rules and regulations. Provider qualifications and verification requirements are continually updated. Federal, state and local requirements govern HCBS Provider. HCBS Provider must meet applicable waiver amendments and have valid MA provider agreements that are monitored by the various departments on a regular basis.Pictured are staff with school supplies at Atlanta office including from (l to r) Senior Account Manager Sarah Tancini, Account Manager Alexis Oubre and Business Development Specialist Jordan Torr. It is so rewarding to deliver the backpacks filled with school supplies at Agape, knowing that our local youth is heading off to school adequately prepared for the year ahead. - Ashley Lodge, Account Manager

In the companys continuing effort to support Atlanta and surrounding communities, Incentive Solutions participated in Agape Youth & Family Centers rewarding and successful program, The Great Backpack Give-Away. Through digital reward point donations and volunteer hours spent assembling and delivering school supplies to students of Atlanta, Incentive Solutions helped Agape exceed their goal of 2,000-plus children served with 2,228 backpacks donated.

With the creation our Care Committee, Incentive Solutions reminds our employees and clients just how important being active members of our community is for each and every one of us, President & CEO Mark Herbert said. I cannot think of a better way to make a difference than to volunteer our time and assets to the youth of Atlanta, invest in their education, and actively participate in the Great Backpack Give-Away.

Incentive Solutions joined forces with the Agape Youth & Family Center back in 2015 as an in-kind sponsor. Since then, the incentive management company has inspired its employees, leadership and clients to pitch in on donating digital reward points to the cause. This year, the company set a goal to donate 110 school supply-filled backpacks, but exceeded that goal by 124. Altogether, the company helped raise the equivalent of $5,000 for the charitable foundation based in the city of Atlanta.

The Great Backpack Give-Away is one of my favorite events of the year, added Ashley Lodge, account manager, Incentive Solutions, as well as Care Committee team member and organizer. It is so rewarding to deliver the backpacks filled with school supplies at Agape, knowing that our local youth is heading off to school adequately prepared for the year ahead.

Alexis Oubre, account manager and Care Committee team member, concluded, Participating in the Agape Backpack Give-Away is a highlight of the Care Committee annual events. It is great to get involved in the community, while directly giving back to the children of Atlanta.

Agape Youth & Family Center empowers and supports underserved families within the Atlanta community to discover and embrace their full potential. Each year, Agape collects and distributes new backpacks filled with school supplies for 2,000-plus under-served students.Arcadia Data, provider of the first visual analytics software native to Apache Hadoop and the cloud, continues its momentum as a leader in empowering business users to perform analytics and BI on streaming data, quickly. Arcadia Data has experienced ongoing growth in customers and use cases for visualizations on streaming data. This underscores a broader market demand for solutions capable of unlocking the value of IoT analytics in Apache Kafka, Apache Kudu, and other leading technologies for managing real-time data. According to 451 Research, the high-growth Event/Stream Processing subsector of the Total Data market will grow at a CAGR of 19.7 percent between 2017 and 2022.

The need for faster responses to business operations, cyber attacks, and rapidly-changing market conditions requires organizations to create a more agile and real-time data architecture. As a result, Arcadia Data has seen an uptick in customer use cases tapping into streaming data for faster insights, a trend that will only continue as momentum behind streaming analytics picks up. Recent  but not exhaustive  examples include:



An Arcadia Data customer is reporting network usage data in real time to ensure high performance and thus higher customer satisfaction and retention.

A telecommunications customer uses real-time analytics to quickly identify spam and minimize intrusion on customer accounts.

A retail customer monitors production and delivery in real-time to ensure competitive advantage in a market where consumers can easily switch to another store.

At Arcadia Data, we have worked hard since our inception to enable business users to quickly analyze data with no data movement and minimal IT intervention, said Sushil Thomas, CEO and co-founder, Arcadia Data. As the rush to incorporate AI and analyze data streams in real time increases in intensity, organizations are looking for easier ways to gain a competitive edge. As this swell has grown, we have also seen an increase in customers using Arcadia Enterprise to perform native visual analytics on real-time streaming data. This momentum highlights the fact Arcadia Data is solving a complex market problem and is empowering organizations to leverage data as a strategic asset.

Dynamic Data Conditions Warrant Investment in Streaming Analytics Technology

As we have moved from the transactional era, through the interaction era, to the engagement era, enterprises are increasing their investment in data processing and analytics in order to meet the on-demand expectations of customers, said Matt Aslett, research vice president, data, AI and analytics, 451 Research. Creating differentiation increasingly relies on the continuous integration and analysis of streaming data from IoT devices, social media feeds and interactive applications. We anticipate growing demand for stream processing as well as analytics technologies designed specifically to visualize and generate insight from streaming data as demand for real-time business operations grows.

Streaming data presents a growing opportunity for organizations that can effectively and quickly analyze the information. Arcadia Enterprise integrates with Confluent KSQL and offers the first native visual analytics for Apache Kafka.The joint solution provides business users advanced visualizations for streaming data use cases, specifically around alerts, time-based data exploration, and drill downs. With these capabilities, Arcadia Enterprise users can more easily query real-time data combined with historical data in consolidated dashboards. Unlike legacy business intelligence tools, Arcadia Enterprise does not require manual refreshes, so users get continual updates on the live data. For organizations wishing to capture streaming data as a true business asset, Arcadia Data brings the power of self-service BI and analytics to all users on big, streaming data.

Streaming Data Analytics Requires a Visual Approach

Visualizations are emerging as a key component for streaming analytics, particularly to provide real-time insights to non-technical business users. KSQL enables this opportunity by applying a well-known technology, SQL, to the newer context of streaming data. At Kafka Summit in San Francisco, Arcadia Data CTO and co-founder, Shant Hovsepian will explain various aspects of using SQL on streaming data by showing visual representations of the different semantics provided.



Hovsepians discussion, A Visual Approach to Understanding Streaming SQL, will take place Tuesday, October 16 at 11:55 a.m. PDT.

As Demand for Streaming Analytics Grows, Leaders Seek Out Robust Solutions

In order to turn data streams into a strategic asset, organizations must leverage tools that will scale with their data volume as they grow. To help leaders make more informed decisions about their streaming data architectures, Arcadia Data will participate in a webinar: How Bell Canada and Twilio Succeed with Scaling Real-Time Analytics.



The webinar will examine how enterprises can make real-time analytics easily and quickly accessible to multiple business teams in order to build a competitive advantage and deliver great customer service at scale.

Several data analytics experts from Cloudera, Bell Canada, and Twilio will discuss business needs and use cases for scaling real-time analytics, best practices for building enterprise data architectures for scale and speed, and how organizations can enable self-service BI and analytics on fast-changing data in log data warehouses.

The webinar will take place October 24, at 10:00 a.m. PDT. Registration link above.

See Arcadia Enterprise in action by registering for a live demo or reading more about streaming visualizations.

About Arcadia Data

Arcadia Data provides the first visual analytics and BI platform native to big data that delivers the scale, performance, and agility business users need to discover and productionize real-time insights. Its flagship product, Arcadia Enterprise, was built from inception to run natively within big data platforms, in the cloud and/or on-premises, to streamline the self-service analytics process on data in Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark, Apache Kafka, and Apache Solr. It enables real-time, high-definition insights in use cases like data lakes, cybersecurity, connected IoT devices, and customer intelligence. Arcadia Enterprise is deployed by some of the worlds leading brands, including Procter & Gamble, Nokia, Royal Bank of Canada, Kaiser Permanente, HPE, and Neustar. To learn more, follow @ArcadiaData or visit http://www.arcadiadata.com.Lidar is now a disruptive commercial technology that continues to emerge rapidly, so our goal is to provide business case studies that demonstrate its amazing capabilities.

The conference program for International LiDAR Mapping Forum, the premier event focusing on surveying and mapping technologies including airborne, mobile, and bathymetric lidar, as well as other emerging remote sensing technologies, has been announced. The highly anticipated program, organized by conference planners and an Advisory Board comprised of industry experts, is made up of keynote presentations, case studies, and panels. Nearly 50 speakers are lined up, who will provide geospatial professionals with the latest industry insights, experiences, and use cases. The full program can be viewed here.

Lidar is now a disruptive commercial technology that continues to emerge rapidly, so our goal is to provide business case studies that demonstrate its amazing capabilities. Weve put together a balanced agenda that provides excellent technical insights from a wide variety of industries, says Bill Emison, Conference Chair.

Combined with an international exhibition of the newest surveying and mapping technology from the worlds top vendors and numerous networking events, the expo and conference is critical for anyone who needs to stay on top of the latest technology and developments in the rapidly changing geospatial technology market. The 2019 edition of International LiDAR Mapping Forum (ILMF), produced by Diversified Communications, will take place from January 28-30 at the Hyatt Regency Denver in Denver Colorado. ILMF 2019 will take place as part of the inaugural edition of Geo Week along with the 2019 editions of MAPPS Winter Conference and ASPRS Annual Conference.

According to Lisa Murray, Group Director at Diversified Communications, The response to the creation of Geo Week has been tremendous. The geospatial community has long been asking for events to come together and we listened. The powerful combination of ILMF, ASPRS, and MAPPS is about bringing the geospatial community together to strengthen its influence, provide top-notch education, and foster new business opportunities. For anyone involved in geospatial technologies, this is now a must-attend event.

Registration for 2019 International LiDAR Mapping Forum and ASPRS Annual Conference is now open. Event organizers recommend registering early for the best price and to avoid lines onsite. To register, please visit: https://xpressreg.net/register/ilmf0119/landing.asp?sc=207188

About International LiDAR Mapping Forum

International LiDAR Mapping Forum (ILMF) is a technical conference & exhibition focused on airborne, terrestrial and underwater lidar as well as emerging remote-sensing and data collection tools and technology used for applications including Asset Management; Civil Infrastructure; Coastal Zone Mapping; Emergency Services & Disaster Response; Land and Natural Resource Management; and Urban Modeling.

ILMF is part of a network of events and media for the global geospatial market organized by Diversified Communications, a leading organizer of conferences, trade shows and online media with 15 years in the geospatial arena, including Commercial UAV Expo Americas, Commercial UAV Europe, Commercial UAV News, International LiDAR Mapping Forum, SPAR 3D Expo & Conference, SPAR3D.com, AEC Next Technology Expo + Conference and AEC Next News. For more information, visit http://www.lidarmap.org.

About Geo Week

Geo Week is a multi-event collaboration including participation from MAPPS Winter Conference, International LiDAR Mapping Forum, and ASPRS Annual Conference to accomplish a year of geospatial business in just one week.

Each of the three events will retain the distinct educational programs their respective attendees have come to rely upon for industry news and information as well as career development. Various conference pass options are available to allow attendees to take part in any or all programming and activities. For more information regarding Geo Week, please visit http://www.lidarmap.org/geoweek.

About Diversified Communications

Diversified Communications is a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products Diversified Communications connects, educates and strengthens business communities in over 14 industries including food and beverage, healthcare, natural and organic, business management and technology. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit http://www.divcom.com.Intrinsic ID "Intrinsic ID will demonstrate device-to-cloud authentication and encryption of flash data"

Intrinsic ID, the worlds leading provider of digital authentication technology for Internet of Things security, today announced it will exhibit during Arm TechCon, October 17-18 in San Jose. Intrinsic ID will offer demonstrations in partnership with NXP Semiconductors N.V., showing technology for creating unclonable identities to secure any IoT-connected device.

Intrinsic ID will demonstrate device-to-cloud authentication and encryption of flash data with NXP, which last week announced its i.MX RT600 family of processors and the LPC5500 series of microcontrollers. They are based on the Arm Cortex-M33 processing core and utilize Intrinsic IDs QuiddiKey, hardware IP which delivers hardware root of trust for IoT security.

In addition to QuiddiKey, Intrinsic ID products include BroadKey, a software IP which delivers hardware root of trust for creating, wrapping and managing secure keys for IoT security, and which enables security deployment at any point in an IoT-connected products lifecycle.

For more information on the conference please visit the Arm TechCon website.

WHEN:

Arm TechCon exhibits will be open October 17-18, 2018



October 17: 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. PDT

October 18: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. PDT

WHERE:

San Jose Convention Center

150 W. San Carlos St.

San Jose, California 95113

Intrinsic ID will exhibit with NXP in booth #620.

About Intrinsic ID

Intrinsic ID is the worlds leading digital authentication company, providing the Internet of Things with hardware-based root-of-trust security via unclonable identities for any IoT-connected device. Based on Intrinsic IDs patented SRAM PUF technology, the companys security solutions can be implemented in hardware or software. Intrinsic ID security, which can be deployed at any stage of a products lifecycle, is used to validate payment systems, secure connectivity, authenticate sensors, and protect sensitive government and military systems. Intrinsic ID technology has been deployed in more than 100 million devices. Award recognition includes the Frost & Sullivan Technology Leadership Award and the EU Innovation Radar Prize. Intrinsic ID security has been proven in millions of devices certified by Common Criteria, EMVCo, Visa and multiple governments. Intrinsic IDs mission: Authenticate EverythingTM. Visit Intrinsic ID online at http://www.Intrinsic-ID.com.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/intrinsic-id

Twitter: https://twitter.com/intrinsicid

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Intrinsic-ID-367721959973148/

GooglePlus: https://plus.google.com/100457819932721237291

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/IntrinsicID

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/intrinsic_id/

Intrinsic ID, the Intrinsic ID logo, BroadKey, QuiddiKey and Authenticate Everything are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intrinsic ID, Inc., and are protected by trademark laws of the United States and other jurisdictions. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.AAXA S1

AAXA Technologies announces the launch of its S1 Projector Dock  a mini projector dock compatible with the Nintendo Switch  and a variety of Android phones including the Samsung Galaxy 9 phones.

The AAXA S1 Mini Projector transforms the Nintendo Switch from a 6 single-player screen to an enormous 100 multi-player screen that is portable  allowing gamers to game anytime, anywhere. This alchemy is accomplished through a high-powered native 720P (1280x720) pico projector engine based on Texas Instruments DLP technology and brilliant 30,000 hour LEDs. The S1 houses powerful 2-watt stereo speakers and a robust 52-watt battery system that allows for 3 hours of continuous game play (when the Switch is fully charged) or charging the Switch when docked (and in standby mode). All of this is built into a truly mobile platform at just 6" x 4.5" x 1.9" and weighing only 1.28lbs.

The AAXA S1 Mini Projector Dock is perfect for multi-player games in a mobile environment. The AAXA S1 was conceptualized when AAXAs engineers watched 4 children struggle to play a racing game on a 6 screen at a crowded airport  an endeavor that ended with some shoving and tears. The AAXA S1 solves this problem by providing a mobile big-screen for the Nintendo Switch (and Android phones) allowing all gamers to enjoy playing without eye-strain, neck cramps, or shoving!

AAXA Technologies will be launching a Kickstarter campaign in early October with an aim of getting the projectors to customers by the end of November. Mass production of the S1 is slated for January 2019 and will be available for purchase soon thereafter.

Brilliant Projection Engine

The AAXA S1 Mini Projector Dock incorporates cutting edge pico-projection technology. At its heart is a 720P (1280x720) DLP imager which is more than double the native pixel resolution of the nearest competitor. The S1s light-source features Osram solid state LEDs with 30,000 hour life-spans that are much more durable than lamp-based projectors. With these technologies the S1 is able to deliver a 100 image (dark areas recommended) at 10.5 away.

Massive 52-watt Battery Pack

The AAXA S1 incorporates a massive 52-watt lithium-ion battery system. Designed for high discharge and rigorous charge-cycles, this premium grade internal battery system can support up to 3 hours of gaming for the Nintendo Switch making the AAXA S1 a true anytime, anywhere projector dock. The AAXA S1 can also be used to charge the Nintendo Switch (projector must be in Standby mode) up to two full charges.

Twin 2 Watt speakers

The AAXA S1 features twin 2-watt speakers that deliver room-filling sound for superior game play. Tuned specifically for popular Nintendo Switch games the AAXA S1 allows truly immersive game-play for 4 or more gamers.

Direct Docking for Switch

The AAXA S1 is designed to securely dock the Nintendo Switch within its cradle and transform its single player 6 screen into a multi-player 100 screen. The S1 was designed with Nintendo charging parameters in mind to avoid damage or bricking of the Nintendo Switch and carefully engineered to ensure that even high-load games do not overheat the Switch  a problem found in some other docks.

Support for Android Phones

The AAXA S1 is capable of direct (drop-in) mirroring support for a variety of Android phones including the Samsung Galaxy S9 and the Samsung Note 10. Other android phones can be connected through a USB-C adapter cable. Through the AAXA S1, users can enjoy direct big-screen mirroring support including popular streaming apps such as Netflix, Youtube, Hulu.

*Nintendo and Nintendo Switch are registered trademarks of Nintendo Co LTD Japan. AAXA Technologies is not affiliated with Nintendo or any Nintendo owned company.

*Samsung and Samsung Galaxy are registered trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co LTD Korea. AAXA Technologies is not affiliated with Samsung or any Samsung owned company.

About AAXA Technologies

AAXA Technologies Inc was founded in 2008 as a developer and manufacturer of a new class of projector known as "micro" projectors and "pico" projectors. AAXA's core technology is based on small LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) and DLP (Digital Light Processing) imagers mated to LED (light emitting diode) and Laser light-sources that makes micro projectors and pico sized projectors possible. In 2010 AAXA launched the world's first laser pico projector and today remains a leader in mini-projector technology. AAXA holds several patents in optical and LCoS designs and manufactures the majority of its products in China, with core technological development occurring in both the Silicon Valley, California and China.Image: Introspect Technologys I3C Test and Debug Module The participation of pioneering tool makers like Introspect Technology at todays event is highly appreciated.

Introspect Technology, manufacturer of innovative products that address the entire multi-Gbps test and measurement instrument experience, released its I3C Test and Debug Module this week during the two-day MIPI I3C Interop Workshop in Seoul, South Korea. From Monday, October 15, 2018 to Tuesday, October 16, 2018, the MIPI I3C Interop Workshop allowed early adopters of MIPI I3C to perform interoperability testing between Master and Slave devices in a closed-door environment. As an MIPI Alliance Contributor member, Introspect Technology participated in the global event by offering the worlds top chip and system firms an opportunity to deploy the companys latest I3C Test and Debug Module in a live environment.

MIPI I3C builds upon decades of collective experience in control bus interfaces and creates significant improvements in speed, flexibility, and extensibility for sensor manufacturers, controller manufacturers, and systems integrators alike, said Joel Huloux, chairman of MIPI Alliance. The participation of pioneering tool makers like Introspect Technology at todays event is highly appreciated.

Similarly, Introspect Technologys Chief Executive Officer  Dr. Mohamed Hafed  added, Our companys participation in todays event is ultimate testimony to our unrelenting commitment to the entire industry  a commitment to offer timely, high-performance tools that accelerate the proliferation of innovative interfaces such as the ones created by the MIPI Alliance.

Introspect Technologys I3C Test and Debug Module has been architected from the ground up to help proliferate early creation of I3C sensor interfaces, while also containing rich features for eventual use with MIPI Debug for I3C, which is currently under development and slated to be available next year.

Characterization and Test

The I3C Test and Debug Module is a high-performance, ultra-portable tester which provides I3C Master/Slave capabilities for testing, exercising, and debugging I3C devices and host controllers. Each lane on the Test and Debug Module can act as a primary Master, a Slave, or can dynamically change its role based on advanced MIPI I3C requirements. Additionally, the I3C Test and Debug Module leverages Introspect Technologys unique analog voltage and timing circuitry to create extremely high-resolution analog controls, thus offering a powerful characterization tool during the early phases of product development.

Protocol Exercising and Analysis

The I3C Test and Debug Module supports full protocol exercising and includes advanced features such as in-band interrupts, multi-Master controls, and dynamic addressing. This  coupled with an ultra-flexible pattern programming environment  allows for validating numerous operating modes and injecting errors at various stages within an I3C state machine. Finally, in addition to capturing traffic from a multi-drop bus, the I3C Test and Debug Module is able to extract state transitions and decode control transactions in hardware.

Debug for MIPI I3C

Introspect Technologys I3C Test and Debug Module is a powerful solution designed to enable applications for the upcoming MIPI Debug for I3C. Its lanes include native I3C Masters that are multi-drop capable and that are backed by deep vector memory and the extremely versatile Introspect ESP Software. This award-winning development environment is based on the Python programming language, and it contains facilities for manipulating and streaming large scan files through the I3C Test and Debug Module.

With only two years into the development and commercialization of the MIPI I3C specification, the unveiling of Introspect Technologys I3C Test and Debug Module at this weeks MIPI I3C Interop Workshop is a critical step towards the widespread adoption of I3C by the mobile and mobile-influenced industries. As a small form factor instrument with an extensive feature set and an exceptionally powerful software development environment, Introspect Technologys I3C Test and Debug Module is suitable for a myriad of test and measurement domains; it is not only valuable for verification engineers that perform traditional characterization tasks, but it is also ideal for FPGA developers and software developers who need rapid turnaround signal verification tools or hardware-software interoperability confirmation tools. Given its versatility, Introspect Technologys I3C device will help developers verify I3C interfaces for mobile, Internet of Things, and automotive system designs.

About Introspect Technology

Introspect Technology offers the most extensible and optimization tools for high-speed digital product engineering teams worldwide. Our portable, software-defined instruments deliver unprecedented productivity enhancement throughout all stages of multi-GHz product development, from bring-up characterization to system-level integration and optimization. Our mission is to enhance our customers competitiveness, product quality, and time-to-market.

About MIPI Alliance

MIPI Alliance (MIPI) develops interface specifications for mobile and mobile-influenced industries. There is at least one MIPI specification in every smartphone manufactured today. Founded in 2003, the organization is celebrating its 15th year of moving mobile forward with over 300 member companies worldwide and 14 active working groups delivering specifications within the mobile ecosystem. Members of the organization include handset manufacturers, device OEMs, software providers, semiconductor companies, application processor developers, IP tool providers, test and test equipment companies, as well as camera, tablet and laptop manufacturers. For more information, please visit http://www.mipi.org.

MIPI is a registered trademark owned by MIPI Alliance.I am pleased to have two highly accomplished professionals join our team. With their experiences and commitment to helping advisors be successful with their mass affluent clients, I am confident we can achieve our mission of helping to solve the retirement crisis in America,

JourneyGuide, an innovative retirement income planning software for advisors with mass affluent clients, has appointed two industry veterans to its senior leadership team: Scott Fergusson, who is now CEO, and Charles Clark, executive vice president of sales and marketing.

Fergusson is a 25-year veteran of the financial services space, bringing experience and guidance to the JourneyGuide team as it grows. A former advisor and fintech entrepreneur, he immediately saw the value that JourneyGuide brings to advisors focused on leveraging retirement planning to build relationships with mass affluent clients, and as a means towards monetizing their relationships faster.

In todays competitive market, financial advisors need help providing real expertise that is in collaboration with their clients. Our goal from the start was to make the software so easy to use that it requires no training. And that means more advisors will actually use the tool to help clients retire and plan with confidence, as well as build trust and loyalty that lasts, he said.

Fergusson is a self-described serial entrepreneur, notably in the data aggregation space. He co-founded Investigo, which was acquired in 2008 by Broadridge Financial Solutions of New York. At Investigo, he and his team pioneered the field of financial data aggregation, with four U.S. patents covering how information and process are used to help advisors and their firms work smarter and more efficiently.

Clark is charged with driving JourneyGuide into the independent advisor market and enterprise channels. He is responsible for marketing and promoting JourneyGuide to independent financial advisors who focus on helping affluent and mass affluent clients achieve success with their retirement goals. He believes in JourneyGuides mission of helping advisors create smarter retirement plans for their mass affluent clients.

We are living in an age that has produced the greatest financial technology the industry has ever seen, and yet the gap between those on track to have a successful retirement has grown and is bigger than ever in our history. JourneyGuide is the right technology to solve the retirement crisis for the mass affluent, he said.

With more than 20 years of experience building high growth sales and business development teams for market-leading web-based technology companies, Clark has worked with Ernst & Young, VerticalNet, and Orbitz. Most recently, he was in charge of sales and business development at eMoney Advisor. He also has advised the CEOs of market-leading financial technology companies on sales strategy and model development. His teams have directly and indirectly sold financial technology to more than 50,000 independent financial advisor firms.

Tim Ash, CEO of Ash Brokerage, remains JourneyGuides lead investor and chairman of the Board. I am pleased to have two highly accomplished professionals join our team. With their experiences with fintech companies, and their commitment to helping financial advisors become successful with their mass affluent clients, I am confident we can achieve our mission of helping to solve the retirement crisis in America, he said. Ash added that he believes every advisor should be able to proudly say that 100 percent of their clients has a plan to retire successfully  and with confidence.

JourneyGuide creates smarter retirement plans by identifying a clients current retirement income path, optimizing Social Security, showing the impact of annuities for guaranteed income, and illustrating what happens to income if retirees get sick in retirement.

Advisors can see these smarter plans in action at the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) conference Oct.15-18 in Philadelphia. The JourneyGuide team will be in booth number 217 in the vendor area. Advisors are welcome to bring a case  theyll be able to use the software to generate a smarter retirement plan in just 15 minutes.

About JourneyGuide

Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, JourneyGuide helps advisors improve the retirements of the millions of people who rightfully worry about outliving their retirement assets. Designed to be an interactive retirement planning experience for advisors and clients to complete together, JourneyGuide improves advisor efficiency and increases client understanding and ownership of their retirement plan. For more information, visit http://www.journeyguideplanning.com.Kogniz is the first platform of its kind to truly democratize computer vision technologies focused on any physical environment...

Kogniz, a California-based technology company, today announced a $4M seed financing round led by The Entrepreneurs Fund, Tom Chavez (Krux acquired by Salesforce.com), Auren Hoffman (Liveramp acquired by Acxiom), and other industry investors who are uniquely focused on machine learning and artificial intelligence. After 24 months of development, the Kogniz team has launched its first suite of products that use computer vision and AI to enhance security, safety and efficiency in any physical environment. Kogniz cameras are available today and are live in twenty implementations across the United States. The funding will be used to expand the companys engineering and data science team, and to grow product distribution.

Kogniz processes video in real-time to recognize people, objects and activities using next-generation facial and object recognition technologies. The Kogniz solution is unparalleled in that:

1. Kogniz products are completely turnkey and scale on demand from a single Kogniz camera to thousands. This allows businesses of any size to quickly implement Kogniz.

2. Kogniz leverages its breakthrough edge-based architecture and next generation techniques to achieve real-time, hyper accurate results.

3. Kogniz products work together across an unlimited number of locations.

Kogniz is the first platform of its kind to truly democratize computer vision technologies focused on any physical environment, said Tom Chavez, We invested in Kogniz because they have the ability to positively affect the daily lives of millions of people.

Initial applications include Vision-based Security and AI Analytics.



Vision-based Security automates security by identifying shoplifters, criminals and people of concern, recognizing patterns of suspicious activity and detecting dangerous objects, including weapons.

AI Analytics allows businesses to unlock compelling insights about customers using facial and pattern recognition, heat-mapping and people counting to increase ROI, and to anticipate purchase behaviors and better allocate internal resources.

In addition, Kogniz is working with partners to develop applications for health and safety including monitoring unattended environments for self-driving vehicles, venues and public spaces.

We carefully selected our investor group based on their collective expertise in machine learning and big data, said Daniel Putterman, company co-founder, the Kogniz seed financing group represents decades of experience in building large and successful data-driven businesses.

ABOUT KOGNIZ, INC.

Kogniz was formed in 2016 with a mission to leverage computer vision to enhance security, safety and convenience in our everyday lives. The Kogniz line of products and services deliver superior accuracy, turn-key implementation and a cost that provides best-in-class capabilities to businesses of any size. The company is based in San Francisco, CA with development offices in Montreal, Quebec. For more information please go to http://www.kogniz.com.The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the foremost gathering of international leaders in the $4.2 trillion global wellness economy, celebrated recipients of its 5th annual Global Wellness Awards and the winners of its Shark Tank of Wellness student competition. More than 630 invitation-only delegates hailing from 50 countries attended this years sold-out Summit at Technogym Village in Cesena, Italy.

The 2018 Global Wellness Award recipients, determined by the GWS Advisory Board, were announced on the final day of the Summit, as follows:

Leader in Innovation

Nerio Alessandri, founder and president of Technogym, for his vision and courage to use the word wellness to define his leading technology and fitness company in the early 90s before the term became part of the daily lexicon.

Leader in Sustainability

Clodagh, head of New York-based interior design firm Clodagh Design, for being a vanguard of wellness design, as evidenced by her pioneering use of approaches like feng shui, biophilia, chromatherapy, wabi sabi and aromatherapy, as well as her passionate belief that good design supports wellbeing and can transform peoples lives.

Leading Woman in Wellness

Sheila McCann, general manager of Lanserhof UK and prior GM of Chiva-Som, for being a key figure in the global spa industry who has evangelized the transformative effects of authentic, immersive experiences offered by destination spas, integrated wellness resorts and wellness retreats.

Leader in Workplace Wellness

Denise Bober, vice president of human resources at The Breakers Palm Beach, for remaking the culture of a renowned destination property into a shining example of workplace wellness and proving that a return on wellness is a real measurement of success.

Leader in Social Impact

Rupert Schmid and Pierre-Louis Delapalme, co-presidents, Biologique Recherche, for working to make it possible for more people and societal groups to live healthier, happier livesand whose work in the field of wellness has made a meaningful social impact. Schmid and Delapalme partner with Wellness for Cancer to adapt facial and body treatments to meet the needs of cancer patients and those in remission.

Debra Simon Award for Leader in Furthering Mental Wellness

John Stewart, one of the founding partners and key visionaries behind the pioneering wellness resort, Kamalaya Koh Samui, for creating projects that make a measurable difference in peoples lives. Stewart proves that happiness comes from giving and has created a unique destination that nurtures guests by combining ancient wisdom with the latest innovations in alternative and modern healthcare, offering healing in the broadest sense, encompassing heart, mind, body and spirit.

Shark Tank of Wellness Award

Each year the Shark Tank of Wellness competition challenges university students around the world to create bold and viable new concepts in wellness (from technology to architecture to hospitality). Fifteen of over 150 submissions from 39 countries were presented to the Wellness Sharks who ultimately identified three finalists. The finalists, along with their professors, were flown to Italy to present their ideas in front of a panel of real-world wellness experts and the live audience  and compete for $10,000 in prize money.

First prize ($5,000) went to Maria Mu of Cornell University for her sleep technology concept, Bellumo, aimed at helping hundreds of millions of people worldwide that have trouble falling asleep at night. An alternative to potentially harmful medications, Bellumo is a glowing, hanging mobile that guides users through breathing exercises to help them fall into sleep. The form of the mobile was inspired by the bioluminescence of jellyfish and their elegant pulsating shapes, and the glowing and dimming of the soft LED lights guides users to inhale and exhale for set amounts of time, helping them relax deeply.

First runner-up ($2,500) was Ece Nur Temel from Istanbul Technical University for her concept Yoga Lounge, a personal yoga space (or pod) designed for use throughout airports. With over 560,000 flights delayed a month, Yoga Lounge provides a private yoga/meditation sanctuary in the extremely stressful airport environment. Each module is divided into two small areas: one where you place baggage and change your clothes, the other a circular area for doing yoga or meditation, with yoga essentials such as blocks, straps, etc. Yoga Lounge is also a chill-out option for libraries, universities, hospitals, etc.

Second runner-up ($2,500) was Niccolo Saltarelli from Les Roches Global Hospitality Education in Switzerland for his concept CampWell. This innovative health and wellbeing-focused summer camp pairs young adults with experienced camp counselors from an older generation, for immersion in human connection and intergenerational bonding and physical and mental health education and experiences. Programming at CampWell is designed to attack the current epidemic of loneliness and unhappiness among young adults.

About the Global Wellness Summit: The Global Wellness Summit is an invitation-only international gathering that brings together leaders and visionaries to positively shape the future of the $4.2 trillion global wellness economy. Held in a different location each year, Summits have taken place in the U.S., Switzerland, Turkey, Bali, India, Morocco, Mexico, Austria and Italy. The 13th-annual Summit will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong from October 15-17, 2019.While entrepreneurs have been planting the seeds of small business, online lending has been helping them take root and flourish."

Lendio, the nations leading marketplace for small business loans, today announced it has facilitated $1 billion in financing to more than 51,000 small businesses across the U.S. Since its inception in 2011, Lendio has been bridging the financing gap for small business owners. As a result of access to growth capital, Lendios small business clients have burgeoned, generating an estimated $3.8 billion in economic output and creating more than 25,000 jobs in communities nationwide.

For the mom and pop shops, Main Street cafes, small manufacturing firms or independent contractors in our communities, business ownership is more than a lofty ideal; its a way of life, said Brock Blake, CEO and founder of Lendio. Lendio is proud of the multiplying impact that $1 billion in small business loans is having on the American economy. The impact of these loans doesnt stop with the borrowerfor every $1 in lending to small businesses, they create an average of $3.79 in gross economic output in their communities.

According to the Federal Reserve 2017 Small Business Credit survey, the majority of U.S. small businesses reported improved performance and heightened optimism. The report also shows applications to online lenders have been on the rise. Lendios growth milestone comes after an 80 percent increase in loans funded through its platform in the last year.

While entrepreneurs have been planting the seeds of small business, online lending has been helping them take root and flourish, said Blake. Lendio is committed to helping Americas small businesses, who are critical to the countrys economic growth and job creation, unlock their financial potential.

One such entrepreneur, Jose Quinones of Englewood, Colorado, left the mortgage industry to turn his hobby of homebrewing into a business; he launched Broadway Brew Supply in 2016. The shop sells equipment and supplies for brewing beer, wine, cider and other fermented beverages, and offers monthly classes and private lessons in the art of homebrewing. Quinones came to Lendio seeking capital and qualified for business lines of credit that allowed him to order merchandise and be fully stocked ahead of opening.

[Lendio] offered counseling to maximize my credit profile to ensure I can continue obtaining financing as my business grows. The confidence with which Lendio handled my application was a relief, said Quinones.

The average initial loan size among Lendios small business customers is $37,000. Lendio clients have an average time in business of 5 years and an average monthly revenue of $37,515. The top industries funded through Lendios marketplace include construction, retail, restaurants, health care, information media and transportation.

For more information about Lendio, visit http://www.lendio.com.

About Lendio

Lendio is a free online service that helps business owners find the right small business loans within minutes. With a network of over 75 lenders offering multiple loan products, Lendios marketplace is the center of small business lending. Bringing all options together in one place, from short-term specialty financing to long-term, low-interest traditional loans, our technology makes small business lending simple and decreases the amount of time and effort it takes to secure funding. For every loan facilitated on Lendios marketplace platform, Lendio Gives, an employee contribution and employer matching program, donates a percentage of funds to low-income entrepreneurs around the world through Kiva.org. More information about Lendio is available at http://www.lendio.com. Information about Lendio franchising opportunities can be found at http://www.lendiofranchise.com.Sentida Series It is an honor to join in a partnership with a leader in the industry such as Medline. Medlines expansive distribution network will provide post-acute facilities access to LINETs innovative technology. We expect that the Sentida Series will be very successful through our collaboration.

LINET, a leader in healthcare technology and a global supplier of healthcare beds and furniture, has awarded Medline an agreement to serve as an exclusive distributor for post-acute care facilities.

After years of successfully penetrating the hospital market, LINET is now launching its newest product line - the award-winning Sentida Series - to serve the increasing demand for new technology in the post-acute market.

Key features of Sentida Series:



SafeSense, an intelligent sensor system, includes an automated lighting system, moisture detection, ingress/egress alerts and other safety features.

Ergonomic design for maximum comfort and pressure relief.

Premium aesthetic design for luxury look and feel.

Intuitive controls for simple and easy operation.

It is an honor to join in a partnership with a leader in the industry such as Medline. Medlines expansive distribution network will provide post-acute facilities access to LINETs innovative technology. We expect that the Sentida Series will be very successful through our collaboration with Medline, stated Colin Bain, President and CEO for LINET Americas.

About LINET

Founded in 1990, LINET is an international leader in healthcare technology with patient beds installed in over 100 countries. LINET offers a new and unique approach to the hospital bed market. LINET manufacturers innovative beds for the ICU and Medical-Surgical environments that promote patient and nurse safety, facilitate early mobilization, assist in better adherence to turning schedules, improve pain management and help reduce infection rates. The companys U.S. headquarters is based in Charlotte, NC. Please visit http://www.linetamericas.com for more information.

About Medline

Medline is a global manufacturer and distributor serving the healthcare industry with medical supplies and clinical solutions that help customers achieve both clinical and financial success. Headquartered in Northfield, Ill., the company offers 550,000+ medical devices and support services through more than 1,600 direct sales representatives who are dedicated points of contact for customers across the continuum of care. For more information on Medline, go to http://www.medline.com or http://www.medline.com/social-media to connect with Medline on its social media channels.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Angela Hayworth at 877-815-9895 or email at angela.hayworth@linetamericas.com.Arby's Seared Duck Breast Sandwich The new sandwich, with its sweet-smoky cherry sauce, complements the rich, red meat flavor of the duck breast perfectly.

Maple Leaf Farms, a leading producer of duck products in the U.S., has partnered with Arbys on a limited release Seared Duck Breast Sandwich. The new sandwich will be introduced in select markets on Saturday, October 20, 2018.

The sandwich features premium quality duck breast thats seared, cooked sous vide and topped with crispy onions and a smoked cherry sauce underneath a toasted bun.

We are thrilled to be a part of introducing duck to the quick-service restaurant industry and its customers, said Maple Leaf Farms Marketing Director Cindy Turk. The new sandwich, with its sweet-smoky cherry sauce, complements the rich, red meat flavor of the duck breast perfectly.

The Seared Duck Breast Sandwich follows previous hunting season releases at Arbys -- game meats such as elk and venison -- and will be available in just 16 restaurants, each of which are located in one of the four waterfowl "migration flyways." These locations were chosen due to their close proximity to actual duck hunting areas, according to Arbys.

Only a limited number of sandwiches will be available at each restaurant. The first 10 guests to order the Seared Duck Breast Sandwich will also receive an Arby's duck hunting camouflage hat.

Below is a list of all participating Arbys locations:



Jonesboro, AR: 723 E Parker Road, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72404

Chico, CA: 2485 Notre Dame Boulevard, Chico, California 95928

Atlanta, GA: 4415 Roswell Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30342

Great Bend, KS: 3413 10th Street, Great Bend, Kansas 67530

Lafayette, LA: 3333 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette, Louisiana 70503

Cambridge, MD: 2731 Dorchester Square, Cambridge, Maryland 21613

Marshall, MO: 1191 Cherokee Street, Marshall, Missouri 65340

Kalispell, MT: 1210 US Highway 2 W, Kalispell, Montana 59901

Lincoln, NE: 5540 O Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68510

Carson City, NV: 1122 S Carson Street, Carson City, Nevada 89701

Wyomissing, PA: 2741 Papermill Road, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania 19610

Summerville, SC: 329 N Main Street, Summerville, South Carolina 29483

Pearland, TX: 11233 Shadow Creek Parkway, Pearland, Texas 77584

Brigham City, UT: 774 S Main Street, Brigham City, Utah 84302

Happy Valley, OR: 10499 SE 82nd Avenue, Happy Valley, Oregon 97266

Onalaska, WI: 3210 N Kinney Coulee Road, Onalaska, Wisconsin 54650

About Arbys:

Arbys, founded in 1964, is the first nationally franchised sandwich restaurant brand, with more than 3,300 restaurants worldwide. The Arbys brand purpose is Inspiring Smiles Through Delicious Experiences. Arbys restaurants feature Fast Crafted service, a unique blend of quick-serve speed and value combined with the quality and made-for-you care of fast casual. Arbys Restaurant Group, Inc. is the parent company of the franchisor of the Arbys brand and is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. Visit http://www.Arbys.com for more information.

About Maple Leaf Farms:

Maple Leaf Farms, Inc. is America's leading producer of quality duck products, supplying retail and foodservice markets throughout the world with innovative, value-added foods. Founded in 1958, Maple Leaf Farms is a fourth generation family-owned company. For more information, visit http://www.mapleleaffarms.com or call 1-800-348-2812.John P. Carlin

John Carlin has written a crucial bookfor practitioners and laymen alikeabout the evolution, impacts, and implications of the abuses we've all witnessed, and many have personally experienced, in the cyber domain.  John represents a superb amalgam of legal insight and great writing skill. A must read in my view."James Clapper, New York Times bestselling author and former Director of National Intelligence

"This book is thrilling, important, and deeply fascinating. The riveting stories of these secret battles for our digital safety teach us much about what America can-and must-do to protect itself."Walter Isaacson, New York Times bestselling author of Leonardo Da Vinci

By turns electrifying, illuminating, inspirational, and difficult to put down . A deeply intriguing look into cybersecurity threats facing the United States that will fascinate anyone interested in technology and/or political intrigue.Library Journal

Morrison & Foerster, a leading global law firm, is pleased to announce that John P. Carlin, chair of the firms Global Risk + Crisis Management Group and co-chair of the firms National Security Practice, has authored a book titled: DAWN OF THE CODE WAR: Americas Battle Against Russia, China, and the Rising Global Cyber Threat, that was released today. Based on Mr. Carlins 15-year career as a senior federal government official, the first-hand account is both a remarkable untold story of the growing cyberwar between the United States and its adversaries and a warning of dangers yet to come. Mr. Carlins co-author is Garrett Graff, an award-winning national security journalist, and the publisher of the book is PublicAffairs, an imprint of Hachette Book Group.

As Mr. Carlin explains in the books introduction, Cybersecurity isnt just a wonky IT issue. Poor security online represents a genuine threat to the American way of lifeone that will only accelerate as more of our day-to-day lives move online, into the cloud, and into the digital world. Cybersecurity, it turns out, is key to modern life. Its essential to the way we bank, shop, learn. Increasingly, its a necessity for the way we drive, heat our homes, and even vote.

In this dramatic book, Mr. Carlin takes readers to the frontlines of a global, but little understood, fight as the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI chase down hackers, online terrorist recruiters, and spies. The Russian attack on the 2016 electionand Vladimir Putins continuing online skirmishesgrabbed headlines, but theyre only the latest incidents of the U.S. being attacked by adversaries in cyberspace following years of expansive Chinese espionage, North Koreas attack on Sony Pictures, and Irans surprise assault on Wall Street and an American casino. With each passing year, the Internet-linked attacks on U.S. interests have grown in both frequency and severity.

Its a privilege to be able to tell the stories of the important work done by so many dedicated public servants at the DOJ and FBI, said Mr. Carlin. The cybersecurity landscape is increasingly complex and constantly evolving, and the challenges it presents apply to every type of organization in the public and private sectors. I look forward to continuing to help companies around the world protect themselves from these threats through my practice at Morrison & Foerster.

As he writes in the book, My hope in telling this story of the U.S. governments first quarter-century fight online is that it will help demystify a realm that too often seems opaque to outsiders, allow readers to understand this new threat landscape, and raise important questions about how the country should think about the shift of daily life to the internet. Let me be clear: This isnt black magic. We know how to fight cyberattacks. We have built in recent years an effective playbook on how to respond. We know how to target bad guys and build cases against themand doing so can make a difference. Nearly every case that I discuss in this book has been solved and weve tried to bring the suspects to justice, one way or another. But theres much more to do in the years ahead.

Mr. Carlin is the former Assistant Attorney General for the DOJs National Security Division and the former Chief of Staff to then-FBI Director Robert Mueller. At Morrison & Foerster, Mr. Carlin regularly counsels industry-leading organizations in sensitive cyber and other national security matters including CFIUS, internal investigations, and government enforcement actions. He is routinely called upon to advise across numerous industriesincluding in the technology, healthcare, energy, defense, finance, fashion, media, pharmaceutical, and telecommunications sectorsregarding crisis management, cyber incident response and preparedness, and regulatory strategy.

Mr. Carlin chairs the Aspen Institutes Cybersecurity & Technology policy program, which provides a cross-disciplinary forum for industry, government, and media to address the rapidly developing landscape of digital threats and craft appropriate policy solutions. He is also an inaugural Fellow of the Harvard Kennedy Schools Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs Homeland Security Project, focused on the unique challenges and choices around protecting the American homeland.

ABOUT MOFO

We are Morrison & Foerster  a global firm of exceptional credentials. Our clients include some of the largest financial institutions, investment banks, Fortune 100, and technology and life sciences companies. The Financial Times has named the firm to its lists of most innovative law firms in Northern America and Asia every year that it has published its Innovative Lawyers Reports in those regions. In the past few years, Chambers USA has honored MoFos Privacy and Data Security, Bankruptcy, and IP teams with Firm of the Year awards, the Corporate/M&A team with a client service award, and the firm as a whole as Global USA Firm of the Year. Our lawyers are committed to achieving innovative and business-minded results for our clients, while preserving the differences that make us stronger. The firm also has a long history of commitment to the community through providing pro bono legal services, including litigating for civil rights and civil liberties, improving public education for poor children, advocating for veterans, promoting international human rights, winning asylum for the persecuted, and safeguarding the environment.Date aired: September 24th, 2018

Guest: Dr. Risa Kaparo, Ph.D.

http://www.somaticlearning.com

http://www.globalpeaceuprising.com

Natures Tears EyeMist, the unique dry eye solution that sponsors Sharon Kleynes nationally syndicated weekly radio program, The Sharon Kleyne Hour Water Life Science/Natures Pharma, The Power of Water & Your Health on VoiceAmerica produced by Rose Hong, founder/director of Global Dragon TV in Washington, D.C., is the perfect eye care product for people experiencing somatic awareness.

Kleyne, who has studied human body water, earths water atmosphere and evaporation for more than thirty years, describes her program as a messenger teaching that water must become a top priority for everyone on the planet. Kleyne believes that stress, anxiety and pain cause strong emotions through over-evaporation of the bodys water vapor.

But what is somatic awareness? Kleyne asks her guest, Dr. Risa Kaparo, who answers in this way. Somatic intelligence, Kaparo explains, is the way life senses itself from the inside out. It is the life force that is always renewing, always correcting itself. It is a life-unfolding intelligence, an awakening consciousness. Kaparo, who sees life through the eyes of a poet, quotes these great lines from Leonard Cohen, There is a crack in everything; thats how the light gets in as a way to describe somatic intelligence. She is also fond of quoting Buddha: Knowing the body from the body.

From early childhood, New York City native Kaparo learned to heal herself from a series of painful, life-threatening illnesses and circumstances including poverty, a near-death birth experience, abortion trauma, early childhood abuse and gang rape, among others. We must learn to embody the consciousness we come into this life with, says Kaparo. Kleyne observes that this process is akin to discovering ones rhythm, the rhythm that allows one to breathe and dance with the earth.

Kaparo, author of Awakening Somatic Intelligence: the Art & Practice of Embodied Mindfulness, credits studying yoga with a master teacher for further awakening her somatic intelligence. We live with an adversarial relationship to gravity, Kaparo says, and it turns us into objects. Yoga taught me to turn from the inside out, not the outside in.

Kaparo, whose practice was developed over three decades of research, clinical practice and training of health care practitioners, also recalls her years working with the blind at the Lighthouse Institute. She spent many days meditating while wearing a blindfold to get a sense of her students reality. When I experienced an epiphany, everything was movement, movement within movement within movement. This led Kaparo to perfect her system, Somatic Learning, which she has taught at many international institutions including MIT, JFK University and Chinas Dalian Medical University.

If you would like to listen to the program featuring Dr. Risa Kaparo, Ph.D. and Sharon Kleyne talking about Awakening Somatic Intelligence To Reduce and Heal Illness and Stress, please follow this link: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/109544/awakening-somatic-intelligence-to-reduce-and-heal-illness-stressNew Book: The Fight for the Best Charter Public Schools in the Nation I hope this book will help other states figure out how to strike the right balance between growth and quality so as many students as possible can benefit from the option to attend a high-quality charter school. - Dr. Cara Candal, author, "The Fight for the Best Charter Schools in the Nation"

Book provides important lessons for other states looking to strengthen their own charter public schools.

Today, Pioneer Institute released a new book that explores why Massachusetts has the best-performing charter public schools in the country but is among the nations slowest growing charter sector.

Policymakers across the country should look closely at Massachusetts, said Dr. Cara Stillings Candal, author of The Fight for the Best Charter Schools in the Nation. While we have built many high-quality charter public schools through strong policy and accountability, weve also limited the growth, innovation, and expansion of those schools. I hope this book will help other states figure out how to strike the right balance between growth and quality so as many students as possible can benefit from the option to attend a high-quality charter public school.

The book looks at why charter supporters lost a 2016 statewide ballot initiative that would have raised the cap on charter schools. It argues that much of that loss can be pegged to a deeply flawed strategy to put the issue on the ballot, a poorly run campaign, and a 2010 charter school law that isolated charter school growth to cities and allowed opponents to pit suburban and urban parents against one another.

Boston charter schools have a higher graduation rate and lower dropout rate than Boston Public Schools (BPS). A study from Stanford Universitys Center for Research on Educational Outcomes (CREDO) called Bostons charter school gains the largest in any state or city so far, noting that a year in a Massachusetts charter school adds 40 days of additional learning in math and 28 days in reading compared to the schools from which students came.

The book argues that Massachusetts charter public schools have been successful because the state has embraced real autonomy and strict accountability. Charter public schools have the freedom to organize around a distinct approach or mission; utilize time, money and other resources to benefit students; recruit and develop talent; and extend the school day and year. In exchange, Massachusetts has high levels of accountability. Since 1995, five schools have had their charters revoked and two more charters were not renewed.

The state has strong funding for charter schools. One-hundred percent of dollars follow students and it is the only state that has a reimbursement to districts for students that leave traditional public schools and attend charters (100 percent for first year, and 25 percent for the next five years).

Furthermore, the states weighted formula directs more dollars to English Language Learners and low-income students. Dr. Candal praises this policy and argues that it should also be applied to students with special needs.

Unfortunately, the state still has weak capital funding for charter schools, which receive less than half the amount district schools do.

The state also has suffered from regulatory creep. The states sole authorizer, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is responsible for all public schools, and sometimes over-regulates charters as if they were traditional districts. Going back 25 years, the legislature established charter schools to be free of burdensome state regulations.

Parent interest in charter schools is very high, with 45,000 unique students on Massachusetts charter school waitlists for the 2015-16 school year.

Dr. Candal makes the following recommendations to strengthen Massachusetts charter public school policies, all of which she argues other states should consider as well:



Simplify Massachusetts K-12 education funding law and make it more transparent

Fully fund charter school reimbursements

Make facilities funding more equitable by providing charters with more capital money or access to unused public-school buildings

Abolish the cap on charter schools

Leave room under any cap for innovative school models

Adopt a regulatory approach that favors diversity and competence over replication and compliance

Create incentives for charter schools to expand into suburban and rural areas

Learn more about the book at https://pioneerinstitute.org/bestchartersbook/. There will be an event at 6:00 pm ET discussing the book which will be live streamed here.

About Dr. Cara Stillings Candal

Cara Stillings Candal is an education policy expert and Senior Fellow at Pioneer Institute. She was formerly research assistant professor at the Boston University School of Education and has an extensive background in national and international education policy and teacher training. Candal is the author/editor of numerous articles and several books about charter schools and other alternatives to traditional school options.

About Pioneer Institute

Pioneer Institute is an independent, non-partisan, privately funded research organization that seeks to improve the quality of life in Massachusetts through civic discourse and intellectually rigorous, data-driven public policy solutions based on free market principles, individual liberty and responsibility, and the ideal of effective, limited and accountable government.Motor Yacht Tucano "The early mornings aboard the Tucano were the most memorable experiences on my Amazon Rainforest trip. I remember waking up at the break of dawn and piling into the river canoes for our morning excursions." - Jon Hillstead, SouthAmerica.travel

The Amazon Rainforest is replete with broad waters, lush canopies, winding trails and diverse wildlife hiding behind dense foliage. Some have called it the greatest wilderness on earth. Exploring it can be a challenge, but the mighty Amazon River provides incredible access. In the 19th century, the first steamships exploring the Amazon called for style and elegance. Today the today the same advantages a cruise in the Amazon has over a lodge are as good as they were with those first steamships. The Tucano is one of these vessels which exhibits that same charm and sense of luxury.

After three weeks in a very substantial refit, the Motor Yacht Tucano is re-launched and underway again! In addition to countless small updates, the main salon has been fully rebuilt.

The new glass walls make it feel larger, brighter, and more stylish. Additionally, the glass opens up allowing diners to enjoy the Amazons warm breeze. Imagine caipirinha in hand watching the sun set over the horizon thinking back on your days canoe adventure.

Its not easy to see the entire Amazon Rainforest, which spans over 7,000,000km2. That is where river cruises play a key role in the quest of Amazonian exploration. Imagine seamlessly sailing the Amazon river, alongside professional and knowledgeable guides anxious to reveal the secrets of the rivers hidden gems, and point out the highlights of the rainforest so that you do not miss any opportunity to get to know the mighty jungle.

SouthAmerica.travel has been planning travelers Amazon river trips for nearly twenty years and highly recommends the Tucano. Their travel consultants have first-hand experience with these destinations to serve their clients better.

Jon Hillstead, a Senior Travel Consultant with SouthAmerica.travel, recounts his recent visit: The early mornings aboard the Tucano were the most memorable experiences on my Amazon Rainforest trip. I remember waking up at the break of dawn and piling into the river canoes for our morning excursions. The air was cool and crisp, and a heavy mist floated above the water and weaved between the trees. We set out slowly, the subtle whirring of the engine pushing us toward adventure.

The best reason to choose the Tucano over other Amazon cruises may be its size. While all cruises and lodges provide an incredible experience, the Tucano, with only 13 cabins, is unique in that the journey is more intimate and therefore, more authentic. Unlike lodges with their fixed locations, the vessel changes location daily, and the crew and guides take passengers via launches and canoes to some of the lesser known tributaries along the river, exploring deep into the Amazon.

There are two routes that travelers can choose between the Motor Yacht vessel.

The Amazon Odyssey 4-night cruise captures the spirit of the rainforest in a relatively short amount of time without compromising its meaningful and authentic experience. For travelers with limited time, this cruise itinerary is ideal. The Odyssey route features the Rio Negro, the Anavilhanas Archipelago, the incredible Encontra das Aguas (Meeting of the Waters), and of course guided excursions into the lush rainforest trails dotted with exotic plants and wildlife.

For those craving an extended exploration, The Voyage to the Heart of the Amazon is an excellent choice. Compared to the Amazon Odyssey, this active 7-day itinerary travels twice as far into the rainforest, allowing its guest to experience more of the native flora and fauna of this magnificent wilderness. One of the major highlights of this route is the visit to the worlds largest rainforest park, the Central Amazon Biological Corridor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This cruise is everything the Odyssey offers and more.

Both Tucano cruise routes are extraordinary experiences to the heart of the Amazon Rainforest. The crew and staff of the Motor Yacht Tucano hope travelers around the world will join in on an exploration deep into the heart of the most magnificent wilderness on earth, only offered on these expedition cruises.

Reserving your trip on this charming vessel is best done long before you set out, says Jon. While one can sometimes find available spots on short notice, the further out you book the better as availability can only be guaranteed by advanced booking. The Tucano and tour operators they work with such as SouthAmerica.travel are already planning trips for 2020!

About Us: SouthAmerica.travel is a tour operator specialized in custom South America tour planning for travelers worldwide from its offices in Seattle, Lima, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Stuttgart. The website offers hundreds of sample itineraries as well as local phone numbers in 88 countries. SouthAmerica.travel offers 4-star & 5-star South America tours to Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and more. Licensed and bonded in the U.S., SouthAmerica.travel has been sharing its love of travel to South America since 1999 and is proud of its A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau and ASTA affiliation. SouthAmerica.travel - Our name is our passion

Follow SouthAmerica.travel:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthAmericaDotTravel

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SouthAmTravel

Blog: https://news.SouthAmerica.travel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southamerica-travel

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southamericadottravel/?hl=enWe share in the Academys vision of delivering the highest quality eye care and have been providing high-quality products and service to physicians in the industry for over 40 years.

Ophthalmic Instruments, Inc., a leading distributor of quality ophthalmic instruments, today announced its participation in the American Academy of Ophthalmologys (AAO) annual session. This four day event will be held in conjunction with the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology October 27-30 at McCormick Place in Chicago. AAO 2018 is a leading event for the ophthalmology field, attracting attendees from around the United States and the world.

For this event, Ophthalmic Instruments will be showcasing the latest instrumentation for the diagnosis and management of glaucoma, including the new Topcon OCT series. The Triton is the first swept-source OCT with multimodal imaging capabilities. The Maestro OCT/retinal camera combination unit is the fastest and best-selling OCT in the world today. Doctors will have the opportunity to test drive these OCTs as well as other first class instruments.

In their booth, the company will also be featuring the Tono-Pen Avia and XL by Reichert Technologies, and the Haag-Streit Octopus perimeter series, both of which are considered first in class for the diagnosis of glaucoma. Doctors will find numerous other instruments that support their daily activities in providing excellent patient care while maintaining an effective and efficient practice. In addition, doctors will be able to do a side by side comparison of the New Marco M5 slot lamp and the new Haag-Streit BI slit lamp.

Participating in this annual event is key for us, said Scott Shone, president of Ophthalmic Instruments, Inc. We share in the Academys vision of delivering the highest quality eye care and have been providing high-quality products and service to physicians in the industry for over 40 years. Our experienced representatives maintain frequent contact with the physicians in their regions and bring problem solving skills and relevant information about products to the customers we serve. Because the products we sell are of the highest-quality, we can ensure the physicians that the products will benefit both patients and doctors.

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the worlds largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, this group protects sight and empowers lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. The Academy innovates to advance the profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care.

About Ophthalmic Instruments, Inc.

Family owned and operated since 1977, Ophthalmic Instruments, Inc. is the premier distributor of a comprehensive line of quality ophthalmic products from manufacturers such as Topcon, Haag-Streit, Reliance, Marco, Reichert, M&S Technologies, Keeler, Heine, Welch Allyn, Volk, Accutome and others. Founded on the simple principles of professionalism, honesty and integrity, the company prides itself in the retention of customers, repeat business and enthusiastic referrals from physicians, hospitals and clinics for over 40 years.

With four physical locations strategically located in California, Arizona and Colorado, Ophthalmic Instruments provides its customers with professionally trained sales and field service representatives in eight states, including California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico and Wyoming. These experienced representatives maintain frequent contact with the customers in their regions and bring problem solving skills and relevant information to the customers served. For more information, please visit http://www.oiica.com.We are thrilled to expand our partnership with an industry leader like Intouch. [The LiaCX platform] will help us engage our frontline teams to take measurable actions at the store level that allow us to better achieve our business goals, said Jeff Bush, Chief Operating Officer, Parkers.

Intouch Insight Ltd. (Intouch) (TSXV: INX) today announced that it has signed an agreement to provide its new LiaCX customer experience management (CEM) software to Parkers Corporation (Parkers). Parkers, a leading gas and convenience retailer based out of Savannah, Georgia, will use LiaCX to support its ongoing commitment to delivering experiences that make its customers lives easier. Parkers is an existing Intouch customer, and one of the fastest growing private companies in the United States.

The LiaCX platform will help Parkers continue its growth while maintaining its reputation for excellence by collecting operational and customer experience intelligence, providing a deep understanding of store level performance and the ability to drive and track improvements.

We are thrilled to expand our partnership with an industry leader like Intouch. We are very impressed with LiaCX and specifically its Action Campaign technology. The software will help us engage our frontline teams to take measurable actions at the store level that allow us to better achieve our business goals, said Jeff Bush, Chief Operating Officer, Parkers.

LiaCX is the latest product offering from Intouch and was launched in May of this year.

The launch of our LiaCX software has been very well received in the marketplace and we are encouraged to have sales this early on in the process. Parkers is a technologically advanced organization with a clear dedication to excellence and we are very happy to have them as one of our initial LiaCX partners, said Cameron Watt, President & Chief Executive Officer, Intouch Insight.

About Intouch Insight

Intouch Insight offers a complete portfolio of customer experience management (CEM) products and services that help global brands delight their customers, strengthen brand reputation and improve financial performance. Intouch helps clients collect and centralize data from multiple customer touch points, gives them actionable, real-time insights, and provides them with the tools to continuously improve customer experience. Founded in 1992, Intouch is trusted by over 300 of North Americas most-loved brands for their customer experience management, customer survey, mystery shopping, mobile forms, operational and compliance audits, and event marketing automation solutions. For more information, visit intouchinsight.com.

About Parker's Convenience

With 54 stores strategically located across Georgia and South Carolina, Parkers offers a smart alternative to traditional convenience stores, combining first-class customer service with an uncompromising commitment to quality. Proud to be headquartered in Savannah, Georgia Parkers gives back to area schools, local hospitals and customers through its Fueling the Community program. For more information about The Parker Companies, please visit parkersav.com.

Certain statements included in this news release contain forward looking statements, which by their nature are necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Companys current views with respect to future events, and are based on information currently available to the Company and on hypotheses which it considers to be reasonable; however, management warns the reader that hypotheses relative to future events which are beyond the control of management could prove to be false, given that they are subject to certain risks and uncertainties.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information, please contact:

George Aizpurua

Vice President, Communications

First Canadian Capital Corp.

Tel: 647-500-2389/416-742-5600

gaizpurua@firstcanadiancapital.com

or

George Pretli

Chief Financial Officer

gpretli@intouchinsight.com

613-270-7916The Baobab+ and PayJoy partnership aims to democratise access to digital tools and technology in Senegal, Ivory Coast and Madagascar.

In an effort to expand access to high-quality solar home system solutions and smartphone technology to a billion people worldwide, Baobab+ is licensing PayJoys Checkout platform including its proprietary Lock technology. This will allow consumers to purchase a smartphone on the same pay-as-you-go basis as they already do Baobab+ solar solutions.

The Baobab+ and PayJoy partnership aims to democratise access to digital tools and technology in Senegal, Ivory Coast and Madagascar, bringing the social and economic benefits of the mobile Internet to unconnected populations. In addition to smartphone financing, Baobab+ is currently offering two specialised pay-as-you-go solutions:



An EDUCA tablet preloaded with a selection of educational applications

A BUSINESS tablet to help entrepreneurs optimise the performance of their business, including a simplified digital cash register solution to record sales, manage inventory, and track profit margins

The company plans to deliver new health, agriculture and education solutions in 2019. Tablets and smartphones provided via the pay-as-you-go model will also feature the Baobab app to give users to access multiple financial services. With pay-as-you-go as their first experience with credit, they could later become eligible for Baobab financial products and services.

----

About Baobab+ Group:

Baobab+ is a leading digital financial inclusion group focusing on serving individuals, micro and small businesses in Africa and China. Baobab+ offers a wide range of digital and mobile solutions that enable clients to simply, quickly and safely manage their finances. As part of its social performance strategy, we are committed to assisting Baobab customers beyond financial services. Baobab+ offers innovative, non-financial products to improve and transform the daily lives of African people and support their sustainable economic development.

Baobab+ - http://www.baobabplus.com

Laurie Maitenaz - Communications manager | laurie@baobabplus.com

About PayJoy:

PayJoy was founded in 2015 in San Francisco with the mission of making smartphone technology and financial services affordable to everyone worldwide. PayJoy's patented technology for locking smartphones and proprietary data science for underwriting customers enables people who lack credit to qualify for an installment plan to purchase their first smartphone. Today PayJoy offers finance to millions of customers in the US and Mexico, and is expanding throughout Latin America, Asia, and Africa in 2018. PayJoy's team of 60 professionals bring premier fintech experience from Google, Facebook, Amazon, PIMCO, McKinsey, Oportun, and Merrill Lynch. PayJoy is funded with over $30M of equity and debt from top fintech investors including Union Square Ventures.

PayJoy - http://www.payjoy.com

Dominique Friedl - General Manager Africa | dominique@payjoy.comSouth Carolina's Top 25 Businesses We are honored to be recognized by the SC TOP 25 Fastest Growing Companies program and we will use this recognition as further inspiration to continue delivering great service and value to our clients.

The award ceremony was held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, SC. The SC 25 Fastest Growing Companies program was founded as a way to honor the state's most dynamic businesses and their contributions to our state's economic vitality. Now in its 17th year, this competition recognizes the achievements of top-performing private and publicly-owned companies that have contributed to South Carolina's economy through exceptional increases in revenues and employment. The SC TOP 25 Fastest Growing Companies program, presented by The Capital Corporation, and Co-sponsored by Integrated Media Publishing, BDO USA LLP, PNC Bank, Keenan Suggs | HUB, and Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, has turned into South Carolina's most sought-after recognition for rapidly growing companies.

Chris Kropac, PCI Groups President and Owner and Skip Pawul, Executive Vice President and Co-Owner were there to accept the awards on behalf of PCI. Chris said, We continue to invest and push ourselves to be the very best critical communication choice in our industry. To do that, we have invested in technologies, training, and processes that ensure accuracy and deliver real cost efficiencies on behalf of our clients. The fact that these business decisions have translated to such high levels of growth, reinforces our position as an industry leader. We are honored to be recognized by the SC TOP 25 Fastest Growing Companies program and we will use this recognition as further inspiration to continue delivering great service and value to our clients.

For PCI Group, the announcement of this award continued its streak of earning industry and civic recognition. In 2017 PCI was recognized by INC 5000 and one of fastest growing private companies in American. In 2018, PCI was recognized by the State of South Carolina via the SC Top 50 Industry Impact award as one of the 50 fastest growing companies in the State of South Carolina and also in 2018 by the Charlotte Business Journal as one of the Fast 50 companies in the Charlotte metro area.

About PCI Group

PCI Group is a leading provider of mission critical communications for businesses where security of customer-centric data is paramount, precision and accuracy are crucial and compliance is a must.

As a family owned business since 1970, PCI Group has been providing customers fast, secure, and cost-effective printing and document delivery that is fully compliant with federal regulations including HIPAA, FISMA, SOC I & II and PCI DSS. PCIs real-time, on-line, customer control center enables customers 24/7 access to updates and tracking information about their communications at any point from pre-production through delivery.

For close to 50 years, PCI Group has been the company customers can rely on to handle every detailtime after time. For more information about PCI Group, please visit us online at http://www.pcigroup.com.People's Trust Insurance affiliate, Rapid Response Team helps policyholders in wake of Hurricane Michael We take being there for our policyholders seriously. Thats why were in Panama City, and thats why we will continue to deploy resources to help our policyholders prevent further damage to their homes

Many homeowners in the path of Hurricane Michael found themselves homeless, without power and with no ability to communicate their need for help in the aftermath of the Category 4 hurricane which touched down in Floridas Panhandle on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. Peoples Trust Insurance was the first home insurance carrier to set up at the Catastrophe Response Center in Panama City to help its policyholders. Peoples Trust showed up in less than 24 hours after the storm touched down in anticipation of the state declaring the site of the Catastrophe Response Center, where insurance carriers set up shop in a designated area to act as a hub for insureds to seek help. In addition to their Mobile Recovery Unit equipped to help their policyholders file claims, receive money on the spot for additional living expenses if their homes are uninhabitable, or loan them a generator, the company deployed trucks, equipment, and hundreds of emergency workers from their affiliated general contracting company, Rapid Response Team.

Rapid Response Team is the Emergency Services and Restoration crew that serves Peoples Trust policyholders any time of day or night across the state of Florida when they have a claim. Prior to the storm, Peoples Trust Insurance Company and their affiliate, the Rapid Response Team, activated their emergency response plan. As part of that plan, the Rapid Response Team, the largest insurance restoration general contractors in Florida, was deployed Tuesday to a staging area in Jacksonville, Florida with emergency services crews, trucks and supplies.

On Wednesday, once the storm passed they moved to ground zero and started helping Peoples Trust policyholders who needed emergency response on their home. The Rapid Response Team will continue to be on-hand with generators and emergency supplies to help affected policyholders.

Peoples Trust Insurance claims adjusters have also been dispatched to the Florida Panhandle to help policyholders file claims easily. The Peoples Trust Mobile Recovery Center is stationed in the Regal Cinema parking lot: 1515 West 23rd Street, Panama City, Florida, 32405 to help policyholders every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT through October 19, 2018. And, their team of claims adjusters can also be reached by phone 24/7 at 877-333-1230.

The Rapid Response Team maintains a fleet of more than 100 service trucks and vehicles and 10 Response Centers around the state for emergency mitigation and emergency recovery materials to help after widespread disasters. At the start of each hurricane season Peoples Trust Insurance and the Rapid Response Team participate in catastrophe drills to ready themselves in the event of a disaster. We were first on the scene after Hurricane Irma hit, and we were able to be immediately be on scene now after Michael passed. Its critical to be

there so recovery can begin as soon as possible, said Steve Berman, Managing Director of Rapid Response Team.

CEO of Peoples Trust Insurance Company, George Schaeffer added, we take being there for our policyholders seriously. A home insurance policy is a promise to be there when tragedy impacts your home. We work hard throughout the year to ensure we are ready and prepared to respond when disaster strikes - and while saying this is one thing - doing it is another. Thats why were in Panama City, and thats why we will continue to deploy resources to help our policyholders prevent further damage to their homes. Our policyholders just need to come visit the Mobile Recovery Unit, and on the spot, well give them a check for additional living expenses.

ABOUT PEOPLE'S TRUST INSURANCE

Founded in 2008, Peoples Trust Insurance has emerged as one of Floridas top 12 home insurance companies, providing homeowners with affordable rates and benefits not available anywhere else. Honored with the Enterprise Florida Governors Innovators in Business Award, Peoples Trust provides a Better Way for over 110,000 Floridians to insure their homes. With more than 500 employees in its family of companies and an affiliation with Floridas largest residential insurance restoration general contractor, Peoples Trust is Floridas best-prepared home insurance company and a full partner in their policyholders recovery after loss.

ABOUT THE RAPID RESPONSE TEAM

The Rapid Response Team is the largest insurance restoration general contractor in Florida. A proud affiliate of People's Trust Insurance, the Rapid Response Team provides 24/7 emergency water mitigation, high-quality restoration services, and managed repair coordination for People's Trust policyholders. With a full-time staff of more than 200, the company operates a fleet of more than 100 repair trucks and other vehicles ready to deploy at a moment's notice. The company operates 10 Response Centers throughout the state that contain supplies that

may be needed in the event of a loss or disaster.How Polaris Aero's FlightRisk with Fatigue Works Landing on a beautiful day, with a long runway in a familiar airport, with elevated fatigue means one thing. Landing at night, in weather, on a short runway, in an unfamiliar airport, with elevated fatigue means another, explained Pulsar Informatics CEO Daniel Mollicone, Ph.D.

Today the aviation safety software company Polaris Aero announced that it has integrated Pulsar Informatics, Inc.s Fatigue Meter technology into Polaris Aeros automated risk assessment system, FlightRisk.

Landing on a beautiful day, with a long runway in a familiar airport, with elevated fatigue means one thing. Landing at night, in weather, on a short runway, in an unfamiliar airport, with elevated fatigue means another, explained Pulsar Informatics CEO Daniel Mollicone, Ph.D. By gaining insight into the total risk perspective of the aircrew, the operation has an overall better ability to fly as safe as possible. Were thrilled to have the Fatigue Meter technology to quantify fatigue risk as part of Polaris Aeros FlightRisk solution.

About FlightRisk & Fatigue

FlightRisk helps dispatchers and flight crews identify the hazards  human, environmental, aircraft, and airport  that are most relevant to a flight. By incorporating Pulsars Fatigue Meter technology, FlightRisk users are able to see how fatigue, combined with other risk factors, can affect a flight. This unique perspective allows both managers and front-line personnel to make well-informed decisions.

Todays aviation operators face many challenges when it comes to implementing Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS), especially during the preflight planning process. FlightRisk simplifies the process by automatically pulling in key pieces of information from Pulsar Informatics and displaying the results in a user-friendly way.

Over the past few years, weve been waiting for the right time to introduce Pulsars Fatigue Meter technology into our FlightRisk solution, said Chris Connor, CEO of Polaris Aero. Now with our customers expressing more interest, its the right time. This integration represents a significant advancement in addressing fatigue risks in aviation.

View a Demonstration

To view a demonstration of the integrated fatigue and flight risk assessment in person, Polaris Aero will exhibit its FlightRisk software solution at booth 651 during the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition October 16-18 in Orlando, Florida. Or, visit polarisaero.com to schedule a demo. Pulsar Informatics will exhibit at NBAA-BACE at booth no. 851.

About Polaris Aero

Polaris Aero is an IS-BAO I3SA certified aviation safety software company specializing in risk analysis and safety management systems (SMS). It is a privately held company headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. To learn more, visit http://www.polarisaero.com.

About Pulsar Informatics, Inc.

Pulsar Informatics is an IS-BAO I3SA certified company, specializing in systems that help organizations and individuals reduce fatigue-related risk and achieve peak performance. To learn more, visit http://www.pulsarinformatics.com.RE/MAX Traditions Realtor Tracy Graham The Carbon Valley Help Center gives a hand up to our neighbors in need. We all need a hand up at some point in our lives. It could be getting through a difficult time financially, physically, mentally or help to learn a new skill for a job.

RE/MAX Traditions Realtor Tracy Graham strives to be of highest value and is passionate about giving back to the Carbon Valley community, which includes Dacono, Firestone and Frederick, CO. One of the ways she does this is through her semi-annual aeration program, which runs from September 29 through October 7.

I will be providing aeration services at a discounted rate of $30 for all size yards, front and and back, said Graham. Standard cost ranges from $40 to $60, depending on yard size.

The food drive proceeds will benefit the Carbon Valley Help Center. The mission of the Carbon Valley Help Center is to help people in immediate need move toward self-sufficiency by unifying Carbon Valley resources.

But why aerate your lawn? Aeration is one of the best ways to get a thick, lush lawn. Removing small plugs of turf breaks up thatch, the layer of dead grass that builds up on ones lawn, and allows more water, oxygen, and fertilizer to get to the lawns roots. This means your lawn gets more of what it needs to grow stronger and healthier next season, especially with our near-drought conditions this year, added Graham.

Graham is also asking homeowners to make a donation to the Carbon Valley Help Center. Donations include non-perishable food, hygiene products, and items for babies, such as diapers, wipes, and formula. The items are picked up at the time of the lawn aeration.

The Carbon Valley Help Center gives a hand up to our neighbors in need, stated Graham. We all need a hand up at some point in our lives. It could be getting through a difficult time financially, physically, mentally or help to learn a new skill for a job.

Through Grahams various food drives, and with the help of the generous community last year, they donated 722 pounds of food. Year to date, thanks again to our wonderful community we have donated over 900 pounds of food and $710 in cash donations. My goal with this aeration food drive and one other before the end of the year is to have 1,000 pounds of donations and $1,000 in cash donations, concluded Graham.

About Tracy Graham, RE/MAX Traditions

Tracy Graham is a local expert in representing both residential buyers and sellers in the Northern Colorado Front Range including Adams, Boulder, Larimer and Weld Counties for over 13 years. She is a GRI, CDPE, SFR, CNE, ABR, and CRS. For more information, please call 720-272-0183, visit http://www.tracygraham.remaxagent.com, follow Tracy on FaceBook at TracySoldMine or LinkedIn. Her office is located at 2204 18th Ave., Longmont, Colorado 80501.

About the NALA

The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. The information and content in this article are not in conjunction with the views of the NALA. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361.The Arnhold Institute for Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai today announced the appointment of two new members to its faculty: Duncan Maru, MD, PHD, an epidemiologist and physician trained in internal medicine and pediatrics who conducts research on strategies to improve the delivery of evidence-based healthcare interventions in settings of extreme poverty, and Sheela Maru, MD, MPH, a physician in obstetrics and gynecology who has been engaged with improving the healthcare of women around the globe.

The Arnhold Institute is excited to welcome Sheela and Duncan to our community, said Prabhjot Singh, MD, PhD, Director of The Arnhold Institute for Global Health and Chair of the Department of Health System Design and Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Their diversity of experiences and perspectives, and passion will be instrumental as the Institute moves forward with our mission designs, accelerates, and replicates health care models that put people first and drive meaningful impacts on health and wellbeing.

We pleased to welcome Sheela and Duncan, two physicians with a unique and diverse experience in the field of global health, said Dennis S. Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and President for Academic Affairs, Mount Sinai Health System. Their expertise will be a significant asset to The Arnhold Institute for Global Health as they continue their mission to strengthen community health systems for all people.

Dr. Sheela Maru, Assistant Professor at Icahn School of Medicine, comes to Mount Sinai from Boston University Medical Center (BMC) where she was an attending physician in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of the Section of Global Health and the Refugee Women's Health Clinic. Sheela has been engaged with improving healthcare for rural women in South Asia through her work with Nyaya Health Nepal and Possible, a non-governmental organization that delivers healthcare through public-private partnership agreements with the Government of Nepal. She hopes to continue and deepen her work with Nyaya Health Nepal and Possible, with a focus on reproductive, maternal, adolescent and child health, community health workers, and group care, and aims to expand collaborations between Mount Sinai, Possible, and the government of Nepal. Additionally, Sheela will work in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Elmhurst Hospital and explore further collaborations with the Arnhold Institute in community of Queens. She hopes to both learn from and contribute to ongoing conversations about the connections and tensions between "local" and "global" health. In her work at Boston University, she designed a curriculum in global women's health for residents and medical students and helped start grand rounds in Global Health for residents. She has mentored fellows in global women's health who worked in Kenya and Nepal. She has conducted trainings on refugee and trauma-informed care, female genital mutilation, and advocacy efforts. Her interests also include designing courses for medical providers in narrative medicine.

Dr. Duncan Maru, Associate Professor at Icahn School of Medicine, is co-founder of the non-profit Possible, a unique public-private partnership with the Nepali government that develops and tests innovations in integrated health care delivery systems and provides hospital and home-based care to 150,000 patient each year. His research will continue to focus on communities in rural Nepal and expanding the work of Possible which has 350 full-time employees. Dr. Maru will also have appointments within the Departments of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine at Icahn School of Medicine.

About The Arnhold Institute for Global Health

The Arnhold Institute for Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Health System, seeks to improve the health of people and the communities they live in, both in the United States and abroad. The Arnhold Institute serves as a global arm of the Mount Sinai Health System, leading research on the design of more equitable and effective care models that are disseminated through digital products, training systems and input on policy design.

About the Mount Sinai Health System

The Mount Sinai Health System is New York Citys largest integrated delivery system encompassing seven hospital campuses, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinais vision is to produce the safest care, the highest quality, the highest satisfaction, the best access and the best value of any health system in the nation. The System includes approximately 6,600 primary and specialty care physicians; 11 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 140 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. The Icahn School of Medicine is one of three medical schools that have earned distinction by multiple indicators: ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Reports Best Medical Schools, aligned with a U.S. News & World Reports Honor Roll Hospital, it is ranked as a leading medical school for National Institutes of Health funding, and among the top 10 most innovative research institutions as ranked by the journal Nature in its Nature Innovation Index. This reflects a special level of excellence in education, clinical practice, and research. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 18 on U.S. News & World Reports Honor Roll of top U.S. hospitals; it is one of the nations top 20 hospitals in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Nephrology, and Neurology/Neurosurgery, and in the top 50 in six other specialties in the 2018-2019 Best Hospitals issue. Mount Sinais Kravis Childrens Hospital also is ranked nationally in five out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked 11th nationally for Ophthalmology and 44th for Ear, Nose, and Throat, while Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Lukes and Mount Sinai West are ranked regionally. For more information, visit http://www.mountsinai.org/, or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.RegQuest In this highly complex industry, it is important to ensure compliance with state regulations and laws, said Jessica Grillo, JD, Executive Director, RegQuest. RegQuests Workers Compensation Utilization Management module is an essential tool in remaining apprised of this ever-changing landscape.

RegQuest, the nations premier online regulatory compliance resource focused on health insurance functions including medical management and appeals, today announced the launch of its fourth and newest module: Workers Compensation Utilization Management, which reviews state workers compensation utilization management laws and regulations.

The module offers subscribers regularly updated regulatory information broken down by state, and states are classified into four categories: Monopolistic, Not Regulated, Regulated  No License, and Regulated  License or State Contract Required.

The information focuses on several key components related to each states unique statutes and regulations, including: scope and applicability, regulatory contact information, licensure/certification requirements, program requirements, reviewer qualifications, and reviews and appeals. In addition to providing substantive information, each cited statute and regulation is hyperlinked for easy access to the applicable code and/or law.

As with other RegQuest modules, all research is updated on a regular basis and vetted by a team of legal and regulatory experts, and subscribers are notified via email when updates are made.

In this highly complex industry, it is important to ensure compliance with state regulations and laws, said Jessica Grillo, JD, Executive Director, RegQuest. Ms. Grillo added, RegQuests Workers Compensation Utilization Management module is an essential tool in remaining apprised of developments in this ever-changing landscape.

RegQuest not only provides key regulatory and industry trends, but also works with key stakeholders, including The Kennedy Forum and Schooner Strategies, LLC, to develop new model regulations and policies that promote value, transparency and accountability in health care.

To learn more about the new Workers Compensation Utilization Management module, visit: https://www.regquest.com/modules/wc/.

About RegQuest

RegQuest, an online, subscription-based tracking and reporting service, details many of the business, legal and regulatory forces directly impacting health insurance companies, medical management organizations, third party administrators and other key players in the health insurance industry. RegQuest is an essential current awareness tool for employers and health plans, making compliance easier and more efficient by offering accurate information in a user-friendly format via its 50 state regulatory surveys, quick reference summary tables, and subscriber alerts. RegQuest is well on its way to complete the DNA sequencing of all medical management regulations. For more information or to subscribe, please visit http://www.RegQuest.com.The Exchanged Life: The Revelation of Jesus Christ in You: an engaging guide to living fully in Christ. The Exchanged Life is the creation of published author Rhonda J. Mead, an ordained minister, Christian speaker, and writer who co-directs the nonprofit ministry New Life Outreach with her husband based out of Holton, Michigan.

Mead observes the modern culture of spiritual compromise, Why is the church of Christ, the very body of the living Lord, virtually powerless in turning this world upside down? There are revivals stirring in other parts of the world. We have moments of intense manifestations of the Holy Spirit in America, but by and large, Jesus is not seen.

We do not see the power of God in our everyday lives because we have not appropriated Christs life for ours. Without this Exchanged Life, we actually live through self-effort, rather than through the power of the risen Christ. There must be a change as far as who is in control, which ignites a change in the power source of our lives. In order for God to perfect the work He has begun, we must also have come to the end of trusting any other person or thing  His life exchanged for ours. Christ alone. One of the greatest reasons for the power of God not being seen in America is our affluence. It is very difficult to have confidence in God alone, full reliance on Him, when there are so many other options available.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Rhonda J. Meads new book is a simple reminder to the reader that to live a full life, one must fully surrender to Gods will.

Without downplaying the deep and vast mystery of the Gospel, Mead shines a brighter light on the truths God has revealed in his Word as a roadmap to an abundant life on earth and a joyous eternity thereafter.

View a synopsis of The Exchanged Life: The Revelation of Jesus Christ in You on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase The Exchanged Life: The Revelation of Jesus Christ in You at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about The Exchanged Life: The Revelation of Jesus Christ in You, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.One trait we consistently see in small businesses is that they often have a difficult time formulating and implementing profitable, effective marketing strategies. These two partnerships allow Rock Ridge Media to help small businesses solve that problem with lower investments of time and money.

Rock Ridge Media announced today that it has joined forces with two leading companies to help small businesses plan and build marketing strategies that automatically collect and nurture leads through targeted, personalized, and persuasive communications triggered by rich behavioral data and customer history.

One trait we consistently see in small businesses is that they often have a difficult time formulating and implementing profitable, effective marketing strategies. These two partnerships allow Rock Ridge Media to help small businesses solve that problem with lower investments of time and money, said Matt Gordon, founder of Rock Ridge Media.

Rock Ridge Media announced today that it has partnered with Austin, TX based company DigitalMarketer and committed to helping double the size of 10,000 small businesses by 2020 as a DigitalMarketer Certified Partner.

We chose to partner with DigitalMarketer because their marketing systems are best-in-class blueprints any small business can use to repeatedly and predictably take complete strangers, turn them into highly profitable customers, and then into proactive referrers of the business, said Matt Gordon, founder of Rock Ridge Media.

We are delighted to have Rock Ridge Media as a DigitalMarketer Certified Partner, said Ryan Deiss, CEO of DigitalMarketer. With skilled and dedicated partners like Rock Ridge Media, we are confident that well achieve our goal of doubling the size of 10,000 businesses ahead of schedule.

As a DigitalMarketer Certified Partner, the Rock Ridge Media team has been tested and certified on all 11 core disciplines of digital marketing, including DigitalMarketers globally praised Customer Value Optimization process. This enables Rock Ridge Media to lower customer acquisition costs while increasing customer value for their clients.

The CVO Process has been tremendously successful for our business, and we are excited to be trained and certified to deliver this amazing process to new and existing clients, said Matt Gordon, founder of Rock Ridge Media.

Additionally, Rock Ridge Media is proud to announce their partnership with Infusionsoft, the leading provider of marketing automation software for small businesses. As an Infusionsoft Certified Partner, Rock Ridge Media provides education, training, and implementation services as part of a community of experts focused on helping small businesses to get organized and grow using Infusionsofts all-in-one integrated CRM, marketing automation, email marketing, lead nurturing and e-commerce capabilities.

Rock Ridge Media has undergone an intensive training program and passed very difficult qualification standards to become certified, said Tom Romary, VP of Partner Programs at Infusionsoft. We dont certify just anyone who wants to join our community. Certified Partners meet our exceedingly high standards to ensure our small business customers are working with only the best. Today we congratulate and proudly welcome Rock Ridge Media to our thriving community of Infusionsoft Certified Partners who are helping more small businesses every day get organized and grow.

For more on Rock Ridge Media or to find out if they can help your business grow using systems like Customer Value Optimization and Infusionsoft, visit: https://rockridgemedia.com.

About DigitalMarketer

DigitalMarketer is a marketing research and training company based in Austin, TX with a mission of doubling the size of 10,000 small businesses by the end of 2020. With over 400,000 subscribers from across the globe, brands and businesses, both large and small, rely on DigitalMarketer to stay on the leading edge of whats actually working in modern marketing and business growth.

About Infusionsoft

Infusionsoft is a privately-held company based in Chandler, Arizona. More than 6,000 small businesses use Infusionsoft's all-in-one marketing automation suite for its integrated CRM, email marketing, lead nurturing and e-commerce capabilities.

About Rock Ridge Media

Rock Ridge Media is a privately-held company based in the greater St. Louis, Missouri area. More than 380 small businesses in 21 countries have relied on Rock Ridge Media for marketing services and training since 2007.RouteOne

RouteOne reaches new milestone of 10 million booked eContracts as they continue to help power the auto retailing industrys response to the digital age and continually increasing consumer expectations for sales processes that fit their needs and schedules.

Since 2013, when RouteOnes eContracting began to take a strong root, the accelerated adoption by all participants has led to the number of active eContracting dealers doubling, eContracting annual volume more than tripling, and the availability of finance sources to eContract with more than quadrupling. Today, nearly 75% of all RouteOnes booked contracts are eligible to be eContracted.



Over 7,500 active eContracting dealers that create significant ROI for finance sources

55 live and in-pilot eContracting finance sources to speed funding for dealers

13 eContracting-integrated Dealer Management Systems to create in-store process efficiency

Our dealer base has undoubtedly embraced eContracting and the efficiencies it delivers to their business and customers. Over 86% of our dealers are actively submitting eContracts through RouteOne, remarked Pete Carey, Group Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product at Toyota Financial Services.

The most significant surge, recently, has come from the finance source availability for eContracting on RouteOne. The 50% average annual increase in availability of eContracting supportive finance sources can be attributed to both the efficiencies eContracting provides and the variety of solutions RouteOne has developed to easily onboard finance sources eager to participate.

From 2014-2017, RouteOne experienced a 1400% increase in consumer-initiated credit applications. RouteOne is powering many of the solutions that are enabling vehicle shopping and financing processes that are easy for consumers and supportive of dealers too.

We are providing our dealers the tools to meet the evolving demands of todays online consumer. Weve constructed a seamless, consumer transition from online lead, all the way through eContracting and the remotely executed finance and insurance contract. RouteOne is helping us deliver to our dealers, and their consumers, an end-to-end digital retailing experience, stated Mike Urrutia, SVP of Dealer Services, GM Financial.

With deals originating online and the ability to consummate deals digitally on RouteOne, both remote or in-store, momentum is also gaining for inclusion of all finance and insurance components to be included in the eContract package.

RouteOne is on target in 2018 to surpass one million transactions within its provider network.

Through RouteOnes Aftermarket Rating and Contracting Service, weve empowered our dealers with a streamlined process, that allows Ford Protect products and GAPCoverage to be included in their eContract packages as part of a single, digital signing ceremony that is then distributed to Ford Credit electronically, stated Carver Dumke, GAP & WearCare Product Manager, Ford/Lincoln Protect.

eContracting increases efficiencies between dealers and finance sources by automating critical checkpoints and validating data upon entry, resulting in reduced errors and held contracts. This streamlined process helps dealers automate critical compliance tasks and benefits F&I managers by removing tedious paperwork, allowing them more time to build rapport with customers. The compounding time and money saving efficiencies have led to RouteOnes increased adoption rate by dealers, averaging 11% annually.

Dealers could have saved $128 Million+ if all eligible RouteOne contracts in 2017 were booked electronically. Dealers can calculate their own rate of savings at https://www.routeone.com/eCsavings

Todays digital retail environment, driven by evolving consumer expectations, demands the delivery of a better experience, convenience, and transparency. Further, it is more important than ever for dealerships and finance sources to maximize their operating efficiencies. eContracting plays an integral part of this rapidly evolving landscape. Endorsed by its customers, RouteOne leads the industry in eContracting, both in captive and non-captive financing.

Dealers or finance sources interested in optimizing their F&I experience by implementing eContracting can contact RouteOne at 866.768.8301 or http://www.routeone.com.

About RouteOne

RouteOne was formed in 2002 by Ally Financial, Ford Motor Credit Company, TD Auto Finance, and Toyota Financial Services to improve the F&I process for automobile dealers and their customers. Connecting thousands of dealers and finance sources in North America for vehicle financing, RouteOnes platform delivers a comprehensive suite of F&I solutions across multiple channels: in-store, online, mobile, and via third-party solutions. Its product line-up includes credit application, eContracting, menu, online/mobile retail services and compliance. In addition, RouteOne enables dealer choice across a wide variety of best-in-class providers through open integrations with over 170 DSPs. More information is available at http://www.routeone.com.We say that MicroBuild is change aware because it captures population changes that you just cant see in any other location intelligence data product, stated Larry Martin, President of Gadberry Group

Gadberry Group today announces Vineyard, UT as the latest Geospatial Data Study in their MicroBuild On Location program. Vineyard is just one of over 500 cities that have experienced dramatic change in the last few years. MicroBuild On Location identifies and captures high household changes using the companys flagship data product MicroBuild. The most recent release of MicroBuild will shows over 30% in new household growth in Vineyard over the previous years dataset.

MicroBuild, a patented geospatial and location intelligence data product, shows the number of households in Vineyard to have almost doubled in just the past two years. Looking back even further to the 2010 Census, MicroBuild shows almost 5x the number of households in 2016 as were present in 2010. Data sets based upon U.S. Census Estimates and Projections are not able to capture and show these changes and recent data comparisons for clients have indicated a lapse of nearly three years in competitive products.

Vineyard, Utah, an area just outside of Provo, was once a sleepy little area made up of farmland and a shuttered steel mill. According to the U.S. Census, Vineyard has grown from 611 residents to almost 4,000 in 2016. But those estimates fall woefully short of what is happening on the ground in Vineyard.

We say that MicroBuild is change aware because it captures population changes that you just cant see in any other location intelligence data product, stated Larry Martin, President of Gadberry Group.

According to Martin, most researchers would agree that Census data has been the standard for understanding the distribution and demographic makeup of the U.S. population. But with the changes in how the Census data is collected under the new ACS (American Community Survey), retailers and others that rely on Census data may be disappointed to learn that the 17.0% sample of income and other variables that was collected via the long form in Census has been replaced with a 2.5% rolling ACS sample that models data for smaller communities he added.

In the Utah Valley, where the growing high-tech community is creating one of the highest job-growth areas in the nation, land for new development is scarce. With mountains all around and Utah Lake to the west, Geneva Steel Mills industrial sites 1,600 acres has become a hot spot of commercial and residential development. The area became central to a multi-purpose Master Plan in 2014 and is expected to help Vineyard grow to 40,000 residents in the coming years. When development is complete, Vineyard expects to have 3 million square feet of office space, 2 million square feet of retail space and 5.5 million square feet of industrial space.

Significant population increases in places like Vineyard drive the need for a growth in services and commercial storefronts. Services, such as housing, transportation, utilities, education and health care are needed for these new inhabitants. Commercial storefronts such as banks, retail and restaurants are also needed for the growing community. Not only is Vineyard growing, but it is also bringing a younger and more diverse consumer to the area. The need for businesses to better assess, respond and serve these residents is a challenge.

Using premier consumer household data and state-of-the-art geocoding, Gadberry Groups MicroBuild product is able to identify and capture change because it is built upon a proven multi-layer, multi-sourced consumer address-based methodology that measures high growth, decline and changing demographics that are not captured by Census estimates and projections. MicroBuild is the only geospatial and location intelligence data set built from the ground up using consumer household and address data, and that is aggregated at micro-level geographies (Census Block and Postal ZIP+4) that are most suited for site analysis, sales forecasting and market assessment.

EDITOR'S NOTE: CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VINEYARD GEOSPATIAL DATA STUDY

About Gadberry Group

Gadberry Group combines over 25 years of geospatial data science expertise to provide geospatial and location intelligence (GLI) data products and services for clients who demand the most current, accurate, precise and actionable GLI solutions for their market and location analysis and research. Headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, Gadberry Group is recognized for industry-leading expertise for combining sophisticated data development, software development and professional services to help clients solve their complex GLI business problems. Gadberry Groups geospatial location intelligence dataset, MicroBuild, is protected under U.S. Patents No. 8,341,010 and 8,428,999.

For more information please visit http://www.gadberrygroup.comSheba Vine, JD, CPCO Vice President and General Counsel at First Healthcare Compliance The evolving laws regarding marijuana consumption presents unique workplace issues for employers. As we see a trend towards employment protections for marijuana users, compliance and HR professionals need to be particularly vigilant to developments in this area

Sheba Vine, JD, CPCO, Vice President and General Counsel of First Healthcare Compliance, an attorney experienced in employment law, writes frequently on employment law matters and has contributed articles to Compliance Today, Physicians Practice and other publications. Recently, she authored a chapter in the Health Care Compliance Professional's Manual titled Navigating the Evolving Marijuana Landscape to serve as a resource to professionals in healthcare compliance.

The Health Care Compliance Professionals Manual, published by HCCA and Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory, U.S., is highly respected among healthcare compliance professionals and serves as the basic text for the HCCA Compliance Academy. Published quarterly the manual provides tools to plan and execute a customized compliance program that meets federal standards. Available via print or the Internet, the Manual provides thorough information regarding compliance policies, compliance infrastructure, documentation, self-assessment techniques, effective education, areas of risk, internal probes and much more. Subscription to the Manual includes periodic updates via hard copy or internet.

Changes in the laws require a new focus for employers and compliance professionals. The evolving laws regarding marijuana consumption presents unique workplace issues for employers. As we see a trend towards employment protections for marijuana users, compliance and HR professionals need to be particularly vigilant to developments in this area, states Vine who joined the First Healthcare Compliance team in 2015 as Director of Regulatory Compliance. In 2017 she began her current role and oversees all company operations related to contracts, content offerings, legal affairs, human resources and regulatory compliance. Prior to joining First Healthcare Compliance, Sheba was an attorney in private practice, concentrating in litigation and employment law. Sheba is licensed to practice law in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Prior to her legal career, Sheba held positions in the medical device industry with Hoffman La-Roche and Siemens. She received her Juris Doctorate from Widener University School of Law and her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Drexel University and is a Certified Professional Compliance Officer.

About First Healthcare Compliance: Founded in 2012 by a nurse attorney, the First Healthcare Compliance software solution creates confidence among compliance professionals through education, resources, and support in the areas of HIPAA, OSHA, human resources compliance, and fraud waste and abuse laws. Serving clients across the United States, the companys evolving platform provides real-time insight for board reporting and across multiple locations. For more information please visit https://1sthcc.com/

About Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.

Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S. is part of Wolters Kluwer N.V. (AEX: WKL), a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with specialized technology and services.

Wolters Kluwer reported 2017 annual revenues of 4.4 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. For more information about Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S., visit WoltersKluwerLR.com, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About HCCA:

Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA), established in 1996 and headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, is a non-profit professional membership organization with 12,200+ members. HCCA offers more than 60 conferences annually, provides networking opportunities, and produces important healthcare compliance-related resources, including several publications written by top experts in the compliance field. Visit HCCAs website at http://www.hcca-info.org or call 888.580.8373.APSP is excited to be able to recognize and reward the pool and spa industrys top achievers, said APSP President & CEO, Lawrence Caniglia. We have such talented members and are honored to be able to showcase their beautiful work and acknowledge their great achievements.

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) announces the winners of its 2018 APSP Awards Program. The program recognizes prominent achievements and outstanding performers in the pool, spa and hot tub industry. Being recognized this year are 75 pool, hot tub and water features in the design competition and 13 individuals recognized for their contribution to the aquatic industry. One APSP Chapter earned top honors.

APSP Award winners will be recognized in the October and November issues of AQUA magazine and will be honored during the APSP Awards Reception, October 30, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Individual photos of the award winners can be viewed at APSP.org/AwardsGallery.

In its 48th year, the APSP International Awards of Excellence recognizes 75 outstanding pools, spas, hot tubs and water feature installations. Hundreds of entries are submitted each year, representing member firms across the United States and around the world. The award-winning companies and their installations can be viewed at APSP.org/FanFavorite. Viewers can vote and share their favorite installation via social media. Voting began on October 9 and runs through 5 p.m. EDT on October 26. The winner of the fan voting will be announced October 30.

Individual APSP professional honors recognize Stephen Neville, CBP, CSP, PPSO as the CBP Certified Pool & Spa Building Professional of the Year, Richard Woemmel, CBP, CSP as the CSP Certified Pool & Spa Service Professional of the Year and Brooke Rossi as the Retailer of the Year.

The rank of APSP Fellow is an honor given to prominent individuals who have made distinguished contributions that raise the professionalism in the aquatic community through teaching, research and/or exemplary service to others. The 2018 Fellow Award recipients are:



Greg Garrett, Pool Chemistry Training Institute

Jason Schallock, CBP, CSP, Anderson Poolworks

Craig Sears, CBP, CSP, Sears Pool Management Consultants, Inc.

Jatinder Sidhu, Coast Spas Manufacturing, Inc.

Rebecca Smith, CSP, Splash Pool Management Co.

The 2018 Young Professionals of the Year Award represents forward-thinking leaders under the age of 40 who are positioned to be the voice of the next generation of pool ad hot tub professionals. The winners are:



George Barnett, KB Custom Pools

Stephen Neville CBP, CSP, PPSO, Island Construction Corporation

Erik Taylor, Chlorine King Pool Service

Mallory Wachowski, DesRochers Backyard Pool Co.

The 2018 Chapter of the Year Award recognizes one outstanding chapter that has set a stellar example for the organization, advancing and enhancing the profession through strong leadership, community outreach and providing their members with the highest quality of programs, activities and services. The winner is:



APSPs Georgia Chapter

APSP is excited to be able to recognize and reward the pool and spa industrys top achievers, said APSP President & CEO, Lawrence Caniglia. We have such talented members and are honored to be able to showcase their beautiful work and acknowledge their great achievements.

For more information and to view award recipients, visit APSP.org/AwardsGallery.

About APSP

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) is the worlds oldest and largest association representing swimming pool, hot tub, and spa manufacturers, distributors, manufacturers agents, designers, builders, installers, suppliers, retailers, and service professionals. Dedicated to the growth and development of its members businesses and to promoting the enjoyment and safety of pools and spas, APSP offers a range of services, from professional development to advancing key legislation and regulation at the federal and local levels, to consumer outreach and public safety. APSP is the only industry organization recognized by the American National Standards Institute to develop and promote national standards for pools, hot tubs, and spas. For more information, visit APSP.org.The Conservatory celebrates National Arts & Humanities Month with annual Your Start in the Arts grant to further the support and development of secondary drama education.

The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (NYCDA) today proudly announced the launch of its Your Start in the Arts grant program. Celebrating National Arts & Humanities month, The Conservatorys new grant program is designed to honor and support secondary high school educators in drama and theater who have inspired and students to follow their passion for the art of storytelling through acting.

As an acting conservatory and college, we meet incredibly talented and motivated graduating high school seniors from around the country. When they speak about their high school drama departments and teachers, we hear two main themeslife-changing support and teaching, and very limited budgets, said Richard Omar, president and artistic director at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. The Conservatory created the Your Start in the Arts grant to honor these incredible high school teachers, and further support those who are making a difference for students pursuing their passion for the dramatic arts.

Starting today, present and former high school drama students from across the US can nominate their high school drama department to be considered for a $1,000 grant. Once the nominations close on November 30, 2018, a panel of New York Conservatory actor-faculty will convene to read the submissions. The panel will vote for the five most compelling cases for support. Grant winners will be notified by email and announced on January 7, 2018.

To learn more about the Your Start in the Arts grant program, please visit https://www.nycda.edu/your-start-in-the-arts/. Full grant and participation rules can be found here https://www.nycda.edu/start-arts-grant-contest-full-rules/.

About The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts

The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts enables students to define their unique brand as an actor by discovering who they are as a person. We practice a personalized approach to training that places acting and storytelling at the core--offering immersive, disciplined, and focused professional training programs designed to give students the tools and techniques they need for successful careers in todays industry. Our living curriculum is writing itself every day, created and shaped by NYCDAs working actor instructors and student community to deliver a dynamic learning experience. The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts is an institutionally accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre. NYCDAs Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) degree programs in Film and Television Performance, and in Musical Theater Performance are registered by the New York State Board of Regents. Learn more about NYCDA at http://www.nycda.edu.

Follow NYCDA

https://www.facebook.com/ACT.NYCDA/

https://twitter.com/NYConservatory

https://www.instagram.com/nyconservatory/

https://www.youtube.com/user/NYConDramArts

#YourStartintheArts, #ShowYourArt2018, @Americans4Arts, @NYConservatory, #NYConservatoryAs you may or may not be familiar with, YoYoInk was started by three college students over eight years ago, in 2010. These three college students wanted to know what it would be like to run their own business, and they already knew all too well how important printer ink was in their lives and the lives of others. Therefore, YoYoInk was founded as a small printer ink purveyor that would focus on selling high-quality compatible and remanufactured HP, Canon, Brother, Epson, Kodak and Lexmark printer ink and toner. This business model would provide affordable ink that everyone could rely on, as the owners themselves knew just how expensive OEM printer ink could be. With that being said, the rest is history.

As YoYoInk continues to evolve its business model, the company has shifted its focus toward implementing a new and improved rewards program. Billed as Super Panda Rewards, the program rewards customers by incorporating a points system into each purchase that they make on the YoYoInk website. Essentially, for each dollar that is spent by a customer, a point is awarded. YoYoInk believes that implementing this rewards program will further encourage customers to seek out products specifically on the YoYoInk website, as opposed to other means.

In taking a closer look at how the rewards program works, its worth evaluating some of its intricacies. In order to qualify for the Super Panda Rewards, visitors to the YoYoInk website must become a member of the Super Panda Army, by creating an account and becoming a member. Only once youve become a member, can you begin to earn points by making purchases on the YoYoInk website. Regarding the usage of these points, they are redeemed in the websites shopping cart. By clicking Apply Discount, your points are exchanged for currency, which is then applied to your purchase. Points remain in your account up to one year, expiring without a subsequent purchase being made within 365 days of your previous purchase. Furthermore, points are available solely in the shopping cart, in order for them to be exchanged for a discount. They are not designed to be exchanged for cash or other currency. In order to keep track of how many points youve accumulated, which is unlimited, you must click on My Account, followed by My Points.

Having considered that Super Panda Rewards may take some time to catch on, YoYoInk has devised a 6-month email campaign that encourages customers to purchase YoYoInk products, or otherwise engage with the YoYoInk community in fun and unique ways. The company is confident that customers will soon see the benefits of the rewards program, which in turn will improve both traffic to the website and sales of YoYoInk products.

About YoYoInk

YoYoInk is a compatible and remanufactured printer ink cartridge and toner provider, that deals in the top brands throughout the industry. With a proven track record of exceptional products and customer service, the company takes pride in its significant customer retention rate. In fact, YoYoInk emphasizes customer retention, through its priority of maintaining a cohesive community. However, maintaining a business and community, isnt always easy. Therefore, YoYoInk found a way to blend the two, all while having fun doing it. The result is Super Panda, the symbol responsible for keeping the community engaged and identifying the company to new customers everyday. In addition to serving as the face of the company, Super Panda also serves as a warranty, providing a 2-year, no-hassle, 100% money-back guarantee. Combined with free shipping and up to 75% off of certain products, YoYoInk offers Super Panda, with super savings.MultiPlan, Inc. is pleased to announce the top drawings selected in its 2018 Holiday Card program. Thousands of online votes were cast to determine the five favorite drawings, which will be featured on holiday greeting cards produced by MultiPlan and awarded to the hospitals that submitted the drawings on behalf of their patients. The submitting hospitals may use the cards to raise funds that support pediatric patient activities. The top five artists receive their very own holiday cards featuring their artwork, a framed print of their drawing, and a cash value gift card.

Congratulations to these three hospitals that submitted the top five drawings:



Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fountain Valley Hospital, Fountain Valley, California

Valley Baptist Medical Center, Harlingen, Texas

See all of this years drawings on MultiPlans website at http://www.multiplan.com/providers/holiday/vote/.

Cards are available for purchase through MultiPlans online store October 29  November 16. A link to the store will be available on the MultiPlan website on October 29. Were proud of this program that adds a little sparkle to the lives of everyone involved. said Dr. Anthony Sposato, Chief Medical Officer for MultiPlan. Were thrilled to make all of the artwork submitted by these children available as holiday cards that can be purchased by friends and family. Plus, proceeds from card sales will be donated to Starlight Childrens Foundation to help other hospitalized children. For more information about the Holiday Card program, contact MultiPlan at holidaycard@multiplan.com.

In addition to the proceeds from card sales, MultiPlan will make a donation to Starlight Childrens Foundation. Starlight creates moments of comfort and joy for hospitalized kids and their families. For 35 years, Starlights programs have positively impacted more than 60 million critically, chronically and terminally ill or injured children in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. With your help, more kids and their families will enjoy Starlight Gowns, Starlight Fun Centers and other Starlight programs at a childrens hospital or facility near you. Support Starlight's work by visiting http://www.starlight.org.

The Holiday Card is just one of MultiPlans philanthropic programs. MultiPlan also provides ride-on toy cars to pediatric units at participating hospital through its Toy Car program, and awards grants to qualifying hospitals through its annual Rural Health Outreach Grant.

About MultiPlan

MultiPlan is committed to helping healthcare payers manage the cost of care, improve their competitiveness and inspire positive change. Leveraging sophisticated technology, data analytics and a team rich with industry experience, the company interprets clients needs and customizes innovative solutions that combine its payment integrity, network-based and analytics-based services. MultiPlan is a trusted partner to over 900,000 healthcare providers nationwide and to 700 healthcare payers in the commercial health, property and casualty, and government markets with 60 million members using our networks. MultiPlan is owned by Hellman & Friedman and other investors. For more information, visit multiplan.com.

# # #With global utility coverage, Urjanets platform is the only solution of its kind poised to close the gap in reliable, secure alternative data access on demand and at scale.

Urjanet, the global leader in utility data aggregation, today unveiled a new solution enabling financial services providers to uncover new revenue opportunities within decline traffic. The industry-first solution leverages machine learning technology to provide on-demand, user-permissioned access to proof of name and address, as well as utility payment history. With Urjanets unique model of data access, fintechs and lenders can shed light on nearly 50 million underbanked consumers and keep customers in control of their own data.

Since its inception, the company has automated and streamlined more than $70 billion in utility spend globally. With global utility coverage, Urjanets platform is the only solution of its kind poised to close the gap in reliable, secure alternative data access on demand and at scale.

Urjanet is committed to investing in new partnership opportunities and new ways to transform the use of utility data, said Urjanet CEO Sanjoy Malik. With the latest expansion of our platform, we are excited to empower financial services providers large and small to optimize conversions, drive new revenue growth, and deter fraud.

Nearly 50 million thin- or no-file consumers and small businesses in the U.S. are unable to access the credit they need through traditional risk models. Alternative data has revealed a substantial portion of this credit invisible population to be qualified applicants: according to a FICO study on incorporating alternative data, more than one-third of newly scorable consumers would have scores of 620 or above. Yet what risk models have lacked is a reliable method of accessing this alternative data.

With up to 12 months of utility bill payment history available on demand through Urjanets intelligent data platform, alternative lenders can now gain deeper visibility into decline traffic applicants, advance their risk models, and ultimately expand financial inclusion for millions of consumers.

As lending and commerce become increasingly omni-channel in nature, simply verifying the identity and address of applicants in a digital environment is a complex challenge. Third-party-verified, user-permissioned proof of name and address is now supported through the Urjanet utility data platform, enabling online businesses to automate manual reviews, meet KYC and AML compliance with confidence, and give customers a secure channel to submit their own identity data.

While stricter identity verification procedures have been absolutely necessary, they have also left qualified applicants behind in the fray, said Travis Jarae, CEO and founder of One World Identity. Urjanets platform presents a promising solution to securely and reliably shed light on verified applicants and help fintechs and lenders grow their business.

Click here to learn more about how Urjanets new intelligent data platform can help your business uncover and convert more qualified applicants with user-permissioned data access, or request a demo to see how the platform works in action.

About Urjanet:

Urjanet, the global leader in alternative data aggregation from utilities, telecom and cable providers, simplifies how organizations access and use utility data, enabling them to focus on their business. Our technology collects, processes, and delivers data from over 5,000 electric, natural gas, water, waste, telecom, and cable utilities worldwide. The data we provide can be configured and integrated into any application to support an organizations exact utility data needs. For more information, visit http://www.urjanet.com.Sam and Jean Every day I thank VetStem for their procedure which has changed Sam's life.

At five years old, Sam began having issues with his liver. X-Rays were taken to look for a possible tumor and instead, Sams veterinarian found that he had arthritis in his lower, or lumbosacral, spine. At the time, he was not experiencing any obvious discomfort, so his owner placed him on supplements for the arthritis and monitored his activity.

Within two years, Sam began slowing down and stopped wanting to take his daily walks. Sams owner took him to Dr. Lucy Roberts of Animal Medical Center of Tuscaloosa. Upon examination, it was determined that Sams range of motion was at 60% of what it should be in all four legs. He was started on an injectable medication and acupuncture. The combination of treatments seemed to help quite a bit and Sam was able to resume his daily walks.

Unfortunately, the relief Sam experienced was short lived. About nine months later, he began showing symptoms of discomfort again. This time, Dr. Roberts recommended using the tissue processing services at VetStem Biopharma. VetStem Regenerative Cell Therapy is a process by which a veterinarian collects a sample of fat tissue from a patient and sends it to the VetStem laboratory where the regenerative cells are separated from the fat tissue. The cells are returned to the veterinarian for appropriate injection techniques as determined by the attending veterinarian.

In March of 2017, Sam had full body X-Rays, which confirmed he had arthritis in both shoulders and both hips, along with the arthritis in his spine. Dr. Roberts then collected fat from Sams abdomen during a minimally invasive anesthetic procedure. The fat was aseptically packaged and shipped overnight to VetStems laboratory in San Diego, California. VetStem lab technicians processed Sams fat and prepared injectable doses of Sams own stem and regenerative cells to be shipped back to Dr. Roberts. Approximately 48 hours after the initial fat collection procedure, Sam received injections in both shoulders, both hips, intravenously and in the muscle along his spinal column (paraspinal).

Typically, when treating more complicated conditions such as spinal arthritis, a follow-up treatment is performed one to two weeks after the initial treatment. Depending on the severity of the spinal arthritis and the preference of the treating veterinarian, the follow up treatment may be an intravenous injection only or it may be a combination of an intravenous injection and an epidural injection. In Sams case, VetStem and Dr. Roberts agreed an intravenous injection and an epidural injection might be the best choice for Sam. Sam received his follow up injections just under two weeks after his initial treatment.

Following treatment with these regenerative cells, Sams owner performed stretching and rehabilitation exercises at home to help with his healing. She reported that within three months, Sams joints were at 100% range of motion and his activity level improved. He continues to receive accupuncture, laser therapy, and supplements which his owner believes keeps him feeling his best. She states, Some days he runs like a crazy man and wants to play with his dog friends at the park. Other times he runs in big circles and wants me to chase him. In his older age, Sam is not as active as he was as a puppy, but his owner stated, Every day I thank VetStem for their procedure which has changed Sam's life. I recommend it to every pet owner who has mobility issues.

Stem cells are regenerative cells that can differentiate into many tissue types; they have been shown in published literature to reduce pain and inflammation, help to restore range of motion, and stimulate regeneration of tendon, ligament and joint tissues. Sams case was handled under VetStems clinical research program, as there is limited data to support the use of stem cell therapy in the treatment of spinal arthritis. Any inquiries regarding treatment of similar conditions or other non-standard indications should be directed to VetStem personnel.

About Lucy Roberts, DVM

Dr. Roberts grew up in Tampa, Florida, where she first began working in veterinary clinics. After graduating from the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2001, she finished an internship at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. Dr. Roberts has since worked in private practice as a veterinarian for large and now small animals. She has a special interest in behavioral medicine and surgery, and she really enjoys getting to know every patient. Dr. Roberts has been VetStem Certified since 2010.

About VetStem Biopharma, Inc.

VetStem Biopharma is a veterinarian-lead Company that was formed in 2002 to bring regenerative medicine to the profession. This privately held biopharmaceutical enterprise, based near San Diego, California, currently offers veterinarians an autologous stem cell processing service (from patients own fat tissue) among other regenerative modalities. With a unique expertise acquired over the past 15 years and 17,000 treatments by veterinarians for joint, tendon or ligament issues, VetStem has made regenerative medicine applications a therapeutic reality. The VetStem team is focused on developing new clinically practical and affordable veterinary solutions that leverage the natural restorative abilities present in all living creatures. In addition to its own portfolio of patents, VetStem holds exclusive global veterinary licenses to a large portfolio of issued patents in the field of regenerative medicine.Together, VUI and BigCommerce give retailers a new and exceptional way to talk with their customers.

VUI, whose conversational AI platform allows retailers and brands to voice-enable their eCommerce channels, today announced that it has joined the BigCommerce Technology Partner Program to deliver voice capabilities to more than 60,000 retailers across the globe. VUIs machine-learning platform provides an effortless customer experience across mobile, social, web and smart speakers.

Voice shopping creates new opportunities for retailers to interface with their customers, from basic customer care to contextual discovery, search, and buy experiences. Using voice can substantially increase customers ability to get immediate support and materially accelerate the path to purchase.

As the leading eCommerce platform for thousands of businesses, BigCommerce is a key strategic partner for us, said Armin Gebauer, Director at VUI. Together, VUI and BigCommerce give retailers a new and exceptional way to talk with their customers.

Our partnership with VUI further illustrates our commitment to providing merchants access to the highest-caliber technologies in the industry, said Russell Klein, Chief Development Officer for BigCommerce. VUI shares our desire to help merchants sell more and grow faster to maximize success, and we look forward to working together to mutually support customers.

VUI will be joining the BigCommerce Partner Summit and Tech Partner Palooza in Austin, TX October 16-17.

To learn more about joining the thousands of industry-leading BigCommerce partners, visit: bigcommerce.com/partners.

About VUI

VUIs technology allows retailers to voice-enable their eCommerce channels, and delivers an effortless customer experience across mobile, social, web, and smart speakers. The platform, developed by members of the original Alexa, Nokia, and Rakuten teams, gives customers the power of voice shopping. With voice, retailers can provide a convenient, personalized, and engaging way for customers to interact with their brand.

For more information about Boston-based VUI, visit vui.comNews

From Bulgaria

The Regional Ministries of Bulgaria and Macedonia will sign a Memorandum of Understanding

There are 375 candidates for the two calls for proposals under the cooperation program between the two countries

AUTHOR: publics.bg

Ministers Petya Avramova and Suheil Fazliu today attended the opening of the renovated building of Blagoevgrad district administration.

 MRDPW



A Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (MRDPW) of Bulgaria and the Ministry of Local Government of the Republic of Macedonia is due to be signed. It will be signed in Macedonia and the date will be further specified, the MRDPW reported.



Ministers Petya Avramova and Suheil Fazliu today attended the opening of the renovated building of Blagoevgrad district administration. It was renewed on the joint project "Green Buildings for a Common Green Future" of the district administration and the Center for Development of the Eastern Planning Region, Republic of Macedonia. The project was funded with nearly EUR 400,000 under the INTERREG Program - IPA Bulgaria - Macedonia 2014-2020, where the MRDPW is a Managing Authority and the Ministry of Local Government of the Republic of Macedonia is a partnering body.



The project aims to promote the implementation of energy efficiency as a tool for achieving sustainable development and improving the quality of life in the cross-border region. Therefore, besides the reconstruction of the buildings of Blagoevgrad District Administration and the Municipality of Kochani, Republic of Macedonia, it includes the development of a sustainable energy planning strategy in Blagoevgrad.



Border regions often experience their own difficulties and additional challenges. That is why we are making use of the program's ability to work together as good neighbors and to develop our potential not only to improve the attractiveness of the territory but also to help improve the quality of life and work of people on both sides of the border, opening time Minister Avramova. She noted that during the six months of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Bulgaria has committed itself to responding to the real needs of European citizens and to transform the challenges into opportunities through the promotion of cohesion policy.



Minister Avramova expressed his satisfaction with the great interest enjoyed by the cooperation program between Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia. The high number of candidates for the two calls for proposals - 375 - shows that it provides excellent opportunities for institutions and organizations in the cross-border region to cope with common challenges, the minister said.



During the first call for project proposals, 48 contracts with a total value of just over EUR 10 million were concluded. The second Call for Proposals has a budget of nearly  7 million. Further projects will be funded that will have a lasting impact on cross-border territory by creating robust partnerships between the two countries. Their approval is expected by the end of the year.



The Minister of Regional Development of the Republic of Macedonia, Suheil Fazliu, pointed out that the country's priorities are good neighborly relations, which is confirmed by the signing of the treaty between the two countries. Road infrastructure is a top priority in the government of Macedonia because building bridges between peoples means bringing it closer to the EU. Building good neighborly relations is the only alternative to the region, he said.



In response to a question about the construction of the railway, Minister Avramova commented that after the announcement of the refusal of a contract of the company "GP Group" the procedure for selection of contractor continues and a delay in the construction is not expected.Cookies

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A cookie is a small text file that a website saves on your computer or mobile device when you visit the site. Cookies are widely used in order to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the site.Website use Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. ("Google") to help analyse the use of this website. For this purpose, Google Analytics uses"cookies", which are text files placed on your computer.The information generated by the cookies about your use of this website - standard internet log information (including your IP address) and visitor behaviour information in an anonymous form - will be transmitted to and stored by Google including on servers in the United States. Google will anonymize the information sent by removing the last octet of your IP address prior to its storage.According to Google Analytics terms of service, Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website and compiling reports on website activity.We not use, and not allow any third party to use the statistical analytics tool to track or to collect any personally identifiable information of visitors to this site. Google may transfer the information collected by Google Analytics to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google`s behalf.According to Google Analytics terms of service, Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google.You may refuse the use of Google Analytics cookies by downloading and installing Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. The add-on communicates with the Google Analytics JavaScript (ga.js) to indicate that information about the website visit should not be sent to Google Analytics.Cookies are also used to record if you have agreed (or not) to our use of cookies on this site, so that you are not asked the question every time you visit the site.You can control and/or delete cookies as you wish. You can delete all cookies that are already on your computer and you can set most browsers to prevent them from being placed.Most browsers allow you to:If you chose to delete cookies, you should be aware that any preferences will be lost. Also, if you block cookies completely many websites (including ours) will not work properly and webcasts will not work at all. For these reasons, we do not recommend turning cookies off when using our webcasting services.There wasnt a vast amount of kids graphic novel news unveiled at this years New York Comic Con, but there was one very big announcement: the titles and release dates of Raina Telgemeiers next two graphic books.

On October 5, Scholastic pulled back the curtain on Guts, a new graphic memoir that will be released in September 2019 with a first printing of one million copies. Guts has a similar cover to Smile and Sisters, Telgemeiers previous autobiographical works, and it looks like it will have a similar vibe as well. Instead of dental drama or sibling rivalry, though, Guts will weave issues of anxiety and food intolerance into a slice-of-life middle-school story.

Scholastic also announced another Telgemeier book, a how-to journal titled Share Your Smile: Rainas Guide to Telling Your Own Story, which is due out next April. The first printing will be 500,000 copies.

Elsewhere at NYCC

In non-Raina news, Top Shelf had a new middle-grade graphic novel to announce: Red Panda and Moon Bear by Cuban-American cartoonist Jarod Rosello. The story revolves around two Latinx siblings who have superpowers and use them to solve mysteries and rescue lost cats. The book is scheduled for March 2019.

In licensed comics news, Dark Horse announced two new Disney graphic novels: a second Zootopia graphic novel, Zootopia: Family Night, and an original graphic novel, Disney Princess: Ariel and the Sea Wolf. The first Zootopia graphic novel, Friends to the Rescue, came out in September, and the second one, like the first, will be written by Amelia Rules creator Jimmy Gownley with art by Leandro Ricardo da Silva. It is scheduled for a March 2019 release. Ariel and the Sea Wolf by writer Liz Marsham and artist Tara Nicole Whitaker, is due out in April.

Dark Horse also offered more details on the first volume of Minecraft, a story about a boy who stays in touch with his friends by playing the Minecraft videogame with them and teams up with them on an epic quest; the book will hit shelves in summer 2019.

At the revamped Harvey Awards on Friday night, Jen Wangs The Prince and the Dressmaker (First Second) and Katie ONeills The Tea Dragon Society (Oni Press) tied for the award for Best Childrens or Young Adult Book.

While the focus in the childrens market has increasingly been on graphic novels, traditional comics publishers are still putting out new monthly comics for young readers. Archie Comics announced a new Betty & Veronica series, written by Jamie Rotante (Betty & Veronica Vixens), which will follow the duo through their senior year of high school.

IDW is poised to launch its Marvel Action comics next month with Marvel Action: Spider-Man, and the company announced at the show that comics veteran Kyle Baker will write Marvel Action: Black Panther, which will debut in January.The annual Texas Teen Book Festival, which took place October 6 at St. Edwards University in Austin, drew 37 authors and thousands of readers for a celebration of YA. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the festival, which was launched by the Texas Book Festival and BookPeople; H-E-B served as a presenting sponsor, and Humanities Texas, Penguin Teen, Epic Reads, 3M, and Delacorte Press were contributing sponsors. The 2018 lineup included author panels, signings, Ask Me Anything sessions, writing and filmmaking workshops, a costume contest, cover design challenge, and more. Weve gathered a selection of highlights from the event.

Keynote speaker Nic Stone, author of Dear Martin and Odd One Out, kicked off the festivities.

After Stones speech, fans waited to meet the author.

The 37 participating writers gathered for the All Author Introduction.

Father-and-son collaborators Neal (l.) and Jarrod Shusterman (Dry) during their Afternoon Keynote.

Team captains from the Penguin Teen Presents: Cover Design Challenge showed off their jacket designs.

Attendees lined up to meet their favorite authors in the signing tent.

The Cracks in the Crystal Ball panel, which focused on futuristic YA, featured authors (from l.) Samantha Mabry, Katharine McGee, Neal and Jarrod Shusterman, and Andrew Smith.

During a storybuilding workshop, participants creates an original narrative with author Ngozi Ukazu (Check, Please!).

The third annual Costume Contest sponsored by Epic Reads attracted literary characters from all genres.

BookPeoples year-round Teen Press Corps gathered after live reporting from the festival.

Winners of the We Need Diverse Books Essay Contest had the chance to join a roundtable discussion led by Cynthia Leitich Smith (back row, fifth from l.), with authors David Levithan (front row, center), Tochi Onyebuchi (front row, r.), and Julissa Arce (second row, second from r.).

Thousands of fans celebrated a full day of YA.Marawi City (CNN Philippines, October 16)  A day before the commemoration of the liberation of Marawi City, protesters took to the streets demanding they be allowed to go home.

On Monday, protesters aimed to march to ground zero, however, they were barred from getting a glimpse of what was left of the war-torn city.

Displaced residents said their only wish was to go back home.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the city's rehabilitation was originally scheduled on October 17, but was moved to October 28 after President Rodrigo Duterte said he would not be available to attend the event.

A year after Marawi City was liberated from the ISIS-inspired Maute terrorist group, residents have yet to move back to where their homes once stood.

Drieza Laninding, chairperson of the Moro Consensus Group earlier said, "Kung gaano kabilis ang pagdecide nila na bombahin yung mga bahay, religious institutions, madrasah, mga mosque, lahat-lahat ng nandiyan sa Marawi, e hindi naman ganon kabilis ang pag-aksyon nila sa rehabilitasyon."

[Translation: The speed at which they decided to bomb homes, religious institutions, madrasahs, mosques, everything in Marawi, was not the same speed as the rehabilitation.]

Laninding also said, "Makakauwi kami o hindi? May pondo o wala? Gusto niyo ba na tulungan namin kayo o hindi? So yun lang po. Napakasimple. Magtulungan tayo. Gusto namin tulungan ang gobyerno na hindi na kailangang mangutang. Itatayo namin ang aming mga bahay."

[Translation: Will we be able go home or not? Are there funds? Do you want us to help you or not? That's it. It's very simple. Let's help each other. We want to help the government without needing to borrow money. We will build our houses.]

Task Force Bangon Marawi said the 75-million debris clearing project was awarded to FINMAT International, a local company that partnered with Power China, a state-owned construction company of People's Republic of China.

The project will commence in a six-hectare pilot site.

But despite changes in schedule, authorities are confident, they will be able to finish Marawi's rehabilitation by the end of 2021.

Meanwhile, United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim announced Tuesday that an additional P1.35 billion in aid would be given to displaced Marawi residents.

He said the new program, called Marawi Response Project, will be a three-year U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) program aimed at improving economic and social conditions of communities affected by the war in Marawi.Monday, the Association of American Representatives (AAR) sent out a letter warning about a phishing scam that has been plaguing publishing for the past two years; Penguin Random House sent out a similar letter just prior to the Frankfurt Book Fair. As described by the AAR alert, the scam, which has taken on a variety of iterations, initially started in continental Europe and Asia, but has recently spread to the U.K. and United States. It typically involves a literary agent, scout or publisher being asked for a manuscript by what appears to be a trusted party  another agent, scout or publisher via email.

On October 11, The Bookseller in the U.K. identified scouting agency Eccles Fischer as one agency that has been targeted. As of this week, PW heard from several other agencies who report they too have been targeted, including the Greyhawk Agency in Taipei, the Kalem Agency in Istanbul, and the Pontas Agency in Barcelona, among others.

Ziv Lewis, foreign rights and acquisitions manager at Kinneret Zmora Dvir Publishing House Ltd, in Israel, has also been a victim of the phishers. They spoofed our website and used my actual email and signature, said Lewis, who tracked the registration for the site back to a gay mens health clinic on Dean Street in London, which also used a spoofed email address associated with The Sun Bookshop in Melbourne, Australia. Lewis theorized that someone in Australia was taking the manuscripts, converting them into e-books and selling them online. Contacted by PW, Deb Force, owner of The Sun Bookstore, pointed out that the store does not sell e-books and has only a modest online operation. She said this was the first she had heard of the scam, denied any knowledge of the phishing, and underscored that the store was "not involved."

Lewis was alerted to the scam after the phishers started sending out requests in Hebrew, a language he doesn't use for work. Lewis wrote back to the phishers at the email address that spoofed his own and threatened some Mossad-style cyberwarfare. Lewis said he hasnt heard of them spoofing his site or email since, but acknowledged that he lost several manuscripts to the scammers.

"The books I lost to them are not particularly significant and included some rather obscure material, but it is clear these are people who know our business, said Lewis. They know the way scouts work and how transactions are made.

Grey Tan of the Greyhawk Agency told PW hes had requests from fake Greek and Israeli publishers and U.K. scouts asking for materials. It was eerie as they obviously had inside knowledge, said Tan. They even asked for the story collection and an upcoming novel of a not-so-famous Chinese writer that I represent. And I did not even know about the upcoming collection/novel!

Erin Edmison of Edmison/Harper Literary Scouting reported an uptick in activity throughout the Frankfurt Book Fair and shared a letter from the U.K. agency Rights People warning that Edmisons email address had been spoofed and was being used to request manuscripts. I keep thinking its stopped, but I just got two emails today from people who said they had heard from the fake me, Edmison told PW by email yesterday.

Another scout that was targeted was Jana-Maria Hartmann of JMH Scouting, who said she started getting reports about someone using her name in the scam in July of last year. The scammers spoofed her email address and used her firms actual email signature, albeit one that was dated. Ive done some simple research that tracked the scammer back to the U.K, but thats just one of the places I heard they could be, she said. I got a warning from Random House Australia the other day that said that the fake emails once referred to an actual meeting people had. She added, I know of at least four other scouting agencies that have been hit and countless foreign editors and co-agents in the rights world.

While the scam has been a significant irritant and has unsettled many, several people noted it is not something new to the business. We get lots of spam and trash and strange petitions from so-called interested publishers for a certain manuscript and many of these emails are deleted immediately, said Anna Soler-Pont of the Pontas Agency.

A spokesperson for PRH said it is constantly on the lookout for internet scams. Like other companies, Penguin Random House takes all reports of phishing activity and email scams seriously and, when appropriate, notifies its employees to recognize and prevent such attempts. Employee awareness and training, particularly with respect to phishing scams, is a critical component of our company's cybersecurity program, the PRH statement read.

Nermin Mollaoglu of Istanbuls Kalem Agency said, We are very careful on this kind of things. It is one of the first things we teach to the newcomers in the office. And we use a super high-level security internet alert system. I pay a lot for it.This time round, the man of God popularly known as snake pastor has given dog meat and blood to the church members, which he claimed would heal them from HIV/ AIDS and cancer.

ece-auto-gen

In a video titled Sunday Live Holy Communion Service and reportedly posted on the End Times Disciples Ministries Facebook's page, the pastor is heard saying: So this is the bones of a dog. So if you want to take one home, you can take it. Its the flesh of Jesus Christ. Its no more a dog. I prayed for this bones.

Reports say another post was shared on the churchs Facebook page on Saturday wchich shows Penuel Mnguni serving frogs and rats to his church members.

READ ALSO: Passenger arrested for feeding sperm to another passengers babyPassenger arrested for feeding sperm to another passengers baby

The beginning of the post reads: It is that time again, where we partake from our Fathers table without asking no question. Apostle Paul said it clearly; eat without asking no question.

Though this is not the first time the snake pastor has done such weird things with his congregation, some social media users have expressed outrage at the latest story about him.He said claims by the Deputy Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, that he colluded with bank officials to hide some of his assets are false.

Mr. Dame told journalists after Mondays Supreme Court hearing in which the now-defunct UT Bank claims to own some four properties it received from Mr Woyome, the same of which have been identified by the state for possession to defray part of the GHS51.2 million judgment debt.READ ALSO: Im a businessman who wants to help reduce poverty in Ghana  Woyome

Responding to Mr Dame, Woyome told Umaru Sanda Amadu in an interview on Citi FM that: This is purely propaganda by Godfred Dame.There has never been any collusion, he insisted, adding: He [Dame] should stop the lies.

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However, an Auditor General's report released in 2010 said the amount was paid illegally to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) financier.The Ghanaian actor announced the good news via his Instagram page on Tuesday, October 16, 2018. John Dumelo in an open letter to his son couldn't hide his joy over his arrival and promised to be a great dad.

"John Jnr @johnd_jnr Im glad you have finally arrived. Its been months, weeks, days and hours of waiting.....You look just like we imagined. Infectious smile, bright eyes, curly hair, and chocolate skin. Before I get all emotional and write a whole book, lemme let you have these few words to guide you. You can do anything you want and be whoever you want to be just like how my dad allowed me to explore...Never give up.

"Always aspire to be better and do better than before. Be a beacon of kindness and truth in this world. Don't have hate in your heart or carry grudges. It is not worth the time and effort it takes when there are so many things in this world to enjoy and love. Do not let others influence who you choose to be, both as a person and in a career, because it is not their life to live, it is yours and it is the most beautiful thing," he wrote.

It didn't end there, as he hilariously revealed that he couldn't change diapers and prayed his son won't laugh at him when the time comes.

"Think outside the box JJ. Be a risk taker just like I am and dont be afraid to fail. Failure gives you experience. Use that experience to conquer the world. Let God be your best friend and let Him guide your steps. I will start reading the Bible to you soon and thats when you will understand how mysterious God works. And one last thing...I really dont know how to change diapers, so please dont laugh when thats happening. I want to be better than my father....and I want you to be greater than me. Love, John Setor Dumelo, your Dad," he concluded.

The latest addition to the Dumelo family is coming a few weeks after he tied the knot with his wife, Gifty Mawunya.

ALSO READ: Is Ghanaian actor about to get married?

John Dumelo weds fiancee traditionally [Photos]

Back in May 2018, John Dumelo tied the knots traditionally to his wife. The popular Ghanaian actor held his traditional wedding ceremony today, Saturday, May 12, 2018.

According to Celebritiesbuzz.com.gh, a media house in Ghana, Dumelo wedded his long-time secret girlfriend somewhere around the Spintex area of Accra, Ghana. His fiancee, Gifty Mawunya, who has been carefully hidden all this while, has suddenly become the most discussed topic in the Ghanaian social media space.According to Tonto, if things don't go s planned by the end of the day, she is going to spill a lot.

"Working on a case that breaks my heart and making me lose my appetite. A case of how these luxury hotels in Nigeria would go to cover up evil deeds been done in their premises. I mean even murder? By the end of today, if things don't settle right, I will be releasing the name of the victim, and crime committed, 5-star hotel involved, a murder plan in works, " she wrote.

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We can't wait for Tonto Dikeh to spill or will this be another gist that would be swept under the carpet. Like we all know, Tonto Dikeh is not one of those celebrities that can be bullied. Recall a few weeks ago when she raised an alarm over the plans by the police to storm her residence.

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ALSO READ:Tonto Dikeh installs CCTV all over house to protect son

Tonto Dikeh raises alarm over plans by police to storm her house

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About a month ago, Tonto Dikeh raised an alarm over the plans by the police to storm her residence. The actress made this known via her Instagram page on Monday, August 20, 2018. A fearless Tonto says she is waiting for the police and also went to say that she is not intimidated by anything in this life.

"I guess I am now a criminal..MY STOMACH OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO And they are even coming with Press to record my arrest Lmaoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.. #IF THE HAIR ON MY SONS BODY IS TOUCHED OGA POLICE YOU WILL HAVE TO BURY ME,YOU WILL HAVE TO KILL ME,HAaaaa OGA POLICE there is no FEAR bone in my system!!!

"I am a mother and nothing in this life can intimidate me... #Dear Oga police if you need me you have my no. Like I said going to my home if anything happens to my son, Pls have a spare of whatever you did to him to do to me!!! #DROPS MIC," she wrote.

ece-auto-genThough Nollywood is home to some of the most talented and beautiful actresses, some Yoruba actresses have continued to shine like bright stars because of their involvements in many movies.

ALSO READ: 5 Yoruba actresses to watch out for

While their acting skills and good looks are partly responsible for their demand in movies, these actresses shuttle between various movie locations in Lagos, Oyo, Ilorin and Osun state.

Pulse Movies reel out five Yoruba actresses to watchout for in 2017.

From Jumoke Odetola to Madam Saje, check out 11 actresses currently enjoying the patronage of movie makers, in no particular order.

Jumoke Odetola

Jumoke Odetola is without doubt one of the young Yoruba actresses aiming for the zenith of her career.

Jumoke is known to have been in high demand in the last three years.

While she still ranks in the B list of Yoruba movie stars, she is one of the most sought-after actresses.

Her ability to convincingly deliver her roles has been responsible for her rise, which even got nominations at the 2016, 2017 and 2018 editions of the Africa Movie Viewers Choice Awards.

Kemi Afolabi

This graduate of the University of Lagos is getting all the attention she desires from the movie producers, directors and marketers.

Her decision to retrace her steps and form an ally with the Abeokuta caucus of the Yoruba movie industry has paid off giving her as much role as possible.

She finally broke even by starring in almost all productions by Odunlade Adekola after the actor cum director and producer emerged the next big thing in the industry about five years ago.

Jaiye Kuti

Jaiye Kuti and Toyin Alausa are the queens of family drama series and sitcoms on Nigerian screens.

However, Jaiye is still getting her fair share of attention from directors and movie producers.

Her ability to translate her roles into relatable characters has won the hearts of several fans in Nigeria and outside the shores of the country, who yearn for her appearance in movies.

Convincingly, Jaiye has proved herself as a talented actress by appearing in English movies and several drama series and sitcoms.

Toyin Abraham (Toyin Aimakhu)

Though 2016 was a memorable year for Toyin Abraham where she was caught in the web of her personal life, she was able to rise against odds to throw herself back into her career.

The career-driven actress was busy on several movie sets in 2016 and majority of the productions are scheduled for release in 2017.

Toyin has since devoted so much time to her work that she's now one of the most sought-after Yoruba actresses currently getting roles.

Ayo Adesanya

Ayo Adesanya has remained on the scene for the last five years.

In the last five years, directors and producers have kept the actress on movie sets for the better part of the years.

Adesanya's ability to act has never been in contention, however, her ability to become one of the most sought-after Yoruba actresses is one thing fans enjoy.

Ayo has the ability to act and speak fluently in Yoruba and English languages.

Fathia Williams (Fathia Balogun)

Call Fathia Williams one of the recurring faces and leading lights of the Yoruba movie industry and you won't be wrong.

Widely known and referred to as Fathia Balogun - she was once married to her colleague, Saidi Balogun - this actress has never lost her acting juice.

She has always been in high demand by marketers, producers and directors in the last one decade.

For Fathia, all the boxes of qualifications are ticked - beauty, talented, delivery.

Mercy Aigbe

Mercy Aigbe isn't just a fashionista and celebrity with endorsement deals, she's actually one of the Yoruba actresses in 'hot demand.'

The request for her participation in several movie roles is a public knowledge amongst her colleagues and peers.

According to most of colleagues, Mercy is always ready to give her all to any movie as long as the story resonates with her.

One of her media aides once said Mercy takes her acting career with all seriousness saying it is her call to fame and should never be toyed with.

Eniola Ajao

Like Kemi Afolabi, Eniola Ajao owes most of her appearance in movie roles to the favour she got in the sight of actor, director and producer, Odunlade Adekola.

A former accountant with an unknown firm, Eniola has since been in demand after starring in over 15 films directed and produced by Odunlade Adekola.

Her good looks has played a big role in the demand for her appearance for movie roles by movie directors and producers.

Mide Martins

Mide Martins grew up consuming so much in the Nigerian movie industry.

Her mum, Funmi Martins, was one of the talented Yoruba actresses, who died over two decades ago.

The young Mide had spent a quality number of her teenage years around movie stars and when she debuted as an actress, it took her few years to perfect and master the art.

Mide is currently on the list of the most sought-after actresses not because she's the daughter of a late popular actress but because she is one of the darlings of fans and filmmakers on screen and on social media.

Omowunmi Ajiboye

Omowunmi Ajiboye, like Eniola Ajao and Kemi Afolabi, got her big break by appearing on several productions by Segun Ogungbe.

Omowunmi has been able to build a career portfolio for herself by appearing in over 50 movies shot in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state.

At the moment, Omowunmi is also in demand by producers and directors who are mostly her colleagues.

Madam Saje

The name Fausat Balogun might not resonate as much as the mention of Madam Saje.

The veteran actress has consistently been on high demand by filmmakers and movie producers.

Having paid her dues and shown that she will interpret any role, the actress has been stereotyped by many of her employers.Barely 24 hours after the signing of two young talents in Picazo and Yomi Blaze to his YBNL label, Olamide has wasted no time in putting them in the studio together with two of his artistes, Davolee and Limerick to record this fire record, 'Juju, Guns and Roses.'

This is more of a cypher to introduce the new signings to the Nigerian audience and the rappers all pulled off impressive verses making them one of the latest line of artistes to look out for.According to the Vanguard, the victims are aged between 12 and 15 years old and they all testified that Samson rapes them under a staircase and in a toilet at Olusesan street around Ejigbo, Lagos.

Samsons celebration of decadence doesnt end there either; the girls also said he would give them N50 each after each act, probably for them to stay quiet or as a reward for a job well done, in his haze of sunken madness of pedophilia.

He was enjoying his madness until one of the girls reported to her parents, who in turn reported to Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Ejigbo, CSP Olabisi Okufowobi. She also testifies that he rapes them through the anus.

ALSO READ: Father rapes twin stepdaughters, impregnates one

On the issue, spokesman for Lagos State Police Command, CSP Chike Oti, said: She named five other girls, who are within 13 and 15 years age bracket. All the victims, except the sixth, have been identified, interrogated and their statements recorded.

The girls revealed that the suspect sometimes brought all of them together in one room for an orgy and, thereafter, gave them a cash reward of N50 each.Upon being caught, he predictably blamed his actions on the devil. Devil don suffer...Though the circumstances are suspicious enough to trigger an investigation, the cops say they have found no evidence yet. His wife, Natalia, 52, says, He just dropped dead. He didnt take any medicine, simply had some tea. He never complained about his heart. The couple has twin boys, born last year.

According to Instablog9ja, Ajayi has been living in Russia, but he met his wife via an online dating website much earlier. They initially struggled to understand each other due to language differences.

ALSO READ: Nigerian Prince and Lawyer jailed in the UK for 1.8m pounds fraud

While Ajayi also had visa acquisition problems, Natalia traveled to Nigerian in 2013 to meet Ajayis parents  they wedded during that visit.

Natalias grown son, Anatoliy initially had problems with the relationship but came to accept Ajayi upon meeting him and seeing his genuine intentions.

Due to visa problems, Gabriel also had to travel in and out of Russia every few months, until 2015. He also found issues with the local climate, language and finding a paying job, but has been working as a web designer and tractor driver at a local farm.Her offence; she did not stop her daughter from cheating on him. He held her for three days before a ransom of N300,000 was paid.

According to the Vanguard Newspaper, Innocent and his gang members, identified as Ekendu Chidiebere, Tochukwu Samuel and Ikechukwu Nwankwo that carried out the kidnapping were arrested by IRT operatives led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, few days after they collected the ransom and released the victim.

Innocent told the Vanguard that, The woman we kidnapped was my girlfriends mother and I got myself linked into their family through their phone charging business.

They have a telecom mast in their compound and I used to go their house to charge my phone. I then made friends with them and the womans second daughter became my girlfriend and we started dating.

But few months into our relationship, I discovered that the womans daughter was seeing someone else. I confronted her about it and she threatened to end the relationship. I told her mother about it and she did nothing.

Unluckily for me, my cousin, in whose house I reside in Aparazu Ogwu community, approached me and sold the idea of kidnapping to me.

He told me that one of his friends, known as Onyemywa, who has made money from kidnapping told him that people in the community where we reside could pay us huge money when we kidnap them.

I then suggested that we should kidnap my girlfriends mother. I must confess that the woman has been nice to me, but the misunderstanding between her daughter and I made me restless and I needed to punish her.

I asked my brother to bring in his friends to kidnap the woman and we agreed that I will be on ground when she will be kidnapped because I was the only one who could know when she is at home.

I did what they wanted of me and on the day she was kidnapped, I was at her house and we were both picked up and taken to a forest in Omuma Village.

We were blindfolded when we were taken into the village and I was with the woman all through. My gang members demanded N1.5 million from her brothers, but they ended up paying us N300, 000.

The worst issue was that our gang members who took the money refused to give my brother and me our share.

They said that they were angry because they thought that the womans relative will pay more than they did, but while we were trying to get our share of the money the police came and arrested me and my brother and we confessed to the kidnapping and they arrested the two other members of our gang.The visit, according to Fayose, was to present himself for questioning over misappropriation of funds during his tenure as governor of Ekiti state.

and other journalists were at the EFCC facility at Wuse 2, Abuja during Fayose's visit.

Here are five we noticed.

1. Fayose is still in the PDP

As against claims in some quarters that Fayose had dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), all that happened at the EFCC headquarters showed that the ex-governor is still loved by the party.

Prior to Fayose's arrival, Governor Nyesom Wike, former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, and other members of the party were on ground to receive him.

2. Fayose is still the king of drama

Although Fayose did not show up at the EFCC headquarters with a mattress and pillows as he had promised, the former governor came with a bag stuffed with clothes.

"EFCC I'm here" read the inscription on Fayose's shirt.

What a way to to announce your arrival!

3. FFK is a customer at the EFCC headquarters

While trying to enter the EFCC office, a security detail asked Fani-Kayode to identify himself.

"You should know me. I am a regular face here," the former minister who is also facing trial over alleged corruption replied.

4. Few protesters showed

Some pro-Fayose protesters were on ground to give the former governor some moral support.

Dressed in branded while shirts, they chanted anti-government slogans asking President Muhammadu Buhari to resign for "running Nigeria aground".

As we awaited Fayoses arrival, a journalist had complained about the former governors non-stop drama.

This man loves drama. When will he ever stop? he asked.

What if he isnt acting, I replied in Fayoses defence. But he continued, citing his collapse in Ekiti days to the governorship election that produced Kayode Fayemi as governor.

After Fayose went into the EFCC building, journalists and other Nigerians walked away in groups discussing the governors visit to the anti-graft agency's office.

All these things he is doing will not prevent the EFCC from doing their job. If they want him locked up, there is nothing Wike can do about it. Fayose is just wasting his time, a passerby said as others laughed out loudly.Guterres, in a statement issued in New York, said he was appalled and strongly condemned the killing of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) aid worker in North-east.

Liman, who had been held hostage since she was abducted in March 2018, at Rann,in Borno, was killed by her captors on Monday.

The aid worker was reported to have been killed by a faction of the Boko Haram terrorist group, the Islamic State West Africa Province.

The terror group had killed another aid worker, Saifura Ahmed, in September; both victims were among the three humanitarian workers abducted at the Rann Internally Displaced Persons camp.

Those responsible for this killing must be brought to justice, the Secretary-General demanded.

The UN chief expressed his concern for the safety and well-being of the remaining hostages and called for their immediate release.

ALSO READ:Ezekwesili condemns killing of another aid worker by Boko Haram

The Secretary-General emphasised that all parties to the conflict must protect aid workers who provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to the millions of people in need in North-East Nigeria.The President disclosed this in a statement issued on Twitter via his official handle, @MBuhari.

The statement reads: Today I spoke with Mohammed Liman, father of Hauwa, the ICRC midwife killed by Boko Haram. It is not the kind of telephone call anyone prays to make. The Federal Govt did everything possible to save Hauwas life; it is tragic & regrettable that all our efforts were unsuccessful.

Hauwa dedicated herself to serving the victims of Boko Harams insurgency, and it is extremely sad that her life ended the way it did, at the hands of the terrorists. I expressed our deepest condolences to her father, on behalf of the Government and all the people of Nigeria.

I also spoke with @PMaurerICRC, the President of the ICRC, to extend our condolences on the death of Hauwa. The ICRC has been doing a great job in Nigeria, providing healthcare services to people in the areas most affected by the insurgency. We salute their courage and service.

We fervently hope that these series of sad events, leading to the painful loss of their staff, will not discourage the ICRC from working in Nigeria. We hope that they will continue to offer their services, and not give up, inspite of what has happened.

I am reassuring everyone that the Fed Govt will continue to do all within our power to protect not just humanitarian workers, but also everyone working or living in the North East. I salute our military, who continue to fight and strive hard to permanently neutralize Boko Haram.

Expired ultimatum

Leman was killed by the dreaded terror group on Monday, October 15, 2018, after an ultimatum which they issued to the Federal Government expired.

She was captured along with some of her colleagues at the Rann camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno by Boko Haram in March 2018.

In a statement issued in September 2018, after Saifura Ahmedwas also killed, the group said We contacted the government through writing and also sent audio messages but the government have ignored us. So, here is a message of blood.

The other nurse and midwife will be executed in similar manner in one month, including Leah Sharibu.

ALSO READ: Senate condoles with family of slain Red Cross workerIn "Nigeria: What Everyone Needs to Know", a book Campbell co-wrote with a former US intelligence community expert on Nigeria, Matthew Page, he claimed that Buhari was the presidential candidate who probably won the highest number of votes in the three elections but lost out due to rigging done by his opponents in power.

During an interview on Channels Television's "Diplomatic Channels" on Monday, October 15, 2018, he disclosed that he spoke to sources who confirmed that those elections were rigged against Buhari.

He said, "I arrived at that conclusion by speaking to people who were intimately connected with the entire process. That included both individuals and also NGOs, both foreign-based and Nigerian-based.

"I think the rigging took place not so much at the actual polling places but rather where the results of the polling places were brought together."

When asked if he gathered his information from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he said, "My contact with INEC tended to be entirely at the official level, I was ambassador then. That meant what INEC told me was essentially their official talking points."

Decades after ruling Nigeria as a military Head of State between 1983 and 1985, Buhari first contested to become Nigeria's democratic president in the 2003 presidential election but lost to then-incumbent president, Olusegun Obasanjo, coming second with 12,710,022 votes to Obasanjo's 24,456,140.

In the 2007 election, he came second again with 6,605,299 votes, falling several millions of votes behind to the 24,638,063 votes won by Umaru Musa Yar'Adua of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

In the 2011 presidential election, Buhari came second yet again with 12,214,853 votes behind then-incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan, who won the election with 22,495,187 votes.

Buhari has done well in anti-corruption war

When asked what he thought of President Buhari's chances of winning re-election at the 2019 presidential election, Campbell said the president has fought corruption at the highest level.

He said, "For every incumbent, there is the issue of enormous challenges. As part of the electoral process, every candidate makes promises that tend to be aspirational, promises of what they hope to accomplish.

"One need only look at President Barack Obama or President Donald Trump in the United States to see exactly the same phenomenon.

"In my view, President Buhari's accomplishments have been an attack on corruption at the highest level."Fayose, whose tenure as governor ended on Tuesday, October 16, turned himself in at the Wuse Zone 2 office of the anti-graft agency on Tuesday with a packed bag as he earlier said he's prepared to be detained.

He posted news of his detention on his Twitter account which will now be managed by his media aide, Lere Olayinka.

"I'm now in the custody of EFCC. While I'm here, my media aide, @OlayinkaLere will operate this twitter handle," he posted.

While addressing the media before he was taken into custody, the former governor said he's prepared to answer any questions posed to him by the EFCC.

"When a man says he is coming, Nigerians should be given benefit of the doubt. I had led Ekiti, and the best I could give, I have given. Therefore, every question, whatever they need to ask today, I will be able to respond appropriately," he said.

Fayose was accompanied by Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, former minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, and a crowd of supporters.

Governor Wike expressed his fears that the former governor might be harmed while in custody of the EFCC and urged Nigerians to note that he was in good health when he turned himself in.

He said, "He is hale and hearty and I believe that EFCC should know he is well. Our fear from the present report that we have is that he may be harmed.

"But, let Nigerians know that he came by himself to the EFCC without anybody harassing him. So, that is why I brought him here today."The ICRC staff was kidnapped in March 2018,alongside others at the Rann camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno by the terrorists.

The group had earlier warned that they would execute Leman if they dont hear from the Federal Government.

In a statement which they issued in September 2018, after killing another ICRC staff, Saifura Ahmed, they said We contacted the government through writing and also sent audio messages but the government have ignored us. So, here is a message of blood.

The other nurse and midwife will be executed in similar manner in one month, including Leah Sharibu.

ALSO READ: Over 800 children freed from the claws of Boko Haram

Slave for life

According to The Cable, the terrorists said that they will keep Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi schoolgirl who refused to denounce Christianity, as a slave for life.Three aid workers were also abducted on the day.

The abducted aid workers were Hauwa Mohammed Liman, Alice Loksha and Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa.

The women of Rann

Ms. Liman and her team were health workers in the town of Rann when they were kidnapped by Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA), a faction of Boko Haram.

The kidnapped aid workers were working for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

In September, one of the aid workers, Khorsa, was killed by the terrorists.

The Boko Haram threat

In a video posted online in September, Boko Haram threatened that it was going to kill at least one hostage once its October 15 deadline had elapsed.

Boko Haram also referred to schoolgirl Leah Sharibu, 15, in its threat.

Sharibu was among a group of

We contacted the government through writing and also sent audio messages but the government has ignored us. So, here is a message of blood. The other nurse and midwife will be executed in similar manner in one month, including Leah Sharibu, Boko Haram said.

With negotiations between the federal government and Boko Haram breaking down, the terrorist sect made good its threat by

A broken people

When the news broke, ICRC spokeswoman Krista Armstrong said her organisation was praying that it turned out false.

"We are hearing devastating reports that Hauwa has been executed. At this stage, we have no confirmation that this is true. We desperately hope not. This situation is heartbreaking and our thoughts remain with the family," Armstrong said.

The terrorists also said they will keep Sharibu as a slave for life for refusing to denounce Christianity and renounce her faith.

The Nigerian government says it did its best

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the federal government did everything to spare Limans life.

''It is very unfortunate that it has come to this. Before and after the deadline issued by her abductors, the federal government did everything any responsible government should do to save the aid worker.

''As we have been doing since these young women were abducted, we kept the line of negotiations open all through. In all the negotiations, we acted in the best interest of the women and the country as a whole.

''We are deeply pained by this killing, just like we were by the recent killing of the first aid worker. However, we will keep the negotiations open and continue to work to free the innocent women who remain in the custody of their abductors,'' the minister said.

ISWA split from Boko Haram in 2016. The splinter terrorist group has killed hundreds of soldiers in attacks in northeastern Nigeria in the last couple of months.

Alice Loksha is the only aid worker alive of the three abducted in March.She was not kidnapped on the streets of Borno or in some nondescript community near Sambisa. Her walk to death began right from a secure military environment! The rest of us should be shuddering right now.

It was a most brazen attack by the terrorists on the day--one that also exposed the underbelly of our fighting forces.

Liman was abducted in March in a military base in Rann, Borno State by Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA), a faction of Boko Haram.

On October 15, the terrorists took her life in the most brutal manner imaginable after threatening to do exactly that, last month.

She was a staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and she was in Borno to tend to internally displaced persons fleeing Boko Haram bombs and bullets. She was in Borno to help nurse hearts, broken limbs and wounds and restore smiles to the faces of the frustrated and dejected.

Liman was a 24-year-old midwife who helped women bring lives into the world in their most painful and vulnerable moments.

For her reward, she was led to the guillotine or tied to a stake with machetes probably dangling over her head. Before midnight of October 15, she was dead.She brought lives into the world but had hers snuffed out from her by a gang of deranged beasts.

We failed Liman. Nigeria failed Liman. The government failed Liman the way it has failed everyone still in Boko Haram custody.

Minister of Information Lai Mohammed says the federal government kept negotiations open with Boko Haram and tried to save Liman's life

We did everything any responsible government should do to save the aid worker. As we have been doing since these young women were abducted, we kept the line of negotiations open all through. In all the negotiations, we acted in the best interest of the women and the country as a whole, Mohammed said.

It's difficult to believe anyone in government these days and theres no reason why we should believe the governments spokesperson on this occasion.

The bottom-line is that we badly need to review our nations security architecture and keep Nigerians a lot safer. This was another pointer that we aren't there yet, in spite of government's irritating claim to have technically defeated Boko Haram.According to Daily Post, lawmakers made this known on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 during Plenary.

Speaking on the matter, Hon. Chike Okafor said there is an urgent need to negotiate with the terror group so those in their custody can be released.

He said The Federal Government should open a negotiation channel immediately and put all possible efforts on table to secure an agreeable bargain for the safe release of the abductees.

Mr Speaker, the Boko Haram sect has taken a horrible path of executing these helpless and selfless voluntary health workers who gave their time on earth for the care and wellness of devastated Boko Haram victims.

Hauwa Liman killed

This is coming after the terror group killed a Red Cross staff, Hauwa Limanon Monday, October 15, 2018.

They also said that they will keep the Dapchi school girl who refused to denounce Christianity, Leah Sharibu as their slave for life.

Boko Haram warned FG

Boko Haram warned that they would execute Liman if they didnt hear from the Federal Government.

The group gave the warning after they killed another Red Cross staff, Saifura Ahmed in September 2018.

We contacted the government through writing and also sent audio messages but the government have ignored us. So, here is a message of blood.

ALSO READ:Nigeria failed Hauwa Liman who was killed by Boko Haram

The other nurse and midwife will be executed in similar manner in one month, including Leah Sharibu, it warned.

Buhari consoles Hauwa Limans father

President Buhari, on Tuesday, October 16, 2018, called and consoled Hauwa Limans father.

According to a statement issued on Twitter, the President said that the Federal Government did everything possible to save Hauwas life.Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, raised the motion during plenary on Tuesday 16 October.

After a debate on the issue, the senate resolved to pay official condolence visits to the families of the deceased.

The senate also called on the federal government, through its security agencies to do whatever is necessary to guarantee the freedom of both Leah Sharibu and other surviving hostages of the ICRC being held by the insurgents.

Speaking on the resolution, the senate president, Bukola Saraki said; "distinguished colleagues, irrespective of the decision that we have taken, I believe that our committees on defence and security, as part of their own responsibilities should engage with the security agencies to find out if there are other issues that need to be addressed in order to prevent such recurrences.

Hauwa Liman executed

A faction of Boko Haram known as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) executed Hauwa Liman on Monday 15 of October, 2018.

The ICRC staff was kidnapped in March 2018,alongside others at the Rann camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno by the terrorists.This followed a Point of Order by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, at plenary.

The lawmakers while observing a two-minute silencefor the deceased,also urged the Federal Government to immediately ensure the release of the last ICRC volunteer still in Boko Haram captivity.

The Upper Chamber also urged the Federal Government to ensure the immediate release of Leah Sharibu, the lone Dapchi School girl still in Boko Haram captivity.

It mandated the Committee on Security and National Intelligence to meet with security chiefs to find lasting solution to insecurity in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the death of the 24-year-old medical aid worker in the hands of the sect was confirmed by the Federal Government and ICRC on Monday.

Liman was kidnapped alongside others in March in Rann, Borno, when the insurgents attacked an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp.

One of the kidnapped aid workers, Saifura Khosa, had earlier been executed by the terrorists.

After the murder of Khosa, Boko Haram released a video threatening to kill Liman, and Leah Sharibu earlier in the year.

While presenting the Point of Order, Ekweremadu urged the senate to look into the gruesome killing of Liman by the terrorists group.

Contributing, Sen. Dino Melaye (PDP-Kogi), expressed the need to beef up security in major flashpoints in the country to tackle security concerns beyond insurgency.

He cited the killing of a corps member, Nkechi Igwetu, in July and the recent killing of another woman, Anita Akapson.

The lawmaker urged the senate to summon the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to explain the activities of his officers.

The senate should invite the Inspector-General of Police and ask why insecurity persists, he said.

ALSO READ: Ezekwesili condemns killing of another aid worker by Boko Haram

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, put the prayers to voice vote and they were unanimously adopted.

However, the call for inspector-general of police, Ibrahim Idris invitation to give explanations to the security situation did not scale through.

The omission may not be unconnected to series of face-off between the senate and the inspector-general of police.Mustapha, who was represented by Mr Olusegun Adekunle, the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office (GSO), said this at the Strategic Meeting of Board Members with Chairmen and Secretaries of State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards (SCPWBs), Ground handlers and Air Carriers.

He also cautioned pilgrim officials against conspiring with and condoning the absconders, stating that the officials should see themselves as diplomats.

Government is concerned about the challenge of absconding recorded by supposed pilgrims in the last couple of years. This sad narrative is giving Nigeria a bad name abroad and makes Christian pilgrimage appear as unserious exercise.

The Federal Government wants this to come to an end by the combined efforts of Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) and state leaders of Christian pilgrimage as well as other stakeholders.

Early this year, the Federal Government was compelled to deposit some money with Israeli authorities as a guarantee against absconding of pilgrims in that country.

This is not an encouraging report for the Christian faith in particular and Nigeria in general, he said.

He said that pilgrimage should not be seen as an opportunity for anyone to batter Nigerias image but to promote it.

Mustapha said that there was so much to benefit from pilgrimage apart from the spiritual blessings that were crucial, other gains included agriculture, technology, security and infrastructure among others.

He commended the NCPC, state government and all stakeholders for their zeal and commitment as Christian leaders at different levels for carrying out Christian pilgrimages successfully over the years.

Earlier, Rev. Tor Uja, the Executive Secretary, NCPC said that Nigerians must learn to be positive and confident about the country.

He said that citizens had no reason to abscond and live like fugitives in another country when they are kings in theirs.

Uja stressed the commissions zero tolerance for absconders, stating that thorough screening would be carried out on intending pilgrims at their states, airports and arrival at Israel.

First step to addressing absconding is thorough screening; intending pilgrims will be screened at their bases, when they get to the airport and on arrival at Israel.

If we have any doubt about your personality, you wont be allowed to proceed on the pilgrimage.Okebukola, who made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that if universities and other institutions admitted students who were academically sound and had good scores on entry, there would be no room for any lecturer to harass such students.

If, in the first instance, a student is academically good, what will a lecturer tell her, sex-for-which mark? All those girls who run after those lecturers or can be harassed by lecturers are those who are academically weak.

Even, if the lecturer does not want to get engaged with them sexually, the girls will offer them their bodies.

If at the point of admitting our students, we ensure that they have met some respectable score that when you teach them in class they can understand and do well on their own; then the problem would have been addressed, he said .

Okebukola, who said that perpetrators of such acts be punished when caught, advised that all the variables that bring such menace to bear should be addressed.

He said Nigerian universities were on the right track in exposing the rot in the system and advised that any person found culpable should be sanctioned.

Sex-for-mark is trending in every university in the world and it is important for it to be curbed with sanctions by thoroughly investigating the phenomenon and when people are found guilty, deal with them, he saidWhile speaking at a summit, "African Leadership In The Millenium", a part of Felabration 2018, in Lagos State on Monday, October 15, 2018, the presidential candidate urged Nigerians to reject Buhari's re-election bid.

Chronicling Nigeria's presidents since 1999, Atuejide said Buhari has performed the worst of all the presidents that have governed the country.

She said, "We are very lucky because for whatever reason, all our differences, all our wickedness, we manage to work it out so that nobody at all can make us suffer for too long. We get rid of them, somehow. And that is good, and that is where we need to build from.

"When Obasanjo first became the Head of State, he was 38; when he came back as a civilian president, he was 62, we didn't suffer too much. We suffered but it wasn't the worst of all the leaders we had had when he came back as a civilian.

"Then he left and Yar'Adua took over, he was 56. He would have done well, I think, but he was too sick to do anything so he died too soon.

"And then Goodluck Jonathan took over and he was 53. He didn't do too well but he was definitely not as bad as what we have today.

"What we have today in my opinion is the worst we will ever have. It's the worst we have ever had and it is the worst we will ever have. We will not take it.

"When you come in and do not perform for some reason, the people who designed our laws designed them so well that you cannot entrench yourself. Abacha couldn't do it, Buhari cannot do it."

It's important to pick the right replacement in 2019 - Atuejide

Speaking further on Buhari's chances in the 2019 presidential election, Atuejide said Nigerians will remove the president but should be careful about his replacement.

According to her assessment, candidates should be considered based more on their quality than their age.

"We will remove him (Buhari) but what I want us to understand is that it's not about just removing Buhari and replacing with young or new faces.

"It is important that we think about the quality of these new faces, of these new, younger generation we want to replace Buhari with.

"It is so much more importabt to pick right than to pick young or new."President Buhari gave the assurance when he received Letters of Credence from four ambassadors at the State House, including the Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of Japan, Mr Yutaka Kikuta.

The president noted that the countrys political and electoral institutions had continued to evolve in strength, skill and experience after each election.

He said: We are currently at the threshold of another general election and after five general elections in the country since 1999, we expect that the 2019 elections will be free and fair.

The political system is good and if people work hard they will succeed, he said.

According to him, the increase in number of political parties that will field candidates in 2019 elections indicates more democratic consciousness among Nigerians and willingness to serve the country.

Receiving Letter of Credence from the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Alexey Shebarshin, the President noted that discussions on reviving the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, partnerships in agriculture and other bilateral interests in trade and economic development would be sustained.

He commended the country for always standing by Nigeria.

We have opened discussions on the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, and we will continue, he added.

The President told the Ambassador of Brazil, Richardo Guerra De Araujo, that the historical ties between both countries and the shared potentials for growth would be further explored.

He stressed that this would be done with strong emphasis on economic and social development.

He noted that the number of Nigerians in Brazil had already provided a strong reason for deeper and richer discussions for both countries.

Receiving the Letter of Credence of the Ambassador of United Arab Emirates, Fahad Al Taffaq, Buhari assured him that Nigeria remained committed to strengthening the bilateral relationship that has existed between both countries for many years.

The President said the courtesies extended to Nigerians in the United Arab Emirates was commendable, and assured the envoy that his administration would continue to strengthen business and trade relations between both countries.

In his remarks, the Ambassador of Japan said his country remained grateful for Nigerias concern and support during the flooding that devastated the country.

He promised to work hard to further enhance relations in technology, agriculture and trade.

The Ambassadors of Russia, Brazil and United Arab Emirates assured the president that they would work hard to ensure improved relations in key sectors of the economy.The late Abacha had overthrown the transition government of Chief Ernest Shonekan in 1993 and ruled the country with an iron fist, with several allegations of human rights abuses under his belt, until his mysterious death in 1998.

Duke was a member of the National Economic Advisory and Intelligence Committee under the Abacha regime, but he was also later a member of the G-34 political movement that challenged his military rule for a return to democratic rule.

However, while speaking at a summit, "African Leadership In The Millenium", a part of Felabration 2018, in Lagos State on Monday, October 15, 2018, Sowore said the former Cross River State governor campaigned in support of Abacha's regime while other youths in the country campaigned to ensure the return of democracy.

He said, "We should not forget that young people intervened to drive the military out of power. There's a man who didn't come here today. I heard he bailed out: Donald Duke.

"I would have loved to meet him and just remind him that in 1997 or thereabout, he was one of the people who was chanting that Abacha must remain in power. Donald Duke was part of the 'Abacha Must Stay' people.

"When we were younger, in our 20s, we fought to drive the Abachas out of power. We fought to drive Babangida out of power. In 84 days, we drove Shonekan out of power when he illegally cornered the position meant for MKO Abiola. But nobody is studying us in history books. We're studying criminals. We're praising criminals."

After Abacha's government fell in 1998, Duke went on to serve as Cross River governor between 1999 and 2007. He's contesting in the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), same as Sowore who's contesting on the platform of the African Action Congress (AAC).

Buhari is a useless man - Sowore

Sowore further took a stab at one of his biggest opponents at next year's polls, President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that history has been kind to the people that destroyed Nigeria.

He said Nigeria has no future if any of 75-year-old Buhari or 71-year-old Atiku Abubakar, another strong contestant, is allowed to emerge victorious in the 2019 presidential election.

He said, "Sometimes, we don't celebrate our own. We don't celebrate the contributions that we've made at different times in this country. And that's why I think they don't teach history anymore. Because if we had history in our curriculum, somebody would have taught our children that Obasanjo is a bad person, that Babangida is a thief, that Atiku was a Customs officer who made it by stealing, that Buhari is a useless man. We didn't need Donald Trump to tell us Buhari is lifeless.

"But here we are in 2018, there is a debate about who to choose between the worst and the baddest. And we're all here still romanticising about what Nigeria should be in the future.

"Let me tell you, Nigeria has no future with these guys. It's the truth. We have no future because people who destroyed your past cannot guarantee you any future."

Sowore said Nigerians cannot hope to simply have power voluntarily transfered from one generation to another and must fight for it through a deliberate revolution.

He pointed out that the system is rigged to keep the old establishment in power and that Nigerians must resist it so as to actualise the country of their dreams and not the one of their ineffective leaders.

"The solution is a revolution. We're not going anywhere without adding the revolutionary fervour to this coming election," he said.Hours after first floating the idea, Morrison said he would "canvass views" from regional leaders about the decision to follow US President Donald Trump's lead and move the embassy from Tel Aviv "before the government forms a particular view on this issue".

Jerusalem is claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians. Most foreign nations have avoided locating embassies there for fear of prejudging peace talks on the city's final status -- until Trump unilaterally moved the US embassy there earlier this year.

Officials said the decision to move the Australian embassy has been under consideration for months. But Morrison's announcement was timed to coincide with a make-or-break moment for his fledgling premiership.

On Saturday voters in a key Sydney electorate will go to the polls, with Morrison's Liberal party candidate, a former ambassador to Israel, trailing in the final stretch.

Defeat for Morrison's candidate -- in a constituency with a sizeable Jewish population -- would spell the end of his government's parliamentary majority and a bleak future for his months-old stint at the top of Australia's rough-and-tumble political heap.

Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Morrison's initiative, the response from neighbouring Indonesia -- the world's largest Muslim nation -- was less welcoming.

Australia would be "violating international law" and UN security council resolutions if it proceeded with the embassy move, said Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki, who was in Jakarta on an official visit Tuesday.

"Australia is risking (its) trade and business relationship with the rest of the world and particularly the Muslim world," he added.

"I hope that Australia would reconsider that decision before it takes such action for election purposes."

Australian state-backed broadcaster ABC reported a senior official in Jakarta saying a landmark trade deal between the two countries may now be put on ice.

Officials from Indonesia's foreign and trade ministries told AFP they were unaware of any plans to suspend talks on the agreement, but Morrison indicated he had discussed the issue with President Joko Widodo in a series of calls.

"We will continue to work closely and cooperatively with our allies and our partners all around the world on these issue," Morrison told parliament.

'Open-minded'

Morrison earlier said he was "open-minded" to "sensible" proposals to formally recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move his nation's embassy to the holy city, a sharp break with the policy of successive Australian governments.

"We're committed to a two-state solution, but frankly it hasn't been going that well, not a lot of progress has been made, and you don't keep doing the same thing and expect different results," Morrison said.

"Scott Morrison is now so desperate to hang on to his job, he is prepared to say anything if he thinks it will win him a few more votes -? even at the cost of Australia's national interest," said opposition Labor party foreign policy spokeswoman Penny Wong.

Morrison came to power in August after a revolt by hardline conservatives in the Liberal party ousted his more moderate predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull.They were picked up by the navy when their vessel ran into difficulty west of Tangier, a port city on the country's northern coast, according to the source.

More than 43,000 migrants have made it north to Spain since the start of the year, including around 38,000 by sea, according to the International Organization for Migration.

An increasing number of Moroccans are attempting to reach Europe, either by taking the perilous sea route or via the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, which border Morocco.

The North African country is also a transit country for thousands of sub-Saharan African migrants.

The Moroccan navy, which occasionally provides figures on its rescue operations in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, said in just two days last week it saved 450 migrants.

In two recent operations the navy opened fire on boats showing "suspicious behaviour", killing a 22-year-old student and wounding three other people on September 25.New Zealands rodeo association has welcomed a report recommending changes to the sports animal welfare procedures.

On Monday, the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) released a report to provide key improvements for rodeos to be provided to Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri.

The report cited its primary concerns over steer wrestling, due to the impact of lifting and dumping the steer; and the rope and tie event, due to the lassoing causing a sudden stop when the calf is moving quite quickly.

Animal welfare is paramount to the rodeo environment.

The report said this potentially could cause damage to the calfs neck muscles.

NAWAC also proposed the industry create a forum where event organisers, rodeo veterinarians and appointed welfare officers meet periodically with MPI and SPCA welfare inspectors to improve practices.

NAWAC committee chair Dr Gwyneth Verkerk said the discussions held throughout the creation of the report will help introduce positive changes to the upcoming rodeo season, the NZ Herald reports.

Lyal Cocks, president of the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association, applauded the independent committee for their work.

[The report] confronts and puts to bed some of those issues that keep coming up that have already been addressed, Mr Cocks told RadioLIVE.

Meanwhile, the Green Party and animal activist group SAFE criticised the report for not going far enough.

The Green Party is disappointed with NAWACs rodeo report and think waiting for further research and the rodeo association to self-regulate is negligent and will see animals continued to be hurt, Green Party animal welfare spokesperson Gareth Hughes said in a statement.

SAFE called the reports recommendations toothless tweaks  calling it no surprise that the Rodeo Association is welcoming the changes.

The panel says the rope and tie and steer wrestling events have substantial negative impacts for the animals, but doesnt recommend banning them, the organisation said in a press release.

But Mr Cocks rejects that sentiment, arguing that the rodeo industry is constantly improving and adjusting the sport to ensure animal welfare is maintained.

Animal welfare is paramount to the rodeo environment, he said.

Listen to the full interview with Lyal Cocks above.

The Long Lunch with Wendyl Nissen, 12pm - 3pm on RadioLIVE and streaming live to the rova app on Android and iPhone.

RadioLIVE.Graham Bell, former Detective Inspector and arguably New Zealands best known police officer, discusses his decorated 33-year police career, exploring everything from hosting the highly-popular Police Ten 7 show for over a decade, Cold cases, and the problems with the new breed of NZ police.

Listen to the full interviews above.

The Long Lunch with Brendan Telfer, 12pm - 3pm on RadioLIVE and streaming live to the rova app on Android and iPhone.

RadioLIVE.Every Tuesday night after the 10pm news, Mitch Harris is joined by Elevation Capital founder and CEO Chris Swasbrook to talk on the latest business news, both here in New Zealand and internationally.

On the table tonight:

- More questions are being raised about the authenticity of business confidence surveys in New Zealand, such as the recent ANZ Business Outlook Survey.

- Netflix is now more popular than Sky TV in New Zealand, but investors of the company are worried about it's lack of profitability.

- Netflix has bought a massive production studio in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has pledged to bring US $1 billion of production to the area.

- What could the possible economic implications be in the Middle East after the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi?

- What could happen to the economies of the Philippines and Hungary as their Presidents Rodrigo Duterte and Viktor Orban continue to show 'strongman' behaviour?

Night Talk with Mitch Harris, 8pm - 12am Monday to Thursday nights on RadioLIVE, and streaming live to the rova app on Android and iPhone.

RadioLIVE.In an explosive political saga, rogue MP Jami-Lee Ross has accused National Party leader Simon Bridges for his corrupt handling of donations.

Mr Ross has claimed that Mr Bridges asked him to collect a $100,000 donation only to split it to smaller amounts to hide it, naming the donor as Chinese businessman Yikun Zhang.

Mr Bridges called these allegations "entirely false".

In a fiery statement on Tuesday, Mr Ross alleged that Mr Zhangs donation was not disclosed to the Electoral Commission, but emphasised that his doesnt believe the businessman did anything wrong himself.UK: The Department for Transport has published a prior information notice which would enable it to directly award a contract for the operation of Cross Country services for a maximum of 60 months from the end of Arrivas current contract in October 2019.BBC Studios has launched a fan community called BBC Earth Tribe with Chinese internet giant Tencent, which has also become a co-production partner for its latest natural history extravaganza Dynasty.





Presented by Sir David Attenbourough, BBC Studios Natural History Units new five part series will broadcast simultaneously with the UK transmission in China on Tencents v.qq.com platform. Filmed over four years around the globe, Dynasties explores the lives of some of the worlds most iconic animals. BBC Earth Tribe on Tencent , which is now live, will become the destination for over 650 hours of BBC Studios natural history and documentary programmes. It will also connect fans to the BBC Studios Natural History Units producers both through online Q&As and at events.Mini episodes of the BBCs natural history programmes, 360 videos, live streamed interviews as well as live streams directly from production locations will also be available to BBC Earth Tribe members.Our audiences have a huge appetite for BBC Earth content so we are thrilled to partner with BBC Studios on this new initiative, bringing our customers unparalleled access to an incredible portfolio of high quality content and unique interactive experiences, said Suman Wang, chief editor of Tencent Video & SVP of Tencent Penguin Pictures.David Weiland, EVP Asia for BBC Studios said: Chinese audiences appreciation for BBCs premium natural history content has grown over the last two years. Blue Planet II delivered over 250 million views on Tencent, and Planet Earth II in 2016 , got over 200 million views. We are very excited to extend our partnership with Tencent with the co-production of Dynasties, and work with them to build a community of like-minded natural history fans, bringing our content beyond the screens to them via BBC Earth Tribe.Dynasty is also co-produced by BBC America and France Televisions.Screenwriter and film director Lucia Puenzo is on board as the showrunner for the eight-part series. Production is due to begin in Chile in January 2019.The cast attached to the series include Daniela Vega, star of the acclaimed Sebastian Lelio film, A Fantastic Woman. This marks Danielas debut in a Latin-American drama series. La Jauria also features Antonia Zegers (A Fantastic Woman, The Club, Profugos, Tony Manero).The series opens as the students of a private school stage a takeover in protest of a teacher who is suspected of sexually assaulting a student. Blanca Ibarra, a 17-year-old student, leads the protest but suddenly goes missing. Amidst the search for the missing schoolgirl, a video of Blanca being raped by a gang of unidentifiable men emerges and goes viral. A gender-based crime specialist police force formed by Elisa Murillo (DanielaVega) and Olivia Fernandez (Antonia Zegers) work to find Blanca before its too late. As the investigation gets deeper, they learn that there is more than one offender behind the crime.La Jauria is an appealing series that will allow us to address the current social context, with a breathtaking narrative that gives no respite, said Angela Poblete, president of television at Fabula . It has the freshness of the feminist revolution that has inspired millions of citizens to march in the streets of the capitals of Latin America, from Santiago to Buenos Aires, from Bogota to Mexico City, and portrays the impact of gender violence in our societies.Christian Vesper, EVP, and creative director of Global Drama at Fremantle , added: We are immensely proud to be working with the highly talented Fabula team on our first Latin-American drama. La Jauria is a powerful story with strong female characters leading the fight against the very real social issues of femicide and gender-based crimes in Latin America. We admire Lucia Puenzos vision and believe that her exploration of this complex mix of darkness and humanity will result is a fantastic drama.Argentinian PSB channel TV Publica has acquired a package of four natural history docs: Wild Carpathia, a trilogy of films produced by Almond Films in the UK about the priceless majesty of the forests and mountains of Romania; Alamto: A Reptile Wonderland, produced by Irib, which shows a wonderland in the Iranian province of Ilam where rare reptiles have been discovered; the Pulse of The Atlantic Forest from Tico Tico in Brazil shows the Serra do Mar State Park, one of the largest continuous areas of Atlantic forest in the world; and Zapped: The Buzz About Mosquitoes, produced by Burke and Burke in Canada for CBC, analyses our battle to prevent mosquitoes from spreading disease, against the backdrop of their biology.Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education and Culture-owned TNU in Uruguay has also acquired Wild Carpathia, Alamto and The Pulse of The Atlantic Forest, along with Flying Rainbow. The latter is a documentary produced by Indias Vishal Jadhav, which studies a year in the life of one of the most rarely filmed birds in the world, the oriental dwarf kingfisher.We made the investment of dubbing these shows into Spanish, as these fantastic wildlife shows have unquestionable broad appeal, said Scorpion sales executive, Mireia Garcia. Now, this high-quality content is making inroads into Latin America, which can often be a difficult market. It seems the world is very much waking up to the environment we live in, and these shows show territories and fauna that have rarely been seen on screen."Based on Helen FitzGeralds best-selling book of the same name, The Cry stars Victoria and former Doctor Who star Jenna Coleman and Ewen Leslie from Top of the Lake: China Girl. Filmed in Scotland and Australia, it tells the story of Joanna (Coleman) and Alistair (Leslie), parents to a new-born son, who find themselves at the centre of an unthinkable tragedy. As they face the glare of public scrutiny, alongside this deeply personal trauma, the consequences of the tragedy succeed in changing their lives and their relationship forever.The 4 x 60 series was commissioned by BBC One in 2017. It is a Synchronicity Films production for the BBC, in association with ABC, Creative Scotland, December Media, Film Victoria and Sunbird Media.Following an earlier co-production deal with ABC in Australia, and with Sundance Now also securing exclusive rights for the US, DRG has now pre-sold to M6 in France, TV2 in Norway, C More (TV4) in Sweden, Canal Plus in Poland, TVNZ in New Zealand, BBC Worldwide for its channels in Benelux, the Middle East and Africa and NPO in the Netherlands.The strength of a brilliant script based on a best-selling novel, top-notch casting and talented crew succeeded in helping us secure these excellent pre-sales for The Cry ahead of it being completed, said Elin Thomas, DRGs EVP of sales. Now the series is on air we are confident that its riveting storyline and incredible production values - plus the widespread positive reviews and excellent ratings - will generate a whole new wave of interest.Added Claire Mundell, executive producer and founder/creative director of Synchronicity Films: While The Cry was filmed in Australia and Scotland the issues that it deals with are universal  and recognisable by anyone thats ever had a child. We are thrilled to see our series continue its international journey with these pre-sales.Russia is on everyones minds in Washington, D.C.and rightly so, given the Kremlins efforts to undermine our core institutions. This month, President Trump signed an executive order declaring election interference a national emergency and authorizing sanctions on foreign entities or individuals that meddle in U.S. elections. And numerous U.S. Senators have introduced sanctions bills to punish Russia. Action is clearly necessarythe government has a responsibility to counter attempts to disrupt our electoral systembut we must be mindful of unintended consequences for U.S. businesses. Innocent American companies should not be penalized for Russias malfeasance.

Such punitive measures against Russia are nothing new. The U.S. and its allies have been involved in a series of sanctions and countersanctions with Russia since 2014 over issues such as Russias human rights violations, interventions in the Ukraine and Syria, and close ties to North Korea. Economic sanctions such as these are a legitimate and useful tool, but need to be drafted and implemented intelligently. Otherwise, the resulting damage can be more harmful to U.S. business interests than Russian bad actors.

Which brings us to the two pieces of legislation that will likely be up for consideration follow the midterm election in lame duck, Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression Act (DASKA) and Defending Elections from Threats by Establishing Redlines (DETER) Act, both of which are concerning for American businesses operating abroad. The sanctions in DASKA, introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham and Bob Menendez , and DETER, led by Senators Marco Rubio and Chris Van Hollen, broadly target Russias energy, financial, transportation, mining, and mineral sectors. However unintentionally, they would also effectively prohibit the transaction of legitimate U.S. business in Russia, with the potential to disrupt the global economy while having little impact on the Kremlins behavior.

These sanctions would stymie U.S. business in Russia, and place American companies at a significant disadvantage vis-a-vis foreign competitors in the Russian market. The proposed sanctions on the Russian energy sector, for example, would prevent U.S. energy companies from operating their Russia-based offices and plants, force U.S. companies to exit joint projects, and negatively impact global markets in oil, gas, and refined products. They would also disrupt supply chains and inject unnecessary price volatility for a broad spectrum of critical U.S. industries. And sanctioning Russias mining and metals sectors would prevent U.S. companies of all kinds from accessing key inputs for production and exports.

As you can see the broad strokes of these bills result in a litany of potential repercussions.

Additionally, the U.S. should also be careful targeting current energy projects abroad where U.S. and EU companies could be quickly replaced by less scrupulous actors like China or Iranor Russia itself. As U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry recently noted, Europes substantial and growing dependence on Russian gas is already deeply concerning. Implementing overly broad sanctions could undermine Europes efforts to diversify its energy matrix, and give global bad actors increased opportunities to leverage the kinds of energy projects that often fund their nefarious activities.

While some Members of Congress say they are open to reworking the language of the sanctions in question, there is already a stronger legislative vehicle in the queue: the Cyber Deterrence and Response Act, introduced by Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Chris Coons (D-DE), is both more impactful on Russia and less onerous to U.S. businesses. It seeks to establish a tractable framework for handling state-sponsored cyberattacks and targets individuals and agencies instead of broad business sectors while also providing the flexibility to waive sanctions on a case-by-case basis. This is clearly the better option.

Congress must act. Russia has a clear geopolitical interest in sowing doubt about the integrity of our electoral system. But when it comes to sanctions, a scalpel, not a cleaver, is needed. Congress should focus on legislative solutions that affect specific bad actors within Russia instead of upending the global economy with broad sanctions with potentially dire consequences for the global and U.S. economies.

Guy F. Caruso is a former head of the U.S. Energy Information Administration.On Oct. 16, 1853, the Ottoman Empire declared war on the Russian Empire. France, the U.K., and Piedmont-Sardinia, the wealthiest polity on the Italian peninsula, quickly joined the Ottomans in their war against Russia. (This weekends Top 10 is a global history of the Crimean War, so stay tuned!)

The United States stayed neutral during the war, but it was hardly inactive. The press and the general public were particularly pro-Russian, though there were exceptions (to be discussed below). Washington sent food and material goods to Russia and helped the Imperial Navy by building its warships in New Yorks massive shipyards. American doctors flocked to Crimea, where most of the worlds press focused its attention, in order to help the overwhelmed medical establishment of the Russian Empire.

Americas relationship to Russia had been mostly nonexistent in 1853 (with the notable exception of American engineers essentially building Russias railroad system in the 1840s). While Alexis de Tocqueville had made his famous 1835 prediction about America and Russia one day competing with each other for global dominance, in 1853 the two transcontinental polities were still figuring out how to govern their vast, newly-acquired territories. So their lack of a relationship had less to do with perceived antagonisms and more to do with a lack of personnel resources.

The two future superpower rivals had more in common than mere future greatness, though. Both were expanding rapidly, gobbling up huge swaths of territory at the expense of isolated polities like the Khiva Khanate and the Sioux confederacy, and hapless autocracies like Mexico and the Ottoman Empire. Russia and the United States also shared common foes - France and the U.K. - due mostly to the fact that American and Russian expansion was beginning to step on French and British toes. Both empires - one democratic, the other autocratic - also had looming labor crises that overshadowed everything they did in international affairs: slavery and serfdom.

The reaction of the American press to the British and French invasion of Crimea was not entirely pro-Russian, of course. In fact, the press was split largely along regional (or sectional) lines: New Englands press mostly supported the United Kingdom while the Southern and Western press supported Russia, just like during the lead up to the War of 1812. The sectional divisions were similar in another way, too; there were calls, once again, for the New England states to secede from the republic and join the British Empire. Not everybody in New England supported the British, especially shipbuilders who profited handsomely from their dealings with the Russian Imperial Navy.

American support for the Russians during the Crimean War bore fruit roughly 10 years later, when the United States descended into madness and fought a civil war. The Russians, who had recently abolished serfdom, sent warships to Northern ports, partly to show support for the Unions anti-slavery cause and partly to avoid being bottled up in the Black Sea by British warships were London to intervene in the American war. The arrival of Russian warships to American ports helped bolster Union morale, and sent a warning to France and the United Kingdom that if either decided to intervene in the American conflict, they would have to also deal with the Russians.

Russian and American support for each may have culminated just two years after the American Civil War, when Washington purchased Alaska from Russia. The Russians, still smarting from their defeat in the Crimean War, knew that they would not be able to defend their American territories from a British attack, so they began to search for a buyer. The Americans made perfect sense, not least because an American purchase would give the Russians a buffer zone between their Siberian territory and Londons North American Arctic territory (now known as Canada). Two years after the American Civil War, in 1867, Washington - broke and bloodied - bought Alaska from the Russians. The purchase removed Russia as a player on the North American continent and padded its coffers, which were in even more dire straits than those of the Americans.

After the purchase, the two countries drifted apart. Slavery and serfdom had both been abolished, but the struggle for liberty in both societies had only just begun.It should have gotten more attention--but it seemingly did not.

On Sept. 11, while Russian President Vladimir Putin warmly greeted his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, their armed forces held war games in Russias Far East Military district.

Though Vostok 2018 (East 2018) may have been Moscows largest military exercise in decades, two issues really stand out: a unique level of Sino-Russian military cooperation and the possible strategic implications for United States in the Pacific region.

First, the bilateral exercise. While some dispute the force numbers, Moscow asserts that approximately 300,000 Russian troops were joined by some 3,000 Chinese soldiers in a strategic level exercise on the mock battlefield.

Of course, troops from different (usually friendly countries) exercise together. And Russia and China have held many military exercises before, including a bilateral naval exercise in the far-off (for China) Baltic Sea in Northern Europe.

However, what is deeply worrisome is that Vostok 2018 could provide China -- which has not fought a war since its 1979 conflict with Vietnam -- with a treasure trove of military knowledge about modern warfare.

Fighting abroad since 2014, Russia has gained a lot of experience, including in hybrid warfare and insurgency operations in Ukraine and with expeditionary warfare, new weapons systems, an air campaign and counterterror-insurgency operations in Syria.

The Russians are also well known for their expertise and prowess in electronic warfare, which some consider a U.S. vulnerability.

At the drills, the Chinese will certainly seek to learn the latest and greatest in Russian military science. Indeed, not wanting to miss any opportunity, China even sent an uninvited spy ship to Vostok 2018 to garner as much intelligence as possible.

(Beijing also sent a spy ship to observe the U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval exercise in 2014 when Chinese warships participated in parts of it.)

China will almost certainly use the information gleaned from Vostok 2018 to inform and improve the capabilities of the various services of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), including some advanced weapon systems courtesy of the Russian arms industry.

Ultimately, the PLA could use the knowledge gained from the exercise in the Russian Far East against a range of potential Chinese adversaries, including the Russians (ironically), Japanese, Taiwanese -- and the Americans.

Naturally, Russia and China should be rivals, considering their geography (e.g., long border) and a tumultuous history (e.g., the Sino-Soviet split), going back centuries. Nevertheless, they have also worked together to create a multipolar global world order to balance the preponderant power of the United States.

Indeed, it could be argued that strategic cooperation between Beijing and Moscow has reached a new level as both capitals face deteriorating relations with Washington over a range of issues.

Cooperation with Russia could further strengthen the increasingly muscular PLA, and this concerns America deeply. Beyond that is the effect that deeper Sino-Russian ties could have on a range of American interests in East Asia.

For instance, in the South China Sea (SCS), Beijing claims 90 percent of these waters as indisputable Chinese sovereign territory, making it essentially a Chinese Lake. The SCS now has several Chinese militarized artificial islands.

In fact, the United States recently (again) challenged Chinas (legally unsupportable) maritime claims in the SCS with the transit of a U.S. warship near one of the disputed islands inside what Beijing calls the Nine-Dash Line.

These Chinese maritime assertions are troubling due to the possibility that Beijing may decide to try to deny air and or maritime access to, or through, the SCS at some point, hindering trillions in global commercemuch of it American.

Interestingly, Russia has been diplomatically cautious in opining on the legitimacy of Chinas Nine-Dash Line claim for a number of reasons. Moscow may opt to stay silent and allow others (e.g., Washington) to bear the burden of refuting Beijings assertions while reaping the benefits.

Russia also supports Chinas sovereignty claims on Taiwan. China considers Taiwan to be an inalienable part of Peoples Republic of China (PRC), an assertion that Washington has long differed with Beijing over.

Moscow might stay out of the conflict over Taipeis political future. Yet it might do little or nothing to dissuade Beijings aggression against the island. In fact, Russia may support the PRCs moves in fora such as the United Nations, complicating any international response.

Then there is the matter of North Korea. Both Russia and China share a border with North Korea and have had a political, economic and military relationship with the country since its founding in 1948.

While Russian and Chinese interests are not exactly aligned on the Korean Peninsula, it could be suggested that Beijing and Moscow do have a common goal in not seeing American power and influence grow in Northeast Asia.

Though Russia would most likely prefer not to become involved in a Korean contingency between the United States, China, and the two Koreas, Moscow could well provide some level of support to a Chinese intervention. At the very least, Russia may well stay out of Chinas way.

All of these scenarios would be extraordinarily significant for U.S. interests.

In the end, Russia and China are both pragmatic and opportunistic in their foreign policies. They aim to protect and advance their individual interests, and some of those overlap.

A Western-style alliance between the two is highly unlikely.

Nevertheless, the recent Vostok 2018 military exercise is reason for some alarm in that it signals a possible willingness by Beijing and Moscow to engage in greater political and military cooperation in the future if necessary.

Without question, this could be inimical to U.S. goals and objectives.

The Sino-Russian relationship continues to merit close scrutiny. In the post-Cold War age, it has sometimes been given short shrift, easily falling into the category of Yeah, but

That is understandable considering the relationships history and the difficulty of analyzing ties between capitals from different parts of the world. But the development of this relationship will not easily be dismissed if there is a crisis in the Pacific involving Russia and China that deeply affects U.S. interests.

Dr. Peter Brookes is a Heritage Foundation senior fellow and a former deputy assistant secretary of defense. The views expressed are the author's own.By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 10/15/2018



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

stars Nicole Nafziger and Azan Tefou appear to still be together and doing well despite recent rumors of a split.Nicole took to Instagram late last week to post a picture of her fiance, Azan Tefou , proving their relationship is ongoing.In the photo, Azan was smiling big while sitting in what appeared to be a restaurant."You add so much light to my world. I am so proud to have you in my life #LoveOfMyLife #MyLove #TilTheEnd #Forever," Nicole, who currently resides in Florida, captioned the image.As fans last saw on Season 3 of : Happily Ever After?, Nicole and Azan decided to delay their wedding in Morocco in June due to financial constraints.Azan also appeared to talk Nicole into investing their wedding money into a beauty-store business instead."Azan is living off her," Nicole's stepfather Joe Fouraker told RadarOnline in August."She sends him money. He was going to start a business. My wife was there for a week for the wedding. He would never allow anybody to see his place of business... He's milking her for all he can ."In addition, Azan refused to file the marriage paperwork while Nicole was in Morocco on her Tourist visa.Nicole pointed out they didn't need a lavish ceremony just to make their marriage official, but Azan pushed back on the idea and told Nicole he needed more time.Nicole therefore returned to the United States under the assumption she would reunite with Azan in Morocco again and they could wed within a few months.She reportedly ran out of money and was unable to return to Morocco as she had anticipated.Fans have since speculated the pair might have broken up, especially since there's been no sign of Azan on Nicole's Instagram page -- until recently.Prior to her new "#LoveOfMyLife" post, Nicole's last post with Azan was from early July.Before to starring on the Happily Ever After? spinoff, Nicole and Azan appeared on Season 4 of as well as Season 5 of the original TLC reality series.,



We're sorry, this article is not currently availableJoe Giudice's daughters Gia and Milania say they will do "everything" they can to fight his deportation.

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Gia, 17, and Milania, 14, two of Joe and "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Teresa Giudice 's four children, voiced their heartbreak in Instagram posts Sunday after Joe was ordered to return to Italy after his prison sentence.

"My dad, who is the best dad in the world, needs to come home. We aren't done fighting dad," Milania captioned a slideshow of photos with her dad.

"I can't believe this is happening. I can't imagine another day without you," she said.

"We are gonna do everything we can to fight this daddy!! I love you with all my heart buddy #heartbroken."

Gia urged her followers to take action and support Joe's cause in a post on her own account.

"My father is no threat to society," the teenager wrote.

"My father did his time and learned from his mistakes. Isn't being in there supposed to make you realize your mistakes so you can become a better person? And that's exactly what my father did."

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"We have so many plans to do as a family when he gets out. I need my father to be here. My father belongs with us and his entire family. My father came into this country when he was one years old, the United States is the only country he knows, spread the word #bringjoehome," she added.

Joe is serving a 41-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to fraud with Teresa in 2014.

He is expected to appeal a judge's decision to deport him to Italy at the end of his sentence.

Teresa, who is also parent to daughters Gabriella and Audriana with Joe, broke her silence on her husband's deportation ruling Sunday on Instagram.

She shared a photo of the Statue of Liberty covering her face with her hands.

E! News said last week Teresa is "devastated" by Joe's deportation order.

A source said "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star is focused on caring and being strong for her daughters.By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 11/03/2021



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Which couples are still together and which MAFS couples have split up and divorced? And where are they now?

has featured 44 different couples getting married at first sight during it's first twelve seasons -- so which couples are still together, who has split up and divorced, and where are they all now?Each season of -- which premiered in the United States seven years ago and is based on a Danish series -- features couples (previously three couples, but four couples on Seasons 8 and 9, and five couples beginning with Season 10) being matched together by relationship experts and agree to marry when they first meet.Complete strangers become husband and wife in a matter of minutes, and the couples' lives are then documented by TV cameras over the course of the next four to eight weeks (eight weeks, in the case of 's most recent seasons).The couples typically enjoy their first night together in a hotel after exchanging vows -- with some couples deciding to consummate their marriage immediately -- and then embark on a honeymoon, move in together, and simply attempt to deal with the struggles of daily life as man and wife.At the end of the extreme marriage experiment, each couple must decide whether they'd like to stay married or get a divorce on "Decision Day."has experienced very mixed results over the years. While a significant number of couples decide to stay together and continue their new marriage at the end of their season, the real world seems to hit them hard after the cameras leave, resulting in the couple splitting up only months later.Do cast members see a different side of their spouses once cameras are gone, or do the romances naturally fizzle over time?Some couples are still together to this day and are extremely happy. Jamie Otis and Doug Hehner from Season 1, for example, have had two children.Several other couples have also had children -- including Ashley Petta and Anthony D'Amico Shawniece Jackson and Jephte Pierre Danielle Bergman and Bobby Dodd , and Deonna McNeill and Greg Okotie However, there are also relationships that ended badly. Jessica Castro from Season 2, for instance, accused Ryan De Nino of alleged death threats, and she went on to file a restraining order and lawsuit against him.Some couples have also never even made it to "Decision Day" and ended their marriage prematurely, including Season 4 couple Heather Seidel and Derek Schwartz as well as Season 6 couple Molly Duff and Jonathan Francetic Are the remaining couples now lovers, friends or enemies?! What about early season couples like Cortney Hendrix and Jason Carrion, Jaclyn Methuen and Ryan Ranellone, Vanessa Nelson and Tres Russell, Sonia Granados and Nick Pendergrast, and Lillian Vilchez and Tom Wilson?And how about more recent season couples like Danielle DeGroot and Cody Knapek Sheila Downs and Nate Duhon Jaclyn Schwartzberg and Ryan Buckley Dave Flaherty and Amber Martorana , and Tristan Thompson and Mia Bally Keith Dewar and Kristine Killingsworth , and AJ Vollmoeller and Stephanie Sersen Click thelink below to see photos of each couple and find out!

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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.Porterville, CA (93257)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 47F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 47F. Winds light and variable.Are you prepared for voting season? In honor of the first week of early voting, The Red & Black staff reflected on why voting season is imContributed photo

A series of do it yourself (DIY) workshops will be held this fall at the Scoville Memorial Library, Salisbury, in time for the holidays, led by Leslie Watkins, well known botanical and landscape painter from Norfolk. The first is an Introduction to Paper Crafting held on Oct. 20. Watkins will lead the first part of the two-part series of making simple and professional looking objets dart, including journals, notecards, gift boxes and tags. All will leave with gift quality items they made themselves. The second session, Saturday, Nov. 17, is an introduction to watercolor painting as used in combination with some of the techniques learned in session one. All levels are welcome. It is not necessary to attend both sessions; the library says participants will get the most inspiration from attending both classes. Fee is $20 per class for materials and refreshments. Preregistration is required and reservations can be made by visiting the front desk at the library or calling 860-435-2838.In the introduction to his gorgeous new cookbook, "Season: Big Flavors, Beautiful Food" (Chronicle Books), Nik Sharma writes, "Mine is the story of a gay immigrant, told through food." His recipes, and the distinctive black-background photography that accompanies them, trace his journey from his native Mumbai to the United States for college in Cincinnati, research work in the District and his current life with his husband in California, where he writes the column "A Brown Kitchen" in the San Francisco Chronicle.

I spoke with Sharma, 38, for a Smithsonian Associates program on Oct. 11. Edited excerpts of our conversation follow:

Q: When were the seeds of multiculturalism planted in your life? It seems like they were there at the very beginning.

A: My mom doesn't like to cook, which is probably why I started overcompensating and ended up where I am now. But the food that she'd cook was heavily influenced by the Portuguese because her family came from a former Portuguese colony. You'd have meat, you'd have seafood, you'd have a lot of coconut, you'd have a lot of vinegar. And then my dad was from the north. He was from a conservative Hindu family, so the food was very vegetarian. And so I didn't pay attention to it as a child, but I never thought twice about bringing different things to the table.

Q: What ingredients do you most want people to use more of in their cooking?

A: Jaggery is one of my favorite sweeteners. It's the most unrefined form of sugar that you can find in India. They take either palm juice or sugar cane juice and they boil it, I think typically in copper pots. And as the water evaporates, it gets concentrated, and you get this complex mass that's not so sweet as regular refined sugar, and it also has complexity in taste, because it has minerals and salt. When you use it in baking, or even in sweet-and- savory dishes, it just adds a whole new element of flavor.

Tamarind is one of my favorite things to work with because it's sweet and sour, and I really like those notes. When I was doing research for the book, I learned that tamarind is used very differently in Africa, where they grind the seeds and make a porridge. The leaves are also edible. Tamarind came to India from Africa many, many centuries ago.

If you're Mexican, you prefer sweet tamarind. They let the fruit ripen. In Southeast Asia, India, Vietnam, when they use tamarind, they want it unripe because it's used as you would lemon, lime or vinegar in a stew or a soup.

And ghee: You don't have to spend $17 on a bottle of ghee from a certain store. You can buy, like, four sticks of butter for maybe four bucks and make ghee in less than 10 minutes. And it lasts forever because the sugar is gone, the lactose is gone, the milk solids are gone, the water is gone, and you can actually leave it for more than a month outside the fridge and it will be fine.

I wanted to showcase these ingredients beyond what I had seen before.

Q: Your photography glorifies movement and process. Why do you want to make the process so beautiful, rather than utilitarian?

A: From what I've seen in food media, there's always an emphasis on the finished dish or the ingredients. But I love the process so much, and I always felt that I needed to pay homage to even the smallest things, like squeezing a lemon. Those are the important stages that make a dish or break a dish. And I think they deserve more attention.

Q: Your photography also showcases your brown hands, something we haven't seen too much in mainstream food media. You write that, when you were blogging, you got such negative feedback about that, you stopped for a while. What happened?

A: I started getting comments from anonymous people who would say that my skin was too ashy or too dark. Not seeing representation and diversity in food media - in a weird way - I thought it was okay for them to tell me that. So I had to step back to kind of figure out what I really wanted to do. Either I should do this, or give up.

Q: What convinced you to keep at it?

A: A lot of soul searching. And someone told me, "Do you want to be like everyone else, or do you want to just be you?" And I said, "I just want to be me."

Q: How do you see your work fitting into the larger conversation about representation and diversity?

A: I don't have a choice, right? Like, I can't change my skin color. I can't change my identity. And those are always going to be part and parcel of me. I feel it is odd that this conversation even needs to be had, since for me it's always been about the food and the photographs.

I want people to cook the food that I create and enjoy it. I hope that, in some way, people who read the book appreciate the fact that people who don't look and sound like you are probably the people you should invite to your table, because that's when you learn.

- - -

EGGPLANT PILAF

4 to 6 servings

This fragrant, one-pot meal features little cubes of eggplant, bright green peas and crunchy pumpkin seeds, all coated and seasoned with spices and then finished with fresh mint.

Serve with plain yogurt, a raita or lemon pickle.

MAKE AHEAD: The rinsed rice needs to sit, covered, in a bowl of water for 1 hour before it is cooked.

Adapted from "Season: Big Flavors, Beautiful Food," by Nik Sharma (Chronicle, 2018).

Ingredients

2 cups dried basmati rice

2 medium eggplants (2 pounds total), trimmed but not peeled, then cut into bite-size cubes

3 teaspoons fine sea salt

 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon ground coriander

 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

 teaspoon ground turmeric

4 green cardamom pods, cracked

1 black cardamom pod, cracked

2 whole cloves

2 bay leaves

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 serrano chiles

2 tablespoons hulled, roasted unsalted pumpkin seeds

4 cups water

 cup fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)

 cup green peas, fresh or frozen

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, for serving

Steps

Rinse the rice under cold running water in a fine-mesh sieve until the water no longer turns cloudy. Place the rice in a medium bowl, add enough water to cover (about 3 cups), and let it sit, covered, for about 1 hour.

Place the eggplant cubes in a large bowl and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the salt, then toss to coat. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let them sit for 20 minutes. Discard any liquid that is released.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half the eggplant cubes and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and lightly browned. Transfer to a large bowl; repeat with another tablespoon of oil and the remaining eggplant. Transfer to the same plate.

Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon of oil in the same saucepan, over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden brown. Then add the black pepper, coriander, crushed red pepper flakes, turmeric, green and black cardamom pods, cloves and bay leaves; cook for 30 to 45 seconds, until fragrant. Stir in the garlic, serrano chiles and pumpkin seeds; cook for 30 seconds.

Drain the rice, then stir it in; cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the rice grains are completely coated with the oil and are not sticking to each other.

Return the cooked eggplant to the pot. Stir in the 4 cups of water, the lime juice and the remaining 2 teaspoons of salt; increase the heat to high and bring to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for 15 minutes, uncovered, until most of the water has evaporated.

Add the peas, cover and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until they are tender. Remove from the heat; keep covered and let the pilaf sit for 5 minutes.

Fluff the rice with a fork; re-cover to keep warm. You can remove and discard the whole spices and serrano chiles, if desired. Garnish with the fresh mint before serving.A young bongo calf named Taylor Swift, who lives at the Sacramento Zoo with her mother Penny, left behind a blank space on Sunday when she somehow fled her enclosure.

The one-year-old antelope may have been first spotted by zoo visitors, who reported the animal missing in "a few conflicting visitor reports," said spokesperson Laurel Vincent to the Sacramento Bee. When a zoo worker walked to the pen and didn't see Taylor Swift, an emergency radio call alerted the staff to the escape.Gen. Antonio Hamilton Mourao would be Brazil's vice president. Gen. Augusto Heleno would be defense minister. And Gen. Oswald Ferreira is likely to run a new infrastructure ministry.

If ex-Army captain Jair Bolsonaro wins the runoff vote against the Workers' Party's Fernando Haddad on Oct. 28, he has promised to name as many as five generals to his Cabinet, giving the security forces their biggest public role in decades. In addition, at least 38 former soldiers, police officers and firefighters rode the coattails of the former paratrooper to win election to congress Oct. 7. In 2014, only 14 veterans won.

"This is because of the insecurity that we're experiencing in Brazil," said Waldir Soares de Oliveira, a re-elected congressman and ex-cop known as Deputy Waldir. "No one can cope with this wave of insecurity any more."

Just over 30 years after the end of a military dictatorship, Brazil's security forces are back in a big way. Even if Bolsonaro loses, there's now a significant law-and-order bloc in Congress voted in by a population terrified by rising crime. With more than 63,000 violent deaths last year alone, the number of Brazilians murdered in 2017 outstrips U.S. combat deaths for the entire Vietnam War.

"The issue isn't just the uniform," said Ivo Herzog, whose journalist father, Vladimir, was murdered by the military government in 1975 and remains one of Brazil's biggest symbols of the struggle against the dictatorship. "It's the extreme right in power, going against all democratic achievements."

In 1985, amid economic crisis and after years of pressure, Brazil's military leaders gave way to a civilian president. Three years later, Congress drafted a new constitution, widely considered one of the world's most progressive, offering legal protections to minority groups and many of the benefits of a welfare state. But no one has ever been prosecuted for the torture and murder committed during the 20 years of military rule.

Bolsonaro has cast the future of democracy into doubt. He became famous -- and in some corners infamous -- for derogatory comments against women, gays, indigenous peoples and Afro-Brazilians. He has said the main problem with the dictatorship is that it didn't kill enough people, and that he would refuse to accept the election results if he lost. He has since said that he would respect the constitution if elected.

One of his supporters, a general who ran and lost as governor of the federal district, wrote on Twitter that if upcoming opinion polls show waning support for Bolsonaro, it would be a sign of electoral "fraud" because public opinion "doesn't shift all of a sudden."

"There are grim echoes in the 2018 election to the start of the military dictatorship that began in 1964," Robert Muggah, research director of the Igarape Institute in Rio de Janeiro, said Friday. "The logic of extrajudicial violence and extermination is returning to the conservative discourse."

Under Brazil's constitution, public security is technically the responsibility of states. But over the past year, for the first time since 1988, the federal government has deployed the military to tackle rising crime in Rio de Janeiro and the influx of destitute Venezuelan immigrants in Roraima.

A Datafolha survey from June showed Brazil's armed forces remain the country's most trusted institution. Brazilians treat their various police forces, however, with a much higher degree of suspicion. Fourteen people were killed every day during police actions in 2017 alone, according to the Brazilian Forum on Public Security.

Now, the uniformed forces are poised to move from the streets to the halls of power. Sixteen new lower house deputies from the security forces and one senator belong to Bolsonaro's own Social Liberal Party, including Deputy Waldir, who says he captured more criminals than any other officer in Goias state. Bolsonaro's party, which became the second largest in the lower house, will seek to appoint its speaker, deputy-elect Luciano Bivar told Folha de S.Paulo newspaper.

Among the other law-and-order candidates, police officer Katia Sastre's success derives in part from the fact she was captured on video killing a suspect outside a school on Mother's Day. The footage went viral and became a key part of her campaign in Sao Paulo.

Sargento Fahur, a police officer with a distinctive handlebar mustache, racked up more than 270,000 followers on Twitter thanks to videos of his crime-fighting exploits and photos of his weaponry. He parlayed his social-media success into votes, winning more than any other congressional candidate in the southern state of Parana.

A hard stance on security and a perception that the security forces are less corruptible than other political players explain their success, according to professor Wagner de Melo Romao, a University of Campinas political scientist. But regardless of their success implementing crime-busting legislation, the law-and-order caucus could also stymie one of Brazil's most pressing economic issues: pension reform.

Without reining in ballooning retirement outlays, the government stands no chance of plugging the widening gap in the country's public finances. The fiscal deficit already runs over 7 percent of GDP. Some of the most generous pensions go to former members of the security forces, and such a powerful caucus is unlikely to end the largess.

"These groups have the political force to free themselves from the cuts to privileges, and they could end up keeping those pension benefits," Romao said. "I have no doubt that they will defend them."

In comparison with other parliamentary blocs, such as farmers or evangelicals -- both of which have over 200 members -- the security forces caucus is relatively small, but with a president who's built much of his campaign on fighting crime, it's likely to punch above its weight. And its members may benefit from the fact that 103 million Brazilians have been born since the junta's end. They have no firsthand memories of the regime.

"There are few people who lived through the dictatorship who are voting today," said Herzog. "There's this ignorance on the part of the electorate and these delusional ideas about the dictatorship."

- - -

Bloomberg's Simone Iglesias contributed.LITCHFIELD  The Town Hall Review Committee and the Board of Selectmen will hold three public information meetings to gain input from residents on a proposed new Town Hall, starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the auditorium at Litchfield Intermediate School.

After meeting for many months, the committee recommended a plan to renovate the old Litchfield County Courthouse on West Street that was developed by the Greater Litchfield Preservation Trust.

Since the courthouse closed in 2017, members of the preservation trust have focused their attention on returning it to the town, including by hosting tours and developing an architectural and renovation plan. Renovating the courthouse is estimated to cost $7.6 million, according to the preservation trust, which hired an architect for the 200-plus-year-old structure.

The cost of building a new Town Hall, according to estimates from the Town Hall Review Committee, could exceed $8 million.

During its last meeting in early October, the review committee voted to present the preservation trusts plan to the Board of Selectmen, and eventually to the public. During that meeting, the committee reviewed three options: renovating the existing Town Hall, building a new facility behind it on West Street, or using the old courthouse.

What the committee voted on was to recommend the trusts plan, not to exceed ($)7.6 million, to the selectmen, said First Selectmen Leo Paul. Before the selectmen make a decision, they want to get input from the public.

A second public meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at Bantam Borough Hall. A third meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Nov 1 at the Northfield Firehouse. . Residents are welcome to attend any or all of the meetings, and public comment is on the agenda after each presentation.

At each of the three public meetings, the preservation trust will also give a presentation detailing renovating the old courthouse, and there will be a presentation by the Litchfield Housing Trust.

The housing trust has recommended the Bantam Annex building, located on Doyle Road off Route 202, for affordable housing. A portion of the Bantam Annex, which now houses town offices, including zoning, parks and recreation, the fire marshal and social services, was also a branch of courthouse operations, closing in 2017.

Perley Grimes, president of the Greater Litchfield Preservation Trust, is convinced that using the courthouse for Town Hall is what was always intended.

Since 1785, theres been a government function in the courthouse, and when the courthouse operations were moving to Torrington, we found the owners and got them to sell it to us, Grimes, an attorney with Cramer and Anderson who has practiced law for nearly 50 years, said during an interview in late September. He believes it is in the towns best interest to maintain that governmental function of the courthouse building, calling it an iconic structure that should be given back to the people of Litchfield, he said.This article originally appeared on PopularMechanics.com

The U.S. Air Force is assessing what damage more than a dozen F-22 Raptor fighters suffered when Tyndall Air Force Base sustained a direct hit from Hurricane Michael. Up to $2 billion in fighter jets were trapped on the ground because of maintenance issues and forced to ride out the Category 4 hurricane. Photographs show the hangars where F-22s were parked suffered severe damage.

First, the good news: Although Tyndall Air Force Base took a hard hit from the hurricane, all 3,600 military personnel and their families living on the base were successfully evacuated beforehand. The 93 Air Force personnel who stayed behind to keep an eye on the base are all safe and accounted for.

On the other hand: Up to 17 of Tyndalls F-22s might have sustained damage or been destroyed during the storm. The aircraft, each of which cost $150 million, were unable to escape with the rest of the bases F-22 fleet to Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The jets left behind were parked inside hangars and officials hoped for the best.

Post-hurricane photos showed extensive damage to the hangars, with at least one F-22 Raptor visible inside. Another photo showed a QF-16 target drone (a F-16 modified to act as an unmanned practice target) with the aircraft nose cone broken off.

The U.S. Air Force operates 186 F-22 Raptor fighters, of which only 123 are combat codedthat is, they have the full suite of hardware and software to make them fully operational combat-ready fighters. The rest of the F-22 fleet lacks the full range of combat capability and is largely relegated to training duties.

Tyndall is home to the 325th Fighter Wing which operates 55 F-22s split between the 43rd and 95th Fighter Squadrons. As The Diplomat explains, The 95th Fighter Squadrons 24 F-22s are combat-coded and operational. The 43rd Fighter Squadrons 31 F-22s comprise the primary training unit for the Raptor.

The Air Force has yet to reveal exactly how many F-22s were left behind, how many of those were damaged, and the extent of the damage. We also dont know how many of the damaged jets, if any, were combat-coded models.

Initial estimates of the damage were troubling, but Foreign Policys Lara Seligman later tweeted that all aircraft are intact and initial indications are promising. Its worth noting that the F-22 Raptor is built tough, designed to fly twice as fast as the speed of sound and in all weather conditions. That said, falling or wind-whipped debris from the hangar structure is another matter entirely. Hurricane-force winds might also pick up a fighter jet, which is built to be lifted into the air, after all, and plunk it down hard.

Why were the jets unable to fly clear of the hurricanes path? They were simply down for maintenance and could not be readied in time. The Air Force had just a few days warning, making disassembling them and flying or trucking the parts to safety impractical.

In 2017, the Air Forces F-22 fleet had the lowest readiness rate of all Air Force combat aircraft, with just 49 percent of aircraft flyable. Even if the Raptors at Tyndall had a 90 percent readiness rate, a very good number in peacetime, that means five aircraft from a fleet of 55 would have been left behind on the ground.

If the number of planes left behind is correct at 17, then that means the service was able to get more than two-thirds of the bases jets into the air, a challenge especially when one considers the maintainers that struggled to get them flyable had to be evacuated themselves. While we dont know the extent of the damage to the jets, its pretty safe to say that if the readiness rate for the F-22 was higher wed be worrying about the fate of fewer planes.

According to Combat Aircraft the base was decimated. The flight line is devastated. Every building has severe damage. Many buildings are a complete loss. Bu why was an Air Force base in the heart of Americas hurricane country so badly prepared for a big storm, especially protecting billions of dollars worth of fighter jets? Could the Air Force not foresee the possibility of having to evacuate the base and being forced to protect grounded jets from a hurricane?

The Air Force continues to survey damage at Tyndall, with Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, Air Force Chief of Staff David Goldfein, and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth Wright visiting the base on Sunday. Air Force RED HORSE engineering units, trained to re-open damaged air bases in wartime, are on the ground cleaning up hurricane debris while Air Force special operations forces reopened the airfield so supplies could be flown in.WINSTED  The Public Works Department recently announced the fall leaf pickup schedule as autumn takes hold in the region.

Streets south of Route 44, such as Lake Street, Boyd Street, Bridge Street, Pratt Street, and Meadow Street, will see leaves collected on Nov. 26 and 27, department officials said on the town website.

Roadways north of Route 44, such as Upland Road, Crescent Street, Wetmore Avenue, Oak Street, Maple Street, and North Main Street, will be attended to on Nov. 28 and 29.

Only leaves placed in heavy biodegradable paper bags will be picked up. Leaves placed in plastic bags and bags containing leaves mixed with other items such as branches, grass clippings, and brush will not be picked up, said department officials. Filled bags should contain only leaves and should weigh less than fifty (50) pounds.

Residents should leave filled bags curbside by 7 a.m. on the first day of the scheduled pickup date for their location. Loose leaves should not be raked onto sidewalks or roadways as they will not be picked up, officials said.

Each street will only be dealt with once, according to the department. Any changes to the schedule will be announced on the town website.

Residents can also bring leaves to Regional Refuse District #1, located at 31 New Hartford Road in Barkhamsted, but not to the town public works facility, officials said. Residents must have a current sticker to use the facility. Those who bring bagged leaves to the refuse center without a permit will be required to pay $15.

Leaves are not accepted during Wednesday night hours, only between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Any with questions can contact the Public Works Department at 860-379-4070, according to the announcement.A joint petition sent by Cambodian civil society groups to the European Union has urged the EU not to sign an agreement with Vietnam governing the international trade in timber until Vietnam ends its support of illegal logging in Cambodia.



Now banned under Cambodian law, the continuing export of timber into Vietnam is facilitated by corrupt officials on both sides of the border, the Oct. 10 petition says, adding that timber illegally harvested and smuggled from Cambodia is now openly advertised on the internet.



Even more alarming is the policy by Vietnam to provide necessary paperwork and the veneer of legality to basically all Cambodian timber that crosses the border, in disregard of legality criteria, thereby legitimizing and laundering massive amounts of illegal timber, the petition says.



There is apparently no willingness by the Vietnamese authorities to assist Cambodia in enforcing forestry laws and export regulations, the petition adds, while urging EU authorities to postpone the signing, scheduled later this month, of a Voluntary Partnership Agreement.



The agreement, made under the EUs Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) process, verifies signers willingness to comply with efforts to combat illegal logging and promote and strengthen sustainable forestry.



Speaking to RFAs Khmer Service on Tuesday, Cambodia Youth Network (CYN) director Tim Malay, a signer of the petition, said that illegal logging in Cambodia has deprived the country of millions of dollars in collected tax and is quickly destroying the countrys forests.



Income has also been lost, as our forests are the shared property of the Cambodian people, and especially of the indigenous people, Tim Malay said. It is also destroying the quality of the environment and affecting climate change.



Also speaking to RFA, environmental activist Heng Sros said that investigations of illegal logging carried out during the last year have shown the involvement of a number of tycoons in the export of harvested timber from Cambodia.



The state must put a stop to this problem, Heng Sros said, adding that loggers and their business partners have threatened us, shot us, and detained us, but weve managed so far to escape from their harassment.



Promise of cooperation



Reached for comment on Oct. 16, Neath Pheaktrasecretary of state and spokespersonrefused to discuss the petition sent to the EU, but said that Cambodian authorities would continue to cooperate with Vietnam in cracking down on the illegal timber trade.



We are working on this issue every day to preserve our natural resources and manage biodiversity, Neth Pheaktra said.



Relevant authorities will continue to cooperate with Vietnam to take measures against the illegal exporting of timber from Cambodia, he said.



The Cambodian government is absolutely against the export of timbers to Vietnam, added Cambodian government spokesperson Phay Siphan, speaking to RFA on Oct. 16.



The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already sent diplomatic notes to Vietnam to oppose the illegal export of timber. This is our governments intention. And if any Cambodian officials are found to be involved [in the illegal businesses], they will be held responsible before the law, he said.



In May 2017, a report by the U.K.-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) said that around 300,000 cubic meters of timberincluding endangered rosewoodhad been smuggled out of protected areas in Cambodia to Vietnam with the help of local authorities through some U.S. $13 million paid in bribes between November 2016 and March 2017.



Laos, another neighbor of Vietnam losing its forests to smuggling, has been in talks with the EU about tightening controls on the timber trade.



Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Vanrith Chrea. Written in English by Richard Finney.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 16)  The U.S. government has pledged an additional 1.35 billion ($25 million) in aid to displaced residents of war-torn Marawi.

This was announced by U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim as he visited the most damaged areas in the city on Tuesday.

He said the new program, called Marawi Response Project, will be a three-year U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) program aimed at improving economic and social conditions of communities affected by the war in Marawi.

"Through the Marawi Response Project, the U.S. government, in partnership with the Philippine government, will expand livelihood opportunities and help restart local businesses," Kim said.

"We will help youth obtain the skills they need for employment as well as link them to Mindanao's thriving production and services sector to help them find gainful employment," he added.

The new project brings to 3.2 billion ($5.9 million) the total funding pledged by the U.S. government for the rehabilitation of Marawi, according to data from the U.S. embassy.

This comes as the country commemorates on Wednesday the anniversary of President Rodrigo Duterte's declaration of Marawi City's "liberation" from terrorist forces.

Some 300,000 residents were displaced, while houses and buildings were turned to rubble during the five-month war from May to October last year. More than 900 terrorists, 47 civilians and 165 government troops were killed.

Reconstruction of the ravaged areas in ground zero was supposed to start Wednesday but this was moved to October 28 so Duterte could attend the ceremonies.Elected pro-democracy lawmaker Lau Siu-lai stands outside the High Court before facing a judicial review into whether she and three other lawmakers should be disqualified from their Legislative Council seats in Hong Kong, March 1, 2017.

The debarring of a would-be pro-democracy candidate in a forthcoming by-election for Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo) and the denial of a visa to a Financial Times journalist show that Beijing is breaking its promise that the city's traditional freedoms would remain under Chinese rule, commentators said on Tuesday.

Last week, the Hong Kong Labour Party's would-be candidate Lau Siu-lai had her candidacy rejected by a returning officer, an administrative official charged with the orderly running of elections.

Lau has repeatedly denied that she supports the idea of self-determination for Hong Kong, which became a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China in 1997.

Alleged separatist views have already been used as grounds to debar two other prominent opposition figures  Agnes Chow and Andy Chan.

But the returning officer claimed not to believe Lau, while Hong Kong's Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Patrick Nip said the pre-election screening process doesn't always allow applicants to put their case to officials.

Nip told pro-democracy lawmakers in LegCo on Tuesday that returning officers aren't obliged to allow applicants to speak up on their own behalf.

"It is not a necessary arrangement, it's up to the returning officers to decide," Nip said.

The city's High Court ruled in February after the decision to ban Andy Chan of the separatist Hong Kong National Party (HKNP) from running in elections that would-be candidates should be given a "reasonable opportunity" to respond to doubts about their loyalty to Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law.

Political commentator Lam Kei said the ruling Chinese Communist Party isn't concerned with separatists so much as anyone with a strong, dissenting voice.

"The Chinese Communist Party isn't really going after separatists, but wants to shut down democracy indiscriminately, in breach of the [1984] Sino-British Joint Declaration that promised no change for 50 years," Lam wrote in a commentary aired on RFA's Cantonese Service.

"It wants to turn Hong Kong into just another mainland Chinese city," he said.

Lam added: "The leaders claim to have been elected by the people and to represent the people, and that they are permitted to change the delineation of Chinese territory, but when those people themselves talk about having such rights, then how is this suddenly disloyalty? What kind of logic is that?"

Beginning of the end

Meanwhile, Keith Richburg, a former journalist with The Washington Post who directs the journalism school at the University of Hong Kong, said historians might view this summer as the beginning of the end of Hong Kong as a bastion of free speech and a free press.

"When people in the future look back at what was precipitated the death of Hong Kong, then this might look like the starting point, when things started going badly for freedom of expression and [the] free press," Richburg said.

He cited the rejection of a visa renewal application from Victor Mallet, the Financial Times' Hong Kong-based Asia editor, after he hosted a lunch event at the Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) at which the HKNP's Andy Chan was the speaker.

Mallet defended the FCC event in the face of open criticism and requests to cancel Chan's appearance. His visa renewal was later rejected without explanation, and he was given just seven days to leave the city.

"This is the first time ever a journalist has been told to leave the country, that they could not work here, that anybody can remember, so this definitely is a turning point," Richburg told RFA on Tuesday.

"Before, this was a place that anybody could come as a journalist to work, particularly those who were expelled from China, or who were not allowed to report from China or other parts of Asia, they would put themselves in Hong Kong, because this was always an open and free place," he said.

He said the denial of Mallet's renewal application was "a really dramatic step" that called into question the separate status of Hong Kong's administration under the "one country, two systems" formula promised before the handover to Chinese rule.

"For the very first time, the Hong Kong government ... has adopted the same tactics [as] on the mainland, which is using a journalist's visa to pressure a journalist, or try to send a message that you only work here at the behest of the government here, and that you can be kicked out, if you write or behave in a way that they don't like," Richburg said. "So to me that's a turning point."

He called on the administration of chief executive Carrie Lam to give a public explanation for the denial of Mallet's visa, and also to clarify the "red lines" within which officials expect journalists to operate now.

"We need real clarity on that, as well as some legal definition of what their so-called red lines are: What can you cover; what can't you cover ... whether or not they intend to use the work visa as a punishment or a tool of punishment for journalists as they do in the mainland," Richburg said.

Reported by Lau Siu-fung for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.A long-time petitioner and rights activist stood trial on Tuesday at a court in the central Chinese province of Hunan on public order and extortion charges amid tight security, his lawyer and son said.



Xing Wangli stood trial at Henan's Xi County People Court for "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble," and "extortion," defense attorney Chang Boyang told RFA.



Xing appeared in court wearing manacles at 9.00 a.m., as more than 100 police were stationed outside the court buildings to prevent his supporters from approaching.



Xing's son Xing Jian is a political refugee currently applying for resettlement in a third country from Thailand.



He said that authorities feared the trial could prove a focal point for a gathering of Xing's supporters.



"The local government was worried that citizens might converge on the county court, so there was a special request for police support from the Henan police department," Xing Jian said.



"They also assigned police officers to put pressure on Xing's defense lawyer Chang Boyang, while they sent more than 100 plainclothes police ... to lock down the area," he said.



"Nobody was able to get through to attend the trial, although some relatives attended," Xing Jian said.



Accused of extortion



According to his indictment, Xing was accused of making another "illegal petitioning" trip to Beijing in January, as well as demanding money from local "interceptors," law enforcers specifically hired to force petitioners to return to their hometowns and stop complaining to a higher level of government.



Defense attorney Chang said Xing had been offered the 3,000 yuan he was accused of "extorting" from the interceptors, after he complained of having no money to celebrate Chinese New Year with his family.



"This was given to him to help him out of hardship by the interceptors," Chang said. "The prosecution said that he was picking quarrels and stirring up trouble, including snatching other people's property away from them."



"We argued that the 3,000 yuan was given to him because he was in genuine hardship, and that the whole reason he went to Beijing was to complain about the head injuries he received when he was held [previously] in a detention center," Chang said. "He hadn't received any compensation for those injuries."



Chang said his client was beaten to the point of unconsciousness in August 2016, suffering blunt force trauma and a fractured skull while serving a four-and-a-half year jail term, also for "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble," after supporting another petitioner's case.



Officials had said at the time that he had tried to hang himself, but injured his head falling during the attempt.



In addition to his own case, Xing has also supported other residents of Xi county with their complaints and petitions against the authorities, including calling on the Ministry of Public Security and the ruling Chinese Communist Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) to investigate the death in custody of Xi county petitioner Feng Guohui.



Petitioners restricted



Faced with thousands of complaints about its officials every day, China has banned its citizens from taking petitions directly to the central government without first going through local authorities, who are often the parties being complained about.



From 2014, departments at higher levels of the central government began refusing to accept petitions that bypassed the local government and its immediate superiors, and have rejected petitions deemed to be the preserve of the judiciary or legislative bodies.



Beijing has repeatedly tried to stem the flood of thousands of petitioners who descend on the capital with complaints, often ahead of key political events, when petitioners hope their cases will get a more sympathetic hearing.



Petitioners say corrupt networks of power and influence at local levels ensure that a fair hearing is all but impossible, and that they are repeatedly stonewalled, detained in "black jails," beaten, and harassed by local authorities if they try to take complaints to the top.



Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.Lao police shut down a benefit concert this week held to raise funds for a local school after objecting to a slogan found on T-shirts sold at the site, Lao sources said.



The concert, held on Oct. 14 in the Kaysone district of Savannakhet province in southern Laos, had run for only 40 minutes before police closed it down and attempted to detain a concert organizer found wearing a T-shirt carrying the slogan No bribes for jobs!



Police said they saw the slogan as a challenge to the directives and policies of the state in the one-party communist country, a concert organizer named Nang wrote on her Facebook page the next day.



What is wrong with a T-shirt that says No bribes for jobs!, Nang wrote. I would like to know what government or party policies or directives this message contradicts.



The relevant officials had better explain this to me, she wrote.



Speaking to RFAs Lao Service on condition of anonymity, a Lao source said that citizens in the country have recently become very critical of government officials who require bribes to help applicants seeking state jobs.



This has become a common topic for discussion. And Ms. Nang, who is outspoken on social media, has been running a campaign against the problem by producing T-shirts with the message No bribes for jobs! he said.



Nang and Ther Una, a performer of traditional music who had headlined Sundays concert, had also embarrassed education officials by publishing videos showing the dilapidated state of the school, which was missing walls and equipment, for which they were raising funds, RFAs source said.



Also writing on Facebook on Oct. 15, Ther Una said that if police had objected to the T-shirts being sold, they should just have taken the shirts away and not closed the show.



It makes no sense that they should have shut us down because of the shirts, he said, adding that the plainclothes police who had approached them had smelled strongly of alcohol.



No permission to proceed



Also speaking to RFA, police colonel Khamphone of the Savannakhet police said however that the concert had been closed by district police for going ahead without official permission.



Even though the organizers had asked district authorities for permission to put on the show, they had no written official permission to proceed, he said.



Our team members had contacted district authorities to request permission, performer Ther Una wrote on his Facebook page, but they were unable to issue this because our request was submitted at 4:00 p.m., which was almost at the end of Friday office hours.



Corruption among high-level officials in Laos has been so widespread that it has left many ordinary citizens frustrated and impoverished, sources say.



In 2017, Laos ranked 135 out of 180 countries on corruption in the nongovernmental organization Transparency Internationals corruption perception index, which scores nations on how corrupt their public sectors are perceived to be.



Reported and translated by Ounkeo Souksavanh for RFAs Lao Service. Written in English by Richard Finney.State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi attends day two of a summit with leaders of ethnic armed groups that have signed the government's nationwide cease-fire accord, in Naypyidaw, Oct. 16, 2018.

The 10 ethnic armed groups that have signed a nationwide peace accord with the Myanmar government agreed in principle on Tuesday to extend dialogue to ethnic armies outside the cease-fire agreement and to a key military demand that they fold their militias into a single national army, participants said.

The unified army proposal and the scope of negotiations were among top issues discussed with State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi on the second day of Myanmars so-called tripartite summit to kick-start the countrys stalled peace process. The countrys military commander is the third party to the talks.

Leaders from the government, military, and ethnic armies are discussing obstacles to the advancement of peace talks that began in 2011 to end decades of civil war.

The ethnic groups want a democratic federal union in the country with constitutional guarantees for a degree of autonomy for ethnic minorities, while the national military is demanding a single federal army and the non-secession of ethnic groups from the union.

Khun Myint Htun, vice chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), said that the parties on Tuesday  day two of the five-day conference in the capital Naypyidaw  agreed to the establishment of a single army in line with international practice.

The government and military also agreed to discuss self-determination issues short of secession with groups that have signed the governments nationwide cease-fire accord (NCA) and those that have not, he said.

We especially discussed the issue of not separating from the union, Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong, vice chairman of the Chin National Front, one of the NCA signatories, told RFAs Myanmar Service. Most ethnic groups said that it is an important issue, and it needs time.

Because its a matter that concerns the entire nation, we dont want to discuss it only among the 10 cease-fire groups, so weve urged that non-cease-fire groups be consulted as well, he said, adding that the parties will try to come up with a solution after both NCA signatories and non-signatories meet by the end of November.

The good news is that the ethnic groups totally agreed to form a single army in the country, Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong said. But we need to discuss how to establish it.

Prior to the summit, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), Myanmars largest non-state army and an NCA non-signatory itself, called for all non-signatory groups to be included in the summit, but the government refused to invite them.

On Monday, military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing told the ethnic armies that they would have to pledge not leave the union before reaching a future peace deal.

Min Aung Hlaing did not attend the second days meeting because he was in Nyaung Shwe in Shan state to observe a religious ceremony and boat race, his office said. Vice Senior General Soe Win, who serves as deputy commander in chief, was present instead.

The summit is the first time that Aung San Suu Kyi and the military chief together have met the 10 NCA-signatory groups in a three-way meeting.

The state counselor is spearheading the 21st-Century Panglong Conference, a series of peace talks that began in August 2016, four months after the civilian-led National League for Democracy (NLD) came into power.

We have tried so hard

The government originally wanted to hold the Panglong Conference negotiations twice a year, but the militarys insistence on the non-secession issue in previous rounds, along with the Muslim Rohingya expulsion crisis in Rakhine state and ongoing civil wars mainly in Kachin and Shan states, have hindered the process from advancing.

We have tried so hard to maintain the talks, so that they dont collapse, Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong said about the current summit in Naypyidaw.

Some of the leaders of the 10 ethnic armies have wanted to quit the summit, but under the current circumstances, we have been able to maintain the process and will successfully end the summit, he said. That means it will have produced an opportunity to continue the peace process.

Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong denied that international pressure on Aung San Suu Kyi and Min Aung Hlaing over the handling of the crisis in Rakhine, widely seen outside Myanmar as ethnic cleansing, had played a role in moving them to attend the summit.

The ethnic armed groups have discussed [holding separate talks] at different levels since the last conference, he said, referring to the third Panglong Conference session in July.

But no decisions were made, he said. So, there was a request that top leaders sit down and discuss the issues face to face, he said. Theres a demand that top leaders themselves need to find a solution. Its not about the Rakhine crisis.

Min Ko Naing, a leader of Myanmars 88 Generation Peace and Open Society group, said that it will not be an easy task to reconcile differences of the various ethnic minority groups through discussions at the summit.

Many countries have transformed from authoritarian rule to democracy, but for us, its not only a transition to democracy, but also a transition to a federal nation with multiethnic minorities and different historic backgrounds," he said. Its not easy to reconcile them all.

You cant think only of military might, he said. You have to also think of historic strength and wisdom. All of that needs to be reconciled. In brief, our country cannot move forward to a democratic system without a federal system and vice versa. We have to make it balance out, so the outcome lies within the wisdom of the participants.

Reported by Win Ko Ko Latt, Wai Mar Tun, and Nayrein Kyaw for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Nandar Chann. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.YEREVAN -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian says he is resigning from his post in order to dissolve parliament and force early elections.

Pashinian made the announcement on national television late on October 16, saying that the early vote was needed "to return the entire power to the people."

Pashinian has pushed for early parliamentary elections by the end of this year following his bloc's landslide victory in the mayoral race in the capital, Yerevan, last month in a bid to unseat his political opponents, who have maintained a majority in parliament.

A former opposition lawmaker, Pashinian took office in May after spearheading weeks of protests that forced his predecessor, Serzh Sarkisian of the Republican Party of Armenia (HKK), to resign.

The HHK-dominated parliament yielded to the popular demand of the protesters to back Pashinians candidacy for prime minister. After being elected to the post in May, Pashinian said his government would hold early parliamentary elections within a year.

Under the Armenian Constitution, snap elections can be called only if the prime minister resigns and the parliament fails to replace him or her with someone else within two weeks.

Under the constitution, new elections then shall be held no earlier than in 30 days and no later than in 45 days -- approximately in the first half of December.

Pashinian said his government will "guarantee the free expression of the peoples will" in the general elections.

He also said that he will continue to perform his functions as prime minister until the vote is held, and expressed readiness to continue to lead the government should his political party gain a majority in the polls.

In remarks ahead of a government meeting on October 16, Pashinian said Armenia is entering "a new historical period" during which "it should complete the nonviolent velvet revolution that started in spring."

Arman Egoian, a spokesman for Pashinian, told RFE/RL on October 15 that the cabinet will hold an extraordinary session a day after Pashinian announced his resignation.The speaker of the parliament of Russia's North Caucasus region of Chechnya says the disputed Chechen-Ingush administrative boundary agreement has come into force amid continuing protests in Ingushetia against the deal.

Magomed Daudov wrote on the VKontakte social network that the agreement had come into force as of October 16, calling it "historic."

Meanwhile, in Ingushetia's capital, Magas, the mass protest that started on October 4 against the agreement continues.

The demonstrators said they had elected eight delegates who are scheduled to hold talks regarding the issue with the presidential envoy in the North Caucasus, Aleksandr Matovnikov, in the city of Pyatigorsk, later on October 16.

The protesters say the agreement on the administrative boundary signed on September 26 behind closed doors by the leaders of Chechnya and Ingushetia, Ramzan Kadyrov and Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, unfairly hands parts of Ingushetia to Chechnya.

They have called for Yevkurov's resignation and a referendum on the agreement, which officials announced was approved by the parliaments of both regions several days later.

Ingush lawmakers said later, in the wake of the protests, that they had not approved the deal.Iran has lost some customers for its oil because of looming U.S. sanctions, but high prices are making up for the lost sales, Iranian Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri has said.

While some countries have stopped buying oil from Iran, we have found new partners, he was quoted as saying by Iran's IRIB broadcaster on October 15.

America thinks Saudi Arabia can replace this oil. But right now Irans oil has reached more than $80 [per barrel], and with half the previous exports we will have the same income as before, he said.

Jahangiri said some countries that have stopped importing oil from Iran are looking for workarounds that would allow them to continue to import energy from Iran indirectly.

He said the developments show that the United States will definitely not be able to cut Irans oil exports to zero -- the goal set by U.S. officials -- when sanctions targeting the oil sector go into effect on November 5.

But Jahangiri's remarks are indirect acknowledgment that Iran's oil exports have been effectively cut in half from a peak of about 2.5 million barrels a day in April as customers fled in anticipation of the U.S. sanctions.

His comments come amid signs that Iran is scrambling to try to maintain its oil exports, which are declining so fast that the International Monetary Fund last week estimated they had already driven Iran's oil-fueled economy into recession.

News reports and Iranian government documents indicate that Iran has in some cases lowered prices and offered discounts to maintain sales as sanctions loom.

The National Iranian Oil Company announced that Tehran is resurrecting an oil exchange it used to sell oil during a last round of global sanctions four years ago, before most sanctions were lifted under Iran's 2015 nuclear deal in exchange for curbs on Iran's nuclear activities.

The oil exchange is a mechanism that attempts to sidestep the U.S. sanctions, which are being reimposed following the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal, by allowing private companies to buy the crude at auction in Tehran and then resell it privately on the open market.

The Times of Israel reported that Iran also may have reached a deal with Russia last month to take delivery of Iranian crude oil and then refine it and sell it to global buyers, in yet another possible scheme to bypass U.S. sanctions by "laundering" the oil through Russian markets.

Reuters reported on October 15 that oil tankers continued to carry Iranian oil exports to China, India, Turkey, Italy, and a few other destinations earlier this month, one month ahead of the reimposition of oil sanctions.

In the first week of October, Iran's crude exports averaged 1.1 million barrels per day, according to Refinitiv Eikon, an industry source of data on tanker traffic.

While most oil analysts have attributed the sharp rise of premium crude prices since April to over $80 a barrel at least in part to the loss of Iranian exports, the U.S. special envoy for Iran, Brian Hook, told reporters in Paris on October 15 that the market is doing fine with less Iranian oil.

"We are seeing a well-supplied and balanced oil market right now. We should focus on these fundamentals and not be distracted by the emotional and unbalanced claims coming from Tehran," he said.

With reporting by Reuters, OilPrice.com, Times of Israel, and Vanguard NewspapersA "high-profile fugitive" from Ukraine who faked his death and lived a "lavish lifestyle" in France has been arrested, the European Union law enforcement agency Europol says.

Three sources told RFE/RL on October 16 that the man arrested in France is Dmytro Malynovskyy, an Odesa businessman who reports say has been wanted by police in Ukraine since 2015 on suspicion of large-scale fraud and forgery in a case involving Defense Ministry property in the Black Sea port city.

The sources -- a senior Ukrainian official, a Ukrainian diplomat based in the European Union, and a senior official in the EU -- spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian prosecutors announced they had sent an extradition request to the French authorities for a 36-year-old Ukrainian citizen accused of fraud.

Europol said that the man, whose name it did not release, was detained near the eastern city of Dijon earlier this month, together with three alleged accomplices.

More than 4.6 million euros ($5.3 million) in assets, including "a castle, a vintage Rolls Royce Phantom, and 3 works of art by Salvador Dali," were seized in the October 5 raid, a press release said.

It said the man was thought to be behind "a complex case of international fraud and money laundering."

Europol said that the French authorities launched in January an investigation into alleged suspicious transactions surrounding the purchase of a 3 million-euro ($3.5 million) castle in the Burgundy region by a Luxembourg-based company.

It was later established that the ultimate beneficial owner was wanted in Ukraine for alleged "corruption at a large scale" who managed to evade justice by producing "forged death certificates," Europol said.

One of the Ukrainian sources who confirmed Malynovskyy was the person arrested recalled how Malynovskyy had approached him in person in 2016.



"He came to me when I was in Strasbourg, asking for assistance in fighting for justice," the source told RFE/RL, adding that Malynovskyy had bragged to him about buying "a castle in Burgundy, knowing I like wine from the region."

Electoral records show that Malynovskyy ran for Odesa city council in 2006 on the ticket of the Party of Regions, whose leader Viktor Yanukovych became president in 2010 and fled to Russia when he was pushed from power by pro-EU protests in 2014.An individual who claimed to have links to the Islamic State extremist group threatened to attack the Iranian Embassy in Ankara, Tehran's envoy in Turkey said on October 15.

"The suicide attack against the embassy was only a threat," Ambassador Mohammad Ebrahim Taherian Fard said. "Nothing significant has happened and things are under control."

"The threat was made by someone who introduced himself as linked to Daesh," Iranian state news agency IRNA quoted Fard as saying.

Turkish media said Fard had been evacuated from the embassy, but the ambassador and Tehran denied that.

"Such a claim is a sheer lie. The personnel at our embassy are present at their workplace in full health and security," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website.

DHA news agency said Iran's mission in the Turkish capital had been given an intelligence warning about a possible suicide bomb attack.

The road by the embassy was shut off and police could be seen searching cars in the area.

Fard said Turkish police "intensified security measures" around Tehran's mission in Ankara in response to the threat.

In 2015 and 2016, Turkey was hit by a series of terror attacks that were blamed on both IS and Kurdish militants.

The last attack blamed on IS was in January 2017, when a gunman killed 39 people at an elite Istanbul nightclub during New Year celebrations.

Since then, Turkish police have conducted regular raids across the country against suspected IS militants.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has called on Pakistan to tackle suspected militants who kidnapped 14 members of Iranian security forces on October 16 on their shared border.

"We expect Pakistan to confront these terrorist groups that are supported by some regional states and immediately release the kidnapped Iranian forces," the IRGC said in a statement carried on state television.

Two of those abducted were members of the elite IRGC intelligence unit, according to media reports. The rest reportedly included seven volunteers in the Basij militia, as well as regular Iranian border guards.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry later said in a statement that the Pakistani and Iranian militaries were "working to ascertain the whereabouts of Iranian guards," adding that "no effort will be spared" to assist Iran in finding the abducted.

Iranian state media earlier reported that 14 border guards, including IRGC intelligence officers, were kidnapped on the southeastern border with Pakistan.

The official IRNA news agency said the border guards were "abducted between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. in the Lulakdan area of the border by a terrorist group."

Lulakdan is located 150 kilometers southeast of Zahedan, capital of the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan.

The reports did not name a specific group as a suspect in the abduction.

The area has seen occasional clashes between Iranian forces and Baluch separatists, as well as drug traffickers.

In September, militants disguised as soldiers opened fire on a military parade in Iran's oil-rich southwest, killing 24 people and wounding more than 60.

With reporting by Reuters and AFPBRUSSELS  Italy will propose that the European Union revive funding for small- and medium-sized private businesses in Russia when EU leaders meet in Brussels this week, several sources have told RFE/RL.

Italys Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has indicated that he will suggest at an EU leaders meeting on October 18 that the bloc allow the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to fund small- and medium-sized enterprises in Russia as they did before sanctions were imposed in 2014.

RFE/RL's sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that while the proposal is unlikely to be approved at the summit this week, it might eventually be adopted at a summit meeting in December when EU leaders are due to vote on extending the EU's sanctions on Russia.

After Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and started backing separatists fighting the government in eastern Ukraine, the European Union imposed economic sanctions, which have been augmented and repeatedly extended since then.

The EU, meanwhile, asked the EIB to stop new financing operations in Russia and the EBRD suspended EU-Russia bilateral and regional cooperation programs. although its projects dealing exclusively with civil society were maintained.

Italy's proposal is that the two European banks be allowed to resume funding for small, private Russian companies, apparently because they are less likely to have close ties with the Kremlin than big, state-run enterprises.

At the next EU summit on December 13, leaders are expected to vote on prolonging economic sanctions on Russia for another six months, and RFE/RL's sources said Italy might offer its small-business funding proposal as a condition for getting Romes support for the sanctions rollover.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius, in an interview with RFE/RL, said he is "skeptical" of the Italian proposal and said loosening the sanctions at this time would be "bad timing" and would send "a very wrong message" to Russia because no progress has been made to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine -- a prerequisite the EU laid down for lifting the sanctions.

But Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, on the sidelines of an EU meeting in Brussels on October 15, decried the EU's "tough" stance toward Russia on sanctions and said he was open to proposals to rebuild relations with Moscow.

"If you look at the current global developments, it is obvious that it would be [in] our interest to rebuild a pragmatic, normal cooperation between Europe and Russia, based on common sense, based on mutual trust, and based on the respect toward international law," he said.

"I really believe that we should look for instruments and policies to be applied with putting this into consideration," Szijjarto said.

Italy's move to reach out to smaller Russian businesses comes as Reuters reported that Italy is resisting an EU push to impose sanctions on states that carry out cyberattacks.

Citing anonymous diplomats, Reuters said the new cybersanctions plan is meant to strengthen EU defenses and deterrence against Russian cyberattacks, which have been at the center of recent allegations of election-meddling in various Western states.

A confidential EU document seen by Reuters said that the cyberattack sanctions plan has broad support among EU states, except for Italy.

Rome has long said that existing EU sanctions are damaging to Italian firms trading with Russia. Its calls for deescalating tensions with Moscow have grown louder since a new, antiestablishment government took office in Italy in June.

Matteo Salvini, leader of Italy's far-right League, which is part of Rome's ruling coalition, is an admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has rejected allegations of Russian meddling in Western elections.

With reporting by Reuters and AFPUkraine says one of its soldiers has been killed and three wounded as a result of clashes with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

The Defense Ministry said on October 16 that separatist fighters violated a cease-fire 37 times during the previous 24 hours by firing machine guns, grenade launchers, and mortars.

It said Ukrainian government forces killed two separatists and wounded six.

The Russia-backed separatists said Ukrainian government forces violated the cease-fire 33 times, using the same type of weapons.

Since April 2014, more than 10,300 people have been killed in fighting between Kyiv's forces and the separatists who control parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Cease-fire deals announced as part of the Minsk accords -- September 2014 and February 2015 pacts aimed at resolving the conflict -- have failed to hold.

With reporting by Interfax and TASSMilitants in Syria's Idlib Province failed to meet an October 15 deadline for vacating a buffer zone created under a Russian-Turkish cease-fire deal, prompting a threat from the Syrian government to resume its military campaign.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said Syrian forces are ready to resume their fight to "eradicate" militants who remain in Idlib, but he said Syria would give Russia time to determine whether they complied with the deal.

The deal between Turkey and Russia, which averted what was widely expected to be a bloody battle in the last remaining Syrian rebel-held stronghold last month, set up a buffer zone about 20 kilometers long which was to be evacuated of all heavy weapons and Islamist extremists by midnight on October 14.

Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, said on October 15 that the militants largely failed to comply with the agreement.

"We did not document the withdrawal of any jihadist fighters from the entire demilitarized zone," he said.

Moualem said at a press conference in Damascus that it is now up to Russia to judge whether the agreement has been fulfilled, and that may take time.

"We have to wait for the Russian reaction. Russia is monitoring and following the situation," he said.

"Our armed forces are ready around Idlib to eradicate terrorism if the Idlib agreement is not implemented," he said

"Idlib, as any other province, has to return to Syrian sovereignty. We prefer to have it through peaceful means, through reconciliation, but if not, there [are] other options."

Russian officials have hinted they could accept a brief delay in carrying out the agreement if it meant the spirit of the deal was still upheld.

Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist alliance led by Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate, on October 14 issued a statement lauding the cease-fire deal but pledging to continue its fight against the government.

"We value the efforts of all those striving -- at home and abroad -- to protect the liberated area and prevent its invasion and the perpetration of massacres in it," but "we have not abandoned our choice of jihad and fighting towards implementing our blessed revolution," the group said.

Tahrir al-Sham and other, more extreme Islamist groups hold over two-thirds of the buffer area, and over half of the rest of Idlib.

Idlib's other main rebel faction, a Turkish-aligned alliance of groups known as the National Liberation Front, has repeatedly expressed its support for the agreement.

Moualem said the government's next target after recovering Idlib from rebels would be the area east of the Euphrates -- territory that is currently held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which are allies of the United States.

Kurdish leaders reportedly have traveled to Damascus to negotiate with the government over the future of the area they liberated last year from the Islamic State extremist group and where they have started to institute a system of self-rule with encouragement and protection from U.S. forces.

But Moualem suggested those negotiations have not produced any accord and said the Kurdish-held area remains fair game for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces -- even if that means clashing with U.S. troops in the area.

His statement came as Syria reopened two key border crossings with Israel and Jordan on October 15 that had been closed for years during Syria's seven-year civil war, which has killed over 400,000 people and displaced millions more.

The opening of the Nassib and Quneitra crossings are a major boost for Assad, showing that he is slowly reasserting control over much of Syria's territory.

The Nassib crossing with Jordan is a gateway to the oil-rich Gulf nations and an important commercial artery that had been closed since 2015, when rebels seized control of it.

The Syrian Army recaptured it in July, as it made gains across the country with the help of Russian and Iranian forces.

With reporting by AP, AFP, dpa, and ReutersThe United States has slapped sanctions on a network of businesses that provide financial support to an Iranian paramilitary force that Washington says recruits and trains child soldiers for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

The new sanctions, announced on October 16, are part of the United States' economic campaign to pressure Iran over what President Donald Trump's administration describes as its "malign" role in the Middle East, including support for militant groups.

In announcing the sanctions, the Treasury Department said in a statement that a network of some 20 corporations and financial institutions known as the Bonyad Taavon Basij was financing the Basij force, a volunteer paramilitary organization linked to the IRGC.

"This vast network provides financial infrastructure to the Basij's efforts to recruit, train, and indoctrinate child soldiers who are coerced into combat under the IRGC's direction," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.

The Basij is involved in violent crackdowns and serious human rights abuses within Iran, the statement said.

The militia also recruits and trains fighters for the IRGC's elite Quds Force, including Iranian children as young as 12, who then deploy to Syria to support the government of President Bashar al-Assad, it added.

The New York-based organization Human Rights Watch has documented how the IRGC has recruited Afghan immigrant children living in Iran to fight in Syria alongside Assad's forces.

Tehran has given Assad crucial support throughout the war in Syria, which began with a government crackdown on protesters in March 2011.

The Treasury said that the Bonyad Taavon Basij uses shell companies to mask its control over multibillion-dollar business interests in Iran's automotive, mining, metals, and banking industries.

It sanctioned Bank Mellat, Mehr Eqtesad Bank, Mehr Eqtesad Iranian Investment Co., and five other investment firms, as well as other entities affiliated with the network.

These include Iran Tractor Manufacturing Co., the Middle East's largest tractor manufacturer, and Mobarakeh Steel Co., the largest steelmaker in the Middle East and North Africa region, it said.

The sanctions prohibit U.S. citizens from doing business with the network or its affiliates and freeze assets they have under U.S. jurisdiction.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, dpa, and APU.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has held talks in Saudi Arabia with King Salman over the disappearance and alleged killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

President Donald Trump dispatched Pompeo to Riyadh after he spoke with the Saudi king about the disappearance of Khashoggi, who wrote critically of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.

Khashoggi disappeared while visiting the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago.

Pompeo thanked King Salman for his "commitment to a thorough, transparent investigation of Khashoggi's disappearance," the State Department said it a statement.

Pompeo also met Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, before holding talks with the crown prince. "We are strong and old allies, and we face our challenges together," Prince Muhammad told Pompeo during the meeting.

Meanwhile, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said police had searched for "toxic materials" at the Saudi Consulate. Investigators were expected to search the consulate again on October 16.

"Many things are being looked into, including toxic materials and these [materials] being removed by painting them over," Turkish media quoted Erdogan as saying.

UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet on October 16 said in a statement the immunity that diplomatic premises enjoy should be lifted immediately in the Khashoggi case.

"Immunity should not be used to impede investigations into what happened and who is responsible."

"Given there seems to be clear evidence that Mr. Khashoggi entered the consulate and has never been seen since, the onus is on the Saudi authorities to reveal what happened to him from that point onwards."

Pompeo will stop in Turkey after his trip to Saudi Arabia.

Trump had said Saudi Arabia would face "severe punishment" if it was involved in the disappearance and suspected killing of Khashoggi.

Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and ReutersRussian President Vladimir Putin will attend a ceremony in Paris next month marking 100 years since the armistice ending World War I, the Kremlin says.

"On November 11 we are planning to fly to Paris. We will take part in the ceremony on the Champs Elysees," Putin's foreign-policy aide, Yury Ushakov, said on October 16.

The ceremony will be attended by other heads of state, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who has confirmed his attendance at the event.

Asked whether the Russian and U.S. presidents could hold talks in the French capital, Ushakov told journalists that there had been no discussion about a possible encounter.

He said Putin will go to a working breakfast organized by French President Emmanuel Macron and later lay flowers at a monument to Russian soldiers in Paris.

Ushakov also confirmed that U.S. national security adviser John Bolton will be in Moscow at the start of next week for talks with Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev.

Relations between Moscow and the West have deteriorated to a post-Cold War low over issues including Russia's seizure of Crimea in March 2014, its role in wars in Syria and eastern Ukraine, its alleged election meddling in the United States and Europe, and the poisoning of a Russian double agent and his daughter in Britain in March.

Trump's July meeting with Putin in Helsinki failed to turn relations around, with the U.S. administration continuing to impose new sanctions against Russia.

Bolton met with Patrushev in Geneva in August, and warned his Russian counterpart that the United States "wouldn't tolerate meddling" in upcoming elections.

Based on reporting by AFP and APWhen the Russian Constitution was approved in late 1993, the fledgling country's parliament building-- now known as the White House-- was blackened and charred, the result of an all-out military assault ordered by President Boris Yeltsin to quell an uprising by a group of lawmakers.

Yeltsin won that fight, pushed through a new constitution, liberalized Russian society, and went on to preside over seven more years of economic chaos, war, and, to many Russians, humiliation at the hands of the West.

Fast-forward 25 years, and Russia is a different place, under a different president, Vladimir Putin, who has brought to heel the media, much of civil society, and most political opposition, and rules virtually unchallenged, bolstered by a robust security apparatus.

Different times require different rules, which is what Valery Zorkin, the chairman of the Constitutional Court, floated last week in an opinion piece in the official government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta.

Heavy with philosophical musings, the more-than-4,000-word article, which grabbed attention from close watchers of Kremlin politics and focused attention on whether Putin was up to something, suggested that the constitution needed to evolve as Russian society evolves.

"Of course, our constitution has shortcomings," Zorkin wrote. "These include the lack of an adequate balance in the system of checks and balances; bias in favor of the executive branch of government; the lack of clarity in the distribution of powers between the president and the government."

He also referenced a concept that 19th-century Russian Slavophile thinkers used to try to push back Western ideals: "sobornost," which translates loosely as communalism or national unity.

"We need a legal theory that synthesizes, within the framework of the concept of law, the ideas of individual freedom and social solidarity. Such an approach to legal thinking is most relevant to the mentality of the Russian people, their legal and moral consciousness," Zorkin wrote.

For some Russian observers, the references to 19th-century history echoed recent philosophical trends in Russian politics, like those of ultranationalist ideologue Aleksandr Dugin, or Putin, whose public statements have selectively referenced both Russian imperial and Soviet history.

But for analysts like Kirill Martynov, a political columnist at the opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta, Zorkin's suggestion of constitutional changes was more ominous: a sign that some Kremlin officials are actively toying with the idea of changing the law to possibly prolong Putin's tenure in office beyond 2024, when his current term ends.

"Why did he start talking about the benefits of adjusting the basic law right now? Is it really only because of the date of the anniversary" of the constitution's signing? Martynov wrote in a column on October 11.

Why Now?

Putin has served as Russia's preeminent leader since 1999, and his popularity remains high, despite the pointed opposition from many Russians to recent changes to the country's pension system.

For the moment, there appear to be no real rivals to Putin, with the Kremlin having pushed opponents to the margins. Nor are there are any obvious successors. Given the current prohibition on him serving a fourth term in office, Putin's most ardent supporters have openly discussed how to keep him in power, a discussion that predated the March election.

The constitution can be modified using simple legislation, but, at least officially, amending the section of the constitution that would allow Putin to remain in office beyond 2024 requires that a constitutional convention, or assembly, be convened, according to Will Pomeranz, author of a forthcoming book on Russian law.

That has never happened, Pomeranz says. Moreover, no law laying out how that is supposed to happen currently exists.

"The bottom line is that if Putin wants to rule beyond 2024, he will need to amend the constitution," says Pomeranz, who is the deputy director of the Wilson Center's Kennan Institute in Washington, D.C. "Such a decision does not need to be made now; it can take place in 2020-21 [or later]. So while Zorkin may be laying some groundwork, the crucial decision will be Putin's, and whether he wants to rule beyond 2024."

The constitution was changed only once before -- in 2008 -- when Dmitry Medvedev, just months after succeeding Putin as president, pushed through an amendment that extended the presidential term limits from four to six years. The change was passed by the national parliament, and all of the country's 83 regional legislatures, in just 50 days.

But many experts saw the move as a legal sleight-of-hand by the Kremlin that violated the constitution itself.

Is Putin Russia?

Gordon Smith, a scholar of Russian constitutional law at the University of South Carolina, says Zorkin's use of the word sobornost -- which also has religious connotations -- seemed to be aimed at the notion of a collective Russian mind that would potentially be superior to Western notions of individuals rights and liberties.

"Who's to say what that is? Is it the state? Is it the church?" says Smith, who helped advise several Russian legal scholars who helped draft the constitution in 1993. "Is it creating a platform for legitimizing the continuation of the Putin presidency? Who embodies the sobornost? You could argue that it is embodied by Putin."

"That may be a stretch, and a reflection of Western cynicism and doubts about Russian politics," he adds, "but then again maybe I'm naive."

One passage in Zorkin's article mentions "the rights of certain minorities" -- which he argues appears to be a veiled reference to Russian gays and lesbians seeking legal rights, similar to what has happened in the United States and Europe.

That same passage also makes reference to unnamed outside entities imposing rights on Russian society, a reflection, Smith says, of Moscow's impatience with organizations like the Council of Europe or the European Court of Human Rights.

Asked by RFE/RL's Russian Service whether there was a move to amend the document, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov brushed aside the question.

"There is no such work going on in the presidential administration," Peskov said. "We take [Zorkin's article] as an expert, and personal, point of view."

With reporting by Valentin Baryshnikov of RFE/RL's Russian ServiceUkrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, who ended his nearly five-month hunger strike in a Russian prison earlier this month, may not survive because of damage to his health, his cousin says.

"Almost all his organs are severely affected," including liver, heart, and brain, Natalya Kaplan told journalists in Kyiv on October 16.

"The end of the hunger strike is a serious procedure, no one can say now whether Oleh will survive," she added.

Russian authorities have not commented publicly on Kaplan's statement.

Sentsov, a Crimean native who opposed Russia's 2014 takeover of the Ukrainian peninsula, is serving a 20-year prison term in Russia's far northern Yamalo-Nenets region.

He was convicted of terrorism in a trial that he, human rights groups, and Western governments contend was politically motivated.

The filmmaker started a hunger strike on May 14, demanding that Russia release 64 Ukrainians whom he considers political prisoners in Russia.

He ended his protest action on October 6, saying he had to do so to avoid being force-fed by the prison authorities.

At the end of his hunger strike, during which he was kept alive with nutrients administered via a drip, Sentsov had lost 20 kilograms.

Kaplan said her cousin was being treated in an intensive-care unit in the Yamalo-Nenets region.

"Unfortunately, his recent letters are quite pessimistic. He wrote a testament in which he asks not to abandon his children," she also said.

Sentsov has said he was against being transferred to an intensive-care unit.

Based on reporting by AFP, 24 Kanal, and RBK-UkrainaDozens of Afghan police officers have been killed in two attacks claimed by the Taliban in north and central Afghanistan, just days before parliamentary elections that the militants have threatened to disrupt.

A militant assault on security outposts in the northern Samangan region on October 16 killed several police officers, including a deputy provincial police chief, provincial Governor Abdul Latif Ibrahimi said.

Taliban fighters attacked and overran several checkpoints overnight in the district of Dari Suf, including the provincial head of police intelligence, provincial council members Sefatullah Samangani and Mohammad Pazir Baseej said.

Ibrahimi said seven police officers were killed and another five were wounded in the attack. He said the attackers made away with two armored personnel carriers, a police vehicle and an ambulance.

Samangani and Baseej said the number of the dead could be as high as 20.

Several members of the security forces fled following the intense fighting and it was not known where they were, the officials said.

In the central province of Daikundi, hundreds of militants equipped with heavy weapons attacked checkpoints in the Kajran district.

Eight Afghan soldiers and five police were killed in the hours-long battle, Ali Akbar Nateqi, the provincial governor's spokesman said.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for both attacks, claiming that 30 police officers were killed in Samangan and 19 were killed in Daikundi, with large quantities of weapons and equipment and captured.

The attacks did not appear to have a direct link with elections on October 20.

But they highlighted the strength of the Taliban, who controls large parts of the country and has stepped up attacks on Afghan security forces and government facilities in recent months.

On October 14, the Taliban attacked an army base in western Afghanistan, killing 17 Afghan soldiers. They also overran two checkpoints near the base, seizing weapons and ammunition.

With reporting by dpa and APRussia's culture minister is no stranger to controversy.

Known for public statements that often veer toward the hyper-patriotic, Vladimir Medinsky has frequently found himself at the center of debates over artistic expression, as well as Russian cultural history. He's helped lead the charge against art that, in the eyes of conservative activists, touches on so-called "gay propaganda." He's wondered aloud if the online streaming service Netflix was a U.S. government plot to take over the world's television sets.

Medinsky added further to his notoriety with this pronouncement on October 16:

Rap is Russian.

And Soviet-era poet Vladimir Mayakovsky was the first rapper.

At the Valdai Discussion Club -- a Kremlin-organized, invitation-only annual meeting of Russian and foreign experts held in the Black Sea resort of Sochi -- Medinsky joined a panel of Russian culture figures to discuss the subject of Russia's "national identity in a changing world."

He argued that whereas Russia did not invent ballet as an art form, it is now very much a Russian art. Same with rap.

"It's bothered me for some time now, I wanted to say, it infuriates me: this fascination of modern urban youth with rap, but when I try to dig into this business more closely, I'll chat with my son, listen to what he's listening to, and read, and I get the feeling that soon we'll be saying that rap is Russian art," Medinsky was quoted by Russian news agencies are saying. "Of course, it was born somewhere in America, but its flourishing occurred with us, of course."

Medinsky also said he told his son that Mayakovsky -- whose avant-garde poetry in the 1910s and 1920s made him a darling of the new Bolshevik leaders of the Soviet Union -- was in fact the first rapper.

"And now he's going around in class telling everyone that. And they're reading Mayakovsky and they all agree," he said.

It wasn't immediately clear how Medinsky's comments were received at Valdai.

Controversial Figure

Since his appointment in 2012, Medinsky has become a polarizing figure, lauded by social conservatives and often mocked in liberal artistic circles.

In 2016, he accused the United States of expropriating the legacy of celebrated Russian pianist and composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, who fled Russia after the 1917 revolution and was buried in the United States in 1940.

The following year, his academic credentials were questioned after an academic council called for stripping him of his doctoral degree. Also that same year, he suggested in an interview that Netflix -- whose political drama House Of Cards is reportedly a Kremlin favorite -- was a secret U.S. mind-control plot.

In July 2017, Russian news reports linked Medinsky to a decision by the famed Bolshoi Theater to cancel a highly anticipated biographical show about legendary Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev.

The show highlighted Nureyev's sexuality -- he was gay, a fact that was an open secret but was almost never publicly discussed during his lifetime -- and close observers of Russian cultural trends linked the decision to the 2013 law that criminalizes "gay propaganda."

The director of the show, Kirill Serebrennikov, had repeatedly clashed with government cultural figures, and participating in antigovernment protests, denounced what he saw as state censorship efforts. Serebrennikov was later arrested, accused of embezzlement related to a film studio, and placed under house arrest.

In January, meanwhile, the Culture Ministry banned the English-language black-humor film The Death Of Stalin from Russian theaters, after conservative figures, and a major Russian tabloid, called it insulting to Soviet war heroes.

Medinsky has also criticized renowned filmmakers like Andrei Zvyagintsev, whose Oscar-nominated film Leviathan painted a bleak portrayal of life in Russia.

But he's also defended other controversial films like, Matilda, a movie describing the love story of last Russian Tsar Nicholas II and a ballet dancer. The film was deemed offensive by Orthodox religious believers, many of whom consider Nicholas to be a saint.

Rap, and hip hop, are thriving musical genres in Russia, with stars like Oxxxymiron, Timati, Noize MC, and Basta all regularly topping Russian music playlists and selling out venues around the country.

"Rap battles" are also hugely popular, and one that pitted Oxxxymiron against another artist named Gnoyny and took place in August 2017 drew 37 million views to its YouTube clip. (The face-off also drew a denunciation from a conservative lawmaker, who called it "moral squalor.")A two-man Russian-American crew has returned to Earth in their Soyuz capsule in an emergency landing following a problem with the booster rocket shortly after a launch bound for the International Space Station.A two-seat Ukrainian fighter jet has crashed during a joint exercise with NATO air forces, killing both the pilot and co-pilot, Ukraine's military says.

"A Sukhoi-27 plane crashed at around 5 p.m. local time during a training flight," the Armed Forces General Staff said in a statement on October 16, adding that "the bodies of the two pilots have been found."

The circumstances of the crash -- which occurred in the Khmelnytskyy region, around 180 kilometers southwest of Kyiv -- have yet to be clarified, it added.

The U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa said that it was aware of "reports claiming a U.S. casualty."



A statement said it "can confirm a U.S. service member was involved in this incident," but stopped short of confirming the American's death.



Personnel from the United States and seven other NATO member states are taking part in the Clear Sky drills, which run until October 21.



Members of a California Air National Guard unit are among the participants.

Based on reporting by AP and AFPPassenger bus headed for Veracruz collides with two cars killing 1, injuring 15

Puebla  A crash between a passenger bus and two vehicles has left one dead and 15 injured. The accident occurred at kilometer 37 along the Puebla-Orizaba highway. The Ministry of Public Security of Puebla reported that the injured were transferred to hospital for urgent care.

The Secretary of Public Safety of the state reported that on Sunday, there was a car accident between an ADO passenger bus and two vehicles that left one person dead and 15 injured.

Photo: Seguridad Publica Puebla

The state agency explained that firemen and ambulances arrived to extinguish flames and transfer the injured to hospital.

Preliminary reports say that an ADO bus heading for Veracruz collided with two private vehicles. The impact of the collisions caused all three vehicles to burst into flames.

Photo: Seguridad Publica Puebla

Elements of the State Police cordoned off the area in both directions so that Puebla firefighters were able to put out the fires. The government of Puebla also provided two helicopters that landed in the area to transfer the injured to hospital.Viva Aerobus announces new direct Cancun, Cuba flights

Cancun, Q.R.  Viva Aerobus announces a new direct route that will join Cancun and Camaguey, Cuba twice per week.

Viva Aerobus strengthens its air connectivity between Mexico and Cuba with a new offer of charter flights in partnership with tour operators and travel agencies.

The new service will cover the Cancun-Camaguey route and will start operations on winter high season on December 1st. The company will begin to offer two weekly flights that will be available Tuesdays and Saturdays.

We continue to expand our offer in a diversified manner to serve all types of passengers. We arrived in Cuba to strengthen its accessibility with more flight options as one of the youngest fleets in the world, said Juan Carlos Zuazua, Managing Director of Viva Aerobus.

With these new flights, the airline strengthens its presence in Cancun, one of its five operating bases in Mexico.

Now, Viva Aerobus will have 21 routes from Cubas largest city of Camaguey. The new route will accommodate travelers from other cities around Mexico interested in visiting the tourist sites of central and eastern Cuba such as Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo, Holguin, Guardalavaca, Santa Lucia and Santiago de Cuba.

Juan Carlos Zuazua says that the company has increased its number of seats to and from Cancun by 16 percent during the first eight months of this year, adding that they have also seen a rise in Cuban passengers into Cancun.

This is the result of commitment to one of the main tourist destinations in Mexico, being an important entrance to the country internationally. This announcement represents another step forward in the expansion strategy of Viva Aerobus, which aims to meet the needs of all types of passengers with a quality service and confidence at the best price, he explained.

This year alone, he says the company has announced 18 new flights and will have inaugurated 23 routes by the end of the year.THE OWNER of a company which made the bed in which a baby died has gone on trial accussed of gross negligence manslaughter.

Craig Williams, of Park View Road, Kimberworth, appeared at Leeds Crown Court yesterday over the death of seven-month-old Oscar Abbey in York in November 2016.

Williams, the then-owner of Sheffield-based Playtime Beds, denies manslaughter and fraud.

The court heard little Oscar died after choking and that the bed had been designed and constructed without any care or thought for the safety of the child who was sleeping in it.

As well as owning Playtime, Williams was also its bed designer, the jury heard.

The fraud relates to the company continuing to trade after Oscar's death.

Williams reportedly falsely claimed his beds complied with British Standards and had "no knowledge what had happened to a company called Playtime Beds."

The trial continues.



Come to the Pioneer Museum in Watford City, ND for a Halloween Open House from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. There will be hot drinks and samples of the Dakota Pride Products that are for sale in the gift shop. Guitarist Lane Sandstrom will be there providing easy listening for the guests. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a Charles Bannon panel discussing the stories of their ancestors that were told to them regarding the Last Lynching in North Dakota. The guests are encouraged to come dressed in fun costumes.

You will also be able to start early Christmas shopping in the unique gift shop. Choose from custom made products from local artisans, photographs taken by local photographers, books, toys and clothing galore!McKenzie County, ND - The Community Foundation Fund is giving out over $5,400 in grants to local organizations. Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, government agencies.Groups without such designation may enlist a fiscal sponsor.

Apply ONLINE only at http://www.NDCF.net/McKenzieCounty tab Apply for Grant. Applications are due by Nov 10th. The local advisory committee will discuss the applications and determine grant awards in November.

The McKenzie County Community Foundation was established to fund priority needs of the community that would not otherwise be funded, or did not have complete funding. Areas it can benefit are parks and rec, youth services, social services, emergency services, or healthcare. Earnings from the fund are given annually. Please email questions or to get more information at [email protected] and one of the local committee members will respond. Or with general questions about NDCF email John Heinen at [email protected]

Currently we cannot fund all of our annual requests. If you are an individual, social service group, or Company, your gift combined with others will allow us to make a bigger impact in our community. Gifts are welcomed and accepted at any time of year. This is a qualified endowment fund and certain donations will qualify for a 40% state income tax credit for those in or out of state filing in North Dakota. For more information about the services of NDCF, contact John our NDCF regional support person at [email protected]Maneka Gandhi

PTI, New Delhi (16th Oct'18): The Law Ministry has endorsed a proposal of the Women and Child Development Ministry to remove the time limit for reporting child sexual abuse, WCD Minister Maneka Gandhi said Tuesday. Maneka Gandhi had, on October 3, written to Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asking him to remove the time limit for reporting child sexual abuse and allow people to complain even "10-15 years later". She told reporters that the Law Ministry has agreed to their proposal and endorses removal of time limit for reporting such crimes. The further course would be soon decided, a senior WCD official said.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

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Under Section 468 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), any offence, including child abuse, which can lead to a prison term of three years has to be reported within three years of the incident. According to Section 473 of the CrPC, a court may take cognisance of an older case if it is in the "interest of justice" or if the "delay has been properly explained". However, victims of child sexual abuse often face problems in registering an FIR once they are 18 years of age or more. In her letter, Maneka Gandhi had urged the Law Minister that people should be allowed to lodge their complaint even "10-15 years later".

Law Ministry endorses removal of time limit to report child sexual abuse

"It doesn't matter how much later. If you're going to complain, the avenue is open," she had earlier said. "We are of the view that cases of child sexual abuse can be reported by the victim at any time and law enforcement agencies would be required to take appropriate actions on the complaint of such victim," she said in the letter. Many children, the minister said, are unable to report such crimes as the perpetrator in most cases is either a family member, a relative or a closely known person. "Studies have also shown that the child continues to carry the trauma of sexual abuse till very late in life," Maneka Gandhi wrote to Prasad. She had earlier proposed that child sexual abuse victims be allowed to register complaints until they are 30.Capt Amarinder Orders Special Task Force

Spokesman News Service, Chandigarh, 16th Oct'18: In a major initiative to clean up the drain, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ordered the constitution of a Special Task Force to free the Budha Nallah of polluting effluents in mission mode. The task force, with Baba Udai Singh of Naamdhari Sect as its patron, will submit its report to the Chief Minister within two months, according to an official spokesperson. Baba Udai Singh, who met the Chief Minister last evening, had accepted the request to act as the patron, said the spokesperson.

The Chief Minister has directed the Chief Secretary to constitute the task force, consisting of elected representatives, technocrats and public figures. The task force has been mandated to study and suggest measures to address issues of treating industrial effluents, solid waste management, besides ways to proactively engage with the public at large in this cause. The Chief Minister has also asked the Local Government department to submit a proposal to enhance the existing capacity of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) from the current 516 MLDs to 675 MLDs, besides augmenting the treatment facilities for industrial effluents.

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Captain Amarinder Singh further directed both the Local Bodies and Industries departments to expeditiously complete all the ongoing works being carried out to flush out toxic substances from the Buddha Nallah. He also asked the Principal Secretary Water Resources to draw up a detailed plan for a lasting remedy for channeling and beautification of the 14 KMs of length of the Nallah, which flows through the city. Captain Amarinder Singh issued these directives during a meeting with Baba Udai Singh.

Underlining the need to find a lasting solution to the long-standing problem, the Chief Minister said it was time to proactively engage industry representatives and public to complement the government's efforts in providing safe and healthier drinking water to all. The health of the city residents was of paramount concern for the government, he said, adding that the effluents being thrown into the nallah were also adversely impacting the quality of sub-soil water in the region.

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Taking part in the deliberations, Baba Udai Singh pledged his full support and cooperation in the government's endeavors towards this noble cause. The Chief Minister assured him of all assistance in accomplishing this gigantic task in a time-bound manner. Principal Secretary Water Resources informed the meeting that at present close to 700 MLDs water was flowing in the Nallah, of which 80% was coming from municipal sewerage with industries contributing around 15%.

Prominent among others who attended the meeting were Environment Minister O P Soni, Revenue Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Media Advisor to CM Raveen Thukral, Member Parliament Ludhiana Ravneet Singh Bittu, MLA Navtej Singh Cheema, Chief Principal Secretary to CM Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary to CM Tejveer Singh and Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana Pradeep Aggarwal.Cooperation Minister Meeting

Spokesman News Service, Chandigarh, 16th Oct'18: A new modernised sugar mill project at the cooperative sugar mill, Bhogpur would commence by the 31stof March, 2019 having 3000 T.C.D. and 15 Megawatt (MW) as the unique features. This was disclosed here today by the Cooperation Minister, Punjab, S. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa during a review meeting at Punjab Bhawan concerning the project with all the stakeholders including the higher officials of SUGARFED, Cooperative sugar mill Bhogpur and the Uttam Energy company.

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S. Randhawa further said that the oldest cooperative sugar mill of the cooperative sector in Punjab, bhogpur mill having the capacity of 1016 TCD would see the setting up of a new sugar plant of 3000 TCD capacity and would also produce 15 MW power. Out of this, about 8.5 MW would be sold to the Punjab State Power Corporation. The meeting thoroughly debated every aspect of the technical as well as the financial nature with regard to the project. The minister also said that prompt action within 1 week has been ordered pertaining to the decisions taken during todays meeting.

The Cooperation Minister further added that the Punjab Government is fully committed to the welfare of farmers and it is in keeping with the long pending demand of the sugarcane farmers of the doaba region that a new modernised sugar mill is coming up at bhogpur. He also directed the officers present and the Managing Director of the company engaged in the project to ensure completion of the project in all respects by the 31st of March, 2019. The minister also assured to provide every assistance from the governments end with regard to the project.

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S. Randhawa also disclosed that keeping in mind the interests of the sugarcane farmers hailing from the Gurdaspur and Batala regions, ultra modern sugar plants would be set up at Gurdaspur and Batala which would also produce ethanol and power alongside sugar. Among those also present at the meeting included Registrar, Cooperative Societies Mr. Vikas Garg, MD SUGARFED Mr. Gurloveleen Singh Sidhu and General Manager Mr. Harbaksh Singh, MD of Uttam Energy Systems Limited, Pune Mr. Balram Adlakkha, CEO Mr. Jami and GM of the Cooperative Sugar Mill Bhogpur Mr. B.S. Gill.Punjab CM Exudes Confidence of Greater Cooperation with Israel

Spokesman News Service, Chandigarh, 16th Oct'18: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday paved the way for his visit to Israel, next week, with the confidence that it would open new vistas of growth and cooperation in key areas of mutual interest, particularly the Agriculture, Horticulture and Dairy sectors. The Chief Minister, accompanied by a high-level delegation, is scheduled to leave for his 5-day visit to Israel on October 21, according to an official spokesperson. At a meeting with Charge de Affairs of Israeli Embassy, Maya Kadosh, who called on him this morning, the Chief Minister also hoped to share Israels expertise in the field of internal security to further strengthen the states defence preparedness.

Seeking to position Punjab as the most favoured investment destination among foreign investors, the Chief Minister said his government was keen to tap the technological advancements on offer by Israel. India and Israel share glorious historical ties which should be fully harnessed through mutual cooperation to ensure overall growth and prosperity for both sides, Captain Amarinder Singh said at the meeting. The visiting delegate apprised the Chief Minister of the elaborate arrangements being made to make his visit result oriented, and said that entrepreneurs, especially from the defence segment, were keenly awaiting the visit.

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The Chief Minister said he looked forward to signing the two MoUs in the field of Agriculture and Water Conservation, as these would propel the state governments efforts towards making farming more viable for the agricultural community. He reiterated the need for the farmers to diversify their crop pattern and get out of the paddy-wheat cycle, and showed interest in replicating the latest practices of drip irrigation and Hydroponics in view of the depleting water table in Punjab. He further said he was keen to adopt Israeli know-how to boost the dairy sector and also wanted to visit the Israeli orchards and nurseries to secure first-hand knowledge of the technological advancements in hybrid production of plants.

The Chief Minister sought Israeli assistance in improving the quality of citrus fruits as Punjab was the leading producer of Kinnow and wanted to go for mass plantation of sweet oranges, which finds a remunerative market in the MNCs. He also discussed cooperation in livestock development with the visiting delegate. The Chief Minister further evinced keen interest in tapping Israels state-of-the-art technology and expertise in intelligence and homeland security in order to boost Punjabs security apparatus.

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Others present at the meeting were Media Advisor to CM Raveen Thukral, Chief Principal Secretary to CM Suresh Kumar, ACS Industries Vini Mahajan, ACS Agriculture Viswajeet Khanna, Principal Secretary to CM Tejveer Singh, & DGP Intelligence Dinkar Gupta.The kits at Advocates hospitals, free to patients and supplied by the Chicago Recovery Alliance, include the medication, syringes, dosing instructions and a community outreach card with more resources. Before receiving the kits, patients, and any family members who are with them at the hospitals, must watch a short video on how to dispense the medication and what to do afterward.AbbVie makes the blockbuster drug Humira, which is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases. AbbVie has faced criticism for its actions to keep cheaper, competing versions of the drug off the market. Last year, Abbvie reached a settlement agreement with a rival company to keep a biosimilar version of Humira from being sold in the U.S. until 2023. AbbVie has said it was trying to protect its investment in innovation.The news came as a shock to some small businesses, who are now scrambling to determine their next steps. Heather Bodine, founder of Pie, Pie My Darling, a vegan pie and cake company, joined Pilotworks in an effort to grow her business. Now, as she heads into her busiest time of year, Bodine has to find a new home for her business.When the Philippines launched its dengue vaccination programme on 4 April 2016, using Sanofi Pasteurs newly approved Dengvaxia, there was great fanfare and optimism.

This week, the Public Attorneys Office has filed a lawsuit against the company, seeking compensation for the death of a 10-year old girl it says has died as a result of the vaccine.

It follows an investigation of the halted programme by the Philippine Senate. Meanwhile, threats of more class action suits against Sanofi continue, with the health ministry itself threatening to sue the company for refusing to refund the PhP3.5 billion (US$70 million).

And, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair Richard Gordon said in a radio interview this week that the committee is considering filing of anti-graft cases against former President Benigno Aquino III, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Health Secretary Janette Garin.

Some scientists are pitching in, explaining what Sanofi Pasteur and the former health department officials have done. On the other hand, a group of 58 medical doctors and scientists, headed by former Health Ministers Esperanza Cabral and Manuel Dayrit, have issued a statement calling for calm.

But as Philippine scientists and politicians fight over the failure of Asias first mass dengue vaccination programme, the biggest casualty may be peoples trust and confidence in vaccination and other government-led public health programmes as an effective way to fight diseases.

Public trust in vaccination has taken a beating, helped by the medias sensational coverage of suspected dengue-vaccine related child deaths. Unfortunately, the mistrust has extended to other public health programmes: news stories report that families in poor communities are now refusing to take part in free, basic child care programmes such as deworming.

The furore began on 29 November 2017, when Sanofi Pasteur warned in a statement that people inoculated with the dengue vaccine would be at severe risk if they had not been previously infected with the virus. Dengvaxia, according to the manufacturer, gives persistent protective benefit against dengue, but only for those who have been previously infected with the disease.

Almost immediately after the news came out, a number of parents came forward claiming that their children either got sick or died as a result of the vaccination.

The facts



Let us review the facts, briefly.

Dengue is a highly endemic disease in the Philippines, with an average number of cases in the region of 175,000 in recent years.

On 22 December 2015, the Philippines became the first Asian country  and second in the world next to Mexico  to license Sanofi Pasteurs vaccine, Dengvaxia.

On 4 April 2016, just four months later, the Philippines launched its school-based mass vaccination programme. It went ahead with the programme without the WHO pre-qualification that is normally required. However, I am told that this decision was based on the advice of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE), a 15-member panel of independent experts, which provides recommendations to the WHO on global vaccine policies.

On 24 April 2016, or 20 days later, a total of 204,397 vaccinations were completed, 362 of which had adverse reactions. By the following year, a total of 837,000 people, mostly children, had been vaccinated, all of whom come from regions where dengue is endemic.

But on 29 November 2017, Sanofi Pasteur issued a statement warning that people who got vaccinated with Dengvaxia would be at severe risk if they had not been previously infected with the virus. The warning was based on a new analysis of six years worth of data from clinical studies done by the company.

Immediately after that, the Philippine health secretary Francisco Duque said in a press conference that the dengue vaccination programme was being halted, and a review had been ordered. He told SciDev.Net in an interview that there are no plans to resume the programme. The health department was also looking at 24 deaths possibly linked to the mass vaccination, added Duque.



Political fallout

The Philippine media has kept the Dengvaxia issue in the headlines ever since Sanofi Pasteur made its announcement. Both broadcast and social media have sensationalised the story, airing pictures of mothers crying over the deaths of children they say are attributed to dengue.

Views on social media are especially critical of Sanofi Pasteur and some health officials, often voicing negative opinions about vaccination itself.

The Philippine Senate, through its investigative and anti-corruption Blue Ribbon Committee, has conducted several hearings on the scandal, with no less than former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III among those who have testified and stand to face charges.

Lessons learned

What have we learned from this fiasco?

First, we are reminded again that haste makes waste. I confess to being gung-ho when I wrote about the launch of the vaccination programme in 2016. It seemed a bold and pioneering move, considering the number of cases in the Philippines.

It is easy to overlook the dangers of a new technology being introduced  dangers which should be heeded especially when the technology involves the human body. The Philippine government could have been more conservative in adopting the new vaccine, especially in this case, since it involves children.

And why start at such a massive scale? Testing the vaccine on a smaller sample size as an extension of the clinical trials underway, while Sanofi Pasteur completed its own tests, would have been ideal.

Now, the public is wary of other health programmes  and the scepticism could extend to scientists who will be talking of new technologies that could affect health, like GM foods. On January 31st, a group of leading Filipino physicians and scientists published a statement in leading newspapers expressing concern about the misinformation generated by the Dengvaxia controversy, which they said has eroded public confidence in the countrys vaccination programme and other public healthcare endeavours.

If this trend continues, then we may find ourselves faced with outbreaks of debilitating and life-threatening diseases that we have already been able to control through our vaccination programmes, the statement emphasised.

Indeed, the Philippines has the distinction of being the first country in the world to introduce Dengvaxia in a mass vaccination programme  but it is now paying the price for this. In hindsight, it looks like Filipino children became unwitting guinea pigs in the rush to roll out a new dengue vaccine, with the scientific and health communitys reputation taking a hit as well.



Crispin Maslog, a former journalist with Agence France-Presse, is an environmental activist and former science professor at Silliman University and University of the Philippines Los Banos. He is a founding member and now Chair of the Board of the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre.

This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Asia & Pacific desk.

The reboot of the Europe-Africa clinical trials alliance could make Africa invest in health R&D, writes Linda Nordling.



In 2010 in Malis capital Bamako, representatives from over two dozen African health ministries signed a call for action urging their governments to allocate at least two per cent of health ministry budgets to research. [1]



The aim of the call was for African governments to take ownership of the research agenda, which at the time was viewed as too driven by international donor priorities.



Nearly a decade on, many people argue that donors influence over health research agendas in Africa remains too strong. And the two per cent goal is still a pipe dream.



There is no doubt that African countries have seen increased investment in health research. But with most of this increase coming from international donors, the question of who sets the research agenda remains.



Mechanisms matter



In 2008, after the Bamako meeting, critics condemned the lack of mechanisms in the call of action for its proposed implementation. [2]



But for countries looking for a way to fulfil their two per cent ambition, a reinvented Europe-Africa clinical trials programme offers a vehicle for doing so and for directing international funding towards national priorities.

Many people argue that donors influence over health research agendas in Africa remains too strong. Linda Nordling



The first European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) was launched in 2003 as a European response to the health crises caused by three poverty-related diseases: HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.



Between its launch and 2014, when the programme ended, EDCTP funded 254 collaborative research projects between Africa and Europe to the tune of 378 million (about US$425 million, focusing on phase II and III clinical trials, according to the EDCTP.



A second programme  EDCTP2  was launched in December 2014. So far the ten-year programme has secured almost US$115 million for calls for proposals launched in 2014 and 2015. Another round of calls for proposals are expected later this year.



The European Union has approved about US$767 million for EDCTP2 provided that additional member country and private sector contributions materialise as expected.



Restructured partnerships



The need for clinical research capacity development and project funding remains immense despite the large investments made to date through EDCTP, says the programmes executive director, Michael Makanga.



The disease burden in Africa remains enormous, he says. There are natural differences between populations  how they respond to diseases and treatments  which are still poorly understood, and drug resistance is an emerging threat.



EDCTP2 has an expanded scope. Both in terms of diseases  in addition to the big three in the first programme, it addresses neglected infectious diseases  and the type of clinical research it funds. Whereas the first EDCTP focused on phase II and III clinical trials (efficacy studies), EDCTP2 funds phase I (human safety studies) and phase IV (monitoring interventions that have reached the market).

There simply are no short cuts to taking back control of their continents health research agenda. Linda Nordling



Another innovation in EDCTP2 is the closer involvement and ownership of African participating countries. The 14 African member countries  Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia  now have representation and equal voting rights on the governance and implementation mechanisms of the programme, whereas in the first instalment the project was driven from Europe.



This reflects a widespread conviction in the development community that development cannot be done through one-sided action or aid, says Makanga. But while it gives African countries more power to influence the programme, it also places an expectation on them to pull more weight in investing in their health care systems and research, he adds.



Africas opportunity



The EDCTP2 African member countries have already committed to pay 200,000 each as a membership investment in the programme. While this may be a small contribution compared to the entire project budget, it is nevertheless significant for the countries involved.



But in order to fully exploit the opportunity offered them by the programme, African countries should invest more. They should use their EDCTP2 projects as catalysts for strengthening domestic health research.



History shows that scientifically at least, EDCTP funding can bring a lot of bang for its buck. A bibliometric evaluation published last year of clinical research papers in Europe and Africa found that between 2003 and 2011, EDCTP-associated papers related to HIV, tuberculosis and HIV-TB co-infection involving authors from Africa were cited around five times more than the world average. [3]



As with all other health research programmes targeting Africa, the challenge with EDCTP and its successor is making sure that investments are sustainable. In other words, that once the programme funding runs out, the gains made in terms of capacity building on the ground in Africa persist into the future.

The only way for this to happen is for African governments to take ownership of the capacity and view it as something for them to sustain, not for donors to keep fuelling. There simply are no short cuts to taking back control of their continents health research agenda.Journalist Linda Nordling, based in Cape Town, South Africa, specialises in African science policy, education and development. She was the founding editor of Research Africa and writes for SciDev.Net, Nature and others.Newspaper articles and TV and radio broadcasts which imply coincidences and connections are enough to lead people to believe false information, experts have found.

The University of Exeter study shows conspiracy theories can be spread unwittingly as well as deliberately -- for instance by quoting people who question the motives of institutions and corporations -- a finding which has implications for how news outlets cover controversial topics.

Conspiracy theories suggested implicitly are especially dangerous because they are harder to spot and challenge. The study recommends journalists should avoid including "errant data" that may be misconstrued when there is uncertainty about facts during rapidly developing news events.

This implicit method of the spreading of misinformation has been largely overlooked until now. The study shows correcting false information is possible if the belief in the conspiracy theory hasn't become ingrained.

Dr Ben Lyons, who led the study, said: "We have found conspiracy theories can be spread in an implicit way, for example if a newspaper article includes unrelated details that might be misconstrued. Because we naturally try to integrate all the information presented, stray details can spread conspiracy beliefs, even if the journalist has no malicious intent."

As part of the study 1,018 people from the USA were asked to read mock news articles about public health. One group read an article which quoted a group who explicitly alleged that the

Zika epidemic was the result of the release of genetically modified mosquitoes by a subsidiary of a pharmaceutical company in order to generate the need for vaccine, from which the parent pharmaceutical company would profit. The article also included number of pieces of information that implicitly supported those claims -- such as the need for a vaccine and the availability of funding for those who can solve the crisis, and details about the company's release of GM mosquitoes in Brazil prior to the Zika outbreak.

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Another group was given a version which hinted at the conspiracy theory in an implicit way -- which was found to influence their views -- and a control group read an article which simply described the Zika epidemic.

In reality, genetically modified mosquitoes were released after the outbreak as a way to control the spread of Zika, and the company involved does not stand to gain from selling Zika-related pharmaceutical products.

Conspiracy beliefs increased among both groups, although more strongly among those exposed to explicit cues.

Half the participants exposed to conspiracy theories were given a series of facts to read afterwards which corrected information in the article. The experiment showed these were effective in correcting the information, and readers were left with similar views about Zika to those in the control group.

Dr Lyons said: "Misinformation about health is an increasing concern. We hope that this study helps provide a richer understanding of the transmission of conspiracy beliefs, particularly the media's potential role.

"The current 24-hour news cycle -- with the resulting big appetite for commentators -- may lead media to feature guests who make hints at false information, or a more nefarious story than current evidence supports. If so, implicit conspiracy cues are likely to persist within the current news environment.

"But we found you can correct beliefs based on factually incorrect information, and this is probably especially true when people are new to the topic. But the timing of any correction is critical, as people are more likely to hold onto false beliefs as time goes on. An effective fact-checking should not be seen as a free pass, encouraging a kitchen-sink approach to reporting with corrections to follow."Do you like to see warnings about violent or other distressing content before watching a TV show or movie, or reading a book?

New University of Michigan research finds that some people feel less negative about the content when they receive trigger warnings, but those who believe them to be protective do not feel better for having had these alerts.

A trigger warning is a statement that alerts individuals to distressing content and can prompt them to avoid the content or situation. There is a debate in various instances -- such as academics, media and other fields -- as to whether any trigger warnings should be issued.

Across three studies, U-M researchers looked at how trigger warnings influence the anticipated and actual responses of people.

"Surveys show that trigger warnings and other similar warnings are increasingly common, but there is virtually no research as to whether they actually make people feel better or whether they lead to avoidance," said lead author Izzy Gainsburg, a doctoral student in psychology.

In the first study, 80 people answered questions about their anticipated emotional and behavioral responses about warned-of content, their beliefs about trigger warnings, general anxiety and coping style.

Participants indicated that they expected to feel more anxious when engaging with content that was given a trigger warning. In addition, those who believed the warning to be protective -- rather than coddling -- were more likely to avoid the warned-of content.

About 275 participants in the second study had to choose to watch one of two fictional videos based on their titles -- one which had a trigger warning about distressing content. They rated how they expected to feel while watching the video. The findings showed the videos with the warning were avoided more often than those without the notice.

In the third study, nearly 1,000 people had been randomly assigned an essay involving domestic violence: one that only had a title, another that had the title and warning indicating "distressing content," or a third with the title and warning specific to domestic violence. Participants with some type of warning had less negative reactions than those who were not alerted to potential distress, the study showed.

Importantly, and ironically, among participants who believed trigger warnings to be protective, those in the warning conditions felt no better than those given no warning, the researchers said.

"This is just the beginning of research on how these warnings affect people's emotional experiences, and by no means settles any sort of debate. There is so much more that can and needs to be done, especially if institutions are encouraging or mandating their use," said Gainsburg, who conducted the research with Allison Earl, U-M assistant professor of psychology.(CNN)  Randy June stared at his flattened neighborhood in Mexico Beach, dazed as his belongings lay strewn across a canal.

But while his house is destroyed, this Florida Panhandle town is still his home.

"We ain't going nowhere. We're going to rebuild somehow. I just don't know how yet," he said.

"If we don't get no help ... we'll be living under a bridge somewhere. We'll still be here."

Joe Bush says he's moving out after 19 years in Mexico Beach.

He evacuated when he heard Michael was a Category 4 storm and came back Sunday to find that "everything is just demolished."

"I couldn't get nothing for this land now," he said. "People gonna be scared to death to come down here now and invest money. So we're just going to leave it. Hold onto the land and I have a 10-year-old grandson and hopefully when he gets 50 he can retire down here."

Mexico Beach took the hardest punch from Michael when the storm made landfall five days ago. Besides the widespread destruction, town police say two people were killed there, including one body found Monday.

That brings the death toll from the storm to 19 people in four states.

One piece of good news emerged Monday when Mexico City Police Chief Anthony Kelly said the number of unaccounted people in the town was down to three. Earlier, authorities said they could not account for 30 to 35 people in the town on the Gulf Coast. Crews have spent days sifting through heavy rubble looking for them.

It's unknown how many people are missing overall because of Michael.

Beyond the ruins of this once-idyllic beach town, thousands of other Floridians must start a new life marked by grief, desperation and uncertainty.

More than 230,000 were still without power Monday morning, unable to fend off the stifling heat. Drivers are lining up for hours to get fuel. And residents in the hardest-hit areas are relying on airdropped food and water to survive.

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump visited some of the devastated cities in Florida and Georgia.

Over the weekend, he made a disaster declaration for six Georgia counties. That followed his previous declaration of a major disaster in nine Florida counties.

These declarations give affected residents and businesses access to federal aid and funding.

FEMA has 14 teams in Florida to help people register for disaster assistance. It also has 17 distribution points throughout Florida and Georgia where people can get food and water.

'Nobody was in tears about being hungry'

Chad Frazier has plenty of reasons to be devastated. His business was wiped out by the hurricane. His son's middle school in Panama City was also annihilated.

But Frazier is too thankful to be upset. Immediately after the hurricane, strangers came from out of town to provide food and water. They even beat FEMA to the scene, Frazier said.

"The people who came, that was the biggest blessing to us," he said. "I didn't see nobody in panic mode. Nobody was in tears about being hungry."

As he stood in front of a mountain of debris, Frazier said he's coping well thanks to the outpouring of generosity.

"My shop is down, (but) I'm not in bad spirits," he said. "This just made my faith grow."

Businesses have donated at least $425,000 to Hurricane Michael relief efforts, according to a release from Gov. Rick Scott's office.

The release says Wells Fargo donated $250,000, Aetna donated $100,000, Duke Energy donated $50,000 and Uber donated $25,000 to the Florida Disaster Fund.

Across town, a Panama City Waffle House was so damaged that only the "s" remained on its iconic sign. While Waffle Houses are known for staying open during natural disasters, this restaurant took a beating.

But that didn't stop employees from feeding neighbors on Monday.

"We are giving out free food curbside at 2217 Thomas Drive," the restaurant chain tweeted."Come on by until 6 pm!"

Residents could still be trapped

Hundreds of people from across the country have called local officials, desperate for any news about their loved ones.

But rescue attempts have been arduous because of widespread debris and buckled roads that make transportation difficult.

Crews are using bulldozers to move debris and cutting trees with chainsaws to clear highways and hundreds of roads blocked by the wreckage.

"What's taking up most of your time right now just gaining access to some of these areas," said Panama City Fire Chief Alex Baird.

The fire department has received more than 200 calls for checks on residents. But Baird said it could take days or even weeks before those checks will be completed. Crews need to go door-to-door because there is no power, and cellphone service is spotty.

Find Florida emergency shelters here

The hurricane also damaged three prisons on the Florida panhandle, forcing the evacuation of more than 4,100 inmates, the state's department of corrections said Monday.

The death toll is 19, but could rise

At least 19 people have died since Hurricane Michael made landfall Wednesday.

Six of those victims died in Virginia. Four people drowned and a firefighter was killed when a tractor-trailer lost control and hit the firefighter's truck on a wet highway. Virginia emergency officials said the sixth person died in Charlotte County.

In Georgia, an 11-year-old girl died when a metal carport came crashing through her family's roof.

In North Carolina, two of the three people who who died in the storm were killed when their vehicle struck a fallen tree, McDowell County officials said.

But the most fatalities happened in Florida, where nine people were killed -- including Steven Sweet, who died when an oak tree fell on his Gretna home.

Many of the rescue efforts have been focused on Mexico Beach, where canine teams are combing through mangled structures and piles of rubble looking for survivors.

About 280 of the town's 1,200 residents had said they planned to ride out the storm, but many fled at the last minute when Michael quickly gained strength, Mayor Al Cathey said.

With each passing day, the odds of trapped victims surviving get smaller. In Mexico Beach, authorities brought in a temporary morgue, just in case.

No school indefinitely

Schools in at least eight counties -- Washington, Liberty, Jackson, Gulf, Gadsden, Franklin, Calhoun and Bay -- will remain closed because of storm damage, according to a press release from the the governor's office.

In devastated Bay County, Florida, officials said every school is damaged.

"It's not going to be a normal school year. There's nothing normal about where we are right now," Bay District Schools Superintendent Bill Husfelt told CNN affiliate WMBB.

With the majority of its 26,000 students displaced and many schools deemed unsafe because of the damage, officials are discussing alternative ways to get students back to the classroom and to provide psychological aid for them.

"I would say every single school in Bay County has some type of damage, some more extensive than others," said Steve Moss, vice chairman of the Bay District School Board. "Some it'll probably take weeks or months to get online. Some, it will take years."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Hurricane Michael death toll grows to 19 after body found in Mexico Beach."Is Chicago dining getting worse?

That's one way to view the results of the 2013 Chicago Michelin Guide, which hits bookstores today. In the eyes of the anonymous Michelin inspectors, Chicago deserved fewer stars than in 2011, when Michelin first began rating Chicago restaurants.

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In the 2011 Guide, there were two three-star restaurants, three two-star restaurants and 18 one-star restaurants. In 2012, there was one three-star, two two-stars and 18 one-star restaurants. In the latest guide, Michelin recognized one three-star, two two-star and 16 one-star establishments.

Michelin is by far the most prestigious restaurant-rating operation in the world. Receiving but a single Michelin star increases a restaurant's prestige, and the financial impact can be considerable; foreign visitors in particular are sensitive to Michelin's mandates.

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Conversely, the absence of a Michelin star, or, worse, the loss of a previously earned star, can be devastating to a restaurant's ego, though the effect on the bottom line is less certain. Local residents continue to be the life's blood of all but the most rarefied restaurants in town.

Still, when Michelin recognizes 52 one-star restaurants in New York City and 34 one-stars in San Francisco (the only other American cities that Michelin rates), it's hard to view Chicago's 16 one-star restaurants  down from 18 in 2011 and 2012  as anything else but a slap in the face.

One restaurant was certain to be dropped from the one-star list  Seasons, which the Four Seasons hotel closed last year. But Michelin also stripped away its one-star rating of Courtright's in Willow Springs, and Vie, in Western Springs. Those demotions also eliminated the only suburban restaurants to hold Michelin stars; this year's list is strictly within the city.

Alinea, as expected, retained its three-star rating, which it has held since the 2011 guide. This isn't likely to change the restaurant's fortunes, as it already enjoys a worldwide reputation. But a demotion would have grabbed headlines, and Alinea's partners are no doubt quietly relieved that no such thing happened.

But for the second straight year, there was no recognition of Alinea's sister restaurant, Next.

The big winners are chef/owner Graham Elliot and his eponymous restaurant, and chef Matthew Kirkley of L2O, both of whom received two Michelin stars. Both restaurants were on the one-star list last year, but the jump to two stars from one is a move very few restaurants are able to manage.

"I'm so very proud of the team," Elliot said via e-mail from Europe. "I took a risk taking the restaurant in a more refined direction, and we've had some bumps along the way."

Bumps, indeed. In October, Elliot dismissed his executive chef, said goodbye to his executive pastry chef and resumed day-to-day control of Graham Elliot's kitchen, a move that might have cost him his star, given Michelin's emphasis on consistency.

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But the turnover didn't hurt the restaurant, according to Michelin's anonymous editor. "We try to look at the history and evolution of a restaurant overall, and not just which chef might be coming and going at any given moment," she said. "Graham Elliot is still at Graham Elliot."

The jump to two stars completed a rare trifecta for L2O. Under original chef Laurent Gras (for whom the L stands), L2O received three stars in 2011, only to sink to a single star after Gras' departure. Kirkley, who took over for Gras (along with Francis Brennan in an unusual and brief two-chef arrangement), raised L2O's game to the extent that a return to a third star next year isn't out of the question.

"They called and said I was awarded two," said Kirkley, "and the first thing I asked was what didn't you like, what can we do to improve, which at the end of the day is what I'm after. This is something to celebrate, but we're going back to work tomorrow. If anything, I'm grateful that more attention brings more customers and more people to cook for."

Another big winner was Mexique, a Mexican-French hybrid in West Town. Mexique received a Bib Gourmand (designating a restaurant that offers good value) last year, but earned a one-star rating this year, a significant honor considering the 2012 Bib Gourmands (Frontera Grill, Girl & the Goat, GT Fish & Oyster) that didn't make the leap.

Michelin is notoriously secretive about its evaluation process, and never releases the names of its inspectors. Even the Michelin editor, who oversees all the North American guides, operates anonymously.

Speaking by phone, the Michelin editor said she was particularly pleased about the Mexique's ascension.

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"It was really exciting," she said, "to find the consistency we've been looking for, because we've been following (chef Carlos Gaytan) very closely since the first Chicago edition."

For Gaytan, receiving a star was a joy and a relief. Michelin released its Bib Gourmand winners a week ago, so for seven days, all the chef knew was that he was off that list.

"Honestly, I was kind of upset," he said. "I didn't think we were so bad, to be dropped from the list. But last night, I had a dream that they called to let me know I had one star, and there is the phone call today, telling me they really enjoyed my restaurant a lot. It's very exciting."

The 2013 Guide also reestablished Sixteen, the luxurious perch in Trump Tower, as a one-star restaurant. Sixteen earned a star under original chef Frank Brunacci in 2011, but lost the star after Brunacci's departure. Credit executive chef Thomas Lents, on board less than a year, for Sixteen's triumphant return.

On the negative side, a number of restaurants that might reasonably have expected Michelin recognition were shut out. Balena and Yusho, two of the best new restaurants in Chicago, received no stars, and inspectors continued to deem Les Nomades, one of Chicago's most well-established restaurants, unworthy. Paul Virant, who earned a Michelin star for Vie last year, not only failed to receive a star for his other restaurant, Perennial Virant, but also had his Vie star taken away.

El Ideas, Henri, MK, North Pond, Sprout  all among Chicago's most highly regarded restaurants  all failed to receive stars.

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And the suburbs  from the demoted Courtright's and Vie to the underappreciated Quince, Restaurant Michael and Tallgrass, enjoyed a collective snub.

Michelin's editor, who hinted that her inspectors are paying close attention to a number of as-yet-unstarred Chicago restaurants that could make next year's guide "very exciting," dismissed the notion that Chicago's dwindling star numbers should be of concern.

"The numbers go up and down in every city every year, and there's nothing negative about it," she said. "What we find is what we find. I wouldn't focus on the numbers specifically, because restaurants are always in flux, and things go up and down."

Except that in the last several years, New York and San Francisco's numbers continue to go up. Chicago, not so much.

Michelin Guide 2013 Chicago ratings

Three stars (exceptional cuisine): Alinea

Two stars (excellent cuisine): Graham Elliot, L2O

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One star (very good restaurant): Acadia, Blackbird, Boka, Everest, Goosefoot, Longman & Eagle, Mexique, Moto, Naha, Schwa, Sepia, Sixteen, Spiaggia, Takashi, Topolobampo, Tru

pvettel@tribune.com

Twitter @philvettelGaga was sporting a rock on her left hand as she gave an emotional speech in which she spoke about sexual assault and mental illness.The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that people buy decorative lenses with a prescription from retailers who sell FDA-approved products. With a professional fitting, even children can safely wear costume lenses, Andreoli said, if they are able to wear regular contact lenses. She has young patients come in to get lenses fitted with little black cats on the lens, or flames, or the pupil whited out to look like a zombie.There is nothing we can do that would make up for the terrible way weve treated Native Americans over time and continue to dismiss them today. The least we can do is stop trying to get a piece of the little they have left of this country.A state appeals court says a San Francisco law designed to make thousands of single-room-occupancy units available to renters rather than tourists, by increasing the minimum stay from the previous seven days to 32 in most cases, appears to violate hotel owners property rights.

The ordinance, which has been in effect since March 2017, changes the fundamental nature of (the owners) business, by making them landlords rather than hotel operators, the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco said Monday.

Reinstating a lawsuit that a Superior Court judge had dismissed, the appellate panel did not halt enforcement of the law.

But the justices ordered new hearings in Superior Court and indicated the city likely would be required either to compensate hotel owners for their lost revenue or delay enforcement long enough so that they could recoup their losses.

This is about an effort by the city to devalue these properties and take them over, said Andrew Zacks, a lawyer for hotel owners. Take a property thats a hotel and pass a law that says it has to be an apartment building.

While we are disappointed with the Courts decision, this is not a ruling on the merits of the case, said a statement released by the office of City Attorney Dennis Herrera. The City will continue to defend the SRO hotel ordinance and its intended beneficiaries  the residents of San Francisco.

SRO units are small rooms, usually without bathrooms or kitchens, and are commonly rented to low-income, elderly and disabled tenants. Zacks said there are about 18,000 such units in San Francisco hotels. But Randy Shaw, director of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, a sponsor of the 2017 ordinance, said only about 12,000 rooms are in hotels covered by the ordinance, and the rest are in apartments.

All were trying to do is make sure residential rooms are rented to residents, Shaw said.

San Francisco has regulated SRO units since 1981, initially requiring them to be rented for at least seven days, in order to keep them available to local residents rather than short-term tourists. The pre-2017 ordinance allowed short-term rentals of up to 31 days without rent control, which kicks in at 32 days in the city.

More for you Gran Oriente hotel prepares for next chapter as home for San Franciscans

Backers of the new ordinance, sponsored by Supervisor Aaron Peskin, said it was needed because owners were finding ways around the minimum rental periods to rent rooms to higher-paying tourists. It raised the minimum rental period to 32 days and stiffened enforcement provisions.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

The appeals court said hotel owners were likely to prove that the new law violates their property rights by changing the nature of their business in significant and detrimental ways without compensation.

Hotel owners will be subject to rent control at the end of the initial term of tenancy unless the occupant voluntarily vacates the premises or is lawfully evicted, Justice Henry Needham said in the 3-0 ruling.

If the ruling stands, Zacks said, San Francisco will either have to pay substantial sums to compensate the owners or rewrite the ordinance to allow a grace period.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelkoAn audit of the San Francisco Housing Authority has uncovered a deficit that could reach as high as $30 million, a shortfall city officials say they are scrambling to cover by December to protect thousands of low-income families who would face displacement if the funding gap is not filled.

The deficit was discovered last week during an audit conducted by the accounting firm BDO and a quality assurance team from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, said Kate Hartley, director of the Mayors Office Of Housing and Community Development.

Hartley said HUD had informed the city in September that the Housing Authority had a shortfall, but the amount  between $20 million and $30 million  was much higher than expected. It is common for HUD to cover shortfalls for local housing authorities at the end of the year, but typically the amount is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, not the tens of millions.

Hartley said the Housing Authority would be able to contribute some of the needed money, about $7 million, by reallocating funds intended for other uses. She said that HUD could also help and that the city would be responsible for the rest. In addition to covering the deficit, the city will take steps to tighten up and better monitor the Housing Authoritys finances, Hartley said.

We are working with HUD and the Housing Authority to make significant changes so this kind of episode stops happening, said Hartley.

This is a serious situation, but fortunately the city has the resources to protect its residents and the project owners, and that is what we are going to do, Hartley said.

The San Francisco Housing Authority administers about 11,000 Section 8 vouchers, rental subsidies that for October totaled about $23 million, according to Barbara Smith, the agencys acting director. The vouchers pay private landlords as well as the nonprofit housing organizations that have taken over most of the citys public housing during the past decade.

The problem is that, because of lax bookkeeping, the authority inaccurately thought it had more than $20 million in reserves. Smith said the Housing Authority was aggressive in spending that money to rehabilitate units needed to house homeless families in neighborhoods like Chinatown and the Tenderloin.

It was all good stuff happening, Hartley said. There were no improprieties. We were doing all this great work and thinking it was funded because the Housing Authority had these reserves.

Mayor London Breed, who was raised in public housing, said her primary concern is keeping all of these tenants safe and secure in their housing, and the city will do everything necessary to keep them housed.

But she added that there is a major accountability crisis within the Housing Authority.

They cant keep operating the same way, and by stepping in, the city can provide better oversight and management practices so we can better spend this funding and keep tenants protected in the long term, Breed said.

The Housing Authority was underfunded and plagued with management and maintenance problems for decades, the result of federal budget cuts and poor local oversight. Tenants complained of decrepit plumbing, broken elevators, bug infestations  the situation was bad enough in 2013 that then-Mayor Ed Lee fired and replaced almost all of the Housing Authority commissioners.

Eventually, Lee worked with affordable-housing operators to take over the citys public housing stock. That program, the Rental Assistance Demonstration, or RAD, resulted in the ownership of 3,500 public housing units in 29 buildings being transferred from the authority to nonprofits like Mercy Housing and the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp.

The Housing Authority still owns the land the former public housing sits on, but no longer the buildings. In addition to administering the Section 8 voucher program, the Housing Authority still owns two affordable complexes, one on Potrero Hill and one in Sunnydale. Both of those are scheduled to be transferred to private groups next year.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

In the short term, the bailout could delay rehabilitation work needed on housing units at Potrero Hill and Sunnydale, Hartley said.

We are going to have to redeploy some of the funds we had on hold and use it for this, she said.

It could also eventually delay some pre-construction funding for new affordable developments, although Hartley said that none of the projects set to break ground in this fiscal year would be stalled.

We are acting fast to take care of this, said Hartley. The good news is that we are taking care of it and can take care of it. In some cities in this kind of situation, people lose their vouchers and get evicted. That is not going to happen here.

Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp. Executive Director Don Falk said the Housing Authority plays a crucial role in affordable housing for low-income people as well as the construction and financing of new affordable housing.

He said he was aware the housing authority was working through some struggles, but I was surprised how bad the deficit was.

That everyone pull together to resolve this problem is important for the whole San Francisco community, he said.

J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineenMountain lion sightings in California arent too unusual, unless of course, its a mountain lion thats wandered into a place of business.

Thats what happened in El Dorado County, according to a tweet posted Monday night by a county sheriffs deputy. Deputy Vaughan wrote: Halloween may be the time for scares but not this kind... (El Dorado County Sheriffs Office) was able to assist Fish and Wildlife in safely removing this juvenile lion from a local business.

He added the hashtag: pleasedontbiteme.

The juvenile puma walked right into a bakery in Pollock Pines at around 4 p.m. Monday. A woman working there saw the animal and walked right out.

Its the first time I heard of that happening, said El Dorado County Sheriffs office spokesman Anthony Prencipe. We do get bear calls a lot. Mountain lions keep to themselves.

Soon a crowd surrounded the place and 911 was called, said Prencipe said.

The sheriffs deputy who arrived photographed the puma sauntering down a hallway, as if it were just some house cat.

Authorities from Fish and Wildlife were called, tranquilized it and took it to their investigations lab in Sacramento. The animal, about 4 to 5 months old, was severely emaciated and dehydrated and a decision was made to euthanize it, said Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Jordan Traverso.

Traverso said testing is being done to see what may have caused the animal to become severely ill.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

There are between 4,000 to 6,000 mountain lions in California, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. The agency says that its instinctive for pumas to be wary of humans although studies of collared cats show they co-exist around people and are often unseen.

Suzanne Espinosa Solis is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sespinosa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @suzyespDoug Mills / New York Times

President Trump applied perhaps the worst epithet he could think of  Democrat  to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis last weekend, suggesting the former generals time in the administration is short. If so, Mattis would follow a long line of officials who have betrayed excessive attachment to evidence or principle.

Mattis partisan preference, if any, isnt clear. Registered to vote in Washington state, which doesnt ask voters to declare party affiliation, he is a career Marine who values the militarys political neutrality. That, for Trump, is the problem: Mattis hasnt shown much regard for the knee-jerk loyalty the president prizes.Our state is in a fight over water policy that could hit all Californians squarely in their grocery carts.

If the State Water Boards unimpaired flow policy is adopted, significant additional amounts of water will be diverted away from farms and others and left in our rivers under the assumption that it will help native fish. Not only does science show this approach doesnt work, we also know it will cause a variety of new problems. California families should reject this approach.

Less water equals less fresh California produce in stores. California farms are some of the most water-efficient in the world. For example, strawberries grown here use as much as 84 percent less water than imports. But there is a limit to how far even a California farmer can stretch a water supply.

The water boards proposed reduction, in addition to other cuts, will reduce Californias farm production by an estimated 1 million acres. There will be no choice but to grow less food.

Food safety will also be at risk. California farmers produce more than 50 percent of the U.S.-grown fruits, nuts and vegetables. Decreasing that capacity puts our fresh food supply in the hands of other countries, often with lower or unreliable safety standards.

Our environment will suffer. Importing food to replace what we dont grow at home means more ships, more trucks, and more pollution. In addition, water sent to farms provides support for habitat on working lands in conjunction with wildlife refuges that are home to millions of ducks, geese, shorebirds, songbirds and endangered animals along the Pacific Flyway. All of that will undoubtedly decline.

Californias economy will take a major hit. More than 2.5 million California jobs rely on farm production in 56 of Californias 58 counties. Early estimates say this policy could cost the California economy $9 billion and 37,000 jobs.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission opposes this policy because of the threat to its water supply. It is joined by other Bay Area cities, small towns, counties, school districts, small businesses, large industries and others.

Science shows us that if we want healthy fish populations, we must address multiple factors at once, including habitat, food supply and predators.

Were not asking Californians to choose between fish and farms. Were asking you to choose between outdated policy and cooperative, voluntary agreements based on results. Farmers and agricultural water suppliers stand ready to make those agreements happen.

Mike Wade is executive director of the California Farm Water Coalition.But when asked about Preckwinkle, Chance said, Are you asking me why I didnt side with my dad?  I think that Amara is the most qualified candidate. As far as my dad goes, thats my family and at the end of the day Im always going to love my dad  but that has nothing to do with what I see as the future of Chicago.Upcoming political events in the Bay Area.

TUESDAY

D4 supervisor forum: Candidates for San Francisco supervisorial District Four participate in a forum sponsored by the Outer Sunset/Parkside Residents Association. 6-8:30 p.m., Ortega Branch Library, 3223 Ortega St., San Francisco. More information is here.

New radical majority: D.D. Guttenplan, editor at large for the Nation, and Rabbi Michael Lerner lead a discussion on the rise of a radical new majority in the U.S. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 7:30 p.m., St. Johns Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave., Berkeley. More information is here.

Winning Richmond: Former Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin discusses her new memoir, Winning Richmond: How a Progressive Alliance Won City Hall. Free. 7-8:30 p.m., the Green Arcade, 1680 Market St., San Francisco. More information is here.

WEDNESDAY

Youth vote: New voters and organizers discuss the Nov. 6 election, in an event sponsored by Youth Radio. 5:30-7:30 p.m., Youth Radio arts venue, 1719 Broadway, Oakland. Free. More information is here.

Nicaragua: James Quesada, anthropology professor at San Francisco State University, discusses the violence in Nicaragua in response to the April 19 uprising. Free. 1-2 p.m., Room 525, Fine Arts Building, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave. More information is here.

New citizens: Volunteer to help new citizens to register to vote after morning and afternoon ceremonies. 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. More information is here.

THURSDAY

Hacking politics: Keynote address for weekend conference on how the political system is being hacked. Sponsored by UC Berkeley Center for New Media, SFMOMAs Public Knowledge Initiative, the UC Berkeley School of Journalism and Boalt School of Law. Free. 6 p.m., Phyllis Wattis Theater, SFMOMA, 151 Third St., San Francisco. More information is here. Symposium runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 19 at 310 Banatao Auditorium, Sutardja Dai Hall, UC Berkeley. More information is here.

Berkeley voter information: UC Berkeleys Science Policy Group hosts a voter information night, focuses on state ballot initiatives. 5:30-8:30 p.m., Anthony Hall, UC Berkeley. More information is here.

FRIDAY

Socialists and the midterms: A socialist analysis and discussion of the midterm elections, including a report on organizing for state Proposition 10 for rent control. 7 p.m., 2969 Mission St., San Francisco. More information is here.

SATURDAY

Race and politics: Panel discussion on the impact of race in politics. Sponsored by the African American Community Health Advisory Committee and the African American Library Advisory Committee. 2-4 p.m., San Mateo Public Library, 55 West Third Ave. More information is here.

Red to Blue phone bank: Swing Left SF and Democracy Action hold a phone bank to support Democratic candidates in California congressional districts 10 and 21. 1-5 p.m., 2390 Market St., San Francisco. More information is here.

OCT. 23

Women in leadership: Former U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer and University of California President Janet Napolitano discuss opportunities and challenges for women in leadership. Moderated by Politico California Playbook senior writer Carla Marinucci. Free. 4-5:30 p.m., Banatao Auditorium, UC Berkeley. Registration and more information are here.

Ballot fun: Post March Salon (PMS) and Ampush host a voting party to break down the ballot while having some fun. Free. 6-8 p.m. Ampush, 450 Ninth St., San Francisco. More information is here.

Rick Wilson: Republican strategist and Daily Beast columnist discusses dark politics in the age of Trump. Sponsored by the Commonwealth Club. $30 for nonmembers, $10 for students. Noon-1 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here.

Mark DeSaulnier: Town hall meeting hosted by Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord. 6:30-8 p.m., Lovonya DeJean Middle School multipurpose room, 3400 Macdonald Ave., Richmond. More information is here.

OCT. 25

Max Boot: Council on Foreign Relations senior fellow and Washington Post columnist discusses his book The Corrosion of Conservatism: Why I Left the Right at the Commonwealth Club. $25 for nonmembers, $10 for students. Noon-1 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here.

OCT. 26

Julian Castro: Former Housing and Urban Development secretary and former mayor of San Antonio, Texas, speaks at the Commonwealth Club. $30 for nonmembers, $10 for students. Noon-1 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here.

State constitutions: San Francisco Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society sponsors a discussion of Judge Jeffrey Suttons new book, 51 Imperfect Solutions: States and the Making of American Constitutional Law. $10 for nonmembers, free for students. 6-7:30 p.m., Sheppard Mullin, 4 Embarcadero Center . 17th Floor, San Francisco. More information is here.

OCT. 30

Chronicle on the midterms: The propositions, the battles, the blue wave? Chronicle columnists Heather Knight and Phil Matier and senior political writer Joe Garofoli discuss the midterm elections. Moderated by Editor-in-Chief Audrey Cooper. $15, $5 for students. 6:30-8 p.m., Grand Theater, 2665 Mission St., San Francisco. More information is here.

OCT. 31

Effective progressive politics: Tom Temprano, a City College of San Francisco trustee and legislative aide to Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, on how to become an effective progressive politician. Free. 2-3:15 p.m., Room 304, Humanities Building, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave. More information is here.

NOV. 1

Teaching about homelessness and gentrification: Poverty scholars Leroy Moore and Lisa Tiny Gray-Garcia of Poor Magazine present strategies for how to educate children, youth and adults about poverty, homelessness, racism, disability and displacement. Free. 7 p.m., Humanities Building Poetry Center, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave. More information is here.

Latinx: Author and journalist Ed Morales discusses the political and cultural challenges for the growing Latinx population in the U.S. Free. Mechanics Institute, fourth-floor meeting room, 57 Post St., San Francisco. More information is here.

NOV. 5

Democracy in danger: Daniel Ziblatt, author of How Democracies Die, discusses dangers to democracy around the world at the World Affairs Council. $20 nonmembers, $7 students. Noon-1:30 p.m., World Affairs Auditorium, 312 Sutter St., Suite 200, San Francisco. More information is here.

NOV. 7

Jeffrey Rosen: Scholar and author examines constitutional questions and the post-Anthony Kennedy Supreme Court. Sponsored by Commonwealth Club. $25 for nonmembers, $10 for students. 6:30-7:30 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here.

NOV. 8

Susan Rice: Former President Barack Obamas national security adviser and U.N. ambassador discusses U.S. foreign policy priorities and national security interests. Sponsored by the World Affairs Council. $40 for nonmembers, $10 for students. 6:30-7:30 p.m., Marines Memorial Theater, 609 Sutter St., San Francisco. More information is here.

To list an event, email Politics Editor Trapper Byrne at tbyrne@sfchronicle.comA rent-controlled apartment in the Bay Area is a coveted find that tenants will hang on to as long as possible. So why is a California ballot measure that would allow cities to expand rent control not just losing here, but trailing by a wider margin than it is statewide?

Proposition 10 was lagging in a recent poll of likely voters by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California, 48 percent to 36 percent. In the Bay Area, it was losing, 54 percent to 32 percent  numbers that were especially discouraging for rent-control advocates, given that the region has been the epicenter of soaring rents for years.

Mike Gibbs, a 69-year-old occupational psychologist in Los Gatos, was one of those surveyed for the poll. He said his daughter is in a rent-controlled apartment in San Francisco and couldnt live in the city if not for annual limits on rent increases. But he said hes not convinced rent control actually reduces housing costs.

Rent control doesnt work and it has unintended consequences, Gibbs said. Echoing the main argument advanced by the measures opponents, principally the California Apartment Association, he added, I think it will make affordable housing less affordable because it hurts supply.

Prop. 10 would repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, a 1995 state law named for the legislators who wrote it  Democrat Jim Costa, now a Central Valley congressman, and Southern California Republican Paul Hawkins. The law prevents cities from capping prices on any post-1995 housing, a limit that extends further back in cities such as San Francisco that had rent control when the law passed. The law also bars cities from capping prices when a unit becomes vacant, allowing landlords to raise rents as much as they like when a tenant leaves.

Mark Baldassare, head of the Public Policy Institute of California and the polls director, said he thought Prop. 10 would resonate more with voters, especially in the Bay Area.

When it comes to housing affordability and homelessness, the Bay Area jumps out where this is a big issue, Baldassare said. I thought people would connect the dots between those and Prop. 10 more than they are.

Steve Maviglio, a spokesman for the campaign opposing Prop. 10, said he wasnt surprised by the findings.

There are few places where people have seen up close the impacts of rent control, Maviglio said. Berkeley is an expensive place to live and they have rent control. People see that it doesnt work effectively.

Prop. 10 did not even have a majority support among renters statewide, the poll found. Just 43 percent said they planned to vote for it, compared with 51 percent who said they would vote no.

That surprised Kathryn Mills, a 62-year-old retired nurse who lives in San Pablo, who has been looking for a rent-controlled apartment for years. Eight years, to be exact.

Its just a bad situation out there, said Mills, who was part of the poll. I hope the ballot measure will help people get into a place where they can afford it.

Mark Savage, a 59-year-old attorney in Oakland, said he supports rent control. But he also worries that some cities would go too far without a state law that bans price caps not only on newer housing and vacant units, but also single-family homes. He said the states housing crunch and rising homelessness are among its biggest problems, but he still plans to vote against Prop. 10.

The housing crisis is far bigger than what Prop. 10 is trying to address, Savage said.

One unknown is where cities that already have rent control would move the cutoff date for price caps for rental buildings if Prop. 10 passes. The state law set it at 1979 in San Francisco and 1983 in Oakland.

Opponents of the measure say moving the current date will discourage housing construction because investors wont stand for having their profits restricted after an apartment building is, say, 20 years old. Prop. 10 proponents argue that banning rent control on buildings that are nearly four decades old leaves too many people vulnerable to the whims of the market.

Some of those planning to vote against Prop. 10 say, in effect, those are the breaks.

Im against rent control, said Lance Wood, a 51-year-old retired Wall Street trader who lives in Danville and was interviewed for the institutes poll. I believe in a free market, free economy. Rent control may help certain people, but it disadvantages others.

Bay Area voters reluctance to expand rent control has been evident in local elections over the past couple of years. In 2016, Richmond and Mountain View became the first cities locally in more than three decades to pass new rent-control ordinances. But voters in four other Bay Area cities  San Mateo, Burlingame, Pacifica and Santa Rosa  turned down similar measures that year and in 2017.

One of those surveyed for the poll said that with crushing housing costs driving all but the wealthy out of many Bay Area cities, expanding rent control was worth a try.

The housing market is pricing out long-term residents because its impossible for them to keep up with rent increases, said Mary Chandler, a 68-year-old voter in Danville. This is a way to correct whats happening.

Melody Gutierrez is The San Francisco Chronicles Sacramento bureau chief. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @MelodyGutierrezIf we can understand the fraternity, photographer Andrew Moisey says, maybe we can comprehend where we are as a society today.

Moisey photographed a single fraternity at the University of California, Berkeley for seven years. His images, compiled in The American Fraternity, out this month from Daylight Books, give unprecedented insight into one of the nations oldest organizations.

Of the nations 50 largest corporations, 43 are run by former fraternity members. Vice President Mike Pence is a fraternity man. So is Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh. Many of the nations leaders were fraternity brothers, yet they rank among just one percent of the American population.

Moisey began photographing the unnamed fraternity as a senior at UC Berkeley, shortly after his younger brother joined the house. Moisey returned to the fraternity between 2000 and 2007, watching himself grow from a peer of the brothers to the older guy with the camera. In that period, he captured the organization's secret initiation rituals, its drunken debauchery, and its moments of tragedy.

I attended UC Berkeley as an undergraduate, and visited many a fraternity in my day, but even I was unable identify which house Moisey chose as his subject. Thats intentional on the photographer's part; this frat could be any frat.

Though interested in showing what happens inside the house, Moisey seems more preoccupied with what became of the men. These boys, photographed in varying states of undress and sometimes violent drunkenness, may one day become our nations leaders, he implies. This is emphasized with a hand too heavy at moments, especially the vital page space in "American Fraternity" devoted to lists of American leaders who belonged to fraternities.

Much more interesting than Google-able historical context is the history reflected in the book's format itself. "The American Fraternity" is modeled after a tattered ritual manual Moisey found in 2009, when he received word that the fraternity he'd long photographed had been shut down by campus officials.

Then a Berkeley PhD candidate, Moisey walked across campus to find the front doors of the house unlocked, its insides abandoned save for scattered furniture and the ramshackle decorations characteristic of frat houses. Therein, Moisey found the oft-sealed chapter room, where the fraternity conducted its secret meetings, open. It contained a podium with candles in the shape of a skull, various ritual paraphernalia, and, lying on the ground, a wax-stained manual with text dating to the 1800s. The aging book would, years later, become the vat for Moisey's photographs, its detailed rituals and songs interspersed with photographs of young men slamming back beers and wrestling in the hallways.

One excerpt describes the initiation ceremony, in which new members, their hands bound by cord, are lowered into a coffin.

A funeral procession shall then be formed and the coffin borne in the direction of the sun three times about the Lodge, the excerpt says. As the procession encircles the house, one member, called the Beta, says: Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble  The gates of death are the portals of life.

The coffin is then lowered into a symbolic grave as the brothers chant, All hail, Psi Rho! Thy cause shall be victorious  Moisey invented the name Psi Rho to protect the privacy of the fraternity.

***

Its taken close to a decade to get The American Fraternity published. When Moisey made the photographs, beginning nearly 20 years ago, people ignored them," he said by phone recently. "They didnt think fraternities had any social importance." Moisey is now an assistant professor of art history and visual studies at Cornell University, where he lives with his wife and child.

A previous book agent stopped representing Moisey after Trumps election. She didnt think anyone could look at this, he recalled.

But once the dust settled, people did want to see this, he continued. They want to know why things are the way they are.

Since the books release, Moisey has received inquiries from dozens of major magazines, including Time and Rolling Stone, which he considers a barometer to how much our culture has changed."

The men he photographed did not have the benefit of the #MeToo Movement to recognize the errors in their ways, he stressed, adding that he is sympathetic to fraternity life and its attraction to young men. Many of the men in the photos, he said, remain friends. Some stood in his wedding.

He sees the frat house as a space that cultivates wildness, where the spirit of Dionysus can be celebrated and the angst of young adulthood released. The problem arises when that wildness, incubated in an all-male organizations, bleeds into the outside world.

What happens when the behaviors cultivated inside fraternities reverberate beyond their locked doors? A dog appears in the book multiple times. In one image, it wrestles with a cardboard box of beer. In another, a brother aims a punch at it.

"It spills over," Moisey said of the violence. That kind of energy can't be contained in a two-story house.

***

The American Fraternity should not be read solely as a treatise on the state of American masculinity. There are quieter, more somber moments in the book that serve to illuminate the individual pain of young men who are being shaped by an organization  and a society  without their knowledge and beyond the bounds of their control.

A photo in the "Libations" chapter of the book shows two people pouring alcohol down the throat of a man, nude from the waist down, who appears to be struggling to hold himself up. The next page includes two photographs of a funeral. Men in suits, of fraternity age, kneel on the grass facing what is presumably their friends coffin.

As Moisey and I spoke, he noticed that he was standing two blocks from the site of what is considered the first fraternity death. In 1873, Mortimer N. Leggett was brought into the woods outside Cornell University as part of his initiation into the Kappa Alpha Society, the progenitor of the modern fraternity system. Leggett, who was blindfolded, died after stumbling into a gorge. The two KA members who guided him fell as well, but survived their injuries.

An inquest into his death concluded there was "no hazing  Mortimer was there of his own free will," according to documents obtained by the Cornell Daily Sun.

How thoughtful his parents and friends would feel," Leggett's father, a Civil War general, was quoted as saying, "if they could be assured that this terrible calamity would induce the young men of Cornell University and other similar institutions to ignore for all time to come such heathenish orgies and ridiculous mummeries as led to the death of our dear son.

More than 384,00o men, most between the ages of 18 and 22, belonged to a fraternity in 2016, according to data from the North-American Interfraternity Conference. About 100,000 new members get initiated every year  a figure that has nearly doubled in the last decade.

Within these organizations, the young men will gain lifelong acquaintances  the types of friends who stand in your wedding and serve as pallbearer at your funeral. But they will also gain the behaviors normalized by the organizations to which they pledge membership, by blood and sweat and booze.

"This is where our leaders come from," Moisey says.

Not all fraternity men grow up to become vice presidents or Brett Kavanaughs, but they do inevitably grow up.

Toward the end of "The American Fraternity" is a photograph of a young man surrounded by white sand. He is naked, his legs spread, face serene.

To Moisey, he looks just "like clay, ready to be molded."

Among the many photos of mischievous men in "The American Fraternity," the boy in the sand doesn't quite fit in. This young person could become anybody. If Moiseys book is any indication, we can guess where he is headed.

The American Fraternity

By Andrew Moisey

(Daylight Books; 144 pages; $45)

Read Michelle Robertson's latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.

Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news.Police are investigating a report that a Davis high school student brought cookies baked with her grandmother's ashes to school and passed them around.

At least nine students were given the sugar cookies, Davis police told the CBS 13. It's not clear how many ate the allegedly tainted treats  apparently no one got sick or was physically harmed, Lt. Paul Doroshov said.

A student at Da Vinci Charter Academy High School told FOX40 on Monday that a schoolmate made the cookies two weeks ago and gave them to other Da Vinci students.

"This girl is going around telling everyone, basically at this point, that she had brought in these cookies to school with human ashes in them," he said. The boy and his family spoke to the station on the condition of anonymity because they feared retaliation from the Davis Joint Unified School District.

ALSO: These Bay Area high schools have the best test scores

The boy told Fox40 that administrators questioned him about the cookies, made him sign it a statement and then warned him not to tell anyone.

According to Doroshov, the cookies have not been tested for human remains. If willful contamination is confirmed, police would have determine what crime could be charged.

The Davis Joint Union School District issued a statement saying it couldn't comment on confidential student matters but that it was conducting its own investigation.

---

Read Mike Moffitt's latest stories and send him news tips at mmoffitt@sfchronicle.com.

Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news.Netflix reported third-quarter earnings of $402.8 million on revenue of $4 billion, above Wall Street analysts forecasts. On a per-share basis, the Los Gatos company said it had net income of 89 cents. It added 7 million subscribers to its streaming service, for a total of 137 million. The company recently announced plans for a production hub in Albuquerque that could employ 1,000 as it seeks to produce more of its own shows.

PayPal raises Venmo fee

PayPal Holdings Inc. increased a Venmo fee as part of a broader push to make money from the fast-growing mobile payment service, prompting backlash from users on social media.

PayPal said it will charge 1 percent when Venmo account holders transfer money quickly to their bank accounts, starting Nov. 6. When the feature was first rolled out, there was a 25-cent fee on the transactions. Users will still be able to do standard bank transfers for free but those take one to three days, rather than roughly 30 minutes for the other method.

Venmo is still unprofitable, and PayPal has been slowly trying to change that.

Acquistions

Twilio to buy SendGrid

Twilio Inc., a software maker, will buy SendGrid Inc. for $2 billion in an all-stock transaction to boost its suite of communication tools.

Twilio will offer 0.485 shares for each share of SendGrid stock, which values it at $36.92 per share, the companies said Monday. Thats a 19 percent premium on SendGrids Monday closing price of $30.93.

Twilio is a San Francisco cloud-computing company that helps businesses communicate with their customers through a variety of methods, including phone and text message. Its clients include Uber Technologies Inc. SendGrid, based in Denver, provides automated email services and has a market value of $1.4 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2019.

Employment

Record number of jobs posted

U.S. employers posted the most jobs in two decades in August, and hiring also reached a record high, fresh evidence that companies are desperate to staff up amid solid economic growth.

Job openings rose a slight 0.8 percent to 7.14 million, the highest on records dating to December 2000, the Labor Department said Tuesday. That is also far more than the 6.2 million of people who were unemployed that month.

The number of available jobs has swamped the number of unemployed for five consecutive months. Hiring has been solid, which has pushed down the unemployment rate to a nearly five-decade low of 3.7 percent. Strong demand for workers when so few are out of work may force more companies to raise pay in the coming months.

Job openings rose in August in professional and business services, which include mostly higher-paying positions in engineering, accounting and architecture, as well as temporary help. Postings in that category have jumped 27 percent from a year ago.

Construction firms are also desperate for workers, posting 298,000 open jobs. Thats nearly 39 percent more than a year ago. Job openings also increased in finance and insurance and health care.

Openings fell in August from the previous month in manufacturing, retail, and slipped slightly in hotels and restaurants.

Technology

Huaweis new flagship phone

Fresh from overtaking Apple Inc. to become the worlds second-largest smartphone maker in August, Huawei Technologies Co. unveiled a new flagship device aimed at clinching the top spot.

The Mate 20 Pro, revealed at an event in London Tuesday as a rival to the iPhone XS Max and Samsung Technology Co.s Galaxy Note 9, includes three rear-facing cameras, facial recognition security and an artificial intelligence engine that can identify objects and people in real time.

The Mate 20 Pro, which went on sale Tuesday, costs $1,214, making it more expensive than Samsungs comparable flagship model, but about $230 cheaper than Apples.

Chronicle News ServicesSalesforce co-CEO and co-founder Marc Benioff pointed out Monday the incongruity in the 70 billionaires calling the San Francisco Bay Area home and the more than 7,500 individuals and 1,200 families with young children living on SF's street.

At Wired's 25th anniversary summit, Benioff used this juxtaposition to express his feeling that the community should come together to help solve the city's growing homeless issue.

"Current programs can't handle the expansion," he said. "The city is out of money. The city doesn't have enough money to handle the current situation."

He added, "We have these incredible companies, incredible entrepreneurs, amazing innovation and technology, but we cannot separate ourselves from others," Benioff said. "We have to get back to the feeling that we are one, and we are responsible for the city that we are living in and growing our businesses in."

VOTER GUIDE: See who The Chronicle has endorsed this November

In a conversation with Wired's Deputy Editor Adam Rogers, Benioff said one way the community can begin to come together is by voting for Proposition C, which appears on the Nov. 6 ballot. If passed, it would impose a one-half of one percent tax tax on the biggest businesses in the city to raise as much as $300 million for homeless programs. Benioff supports the initiative even though it could cost his company as much as $10 million in additional taxes each year.

"It would give us a boost of funding to really address our most urgent needs, which is providing not only shelter for our homeless but also healthcare," he said.

ALSO: Benioff, Dorsey battle on Twitter over SF ballot measure to help homeless

Last week, Benioff and Jack Dorsey, the head of Twitter and Square, got into a debate on Twitter over Prop. C with Dorsey expressing that he wants to help fix the homeless problem but doesn't believe Prop. C is the best way to do it. San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Assemblyman David Chiu and Sen. Scott Wiener all oppose the proposition.

"We all recognize the crisis on our streets; we see it every day. So I understand why Proposition C sounds appealing, and I know those who support it are well-intentioned," Breed said in her statement. "But as mayor, I must weigh more than popularity and good intentions. I must consider the long-term impacts on our city, and thus, upon lengthy analysis and consideration, I cannot support Proposition C."

MORE: Three SF elected leaders announce opposition to Prop. C  raising business taxes for homeless services

Benioff and Salesforce have donated to multiple San Francisco Bay Area causes including $250 million to support hospitals, $11 million to help the homeless, and $50 million to public schools. In his talk, he acknowledges that some of city's business leaders haven't been as generous.

"I have gone hat in hand to every high net worth individual in the city," he said. "I know who is willing to give money, and who isn't. I already have the list. I know if we're going to raise money for our schools, the homeless and hospitals, there's a group of people in our city who are willing to give. And there's a group of people in the city who give nothing based on the level of wealth they have. You're either for the kids, the homeless and the hospitals, or you're for yourself."In light of recent allegations, I will be working to replace the cover artwork of Room 25, Noname wrote Monday on Twitter, referring to her album released last month. I do not and will not support abusers, and I will always stand up for victims and believe their stories.When it comes to Southwest Airlines flights to Hawaii, there are still so many questions, so few answers. One of the most highly anticipated announcements along the west coast this year is exactly when Southwest Airlines will begin flying to Hawaii.

Given the legions of loyal Southwest fliers in Northern California, many are seeking specifics on when they'll be able to fly the airline to the islands  a favorite vacation spot for California travelers. (We hear you, folks!)

Competing airlines, too, are keeping a close watch, because Southwest's entry into the market is already upending fares, and could affect routes, schedules  everything. Fare watchers will be monitoring all these factors to see if the carrier will bring its "Southwest effect" phenomenon to the market. If you've been following our weekly fare alerts, you know that fares are already falling.

From the Bay Area, United, Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines all offer multiple flights to the islands.

News has come in dribs and drabs, and we expect an announcement about inaugural flight dates, routes and fares, to be announced in the coming weeks, if not sooner. We've heard Southwest Airlines leadership throw out a wide time frame for when flights will actually begin: either in late-2018 or early-2019.

For fare news and other alerts, sign up for our bi-weekly email newsletter!

We've also heard that Southwest employees are on the ground in Hawaii, meeting and greeting the local travel industry, shooting TV ads, planning inaugural festivities and generally ready to go-- and that the airline is simply awaiting permission from the FAA to begin flying. We contacted the FAA about this, and it is equally mum, stating that information about Southwest's ETOPS proving runs is proprietary information.

Here's what we do know about Southwest's plans:

> Four cities on the mainland, four cities on the islands: Southwest announced in May it intends to offer flights from four California cities: Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento and San Diego In Hawaii, Southwest will serve: Honolulu on Oahu, Kahului on Maui, Lihue on Kauai, and Kona on the Big Island. The precise pairings have not yet been announced.

> Inter-island flights: Southwest said it intends to operate flights between the islands, giving passengers a chance to island-hop on its jets. Again, the routes have not been announced, but we anticipate these inter-island flights will also give Southwest the added flexibility of moving its airplanes in between the different airports. The inter-island market is currently dominated by Hawaiian Airlines, which operates a robust schedule of Boeing 717s that connect all the major airports in the state. (When we were last in Hawaii, the carriers broad intra-island service was likened to the freeway system in the mainland.)

> FAA approval: Flying across an ocean for long periods of time requires a special level of certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. Southwest said it is working with the FAA to certify its fleet of overwater Boeing 737s for ETOPS (Extended Twin Engine Operating Performance) flying. Southwest needs to demonstrate that in the event of an engine failure, its jets can safely fly on just one-engine for an extended amount of time. So-called "proving runs"  flights across the Pacific with FAA personnel on-board  is the next step to gain ETOPS certification. (More on what ETOPS is here.)

> Equipment? Boeing 737s of course: The airline said it will operate its all-economy class Boeing 737-800 jets to Hawaii at first, with newer 737 MAX 8 jets (which have greater range and better fuel efficiency) to pick-up some of the Hawaii flying in the future. The range of the MAX 8 and the MAX 7, a smaller-variant which Southwest has ordered 30 of, could open up other non-stop markets to Hawaii for Southwest, including parts of the U.S. Mountain West, like Denver and Salt Lake City. Alaska Airlines also flies 737s to Hawaii- but with first and economy sections.

> Honolulu home: We've learned Southwest plans to set up a pretty sizable operation with several gates at Honolulu International Airport's Diamond Head Concourse. According to Beat of Hawaii, Southwest will move into an area that was supposed to be the future home of Island Air before that carrier went belly up. There will be no jetways, so Southwest will use air stairs to board its flights (just like Presidents do it, and just like how it's done at Burbank Airport).

> Will bags still fly free? Yes  nothing we've heard from Southwest indicates it will begin charging for checked luggage on the Hawaii flights. Each Southwest flier should expect to be able to fly with two free checked bags, as they do now on the rest of the network. We also fully expect Southwest will extend its no change fee policy to cover these flights too.

> Rapid Rewards? Companion Pass? The airline has not revealed how much fares will be or the Rapid Rewards point costs for flights, but those who have earned a companion pass should be able to use it on Hawaii flights. With the Southwest Companion Pass, you'll only need to pay taxes and fees for a second seat on any given flight.Southwest's Rapid Rewards program is dollar-based, so awards vary based on the price of your ticket. You can get started on that trip to Hawaii by signing up for Southwest's new Priority credit card and earning a nice bonus. More on that here.

Just a month or so ago, Alaska Air lowered the entry point to use miles to Hawaii to just 15,000 each way (sometimes as low as 12,500)  meaning roundtrips for just 30,000 miles from mainland cities.

> On-board food. With flight times of five hours or more, Beat of Hawaii blog also reports Southwest plans to offer food to customers - meals that are heartier than the current offering of pretzels, cookies and crackers. But it might be tough for Southwest to compete with Hawaiian Airlines, which prides itself as the only US airline to offer hot meals to economy class customers, since Southwest jets do not have ovens.

Will you fly Southwest to Hawaii or stick with Alaska, Hawaiian, United or another carrier? Please leave your thoughts in the comments!

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Chris McGinnis is the founder of TravelSkills.com. The author is solely responsible for the content above, and it is used here by permission. You can reach Chris at chris@travelskills.com or on Twitter @cjmcginnis.A 36-year-old black man who struggled with mental illness and died after being tased by San Mateo County sheriffs deputies was the victim of excessive force, according to family members who on Tuesday called for a transparent and thorough investigation.

On Oct. 3, a sheriffs deputy came upon Chinedu Okobi, of Pacifica, running in and out of traffic on the 1300 block of El Camino Real in Millbrae, authorities said. Okobi allegedly refused to cooperate and the deputy called for help.

San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said two deputies tased Okobi to get him under control and handcuff him, which is when Okobi went into cardiac arrest. He was transported to Mills-Peninsula Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

In a memorial Tuesday at the San Francisco Christian Center, Okobis family, friends and classmates remarked about his love of writing, poetry and sports. His siblings recalled fond memories of their baby brother, who had chubby cheeks and a big smile. Statements about Okobis passion for being a father book-ended observations on police brutality and racism.

His name has now joined an unfortunately long list of names, said Michael McBride, pastor of The Way Christian Center in Berkeley, alluding to other unarmed black people who have been killed by police.

In a news conference following the memorial, the family appeared with civil rights attorney John Burris and called on the district attorneys office to release more information, including all videos of the incident from dashboard cameras and witnesses cell phones.

All I know is, a young mans dead and he was in custody of the police, Burris said. He was unarmed, not engaged in any serious crime.

Burris has also represented the families of Mario Woods, Oscar Grant and Rodney King in civil lawsuits against police departments.

Okobis family said he struggled with mental health issues and questioned how police responded to him during a time of crisis.

This was a heavy-handed approach against someone who very likely was laboring under mental health conditions, Burris said. They may have not known that up front, but observations shouldve alerted them that something was going on.

Burris called for a moratorium on the use of Tasers in San Mateo County until the Sheriffs Office and all police departments within county boundaries can prove deputies and officers have been properly trained.

This is the third incident this year in San Mateo County that resulted in a suspects death after being tased.

In January, 34-year-old Warren Ragudo of Daly City died after an officer tased him while two other officers pressed their weight upon him. In August, 55-year-old Ramsey Saad became unconscious and later died after being tased by a Redwood City police officer.

Wagstaffe is still investigating the Saad case and found no criminal wrongdoing in the Ragudo case.

The district attorney expects the investigation into Okobis death to take eight to 10 weeks. In that time, the district attorney said, he will review interviews with each of the five deputies involved, an autopsy report and cell phone and dashboard camera video, and he will interview anyone who witnessed the incident to determine if criminal charges are warranted.

An autopsy report has not yet been completed.

Thats a crucial thing for us  why did this man die? Wagstaffe said. If I were to determine that there was excessive use of force, that would be a violation of law and there are a number of statutes that deal with that.

Ashley McBride is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ashleynmcbBoth have released vague and incomplete information about their wealth, and they have declined to provide their entire federal and state income tax returns so that voters might see where the two politicians financial interests intersect  or potentially conflict  with the business of the state of Illinois. And both have investments in opaque offshore tax havens  holdings that are more extensive than previously known, the Tribune has found.POPLARVILLE, Miss.  Six foals sired by a cream-colored stallion called DeSoto scamper across a pasture in southwest Mississippi  the first new blood in a century for a line of horses brought to America by Spanish conquistadors and bred by Choctaw Indians who were later forced out of their ancestral homelands.

Choctaw horses were thought to be long gone from this region, disappearing when their Native American owners were expelled from the U.S. Southeast by the government. But the surprise discovery of DeSoto on a farm in Poplarville 13 years ago led to a plan to help the dwindling strain survive.

That really gives us a shot in the arm, said Bryant Rickman, who has been working since 1980 near Antlers, Okla., to restore the line. He estimates he has bred more than 300 of the horses from nine mares and three stallions. But having so few stallions led to a bottleneck, because the gene pool was so small.

Choctaws saw great power in horses. Ian Thompson, tribal historic preservation officer for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, said their word for horse, issoba, means like a deer  and the deer was the tribes most important animal, both economically and spiritually.

So naming the horse after the deer was really saying something, Thompson said.

Choctaw horses are descended from those brought to the United States in the 1500s and later by Spanish explorers and colonists, said Dr. D. Phillip Sponenberg of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.

Its one strain in a breed called Colonial Spanish horses, often referred to by the misleading term Spanish mustang. Colonial Spanish horses are among the worlds few genetically unique horse breeds, and are of great historic importance to this country, Sponenberg said.

The Choctaw nation lived in much of what are now Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Choctaws owned tens of thousands of horses by 1830, when Congress gave President Andrew Jackson the power to force Indians out of lands east of the Mississippi, Thompson said.

The relocation of Choctaw, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Muscogee, and Seminole Indians to Oklahoma, which has come to be known as the Trail of Tears, took decades. Thompson said more than 12,000 Choctaw people made the journey but an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 died along the way. In Oklahoma, the Choctaw and their horses were part of the cattle-ranching economy.

The horses are small but tough and durable.

Theyre very people-oriented. Theyre just as docile as your favorite dog, said Rickman.

DeSoto was discovered in 2005 when Sponenberg visited Poplarville to check out small cattle descended from Spanish colonial stock. He was surprised to find Spanish colonial sheep, there, too. Then came the days biggest surprise.

Out of the woods came this horse, single-footing, he said, referring to a smooth gait between walking and galloping, rather than the bouncing trot common to most horses.

Janet McConnaughey is an Associated Press writer.SAN ANTONIO  Democrat Beto ORourke abandoned his usual message of unity and optimism on Tuesday and laid into Ted Cruz, hoping to reverse polls that show him fading against the Republican incumbent during the second debate of a Texas Senate race thats become one of the nations most closely watched.

During the opening moments, Cruz criticized ORourke for past votes supporting a never-enacted oil production tax that might have hit oil-rich Texas hard. ORourke responded by evoking a moniker Donald Trump bestowed on the senator when the pair were bitter rivals during the 2016 Republican presidential primary, saying, Sen. Cruz is not going to be honest with you. Hes going to make up positions and votes that Ive never held.

Its why the president called him Lyin Ted, ORourke said and its why the nickname stuck because its true.

A former Ivy League debate champion, Cruz shot back, Its clear Congressman ORourkes pollsters have told him to come out on the attack.

Democrats have long dreamed about a growing Hispanic population helping to flip Texas from red to blue and shaking up the electoral map. But polls that once showed ORourke within striking distance of a monumental upset now suggest Cruz may be edging further ahead. No Democrat has won any of Texas nearly 30 statewide offices since 1994, the countrys longest political losing streak.

With election day just three weeks away, Tuesday might be one of ORourkes last shots to gain ground. It was the races last scheduled debate after one in Houston was canceled amid Senate floor votes on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaughs confirmation.

Cruz wants to participate in a previously scheduled town hall featuring just ORourke in the U.S.-Mexico border city of McAllen on Thursday night, but its unclear if that will come together in time.

The pair used this matchup to clash on abortion regulations, climate change, the nomination of Kavanaugh and a border wall backed by the Trump administration. Things never got nasty or overly personal  the borrowed Lyin Ted was the only name-calling, but both candidates tried to impress voters by criticizing their opponents records.

When ORourke said he wanted to expand federally funded health care to more Americans, Cruz said the congressman agreed with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and supported socialized medicine that would cost trillions and require sky-high tax increases. ORourke accused Cruz of not doing enough to stand up to Trump when it came to Russia and that the state needs a full-time senator rather than someone who concentrates on running for president.

Will Weissert is an Associated Press writer.WASHINGTON  Students defrauded by for-profit colleges scored an important victory on Tuesday, when a court cleared the way for an Obama-era policy that will make it easier for them to get their student loans forgiven.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos had said the regulation, known as borrower defense, made discharging loans too easy and was unfair to taxpayers. The rule was due to take effect in July 2017, but DeVos froze it until she issued a new policy in its place.

But U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss ruled last month that DeVos delay was unlawful. On Tuesday, he denied a request by an organization representing for-profit colleges in California, to further postpone the rule, thus paving the way for borrower defense to enter into force.

The rule is finally in effect. No more excuses. No more delays, said Julie Murray, an attorney with Public Citizen who is representing the defrauded students in their suit against DeVos.

The Education Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

Department press secretary Liz Hill said last week that the agency respects the courts decision and will not try to further delay the rule, but will keep working on revising the policy.

Regardless of what the court decides, many provisions of the 2016 regulations are bad policy and the Department will continue the work of finalizing a new rule that protects both borrowers and taxpayers, Hill said in a statement on Friday.

The group whose motion to delay the rule was denied, the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, did not immediately return a request for comment.

The ruling marks a significant setback for DeVos, who has made deregulating the for-profit college industry a top priority. The decision means that the Obama rule, which DeVos has fought hard to scrap, could be in effect until July 2020, when any new rule written by DeVos would enter into force.

Under the Obama rule, students whose school closed mid-program or shortly after completion, will become eligible for automatic loan discharge. The Century Foundation, a progressive think tank, estimates that Tuesdays decision will affect tens of thousands of students at over 1,400 schools who will now be eligible for $400 million in automatic debt relief across the nation.

Other provisions in the rule allow students to apply for loan discharge as a group.

Maria Danilova is an Associated Press writer.LAS VEGAS  Dennis Hof, the flamboyant pimp and Republican nominee who was expected to win a seat in the Nevada state Assembly next month, has died at his signature brothel, according to Nye County officials.

He was 72.

Nye County spokesman Arnold Knightly said Hofs death was announced during the Nye County Commission meeting by Chairman John Koenig. Knightly said Koenig told the room that Hof went to sleep last night and didnt wake up this morning.

Detectives and deputies were at the Love Ranch Brothel in Crystal, just outside Pahrump, on Monday investigating the death.

Nye County Sheriff Lt. David Boruchowitz said an employee at the brothel called authorities before 11 a.m. after Hof was found unresponsive and not breathing.

Hof, who had garnered national attention by unseating a three-term incumbent during a June primary, was the likely favorite to win the rural district that is overwhelmingly Republican.

Nevada Deputy Secretary of State for Elections Wayne Thorley says ballots with Hofs name have already been printed and mailed to voters but signs will be posted at polling places notifying voters that the candidate has died.

Thorley says that if Hof wins the election for the heavily GOP assembly district then officials in the counties that the district covers will nominate another Republican to fill the vacancy. Hof was running against Democratic Las Vegas educator Lesia Romanov.

Hof fashioned himself as a Donald Trump-style candidate and called himself the Trump of Pahrump.

Hof, who first gained fame in an HBO series about his business, had just celebrated his birthday with more than 100 friends, including former Phoenix-area sheriff Joe Arpaio at another of his brothels, the Moonlight Bunny Ranch in Northern Nevada, on Saturday.

Sheriff Sharon Wehrly said her office is investigating, but there appeared to be no indication of foul play.

In 2015, former L.A. Laker Lamar Odom was found unconscious at the Love Ranch after ingesting cocaine and numerous doses of a Viagra-like medication.

Associated Press contributed to this report.

David Montero is a Los Angeles Times writer.In the most recent quarter, Pritzker has given about $9 million to Democratic groups. His donations include $2 million to the Democratic Majority fund headed by Michael Madigan; $1.6 million to the Rock Island Democratic Party that is headed by Doug House, who is president of the Democratic County Chairs Association; $1.5 million to the Democratic Party of Illinois, which is chaired by Madigan, and $2 million to funds assisting Senate Democrats.How would I know how the materials got there? he added. Asked again, the chief said the vehicle was stolen and (a) reasonable mind could say that the material could have been planted, Blanchard said. When asked whether he was curious to learn who stole the vehicle, the chief said he had no interest in learning who stole the vehicle and that such occurrences are commonplace, calling it a joyride.Anyone over 21 who possesses an ounce or less of marijuana for personal use in California is entitled to keep it, under a 2016 ballot initiative. But if police seize the marijuana during an arrest, could they be prosecuted under federal law for illegal distribution if they gave it back?

A judge in San Francisco apparently thought so in April, when he refused to order San Francisco police officers to return three-quarters of an ounce of pot they had seized from Robert T. Smiths backpack while arresting him on other charges in January. But a three-judge panel of the Superior Courts Appellate Division said the officers would be immune from prosecution, under both federal and state law, so they have to return Smiths marijuana.All the tires were slashed, as was the drivers seat, the center console and the dashboard, Blanchard said. The cars rear cargo area contained bags of political literature, a button adorned with an image of Preckwinkles face and a dry cleaning receipt bearing the telephone number belonging to her chief of security, Delwin Gadlen, according to the report, which identified Gadlen only by his title. In the report, the security chief is quoted saying that the vehicle was stolen, but the alleged theft was never reported to police, Blanchard said.This story originally appeared on Hoodline.

While San Francisco is chock full of prime real estate for sanctioned public advertisements, some local businesses, museums and even international pop stars have  albeit illegally  taken their messages to the streets.

Despite efforts by the city to stave off unsanctioned advertisements painted on public sidewalks, it appears that some companies haven't gotten the message.

Last week, Hoodline reader Peter D. spotted at least six spray-painted adverts for the Wall Street Journal adorning sidewalks in the Financial District.

"I saw it ... on my walk to work, it's all over the FiDi," he told us. Two were spotted at Battery and Pine streets, two at Sansome and Clay streets and "a couple all the way up on Columbus Avenue, too."

RELATED: San Francisco Magazine primed to be gutted, shifted away from news focus

The somewhat subtle graffiti appears to be semi-permanent advertising for the newspaper's Instagram page. "They did not look loose or smudged like chalk, even after lots of people [have been] walking on them," Peter D. added.

SF Department of Public Works (DPW) spokesperson Rachel Gordon told Hoodline that they are aware of the reported advertisements and "will remove them if we come across them and attempt to recover costs" to clean them up.

"Our public sidewalks are not to be used as commercial billboards," she said.

Incidentally (or ironically?), the Wall Street Journal published a story in 2010 about the San Francisco City Attorney's office settling for $45,000 with Davis Even Advertising of Los Angeles for adhering fake cash to city streets to promote Zynga Game Network Inc.'s social game Mafia Wars.

ALSO: Scooters are back in SF, and already people are behaving badly (SFC)

We've made several attempts to get a statement from the Wall Street Journal, but our requests have not been returned.

As DPW tackles the WSJ hashtags in the city's northeastern quarter, Supervisor Aaron Peskin's office noticed additional illegal sidewalk graffiti this week in the Mission.

The adverts highlighting a music festival appeared outside of 663 Valencia St. below the Hotel Tropica, one of Peskin's legislative aides told us.

The San Francisco City Attorney's Office told Hoodline that the first step is for DPW to cite, abate and then attempt to charge the offending companies for the advertisements before it gets involved.

"We need to send a message to people that we will pursue this, and that this is not OK," Gordon previously told Hoodline.(CNN)  When tanks rolled and troops marched at a Japanese military base on Sunday, it was just the latest display in what analysts say is a campaign by Tokyo to increase the profile of its Self-Defense Forces.

Presiding over the display involving 4,000 troops, dozens of pieces armor and warplanes, including its newest F-35 stealth fighters, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe touted Japan's defense relationships extending as far as Europe.

"You're working on warning and surveillance activities, cooperating with allied countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand," the Japanese Prime Minster told the troops assembled for the Japan Self-Defense Forces annual military review at Camp Asaka, just northwest of Tokyo.

Japan's military has been making its presence known thousands of miles from its home islands this year in what analysts say is intended to send a clear signal to China.

"China's ambition to dominate the Asia-Pacific region carries enormous consequences for Japan," said Timothy Heath, senior defense analyst for the RAND Corp. "It is in Japan's interest to build a capable military that deters China from rash actions and to help other countries balance politically and military against Chinese power."

In just the past two months, a naval force of three ships, including the 27,000-ton helicopter destroyer JS Kaga, has been on two months of exercises and port visits as far away as the Indian Ocean.

Among the exercises was an anti-submarine warfare drill in the South China Sea that included one of Tokyo's submarines. It was the first time Japan has acknowledged using a submarine in a drill in the contested sea.

That submarine then made a port call in Vietnam, which has its own claims in the South China Sea and has developed warming military ties with the U.S.

Meanwhile, Japan's ships on the naval deployment included visits to India, Sri Lanka, Singapore and the Philippines as well as drills with a British frigate in the Indian Ocean.

And earlier this month, Japanese amphibious vehicles operated on foreign soil for the first time since World War II, when they participated in joint exercises with U.S. and Philippine troops, landing on the island of Luzon from the South China Sea.

"There has definitely been greater SDF visibility beyond Northeast Asia and it is deliberate," said Corey Wallace, a security analyst at Freie University in Berlin.

Japan is "signaling to China that they can't count Japan out of any regional contingency whether the U.S. is involved or not," Wallace said.

Constitutional restrictions

The U.S., with almost 50,000 troops in Japan, has been the anchor of Tokyo's defense since the end of World War II.

Japan's post-war constitution limits its military to defensive actions only, with Article 9 explicitly stating that "land, sea and air forces, as well as other war potential will never be maintained."

But those are restrictions have become increasingly murky as Tokyo maintains what by some estimations is the world's fifth most-powerful military and one that faces challenges from arms buildups from longtime adversaries North Korea and China.

In light of such challenges, Abe has set a goal of 2020 to amend the constitution to recognize the country's armed forces.

"In the course of the past five years, the environment of Japan's security has become tough in a remarkably fast speed," the Japanese Prime Minister said Sunday.

A Japanese defense white paper in August highlighted the concerns over China in that changing security environment.

"China's rapid modernization of the People's Liberation Army, enhancement of operational capabilities, and unilateral escalation of activities in areas close to Japan are generating strong security concerns in the region and international community, including Japan," the paper said.

And on Saturday, Japan's Air Self-Defense Force said the number of times it had to scramble fighter jets to respond to Chinese military planes increased 20 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year compared to the same period a year earlier.

Becoming a regional player

Peter Layton, a former Australian military officer and now fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute, says Tokyo is on a "global soft power offensive" as it puts its forces into exercises with the likes of the United Kingdom, Australia and India.

"These relationships don't need to be unbreakable or reliable in the sense that their main purpose is to raise the level of uncertainty in the Chinese Communist Party's leadership's mind," Layton said.

"Would these other nations help Japan in time of trouble? Hard to say but they just might and thus multiply Chinese worries."

The notion of counter balancing the rise of Chinese military build-up is paramount, say analysts.

The defense white paper from August said Japanese forces had conducted 66 publicly announced military exercises with foreign troops between April 2015 and June 2018. That's up from 53 for the previous three-year period.

But more could be coming.

In an interview with Australia's ABC news last week, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said joint Japan-Australia patrols of the South China Sea were a possibility.

"South China Sea is obviously a very contentious region. We will consider what we can do together," Kono said following talks with Australian leaders.

Analysts said the far-flung exercises allow Japan to do something else: show off some of the advanced weaponry it can sell around the region.

"If these military missions are buttressed by economic linkages including arms sales so much the better," said Layton. "Economic linkages and arms sales help nurture a long-term robust relationship between Japan and the other nations."

"The missions are not strictly geopolitical or business: they are both intertwined, both aspects are important to deterrence succeeding," he said.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Why you're seeing more of Japan's military."Trump's remarks were his most robust defense yet of the Saudis, a U.S. ally he has made central to his Mideast agenda. They put the president at odds with other key allies and with some leaders in his Republican Party who have condemned the Saudi leadership for what they say is an obvious role in the case. Trump appeared willing to resist the pressure to follow suit, accepting Saudi denials and their pledge to investigate.The lawsuit stems from Ross's announcement in March that he was adding a question about the citizenship of respondents to the 2020 census, a move that critics say was motivated by bias and likely to produce an undercount favoring Republicans by suppressing responses from immigrants. Eighteen states, the District of Columbia and a host of cities, counties, mayor and advocacy groups brought suit to block the decision.



Furman, along with at least two other federal judges in similar cases brought by other plaintiffs, have said the accusations that the administration acted improperly are sufficient to justify moving ahead to trials.



The "bad faith" to which the court referred concerns Ross's shifting and contradictory accounts of his action. Around the time of the citizenship question announcement, Ross stated in sworn testimony before a congressional committee that the Justice Department had initiated the move in the interest of enforcing the Voting Rights Act.



But in successive amendments to his original explanation after lawsuits were filed, Ross admitted in June that he had asked Justice to make the request to Commerce, rather than the other way around. In his most recent submissions to the court, he admitted that he had acted after talking with former White House adviser Steve Bannon, as well as Sessions and others, statements that also appeared at odds with his congressional testimony, as The Post's Tara Bahrampour reported.



"...The idea that any district judge can demand to see the deliberations of the Executive branch" will have "a chilling effect," Sessions said. "...Subjecting the executive branch to this kind of discovery is unacceptable. We intend to fight this and we intend to win. This is why we are taking these discovery fights to the Supreme Court in emergency postures. They are disrupting orderly governmental functions at great cost."



A decision from the high court could come any day.Karin Housley, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, walks to the stage at a campaign rally held by President Donald Trump on October 4, 2018 at Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minnesota. (Hannah Foslien / Getty Images)San Francisco police said Monday they arrested two men on suspicion of murder in the shooting of a 25-year-old city resident on Oct. 8.

Reno Ramos, 20, of Antioch, and Joe Nunezdosangos, 27, of San Francisco, were booked into San Francisco County jail on Monday on charges of homicide.The lights on the pickup truck were flashing when police found it abandoned on the side of a remote stretch of California's Interstate 15 in Riverside County in April 1998. Nearby, lying on the shore of a small lake at the foot of rugged mountains, police found Terry Yvette Cheek strangled.

At first, police believed all evidence pointed to Cheek's lover and co-worker, Horace Roberts. The truck parked at the scene was his. The Lorus wristwatch found next to Cheek's body appeared to be his, too. And when police confronted him about his secretive affair with Cheek, a married mother of two, he lied to cover it up.

Prosecutors' theory was simple: Roberts killed Cheek because she threatened to end their relationship - and he clumsily left his belongings at the crime scene.

"What is more compelling than [Roberts's] watch that's found next to the murdered woman's body?" a Riverside County prosecutor said during closing arguments in July 1999. "There's nothing more compelling than that."

But, as the California Innocence Project would find years later, there was something more compelling: The wristwatch didn't belong to Roberts.

And Roberts wasn't the one driving his truck.

Roberts was fully exonerated Monday after spending nearly 20 years in prison for second-degree murder. At a news conference Monday, the Riverside County District Attorney's Office revealed that DNA testing led investigators to the two suspects prosecutors now believe are responsible for Cheek's killing: Her husband, Googie Harris, and her nephew, Joaquin Leal.

"I want to say this directly to Mr. Roberts: I am so sorry for what happened to you," Riverside District Attorney Mike Hestrin said Monday. "All of us at the district attorney's office are deeply impacted by what you have endured."

Harris and Leal are now being held on murder charges in the Riverside County Jail on $1 million bail. Defense attorneys for the men could not be immediately located; court records do not list attorneys for either.

Justin Brooks, the director of the California Innocence Project, said Roberts was the victim of a "setup" by Cheek's jealous husband, who he believes fabricated the evidence that led police directly to Roberts. Harris even testified against Roberts at each of his three jury trials, Brooks said, and later showed up at Roberts's parole hearings to oppose his release from prison. Roberts's first two trials resulted in hung juries. He was convicted at the third in 1999 and sentenced to 15 years to life.

"I guess [Harris] was getting the ultimate revenge: First setting him up for the crime, then making sure he gets put away for life. And then going to his parole hearings to make sure he stays there," Brooks told The Washington Post. "It's a classic murder case, where you've got a husband, you've got a lover and you've got a dead wife. Obviously, the two suspects in this case were the husband and Roberts."

The California Innocence Project had been working on Roberts's case for 15 years, Brooks said. When Brooks first reviewed it, it all seemed too easy - and too bizarre. His first thought, he said, was what killer would park his fully operable pickup truck on the side of an interstate with its blinkers flashing - just feet away from the person he fatally strangled?

"It didn't make any sense," he said. "Everything they used to convict him seemed explainable and inconsistent with guilt."

On April 13, 1998, Roberts was at his home waiting for Cheek, Brooks said. He sometimes let her borrow his truck, he said, and this was one of those nights. She was supposed to pick him up for their shift at the drug-testing medical lab where they were co-workers. But she never showed. Instead, Brooks said he believes that Harris left Roberts's truck at the scene after he and Leal killed Cheek, knowing it would make Roberts appear guilty. (A spokesman for the Riverside District Attorney's Office declined to answer questions about the case against Harris and Leal beyond saying DNA evidence was involved.)

Roberts had presented an alibi: He placed multiple calls to Cheek from a pay phone near his home, Brooks said. But prosecutors still didn't buy it. They were too focused on Roberts's lies about the affair.

"It gets twisted into the belief that he's covering up a murder," Brooks said.

Finally, the California Innocence Project had its first breakthrough when it tested DNA found on the wristwatch. It had been a big kink in the case, Brooks said, because Roberts initially acknowledged owning the same type of Lorus watch found at the scene - only to later insist it wasn't his. The DNA results in 2013 bolstered Roberts's denials: Based on the results, the watch appeared to belong to Harris's son.

Next came the bigger break: After a previous failed attempt to test the fingernail scrapings taken from Cheek, a DNA lab succeeded in 2017. This time, the DNA was found to belong to Leal.

The nephew's DNA was in the federal database because of a sexual-assault conviction in 1998, just months after Cheek was killed. Leal was living with Harris and Harris's new girlfriend at the time, Brooks said, and was convicted of orally copulating the woman's child while she was unconscious, according to criminal court records.

When the California Innocence Project presented all the new DNA evidence to the district attorney's office this spring, prosecutors ultimately decided to dismiss all charges. They agreed to declare him factually innocent Monday.

Brian Sussman, the retired Riverside County prosecutor who tried Roberts for murder all three times, told the Press-Enterprise that the grave mistake was a "prosecutor's worst nightmare."

"I thought we were doing the right thing," Sussman said of the circumstantial evidence he presented. "I am sorry from the bottom of my heart. It should have never happened."

Roberts has been out of prison for a little over a week, and is now in South Carolina living with his family, including his wife who had stuck with him since the time he was convicted and his three children, all now adults.

The California Innocence Project greeted him at the prison gates on the day he walked free, and filmed Roberts as he threw his prison clothing and shoes into a trash can. They gave him a new sweater, one that has "XONR8 imprinted on a California license plate. And as they were pulling away, they gave him a bottle of Pepsi to drink in the car.

He took a long, satisfying sip with the kind of enthusiasm reserved for commercials - only that it was clear he wasn't acting.

"This is what I love most," Roberts said as he screwed the cap back on. "This is what I miss more than anything, is my freedom."

---

https://youtu.be/i8TweRGuxS8SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)



Two people have been arrested as suspects in a shooting last week in San Francisco's Mission District that killed a 25-year-old San Francisco man, police said today.



On Thursday, police arrested 20-year-old Antioch resident Reno Ramos and 27-year-old San Francisco resident Joe Nunezdosangos on suspicion of killing Tony Patton Jr. on Oct. 8.



At about 1:17 a.m. that day, officers responded to 19th and Capp streets where they found Patton on the ground suffering from more than one gunshot wound.



Paramedics tried to save Patton's life but he died.



Homicide investigators interviewed Ramos and Nunezdosangos and afterward booked them into the county jail on suspicion of murder.



Even though police have made an arrest, anyone with information about the killing is asked to call either the Police Department's 24-hour tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 with SFPD at the beginning of the message.



Everyone providing a tip can remain anonymous.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.Amtrak announced today it is preparing for the holiday travel season by adding extra capacity to its Amtrak San Joaquins route, which travels between Oakland and the Central Valley.



Amtrak had its largest-ever passenger count on the Sunday after Thanksgiving when more than 160,000 customers rode its trains around the country.



The San Joaquins route travels five times daily between Oakland's Jack London Square and Bakersfield, with 18 stations including Sacramento, Stockton and Fresno.



The trains on the route include electrical outlets at each row, complimentary Wi-Fi, an onboard cafe, and bike racks.



Amtrak encourages customers to plan ahead and book tickets early as they often sell out quickly.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.A 43-year-old man died at a hospital several hours after he was shot in unincorporated Alameda County near Hayward Sunday afternoon, a sheriff's spokesman said today.



Eric Allen, whose last known address was in Berkeley, was shot in the 1500 block of Mono Avenue in the Ashland District at about 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to Sgt. J.D. Nelson.



Investigators haven't yet determined a motive or identified any suspects, Nelson said.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)



Closing arguments began this afternoon in a San Francisco murder trial in which a man is accused of beating his friend to death more than a year ago inside a Nob Hill apartment.



Michael Phillips, 65, has been charged with murder, first-degree robbery, burglary, elder abuse and elder theft for the death 75-year-old James Sheahan, a former employee of San Francisco's Health and Human Services Department.



Sheahan, who was suffering from stage-four lung cancer, was last seen alive at his apartment in the 900 block of Bush Street on Aug. 11, 2017, by a caretaker. Days later, on Aug. 14, 2017, the building's manager discovered Sheahan's body beaten and covered in blood.



Prosecutors allege that Phillips killed Sheahan because he was desperate for money because he wanted to help his boyfriend in the Philippines, pay off loans and come to the U.S. Around that time, Phillips had asked friends for money on Facebook, describing the situation as a "life or death" one and also set up a GoFundMe account to acquire the funds.



In his closing arguments, Assistant District Attorney O'Bryan Kenney today pointed to journal entries written by Sheahan. In one entry, written in August 2017, Sheahan wrote of Phillips's relationship with his boyfriend, "I hope Mike is not being taken for a sucker."



In a subsequent journal entry, Sheahan questioned Phillips's friendliness, writing, "I wonder if I was being duped into a loan."



According to Kenney, Sheahan refused to give Phillips the amount he was asking for.



"It was that refusal that cost him his life," Kenney said.



On Saturday Aug. 12, 2017, the day after Sheahan's caretaker last saw him alive, video surveillance from the Bush Street apartment building showed Phillips entering and exiting the building five times.



The first time, Phillips is buzzed in the building, but on subsequent visits enters with a key and at one point is seen carrying items out, including a box, a painting and paper towels. A stain on Phillips's pants can be visibly seen after the first visit.



"What could he have been doing in the apartment other than dealing with the ramifications of the murder...(and) looking for things of value," Kenney said.



That same day, surveillance from a Wells Fargo bank shows Phillips attempting to withdraw money from Sheahan's account using Sheahan's ATM card twice. Both attempts were unsuccessful. Later that night, Phillips wrote to his boyfriend, "I fought hard all day and got money to send you."



Sheahan's body was discovered the next day.



The city's medical examiner concluded that Sheahan was struck with a blunt object at least 13 times. Investigators believe it was most likely with a landline telephone because Sheahan's blood had seeped into it and pieces of his flesh were on it.



Sheahan also had cuts on both wrists, which were not likely to have been fatal, but it was unclear whether they were self-inflicted.



Investigators also believe the killer tried to clean up the scene, and even moved Sheahan's body, leaving bloody gloves behind.



A kitchen window leading to a fire escape was also found to be open. Sheahan's caretaker told investigators the window was closed before she left Friday afternoon.



The same day Sheahan's body was discovered, Aug. 14, 2017, Phillips deposited a check from Sheahan for $7,500. On Aug. 30, he then deposited another check for $3,500 and on Sept. 15, Phillips attempted to deposit a final check for $4,000, which did not go through.



Phillips eventually brought his boyfriend to San Francisco in October and married him.



Investigators arrested Phillips on Nov. 22, 2017, and a search found that he was in possession of Sheahan's wallet and credit card, another undeposited check from Sheahan's missing checkbook for $2,000 dated after Sheahan's death and a piece of art and journals that appear to have been taken from Sheahan's apartment. Investigators also found a bag containing blood belonging to Sheahan in Phillips's car.



Phillips's attorney, Deputy Public Defender Kwixuan Maloof, has said that, because of his illness, Sheahan regularly coughed up blood and that the blood in the bag isn't proof that Phillips killed him.



During the trial, Maloof maintained that Sheahan and Phillips were close friends and that Phillips often assisted him, even withdrawing money from the bank on Sheahan's behalf.



Maloof has also pointed out that no DNA evidence belonging to Phillips was ever positively identified at the crime scene.



"If you were wearing gloves in that apartment, it is possible to not leave DNA," Kenney argued today.



Maloof is set to begin his closing arguments on Tuesday morning.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.SAN RAFAEL (BCN)



Lori Frugoli, a Marin County prosecutor for 28 years, and Anna Pletcher, a former attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice in San Francisco, have resumed their bid to become Marin County's second female District Attorney.



Frugoli, 61, and Pletcher, 44, were the top two candidates for District Attorney in the June primary election. Neither received more than 50 percent of the vote forcing the Nov.6 runoff election.



Frugoli's campaign cites her four decades of experience in the justice system as a police officer, sheriff's deputy, attorney and prosecutor.



"My platform of connecting the community to the courthouse comes full circle back to my days as a Santa Rosa police officer. I was the second woman to pass probation at SRPD. I chose the downtown walking beat to learn about and meet my community and to prove myself on my own," Frugoli said.



"Community trust and transparency are the corner stones of my platform. The community deserves to see the faces and hear the voices of the employees of my office.



"We need to be present at housing, justice and mental health forums and other functions where we must be available to listen to community concerns and answer tough questions," Frugoli said.



She says she will prosecute doctors who recklessly over-prescribe opioid drugs, increase money for local sexual assault examinations, aggressively prosecute financial and physical abuse of seniors and support a Veterans Court to provide services and resources to veterans. She has conducted more than 100 jury trials including one in Sonoma County for a law enforcement officers' misconduct.



Regarding the District Attorney's Office itself, Frugoli said she wants a comprehensive efficiency study that assesses performance standards of all positions. She says some job duties performed by attorneys and inspectors could be done by volunteers, law students and clerks, freeing deputy district attorneys to focus on public safety and community outreach.



Frugoli has the support of retiring District Attorney Ed Berberian and his predecessors since 1979.



"Every prior District Attorney from Marin endorses me for the same reason. They know my work ethic. Knowledge, leadership skills and commitment to keeping our community safe," Frugoli said.



Pletcher is a former law professor at the University of California at Berkeley and University of California Hastings College of Law. She says she has prosecuted white collar crimes for 10 years as a special assistant in the United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division in San Francisco and is the only candidate with management experience capable of managing an $18 million budget with 80 employees.



"It's not the job of a line prosecutor. It's a different job. A good district attorney needs significant prosecution experience but also needs management experience running an office. It's a different skill set," Pletcher said.



She says her top priority is to bring rape kit exams back to Marin County instead of traumatizing victims by outsourcing the exams to Vallejo.



"If someone is sexually assaulted in our county they are put in a police car and taken to Vallejo. That puts an additional barrier to getting the test and it adds trauma. It undermines prosecutions by making it harder to collect evidence," Pletcher said.



She said family violence victims face disconnected support services in dozens of locations, and a one-stop Family Justice Center is needed in the county to provide help and hope to survivors and their families.



Pletcher also supports reforming the cash bail system and expanding the focus on prevention and rehabilitation in a restorative justice diversion system.



She said Marin County ranks first in the state in racial inequity and it is reflected in the criminal justice system where black and Latino youth are more likely to be arrested than whites for curfew violations.



"We must do better to keep all of our students out of the criminal justice system and on track for future success, and we must ensure that our criminal justice system is unbiased and fair for all," Pletcher said



"I feel I'm the better candidate for District Attorney. There is great energy and momentum for change and it's been 20 years since the last contested DA election. This is the year when voters say it's time for new ideas and a 21st Century approach," Pletcher said.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.Contra Costa County Fire Protection District crews are on the scene of a two-alarm blaze at a two-story apartment complex in Antioch early this morning, according to fire officials.



The fire was first reported at 1:15 a.m. at an apartment complex in the 1000 block of Claudia Court, according to Fire Captain Steve Aubert. Some residents were initially trapped by the blaze, but assisted out by fire crews who arrived on the scene and Antioch police, he said.



Aubert said there were no sprinklers in the building and at least one apartment was fully involved. There are no initial reports of injuries.



No further information is immediately available.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)



A cruise company and a subsidiary that ferries visitors to Alcatraz Island has paid $2.75 million to settle allegations that they illegally denied workers health insurance and benefits, San Francisco city officials announced today.



The settlement with San Francisco-based Hornblower Yachts LLC and its affiliate Alcatraz Cruises LLC was announced by San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera and Office of Labor Standards Enforcement Director Pat Mulligan.



The payment was made on Sept. 28, the city officials said. A total of $926,167 of the fund will go to 421 employees of the companies.



Another $1.3 million will be transferred to San Francisco General Hospital to cover health care costs that were shifted from employers to taxpayers. The city will receive $500,000 in penalties.



Herrera alleged the companies created complicated eligibility policies to deny workers health benefits required under the city's Health Care Security Ordinance and Health Care Accountability Ordinance at various times between 2011 and 2015.



Herrera said the companies didn't give medical benefits to people they labeled as "seasonal workers" who worked 20 hours or more, although they should have provided the benefits within their second month of employment.



The city attorney said the companies also violated a requirement to offer a compliant health plan at no premium charge to employees who worked 20 hours or more on city property owned by the Port of San Francisco.



A Hornblower spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.



Herrera said in a statement, "San Francisco is committed to ensuring that workers have real health care.



"What Hornblower and Alcatraz Cruises did cheated not only their employees, but also San Francisco taxpayers and the honest competitors in the marketplace," he said.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)



Two men arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 25-year-old San Francisco man earlier this month in the city's Mission District made their first court appearances today.



Joe Nunez Dosangos, 27, and Reno Ramos, 20, have both been charged with murder for the death of Tony Patton Jr. on Oct. 8.



Both Nunez Dosangos and Ramos did not enter pleas and their arraignments were postponed until Thursday morning.



The fatal shooting occurred at 1:17 a.m. near the corner of 19th and Capp streets, police said.



There they found Patton on the ground suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics tried to save Patton's life but he died at the scene, according to police.



Following an investigation, homicide investigators identified Ramos and Nunez Dosangos as suspects and last Thursday booked them into the county jail on suspicion of murder, participating in a criminal street gang and assault with a semi-automatic firearm. Ramos was also arrested on suspicion of robbery, according to jail records.



A motive for the shooting has not been provided, as court documents in the case have been sealed.



Ramos is being represented by the Public Defender's Office, while Nunez Dosangos is being represented by attorney Cheryl Wallace.



Both men are being held without bail.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.A 33-year-old inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison was found dead in a suspected homicide Monday, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials said today.



Armando Wehr was an inmate at the men's Salinas Valley State Prison in unincorporated Monterey County near Soledad.



Officers at the prison found Wehr unresponsive with multiple wounds in a maximum-security yard just after 9 p.m., according to correctional officials. He was pronounced dead at 9:35 p.m. despite life-saving efforts.



Correctional officials said no suspect has been identified at this time. They did not release further information about the nature of Wehr's injuries.



Wehr was serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole from Contra Costa County for second-degree murder and an additional 25 years for intentional discharge of a firearm.



He was arrested on Sept. 14, 2007, for shooting and killing Bay Point resident Walter McDuffie outside Club Q, a bar in Antioch.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.A Sonoma County sheriff's canine team helped arrest a Napa man Friday on suspicion of stealing a motorcycle in San Francisco, sheriff's officials said.



Deputies were alerted to the 2005 BMW motorcycle with a stolen vehicle recovery system around 5 p.m. on the second floor of a parking garage at the Graton Resort & Casino near Rohnert Park.



Casino security notified the sheriff's office at 5:45 p.m. that the motorcyclist was starting to drive away, and deputies sealed off exits from the parking garage with their patrol cars.



The motorcycle driver, identified as Timothy Miller, 43, of Napa, tried to drive around the patrol cars by driving over a curb and through a dirt path with shrubs, but he lost control of the bike and ran, according to the sheriff's office.



The deputy and a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois named Mako gave chase. Mako caught up to Miller, bit his hand and pulled him to the ground. Miller was taken into custody and was found in possession of two bags of cocaine and four bags of heroin, sheriff's officials said.



Miller also had four arrest warrants from three different counties for vehicle theft, narcotics and weapons offenses.



He was booked under $195,000 bail in Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, resisting arrest, evasion and driving on a suspended license.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way today for three paint companies to pay $409 million to 10 California cities and counties to abate lead paint hazard in housing units built before 1951.



The high court refused without comment to hear two companies' appeal of decisions by a Santa Clara County Superior Court judge and a state appeals court that found the companies liable for creating a public nuisance.



The public nuisance was promoting the use of lead-based paint while knowing that lead dust was harmful to children, Superior Court Judge James Kleinberg said in a 2014 ruling.



The high court's denial of a hearing leaves the California court decisions in place.



Santa Clara County Counsel James Williams, whose office led the filing of the lawsuit in 2000, said, "This is a major victory for the tens of thousands of California children who have been poisoned by lead paint.



"Sherwin Williams and its co-defendants knew their product was toxic, yet still sold it to families. After almost two decades of litigation, they will finally be held responsible," Williams said in a statement.



The other local governments that joined the lawsuit and will share in the fund are Alameda, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Mateo, Solano and Ventura counties and the cities of San Francisco, Oakland and San Diego.



The three paint makers are Sherwin-Williams Co.; NL Industries Inc., formerly known as National Lead Industries; and ConAgra Grocery Products Co., which took over the former Fuller paint company.



Exposure to lead in paint dust and chips can cause brain damage, learning disabilities, slowed growth and kidney damage in children. The federal government banned the use of lead-based paint in residences in 1978.



Kleinberg originally ordered the companies to pay $1.15 billion to remedy lead paint in houses and apartments built before 1980.



But last year, the state Court of Appeal upheld the finding of liability but narrowed it to houses built before 1951.



The appeals court said the liability should apply only to older houses because there was no evidence the companies advertised the use of lead-based paint, as opposed to paint in general, after 1951.



Sherwin-Williams and ConAgra made their final appeal of the liability finding to the U.S. Supreme Court, claiming violations of free-speech and due process rights, after the California Supreme Court declined to hear the case.



In a joint statement today, the two companies said they are disappointed in the U.S. high court's action.



"California's decision is an outlier and at odds with courts across the country," they contended.



Seven other states have rejected similar public nuisance claims, the statement said.



"We will continue to fight for our constitutional rights," the companies said.



In a ruling on Sept. 4, Superior Court Judge Thomas Kuhnle, who took over the case after Kleinberg retired, set the pre-1951 liability at $409 million.



In another decision on Sept. 19, Kuhnle rejected a settlement in which the third defendant, NL Industries, agreed to pay $80 million. Unless that decision is successfully appealed, the three companies would be equally responsible for the $409 million.



Chief Assistant Santa Clara County Counsel Greta Hansen said the next step in the case is for Kuhnle to appoint a receiver to administer the fund. The judge is scheduled to hold a hearing on the appointment on Oct. 22 and may issue a written decision at a later date, she said.



Hansen said the counties hoped for a larger fund, but said the money allocated will "allow tremendous progress" in making lead-tainted housing safer for children.



The fund will provide an average of $1,500 per housing unit to pay for lead paint abatement in an estimated 177,000 houses and apartments in the 10 jurisdictions, for a total of about $267 million, according to Kuhnle's ruling.



The fund also includes $142 million for inspection of about 1 million units to determine those with the greatest risks.



Los Angeles County will receive the largest share of the fund, at 57 percent, or $233 million, for the combination of inspection and abatement.



San Francisco and Alameda County (including Oakland) will each receive 11 percent, or about $45 million.



Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Diego counties will each obtain 5 percent, or $20.5 million, and Monterey, Solano and Ventura counties will be given 2 percent, or $8 million, according to Kuhnle, who said the parties agreed on the percentage shares.



San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera said more than two-thirds of the city's homes were built before 1950, and of those, at least 22,000 housing units occupied by low- and moderate-income families are believed to have lead-based paint hazards.



Herrera said in a statement, "After 18 years of litigation, this is a big victory for California children.



"This has been a long time coming, but now future generations throughout California will be protected from the devastating effects of lead paint," Herrera said.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.Alameda County prosecutors disclosed today that they've obtained a grand jury indictment against a transient for the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Nia Wilson at the MacArthur BART station in July in an effort to expedite the case.



John Lee Cowell, 28, was charged with murder and attempted murder shortly after the stabbing death of Wilson and the stabbing of Letifah Wilson, her 26-year-old sister, at the MacArthur station at 9:36 p.m. on July 22.



A month later, prosecutors added a special circumstance allegation that he killed Wilson while lying in wait.



Cowell had been scheduled to enter a plea on Oct. 26 but his hearing was advanced to today, when prosecutors disclosed that the Alameda County Grand Jury indicted him on Oct. 9 on charges identical to those he already faced.







A 33-year-old inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison was found dead in a suspected homicide Monday, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials said today.



Armando Wehr was an inmate at the men's Salinas Valley State Prison in unincorporated Monterey County near Soledad.



Officers at the prison found Wehr unresponsive with multiple wounds in a maximum-security yard just after 9 p.m., according to correctional officials. He was pronounced dead at 9:35 p.m. despite life-saving efforts.



Correctional officials said no suspect has been identified at this time. They did not release further information about the nature of Wehr's injuries.







A man who died in custody at the Santa Clara County Main Mail on Sunday has been identified as 22-year-old Isai Lopez, according to the county medical examiner's office.



Lopez was found unresponsive at 8:06 p.m. in his cell at 150 W. Hedding St., Santa Clara County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Reginald Cooks said.



San Jose firefighters pronounced him dead at 8:21 p.m. following life-saving efforts by deputies and jail staff, Cooks said.



Lopez may have died of suicide, according to Cooks. He was living in a single-person cell at the time of his death and was booked into jail on Sept. 16 for multiple allegations of assault.







A San Mateo man was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm after allegedly breaking the front window of a home and staging a brief standoff with police on Monday, according to police.



Police said Stephen Moon, 35, was taken into custody after a 10-minute negotiation with officers.



According to police, someone reported a possible break-in or vandalism at a home in the 1600 block of York Avenue around 7:20 p.m. Monday. Officers who arrived found Moon walking in and out of a home with a firearm.



Police established a perimeter before getting in touch with Moon, who was known to police, and took him into custody on a no-bail warrant and for allegedly possessing the gun. Police confirmed Moon had permission to be inside the home he was seen walking inside and out of.







The Marine Mammal Center is facing the second largest outbreak of leptospirosis in California sea lions in its recorded history, according to the center.



This year, 220 sea lions at the Marin Headlands-based center have tested positive for the bacterial infection, which affects their kidneys. Outbreaks of the potentially fatal infection typically occur every four to five years, according to Dr. Shawn Johnson, director of veterinary science at the center.



Though sea lions diagnosed with leptospirosis are treated with antibiotics and other supportive care, roughly two-thirds of the animals with the infection do not survive, center officials said.







Solano Community College has been included in a grant from the National Science Foundation to recruit low-income students as geology majors via scholarships, college officials announced Monday.



Solano and seven other community colleges were included in the five-year, $1 million grant that starts next year from the foundation through University of California at Davis to provide field experience as well as 50 undergraduate and 21 graduate scholarships.



According to the American Geosciences Institute, the geoscientist workforce is aging and there will be a shortage of them in the coming years.



Solano Community College offers an associate degree designed to provide students with a basic science background and prepare them for a transfer to a four-year university to complete a degree in geology.







Amtrak announced today it is preparing for the holiday travel season by adding extra capacity to its Amtrak San Joaquins route, which travels between Oakland and the Central Valley.



Amtrak had its largest-ever passenger count on the Sunday after Thanksgiving when more than 160,000 customers rode its trains around the country.



The San Joaquins route travels five times daily between Oakland's Jack London Square and Bakersfield, with 18 stations including Sacramento, Stockton and Fresno.







Two suspects attacked a man arriving at his home in San Francisco's Sunset District, then forced him inside and stole jewelry, used a stun gun on him and fled in his vehicle early Monday morning, police said today.



The robbery was reported at about 2:30 a.m. Monday in the 2100 block of 40th Avenue.



The 21-year-old victim had parked his car in his driveway and opened the garage door when the suspects approached and hit him, according to police.



They then took the man to his room and stole his property, used the stun gun on him and fled in his vehicle, which was later recovered, police said.







California Highway Patrol officers are looking for a truck that struck a bicyclist on state Highway 1 in unincorporated Sonoma County and left the scene late Monday morning.



The truck struck a bicyclist who was riding south on Highway 1 around 11:50 a.m. The bicyclist was ejected and landed in the southbound lane. CHP officials did not immediately provide information on the bicyclist's injuries.



The truck was described as a dark-colored blue or black pickup with a flatbed that was pulling a white trailer at a high rate of speed south on the highway near Leeward Spur in Sea Ranch, according to the CHP.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for three paint companies to pay $409 million to 10 California cities and counties to abate lead paint hazard in housing units built before 1951.



The high court refused without comment Monday to hear two companies' appeal of decisions by a Santa Clara County Superior Court judge and a state appeals court that found the companies liable for creating a public nuisance.



The public nuisance was promoting the use of lead-based paint while knowing that lead dust was harmful to children, Superior Court Judge James Kleinberg said in a 2014 ruling.



The high court's denial of a hearing leaves the California court decisions in place.



Santa Clara County Counsel James Williams, whose office led the filing of the lawsuit in 2000, said, "This is a major victory for the tens of thousands of California children who have been poisoned by lead paint.







An inmate died in a cell in the Santa Clara County main jail in San Jose, sheriff's officials said.



The inmate was found dead Sunday, sheriff's officials announced Monday.



The 23-year-old man was found unresponsive at 8:06 p.m. in his cell at the jail at 150 W. Hedding St.



Deputies and jail medical staff attempted to save the man's life but he was pronounced dead at 8:21 p.m. by San Jose Fire Department paramedics.



The man may have committed suicide. He was booked into the jail on Sept. 16, for several alleged assault offenses.



The name of the man isn't being released until his family is told.







As the region's pricey housing market forces more residents to camp on city streets and huddle under freeways, Oakland unveiled a $9 million initiative to help those on the verge of losing a roof over their heads.



The initiative was announced Monday.



Mayor Libby Schaaf and a coalition of nonprofits announced the Keep Oakland Housed program to provide legal, financial and supportive services to residents experiencing a housing crisis.



"No one deserves to spend a single night on the streets," Schaaf said at a news conference at Oakland City Hall.



Three nonprofits will provide services in the program: Bay Area Community Services, Catholic Charities of the East Bay and the East Bay Community Law Center.



The website www.keepoaklandhoused.org was launched for the initiative, which will run through 2022. Residents facing a housing crisis can also call 211.







Powered scooters have returned to San Francisco streets after months of hiatus as the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency reviewed and selected two companies to operate in the city.



The scooters returned to San Francisco streets Monday.



"Today powered scooter companies, Scoot and Skip, will roll out their scooters as part of our one-year pilot program. Scoot and Skip were chosen out of 12 applications because they prioritized the city's concerns around safety, disabled access, equity and accountability," SFMTA officials said.



Under the new pilot program, powered scooters will not be allowed on sidewalks, including the Embarcadero Promenade.



The SFMTA is also asking riders to park the scooters upright and near bike racks or by the curbside. Scooters should not be parked on sidewalks or near building entrances and away from ramps or blue, yellow or white curbs, to avoid blocking the path of a person who is disabled.



Additionally, riders should always wear helmets and only ride scooters in the bike or travel lane and obey traffic signals and signs, according to the SFMTA.







A two-alarm fire destroyed part of the interior of the Mission on the Hill event center in Vacaville and caused heavy smoke damage, a deputy fire chief said.



The fire occurred Sunday morning.



The fire at 1300 E. Monte Vista Ave. was reported at 5:06 a.m. as a tree fire but was quickly discovered to be a structure fire, Vacaville Deputy Fire Chief Alan Hartford said.



The fire started inside and spread to an outside gazebo, and a hidden attic space was difficult to access. No one was inside at the time, Hartford said.



Firefighters from Vacaville, Fairfield and the Vacaville Fire Protection District controlled the fire in about a half hour but there was extensive mop-up required, Hartford said.



It appears the fire was smoldering inside the building for some time before flames were seen outside. The cause and origin are under investigation and there is no damage estimate, Hartford said.













Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.A vegetation fire has been contained this afternoon in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in unincorporated Santa Cruz County, Cal Fire officials said.



As of 4:20 p.m. the fire was contained. Cal Fire officials expected the fire to be held to less than an acre.



Cal Fire Captain Nick Hermosillo said no one was injured and only vegetation burned.



Hermosillo said it's too early to tell what the cause was.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.A 20-year-old woman who died early Sunday in a rollover crash on Interstate Highway 280 near Redwood City was identified today as Anjela Louise Tenedero Jose, according to the San Mateo County coroner's office.



Jose, of South San Francisco, was killed after her 2009 Toyota drifted off the freeway at about 1:50 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.



She had been driving north on Highway 280 north of the Edgewood Road interchange and apparently overcorrected after drifting off the road and the vehicle rolled, ejecting her, CHP officials said.



Jose was not wearing a seat belt and was the only occupant of the car.



CHP Officer Arturo Montiel said it appears drugs and/or alcohol may have contributed to the crash.



Witnesses to the crash are asked to call Officer Spencer Curteman at the CHP's Redwood City office at (650) 369-6261.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.He just wanted good performances from you, and he just wanted it for you, Brennan said. He was a real pro and a real theater artist. And the other thing was the speech team, where he ran the forensic, and I learned as much or more about the sort of work ethic and really about writing, and thats when I got a lot more practice and into the craft of what it was to be a performer. He was a colossus. Outside of my parents, he would have to be the most influential adult that I encountered in the time that I was in school.What if the Saudis used the oil weapon and it didnt force critics to back down? They would be doubly damaged  first, from the negative results of selling less oil and second, because they will have shown that they no longer need to be feared. The president shouldnt hesitate to stand up to them, because they have more to lose than we do.But whether one agrees or disagrees is not the point. When Trump says he will do something, you can take it to the bank. Yes, he takes liberties with the truth. But unlike his predecessor, he did not pass his signature legislative achievement on the basis of a lie (If you like your health care plan, you can keep it)  which is clearly worse than falsely bragging that your tax cut is the biggest ever.38th District: Democrat Heidi Henry, a farmer and horse trainer from Marseilles, got fed up. Her son received a letter last year from Southern Illinois University, warning that it might not open because of the state budget impasse. Henry got doubly fed up when her senator, Sue Rezin, R-Morris, couldnt be reached. A tax hike vote was scheduled for July 4 to break the budget stalemate and Rezin was out of town. Its your job. You have to be there, Henry says. We agree that Rezin should have been on the Senate floor instead of on a family vacation. But her absence was not an oust-worthy infraction. Rezin has become a leader on energy issues. She stands up, repeatedly, to clouted landfill operators to protect her districts drinking water. Henry is passionate about the need for change. We like her energy. But Rezin, a fiscal conservative and policy wonk, has earned another term.(CNN)  The Saudis are preparing a report that will acknowledge that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death was the result of an interrogation that went wrong, one that was intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey, according to two sources.

One source says the report will likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held responsible.

One of the sources acknowledged that the report is still being prepared and cautioned that things could change.

The Washington Post columnist was last seen in public when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in Turkey on October 2.

Previously, Saudi authorities had maintained Khashoggi left the consulate the same afternoon of his visit, but provided no evidence to support the claim.

Khashoggi's fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who was waiting outside the consulate, says she did not see him re-emerge.

The disappearance created a diplomatic rift between Saudi Arabia and the West. Amid the fallout, international firms pulled out of a high-profile investment summit, the Future Investment Initiative conference, due to take place later this month in Riyadh.

The case also caused friction between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which has repeatedly accused the Saudis of failing to cooperate with their investigation.

Turkish authorities previously said they believed that 15 Saudi men who arrived in Istanbul on October 2 were connected to Khashoggi's disappearance and possible murder. At least some of them appear to have high-level connections in the Saudi government.

On Friday, a source familiar with the investigation told CNN that Turkish authorities have audio and visual evidence that shows journalist Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate.

CNN reporters saw Turkish investigators, including forensics officers, entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul Monday evening. Saudi officials had granted permission for the premises to be searched, a Turkish diplomatic source told CNN, and police were seen cordoning off the area before investigators arrived. Turkish officials also wanted to search the nearby consul general's residence.

Earlier Monday, President Donald Trump suggested that "rogue killers" could be behind Khashoggi's disappearance, after a phone call with Saudi Arabia's King Salman about the case. Trump said King Salman told him "in a very firm way that they had no knowledge of it."

Trump also said he dispatched Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet with King Salman, during a Sunday night phone call.

On the airplane, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters that Secretary Pompeo "looks forward to meeting with King Salman."

This story was first published on CNN.com "Saudis preparing to admit Jamal Khashoggi died during interrogation, sources say"The woman he called horseface is Stormy Daniels. Im sure youve heard of her. Some say she looks a bit like your stepdaughter, Ivanka Trump, which is creepy, since Daniels claims she had an affair with your husband while you were home caring for your newborn child. (You might want to consider sending a note to Ivanka reassuring her that her father doesnt think she looks like a horse.)But as is typical when our weather is tranquil, it's active in other portions of the country. In this case, it has been (and continues to be) rainy in the Southwest. A series of storms has spread northeast from northern Mexico in the last few weeks, bringing heavy rains to Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas. This is the Southwest's rainy season, but the rains this season have been exceptional. Phoenix is experiencing its wettest October on record, with 5.32 inches of rain as of Oct. 16, and the month is only half over.322 Kenilworth Ave., Kenilworth: $2,745,000 | Listed: Sept. 13, 2021



This five-bedroom home has five full bathrooms, one half-bath, a rounded front porch, exterior friezes and original custom moldings and millwork. The living room has multiple seating areas, a fireplace and built-ins, and opens onto a professionally landscaped yard and bluestone patio. The kitchen features a double oven, a separate breakfast room and a mud room. The primary bedroom suite is on the second floor and has a custom marble bath, a fireplace, and a dressing room with built-ins and closet space. Three additional bedrooms are on the second floor and a fourth is on the third floor. A coach house with a kitchen and full bath, a three-and-a-half car garage, a brick paver patio and a private fenced-in backyard complete this home.



Agent: Megan Mawicke Bradley and John Mawicke, @properties, 847-881-0200 and 312-342-4278



*Some listing photos are virtually staged, meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options.



To feature your luxury listing of $800,000 or more in Chicago Tribunes Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com.



Join our Chicago Dream Homes Facebook group for more luxury listings and real estate news.BEIJING  China on Tuesday characterized its mass internment of Muslims as a push to bring into the modern, civilized world a destitute people who are easily led astray  a depiction that analysts said bore troubling colonial overtones.

The report is the ruling Communist Partys latest effort to defend its extrajudicial detention of Central Asian Muslim minorities against mounting criticism.

Chinas resistance to Western pressure over the camps highlights its growing confidence under President Xi Jinping, who has offered Beijings authoritarian system as a model for other countries.

A U.N. panel and a human rights group have estimated that around 1 million Uighurs, Kazakhs and other minorities have been arbitrarily detained in internment camps in Chinas far west Xinjiang region.

The report by the official Xinhua News Agency indicated that key to the partys vision in Xinjiang is the assimilation of the indigenous Central Asian ethnic minorities into Han Chinese society  and in turn, a modern lifestyle.

Xinjiang Gov. Shohrat Zakir said the authorities were providing people with lessons on Mandarin, Chinese history and laws. Such training would steer them away from extremism and onto the path toward a modern life in which they would feel confident about the future, he said.

Its become a general trend for them to expect and pursue a modern, civilized life, Zakir said, referring to the trainees. He said the measures are part of a broader policy to build a foundation for completely solving the deeply-rooted problems in the region.

China has long viewed the countrys ethnic minorities as backward, said James Leibold an expert on Chinese ethnic polices at Melbournes La Trobe University.

Leibold described Beijings perspective on minorities as: Theyre superstitious, theyre deviant, theyre potentially dangerous. The role of the party-state is to bring them into the light of civilization, to transform them.

Despite growing alarm from the U.S. and the United Nations, China has maintained that Xinjiangs vast dragnet of police surveillance is necessary for countering latent extremism and preserving stability.

The Turkic-speaking Uighurs have long resented restrictions placed on their religious practices. They say they experience widespread discrimination in jobs and access to passports.

Yanan Wang is an Associated Press writer.Ahn Young-joon / Associated Press 2014

SEOUL  Officials from North and South Korea and the United Nations began talks on Tuesday to turn a border village into an unarmed neutral enclave where military guards and tourists from both sides would move freely across the demarcation line.

The village of Panmunjom, also known as the Joint Security Area, lies inside the Demilitarized Zone, a buffer zone 1 miles wide that has divided the Korean Peninsula since the Korean War was halted in a truce in 1953. Panmunjom was originally created as a neutral area. But since North Korean soldiers wielding axes killed two U.S. Army officers there in 1976, it has been divided by a demarcation line like the rest of the DMZ, with armed guards from both sides engaged in a tense, daily standoff.ESQUIPULAS, Guatemala  President Trump threatened Tuesday to cut aid to Honduras if it doesnt stop a caravan of some 2,000 migrants, even as they resumed their northward trek through Guatemala with hopes of reaching the U.S. border.

Despite having walked the entire previous day, with swollen, blistered and aching feet, the group was up shortly after sunrise after sleeping on the ground in their clothes.

Dozens attended Mass at the Basilica in the city of Esquipulas, just across the border from Honduras and about 90 miles east of Guatemala City, to receive a blessing, before continuing the journey escorted by Guatemalan police.

The groups numbers have snowballed since some 160 migrants departed Friday from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, with many people joining spontaneously carrying just a few belongings. A Guatemalan priest estimated that more than 2,000 had been fed at three shelters run by the Roman Catholic Church.

Three weeks before midterm elections in the United States, the caravan elicited a tough response from Trump.

The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately, Trump tweeted.

However, the Central American nations ability to do anything at this point appeared limited as the migrants had already crossed into Guatemala on Monday, twice pushing past outnumbered police sent to stop them  first at the border and then at a roadblock outside Esquipulas.

Trump did not follow through on a similar threat to the Central American nation in April over an earlier caravan, which eventually petered out.

There was no immediate public response from the Honduran government. In late September, in a speech at the U.N. General Assembly, President Juan Orlando Hernandez defended migrants, criticizing their treatment in detention centers and the separation of children from their families  without explicitly naming the United States.

Migration is a human right, Hernandez said. For centuries, human beings have moved and emigrated and have contributed to the social and economic development of the nations that have taken them in, in search of better opportunities. We in Honduras and the Central American region are not an exception.

Meanwhile, Mexicos immigration authority sent out a fresh warning late Monday that only those who meet entry requirements would be allowed into the country and each migrant would have to satisfy Mexican migration agents. Hondurans need visas to visit Mexico in most cases.

Still, it remains unclear if Mexico and other governments in the region  many of whose own people are migrants  would have the political will to physically halt the determined border-crossers, who are fleeing widespread poverty and violence in one of the worlds most murderous countries.

Last week, Vice President Mike Pence urged leaders in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to persuade their citizens to stay home and avoid the risky journey to the U.S.

Sonia Perez D. is an Associated Press writer.JOHANNESBURG  The U.S. military on Tuesday announced its deadliest air strike against the al-Shabab extremist group in Somalia in nearly a year, killing about 60 fighters.

The U.S. Africa Command said Fridays air strike occurred near the community of Harardere in Mudug province in the central part of the country. According to its assessment, no civilians were injured or killed.Page Content

On Sept. 27, the Kentucky Supreme Court in Northern Kentucky Area Development District v. Snyder held that the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) does not pre-empt a Kentucky statute barring employers from requiring employees to waive, arbitrate or diminish statutory rights as a condition of employment. Although this is ostensibly the first statewide judicial prohibition on an employer's mandatory arbitration policy, if appealed, the decision is not expected to withstand U.S. Supreme Court scrutiny.

Background

Danielle Snyder worked for the Northern Kentucky Area Development District (NKADD), a government entity providing social programs to eight counties in Northern Kentucky, as an administrative purchasing agent. As a condition of her employment, she signed an agreement requiring arbitration of any employment dispute with NKADD. The agreement specifically stated, in bold type: "By accepting employment with the district, you will have accepted this agreement under the Federal Arbitration Act, and it will be binding on claims relating to your employment."

After NKADD terminated Snyder's employment, she filed a whistleblower and wage and hour lawsuit in Boone Circuit Court. The NKADD moved to stay the proceedings and compel arbitration, which the court denied. On appeal, the Kentucky Court of Appeals affirmed denial of the motion, concluding that NKADD never had authority to enter into the arbitration agreement. As to the FAA, the court of determined: "federal law does not pre-empt the authority of the commonwealth to deny the authority of its [agencies] to enter into arbitration agreements."

State High Court Weighs In

The Kentucky Supreme Court granted discretionary review to consider whether the FAA preempts KRS  336.700(2), which reads:

Notwithstanding any provision of the Kentucky Revised Statutes to the contrary, no employer shall require as a condition or precondition of employment that any employee or person seeking employment waive, arbitrate or otherwise diminish any existing or future claim, right or benefit to which the employee or person seeking employment would otherwise be entitled under any provision of the Kentucky Revised Statutes or any federal law.

The court first determined that the NKADD, as a state-created entity, acted beyond its authority in requiring an employee to arbitrate employment disputes as a condition of employment. Following that conclusion, the court considered "if the FAA nullifies this conclusion because of its preemptive effect on laws discriminating against arbitration."

As to FAA preemption, the Kentucky Supreme Court turned to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Kindred Nursing Centers Ltd. Partnership v. Clark and quoted the preemptive scope as follows: "The FAA thus preempts any state rule discriminating on its face against arbitration  And not only that: The act also displaces any rule that covertly accomplishes the same objective by disfavoring contracts that (oh so coincidentally) have the defining features of arbitration agreements."

The court determined that, under this standard, FAA pre-emption would not apply because KRS  336.070(2) "does not actually attack, single out or specifically discriminate against arbitration agreements." That is, according to the court, because the statute applies more generally to bar conditioning employment on waiving, arbitrating or diminishing any employment rights, FAA preemption is not implicated.

In reaching this decision, the Kentucky Supreme Court noted that employees and employers may continue voluntarily to enter into arbitration agreements that do not constitute conditions of employment.

What's Next?

We will keep a close eye on this decision, both as NKADD determines whether to petition for certiorari before the United States Supreme Court and as Kentucky courts apply the decision. While the Kentucky Supreme Court utilized broad language in holding that the FAA does not preempt KRS 336.070(2), the court also put the analysis in the context that the FAA "does not mandate a contrary holding" than Kentucky state agencies cannot condition employment on waiving, arbitrating or diminishing employment rights.

Arguably, the Kentucky Supreme Court's ruling could be construed narrowly to apply only to state administrative agencies, but it is not clear whether it will be extended to apply to private employers as well. Nor is it clear whether the decision would apply to employers providing employees with a choice whether to arbitrate or instead to opt out of arbitration at their own election.

Jay Inman is an attorney with Littler in Lexington, Ky.  2018 Littler. All rights reserved. Reposted with permission.Page Content

Natural disasters can hit at any time, and California employers need to be preparedand help their workers be ready as well. Before a disaster strikes, employers should plan ahead and tell their employees about the benefits and resources available to help them recover from natural disasters. Here are some tips for employers on how to handle workplace safety, plan for emergencies and give workers information about government assistance after a disaster.



1. Review Cal/OSHA standards.

Every employer has a legal obligation to provide and maintain a safe and healthy workplace for employees. Employers should be familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration's requirements and recommendations and plan for any safety hazards or health risks that natural disasters can pose. For example, smoke from wildfires may contain chemicals, gases and fine particles that can be hazardous to employees who breathe in the smoke. To protect workers exposed to wildfire smoke, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) recommends that employers take specific precautions, including offering approved respiratory protective equipment for employees working in outdoor locations.

2. Develop an emergency action plan.

Employers are required to comply with Cal/OSHA's disaster planning standard, and it is critical that they plan ahead. Implement mandatory procedures for responding to wildfires and other natural disasters, and communicate those procedures to employees in writing. These policies and procedures should:

Describe the actions to be taken to protect employees from fires and other emergencies.



Explain how employees should respond during a fire.



Let employees know when they canor shouldwork from home or an alternative workplace.



Additionally, employers should designate in advance personnel who is authorized to make the final decision to shut down the workplace.

3. Inform workers about government resources.

Employers should be aware of and inform their employees about federal, state and local assistance that is available during or after a natural disaster.

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) provides disaster-related services to individuals and businesses in California. The EDD may offer unemployment insurance benefits to employees who are displaced from their positions. Such benefits are generally available for up to 26 weeks but can be extended in certain circumstances. The EDD also assists displaced employees with the filing of benefit claims, job searches and other resources.

If the governor issues an emergency proclamation for a specific disaster area, additional benefits may be available for businesses and employees. Governor emergency proclamations typically waive the one-week waiting period for benefit payments. If waived, eligible employees can be paid benefits for the first week they are unemployed due to the emergency.

Additionally, California employers in areas that are directly affected by a disaster may request extensions for filing and paying state payroll taxes.

Federal disaster unemployment assistance (DUA) may also be available to supplement state and local aid. DUA provides temporary unemployment benefits to workers who lose their jobs as a direct result of a presidentially declared major disaster. Benefits will be paid to workers who:

No longer have a job.



Are unable to reach their workplace.



Can't work due to damage to the worksite.



Can't work because of a disaster-incurred injury.



Are seeking a job because the head of their household died during the disaster.



In addition to state and federal resources, aid may be available from city or county agencies. Employers should check the applicable local government's website to see what resources are provided.

Patrick J. Wingfield and Kavin A. Williams are attorneys with Murphy Pearson Bradley & Feeney in San Francisco.Students can affirm and identify a career path, but on the flip side, they can also identify if a career is not for them, which are both wins, as it gets them closer to discovering what they want to do in college and beyond, and preparing them for future success, Weidner said.Earlier today  after Garcia had officially notified the company of her withdrawal, which is to take effect on November 30, 2018  SGRE announced Lopez's (53) nomination as new a member on, and Chairperson of, SGRE's Board of Directors, effective December 1, 2018.

"In Miguel Angel Lopez, we've found a great successor who has been instrumental in making Siemens' Digital Enterprise Business the global success that it is today," said Klaus Helmrich, the Siemens AG Managing Board member who is responsible for Spain. "Besides this in-depth knowledge of one of Spain's biggest growth opportunities  Industry 4.0  Miguel enjoys an excellent reputation inside and outside Spain. Consequently, his appointment as CEO for Siemens Spain is a logical next step. Rosa has done a great job of steering the company. On her watch, Siemens Spain became the go-to company for the digitalization of Spain's industrial and manufacturing sector. On behalf of the Siemens Managing Board, I want to thank Rosa for her dedication during her seven years of service for Siemens and wish her all the best for her next step," Helmrich added.

Earlier today, SGRE announced that the vacant position of Chief Financial Officer will be assumed by David Mesonero (38), currently SGRE's Head of Corporate Development, Strategy and Integration.

"The merger between Siemens Wind Power and Gamesa created the necessary scale to win in a highly competitive environment," said Michael Sen, the member of the Siemens AG Managing Board who is responsible for the company's majority shareholding in SGRE. "SGRE is gaining traction in the market and lives up to its responsibility as market leader. Holding the top position in installations in 2017 sends a very clear message. Rosa contributed to these achievements considerably, and I want to thank her for that. Miguel's cultural fit, excellent performance as CFO and extensive experience in the industry make him the ideal successor to now support and drive the stringent execution of SGRE's ambitious strategy program," Sen added.

Since completion of the merger between Siemens' Wind Power business and Spanish turbine maker Gamesa on April 4, 2017, to form SGRE, Siemens AG has been the combined company's majority shareholder, with a 59 percent share. SGRE is headquartered in Zamudio, outside Bilbao, Spain and is listed on the Spanish stock exchange in Madrid.

Garcia had joined Siemens S.A. in October 2011 after spending most of her previous career at Microsoft in the United States and Spain.





For further information on Siemens Spain, please visit www.siemens.esSTATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The NYPD is making national headlines this week, after a weekend without one report of a shooting in a city of 8.6 million people.

NYPD Chief of Patrol Rodney Harrison tweeted about the milestone Monday, thanking officers and the public.

This past weekend #NYC had no shootings, a milestone we haven't reached in over a decade. My thanks to every member of the #NYPD for working hard to protect this city and to every member of the public who has helped us make this city so safe.  Chief Rodney Harrison (@NYPDChiefPatrol) October 15, 2018

The last time NYPD officers made it through an entire weekend without a person reported shot was 1993, according to a New York Daily News report.

The historically quiet run was commended Monday by Mayor Bill de Blasio at the departments graduation ceremony, where he called the run an extraordinary achievement, giving credit to the NYPD.

Police so far have responded to 734 shootings in 2018, as of Sunday, compared to 753 at the same time last year, according to NYPD statistics.

The drop in violence is being felt on Staten Island as well, where shootings are down about 53 percent compared to this time last year, in addition to a seven-percent drop in overall crime.

In January, NYPD Assistant Chief Kenneth Corey touted the departments shift toward neighborhood policing in an interview with the Advance, weeks after taking over as Staten Island borough commander. What sometimes gets lost, said Corey, is that its a crime-fighting strategy first.

It works, because every resident, every worker, every visitor we charge to share responsibility for public safety at the same time that we build trust with the community.

Borough officials also have pointed to the emergence of ShotSpotter technology, and real-time surveillance cameras installed in areas where the most shootings are reported.

If we get an alert from ShotSpotter, real-time we can bring up those cameras," explained an NYPD official during a 2017 interview with the Advance. "(We) alert officers to a possible description and whats going on on the scene, even before their arrival.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Nearly 1,500 New York City bus shelters have been closed following the partial collapse of a Staten Island shelter earlier this month.

JCDecaux, the worlds largest street furniture company, which operates New York Citys 3,500 bus shelters, a program it acquired in 2015, has cordoned off 1,400 shelters while it conducts safety inspections, according to a statement from the company.

The closures were prompted by the partial collapse of the roof of a Staten Island bus shelter located at Victory Boulevard and Van Duzer Street in early October. The partial collapse, during which no one was injured and the roof never hit the ground, was caused by corrosion to multiple bolts.

Following the collapse, JCDecaux, in consultation with the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), began inspecting all 3,500 of the citys bus shelters, starting with the 2,500 older shelters that shared the same design as the one that collapsed.

The other 1,000 shelters were installed more recently, in 2012, and will be inspected once all older ones have been reviewed.

Approximately 1,000 of the 2,500 older shelters have already been inspected, with about 3 percent of them revealing corrosion, according to JCDecaux. These shelters have been repaired and reopened.

The other 1,500 older shelters remain closed off while JCDecaux continues inspection. Once a shelter is inspected and repaired, if needed, the shelter is reopened to the public.

It is expected that this inspection program will be completed within a week, and any required repairs are expected to be completed by the end of the month, according to a company statement.

Bus riders deserve the best level of service whether it be on the bus or when waiting in a bus shelter. DOT expects JCDecaux to keep the citys bus shelters safe and well-maintained. We will hold the contractor accountable for making these fixes expeditiously. We agree with their current actions and will monitor to make sure the shelters are inspected and returned to operation in a safe manner, the DOT said in a statement.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A car careened off of the road and slammed into a utility pole in Richmond Monday night.

The accident occurred near the intersection of Arthur Kill Road and Richmond Road.

A red Honda Civic could be seen with extensive front-end driver-side damage. It does not appear that any other vehicle was involved in the accident.

The air bags deployed inside the Honda, which was heading towards Richmond Road.

Tire tracks indicate that the vehicle veered off of the road approximately fifteen feet before striking the pole.

The car was wedged between a fence and the utility pole on Arthur Kill Road approaching the intersection leading towards Snake Hill.

FDNY responded to the scene at around 9:20 p.m., an FDNY spokesman said.

One individual on scene refused medical attention and no injuries were reported, according to an FDNY spokesman.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Decorated Christmas trees will soon light up living rooms, but an agricultural expert is warning New Yorkers to check them for a tree-killing insect that can hatch eggs inside homes.

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive bug native to eastern Asia that made its first appearance in the United States in Pennsylvania four years ago. It is a threat to New Yorks agricultural and forest health, as it feeds on the sap of more than 70 species.

This feeding stresses plants and makes them vulnerable to disease and attacks from other insects. The insects also excrete large amounts of sticky honeydew, which attracts sooty molds that interfere with plant photosynthesis.

Justin Perry, chief of the Bureau of Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), told the Advance that the spotted lanternfly was spotted in two New York counties last month -- Albany and Yates.

The Department of Agriculture and Markets and the DEC issued a quarantine to restrict the movement of certain goods brought into New York, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The bug is known to hitch rides to new areas when they lay eggs on vehicles, firewood, outdoor furniture and other similar items.

EGGS HATCH IN NEW JERSEY HOME

While the lanternfly doesnt specifically seek out trees that are normally used for Christmas decorations, Perry said the bugs have a preference for vertical surfaces, darker material and rough material, such as bark.

One of the things we did notice, and was indicated last year in New Jersey, someone purchased a Christmas tree and brought it into the house, Perry said. The eggs will stay dormant until it gets warm. The egg nest on the Christmas tree in the house will think its warm and may begin to hatch.

The New Jersey resident assumed the tree was covered in ticks, but it was covered in lanternflies when the eggs hatched due to the heat in the house.

BEFORE YOU BUY A CHRISTMAS TREE

Before you buy a Christmas tree and bring it into your home, Perry suggests to check the tree trunk and branches for a live lanternfly or its egg masses. While the eggs are the hardest to find, they are the most important because they can lead to the insect multiplying.

Perry said when buying a tree, New Yorkers should find out where the tree is coming from to make sure its not from a quarantined area.

Quarantined areas in New Jersey include Mercer, Hunterdon and Warren counties, where the invasive bugs were found. The quarantine restricts the movement of certain goods brought from quarantined counties into different counties and states.

After they verify its not from quarantined areas in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, they should go a step further and check it themselves to make sure theres no bugs or egg masses on the trees, Perry said.

WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE

According to the DECs website, adult lanternflies are about one-inch long and half-an-inch wide at rest, with eye-catching wings. Their forewings are grayish with black spots. The lower portions of their hindwings are red with black spots, and the upper portions are dark with a white stripe.

Nymphs are black with white spots and turn red before transitioning into adults.

IF YOU SPOT A lanternFLY

If you find a lanternfly or egg masses, Perry urges New Yorkers to take a photo and email it to DECs lanternfly email, spottedlanternfly@dec.ny.gov. Note the location, including the address, intersecting roads or landmarks in the email.

After you take a photo, Perry says to scrape off the bug and either crush it or put it in a vial with isopropyl alcohol to make sure it is dead.

FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Delays affecting the MTA express bus line and other vehicles are reported on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge for the Tuesday morning rush hour.

Delays around 7 a.m. on the Brooklyn-bound Verrazzano are due to volume on the Gowanus Expressway, according to the MTA.

A crash earlier in the Tuesday morning rush hour on the Staten Island Expressway eastbound near Hylan Boulevard started the traffic jam that extended back to the Goethals Bridge.

The crash was reported at 5:34 a.m. and no one was transported to a hospital, according to a spokesman for the FDNY/EMS.

The crash was cleared around 6:45 a.m., according to Total Traffic NYC.

Traffic flow is returning to normal on the Goethals Bridge to Staten Island, with possible residual delays, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey around 7:30 a.m.

Affected express, local and limited-stop routes include the SIM1, SIM3, SIM4, SIM5, SIM6, SIM7, SIM10, SIM15, SIM31, SIM32, SIM33, SIM34 and SIM35, S53 S79-SBS, according to the MTA.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A 17-year-old girl missing more than a month from Long Island might be in our borough, according to authorities.

The Suffolk County Police Department has reissued a Silver Alert for a Lake Ronkonkoma teen, who suffers from PTSD, depression and anxiety, and has been missing since September, according to a statement from the Suffolk County Police Department.

Emily Higgins, 17, was last seen at The Sequoia Charter School in Holtsville, L.I., on Sept. 13 at about 11 a.m., according to the police statement.

Police described Emily as white, with green eyes, brown hair and piercings in her nose and ears. She stands about 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs about 195 pounds. She was seen wearing black leggings, a blue T-shirt and white Nike sneakers.

Higgins was believed to be in Manhattan on Sept. 15 and could be in the Bronx or Staten Island. The NYPD has been notified.

A spokesman for Suffolk Police was unable to immediately provide information about why Emily might be on Staten Island.

Anyone with information is urged to call 911 or the Suffolk County Police Fifth Squad detectives at at 631-854-8552.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Members of the state Assembly will hear proposals on legalizing marijuana for recreational use at a hearing Tuesday in Manhattan.

Four Assembly committees will conduct the hearing, which comes two months before the start of the 2019 session in Albany. Proposals wont include specifics, such as how the drug would be taxed and regulated.

The states Health Department reported in July that legalizing and regulating marijuana would benefit New York and outweigh the potential negative impacts.

Based in part on those findings, Gov. Andrew Cuomo formed the Regulated Marijuana Workgroup to draft legislation in New York, while lawmakers in New Jersey draw closer to their own legislation.

In September, staff for the governors workgroup held an open forum on Staten Island, where residents and stakeholders offered varying opinions on the pros and cons of legalization.

-- Associated Press material was used in this reportSTATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Its time to start pulling out all the stops to save the New York Wheel for Staten Island.

Last we heard, Mayor Bill de Blasio does not think the New York Wheel is going to be an economically viable project, and therefore wont float the non-taxable bonds the company is seeking.

Wheel investors said they will allow the multi-million dollar parts for the 630-foot tourist attraction to be auctioned in a few weeks from now by its former contractor, the Holland-based Mammoet-Starneth, if the city doesnt provide support.

So with the Wheels hopes of completion looking grim, a Shark-Tank-style pitch to investors may be just what the project needs.

Hopefully.

Check out our video above to see if we made a good pitch to these faux investors on why the New York Wheel should be bailed out by the city.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- In the middle of a quiet block on Grymes Hill, with manicured lawns and pristine houses, are three eyesores.

Instead of finished homes, neighbors have been staring for five years at three stalled construction sites that are brick and plywood behind a large green fence.

Permits for construction of three three-story single family dwellings at 131, 135, and 139 Highland Ave. were issued in December 2013, said Andrew Rudansky, spokesman for the city Department of Buildings (DOB).

Similar to other zombie homes across the borough, there is overgrown grass inside and outside of the fence, windows are boarded up, lower openings invite vermin and neighbors say the lot is constantly littered with debris.

Millie B., who lives on the opposite end of Highland Avenue and regularly walks her dog near the homes, said it would be nice for the whole block to be beautiful again.

People here take pride in their homes. This is just such a shame that we have to look at this forever, Millie said.

Its very rare when someone works there, one neighbor said.

STOP WORK ORDER; LACK OF MONEY

Rudansky said the most recent permit was issued in September.

He said a Full Stop Work Order was also issued on Sept. 25 for failing to safeguard the public after it was determined that the construction was ongoing without a code-compliant construction fence, proper netting and overhead protection for neighboring property.

The Full Stop Work Order is still in effect, BOB record show.

Rudansky said several violations have been issued to the propertys owner.

DOB records show six complaints were made between October 2013 and July 2016 for various site conditions, as well as Department of Sanitation complaints.

Whenever theres extra money we put it towards the houses, said John Gravris, who is listed as the general contractor with A.M.K. Contracting Corp., according to the Department of Buildings.

Gravris told the Advance the company is fighting the violations issued by DOB.

He said finances are coming and hopes to have construction finished in the first half of 2019.

ZOMBIE HOMES ON STATEN ISLAND

Typical zombie homes are usually those in pre-foreclosure or foreclosure and abandoned by the property owners and landlords.

Squatters often move into the homes to take refuge from poor weather conditions in cold months.

According to the state Department of Financial Services (DFS), there were 522 Staten Island zombie homes on the states database in 2017.

There are 51 properties in Manhattan, 707 in Brooklyn, 716 in Queens and 358 in the Bronx, DFS told the Advance.

In 2016, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the Zombie Property and Foreclosure Prevention Act to help reduce the zombie property epidemic across New York state and enforcing stricter laws on mortgagees, servicing agents, homeowners and city and state agencies.

The law also established a database for the properties.

(Editors note: Is there a zombie home on your block thats diminishing your quality of life? Let us know by emailing kdalton@siadvance.com.)To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.

We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.

A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!The super rich frequently want to dress themselves head-to-toe in luxury labels. They're also increasingly snapping up multimillion-dollar residences branded by the likes of Armani, Bvlgari and Four Seasons.

There are more than 400 branded projects worldwide, with buyers willing to pay premiums of up to 132 per cent in Bangkok and 69 per cent in Kuala Lumpur over non-branded dwellings, according to a report by property consultancy Knight Frank. In Thailand, almost 40 per cent of all new developments are now branded, the report said.

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is home to the world's first Armani Hotel, luxury offices and residences. Credit:Bloomberg

Many of the most-coveted addresses are hotel-branded residences by JW Marriott, the Four Seasons, Versace and Aman Resorts. They offer service levels on a par with their best hotels, including private chefs, the ability to order off a room-service menu and 24-hour concierge services.

Dubai has the highest concentration of branded residences, attracting operators including The W, Jumeirah and Bvlgari. According to Piers Schmidt, a luxury brand consultant at The Luxury Consultancy, that's "down to the fact that developers and promoters have a need to differentiate: you can build it taller, make it revolve and shimmer, but when you get inside an apartment, having a brand gives an advantage".Australian actor John Jarratt wants a historical sexual assault charge against him dealt with in the express lane to trial date, as it continues to impact his film and television career, a court has heard.

The 66-year-old star of the Wolf Creek franchise was charged in August this year, accused of raping a woman he lived in a sharehouse with more than 40 years ago.

Jarratt did not appear at a brief mention of the matter at the Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday, however his lawyer Bryan Wrench maintained the star would continue to plead not guilty to the historic charge.

It will be a not guilty plea all the way, Mr Wrench said.Higher prices, more connections and greater water use helped boost the ACT's monopoly water supplier's revenue by $25 million in 2017-18, sending $136 million in dividends and payments to government coffers last fiscal year.

Icon Water's annual report shows the water and sewerage provider received $454 million in revenue last year, up $25.4 million on 2016-17, largely due to an extra $16 million in water revenue linked to a 2.2 per cent price rises, greater consumption and growth in new connections.

The Cotter Dam is one of the largest dams Icon Water operates.

That compared with payments to the ACT government totalling $122 million in 2016-17, with the dividend payout ratio set at 83 per cent for 2017-18 after tax, gifted assets and capital contribution revenue.

That was before a new pricing regime was approved last year that would decrease water prices paid by residential customers but also double the fixed supply charge for all customers over five years.The new boss of Canberra Health Services - who overseas Canberra Hospital - says her main priority for her time in the top job is tackling worsening patient wait times, pledging to consult staff on the ground.

Bernadette McDonald - a former Victorian health bureaucrat - began her role as interim CEO of the organisation on October 1.

Bernadette McDonald, new interim CEO of Canberra Health Services.

She was appointed to the role on a six-month contract after the government's first pick - Janet Anderson - suddenly pulled out of the role days after she was announced as the new CEO.

Canberra Health Services is a new organisation overseeing clinical health services in the ACT, formed when ACT Health was split into two organisations earlier this month."Often that will involve extra staff," he said, adding the union did not believe schools were necessarily understaffed.

Responding to the increasing number of staff taking leave over bullying and harassment, Mr Fowler said there were "definite stressors" in schools, driven in part by intense workloads that saw educators clocking in up to 65 hours a week.

Education minister Yvette Berry has committed a further $2.4 million to implement WorkSafe's recommendations over the next two years, but did not say whether staffing would be considered in reforms. A specialist three-person team brought in last year to help schools deal with occupational violence would be expanded by four new staff and "external expert services".

Ms Berry said the directorate's new workplace violence policy, developed alongside the union and launched in July last year, was now leading the nation in addressing the issue.

While reports of violence increased, the directorate stressed in its latest annual report that the time staff spent off work had not, though it did not provide those figures before deadline.

The latest national survey of principal wellbeing found close to one in two Australian school leaders had been threatened with violence, with parents and students identified as the main perpetrators, and students reported to be behind the majority of assaults. More than 50 per cent of Canberra principals were threatened in 2017, slightly more than the previous year, though reported violence dropped to about 40 per cent of school leaders. Last year, about 45 per cent also reported being bullied.

Ms Berry said plans underway to meet WorkSafe's requirements included improving support for students with behavioural issues due to disability or trauma, who were often at the centre of incidents. The journey forward would be a difficult one, she said, as the right of all students to an inclusive education was balanced against the need to keep schools safe.Jeff Palmquist, planning, research and grants director, said the prairie remnant was brought to the attention of officials during the 1980s by a neighborhood group. The group included Dick Young, a legendary naturalist who at the time was the Kane County environmental officer, and Mary Ochsenschlager.I had to wait for the ABC's program Future Tense before hearing of the roles of such indigenous parliamentary bodies, now apparently in each of the Scandinavian countries. And why, as we argue about pill testing and worry about the dangers of drug taking, do we not hear more about countries like Portugal, which decriminalised drugs (as the Uniting Church of NSW is now suggesting) 14 years ago? Now it seems hardly anyone dies from overdosing in Portugal, while we continue to pursue an unsuccessful drug policy that makes life worse for everyone. Michael Moore's film Where to Invade Next expressed some of the humility we need. Perhaps it would be good to have a special national committee of the Parliament whose responsibility would be to present, both to our parliaments and to the public, a list of practices and legislation from other countries whenever they become relevant to matters under consideration. Jill Sutton, Watson In the detail

I take issue with Dr Joseph Ting's views on Australian coal (Letters, Forum p9, October 13). The Intergovernmental Panel in Climate Change (IPCC) report of October 1 stated that Australia should phase out the burning of coal and gas; it did not recommend that we abruptly cease the use and export of coal. The IPCC report recommended that all countries phase out the use of fossil fuels by 2050 if global temperature rise is to be kept at the manageable level of 1.5 degrees. This would reduce the demand for Australian coal, something over which we have no control. Weaning the energy-hungry world off its demand for Australia's coal need not threaten our economy. The business opportunities in developing renewable energy are increasing as solar and wind-energy farms, along with battery storage, are quickly decreasing in cost. It is often claimed that because Australia's share of global emissions is "only" 1.3per cent" we don't really need to bother much about reducing them. Our share of emissions is on a par with several other countries, including the UK and Canada. If all the countries with emissions as low as, or lower than, ours ignored the IPCC recommendations, the world's economy, and the welfare of its people, would be put in serious jeopardy. Dr Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin

Degrees of dirty While I agree with most of what Douglas McKenzie writes, he is not correct in his comparison of anthracite with brown coal. The relevant ratio when comparing the emissions of different types of coal is emissions per megawatt hour generated, not per tonne of coal burnt. On this basis good quality black coal is much less dirty than brown coal. But, while the coal contained in the Galilee Basin is not the dirtiest in the world, neither is it the best. In particular, if it were to displace less dirty but more expensive coal from the Hunter it would result in a net increase in emissions as well as damaging the economy of the Hunter region. Eventually the major countries of the world will recognise that forceful action must be taken to limit global warming. They will then not only curb their own emissions but use their economic clout to ensure that other countries do the same. The EU is already doing this in a small way. When China and/or the US join the party it will be game over for thermal coal. Paul Pentony, Hackett Please release free

One has to applaud the Prime Minister and government who state from time to time that as our CO2 emissions are only 1.3per cent of the global emissions anything we do will make no difference. However, I do wish that they would be consistent. I have tried countless times to convince the tax department that as my measly contribution to the gross national tax take is way less than 1.3 per cent it would make no difference to the running of the country [if I didn't pay it]. But they just won't listen. They say such things as "if you don't contribute your share, who will pay to save the Barrier Reef?" or "who will cover our subsidies to the coal industry?", even though government spokespersons have made it clear that 1.3 per cent is insignificant. I call on the PM to ensure that the tax laws are changed so that anyone taxed less that 1.3 per cent of the current tax revenue be exempt.

Digby Habel, Cook The tide turns Phyllis Vespucci scorns those who do not bow down before the IPCC ("Writing on the wall for deniers", Letters, October14). Twenty-five years ago, with a growing family, we decided to buy a seaside block on which to build a weekend retreat. The IPCC was forecasting the imminent meltdown of the polar ice caps and a tidal rise of at least a metre: we built further inland.

Today, the average tidal height at Batemans Bay is no greater than it was those 25 years ago. Perhaps that is why many of us doubt the claims of those who are paid to forecast disaster. Roger Dace, Reid Twain must meet The US imposed drastic economic sanctions against Turkey after it had jailed US pastor Andrew Brunson on terrorism charges for three years. He has now been released and allowed to return to the US after having served 1 years. But the same US administration said it would continue business as usual with its billion-dollar arms sale to Saudi Arabia after the apparent murder of dissident journalist and US resident Jamal Khasshoggi, allegedly by Saudi state agents at its consulate in Istanbul .

What are thinking people to make of that? Rajend Naidu, Glenfield, NSW Overdoses preventable Three Canberrans died needlessly this week, leaving those who loved them grief-stricken. Each tragically died from a suspected heroin overdose, bringing the total number of deaths attributed to this cause to 13 for 2018.

This number is higher than the year's road toll, and the road toll in 2017 and 2016. Overdose death is preventable. As a community we have a responsibility to do more to save lives. Instead of pretending drug use does not happen where we live, or is someone else's problem, it is time to understand that it affects us all and we must invest in services that will prevent overdose deaths. Directions Health Services and other organisations, such as the Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy (CAHMA), support the use of Naloxone as a life-saving strategy. Naloxone can reverse opioid overdose. Ensuring people are educated on the use of Naloxone, expanding its availability and making it more affordable, and encouraging those at risk and those who care for them to have the medication on hand, could help prevent opioid overdose deaths.

Bronwyn Hendry, CEO Directions Health Services Woden NBN support inadequate

Like Bob McDonnell (Letters, October 12) I too am in my 80s. I too recently had the NBN installed in my home. Immediately both my phone and internet connection failed to operate. I was left with no method of connecting to the outside world and with several serious medical problems. After nine days and an appeal to the ombudsman, my phone now works and I am told by my children that they know how to fix the computer. My greatest problem however was that the technical support staff for my problems were located in South Africa.

Despite many phone calls I had great difficulty in endeavouring to fix the problems. My IT knowledge was insufficient to understand their instructions. I found that there was no one in Australia who could assist. I ask therefore what is Australia's involvement in the implementation of the NBN. Do we just dig the holes for the cable? C. Johnston, Duffy ActewAGL fails again I received a gas disconnection notice in last Friday's post  this on the heels of two other accounts demanding "immediate" payment.

My Gas bill for $1027.14 plus the electricity bill for $468.74 were paid at the local post office. I have receipts for both. I 'phoned ActewAGL and was put "on hold". After waiting 35 minutes to speak to someone I gave up. Don't bother sending me an apology ActewAGL  you did that last year. Judith-Ann Sjostedt, Higgins

Democracy in action The Liberal Party campaign in Wentworth is focusing on the horrors of a possible hung Parliament. Do they not remember that the "deadlocked" Gillard government was fully functioning to the point of being the most productive government in recent memory? Compromise is not weakness; it's the sign of mature, multi-party democracy. Steve Ellis, Hackett UOC staff overworked John Passant (Letters, October 15) is exactly on target in his support for striking University of Canberra staff.

I can add two essential points not mentioned in John's letter. The underlying problem is not confined to UOC but is nationwide. This strike is reportedly against a UOC scheme of accelerated promotion, offering really hard workers associate professor rank in only seven years for the three steps from entry level. However it seems that getting off at step 1 or 2 is taken as failure despite the hard work. I joined Canberra College of Advanced Education, now UC, from the IT industry in 1974-5 as a principal lecturer. This title was later changed to associate professor, the current scheme's target. On taking up the job, I joked that it demanded 50 per cent of my time for teaching, 50 per cent for research and 50 per cent for administration. A non-joke, alas, which applies with even greater force to today's academic staff.

John's letter treats all work as if it is labour for money. This is not generally true of most teachers, whether at school or university. Both teaching and research take more time than the timetable provides. The basic problem is that our governments and education authorities assume as a bonus, an economy, this sort of initially voluntary overwork. At individual institutions to lead junior staff into yet more overload is to risk direct harm to some. The other point omitted by John is the human cost, to families as well as staff themselves, of the late night hours. Any UOC staff still aiming high in the scheme should be careful what they wish for. They may reach their goal: a 50 per cent overload continuing for the rest of their academic life.

Brian Stone, Weetangera Power of immigration Eight million permanent migrants will arrive here in the UN Paris Emission years 2005-2030. Using one kilowatt each (personal consumption plus Telstra, traffic lights and streets, hospitals, schools, public transport, water & sewerage pumping) these proud new citizens will need five new 1600MW Hazlewood power stations running flat-out 24/7. Demography Professor Peter McDonald ("Future generations would pay for heavy cuts to immigration, researcher warns", canberratimes.com.au, October 9) ignores yet another benefit of mass migration: each immigrant brings bits of power stations in their luggage.

Bits of solar cells, bits of windmills. Bits of Ikea kit-form coal and hydro stations. Bits of batteries. Bits of transformers. Bits of poles and wires. Once here, multicultural magic assembles all these electrical kits, and Voila! 8,000MW of new dispatchable electricity. The permanent intake must be doubled. The temporary intake must be tripled. The illegal and refugee intake must be quadrupled. D. Hughes, Melbourne, Vic TO THE POINT

WATCH THIS SPACE So, Scott Morrison contemplates moving our embassy to Jerusalem. This makes him the true descendant of the late Harold Holt, transforming "All the way with LBJ" to "Let's all jump for Donald Trump". We know how well Holt's idea worked out. I very much doubt this one is any better. Stephen Mugford, Weston ARE WE CLEAR NOW? At last we've stopped pretending that our Middle East foreign policy isn't simply an Israel policy.

Shane McCartin, North Fitzroy, Vic BISHOP TRUMPS PAWN Would be interesting to hear what Julie Bishop thinks of ScoMo's Jerusalem brain emission. M. Moore, Bonython FEES SQUEEZE

I received my review of my super fund on Friday. It included a $40 "regulatory reform fee" to help cover the cost of updating the funds systems and processes to support regulatory reforms. They say they will be carefully reviewing this fee every year; apparently they are going to be needing even more new systems and will have to increase the fee annually. Ripoff! What do you think? Thank goodness we just had a royal commission into the financial industry. Jan Hutka, Ngunnawal COMING TO A HEAD Analysts would probably say this is a sign of an aleing economy ("Barley heat shock brewing for beer industry", CT, p2, October 16). Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook, NSW

THANKS FOR THAT According to Christian belief, God is omnipotent and omniscient (all powerful and all knowing). He also has an ineffable plan. If you are suffering because you have had insufficient rain to allow your crops to grow, don't you think He knows that? It is part of His plan. For you to beseech him to change it is rude and disrespectful. You will get your rain when He decides you should. Just keep giving thanks and stop whining. George Beaton, Canberra STOP SQUEALING If there is one thing that irritates me more than when a politician gets caught with their nose in the trough, it's when after being caught, they bleat, "But I paid it back!" ignoring their lack of judgment for making the claims in the first instance.

Kim Fitzgerald, Deakin SINISTER SIGN It is interesting to see that religious schools may reject LGBTI students. When I was at a convent (about 70 years ago) there was a boy in our class who was left-handed. The nun gave him a terrible time when he tried to use his left hand. He was forced to write with his right hand, then punished for making a mess. It was distressing to witness. What a pity he was not born normal. Auriel Barlow, DicksonFormer US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger famously said, "Israel has no foreign policy, only domestic policy". If he intended to single out Israel as the only country whose foreign policies are shaped by domestic concerns, he was mistaken. The foreign policies of all nations are deeply influenced by domestic political concerns. The exigencies of domestic politics will often be decisive in determining a governments foreign policies. In a democracy, it could hardly be otherwise.

Australia will consider if its embassy should be moved to Jerusalem. Credit:Chris McGrath

We saw an example of this on Tuesday with the federal governments announcement that Australia will consider moving Australias Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and review Australias previous support for the Iran nuclear deal. It also announced a strengthening of defence ties between Australia and Israel which would include an exchange of defence attaches.

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Australia will vote "no" in the General Assembly against the Palestinian Authority taking the chairmanship of the G77 in 2019. That is a vote against unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.

These are all steps which are consistent with our national interests.One is lending unprecedented US support for Israel under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has shown a steely determination not to end Israels occupation of the Palestinian lands on the basis of the principle of "land for peace", which underlined the internationally backed Oslo peace process and its successor two-state solution.

Another is Trumps withdrawal from JCPOA to punish Iran as the source of allegedly all "evils" in the Middle East. He has vowed to strangle Iran economically, despite Tehran having fully abided by the terms of the agreement and all other signatories to the deal (Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China) as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency having backed Tehran. For the first time in years, it is now the United States and Israel rather than Iran that are more isolated in the international community.

In the face of this, Australia has always argued for a rules-based international system, global stability and security. Regarding the Middle East, in spite of its increasingly pro-Israeli stance at the cost of overlooking the plight of the Palestinian people under occupation, Australia has formally stood for a resolution of the Palestinian issue based on a negotiated settlement that could usher in an independent and secure Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with Israel, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

If Australia moved away from this position, it would be enforcing the illegal Israeli occupation under international law and emboldening the extremists from both sides of the conflict to do more harm to one another. It would also play into the hands of radical violent groups such as Islamic State and al-Qaeda and undermine Australias fight against terrorism.Nicole Cartwright disappeared off Facebook, closing her social media account and ceasing regular contact in the few months before her body was found dumped in a park on Sydneys north shore, a friend has said.

"A beautiful girl, who wouldnt even hurt a fly," is how friend and Liverpool local Lisa remembers the 32-year-old, who she met about three years ago.

"We were in contact a fair bit ... if she ever had a problem she would message me and I would try and give the best advice I possibly could," said Lisa, who has asked not to use her surname.

"But [of] the last couple of months of her life ... I dont know, because she disappeared off Facebook. She just disappeared."A Northern Beaches labourer with a "vendetta" against the justice system has been jailed for two years over a hoax threat to bomb the Sydney Opera House on New Year's Eve.

Downing Centre magistrate Erin Kennedy said she was left with no choice but to imprison the remorseless Drago Reskov, 68, to give the community a "feeling of protection" against the man who authorities have come to know as a serial pest.

Drago Reskov has been jailed for a hoax bomb threat on the Sydney Opera House. Credit:AAP

Ms Kennedy said Reskov's intention was to stop the fireworks display "in an attempt to protest against the government".

"Its difficult to imagine a much more serious offence of this nature  the mothers, the children, the fathers, the grandchildren, the tourists who were all there to enjoy a spectacular night," she said on Tuesday morning.Opposition leader Peter Cumming said while resuming the properties may be a necessary step in the process of getting overdue rates paid he had some reservations. Cr Cumming said in previous instances when local Labor councillors had engaged with residents with unpaid rates it had been uncovered they had not understood the process due to mental health problems or language barriers. I know the department tries their best, but at times they could be a bit more clever about how they approach these problems, he said. Property owners will have three months to make full repayment of their outstanding rates, or the council will set a date for their property to be sold. On Tuesday, the council passed a motion to sell the following properties:

Kentville Street, Mitchelton - $19,385.64

The owner of this house, valued at $500,000, has not paid rates since 2013. The last payment made was for $800. A court bailiff was unable to execute a warrant filed in November 2014. The owner now owes almost $20,000. Annandale Street, Keperra - $11,786.49 The owners of this property have not made a rates payment since November 2016. They owe close to $12,000 in unpaid rates on the property, which has been valued at $310,000. They were first in debt in May 2009 and have since been going through various processes with the council around the recovery of rates. Their last action was in May 2016 when the owners supplied financial documents and statements as requested in an Enforcement Hearing. Acorn Court, Algester - $10,547.29

It has been reported the son of this owner lives at the property, but the whereabouts of the owner is unknown. Rates have not been paid since 2013 when a payment of $683 was made. A debt was first recorded in August 2006. In April 2015 an agent reported the property, which is valued at $320,000 was deserted and vacant. Ailsa Street, Aspley - $10,412.35

This is not the first time the council has tried to forcibly sell this house because of overdue rates. The owner of the house paid their rates in full in 2014 prior to the proposed auction date for this property. They currently owe $10,412 in rates, their last payment was $10,980 in June 2014. The owner also owes money on a second property they own on Edinburgh Castle Road, Kedron. In 2017, the Kedron home was listed to be forcibly sold by the council due to $19,769 in overdue rates. The owner paid the rates on the Kedron property prior to it going to auction but now owes $611.66.The owners of four properties in Brisbane south have willingly handed over their land to the council so it can build a depot for the $944 million Brisbane Metro project.

On Tuesday, Brisbane City Council approved the resumption of four private properties on School Road at Rochedale.

The $944 million Brisbane Metro project is expected to be operating by 2023. Credit:Brisbane City Council

The council first issued the notices to resume to the owners on June 29, 2018, and no objections were received from the property owners.

Opposition leader Peter Cumming criticised the available information on the resumptions, saying there was very little detail.A significant number of diamonds, a speedboat, antique flintlock pistols and a large quantity of methamphetamine have been seized in a six-month police investigation into the drug trade on the Gold Coast.

Queensland Police have charged 31 people with a total of 101 offences after raids on Monday as part of Operation Quebec Venom, which targeted the supply of methamphetamine across the Gold Coast district.

The boat seized as part of Operation Quebec Venom. Credit:QPS

As a result of a six-month operation, Gold Coast detectives raided nine properties on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane including: Gilston Road, Lutana Street, Price Street, Yarrayne Road and Lawrence Drive at Nerang; Paddington Drive at Carrara; Hoop Pine Court at Advancetown; Browne Street at New Farm; and Andrew Street at Cannon Hill.

Investigators will allege officers discovered five firearms, about $35,000 cash and a large quantity of methamphetamine at the Gilston Road address.A Ramsay Centre-funded course at Sydney University would be badged 'Western tradition' rather than 'Western civilisation' in a bid to assuage concerns held by some academics about the proposed partnership.

The country's oldest university has offered staff worried about the Ramsay course a number of concessions in an updated memorandum of understanding it will put to the centre, including stripping Ramsay representatives of voting rights on academic and scholarship committees.

A Ramsay-funded course at the University of Sydney would be badged "Western tradition". Credit:Peter Rae

A Bachelor of Western Tradition would also have to comply with a university-wide plan to emphasise skills such as "cultural competence", or "the ability to engage ethically, respectfully and successfully in inter-cultural settings". The Herald understands the MOU was distributed to university staff and received by the Ramsay Centre on Tuesday night.

The Ramsay Centre board, which includes former Coalition prime ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott, would need to accept the MOU before a deal progresses. If it agrees, Sydney University will draw up a curriculum that would have to be approved by its academic board.A tunnel between the city and Sunshine could be built as part of the Andrews government's plan for an airport rail link.

Among a suite of massive upgrades to regional rail services, Labor has revealed it is considering building a tunnel between Southern Cross and an upgraded station in Sunshine, as part of the multi-billion dollar airport rail link.

Sunshine station could become a "super hub" that would link to the CBD via a tunnel, according to documents released by the government on Tuesday morning.

"Work is needed to identify options to increase rail capacity between a future Airport Rail Link and Sunshine Super Hub and the city, including a possible new rail tunnel from Sunshine to the CBD," the document states.Its a wonderful thing, look at this crowd and it is only a half-hour into it. This is a great event for the community, said Police Chief Phillip Smith, who gave credit to Sgt. Liz Palko for orchestrating the event.Amber Rose Allen was killed in a crash in Yallourn North.

Every pupil at Tyers Primary School was given a flower seedling to take home and plant in honour of their seven-year-old classmate who was killed in a horror crash that has left a woman in a critical condition and her younger siblings injured.

It was a fitting tribute to grade one pupil Amber Rose Allen who was known for picking flowers for staff and children at the small school near Traralgon.

Amber died in hospital, after the Holden Commodore in which she was a passenger allegedly veered onto the wrong side of the road and crashed head on into an oncoming car in Yallourn North, about 140 kilometres east of Melbourne, on Monday.

The woman driving the car Kylie Allely, 29, is in The Alfred hospital in a critical but stable condition.A Shenton Park property manager has been fined $13,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal for making unauthorised withdrawals from a real estate agencys trust account.

The woman was fined $13,000 over the unauthorised withdrawals. Credit:Gabrielle Charotte

Rhonda Denise Reid, who was a director of a Nedlands agency, also failed to act fairly and honestly by making 13 unauthorised withdrawals totalling $36,290 between May 2014 and June 2016 without the knowledge of the agencys licensee.

Ms Reids registration had already expired so an order for her licence to be disqualified could not also be made.

The money was transferred to the agencys general operating account from the agencys trust account, which was used for the management of 19 rental properties throughout the Perth metropolitan area.Prime Minister Scott Morrison addresses the media on Australia's embassy in Israel. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen It is one of the great strengths of Australian foreign policy that we have managed to maintain a bipartisan consensus on big issues. Although there have been notable exceptions, such as the war on Iraq, this solidarity has allowed us to speak firmly because the world knows that our positions will survive a change of government. So it is just shocking that Prime Minister Scott Morrison has floated a series of thought bubbles that contradict longstanding Middle East foreign policy for no obvious reason except to try to secure the Jewish vote in the Wentworth byelection on Saturday. Mr Morrison has suddenly announced that he is open to moving the Australian embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv and he wants to review Australia's stance on the six-nation 2015 deal to prevent Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. The cynical timing is outrageous enough but the Herald opposes the substance, too. Start with the embassy. The Liberal candidate for Wentworth, Dave Sharma, a former ambassador, has argued in these pages that moving the embassy would just acknowledge the reality that West Jerusalem is Israel's de facto capital.

The problem, however, is that doing anything that pre-judges the outcome of talks would compromise, at least symbolically, Australia's role as an honest broker in the Arab-Israeli dispute. That impartial stance protected the Australian soldiers who served bravely in peacekeeping missions in Lebanon and Sinai in past decades and helps our standing in the wider Muslim world. It is not in the interests of peace either. While Israel will no doubt end up with a capital in West Jerusalem, Australia should not formally accept that status until there is a quid pro quo. When the Trump administration said it would move the US embassy in May, it gave away leverage on Israeli hawks who still reject a two-state solution. Mr Morrison also attacks the nuclear deal with Iran signed by the US, France, Britain, Russia and China even though the Coalition has consistently backed it for three years. Iran is certainly no friend of Israel but the deal is the best way of stopping the mullahs in Tehran getting nuclear weapons. The Prime Minister says he is not sure the deal is achieving that goal, yet the International Atomic Energy Agency certified Iran's compliance in March. Despite trying its best, the Trump administration failed to provide any evidence Iran was in breach of its obligations when it pulled out of the deal. The US has only undermined its credibility and signalled to others, such as North Korea, that it cannot be trusted. The group who should be most concerned about Mr Morrison's cynical attempt to politicise Middle East policy is the 12.5 per cent of voters in Wentworth who are Jewish.Labor will vow to help asylum seeker children who need medical help by setting up a new process to bring them to Australia for treatment, as Liberal MPs step up pressure on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to make a similar intervention.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will force the issue in federal Parliament by planning a private member's bill to legislate the new approach, acting on an open letter from 6000 doctors saying the children detained on Nauru must have access to medical treatment in Australia.

The Labor bill sets up a test for Liberal MPs who are urging Mr Morrison to adopt a more humanitarian approach, although it is not clear when the bill could be put to a vote in Parliament.

Labor immigration spokesman Shayne Neumann and health spokeswoman Catherine King announced the proposal on Tuesday with a statement that they shared the concerns of the Australian Medical Association ove the health of children detained on Nauru.

The Labor bill will "ensure the recommendation of treating clinicians" is the primary consideration when deciding the temporary transfer of a child to Australia for treatment.Prime Minister Scott Morrison has downplayed warnings from the Indonesian government over the shock decision to consider emulating US President Donald Trump's contentious Middle East policy, insisting the announcement was "not an issue of concern" as Australia finalises a trade agreement with its largest neighbour and the world's most populous Muslim nation.

On Tuesday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi warned against unilaterally recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital and urged Australia to "continue supporting the Palestine-Israel peace process in accordance with the principles that have been agreed and to not take steps that may threaten the peace process and world stability".

While Indonesia and other Muslim-majority nations have issued swift criticism of Mr Morrison's policy shift, it has been welcomed by Israel, Liberal Party heavyweights and the Trump administration.

"We welcome and strongly support Australias review and discussions on relocating its embassy, seeking a better deal with Iran, and increasing engagement with Israel," said a spokesperson for the US State Department.Prime Minister Scott Morrison is inclined to take up New Zealand's long-standing offer to accept 150 refugees from Nauru and Manus Island on the condition the Parliament passes a stalled bill that would ban any of those people ever coming to Australia.

It marks a turning point in Australia's opposition to New Zealand's offer, with the government having previously said the proposal could only be considered once the United States resettlement deal had been completed.

And it comes as both major parties face increasing internal pressure to get people off Manus Island and Nauru, with MPs telling their leaders the situation is now critical and the public's sentiment is changing.

Scott Morrison vows to accept the New Zealand offer if the Senate passes the "lifetime visa ban". Credit:Fairfax Media

The so-called "lifetime visa ban" would prevent anyone who was sent to Nauru or Manus Island after 19 July 2013 from ever receiving a visa to come to Australia, including a business or tourist visa.Pausing several times to compose himself, Mr Sorensen said he had a good life. "I was fostered out at 13 months, but I've had a good life, I've been blessed," he said. "I have an adopted daughter; I love her greatly. Why should she have been terminated for? She's grown up with us, she's enjoyed life, she's got two beautiful children. "But this bill says we can terminate it all. Why? "Think about it, when you vote on it, just think about killing Ted over here, because that's what you're doing to my heart today."

Meanwhile, Labor backbencher Joe Kelly was lobbying for action to tackle "bias" in the Queensland healthcare system against Down syndrome. Loading Mr Kelly said in utero diagnosis was improving. "I wish to discuss fetuses diagnosed with congenital abnormalities such as Down syndrome, spina bifida or even a cleft palate," he said. "Many constituents and some of my friends have provided me with anecdotal evidence that would suggest there is a bias amongst healthcare professionals which is probably a reflection of a broad societal bias against people with disabilities."

Mr Kelly, a former nurse, said he had worked and volunteered with adults with intellectual disabilities, including Down syndrome. "The impacts that Down syndrome can have on an individual are extremely varied," he said. Loading "I have known people who are fully independent and have jobs, relationships, hobbies, religious and political beliefs. "I have worked with people with Down syndrome who have ... needs of high-level care due to cognitive, physical and behavioural issues.

"It has been my experience that with the right support, every individual can lead a meaningful life." Mr Kelly said he had raised his concerns with Health Minister Steven Miles and would continue to pursue the issue. "I believe we need to do further research to determine if in fact the bias does exist and develop strategies to deal with that if it is in fact true," he said. "We also need to ensure that women, and if it is appropriate, their partners, are provided with good support and information when they're advised that a fetus has a congenital abnormality." Mr Kelly said he would support Labor's bill because it would improve the way abortion was regulated in Queensland, provide women across the state with access to sexual health services and help reduce the number of terminations.

The bill will need a majority vote to pass, with the numbers looking close. So far, 20 Labor MPs and Greens MP Michael Berkman have indicated they would support the bill, while 15 LNP MPs appeared likely to vote against it. Loading The three Katter's Australian Party MPs were expected to oppose the bill, while the intentions of three LNP members were unclear. Labor member for Logan Linus Power expressed reservations about aspects of the bill and described a friend breaking down in tears about having an abortion.Queensland would be left with some of the strictest abortion laws in the country if changes were made to proposed reform, Health Minister Steven Miles has argued in State Parliament ahead of this week's vote.

A Palaszczuk Labor government bill to decriminalise abortion is being debated in the Parliament this week, with MPs allowed a conscience vote.

Health Minister Steven Miles gave a spirited defence of Labor's legislation in Parliament. Credit:Darren England/AAP

The bill would allow abortion on request up to 22 weeks, with a doctor required to consult with a second doctor to receive approval after that time.

It includes safe access zones of 150 metres around clinics to shield women and staff from protesters, while doctors who conscientiously objected would need to refer women to a medical practitioner who would perform the procedure.Premier Mark McGowan has welcomed the federal Coalition's decision to bow to pressure from the states and include a "no-state-worse-off" provision in historic GST reform legislation.

The move means the GST deal, which will send an extra $6.3 billion to WA's state coffers, could be signed off by parliament in days.

'Get it done': Premier Mark McGowan has welcomed news the federal Coalition had agreed to a legislated guarantee no state would be worse off under its GST reform plan. Credit:WAtoday

A legislated guarantee that no state would be worse off under the reform was the last sticking point for the agreement of states to the deal and was a condition of Labor party support in the parliament.

Mr McGowan said the time for talking and debate was now over and urged his federal colleagues to pass the legislation quickly.When you place the phone in the sold-separately Pixel Stand wireless charger, it activates a special mode that essentially turns the phone into a Google Home, letting you play decent-sounding music via voice commands. The Pixels are Qi compliant  meaning other wireless chargers will juice them up, and the stand will power iPhones and others  but this specific mode (which also includes a Google Photos picture frame and a sunrise effect to go along with your morning alarm) only activates with a Pixel 3 and Pixel Stand. Of course neither phone features a headphone jack, but there is a really nice set of wired USB-C headphones in the box, which allow you to summon the Google Assistant to give commands or get translations with the touch of a button, as well as a 3.5mm dongle and a rapid charger. The Pixel Stand turns the phone into a kind of Google Home that also shows you photos. Credit:AP Pixel phones are designed to be showcases of Google's software and services, and Android 9 Pie  already the company's best mobile update in years  shines here. The new gesture-based navigation system is quick and natural (and no longer optional), the digital wellbeing features are well done and the predictive app suggestions and "app actions" mean I'm more comfortable keeping my home screen sparse instead of filling it with every app and widget I might need (which is nice because the Pixel 3 has a new set of Google Earth wallpapers that really show off how great the screen is). Other Pie features like Adaptive Display and Adaptive Battery use AI to learn your behaviours and save juice where they can, but I found with moderate-to-heavy use I would get a maximum of 18 hours on a charge, which is acceptable but not mind-blowing. On the other hand the "wind-down" function, designed to make you go to bed on time, has absolutely worked on me over the last week of using the phone, so I was usually putting it down with a bit left in the tank.

Elsewhere there are heaps of nice little software touches, like the ability to flip the device onto its screen to activate Do Not Disturb mode (handy at the dinner table or, in my case, on deadline), or the new Smart Compose function that finishes your sentences in Gmail, but overall this is the clean, minimalist phone experience you expect from Google. The combination of the Search bar and At a Glance widget on the home screen, and your personal feed on the left, means that important information often comes to you rather than you having to seek it out, and everything else you need is generally only two or three touches away. Similarly the camera experience here is in line with the philosophy of past Pixels, and although I haven't done any scientific testing I fully expect it to be rated the year's best smartphone camera, just as the Pixel 2 was last year. Once again the detail, colour and clarity are just very consistent and effortless. There's a lot going on in the background, but the results are natural looking and, most importantly, instant. In terms of features, there have been some changes from last year. There are now two 8MP front cameras, one ultrawide, which adds some extra room for selfie fans. You can effectively zoom out from the standard selfie shot now, letting you take in more people or scenery to the left and right of you while still holding the phone in portrait orientation. There's also a new feature that lets you just wave your phone around in front of your face and pose, and it will choose when to take the pictures. This works better for smiling or duck-face selfies; if you keep your face neutral the camera will just wait. On the rear Google is defying the competition by sticking with a single 12.2MP shooter, relying on software rather than a second lens to achieve competent zoom and fancy effects like portrait mode. Notably Google totes a feature called "Super Res Zoom", which compares pixels to avoid the noisy, blurry look you get with optical zoom. I noticed some weird artefacts and outlining in fully zoomed in shots, but in all cases the clarity was improved over what I could take with the Pixel 2.

Another new feature is called Top Shot. After you've taken a picture of a moving subject, you can access a stream of exposures taken by the phone, which will then suggest the photo it thinks is best (based on whether the subject is smiling, for example, or has their eyes open). This means that if you happen to shoot too early or late to catch the perfect moment, you can go in afterwards to move time forward or backward slightly. As with other Google Photos options like motion or the editable depth of field on portrait shots, Top Shot functionality remains even after you've backed the photo up and removed it from your device, so you could conceivably fix your photos years after the fact. Some other nice touches to the camera include the ability to shoot in RAW, improved stabilisation for the rear shooter in video mode and an expansion of the augmented reality features into a mode called Playground. Now you can summon a happy cloud to float around your head (well, he's happy when you're happy. If you make a sad face he cries raindrops), or even recruit Iron Man to pose for a few pictures in your lounge room. These work for the front and back cameras. Google's also expanded its Lens functionality so it works directly from the regular camera screen. Point your phone at a phone number on a poster and it will offer to call it. Look at a an email address on a business card and it will offer to open up Gmail and compose. Of course you can also fire up the full-on Lens mode so you can scan books, clothes or whatever else and get instant web results. Perhaps the most interesting photo feature is one that's coming to the phones in a future update. Night Sight promises to brighten even the darkest photos without introducing noise or using a colour-obliterating flash. I've seen test photos on one of Google's devices, and they looked great, but I'm not yet convinced about how reliable it will all be. Night Sight uses machine learning and software to introduce colours and details to the photos that can't actually be captured by the camera, meaning it will need to intuit things like the colour of your clothing, or a person's skin tone and complexion. It could make for some very strange results if it isn't just right, but time will tell.Peterson in his application said that his work as a real estate broker for the past 12 years has given him knowledge of the housing market and property values in Yorkville. He works in sales as a territory manager. He has experience in construction management as well.Abuja: The death toll from a fire on a Nigerian oil pipeline on Friday has risen to 60, a spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said, up from 16, a tally given by officials three days earlier.

Local youths walk on an oil pipeline in Nigeria. Credit:AP

The state oil company said the fire had been caused by vandals who breached the pipeline in Ososioma near the south-eastern city of Aba.

"We had put out the fire. We are now pumping water in the pipeline to detect other possible areas of leakages," a spokesman said.

The pipeline is a key network that supplies imported petrol and output from the Port Harcourt refineries to much of the south-east and north of the country.A Saudi Royal Air Force plane has crashed during a training mission, killing all of its crew, a Defence Ministry source was quoted as saying on the state news agency SPA on Tuesday.

The crash happened on Monday in the northwest of the kingdom. The report did not say how many crew members were on board of the plane, which was a Hawk.

Investigations are under way to determine the cause of the crash.

The incident has coincided with the arrival of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

The top U.S. diplomat was dispatched to the kingdom for talks with King Salman over the disappearance and alleged slaying of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, who vanished two weeks ago during a visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.Istanbul: Police searching the Saudi Consulate found evidence that Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi was killed there, a high-level Turkish official said on Tuesday, and authorities appeared ready to also search the nearby residence of the consul general after the diplomat left the country.

The comment by the Turkish official to The Associated Press further intensified the pressure on Saudi Arabia to explain what happened to Khashoggi, who vanished on October 2 while visiting the consulate to pick up paperwork he needed to get married.

Separately, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told journalists on Tuesday that police sought traces of "toxic" materials and suggested parts of the consulate had been recently painted, without elaborating.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo travelled to Saudi Arabia to talk to King Salman and his son, the 33-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, about the fate of the journalist who wrote critically about the Saudis for the Washington Post.Esquipula, Guatemala: Hundreds of Hondurans hoping to reach the United States bedded down for the night in Esquipula after Guatemala blinked in its attempts to halt their advance.

The group estimated at 1600 to 2000 people fleeing poverty and violence in Honduras marched into Guatemala in sweltering heat on Monday, twice pushing past outnumbered police sent to stop them  first at the border and then at a road block just outside Esquipulas.

Honduran migrant Mary Dominguez carries her two-year-old son Dominic into Esquipulas in Guatemala on Tuesday. Credit:AP

After those encounters, Mexico's immigration authority sent out a fresh warning late on Monday that the migrants would have to satisfy Mexican officials individually and that only those meeting requirements would be allowed to enter.

US authorities were watching as well. Katie Waldman, a US Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman, said in a statement that the caravan was "what we see day-in and day-out at the border as a result of well-advertised and well- known catch-and-release loopholes."~ Only fined for incorrect tax filings ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- After eight years of criminal prosecution and being accused of a plethora of far-reaching, negative, criminal acts, Claudius and Maria Buncamper were acquitted of 7 of the 8 charges brought against them by the Court of Appeals on October 15th, 2018. The Buncampers were only found responsible for the improper filing of tax return forms, by an expert who was contracted to undertake this task. In other words, the Buncampers, after 8 years, received a fine and community service for someone elses work.

The Buncampers were accused of acts such as forming part of a criminal organization, money laundering, multiple counts of fraud and fencing. The Court of Appeals unequivocally acquitted the Buncampers of all these charges. Better said: The Buncampers were fully acquitted of seven (7) of the eight (8) criminal charges brought against them, in two different indictments, their defense team stated.

The Court of Appeals, however, considered it legally and convincingly proven that Buncamper did not fill out the profit tax forms for the company Eco Green NV for the years 2009 and 2010 appropriately, at least that they were liable for the fact that these tax return forms were not properly filed. Since the Buncampers were, put briefly and short, closely involved with Eco Green NV, they can be legally held responsible for these inappropriate tax filings, according to the Court of Appeals.

However, instead of the - conditional  jail sentence imposed by the Court of First Instance, the Court of Appeals sentenced Maria and Claudius Buncamper to a penalty of 25,000 guilders, each, and in addition to two hundred and forty (240) hours community service. This reversal, from a conditional jail sentence to a penalty with community service, is by itself a clear indication of the appreciation by the Court of Appeals of the severity and culpability in this specific case.

The verdict by the Court of Appeals shows that:

(i) Buncamper were perfectly in their right to transfer the economic ownership of the long lease right to a company, in this case: Eco Green NV;

(ii) Buncamper were perfectly in their right to assign their claim for unpaid lease before the incorporation of Eco Green NV, to this company. As such, this debt could have been vested in this company, upon its incorporation;

(iii) whether or not a so-called strawmans construction was utilized, is, as the Court of Appeals also specifically said during the hearing, completely irrelevant in the underlying case. One and other boils down to the fact that if Buncamper wanted, they could have put someone else to front for them; this is namely by itself not an illegal act;

(iv) The Buncampers at no point in time forged any agreement and they certainly did not forge any notarial deed;

(v) The Buncampers at no point in time from part of any criminal organization;

(vi) The Buncampers did not launder any money, nor were they ever in possession of monies derived from a crime;

(vii) The Buncampers were entitled to sell the right of longlease.

As such, the Buncampers are grateful to the Court of Appeals, for their decision-making.

The verdict of the Court of Appeals shows that after eight (8) years of being accosted or better said vilified, specifically by one media outlet, and after eight (8) years and dozens of articles on illegal sale of economic rights, forgery, strawmen construction and more of that factually fully unsubstantiated and judicial nonsense, everyone can establish that the only thing that the Court of Appeals is reproaching the Buncampers for, is not properly filling out a profit tax report. Specifically and simply, for wrongfully considering an equity payment as a deductible company cost.

The Buncampers were sentenced for incorrectly filling out profit tax forms for Eco Green N.V. because the profit tax forms, which were, by the way, filled out and signed by an independent third-party tax expert, whose services were retained by Eco Green NV, contain payments made by Eco Green NV to Buncamper as a cost-deduction. This, whilst it can be argued that these payments went to the equity of Eco Green NV and should as such not have been incorporated as a cost in the profit tax filings. By considering these payments as a cost, Eco Green NV showed a negative profit.

It is very much debatable that Buncamper, who as stated retained the services of an expert on taxes, nota bene a person who prided himself on working for years for the investigative branch of the Inspectorate of Taxes on Sint Maarten, could have realized that these were equity payments and not deductible costs. Moreover, since it is the tax expert who:

(i) Made the profit and loss statements for Eco Green NV;

(ii) filled out the profit tax forms for Eco Green Nv;

(iii) signed the profit tax forms for Eco Green Nv;

(iv) filed the profit tax forms for Eco Green NV.



One can in any case place serious question-marks on what, if anything, the Buncampers could have done to prevent this and as such specifically on their involvement and culpability.

The Buncampers are presently evaluating the verdict and specifically considering these questions in their decision-making on whether or not to file cassation with the Supreme Court against the one (1) count, for which they have been sentenced.

The general public should note that the considerations of the Court of Appeals about the involvement and specific knowledge of the Buncampers on the litigious profit tax filings, is largely based on the statement of the same tax expert. It appears that the Court of Appeals however regretfully did not consider the extensive email correspondence between Mrs. Maria Buncamper and this tax expert. This might be because, in the words of the Court of Appeals itself, the entire file of Maria Buncamper was lost by the Court Administration.

Whatever the case might be, proper consideration of this correspondence that is or should be part of the criminal files shows the elaborate exchange and discussion between Maria Buncamper and the tax expert on the contents of the lease agreements and what could or could not be presented as a deductible, according to the tax expert.

The question if the Buncampers should, within reason, ultimately also be held responsible, therefore, is -regardless of the verdict of the Court of Appeals - a matter of interpretation/appreciation. Cassation is, as stated, being considered.

The witch-hunt against The Buncampers during the last eight years thus results in merely an interpretation of whether payments in excess of $200,000,- could have been included in the profit and loss statements of a company and as such in its profit tax filings, as a deductible cost. A simple letter or so-called coercion script of the Director of the Tax Inspectorate could have resolved this issue a long time ago.

The general public should also know that the criminal prosecution against Buncamper was commenced:

- without a phone call or any notification of objection by the Tax Inspectorate on the presented deductibles;

- without the so-called coercion script (in Dutch: dwangschrift) or additional tax assessment from the Inspectorate of Taxes; and

- without any investigation into the financial statements of Eco Green or of Buncamper for that matter, by the Inspectorate of Taxes,

courtesies that are extended to 99% of all citizens.

It goes without saying that the simple opposition by the Inspectorate of Taxes back then, wouldve saved a lot of time and money. The Inspectorate of Taxes is however not to blame, according to the Buncampers. The tax filings of the Buncampers was never subject of any contentious dispute. The simple fact of the matter is that the Public Prosecutors Office, faced with the court-imposed deadline to either put up by indicting Buncamper or shut up, fabricated -with the help of one media outlet, or one specific media reporter- the charges that the Court of Appeals now rejected. In that process, Eco Green NV was regretfully never given the opportunity to have even one (1) discussion of the legal merits of the presented cost-deductible.

The Buncampers understand that after years of almost systematic negative publicity against them, many in our society might not fully understand/care or value that the bottom line in this entire matter is, that the simple practical solution of having the Tax Inspectorate discuss the correctness of applying certain cost deductibles in profit tax filings, would logically not been as sensational and detrimental to the Buncamper as the ridiculous accusation levied against them, obviously for ulterior motives. These accusations incorrectly sustain the negative portrayal of corruption by political and governmental persons on Sint Maarten. Accusations, that are used to deploy much-needed funds to witch-hunt and sustaining the apparatus and lifestyle of a small group within our society. Funds that could have been actually put to use for the best interests of Sint Maarten.PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA), in conjunction with ORCO Bank, Global Resourcing, the Chamber of Commerce and 360 of Innovation proudly presents the program for the upcoming innovative networking conference SMILE (Sint Maarten Innovation, Initiatives & Industries Linkup Event). The event will start off with a kick-off mixer held the evening of November 2nd, followed by a full day networking event taking place November 3rd at University Saint Martins Campus.

Amongst the events addresses will be: the internationally acclaimed Future of Work contribution by Aruban innovation agency 360 of Innovation, including a chapter on what the blockchain economy can and will mean for the Caribbean; The Heineken Regatta Foundation will present its brand-new vision as the renowned events 40th anniversary approaches in 2020; as well as the long-anticipated launch of Waste2Work, a collaboration between Netherlands Red Cross and Open-House Foundation. Its Incubator SXM Innovation Hub provides space for maximum 15 Sint Maarten Startups, establishing a collaborative industrial campus focused on reuse to reduce waste streams and other sustainable solutions.

Last but not least, the World Bank will provide workshops providing clarity on ongoing tenders and how Sint Maarten companies can take part.

Event tickets cost $ 75. As the organizers see it key that all Sint Maarten companies are informed well regarding the World Bank tenders, one additional World Bank workshop is available for companies not having the funds available to join SMILE right after the event ends at 5 o clock.

SMILE Workshops will focus on Doing business differently after Irma - both more innovative and sustainable. Within the workshop settings, Sint Maarten managers, NGOs and entrepreneurs are offered expert workshops on how to further improve their operations in the post-Irma economy. Workshops will be provided on Social Media Strategy, Customer Experience, SXM Tendering Law, Tax Compliance, Digital Business on Sint Maarten, CPR Training, making your operations more sustainable (Eco-Labels), International and Caribbean business networking, Hydroponic Agriculture and Applying for Qredits funding for Small and Medium Enterprises. Amongst others, updates will be provided on the ORCO Housing Project for Professionals; the Harbor Group of Companies; the Maho Group and the new sustainability initiative: GreenBox.

The SMILE event is open to private sector professionals, Government officials and USM students. Attendance is expected to be high, so reserve your space now!

Interested companies both domestic and foreign can take up contact with the SMILE project office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 542-0108. More information and the full program can be found at shta.com/SMILE or visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/smilesintmaarten.PHILIPSBURG:--- The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise contributed to the St. Maarten Early Childhood Development Association World Teachers Day (SECDA) Celebration. SECDA organized a retreat for the teachers of all registered pre-schools on the island, which consisted of over 100 teachers. President of the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise, Valda Hazel stated in her address to the teachers, that one of the areas of focus of Rotary is supporting Education and Basic Literacy and therefore the club encourages Education Development. We know the hard work and dedication you put in daily as teachers and we will forever be grateful, you are the ones who are molding our children in becoming exceptional adults. One should consider this contribution towards the event as a gesture of our appreciation.

The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise took this opportunity to gift two (2) Pre-Schools with learning tools. The selected schools suffered a great loss due to Hurricane Irma and even one year after the hurricane the owners and teachers are still struggling to rebuild the school. These schools cater to highly developed communities and therefore there is a great demand for them. The recipients of the learning tools were Little Goslings and Discovery Kidz Pre-Schools.

The learning tools were provided by Ms. Deika Morrison, the founder of a program that supports early childhood education and development in Jamaica - Crayons Count. Through her foundation in the USA, Do Good International, Deika offered to provide packages to schools and/or children in countries affected by the recent hurricanes. Crayons Count provides recommended learning tools for the early childhood age group, which is up to age 8. With the help of volunteers from Hands On Miami, FIU Caribbean Students Association, Florida Caribbean Students Association and The Children's Trust, they were able to package the boxes and have them shipped to the islands.

Each package contains balls, Blocks, Books, Crayons, Manipulatives, Musical Instruments, Paint, Puppets, Puzzles, Stationery, etc...POINTE BLANCHE:--- Port St. Maarten Management attended the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA) 48th Annual General Meeting Conference & Exhibition (AGM). The CSA is considered the voice of the Caribbean shipping industry.

The AGM was an opportunity to share expertise and ideas and to promote the latest developments and innovations from across the world of shipping.

Port St. Maarten Management officials said on Monday that one of the main topics of discussion at the conference was the continued influence on digitalization of Ports to better adapt and for true efficient cargo handling. This is in line with Port St. Maartens Port Community System (PCS).

The PCS involves data-sharing among stakeholders and third parties covering cargo and cruise operations at the countrys sea-port of entry.

PCS is an extension of Port St. Maartens Terminal Operating System that would further enhance the ports operational excellence platform linking, for example, cargo/container manifest to an incoming/outgoing vessel to warehouse/storage handling and receiver pick-up.

Port St. Maarten continues to be a positive topic as it relates to transshipment cargo within the region. We are continuing being looked at as the premier hub. Expectations are that we will close the year with a about 20% increase in transshipment volume.

Local imports continue to show very positive vital signs as the economy continues to recover and we expect that this recovery will move at a faster pace in 2019 and 2020. We have already experienced a whopping 26% positive increase for the year 2018 versus last year.

The positive increases that we have been experiencing in business could not have happened if the Port and stakeholders post Irma didnt take swift action to ensure Port St. Maarten regained its competitive edge. This was realized via key investments within port infrastructure and equipment being made.

Port St. Maarten current operational percentage is 96% with a continued steady pace of repairs, it is expected to reach full operational percentage within short, Port St. Maarten Management said on Tuesday.

The 48th CSA AGM took place in Panama from October 8-10. This year the host was Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT). Conference delegates spent a day traveling the world-famous canal to their facility.

CSA AGM brought together a specialist audience of shipping experts from academia, industry, government, and service providers of shipping and maritime products and services.

Another key topic discussed at the conference was 4IR, or the fourth industrial revolution, which emphasized on the importance of ports focusing on technology to enhance their business operations.

At the opening ceremony of the conference, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Caribbean Maritime University and the International Maritime University of Panama was signed. The partnership emerged from discussions held during the First Meeting of the Jamaica/Panama Joint Commission for Cooperation, which was first convened in June 2018.

This MOU relationship would allow for advanced training, the further development and exploration of environmentally friendly practices, digitalization of maritime shipping and institutional cooperation for capacity building.

CSA was established in 1971 to facilitate development of an efficient, viable Caribbean shipping industry. Since then, the Association has become the voice of the region's shipping industry and a major regional forum in which matters relevant to the growth and development of Caribbean shipping are discussed.

The CSA represents its membership in relevant regional hemispheric groupings, associations and organizations - governmental, multilateral and private sector; and maintains Observer status with leading Caribbean multilateral bodies CARICOM and the Association of Caribbean States.

Caribbean Shipping Association represents private and public sector interests across the entire Caribbean area, including South, Central and North American ports; in all four major language groups - English, French, Spanish, and Dutch. The CSA uses English as its official language.

CSA membership includes 12 national shipping associations and over 100 individual member entities, including port authorities, terminal operators, shipping agents, shipping linesWashington, D.C.(PAHO / WHO):--- Ministers from across the Caribbean region met today in St Georges, Grenada to ensure that those living in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), who are on the front line of increasing health impacts of climate change, are prepared and protected.

The III Global Conference on Health and Climate: Special Focus on Small Island Developing States, convened jointly by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and hosted by the Government of Grenada, takes place on 16 and 17 October. The Conference convenes Ministers of Health, Ministers of Environment, representatives from other UN agencies and key stakeholders from Caribbean SIDS to develop an Action Plan on Health and Climate Change for the Caribbean.

We saw last year the devastating effects of hurricanes Irma, Maria and Harvey, and many other tropical storms that hit the Caribbean, said Dr. Carissa Etienne, PAHO Director. But we also face other challenges, such as floods; droughts; heatwaves; water and food security and safety; undernutrition; massive fisheries and marine biodiversity loss; vector borne diseases; and non-communicable diseases.

I dont need to convince anyone in this room that the present situation is critical, added Dr. Etienne. Health is being impacted by climate change in many ways, and although SIDS have made a small contribution to global emissions of Greenhouse Gases, our islands are at the forefront of climate change impacts.

During the Conference, which is attended by 14 Caribbean Ministers of Health and Ministers of the Environment, and hosted by the Government of Grenada, four overarching issues will be discussed: Supporting Caribbean health leadership to have their priorities and needs heard; strengthen national technical capacities to understand the impacts of climate change on health in SIDS and to anticipate and prepare for those risks; developing the policies and implementing actions required to build climate-resilient health systems; and facilitating access to climate and health financing mechanisms.

Climate Change and Health in Small Island Developing States

The Conference is part of the WHO Initiative on Climate Change and Health in Small Island Developing States, which was launched in collaboration with the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Fijian Presidency of COP-23, at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties in November 2017.

The reason we are here today is because island nations have requested it, said Dr. Joy St. John, Assistant Director General for Climate and Other Determinants of Health at WHO. More extreme weather events are taking lives and having devastating impact on livelihoods and economies, and even threatening to submerge some of the islands. We need to ensure that people from these islands have the best possible level of health so that no one gets left behind.

The WHO initiative aims to provide national health authorities in SIDS with the political, technical, and financial support to better understand and address the effects of climate change on health. It takes the form of three innovative, geographically dispersed meetings. The first was held in Fiji, for Pacific SIDS, and the second in Mauritius, for SIDS of the African and South-East Asian WHO Regions. The Conference in Grenada constitutes the third meeting, and together with the regional plans developed during the other two meetings, will contribute to a WHO global action plan for climate and health in Small Island Developing States.

Many small islands are already seeing an increase in climate-change related events, including high burdens of climate-sensitive diseases such as vector-, food-, and water-borne diseases; more frequent and severe extreme weather events; and rising sea levels.

What we are seeing with respect to climate change and health is that how we define ourselves as a Caribbean people is at stake, said Hon. Nickolas Steele, Minister of Health and Social Security of Grenada. Sun, sea and sand is something we have been proud of but it is also going to be our downfall. We need to make sure that we are ready and that we are prepared and smart, he concluded.

While countries have agreed to take action to limit global warming under the 2015 Paris Agreement, it is vital that health care facilities are reinforced, early-warning surveillance systems implemented; and policy developed to ensure that those that are most vulnerable to climate change events are not left behind.Revival Gold Announces Initial Beartrack Metallurgical Test Results

Posted by Publisher Internet

Revival Gold Inc. (TSXV: RVG, OTCQB: RVLGF) (?Revival Gold? or the \Company\  http://www.commodity-tv.net/c/search_adv/?v=298437), a growth-focused gold exploration and development company, announces results from an initial phase of metallurgical testwork on sulphide and transitional material from the Beartrack gold project (?Beartrack?) located in Lemhi County, Idaho.

Summary Results

Six composite samples selected from sulphide and transitional mineralization in various rock units at Beartrack were submitted to SGS Mineral Services (?SGS?) in Vancouver, Canada in April 2018 for an initial phase of metallurgical testwork.

Testwork focused on minerology, updating historical floatation results and the potential for ultra-fine grinding to liberate gold without the need for pre-oxidation of sulphide material in the Beartrack process flowsheet.

Results released today indicated favorable gold recoveries into rougher flotation concentrate and from cyanidation of flotation tails for the six samples tested with combined gold recoveries ranging from 83% to 99%.

Overall gold recoveries using ultra-fine grind, conventional flotation and intensive leach of concentrates for the six samples tested had recoveries ranging from 49% to 77%. As suggested by historical metallurgical testwork, pre-oxidation of concentrates is deemed necessary to improve overall flowsheet gold recovery.

A second phase of metallurgical work will be pursued to assess the various pre-oxidation processes available such as pressure oxidation, the Albion process and the Dundee process.

?The level of gold recovery to flotation concentrates observed in SGS?s results is encouraging and represents a good start to Revival Gold?s planned program to update the metallurgical testwork on sulphide material at Beartrack?, said Hugh Agro, President and CEO. ??The next phase of metallurgical work will focus on the various pre-oxidation processes available for treatment of concentrates. Meanwhile, drilling will continue as Revival Gold seeks to grow both leachable and mill resources on the Company?s combined Beartrack-Arnett land position?, he added.

Details

Revival Gold?s May 2018 maiden mineral resource at Beartrack (?Mineral Resource?) was categorized as leachable (oxide and transitional) or mill (predominately sulphide) material depending on the metallurgical and economic characteristics of each block in the Mineral Resource block model.

Metallurgical characteristics of the leachable material at Beartrack are relatively well-defined given the project?s history as a successful heap leach mine operated by Meridian Gold Company (?Meridian?) in the 1990?s. A leach recovery of 85% of the cyanide soluble gold grade for leach material was assumed in the Mineral Resource based on past testwork by Meridian (Hazen, 1989-90) and the level of recovery realized at the historic operation.

Metallurgical characteristics of the mill material at Beartrack are less well-defined. Past testwork by Meridian (Hazen, 1989-90) suggested the use of pressure oxidation as a pre-oxidizing step for flotation concentrates derived from mill material in the Mineral Resource. Based on this past testwork, a pressure oxidation flowsheet and an assumed mill recovery of 84% of the fire assay gold grade was used in the Mineral Resource estimate.

In conjunction with Revival Gold?s 2018 exploration program at Beartrack, the Company initiated a first phase of metallurgical testwork focused on minerology, updating historical floatation results and the potential for ultra-fine grinding to liberate gold without the need for pre-oxidation of sulphide material. Six composite samples from Beartrack were submitted to SGS Mineral Services in Vancouver, Canada in April 2018. The samples were selected from sulphide and transitional mineralization in various rock units in the South Pit, Ward?s Gulch and Joss areas at Beartrack.

The flowsheet test configuration included initial grinding (to a P80 of 40 ?m) and rougher flotation followed by intensive leaching of flotation concentrates and cyanidation of flotation tails. Flotation concentrates underwent a regrinding stage (to a P80 of 5-10 ?m) prior to leaching.

During flowsheet development testwork, a master composite was produced and subjected to a variety of test conditions during all stages of the flowsheet to determine the most appropriate conditions going forward in preparation for the flowsheet testing stage.

Mineralogy and flowsheet development testwork on the master composite and on the six individual composites from Beartrack generated the following results:

Head Characterization 

Individual composite head assays ranged from 0.69 to 6.07 g/t Au, from <200 to 14,500 ppm As, from 0.43 to 2.20% S, and from 0.02 to 1.07 % C. The master composite grade was 2.11 g/t Au, 4,000 ppm As, 1.46% S, and 0.32% C. Gangue minerology was composed mostly of light silicates such as quartz. Pyrite and arsenopyrite were the dominant sulphide phases. Gold grains were typically 5-50 ?m in size and were found to be poorly liberated and in close association with the sulphide phases. Flowsheet Test Results  Gold recoveries into individual composite rougher concentrates ranged from 64% to 98% with mass pulls ranging from 15% to 21%. Intensive leaching of rougher flotation concentrates yielded gold extractions from flotation concentrates ranging from 48% to 81% and averaged 62%. Cyanidation of rougher flotation tailings yielded gold extractions ranging from 40% to 82% and averaged 68%. Gold recoveries into rougher flotation concentrate and from cyanidation of flotation tails yielded combined recoveries ranging from 83% to 99% and averaging 94%. Overall gold recoveries using ultra-fine grind, conventional flotation and intensive leaching of concentrates yielded recoveries of 49% to 77% and averaging 62%. Pre-oxidation of concentrates is deemed necessary to improve on overall flowsheet gold recovery. Next Steps A follow up phase of metallurgical testing was recommended by SGS including the following key items: Additional work to best understand the sub-microscopic gold component using Dynamic Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (D-SIMS). Evaluation of options to improve gold extraction from the flotation concentrate including updated evaluation of pressure oxidation as well as an initial evaluation of other oxidation processing options such as the Albion and Dundee processes. The Albion process was developed in 1994 and uses a combination of ultra-fine grinding and oxidative leaching at atmospheric pressure to liberate gold from sulphide ore. The more recently developed Dundee chlorination process uses sodium hypochlorite with a catalytic amount of sodium hypobromite in acidic conditions to put gold into solution. Both processes have been successfully commercialized. An extension of the metallurgical testing of sulphide and transitional mineralization in to other rock units and other mineralized areas at the Beartrack project. Over the coming months, Revival Gold will assemble additional metallurgical sample material and further develop the Company?s next phase of metallurgical testing. Metallurgical testwork will be targeted to dovetail with the potential initiation of a resource update for Beartrack-Arnett in late 2019. Steven T. Priesmeyer, C.P.G., Vice President Exploration, Revival Gold Inc., is the Company\-\-s designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed and approved its scientific and technical content. About Revival Gold Inc. Revival Gold Inc. is a growth-focused gold exploration and development company. The Company has the right to acquire a 100% interest in Meridian Beartrack Co., owner of the former producing Beartrack Gold Project located in Lemhi County, Idaho. Revival also owns rights to a 100% interest in the neighbouring Arnett Gold Project. In addition to its interests in Beartrack and Arnett, the Company is pursuing other gold exploration and development opportunities and holds a 51% interest in the Diamond Mountain Phosphate Project located in Uintah County, Utah. Revival Gold has approximately 42 million shares outstanding and had a working capital balance of approximately $1.8 million as at September 30th, 2018. Additional disclosure of the Company?s????? financial statements, technical reports, material change reports, news releases and other information can be obtained at www.revival-gold.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. For further information, please visit www.revival-gold.com or contact:

Andrea Totino, Investor Relations Manager

Telephone: (416) 366-4100

Email: info@revival-gold.com

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger

info@resource-capital.ch????

www.resource-capital.ch ???

Cautionary Statement

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This News Release includes certain \forward-looking statements\ which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company?s future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as ?believes?, ?anticipates?, ?expects?, ?estimates?, ?may?, ?could?, ?would?, ?will?, or ?plan?. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management?s expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company?s objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, capital, operating and reclamation costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in the Company?s public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.Technically, Aurora does not celebrate this federal holiday. Kids may be off from school and the mailman doesnt pay a visit, but City Hall is still open for business. Nevertheless, issuing a proclamation making Oct. 12 Indigenous Peoples Day in Aurora would be another step in the defrocking of Christopher Columbus, who may have been courageous and brave. But the Italian explorer was not all that nice, and certainly he was no hero when you consider the fact he enslaved entire tribes of people in his quest for gold.Syncron Announces (USD)67 Million Growth Investment from Summit Partners to Fuel Manufacturers\-\- Journey to Servitization

Investment supports Syncron\-\-s vision to empower manufacturers to shift from reactive, break-fix after-sales service to a new paradigm focused on maximized product uptime

Syncron(TM), a provider of cloud-based after-sales service solutions focused on empowering the world\-\-s leading manufacturers to maximize product uptime and deliver exceptional customer experiences, today announced a (USD)67 million minority investment from global growth equity firm Summit Partners. The partnership with Summit Partners will support Syncron\-\-s continued development of its category-leading enterprise SaaS solutions and further expansion of its global operations.

Servitization  where organizations transition from selling one-off products to selling the output or value that products deliver  is leading manufacturers to evolve their after-sales service operations from reactive, break-fix models focused on repair execution, to a new paradigm focused on dynamic repair prevention and maximizing product uptime.

Syncron offers a fully integrated SaaS platform to optimize the performance of the after-sales service supply chain and enable global manufacturers to evolve to subscription-based uptime service models, which is critical on the journey to servitization. The Syncron Service Cloud applies machine learning to multi-echelon logistics and IoT data designed to deliver predictive insights and drive enhanced customer experiences, greater efficiency and brand loyalty. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Syncron powers the after-sales service organizations of many of the world\-\-s leading manufacturers, including Electrolux, Hitachi, JCB, Mazda, Siemens and Toyota. Syncron has more than 330 employees across 10 global offices and is a recipient of the Great Place to Work(R) award.

\We are delighted to partner with Summit Partners to support Syncron\-\-s next chapter of expansion and our path to IPO readiness,\ said Anders Gruden, CEO of Syncron. \Summit\-\-s deep experience collaborating with high-growth, enterprise SaaS companies will add valuable support to our vision of leading the transition from reactive, break-fix after-sales service to intelligently maximizing product uptime and customer loyalty.\

\We believe Syncron is uniquely positioned to support global OEMs on their journey towards servitization,\ said Antony Clavel, a Principal at Summit Partners who will join the Syncron Board of Directors. \Across automotive, industrial machinery, high-tech, aerospace and many other industries, sophisticated manufacturers are working with Syncron to drive after-sales service excellence.\

\Syncron is an impressive technology company serving some of the world\-\-s most respected manufacturing brands,\ added Han Sikkens, a Managing Director with Summit Partners who will also join the company\-\-s Board of Directors. \The Syncron team has delivered strong, profitable growth on a global scale and we look forward to supporting the company\-\-s continued market leadership.\

Summit Partners manages over (USD)14 billion in capital and has invested over (USD)2 billion in European-headquartered growth companies. Syncron represents Summit Partners\-\- first investment in Sweden.NetFoundry to Demonstrate Ground-Breaking Silicon-to-Cloud Security at IoT Solutions World Congress Barcelona

Posted by Publisher Telecommunication

CHARLOTTE, NC  October 16, 2018  NetFoundry today announced its partnership with Micron Technology, Inc. and Tata Communications to provide zero trust silicon-to-cloud secured connectivity via any IP network in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) community. A demonstration of this groundbreaking capability will be featured in the IIC Pavilion at IoT Solutions World Congress to be held from October 16  18, 2018 in Barcelona.

NetFoundry aims to solve many of the adoption challenges IIoT presents with Micron and Tata Communications. The joint solution demonstrates the ability to connect and protect highly distributed end-points, automation-based zero-trust, and immutable identity from silicon via the network to the cloud. Additionally, the solution utilizes identity-bound AppWANs for micro-segmented connectivity and services that are natively hybrid/multicloud.

\The market is facing major fragmentation surrounding a complex array of security technologies consisting of software and hardware in IIoT solutions. What is needed is a simple, unified approach starting with the trustable identity provided by the hardware to build a zero-trust approach to access apps at the edge and in the cloud. Working with some of the leading players in the market, NetFoundry is demonstrating zero-trust from silicon-to-cloud. This enables OEMs, enterprises, systems integrators, and others in the IIoT ecosystem to protect critical systems using a highly automated approach, while enabling compliant heterogeneous ownership and reducing the complexity of their deployments\, said Galeal Zino, President of NetFoundry.

The combination of NetFoundry and Micron(R) Authenta(TM) technology in flash memory brings tremendous code integrity to critical edge devices through authenticated commands enabling firmware and software updates as well as certificate generation for identity. This joint solution enables devices to establish trust through high quality certificates initiated within Authenta-enabled flash memory and authenticated core commands only verifiable by Authenta-enabled flash memory. These core functions underpin pre-existing encryption and network protections provided by other solution elements. This joint approach brings a unification of core device-level management needs to a broad array of devices very quickly, allowing rapid acceleration of uServices enablement to users that want to adopt an app store mentality but live in a zero-trust environment.

\Authenta-enabled flash is designed to address technology fragmentation  a major industry barrier for pervasive adoption of strong cybersecurity in IoT devices  by adding key roots of trust and attestation capabilities into standard flash memory silicon present in virtually all intelligent systems,\ said Amit Gattani, Senior Director of Embedded Segment Marketing at Micron Technology?s Embedded Business Unit. \This silicon-level trust enables strong platform level security for the IoT devices and enables high integrity cloud services to manage these devices.\

The IoT Solutions World Congress demonstration will use zero-trust NetFoundry AppWANs to connect forklifts using Micron(R) Authenta(TM) technology across the NetFoundry global network fabric to Microsoft Azure using Tata Communications MOVE global cellular network as transport.

Tata Communications MOVE(TM) provides highly secure and programmable global cellular connectivity required for mission critical IoT applications. It provides businesses with real-time visibility and control for optimum cost management and policy enforcement. It also has a programmable interface using an extensive range of APIs for easy integration with customers\-\-business processes and supply chain. Furthermore, it leverages SIM as a secure element to enable seamless device provisioning and certificate management capabilities.

\We enable service providers, businesses and their employees to capture, move and manage information seamlessly and securely worldwide,\ said Tim Sherwood, VP of Business Development, Mobility and IoT, Tata Communications. \The powerful combination of Tata Communications MOVE(TM) and NetFoundry brings managed edge-to-cloud connectivity for distributed IIoT solutions that combines the security, visibility and control of private networks with the economies of scale of the public internet. We hope this demo helps pave the way for more successful IIoT deployments globally.\

The partnership is poised to bring a multitude of zero-trust solutions to the industry, enabling unmatched security with identity-driven connectivity at scale and global reach.

Visit NetFoundry to sign up for a chance to meet with us and demo the new solution at the show this week.Network operator fraud remains the biggest threat to the revenues of mobile operators

As anti-fraud company Revector marks 20 years of operating, CEO and Founder Andy Gent believes that telecommunications fraud is still not high enough on the corporate agenda for network operators  this should be a significant concern to shareholders. In 2001, Revector was launched to combat specific fraudulent activity against mobile network operators. The companys management expected the business to have a shelf life of no more than five years  such as the belief that mobile operators would quickly get a grip on network fraud and reduce it to zero. Twenty years later frauds continue to persist  costing shareholders, networks, and Governments billions in lost revenue annually. Revenue through mobile service According to Andy Gent, fraudsters are, at heart, business people, exploiting an opportunity for money. Gent explains how this relates to network fraud thus, Mobile service providers generate revenues in two ways - by having their subscribers that pay the company to access the networks they run and associated services such as voice calls, text messages, and data usage. The second  known as termination revenue  involves transporting calls from other networks. Revenues from termination are shared between all networks that help deliver the call Revenues from termination are shared between all networks that help deliver the call, as Gent outlines: Imagine a call from the UK to Australia. This will pass through several service providers that will each take a small percentage of the call revenues for passing on the call. Telecommunications companies establish relationships with others around predictable calling patterns. For example, BT may know that they need one million minutes of calls to South Africa per month. They, therefore, establish a relationship with a South African telecommunications company to provide this. Trading termination minutes The issue comes when the unexpected happens, for example, an earthquake in Cape Town. Now UK residents with relatives in Cape Town suddenly demand a lot more telephone time. BT needs more minutes than it has. It is unlikely that its partner in South Africa can provide these  they are facing the same issue due to the increased volume of calls in and out of the country  so it will look to the open market for the minutes it needs. Gent continues, Termination minutes are traded in the same way as other commodities. Exchanges combine minutes from multiple sources, bundle these together and sell them. The issue is where these minutes come from. The bundles may well include white routes  premium minutes provided by legitimate telecommunications companies. However, many will include so-called grey routes. A simple but effective fraud Grey routes are not provided by the telecommunications companies but by third parties or through fraudulent means. Typically, the grey routes come at a lower cost than the white routes, but some telecommunications service providers may not know this or care about it. The natural pressure on cost means some telecommunications companies end up using grey route minutes. The threats to network providers revenues come from these grey routes. A primary risk is SIM Box fraud. SIM Box fraud SIM Box fraud occurs where there is a differential price between the cost of routing a call in a country and the cost of terminating a call, as Gent outlines below: Imagine a network is offering a promotion with free calls to others on the same network. At the same time, the value of terminating a call to that networks customers is $0.05 per call. One single SIM card being used in this way can generate $3000 per month and there are hundreds of cards in each SIM box If someone can procure SIM cards with the promotion, these can be loaded into a SIM Box  a device that can house hundreds of SIM cards in racks and be connected to the internet - to terminate calls. The owner of the SIM box can then offer to terminate calls for $0.03 per call. The cost to the SIM box owner is close to zero  the local minutes they are using to terminate calls are bundled with the SIM deal. The $0.03 per call is pure profit after the SIM cards and SIM boxes have been purchased. While this sounds like a complicated scam it can be lucrative. One single SIM card being used in this way can generate $3000 per month and there are hundreds of cards in each SIM box. Loss of termination revenues Service providers can quickly find a large proportion of revenues lost to SIM boxes. Gent has seen up to 90 percent of termination revenues being lost. The nature of SIM box fraud is transitory: fraudsters will pick the countries with the strongest opportunity to generate revenues quickly, sweep in and terminate calls for a month or two before the operator notices the revenue drop and takes action. Is it illegal? If this practice sounds entrepreneurial rather than illegal, it is probably because it seems like a victimless crime. However, mobile network operators have paid millions if not billions for the ability to operate networks and generate termination revenues. A reduction in this revenue will mean less investment into next-generation networks or customer service. For the consumer, illegal termination often means poor quality calls with a lack of services such as caller line identification (CLI). But perhaps the most concerning issue is where the proceeds of crime go, as Gent outlines. Often these SIM box frauds are run by criminal gangs using the process to launder money or finance organised crime or people trafficking. With widespread restrictions on the number of SIM cards that can be sold to one person, the only way to procure enough SIM cards is via criminal activity. Gangs bribe or coerce network operation staff into supplying SIM cards by the thousand, generating millions in illicit revenues. Other telecommunications fraud Threat to operator termination revenues comes from OTT service providers that have an eye on termination revenues Another threat to operator termination revenues comes from Over-the-Top (OTT) service providers that have an eye on termination revenues as well as competing with telecommunications service providers for a share of the voice and messaging market. While most telecommunications companies see Voice over IP (or OTT) as fair competition, in recent years several new OTT service providers have grown extremely quickly. WhatsApp, for example, was incorporated in 2009 and acquired by Facebook just five years later for almost $20 billion. The business models of these companies vary. Some focus on the freemium approach where the initial service is free but add-ons become chargeable. OTT app fraud However, recently some OTT players are looking to terminate revenue to monetise their business models. These operators have been offering competitive termination rates by hijacking a traditional call made from one telephone number to another and terminating it within an OTT app, as Gent explains, We are seeing OTT apps intercepting traditional telephone calls and delivering them within a users app. The call starts as a dialled telephone call, but the user receives it within an OTT app. If OTT players can achieve this, they can generate termination revenues at zero cost  other than to the traditional operator. Using an app to make calls Of course, if the recipient of the call believes the caller has used an app to call them, they are more likely to use this method of communication in the future  and less likely to dial a number directly. For the OTT players, termination acts as a marketing tool as well as a revenue stream. According to Gent, one OTT service provider has gone as far as including a setting within their app that states receive regular incoming calls within the app when possible. This is defaulted to on when the app is downloaded. Only the most technologically savvy users would even know it was there. Combatting the fraud against networks Networks are less worried about losing revenue to fraud and more about grabbing as many subscribers as possible" Why do networks not do more to combat fraud? The reality, according to Gent, is a combination of priorities and ignorance. He comments, Most mobile network operators are large but still relatively young companies  typically built around customer acquisition. Networks are less worried about losing revenue to fraud and more about grabbing as many subscribers as possible. This has led to a mindset where whatever the questions the answer is always more marketing promotions. A small number of innovators around the world continue to fight these frauds directly, but the fraudsters simply move on to the next victim and, when the anti-fraud measures are relaxed, the fraudsters return. An opportunity for the future As mobile networks mature and become more commoditised, Gent believes the issues around combatting fraud will become a wider concern. If you had told me in 2001 that fraud would still be an issue in 2021, I would have been shocked. Yet operators are still losing significant revenues to criminals. Addressing this needs to remain a priority for the industry, not just to ensure networks have the revenues to build and maintain robust networks but also to ensure that criminal behaviour that this kind of illicit activity funds is reduced. This is not just an issue for network operators but also for wider society.Usually Americans dont speak a second language, so when you find someone who does, you can communicate. It tears down barriers, Recinas said, adding, I really feel like the volunteers get more out of it than what we give, in the sense that you get to build relationships with people you wont normally see every day.Walter "Wally" Schirra was the only one of his fellow astronauts to fly in three NASA programs: Mercury, Gemini and Apollo. Named as one of NASA's "Original Seven" Mercury astronauts in 1959, he remained an astronaut long enough to fly the first crewed mission of the Apollo command module that eventually ferried crews to and from the moon. He also sat through a pad abort during the Gemini program.

An aeronautical engineer by training, Schirra earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the the U.S. Naval Academy in 1945. He was supposed to join a World War II mission aboard the armored battle cruiser Alaska, but the war ended by the time the boat got to Japan, according to a NASA biographyof Schirra.

Schirra did see combat action in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, during which he flew 90 combat missions. He subsequently became a test pilot at the Naval Ordnance Training Station in California and also attended the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River, Maryland, among other duties.

During the selection process for NASA's astronaut program, doctors found an abnormal growth in Schirra's larynx and immediately opted to remove it. According to NASA's biography of Schirra, doctors decided to give the prospective astronaut what should have been a two- to three-month treatment in just two or three days to speed up the process. This was Schirra's first indication that NASA wanted him to be one of the agency's first seven astronauts.

Sigma 7's 'micromouse farts'

In 1959, Schirra was selected to join NASA's first group of astronauts, known as the Mercury Seven. The Mercury programwas NASA's inaugural human spaceflight program.

Each astronaut in the Mercury program was assigned a specific responsibility to help develop the system that would be used in space. Schirra's assignment was to examine the life-support systems of the spacecraft and test out the spacesuits, according to NASA.

When Deke Slayton, a World War II veteran pilot and member of the Mercury Seven, was pulled from the Mercury-Atlas 7 flight due to a heart condition, Schirra thought he would be assigned instead, since he was Slayton's backup. But NASA selected Scott Carpenter, a fellow member of the Mercury Seven. The agency's choice upset Schirra, especially because he remained in the backup position for Carpenter.

"I don't think anyone knew how angry I was," Schirra wrote in his autobiography, "Schirra's Space" (Naval Institute Press, 2000).

However, Schirra was assigned the next flight, the fifth Mercury mission, called Mercury-Atlas 8. As stated in his autobiography, Schirra decided to name the spacecraft he flew Sigma 7, which he said symbolized engineering excellence. (Sigma is a Greek symbol that represents the sum of an equation.)

Before the mission, Schirra requested that program officials allow him to turn off the automatic attitude controls during flight to save on fuel, allowing the spacecraft to do more orbits of Earth and lengthen the flight.

Schirra launched on Oct. 3, 1962, and was given the go-ahead for six orbits, which was a record at the time. He attributed his success to his careful use of fuel.

"I fired my thrusters sparingly, in small bursts that I like to call micromouse farts," Schirra wrote in his autobiography. "At the end of my flight I had over half my fuel left and had to dump it."

Walter Wally Schirra poses in his Mercury pressure suit with a model of the Mercury spacecraft behind him. (Image credit: NASA)

'I had my butt working for me'

After the Mercury program, Schirra continued working for NASA, this time with Project Gemini. The Gemini program was designed to send more astronauts into space for longer periods of time in preparation for sending future crewed missions to the moon.

Schirra was selected as the command pilot for the Gemini 6 spacecraft. The goal of the mission was to perform the first rendezvous and docking of two spacecraft  a maneuver that would be necessary for future moon missions.

Schirra and his fellow pilot, Thomas Stafford, were supposed to dock with the unmanned spacecraft Agena, which had launched three months earlier, but it exploded before making it into orbit.

So instead, NASA decided to launch Gemini 7 on Dec. 4, 1965, as the new target for Schirra and Stafford in the mission NASA renamed as Gemini 6-A. Jim Lovell and Frank Borman, the astronauts aboard Gemini 7, made it to orbit and awaited the arrival of Schirra and Stafford.

Upon ignition of Gemini 6-A on Dec. 12, however, the Titan II rocket that was to launch the spacecraft shut down just 2 seconds after starting up. Schirra and Stafford had the option to eject but Schirra elected not to.

"I had my butt working for me. I knew we had not lifted off, so I didn't initiate the ejection sequence," Schirra wrote. The launch was rescheduled and went off successfully three days later, and the two Gemini spacecraft made a successful rendezvous in space.

Next, Schirra was selected to command Apollo 7, which ended up being the first manned mission after the fatal pad fire that claimed the crew of Apollo 1.

The crew of Apollo 7

Apollo 7 lifted off on Oct. 11, 1968. The veteran astronaut strove to keep tasks for the crew to the bare essentials to ensure mission success, but things derailed after Schirra developed a cold and reportedly passed it on to fellow crewmembers Walter Cunningham and Donn Eisele.

Mission controllers complained of snippy Apollo 7 crewmembers who also nixed a planned television broadcast. The last straw came when the astronauts refused to wear their suit helmets during re-entry over concerns that the change of altitude could hurt their eardrums.

"It was insubordinate. ... This crew shouldn't fly again," wrote former flight director Chris Kraft in his memoirs, "Flight: My Life in Mission Control" (Dutton, 2001).

In his own autobiography, Schirra countered that the ground crew overlooked "intangible things," but he didn't elaborate on what those were.

After leaving NASA, Schirra undertook numerous business ventures in banking, aviation, oil, advertising and other industries. Schirra died in May 2007 of a heart attack.

Schirra's legacy

Although Schirra's death was many years ago, his website (www.wallyschirra.com) is still active. His webmaster, Tracy, wrote this shortly after Schirra's death: "Wally left me with one final 'gotcha'. Within minutes of the public announcement of his passing, the server that hosts this web site did a complete meltdown due to so many simultaneous hits. Wally could never truly figure out why people loved to visit this site  and this was his last laugh at my expense. Thanks, Wally. We had over a million hits to this site within the first 36 hours. Remember our 'agreement' at a buck a hit. Where should I send my bill? Gotcha!"

In the days after Schirra's passing, his family asked that those who wanted to remember Schirra could make donations to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, the San Diego Air & Space Museum and the Society of Experimental Test Pilots' Scholarship Foundation.

The 50th anniversary of Apollo 7 was Oct. 11, 2018. NASA and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum expect to hold a number of events related to the 50th anniversary of key Apollo missions, including the first landing (Apollo 11), which occurred on July 20, 1969.

Meanwhile, NASA is considering sending humans back to the moon in the coming decade, following a directive from the Trump administration in late 2017. The agency is designing a Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway (lunar space station) and may also land humans on the surface.

Coincidentally, the USS Wally Schirra, a U.S. Navy cargo ship, participated in a rescue of a dozen Filipino fisherman in the Indian Ocean just days before the 50th anniversary of Apollo 7. (Apollo 7 landed by water and was also picked up by a Navy ship, the USS Essex.) The ship was officially inaugurated about two years after Schirra's death in 2009, according to Schirra's website.A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the U.S. military's Advanced Extremely High Frequency 4 communications satellite moves to the launchpad ahead of an Oct. 17, 2018, liftoff.

An Atlas V rocket will light up the midnight sky over Florida early Wednesday (Oct. 17) to launch a new high-tech military satellite into orbit, and you can watch the liftoff live online.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V is scheduled to launch the new satellite  called the Advanced Extremely High Frequency 4 spacecraft, or AEHF-4  is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 12:15 a.m. EDT (0415 GMT). You can watch a launch webcast live here, courtesy of ULA, beginning at 11:55 p.m. EDT (0355 GMT).

Built by Lockheed Martin, AEHF-4 is the fourth in a series of high-powered military communications designed to "provide survivable, global, secure, and jam-resistant communications for high-priority military ground, sea, and air assets," according to a U.S. Air Force description. The satellite reportedly cost about $1.8 billion, according to SpaceNews.

"This fourth satellite will complete a worldwide ring of AEHF satellites to deliver global extended data rate (XDR) coverage for the U.S. Air Force and for the partner nations  Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom  that also connect to the AEHF network," Mike Cacheiro, Lockheed Martin vice president of protected communications, said in a statement.

The first AEHF satellite launched in 2010. Lockheed Martin is building six satellites in all for the U.S. military. The new AEHF satellites are replacing the military's aging Milstar constellation. Just one AEHF satellite has more communications capacity than all five Milstar satellites, Lockheed Martin representatives have said.

The Advanced Extremely High Frequency 4 communications satellite for the U.S. military is the fourth in a six-satellite constellation. (Image credit: Lockheed Martin)

"It's an important asset for the warfighter and will be employed for years to come," Lt. Gen. John Thompson of the USAF Space and Missiles Systems Center in Los Angeles said of AEHF-4 in a statement when the satellite was delivered to its launch site in July.

Editor's note: Visit Space.com tonight for live video of the AEHF-4 satellite launch. If you capture an amazing photo or video of the launch that you'd like to share with Space.com and our news partners for a possible story or image gallery, send images and comments to spacephotos@space.com.

Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Original article on Space.com.Will the universe expand forever or eventually collapse into a tiny speck?

A paper published in June suggested infinite expansion was impossible according to a major physics theory  a conjecture that made huge waves in the physics community.

"People get very, kind of, emotional about it because if it's true and [is] discovered, it would be spectacular," said Timm Wrase, a physicist at the Vienna University of Technology.

Now, Wrase and his colleagues have published a separate study that pokes a huge hole in that argument, which means an ever-expanding universe can't be ruled out just yet.

Dark energy and cosmic expansion

Our universe is permeated with a vast, unseen force that seems to oppose gravity. Physicists call this force dark energy, and it is thought to be constantly pushing our universe outward.

But in June, a group of physicists published a paper in the preprint journal arXiv implying that dark energy changes over time. This means that the universe will not expand forever but might eventually collapse into the size it was before the Big Bang.

Almost immediately, however, physicists found problems with the theory: Several independent groups subsequently published papers that suggested revisions to the conjecture. Now, a paper published on Oct. 2 in the journal Physical Review D suggests that, as it stands, the original conjecture can't be true because it can't explain the existence of the Higgs boson  which we know exists, thanks to the Large Hadron Collider, the massive particle collider on the border between France and Switzerland. [Beyond Higgs: 5 Elusive Particles That May Lurk in the Universe]

Still, with a bit of theoretical tweaking, the collapsing-universe conjecture could still be viable, Wrase, a co-author on the new Physical Review D paper, told Live Science.

How do we explain everything that ever existed?

String theory, sometimes called the theory of everything, is a mathematically elegant but experimentally unproven framework for uniting Einstein's theory of general relativity with quantum mechanics. String theory suggests that all the particles that make up the universe are not really dots but one-dimensional strings that vibrate  and the differences in those vibrations allow us to see one particle as a photon and another as an electron.

In order for string theory to be a viable explanation for the universe, however, it must incorporate dark energy.

Imagine this dark energy as a ball in a landscape of mountains and valleys that represent the amount of potential energy it has, Wrase said. If a ball stands on top of the mountain, it may be still, but it can roll down with the slightest perturbation, thus it is unstable. If the ball is sitting in a valley, it's not changing or moving, has low energy and resides in a stable universe, because even a strong push would have it roll back down into the valley.

String theorists long assumed that dark energy is constant and unchanging in the universe. In other words, it's snuggled up in the valleys between mountains, not rolling from the mountaintops and thus not changing through time, Wrase said.

But the conjecture put forth in June suggests that, for string theory to work, the landscape doesn't have any mountains or valleys above sea level. (In this conception, our universe stands above sea level  which metaphorically marks the point in which dark energy begins to either pull the universe together or push the universe apart.)

Rather, the landscape is a slight slope and the ball of dark energy is rolling ever downward. "While it is rolling downwards the dark energy becomes smaller and smaller," Wrase said. "The height of the ball corresponds to the amount of dark energy in our universe."

In this theory, dark energy might eventually make its way below sea level and start to pull the universe back together to its pre-Big-Bang form.

But there's just one problem, Wrase said.

"We have showed that such unstable mountain tops have to exist," he said. That is because we know the Higgs particle exists. And we have experimentally proved that the Higgs particles can exist upon these mountaintops or "unstable universes," and can be disturbed with the slightest touch, he said.

Difficulty with stability of universes

Cumrun Vafa, a string theorist at Harvard and senior author of the conjecture paper from June, told Live Science in an email that, indeed, the original conjecture has "difficulty with unstable universes." This new paper and a few others show this problem, he added. But there are several papers that proposed slight revisions to the conjecture that would still adhere to the limitations Wrase and his team proposed, he said.

Even in the revised conjecture, "we would not be in a stable universe but rather things would change," Wrase said. The revision says mountaintops can exist, but stable valleys cannot, he said. (Imagine the shape of a horse's saddle). The ball has to eventually start rolling and dark energy has to change in time, he added. But "if the conjecture is [totally] wrong, then the dark energy could be constant, we would sit in a valley between two mountains," and the universe would keep expanding.

Within 10 to 15 years, he hopes that satellites that more precisely measure the expansion of the universe can help us understand whether or not dark energy is constant or changing.

Vafa agreed. "These are exciting times in cosmology and hopefully in the next few years we will see experimental evidence for the change of the dark energy in our universe," he said.

Originally published on Live Science.Stephen Hawking's final paper was just published by his colleagues in the pre-print journal arXiv. The team had completed the research a few days before Hawking's death in March.

It was the third in a series of papers that dealt with a concept Hawking spent decades pondering: the black hole information paradox. Here's how it goes:

Black holes are extremely dense, time-space-warping objects that can form when stars collide or giant stars collapse in on themselves. Classical physics suggests that nothing could escape a black hole, even light. But in the 1970s, Hawking proposed that black holes might have a temperature and could slowly leak out quantum particles. This "Hawking radiation" effect means that, eventually, the black hole will evaporate, leaving behind a vacuum that will look the same for each evaporated black hole, no matter what it ate during its lifetime. [The Universe: Big Bang to Now in 10 Easy Steps]

This idea posed a problem: During its lifetime, the black hole swallowed a lot of information in the form of celestial objects, but where did that information go? The laws of physics dictate that no information should be lost: If information existed in the past, we should be able to recover it. Hence, the paradox.

In 2016, Hawking and his team proposed that black holes might have "soft hairs" made up of photons (light particles), or gravitons (hypothetical particles of gravity) that store at least some of this information, Live Science previously reported. These soft hairs surround the black hole's "event horizon,"  a boundary beyond which nothing, not even light, can escape.

In the new paper, Hawking and his team found a mechanism  which relies on as-yet-unproven assumptions  for counting the amount of information that soft hairs can carry. "It agreed with the famous formula now inscribed on Stephen's headstone," senior author Andrew Strominger told Live Science in an email. The formula he is referring to is known as "Hawking's equation," and it describes how black holes emit Hawking radiation.

When a black hole swallows an object, its temperature should change, which means its entropy  or the disorder of its particles  must also change (higher temperatures mean particles move around more rapidly, which means more disorder). In the new study, Hawking and his colleagues showed that "soft hair" can indeed record the entropy of a black hole, according to The Guardian.

Another one of Hawking's colleagues, Malcolm Perry, a professor of theoretical physics at the University of Cambridge, told The Guardian that the late physicist "knew the final result" of the work before he died and that when Perry explained it to him a few days prior, "he simply produced an enormous smile."

There is still much unknown about how these soft hairs store information and whether they store all or only some of the information gobbled up by black holes.

"This is excellent progress, but we have much work yet to do," Strominger said.

Originally published on Live Science.An artist's illustration of the exoplanet Kepler-1625b with its hypothesized moon, which is thought to be about the size of Neptune. This candidate moon, and others like it, could host satellites of their own, researchers say.

Moons could possess moons of their own, researchers say.

A newfound candidate to be a giant alien moon, Kepler-1625b-i, may even possess one or more submoons that once had surfaces habitable by life as we know it, a new study finds. That moon is located nearly 8,000 light-years from Earth.

Over the past two decades or so, astronomers have confirmed the existence of nearly 3,800 exoplanets, or planets around other stars. This month, scientists said they had discovered what may be the first known moon of an exoplanet. The moon, Kepler-1625b-i, may be about the mass of Neptune, far larger than any moon in our own solar system. (Neptune is about 17 times Earth's mass.) [Gallery: The Strangest Alien Planets]

The planet-size nature of Kepler-1625b-i raises the question of whether moons could have their own moons. And in another pair of recent studies, researchers said that "submoons" or "moon-moons" might indeed be possible.

One research group analyzed the orbits of hypothetical submoons about 6 miles (10 kilometers) in diameter. Whether a submoon's orbit remains stable depends on the body's complex interactions with the planet and moon it calls home; the gravitational pulls of the planet and moon can result in tidal forces that could send a submoon flying into space or crashing into the planet or moon.

The scientists found that the submoons they modeled could survive only in wide orbits around large moons at least 600 miles (1,000 km) wide. In other words, if Kepler-1625b-i exists, it could host a submoon. However, it will likely be a long time before scientists will have the technology to detect submoons, study co-author Sean Raymond, an astrophysicist at the University of Bordeaux in France, told Space.com.

The researchers determined that submoons are unlikely to last around moons that are small or too close to their host planet, which is the case for most of our solar system's moons. However, the scientists' work suggests that a handful of known moons in Earth's solar system are capable of hosting long-lived submoons: Saturn's Titan and Iapetus, Jupiter's Callisto, and Earth's own moon.

"I didn't expect that," Raymond said. "Incidentally, some researchers have proposed that Iapetus did indeed have a submoon that is responsible for its equatorial ridge but that [it] was lost." Raymond and study lead author Juna Kollmeier at the Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington at Pasadena, California, detailed their findings online Oct. 8 in a study that they plan to submit to the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Raymond added that "it's hard to imagine a planet hosting subsubmoons  moons of submoons  because everything gets closer and closer together and tides are even stronger. That means that only teeny, tiny subsubmoons could exist."

Intriguingly, Kepler-1625b-i's host star is similar in mass to the sun, and the moon's host planet orbits this star at about the same distance as Earth does the sun. This suggests that the exoplanet and exomoon may have, at some point, been within their star's habitable zone, the area around the star warm enough for standing bodies of liquid water to survive without getting evaporated or frozen away. There is life virtually wherever there is water on Earth, so the hunt for alien life often focuses on habitable zones.

Both Kepler-1625b-i and its companion planet are gas giants and so cannot host the bodies of water needed for life as we know it to survive. However, if Kepler-1625b-i "were to possess its own moon  a 'moon-moon'  that was Earth-like, this could potentially have been a habitable world," wrote Duncan Forgan at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland in findings in a recent study that has been submitted to the journal the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Specifically, Forgan calculated the habitable zone for Earth-size rocky bodies orbiting either Kepler-1625b-i or its host planet. He found that these bodies do not currently reside within a habitable zone but that they may have done so when their host star was younger. (The star has now consumed most of its hydrogen fuel and will likely eventually expand to become a red giant star, with its luminosity rising to levels that will generally destroy the habitability of any worlds there.)

Follow Charles Q. Choi on Twitter @cqchoi. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.NEW YORK  A "Roswell" series reboot will crash-land on The CW in 2019, and its creators attended last weekend's New York Comic Con to describe the modern themes that can be gleaned from this new interpretation.

"Roswell, New Mexico" doesn't air on The CW network until next year, but fans of the original WB show "Roswell" got an exclusive look at the reboot's first episode on Oct. 6.

The premiere episode is full of desert scenery, anecdotes about the famous Roswell Crash and a new interpretation of an iconic scene from the pilot of the original series. But there's also something deeper to the storyline this time around that makes it more relevant and compelling than before. [The CW Aims to Refresh 'Roswell' Teen Alien Drama]

By discussing aliens, "we're talking about people who feel othered," writer and show developer Carina Adly MacKenzie said during the Saturday morning panel that followed the premiere.

See more

"I wanted to make sure there was a reason to reboot it," MacKenzie said. "The original show is available on Hulu, and it's really great, and there wasn't a reason to sort of update it unless we made it really current," she said. "One of the important things I wanted to do was return Liz Parker back to Liz Ortecho," the character's name from the source-material books.

The "Roswell High" books by Melinda Metz inspired the original television adaptation, which first aired in 1999. The story centers on three extraterrestrials and their human friends, who are uncovering their pasts and avoiding detection from the government agencies who seek to detain them. The lead character is a young human woman by the name of Liz, and, as the creators discussed during the reboot's panel, her last name was changed back to the way it was in the book series for an important reason.

In the books, Liz is of Mexican descent, but the original television series removed that aspect of the character. With this new incarnation and return to the initial source material, MacKenzie wanted to "talk about what it really feels like for actual human beings to exist in a small town in a border state in 2018."

Liz Ortecho and her family are human, and so the plot delivers an extra dimension of complexity by casting the aliens  Max Evans, Isabel Evans and Michael Guerin  as white.

And as for the inspiration behind all this lore: The conspiracy theory about the little green men crashing into the New Mexico desert began over 70 years ago, in 1947. Roswell is the place where Sheriff George Wilcox received items, including strips of rubber and fabric, from W.W. "Mac" Brazel, a rancher who gathered the strange material he found across the desert. What Brazel actually found were pieces of a highly classified, high-altitude balloon that the U.S. government launched into the ionosphere as part of Project Mogul.

"Roswell, New Mexico" explores how potential extraterrestrials onboard the mythical flying object would face real-world fears as young adults, and bond with humans who also face the sharp end of xenophobia.

Follow Doris Elin Salazar on Twitter@salazar_elin. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.NEW YORK  The show opens precisely when you would expect it to, on July 16, 1969, as a rocket carrying three American men lifts off into history.

But "The Winning Side," currently playing at New York's Theatre Row, doesn't stick to the script you may be expecting from that first scene. If you're looking for a detailed history of spaceflight itself and its mechanics, you've come to the wrong place. But the journey it lays out for the audience is a more valuable one: Instead, it goes in search of the moral fiber  or lack thereof  of the leading German import to the American space program, Wernher von Braun.

Von Braun was an engineer and program manager who specialized in spaceflight first in World War II Germany, where his V-2 rockets were launched against London and Antwerp, Belgium. After the war, he and his team defected to the U.S., beginning their careers with the Army and refashioning the V-2 to build the Redstone rocket that powered early American spaceflight. When NASA was created, von Braun joined the new agency, where his work culminated in the Saturn V that took humans to the moon. [Building Apollo: Photos from Moonshot History]

Von Braun and his engineering team were undoubtedly critical to U.S. efforts to catch up to the Soviets in space. But during his previous career in Nazi Germany, he seemed perennially unconcerned by his rockets being used as weapons rather than vehicles of exploration, and by his factories' being staffed by slave labor from concentration camps.

It's these grim "expediencies" the play confronts as it jumps back and forth across the 1940s, '50s and '60s, spanning von Braun's employment by Nazi Germany, his defection to the U.S., and the eventual fruits of his obsessed labors. There are plenty of scenes showing his professional life in the U.S. through interactions with the composite character of Army Maj. Taggert.

But his career before reaching America is shown through a purely personal lens, in scenes with a French actress named Margot Moreau, whom von Braun meets after seeing her star in a production of the classic Greek play Antigone. Moreau is a fictionalized version of a woman from von Braun's historical past, who is known today from a letter she wrote to his NASA office in 1963, two decades after they met. From this letter, playwright Jim Wallert has built a would-be conscience for von Braun.

They embark on an affair, despite her initial concerns about the danger of "horizontal collaboration" in occupied Paris. As Melissa Friedman's powerful Moreau gradually pieces together how complicit von Braun's role in the Nazi military makes him in Germany's war crimes  and how little he cares about any collateral damage on the way to his spaceflight dreams  she repeatedly tries to persuade him to leave the program, but he refuses to sacrifice what he sees as the only way for him to someday reach space.

The play can feel jerky at times as it bounces back and forth between years, although by the end of the show, the pieces fall together well enough to justify the tactic. Throughout, Sullivan Jones strikingly portrays the willful blindness of von Braun to the moral consequences of his work.

That blindness is strongest at the climax of the show, which underscores just how easy it is to never see anything you don't want to see  a message just as worth remembering among today's seas of moral quicksand as it was during the Apollo program.

"The Winning Side" will play until Nov. 4; you can get tickets here.

Email Meghan Bartels at mbartels@space.com or follow her @meghanbartels. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com.One day after a Soyuz rocket failed just after liftoff, sending its two-man crew on a dramatic abort in midflight, the head of Russia's space agency Roscosmos said the American and Russian aboard the flight will fly again next year.

Dmitry Rogozin, head of Roscosmos, said via Twitter on Friday (Oct. 12) that Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin and NASA astronaut Nick Hague will fly again in the spring, according to a translation. The statement suggests Rogozin has strong confidence that an investigation into the Soyuz launch failure will swiftly find a root cause. NASA's own administrator, Jim Bridenstine, was also optimistic on a swift resolution.

"I fully anticipate that NASA astronauts will fly again on the Soyuz spacecraft,"' Bridenstine said via Twitter Sunday (Oct. 14) after a news conference in Moscow. [In Photos: Space Crew's Harrowing Soyuz Launch Abort]

Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin (left) and NASA astronaut Nick Hague, shown here en route to their Soyuz rocket for an Oct. 11, 2018, launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, will fly again in spring. The pair's Soyuz rocket failed just after liftoff, sending them on a dramatic abort. Both men were unharmed. (Image credit: Victor Zelentsov/NASA)

A Soyuz rocket carrying Hague and Ovchinin launched skyward from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Thursday (Oct. 11) on a mission to the International Space Station, where the two space travelers were to join three other crewmembers already living aboard the orbiting lab. But about 119 seconds after liftoff, something went wrong.

The crew's Soyuz MS-10 capsule abort system deployed, ripping the space capsule from its booster and pulling Hague and Ovchinin to safety. After subjecting the crew to G forces of up to 6.7 times the force of gravity, the capsule landed safely under its parachute, with search-and-rescue teams swiftly recovering the crew. An investigation into the Soyuz rocket failure is underway, with an early focus on the four strap-on boosters used early in flight.

Famed cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, director of human spaceflight for Roscosmos, told reporters Friday that it appears one of those boosters did not separate cleanly, nicking the Soyuz's core first stage, according to SpaceNews.

Hague and Ovchinin are in good health and rejoined their families at Star City in Russia, where Roscosmos trains cosmonauts and astronauts for spaceflight, according to Rogozin. Photos of the men show them undergoing medical checks, embracing family members after an emotional reunion and speaking with NASA and Roscosmos officials.

Roscosmos officials said Saturday (Oct. 13) that telemetry data and video recordings have been sent to the Soyuz manufacturer RSC Energia for review. Recovery teams have also recovered debris from every stage of the Soyuz rocket from the remote Kazakh steppes around Baikonur Cosmodrome so that they can be studied in more detail. Those rocket components should also be delivered Sunday (Oct. 14).

Krikalev told reporters Friday that Roscosmos officials are aiming to have an update on the Soyuz abort investigation by this Saturday (Oct. 20).

Russia's crewed Soyuz spacecraft are currently the only vehicles available to fly NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station. NASA has contracts with two private American companies  SpaceX and Boeing  to fly Americans into space on commercial spacecraft, but those new vehicles are not expected to begin test flights until next year, agency officials have said.

Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com.Rocket Lab aims to boldly go where no spaceflight company has gone before.

On Thursday (Oct. 11), the California-based startup unveiled a huge new facility in Auckland, New Zealand, that's designed to enable fast mass production of the company's Electron rocket. And iconic "Star Trek" actor William Shatner was on hand to lend some more excitement to the proceedings.

Electrons will undergo final assembly at the new 80,700-square-foot (7,500 square meters) facility, Rocket Lab representatives said. (The company already has a production facility at its headquarters in Huntington Beach, near Los Angeles, which will continue to operate.) A new mission control center built into the Auckland site will command each Electron rocket launch, the representatives added. [Changing the Launch Equation: Q&A with Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck]

Rocket Lab aims to make spaceflight much more frequent and accessible with the 57-foot-tall (17 m) Electron, which can launch 500 lbs. (225 kilograms) to Earth orbit for about $5 million per liftoff.

See more

Electrons have flown two demonstration missions to date, lifting off from Rocket Lab's New Zealand launch site in May 2017 and again in January of this year. The rocket deployed four satellites into Earth orbit on that second flight, including three tiny Earth-observing cubesats and a reflective, spherical spacecraft called the Humanity Star.

That spacecraft is no more; it was designed to catch skywatchers' eyes for a brief time, and it has already fallen back into Earth's atmosphere.

The Electron's first operational commercial launch, called "It's Business Time," is on track for a November launch. And Rocket Lab envisions big things happening shortly thereafter: The company aims to launch one mission per month beginning next year and one per week by the end of 2020.

A bird's-eye view of Rocket Lab's huge new Auckland facility, which includes a mission control center hthat will command all future Electron launches. (Image credit: Rocket Lab)

"Every detail of the Rocket Lab launch system has been designed to provide small satellites with rapid and reliable access to space," Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck said in a statement. "This requires the ability to manufacture launch vehicles at an unprecedented rate, so we've expanded our global production capability to build and launch an Electron rocket to orbit every week."

Not all of these flights will depart from the New Zealand launch site, which lies on the North Island's Mahia Peninsula. Rocket Lab is in the final stages of selecting another launch site in the United States; that decision should be made public very soon, company representatives have said.

Mike Wall's book about the search for alien life, "Out There," will be published on Nov. 13 by Grand Central Publishing. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall. Follow us @Spacedotcom or Facebook. Originally published on Space.com.iStock/Thinkstock(PHOENIX) -- The only debate in the Arizona Senate race ended with fireworks as Republican nominee Rep. Martha McSally accused her Democratic opponent Rep. Kyrsten Sinema of treason Monday night.



The slam came in reference to a 2003 video clip that was unearthed wherein Sinema said that she wouldn't care if an American joined the Taliban.



"That's treason!" McSally nearly screamed, looking directly at Sinema.



"This is the definition of treason, saying its OK for Americans to join our enemy!" she added.



Sinema deflected, saying McSally is "just trying to cut, cut, cut and not share the whole picture."



"Marthas trying to make this Senate campaign about me," Sinema said on stage. In a gaggle with reporters afterward, Sinema called the claims "ridiculous."



That capped off a debate that was filled with a lot of she-said, she-saids, with the two candidates saying that their opponent was miscasting their stance on any number of issues, including health care, Medicare, social security, military cuts, tax cuts and cuts to coverage for pre-existing conditions.



Both candidates needed to be pressed for answers at different points in the debate.



For Sinema, that came early on, when she had to be asked three times how she would have voted if she were in the Senate for the Kavanaugh confirmation vote. She eventually said that she would have voted "no."



For McSally, she was pressed to be direct in whether or not she supports the Trump administration's implementation of the separation of families at the border. She said that no one wants to see families separated but we need to enforce the laws, so Congress should change the laws.



"The reality is the cartels know right now if you show up with a kid, youre going to be let go," McSally said.



One interesting point of comparison came when they addressed how they would dealt with President Donald Trump.



McSally, who spent much of the primary aligning herself with Trump and noted in her opening Monday night that she's looking forward to "hosting" Trump when he comes to Mesa on Friday as part of his western swing, was asked if she was proud of the president and his behavior.



"President Trump ran for president one time and won, and hes a disrupter ... were seeing the results form that. ... Hes disrupting things for sure in Washington, D.C., but providing more opportunities for Americans," she said.



"I am proud that he has gone to the White House and he is leading the country in the right direction," she said, adding, "He didn't need to be doing this. I've gotten to know him over the past year and a half and he loves America."



Sinema, who has been casting herself as a moderate and has voted with the administration 62 percent of the time, according to ABC News partner FiveThirtyEight, said that she would vote according to how his laws impact Arizonans and not based on party lines.



"When the president is doing something right, support him, when he's doing something wrong, oppose it," Sinema said.



Many Arizonans see this race -- and their support for either candidate -- as a referendum on the president and his agenda.



George Bingham is a Republican from Arizona who was handing out McSally posters at a rally held for her with Mitt Romney in Gilbert on Friday. Bingham said that he sees this as a huge, huge election that has implications that extend far beyond Arizona.



We have a president that needs all the Republican support that he can get in the Senate, Bingham said.



If he wants to get his agenda done, hes going to need every Republican senator, he said.



Pam Potter, a college professor who was knocking on doors over the weekend in Peoria on behalf of Democratic candidates, including Sinema, said she thinks this Senate race is one of the really important ones this cycle.



Right now, we have a president unchecked. Right now they [Republicans] have all the houses, Potter said.



Kyrsten specifically is a moderate Democrat. She is ready to work on the issues rather than a partisan stance, she added.



Monday's debate comes five days after early voting started in Arizona, as the state votes in a tight race to fill the seat being left open by Sen. Jeff Flake.



Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.A Russian Soyuz rocket carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin launches skyward from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Oct. 11, 2018. The mission suffered a failure while in flight, leading to a dramatic launch abort for the crew.

Leroy Chiao is the CEO and co-founder of OneOrbit LLC, a motivational, training and education company. He served as a NASA astronaut from 1990 to 2005 and flew four missions into space, as a crewmember aboard three space shuttles and as the co-pilot of one Russian Soyuz spacecraft launched to the International Space Station. After that flight, he served as the commander of the station's Expedition 10, a 6.5-month mission. Chiao has performed six spacewalks, in both U.S. and Russian spacesuits, and has logged a total of 229 days in space. Chiao contributed this article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

On Oct. 11, a Russian Soyuz MS-10 launched into a blue sky from the Baikonur Cosmodrome carrying a crew of two bound for the International Space Station (ISS). Everything was going well until just after first-stage separation, when observers saw a cloud of debris fall from the rocket. Moments later, a Russian flight controller announced that the booster had suffered a failure. The crew and the mission control team acted calmly and professionally, conducting a successful abort that led to a safe landing from which the crew walked away.

The Soyuz rocket will be grounded until the root cause of the failure is determined and a fix is put into place. It is unknown how long this process will take, but the clock is ticking. The Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft currently docked to ISS arrived in June of this year and has a 200-day certification life. So, the rocket must be cleared to fly before then; otherwise, we will face leaving the ISS without a crew on board.

Seven years ago, on Aug. 24, 2011, the launch of Progress 44P (also from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan) failed after the third stage of the Soyuz rocket carrying the freighter suffered its own failure. Pieces of the failed launch were recovered some 40 miles (64 kilometers) north of the Chinese/Siberian border in a wooded area. After that mishap, the Russians were able to complete their accident investigation and recertification efforts in time for the next crew to launch to ISS, thus avoiding leaving the station vacant.

Soon after both mishaps, news outlets quickly quoted NASA as saying that the events would have no significant immediate impact on the crew aboard the ISS. Those astronauts had adequate supplies and resources to continue their missions, NASA said. Although true, such statements miss the point. These two close calls highlight poor policy decisions.

If the ISS has to be left without a crew aboard, this could be a serious problem. That's because a number of events could cause the ISS to lose attitude control. Why is this important? When a structure like ISS loses this control, the object tumbles.

When there is a crew on board during these events, they run the procedures to re-establish control. This is not such a big deal. Without a crew however, the antennas would quickly lose a signal lock with mission control, and the ISS computers would fail to receive commands from the flight controllers. The solar arrays would no longer point at the sun correctly, and the storage batteries would run down. The ISS would slowly die.

It would not be possible to safely attempt a docking with a tumbling station, so a new crew would not be able to get aboard to rectify things. The ISS would slowly lose altitude and re-enter the Earths atmosphere in an uncontrolled manner. We and our international partners would lose the 100-billion-dollar-plus facility. Large pieces would survive the re-entry and could cause significant damage upon hitting the Earth.

The big deal is the collective dependence of all ISS partner nations on the Soyuz rocket and spacecraft for carrying crew to and from the station, which has been the case since the end of the space shuttle program in 2011. The United States willfully and knowingly made this decision in 2004 under President George W. Bushs administration after the Columbia shuttle accident.

President Barack Obama's administration confirmed that decision in 2009, rejecting an option in its space policy to continue flying the space shuttle through at least 2015. Both administrations pointed to rosy projections on when new U.S. vehicles might come online. Not surprisingly, all of these vehicles are still in development years after their projected dates. Russia and Canada made informal but public calls some years ago for bringing China and its Shenzhou spacecraft into the ISS program. However, certain powerful, Sino-phobic and arguably short-sighted members of the U.S. Congress blocked those proposals.

Under the current U.S. administration of President Donald Trump, the U.S. is supposedly heading back to the moon. However, as during the Obama administration, there is no program for accomplishing this. Without adequate yearly funding commitments, there could not and cannot be a program, then or now.

One of the cornerstones of the current space policy is to somehow "privatize" or "commercialize" the ISS by 2024-2025 and to use the "savings" from that privatization to help fund the program. The idea of operating the ISS profitably is so preposterous that I don't feel a need to comment further here. Besides, from where is the funding to come before 2024-2025?

What this look back shows is consistently poor policy decisions going back at least 14 years. What will happen to NASA and U.S. spaceflight in the coming years? I don't think anyone can say. The bright spots (and wild cards) are SpaceX and Blue Origin. Led by visionaries who have the resources and commitments to fund exploration and infrastructure development, these companies are building and launching hardware. They have plans to accelerate these activities around the Earth, the moon and even Mars.

There has been talk of NASA and the U.S. government partnering with these companies in bigger ways, to jointly explore space and build space infrastructure. I think this approach has real merit and possibilities. But the devil is in the details, and I will try to remain optimistic despite a disappointing 14 years and counting.

You can read more of Chiao's Expert Voices Op-Eds and film reviews on his Space.com landing page. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com.STAMFORD  This month, for the second time, the elected officials who control the citys purse strings asked to meet with the officials who manage school custodians.

Board of Finance members have been seeking explanations for why the custodians overtime budget, which usually runs about $1.2 million annually, more than doubled to $2.6 million last school year.

The question for the school district is clear, said Richard Freedman, finance board chairman.

What happened, and what are you going to do about it? Freedman said. Its our job to oversee fiscal operations, whether on the city side or the Board of Education side.

This school year, $1.45 million has been budgeted for custodian overtime, but it may not be enough. One reason is mold. The summer was rainy and humid, and school districts regionwide are doling out big bucks to clean it up.

So far Stamford has spent more than $300,000, and more will be needed, finance board members learned at their October meeting. Some was used to hire an outside cleanup company and the rest covered overtime pay for custodians.

But mold does not explain the overtime problem. There is a more rooted reason for the escalating cost, and it accounts for most of the overages.

The part-time custodians have not been fully staffed, but the work still has to get done, so its being done by full-time custodians on overtime, Freedman said.

Like members of the school board, his board wants to know one thing, he said.

Why is that so?

To find out, you have to go back to 2005, said George Bernardo, president of the Stamford Board of Education Employees Association.

The school district at the time had a contract with a private company, AFB Construction Management, to operate its buildings. To ease budget constraints, AFB proposed that future full-time custodian positions be filled with part-timers who earned less and received no benefits. It was capped at 42 part timers, equating to 21 full-time positions.

The union agreed, Bernardo said.

It was two part timers for each full timer, he said. But it never worked. AFB told us the city could not maintain a list of part timers.

So AFB asked the union if the company could sub-contract with another company, Melillo Maintenance, to bring in part timers. That didnt work either, Bernardo said.

They never got to the 42, he said.

As custodians retired or left, their full-time slots opened but there were not enough part timers to step in. At the same time, the district added wings to the high schools and expanded other campuses.

Things got worse after the latest union contract was signed in 2015, Bernardo said.

They wanted us to agree that, when the next seven full-time jobs opened, they would be filled with 14 part timers. We did, Bernardo said. So the number of part timers they needed jumped to 56.

The last of the seven full-time jobs opened last year, Bernardo said. By then the school board had a new building management company, ABM Industries.

Higher pay

A memo from the districts chief financial and operations support officer, Clarence Zachery, written last week, shows that Bernardos assessment is correct. For the years the district needed 42 part timers, the highest average attendance was 33, according to the memo. Since last year, when the needed number was 56 part timers, an average of 34 showed up, the memo states.

They dont show up because its a second job for them, Bernardo said. We need them in the summer and during breaks because those are our busiest times for cleaning the schools. But they dont come. In the winter they dont come in for snow removal because its during the day, and they have other jobs working days. And a lot of them cant run equipment. They dont do what the full-time custodians do.

So the full timers do their own jobs then fill in for the part timers on overtime pay. Bernardo said the average full-time custodian gets about $45 an hour on overtime.

Part timers are paid $11.50 an hour, according to the memo, but ABM managers told the finance board during their meeting thats about to change.

Starting Nov. 1, part timers will get $13.50 an hour, and eventually $15 an hour, ABM managers said.

This is expected to attract a larger pool of suitable candidates and should result in a reduction of turnover among part timers, Zachery wrote in his memo. By Jan. 31, the increase in wages should offset the cost of custodian overtime, Zachery wrote.

ABM managers said the company oversees two other school districts in Fairfield County where part-time custodians earn $13.50 an hour and are set for an increase to $15.

Some of the increase in overtime expenses in Stamford can be attributed to pay for trades workers, who have taken on more projects, ABM managers said.

Freedman told them hes glad they are making progress, but when budget time rolls around in about five months, expect to be asked the question again.

The part-time custodian system has not worked in the past, but maybe it will if the pay improves, Bernardo said.

If they are able to have 56 part timers on a daily basis, it would absolutely save money, he said.

Freedman said he hopes it works.

I think raising the salaries of the part timers is the step they needed to take, he said. Well wait to see how it plays out.

acarella@stamfordadvocate.com; 203-964-2296.Most people know that the workplace attitude toward turnover differs from that 20 years ago. In the past, working at the same company for decades was a sign of success. Now, for most modern companies, turnover is just the cost of doing business.

Lately, however, employee attrition rates have been on the rise. The Work Institute estimates that 42 million people will quit their jobs in 2018, and that 77 percent of those departures could be prevented. This amount of turnover is about more than just culture or a robust job market. In some respects, it's a referendum on the people in charge -- and thats a problem.

The reason is that employers understand that it takes time for employees to acclimate themselves enough to make meaningful contributions to a company. Employees aren't truly onboarded until sometime in their second year, a process that can be impeded by consistent turnover.

While turnover will always occur, losing your best and brightest employees should be the exception instead of the rule. Young, potential-laden talent is distributed across all parts of a company. It is incumbent on CEOs to create a culture that identifies these potential visionaries and nurtures their skills over the long haul in order to realize results that will ultimately benefit their companies.

Related: Keep Your Talent: 5 Employee Retention Strategies for Long-Term Success

Lead so your best will follow

Seventy-seven percent of CEOs struggle to obtain the necessary skills specific to creativity and innovation, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers' 20th CEO Survey. If business leaders have trouble getting these skills for their companies, how will employees get them as individuals? And, if employees cant get these skills, why wouldnt they go somewhere else to find them?

For example, our company has posted high retention rates in recent years because we have prioritized nurturing talent internally. Our focus on providing employees with opportunities to excel and contribute shows them a path toward leaving a long, indelible mark on the company's legacy.

Long-term employees can be the lifeblood of a successful company. Follow these four strategies to foster increased retention, innovation and improved corporate culture.

Related: The Lifeblood of Success: How to Encourage Innovation at Your Company

1. Keep an open ear.

Listening is both the hardest and easiest thing to do. It is also what nurtures high retention rates. This is something Bill Sandbrook learned when he assumed the CEO role at U.S. Concrete.

When he arrived, according to a Wharton interview, U.S. Concrete's stock was selling in the range of $2 to $6 per share. To change the company's fortunes, Sandbrook spent the first three months establishing a two-way dialogue with customers and employees to find new and inventive ways to turn the company's trajectory upward. Subsequently, the company's stock traded between $44 and $86.35 in the past year.

Sandbrook's example shows the residual impact listening can have. Build a culture in which managers listen, understand and respond to peoples insights and aspirations. Listening shouldnt be seen as some easy hack toward retention; it's an intentional effort that empowers people to build their self-worth within the organization.

2. Realize that failure is a given.

One of the worst things a company can do is to treat every mistake as a failure. Mistakes should be seen as an impetus to adjust processes and push professional development. At its heart, a strong company culture comes from leadership and employees embracing mistakes and trusting one another. For example, IBM, one of our current software partners, didn't become a name brand in tech just by its services but by bouncing back from adversity.

Having just navigated the company through Great Depression, IBM president Thomas Watson Sr. couldn't afford many setbacks if he hoped to retain his post. When a salesperson failed to secure a large government bid and offered to resign, Watson declined and famously said, "Why would I accept this when I have just invested $1 million in your education?"

Watson shows how powerful a lesson failure can be. Be open and honest with employees about their mistakes to help them gain confidence. When they know they have the support of their bosses, they are more likely to learn from those miscues and strive to rectify them.

Related: 4 Key Lessons From a Startups Spectacular Failure

3. Practice integrity at all times.

In his book, Return on Character: The Real Reason Leaders and Their Companies Win, Fred Kiel sought to quantify the value of integrity. In his research, he and his leadership consultancy colleagues asked employees at 84 companies to rank their CEOs on the characteristics of responsibility, integrity, compassion and forgiveness. The research revealed that companies with high-integrity CEOs boasted 26 percent higher employee engagement.

Fostering a culture of integrity means co-creating a working environment free from hidden agendas or favoritism. Consciously avoiding moral compromise builds trust across an organization and allows people to feel good about their day-to-day responsibilities. Integrity runs deep in our organization, and we attribute the longevity of our customers and staff to this important corporate value.

To cultivate this kind of culture, do regular check-ins with all your employees, either through companywide correspondence or regular individual conversations. Share any information that's relevant to them as employees or to their departments. Then, explain to them how their contributions relate to that update and what they can do to get more involved.

Nothing feels worse than being blindsided with information or unknowingly forced into a moral compromise. Inject integrity into every facet of your company's operations in order to cultivate an environment where employees feel they can thrive in both the short and long term.

Related: Why a Balance of Integrity and Innovation Means Success for This Business Owner

4. Invest in your community.

In the 2016 PwC Global CEO Survey, 64 percent of business leaders viewed corporate social responsibility as a way to build trust with clients and employees. Helping to build up your surrounding community is a way to invest in the employees who are part of it.

In this vein of community-building, educator James Watts and I started a school in Montreal called Education Plus designed to help kids who reach that critical point at grade nine and cant quite make it through a traditional high school setting. We have helped more than 1,000 kids over the years, and the support of private organizations like ours is invaluable in its success.

Find where you can benefit the community that the workforce relies on in order to live happy lives. This kind of community investment sets an example that employees can look up to, and the work can have a direct impact on whether an employee wants to stick around for the long haul.

Related: Got a Do-Gooder Gene? 3 Tips for Launching a Successful CSR Initiative

When people are smart, hungry, humble and motivated, it is vital to support their development within the organization. When people feel secure enough to share their ideas and mistakes in an open and honest environment, they get the push they need to put down roots within a company and find ways to grow and make their mark.

Related:

The Many Pros and Fewer-Than-Expected Cons of Hiring Ex-Cons

How to Keep Those Talented Employees of Yours From Fleeing to Competitors

Balancing Your Associates' Expectations With Your Company's Needs



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reservedAll residential real estate buyers come to the search with a wish list. In some cases, the number of bedrooms or the functionality of the kitchen is of great importance; for others, it may be the location or the amenities the property has thats at the top of their lists. For buyers in search of a home that will showcase pieces or entire collections of art, the wish-list mandates may include considerations like how the rooms are illuminated; how much wall space or unencumbered floor space the interior rooms have; and whether the home provides a safe setting for otherwise priceless pieces.

Bill Andruss, a Realtor with the Greenwich brokerage office of Sothebys International Realty, understands what home-buying fine-art aficionados look for in a residence that will also serve as a private gallery, so to speak.

They must have public rooms, in particular, that have the potential to display their finest pieces, he suggested. There must be a significant amount of wall space that accommodate their large pieces, and there must be high ceilings, which adds a particular dimension to all works of fine art.

One of Andruss current listings is Round Hill Manor, at 521 Round Hill Road in Greenwich. Sothebys Leslie McElwreath and Joseph Barbieri are co-listing the property with Andruss.

Built in 1916, the 21-room brick manor presides over 40.26 acres.

The exceptional quality, character and scale  combined with a meticulous complete renovation  incorporate a timelessness that is without equal, Andruss described the property. As one of the Great Estates of Greenwich, Round Hill Manor sits on the crest of a magnificent plateau, overlooking more than 40 high, open acres, with panoramic views of Long Island Sound.

Round Hill Manor is also a grand residence worthy of fine art display.

This property is a great example of a home that works well as a private gallery.  This residence has large public rooms, high ceilings and lots of wall space that allows for their most significant and largest pieces, Andruss explained.

For example, the main hall, north hall and south hall actually form a 60ft. gallery, with incredible wall space and 12ft. ceilings. That space alone would attract a fine art collector to this beautiful home, the Realtor continued, adding that both the formal living and dining rooms are generously sized, allowing for plenty of space to display the owners most prized works of arts.

Designed with art in mind

1 Indian Chase Drive  listed for $9.495 million by Ellen Mosher of Houlihan Lawrence  is perfectly suited to be part luxury home, part fine art gallery. In fact, its current owners are renowned collectors.

Mosher pointed out that the more than 9,000-square-foot Mediterranean style waterfront estate has all of the must-have boxes checked: an abundance of wall space, professional lighting, sensible traffic patterns through the home and grounds, and adequate security.

The property is located in a private association, and is itself gated, with strategic night lighting and a sophisticated alarm system.

The house was planned to accommodate a large collection of paintings of all sizes, sculptures, porcelain vases and figurines, the seller explained in an email.

The collectors particularly appreciated the high ceilings throughout the interiors, including a soaring 20ft.-high ceiling in the entry foyer.

While renovating the house, we designed a lighting system to most attractively light the art, the seller recalled.

Another feature of the property that may pique the interest of art-enthusiast buyers is the carriage house on site; it can be leveraged for additional storage and as a place to prep and crate works of art for travel to exhibitions.

Our house has turned into a living museum, where we have had numerous functions, presentations, shows and concerts, the seller said.

1 Indian Chase Drives legacy is noteworthy, too, the seller noted. It was built in 1912 by Helena Rubenstein, the cosmetics maven and art philanthropist, and later sold to the granddaughter of prolific Russian writer Lev Tolstoy, who reportedly hosted many parties and art events during her time here.T he collapse of one of the UKs largest apprenticeship providers 3aaa has triggered alarm bells among employers, the EEF manufacturers organisation said on Tuesday.

3aaa, which trained apprentices for companies like sandwich maker Greencore, went into administration on Thursday after the government pulled its funding. It was also referred to police over fraud concerns.

EEFs Verity Davidge said employers had been left in limbo by the collapse, which has stoked fears about the sector.

The collapse of large training providers such as 3aaa, that manufacturers are currently using, will send alarm bells ringing.

The apprentices must be protected first and foremost and employers will do everything in their power to find alternative provision. There will be nervousness among employers as to whether we will see the events of this week repeated.

3aaa, based in Derby, folded last week after the Education and Skills Funding Agency  an arm of the Department for Education  cancelled its contracts.

The company provided training for apprentices hired by the likes of Greencore, Ocado, Mitie, Thomas Cook, and National Grid.

Greencore said it was working closely with the government skills agencies to ensure that all learners from 3aaa will be able to continue their programme.

Ocado also said it was reviewing the potential impact on any apprenticeships although currently it had only two staff on the scheme.

Apprenticeships have come into greater focus since the government introduced a levy on businesses to fund apprentices.S earch engine behemoth Google has joined the clutch of corporate titans boycotting Saudi Arabias Desert Davos investment conference following the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Google Cloud chief executive Diane Greene will no longer speak at the Future Investment Initiative Summit scheduled to start in Riyadh on October 23.

HSBC chief John Flint, Credit Suisse boss Tidjane Thiam and Standard Chartereds Bill Winters will also not attend, it is understood.

Pressure has mounted on the Saudis since Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi policies, went missing this month. He was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Turkish officials say they fear Khashoggi was killed. Saudi officials have called the allegations baseless, but reports in US media have suggested the kingdom may acknowledge the journalist was killed there.

Google did not offer a reason for Greene not attending, but she joins a raft of bosses who have dropped out of the event, including Ubers Dara Khosrowshahi and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson.U ntil recently Id expected the UK to leave the EU with a deal. As things stand, we are in danger of crashing out because the UK and the EU cannot agree on the backstop for the Irish border. But lets assume that this hurdle is overcome. I warned in January that we must avoid leaving the EU with meaningless waffle about the future relationship  what happens at the end of the transition in 2020. After all, when we sign a treaty, we will sign away much of our negotiating power: the money we owe the EU.

Sadly, I fear this may be our fate. One reason stands out: last years general election. Three things flowed from the Government losing its majority. First, most MPs want a deal, weakening the Governments threat to walk away. Second, there is deadlock over the UKs negotiating aims. The Government has ruled out a customs union, the EEA and a Canadian-style treaty  leaving the Chequers approach that appears to have no parliamentary majority. Third, the Government is on life support thanks to the DUP, making the issue of the Irish border even more neuralgic.

We are in a state of political paralysis. The Prime Minister now has little choice but to negotiate an agreement that is largely meaningless as regards our future trade in goods with the EU. Lets assume that happens. Parliament will either have to swallow this fudge or spit it out. Let us imagine Parliament spits it out. What would happen?

Some claim that the Government would go back to the EU and restart the negotiations. This is wishful thinking. What would the Government be negotiating for? And why would the EU be willing to begin again?

Others argue for a second referendum. But if Parliament rejects the agreement negotiated by the Government, why would it give the public the opportunity to endorse it?

And then there are those who say the UK would leave without a deal. But most MPs appear opposed to this. If Parliament passed a motion condemning such an outcome, could the Government simply ignore it? No.

Tory MPs would no doubt resist calls for a general election and a second referendum. So there would be parliamentary deadlock. No one has a clear idea of how it would be broken.

I share misgivings about voting for fudge but given the state we are in I see it as the least worst of two bad options. Fudge prolongs the uncertainty: but two things would be certain: we will certainly leave the EU, and we will certainly enter a transition.

As someone who voted Remain, I would ask anyone who voted Leave why they would risk triggering a political chain reaction that could result in a second referendum and the reversal of Brexit? Those who hold passionate views need to ask themselves whether unleashing a maelstrom of chaos would be in anyones interests.T onight the 2018 Man Booker Prize will be awarded at a gigantic black-tie dinner at Guildhall.

According to a boosterish hour-long show presented by Kirsty Wark on BBC Four last night, it is nothing less than the most hotly anticipated event in the literary calendar.

In the past, the Booker has certainly driven sales. To have a prize that will lift a book that might have sold 5,000 copies and make it sell 500,000 copies that is an extraordinary achievement and long may it last, said John Banville, the winner in 2005. Yet this year the prize appears to be ailing.

The recent change to the rules that allows any author writing in English  ie, Americans  to compete has diminished its cachet. And this years high-minded shortlist has further dismayed the booksellers.

Sales of the shortlist have been modest. Perhaps one of the titles can yet be transformed into popular reading  such as Esi Edugyans slave adventure Washington Black?

Or the prize might take another route? Theres an inspiring precedent. Earlier this year the judges of the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction decided to withhold the prize altogether to maintain standards.

Despite the submitted books producing many a wry smile, we did not feel that any of the books we read this year incited the level of unanimous laughter we have come to expect, announced the prizes founder David Campbell.

Champagne Bollinger, the Comic Fiction Prize sponsor, enterprisingly welcomed the decision as consistent with the way it selects only the best years for its most prestigious wines. Only very high quality harvests become a vintage.

Quite so. This is, we must admit, not a vintage Booker. Might it just be announced tonight that, sadly, none of the entries have reached the required standard? Impious dream. But it could just be the tonic the poor old Booker prize needs.

Literary criticism that really hurts

Surely the Booker judges didnt snub Sally Rooneys Normal People for its account of its hero, at a reading by a novelist, wondering what is the point of such events. They were attended only by people who wanted to be the kind of people who attended them. Ouch.

Afterwards he is even more sceptical. It was culture as class performance, literature fetishised for its ability to take educated people on false emotional journeys, so that they might afterwards feel superior to the uneducated people whose emotional journeys they liked to read about, he concludes. Double ouch.

Keiras clear about who shell flirt with

Keira Knightley is terrific in Colette, the new film about the writers attempts to break free from her manipulative first husband, Willy (played by Dominic West), just given a gala screening at the London Film Festival but not due for release here until the New Year.

Keira Knightley in Colette (ES local feed ) / ES local feed

Meanwhile, Knightley has quietly contributed a startlingly direct and unguarded essay, called The Weaker Sex, to the controversial anthology, Feminists Dont Wear Pink, edited by Scarlett Curtis. Its a graphic account of how her life has changed since giving birth to her daughter and her exasperation with men: especially men telling her what it is to be a woman.

I like them. But I dont want to flirt and mother them, flirt and mother, flirt and mother. I dont want to flirt with you because I dont want to f*** you, and I dont want to mother you because I am not your mother, she says.

Not enough film stars ever make themselves quite so clear as that.

A show for those of us gung-ho for hoes

Quite the most exhilarating sight of the week for me, so far at least, has been a magnificent display of hoes. Not hoes as enthused about by our most celebrated rappers, but hoes as used in cultivating the land.T heresa Mays endgame is so painful to watch because it combines the grave consequences of failed Brexit negotiations with the improbable comedy of operetta. Our phones pinged on Sunday with the hot news that Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab had raced off to meet Michel Barnier, his EU opposite number. Shortly after, we were informed that key issues remain and Raab had a day-return ticket home.

Since then an exhausted Prime Minister has trundled to the Commons (again) to announce with emphasis that she will not sign up to an interpretation of the backstop on the Irish border that she had effectively already agreed to in her bid to sell the Chequers plan in the summer. The clue to the mood around her was in the facial expressions on her benches. Or, as one described the experience, We all went to our unhappy place.

Mood changes are as important in endgames as events. And the underlying shift is that it is no longer only plotters and rebels preparing for May to go  it is practically everyone on her team. I have not encountered a member of the Cabinet since the return to Parliament who speaks of the PM with more than teeth-gritted tolerance.

Steve Baker, the prolific (pro-Leave) backbench MP, argued on Newsnight that there are not the numbers on the spreadsheet of Brexiteers to bring down the PM. More likely, though, pragmatists in her Cabinet and senior ministerial ranks will choose the timing of her departure either by letters flooding into the 1922 committee or by sparing a divisive leadership battle and mounting a moderates coup asking her to go. In this scenario, the main Brexit centrists (Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt ) will agree with the more realistic end of the Leave spectrum (Michael Gove and Raab) to force her to ditch the Chequers plan.

Such a transition is fraught with risks. When the single biggest issue of the day has not been resolved by the Prime Minister, the case for keeping her gets harder. A symptom of endgame mentality is that risk analysis tends to become less important than the desire to do something to end the misery.

Anne McElvoy

The uncertainty besetting the British Government is not an isolated case. Indeed, when May addresses the EU 27 at a dinner launching the European Council summit tomorrow, she will find herself in the company of leaders contemplating failures and fissures of their own.

Angela Merkel, diminished by a poor election result last year, heads a coalition that has seen its Right-wing flank  the once-mighty Christian Social Union  and her centre-Left coalition prop, the Social Democrats, flop in the Bavarian state election on Sunday. A test in Hessen in two weeks looks dicey for Merkel too, many Germans are Merkelmude (tired of Merkel).

Against this backdrop Brexit has tested the limits of Germany foreign policy imagination  and that is a shame. For all the self-inflicted wounds of the referendum, a Europe with Britain and Germany aligned is stronger than one in which the relationship is distanced and fractious. But a slew of other events, from the migration crisis to the strain on Merkels chancellorship, has led to two tired leaderships failing to achieve much to offset the damage of Britains EU rupture.

"The Eurozone is under siege from an unstable populist coalition in Italy putting the EU and Germany on the spot"

The testy mood on the continent also has roots far beyond Britains Brexit dithering. The Eurozone is under siege from an unstable populist coalition in Italy testing its budget constraints and putting the EU and Germany (as the disciplinarian of the currency union) on the spot about how to respond without feeding more extreme politics in the run-up to the European parliament elections next year.

True enough: sceptics have been predicting the demise of the euro since William Hague compared it to a burning building with no exits. But even if thats not the case, Italy, in the bombastic mood of a country with a newly elected populist coalition, has the potential to cause the EU a serious headache.

A senior German finance figure notes that Britain will cause an unpleasant but containable problem if it leaves the EU on terms unaligned to the single market. Italy, on the other hand, poses a threat to the whole model if it insists on remaining in the Eurozone but rejects its spending constraints.

An Italian crisis sparked by a government preaching easy solutions to stagnation and blaming the EU for low-growth policies is a recipe for disruption. Add to the fissile mix the French presidency under Emmanuel Macron. It has hit early doldrums, partly as a result of entrenched interests against his reform plans but also after a summer of gaffes. Now a pot-boiling biography of the Macrons powerful PR confidante cites rumours that even Brigitte Macron deems her other half too aloof, too snappy.

In the grand scheme of things its not exactly a government death knell. But the Merkel-Macron pact  a kind of backstop for liberal centrism  is not in the best shape either. Their relationship has become more distant because Merkel, preoccupied with maintaining her coalition at home, has given little active support to the French leaders grand project to overhaul the Eurozone and help to subsidise French reforms.

The grand irony of all of this is that as an irritated EU runs out of patience with the UKs demands for the ideal staying-while-going Brexit arrangement, its internal condition is perilously fractious. That mood of unhappy apprehension is at least familiar to May from an increasingly unsteady perch in Downing Street. Its also the reason so many on her own side are weighing their options and counting the days.T he announcement of a minister responsible for suicide prevention, Jackie Doyle-Price, is an important milestone. We lose almost 4,500 people a year to suicide in England and every one is a tragedy. Its right that the Government should turn its attention to this important issue.

Not all suicides are mental health-related but the majority are, so getting NHS services right is key. Despite significant progress over the past few years, theres a long way to go. The NHS long-term plan needs to focus on prevention, so that people dont reach crisis point in the first place. And if people do end up in crisis, they must get urgent help  our emergency response is still not good enough.

Its not just about the NHS, though. Problems with housing, finances, benefits and employment all have a significant impact on mental health. The minister and her taskforce need to work across Government departments, looking at all the factors that can affect a persons mental wellbeing and lead to them taking their own life. And, crucially, any work on suicide prevention must be done hand-in-hand with people who have personal experience of suicide.

Weve taken huge strides in recent years in pushing mental health up the political agenda, but we are far from where we need to be. Only when everyone with  or at risk of  a mental health problem gets the help they need, in all areas of their life, will the job be finished.

Paul Farmer

CEO, Mind

EDITOR'S REPLY

Dear Paul

A couple of weeks ago I interviewed Sarah Finke and Rose White. Both had lost a teenage child to suicide.

By chance, both Sarahs daughter Rachel and Roses son Harry attended Stoke Newington School. The two mothers have established a charity, Safaplace, in their memory to help other pupils as well as their teachers. They hope to expand beyond the school.

What was apparent from these tragedies was the scale of the crisis in young peoples mental health and how the system, split between the NHS, local authorities and schools, can conspire to frustrate attempts to provide help.

The Government has announced 2 million (over two years) for a Zero Suicide Alliance, essentially an initiative to develop clever ideas. A further 1.8 million will enable the Samaritans to run a free helpline for four years. About 25 million was already allocated to prevent suicide among patients in mental health institutions.

Much more is needed if this is to be anything more than a PR exercise for World Mental Health Day.

Ross Lydall, Health Editor

Respond to AI with a robot tax

Last week Andy Haldane, the Bank of Englands chief economist, warned that increased automation may impact on wage growth for workers.

Up until now the UK has been relatively slow in adopting automated technologies compared with other countries including Germany and South Korea.

Although the Government is committed to making the UK a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI), with a 1 billion in funding announced earlier this year as part of the governments AI Sector Deal, it must actively start planning how it is going to respond to threats to wage growth and job disruption.The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's first official royal tour is turning out to be even more poignant than expected, as the couple revealed on Monday that they are expecting their first child in spring 2019.

Less than 24 hours after the news broke, Meghan stepped out in her first maternity look for a royal tour of Sydney, her ensemble paying tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

Those who keep a close eye on Meghans style couldn't help but notice the rather whimsical butterfly earrings she chose to pair with her simple white dress by Australian designer, Karen Gee - a contrast to the simple accessories she usually favours.

Yet the earrings weren't just a style statement, but more importantly, a touching salute, as they once once belonged to Harry's mother.

Meghan Markle wore butterfly earrings for her first day in Sydney / Getty Images

Princess Diana wore the earrings, a long with a matching necklace whilst on a royal tour of Canada in 1986, a year and a half after giving birth to Prince Harry.

Princess Diana wearing the butterfly earring whilst on a royal tour of Canada in 1986 / Getty Images

Although Meghan chose not to wear the matching jewellery set like Diana, she did wear another piece from Diana's personal collection, a gold cuff with two statement gems, which Diana wore to the The Lord Gage Centre For Old People in Newham in 1990.

Meghan Markle wearing Princess Diana's bracelet on the first day in Sydney / AFP/Getty Images

This wouldn't be the first time Meghan has paid homage to Harry's mum through her jewellery choices.

On her wedding day she wore Diana's Asprey ring as her 'something blue' to the evening reception. Plus, Meghan's engagement ring, which was designed by Prince Harry, features two diamonds from his mothers personal collection.

Princess Diana wearing the gold cuff in 1990 / Tim Graham/Getty ImagesReview at a glance









V isitors to the British Museums new gallery of the Islamic World should take note: this is not a gallery dedicated to Islam, the religion, but a gallery of the Islamic world, that is to say a vast portion of the globe stretching from Africa to Indonesia. So, while the religion itself is given due consideration, the works here are infinitely various.

And, given the number of ethnicities and religions that this vast area includes, not to say the temporal span of the galleries  from the Arab world just before the birth of Mohammed in the sixth century to the art of Idris Khan in the 21st century  that gives tremendous scope for drawing out unseen treasures from the BMs vast holdings.

You get games, amulets and charms, astrolabes, costumes (fabulous) and shadow puppets as well as the tiles and calligraphy you would expect. Obviously the BM already had a gallery devoted to the Islamic world, but this is a reordering and expansion of it thanks to a large donation from the Malaysian Albukhary Foundation.

Neil MacGregor, the previous head of the BM, who received the donation, was looking round when I was there, and he was justifiably proud of the whole thing, The donors, he said, hadnt sought to restrict the nature of the exhibits but they had asked that it should reflect the breadth of the Islamic world, not just the more obvious Arab, Persian and Ottoman elements. It does.

Iznik bowl / The Trustees of the British Museum

That enormous geographical reach means that the curators can put Islamic culture constantly in the context of the others with which it came into contact, through trade and conquest and the movement of artists: Sasanians, Byzantines, Romans.

In the first room, given over to the Islamic world before 1500, theres a moving display from pre-Islamic Palmyra, the legendary city of Zenobia, represented by a funerary monument of a dead youth with a bunch of grapes, c 150BC. The viewer must supply the melancholy backdrop: the destruction of so much of its archaeology by IS in 2015  the BM has a function as an ark for artefacts. The question of Islam and figurative art is dealt with: the prohibition on figures in the context of worship plainly left scope for a variety of later interpretations. We get some interesting iconoclasm: birds used to decorate the Koran on a 14th-century ceramic which were decapitated by later fundamentalists.

(Photo: J. Fernandes, K.Lovelock  Trustees of the British Museum ) / Photo: J. Fernandes, K.Lovelock  Trustees of the British Museum

The layout is sane: chronological, subdivided by geography. That means that theres a coherent whole, within which are fascinating digressions in the side cases into themes such as charms, games or musical instruments. The costume cases are a delight: like so much of these displays they will be changed at intervals.

There are really fine pieces here: splendid examples of the legendary metalwork of Herat and the initially unprepossessing 11th-century Nihavand hoard from Iran, including a fine little gold wine bowl with a perky duck motif. But everyday objects have their charm too: whod have thought that water filters could be so beautifully worked?

Whats evident here too is the effect of so much Islamic art on our culture: look at the star and cross tiles above. Very Walter Crane, no?Review at a glance









C harles Dickens gets the first word in Living with Buildings, the exhibition on the links between architecture and health at the Wellcome Collection: Nothing effectual can be done for the elevation of the poor in England, until their dwelling places are made decent and wholesome.

Despite the wording, Dickens was rejecting suggestions that Oliver Twist was a campaigning part of the sanitary movement that sought to replace diseased slums with model worker housing. Still, this is a useful jumping-off point; from Booths 19th-century London Poverty Maps to worker utopias such as Bournville and Saltaire. Finnish architect Alvar Aaltos influential 1932 Paimio Sanatorium earns its place with its sun-filled balconies, noiseless washbasins, and ideal chairs for breathing  all designed for TB patients in architecture as medical instrument.

The impressive objects gathered range from a Pissarro painting of Bedford Park, west London (billed as the healthiest place in the world  not least because it had high walls to keep Victorian riff-raff out) to a giant model for a Kings Fund hospital with miniature operating theatres and patient beds whose bedspreads are made from lace hankies donated by Queen Mary.

The breadth of the show is impressive but the depth is slight. Theres confusion between health and behaviour and the embedded, if unexplored, notion of how buildings make us feel. A gratuitous section on Grenfell (surely more of safety than a health matter) only adds to this impression and the guiding thread from private squalor to the hopes of welfare state clinics and high-rises remains fuzzy.

However, US author Jack Londons expedition to the human wilderness of Edwardian London, in People of the Abyss, asked how, at the height of the British Empire, the capital could so neglect the needs of many. With the housing crisis still unresolved, it is as pertinent a question today as in 1903.

Until March 3 (020 7611 2222, wellcomecollection.org)First Presbyterian Church of Homewood: 17929 Gottschalk Ave.  A Whole Church Work Day with indoor and outdoor tasks for all ages will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 20. The church will receive a Business Beautification Curb Appeal award from the Village of Homewood at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave. Trick or Treat will be during the afternoon hours Oct. 31 on the church front porch. An All Saints Celebration in remembrance of those who have died in the past year will be at the 10:30 a.m. worship service Nov. 4. Information: 708-798-0490.I m being quite cruel to Lara Pulver. The Sherlock and Spooks star is in London for just two weeks, so Im filling her in on all the theatre shes missing out on. This is why I miss London! she cries. These conversations, going: we should go to that, lets book tickets, come on!

Pulver now resides in the US with her husband, the actor Raza Jaffrey , and their one-year-old son but her flying visit is for a good reason: three nights at the Royal Albert Hall, performing in an all-star live concert version of Guys and Dolls. Pulver will play the Christian missionary Sarah Brown to Adrian Lesters Sky Masterson, with Sharon D Clarke, Jason Manford and Stephen Mangan also featuring among the cast.

When she picked up an Olivier in 2016 for her performance in Gypsy alongside Imelda Staunton, a starry-eyed Pulver told the audience how she used to save up her pocket money to buy cast recordings. As we chat over her lunch break from rehearsals, I ask Pulver  who is pint-sized and extremely agreeable in person  if Guys and Dolls was one of them. It turns out she wanted to do it for a different reason.

After I did Gypsy with Imelda, I said to her, Gosh, what musical do you do after this? Because wed had such a wonderful time, she explains. And Imelda, who was in the really iconic National Theatre production of Guys and Dolls, said how much she loved it and that it was her favourite musical.

Lara Pulver with Gypsy co-star Imelda Staunton at the 2016 Olivier Awards / Getty Images

She thought she had missed the boat (Pulver gets full credit for that pun) because a production starring Jamie Parker and Sophie Thompson had just transferred from Chichester. When the concert version was proposed, she leapt at the chance. But how does it feel to know she will only get to do it three times? Ill tell you in two weeks, she laughs.

It was New Years Eve in 2009 when Kent-born Pulver first made the move to the US; she and her family recently relocated to New York for one of Jaffreys jobs, after several years in LA. Earlier this year she tweeted that she was proud to be part of March for Our Lives , a nationwide demonstration for greater gun control. Has living there made her more political? She speaks slowly, carefully. I was pregnant when the election was happening. And when Donald Trump was elected, I just cried, she says. I think it awakened that I was in a bubble without knowing it, because I guess you naturally surround yourself with like-minded people. So I was very fearful about bringing a child into this world with this exposure of hate.

Its clear that Pulver is having the time of her life as a parent  Id love to have a tribe of mini-Jaffreys, she grins  and spending time with her son is her priority. The short run for Guys and Dolls was a major plus point for her in taking the job, and now she always weighs up if a project is worth the time away. Its been a total 180-degree change for me because I used to be like: work, work, work. And I still love it  but now theres a cost for me to leave and go and do it.

London's best autumn theatre 1 /21 London's best autumn theatre Twelfth Night October 2 - November 17, Young Vic Measure for Measure September 28 - November 24, Donmar Warehouse Company September 26 - December 22, Gielgud Theatre



Buy tickets with GO London Dan Kennedy Sylvia September 3-22, Old Vic Theatre



Buy tickets with GO London Manuel Harlan I'm Not Running From October 2, National Theatre Pinter at the Pinter From September 6, Harold Pinter Theatre Getty Images The Wild Duck October 15 - December 1, Almeida Theatre PA Hadestown November 2 - January 26, National Theatre The Woods September 5 - October 20, Royal Court Theatre The Village September 7 - October 6, Theatre Royal Stratford East



Buy tickets with GO London Getty Images Wise Children October 8 - November 10, Old Vic Theatre



Buy tickets with GO London Misty September 8 - October 20, Trafalgar Studios



Buy tickets with GO London Helen Murray A Very Very Very Dark Matter October 12 - January 6, Bridge Theatre Dave Benett Heathers September 3 - November 24, Theatre Royal Haymarket



Buy tickets with GO London Pamela Raith Holy Sh!t September 5 - October 6, Kiln Theatre Photo by Mark Douet An Adventure September 6 - October 20, Bush Theatre I and You October 18 - November 24, Hampstead Theatre Caroline, or Change November 20 - February 9, Playhouse Theatre



Buy tickets with GO London Marc Brenner The Malady of Death October 3-6, Barbican Centre I'm a Phoenix, B**** October 3-20, Battersea Arts Centre A Small Place November 8 - December 1, Gate Theatre

Her experiences as a new mother in the industry have been positive thus far. While working on the BBC series The City & the City last year, she says the BBC couldnt have done more to accommodate her. She and Jaffrey are conscientious parents; they havent exposed their son to screens yet. They actually have some scientific research on these very HD screens, and from the research we did, we made the choice to keep him away from anything that was stimulating until he was at least two.

Theres one topic Pulver cant get away from: the now-legendary scene in which her character Irene Adler bamboozled Benedict Cumberbatchs Sherlock by appearing completely naked (well almost, she was wearing heels). Does she get sick of talking about it? Not at all, she says straightaway. Im extremely proud of my work on Sherlock and I had such a good time on that show. Shes thoughtful for a while. Its a career and Im in it for the long haul. Moments like Sherlock will come and go, and there are peaks and troughs  some days everyones talking about you, and then the next day its someone else. But would I love something that creatively interesting and challenging to come along again? You bet. Another 10, 12 times please! She tells me an endearing story about the woman who showed her around the house shes staying in, who aloofly turned the TV on to a quiz show in which the answer to one of the Sherlock-themed questions was Pulver herself. Someone went, What about the naked girl? Inside, I was like, Im the naked girl! That was me! Wait, no, Im not just the naked girl!

Pulver suspects it was her link to Steven Moffat, the Sherlock writer and former Doctor Who producer, that saw her named as the original bookies favourite to be the next Doctor  the role that eventually went to Jodie Whittaker. I was never in contention, as far as I know. It was put to Jodie  and shes a good mate  and shes bloody brilliant. (So whos she betting on for James Bond? I reckon its gonna be Aidan Turner , she ponders.)

Finally, I wonder how an actress like Pulver, interminably asked about the 110 seconds she was once naked on screen, is finding her industry in a post-#MeToo world. Are things improving for her? For me personally, its changed because I now have no problem saying no. There are a gazillion ways of telling stories that are more interesting, she says. Do I think its changed? I cant tell if were at the beginning of something or in the middle of something. I think its something well only know in hindsight.Milroy's, Soho & Spitalfields





3 Greek St & 76 Commercial St



At the back of Londons oldest whisky shop is a bookcase: push, and down the curled staircase is hidden a bar. Theyve more than 300 bottles going; plenty is Scotch, but theyve also plenty from across the globe; America, Australia, South Africa, Sweden and more all get a look in. Despite its long-standing history and despite the rarities on the shelves, Milroys is fun, relaxed, unpretentious. Last year, they opened up a second, much larger site in Spitalfields. Over four flights in a townhouse, theyve more than 1000 drams. The most anywhere? Probably. Still, its all overseen by Simo Simpson  he has a knack of keeping things down to earth. Somewhere to come in for just a drink, but if you want to learn something, you will, and without the risk of turning into a whisky w****er.A City insurance broker hit a woman in the face, breaking her jaw, during a drunken row with an industry colleague he believed was flirting with his daughter.

Steven Herbert, 56, claimed his fabulous reputation was wrecked and his career was in peril as he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and assault.

Inner London crown court heard he flew into a rage over sexually suggestive comments made by Lloyd Cross, hitting him in the face after trying to snatch his phone.

When officer manager Donna West, 45, rushed to intervene, Herbert swung and punched her in the face, leaving her needing operations to fix her jaw. She has now lost her senses of smell and taste, the court heard.

Judge Silas Reid ordered Herbert to do 135 hours of community service, saying: You have lost your good character in a fairly spectacular way. It was a stupid mistake to make.

Herbert, a director at global insurance broker BMS, had been drinking at a lunchtime business meeting before joining the two victims and his daughter at Caffe Vergnano, near Fenchurch Street station, on the evening of October 25 last year.

Herbert objected to comments made to his daughter by Mr Cross, and then snatched his iPhone in a bid to stop him from calling her, the court heard. Mr Cross asked for it back and Mr Herbert smacked him in the face, a single punch, said prosecutor Rory Keene.

Donna West came running across the bar, drops her bag and launches herself at Mr Herbert, causing him to react and causing the unfortunate injury that she received.

CCTV caught the moment Herberts left hook connected with Ms Wests face, leaving her reeling on the floor. She was left struggling to eat because of her injuries, and has lost her senses of smell and taste.

Its a tragic case where a lifelong friendship has been destroyed and we see the damage of drinking to excess, said Lewis Power QC, representing Herbert.

He believes not only her [Ms Wests] life has been ruined but his own. He feels his fabulous reputation in the City is now gone. He was told he may now lose his job.

In court yesterday, Judge Reid also put Herbert on a three-month nighttime curfew and ordered him to pay 2,000 compensation to Ms West plus 2,085 in court costs and fees.P olice in Detroit are investigating after the remains of 10 foetuses and one infant were found hidden in the ceiling of a former funeral home, which lost its licence when decomposing embalmed bodies were found there earlier this year.

Officials said they would file a criminal complaint against the owners of Cantrell Funeral Home after the shocking discovery on Friday.

An anonymous letter led state inspectors to the decomposed remains hidden between the eastside building's first and second floors.

The foetuses were found together in a cardboard-like box while the full-term infant was in a coffin, Police Chief James Craig said.

A Detroit Police vehicle is parked outside the Cantrell Funeral Home in Detroit / AP/Junfu Han/Detroit Free Press

He added: "They were definitely hidden. The way they were placed in ceiling, one would not have readily discovered them. In 41 years in policing, this is first time I've heard of anything like this."

The remains were taken to the Wayne County medical examiner's office which is coordinating efforts with authorities "to hopefully get them identified and families identified," spokeswoman Lisa Croff said.

A small crawlspace near the top of the pull down ladder at the former funeral home - where Michigan inspectors found the remains. / AP

"We have very little to go on (without) cooperation from the funeral home owners. Everything is under investigation."

No arrests have been made.

Cantrell Funeral Home was shut down and had its mortuary license suspended in April after decomposing embalmed bodies were found and other violations were discovered.

The suspension has not been appealed and the investigation from earlier this year remains ongoing, said Jason Moon, a spokesman for Michigan's Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

Naveed Syed had bought the property and hoped to turn it into a new business. / AP/Junfu Han/Detroit Free Press

Those violations include two improperly stored bodies covered in what appeared to be mould and a third body with unknown fluids covering the facial area. Inspections also turned up an unsanitary embalming room.

The establishment also was operating with an expired prepaid funeral and cemetery sales registration. The state says money for prepaid funeral goods or services had not been deposited with an authorised escrow agent within 30 days of receipt.

Raymond Cantrell told reporters at the time that some bodies were stored in the garage "so that we wouldn't have an aroma filling up the funeral home."

"If I had them in the funeral home, then my funeral home would not smell fresh," he said.

The building's new owner, Naveed Syed, said one of the funeral home's directors called him last week "saying that the state of Michigan has contacted him when someone wrote them a letter saying that there are some bodies hidden in the ceiling here."

He called the discovery "gruesome".

"The priority is to find out the next of kin for all those babies. And why they did it. And what actually happened and who did it," Mr Syed said Monday, who had bought the building last month and planned to refurbish the property to turn it into a community centre.

"We were looking for a building in this area for the last year or so," he added. "And when we got the news that this funeral home was closed, we decided that this would be an ideal location."

Attempts were made to contact Raymond Cantrell who owned the funeral home but reporters could not find a telephone listing for him.A man has been arrested after walking into a bank in south-east London and dousing himself in petrol, police said.

Police in Bromley said that a man, 50, entered Metro Bank in the High Street and covered himself and the bank in the flammable liquid on Monday afternoon.

Police were called to the scene at 2.29pm and a section of Bromley High Street was closed.

Road closures were put in place while the crime scene was investigated and London Fire Brigade was called to deal with the petrol spillage.

A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: Officers were called at 2.29pm on Tuesday, October 16 to reports that a man had entered a bank on High Street, Bromley, with a can of petrol.

The man had apparently doused himself with petrol and threatened to immolate himself.

The petrol was not set alight.

A spokesperson for the bank said: Following an incident at our Bromley store, we are working closely with the authorities to assist them with their investigation.

We can confirm that there have been no reports of any injuries.O ne of the UKs most prolific paedophiles who blackmailed string of vulnerable victims and admitted 137 offences has had his prison sentence slashed after a successful appeal.

Cambridge graduate Matthew Falders 32-year prison sentence was reduced to 25 years by three judges in the Court of Appeal in London on Tuesday.

He previously admitted 137 offences, including voyeurism, encouraging child rape and sharing images showing the abuse of a new-born baby after being caught in June last year.

Falder watched the proceedings via video link from prison.

His barrister Andrew Smith QC told the court during the hearing: "This was grave offending with undoubtedly profound consequences for those who were the victims of this applicant."

But he submitted that "the custodial element of 32 years imposed was manifestly excessive".

Matthew Falder, one of Britain's most prolific paedophiles / PA

The decision to allow the sentence challenge was announced by Lord Justice Holroyde, sitting with Mr Justice King and the Recorder of Winchester Judge Keith Cutler.

He said the court had concluded that the "appropriate" custodial term, taking into account credit for the guilty pleas, and "the principle of totality", was 25 years.

Falder, of Harborne Park Road, Birmingham, committed his offences over nearly 10 years, manipulating victims behind a computer screen by duping them into sending nude images.

Armed with their personal details, the 29-year-old then traumatised victims, who were tricked into sending him humiliating images, threatened or attempted to end their own lives.

Surveillance footage of Matthew Falder on a train / PA

Sentencing warped and sadistic Falder in February for a tale of ever-increasing depravity, Judge Philip Parker QC said: As for your equally extraordinary sexual offending  no one who knew you, above ground, had an inkling of what you were doing below the surface.

Branding him an internet highwayman who targeted 46 victims, he added: You wanted to assume total control over your victims. Your behaviour was cunning, persistent, manipulative and cruel.

Of the victims, he said: "The damage is ongoing. For these individuals it will never end, knowing the abuse caused by you still exists in other unknown persons' computers."

The judge also concluded that Falder was a dangerous offender and gave him a six-year extended licence period.

The operation to catch Falder, who used specialist software to hide his online accounts, was aided by GCHQ, the US Homeland Security Department and law enforcement bodies in Israel and Australia.

After his arrest in June 2017, the former lecturer in geophysics at the University of Birmingham quipped to officers that the list of then suspected offences sounded "like the rap sheet from hell".

Birmingham Crown Court heard that Falder coerced male and female victims into producing "increasingly severe self-generated indecent images of themselves, the focus of these images being to humiliate and degrade".K nife thugs slashed the tyres of a police car in north London which was called to help save lives in a flat fire.

Officers were working with firefighters at a flat fire trying to ensure nobody was inside or injured when two of their tyres were slashed in nearby Mulkern Road.

A police spokesperson has now condemned the thoughtless actions of the thugs, which they said has limited the policing resources available to the borough.

The car is now off the road, the spokesperson wrote alongside #unacceptable. [It is] reducing the emergency policing response we can provide in Camden and Islington.

Speaking to the Standard, Camden police added: "The London Fire Brigade crew also said they thought that the young lads hanging around were also trying to steal from their appliances.

"So one of the firemen had to go back and sit in it, meaning they couldnt work with the other firemen."

The officers joined 25 firefighters and four fire engines at the flat fire in St Johns Way, Archway, where a first and second floor of a four-storey block were damaged by the blaze.

Fire crews from Walthamstow, Hornsey and West Hampstead took nearly an hour to bring the fire under control after it first broke out at around 12.54pm on Monday.

There were no reports of any injuries, London Fire Brigade said.

The spokesperson added: A maisonette on the first and second floor of a four-storey block were damaged by the fire. The Brigade was called at 12.54pm and the fire was under control by 1.39pm.O ne third of brilliant A-level students who get the grades to enrol at Oxbridge do not even apply, it has emerged.

Research from London tutor agency The Profs found that at least 6,000 students with straight A-grades did not send in an application to Oxford or Cambridge last year. The education consultancy said a fear of failure was holding students back.

Its research was published today to mark the deadline for applications to the two universities.

Leo Evans, founder of The Profs, which provides tutors and advises prospective university applicants, said: Students are shooting below where they want to go because it feels safer.

We would say, you have six Ucas choices so go for it. I dont want to have a dig at schools but there is an expectation mismatch. Parents, students and teachers all say its a daunting thing so err on the side of caution  but why?

Joseph Robbins, head of university applications at The Profs, analysed A-level results from last year and cross- referenced them with Oxbridge admissions data. He found that more than 20,000 candidates achieved at least A*AA grades  enough to win a place at the top universities. But just fewer than 14,000 actually applied.

Mr Evans said: A lot of people have a perception of elitism and think its not right for them. They maybe dont want to go, or dont know they can. We deal with students who dont realise they can go there. In a lot of people there is a fear of failure. They dont want to be let down or fail so they go for something realistic. We say if you have the grades you should go for it... roll the dice.

We have helped a lot of people to make the decision to go for it and they have got in  and they are so shocked.

The Profs also surveyed 1,000 parents of A-level students across the country. They found mothers and fathers in London are the most likely to want their children to apply to Oxbridge.

Nationally, 65 per cent of parents said they would want their child to apply if they got the right grades, while in London the figure was 84 per cent.

The survey also revealed that just 12 per cent of UK parents fully understood how the Oxbridge application system works. In London the figure was 16.5 per cent.

Mr Evans said: There is no doubt London parents have a higher propensity to send their children to Oxbridge. One of the most shocking things I have seen is the number of brilliantly intelligent students who didnt even consider it.

Alan Smithers, professor of education at Buckingham university, said: Too many children think Oxbridge is not for people like them. Sometimes schools perhaps dont know enough about Oxbridge and are not providing encouragement.S tephanie was just 12 years old when the world she had known collapsed around her. One moment all was normal: she was at her grandparents house helping with chores and talking about her day at school. The next, with a screech of truck wheels and the sound of guns firing, she was having to desperately flee for her life.

The instigators of the panic were members of the militia that in recent weeks had extended its control over her country. This was a force whose brutality and violence had already become infamous in a nation, the Central African Republic, which since independence from France in 1960 has seen little but coup and counter-coup as peace and stability eludes it.

Stephanie was standing outside when they appeared in her community: armed men filling the back of a pick-up truck. They were chasing a local tribal leader who had turned down her road in a desperate search for safety. As Stephanie watched, he ran past her. Then she saw the militiamen shoot the man in the back, and saw him fall onto the dirt street.

They shot him, she recalled. They shot him in front of the house. I had never seen anything like that before. I saw him killed with my own eyes.

Stephanie lives in Bangui. A city few people have heard of and even less would be able to point to on a map, it is the capital of a country that should be imprinted on all our minds and hearts as the centre of so much of the suffering that has blighted Africa in recent years.

It is a place where traders in blood diamonds compete with ivory poachers and tribal and religious demagogues to carve out their own zones of control.

Looking to the future: Stephanie has been supported by Banguis VoiceMore centre / Florent Vergnes

Two weeks ago, during a period that is meant to be relatively secure by Central African Republic standards, three Chinese workers were murdered and had their heads sawed off and displayed in triumph by their killers. Yet, even amid such a history of instability, the force that arrived outside Stephanies door that day  and would go on to oust the president and seize control of the government  was one that was particularly feared.

The militia was partly made up of children seized from their families in rural villages and then brainwashed through beatings and drugs to become child soldiers. Its troops were known to enforce order with machetes and summary executions, often forcing entire communities to flee in terror into the bush.

Stephanie found sanctuary with her family in a church. Hundreds slept and lived in the church yard for months as the priests and nuns negotiated with the militia leaders to spare them.

Now 18, she can never forget what life was like during that time. There was only plastic sheeting to sleep on. Everything would flood when it rains. Always people were crying.

What makes Stephanie so remarkable is that, despite all she has been through, she does not focus on the past  but above all on the future.

Her conversation is filled with pride in the grades she is now achieving at school and her plans to become a successful businesswoman; her dream is to open more schools for children who have not received the opportunities she has had in recent years.

For that, the charity War Child is to thank. At its VoiceMore programme in Bangui  which is part-funded by players of the Peoples Postcode Lottery  Stephanie has been one of the lucky children to receive special help to boost her education, and to help her address the mental scars left by what she and the other children there have been through.

It is why the centres project leader, Eric Mamboue, is so grateful for what the Evening Standards Learn to Live campaign has already done to help him and his charges.

Already the children at his centre have been twinned with a school in London, with whom they are now writing a song to sing together.

But Eric wants even more to be done as the campaign enters its final period. Many children when they arrive here will not even speak, he said of his charges.

You see them standing alone. But they must not focus on what they lived through but their hopes for a brighter future, so they can become the engineers, the doctors, that are needed. Lets now open their eyes to all that is possible for them to achieve.Building a new interchange here will open a vital new gateway into our village, Justice Mayor Kris Wasowicz said in the release. Commercial trucks will be able to enter Justice directly from I-294, diverting them off local roads and allowing them to move their products more safely and efficiently.Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Simon Coveney has told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that a "backstop" to extend Brexit talks with a clear deadline is crucial to avoiding a physical between Ireland and Northern Ireland, and need to stay in place until "something better can be negotiated or agreed".

"Negotiating teams need to get back to the negotiating table to close the gaps that are still there," he told presenter John Humphrys. "There are a small number of remaining issues, significant issues... that need to be resolved.

"The prospect of "no-deal" on a managed, controlled Brexit really is very very concerning... From an Irish perspective and an EU perspective we do have to insist on the commitments that have already been made in this process being followed through."E U leaders today punished Theresa May for the impasse in Brexit talks by axing planned talks on future trade relations.

Officials in Brussels said the discussion that the Prime Minister has been keenly seeking will not take place tomorrow because of a breakdown in talks at the weekend.

Germany also turned up the heat on Mrs May, with Angela Merkels Europe minister demanding she take responsibility and saying the European Union would not be blackmailed. Michael Roth said Brexit would be painful and that a November summit planned to seal the deal could also be axed.

At home, the weekly Cabinet meeting overran by an hour as ministers held a discussion on Brexit.

Jeremy Hunt is siding with potential Cabinet rebels opposing a Brexit deal that would leave Britain locked in to the EU / Getty Images

The Evening Standard has learned that Jeremy Hunt is siding with potential Cabinet rebels opposing a Brexit deal that would leave Britain locked in to the EU.

The Foreign Secretary gave Mrs May strong personal backing for taking a clear position during this mornings Cabinet meeting.

Barnier: Brexit deal 'possible' in coming months

But Mr Hunt is said to have made clear in private that he is against any agreement that would tie the country to a form of customs union with no clear way to leave in future.

Eyebrows were raised when the loyalist and former Remainer attended a pizza night hosted by Brexiteer Andrea Leadsom, the Commons Leader, in her office.

Andrea Leadsom hosted a Cabinet pizza night (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images) / Getty Images

A third of the Cabinet turned up last night to polish off three large takeaway pizzas  with margherita, hot and spicy, and vegetarian toppings  served with crisps and dips and red and white wine.

This morning the Prime Minister moved to avoid a confrontation with her Cabinet by abandoning plans that could have kept Northern Ireland aligned with the EU for an indefinite period.

Mrs Mays Democratic Unionist Party allies said they could paralyse her Government if she fails to protect Northern Irelands position in the UK.

Mr Hunt is understood to have praised Mrs May for her position on the Irish backstop that she claims would threaten the integrity of the UK.

Justice Secretary David Gauke and Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley were among the first to leave the three-hour Cabinet meeting.

Mrs Leadsom, a key critic of the failed customs union backstop plan, smiled as she walked past the cameras. She told Sky News: The Prime Minister is doing a very, very complicated job and Im fully supporting her in getting that done.

Mr Roth called on Mrs May to take responsibility and be constructive as he arrived for talks in Berlin.

Earlier he told the BBC that Brexit would be painful and suggested the November summit planned to seal a deal could be used to plan a disorderly no-deal Brexit instead.

He added: We, the EU, are not going to allow ourselves to be blackmailed.

A senior EU official said a summit discussion tomorrow on UK future trade was being axed because talks had faltered at the weekend.J eremy Hunt is siding with potential Cabinet rebels opposing a Brexit deal that would leave Britain locked in to the European Union, it emerged today.

The Foreign Secretary is said to have made clear in private that he is against any agreement that would tie Britain to a form of customs union with no clear way to leave in future.

Eyebrows were raised when Mr Hunt attended a pizza night hosted by senior Brexiteer Andrea Leadsom, the Commons Leader, in her office at the Commons.

A third of the Cabinet turned up and ate through three large sized takeaway pizzas - a margherita, a hot & spicy, and a vegetarian - plus crisps and dips, washed down with red and white wine.

Ms Leadsom holds regular such meetings with fellow Brexiteers but it was the first time that Mr Hunt had attended.

A source said Mr Hunt appeared genuinely concerned about us getting locked in without a clear way out.

Others present were Treasury Chief Secretary Liz Truss, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, Attorney General Sir Geoffrey Cox, Environment Secretary Michael Gove, International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.

Apologies were received from International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, Home Secretary Sajid Javid, Lords leader Baroness Evans, Secretary Matt Hancock and Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey.

Mr Hunts position emerged as Theresa May moved to avoid a confrontation with ministers at todays Cabinet by abandoning plans that could have kept Northern Ireland aligned with the EU for an indefinite period.

Germany angrily turned up the heat on the Prime Minister, with Europe Minister, Michael Roth calling on her to take responsibility and be constructive as he arrived for talks in Berlin.

Earlier Mr Roth told the BBC that Brexit would be painful and suggested the November summit planned to seal a deal might be used to plan a disorderly no-deal Brexit instead.

We are not bargaining at a cattle market here, he said. We the EU are not going to allow ourselves to be blackmailed.

Mrs Mays Democratic Unionist Party allies said they could paralyse her Government if she fails to protest Northern Irelands position within the UK in the Brexit negotiations

Downing Street adopted a relaxed attitude to the pizza evening.

Cabinet ministers are free to eat whatever they choose, said the PMs spokesman beforehand. Cabinet colleagues have discussions with each other all the time.M ichel Barnier has said he hopes a Brexit deal will be possible "in the coming weeks" as the European Union largely abandoned the hope of finalising the terms of the UK's exit this month.

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator said "we are not there yet" as he commented on the eve of a summit with the leaders of EU countries on Wednesday.

The October summit was previously touted as the moment a withdrawal deal would be settled upon.

But Mr Barnier on Tuesday suggested that an agreement would need more time.

"We are not there yet," he said. "We will use that time - calmly, with serious intent - to find the overall deal."

Theresa May is under intense pressure as she prepares to address her Cabinet over Brexit / Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

It comes as EU council president Donald Tusk told Prime Minister Theresa May to think like a free spirit and "present something creative enough to solve this impasse" on the Irish border issue that has stumped negotiators for more than a year.

As prospects for a compromise stood ahead of the meeting, Mr Tusk said there were "no grounds for optimism" about Britain and the EU reaching a deal.

Mr Barnier said many terms of the divorce have been agreed upon already, such as how much money Britain owes the EU.

But aspects of the withdrawing member's future relationship with the EU are unresolved, Barnier said, most notably the border that will separate EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.

Mr Barnier said: "We have done a lot of work in the past weeks and the last few days with the British authorities to achieve a global agreement on the objective of an orderly withdrawal of the UK.

"This withdrawal must be orderly for everyone and in all subjects - including Ireland.

"We must find a solution to ensure that there is no hard border in any circumstance on the island of Ireland.

"We are not there yet. Several subjects remain open, including Ireland. We need more time to find this global agreement and achieve the decisive progress we need to finalise this negotiation on the orderly withdrawal.

"We will take this time, calmly and seriously, to find this global agreement in the next weeks."

Donald Tusk has called for 'creative thinking' to solve the impasse / EPA

Since the Brexit discussions began over 18 months ago, the October summit was earmarked as the most likely date for an agreement given the need for parliamentary approvals before Britain officially departs in March.

The EU said it was pressing forward with contingency plans to protect the 27 remaining member states if Britain crashes out of the bloc with neither a deal in place nor a transition period established. Mr Tusk warned that chances of Britain leaving without a deal were higher than ever before.

In London, Mrs May urged her divided Cabinet to back her amid growing talk that several members were ready to resign in protest of her government's proposals to the EU.

Mrs May briefed her Cabinet earlier today on efforts to unblock talks with Brussels, currently at a stalemate over the Irish border.

MPs laugh as Theresa May claims Brexit talks are in final stages

She said the government must "stand together and stand firm."

She is still set to travel to Brussels for the symbolic meeting, and to discuss the latest updates on negotiations.

The PMs spokesman told reporters after the meeting that Mrs May "said we have made progress on a huge number of issues in the negotiations but there remain sticking points in two key areas".

He said: "The PM said it is not possible for her or any UK prime minister to sign up to an agreement that would lead to a customs border down the Irish Sea. She said we also need to ensure that we do not have a situation where the UK can be kept indefinitely in the backstop against our will.

"The cabinet strongly supported the prime minister over the importance of maintaining the integrity of the union. The cabinet also agreed that we must be able to ensure that we cannot be kept in the backstop arrangement indefinitely.T heresa May will try to rally ministers behind her as the start of a crucial 48 hours for Brexit begins this morning.

The Prime Minister yesterday told MPs an agreement with the EU was still achievable despite differences over the Irish border if "cool heads" prevail.

But European Council president Donald Tusk has warned a no-deal outcome is now more likely than ever before.

The clock is ticking down towards a summit of European leaders, where it had been hoped a deal could be reached, on Wednesday.

It comes after a group of Cabinet ministers met to discuss the developments on Monday evening.

Donald Tusk: A no-deal outcome is more likely than ever / EPA

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Environment Secretary Michael Gove were among those who attended, it was believed.

Lord Hague, meanwhile, told Mrs May there was "no disgrace in doing some fresh thinking" on how to resolve the stalemate.

Mrs May will address the leaders of the remaining 27 EU nations on Wednesday before they discuss over dinner without her how to proceed in the talks.

In a letter to EU leaders ahead of the summit, Mr Tusk said: "As things stand today, it has proven to be more complicated than some may have expected.

"We should nevertheless remain hopeful and determined, as there is good will to continue these talks on both sides.

Theresa May laughed at by Labour during Brexit statement

"But at the same time, responsible as we are, we must prepare the EU for a no-deal scenario, which is more likely than ever before.

"Like the UK, the Commission has started such preparations, and will give us an update during the meeting."

He added: "But let me be absolutely clear. The fact that we are preparing for a no-deal scenario must not, under any circumstances, lead us away from making every effort to reach the best agreement possible, for all sides.

"This is what our state of mind should be at this stage.

"As someone rightly said: 'It always seems impossible until it's done'. Let us not give up."

Former Brexit minister Steve Baker told BBC Newsnight the Cabinet needs to "change the Prime Minister's mind" on her plans or they will be rejected.

Mrs May called for "cool, calm heads to prevail" after talks last weekend failed to bridge differences between the UK and EU over the future status of the border in Ireland.

And she warned of the danger that failure to reach agreement over the border could result in the UK leaving the EU without a deal in March next year.

The European Council meeting this week had initially been pencilled in as the summit where the UK's withdrawal agreement and political declaration on future trade and security relations would be finalised.

Lord Hague said Mrs May was entitled to make clear to EU leaders that she has "moved heaven and earth to reach a deal" but can only clinch it and have any hope of getting it through Parliament with concessions from them that are "wholly reasonable".

"There is no humiliation in trying again," he wrote in The Daily Telegraph.

Lord Hague went on to say there is "no disgrace in doing some fresh thinking".

The peer said a proposal floated by Tory MP Nick Boles that the UK takes up temporary membership of the European Free Trade Association after withdrawal to allow time for a free trade agreement to be negotiated was worth thinking about.

He said: "As an alternative to chaos it could command wide support."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Berlin wants the UK's withdrawal next March to be orderly "but not at any price".

Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar suggested a deal may be delayed as late as December.

But Sammy Wilson, Brexit spokesman for the DUP, which props up Mrs May's minority administration in the Commons, said a no-deal outcome was now "probably inevitable" due to the "intransigence" of EU negotiators.

Talks at the weekend foundered over the EU's demand for a "backstop to the backstop" designed to ensure the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic remains open under any circumstances.

The PM met with Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and vice president Michelle O'Neill and "reaffirmed her commitment to there being no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland and no border in the Irish Sea", Downing Street said.

The PM told MPs the Irish issue must not be allowed to "derail" progress towards a deal, which she said was in the interests of both the UK and EU.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn dismissed Mrs May's comments as "another 'nothing has changed' moment from this shambles of a Government".T he 50 note is getting a makeover - and you can help choose who features on the front of it.

The Bank of England announced in November that the new note will feature a prominent British scientist and that the public is being asked for nominations.

The highest denomination of banknote will get a plastic redesign like our current 5 and 10 notes, which ministers say will be more durable, secure and harder to make counterfeits from.

The announcement comes after calls to abolish the 50 note altogether, out of fear it was a method of payment widely used by criminals and not for everyday transactions.

The 50 note is set to get a plastic redesign, the Bank of England has said / PA Archive/PA Images

In March, the Treasury said: "The 50 note is believed to be rarely used for routine purchases and is instead held as a store of value.

"There is also a perception among some that 50 notes are used for money laundering, hidden economic activity and tax evasion."

First introduced in 1981, there are currently 300 million 50 notes in circulation, with a combined value of 16.5bn.

Here's everything you need to know about the new 50 note, including the favourites to bag the coveted front-cover spot...

What's the new 50 note release date?

An exact date hasn't been confirmed, although the Bank of England announced that the new 50 notes would be printed when the new 20 note is rolled out in 2020.

Nominations as to who should feature on the front of the note close on Friday.

What will the new 50 note be made of?

The new banknote will be made from polymer, the same material used to produce 5 and 10 notes.

Polymer banknotes are more environmentally friendly than paper notes, as well as being more durable and safer.

The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Robert Jenrick, said: "Our coins and notes are respected and recognised the world over and are a key part of the UK's heritage and identity.

"People should have as much choice as possible when it comes to their money, and we're making sure that cash is here to stay.

"Our money needs to be secure and this new note will help prevent crime."

Who is on the current 50 note?

The current 50 note features Matthew Boulton and James Watt, trailblazers of the industrial revolution.

Who will feature on the new 50 note?

Giving an announcement at the Science Museum, Mark Carney, the Bank of England's Governor, revealed that the new 50 note will feature a British scientist.

He said: "There is a wealth of individuals whose work has shaped how we think about the world and who continue to inspire people today."

"Our banknotes are an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of UK society and highlight the contributions of our greatest citizens."

Nominations can include anyone who has excelled in any field of science including astronomy, biology, bio-technology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, medical research, physics, technology or zoology.

A shortlist will then be drawn up by an expert panel before a final decision is made by Mr Carney.

TODO: define component type apester

So far, favourites include Professor Stephen Hawking, Isaac Newton, wartime codebreaker Alan Turing and mathematician Ada Lovelace.

Those who had tipped Gareth Southgate as a serious contender for the new banknote may be disappointed by the announcement - and the fact that the Bank Of England does not feature people who are still living on its banknotes, with the exception of the Queen.

Prior to Mr Carney's announcement, people's imaginations were running wild on Twitter, with some putting forward Liam Gallagher, Phillip Schofield and of course, Harry McGuire riding an inflatable unicorn.

Will an ethnic minority feature on the 50 banknote?

Jamaican-born Mary Seacole acted as an army nurse during the Crimean war.

Hundreds of people are backing a campaign to put a historic figure from an ethnic minority background on the new 50 note.

In a letter to The Sunday Times, Zehra Zaidi, who is behind the campaign, appealed to Mr Carney for greater representation on banknotes.

"Ethnic minority communities represent 14% of the British population," she wrote. "We do not lack candidates, and arguably their achievements were the greater for having been made at a time when many careers and were effectively closed to them through colonial rules, racism or the legacy of slavery.

"However, no one from an ethnic minority has yet featured on a bank note."

Inspirational black British women throughout history 1 /14 Inspirational black British women throughout history Jamaican-born Mary Seacole acted as an army nurse during the Crimea war. Claudia Jones was editor of the West Indian Gazette and founder of the Notting Hill Carnival. Adelaide Hall became Britain's highest paid entertainer in 1941. Margaret Busby became Britain's youngest and first Black woman book publisher Getty Images Olive Morris was a political activist and community organiser who established the Brixton Black Women's Group PA Musician Joan Armatrading is a three-time Grammy nominee and recieved an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection. BBC RADIO 2 Athlete Tessa Sanderson became the first British black woman to win an Olympic gold medal. Baroness Lawrence OBE campaigned tirelessly for reforms of the police service after her son, Stephen Lawrence, was murdered in a racist attack. BBC/On The Corner/Jessica Winteringham Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE is a space scientist and educator. She runs her own company and co-hosts the world's longest running TV series, The Sky at Night. PA Archive/PA Images Sharon White was the second permanent secretary at HM Treasury, the first black person, and the second woman, to hold the position. Writer Malorie Blackman held the position of Children's Laureate from 2013 to 2015. PA Archive/PA Images Diane Abbott is a British Labour Party politician and became the first black woman to hold a seat in the House of Commons. Getty Images Zadie Smith's acclaimed novel White Teeth was highly decorated for its portrayal of multicultural London Dave Benett West Indies veteran Connie Mark with Hector Watson, Sam King and Lilian Bader. Bader was one of the first black women to join the armed forces. PA

Suggestions include Crimean war nurse Mary Seacole and Noor Inaya Khan, the first Muslim war heroine.

Speaking on Sky News, Lord Victor Adebowale, who is backing the campaign, said: "It's shocking - 400 years of Bank of England and no black face on any currency."

What's the 50 note vote?

In its selection process, the Bank of England will select characters who reflect the diversity of British society who are widely admired and have made an important contribution to British society and culture.

As of 2014, the Banknote Character Advisory Committee chooses the field it wants to represent and asks the public to nominate people from that field.

For example, in 2015 it was announced that someone from the visual arts would feature on the 20, a character who was eventually unveiled as artists JMW Turner.T he notorious Islamist hate preacher Anjem Choudary will be banned from leaving London after his release from prison to stop him from radicalising others around Britain.

He will also be barred from going to Londons St Pancras station and City Airport to prevent him attempting to flee overseas to promote the jihadi cause.

The restrictions are among 25 licence conditions that will be imposed on Choudary when he is freed on Friday after serving half of the five and half year sentence given to him at the Old Bailey in 2016 for inviting support for the Islamic State.

They will form part of a huge security operation, which will also involve monitoring by MI5, counter-terrorism police and probation staff, which has been prepared in recognition of the role that Choudary has played in inspiring some of Britains most dangerous terrorists.

They include the London Bridge killer Khuram Butt, the murderers of Fusilier Lee Rigby, Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, and the suspected IS executioner Siddhartha Dhar.

Prisons minister Rory Stewart told this newspaper last month that Choudary, 51, remained a genuinely dangerous person whom the Security Service and police would have to watch like a hawk to stop him from inciting further violence.

An extensive list of controls will be applied as a result, including the ban on going outside the M25 which will confine him to the capital.

Other requirements will prohibit Choudary from contacting anyone he knows or believes to have been convicted of an extremist offence or anyone associated with a list of more than extremist organisations, including IS, al-Qaeda, the al-Muhajiroun group that he founded, and its offshoots such as Need4Khalifah.

Another condition will specifically bar him from any contact with Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, the London extremist previously jailed for soliciting murder with whom he was convicted in 2016.

Any radicalising, preaching or similar grooming activity, including talking to children, will be similarly outlawed. Nor will he be allowed to organise meetings, speak to the media, or attend certain mosques.

Choudary will also banned from using any smartphone, laptop or other internet-enabled device without permission from the authorities and subjected to examination of his search history on any occasion that he is given the go-ahead. He will have to hand over the solitary phone that he will initially be allowed for inspection whenever requested.

He will live under curfew in approved premises  a form of secure hostel  in London to enable him to be monitored closely.

Any breach of the conditions, which will potentially last until July 2021, will allow him to be taken back into prison to serve the remaining portion of his sentence.

Sources said that the decision to keep Choudary in London, rather than moving him to another part of the country, was based partly on the presence here of his family.

Another key reason is the expertise of the Met and London probation staff at dealing with high-risk offenders and their greater capacity for coping with dangerous extremists.

Preventing him from leaving the capital is also intended to allow the threat he posed to be contained and to avoid the risk that Choudary, who has previously helped to create extremist hotbeds in towns such as Luton and Crawley, might spread radicalisation elsewhere.

The ban on going to St Pancras or City Airport, which is backed by a further prohibition on visiting any other port and the confiscation of his passport, is similarly intended to stop Choudary going abroad to promote extremism.

Although some observers have previously expressed a wish to see such extremists leave this country, ministers and counter-terrorism officials believe this approach would heighten the long term danger to Britain and other countries.

Choudarys release, which comes at a time when terrorism investigations and arrests are running at record levels, will nonetheless be a blow to counter-terrorism police.

They made ten failed attempts to prosecute him before his conviction in 2016 and have expressed frustration at his ability to evade justice despite his role in radicalising large numbers of Britons.

The former terrorism watchdog, Lord Anderson, highlighted the problem last week when he told Parliament that as many as 25 per cent of British jihadis convicted between 2001 and 2015 were associated with Choudarys organisations, outnumbering the 10 per cent linked to al-Qaeda and the 5 per cent linked to ISIS [Islamic State].R ussian intelligence agents are hacking into computer systems in Britain to pre-position themselves to be able to launch devastating cyber attacks, a spy chief warned today.

In an interview with The Standard, he said: One of the things that we need to worry about is the fact that Russia and other hostile states have put down landing points on networks from which they could build out.

They can use them for spying... but they can also use them as the potential foundation for future destructive attack.

This pre-positioning was an initial step towards an attack and often involved being able to see part or all of a network and potentially altering it without authorisation; it would require considerably more work to unleash a destructive cyber attack.

Mr Martin explained: If you watch Hollywood movies about cyber, somebody sits at a computer and from start to finish it will take them 30 seconds to hack into the Pentagon or a hospital network and so on..that is not how it works.

If you are going to launch a destructive attack, you need an entry point, a landing point on that network, and you start and build from there and it takes time.

If you want to do the most destructive type of cyber attack...unless you are very lucky...it will take time to build knowledge of the network, it will take time to gain the requisite accesses to be able to do the damage that an adversary would be seeking to do.

Separately, the Cabinet minister in charge of cyber defences today wrote to all of the FTSE 350 companies in the UK to tell them to beef up their security.

David Lidington also announced that cutting edge intelligence will be used in new systems to guard giant public sector computers for the NHS and other organisations.

Our critical national infrastructure continues to be a target for attack from nation states and cyber criminals, he said.A n up-and-coming Northern Irish model has died suddenly at the age of 21, according to reports.

Mairead ONeill, who graduated from university in August, was pronounced dead by emergency services in Belfast on Monday night.

She had lost her mother to cancer ten months previously.

Model agency boss Cathy Martin, who worked with Mairead for six years, told Belfast Live: Its such a shock to hear that Mairead has passed away. We dont know exactly what happened but she has been having a very difficult time following the death of her mum from bowel cancer.

She had a lot of support but her heart was broken. Its so sad to think that she is gone now too.

Mairead was a clever, grounded and very smart young lady who was beautiful. She had been modelling for me for about six years and was doing very well.

She added that the model had no idea that she had the world at her feet.

Mairead, who has almost 9,000 followers on Instagram, had recently modelled in front of thousands at Belfast Fashion Week.

According to her social media posts, she had been out drinking in a bar with friends earlier on Monday night.P iers Morgan was torn to shreds online and bombarded with pics of dads carrying their kids in a papoose after he said they were "emasculating" - and fathers should be more like cavemen.

The TV presenter and former Daily Mirror editor faced a flood of backlash after he posted a picture of Daniel Craig wearing a papoose and mocked fathers who don't carry their baby in their arms.

But fathers hit out against the broadcaster and columnist, known for spouting controversial opinions, by posting a flurry of selfies of them with their babies - mostly wearing papooses, to show up his statements.

Morgan said on twitter with a recent picture of Craig: "Oh 007.. not you as well?!!! #papoose #emasculatedBond".

"Hes not carrying it," he added later

"Hes using an emasculating papoose. James Bond would never use a papoose to carry his babies."

He went on to call a picture of a man with his child sitting on his shoulders a "proper dad", and to Stig Abell he said: "Come on mate, put the papoose away & carry your baby properly. Like a caveman."

Even hollywood action hero actor Chris Evans came to Bond's rescue, and said: "You really have to be so uncertain of your own masculinity to concern yourself with how another man carries his child. Any man who wastes time quantifying masculinity is terrified on the inside."

Morgan responded to criticism over his remarks.

Jody Vance told him: "Dads who step up during the tough early months, where babies typically need mom, are the real #Heroes"

"I stepped up," he responded. "just never with a papoose. Theyre ridiculous."

And other women swooped in on the row to say the sight of dads wearing a papoose as "attractive.

Claire Shields wrote: "Nothing more attractive than a man looking after his child. Wearing a papoose when walking for any length of time is just smart. (Also an attractive quality)"

Dad Justin Justin Bingham made a poignant response to Morgan's diatribe. He said: "There are a few simple rules with children.

"If a 4 year old hands you a plastic toy phone, you answer it. If you're invited to a tea party in a princess castle, you attend it.

"If you make a child, and are a good father, you carry them to the end of the earth and back."

And it wasn't long before dads started flooding twitter with selfies of them carrying their children.

Ultimately Morgan turned on his Twitter respondees.VanDuyne said his priority is to provide as many resources as possible to help individuals who are already addicted, and educate people about not using drugs in the first place.T he baby Donald Trump blimp that first appeared over the skies of London earlier this year is now set to float above Los Angeles.

Organisers behind the stunt said its appearance is timely after the US leader insisted Im not a baby on news show 60 minutes this week.

The 20ft inflatable depicting the president as a nappy-clad baby holding a mobile phone sparked controversy when protesters released it over Parliament Square in July.

It prompted Mr Trump to say it made him "feel unwelcome" in the city during a visit to the UK.

Donald Trump Baby Balloon at Parliament Square - In pictures 1 /21 Donald Trump Baby Balloon at Parliament Square - In pictures Demonstrators fly a blimp portraying US President Donald Trump above Parliament Square Reuters Demonstrators fly a blimp portraying US President Donald Trump above Parliament Square AFP/Getty Images A 6m high cartoon baby blimp of U.S. President Donald Trump hovers next to the statue of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill AP Demonstrators fly a blimp portraying US President Donald Trump, behind a tour bus in Parliament Square Reuters Onlookers look at a blimp portraying U.S. President Donald Trump in Parliament Square Reuters Demonstrators fly a blimp portraying US President Donald Trump in Parliament Square, London Reuters US Marine helicopters (circled) pass the 'Baby Trump' balloon after being inflated in Parliament Square, as part of the protests against the visit of US President Donald Trump to the UK PA A 'Baby Trump' balloon rises after being inflated in London's Parliament Square Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire Demonstrators take selfies in front of the huge balloon Reuters Demonstrators stand in front of a blimp portraying US President Donald Trump, in Parliament Square Reuters The balloon was inflated today in front of a large crowd Reuters The 6m high cartoon baby blimp of US President Donald Trump is flown as a protest against his visit at Parliament Square in London AP A 'Baby Trump' balloon rises after being inflated in London's Parliament Square, as part of the protests against the visit of US President Donald Trump to the UK PA A 6m high cartoon baby blimp of US President Donald Trump is flown as a protest against his visit at Parliament Square in London AP A 6m high cartoon baby blimp of US President Donald Trump is flown as a protest against his visit at Parliament Square in London AP Protesters inflate the controversial balloon in Westminster PA The balloon forms part of the protests against the visit of US President Donald Trump to the UK PA The Mayor allowed the balloon to fly high but Trump described it as an unwelcome gesture PA Hundreds of people turned up to watch the balloon inflate Reuters Thousands of people are expected to protest in London later today Reuters Demonstrators prepare to inflate a blimp portraying US President Donald Trump, in Parliament Square Reuters

Now the balloon will fly over LA Convention Centre in downtown Los Angeles at 8am local time on Friday.

The stunt will coincide with the beginning of Politicon, a political convention set to feature appearances from the #MeToo campaigner Alyssa Milano as well as Michael Avenatti, the lawyer of adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who alleges she had an affair with Mr Trump.

The activists behind the balloon's creation said there is a serious message behind the inflatable.

The 'Trump baby' blimp has taken to the sky above Westminster

Speaking in July, Sheila Menon, who is part of a group who crowdfunded the balloon, said: "We know that behind the humour of this, the Trump baby represents a whole multitude of campaigns and issues.

"This isn't just about mocking him. This is actually about drawing attention to his fascist policies, policies that he's putting into place like nobody's business since he's been in power.The president suggested he will retaliate with legal action of his own as he celebrated the suits dismissal in a gloating tweet.

Citing a Fox News headline about the judge dismissing the former adult-film stars case, he wrote: Great, now I can go after Horseface and her 3rd rate lawyer in the Great State of Texas.

He added: She will confirm the letter she signed! She knows nothing about me, a total con!

Ms Daniels attorney, Michael Avenatti, responded angrily over Twitter, telling Mr Trump to bring everything you have and calling him an embarrassment to the United States.

The lawsuit was filed after Mr Trump tweeted about a composite sketch of a man Ms Daniels said had threatened her in 2011 to keep quiet about an alleged affair.

The judge ordered Stormy Daniels to pay full legal fees to Donald Trump / AP

Mr Trump had said the man was "non-existent" and that Ms Daniels was playing the "fake news media for fools".

Los Angeles-based district court judge S. James Otero ruled that the tweet was protected under Americas First Amendment, which guarantees the right to freedom of speech.

"If this Court were to prevent Mr Trump from engaging in this type of 'rhetorical hyperbole' against a political adversary, it would significantly hamper the office of the president," the judge wrote.

"Any strongly-worded response by a president to another politician or public figure could constitute an action for defamation. This would deprive this country of the 'discourse' common to the political process."

Stormy Daniels revealed intimate details about alleged Donald Trump affair

Mr Avenatti, vowed to lodge an appeal against the decision and said he was confident it would be reversed.

He said: "There is something really rich in Trump relying on the First Amendment to justify defaming a woman."

The judge's ruling also entitles Mr Trump to collect legal fees from Ms Daniels, but the amount that Ms Daniels would need to pay will be determined later, Mr Harder said.

The defamation claim is separate from another lawsuit Ms Daniels filed against Mr Trump, which is continuing.

She was paid 130,000 US dollars (99,000) as part of a nondisclosure agreement signed days before the 2016 election and is suing to dissolve that contract.

Ms Daniels has argued the agreement should be invalidated because Mr Trump's then-personal lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, signed it, but Mr Trump did not.

Lawyers for Mr Trump and Mr Cohen now say the deal that paid Daniels 130,000 dollars to keep quiet was invalid, and they will not sue her for breaking it.

Mr Trump's lawyer said the president never considered himself as a party to the agreement and does not dispute Ms Daniels' assertion that the contract is not valid.

While Mr Trump and Mr Cohen want the court to throw out the litigation as moot, Ms Daniels' lawyer wants to keep the case alive, hoping to compel Mr Trump to answer questions under oath about what he may have known about the deal.P rince Harry was targeted for the second time by a serial radio prankster during his tour of Australia.

The Duke of Sussex was with his pregnant wife Meghan when they were faced by the comic interviewer waiting patiently in a long line of press and photographers.

The prankster - "intern" Pete Deppeler, who works for the KIIS FM show, previously brought a laugh out of the royal, by yelling "The floor is lava!"

He counted down from five, and cheered as he made the Prince look at the ground.

So when he was sent to interview the royal again for the Kyle & Jackie O Show at Sydney Opera House, he excitedly shouted: "Hey Harry! Harry! Harry! It's Intern Pete, I talk to you every year!"

But Harry just maintained his composure and walked on seeming not to recognise him.

Harry and Meghan at the Sydney Opera House: In pictures 1 /60 Harry and Meghan at the Sydney Opera House: In pictures The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Sydney Opera House Getty Images The Duchess of Sussex stands in the grounds of Admiralty House in Sydney, with a view of the Sydney Opera House PA The couple were met by scores of people EPA Meghan greets crowds Getty Images Members of the public gathered PA The couple watched a performance in the Sydney Opera House PA It is the couple's first public appearance since announcing they were expecting a baby PA Their tour will be 16 days long Getty Images Prince Harry hugs 98-year old war widow Daphne Dunn AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry gestures to members of the public outside the Opera House in Sydney AP The couple met members of the public Getty Images Royal fans were caught wearing face masks EPA Prince Harry and Meghan shake hands with the public EPA Meghan meets with people outside the Opera House in Sydney AFP/Getty Images Prince Harryand Meghan meet members of the public outside the Opera House AP The couple waved at the large crowd who gathered to see them EPA Getty Images Well-wishers wait to greet Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry is photographed with a member of the public outside the Opera House AP Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, smiles as she meets with people outside the Sydneys iconic Opera House AFP/Getty Images Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend a rehearsal by the Bangarra Dance Company inside the Sydney Opera House Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet members of the public AP Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet 98 year old Daphne Dunne Getty Images Harry and Meghan will take part in 76 engagements in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand PA AP Members of the public try and catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex PA PA Australia's New South Wale premier Gladys Berejiklian receives Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk down the steps at the Sydney Opera House Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan have made their first appearances since announcing they are expecting a baby AFP/Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images EPA Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images AFP/Getty Images EPA EPA AP AP AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images AP AP AP AP AP Prince Harry and wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk during a visit at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, REUTERS AFP/Getty Images AP AFP/Getty Images Police snipers are seen on the Sydney Opera House as they prepare for the arrival of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Getty Images PA AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images PA PA

Intern Pete then congratulated Harry on his and Meghan's big news, and the Prince politely said thank you and moved on.

Prince Harry was targeted for the second time by a serial radio prankster during his tour of Australia Getty Images / Getty Images

Harry and Meghan met members of the public near Sydney Opera hours earlier today as they started their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry meet koala 1 /15 Meghan Markle and Prince Harry meet koala Meghan and Harry met a mother koala, Ruby AP The couple met mother, Ruby, and joeys, Meghan and Harry Reuters The couple visited Taronga Zoo AP The visit marked their first day of the royal tour Reuters It is the couple's first public appearance since announcing they were expecting AP The Duchess of Sussex meets a Koala called Ruby PA Meghan and Harry asked questions about the koalas Reuters Getty Images Reuters Prince Harry and his wife Meghan meet an echidna held by Dr Michelle Shaw AP AP AP AP EPA APA n attempt by Coca-Cola to combine English and Maori backfired after one of its vending machines in New Zealand went viral for inadvertently writing Hello, death.

The worlds largest beverage maker got an unexpected result when they tried to appeal to the countrys indigenous people on a vending machine stocked full of Coca-Cola.

Attempting to use New Zealands native tongue, the company wrote Kia ora, mate on the vending machine, which unfortunately translates into Maori as Hello, death.

Mate means dead, deceased or killed in Maori, although the word is regularly used by English-speaking New Zealanders as a term of endearment or greeting.

The company was mocked for its mistake online after a picture of the vending machine went viral, with some calling it ironic and others saying man, that sugar stuff is bad.

Someone caught [it] and said, 'ahhh, just change the font colour, itll be fine', one wrote.

Kia ora mate, my old friend, Ive come to talk with you again, another mocked on Twitter.

The vending machine was spotted in Auckland International Airport by Gareth Seymour, who told NITV News: I read it with Maori eyes and thought they havent had this checked by a Maori.

He said that an increasing amount of big businesses are trying to adopt Maori, with Google launching a Maori version of its website and a Maori Moana being released by Disney.

Speaking to NITV News, Coca-Cola Amatil NZ said the two words shown on the vending machine were only meant to bring the two languages together.

The statement said: In no way was the mate in reference to any Maori word, that would have been inappropriate and unacceptable.S audi Arabia is preparing to admit that missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in a botched interrogation, according to reports.

The Saudi Arabian government will say Mr Khashoggi died in an interrogation which was intended to end with his abduction from Turkey, CNN reported.

The admission will come in a leaked report which is attributed to two anonymous sources, the US news network said in its report on Monday.

One of the sources said the report could change and is still being prepared.

CCTV appears to show the last sighting of Mr Khashoggi as he arrives at the consulate / REUTERS

The other source told the news channel it will likely conclude the operation was carried out without government clearance.

Donald Trump told reporters he was aware of the report but did not know if it was correct. He said the US is working with Saudi Arabia and Turkey to figure out what happened.

It comes after it was reported by a Turkish newspaper that Mr Khashoggi may have recorded his own interrogation, torture and killing on his Apple watch.

The developments also emerged after Saudi Arabia dismissed accusations Mr Khashoggi was murdered by a hit squad inside the countrys consulate in Istanbul as lies.

He said the kingdom "is committed to its principles, rules and traditions and is in compliance with international laws and conventions", according to the official Saudi Press Agency.D onald Trump has said the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia totally denied any knowledge of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggis suspected murder.

The president had been speaking with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the phone about Saudi Arabias alleged role in the writers disappearance.

Mr Trump said the prince reiterated his fathers denial of any involvement, adding that he was told an investigation into the matter was under way.

In posts to his Twitter, the US leader wrote: Just spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia who totally denied any knowledge of what took place in their Turkish Consulate."

Mr Trump added: He was with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during the call, and told me that he has already started, and will rapidly expand, a full and complete investigation into this matter.

Answers will be forthcoming shortly.

Jamal Khashoggi was last seen on October 2 / AFP/Getty Images

Mr Trump went on to defend Saudi Arabia from criticism over the case, saying in an interview with news agency Associated Press it is a case of "guilty until proven innocent".

The phone call followed a dinner between Mr Pompeo and the Saudi leader in Riyadh, Saudi Arabias capital.

Pressure is still growing on Saudi Arabia to give a full explanation of what happened to Mr Khashoggi, who was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

The developments follow reports that the country was preparing to admit Mr Khashoggi was killed in a botched investigation intended to end with his abduction from Turkey.P rince Harry and Meghan Markle have embarked on a 16-day royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji.

The Duke of Sussex has announced the couple "could not think of a better place to announce the upcoming baby" than Australia, after revealing they are expecting on Monday.

The tour is Harry and Meghan's first official foreign tour together and has already seen them meeting koalas in Taronga Zoo and greeting a huge crowd of fans at Sydney Opera House.

The mother and father-to-be were also at Admiralty House, where they are staying for the first few days of their Commonwealth trip.

The couple were formally welcomed by Australia's Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lynn, Lady Cosgrove, on the lawns of the historic building.

Follow below for all our live updates of the tour...T he Duke and Duchess of Sussex were met with cheers from thousands of adoring fans as they went on a walkabout at the Sydney Opera house after announcing they are having a child, with Meghan declaring "we're ready! We're excited to join the club."

Just hours after Meghan and Harry announced they are expecting their first child next spring, the couple greeted admirers on the official start of their 16-day tour Down Under, which starts in Australia.

Harry and Meghan at the Sydney Opera House: In pictures 1 /60 Harry and Meghan at the Sydney Opera House: In pictures The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Sydney Opera House Getty Images The Duchess of Sussex stands in the grounds of Admiralty House in Sydney, with a view of the Sydney Opera House PA The couple were met by scores of people EPA Meghan greets crowds Getty Images Members of the public gathered PA The couple watched a performance in the Sydney Opera House PA It is the couple's first public appearance since announcing they were expecting a baby PA Their tour will be 16 days long Getty Images Prince Harry hugs 98-year old war widow Daphne Dunn AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry gestures to members of the public outside the Opera House in Sydney AP The couple met members of the public Getty Images Royal fans were caught wearing face masks EPA Prince Harry and Meghan shake hands with the public EPA Meghan meets with people outside the Opera House in Sydney AFP/Getty Images Prince Harryand Meghan meet members of the public outside the Opera House AP The couple waved at the large crowd who gathered to see them EPA Getty Images Well-wishers wait to greet Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry is photographed with a member of the public outside the Opera House AP Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, smiles as she meets with people outside the Sydneys iconic Opera House AFP/Getty Images Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend a rehearsal by the Bangarra Dance Company inside the Sydney Opera House Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet members of the public AP Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet 98 year old Daphne Dunne Getty Images Harry and Meghan will take part in 76 engagements in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand PA AP Members of the public try and catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex PA PA Australia's New South Wale premier Gladys Berejiklian receives Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk down the steps at the Sydney Opera House Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan have made their first appearances since announcing they are expecting a baby AFP/Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images EPA Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images AFP/Getty Images EPA EPA AP AP AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images AP AP AP AP AP Prince Harry and wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk during a visit at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, REUTERS AFP/Getty Images AP AFP/Getty Images Police snipers are seen on the Sydney Opera House as they prepare for the arrival of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Getty Images PA AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images PA PA

Around two thousand people packed the promenade outside the world famous Sydney Opera House as royal well wishers gathered to catch a glimpse of the couple.

Harry said: "We genuinely couldn't think of a better place to announce the upcoming baby, whether it's a boy or a girl, so thank you very very much.

Harry and Meghan presented with baby gifts as they begin Australia royal tour

"We are really impressed to see you serving beer and tea at an afternoon reception in true Aussie style."

Harry and Meghan step out in Sydney hours after announcing they are expecting a child / REUTERS

Meghan spoke to guests including Australian TV personality Eddie Woo, who said his own children - aged five, seven and 10 - require "a lot of energy", to which she replied: "We're ready! We're excited to join the club."

Harry and Meghan presented with baby gifts as they begin Australia royal tour

Harry and Meghan spent more than their scheduled 20 minutes meeting and greeting the throng of excited locals as the excitement surrounding their baby news reached fever pitch in the city.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent the world into a frenzy after announcing they are expecting a child / EPA

They spent their first day in Sydney getting close to wildlife, including meeting two namesake joeys, and were greeted by hundreds of well-wishers outside the famous Opera House after watching an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander modern dance company.

Harry greets a young fan / AP

The duchess, wearing an ivory Karen Gee dress with earrings and a bracelet which belonged to the duke's mother, Diana, said "Our first baby gift!" when the Governor General handed her the kangaroo.

Heidi Carfax-Foster, 44, who was there with her children Layla, 13, Indiah, 10 and Archie, 8, was one of the first to talk to the couple on their walkabout. They were very eager to chat, she said.

Fans said Meghan and Harry both looked 'beautiful' / REUTERS

I said to him, Congratulations, mate. He looked absolutely chuffed. He said Thank you very much.

Archie gave them a drawing he had made of Harry and Meghan. She said, Thats so beautiful. You made a drawing of us. She said, Harry, look at this drawing!

Thousands of people turned up to greet the royal couple / Getty Images

James Campton, 16, who was one of several teenagers in the crowd who had skipped school to see them, was so overcome on meeting the couple that he broke down in tears.

She said, Whats your name? I said Im James. And I just cried in front of her. They were so beautiful. I shook both their hands.

You dont get this once in a million years. I skipped school for the day - and I met Harry and Meghan! Its absolutely awesome. They are just so amazing - thats why I am overcome with emotion.

Meghan meets with Daphne Dunne, 98, whose husband was awarded the Victoria Cross / Getty Images

Abbey van Vuuren, 37, was there with her children Madeline, six, and Poppy, four, who gave Harry and Meghan Possum Magic, a book which their mother used to read to them when they were very small. She said, This is the first book weve been given for the baby.

Another group of 15-year-old schoolgirls skipped school for the day - and even made a poster to proclaim the fact. Emerson Yee, who held up a poster saying I gave up perfect school attendance to see you, said: They both said they liked my poster - but they told me not to miss school again!

Harry and Meghan greet 98 year-old Daphne Dunne / EPA

Her friend Lulu Hogan said: Meghan was the sweetest human being!

They were joined by their friend Tara Keogh, who had a poster saying Congrats on baby Sussex and suggesting they called it Tara.

Harry greets his friend war widow Daphne Dunne / Getty Images

I got a bit overwhelmed, she said. I started crying.

She looked at my poster and I said my name suggestion was Tara. She said, I will keep it in mind. She was so kind. She was really genuine.

The couple's attention was dedicated to one special fan who has stolen a kiss from Prince Harry on more than one occasion.

Daphne Dunne, 98, has been dubbed Prince Harrys favourite Aussie with the Duke of Sussex stopping to have lengthy chats with her during both his 2015 and 2017 trips to Australia.

After spotting her in the crowd the Duke, 34, ran over and knelt down to her as she sat in her wheelchair before giving her a huge tender hug.

Meghan and Harry are shown an animal called a yellow bellied glider / REUTERS

As they clasped hands Harry, 34, said: I was looking for you earlier and hoped youd be here, its so good to see you again.

Harry immediately looked round his shoulder and scanned the crowd for his wife, keen to introduce her to his special fan.

Soon enough, the Duchess - who had been warmly greeted by hundreds of well wishers congratulating the couple on her pregnancy - approached Ms Dunne, knelt down and hugged her.

War widow Daphnes first husband, Lieutenant Albert Chowne, died aged 25 in 1945 during an attack on a Japanese machine gun post in Papua New Guinea.

He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross which Mrs Dunne was wearing when she first met Prince Harry.

Meghan said: Im so glad I got to meet you. Harry has told me all about you and your special bond, its so lovely you came to see us, thank you.

Daphne said: It was lovely to meet the Duchess Meghan. Harry is a wonderful man and Im so happy he had found happiness, they both deserved the absolute world together.

Asked if this time was the most special meeting her hero Harry, Daphne said: Well it was certainly different. Hes married now for a start and he looks very happy. I am over the moon for him. She is a wonderful girl.

I congratulated them on their baby and said I wished them all the happiness they deserve.

Before leaving, Meghan told her: Hopefully next time well have our little one with us. Other editable locals included sisters Hannah and Francesca Francis, 12 and 10, said they were super excited to meet the Royal couple outside the Opera House.

The schoolgirls said they had waited for three hours to just catch a glimpse of the royal couple and couldnt believe it when the royal couple came over to speak to them.

Hannah said: I told my sister we would see Meghan today but I couldnt believe it when she came over to speak to us.

She was so nice and friendly and she is so pretty. She was so nice to us and said thank you for coming down to meet her.

Francesca said: We were both super excited to meet Harry and Meghan I just cant believe we did.T he Duke and Duchess of Sussex could not hide their delight as they stepped out on the first official engagement of their Australia tour - just hours after revealing their baby news.

Harry and Meghan were presented with a toy kangaroo as they arrived at the official Sydney residence of the Governor-General of Australia, with the duchess saying: "Our first baby gift!"

Duke and Duchess of Sussex's South Pacific Tour - Best Pictures 1 /87 Duke and Duchess of Sussex's South Pacific Tour - Best Pictures Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit an exhibition of Tongan handicrafts Harry and Meghan walk hand-in-hand through a redwood forest on the last day of their trip REUTERS Prince Harry and Meghan leave after a "Fluro Friday" session run by OneWave, a local surfing community group AFP/Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Sussex talk to Luke Vincent, 5, after arriving at Dubbo airpor PA The couple attend a formal powhiri welcome at Te Papaiouru Marae (Credit too long, see caption) The royal couple donned traditional Maori cloaks at a ceremony PA Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive at Fua'amotu airport on the main island Tongatapu in Tonga Reuters he Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the Australian Geographic Society Awards PA Meghan, Duchess of Sussex laughs during a visit to Tupou College WireImage The Duke of Sussex talks to Luke Vincent, 5, after arriving at Dubbo airpor PA Harry embraces India Brown during a public walk in Melbourne AFP/Getty Images Rain starts as Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit students from Dubbo College Senior Campus Getty Images Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend University of the South Pacific Getty Images Meghan, Duchess of Sussex greeting locals in a traditional 'hongi' Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex climbs the Sydney Harbour Bridge Getty Images A child plays on the floor as children await the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for a meeting with Tongan prime minister Akilisi Pohiva and his cabinet on the second day of the royal couple's visit to Tonga. PA Prince Harry meets crowds on the final day of the tour AFP/Getty Images Meghan greets a young well-wisher in Rotorua AFP/Getty Images Meghan, Duchess of Sussex receives a "hongi" AP Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit the University of the South Pacific Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit an exhibition of Tongan handicrafts, mats and tapa cloths Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit the newly unveiled UK war memorial and Pukeahu National War Memorial Park Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive for the state dinner at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva PA Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at the official dinner in Suva, Fiji AP Traditional Fijian men carrying roasted pig in Alberts Park waiting the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex PA Prince Harry and his wife Meghan wave from the balcony of the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva AFP/Getty Images Reuters Prince Harry drinks kava during a ceremony he and Meghan attend in Fiji Reuters Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend welcome ceremoy Getty Images A police vehicle moves past as well-wishers stand along the street during the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan Reuters Fans hold up 'Windson' sign Getty Images Men dressed in traditional attire take part in an official welcome ceremony Reuters The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive to attend an official welcome ceremony at Albert Park in Suva PA Meghan waits with Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, left, as a red carpet is laid during a welcome ceremony AP Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive to talk to OneWave members, a local surfing community group raising awareness for mental health and wellbeing on Bondi Beach Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk along the picturesque Kingfisher Bay Jetty WireImage The Duke of Sussex greets people during a dedication ceremony PA Prince Harry poses for a photograph after the unveiling of the Queens Commonwealth Canopy at Pile Valley AP Prince Harry walks with members of the Butchulla people, AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, greet members of the public in Kingfisher Bay Reuters Prince Harry meets Takoda Malone AFP/Getty Images Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex watch the Elliott 7 Team racing during the Sailing on day two of the Invictus Games Getty Images Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex watch the Elliott 7 Team racing during the Sailing on day two of the Invictus Games Getty Images for the Invictus Ga Meghan will cut down her busy schedule slightly for the next couple of days Getty Images Prince Harry helps a competitor push wheelchair up walkway at the Invictus Games AP The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend a reception for Invictus Games competitors on Sunday PA Prince Harry speaks onstage at the opening of the competition PA Harry and Meghan watch a performer at a lunchtime reception hosted by the Prime Minister Reuters Harry and Meghan meet children from Kookaburra Kids at the Pavilion Restaurant in Sydney PA Meghan during the JLR Drive Day on Saturday Getty Images The solemn event was part of their ongoing offical visit to Australia. AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, meet guests at a reception inside Sydney's iconic Opera House AP Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex lay a wreath at the official opening of the ANZAC Memorial at Hyde Park in Sydney. AFP/Getty Images Harry and Meghan paid their respects to fallen Australian and New Zealand soldiers at the ANZAC War Memorial. AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan pose with members of OneWave, an awareness group for mental health and wellbeing Getty Images Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan take part in a 'Fluro Friday' session run by OneWav EPA PA Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex watch aboriginal dances at Victoria Park in Dubbo AFP/Getty Images Meghan, Duchess of Sussex embraces with Luke Vincent, 5 after arriving at Dubbo Airport Getty Images The Duchess of Sussex meets children from Dubbo South Public School PA The Duke of Sussex and Duchess of Sussex visit a local farming family, the Woodleys in Dubb PA Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends a naming and unveiling ceremony for the new Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft at Dubbo Airport Getty Images Meghan, Duchess of Sussex poses for a photo with members of the public at the naming and unveiling of a new Royal Flying Doctor Service AP Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, talks to Australian singer Missy Higgins, with her 9 week old baby Lunar AP The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet 97 year old Daphne Dunne during a walkabout PA Meghan the Duchess of Sussex receives native flowers from 4-year-old Findlay Blue AP Prince Harry and wife Meghan watch the rehearsal of Spirit 2018 performance by the Bangarra Dance Theatre company AP Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex hold hands as they walk on the lawns at Admiralty Hous AP The Duke of Sussex meets 97 year old Daphne Dunne PA Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet Ruby a mother Koala AP Meghan, right, Duchess of Sussex, reacts as she and Prince Harry, left, receive gifts from Australia's Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove AP Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (R) and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (L) arrive at the Sydney Opera House Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle greet members of the crowd at the Sydney Opera House Getty Images Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex watch aboriginal dances at Victoria Park in Dubbo AFP/Getty Images Meghan meets children from Dubbo South Public School PA Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet a Koala called Ruby Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex hold hands as they walk on the lawns at Admiralty House in Sydney AP Duchess of Sussex holds an Australian Rules football Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex greet children during a visit to Albert Park Primary School in Melbourne Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk across the sand at South Melbourne Beach in Melbourne, Australia AP Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend University of the South Pacific in Fiji Getty Images Prince Harry gives a thumbs-up as he climbs the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney Reuters Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walking out of Te Papaiouru Marae after attending formal luncheon Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, flanked by Tonga's Princess Angelika Latufuipeka, arrive at Fua'amotu airport on the main island Tongatapu in Tonga Reuters The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are followed by Tonga's Princess Angelika as they depart from Fua'amotu International Airport in Tonga PA The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend an official welcome at Consular House in Tonga PA

The mother and father-to-be were at Admiralty House, where they are staying for the first few days of their 16-day Commonwealth trip which will take in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.

The couple were formally welcomed by Australia's Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lynn, Lady Cosgrove, on the lawns of the historic building.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex walk in the grounds of Admiralty House in Sydney on the first day of the royal couple's visit to Australia / PA

The couple were given presents of a kangaroo and her joey, and a tiny pair of Ugg boots, which Harry described as awesome.

The Duke and Duchess joined in on an official group photograph before an official call with the Governor General and Lady Cosgrove, whom they met when they arrived from London the previous day.

The beaming pair enjoyed a day packed full of engagements including being introduced to their koala namesakes at Taronga Zoo.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet a koala named Ruby and its koala joey named Meghan at Taronga Zoo / AFP/Getty Images

Accompanied by the premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian, they spent around five minutes with the koalas, Ruby and Wattle, whose joeys were named Meghan and Harry as a wedding gift from the people of the region.

In a private moment away from the cameras, they couple were also given a stuffed toy version of the animal in celebration of their baby news.

In a research laboratory at the zoo, they were also introduced to Lynx, a short-legged echidna being studied.

Harry and Meghan arrive at the Sydney Opera House / Getty Images

Departing, the couple were treated to a ride in a gondola, giving spectacular views over Sydney harbour and allowing a glimpse of other animal enclosures, including a curious baby elephant, below.

After the Duchess changed into flat shoes, they walked the short journey down a ramp and out of the zoo, catching a ferry - made private for the occasion - to the Sydney Opera House surrounded by armed security.

The Duchess of Sussex arrives at Admiralty House in Sydney on the first day of the royal couple's visit to Australia / PA

It comes after hundreds of well-wishers turned up to watch as they touched down at Sydney Airport on their first royal trip as a married couple.

Harry and Meghan landed just hours before Kensington Palace announced that they are expecting their first baby in the spring.

They landed in Australia on a Qantas flight from London before heading to Admiralty House.

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Congratulations poured in for the thrilled couple, with Prime Minister Theresa May offering her "warmest congratulations" and the Archbishop of Canterbury, who married Harry and Meghan, saying: "Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their happy news! Prayers for them in the months ahead."

The baby will be seventh in line to the throne, and the Queen's eighth great-grandchild.

Royal baby news brings new line of succession to the throne

Kensington Palace said there would be no change to the itinerary of Harry and Meghan's tour including to Fiji and Tonga, despite travel advice that pregnant women should consider not travelling to the countries because of the moderate Zika virus risk.

The palace said the couple had sought medical advice and decided to continue with their plans.

TODO: define component type apester

In a statement, Kensington Palace said: "Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019.

"Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public."M eghan Markles half-sister Samantha has broken her silence after learning the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting a baby in the spring.

Ms Markle, who has had controversial words to say about Meghan and Prince Harry in the past, was unusually quiet on Monday immediately after the news emerged of the couple expecting their first child.

Speaking to the Sun, Ms Markle said she wants her younger sister to be "happy and calm" with the child.

She said: "It just makes everything that happened over the last year disappear. I want Meghan to be happy and calm and have peace. Everybody needs to be positive.

I would hope that  for the sake of the baby, the family, the world and my dad  that leaving him out of the statement was not intentional.

Harry talks about royal baby for the first time

I hope my dad is included and at a proper time. If he is excluded, I wont be happy. It is in the best interests of the baby for my dad to be included.

Samantha said news of the baby: makes everything that happened over the last year disappear / ITV

A baby changes everything and softens everyone. I would only hope that there would be some adjustment or some way of including him."

Her comments come a day after her spokesperson said she would not be commenting on the announcement of the baby.

Ms Markle has been outspoken on her opinions towards her sister in the past and stated that she could do more to help their father, who did not attend the royal wedding due to his health.

Writing on Twitter last month, she said: I am not candy coating anything anymore! The DUCHASS should be human to our father who has given her everything

He was the one who was always there for her. Fake waves and smiles can stop. The duchASS can bow to the daddy.

Harry and Meghan at the Sydney Opera House: In pictures 1 /60 Harry and Meghan at the Sydney Opera House: In pictures The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Sydney Opera House Getty Images The Duchess of Sussex stands in the grounds of Admiralty House in Sydney, with a view of the Sydney Opera House PA The couple were met by scores of people EPA Meghan greets crowds Getty Images Members of the public gathered PA The couple watched a performance in the Sydney Opera House PA It is the couple's first public appearance since announcing they were expecting a baby PA Their tour will be 16 days long Getty Images Prince Harry hugs 98-year old war widow Daphne Dunn AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry gestures to members of the public outside the Opera House in Sydney AP The couple met members of the public Getty Images Royal fans were caught wearing face masks EPA Prince Harry and Meghan shake hands with the public EPA Meghan meets with people outside the Opera House in Sydney AFP/Getty Images Prince Harryand Meghan meet members of the public outside the Opera House AP The couple waved at the large crowd who gathered to see them EPA Getty Images Well-wishers wait to greet Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry is photographed with a member of the public outside the Opera House AP Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, smiles as she meets with people outside the Sydneys iconic Opera House AFP/Getty Images Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend a rehearsal by the Bangarra Dance Company inside the Sydney Opera House Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet members of the public AP Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet 98 year old Daphne Dunne Getty Images Harry and Meghan will take part in 76 engagements in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand PA AP Members of the public try and catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex PA PA Australia's New South Wale premier Gladys Berejiklian receives Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk down the steps at the Sydney Opera House Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan have made their first appearances since announcing they are expecting a baby AFP/Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images EPA Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images AFP/Getty Images EPA EPA AP AP AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images AP AP AP AP AP Prince Harry and wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk during a visit at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, REUTERS AFP/Getty Images AP AFP/Getty Images Police snipers are seen on the Sydney Opera House as they prepare for the arrival of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Getty Images PA AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images PA PA

The Duke and Duchess of Sussexs announcement came as the couple prepared for their first foreign royal tour since their marriage.

The Duchess of Sussex has said she and her husband are "excited" about becoming parents.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex speaks to Missy Higgins and 9 week old baby Luna at a reception in Sydney / AP

Meghan spoke to mathematician and Australian TV personality Eddie Woo, 33, at a reception at Admiralty House and conversation turned towards parenthood.

When he said that his own children - aged five, seven and 10 - require "a lot of energy", she replied: "We're ready! We're excited to join the club."

Duchess of Sussex predicts her pregnancy back in MarchThey have been here for many years, Lesser said. They are hardworking people and we need to integrate them into our society. Some people call this amnesty. I want people who are living here to be able to get mortgages, buy homes and enjoy all of the benefits we legal citizens enjoy including the vote.A judge has thrown out adult film star Stormy Daniels defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump.

The actress has also been ordered to pay the presidents legal costs.

The lawsuit came after Mr Trump tweeted about a composite sketch of a man Ms Daniels said threatened her in 2011 to keep quiet about an alleged extramarital fling. He called it a total con job.

Los Angeles-based US District Court Judge James Otero said the presidents tweet was protected under Americas First Amendment, which guarantees the right to freedom of speech.

The tweet in question constitutes rhetorical hyperbole normally associated with politics and public discourse in the United States, said the judge. The First Amendment protects this type of rhetorical statement.

He said it was a one-off rhetorical comment and there was no proof Mr Trump acted with malice.

The judge ruled there was no proof Mr Trump acted with malice / CBS

Ms Daniels lawyer, Michael Avenatti, has filed an appeal and tweeted that Trumps contrary claims are as deceptive as his claims about the inauguration attendance, a reference to claims that the president inflated the size of the crowds that welcomed him to the White House in January 2017.

The 39-year-old actress, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, had claimed she was confronted by a stranger in the street in 2011 threatening her not to go public with her allegations that she had an affair with Mr Trump and later released a sketch of the suspect.

The next day the president tweeted: A sketch about a nonexistent man. A total con job playing the Fake News Media for Fools (but they know it)!

In the defamation lawsuit, Ms Daniels had argued the presidents tweet attacked the veracity of her account and charged her with committing a serious crime.

She said she received death threats and needed bodyguards to protect her following the tweet.

Mr Trumps lawyer, Charles J. Harder, said the ruling was a victory for the president.

No amount of spin or commentary by Stormy Daniels or her lawyer, Mr Avenatti, can truthfully characterise todays ruling in any way other than total victory for President Trump and total defeat for Stormy Daniels, he said in a statement.

The judges decision does not affect another lawsuit Ms Daniels has launched against Mr Trump and his former lawyer Michael Cohen seeking to invalidate a non-disclosure agreement she signed to stay silent over the alleged affair in return for a $130,000 hush money payment.

The president has denied having an affair with Ms Daniels.

Mmeanwhile, a leading Democrat lawmaker last night accused Mr Trump of making creepy physical threats against women who scared him.

Senator Elizabeth Warren hit back after the president ridiculed her DNA test results showing her distant Native American heritage.

Mr Trump has mocked Senator Warrens claims in the past, calling her Pocahontas. He said in July that he would donate $1million to charity if a genetic test proved her bloodline.

After Senator Warren released the results yesterday showing some evidence of a Native American lineage - although it might date back six to ten generations - Mr Trump at first denied making the charity pledge and then claimed: Ill only do it if I can test her personally.

That will not be something I enjoy doing either, he added.T onga has been struck by an earthquake, just days before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are due to arrive.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to visit Tonga, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji as part of their first royal tour together.

The couple, who recently announced they are expecting a baby, are planning to visit Tonga in nine days time.

The National Earthquake Information Center, U.S Geological Survey (NEIC) have confirmed an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.9 hit the island of Niuatoputapu, Tonga.

The quake hit at 10.17am local time and there are no reports of damage to the area or injuries, so far.

AFP/Getty Images

According to the NEIC, the earthquake had a depth of 10km.

On October 9, a Magnitude 5.1 earthquake, 100 miles west of Neiafu, hit Tonga. And days later, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck 272 miles south-west of Nukualofa.

Meghan and Harry were set to visit Tonga on the tenth day of their trip, and are set to meet King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauu at an official reception.

Harry and Meghan at the Sydney Opera House: In pictures 1 /60 Harry and Meghan at the Sydney Opera House: In pictures The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Sydney Opera House Getty Images The Duchess of Sussex stands in the grounds of Admiralty House in Sydney, with a view of the Sydney Opera House PA The couple were met by scores of people EPA Meghan greets crowds Getty Images Members of the public gathered PA The couple watched a performance in the Sydney Opera House PA It is the couple's first public appearance since announcing they were expecting a baby PA Their tour will be 16 days long Getty Images Prince Harry hugs 98-year old war widow Daphne Dunn AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry gestures to members of the public outside the Opera House in Sydney AP The couple met members of the public Getty Images Royal fans were caught wearing face masks EPA Prince Harry and Meghan shake hands with the public EPA Meghan meets with people outside the Opera House in Sydney AFP/Getty Images Prince Harryand Meghan meet members of the public outside the Opera House AP The couple waved at the large crowd who gathered to see them EPA Getty Images Well-wishers wait to greet Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry is photographed with a member of the public outside the Opera House AP Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, smiles as she meets with people outside the Sydneys iconic Opera House AFP/Getty Images Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend a rehearsal by the Bangarra Dance Company inside the Sydney Opera House Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet members of the public AP Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet 98 year old Daphne Dunne Getty Images Harry and Meghan will take part in 76 engagements in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand PA AP Members of the public try and catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex PA PA Australia's New South Wale premier Gladys Berejiklian receives Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk down the steps at the Sydney Opera House Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan have made their first appearances since announcing they are expecting a baby AFP/Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images EPA Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images AFP/Getty Images EPA EPA AP AP AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images AP AP AP AP AP Prince Harry and wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk during a visit at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, REUTERS AFP/Getty Images AP AFP/Getty Images Police snipers are seen on the Sydney Opera House as they prepare for the arrival of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Getty Images PA AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images PA PA

The following day, the newlyweds will visit the St George Building to meet with the Prime Minister and members of the cabinet.

They will then travel to Tupou College, the oldest secondary school in the Pacific. Students will perform traditional music from Tonga.

From Tupou College, they will then have a final meeting with the King before departing for Sydney.W ith winter chills well in our midst, shopping for your seasonal staples requires investing in sturdy footwear. The beloved boots that are making a stomp in 2018 pay a daring homage to the Wild West. Yes - the cowboy boot is back and no longer reserved for just the rodeo.

Spotted on the fall runways at Isabel Marant, Fendi and Off-White, the classic Western boots arent for the faint-hearted. Granted - its a trend thats not for everyone, and justifiably kitschy in a stylish context. But theres something mysterious that steel caps, embroidered leather and pointed toes bring to the boot game that makes for a comically chic combo.

Contrary to the cowboy cliches we associate with the boots, this trend is entirely wearable when styled unconventionally. Avoid looking like youve rummaged through a dress-up box by keeping the shoes the main event. Paired seamlessly when with 70s maxi dresses, oversized coats, and denim boiler suits, offers an urban take on the trend that feels cool rather than cliche.

Whether this trend gets you heel-and-toeing your way to the high street or retreating to a more ambiguous Chelsea boot, our list of top picks on the market will put you in good steed (pun intended).

Snakeskin print leather cowboy ankle boots

For those who like making a strong statement with their footwear, these snakeskin ankle boots from Zara have got you covered. The block cowboy heels and slightly upturned toes pay a truly authentic, if not, comical homage. Heftier in price than your usual Zara purchase, ultimately you're paying for genuine leather that justifies a three-figure sum.

149.00 | Zara | Buy it now

Leather Cowboy Boots by Mango

A little more sleek than the highly decorative styles on the market, these boots are for a minimalist at heart who appreciates a fashion edge. The extra height is a godsend in Winter, worn beautifully over jeans or under a maxi skirt. A 100 per cent leather upper gives a stamp of quality on the boots that you know will last for years to come. A true winter investment.

139.99 | Mango | Buy it now

Isabel Marant Lamsy embellished leather ankle boots

These boots are all about polished details. Who better suited than Isabel Marant to pay a classy tribute to the decorative boots? Featuring the brand's signature stacked conical heel, polished silver hardware makes for an embellished heel-and-toe. Looped leather tabs encircling the boots allow them to easily slip on and off.

BINGO western boots

A little more on the purist side, these cowboy boots embrace token Western decorations with buckles and trims. Wear them with a colourful 70s maxi dress for an ultimate boho chic look. Also available in black for those who feel anxious about white leather.

95 | Topshop | Buy it now

Vagabond Simone red cowboy boots

In a sleek square-toe variation on the cowboy boot, Vagabond borrow classic design features fused with their signature minimal aesthetic. The Swedish shoemaker's celebrate premium quality at a reasonable price point, and these boots are no exception. In bold red leather, these shoes make a statement without the fuss of embellishments.

160 | Urban Outfitters | Buy it now

Ganni slip-on cowboy boots

Spotted on the likes of Pandora Sykes , these boots are already a hit on Instagram. The Scandinavian brand have taken a characteristically cool approach to the cowboy boot in a mash-up of white and dark burgundy. A modest block heel makes them comfortable to walk in, topped by a 100 per cent leather upper with a cut out heart accenting each side. A pair of boots to treasure.

460 | Farfetch | Buy it now

Missguided western ankle boot

Those who want to embrace this trend without breaking the bank, look no further. Missguided have a fashion-forward answer, that is accessible both in cost and wearability. The ankle boots snakeskin panelling and metal accents above the heel offer sophisticated details, while their composition in imitation leather allows for the bargain price point, though it passes for the real deal.

35 | Asos | Buy it now

Cowboy ankle boots

If you're a little sceptical of the trend, these sleek ankle-boots from Zara are the perfect homage to the Western fad without completely committing to the cowboy vibe. In a dreamy blush pink, they offer something different to your usual neutral colour scheme and pair beautifully with head-to-toe beige.

69.99 | Zara | Buy it now

Golden Goose Deluxe Brand embroidered leather knee boots

For those who can afford to indulge in a little luxury, we're lusting after these knee-high boots from Golden Goose Deluxe Brand. Their name is a handful and their Italian designs certainly don't go unnoticed. Detailed with mustard piping and embroidery in the shape of stars, these boots achieve the look of the genuine article, with quality leather that only gets better with age.

White faux snake strappy western ankle boots

Channel the urban cowboy look with this bargain buy from New Look. A nod to the classic Western aesthetic decorated with buckles and a pointed toe, they have a modern edge that will appeal to any city-slicker. Crafted in a faux snake leather finish, with a back tab and inside zip fastening they are easy to wear. They're also available in black, so your styling options are endless.T hey might have called off their engagement, but it seems that not all hope is lost for former love birds Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson.

The pair are reportedly still seeing each other despite putting their wedding on hold and are just wanted to slow things down after their whirlwind romance got out of control.

Davidson proposed to the pop star with a $100,000 ring just weeks after their started dating five months ago, following Grandes split from Mac Miller.

Their engagement is off but they still on spending time together, a source told People.

All over? Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson had a whirlwind romance / Getty Images for MTV

Its not like they split and never plan on seeing each other again. They just decided to slow things down.

The insider went on to say that Grande realised that planning a wedding right now felt very rushed and its not what she wants to do right now.

The Ariana Grande Relationship Retrospective 1 /10 The Ariana Grande Relationship Retrospective Ariana Grande's latest (and most important relationship) is currently happening, as she's dating herself according to her brand new song thank u, next. BuzzFoto via Getty Images Graham David Phillip met Ariana Grande on the set of 13: The Musical and dated for three years, ending the relationship in December of 2011. SplashNews.com Jordan Vascomi and Ariana Grande met when he was a backup dancer for her show Victorious in 2011. The two dated for almost a year before breaking up in February of 2012. thenameisjv/Instagram The Victorious co-stars, Ariana Grande and Avan Jogia , met on set and were a rumored couple that was never confirmed. WireImage Nathan Sykes and Ariana Grande met when collaborating on the song Almost is Never Enough. The couple then dated for 5 months, ending the relationship in December of 2013. Getty Images YouTuber Jai Brooks met Ariana Grande on Twitter in the summer of 2012 and went on to date long distance until meeting in New York. The couple ended things in August of 2013 and briefly rekindled the romance in 2014. SplashNews.com Big Sean and Ariana Grande were collaborators who met in June 2012. The two didnt date until August 2014 and remained together until April 2015 when they split up due to conflicting schedules. Getty Images Ricky Alvarez met Ariana Grande when he was her backup dancer in April 2014. The two confirmed their relationship in the summer of 2015 when kissing onstage at the PRIDE Festival and announced their break up on Twitter in July 2016. SplashNews.com Mac Miller and Ariana Grande met in 2012 when the two musicians covered Baby Its Cold Outside. However, they didnt start dating until August 2016 and ended the relationship in May 2018. GC Images Pete Davidson and Ariana Grande met in March 2016 when she hosted Saturday Night Live. Their whirlwind romance began in May 2018 and the two confirmed their engagement on June 20, 2018. They broke it off in October 14, 2018. Getty Images for MTV

She doesnt want to make any rushed decisions and has decided to take a step back instead, the insider added.

Grande recently admitted that she would be taking a break from work to heal and mend following the death of her ex-boyfriend, Miller, last month.

Pete Davidson reveals he has ditched old friends since getting engaged to Ariana Grande

A source told the Sun: Ariana dumped Pete. They'd been rowing for two weeks about Pete's lack of support after Mac's death.

Ariana has been devastated and Pete couldn't handle it. She realised she needs a grown-up who can support her and that's not him. They secretly split a week ago and she's already moved out of the apartment.I ts the celebrity feud we never saw coming, but it seems that things are kicking off between Piers Morgan and Avengers star Chris Evans on Twitter.

The unlikely pair are clashing on the micro-blogging site over the rather surprising topic of Daniel Craigs baby papoose and Morgans attempts at quantifying masculinity.

The Good Morning Britain host likes nothing more than to cause a spot of controversy, and on Monday he stirred the pot by suggesting that Craigs use of a body sling to carry his new-born baby was emasculating.

Alongside a photo of the James Bond actor, he wrote: Oh 007.. not you as well?!!! #emasculatedBond.

Unsurprisingly, the presenter was met by an immediate backlash from followers, but none more so than Captain America himself.

You really have to be so uncertain of your own masculinity to concern yourself with how another man carries his child, he told Morgan.

Any man who wastes time quantifying masculinity is terrified on the inside.

Clearly unfazed by the criticism from the A-lister, Morgan simply responded: Captain American wouldnt wear a papoose.

Piers Morgan asks Ann Widdecombe if she ever crossed the line with Anton du Beke

But Twitter appeared to be firmly on Evans side, with the majority of people praising Craig for taking such a hands-on approach to parenting.

One person wrote: Looks pretty masculated to me. Honestly, how attractive is it to see a man who loves his children and wants to be a great example by being an active, caring, person?D akota Johnson shook off the nightmares she had while shooting new film Suspiria as she stepped out for the red carpet premiere at the London Film Festival.

The 29-year-old actress pushed her fears aside as she stunned in a silver sequin Gucci gown in London's Leicester Square on Tuesday night.

The look was tied together with the Fifty Shades of Grey stars signature natural-glam makeup and soft nude lip.

Johnson was joined by Doctor Strange actress Tilda Swinton, who opted for androgynous-chic in a slick oversized black suit for the occasion.

Silver star: Dakota Johnson shines on the red carpet (Reuters) / REUTERS

Nymphomaniac star Mia Goth was also in attendance and wowed in a glamorous silver waterfall evening gown.

The film, directed by Call Me By Your Names Luca Guadagnino, is based on the 1977 horror which centres around a young American dancer who enrols at a prestigious dance academy plagued with a series of abnormal occurrences.

Suspiria trailer

Ahead of the premiere, Johnson told how she battled crazy nightmares when filming scenes in an abandoned hotel in the Italian Alps.

I was having nightmares, crazy nightmares, she told W Magazine. Its not like the set was cursed. But it was not an easy, breezy shoot.

Hollywood star: Tilda Swinton opted for an androgynous look (Reuters) / REUTERS

It was cold and dark, and people were getting injured. I got injured. My character, Suzy, has three to four dance numbers  well, shes in all the dance numbers, really.

She added: Wed shoot all day, then spend a couple of hours training in this cold, dank hotel. I hurt my back, then my muscle spasm got to a point where I couldnt move.

It was a dangerous set. There were things like that that happened all the time.

The film also stars Chloe Grace Moretz.M anon Lagreve has become the latest contestant to be eliminated from the Great British Bake Off, narrowly missing out on the semi-final.

Manon failed to impress the judges during Danish Week after spending too much time on sweets instead of perfecting her pastries, which accidentally turned out French instead.

Speaking about her exit, she said: I love Denmark, I have been twice to Copenhagen, and my best friend is Danish but none of that helped me!

Every week I remained in the tent was a bonus and to be a quarter finalist, well that for me was a huge personal achievement. I didn't make it to Patisserie week, and thats a shame as that is what we French are known for.

This years quarter-final saw the first ever Danish Week take place with all five of contestants struggling, especially with their pastries, during the challenges.

Several of the bakers were reduced to tears as the pressure got too much, with Kim-Joy burst into tears after her showstopper was criticised by Leith and Hollywood while Briony sobbed after the first challenge.

Star Baker: Ruby Bhogal impressed during Danish Week / Channel 4

It was Ruby who managed to bag Star Baker after successfully navigating the three hard tasks. Rahul found himself nearly in danger of going, at one point even declaring he didnt deserve to be there.

New attire: Rahul wore a loud shirt in tribute to Jon Jenkins / Channel 4

Ditching their usual attire, the bakers donned the loud shirts to remember the Welshman show as given the boot after Vegan Week, missing out on the quarter-final.

Ruby, Kim-Joy, Rahul, Briony and Manon all walked into the tent sporting their one-week-only look while the judges and hosts joked that they had missed the memo

And viewers couldnt handle the sweet gesture, quickly rushing to social media to discuss the close bond that appears to have emerged within the group.A s you might expect in a drama about the war on terror, Informer (BBC1, 9pm) doesnt mess about.

The opening scene is brisk and brutal, and over almost as quickly as it began. Its a shock, but after it has happened, not so much a surprise. But it does the job: it reels the viewer in.

A shocking thriller about terrorism in and around London may sound familiar. But Informer isnt Bodyguard. Jed Mercurios drama was drawn in broad strokes; its best moments were about the choreography of tension. Informer, written by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani, isnt like that.

It has been compared to The Wire, and that may not be as far-fetched as it seems. Informer is very much about a place  Brick Lane, around Whitechapel, the DLR, the Gherkin in the rear-view mirror  and those places are beautifully shot in cross-processed colours.

But the characters inhabit their own neurotic geography. There are two heroes, neither of whom is entirely heroic. They are connected. You can root for either, or both, but for one of them to win, the other must lose.

Conventionally, youd say that the good guy must be anti-terror cop Gabriel Waters (Paddy Considine). Tricky name, Gabriel, depending on where you lay your theological hat.

But this Gabriel isnt a straightforward angel. He has a past as an undercover agent, working with far-Right extremists, a dubious tattoo and a big-picture morality. Hes working to stop terrorism, and he isnt overly concerned with the little people who get hurt along the way.

So, when one of his snouts is killed, his first instinct is not to grieve, but to find another informer. Hes not bad, this Gabriel, but he does things that are not good. But he feels guilty, and is good at reading bedtime stories.

Lead: Naabhan Rizwan as Raza / BBC/Neal Street productions

Step forward Raza Shar (Nabhaan Rizwan). Raza is a relative innocent. He gets pulled in for a minor drugs offence, and hes not entirely engaged when his brother gets disciplined for having a knife at school.

Why does he get involved? Because his mother is in the UK on an expired visa, and Gabriel pressures him into it. You can see Razas problem: in order to do the right thing, he has to do the wrong thing, and pretty soon hes trying to ingratiate himself with the drug-dealers of east London.

Its all beautifully done. Its good to see Considine in a major role, and Rizwan is a natural. Gabriels green sidekick Holly (Bel Powley) is appropriately wide-eyed, and has the dispassionate logic of someone on the TV detective spectrum. Shes no charmer, says Gabes boss, DCI Asante (the impressive Sharon D Clarke). Watch out, too, for Roger Jean Nsengiyumva as the charismatic Dadir Hassan. Hes a dealer, not a thief, but he steals the show.

Pictured: David Tennant as Simon (BBC/Merman Productions/Kevin Baker) / BBC

Shaun Pyes comedy-drama There She Goes (BBC4, 10pm), about a couple struggling to raise a daughter with a severe learning difficulty, sounds more worthy than it is. Calling it a comedy is a stretch, but the parents Simon (David Tennant) and Emily (Jessica Hynes) navigate the black humour with tender empathy.

Much of it is the everyday stuff of parenting, and the other bits are gently heartbreaking. Simon gets to be the punchline of most of the jokes, as his lifes ambitions shrink to watching a documentary about Simple Minds on a Saturday night.

Pick of the day

Landscape Artist Of The Year - Sky Arts, 8pm

A new series of the popular art competition begins, with Stephen Mangan replacing Frank Skinner as co-presenter alongside the unflappable Dame Joan Bakewell.

The pair  who have previously worked together on Have I Got News For You  will also team up for its sister show, Portrait Artist Of The Year.

The two art shows are among the most popular on Sky Arts. The prize is a 10,000 commission to paint a piece for the Imperial War Museum, commemorating the centenary of the First World War armistice.

Host: Stephen Mangan with the judges / Sky

There are six regional heats leading up to the semi-final, then the final. Returning as judges are Kathleen Soriano, Tai Shan Schierenberg and Kate Bryan, who are on board as the contest travels the length and breadth of Britain, setting a range of painting challenges.

This week, the show comes from North Yorkshire, where the eight contestants are tasked with making an artwork that represents the beautiful ruins of Fountains Abbey, a World Heritage Site near Ripon which previously inspired both Turner and Hockney.

Screen time

A Dangerous Dynasty: House of Assad - BBC2, 9pm

In episode two of this exemplary documentary series about Syrias Assad dynasty, Bashar Assad has become president, assisted by his wife, Asma, as First Lady. The opening scenes juxtapose the ambitions with which the presidency began  as a stooping Assad accepts the applause at the opening night of a new opera house  with the devastation that followed. Together they dream of reforming Syria, says the voiceover, yet 14 years later their country will be in ruins.

There are internal struggles, as Asmas in-laws resist the idea of her being First Lady, and try to keep her out of the limelight. Syria is named part of the Axis of Evil, and one of the Assads political enemies is blown up by a car bomb.

Pictured: Syrian President, Hafez al-Assad, and his family in Damas, Syria, 1974. (l-r) Maher, Hafez, Majd, Bassel, Anisa (Hafezs wife), Bushra, Bashar / BBC/Alexandra De Borchgrave/Getty Images

Trust Me, Im a Doctor - London Live, 8pm

What great news to hear  as the clocks are due to rewind at the end of the month and give us all an extra hour in bed  that spending more time in bed could be better for us all in the long run? Alas, were unable to volunteer for this, that tough gig has fallen to Michael Mosley and his team of experts as they test this relaxing hypothesis.

Spooks - London Live, 11pm

Spies always delight in catching up with former colleagues without having knives hovering over each others necks and locked in a fight to the death. And when theyre not arguing over whose round it is, theres always the chance theyre on a mission to terminate one another.

Theres a reunion  not a happy one  this evening for Adam (Rupert Penry-Jones) when escorting Serbian war criminal Niko Grecic (Marcel Iures) to The Hague to testify at a trial.

Years back, before James Blunt stopped World War III during the Balkans Conflict, Adam was betrayed by traitorous MI6 officer Richard Dempsey (Alec Newman), who just so happens to turn up as Adam is tasked with protecting this witness. Will Adam make peace with Dempsey?

Set the box

Blue Peters Big Birthday - CBBC, 5pm

The childrens magazine show celebrates its 60th birthday with a special edition including visits from past presenters Peter Purves, Anthea Turner, Konnie Huq and Tim Vincent. Ed Sheeran appears to receive the highest honour of his career, a gold Blue Peter badge, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor (daughter of presenter Janet Ellis) performs with the BBC Philharmonic. Plus there will also be some funny business with used washing-up liquid bottles and toilet rolls.

Catch up

Mediterranean With Simon Reeve - BBC iPlayerI f you ever get annoyed when your friends consistently forget to charge their smartphones then the new Huawei Mate 20 Pro is the smartphone for you.

Unveiled today at an event in London, the new phone has a whopping 4,200 mAH battery, bigger than the Samsung Note 9, and facilitates reverse wireless charging.

This means if your forgetful pal has a smartphone with a glass back that allows for wireless charging, you can use your own Huawei Mate 20 Pro to give them some juice. This definitely works with the iPhone XS range but it may depend on the other device.

And with that huge battery, which will happily give you two days usage in between charges and is expected to last over 30 per cent longer than the Note 9 and the iPhone XS Max, you will have juice to spare.

Huawei Mate 20 Pro: camera

Thats not the only stand-out feature from the new phone. It has a Leica triple-lens camera set up on the back, in a new quad formation, featuring a 40-megapixel wide-angle lens, an 8-megapixel telephoto lens and a 20-megapixel ultra wide-angle lens, which Huawei says has been designed for photographic versatility.

This is going to help you capture more in your photos, bringing in more details, to make the images really pop.

The camera is also boosted by Huaweis artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, boosted by the phones Kirin 980 chipset, one of the most powerful on the market.

The Huawei Mate 20 Pro promises to be fast, smooth and intelligent: 88 per cent more power efficient than last years Mate 10 Pro to be exact, thanks to the Kirin 980s prowess.

The new smartphone has three camera lens on the back of the device, one with an ultra-wide lens so you get more into your images

You can turn any object into a 3D emoji thanks to augmented reality (AR). Scan the object using the 24-megapixel 3D front-facing camera and then you can give the object movement and life. You can get the little object to run around, do some Kung-Fu or ballet, and you can take photos or videos of it with other people.

Seeing this demonstrated live was quite impressive and something you can definitely wow your friends with.

Huawei Mate 20 Pro: big on security

Security is also a major focus for the new Huawei Mate 20 Pro.

Theres 3D facial unlock, a standard were getting used to on flagship phones, that is more secure than the P20 Pros, and can be used for things like payments for Android Pay.

The new phone also has an in-screen fingerprint reader, which Huawei says has increased the unlock speed by 20 per cent, so it should be easy to get in and out of the device.

You can also lock certain applications, like messaging apps, so they can only be unlocked using facial unlock or fingerprint ID.

Huawei Mate 20 Pro: inside the device

Huawei has made some big improvements to its Android skin, the EMUI 9.0. The company says that it is speeding up processes with EMUI 9.0, cutting down on the bloat which is common to Android phones by reducing settings by 10 per cent.

As well, you should expect apps to open up to 51 per cent faster than previous Huawei devices, and experience up to 42 per cent better smoothness when operating inside apps.

The new Huawei Mate 20 Pro in the signature twilight colour

The phone will also ship with Android Pie.

This is all fitted into a new 6.39-inch device with a curved OLED screen display, and 19:5:9 screen-to-body ratio. The notch has been extended to incorporate that 3D camera for the facial unlock but this is a small price to pay for better security. Its still smaller than the notch on the iPhone XS range, if this is something that bothers you.

There will be five colours: pink gold, twilight, black, midnight blue and emerald green, the latter of which have a new optical design on the back of the phone. This new design is supposedly more durable, easier to grip, and fingerprint resistant.

The Mate 20 Pro will come in one variant: 6GB of RAM with 128GB of internal storage, though this can be increased with Huaweis new nano-memory card, which is a lot smaller than the SD card. It will cost 1,049 and will be available to buy from 26 October.

O2 is offering the new smartphone from 39 per month and if you pre-order the device before 25 October, O2 will even throw in Huawei's new wireless charger and the Huawei Watch GT for free.H &M Groups venture capital brand, H&M CO:LAB, is investing in London-based e-commerce start-up Thread that combines algorithms and personal stylists to help men shop for clothes online.

Thread has announced today that it has raised $22 million in Series B funding to expand its offering, including from the likes of Balderton Capital.

This is the first time a fashion investor has taken a stake in the company, which launched back in 2012 with a mission to make it easier for men to dress well.

We have great investors in the tech and start-up world, and lots of individuals from the fashion world, but with H&M we get access to one of the best companies in the world at fashion retail, CEO and co-founder Kieran ONeill, tells the Standard.

H&M were focused on the long-term: where is the industry going, how does Thread change it and how our culture and values aligned.

If youve never tried Thread before, its a personal shopping service that learns about your style, before serving up the best recommendations for clothes you should buy, with help from the platform's algorithms and stylists. Thread now has over a million users, shopping from brands such as Ted Baker, Barbour, Selected and Reebok, which are all available on the platform.

As with any AI, personalisation is key to Threads work. The more you use it, the better it gets and understanding your personal style and the types of things you will buy.

The Thread team L-R: Ben Phillips, Kieran O'Neill, Shaunie Brett / Thread

We've been able to design Thread to be an AI-driven company from the beginning, explained ONeill. For example: as you use the service, it's keeping track of what you look like, which clothes you look at: are you browsing for brown brogues or jeans, and based on how you behave, it's learning to get better and better.

That's just one example of things we've been able to do for Thread to make things better for customers, and I think that is exciting.

Whilst AI is a major part of Thread, there is still an emphasis on human interaction with its personal stylists. The platform combines its tech which learns and remembers your preferences and your behaviour, using this information to help the human stylists, who have great taste and creativity, make recommendations.

Humans aren't scaleable and algorithms alone aren't tasteful, creative and stylish. We've designed it so we're able to combine the stylists with the algorithm in a way that uses the best of each, says ONeill.

There has been a move in the fashion industry to become more tech-focused. Balmain broadcast its most recent Paris show in virtual reality with the help of Oculus, whilst ASOS has a new chatbot named Enki you can interact with on Facebook Messenger and via the Google Assistant.

It's good to see the industry experimenting with these new things but it's just before these things become really big, we have to find something, a sweet spot fit for it rather than forcing it, says ONeill.

The new funds are going to be focused on growing the company, expanding Threads design, engineering and data science teams, as well as focusing on turning it into a household name. There will be a womens section added to the site, sometime in the future too, though it poses a different set of challenges.

We picked men because mainly we founded the business to solve the problem we had ourselves and it would have been inauthentic for us to go after a bigger market or something, explains ONeill."Their value is in the timeliness of the service they provide," Carpenter said. "And it's personal. We can pick up the phone and talk with them at any time about any issue that may arise. To have the results back on the burglary within a few weeks time is certainly remarkable and what we had been led to believe about the Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Laboratory."This isnt a typical living situation and I think thats why we need to look at this more closely, she said. If Save-A-Vet could come in and take care of everything that would be a win. But there are issues with removing old infrastructure on the site...things that are outside of their capability. That will be a cost to the village.Columbia College and his instructors have been a big help, doing what they can to replace textbooks and trying to help him get a job at the school or an internship, Barnes said. An uncle bought him a new computer and a friend set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for other missing items and to cover living expenses, he said.Countries & Areas

Search for country or area A Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan B Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burma Burundi C Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Cote dIvoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia D Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic E Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia F Fiji Finland France G Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana H Haiti Holy See Honduras Hungary I Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy J Jamaica Japan Jordan K Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan L Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg M Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique N Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway O Oman P Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Q Qatar R Republic of the Congo Romania Russia Rwanda S Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria T Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu U Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay Uzbekistan V Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Y Yemen Z Zambia ZimbabweComing back to Elgin was a priority to me, she said. All my family is basically here in Elgin. I was involved with my (church) youth group here, I have many friends here. And Im used to the diversity in this area. You kind of recognize (Elgins diversity) once you get out of Elgin.AGERPRES special correspondent Madalina Cerban reports: President Klaus Iohannis, on a state visit to Italy, on Tuesday said it is necessary to overcome the nationalist, isolationist thinking and create a strong European economy.

"Without this step of deep integration of our economies, the European Union will not be able to maintain its top spot it has in the global economy. And these cutting edge fields, of high profile technologies are the first where the need of a deeper integration is felt, of a more intense collaboration and development that can be accomplished only if several national economies work together," Iohannis told a meeting with the representatives of the Italian Employers Confederation, according to Agerpres

In his opinion, the future of the European Union "must be a concern of each and every one of us.""Our prosperity depends on the way we will be able to contribute on the long term to increasing the living standard for all of the Union's citizens. The challenges brought by globalization, alongside the current geopolitical context compel us to show solidarity and work together so as to achieve economic convergence and social cohesion. It is very important that the European economic decision-makers hear the business milieu's voice on common interest topics, such as the stimulation of the economic growth and the employment, the encouragement of the entrepreneurship and obviously, our interests' protection within the international commercial negotiations, a topic that has become once so important that it seems it has taken many of us by surprise," Iohannis asserted.The president also invited the attendees of the event to think about the way "a top notch industrial policy" for the EU can be promoted."Thinking about the future, I invite you to reflect on a subject I find vital for the future generations' prosperity, namely the ways through which < > for the EU can be promoted, capable to generate competitiveness in fields such as robotics and 4.0 industry, the Single Market of the digital data or the artificial intelligence," Iohannis concluded.River Grove Public Library District officials are continuing to explore St. Cyprian School as a possible future home for the library. They are planning to meet with architects this week to get a better fix on the cost of the project and whether the building could be adapted for that use.President Klaus Iohannis awarded the the National Order of the 'Star of Romania' in the rank of Grand Cross to the Italian President's daughter Laura Mattarella and to Ugo Zampetti, Secretary General of the Italian Presidency, in the context of the former's current visit to this country.

The two distinctions were awarded "in sign of high appreciation for the exceptional contribution made to the development of the Romanian-Italian relations of collaboration and friendship," informs a press release by the Presidential Administration sent to AGERPRES on Tuesday.

Also as a sign of high appreciation for the great contribution made to the development of the Romanian-Italian collaboration and friendship relations, the head of the Romanian state has awarded the National Order "Faithful Service" in the rank of Grand Cross, with the sign for civilians, to Gianfranco Astori, Information Advisor to the President of the Italian Republic, Ambassador Elisabetta Belloni - Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Pietro Benassi - Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Italy, Plenipotentiary Minister Giuseppe Maria Buccino Grimaldi - Director General for the European Union in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Daniele Cabras - Parliamentary Advisor to the President of the Republic, Director of the Office of the Secretariat General, Ambassador Emanuela D'Alessandro - Advisor to the President of the Republic, Director of the Office for Diplomatic Affairs, Marco Giungi - Italian Ambassador to Romania, Giovanni Grasso - Advisor to the President of the Republic, Director of the Press and Communication Office, Ambassador Riccardo Guariglia - Head of Cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Simone Guerrini - Advisor to the President of the Italian Republic, Director of the Office of the President's Secretariat, and Plenipotentiary Minister Inigo Lambertini - Head of the Diplomatic Ceremony Service of the Italian Republic.Klaus Iohannis has bestowed, by decree, the National Order "Faithful Service" in the rank of Grand Cross on the Air Fleet General Roberto Corsini - Advisor to the President of the Republic, Director of the Military Affairs Office and Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Defense, and to General Rolando Mosca Moschini - Advisor to the President of the Republic for the Supreme Defense Council Affairs and Secretary of the Supreme Defense Council.Also awarded with the National Order "Faithful Service" in the rank of Grand Officer, with the sign for civilians, were Plenipotentiary Minister Francesco Di Nitto - Deputy Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the Republic, Cinzia Raimondi - Head of Ceremony Service of the Presidency of the Republic and Plenipotentiary Minister Stefano Zanini - Deputy Head of the Diplomatic Ceremonial Department of the Italian Republic.At the same time, the President of Romania has awarded, by decree, the National Order "Faithful Service" in the rank of Commander, with the sign for civilians, to Jacopo Albergoni - the Head of the Visits Office in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and to Carmelo Maria Barbera - Office for Diplomatic Affairs of the Presidency of the Republic.Romania has backed right from the start the goal of the Social Pillar for a common approach to the protection and development of social rights, said on Tuesday Minister of Labor and Social Justice, Lia-Olguta Vasilescu, at the Tripartite Social Summit, held at the Council of the European Union, a release from the relevant ministry informs.

"The proclamation of the European Pillar of social rights in November last year underlines once more the importance of the social dimension of the European Union. Romania has backed right from the start the goal of the Social Pillar for a common approach to the protection and development of social rights The Social Pillar is an essential tool for accomplishing social justice and equality in the EU, which must lead to increased social convergence between the member states and within them. We consider that the principles and rights stipulated in the Pillar must become a reality for all citizens. This is a common task requiring collaboration between the EU institutions, member states, social partners and civil society. The Social Pillar has relaunched an ambitious social agenda of the EU which, through strong social dialogue and consistent legislative proposals, has the potential to strengthen the rights of the EU citizens," said Lia-Olguta Vasilescu.

Among the European social partners attending the discussion were Dumitru Costin, president of the National Trade Union Bloc, and Mihai Bogza, executive director of Concordia Employers' Confederation.The Minister of Labor and Social Justice also had a bilateral meeting with Marianne Thyssen, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Competencies and Mobility, to whom she presented Romania's priorities to the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.The cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Turkey is at a very high level, being characterised by trust, mutual support and based on common values and interests, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila stated within the joint statements with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that were carried out in Ankara.

"Our dialogue today was fruitful. We reviewed the coordinates of the strategic partnership between our countries, which dates back from 2011. The cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Turkey is at a very high level, being characterised by trust, mutual support and based on common values and interests. There is a permanent dialogue between the Romanian and Turkish authorities, both in a bilateral format and in regional framework, but also on the bilateral dimension. We cooperate on security and defence areas, as well as at the level of business milieu, the academia and in terms of culture," PM Dancila stated.

Viorica Dancila mentioned that, during talks, also reviewed were the level of commercial exchanges between the two states, which recorded an upward trend."In 2017, the value of Turkish-Romanian commercial exchanges stood at 5.1 billion euro and a significant increase compared to the same period of last year was recorded in the first two months of this year. There is still a huge potential that must be exploited," the PM said.Furthermore, Dancila underscored the cooperation between Romania and Turkey as NATO member states, which is carried out at "very good parameters.""Our countries share security concerns and interests and actively cooperate at bilateral and allied level in view of promoting the shared objectives and identifying the adequate responses for the current challenges. Our dialogue is honest and open, which facilitates a better mutual understanding and identifying the common points. We are committed to further deepen the dialogue and cooperation in this area," the PM stated.Dancila mentioned having conveyed to President Erdogan that Romania will further endorse the European journey of the Republic of Turkey."We commend Turkey's undeniable contribution to the European security and I take advantage of this opportunity to convey words of appreciation for Turkey's efforts in managing migration, by hosting a large number of refugees on its territory," the Romanian Prime Minister said.Romania and Turkey successfully carried out common projects within the "Black Sea Basin" Joint Operational Programme, Dancila stated."We want for this cooperation to further expand, to the benefit of our citizens. I have conveyed to Mr President our wish to take advantage of all the opportunities existing at the Black Sea regional level, in order to ensure economic growth, stability and security in this region," the PM added.Dancila expressed her joy for the fact that the Romanian-Turkish partnership is "solid, it further has a great development potential and, above all, there is desire of both sides to strengthen it.""The signing of some cooperation documents on the occasion of this visit represents a clear proof in this regard," the Romanian PM added.Viorica Dancila also mentioned in her speech the fact that this year marks 140 years of diplomatic relations between Romania and Turkey and 80 years since upgrading the relations at the embassy level."The year 2018 is, at the same time, an important year for Romania, in which we celebrate the Greater Union Centennial and I would like to thank the Turkish side, because this important event of Romanians was symbolically marked on Turkish soil by planting 100 olive trees in the Turkey-Romania Peace and Friendship Park, near Izmir," the PM stated.Prior to the joint statements, the two high officials attended the signing of some bilateral documents.Thus, a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Higher Education between Romania's National Education Ministry and Turkey's Higher Education Council was signed by interim Education Minister Rovana Plumb, on behalf of the Romanian side, and by Chairman of the Higher Education Council Prof. M. A. Yekta Sarac, on behalf of the Turkish side.AGERPRES special corespondent Madalina Cerban reports: President Klaus Iohannis conveyed Tuesday in Rome a message of solidarity to the 1.2 million Romanians in Italy, urging them to stay united and contribute to a better understanding between the two peoples.

"I wish to convey a message of solidarity to the more than 1.2 million Romanians in Italy. (...) Dear Romanians in Italy, you are a force not only through sheer numbers but also because you have a word to say in your communities! That is why I urge you: 'Show solidarity, stay united!' Every Romanian in Italy is a representative, an ambassador of his country, Romania and all together you honour both Romania and Italy. At the same time you have a very, very important role to play. You can significantly contribute to a better understanding between our peoples," Klaus Iohannis stated at the seat of Rome City Hall, at a meeting with the representatives of the Romanian community.

Attending the event are also the president's wife, Carmen Iohannis and the Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi.Healthcare Minister Sorina Pintea and her Turkish counterpart Fahrettin Koca signed an agreement between Romania and Turkey on cooperation in healthcare and medical sciences area.

According to the agreement, the two states will promote, based on equality and reciprocity principles, the cooperation in areas such as strengthening the healthcare systems, mutual encouragement of investments in the sanitary sector, medicines, pharmaceutical products and medical equipment, hospital management, public health and family medicine system, geriatrics and gerontology, the organization of emergency medicine services.

According to a release of the Healthcare Ministry, Romania and Turkey will cooperate through exchange of information, delegations and experts in healthcare, as well as through encouraging experts to participate in scientific conferences and meetings.Moreover, a joint working committee will also be established, that will periodically carry out meetings in view of assessing the cooperation activities and establishing the cooperation priorities.Fielden explained to the board that there are phases of the aquatic center project that wont be able to be completed in the winter, including cutting the pool deeper, which he described as  a serious issue for us. Not being able to start on the pool will push back other parts of the construction project, including part of the new commons and the heart of the building, he said.The reported torture, murder, and dismemberment of Washington-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate-general in Istanbul reminded the world that an intense power play is now taking place within the monarchies of the Arabian Peninsula and between them.

In November 2017, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) ordered the arrest and detention at the Riyadh Ritz Carlton Hotel of over 200 members of the Saudi royal family, including eleven rival princes, as well as government ministers and influential businessmen. That came after an October 2017 meeting in Riyadh between MBS and Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, conclave that lasted well into the early morning hours. At the meeting, Kushner is said to have turned over to MBS a list of the names of the Crown Princes opponents: leading figures of the Saudi royal house, government, and major businesses. The list may have also contained the name Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi.

The list of Saudi names was, reportedly, compiled by Kushner from top secret special code word documents he had specifically requested from the National Security Agency (NSA) and Central Intelligence Agency. The documents were specifically requested by Kushner, not because he was an expert in communications intercepts, but because he likely had a control officer who told him what files to obtain. The Kushner family have longstanding ties to the Israeli Likud Party, as well as the Mossad intelligence service. The Mossad enjoys a close working relationship with the Saudi General Intelligence Directorate, which is now firmly committed to MBS after a previous purge of its upper ranks following MBSs rise to the heir apparent position in the House of Saud.

Those on the list handed over to MBS by Kushner were all subjects of NSA and CIA communications intercepts of phone calls, video conferences, and emails. Kushner is said to have had a phone conversation with MBS a day before Khashoggi was murdered.

Reports from U.S. intelligence sources report that the NSA had intercepted high-level communications between the Saudi government in Riyadh and the Saudi consulate-general in Istanbul indicating that there was a plot afoot to either kidnap Khashoggi and fly him back to Riyadh or murder him on the spot. Kidnapping and detention is definitely part of MBSs playbook as seen with his kidnapping and detention in Riyadh on November 3, 2017 of arriving Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri. No sooner had Hariris plane touched down in Riyadh, was his cell phone confiscated by the Saudis and he was detained. Hariri was forced to resign in a forced statement read by him on a Saudi television network. MBS was hoping to replace Hariri with his older estranged brother, Bahaa Hariri, someone that MBS had in his pocket.

MBS had bragged to close advisers that he also had Jared Kushner in his pocket. Lebanese President Michel Aoun demanded Hariris immediate release by the Saudi regime and his return to Beirut. Just as Riyadh denied it had murdered Khashoggi, it refused to admit that it was holding Hariri against his will. MBS ordered Hariri flown to Abu Dhabi to meet with MBSs on-and-off-again ally, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ), the heir apparent to the presidency of the United Arab Emirates. At the age of 57, MBZ is not as brash as the young and impetuous MBS. This has been witnessed by MBZs willingness to work with Jordanian King Abdullah II to seek an accommodation with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. MBS is reportedly furious with MBZ and Abdullah, the latter a member of the Hashemite family, who were ejected from their rule over Mecca and Medina by the British and Sauds, following World War I. Ever since the Hashemites loss of the Hejaz region of Arabia to the radical Wahhabist Sauds, there has been bad blood between Riyadh and Amman.

MBS is also upset over MBZs support for rival claimants to power in South Yemen. MBS is supporting the rump Yemeni government, much of it in exile in Saudi Arabia, against the Iranian-supported Houthi government ruling from Sanaa in north Yemen in a bloody and genocidal war being orchestrated by Riyadh, with the support of the Trump adminstration and the Israeli regime.

The UAE has been supporting the Southern Transition Council (STC), which strives for South Yemens reversion to an independent state, a status it enjoyed before a forced merger with north Yemen in 1990. Caught in the middle are forces loyal to Sheikh Abdullah bin Issa al Aafrar, the Sultan of the Mahra State, which was disestablished when South Yemen achieved independence in 1967. The Mahra Sultan, who is living in the neighboring Sultanate of Oman, under Sultan Qabus bin Saids protection, is also in the gun sights of MBS, who does not want any competition for Saudi control of all of Yemen.

Oman is reportedly backing the Al-Mahra and Socotra Peoples General Council, which is composed of the Mahra Sultan and Mahri tribal elders. This rival governing authority wants to be free of any control by the Saudi, Emirati, Houthi, and the pro-Saudi Yemen government. Through the offices of Omans mission to the United Nations, the General Council has been in direct contact with the UN Security Council. The STC also includes members of the tribes and royal families of other former states of the British colonial era Federation of Arab Emirates of the South and Protectorate of South Arabia. These include the Kathiri State, Sultanate of Lahej, the Quaiti State of Hadhramaut, and the Emirates of Dhala and Beihan.

MBS is known to be angling to select the successor to Qabus, who has no children and has been a thorn in Riyadhs side. Under Qabus, Oman has been friendly to Iran and the Assad government in Syria, as well as Qatar, where the 36-year old Emir, Tamim bin Hamad, has infuriated MBS by maintaining relations with Iran. In 2013, Tamims father, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, formally abdicated the throne in favor of his son. However, it is well known that Hamad still pulls the strings in Doha. In 1995, Hamad deposed his father, Khalifa BIN Hamad al Thani, who was undergoing medical treatment in Geneva. In 1972, Khalifa ousted his cousin, Ahmad, while he was on a hunting trip in Iran. Ahmad settled in Dubai, where he married the daughter of the Emir of Dubai. MBS and MBZ are anxious to prop up a rival to the current Qatari emir from the ranks of potential claimants to the throne in Doha, including two rival al-Thani clan members who the Saudis have claimed have rightful claims to the Qatari throne  Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani and Sultan bin Suhaim Al Thani.

MBS, along with all the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, have instituted a punishing economic and diplomatic embargo on Qatar. There is some speculation in the Middle East that MBS is quietly backing to succeed Qabus, Taimur bin Assad, the 37-year old son of Qabuss cousin, Said Assad bin Tariq. As the deputy prime minister for international cooperation, Said Assad bin Tariq was designated as the official heir to the ailing Qabus.

In this Arabian Game of Thrones, MBZ may have his own favorites among other claimants to the sultans throne in Muscat. These include Said Assad bin Tariqs half-brothers, Haitham bin Tariq, currently the culture minister, and Shihab bin Tariq, a former commander of the Omani navy. MBZ is reportedly running a network of spies within the Omani royal court to influence the succession to Qabus. There is another, non-Arabian prince, who could also have a great deal of influence in the Omani royal succession. He is the Prince of Wales, Charles, the future King of England, who has been a longtime friend and confidante of Sultan Qabus.

Oman and Qatar have their own agents of influence within the royal families of the seven emirates that make up the UAE. In July, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamad al-Sharqi, the second-in-line for the throne in Fujairah, the UAE emirate that borders Oman, turned up in Qatar to ask for asylum. He said that MBZs government was using extortion to eke out transfers of large sums of cash by Emirati royal families to unknown parties around the world, including those in Ukraine, India, Morocco, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, and Syria. The UAE, along with the Saudis, are major financial supporters of jihadist elements around the world. Sheikh Rashid has also provided Qatari intelligence with details of discontent among the emirates of the dictatorial policies of MBZ in Abu Dhabi. The other emirs are also critical of the UAEs involvement in the genocidal civil war in Yemen, one in which troops from Fujairah, Umm al Quwain, Ajman, Sharjah, and Ras al Khaimah, are used for cannon fodder, while those from the wealthier Abu Dhabi and Dubai avoid frontline combat.

Recently, the Saudis have pressured their puppet king in Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to fire his uncle, Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. Prince Khalifa is the worlds longest-serving prime minister. However, he has apparently irritated MBS with his work to protect the rights of foreign workers, including those from the Philippines and south Asia, in Bahrain and the wider Gulf region.

MBS and Kushner are known to view Iran as the chief threat to peace in the Middle East. MBZ shares in their view of Iran, something that is, apparently, not shared by the emirates of the northern Gulf region, including Fujairah. From their actions, MBS and MBZ are, along with their Israeli and American allies, the major threat to peace in the region. The assassination of a journalist resident in the United States in a third country, Turkey, and the kidnapping and house arrest of a sitting prime minister of another nation is unprecedented behavior in the Middle East. The Saudis are only matched by Israel in their total disregard for international norms of behavior in the Middle Eastern region as they and their cohorts engage in their bloody Game of Thrones.

Photo: seraamedia.orgThings could definitely be going better for the West in its ramshackle Balkan mini-protectorates. The September 30 Macedonian referendum designed to fast-track the statelets accession to NATO was a flop, with only a 37% turnout (50% + 1 was needed for it to be valid), leaving NATO, EU and US officials scrambling to put a good face on it and find yet more creative ways of flouting popular will. And the October 7 general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B-H for short) did little more than highlight the ultimate unviability of the great Western in vivo multikulti experiment, something that the likes of Angela Merkel already realized in 2010. (To remind: B-H is dominated by three nationalities  Muslim Bosniaks, Christian Orthodox Serbs, and Catholic Croats; B-H itself was, up to the unipolar Wests unilateral recognition of its independence in spring of 1992 and the ensuing bloody civil war, a part of the much larger, economically more successful and truly independent multi-ethnic Yugoslavia, which the West, drunk with its Cold War victory, broke up with gusto. In other words, the bad sovereign multiculturalism had to go, to be replaced by the good Western-supervised variety.)

Nobody sounds overly happy with the results of the B-H elections  including the winners. Thus, the winner of the race for the Muslim member of the three-way Presidency (representing each of the countrys three main ethnicities), Sefik Dzaferovic, is expressing displeasure at neighboring Croatias interference in Bosnias internal affairs. And why is Croatia interfering? Because it is displeased with the fact that the true Croat candidate for the B-H presidency, Dragan Covic (who had won the previous election in 2014 and, reportedly, over 80% of the Croat votes this time), has lost to a Croat in-name-only candidate, Zeljko Komsic, voted in by the Muslims, who outnumber the Croats by four to one in the joint Croat-Muslim entity (B-H is divided into two semi-autonomous political entities  the majority Muslim-Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the majority Serb Republika Srpska). The Croat winner Komsic is, for his part, also unhappy with the criticism he is receiving from neighboring Croatia for professing his allegiance to B-H rather than Croatia. And both Dzaferovic and Komsic are expressing their displeasure with their future presidency colleague representing the Serbs, Milorad Dodik, for announcing his intention of pushing for B-Hs recognition of Crimea as a part of Russia  as is, expectedly, Ukraine. For his part, along with Serbias foreign minister Ivica Dacic, Dodik is unhappy with Komsic for declaring that, as far as hes concerned, neighboring Serbias secessionist Kosovo province is an independent state, just as he is not thrilled with Dzaferovic in general, specifically his wartime role as a police commander in the Muslim-dominated Army of B-H and his alleged failure to report serious war crimes committed by mujahedin against Serbian soldiers. Also, not for the first time, Dodik is displeased with the US Ambassadors interference in the elections and her pressure tactics against the B-H Central Election Commission.

Bosnias Western overlords are not exactly jumping for joy, either. The Western-appointed viceroy for B-H, High Representative Valentin Inzko, is, among other things, unhappy about the large number (7%) of irregular ballots cast in the election. The US State Department has expressed concerns about the electoral process, obviously unhappy that its meddling, as in Macedonia, didnt produce the desired results. The OSCE is, naturally, unhappy with the ethnic-based segmentation (a fancy way of describing the phenomenon of people merely voting for others of their own nationality), as is the EU. The NATO-associated Atlantic Council is also lamenting the fact that the West continues to be outmaneuvered by cunning politicians beating the drum of nationalism to cling to power (somewhere, Steve Bannon is smiling), even as it finds a measure of solace in the hope that support for the main nationalist parties among the Croats and the Muslims (who have rebranded themselves as Bosniaks over the past two decades, in order to strengthen their claim to all of Bosnia) is on the decline, while the popular Serb leader, Milorad Dodik, is being targeted by a color revolution-type operation (in NATOs world, election results are to be cheered only if won by the right candidates; absent that, as for Lenin, seizing power on the streets is a perfectly acceptable alternative.)

Speaking of the situation in the Serb entity, Republika Srpska (RS for short), the pro-Western opposition that lost to Dodik and his hand-picked successor to the RS presidency, Zeljka Cvijanovic, is refusing to recognize the election results or take their parliamentary seats, claiming that Dodik is a dictator who stole the election and demanding a recount, while at the same time joining in on the above-mentioned color revolutionary activities that might potentially turn into a Euromaidan-type operation in RSs capital city, Banja Luka. This is in keeping with a British-led election scenario uncovered by Serbian Sputnik in late September, according to which the elections were to be either sabotaged in advance or, failing that, not recognized should Dodiks party gain the majority of the vote. Mass demonstrations would be incited in either case, with the Justice for David movement being used as the spark. And, since the protests regarding the death of 21 year-old David Dragicevic (which, taking after Russiagate, is being blamed on the Dodik-run government without any evidence) failed to attract a critical mass before the elections, the Western-backed opposition is now banking on turning their election grievances into a mass revolt against Dodik and his ruling anti-NATO and pro-Russian party, declaring their support for the victims father on Banja Lukas main square, where he has declared a free territory and is refusing to leave until the killers (read: high government officials  the higher, the better) are caught and the government falls.

Adding to the mix is the fact that, besides the Serbian president, Aleksandar Vucic, Dodik has received congratulations on his election victory from Vladimir Putin, Sergey Lavrov and Victor Orban, even before official results have been announced. If ethnic-based segmentation is a cause for dismay in Western capitals, then the list of Dodiks well-wishers is an absolute fire alarm. The Wests Bosnia-Herzegovina bantustan may well be more dysfunctional than ever, but that does not mean anyone else  especially not them Russkies stealing our precious bodily fluids or the Hungarian anti-immigration, anti-multikulti scourge of a president  has a right to jump in and try to make it better. In other words, the Western democracy-mongers are offering the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina only two choices: our way (more supervised dysfunction and paralysis) or the highway (blowing the whole place up once again, by way of color revolution or otherwise), while, naturally, pinning the blame on Russia! Russia! Russia!

Photo: TwitterUkraine is normally painted by the Western media as a victim of its big, unfriendly neighbor Russia. Public sympathy is always extended to the underdog. But in reality, few readers of the news will seek out the details in an attempt to render an impartial judgment. Ukraine has huge problems with corruption, poor economic performance, a bloated bureaucracy, overall inefficiency, a lack of human rights and democracy, and the West has grown tired of supporting that country without any seeing progress on any front. But the media paint Kiev as a victim and thats it. Poor little Ukraine, hurt by the big Russian bully across the border! But all issues with Russia aside, Ukraines relationships with other countries continue to deteriorate. Is it because everyone but Ukraine is marching out of step?

No, Moscow is not the only bad guy hurting the poor, defenseless angel, Kiev. Ukraine and Hungary have been mired in a diplomatic row for several weeks. The two countries are divided over the situation in the region of Transcarpathia or Zakarpattya in western Ukraine, which was once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Budapest believes that Ukraine is infringing upon the rights of the ethnic Hungarian minority, who make up 12% of that regions population. Ukrainian nationalist groups, such as Karpatska Sich and Svoboda, have been taking aggressive actions against local ethnic Hungarians.

Ukraine views the Hungarian IDs being distributed in Ukraines ethnic Hungarian communities as a provocative gesture. Its legal under international law, but Kiev believes this is inappropriate. On Oct. 4, the Hungarian consul in Beregovo was declared persona non grata for handing out Hungarian passports. Hungary deported a Ukrainian diplomat in return.

The Hungarian foreign ministry reported on Oct. 10 that Ukraines ambassador had been summoned to Budapest. According to the Hungary Today media outlet, an official from the Hungarian foreign ministry, Levente Magyar, stated that Ukraine's "anti-Hungarian policy has moved to a new level, "adding, "We call on our EU and NATO allies  to thoroughly examine what is going on in Ukraine."

Budapests move was prompted by the discovery of a death list that noted the names of Transcarpathian Hungarians in Ukraine, plus a call for the collective deportation of Ukrainian-Hungarian dual citizens, which was posted on the Ukrainian parliaments website. In addition, Ukraine is setting up military installations near the Hungarian border. An old military base in the town of Beregovo is being restored. The facility is located just a few kilometers from the border with that neighbor that is a member of both NATO and the EU  the organizations Kiev aspires to join.

Ukraines 2017 language law limits the rights of Ukraines national minorities to be educated in their mother tongue during nursery school, kindergarten, and the first four years of elementary school. It mandates that all public education beyond the fourth grade be conducted in the Ukrainian language. This has been resisted by Hungarian, Polish, and Romanian minority communities. The legislation caused an outcry in Hungary and Romania. Somewhat more muted criticism was voiced by Poland, Bulgaria, Greece, and Slovakia. As a result, Kiev has lost many friends. Meanwhile, Hungary continues to block the meetings of the special NATO-Ukraine Commission at the ministerial level until the language law problem has been settled.

Poland and Ukraine have been divided over their interpretation of their shared history, mainly in regard to the roles of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which from 1943 to 1945 carried out the ethnic cleansing of about 100,000 Polish men, women, and children. Poland believes that that was outright genocide, while Ukraine claims that both parties should bear the responsibility. According to the Poland in English website, the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance forbade the search for and exhumation of the remains of Polish victims of wars and conflicts that occurred on the territory of Ukraine.

Their bilateral relations also worsened after an amendment to Poland's law on the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), which among other provisions, criminalized the denial of human-rights abuses committed by Ukrainian nationalists between 1925 and 1950.

Last month, Aleksandr Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, said that his country will increase the number of guards at the border with Ukraine to stop arms trafficking. We made a decision to strengthen the border with Ukraine. We see how many trouble come from there to Belarus, including arms. We need to close the border. But not for the decent people, for bandits who bring arms, Lukashenko claimed, explaining the decision that would complicate the relationship with that country where, according to Amnesty Internationals 2017-2018 report, Social discontent continued to grow. Mounting economic problems, the slow pace of reforms and pervasive corruption sparked regular protests in Kyiv that occasionally turned violent. But arms smuggling across the border with Ukraine has grown to become a matter of serious concern for the Belarusian government, which wants no bandits on its soil.

As one can see, Ukraines foreign policy is far from a success. Kiev needs more than just hostility toward Russia in order to reach its goals. Its relationships with its neighbors have recently become a serious problem and a stumbling block to achieving its much-desired dream of becoming a permanent part of the Western world. It has done nothing to achieve economic progress or to become less corrupt and more democratic. The situation in regard to human rights has not improved. Ukraine says it is ready to go to any lengths in a bid to enter NATO and the EU. But it has less than a zero chance of achieving this. Four years after the Euromaiden protests, the West has become tired of Kievs never ending problems, as Ukraine fatigue continues to grow.Since 1953 the four kilometer wide DMZ (demilitarized zone) has provided an impenetrable 250 kilometer barrier across the Korean peninsula. Now, for the first time, there are serious efforts by both Koreas to demilitarize the DMZ. This will include removing all the landmines in the DMZ and reconnecting roads and railroads that have been cut by the DMZ. The North Korean side of the DMZ has always been a military zone although the need for food has led to farming close to the DMZ. Then there are the landmines and the DMZ is so heavily patrolled on both sides that there has never been any smuggling to speak of. On the southern side, there was fifteen kilometer wide military buffer zone that excluded most civilian activity. In 2008 South Korea agreed that zone was could be reduced to ten kilometers, which allowed valuable (at least near Seoul) property to be developed. South Korea is willing to proceed on these DMZ issues even if North Korea is not making any real progress on denuclearization.

South Korea believes the North Korean economy is in such bad shape that the north risks economic and political collapse if they do not denuclearize. Unfortunately, Kim Jong Un appears capable of taking that chance which is why the Americans and many South Koreans argue against the Chinese and Russian suggestion that partial progress deserves partial economic aid. That does not work because that enables Kim to keep his dictatorship going longer and continue to hold onto his nukes while still pretending to negotiate.

Kim has some legitimate fears. He knows that Ukraine agreed, in 1994, to give up its nukes if the United States and Russia agreed to guarantee the integrity of Ukraine. Russia broke that deal in 2014 when they seized (and annexed) Crimea and is still trying to annex portions of eastern Ukraine. Then there is Libya, whose dictator Kaddafi gave up its chemical weapons and uncompleted nuclear program yet Western nations supported rebels with airstrikes during the 2011 revolution. Kaddafi was never guaranteed that sort of thing would not happen but Kim is seeking a guarantee that his dynasty will not be attacked. Kim also sees the American resumption of sanctions on Iran as unacceptable. The Americans see that as the price you pay for cheating and if Kim wants stuff he will have to keep his end of the bargain. Iran did not. No one in the West, especially the Americans, are willing to make guaranteeing Kim family rule of North Korea part of the denuclearization deal. The Americans are thinking of something like the South African denuclearization, which worked. Thats why most people are unaware of it. Good news is not news and not a major part of the historical record either.

North Korea is estimated to have anywhere from five to 60 nukes. The design of these nukes is primitive and it is uncertain if there is a workable design that will stand the rigors of use in a ballistic missile warhead. In short, the north has nukes but delivering them is still a problem. Kim seems willing to let North Koreans suffer a lot more to prolong negotiations in the hope of getting a deal that will allow North Korea to keep some nukes. Even if he is not officially allowed to have some nukes, Kim considers it a win if the final deal enables him to hide some nukes somewhere. The Americans are determined to avoid that scenario but Kim feels he can manipulate South Korea into allowing loose enough inspection rules to let Kim get away with it. Obtaining an effective deal wont be half as interesting as what sort of process was required to achieve it.

Pain In The North

The first snows and freezing weather have arrived in North Korea. The harvest this year was less than last year. In some parts of the country, it was so bad that local officials demanded that farmers give up part of their private plots harvest to make up for the shortfalls. This causes more anger in the countryside. Bad news for farmers is even worse for North Korea as a whole. The economy is getting worse because of the sanctions. This is easier to measure because there is so much more free market activity in the country and that is easier to measure accurately. In addition to prices of staples in the free markets, there are also prices for apartments and houses. This has become big business because of the rise of the donju (entrepreneur) class. Free market housing prices are down and the decline has followed the imposition and enforcement of new sanctions. Housing prices have dropped a third or more since early 2018.

In some situations, prices have gone up. Bribes demanded from government officials have increased, especially what it costs to obtain membership in the WPK (Workers Party of Korea). Membership used to be given only to the most trustworthy and eager believers in the North Korean dictatorship. That still applies but the party doesnt pay off as well as it used to and more things are for sale. That makes party membership more valuable in some parts of the country where bribery is a major activity for party officials. Bribes have become more difficult to obtain because North Koreans, in general, have less money.

In an effort to reduce police (including secret police) bribery, the government has ordered an end (or sharp reductions in) to punishment of those caught owning South Korean goods. Family members of party officials are responsible for much of the demand for South Korean goods and too many of these people were getting hassled by the police over the use of South Korean products. At the same time, the North Korean media makes a big deal out of leader Kim Jong Un meeting with his South Korean counterpart and this has made all things South Korean more politically acceptable even though the mere existence of the superior South Korean goods does not reflect well on North Korea.

The ongoing Chinese anti-corruption campaign hit the North Korean border in late September and North Korean customs and border security personnel cooperated. On the Chinese side border officials known to be corrupt were arrested and patrols on the river and along the shore were increased. Border police patrolled in pairs to make it less likely they could be bribed. With the Chinese side of the border locked down, it was not much of a sacrifice for the North Koreans to tighten security on their side. The Chinese were keeping score of North Koreans attempting to get across and past Chinese security and apparently threatened to interfere with government approved North Korean smuggling if North Korea did not demonstrate some real cooperation in locking down the border to smugglers. It is understood that the smuggling will eventually return but it will take months and the bribes will be higher. Currently, it is still possible to sneak stuff across the river but there are fewer opportunities and the risks of getting caught (and having to pay very high fines) are higher. As a practical matter that makes it uneconomical to smuggle the vast majority of things that are normally involved.

Trusted Traitors

More secret police have been sent to the Chinese border in 2018 to further reduce the illegal use of cell phones to make calls outside the country. That is actually less of a problem than the fact that more and more of these secret police are being corrupted as a side effect of all the bribes border guards take. Now the secret police have come up with one of the most effective (safest) methods of getting a bribe on the border. This is especially important if you are a secret policeman working the border. It works like this. Civilians who want to make a phone call in safety and can afford the large bribe (up to a hundred dollars or more) can make their call via a secret police officer. But there is a catch. You make the call with the secret policeman standing next to you (for your safety) listening in for his own safety because he knows that certain subjects (defense-related, criticism of the government, and so on) are not allowed under any circumstances. That is because the North Koreans are not only using special electronic gear to quickly locate illegal cell phones but are also eavesdropping on some of the calls. He is there to ensure that no forbidden topics are discussed. The secret police also know of certain locations where the detection gear is less effective. The secret police have to be very careful because they know that the existence of this service is no secret. Thats because the brokers who arrange these expensive calls have to get the word out and that is picked up by the secret police informant system.

The government is not happy with this development because it shows how even the most trusted and capable secret police agents are willing to betray their oath (to protect the Kim dynasty at all costs) if the price is right. Meanwhile, the campaign against cell phone users is proceeding. Earlier in 2018, the secret police formed special units to work along the China border to seek out and punish any border guards who do not arrest (rather than demand higher bribes) from North Koreans who are using Chinese cell phones on the border to talk to the outside world. While most of these calls are business or family related, they tend to include gossip about life in North Korea. This is considered treason and the guilty must be found and severely punished (with a death sentence because it is considered treason). For civilians caught with illegal cell phones, the punishment (life in a labor camp) is imposed immediately without the formalities of a trial. The urgency of this task has been emphasized by a growing number of arrests and punishment of border guards who took bribes to let guilty cell phone users walk away. Some police get around this by arresting innocent people who have been caught before and torturing them for a confession. But for the moment a lot of bribe income is less available and security officials who were getting it are keeping their heads down. Another change is the appearance of younger secret police agents. Kim Jong Un has ordered that many of the older (over 50) agents be replaced with young men who recently graduated from colleges that select and train North Koreans to be trusted officials in the government. That usually meant starting at the bottom and working your way up over a decade or two. Now Kim has ordered a change and is providing opportunities for younger men to get into key secret police jobs earlier if they demonstrate their loyalty by catching corrupt police and secret police. This is an extension of a program that saw the most senior leaders replaced with younger men, especially in the military.

October 11, 2018: In South Korea, the government has decided to accurately depict the relative military power of the two Koreas in the annual government report on the subject. It had always been customary to assume that the North Korean military was superior (if only because it had more troops). But that superiority has gradually eroded since the 1990s and for more than a decade anyone outside Korea looking at the military balance would rank South Korea above North Korea. At this point, the South is clearly superior and has been for many years. There are concerns about how nuclear weapons are to be calculated. That should not be a problem because the United States has had nukes in South Korea since the late 1950s. In addition, American strategic nukes are available to protect (or retaliate for) South Korea.

October 10, 2018: In North Korea, today is a state holiday, to commemorate the founding of the ruling WPK (Workers Party of Korea). This year, for the first time, the government ordered there be no (or a lot less) celebratory activities. The party had a bad year, what with more sanctions, a poor harvest and more pressure from South Korea and the Americans to denuclearize Korea and even make some progress to unite the two Koreas. Most Koreans would like unification, especially if the WPK were not in charge. In response to the current economic crises, WPK leaders were told to stress self-sufficiency. That is hard to do when there is so little to work with and the party is demanding more contributions (taxes in the form of cash, goods or labor). The new training directive also called for more emphasis on loyalty to the party and following its directives. Also mentioned was the importance of nuclear weapons to protect the party and its rule in North Korea. Party leaders were told to put more emphasis on loyalty to the party because there has been less of that. These new training directives were marked secret but were leaked.

October 7, 2018: In North Korea Kim Jong Un used a new Rolls Royce Phantom automobile for transportation to a meeting with the American Secretary of State. At events like this, there are lots of foreigners and lots of pictures taken. The current Phantom model costs about half a million dollars and luxury car imports are one of the items banned by the current sanctions. That said it is not too difficult to smuggle such a car into North Korea. Someone from China could order one from the manufacturer and then drive it to North Korea and return to China by other means. For Kim arriving at this meeting in the Rolls sent a message, which was probably no accident. What Kim did not bring to the meeting was a willingness to provide the U.S. and South Korea a list of the nuclear weapons North Korea had. This was expected because it is obvious that Kim wants to get whatever he can while still holding on to some nuclear weapons. Kim has been told this is unacceptable and if he wants to get anything useful in return (food, fuel, economic aid or cash) he will have to make real progress on giving up the nukes.

October 1, 2018: Troops from both Koreas began removing landmines from the Joint Security Area in Panmunjom on the DMZ. This work will be completed in three weeks and is another of those goodwill gestures. If there is a peace deal all the landmines will have to be removed in the DMZ and that could take years.

September 28, 2018: South Korea has decided to buy the more effective SM-3 anti-missile missiles for their Aegis equipped destroyers. The SM-2, which the South Korean destroyers use have some anti-missile capability but the SM-3 is much more effective although it is not useful against aircraft.Each command officer in the Lake County jail will be equipped with a tablet which can be used to send out information and communicate with inmates on such things as facility maintenance updates. Presently, there is a private area in a jail pod to make a phone call, and there is a phone in the open area of the pod if privacy is not needed.The National Party Caucus has voted unanimously to expel Jami-Lee Ross.

This was the strongest possible action the Caucus can take and reflects the seriousness of the issues and the fact we are united and focused on the interests of New Zealanders, says a statement released by the Opposition Party today.

"It is clear Jami-Lee Ross was not.

"We are not going to tolerate the kind of lies and disloyalty weve seen from Jami-Lee Ross who has put his own interests above the National Party and those of New Zealanders.

"The lies, the leaks and other allegations about his conduct are unacceptable," says Simon Bridges.

"I also entirely reject the allegations Jami-Lee has made around the handling of political donations.

"I invite Jami-Lee Ross to take these matters to the Police and I invite the Police to investigate them fully and promptly. They will find the allegations are baseless.

"We as a caucus are going to now draw a line under this. We will be resolutely strong and focused on the things that matter to New Zealanders."

The latest announcement comes after Simon identified Jami-Lee as the person who leaked National Party information earlier this year. Read more here.

Jami-Lee Ross' side

National MP Jami-Lee Ross is to resign his seat and step down from the National Party, and will stand as an independent in any by-election for his Botany seat.

Speaking to media at Parliament in a stand-up that lasted almost an hour, he alleged Mr Bridges had broken electoral donation law and said he would put in an official police complaint.

Mr Ross said he had had a mental breakdown as pressure was ramped up on him to leave the party.

Mr Ross was speaking as MPs met in caucus to decide whether to suspend him after leader National leader Simon Bridges yesterday identified Mr Ross as the likely leaker of his travel expenses. Minutes before this was revealed, Mr Ross went on Twitter with a range of allegations against the leader.

Mr Ross said today it was clear he'd had a falling out with with leader Simon Bridges.

He said he once thought Mr Bridges was capable of being Prime Minster, "but now that I see what he's really like it is clear that he's not".

"Simon is a flawed individual without a moral compass."

Mr Ross said Mr Bridges breached electoral law several times, and that it was not acceptable.

"I believe Simon Bridges is a corrupt politician," he said.

He alleged Mr Bridges had carried out unlawful activity relating to election donations, including activity which Mr Bridges denied yesterday.

"Certainly I reject any allegation of the sort in terms of unlawful activity, it's simply not true," Mr Bridges told media yesterday.

Mr Ross claimed that Mr Bridges asked him to collect a $100,000 donation from a wealthy businessman and was at pains to point out the donation should not be made public. He said the donation was split into smaller amounts below the $15,000 declaration threshold.

He said he would release photos to prove the meeting between the businessman and Mr Bridges took place.

Mr Ross said his dramatic falling-out with Mr Bridges was the reason he was the target of a campaign to push him out of the party.

The campaign started three weeks ago, he said.

He was "marched to Simon Bridges' office" where he was told four women had approached deputy leader Paula Bennett, claiming Mr Ross had harassed them. He said Mr Bridges asked him to resign his portfolios, leave Parliament, and return to the backbench at the beginning of next year.

He strenously denied allegations he had harrassed anyone.

Mr Ross said was deeply hurt that Mr Bridges characterised his health problems as embarrassing.

He said his mental health was better now, and a doctor had told him he was fit to make his own decisions about his career.

Mr Ross said he did not leak Mr Bridges' expenses, but he leaked the text message from the person who did, which said the person who had leaked the information was in a fragile mental state, and asking for the inquiry into the leak to be called off.

He said the Botany by-election would be a referendum on Mr Bridges' leadership.

-Additional reporting from RNZIts out with the old and in with the new - changes are afoot for Tauranga CBD.

The face of the CBD as its known is changing every day, with Tauranga Council recently identifying 19 key projects, which are planned or underway in the city centre.

One of these includes the development at the old Farmers building on the corner of Devonport Road and Elizabeth Street.

Elizabeth Properties Limited  part of the James Pascoe Group that owns Farmers  announced earlier this year it would be spending more than $100 million on the flagship project, which is expected to help revitalise Taurangas CBD.

The new building will be a combination of retail premises with cafes, restaurants, apartments and townhouses in what has been described as a New Zealand first.

A commitment was also made to open the new building as soon as possible in an effort to minimise Farmers absence from the CBD, which is temporarily operating out of Tauranga Crossing as development work takes place.

Some 400 workers are involved in its construction which is under an accelerated timeframe to minimise disruption and to provide certainty to Farmers customers, staff and the public.

Other projects in the CBD also include the demolition and redevelopment of old Westpac Building on Devonport Road; major internal refurbishment of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council building on Elizabeth Street; the University of Waikato City Centre campus build on Durham Street; and the Harington St Carpark, among many others.

In light of the developments Tauranga City Council has also announced a new speed restriction of 30km/h which will apply to the CBD from October 29.

The restriction is being introduced in light of significant growth in the area and will apply between First Avenue and McLean Street, and between Cameron Road and the waterfront. Cameron Road will remain at 50km/h.

A number of road closures and traffic obstructions also remain in place throughout the city.

For a full map of projects happening throughout the city, visit the Tauranga City Council website.Bay of Plenty

If you love working out doors and in a small team then we have the role for you. We are needing someone who has either maintenance...



View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nzArson is the suspected cause of two cars being set alight near an Eastern Bay of Plenty pack house.

EastPack Edgecumbe workers arrived to the site one morning to discover work vehicles completely burnt out.

Manager Calum Spankie says believes the incident happened overnight on Monday.

One car was stolen and two others were set alight. It looked like they had been set alight by petrol.

He says the vehicles involved are part of a company fleet.

A tanker driver going past at the time called the fire brigade pretty close to them being set alight, but theres not a lot left.

He says police are investigating.

A police media spokesperson says police attended the job at about 1.50am on Monday.

We received a report that two cars had been set alight on East Bank Road, near McLean Road and Awakeri Road. Fire services also attended.

Enquires are ongoing.

People with information about what happened can either contact their nearest police station, or they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.The bottom line is someone is dead, and for someone to use this for political gain is disgusting, Cooper said. This should not be about politics. We all have one goal  find out exactly what happened, and our job is to determine the cause and manner of death.Tauranga City Council has agreed to support in principle to seek revocation of the recreation reserve status from an area of land at Marine Park.

In a media statement, Tauranga City Council says this is to enable a potential long-term lease of the land to the University of Waikato in order to establish a new marine research and educational facility, subject to the survey plan and public consultation.

Consultation will be carried out in November and December 2018 to seek the communitys opinion.

Earlier this year, a number of businesses expressed their concern over plans to lease a previously identified open space at northern Sulphur Point, to the University.



However a further assessment presented a feasible location on Marine Park where the University could potentially develop their new marine research and educational facility.

Marine Park is a recreation reserve at Sulphur Point and its existing, as well as planned, activities have been taken into account.



The identified area is located at the southern end/middle of Marine Park and is 6,920m2. This meets the anticipated size required for the University to establish the facility, consisting of a two to three storey building (about 2400m2), yard space and car parks.



Public access to the waters edge will be maintained with the proposed development set back accordingly, says council.

This will maintain a pedestrian link along the coastal edge connecting the northern and southern parts of the reserve.



Public consultation, including a drop-in session and the opportunity to provide feedback online and offline will take place for at least one month, commencing in November 2018.

A decision on whether or not to proceed to seek revocation will be made following consideration of the feedback received.

A decision to revoke the reserve status of this area of land ultimately sits with the Minister of Conservation.



Deputy Mayor Kelvin Clout says hes excited to progress this significant project for the city.



We are committed to keeping the Universitys marine research centre here in Tauranga and listened to the community feedback we received in the first round of consultation.



The previously identified site at Northern Sulphur Point didnt receive community support and I believe we have found a good alternative. We would now like to understand the communitys view on the potential use of this area of the reserve.



The assessment weve been presented today, gives us a clear picture of the feasibility and potential of the new site.



This new facility would expand our capability to protect Tauranga and New Zealands marine environment through a number of research programmes that provide opportunities and solutions in the areas of pollution prevention, climate change and sustainable aquaculture.



In 2016 the University approached Council with the wish to work collaboratively towards establishing an internationally sought after, multidisciplinary research and educational facility close to the city centre.



The investigation included both privately owned and Council owned land. This was narrowed down to two areas at Sulphur Point which had the potential for a suitability site. In December 2017 the southern, grassed area of Northern Sulphur Point was determined as the most feasible site for this potential development.



Council carried out formal consultation from 12 February to 9 March 2018 regarding the proposal to long-term lease the identified area of land to the University for the purpose of establishing a new marine research and educational facility.



After considering community feedback, Councillors agreed to assess Marine Park to identify a potential site. The area of land at Northern Sulphur Point was removed from further consideration.Today we are expecting a fine day, with some morning cloud and brisk westerlies.

Its a three-clothing layer day today with a high of 18 and an overnight low of 10 degrees. Humidity is 63 per cent

High tide is at 1.50pm and low tide at 8pm.(Tay Street times). Theres a sea swell of 0.3m and the water temperature is 16 degrees. Sunset today is at 7.30pm.

If youre going fishing, the next best fish bite time is between 6.30 and 8.30pm.

In NZ history this day in 1877 Chief Justice Sir James Prendergast declared The Treaty of Waitangi 'worthless' and a 'simple nullity'. The Chief Justices statements when delivering judgment in the case of Wi Parata v The Bishop of Wellington influenced decision-making on Treaty of Waitangi issues for decades.

In world history on this day in 1815 Napoleon Bonaparte arrived at the island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic, where he had been banished by the Allies.

In 1877 Brigadier General Alfred Terry met with Sitting Bull in Canada to discuss the Indians return to the United States. In 1913 Zeppelin LII exploded over London, killing 28.

In 1933 due to rising anti-Semitism and anti-intellectualism in Hitlers Germany, Albert Einstein, the Nobel-prize-winning physicist, fled Nazi Germany and moved to the United States. He became an American citizen in 1940 and on the eve of World War II warned President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the potential development of extremely powerful bombs of a new type, recommending that the United States begin similar research.

Today is the birthday of Alexander Gardner, the American photographer who documented the Civil War and the West. Born in 1821, he once said "Verbal representations of such places or scenes may, or may not, have the merit of accuracy; but photographic presentments of them will be accepted by posterity with an undoubting faith."

To get involved in activities and events, please check out the What's on page on the SunLive website.

Have a great day!The mysteries of the deep  or at least Tauranga Harbour  have been revealed.

A red submarine looking vessel spotted in the harbour on Monday has sparked a lot of intrigue from the public.

The craft has been identified as not a submarine, as some people thought it might have been, but rather a piece of survey equipment  called iXblue DRIX- that belongs to Pacific 7.

The iXblue DRIX now calls Tauranga its home port.

The DriX was designed and built in France with 21st century characteristics in mind.

The purpose of the unmanned vessel is to go places too hazardous for humans and to carry out work at a fraction of the cost of a manned vessel.

It was also designed to be extremely seaworthy and stable, as its key function is to gather high-resolution data of the seafloor meant for navigational charting and safety.

With a hull length of 7.7 m and less than one meter wide, this vessel tracks like a racing yacht at speeds of up to 14 knots.

Being unmanned and without a cabin, the DriX is ultra-streamlined, making it very fuel efficient.

Its 250-litre fuel tank gives it a 4-5 day, round-the-clock endurance at survey speed, or up to seven days at slower pace.

Project manager Rhys Davis says they currently have onsite engineers that have travelled from their French Shipyard, who designed and built the vessel to undertake the re-integration, which includes a period of sea acceptance trials within the Tauranga Harbour Area.

The vessel can operate in fully autonomous, semi-autonomous or direct remote control.

Survey lines can be pre-programmed, or updated on the fly, and the DriX will systematically progress the survey area, starting and stopping lines or conducting tasks as required. Responsive steering and manoeuvrability allows the DriX to manoeuvre between survey lines in less than one-minute, including motion stabilisation.

Equipped with a Velodyne LiDAR, AIS, optical and infra-red cameras the eyes of the Drix are transmitted in real-time back to the support vessel for the DriX Pilot to monitor collision avoidance an initiate a manual override as required.

The DriX is heading to Tonga in November for its maiden mission.

Land Information New Zealand and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade are funding an extensive survey of the island chain to update charts which will significantly enhance navigational safety for mariners.The first three of Taurangas 109 crosses have been put in place in a dawn ceremony at the waterfront as part of the citys Armistice commemorations.

Todays crosses represent Raymond Baker, Frederick H. Dodson and Ronald T Matheson, Taurangas men who fell in April 1915. Baker and Dodson were killed during the Anzac Cove landings on 25 April 1915.

The months that the First World War lasted have been carefully translated into a period of 28 days to represent the time when the soldiers from Tauranga died.

Taurangas community is invited to come together at dawn between now and 8 November 2018 to join the installation of the respective crosses by cadets from the Western Bay of Plenty Cadet Unit.

Mayor Greg Brownless is looking forward to see the Field of Remembrance evolving day by day, with 109 crosses eventually covering the grass at the waterfront.

Setting up the crosses is emotional for everyone involved with each individual cross bearing the name of a soldier who had died.

The field provides a significant opportunity for our community to honour the men who gave their lives at war.

We commemorate the centenary of Armistice this year and I invite everyone to use this opportunity to connect with our own history.

The Field of Remembrance is accompanied by the Homecomings: From Tauranga to the Trenches exhibition, telling the stories of our soldiers who made it back to Aotearoa.

Its the final From Tauranga to the Trenches container exhibition open daily from 9.30am to 3.30pm, weather dependent.



After all the crosses are installed, they and the exhibition will be re-located to Memorial Park, the location for the citys official Armistice Centenary Service on 11 November 2018.

Find out more at www.tauranga.govt.nz/armisticedayIn past appearances, Swopes said in court that his daughter, one of several siblings and the victim in the case, told him several prominent local judges and attorneys, as well as some of his family members, were involved with rituals involving the child.Syracuse, N.Y. -- The owners of the former Nynex building in downtown Syracuse are ditching plans to put office space in the long-vacant structure, opting instead to build 34 more apartments.

Isaac and Berl Jacobowitz, of the Brooklyn firm of Carnegie Management Inc., recently notified Syracuse officials of the change in their plans.

They had planned to build 20,000 square feet of retail space on the building's first floor, 80,000 square feet of office space on the second and third floors, and 180 apartments on floors four through 10.

New plans submitted to the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency still show retail space on the first floor, but 214 apartments on all the other floors. No office space is included in the new plans.

The former Nynex building at 300 E. Washington St. in downtown Syracuse is being redeveloped into retail space and apartments. (Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com)

Downtown developers have been reporting weak demand for office space but strong demand for housing. Owners Robert Doucette and Richard deVito said in September they plan to redevelop office space on a portion of the second floor and entire third floor of Dey's Plaza into 34 apartments.

Construction began on the former Nynex building at 300 E. Washington St. in May. Crews removed asbestos, demolished the interior and ripped off the glass exterior facade.

The cost of the project has dropped by $8 million. The Jacobowitzes originally estimated the cost at $43 million, but they put the number at $35 million in their latest filing.

They have applied for a new tax deal with the industrial development agency, requesting a state mortgage tax exemption valued at $263,152, a sales tax exemption valued at $1.33 million and a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement.

The payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement would provide property tax discounts for 10 years, but the value of the exemptions were not estimated in the application. The agency's staff will calculate the value of the property tax exemptions prior to the agency's vote, which could come at its meeting in November.

In 2017, the agency approved a tax deal worth $7.4 million in property, sales and mortgage recording taxes, but that was for a project estimated to cost $43 million. The Jacobowitzes never signed that deal, so the exemptions did not take effect.

Built in 1970 and expanded in 1971 by New York Telephone Co., the building has been vacant since the company's successor, Nynex, moved out in 1995.

Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148Syracuse, N.Y. -- The Syracuse Chiefs have planned a news conference for a major announcement this afternoon.

A temporary change in their Twitter handle may have tipped their hand as to some of the news. The team changed its name from @Syracusechiefs to @Syracusemets early in the day, then switched it back to @Syracusechiefs.

I admittedly may have missed this, but has this been a temporary handle or a hint that the Chiefs will in fact become the Syracuse Mets? There is a presser with Fred Wilpon and Gov. Cuomo at NBT Bank Stadium this afternoon at 3pm. pic.twitter.com/Z41TpWZB8z  Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) October 16, 2018

The Mets bought the Syracuse franchise before last season. At his State of the State speech in January, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the Chiefs would be renamed the Mets in 2019.

Syracuse general manager Jason Smorol would not confirm that, but said the franchise would have a new name in 2019.

Cuomo is scheduled to attend the 3 p.m. news conference, as will Mets COO Jeff Wilpon.

Tuesday's news conference could also address an extension of the Mets' lease to play in NBT Bank Stadium. The current pact runs through 2025 but Onondaga County and the Mets have conditionally agreed upon several points in aNew York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday ordered the deployment of extra state troopers to Syracuse to help combat a rash of violence that left three people dead and six wounded over the past month.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh requested the extra help from the state, which will deploy additional troopers for up to 10 daily patrols that will be coordinated with city police, Cuomo's office said.

The governor said the state will also expand intelligence sharing with local law enforcement on gang operations and add an investigator to the Onondaga Crime Analysis Center and the Gang Violence Task Force.

After the initial use of troopers, the state will work with community leaders, clergy and law enforcement on a long-term plan to reduce violence that will likely involve state aid, Cuomo's office said.

The state has taken similar action over the last two years in Rochester, Albany and Long Island aimed at reducing violence. In Rochester, the state provided an extra $2.25 million for a new initiative to combat gangs and gun violence.

As part of the Syracuse crackdown, the state Department of Correction and Community supervision will monitor parolees in Syracuse for recent gang involvement, restrict the access of parolees to high-crime areas, and conduct unannounced home visits and curfew checks.

The state will also expand the use of GPS monitoring for high-risk parolees in Syracuse, using a model applied this summer in the Bronx.

Sgt. Richard Helterline, a Syracuse police spokesman, said Tuesday he did not know how many state troopers, if any, routinely patrol in the city.

Syracuse police Chief Frank Fowler did not request the extra law enforcement help from the state, Helterline said.

Greg Loh, speaking for Walsh, said the city asked for county, state and federal assistance in dealing with the violence.

Three people were killed in Syracuse within eight days this month, all of them age 19 or younger: Loindale Johnson, 15, was shot to death Oct. 3 on Coolidge Avenue. Christopher Hickey, 19, was fatally stabbed Oct. 7 on North State St. James Springer III, a 12-year-old boy, died hours after he was shot Oct. 10 on John Street.

The three homicides happened weeks after five people -- including an 8-year-old girl -- were shot during a memorial gathering Sept. 20 outside 1316 Midland Ave. On Saturday, a 14-year-old boy was shot on Sterling Avenue and was in critical condition Monday.

Samantha House contributed to this report.

Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751Syracuse, NY -- A Florida man faces up to 50 years in prison for illegally selling at least a dozen guns and high-capacity magazines on Syracuse streets in 2015 and 2016.

The jury's verdict came after jurors began to argue while waiting to review evidence, both sides said.

Defense lawyer Paul Carey said a court officer described the jurors as "upset and fighting," while prosecutor Shaun Chase said the dispute amounted to bickering.

Carey said there wasn't enough direct proof of guilt. Chase said the guilty verdict was based on "overwhelming evidence."

Victor Vazquez Melendez, 35, of St. Cloud, was found guilty of first-degree criminal sale of a firearm for selling 10 or more handguns, Chase said.

Guns brought to town by Vazquez Melendez were used in roughly nine local gunfights, though only one minor injury has resulted, Chase said, based on shell casings found at the crime scenes.

One gun ended up in a backpack at Fowler High School, Carey said.

Vazquez Melendez was also convicted of seven counts of illegal handgun possession and five counts of possessing magazines which hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, one of which held more than 30 rounds.

So far, 12 handguns brought by Vazquez Melendez from Florida have been recovered, Chase said. More than 18 were believed to have been purchased.

The verdict came after jurors were forced to wait nearly three hours to hear a read-back of testimony, due to a judge's busy court calendar, Chase said.

During that time, a court security officer testified, there were reports of friction between jurors.

Carey said the officer described jurors "upset and fighting," while Chase said it was merely jurors bickering because they were tired of waiting.

The jury finally got a read-back of testimony. Carey said that some jurors appeared upset; Chase said that wasn't true.

All of the guns were legally purchased in Florida, mostly between March and May 2016, Chase said.

But Carey said there was no direct proof that Vazquez Melendez had brought the guns to Syracuse to sell illegally on the streets.

Prosecutors could prove that Vazquez Melendez traveled to Syracuse from Florida, but Carey said that's because his client's children lived here.

Vazquez Melendez had no prior criminal record, Carey said.

The defense lawyer argued that the guns were stolen from Vazquez Melendez. He said one was stolen by the defendant's nephew.

That nephew, Aneudy J. Vazquez, was arrested for possessing one of the guns, the one found in the school backpack.

But Chase said there's no proof that gun was stolen and the nephew wasn't charged with stealing it. "The gun was never reported stolen and was not, in fact, stolen," Chase said.

Carey said Vazquez admitted to stealing from his uncle in a police report.

"I'm amazed the jury found (Vazquez Melendez) guilty," Carey said. He suggested that the jurors wanted to finish before the weekend.

Guns started being recovered in Syracuse in April 2016 and are still popping up this year, Chase said.

One was seized by state police on the Thruway near Albany, in the hands of a Syracuse resident, while another was seized last month in Buffalo, Chase said.

Vazquez Melendez was originally arrested in Florida based on a sealed indictment in March 2017, He was extradited to Syracuse in September 2017.

Vazquez Melendez could have faced more than 100 years in prison if all the charges were sentenced separately. But his punishment is capped at 50 years under law, Chase said.

The arrest came after a joint investigation between the Onondaga County DA's office, Syracuse police and federal ATF agents, Chase said.

Vazquez Melendez will be sentenced Nov. 2. He remains in jail.

Editor's note: The headline on this story was changed to reflect disagreement between lawyers as to what transpired in the jury room. A defense lawyer said a court officer described jurors "upset and fighting," while a prosecutor described it as "bickering." Neither men were present for the episode.The U.S. Marshals Service said Deshawnte Waller ran from the black SUV after a crash near Croly Street and East Genesee Street on Oct. 2, 2018.

A wanted man who crashed an SUV two weeks ago while fleeing from police in Syracuse has been arrested, officials said.

Deshawnte Waller was arrested Friday by the U.S. Marshals Service in North Carolina, announced Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Chris Amoia on Tuesday. The 41-year-old man was arrested in Mecklenburg County and is being held in the county jail, Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office arrest and inmate logs show.

Waller was wanted for violating parole in New York and failing to register as a sex offender in Georgia when he fled from marshals on Oct. 2.

Members of the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force started to follow Waller after spotting his black Chevrolet SUV in Syracuse, marshals said. The driver fled, marshals said -- speeding east on East Genesee Street before crashing into another SUV at the Salt Springs Road intersection.

Witnesses said two people bailed from Waller's SUV and ran away after the crash. Two people who were in the vehicle hit by the SUV were treated for minor injuries, marshals said.

One day after the crash, the Marshals Service offered a $1,000 reward for information that would help lead to Waller's arrest. Marshals warned the fugitive was considered armed and dangerous.

More information about Waller's arrest is expected to be released Tuesday.

Waller was sentenced in 2000 in Onondaga County to serve eight years to life in prison, state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision records show. He was convicted of at least four crimes: Third-degree rape, third-degree robbery, second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fourth-degree conspiracy.

Waller was also convicted of third-degree rape in Bibb, Georgia in June 2000. He is currently listed as an absconder on the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's sex offender registry.

After his first release from prison in New York, Waller was sent back to the Gowanda Correctional Facility in July 2016, according to state prison records. He was released onto parole on May 3.

Waller is not listed in New York's state sex offender registry.ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts announced Monday night that he will hold a news conference Tuesday afternoon to discuss the case of missing 1-year-old Owen Hidalgo-Calderon.

The sheriff's announcement came shortly after a Wayne County news site reported that sources close to the investigation believe human remains found on a Sodus farm belong to the boy.

The Times of Wayne County reported the child's remains were found near where his 18-year-old mother's body was found earlier this year.

Selena Hidalgo-Calderon, of Guatemala, and Owen went missing May 16 in Sodus, Wayne County. Selena Hidalgo-Calderon and her then 14-month-old son were last seen at the Joy Road farm where they lived with her boyfriend, 26-year-old Everardo Donoteo-Reyes.

Hidalgo-Calderon's body was found a week later, on May 24, on the farm -- buried in a bag between two stumps.

Hundreds of people spent 12 days looking for Owen before the search was called off in early June.

Donoteo-Reyes, also known as Alberto Ebarado Gutierrez-Reyes, was arrested after his girlfriend's body was found. He was charged with tampering with evidence. Donoteo-Reyes is accused of moving her body from the couple's home and burying her body, although the sheriff has said Donoteo-Reyes did not admit to killing her. The Mexico man also faces federal immigration-related charges, police have said.

The news conference to discuss the investigation into Owen Hidalgo-Calderon's whereabouts is scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.Kristen Gill Clark is managing partner of The Bonadio Group's Syracuse office. The accounting-consulting-financial services firm, founded in 1978 by Tom Bonadio, is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Its headquarters are in Pittsford, near Rochester. Over its 40 years, the firm expanded and now has more than 700 employees in 10 offices, mostly along the Thruway in Upstate New York and also in New York City, Rutland, Vermont, and Dallas, Texas.

Clark joined the firm in Rochester in 1986 and now leads a team of about 100 people in the Syracuse office, which operates out of a beautifully restored century-old foundry and factory on North Franklin Street. The building was part of Bradley & Company, an agricultural-and-industrial-machinery manufacturer that traced its start to 1832 in Syracuse.

After renovation of the building in 2004, it became the offices of accounting firm Testone, Marshall & Discenza. When Bonadio's Syracuse office and the Testone firm merged in 2015, they consolidated in Testone's space.

Clark holds a few firsts in the firm: first partner to have spent her entire career in the Bonadio firm, first woman partner, and first woman to head one of the firm's major offices.

Were you in leadership roles growing up?

I was involved in a lot of things and a good student, but I wasn't a typical Type A out in front of everything.

I grew up in Fairmount. I went to Holy Family and Bishop Ludden. My family's still here, so it was exciting to come home.

My dad passed away in 2000. My mom lives in Camillus. My parents (Bob and Carol Gill) were always hard-working people. I've followed that example. I've believed that if you worked hard, you could be successful.

I went to St. John Fisher College (class of 1986).

I think I came into my own in leadership once I started my career and was working for a firm that was progressive in terms of being open to new ideas. This was instilled by Tom Bonadio's philosophy of openness, of listening to people's ideas. That boosted my confidence as a leader early in my career.

It was a small firm when I started in 1986, so we were all performing all sorts of roles. Right from the beginning I was working directly with CFOs of hospitals or CEOs of construction companies. At age 22 or 23 and having conversations with so many diverse leaders gave me a lot of on-the-job leadership training.

Tell me about a turning point in your leadership path.

About 15 years ago, we were growing significantly and looking for geographic expansion. I was already a partner. I was doing a lot of quality control work, and I was doing a lot of training - in addition to serving clients. In the traditional model of CPA firms, there's an income correlation to how much you bill.

I went to my partners, and I said: We're getting too big to be small and we need to build some structure into our quality processes to stay competitive and stay compliant. I'll do all the quality, all the compliance, and I'll be in charge of training.

It was a nontraditional idea and meant I would not have clients. When I presented it, the partners were unanimously in favor. It was an example of being open-minded and adopting an off-the-wall idea - as off-the-wall as accountants can get (laughter).

As we grow, as we do mergers, as we bring on a new office location, my team comes in and makes sure everybody comes back to this one-firm concept.

The fact that our leadership valued this idea gave me a significant amount of confidence. It also put me in a position where I was interacting with everybody throughout the firm. It was one of the significant turning points in my career.

Now, I have a dual role. I lead this office, but I'm still in charge of our Professional Excellence Division. That team has 14 people now.

What's your advice for effective leadership?

Recognize that you don't know everything. You always have more to learn.

You can get more out of listening than you can out of talking. If you sit back and let people talk, it's amazing what ideas they'll share. Sometimes, you have to work a little to draw them out. Sometimes, they're not comfortable in a group setting. But you can watch for that and set up a one-on-one meeting.

You have to make decisions as a leader, but sometimes there's time to sit back and process everything you've learned.

I've learned that work is a part of people's lives, but it's not their whole life. Get to know people personally, remind yourself that like me and like you, we've all got other stuff. So, you can't be quick to judge people based only on what you see at work.

In our firm, we're trying to help people understand why they're doing what they're doing - why it's important. It's not just: I have to do this tax return.

We want them to understand the bigger purpose. If you work for a non-profit, or if you're a doctor, or something like that, it might be easier to see the why. It can be a little challenging for an accounting firm, but it doesn't mean you can't show the deeper importance and value.

This summer, we had what we call Purpose Day. We closed the firm statewide and donated our day to community organizations. In Central New York we worked with the Rescue Mission and Arise. Those kinds of things allow people to connect on a personal level with colleagues as well as with the community.

It takes you outside of the day-to-day focus of what you do and narrowly looking at things.

When you're working and talking for several hours with somebody you don't normally work with, you learn a lot.

What qualities do you see in good leadership?

Some of these will sound like buzz words that show up in a lot of articles about leadership, but I think the articles use the words because they're relevant.

Integrity and honesty.

Continuous learning - the interest in continuous education.

Transparency.

Those qualities make the best leaders.

The combination of humility and self-confidence is a tough balance to strike, but when you have both of those in the proportions that makes a successful leader.

What's the right proportion?

You can't put numbers to this - you know it when you see it.

We have a partner retreat every year, facilitated by an outside person. We're always looking at where we want to be next. We try to pick people who can tell us what made them successful. This year, we had a gentleman named Gordon Krater. He was the managing partner of a large Midwestern firm (Plante Moran) with about 2,500 people.

He's a remarkable combination of somebody who's been very successful in their career, but is open, honest, and humble.

That combination is striking. Since then, I've thought about his style and thought about his ability to listen when you know he had a million things to say.

I don't presume to be a good leader. I'm trying daily to be better. When I look at other leaders, when I meet people like Gordon Krater, I want to emulate the qualities I see, to take what strikes me as a positive and put it in my toolkit.

It falls in the emotional-intelligence realm of trying to have humility and compassion while still being a strong decision maker. The leader can't be wishy-washy. You can't sit on the fence all the time. You have to take a stand. That doesn't mean you have to be overbearing and obnoxious.

What attributes do you see in poor leadership?

People who have no capacity for new ideas. They have no capacity for stepping back and saying: Maybe I made the wrong decision, and I'm hearing good ideas, and maybe we can shift gears.

Some people are so insecure or afraid of looking like they're not infallible, that they stick to something when everybody would be better off if they would just admit they made a mistake.

It's hard to be a leader. You have to make decisions and sometimes you make the wrong decision. You need the ability to go back and say: You know what, I blew it this time. I need to rethink this.

Poor leaders don't have the capacity to see someone else's point of view. Their mind's already made up.

Some leaders like to surround themselves with yes people who are just going to agree with them. That's dangerous. The more diverse opinions you have around the table - and diversity comes in all sorts of definitions - the more you're willing to hear different points of view. That doesn't mean they are right. The leader has to say this is what we're going to do, but they'll do better if they're willing to hear other people's points of view and be open to accepting them and acknowledging a good point.

Often a lesser-experienced person has an interesting viewpoint, because they don't have all the noise that sometimes comes when people have been there a long time. That noise sounds like: Well, I've been here 30 years and we tried that and it didn't work.

When you open your mind to others' ideas, they're getting a voice, they're feeling valued.

People who don't listen and are not open to other people's viewpoints are ultimately ineffective. They can make things happen in the short term. You see them begin to think they are the be-all and end-all. They stop listening to other people.

That's dangerous.

Nobody likes a know-it-all.

Right - except the know-it-all. (Laughter) They like themselves.

What's your advice for leading an organization through change?

First, you can't shove change down people's throats, take it or leave it this is what we're doing. People have to be committed at the initial level.

It's a combination of things. It's educating people on the whys. You need to answer the question: Why are we doing this?

Whenever you tell people you have to change, you have to let them know why. Otherwise, why are they going to follow you?

Effectively leading through change keeps coming back to the things I'm talking about: Be open to new ideas. Listen to people. Communicate the why.

How do you get across the why in a large organization, especially one spread over multiple sites?

It takes multiple messages. When we do something different in our firm, we communicate several different ways. We put it on our intranet. We send emails. We'll do a video.

We're on the cusp of significant change because our founding partner, Tom Bonadio, is stepping down as CEO April 30.

So, Bruce Zicari is going to be our new CEO. We announced that a few years ago. There's always angst associated with a change in CEOs - especially when the name is on the door.

It's a big deal for us. In the community, too, we want people to know that there was a lot of thought that went into this.

So it's a good example of how you manage change. You give a consistent message over as long a period of time as you can. You build credibility through consistency. In any kind of significant change, you show there's been planning and thought behind it. That's it not flavor of the month.

To answer your question, you say it over and over. You recognize that it's not going to take one telling of the story. You have to tell it, give people time to process it, give an opportunity to ask questions. When we do something significant, we'll do a video, we'll do an FAQ document, we'll have a roundtable, and then three months later we'll do a survey to see how did this change go. It's constant.

One of the nice things about a firm of our size, we can ask people to be part of this conversation - task forces, work groups, committees.

For example, we've changed some H.R. policies over the last couple years, and we went to unlimited PTO. People in the firm can take as much time off as they want or need. We didn't want people stressing over - I'm sick, I better go to work because I've only got three days left. Or what if my child got sick. We don't want people stressing about that stuff. We recognize that we need people who are refreshed and relaxed and not overly stressed in order to serve our clients - and stay. We want good people to stay.

We did a lot of exploration around this, and we had small groups. There was a certain amount of skepticism. People looked at it and wondered: Will I get less time off this way?

We didn't think about all the things until people brought them to us. So getting people involved in a change is much more effective than just the CEO saying: Here's the change.

Even if you perceive it to be a good change, it might not be received that way.

Even when it might be a good change, if it's shoved down someone's throat, it's not going to be well received. Constant communication is key. The larger you are, the harder it gets.

Constant communication helps people feel more comfortable about change.

The weekly "CNY Conversation" features Q&A interviews about leadership, success, and innovation. The conversations are condensed and edited. To suggest a leader for a Conversation, contact Stan Linhorst at StanLinhorst@gmail.com. Last week featured Bob Hupp, artistic director of Syracuse Stage. He advises: "A good leader takes opposing opinion and finds the common thread and takes adversarial situations and finds ways of getting everybody on the same page."A federal judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit from adult film actress Stormy Daniels that claimed President Donald Trump defamed her when he suggested she had lied about being threatened to keep quiet about their alleged relationship.

U.S. District Judge James Otero in Los Angeles ruled that Trump's speech was protected by the First Amendment as the kind of "'rhetorical hyperbole' normally associated with politics and public discourse in the United States." He ordered Daniels, whose given name is Stephanie Clifford, to pay Trump's legal fees.

Trump attorney Charles Harder cheered Otero's decision.

"No amount of spin or commentary by Stormy Daniels or her lawyer, Mr. Avenatti, can truthfully characterize today's ruling in any way other than total victory for President Trump and total defeat for Stormy Daniels," Harder said in an emailed statement.

The ruling is a blow for Daniels and her lawyer, Michael Avenatti, who has raised a national profile from his legal battles against the president and is contemplating a presidential bid in 2020.

Avenatti called the ruling "limited" on Twitter and said it did not affect Daniels' primary case against Trump and his former attorney Michael Cohen, which seeks to invalidate her 2016 nondisclosure agreement.

"Daniels' other claims against Trump and Cohen proceed unaffected," Avenatti wrote in a tweet he later appeared to have deleted.

He said in a second tweet that any fees Trump might be awarded from the defamation case would "be dwarfed by the fees he and Cohen will be required to pay in connection with the NDA case."

Later, Avenatti tweeted that he had appealed Otero's ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The now-dismissed suit has received less attention than two other cases pending against Trump-Daniels' lawsuit seeking to void the nondisclosure agreement and a separate defamation claim by former Apprentice contestant Summer Zervos, who alleges that Trump sexually assaulted her in 2007 and argues that he defamed her when he suggested she was lying.

Trump was ordered last month to provide written answers under oath in that case, which is proceeding in New York State Supreme Court.

Avenatti and Daniels have joined the ranks of Trump's chief antagonists since the beginning of this year, when Daniels' nondisclosure agreement was first reported. The deal was brokered in the lead-up to the 2016 election to stop Daniels from speaking about a brief affair she says she had with Trump in 2006. Trump denies that an affair took place.

Trump and Cohen have sought to prevent further litigation over the NDA by promising not to enforce it. The two sides will appear before Otero on Dec. 3 to argue about whether that lawsuit should proceed.

Daniels filed the defamation claim in April after she released a sketch purporting to show the man she says threatened her in 2011 to keep quiet about the alleged affair.

Responding to the sketch on Twitter, Trump wrote that it depicted a "nonexistent man."

"A total con job, playing the Fake News Media for Fools (but they know it)!" he wrote in the tweet, which became the basis of Daniels's suit.

Otero, who was appointed to the court by President George W. Bush, had indicated during a late-September hearing that he was skeptical of Daniels' claim on free-speech grounds. He argued Monday that Daniels has presented herself as Trump's "political adversary" in public and in court filings and that Trump has the right to respond to her claims.

"If this Court were to prevent Mr. Trump from engaging in this type of 'rhetorical hyperbole' against a political adversary, it would significantly hamper the office of the President," Otero wrote.

"Any strongly-worded response by a president to another politician or public figure could constitute an action for defamation. This would deprive this country of the 'discourse' common to the political process," he wrote.Albany, NY -- An Albany County judge's decision to remove all four Republican candidates for state Supreme Court in Central New York has thrown this November's absentee ballots into chaos, an election official said.

Absentee ballots for the Nov. 6 election have to be sent out today to give voters enough time to fill them out, Democratic Onondaga County election commissioner Dustin Czarny said.

But the judge's decision gives Republicans a week to hold a new convention to renominate their candidates correctly.

Czarny said it's not clear how absentee voters will get their ballots in time if they can't be sent out for another week.

"Right now, the absentee ballots are on hold," Czarny said around noon today.

Czarny and his Republican counterpart, Michelle Sardo, had already been concerned that the judge's decision was taking so long.

The Board of Elections printed two sets of absentee ballots -- one with the Republican candidates and one without. They hoped to send one version of the ballots out at 5 p.m. today.

But that likely won't happen.

Both Czarny and Sardo noted the cost in printing duplicate ballots for 7,000 to 10,000 absentee voters. That alone cost $840 to $1,200, Czarny said.

Now, it's unclear how voters will get ballots in time without the board of elections risking sending out the wrong one.

Arguments in the lawsuit were finalized a week ago, Oct. 9, and a ruling was supposed to be rendered within 24 hours, Czarny said.

But Judge Roger McDonough took an entire week -- hitting today's absentee ballot mailing deadline -- before ruling that yet another week was required to allow for a do-over of the nominating convention.

For now, the judge's decision takes all four Republicans -- including incumbents Donald Greenwood and James Murphy -- off the ballot. Republicans Gerry Neri and Karen Brandt were also removed.

The November election will pick four new judges for the state's Supreme Court, which typically handles civil matters on the local level. In this race, the four judges will sit in the six-county judicial region based in Syracuse.

Four Democrats are also running for the seats.

The lawsuit, which prevailed on a technicality regarding the nomination process, was filed by Greg Limpert, the brother of Democratic judge candidate and Syracuse City Court Judge Theodore Limpert.

The judge's ruling also removed three of the four candidates from the Conservative ballot line. They remain on the Independence Party line.

The lawsuits were filed by Albany attorney James Long. He said it's the first time this technicality has been the subject of a lawsuit.

In essence, election law forbids the convener of a convention from also serving as the chair of the convention. That's what happened in both the Republican and Conservative Party conventions, based on meeting minutes, the judge ruled.

The state Supreme Court conventions are held separately from county party conventions because candidates cover a six-county region. These conventions are typically held after the primaries.

It's expected that the judge's decision will be appealed, too, which could take even longer.ISTANBUL (AP) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met on Tuesday with Saudi Arabia's King Salman over the disappearance and alleged slaying of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, who vanished two weeks ago during a visit to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

Pompeo's arrival came hours after a Turkish forensics team finished a search inside the consulate. Police planned a second search, this one of the Saudi consul's home in Istanbul, a Turkish Foreign Ministry official said.

Turkish officials say they fear Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the Istanbul consulate. Saudi officials previously have called the allegations "baseless," but reports in U.S. media on Tuesday suggested the kingdom may acknowledge the writer was killed there.

Pompeo landed in Riyadh on Tuesday morning and was welcomed by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on landing. He didn't make any remarks to the media.

Soon after, Pompeo arrived at a royal palace, where King Salman greeted him. America's top diplomat thanked the king "for accepting my visit on behalf of President (Donald) Trump" before going into a closed-door meeting.

Trump had dispatched Pompeo to speak to the monarch of the world's top oil exporter over Khashoggi's disappearance. Trump, after speaking on Monday with King Salman, said without offering evidence that the slaying could have been carried out by "rogue killers." That potentially offers the U.S.-allied kingdom a possible path out of a global diplomatic firestorm.

"The king firmly denied any knowledge of it," Trump told reporters Monday. "It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. I mean, who knows? We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial."

However, left unsaid was the fact that any decision in the ultraconservative kingdom rests solely with the ruling Al Saud family. Pompeo also was to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom Khashoggi wrote critically about for The Washington Post and whose rise to power prompted the writer to go into a self-imposed exile in the United States.

"The effort behind the scenes is focused on avoiding a diplomatic crisis between the two countries and has succeeded in finding a pathway to deescalate tensions," said Ayham Kamel, the head of the Eurasia Group's Mideast and North African practice. "Riyadh will have to provide some explanation of the journalist's disappearance, but in a manner that distances the leadership from any claim that a decision was made at senior levels to assassinate the prominent journalist."

CNN reported that the Saudis were going to admit the killing happened but deny the king or crown prince had ordered it -- which does not match what analysts and experts know about the kingdom's inner workings.

The New York Times reported that the Saudi royal court would suggest that an official within the kingdom's intelligence services -- a friend of Prince Mohammed -- had carried out the killing. According to that reported claim, the crown prince had approved an interrogation or rendition of Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia, but the intelligence official was tragically incompetent as he eagerly sought to prove himself. Both reports cited anonymous people said to be familiar with the Saudi plans.

Saudi officials have not answered repeated requests for comment over recent days from The Associated Press.

Saudi officials have been in and out of the building since Khashoggi's disappearance Oct. 2 without being stopped. Under the Vienna Convention, diplomatic posts are technically foreign soil that must be protected and respected by host countries.

Turkey has wanted to search the consulate for days. Permission apparently came after a late Sunday night call between King Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In statements after the call, both praised the creation of a joint Saudi-Turkish probe.

The Turkish inspection team included a prosecutor, a deputy prosecutor, anti-terror police and forensic experts, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. Certain areas of the consulate were to remain off-limits, although officials would be able to inspect surveillance cameras, Turkish media reported.

What evidence Turkish officials gathered at the consulate remains unknown. Turkey's private DHA news agency said the Saudi consul's office was among the rooms searched.

On Tuesday, a Turkish Foreign Ministry official acknowledged police want to search the Saudi consul's home as well. Surveillance footage previously leaked in Turkish media shows vehicles moving between the consulate and the consul's home immediately after Khashoggi's disappearance.

The Foreign Ministry official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations.

Khashoggi has written extensively for the Post about Saudi Arabia, criticizing its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of women's rights activists after the lifting of a driving ban for women. Those policies are all seen as initiatives of Prince Mohammed, the son of King Salman, who is next in line to the throne.

Prince Mohammed has aggressively pitched the kingdom as a destination for foreign investment. But Khashoggi's disappearance has led several business leaders and media outlets to back out of the upcoming investment conference in Riyadh, called the Future Investment Initiative.

They include the CEO of Uber, a company in which Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars; billionaire Richard Branson; JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Jamie Dimon; and Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford.

Trump previously warned of "severe punishment" for the kingdom if it was found to be involved in Khashoggi's disappearance, which has spooked investors in Saudi Arabia and SoftBank, a Japanese firm that manages tens of billions of dollars for the kingdom.

Trump's warning drew an angry response Sunday from Saudi Arabia and its state-linked media, including a suggestion that Riyadh could wield its oil production as a weapon. The U.S. president has been after King Salman and OPEC to boost production for weeks to drive down high crude oil prices, caused in part by the coming re-imposition of oil sanctions on Iran after the U.S. withdrawal from that's country's nuclear deal with world powers.The town of Massena is about as north as north gets in Upstate NY, located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River about an hour's drive southeast of Ottawa, Ontario.

Yet in 1928 it was home to about 8,500 people who represented the ideal of the American melting pot.

The Alcoa Aluminum Plant opened in 1902 and recruited workers from all over the globe.

Massena mayor Gilbert Hawes.

Amateur historian John Michaud told North Country Public Radio in 2012 that Massena had "over a hundred ethnic backgrounds" at the time.

"From Chinese to Japanese to Italians, Jewish. You name it, the ethnics lived in Massena."

People brought with them their cultures from their native homes, but also sometimes their prejudices, as the town's roughly 100-member Jewish community was about to find out in what became known as "The Massena Incident."

The story, told here based on accounts from period newspapers and contemporary news articles, begins with a missing child.

It was Saturday, Sept. 22, 1928, two days before Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Barbara Griffiths, 4, had run off into the woods near her home looking for her brother. Hours later, she had not returned.

Search parties were assembled but after hours of looking, there were no sign of the little girl.

By early evening two state troopers, including Corporal H.M. McCann, were on the scene.

A local Jewish boy, Jacob Shaukin, came forward and had what was called a "rambling conversation" with the troopers. The girl, he said, "could be anywhere."

The boy was sent home, his testimony disregarded because the troopers believed he was had a "low mentality."

But a seed was planted in the troopers' minds.

They believed that the child had been kidnapped and possibly "destroyed in some manner."

Keeping in mind the first person to come forward was Jewish and with Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, just days away it "was deemed necessary and essential to find out whether or not it was customary in olden days for the members of the Jewish faith to offer a blood sacrifice."

The troopers were not alone.

Allegedly a diner owner also spoke about the Jews sacrificing a Christian child on their holidays. His rumor spread through the town.

The slanderous accusation was an ancient one.

Called a "blood libel," the myth of Jews using ritual sacrifice dated back to 1144, when the Jews of England were accused of having purchased a Christian boy, William of Norwich, for torture and crucifixion.

Geoffrey Chaucer wrote of it in "The Prioress's Tale."

Two blood libels had been made in Europe the weeks before Massena, so the idea may have been fresh in residents minds.

As the accusation spread, local police were sent to search Jewish businesses for signs of the missing girl.

Author Shirley Reva Vernick, who wrote a novel about the incident, reported in 2013 that her grandfather was forced to open his clothing store, so police could look for evidence.

The next morning, a local Jewish man, Morris Goldberg, was brought to the investigators and asked about the alleged custom.

He knew nothing about it and told the police to talk to the local rabbi, Berel Brennglass, who was summoned to police headquarters, allegedly at the behest of Massena's mayor, Gilbert Hawes.

For more than an hour, Brennglass was asked if blood sacrifices had ever been a part of the Jewish faith. He was "very much incensed" at the suggestion and "dressed down" the officers and mayor.

While the rabbi was being interviewed, Barbara Griffiths was found.

She had become tired while looking for her brother and had fallen into a deep sleep in some tall grass. Except for some small tears in her clothing, she was unharmed.

As Brennglass left police headquarters, mobs of people, unaware that Griffiths had been found safe, blamed the rabbi for her death.

Many in town still believed that she had been abducted and was only released by Jewish leaders after the discovery of their plot.

Calls were made to boycott Jewish businesses.

(Much of what is known about the "Massena Incident" is up for debate. A book by Saul Friedman, written in 1978, is the most quoted source about the event, but many critics believe Friedman sensationalized the event. A Jewish man, Harry Clopman, who was a teenager at the time and helped search the woods for Griffiths, said in 2012 that mobs, searches and boycotts of Jewish businesses did not happen.)

On the night of his interrogation, Rabbi Brennglass spoke to his congregation at Kol Nidre services:

"We must forever remind ourselves that this happened in America, not tsarist Russia, among people we have come to regard as our friends. We must tell the world this story, so it will never happen again."

He and other in Massena's Jewish community reached out to their national leaders to intervene.

Rabbi Brennglass accepted the apologies of Mayor Hawes and the state trooper ending the "Massena Incident."

Louis Marshall, of the American Jewish Committee, and Rabbi Stephen Wise, of the American Jewish Congress, both based from New York City, were called.

Marshall wrote to Mayor Hawes and called the interrogation of the rabbi an "unspeakable calumny" against the Jewish race.

Wise wrote to New York's governor, Al Smith, with whom he was friends with.

Smith was appalled.

In a letter to Wise, Smith, who was running for president that year, wrote:

"As governor of the state, I cannot believe that this libelous myth has been resurrected and credited for a moment by any one connected with the service of the state."

Smith admitted he had no jurisdiction over the mayor but promised a complete investigation of the state police involved.

Despite initially saying the incident had been "enlarged and magnified...by the Jewish people of Massena," Mayor Hawes would give an official apology on Oct. 4.

"I am confirmed in my conviction that I have committed a serious error of judgment into which I was led in part by the excitement incident to the disappearance of the Griffiths child of my community."

Corporal McCann was indefinitely suspended for "gross lack of discretion" and for "conduct most unbecoming of an officer." He also apologized.

Both apologies were accepted, and life returned to normal in Massena.

The "Massena Incident" was rarely discussed.

Harry Clopman told NPR in 2012: "The minute the child was found, I don't know that anyone in town ever spoke of it again. It was like nothing ever happened."

The Jewish population dwindled in the decades since. A 2012 article stated there were only 10 Jews left in town and its synagogue was sold.

Send your ideas and curiosities to Johnathan Croyle: Email | 315-427-3958.Reach key decision makers with sales-ready leads that shorten your sales process. Move the needle by delivering funnel qualified leads to your sales team. Learn more

Getting Sonos top-shelf speakers to play nice with other connected devices in the home has been challenging in the past, but thats about to change.

The company has announced the Sonos Sound Platform, which includes new APIs, developer tools and documentation to make it easier for Sonos products to operate with third-party hardware and software.

Sonos also announced integration with IFTTT, a free Web-based service used to integrate smart home products.

Now you can have Sonos start your favorite radio station when your Ring-enabled door unlocks after you get home, or play your special pizza song (you do have a special pizza song, dont you?) when your Dominos order goes out for delivery, Sonos community manager Ryan S wrote in an online post last week.

IFTTT support adds a way for Sonos to tie its offerings into wider smart home integrations by drawing on end-user enthusiasm and a wider developer community, noted Jonathan Collins, research director at ABI Research, a technology advisory company based in Oyster Bay, NewYork.

The step is important, as it brings Sonos into the fastest-growing segment of the smart home market and increases its value to smart homes with off-the-shelf consumer devices, he told TechNewsWorld.

New APIs, SDKs

The Sonos Sound Platform has three objectives, noted James Senior, the companys director of product, platform and partnerships.

Create opportunities for Sonos partners to take advantage of growing trends in the home audio market, such as streaming music services, digital voice assistants and smart home devices.

Make Sonos products more approachable for developers with new APIs, SDKs and documentation.

Provide customers with more personalized experiences through the addition of more intelligence to the platform, and with confidence in products that say they work with Sonos by creating a Works with Sonos certification program.

Sonos next month will add APIs that permit the playing of short, discrete sounds and notifications on a player without fully interrupting the music, Senior said, as well as allow the playing of Sonos playlists through a third-party interface, and add max volume and volume pass-through controls.

More Attractive Platform

Sonos historically has been highly proprietary, as was most of the early Internet of Things industry, observed Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group, an advisory services firm in Bend, Oregon.

That means that getting a connected device to work with something that didnt come from the same vendor was just short of impossible, he told TechNewsWorld.

By supporting IFTTT, they move, along with others, to become a far more effective interoperable player, said Enderle, who owns a Sonos system. It makes the Sonos platform far more attractive, and Sonos customers far more likely to stay with the platform long term.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The Sonos Sound Platform allows the company not only to better serve its installed base, but also broaden its product portfolio, making its brand more attractive to high-end customers, said Brad Russell, audio analyst at Dallas-based Parks Assocates, a market research and consulting company specializing in consumer technology products.

Change in Attitude

By opening up its platform, Sonos has sent a signal to the market that its adaptable, Russell noted.

For a long time, they fought off competition by saying, Were better because were proprietary. We dont need to play with everybody else because were the best, he told TechNewsWorld.

That argument crumbles in the face of interoperable ecosystems systems of products, Russell continued. Theyve shifted in some positive ways for the company by moving away from that proprietary system and toward integrating with as many people as possible.

The move also signals a change in emphasis by the company from hardware to software.

No one just wants to be in the hardware business, Russell said.

Everybody wants to add value where they can, and after 15 years in the market, Sonos real value is in their software, he maintained.

In the long term, Sonos wants to create value in software applications and the integration platform, not just the hardware, said Paul Erickson, senior research analyst at the Austin, Texas, offices of IHS Markit .

Deepening the Moat

Opening up the Sonos platform allows it to stay ahead of its competition, Erickson explained.

It will help differentiate them in a market where the core functionality of having WiFi-connected speakers and multiroom audio is becoming commoditized, he told TechNewsWorld.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The core capabilities that they had three or four years ago are no longer unique  theyre in every smart speaker today, Erickson pointed out.

It will put a deeper moat around the territory they already have a hold on more than growing new markets, he added.

The program also could attract more developers to the Sonos ecosystem.

Ideally, third parties will build apps that add valuable new functions and service capabilities into Sonos smart speakers and increase their usability and customer satisfaction, said Charles King, a Hayward, California-based principal analyst with Pund-IT, a technology advisory firm.

Its analogous to taking a simple pocket knife and, with the help of developers, giving it the cool new capabilities of a Swiss Army Knife, he told TechNewsWorld.

While removing one of the major barriers to participation should help attract developers, developers will still need to see a strong value proposition to justify their investment, Enderle noted. Still, without interoperability, there was no real reason to even consider Sonos as a platform.

Better Market Position

Sonos new open approach could impact its fortunes in the home speaker market, which Parks Associates expects to take off in the coming months.

Were expecting to see a really huge sales jump in Q3 and Q4 this year, said Kristen Hanich, research analyst at Parks Associates.

Certainly a more capable Sonos One device will help drive sales, she told TechNewsWorld.

Theres a perception that smart speakers are ground zero for creating and evolving smart home solutions and services, King noted.

If thats the case, efforts like Sonos partnership with IFTTT should help the company stay in the thick of things as the smart home market develops and evolves, he suggested.

This open API positions Sonos to much more effectively compete with big guys like Apple, Amazon and Google, Russell added, even while not trying to do everything they do.Whether you're a proponent of artificial intelligence and machine learning or not, there's no denying that it's becoming a popular tool in the tech industry. Companies like Google and Facebook use it in their algorithms to feed you the content they think you want to see, while the car industry uses it to improve self-driving vehicle capabilities.

If we're to assume that the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence is a foregone conclusion, it's not a stretch to think that we'll need to do a lot of research to prevent the tech from running wild, or being used to nefarious ends. Fortunately, researchers have been looking into the ethical and security implications of AI for quite some time now.

Indeed, according to a New York Times report, M.I.T. is planning to launch an entire college dedicated to the research of artificial intelligence, backed by a "planned investment" of $1 billion. NYT says two-thirds of the funds have already been raised.

The purpose of the college will not be singular - it sounds like M.I.T. wants to look into everything from the ethical and social implications of AI to how the tech can be used across various different disciplines.

M.I.T. seems intent on creating an environment where the humanities are all blended with computer science. In theory, the latter would be a blurred area of study; one that's used across many different fields (such as biology, linguistics, or even medicine) in the form of AI-driven tools.

So, where is the tidy sum of $1 billion coming from? Apparently, $350 million of the funds are coming from a private equity firm named the Blackstone Group, headed up by a Stephen Schwarzman. As for the other $650 million, we don't know just yet - it sounds like fundraising is still ongoing, and NYT's report doesn't clarify who all of the current donors are.

As far as locations go, M.I.T. will reportedly base their AI college -- dubbed the M.I.T. Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing -- out of existing buildings to start, but sometime in 2022 it will be moved to its "own new space," wherever that may be. It's probably not something school administrators are worried about, though. Assuming M.I.T. can reach its fundraising goal, there should be plenty of money around to cover the purchase of some new land.

At any rate, what do you think of the concept of an AI-focused college? Let us know in the comments.

Image courtesy Huffington Post, New York TimesUnder the new schedule proposal that would start in January, there would be trains stopping at 5:09 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Telegraph Road location that would run express to Union Station in the city after making stops at Deerfield and Lake-Cook Road. The latter train would also stop at Western Avenue in Chicago before ending at Union Station.Highly anticipated: Are you in the unlikely position of finding that 64GB of RAM in your PC just isnt enough? If so, heres some good news: Intel has revealed that users of its upcoming 9th-generation processors will soon be able to pack 128GB of DDR4 into their systems.

Intel unveiled the flagship Core i9-9900K, i7-9700K, and i5-9600K, along with its new Z390 chipset, last week. Now, the company has confirmed to Anandtech that one of the benefits of these CPUs is their ability to support 128GB of RAM. An update will arrive in a few months time that will enable the increase in system memory capacity.

Adding 128GB of RAM to a consumer system with four memory slots is made possible through support for double height double capacity 32GB DDR4 modules, as well as the new 16Gb DDR4 chips from Samsung.

The new 9th Gen Intel Core processors memory controller is capable of supporting DDR4 16Gb die density DIMMs which will allow the processors to support a total system memory capacity of up to 128GB when populating both motherboard memory channels with 2 DIMMs per Channel (2DPC) using these DIMMs. As DDR4 16Gb die density DIMMs have only recently become available, we are now validating them, targeting an update in a few months time, said Intel, in a statement.

Considering that you can spend over $550 on 64GB of DDR4-2666 RAM right now, expect 4x32GB kit prices to be pretty eye-wateringprobably over the $1200 mark. For most people, 128GB is massive overkill, but it will likely be welcomed by professionals who dont want to go down the full workstation route, and those looking for bragging rights.

Ultimately, users of small form-factor PCs may benefit most from the double height memory modules, as they will allow 64GB (2x32GB) to be packed into small volume systems. We saw the first signs of this back in May, when Samsung announced it had started mass production of the worlds first 32GB DDR4 SoDIMMs designed for gaming laptops.In brief: What would happen if a Mooney M20 single engine plane crashed into a quadcopter at cruising speed? This is precisely what impact physicists at the University of Dayton wanted to know. So they shot a drone at an M20 wing. This is the result.

There has been much concern expressed over what is being termed malicious drone use lately. Earlier this month Congress passed a bill allowing the government to shoot down any drone it deems a credible threat. Likewise, AT&T has been working with a drone detection startup called Dedrone to detect and combat malicious drones near military bases, venues, and businesses.

Some of the concern is undoubtedly based on aircraft with cameras being somewhere that cameras are not permitted  a military base is a good example. However, there is also some concern over drones flying too close to larger manned aircraft, which could endanger lives.

The University of Dayton's Impact Physics group recently performed an experiment to see what would happen if a small drone were to strike a planes wing at cruising speeds. The test was prompted by reports of a collision between a helicopter and a quadcopter. The drone was of course destroyed, but more interestingly the helicopter sustained very little damage and was able to continue flying.

Researchers were curious if a collision with a faster-moving aircraft would have a similar outcome. As you can see from the video of the experiment above, the plane did not fair as well as the helicopter.

Instead of shattering on impact as the researchers expected, the drone tore through the wing like a bullet. In fact, the collision happens so fast that it indeed looks like they shot the Mooney M20 with a gun  until the footage is slowed down.

Instead of firing a bullet the experimenters launched a drone at 238mph to simulate the M20s cruising speed.

While the quadcopter broke apart, its energy and mass hung together to create significant damage to the wing, said Kevin Poormon, lead researcher for Impact Physics at Dayton.

The experiment proves that drone/aircraft collisions are a severe threat. If a drone could plow through a wing like that, think of what would have happened were it to have impacted the cockpit.

While the governments virtual carte blanche authority to shoot down drones without due process will remain a controversial issue, there are still reasonable safety concerns over drones sharing the skies in certain areas.Recap: On March 2, 2015, 18-year-old Anjelica AJ Hadsell mysteriously disappeared from her Norfolk, Virginia home never to return again. Nine days later, detectives discovered her body partially buried in a ditch 50 miles outside the city.

They were led to the impromptu grave site by a GPS system they had found in stepfather Wesley Hadsells van. Also found in the vehicle were a dirty shovel, gloves, and duct tape. The evidence was circumstantial but was enough to obtain a warrant to search Hadsells hotel room.

He had been staying at the Americas Best Value Inn at the time because his wife, AJs mother, had kicked him out of the house for his continued cocaine use. Officers executing the warrant seized several items including a portable PlayStation Vita gaming system, which AJs mother identified as belonging exclusively to Wesley. The belongings were processed into evidence and locked up.

Meanwhile, Wesley Hadsell was arrested and changed on an unrelated offense. As a felon, he was not allowed to possess a firearm or even ammunition in the state of Virginia. He was found with ammo on him and was convicted and sentenced to 20 years for the offense.

Local NBC affiliate WAVY-TV 10, obtained court documents showing that Norfolk police have recently filed for another search warrant in the case. This time officials want to take a look at what may be hiding in the memory of that PS Vita.

It has been my experience that individuals often communicate with their victims via e-mail and through other computer-based programs, an NPD official wrote in the search warrant request. In addition, a suspect's electronic equipment often has digital evidence of crimes committed by the suspect.

Police officials declined to comment on the investigation, but so far Wesley Hadsell has not been charged in connection to the death of his stepdaughter.

As for his 20-year sentence for ammo possession  an appeals court vacated that sentence in June 2017. Hadsell is scheduled for resentencing this November.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reiterated the necessity of getting a flu shot, especially for pregnant women this season.

A new study has shown that women who are expecting are more at risk of getting a more serious illness from flu than women who are of reproductive age but are not pregnant. Women who got vaccinated are also saving their children from the flu before and after birth.

CDC Recommends Pregnant Women To Get Flu Shots

The CDC teamed up with other public health agencies from Australia, Canada, and Israel for the study. It involved about 2 million women who were pregnant between 2010 and 2016.

Over the course of six flu seasons, the researchers found that pregnant women are 40 percent more likely to end up in the hospital because of a more serious illness after getting the flu. This might be because a woman undergoes changes in her lung and heart functions as well as her immune system.

"Expecting mothers face a number of threats to their health and the health of their baby during pregnancy, and getting the flu is one of them," stated study co-author Allison Naleway. "This study's findings underscore the fact that there is a simple, yet impactful way to reduce the possibility of complications from flu during pregnancy: get a flu shot."

Unfortunately, only 50 percent of pregnant women say that they have been administered with their flu shot during the 2016 to 2017 season. The CDC has also approved the use of nasal spray vaccines this year.

Benefits And Side Effects Of Flu Shots

Although there might be adverse side effects of flu shots, they are often mild and do not cause concern. Some of the side effects of the vaccine are soreness, tenderness, or swelling of the area where the shot was administered. Some also report headache, muscle aches, nausea, and tiredness.

Moreover, the benefits of getting a flu shot while pregnant certainly outweigh the minimal side effects. Aside from protecting moms from getting the flu, vaccines can also protect babies from the illness after they were born. This is especially crucial because babies under the age of six months cannot get flu shots.

Pregnant women can get their vaccines administered anytime during their pregnancies. The CDC also recommends that moms who were not able to get their flu shots before giving birth to still get the vaccine in order to avoid getting sick around the baby.

The study was published by the Oxford Academic's Clinical Infectious Diseases.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.General elections in Chile will be held this Sunday, November 21, 2021, and will include presidential, parliamentary, and regional elections. | Read MoreGONZALES  Ascension Parish government is "well within its authority" to pay the legal defense fees of Parish President Kenny Matassa following his acquittal of an election bribery charge in July, a new legal opinion says.

Terrebonne Parish District Attorney Joseph Waitz Jr. wrote in his opinion that Ascension not only has the discretion to pay Matassa's defense attorney Lewis Unglesby but also to pay him on the upper end of the state's hourly pay range due to Unglesby's experience and skill.

"It is well known to this writer that the defense attorney involved has the reputation of being a very qualified, competent and capable attorney in the criminal defense arena," Waitz wrote in the Sept. 25 letter to Ascension Parish District Attorney Ricky Babin.

Waitz said that under state law, the pay range for a case with the complexity of Matassa's is $125 to $425 per hour.

Judge Thomas Kliebert Jr. tossed the bribery case against Matassa after the prosecution rested in a bench trial this summer. Matassa had been accused of trying to entice a Gonzales City Council candidate to drop out the November 2016 election with the offer of a parish job and cash.

Kliebert found prosecutors failed to prove the intent of discussions that Matassa and a Gonzales businessman had with the candidate. Matassa, who was recorded speaking with the candidate, denied the bribery allegation, arguing he was trying to help a friend with employment and a loan that he had little expectation of recouping.

+2 Bribery charge against Gonzales businessman implicated in 2016 election case dropped GONZALES  State prosecutors have dismissed a bribery charge against the sole co-defendant in a 2016 election tampering case that, for a time,

Babin's 23rd Judicial District office requested the opinion from Waitz, he wrote.

Babin had recused his office from the Matassa prosecution in late 2016. Assistant District Attorney O'Neil Parenton Jr. serves as the parish attorney and would normally opine on a legal questions like payment of Matassa's defense fees.

Waitz did not return calls for comment last week and again on Monday.

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Tyler Cavalier, spokesman for Babin, declined to comment and said last week he did not have a copy of the opinion, referring questions to the parish administration.

Kyle Gautreau, parish spokesman, had not responded to a request for a copy of the opinion as of Tuesday, nor had he responded to questions about the amount of Matassa's legal fees or other matters relating to the new legal opinion.

The Advocate independently obtained a copy of the letter.

State law allows state and local governments to use taxpayer money to reimburse the legal defense costs of officials who are charged with a crime and are later exonerated.

But Waitz wrote that two conditions apply: first, whether the fees and expenses are reasonable and, second, whether the official was charged over actions that arose out of his or her official duties.

Waitz found that Matassa "was sitting as the parish president" when he offered a parish job to City Council candidate Alvin Wayne Lawson and so the offer "arose out of his official duties as Parish President."

Contacted Monday night, council Chairman Bill Dawson said the letter was distributed last week, but the council, which controls the parish purse strings, has not put the matter on its agenda for Thursday. When asked, he said he has been informed the parish's insurance policy doesn't cover the fees.

The charter allows Dawson or Matassa to add items to the agenda, but Dawson said it is his personal policy to have the support of three council members, or two council members and Matassa, before an item is added to the agenda.

Dawson said he is personally staying open-minded and will make a decision when the time comes.

"I'm not commenting before I hear all the information," he said.As annual enrollment approaches for the individual health insurance marketplace, customers looking for policies in Louisiana will likely fare better than those in many other states.

Federal data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services last week provide the first official glimpse of what premiums look like in all the states using healthcare.gov, the federally run portal for Affordable Care Act policies. For the first time since the Affordable Care Act was rolled out, premiums are dropping, CMS said of what is commonly known as "Obamacare."

Premiums analyzed by CMS will be lower in Louisiana than in most other states, and Louisiana will see a larger drop from last year compared with the 38 other states using healthcare.gov.

After years of double-digit rate hikes, experts say Louisianas market may finally be showing signs of stabilizing, a trend seen in dozens of other states across the country this year. The drop in rates comes after the states insurers, mainly Blue Cross, posted a profit in the individual exchange last year.

Barring any ugly surprises  then, yes, Id say were looking at a much more stable, predictable performance from that block of business, said Mike Bertaut, health care economist and exchange coordinator for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.

But for the second year in a row, the enrollment period, starting Nov. 1, comes amid significant changes to the health care law. The individual mandate requiring people to buy health insurance or pay a penalty goes away Jan. 1. Some critics say new Trump administration policies expanding short-term plans and creating association health plans that give small businesses the opportunity to band together to buy health coverage will poach healthy people from the individual market.

An ongoing lawsuit by 20 Republican attorneys general, including Louisiana's Jeff Landry, argues components of the law, including coverage for pre-existing conditions, should be struck down.

Despite all that, the Louisiana Department of Insurance announced this summer that Louisianas individual market will experience its first drop in premiums  by 6.4 percent  since the Affordable Care Act debuted.

Last week's CMS report suggests Louisianas market is doing better than those in other states.

The figures look at premiums for a 27-year-old single nonsmoker, and show a 1.5 percent drop in premiums for the second-lowest-cost silver plan and a 1 percent drop for the lowest-cost plan. That represents the first drop in "Obamacare" premiums since the health law rolled out. In Louisiana, those premiums are dropping by 5.1 percent for the second-lowest-cost plan and 7 percent for the lowest-cost plan.

That translates to a $372 monthly premium for the second-lowest-cost silver plan for such a person in Louisiana, $34 less than the national average. For the lowest-cost plan, the same person will pay $280, which is also slightly lower than average.

Most people in Louisianas individual market get subsidies from the federal government to offset the cost of coverage. The amount of aid depends on how much money someone makes.

Those premium costs will be higher for older people, but Bertaut said they line up with what he would expect to see here. The individual market is still slightly older  about 40 years old  than the average age of 35 in Louisiana, something that makes costs more expensive. Still, premiums will drop by anywhere from 5 percent to 15 percent. Some consumers may still see increases because rates rise with age, but on average, the state's rates are falling.

Frank Opelka, deputy commissioner of health, life and annuity at the insurance department, said the figures represent a more narrow population than the state numbers released in August. But the CMS report aligns with the trend the department is seeing, he said.

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The national picture heading into the Nov. 1 open enrollment period is one of relative stability, Opelka said. Its far too early to draw conclusions about whether this markets historic turbulence is beginning to wane, however.

Aside from premiums, Bertaut said the number of people enrolling in the individual marketplace should also be relatively stable. Enrollment in an expanded Medicaid has stabilized, and even though the individual mandate was repealed by Congress, he doesnt expect a huge exodus of people from the individual market.

However, navigators helping people find policies will again have less funding than during the Obama years. Brian Burton, director of Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center, said despite the cut, which went into effect last year and continued this year, his group will have navigators throughout the state helping people find the right policies.

I dont know what to expect, Burton said of the enrollment period this year.

The individual mandate will no longer require people to get insurance, Burton said, but many people already paid the penalty and went without insurance, instead of buying individual policies.

As premiums rose by double-digits in recent years, those feeling the brunt of the pain were people who made too much money to get tax credits and had to pay the full freight for individual policies. Most were self-employed people who didnt get insurance from their job.

The Trump administration this year expanded access to short-term health plans and association health plans, a move critics said would undermine the Affordable Care Act markets and draw healthier people out of the individual market. Short-term plans can now be used for up to three years in some cases, and are much cheaper than "Obamacare" plans on average.

If healthier people leave the individual market, the customer base left behind will be much sicker people on average, making it more expensive to insure and driving up rates.

Burton said it is important people realize the short-term plans dont cover everything the other plans do  which is why they are so much cheaper.

The No. 1 thing I want consumers to know is what theyre getting when they buy these short-term plans," he said.

Blue Cross filed three short-term plans this year, at rates that are between 40 percent and 60 percent cheaper than Affordable Care Act plans, Bertaut said. Ten other insurers are offering such plans, and Bertaut said Blue Cross plans will still offer solid coverage and are designed as a bridge for people to get to the next enrollment period, which has traditionally been the role of such plans.

Ronnell Nolan, president and CEO of Health Agents for America, said the reduction in premiums in Louisiana, while a good sign, is still only a small dent in the cost for many people who dont get subsidies to offset the costs.

Until the cost of health care is addressed, consumers are not really getting a whole lot of help, she said. On its surface, it looks like maybe things are settling down. The rates are still just too expensive.What the students, parents, teachers and the community voiced publicly Monday and in email over the past week will be packaged into an official statement board member Terry Fielden will present at the IASB assembly next month. Fielden, who at the Oct. 1 school board meeting initially raised concerns about arming teachers, will serve as District 203s IASB delegate and was directed by the board to vote against any resolution allowing school staff to carry guns.Politically connected Mandeville businessman Raymond Reggie has a new attorney and a new trial date in Baton Rouge federal court in his long-running fraud case.

Reggie had pleaded guilty to mail fraud and was sentenced in 2015 to more than 11 years in prison. He also was ordered to pay $1.2 million in restitution.

Reggie, however, persuaded a federal appeals court in New Orleans in 2016 to throw out his guilty plea and sentence, saying he was impaired by a stroke when he entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick.

Baton Rouge lawyer John McLindon recently enrolled as Reggie's new attorney, and U.S. District Judge John deGravelles set an April 29 trial date. Dick recused herself after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Reggie's guilty plea and sentence.

McLindon said Tuesday he is in the process of pouring over the voluminous case file.

Reggie is accused of billing several south Louisiana automobile dealerships, including Super Chevy Dealers of Baton Rouge and Slidell-based Supreme Automotive Group, more than $1.2 million for advertising purchases he never made as a media consultant between 2008 and 2012.

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Reggie has said in court that he had a "nontraditional pay arrangement" with the dealerships and did not steal anything from them.

Raymond Reggie gets Aug. 15 trial; claims he is "100 percent not guilty" Politically connected Mandeville businessman Raymond Reggie stood before a Baton Rouge federal judge at his mail fraud sentencing last year an

In 2005, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a year in prison for bank frauds in the New Orleans area.

Reggie is the son of the late Crowley City Judge Edmund Reggie and a brother-in-law of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy. He worked on the campaigns of former President Bill Clinton and other high-profile Democrats.

Edmund Reggie headed John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign in Louisiana and was Gov. Edwin Edwards' executive counsel during Edwards' second term in office.

The elder Reggie was convicted in the latter part of his life of misapplying funds of the now-closed Acadia Savings & Loan of Crowley, a bank he founded in the late 1950s.A Baton Rouge man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in the April 2016 stabbing death of a 62-year-old former co-worker and roommate.

David Matthew Lyon, 39, pleaded guilty to manslaughter Monday in the killing of Stephen Kennedy Sr. in the victim's Deer Creek Drive home in Zachary.

Baton Rouge man indicted in stabbing death of 62-year-old former co-worker A 37-year-old Baton Rouge man was indicted Wednesday in the April stabbing death of a 62-year-old former co-worker and roommate.

Kennedy was discovered in a rear bedroom with a large knife protruding from his chest. Lyon's bloody fingerprint was found on a wall in the house. Evidence collected at the scene suggested a physical struggle had occurred, court documents state.

Kennedy had a previous falling out with Lyon and wanted nothing further to do with him, Kennedy's family has said. The prior dispute between the two men involved a physical altercation.A support group for families affected by gun violence  recently started by the mayor's office with support from Baton Rouge police  has now enlisted the help of four LSU seniors to spread a message of peace.

The program was initially called Parents on the Frontlines of Peace but the name has since been changed to Families for Peace. Organizers held the group's second meeting Monday night at the Shiloh Early Learning Academy on Eddie Robinson Sr. Drive, attracting a smaller crowd than the first meeting in July.

But organizers said part of the students' role will be to continue spreading the message using social media platforms and reaching out to families directly. Participants discussed plans to meet once a month moving forward.

+3 New program in Baton Rouge provides support to parents of homicide victims using their stories to fight crime Rhonda Broux lost her oldest son 13 years ago. He was 19 years old, a college student with dreams of becoming an architect  gunned down over 

East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome has said she hopes the program will allow parents grieve together while also speaking out against violence.

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Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul told the group Monday night about his mission to reduce violence in part through outreach efforts encouraging residents to help detectives solve crimes. Paul has touted residents' support in recent months as the homicide rate has declined after a violent start to 2018 and as detectives have started clearing more cases.

"I believe that your voices are very, very powerful  more powerful than mine," he told the families. "And we need to encourage the community to continue doing what they've been doing, continue being bold."

Four LSU students have become involved with the program: Anne-Marie Fortenberry, Hannah Gale, Josh Nunez and Sarah Tadros. They're all seniors majoring in political communications and are working with the mayor's office as part of a senior capstone project.

They attended the meeting and listened as relatives of homicide victims described their experiences, often speaking through tears about a grieving process that seems to never end. The students said hearing those stories cemented their dedication to the project and gave them a firsthand look at the effects of gun violence.

"We hear about (gun violence) in Baton Rouge every day, and granted, it hasn't touched our lives personally but it does mean a lot to us that other people are going through this," Fortenberry told the group. "We want to do everything that we can to help you and be a resource and be an advocate for y'all."Former Baton Rouge police officer Yuseff Hamadeh, who was fired last week after an investigation into an August shooting, will appeal that decision and continues to stand by his version of events, his attorney said Monday.

Nevertheless, prosecutors had cited insufficient evidence to back Hamadeh's version of the shooting.

Tommy Dewey, Hamadeh's lawyer, said he plans to appeal the termination by the end of this week with the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board.

We are disappointed and disagree with the chiefs decision," Dewey said. "Theres always two sides to every story.  Thats why you have different places to appeal.

+2 Baton Rouge Police fire officer who shot at motorist then claimed he had been shot at first The Baton Rouge Police officer who shot his gun at a civilian and then claimed he had been shot at first was fired Thursday after an investiga

Dewey said Hamadeh still stands by his initial report of the Aug. 7 shooting, in which he said 21-year-old Raheem Howard first shot at him, prompting the officer to return fire. Howard was initially arrested on attempted murder of a police officer, but that case was dropped when District Attorney Hillar Moore III said there was no evidence to back Hamadeh's account of the shooting.

"Lack of evidence doesnt mean it didnt occur," Dewey said.

In late August when Moore dropped the case against Howard, the district attorney said investigators interviewed multiple witnesses and only one had heard two gunshots: Hamadeh himself.

However, Dewey said that during Hamedeh's disciplinary hearings, Baton Rouge police investigators cited two independent witnesses who did hear two gunshots. Dewey said he believes those witnesses were interviewed later in the investigation.

+12 BRPD detectives did not find cause to arrest fired officer, but advocates call for criminal case Even though Baton Rouge police administrators fired an officer who shot at a motorist in August, the department's detectives did not find a re

Moore said Monday he has not since seen any reports on two additional witnesses, but said more information could still come to his office. Upon Hamedeh's termination Thursday, Baton Rouge police officials turned the case over to Moore to determine if any criminal prosecution is warranted.

"We will review all the reports we are given and make the appropriate decision based on the facts that we have," Moore said. He said a decision has not been made in the case by his office, but noted that BRPD detectives did not find probable cause to arrest Hamedeh for a crime.

The attorney for Howard, Ronald Haley Jr., has called for the arrest and prosecution of Hamadeh.

"When the choice is between protecting the community or themselves, we see BRPD chooses self-preservation over the citizens of Baton Rouge," Haley said Monday.

The Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers issued a statement on the case Monday as well.

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"Justice cannot be achieved if not equally applied," wrote Franz Borghardt, the association's president. "We oppose the filing of false police reports, malfeasance, and the attempted harm of innocent citizens by police. We also oppose treating law enforcement officers accused of wrong doing differently than citizens accused of wrong doing.

Hamadeh stopped Howard's car Aug. 7 on North 16th Street over a missing license plate. At that point, Howard ran away, prompting Hamadeh to follow. During the chase, according to police, Howard turned and shot at Hamadeh, who returned fire. No one was injured in the shooting.

Initial police accounts of the incident said both men fired once.

+4 One shot or two? Witnesses dispute claim that driver fired gun at BR officer after traffic stop On this there's agreement: Raheem Howard fled from the traffic stop conducted by Baton Rouge police officer Yuseff Hamadeh on Aug. 7 about 6:3

Howard was arrested days later, and while he admitted fleeing the traffic stop, he was adamant that he never had a gun. Neighbors and witnesses also said they heard only one gunshot.

No body camera or dash camera captured video the traffic stop, chase or shooting, despite Hamadeh being equipped with both. Audio was captured only from Hamadeh's rear dash camera.

Dewey said Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul fired Hamadeh on violations of four department policies: truthfulness, carrying out orders, conduct unbecoming to an officer, and video/audio equipment, according to the termination letter. Dewey said while the chief also considered use of force and command of temper violations, he did not find the evidence to sustain those allegations.

Dewey said Hamadeh had attempted to turn on his body camera before the encounter, but it did not work. Baton Rouge Police officers are required by department policy to tap their body cameras to turn them on before an encounter with the public.

Dewey said the officer had the camera off, instead of in standby mode as officers are instructed, because of how quickly it had been losing battery power. He said Hamadeh tried to turn it on, then activate it, but it didn't boot up in time.

Dewey also said Hamadeh had been having problems with his dash cameras, and had reported issues with the rear camera. He had not reported issues with the front dash camera, Dewey said.

"It wasnt working the way it should be  unfortunately for everyone involved," Dewey said.

Hamadeh was also involved in a traffic-stop turned fatal shooting in 2017. Police say Jordan Frazier got out of the vehicle to run, and then turned and pointed a weapon at officers. Hamadeh shot and killed Frazier, 35.

Dewey declined to comment on that case, because he said he did not know the specifics of the incident. However, he said he understands that State Police investigated that shooting and cleared Hamadeh.

However, Moore has yet to officially conclude his review of that investigation for any potential criminal charges.The Louisiana Department of Education lacks an effective process to investigate child care complaints, failed to quickly check on reports of providers operating illegally and sometimes neglected to issue enforcement actions when problems were found, Louisiana Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera said in an audit released Monday.

The department also does not follow key national practices, including child to staff ratios, and is one of just eight states that allows families and in-home providers to care for more than six children without a license, according to the review.

Thousands more Louisiana families eligible for child care due to one-time federal funding State officials Wednesday began trimming the waiting list for child care used by low-income working families after landing a one-time injectio

In their response, department officials said they are working to move Louisiana closer to national standards. They also said shortcomings found in five other areas, including criticism that its website lacks child care information required by law, have been "resolved."

The LDOE agrees with all of the LLAs findings and immediate steps have been taken to implement new procedures and practices aligned with the recommendations," Bridget Devlin, chief operating officer for the department, said in an email Monday.

Louisiana has 1,780 child care providers for 44,656 children.

Oversight of the centers was moved to the Louisiana Department of Education in 2014.

Purpera's review said the agency does not centrally track child care complaints and does not consistently document whether the complaints were substantiated.

During a 12-month period from 2016-17, one department record showed that 8.2 percent of complaints were backed up while another record said 19 percent were.

In addition, the agency's time frame for checking hotline and other complaints is longer than best practices recommend and even then department officials fail to follow their own procedures.

State revokes Baker child care center's license after woman reportedly posed as director The state has revoked the license of a child care center in Baker, officials said Friday.

Reports of a death are supposed to be checked within five days, children mysteriously showing bruises within 10 days and questions about supervision within 30 days.

But nearly one out of three complaints  32 percent  were not checked within the department's own time-frame  251 cases, according to the audit.

Also, the department lacks a formal process to investigate complaints on family providers and needs to make unannounced inspections, Purpera said.

Those complaints included reports of an older sibling picking up and holding a 10-month old baby by the neck; a provider unable to care for children because of advanced dementia and Alzheimer's disease and a child that sustained second-degree burns to his left hand after being left unsupervised in a room with an open flame heater, which required hospital treatment.

In one case, the audit said, officials discovered that a convicted rapist was living in the home of a family provider.

"Effective documenting and tracking of complaints on family and in-home providers is important to ensure the safety of children cared for in these settings," the report says.

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In its written response, the department said initial time-frames were overly ambitious and have since been changed.

It also said that, since July 1, state oversight of family and in-home providers has been established, including unannounced visits.

Child care standards are set by the department in conjunction with the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

But Purpera said Louisiana is one of 13 states that do not meet recommended staff/child ratios for any age.

The recommended ratios from birth to age 1 is one staff member for four babies.

In Louisiana is it 1:5.

The national standard for one-year olds is 1:4 and it is 1:7 in Louisiana.

The recommendation for two-year olds is 1:6 compared to 1:11 here.

Louisiana also allows bigger groups of children than the number recommended by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The department said Monday it plans to hold talks with elected officials and stakeholders on how state oversight rules can be moved closer to national norms.

In other areas, the report said department officials in 53 percent of cases failed to timely investigate reports of child care providers operating illegally.

The department agreed with the finding and said procedures have been revised.

The audit also said the agency failed to issue formal corrective action plans, as required by law, in nearly every one of 1,718 inspections that identified at least one deficiency that required a remedial plan.

Department officials disputed that claim.

The report said that, while Louisiana was ranked 49th for child care oversight and regulation in 2013, the state Department of Education has since made improvements.

Child care center operators gear up for big hike in costs of background checks Operators of Louisiana child care centers said Friday they are bracing for sweeping changes in criminal background checks for about 16,000 emp

The agency has issued requirements for comprehensive, fingerprint-based background checks on providers, increased training requirements for providers and staff and trimmed the time allowed for children to watch television and play video games.Sending a student off to college is at once the wisest investment a family can make but it is also an expensive one, particularly in Louisiana, where average incomes are low and college tuition has skyrocketed over the past decade.

A recent study from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities found that Louisiana had the highest percentage increase in tuition since the 2008 stock market crash, when many states both cut aid to public colleges and raised the costs of attendance on families.

That's not a good list to be on, but there is an important consequence of this trend for a state like Louisiana with a large minority population: college access and family incomes.

A college education is an instrument of social mobility in America, and Louisiana's African-American families are on average poorer than their white counterparts.

In 2017, the latest year for which data is available, the CBPP analysts found that the average tuition and fees at a public four-year university would require almost 20 percent of the median family income in Louisiana.

For a black family, it is almost 32 percent  a significant differential, and one that ought to have implications for policymakers.

The good news is that Louisiana is providing more access to two-year community colleges and technical education, a typically cheaper entry into post-high-school education.

Further, Education Superintendent John White has made it a cause to push all students in high schools to complete the federal student aid application. That provides not only a practical avenue for aid but a nudge for students, even in poorer families, to contemplate education beyond high school.

But the dramatic increase in tuition and fees at colleges is a real barrier, despite commendable efforts to both generate more qualified students from high schools but also provide more need-based aid for qualified applicants to colleges.

All that costs money, and another bit of good news is that cutbacks in state aid to colleges have stopped for the moment during the administration of Gov. John Bel Edwards.

Still, as the CBPP report said, costs to Louisiana's black families are high: "The burden of college costs is particularly heavy for households of color, whose members often face additional barriers to employment and difficulty accessing better-paying jobs."

One of the CBPP analysts, Michael Mitchell, said that college cutbacks affect who succeeds in college. A student from a poorer family may be on the cusp of making it if there is robust counseling and tutoring, or just mentoring. "When those things are reduced, those students struggle a lot," Mitchell told reporters.

That is why tuition increases alone are not the solution to money woes in colleges, for they greatly burden students from poorer families. State aid to colleges, so sharply reduced in Louisiana over a decade, give college leaders less and less flexibility to fund the support services that will make a difference for students from poorer families.CITY PLANNING COMMISSION ASKS FOR MORE TIME TO DEAL WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING RECOMMENDATIONS

City planners are asking for more time to determine how New Orleans can best address its affordable housing crisis by requiring affordable units in new developments. In its request for a deadline extension, city planners agreed the city is "in the midst of a housing crisis, which is worsening as affordable housing development fails to keep up with needs."

On Oct. 9, the New Orleans City Planning Commission (CPC) voted to support the staff's request  but commissioners were concerned they'll be rushing to understand a complex issue while up against a clock, which could prevent them from lending their support for affordability requirements. Commissioner Walter Isaacson said he'd be "disinclined" to vote for any inclusionary zoning recommendations "without us understanding whether this is the best way to get people into better housing."

Earlier this year, Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed legislation that would prevent municipalities from setting those kinds of rules, but Edwards said he's likely to support a similar measure next year if New Orleans didn't pass an inclusionary zoning policy. The New Orleans City Council didn't draft any policies based on an earlier CPC staff report, echoed in the staff's latest preliminary findings. But the policies have the support of Mayor LaToya Cantrell and current council members.

In August, the City Council tasked the CPC staff to return to the issue by studying a "smart housing mix" program. One option would create a zoning overlay that requires 12 percent of units in developments with 10 or more units be set at below-market rates. Another would create an inclusionary zoning "base" that could cover not just entire districts but individual parcels, including areas in more "desirable" neighborhoods where gentrification and high prices have displaced longtime residents previously paying affordable rates.

At a press conference that month, Cantrell's Chief of Staff John Pourciau told reporters the city needs "every single option available to make sure we're doing everything we can to make the city more livable and affordable for all our folks." Pourciau added the administration wants to ensure "we're not just creating affordable housing opportunities, we're also connecting people" to transportation, employment areas and neighborhoods  saying the CBD's density, lack of affordable units and connectivity to transit hubs and hospitality jobs could be better served with affordability requirements.

The CPC staff is expected to present its smart housing mix study to the CPC Nov. 13. The report then will head to the City Council, which then must meet a 90-day deadline to submit zoning ordinances to the CPC for approval.WOODWARD

NOLA to Angola this week

Sixty people will ride to Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola this week, making the annual trek to benefit a program that keeps families and communities connected after a family member is incarcerated. NOLA to Angola (www.nolatoangola.org) riders take off at 8 a.m. Oct. 19 from Tulane Avenue and South Broad Street, part of a fundraising campaign for Cornerstone Builders' bus program, which transports Orleans and Jefferson Parish residents to incarcerated family members inside five state prisons at no cost.

The three-day bike ride offers riders a chance to "really internalize the distance" not only separating families and their loved ones at Angola but also to understand how far removed incarcerated people are from the communities they left, and how the criminal justice system impacts low-income people of color and their families, says NOLA to Angola organizer Katie Hunter-Lowrey.

"If someone in Louisiana gets a life sentence, that doesn't mean they suddenly don't have parents and siblings and friends and children," Hunter-Lowrey told Gambit. "It's important for families to maintain that link even if they don't come home."

Cornerstone Director Leo Jackson organized the first ride in 2007. It makes monthly trips on charter buses, with additional trips leading up to November and December holidays; NOLA to Angola riders' "sponsorships" defray the cost of each trip. Last year the group raised $50,000, enough to cover roughly 50 rides. Cornerstone now operates a bus program in Shreveport and is planning to open a hub in Lafayette.

"We as a state and a country are finally starting to realize the road bumps to re-entry  you can't just release someone and say, 'Here's a dollar for a bus ticket and the clothes you came in with,'" Hunter-Lowrey says. "In addition to having a place to stay  and work afterwards, having a group of people who you stayed in contact with, and seen and hugged, creates a pretty obvious support structure when someone gets out.  We are all sharing the city streets. People should be supported when they get out and come home."WOODWARD

Developers seek hundreds of STRs in Canal Street high rises

A day after the City Planning Commission (CPC) sent recommendations for short-term rental (STR) rules to the City Council, developers and several council members argued that commercial STRs on Canal Street could be used to attract more business downtown.

Peter Bowen of Sonder, which operates more than 200 STRs in New Orleans, is leading a "coordinated and strategic effort to revitalize several properties on Canal street" at three addresses  1016, 623 and 444 Canal Street  for use as year-round commercial rentals, he told the City Council Oct. 4.

The CPC staff's latest report recommends capping the number of commercial STRs in a building to up to 25 percent of the building, or one unit, whichever is greater. Exceptions would be made for parts of Canal Street in an effort to spur redevelopment efforts, particularly on vacant upper levels.

Those recommendations have not yet been approved by the City Council; the CPC voted to send the report to the council on Oct. 3. Bowen opposes that cap, saying it would "eliminate Sonder's ability to partner with local developers" outside the Canal corridor.

The four-story building at 1016 Canal St. was damaged by fire in 2016; 623 Canal St., formerly Vitascope Hall, now is a liquor store and souvenir shop; 444 Canal St. is a convenience store. All are owned by Quarter Holdings LLC and operated by Aaron and Mike Motwani.

Sonder has agreed to a 10-year lease of the spaces to operate 200 STRs on their upper floors. Sonder and city officials are expected to break ground at 1016 Canal this week.

Council President Jason Williams says the development will help attract companies like Apple, Crate & Barrel, local restaurants and higher-end retail to Canal.WOODWARD

The Fillmore theater sets opening dates

The Foo Fighters will open the new Fillmore New Orleans theater inside Harrah's New Orleans with two shows in February. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue will perform with them Feb. 15, while the Preservation Hall Jazz Band will join the Fighters Feb. 16. Tickets start at $249.50 and went on sale last week; VIP packages also are available.

Harrah's and partner Live Nation announced the construction of the theater in June. The 22,000-square-foot venue will accommodate 2,000 guests.

The Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl has a recent history with New Orleans musical artists, having recorded and performed at Preservation Hall. In September, he joined Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue in a cover of Nirvana's "In Bloom" at Shorty's Voodoo Threauxdown in Los Angeles.COVIELLOHeres a Halloween twist on an old saying: Truth is scarier than fiction.

Or at least more interesting, especially if youre a history buff. And the Historic New Orleans Collection is telling tales of the citys past whose basis in fact helps makes them every bit as affecting as tall tales of goblins and vampires.

In Danse Macabre: The Nightmare of History, guides take visitors on walk-throughs of the collection, recounting some sordid stories along the way. Some of these tales can elicit real shudders  as, on a recent tour, did the details of 19th Century battlefield amputations and the effects of yellow fever.

But the narratives also are enriched with the broader stories and contexts beyond the macabre details, sweeping tourgoers back into New Orleans past.

On a recent tour, interpretive assistant Malinda Blevins, a cheerful font of knowledge and lover of history, dates and details, was careful to separate fact from legend, or to acknowledge that sometimes we cant be sure which is which.

One of her stops in the gallery came in front of a field surgery kit dating back to the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. The stark black box contains a couple of tourniquets, a knife and a saw. Plenty is known about the facts of their use.

In the 1800s, muskets blasted out a scatter shot of munition balls that smashed and shattered bones, rather than penetrating the skin like the bullets of today, Blevins explained. Splintered bones couldnt be set and wouldnt heal; thus arose the specter of widespread battlefield amputations.

In about two minutes time, a medic sawed through a victim's bone and sinew, then filed back the bone, leaving a flap of skin to cover it. It was all done without anesthesia, amid the muck of war.

This method didnt change until after the Civil War, Blevins added.

Macabre indeed.

Blevins spoke a good deal about the battle, with details about the participants, logistics and methods. Heres one interesting tidbit: On the morning of Jan. 8, 1815, the Chalmette ground was covered in a fog so thick that the opposing American and British armies couldnt see each other. The disciplined Brits approached the American line, but a combination of confusion about equipment (they forgot the ladders they needed to get over embankments) and some stiff rules combined to give the scruffy mix of Americans military, Native Americans and frontiersmen an advantage.

Trained not to fire until they could see the whites of their opponents eyes, the Brits were lined up, red coats glowing, officers in the front on horses. The moment the fog began to lift, the sharp-eyed Americans picked them off from a distance.

Four HNOC interpretive assistants contributed their ideas for the "Danse Macabre" project, now in its third year: Blevins, Kurt Owens, George Schindler and Joanna Robinson. Dylan Jordan took the lead in pulling their tales together into the tour.

The tours may vary a bit. Each of the four brings out their own favorite details in delivering the tales. They all cover the same stories, but its not a rigid script, Jordan said.

Another museum piece in the tour, an 1878 edition of Frank Leslies Illustrated Newspaper, depicts outbreaks of yellow fever, showing politely sanitized images of nuns nursing sick children at St. Vincents orphanage, a family of children with their father around the mothers sickbed, sick vagabonds lying on a bench in Jackson Square and more.

The real experience was much messier.

People of means, Blevins said, simply left the city between May and September to avoid the disease, which thrived in the heat and poor sanitation. Many of those remaining  mostly immigrants and laborers  faced fever, swelling, jaundice, vomiting and, eventually, oozing of black blood from the nose, ears and mouth. Death was within days to about a week.

History note: Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church at 411 N. Rampart St. was built as a mortuary chapel near St. Louis Cemetery #1, Jordan said, to keep funerals out of St. Louis Cathedral and avoid its contamination.

Some people, such as slaves from the Congo, where similar conditions existed, were immune. Also likely immune was Marie Laveau, which could explain how she was able to nurse the sick without succumbing to the disease, Blevins said.

That earned her both good will and, Blevins noted, perhaps contributed to the supernatural aura of The Voodoo Queen. (So may have her job as a hairdresser, where clients chatter made her privy to all the goings-on of the community, Blevins added.)

The HNOC collection also includes a portrait of Madame Marie Delphine LaLaurie, whose home on Royal Street burned in 1834. A search for survivors turned up tortured slaves as well as grotesquely mutilated bodies, and LaLaurie was branded as savage.

But fact and legend can blur, Blevins noted. LaLauries husband, a doctor, may no longer have lived in the house. Even so, might the sadistic mutilations actually have been his medical experiments?

Jordan notes that the tour carries a PG-13 rating.

Some of the stories are kind of intense, he said.For people who dont like shots, the nasal spray might be an option, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC said. Those groups did not recommend the spray the last two flu seasons because it was not effective against some strains of influenza, but this year the organizations support the nasal spray as an alternative to the shot. The spray has been approved for use in non-pregnant individuals, and those 2 to 49 years old.Yielding to calls from Catholics who have demanded a full accounting of local clerical abuse cases in the wake of other disclosures across the U.S., New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond and the leaders of four other Louisiana dioceses said Tuesday they will release the names of clergy members who have been "credibly accused" of child sexual abuse in the past 50 years.

Aymond said the release of names will be sooner rather than later, though he stopped short of giving a firm date.

Allegations are deemed to be credible when, after a thorough review, the clergy who are accused are removed from ministry, according to the archdiocese.

The clergy files are being examined very carefully, Aymond said in a statement. It is important to note that the review of the files goes back at least 50 years to ensure the list is accurate and complete. We will publish the list as soon as this work is finished.

+2 List of Louisiana clergy accused of sex abuse remains mystery; financial toll gives clues to why Archbishop Gregory Aymond, clad in purple vestments symbolizing atonement, lay prostrate on the altar of St. Joseph Church during a special Ma

Officials with the Baton Rouge, Houma-Thibodaux, Lafayette and Shreveport dioceses also committed Tuesday to disclosing the names of errant clergy. The Lake Charles and Alexandria dioceses did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The announcements follow reports by The New Orleans Advocate that Catholic institutions in the city paid out huge financial settlements in the last several years to settle previously undisclosed claims of child sex abuse.

The archdiocese recently settled several claims of abuse involving defrocked Metairie deacon George Brignac, but it did not alert parishioners until after media reports of the settlements. At least 10 other people have since come forward with additional claims against Brignac.

In addition, officials at Jesuit High School agreed in 2012 to a $450,000 settlement with Ricky Windmann, who grew up near the school and said a maintenance man named Peter Modica sexually abused him on the campus multiple times, on one occasion with a priest named Neil Carr.

Modica and Carr are now deceased.

Man in settled Jesuit abuse case files molestation complaint against ex-NOPD cop and convicted pedophile New Orleans police have opened an investigation into new allegations of sexual molestation in the 1970s that are being leveled at a convicted 

In September, Aymond said Louisianas bishops were considering releasing a list of credibly accused clergy. But he stopped short of making a guarantee, saying that disclosing names was fraught with complications.

He said it would require a personal conversation with each clergy member who would be listed, and he was concerned over clergy who were dead and no longer able to defend themselves.

Tim Lennon, president of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said the Louisiana bishops' move to release the names will finally provide "an opportunity for survivors to know that they werent alone, that it wasnt their fault.

Still, Lennon said, it's disappointing that it has taken significant pressure from advocates and the media to get local church leaders to disclose the identities of child sex abusers. "It's outrageous it's taken civil investigation to compel bishops to take basic steps in human decency," he said.

Elsewhere in Louisiana

The abuse scandal has also recently resurfaced in other parts of the state, including Lafayette, where that diocese earlier this month decided to remove a priest from active ministry over a sexual assault allegation from nearly 25 years ago that was deemed credible.

Eleven men in St. Martin Parish are also pursuing sex abuse claims against a deceased priest named Kenneth Morvant, who the plaintiffs say used alcohol and the power of God to prey on them.

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Survivors of clerical sex abuse and their advocates have long demanded a full accounting of cases, saying that it is the only path to healing between victims and the church.

Numerous dioceses outside of Louisiana, including in Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota and Arkansas, have already released lists of credibly accused clergy.

More than 50 out of the roughly 200 U.S. dioceses have released similar lists, according to the clergy abuse watchdog group bishop-accountability.org.

In New Orleans, more quietly settled, decades-old Catholic Church sex abuse cases surface More cases have surfaced involving quietly settled, decades-old sexual abuse claims against the Catholic Church in New Orleans, naming a pair 

The calls for transparency have intensified following the release this summer of a Pennsylvania grand jury's report outlining credible sexual abuse claims against 300 priests in six of the state's eight dioceses.

But not all releases have proved to be adequate in the eyes of victims' groups. In Buffalo, New York, Bishop Richard Malone endured waves of criticism after a television station obtained secret documents showing that his release of more than 40 names was a severe undercount.

It is unclear what information Louisiana bishops will release in addition to the names of abusers. Some dioceses have also listed every place where an abuser worked, the year of the accusation, and whether they are alive or dead. Others have listed little more than the names and have included only diocesan clergy, not those belonging to religious orders.

The Catholic sexual abuse scandal erupted in 2002, when reports of decades of abuse in the Archdiocese of Boston  and evidence of church leaders' cover-up of the abuse  were made public by The Boston Globe. Since then, the scandal has cost U.S. dioceses billions of dollars. Roughly 8 percent of dioceses have declared bankruptcy, or are planning to do so, because of the financial toll.

Raising the cost

Acceding to the requests of victims and many members of the public for full transparency makes it likely that more victims will come forward and seek compensation, raising the potential cost of the scandal to dioceses already on shaky financial footing.

Moreover, the release of priests' names in the past sometimes has led to litigation from those named. In New Orleans, Aymond's predecessor, Archbishop Alfred Hughes, was sued years ago for defamation by multiple priests he publicly relieved of duty over allegations that they had sexually abused children.

Prominent New Orleans defense attorney Arthur "Buddy" Lemann represented three of those priests. He said Tuesday that he didnt recall those cases resulting in any significant financial awards for his clients. But he said the clients believed they were worth pursuing because they added a level of heft to their initial denials.

Most of these (accused) people start off by taking the position that these allegations are not true, Lemann said. These are very salacious charges and can be very, very damaging to a person, and people do have a right to privacy.

In at least one case that didnt involve Lemann, four accusers withdrew their molestation claims against a high-ranking priest, admitting that he did not abuse them at the troubled Madonna Manor orphanage, according to a 2010 Times-Picayune article.

The remaining cases related to Madonna Manor and its sister organization, Hope Haven, in Marrero, resulted in a $5.2 million settlement in 2009.

Aymond has said that the Archdiocese of New Orleans has not had a credible new claim of sexual abuse in the last decade.

Staff writers Andrea Gallo and Ben Myers contributed to this report.Cogsdale Corp., the company that created the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Boards billing software, sought Monday to deflect blame for widespread billing problems at the agency, with company officials saying the public utility never contacted the firm about problems.

They also said none of their other customers have seen similar issues.

The Canadian firm instead told members of the City Council that high turnover at the utility meant employees did not know how to properly use the software.

The hearing before the councils Public Works Committee did little to shed new light on the exact cause of the persistent problems with overcharging and other billing errors that the S&WB has been struggling with in the two years since Cogsdales software was put in place.

We have over 200 customers, and we havent seen these issues, Cogsdale Director of Professional Services Judy Wells said. She declined to name those other utilities or municipalities, citing confidentiality clauses in their agreements.

Wells said the company first learned about the extent of the billing problems at the S&WB from media reports. The first time it received an official request for help was in a letter from the City Council over the summer, she said.

The S&WB itself had not reached out for help before then, she said.

That the utilitys former leadership never asked for help, even as thousands of customers grappled with inflated bills, was met with incredulity from council members.

So, at no point in time in the past year did you get a call from the S&WB? Councilman Jason Williams asked.

S&WB spokesman Rich Rainey said after the meeting that the utility had been speaking with Cogsdale about the problems since February or March, several months before the councils letter. The reason for the discrepancy was not immediately clear.

In recent months, the S&WB did bring in Cogsdale personnel to examine the system and try to fix the ongoing problems.

Cogsdale officials were also on hand during the initial roll-out of the system in October 2016, and extra staff were assigned to ensure bills were correct, Wells said. She estimated that at the time the system went live, less than 5 percent of the bills were incorrect.

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But over the past year, thousands of customers have contested their bills, often citing massively inflated charges.

Wells described the training given to S&WB employees before the roll-out of the new billing system as some of the most extensive shes seen during her time at Cogsdale, but the staff was slower to adapt to it than expected, she said.

In addition, turnover at the utility, both among the front-line workers and the managers who supervise them, may have contributed to problems, she said.

Monday's hearing yielded few answers for exactly where the problem with the billing system lies.

Cogsdale does not plan to file a report on what the company believes went wrong with the billing system, officials said.

S&WB Executive Director Ghassan Korban, who started at the utility last month, said an evaluation being done by Utiliworks, another contractor, through the end of the year could point to some specific problems.

In the meantime, the S&WB is implementing a few changes to the software aimed at reducing billing problems.

As now set up, the software flags bills that show significant increases over previous months, allowing employees to put those on hold while the charges are investigated.

Korban said changes are being made to the software to allow the S&WB to track which employees are approving the sending out pf those bills. This can help pinpoint whether specific workers are signing off on bills they shouldnt be.

Thats how I can hold them accountable, Korban said.

The S&WB also has stopped using an algorithm developed by previous utility officials and Cogsdale that was designed to estimate bills when a meter is not actually read. That algorithm has been blamed for some of the overcharges seen by customers.

The S&WB has since switched to estimating residential customers bills at a flat 100 gallons of water a day when there is no meter reading. But thats now being done by hand until Cogsdale can finish implementing a change in the software to record the estimated usage automatically, Korban said.Two years ago, a New Orleans man had a plea deal in hand that would let him avoid life imprisonment as a habitual offender as long as he showed up for a sentencing date.

But Kyron Theophile, who said he wanted out of jail so he could be present for his childs birth, never went back to court for his sentencing in a domestic violence case.

And his legal predicament grew even more dire when he was arrested for a fatal shooting later that year.

After his December 2016 arrest, Theophile, 32, faced the prospect of going to prison for life as either a habitual offender or a convicted murderer.

Instead, Theophile entered into a plea agreement on Monday that will see him sentenced to 25 years in prison on his original charges and a manslaughter charge in the New Orleans East killing.

Ad hoc Criminal District Court Judge Dennis Waldron, who is handling only the domestic violence case, said sentencing Theophile to prison for life as a habitual offender for that case alone would have been tough, but that he was prepared to do so.

All of the emphasis that was placed on the birth of a little child  now he forfeits a large period of time that he could have been physically present in the childs life, Waldron said. Thats the humanness of this, and that cant escape me.

Theophile, who has a thick rap sheet, was initially charged with domestic abuse battery involving strangulation, domestic abuse battery and simple assault in April 2016. With three recent felony convictions, he faced life imprisonment.

By July of that year, he and his lawyer had hammered out a plea deal with the Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office. Theophile would plead guilty as charged, and prosecutors would not treat him as a habitual offender. He likely would have been sentenced to just a few years.

But Theophile had one request of Criminal District Court Judge Byron C. Williams: He wanted to be let out ahead of his sentencing so he could be present for his childs birth.

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The judge delayed Theophiles sentencing date by two months, but he also issued a warning, according to the court record. A failure to appear, Williams said, would make Theophile subject to the maximum sentence.

For whatever reason, Theophile did not return to court on Sept. 12, 2016. He missed another sentencing date the week after that. Williams issued a warrant for his arrest.

Theophile was still on the loose on Dec. 2, 2016, when Gerard Avant was found dead on the front porch of a home on Forest Glen Road. The 54-year-old man had been shot multiple times. Later that month, police arrested Theophile on a second-degree murder count.

Since then, prosecutors have sought to use Theophile's previous convictions to raise the penalty against him in the domestic violence case. If they succeeded, they could have put Theophile away for life without having to try him in the murder case.

Theophiles defense attorney, Leon Roche, of the Orleans Public Defenders, argued that prosecutors should honor the original deal. He cited comments by an assistant district attorney at one hearing that prosecutors would not seek to stack up those earlier convictions by filing what is known as a multiple bill.

However, Assistant District Attorney Jason Napoli said the other prosecutor was not familiar with the pending murder case.

At the time of the plea deal on Monday, Roche was appealing Waldrons approval of the multiple bill to the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Theophile is set to enter a formal plea of guilty to manslaughter in Avants killing in Judge Robin Pittmans courtroom on Oct. 22.

As Waldron was explaining the case in court on Monday, he turned to the other defendants in the dock with a piece of advice for anyone else released ahead of sentencing.

Please come back, Waldron said.Burning eggs in an Algiers apartment led to the arrest of the president of Jefferson Parish's largest teachers union on a marijuana count, court documents show.

New Orleans police were originally called to Jessie Isidore's west bank apartment Thursday about noon after neighbors heard the smoke alarm in the apartment going off. The neighbors notified the apartment manager, who entered with a maintenance person.

Once inside, they found no one at home but eggs were burning on the stove, according to an account of circumstances leading up to the arrest filed in Criminal District Court in New Orleans.

The manager also noticed what appeared to be a marijuana plant on the first floor and another on the second floor. She called police, who found "a three- to four-foot green in color plant sitting inside a large white flower pot and two greenhouse growing lamps in a small room located on the first floor," according to the account.

A second plant, this one 4 to 5 feet tall, was found in a second-floor bedroom.

Isidore was called and came to the apartment, where he was arrested. He was booked and released on $3,000 bail.

He faces a count of distribution or possession with intent to distribute marijuana. He could face decades in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 if convicted as charged.

Isidore, 33, was elected earlier this year to head the Jefferson Federation of Teachers, the largest teachers union in the state's largest school district. He had won praise from administrators and board members and was a member of a committee studying ways to pass a millage for teacher pay.

Friday, the teachers group released a statement calling Isidore "a young man dedicated to public education." The teachers group said it was "saddened" by the arrest but that it believed "in the presumption of innocence."

Further information would be released Tuesday, the statement said.

Before being selected to lead the Jefferson Federation of Teachers, Isidore taught at Riverdale High School.

Isidore refused to comment on his arrest, and a call to his attorney was not returned.Officials with Benjamin Franklin Elementary School have closed both of the school's campuses for the week after a student and a teacher contracted scabies, according to several news reports and a notice sent out by the school.

Although the problem has been detected only at the school's Nashville Avenue campus, the principal, Charlotte L. Matthew, said in a letter sent to parents Monday night that officials also closed the Lakefront campus because the school has "a significant number of employees that service both campuses" and they felt it was "a needed step to promote safety and cleanliness."

"As with the Nashville campus and the school buses, the Lakefront school is immediately beginning a top-to-bottom cleaning and disinfecting of the entire campus," Matthew said in the letter

Scabies is caused by a mite that burrows deep into an infected person's skin, causing a severe rash that often shows up first between the webs of the fingers, according to Dr. Brobson Lutz, a New Orleans physician.

"It's like a partygoer  it's nocturnal," Lutz said. "So the itching really intensifies at night."

The tiny mites, called Sarcoptes scabiei, lay their eggs in the holes they've burrowed, causing a pimple-like rash that can then develop into scales, blisters and even sores caused by scratching.

The mites can dig into the skin "really quickly," Lutz said, but can actually be present for about two weeks before people start noticing any itching or other symptoms.

If left untreated, the condition can eventually develop into a staph or strep infection because bacteria can infiltrate the open sores caused by scratching.

Lutz said he usually sees two or three patients a year who've come down with the pesky bugs. An infestation typically happens in emergency rooms or at nursing homes where people tend to have "person-to-person contact," but it's not unheard of for it to spread at schools.

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"I've seen several infestations of them over the years," Lutz said.

The mite can also be transmitted sexually.

The first case at Ben Franklin Elementary was diagnosed at the Uptown campus, in the 400 block of Nashville, Matthew said.

The school's other campus, at 6101 Chatham Drive, was closed out of an abundance of caution.

Students were scheduled to start fall break on Wednesday, but the school extended the time off so cleaners could sanitize the campuses, Fox8 reported.

Matthew said both school buildings should be "completely safe for re-entry" by Monday.

While the mite cannot live outside of the human body for more than two days, Matthew also urged all parents to monitor their children for any signs and symptoms of an infestation.

"If your child has a rash of any type, please contact your health care provider immediately," Matthew wrote in the letter. "Do not send your child to school if you suspect your child has a rash of any type until your child has been medically cleared by a physician."Nicole Kidman has spoken about her love for ex-husband Tom Cruise, an admission as rare as hens' teeth.

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Speaking to New York Magazine about power in the film industry, the Oscar-winning Australian said her marriage to the "powerful" Top Gun actor, which lasted from 1990 to 2001, offered her "protection" from the sexual harassment that has been rampant in Hollywood.

"Being married to Tom Cruise at 22 is something I'm always reluctant to talk about, because I'm married now to the man who is my great love [Keith Urban], and it almost feels disrespectful," Kidman said.The automotive industry has promised to review its advertising code following a request from the Deputy Prime Minister triggered by complaints that some car ads  such as the latest showing a 2019 Ford Ranger Raptor getting airborne  promoted reckless driving and speeding.

The Ford Ranger Raptor ad shows the 4WD vehicle flying through the air, a move that an Australian car reviewer described as "epic show jumping" when putting the vehicle through its paces.

It is one of more than 30 ads shown on television and YouTube by automotive companies, including BMW, Lexus and Volvo, that road safety lobbyist Harold Scruby has lodged formal complaints about over the past two decades, claiming they promote unsafe driving and breach the advertising code.

In response to a letter from Mr Scruby, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack promised to seek advice about "plans to review the code" from the Federated Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).To betray the national interest to chase a few votes is irresponsible. To betray it for no votes at all is stupid as well as irresponsible.

Scott Morrison faces his first electoral test as Prime Minister on Saturday. The Liberal Party is in danger of losing the seat vacated by Malcolm Turnbull, once one of its safest. Morrison has just shown that he is absolutely desperate to avoid this possibility.

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The seat of Wentworth has a relatively big Jewish population of about 12 per cent. Morrison on Tuesday proposed two possible changes to Australian foreign policy designed to pander to them specifically. The effect is simply to appear to be wrapped in the flag of Israel.A gang of teenagers who bashed a 59-year-old man during a frightening home invasion returned to the scene of the crime while the victim was in hospital to steal his car, police say.

The group of six to eight young men knocked on the door of David McGregors Narre Warren home in Melbournes south-east just before 10pm on Monday.

David McGregor at the door of his Narre Warren home on Tuesday. Credit:Joe Armao

Mr McGregor said when he answered the door, the young men forced their way in and kicked and punched the man to his ribs and head.

Im pinned to the floor and my arm is pinned behind my back [then] someones come up beside me [and] kicked me in the face, somones kicked me from the other side, I didnt see what it was, it was a blur, Mr McGregor told radio station 3AW on Tuesday morning.A "moderate" warning for thunderstorm asthma has been issued for parts of central Victoria as the state braces for a burst of wild weather.

Storms are forecast to hit Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon, but the specific warning for thunderstorm asthma does not extend to the city.

The Health Department and the weather bureau issued the warning for towns including Ballarat, Bendigo, Daylesford and Kyneton, saying they were at "a moderate risk for epidemic thunderstorm asthma".

Asthma sufferers should be prepared. Credit:James Davies

Those at risk are encouraged to avoid exposure to wind gusts before the storms hit and remind themselves of their asthma action plan.A young motorist who was under the influence of heroin and driving erratically when he struck and killed a dog walker has been jailed for at least five years.

Dillon Buckley, 27, caused the death of 58-year-old Guy Williams, seriously injured his partner Mardi Trease, 68, and injured their dog Jamie when he hit them from behind at Wandin East on December 9.

Dillon Buckley outside court after an earlier appearance. Credit:Nine News

He had taken heroin 15 minutes earlier.

Witnesses variously observed Buckley driving erratically, cutting a corner, driving at high speed on gravel, driving half-off a bitumen road and appearing to travel sideways at times.A former Catholic priest accused of sexually and physically assaulting girls and boys in Perth over a 25-year period now faces a total of 16 charges.

Patrick Holmes, 83, was charged with nine offences in April when police alleged he abused seven children between 1979 and 1992 while a priest in Shenton Park.

File photo: The man was charged over several incidents, allegedly committed while he was a priest in the 1960s and 70s. Credit:Michael Rayner

They say the victims were aged between six and 12 at the time of the first offences.

Holmes was charged with a further three matters in July, with police claiming he indecently assaulted a seven-year-old girl in 1970 when a priest in Carlisle.A man who viciously assaulted his gay lover, set fire to his Perth apartment and left him for dead has refused to read the impact statements written by his victim's family.

Lane Tynan Mitchell, 25, had sex with Peter Anthony Jarman, who was about twice his age, then they took $1000 worth of methamphetamine in June last year before an argument erupted over the offender's taxi ride home.

Mitchell had provided the drugs and became enraged when Mr Jarman refused to give him cash for the fare, the Supreme Court of WA heard on Tuesday.

Peter Anthony Jarman died during a blaze at his North Perth apartment. Credit:WA Police

He admitted punching, kicking and bludgeoning Mr Jarman with a wine bottle, although a forensic pathologist said the victim may also have been hit with a statue and a frying pan.Sources said the proposal was contemplated at senior levels of government - but never by cabinet - after Mr Trump moved the United States embassy earlier this year. It was apparently swiftly rejected based on multiple considerations, including the potential risk to relations with Indonesia and other countries. Loading Former Nationals leader and deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce said Mr Morrison's announcement carried risks to trade with the Middle East. There would have to be concern about the Kuwaitis, the Qataris, the Saudis, the Jordanians, the Bahranis and whether they would put pressure on over this, especially in relation to agriculture exports, Mr Joyce said. It might be okay but you would want to plan for repercussions. A meeting of senior Arab diplomats from 15 countries in Canberra on Tuesday discussed possible trade responses.

"We talked about the ... impact and consequences of this position on the relationship between Australia and Arab countries, said Palestinian diplomatic head Izzat Abdulhadi. "We talked about the size of trade between the Arab countries and Australia. We don't want this excellent relationship to be undermined or affected by this baseless position." Mr Morrison has been open that his view on recognising Jerusalem as the capital - a highly contentious issue as the ancient citys status remains unresolved under the long-running Israeli-Palestinian territorial dispute - was heavily influenced by the Liberal Party's candidate in the Wentworth byelection, Dave Sharma. Mr Sharma, a former ambassador to Israel, has argued that accepting west Jerusalem as part of Israel does not threaten any resolution of the dispute under a future two-state solution as it is a geographical reality. Labor foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong angrily attacked Mr Morrison for his change in bipartisan foreign policy just to try to hold on to the seat of Wentworth. But Mr Howard told Fairfax Media he strongly supported the government's announcement.

The embassy should be moved to Jerusalem because it is the capital of Israel," he said. Mr Howard added that as candidates, former US presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama had all recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Defending his decision, the Prime Minister said Australia strongly backed a two-state solution but the government wanted to challenge orthodox thinkng and the "taboo" question of Israel's capital. The head of the General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, Izzat Salah Abdulhadi, meets with ambassadors and senior diplomats from the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Canberra on Tuesday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen He said he had found Mr Sharma's arguments persuasive and they could offer a "way forward" in the intractable dispute.

"We are committed to a two-state solution but, frankly, it hasn't been going that well," Mr Morrison said. "Not a lot of progress has been made. And you don't keep doing the same thing and expect different result." Mr Howard also said he remains a strong critic of the Iran nuclear deal, which Mr Morrison has also vowed to review. America has pulled out of the deal though other signatories including Britain, France and Germany remain committed. Australia is not a party to the deal but Israeli ambassador Mark Sofer said Australias voice carried serious weight in the world and its public views had influence. Donald Trump's decision to move the US embassy triggered violent protests. Credit:AP Former prime minister Tony Abbott, who has long advocated a shift of the embassy, told Fairfax Media on Tuesday that its a good move. He added he was not worried about the impact on the relationship with Indonesia, nor about any perception that the timing of the Wentworth byelection risked signalling that foreign policy was being driven by local politics.

The Israeli ambassador to Australia, Mark Sofer, hoped the government's considerations would "come to a speedy and early conclusion in the right direction". Loading "What we're seeing here is a growing recognition of the facts on the ground and of course we welcome it." Mr Morrison will make a final decision on the Iran deal by December. Former Liberal foreign minister Alexander Downer tweeted that Mr Morrison's decision was "gutsy" and that Jerusalem is "obviously Israels capital".

But these political views were at odds with former diplomats and recent remarks from serving top foreign affairs officials. I think it is quite unfortunate a foreign policy issue of some substance should be debased in this way because of a domestic political consideration, one former senior diplomat told Fairfax Media. Neither of these propositions is sensible  If you want a two-state solution it does not make sense to pre-empt unilaterally west Jerusalem and east Jerusalem  Its a bit cute to say its consistent with a two-state solution. Bob Bowker, a former ambassador to Egypt and one of the countrys most seasoned Middle East experts, said that Australia has maintained a balanced approach on Jerusalem until now, because that is the approach that best serves Australias interests. It is outrageous to depart from the principles of international law and at the same time to remove a major part of any balance within a negotiated solution by seeking to remove Jerusalem from the table.Good morning. Its great to be making Australia great again, as one of my philosophical mentors almost puts it.

Its OK to be great, you know.

Thats not to say that its necessarily OK to be white, or any shade, really, in so many words, although we all know it is, and Id just like to make it perfectly clear that none of our people in the Senate actually knew what they were doing when they voted the way they did.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison addresses the media on Australia's embassy in Israel. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Im having an investigation into the matter and if its discovered any of those senators wrongly claimed a vote, theyll have to pay it back and well return to business as usual. Thats the way we play it. Just ask Stuart Robert.The Morrison government has bowed to pressure from five state Treasurers and vowed to guarantee "no state will be worse off" in its GST legislation.

The move will enshrine the guarantee over the next decade as the GST transitions to a new structure by 2026-27, with a review of the equity of the system conducted by the Productivity Commission after then.

The Coalition party room agreed to the changes on Tuesday morning after it was presented by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

"This is a good outcome for the states and territories, and a good outcome for the nation that ensures every Australian is better off, no matter their postcode," said Mr Frydenberg.

Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen said he "welcomed the back down" and looked forward to the legislation being introduced into Parliament, signalling Labor would vote through the $9 billion package with bipartisan support.NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro signed off on a controversial $3.3 million investment in an oyster farm, despite telling a parliamentary hearing that the decision had nothing to do with him.

The Opposition has accused Mr Barilaro of misleading Parliament after he told budget estimates that the decision to buy a stake in the loss-making farm was done at "arm's length of government".

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has been accused of misleading Parliament. Credit:AAP

The investment has angered oyster farmers, who say the government was playing favourites when it invested in Australia's Oyster Coast and the move to own a stake in a farm would distort the market.

The funding approval for the investment in the south-coast company was signed by Mr Barilaro on April 5, a document obtained by the Opposition under freedom of information laws shows.Mr Urban narrowly avoided an arrest warrant being issued against him after he showed up half-an-hour late for the Perth Magistrate's Court appearance.

Former WA Labor MP Barry Urban has appeared in court to face 12 fraud charges stemming from alleged lies he told about his educational and policing background to gain admission into the WA Police force.

His lawyer Mark Andrews apologised, saying he thought the matter was scheduled to be heard at 10am.

Mr Urban was charged last month with five counts of uttering a forged record, attempted fraud and forging a record related to information he allegedly provided during applications involving the WA Police Force.

He also faces five charges of giving false evidence before a parliamentary committee.

The maximum penalty is seven years' imprisonment.

During the 49-year-old's first court appearance, Magistrate Joe Randazzo read aloud the details of the 12 charges against him.As the country embraces China's expanding presence in the region, many Kenyans wonder whether the nation has unwittingly welcomed an influx of powerful foreigners who are shaping the country's future  while also bringing racist attitudes with them. It is a wrenching question for the nation, and one that many Kenyans, especially younger ones, did not expect to be confronting in the 21st century. Kenya may have been a British colony, where white supremacy reigned and black people were forced to wear identification documents around their necks. But it has been an independent nation since 1963, with a sense of pride that it is among the region's most stable democracies. An unfinished stretch of the Standard Gauge Railway, a Chinese-built railroad between Nairobi and Mombasa, in Kenya. Credit:Andrew Renneise/New York Times Today, many younger Kenyans say that racism is a phenomenon they largely know indirectly, through history lessons and foreign news. But episodes involving discriminatory behaviour by the region's growing Chinese workforce have unsettled many Kenyans, particularly at a time when their government seeks closer ties with China.

"They are the ones with the capital, but as much as we want their money, we don't want them to treat us like we are not human in our own country," said David Kinyua, 30, who manages an industrial park in Ruiru that is home to several Chinese companies, including the motorcycle company where Ochieng' works. Over the last decade, China has lent money and erected infrastructure on a sweeping scale across Africa. To pay for such projects, many African nations have borrowed from China or relied on natural resources like oil reserves. And when tallying the cost, African nations have generally focused on their rising debts, or occasionally on the exploitative labour practices of some Chinese firms. Silk Noodles, a Chinese restaurant in Nairobi, is in a group of Chinese storefronts popular with Chinese who live in the city, in Kenya. Credit:New York Times But here in Nairobi, concerns about racism and discrimination are a growing part of the conversation about China's expanding presence. In Nairobi, workers in their 20s and 30s swap stories of racism or discrimination they have witnessed. One described watching a Chinese manager slap her Kenyan colleague, who was also a woman, for a minor mistake.

Other Kenyan workers explained how their office bathrooms were separated by race: one for Chinese employees, the other for Kenyans. Yet another Kenyan worker described how a Chinese manager directed his Kenyan employees to unclog a urinal of cigarette butts, even though only Chinese employees dared smoke inside. The Chinese population in Kenya is difficult to count accurately, although one research group put the figure around 40,000. Many are here for just a few years, to work for one of hundreds of Chinese companies. Many of the employees live together in large housing developments and are bussed back and forth from work, leaving little social interaction with Kenyans. "Because of the isolation and lack of integration, usually they are not very aware of the local situation," said Hongxiang Huang, a Chinese conservationist and former journalist who has lived in Nairobi. "They do not know very well how to interact with the outside world." And many arrive with hierarchical views of culture and race that tend to place Africans at the bottom, said Howard French, a former New York Times correspondent who wrote the 2014 book China's Second Continent, which chronicles the lives of Chinese settlers in Africa.

Accusations of discrimination have even emerged on a major state-sponsored project: a 482-km Chinese-built railroad between Nairobi and Mombasa. The train has become a national symbol of both progress and Chinese-Kenyan cooperation, though positive reviews have at times been overshadowed by concern over its $US4 billion price tag. But in July, The Standard, a Kenyan newspaper, published a report describing an atmosphere of "neo-colonialism" for Kenyan railway workers under Chinese management. Some have been subjected to demeaning punishment, it said, while Kenyan engineers have been prevented from driving the train, except when journalists are present. It was a particularly explosive claim because during the train's maiden voyage, with President Uhuru Kenyatta on board, two Kenyan women drove the train to much fanfare. In interviews with The New York Times, several current and former locomotive drivers agreed that only Chinese drivers got to operate the train, describing a range of racist behaviour. "'With uniforms on, you won't look like monkeys anymore,'" Fred Ndubi, 24, recalled his Chinese supervisors saying. Two other workers with him offered the same account.

Ndubi, who has since left the railroad, said his family had sold about a quarter of its land so he could afford the training needed to become a train operator. "We just stood there and asked him, 'How can you call us monkeys?'" Ndubi recalled. Sometimes, the racial controversies have unfolded in full public view. Two years ago, a laundry detergent company in China ran a television commercial in which the detergent's effectiveness was demonstrated by transforming a black man into a light-skinned Asian man. Last year, WeChat, the country's popular messaging app, apologised after its software was found to translate the Chinese words for "black foreigner" into a racial slur in English. This year, China's televised Lunar New Year gala, estimated to reach 800 million viewers, included caricatures of Africans, with blackface and men in animal suits. When asked about the controversy, China's foreign ministry spokesman suggested that Western news organisations had blown the matter out of proportion in an effort to "sow discord in China's relations with African countries."

French, the author of China's Second Continent, said that when it comes to Africa, China has had a tendency to dismiss criticism of its conduct by noting that the West, not China, fuelled the slave trade and colonised the continent. But that misses the point, French said, by ignoring the treatment of Africans today. "Their experience is that they are being treated in flagrantly disgusting, racialised ways," French said. Kenya, home to more than 40 officially recognised ethnic groups, has long had its own problems with prejudice and ethnic tensions. A disputed election in 2007 led to several weeks of mass violence, much of it along ethnic lines. And Kenyans of Indian and Pakistani descent have long felt secluded from mainstream Kenyan life, although the government has granted them greater official recognition. But the Chinese presence has added a volatile new element and, at times, the Kenyan government has seemed divided over how to respond. When allegations of discrimination by Chinese employers emerged over the summer, a Kenyan government spokesman suggested that part of the problem lay instead with Kenya's national work ethic, which he said might need to change.

There are signs that elements within the government may be pushing back. Last month, Kenyan police raided the Nairobi headquarters of a Chinese state-run television channel, briefly detaining several journalists. The timing struck many as curious: It was the same week that Kenyatta was in Beijing, raising the question of whether someone inside the Kenyan government wanted to create a diplomatic row. The experience of Ochieng' and other workers speaks to the future of relations between the two countries. He took a job as a salesman, thinking it would secure a prosperous future, but when he showed up to work he found a different reality. The pay was a fraction of what he was initially offered, he said, and it was subject to deduction for a long list of infractions. "No laughing," was one of the injunctions printed in the company rules. Each minute of lateness  sometimes unavoidable given Nairobi's notorious traffic  came with a steep fine. An employee who was 15 minutes late might be docked five or six hours' pay, he said. One Chinese manager, Liu Jiaqi, 26, loomed particularly large. At times, he was smiling and good-natured, Ochieng' said, but whenever the question of pay came up or something went wrong, Liu turned on his subordinates. When Ochieng' left a sales brochure behind in the car during a sales visit and had to excuse himself to retrieve it, he said Jiaqi began crowing, "This African is very foolish."

But the most painful, he said, were the monkey insults  the kind of dehumanisation used to justify slavery and colonisation. Ochieng' said he protested several times, but the monkey comments did not stop. "It was too much," he said. "I decided, 'Let me record it.'" The rant that Ochieng' recorded came after a sales trip had gone awry. Ochieng asked his boss why he was taking out his anger on him. "Because you are Kenyan," Jiaqi explained, saying that all Kenyans, even the president, are "like a monkey."

Ochieng' continued that Kenyans may have once been oppressed, but that they have been a free people since 1963. "Like a monkey," Jiaqi responded. "Monkey is also free." The day after the video began to circulate widely, Jiaqi, who could not be reached for comment, was deported. It was an especially stark illustration of the clash between the two cultures, with many adding that it produced a noticeable chill in relations between Kenyans and Chinese people in the capital. "That video had a big effect," said Victor Qi, the Chinese manager of a noodle restaurant in Nairobi, adding that business from black customers seemed to fall off after that. After the video emerged, an official with the motorcycle company called Jiaqi's behaviour an "unfortunate transgression," while a Chinese Embassy spokesman said, "The personal talk and personal feeling of this young man does not represent the views of the vast majority of Chinese people."Sacramento California New XL-Electrified Vehicles

SEE ALSO: CARB, GM, SoCal Edison and Others Join Forces to Keep California in the Lead of the Great Electric Vehicle Scam +VIDEO

BOSTON MASS. October 16, 2018; XL, the leader in connected vehicle electrification solutions for commercial and municipal fleets, today announced it is upfitting six hybrid electric (HEV) Ford F-250 trucks and one hybrid electric Ford Transit passenger van for the City of Sacramento to improve their municipal fleets fuel efficiency, increase MPG and reduce CO2 emissions.

The City expects a 25 percent increase in MPG from its XL hybrid electric trucks, compared to its standard gasoline-powered fleet vehicles. By upfitting the XL hybrid electric trucks, the City will save money on fuel costs and achieve its sustainability goals.

The Citys Department of Youth, Parks, and Community Enrichment requires reliability in our fleet vehicles, and they log significant mileage with more than 200 parks located all across the city, said Mark Stevens, fleet manager of City of Sacramento. We did an analysis on which truck would be most beneficial in terms of the fuel usage, and quickly realized that upfitting our Ford F-250 trucks with XLs technology would be the best decision.

Since 2011, the City of Sacramentos fleet has been recognized as one of the Top 40 Green Fleets in North America by the Government Green Fleet Awards Program and was awarded the #1 overall rank in 2013. The citys electric vehicle strategy focuses on the advancement of light-duty electric vehicles, including hybrid electric vehicles, battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

XL is electrifying the fleets of environmentally-conscious municipalities throughout the country, and its a natural fit for us to be working with the Capital of one of the greenest states in the nation, said Clay Siegert, co-founder and chief operating officer of XL. The XL Hybrid system will help the City of Sacramento to reduce fuel costs and meet sustainability goals, without sacrificing the vehicle performance that is critical to its operations.

The XL and City of Sacramento teams will be attending the NorCal Clean Technology Forum & Expo from October 16-18 in McClellan CA, and speaking on the conferences panels about vehicle electrification during separate sessions. Siegert will be participating in a Light-Duty Vehicle Technology Deployment panel on Wednesday, October 17 at 3:00 pm.

For more information about XL fleet electrification technology, fleet managers can also contact sales@xlfleet.com.

About the City of Sacramentos Fleet Department

The City of Sacramentos Fleet Operations provides customers and the employees of the City of Sacramento with safe and dependable vehicles, equipment and service facilities. The Fleet Divisions goal is to work in partnership with customers and employees to provide high quality products and services in a cost-effective manner.

About XL

XL is the leader in vehicle electrification solutions for commercial and municipal fleets in North America, relied on by customers such as The Coca-Cola Company, Verizon, Yale University, the City of Boston and the City of Seattle. With its fleet-ready XLH hybrid electric drive system and the XLP plug-in hybrid electric drive system, Class 2 to 6 commercial and municipal customers can increase fuel economy by between 25 to 50 percent and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by between 20 to 33 percent, decreasing operating costs and meeting sustainability goals with zero impact on fleet operations. XL works with Ford, General Motors and Isuzu to electrify thousands of commercial trucks, vans and shuttles, with over 75 million miles driven on XL systems. Founded by MIT alumni and funded by Constellation Technology Ventures, IKEA Group and private investors, XL is based in Boston. For more information, visit www.xlfleet.com or follow us on Twitter @xlfleet.Enjoy The Drive: Team Wild Grace at the 2018 Rebelle Rally

The Rebelle Rally, a 10-day off-road adventure with eight days of competition, is the first women's off-road navigation rally in the United States

Work-from-home mothers Sedona Blinson and Leah Heffelfinger will pilot Team Wild Grace

Rich in off-road heritage, Armada is an ideal vehicle to navigate through the stunning and challenging terrains of the Rebelle Rally

The Rebelle Rally begins Oct. 11 in Lake Tahoe and will conclude Oct. 20 with a celebratory gala in San Diego

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF.  This won't be a typical week at the office for work-from-home mothers Sedona Blinson and Leah Heffelfinger. But it will be filled with terrain familiar to the Nissan Armada. And Blinson and Heffelfinger, co-captains of Team Wild Grace, hope that fact will provide them a leg up on the competition as they traverse more than 1,500 miles of stunning off-road terrain in California and Nevada as participants in the 2018 Rebelle Rally.

The first women's off-road navigation rally in the United States, the Rebelle Rally begins Oct. 11 in Lake Tahoe and concludes Oct. 20 in San Diego.

"The Armada draws its heritage from the global Nissan Patrol  an SUV known around the world as a King of the Desert  and is a natural fit to succeed in an off-roading challenge like the Rebelle Rally," said Tiago Castro, director of trucks and SUVs, Nissan North America. "We are excited to watch Leah and Sedona take on the competition and show off Armada's authentic capability as a partner in any adventure."

Blinson, a veteran driver who has competed in the rally twice before, and Heffelfinger met at Overland Expo West five years ago and first participated in the Rebelle Rally as a team in 2017 with a Nissan Frontier PRO-4X.

"That little truck was amazing. Its light-weight stature and small footprint made it easy to manage through the tough terrain," said Heffelfinger, an adventure-seeker from California who now resides in Flagstaff, Arizona. "What I'm really looking forward to this year, though, are the plush seats of the Armada along with its significant ground clearance."

Team Wild Grace's 2018 Armada Platinum is stock with the exception of a full set of dirt-grabbing Nitto Ridge Grappler tires  perfect for gripping sand and hauling through the Nevada and California deserts. It is also wrapped in a custom-designed vehicle wrap completed by IF Signs.

Heffelfinger and Blinson will spend up to 13 hours each day in the Armada. Per the rally's rules, no electronic devices are permitted except for rudimentary digital cameras. Teams will use maps and a compass to weave their way through some of the most scenic and challenging terrain America has to offer.

It also means Heffelfinger and Blinson will be out of touch with family for over a week.

"We're allowed physical photos and that's about it," said Heffelfinger. "It's tough to be away from home without contact for so long, but it's our chance to get out and do something that's just for us."

After finishing outside of the top 10 last year, the team fully intends to improve its ranking this year behind the wheel of the Armada.

"We take the rally quite seriously and spend hours polishing up our analog navigational skills leading up to the rally," added Heffelfinger. "We've been working through previous years' maps and are in an excellent spot for this year."

Follow along with Team Wild Grace on its Instagram or Facebook channels, and track the team live on rebellerally.com/live starting Friday, Oct. 12. For more information on the 2019 Nissan Armada and Nissan's complete vehicle lineup, please visit NissanNews.com.

About the 2019 Nissan Armada

Now entering its third year, the second-generation Nissan Armada continues to set records. With no signs of this sales momentum slowing down, Armada adds to its list of standard equipment across all grade levels for the 2019 model year, including Rear Door Alert, Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (I-FCW).

As the flagship of Nissan's expanding lineup of SUVs and crossovers, Armada features 8-passenger seating, a 5.6-liter Endurance V8 with best-in-class1 standard 390 horsepower and standard towing capacity of 8,500 pounds for both 4WD and 2WD models (when properly equipped).

The largest and most powerful vehicle in the SUV and crossover portfolio, Armada earns its flagship status by every measure  whether performance, refinement, advanced technology and even heritage. The second-generation Armada design traces back to one of Nissan's most beloved global off-road vehicles, the Patrol. While Armada is intended primarily for family adventures in North America, Armada owners will benefit from its underpinnings as a strong, durable and authentic full-size SUV with ruggedness to spare.

About the Rebelle Rally

The Rebelle Rally is an event with a unique challenge and scoring system where precise navigation, not speed, is the ultimate goal. Participants trade in cell phones and GPS for old-school navigation in a competition with the elements of time, distance, headings, and hidden checkpoints. Armed with just maps, compasses, and roadbooks, up to 50 teams of two will be pushed to their limits as they make their way across 2,500+ kilometers of Nevada and California's iconic terrain. Entering its third year, to date the Rebelle Rally has hosted competitors from 139 cities, 35 states/provinces, and 7 countries. The world-class event is the longest competitive off-road rally in the lower 48, and takes place October 11th  October 20th with a start in Lake Tahoe and finish in San Diego.

About Nissan North America

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and INFINITI vehicles can be found online at www.nissanusa.com and www.infinitiusa.com, or visit the U.S. media sites nissannews.com and infinitinews.com.

About Nissan Motor Co.

Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, INFINITI and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2017, the company sold 5.77 million vehicles globally, generating revenue of 11.9 trillion yen. On April 1, 2017, the company embarked on Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022, a six-year plan targeting a 30% increase in annualized revenues to 16.5 trillion yen by the end of fiscal 2022, along with cumulative free cash flow of 2.5 trillion yen. As part of Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022, the company plans to extend its leadership in electric vehicles, symbolized by the world's best-selling all-electric vehicle in history, the Nissan LEAF. Nissan's global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, manages operations in six regions: Asia & Oceania; Africa, the Middle East & India; China; Europe; Latin America; and North America. Nissan has partnered with French manufacturer Renault since 1999 and acquired a 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors in 2016. Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi is today the world's largest automotive partnership, with combined sales of more than 10.6 million vehicles in calendar year 2017.The victor. Photo: Forest & Bird

Just one week after 409 Beadnose won the title of Fattest Bear of 2018, another much-coveted title has been awarded to another deserving, round creature: the clumsy, drunk, gluttonous and glamorous kereru has been named New Zealands Bird of the Year 2018!

[Pause for raucous applause.]

The bon vivant kererus are known to feast on rotting and fermented fruit, which gets them tipsy, and occasionally leads to them falling out of trees. (Who among us )

They have quite a reputation of being large and clumsy and being a bit of a clown, Megan Hubscher, the senior media and communications Adviser for Forest & Bird  the conservationist group that runs the vote to raise awareness about threats faced by the countrys rare and endangered birds  told the BBC.

There are a lot of videos around of kereru getting drunk and stumbling around in a comical manner. Thats part of the charm. Theyre just very loveable birds.

The kererus faced some stiff (pun intended!) competition for the Bird of the Year title, like the colorful takahe, and this kakapo, who is a very good dancer, and is still great even if they didnt win.

Dear @takapodigs. I fixed your video of Sinbad the kakapo "seeking out human company in breeding seasons".  pic.twitter.com/tThAiLo4XW  Kimberley Collins (@kimi_collins) October 12, 2018

This years competition drew over 48,000 votes, with the kereru winning 5,833. Celebrities like Stephen Fry, comedian Bill Bailey, and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also weighed in with their preferences, and some of the birds even popped up on Tinder, which is great if thats what youre into.

Congratulations to the kereru. You earned it, and hopefully you are somewhere celebrating, knee-deep in rotten, boozy fruit.

A 'drunk' pigeon in New Zealand has been crowned Bird of the Year.



The Kereru has been described as "clumsy" and "glamorous" because it likes to drink fermented fruit.#5News | @Forest_and_Bird pic.twitter.com/VfHJQCXz3w  Channel 5 News (@5_News) October 15, 2018Susan Collins. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Police were called to Senator Susan Collinss in Bangor, Maine, on Monday following the delivery of a suspicious letter. The Bangor Daily News reported that a heavy police presence was outside of the senators house starting at 1:39 p.m., and the FBI arrived at around 4:30 p.m. The contents of the letter are not currently known, and it is unclear why it was considered to be a suspicious package.

Senator Collins has been the subject of much critique after she voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court earlier this month. Protesters have even appeared outside of her home in Maine, but this is the first time that police have been called to the residence. In July, women sent hangers to Senator Collinss Washington, D.C., office, but the act of protest was not considered to be a threat.

Members of our Criminal Investigation Division are currently on scene and the investigation is ongoing. The Bangor Fire Department and a Hazmat team from Orono, Maine, are assisting the investigation, said Bangor Police Department sergeant Wade Betters to the Daily News.

A spokesperson for Senator Collins said that the senator was not at home at the time, but that her husband, Thomas Daffron, was. The investigation is still ongoing.I still consider myself an artist, and this is just my medium now, is jams, she said. Its all really listening to the fruit, tasting the fruit. Every year, the fruit is different.People attend three minutes of silence as they gather at the site where anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was assassinated in a car bomb one year ago, in Bidnija, Malta, on Oct. 16, 2018. (Darrin Zammit Lupi/Reuters)

A Year After Journalists Murder, Many Questions Unanswered on Malta

VALLETTAA year since its most prominent journalist was murdered, the tiny state of Malta has still not solved the mystery behind her death, or overcome the bitter division left by her legacy.

Daphne Caruana Galizia, 53, who penned an anti-corruption blog, was killed Oct. 16, 2017, when a bomb placed inside her car blew up as she left her home in the peaceful hamlet of Bidnija, near the capital Valletta.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, a frequent target of Caruana Galizias writings, offered a million euro ($1.2 million) reward for information leading to an arrest of the murderers, and called in the American FBI and Europol to assist the Maltese police.

The money would be paid for anything that can unlock the facts behind the murder.

So I reiterate the offer, it is still there, Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici told Reuters in an interview.

But despite the fact three suspects were arrested in December and subsequently charged with killing the journalist, police are convinced that some as-yet-unidentified person gave the order to carry out the attack.

Malta is equally stymied on how to remember Caruana Galizia.

Some on the island, typically supporters of the ruling Labour Party, cannot forgive what they regard as a tilted campaign that she ran on her blog against figures often close to their camp.

For others, many of them supporters of the rival Nationalist Party, she was a martyr. They are determined to preserve both her memory and to continue her fight against corruption.

A group set up soon after the murder, called Occupy Justice, holds vigils at a makeshift memorial opposite the Valletta law courts, but government workers regularly sweep the site clean of candles and flowers, looking to prevent a shrine taking root.

The three murder suspects were arrested on the strength of mobile phone records, that allegedly tied them to watching the journalists home and detonating the bomb, police say. The trio have all denied the charges and no date has yet been set for their trial.

Looking For Motives

The three men were never mentioned in any of Caruana Galizias blogs and police critics say not enough is being done to uncover the mastermind.

Ana Gomes, a member of the European Parliament from Portugal who has led official delegations to Malta to investigate rule of law on the island, wrote on Twitter this month that the probe into who ordered the killing was stalled.

Malta Police have declined multiple requests for on-the-record interviews about the case. But sources briefed about the investigation confirm that over the last year nobody Caruana Galizia publicly wrote about had been questioned.

One senior officer, speaking off the record, dismissed the criticism, saying Caruana Galizia had made too many enemies to make any mass questioning of her foes worthwhile.

To establish the motive, the question is what she was planning to write and whose interest was she threatening, the officer said.

A team of about 10 police and Malta Security Service officers, who handle wire taps, continue to work the case.

The shock of Caruana Galizias murder and the increased focus in Malta and abroad on corruption claims have done little to dent the Labour governments popularity or the local economy.

Polls published in the MaltaToday newspaper show the Labour Party and Muscat enjoying their highest-ever ratings while the Maltese economy is the best performer in the European Union.

A group of local and international media groups, including Reuters, began following up stories covered by Caruana Galizia in the wake of her death, in an initiative called the Daphne Project.

By Stephen Grey and Chris SciclunaAmerican Pilot Dead in Ukrainian Military Plane Crash

An American pilot died when a Ukrainian air force plane went down during a training exercise on Oct. 16, officials said.

Two pilots, including the American, died in the crash in the Khmelnytskyi region about 200 miles from Kyiv, the capital, according to the countrys Defense Ministry, Radio Free Europe reported.

A Sukhoi-27 plane crashed at around 5 p.m. local time during a training flight, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said. The bodies of the two pilots have been found, it added.

We are aware of a Ukrainian Su-27UB fighter aircraft that crashed in the Khmelnytskyi region during Clear Sky 2018 today. The incident is currently under investigation and do not have any other information to provide at this time. We will provide more information as soon as it becomes available, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa said in a statement.

We have seen reports claiming a U.S. casualty and can confirm a U.S. service member was involved in this incident. It is currently under investigation and we will continue to provide more information as it becomes available, it added.

Details of the plane crash, including the cause, are not clear.

The U.S. Air Force said last month that Ukrainian and U.S. military forces would take part in a joint exercise in mid-October 2018.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of collaboration between the California Air National Guard and Ukraine as part of U.S. European Commands State Partnership Program, and this exercise will include robust participation of California ANG units. Aircraft from California units will include F-15C Eagles and a C-130J Super Hercules, said the Air Force.

Training will focus on air sovereignty, air interdiction, air-to-ground integration, air mobility operations, aeromedical evacuation, cyber defense, and personnel recovery, it added. This exercise aims to enhance regional capabilities to secure air sovereignty and promote peace and security through cooperation, collaboration and interoperability with NATO partners and other allies in the region.A graduation ceremony for master's and doctorate students at Tsinghua University in Beijing on July 18, 2007. (China Photos/Getty Images)

(Another) Chinese Professor Punished for His Speech

In the latest instance of Chinese authorities clamping down on academic speech, a Chinese professor recently was disciplined for making remarks criticizing Chinas education system.

Zhao Siyun, 51, is vice-president at the literature institute of Zhejiang University of Media and Communications, a public university in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.

During a Sept. 30 welcoming ceremony for new students, Zhao criticized the state of education in China, lamenting that the school system had failed to nurture students creativity, innovation, and concern for society.

He spoke of the need for students to have independent thought, and to embrace the concept of the public intellectual: an idealist with the spirit to criticize and the willingness to uphold morality.

Only one who is filled with profound love for ones country and people will criticize the dark side of society, he said.

He posted a copy of his speech on his social media account. A few weeks later, on Oct. 8, the local newspaper Qianjiang Evening News also republished it.

The remarks did not sit well with the university authorities.

On Oct. 12, the universitys Communist Party committee issued an administrative penalty to Zhao for his inappropriate choice of words. The school also noted that between 2013 and 2015, he posted or republished wrong opinions and speech, causing a certain level of negative influence.

Following the news of Zhaos punishment, many netizens expressed that they believed Zhao had the right to say what he did. Chinese media reports and social media posts regarding Zhao have since been censored.

But before the internet censors took action, netizens were able to track Zhaos old posts on Sina Weibo, a popular platform similar to Twitter. In an August 2013 post, he commented on a post vouching for eliminating Chinese Communist Party organizations in schools. These organizations are established in virtually all workplaces to ensure employees toe the Party line. Zhao had commented on Weibo, Guiding university students to take the civil servants exam: that is the downfall of the entire system.

In July 2014, Zhao reposted comments lamenting that education became a vassal of politics after universities came under Party control.

Zhaos case is the latest amid a string of professors getting punished for expressing opinions in their classrooms that were deemed too critical of the status quo or the Party. In some cases, it was the students who ratted out their teachers and reported their offending speech to the schools Party committee. The students are sometimes Party informants assigned to each class.

Yang Shaozheng at Guizhou University was fired from his post in August after making remarks advocating constitutionalism and rule of law.

That same month, 84 year-old retired professor Sun Wenguang was taken away by police from his home while on a live telephone interview with Voice of America.

China commentator Xia Xiaoqiang said that the Chinese regimes crackdown on speech is the latest example of tactics widely used: punishing one individual to send a message to others.The headquarters of Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurer Anthem Inc in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Oct. 27, 2003. (A.J. Mast/Getty Images)

Anthem to Pay a $16M Settlement to HHS for Data Breach

Health care company Anthem Inc. has signed a settlement agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for $16 million after data from millions of customers was exposed in a 20142015 cyber attack.

This is the highest payout HHS has ever received. The previous highest was $5.5 million for suits against Memorial Healthcare System in 2017 and Advocate Health Care Network in 2016.

While Anthem has not admitted fault, it also has agreed to follow a corrective action plan to be overseen by HHS for the next six years.

Anthem takes the security of its data and the personal information of consumers very seriously, Anthem said in an emailed statement. The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has been reviewing the sophisticated cyber attack on Anthem that occurred in 2015. We have cooperated with the OCR throughout their review and have now reached a mutually acceptable resolution.

The OCR was first alerted to the breach in March 2015 when Anthem filed a breach report. The company discovered the breach a month and a half earlier on Jan. 29, 2015, which HHS says could have been prevented, or at least contained, if it had taken appropriate measures.

Attackers sent a spear-phishing email to an Anthem subsidiariary, which at least one employee responded to, opening the door for hackers to steal the data of some 79 million people. The data stolen included addresses, medical identification numbers, dates of birth, social security numbers, and employment information.

Anthem believes the hackers first breached the system on Dec. 2, 2014, and had access to the data until Jan. 27, 2015, almost two months.

After an investigation, HHS determined that starting as early as Feb. 18, 2014, Anthem failed to take security precautions that would have alerted the company to a breach. The department took legal action on the grounds that the breach violated the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, which protects patients health data.

The largest health data breach in U.S. history fully merits the largest HIPAA settlement in history, said OCR Director Roger Severino in a statement. We know that large health care entities are attractive targets for hackers, which is why they are expected to have strong password policies and to monitor and respond to security incidents in a timely fashion or risk enforcement by OCR.

Anthem did not respond directly to Severinos accusation that the company didnt have strong password policies, but it did address the timeliness of its response.

At the time of the incident, our first priority was to ensure that our systems were secure, which we did by engaging a world-class security organization and the FBI, Anthem said in an emailed statement. Additionally, we provided initial notice within four business days, and credit protections within 11 business days.

The company says it is not aware of any identity theft as a result of the stolen beneficiary data.

The California Department of Insurance also did an investigation into the breach, and concluded that Anthem had taken reasonable measures to protect its data and had a rapid and effective response to the breach once it was discovered.

While no government agencies have named the attackers, independent cyber security researchers believe a Chinese state-backed hacker group was behind it. The group goes by several names: KungFu Kittens, Group 72, PinkPanther, and, most famously, Deep Panda.

Deep Panda also has been linked to the 2015 attack on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management that stole background data on some 4 million past, current, and potential federal employees.

Security experts believe the Chinese regime wanted the data to get security access for its spies, or to compromise current U.S. government employees.Members of the Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations protest during a meeting at the United Nations on the plight of Cuban political prisoners in New York on Oct. 16, 2018. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

Cuban Delegates Disrupt UN Meeting Called to Discuss Political Prisoners

It was supposed to be a quiet event at the United Nations to discuss the plight of political prisoners in Cuba. Instead, it turned into an exercise of political protest.

Just 15 seconds into Ambassador Kelley Curries opening remarks at the U.N. on Oct. 15, protesters from the Cuban delegation who were seated around the room began to pound on the desks. Then, came the shouting.

Currie, the U.S. representative to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, asked Ambassador Michael Kozak and security to remove or quiet the protestors three times during her nine-minute remarks. The protesters were never silenced or removed.

I want to thank the Cuban delegation again for giving us such a graphic demonstration of how they deal with alternative viewpoints in their country, said Kozak, senior official of the U.S. State Departments Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. If this is the way the government of Cuba behaves in the chambers of the United Nations with security present, can you imagine what it would be like to be an individual Cuban citizen trying to speak their mind?

The vocal display by the Cuban delegation was meant to silence people speaking out against Cubas oppressive policies. Ironically, thats exactly what the panel intended to highlight.

As of September, there were 139 documented cases of political prisoners in Cuba, including 15 women, according to Carlos Quesada, executive director of the Institute of Race and Equality, who took part in the event. Currie noted more than 5,000 Cubans were detained for political reasons in 2017.

Cubas political prisoners are a clear and unambiguous sign of the repressive nature of the regime, Currie said. Their imprisonment represents a blatant affront to the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the universal declaration of human rights.

Quesada, who is a lawyer, said domestic laws and ill-defined criminal laws have allowed widespread corruption among the police. Evidence is made up to ensure convictions, creating a system where Cubans are locked up simply for speaking their minds.

Once in prison, Quesada said, conditions are very difficult. He said there are reports of prison officials offering bribes to other convicts to physically assault political prisoners, or start rumors about them, which makes them vulnerable to violence by other inmates.

All of these acts violate Cubas international obligations to provide safe and respectful conditions to people deprived of their liberty, Quesada said.

While shouting over protesters, he called for Cuba to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The treaty, adopted by the U.N. in 1966, says that countries that sign guarantee their citizens civil and political freedom.

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro opposed the treaty, but his brother, Raul, signed it in 2008, just four days after taking over as president. The Cuban government never ratified it and, based on the number of political prisoners in Cuban jails, they continue to disobey the rules detailed in the treaty.

The Cuban government should respect the right to freedom of expression and opinion, as well as the right to freedom of association in the country, Quesada said.

The panel highlights the pressure that the Trump administration is putting on Cubas repressive policies. In October 2017, President Donald Trump signed National Security Presidential Memorandum 5, which specifically outlined his administrations policy toward Cuba. In short, Trump wants to see more freedom, democracy, and improved human rights for Cubans.

The Cuban people have long suffered under a Communist regime that suppresses their legitimate aspirations for freedom and prosperity and fails to respect their essential human dignity, the presidential memo said.

In an effort to force change, Trump reinstated trade and travel restrictions that had been relaxed under former President Barack Obama.Apple AirPods Assembler Plans Production Shift to Vietnam to Dodge Tariffs

Chinas GoerTek, an assembler of AirPods wireless headphones, will become the biggest supplier of Apple equipment so far to move production out of China because of the high tariffs recently imposed by the United States on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods.

GoerTek will relocate production of AirPods to Vietnam, as reported on Oct. 12 by the Nikkei Asian Review, a Japanese economic publication.

Apples AirPods, introduced in December 2016, have generated good revenue for Apple. Although Apple hasnt published the relevant sales data, Fortune magazine and other media quoted KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, as saying in December 2017 that Apple sold 13 million to 14 million AirPods units that year; sales this year may come in at 26 million to 28 million units, accounting for more than $4 billion in revenue.

Market research organization NPD reported that the AirPods, which cost $160, have about 85 percent of the market share for wireless headphones.

AirPods were first assembled by Taiwanese manufacturer Inventec before Chinese manufacturers Luxshare and GoerTek began to play a role.

GoerTek has told Apple about the plan, and made inquiries with all related suppliers in the AirPods production chain, Nikkei reported. Apple has asked suppliers to confirm by weeks end whether they can ship the necessary parts to Vietnam.

GoerTek, which is based in Weifang, in eastern China, expects that its suppliers can keep their contract prices and maintain production schedules. According to Nikkei, GoerTek and Apple will enter discussions about future cooperation.

Currently, GoerTek has a factory near Hanoi, Vietnam, that produces wired headsets for iPhones.

Taiwanese manufacturer Cheng Uei Precision Industry, which supplies iPhone chargers and connectors, has also discussed the possibility of a production move out of China.

Tai-Chiang Gou, chairman of Cheng Uei, said the best places to replace mainland China would be the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Another option is a factory on the outskirts of Taipei, the Taiwanese capital; that site would need only one or two months to ramp up its manufacturing capacity, Gou said.

Gou, who said that he will consider the move following the U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 6, indicated that any decision would depend on whether Washington imposes a third wave of tariffs on the currently unaffected $260 billion worth of Chinese goods.

Pegatron, another Taiwanese iPhone parts supplier, is mulling similar plans. CEO S.J. Liao said in August that Pegatron has prepared to take risks, while Chief Financial Officer Charles Lin said plans are to boost production at sites in the Czech Republic, Mexico, and Taiwan. The company also is looking into establishing factories in India and southeast Asian countries.

Since the start of the Sino-U.S. trade war, an increasing number of manufacturers have moved operations out of China, or have indicated plans to exit.

In August, four Japanese companiesAsahi Kasei, Komatsu, Iris Ohyama, and Mitsubishi Electricwere moving production out of China in response to the ongoing trade conflict.

At the same time, Capstone International HK, a unit of consumer electronics goods maker Capstone Cos., is looking to trim its exposure to China; Premier Guard plans to move 30 to 60 percent of its production to the United States from Chian; and Walmart is seeking foreign substitutes for Chinese production of cosmetic products and toiletries.A health official works in the laboratory extraction room of the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control in Irrua, Nigeria, on March 6, 2018. (Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP/Getty Images)

Brain Drain Taking a Toll on Africas Largest Economy

Insufficient manpower contributing to Nigeria's poor state of health care

LAGOS, NigeriaGaining admission to study public health at Harvard University last year was a career breakthrough for Luke Adeola (not his real name), a Nigerian medical doctor.

Adeolas plan was to get his masters and return to Nigeria to continue his budding career. A few months after graduating from Harvard, the 34-year-old has not returned home.

I dont want to go back to Nigeria now because of job insecurity, Adeola told The Epoch Times. Doctors are more fulfilled and valued here in the U.S.

It is not only doctors like Adeola who are leaving the country for better opportunities. Nigerian professionals in other fields such as the arts, sciences, and engineering are not leaving anything to chance and seeking better career fulfillment overseas.

These Nigerian professionals are scattered all over the Americas, Europe, and Asia, in what has been described as Nigerias brain drain epidemic, fueling concerns about the depleting human capital needed to sustain Africas largest economy.

The Migration Policy Institute, a Washington-based think tank, reported in 2015 that 376,000 Nigerian immigrants and their children (the first and second generation) live in the United States, and Nigeria is the largest source of African immigrants to the United States.

Economic Loss

Brain drain is a big threat to the countrys economy, which has plummeted in recent times, owing to the dip in oil revenues.

The loss of skilled manpower to other countries has major implications. For instance, Nigerian universities dont seem as attractive to students as more academics choose to leave the country, which in turn motivates more students to go abroad in pursuit of better education. Analysts say this has adverse effects on foreign exchange as Nigerians spend millions of dollars abroad for the education they could get at home.

According to the 2017 Open Doors report on International Educational Exchange, 11,710 Nigerians studied in the United States for the 20162017 academic year alone. This is a 9.7 percent increase over the previous academic year.

Brain drain also costs Nigeria significantly in the health sector as many Nigerians are increasingly embracing medical tourism because of inadequate medical expertise back home. Nigerias minister of state for health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, lamented this loss last year when he stated that the country loses up to $1 billion annually to medical tourism.

Peter Mba and Chike Ekeopara from the University of Calabar in Nigeria say there are several factors that contribute to talent leaving the country.

The downturn in economic growth in Nigeria can be linked to brain drain owing to several factors such as lack of investment, institutional failure, violent crime, multidimensional corruption, and inadequate infrastructures, they wrote in a paper.

The professionals that are emigrating out of Nigeria include those with technical expertise, entrepreneurial and managerial skills and in the new world order; economic growth is driven by people with knowledge.

Leaving Home

The looming fear of job insecurity and poor pay and infrastructure in the Nigerian health sector are what is discouraging doctors like Adeola, who have pitched their tents abroad, from going back home

Similarly, these factors are also contributing to a rise in emigration of Nigerian doctors, triggering concerns in the Nigerian health care system.

We were up to 150 who graduated as doctors in my class at the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. About 50 of my classmates have relocated abroad, Adeola said.

Everyday, I get calls of inquiry from my colleagues back home. They tell me they want to leave Nigeria.

Adeola explained that the situation is so bad that even those who had completed their residency in Nigeria want to come to the United States to start all over again.

Frustrated by the working conditions in Nigeria, last year, Taiwo Omotayo, another budding Nigerian doctor, enrolled for the two-part Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test. The tests are mandatory to work as a doctor in the UK.

I was happy to leave Nigeria and work in the UK. You cannot compare the two countries because the difference is just too much, said Omotayo, who recalled his experiences in a phone interview with The Epoch Times from the UK.

Top Destinations

The United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and the Middle East are the top destinations for these doctors, according to the Nigerian polling organization NOIPolls.

According to a report by NOIPolls and Nigeria Health Watch, 88 percent of medical doctors in Nigeria were scouting for work opportunities abroad in 2017. The United States is the second top destination, according to the think tank.

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria lists about 72,000 registered medical doctors, but only around 35,000 are working in the country.

State of Health Care

Insufficient manpower, compounded by the brain drain, are contributing to Nigerias poor ranking in various health performance indices. In January, the U.N. Childrens Fund ranked Nigeria as 11th in a global ranking of countries with a high mortality rate for children.

The unfortunate thing is that the few remaining ones in Nigeria are planning to leave. This is a far deeper crisis than we are giving necessary attention to, Adeola said.

In an ironic twist, Mike Ogirima, the immediate past president of the Nigerian Medical Association, supports the migration of Nigerian doctors, but laments it is unfortunate that Nigeria has become a training ground for doctors in the U.S. and Canada and other destinations.

Ogirima advocates for doctors to leave the country because it is within the confines of their rights.

I personally will encourage them [doctors] to leave because they need to survive first as medical professionals. When they complete their training in Nigeria and they dont get their desired job, they are open to better options abroad, he told The Epoch Times.

We have proffered different solutions such as improved working conditions, increased the budget for health in Nigeria, but nothing has changed.Brazilian presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro (PSL), speaks during the first presidential debate ahead of the October 7 general election, at Bandeirantes television network in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on August 9, 2018. (NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty Images)

Brazils Bolsonaro: China Is Buying Brazil

China isnt buying in Brazil. China is buying Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, the right-wing frontrunner in Brazils presidential election, said in an Oct. 9 interview with Band TV, referring to the Latin American nations top foreign investor and trade partner.

In the interview, Bolsonaro talked about his privatization pledge, promising that he wouldnt extend privatization to the core business of oil company Petrobras or the power industry.

Starting in the 1930s, Brazil embarked on a program of nationalization that contributed to strong economic growth until the 1980s. In the 1990s, privatization was introduced to pare the government deficit, improve economic efficiency and development, although the policies failed, however, because the government couldnt balance the interests of different parties.

Brazils 2017 government deficit was equivalent to 7.8 percent of national GDP, and Bolsonaro has been campaigning under the banner of privatization to save the countrys economy.

The conglomerates mentioned by Bolsonaro are two of the biggest Brazilian state-owned enterprises. Petrobras controls 99 percent of Brazils oil refining capacity, and cooperates with Chinese firms.

In July 2018, Chinas state-owned National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) signed a letter of intent with Petrobras for the Comperj refinery project, an agreement that followed after CNPC and Petrobras signed a contract in 2017 to co-develop Brazils offshore Marlim cluster, the biggest discovery of oil in Brazil.

Comperj, a multibillion-dollar petrochemical project that dates back to 2004, was suspended in 2015 amid the so-called Lava Jato, or Car Wash, corruption investigation; Petrobras, which owns the Comperj project, has invested $14 billion in it.

Meanwhile, the Lava Jato case is still underway and has implicated many high-ranking officials, including former lower house Speaker Eduardo Cunha, and former Rio de Janeiro state Governor Sergio Cabral. In April 2017, Brazils Federal Court of Accounts announced that it had found evidence of irregular bidding and bribery of 544 million Brazilian reals ($146 million) paid for the construction of Comperj.

The letter of intent didnt mention how much the CNPC will invest in Comperj, but demonstrates the closeness of cooperation between China and Brazil.

China has been Brazils largest trading partner since 2009, due to Chinas rapidly rising demand for raw materials and agricultural produce, according to the German Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

According to Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China exports mechanical equipment, computing and communication equipment, instrumentation, textiles, steel, and transportation tools to Brazil, while it imports iron ore, soybeans, crude oil, pulp, and soybean oil.

Bilateral trade between China and Brazil grew from $6.7 billion in 2003 to $368.5 billion in 2017, of which China has imported $150.8 billion and exported $217.7 billion.

In the first half of 2018, China invested $1.54 billion in Brazil, including investments into two hydroelectric power stations, power transmission and transformation service projects, water supply projects, and other enterprises, the Chinese Communist Party-controlled Xinhua reported.

Compared with 2017s $589 million, Chinese investment increased 161 percent in 2018.

A populist conservative, Bolsonaro may alter BrazilChina relations if he wins the election. Bolsonaro, 63, won 46 percent of the first-round vote on Oct. 7. His strongest competitor, leftist candidate Fernando Haddad, won 29 percent.

Presidential elections in Brazil follow a two-round system. The first round is held on the first Sunday in October. If the top vote-winner doesnt get more than 50 percent of the overall vote, a second round is held on the last Sunday in October between the two most popular candidates from the first round.



The run-off vote is scheduled for Oct. 28.Authorities access the damage after a woman was killed after a large eucalyptus tree toppled and smashed onto a car she was inside of in the driveway of her home in TUSTIN, Calif. during the heavy Santa Ana winds on Oct. 15, 2018. (Mindy Schauer/The Orange County Register via AP)

California Utilities Shut Off Power Amid Wildfire Concerns

SAN FRANCISCOConcerned about downed power lines sparking wildfires, two major California utilities took the rare step of cutting power to customers amid high winds  and another power provider was considering similar action.

Pacific Gas & Electric for the first time began cutting power on the night of Oct. 14 to tens of thousands of customers in Northern California after the National Weather Service warned of extreme fire danger across the state due to high winds, low humidity and dry vegetation.

San Diego Gas & Electric followed suit on Oct. 15, turning off power to about 360 customers in foothill areas near Cleveland National Forest, where multiple blazes have scorched large swaths of land in recent years.

SDG&E has pre-emptively shut off power to customers in the past, most recently in December when 14,000 customers went without power  many for four days.

Pacific Gas & Electric previously announced its plan to shut off power preemptively after authorities blamed its power lines for sparking some of Californias most destructive wildfires.

The utility expects to pay billions of dollars in wildfire damages and has sought ways to limit its liability through the courts and Legislature.

PG&E said about 87,000 customers had their power halted and more could be left in the dark depending on the weather. Some 60,000 customers remained without power. Schools in those affected areas canceled classes.

PG&E said it expected to restore power on the night of Oct. 15 to most customersthough some residents wont get electricity back until Oct. 16.

We know how much our customers rely on electric service, and we have made the decision to turn off power as a last resort given the extreme fire danger conditions these communities are experiencing, PG&E spokesman Pat Hogan said.

PG&E said it began notifying affected customers on Oct. 13 about possible outages. However, many said on Oct. 15 they had received little or no notice.

Stewart Munnerlyn was scrambling to find generators to save $8,000 worth of ice cream at his creamery shop in Pine Grove, about 55 miles (89 kilometers) east of Sacramento. Munnerlyn said he is in Virginia visiting a sick relative and received three text messages on the night of Oct. 14 from PG&E saying it might cut power, but he didnt know it actually happened until a friend called him.

They knew what they were going to do obviously, Munnerlyn said. We werent given enough notice to properly prepare.

Kevin Kathman, executive chef of wine country restaurant All Seasons in Calistoga, said $12,000 worth of food at the site would spoil if power isnt restored soon.

Instead of tossing it, he was planning to cook over a fire during a block party for the stressed out community that includes winery owners in the middle of grape harvest. The power went out on the night of Oct. 14 and Calistoga remained without electricity Oct. 15, even though Kathman said there was no wind.

Its a beautiful day, he said. We are all in disbelief that its not back on.

PG&E spokeswoman Melissa Subottin said power was also cut to hospitals and other medical providers that are required to have backup power sources. PG&E officials visited 4,400 medical customers in the affected areas to personally warn them of the outages, she said.

The weather service predicted winds gusting to 55 mph (89 kph) in the Sierra foothills east of Sacramento. High winds were also expected in the states wine country north of San Francisco.

Southern California Edison said it was considering shutting off power to an undetermined number of customers. Strong wind gusts swept across the region with the arrival of the first fall Santa Ana winds  hot, sustained gusts that blow from the desert to the ocean.

A motorist in the Orange County city of Tustin was killed when a eucalyptus tree fell on her car in an apartment complex. The victim was 34. No further details were released.

Southern California Edison spokesman David Song said about 32,000 of its 5 million customers were experiencing power outages, but no shutdowns had been ordered by the utility. Song said Edison was investigating the cause of those outages.

By Paul EliasPresident Donald Trump at a Make America Great Again rally in Rochester, Minn., on Oct. 4, 2018. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Can Trump Turn a Blue Minnesota Red?

ROCHESTER, Minn.Minnesotans are an independent bunch, so predicting the outcome of the midterm elections is more of a crapshoot here than for other states. It was the lone state that didnt vote for former president Ronald Reagans re-election and has voted blue since Nixons 1972 victory.

In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton won the state by 1.5 percent over President Donald Trump.

Casie Steeves, 31, lined up on a somewhat dismal afternoon on Oct. 4 to see Trump in action at a Make America Great Again rally.

She said since Trumps slender loss in 2016, she has seen support grow for him.

I think theres more Trump supporters, Steeves said. I have a lot of friends that were on the line, or even very the opposite of me, that have kind of gotten a little bit closer.

She attributes the move toward Trump to seeing policies in action and real change, which has really changed their opinions.

Steeves said she hasnt noticed any movement toward the Democrats, but was hesitant to predict the outcome of the midterms, beyond saying, I hope Minnesota turns red.

She said she supports Trump on all his policies, especially in how he is trying to dismantle Obamacare, which caused her familys health care costs to skyrocket. Under Trump, the costs have since decreased and leveled off.

Tough to Tell

James J., who declined to give his full name, said its difficult to tell if Minnesotans have moved either way since the 2016 presidential election.

In surrounding states, I think, things maybe have shifted away from [Hillary Clinton] hypothetically, he said. In Minnesota, its tough to tell.

James, who works in the IT industry, said he usually votes in the midterms and will certainly do so this Nov. 6. He said he is more conservative than just straight Republican now; when I was younger, more to middle or middle-left.

Aside from the improved economy, he likes the way Trump is dealing with foreign affairs.

While maybe looking indelicate at times, [Trump] seems to be very effective for us in that respect, James said. He seems to be quite effectiveat least in the things that hes pursued so far.

Improved Economy

Pat McDonough, 57, a Rochester local, was also reluctant to punt on the midterms, saying it could go either way. He doesnt always participate in the midterms, but will definitely cast his vote this time, following party lines.

Theres gonna be a lot depending on it, he said, mentioning the control of Congress.

McDonough is an electronic technician at a large truck manufacturing plant, which he says is doing well due to the improved economy.

Hes not sure if the 1.5-percent gap between Trump and Clinton in 2016 has shifted either way.

It looks good according to this rally, but you never know, he said. The people of Minnesota  Its hard to tell which way theyre gonna go.

Usually Blue

John Cardarelli, 23, drove down with his wife from the White Bear Lake area for the rally. The nursing assistant supports Trump on immigration issues and shares his support of the Constitution.

As far as any blue-red shifts: I think Minnesota as a state is probably still close to where it was during the last election, he said. But a midterm will be a good way to see how the next election could look like.

In his area, Cardarelli said there is a lot of support for the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, which is affiliated with the Democrat Party.

The party states on its website, For more than seventy years, the Minnesota DFL has worked tirelessly to enact progressive policies and provide a platform for those who need it the most.

Cardarelli said he was inspired to come and see the president speak.

I just thought it was pretty cool that he is coming into Minnesotaa state thats usually so blue in elections.

Time Is Money

Kirsten N., a dental hygienist from the Twin Cities, said she has had a pay raise since Trump took office and her 401K is going through the roof.

I support Trump because hes doing good things for America, she said. Ive liked everything hes done so far, there really isnt anything I could complain about.

She said Trump is succeeding because of his more direct approach. He doesnt waste time. Time is money.

Kirsten said Minnesota votes blue because the majority of the population that resides in the Twin Cities votes blue. Anybody outside of the Twin Cities did not vote for Hillary, she said of the 2016 election.

Energized

Joshua Hoyle, a finance manager for a car dealership, said he hopes Minnesotans will rally around the Republican candidates in the midterms, but I guess only time will tell.

He said Republicans seem energized to get out and vote.

I hope thats what were all doing here today is getting energized for that. I hope thats why hes here today. And were going to bring some more votes in, yeah you bet.

Hoyle said Trump has done a good job of moving the country forward, especially with job growth, lowering unemployment, and boosting the economy.

He said business at the car dealership is brisk and remains unaffected by tariff wars.

Promoting Peace

Wilma Brazell and her husband traveled 100 miles from Iowa to attend the Trump rallytheir third one.

It is so great to come and see so many enthusiastic, patriotic Americans. We love it! she said.

Brazell and her husband are retired farmers who see support for Trump growing, especially in the farming community.

Because he cares for the people. He cares for us. Hes not dedicated to any other party really, but the American people, she said.

And he is really promoting peace in so many countries of the world, where there has been so much trouble. Were very, very happy.Zhang Yang (left), the then-head of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) political affairs department, and Fang Fenghui (right), the then-chief of the general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army attend China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 8, 2017. (Andy Wong/AP)

China Expels Two Top Former Generals from Communist Party for Corruption

BEIJING Chinas ruling Communist Party has expelled a former top general who killed himself during a corruption probe and indicted another on graft charges amid Chinese leader Xi Jinpings continuing crackdown on military malfeasance.

Official media reported that Zhang Yang killed himself at home last November, after which they denounced his death as a despicable act to escape punishment.

The Oct. 16 announcement renewed those accusations and said Zhang had been kicked out of the party and posthumously stripped of his rank. It said assets related to his crimes would be seized.

Zhang formerly headed the Political Work Department under the government and party commissions that oversee the Peoples Liberation Army, the worlds largest standing military.

The other general in trouble, Fang Fenghui, was also expelled and stripped of his rank, state media reported. He now faces a court martial on corruption allegations.

Fang, formerly chief of the PLAs joint staff department, dropped out of public view last year, shortly after an August 2017 meeting with the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford.

In their reports, the official Xinhua News Agency and other state media said Fang seriously violated the partys political discipline and political rules, along with additional stipulations for members of the military laid down by Xi, who heads the joint commissions overseeing the armed forces. Xinhua said he is suspected of both offering and taking bribes and of having a huge amount of assets for which he could not account.

The influence is vile, Xinhua said. He is politically degenerated and economically greedy.

The judgment against Zhang even after his death underscores the relentlessness of Xis broad-ranging and politically charged crackdown on corruption that has felled scores of mid-to-high-ranking officials since he came to power in late 2012. More than a million officials have been investigated and hundreds of thousands disciplined.

Among others recently ensnared is the former president of Interpol, Meng Hongwei, who vanished after traveling to China late last month from France, where the global anti-crime body is headquartered. Days later, China said Meng was under investigation for graft and possibly other crimes, although there are heavy suspicions he had fallen out of political favor with Xi.

No further details were given about the charges against Zhang, although earlier reports said investigators closed in on him using testimony given by two other former top generals, Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong, who had earlier become high-profile targets of Xis campaign.

Xu and Guo had also been members of the Central Military Commission. Xu died of cancer in 2015 before facing a court martial, while Guo was sentenced to life in prison in 2016.

Fang was a subordinate of Guo, once Chinas highest-ranked military official, who gained power through loyalty to former Party leader Jiang Zemin. Guo enabled Jiang to control the military from behind the curtains, long after Jiang formally stepped down from the Party leadership position. Xi Jinping had been cleaning house within the military to purge any remaining influences of Jiang and his faction.

Xi has also undertaken a thoroughgoing reform of the PLA, reorganizing its structure and shrinking the size of the Central Military Commissions from nine to seven members.

Corruption has long been considered rife within the PLA, with some top generals reported to have accumulated vast fortunes in cash and gifts, including golden statues of Mao Zedong and cases of expensive liquor stacked to the ceiling in underground caches.

Along with the selling of ranks and positions, practices such as embezzlement of housing and welfare funds are believed to have severely damaged the forces morale, discipline and combat preparedness, something Xi, a former military officer, has been eager to change.

By Christopher Bodeen. The Epoch Times has contributed to this report.Chinese Say They Do Not Endorse Local Candidate With Alleged Links to Chinese Communist Party

Some Chinese in Hobart recently joined together to dissociate themselves from a Chinese candidate who is seeking a seat in the citys council elections in October.

A group of 10 Australian-Chinese signed a public letter to distance themselves from Tang Yongbei, a Chinese-born Australian citizen who is running for councillor in Hobart City Council (HCC).

The signatories letter was published in the opinion section of Hobarts local paper, The Mercury.

Ten signatories to this powerful public letter from members of Tasmanias Chinese community. They wish to remain anonymous as explained by, and respected in, todays @themercurycomau. Why? Because they are afraid of being punished by Beijing and its #politas backers. pic.twitter.com/zODatJS9d7  Cassy O'Connor  (@CassyOConnorMP) October 12, 2018

It is important Hobart voters understand that Chinese candidate Yongbei Tang does not represent the majority of the Chinese community in Hobart, the letter said.

The signatories wished to remain anonymous, a request upheld by The Mercury. The paper cited higher principles involved that take precedence over its usual editorial stance of requiring authors names to be published.

Recently there has been negative news about Chinese and as a result our community is now experiencing forms of racism, they wrote in the letter.

Several of us have heard slurs such as, Why do you Chinese endorse a candidate related to the Communist party?

The letter said that in 2014, two candidates from the Chinese community also ran in the HCC election.

No people criticised or questioned them or their loyalty to our Australia, or any hidden agenda with the Communist party, because they never had anything to hide, the letter said.

We do not endorse her [Tang] hiding of titles of many organisations including her association with the Chinese Government.

Helping Chinese Students

Tang has been in the spotlight of local media since allegations arose in September that she may have been stacking the electoral roll with Chinese students to get elected.

In a September opinion piece in The Mercury, HCC councillor and mayoral candidate Marti Zucco was quoted saying that Tang had been active in the Chinese student community and aimed to exploit an electoral loophole and stack the rolls with Chinese students to get elected as an alderman.

The students fear if they dont do as they are told, it could be trouble for their relatives back home, Zucco was quoted as saying.

Translated WeChat transcripts cited by The Mercury show that Tang set up a stall in August at the University of Tasmania to help Chinese students enrol to vote, and offered to deliver their enrolment forms for them.

Tang said she did not do anything wrong, and that she was invited by a student organisation of the university on Aug. 14.

We all promote and encourage people to vote for us, its the same as anyone else going to a group of people and encouraging them to vote, she told The Mercury. This organisation informs students of their eligibility for voting in upcoming elections.

Tang has also confirmed that she takes on a formal but voluntary role with the Chinese Consulate in Melbourne. In that role, named the Tasmanian Consular Chinese Citizen Protection Liaison Officer, Tang says she acts in cases of emergency such as when citizens of China are involved in car crashes. The role came after years of voluntary work where she helped Chinese students with problems, from homesickness to car crashes and depression, Tang told The Australian.

Put a Nail in Tasmanias Politics

Tang, a journalist, is the editor of the magazine Tasmania Chinese News and news website Chinese News Tasmania. She is also a correspondent for SBS Radios Mandarin Program.

In late September, The Mercury reported that it had obtained a photo of Tang at the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Congress in Beijing last year, to which Tang explained she had attended as a journalist. The annual meeting comprises of people who are considered influential and reliable to advise the Chinese Communist Party.

An unattributed article written by the magazine HCC candidate Yongbei Tang edits has called on Chinese-heritage people to "put a nail in Tasmania's politics" by voting for her https://t.co/XhFXK5JMRZ #politas  Emily Baker (@emlybkr) September 26, 2018

Also in late September, Tasmanian Greens MP Cassy OConnor raised concerns in the parliament over statements that had been attributed to the Tasmanian Chinese News Network.

The article in Chinese News Tasmania notes that Australia is a society dominated by white people and called on Chinese people living in Tasmania to back Ms. Tangs election, OConnor said.

I want to see a powerful Chinese community, the article said in Chinese, OConnor quoted.

One councillor is far from enough. We need to put a nail in Tasmanias politics and add another one four years later.

We have dominated business circles, now we need to establish ourselves in politics.

The Chinese community will become more established only when business power and political power join forces.

Tang is also listed as a board member of a Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-linked media association. It requires its members to not damage Chinas reputation or security. Tang said she did not know she was in the group, but also said she would not criticise the ruling Chinese Communist Party, The Mercury reported.

More Roles

In addition to her roles as a journalist, Tang is a board member of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania, where she now serves as treasurer, according to The Mercury.

Tang told The Mercury that she is also the president of the Chinese Cultural Society of Tasmania (CCST), a society that has existed for more than 10 years.

Tang was also the vice-chair on the board of the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China (ACPPRC) between October and December 2017. She expressed confusion that she was listed as its treasurer in an October extract of its registration, according to The Mercury.

Tang told The Mercury she joined the board because she was friends with its chairman, Xin De Wang, but left when she realised it caused a lot of trouble as an organisation with recognised links to the CCPs United Front Work Department. In addition, she told The Mercury that it was a lot of work.

According to Clive Hamilton, academic and author, the ACPPRC has ties to the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunificationan agency in the CCPs United Front Work Department that is tasked with carrying out influence operations among overseas ethnic Chinese communities (pdf).

The United Front has been a key apparatus for the CCP propaganda warfare since the time of Mao Zedong (pdf) and continues to have staff stationed in Chinese embassies around the world.

Tang explained to The Australian that she believed the ACPPRC was a cultural organisation and quit when she realised the group was too sensitive.

She has had to defend her position: Im not a member of the Chinese Communist Party. Im not a member of the Chinese government. Im not hiding titles of government-linked organisations, Tang said on Oct. 13.

OConnor told ABC Hobart on Oct. 15 that Tang was still listed as an ACPPRC member as of two weeks ago.

To say that one is not a member of the CCP is misleading  one part of United Front efforts is to rope into CCPs sphere of influence people who are not actually Communists.  Kevin Yam (@kevinkfyam) October 8, 2018

Criticised for Racism

While having the backing of many in the Greens movement, OConnor has faced criticism from a few colleagues who have said that her questioning of Tangs China-links was unfair. The colleagues also said that she ran the risk of being seen as xenophobic, The Australian reported.

The Young Greens national co-convenor Mark Clayton went so far as to accuse OConnor of straight up racist dog-whistling, calling on her to resign. WTF are you doing in the Greens, the rest of us are fighting against racism and here you are standing side-by-side with Hanson, he tweeted.

OConnor responded by saying that her assessment of Tangs allegiances had been made based on information from Australias security agency ASIO, according to the ABC.

Anybody who knows me knows that I dont have a racist bone in my body, OConnor told ABC Hobart.

She continued to explain that her singling out of Tang was not based on ethnicity but on compelling evidence of a programme of interference in domestic politics by the Chinese communist government.

Weve been really clear that this is about the Chinese governmentand what the Chinese government wants people not to make a distinction about is that the Chinese government does not represent Chinaa culture that goes back thousands of years, a rich culture thats given so much to the world.

It doesnt represent the Chinese people who have made an incredible contribution to the worlds cultures.

The Chinese government represents totalitarianism. Its undertaking a surveillance state in the North of China, its imprisoning more than a million Uyghur and Kazakh muslims, its inflicted misery on the people of Tibet. It undertakes surveillance on its own citizens no matter where they live in the world.

So when these accusations come from people who havent taken the time to do the research, theyre difficult to bear, but because I know its not true and we have a duty to defend democracy. We are committed to taking this further because democracy is very fragile, OConnor said.

OConnor condemned the racist slurs that have been directed towards Tang and the Chinese community since the debate over Tangs run for public office began. She added that she is not personally responsible for attacks by certain nasty members of the public who would want to make this about race.

Hobart City Council candidate Yongbei Tang has had her election posters in New Town de-faced with racist slogans. She says she feels disgusted, sad and ashamed. But says most Tasmanians are kind and its a select few who have these racist thoughts. #politas #Hobart #china pic.twitter.com/hQOdOknaAd  Catherine Zengerer (@Catherine_Zen) October 15, 2018

Some people would like to put that personal responsibility on me, but I think its important to remember that we have had other candidates run for election in Tasmania and they too have experienced racism, OConnor said.

Melanie Sun and Alan Cheung of The Epoch Times contributed to this report.

From NTD.tv

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Australias China Experts Discuss Chinese Communist Party Infiltration in Australia

The conflicts between two different values systems, and the conflicts between the two political systems are issues that cannot be ignored.Congressional Candidate Livengood Seeks to Give Farmers a Voice in Washington

LODI, Calif.With less than four weeks before the midterm elections, Republican congressional candidate Marla Livengood is busy running a campaign in a district she said has mostly been forgotten by Congress.

I really feel that we have been forgotten here in this district, said Livengood, a wife and mother of three children who grew up in Lodi, a city of 70,000 people in Californias 9th Congressional District. The district has a few small cities, with large areas of farmlands, and agriculture-related industries.

I dont see our district having a voice in Congress, Livengood told The Epoch Times.

The object of Livengoods criticism is Democrat Jerry McNerny, whom she faces an uphill fight against. He has name recognition and the advantages of incumbency, having represented the 9th District since 2007. He also has a sizeable cash advantage.

San Joaquin County, where Lodi is located, was considered one of the foreclosure capitals during the 2008 financial meltdown. Stockton, another city in this district, filed bankruptcy during the meltdown time.

With the economic growth of the last two years under the Trump administration, the residents of the district are ready to take full advantage of the nations economic growth. We are ready to grow, said Livengood.

But she said the district needs proper representation in Washington to deal with many policy questions; key in her district are issues relating to agricultural workers.

Need Stable and Legal Workforce

The farmlands in this district grow lots of crops, such as cherries, tomatoes, and grapes, that are special because they cant be harvested by machines. When harvest time comes, the farms in this region need access to seasonal and legal workers. Farmers invest heavily in their farms all year, but the harvest may last only a couple of weeks.

If you have no one to harvest your crops, you just lost your entire investment, Livengood said.

But its not an easy process to go through the current H2A visa program to gain access to temporary labor.

The H2A program comes with lots of limitations, and heavy rules, said Livengood, pointing out that because the rules are very complicated, it is easy for farmers to violate them without knowing they have done so. Livengood believes that immigration reform is very much needed.

Congress is currently working on a new bill that would use the H2C visa program to replace the H2A one. The legislative process has been led by Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary committee, but he is retiring at the end of the current session.

Somebody needs to carry that torch, and I would like to carry that torch, Livengood said.

There have been high numbers of workers illegally working in the agriculture industry. Livengood believes that the H2C program will provide a legal path for these illegal immigrant workers, and result in a more stable and legal workforce in her district.

Sanctuary State Policy Hurts

I believe that [sanctuary state policy] is a dangerous policy. All it does is to protect criminals. It does nothing to help anyone here, said Livengood.

Livengood believes that just because illegal immigrants are here doesnt make them dangerous, but the ones protected by the sanctuary state policies may be dangerous.

We cant deport millions of people, I would never want to do that. But we need to come up with a policy to allow people to get in line, and we need to know who is in our country, said Livengood.

Livengoods view on immigration is very similar to Goodlattes.

Goodlatte says on his website: To be clear, any immigration reform proposal must first guarantee that our immigration laws are enforced both at the border and within the United States. I remain opposed to amnesty, as I always have been. I do not support a special pathway to citizenship that rewards those who have broken our immigration laws.

The AG and Legal Workforce Act (H2C program) also requires all U.S. employers to use E-Verify, an effective web-based program that protects jobs for legal workers.

Congress Needs an Agricultural Expert

Congress often passes regulations, but the regulations are not passed by folks who understand how things work, said Livengood.

She used the Food and Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), a massive bill that was signed into the law by President Barack Obama in 2011, as a way to explain why Congress needs experts like herself to draft legislation related to agriculture.

Livengood said that Congress made a mistake by letting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) draft the bill, instead of the Department of Agriculture (USDA). She said bureaucrats in the FDA really didnt have on-the-farm knowledge, and didnt get clear direction from Congress, and drafted massive documents, regulations, rules, and guidance, without a clear understanding of what is like to be on a farm. For this reason, FSMA became burdensome to many farmers.

Our farmers have to deal with that legislation, said Livengood.

Livengood has more than 20 years of experience helping draft legislation, as the current regulatory affairs manager for the California Strawberry Commission. She previously served as the legislative affairs manager for the San Joaqin Regional Transportation District and was legislative director for former Rep. Richard Pombo, who represented Californias 11th District in the U.S. House.

Livengood is also from a farmers family; Her grandfather from Italy worked in agriculture, and her father was a farmer.

I drove tractors when I was a child, said Livengood.

Many farmers in her district feel that the Congress doesnt understand what their daily lives are like, she said. As a result, she says farmers in her district have been under-represented in Washington.Sen. Richard Blumenthal speaks on the first day of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing in front of the U.S. Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., on Sept. 4, 2018. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

Connecticut Sen. Blumenthal Promised CAIR That He Would Oppose Trump Nominees

News Analysis

Connecticut Senator and Senate Judiciary member Richard Blumenthal was one of the most vigorous opponents of new Supreme Court appointee Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

In late September, before Republicans agreed to give the Federal Bureau of Investigation a week to investigate allegations of sexual impropriety, Blumenthal claimed that neglecting to call for such an investigation is tantamount to a cover-up. Blumenthal aimed his comments squarely at President Donald Trump.

One could have anticipated Blumenthals resistance to Kavanaugh. In December 2016, Blumenthal promised attendees at a meeting organized by the Connecticut branch of the Council on AmericanIslamic Relations (CAIR) that he would push back against certain Trump nominees.

There is abundant evidence that CAIR officials, including co-founder Nihad Awad, have supported the terrorist group Hamas, as discussed below.

According to a CAIR Connecticut Facebook post on Dec. 16, 2016: CAIR CT organized a meeting today with several members of the Muslim community and Senator Richard Blumenthal.

Sen. Blumenthal promised to speak out forcefully and oppose any form of a Muslim Registry. He said he would vigorously question Jeff Sessions who has been nominated for Attorney General for racist statements he has made in the past and also question whether Gen. Mike Flynn is suitable to be National Security advisor based on his mishandling of classified information.

At the meeting, which included CAIR Connecticut chairperson Farhan Memon, CAIR Executive Director Mongi Dhaouadi, and Fatma Antar of the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, Blumenthal told attendees that he feels some of Trumps appointments will have a difficult time winning Senate approval, according to Connecticut local news channel WSFB.

On Sept. 28 of this year, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted along partisan lines in favor of Kavanaughs nomination to the Supreme Court.

In a statement issued the same day, CAIR National Board chair Roula Allouch said: A lifelong appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court is a privilege and a duty, not a right. Based on Judge Kavanaughs overtly partisan and belligerent performance at yesterdays Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, and on the credible accusations of sexual misconduct, we urge the full Senate to reject his nomination.

The Senate should instead confirm a new nominee who has the temperament and neutrality necessary to pass judgment on the weightiest issues facing our nation now and for decades to come.

Not surprisingly, CAIR also urged the Senate to call for a renewed FBI investigation of the allegations against Kavanaugh.

Blumenthal has strong ties to CAIR. In October 2016, Blumenthal addressed the CAIR Connecticut annual dinner, speaking alongside well-known activistand, more recently, Democratic Socialists of America memberLinda Sarsour.

In April of this year, Blumenthal addressed CAIR Connecticuts annual banquet and fundraiser again. This time, Blumenthal spoke alongside Faiza Patel of the Brennan Center for Justice and professor at the New York University School of Law.

Patel is a strong opponent of the plan by some Republican lawmakers to officially designate the Muslim Brotherhoodwhich begat Hamas and, by extension, CAIRas a terrorist organization.

In an article for leftist national security and Soros-funded website Just Security, Patel wrote: According to experts on the Middle East, the Muslim Brotherhood is a religious organization, a political party, and a social service provider that has operated for decades in numerous Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African countries.

Though it has engaged in political violence in the past, it disavowed violence decades ago in favor of political engagement. In 2011, it won elections in Egypt, forming a government that was fully recognized by the United States. Two previous administrations, one Republican and one Democratic, concluded the Muslim Brotherhood did not engage in terrorism and did not warrant designation as an FTO (Foreign Terrorist Organization).

The designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terror organization could one day be an issue decided by the Supreme Court. Does this factor into CAIRs evident disdain of Kavanaugh?

Hate Speech and Hate Crimes

The completely unconstitutional concept of hate speech is regularly promoted by CAIR, often in the context of combating Islamophobia. At the December 2016 meeting mentioned above, Blumenthal also planned to draft legislation related to the cousin of hate speech: hate crimes. Blumenthals legislation would implement tougher penalties on offenders, according to WFSB.

Blumenthals legislation, the NO HATE Act, was introduced three months after his meeting with CAIR.

The senator also promised to try to secure federal funding for Connecticut mosques. According to the aforementioned CAIR Connecticut post on Facebook, Sen. Blumenthals staff will investigate how masjids [mosques] can access funds from the Department of Homeland Security to improve the security of masjids.

With a constitutionalist majority, Supreme Court hate speech and hate crime laws, which fly in the face of the First Amendment, would have very short lifespans. Such laws are one of CAIRs main weapons against criticism of Islamic supremacism.

A constitutionalist Supreme Court could quickly undo much of CAIRs subversive agenda.

As mentioned, CAIR was co-founded by Awad, a self-professed Hamas supporter. CAIR was also identified as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terrorist financing trial.

The FBI cut ties with CAIR because of the organizations radical connections. Yet a serving U.S. senator believes it is acceptable to work with CAIR to oppose U.S. government policy and presidential appointees.

CAIR openly opposed the nomination of Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. CAIRs self-declared ally, Blumenthal, led the charge on the Senate Judiciary Committee to shut down the Kavanaugh nomination.

Perhaps Blumenthal and CAIR should have called for an FBI investigation into themselves?

Trevor Loudon is an author, filmmaker, and public speaker from New Zealand. For more than 30 years, he has researched radical left, Marxist, and terrorist movements and their covert influence on mainstream politics.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.Xinjiang-born Omir Bekli, 42, reunited with his family after almost eight months detention in Xinjiang, China. (Supplied)

Former Uyghur Inmates Tell of Torture and Rape in Chinas Re-Education Camps

Uyghurs in Chinas northwestern Xinjiang region are being tortured, raped, and killed in secretive political re-education camps, former detainees have told The Epoch Times.

Upwards of 1 million of the predominantly Uyghur prisoners continue to be detained in what were, until Oct. 9, extrajudicial internment camps in western China, according to figures quoted by the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) and the United Nations.

Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials say the mass detentions among the Uyghur population, the majority of whom practice Islam, are part of measures to crack down on terrorism, religious extremism, and separatism in the country. The CCP has used the excuse of potential extremist threats to justify its strict surveillance and crackdown on Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang region.

First-hand accounts described to The Epoch Times reveal attempts by authorities to strip Uyghur detainees of their culture and language, forcing them to denounce their faith and pledge loyalty to the CCP and its leader.

If detainees fail to follow orders, they may be subject to up to five forms of torture as punishment, a Uyghur and former inmate explained in an interview from Istanbul, Turkey.

Xinjiang-born Omir Bekli, 42, a Kazakhstan national since 2006, was detained for six months in March last year after he was forcibly taken from his parents home in Shanshan180 miles east of Urumqi, the capital of Xinjianghis head covered in a black sack before being whisked away.

He was visiting Urumqi at the time to attend an international meeting about tourism.

Bekli was detained for seven months in a police cell and then sent to a reeducation camp in Karamay for 20 days where he was tortured, with one of the reasons being his refusal to sing songs which praise the CCP and its leader Xi Jinping.

The torturing methods were very inhumane and extremely unbearable, Bekli told The Epoch Times.

Uyghurs are chained up like animals, deprived of food and sleep, and beaten until their bodies are swollen and pouring blood.

They make you fear and make you weak, physically and mentally, so that they can make you obey them, Bekli explained.

Another Uyghur detaineea Kazakhstan national aged 54 who was released in September from a camp in Urumqi after being detained for 15 monthstold The Epoch Times that young Uyghur women are being raped daily by CCP officials in the camps and could be killed if they resist. The 54-year-old spoke on condition of anonymity from Istanbul due to fears for her safety.

Young girls are taken out and raped all night long. If you keep resisting, they will inject you with something and kill you, she said.

She has personally witnessed two Uyghur females being killed by injection, she told The Epoch Times.

There are usually 40 to 50 people in one small room, but five to 10 are regularly taken out and they just disappearthey never come back. People are being killed in tens all the time.

She added that women are also given pills to stop them from becoming pregnant.

Bekli said that in his camp, he also witnessed dead bodies of Uyghurs being dragged out of rooms while he was detained. They were most probably beaten to death, he said.

Having previously denied all allegations of religious discrimination and the existence of mass internment facilities, local authorities in Xinjiang moved to officially legalize so-called vocational training centers on Oct. 9 to educate and transform those believed to be religious extremists.

High-ranking CCP official Hu Lianhe, who is in charge of the Partys minority affairs office, had just assured a UN panel on racial discrimination in August: there is no suppression of ethnic minorities or violations of their freedom of religious belief in the name of counterterrorism in Xinjiang.

Hu also rejected the claims that the numbers of Muslims detained in the region go up to one million. In addition to the Uyghurs, other predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities suffering detention include the Kazakhs, Dongxiang, and Uzbeks, as well as Han Chinese Muslims (Hui). House Christians, Falun Gong practitioners, and other political prisoners have also been reportedly arrested and detained in the Xinjiang region.

Uyghurs in the region are being detained for reasons such as contacting friends or relatives abroad, travelling to a foreign country, growing beards, and attending religious gatherings, Uyghurs who have family members in the camps told The Epoch Times.

Bodies of those who die while in the facilities are never released to their family members, The Epoch Times has been told.

Who are the Uyghurs and Why is China Clamping Down?

The Turkic-speaking Uyghurs are one of Chinas 55 officially recognized minority ethnic groups. Predominantly Sunni Muslims, they make up just under half of the 22 million who live in the Xinjiang region. Since the CCP reabsorbed Xinjiang into China in September 1949, the CCP has used the Soviet-backed East Turkestan claim as a means to justify its repression of the Uyghur people.

After the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, the CCP named Uyghurs as part of the three evil forces of extremism, separatism, and terrorismalongside Tibetans, house Christians, and Falun Gongand have incessantly accused Uyghurs of committing terrorist acts across the country, despite little evidence. Uyghurs have been banned from adhering to religious practices such as growing abnormally long beards, fasting, and wearing religious veils as part of measures the local authorities describe as tackling Islamist extremism.

The repression of Uyghurs has only intensified in recent times, spurred on by major ethnic riots in 2009, 2013 and 2014, when the longtime suppression of Uyghurs was seen boiling over. According to Uyghur Association representative Enver Tohti and China commentator Ming Yan, the violent ethnic clash of 2009 had been plotted by CCP officials in order to further inflame ethnic tensions between Uyghurs and the majority Han Chinese. Political observers say they believed officials from the faction loyal to former CCP leader Jiang Zemin fomented the social instability to create a political dilemma for Xis leadership. The Epoch Times previously reported that the Xinjiang region has been a stronghold for the Jiang faction since 2002.

Detained for Overseas-Links

Rabiye Muhammad, who moved from Turpan to Calgary, Canada, in 2007, said her 65-year-old mother was detained in February this year for visiting her in October 2014 for four months.

They took her because they knew she travelled overseas, she told The Epoch Times.

Other family members who have also been taken away for no reason include her sister, 70-year-old uncle, and younger brother who was taken from his home with a black sack over his head.

They took him just like that. Theyre taking everyone nowadaysits genocide. Theyre just finding any excuse to take the Uyghurs.

Numerous Uyghur families have said they find themselves in similar situations.

U.S. based scholar, Tahir Imin, 38, born in Kashgar, told The Epoch Times that the CCP sees those who have travelled abroad as a threat to society.

China believes those who have visited other countries can see the flaws and mistakes of the CCP, Imin explained.

They are sent to detention camps for brainwashing, torture, and punishment, said Nicholas Bequelin, Amnesty Internationals East Asia Director, according to a press release.

A simple act of messaging your family abroad can get you detained [it] highlights how ludicrous, unjustified, and completely arbitrary the Chinese authorities actions are.

Those detained are not put on trial and cannot speak up against the decision or hire lawyers.

How are Uyghurs Tortured?

Uyghurs face five forms of punishment and torture if they disobey orders from officials in the detention camps, according to Bekli.

On just three sleep hours per day, from midnight to 3am, Bekli and his fellow inmates were forced to stare at the wall, sing the CCP national anthem, and three positive songs about the CCP before being given their first meal of the day. The same would happen again before lunch, he said.

The songs included; Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China, Socialism is Good, and Ode to the Motherland, which have lyrics such as, The Communist Party is good! The Communist Party is a good leader for the people, and The Communist Party toiled for the nation, the Communist Party of one mind saved China.

Bekli explained: If you refuse to sing songs praising the CCP and leader Xi Jinping, youll be beaten severely. They then make you stand and face the wall, and deprive you of sleep and food for 24 hours.

Refuse again, and youll be chained up in a tiger seat, and deprived of food and sleep for a day longer, he continued.

The next punishment is being chained up like an animal for one to three days in an extremely dark room called a black hole, which measures approximately three meters squared, he said.

The fourth punishment is, if its a hot summer day, they make you stand on a cement slab outside under the sun. You have nothing on your body except underwearno shoes.

Your feet will burn because of the heat of the sun. If its winter they do the same thing, Bekli told The Epoch Times.

The final punishment includes being beaten severely with sticks and anything they can find.

Then they hang you up from both of your hands. They put you in a water prison filled with very dirty, smelly water, up to your neck, for one to five days.

If youre in there for more than five days, theres a high possibility that you may die, because the water kills you if youre in there for days, he said.

While forgoing their final punishment, Uyghurs are given a small piece of bread just so you survive, Bekli added.

Uyghur men in the detention camps are also forced to take a pill every day, to stop their sexual feelings forever, Bekli said.

That pill makes people seem crazy, insane, and as if they dont know what theyre doingthey just do as theyre told. Its as if theyre highyou can see theyre not normal.

Bekli hid the pill under his tongue every day, pretended to drink water, and later spat the pill out. Thats how I survived.

Because of the extreme pressure in the detention camps, a lot of Uyghurs want to commit suicide, Bekli said.

But there is no way to do so, because five to ten people are always watching you, and there are cameras in the rooms.

International Response

The CECCs 2018 annual report, released on Oct. 10 (PDF), states that the situation in Xinjiang may be the largest incarceration of an ethnic minority population since World War II, and that it may constitute crimes against humanity.

And during a speech on Oct. 4 at the Hudson Institute on the policy of the United States towards China, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said the mass internment and brainwashing of Uyghurs was a new wave of persecution crashing down on Uyghur Muslims.

Survivors of the [government] camps have described their experience of the camps as a deliberate attempt by Beijing to strangle Uyghur culture and stamp out the Muslim faith, Pence said.

Aydin Anwar, a Uyghur who lives in the United States, told The Epoch Times she believes the Xinjiang facilities are a way to hide the mass extermination of Uyghurs.

Why are bodies coming out dead? If China really wants to assimilate us, why are they killing people? she asked.

Amnestys Bequelin said the CCP must be held to account by governments around the globe for the vicious campaign against ethnic minorities and nightmare in Xinjiang.

Hundreds of thousands of families have been torn apart by this massive crackdown. They are desperate to know what has happened to their loved ones and it is time the Chinese authorities give them answers.

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Former Chinese surgeon Enver Tohti said he was turned into a killing robot while thinking he was working for a great cause.Four Pharmacy Owners Charged in Billion-Dollar Telemedicine Fraud Scheme

Federal authorities on Oct. 12 unsealed a 32-count indictment that charged four individuals and seven companies in a $1 billion health care fraud scheme, the Department of Justice announced.

Between June 1, 2015, and April 1, 2018, the defendants conspired to deceive tens of thousands of patrons, including over 100 doctors, to defraud private health care benefit programs, the indictment alleges. The crimes took place in the Eastern District of Tennessee and across other parts of the country.

At least $931 million in fraudulent health care claims for payment were submitted. In one case, they defrauded Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee out of $2 million, according to Mary Danielson, director of corporate communications at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee.

Andrew Assad, Peter Bolos, Michael Palso, and Larry Everett Smith, along with their compounding pharmacies located in Florida and Texas, were charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, mail fraud, and introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce. The four individuals have been released on bond and are scheduled for a court appearance on Oct. 25.

In addition to the four individuals, HealthRight LLC, a telemedicine company with locations in Pennsylvania and Florida, and its CEO, Scott Roix, pleaded guilty in September to felony conspiracy for roles in the fraud. Both Roix and the company also pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud in a separate scheme.

The defendants allegedly set up an elaborate telemedicine scheme, in which HealthRight fraudulently solicited insurance coverage information and prescriptions from consumers across the country for prescription pain creams and other similar products. Doctors had approved the prescriptions, without knowing that the products were massively marked up, which the defendants then billed to private insurance carriers.

If convicted, each of the individuals faces up to 20 years behind bars. Additionally, they face fines of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release on each count. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of approximately $154 million.

Roix faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for each conspiracy charge.

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the amount Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee was defrauded of. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee was defrauded of 2 million. The Epoch Times regrets the error.Fourth-Graders Save Kindergartner From Choking

Two fourth-graders from Indiana elementary school leapt into action to save the life of a choking schoolmate in the cafeteria last week.

Fourth-graders Lane Griffin and Zacharay Barnes were eating breakfast in the cafeteria at Ernie Pyle Elementary School in Vermillion County, Indiana.

While they were eating they noticed another student, and kindergartner, turning blue. The child was choking to death on his cereal.

For that small student, it was his lucky day. The two boys who saw him choking just happened to know how to react.

Lane Griffins mother is a firefighter. Lane had accompanied her to CPR training, Little Things reported. Zac Barnes had spent time watching YouTube videos on CPR and other lifesaving techniques.

When the pair saw they choking child, the rushed across the lunchroom and began pounding on the childs back until he coughed hard enough to clear his airway.

Zac Barnes told WTHI, We were asking him questions like if he was okay and what he was choking on and he was choking on Reeses Puffs.

According to the two boys, many people in the lunchroom never noticed that anything unusual had happened. Some students did see, the two boys told WTHI, and at least one student told the pair how grateful they were.

Lane Griffin described the moment: My heart was racing at that time and my voice was real squeaky cause I was really nervous and I didnt know what was going on and she said thank you for saving my cousin. I said thats your cousin? She said yeah and Im glad you were there.

Both Lane Griffin and Zac Barnes said that they thought everyone should be taught basic lifesaving techniques.

Personally, I think it should be cause its something that, if someones choking, and the teachers are talking over there, they wouldnt know so someones going to have to learn how to do it, Griffin told WTHI.

Barnes added, I think a lot of kids could maybe go over it with their family, have like a little practice drill so say if youre one of the older children in your family, you could go over it with one of the littler kids.

The two students are being hailed as heroes for their quick thinking.

On top of the warm inner glow that comes from knowing that they did a great good deed, the two students got more tangible rewards.

The school principal gave each of them a card thanking them for their actionsand a candy bar for each.

From NTD.tv

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Why is Falun Gong Persecuted?

Although its freely practiced in over 70 countries, doing this in China can lead to unlawful arrest, imprisonment, torture, or even death.Harpsichord Virtuoso Zuzana Ruzickovas Legacy Captured on Film

NEW YORKLooking straight at the viewer, Zuzana Ruzickova, then 87, detailed the horrors of three Nazi concentration camps, and then the following communist regime takeover, in measured tones and with great clarity.

When people ask me how I was able to survive, I always say, It was a hundred miracles,' Ruzickova said.

Shes sitting at her kitchen table, retelling her life story to filmmakers Peter Getzels and Harriet Gordon Getzels. Four years later, just two months shy of her 90th birthday, and only two days before the world premiere of the resulting documentary, Zuzana: Music Is Life, she passed away on Sept. 27, 2017.

The virtuoso is remembered for being the first to record the entirety of Bachs keyboard works on harpsichord, as well as inspiring the world with the story of her indomitable spirit.

Ruzickova had a deep connection with Bach that one can only term spiritual, and this had been her constant through life, through even the upheaval of humanity spanning the 20th century, and that story has been preserved in feature documentary form and in a memoir set to be released next spring.

A Born Musician

Early in the documentary, she recounts how, as a baby, she had a nurse who sang wonderfully. Then later, she had a different nurse who sang terribly, and it made her cry every time.

Eventually, her parents put an ad in the newspaper for a nanny, with an added requirement that she could sing well.

It was the first sign of being a musician, she said with a laugh. Ruzickova had a sweet, idyllic childhood, though she was sickly as a child. One year she had a fever so bad that her parents vowed by her bedside to give her anything if she would only get better.

She said, I want to have piano lessons.

Ruzickova showed an early affinity for Bach; other music was exciting, but Bach felt like home. So her piano teacher recommended that she take up either the harpsichord or the organ, as Bach did not write for the modern piano.

Organ was out of the question, because I was a sickly child, so: the harpsichord, Ruzickova told Czech Radio.

At age 14, Ruzickova was meant to start lessons with Wanda Landowska, but her world abruptly changed.

Instead of Landowska, the Nazis came, Ruzickova said.

The Jewish people were rounded up and put in Terezin, a concentration camp billed as a city for the Jews. From there, she was transported to Auschwitz, and then to Bergen-Belsen.

If Auschwitz was hell, Bergen-Belsen was nether-hell, Ruzickova remembered.

There were a hundred times when she could have died, and numerous miracles that nudged her out of the way and back onto the path of life. In the film, Ruzickova recounts the pockets of art and music the Jewish people held onto throughout the ordeal, remembering all the difference it made.

Through it all, Bach was close to her heart, and when the horrors receded, Bach remained.

Communism and Bach

Zuzana: Music Is Life is not just a Holocaust story.

Ruzickova struggled with depression when she returned from the camps to her hometown in Czechoslovakia, in 1945.

She went to see her old piano teacher, determined to continue pursuing music. But her teacher looked at her hands, now rough and damaged from harsh manual labor, and wept.

Ruzickova was undeterred; she felt she had nothing else she wanted to accomplish in this life. She practiced 12 hours a day to make up for lost time, and eventually she was accepted into Pragues Academy of Performing Arts in 1947. She could not be a concert pianist, but she became an instructor, giving piano lessons to composers.

It was there that she met composer Viktor Kalabis, whom she later married. They were desperately poor, and there were dark times ahead, but the couple loved each dearly, and their love story became a bright light woven throughout Ruzickovas story.

In 1948, the Soviet Union took over, and Czechoslovakia became communist.

Under this new regime, the Jewish people, as well as artists and intellectuals, were once again persecuted.

Ales Brezina, a Czech composer and student of Kalabis, has written multiple works on this dark, 40-year period of communism. Outside of the Czech Republic, and even to the younger generations in Czech today, this damaging history is really unknown. As the filmmakers listened to him explain what communism is really like, they too realized they were hearing this for the first time.

He gave a telling example, but one still likely unfamiliar to Western audiences: It was like a watered-down version of the Cultural Revolution in Communist China.

Whole demographics of people were persecuted, Brezina explained, but what he felt was the biggest loss and the biggest crime was that young people were robbed of the ability to think for themselves.

Through his operas and archival footage, we get a glimpse at what the people must have experienced.

Ruzickova said the communists had everyone go through very thorough brainwashing, requiring study of the works of Marx and Lenin.

So she and Kalabis were, of course, soon fired from their teaching posts and forbidden to teach again.

How could you teach students about Bach, religion, or Louis XIV without knowing how to explain them in the Marx-Lenin way? she told BBC Music Magazine.

Why not make life easier for herself and just join? Fascism and communism arent just atheist ideologies, but ones that condemn the notion of a higher power. That wasnt Ruzickovas way: Her faith in a higher order, embodied by the music of Bach at times, gave solace to her soul, meaning to her life, and kept her going.

Bach could help me after everything Id been through, Ruzickova said. Bach, to her, was above human suffering, showing there was order above all.

You always feel in his music that God is present somehow, she said.

Foreign Currency and Faith

One turning point came when Ruzickova won the ARD International Music Competition in Munich in 1956.

It had been a competition she was reluctant to even enter; it was held in the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich, which decades ago was the site for the Fuhrers building.

Ruzickova was shaken, and Kalabis told her that if it had been anything else, he would have told her not to go.

You are bringing Bach back to Germany, he said. I think its really your task to go there.

Bolstered by his support, Ruzickova went and won. The competition launched her career, and soon she was asked to perform concerts worldwide. She became so famous, the regime had to let her travel.

The communists were really short on foreign currency at the time, Ruzickova explained, and thought that if she performed, people would look well on Czechoslovakia. So she was given permission, case by case, to leave the country, though she was never allowed to perform in the United States.

She was also allowed to record the entirety of Bachs keyboard works with Warner Classics, but there was always a communist minder chaperoning her every move.

They would keep a hostage within the country, she added. They knew she loved Kalabis, they knew everything, Ruzickova said.

Ruzickovas impact on her countrys people cannot be overstated. At the time, there were two main channels on televisionone was communist drivel, and the other was classical music.

Listening to her filled you with dignity, people remembered.

The documentary includes interviews with many other people who came in touch with Ruzickova at different points in her life and on whom she had a lasting impact.

Ruzickova said the eras of tyranny robbed the European people of their faith in human kindness, but for many people, her unrelenting hope and spirit cut through that. She gave young people growing up in these periods, and later, a connection to the past before the Nazis and before communism.

Later in her life, when she was no longer able to perform and play, she taught again, making an effort to mentor and encourage young children who were budding musicians.

Harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani sought her out as a teacher about a decade ago, finding resonance in her individualistic interpretations.

She divulged striking parcels of wisdom that lent an insight into her interpretations, telling him as they worked on the start of a fugue: Every crotchet is strictly equal! This is now the law come from above, the Word coming to rescue us in our darkest hour. As the tones rise, Bach opens the gates and light rushes through.

Writing for the New Yorker, Esfahani marveled at her timelessness. With Ruzickova, the harpsichord was a living instrument.

It took me 90 years to understand Bachs Goldberg Variations, Esfahani remembered her telling him. If only I had 90 more; Id still not know what to do with them.

In the last half-century, early music has seen a sort of resurgence, and the interest is increasingly open and curious. Ruzickova, a pioneer of the harpsichord, passed away one year ago, but her legacy lives on.

Esfahani remembered, As she said when I once threw up my hands in frustration over some piece by Bach, Music has so many secretsbut Ill ask Bach when I see him.'Healthy Songs: The Amazing Power of Music Therapy

When I was a child, on most Fridays, my dad, mom, brother, and I would travel to Cape Cod to visit my grandparents. For my father, this drive would come after a long day of work, during which he had already commuted from our home, an hour outside of the city, to Boston, where he worked as an accountant, and back home again. He was an intense man, and during these drives to the Cape we were often silent, on edgeunsure of how to interpret his sullen and grave demeanor.

After we arrived, my grandmother would typically begin playing a mix of classical music, folk songs, and pop songs on her spinet piano, and I would watch my dads face transform: His jaw would slacken, while the lines between his eyebrows softened, lifting the intensity of thought that always seemed to burden him.

This was my first experience of the power of music.

Nearly two decades later, I learned of music therapy as a profession. I was a rising junior in college and, without hesitation, I switched my major to learn how to clinically wield musics ability to transform and heal, a power I had observed years earlier.

Music therapy has grown from relative obscurity to a practice that is becoming fairly mainstream, largely due to the advocacy of colleagues in the field, along with media coverage of the burgeoning profession. Jodi Picoult came to Berklee College to study music therapy to develop the main charactera music therapistof her novel Sing You Home. Meanwhile, following the gunshot injury she sustained, Rep. Gabby Giffords underwent rehabilitation efforts that included music-based interventions. Although she initially couldnt speak, she could sing, an ability that was used to further her speech recovery. And films about musics capacity for healing and improving quality of life include the recent releases Alive Inside, The Lady in Number 6, Landfill Harmonic, and The Music Never Stopped.

Doctor-writer Oliver Sackss essay collections, like Musicophilia, introduced stories to the public that explained the ability of music to promote skill learning and/or recovery in the face of severe disability and trauma. Research in neuroscience has backed up many of Sackss observations. For example, people who have suffered strokes or have been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease are better able to walk while listening to rhythmic music. In the case of strokes, people who cant talk can often sing. Singing is then used to facilitate recovery of speech. This has been the case of Rep. Gabby Giffords.

Another study showed that premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit left the ICU, on average, 11 days earlier if they used a device that played lullabies triggered by their sucking. And children who have had orthopedic surgery will report lower levels of pain when doctors offer post-operative music therapy.

In my practice as a speech-language pathologist and music therapist, Im able to use music to serve a variety of patients with an array of needs. Children with autism tend to be more attentive to musical sounds than speech sounds (especially when theyre very young), so Ill use music to foster their linguistic and cognitive development. In my work with hospice patients, Ill use quiet music that has a lulling rhythm to help even out their ragged breathing (which is sometimes very difficult for families to watch).

For cancer patients, Ill use songs of hope and resilience. And by pairing music with imagery, such as relaxing nature images, Ive helped patients preparing for surgery achieve a state of tranquility that can decrease their need for anesthesia and pain medication. Ive used the same protocol to decrease the use of anti-anxiety medications among hospice patients Ive served. Ultimately, carryover is the endgame: We help patients take the tools theyve learned in music therapy and apply them to their everyday lives.

As a professor of music therapy at the Berklee College of Music, Im preparing the next generation of music therapists to work in a variety of settings: early intervention programs, public schools, hospice and palliative care, cancer clinics, nursing homes, and private practice. For many students, its an attractive opportunity: a chance to use their artistry to make the world a better place.

Every week, our Berklee students Skype with a group of child soldiers in Uganda. These young adults have suffered a great deal: Forced to kill as children, they often started with their own family members and neighbors. Theyve emerged from the bush traumatized and without purpose. Were teaching them to use meditative practices in music to calm their minds and to infuse meaning into their lives. As our students share therapeutic practices with the child soldiers, they, in turn, perform and share their music and dance for our students.

Its this fusion of what many consider two distinct, incompatible entitiesart and sciencethat ultimately elevates both; and the two, as one, can more readily accomplish their shared purpose: the healing and betterment of humanity.

Kathleen Howland is a professor of music therapy at Berklee College of Music in Boston. This article was originally published on The Conversation.

In all, the non-profit raised more than 90 percent of its goal, which is just shy of $2.9 million for construction of a new building. Representatives from the shelter and its capital campaign lifted shovels of dirt in a ceremonial groundbreaking.Heidi Heitkamp Identifies Sexual Assault Survivors Without Their Permission

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) publicly identified women who have been sexually assaulted without their permission after apparently gleaning the names from Facebook and publishing them in an open letter that ran in several North Dakota newspapers on Oct. 14.

The open letter was purportedly signed by more than 125 people, but some of the women said they never signed the letter and were never asked by the campaign if they wanted to.

Im furious. I know Im not the only woman hurt by this, Lexi Zhorela, a 24-year-old hairdresser, told the Associated Press.

I have only shared my story with a couple of people in confidence. I didnt want it blasted for the world to see.

She said she was planning on voting for Heitkamp but the situation has changed her mind.

Another woman, Eve Lancaster, said she was upset.

To whom ever decided it was ok to put my name in this open letter for the Bismarck Tribune and possibly other newspapers for this Heitkamp campaign for sexual harassment, I am DISGUSTED. I did not give any sort of permission for you to put my name in this. Im FURIOUS, she wrote.

Multiple other women also posted pictures of the letter on Facebook showing their names on it but stating they hadnt been contacted.

A lot of these people listed, including me, did not give anyone permission for our names to be posted, wrote Kady Miller. I dont even support Heidi Heitkamp and I am not a domestic abuse survivor. Should this even be legal?

Several women who replied to Millers post said that they have been sexually assaulted and that they are upset they were included in the letter.

Heitkamp: "Anything you say that people are feeling right now is fair I'm not going to diminish the anger, the hurt, the irresponsibility of this. There's no answer for this except to say that I am so incredibly sorry"  Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) October 16, 2018

"I know I'm not the only woman hurt by this." A North Dakota hairdresser says she never gave Sen. Heidi Heitkamp permission to use her name in a newspaper ad listing abuse victims. https://t.co/fPa6cJEY28  AP Central U.S. (@APCentralRegion) October 16, 2018

Heitkamp Apologizes

Heitkamp has not publicly issued a statement, according to a review of her social media accounts, but sent one to the Associated Press saying she apologized for the error.

I deeply regret this mistake and we are in the process of issuing a retraction, personally apologizing to each of the people impacted by this and taking the necessary steps to ensure this never happens again, the statement said.

Heitkamp, who is running for re-election, did not answer questions regarding how the error occurred or how many of the people listed in the advertisement were misidentified.

On Tuesday afternoon, more than 48 hours after the ad first ran, Heitkamp appeared on a radio show to apologize, according to American Commitment President Phil Kerpen.

This is on me. This has got my name on it The worse thing you can do is take away their privacy And I did exactly that. And I need to personally apologize and say I was wrong Theres no sugarcoating this This was a colossal error, she said.

Heitkamp said the women did not give their permission and said her campaign worked through advocates and they provided the names.

From NTD.tvThe Rev. John Blount leads a church service outside of St. Andrew United Methodist Church in PANAMA CITY, Fla. on Oct. 14, 2018. [Patti Blake/Northwest Florida Daily News via AP)

In Florida, Determining Hurricane Death Toll Proves Elusive

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.In Florida, a grim task is unwinding slowly: Finding out many people were killed in Hurricane Michael.

The storm that ravaged Floridas Panhandle left incredible destruction stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the state border, but so far getting a firm grasp on how many died is proving somewhat elusive.

The state has officially acknowledged just two deaths so far  and one death was in northeast Florida, far from the ground-zero fury of the Category 4 storm.

Meanwhile, search and rescue teams have crawled and walked through thousands of buildings and ruins for days in places like Mexico Beach, which was virtually wiped out when Michael roared ashore last week. The Associated Press has put the overall death toll at 17 so far, including one death in Mexico Beach confirmed by a search and rescue team and six others confirmed by local officials in Florida. In other states, there are 10 confirmed deaths.

Unfortunately there are going to more fatalities than people want to admit, said State Rep. Halsey Beshears, a Republican whose district includes several of the counties hammered by Michael. If you stayed in Mexico Beach, theres no way you could have survived. I think more fatalities are going to show up every day.

Right after the storm hit, Brock Long, the chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said he expected the death toll to rise after hearing reports that some people refused to evacuate before Michaels landfall.

But both Long and Gov. Rick Scott, however, sidestepped questions late Oct. 14 after they returned from an all-day trip to some of the hard-hit communities.

Im very hopeful that everybody is going to be found alive and that everybody is going to survive this, Scott said.

Right after the storm, state officials said thousands of calls inquiring about missing people came in to authorities and non-profit groups. FEMA did announce on Oct. 15 that search and rescue teams along with the Coast Guard and National Guard had rescued or assisted more than 4,000 people in storm-impacted areas and that they had checked on thousands of homes and buildings.

State officials say they will announce storm-related fatalities once they are certified by local medical examiners who have gone through the steps of positively identifying those who died and performing an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Part of the problem state emergency officials say is that the medical examiner office responsible for certifying deaths in several of the hardest-hit counties was without power or water until Oct. 15.

Plans to bring in a mobile morgue unit were scrapped over the weekend, but state teams did bring in refrigerated trucks to four cities that can be used for both storm victims and to assist funeral homes that have lost power.

Florida officials point out they have used the same process in the past, but this comes amid the political backdrop of what happened in Puerto Rico.

Last month, President Donald Trump tweeted that 3,000 people did not die in the hurricanes that hit the island last year. He also falsely alleged that the official death toll was part of a plot by Democrats to make him look bad. Republicans in Florida, including Scott, disagreed with Trump and said they said they did not dispute the death toll numbers.

But for some families, the wait is proving to be unbearable.

Joanne Garone Behnke called it torture awaiting news about whether her 79-year-old aunt who stayed in Mexico Beach had survived.

Ive been on the phone to reporters, to fire chiefs, to heads of task force from Miami to you name it Ive called them. Ive called every hospital, she said on Oct. 15 as she stopped to read a text from the fire chief in Mexico Beach.

Another wait and see.

Were still working on it  well keep you posted, the text read.

By Gary Fineout and Kelli KennedyTwo Bengal Tigers play in the water at Taipei City in this file photo. The Bengal tiger exists in the highest numbers in the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans in Eastern India and Bangladesh. They can also be found in other areas of India as well as some parts of Nepal and Burma. (Sam Yeh/AFP/Getty Images)

Big Cat Makes a Comeback in Nepal, But Challenges Remain

Population of the endangered Royal Bengal tiger has doubled

KATHMANDU, NepalThanks to preservation efforts, the population of Nepals endangered Royal Bengal tigers has doubled.

On the day Nepal observed National Conservation Day, Sept. 23, wildlife officials in the capital city of Kathmandu announced that the countrys protected areas are now home to 235 tigers.

The latest numbers were determined by a study conducted between November 2017 and April 2018 when 1,600 cameras photographed the elusive predator.

Backed by Hollywood celebrity Leonardo DiCaprio and supported by conservation groups such as World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Zoological Society of London, Nepals efforts to save the big cat have started bearing fruiteight years ago 13 tiger range countriesincluding Nepalpledged in the Russian city of St. Petersburg to double the number by 2022, the year of the tiger, according to the Chinese calendar.

Milestone Protecting Rare Animals

Experts say measures such as strict law enforcement, anti-poaching campaigns, securing livelihoods of local communities, mitigating human-wildlife conflicts, and compensation for victims have helped achieve the milestone in protecting the rare animal whose global population is estimated at 4,000.

Nepal in 2001 designated a huge swath of land that stretched from Bagmati River in the east to the Mahakali River along Nepals Western border with India as Tarai Arc Landscape.

It covered 24,710 square kilometers of the countrys Himalayan foothills and Terai plains, encompassing five national parks: Chitwan National Park, Bardiya National Park, Shuklaphanta National Park, Parsa National Park, and Banke National Park. Home to large mammals including tigers, rhinos, and elephants. These inhabitants were synced to 11 national parks across the border in India.

Kanchan Thapa, a wildlife expert at WWF Nepal, said Nepals embrace of the landscape-based approach to conservation proved crucial to recovery of the tiger population in the wild.

If we could manage tiger corridors, they can freely roam, which will help protect the species. Even if tigers were decimated in one habitat, their numbers could be restored in another since they tend to return through the corridors, Thapa said.

These trans-boundary corridors provide ecological connectivity among the protected areas. Loss of the corridors would be a huge setback for tigers because they need huge landscapes to establish territories and to mate.

The tiger, an indicator species at the top of the food chain, thrives in a mosaic of an ecosystem with forest, grassland, water sources, and an abundance of prey.

Massive Crackdown

Nepals strategy of protecting core areas and restoration of wildlife corridors began to show results.

After 2010, the tiger population saw a dramatic rise. In the past five years, their numbers in Parsa National Park increased from 7 to 17. Similarly, tigers in Banke National Park rose from four in 2013 to 21 in 2018. The population nearly doubled in Bardiya National Park: from 50 tigers in 2013 to 87 this year.

Other initiatives such as Real Time Smart Patrollinguse of smartphones to send photos and locations to an army commander monitoring the patrol in real timewere also key to the recovery.

A massive crackdown on wildlife traffickers was another critical element.

Over the past three years, Nepal police have arrested over 800 wildlife traffickers and poachers who smuggle animal parts to China and Southeast Asia, where demand is high.

In a major operation on March 12, police arrested Lodu Dhime, a 40-year-old trafficker in Kathmandu after being deported from an airport in New Delhi. Dhime was convicted in 2013 after a police raid found five tiger skins and 114 kilograms (250 pounds) of tiger bones at his home in Nepal. The animal parts were reportedly destined for China.

The number of endangered animalsincluding tiger and rhinonosedived during Nepals 10-year civil war, when security forces were deployed to fight the war, triggering a dramatic rise in poaching. However, the numbers began to rise after the end of insurgency in 2006, with army soldiers returned to the posts and increased patrol.

Nepal is the only country in South Asia that deploys its army to guard protected areas. It also pioneered the concept of buffer zones, areas that separate people and the park, helping build trust between the two.

An increase in the number of wild animals inevitably leads to conflicts with humans. As tigers become old, they leave their home range and stray into human settlements, leading to attacks that result in human deaths.

The government has introduced a quick relief fund, which enables victims families to carry out last rites before the release of a government-sanctioned fund of 1 million rupees ($8,491). It also allocated 30 to 50 percent of income generated from the parks to the community.

The conservationists also have turned local community members, particularly young people, into their ally in saving the wildlife.

Community-based Anti-Poaching Unit, which began in 2007 with 15 youth volunteers, has grown into a 2,308-member network, which assists in intelligence gathering and patrolling.

We keep an eye on human activities around buffer zones. Our members help patrol during their day off and closely work with park authorities in providing vigilance, said Hemanta Acharya, the networks president, who lives in Thakurdwara near Bardiya National Park.

Acharya said the members went to households and raised awareness about anti-poaching and the significance of protecting wildlife.

Ramesh Thapa, a former chief warden of Bardiya National Park, said the availability of prey species, water holes, and grasslands has demonstrated that tigers can thrive even in small areas.

There is solar-generated water supply in place in Babai Valley (in Bardiya), which helps retain the animals in the area. We also cleared bushes and grew tall grasses instead, he said.

New Threats

Kanchan Thapa, of WWF Nepal, however, said new threats such as shrinking of grassland have emerged.

The grassland is converting itself into forest. Its a natural phenomenon. So, our challenge now is to maintain the current habitat, he said.

The Terai region is also rapidly transforming, with a wave of infrastructure projects, including highways, railways, and airports, being planned and under construction close or parallel to the sanctuaries.

As population increases, so does the human-wildlife conflict, said Thapa, who is also a member of an expert panel engaged in a study on carrying capacity of Royal Bengal tiger in Nepal.South-Korean mountaineer Kim Chang-ho (C), who died during a snowstorm in the Himalayas on Oct. 11, poses for pictures with other mountaineers ahead of an awarding ceremony in Grenoble, France, on Nov. 8, 2017. (Jean-Pierre Clatot/AFP/Getty Images)

In Wake of Himalayan Climbing Tragedy, Calls Grow for Better Warning Systems

KATHMANDU, NepalAfter a year of preparation, the elite South Korean climber who had already summitted 14 of the worlds highest peaks was attempting to scale a little-known mountain through a new route.

Kim Chang-ho, a bespectacled mountaineer, and his supporting team of four South Koreans and four Nepali guides had trekked through rugged mountains in mid-Western Nepal and arrived at the rarely climbed 7,193-meter-high (23,600-foot) Mount Gurja.

Having set up a base camp at 3,500 meters (11,483 feet) from sea level, Kim was excited about the attempt, which he was planning in alpine-style and forging a new route, his expedition organizer Wangchu Sherpa said.

But a few days later, a violent, unexpected snowstorm swept away their tents, with bodies and equipment strewn hundreds of meters away in gorges and streams. It left the entire team dead.

The Oct. 11 incident on Mount Gurja is one of the deadliest to have hit Nepal in three years. In 2015, an earthquake-triggered avalanche killed 18 mountaineers on Mount Everest.

The tragedy has highlighted the risks climbers must take to summit some of the worlds highest mountains, where weather is fickle and disaster can strike at any time.

It also has raised questions about early warning systems, communications, and search-and-rescue efforts in the Himalayas.

While the incident occurred on Oct. 11, a Thursday, the expedition organizer learned about it only on the following Saturday, having been informed by a trekking guide who was at a village nearest to the mountain.

Some experts have pointed out that the cyclone Titli in the Bay of Bengal could have caused the snowstorm, comparing it with cyclone Hudhud, which caused an avalanche in 2014 on Annapurna Circuit, a popular trekking trail, that left 40 trekkers dead.

Ang Tshering Sherpa, a former president of Nepal Mountaineering Association, said the incident could have been caused by a mix of avalanche and storm. Winds blow in the jet-stream on Everests summit, but it doesnt blow away climbers. I think an avalanche struck the mountainside whose forces could have swept away the tents, he said.

The government should set up weather stations around major Himalayan peaks, with a search and rescue team on standby near the expedition to prevent mountain disasters like this in future, Ang Tshering Sherpa said.

We already have teams that can carry out long-line rescue operations. But early warning system and regular updates on the expedition especially in less-climbed mountains is a must, he said.

Ang Tshering Sherpa also said members of the 2018 Koreanway Gurja Himal Expedition probably made a mistake by setting up their base camp at 3,500 meters (11,483 feet) when camps are normally established at 4,000 meters (13,123 feet).

They seem to have chosen an edge of a barren cliff for their camp. They should have selected a more appropriate site, he said.

But Wangchu Sherpa, the expedition organizer, said Kim, the expedition leader, had visited the site a year ago, and it was his decision to set it up there.

Ang Tshering Sherpa, the mountaineering expert, compared last weeks tragedy with the 2005 avalanche at the base of 6,800-meter (22,309 feet) Kang Guru in the Everest region, which left 18 climbers, including seven French and 11 Nepalese, dead.

Then as now, the decision to pitch tent in a precarious area and lack of early warning system likely claimed the lives of the climbers, he said.

As the five coffins of the South Koreans were loaded into a pickup bound for the Kathmandu airport on Oct. 16, Wangchu Sherpa, who founded the Trekking Camp Nepal Company in 2001, said risks are inherent to mountaineering.

Their bodies were strewn all over the hills. Some were in their trousers and others in their sleeping bags. But their bodies were battered and bruised, he said.

We still dont know what exactly caused the accident. A glacier could have burst; we dont know. Up in the mountain, disaster can happen, and one should be prepared for that.Iran Warns US That New Missile Can Hit Any Ship From 400 Miles Away

Iran said that it has increased the range of its land-to-sea missiles to 435 miles, according to a senior official in the regimes military.

We have managed to make land-to-sea ballistic, not cruise, missiles that can hit any vessel or ship from 700 km, said Amirali Hajizadeh, head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards airspace division, Reuters reported.

Hajizadeh said that officials have worked on extending the land-to-sea missiles range after the countrys Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, asked about hitting ships with ballistic missiles, according to the report.

He did not give details on the previous range of the missiles. In 2008, Iran displayed a ground-to-sea missile that it said could travel about 180 miles.

Defense Minister Amir Hatami also had dismissed concerns about the countrys defense requirements amid U.S. sanctions.

Today, I announce that we are not concerned about the sanctions because we have produced all our defensive needs in all the marine, air and ground sectors, Hatami said, reported the Times of Israel.

The United States and allies have been calling on Iran to curb the production of ballistic missiles.

New Sanctions

On Oct. 16, the U.S. Department of Treasury imposed financial sanctions on Iranian banks and companies over the financial support to the Basij Resistance Force, which has been accused of using child soldiers.

The Bonyad Taavon Basij employs shell companies and other measures to mask Basij ownership and control over a variety of multibillion-dollar business interests in Irans automotive, mining, metals, and banking industries, many of which have significant international dealings across the Middle East and with Europe, the Treasury Department said.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the network is an example of how Iranian military forces have expanded their economic involvement in major industries, and infiltrated seemingly legitimate businesses to fund terrorism and other malign activities.

He added: The international community must understand that business entanglements with the Bonyad Taavon Basij network and IRGC front companies have real-world humanitarian consequences. This helps fuel the Iranian regimes violent ambitions across the Middle East.

In May, Iranian forces launched missiles (as seen in the top video) on Israeli army outposts in the Golan Heights from Syria. At the time Syrian, state media said the Israeli missile strikes hit a radar station, Syrian air defense positions, and an ammunition dump.

The Israeli military said Irans missile attack on the Golan Heights inflicted no casualties.

They also said the initial Iranian attack was carried out by the Quds Force, an external arm of Irans Revolutionary Guards.

The IDF views this Iranian attack very severely, said an Israeli defense official at the time, reported The Guardian. This event is not over.A Jordanian policeman opens the gate of Jordan's Jaber border crossing checkpoint near Syria's Nasib checkpoint, near Marfaq, Jordan, Oct. 15, 2018. (Reuters/Muhammad Hamed)

Jordan and Syria Reopen Nassib Border Crossing

BEIRUT/JABER, JordanThe border crossing between Jordan and Syria opened to people and goods on Oct. 15 after being closed for three years, reopening a route that used to carry billions of dollars of trade for countries across the region.

The Nassib crossing opened at 8 a.m., a Jordanian border official said. By 2.30 p.m. Reuters had seen a Syrian business delegation cross into Jordan, and a couple of dozen civilians leave Jordan, but no trucks yet in either direction.

We are fully ready to receive passengers and transport of goods, Imad Riyalat, head of the Jaber checkpoint on the Jordanian side, told Reuters. We expect the traffic to be slow now at the start, but in coming days we expect passenger movement to pick up.

Jordans state news agency Petra said 199 people crossed to Syria on Oct. 15 of whom 37 were Syrians and the rest Jordanians.

A Syrian business delegation arrived at the crossing saying the opening would herald a boost in trade. We expect an improvement in both countries economies, Mohammad Hamsho, a prominent Syrian businessman, told Reuters.

The Syrian government retook the area in July during a Russian-backed offensive to drive rebels from their stronghold in southwest Syria.

The crossings closure in 2015 cut a transit route for hundreds of trucks a day transporting goods between Turkey and the Gulf, and Lebanon and the Gulf, in multi-billion dollar annual trade.

While the crossing was closed, Syrias only normally operating frontier crossing had been with Lebanon, which itself has no other functioning land borders.

Lebanon relies on Syria for overland connections to all other countries because its only other frontier is with Israel, with which it has no ties.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun tweeted: Opening Nassib crossing will revive various Lebanese productive sectors and lower the cost of exporting goods from Lebanon to Arab countries.

Petra said Syrians entering Jordan must first obtain security clearance from Jordanian authorities, as has been the case throughout the countrys war.

Government officials who were absent from the opening said privately the move would not signify a thaw in political ties with Damascus which have long been cold.

Jordan, a staunch U.S. ally, supports its Arab Gulf allies in their tough stance against Irans role in the region. Amman is concerned about the expanding influence of Tehran-backed militias in southern Syria, diplomats say.

Separately, Israel reopened the Quneitra crossing on its occupied Golan Heights front with Syria on Oct. 15. The Israeli military said only U.N. peacekeepers would be allowed across for now.

Israel captured the Golan from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war. Before Syrias civil war, which began more than seven years ago, Quneitra saw some traffic of Druze Arabs who live on both sides of the armistice line.

Syrian government and allied forces took back that part of southern Syria from rebels in July. Syrian news agency SANA said the crossing had been closed for five years.

By Suleiman Al-Khalidi & Lisa BarringtonFile photo of a horse drawing an Amish carriage during a funeral in Bart Township, Pa., on Oct. 6, 2006. (Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

Man With 5 Drunken Driving Convictions Crashes Into Amish Buggy, Injuring 7

A man with five prior drunken driving convictions reportedly hit a horse-drawn buggy carrying seven people in Ohio, injuring all passengers and causing the death of the horse.

Two adults and five children were taken to the hospital, according to Fox8. The father and two of the children were airlifted to Akron Childrens Hospital with serious injuries.

We were informed this morning that everyone is expected to be okay, said Sgt. Daniel Kumor of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, according to the report.

Troopers said the children ranged in age from a toddler, up to 7 years old, according to News5 Cleveland.

Police arrested 47-year-old Patrick A. Muscaro on suspicion of operating a vehicle impaired (OVI), the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.

The accident happened on Oct. 14, just after 7:30 p.m. on U.S. Route 224 in Sullivan Township in Ashland County.

Muscaro, of West Salem, was on U.S. Route 224, while a 31-year-old Sullivan man was in a horse-drawn buggy, with his wife and five children inside. He reportedly rear-ended the carriage, causing all seven passengers to be thrown from the buggy.

This guy just hit a horse and buggy, a male voice can be heard on a 911 recording, according to a Fox8 report. We need medical immediately.

Multiple agencies responded to the call.

The family had just left their friends house and were on their way back home, according to Fox8.

They just left our house, they came for dinner, said Jacob, a family friend who asked that his last name not to be used. I heard the crash and ran out to help and to calm them.

I was shocked, Jacob told Fox8 reporters. I really didnt know what to think. I just knew something bad had happened.

All seven passengers were injured, three seriously.

I just tried to calm them down, Jacob said. The kids were screaming.

The horse was so badly injured that it had to be put down.

Troopers said the buggy was equipped with reflective tape and three lanterns at the time of the crash.

Muscaro was reportedly not hurt.

Troopers said Muscaro failed to maintain a sufficient distance between his Ford Taurus and the buggy, according to News5 Cleveland.

He faces a charge for operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI) and was taken to the Ashland Justice Facility, according to reports.

News5 investigative reporters found Muscaros criminal history reveals five drunken driving convictions dating back to 1992, as well as two other related arrests for DUI and OVI.

According to the report, a judge dismissed a recent OVI charge against Muscaro on an evidence-related technicality, stating There is no satisfaction to know that a person who may have been [was] impaired [reading of .134 BAC] will not be held accountable for that persons actions, especially a person with Mr. Muscaros record.

If theres five OVI convictions, he doesnt get it, he didnt get it, he hasnt gotten it yet, said Jeralyn Shimell, a victims advocate for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, according to News5.New Evidence Appears to Tie Former FBI Official McCabe to Illegal Leak About Flynn

Commentary

The identity of one of the key Spygate leakers inside the Department of Justice appears to have been revealed earlier this week, because of a surprise document dump.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), without any advance announcement, suddenly released a bombshell report on Oct. 15. In it, there is a new clue that hints at the identity of the person who executed a big leak of classified information that has led to a criminal investigation, a conviction, and possibly an upcoming exoneration.

Much groundwork was laid over the preceding months explaining the use of strategic leaking by top DOJ/FBI officials involved in the expansive Spygate scandal.

In a previous column, I defined strategic leaking this way:

A strategic leak is when a highly placed government official leaks classified or privileged information to the media to obtain a specific politicized outcome. During the course of the past 2 1/2 years, strategic leaking has been used to target, for instance, Gen. Michael Flynn and Trump campaign advisers Carter Page and George Papadopoulos.

A lot of what is currently being referred to as Spygate revolves around government officials using anonymous leaks to place these men under suspicion, so that the FBI and other federal agencies could then act to launch investigations, based on the media reports for which these selfsame officials were the anonymous sources.

The circular nature of this activity is obvious, and its one of the reasons that Spygate is such a growing scandal, as more evidence of these kinds of leaks is made public.

The general framework of how the strategic leaking was used to start investigations of selected targets has been known for some time. Who the targets were and what was leaked to place them under suspicion has long been a matter of public record.

The next step in the logical progression of the unfolding Spygate drama, after learning who the targets were and what was leaked to allow the investigations to start, would be to learn who the leakers themselves are.

It appears we are now at the point where the evidence can begin to be rolled out into the public arena.

On the morning of Oct. 15, the DOJ released 341 pages from the FBIs Office of Professional Responsibilitys report on Andrew McCabe. If youll recall, this is the report that resulted in McCabe, then the FBIs No. 2 official, being summarily fired by Attorney General Jeff Sessions in March of this year.

The official story up until now has been that McCabe was investigated by the inspector general solely for an unauthorized media leak in October 2016 to The Wall Street Journal. That leak exposed a major disagreement between the DOJ and the FBI about how to proceed with the investigation of the Clinton Foundation after the laptop of former Rep. Anthony Weiner, a New York Democrat, was discovered to have thousands of emails related to Hillary Clintons private email server used during her time at the State Department. The trove of emails was a result of the device being used for work by Huma Abedin, Weiners wife and a close aide to Clinton.

This is what makes the release of the FBI OPRs report on McCabe so stunning. Right there on page 7, we find that McCabe was also being investigated for making a leak to the media about President Donald Trump and Lt. General Flynn.

For more than a year and a half, since January 2017, the question has been who leaked the classified intelligence report containing the summary of Flynns phone calls with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak to David Ignatius at The Washington Post.

That leak directly resulted in Flynn being investigated by the FBI and subsequently charged with perjury. Flynn pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing, which is currently scheduled for Nov. 28.

It now appears that the mysterious leaker was very likely to have been McCabe.

FBI document on Andrew McCabes leak on Flynn. (FBI)

Ignatiuss column appeared in The Washington Post on Jan. 12, 2017. Page 7 of the FBIs OPR report states that someone overheard a conversation in early February 2017, in which it was claimed that McCabe had made a recent unauthorized disclosure to the news media about Flynn and Trump. Then, in March 2017, this report was made to the OPR office and a decision to investigate the claim was approved.

This March 2017 report is being made five months after the leak McCabe made to The Wall Street Journal. So, its clear there are at least two separate leaks involved here and the leaks dealt with very different subjects. And this is the first public evidence directly tying McCabe to a leak about Flynn.

Who then did the FBI assign to investigate Flynn about those phone calls to the Russian ambassador? It was none other than former FBI Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok, a name that should be well-known to those who follow all the twists and turns of this growing scandal.

It would certainly be a plot twist if it turns out that the deputy director of the FBI illegally leaked classified information to the news media to help trigger an FBI investigation of Trumps national security adviser, a probe that was run by an FBI agent whos since been fired for showing politically motivated bias against the president.

Brian Cates is a writer based in South Texas and author of Nobody Asked For My Opinion  But Here It Is Anyway! He can be reached on Twitter at @drawandstrike.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.Officer Confronts Boys Carrying BB Gun: Do You Think I Want to Shoot an 11-Year-Old?

Police in Columbus, Ohio, released video footage after an officer got a call about two young males with a gun.

Officer Peter Casuccio arrived on the scene, and he found an 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy with a realistic BB gun, CBS News reported. He then told them about the perils of carrying around a BB gun, saying he could have shot them.

Listen, heres the deal, OK? You had to show somebody, because how did they know you had it? Casuccio asks the two. One of the boys said he was just holding the gun.

This is getting kids killed all over the country, he said of the incident.

You cant do that dude, in todays world. Listen, that thing looks real, the officer said.

He then told them why holding such an item could be dangerous.

Do you think I want to shoot an 11-year-old? Do you think I want to shoot a 13-year-old? the officer asked them. The boys reply: No, sir.

But do I look like the type of dude that would shoot somebody? he asks the two. The boys then reply: Yes, sir.

According to CBS News, he then spoke with the mother of the boys. I pull up on them, and Im not going to lie to you, doing cop stuff, I drew up on them, Casuccio told the mother. He couldve shot you for that, you know that? the mother is heard saying.

Regardless of what people say about the dudes wearing this uniform we care, Officer Casuccio said. He added: The last thing I ever want to do is shoot an 11-year-old man. Because your life hasnt even gotten started yet. And it couldve ended. Because I wouldnt have missed.

I couldve killed you. I want you to think about that tonight when you go to bed. You could be gone. Everything you want to do in this life couldve been over, Casuccio said.

A lesson was learned, the Columbus Division of Police said, NBC News reported.Shaybah oil field, the base for Saudi Aramco's Natural Gas Liquids plant and oil production in the surrounding Shaybah field in Saudi Arabia's remote Empty quarter desert, on May 10, 2016. IAN TIMBERLAKE/AFP/Getty Images

Saudi Arabia Breaks 45-year Taboo With Veiled Oil Weapon Threat

For 45 years, its been considered out of bounds for Saudi Arabia. But all of a sudden, Riyadh made what many read as a veiled threat to use the kingdoms oil wealth as a political weaponsomething unheard of since the 1973 Arab embargo that triggered the first oil crisis.

Saudi Arabia, the worlds biggest oil exporter, said on Oct. 14 it would retaliate against any punitive measures linked to the disappearance of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi with even stronger ones. In an implicit reference to the kingdoms petroleum wealth, the statement noted the Saudi economy has an influential and vital role in the global economy.

Roger Diwan, a longstanding OPEC watcher at consultant IHS Markit Ltd., said the Saudi comments broke an essential oil market taboo.

While few think that Saudi Arabia is prepared to follow through, even the suggestion of using oil as a weapon undermines Riyadhs long-standing effort to project itself as a force for economic stability. Jeffrey Currie, the head of commodities research at Goldman Sachs Inc., said Middle East tensions impacting the oil market have now broadened to include Saudi Arabia.

The anxieties were exacerbated by an opinion piece penned by Turki Al Dakhil, who heads the state-owned Arabiya news network and is close to the Royal Court, in which he openly talked about using oil as a weapon.

If President Trump was angered by $80 oil, nobody should rule out the price jumping to $100 and $200 a barrel or maybe double that figure, he wrote.

The Saudi embassy in Washington later said Al Dakhil didnt represent the official position of the kingdom and Saudi officials, speaking privately, said there wasnt a change in the long-held policy that oil and politics dont mix. On Oct. 15, Khalid Al-Falih, the Saudi energy minister, used a speech in India to soothe concerns, pledging his country will continue to be a responsible actor and keep oil markets stable.

I want to assure markets and petroleum consumers around the world that we want to continue support the growth of the global economy, the prosperity of consumers around the world, Al Falih said.

Yet the fact that the Arabiya article was published only minutes after Saudi Arabias press release was issued led many to conclude it was either a message conveyed outside diplomatic channels or a trial balloon that quickly went flat.

Oil rose in early trading, with Brent crude, the global benchmark, rising as much 2 percent to $81.92 a barrel. Prices later pared gained as concerns about global growth hit global equity markets.

Saudi Arabia also said its begun an internal investigation into the disappearance Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate and could hold people accountable if the evidence warrants it, according to a Saudi official.

Whatever the Saudi leadership intended with its Oct. 14 statement, it broke with the kingdoms diplomatic orthodoxy: oil and politics are separate.

For example, during a recent diplomatic spat with Canada, Al-Falih reiterated the kingdom had a firm and long-standing policy that petroleum exporters are not mixed with political considerations. Saudi state-owned company Aramco continued to supply a refinery in Canada despite Riyadh severing most other economic links.

While the mere hint of Saudi Arabia using oil as an economic weapon still brings back memories of queues at the pump and stagflation in the Western world, there are good reasons why Saudi Arabia hasnt wanted to brandish oil-market power as a political tool. Essentially, it has lots in common with another relic of the 1970s: the Cold War doctrine of mutually assured destruction.

True, Riyadh can bring the global economy to its knees in the short-term by cutting output and sending prices sharply up. The kingdom pumps one-in-ten oil barrels produced worldwide, and holds nearly all the spare capacity available to respond to any supply outage. Even just hinting that it wont replace the barrels lost from Iran due to U.S. sanctions could be enough to push prices toward $100 a barrel.

But if the Saudis retaliate using oil, it would lead to calamity, said Stephen Innes, Singapore-based head of Asia Pacific trading at Oanda Corp. This would be so destabilizing for global markets that it would make the current trade tensions between the U.S. and China look like a game of Axis & Allies.

Over the medium-term it would lead to massive oil demand destruction and an accelerated race into renewable energy and electric cars. The 1973-74 embargo, and the second oil crisis in 1979, destroyed oil demand for ever as industrialized countries taxed gasoline and diesel and embarked on conservation policies. Oil consumption is lower today than in 1974 in Germany, Japan, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

By Javier Blas

From BloombergIt bothers me to think that more than 19,000 people are being deported through a facility that we provide financial support for, Burke said, adding some $26.5 million has been provided to the Gary airport for capital improvements and $15 million for operating costs.A sign announcing the store will be closing hangs above a Sears store in Chicago on Aug. 24, 2017. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Sears Files Just as Things Are Looking up for US Retail

A year ago, a Sears bankruptcy would have fit better into the U.S. retail narrative, given the steady decline of shopping malls and foundering chains. Today, however, with shoppers feeling more free to spend and nicer malls on the upswing, bankruptcy is a clear sign of individual weakness, not an industry trend.

Sears Holdings Corp., once a force in U.S. retail so dominant that it could be called the Amazon of the 20th century, has been suffocated by debt and a steady erosion of revenue. While department-store competitors invested in e-commerce and tried new brands and formats, Sears withered as majority shareholder and Chief Executive Officer Eddie Lampert repeatedly cut costs and shuttered stores.

The retailers that are succeeding are investing in being good retailers, said Ivan Feinseth, chief investment officer of Tigress Financial Partners. All Sears did was close stores and sell assets, and it was a study in financial engineering that didnt work.

In other words, dont expect the Sears failure to be a contagion threatening to infect the rest of retail.

Debt Crippled

The company filed for Chapter 11 protection from creditors early on Oct. 15, listing more than $10 billion in debts and more than $1 billion in assets. Sears and its Kmart stores plan to stay in business for now, with help from $600 million in new loans.

Like Sears, Toys R Us Inc. was crippled by debt, which caused it to liquidate operations despite last years $11.5 billion of revenue. Both companies had seen cash flow increasingly constrained by interest payments. Sears has the added pressure of pension liabilities.

Meanwhile, the rise of Amazon.com Inc. has forced retailers into an expensive race to provide the online and delivery capabilities that consumers demand. Shoppers also are expecting customer service that goes beyond ringing up a cash register.

Walmart Inc. and Target Corp. have led the charge, expanding delivery and options like curbside pickup. Both have much lower debt levels and are tolerating the narrowing margins as a necessary cost of business.

Other retailers have experienced varying degrees of success. But with the U.S. economy strong and unemployment low, most chains prospects are brighter today than they were a year ago. Investors have seized on the companies that are poised to survive the industrys protracted shakeup.

Sears, ironically perhaps, just held a showcase for a renovated store in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, Illinois. On a recent afternoon, the store was clean and bright, with a welcome center offering hot drinks and plush chairs. A few customers browsed the aisles, stocked neatly with Isotoner gloves and Rosetti handbags at a 40 percent discount.

Gloomy Weather

Cashier Christian Ambrosio, 22, blamed gloomy weather for the lack of customers. The parking lot, still under construction, held about 10 cars.

Ambrosio said he attended the Oct. 4 re-opening, which brought out actress and Sears clothing designer Jaclyn Smith. He said the store has been pretty quiet since then.

The younger customers, theyre inside the malls like at the food courts and shopping at H&M and Express, he said.

Sears shares have lost about 90 percent of their value this year.

Smaller apparel chains like American Eagle Outfitters Inc. and Urban Outfitters Inc. have rebounded in recent quarters as shoppers have started spending again. Meanwhile, bigger stores like Best Buy Inc. have steadily siphoned off some of the appliance sales that traditionally went to Sears.

Its unclear whether the Oak Brook blueprint will be enough to bring in shoppers who might have defected long ago or who feel no loyalty to the brand.

Too much rot has set in at Sears to make it viable business, Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail, said in an email. The brand is now tarnished just as the economics of its model are firmly stacked against its future success.

While the company will remain open through the holiday period, its bankruptcy might deter some shoppers from buying big-ticket items there because of concern that Sears wont be around much longer to back guarantees or take returns, Saunders said.

Best Locations

Sears has also struggled because its sold off some of its best locations. Oak Brook is an affluent suburb, but the timing of the renovation could be better. The store reopened just months after McDonalds moved its corporate headquarters from across the highway to downtown Chicago.

David Tawil, co-founder and president of Maglan Capital, said Sears is more of a unique, one-off situation, rather than a reflection of retails broader plight. He cited Searss unusual relationship with Lampert, who for years fended off the retailers demise by paying off debt and selling assets. Lampert is also the largest shareholder in businesses that have been spun off, such as Seritage Growth Properties, a real estate investment trust that counts Sears as its biggest tenant, and Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc.

Sears has closed hundreds of stores in recent years in a bid to cut expenses. Other businesses that were sold or spun off include Craftsman tools and apparel company Lands End Inc.

Closing stores and selling good assets only leaves you with no stores left to close and no good assets, said Feinseth of Tigress. Its the ultimate pulling the plants and watering the weeds.

Hoffman Estates, Illinois-based Sears has tens of thousands of employees uncertain about their future and, despite corporate travails, loyal customers.

At a Brooklyn, New York, store, Glenda Mitchell, 53, and her mother were recently in the process of buying toys for the grandkids along with a smattering of other shoppers. Mitchell said shes been coming to Sears for more than 20 years and will miss it if it goes away.

This is basically the only store my mom usually comes to shop at, Mitchell said. Look at the foot traffic. Where are these people going when Sears closes?

By Leslie Patton, Hema Parmar & Gerald Porter Jr.Military police stand in front of the Presidential Palace to mark the island's National Day celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan, on Oct. 10, 2018. (Billy H.C. Kwok/Getty Images)

Taiwan, South Korea Face Challenges From Chinas Talent-Recruitment Agenda

As Chinas overseas talent-recruitment programs come under close scrutiny in the United States, Taiwan is also raising the alarm about the outflow of the islands nationals to lucrative jobs on the mainland.

Beijing has created several recruitment programs to attract overseas Chinese and foreign experts to work in China, for the goal of driving the growth of its technology sector.

One of the most prominent programs, the Thousand Talents Plan, was established in December 2008. Under the program, successful recruits are awarded lucrative employment packages, often with sizable research funding at their disposal, along with a leadership or professional position at a Chinese university, research institute, or state-owned enterprise.

To date, 33 Taiwanese nationals have been recruited under the Thousand Talents Plan, says Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council, the agency tasked with handling policies with China, according to an Oct. 14 report in the Taiwanese newspaper the Liberty Times.

While Taiwanese authorities have a long-established rule that academics who hold a position at a college or university in Taiwan need government approval before they are allowed to sign up for the Thousand Talents Plan, none of those 33 nationals currently hold an academic position in Taiwan. Even so, the council plans to be more vigilant in monitoring their status in mainland China, according to the report.

The Taiwanese government is particularly concerned about its citizens working in China, because Beijing is known to target them for espionage or intelligence-gathering purposes. Any leak of valuable intelligence or intellectual property from Taiwan, whether military-, economic-, or infrastructure-related, could be exploited by Beijing, which has never renounced its intention of bringing Taiwan under its rule, with military force if necessary.

Taiwan is now a full-fledged democracy, with its own military and constitution, after the island nation held its first presidential election in 1996.

Chang Kuo-cheng, a professor with Taipei Medical University, told the Liberty Times that Taiwanese academics who join the Thousand Talents Plan would likely see their career development limited by possible restrictions when participating in partnership projects involving the United States.

Recently, the FBI intensified its scrutiny over Chinese nationals working in the United States who could be recruited by the Thousand Talents Plan, after a series of economic espionage cases, involving Chinese nationals stealing technology beneficial to Beijing, were exposed this year.

In June, the Washington Free Beacon reported that the Pentagon was investigating research partnerships between U.S. universities and Chinese companies. The investigation was carried out amid reports of Beijings escalated spying and technology theft.

In August, the FBI held an unprecedented gathering for more than 100 academic officials in Texas, about how to better prevent intellectual-property thefts by foreign adversaries, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Peter Su, director of the Center for Advanced Technology at Taiwans Tamkang University told the Liberty Times that the Taiwanese government must create measures to prevent sensitive information about the island country from leaking to Beijing, such as barring Taiwanese experts with certain technical backgrounds from joining Beijings recruitment programs.

One high-profile case in 2014, when a Taiwanese professor joined the Thousand Talents Plan, exposed how easily Taiwans national security could be compromised, according to another Oct. 14 article by the Liberty Times.

The professor, Chen Kun-shan, who was employed at the Center for Space and Remote Sensing Research at Taiwans National Central University before leaving for China, had worked on a number of research projects involving Taiwans National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, an institute operated by the governments Ministry of National Defense.

Taiwans intelligence agency discovered that he had taken with him sensitive information about Taiwans national security, including analytical satellite images of the island when he left his position.

According to the Liberty Times, Chen then took up a job at Chinas Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, an institute under the Chinese regimes state-run Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Much like the United States and Taiwan, South Korea is also facing the problem of Chinese recruitment efforts, which have led to important South Korean technology being leaked to China.

An unidentified South Korean professor in the artificial intelligence (AI) field said that he was approached by Chinese authorities who offered him an annual package, including salary and research funds totaling 300 million won ($265,200) or more, if he were to leave South Korea and work instead for a technology college either in Shanghai or the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, according to a June article by South Korean financial news website Maekyung.

The professors case exposed a widely used practice, the three times rule, whereby Korean talents in AI, virtual reality, and 3D computer-graphics are approached by Chinese recruiters with the promise of tripling their Korean salary in exchange for working in China.

Chinas recruitment efforts in South Korea have undermined the latters local virtual reality (VR) market.

In 2014, South Koreas VR market was worth about 966 billion won (about $854 million), while Chinas VR market was worth about 270 billion won (about $239 million), according to data from the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (KIET). By 2017, Chinas VR market surpassed that of South Korea, with the former reaching 2.3 trillion won (about $2.03 billion), compared to South Koreas 1.96 trillion won (about $1.7 billion).

VR applications are expected to increase with the rollout of 5G, the next generation of mobile communications, as VR technology provides for better mobile data performance and stability.

China also has aggressively recruited South Korean gaming engineers in the past 10 years, according to Maekyung, but the pace has slowed recently because Chinas gaming industry is gaining in competitiveness, due to the inflow in talent.

Lee Chang-hee, a professor who currently heads Chinas Liangjiang International College of Chongqing University of Science and Technology, is among the South Koreans have been recruited under the Thousand Talents Plan.

The former chief technology officer at the fiber optics company Novera Optics Korea, who also served as a professor at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technologya top South Korean public university in the science and tech fieldlanded a recruitment package that included a one-time payment of 1 million yuan ($144,534), plus 8 million yuan ($1.2 million) in research subsidies, according to an August 2017 article by Chinese news portal Sina.

In addition, Lee gets preferential benefits that include housing, medical care, and insurance.The Fate of Chinas Worlds Factory

Relations between the United States and China have deteriorated amid the trade dispute. The trade dispute is closely connected to the worlds factory. The worlds factory is a metaphor that describes Chinas economic role. Because of the trade war, the worlds factory is starting to fall apart and it will continue to do sothis is its fate. Its creation has led to its demise.

On Oct. 4, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence delivered a speech that criticized Chinas foreign activities, triggering various responses from home and abroad. Some state-run media outlets in China said that Pences speech denotes the sun in the U.S. is settingwhich implies that Washington feels helpless so it picks on China and uses it as a scapegoat to divert the worlds attention from Americas problems. Does the United States have a bleak future? Judging from the U.S. economys current state, it is too early to say. Thus my report will not focus on that issue but on Chinas world factory which shows signs of deterioration due to foreign companies withdrawal.

The Worlds Factory: An Unbearable Weight for China and the World

After China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO), it has successfully ushered in a glorious period. From 2003 to 2007, Chinas exports have been growing at a rate of more than 25% per year, and the growth rate in some years was as high as 35%. In 1990, Chinas manufacturing industry accounted for only 3% of the worlds total, but now it accounts for half of the global market. In the same year, Chinas exports accounted for only 2% of the worlds exports. In 2017, it jumped to 14%, and its global export share increased sixfold. However, this rapid growth has caused Beijing to lose sight of the realities of the global market. Can economic globalization make China the only winner? The Chinese regime miscalculated the countrys rapid economic growth because they didnt understand the basic principles of international trade and development trend.

Based on the principles of international trade, a country with a small population will have a small export volume and its impact on the international market is minimal, or it can sustain a long-term trade surplus. On the other hand, China has a large population and the global market looks so small. We use the following scenario as an example: if China can keep its exports growth rate of 25 percent annually for 20 years, then its manufacturing industry will grow from the current 50 percent to 60, 70 or even 80 percent in the world; at that time, the economic globalization will become the globalization of Chinas economy. This situation would only be good for China, but other countries would find it difficult to survivemany factories would be shut down, their economies would be on the verge of collapse. And sooner or later, China will not have enough buyers. Chinas labor force accounts for 26% of the global employment. Even if all the industrialized countries in the world stopped exporting and gave the market to China, the glory days of Chinas exports cannot continue indefinitely. This is unrealistic from the perspective of international economic balance because trade must be mutually beneficial in order to sustain it in the long-term. If a country in China earns global money, it will sell more and buy less in the long run, accumulating huge foreign reserves. Is there any country that can continuously import goods from China?

Therefore, the worlds factory is a metaphor, a description of Chinas current state. If the worlds factory continues to expand rapidly, then it becomes too big or unbearable for the global economy to handle. And because the worlds factory relies on exports and the global market could not handle it, it also becomes a burden for China. At the beginning of this report, it mentioned that the sun in the U.S. is settingthis refers to the hollowing out of the American manufacturing sector. Indeed, under years of pressure caused by Chinas illegal subsidies, the U.S. is struggling to cope with a long-term job loss in the manufacturing sector due to unfair trade practices. However, this is not the only reason for the U.S.-China trade war.

Chinas Efforts at Technological Upgrade Are the Root Cause of the Sino-U.S. Trade War

Intellectual property is another reason for the trade conflict between the U.S. and China. Chinas media outlets say that both sides are embroiled in a long-term trade battle. The U.S. accuses China of cheating by stealing intellectual property, while China accuses the U.S. for being a bully. Cheating refers to Chinas long-term policy of using the market for technology.

According to Chinas Baidu Encyclopedia, on March 22, 1984, the State Council of China stated in the approval of the State Economic Commissions Report on the Combination of Technology and Trade and the Purchase of Old Equipment: Combining foreign commodity trade with imported technology, to implement the combination of technology and trade, and to exchange some of our markets for advanced foreign technologythis is a major policy to accelerate Chinas technological progress. In April 1998, the Central Committee of the CCP and the State Council proposed to further open up and increase the level of foreign capital. A number of comments, two of which are explicitly mentioned, are subject to market-for-technology.

In 2000, China was ready to join the WTO. The WTO agreement clearly states the prohibition of forced technology transfer, thus the CCP amended its relative policy only on the surface and no longer mentioned it in writing. In the 18 years after joining the WTO, market-for-technology has changed from transparent to opaque, and local governments have required foreign companies to hand over technology and drawings (in exchange for the privilege of investing, operating, or selling in China). Recently, the plan to enter the advanced manufacturing industry, represented by the Made in China 2025 plan, put forward the goal of upgrading its technology in just a few years. In order to achieve the goal, China has been actively acquiring foreign technology through various means. This therefore makes the infringement and defense of intellectual property a key point of dispute between China and the United States.

China is determined to enter the advanced manufacturing industry because the worlds factory is losing its competitiveness. Long before the Sino-US trade war broke out, China showed signs of partial decline. The garment and linen factories moved out of China and relocated to south Asia and southeast Asia because of rising labor costs, energy prices and taxes (including social security fees), but the exchange rate remained high. According to a survey by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in 2014, the average raw cost of Chinas manufacturing industry is 5 percent lower than in the United States at that time. A few years ago, the labor-intensive industries, such as clothing and linen, first moved out of China. In response to this trend, Guangdong Province proposed to upgrade its technology. The plan was to move low-scale or low-performing factories (that have little intellectual property, technology or branding) into poor rural areas, and replace them with factories that have advanced technology. The Chinese describe this move as emptying the cage and changing the bird.

If China mainly relied on independent research and development for its technology, there would be no cause for complaint. China needs a great amount of private technology to compete in the advanced manufacturing industry and it cannot solely rely on government-funded research and developmentit costs a lot and takes too long, and the technology is only good for the military because it doesnt have much consumer appeal. Therefore, trying to acquire technology from abroad has become an important way in upgrading technology in such a short amount of time.

The Fate of the Worlds Factory

Developing advanced technology through research and development is not an easy task. If foreign countries were forced to transfer their technology, they would face competition with China in the international market with the same goods. In addition, the value of intellectual property makes China gain extra profit but resulting in long-term losses for these foreign companies. Therefore, the United States regards infringement of intellectual property rights as a key issue in the Sino-U.S. trade war. However, China can only upgrade its technology by stealing intellectual property. Thus the trade negotiation between the U.S. and China is unproductive. The U.S. raised tariffs on Chinese goods, but is the effect really as the Chinese official media said, The bullets that are shot will eventually hurt American consumers? This may have some impact on the U.S. market in the short term, but U.S. importers will gradually adjust their supply chains, build factories in southeast Asia and south Asia, and even change the supply chain to the United States. An example of this scenario is Taiwan businessman Terry Guo who has set up a new iPhone assembly plant in the United States. It may take several years to transfer supply chains. Foreign companies in China could be divided. Foreign companies eyeing markets in China, Europe and the Middle East will stay in China, while those relying on America will gradually move out of China.

The fate of Chinas worlds factory has three meanings. First, the worlds factory relied on its low costs to keep it competitive. But these costs gradually increased over time and weakened the countrys ability to compete on a global scale. State-owned enterprises monopolized energy with higher prices, local governments imposed heavy taxes and the high exchange rate of the yuan contributed to the rising costs.

Second, the worlds factory relied on advanced technology for its survival. China couldnt solely rely on its own research and development, thus it resorted to stealing technology or intellectual property so it could create new technology in a short amount of time. Theft of intellectual property and technology is a source of the U.S.-China trade dispute. The trade war will result in the decline of China as the worlds factory.

Third, without this status, China wouldnt have experienced two decades of economic prosperity. It was in this economic prosperity that China paid the price in the trade conflict with the U.S. its losing a big proportion of the U.S. market, causing its economy to weaken.

It may look like China has a way out. But even if China de-centralized its government, fully opened its markets, co-operated and strengthened its relations with the U.S., allowed foreign companies to trade freely without forcing joint ventures and stopped manipulating the yuan, not much can be done because those solutions wouldnt work in China. The fate of Chinas worlds factory is actually the fate of its current system. The current system is Chinas own demise.

Dr. Cheng Xiaonong is a scholar of Chinas politics and economy based in New Jersey. He is a graduate of Renmin University, where he obtained his Masters degree in economics, and Princeton University, where he obtained his doctorate in sociology. In China, Cheng was a policy researcher and aide to the former Party leader Zhao Ziyang, when Zhao was premier. Cheng has been a visiting scholar at the University of Gottingen and Princeton, and he served as chief editor of the journal Modern China Studies. His commentary and columns regularly appear in overseas Chinese media.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.Senate candidate U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) takes a photo with a supporter during her primary election night gathering at Culinary Drop Out at The Yard on August 28, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Tightening Arizona Race Threatens Democrats Slim Senate Hopes

PHOENIXFor most of this year, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona has run what has been viewed widely as one of the best races in the nation. But with less than a month to go to Election Day, there are doubts whether she can make it across the finish line.

Her matchup with Republican Martha McSally appears to be tightening at the same time that some voters are casting their ballots with the start of early voting in the state. That is unwelcome news for Democrats, who just weeks ago believed they had a chance to gain more than the two seats they need to take control of the Senate.

Since the battle over the Oct. 6 confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the national picture seems to have shifted. Republicans have taken an upper hand in states such as Tennessee and Texasand have stayed competitive in places like Florida and Indiana.

That makes Arizona and neighboring Nevada the best hopes for Democrats to flip seats held by Republicans. Republicans are looking to maintain majority in the House and Senate. Should Democrats take either chamber, much of Trumps agenda would be thwarted and his administration would be subject to greater oversight.

The odds, however, have always been against Sinema, a member of the House who is seeking to replace retiring Republican Jeff Flake. Arizona has long been a right-leaning state which has not elected a Democrat to the Senate in 30 years.

Center Line

Sinema has billed herself as an independent voice while courting the moderates she needs to win, even as some left-wing progressives have groused that she has been too cautious.

She stayed quiet for much of the Kavanaugh fight, only opposing his confirmation at the very end. She has backed the efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, amid calls from some in her party for its abolishment. Asked last week about supporting Medicare For All, a universal health care policy favored by many Democrats this election season, she said she wants more practical solutions.

Much was made locally about Sinemas choice to not endorse the Democratic candidate for Arizona governor, David Garcia, a progressive. She has not appeared at events with Garcia and other members of the Arizona congressional delegation.

Sinemas candidacy stands in marked contrast to that of Representative Beto ORourke in conservative Texas, the Democrat who is running against incumbent Republican Senator Ted Cruz unabashedly as a left-wing progressive.

Still a Liberal

Sinema seems now to be in a better position than ORourke to win her race while receiving much less national attention.

She has run the best Democratic campaign that I have seen here for a long time, said Chad Campbell, a Phoenix-based Democratic strategist.

That has made her a top target of well-funded conservative advocacy groups who have bombarded the airwaves in an attempt to stop Sinema and boost McSally. Campbell conceded that the ads have chipped away at her lead.

Many of the ads have a common theme: Sinema has misrepresented herself; she is a stealth liberal disguising herself as a moderate.

Sinema began her political career in Arizona as a member of the Green Party, but joined a moderate Democratic caucus when elected to the House in 2012.

Shes trying to go right, right, right, former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, a Republican, told a Phoenix radio station last week. Shes still a liberal.

McSally, a former Air Force fighter pilot, has run multiple ads showing Sinema protesting the Iraq War while dressed in a pink tutu.

McSallys campaign has turned to high-powered surrogates for help. On Friday, former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, a candidate for the Senate from Utah, appeared with her at a rally in the town of Gilbert. Trump will hold a campaign event this Friday for McSally in Mesa, a Phoenix suburb.

We are literally in a dead heat right now for this Senate seat and this Senate majority, McSally told the crowd while blasting Sinema as unpatriotic.

Tim Bushnell, 60, of Fountain Hills, Arizona, who attended the rally, said he could not vote for Sinema. Her history is pretty radical-left, he said.

If Sinema prevails, she will be able to argue that her moderate strategy may be the best way for Democrats to defeat Donald Trump in 2020. If she loses, any hope her party has of taking the Senate likely will fade with her.

Reporting by James OliphantTropical Storm Tara Forms; NOAA Monitoring Low-Pressure System

Top video shows total devastation caused by Hurricane Michael

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) is issuing advisories for Tropical Storm Tara on Oct. 15, as well as a tropical disturbance in the Caribbean that has a chance of developing into a cyclone.

Tropical Storm Tara

The NHC said that Tropical Storm Tara has 45 mph winds and is moving 2 mph to the west-northwest.

There is a tropical storm watch for Punta San Telmo to Cabo Corrientes in Mexico, meaning that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, according to the NHC. Heavy rains are currently hitting portions of southwestern Mexico.

Tara is moving toward the west-northwest near 2 mph (4 km/h) and this general motion is expected to continue for the next day or so, the NHC said. A slightly faster westward motion is forecast to begin after mid-week. On the forecast track, the center of Tara is expected to remain near or just offshore of the southwestern coast of Mexico during the next couple of days.

The storm is expected to bring 3 to 5 inches of rain with isolated maximum amounts of 8 inches until Oct. 16. These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods, the agency warned.

Tropical Depression

There is a broad low-pressure region that could develop into a tropical storm in the next 48 hours or the five days. According to the NHC, there is a 40 percent it forms over the time period.

Showers and thunderstorms associated with a broad area of low pressure located just offshore of northeastern Honduras continue to show some signs of organization. The system is expected to move near or just offshore of north coast of Honduras, and it is possible that it could become a tropical depression before the low moves inland over Belize late Tuesday, the agency said.

Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall, which could cause flash flooding, is possible across portions of Central America for much of the week. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate this system on Tuesday afternoon.

Hurricane Michael, which slammed the Florida Panhandle last week, formed in a nearby area of the Caribbean Sea.

According to the Weather Channel, at least 18 people have died in Hurricane Michael across several states.

President Donald Trump visited hard-hit areas in Florida on Oct. 15. The job theyve done in Florida has been incredible, Trump told reporters.

FEMA is rapidly trying to meet the demands the governor puts forward when it comes to sustaining life, but in some cases, because of the (severity of the) hit, were still focusing on search and rescue in some of the areas like Mexico Beach to make sure we leave no stones unturned and were getting to anybody that may be trapped, said FEMA Director Brock Long, reported the Pensacola News Journal.Trump Calls for Warren to Apologize After DNA Test Results Backfire

A day after Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released DNA test results divulging only minuscule amounts, if any, of her purported Native-American heritage, President Donald Trump called for a formal apology from Warren for deceiving Americans.

Warren attempted to use the results as evidence to back up her claims of heritage, only to have it flatly rejected by the Cherokee Nationthe largest federally recognized tribal enterprise in the nation.

In a string of Oct. 16 posts on Twitter, Trump described Warren as a phony and said she only got her job as a law professor at Harvard University because of her heritage claims. A 1997 Fordham Law Review piece had described hiring Warren as Harvard Law Schools first woman of color. Trump also thanked Cherokee Nation for their statement.

Pocahontas (the bad version), sometimes referred to as Elizabeth Warren, is getting slammed. She took a bogus DNA test and it showed that she may be 1/1024, far less than the average American, Trump wrote. Now Cherokee Nation denies her, DNA test is useless. Even they dont want her. Phony!

In a subsequent post minutes later, Trump wrote: Now that her claims of being of Indian heritage have turned out to be a scam and a lie, Elizabeth Warren should apologize for perpetrating this fraud against the American Public. Harvard called her a person of color (amazing con), and would not have taken her otherwise!

Carlos Bustamante, a professor of genetics at Stanford University and adviser to Ancestry.com, conducted the test. Buried in page 3 of the report (pdf) it states they used genetic samples from Mexico, Peru, and Colombia, for Warrens DNA analysis since there are no Native American reference sequences from inside the United States.

The analysis placed Warrens purported Native American ancestry between 6 and 10 generations ago, revealing that Warren is possibly between 1/64 to 1/1024or 0.09 percent Native American. Scientists told the New York Times in 2014 that European-Americans are 0.18% Native American on average, potentially making Warren less Native American than most European-Americans.

The Boston Globe, which first reported the results, said initially that Warren has strong evidence of Native-American heritage before later saying the calculations were wrong and issued a correction. However, the media quickly pounced upon the initial angle.

Correction: Due to a math error, a story about Elizabeth Warren misstated the ancestry percentage of a potential 6th to 10th generation relative. The generational range based on the ancestor that the report identified suggests shes between 1/64th and 1/1,024th Native American, the Globe said in its correction.

In a widely shared statement announcing their rejection of Warrens results, Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin, Jr. said: A DNA test is useless to determine tribal citizenship. Current DNA tests do not even distinguish whether a persons ancestors were indigenous to North or South America.

Using a DNA test to lay claim to any connection to the Cherokee Nation or any tribal nation, even vaguely, is inappropriate and wrong. It makes a mockery out of DNA tests and its legitimate uses while also dishonoring legitimate tribal governments and their citizens, who ancestors are well documented and whose heritage is proven. Senator Warren is undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage, the statement continued.

Warren will face Republican challenger Geoff Diehl in the upcoming November elections. The latest poll by RealClearPolitics conducted in the first week of October found Warren ahead of Diehl by 25 points.

She responded to Cherokee Nation in a statement, in part saying I respect the distinction, & dont list myself as Native in the Senate.

In an opinion piece on CNN by Simon Moya-Smith, a Native-American, he lamented that even if Warren did have a small amount of Native-American heritage, she remained questionably silent on the pressing affairs concerning the tribe.

Where has she been on these many issues that plague our communities? Although the results from her DNA test are new, her identity claims here arent. Why has she ignored us for so long? Why only now come around? Furthermore, name me one nation or tribe that claims her. None do.Trump, First Lady Visit Hurricane-Devastated Florida and Georgia

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visited Florida and later Georgia on Oct. 15 to survey the destruction caused by Hurricane Michael, which left the seaside town of Mexico Beach as a pile of rubble.

Before the Trumps boarded a helicopter with Gov. Rick Scott at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, the president spoke briefly to reporters, telling them that the governments priority is providing food, power, and safety to victims.

You know many of these people, they have no homes, Trump said. Earlier, he remarked that he is just making sure everyone is safe.

Hurricane Michael made landfall on Oct. 10, about 100 miles west of the base where the Trumps landed. The Category 4 hurricane, one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the continental United States, caused at least 18 deaths across four states, as dozens remain missing in the Florida Panhandle, according to Reuters.

On Twitter, Trump called the storm the worst hit in 50 years and that maximum effort is taking place to help those in need.

Touring the skies on Marine One, Trump surveyed the hurricanes path of destruction that included thousands of uprooted trees stacked up in uneven rows, houses with roofs or parts of roofs missing, and widely strewn debris.

The damage worsened as the entourage flew closer to Mexico Beachthe epicenter of the destruction. A water tower lay on its side, a parking lot had 18-wheel trucks scattered about like childrens toys, and roads leading into town were lined with cars and trucks carrying U-Haul trailers.

Its hard to believe. When youre above it, in a plane, and to see the total devastation, to see no houses leftnot even the pads are leftits incredible, Trump told reporters. To see this, personally, its very tough. Very, very tough. Total devastation.

At least one person has been confirmed killed in Mexico Beach, which took a direct hit from the massive storm, Reuters reported. Electricity and telephone service are being slowly restored, but for the states most damaged areas, it could take weeks.

Rescuers say they expect the death toll to rise as they use cadaver dogs and heavy equipment to search collapsed homes in small towns such as Mexico Beach and Panama City for more victims.

After completing the aerial tour, the president and first lady surveyed a street of damaged homes in the city with Scott and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.

Trump observed the damaged home of resident Michael Rollins, who said he has ridden out many hurricanes in the past but never seen one like this. Rollins extolled the virtues of first responders.

Margo Anderson, the mayor of Lynn Haven, Florida, accompanied the president, who shook hands and chatted with residents on the street. The first lady stood beside the president as he talked with residents.

The president then headed to a distribution center in Lynn Haven, where volunteers were registering storm victims. He continued on his tour by visiting a FEMA aid distribution center.

These are some of the people who make it work, and they do it beautifully, Trump said, standing next to Scott and Brock Long, the administrator of FEMA. Everybody has been incredible.

Scott thanked Trump for the federal response.

I want to thank the president for always taking my calland for showing up. And I want to thank the first lady, he said.

The governor said they still have a lot of work to do and are still getting water and food out. In his remarks, he said that 4,000 members of the National Guard are working day and night to get to people in need, with the help of local law enforcement.

The president and first lady then handed out plastic bottles of Kirkland water at a distribution table, as they spent some time mingling with the crowd.

Later in the afternoon, Trump arrived in Macon, Georgia, and gave a briefing at an American Red Cross building. Long said that Georgia was hit by Category 2 winds and remarked that the area will see lots of generational agricultural losses.

Trump on Oct. 14 declared a state of emergency in Georgia, freeing up federal resources for the state. A similar declaration had already been made previously for Florida.

Long said that cell communication is coming back online and that they are now looking to put people in short and long-term homes.

We just left Florida and the people there are thrilled with our people and our talent. What they were not thrilled with was this hurricane, Trump told reporters in Macon.

The president said he will ask Congress for supplementary funding for disaster aid. Trump also visited a farm and met with growers of cotton and pecans to talk about the storm-related losses they suffered.

Just last month, Trump visited North and South Carolina following a direct hit by Hurricane Florence.Trump Threatens to Cut Aid to Honduras If Migrant Caravan Proceeds

President Donald Trump warned Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez that Washington will cut aid to Tegucigalpa unless a Honduran migrant caravan traveling north through Mexico is stopped and turned around.

The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately! Trump wrote on Twitter on the morning of Oct. 16.

On Oct. 15, as many as 3,000 migrants crossed from Honduras into Guatemala en route to Mexico and the United States. Washington has warned that the group shouldnt attempt to enter the United States illegally.

The caravan is dubbed March of the Migrant by its organizers. It has more than doubled in size from Oct. 14, when a group of 1,300 migrants set off from northern Honduras.

We are seriously concerned about the caravan of migrants traveling north from Honduras, with false promises of entering the United States by those who seek to exploit their compatriots, the U.S. Embassy in Honduras said in a statement on Oct. 14.

Trump has pressured the leaders of Central American nations to do more to curb illegal immigration. The United States has been inundated with illegal aliens from impoverished nations streaming through its southern border.

In 2016, an estimated 415,000 illegal aliens from Honduras were living in the United States, according to the Center for Immigration Studies. The center estimates the total illegal alien population living in the United States at 10.8 million.

Last week, Vice President Mike Pence told leaders in the region that the United States stands ready to boost economic development and investment to nations that curb illegal migration.

Guatemala said in a statement Oct. 14 that it doesnt promote or endorse irregular migration. A police official at a customs booth on the Guatemala-Mexico border said all Central Americans can pass freely through the region as long as they comply with migration control.

Were going to drop in on Donald Trump. He has to take us in, said Andrea Fernandez, 24, who left Honduras with a newborn baby, a 5-year-old daughter, and 7-year-old son, because she said she couldnt find work and fears for their safety.

Mexicos migration institute said in a statement Oct. 15 that march participants would need to follow immigration rules to enter the country, without specifying the criteria.

The law does not provide for any permission to enter the country without meeting the requirements, and then go on to a third country, the government agency said.

The caravan, though sizable, represents a tiny fraction of the illegal immigration problem in the United States. In the fiscal year 2018, more than 360,000 illegal aliens were apprehended, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

In late April last year, a similar caravan reached the U.S. border in Tijuana, Mexico.

Reuters contributed to this report.Nariku Kuyo converses with her friends at the Naikarra market in Narok County, Kenya, on May 4, 2018. (Dominic Kirui/Special to The Epoch Times)

Women in Kenya Change Their Lives Through Basic Literacy Skills

LESHUTA, KenyaThe setting suns rays fall across the green vegetation cover brought forth by the rains after a four-year drought. Children are playing in a field near a corrugated iron structure.

Inside the structure, 60-year-old Naatana Karbolo is among a group of women learning basic literacy skills. They come to the class every afternoon after their house chores, and bring their children with them, leaving them to play outside as they attend their lessons.

Before Karbolo joined the adult education classes in July last year, the mother of six could not effectively run her business because she could neither read nor write. Now, her business is realizing profits.

Karbolo is a businesswoman at a local shopping center in Naikarra, a small town in Narok County, about 80 miles west of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. She sells maize, cooking fat, and cell phone airtime cards. Since taking the classes, she says her business has improved.

I used to make losses since I would occasionally give out debts and depend on my memory to remember who I had given some items on credit to. Without seeing them, at times I would forget about it and it meant a loss in my business, she told The Epoch Times.

But, like many of her classmates who are involved in business, she can now keep records of the debtors and record sales. This became possible only after the women finally received an opportunity to get an education.

High Illiteracy

About 758 million people around the world are illiterate, according to data from the U.N. education agency, UNESCO. Of these, two thirds are women. Of all the regions in Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest level of illiteracy compared to other regions.

In Kenyas Narok County, which is inhabited by a pastoralist community facing the challenges of drought and other retrogressive traditions, illiteracy levels are still high, especially among the women who bear the brunt of all these challenges.

Narok County is ranked as 42nd out of the 47 counties in the country in terms of literacy levels, according to the Kenya Commission for Revenue Allocation.

This may be partly related to cultural reasons, as among the Maasai community in Kenya, where until recently, most girls were denied an opportunity to go to school, as they would undergo female genital mutilation and be married off.

In August last year, Action Africa Help-International, an NGO working in the area, introduced the women to basic literacy skills, opening them up to the world of reading and writing so they could run their businesses and be economically independent.

Twenty-nine-year-old Nariku Kuyo is also among the group of women attending classes every evening at Olaburra. Like Karbolo, she is involved in business, selling maize and cell phone airtime cards.

Since I was born, I never knew school; I have never been in a classroom until last year. My job at home was to look after my fathers goats, and at the age of 19, I got married, said Kuyo, now a mother of five.

Opportunities

The next day, the women were off to the marketplace at Naikarra, a few miles away from their school. While they settle down to sell their goods, another group of women carrying bags is seated in a group, neither buying nor selling.

Kasiangu Namako is one of these women. She is a mother of ten and doesnt know her exact age, and wasnt carrying her identity card. Women here are mostly not permitted by their husbands to carry their identity cards, which their husbands keep. A woman is also rarely allowed to own livestock, or other property. They fully depend on their husbands.

Namako has been sitting for four hours waiting for her husband to sell a cow that he had brought to the marketplace that morning, so that he could give her money to buy food and other household supplies.

Ive been waiting since 8 a.m. and it is now noon. If by bad luck he doesnt sell the cow, then it will mean that well just have to go back home without the shopping, Namako said via a translator.

Monica Chepngetich, the Adult Education officer representing the national government in Narok Sub-county, says that education for the pastoralist women, especially the Maasai, can be a turnaround in their lives.

At first, girl circumcision led to the feeling that they had become adults, leading to early marriage, and this barred them from getting an education, Chepngetich said. But adult education of the women has been effective in ensuring that abuse and domestic violence against them reduces and, as a result, helped them be part of decision-making on matters involving themselves and their families.

As for Namako and her friends who have not been enrolled in the classes, they are appreciative of the chance to become educated.

We admire how our friends from Olaburra have been taught and can now even speak Swahili. We desire to also be part of such a thing, but our village is far from their village. If the government or anyone takes us to learn, to read, we will be happy, she said.The one thing we dont want to do is make things worse for that one child, but you dont want other children to go into homes with it, as well, Gordon said. We want the child to come to school and get an education.If your company drug tests employees, now is a good time to evaluate how the expanding legalized use of marijuana will impact your policies and your business. More employees will inevitably test positive for marijuana. By taking time to evaluate the consequences of this, you and your HR team will have strategies in place and be better positioned to respond on a legal and operational level.

In the states where marijuana has been legalized, enforcing drug-free workplace policies can be a significant challenge. Of the 31 states allowing marijuana use for medicinal purposes, 11 states (Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island) have statutes that explicitly prohibit employment discrimination against medical marijuana users.

In several states -- including Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts -- an employee who tests positive for marijuana but is legally allowed to use marijuana for medical purposes has a viable claim against an employer for enforcing drug-free workplace policies without accommodations or other considerations.

Related: To Drug Test or Not to Drug Test?

An emerging trend in employment law

According to the American Bar Association, cases in which employees sued for discrimination resulted in favorable verdicts for them. One federal court in Connecticut recently reasoned that the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act, which many employers including federal contractors rely upon for policies on drug testing, does not specifically require drug testing and does not prohibit federal contractors from employing people who use medical marijuana outside the workplace and in accordance with state laws.

Further complicating the matter for multi-state employers, state statutes pertaining to the legal use of marijuana vary, and while certain states have sanctioned marijuana, its possession is still a federal crime. To confuse matters even further, court rulings have offered an inconsistent roadmap for companies that want to determine if they should drug test for marijuana, and what to do with a positive test result.

For example, while some courts have ruled in favor of employees as noted above, the California Supreme Court in Ross v. Ragingwire reasoned that because the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) does not require employers to accommodate illegal drug use, the employer could lawfully deny employment to individuals using medical marijuana, since it is illegal under federal law.

What, then, should your business do to adjust or modify drug testing policies relative to the legal use of marijuana? Here are some basic considerations:

1. Evaluate Your Policy

If medical and recreational marijuana use is allowed in states where your employees work, its time to examine the core motivation behind your drug testing policy. Some companies, such as those that do business with the federal government, may be required to test certain employees. Safety-sensitive positions, such as drivers, equipment operators, and pilots, are subject to alcohol and drug screening, as well.

Perhaps your company is not legally required to test employees, but instead has decided to establish a drug-free environment, with testing as a component. Ultimately, you need to determine the overall temperament of your organization for medical marijuana use when it is legally allowed and consider interactive accommodations for certain workers. Some employers have gone as far as eliminating testing for marijuana altogether while maintaining other drug testing requirements, reasoning that testing for marijuana automatically excludes too many otherwise qualified employees in the current challenging hiring environment.

Related: Here's How You can Weed Out Risks At Work With Drug Test Screening

2. Understand the Specific Legal Requirements

It is possible that the specific medical marijuana laws in your state (or states, if you operate in multiple regions) require you to discuss possible accommodations for the use of medical marijuana. You also need to consider the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Based on the law, you may need to revise your drug testing policy to include an accommodation process; you will also need to determine when discipline or termination may be appropriate for medical marijuana users.

Finally, for safety-sensitive positions, determine what standards apply relative to medical marijuana use. In the end, zero-tolerance drug policies in the workplace may be enforced as long as they do not violate state law. Currently, a majority of state statutes include certain employer exemptions as well as policies that ban marijuana use on-the-job or on the premises.

As more states legalize marijuana use, your organization should prepare for a rise in positive test results, and for challenges from employees who have failed drug tests or who claim they were not impaired while working. To ensure you are in compliance, consult an employment law expert or an experienced HR consultant who can provide guidance and help you navigate through the maze of federal and state statutes.

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5 Steps of the New Model of Revenue Recognition for Franchisors



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reservedProfessor H. Howell Williams posed a provocative question for his political science students at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury last week. Whats the matter with Connecticut? he asked them.

Their final papers at the end of the semester will relate to this question that could be answered in a myriad of ways.

I was there in Room 023 in White Hall Tuesday morning to talk about the medias role in state and local politics. Given that were in the midst of Editorial Board interviews with candidates, the timing was perfect. There was a lot to talk about.

I like explaining the purpose of the editorial pages, also called opinion, and how they work. The publication in The New York Times of the anonymous op-ed by a senior Trump administration official last month (I am part of the resistance inside the Trump Administration) had the unintended consequence of helping the public understand the distinct difference between opinion and news. One does not influence the other. Key editorial page editors at the Times knew who authored the op-ed, but could not and would not reveal the name to news reporters.

In the Western political science class we had a robust discussion on how commentary gets published and whether they would have run the anonymous piece. We talked about how editorial boards go about endorsing candidates. And how they get their news  mostly through social media.

With decades in journalism, I could go on and on. But Professor Williams question intrigued me and I really wanted to know what these students thought was the matter with our state.

So I made sure to leave time in the 90-minute class to get back to that question. Their answers surprised me.

First, may I say, this class of about 20 is engaged. For example, I mentioned that I was heading next to Hearst headquarters in Norwalk for an editorial board interview with the Democratic candidate for attorney general. Anyone know who that is? I asked, expecting no one would. But at least one student raised his hand: State Representative William Tong, he said. Right!

Their perspectives are informed, not clueless.

And most said they like Connecticut and want to stay here. One young man said his family is leaving for North Carolina once he and his sister graduate college, but he wants to keep Connecticut as his home. A young woman said her major is music education and the states proximity to New York City and Boston translates to increased job opportunity. Another young man wants to raise a family here someday, a place where they can have a yard.

I wish I had been taking notes so that I could use their names and quote them direct. I didnt go into the class with plans to write a column, but decided to later when their comments kept peppering my mind.

We hear laments from longtime residents that taxes are too high and highways too congested  both true  and everyone is either moving out of state or wants to. But not so for these Millennials.

We talked of values upheld in our state, such as accepting Syrian refugees when states like Indiana would not, and extending fairness to Dreamers who now are eligible for in-state tuition and financial aid to which they contribute, and taking the lead on gun violence prevention.

Nothing is absolute, of course; one student did say he wants to move to Tennessee.

For me, after hours of quizzing candidates about closing the states looming $2.3 billion deficit next year and the other seemingly intractable problems, it is refreshing to hear young people focusing on not the matter with Connecticut but rather the promise.

Jacqueline Smith is Editorial Page Editor of The News-Times and The Norwalk Hour. Email her at jsmith@hearstmediact.com.Cannabis business owners have long complained about the lack of scientific research in the industry to back their claims of the medicinal properties of the plant. Now a bill that would allow an expansion of medical marijuana research in the United States has cleared an important committee and is awaiting a vote by the full House of Representatives.

If approved by both the House and the Senate, the Medical Cannabis Research Act of 2018 could dramatically increase the amount of research done on marijuana in the U.S. Thanksfully, it would bypass the need for approval from the Department of Justice, where Attorney General Jeff Sessions has been accused of holding up further research on medical marijuana.

Instead, Congress would have the power to direct the granting of more marijuana cultivation licenses for medical research on a specific timetable. The DOJ would still oversee the program, however.

The bill was first introduced by Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida. Gaetz had bipartisan support when introducing the bill from 26 other congressmen.

In a statement, Gaetz said the bill finally allows researchers to study the potential cures medical cannabis may unlock. Further scientific research on medical cannabis could unlock cures for veterans, the chronically ill, and the elderly.

Related: MedMen's CEO Talks Acquisition: 'I See It As A Leapfrog'

Research roadblock

As things currently stand, the only place where marijuana can be grown for research is a University of Mississippi farm. Some researchers have complained about the quality of the marijuana there, as well as the lack of variety.

Congress, in the meantime, is caught in a classic Catch-22. They cant make a serious move to change federal law regarding cannabis without more research. But they cant do more research without making a change to the law.

The new bill seeks to solve that problem. Its very narrowly focused. Essentially, it would put decisions on marijuana research into the hands of Congress, bypassing the Department of Justice. Thats been a major roadblock since Sessions, who is opposed to legalization, took office in 2017 as part of President Donald Trumps administration.

Related: Here's Why the DEA Re-Scheduling Just One Cannabis-Based Drug Is a Very Big Deal

One big hurdle cleared

Passage by the powerful House Judiciary Committee, which oversees the countrys drug law enforcement efforts, was a significant hurdle. The panel approved the measure by voice vote earlier in September.

Two years ago, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced its intention to grant more licenses for marijuana research, but to this point, nothing has happened. Its made for a rare bipartisan effort to change marijuana research policy.

For example, senators Orrin Hatch, the Republican from Utah, and Kamala Harris, the Democrat from California, joined together to write a letter to Sessions in late August. In the letter, they urged him to stop blocking efforts for medical marijuana research. When does that happen?

Marijuanas impacts are being felt every day across the countrywith or without research, the two senators wrote. It is imperative that our nations brightest scientists have access to diverse types of federally-approved, research-grade marijuana to research both its adverse and therapeutic effects. Such research is the critical foundation of sound policymaking that puts public health and safety first.

As of late September, Sessions has yet to respond.

Follow dispensaries.com on Instagram to stay up to date on the latest cannabis news.

Related:



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reservedDefense Secretary Jim Mattis said he had never spoken to President Donald Trump about leaving his position and was continuing to do his job, a day after Trump derided him as "sort of a Democrat" in an interview with CBS News' "60 Minutes" and said "it could be" that the Pentagon chief is leaving his post.

Mattis, who was speaking to reporters en route to Vietnam, said he had never registered for any political party, having joined the military when he was 18 years old and adhered to its apolitical underpinnings as Republicans and Democrats alike came and went as commander in chief.

"Where am I today? I'm a member of the president's administration. And you have seen President Donald Trump's military policies, security policies, reaping significant bipartisan support," the 68-year-old retired Marine Corps general said, according to a transcript released by the Pentagon.

"When you think 83 percent of the U.S. Congress voting the same way on an issue put forward by the Republican president, you can see that my portfolio is bipartisan by its very basis, and that is the protection of the United States," Mattis added.

Mattis said he had not spoken to Trump about the comments on "60 Minutes" and didn't watch the interview. "We continue in the Department of Defense to do our job," he said. "It's no problem."

Questions about Mattis' future in the administration have arisen pointedly in recent weeks, particularly after journalist Bob Woodward released a book claiming that the defense secretary had said the president had the understanding of a fifth- or sixth-grader. Mattis denied making the comments and dismissed Woodward's reporting as fiction.

Though talk of Mattis' departure had settled down, Nikki Haley's resignation as the ambassador to the United Nations reignited the speculation, which Trump fueled further in his interview over the weekend.

"I think he's sort of a Democrat, if you want to know the truth," Trump said. "But General Mattis is a good guy. We get along very well. He may leave. I mean, at some point, everybody leaves. Everybody. People leave. That's Washington."

Mattis has also split with the president on key policy issues. He advocated for an extended presence in Afghanistan, pushed to keep the United States in the Iran nuclear deal and argued against the cancellation of certain military exercises with South Korea as part of nuclear talks with Pyongyang.

The defense secretary declined to detail his thoughts about Saudi Arabia's alleged killing of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey and said he would wait until Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's return from Riyadh.

"I need to have the facts first. I know it's unusual at times in government circles. Some people talk quickly," Mattis said. "I think the secretary of state will be airborne shortly. And we will know more when he gets back. And that'll be very, very soon. So I want to wait until I have facts before I start talking, because facts will determine where I stand."

Mattis said the fact that Pompeo, the most senior Cabinet official in the United States, was going to the region as a result gave "an idea of the priority the president has placed on getting the facts."NORWALK  Commercial real estate developer Jason Milligan hammered the city Tuesday after receiving a second zoning violation regarding one of his new properties in the Wall Street neighborhood.

I think that it is terrible that the city and its agencies are quickly becoming the enemy of progress and success, Milligan wrote in an email to Hearst Connecticut Media on Tuesday afternoon. The selective & politically motivated enforcement of rules is sickening, as is the staggering amount of money wasted on unnecessary legal battles.

Over the last four months, Milligan said hes been issued one blight violation, two zoning violations and been denied the right to build nine apartments above Fairfield County Bank and the ability to bring a dentists office and smoothie shop to 97 Wall St.

Milligan recently received a zoning violation from the Norwalk Department of Planning and Zoning for a mural painted on the wall of his building at 21 Isaac St. In the violation notice, dated Oct. 12, Norwalk Deputy Zoning Inspector John Hayducky cites building zone regulations governing murals.

You are hereby ordered to correct the following zoning violation(s) within fifteen (15) days of the date of this notice, Hayducky wrote. Painted wall murals shall not contain logos, shall not exceed an area of two hundred (200) square feet in area or fifty percent of the wall surface, whichever is greater and shall respect the architectural integrity of the building.

The zoning department has ordered Milligan to remove the painted wall mural and start anew by submitting a zoning application indicating the square footage of the proposed mural and obtaining a zoning approval as well as Certificate of Zoning Compliance. Not doing so within 15 days of the notice will subject him to a fine of $150 a day, according to Hayducky.

Milligan engaged the artist, who goes by the name Action, to paint the mural on the building wall in early October. The mural depicts the corner of Wall and Isaacs streets with business such as SoNo Studios, Troupe 429, Audiotronics and Factory Underground filling storefronts along with a new business named Freedom Dental. Milligan said the artist spent three days creating the mural.

The violation marks the second for Milligan, who is the subject of a city and Norwalk Redevelopment Agency lawsuit for purchasing 21 Isaacs St. and several nearby properties within the footprint of the stalled Wall Street Place redevelopment area. On Aug. 30, the zoning department issued Milligan a violation over operation of an auto-repair business at the rear of 97 Wall St. Such a use is not allowed in the zone.

In late May, Milligan, managing member of Wall Street Opportunity Fund, purchased 21, 23 and 31 Isaacs St. as well as 83 and 97 Wall St. from ILSR Owners.

By transferring the properties, Milligan and seller ILSR Owners disregarded the Land Disposition Agreement governing Wall Street Place. The transfer required Redevelopment Agency approval, according to the lawsuit filed by the city and agency.

ILSR Owner, an affiliate of Port Chester, N.Y.-based developer POKO Partners, halted construction on the first phase of Wall Street Place  101 apartments in the former Isaacs Street Municipal Lot  in summer 2016 amid financing issues with lender Citibank.

Milligan on Tuesday reiterated his opposition to the citys handling of Wall Street Place and its decision to take him to court.

POKO I rots away. Failing to provide the 100 temporary parking spaces required under the LDA. No problem, Milligan wrote in his email. Milligan opens up 137 parking spaces to the public. And he gets 2 zoning violations. Double Standard?

Milligan, after purchasing the former Leonard Street Municipal Lot at 23 Isaacs St., reopened that portion of the 137-space lot that had been closed to store materials for Wall Street Place.3 1 of 3 Contributed / Norwalk Police Department Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Contributed / Norwalk Police Department Show More Show Less 3 of 3





NORWALK  Police arrested a man and woman on allegations they trespassed outside a private apartment complex off Cedar Street.

Officers with the Special Services Division were monitoring different areas in they city and saw Barbara Priest, 57 and Craig McConneaughy, 48, circling around the complex, police said. The building has no trespassing signs and the area is known for narcotics distribution, police said.NORWALK  When cruising from Norwalk Harbor toward Long Island Sound, Peach Island is the first of the Norwalk Islands thats visible, sitting just 100 yards east of the Harborview neighborhood of South Norwalk.

The 2.6-acre island is part of the McKinney Wildlife Refuge, and off limits to visitors, said Richard Delfosse of Rex Marine Center & Norwalk Cove Marina, a company that serves boaters in the area.

Mudflats around Peach Island remain an important feeding and resting area for birds, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Peach, as well as Goose, Chimon and Sheffield islands, is part of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. During the summer, at low tide, egrets, snowy egrets and small shorebirds can be seen feeding on Peach Island, according to the Fish & Wildlife Service.

The Norwalk Islands were a big attraction for large cruise ships, which began making trips around New York City and into Norwalk in 1824. Back then, a ticket cost $1, according to a book on the islands by Dick Williams. The islands comprise almost 300 acres and extend from the waters off Westport to Darien.

The islands saw more activity in the 1800s and early 1900s. Back then, many families lived on the islands and raised their cattle, according to the book by Williams. Other historical documents suggest the islands were discovered in 1614 by Dutch explorer Adrian Block.

Several decades ago, there was a house on Peach Island that was destroyed by a storm, said David Park, a Weston native who has canoed the islands for the past 25 years. The only thing that remains is a stone wall that wraps around the north and west and east sides. Theres not much historical record that Ive been able to find.

In 1917, the Riccio family purchased the island and built sea walls so they could use the island as a summer getaway, Delfosse said. In 1966, that family sold it to George LeBlanc. It was gifted to the Seaport Association in 1998. The company wanted to sell the island to raise money for restoring the Sheffield Lighthouse, Delfosse said.

In December 2003, Harbor View resident Chris Campbell offered to buy the island and keep it free of development. Campbell, 52 at the time and a major stakeholder of South Norwalks Palace Production Center studio, wouldnt disclose how much he would pay for it but said it was in the low six figures, according to Norwalk Public Library archives. Eventually, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service took ownership of the island.

The islands close proximity to the shore makes its preservation important for scenic views, Delfosse said. It has a well and fresh water and was named after the peach trees that were planted there some years ago.

Its salt marsh, sandy beach, woodland and thickets are typical of the Norwalk Islands and provide excellent wildlife habitat, Delfosse said.

There used to be an old tractor rusting away on the island, but it has since been removed, Park said.Acting Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven was handed the chance to form a government to extend his rule into a second term after the opposition failed to find a viable coalition following almost two weeks of talks.

The Social Democratic leader will now have two weeks to sound out his colleagues, parliament speaker Andreas Norlen said in Stockholm Monday. "I'm doing everything I can to make the process as short as possible," Norlen said. "With the deadlock we have it would be a pretty fast process if one could loosen this up in two to four weeks."

Lofven has no clear path ahead. He last month led his Social Democratic party to its worst election in a century even as his left-green bloc managed to hang on to a one-seat lead over the center-right Alliance. But big gains by the nationalist Sweden Democrats mean that neither of the established blocs have a majority.

Serving as head of a caretaker government after being ousted in a confidence vote last month, Lofven on Monday reiterated his call for a broad Social Democratic-led coalition to break the impasse. He will need to lure over the Center and Liberal parties and break the opposition Alliance. Lofven oversaw a minority government over the past four years with the support of the Green Party and the former communist Left Party.

At press conference after the speaker's decision on Monday, Lofven said he would seek to form a coalition in the center of Swedish politics, cautioning that talks will be "long" and "difficult."

"It will require humility and compromise," he said. Meetings will be held with all parties except the Sweden Democrats, he said.

Ulf Bjereld, a political science professor at the University of Gothenburg and a Social Democratic activist, said Lofven has a "very complicated" task ahead of him.

In talks with the Liberals and the Center Party he will need to bridge differences on taxes, business policy and the labor market, but will find common ground in the opposition to the Sweden Democrats, he said.

"In order for him to succeed, it will take quite a lot of humility and openness from both the Social Democrats and from the Liberals and the Center Party," Bjereld said.

Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson on Sunday abandoned his attempts to form a government amid deep divisions in the Alliance over whether to seek support from the nationalists to grab power. The leaders of the Center and Liberal parties over the weekend rejected a plan by Kristersson's for a smaller right-wing government that would rely on nationalist support.

Center Party leader Annie Loof on Monday showed few signs she's ready to leave the Alliance for Lofven's camp, saying that she wants to keep the center-right united and that Kristersson should be prime minister.

"We're in a deadlock," she said. "It's important that the Moderates and the Social Democrats sit down and talk to each other."

The markets have so far taken the Swedish political turmoil in stride, being more focused on monetary policy. The Swedish krona is almost 1 percent stronger since the election while bond yields have followed global increases.

Johan Javeus, chief strategist at Swedish bank SEB AB, said the "most likely" outcome is that Lofven will fail in his current round and that Kristersson will eventually form a pared down conservative government with Christian Democrats that relies on support from his other Alliance colleagues and the Sweden Democrats.

"What we're now seeing could be an act to show the voters that a Moderate+Christian Democrat alternative was the least bad of all alternatives and that every stone has been turned," he said.Prosecutors say Krieg also sent a piece of mail to another person at their Hammond residence Sept. 29, 2017, that contained a bullet and a message that read, The next one will be in the back of your head.WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Tuesday offered a fresh threat to cut off aid to Honduras if a large caravan of migrants continues heading toward the United States.

"The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!" Trump said on Twitter.STAMFORD  A Norwalk driver was charged with DUI after she nearly struck a Stamford security guard who was trying to keep the woman from operating the vehicle because the guard perceived her to be drunk.

Police were called to Stamford Landing on Southfield Avenue on Friday at about 10 p.m. on the report of security guards trying to keep a white female from driving her car.

When police arrived at the Waterside location, they saw several security guards around a vehicle talking to the driver. As the cruiser approached, the car lurched to life, nearly striking one of the guards. The officer activated the overhead lights and siren and the vehicle immediately pulled over in a parking space.

The officers approached the car and could hear the woman crying and slurring her speech. They could smell alcohol from the woman and the car, Sgt. Sean McGowan said. When the woman, identified as Darlene DiSette, 52, of Newtown Avenue, did not seem to understand officers when they asked her to turn off her car, she was pulled from the vehicle.

DiSette had trouble standing and the more the officers tried to hold her up, the more she seemed to be trying to drop to the ground, McGowan said.

Because of her condition, DiSette could not perform any of the field sobriety tests and she was carried into a waiting cruiser feet first, McGowan said.

In the car, officers allegedly found a three-quarters empty, seven-ounce bottle of Jameson Irish whiskey in DiSettes purse.

Sometime after 9 p.m. that night, security officers told police that they were called about a woman who was crying in the parking lot. They went outside and saw DiSette near the boat dock and she appeared intoxicated.

Dissette then stumbled to her car and tried to drive away when police were called, McGowan said. DiSette was charged with driving while under the influence and drinking while driving.

jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.comMonday, MTSU officials announced that the higher education commission had turned the proposal down with an 8-5 vote. They, too, were disappointed by the decision, and Sidney A. McPhee, president of the university, said in a release that the transfer of the law school would have represented a significant multi-million dollar gift to the state of Tennessee.GRANITE CITY  A local florist is hoping that during the hustle and bustle in the middle of the work week, people will stop and smell the flowers.

Goff & Dittman Florists of Granite City is partnering with the Society of American Florists, a trade association representing thousands in the floral industry across the U.S., to distribute bouquets of flowers through the Petal it Forward program, which blossomed from Society of American Florist data showing emotional benefits of receiving flowers.

In 2017, through 573 local events in 467 cities in all 50 states and Canada, floral teams took to the streets with one simple goal: Share the power of flowers through the gift of giving.

On Oct. 24, recipients will get one bouquet to keep, and one to pass on to someone else, such as a friend, family member or passing stranger.

We will be setup in the parking lot of TheBank of Edwardsville on Maryville Road and Nameoki Road starting at noon that day. This is our 70th year in business and TheBank of Edwardsvilles 150th, so were excited they are allowing us to spread the love of flowers at two of their locations, stated Rachel Clothier, owner of Goff & Dittman Florists.

University research reveals that flowers have an immediate impact on happiness and a long-term positive effect on moods. Now, a new survey has found that, when it comes to flowers, its just as good to give as it is to receive.

With this data in mind, the Petal It Forward team is not only spreading happiness to lucky Granite City residents who receive the flowers, but arming these recipients with the tools they need to Petal it Forward and spread happiness to others: An extra flower bouquet to share with a loved one, coworker or even a stranger.

We see the positive impact day in and day out when we make our flower deliveries, said Clothier. One of the most rewarding jobs on this planet is to deliver flowers, and the unexpected gift is the one that always garners the most reaction from our recipients. So we wanted to create random smiles today, and give people a chance to do the same for someone else.

The Society of American Florists conducted a national survey in March 2015 of about 2,500 participants ages 18 and older  which backs other research, such as that by Rutgers, Harvard and Texas A&M  showing the effects of flowers on emotion.

Eighty-eight percent of respondents reported feeling happy when giving flowers, compared to 80 who said that they felt happy getting flowers, suggesting, that its just as good to give flowers as it is to receive (them).

Those growing Petal it Forward hope that receiving and giving flowers just because will brighten peoples day in Granite City. Recipients are encouraged to include the hashtag #PetalItForward on social media.

The impact of giving or receiving flowers is powerful and memorable, Clothier said. It can turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary one and were just lucky to be a part of it.

You can find Goff & Dittman Florists online at www.goffdittmanflorist.com and visit the store in person at 4915 Maryville Road, Granite City.About 75 to 125 students can attend in its first year, leaders from both institutions said last week. Marian will do a feasibility study to see if it can be expanded to other parts of the state, including the colleges original campus in Rensselaer.Hey, lay off us independents. I do vote for both parties. It just that presently the progressive left of the Democratic Party with their willingness of spreading fake news and their immature behaviors Makes voting Democratic impossible. Elizabeth Warren is not Native American any more than half of the U.S. population. Just because somebody makes an accusation without proof it doesn't make it true. The only collusion was on the Democratic Party side, and free speech is for everybody it should not be censored by the progressive left. Any party that lets Hollywood set their moral standards is questionable too.With the election three weeks away, candidates for offices in Mt. Pleasant and Isabella County shared their views at a forum hosted by the Student Government Association at Central Michigan University on Monday.

The third annual community candidates forum, at the Bovee University Center Auditorium, featured the two candidates for Isabella County Probate judge, the Democratic candidate for Isabella County prosecutor and all six candidates for the three available seats on the Mt. Pleasant City Commission.

Candidates were asked to give an opening statement, answer two questions prepared by SGA and then answer a couple other questions submitted by Facebook Live viewers, followed by a closing statement. All the candidates were asked the same questions.

On hand were Stuart Black and Sara Spencer-Noggle, who are competing to be probate judge in the nonpartisan race. Larry King, the Democratic candidate for county prosecutor, was there. His opponent, Republican David Barberi, was not able to attend the forum, but sent a prepared statement, which was read by the moderator.

The six City Commission candidates are incumbents Nicholas Madaj and Lori Gillis and challengers Barry DeLau II, Amy Perschbacher, Rick Rautanen and Petro Tolas. The top three vote-getters will be elected to three-year terms on the board.

Candidates were asked about ways to work with CMU, what they would do to increase diversity in the community, and what their unique qualifications for office were.

City commission candidates disagreed about how the current city board and officials view CMU students, with DeLau saying people have told him the city views students as a nuisance and saying he would reach out more to campus groups, even if it meant meeting once a week.

Tolas questioned the citys policy of having police officers and other officials go door to door in the student neighborhood near campus on Welcome Weekend to remind students of city ordinances regarding large parties and other issues. Theyre all grown adults. You dont see city police and other officials going to neighbors in my neighborhood, he said.

Gillis, who is a member of the commissions liaison committee with CMU students, said meeting weekly was a pipe dream. She also said the City Commission does not think of students as a nuisance.

Just because its being said does not mean its true, Gillis said. You are not considered a nuisance by anyone that I spoke with.

Rautanen talked about the importance of CMU to Mt. Pleasant.

Mt. Pleasant has been a college town for many, many years. Why we keep beating our heads against the wall that we are going to solve the student problem. We need to figure out how to live together. We are always going to be a college town. Mt. Pleasant does not exist without you, he said.

Spencer-Noggle, speaking of the court system, said, Our courts should not be a revenue stream and students should not be a revenue stream for our courts. She said she was glad to see Minor in Possession of Alcohol become a civil infraction. My goal as a judge is to treat students fairly, she said.

Black stressed the importance of communication and understanding, and more transparency. Everybody wants to succeed. Everybody wants their family to do well. Everybody wants a job. Everybody wants equal opportunity. Everybody wants a fair and impartial judicial system.

Here is a look at the candidates statements.

Opening statements:

DeLau said he grew up in Mt. Pleasant and attended CMU. He stressed his experience in working with large budgets. My goal, and the reason why I want to be involved in the City Commission and local politics, is I want to bring some fresh eyes and some common sense. Im going to make it my mission to talk to as many people in the city as I can, not just a small group.

Gillis stressed her experience and cited her accomplishments during her first term on the City Commission, including opening up Indian Pines Park and helping to initiate policies for the city to 100 percent fund sidewalk construction and for free brush pickup. Ive worked diligently to improve our community, and our city, and for the students, and I would be honored to continue serving as your city commissioner.

Madaj, the current vice mayor, also stressed his background and experience. Im running because there are a lot of issue that are ongoing. My issues largely deal with our neighborhoods and to maintain our citys fiscal responsibility Weve taken on some big issues already, he said, citing the new zoning ordinance; opting into the medical marijuana law; city and CMU relationships; Tribal and city relationships; and working with Union Township on water supply issues.

Perschbacher, who also ran last year, said she came to Mt. Pleasant in 2009 and attended CMU while raising her children. The one thing that I know that frustrates students the most is the fact that we end up with a lot of debt and we end up with very little choices in employment in Mt. Pleasant.  Now the one thing I think the City Commission can do is look at jobs, employment, enticing businesses to come to central Michigan.

Rautanen, who previously was on the Planning Commission and City Commission, said he came to Mt. Pleasant in 1985 as a college student. He talked about dilapidated houses on Main and Washington streets being renovated into new, safer housing a few years ago when he was on the commission. We worked to redevelop those buildings, build some new housing that exists there now. Im not going to push students out of the neighborhood. Im looking to work together to come up with a plan so that we can provide fair housing for all, for students, and work within the community boundaries to make things happen.

Tolas said he is a lifelong resident of Mt. Pleasant, is a CMU graduate and served on the city Zoning Board of Appeals for eight years. I ran three years ago and decided to run again because the city is not making sound decisions. In my opinion, most of the commissioners are anti-students and anti-business. I know how to make good, solid business decisions. Ive done it all my life. We have people there who just cannot make decisions.

Black said he has worked for the Isabella County prosecutors office for 12 years, handling all types of cases. My platform is simple. I want to be a voice for those who dont have a voice, including children and those with mental health issues. He said creating a mental health court is a priority for him.

Spencer-Noggle is a lawyer who also handles the countys public-defender program. The probate court is the court where people come in their most vulnerable moments, she said. As a public defender, I see people who we could be doing better by. Id like to start a veterans treatment court, she said, adding shed also support a mental health court.

King is currently one of the assistant prosecutors in the Isabella County Prosecutors Office. I am running for prosecutor because I think we can do better than what we are doing now. I see whats happening in the office and I see what works and what doesnt work. He said he would have quarterly public outreach. To get a better feel for what the community actually wants to see prosecuted and what the community cares about. I think the best way to do that is to open up our doors and tell people, Were here, come talk to us.'

Both King and Black drew loud applause from the audience when they discussed their work prosecuting sexual assault cases.

What is a belief or stance you have on an issue that might be considered unpopular among voters and why do you defend it?

King said that when he is out campaigning a couple of issues come up. One is that he is in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana. The other, he said, is that he was advised that as he campaigned for prosecutor, he should stress being tough on crime, regardless of the case. I want to be smart on crime. I believe being tough on everything does not work and its way too expensive.

Spencer-Noggle said that as a public defender she is very often the most unpopular person in the room, because she sometimes is representing bad people who have done horrible things. I believe in due process I stand up for people who are charged with crimes in court. Some of those people are very very bad people. Some of those people have committed heinous acts and arent regretful even for a moment. My job is to stand up and defend them, and make sure that the system treats them fairly and that justice is done in their case.

Black also cited the upcoming statewide ballot proposal to legalize recreational marijuana. I dont know if Im for or against it. Im in between, he said. He said it is a complicated issue, and hes seen all sides of it while working in the prosecutors office. Ive seen medical marijuana patients who have improved. Ive seen people whove used it recreationally and have not had a problem at all. Ive also seen people who have issues that stem from that. He also mentioned the issue of companies who are drug testing employees, noting that marijuana can stay in a persons system. What happens if a person smokes marijuana and tests positive days later versus what happens if a person smokes in the morning and then shows up to work high a short time later. He said he wants a common-sense approach.

Tolas talked about his past experiences on the Zoning Board of Appeals and interpreting city ordinances. He said he learned you cant make all voters happy. On the ZBA, The best that you can do is follow what the ordinances are and make the best decision you can make. Some people are happy. Some people arent happy. Thats what Ill try to do if Im a city commissioner. Make sound decisions, he said.

Rautanen discussed the city zoning ordinance enacted last year, which changed the zoning for 60 properties on University, Franklin and Lansing streets and made the multi-tenant student rentals non-conforming properties. The city wants them to eventually revert back to single-family homes. I would not have supported that and I dont support it to this day, he said.

Perschbacher said, One of my beliefs that gets me into trouble, and its usually when Im having a discussion with someone, is I believe that everyone has a right to voice their opinion.  Really what it comes down to is Im willing to listen to people even when they do not agree with me. They still have a right to have that opinion.

Madaj discussed the citys decisions to opt in to the states medical marijuana law. He was chairman of the citys ad hoc committee in 2017 that looked at what the city should allow, with some people not wanting any businesses and some wanting no limits placed on them at all. He said he wanted an incremental approach.

Gillis, who also served on the ad hoc committee, said she supports medical marijuana and wanted fewer limits than what the City Commission as a whole ultimately decided on. I believe theres benefits to people who are prescribed it. I also believe the naysayers do not realize the revenue that will be increased in Mt. Pleasant, she said, adding she supports legalizing recreational marijuana as well.

DeLau said, My stance is going to be pretty simple, and its probably going to upset one group one time, and another group another time, etc., etc. Any stance I take is going to benefit the majority of the citizens of the city. Its not going to benefit one little group here or a neighborhood there. It has to benefit everyone or the majority of everyone, and cannot just benefit one small group within the city. Inevitably, youre going to upset one or another at some time.

The election is Nov. 6.A survey of students, parents and staff that the board reviewed in May didnt provide a true consensus about moving exams to before winter break in an effort to cut student stress, Sally said. Such a move would also require changes to the beginning of the school year, and could actually increase student stress between Thanksgiving and the break.Late last week, after Bloomberg News reported that Sears Holdings was preparing to file for bankruptcy protection  a prediction that came true in the wee hours Monday  I decided to visit a Sears store, something I hadnt done in at least 30 years. Theres still one left in New York City, in Brooklyns Flatbush section.

As I approached, I was startled by what I saw. I had expected something generic, along the lines of a Walmart or a Best Buy big box. Instead, I found myself facing an enormous art deco structure , built of cement, with the words Sears Roebuck & Co. etched proudly over several massive doors that appeared to be permanently closed. It was highlighted by a square tower that made it look more like a medieval castle than a retail store. It was an impressive sight  and a reminder of what Sears had once been.

Then I walked around the back, where the entrance was  and was reminded of what Sears has become. Inside the store, lighting was terrible: Some areas had bright lights, while others were so dim I could barely make out the prices on the merchandise. Much of the carpet was stained. Wires had fallen through ceiling tiles. The shelves, some of them chipped or warped, were stocked with cheaply made goods. It all reeked of neglect.

I asked an employee who looked as if hed worked there a very long time if he knew when the store had opened. Nineteen thirty-two, he replied  right in the teeth of the Depression. The Brooklyn Dodgers old home, Ebbets Field, used to be just a few blocks away, he added. Jackie Robinson sold suits here during the off-season, he said, repeating a tale that may or may not be apocryphal.

There is one other thing I noticed in the store: signs celebrating 2018 as Sears 125th birthday. For all its woes, thats no small accomplishment. When the first Fortune 500 was published in 1955, it included companies that are still very much with us, like the Boeing, General Motors and IBM. But it also included Detroit Steel, Zenith Electronics, Armstrong Rubber and Riegel Textile. Indeed, when last years Fortune 500 was published, nearly 90 percent of the companies on that first list had vanished. They had either gone out of business or been acquired.

Rare is the company that lasts forever, no matter how much its executives may believe otherwise. Consider the once-impregnable Time Inc., which became wealthy and powerful because it filled an information gap that others had missed  but then withered away when it couldnt adapt to a changing information environment. Or the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.  the A&P  which was once the countrys dominant grocer, only to close its final stores in 2015, after 156 years. Or Eastman Kodak, which still exists but is a shadow of its former self, done in by Japanese competition and smartphone photography.

This ruthless process is called, of course, creative destruction; most economists view it as a key element in maintaining the U.S.s economic vibrancy. And though one would be hard-pressed to envision anyone doing a worse job running Sears these past 15 years than Eddie Lampert, I would argue that the seeds of its demise were sown long before the financier arrived on the scene.

The best place to go to understand how the once-mighty Sears became victim to creative destruction is Donald Katzs 1987 magnum opus about the company, The Big Store. In the early 1980s, a time when Sears, Roebuck, though still the countrys dominant retailer, was beginning to see its sales erode, its then-Chief Executive Ed Telling invited Katz into the company to watch as he and his No. 2, Ed Brennan, tried to turn things around.

In earlier eras, Sears revenue had been driven by its catalog business, and the company prided itself on selling just about everything other than food. By the 1960s, Sears was thought to be a superpower, as invincible a business as the nation it served, Katz writes.

A decade later, though the catalogue business was fading, Sears remained by far the No. 1 retailer thanks to its thousands of stores nationwide. Still  and this would suggest the first inkling of a problem  it was beginning to depend less on same-store sales and more on opening new stores to boost revenue.

A second issue, as described by Katz, was that its territories were fiefdoms that vied with one another and largely did as they pleased with little interference from headquarters. The companys buyers fought bitterly with its sellers. In its fabled Chicago headquarters building  the worlds tallest skyscraper when it was built in 1974  top executives wrote lengthy memos to one another that had little or nothing to do with what was happening inside the stores. Like many mature companies, Sears was dominated by its internal politics. That usually foretells a downward spiral.

Heres what really caught my eye, though. When business school professors or journalists would ask Sears executives which competitor they most feared, the answer that invariably came back was: nobody. Sears brass simply didnt believe that any other retailer could be considered a true competitor. Their pride, writes Katz, had become pridefulness.

Sears always thought of itself as the company that sold to the 80 percent; that is, everyone except the richest 10 percent and the poorest 10 percent of the country. So long as it could continue to attract the 80 percent, it would thrive.

But retailing was changing. The malls that so many Sears stores anchored were clotted with small specialty clothing stores that drew away middle-class customers. So did discounters like K-Mart and J.C. Penney at one end of the market, and Nordstrom at the other. Standalone appliance retailers chipped away at another of its core customer base. And we havent even mentioned the most fearsome competitor of them all: Walmart.

Sears executives had spent their whole careers doing things a certain way. As is so often the case, they couldnt change even as the world was changing around them. Although Brennan was able to shore things up temporarily  and became chief executive as a result  by the time he retired in 1995, after rounds of layoffs and the sale of the Sears Tower, the die was cast.

There is no question that Lampert took a lousy hand and made it worse with his financial engineering and other moves. Someone savvier about retailing might well have done better. But even so, Sears was never going to regain its stature as the colossus of American retailing, as journalists used to call it. In the best-case scenario, it might have wound up a specialty retailer itself, selling only the things it was best known for: Kenmore refrigerators and DieHard batteries, for instance.

This Chapter 11 bankruptcy will be painful for the employees who will lose their jobs, and one last humiliation for Lampert, who is stepping down as chief executive (though he remains the companys chairman). For the rest of us, it is simply a reminder of how American capitalism works. The next time you hear somebody say that the dominance of Walmart or Amazon or Facebook can never end, think about Sears. It can  and it probably will.

 Nocera is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering business. He has written business columns for Esquire, GQ and the New York Times, and is the former editorial director of Fortune. He is co-author of Indentured: The Inside Story of the Rebellion Against the NCAA.Father, an iconic oil painting by Luo Zhongli, at the Dawn of Spring Breeze exhibition at The National Art Museum of China. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

Three exhibitions at the National Art Museum show the evolution of the country and its artistic expression.

In 1944, an overturned boat near Chongqing brought a premature end to the ambition of Tang Yihe, an artist and educator. He was on board, traveling to attend a conference of the China national fine arts council, before falling victim to the Yangtze River at the age of 39. He had directed the oil painting department of the Wuchang Fine Art School where he graduated, and he would have been elected a standing member of the council at the meeting.

Born in Wuchang, now a district of Wuhan, Hubei province, Tang took little interest in inheriting the family-operated traditional Chinese medicine practice. Rather, he engaged with the arts, and he saw art education an important means to empower his people and his country.

During his studies at the prestigious National High School of Fine Arts in Paris in the early 1930s, Tang won the long-standing Prix de Rome, a government-sponsored prize that awarded its winners scholarships for a residence in Rome to gain a deeper attainment of artistic appreciation. After graduation he returned to Wuchang and a country in turmoil, at a time when his motherland was confronted with the looming threat of war and social instability.

Tang, however, left behind a small legacy despite his short-lived career. The few of his works in existence embrace a strong patriotic spirit, and he focused on the anguish of people living on the lower rungs of the societal ladder.

One example is July 7, an oil painting created by Tang in 1940 to commemorate the Lugou Bridge (also known as the Marco Polo Bridge) Incident that marked the beginning of Japan's full-scale invasion of China in July 1937.

Tang didn't complete the painting due to wartime difficulties, leaving the background unfinished and blank. He only managed to depict a group of marching people, forced to leave their invaded hometowns, and who took to the streets to call for others to stand up against invaders.

The painting is now in the collection of the National Art Museum of China, and had been exhibited many times. It is currently on show again as part of an ongoing exhibition at the museum, Up from the Yangtze. Set to run until Oct 21, it highlights dozens of paintings, sculptures, watercolors and prints by both Hubei-born artists and those who once studied and worked in the province.

Ji Shaofeng, the director of the Wuhan-based Hubei Museum of Art, says Tang was one of those who pioneered the teaching of oil painting in the early 20th-century China; Tang and his colleagues at the Wuchang Fine Art School, a private institution, contributed greatly to the proliferation of oil painting in the province.

"They established a realistic approach with deep concerns with the common people's livelihood, and they forged a color scheme of purity and dignity. Their style distinguished Hubei as a rising art hub at the time from those in Beijing and Shanghai," Ji says. "Their legacies are being carried forward by artists in Hubei."That release could not be found.Online food delivery platform Baidu Waimai has been rebranded as Star.Ele.me, which will operate as a subbrand of Ele.me offering premium food and local services from selected vendors, after being acquired by its major rival over a year ago.

The rebranding came after Alibaba Group Holding Ltd announced on Friday it had merged two of its food review and delivery-related businessesEle.me and Koubeito better compete with Tencent Holdings Ltd-backed Meituan-Dianping in the increasingly competitive Chinese on-demand services market.

Wang Lei, CEO of Ele.me, said the company would accelerate its digitalization plan with partners in the catering industry to provide a higher-quality and faster food delivery service, covering Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Tianjin.

Wang added that the launch of Star. Ele.me is the first step in upgrading Ele.me's overall strategy and Alibaba's local service strategy, adding that China's food delivery sector is still in an initial stage, and offers huge development potential.

Ele.me purchased its rival Baidu Waimai in August 2017, and said the latter would continue to operate as an independent entity, and its operations team would remain unchanged. In April, Alibaba announced it had acquired Ele.me, as the e-commerce giant aims to enhance the last-mile delivery capacity crucial to its New Retail strategy.

According to a report released by research firm Trustdata, Meituan-Dianping had a 59 percent share of the domestic online food delivery market in the first half of this year, compared with Ele.me's 41 percent and Baidu Waimai's 3 percent.

Industry insiders said the move could be another step in the heated battle between Alibaba and Tencent, leaving them as the only two major players in China's food delivery sector.

"Baidu Waimai's rebranding means that the dual-brand strategy previously stated by Ele.me will not exist. However, the operating concept will not be changed as Star.Ele.me remains targeted at the high-end market, with an emphasis on high-quality service," said Yang Xu, an analyst at Beijing-based internet consultancy Analysys.

Food delivery, which has become an important part of daily life in China, is supported by numerous online food delivering platforms. The market size is expected to reach 204 billion yuan ($29.5 billion) this year, up 23.1 percent year-on-year, according to iiMedia Research.Why do you work for a murderer?

Increasingly, it seems that is a question many Americans should be preparing themselves to answer.

Each year, Saudi Arabia employs, through consultants or otherwise, a host of retired American generals, diplomats, intelligence experts and others. Until now, they could assure themselves this was a win-win: lucrative for them, to be sure, but also enhancing mutual understanding with an important U.S. ally.

Now, as more and more evidence implicates Saudi Arabias de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in the reported murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Saudi diplomatic property in Istanbul, the equation has changed.

So how might, say, a retired Air Force colonel explain his work when his daughter asks, Daddy, why do you work for a murderer?

Well, it helps to pay your future college tuition, he might answer. And besides, I finally get to fly business class. Riyadh is no picnic, but they always spring for a couple of nights in a five-star hotel in London or Abu Dhabi on the way over and the way back. . . . And if I dont do it, someone else will.

This, essentially, is President Donald Trumps answer, at least so far. Yes, the Saudis may have committed a monstrous crime. But, the president said, Theyre spending $110 billion purchasing military equipment and other things. If we dont sell it to them, theyll say, Well, thank you very much. Well buy it from Russia. 

To an ethically challenged businessman, that may be nothing but common sense. To a patriot, the argument is self-evidently misbegotten. If the United States is willing to sacrifice its moral standing for $110 billion (most of which will never materialize, but never mind that), why should any nation ever look to it for leadership?

Watching his daughter try to process his justification, the retired colonel understands what Trump does not: No salary, no military contract, could compensate for the loss of the worlds respect. So he tries again.

You see, he says, we need Saudi Arabias help to stand up to the really bad actor in the region  Iran.

Oh, she says, hoping this answer will be more satisfying. What makes Iran so bad?

Well, they dont let their people express themselves freely, or practice the religion of their choice, or even dress the way they want, the colonel replies.

And Saudi Arabia does?

Well . . . , he answers. No. Not exactly. But Iran also does terrible things in its neighborhood  fighting in Syria, interfering in Lebanon.

By now, she is almost afraid to ask. And Saudi Arabia . . . ?

The colonel, thinking about Saudi war crimes in Yemen  the busloads of children blown up, the 400,000 children suffering from malnutrition, the worst cholera epidemic in modern history  falls silent.

Falls silent, and maybe reflects. On the enormity of what happened in Istanbul. On the extraordinary brazenness of this crime, even in an era when norms are eroding as the United States abdicates its role as leader of the free world.

The colonel thinks about Khashoggi, a peaceable, passionate man who, it happens, turns 60 this weekend. A man who loves his country, but exiled himself from it so he could write freely and, as he hoped, influence it to modernize in a constructive way.

To do otherwise would betray those who languish in prison, he wrote last year. I can speak when so many cannot. I want you to know that Saudi Arabia has not always been as it is now. We Saudis deserve better.

The colonel shakes his head as he wonders how such a man could come to be viewed by the crown prince as an enemy. How he could be lured to a Saudi diplomatic compound and then, if Turkish reports are correct, murdered and dismembered.

And he thinks: Can I possibly work for such a regime, and still look at myself in the mirror each morning?

Which is the question that we, as a nation, must ask ourselves now. Even if we still needed Saudi Arabias oil, which we do not; even if Saudi Arabia was a strong and principled ally in the region, which it is not; even if it helped push the Palestinians toward peace, or kept its promises in Yemen, or bought the weapons that Trump thinks it is going to buy. . . . No matter what Saudi Arabia offered, could its supposed friendship be worth shrugging off the ensnaring and killing of a critic whose only offense was to tell the truth?

Is that the country we want to be?

Fred Hiatt is the editorial page editor of The Washington Post.It was just a cough drop  a simple cough drop.

But it led former First Lady Michelle Obama to provide us with its all-important symbolism when she was interviewed (Oct. 11) on NBCs Today show. All of America, especially Trump supporters, should be required to watch the seven-minute video.

Obama explained what happened when she was sitting next to former Republican President George W. Bush, as protocol requires, at the funeral of Arizona Senator John McCain.

I didnt know anyone noticed what we were doing. We are forever seatmates, by protocol. I love him to death. He is a wonderful man, hes a funny man.

It was a simple gesturehe was getting a cough drop for Laura and I asked him to hand me a cough drop. (Caught on tape, it shows Bush putting the cough drop in her hand.)

Thats why it mattered so muchbecause thats what people are hungry for[political] parties dont separate us, colors and gendersdont separate usIts the messages that we send. If we, the adults and leaders in the room, arent showing that kind of decency, we cant expect our children to do the same.

So thats what I think about. When I think about the gestures and the symbols, and what our words mean and the impact that [they] have, I think about the next generation.

She was also asked about her motto, When they go low, we go high, which will probably go down in history.

Did she agree with Eric Holder, her husbands former attorney general, who suggested the motto should be changed to, When they go low, we kick them, and Hillary Clinton observing that You cannot be civil with a political party that wants to destroy what you stand for, what you care about, and that civility will return only if the Democrats win the House in the November election?

Obama did not agree. Here is what she said:

Fear is not a proper motivator. Hope wins out, and if you think about how you want your kids to be raised, how you want them to think about life, and their opportunities:

Do you want them afraid of their neighbors? Do you want them angry? Do you want them vengeful?

If we think of the values we try to promote to our childrenwhich motto do you want them to live bywe want them to grow up with promise and hope, and we cant model something different if we want them to be better than that.

I have often wondered how Trump supporters justify, to their children and grandchildren, their support of Trump, a man so compromised on every level  legal, moral and ethical  a man who does not have one honest or commendable fiber in his character.

How do they explain and excuse their support of a self-confessed sexual predator, a pathological liar, a narcissist, and a man who, all his life, practiced the art of the con?

Obama expressed her love for Bush, a Republican, respecting his politics while admiring his humanity. Can anyone imagine Trump ever saying such a thing about anyone  except himself?

Obamas remarks were impromptu. This was not a prepared speech, nor did she know that she would be asked about the cough drop or the darker less optimistic views of Holder and Clinton. That made them all the more impressive.

They came from a woman whose two daughters grew up, as she also observed, in the international spotlight and witnessed political anger and hatred firsthand for eight years.

She feared for them, she admitted, because they had to be driven to school and elsewhere by men with guns. But given the guidance of their parents who went high even when the world went low, they grew up to be adults of high character, she said with obvious pride.

Perhaps we can require that all public officials when taking office, from the local to the national level, be required to read her remarks and sign a pledge that they will try to live up to them.

Michelle Obamas philosophy is a long way from Trump calling opponents ugly names and telling his supporters knock the crap out of them [opponents}, would you? I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees, I promise. I promise.

Berl Falbaum, a West Bloomfield, resident, is a veteran journalist and author.Beijing has been ranked as China's most popular place for major companies across the globe to boost open innovation, which is a model aimed at promoting integrated efforts in innovation, such as sharing data between firms, as a way to spark new ideas, according to a report published on Saturday.

By the end of September, 163 companiesincluding Fortune 500 companies and Fortune China 500 companieshad developed open innovation in Beijing, said a report published by Beijing Z-innoway, an institution founded by the Beijing municipal government to boost innovation.

Among the 72 international companies that are exploring open innovation in China, 55 are in Beijing, according to the report.

Nie Lixia, general manager of Beijing Z-innoway Technology Services Co Ltd, announced the report during the International Innovation Fair at the Zhongguancun Innovation and Entrepreneurship Festival 2018.

"Compared with Shanghai and Shenzhen, Beijing started earlier and developed faster," Nie said. "Beijing has been building innovation platforms and holding innovation contests to attract big companies and talent to participate, which have significantly raised investment efficiency."

Shanghai ranks No 2 nationwide with 134 open innovation firms, and Shenzhen No 3 with 123, according to the report.

Advocates say open innovation helps small firms benefit from the research of resource-rich larger companies, while big firms can benefit from the nimbleness and ingenuity of smaller startups.

Wang Wenjun, vice-president of China's steel giant Sinosteel Corp, took part in an event at the International Innovation Fair, and said it was the first time he had talked directly with such small startups.

"The innovation resources from society are richer than any individual company," he said. "Once the resources can be connected via a platform, it will solve the problems of large companies, such as us, and help the startups to transfer their innovative achievements."

The report shows that companies' innovation mainly focuses on industrial manufacturing, information technology and finance sectors.

A number of foreign companies, including Intel Inc, Walmart Inc and Daimler AG, have cooperated with the institute, mainly in seeking startup tech teams and recruitment.Blockbuster drug haul worth over B2bn in Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI: More than 20 million speed pills (ya bah) and 100 kilograms of crystal meth (ya ice)  worth over B2 billion  have been seized and three alleged traffickers arrested in two major police operations in Chiang Rai province.

crimedrugspolicetransport

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 16 October 2018, 09:48AM

Packs of illicit drugs seized in recent police operations are displayed at the Narcotics Suppression Bureau headquarters in Bangkok during a media conference yesterday (Oct 15). Photo: Apichit Jinakul

Part of the massive illicit drug haul seized between Oct 13 and 14 was displayed during a media briefing at the Narcotics Suppression Bureau headquarters in Bangkok yesterday (Oct 15).

In the first raid, narcotics suppression police seized 12,200,000 ya bah pills, 100kg of ya ice and three pickup trucks in Chiang Khong district on Oct 13, said Gen Chalermkiart Srivorakhan, deputy national police chief. Three men  Withoon Piyapipattarakul, 35, Witthaya Wongbunchailert, 32, and Awichart Songsitthichaoren, 33  were arrested.

The gargantuan drug bust followed a tip that a drug trafficking gang would smuggle a large quantity of illicit drugs from Phaya Mengrai district to central Chiang Rai. Police teams were dispatched to keep watch along possible smuggling routes.

Withoon and Witthaya were apprehended at kilometre markers 1-2 on Thesaban Rd in tambon Wiang of Chiang Khong district on Oct 13, while Awichart was detained in tambon Sathan of the same district.

Thirty fertiliser sacks  each containing 400,000 ya bah pills  along with two sacks filled with a total of 100kg of ya ice were seized from one of their three pickup trucks, said Gen Chalermkiart.

In another operation, a team of officers from the Provincial Police Region 5 seized 10mn speed pills abandoned in Mae Lao district of this northern border province by a drug gang following a police chase on Sunday (Oct 14).

Police manning a checkpoint on Thoeng-Chang Rai Rd spotted a pickup truck travelling along the route at around 1am on Sunday. They signalled the vehicle to stop for a search, but the driver sped off. Officers gave chase, but the driver managed to escape.

At around 8am the same morning, police were notified by local residents that several fertiliser sacks were lying along the roadside in Ban Rongsala village of Mae Sao district. On arriving at the scene, officers discovered 10mn ya bah pills inside the sacks.

During the media conference, police also announced four other drug busts involving 1,800kg of marijuana, 7.9kg of cocaine, five weapons and other items seized from suspects.

Read original story here.Over 1,000 arrested in Phuket Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner clampdown

PHUKET: In just two weeks over 1,000 foreigners have been arrested in Phuket for visa violations and other immigration offences according to the chief of the Phuket Immigration Office.

crimepoliceimmigrationtourism

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 16 October 2018, 12:38PM

The Phuket Immigration Office Chief Pol Col Kathathorn Kumthieng revealed that statistics at a gathering of over 200 officials involved in the ongoing Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner clampdown held at Phuket Provincial Police Station at 4pm yesterday (Oct 15).

Also in attendance at the gathering were commander of the Royal Thai Police Immigration Division Region 6 Pol Maj Gen Jedsada Yaisun and officers from the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, Phuket City Police, Royal Thai Police and Tourist Police Office.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, National police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda and chief of the Immigration Bureau Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn have ordered Immigration Division 6 and relevant departments to crackdown on illegal foreigners in Phuket, said Pol Col Kathathorn.

Between Oct 1-14, 583 foreigners in Phuket were found to have overstayed their visas. In addition, 880 foreigners were found to have entered the country illegally or violated the Alien Working Act B.E. 2521.

So far this month Phuket immigration officials checked 397 houses and hotels for alien foreigners, he added.

I must reiterate that home owners and managers of hotels must inform Phuket Immigration officials of any foreigners residing in their properties within 24 hours after their arrival. If they do not then they will be charged according to the law, he said.Phuket pharmacists up in arms over Drugs Act

PHUKET: Local pharmacists gathered at Phuket Provincial Hall today (Oct 16) to submit a formal request for the government to revise the provisions in a bill being drafted to update and amend the Drugs Act 1967.



By The Phuket News

Tuesday 16 October 2018, 05:56PM

The pharmacists present their formal request at Phuket Provincial Hall this morning (Oct 16). Photo: PR Dept

The draft bill in its current form will allow health professionals, not just qualified pharmacists, to legally dispense drugs.

The pharmacists, led by Kiatisak Panrangsri, massed at Provincial Hall at 8am, with Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung formally receiving the request.

V/Gov Prakob said he would pass on the request to Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana, who in turn would pass it on to the relevant government officials.

Some sections of the bill are not appropriate and relevant persons have not had the chance to express their opinion, Mr Kiatisak said.

Specifically, Section 21 of the Drugs Act stipulates, 21 A licensee to sell modern drugs must have a first or second class pharmacist with the duty to act as provided in section 39 or section 40 on duty for the duration of business hours. (See law here.)

They want to revise the law so that any persons who passed a training course from the Food and Drug Administration but do not graduate as a pharmacist can sell (medicinal) drugs to people, Mr Kiatisak said.

If this becomes effective, it will increase the risk to people as those dispensing medicines will not have not enough basic knowledge of medicines, he added.

Campaigns against the draft bill have been staged by pharmacists throughout the country, including in Bangkok, for months. (See stories here and here.)

However, last month the Thai FDA caved in to the pressure from pharmaceutical experts and agreed to allow only pharmacists, doctors, dentists and veterinarians to dispense drugs. (See story here.)Police warn of more Veg Fest traffic jams in Phuket Town

PHUKET: Phuket City Traffic Police this morning repeated their advisory for motorists to avoid Phuket Town during Vegetarian Festival processions  especially the roads leading to Sapan Hin during the last night of the festival tomorrow night (Oct 17).

tourismculturepolice

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 16 October 2018, 11:54AM

The street procession for the Sui Boon Tong Shrine will be held in Phuket Town tomorrow morning (Oct 17). Image: Chinese Shrines Association

Vegetarian Festival devotees cpurse their way through Phuket Town during a street procession. Photo: PR Dept

Vegetarian Festival devotees cpurse their way through Phuket Town during a street procession. Photo: PR Dept

Vegetarian Festival devotees cpurse their way through Phuket Town during a street procession. Photo: PR Dept

Vegetarian Festival devotees cpurse their way through Phuket Town during a street procession. Photo: PR Dept

Vegetarian Festival devotees cpurse their way through Phuket Town during a street procession. Photo: PR Dept

Vegetarian Festival devotees cpurse their way through Phuket Town during a street procession. Photo: PR Dept

Vegetarian Festival devotees cpurse their way through Phuket Town during a street procession. Photo: PR Dept

Vegetarian Festival devotees cpurse their way through Phuket Town during a street procession. Photo: PR Dept

Vegetarian Festival devotees cpurse their way through Phuket Town during a street procession. Photo: PR Dept

Vegetarian Festival devotees cpurse their way through Phuket Town during a street procession. Photo: PR Dept

Vegetarian Festival devotees cpurse their way through Phuket Town during a street procession. Photo: PR Dept

Vegetarian Festival devotees cpurse their way through Phuket Town during a street procession. Photo: PR Dept

Vegetarian Festival devotees cpurse their way through Phuket Town during a street procession. Photo: PR Dept

Vegetarian Festival devotees cpurse their way through Phuket Town during a street procession. Photo: PR Dept

Vegetarian Festival devotees cpurse their way through Phuket Town during a street procession. Photo: PR Dept

Traffic tailbacks ensued as Vegetarian Festival devotees from the Kathu Shrine (pictured) held their street procession this morning (Oct 16). Photo: Kathu Municipality

Traffic tailbacks ensued at around 8:15am this morning as the procession from the Kathu Shine, on its return journey from Saphan Hin, made its way along along Wichit Songkram Rd, passed Surakul Stadium, through the busy Darasamut Intersection and continued toward Makro in Wichit.

Although the procession started at 6:45am, its return journey saw the procession course its way through town in peak traffic, and subsequently causing long traffic delays.

Lt Vatchara Piekchan of the Phuket City Traffic Police, noted, The street processions cause traffic delays every year, and this morning there were traffic jams at about 8am.

However, he added, The processions that affect Phuket City are done for today (Oct 16).

Regardless, Lt Vatchara warned motorists to be wary of traffic more delays as the street processions continue.

There will be the Sui Boon Tong Shrine procession on Pattana Rd at 7am tomorrow (Oct 17). They will proceed to Saphan Hin, affecting Patipat Rd, Krabi Rd, Dibuk Rd, Montri Rd, Tilok Uthit Rd and Phuket Rd.

On the return journey, the procession will continue along Phuket Rd, pass the Clocktower Circle (Surin Circle), and along Rassada Rd, Phang Nga Rd, Thalang Rd, Krabi Rd and Pattana Rd.

The will be more traffic jams at tomorrow night as several shrines will hold processions to Sapan Hin for final ceremonies.

The processions will start at 8pm and continue until midnight. Unless you are attending the festival, my suggestion is to please avoid the Phuket Town area tomorrow night. Traffic will be affected by these processions, Lt Vatchara said.What we know from Sanford's IRS filing: nearly $5B in 2020 earningsChinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for a stronger sense of mission for deeper military-civilian integration.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while presiding over the second session of the Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development, which he also heads.

He asked for a stronger hold on the implementation of the integration, strengthened role of rule of law, deeper reform of system, and further coordinated innovation in science and technology.

The meeting deliberated and passed a guideline on strengthening the development of rule of law in integrated military and civilian development.

Wang Huning and Han Zheng, both members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy heads of the Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development, also attended the meeting.

Attendees of the meeting stressed the implementation of the guideline, the improvement of the legal system and further legislation on military-civilian integration, in order to ensure the legislation covers all major areas.

The system and mechanism for the integration should be enhanced to make sure that issues are mulled over, decisions are made and tasks are handled within the ranges of law.

A fairer market environment must be built to push forward competitive procurement, to guide state-owned military industrial enterprises to open up in an orderly manner, and to increase the ratio of civilian and private enterprises that take part in such competition, it was agreed at the meeting.

Noting that building major strategic projects is an effective way to promote sci-tech innovation, attendees of the meeting called for making breakthroughs in key and core technologies.

Building projects should play a leading role in the process, while advantages and strength should be concentrated and coordinated to make breakthroughs as soon as possible, according to the meeting.

The participants also called for the strengthening of the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, giving full play to the political advantage of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics capable of pooling all necessary resources to solve major problems, coordinating major relevant projects and plans, as well as mobilizing necessary human, financial and material resources.

Party committees and governments at all levels should take it as a major political responsibility to implement the military-civilian integration, be brave to reform and innovate and work hard to make new progress in deeper development of military-civilian integration, according to the meeting.NORRISTOWN  A Montgomery Township man is in jail awaiting his fate from a judge after he admitted to his role in a multi-state methamphetamine and marijuana trafficking ring that used the U.S. Postal Service to carry out the drug crimes.

Brian Justin Holt, 42, who listed addresses in the 600 block of North Redwood Court and in the 100 block of Drayton Circle, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court to charges of corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and ketamine, dealing in proceeds of unlawful acts and criminal use of a communication facility in connection with incidents that occurred between April 2016 and November 2018.

Judge William R. Carpenter deferred sentencing so that court officials can complete a background investigation report about Holt, including drug and alcohol evaluations. Holt, who potentially faces decades in prison on the charges, was remanded to the county jail without bail to await his sentencing hearing.

With the charges, prosecutors alleged Holt, who also once lived along Annasmead Road in Lower Gwynedd Township, was one of the leaders of the drug trafficking network.

A second alleged leader of the corrupt organization, Lorraine Yvonne Zeno, 36, of the 600 block of Ardross Avenue, Upper Dublin, is still awaiting trial on similar drug-related charges, according to court records.

Zeno and Holt, authorities alleged, were part of The Big Five allegedly involved in the trafficking ring. Three men from California, also were charged in connection with the drug ring, according to court documents.

Prosecutors Robert Kolansky and Samantha Thompson are handling the cases against Zeno and Holt.

Holt was represented by defense lawyer Fortunato N. Perri Jr., of Philadelphia.

At the time of the arrests, District Attorney Kevin R. Steele alleged members of the drug trafficking organization mailed packages of crystal methamphetamine and marijuana, using the U.S. Postal Service, from California to Zeno and Holt in Montgomery County since at least April 2016.

During the joint investigation that involved law enforcement from Pennsylvania, California and New Jersey, authorities identified more than 350 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and marijuana that was sent in multiple shipments, according to court documents. Investigators shut down the organization operating in Pennsylvania and worked their way back to the alleged suppliers in California, according to Steele.

This investigation again illustrates that law enforcement is united in our fight against deadly drugs of all kinds  heroin, opioids, fentanyl, methamphetamine and pills, Steele said at the time of the arrests. All of this poison is killing residents of Montgomery County and other communities in the region and those that traffic this poison need to realize its not worth it because we are going to keep investigating, arresting and holding accountable those responsible.

The investigation began in 2016 when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service identified and intercepted a suspicious parcel being shipped from California to Montgomery County, according to court documents. Investigators alleged the parcel contained about one pound of crystal meth.

Investigators subsequently uncovered cross-country shipments of alleged bulk quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana to members of the Zeno and Holt drug trafficking organization. Authorities alleged the shipments received were then sold to other drug dealers and individuals in Montgomery and Bucks counties and Philadelphia.

The corrupt organization allegedly headed by Zeno and Holt then sent the illegal proceeds for the drugs to those allegedly involved in California, according to the criminal complaint.

The investigation involved the use of court-authorized wiretaps on the phones of Zeno and Holt, which helped identify the alleged California suppliers.

Investigators also learned the identities of Zeno and Holts methamphetamine customers, some of whom also distributed the drug and assisted Zeno and Holt with receiving the drugs at locations referred to as work sites, according to the arrest affidavit.Jesus Christ, another Christmas is rolling around.



Instead of letting the missus ironically buy you a kids "Cars" advent calendar from the Warewhare, or worse finding yourself getting called out for eating the kids advent choccies, well Jack Daniel's have a better solution.



The whiskey makers have launched their own advent calendar. Hell yes. Christmas just got a shitload more merry.



The advent box contains 23 mini bottles from Jack's delicious range, including Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel's Gentleman Jack and Jack Daniel's Single Barrel. How good. Door no.7 (geddit) has a bad arse 5cl Jack Daniel's key ring hip flask.



The calendar's going on sale in the UK's Asda storeon November 19 - Here's hoping the good people over at JDs can bring the good over to NZ shores too!



We'll keep ya posted.



Who said Christmas can't be fun for the grown ups?NEW YORKHarrys has carved out a niche selling men shaving razors direct to their doors, elbowing in on an industry long dominated by names like Gillette and Schick.

In the process, the company says it found that 1 million women were using its products for their shaving needs.

So its logical next step is Flamingo, a direct-to-consumer hair removal and body-care brand for women that launches Tuesday.

Flamingos leaders say their aim is to make women more comfortable talking about shaving and waxing.

We want to normalize the fact that women might have hair here, or there, and if they choose to remove it, we want to support that, Allie Melnick, the general manager for Flamingo says in an interview with The Associated Press.

Flamingo is the first brand to emerge from Harrys Labs, an offshoot of the company that has chipped away at the market share of industry giant Gillette, capitalizing on consumer frustration with pricey razors. Harrys received $112 million in new funding earlier this year to develop new brands, with a vision to becoming a major consumer-products company to compete with the likes of Gillette parent Proctor & Gamble.

Flamingo offers a five-blade razor, waxing kits, shaving gel and body lotion for women. The products will be sold on its own direct-to-consumer website , a space where the brands leaders Brittania Boey and Melnick hope to open frank conversations about women and body hair.

The duo says Harrys internal research shows nearly all U.S. women choose to shave or wax off some of their body hair. They say Flamingo wants to offer products and tips to help women do that while talking openly about furry toes, back hair and fuzzy upper lips.

Harrys launched as a direct-to-consumer company in 2013. It has since expanded into body care for men and now sells its products in Target and Walmart. Along with rival Dollar Shave Club, the company shook up the $2.8 billion U.S. mens shaving industry, forcing Gillette to slash its razor prices and revamp its marketing strategy to stem a decline in market share.

Harrys remains a relatively small player, with 2 per cent of the market, according to Euromonitor International market research firm. But its direct-to-consumer model has helped create a sense of intimacy with its customer base that bigger brands find hard to replicate.

Consumers have a growing appetite for tailored offerings that make small companies appealing, according to a recent report from management consulting firm Bain & Co., which cited both Harrys and Dollar Shave Clubs as examples. Chobanis and Noosas have similarly disrupted the yogurt industry, while digital upstarts like Caspers helped drive Mattress Firm into bankruptcy.

Flamingo hopes for the same success in the $1 billion U.S. womens shaving industry, where Gillette holds 50 per cent of the market, according to Euromonitor. The new brand will compete in a more fractured landscape than the one Harrys encountered for mens shavers five years ago.

Several new online brands have already seized attention, if not yet significant market share.

Among them are Angel Shave Club, which donates part of its sales to the Malala Fund to promote education for girls abroad. The start-up Billie made a splash since launching last year with ads showing body hair  including a gif of a woman shaving her toe  while declaring war on the pink tax, the notion that women typically pay more than men for the same product.

It is likely that more womens shave clubs will enter the U.S. market before one or two players emerge on top, Kayla Villena, senior analyst at Euromonitor International, said in a recent report that preceded Flamingos launch.

Melnick and Boey said more than 1 million women have bought Harrys products, making Flamingo a logical first choice for the companys newest brand.

My wife uses Harrys now, too. She was stealing mine, so I got her one, said Cody Chastain, a 42-year-old Roseville, California, man who likes Harrys because of the convenience of its delivery service.

Flamingo mirrors Harrys in pricing and the simplicity of its offerings. It has one five-blade razor with a handle that comes in three different colours, priced at $9. Cartridge replacements are $2.25 per blade. Its a deliberate contrast to the array of womens razors from Gillette and No. 2 player Schick, which range from disposable razors for around $1 a piece to higher-end razors at 4$ or $5 per blade replacement.

One notable difference separates Flamingo from the mens razors Harrys offers. Flamingo will offer its products a-la-carte only because womens shaving routines vary too widely for subscription plans, Melnick says. Some shave only during warm seasons. Other might not bother shaving their legs if they are not in a romantic relationship. And, she says, women are very particular about which part of their body to shave or wax.

Melnick has clearly gotten comfortable talking about her own lifelong battle with body hair.

I keep my arm hair, except when I demonstrate our wax strip. But I choose to remove my toe hair, she says. Its all very personal.MONTREALBombardier Inc. announced Tuesday it is on track to meet its target for business aircraft deliveries for the year, as a lengthening order backlog points to growing demand for long-range planes.

In the third quarter, the Montreal-based company delivered 31 business jets, bringing the total to 96 so far in 2018, in line with analyst expectations.

Bombardier delivered four Learjets, 20 Challengers and seven Global aircraft during the three months ended Sept. 30.

The delivery target for 2018 is 135 business jets  the same goal as last year, which the company wound up exceeding by five planes.

Bombardiers order backlog edged up to $14.3 billion, a 1.4 per cent increase from the second quarter of 2018 and a 3.6 per cent rise over the past nine months.

Analyst Walter Spracklin of RBC Dominion Securities Inc. said confirmation of the jet deliveries was a positive, though one that was expected and incrementally positive for shares.

It comes shortly after the plane-and-train maker confirmed its delivery schedule for the Global 7500, Bombardiers longest-range aircraft, which is set to enter service later this year.

Transport Canada certified the jetliner last month, marking a key milestone in the transportation giants turnaround plan after it sold a majority share of its C Series commercial jet program to Airbus in July.

The company is aiming for $8.5 billion (U.S.) in annual revenues by 2020 driven largely by Global series sales, a major bump from last years $5 billion, Spracklin said.

The new Global 7500, which can fly from Toronto to Hong Kong, is sold out through 2021, noted AltaCorp Capital analyst Chris Murray, though Bombardier has not revealed the number of orders.

The delivery update Tuesday came one day after the company said flight testing for its Global 5500 and Global 6500 business jet program was 70 per cent complete, keeping it on track for delivery in 2019.

The Global 7500, along with the new Global 5500 and 6500, come partly as a response to products from rival business jet manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace as demand for the jetliners gains elevation, Cormark Securities analyst David Tyerman said last month.

The market environment has been improving, but its coming off of a lower base. It hasnt been that strong for many, many years, Tyerman said in an interview.

It potentially can be quite profitable for Bombardier. The high-end models tend to have higher margins.

Read more about:LONDONFresh from overtaking Apple Inc. to become the worlds second-largest smartphone maker in August, Huawei Technologies Co. unveiled a new flagship device aimed at helping to clinch the top spot.

The Mate 20 Pro, revealed at an event in London Tuesday as a rival to the iPhone XS Max and Samsung Technology Co.s Galaxy Note 9, includes three rear-facing cameras, facial recognition security and an artificial intelligence engine that can identify objects and people in real time.

Huawei is Chinas largest maker of telecommunications equipment, and the worlds second-largest smartphone maker as of August, when it edged past Apple. Only Samsung is left to beat.

The Mate 20 Pro includes a number of features drawn from Apples iPhone playbook, most notably the inclusion of an advanced facial-recognition security system that builds a 3D model of a users face in order to authenticate them without the need for passwords or fingerprints.

But the phone also features advances not yet seen in flagship products from rivals: While Apple popularized the use of two rear-facing camera lenses, Huaweis new model has three, each co-developed by Leica. It also includes a fingerprint sensor behind the display itself, rather than underneath or tucked around the back  something Samsung has tried to innovate into its flagship smartphones, but has so far been absent from commercially available products.

The Mate 20 Pro uses processors designed by Huawei, rather than popular chips produced by Qualcomm Inc. The new phone is able to identify objects in video a user captures on the device. Previously this was limited to still photographs only.

AI is becoming a key component of Huaweis overall business strategy. Last week, it unveiled its latest Ascend series of chips, machine-learning capable workhorses that the company says can go toe-to-toe with designs from Qualcomm and Nvidia Corp. Its also introducing cloud-computing services and dedicated data centres for autonomous vehicles that will run off those chips, delving deeper into territory staked out by Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft Corp.

Thomas Husson, an analyst at Forrester, said Huaweis hardware prowess is impressive, but its branding is holding it back from becoming the global industry leader.

If Huawei manages to reinforce its brand personality, I think the Chinese company can continue to increase its market share, particularly over here in Europe, and particularly to the detriment of Samsung, he said.

The company is all but invisible to consumers in the U.S., where less than 1 per cent of its revenue is generated. Political headwinds related to Chinese manufacturers and national security havent helped, and neither did Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc.s January decision to stop selling its devices.

Roberta Cozza, personal technology research director at Gartner, said that expansion to new geographies is key for Huawei to sustain volume growth, and that a lack of presence in the U.S. is, and will be, a key limitation.

Read more about:Participants in a top-level meeting requested on Monday that important research and engineering programs adopt more domestically developed technologies and equipment to boost the nation's capability in science and technology.

The meeting of the Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development of the Communist Party of China Central Committee stressed that research and engineering programs with strategic significance can effectively cultivate innovation in science and technology.

Top leaders at the meeting asked researchers to make all-out efforts to develop key technologies and concentrate their strength to make breakthroughs.

These programs should be based on domestically developed equipment, which can be continuously upgraded, according to a statement published after the meeting, which was presided over by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

Meeting participants demanded that government departments streamline procedures to facilitate private enterprises' participation in the defense industry. Authorities should create a fair and open market for private firms to take part in competition for defense contracts, and should also protect private enterprises lawful rights, according to a statement.

They requested acceleration of legislation for civilian-military integration and said outdated terms should be changed or abolished. The leadership by the CPC Central Committee over important programs must by enhanced to better coordinate input of resources, they said.

The Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development was founded in January 2017 by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, marking the first time the top leadership established a dedicated body on civilian-military integration.

However, State-owned defense contractors still dominate the research, development and production of weapons and equipment for the People's Liberation Army. Xi has repeatedly stressed the significance of integration, saying it concerns national security and development. Under his instruction, civilian-military integration has been raised to a national strategy.

Since late 2012, when Xi was elected the Party's top leader, the number of private companies with a license to design and build military equipment has increased by nearly fivefold, from about 500 to more than 2,400.

The PLA now publishes its needs in technology, equipment and services on a procurement website regularly. Many private firms have been given military contracts.

The State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, which oversees Chinas defense industries, has also reduced restrictions on private businesses in the defense sector.EDMONTONTransit safety, reporting of sexual assault and concerns raised by Indigenous women were all on the table Monday at a United Nations forum on making cities safer for women in girls, held in Edmonton for the first time.

The United Nations Creating Safe Spaces for Women and Girls forum gathered leaders from around the world to discuss making urban public spaces safe and empowering for women and girls.

According to the initiative, women and girls experience and fear various types of sexual violence in public spaces, from unwanted sexual remarks and touching to rape.

It happens on streets, in and around public transportation, schools and workplaces, in public sanitation facilities, water and food distribution sites and parks.

The forum focused on discussing ideas for coming up with either design or policy changes to make it safer for women to access public spaces.

In Edmonton, the discussions focused on Indigenous women, on addressing sexual violence and harassment on transportation, and on improving womens experiences when reporting sexual assault and violence.

Read more: Edmontons high sexual assault rate could be sign of #MeToo movement, advocate says

To tackle the three issues, Lise Gotell, professor of women and gender studies at the University of Alberta and one of the panellists who spoke at the forum, says there are obvious solutions.

We will have to be willing to invest in policy initiatives, she said.

I see a real shift beginning. I see a provincial and municipal government begin to define this as a problem and thats a really important step, but we also need to be willing to invest budget and resources in this problem.

To address transportation issues, Gotell recommends training transit operators and continuing campaigns that raise awareness about sexual violence, and working toward a zero-tolerance policy are a good place to start.

She also stressed the importance of involving the Edmonton Police Service to improve reporting sexual assault.

Edmonton Police Services (should) implement a Philadelphia model, which would involve front-line workers in reviewing unfounded case files, she said.

Although work is underway with the provinces free legal help for survivors of sexual assault, and the city championing the safe cities initiative, Gotell says more needs to be done.

I havent really seen the budget investment that would be necessary to really make a difference, Gotell said.

A 2014 study by Justice Canada says that the annual costs of sexual assault for victims and the justice system is $4.8 billion a year. The report also said that 90 per cent of the victims of sexual assault are women.

Earlier this month, the Edmonton Community Foundations annual Vital Signs report found that Edmonton has the second-highest sexual assault rate in the country.

Gotell believes one reason behind the troubling statistic is the citys large Indigenous population.

As we know, Indigenous women are extremely vulnerable to sexual violence. They are targeted, Gotell said.

Indigenous women face rates of sexual violence three times that of other Canadian women. According to a 2014 Statistics Canada report, one in five young Indigenous women is sexually assaulted in a single year.

Gotell said there are still long waiting lists at sexual assault centres across the province, there is still a lack of access to support services in rural areas, and reporting rates are still very low at only five per cent.

So investing in front-line services is incredibly important, she said. We have to invest in improvements in the criminal justice system in order to ensure that women are treated respectfully and their needs are met.

Councillor Bev Esslinger, who was also a panellist, says she has heard from women and girls that they dont ride public transit in Edmonton at certain times in the day or night because they dont feel safe.

Public transportation is a challenge in most cities, so hopefully we can learn from one another in what we can do to improve that, she said.

She said the city has made a number of changes to the transit system, such as the addition of help buttons on its vehicles, improved monitoring, and training transit operators to look out for and address harassment and safety issues  but the public needs to start a conversation as well.

We can do all of the infrastructure improvements, but we need our community to work with us on this one, she said.

Albertas Minister for the Status of Women Danielle Larivee says it is important for the province to work with the city on this initiative to learn about opportunities that could be implemented in the rest of the province as well.

We want to take this far beyond that, to learn from world leaders in this area from right across the globe  about how we can extend that to all the people we are responsible for across the province to reduce the rates of violence that are so prominent right now, she said.

Larivee was one of the panellists speaking at the Creating Safe Spaces forum, along with Purna Sen, UN Womens executive co-ordinator, and Muriel Stanley Venne, founder of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women.

The panel discussion took place at Lister Conference Centre to an audience of mostly women.

Read more about:OTTAWAAbbott Nutrition is recalling a number of its canned nutritional beverages due to possible bacterial contamination.

The Chicago-based company is recalling products under its Ensure Plus, Jevity and TwoCal brands, among others.

Full details are available on the Canadian Food Inspection Agencys website, which says there has been one reported illness associated with the products.

The CFIA says people should not consume the products, which come in 235-ml metal cans.

Its also warning hospitals and nursing homes not to sell or use the recalled products.

The agency says the recall was triggered by consumer complaints, and its investigation could lead to more products being recalled.OTTAWAAn Armed Forces soldier acquitted of sexually assaulting a female subordinate has been ordered to stand trial again.

Andre Gagnon was charged following an allegation by Stephanie Raymond, who said she was assaulted following a 2011 party near Quebec City.

At Gagnons court martial, the military judge told the five-man jury it could consider Gagnons defence that he had a sincere but erroneous belief Raymond had agreed to sex.

The Defence Department challenged the verdict and requested a new trial, stating the military judge committed an error in his instructions to the jury.

In a unanimous decision delivered from the bench Tuesday, the Supreme Court of Canada sided with the Defence Department, saying the defence of a sincere but erroneous belief should never have been allowed.

Gagnon, a warrant officer, claimed at his court martial that the sex was consensual. The prosecution argued that he used his superior rank to coerce Raymond, a corporal at the time, into the acts. Raymond requested at the proceedings that her identity not be shielded by a publication ban.

It is not the first time the case has made it to the countrys highest court. In 2016, the court rejected a motion by Gagnon arguing that courts martial held under the National Defence Act violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantee of prosecutorial independence.

Raymond first filed a complaint in 2012. Gagnon was acquitted following a court martial two years later.

Raymonds case is considered one of the catalysts that led to the launch of Operation Honour by the Canadian Armed Forces in July 2016 to combat sexual misconduct.ST. JOHNS, N.L.A hunters group hopes to help feed the hungry by donating moose and other game meat to food banks in Newfoundland and Labrador, but they say the province wont allow it.

Barry Fordham of the Newfoundland Association of Hunters and Anglers first heard about a Hunters Feeding the Hungry program in the U.S., and was excited to learn of a similar initiative in Nova Scotia that began in 2006.

Fordham was eager to start a program to bring healthy protein to people accessing food banks  of whom there were more than 26,000 in the province in 2016, according to a report from Food Banks Canada.

But Fordham said hes found it challenging to get the Hunters Feeding the Hungry program off the ground in Newfoundland and Labrador due to a restriction in legislation that says raw, wild meat cannot be gifted through a third party.

Food banks have products that are canned and boxed ... food banks lack protein enriched, nourishment food. Thats what game meat gives, Fordham said.

A lot of these people who are using the food bank may not have the necessary resources to procure this type of food.

In Nova Scotia, the Hunters Helping the Hungry initiative requires hunters to bring a moose or deer carcass to a participating meat cutter. Feed Nova Scotia then distributes the meat to one of the provinces food banks.

The program saw 1,066 kilograms of meat donated in 2017, according to Feed Nova Scotia.

Similar programs have been used to stock Saskatchewan food banks.

Newfoundland and Labradors fisheries and land resources minister, Gerry Byrne, said a main concern is liability related to wild meat that may be unsafe to eat.

Another issue is lack of access to freezers that would safely store large quantities of moose meat.

Byrne, who has met in the past with Fordham about the program, said hed be happy to consider the idea if approached by food bank facilitators, but said his department has not yet heard from food banks expressing an interest.

The minister also said there are a number of ways for hunters to donate meat to charity.

Charitable organizations like a food bank could apply for a hunting licence and select a licensed hunter to provide meat, or a hunter could provide a letter indicating the moose meat is a gift to an individual or group.

Byrne also said the food bank could connect hunters with clients directly in order to gift the meat, or the food bank could apply for a food establishment licence and prepare the meat on site.

While he hasnt directly studied the programs in other provinces, Byrne said given the amount of game meat donated in Nova Scotia, he thinks the ability of food banks in the province to apply for a moose licence would enable the same kind of service to take place in Newfoundland and Labrador.

We actually already have rules in place to have a comparable program, as I understand it, to Nova Scotia, Byrne said.

Fordham considers the idea of matching interested people with hunters an insensitive option that would reveal the food bank clients identity, and said he thought the ministers other suggestions would mean too much effort on the part of often short-staffed charitable organizations.

Fordham said he anticipates the program would take some getting used to before it grows to the size of Nova Scotias, which has been running for over a decade, but he said hes spoken to hunters who would be interested in participating.

We have received positive feedback from the hunting community, said Fordham, adding he hopes the program will allow people enjoying one of the provinces pastimes to give back to the wider population.

It gives the non-hunting general public a better public image of us as hunters, Fordham said. Its a hunters way of giving back to the community.FORT ST. JOHN, B. C.Some residents of the northeastern B.C. community of Old Fort are being allowed to briefly return to their homes after they were ordered out last week because of a slow-moving landslide.

The Peace River Regional District says on its website that residents with homes in the eastern portion of Old Fort, furthest from the slumping hillside, will be ferried up the Peace River to their properties, beginning at noon Monday.

The district says areas of access to the community of about 54 homes could be expanded, depending on advice from a geotechnical engineer.

Those owners allowed to return will have a chance to retrieve belongings and prepare their homes for winter, but will not be allowed to remain on their properties.

The notice says temporary access permits will continue until all owners have had a chance to return to Old Fort, or as long as its safe to be in the area.

Re-entry permits were approved after a Sunday meeting with residents  two weeks after the hillside separating Old Fort from nearby Fort St. John began edging downhill, tearing up the only road to the community, knocking out power and threatening homes.

The district says a maximum of two people per residence will be allowed into their home and they may bring out one suitcase, one carry-on and one tote or box for each person verified to live in the home before theyre transported out by boat.

Only those who are 19 and over will be granted temporary access permits, the district says.

Gord Pardy says his wife and one of their four daughters will be returning to their home to get some items while he starts a new job this week.

He says residents heard at the meeting that groups of 30 people at a time would be allowed to return home.

Representatives of the Transportation Ministry and the regional district were at the meeting on Sunday, he says, adding residents heard the road to their community appeared to be looking good.

He says some residents think theres too much caution keeping people out of their homes at this point.

Nobody will take responsibility and say were good to go, he says.

Pardy says his family has been staying in Fort St. John after being forced to leave their home of 25 years.

Myself, my wife, my 12-year-old daughter, my two dogs and our bird are all living in a hotel room. It doesnt even have a kitchenette.

BC Hydro says in an emailed statement that a distribution line was damaged in the landslide and its considering building an alternate route for the line, either as a temporary or long-term solution in order to restore power.

Were working towards having a solution ready to implement once the evacuation order is lifted and our crews are able to access the area to begin repairs.

It says the regional district will make a decision on when that will happen.

The Transportation Ministry says it is aiming to establish road access to the community as soon as the slide stops moving.

We are actively investigating temporary access route options. However, it is currently not safe to start construction.

Read more about:CALGARYCalgary city officials announced Monday that theyre prepared for cannabis legalization this week, but expressed their disappointment with the provinces contribution to implementing the new legislation.

Matt Zabloski, lead for the citys legalization project, said that $3.84 million over two years would be provided to Calgary by the province to cover the cost of implementing and enforcing cannabis legalization.

But the city reports it has already spent $3.7 million and is estimating these costs would reach between $8.2 million and $12.9 million per year.

It certainly falls short of what we were expecting and what we were hoping for, Zabloski said.

The provincial government announced Monday that it would offset the cost of cannabis legalization for Alberta municipalities with the Municipal Cannabis Transition Program. This will offer $11.2 million over two years to municipalities with populations over 5,000.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi was disappointed at the $3.84 million share Calgary will receive from this fund. He added it was his belief the federal government had clearly indicated the provinces revenues from cannabis legalization should be shared with the municipalities covering the operating costs.

Read more:

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Calgarys law enforcement officers say they are ready for cannabis legalization

The Government of Alberta appears to have been surprised that cannabis is being legalized on Wednesday and that municipalities have very significant costs that theyre incurring, Nenshi said. What they have brought forward with two days before legalization, when theyve known about this for months and months and months, is so woefully inadequate they may as well have done nothing.

Nenshi said he expects to sit down with the province soon to express his disappointment. He added the city will have to build the costs of implementing and enforcing the new legislation into its budget next month, possibly through business licensing fees or taxes.

The province has a new thing theyre imposing a tax on, theyre making money off of it and theyre downloading all the cost to the municipalities. That is totally unconscionable, Nenshi said.

They clearly listened to no consultation, they took into account no facts and they pocketed all the money. This is pretty shocking.

As for Wednesday, when cannabis legalization takes effect in Canada, the city announced Monday that approximately 287 standard field sobriety operators will be ready to enforce federal and provincial laws on impaired driving. Calgary police also have more than 30 drug recognition experts to conduct examinations of drivers found to be impaired by these field tests.

The number of officers trained to conduct sobriety tests for drugs in the field, and the number of Calgary police drug recognition experts, are expected to rise over time.

Calgary Police Service Const. Dan Kurz said he expects to see an increase in drug-related collisions and in bylaws broken for cannabis use. But the week of legalization wont see an increase in the number of officers deployed in Calgary.

Our staffing model is not going to change. It is business as usual from the Calgary Police Service, Kurz said. Weve been enforcing drug-impaired driving for years now, so nothing changes in the fact that maybe our phones will ring a little bit more.

Kurz reiterated that in the Calgary Police Services opinion, theres no safe amount of cannabis to consume before driving, and people who are caught could face criminal charges.

Two cannabis stores will open in the city Wednesday, having met Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis regulations. At the municipal level, Zabloski said 10 city licences have been issued, meaning once theyre approved by the province potentially eight more stores could soon open in the city.

Cannabis will still be prohibited from public use and from use on Calgary Transit property and vehicles. For now, there are no dedicated public cannabis consumption areas in Calgary or any licensed premises like cafes or lounges to use the drug. But Zabloski said this may change in the future after its addressed by the federal and provincial governments.

Its a new social experiment for the whole country, Kurz said. Were bringing a brand new drug, and our grandparents may have seen this with Prohibition years and years ago. Its a new time.

Read more about:VANCOUVERIt is highly unlikely that Vancouver police will be cracking down on illegal dispensaries in the days immediately following cannabis legalization, according toChief Adam Palmer.

Palmers comments came at a news conference on Monday, just two days ahead of one of the biggest shifts in public policy Canada has seen in decades.

Im not aware of (any Canadian police force) planning any big raids on the day and youre certainly not going to see it around here, Palmer said. Anything could happen, anything is possible in this world. I never like to say always or never. But Id say its highly unlikely.

The new, legal cannabis rules explicitly prohibits both the unlicensed distribution of cannabis and the distribution of cannabis obtained from unauthorized sources  which in British Columbia is any source outside the provincial government.

This could mean that opportunities remain for dispensaries  all of which are technically illegal under current law  to turn a profit even once recreational cannabis is legalized.

Several dispensaries to which StarMetro spoke Monday said they plan to remain open through Oct. 17 and beyond, with one even pointing to Palmers comments as a reason they had decided not to close.

Enforcement against unlicensed marijuana stores will primarily fall to provinces, which are using inspectors to levy fines as they do with illegal liquor sellers. But Palmer said police and city officials will work with provinces on the issue.

Provinces are also responsible for approving retail licences and their speed at doing so varies. Alberta will have 17 licensed stores selling weed on Wednesday, while B.C. will only have one and Ontario will have none.

Dozens of illegal pot stores have operated for years in Vancouver, Victoria and other municipalities in B.C. Many are planning to scale back because they dont want to jeopardize their chances of getting a provincial licence, Palmer said.

Vancouver marijuana retailer Eggs Canna has slashed prices by 10 to 50 per cent to sell off its illegal stock. Its four stores will close at the end of the day Wednesday and wont reopen until they hold licences, said Stefana Herman, a member of the chain's corporate team.

We are trying to actually do this legally, cleanly and correctly, she said.

I appreciate what the police chiefs are saying and I know that there are a lot of dispensaries in the city that are going to continue to actually stay open ... without the appropriate business licences, but nobody else in the city gets to run that way.

Vancouver police have long chosen to avoid cracking down on illegal dispensaries unless they are suspected of organized crime connections or selling to minors. This is in contrast with Toronto police, which carried out sweeping raids of pot shops in 2016.

Dispensaries found more underground ways to operate in Toronto and many accept that they will have to close until spring when Ontario launches its licence application portal, said Ian Dawkins, president of the Canadian Commerce Association of Canada.

But in B.C., retail outlets are well-known in their communities and serve loyal customers who come in regularly, he said.

Youre talking about shutting down a cash-flowing, operating business with maybe a dozen employees. Its a whole different ball of wax, he said. Should people close their doors? If they do, what if that puts them out of business?

But Palmer  who spoke not only as Vancouver chief but as the president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police  said hes not concerned about Canadians losing access to cannabis. Statistics Canada found 16 per cent of Canadians, or 4.6 million people, have consumed marijuana in the last three months, the chief said. And for decades those people have been obtaining that cannabis from the illicit market. Transitioning from an almost entirely black market industry to a regulated storefront market stocked with government product is going to take some time, he said.

In the meantime, the police are not sitting back in the wings chomping at the bit to all of a sudden go out and start raiding stores, he said. We're going to take a practical approach to it, let it play out so we can move into a civilized, legalized regime.

The timeline on when more stores will open up, however, remains unclear.

During a separate Monday news conference, B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said further legal cannabis stores  both publicly and privately owned and operated  will likely be opening across the province in the coming months. He said the governments online cannabis service will be in full operation Wednesday.

What we are doing is putting in place a legal cannabis regime, Farnworth said. Ive said it is not going to happen overnight and it is going to take some time.

Farnworth said he expects some cannabis dispensaries to close by Wednesday in efforts to improve their chances for obtaining licences later. But he acknowledged others may stay open in the meantime, despite the impact it might have on future licensing approval.

Farnworth sidestepped concerns customers may have about shopping at cannabis stores that arent officially approved after Wednesday, saying that enforcement will be a local issue. But in sketching out a future for that enforcement, Farnworth painted a picture similar to what Palmer would later describe: that there will be something of an unofficial grace period as the legal recreational market slowly grows in scope.

The 18th of October in many ways is going to look a lot like today, he said. As weve said, there will be enforcement in place, but Ive said a number of times now that enforcement is going to take place as more and more legal stores open. Then enforcement will ramp up.

The government has received 173 applications for cannabis retail outlets, Farnworth said. So far, 62 have been reviewed and submitted to local governments for further review and 35 of those are in the latter stages of the approval process, he said.

A statement provided to StarMetro by the City of Vancouver said that to date, the city has received seven licensing applications for review, though it is not expected that any of the applicants will have approval in time to open for day one of legalization. The city could not provide a timeline on when the first applicant might be given the go-ahead.

Farnworth advised owners of cannabis retail outlets which stay open after Wednesday without approval to start to abide by (the) rules.

The sooner they move to a legal system, the better it is.

With files from The Canadian Press

Read more about:Cannabis is legal nationwide as of Oct. 17.

Imminent legalization of the drug has led to numerous questions around how to buy it, where to smoke it and whether you can grow it at home.

The federal government, while fulfilling its long-standing promise to legalize weed, has also added tougher sanctions for driving while impaired.

And what about smoking pot in public? Will the provincial rules be the same in Toronto, or will the city impose further restrictions?

Your burning questions answered:

What is the legal age to possess and smoke pot in Ontario?

Federal law sets the age limit at 18 but also allows provinces and territories to raise that limit. In Ontario, the legal age will be 19, the same as the provinces laws on alcohol.

Where can I buy pot for recreational purposes?

As of Wednesday, the sole legal provider of weed for recreational purposes in the province is the Ontario Cannabis Store, and purchases can only be made online at ocs.ca. There will be a flat $5 delivery fee on purchases, which will be delivered by Canada Post between one and three business days after purchasing. A person with ID proving they are 19 or older will have to sign for the package.

Read more:

A coast-to-coast guide to Canadas cannabis laws

Keenan | The legalization of marijuana was long overdue

What does cannabis legalization mean for you? You asked and the experts answered

How much pot can I buy from the OCS?

The OCS limits a transaction to 30 grams of dried cannabis, as federal law defines 30 grams as the maximum possession limit.

That said, nothing will prevent a buyer from making several orders a day on the OCS website, according to a briefing to reporters last week.

Can I still buy weed from dispensaries?

Not legally, for now. The OCS will be the only legal source for weed in the province as of Wednesday. However, the Ontario government announced in August that strictly regulated private retailers will be able to sell cannabis by April 1, 2019, while the OCS will remain the only wholesale distributor of weed for those private stores.

And while there may still be dispensaries selling weed between now and when the government passes a licensing framework next April, they will be operating outside the law and risk severely escalating fines, Finance Minister Vic Fedeli said in August. We wont want to do business with people running an illegal business, he said.

What about growing cannabis at home?

Federal law outlines a legal limit of four plants per residential dwelling, which will also be permitted in Ontario, according to the OCS.

Condo bylaws can include restrictions relating to the cultivation of cannabis in a unit. As for apartment buildings, landlords and tenants can agree to rules about the cultivation of cannabis in the rental unit in their lease or a separate agreement. However, in general, neither party can unilaterally impose a new term on the other, said Brian Gray, spokesperson for the Ministry of the Attorney General.

Is it legal to buy edibles?

Weed edibles cannot be legally purchased as of Oct. 17. The federal government is aiming to legalize the products, which include chocolate bars, cookies and gummy bears, by fall 2019 following further consultations.

Do I still have to buy medical cannabis through Health Canada?

Yes, according to the OCS website. Health Canada, which maintains a list of licensed producers who can provide cannabis to registered buyers for medicinal purposes, said in September that it will review the medical marijuana delivery system within five years.

Where can I smoke cannabis? And where can I not smoke it?

According to the OCS, you can smoke in a private residential dwelling (which includes a porch or balcony), sidewalks and parks, similar to rules around cigarette smoking. But condo bylaws and lease agreements could include further restrictions to where an individual can smoke in a building, if at all.

There is a plethora of areas in which smoking weed will not be permitted under Ontario law, including inside most buildings such as workplaces, schools, restaurants and bars (including patios), childrens playgrounds and inside cars and boats that are being driven or under a persons care and control, according to the Ministry of Health. Courts have held in the past that care and control can simply mean sitting in the drivers seat of a car thats running, but not moving.

Fines for violating the law will be a maximum of $1,000 for the first offence, and a maximum of $5,000 for subsequent offences.

The rules around smoking weed in public in Toronto will be slightly more lax than the rules around smoking tobacco, at least for now.

The city has not yet decided if it will impose further restrictions beyond the provincial rules on smoking weed in public, according to Toronto Public Health. The city already has further restrictions beyond the provincial law when it comes to smoking tobacco in public. For example, there is a parks bylaw that prohibits smoking cigarettes within a 9-metre radius of covered picnic shelters or gazebos and outdoor theatre spaces.

What about penalties for drug-impaired driving?

Penalties depend on a variety of factors, including the amount of THC  the active ingredient in cannabis  in the drivers blood, whether its their first offence or whether they are also charged with causing bodily harm or death as a result of their driving. For example, a person charged for the first time with having 2 nanograms but less than 5 ng of THC per millilitre of blood faces a maximum $1,000 fine. The maximum punishment for causing death would be life in prison.

A full range of penalties can be found on the federal department of justices website: justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/sidl-rlcfa/.At its 2017 annual general meeting, the directors of a Wellington St. condo informed residents they were going to start looking at the question of regulating cannabis use in the building.

The decision, says board president Martin Gravel, was motivated in part by the imminent legalization of the drug, but also stories about a long-standing legal feud over marijuana use at a King St. loft.

But when the boards lawyer proposed a bylaw amendment banning all smoking, there was shock and awe, he recounts.

Despite that initial reaction, the new rules, which grandfather existing cigarette smokers, came into effect in August.

With the clock ticking down to legal weed day, a growing number of condo communities are tackling the thorny question of what to do about marijuana use in individual units. Many have circulated surveys to their residents.

Yet as condo lawyer Audrey Loeb, a partner with Shibley Righton LLP, points out, many others are doing absolutely nothing to alter their rules.

To date, most of the public and media attention about this issue has focused on a few high-profile cases, such as a Mississauga woman with a life-threatening allergy to marijuana smoke.

But these sorts of conflicts are exceedingly rare, and tend to be addressed using human rights laws.

For the majority of condos, however, the marijuana use question is not only less extreme, but has yielded an unintended consequence in that it is forcing condo boards to confront long-standing questions about cigarette smoking in buildings.

With the legalization of cannabis and more smoke penetration issues, individuals got together and asked if its possible to ban smoking, says Denise Lash, a condo lawyer and founder of Lash Condo Law.

Most developers dont promote smoke-free projects. And once a building is occupied, it is difficult under existing condo legislation to have it made smoke-free because more than 80 per cent of the residents need to approve such a declaration.

Today, in cases where residents are formally complaining about smoke filtering from unit to unit, boards and management companies have relied on nuisance provisions in the law to resolve conflicts, often by retrofitting units with additional caulking and other physical barriers to smoke penetration.

Boards had no choice but to get involved in neighbour-to-neighbour issues, says Lash, but generally stuck to the principle that owners or tenants could do what they want in the privacy of their own homes.

But with marijuana legalization looming, Lash says she changed her view on no-smoking policies. She now advises condo boards to propose new non-smoking rules with exemptions at annual general meetings, and these are typically adopted unless residents object and have the numbers to vote down the rule at a meeting.

Very rarely do owners ask for a meeting to vote down a rule, says Chris Jaglowitz, a partner at Gardiner Miller Arnold LLP.

Gravel says that at his Wellingston St. condo, a few residents responded negatively at first, but they didnt organize to object.

The reason may have to do with the use of the grandfathering provision for smokers. In his building, 29 residents in 21 units (out of 102) sought the exemption.

It comes in the form of an agreement with the condo board, is non-transferable and expires as soon as the individual moves.

The timing of these new policies has also become important: if condos introduced such rules before cannabis legalization came into effect, there could be no provision for grandfathering marijuana smokers per se, because prior to Oct. 17, no legal right to use the drug recreationally existed in law.

You nip it in the bud, so to speak, says Jaglowitz.

Loeb and Gravel point out that non-smoking rules put the legal onus on smokers, instead of the condo corporation, to remediate smoke penetration issues at their own cost.

These new policies also tend to include prohibitions on the cultivation of marijuana  the new legalization legislation allows four plants per household  and smoking anything in common areas, including balconies (in most buildings, balconies are owned by the condo corporation, not the individual unit owners).

In some cases, the rules do allow smoking, of either tobacco or marijuana, on the building grounds in designated areas, though not in places like rooftop terraces.

Loeb, however, admits that it is not yet clear whether these rules will hold up if challenged in court.

It also seems unlikely that new antismoking policies will lead to more intrusive oversight by condo boards and management companies, which will only respond to complaints, as they currently do. They cant just go in to see if theres compliance, says Lash.

Whats more, the change in smoking policies will not apply to other now legal cannabis products, such as oils or edibles.

Some condos have at least bruited the idea of banning these products.

Kyle Spaans, a software developer who rents in a condo near Front and Church Sts., says the board there proposed boilerplate bylaw changes seeking to ban all smoking, as well as cultivation and edibles, at a recent residents meeting.

I raised my hand and asked, Why are you including edibles? 

After some discussion during the meeting about the difficulty of enforcing such a rule and the potential slippery slope  i.e., if edibles, why not alcohol  the board dropped the language from the proposed bylaw change.

In cases where a building has adopted a no-smoking rule with exemptions, and a resident is smoking medical marijuana, that person may be asked to switch to cannabis products that can be ingested unless they can provide a doctors note affirming that cannabis cigarettes are the only way they can take the medication.

As these policies spread in response to legalization, Loeb expects more and more condos will become entirely smoke-free, meaning the eventual end of long-standing irritants, like cigarette butts being flicked out of windows or off balconies.

In fact, Options for Homes, a non-profit developer, this spring launched a new project, The Humber, that only allows vaping. A new survey of 802 people conducted by Options also found that almost 75 per cent of respondents said they were more likely to buy in a building that didnt allow any kind of smoking or vaping.

Making a comparison to commercial buildings, which have been smoke-free for many years, Loeb offers a prediction: I think in ten years, no multi-unit residential building will permit smoking.Massages, pension plans and thousands of dollars for medical cannabis.

The benefit packages employers use to entice potential workers may be getting a boost as recreational pot is legalized.

Medicinal marijuana has been legal in Canada since 2006, but only recently have insurance companies started including cannabis coverage as an option in group benefit plans.

For years, people who were ill, and their advocates, have been fighting to see cannabis considered as a legitimate medical treatment. But now that grassroots advocacy has been taken up by big business, change is afoot.

Because of the recreational side of things, the producers themselves are obviously doing more outreach, a lot of work of engagement, said Ned Pojskic, leader of pharmacy and health provider relations with Green Shield Canada, a not-for-profit insurance company.

Theyre much more present out there. So its all of that collective consciousness and awareness as well.

Some of the people recruited by cannabis companies to do advocacy work have a pharmaceutical background, Pojskic said, but they also come directly from the grassroots.

In May, Aurora Cannabis appointed Jonathan Zaid as its director of advocacy and corporate social responsibility. Zaid founded Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana (CFAMM), a non-profit advocacy organization. In 2014, as a university student, he successfully lobbied the University of Waterloo student union to cover his medical marijuana on its Sun Life insurance plan.

Since then, Sun Life has expanded its options for plan partners (typically employers who administer benefit plans).

In March, Sun Life announced its employers could offer $1,500 to $6,000 of medical cannabis coverage to workers who required it for certain symptoms of cancer treatment, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS with anorexia or palliative care.

And its a trend cropping up at large private insurers across the country.

That same month, Green Shield Canada boosted its medical cannabis coverage options so employers could offer from $2,500 to $6,500 annually for medical cannabis to treat chronic neuropathic pain, spasticity due to multiple sclerosis, and nausea and vomiting due to cancer chemotherapy.

(Previously, if insurers covered cannabis, they typically did so through health care spending accounts, a sort of catchall account employees could put toward CRA-approved medical expenses.)

The limited scope of conditions that qualify for coverage comes from the lack of strong evidence to support its use beyond those areas, say the insurance companies.

Overall, evidence for medical cannabis, while growing quickly, is still very, very limited. And as a result were taking a very cautious approach, Pojskic said.

The influx in demand from their clients, the employers, was the driving force for both GSC and Sun Life to offer more cannabis coverage.

While both declined to give exact numbers on how many companies have added the option, Sun Life did suggest the early adopters are smaller-scale clients while large corporations are still doing consultations. GSC said there was a huge, huge amount of interest, particularly in the unionized sector.

One sector leading the way, perhaps unsurprisingly, is cannabis itself.

Aurora recently announced it would include medical cannabis coverage in its employee health plans.

Loblaw Companies Ltd., the parent company of Shoppers Drug Mart and the grocery store chains, announced plans to immediately offer medical marijuana coverage in a memo to its 45,000 staffers in March 2017.

(Shoppers has just secured status as a licensed producer of medical marijuana, a move that clears the path for the pharmacy chain to dispense the product. And Loblaw announced a partnership between its Shoppers Drug Mart stores and Manulife insurance customers to offer pharmacist consultations for medical marijuana patients starting this fall.)

As of June, 330,758 Canadians were authorized to use medical cannabis. Compare that to 201,398 the previous June, and 75,166 two years ago.

Deepak Anand, vice-president of business development and government relations for consulting firm Cannabis Compliance Inc., said recreational legalization may bring even more medical users out of the woodwork.

I think there will be some element of people that maybe didnt feel comfortable talking to their doctor, he said.

The Canadian Medical Association has said it wants the medical marijuana system to be phased out, and the government has said it will review the medical cannabis system within five years of recreational legalization.

So for medical cannabis users, Oct. 17 doesnt mark the end of their fight, said James OHara, president and CEO of CFAMM.

Even though the system has developed and progressed into what it is today, its by no means perfect, he said.

And medical cannabis patients still face a series of challenges today. Starting with stigma, affordability, access, insurance. All of those issues. And just because were going into legalization doesnt mean to say any of those issues go away.

Read more about:An asteroid has been named after the university of China's top science academy, with approval from the Minor Planet Center of the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

Asteroid Guokeda (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences), coded 189018, was discovered on Oct 14, 1998 by astronomers with the Beijing Schmidt CCD Asteroid Program at the Xinglong observatory in northern China, according to a recent IAU communique.

With an absolute magnitude of 15.2, the asteroid orbits in an asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Its orbital period is 5.33 years.

A senior official with the university read the communique at an event Sunday to celebrate its 40th founding anniversary.

Guokeda is the Chinese abbreviation of the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which was founded in 1978 as the first and largest graduate education institution in China. The university granted the country's first PhDs in science and in engineering. In 2014, it began to recruit undergraduates.

The university has conferred degrees on more than 160,000 students so far, including nearly 80,000 doctorates.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences is China's highest academic institution in natural sciences, and the most important training base for advanced scientific talent.

Other Chinese universities including Peking University, Tianjin University and Harbin Institute of Technology, have also been used as names for asteroids.Ontario Premier Doug Ford is accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of rushing legal cannabis out of the door before police have a reliable machine to test for drug-impaired driving, and charges this is putting people at risk.

Ford called on the federal government to address this critical issue and took a personal potshot at the prime minister, accusing him of being a no-show as recreational marijuana becomes legal.

With legalization upon us, wheres Justin Trudeau? Ford said in remarks to the Ontario Provincial Police Association on Tuesday at Blue Mountain. When it comes to defending his cannabis plans he might as well be in the witness protection program.

Ford also sent a more diplomatically worded letter to the prime minister, raising concerns that the only testing device approved by Health Canada may not provide accurate results in cold temperatures.

Thats a reference to the Drager DrugTest 5000 machine, whose size makes it inconvenient to put in a police cruiser and works best above 4 C. While some police forces have purchased them, many have not.

Our law enforcement officials remain without the necessary tools and support they need from your government to reliably test for drug-impaired driving, Fords letter said, emphasizing that it is the federal government that is legalizing cannabis.

The decisionbelongs to your government and your government alone, added Ford, who has come under fire from some quarters for scrapping the previous Ontario Liberal governments plan to restrict where weed can be smoked and to limit sales to a small number of state-run stores.

Fords government plans to allow toking anywhere the smoking of tobacco is legal and sales of pot in an unlimited number of private-sector stores.

Police forces, however, have ramped up training to certify officers as drug recognition experts through an international program that teaches them how to evaluate if a driver is drug-impaired  a situation Fords attorney general acknowledged.

Our police officers have been working non-stop, Caroline Mulroney told reporters Tuesday. Theyve been taking the steps they need to in terms of training officers, on more and more standard field sobriety tests, drug recognition experts.

Were asking the federal government to do what it needs to do, which is to approve additional devices so that police officers in Ontario and across the country have what they need to determine, detect impairment.

Read more:

PCs defend plan to allow marijuana smoking in public places

Too high to drive? Enforcement of drug-impaired driving in Ontario could face roadblocks similar to those encountered in Colorado

To date, 833 officers across Canada have passed the drug recognition, as the Star reported earlier this month.

Police are taught a 12-step physical evaluation that assesses a drivers psychomotor abilities, similar to the standard field sobriety test given for decades, along with checking vital signs including blood pressure and temperature. In the program, officers have to correctly assess 12 impaired people and determine which category of drug they are on, whether it be cannabis, hallucinogens, stimulants or depressants. Urine samples are also taken as evidence.

Motorists who are suspected of drug impairment at the roadside will be taken to a police station for the evaluation, which takes about 45 minutes.

Trudeau fielded several questions on cannabis legalization in Ottawa on Tuesday, although he was not asked about testing machines.

The prime minister reiterated that marijuana is being legalized and grown by licensed producers so the government can regulate it and squeeze out the black market to keep weed away from people under the age of 19.

We know that if we treat it like alcohol, we regulate, we control what is in it and we make sure that at the point of sale there is verification of identity card, he said in French.

Were not controlling cannabis because we think its good for you.

Bill Blair, Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, said he had not heard of Fords comments but said the federal government has been working quite closely with all of the provinces, including the province of Ontario.

They have an important responsibility here and I think there is a consensus right across the country that weve got to do a better job of protecting our kids, he told the Star.

Each of the provinces has the authority and the responsibility to ensure that they establish appropriate regulations to do the right thing.

Mulroney warned that the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corp. online store will be the only place to legally buy marijuana in this province until private brick-and-mortar stores open next April under a government licencing regime expected to pass in legislation Wednesday.

Once that law takes effect, cannabis dealers charged with operating illegally will face fines of up to $1 million and two years in jail.

Anyone currently participating in the illegal market should stop now, Mulroney said.

With files from Bruce Campion Smith

Read more about:Many Canadians are anxious about the intersection of cannabis and real estate, and while there may be a new way to take the edge off, many wont be growing their own pot at home, according to a new survey.

When it comes to growing cannabis inside the home  up to four plants per residence will now be the legal standard in Ontario  the Zoocasa survey indicates that only 15 per cent would consider it. And 52 per cent said theyd be less likely to consider purchasing a home if even a legal amount of cannabis had been grown there. Sixty-four per cent of all respondents said they believed that smoking cannabis indoors would harm a homes resale value.

Online real estate company Zoocasa conducted its survey online, and close to 1,400 people responded. The majority were Gen Xers and baby boomers, while 8 per cent were millennials. The younger generation were slightly more relaxed about cannabis: less likely to think that legal cannabis cultivation would stigmatize a home, and less likely than their elders to believe a dispensary would reduce the value of nearby homes.

Mayor John Tory recently wrote to Ontarios attorney general, emphasizing the need for co-operation when it comes to cannabis retailing. At first, the online Ontario Cannabis Store will be the only legal way to buy recreational cannabis, but the Ontario government has planned for a tightly regulated private retail model starting in April 2019.

I do not believe that the residents of Toronto will support the widespread proliferation of storefront outlets for the sale of cannabis, especially in residential neighbourhoods and in certain established retail areas, Tory wrote to Caroline Mulroney.

Zoocasa says it conducted the study because legalization represents uncharted territory.

We dont really know if you choose to participate in what is now a legal activity, are there going to be consequences or implications for your home insurance, or your ability to sell your home, or the ability to get a mortgage on a home where these acts have occurred? asks Penelope Graham, Zoocasas managing editor.

Read more:

How will pot laws affect youth?

Managing weed in the workplace

A large majority  88 per cent  of respondents who identified as landlords said they planned to ban cultivation or smoking within their rental units, while 35 per cent of tenants said they should be allowed to smoke cannabis inside their home. A majority of Canadians surveyed favoured rules: 61 per cent didnt think residents should be able to smoke cannabis within their units, and 64 per cent believe that condo boards and property managers should be able to ban smoking inside.

In the lead-up to legalization, many condo boards have amended or created new bylaws, empowered by the Condominium Act.

Those powers are enforceable in a court of law, and as long as theyre reasonable theyll be upheld by the courts, says Joe Hoffer, a lawyer based in London, Ont., who specializes in condo legislation and residential tenancies legislation.

Hoffer works primarily on behalf of landlords and building operators. He recommends drafting rules that regulate smoking of any substance.

Then you qualify the rule by saying unless its necessary to accommodate a person under the provisions of the human rights code, he says.

Have your say

He says the majority of condos have enacted blanket bans on smoking in units and common areas, as well as cultivation.

A couple of plants, I dont think anybody is going to care  but if you dont have the prohibition, then you have no leverage when a person with a couple of plants decides to step up the operation because what theyre growing isnt very good quality. Thats when you get up to the pesticides and some of the things used to enhance growth. And once youve invested in the equipment, why stop at four?

In Hoffers experience, there has been virtually no blowback from residents. In condos, owners can fight a proposed ban if a majority votes against it. Hoffer knows of one building in London, Ont., where that happened, and cultivation and smoking will be allowed.

The survey indicated some confusion about tenant rights: roughly two-thirds of tenants didnt know their rights or were unsure, while two-thirds of landlords said they understood what can and cant be enforced.

While condo boards can create bylaws or rules, most landlords and property managers of apartment buildings use the standard lease template created by the Ontario government. It says are there smoking rules? All you have to do is click the box yes  and then show what the smoking rules are and youre off and running, Hoffer says.

With current tenants, he says that most industry leases have a rules and regulation section at the very end, and there is a rule that says  We can add additional rules on notice to the tenants.

That is what landlords in the private sector have been relying on to introduce those rules, he says.

Will Hyde, an expert with online cannabis resource Leafly Canada, says that when you sign a lease youre sort of at the mercy of your landlord.

While I dont necessarily support all those decisions, I understand them  as a business owner and a landlord you want to protect your investment, he says. If thats the position youre finding yourself in, it might be a good idea to find a more cannabis-friendly living situation. That said, if they're going to start policing what people are consuming in their own homes theyre opening a big can of worms.

Hoffer imagines there will be legal challenges. I think the gloves come off on both sides on Oct. 17, he says. Its certainly good for the lawyers.

David Reid, president of the Ontario Real Estate Association, says his organization hopes Ontario will follow the example of Manitoba and Quebec, and ban at-home cultivation (excepting people with medical licences).

At the least, hed like to see one change: in homes under 1,000 square feet, he thinks it makes sense to have one plant rather than four.

Reid says the high temperature and humidity associated with growing cannabis can lead to mould, fungus and other issues that worry potential home buyers.

Cannabis expert Hyde says that while there is some validity to those concerns, honestly I would think you would probably have a higher chance of suffering from mould and mildew in a poorly ventilated bathroom.

He says high temperatures and humidity are associated with early stages of growth, and any grower paying attention shouldn't see those problems persist. He thinks many of those issues are attributed to some of the black market tactics we saw with grow houses.

He noted there are home grow appliances that look like mini-fridges, fully automated and sustainable. It keeps your grow completely isolated while also sort of fitting in with the look of with a more modern condo and the regular appliances you tend to see.

Zoocasa estimates the survey is accurate within 2.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.CALGARYWeed will be legal in less than 24 hours.

Plenty of ink has been spilled at StarMetro Calgary over what cannabis legalization will mean for residents of this city after midnight Oct. 17. The provincial government, city council, and the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission have all outlined the new rules. Plenty of cannabis companies are also doing their best to educate the public about weeds properties and uses.

But Calgarians no doubt have more basic questions. Where will I be able to smoke weed? How will I be able to buy cannabis online  and how can I do so without my 12-year-old getting their hands on it? How do I roll a joint?

We wont be answering that last one. What we can do is offer you a primer  a guide to weed in Calgary and the new rules  so youll be able to enjoy a little legal weed Wednesday without any trouble.

SMOKING

Calgarys got a strict set of bylaws when it comes to smoking or vaping weed in public. Basically, itll still be illegal, although youll be fined up to $100 rather than be arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Post-secondary institutions in Calgary are also banning its use on their campuses, even indoors.

The only places to legally get high in Calgary on Oct. 17 will be the comfort of your own home or apartment, assuming your landlord is fine with it (and Boardwalk, Albertas biggest property rental company, has already said it isnt). Youll also be able to do so inside a parked RV under provincial regulations.

There was talk of designating four spaces in public parks across Calgary for cannabis consumption, but that plan went up in smoke last September after the public overwhelmingly disapproved. And the province has said it wont consider cannabis lounges in Alberta for at least a year, despite calls by at least one Calgary city councillor to approve them.

GROWING

Under federal regulations, youll be allowed to grow up to four plants per household. Again, if youre a renter, this assumes your landlord is on board.

BUYING

As of Oct. 17, Calgary will be home to two stores  a 420 Premium Market store at D290-9737 Macleod Tr. S.W., and a Nova Cannabis store in Willow Park, at 252 10816 Macleod Tr. S.E. More stores are expected to open over the next several weeks pending approval by both the City of Calgary and the AGLC.

Retail stores doors will open at 10 a.m. on Oct. 17 (theyre allowed to be open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., the same hours as liquor stores). Bring photo ID with you, and dont expect to take your little cousin  under provincial regulations, minors will not be allowed inside any cannabis stores, even if theyre accompanied by an adult.

The AGLC will also be launching albertacannabis.org  the only legal online cannabis store in the province  at precisely midnight on Oct. 17. Youll need to upload either government-issued photo ID or your credit information to register as an adult on the site, but once thats done, youll be able to order up to 30 grams per day. Itll arrive in the mail within one to two business days delivered by either Canada Post or Purolator. When the packages comes, youll need to show photo ID and sign for it  and no, your buddy wont be allowed to do it for you.

Youll be able to buy dried flowers and oils, but shatter and edibles wont be legal for at least another year. (The federal governments still working on how to regulate them.)

DRIVING

Driving high is illegal right now, and itll still be illegal after Oct. 17. The difference is that, like with alcohol, there will be a set limit to the amount of THC in your bloodstream. (THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis.)

If you have two nanograms of THC per millilitre of blood, you can expect to be fined a maximum of $1,000. Having over five nanograms or more in your blood  or a mix of 2.5 nanograms per millilitre of TCH combined with 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood  will get you a minimum of a $1,000 fine on your first offence, a mandatory 30 days imprisonment on your second offence, and 120 days imprisonment on your third offence. The province said penalties are more serious for those who are driving with high levels of impairment or who injure others while driving impaired, as well as repeat offenders.

Having any amount of cannabis or illegal drugs in your bloodstream is also going to mean a 30-day licence suspension at the roadside, the seizure of your ride for a week, and require you to remain in the graduated driver licensing program for two years  and have no suspensions within the last year to graduate.

Its worse if youre found to be criminally impaired. Youll lose your licence for 90 days, lose your ride for three days (or a week if its the second time) and be required to participate in mandatory remedial education, as well as participate in a provincial ignition interlock program for a year.

LEAVING TOWN

Want to smoke weed in public without going to Edmonton? Head to Lethbridge. While Calgarys got fairly strict bylaws, Lethbridge allows residents to smoke pot in public. The only restrictions will be those set by the province, which bars pot use on hospital and school grounds, as well as certain other areas, such as zoos and playgrounds.

Theres also the backcountry. Parks Canada has decided to allow cannabis use at campsites and hiking trails, although public consumption will still be banned in the Banff and Jasper townsites.

And, of course, dont try to bring any weed south of the border. While U.S. Customs and Border Protection said last week that Canadians working in the cannabis industry will be generally admissible to the United States, admitting to smoking weed at the border could earn you a lifetime ban.

With files from Kevin Maimann

Read more about:Nancy Whitemans caramels are dusted with just a hint of sea salt. Its the butter thats the problem. The caramels are so buttery  They are very buttery! Whiteman says by email  that they cant hold the imprint of the THC symbol demanded by the state of Colorado.

So Colorado lovers of Whitemans salted caramels are out of luck.

Unless they happen to be travelling in Oregon, where different rules around recreational pot edibles allow for the sale of Wana Brands caramels as part of its candy cannabis lineup.

Nancy Whitemans business is exploding. Wana Brands, based in Boulder, has zoomed from approximately $100,000 (U.S.) in sales in its first year in 2010, to more than $14 million last year. I expect to finish this year up around 25 per cent over 2017 numbers, she says of a product line that includes fruit flavoured gummies and drops, sold 10 pieces to a package, each piece with 10 milligrams of THC.

Wana  Wana enhance your life?  is pushing toward control of a quarter share of Colorados edibles market while keeping an eye on developments in other states and, enticingly, Canada. We have talked with many LPs (licensed producers) in Canada and are still making a decision on partners, but fully intend to be in Canada once edibles are legal.

That, the federal government promises, is no more than a year away.

And that, as Whitemans experience can attest, is fraught.

I have written before about the evolution of legalized pot in Colorado, from which many lessons can be taken. The most recent data from BDS Analytics and Arcview Market Research predicts that the share of total spending on the plants flower or bud will drop from 50 per cent in 2017 to 36 per cent in 2022. So here we are at the launch of legalized cannabis in Canada just as the flower business in the U.S. is becoming, as the reports authors conclude, a battleground with few winners. A glut in Colorado is cited as an example of a broad industry trend that has resulted in per-gram price declines and shrinking share of sales.

The modern consumer will be increasingly focused on concentrates and edibles. In edibles, at least in Colorado, the candy subcategory has the largest share of spending. Chocolate is number 2.

Regulators  in this case, the enforcement division of Colorados department of revenue  were caught off guard.

Pot, including edibles, became legal in Colorado in January 2014. From the outset rules were put in place that were meant to dampen the products appeal to children, to promote public safety and to reduce harm. Child-resistant packaging, by example, and a prohibition on the use of cartoon characters were enacted.

And then edibles took off like a shot and candy creativity was seemingly everywhere.

Its not a joint thats normalizing the pot industry. Its a chewy square candy that looks pretty much like a sugar-sprinkled wine gum.

The states response was evolutionary. A year ago, gummy worms and gummy bears  anything gummy in the shapes of fruit or animals or humans  were declared illegal. Candies needed to be able to individually bear the THC abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is stamped on  or more likely moulded into  each candy within the shape of a yield sign, topped with an exclamation mark. It is this process that defeated Nancy Whiteman and her caramels.

In June 2017, I interviewed Tripp Keber, then the CEO of Denver-based Dixie Brands, makers of edibles (THC orange awakening mints, etc.) and concentrates (THC watermelon dewdrops and others). Dixie was on the hunt for a Canadian partner, and Treber talked about the Colorado experience.

Once the THC stamping was imposed, Dixie had to sacrifice its Dixie Roll, a buzz-infused Tootsie Roll. We couldnt find the methodology to apply the edible ink to these rolls to allow it to read, Keber said at the time. Ultimately the product got sacked.

Dixie has since entered into a licensing agreement with Vancouvers Cannabis Wheaton Income Corp. (now Auxly Cannabis Group Inc.) for the licensing of Dixie products in Canada and Mexico. Keber has moved on, but in that interview he said this: Canada represents a massive opportunityNow I dont have to go build a facility in Colombia or Mexico or Uruguay. I can build one in Canada and ostensibly through federal treaties serve those consumers and/or patients.

Meanwhile, further rules in Colorado are due to come into effect Jan. 1. Everything from an increase in type size to a requirement that the now-universal THC symbol appear in red and white on packaging for any recreational pot product. And of course theres the standard warning: Contains marijuana. Keep away from children.

Canadas advantage over the U.S. is the promise of uniform public safety rules, federally decreed, as opposed to the patchwork of state by state regulations south of the border. There is at least the hope that the government will meet its pledge to protect the health of young persons from the inducements to use cannabis.

The Colorado example proves that that wont be easy.

Now that we have legalized dried and fresh cannabis, the federal government should be turning its public messaging to the real concerns in the marketplace: the arrival of edibles, one thats bound to be a huge and profitable business story.It seemed an insurmountable challenge for a Regent Park church congregation to come up with $12,000 for nine plane tickets from Burundi to Toronto, let alone for a penniless refugee living in a shelter.

Members of St. Bartholomews Anglican Church were faced with this daunting task this summer when they learned a parishioners husband and eight children were granted permanent residence visas to join her in Canada but she couldnt afford to fly them over.

The congregation was all geared up to try to raise the money and pool frequent flyer miles, but they knew they were up against the clock given the huge cost and the fact the familys visas would expire by the end of the year.

Then a church member came across the website of Miles4Migrants, an American charity that uses donated frequent flyer miles to book flights that reunite refugees with their loved ones separated by conflict and persecution.

We were amazed how quickly they were willing to engage in a conversation with us, and willing and able to act for the family immediately, said Father Walter Hannam of St. Bartholomews, who added that without Miles4Migrants it would have been impossible to achieve all this before the visas expired.

The Burundian familys arrival in September is the first time the charity worked with a Canadian organization to reunite refugees  and the 350,000 miles was the highest mileage redeemed on a single case for the group since its inception in September 2016.

Miles4Migrants, run online by volunteers, has had more than 39 million airline miles pledged from donors around the world and has flown 200 individuals to join their loved ones in Belgium, Germany, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States.

The charity only assists refugees whose separated families have been issued legal permanent residence visas from the receiving country and are referred by community organizations; it is working to increase its international partnerships, including here in Canada.

All these families are split up by things that are out of their control. They have done nothing to deserve the hardship that theyve gone through, said New Orleans-based eye doctor Seth Stanton, one of the organizations four co-founders.

I live in a safe country and get to go home to my kids every day. Its just a great thing to be with the people you love.

The charity began with four strangers: Stanton, Ryan Booth from Louisiana, Nicholas Ruiz from New Jersey and Andy Freedman from Massachusetts. They met on a Reddit message board in the summer of 2016 and chatted about a post from someone who donated his air miles to reunite a Pakistani man with his family in Italy.

The four launched a campaign to reunite a woman and her two children with her refugee husband and their father in Belgium in November 2016, and the ball has kept rolling since.

Jill Aitken, a parishioner at St. Bartholomews, said Miles4Migrants ended up covering seven plane tickets while she and her husband paid for one, and the refugee woman herself insisted on scraping money together for the remaining ticket.

Another church member, Sandy Dawkins, also helped by using her not-for-profit daycare centre as an organizational partner to work with Miles4Migrants on behalf of the Burundi congregant, who fled political violence and came to Canada three years ago. The woman asked not to be identified in this story because she fears for the safety of her remaining family back home.

We are not a rich church. It wouldve taken us forever to collect the air miles and raise the money, said Aitken. The familys reunion at Pearson (airport) was epic. It had been three years since the mother last saw her family when her youngest child was just 11 months old. There were a lot of tears.

Although Stanton never gets to personally witness the reunion of refugee families Miles4Migrants helps, they always email him thank-you notes and reunion photos that he shares with his two young girls, Marie, 5, and Sylvie, 3.

I woke up at least on three occasions to pictures of men holding their child for the first time in years, said the 37-year-old. Its just wonderful.ALIDA, SASK.The front door of the Gervais farmhouse is little more than a stones throw to some of the tens of thousands of batteries, pump jacks and flare stacks that burn off the gaseous residues of the provinces oil boom.

Louis Gervais has lived here his whole life and, with his wife, Lucille, and their children, has farmed the surrounding acres. They have earned part of their livelihood from the 17 oil wells and tanks that started appearing on their land  as close as 200 metres from the family home  when 67-year-old Louis was only 5.

His parents, like many Saskatchewan farmers, bought into the promise of oil. And it paid off, helping to amass a sprawling property with its two homes and a vast collection of antique cars.

When the Star first travelled to the Gervais farm last year, Louis dismissed concerns about the health impacts from the nearby oil facilities, saying he was reassured by the provinces oversight of the industry.

Nothing has ever happened here yet, so thats why were not worried, he said then.

But the Gervaises sense of reassurance about living beneath the trailing black clouds rising from nearby flares has changed in recent months.

Read more:

That rotten stench in the air? Its the smell of deadly gas and secrecy

Pollution from Canadian refineries an embarrassment compared with U.S.

Toxic gas nearly killed this oil worker. His employer never told the province

Provincial incident reports and new off the chart air quality indicators reveal public health concerns reaching across southeastern Saskatchewan that have gone unpublicized, and unpunished, for years. The readings were gathered by researchers from Northeastern and Harvard universities, who are working with a national collaboration of journalists from the Toronto Star, Global News, the National Observer, the University of Regina and the Institute for Investigative Journalism at Concordia University.

Provincial air quality standards have been breached hundreds of times since 2014, but those living nearby  including the Gervais family  were not warned and oil companies responsible for the emissions have faced no charges or fines.

The companies should be able to clean their mess, Gervais said in a recent interview. And when theres a disaster or a leak of something  the people should know. Especially in the area where youre living  Id like to see public notice and I think they should get tougher with fines so that these companies are forced to clean up their act.

Saskatchewan, Canadas second largest oil-producing province, has not levied a single fine, the investigation  called The Price of Oil  has found. And only once in the past three years have government workers shut down a well because of potentially deadly hydrogen sulphide (H2S) emissions.

H2S gas is a colourless, poisonous gas recognized by its rotten egg smell that is commonly found during the drilling and production of crude oil and natural gas. Inhaling H2S can be deadly at high levels, and chronic exposure to low levels can trigger irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, as well as central nervous system disorders resulting in fatigue, irritability, impaired memory, altered moods, headaches and dizziness.

We identified a concerning level of corrosion on your property, reads the air quality report on the Gervais farm authored by Northeastern and Harvard researchers. We detected the highest levels of corrosion on your front porch and close to the oil well and tank battery  If this level of harsh to severe corrosion is consistent on your property, we would expect you to be seeing problems with electrical and metal equipment outside due to corrosive attack.

The report recommends further testing to assess whether the cause could be H2S or sulphur dioxide  a gas that can form from the burning of H2S and can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, as well as increased risks of asthma and difficulty breathing.

Gervais now says he is now worried for his health and the health of his family.

I kept saying to myself, Its not going to happen, its not going to happen, but I dont know ... I used to be able to jump fences. I cant do that anymore  Its got to be the toxic in the gas because were close and its got to be that ... I have that feeling.

The big companies, they keep hiding it, he said. I dont think they care about that damage. I think they just care about the little money they are getting from this ... As far as the ministry, never heard anything from them. No letters, no nothing.

If youre an inspector who issues a fine, you dont keep working there, said a former ministry staffer, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear that speaking out could impact his career. And there simply arent the resources to issue fines  There are so few inspectors left.

In a written statement, the province said it works with operators to correct issues, and there has been no requirement to pursue prosecution for breaches since operators readily comply with any deficiency notices.

The provincial government says the health and safety of Saskatchewan citizens is its No. 1 priority, and has repeatedly denied any health risks associated with oil industry emissions.

The province says it has strengthened oversight by increasing inspections of wells and facilities and the number of field inspectors in the southeast, and by installing highly sensitive gas measurement devices.

The government of Saskatchewan has seen a marked improvement in air quality in terms of H2S levels, reads the statement from provincial spokesperson James Parker.

At the entrance to the Gervais farm, a sign warns against driving up to the house if a siren is sounding. To the left is a cluster of large tanks with a flare stack burning off H2S and other gases. Just up a gravel driveway to the right sits the Gervais farmhouse  one of the homes that sit closest to an active oil production facility in southern Saskatchewan.

Government incident reports show there have been at least two H2S incidents at the facility, a couple of hundred metres from the Gervais farmhouse, in the past three years.

The Gervaises say they were never told.

On Jan. 7, 2015, a plant employee noticed that H2S was escaping from a cracked valve at the facility, then owned by the now defunct Spartan Energy, according to a company incident report. A description filed with the Ministry of Energy and Resources notes a contractor was knocked down by emissions from the leaking valve.

I grab him and drag him (about 2.5 metres) towards fence away from valve and sit him up, a worker wrote. He is not coherent for 15-20 (seconds).

The overcome worker was taken to hospital and later released.

The potential consequence is listed as major  the most serious of three categories. Yet the governments report on the incident concludes, This incident was assessed and processed without a field inspection.

A former government employee, who reviewed the report on condition of anonymity, said, It would have been reasonable, prudent and precautionary to assume that public safety could be jeopardized  thereby triggering a community notification and other protection measures.

Another H2S incident at the site in 2017 set off alarms.

Attended to H2S alarm at 3:30 a.m. to discover water spraying out of the discharge line to the disposal well, reads the report. The cleanup took 10 hours, the report says.

The province says oil companies are responsible for assessing hazards and alerting nearby residents of emergency situations.

In this case, the release occurred and the company established containment immediately. The issue was resolved and the operation was allowed to continue.

Vermilion Energy, which acquired Spartan Energy in May, said the company cannot comment on the incidents that predate its ownership of the facility. Vermilion takes any gas or liquid release very seriously and has procedures for informing the public and evacuating residents in emergencies, a statement from company spokesperson Kyle Preston reads.

Saskatchewan does not make note of whether the public was notified of a hazard or if any evacuation was necessary. This differs from Alberta, where the government records if members of the public were notified of a potential hazard or evacuated during an incident. Since 2013, there have been 58 notifications of a hazard and three evacuations.

There is no clear public reporting of H2S incidents in Saskatchewan.

Although it is not possible for the public to readily identify which incidents in the public report were related to H2S, this inquiry (from the Price of Oil investigation) has brought the information  error to the Ministrys attention and it will be addressed, the provincial statement reads.

The absence of open, transparent government data is one reason why researcher Sara Wylie and her colleagues at Harvard and Northeastern began air testing in Saskatchewan in 2017.

In June, Wylie came to the area to follow up on preliminary results.

The researchers placed inexpensive plastic canisters containing photographic paper that corrodes and darkens with exposure to gases  a kind of do-it-yourself citizen science for residents who wondered if symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headaches and exhaustion could be tied to toxins in the air from the oil wells and tanks dotting the provinces fields, pastures and grasslands.

After leaving the paper exposed for seven days, residents send the canisters to Wylie for analysis.

In some of their samples, they had measures of corrosion that were off our chart, that we hadnt seen before, Wylie said.

The highest of those were at the Gervais farm.

In some areas of the farm, corrosion levels were well above those found in a sewage treatment plant that researchers measured as a point of comparison. In sewage plants, where hydrogen sulphide is common, workers wear air monitors.

Gervais H2S report View document on Scribd

The testing method isnt precise enough to determine the specific substance causing corrosion. But provincial data mirrors concerns about elevated emission levels in the area.

The provincial air monitoring station closest to the Gervais farm  located in the village of Wauchope  exceeded the one-hour H2S limit 48 times in August of last year  the worst month of 2017. In the same month this year, exceedances were measured 24 times.

Gervais was never told. Eight residents of Wauchope interviewed in June all said they had never been told of elevated H2S readings.

Repeated H2S spikes logged in Wauchope are well known to ministry of energy and resources staff, said a former staffer who spoke on condition of anonymity.

There has been regular exceedances in that area [around the Wauchope air monitor] for a very long time, the former staffer said. The ministry has it right there in the data. They know the exact facilities that are causing it. Its no secret.

In addition to emissions of H2S from oil wells and tanks, the former employee expressed concerns about the impact on public health of benzene, another substance leaked from oil and gas facilities which, research shows, can lead to cancer and other health problems.

In February 2014, the provinces Emergency Management and Fire Services branch and the Ministry of Environment both flagged a significant risk and potential threat to the public from H2S in the southeast.

They called on the provinces oil regulators to inform residents at town hall meetings. That never happened.

In its recent statement, the province said the meetings were not required because the risk was managed through increased enforcement action against non-complaint operators.

A provincial investigation into air quality exceedances in Wauchope last year turned up leaks at facilities, including one that failed four inspections over 13 months due to H2S leaks. The province did not issue public warnings or enforcement actions against any operators.

Public notices to residents were not required since the exceedances did not pose a risk to public health and safety, the provincial statement reads. It was also not necessary to issue a shutdown order since the issues were resolved by the operator without the need for further regulatory action.

There are more red flags across southeastern Saskatchewan, known to government but not to residents.

At the farm outside Glen Ewen where Lori Erhardt lives, Wylie sat at the kitchen table explaining the results to the United Church minister in June.

Erhardt has had health problems, including asthma and complete voice loss at times, since she moved to this area in 2006.

My body had already told me that there are challenges, she said. Its not a surprise  Its disconcerting, but at least now that that is there, and theres some proof that theres something in the air.

The province has also been aware of issues in the Glen Ewen area since at least July and August 2014, during which there were 108 one-hour air quality violations and 19 days in which 24-hour violations were measured, according to a 2014 internal memo obtained through a freedom of information request.

The highest of those H2S exceedances was 102 parts per billion (ppb) on Aug. 11, 2014  well beyond Saskatchewans H2S one-hour standard of 11 ppb.

The long-term risk to exposure is currently unknown and may pose future health risks as a result of being exposed to chemicals in the atmosphere, the internal memo reads. There are incidents of hospitalization due to exposure of higher doses of hydrogen sulphide from residents close to sources.

It promises action to reduce the emissions in this region and therefore, the exposure to residents in the region.

But in June 2017, air monitoring equipment at the Glen Ewen station measured 11 one-hour exceedances during its worst week.

The province says it investigated and staff worked with operators to eliminate potential causes and that this eventually resolved the matter.

Erhardt remains concerned.

What if these were your readings? she said. I hope that these readings wont discourage my grandchildren from visiting.

The Price of Oil

This is part of an ongoing investigative series called The Price of Oil. It is the largest investigative collaboration of its kind in Canadian history, bringing together more than 50 journalists, editors, students and teachers from four journalism schools (Concordia, Ryerson, the University of Regina and the University of British Columbia) and three media outlets (Global News, the Toronto Star and the National Observer) to examine the hidden costs of Canadas oil industry. For more, see: http://jpress.journalism.ryerson.ca/nsirn/publications/

Researchers:

Celine Grimard, University of Regina

Matthew Gilmour and Kelsey Litwin, Concordia University

Morgan Bocknek, Ryerson University

With files from University of Regina: Jennifer Ackerman, Madina Azizi, Janelle Blakley, Cory Coleman, Josh Diaz, Brenna Engel, Jared Gottselig, Trevor Grant, Rebbeca Marroquin, Katie Doke Sawatzky, Michaela Solomon, Kyrsten Stringer, Caitlin Taylor

Institutional credits:

University of British Columbia, Graduate School of Journalism

Michener Foundation

University of Regina, School of Journalism and Office of the Vice-President Research

This series was produced with the support of the Corporate Mapping Project, a research and public engagement initiative investigating the power of the fossil fuel industry. The CMP is jointly led by the University of Victoria, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Parkland Institute. This research was supported by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada.Premier Doug Fords move to scrap Ontarios cap-and-trade alliance with Quebec and California will deal a $3-billion blow to the treasury, according to the provinces financial accountability officer.

By cancelling the cap-and-trade program, the provinces annual budget balance will worsen by a cumulative total of $3 billion over the next four years, Peter Weltman warned Tuesday.

Read more:

Ontarios environmental commissioner slams Ford government over gutted climate change policies

Quebec calls on Doug Ford to reverse plan to scrap cap-and-trade program

Doug Ford aims to lower gas prices by ending Ontarios cap-and-trade of carbon dioxide emissions

The provinces budget balance worsens because the loss of cap-and-trade revenue from ending the auction of emission allowances is greater than the savings achieved from cancelling cap-and-trade-related spending programs, said Weltman.

Environment Minister Rod Phillips, who will unveil a replacement climate-change plan later this year without any taxation component, insisted the $3-billion hit was anticipated.

Thats $3 billion back in the pockets of Ontario taxpayers, said Phillips.

We committed to the orderly wind-down of this program that was killing jobs, that was regressive, and we will follow that through. Its a promise we made, its a promise well keep, he said.

Yes, that means less money for government  thats more money for families.

NDP MPP Peter Tabuns (Toronto-Danforth) countered that Ford is hurting Ontarios environment, and hes charging all Ontarians extra to do it.

The direct result of Fords favour to big polluters will be $3 billion in costs piled onto the backs of the people of Ontario. That means ripping $3 billion right out of folks bank accounts, or cutting $3 billion from things like health care, said Tabuns.

Green Leader Mike Schreiner said Fords anti-climate agenda is bad for the environment and bad for business.

Today, we learned that the premiers reckless actions are a $3-billion boondoggle that will dig a deeper fiscal hole for the province, said Schreiner.

Greenpeaces Keith Stewart said the FAO report proves axing cap-and-trade is bad for the budget and worse for our environment.

Beyond any environmental impact of withdrawing from the climate accord, Ontario will now be subject to Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus forthcoming federal carbon-pricing scheme that could be more expensive.

It was exempt from that while it was part of the two-year-old cap-and-trade accord with Quebec and California.

Beginning in 2020, the federal carbon-pricing backstop will result in increased costs to Ontario households and businesses, but will also generate more ... revenue, the watchdog said.

To illustrate, under the cancelled cap-and-trade program, the FAO estimates that a typical Ontario household would pay additional costs of $264 in 2019, rising to $312 by 2022, he said.

Under the federal backstop, a typical Ontario household would pay additional costs of $258 in 2019, rising to $648 in 2022.

In a cap-and-trade system, businesses have greenhouse-gas emission limits  or caps  and those who pollute less can sell  or trade  credits for these to those who emit more pollution.

That creates an economic incentive to curb emissions because, over time, an industrys cap is lowered.

But Ford, whose Progressive Conservatives defeated former premier Kathleen Wynnes Liberals on June 7, decried cap-and-trade as a carbon tax and is eliminating it.

His decision could eventually lower gasoline by up to 10 cents per litre and reduce natural gas prices.

It also means foregoing around $1.9 billion in annual revenues that were, by law, earmarked for projects designed to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

That money went toward environmental initiatives such as retrofitting public buildings, schools, and homes and subsidizing electric cars, which Ford has already cancelled.

The impact on the treasury, however, was not known until Tuesday.

Weltman noted in 2018-19, the provinces budget balance is expected to deteriorate by $841 million, followed by a drop of $615 million in 2019-20, $771 million in 2020-21, and $787 million in 2021-22.

The independent fiscal officer emphasized that his report did not seek to assess the economic costs or benefits associated with carbon pricing or assess the potential environmental of public health benefits associated with the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

He noted that there will be about $600 million in one-time costs to wind down some cap-and-trade spending programs as well as $5 million in compensation costs to offset businesses affected by the change.

Last week, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicted there are 12 years to contain global warming to a maximum of 1.5 C or risk further extreme weather occurrences.

Robert Benzie is the Stars Queens Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie

Read more about:Incumbents Josh Matlow and Joe Mihevc made their case to a crowd of Toronto-St. Pauls voters at the lone ward debate Monday night.

They both acknowledged early on in the evening that neither of them chose to be in this situation  a council shrunk to 25 wards from 44 that has pitted them against one another within much larger boundaries.

But things became heated when an audience question challenged Mihevc directly on the ethics of John Torys robocall endorsing the longtime councillor. On Monday, Tory told reporters that Mihevc sought out his endorsement. Torys campaign spokesperson earlier told the Star the call was paid for by Mihevcs campaign.

He is the mayor of the city of Toronto and his voice is important, Mihevc said in front of more than 100 people gathering in the auditorium of the Timothy Eaton Memorial Church on St. Clair Ave., rejecting that there were any ethical issues and noting other endorsements he has received. The mayor has said to me that he is supporting me because I can work with him. Because we can get things done.

Matlow said he didnt think the endorsement said as much about Torys relationship with Mihevc as it did about the incumbent mayors desire to get rid of Matlow, noting his ongoing fight against the controversial, more-than-$3.35-billion Scarborough subway, which Tory supports.

Im not seeking anyones endorsement who I cant strongly support as a leader of the city, he said. I will work with the mayor when he does good things ... When they do things I dont agree with, I think all of us should take a stand.

He challenged Mihevc on not supporting the opening of federal armouries during a shelter capacity crisis last winter, instead proposing a plan worked on with the mayors office to open hundreds of new beds over several years. Tory, weeks later, agreed to request the armouries be opened.

The evening debate included candidates Elizabeth Cook and Ian Lipton, and saw Matlow and Mihevc sharing similar views on providing express buses, building new affordable housing and supporting supervised injection sites as a needed life-saving service.

I honestly dont have a plan B, Mihevc said to an audience question about what the candidates would do to serve the community if they lose on election day. Im really committed to this work.

Matlow, similarly, said he was dead-set on winning.

My focus is on being our councillor, he said. My focus has been on what I want to do to build a progressive caring city.

NEW WARDS. BIG STORIES. Get the scoop on how Torontos 25 new wards impact you. Subscribe to the Star.

The debate followed Torys Friday endorsement of Mihevc that surprised some Toronto-St. Pauls voters and Mihevc supporters.

Its only one of two endorsements in ward races that Tory has made. He said Monday no others are currently planned.

Mihevc, along with other left-leaning colleagues who have in recent days publicly endorsed Jennifer Keesmaat for mayor, signed her nomination papers to run for that office. Mihevc said Friday he is not endorsing any mayoral candidate.

Matlow responded to the situation over the weekend, tweeting: I know that in politics its far easier to toe the line. But I dont accept that we should always support John Tory or Doug Ford just because they say we should. I will continue to strongly challenge any decision that doesnt put the residents we serve before politics.

The endorsement appears to have caused some blowback from voters, with Matlows campaign saying it had rallied volunteers and supporters to their cause.

I didnt vote in the advance polls because I was still torn between @JoshMatlow and @joemihevc, wrote one user, @VAinTO, who has tweeted she is supporting Keesmaat. And then Mihevc accepted Torys endorsement. Deeply disappointed, but at least now I guess I know how Im voting.

At a campaign stop Monday announcing climate change measures, Keesmaat said there will be many endorsements this campaign when asked about Torys endorsement of Mihevc.

Im very thrilled that the candidates that Ive endorsed so far and the candidates I will be endorsing are candidates who are deeply principled and driven by a vision of this city that is inclusive, and as per our announcement today, sustainable, and also that is forward-looking.

The election is Oct. 22.

Read more about:The Star identified several Wards to Watch in a 47-ward election. Now that new legislation has made it a 25-ward election, we have determined all of the wards are worth watching. This is one in a series of articles. The election is Oct. 22.

Mark Grimes has been a city councillor for 15 years, and his opponents in Ward 3 Etobicoke Lakeshore say his time is up.

In the past term of office, our councillor missed 1,002 city council votes, according to candidate Iain Davis, who has had that number printed on the back of an oversized postcard he hands out as part of his campaign literature. Going door to door, were hearing people asking for change.

Candidate Pamela Gough, a TDSB trustee, said residents have expressed concerns about Grimes when she is campaigning.

I am running a campaign based on positive change, but people need to know positive change from what. And the facts are pretty clear in terms of the incumbents poor attendance record, said Gough.

NEW WARDS. BIG STORIES. Get the scoop on how Torontos 25 new wards impact you. Subscribe to the Star.

In response to emailed questions from the Star, Grimes said he missed only four days in four years, mainly due to illness.

I chair Etobicoke York community council, which deals with the issues that affect our community directly, and Ive never missed a full session of community council in four years, Grimes wrote. I have dedicated myself day and night to serving constituents.

A review of councillor voting, undertaken by the Star this summer, found that Grimes was absent for 33 per cent of council votes in 2018 and for 22.1 per cent of votes over the course of his most recent four-year term. (The Star counts votes instead of days absent, because a councillor may be at city hall but not in his or her seat.)

Ward watch Ward 3 Etobicoke Lakeshore Boundaries Bloor St. W., Kipling Ave. and Mimico Creek to the north, Humber River to the east, the waterfront to the south and Etobicoke Creek to the west. Demographics There are 129,081 people with an average age of 42. The average household size is 2 people with a median household income of $71,894. The percentage of visible minorities in the ward is 27 per cent. Other representatives MPP Christine Hogarth (PC) and MP James Maloney (Liberal).

Read more:

What you need to know about Torontos 25 new wards

Crowded buses, long commutes  why transit is top of mind for Toronto voters

Mihevc defends Tory robocall at heated Toronto-St. Pauls ward debate

He also came under fire in 2016 after integrity commissioner Valerie Jepson found he had engaged in improper dealings with two different developers. While she found no evidence that Grimes gained financially from the interactions, she chastised him for not following the rules.

Grimes said his track record includes: pushing city hall to declare Park Lawn GO Station a priority project; working to add more buses to crowded routes, including a new Kipling express bus; lobbying the TTC board to keep the 145 Downtown Express bus; requesting a Transportation Master Plan for the Park Lawn and Lake Shore area; and helping introduce shuttle bus service to the Mimico GO station.

I have helped bring new jobs, new parks, new recreation spaces and new businesses to this ward, he said.

If re-elected, Grimes said he will make sure that a Park Lawn GO station gets built on the former Mr. Christies factory site; that any applications put forward for the Campbells Soup property will bring as many jobs as possible; and that traffic calming features are installed around every local school . He said he will defend the Queensway Ave. study, fight to limit development to eight stories, and work for a new city library and public space at Holy Angels.

His opponents in the upcoming election ask why the ward is experiencing so many problems if Grimes has been an effective councillor.

Rapid development in the ward has snarled traffic. The 10-kilometre commute to downtown Toronto from the community of Humber Bay Shores in south Etobicoke can take as long as 40 minutes in rush hour, because public transportation has not kept up with rapid residential development.

Despite numerous studies and plans, a $2-billion proposal to build a continuous LRT across the waterfront remains unfunded. The idea of adding a Park Lawn GO station remains stuck in limbo after Metrolinx ruled it out as too costly.

There is a real lack of infrastructure in place, said candidate Amber Morley, who believes the LRT should have been at the top of city halls agenda. We knew we had all this development coming.

Morley spent 10 years working at LAMP Community Health Centre, and has worked at city hall since 2013. She spent the last three years as the constituency assistant in Ward 4, Etobicoke Centre, which she says has taught her about the issues, how city hall works, and how to help residents.

Davis is the son of former Toronto District School Board trustee and chair Bruce Davis. He is running on a detailed platform that includes decreasing property taxes and shifting to an income-based municipal tax, set at one to two per cent of family income. He would also fight lot-splitting.

Gough has been a school trustee for 17 years, at the former Etobicoke Board of Education and now at the TDSB. She says traffic and safety are top of mind amount residents in the ward, and so is transit. As a trustee I can only do so much. As a councillor I can do much more, she said.

Candidate Peggy Moulder, who also ran in 2014, wants to see 25 legislated resident community boards to ensure that the views of residents are put before council. Democracy is not just voting every four years, she said.

Candidate Patrizia Nigro said residents of the ward are concerned with crime and the emergency response rate to crime, which she feels could be improved. She has a special interest in elder care and wants to encourage volunteers to provide transportation for elderly people who are not fully served by Wheel-Trans.

Nigro said she has wide volunteer experience, and is promising follow-through at city hall. Im not going to make you a promise if Im not going to be able to deliver, she said. I dont want to be just a name on the ballot. I want to be a solution for the community.

Candidate Michael Julihen said crime is a concern among residents in the riding. He said he would support the return of the controversial Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Stragtegy (TAVIS), which was disbanded over concerns that officers were targeting racialized communities. He also supports safety barriers on subway platforms that would prevent people from falling or being pushed onto the tracks.

Robert Gunnyon wants to address issues in the riding including crime, housing, communications with constituents, gender and sexual equality in social services and job creation.

Etobicoke Lakeshore candidates: Svitlana Burlakova, Iain Davis, Pamela Gough, Mark Grimes (councillor), Robert Gunnyon, Michael Julihen, Michael Loomans, Amber Morley, Peggy Moulder and Patrizia Nigro.MEXICO BEACH, FLA.As they built their dream house last year on the shimmering sands of the Gulf of Mexico, Russell King and his nephew, Lebron Lackey, painstakingly documented every detail of the elevated construction, from the 40-foot pilings buried into the ground to the types of screws drilled into the walls. They picked gleaming paints from a palette of shore colours, chose salt-tolerant species to plant in the beach dunes and christened their creation the Sand Palace of Mexico Beach.

They also installed an outdoor security camera. Its video footage became the only view of their property as Hurricane Michael thundered ashore last week, the most intense storm recorded in the history of the Florida Panhandle.

The camera showed a horrifying tunnel of grey fury worsening by the hour as Lackey, a 54-year-old radiologist, stared helplessly from more than 400 miles away at the corner of his roof.

It would buck like an airplane wing, he said from his residence in Cleveland, Tenn. I kept expecting to see it tear off.

But it did not. When the New York Times published an analysis of aerial images showing a mile-long stretch of Mexico Beach where at least three-quarters of the buildings were damaged, Lackey saw his sand palace still standing, majestic amid the apocalyptic wreckage, the last surviving beachfront house on his block.

We wanted to build it for the big one, he said. We just never knew wed find the big one so fast.

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The story of how the sand palace made it through Michael while most of its neighbours collapsed is one about building in hurricane-prone Florida, and how construction regulations failed to imagine the Category 4 monsters catastrophic destruction.

Floridas building code, put into effect in 2002, is famously stringent when it comes to windstorm resistance for homes built along the hurricane-prone Atlantic shoreline. But it is less so for structures along the Panhandle, a region historically unaffected by storms as strong as the ones that have slammed into South Florida.

After Hurricane Andrew, a Category 5 beast, ravaged Miami-Dade County in 1992, new construction in the southern portion of the state was required to withstand 175-mile per hour winds. In the coastal Panhandle counties affected by Michael, the requirement is lower, for 120 to 150 mph, and the rules for certain kinds of reinforcement have applied to houses built more than a mile from shore only since 2007. Many of the residences and businesses rubbed out by Michael in Mexico Beach were far older; rebuilding them to conform to the new code will be expensive, and could price out some of the working-class people who historically have flocked to Mexico Beach.

King would not say how much he and Lackey spent to fortify the beachside home, which public records show has been assessed for tax purposes at a value of $400,000 (U.S.). Their architect, Charles A. Gaskin, said that building a house the way they did roughly doubles the cost per square foot, compared with ordinary building practices.

Other experts had different views of the expense required. An estimate published in Forbes in 2012 said implementing an array of storm-resistance measures, including some of those advised by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, would add more than $30,000 to the cost of a typical house.

Every time something like this happens, you have to say to yourself, Is there something we can do better? Florida Gov. Rick Scott told reporters, as public officials were called upon once again to examine the states building standards.

When I saw this hurricanes wind speeds, I knew: You could only hope there would not be too many fatalities, said Charlie Danger, a retired Miami-Dade building chief who crusaded for stricter windstorm codes. It pays to rebuild structures that withstand something like that. You minimize the loss of life  and the loss of infrastructure. If you lose the infrastructure, you lose everything.

Lackey said he and King, who jointly own the Mexico Beach house, did not even refer to the minimum wind resistance required in Bay County. They built the sand palace to withstand 250 mph winds.

The house was fashioned from poured concrete, reinforced by steel cables and rebar, with additional concrete bolstering the corners of the house. The space under the roof was minimized so wind couldnt sneak in underneath and lift it off. The homes elevation, on high pilings, was meant to keep it above the surge of seawater that usually accompanies powerful hurricanes.

Were thinking that we need to build a house that would survive for generations, Lackey said.

I believe the planets getting warmer and the storms are getting stronger, said King, 68, a lawyer. We didnt used to have storms like this. So people who live on the coast have to be ready for it.

Though the family had the relief of knowing their house, which they rent out when they are not using it themselves for vacations, had remained standing, King needed to see for himself what damage the hurricane had done. He left Tennessee at 4 a.m. Saturday and drove his pickup south for more than seven hours  far longer than the trip would ordinarily take because of closed roads and recovery-crew gridlock  to reach his property at the end of 36th St.

The siding that had wrapped around a stairway providing access to the elevated house was gone, and so were the stairs. But that was by design: The familys architect used breakaway walls that would tear free without ripping off any more of the structure. Now there was just a gaping hole and part of a handrail, leaving the five-bedroom, five-bathroom house accessible only by ladder.

Up climbed King, awed by the fact the structure had otherwise suffered only a little water damage and one cracked shower window. Even their in-home elevator appeared untouched.

We can clean this up in a month, he said. But other folks, I dont know. Look at what these people suffered.

The duplexes next door were wiped out. Three homes across the street were levelled down to concrete slabs. A fourth house, standing but with much of the roof and some walls caved in, was being searched by a rescue team; two renters were unaccounted for, according to King. That house, too, he said, had been built with hurricanes in mind.

It was supposed to be a fortress like this, King said, staring in disbelief.

He said he previously owned a house on 42nd St. that still had watermarks in it from Hurricane Opal, the 1995 storm that until a few days ago had been a local bench mark for powerful cyclones. From his deck, King pointed: It was down there, and its gone.

Thats the famous Mexico Beach pier, he added, nodding toward a few decapitated wood pilings sticking out of the water.

Up 36th St., the main drag, more small houses had survived the wind but were gutted by the water, even though they were several blocks inland from the beach. John Hamilton spent a weekend afternoon shovelling dark muck out of the house belonging to his sister-in-law, Sandra Richards, and her husband, Jeff Richards, who live in Eufaula, Ala., but have vacationed in Mexico Beach for decades.

Paper towels in the highest kitchen cabinets were soaked. Fans on the ceiling, more than eight feet up, were caked in mud.

I cant believe Im not just crying my eyes out, Sandra Richards said as her sister, Laura Hamilton, used a broken piece of door as a dustpan. Its incomprehensible.

Jeff Richards said the couple built the house with hurricane-resistant windows in 2004, after the new statewide code went into effect. Look at the windows: Theyre all here, he said. If the doors had held, we probably would have been all right.

All those Mexico Beach houses that were built in the 1970s, theyre gone, Sandra Richards said.

Lackey said much of the small towns charm came from its older houses and relative lack of overdevelopment, compared with bigger tourist destinations further west along the coast. Over the July 4 holiday, which Mexico Beach celebrated with fireworks at the pier, Lackeys 5-year-old son, Keaton, learned how to snorkel off the beach in front of the house.

There was a Subway  that was the one franchise eatery in town, he said. There was no traffic lights. It was nicknamed Mayberry by the Sea.

King said he assumed Michael would spare the town, as other hurricanes had done.

I said, Itll veer off. They always do. They go to Cancun or someplace, he said.

As the storm took aim, though, their most recent renters brought the patio furniture indoors and oversaw a specialist hired by Lackey and King to seal the doors the day before landfall  the sort of measure Lackey readily acknowledges may be unaffordable for most people during an emergency. The renters ate at a beloved local seafood restaurant, Toucans, and then left town.

They were probably the last people to eat there, Lackey said of Toucans, which did not survive.

A few days after the storm, the inside of the sand palace, immaculately decorated, remained surprisingly cool, a feature of its concrete walls. King said he hoped recovery crews from the Federal Emergency Management Agency could benefit from using their standing structure.

If FEMA wants the house, they can have it for a few weeks, he said. Im not going to complain about nothing.The Palace Museum and Shimao Group are going to build a museum focused on the Maritime Silk Road in Quanzhou, Fujian province, where the ancient maritime route began.

The Maritime Silk Road Museum of the Palace Museum is expected to play an important role in the bid to have UNESCO list the maritime route as world intangible heritage, said Shan Jixiang, director of the Palace Museum in Beijing.

Shan spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday of the contract to build the new museum, to be located in Shishi (stone lion), a city in the municipal region of Quanzhou. It is to house relics from the Maritime Silk Road and hold temporary exhibitions of treasures from the collection of the Palace Museum.

The Palace Museum will also support the construction, exhibition design and operations of the new museum, Shan said.

The Maritime Silk Road was an ancient sea passage for trade and cultural exchanges between the East and the West. Its heyday was during the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties.

It stretched from China's coastal area, including Quanzhou, one of the important port cities, to East Africa and Europe, by way of more than 100 countries and regions.

At the time, Chinese goods exported through the passage mainly included silk, tea and porcelain. From the West came not only gems, spices and medicines, but also science and technology.

The Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, has an abundant collection of Maritime Silk Road relics, given that many of the imported treasures were meant for the royal court. The Palace Museum was China's royal residence during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

Shan said the museum has about 25,000 such relics. They include porcelain, calligraphy and paintings, books, wares made of jade, cloisonne enamel, gold and silver and timepieces that were exhibited at the Meridian Gate Gallery of Palace Museum in 2017.

On exhibition in Shishi now are lion-related treasures from the Palace Museum, given that the lion was seen as a symbol of cultural exchange along the ancient Silk Road.

The overland and maritime passages of the Silk Road, along with some inland canals in China, were connected historically and formed a huge network of trade and cultural exchange, Shan said.

Hui Wing Mau, founder of Shimao Group, said the company has been working with the Palace Museum to develop a two-year plan of exhibitions for the Maritime Silk Road museum.

Last year, Hui paid $20 million to private collectors for an ancient scroll named "Landscape Map of the Silk Road" to be housed in the Forbidden City.

The colored map, 30.1 meters long by 59 centimeters wide, is believed to have been painted during mid-Ming Dynasty.

It depicts the ancient trade routes starting from Jiayuguanat the western end of the Great Wall during Ming rulethrough Central and West Asia to the Middle East.

Marked on the scroll are 221 sites in dozens of countries and regions, including key spots on the ancient Silk Road such as Dunhuang in Gansu province, Samarkand in Uzbekistan, Esfahan in Iran, Damascus in Syria and Mecca.

The scroll will be exhibited at the Hong Kong Science Museum at the end of the year, Shan said. Presentations on ancient mapping methods also will be given.SEOUL, SOUTH KOREAThe rival Koreas and the U.S.-led United Nations Command were meeting Tuesday to discuss efforts to disarm a military zone the rivals control within their shared border under a peace agreement between the Koreas.

South Koreas Defence Ministry said the talks at the Panmunjom border village mark the first meeting between the Koreas and the UN Command to discuss ways to demilitarize the villages Joint Security Area.

The Korean militaries in past weeks have been clearing mines from the area following a broad agreement meant to reduce military tensions that was forged between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in in their summit last month.

The Koreas plan to withdraw guard posts and firearms from the Joint Security Area once the demining is complete.

Further details from Tuesdays meeting werent immediately available.

The military agreement between the Koreas also calls for the creation of buffer zones along their land and sea boundaries, a no-fly zone above the border and the removal of 11 front-line guard posts by December.

Read more:

Koreas agree to break ground on inter-Korean railroad

Korean government officials meet to discuss post-summit specifics

South Korea considers lifting some sanctions on North Korea

Moon has said the military agreement is an important trust-building step that will reduce border tension and create diplomatic space without negatively impacting the Souths defence readiness.

Some military experts say South Korea is at risk of conceding some of its conventional military strength before the North takes any material steps toward giving up its nuclear weapons program, the goal of global diplomatic efforts.

The Joint Security Area is overseen by the UN Command and by North Korea, with South Korean and North Korean border guards facing each other only meters apart. It is located inside the 4-kilometre-wide Demilitarized Zone, which is a heavily-fortified zone that has formed the de facto border between the Koreas since the 1950-53 Korean War.

The Joint Security Area has been used for diplomatic engagements but was also a site of occasional bloodshed during the Cold War, including the killing of two American army officers by axe-wielding North Korean soldiers in 1976. It was also where a defecting North Korean soldier fled south last year in a hail of bullets fired by his former comrades.

Read more about:WASHINGTONThe Catholic Archdiocese of Washington on Monday released a list of 28 priests it says have been credibly accused of abuse since 1948, saying in a letter to clergy that the move is a necessary step toward full transparency and accountability and the process of healing.

The letter says the list includes the names of all priests credibly accused since 1948. It says there has not been an incident of abuse of a minor by a priest of the archdiocese in almost two decades. It does not say when recent accusers came forward, how many victims of the priests there are, nor whether the cases were taken to civil authorities.

The letter comes amid huge turmoil in a part of the American church that seemed to have evaded the abuse crisis. But in June, the previous archbishop  Theodore McCarrick  was suspended amid allegations that he abused children and adults. He later resigned. Four days ago, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, a top ally of Pope Francis, retired after months of criticism that he had mishandled abuse allegations when he was in the Pittsburgh diocese and hasnt been completely transparent in District of Columbia, either.CANBERRA, AUSTRALIAAustralia has raised the prospect of following the United States by relocating its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in a policy shift that critics described Tuesday as a desperate grab for domestic political gain to win a crucial byelection.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the idea was suggested to him by a former ambassador to Israel, Dave Sharma, who is a candidate for the ruling conservative Liberal Party in a byelection Saturday in a Sydney electorate with a large Jewish population.

At stake is the governments single-seat majority in the House of Representatives and Morrisons ability to retain power without doing deals with independent lawmakers.

Any political gain could come at the cost of strained ties with Muslim-majority countries, including neighbouring Indonesia, whose foreign minister expressed strong concern.

The Trump administration turned its back on decades of U.S. policy last December by recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital and in May, it moved the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv. The decision angered the Muslim world and was a setback for Palestinian aspirations for statehood. Palestinians see east Jerusalem, captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, as the capital of a future independent state.

Morrison said Australia remained committed to finding a two-state solution.

Read more:

Donald Trump endorses two-state solution for Israel, Palestinians

Israel defends detention of U.S. student who allegedly promoted boycott

Paraguay follows U.S., opens embassy in Jerusalem

When sensible suggestions are put forward that are consistent with your policy positioning and in this case pursuing a two-state solution, Australia should be open-minded to this and I am open-minded to this and our government is open-minded to this, Morrison told reporters.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had recently spoken to Morrison and welcomed the Australian policy shift.

Morrison informed me that he is considering officially recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel & moving the Australian embassy to Jerusalem. Im very thankful to him for this, Netanyahu tweeted. We will continue to strengthen ties.

In Indonesias capital, Jakarta, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Malki, who was attending solidarity events in the country, said Morrisons statement was very sad news that would violate U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Australia, by doing so, is risking trade and business relations with the rest of the world, particularly the Arab world and Muslim countries, he said at a joint news conference with Indonesias foreign minister. I hope Australia would reconsider that position before taking action.

Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported that an unnamed Indonesian official had said Jakarta had been taken by surprise by the announcement, which could harm trade negotiations between the two countries.

When Morrison became prime minister in August, he made his first overseas trip to Indonesia, the worlds largest Muslim-majority nation and an ardent supporter of the Palestinian cause.

Morrison and Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo plan to sign an agreement this year aimed at boosting trade and investment.

Morrison told Parliament that he had briefed Widodo overnight about the announcement.

Ive been pleased to be able to explain very clearly the nature of the announcements that Ive made today and Ive been very pleased with the response that Ive received from President Joko Widodo, Morrison said.

But statements from Indonesian officials made it clear Widodo and his government were disappointed by the Australian stance.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the government questions the merits of Morrisons announcement and has conveyed its strong concern.

Indonesia has asked Australia and other countries to continue to support the Palestinian-Israeli peace process in accordance with the principles agreed upon and not take steps that could threaten the peace process itself, and threaten the stability of world peace, she said.

Morrison also announced that Australia would vote against a United Nations resolution this week to recognize the Palestinian Authority as the chair of the Group of 77 developing countries and would review the 3-year-old Iran nuclear deal.

The U.S. earlier this year withdrew from the nuclear deal, a step that was welcomed by Israel. Netanyahu says the deal does not go far enough toward preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapons capability.

Australias opposition centre-left Labor Party said the announcement was a desperate attempt to win the byelection in the Wentworth electorate.

The people of Wentworth, and all Australians, deserve a leader who puts the national interest ahead of his self-interest, and governs in the best long-term interest of the nation, Labor lawmaker Penny Wong said.

Labour reminded the government that Frances Adamson, the head of Australias foreign department, said in June that the U.S. move had not been helpful for the Middle East peace process.

George Browning, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, accused the government of aligning itself with the most erratic, reactionary and bullish U.S. foreign policy ever.

This is an irresponsible policy that compromises the future of millions of people in the Middle East for a handful of votes in Wentworth, Browning said in a statement.

Morrison denied that the United States or the byelection had influenced his announcement.

I have made this decision without any reference to the United States. It has not come up in any discussion I have had with the president or with officials, Morrison said. Australia makes its decisions about its foreign policy independently. We do so in our own national interests consistent with our own beliefs and our own values.

Read more about:KATHMANDU, NEPALThe bodies of five South Korean climbers killed over the weekend in a fierce storm on a mountain in Nepal are heading home amid calls to improve weather warning systems on Nepals mountains.

Mountaineers and officials gathered at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu offering flowers and burning incense by the bodies, which were kept in wooden coffins. The bodies were driven to the airport and were set to be flown to Seoul, South Koreas capital, later Tuesday.

Mountaineers and officials said they would push the government to improve the weather warning systems to prevent disasters and minimize loss of lives in the future.

The five South Koreans and four Nepalese guides died when they were swept by a storm on Gurja Himal mountains base camp.

Read more about:U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Tuesday over DNA test results she released that indicate she has some Native American heritage, saying she is getting slammed over what he claimed is a scam and a lie despite Warrens proof.

Trump called on his potential 2020 Democratic challenger to apologize and claimed that even the Cherokee Nation denies her.

Warren released the test results Monday in part to push back against Trumps taunts about her claim of Native American ancestry. The results provide some evidence that a Native American is in her bloodline, though the ancestor probably lived six to 10 generations ago, according to the analysis.

An ancestor six generations removed would make Warren 1/64th Native American while an ancestor as much as 10 generations removed would render the Massachusetts Democrat only 1/1024th Native American, according to Blaine Bettinger, a genealogist and author who specializes in DNA evidence.

Trump, who belittles Warren by calling her Pocahontas, seized on the conclusion in a series of tweets early Tuesday.

Pocahontas (the bad version), sometimes referred to as Elizabeth Warren, is getting slammed, he wrote. She took a bogus DNA test and it showed that she may be 1/1024, far less than the average American. Now Cherokee Nation denies her, DNA test is useless. Even they dont want her. Phoney!

Read more:

Elizabeth Warren accuses Trump of creepy comments about her DNA test

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren among the Democrats warming up for a 2020 run

Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. said Monday that DNA tests are useless in determining tribal citizenship, which is determined by tribal nations. Hoskin accused Warren of undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage.

Warren acknowledged in a tweet Monday that DNA and family history have nothing to do with tribal affiliation or citizenship, which is determined by tribal nations. I respect the distinction, & dont list myself as Native in the Senate, she said.

Others questioned Warrens decision to raise the issue so close to an election in which her party is focused on regaining control of the U.S. House.

Now that her claims of being of Indian heritage have turned out to be a scam and a lie, Elizabeth Warren should apologize for perpetrating this fraud against the American Public, Trump said in another tweet that ignored the evidence of her Native American background, however small the percentage.

Trump thanked the Cherokee Nation for revealing that Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, is a complete and total Fraud!

Hoskin, in his statement, did not refer to Warren as a fraud.

Trump also claimed Tuesday that Harvard, where Warren has taught law, called her a person of colour (amazing con), and would not have taken her otherwise! There is no evidence that Harvard ever publicly described her in that manner.

Charles Fried, the Harvard law professor who recruited Warren, has said any suggestion that she got her job in part because of a claim of minority status is totally stupid, ignorant, uninformed and simply wrong. Fried said Monday that when he presented her case to the faculty I did not mention her Native American connection because I did not know about it.

Trump had offered over the summer to donate $1 million to Warrens favourite charity if a DNA test proved her Native American bloodline. On Monday, Trump first denied ever making such a promise. He later upped the ante by saying Ill only do it if I can test her personally.

That will not be something I enjoy doing either, he added.

Warren tweeted that Trump is a cowardly elitist and that she wont sit quietly for Trumps racism so she took the test. She also said he makes creepy physical threats about women who scare him, including her.

Hes trying to do what he always does to women who scare him: call us names, attack us personally, shrink us down to feel better about himself, Warren said on Twitter. It may soothe his ego  but it wont work.

She said she released the results because Ive got nothing to hide. What are YOU hiding, @realDonaldTrump? she wrote. Release your tax returns  or the Democratic-led House will do it for you soon enough. Tick-tock, Mr President.

Warren was referring to the Nov. 6 election, when Democrats hope to regain control of the House, which would put them in position to examine and possibly publicly release Trumps income tax returns.

Trump has bucked decades of precedent by refusing to release the returns.

Read more about:White House officials are worried that the apparent killing of the dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and Saudi Arabias changing account of his fate, could derail a major showdown with Iran and jeopardize plans to enlist Saudi help to avoid disrupting the oil market.

Officials said the dilemma comes at a terrible moment for the Trump administration, which will reimpose harsh sanctions against Tehran on Nov. 4, with the intent of cutting off all Iranian oil exports.

But to make the strategy work, the administration is counting on its relationship with the Saudis to keep oil flowing, and to work together on a new policy to contain Iran in the Gulf. If it moves forward, the Saudis would probably see a significant increase in oil revenues at exactly the moment Congress is talking about sanctioning the kingdom.

It is one reason that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was sent, with a few hours notice, to see King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Part of the problem is optics, officials said: The Saudis look like a pretty brutal ally, just as U.S. President Trump and Mr. Pompeo have been casting Iran as the regional disrupter.

In interviews, administration officials and the outside experts whom they are consulting said that possible repercussions on an elaborate plan to squeeze the Iranians have dominated internal discussions about the fallout over what happened to Mr. Khashoggi. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss internal discussions.

By comparison, they said, the issue of limiting American arms sales to Saudi Arabia, which Mr. Trump has said would threaten American jobs, pales in importance.

Read more:

Ottawa presses Saudis for answers over suspected murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets Saudi king over Khashoggis disappearance

Saudis threaten to respond with greater action if punished for Jamal Khashoggi disappearance

On Nov. 4, the administration is expected to announce that any company that does business with Iran  buying oil, financing projects or investing in the country  will be prohibited from doing business in the United States, including clearing transactions in dollars. The strategy would present a common front with the Saudis, and cast Iran as the source of almost all instability in the Middle East.

That argument, officials have now acknowledged, is now in jeopardy.

Mr. Pompeos message, officials said, was that a credible investigation and a Saudi explanation of what happened had to be conducted rapidly, before it imperiled the rest of the agenda that Mr. Trump and his lieutenants have devised with the kingdom.

Mr. Pompeos spokeswoman, Heather Nauert, appeared to be referring to that issue, at least obliquely, when she issued a statement describing the meetings in Riyadh on Tuesday.

While the United States has a number of regional and bilateral issues to discuss with Saudi leadership, learning what happened to Jamal Khashoggi is the primary purpose of this trip, Ms. Nauert said.

Mr. Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, has not been seen in the two weeks since he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. A number of Saudi officials, including Prince Mohammed last week and the king on Monday, have denied any involvement in his death, despite assertions from Turkish officials that Mr. Khashoggi was murdered and his body dismembered.

But Saudi officials are now preparing to explain Mr. Khashoggis death as an interrogation gone wrong. Mr. Trump has also suggested that it could have happened at the hands of rogue killers.

Middle East experts said the goal for Mr. Trump and the Saudis was clear: Get the Saudi role in Mr. Khashoggis disappearance out of the headlines and focus anew on the Iranians.

I think they have a very strong incentive to cook up some story that will get us out of this fix, said Gary Samore, the director of the Crown Center for Middle East Studies at Brandeis University, and a former top White House aide on nuclear issues for President Barack Obama.

They cant go with the story that M.B.S. ordered a rendition of Khashoggi, said Mr. Samore, using the initials for the crown prince. So they have to find another credible story, and a rendition-gone-bad, or a rogue operation, might be it.

But the key issue motivating the administration, he noted, is the close coordination needed with the Saudis as the crackdown on Iran unfolds.

They cant really do it without the Saudis keeping up high production, Mr. Samore said, referring to oil. Even then, he said, the administration may need to give temporary exemptions to some countries that claim they need to continue oil imports from Iran.

The result is that just as Congress talks about economic or military sanctions against the Saudi government, the countrys oil revenues may actually rise, as they pick up business previously filled by Iran.

To sanction what the Saudis care about most  oil revenues  would be to undercut the Iran policy and send the price of gasoline and heating oil significantly higher, just as winter approaches.

The White Houses focus on Iran is evident from a forthcoming article in Foreign Affairs that Mr. Pompeo wrote before Mr. Khashoggis disappearance. It is titled Confronting Iran, and depicts Iran  along with North Korea  as the two major threats Mr. Trump is committed to defanging.

Irans leaders  especially those at the top of the I.R.G.C., such as Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Quds Force  must be made to feel the painful consequences of their violence and corruption, Mr. Pompeo wrote, referring to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Given that the regime is controlled by a desire for self-enrichment and a revolutionary ideology from which it will not easily depart, sanctions must be severe if they are to change entrenched habits.

He continued: Thats why the Trump administration is reimposing U.S. sanctions that were lifted or waived as part of the nuclear deal; the first of these went back into effect on August 7, with the remainder coming back on November 5. We intend to get global imports of Iranian crude oil as close to zero as possible by November 4.

The article makes only one reference to Saudi Arabia  as a country that is the target of Iranian-made missiles.

Read more about:TEHRAN, IRAN  Militants in Iran abducted 14 members of a border security force near the Pakistan border on Tuesday in the latest blow to the powerful Revolutionary Guard.

Media reports quoted an unnamed but informed source as saying two of those abducted are members of the Guards intelligence department. The rest include seven members of the Basij force, a volunteer wing of the Guard, as well as regular Iranian border guards.

The abduction took place under the cover of darkness near the Loukdan crossing point in southeastern Sistan and Baluchistan province. The area, which lies on a major opium trafficking route, has seen occasional clashes between Iranian forces and Baluch separatists, as well as drug traffickers.

Iranian media later said an al-Qaida-affiliated group known as Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a previous abduction, the militant group killed an Iranian officer and released four soldiers after holding them for nearly two months. The captives were reportedly taken to Pakistan.

The Guard confirmed the latest abductions in a statement on its website, saying the attack was the work of treason committed by infiltrators.

The statement blamed a terrorist group guided and supported by foreign intelligence services, and said Iranian security forces would seriously pursue the bandits, terrorists and infiltrators. It said the perpetrators were hired by some evil, reactionary and terrorist-training regional countries, a reference to Irans regional rival Saudi Arabia and the kingdoms Gulf Arab allies.

The Guard also asked Pakistan to take action to secure its side of the border.

Later Tuesday, Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Guards ground forces, called for a joint Iranian-Pakistani operation against those behind the abductions. He said Pakistani side needs to assume more responsibility in this regard.

Iranian state TV said the attack happened close to a Pakistani border guard station.

The paramilitary Guard answers directly to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In September, militants disguised as soldiers opened fire on a military parade in Irans oil-rich southwestern city of Ahvaz, killing 24 people and wounding over 60. Khamenei blamed Riyadh and Abu Dhabi for the attack, allegations denied by both countries.

Arab separatists in the region claimed responsibility for the attack, as did the Islamic State group.

Read more about:ESQUIPULAS, GUATEMALAU.S. President Donald Trump threatened Tuesday to cut aid to Honduras if it doesnt stop a caravan of some 2,000 migrants, even as they resumed their northward trek through Guatemala with hopes of reaching the U.S. border.

Despite having walked the entire previous day, with swollen, blistered and aching feet, the group was up shortly after sunrise after sleeping on the ground in their clothes.

Dozens attended Mass at the Basilica in the city of Esquipulas, just across the border from Honduras and about 90 miles (150 kilometres) east of Guatemala City, to receive a blessing, before continuing the journey escorted by Guatemalan police.

The groups numbers have snowballed since some 160 migrants departed Friday from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, with many people joining spontaneously carrying just a few belongings. A Guatemalan priest estimated that more than 2,000 had been fed at three shelters run by the Roman Catholic Church.

Three weeks before midterm elections in the United States, the caravan elicited a tough response from Trump.

The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately, Trump tweeted.

However, the Central American nations ability to do anything at this point appeared limited as the migrants had already crossed into Guatemala on Monday, twice pushing past outnumbered police sent to stop them  first at the border and then at a roadblock outside Esquipulas.

Trump did not follow through on a similar threat to the Central American nation in April over an earlier caravan, which eventually petered out.

There was no immediate public response from the Honduran government. In late September, in a speech at the U.N. General Assembly, President Juan Orlando Hernandez defended migrants, criticizing their treatment in detention centres and the separation of children from their families  without explicitly naming the United States.

Migration is a human right, Hernandez said. For centuries human beings have moved and emigrated and have contributed to the social and economic development of the nations that have taken them in, in search of better opportunities. We in Honduras and the Central American region are not an exception.

Meanwhile, Mexicos immigration authority sent out a fresh warning late Monday that only those who meet entry requirements would be allowed into the country and each migrant would have to satisfy Mexican migration agents. Hondurans need visas to visit Mexico in most cases.

Still, it remains unclear if Mexico and other governments in the region  many of whose own people are migrants  would have the political will to physically halt the determined border-crossers, who are fleeing widespread poverty and violence in one of the worlds most murderous countries.

In Honduras there are no jobs, and the jobs that do exist arent enough to live on, said Jose Francisco Hernandez, a 32-year-old from Copan state in western Honduras. We cant go to the city because it is full of gang members, and that is hurting us. We decided to migrate from the country to see if we can find a better life.

Carlos Reyes, 20, said he was attacked a week ago for being gay and dressing in womens clothing.

Some men were going to kill me. ... They wanted to kill me for who I am, Reyes said.

The migrants hope that travelling en masse affords them protection from robbery, assault and other dangers that plague the journey north.

Many carried only a few belongings in backpacks and bottles of water. Some pushed strollers or carried toddlers on their shoulders.

On Monday night they bedded down wherever they could, some on the grass in a church parking lot and others on the floors of a migrant shelter and a sports hall.

Few carried food and some Esquipulas residents began to organize to help feed them. Some migrants asked for money, while others were handed bread as they passed a local bakery.

Last week, U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence urged leaders in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to persuade their citizens to stay home and avoid the long, risky journey to the United States.

On Tuesday, Pence tweeted that he had spoken with Hernandez, the Honduran president.

Delivered strong message from @POTUS: no more aid if caravan is not stopped. Told him U.S. will not tolerate this blatant disregard for our border & sovereignty.

But the threat of ending aid to an unpopular government seemed unlikely to dissuade the migrants, some of whom expressed displeasure with Hernandez.

Gabriela Natareno, 27, who was travelling with her 16-year-old cousin, said her president is to blame for continued migration by desperate Hondurans.

He keeps the country mired in poverty and corruption, she said.JOHANNESBURGThe U.S. military on Tuesday announced its deadliest airstrike against the al-Shabab extremist group in Somalia in nearly a year, killing about 60 fighters.

The U.S. Africa Command said Fridays airstrike occurred near the community of Harardere in Mudug province in the central part of the country. According to its assessment no civilians were injured or killed, the statement said.

It was the largest U.S. airstrike since one on Nov. 21, 2017, killed about 100 al-Shabab fighters. The statement gave no further details about what was targeted in this latest strike and the U.S. Africa Command did not immediately respond to questions.

The U.S. military has carried out more than two dozen airstrikes, including drone strikes, this year against the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab, the deadliest Islamic extremist group in sub-Saharan Africa.

Somalia on Sunday marked the first anniversary of al-Shababs deadliest attack, a truck bombing in Mogadishu that killed well over 500 people. It was one of the worlds deadliest attacks since 9-11 and the worst extremist attack ever in Africa.

The United States, which also has targeted a small number of fighters linked to the Islamic State group in northern Somalia, has increased its military presence in the long-chaotic Horn of Africa nation since early 2017 to about 500 personnel after U.S. President Donald Trump approved expanded military operations.

Read more:

Al-Shabab, which seeks to establish an Islamic state in Somalia, continues to hold parts of the countrys south and central regions after being chased out of Mogadishu several years ago. The group, estimated at several thousands of fighters, still carries out deadly attacks against high-profile targets such as hotels and checkpoints in the capital and other cities. It also remains a threat in parts of neighbouring Kenya.

While some observers have questioned the effectiveness of airstrikes by the U.S. and Kenya and raised concerns about civilians being killed, the U.S. military maintains that they reduce al-Shababs ability to plot future attacks, disrupt its leadership networks and degrade its freedom of manoeuvr within the region.

Somali forces in the next few years are expected to take over responsibility for the countrys security from an African Union peacekeeping force, which already has started withdrawing hundreds of personnel.

The U.S. says it continues to support that transfer even as some U.S. military officials have joined AU officials and others in expressing concern that Somalias forces are not yet ready.A group of Greek experts have been working with their Chinese counterparts to preserve over 170 dinosaur footprints found in northwestern Beijing's Yanqing UNESCO Global Geopark, from Oct. 12 to 16.

"This is our second phase of work here," said Dr. Ilias Valiakos, UNESCO global geopark evaluator and vice director for Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest of Greece. He and his colleagues previously worked in Yanqing in May.

On that occasion, his team from the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest of Greece started to clean the surface of the fossils on the slope and apply a special reagent to prevent weather damage, especially brought about by the rainy summer, and make them more visible to visitors.

"As we can see now, the methodology stood the rain test and proves effective," said Valiakos happily. This time, his team are completing the preservation work, during which they spotted several new dinosaur footprints on the 35-meter-high slope.

The footprints, first detected in Yanqing in 2011, are believed to have been left by dinosaurs living some 140 to 150 million years ago in the late Jurassic Period.

"Greece leads the world in fossil preservation and the exchange of knowhow and learning from their expertise help us improve our endeavor," said Zeng Guangge, a technical staff member in charge of preservation with the Yanqing geopark. "More importantly, we get to know and master the technology by working with these Greek experts, which is good for our future work as the preservation is an arduous, regular project."

Zeng said close cooperation and communication between the Yanqing and Lesvos UNESCO global geoparks had been enhanced since they signed an agreement in 2015 to include personnel training, people-to-people exchange and joint operation.

Besides guiding the field preservation, Valiakos had another job this time, of giving a lesson to local pupils in Yanqing on Oct. 15, to popularize geo-knowledge and explain the importance of protecting and conserving the dinosaur footprints and petrified plant fossils in their hometown.

"Only in this way can the geo-heritage be passed on from generation to generation," he said.

Valiakos and his team will visit Yanqing again next April to further promote the preservation project. "We will see what the treated-footprints will be like after the dry winter," he told China.org.cn.Turkey has audio of Saudi writers slaying, newspaper says, Oct. 14

For those who have ever wondered what the price of press freedom is, we now have some answers.

According to U.S. President Donald Trump, cancelling the $110 billion in arms deals with Saudi Arabia over the apparent Saudi assassination of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi just isnt worth the job losses.

In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he will not reconsider the $15-billion sale of armoured personnel carriers to Saudi Arabia.

The political pressure each leader feels to halt pending sales simply underscores the long-standing unsuitability of the Saudis as an arms client of Western governments.

The Saudis represent the opposite of our values  especially those relating to press freedom  and better governments want our goods. Arm them instead.

Brian Alexander, Mississauga

Canada and the United States are complicit in the alleged murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, other investigative journalists and political dissidents.

Trump and Trudeau are hypocrites! Both refuse to denounce or sanction Saudi Arabia, including its criminal crown princes.

As usual, war is peace. Orwell was right.

Don Weitz, Toronto

Read more about:Ontarios auditor general says she found it odd top staff and directors at two electricity agencies got comprehensive legal protection for implementing the previously Liberal governments 25 per cent hydro rate cut.

Bonnie Lysyk told a legislative committee Monday she was surprised to find details of the legal indemnity in the bottom of a box of documents turned over to her office for an audit of the controversial Fair Hydro Plan.

Lysyks 2017 audit found accounting and financing for the plan was questionable and will result in up to $4 billion more in interest costs over 30 years because the Liberal government was trying to keep $39.4 billion in borrowing off the provinces books.

We were not aware of the legal protection, she said Monday as Premier Doug Fords committee investigating Ontarios $15 billion deficit  which he has called the worst political cover-up in Ontarios history  began hearing witness testimony.

Lysyk did not provide details of the protections provided.

During almost five hours of questions from Progressive Conservative and New Democrat MPPs, Lysyk said she had never before seen a legal arrangement like the one made for Ontario Power Generation and the Independent Electricity System Operator.

It doesnt mean it doesnt exist out there.

Ford struck the committee this fall after a commission he appointed upon taking power in June determined this years deficit has ballooned to $15 billion from former premier Kathleen Wynnes pre-election estimate of $6.7 billion.

The $8.3 billion difference between the estimates includes Liberal spending  such as improved child care  that Ford has scrapped.

Well have more to say about that in the fall economic statement, Finance Minister Vic Fedeli said Monday.

For all the political fanfare around the committee, with Conservatives vowing to discover how money was wasted and New Democrats warning it could degenerate into a show trial, Mondays session was mostly a dry recitation of Lysyks previously known concerns about the Liberal governments accounting for hydro and pension assets.

She did say, however, that if she were a private sector auditor and had a client who repeatedly would not listen to her concerns about meeting proper accounting standards, she would have fired the client.

Private sector auditors can quit. We cant quit.

She resisted two attempts from Conservative MPP Ross Romano (Sault Ste. Marie) to call accounting for the hydro discount plan a shell game.

I dont want to use the word, Lysyk said.

The committee does not have any Liberal members because the party has only seven seats  one shy of the number needed for official party status.

Interim Liberal leader John Fraser said Monday he did not expect much from Lysyks testimony given her disagreements with the former government were widely reported over the last couple of years.

Everythings been pretty well hashed out again and again.

The committee has ordered emails and documents from Wynne, three of her cabinet ministers, top aides and bureaucrats by Oct. 25.

Read more about:VANCOUVERAs housing continues to hound the Burnaby election race ahead of Saturdays municipal vote, the developer of a 42-storey Metrotown condominium highrise has denied its pressuring tenants to leave their homes before the proposed tower is even approved.

Anthem Properties confirmed to StarMetro it has hired a company that specializes in tenant relocation specialists, and that it is offering help to the 92 tenants who call a low-rise home  in both advice and money  if they move out early.

Its a really hard situation, said Siwar Ben Anes, a resident of a Maywood Street apartment who has so far been unable to find a new home in her familys budget. To be honest, this is a new thing for me, Ive never faced this situation before.

Im not happy to move; I dont know if well be able to find another place. Weve looked at many apartments already but we found theyre all too expensive for us  $1,500 or even up to $1,600  compared to our old rent, $900 a month, thats why its so stressful.

The 25-year-old recounted moving into the building more than two years ago, where her husband has lived since around 2013, when she arrived from Tunisia.

Now, since receiving a letter from the buildings new owners earlier this year and attending an April meeting explaining the plans to demolish the building, the couple are worried about finding a place for them and their nearly two-year-old daughter that is close enough to the English classes, childrens programs, and local neighbourhood house that shes come to rely on regularly.

This situation is going to be difficult  we empathize with the tenants, said Rob Blackwell, senior vice-president of development with Vancouver-based Anthem Properties. It is a really tight rental market, and moving, even under regular circumstances, is stressful and takes time and effort.

The more time you allow it to happen, the easier that process is  Starting early in the process allows us to take advantage of time to relocate people and allow (them) to see what their options are, as opposed to doing it at the last minute and rushing it.

To that end, Blackwell said Anthem has contracted the firm LPA Development and Marketing Consultants, which liaises with tenants including handling what the company has offered: multiple months rent proportional to how long a tenant has been in the building, additional money for movers, and staff to help fill out rental applications, B.C. Housing forms, and other services.

Blackwell said that roughly 60 per cent of Ben Anes renters have already taken up the offer, and that its completely voluntary and available even for those who may decline assistance or refuse to vacate before any eviction notice is officially delivered.

Thats not how some tenants or local renters advocates see it, according to a report released Monday by the low-income advocacy group ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now).

The pressure to vacate willingly  instead of being evicted later  is just one more symptom of Burnabys self-made housing crisis, the member-based organization said.

The report said that 769 rental units lost to developments in Burnaby since 2011, and another 893 units are currently in the process of what ACORN called demoviction, or evicting tenants by demolishing and re-developing their properties. Blackwell denied that Anthem has issued eviction notices to tenants there, but was simply informing them of the plans and timeline early.

On Monday, a letter posted in the 4241 Maywood St. building lobby, and provided to StarMetro, said: Due to the fact the Council Hearing had to be rescheduled, your current eviction date is no longer Feb. 29, 2019  Depending on the outcome of the hearing, this may push back or cancel the date you officially received on your notice to end tenancy.

In an email to StarMetro, ACORN organizer Murray Martin said communications with tenants have created the misleading appearance that tenants are being legally evicted.

In fact, he noted, the building hasnt been approved for re-development  or even passed its third reading at City Hall. And instead of smoothing the moving process, ACORN argued the process is pressuring tenants to sign a deal, essentially forcing them to move out early.

ACORNs report took aim at the long-ruling Burnaby Citizens Association council, which is currently fighting an election campaign thats seen rivals repeatedly criticize the evictions and developments at Metrotown.

At a time when most municipalities are developing policies that will build affordable housing, the BCA policy of mass demoviction in Burnaby is destroying the citys supply of affordable housing, the report said,  leaving much of the Metrotown areas affordable housing stock vacant during an unprecedented housing crisis.

But BCA city councillor Colleen Jordan said in fact the city has listened to tenants and advocates concerns over the re-development of the Metrotown area  and has implemented new rules earmarking dedicated zoning for new rental units, and ensuring evicted tenants have a chance to move back into completed buildings. Thats why the city postponed Anthems required next public hearing.

Before, they were saying we didnt give them enough notice, she said in a phone interview. You just cant please some people.

Those developments will be subject to a (rental) replacement policy when they come back to us, whenever we get the rental zoning in place. Any current renters will be given the notice that they will have to vacate  but they will be entitled to come back to the new building.

For Anthem, the project already planned a second, three-storey building to offer rental units operated by a non-profit society, and has vowed to also encourage more affordable rental in addition. The firm also disputed ACORNs claim that the existing units are rent-controlled, stating they are simply market units with allowable annual rent increases.

And bringing in relocation specialists is, Blackwell countered, the opposite of forcing anyone to move.

We thought having a third party that specialized in this would be a better course, he said. One of the reasons we picked them is their track record of never leaving a tenant behind, and approaching the difficult task of relocating tenants in an ethical way  really working with everybody on a one-on-one basis.

According to Ben Anes, what hope she had that tenants could rally to save their homes faded when she discovered much of her building was already vacant.

If we the tenants are together, maybe we could have hoped to solve this problem, she said. But when we found so many apartments around us are empty, now were just hoping to find another place in an area like this: one thats safe, calm, with the programs and services we need.

Wed have to start from the beginning.VANCOUVERVancouvers dwindling west side versus its booming downtown could play a key role in the citys unusual election race, says urban planner Andy Yan.

Yan has analyzed population growth and decline among residents who are eligible to vote across the citys neighbourhoods. Using data from the 2016 census, he found that the downtown and West End grew by a combined 70 per cent between 2006 and 2016  or 18,765 voting-age people  meaning the downtown core now comprises 17.2 per cent of voters in the city.

Meanwhile, the voting-age population has dropped in Vancouvers high-priced west side. Between 2006 and 2016, the number of voters dropped by 15 per cent in Shaughnessy, which has stately multimillion-dollar mansions on large lots. The voting-age population fell by 6 to 8 per cent in Point Grey, Dunbar, Arbutus Ridge and Kerrisdale, which means the area now only makes up 10.6 per cent of the voting population.

Read more:

B.C. government-approved pot store to open Wednesday, province expects more to follow

Vancouvers mayoral race remains crowded as final week of campaign begins

Vote-buying allegations in Metro Vancouver elections could lead to erosion of trust, racist backlash, experts say

Other hot spots for voting growth include Vancouvers Mount Pleasant, with 47 per cent growth in voters, and the citys east side, where the voting population grew by 4 to 15 per cent over the past 10 years.

The combined voting-age population in Mount Pleasant, Fraserview and Kitsilano  higher-density areas located directly across from downtown  now make up a combined 19 per cent of the citys voters.

Yan quipped that Vancouverites can blame DAD for the change.

Its demographics, affordability and development  DAD  that creates the foundation of the electoral landscape that is Vancouver right now, and how much thats changed in the last 10 years, he said.

You have the special characteristics of each party: The NPA has focused on the west side of the city, while COPE and the Greens have focused more on the east side. Knowing where the people are, why it changed, its emphasizing the importance of energizing their individual bases.

Some parties may be doing that by saying theyll rip out bike lanes (a promise made by Coalition Vancouvers Wai Young), or by calling for a rent freeze and increased taxes on the rich (the Coalition of Progressive Electors).

In contrast to the usual two-party contest, Vancouvers upcoming election is packed with independent candidates and new parties on both the right and the left.

Vancouvers venerable Non-Partisan Association, traditionally a party that has gleaned support from businesses and west-side homeowners, has opted to stick with a conservative housing message that emphasizes slow growth in single-family neighbourhoods. The partys mayoral candidate, Ken Sim, lives in Arbutus Ridge.

Meanwhile, Hector Bremner, a city councillor who started out with the NPA but has since formed his own party, Yes Vancouver, is running on a platform of boosting density in every neighbourhood. Bremner lives downtown, in what Yan calls one of the power centres of electoral Vancouver.

Shauna Sylvester, who is trying to attract left-wing voters to her independent campaign for mayor, lives in the West End, while her rival, Kennedy Stewart, lives in Yaletown.

Stewarts housing platform is very similar to Vision Vancouvers, the centre-left party that has held power for the past decade but is now struggling. Many voters blame it for being too cosy with developers and not reacting quickly enough to the housing crisis.

2006 is the beginning of the Vision era, Yan noted. At the end of the Vision era, its a much different city than in 2006.

Voter turnout from a 2017 byelection shows that the west side still voted heavily for the NPA, but downtown was up for grabs  with voters split between the Greens, left-leaning OneCity, independent Jean Swanson (now running for COPE) and the NPA. East-side voters were more likely to vote for Swanson, the Greens or OneCity, according to data analyzed by Yan.

Demographic change can shape elections, said Mario Canseco, president of polling firm Research Co. The 2015 federal election is an example, when younger voters were drawn to Justin Trudeau, whose campaign promised electoral reform, action on climate change and cannabis legalization.

But, he warned, theres a catch: Those younger voters have to actually show up to vote, and parties need to find ways to motivate voters.

This (analysis) gives you a baseline of where the voters are living in the city, and its up to each candidate how you energize that vote, Yan added.

Read more about:VANCOUVERWhen Jennifer Bradshaw and Danny Park went to an advance polling station on Sunday to vote, they were met by cheers from the election workers.

Thats because Park, 27, voted for the first time since getting his Canadian citizenship only two weeks ago.

But hes waiting for the election results before celebrating.

Everyone else seemed excited, but for me it was hard to be, because I realized the potential consequences of this election could impact my life, said Park in an interview Tuesday.

Park and Bradshaw, 31, who describe themselves as a young tech professional couple, are concerned about rising rental costs and keen to see the city move in a direction that prioritizes affordability for young people.

The difference between this election and previous ones, was that Park finally felt like he could weigh in on the issues that affect his life.

I did feel pretty good about myself in the sense that I did have a say in this election, he said.

Park arrived in Canada 18 years ago, and his mom started trying to get citizenship for herself and her two children eight years later.

But the process proved difficult.

Being a single mother who was trying to learn English and work full time, I think it was difficult for her to do anything outside of that, Park said.

Without the money required to hire a professional to help them navigate the process, Parks familys application was denied the first time. After saving up money to try again, Park and his sister reached adulthood and had to restart the citizenship application on their own.

Bradshaw, who posted a picture of herself and Park after voting, said she hoped seeing the young pair engaged  even after having overcome the barriers that Park had  would encourage other young people to get out and vote.

I was really proud of him and I personally was quite excited, Bradshaw said.

I think that young people, and poor people, everyone has barriers to voting. Some people are really disillusioned with democracy, she said. I would say, try to get over that apathy.

City council passed a motion last spring to petition the province to allow permanent residents to vote in its municipal elections. Advance voting for municipal elections across Metro Vancouver ends October 17.

Read more about:You are here: China

Zhang Yang, a former member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and former head of the CMC Political Work Department, was expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) for multiple violations.

The property involved in Zhang's case will be confiscated in accordance with laws and disciplines, said a military statement released Tuesday.

The CMC had previously decided to expel Zhang from the military and strip him of his rank of general, it said.

Zhang committed suicide at his home in Beijing on Nov. 23, 2017, after authorities launched an investigation into his links to two corrupt former senior military figures Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou.EDWARDSVILLE  A witness Tuesday in the jury trial of an Alton double murder positively identified a defendant as the man who sprayed bullets around a public housing kitchen, killing both victims.

Terrion Williams, of Alton, identified defendant Vincent Gordon, 35, of the 900 block of Easton Street, who is representing himself in a case that could result in a mandatory life sentence. He was out on parole when the shooting occurred and reportedly bragged to others how he had slipped his ankle bracelet monitoring system.

Williams said Gordon was not known to the other people present at the scene, but one of the men who was at the apartment, 3156 Lawn St., in Alton Acres invited him there to play cards.

He said there was an argument, but the exchange was not heated.

He got up, drew a weapon, shot up the whole kitchen, the witness said. One victim tried to leave but was shot in the back; another tried to stop the shooting but took a bullet to the face, Assistant States Attorney Crystal Uhe told the jury in her opening statement.

For no reason at all, he pulled a 9mm handgun and sprayed six shots across the kitchen, Uhe said.

He ran out of bullets. He said, Look what you made me do, Williams testified. He said the three others in the kitchen were drinking but were not on drugs and were not armed. He said there was a woman in another room in the apartment, along with several children.

Williams said police performed gunshot residue tests on him and collected other evidence, which eliminated him as a suspect. He said he did not call police because he was taking care of Derrick Vaughn, one of the victims, Williams cousin.

Gordon, was charged May 23 with four counts of first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and escape. He has been held in lieu of $5 million bail. If convicted, he faces a mandatory life sentence because there were two alleged murders.

Uhe said that the evidence against Gordon is overwhelming. In addition to the direct testimony of Williams and others who who saw him leaving, authorities obtained a security camera recording of a license plate that was issued to Gordon. She said, once police obtained information about the shooting, they surrounded his house and found Gordon hiding in a back bedroom closet, Uhe said.

When he was interviewed, Gordon allegedly initially denied any knowledge of the case. Then, when confronted with evidence, he admitted he was at Alton acres but did not get out of the car. Further along in the interview, he said he just went in to the apartment and said, hi, then left. When confronted with further potential evidence, he admitted he heard gunshots as he was walking out the door. Uhe said a crime lab expert will testify that all the shots came from the same gun.

Gordon, giving an opening statement on his own behalf, said he is not guilty. I never owned a firearm, he said. He said he never went in the home, but he was in the car the whole time.

Gordon was out on parole as a result of a July 17, 2015, shooting at The C&M Lounge in Venice. He and his younger brother Vontarious Gordon, were charged with aggravated battery with a firearm. Vincent Gordon pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections in the Venice shooting.

Gordon also has convictions for robbery, probation violation and reckless homicide.EDWARDSVILLE  Southern Illinois University Edwardsvilles Tiana Clark, MFA, assistant professor in the Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing program, will read from her new collection of poems, I Cant Talk About the Trees Without the Blood, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24 in SIUEs Cougar Store.

Her book of poetry was awarded the prestigious Agnes Lynch Starett Prize for Poetry from the University of Pittsburgh Press. The collection includes approximately 40 poems that address themes of race and identity.ALTON - John A. Hammond, 38, of the first block of Manor Drive, Alton, was charged Monday with aggravated battery and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

He allegedly struck a police officer Sunday, causing the officer to fall. He was also accused of possessing less than 15 grams of hydrocodone. Bail was set at $40,000.ST. LOUIS  Edward Jones associates raised a record $6.7 million for United Way of Greater St. Louiss community campaign, representing the largest single workplace campaign in the region. Last year, the firm raised more than $6.1 million. United Way is just over halfway to its $76 million campaign goal, having raised $40 million since the campaign officially launched in early September.

We are so grateful for Edward Jones Managing Partner Jim Weddle, his leadership team and all of Edward Jones associates for the continued support of our community through United Way, noted Orv Kimbrough, president and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis. Each year, they exemplify the generosity and caring spirit of the St. Louis region.GRAFTON  Grafton Chamber of Commerce is hosting Towboat Days, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Nov. 4, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will take place at Grafton Harbor Marina.

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour Luhr Brothers most pristine working towboat, the Twyla Luhr. Mike Coyle, captain of the Twyla, will greet you at the Helm and his crew will personally give you a guided tour throughout the towboat. The cost of the tours will be $3 for adults and $1 for children.More than 70 Jacksonville students were sent home from school Monday after their parents or guardians failed to turn in their updated immunization records to the district.

Monday was the exclusion date for students without up-to-date immunization records and physicals on file for the state. Students sent home will be excluded from school until their records are received.

Jacksonville School District 117 saw about 2 percent of its students excluded, said Mike McGiles, director of operations.

We have students that were sent home and are bringing them right back in, so that number keeps going down, McGiles said.

The district had sent home several reminders to parents of students who had not turned in their required forms before the exclusion date.

While last years numbers were not available, the exclusion numbers at Jacksonville High School were about average, McGiles said. He could not speak to the other numbers.

Two percent is a good percentage to me, and thatll go down within the coming days, McGiles said.

Most of the time, it is just a case of the parents forgetting, he said.

In the Waverly district, there were fewer than 10 students who had not submitted their records by Monday.

Superintendent Dustin Day said the district has received most of its immunization records and had only seven or eight stragglers on Monday.

Day said Waverly also sent home reminders and has offered assistance in finding places for parents to take children for the required immunizations and physicals.

Sometimes its just a matter of forgetting, Day said. Sometimes it can be challenging for parents to get their child in to get the immunizations. We try to assist with those needs.

McGiles said the exclusion date is a way to ensure that students health is protected.

This helps to keep students safe and healthy, McGiles said.

Immunizations are a parents choice, but having all students immunized helps to cut down on the spread of viruses in schools, Day said.

Schools are a lot like a Petri dish, he said. We try our best to keep things as hygienic as possible, but with sharing equipment and spaces, schools are a breeding ground for bacteria.

Neither McGiles nor Day has had any cases of parents refusing to immunize their students because of religious beliefs.

Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1233, or on Twitter @JCNews_samantha.EDWARDSVILLE  A pro-gun rights rally has been set for Oct. 25 at the Madison County Courthouse.

Part of the reason for the rally is to garner support for the gun sanctuary referendum on the Nov. 6 ballot.

The rally is set for 3:30 p.m. and is sponsored by The Madison County Friends of the Second Amendment.

Our Second Amendment rights in Illinois have faced many attacks in recent years, County Board Member Don Moore, R-Troy, and chairman of the group, said. It is important that elected leaders know that the Second Amendment has strong support in Madison County. We want to send a message to Springfield and Chicago that we support the Second Amendment and that laws that infringe on those rights should be stopped.

He noted Monday that unlike other similar rallies, supporters are being told to leave their firearms at home, in part because the event is being held on county property.

There will be several speakers, and pro-Second Amendment groups will have representatives at the rally.

After the rally, supporters will meet at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199 at 5 p.m.

In June, the County Board approved placing a referendum on the ballot making Madison County a sanctuary county for gun owners.

The stakes are too high for gun owners to sit at home and not vote in this election, James Futrell, County Board member from East Alton, who led the effort to get the referendum on the ballot, stated. We need to come together to support this event and remind voters to turn out and vote Yes on the referendum.

The referendum reads Shall Madison County become a sanctuary county for law abiding gun owners to protect them from unconstitutional gun laws passed by the Illinois General Assembly?

The vote approving the referendum split along party lines, with several Democrats questioning both the need for and the wording of the referendum.

Proponents said the referendum both sends a message to the Illinois General Assembly and the northern part of the state, and gives people a chance to speak up on the matter. However, as a practical matter it will be largely symbolic.

It will not carry the force of law, Board Member Ray Wesley, R-Godfrey, said at the time. It will simply ask the peoples opinion. I want to hear what the people have to say.

Others were critical.

Ann Gorman, D-Edwardsville, said at the time that she had significant concerns about both the wording of the resolution and the Pandoras Box it would open.

Bruce Malone, D-Alton, said he did not want to take anybodys guns, but that the resolution raised questions about the separation of powers, saying it is the role of the courts to decide what is unconstitutional.

It violates basic principles on what our country is founded on, he said.

In general the question of gun control is split more along geographical lines than party lines, with most state politicians south of Chicago and the Collar Counties supporting gun rights.

Several dozen counties statewide have approved becoming sanctuary counties.

For information about the rally contact Moore at 703-362-4626, Futrell at 618-304-7953 or Derrick Keith Cox at 618-210-1469.

Reach reporter Scott Cousins at 618-208-6447.Southern Illinois University Edwardsvilles Tiana Clark, MFA, assistant professor in the Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing program, will read from her new collection of poems, I Cant Talk About the Trees Without the Blood, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24 in SIUEs Cougar Store.

Her book of poetry was awarded the prestigious Agnes Lynch Starett Prize for Poetry from the University of Pittsburgh Press. The collection includes approximately 40 poems that address themes of race and identity.

This will be my first public reading at SIUE! Clark exclaimed. Im excited and eager to share my work with the incredible faculty and students, and surrounding community members.

In this book, I delve into personal and public histories, explicating memories and muses around race, elegy, family and faith by making and breaking received forms as well as probing mythology, literary history, my own ancestry, and, yes, even Rihanna, she added.

Clark was the 2017-18 Jay C. and Ruth Halls Poetry Fellow at the Wisconsin Institute of Creative Writing. She is the author of Equilibrium, selected by Afaa Michael Weaver for the 2016 Frost Place Chapbook Competition. She is the winner of the 2017 Furious Flowers Gwendolyn Brooks Centennial Poetry Prize, 2016 Academy of American Poets University Prize and 2015 Rattle Poetry Prize.

For more information or to order a copy of I Cant Talk About the Trees Without the Blood, visit Amazon.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high quality, affordable education that prepares them for successful careers and lives of purpose to shape a changing world. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi Rivers rich bottomland and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis, the SIUE campus is home to a diverse student body of more than 13,000.Im a fan of movies that are so bad theyre actually quite enjoyable on a camp level.

Any film directed by the legendary Ed Wood, especially Glen or Glenda? and Plan 9 From Outer Space, is infinitely funnier than any sitcom broadcast on television. Robot Monster, a 1953 science fiction laughfest, was shot on such a low budget that the costume of the actor who played the title creature consisted of just a gorilla suit and space helmet.

Ive read some reviews of a new movie that sounds not merely bad but godawful bad. Ill skip seeing it, however, because the movies subject matter is anything but campy and enjoyable. In fact, its content is equal parts disgusting and horrifying.

According to Harriet Sherwood in The Guardian, More than 1,000 US cinemas are screening The Trump Prophecy, which posits that God chose the philandering billionaire to restore Americas moral values.

My first thought upon reading the preceding sentence was that such a synopsis makes the plots of Plan 9 From Outer Space and Robot Monster seem quite plausible by comparison. The remainder of Sherwoods article served to confirm such a conclusion.

The Trump Prophecy tells the story of one Mark Taylor, a former fireman from Orlando, who was forced to retire due to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Taylor received a divine revelation from God himself on April 28, 2011 while surfing TV channels. When he landed on a station where Trump was being interviewed, Taylor heard God say, You are hearing the voice of the next president.

Singularly impressed, Taylor wrote a book titled The Trump Prophecies: The Astonishing True Story of the Man Who Saw Tomorrowand What He Says Is Coming Next. I found it interesting that Taylors book predicting Trumps surprise victory in 2016 wasnt published until 2017, when Trump had already taken office.

According to Sherwood, Taylor has made other claims, which he calls prophetic words, including that Trump will serve two terms and the landmark supreme court ruling on abortion in the Roe v Wade case will be overturned. Taylor has also predicted that Barack Obama will be charged with treason and Trump will authorize the arrest of thousands of corrupt officials, many of whom are part of a massive satanic pedophile ring. And as though that werent enough, Trump will also force the release of cures for cancer and Alzheimers that are currently being withheld by the pharmaceutical industry.

This isnt the first time a claim has been made that Trump is Gods personal choice to serve as the president of the United States. Franklin Graham in a 2017 interview stated that Trump while running for president did everything wrong, politically. He offended gays. He offended women. He offended the military. He offended black people. He offended the Hispanic people. He offended everybody. And he became president of the United States. Only God could do that.

Graham maintains that God made Trump our president. Such a claim defames God. Trump-supporting Christian evangelicals such as Graham are surely familiar with the New Testament declaration, Beloved, let us love one another: for God is love.He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love (I John: 4: 7-8). The only real love Trump exhibited during his presidential campaign was for himself.

Hate fueled Trumps quest for the presidency. He blatantly appealed to the worst traits of Americans and 62 million of us voted for him. Graham thinks the fact that such a person achieved the presidency is an indication of Gods favor. I find it impossible to believe that a God who is love would elevate such a hatemonger to our nations highest office.

John J. Dunphy is the author of From Christmas to Twelfth Night in Southern Illinois and Abolitionism and the Civil War in Southwestern Illinois. He owns The Second Reading Book Shop in Alton.The Supervisory Financial Analyst (SFA) is responsible for managing,supervising, guiding and mentoring a team of seven Financial Analysts (FAs) inthe Office of Financial Management, USAID/Uganda. In addition, the SFA providesleadership and long term strategic planning to facilitate the work of FAs inproviding a full range of financial management and advisory services in supportof USAID/Uganda Development Objective (DO) teams; including; reviews offinancial terms and conditions on project agreements, contracts, grantagreements and other instruments for compliance with applicable rules,regulations, and procedures relating to accounting and fund controls;participating as key members of the technical/DO teams throughout the ProgramCycle in activities such as periodic portfolio and/or project implementationreviews, procurement planning exercises. The SFA supports the implementation ofkey USAID initiatives like promoting the Administrators goal of supporting ourhost country and local non-governmental partners on the journey toself-reliance. The SFA leads the performance of various types of audits,financial reviews, pre-award surveys, close out reviews, special assessments asrequested, public financial management risk assessments, capacity building activities,etc. The SFA is also responsible for ensuring compliance with USAID auditrequirements for all contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements; preparesand executes the annual audit management plan. Finally, the SFA manages theannual review of the Missions internal control systems as required by theFederal Managers Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA); and participates in theassessment of partner country public financial management and procurementsystems. The SFA reports to the Controller, and acts as a back up to the DeputyController/Chief Accountant in his/her absence.Mercy Corps is anInternational NGO that exists to alleviate poverty and oppression by helpingpeople build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps has beenfully registered in Uganda as an operational NGO. Currently Mercy Corps has anoffice in Kampala and is implementing Food Security programs which comprise ofWater and Sanitation, Livelihood and Agriculture and Conflict MitigationManagement Program in North and North Eastern Uganda. We implement programs inthe northern districts of Pader, Kitgum, Agago, Lamwo, Kaabong, Abim and Kotidowith funding from USAID, USDA, Walmart Foundation, SDC, DFID as well as otherprivate donations.As the #MeToo movement gathers steam in India, the latest celebrity to be named is Malayalam actor Alencier Ley Lopez. Actress Divya Gopinath, who featured in Aabhaasam, has accused Alencier of sexually harassing her on the sets of the film. She had earlier posted an anonymous account on the blog India Protests in which she wrote she was a 'woman actor who does not wish to be named for she is a beginner, unmarried, independent by choice and a woman struggling to prove her identity even to near and dear ones (sic)'. On Tuesday, however, she went public on Facebook Live.

In an emotionally-charged video, she talks about the struggles of a woman who pursues her passion. She also opens up about how difficult it is to discuss sexual harassment with family and dear ones. Divya said though she is willing to forgive Alencier, it is the realisation that the state award winning actor has harassed other women, that prompted her to name him. Divya said that though she initially chose to remain anonymous, the hurtful comments against her blog post had pushed her to revealing her identity. It is now clear, she was referring to the sets of the movie Aabhaasam, starring Rima Kallingal, Alencier, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Indrans, Naasar, among others. The film was directed by debutante Jubith Namradath.

In the blog, she recounted an incident from the set. He [Alencier] walked right into my room with a woman co-actor and advised me about the freedom of an artist and the importance of knowing ones body. He insulted me for being so weak irrespective of my theatre background. My instincts asked me to throw him out of the room. But I decided to go with the flow, due to his seniority and the presence of a co-actor.

The same day, while shoot was on, he kept staring at me and some other girls in the set and every time he caught me by the eye, he showed me faces and rolled his tongue in all possible dirty manner of a sexually frustrated man, she wrote.

Recalling another instance, she wrote about how Alencier barged into her room and 'crept' into bed with her, while her roommate was in the bathroom. Feeling a strange presence, I woke up shocked. This man is lying so close to me and is asking are you sleeping? I jumped up. But he caught me by hand and pulled me back saying lie down for some more time. I shouted at him with all my might and even my roommate heard me in the bathroom.

Claiming that he was joking, Alencier quickly left the room before the roommate re-entered. They reported the incidents to the director, who tried to confront Alencier, who was offended. The way he chose to avenge was awful and very unprofessional. He messed up with shots and continuity, came drunk on set, abused co-actors and what not, she wrote. I know there are more women in the same film and other films who have lot more stories to share about the real Alencier.The adage that failures can teach many lessons seems quite...It has been almost two weeks since actor Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of sexual harassment on the sets of a film ten years ago and also called out on the director and producer who asked her to give in to Patekar's demand. She opened the proverbial Pandora's box with her allegations, and since then, actors and other cine artists have come out with allegations of sexual harassment against Kailash Kher, Subhash Ghai and Sajid Khan. The movement also entered the media circles, with former journalist and Union minister M.J. Akbar, Times of India Hyderabad editor K. Sreenivas and Hindustan Times chief of bureau and political editor Prashant Jha being accused.

In some of these cases, people have been 'ousted' or have 'stepped away'. Tanmay Bhat, founder of AIB, stepped down on account of inaction against Utsav Chakraborty, who is part of the company and who was accused of sexual misconduct. TOI editor K. Sreenivas is away on administrative leave after accusations surfaced against him. Women directors in Bollywood like Zoya Akhtar, Gauri Shinde, Konkona Sensharma, Nandita Das, Reema Kagti, Alankrita Sharma, Kiran Rao and Meghna Gulzar have come forward and vowed never to work again with those proven guilty of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct, which included a slew of names including Sajid Khan, Nana Patekar, Alok Nath, Subhash Ghai, Rajat Kapoor, Anu Malik, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Vikas Bahl and Varun Grover.

But in some other cases, organisations where the accused men work, or employers of the women who have undergone harassment, have not addressed the issue in an adequate manner. In the case of M.J. Akbara Union minister now, no lessnine women, if not fewer, have accused him of sexual misconduct at the workplace. Why is his immediate superior Sushma Swaraj and Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintaining a stoic silence and not demanding any sort of explanation from him?

Take Mollywood, for instance. Actor Dileep was arrested on the charge of being the key conspirator in the abduction and molestation of a female actor in a moving car. Association for Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) had, at the time of Dileep's arrest, terminated his membership. Exactly a year later, he was reinstated. The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) slammed the AMMA for their decision to reinstate the actor. They also went on to say that the industry is not a safe place to talk about incidents of sexual misconduct or harassment.





Meanwhile, Malayalam actors Mukesh and Alencier have also been accused of sexual harassment. The question remainswill associations like AMMA ever be able to provide a safe environment for women to come out and speak? Especially against those in power? Will women be able to do so without fearing victim-shaming? A CEO of an ad agency was accused by at least five women in his organisation of sexual misconduct, inappropriate behaviour and conversations laced with innuendo. And now, not only are the screenshots accusing this man missing from the online space, but the CEO has done a turnaround and announced that he would sue the female employees for defamation.

Union Minister M.J. Akbar, too, has sued journalist Priya Ramani, one of the first to come out with an accusation against him, with 97 lawyers from a law firm representing him. He also went on to say that the allegations count for nothing as 'nothing happened' as stated by Ramani and some other survivors. " If I didn't do anything, where and what is the story? There is no story, he said in a statement. For a woman, conducting interviews in hotel rooms, asking her to sit next to you on a bed and singing romantic songs, can be extremely discomfiting.

The fact that a slew of allegations have surfaced now is proof enough that these women did not feel it was safe to come out and speak against someone in power while the incident took place. The onus lies with the organisation where such incidents take place; to provide women, however marginal they may be, a safe and sound environment wherein they can voice their concerns without being shamed.

The workplace largely has been a male-dominated domain. This has been true especially in the 80s and a large part of the 90s. Even in 2017, according to reports, the percentage of women in the labour force was 28.5 per cent. And in a work environment dominated by males, it is difficult for women to voice certain concerns including fatigue during periods or pregnancy for fear of being seen as incompetent.

It is high time that organisations step upreview their policies on sexual harassment, pull up any employee who misbehaves with their female employees, which includes persistently inviting them for 'dates' despite refusal from the woman's part and seemingly casual inquiry into a woman's sex life. Organisations need to identify instances of probable misbehaviour, especially from those in senior positions. Women are especially scared of speaking up against men in authority. What seems like casual flirtation to the male eye, may not seem so to the woman. Conversations laced with innuendo should be a clear no-no. It should be made clear by the HR and management that such behaviour will not be tolerated and a thorough investigation will be done no matter how big or small the offence may be. Guarantee should be given that the survivor will not be shamed in any manner and anonymity will be provided to the survivor for as long as she or he wishes.Retired Professor G.D. Agarwal died recently after fasting for 111 days for saving river Ganga from pollution.

I, too, am attached to the Ganga in the sense that I spent most of my life in Allahabad, and had countless dips in the Sangam. I have bathed there in many Kumbha Melas and Magh Melas. I have read the account of Lord Rama's visit to the ashram of Rishi Bharadwaj at Prayag in Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas, and of Emperor Harshavardhan's Kannauj and Prayag assemblies, which were witnessed by the Chinese pilgrim Huien Tsang.

I have travelled to Haridwar and Rishikesh many times, and gone upto Gangotri, where it is said Ganga descended from the sky due to the tapasya of Rishi Bhagirath (because of which it is also called Bhagirathi) and landed on the jata of Lord Shiva.

Nevertheless, I do not regard the Ganga as holy, just as I do not regard cow as holy or gomata.

I, too, would like the Ganga water to be pure, but then I am not selective. All Indian rivers should be clean, not just the Ganga.

According to the National Green Tribunal, over Rs 7,000 crores has already been spent on cleaning the Ganga, but it remains as polluted as before. When I visited Varanasi I was informed that 30 sewages discharge their filth into it. And in my home town Allahabad, where Hindus come from far off places to bathe in the Sangam, the river water is heavily polluted. Industrial effluents are discharged into the river everywhere with impunity, for example, by tanneries in the Kanpur-Unnao industrial belt, despite the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

In 1986, the then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi set up a Ganga Action Plan, headed by a senior IAS officer, and huge funds were placed at its disposal. In 2009, the National River Ganga Basin Authority was created, and in July 2014, shortly after the BJP government came to power, the Namami Gange (I worship the Ganga) project was initiated and a mammoth Rs 20,000 crores was allocated to it to be spent over five years.

Though not said so expressly, the underlying thought behind all this was that Ganga is not just the largest river in India, but also a 'holy' river, and therefore must be saved.

But many other Indian rivers are also regarded holy by people. Many people regard the Narmada, which originates at Amarkantak, as holy. Some regard the Sabarmati, where Gandhiji had his ashram, as holy. Others regard the Godavari, the Krishna, the Mahanadi, the Kaveri, the Brahmaputra or the Shipra as holy. Several other smaller rivers like Sarayu, Ghaghra, Betwa and Chambal may also be regarded as holy by some. So why then should huge funds be not allotted to them also for keeping them clean?

I suggest that regarding rivers, animals etc as holy is silly. I have never heard the Americans calling the Mississippi, or the English calling the Thames, or the Chinese calling the Huang Ho or Yang Tse Kiang, holy. In fact, it displays a feudal, backward mindset which must be eschewed, and instead scientific thinking adopted, if the country is to progress.

Justice Markandey Katju retired from the Supreme Court in 2011.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.Photo taken on Oct. 10, 2018 shows the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. [Photo/Xinhua]





Washington Post columnist and noted critic of the current government of Saudi Arabia, Jamal Khashoggi, was seen entering the Saudi consulate in Turkey, on Oct. 2 and no one has seen or heard from him since.

Turkish police claim he was murdered and his body chopped to pieces and smuggled out in a car, which sounds as gruesome as it is intended to be. While no accusations can ever be taken at face value, there's no question that something happened to the American citizen, and Saudi Arabia was possibly behind that.

The consulate's security cameras were turned off, evidence removed, and Saudi Arabia has simply refused to offer any explanation, especially since Turkey has asked it to provide evidence Khashoggi left the building he was definitely seen entering.

"Consulate officials cannot save themselves by saying that he left the building," President Recept Tayyip Erdogan was reported to have told the BBC, adding that if the journalist did indeed leave the building, there must be some footage somewhere.

This, fits a pattern and has resulted in a shock across the West. Mr. Khashoggi was not a dissident, but a journalist who was critical of the new Crown Prince, known in the West as a reformer. However, he was afraid for his life, and fled the Kingdom for the West.

This also reminds us of Russia being accused of seeking to murder dissidents in the United Kingdom, with the use of toxic and radioactive chemicals and poisons. However, this raises uncomfortable questions. This also comes immediately after a string of high-profile murders of journalists across the EU, including in Bulgaria, Malta and Slovakia.





The Saudi Crown Prince came to prominence as a reformer. He arguably was planning to diversify the economy, and open up roles and jobs for women in the ultra-conservative Kingdom, including allowing women to drive cars. In return, he was aided by a massive PR campaign by the enormously powerful Saudi lobby in Washington DC, including full page profiles in mainstream newspapers, and fawning praise by paid columnists.

In fact, President Donald Trump's son-in-law is supposed to be a close friend of the Prince. That in turn helped U.S. with its anti-Iran narrative in the Middle East, as any adversary of Iran is by definition an ally of the United States.

However, it poses long-term questions about global politics and the liberal world order. Imagine any other country doing what the Saudis are accused of in their embassy. It is unthinkable that Russia, or Venezuela or Iran would go and do this without there being calls for retribution, sanctions, or even a declaration of war.

For a country claiming to be the home of democracy and rule of law and minority rights, and one that supposedly condemns autocracy, America seems to be behaving very differently in its treatment of Saudi Arabia. And that certainly reeks of a double standard.

There is certainly serious antagonism against Saudi Arabia even within the United States. Saudis are viewed by a strong bipartisan population as the biggest purveyors of Salafi jihadism and are considered a nuisance even within the strategic community.

From research by think tanks like the CATO Institute, to research papers in the journal Foreign Affairs, two points are clear: the U.S. doesn't need Saudi oil, as America is an energy-producing country itself; meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is using the U.S. to continue pursuing regional hegemony against Iran and there's no reason for the Americans to support it.

Saudi bombing of Yemen has also caused consternation in the global human rights movement. Saudi influence in Washington is extremely high, and these issues are not gaining sufficient traction due to Saudi lobbying efforts.

However, if the U.S. desires to continue being called the leader of the liberal rule-based order, the time to show it is now, by reining in Saudi Arabia. After all, kidnapping and murdering a journalist in an embassy is the most heinous way to break all rules of civility and diplomacy.

Sumantra Maitra is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SumantraMaitra.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.China has backed Prime Minister Imran Khan's "New Pakistan" initiative and said the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects being undertaken in the country will play an important role in Pakistan's economic development.

China's Minister of International Development Song Tao met Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday and assured Beijing's support to Pakistan at all regional and international fora.

He also assured Khan of China's support in his agenda of poverty alleviation, fight against corruption and agricultural development, an official statement said on Tuesday.

The $60 billion CPEC is the flagship venture of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a pet project of Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at enhancing Beijing's influence around the world through China-funded infrastructure projects.

India has opposed the CPEC project and protested to China as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

"He (Song Tao) termed CPEC as a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, which would make significant contributions towards building a New Pakistan," the statement said.

Underscoring the importance attached by the leadership and people of China to Pakistan-China relations, Song said exchanges between political parties would help in sharing ideas to achieve common and shared development.

During the meeting, Khan said that the "all weather friendship" between Pakistan and China held particular significance to the people of Pakistan.

Khan will embark on his first visit to China on November 3 during which he is expected to meet President Xi and other top leaders and discuss ways to boost defence ties as well as the controversy-hit CPEC projects.

Pakistan has recently slashed the Chinese investment in railways by $2 billion citing a huge burden of loans.

"This (visit) would provide an opportunity to underscore the importance of the 'all weather strategic cooperative partnership' between the two countries," Khan was quoted as saying.

Describing President Xi as "a great statesman", he said the people of Pakistan has great admiration for him.

"President Xi Jinping's terming of this friendship as that of 'iron brothers' reflects an undeniable reality," Khan said.

"This (visit) would provide an opportunity to underscore the importance of the 'all weather strategic cooperative partnership' between the two countries," he added.

Khan added that Pakistan would like to learn from Chinese experience in poverty alleviation, fighting corruption and agriculture development through sharing expertise, technology and best practices in the sector.

The China International Import Expo would provide an opportunity to the two sides to look into export possibilities from Pakistan to China, he said.

Hailing the growing relations between his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and the Communist Party of China (CPC), the prime minister emphasised on further enhancing the ties through exchange of delegations and sharing of ideas.

Song also met senior civil and military leaders.Prime Minister Scott Morrison Tuesday indicated that he is open to the idea of shifting Australia's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognising the holy city as Israel's capital.



Morrison said he was "open-minded" about moving the embassy while insisting that he remains committed to a two-state solution.



His statement came 10 months after US President Donald Trump in a controversial move said the US would recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.



The new US embassy in Jerusalem was opened in May despite widespread protests by Palestinians about the decision.



Morrison said it was suggested to him by Indian-origin former Australian ambassador to Israel, Dave Sharma, who is a candidate for the prime minister's conservative Liberal Party in a crucial by-election this week.



"The government will carefully examine the arguments put forward by Australia's former Ambassador to Israel, Dave Sharma, that we should consider recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, without prejudice to its final boundaries, while acknowledging East Jerusalem as the expected capital of a future Palestinian state," he said.



"Specifically, the government will examine the merits of moving Australias embassy to West Jerusalem, in the context of our support for a two-state solution. Any decision will be subject to a rigorous assessment of the potential impact of such a move on our broader national interests," he addded.



He said in view of Australias increased engagement with Israel on defence and security matters, the Government will appoint a resident Australian Defence Attache in Tel Aviv and has invited Israel to appoint its own resident Defence Attache in Canberra.



"The Government will review, without prejudice, Australia's approach to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), to determine whether our current policy settings remain fit for purpose. The review will reassess whether the Plan remains the best vehicle to address the international communitys concerns about Irans nuclear ambitions. The

Government aims to finalise and announce the findings of this review by December this year," he said.



Morrison also announced that Australia would vote against a United Nations resolution this week to recognise the Palestinian Authority as the chair of the Group of 77 developing countries.



However, he confirmed Australia remained committed to finding a two-state solution to Israels conflict with the Palestinians.



Meanwhile, Indonesia, which is a strong supporter of a Palestinian state, raised concerns which could derail the ongoing trade deal with Australia.



A Palestinian delegation to Australia also warned against the relocation and in a statement a representative Izzat Abdulhadi, said it as "short-term political gain" that would be "outweighed by the detriment both to Australia's international standing".



"Breaking with decades-long bipartisan support and defying international law and multiple UN resolutions would make Australia an international pariah on this important foreign-policy issue," Abdulhadi said.

A federal judge rejected porn actor Stormy Daniels defamation suit against US President Donald Trump. Daniels had filed the lawsuit earlier this year after the president claimed on Twitter that the adult film actress had invented threats to silence her over her claims the pair slept together more than a decade ago.

A separate lawsuit against the president linked to $130,000 in hush money she was paid by Trump's lawyer shortly before the November 2016 presidential election to keep quiet about an alleged affair still stands.

"The Court agrees with Mr Trump's argument because the tweet in question constitutes 'rhetorical hyperbole' normally associated with politics and public discourse in the United States," Otero wrote in his ruling.

"The First Amendment (of the US Constitution) protects this type of rhetorical statement." Trump's lawyer Charles Harder called the ruling a "total victory for President Trump and total defeat for Stormy Daniels." Otero ruled that the billionaire Trump is entitled to have his lawyers' fees paid as part of the ruling. The amount will be determined later, Harder said.

Daniels' lawyer Michael Avenattiwho has strongly suggested he is ready to take on Trump in the 2020 electionslater posted on his Twitter account a notice of appeal with the Ninth Circuit court.

Daniels sued after Trump tweeted in April about her release of a sketch of a man she said warned her in a Las Vegas parking lot not to talk about their tryst.

"A sketch years later about a nonexistent man," Trump tweeted. "A total con job, playing the Fake News Media for Fools (but they know it!)," Trump tweeted.

The president's former longtime lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty in August to campaign finance violations in the form of hush payments during the 2016 campaign to two women who alleged they had affairs with Trump. He said he had paid them at Trump's request.

Although Cohen did not name the women, they were believed to be Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal.Frankfurt Am Main, Oct 16 (AFP) Volkswagen said Tuesday its subsidiary Audi would not contest an 800-million-euro (USD 927 million) fine issued by German prosecutors over "deviations from regulatory requirements" in diesel engines.

"Audi AG has accepted the fine" investigators levied for "deviations from regulatory requirements in certain V6 and V8 diesel aggregates and diesel vehicles", the group said in a statement, adding that "the fine will directly affect Volkswagen AG's financial earnings" for 2018. (AFP) MRJ

MRJChandigarh, Oct 16 (PTI) The Haryana government Tuesday said a pharma park will be established over 100 acres of land in Karnal.

Also, the state's Industries and Commerce Minister Vipul Goel said that Haryana Pharmaceutical Policy 2018 is being framed to facilitate pharmaceutical companies in the state. The minister was speaking at an event 'Stakeholder Consultation for Formulation of Pharma Policy, Haryana', here on Tuesday.

Representatives of various pharmaceutical companies of Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and other states attended the meeting organised by the Haryana Industries and Commerce Department, a state government release said.

Urging all stakeholders to invest in the pharmaceutical sector in Haryana, Goel said the pharma park would be established over 100 acres.

He said special concessions and rebates would be given to those setting up their companies in the pharmaceutical sector in Haryana.

Investment of about Rs 3,000 crore is expected to be made in this pharma park which would provide employment to about 33,000 persons, he said.

Goel said the aim of the state government to frame Haryana Pharmaceutical Policy 2018 is to simplify the working of pharma companies and provide maximum employment to youth in the state.

He said that Haryana is a leading state in terms of ensuring industrial development, developing industrial eco-system and providing facilities to the investors.

The Minister said that in 2015, when the Government of India had launched ranking for ease of doing business, Haryana was at 14th position.

"As a result of the measures taken by the present state government, now the State has reached at third position in terms of Ease of Doing Business, and a target has been set to reach the top in a short period," he added. PTI SUN MKJ Flash

The number of Chinese tourists to Cambodia during the first eight months of 2018 had exceeded the full-year 2017's record, said a Cambodian Tourism Ministry's report released on Monday.





More than 1.27 million Chinese tourists had visited Cambodia during the January-August period this year, up 72 percent over the same period last year, the report said, adding that China is the biggest source of foreign tourists to Cambodia, accounting for 32.4 percent of the international arrivals to the kingdom.





In the entirety of 2017, the Southeast Asian nation received 1.21 million Chinese holidaymakers.





Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon has said that the country is expected to attract at least 1.7 million Chinese tourists in 2018 and up to 2.5 million in 2020.





He attributed the remarkable increase in Chinese tourists to Cambodia to close ties, rise in Chinese middle class, Cambodia's attractive tourism sites, and increasing direct flights between the two countries.





According to the report, Cambodia welcomed almost 3.95 million international tourists during the first eight months of this year, up 11.7 percent over the same period last year.





The country is famous for three world heritage sites, namely the Angkor archeological park in northwestern Siem Reap province, the Preah Vihear temple in northwestern Preah Vihear province, and the Sambor Prei Kuk archeological site in central Kampong Thom province.





Besides, it has a pristine coastline stretching 450 km in four southwestern provinces of Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot and Kep.





Last year, Cambodia received 5.6 million foreign tourists, earning gross revenue of $3.6 billion, which contributed about 13 percent to the country's GDP (gross domestic product).



New Delhi, Oct 16 (PTI) Following are the top foreign stories at 2000 hours:



FGN28 CHINA-MUSLIMS-XINJIANG

China justifies re-education camps in Xinjiang; says it prevented terror attacks

Beijing: Amid global criticism, China on Tuesday justified its controversial move to keep thousands of Uygur Muslims in "vocational training institutions" in the volatile Xinjiang region, insisting that its stringent measures have prevented terror attacks in the province in the last 21 months. By K J M Varma



FGN23 CHINA-LD GENERALS China's Communist party expels 2 former generals

Beijing: China's ruling Communist Party expelled two top former Generals, including one who committed suicide following allegations of corruption, and referred the graft case of the second general who served as the People's Liberation Army chief to a military court for trial, state media reported Tuesday. By K J M Varma



FGN26 SAUDI-POMPEO-LD PROBE

Saudis agree need for 'thorough' probe into missing writer, US says

Riyadh: US top diplomat Mike Pompeo met Tuesday with Saudi King Salman and the crown prince seeking to defuse a crisis over missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, with American officials saying Riyadh had agreed the need for a "thorough" probe. (AFP)



FGN24 UK-HATECRIME

Britain records surge in religious hate crime: Home Office data

London: Britain has witnessed a surge in the incidents of religious hate crime over the past few years, mostly aimed at Muslims, according to official figures released Tuesday. By Aditi Khanna



FGN20 PAK-COURT-EXECUTION

Pak court dismisses petition seeking public hanging of serial killer

Lahore: A serial killer will be executed inside a jail on Wednesday after a Pakistani court on Tuesday dismissed a petition for his public hanging filed by the father of a seven-year-old girl, who was raped and murdered by the convict. By M Zulqernain



FGN17 AUS-LD ISRAEL

Australia considering to shift its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem: PM

Melbourne: Prime Minister Scott Morrison Tuesday indicated that he is open to the idea of shifting Australia's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognising the holy city as Israel's capital. By Natasha Chaku



FGN16 CHINA-PAKISTAN-CPEC

China says more projects planned under CPEC

Beijing: China said on Tuesday there will be more projects planned under the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor amid the concern over piling up of debt by Pakistan prompting it to approach the IMF for a bailout package. By K J M Varma



FGN15 PAK-SHAHBAZ

Court extends Shahbaz's remand by 14 days in Rs 1,400 cr housing scam

Lahore: A Pakistani court on Tuesday extended the remand of PML-N chief and opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif by 14 days in the Rs 1,400 crore housing scam. By M Zulqernain



FGN6 US-CHINA-LD MATTIS

US remains highly concerned with continued militarisation of South China Sea: Mattis

Washington: The US remains highly concerned with China's continued militarisation in the disputed South China Sea and its "predatory economic behaviour", Defence Secretary James Mattis has said. By Lalit K Jha

PTI AMS

AMSWashington, Oct 16 (AFP) US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and been assured that a "full" probe into the disappearance of a critical journalist was underway.

"Just spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia who totally denied any knowledge of what took place in their Turkish Consulate," Trump tweeted.

He "told me that he has already started, and will rapidly expand, a full and complete investigation into this matter. Answers will be forthcoming shortly." The disappearance and suspected murder of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has embarrassed Mohammed and strained relations with Washington. AFP NSA

NSAWashington, Oct 16 (PTI) US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Saudi Arabia has started a full investigation into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who hasn't been seen since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago.

Soon after talking with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over phone, Trump in a tweet said that answers related to Khashoggi's disappearance would be forthcoming shortly.

"Just spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia who totally denied any knowledge of what took place in their Turkish Consulate, Trump said.

Trump tweeted that the Saudi Crown Prince "told me that he has already started, and will rapidly expand, a full and complete investigation into this matter. Answers will be forthcoming shortly.

Khashoggi, a dissident Saudi journalist, who wrote for The Washington Post and lived in US as legal permanent resident was last seen entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Turkish investigative agencies have said that he was brutally killed inside the consulate. They claim to have audio and video evidence of it.

So far Saudi Arabia has denied the allegations and said that Khashoggi left the consulate. Some US media reports said that Saudi Arabia is planning to come out with a repot in which it is expected to say that the interrogation of Khashoggi went wrong and was killed in the process.

Trump, under tremendous pressure from lawmakers, has warned of severe punishment. However, he has pushed back again any effort to cancel the mega USD 110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia asserting that such a move will hurt US economy and jobs.

Earlier, Trump said that "I have no financial interests in Saudi Arabia"  but in fact he has boasted in the past that "I make a lot of money with them."

Trump's attempt to distance himself from profiting from Saudi Arabia is undercut by a long record showing deals his companies made with that country's government and citizens, media reports said. PTI LKJ NSA

NSANew Delhi, Oct 15 (PTI) In the first such initiative, India and China came together Monday to provide assistance to Afghanistan through a joint training programme for Afghan diplomats.

The Joint India-China Training Programme for Afghan diplomats,from October 15-26, began Monday as part of an understanding reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan.

Ten Afghan diplomats started training at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) here after an event where statements by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi were read out by the diplomats of the two countries.

China's Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui, in his remarks at the inauguration of the programme, said such a 'China-India Plus' cooperation should be extended from Afghanistan to other countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Iran and Myanmar.

Describing India as a "regional major power", he said China and India can also join hands under the mechanisms of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and BangladeshChinaIndia Myanmar Forum for Regional Cooperation (BCIM), to promote regional peace, stability and prosperity.

"Both of us (China and India) support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process. Both of us uphold that Afghanistan should realise peace, stability and prosperity. Both of us are against terrorism.

"We are talking a lot about the regional connectivity initiatives, such as International North-South Transport Corridor, India-Afghanistan-Iran transit and trade arrangement and China-Pakistan-Afghanistan cooperation. All of these have provided a solid foundation for the current and future cooperation between China and India in Afghanistan," he said.

Noting that the training programme is the first step for the 'China-India Plus' cooperation in Afghanistan, the Chinese envoy said this was just the beginning.

Swaraj, in her statement that was read out by FSI Dean Ambassador J S Mukul, said the seeds for joint cooperation in Afghanistan were sown at the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi when they met in Wuhan in April 2018.

"Today, we see it blooming with the initiation of this training programme. This marks the beginning of what we visualise as a long term trilateral partnership for the benefit of Afghanistan," Swaraj was quoted as saying.

India is committed to partner Afghanistan in its efforts to emerge as a united, peaceful, secure, stable, inclusive and economically vibrant nation, she said.

Talking about India's New Development Partnership with Afghanistan, she said it aspires to bring prosperity to all 34 provinces of Afghanistan through high impact community development projects.

"Guided by the vision of 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas', the Indian government has embarked on an ambitious development partnership programme with commitment of over USD 3 billion," Swaraj said.

There were four broad pillars of the programme -- building infrastructure, developing human resource, enhancing connectivity, and promoting trade and investment links, she said, noting that the India-Afghanistan friendship dam in Herat, Parliament building in Kabul, and operationalisation of the Chabahar port were prominent symbols of this partnership.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang, in his statement read out by the Chinese ambassador, said the launch of the programme marks an important step forward as it reflects the closer coordination and cooperation between two countries on regional affairs and represents a positive development in Sino-India relations.

"China and India have been active supporters of Afghanistan's peace, and reconstruction process. This Joint Capacity Building Programme is an essential part of the international efforts to assist Afghanistan and marks the start of China-India-Afghanistan cooperation.

"It is a testament to the joint aspiration and endeavour of China and India, both being major, responsible developing countries, to contribute to regional peace and stability," Wang said.

The Chinese envoy, in his remarks, also said that President Xi and Prime Minister Modi will meet on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Argentina next month.

Luo also Chinese state counsellor and Foreign Minister Wang will visit India in December to launch the first India-China high level people to people exchanges mechanism.

At the end of this week, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi will visit India, he said, observing that China-India relations were now on a fast track. PTI ASK ASK ANB

ANBPanaji (Goa), Oct 16 (PTI) BJP president Amit Shah will meet in Delhi Wednesday the leaders of the key constituents of his party-led coalition government in Goa to discuss the political situation in the coastal state, a minister said on a day two Congress MLAs resigned and were set to join the saffron party.

Besides Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief Vijai Sardesai, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) leader Sudin Dhavalikar will participate in the meeting.

In a setback to the Congress, two of its 16 MLAs in the coastal state -- Dayanand Sopte and Subhash Shirodkar -- resigned as members of the House as also from the primary membership of the party Tuesday. Both of them are set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Town and Country Planning Minister Sardesai had Monday said, "With or without Manohar Parrikar as the chief minister, the state government should complete its term."

Sopte and Shirodkar, who went to Delhi Monday night, met Shah Tuesday, before sending their letters of resignation by fax.

"Leaders of the alliance partners have been invited to Delhi tomorrow to discuss the current political situation with BJP national president Amit Shah," Sardesai said Tuesday.

Referring to the development, he said the Congress was becoming more and more irrelevant in Goa.

"While trying to pull down the state government, the Congress has destabilised itself," Sardesai added.

In the 40-member Goa Assembly, the Parrikar government enjoys the support of 23 MLAs, including 14 of the BJP, three each from the GFP and MGP and three Independent legislators.

The resignations of Sopte and Shirodkar have brought down the strength of the Congress, hitherto the single-largest party in Goa, from 16 to 14 MLAs, which is equivalent to the number of lawmakers of the ruling BJP.

Chief Minister Parrikar is away from office for long due to ill health, triggering speculation over the stability of his coalition government.

The Congress had demanded a floor test in the Assembly, claiming that the state government had become rudderless and was in disarray.

Shah has already ruled out a change of guard in Goa. PTI RPS NSK RCPatna, Oct 16 (PTI) Posters proclaiming a "reward" of Rs 5 crore to whoever came up with the names of 35 airports supposedly built during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, besides the "truth" of the Rafale deal, were seen at some places here in the Bihar capital Tuesday.

The posters were put up by local Congress leaders Siddharth Kshatriya and Benkatesh Raman, whose images figured prominently on those, besides that of party chief Rahul Gandhi and a sketch of Modi.

The posters that described the "offer" as "Puja Dhamaka" -- a reference to the ongoing Durga Puja festival -- also carried a newspaper clipping, wherein Modi had claimed that only 65 airports were built in the 67 years before he came to power as against the 35 since he took charge in 2014.

Responding to the development, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi told reporters, "Perhaps the only man who can win the prize of Rs 5 crore is Rahul Gandhi himself."

"We wonder what truth is being sought. Everybody knows the truth about the Rafale deal. The Centre as well as the French government have repeatedly placed the facts on record and the misleading allegations of Gandhi stand exposed," he said.

The deputy chief minister, however, did not make any comment on the "35 airports" claim, which has been scoffed at by many opposition leaders and which has also invited derision on the social media.

A number of articles have appeared in newspapers, magazines and web portals, debunking the claim made by the prime minister while inaugurating the first airport of Sikkim at Pakyong last month.

Meanwhile, a Bihar Congress leader on the condition of anonymity said, "Raman and Kshatriya are not BPCC (Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee) office-bearers and, as such, it would not be correct to say that these posters have been put up by the Congress.

"We, however, do not disagree with the line taken in the posters. The Congress has been at the forefront, blowing the whistle over what appears to be massive corruption in the Rafale deal. The party has also called Modi's bluff regarding airports. Many of the 35 that have been inaugurated during his regime were almost complete before he came to power."

Kshatriya had caused a flutter last month when he put up a poster, wherein Gandhi and BPCC president Madan Mohan Jha were described as "Brahmins", All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Bihar Shaktisinh Gohil was labelled "Rajput" and other prominent leaders were identified by their respective castes.

Although the Congress had distanced itself from the posters, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of the BJP, came out with a riposte in the form of posters, wherein top party leaders were uniformly described as "Bharatiya" (Indian). PTI NAC SNS RCNew Delhi, Oct 16 (PTI) The Congress Tuesday accused the BJP of "murdering democracy" and democratic traditions in Goa after two of its MLAs quit and joined the ruling party in the state.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari also accused the BJP of misusing the official machinery and probe agencies to break other parties, and claimed similar things have also happened in some other states.

"What has happened in Goa now and what has happened in other states before, clearly shows that the BJP has killed democracy and democratic traditions. It continues to do so by misusing the official machinery and probe agencies in an attempt to break other parties," he told reporters.

Tewari said, "The government is misusing the official machinery and this is a perfect example of how to run a government by creating an atmosphere of terror, fear and intimidation."

Two Congress MLAs from Goa, including a former state party chief, joined the BJP Tuesday, dealing a blow to the opposition party in a state where the saffron party-led alliance government enjoys a thin majority.

Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte, both of whom have resigned from the assembly, met Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah at his residence in the national capital and were later inducted into the party at a press conference addressed by Union minister Piyush Goyal.

Goyal described Shirodkar, a six-time MLA and former state Congress president, and Sopte, a two-term legislator, as leaders of high stature and popular among the masses, adding that their presence in the BJP would boost its state government's development agenda.

Goa BJP leaders Vishwajit Rane, a minister in the Parrikar government, and Shripad Naik, an MP from the state and a Union minister, were also present at the press conference, with Rane claiming that the Congress in the state is "heading towards a vertical split" due to its MLAs' lack of faith in the leadership of the party's national president Rahul Gandhi.

Rane, who had quit the Congress to join the BJP after the assembly polls in 2017, is seen as one of the contenders for the top post in case the ruling party looks for Parrikar's replacement.

He is believed to have played a key role in winning over the two leaders. PTI SKC SKC ANB

ANBNew Delhi, Oct 16 (PTI) A 34-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly running a fake job racket and duping people on the pretext of appointing them as Anganwadi workers, the police said Tuesday.

The police identified the arrested accused as Rajesh Kumar Gautam and said he has duped thousands of job seekers on the pretext of giving them Aanganwadi jobs.

The police had launched the probe into the racket on a complaint by the Women and Child Development Ministry.

The police said the ministry had lodged the complaint on the basis of a video by Neo World Tech, advertising a training programme and direct recruitment for the jobs of supervisors, teacher 'sahayika' and workers in Anganwadi.

In the video, the speaker had mentioned the website of Child Development Education Organisation for applying for the training programme, the police said, adding the video footage also assured the applicants of getting the job after the training.

The police, during its probe found that the accused was receiving online payments, tracked it to Gautam and arrested him.

Upon investigation, it was found that Gautam has cheated thousands of job seekers on the pretext of providing training and assured job in Anganwadis. PTI UZM UZM RAX

RAXNew Delhi, Oct 16 (PTI) Two persons were arrested for allegedly attempting to supply drugs worth more than Rs 100 crore in the international market, police said Tuesday.

The accused have been identified as Sayeed Khan (62), a resident of Devas, Madhya Pradesh, and Ghanshyam (46), a resident of Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh.

Khan used to transport heroin concealed in tea packets coming from Assam, they added.

According to the police, this is a "Golden Triangle" (Myanmar, Laos, Thailand) based inter-state gang, an emerging drugs supplier in the Indian subcontinent.

On Saturday, the police had received information that Khan would come near a CNG pump to supply a huge consignment of drugs to one of his Delhi-based contacts.

At around 1 pm on Saturday, a trap was laid and Khan, who came in a truck, was apprehended. Twenty five kgs of fine-quality heroin, worth over Rs 100 crore in the international market, were recovered from the truck, the police said.

During interrogation, Khan revealed that the heroin was delivered to him by one Zameer, a resident of Manipur, on the directions of Ghanshyam and Raju, residents of Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, the police said.

Later, a team was sent to Mandsaur and Ghanshyam was apprehended. Ghanshyam, the kingpin of the gang, revealed that he, along with Nilesh Alotiya and others, used to finance the consignment of heroin from north-eastern states, they said.

The accused disclosed that the suppliers used to collect raw material from the hilly areas adjoining the Manipur-Myanmar border to prepare heroin, the police added.

Khan disclosed that he used to go to the remote areas of Manipur and Assam to receive the consignments of heroin from Zameer, they said.

In another incident, a 24-year-old alleged Ganja supplier was arrested from the Uttam Nagar area here, the police said.

The accused was identified as Bharat Kumar, a resident of JJ Colony, Raghubir Nagar, they added.

At around 12.10 am on the intervening night of October 10 and 11, a police team was patrolling in the Uttam Nagar area, when it spotted the man with a bag.

On the basis of suspicion, the police apprehended him and recovered 5 kg of Ganja, they said. PTI NIT UZM

RC Flash

China and the Netherlands on Monday appealed for global efforts to promote free trade and safeguard multilateralism in order to tackle the common challenges confronting the world.

In a joint press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in The Hague, visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that the two countries will cement consensus and work together with all sides to boost free trade and further improve the multilateral trading system against the backdrop of growing uncertainties.

"Free trade is not a rejection of fair trade," Li said. "Without free trade, there is no fair trade; while without fair trade, free trade will not gain sustainable development."

As for multilateralism, Li said, it does not mean disrespect for country-to-country relations, but a promotion to the democratization of international politics.

Li reiterated China's determination to be more open to the world, saying that his country will continue to expand its markets for Dutch investments in such areas as agriculture and services.

Answering a question on a recent China-Germany agreement over the building of a chemical production site in China, Li said China's new policy to further open up its basic manufacturing sector by removing foreign ownership restrictions is applicable to all.

"The policy is not just for some specific companies of some specific countries," he said, adding that some European enterprises are among the first that benefit from the policy.

China will further liberalize its financial services market and expand market access in manufacturing and services industries, Li told the press.

He said he hopes that companies from all over the world can seize the opportunities brought by the new round of reform and opening up in China so as to achieve win-win results and common development.

Under the current circumstances, Li said China and the Netherlands need to open markets wider to each other, deepen cooperation in traditional industries including agriculture and energy, and seek new cooperation in such fields as hi-tech manufacturing and services.

During their talks, the two leaders agreed to further enhance cooperation between their countries against climate change, population ageing and other global challenges.

China is willing to discuss with the Netherlands to open its senior service industry, Li said.

For his part, Rutte urged all big countries to work collectively on an open, fair and multilateral trading system, saying that the Netherlands and China will make joint efforts to cope with global challenges.

"Free and fair trade is about not only how we can share the cake, it is also about how we can make the cake bigger," Rutte said.

Speaking highly of the two countries' fruitful cooperation in various areas and joint efforts in dealing with challenges such as climate change, Rutte said the Netherlands will work with China to further promote bilateral ties and cooperation.

Li is on an official visit to the European country. During his three-day stay, he will also meet with Dutch King Willem-Alexander as well as parliamentary leaders. The premier is also set to visit a hi-tech exhibition and address a business forum in The Hague.

The visit to the Netherlands is Li's first as Chinese premier and also the first by a Chinese premier in 14 years.The boss of tainted Grant Thornton has quit  just days after the firm was slammed for missing a 40million black hole at Patisserie Valerie.

Sacha Romanovitchs resignation is unexpected and comes days after she vowed to stay on at the accountancy group.

The 41-year-old has been at the centre of a power struggle in the partnership, which saw colleagues leak her annual performance review to the media.

Shock: Sacha Romanovitchs resignation comes days after she vowed to stay on at the accountancy group

Grant Thornton itself has been repeatedly criticised as the audit industry faces accusations of sloppy practice and conflicts of interest.

The firm is in the firing line over the near-collapse of cake chain Patisserie Valerie, whose finance director Chris Marsh has been arrested on suspicion of fraud following the discovery of a shock 40million funding shortfall.

Grant Thornton  which has audited parent firm Patisserie Holdings since 2006 and pocketed up to 600,000 in fees in the last four years alone  could face legal action for failing to spot the problems.

The business said that Romanovitch has decided not to seek a second four-year term as chief executive after consultation with its board.

It means she will not run for re-election in a vote by Grant Thorntons 200 partners, and instead will stay on only until a successor is found by the end of the year.

Chairman Ed Warner said: The board has agreed that a new chief executive is the logical next step to create long-term sustainable profits for the firm. The announcement follows a wrangle over the direction of the business.

Romanovitch  the only female boss of a large British accountant  put noses out of joint with a bid to turn the company into a shared enterprise in which all 4,500 staff had a stake.

She also stopped competing with rivals such as KPMG and PwC for contracts with the biggest listed companies.

A poison pen letter sent to national newspapers  allegedly backed by 15 partners  accused Romanovitch of pursuing a socialist agenda and included a copy of her performance review.

But less than two weeks ago she said she would face down the critics and keep her job.

And colleagues claimed the Oxford educated boss was likely to run for re-election unopposed.

In a defiant interview early this month, Romanovitch had said: Fundamentally, do I think Im the right person to lead this firm now? Yes.

Do I think theres unfinished business, in terms of delivering what I set out to achieve? Absolutely.

Announcing her resignation yesterday, she said: Following discussions with Grant Thorntons board, we have agreed that the time is right for a new chief executive to take the firm forward.

It has been a privilege and an honour to lead this Firm. I am proud of what we have achieved in the market, with our people and with our clients, breaking the mould in so many ways.Britain's top companies are handing bosses obscene rewards while turning a deaf ear to protests from shareholders, a Mail investigation reveals today.

We examined the pay and incentives given to the chief executive of every company in the FTSE 100.

Our research lays bare the worst examples of unabashed greed and excess at the top of corporate Britain.

Persimmon boss Jeff Fairburn, Lloyds chief Antonio Horto-Osorio, GVC boss Kenneth Alexander and Unilever's Paul Polman are some of the FTSE's best paid bosses

As MPs on the Business Select Committee today quiz Unilever and Royal Mail over fat-cat pay, the investigation reveals:

The two highest-paid chief executives each received more than 42million for a single years work in 2017;

More than one in six of the top 100 companies ended up on an official blacklist ordered by Prime Minister Theresa May to name and shame those doling out fat-cat pay despite shareholder protests;

They include Unilever, which recently was forced to ditch plans to move its headquarters from London to Rotterdam after an investor backlash, and Royal Mail, which is under fire from investors for a huge fall in its share price;

At bailed-out lender Lloyds Banking Group, chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio has pocketed 45million in pay, bonuses and incentives since he took the helm in 2011;

The findings will be sobering for the Prime Minister, who last year declared war on fat cat pay and accused greedy and irresponsible corporate chieftains of wrecking Britains social fabric.

May ordered that firms must be named on a public register if more than 20 per cent of their shareholders complained about pay.

Blue-chip companies on the list include Unilever, led by Dutch chief executive Paul Polman, 62, who has said he is embarrassed at how much he earns and that he would work at the company for free.

He received a 10.5million package last year, with the approval of shareholders. But the company is facing a backlash from investors over its pay plans for the future.

More than a third voted against the remuneration policy because it could yield large pay rises and bonuses over the coming years.

The biggest revolt was at Royal Mail, where more than 70 per cent voted against its pay report. Shares are down by around 30 per cent this month after it issued a profit warning.

How investors rebelled

Moya Greene, who stepped down as chief executive at the start of the year, received pay of 1.8million for 2017 but was also given a golden goodbye worth 914,000, plus a series of guaranteed and performance-linked share incentives.

That adds up to around 4.4million. Shareholders were also upset at the amounts given to her successor, Rico Back.

He will receive a basic salary 17 per cent higher than Greene at 640,000, as well as a 6million payment to buy out his package from his previous employer, a Royal Mail subsidiary.

Luke Hildyard, director of the High Pay Centre, said: It looks terrible to ordinary workers who have endured meagre pay growth for over a decade.

The system allows firms to persist with huge pay packets in defiance of investors, who have very limited powers of veto.

Shareholders can express their anger by voting at the yearly investor meeting. However, this vote is not binding  and it is retrospective.

Investors are given a separate vote on a companys remuneration policy which sets out its proposals on how it will reward its top brass in the future. This vote is binding  but only happens every three years.

Some protests have already attracted publicity, including the row over the 47million paid last year to Jeff Fairburn, chief executive of builder Persimmon and more than 42million to Simon Peckham, boss of corporate raider Melrose.

Others slipped by with less notice, including rewards at gambling giant GVC Group, which were slammed as excessive and exceptionally disproportionate by advisory firm Glass Lewis.

The 18million paid to chief executive Kenneth Alexander this year provoked a substantial protest, with nearly 44 per cent voting against the pay report.

Another unnoticed revolt was at British American Tobacco where almost a quarter of shareholders rejected the 11.4million pay and bonus package handed to departing boss Nicandro Durante, 62, for 2017.

Lloyds Banking Group suffered a protest over Horta-Osorios 2017 pay, which was 6.4million  95 times what the average employee makes. The financier has made more than 45million in pay, bonuses and incentives since he took over at the bailed-out bank in 2011.

Tory MP Robert Halfon said: All these pay levels are obscene. Its a gift to Jeremy Corbyns arguments about the excesses of capitalism and corporate greed. If Conservatives are to have some chance of getting a proper working majority again, we have got to deal with it.

A dozen bosses were paid more than 10million in 2017 but not all suffered enough disapproval from shareholders to place them on the list of shame because most investors deemed them to have done a good enough job.

They include Rob Perrins, 53, boss of Berkeley Homes, who made nearly 28m, and Jeremy Darroch, 56, of Sky, who took home more than 16m. Flash

South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) agreed Monday to hold a groundbreaking ceremony in late November or early December to modernize and eventually connect railways and roads across the inter-Korean border.





The agreement was reached after the high-level dialogue held earlier in the day at the Peace House, a South Korean building in the truce village of Panmunjom, according to a pool report from South Korean media.





Before the groundbreaking ceremony, the two Koreas agreed to do a field study on railways along the west corridor of the Korean Peninsula from late October and railways along the east corridor from early November.





Detailed schedules for the field study would be fixed later through the exchange of letters.





The senior-level talks were held to discuss ways to implement the Pyongyang Declaration, signed by South Korean President Moon Jae-in and top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un after their third summit in Pyongyang in September.Fitbit, Inc., a technology company, provides health solutions in the United States and internationally. The company offers a line of devices, including Fitbit Charge 3, Fitbit Inspire, Fitbit Inspire HR, and Fitbit Ace 2 activity trackers; Fitbit Ionic and Fitbit Versa family of smartwatches, as well as Fitbit Flyer wireless headphones and the Fitbit Aria family of connected scales; and accessories, such as bands and frames for its devices. It also offers Fitbit online dashboard and mobile apps that sync automatically with and display real-time data from its wearable devices; and Fitbit Care, a connected health platform for health plans, employers, and health systems. In addition, the company provides Fitbit Premium, a paid subscription service that uses the data of users to deliver actionable guidance and coaching to help users achieve their health and fitness goals, as well as includes Fitbit Coach that offers exercise programs through personal trainer and yoga apps. It sells its products through consumer electronics and specialty, e-commerce, mass merchant, department store, club, and sporting goods and outdoors retailers; wireless carriers; distributors; and Fitbit.com, an online store, as well as directly to consumers. Fitbit, Inc. has a collaboration with The Scripps Research Institute and Stanford Medicine to study the role of wearables to detect, track, and contain infectious diseases, such as COVID-19.; and partnership with Solera Health to reduce risk of type 2 diabetes. The company was formerly known as Healthy Metrics Research, Inc. and changed its name to Fitbit, Inc. in October 2007. Fitbit, Inc. was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Read MorePacific Assets Trust plc is a United Kingdom-based investment trust. The Company's investment objective is to achieve long-term capital growth through investment in selected companies in the Asia Pacific region and the Indian sub-continent, but excluding Japan, Australia and New Zealand (the Asia Pacific Region). Approximately 20% of the Company's total assets (at the time of investment) may be invested in companies incorporated and/or listed outside the Asia Pacific Region, (as defined above) but whose economic activities are predominantly within the Asia Pacific Region. It invests principally in listed equities although it is able to invest in other securities, including preference shares, debt instruments, convertible securities and warrants. In addition, the Company may invest in open and closed-ended investment funds and companies. It invests in various sectors, including financials, healthcare and industrials. Stewart Investors serves as the Company's investment manager.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of BlackRock: Acero Cooperatief U.A., Acero Holdings I B.V., Amethyst Merger Sub LLC, AnalytX Hosting LLC, AnalytX LLC, AnalytX Software LLC, Aperio, Aperio, Aquila Heywood, Asia-Pacific Private Credit Opportunities Fund I (GenPar) Ltd., BAA Holdings LLC, BFM Holdco LLC, BLK (Gallatin) Holdings LLC, BLK SMI LLC, BR Acquisition Mexico S.A. de C.V., BR Jersey International Holdings L.P., Beijing eFront Software Company Limited, BlackRock (Barbados) Finco 1 SRL, BlackRock (Channel Islands) Limited, BlackRock (Luxembourg) S.A., BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V., BlackRock (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BlackRock (Singapore) Holdco II Pte. Ltd., BlackRock (Singapore) Holdco Pte. Limited, BlackRock (Singapore) Limited, BlackRock AP Investment Holdco LLC, BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited, BlackRock Advisors LLC, BlackRock Advisors Singapore Pte. Limited, BlackRock Alternative Advisors GP Holdings LLC, BlackRock Alternatives Management LLC, BlackRock Argentina Asesorias Ltda., BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Deutschland AG, BlackRock Asset Management International Inc., BlackRock Asset Management Investor Services Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Ireland Limited, BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Schweiz AG, BlackRock Asset Management UK Limited, BlackRock Australia Holdco Pty. Ltd., BlackRock Brasil Gestora de Investimentos Ltda., BlackRock Cal 1 Investor LLC, BlackRock Canada Holdings LP, BlackRock Canada Holdings ULC, BlackRock Capital Holdings Inc., BlackRock Capital Investment Advisors LLC, BlackRock Capital Management Inc., BlackRock Cayco Limited, BlackRock Cayman 1 LP, BlackRock Cayman Capital Holdings Limited, BlackRock Cayman Finco 2 Limited, BlackRock Cayman Finco 3 Limited, BlackRock Cayman Finco Limited, BlackRock Cayman West Bay Finco Limited, BlackRock Cayman West Bay IV Limited, BlackRock Cayman Z Limited, BlackRock Channel Islands Holdco Limited, BlackRock Chile Asesorias Limitada, BlackRock Colombia Holdco LLC, BlackRock Colombia Infraestructura S.A.S., BlackRock Colombia SAS, BlackRock Company Secretarial Services (UK) Limited, BlackRock Corporation US Inc., BlackRock Delaware Holdings Inc., BlackRock Enterprise Management Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BlackRock Europe Development Management Limited, BlackRock Execution Services, BlackRock Finance Europe Limited, BlackRock Financial Management Inc., BlackRock Finco LLC, BlackRock Finco UK Ltd., BlackRock First Partner Limited, BlackRock France SAS, BlackRock Fund Advisors, BlackRock Fund Management Company S.A., BlackRock Fund Managers Limited, BlackRock Funding International Ltd., BlackRock Funds Services Group LLC, BlackRock Germany GmBH, BlackRock Group Limited, BlackRock HK Holdco Limited, BlackRock Holdco 2 Inc., BlackRock Holdco 3 LLC, BlackRock Holdco 4 LLC, BlackRock Holdco 5 LLC, BlackRock Holdco 6 LLC, BlackRock Hungary Kft, BlackRock Index Services LLC, BlackRock Infrastructure Management I LLC, BlackRock Institutional Services Inc., BlackRock Institutional Trust Company National Association, BlackRock International Holdings Inc., BlackRock International Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Dublin) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Korea) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BlackRock Investment Management (Taiwan) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management Ireland Holdings Limited, BlackRock Investment Management LLC, BlackRock Investments LLC, BlackRock Japan Co. Ltd., BlackRock Japan Holdings GK, BlackRock Jersey Finco 2 Limited, BlackRock Latin America Holdco LLC, BlackRock Latin American Holdings B.V., BlackRock Life Limited, BlackRock Lux Finco S.a r.l., BlackRock Luxembourg Holdco S.a r.l., BlackRock Mexican Holdco B.V., BlackRock Mexico Infraestructura I S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Infraestructura II S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Infraestructura III S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Manager II S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Manager III S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Manager S de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Operadora S.A. de C.V. Sociedad Operadora de Fondos de Inversion, BlackRock Mortgage Ventures LLC, BlackRock Niagara LLC, BlackRock Operations (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., BlackRock Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BlackRock PC Holdings LLC, BlackRock Pensions Limited, BlackRock Peru Asesorias S.A., BlackRock Property Consulting (Beijing) Co. Ltd., BlackRock Property France S.a.r.l., BlackRock Property Lux S.a.r.l., BlackRock Property Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., BlackRock Realty Advisors Inc., BlackRock Saudi Arabia, BlackRock Scale Holdings LLC, BlackRock Services India Private Limited, BlackRock Singapore III Pte. Ltd., BlackRock Slovakia s.r.o., BlackRock Strategic Investors GP LLC, BlackRock Strategic Investors LP, BlackRock Trident Holding Company Limited, BlackRock UK (Alpha) Limited, BlackRock UK (Beta) Limited, BlackRock UK (Delta) LP, BlackRock UK (Gamma) Limited, BlackRock UK (Sigma) Limited, BlackRock UK 2 LLP, BlackRock UK 3 LLP, BlackRock UK 4 LLP, BlackRock UK A LLP, BlackRock UK Holdco 2 Limited, BlackRock UK Holdco Limited, Blackhawk Investment Holding LLC, CIE Automotive, Cachematrix Holdings, Cachematrix Holdings LLC, Cachematrix Integrations Private Limited, Cachematrix Software Solutions LLC, Cachematrix UK Limited, FutureAdvisor Inc., Glass Mountain Pipeline, Global Energy & Power Infrastructure Advisors LLC, Global Energy & Power Infrastructure II Advisors LLC, Grosvenor Alternate Partner Limited, Grosvenor Ventures Limited, HLX Financial Holdings LLC, MGPA (Bermuda) Limited, MGPA (Exec) Limited, MGPA Limited, Mercury Carry Company Ltd., Mercury Private Equity MUST 3 (Jersey) Limited, Object Capital Technology Inc., Phoenix Acquisition B.V., Phoenix Acquisitions Holdings LLC, Portfolio Administration & Management Ltd., Prestadora de Servicios Integrales BlackRock Mexico S.A. de C.V., SVOF/MM LLC, St. Albans House Nominees (Jersey) Ltd., State Street Research & Management, Tennenbaum Capital Partners LLC, Tennenbaum Capital Partners LLC, Tlali Acero S.A. de C.V. SOFOM ENR, Trident Merger LLC, eFront, eFront, eFront (Jersey) Limited, eFront DMLT Holdings LLC, eFront DMLT Holdings S.R.L, eFront DR S.R.L, eFront Do Brasil Solucoes Informaticas Para Sistemas Financeiros Ltda., eFront FZ-LLC, eFront Financial Solutions Inc., eFront GmbH, eFront Holding II SAS, eFront Holdings SAS, eFront Hong Kong Limited, eFront II SAS, eFront Kabushiki Kaisha, eFront Ltd, eFront SAS, eFront Singapore Pte. Ltd, eFront Software Luxembourg S.a r.l., eFront Solutions Financeieres Inc., eFront d.o.o. Beograd, iShares (DE) I Investmentaktiengesellschaft mit Teilgesellschaftsvermogen, and iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC.The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Global Wealth Management segments. The company offers financial advice and solutions, and day-to-day banking products, including debit and credit cards, chequing and saving accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, and insurance to individuals; and business banking solutions comprising lending, deposit, cash management, and trade finance solutions to small businesses and commercial customers, including automotive financing solutions to dealers and their customers. It also provides wealth management advice and solutions, including online brokerage, mobile investment, full-service brokerage, trust, private banking, and private investment counsel services; and retail mutual funds, exchange traded funds, liquid alternative funds, and institutional funds. In addition, the company offers international banking services for retail, corporate, and commercial customers; and lending and transaction, investment banking advisory, and capital markets access services to corporate customers. Further, it provides Internet, mobile, and telephone banking services. The company operates a network of 952 branches and approximately 3,540 automated banking machines in Canada; and approximately 1,400 branches, 5,200 ATMs, and 22 contact centers internationally. The Bank of Nova Scotia was founded in 1832 and is headquartered in Halifax, Canada.

Read More Flash

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai has voiced China's position on issues of mutual concern with the United States, dismissing recent accusations against China as "groundless."





Trade disputes





Cui made the remarks in an interview with Fox News which was aired on Sunday.





Commenting on U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's tough words on China, Cui said "all these accusations are groundless."





"One of the fundamental principles in China's foreign policy is non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. And we have been consistent in this position. We have a very good track record," Cui said.





The ambassador noted that Chinese media were just learning from American media, buying commercial pages from newspapers to make their views known, or to cover what is happening here. "This is normal practice for all the media," he said.





Referring to the ongoing trade disputes between the two sides, Cui said China does not want to have any trade war with any other countries, including the United States.





"But if somebody started a trade war against us, we have to respond and defend our own interests," the Chinese envoy said. "So this is tariffs for tariffs. It's for nothing else," he said.





Bilateral ties





China and the United States, as the two largest economies in the world, have the responsibility to make sure that they have a positive and constructive relationship, said Cui.





"That will enhance people's confidence in the prospects of the global economy," he said.





Referring to accusations that China steals intellectual property and forces technology transfers from U.S. companies that invest in China to Chinese companies, Cui said those accusations about how China has developed are groundless and not fair to the Chinese people.





"It would be hard to imagine that one fifth of the global population could develop and prosper, not by relying mainly on their own efforts, but by stealing or forcing some transfer of technology from others. That's impossible," he said. "The Chinese people are as hard-working and diligent as anybody on earth."





When asked about the recent incident between Chinese and U.S. warships in the South China Sea, Cui said the incident took place in the South China Sea. "So it's at China's doorstep."





"It's not Chinese warships that are going to the coast of -- of California or to the Gulf of Mexico. It's so close to the Chinese islands and to -- it's so close to the Chinese coast. So who is on the offensive? Who is on the defensive? This is very clear," Cui said.





Responding to the question on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Cui said "this is a very good example of American intervention into Chinese internal affairs."





On the expected meeting between the leaders of the two countries in Buenos Aires at the G20 Summit next month, Cui said it was so clear that such top-level communication plays a key and irreplaceable role in guiding the relationship forward.





"There's a good mutual understanding and good working relationship between the two (leaders), I hope and I'm sure this will continue," the ambassador added.





Korean Peninsula issues





In the interview, Cui also reiterated China's stance on Korean Peninsula issues.





"China and the United States, we do have a shared goal, which is denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. And we both want to have lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula," he said.





"That's why we welcome and support the summit in Singapore" between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and "we very much look forward to their second meeting," Cui said.





"I think in order to achieve the goals, we have to have coordinated, phased and step-by-step approach," the ambassador noted.ALBANY  An energy company executive was sentenced to 14 months in prison Tuesday for his role in the corruption case that also resulted in the conviction of former top gubernatorial aide Joseph Percoco.

Peter Galbraith Kelly, 55, formerly an executive with Competitive Power Ventures, pleaded guilty in May to defrauding his employer, Competitive Power Ventures, by falsely claiming that Percoco, then Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's executive deputy secretary, had obtained state ethics approval for his wife to work at CPV.

In addition to the prison term, Kelly was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $247,000 in restitution to CPV.

In a statement Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said Kelly "admitted to giving the spouse of one of the most powerful men in Albany, Joseph Percoco, a low-show job at his company in order to ingratiate himself and his company with Percoco. Many consider this type of behavior to be 'the way things are done' in government. But our office does not, and neither does the court."

U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni told the courtroom she hoped the sentence "will be heard in government affairs offices everywhere. ... You have to play by the rules."

More for you Percoco sentenced to 6 years for corruption

At Percoco's trial last winter, the jury concluded that Kelly funneled the cash to the aide's household in an attempt to secure official favors for CPV, which is developing a controversial natural gas-fired power plant on Orange County.

Percoco's wife Lisa Toscano-Percoco, a former schoolteacher, was ostensibly hired for a CPV education initiative. She was paid $285,000 over the course of three years through a Connecticut-based LLC  an arrangement designed to camouflage the payments, according to trial testimony.

Consultant Todd Howe, like Percoco a longtime Cuomo confidant, served as the go-between for the hiring. Howe is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to multiple felonies in September 2016. He was a key prosecution witness at Percoco's trial, which ended with the jury undecided on the charges against Kelly. Rather than face a second trial, he pleaded guilty two months later.

Prosecutors introduced extensive email communications among the three men, including some in which Howe and Percoco referred to Kelly as "the Fat Man."

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

Percoco was sentenced last month to six years in federal prison.

While federal probation officials had recommended a reduced four-month sentence for Kelly, prosecutors argued earlier this month that what's known as a "guidelines" sentence for Kelly was "necessary to send a message, not just to Albany, but to the boardrooms of any company who might consider engaging in similar criminal behavior."

Percoco's trial involved the aide's participation in two schemes: the CPV effort as well as similar pay-to-play activity by executives at COR Development of Syracuse.

This fall officials and businessmen convicted in the Percoco trial  and the subsequent trial over bid-rigging on projects overseen by Albany-based SUNY Polytechnic Institute  are also scheduled to be sentenced. They include:Albany

While the recession of a decade ago lowered all boats, the subsequent recovery has not lifted the economic prospects of many Americans, particularly in rural areas such as upstate New York, according to a report this week from an economic think tank.

The U.S. has "experienced a ruralization of distress" as economic recovery has washed primarily through urban and suburban communities, according to the report from the Economic Innovation Group, based in Washington, D.C.

That report found that eight of New York's 62 counties  including Montgomery, Fulton, and Delaware counties scored as "distressed" based on 2007-2011 Census data. For 2012-16, that had jumped to 22 counties, with Schoharie and Greene counties added to the list.

The report was based on U.S. Census data from 2007 to 2011 (the depths of the recession), and from 2012 to 2016 (the recovery period).

A prosperity score was created for each county and ZIP code level based on seven factors  change in the number of businesses, the change in the number of jobs, household income, poverty rate, non-working adults, the level of vacant residential housing, and the share of the adult population without a high school diploma.

"The EIG report also shows our pockets of distressed communities, and our continued success as a region hinges on our ability to tap into the talent and potential in them," said Andrew Kennedy,president and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth, an Albany-based regional private economic development group.

"Employers are in dire need of talent and these distressed communities have many untapped resources. That's why CEG and the Capital Region Economic Development Council are making reaching out to these hard-to-reach communities a priority," Kennedy said.

EIG President and CEO John Lettieri called the report "a sobering reminder that far too many communities have yet to see a true recovery. While there is much to celebrate about the strength of the U.S. economy, the national numbers are becoming less reflective of local realities."

With college-educated and professionals flocking to cities more than ever, according to the report, the country's urban and suburban communities have long ago put the worst of the recession behind them, the report found.

But the number of rural Americans living in communities that scored in the bottom fifth of the prosperity score climbed by one million during the recovery period of 2011 to 2016, the report found.

The report also said residents of the most-distressed parts of the country, where educational attainment tended to be lower, also were more likely to be employed in physically demanding, blue-collar jobs in production, construction, transportation and maintenance.

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"What registers as a temporary blip for well-off people in well-off places can permanently damage the growth capacity of communities with weaker foundations and more vulnerable populations," the report found. "Distressed ZIP codes, for their part, are projected to never fully recover from the Great Recession on current trend lines."

Rural areas also tend to have more vacant homes than more prosperous areas, such as the Midwest, where one in every five homes remains vacant, according to the report.

Newly educated people and recent immigrants are both choosing to live in predominantly urban and suburban areas, further boosting the prosperity that attracted them. Only 5 percent of new college graduates between 2007 and 2016 moved into an economically distressed area, the report found.

"An economy that primarily works for the college-educated and the places they congregate is not an economy that works," according to the report.

The report can be found online https://bit.ly/2OtoBiQTROY  A man wanted in connection to the October 2017 fatal shooting of a barber in Bridgeport, Conn., was arrested in Troy this summer and sent back to his home state Friday to face murder charges, according to authorities.

Jordan "Gunner" Hinton was sent back to Bridgeport on Oct. 12  almost exactly one year after he allegedly killed Deon Rodney, a barber who was shot to death on Oct. 14, 2017, while trying to protect his customers.

Rensselaer County Sheriff Patrick Russo said Hinton, 30, was arrested by a U.S. Marshals' detail in Troy, arraigned in city court on a fugitive from justice charge and booked into the county jail on July 16. Rensselaer County Court handled the extradition proceedings.

The Connecticut Post reported that Hinton arrived in Bridgeport on Monday and has been charged with murder, felony murder, attempted robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and gun charges. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bond.

Hinton and Mark Pockets Christian are both accused of killing Rodney.

Police said Hinton and Christian had confronted another man on Park Avenue and attempted to rob him, but the intended victim fled into the nearby Just Right Cutz barbershop seeking refuge.

Police said Hinton went into the barbershop, gun drawn, seeking his prey.

Who wants it? Hinton yelled as customers screamed and ran to the back of the barbershop, according to police.

Police said Rodney leaped forward, punching Hinton in the face and tackling him. The two rolled out of the barbershop, where Christian was waiting. Christian shot Rodney once in the pelvis and he and Hinton fled, police said.

Rodney later died on the operating table at St. Vincents Medical Center.

"He not only wanted to protect the man seeking refuge in the barbershop, but his customers as well," said Bridgeport Police Capt. Roderick Porter. "It's really tragic."

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Justin Riley, owner of Just Right Cutz, said Rodney was protecting a young boy whose hair he had just cut.

"There were five customers in the barbershop at the time, including this little boy," Riley said. "Deon had finished his haircut and the boy was getting ready to go outside when the gunman came in."

Riley said Rodney may have been motivated in part because he had a son about the boy's age.

"He (Rodney) just punched and tackled the gunman to the ground," Riley said. "They had a scuffle and he got shot."

Christian was arrested a couple weeks later and is awaiting trial on murder and robbery charges; Police Lt. Chris LaMaine said Hinton fled the city following the crime.ALBANY  The enrollment of new Democratic voters in the Capital Region has outpaced new Republicans since the election of President Donald J. Trump two years ago.

Newly registered Democrats account for 40.6 percent of the new voters in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties, which is 3 percentage points higher than their share of the voter enrollment in November 2016. The percentage of new Republicans, however, is lagging behind their Capital Region portion of the vote by more than 9 points.

John McLaughlin, a pollster for Trump's 2016 campaign, blamed the national Republican Party for failing to drive voter registration, and credited the Democrats with recognizing the political opportunity posed by next month's midterm elections.

"They've learned more. They're more aggressive," he said of the national Democratic Party in the wake of Trump's victory.

The final enrollment numbers could shift slightly in the coming days, as local boards are still processing voter registrations through the state Department of Motor Vehicles and forms mailed on Friday's enrollment deadline. Although the boards are still processing hundreds of additional forms, new registrations are expected to reflect recent trends; some submissions are just from voters moving within a county.

The starkest change is in Saratoga County, which has an overwhelming Republican enrollment edge but saw 4,795 Democrats registered since November 2016. Only 3,757 Republicans signed up, according to the county Board of Elections. There were also 4,548 new unaffiliated voters.

Democrats made up 33.2 percent of the new voters in Saratoga County, which is 6.6 percentage points higher than their share of the enrollment in 2016. The percent of new Republicans voters in the county was 14 points below their party's enrollment.

A similar trend occurred in the narrowly divided Rensselaer County, where new Democrats accounted for 7.1 points more than their share of the enrollment two years ago, and new Republicans were 8.2 points behind their portion.

In Albany and Schenectady counties, where Democrats have a large enrollment edge, the percent of new Democrats reflected the local enrollment, while the portion of new Republicans was below the party's share of the enrollment. New unaffiliated voters exceeded their share of the vote by about 7 points in both counties.

Across the country, there has been a growth in new voters who aren't registering with a party, a trend that McLaughlin said is a reflection of "anti-Washington" sentiments.

Democratic strategist Morgan Hook also ascribed the trend to conservative voters who don't want to "identify as Republicans" because of antipathy to Trump.

"It's not a huge surprise to me that we're seeing that in the Capital Region, too," Hook said.

The effect of the enrollment numbers is hard to predict without diving deeper into how people registered, such as whether they signed up organically, as part of a voter drive or through "motor voter" efforts, which encourage New Yorkers to register during the course of interactions with state offices.

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McLaughlin anticipated that voters who actively chose to register will likely vote, while other new voters might need encouragement to head to the polls on Nov. 6.

Any fluctuation in enrollment could be significant for New York's elections, as midterm contests generally have lower turnout than in presidential years. Four years ago, when Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was pursuing his second term, only 35 percent of active voters participated in the gubernatorial race.

Rensselaer County Board of Elections Republican Commissioner Jason Schofield anticipates a higher turnout than usual for a midterm election based on the number of absentee ballots requested.

Schenectady County Board of Elections Democratic Commissioner Amy Hild sees the Democratic primary turnout in September, which was triple what it was four years ago, as another sign indicating above average voter participation in November.

"Certainly that's always the hope," she said.

David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87 Flash

After years of isolation, Syria's border crossings are under the spotlight again with some of them reopened as the Syrian government has regained the upper hand in the more than seven-year-long war.





On Monday, the key border crossing of Nasib between Syria and Jordan was reopened for the first time since its closure in 2015, when the rebels took control of the town of Nasib and the crossing, which is under the same name, in the southern province of Daraa.





The Syrian Army captured Nasib in July after dislodging the rebels from the southern province of Daraa.





The crossing is the only conduit between Syria and Jordan and is also considered one of the most important land crossings in the Middle East as it was the main crossing for exports from Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria to the Gulf states and vice versa.





The crossing brings billions of U.S. dollars in trade revenue to Syria as well as neighboring and regional countries.





Tens of people crossed the border to Syria on Monday after it was officially reopened. Also, economic delegation exchanged visits through the crossing.





State news agency SANA said the Syrian side entered truckloads of 21 tons of fruits as a gift to the economic delegations in Jordan and in return, the Jordanian side entered a truckload of dates to Syria.





Also Monday, Syria has officially reopened the crossing between the southern province of Quneitra and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.





The Quneitra crossing was the only crossing for the Syrians in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights to enter Syria but not for the Syrians inside Syria as they are not allowed to enter the Israeli-occupied territory.





Syrian students from Golan Heights had used this crossing ahead of the Syrian crisis to study in Syria as the government has provided them with exceptional facilitations to seek education in their motherland.





Also, marriages had taken place between Syrians in Golan and Quneitra in the past.





There had been instances ahead of the Syrian war when apples harvested in Golan would be sold inside Syria through the crossing.





As the crossing has been officially reopened, Golan students are expected to visit Syria through Quneitra after they had gone through long trips through Jordan to come to Syria by airplanes.





The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) has also returned to the disengagement zone after leaving it in 2014, as the separation line between the Bravo gate on the Syrian side and the Alpha gate on the Israeli side is an activity zone for the UNDOF.





The rebels withdrew from Quneitra in July this year, after the Russians reached a deal with the Israeli side for restoring the situation in Quneitra to the pre-Syrian wartime and reviving the treaty of 1974 that ended the Yom Kippur war and designated the lines of separation between Israel and Syria.





Khaled Abaza, secretary of Syria's Ba'ath Arab Socialist Party's branch in Quneitra, told Xinhua that "the reopening of this crossing is reviving the lifeline between our people who are under occupation and on their homeland."





"This crossing is a lifeline for university students and also farmers who want to sell harvest and marketing it in Syria," he said.





Meanwhile, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem and the visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said in a press conference Monday in Damascus that the border crossings between Iraq and Syria should be opened soon after the major defeat of the Islamic State (IS) in both countries.





Al-Jaafari said there is no reason not to open the border crossings between both countries, saying efforts are being exerted to reopen them as soon as possible.





For his part, Muallem said that the terror groups were controlling the crossings, accusing the countries backing them of standing against the opening of the crossings.





He also noted "we hope that the crossing between the Syrian city of Abu Kamal and Iraq would be reopened soon."





Both ministers did not say when the crossings will be reopened but said it should not take long.





Expectations for reopening the border points came as the Syrian army has cleared large swathes of border areas between Syria and Iraq from the presence of IS.





In July, the Iraqi forces worked to enhance the security situation on the border with Syria, installing cameras and flying drones to ensure the security against any threat from IS.





The border crossing that would be reopened is the al-Qa'im which is located in the southeast of Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zour in the city of Abu Kamal.





Al-Qa'im crossing is considered as one of the major supply routes across the Middle East, which connects the town of Abu Kamal in Syria's Deir al-Zour to the city of Husaybah in the Al-Qa'im District of Iraq's Anbar Governorate.ALBANY - A law that would require hotels to notify guests about any infestations, construction or pickets at the establishment and provide refunds if they want to cancel has ruffled some Albany County Republicans.

Sparked by last years picket at the Hilton Albany, the county Legislature approved a law that outlines fair hotel consumer practices  similar to the one passed late last year by the city of Albany  which requires hotels to notify visitors in writing of any service disruption, note what that disruption is and provide a full refund if guests want to cancel.

Any hotel violating the law must refund affected guests an amount equal to 200 percent of the cost charged for the night, or nights, affected by the disruption.

Republicans on the legislature, however, oppose the measure. Minority Leader Frank Mauriello asked County Executive Daniel McCoy to veto the law.

We are urging hotel owners and operators who had no idea this proposed law even exists to contact the county executive and ask for a veto, Mauriello said in a news release Monday. The county executive will host a public hearing before he acts on the proposal as well. We encourage them to come and make their position known.

The Colonie Republican expressed concern that many residents may be unaware of the local law, and urged legislators and the county executive to do a better job reaching out to those who could be impacted by various proposals.

McCoy hasnt set a public hearing yet, which is necessary prior to him signing any legislation into law.

Mauriello said the law could open the door to lawsuits and allows the county to dictate the terms of contracts for various events, like weddings and other meetings,   instead of trusting that the business and adults can come to terms to provide services in a manner that is fair to the consumer and the business.

Last year, members of the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council started picketing outside the Lodge Street hotel in Albany, protesting the contract demands from Hilton Albany's owner, United Capital Corp., to eliminate the pension plan and other concessions.

Guests who had scheduled meetings or stays at Hilton Albany who didnt want to cross the picket line faced hefty cancellation fees.

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The hotel also was cited by the city last September for numerous health and safety code violations, including vermin in kitchen areas, after the union filed a complaint with the city and the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

Albany Legislator Doug Bullock, a Democrat, said the law offers good consumer practices and will benefit hotel business.

Right now, hotel guests, if they are unaware of a disruption, find it difficult if not impossible to stop a reservation cancellation fee or get a refund upon discovering such a business disruption, he said in a news release. This isnt fair, and our hotel practices law corrects this unfair practice.ALBANY  The chief of staff for state Sen. Simcha Felder was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday, a day after the Times Union reported he had been accused of groping and sexually harassing a female lobbyist during a recent private campaign fundraiser for Sen. George Amedore.

Rodney C. Powis, 48, an attorney from East Greenbush who works at a private law firm in Rensselaer County, is alleged to have groped and harassed the woman, who is in her mid-30s, at the event last Thursday at the Guilderland residence of William F. Lia Jr., 49, a Capital Region businessman whose family owns the Lia Auto Group.

Powis attended the event as Felder's representative. Amedore gave a 40-minute speech to the dozens of people who paid a minimum of $250 for the catered fundraiser. The alleged encounter between Powis and the woman unfolded about 90 minutes after Amedore spoke.

The woman's identity is being withheld by the Times Union because she is an alleged victim of sexual abuse. She filed a criminal complaint with a local police agency on Monday. One of her colleagues said he also notified Felder's office of the allegations over the weekend, and was subsequently contacted by representatives of the state Senate's personnel department.

A Senate source familiar with the matter said that Amedore notified the secretary of the Senate, Francis W. Patience, on Saturday after learning of the allegations.

Felder, a Brooklyn Democrat who conferences with Senate Republicans, did not respond to a request for comment on Monday. On Tuesday afternoon, he issued a statement saying Powis was placed on administrative leave, but will continue to receive his $119,000-a-year salary.

These are serious allegations and were reported immediately," Felder said in the statement. "We are following standard Senate procedure and he has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. I cannot comment any further at this time."

Powis, who is married, has not responded to a request for comment. The Senate's investigation of the allegations will be handled by a private law firm.

The woman, who had agreed to an interview on Monday with the Times Union after being contacted over the weekend, said that Powis began making inappropriate comments to her as she sat at a table with him and two other women.

The woman said Powis, who was sitting next to her, inquired about her marital status and allegedly made unsettling comments when he learned that she's a single mother, and that a man she had been talking to at the event was not her husband.

"He told me I looked hot," she said.

She said that Powis suggested she and another man at the party have sex that night and that he subsequently groped her right breast before one of his hands slid down and touched her buttocks.

"Then he announced to the table, 'I just grabbed her boob,'" she said. "I looked across the table to a woman who was with us and I mouthed the word 'help.'"

She said the woman at the table eventually came to her aid and suggested they go get some food.

Albany County sheriff's investigators are in the process of interviewing people who attended the party.

On Monday evening, Amedore initially declined to say when he had been made aware of the incident. "I really don't know, really, what you're talking about, and I don't feel that I should, at this particular time, chat with you because I don't know," he said.

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Then he added, "I'm hearing rumors or speculation but I can't talk about any of it right now because I don't know enough about it."

The Republican senator, who is facing re-election next month, did not say whether he had reported the allegations to Senate leadership, as required. Amedore called back about an hour later to say that he had reported it, but declined to say when that was done.

A Senate source said Amedore had reported it over the weekend

His Democratic opponent, Pat Strong, issued a statement Tuesday afternoon criticizing Amedore's handling of the matter.

"Sexual assault and harassment took place at a George Amedore fundraiser, and it appears nothing was done to address this situation until the press got involved," Strong said. "Women should know that when they endure such vile behavior and assaults on their bodies, that these situations will be handled properly, not swept under the rug. ... We must believe women and make it safe for women to come forward."

Powis has served as counsel to the Senate's Codes Committee and had previously been counsel and chief of staff for Sen. Michael F. Nozzolio, R-Seneca Falls, according to Senate payroll records.

It's unclear how long Powis has been chief of staff for Felder, a Brooklyn Democrat who has caucused with the Senate Republicans since being elected to the Senate in 2012. Felder's allegiance with the GOP has made him a target of Democrats in the Legislature as he holds the critical 32nd vote needed to help the Republicans pass legislation.

The Senate's sexual harassment policy requires an investigation because Powis attended the private event on Felder's behalf and the alleged victim interacts with the Legislature in an official capacity as a lobbyist.ALBANY  Democratic congressional hopefuls in New York are riding a recent fundraising advantage into the final stretch of the campaign season.

The starkest margin for the state's nine Republican incumbents was in the hotly contested 19th Congressional District, where Democrat Antonio Delgado brought in $3.35 million in contributions over the last three months and U.S. Rep. John Faso, R-Kinderhook, raised $977,617. The latest filings with the Federal Election Commission also revealed that Democrats are getting much more of their funding from individual donors than their Republican opponents.

Democrats are hoping this fundraising push from July through September is the precursor to increased turnout from their base on Election Day, while Republicans are downplaying the potential significance.

"A lot of people talk about a blue wave ... but there has also been a green wave," said Democratic operative Evan Stavisky. "It's been absolutely a story of the election cycle."

The $6.1 million in contributions for Delgado's campaign is twice what Faso brought in during the two-year campaign cycle. Heading into the final weeks of the campaign, Delgado has $1,75 million to spend and Faso has $1.4 million.

On Tuesday, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, came to Albany to help raise money for Faso as part of an upstate fundraising tour.

Chris Martin, the regional press secretary for the National Republican Campaign Committee, acknowledged that Democrats "are energized," while contending that Republicans are used to being outspent and still finding ways to win in New York.

"At the end of the day, these are Republican districts," Martin said.

Democratic odds of knocking off incumbents in New York, though, were buoyed by the strong third quarter fundraising, according to political prognosticator Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight.

Stavisky said the Democrats' edge in individual donors also translated to more "enthusiasm and interest" in the competitive races. At least 88 percent of the funding for the Democratic challengers came from individuals, while the most for any Republican incumbent was 77 percent and the rest were below 61 percent.

Martin noted that across the country, a lot of the individual contributions coming to competitive races are from people outside of the district. About $1 million of Delgado's recent itemized contributions came from outside the state, according to analysis by the FEC.

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Despite the fundraising disadvantage, Martin anticipated Republican incumbents have the resources they need. Six of the incumbents still have more in the bank than their challengers, including U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, who has more than twice as much cash as Democrat Tedra Cobb, despite being out-raised this summer.

Additionally, outside groups are flooding competitive districts with independent expenditures.

The Democratic fundraising figures for the last three months are also emblematic of national trends this campaign season, Silver noted.

"Democrats have raised almost two-thirds of the total money for the House ... Despite the fact that the GOP holds the incumbency advantage," he tweeted. "Never been anything like that before in our House fundraising data, which goes back to 1998."

David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87SCHOHARIE  Local musical favorites Skeeter Creek and Grand Central Station will headline a benefit concert for the families of the victims of the Schoharie limousine crash as well as the first responders at the scene of the deadly Oct. 6 incident.

"Healing Schoharie" will be held noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or at the door.

Click here for more information.

The concert will open with a special performance featuring Union College's three a cappella groups: the Eliphalets, the Dutch Pipers and the Garnet Minstrels.

The event will also feature food vendors, a raffle of items donated by local businesses, kid activities and more. There will also be a "live jukebox" in which each band will play special requests for a donation.

Druthers Brewing Co. at Mohawk Harbor will donate all proceeds from its beer sales at the event, as well as 50 percent of all customer checks for meals and drinks served in the restaurant.

"We are humbled to be able to help in any way we can" said Joe Kulewicz, the leader of Skeeter Creek, in a news release. "This was such a horrible tragedy, and to happen so close to home, it just seemed so unfathomable."

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Paul DeBiase, the leader of Grand Central Station, said both bands are waiving their appearance fees for the event.

"The community has supported both of us for so long," said DeBiase. "When something like this happens, you don't think twice about helping. This is a chance for us to come together and return the love that has been shown us."

Organizers said a number of local organizations were supporting the event, including Proctors, Rivers Casino, Mohawk Harbor, the Galesi Group, Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp., Druthers Brewing Company and Albany Broadcasting.

Organizers of the concert include volunteers from Union College and other area organizations.

All proceeds from ticket sales and the raffle will be directed to the families of the victims and the first responders; vendors will donate a percentage of their sales.ALBANY - Pointing to the persistent test-score gap between white and minority students, members of the state Board of Regents on Monday wondered out loud if they could all but dispense with the states English and math tests for grades 3-8.

Are we finding other ways to find out whether students are being successful? asked Regent Judith Johnson, who said she recently saw a letter that a school sent regarding an 8-year-old-pupil who turned in low scores. The letter warned that the youngster wasnt on track to be college and career ready. Imagine a parent and child getting that letter.

The needle hasnt moved for minority children in decades, Regent Kathleen Cashin said. We cant just say Well here we go again.'"

In the English exams in grades 3-8, for example, 52 percent of white students statewide passed compared to 35 percent for black students.

Dispensing with the 3-8 tests isnt a realistic option, said state Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia who reminded the board that the exams are federally mandated.

The remarks highlighted the ongoing frustration that the regents, who set education policy, have regarding test score and other academic gaps that have remained for years.

The gap also illustrates why equity, the concept of making up for poverty that many minority students grow up in, is a key driver in what the regents do.

The comments during Mondays meeting marked the first time the regents have publicly discussed the latest round of test scores released in September.

Elia cautioned that this past school years test scores cant be compared to previous years' since the format was changed. In response to complaints about over-testing of kids, the tests were reduced from three to two days in 2017-18.

Comparisons, though, will also be difficult to make going forward because the tests will change again during the 2019-20 school year in keeping with the Next Generation standards that aim to be more age appropriate. Critics have said some of the current standards and questions are too advanced for the grades in which they are given.

The regents questioned how they can get beyond multiple choice questions, which make up much of the tests, to get a bigger picture of student achievement.

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That would include portfolios of school work or hands-on projects. Another approach would focus more on what a student learned during each school year, Johnson said.

We really have overdone the testing and it doesnt give us valuable information, Cashin said.

The regents briefly delved into what in coming months will be their annual request for how much they think the state should be spending on education. Ultimately, that is up to the state Legislature and governor.

Much of the states education funding comes in the more than $17 billion in foundation aid that is supposed to be based on a formula that considers the relative wealth or poverty of a school district. Most of the recent increases in that have gone to high-needs schools.

The current state budget had a nearly $1 billion, or 3.9 percent increase over 2017-18, bringing education spending to $26.6 billion.

More for you Regents test scoring has some fuzzy math

rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTUA Rotterdam man was arrested Monday after police said he broke into the vacuum machines at a car wash and stole the money inside.

Austin L. Levielle, 39, broke into the Sonic Car Wash on Burdeck Street around 1:10 a.m. on Oct. 3. He obtained the keys to steal more than $1,000 from the six vacuums. He was charged with felony burglary, criminal mischief and grand larceny.TROY  Two retired city detectives pleaded guilty Tuesday to misdemeanors in Rensselaer County Court for concealing their illegal entry into an apartment containing drugs 16 months ago that led to the disbanding of the citys undercover drug unit.

Sgt. Ron Epstein pleaded guilty to official misconduct on the day his retirement took effect, while Detective John A. Comitale Jr., who retired in February, pleaded guilty to attempted official misconduct.

Their warrantless entry on June 9, 2017 into an apartment at 112 Oakwood Ave. led to suspensions of the former Firearms Interdiction and Narcotics Suppression Unit, the formal name for the drug unit, while the city department and State Police sorted out what happened.

By entering the pleas, Epstein and Comitale admitted they violated their oaths of office and will not be able to find future employment as police officers, said Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka, who was assigned as special prosecutor for the case.

A large part of this was to end this sad chapter in the Troy Police Departments history. It was appropriate to resolve the matter this way, Czajka said.

A substantial number of police officers were scheduled to testify ... All of them, two in particular, are a credit to the department and all the residents of Troy should be particularly proud of them for their integrity, Czajka said.

The guilty pleas to resolve the case came as jury selection was under way for Epsteins trial. Comitales trial was scheduled to begin Nov. 13.

Instead, Acting State Supreme Court Justice Peter A. Lynch of Albany County will sentence Epstein and Comitale on Nov. 13. The attorneys said a deal was not struck on the sentence for the two retired officers.

The two veteran detectives were headed to a trial at a time when police officers are receiving greater and more intense scrutiny.

We werent so sure we were going to get a fair shake from the jury pool in Rensselaer County. We were faced with a situation where both had to resolve or none had to resolve. We made a personal decision to resolve the case today, said Andrew Safranko, the attorney representing Comitale.

Ron Epstein helped seek out and capture some of societys worst criminal putting his life on the line every time he went out with the U.S. Marshals Task Force. This is an unfortunate incident one for which he has accepted responsibility, said Michael Koenig, the attorney representing Epstein.

Officer Nick Laviano, president of the Troy Police Benevolent Association, and Detective Mark Millington were present for the guilty pleas.

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This is a sad. They are two good men, Laviano said.

Lynch dismissed two counts  second-degree criminal facilitation, a felony, and fourth-degree criminal facilitation, a misdemeanor  in July in response to defense motions. These charges were related to the officers' alleged failure to seize cocaine found in the Oakwood Avenue residence.

Epstein and Comitale each faced misdemeanor counts of second-degree criminal trespass for entering the apartment, and official misconduct for their intent "to conceal their unauthorized and unlawful entry into 112 Oakwood Avenue."

Epstein also was indicted on four additional felony counts including third-degree bribery, first-degree offering a false instrument for filing and two counts of first degree falsifying business records  charges related to the police report that allegedly covered up what happened. He was indicted on six other misdemeanors, fourth-degree criminal mischief, two counts of official misconduct, two counts of second-degree falsifying business records, and second-degree offering a false instrument for filing.

Czajka said the guilty pleas represented were to charges that were one step below the top counts each defendant faced.

The coverup of the warrantless search unraveled when two detectives came forward. That led to the State Police investigation and Czajkas appointment as special prosecutor. Czajka commended the departments officers for stepping up to assist his investigation.

Knowing and working with so many younger police offices in the Troy Police Department. They dont need a lesson, Czajka said. They know whats right and whats wrong.TROY  City police officers were angered Friday when they were told that the state was forbidding them from wearing their department-issued guns when they testified at the Rensselaer County Court trial of a veteran detective sergeant accused of covering up an illegal search, union and department officials said Monday.

The members of the PBA were infuriated with such an order and felt disrespected to say the least. It is OK for us to carry our guns and protect the residents of Troy, but we are not trusted to carry our guns inside a courtroom? said Officer Nick Laviano, president of the Troy Police Benevolent Association.

Officers are expected to testify at the trial of Sgt. Ronald Epstein, who is charged in a 12-count indictment of trying to hide a warrantless search of a drug house at 112 Oakwood Ave. by the departments undercover drug unit in 2017. Epstein allegedly filed a false burglary report about the incident. The units official name was the Firearms Interdiction and Narcotics Suppression Unit.

The trial began Monday before acting State Supreme Court Justice Peter A. Lynch of Albany. Epstein is supposed to retire Tuesday after submitting his retirement papers, officials said Tuesday.

Police Chief Brian Owens said he was surprised when a court officer from the state Office of Court Administration contacted him to tell him about the order barring Troys police officers from being armed in the courtroom.

I never heard of this before in my career. We require them to be armed when on duty, Owens said about the 128-member force.

Troy officers, State Police troopers and other departments' officers are routinely seen wearing their service weapons when called to testify.

Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka, the special prosecutor for the case, said he only learned about the order when he walked into the Rensselaer County Court House Monday morning for the start of jury selection.

Epstein is represented by defense attorney Michael L. Koenig of Albany.

Owens said OCA contacted him Monday to say officers on duty could wear their firearms.

Any police officer who is at court in their official capacity and in uniform does not have any restrictions regarding their sidearm, said Lucian Chalfen, an OCA spokesman.

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The issue revolves around other officers, either off duty or in plain clothes, who would be in the audience carrying a concealed weapon. For the safety and security of all participants, should anything unforeseen occur, having unidentifiable individuals with weapons is the concern, Chalfen said.

Epstein and retired Detective John A. Comitale Jr. were indicted by a county grand jury earlier this year. Lynch split the case into two trials with Comitale's trial scheduled to begin Nov. 13. Lynch dismissed two counts  second-degree criminal facilitation, a felony, and fourth-degree criminal facilitation, a misdemeanor  in July on defense motions. These charges were for not seizing cocaine found in the Oakwood Avenue residence.

Epstein and Comitale each face misdemeanor counts of second-degree criminal trespass for entering the apartment and official misconduct for their intent "to conceal their unauthorized and unlawful entry into 112 Oakwood Avenue."

Epstein also was indicted on four additional felony counts including third-degree bribery, first-degree offering a false instrument for filing and two counts of first degree falsifying business records, for the police report to allegedly cover up what happened. And he was indicted on six other misdemeanors, fourth-degree criminal mischief, two counts of official misconduct, two counts of second-degree falsifying business records, and second-degree offering a false instrument for filing.

Jury selection was halted Monday due to an outburst by a juror, court officials said. Lynch interviewed several jurors about the situation, officials said. Selection of a jury is to resume Tuesday.WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Tuesday morning called Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., a "complete and total Fraud," opening a second day of sparring between the current White House occupant and a likely 2020 challenger over her Native American heritage.

In morning tweets, Trump claimed a DNA test shared by Warren on Monday was "a scam and a lie" and called on her to "apologize for perpetrating this fraud against the American Public."

The DNA test, conducted by a Stanford University professor, concluded that there was "strong evidence" that the senator had a Native American in her family tree dating back six to 10 generations.

Trump seized on reports that the findings mean Warren is between 1/64th and 1/1,024 Native American, depending on how distant her relative is.

"Pocahontas (the bad version), sometimes referred to as Elizabeth Warren, is getting slammed," Trump said in one of his tweets. "She took a bogus DNA test and it showed that she may be 1/1024, far less than the average American."

Trump also highlighted a statement from Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr., who said Monday that "a DNA test is useless to determine tribal citizenship" and that it was wrong to use one to claim any connection to the tribe.

"Even they don't want her. Phony!" Trump said, thanking the tribe in a subsequent tweet.

Trump also claimed that Warren would not have been hired as a Harvard law professor if not for claiming to be a "person of color." That claim is at odds with a Boston Globe report last month that found Warren's claim to Native American ethnicity was never considered by the Harvard Law faculty.

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Trump tweeted "Now that her claims of being of Indian heritage have turned out to be a scam and a lie, Elizabeth Warren should apologize for perpetrating this fraud against the American Public. Harvard called her 'a person of color' (amazing con), and would not have taken her otherwise!"

"Thank you to the Cherokee Nation for revealing that Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, is a complete and total Fraud!"

Warren's release of the DNA report on Monday was accompanied by a nearly six-minute, campaign-style video that recounted her background and takes direct aim at Trump, with Warren saying his mocking of Native Americans is "not what America stands for."

In a series of tweets later Monday, Warren also accused Trump of having "memory problems" after he denied having said he would donate $1 million to charity if she had a DNA test that showed she has Native American ancestry. Flash

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met on Monday with Dutch King Willem-Alexander, urging the two countries to enhance cooperation in various areas and defend multilateralism and free trade.





Li first conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to the Dutch king.





In recent years, China-Netherlands relations have developed rapidly, Li said, noting that the exchange of visits by the two countries' heads of state has opened up broad prospects for bilateral ties.





The development of China-Netherlands ties not only benefits both nations, but also bears major significance for China-Europe relations, he said.





China, Li said, is willing to work with the Dutch side to deepen cooperation in various fields, including investment, financing and inclusive finance, and create favorable conditions for their companies, especially those small- and medium-sized ones, to conduct cooperation.





Dutch companies, he added, are welcome to make investment in China.





Speaking of the international trade system, Li said it is encountering some difficulties.





He called upon the two countries, both being open economies and major global traders, to support the rules-based international political and economic order, abide by commonly accepted norms, work together to defend multilateralism and free trade, and inject more certainties into the world.





For his part, King Willem-Alexander said close high-level exchanges over recent years have boosted bilateral ties and facilitated mutually beneficial cooperation and two-way corporate investment between the two countries.





In face of the challenges besetting today's world, the Netherlands and China have even more reasons to enhance unity and cooperation, so as to jointly address risks caused by uncertainties and safeguard the international trade system and the world's stability and development, said the king.





Li arrived in the Netherlands on Sunday for an official visit, the first by a Chinese premier to the European country in 14 years.ALBANY  Save the chickens!

That's the message a nonprofit organization will share with the state's highest court Wednesday when it tries to compel the city of New York to ban a religious ritual in Brooklyn that involves the mass sacrificing of chickens  an act the group calls savage.

Attorneys for the chicken advocates and New York City will spar at the Court of Appeals over the ultra-Orthodox Jewish religious ritual of Kaporos, which is practiced just before Yom Kippur.

Participants in the ritual take a live chicken, swing it overhead by its wings while reciting a prayer intended to transfer their sins to the chicken. A rabbi then slashes the fowl's throat.

A group called The Alliance to End Chickens as Koporos sued the city as well as its police and health departments, calling the tradition cruel, unsanitary and in violation of 15 known laws. They want the Court of Appeals to overturn two lower court rulings and issue a writ of mandamus, in which a court orders a municipality to take action required by law.

In court papers, the alliance said 60,000 chickens are trucked into residential neighborhoods in Brooklyn for the three-day event. The advocates say the birds are "stacked in crates and left on the street for days, without food or water, in the elements, waiting for their death, as they will be sacrificed in the ritual."

The advocates say makeshift slaughterhouses are erected in the streets. They say Kaporos leaves dead chickens, blood, feathers, toxins, bird waste and an unbearable stench.

"All citizens must obey the law, regardless of religious belief," Nora Constance Marino, the Long Island-based attorney for the group, said in a brief. "Should that not be the case, then men practicing Sharia Law could stone women to death, and Mormons could have multiple wives, in the name of 'religious freedom.' Existing laws cannot be violated in the name of religion; rather, laws can be deemed unconstitutional if they infringe upon one's religious beliefs or if they 'target' a religious sect."

In turn, Elina Druker, an assistant corporation counsel for New York City, said in a brief that longstanding precedent shows the group should not dictate how the city carries out its policies.

"Individual citizens cannot dictate how a city of 8.5 million diverse people sets its enforcement priorities, assesses whether laws have been violated, and allocates its limited resources," Druker stated. "So, to give a few examples, citizens cannot sue to force officials to cite every jaywalker, arrest suspected adulterers, or arrest people with small quantities of marijuana. Nor may appellants obtain an order compelling the city to arrest or fine people of faith for participating in a once-a-year religious ritual that's alleged to be unlawful."

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She argued the advocates' intentions would lead to the absurd.

"Police would be compelled to arrest every person who sets a mousetrap, swats a mosquito, or hunts or fishes for sport, and only the criminal jury could assess whether those acts injuring or killing animals were justifiable," Druker wrote. "Fortunately, the statute does not enact this rigid vision: police have discretion to determine at the outset whether a particular act is 'unjustifiable.'"

A state Supreme Court judge in Manhattan and the Appellate Division of state Supreme Court's First Department in Manhattan sided with the city, the latter in a 3-2 decision.

Oral arguments are set for Wednesday afternoon at the Court of Appeals.

Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the ritual of Kaporos is held after Yom Kippur; it is held just before that observance.In the twilight of the summer season at Saratoga Race Course, trainer Gary Contessa found his stable star. A 2-year-old filly named Sippican Harbor, considered an afterthought by most when the Grade I Spinaway was run on the final Saturday of the meet, emerged as a major player in her division when she won the race by two lengths.

She was 16-1.

Fast forward to now. Sippican Harbor and Contessa are heading to the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies race at 11/16 miles at Churchill Downs on Friday, Nov. 2.

This is uncharted ground for the 61-year-old Contessa, who has a home in Hoosick Falls. In his 35 years as a trainer, Sippican Harbor is just the third horse Contessa has ever run in the Breeders' Cup.

"It's a good feeling I have," Contessa said Tuesday from Belmont Park. "This is the first time I have ever gone thinking I can win. It's a beautiful thing having a horse like this."

The last time Contessa went to horse racing's Super Bowl was 2015 when he was seventh in the Juvenile Turf with Manhattan Dan. His other two starters were a ninth place finish in the 2011 Juvenile (Speightscity) and a 12th in the 2010 Juvenile Filly Turf (Arch Spirit).

The vibe is different this time around because Sippican Harbor has shown Contessa that she has real ability. And it wasn't supposed to unfold the way it did.

When Contessa started training the daughter of Orb, he targeted her for the grass, and that is where she started her career. In July 22, she had some traffic problems and finished fifth.

It was the next start where things changed. The tenth, and last, race on Aug. 12, was supposed to be run on the grass, but it was moved to the dirt because of rain. Sippican Harbor, the 4-5 favorite, won the race by 17 lengths.

"I always thought we would be shooting for the (Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies) turf race," Contessa said. "When you have been training as long as I have, you learn by doing and, time and time again, they can make you look stupid."

Sippican Harbor was crying for dirt all along, and, after she won the Spinaway, Contessa was all in. Tuesday at Belmont Park, she worked six furlongs in 1:14.66. Sippican Harbor will have one more work early next week at Belmont and Contessa said the plan is to ship to Louisville a week from Wednesday.

There will be one major change for the Breeders' Cup. Joel Rosario, who rode Sippican Harbor in all three of her starts at the Spa, is jumping ship, He will ride the John Servis-trained Jaywalk, who won the Frizette at Belmont by 5 3/4 lengths on Oct. 7.

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Contessa has countered by naming Irad Ortiz Jr., the Saratoga riding champion, to ride Sippican Harbor.

"That was Ron Anderson's (Rosario's agent) decision," Contessa said. "Every top rider has two or three choices. I'm not insulted."

Contessa expects that Sippican Harbor will be in the middle of the pack in terms of odds for the Juvenile. That doesn't bother him. He has seen it before.

"I think she will be 8- or 10-1," he said. "I don't think she has gotten the respect yet. People might say, 'wow! Rosario chose the other horse!' Whatever it is, it is. I will try and give it my best shot and try to get lucky. I think I have a great chance to win."

twilkin@timesunion.com  518-454-5415  @tjwilkin Flash

Death toll in floods that hit French southern department of Aude overnight rose to 13, French raido Franceinfo reported on Monday.





Citing rescue teams, Franceinfo said nine people were confirmed dead in Trebes and two others in the village of Villegailhenc. A nun was swept away by raging water in Villardonnel and one body was found in Villalier.





"The death toll is unfortunately likely to increase," French Interior minister's spokesperson was quoted as saying by local media.





Several months worth of rain fell in just a few hours overnight in L'Aude, triggering unprecedented rise in water level. The villages of Conques-sur-Orbiel, Trebes and Villardonnel were the worst-hit zones where rail traffic were suspended, roads and schools remained closed on Monday.





French authorities had ordered the evacuation of about 1,000 inhabitants in Pezens and recommended people in the affected area to stay at their home.





French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe "expressed his deep emotion at the heavy human casualties already recorded in L'Aude...The state services are fully mobilized," the French Interior Ministry tweeted.





Some 750 rescuers, 160 gendarmes in addition to 7 helicopters have been deployed to ensure rescue operations in the affected areas.





Philippe, who also takes in charge interior portfolio until a due cabinet reshuffle, said he would visit the struck regions in the afternoon "as soon as operational conditions allow."





French weather agency Meteo France has put Aude under red alert and six other areas under orange alert and decided to maintain the alert system in these areas till Tuesday morning based on risks of flood in these areas.Fancy dress, cake sales and fun competitions, its that time of year again at Peter Mark! The annual Petermarkathon fundraiser is back and coming to Peter Mark Clonmel from Friday 26th  Sunday 28th October 2018.

This year the Peter Mark team will be raising vital funds for the Irish Cancer Society to help support its Cancer Nurseline a free helpline staffed by trained cancer nurses, to offer a listening ear and practical advice to anyone who has concerns or questions about cancer.

The Peter Mark salon in Tipperary is tasked with coming up with their own unique way to raise money, so visitors to their local Peter Mark Tipperary salon can expect a cake sale, fancy dress, pop the balloon for prizes and lots of other fun events over the weekend!

Commenting on the launch, Peter ORourke, CEO, Peter Mark said, Our annual Petermarkathon is a key event in our calendar and one we as a team very much look forward to. Over the years we have raised hundreds of thousands of Euros for charities across Ireland. Each year we select a new charity to raise money for and we are delighted to partner this year with The Irish Cancer Society. In particular, we will be raising money to support the wonderful work of the Cancer Nurseline.

Averil Power, CEO of Irish Cancer Society said: We are delighted to be the beneficiary of the Petermarkathon which will raise vital funds for our Cancer Nurseline service. This year over 40,000 people will get a cancer diagnosis in Ireland. That diagnosis can be frightening and overwhelming. Thats why our Cancer Nurses are available on the Freephone Cancer Nurseline to offer emotional support and advice to anyone concerned about any aspect of cancer.

This service is reliant on donations, so we are very grateful to salons across Ireland who will participate in the Petermarkathon and ensure those facing cancer get the support they need. We wish you the best of luck with your fundraising activities and hope the event is a huge success!

Check out all the activities Peter Mark Clonmel

Friday: Bake sale

Saturday: Fancy dress

All weekend: Raffle for hamper. Pop the Balloon

To find the location of your nearest Peter Mark salon, see www.petermark.ie

For more information about The Irish Cancer Society, see www.cancer.ieFine Gael General Election Candidate Garret Ahearn has invited Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed to address a public meeting on the future of Agriculture, CAP and Brexit in Cahir on Thursday, October 18 at 8pm.

Garret Ahearn said "the meeting is an opportunity for anyone in agriculture and the food industry to hear directly from Minister Creed. The industry is facing two major challenges in the form of Brexit and the future direction of the Common Agricultural Policy".

This meeting comes as the European Parliament is at a crucial stage of the process towards the new CAP. Garret Ahearn said there is a need to take account of the challenges facing Irish farmers post-Brexit. It is imperative that we secure a fair and adequate post-2020 budget for our farmers, with at least a continuation of the current budget level. This is increasingly important as costs and requirements on farmers are multiplying.

Mr Ahearn further emphasised the need for sufficient funds to be set aside for young farmers, to make sure farming is a viable career option for young people and that simplification for farmers is a key requirement.

Garret Ahearn finished by stating that anyone who is interested, from all political parties or none; from an Agricultural or food business background; or with a general interest in the future of our country, is more than welcome to attend". The public meeting is to take place in Cahir House Hotel, Cahir at 8pm on Thursday, October 18th.[October 16, 2018] Pie Insurance Begins Offering Workers' Comp Coverage in California

Pie Insurance has begun selling policies in California, offering small business owners in the state the convenience of shopping online to meet their worker's compensation needs. California is the ninth state in which Pie has launched this year. Small businesses represent a significant portion of the California economy. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, they employ nearly half the state's workforce, with 6.8 million employees, and create nearly 200,000 new jobs a year. Workers' compensation requirements in California are among the most robust in the nation; businesses with one or more employee must carry coverage, and penalties for business owners who fail to meet workers' comp obligations can include six-figure fines and even jail time1. "Purchasing workers' compensation insurance in California has historically been a confusing, often expensive experience for small business owners," said John Swigart, Pies co-founder and CEO. "With our launch in the state, we're bringing transparency, fair pricing, and convenience to California small business owners. We look forward to moving at the fast pace Californians expect and giving them the level of service they deserve."



Pie's research suggests that 80% of small businesses overpay for worker's compensation insurance, by as much as 30%. Using sophisticated algorithms to segment and price workplace risks, Pie can accurately price policies and offer savings to its small business customers. Insurance offered by Pie has earned an A rating from A.M. Best. For more information, visit www.pieinsurance.com.

About Pie Insurance Pie Insurance provides workers' compensation insurance directly to small businesses at www.pieinsurance.com. Offering A.M. Best A rated insurance, Pie leverages data analytics, easy-to-use online features, and a seasoned team of insurance experts to create an insurance model that's as easy as pie. Backed by Greycroft, Aspect (News - Alert) Ventures, Sirius Group, Moxley Holdings, and Elefund, the company began offering insurance policies in 2018 with a mission of helping small businesses experience true savings and an unmatched level of service. 1https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/faqs.html#5 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005002/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][October 16, 2018] Postmedia Network Selects RANK Software To Bolster Security Protection Against Real-Time Cyber Attacks

RANK Goes Beyond SIEM Capabilities to Protect Postmedia Network From Unknown Attacks and Zero Day Events

TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RANK Software today announced that Postmedia Network Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Postmedia Network Canada Corp. (TSX:PNC.A, PNC.B), selected RANK Softwares Virtual Advisor to Security Analysts (VASA). Under this multi-year agreement, Postmedia will use the AI-based threat detection platform to provide real-time threat hunting capabilities throughout its worldwide network of 160 brands across multiple print, online and mobile platforms. Postmedia currently depends on Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions that collect and analyzes information on its networks, devices and users to identify security threats. While SIEMs are necessary, and investments in them should be protected, leading businesses like Postmedia realize SIEMs are no longer sufficient given the growth in the complexity, scale, and persistence of todays threats. These include zero day events, like the DNC hack and attack on Sony, as well as threats from internal attacks such as those originating from spear phishing. With VASA, Postmedia will be able to stay ahead of attacks, moving from a reactive to proactive security posture, protecting their existing IT investments and providing additional protection against zero day events and other internal security threats said Rick Costanzo, CEO, RANK Software. VASA helps identify and prevent security threats in real-time by ingesting data from network sources and identifying anomalies for security analysts to review. VASA addresses the challenges of dentifying internal and unknown threats commonly missed today by perimeter defense systems through:



Active Learning. RANK Software helps reduce the false positives generated by most AI tools by recoding analyst feedback and allowing them to apply an action to similar alerts. This makes the VASA platform smarter over time allowing security analysts to become more efficient.



RANK Software helps reduce the false positives generated by most AI tools by recoding analyst feedback and allowing them to apply an action to similar alerts. This makes the VASA platform smarter over time allowing security analysts to become more efficient. Enterprise Scale . RANK Software ingests data from over 40 sources out of the box including System Network Traffic and End Point log files. It is capable of handling more than 1 billion events a day at 10+ gigabits per second



. RANK Software ingests data from over 40 sources out of the box including System Network Traffic and End Point log files. It is capable of handling more than 1 billion events a day at 10+ gigabits per second Contextualization . RANK Software builds on the results of AI, machine learning, and behavioral analytics by making the data more consumable and understanding risk thresholds based on context. This helps assemble and interpret the signals needed to hunt and assess threats faster and with high precision.



. RANK Software builds on the results of AI, machine learning, and behavioral analytics by making the data more consumable and understanding risk thresholds based on context. This helps assemble and interpret the signals needed to hunt and assess threats faster and with high precision. Flexible Architecture. On the cloud or on-premise, RANK Software provides unparalleled context and visibility into potential breaches. Companies around the world tell us that they worry about the inefficiencies of sifting through tens of millions of security events each year, wasting time, money, and increasing the chance that a credible threat will slip through the cracks, continued Costanzo. With RANK Software, the threat hunters and security analysts at Postmedia will have a 360-degree view of their enterprise security through a single dashboard, helping to prevent damaging intrusions. About RANK Software

RANK Software is a leader in security intelligence and analytics. The companys first product, VASA, is an AI-based threat detection platform that helps enterprises identify and analyze cybersecurity threats in real time, allowing them to take a proactive security posture in the rapidly changing cyber threat landscape. For more information, please visit www.ranksoftwareinc.com .

About Postmedia Network Inc.

Postmedia Network Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Postmedia Network Canada Corp. (TSX:PNC.A, PNC.B), is a Canadian news media company representing more than 140 brands across multiple print, online, and mobile platforms. Award-winning journalists and innovative product development teams bring engaging content to millions of people every week whenever and wherever they want it. This exceptional content, reach and scope offers advertisers and marketers compelling solutions to effectively reach target audiences. Media Contact:

Heidi Davidson

Galvanize Worldwide for RANK Software

Heidi@galvanizeworldwide.com

(914) 441-6862

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][October 16, 2018] ESI Group is Awarded First Prize of the Gaia Campaign 2018 for the Third Year in a Row

Regulatory News: ESI (News - Alert) Group (FR0004110310 - ESI), leader and pioneer in virtual prototyping solutions, has been awarded first prize in the Gaia campaign 2018 for midcaps with annual revenues under 150m. This is the third year in a row ESI has won first prize in this category and it keeps its place in the index which singles out the 70 top-rated companies in the CSR (News - Alert) domain. This award recognizes the efforts undertaken by ESI to continuously improve its commitment to social, societal and environmental responsibility. In 2018, the Group has reached a new milestone by joining the United Nations Global Compact, illustrating its beliefs and its willingness to act in these domains. Vincent Chaillou, Chief Operating Officer of ESI Group, said: "We are proud to be recognized for our social, societal and environmental practices for the past three years. This confirms our willingness to pursue actions started several years ago and to federate our teams around these challenges. Beyond our own actions, we are glad to offer solutions which support the reduction of our customers' environmental footprint, for example by building lighter vehicles or by improving work conditions for their employees, in line with Indsutry of the future." The Gaia Index was created in 2009 as the benchmark sustainable development index for listed French mid-caps ( ETI (News - Alert) ). Developed by EthiFinance, the Index selects SMEs based on their CSR performance. The Gaia Index has outperformed the CAC 40 and CAC Mid & Small indexes every year. The methodology uses CSR data to evaluate a companies' transparency and maturity in terms of CSR policies, best practices and performance. Read about our CSR strategy under "Our responsibility": https://www.esi-group.com/company/about/our-responsibility Next events:







Actionaria exhibition November 22 & 23, 2018 Q3 2018 sales November 27, 2018

About ESI Group ESI Group is a leading innovator in Virtual Prototyping software and services. Specialist in material physics, ESI has developed a unique proficiency in helping industrial manufacturers replace physical prototypes by virtual prototypes, allowing them to virtually manufacture, assemble, test and pre-certify their future products. Coupled with the latest technologies, Virtual Prototyping is now anchored in the wider concept of the Product Performance LifecycleTM, which addresses the operational performance of a product during its entire lifecycle, from launch to disposal. The creation of Hybrid Twin (News - Alert)TM, leveraging simulation, physics and data analysis, enables manufacturers to deliver smarter and connected products, to predict product performance and to anticipate maintenance needs. ESI is a French company listed in compartment B of Euronext Paris. Present in more than 40 countries, and addressing every major industrial sector, ESI Group employs about 1200 high-level specialists around the world and reported annual sales of 135 million in 2017. For further information, go to www.esi-group.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005887/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]Trustwave Named a Leader in IDC MarketScape for Incident Response

Trustwave today announced that industry analyst firm International Data Corporation ( IDC (News - Alert) ) has named Trustwave a Leader in the IDC MarketScape U.S. Incident Readiness, Response, and Resiliency Services 2018 Vendor Assessment - Beyond the Big 5 Consultanciesi. This report provides an assessment on the rapidly growing incident response (IR) marketplace, an area critical to threat detection and response as organizations transition from reactive to adaptive security models.

The report evaluated 19 U.S. firms whose revenue is derived from small and midmarket or large enterprises and offer IR services. Positionings were based on several parameters including: breadth and depth of core offerings, bench strength and skill sets of IR personnel, threat intelligence capabilities, methodology and approach to validating incidences and customer service and onboarding.

Trustwave was named a Leader for its incident response and readiness program that provides continuous monitoring, threat detection and response by a highly skilled digital forensics and incident response team with the ability to launch deep investigations anywhere in the world in minutes and immediately kill threats down to individual endpoints. In addition, the program offers robust assessments to determine current IR maturity level, and risk assessments to identify a customer's ideal state with training and incident playbook customized to individual client requirements.

"Detection and response time to obfuscated malware, relentless cybercriminals moving laterally across environments to gain control and other malicious activities has become the cornerstone of mature security programs," said Brian Hussey, vice president of cyber threat detection and response at Trustwave. "Being named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape incident readiness and response report is a testament to the strength of our program and level of expertise for finding and eliminating threats through best-in-class people, processes and technologies."

Recent Trustwave digital forensics and incident response highlights include:







This IDC MarketScape study presents through the IDC MarketScape model a vendor assessment of providers offering incident response services. The assessment reviews both quantitative and qualitative characteristics that define current market demands and expected buyer needs for incident response services. The evaluation is based on a comprehensive and rigorous framework that assesses how each vendor stacks up to one another, and the framework highlights the key factors that are expected to be the most significant for achieving short- and long-term success in the incident response marketplace.

To download a complimentary excerpt copy of the IDC MarketScape: U.S. Incident Readiness, Response, and Resiliency Services 2018 Vendor Assessment - Beyond the Big 5 Consultancies, visit: https://www2.trustwave.com/IDC-MarketScape-2018.html.

About IDC MarketScape:

IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor's position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

About Trustwave

Trustwave helps businesses fight cybercrime, protect data and reduce security risk. With cloud and managed security services, integrated technologies and a team of security experts, ethical hackers and researchers, Trustwave enables businesses to transform the way they manage their information security and compliance programs. More than three million businesses are enrolled in the Trustwave TrustKeeper cloud platform, through which Trustwave delivers automated, efficient and cost-effective threat, vulnerability and compliance management. Trustwave is headquartered in Chicago, with customers in 96 countries. For more information about Trustwave, visit https://www.trustwave.com.

i Source (News - Alert) : IDC MarketScape: IDC MarketScape U.S. Incident Readiness, Response, and Resiliency Services 2018 Vendor Assessment - Beyond the Big 5 Consultancies, (IDC# US44257117, October 2018)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005187/en/[October 16, 2018] Join BehavioSec at Money20/20 to See How Behavioral Biometrics Secures and Empowers Financial Services' Digital Transformation

BehavioSec, the first vendor to pioneer behavioral biometrics, will attend the Money20/20 conference, October 21-24, 2018 at The Venetian in Las Vegas, Nevada. Money20/20 focuses on the mission of creating a simpler, fairer, faster and more inclusive financial system for individuals, businesses, and society as a whole. During the conference, BehavioSec will meet with customers and industry partners, brief media and analysts and present demos of the company's Behavioral Biometrics Software Platform. Already in use with some of the biggest global brands in FinTech and financial services, BehavioSec's software provides continuous online authentication of account holders by analyzing their unique physical behaviors, like typing patterns, cursor movements and touchscreen inputs. "Digital identity, biometrics and cybersecurity are headlining themes at Money20/20 this year, showing the critical role these issues play at the intersection of trust and usability for financial services reaching users through the Web, mobile and other digital platforms," said Jordan Blake, BehavioSec's Vice President of Products. "With so much emphasis on creating more secure, personalized and frictionless banking, payment and other services in this industry, our team looks forward to showing attendees how behavioral biometrics adds new security to consumers' login credentials, while slashing financial organizations' support costs and improving thir risk scoring."



Money20/20 attendees can visit BehavioSec at booth #2138 during the conference and schedule a demo of BehavioSec's platform here. Traditional, one-time authentication measures like thumbprints and passwords cannot scale to protect and enable digital transformation in the financial services sector. Users' passwords are continually breached and trafficked in the cybercrime underground, where they are exploited in account takeover attacks. Meanwhile, financial institutions and FinTech vendors face mounting consumer frustration and support costs from having to constantly troubleshoot and reset passwords. Static password and biometric measures cannot stop malware from hijacking browsers for fraudulent transactions and even multi-factor authentication ( MFA (News - Alert) ) is bypassed when attackers use stolen tokens or phones to intercept MFA codes.

BehavioSec's platform offers proven advantages for FinTech developers and financial firms looking to reduce needless support costs and restore proactive control over digital identities, including: Accuracy: BehavioSec's platform is proven to yield low false positives alerts and deliver detailed information for real-time fraud detection and forensic purposes.

BehavioSec's platform is proven to yield low false positives alerts and deliver detailed information for real-time fraud detection and forensic purposes. Availability: BehavioSec's platform can be deployed on-premise or in the cloud by the enterprise, giving customers unmatched flexibility and control over end user privacy.

BehavioSec's platform can be deployed on-premise or in the cloud by the enterprise, giving customers unmatched flexibility and control over end user privacy. Continuous, seamless authentication: Efficiently combining identity and security functions, BehavioSec continuously studies behaviors to spot suspect activity, denying blind spots necessary for remote access Trojan (RATs) malware, bots, man-in-the-browser (MITB) attacks and other threats to compromise accounts or files.

Efficiently combining identity and security functions, BehavioSec continuously studies behaviors to spot suspect activity, denying blind spots necessary for remote access Trojan (RATs) malware, bots, man-in-the-browser (MITB) attacks and other threats to compromise accounts or files. Proven value: Customers quickly discover measurable cost savings from lower fraud incidences, coupled with fewer customer support calls and false positive issues associated with traditional authentication tools across billions of transactions and continuously verifying millions of users. Follow BehavioSec for more details and the latest in behavioral biometrics technology: Twitter

LinkedIn

Facebook About BehavioSec BehavioSec is the first vendor to pioneer behavioral biometrics. The company's Behavioral Biometrics Platform is widely deployed across Global 2000 companies for its proven ability to dramatically reduce account fraud and data theft. Founded in 2008 out of groundbreaking academic research, BehavioSec technology allows companies, to continuously verify digital identities with superior precision, in real-time. Strengthened with the leadership of serial entrepreneurs and experienced industry professionals, the BehavioSec team now spans the world, providing security while preserving a rich digital experience throughout web and mobile apps. BehavioSec is the only enterprise-grade vendor used in global deployments with some of the largest companies, reducing manual review whilst safeguarding millions of users and billions of transactions. BehavioSec investors include Forgepoint Capital, Cisco (News - Alert) , ABN AMRO, Conor Ventures and Octopus Ventures. BehavioSec is headquartered in San Francisco, CA and has global operations throughout Europe and Asia Pac. For more information, visit www.behaviosec.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005936/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][October 16, 2018] Davenport University Invests in Detroit with New Detroit Campus

Today, Davenport University announced the location for its new Detroit campus in Detroit, Michigan. The campus, centrally located at 3031 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit, is designed to meet the needs of students and employers in the metro-Detroit community. The new campus joins Davenport's state-wide education network of 5 campuses with the goal of educating students on the skills employers need. Davenport will prepare its students for successful careers that will shape the future world economy, including fast-growing careers in business, healthcare, technology and urban education. "With the new Detroit campus, Davenport is bringing the full force of the university to the city of Detroit," said Davenport University President, Dr. Richard Pappas. "I am confident that with Davenport University's investment in the new Detroit Campus, we'll be able to advance the careers, skills and opportunities for students and, as a result, produce a competitive advantage for the employers of Detroit." The new Detroit campus, which was built to serve more than 2,000 students per semester, continues Davenport's longstanding commitment to Detroit. Davenport University has been engaged in the education of the greater Detroit community for more than 60 years. "For years, Davenport University has served Detroit residents and having a campus right here in the city, close to major bus routes, will make a quality college education that much mor accessible," said Mayor Mike Duggan. "Davenport will be a great partner in our efforts to prepare Detroiters for opportunities in fields such as healthcare and technology."



Earlier this year, Davenport University announced new partnerships with the City of Detroit and Wayne County. These partnerships provide scholarships toward professional-development and higher-education bachelor's and master's degrees for city and county employees, their spouses and their dependents. Davenport University's new Detroit Campus will be located on the first floor of the New Center One building at 3031 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit. Located near several public transportation options including Detroit Bus Stops and the Qline, the space at 12,000 square feet in size will offer six classrooms, a computer lab and a variety of work and study areas for students to utilize throughout the day.

Students may attend classes at the new Detroit campus, the Warren campus, or at University Centers in the Wayne County Community College District, at Schoolcraft College and at Macomb Community College. Davenport University also offers a full complement of courses online. Enrollment is available now for the Detroit Campus for classes starting January 2019. To learn more about Davenport University's offerings, visit davenport.edu. Access the media kit and the Detroit Campus renderings here. About Davenport University Founded in 1866, Davenport is a private, non-profit university serving about 7,500 students at campuses across Michigan and online. With tuition among the lowest of all private universities in the state, Davenport provides high academic quality, small class sizes, conveniently located campuses, faculty with real-world experience and more than 60 dynamic undergraduate and graduate programs addressing in-demand careers in business, technology, health professions and urban education. More information is available at www.davenport.edu. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016005706/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][October 16, 2018] Wolters Kluwer Launches Distribution Tracking Software for ftwilliam.com

NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S. has announced the launch of Distribution Tracking Software (DTS) for ftwilliam.com. Built in close consultation with retirement service providers, DTS is sophisticated tracking software that simplifies the complexity of qualified plan participant distributions. ftwilliam.com's DTS brings cutting edge technology and valuable time-saving capabilities to tasks that many professionals typically perform manually. The solution allows users to automate and streamline all tasks associated with preparing and tracking distributions, while providing accountability tools, seamless communication and data collection to make distribution processing easier than ever before. The DTS module is fully integrated with other ftwilliam.com modules, including 1099, Compliance and Documents. "ftwilliam.com is well known for its modern and intuitive software for retirement service providers and the new features offered in DTS bring the platform to new heights," said Holly Roussel-Godfrey, Technical Product Manager at ftwilliam.com. "These enhancements will allow industry professionals to save valuable time and minimize error vulnerability. ftwilliam.com's DTS is Wolters Kluwer's latest move to listen to our customers and create new solutions that significantly improve their workflow." "It is great to find a software vendor so engaged with retirement plan service providers to develop products that fill a need in the market," said Bill Presson, COO of national TPA firm EGPS and a member of the advisory board for ftwilliam.com. "The ftwilliam.com Distribution Tracking Software is one of the most innovative software products we have seen." Additional features of ftwilliam.com's DTS include: Global and plan level dashboards;

Custom notifications and alerts;

Real-time updates to keep users and their clients informed on the status of a distribution;

At-a-glance distribution summary view, to see everything needed to know about a distribution in one place, wih the option to add custom notes or activity;

Document exchange, allowing users to send any document via the portal for download and receive signed/completed forms and documents from plan sponsors and participants;

Document template manager, allowing professionals to use ftwilliam.com's templates or create their own, instantly create custom custodial directives, force out notices, spousal consents, and more;

Robust search tool and filters;

Batch import distributions for force outs, plan termination and conversion;

Batch print and attach custom documents to distribution records.



http://product.ftwilliam.com/products/distribution-tracking-software/ ftwilliam.com, a product suite of Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S., offers employee benefit professionals modern and cloud-based plan document (retirement, welfare and non-qualified), government forms (5500, 1099 and 5300), and compliance testing and reporting software. Easy-to-use, integrated, and world-class customer support make ftwilliam.com the perfect solution for employee benefits professionals. TAG (Technical Answer Group) provides comprehensive answers to retirement plan questions. The TAG service also provides a fully-searchable database of over 4,000 previously asked questions, quick reference tools and charts, and daily news. For more information about ftwilliam.com and TAG, visit www.ftwilliam.com.

About Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.

Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S. is part of Wolters Kluwer N.V. (AEX: WKL), a global leader in information, software solutions and services for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with specialized technology and services. Wolters Kluwer reported 2017 annual revenues of 4.4 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. For more information about Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S., visit www.WoltersKluwerLR.com , follow us on Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn . Media

Linda Gharib

Director, Communications

Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.

Tel: +1 (646) 887-7962

Email: lrusmedia@wolterskluwer.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wolters-kluwer-launches-distribution-tracking-software-for-ftwilliamcom-300732124.html SOURCE Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][October 16, 2018] Washington Gas Joins Junior Achievement to Launch JA Finance Park for Students in Montgomery County, Maryland

Washington Gas today joined the Junior Achievement (JA) of Greater Washington for the grand opening of JA Finance Park in Montgomery County, Maryland. Together with local elected officials, corporate sponsors, students and faculty, the event celebrated the ongoing success of JA Finance Park to provide an innovative and interactive environment for middle-school students to learn personal finance literacy skills and the economics of life for the 21st century. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016006009/en/ On October 16, 2018, Washington Gas celebrated the grand opening of the Junior Achievement (JA) Finance Park in Montgomery County, Maryland. Washington Gas joined Pepco as a sponsor of the YOUtility challenge, a work station that offers important tips for children to learn how to save energy every day. (Photo: Business Wire) The new state-of-the-art facility, located on the fourth floor of the Thomas Edison High School of Technology in Silver Spring, is the second JA Finance Park to launch in Maryland and is expected to host approximately 12,000 students from 40 different middle schools every year, with the support of 2,200 community volunteers. The center features multiple educational storefronts and kiosks where students can engage with experts and educational tools to gain an understanding of managing money effectively and efficiently, including through use of digital technology, in a variety of everyday scenarios. Washington Gas collaborated with Pepco to create the "YOUtility Challenge" storefront which offers students a dynamic setting to learn how to properly budget energy costs using real-life scenarios in a full-day curriculum. To add fun to the energy education experience, YOUtility showcases an interactive 3D simulated home with visiblity into how natural gas and electricity function to power critical appliances in multiple rooms. A touchscreen video game also lets students gauge their knowledge of the many ways houses use energy and presents helpful tips and techniques about energy efficiency and lowering energy costs.



"Washington Gas has served the DC-area for 170 years, and we are thrilled to support education initiatives in the local community that empower the next generation of professionals with skillsets that prepare them for a successful future," said Adrian Chapman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Washington Gas. "We applaud Junior Achievement for encouraging today's youth to be financially astute. The lessons learned at the center will help them at home, in the classroom and eventually in the workplace, and we look forward to sharing our diverse energy expertise and volunteer hours to teach participants best practices in the energy industry." The YOUtility Challenge sponsored by Washington Gas and Pepco is also available at the JA Finance Park in Prince George's County, which was introduced in the fall of 2015 in Landover and serves approximately 9,000 students annually.

"JA Finance Park offers future generations of Montgomery County leaders what it takes to own their economic success, plan a career path and make smart academic decisions," said Ed Grenier, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Greater Washington. "We are excited to open our second location in the state of Maryland and appreciate loyal energy partners such as Washington Gas for their continued time and resources. We share a commitment to inspire today's talented youth to overcome the challenges of managing their own finances and to help them value our training for a lifetime." Junior Achievement, the world's largest organization dedicated to educating students from kindergarten to 12th grade about the fundamentals of finance, work readiness, and entrepreneurship, has reached more than 8 million students in 100 countries worldwide, and the group's greater Washington area presence in 17 counties includes the District of Columbia. There are 21 Finance Park facilities in the nation. Throughout the DC region, more than 120,000 students have graduated from the Finance Park program, with more than 2.5 million instructional hours dedicated to the cause, and 165 schools representing 10 school systems. To learn more, visit www.myJA.org. About WGL and Washington Gas The WGL family of companies-Washington Gas, WGL Energy, WGL Midstream and Hampshire Gas-are now indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of AltaGas Ltd [TSX:ALA]. WGL is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and is a leading source for clean, efficient and diverse energy solutions. With activities and assets across the U.S., WGL provides options for natural gas, electricity, green power and energy services, including generation, storage, transportation, distribution, supply and efficiency. Our calling as a company is to make energy surprisingly easy for our employees, our community and all our customers. Whether you are a homeowner or renter, small business or multinational corporation, state and local or federal agency, WGL is here to provide Energy Answers. Ask Us. For more information, visit us at wgl.com and @wglanswers. WGL's regulated natural gas utility, Washington Gas, provides safe, reliable natural gas service to more than 1.1 million customers in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. The company has been providing energy to residential, commercial and industrial customers for 170 years. Visit us at www.washingtongas.com and follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @washingtongas. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016006009/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Flash

The 14th Beijing-Tokyo Forum, co-organized by the China International Publishing Group (CIPG) and the nonprofit Japanese think tank Genron NPO, concluded in the Japanese capital on Oct. 15 with issuance of the "Tokyo Consensus."

During the two-day forum, participants from political, economic, diplomatic, and media circles conducted practical exchanges and in-depth discussions focusing on the theme of "Deepening mutual trust and cooperation, sharing responsibility for peace and development in Asia and the world, and exploring the practical significance of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan."

Their opinions and suggestions showed profound insight and understanding of the continuous improvement and healthy development of China-Japan relations, resulting in wide consensus.

In the five sub-forums involving bilateral politics and diplomacy, economy and trade, security, media and special affairs, participants exchanged views on enhancing political mutual trust, developing cooperation in new industries, maintaining regional peace and stability, improving the public opinion environment, and exploring cooperation in the fields of low-carbon and digital economy.

At the closing ceremony, Han Zirong, secretary-general of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee, Jiang Tao, senior vice president of the iFLYTEK Co. Ltd., Hirohide Yamaguchi, former deputy governor of the Bank of Japan, and Hiroya Masuda, former internal affairs minister of Japan, delivered keynote speeches on behalf of the two countries.

A Chinese and Japanese representative from each of the five sub-forums were selected to make concluding remarks focusing on their group discussions.

As one of the positive results achieved, the "Tokyo Consensus" was jointly issued by the organizers. Both sides believed that peace and cooperative development should be the approach pursued by China and Japan in the Asian region, win-win cooperation should be a common goal, and both sides need to make more efforts to achieve the goals.

Both sides support the diplomatic efforts made for Pyongyang's abandonment of its nuclear programs and promote realization of this goal through peaceful means. China and Japan need to deepen cooperation to achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and to build a peace-based mechanism on the peninsula.

They also expressed a belief that, as the world's free trade environment is becoming increasingly severe and unilateralism has become a major threat to the world economy, China and Japan, based on their opposition to trade protectionism, should work together to safeguard a more open, rule-based free trade system and international cooperation focusing on multilateralism.

The two countries should strive to promote reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the reform of their own economic structures, seeking further bilateral and multilateral economic cooperation in East Asia, and greater trade, economic and capital exchanges.

Both sides believed the establishment and implementation of effective crisis management mechanisms are still inadequate in East Asia, and the danger of accidental conflicts still exists in the region.

Thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, the crisis management mechanism between China and Japan has been partially realized, but its level needs to be further enhanced, and regular consultations aimed at crisis prevention and control should be initiated as soon as possible to explore the establishment of more relevant mechanisms, they agreed.

The two sides reiterated that peace and development in East Asia and even throughout Asia need not only the joint efforts from experts and scholars, but also the broad support from the peoples of the two countries.

To create a bright future of Asia, the two countries should develop long-term plans, conduct extensive and rational discussions, and create a sound public opinion environment for intergovernmental diplomacy.

Following the closing ceremony, a joint press conference was held and representatives of both sides answered questions from various media outlets.[October 16, 2018] A.M. Best Affirms Credit Ratings of IDS Property Casualty Insurance Company and Its Subsidiary

A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "a+" of IDS Property Casualty Insurance Company (IDS) and its wholly owned, fully reinsured subsidiary, Ameriprise Insurance Company (collectively referred to as Ameriprise P&C) (De Pere, WI). Together, these companies represent the key property/casualty insurance subsidiaries of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise) (headquartered in Minneapolis, MN) [NYSE:AMP]. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect Ameriprise P&C's balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its marginal operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). The balance sheet strength is derived from risk-adjusted capitalization at the strongest level, which benefits from a high credit quality investment portfolio and comprehensive reinsurance program, but is partially offset by generally adverse prior-year loss reserve development patterns observed in recent years. Ameriprise P&C had to rely on capital contributions totaling $397 million from parent company Ameriprise in the most recent five-year period to grow policyholder surplus and maintain risk-adjusted capitalization levels. Operating performance is considered marginal, as evidenced by Ameriprise P&C's five-year average total return on revenue and equity measures, which are negative and compare unfavorably with the averages for the private passenger standard automobie and homeowners composite. Underwriting losses have been impacted negatively by rising loss costs, adverse loss reserve development and significant weather-related losses.



Ameriprise P&C's business profile is considered limited due to the concentration of business derived from its affinity relationship with Costco Wholesale Corporation, which accounted for 72% of total earned premiums in 2017. Geographic concentration also exists as 33% of direct premiums written in 2017 were derived from California. The balance of Ameriprise P&C's premiums are well-diversified, with direct writings in 43 states and the District of Columbia. Ameriprise P&C's low-cost structure as a direct writer also provides the companies with an inherent underwriting advantage compared with many of its personal lines peers. ERM is considered appropriate for the companies' size and complexity of its underwriting, investment and other risks based on their ERM framework and controls. The ratings receive enhancement based on the companies' strategic importance to Ameriprise, providing diversification of risks and earnings and access to affinity partners to whom their wealth advisers can market additional financial products. Ameriprise continues to provide explicit financial support to Ameriprise P&C, as well as investment and ERM services, governance and oversight and resources for modernization.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on A.M. Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see A.M. Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best's Credit Ratings and A.M. Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best's Credit Ratings and A.M. Best Rating Action Press Releases. A.M. Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry. Visit www.ambest.com for more information. Copyright  2018 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016006024/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][October 16, 2018] Ellington Management Presents 2nd Annual HFC Rocks

On Thursday, October 18, Help For Children will host HFC Rocks at the Hammerstein Ballroom (at The Manhattan Center), with the Counting Crows - fresh of their 25 Years and Counting Tour - headlining and JJ Grey & Mofro opening for HFC's 2nd annual benefit concert to fight child abuse. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016006028/en/ Joining Ellington Management as HFC Rocks presenters are Wheelock Street Capital, along with Fortress Investment Group, Galaxy Investment Partners, Goldman Sachs Gives, Graham Capital Management, Paloma Partners, Pershing Square Capital, and Starwood Capital Group, the concert brings together the hedge fund, private equity, and broader alternative asset management industries for a night of live music. All proceeds from the evening support HFC's tireless efforts to prevent and treat child abuse in the New York metropolitan area. "HFC Rocks is an exciting and important event for HFC, which was founded twenty years ago right here in New York City," said Dean Backer, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs and Chair of the HFC Global Board. "Proceeds from this special night help amplify HFC's ability to protect and heal vulnerable children throughout the New York area, and we are incredibly grateful to Mike Vranos of Ellington Management for his ongoing leadership with our second annual benefit concert and, of course, as a HFC Global Board member."



Mike Vranos, CEO of Ellington Management Group and HFC Global Board member. "I am pleased to partner with Renee and her team on HFC's second annual rock concert and look forward to having a great evening with both new and old HFC friends and industry colleagues." "As a New York-based investment firm, HFC's fight against child abuse in NYC and abroad is a cause that Wilshire Phoenix is committed to investing in," said William Herrmann, founder and CEO, Wilshire Phoenix, a HFC Rocks Supporting Sponsor. "Our company has made an unwavering commitment to giving back 10% of all profits to charity and are thrilled to count Help For Children as one of Wilshire Phoenix's charity partners. We encourage all of our peers to join us in the global fight against child abuse."

HFC is an international foundation with one overriding mission - the prevention and treatment of child abuse. Established in 1998, HFC has grown from a single fundraising event in New York City to a global foundation that operates in seven countries in 13 cities. Over the past twenty years, HFC has provided more than $51 million in grants to organizations that protect and heal children. HFC would also like to thank all of HFC Rocks' Sponsors for stepping up in support of HFC's mission to fight and eliminate child abuse globally. Lead Sponsors: Deloitte (News - Alert) , EY, GoldenTree, Morgan Stanley, Options Group, PwC

Deloitte (News - Alert) , EY, GoldenTree, Morgan Stanley, Options Group, PwC Supporting Sponsors: ACA Compliance Group, Citrin Cooperman, Hunton Andrews Kurth, Insider, Marcum, MKP Capital Management, Sidley, Wilshire Phoenix

ACA Compliance Group, Citrin Cooperman, Hunton Andrews Kurth, Insider, Marcum, MKP Capital Management, Sidley, Wilshire Phoenix Media Sponsors: Advisor Crossing, Hedge Fund Association For more information and to purchase tickets, please contact Lynn Fisher at lfisher@hfc.org. About Help For Children Help For Children (HFC), a not-for-profit established in 1998, is a global foundation dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse through the support of the alternative investment community. As the alternative investment industry's leading charity, the support of the hedge fund, private equity, venture capital, and real estate investment sectors has helped HFC fund since its inception more than $51 million in grants to organizations in seven countries. HFC provides grants across four major impact areas - decreasing risk, strengthening families, reducing trauma and building individual strengths - with the goal of making the world a safer place for children. For more information, visit www.hfc.org. HFC 2018 Global Sponsors Astonishing Heart: Deloitte, EY; Outstanding Heart: PwC; Triumphant Heart: Goldman Sachs, KPMG; Golden Heart: Citco; Grand Heart: ACA Compliance Group, BDO, GlobeTax, Maples, RSM; Great Heart: Agecroft Partners, Aspen, Bloomberg (News - Alert) , BNP Paribas, Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP, Context Summits, Credit Suisse, EisnerAmper, HC Global Fund Services, HSBC, J.P. Morgan, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, Marcum LLP, Schulte Roth & Zabel, Seward & Kissel LLP View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016006028/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][October 16, 2018] Newell Brands Announces Pricing Terms of its Tender Offers

Newell Brands Inc. (NYSE:NWL) (the "Company" or "Newell Brands") announced today the pricing terms of its previously announced tender offers to purchase for cash (i) any and all of the Company's outstanding securities listed in Table I below (the "Any and All Notes") (such offer, the "Any and All Offer"), and (ii) up to $650,000,000 in aggregate principal amount (the "Maximum Waterfall Tender Amount") of the Company's outstanding securities listed in Table II below (collectively, the "Waterfall Notes" and, together with the Any and All Notes, the "Securities"), subject to the tender cap specified in Table II below (the "2026 Notes Tender Cap") and the Acceptance Priority Levels as defined below (such offer, the "Waterfall Offer"). The Company also announced the principal amount of each series of Securities that it expects to accept pursuant to the tender offers, subject to the satisfaction of waiver of certain conditions, as described below. The tender offers are being made upon and are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated October 1, 2018, and the related Letter of Transmittal (as they may each be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Tender Offer Documents"). The Company has also called for redemption of the remaining Any and All Notes not tendered in the Any and All Offer at the redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, November 9, 2018. After such redemption, together with the tender offers, the Company will have repurchased an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000,000 of its outstanding debt securities. The Total Consideration for each series of Securities is payable to holders of the Securities who validly tendered and did not properly withdraw their Securities at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 15, 2018 (the "Early Tender Deadline") and whose Securities are accepted for purchase by the Company. The Reference Yields listed in the tables below were determined at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on October 16, 2018 (the "Price Determination Date") by the lead dealer manager. Payments for Securities purchased in connection with the Early Tender Deadline will also include accrued and unpaid interest from and including the last interest payment date applicable to the relevant series of Securities up to, but not including, the early settlement date for such Securities accepted for purchase, which is currently expected to be October 18, 2018 (the "Early Settlement Date").







Table I Securities Subject to the Any and All Offer Title of Security Principal Amount Outstanding CUSIP/ISIN Principal Amount Expected to be Accepted(1) Reference U.S. Treasury Security Reference Yield Fixed Spread (basis points) Total Consideration(2) 2.875% Notes due 2019 $350,000,000 CUSIP: 651229 AP1

ISIN: US651229AP14 $249,064,000 1.375% UST Due 12/15/19 2.740% 20 $999.27

(1) Expected to be accepted for purchase, and paid for, on the Early Settlement Date. (2) The Total Consideration payable for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline and accepted for purchase by us includes an early tender premium of $30. In addition, holders whose Securities are accepted will also receive accrued interest on such Securities. Table II Securities Subject to the Waterfall Offer Title of Security Principal Amount Outstanding CUSIP/ISIN Tender Cap(1) Acceptance Priority Level Principal Amount Expected to be Accepted(2) Reference U.S. Treasury Security Reference Yield Fixed Spread (basis points) Total Consideration(3) 3.150% Notes due 2021 $1,000,000,000 CUSIP: 651229 AU0

ISIN: US651229AU09 N/A 1 $650,000,000 2.750% UST Due 09/15/21 2.961% 70 $988.10 3.850% Notes due 2023 $1,750,000,000 CUSIP: 651229 AV8

ISIN: US651229AV81 N/A 2 $0 2.875% UST Due 09/30/23 N/A 125 N/A 4.200% Notes due 2026 $2,000,000,000 CUSIP: 651229 AW6 ISIN: US651229AW64 $100,000,000 3 $0 2.875% UST Due 08/15/28 N/A 190 N/A (1) The 2026 Notes Tender Cap is the maximum aggregate principal amount of the 4.200% Notes due 2026 that will be purchased in the Waterfall Offer. (2) Expected to be accepted for purchase, and paid for, on the Early Settlement Date. (3) The Total Consideration payable for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline and accepted for purchase by us includes an early tender premium of $30. In addition, holders whose Securities are accepted will also receive accrued interest on such Securities. As listed in the tables above, the Company expects to accept for purchase, and pay for, $249,064,000 aggregate principal amount of its 2.875% Notes due 2019 and $650,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 3.150% Notes due 2021 on the Early Settlement Date. Newell Brands' obligation to accept for payment and to pay for the Securities validly tendered in the tender offers is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions described in the Offer to Purchase. Although the tender offers are scheduled to expire at midnight, New York City time, at the end of October 29, 2018, unless extended or terminated, because the Waterfall Offer was fully subscribed as of the Early Tender Deadline, the Company does not expect to accept for purchase any Waterfall Notes tendered after the Early Tender Deadline. Holders of Any and All Notes who validly tender such notes following the Early Tender Deadline and at or prior to the Expiration Date will only receive the applicable Tender Offer Consideration for Securities accepted for purchase, which is equal to the applicable Total Consideration minus an early tender premium of $30. Securities not accepted for purchase will be promptly returned or credited to the holder's account. The withdrawal deadline of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 15, 2018 has passed and, accordingly, Securities validly tendered in the tender offers may no longer be withdrawn except where additional withdrawal rights are required by law. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is serving as the Lead Dealer Manager, and Barclays Capital Inc. and BofA Merrill Lynch are serving as Co-Dealer Managers, in connection with the tender offers. The information agent and tender agent is Global Bondholder Services Corporation. The full details of the tender offers, including complete instructions on how to tender Securities, are included in the Tender Offer Documents. Holders are strongly encouraged to read carefully the Tender Offer Documents, including materials incorporated by reference therein, because they contain important information. Copies of the Tender Offer Documents and related offering materials are available by contacting the information agent at (212) 430-3774 (banks and brokers) or (866) 807-2200 (all others). Questions regarding the tender offers should be directed to Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Liability Management Group, at (212) 723-6106, (800) 558-3745 (toll-free). None of the Company or its affiliates, their respective boards of directors, the dealer managers, the information agent and tender agent or the trustee is making any recommendation as to whether holders should tender any Securities in response to any of the tender offers, and neither the Company nor any such other person has authorized any person to make any such recommendation. Holders must make their own decision as to whether to tender any of their Securities, and, if so, the principal amount of Securities to tender. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy or an offer to purchase or sell any securities. The tender offers are being made only pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and only in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law. About Newell Brands Newell Brands (NYSE: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Paper Mate, Sharpie, Dymo, EXPO, Parker, Elmer's, Coleman, Marmot, Oster, Sunbeam, FoodSaver, Mr. Coffee, Graco, Baby Jogger, NUK, Calphalon, Rubbermaid, Contigo, First Alert, and Yankee Candle. For hundreds of millions of consumers, Newell Brands makes life better every day, where they live, learn, work and play. This press release and additional information about Newell Brands are available on the company's website, www.newellbrands.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. These "forward-looking statements" are statements other than statements of historical fact and may include, among other things, statements in relation to the Company's current expectations and beliefs as to its ability to consummate the tender offers and redemption, including the timing, size, pricing or other terms of the tender offers, and other future events. All information set forth in this release is as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend, and undertakes no duty, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances. Actual results are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and may differ materially from the current expectations and beliefs discussed in this press release. Certain potential factors, risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company's business and financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements include the Company's ability to complete the tender offers and redemption and satisfy the conditions thereto, and other potential factors, risk and uncertainties under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2018 and June 30, 3018, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (" SEC (News - Alert) ") and available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016006042/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][October 16, 2018] Global Medical REIT Inc. Schedules Release of its 2018 Third Quarter Financial Results and Conference Call

Global Medical REIT Inc. (NYSE: GMRE) (the "Company"), a Maryland corporation engaged primarily in the acquisition of licensed, state-of-the-art, purpose-built healthcare facilities and the leasing of these facilities to strong clinical operators with leading market share, announced today that it intends to release its financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2018, after the market closes on Monday, November 5, 2018. The Company intends to hold a conference call to discuss those results the following day, Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Conference Call Details

Participant Dial-In Numbers:

Domestic callers: 877-407-3948 / International callers: 201-389-0865 Access by Webcast

The call will also be simultaneously webcast over the Internet via the "Investor" section of the Company's website at www.globalmedicalreit.com or by clicking on the conference call link: https://78449.themediaframe.com/dataconf/productusers/gmre/mediaframe/27092/indexl.html. An audio replay of the call will be archived on the Company's website.



About Global Medical REIT Inc. Global Medical REIT Inc. is a Maryland corporation engaged primarily in the acquisition of licensed, state-of-the-art, purpose-built healthcare facilities and the leasing of these facilities to strong clinical operators with leading market share. The Company's management team has significant healthcare, real estate and public real estate investment trust, or REIT, experience and has long-established relationships with a wide range of healthcare providers. The Company elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with its taxable year ending December 31, 2016.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016006054/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][October 16, 2018] UnitedHealth Group Donates $500,000 to Help Residents of Florida Gulf Coast Region Affected by Hurricane Michael

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) and its UnitedHealthcare and Optum businesses are donating $500,000 to help residents of the Florida Gulf Coast region recover and rebuild from Hurricane Michael. UnitedHealth Group will donate the funds to the Florida Disaster Fund. The company is matching dollar-for-dollar donations employees make to charities supporting recovery efforts. "We are deeply concerned for the people affected by Hurricane Michael, and we are committed to supporting local communities in the Gulf Coast region as they recover and rebuild," said David S. Wichmann, chief executive officer, UnitedHealth Group. "We are also taking action to ensure the people we serve have access to the care they need, and have worked to ensure the safety and well-being of our colleagues in the region." In addition to financial support for the affected communities, UnitedHealth Group will mobilize clinical and care delivery assets to help provide access to care through: Deployment of Mobile Clinic: UnitedHealth Group is partnering with Matrix Medical Network to deploy mobile clinics to provide health care directly to people living in areas affected by Hrricane Michael. The mobile clinic, staffed by WellMed and Optum clinicians, is being deployed in Panama City Beach, Fla.

UnitedHealth Group is partnering with Matrix Medical Network to deploy mobile clinics to provide health care directly to people living in areas affected by Hrricane Michael. The mobile clinic, staffed by WellMed and Optum clinicians, is being deployed in Panama City Beach, Fla. Emergency Kit and Prescription Drug Donations: OptumRx is working with Healthcare Ready to supply emergency kits and prescription drug donations to residents affected by Hurricane Michael in the Florida Gulf Coast Region. Additionally, UnitedHealthcare is providing hygiene kits to individuals and families affected by the storm.

OptumRx is working with Healthcare Ready to supply emergency kits and prescription drug donations to residents affected by Hurricane Michael in the Florida Gulf Coast Region. Additionally, UnitedHealthcare is providing hygiene kits to individuals and families affected by the storm. Free Emotional-Support Help Line: Optum is offering a free emotional-support help line to people affected by the hurricane. The toll-free number, 866-342-6892, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as necessary. The service is free of charge and open to anyone. Callers may also receive referrals to community resources. Along with the toll-free help line, emotional-support resources and information are available online at www.liveandworkwell.com.



About UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a diversified health care company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and helping to make the health system work better for everyone. UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through two distinct platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which provides health care coverage and benefits services; and Optum, which provides information and technology-enabled health services. For more information, visit UnitedHealth Group at www.unitedhealthgroup.com or follow @UnitedHealthGrp on Twitter (News - Alert) . Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for UnitedHealth Group.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181016006105/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][October 16, 2018] DealerBuilt Introduces the ceDMS

GRAPEVINE, Texas, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- DealerBuilt, a leading provider of automotive Dealer Management Systems (DMS), introduces a new platform for their flagship LightYear DMS, evolving the DMS into a ceDMS. DealerBuilt's new Consumer Experience Platform bridges the gap between the importance of a best-in-breed dealer operating system with a best-in-class Consumer Experience solution. "Today's consumer demands that dealers pay attention to their total experience in a manner in which they have become accustomed to in today's rapidly evolving world of technology," stated Mike Trasatti, CEO of DealerBuilt. Trasatti continued to elaborate, "They want a single point of entry for all their Dealership needs. DealerBuilt is committed to ensuring that the ceDMS delivers on those expectations by being the centralized end to end solution that extends into the consumer experience solution of tomorrow." DealerBuilt has partnered with UpdatePromise, the leader in bringing to market emerging consumer experience technologies that leverages today's leading communication media. This platform will include several components such as offering promotions, scheduling appointments, self-check-in kiosk, service lane tablet check-in, video and photo repair recommendations, multi-point inspection results, online reviews integrated with social media and even payment processing, all from a single unified system of record. The consumer will have on-emand access to all this information from UpdatePromise's consumer-based portal coined "Glovebox."



UpdatePromise's CEO, Curtis Nixon, discussed the value of his company's relationship with DealerBuilt, "The Consumer Experience side of the Auto Dealership world is fragmented and costly for Dealerships across the country. DealerBuilt is taking a huge step forward in eliminating that fragmentation by providing a seamless solution for their clients, and an unparalleled Consumer Experience for consumers. We couldn't be happier that DealerBuilt selected UpdatePromise as their partner of choice for this important milestone." DealerBuilt will begin offering the new LightYear ceDMS Nov. 1, 2018 as part of its bundled offering for all new clients and will offer a conversion to the bundle for all existing and renewing clients.

About DealerBuilt

DealerBuilt is a provider of LightYear Dealer Management Systems for retail automobile dealerships. DealerBuilt's integrated LightYear DMS has proven to be an effective solution for the operation of successful Dealers and Dealership groups of all sizes nationwide. DealerBuilt, located in Mason City, IA with branch offices throughout the country, has enjoyed steady growth as automobile Dealers seek additional choices to manage their dealer operations. For more information about DealerBuilt, please call or visit (888) 808-0733 / https://dealerbuilt.com.

About UpdatePromise

UpdatePromise is a leading technology provider for communication solutions to automotive insurers, repairers, and dealerships throughout North America. Founded in 2009, the UpdatePromise flagship automated messaging system has impacted thousands of businesses and their consumers, delivering unparalleled experiences accumulated through over 200 million text messages throughout the United States. For more information, visit updatepromise.com. Related Links DealerBuilt UpdatePromise View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dealerbuilt-introduces-the-cedms-300732273.html SOURCE DealerBuilt

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]LONDON  Huawei loves to keep some things a secret when it launches new products. And while we heard plenty about the Huawei Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro prior to those phones debut today (Oct. 16), the Mate 20 X emerged without having all its secrets revealed through leaks.

Taking a similar moniker to Huaweis Huawei MateBook X laptop, the Mate 20 X is a big-screen sibling to the rest of the Mate 20 range. It boasts the same Kirin 980 chipset as the Mate 20 Pro, but its body is a whole lot bigger. This is a definite rival to the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and Apple iPhone XS Max, thanks to its massive 7.2-inch OLED screen.

In an unusual turn, Huaweis Mate 20 Pro flagship has the smallest screen of this new trio of phones at 6.39 inches. The Mate 20 is close by with 6.53-inches of screen space while the Mate 20 X tops the lot with its 7.2-inch display.

Weve had a chance to hands on with the Mate 20 X at Huaweis London launch event, and here are some early impressions of this super-sized smartphone.

Huawei Mate 20 X cheat sheet

The Huawei Mate 20 X has a huge 7.2-inch screen.

Battery life should be decent, thanks to the 5,000 mAh battery inside.

Huawei is pushing the gaming elements of the Mate 20 X hard, even offering Nintendo Switch-like accessories.

The OLED screen features 1080p resolution.

Price and Availability

The Huawei Mate 20 X is available from October 26 for 899 (or around 790/$1,000). To put that price in context, the just-unveiled Razer Phone 2, which also has a focus on gaming, starts at $799.

Huaweis new phone will be available in both midnight blue and phantom silver. Theres no word as of yet whether this phone will come to the UK or US or if its just destined for the Chinese market.

Screen: Big, like really big

The 7.2-inch screen is as massive in the flesh as you would expect. This is definitely not a one-handed device, although it did feel nice and light when I picked it up.

The Mate 20 X has the same dewdrop notch on its display as the Mate 20. (The Mate 20 Pros notch is a more conventional bar across the top of the display.) As it has this teardrop notch, the Mate 20 X doesnt come with 3D face recognition as the Pro model does. Youll also find a fingerprint sensor on the back of the phone, not underneath the display like on the Mate 20 Pro.

Huawei Mate 20 X Specs

Price

899

Display

7.2 inches AMOLED (2244 x 1080) OS

Android Pie with EMUI 9.0 CPU

Kirin 980

RAM

6GB

Storage

128GB

Rear Camera

40-MP main (f/1.8), 8-MP telephoto (f/2.4), 20-MP ultra-wide (f/2.2) Front Camera

24-MP (f/2.0) Battery

5,000 mAh

Water Resistance

IP53

Size

6.9 x 3.4 x 0.3 inches

Weight

8.2 ounces

Colors

Midnight Blue, Phantom Silver



Stylus and Gaming: A lot of power

Given its large screen, the Mate 20 X cries out for a stylus, and thats exactly what Huawei has given it with the Huawei M-Pen. Functionality includes 4096 levels of pressure and a pop-up menu as soon as you touch the phones screen with the M-Pen. This stylus isnt part of the phone as such, though; its sold separately and doesnt fit neatly into the chassis like what happens with the Note 9 and its S Pen.

MORE: Best Android Games

In addition to stylus functionality, gaming is very much the order of the day with the Mate 20 X. In fact, Huawei compares the Mate 20 X with the Nintendo Switch, reckoning its bigger screen and 1080p screen resolution makes it a better portable games machine. Thats a big claim were eager to test out, even if it seems unlikely. But Huawei does contend its Kirin 980 mobile processor will offer smoother frame rates than rival devices.

Huawei even created an add-on gaming joypad, which should bolster the phones gaming capabilities once its released. It certainly makes the phone come alive as a gaming device when you add the joypad on to the left-hand of the Mate 20 X. I got to play a little bit of Fortnite and the graphics were smooth and the responsiveness of the controls (connected by Bluetooth) were impressive.

That said, pitching the Mate 20 X as a Nintendo Switch replacement is something of a reach. The majority of games you will play on this phone will be designed for mobile and nowhere near console quality. But overall, my first impressions of gaming on the Mate 20 X were impressive.

Camera: A big camera for a big phone

The Mate 20 Xs camera is particularly interesting. This phone may share the Mate 20s dewdrop screen, but it doesnt have that systems lower-spec camera array. Instead it matches the setup on the Mate 20 Pro: a 24-megapixel front camera and three lenses on the back.

That triple-camera array includes a 40-MP (f/1.8) main lens, supported by 8-MP telephoto (f/2.4) and 20-MP ultra-wide (f/2.2) shooters. The lens are arrayed in the same great square layout as the other Mate 20 phones, and using that 7.2-inch screen to capture images is an absolute joy.

All the AI processing found on the Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro, including AI cinema modes and interesting bokeh effects, makes its way to the Mate 20 X, too.

Battery: On and on

You shouldnt be hurting for battery life with the Mate 20 X, thanks to the 5,000 mAh power pack on board. Whats more, the battery is apparently backed by a new cooling system  a mix of graphene film and a vapor chamber. This is the first time graphene has been used to cool a smartphone which in itself is pretty cool.

The cooling system should make the Mate 20 X a better gaming device, since its designed to keep the CPU and GPU doing what they are doing for longer. Huawei reckons you should get three hours more gaming out of the Mate 20 X than you would with the iPhone XS Max, thanks to that battery.

The battery can also 23 hours of video playback, according to Huawei. Thats 9 hours more than the iPhone XS Max.

Outlook

The Huawei Mate 20 X is a great-looking phablet with a huge screen and the promise of some meaty gaming capabilities. It adopts the better camera array from the Mate 20 Pro but also pairs that with the more subtle dewdrop notch of the Mate 20.

Huaweis gaming phone big in size and certainly in stature, so its not a device that will appeal to everyone. The 7.2-inch screen is just a bit too ridiculous for the Mate 20 X to ever hit the mainstream.

If movie watching and game playing is your main focus when looking for a phone, though, then the Mate 20 X is certainly a consideration. The problem is it may not be getting as big a rollout as its size demands. Well have to see just where this big gaming phone lands.

Image Credits: Tom's GuideLawsuit contests gender policy on Kansas birth certificates KANSAS CITY, KS (KCTV/AP) - A federal lawsuit is challenging a Kansas policy that prohibits changing the gender designation on birth certificates for transgender people. Lamba Legal says Kansas is one of three states, along with Tennessee and Ohio, with similar policies.

A look at the legal debate about what what makes most of the Sunflower State think that they're more "manly" than everyday readers of TKC.Checkit:Bentleys taste for luxury and opulence was on full display when it celebrated the Middle Eastern launch of the new Continental GT. Instead of going the traditional auto show route, the British automaker chose to celebrate the Continental GTs launch in the market by opening a fine-dining restoring atop Jebel Jais, the tallest mountain in the United Arab Emirates, at an altitude of almost 6,400 feet above sea level. World-renowned chef Colin Clague was also brought in to help create the restaurants menu. Plague combined traditional British and Middle Eastern cuisines in creating a five-course meal that was served to the restaurants guests. About the only downside to the restaurant was that it closed down after only seven days of operation.

You almost never see an automaker go to these lengths for the sake of a car launch, and yet, this is Bentley were talking about here. Theres nothing normal in the way the British luxury car brand operates. This is the same company that has outfitted hotels, lodges, and private luxury homes with a signature British style that has stood the test of time, money, and influence.

In my head, somewhere over in Crewe, England, somebody suggested the idea of opening a fine-dining restaurant atop the Jebel Jais, and after careful deliberations, the companys decision-makers signed off on the idea with the caveat to turn the restaurant into a full-blown spectacle. So the automaker decided to align the restaurant idea with the launch of the Continental GT, a fitting synergy considering how important  and popular  the Continental GT is in the Middle Eastern market.

From there, the focus turned ton actually building the restaurant and tapping somebody to run it. On that end, Bentley didnt just hire any chef for the job.

It tapped the services of world-famous chef Colin Clague to not only create a delicious menu for the restaurants customers but to cook the food and offer it from the top of the highest mountain in the UAE region.

Chef Clague was up to the task, creating a five-course meal that fuses traditional British and Middle Eastern cuisine.

As expected, the once-in-a-lifetime chance to be involved in this project was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Working with Bentley on such an innovative project has been a very unique experience, Clague said. Over the course of my career Ive worked in many kitchens in many countries across the globe, but Ive never served dinner in a completely bespoke restaurant on the highest mountain in the UAE. Its certainly a moment I will never forget.

The opportunity to dine with such a breathtaking view of the United Arab Emirates wasnt lost on those who were able to experience it.

Unfortunately, the restaurant isnt taking any more reservations because Bentley already closed it  seven days after opening it. Thats the sad reality here. The restaurant was a pop-up boutique that was built to help celebrate the launch of the new Continental GT. It was never meant to be a permanent, self-sustaining, fine-dining restaurant because, really, who would go there in the first place?

Intentions notwithstanding, the short-lived, fine-dining restaurant atop Jebel Jais accomplished its mission of introducing the new Continental GT to the Middle Eastern market. Bentley probably didnt have to go that far to get the message across, but since when has this brand settled for anything less than a spectacle?

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Bentley Continental GT.

Source: BentleyMercedes-Benz is upping the ante by introducing Level 3 autonomy in its next-gen S-Class that will launch in 2020, improving on technology found in the current-generation model that has level 2 autonomy. After featuring in the S-Class, the German automaker will use the autonomous system in other cars as well.

Be ready to get chauffeured around without a chauffeur; well almost

Its A Little Late, But Its Here

Audi was the first automaker to introduce Level 3 autonomy. So, in that sense, Mercedes took its own sweet time to come up with it; which doesnt really matter because according to U.S. rules and regulation, an automaker cannot launch full-fledged level 3 autonomy in its cars yet.

The Mercedes S-Class has been spotted with an updated exterior and interiors recently, and it is rumored that it will receive the German manufacturers newest 4.0-liter, twin-turbo, V-8 engine as opposed to the current V-12.

It will be paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and might feature mild hybridization like the new CLS.

Starting with its flagship sedans, Daimlers head of research, Ola Kallenius, said that the autonomous systems would be introduced in other Mercedes products as well. Kallenius is also set to become the CEO of Mercedes and Daimler next year.

In-depth About Autonomy

Mercedes current level 2 autonomy assists in steering, acceleration, and deceleration, but the driver remains in charge of monitoring the driving environment at all times. Level 3 systems are considered "eyes off," but they still require humans to respond to a vehicles request to intervene when necessary. This is not approved in the U.S., but in some countries, it is already in use. Germany, for instance, recently approved systems like Audis Traffic Jam Pilot for use on its roads.

Teslas Autopilot system is capable of Level 5 autonomy when equipped with Hardware 2, but the system is currently restricted to Level 2 operation.

Chevrolets Super Cruise feature, which is almost Level 3 autonomy, is available in the Cadillac CT6, but cannot be used until regulations allow for more automation.

Of the German trio, BMW will be the last one to join the party. Its Level 3 autonomy system is expected to be introduced in the iNext EV that will be launched in 2021. However, BMW will upgrade it to Level 4 automation within a year. With level 4 autonomy, the vehicle can operate itself almost all of the time.

Final Thoughts

Now that automakers are capable of introducing even Level 5 autonomy, do you think the U.S. government should let them install it in cars, or should they wait until the systems become fool-proof and safe to use? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Read our full speculative review on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.Its that time of the year; the time where magazines and websites name their respective car of the year. And, here we have the U.K.s Top Gear giving the title of the 2018 Performance Car of the Year. The winner took us by surprise, especially because it beat some of the biggest names in the auto industry  its the Alpine A110!

The Spoils Of War Just Add To The A110s Credibility

The car, which has its roots originating in France, emerged as the winner by beating some big players. The competitors included hot-shots like the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, the Bugatti Chiron, the McLaren 600LT, and the Ferrari 488 Pista.

No taking anything away from Alpine, but the A110 was probably the least-famous car in the lot.

It still managed to score an upset victory and claim the top spot. Some models like the Lamborghini Huracan Performante were not considered because they competed last year. Top Gears annual Speed Week comparison test took place at the historic Circuit de Charade in France, where the Alpine A110 managed to impress with its great handling and balancing character.

About The Winner

The Alpine A110 comes with a 1.8-liter, turbocharged petrol engine that churns out 248 horses and 236 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to a dual-clutch transmission system, which allows the A110 to sprint to 62 mph from a standstill in 4.5 seconds.

For now, The Alpine A110 is available in two trims  Pure and Legende.

The Pure, like the name, is a pure performer and gains a pair of Sabelt bucket seats, microfiber upholstery, 17-inch lightweight wheels, and matte carbon fiber interior trim. The Legende, on the other hand, is the more sophisticated of the two and focuses on creature comforts like six-way adjustable seats in black or brown leather and a lightweight premium audio system.

The video of the test will be released in the coming weeks, and is hosted by Chris Harris himself! Can the A110 be called an underdog convincingly? In my opinion, going only by brand value, the Alpine A110 wouldve been at the bottom. But by tripping the Bugatti, the Ferrari, the McLaren, and the Porsche, Alpine has shown the world that it cannot be taken for granted.

Alpine A110 vs the Competition

Porsche 718 Cayman Porsche 718 Cayman S Alfa Romeo 4c Renault Alpine Engine 2.0-liter boxer-4 2.5-liter boxer-4 1.7-liter four-cylinder 1.8-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged Horsepower 300 HP @ 6,500 RPM 350 HP @ 6,500 RPM 237 HP @ 6,000 RPM 252 HP @ 6,000 RPM Torque 280 LB-FT 309 LB-FT 258 LB-FT @ 2,200  4,250 RPM 236 LB-FT 0 to 60 mph 4.9 seconds 4.4 seconds 4.5 seconds 4.5 seconds Top Speed 170 mph 177 mph 160 mph 155 mph Fuel economy city/highway/combined 21/28/24 20/26/22 24/34/28 TBA Curb weight 2,944 Lbs 2,988 Lbs 2,465 Lbs 2,381 Lbs

Final Thoughts

Do you feel the Alpine A110 deserved to be the winner? If you were asked to rank the cars, what would your order look like? Let us know your thoughts and answers in the comments section below.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2017 Alpine 110.Aston Martin Rakes in $26 Million for Tooling and Design Drawings for the Vanquish

Had it not been for the IPO document, we would have never knownNew study shows Kenya trade misinvoicing leads to significant revenue losses

Analysis of trade misinvoicing in Kenya in 2013 shows that the potential loss of revenue to the government was $907 million for the year, according to a new study by Global Financial Integrity. To put this figure in context, this amount represents eight percent of total annual government revenue as reported to the International Monetary Fund. Put still another way, the estimated value gap of all imports and exports represents approximately 23 percent of the countrys total trade.

The report, titled Kenya: Potential Revenue Losses Associated with Trade Misinvoicing, analyzes Kenyas bilateral trade statistics for 2013 (the most recent year for which sufficient data are available) which are published by the United Nations (Comtrade). The detailed breakdown of bilateral Kenyan trade flows in Comtrade allowed for the computation of trade value gaps that are the basis for trade misinvoicing estimates. Import gaps represent the difference between the value of goods Kenya reports having imported from its partner countries and the corresponding export reports by Kenyas trade partners. Export gaps represent the difference in value between what Kenya reports as having exported and what its partners report as imported.

Revenue lost due to the misinvoicing of imports was $767 million. This amount can be further divided into its component parts: uncollected VAT tax ($324 million), customs duties ($229 million), and corporate income tax ($214 million). Lost revenue due to misinvoiced exports was $140 million for the year which is related to lower than expected corporate income and royalties.

The practice of trade misinvoicing has become normalized in many categories of international trade, GFI President Raymond Baker said. It is a major contributor to poverty, inequality, and insecurity in emerging market and developing economies. The social cost attendant to trade misinvoicing undermines sustainable growth in living standards and exacerbates inequities and social divisions, issues which are critical in Kenya today.

Examination of the underlying commodity groups which comprise Kenyas global trade show that a large amount of lost revenue ($92 million) was related to import under-invoicing of just five product types. Those products and the related estimated revenue losses include: mineral fuels ($15 million), electrical machinery ($17 million), vehicles ($18 million), cereals ($21 million), and worn clothing ($21 million). Lost revenue due to mispriced exports ($140 million) may be related to the coffee, tea and spice trade given this category of goods makes up over 90 percent of all exports.

Trade misinvoicing occurs in four ways: under-invoicing of imports or exports, and over-invoicing of imports or exports. In the case of import under-invoicing fewer VAT taxes and customs duties are collected due to the lower valuation of goods. When import over-invoicing occurs (i.e. when companies pay more than would normally be expected for a product), corporate revenues are lower and therefore less income tax is paid. In export under-invoicing the exporting company collects less revenue than would be anticipated and therefore reports lower income. Thus, it pays less income tax. Corporate royalties are also lower.

Total misinvoicing gaps related to imports can be broken down by under-invoicing ($2 billion) and over-invoicing ($761 million). It should be noted that these figures represent the estimated value of the gap between what was reported by Kenya and its trading partners. The loss in government revenue is a subset of these amounts and is based on VAT tax rates (16 percent), customs duties (11.3 percent), corporate income taxes (28.1 percent), and royalties (0.1 percent) which are then applied to the value gap. Export misinvoicing gaps were $496 million for export under-invoicing and $341 million for export over-invoicing. Lost corporate income taxes and royalties are then applied to export under-invoicing amounts to calculate lost government revenue.

Recommendations

There are three ways that Kenya can curtail revenues losses due to trade misinvoicing. First is through legislative and regulatory measures that posit substantial disincentives for importers and exporters. Second is detecting misinvoicing as transactions are occurring and taking corrective steps in real time. Third is clawing back lost revenues after misinvoicing is found through subsequent audits and reviews. Of these, by far the greater potential for gain is attendant to the first and second options. Clawing back lost revenues after the fact is a difficult exercise.

Methodology

The central objective of the analysis is to identify commodity-trade partner combinations which appear to be more likely than others to present risk of revenue loss due to trade misinvoicing. Toward this end, GFI presents a summary of the methods it used to estimate trade misinvoicing for imports and exports along with a more detailed presentation of potential revenue impacts of import under-invoicing for Kenya. The availability of Kenyan tariff data comparable in detail to the partner country and commodity detail available for Kenyan trade enable the more detailed estimates of revenue loss.

The first two subsections to follow reflect on all the misinvoicing estimates. In subsection A, the bilateral trade data used to estimate misinvoicing are summarized and are compared with other leading aggregate trade series for Kenya. That comparison is intended to shed light on the kinds of information the bilateral trade analysis can provide. Next, in subsection B, GFI provides an overview of the numerous statistical treatments of the basic data that were necessary to enable robust measurements of trade gaps. Finally, in subsection C, details of the potential revenue losses (in import duties) stemming from under-invoiced imports in Kenya are presented.Propensity for misinvoicing merits serious attention in Uganda, says new Global Financial Integrity study

There are always political risk and capacity gaps in coordinating government policy with efforts meant to curb illicit financial flows (IFFs).

Political risk and capacity gaps are elevated in developing countries such as Uganda where there are many opportunities for IFFs and where capacities and political will to combat IFFs are limited.

The consequences are also heightened for the citizens of developing countries, including Uganda, due to reduced economic growth, increased income inequality, stubborn poverty rates, lower domestic revenue mobilization, and weaker service delivery at the national and local government levels.

The High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa, led by Former President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki, has provided valuable research on IFFs in Africa and, more importantly, a strong political push to combat them. However, the people of Africa continue to wait for actions from their governments to fight this US$50 billion a year (or more) scourge on their rights and futures.

This paper presents an overview analysis (a scoping study) of illicit financial flows in Uganda, including the magnitudes, sources, relevant policy and economic environments, and most critical steps for the Government of Uganda to curtail the countrys IFFs.

Of the three sources of IFFs  commercial, criminal, and corrupt  the study found that potentially over-and under-invoiced commercial imports and exports is the largest measurable component, at roughly US$6.7 billion during the 10-year period from 2006-2015. The propensity for misinvoicing merits serious attention.

These figures, inexact by their very nature, should be taken as broadly indicative of a significant problem in Uganda, as it is in many emerging market and developing countries. Impacts on the political-economy of the country are severe. Legislation and enforcement are often inadequate to the challenge, GFI President Raymond Baker said.

Executive summary

Insufficient levels of financial transparency  globally and domestically  and government accountability in Uganda, coupled with a regulatory system that can incentivize financial crimes, are helping to drive high levels of illicit financial inflow and outflows in the country, which are undermining development efforts.

Uganda will struggle to meet its goal of rising to middle-income status and reducing its reliance on foreign debt unless it increases efforts to combat the commercial tax evasion, corruption, and money laundering of criminal proceeds and terrorist financing. Three policy areas should be the central focus for the government: eliminate the allowance and use of anonymous companies in the economy, reduce the ease and volumes of trade misinvoicing, and enforce anti-money laundering laws, particularly within the banking sector.

Illicit financial flows (IFFs) in Uganda are part of a broader political economy dynamic where continued economic growth and development are hampered by corruption, impunity, and an opaque extractive sector. The growth in Ugandas economy and its role as a haven for legal and illegal activities stemming from neighboring countries like South Sudan, create perverse opportunities for illicit financial flows. The central government has a decent capacity to combat these opportunities for IFFs on paper, but its willingness or capacity to act to curtail IFFs is lagging.

Trade misinvoicing is the most significant area of illicit financial flows in Uganda that can be estimated using publicly available data. From 2006-2015, the latest years for which the necessary data are available, potential trade misinvoicing amounted to roughly 18 percent of total Ugandan trade over the ten-year period.

The figure for possible outflows is some 10 percent of total trade, and for possible inflows it is around 8 percent of total trade (2006-2015). Viewed in dollar terms, the potential over- and under-invoicing of imports from 2006-2015 was approximately US$4.9 billion, and over- and under-invoicing of exports may have reached US$1.7 billion.

Ugandas laws and regulations on financial transparency and anti-money laundering have the strongest influence on illicit financial flows, and there are notable gaps in the framework the Government of Uganda has in place to address the sources, transfer methods, and motivations of IFFs in the country.

In particular, laws governing corporations in Uganda are generally weak in so far as they do not require the official identification of the beneficial owners of companies or the complete identity of all shareholders in a company. The governments anti-money laundering regime mostly exists on paper and could do with strengthening.

The Financial Intelligence Authority, which was only recently established, acknowledges this shortcoming and is working to enhance its performance in helping to prevent, track, and prosecute money laundering in the country. Ugandas extractive sector and the presence of numerous transnational crime markets add to the importance of both financial transparency and anti-money laundering.

This study was led by Global Financial Integrity with contributions from the Economic Policy Research Centre and Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA).For my administration, fighting corruption and Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) in Nigeria is non-negotiable

This was the statement by Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to Thabo Mbeki, former President of the Republic of South Africa and Chair of the African Union-ECA High-Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa.

The Chair visited the President, who is also the current Champion of the AU Anti-Corruption Campaign, to follow up on the efforts of AU Member States to implement the recommendations of the pdf High-Level Panel Report (2.16 MB) (endorsed by the AU in 2015) and ultimately tackle IFFs nationally.

The visit also saw the Chair call upon the President in his capacity as the AU Anti-Corruption Champion to lead the efforts to engage action from other AU Member States towards tackling IFFs at the national, regional and continental level.

Prior to the Presidential visit, Mr. Mbeki met with representatives of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government of Nigeria which deal with Financial and legislative matters to gain an understanding of the countrys ongoing efforts to tackle Illicit Financial Flows.

In his remarks to the MDAs, the Mbeki recalled the 2015 Special Declaration to address IFFs, which was a realization by African leaders of the excessive losses due to illicit outflows. The view was that the continent was losing resources which should have been available for its development to these illicit outflows, he said.

He emphasized the level of losses from IFFs, which at the time of the Panels Report was 50bn USD annually, but has now grown to about 80bn annually. He also indicated on a more positive note that, Africa has led this agenda and brought it to global attention. This was evident when the African Heads of States asked our Panel to help address this issue.

Mr. Mbeki highlighted some of the recommended actions to address these IFFs saying that Nigeria and in turn, all other AU member states need legislation to deal with money laundering, financial intelligence and tax evasion. He underlined that this issue also requires action from global partners stressing, since these funds leave the continent to destination countries, this problem cannot be solved by Africa alone.

He acknowledged the capacity constraints nationally and continentally, saying, As Africans, we must say that having identified the nature and size of the problem, we must work to address the issue. We need to act on this matter in any capacity necessary.

The Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Abdalla Hamdok for his part said that as a result of the Chairs leadership, Africa was able to put the challenge of illicit finance on the global map. He referred to the Panels work and Report, whose impact has led to several important continental and global frameworks, including the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, as well as its inclusion in the Sustainable Development Goals.

As the Chair is required to report back to the AU Assembly of Heads of States and Government annually on the progress of implementing the recommendations of his Panels Report, Mr. Hamdok said, Several actions are being carried out, including this visit to Nigeria to determine the state of reaction to this issue, as well as a technical project which is being worked on by the ECA to help capacitate AU member states against IFFs. Mr. Hamdok also stressed that all these efforts and those not yet mentioned are still, however, based on political will, which is crucial to reducing IFFs from the continent.

Abubakar Malami, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) for his part elaborated on Nigerias efforts to implement strategies to curb corruption and reduce IFFs. We have taken major multi-dimensional policy decisions relating to institutions, legislations and above all, recognizing the need for international collaboration as it relates to the fight against corruption and the minimization of illicit financial flows.

He noted that through legislative processes, Nigeria has succeeded in establishing and capacitating institutions which are mandated with the statutory role of working to enforce financial regulations as well as tackle various misconducts including corruption and IFFs.

He also detailed the efforts of the country in fighting corruption and IFFs through the deployment of relevant technology and international collaboration. Additionally, he highlighted the need for collaboration to make it more difficult for IFF perpetrators to move freely, invest in businesses and benefit from the proceeds of crime. He stressed that we must work to repatriate these funds from the external perpetrators while working to detain them.

The Permanent Secretary of Finance, Mahmoud Isa-Dutse delivered remarks on behalf of the Minister of Finance for Nigeria. In the speech, he commended the Chair and Panel for fighting this plague saying that IFFs have robbed Africa of the required wealth to help build schools, hospitals, roads and other necessary infrastructure. He added that the quest for Africas financial development will be accelerated if the efforts to recover these lost funds are successful and the continents development will no doubt receive a necessitated boost.

In this regard, he spoke about the work of the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI), which is being led by the Minister of Finance. This effort has helped the country recover lost assets from taxes because of the increased transparency.

The two-day event culminated with a technical workshop with Thabo Mbeki. Raymond Baker, President of Global Financial Integrity and Member of the High-Level Panel as well as the Secretariat of the Panel, met with the representatives of the financial agencies and departments.

Part of the objectives of the workshop was to discuss the ECAs proposed Development Assistance Project which aims to support Nigeria and other member states in the fight against IFFs. Following this visit, the Secretariat is expected to further engage the government of Nigeria and foster collaboration to build its capacity to stem IFFs from the country.There is a lot of history here, and a great future.

Way back in the early days of Treehugger, our first writer, Meaghan O'Neill, wrote about the Wee House, with a wee photo and a wee paragraph. Around that time I was in the prefab biz and met Steve Glenn, who was just starting Living Homes; we covered it when the photos were just a bit bigger. He and Geoffrey Warner, founder of Alchemy Achitects and entrepreneur behind the weeHouse, are both true pioneers in modern prefab and tiny living, and are still at it.

Alchemy Architects / LH1 Exterior

Now they are working together and have introduced a line of wee accessory dwelling units (ACUs) ranging from 310 to 600 square feet, inspired by the weeHouse. Plant Prefab founder Steve Glenn says in the press release:

Since Alchemy has long been an expert in designing for prefabricated building methods and a pioneer in sustainable design, and weve already completed two projects together, it was easy for us to partner together to offer a set of unique, ultra-efficient, standard LivingHomes for the market.

Geoffrey Warner ripostes:

Having worked together to build two prior homes in California, were confident that Plant Prefab is the right partner to bring our ADU designs to this market. The lightHouse is intended to be a beacon for sustainable living; Plant Prefab has built up its reputation around sustainable building practice.

The specs sound appealing, with "thoughtful details, such as window nooks that double as seating and guest sleeping areas, laundry, and flexible storage spaces, provide utility where it matters most. Carefully-chosen finish options ensure that the units can blend in with their surroundings and adapt to different climates, a key consideration for building on the West Coast."

Plant Prefab/ Alchemy Architects

But as is so often the case, it is the planning that makes these things a success or failure, and this is where Geoffrey Warner has been refining his designs for the last fifteen years. Here are 380 square feet of really usable space with a generous bathroom. I am also intrigued by this (2) bench + sleeping concept. It's shown as the same depth as the kitchen counter, which is camp cot width, but it's a lot less work than unfolding a sofa bed.

Alchemy Architects

I wouldn't mind living in this 480 square foot unit, especially if it comes with that view. But it also has a very interesting plan:

Alchemy Architects

My first thought was, why is the kitchen out in the living space when there looks to be enough room in (7) laundry/mechanical/storage to fit a galley kitchen? On reflection, I conclude that ADUs should be designed for universal accessibility, which that bathroom is big enough for, as is the open kitchen. A galley might be too tight. You can also never have enough storage.

Alchemy Architects

There are lots of options in size and layout: "Thirteen floor plan variations allow customers to achieve their ideal space, siting, and view, regardless of lot limitations. Configurations range from a compact studio to a one-bedroom unit atop a two-car garage, accommodating just about any end use." Plant Prefab has figured how to do it affordably, with entry-level units starting at $170,000:

Construction of all LivingHomes is made significantly more efficient with use of the Plant Building System (PBS), Plant Prefabs patented, hybrid system for building prefabricated homes. PBS uses a combination of Plant Modules and Plant Panels, a new panelized construction system developed by Plant Prefab, which include plumbing, electrical, and finish materials. By integrating both modules and panels, PBS provides architects with greater design flexibility and reduces the complexity and cost of transportation and installation.

Fifteen years ago when I was working in prefab, Steve Glenn, Geoffrey Warner, and I were all trying to make "great architecture more accessible, affordable, and sustainable." I didn't have the talent or the discipline, but Steve and Geoffrey stuck it out, survived the Great Recession (a lot of others didn't), and are launching lightHouse LivingHomes at a very difficult and precarious time. On the other hand, the timing might be excellent; there may be a big demand for retirement downsizing, home offices, or rental units.

As for me, it is such a pleasure to see two people that I have known and admired for 15 years working together. They will do great things.editorial@tribune.com

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 16

Ludhiana, the industrial city of Punjab, is likely to have a prolonged seasonal labour crisis this year as almost one-third of the industrial labourers, mostly migrants, are demanding a two-week-long leave to celebrate the Chhath festival, which was earlier a one-week affair.

Labourers have made it amply clear that this time they want a leave for almost two weeks to celebrate both festivals  Diwali on November 7 and Chhath on November 13. Earlier, they used to take leave for only Chhath  a festival that is particularly celebrated in the eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar, said Ludhiana-based industrialists. Migrant labourers are almost one-third of the total workforce of the industrial city.

Earlier, they used to stay back till Diwali to get gifts. We try to stop them but they refuse. If they are forced to stay back, they quit the job, Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association (FOPSIA) president Badish Jindal said. According to the industry, migrant labourers have declared holiday from early November.

The labour crunch during this period is usual and most of the industries make advance preparations to avoid loss of the business, he said. We ask them much in advance to do overtime. Despite that, we suffer production losses, he added.

Avtar Singh Bhogal of Bhogalsons, a manufacturer of bicycle parts, said 25% of the labourers have already purchased railway tickets. We have asked them to put extra time so that our production is not affected. Still, we bear losses, he said.

In some cases, industrialists are successful in convincing workers for a short trip. Some are given incentives like money in advance, bicycles and mobile phones. But, a majority of workforce insists on extended leave, the industrialists said. Almost all trains heading towards these three states witness huge rush and the government arranges special trains almost every year.

Situation in the organised sector is better as workers in these units stay back to avail handsome Diwali bonus, they said.

Chhat Puja is a Hindu festival, dedicated to the Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya (known to be the sister of Surya). This festival is also celebrated in Nepal, which is also a major source of labourers. Ludhiana is one of the biggest municipal corporations of Punjab and a key industrial city in the northern region. It is famous for manufacturing of garments and bicycles where migrant workers are employed in a large number.monicakchauhan@gmail.com

Washington, October 16

An IT advocacy group representing more than 1,000 small IT companies mostly run by Indian-Americans has filed a lawsuit against the US immigration agency for issuing H-1B visas for shorter than three years duration.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

These visas are typically issued for three to six years to employers to hire a foreign worker. Based out of Dallas in Texas, the ITServe Alliance in its lawsuit 43-page lawsuit filed last week alleged that the US Citizenship and Immigration Services has recently begun a practice of approving H-1B petitions for shorter than three years durations.

These petitions are often valid for only months or days at a time, and some cases are expired by the time the approval is received," it said.

ITServe lawsuit against the USCIS alleges that the agency has no authority to misinterpret the existing regulations and shorten the approval durations.

In fact, the United States Congress has specifically granted power to the Department of Labor and DOL's regulations grant three-year approvals, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit also alleges that the itinerary requirement put forth by the USCIS is also unlawful. This is the second lawsuit filed by ITServe against USCIS.

In the first lawsuit filed in July 2018, ITServe demanded USCIS to remove language from their website prohibiting F-1 STEM OPT students working at the third part client locations.

The USCIS has been making arbitrary rules and memos for over eight years, it's our top priority to set things right and hold USCIS accountable to follow the regulations set by the Unites States Congress," said ITServe's national president for 2018, Gopi Kandukuri.

Referring to the recent spate of H-1B denials that ITServe members received, Kandukuri added members of ITServe Alliance are tired of receiving random denials for no reason.

The new battlefield for us is the federal courthouse and not USCIS service centers, he said. PTIamansharma@tribunemail.com

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, October 16

More than 400 accomplished Sikh-American business members and professionals attended the Sikh American Chamber of Commerce's 7th Annual Gala in Jersey City recently.

Every year, the SACC annual gala brings together top-notch speakers from the Sikh-American community who reflect on their personal and professional milestones to inspire and motivate others to succeed, a release issued by SACC said.

Speaking on the occasion, Gurbir Grewal, Attorney General of NJ, said, "In every position that I have held in the past and even as Attorney General now, I have attempted to promote understanding and acceptance through my service to show everyone through my work that Sikhs are a part of the fabric of this country (and) that we are doing our part to keep all of us in this country safe."

Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said, "Organisations like SACC have a growing importance where businesses can come together to find meaningful value into their existence and join hands to positively affect peoples lives. It is great to see this platform nourishing the aspiring youth with innovative ideas from the role models in the community."

Speaking at the event, Ravi Singh, CEO of Khalsa Aid International, stressed on the importance of Sikhs uniting for humanity and passed on his message on faith, hope and humanity.

SACC president Sunny Kaila said: "We are proud of the achievements of the already established Sikh-American community in the United States. The gala is not just a showcase of these triumphs but also a realisation of the fact that the road to success is filled with obstacles. Next year gala will be held on September 21."

The annual gala is the highlight event of the Sikh-American business community in the United States. It is a showcase of successful Sikh entrepreneurs coming together for mutual prosperity.laxmi@tribune.com

THERE is much excitement over the fourth meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and PM this year on the sidelines of next months G20 meeting in Argentina. Frequent meetings by themselves indicate a desire of both sides to turn the page over past acrimony. And Sino-Indian ties are brimming with differences. But do meetings resolve the acute mismatch of national interests? In four years as PM, Modi has averaged about four meetings with Xi every year, the same as in previous years. The difference though is in the two-day Wuhan interaction between the two. Rarely do two principals set aside two full days to understand each others motives during a critical period of global changes and adjustment.

The results have been trickling in. China began providing hydrological information of the Brahmaputra thus quelling apprehensions of a downstream India being caught unawares by increased flows; India has started exporting basmati rice as partial attempt to close the trade gap; and, the first Joint India-China Training Programme for Afghan diplomats was held recently. These developments can hardly be rated as path-breaking. Clearly there is a major distance to travel.

There are bigger knots to untie such as China blocking Indias membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group or New Delhis opposition to the Belt and Road Initiative. Their resolution could hold the key for resolving existentialist issues blocking normal Sino-Indian ties  the border dispute and Dalai Lamas presence in India. But that is without accounting for Chinas leaning towards Pakistan and Indias intensity of security ties with the US, both anathemas to the other country. Or, their competition for natural resources and market in third countries. This explains Modi and Xis partiality to a gradualist approach that assumes change will come slowly, which is why they have planned another Wuhan-type interaction in India next year. The medium-term approach seems to avoid big-ticket outcomes and instead focus on greater understanding of the other, as they try to emerge as positive factors in the balance of global power.rchopra@tribunemail.com

Chandigarh, October 16

The Haryana Roadways employees went on a two-day strike on Tuesday to protest against the state governments decision to introduce 700 private buses in the state.

Despite the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) being in force the roadways workers went on strike and staged sit-ins at several depots across the state, including in Rohtak, Bhiwani, Sirsa and Chandigarh.

The Essential Services Maintenance Act prohibits strikes by employees in an essential service.

Police personnel were deployed at several bus stands to prevent any untoward incident and buses plied with police escort at some roadways depots.

The agitating employees said they would not allow the government to launch 700 private buses in the state as it would lead to privatisation of the transport department.

We want the Haryana government to withdraw its decision of introducing private buses in the state, a union leader said on Tuesday.

They said the government should instead increase the number of buses under the roadways department.

There are about 19,000 employees in Haryana Roadways, which has a fleet of 4,100 buses in which nearly 12 lakh passengers travel daily.

The government would effectively implement the ESMA, a senior official said.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday had directed the Haryana government to ensure strict implementation of ESMA during the two-day strike called by the states Roadways Employees Union.

In August also, the employees had gone on a day-long strike to protest against the governments decision to introduce 700 private buses in the state. PTIeditorial@tribune.com

Samaan Lateef

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 16

In the last phase of polling for the civic elections in Kashmir on Tuesday, the voting turnout remained dismal - just 4.2 per cent of the voters exercised their franchise.

The day was marked with protests, clashes and long queues of voters in a few parts of Srinagar and Ganderbal even after militants carried out an attack on Monday night, leaving two CRPF men injured in south Kashmirs Pulwama.

Of the eight municipalities, which were scheduled to go to the polls in the fourth and last phase, voting was held only for the Srinagar and Ganderbal civic bodies as other municipalities either didnt get candidates to contest or some candidates won uncontested. In 24 wards of Srinagar, of 2,42,122 voters only 9,678 cast their votes while in 12 wards of Ganderbal, out of 8,491 voters only 956 cast their votes. Official figures reveal that 11.3 per cent voter turnout was recorded from Ganderbal, once a National Conference bastion, while 4 per cent voting was recorded in the summer capital. The overall voting percentage in the last phase was put out as 4.2 per cent by the election authorities.

New Delhi should read the writing on the wall that the low voting percentage is a strong message for the resolution of the long-pending Kashmir issue, said a youth at Rainawari in Srinagar, where youth pelted stones at a polling station.

In some other parts of Srinagar and Ganderbal, unemployment and developmental issues dominated the narrative of voters.

For 19-year-old Mehreen Saba of the Dalgate locality in Srinagar, the elections to municipalities are an answer to the increasing rate of unemployment among youth in Kashmir. No one in her family of five has any government job. Her elder sister is postgraduate in home science and brother an engineering graduate. Her father is a labourer and mother a housewife. Saba had come to vote along with her mother for Congress candidate Shamima.

She had passed Class XII examination in 2017 and is preparing to appear in the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) for admission into a professional course. Even after militant threats and the Hurriyat call for poll boycott, Saba had come to vote for a government job for her siblings as promised by the Congress candidate. This will be my first and last vote if our candidate doesnt fulfil her promise, she said.

Some yards away at another polling station at Burn Hall School, National Panthers Party candidate Mubina Nabi was luring voters with promises of jobs and skill development schemes. I will ensure our women and girls are safe within and outside their homes. I will make sure unemployed women get vocational training and finance to establish their small businesses, said Nabi.

Over the years Srinagar and Ganderbal have seen the execution of major infrastructure projects. However, unemployment among youth has remained a public grievance as the major source of income  handicrafts  is on the decline.

In 307 polling stations, the election authorities had kept the poll timing as 6 am to 4 pm for 24,1043 voters to cast their votes. Out of 132 wards, 44 had remained vacant while 52 candidates won the election without a contest in the fourth phase of polling.editorial@tribune.com

Rifat Mohidin

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 16

In the uptown Soura locality of Srinagar, the roads remained deserted on Tuesday and not a single resident came out to vote. The police had set up extra checkpoints in the area.

The 25 wards in Srinagar district witnessed only 4 per cent polling.

In the Soura ward, where more than 11,000 voters were registered for the fourth phase of the urban local bodies elections, residents admitted fear and disinterest in the poll process.

Srinagar, where 96 per cent people did not vote, and Ganderbal districts went to the polls in the last phase of the four-phase elections on Tuesday.

The civic polls were held amid tight security in the Valley. The boycott trend continued even on the last phase on Tuesday. Of the 2,42,122 voters in the city, only 9,678 cast their vote on Tuesday. The total percentage of voting in the two districts was 4.2 per cent.

Residents said the reasons for not voting was the fear that had engulfed the region following the militant warnings and the killing and abduction of policemen.

The candidates are also staying in hotels due to the militant threats and have not met voters.

There is no point in voting. Who wants to put himself and his family at risk for a vote. In Kashmir, the situation has only worsened in the past few years and this election is an indication of that, said Nazir Ahmad, 50, a shopkeeper in the Anchar locality of Soura, which saw a complete poll boycott.

Unlike other parts of the city, the interiors of the Dal Lake, known as the Bud Dal ward, the polling booths were overwhelmed as more than 2,000 residents voted. They said they voted for development.

We want our day-to-day problems should be solved, said a homemaker (50), who had covered her face as she did not want to be identified.

At a polling booth in the Habak area, CRPF men guarding the booth said they had seen only six voters this morning. They had covered their faces and left after casting their vote, said a CRPF man. He said no voters had come after them.

In Srinagar and Ganderbal, which saw 4.2 per cent voting, 296 polling booths were set up for 37 wards (25 in Srinagar and 12 in Ganderbal).sanjiv@tribunemail.com

Arjun Kadian was selected from an impressive group of candidates to receive this years Kalam fellowship for his PhD research proposal on how misinformation spreads on social mediaexploring the phenomenon of fake news and its impact. A Masters degree graduate in Business Analytics and Information Systems from USFs Muma College of Business, Kadian received his Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pune in 2008. He worked for Infosys for 8 years before joining USF.

Kadian is the third winner of the Kalam Fellowship which was launched in 2015. The first two winners, who are currently pursuing their PhDs at USF, are Avijit Sengupta, an IIT-Bombay graduate, and Veena Subramanian, who graduated from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. The Fellowship is open to Indian college graduates who plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs at the University of South Florida. The prestigious fellowship, which is only awarded to one student each academic year, offers an annual stipend of $22,000 and free tuition for up to four years.

The University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa celebrated President Abdul Kalams 87th birth anniversary on October 15 in a special way by declaring the 2019 Kalam Fellowship open for applications.

Check out: http://bit.ly/KalamFellowship.monicakchauhan@gmail.com

Mumbai, October 16

Varun Grover Tuesday demanded closure in a matter of sexual harassment allegation against him, which he has categorically denied, leading the author, who first shared the accusatory screenshot, to disclose the name of the source who forwarded the anonymous account on Twitter.

In his open letter, Grover, who has been a vocal supporter of #MeToo movement, said the allegation against him has not only affected his mental health and professional life but also his ability to take a social stand.

"Revolutions are beautiful. They are cathartic, powerful, necessary, and like #metoo - inevitable. And revolutions, inevitably, have some collateral damage too," Grover said in a post on Medium, which he shared on Tuesday.

"Am I angry? Yes. Is my mental health in shambles? Yes. Do I occasionally feel like a victim of an agenda? Yes. And would I still say 'Believe All Women'? Yes. But please bring in the checks to differentiate it from 'Believe All Screenshots'. Revolutions can be messy but they can't be perceived as unjust." The author, who had shared the screenshot, has been a prominent voice in the movement but has requested the media to not name her in their articles.

Replying to Grover, she said she understands and empathises with him and is ready to share the contact of her source for further clarification.

"I understand and empathise with your anger, and after discussing it with the source, they've allowed me to name them. The screenshots were sent to me by @Multibility (Twitter name Fez), and it was a conversation between them and their friend.

"They are in contact with the woman who accused you. I was merely a conduit for them because I could help shield them both from the trolling and anger. I hope you take it ahead with them for further clarification," she tweeted.

In his blog, Grover had supported the anonymity of those coming forward but said once fact-based, counter-claims are made by the accused, the movement can "make space for the intent to verify them" and if found untrue, the accusatory accounts should be removed.

In her reply, the author said if the allegation is proven wrong, she would be ready to apologise to Grover.

"No one wishes to dilute the movement by throwing around false accusations or by making redundant claims, least of all me. If the clarifications prove unsatisfactory, I'd be glad to rescind the post, apologise, and take the flack," she said.

Grover had said there has been no inquiry into his case despite his willingness.

The allegation, an anonymous screenshot, claimed that Grover sexually harassed his junior while he was in college in Varanasi.

The screenshot claimed that it happened during the production of a mythological play. The lyricist had categorically denied the allegation in a point-by-point rebuttal earlier and in his latest blog, he presented new facts to counter the claim.

In his letter on Tuesday, Grover said he had reached out to every female junior from his college years and has been assured that "such an incident did not happen". "These confirmations can be verified by any independent inquiry," he added.

Grover said he was advised to take the legal route to force a solution but he would not go that way out of his respect for the movement and the brave women speaking out. PTIuttara@tribuneindia.com

New Delhi, October 16

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday accused Congress chief Rahul Gandhi of concocting falsehood and said he had never ever seen fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi in person, leave alone meeting him in Parliament and helping him escape from the country.

Continuing to call the Congress leader a clown prince, Jaitley said he lies a dozen times and then in self-delusion believes it to be true.

The FM noted Gandhi made two references to him in MP on Monday . Jaitley said Gandhi claimed I have admitted that Vijay Mallya met me in the House and he told me that he was escaping to London and that I helped him to escape. Jaitley rejected the claim, saying its absolute lie. he referred to a meeting he had with me and attributed same statements to me. When asked I merely said I cant answer hallucinations.  TNS

Need FM, not blogger

"We needed a minister and not a babble blogger. Jaitleys desperation to stay relevant as a court jester to the Modi Sultanate is making him stoop to new levels daily." Randeep Surjewala, Cong spokespersonmonicakchauhan@gmail.com

Vibha Sharma & Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

New Delhi/Lucknow, October 16

While UP CM Yogi Adityanath walked the talk by renaming Allahabad as Prayagraj ahead of the Kumbh Mela, similar demands have been doing the rounds for rechristening non-Hindu sounding cities, key among them being Ahmedabad to Karnavati and Bhopal to Bhojpal.

A few days ago, senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had reminded PM Narendra Modi of his promise to rename Ahmedabad as Karnavati. All PM Modi has to do is approve what CM Modi recommended to PM, Swamy tweeted.

Proposals are also there to rename Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar, Patna as Patliputra, Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar, Goa as Govapuri, Kerala as Keralam and Nagaland as Naganchi. Some of these demands are attributed to BJPs ideological fountainhead RSS and ally Shiv Sena. An analyst says a city is renamed on the pretext of increasing sense of belonging and sending out right message, though a lot of it has to do with politics and perceptions. Delhi has Babar Road and no Rana Sanga road because Babar came and won while Rana Sanga lost. Its time we started reclaiming our own, said a BJP leader.

While a section wants Patna to be called Patliputra, there are politicians who want Bihars capital renamed Azimabad. The demandapparently to appease Muslimswas made by RJD chief Lalu Prasad in 2007. Patna is said to have been renamed Azimabad around 1704 by Prince Azim-us-Shan. But there were hardly any takers for the changed name and the city was named to its original.

In Lucknow today, Allahabad paved way for Prayagraj after Yogi Adityanath cabinet unanimously endorsed the recommendation.

Ex-judge takes jibe

Former Supreme Court Justice ML Katju, originally from Allahabad, sarcastically urged UP CM to change the name of UP cities to eliminate names of these Babur ki Aulade (sic) altogether. In a tongue-in-cheek suggestion, he asked Faizabad to be renamed Narendra Modipur, Moradabad to Mann ki Baat Nagar and Fatehpur to Amit Shah Nagar.editorial@tribune.com

Manas Dasgupta

Ahmedabad, October 16

Gujarat Congress leader and AICC spokeperson Shaktisinh Gohil, who is in-charge of Bihar, has threatened to file a criminal case against Chief Minister Vijay Rupani for blaming him for the recent attacks on migrant labourers in the state, leading to their exodus.

Rupani, on a visit to Lucknow yesterday, had said the Congress and partys Bihar in-charge were responsible for inciting people to attack migrant workers.

Accusing the BJP of spreading hatred, Gohil said contrary to Rupanis allegations, it was BJP supporters who were found inciting people to attack those from North India.

Sharing social media profiles of some BJP activists, Gohil referred to a video clip of the BJP legislator from Himmatnagar, the epicentre of attacks on migrant labourers, exhorting people to drive out non-Gujaratis from the state. It is shameful that a day after the gruesome rape, BJP MLA from Himmatnagar Rajendra Chavda spoke to people and exhorted BJP workers to drive away North Indians, Gohil added.

Gohil pointed out that he was in Bihar when the attacks started against the migrant workers. He had immediately issued statements urging people for calm, he claimed.gspannu7@gmail.com

Mumbai, October 16

A 34-year-old suspected serial child rapist and molester arrested last month has been found to be allegedly involved in the rape and murder of two minor girls in 2010 here, a police official said Tuesday.

The Navi Mumbai police cracked the eight-year-old cases with the help of DNA evidence that linked the alleged serial rapist, Rehan Abdul Qureshi, to the twin crimes that took place in Mumbais suburb of Nehru Nagar, he said.

Qureshi was arrested from Mira Road in adjoining Thane district by the Navi Mumbai police.

DNA samples of Qureshi matched with the samples taken from the bodies of the two victims, the official said.

As many as 950 DNA samples were tested before Qureshis samples matched with those of the victims, Tushar Doshi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Navi Mumbai, said.

This may be the first time in Maharashtra that a pending rape and murder case was solved with the help of DNA database of criminals created by the government, he said.

Till now, Qureshi has been found to be allegedly involved in 18 offences of sexual assault, molestation, rape and murder of minor girls in Mumbai and its adjoining areas, Doshi said.

Qureshi has admitted to his role in the 2010 rape and murder of two minor girls in Nehru Nagar, he said.

Between February and June 2010, Mumbai was rocked by three cases of rape and murder of minor girls, who were in the 5 to 9 age group.

Among the three cases, one was detected with the arrest of an accused, Javed Khan. The other two remained unsolved till Qureshis arrest and interrogation, Doshi said.

The Navi Mumbai police had formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe all pending cases of sexual assault on minor girls under their jurisdiction.

During investigations, it came to light that before Mira Road, Qureshi had lived in Kurla of which Nehru Nagar is a part. Interrogation of Qureshi based on this information helped in cracking the two rape and murder cases, he said.

Crime Branch officials had asked the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) at Kalina in suburban Santacruz to test the DNA samples of Qureshi with samples of the victims of the pending rape or murder cases in Mumbai and adjoining areas, the official said.

The FSL recently submitted a report to the Navi Mumbai police in which it said Qureshis DNA samples matched with the preserved DNA samples of the two minor girls, Doshi said.

The Navi Mumbai police are now investigating Qureshis possible involvement in all the undetected sexual assault cases of minor girls since 2005 in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane and Palghar districts, the official said.  PTItraineesubeditor@tribuneindia.com

New Delhi, October 16

Google, on Tuesday celebrated eminent tabla player from the Banaras gharana, Pandit Lachhu Maharaj's 74th birth anniversary with a simple string doodle.

The doodle showed Lachhu Maharaj drawn in primary colours of blue, red, yellow and green. He is seen playing the tabla for his audience, with a grin on his face and a look of contentment on his eyes. It is made by guest artist Sajid Shaikh, Google blog said.

Born as Lakshmi Narayan Singh on this day in 1944, Lachhu Maharaj came from a family of musicians.

He trained under his father Vasudev Maharaj to become one of the most celebrated tabla players of his time. He also started with public performance at an early age.

At the tender age of eight, he caught the attention of Ahmed Jaan Thirakwa considered a legend at that time.

"Lachhu Maharaj was best known for his inherent sense of rhythm which was best exemplified in his solo performances. Even though he played alongside nearly all the greatest tabla players of his time, his solo performance are the most remembered," a statement issued by Google said.

"Girija Devi, whom he often collaborated with, claimed that 'he would play for hours without repeating himself, new gats, tukras and parans, leaving his audiences awestruck'," it added.

He married a French woman Teena, and they had a daughter, Narayani.

For his contribution to music, Lachhu Maharaj was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1957, which is the highest award for performing artists.

He was nominated for the Padma Shri, but refused to accept it as he felt audience appreciation was honour enough.

He breathed his last on July 28, 2016 and was cremated at the Manikarnika Ghat in Uttar Pradesh' Varanasi.  IANS.rchopra@tribunemail.com

New Delhi, October 16

A Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has awarded over Rs 50 lakh to the wife, minor children and aged parents of a man killed in a road accident in Delhi in 2016.

MACT judge Justice Pawan Kumar Jain asked Royal Sundaram Alliance Insurance Company Limited, insurer of the offending vehicle, to deposit Rs 47,45,000 and Rs 7,17,000 as interest to the family of the deceased.

Since the offending vehicle was registered in the name of the respondent (Royal Sundaram Alliance Insurance Company Limited), it is directed to deposit the award amount of Rs 47,45,000 with interest at 9% per annum from the date of filing of claim petition, ie, February 7, 2017, till realisation of the amount, within 30 days, the tribunal said.

It also held that Vijay Kumar, the owner and driver of the offending vehicle, along with the insurance company shall be severally and jointly liable to pay compensation to the petitioners.

The tribunal awarded the compensation to the family of Delhi resident Himanshu Goyal, who was killed on September 28, 2016, while he was on his scooter at Darya Ganj, Delhi.

According to the complaint filed by Goyals wife, a car which was being driven in a rash and negligent manner had hit his scooter from behind after jumping the red light. Goyal was admitted to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

In view of the above discussion, I am of the opinion that testimony of eyewitness is sufficient to hold that the accident had taken place due to rashness or negligence of Kumar, the tribunal said.

While awarding the compensation, the tribunal noted that Goyal, 32, is survived by wife, two minor children and parents.

The court awarded the compensation under the heads of loss of income, estate, consortium and love and affection.

It also awarded the family of the deceased Rs 15,000 towards funeral expenses. PTIeditorial@tribune.com

New Delhi, October 16

With sitting Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar brazening it out in the MeToo campaign despite a barrage of accusations against him, the Congress today secured the resignation of its student wing chief Fairoz Khan, facing sexual harassment charges.

Khan, 29, chief of the National Students Union of India, sent his resignation to party president Rahul Gandhi, who accepted it.

The move comes at a time when an internal Congress inquiry in the matter is yet to conclude. A police complaint of sexual assault was earlier made against Khan by a Jammu and Kashmir girl, following which the Congress began an internal probe under AICC general secretary Ashok Gehlot.

Khans resignation was seen as essential to the Congress taking a moral high ground against the BJP in the MeToo movement. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said, There are differences in the traditions different parties practise. Congress ministers would step down the moment a finger was raised at them. They did this not because they were guilty, but because they come from a certain tradition. The BJP, in contrast, is shameless and brazen and continues to retain a minister who is facing charges after charges.

With Khan out, the Congress feels it can take on the BJP more vociferously.  TNSamansharma@tribunemail.com

Amaravati, October 16

Accusing Pakistan of trying to destablise India by sending terrorists across the border,Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have been asked not to fire first, but to retaliate without counting the bullets, if provoked.

"It (Pakistan) is our neighbour, so don't fire first. But if even one bullet comes from that side, then dont take count of the bullets (fired in retaliation)," he said in his directive to the Armed forces.

Addressing a public meeting at Guntur, Singh said Pakistan has not been desisting from sending terrorists into the country,but India was taking 'swift action' against terrorism.

"Pakistan is trying to destabilise us by sending terrorists. But I would like to compliment our Army jawans, security forces and Jammu and Kashmir police.

All three are acting in mutual coordination and are engaged in wiping out terrorists daily and are succeeding," he said.

Referring to the recent gunning down two TDP leaders, including an MLA, by the outlawed CPI (Maoist) in Andhra Pradesh, the Minister said the Centre was fully with the state government in fighting the Maoists.

"Naxalism has to be completely rooted out of Andhra Pradesh, as well as India. We will fully support the state government in this regard," he said and condemned the killing of the TDP leaders.  PTImonicakchauhan@gmail.com

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 16

In yet another setback to the Congress after Chhattisgarh, two of its legislators in Goa  Dayanand Sopte and Subhash Shirodkar  on Tuesday met BJP chief Amit Shah and switched sides.

The strategic advantage for the BJP comes amid attempts to hold on to the coastal state and ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar battling a pancreatic ailment. The Congress had 16 legislators in the 40-member Goa Assembly.

With Sopte and Shirodkar changing sides, the Congress has lost its strategic advantage in the state as the single-largest party. Both the BJP and the Congress are now on a par with 14 MLAs each. The party is also expected to soon announce the name of the new CM to take over from Parrikar. Apparently, Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane, a cabinet Minister in the Parrikar government and son of Pratapsingh Raoji Rane, a former CM and also a sitting Congress MLA, is among the front runners for the post.

Shirodkar and Sopte are men with deep grassroots presence. For the BJP looking for a second line of leaders, the duo is expected to provide that advantage. Sopte and Shirodkar have grassroot connections and will strengthen the BJP, senior leader Piyush Goyal said.

Now, some more Congress MLAs are expected to follow suit. We have joined the BJP today. We expect two-three more legislators to come, not today but in the coming days, Shirodkar said.

Their joining in will firm up the position of the BJP, help it deal with allies clamouring for meaty portfolio in a better way. The move would of course dent Congress bid to form a coalition government. It recently requested the President to direct the Goa Governor to invite them to form government.

New CM likelygspannu7@gmail.com

Bengaluru, October 16

A woman thrashed a bank manager in Karnatakas Davangere district publicly for allegedly seeking sexual favours for sanctioning a loan with the video of the incident going viral on Tuesday.

The man has been arrested.

The woman dragged Devayya (42), branch manager at the Davangere branch of DHFL bank, by his collar to a nearby womens police station, where a case under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) was registered against him, police said.

The 38-year-old woman had applied for a loan of Rs two lakh a month ago and Devayya was allegedly not sanctioning it.

In her complaint, the woman said the manager made her visit the bank every alternate day.

A police officer said the manager asked her to come to the bank for document verification on Monday.

#WATCH Woman in Karnataka's Davanagere thrashes a bank manager for allegedly asking sexual favours to approve her loan (15 October) pic.twitter.com/IiiKbiEgZ9  ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2018

When she went there, he asked her to come to his house as it was the last day for verification.

In her complaint, she alleged that the man forced himself on her following which she ran out of the house.

Devayya also ran behind her.

As a crowd gathered, the woman caught hold of Devayya and started beating him with a stick and slipper.

Later, she dragged him by his collar to the nearby womens police station, where a case was registered against him, police said.  PTIeditorial@tribune.com

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 15

The National Implementation Committee, headed by PM Narendra Modi, has tasked the Ministry of Culture to coordinate with various ministries and departments with regard to the forthcoming celebrations of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.

The Centre has decided to commemorate the anniversary with events across globe. The celebrations will kick off next year.

As the celebratory chores involve various ministries, the Culture Ministry has been chosen as the nodal authority to coordinate the affairs and inform the implementation committee of the progress during its next meeting.

The committee had met last week under the chairmanship of Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Punjab leaders, including former CM Parkash Singh Badal, who were recently appointed as members of the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust, had also attended the meeting.

The Punjab Government has submitted a proposal to the Centre regarding projects and cultural activities worth Rs 2,145 crore ( Rs 1,050 core for institutional and infrastructure development and Rs 1,095 crore for propagating ideals of Guru Nanak) for the anniversary celebrations. The projects concern a cross-section of ministries and departments.

During the meeting, the House was informed about the states proposals. The Culture Ministry will coordinate with ministries and authorities concerned to study the feasibility of the states proposals, besides considering other suggestions.

Badal had suggested that the city of Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district, to which the guru was associated, should be the focus of celebrations. He also suggested that the city be painted white.

The agenda of the meeting included upcoming centenary of Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which will be commemorated by the Centre.

Besides, the committee has directed the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust to hold a meeting soon with regard to preparations for the centenary.rchopra@tribunemail.com

Muzaffarnagar, October 16

Three men, who were arrested for allegedly looting two police rifles, were associated with the Khalistan Liberation Front and were planning to target former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, police said.

ADG Parshant Kumar told reporters in Shamli district on Monday that during interrogation the accused revealed they had looted the rifles as they were planning to target Badal.

Two of their two gang members were absconding, he said.

Kumar said Punjab Police and Uttar Pradesh Police were alerted after the association of the accused with the Khalistan Liberation Front came to light.

Further investigation was handed over to the ATS, the ADG said.

Armed men had looted two rifles from policemen at the Kamalpur police check post in Shamli district on October 2. Two policemen were injured in the attack.

Later, the three accused were arrested and the rifles were recovered from a gurdwara.

Uttar Pradesh Police announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for the police team which arrested the accused, Amrat Singh, Gurjan and Karan Singh, following an encounter on Sunday night. PTIuttara@tribuneindia.com

Ludhiana, October 16

Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana K P Singh on Tuesday said no decision has been taken yet on the resignation of Aam Aadmi Party lawmaker HS Phoolka from the House.

"We have received the resignation of Phoolka and it is being examined," Singh told reporters at village Raqba, about 30 km from here.

He was there to attend a function organised to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sikh warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur.

Phoolka, MLA from Dakha constituency, resigned as legislator on October 12, expressing unhappiness over the Punjab government's alleged "failure" to initiate action against former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and retired DGP Sumedh Singh Saini in sacrilege incidents.

He said his resignation would put pressure on the state government to act on the report of the Justice (retd) Ranjit Singh Commission, which was set up to probe cases of desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib and other scriptures.

According to the report, Badal and Saini were "aware" of the planned police action in Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan to disperse protesters. Two protesters were killed in the police firing.

If Phoolka's resignation is accepted, the Aam Aadmi Party's strength in the Vidhan Sabha will drop to 19 MLAs, eight of whom have formed a rebel group led by Sukhpal Singh Khaira. PTIamansharma@tribunemail.com

New Delhi, October 16

The CBI on Tuesday told the Delhi High Court that the police investigation into the alleged role of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case was "tainted" as it had tried to favour the politician.

The submission by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was made before a bench of justices S Muralidhar and Vinod Goel which was also told by the agency that the police kept in "hibernation" the FIRs lodged during the riots in the hope that the affected people will reconcile and settle the matter.

Senior advocate R S Cheema, the special public prosecutor for CBI, said the probe by Delhi Police was "tainted" as "FIRs were kept in hibernation, hoping that people would reconcile and settle the matter".

He made the submissions before the bench as he concluded arguments on behalf of the agency.

Retired naval officer Captain Bhagmal, former Congress councillor Balwan Khokhar, Girdhari Lal and two others were held guilty in a case relating to the murder of five members of a family in Raj Nagar area of Delhi Cantonment on November 1, 1984, during the riots that followed the assassination of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Sajjan Kumar was acquitted in the case by the trial court against which both the CBI and the victims' family have appealed in the high court.

The trial court had awarded life term to Bhagmal, Khokhar and Girdhari Lal and a three-year jail term to two others former MLA Mahender Yadav and Kishan Khokhar.

They also moved the high court challenging their conviction and the sentence awarded by the trial court in May 2013.

Senior advocate H S Phoolka, appearing for the victims, also concluded his arguments in which he has contended that Kumar has always been in a "position of influence" which he has "enjoyed with impunity" to "thwart the investigation".

In his written submissions placed before the court, Phoolka has claimed that there were some charge-sheets which initially named Kumar as an accused in some 1984 riots cases, but the police never filed the charge sheet and kept them in its files.

In one case where a victim/complainant had named Kumar, the police dropped his name and filed the charge sheet against the other accused, the senior advocate has said.

Phoolka said another example of Kumar's influence was seen in how the government rejected a recommendation made in 2005 by a commission, headed by retired Supreme Court judge G T Nanavati, to register an FIR against the Congress leader in connection with 1984 riots.

"Given the influence of the accused and the impunity enjoyed by him, witnesses or victims could not be reasonably expected to risk their lives and the lives of their loved ones by on their own approaching the authorities till they were assured of their safety," the lawyer said.

Arguments on behalf of Kumar would commence from October 22. - PTIamansharma@tribunemail.com

Jupinderjit Singh & Arun Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 16

Acting on a tip-off, a police team headed by Ropar SSP Swapan Sharma raided an unregistered de-addiction centre in Jand Sahib village near Chamkaur Sahib on Tuesday evening and freed all 200 inmates, some with broken limbs.

The addicts, in the 10-30 years age group, were subjected to regular beatings by the staff. The owner of the rehab centre, Khushwinder Singh, has been arrested. He was charging Rs 20,000 per month from each of the inmates and would reportedly refuse to release those who failed to pay the dues.

According to the SSP, the inmates, who were kept in a hall, were brutally thrashed to keep them away from drugs. We are shifting the injured to hospitals. Some have been handed over to their parents. We are in the process of moving some of them to other rehab centres.

The inmates were reportedly forced to tend to about 100 cattlehead during the day and were huddled into the hall at night. Some of them were picked for severe thrashing every night as a deterrent.

Significantly, a report prepared by the Punjab Health Department last year had said that forced confinement and torture were rampant at private rehab centres.

Prepared after surprise checks in Mohali, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana and Patiala, it had said that addicts were beaten up and that these centres lacked the necessary infrastructure.editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 16

Amid growing incidents of Akali meetings being disrupted, party president Sukhbir Badal has accused the Congress of engineering protests to create an anti-Akali and anti-Badal political narrative.

Blaming Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and state party chief Sunil Jakhar for plotting these incidents to prove that the SAD is discredited, Sukhbir said the Congress was repeating history. In the early 1980s, the then Congress government had resorted to similar tactics, which had led to a long period of turmoil and militancy in the state. The Congress is again playing a dangerous game by hobnobbing with radical elements, he alleged.

Sukhbir said all this was being done to ensure that they did not venture out to highlight the failures of the Congress government, be it farm crisis, SC scholarships or recruitment of teachers. In the 10 years of the SAD-BJP rule, we had kept their (radical elements) activities under check, he claimed.

As many as six incidents have been reported in the past month and a half, where senior Akali leaders were escorted out of public functions by cops after some people either tried to attack them or waived black flags at them. All such incidents were targeted at the Badals.

An alleged plot to assassinate Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal too has been unraveled by the Meerut police on Monday. All these incidents have been reported after the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission report was made public. The Commission has blamed the Akali-BJP government for not doing enough to solve sacrilege cases and for using force against Sikh protesters.

Sukhbir denied that there was a ground swell against the Akalis. Had it been so, how come thousands of people attended our rallies at Fazilka, Faridkot and Patiala? Isnt it strange that the Z plus security is being breached and the police either let go of the accused or delay registration of FIRs against them? he alleged.editorial@tribune.com

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 16

Defunct since 2014, the light-and-sound show at the Jallianwala Bagh has fallen victim to a political tussle.

With just six months left for the centenary of the massacre, there was no concrete plan to revive it. It was on April 14, 2010, when then Union Defence Minister AK Antony, had in the presence of former Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni, dedicated the 52-minute light-and-sound-show to the public as a tribute to the martyrs.

The Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust, which is responsible for the Baghs upkeep, runs under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. Union Minister Arun Jaitley had included the Jallianwala Bagh in the list of heritage sites.

State Culture Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said for reviving the Jallianwala Baghs light-and-sound show project, he had got sanctioned Rs 8 crore under the Union Ministry of Tourisms Swadesh Darshan Scheme, but six months had passed and these funds could not be utilised for want of official nod from the trust, headed by the Prime Minister.

He said another Rs 20 crore under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (Prasad), too, had been received for setting up a commemorative landscape and museum to suit the sanctity of the place, but these funds, too, were lying unused as the trust had not issued the NoC (no objection certification). It is pity that we have money, but cannot utilise it as the Centre is reluctant to give nod. The Jallianwala Bagh never belonged to any political party, why should there be race for credit war, he said.

Former Rajya Sabha MP Virendra Kataria, who was one of the members of the trust, said under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, not a single meeting of the trust was conducted and not a single penny was granted. We were never invited to official functions at the Jallianwala Bagh during the NDA rule, he said.

Rajya Sabha MP Shwait Malik, who has been recently appointed as member of the trust along with former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and former MP Tarlochan Singh, said, Sidhu Saheb and Kataria ji need not bother. Now that we have come in picture, we will do the needful. No permission is required from the Prime Minister to visit the Jallianwala Bagh. How many times they visited it to observe the shortcomings? I have utilised MPLAD funds to revamp toilets and other basic amenities for visitors and will arrange funds further too, he said.vinaymishra188@gmail.com

London: Julian Assange, who has been holed up in the Ecuador Embassy here since 2012, was allowed limited Internet access by the South American nation, seven months after it disabled for alleged breach of asylum terms, Wikileaks has announced. The 47-year-old Australian national, who remains in hiding in a back room of the Ecuadorean Embassy in central London six years after losing a legal battle against extradition to Sweden, was told that his isolation regime would be ended following talks between UN officials and the Ecuador President last week. Ecuador rolls back @JulianAssange isolation, WikiLeaks said in a message on Twitter on Sunday. PTI

Einstein Prize for Indian American professor Abhay

Chicago: Over four decades after he began his scientific engagement with gravitational science, Professor Abhay Ashtekar is set to receive the prestigious Einstein Prize conferred by the American Physical Society. The prize for 2018, which carries an award of $10,000, is scheduled to be announced on October 23. Its citation reads: For numerous and seminal contributions to general relativity, including the theory of black holes, canonical quantum gravity, and quantum cosmology. Ashtekar is professor of physics and director of the Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos at the Pennsylvania State University. IANS

US Senator releases DNA test backing American ancestry

Washington: A US Senator seen as a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 has released a DNA test providing strong evidence that she has Native American ancestry after her claims had been mocked by Donald Trump. Elizabeth Warren, a leading voice of the Opposition, has been derisively called Pocahontas by the president and accused of lying about her heritage in order to gain advantages in her career including a plum teaching job at Harvard. But an analysis of her DNA concluded that while the vast majority of Warrens ancestry is European, the results strongly support the existence of an unadmixed Native American ancestor, Boston Globe reported. AFPuttara@tribuneindia.com

London, October 16

WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange has been given a set of house rules at the Ecuadorean embassy here that include taking better care of his cat and cleaning his bathroom, a media report said Tuesday.

The whistle-blower, who has been holed up in the Ecuadorean embassy since 2012, was sent a memo in which he was warned that his feline companion could be confiscated, the BBC reported.

The 47-year-old Australian national was also told to look after its "well-being, food and hygiene" in the set of guidelines, written in Spanish.

Assange had his online access cut in March this year after "interfering in other countries' affairs", Ecuador said.

In a set of guidelines presented to him this month, Ecuador warned Assange to provide better care of the feline that he shares the embassy with or it may be handed to a refuge.

The catwhich was given to Assange by his childrenoften appears at the embassy window to watch the journalists gathered outside.

The cat also has its own Twitter feed, which says it is "interested in counter-purrveillance".

It is unclear what is behind Ecuador's concern over Assange's treatment of his roommate, the report said.

On the subject of cleanliness, however, Assange tweeted earlier this year: "Save water, don't shower". Some reports said Assange is prohibited from "interfering in the internal affairs of other states" or from activities "that could prejudice Ecuador's good relations with other states". Assange has remained at the embassy after seeking asylum to avoid extradition to Sweden on a rape allegation.

He alleges that the accusations were politically motivated and could lead to him being extradited to the US over the publication of secret US military documents and diplomatic cables in 2010.

While the Swedish case has since been dropped, Assange is still wanted by Scotland Yard for breach of bail and faces arrest the moment he steps out of the diplomatically immune territory.

Assange was granted asylum six years ago by Ecuador on the grounds that he feared extradition to the United States. PTIROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Sydney: British royals Harry and Meghan received copious baby gifts, met a koala couple and posed in front of Sydneys dazzling Opera House on Tuesday, on their first public outing since announcing they are to become parents. The prince and his US-born wife laughed and smiled as they were inundated with gifts, a pair of Australian baby Ugg boots, baby blankets, toy kangaroos and joeys, watched eucalyptus-munching koalas at the zoo. AFP

Robin to be honoured at Marrakech Film Festival

Los Angeles: Robin Wright will receive Gold Star career honour at this years Marrakech Film Festival. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the House of Cards star will be recognised for her film and television work and efforts for charitable organisations in the Congo. Im thrilled to be visiting the country of Morocco and grateful to be given this opportunity to experience the Moroccan culture, Wright said. The Marrakech Film Festival is set to run November 30-December 8. PTIgspannu7@gmail.com

Cologne (Germany), October 16

A Syrian man who launched an arson attack and took a woman hostage at a German train station was an unemployed refugee with psychological problems and a history of street offences, police said on Tuesday.

Federal prosecutors who deal with terrorist cases said they planned to take over the investigation against the 55-year-old man, who remained in a coma after emergency surgery for multiple bullet wounds.

The man had sparked major panic around noon on Monday when he stormed a McDonalds restaurant inside Colognes central railway station armed with a petrol container, a replica pistol and gas canisters with metal balls taped to them, police said.

The dishevelled-looking man with long grey hair poured the petrol onto the floor and set it alight, injuring a 14-year-old girl with burn wounds and sparking the alarm that led authorities to quickly evacuate the busy station and stop all trains.

As smoke and screams filled the room and the sprinkler system activated, he ran into a nearby pharmacy and took a female employee hostage, sparking an hours-long drama and tense negotiations with police.

Witnesses reported that the man had claimed to be a member of the Islamic State jihadist group, and police said they were investigating whether his motive was terrorism and whether he acted alone or with others.

When the suspect threatened to set fire to his terrified hostage, heavily armed police commandos hurled two stun grenades into the shop and opened fire, hitting the Syrian man with multiple bullets.

When police later searched his room in a refugee shelter, they found more petrol containers and the Arabic message God is greatest written on the wall, but no references to the IS or other militant groups.

Investigators confirmed that the man was indeed the holder of a Syrian passport found at the scene, and said he had drawn police attention 13 times since he arrived from the war-torn country in March 2015.

His offences included marijuana possession, theft, threatening behaviour, fraud and disturbing the peace, said Klaus-Stephan Becker, head of Cologne criminal police.

Becker confirmed that there is evidence the man had psychological problems and was unable to work.

The mans wife had remained in Syria, from where she had unsuccessfully launched two asylum requests to Germany.

Germany remains on high alert over the risk of a jihadist attack, having suffered several in recent years.

The bloodiest, claimed by IS, was a truck rampage through a Berlin Christmas market in December 2016 that left 12 people dead.  AFPA young adult male is among 15 more Covid-19 deaths recorded by the Ministry of Health, taking the death toll to 1,885.

The ministry reported the deaths in its daily update yesterday evening.

The patients were six elderly men, five elderly women, three middle-age men and one young adult man.We the people should heed the concerns of senior officials who are worried that the criminals will break loose after the state of emergency ends.

One powerful reason is Christmas is around the corner. With the SoE restrictions, the criminals were restricted in movement and crimes were perceived to be mitigated to some extent.I agree with #1, use Skyscanner or similar sites to compare fares, although I'd always book direct with the airline (or with a respectable travel agent) when you find what you want. You'll probably find quite a range of fares, depending on the reputation of the airline, the number and duration of transit connections and perhaps the day of the week.

There's no "magic" about when to book, although generally the earlier you book, the better.

Travelling from Dublin, you'd be wise to make sure that the entire booking is on a single ticket. There's a "top question" on the Air Travel forum dealing with the risks of "connecting" flights on separate tickets.Most people seem to want to take the opportunity to see more after travelling such a long way to get here and with 3 weeks you could do that at a leisurely pace and still have a good amount of time in Adelaide.

Some people want the whole relaxed live like locals experience and are perfectly happy to spend 2 or 3 or 4 weeks in one location with maybe an occasional nearby day trip.

I know what I'd probably do.

Question is, what's right for you? Don't do what 'most people' do or chase 'must sees'. Make a trip plan that YOU are excited for.

We can help with suggestions, but I feel as if your criteria is still very general, nature and a bit of city with no driving. How did you shortlist Melbourne and Brisbane? You don't mention Sydney, have you been before?

.

Edit:

>>What time of the year will you be visiting ?<<

Oh, yes, important question.

>>Bit tough to see much nature if you wont drive<<

True. But there are places are accessible by public transport, and plenty more accessible by tours. Do you have any preferences or dislikes regarding non-selfdrive transport options? Or more details about what sort of nature experiences?

Edited: 3 years agoConsidering presumably that you're flying Qantas all the way, then yes, your luggage will be tagged all the way through. The 1hr connection time shouldn't be an issue if your flight from Christchurch is on time. Melbourne is not a huge airport and there are only about 20 gates, all easy enough to find.

You've bought it all on one ticket so the connection is protected, and nobody would sell you this combination on one ticket if you were expected to re-check your luggage in as 1hr wouldn't be enough time for that.

Upon arrival in Melbourne, head to the international transit screening point near gate 10, show proof of your onward flight and you will be screened up to the departures area.-:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:-

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We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.Hi there,

I just wanted to share with you my experience buying train tickets directly at the Ga Ha Noi train station in Ha Noi.

We wanted to buy the tickets directly at the counter. When you arrive from the North outside of the station, you will notice big signs with "TICKET OFFICE", we went inside (in the North aisle of the building) and found a lady wearing the official uniform, she was just behind a desk next to other ladies selling tickets for tourists VIP trains.

She asked us to pay in cash and to wait 10min in order to prepare our voucher, this was suspicious. After 5min, she gave us a printed voucher (just a simple A4 paper with a few details on it, not a real ticket. It has a Livitrans header on it, a travel agency for tourists or something... We said no and asked for our money back.

We then went into the main hall of the sation which we didn't see at first. There was counter there so we tried our luck. The lady, who also has the blue official uniform had a computer screen and showed us the tickets and the price on it, it looked more legit. She also asked us to pay in cash and to wait 10min so she can prepare our tickets. After 5min, she gave us another voucher (printed A4 sheet) with this time a Violette Train header on it. We said no and we said we wanted a real ticket from Vietnam Railways !

She finally decided to give us real tickets ! And gave us back our change (first price with 900.000 dong / pers for Hanoi to Dong Hoi, then the 2nd lady asked for 650.000/pers for the Violette Train and finally, the real ticket was "only" 557.000 dong / pers for soft bed).

So, conclusion, be careful !! Even the "official" employees want to sell you tourists tickets !

The tickets look like a printed receipt (like credit card receipts) and there is a big QR code on it.

You can read the bad reviews of those Violette trains here (you pay 25$ more to have a Kit KAt and pink sheets haha) :

And finally, the official website to buy train tickets is :

You can see the real prices ! I read somewhere that non vietnam cards don't work but there is an option to buy the tickets at the counter. Be careful, Google give a wrong website (an agency website) when you search for "vietnam railways" : They have a strong SEO but they charge extra fees !Hi,

My husband and I will be travelling to Japan in April, 2019 and will have 11 full days there (April 1-11) + half days on each end of the trip. We wanted some help and advice on our planned itinerary. We're in our late 20s, love nature and the outdoors, love to explore and learn about new cultures and history, are complete foodies (vegan), and have no interest in the party scene. Any help and thoughts on our itinerary would be much appreciated :)

We land in Osaka and depart from Tokyo. See below for current plan:

Day 1: Land in Osaka at 11am; rest then afternoon+evening in Osaka (1 night in Osaka)

Day 2: Osaka --> Nara --> Kyoto (3 nights in Kyoto)

Day 3: Kyoto

Day 4: Kyoto

Day 5: Kyoto --> Hiroshima/Miyajima (1 night in Miyajima)

Day 6: Hiroshima/Miyajima --> Tokyo (2 nights in Tokyo)

Day 7: Tokyo

Day 8: Tokyo --> Mt. Fuji (Kawaguchika) (2 nights in Kawaguchika)

Day 9: Mt. Fuji

Day 10: Mt. Fuji --> Tokyo (3 nights in Tokyo)

Day 11: Tokyo

Day 12: Tokyo

Day 13: depart Tokyo for afternoon flight from Narita Airport

We wanted to certain this trip around the cherry blossoms but I think we'll be just a few days to a week late. Hopefully we're able to catch them somewhere, because we have no flexibility in our dates.

Some questions:

--> On Day 2, we plan to leave Osaka early in the morning, spend the day in Nara, then head to Kyoto for the evening/night. Is this practical? And do you recommend we skip Nara and go directly to Kyoto instead, since we only have 2 days there otherwise (days 3 and 4)? Any other recommendations for things to do in Kyoto and day trips from there?

--> On day 6, we plan to go straight from Hiroshima to Tokyo for 2 nights before heading to Mt. Fuji for 2 nights, rather than going straight from Hiroshima to Mt. Fuji, then Tokyo later. This is because it seems super complicated to get from Hiroshima to Mt. Fuji (~4-5 transfers and almost 7 hours) compared to Hiroshima to Tokyo (which is ~4 hours and no transfers). And this way we can even sneak a day in Tokyo to maybe catch the cherry blossoms there if the timing is right. Does this make sense or is this crazy?

Thank you so much for any help and advice you can provide. Please let us know if you think we're missing something, or should scrap something in this itinerary. Or if you have other suggestions at all, such as day trips from Tokyo and Kyoto. =)Hello everyone. Coming back for some advice as my last Japan trip in 2015 was great with all your help.

Last time I visited Tokyo (5 nights), Kyoto (3 nights), Kinosaki (1 night), Hiroshima (2 nights), Himeji (1 night).

Seen some awesome stuff, such as Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, Hiroshima bomb site, Miyajima island and Himeji Castle.

Right now I will be landing in Tokyo on 21st Oct and will depart again from Tokyo on 12 Nov.

Right now I have the following booked:

1 night in Tokyo 21-22

2 nights in Nikko 22-24

The rest is still in the air and looking for input. I have the 21 day JR pass which I'll activate on 22nd before leaving Tokyo for Nikko.

Some of my objectives for this trip (and please feel free to add any other awesome places, eg. Miyajima island) are:

-Hoshi no Buranko

-Zao's Fox Village

-Lake Kawaguchi

-Hakone?

-Okinoshima island ?

-Okunoshima island (bunny island)

-Mount Kurama

-Beppu

-Mount Koya

-Tsurunoyu Onsen - but couldn't find any opening, apparently it's one of the best onsens

-Sapporo ? / Hokkaido ?

Also seems Kyoto has a lot more to offer, so thinking I might go back there including neighbouring Osaka, Kobe (is kobe beef really worht it?) and maybe Gifu and Nagoya

Since I'm traveling in the fall, I'd like to take advantage and see the foliage. Seems Hokkaido is a bit too late so that's why I chose nikko instead as per japan-guide foliage advisory.

Regarding Nikko and question before discussions.

Would 2 nights in Nikko be enough or should I book a 3rd night until 25th?

With 2 nights I was planning to spend the first evening in the city and explore around, including Toshogu Shrine, then for the 2nd day to take the bus to Ryuzu Falls and Okunikkoyumoto Hot Spring, then come back by night.

Also, would really appreciate to find out how late the bus runs back to Nikko and where to get the 2 day 3000 yen pass it mentions on japan-guide

Edited: 3 years agowhich train pass/tickets to get?

which train pass/tickets to get?

My party of 3 have 6 days in Japan (via KIX):

Kyoto (including a trip to Arashiyama) - 4 days

Osaka (+ day trip to Himeji) - 2 days

we have 3 Icoca cards from a previous trip. wondering whether to get

- Haruka discount tickets (i believe it covers KIX->Kyoto, ShinOsaka->KIX but what about all the other legs including Arashiyama & Himeji?)

- Kansai Area pass (i think it covers all the legs but it only comes in 1, 2, 3 or 4-day pass, so do I buy 2 passes for consecutive days?)

Thanks!Dear Reader (Even those of you who didnt seem to notice or care that I failed to file this newsletter on Friday),

So Im sitting here at Gate C6 at OHare waiting for my flight home. I am weary, pressed for time, in desperate need of a shower, and filled with a great sense of dread for the work ahead of me, sort of like the stripper with an hour left on the clock realizing that Eddy Sweaty Sponge Spaluko just walked in from his job draining Porta-Potties.

Meanwhile, a few minutes ago (which would actually make it erstwhile), I saw a man eating a pre-made salad  no doubt put together in some giant salad sweatshop outside Cicero, Ill. He dropped a crouton, covered in so much dressing it looked like some strange sea creature that exudes creamy ranch as a defense mechanism against predators.

When the crouton hit the blue airport carpeting, time slowed to a crawl, the background sounds of a busy airport vanishing as if the Almighty Himself had hit the mute button. The man picked it up barehanded, unconcerned by the squid-ink defenses of this soaked bread product. He looked around, mouthed something I can only assume was a silent prayer to the god of the Five Second Rule, and slyly popped it into his mouth.

In my minds eye, I pointed at him like I was Donald Sutherland at the end of Invasion of the Body Snatchers but shouted, Noooooooo! like Bruce Campbell at the end of Evil Dead 2.

In reality, I just sat there (here actually) and stared. I kept staring, even as he walked out of my field of vision, wandering off to some future where many a soggy floor-nugget repast awaited him. Perhaps it was the deep contrast between someone inclined to both eat sensibly  a salad!  and insensibly: Every strand of airport carpet lint is a feudal city state inhabited by hydrothermal worms, and ranch dressing is known to cause severe cases of worm-gigantism in them.

Perhaps it was because I am so overwhelmed with weltschmerz that I could find myself day-dreaming even as a ranch-dressing metamorphic hydrothermal worm ate my foot.

But, whatever the reason, I just sat here, numb to the horror.

Comfortably Numb

Numb is a funny word  and not just when the b isnt silent as when spoken by Mushmouth in Fat Albert. Its original meaning is taken or seized from the Old English niman: to take, catch, grasp in the way one is taken by palsy, seized by paralysis or shock, or, especially, overcome with cold. Whats interesting about this is that a loss of feeling wasnt central to the word. Rather, its the sense that some powerful affliction takes over you and, I presume, renders you indifferent to other sensations or feelings. As when you feel so cold that you grow numb  and I assume thats where the modern meaning comes from.

One of the oldest critiques of modernity is the claim that it breeds a kind of numbness of the soul. We become seized or grasped by the demands of the disenchanted modern world, and we in turn become deadened to the important things that give life meaning.

Thats essentially the point of Patrick Deneens book Why Liberalism Failed. For Deneen, this condition is an inevitable product of liberalism  and here he and I mean the liberalism birthed from Locke and Hobbes, Hume and Bacon (mmmm Bacon). But for Deneen, its also the liberalism of Rousseau and Dewey. He believes the political arguments between left and right these last 500 years are far narrower than most of us think. What he calls progressive liberalism and conservative liberalism are both at the end of day poisonous fruits from the same tree:

The only path to liberation from the inevitabilities and ungovernable forces that liberalism imposes is liberation from liberalism itself. Both main political options of our age must be understood as different sides of the same counterfeit coin.

I think this is profoundly wrong. But this is not to say that I think Deneens book is profoundly wrong. In a panel on Thursday night, I compared Why Liberalism Failed to The Road to Serfdom  a deeply valuable and prophetic book, which detractors often mock because Hayeks prophecy turned out not to be true (yet). But prophecies are not scientific predictions; they are warnings. And when a people heed a prophecy, the prophets cataclysm is avoided.

Prophets and Losses

I want to write a longer essay on all of this, so I wont dwell on Deneens argument here. Instead I want to dwell, briefly, on what I think Deneen gets right: the prophetic part. Like a biblical prophet, he surveys American society and catalogs the numbness of it all. People are seized, grasped, taken by a spirit of a distorted, selfish individualism that expresses itself as the satisfaction of appetite and the desire for status, and in the process, they are growing numb to the real sources of human flourishing.

At the end of the day, happiness is derived from love  love for others and others love for you. When I say love I do not mean simply romantic love, though that is obviously one of the greatest wellsprings of true happiness. I mean the love one feels from friends, and the love for places and things that brings people together for shared purpose.

Deneen chronicles how individualism was once understood as both the culmination of, and dependent on, virtue. The law was conceived of as a device, a technology, for making the virtuous path easier. But it was always understood that liberty comes with obligations. As the line goes in America the Beautiful, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law.

This idea, which I write about at length in my book, recognized that the great enemy of virtue and individualism rightly understood is human nature itself. Classical liberalism is very different from classical or pagan libertinism. Adam Smith and John Locke never wrote anything like, If it feels good, do it. This is why I placed so much importance in my book on the idea of God-fearing. A free society, in which people act as if God is always judging them, will look very different from a free society in which the only god you care about is your own gut.

When you are your own priest, its always easier to get a dispensation for whatever is you want to do.

This is one reason why I do not see the progressive liberalism of the romantics  who glorified the primacy of feelings  or of the more modern pragmatic philosophers such as Dewey  who heaped scorn on all metaphysical, cultural, or traditional constraints on egoistic reason  as part of the same project as classical liberals.

In fairness to Deneen, he concedes that the classical liberals would never have thought that the If it feels good, do it mantra was part of their project either. He just argues that it was inevitable that one would flow from the other.

And I think thats wrong. Indeed, we both agree that at least one solution to our problems is to foster more localism (and I gather all of this is in Ben Sasses new book, which for some reason I havent seen yet. If only I knew someone over there).

The modern doctrines of diversity and multiculturalism are a kind of homogenizing totalitarianism. Its acolytes want every institution to be filled with people who look different but think alike. What our society needs is not more diversity of this sort but more variety. Different communities and institutions need to be able live differently, because it is only with this kind of variety that a diverse people can find places where they all feel at home and where they can all find a kind of meaning that suits them as individuals.

To put it in the language of economics, institutions and communities need to be able to exploit their comparative advantages. Its not just that the Marine Corps demands more from its members than the Peace Corps; its that the Marines demand different things. For some people, being a Marine would be a kind of living Hell; for others it is a reason to live. Thats what the individual pursuit of happiness means.

One of the great things about liberalism is that it allows for more paths for just that pursuit. In tribal society, there was little to no division of labor beyond what was rooted in age and sex. In feudal monarchies and modern totalitarianisms alike, there is division of labor, but it is imposed on people by rulers: You will be a soldier. You will be a fry cook. You were born to be a slave or a serf. In a free society, you have choice. Its not perfect: You cant choose to be a Marine if you do not meet the requirements, but you are free to try. And it is precisely those requirements that make the pursuit desirable. Not all people want to strive, but all people whove succeeded in life recognize that the striving was what made the success precious.

Arbeit Macht Tugendhaft

The new socialists insist that capitalism is not that different from authoritarian or totalitarian regimes because it makes us work. The socialist argument against capitalism isnt that it makes us poor, writes Corey Robin. Its that it makes us unfree.

When my well-being depends upon your whim, when the basic needs of life compel submission to the market and subjugation at work, we live not in freedom but in domination. Socialists want to end that domination: to establish freedom from rule by the boss, from the need to smile for the sake of a sale, from the obligation to sell for the sake of survival.

There are two major problems with this view. The first is that there has never been a society in all of human history where the average person did not have to work. Sure, some crapulent prince could lay around all day and do nothing, but everyone else had to till the soil or pound the anvil or carry a spear.

Second, work is good. Work is virtuous and inculcates virtue. Work gives people a sense of meaning and of being needed. Obviously, not everyone feels such satisfaction in the job they have now, but that dissatisfaction is precisely the motivation people need to find the job that might provide it. That motivation inspires virtue, too.

Some people work just to make the money to support the other things in their life that provide meaning, be it a family or a cause or a hobby that may seem silly to you or me but is central to their individual pursuit of happiness. Some people dont work for money at all. Priests, stay-at-home parents, and volunteers in a thousand different institutions arent pursuing wealth; they are pursuing meaning through love and love through meaning.

The socialists are romantics in that they want to curate their lives entirely based on their own feelings. Marx saw the division of labor required by a free society as a form of slavery that put each laborer in specific role. Each man, he writes, has a particular, exclusive sphere of activity, which is forced upon him and from which he cannot escape. He is a hunter, a fisherman, a herdsman, or a critical critic, and must remain so if he does not want to lose his means of livelihood.

Marx imagined a utopia at the end of history where each individual could do whatever he pleased, because the society controlled the means of production. Thus Communism makes it possible for me to do one thing today and another tomorrow, to hunt in the morning, fish in the afternoon, rear cattle in the evening, criticise after dinner, just as I have a mind, without ever becoming hunter, fisherman, herdsman or critic.

The first obvious problem is that this is batshit crazy. Who in this society is baking the bread  when everyone wants to fish? Collective ownership of the means of production must give power to someone in order to make sure people can eat. And that someone will invariably abuse his power:

The real problem, however, with this vision is that it gets it exactly backward. The only society in which it is remotely possible for people to design their lives in the manner Marx fantasizes is one that is incredibly rich and incredibly free. We are nowhere near there yet, but its worth pointing out that if you plucked any laborer from another era and toured him or her around America today, theyd think that we were remarkably close.

What I like about Deneens argument is that he recognizes this, and he finds it wanting. Its easier than it has ever been to imagine a Jetsons- or Westworld-like society where robots do all of the work for us, and we are free to indulge our wants and desires on a whim. But just as that kind of world is coming into view, so is the realization that it might not make us happy. Because a world without necessity is a world without striving. A world where there is no limit on our personal appetites is a world where virtue is too hard and other people are too much work. Why buy the cow when you can get the sex robot for free?

Various & Sundry

My apologies for the tardiness of this newsletter. Last weeks schedule was beyond brutal. I think its the first week in over a decade when I couldnt even post to the Corner. My travel schedule isnt a walk in the park yet, but I promise to be a bit more regular going forward.

Canine Update: The celebrity of Zoe and Pippa continues to grow. When I got to my hotel at Notre Dame the other night, there were two goody bags in my room. Much to my chagrin, neither contained brown liquor, but one contained presents for Zoe and Pippa, who could not attend the conference, alas. One of the great things about dogs is that they are not plagued by the vices of modernity. Their bond with humans is literally prehistoric, and they still value the things that bring true happiness: friendship, work, and the simpler pleasures. So, Im happy to tell you that they do not care one whit that they are canine celebrities (Zoe doesnt even think its a big deal she can walk on water). Indeed, while I was finishing this newsletter, Pippa was doing everything she could to prevent its completion. Still, I suspect the cats wouldnt mind more public adulation.

Jonah Goldberg holds the Asness Chair in Applied Liberty at the American Enterprise Institute and is a senior editor of National Review.- The Education ministry said the parents involved in exam cheating will have their certificates canceled

- The ministry issued security padlocks and keys to be used in securing exam containers

- Examination containers will be opened at 5.30am for distribution of papers

- Security officers will escort the papers from KNEC offices to counties

The Ministry of Education has put in place several measures to curb cheating in KCPE and KCSE exams which will see parents involved in malpractices being punished severely.

Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) could recall all education certificates of parents and teachers involved in examination cheating.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

READ ALSO: Matiangi suspends leave for all police officers due to KCSE, KCPE exams

Education PS Belio Kipsang said parents involved in exam malpractices will have their certificates canceled. Photo: UGC

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Kakamega family link death of five members who died in Kericho accident to witchcraft

Speaking during a joint meeting at the Kenya School of Government in Kabete, on Monday, October 15, Kipsang said only examination managers will be allowed to enter the exam room with mobile phones.

The PS issued security padlocks and keys to be used in securing exam containers and sounded a warning to those who will be found culpable of attempts of cheating saying they will be apprehended on the spot, charged and prosecuted.

Speaking at the same venue, Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed noted 30 examination centres were under high dependency surveillance and 192 others under amplified surveillance based on the 2015 - 2017 examination cheating trends.

READ ALSO: Joseph Irungu weeps in court upon seeing his mother

The CS asked the deputy county commissioners and the sub-county directors of education to ensure all examination containers are opened at 5.30am.

"The containers will have a double locking system. The Sub-county directors of education and the deputy county commissioners will each have the keys to secure and ensure they open and close the containers every day during the examination process, she said.

Education CS Amina Mohamed assured students affected by recent tribal clashes they will do their exams without interference. Photo: UGC

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Jomo Kenyatta Foundation recalls grade two textbooks after public criticism

Amina said they have 224 security officers who will escort the exams from the Kenya National Examination Council(KNEC) offices before they are handed offer to the two county officials.

She also gave an assurance to students in areas affected by the recent tribal clashes, telling them they will seat for their exams comfortably without interference.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news

Kenya VS Ethiopia - Tuko Sports News: Wild Celebrations at Kasarani Stadium | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko Breaking News- The officer was arrested alongside a university student and three other people

- The abductors are set to be charged in court on Tuesday, October 16

- Cases of abductions targeting business people are on the rise across the region

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) officer who has been running an alleged abduction syndicate in Eastleigh area, Nairobi County.

The soldier of No. 95592 Private Mohamed Sharmake Abdi of Kahawa Barracks was arrested on Monday, October 15, alongside Kenya Methodist University Student Abdi Hamid Mohamed Abdi.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

READ ALSO: Ex-MP explains how he lost millions to foreigners who promised to double his cash

READ ALSO: Uhuru alikuwa ananiibia soda Ikulu, asema dadake Kamaru

"Detectives last night arrested five abductors among them a university student and a soldier, within Eastleigh area and rescued threee victims. The abductors were demanding for KSh 5,000 release fee from each victim. The suspects will be arraigned in court on Tuesday, October 16," read DCI statement.

The other suspects who were nabbed included Abdikalif Mohammed Noor, Ahmed Abdullahi Abdi (The driver of the vehicle) and Salah Abdi.

The arrest came after the detectives arrested two police officers who had abducted a businessman in Athi River on Sunday, October 14.

The officers were demanding a ransom of KSh 300,000 for release of the man.

READ ALSO: I got my wealth from my Lord Jesus Christ - Laul Malong Jnr

Another Tanzanian business tycoon, Dewji Mo, was abducted at gun point after a gym session in Dar-es-Salaam.

Dewji's family issued a KSh 44 million reward for anybody with information on the whereabouts of the billionaire.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news

Kenya VS Ethiopia - Tuko Sports News: Wild Celebrations at Kasarani Stadium | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko- Kidero is not happy that EACC detectives took his wifes documents when they searched his house

- The former governor argued his wife Susan Mboya should be left out of his troubles

- Through his lawyers, Kidero said his wife and children have independent investments which are not related to his woes

- He accused the EACC of ignoring the fact that where spouses are involved, they are treated as independent parties

Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero wants the court to stop Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) from dragging his wife and family into graft allegations leveled against him.

The ex-governor who was arrested on Wednesday, August 8, by EACC officers and charged with alleged swindling of KSh 213 million from Nairobi county accused the anti-graft agency of using a vague search order to infringe on his wife Susan Mboya's privacy.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

READ ALSO: Boni Khalwale claims luhya community has got nothing for supporting Raila Odinga

Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and his wife Susan Mboya. He accused EACC of infringing in to his wife's privacy and confiscating her documents. Photo: The Star.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Itumbi amhurumia mtoto wa Jacque Maribe huku akimganda mama yake kama kupe

In his response to allegations by EACC in court that he was worth KSh 9 billion, Kidero went ahead to request the court to stop the commission from dragging his wife and family members into his legal disputes explaining they were separate entities who deserved respect to their privacy.

"EACC misused the order from the magistrate's house. They took advantage of it to get into my wife's property and even carted away her vital documents. They also took away documents belonging to my children including Abigael Kidero's death certificate which is malicious," he argued through lawyer James Orengo.

According to Kidero, EACC erred in searching his premises over allegations of corruption emanating from Mumias Sugar company since the institution was a private entity.

READ ALSO: Uhuru alikuwa ananiibia soda Ikulu, asema dadake Kamaru

Evans Kidero disputed owning 75 pieces of property listed by EACC saying 15 out of the total did not belong to him. Photo: The Standard.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero re-arrested

He further disputed EACC's report that he was worth KSh 9 billion saying 15 out of 75 properties listed by the commission did not belong to him.

"The commission needed to ask first if he owned all the 75 properties in its list. It proves malice that the applicant shared this unverified information with media for publication," Orengo argued.

The anti-graft commission defended its position saying Kidero had not denied he was a director of the firms listed, stating the property listed were allegations that would be proven during court hearing sessions.

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Kenya VS Ethiopia - Tuko Sports News: Wild Celebrations at Kasarani Stadium | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko- The former Kakamega Senator said Luhya leaders had supported Raila massively three out of the four times he vied for the presidency

- Khalwale expressed disappointment that Raila had nothing to show for the support he got from western Kenya which is wallowing in an economic crisis

- The deputy FORD Kenya party leader said it was time for Luhya community to look up to another leader for direction

Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has continued his scathing attack on Opposition leader Raila Odinga saying he had done little in reciprocation to the support he got from the Luhya community when he vied for the presidency.

The FORD Kenya deputy party leader argued Raila's time to give political direction to his supporters and the country as a whole was over since he had failed to achieve any tangible progress to warrant him the status.

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READ ALSO: Uhuru alikuwa ananiibia soda Ikulu, asema dadake Kamaru

Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale accused Raila Odinga for failing to steer Western Kenya in a development path despite the Luhya community. Photo: Boni Khalwale/Facebook.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO:TV girl Jacque Maribe and lover could stay longer in remand as their murder case builds up

Speaking during a talk show on NTV, Khalwale who had rubbished Raila's move to be sworn in as the people's president, argued the Luhya community needed to look elsewhere for political guidance because their 15 years' support for the former prime minister had not borne fruits.

The former legislator who personally did not support Raila's bid in 2007 as he vied for Ikolomani constituency seat on a FORD Kenya ticket and in 2013 by throwing his support behind Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudvadi, said the Luhya community had contributed significantly to Raila's vote count.

"Have we the Luhya community supported Raila for 15 years? The answer is yes. Do we have anything to show for it? The answer is no!" posed Khalwale who has in recent times strongly opposed Raila's call for a referendum to change the system of leadership.

Boni Khalwale however did not support Opposition leader Raila Odinga in the 2007 and 2013 General Election when he vied for presidency. Photo: Boni Khalwale/Twitter.

Source: Twitter

READ ALSO: Speaker Justin Muturi visits female MPs toilets for evidence in bribery investigations

The legislator opposed views by former Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo that the ODM leader was the barometer of Kenya's political direction and that his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta had held the country together at a time it was headed for destruction.

His sentiments were echoed by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria who said it would be a big mistake for the country to look at Raila as the true and right direction bearer for Kenya's political leadership.

"The notion that the true north of this country is Raila Odinga is fatally flawed," Kuria said.

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Shosh Cecilia Story Continues: Shosh Cecilia Gets New Teeth | Tuko TV.

Source: Tuko Breaking News Latest- Muturi led the Powers and Privileges committee members in probing the bribery claims

- Kiambu Woman Rep said she heard her colleagues talk about receiving bribes in the toilets

- MPs were accused of receiving money to shoot down contaminated sugar report

The National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has made real his earlier plans of visiting female MPs' toilets to gather evidence in a bribery claims investigation.

The Powers and Privileges committee members led by Muturi visited the washrooms on Tuesday, October 16, in the ongoing probe on bribery to shoot down contaminated sugar report.

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READ ALSO: Uhuru alikuwa ananiibia soda Ikulu, asema dadake Kamaru

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi led the MPs to the female MPs toilet for evidence of bribery. Photo: UGC

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: KDF officer among kidnappers arrested while demanding KSh 5k ransom

The visit was considered necessary for the committee to understand how the legislators were bribed after Kiambu Woman Representative Gathoni Wamuchomba claimed she heard colleagues talking in the toilet about receiving money to reject the report.

While appearing before the committee, Wamchomba said she heard unidentified MPs say they received the money from her Wajir counterpart Fatuma Gedi.

READ ALSO: IEBC says Raila lost 2017 election but kept attacking Commission to please supporters

The legislature said she could not identify the voices because they went mute the moment she received a phone call which scared them.

The lawmakers were accused of receiving between KSh 10,000 to KSh 30,000 to reject the report which was implicating and recommending some government leaders take responsibility for allowing the contaminated sugar in the country.

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Kenya VS Ethiopia - Tuko Sports News: Wild Celebrations at Kasarani Stadium | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko- A section of Kenyans online felt Muturi was wasting their resources through the toilet visit

- They questioned how appropriate the visit was in unraveling the bribery claims

- Other Kenyans felt the Speaker was not serious in the fight against corruption

Kenyans online have reacted harshly after National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi visited female MPs' toilets to understand how legislators were bribed to trash a sugar report..

The lawmakers were accused of receiving between KSh 10,000 to KSh 30,000 to reject the contaminated sugar report which was implicating some government officials.

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READ ALSO: Speaker Justin Muturi visits female MPs toilets for evidence in bribery investigations

The legislators were accused of receiving bribes to shoot down the contaminated sugar report. Photo: UGC

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Jacque Maribe narrates how she met her lover at height of Jubilee campaigns

A section of citizens felt the action was unnecessary and it only indicated how the leaders were joking about the fight against corruption.

Some Kenyans questioned the need of visiting the toilets and yet they could have accessed CCTV cameras which could have provided the evidence.

READ ALSO: Uhuru alikuwa ananiibia soda Ikulu, asema dadake Kamaru

Kenyans considered the visit was just a sideshow meant to make them forget the bribery part of the allegations.

READ ALSO: MPs accused of receiving KSh 10k bribe to save cabinet secretaries, trash report on bad sugar

Others could not understand how the visitation to the toilets could provide reliable evidence of bribery.

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Kenya VS Ethiopia - Tuko Sports News: Wild Celebrations at Kasarani Stadium | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko.co.ke- The president directed Energy CS to make sure electricity cost is reduced for SMEs

- He acknowledged government had neglected SMEs for long and promised to act

- Uhuru said he was embarrassed that nothing substantial had been done to support the small businesses

- He gave Gikomba market as an example of areas where the government had failed to support traders

President Uhuru Kenyatta has apologised to small scale traders across the country over his government's failure to adequately address their challenges and grievances despite their massive contribution to the growth of the economy.

A seemingly remorseful Uhuru acknowledged the Jubilee government had done very little to promote growth of the Small and Medium-size Enterprises (SMEs) which employ 75% of the country's workforce.

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READ ALSO: Kenyan betting firm on spot as KSh 500 billion gambling, money laundering scam is exposed

President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the Energery CS to find ways of reducing cost of electricity as he moved to increase government's support for the small scale traders. Photo: Uhuru Kenyatta.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Itumbi amhurumia mtoto wa Jacque Maribe huku akimganda mama yake kama kupe

Addressing the local business community during the 2018 SMEs round-table summit held at Strathmore University on Tuesday, October 16, Uhuru said his administration would henceforth work closely with the small scale traders to make sure all their issues are addressed, starting with the cost of electricity.

"I have directed the Cabinet Secretary for Energy Charles Keter to, within one month, review electricity cost for SMEs and come up with a sustainable plan to ensure the cost of power to small and medium-sized enterprises is brought down," he said.

READ ALSO: President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big Four agenda is the real deal and here is why

The president, who joked he was even embarrassed to read a speech he had pre-prepared to read at the summit because he felt the government had not done enough for the SMEs, challenged government officials present at the forum to start thinking outside the box.

"Even though the Finance Bill has been passed, let us think outside the box on how to make the economy work, especially for the SMEs," he said.

READ ALSO: Uhuru to leave the country on third international trip of his second term

A plethora of issues were raised during the business forum, among them delayed development of Nairobi's Gikomba market and importation of fish from China instead of promoting the local fishing industry and creating jobs for the youth among others.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news.

Shosh Cecilia: Ladies Stop Dating Sponsors - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko News- Some male patients were accused of boldly making sexual advances on female nurses

- Others also peep on their skirts in attempts to see their inner wear, forcing the female nurses to opt to wear trousers while on duty

- A nurse claimed some male patients smoke bhang and drink alcohol while inside wards

Nurses stationed at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) have accused male patients of sexually harassing them and expressing nasty intents to roll in the sheets with them.

According to one nurse, a male patient once approached one of her colleagues and told the lady he craved to feel her body against his.

READ ALSO: KNH nurses down tools after colleague was strangled by patient's relative

According to one nurse, a patient once approached of her colleagues and told the lady he craved to feel her body against his.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Kenyatta National Hospital surgeons perform operation on wrong patient

According to reports by Daily Nation, some of the patients who sleep under the beds due to overcrowding in wards, often try to peek under the nurses' skirts.

You know the hospital is overcrowded so some patients sleep under the bed. These men try to peek under the skirts of nurses, a nurse who chose to remain anonymous opened up.

READ ALSO: Relief as 3-week-old baby stolen from KNH is found and TUKO.co.ke has the details

Nurses stationed at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) have accused male patients of sexually assaulting them and expressing nasty intents to roll in the sheets with the medical practitioners.

Source: UGC

At times, the perverted patients at the orthopedic section even describe the colour of inner wear the medics have put on.

Sometimes they say so and so is wearing a black or read underwear, the nurse continued.

According to the source, nurses had to resort to wearing trousers to avoid the prevalence of such cases.

READ ALSO: Itumbi amhurumia mtoto wa Jacque Maribe huku akimganda mama yake kama kupe

She further intimated some patients even go as far as smoking bhang and taking alcohol within the hospital premises.

The medical professionals threatened to go on strike if action is not taken against the rowdy individuals.

The law is very clear that the employer should provide a safe working environment, Morris Opetu, KNUNs Deputy Secretary General said.

On Saturday, October 13, a KNH nurse was assaulted by the mother of a patient who died at the hospital.

Reports indicate when the woman heard the bad news, she hit the nurse using a blunt object and proceeded to strangle her to near death.

The nurse was admitted at the hospitals Highest Dependency Unit (HDU).

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Shosh Cecilia: Ladies Stop Dating Sponsors | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko- Seychelles was ranked top in Africa with a 0.65 Human Capital Index

- The report implies Kenyans are in better health with good education

- Globally, Kenya was ranked number 94 with an HCI score of 0.52 tieing up with Algeria

- The index ranked 157 countries based on their health and education outcomes

The future of the country is very promising after a recent World Bank report indicated Kenyan workers are among the most productive in Africa.

In the latest Human Capital Index (HCI) report, Kenya was ranked number four in Africa after Seychelles, Algeria and Mauritius.

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READ ALSO: Wataalam kuzindua njia mpya ya wanawake kupata watoto bila kushiriki ngono

Treasury CS Henry Rotich represented Kenya in the annual World Bank conference in Indonesia. Photo: UGC

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Mombasa rises from terror ashes to host high profile global congress

The index was launched during World Bank annual meeting held in Indonesia where Kenya was represented by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich, Principal Secretary Kamau Thugge and Central Bank of Kenya Governor Patrick Njoroge.

Globally, Kenya was ranked number 94 with an HCI score of 0.52 tieing up with Algeria which was ranked number 93, Seychelles number 43 with 0.65 and Mauritius 52 with a score of 0.60.

The index ranked 157 countries based on their health and education outcomes and their impact on productivity.

READ ALSO: Interior CS Fred Matiang'i directs mandatory paramilitary training for deputy county commissioners and chiefs

A recent 2018 US report by Bloomberg indicated Kenyan workers scored an impressive 73.4% to emerge third in the list of the most skilled and sought after African immigrants in America.

In the 2015/ 16 financial year, Kenya spent 20.3% of the total budget in education and 6.4% on health.

However, the country needs to focus on allocation of talent with majority of the people being stuck in the unproductive informal sector.

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Shosh Cecilia: Ladies Stop Dating Sponsors | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko- The Loice Yatich's body was found inside her room days after she was reported missing

- According to police, deep wounds on the woman's body indicated she had been murdered

- Loice is also alleged to have been raped before she was killed

- Police launched a manhunt of her farm boy who went missing after the incident

Police are investigating the death of former Kakamega District Commissioner (DC) Paul Yatichs wife whose body was found in her house at Kiplombe area in the outskirts of Eldoret town.

The body of Loice Yatich, 60, was found on the morning of Tuesday, October 19, in one of the rooms in her house after being reported missing for some days.

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READ ALSO: Wataalam kuzindua njia mpya ya wanawake kupata watoto bila kushiriki ngono

Former Kakamega district Commissioners wife found murdered in her house after going missing

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Kenya ranked number four in Africa on human capital productivity

The incident was confirmed by Eldoret West Police boss Zakariah Birok who said the womans body had deep cuts and police suspect she was raped before being killed, Citizen TV reported.

Bitok said the husband of the deceased had reported his wife was missing which prompted investigations that led to the shocking discovery.

He further said the deceased was living alone for the last 10 years after she separated with the husband and that they last spoke on Saturday, October 13.

READ ALSO: Uhuru has last laugh as he finally gets chance to replace man who badly embarrassed him

Yatich, however, became suspicious on Tuesday, October 16, after his calls went unanswered, a thing he said rarely happened.

He then reported the matter at Eldoret West Police Station.

Though we have been separated we frequently communicate, I was shocked when my phone calls went unanswered. I reported the matter to the police station, said Yatich, who accompanied the police to the house.

READ ALSO: MP Arama on the receiving end after sending child porn material to WhatsApp group

It is sad that they had to kill an innocent helpless woman, I feel sorry for my kids but we leave all to God, he added.

The police boss said they were following leads since a farm worker who had been employed by the deceased had gone missing.

The womans body was moved to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary while her vehicle which was seized by police was taken to Kabiyet Police Station in Nandi County.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news.

Source: Tuko.co.ke- The group of women accused Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko of disrespecting their rights to privacy

- They hit out at the governor for walking into maternity rooms incognito saying it was utter disrespect

- According to the women, the county leadership was inaccessible unless on social media sites

- The women demanded Sonko hastens appointment of a woman deputy governor who would protect them from infringement of their rights

A section of women in Nairobi staged a demonstration to protest against alleged poor leadership and disrespect of female citizens by Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.

The women, waving placards and banners with messages demanding Sonko to fill the vacant deputy governor's position with a female nominee, accused the county chief of among other things being inaccessible and inconsiderate of their basic privileges.

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READ ALSO: Wataalam kuzindua njia mpya ya wanawake kupata watoto bila kushiriki ngono

The women hit out at Governor Mike Sonko for disrespecting their privacy and urged him to urgently appoint a female deputy who would protect their interests. Photo: The Standard.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Woman attacks, strangles KNH nurse after her admitted son is pronounced dead

In a petition to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto seen by TUKO.co.ke the caucus specifically raised concern with the incident where Sonko camouflaged like a civilian and got into delivery rooms at Pumwani Maternity hospital.

They termed the incident as an unorthodox way of seeking publicity and called for an end to his habit in a petition

"The whole country has witnessed womens privacy being infringed at their most vulnerable point when they were giving birth.. All this has been done by the governor himself so that he achieves wild publicity," read part of the statement.

The charged women further lamented about alleged absenteeism by county leaders, a trend which they said had denied the public access to key services.

The women wrote a petition to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to intervene and help find solutions for problems affecting Nairobi leadership. Photo: Michael Ollinga/TUKO.co.ke.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Former Kakamega district Commissioners wife found murdered in her house after going missing

"Against all public office ethics, Nairobi residents have been unable to access the governor at his office, only seeing him on Facebook. This, your excellencies, brings a lot of leadership and efficiency queries," the petition continued.

The group further called on Sonko to hasten his pledge of appointing a woman deputy governor to fill the vacant position left by Polycarp Igathe who resigned on Friday, January 12.

The women's demand came at a time the governor presented names of Business Executive Jane Weru, Agnes Kagure, former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru and Karen Nyamu as possible replacements of Igathe.

"For close to a year, women allover the country have waited with bated breaths for the governor to honour his pledge of appointing a woman deputy governor. Some of the problems women face emanate from the fact that there isnt someone high placed to stand for them," the women said.

They urged Uhuru and Ruto to intervene and help find a solution bedeviling Nairobi.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news.

Joseph Irungu and Jacque Maribe in court over the murder of Monica Kimani - Tuko TV

Source: Tuko Breaking NewsOn the heels of the Ministry of Health's announcement that the Delta variant is now the domiThe competent authorities of the Swiss Confederation, at the request of the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office (PGO), have arrested the property of Ukraine's fugitive oligarch Serhiy Kurchenko, the PGO press service has reported.

"During the investigation it was established that a former official of PJSC Brokbusinessbank received significant amounts for participation in a criminal organization and the crimes it committed. According to the competent authorities of the Swiss Confederation, an account was determined to which, according to the investigation, illegally obtained funds were transferred, as well as account of an enterprise controlled by the criminal organization in the territory of this state," reads the statement.

It says that funds for a total of $2 million was frozen on the abovementioned accounts at the request of the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office.

"The department of international legal cooperation of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine is carrying out a pre-trial investigation into criminal proceedings concerning the creation of a criminal organization of Viktor Yanukovych and its structural unit under the leadership of Serhiy Kurchenko, as well as the commission of grave, especially grave and other crimes in the fuel and energy and banking sectors of the economy, taxation, and other areas," prosecutors added.

Fugitive oligarch Kurchenko is suspected in Ukraine of the creation and maintenance of a criminal organization for the purpose of committing grave and especially grave crimes, as well as the commission of a number of criminal offenses in its structure, in particular taking possession of someone else's property, funds of state and other banking institutions, state-owned enterprises of the fuel and energy sector of the economy in especially large amounts, tax evasion, legalization (laundering) of proceeds from crime, organization of fictitious entrepreneurship, that is, the creation and acquisition of businesses (entities) in order to cover up illegal activity that caused extensive damage.

Since February 2014, Kurchenko has been outside Ukraine, hiding from the authorities and the court to evade criminal responsibility. He was placed on the wanted list.

opThe Interior Ministry of Ukraine strengthens cooperation with Turkey in the fight against organized and international crime.

"Cooperation with Turkey remains important for the Interior Ministry. We continue and strengthen cooperation between our countries. We focus on a joint program to counter organized and international crime. It is important we have a common vision - only tough measures," Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said during a meeting with leadership of the General Directorate of Security of Turkey, the press service of the Interior Ministry reports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed other issues of law-enforcement cooperation, including the continuation of provision of assistance for the development of the National Police of Ukraine.

olA total of 2,896 Ukrainian soldiers have already given their lives for Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said.

The head of state said this at a meeting on the construction of housing for military personnel as part of his working visit to Lviv region, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Unfortunately, 2,896 heroes have given their lives for Ukraine, stopping the Russian aggressor," Poroshenko said.

He recalled that Ukraine, for the fourth time already, marked on October 14 the Defender of Ukraine Day, which is a holiday of true patriots, including women, 55,000 of which serve in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

opBelow is an address by Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox to 150 senior executives at the Ukraine Week 2018 event hosted by FT Live.

Good afternoon First Vice Prime Minister, Ministers, ladies and gentlemen.

It is a pleasure to be here today to address you, and I must thank the British-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and their partners for the invitation.

I have always believed that trade, and the freedom of nations and individuals to freely access goods and services from overseas, is vital to international security.

Part of the same continuum  one inhabited by political and social stability.

Trade is not an end in itself. Rather, it is the foundation of commercial success and national prosperity. That prosperity, in turn, underpins political stability, and that stability underpins security.

I had said before that trade and security are part of th same continuum. Unbalance one of these factors, and peace, prosperity and freedom are all endangered. It is axiomatic that there can be no military security without economic security.

Few countries understand this better then Ukraine. We are here today not only to deepen the commercial ties between our two nations, but as a show of solidarity and unity in the face of external aggression.

The United Kingdom, of course, has also recently suffered direct action by Russia.

If nations are to successfully meet and combat external aggression, then they must first ensure their own strength, both politically and economically. Part of this is winning internal battles against the forces that stifle economic activity and threaten investment, such as corruption and bureaucracy.

It is no accident that those nations with the strongest defence capabilities also have the strongest economies.

The UK stands ready to help Ukraine in any way we can in these challenges, not only for our mutual prosperity, but as a common defence.

That is why I am here today.

Ukraines economy has undoubtedly suffered in recent years, not only through the annexation of physical territory and infrastructure, but through the uncertainty of ongoing conflict.

Yet there are encouraging signs that the recovery is underway. Last year the total trade between Ukraine and the UK topped 1 billion, following two years of strong growth across the board, in goods and services, imports and exports.

Much of this comes from Ukrainian companies, like many here today, who recognise the inherent strengths of the United Kingdom as a place to invest.

Our capital is the worlds leading financial centre, and a springboard into global markets. The UK is in the right time zone to trade with Shanghai over breakfast and New York over tea.

We are home to some of the worlds leading universities, producing a highly capable workforce.

And crucially, we are an unrivalled repository of commercial expertise, in everything from Fintech to infrastructure. This gives the UK a unique capacity to help Ukrainian businesses expand and thrive.

But it is not just the United Kingdoms strengths that have enabled our bilateral relationship to thrive.

British companies, like many others across the world, are increasingly aware of all that Ukraine has to offer, and the huge commercial opportunities that exist in the country.

GlaxoSmithKline, Astra Zeneca and Vodafone, to name just a few, have substantially increased their operations in Ukraine in recent years.

They see a country not only with a large and well-developed internal market  Ukraine has five cities of over one million people  but also the hard-working and well-educated workforce.

On top of this, Ukraine boasts abundant natural resources, a broad industrial base and a variety of well-developed sectors.

Lviv is undergoing something of an economic boom, driven by its enviable IT industry and service-based economy.

And of course, this historic bread basket of Europe is among the worlds leading agri-producers, and my own Department for International Trade is taking steps to improve our bilateral relations in this area, offering British expertise in agricultural machinery, grain storage, and food processing.

I dont need to tell the people in this room that Ukraine is a nation with a vast amount of untapped economic potential.

But as well as external threats there are, as I have mentioned, internal challenges to be resolved if the country is to fully realise its opportunities.

Corruption exists, as it does in many nations around the world.

A key difference here though is awareness, and a strong desire to tackle and resolve the issue.

The Ukrainian people recognise the threat that corruption, inefficient public ownership, and overzealous and stifling bureaucracy pose to foreign investment, economic output, and ultimately prosperity.

The establishment of a Business Ombudsman and the National Anti-Corruption Agency are important steps in the right direction, as is the commendable ambition to bring Ukraine into the top ten nations globally on the ease of doing business rankings. It has already become the most improved country in the world since 2010.

Ukraine has made more progress in the last 4 years than in the previous 20, particularly in reform of the banking sector, good governance institutions and launching the electronic asset and income declaration system.

I am proud to say that the United Kingdom, and my own Department, is taking a leading role in helping Ukraine to achieve these goals.

We are providing assistance to improve the business climate and reforming the tax system, making the country an increasingly attractive place for global investors.

We are helping with the reform of Ukraines energy sector, aiming to eliminate reliance on Russian gas and streamlining the pricing structure of Ukraines own production.

This year, we are delivering a 35 million package to support reforms in good governance, anti-corruption and defence.

And we are helping British companies to share their expertise with their Ukrainian counterparts, opening new commercial opportunities across the economy.

This has been instigated, in part, by a wave of joint UK-Ukraine trade events, from the visit of the Deputy Minster Mykolska in June, where she visited women entrepreneurs at DITs She Trades event, to the Group CEO of Jaguar/Land Rover opening their new sales centre in Kiev.

But perhaps the most important immediate task, and certainly the most important facing my own department, is the post-Brexit transition of the Ukraine-EU Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement into a new bilateral settlement.

We have designated Ukraine as one of the UKs post-Brexit priority markets, and our ambition is to further improve and liberalise the trading relationship between us.

But our first step must be to provide certainty and continuity for those firms currently operating between the UK and Ukraine. Officials in the UK and Ukraine are working together to design a bilateral agreement that will replicate the effects of the DCFTA, to come into effect at the end of our transition period.

Minimising the disruption to our existing trading relationship is the highest priority for the United Kingdom.

Yet I appreciate that there will also be a degree of uncertainty around Brexit. This is equally true in Ukraine, not only from a commercial standpoint, but from a geopolitical one.

But the Referendum result was not a vote for insularity. We are not turning in on ourselves, abandoning our overseas partners or abdicating our international responsibilities.

The United Kingdom is not isolationist, but global. The British people chose to embrace the opportunities of the wider world.

Let me reiterate that our exit from the EU does not change the UKs commitment to Ukraines development, growth and prosperity.

Nor does it alter our commitment to sanctions against Russia. Indeed, the Prime Minister has made it clear that we will look to carry over all existing EU sanctions at the time of our departure.

In August, the foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt made the case for additional sanctions against Russia from the United States, building a firm, united front with our allies.

This is not a path that we are about to waver from.

Our action encapsulates the message that I came here today to deliver  that the United Kingdom is standing alongside Ukraine, ready to lend our support to ensuring a safe and prosperous future for both our peoples.

The progress that has been made by Ukraine is hugely significant, and already the dividends are appearing.

Nothing should be taken for granted. But if we work together to meet the challenges of the future, then we can, and will, defend our freedom, our prosperity, and our liberty.

Published on October 9, 2018The IX International Forum Polish Business Days in Ukraine will take place in Kyiv on November 15, the Kyiv City State Administration reports referring to the Association of Ukrainian Business in Poland.

On November 15, 2018, the IX International Forum Polish Business Days in Ukraine will be held in Kyiv, which will traditionally bring together representatives of state and local authorities, diplomatic institutions and business community on a regular basis to discuss issues of the Polish-Ukrainian cooperation, to establish cooperation and business contacts, reads the report.

This years forum in Kyiv will become a platform for discussion of a wide range of important and relevant topics, namely: changes in the dynamics of the development of trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and Poland in recent years; joint projects in the field of energy and energy saving; building roads and railways; infrastructure and logistics in the context of Polish-Ukrainian cooperation etc.

The event will take place under the auspicious of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Ukraine and with the support of the Economic Development and Trade Ministry of Ukraine.

iyUkrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday, the Mission of Ukraine to NATO has reported on Twitter.

"Today Ukrainian Foreign Minister Klimkin met with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg at the alliance's headquarters," reads the statement.

During the meeting, the sides discussed common security challenges faced by NATO member states and Ukraine, in particular the security situation in the Black and Azov Seas.

When discussing the areas of practical cooperation, Klimkin asked Stoltenberg to intensify the work of the NATO Trust Funds that are intended to help strengthen the safety of ammunition depots in Ukraine, which is particularly relevant amid recent events near the town of Ichnia in Chernihiv region.

Politicians also exchanged views on the activity of the working mechanisms of Ukraine's special partnership with NATO, in particular the meetings of the NATO-Ukraine Commission at ministerial level.

According to Stoltenberg, the unblocking of the commission's work depends on agreements between Ukraine and Hungary on the issue of ensuring the language rights of the Hungarian minority, in particular the full implementation of the recommendations of the Venice Commission on the implementation of the Ukrainian law on education.

Klimkin, in turn, stressed that Ukraine's goal remains to guarantee equal rights to the residents of Transcarpathia, create conditions for their full development as citizens of Ukraine, and support their languages, traditions, and culture.

On October 15-16, Klimkin visits Brussels and Luxembourg to attend the ninth ministerial meeting of the Eastern Partnership initiative and hold meetings with representatives of the EU and NATO institutions.Diplomat and presidents advisor, Ruslan Demchenko, will represent Ukraine at a meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on the peaceful settlement of the situation in Donbas in Minsk today, October 16, according to First Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Herashchenko.

"The meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group and working subgroups is taking place today in Minsk. Today, diplomat and presidents adviser, Ruslan Demchenko, will represent Ukraine during this meeting, she said at a briefing on Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

At the same time, the politician noted that President Petro Poroshenko will appoint a new official representative of Ukraine in the Trilateral Contact Group soon.

As reported, the second president of Ukraine and the countrys representative in the TCG on the peaceful settlement of the situation in Donbas, Leonid Kuchma, completed his work in the TGC on October 2.

iyUkrainian MP Oleksandr Vilkul has inflicted UAH 15 million worth of losses on Ukraine's state budget through abuse of office.

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko said this during his speech in the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"The investigation believes that through his deliberate actions Oleksandr Yuriyovych Vilkul committed probable abuse of office, that is, intentionally, in the interests of third parties, an official abused office contrary to the interests of the service, which caused grave consequences to the public interest. In the first episode, the public damage reached 12 million [hryvnias], and in another the losses to the state budget amounted to three million hryvnias. In this regard, the investigation needs to conduct a series of investigative and operational measures with the people's deputy, for which I, as Ukraine's prosecutor general, ask the Verkhovna Rada to decide on removing parliamentary immunity [from Vilkul]," Lutsenko said.

On October 8, the parliament committee on rules of procedure recognized as legitimate tte motions from the Prosecutor General's Office to remove immunity from MPs Vilkul and Dmytro Kolesnikov.

Earlier, at a parliament committee meeting, Lutsenko presented a motion against Vilkul and said that the Dnipropetrovsk regional prosecutor's office is investigating a criminal case over Vilkul's involvement as Dnipropetrovsk regional governor in the illegal transfer of land plots in 2011.

Investigators charge Vilkul with intentional abuse of office in the interests of third parties, which caused grave consequences to state interests (Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

opUkraine is actively preparing for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly spring session in Kyiv in 2020, First Vice Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Iryna Gerashchenko said at a meeting with President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Rasa Jukneviciene.

"It is symbolic that newly elected President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Rasa Jukneviciene made her first visit to Ukraine. Today, the Ukrainian delegation to the Assembly met with Ms Jukneviciene. Ukraine gained the right to hold the NATO PA spring session in Kyiv in 2020, including thanks to the active standing of our delegation. We already work together to get ready for this important event," Gerashchenko posted on Facebook.

According to her, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine makes efforts to adapt the national legislation to the Alliances standards. Ukrainian lawmakers adopted a key law "On National Security of Ukraine", which stipulates that the defense minister shall be a civilian.

Gerashchenko also assured Jukneviciene that the parliament of Ukraine paid much attention to gender equality in the security agencies. The parties discussed a wide range of issues and counteraction to common hybrid challenges, Russian aggression, interference in elections and Kremlin's attempts to discredit the international institutions.

The Ukrainian side told about the security and humanitarian situation in occupied Donbas and Crimea, urging to exert simultaneous pressure on the Russian Federation to release the hostages and political prisoners.

Rasa Jukneviciene expressed a deep understanding of the current situation in Ukraine and noted that Ukraine's issue remained a priority on the NATO PA agenda.

olUkraine will work together with the Alliance to restore a high-level political dialogue in the format of NATO-Ukraine Commission, which is currently blocked by the Hungarian side.

"Unfortunately, the Hungarians use the issues of bilateral format at the NATO multinational platform, where consensus is the main principle of interaction. Ukraine needs the participation of other 28 NATO member states in this matter, which will undoubtedly be of greater importance in a constructive dialogue with Hungary on the implementation of the language article of the Law of Ukraine On Education," Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine Ivanna Klimpush-Tsintsadze said at a meeting with President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Rasa Jukneviciene in Kyiv, the Government portal reports.

The parties discussed joint counteraction to the challenges and threats posed by Russia in the context of preparation and holding of elections in Ukraine. In particular, the need to strengthen the cyber security and cyber defense system of Ukraine and exchange experience in countering hybrid threats and information attacks was discussed.

olA statement by Russia on the severance of Eucharistic communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate suggests that Ukraine is on the right path to obtaining autocephaly.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said this at a meeting with the exarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which was broadcast live on Ukrainian news channels, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"On the apparent order of the Kremlin, the leadership of the aggressor country, the Russian church authorities completely dependent on it announced the breakdown of Eucharistic communion with the Mother Church of Constantinople. I am sure that such a reaction of the spiritual and secular Russian authorities and the church leadership entirely dependent on the Russian authorities only confirms that we are on the right path," Poroshenko said.

The president stressed that in the same way as Russia opposed itself to the whole world because of aggression in Donbas and illegal annexation of Crimea, as well as its "positions" on Abkhazia, Ossetia and Transdniestria, the Russian Church has put itself on the path of self-isolation and conflict with the world Orthodoxy.

At the same time, he stressed that he had hoped earlier that this would not happen.

The head of state also noted that if one compares Ukraine and a prayer service on Sofiyska Square on October 14 with the decision of the Russian Orthodox Church to break off relations with Constantinople, this is an indicator of two different worlds.

"Once again, if you look at the bright faces of more than 30,000 Ukrainians who, at my request, gathered on Sofiyska Square, when all the church hierarchs united in this prayer, I think that these are two worlds - one is for peace, with a prayer to God, and the other is for conflict, for confrontation," he said.

Earlier on October 15, the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, which met in Minsk, decided to break off the church communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate for its decision to grant autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church in the near future.

On October 11, the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate decided to grant a tomos (ordinance) of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. Now an assembly is to be held in Kyiv with the participation of the bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, who appealed to the Ecumenical Patriarch with a request for the tomos. The assembly will carry out the church unification, forming a united local UOC, and will elect its primate.

After that, the head of the single local autocephalous UOC will be handed a tomos as a document (letter).

opUkraine's Information Policy Ministry is continuing to work on the problem of cybersecurity in Ukraine in three areas - communication, education and legislation.

Deputy Information Policy Minister Dmytro Zolotukhin said this at the HackIT 4.0 cybersecurity forum, according to the ministry's press service.

"During his speech at the opening of the conference, Deputy Minister of Information Policy of Ukraine Dmytro Zolotukhin noted that the Information Policy Ministry continues to work on the problem of Ukraine's cybersecurity in three areas - communication, education and legislation. In particular, the crisis communication system, which is crucial for minimizing the consequences during various cyberattacks, is being improved," reads the report.

The ministry also deals with issues of cyber literacy, especially in government agencies, since the overwhelming majority of all vulnerabilities in information systems are based on a human factor.

The largest cybersecurity forum in Eastern Europe - HackIT 4.0 - was held in Kyiv. The event, organized by Hacken, brought together data security and blockchain experts, entrepreneurs, and white hat hackers.

The conference was attended by about 50 speakers from Ukraine, France, Britain, Canada, China, Turkey, Romania, and other countries.

opSzijjarto claims Ukraine made no progress on the issue of the education law and failed to implement the recommendations of the Venice Commission.

Hungary will continue to block the NATO-Ukraine Commission at the ministerial level, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told his Ukrainian counterpart Pavlo Klimkin during their talks held on the sidelines of the EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg.

In addition, Szijjarto said that Ukraine had failed to make any progress on the law on education and to implement the recommendations of the Venice Commission, reports Deutsche Welle.

The Hungarian Foreign Minister also expressed discontent over the recent petition to regulate the status of Ukrainian citizens with dual EU citizenship, as well as including a number of Hungarian citizens, including Szijjarto himself, in the Myrotvorets database of individuals threatening Ukraine's national security.

Read alsoUkraine, Hungary to hold consultations over distribution of Hungarian passports among Zakarpattia residents

Both officials noted that while the conflict between the two countries has not been resolved, some significant progress is seen.

We need to find a path of how we could find a common language with Hungary. This is a difficult path, said Pavlo Klimkin.

According to Szijjarto, he would also like to "strengthen and improve relations."

During the meeting of Hungarian and Ukrainian foreign ministers, the two top diplomats decided to hold consular consultations on the issue of Hungarian passports issued to Ukrainian nationals in Zakarpattia and finally agreed to have the name of the office of an envoy for the development of the Transcarpathian region changed.Moscow will no longer insist that the Ukrainian politicians on whom the bet is being made necessarily declare their opposition to the granting of autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine, Tymchuk explains.

In late September, President Vladimir Putin approved the Concept and Strategy (general directions) of the Kremlins actions for the period of presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine, that's according to the Information Resistance (IR) OSINT community.

Russian government agencies and NGOs are tasked with focusing their main efforts not only on the presidential election in 2019, but also on preparing for parliamentary elections, IR coordinator MP Dmytro Tymchuk wrote on Facebook Oct 16.

"At the same time, the task is set to provide large-scale organizational, financial and informational support to both open and veiled pro-Russian forces," the report says. "The strategy also determines that the issue of uniting these forces into a single party or bloc structure is secondary and irrelevant."

Read alsoRussian Orthodox Church severs ties with Ecumenical Patriarchate

At the same time, Putin's aide Vladislav Surkov and his team of political consultants managed to convince the Russian president that the centralized management of headquarters of pro-Russian candidates by a unified team of political technologists (according to the IR, it's about Viktor Medvedchuks team) bears organizational risks connected with long-standing personal conflicts among Ukrainian oligarchs and intergroup confrontations among Ukrainian politicians of the pro-Russian camp.

In addition, according to the Kremlin's concept, the Russian financial and media support of "loyal" politicians in Ukraine will be based on the willingness of said politicians to publicly recognize the Russian annexation of Crimea and implement the project of Ukraine's federalization.

Read alsoPutin has lost Ukraine  Kurt Volker

At the same time, Surkov removed from the agenda the question regarding mandatory support of the Moscow Patriarchate's position on the issue of autocephaly for the Church of Ukraine.

"Therefore, Moscow will no longer insist that the Ukrainian politicians on whom the bet is being made necessarily declare their opposition to the granting of autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine," Tymchuk says, explaining that this is justified by the fact that for the campaign period, the Kremlin is set to recruit as agents of influence a number of politicians from Kyiv and the central regions of Ukraine, where the voters more strongly support the idea of creating the independent Church of Ukraine.Ponomarev says Russia annually loses 2-3% of GDP as a result of the Western sanctions, but most importantly, it loses its future.

Asked about the possibility of Crimea's return to Ukraine, Ilya Ponomarev, ex-deputy of the Russian State Duma (2007-2016), said: "The probability is 100%. The only question is when."

However, he remained skeptical as to the likelihood of the peninsula being used as a springboard for the offensive against mainland Ukraine, according to Glavred.

"Rather, the Crimea-based naval contingent can be used to control natural resources located in the Odesa section of the Black Sea shelf. I think that Ukraine should have held the most serious negotiations with the United States and NATO to protect them," the Russian opposition politician said.

He also added that Russia seeks to complicate the situation with the Crimean population, that is to "wash away" the residents who lived on the peninsula before annexation, and complicate the procedure for returning the peninsula to Ukraine.

Read alsoExpert elaborates on Kremlin strategy for Ukraine's election period

"Look at the Baltic states, where similar processes took place within the Soviet Socialist Republic after 1940: see how many problems these countries have today, and all those unfortunate people who believed in their country and moved there after the occupation became hostages of big political games," Ponomarev summed up.

He also said Russia annually loses 2-3% of GDP as a result of the Western sanctions, but most importantly, it loses its future.

"The oil that is currently being extracted continues to be produced, but [the development] of new fields that require new technologies supplied by Western servicing companies will no longer be available. Due to the sanctions and international isolation, the overwhelming number of foreign investors have left the country and halted new investment projects. Almost all high-tech companies that had so rapidly begun to develop under the Medvedev presidency 'ran away'," he said.

Read alsoPainful processes cannot be avoided: Ukraine official on ukrainianizing Donbas

According to Ponomarev, the annual direct costs of the Russian Federation for the maintenance of the annexed Crimea amount to several billion dollars.

"On the one hand, this figure is not too big for the Russian economy. Although, it is more than Ukraine receives annually for the transit of Russian gas. However, the construction of a bridge [from mainland Russia] to Crimea has deprived the city of Novosibirsk of a bridge across the Ob River and the city of Yakutsk of that across the Lena River, and without the latter, the whole region is very much inhibited in its development," the ex-deputy said.Washington has matched strong words with a deepening military partnership with Kyiv.

In Europe, a shadow conflict is capturing headlines: The Salisbury poisonings and the unmasking of alleged Russian agents in the Netherlands suggest a return to Cold War-style spy games between Russia and the West.

In Ukraine, the picture is starker. A hot war is continuing in the eastern Donbas region, and the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv appears set to escalate, according to CNN.

The latest flashpoint is Ukraine's bid for greater spiritual independence from Russia.

On Monday, the Russian Orthodox Church broke ties with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, the titular head of Orthodox Christianity, after Ukraine secured approval last week to establish an independent Orthodox church.

That move drew immediate condemnation from Russia, which said the decision set the stage for a potential split within the global Orthodox community.

On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin presided over a meeting of his Security Council on the matter.

Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesperson, said the Kremlin was "extremely concerned," adding: "If the current situation leans into the realm of illegal actions, then, of course, just like Russia protects the interests of Russian speakers, then likewise -- and Putin has said this many times -- Russia will protect the interests of Orthodox Christians."

Such words carry weight. In 2014, Putin justified the Crimea intervention as defending the interests of ethnic Russians. The occupation of Crimea set in motion the war in eastern Ukraine, which has claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people. And Washington is not a bystander in that conflict.

For starters, the U.S. maintains that Russia is the aggressor. Speaking Friday with reporters in Rome, Kurt Volker, the Trump administration's point man on Ukraine, said the separatist forces in eastern Ukraine were "100% under Russia's command and control," despite Moscow's insistence that the war in Donbas is a local uprising.

Read alsoDonbas escalation: 37 enemy shellings, 1 KIA, 3 WIAs

"There shouldn't be any ambiguity about that," Volker said, according to a transcript. "You have military forces that are led by active duty Russian military personnel. Russian officers are embedded through the chain of command down to the company level. Russia pays for contract soldiers to then fill out the whole military force and this goes to a Russian firm -- that then hires the soldiers and provides them to the Donbas. The training, the equipment, the troop rotations, the supplies -- all of this comes directly from Russia."

And Washington has matched strong words with a deepening military partnership with Kyiv.

Last week, the U.S. Air Force kicked off a military exercise in Ukraine, primarily at Ukraine's Starokostiantyniv Air Base. The so-called Clear Sky exercise will include F-15C Eagle fighters, KC-135 aerial refueling tankers and MQ-9 Reaper drones operating from Miroslawiec Air Base in Poland.

Ukraine may not be a NATO member, but the Ukrainian government aspires to NATO membership. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said such exercises would bring Ukraine's military into closer cooperation with the transatlantic alliance.

"The purpose of the exercises is to increase the level of interoperability of our combat aircraft with the air forces of the United States and other member states of the alliance," he said. "Five years ago, our planes rusted on the ground and military pilots forgot about the sky. But today, each of you has an opportunity to see the professional skills of our pilots  soldiers, who carry out difficult tasks on an equal footing with their foreign counterparts."

NATO membership for Ukraine is a red line for Putin, who has said he considers expansion of the alliance a form of aggression. And the US further riled the Kremlin earlier this year, when it delivered Javelin antitank weapons to Ukraine to step up the country's military capability.

The Trump administration's support for Ukraine has undergone something of an evolution, however. Senior officials have consistently stated that the U.S. government does not see Russia's annexation of the peninsula as legitimate, and the U.S. government and its European allies have maintained sanctions on Russia since the annexation of Crimea.

But both before and after taking office, President Donald Trump made statements that appeared to cast doubt on his commitment to Ukraine's claims over the peninsula, both blaming the Obama administration for losing the peninsula and suggesting the people of Crimea would rather be in Russia.

The issue of arming Ukraine has also not been clear-cut. While the Republican presidential platform was being drafted in 2016, Trump campaign officials watered down language about supplying lethal aid to Ukraine. Speculation immediately fell to the possible role of Paul Manafort, then the chairman of the Trump presidential campaign: He had done years of lobbying work for the pro-Russian political party of Ukraine's then-president, Viktor Yanukovych.

Yanukovych fled Ukraine for Russia in February 2014 after street demonstrations toppled his government. Manafort was convicted in August on tax fraud and bank fraud charges, and his legal ordeal is not over.

Against that background, Trump administration officials have been maintaining a harder line on Russia's

In Minsk on Monday, Moscow Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, convened a synod to respond to the latest developments over Ukraine's move to distance itself from the Russian church.

Ahead of the meeting, Kirill met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russia.

"A schism is always bad," Lukashenko said, according to a statement released by the Moscow Patriarchate. "And its consequences are the most dangerous."Moscow earlier vowed to protect the interests of the Orthodox Christians in Ukraine, while and the Russian Orthodox Church ruled to sever eucharistic communication with the Constantinople Patriarchate.

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Andriy Parubiy notes that the Kremlin is in fact "unleashing an international religious conflict between Orthodox churches," an UNIAN correspondent reported from the Conciliation Council in Kyiv.

Saying that the state should not interfere in church affairs, Parubiy stressed: A special meeting of the Security Council was convened in Russia to discuss the decision made by Constantinople and the Ecumenical Patriarch. And yesterday came the news that the Russian Orthodox Church severes communication with the Ecumenical Patriarchate. In fact, the Kremlin, via a religious organization under its control, is launching an international religious conflict between Orthodox churches.

Read alsoExpert elaborates on Kremlin strategy for Ukraine's election period

As UNIAN reported earlier, on October 11, following a meeting of the Holy Synod, a decision was announced, stating that the Ecumenical Patriarchate proceeds to granting autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine. In addition, the legal binding of the Synods letter of 1686 was abolished, thus taking the Kyiv Metropolis from under Moscow's canonical jurisdiction. Also, head of the UOC of the Kyiv Patriarchate Filaret and head of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church Makariy were reinstated in their canonical status.

The Kremlin vowed to protect the interests of Orthodox believers in Ukraine politically and diplomatically, claiming Moscow did not intend to interfere in the interchurch dialogue.

On October 15, the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church made a decision to sever eucharistic communication with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.According to the foreign minister, the discussions are still ongoing.

Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Pavlo Klimkin says the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has no full consensus yet on providing Ukraine with a Membership Action Plan (MAP).

"We have discussed [the issue] many times. We are perfectly aware of the fact that the debate is now ongoing and that today there is no full consensus on the issue," Klimkin told journalists on the sidelines of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) ministerial meeting in Luxembourg on October 15, when asked about the position of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the possibility of providing the MAP to Ukraine.

At the same time, the minister said that Stoltenberg began their meeting, asking if Ukraine had paid attention to the messages voiced at the latest July NATO summit in Brussels as they were very important and unequivocal.

"It's also very important to have such messages, both for NATO and for Ukraine," Klimkin said.

According to the minister, he had a "very interesting and substantive" discussion with Stoltenberg.

Read alsoHungary to continue blocking NATO-Ukraine Commission

As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in February 2018 appealed to the NATO Secretary General, requesting a Membership Action Plan for Ukraine.

On March 16, Poroshenko said he had commissioned to prepare a draft amendment to the Constitution regarding Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO and the European Union.

On March 28, the president signed a decree "On approval of the Annual National Program under the auspices of the Ukraine-NATO Commission for 2018". According to the decree, Ukraine seeks to receive an invitation from NATO regarding the MAP in the medium term perspective.

On July 11, heads of the NATO member states at the Brussels summit adopted a declaration, which confirmed Ukraine's aspiration to gain membership in the Alliance. NATO confirmed the decision of the Bucharest summit that Ukraine would become a member of the Organization in the future if it met the required criteria.

On July 12, at the NATO summit, Stoltenberg stressed that Ukraine's long-term goal is to join the Alliance. However, the country should focus on the implementation of important reforms related to NATO standards and principles.

According to Stoltenberg, the Alliance will continue to expand its support for Ukraine in the context of an active conflict in Donbas.The name of Ukraine's new envoy in the TCG for the Donbas settlement shall be formally announced by the president.

Ukraine's Representative in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) for the Donbas settlement, First Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Gerashchenko says Ruslan Demchenko, an adviser to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, will represent Ukraine at a TCG meeting in Minsk on October 16.

"A meeting of the Tripartite Contact Group as well as of the working groups is being held in Minsk today. Diplomat and Presidential Adviser, Ruslan Demchenko, will represent Ukraine at the meeting," she told a briefing on Tuesday.

Gerashchenko added that the head of state shall appoint the official representative of Ukraine to the TCG.

Read alsoEnd to war in Donbas looks as far away as ever  media

"It's the president of Ukraine who shall announce the name. But, for sure, this will be a patriotic and professional person who will adequately represent Ukraine's position in Minsk, as it always happens," she said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, Former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma on October 2 concluded his work as Ukraine's representative to the Trilateral Contact Group at the Minsk talks on Donbas.Russian authorities have not commented publicly on Kaplan's statement.

Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov, who ended his nearly five-month hunger strike in a Russian prison earlier this month, may not survive because of damage to his health, his cousin says.

"Almost all his organs are severely affected," including liver, heart, and brain, Natalya Kaplan told journalists in Kyiv on October 16, as reported by Radio Liberty.

"The end of the hunger strike is a serious procedure, no one can say now whether Oleh will survive," she added.

Russian authorities have not commented publicly on Kaplan's statement.

Read alsoUK Foreign Secretary endorses Sentsov nomination for Sakharov Prize

Sentsov, a Crimean native who opposed Russia's 2014 takeover of the Ukrainian peninsula, is serving a 20-year prison term in Russia's far northern Yamalo-Nenets region.

He was convicted of terrorism in a trial that he, human rights groups, and Western governments contend was politically motivated.

The filmmaker started a hunger strike on May 14, demanding that Russia release 64 Ukrainians whom he considers political prisoners in Russia.

He ended his protest action on October 6, saying he had to do so to avoid being force-fed by the prison authorities.

At the end of his hunger strike, during which he was kept alive with nutrients administered via a drip, Sentsov had lost 20 kilograms.

Kaplan said her cousin was being treated in an intensive-care unit in the Yamalo-Nenets region.

"Unfortunately, his recent letters are quite pessimistic. He wrote a testament in which he asks not to abandon his children," she also said.

Sentsov has said he was against being transferred to an intensive-care unit.According to the representative of the Kyiv Patriarchate, the situation will be fixed sooner or later, and the ROC will return to communication.

A representative of the Kyiv Patriarchate, Yevstratiy Zorya, responded to the decision of the Russian Orthodox Church to sever ties with Constantinople.

In his opinion, the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church repeats the policy of the Kremlin and follows the path of self-isolation in response to the legitimate decisions of the international community.

"Since 1991, [Russian] Patriarch Kirill has personally been the architect of the division of the Ukrainian Church. Therefore, it is difficult for him to plead guilty of 27 years of false activities, which have dragged the entire Orthodoxy into the conflict," he wrote on Facebook October 15.

Read alsoMoscow vows to protect Orthodox believers in Ukraine

The Kyiv Patriarchate spokesman says the situation will be fixed sooner or later, and the ROC will return to communication.

Now, before everyone worshiping in the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine, the question arises: whether they should move toward separation along with the Russian Orthodox Church or remain in unity with the Universal Orthodoxy via the Local Ukrainian Church, Zorya notes.

As UNIAN reported earlier, on October 15, the Russian Orthodox Church issued a statement announcing a break-up in ties with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The move follows the statement by the Ecumenical Patriarchate to proceed to granting autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine, reinstate heads of the UOC-KP and UAOC  Filaret and Makariy  in their canonical status, as well as abolish the legal binding of the Synod's Letter of 1686, thus taking the Kyiv Metropolis from under Moscow's canonical jurisdiction.War pilots penetrated the target area defying air defense systems amid radio interference, mounted conditional tactical airstrikes, and conducted aerial reconnaissance.

Ukraine's military aviation units involved in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) are working out their actions to support the naval and land forces of the Ukrainian Army.

The relevant video showing spectacular flights of Ukrainian attack aircraft was released on the JFO Headquarters' Facebook page on October 16.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine says special attention was paid to enhancing flight training routine for tactical aviation crews.

As reported, war pilots penetrated the target area defying air defense systems amid radio interference, mounted conditional tactical airstrikes, and conducted aerial reconnaissance.

As was earlier reported, Ukraine's Su-27 fighter jets outperformed the USAF F-15C Eagles at the international drills Clear Sky-2018.Militants demand that the heads of state-owned enterprises ensure maximum participation of staff in the so-called "polls."

A spokesman for the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Dmytro Hutsuliak, says Russian occupation forces are stepping up measures to force the local population in Donbas to participate in the illegal elections scheduled for November 11.

"Russian occupation administrations in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions are stepping up measures to covertly force the local population to vote in the so-called November 11 elections," the official told a briefing on October 16, referring to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate.

"In particular, the occupiers have instructed the heads of budget organizations that the latter will bear personal responsibility for ensuring maximum participation of 'civil servants and staff of enterprises' in elections. Social workers in the occupied territories are spreading information that pensioners could be deprived of retirement benefits if they fail to come to the polls," the spokesman said.

Read alsoVolker calls on Russia to cancel sham elections in Donbas

"At the same time, the number of those fearing the intensification of hostilities is growing in cities and densely populated areas of the temporarily occupied territories. They don't want to tarnish themselves by participating in yet another so-called 'electoral process' imposed by the occupiers. Since early October, the number of residents, including those involved in the activities of the Russian occupation regime, who are fleeing the temporarily occupied territories, has been growing as well," the official said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, the so-called "early elections of the chairman of the self-proclaimed "Luhansk People's Republic" ("LPR") and "Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR") and the so-called "members of parliament" were scheduled for November 11.

On September 7, First Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Gerashchenko said that Moscow was consciously escalating the situation in Donbas, announcing "elections" and at the same time eliminating its "minions." The European Union and the United States say that the announcement of "elections" in the "LPR" and "DPR" is a violation of Minsk agreements.

Today, October 16, Ukraine will demand in Minsk to cancel the preparation for the fake elections in the occupied territories of Donbas.After landing, the fighter jet was towed to aircraft parking space lot by members of the engineering team of the U.S. Air Force.

On October 12, U.S. Air Force F-15D Eagle fighter jet safely made an emergency landing at the Starokostiantyniv Air Base in Ukraine during Media day of the multinational military exercise Clear Sky 2018.

During a practice demonstration at the Clear Sky 2018 multinational exercise, in which Ukrainian military and military of the NATO member-states take part, the U.S. Air Force F-15D Eagle fighter jet ran into problems during flight and was forced on return to make a barrier landing at Starokostiantyniv Air Base, according to photographer Frank Crebas, Defence Blog reported.

"I was in the backseat of that F-15D and can confirm it was a real world emergency," said Frank Crebas in his comments at Scramble Magazine post.

Read alsoUkrainian Su-27 air force fighter with two pilots crashes in Vinnytsia region

The Ukrainian Starokostiantyniv Air Base had an emergency land-based arresting systems for military aircraft that the U.S. military had previously deployed in preparation for the Clear Sky  2018 exercise.

After landing, the fighter jet was towed to aircraft parking space lot by members of the engineering team of the U.S. Air Force.

One of Ukraine's biggest military exercises began on Monday, October 8, 2018, at Starokostiantyniv and Vinnytsia Air bases. The Clear Sky exercise will continue until October 19.

The Clear Sky exercise focus on the air-to-ground scenarios with AI (air interdiction) and CAS (Close Air Support) missions, as well as air mobility operations, aeromedical evacuation, cyber defense and personnel recovery.

The exercise promotes regional stability and security, while strengthening partner capabilities and fostering trust. The training at Clear Sky greatly improves interoperability among participating countries.The situation in the area of the Joint Forces Operation remains under control of Ukrainian troops.

Russia's hybrid military forces mounted 11 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas on October 14, with two Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded in action (WIA).

Read alsoDonbas update: Ukraine reports 26 enemy attacks in past 24 hours

"Two Ukrainians soldiers were wounded from 07:00 to 18:00 Kyiv time," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said in an update on Facebook.

Russian occupation forces opened aimed fire from grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns and small arms to attack the defenders of the villages of Pisky, Novotroyitske, Bohdanivka, Hnutove, Vodiane, and Lebedynske.

In addition, the Ukrainian fortified positions near Hnutove came under fire from 82mm mortars.

The situation in the zone of the Joint Forces Operation remains under control of Ukrainian troops.The situation in the Joint Forces Operation zone has worsened, but remained fully controlled by the Ukraine troops.

In the past day, on October 15, the Russian occupation forces opened fire at the Ukrainian positions 37 times, as reported by the JFO HQ press service.

On nine occasions, the enemy employed weapons proscribed by Minsk accords.

"The enemy shelled our positions near Krymske, Katerynivka, Stepne, Troyitske, Luhanske, Svitlodarsk, Novoluhanske, Pivdenne, Avdiyivka, Pisky, Nevelske, Maryinka, Berezove, Starohnativka, Chermalyk, Pavlopil , Hnutove, Talakivka, Vodiane, Lebedynske, and Shyrokyne," the statement reads.

Read alsoJoint Forces repel enemy attack near Avdiyivka (photo)

Russian occupation forces used grenade launchers and opened fire from large-caliber machine guns and small arms.

JF positions in the area of Troyitske, Novoluhanske, and Talakivka were shelled from 120mm mortars, while strongpoints near Troyitske, Luhanske, Svitlodarsk, and Hnutove  from 82mm mortars.

Defenders of Troyitske and Vodiane came under enemy fire from weapons installed on infantry fighting vehicles. A military clash was recorded in Avdiyivka.

Read alsoUkrainian military helicopter downs Russian UAV (video)

"A soldier of the Joint Forces was killed and another three were injured in action. According to our intelligence, two militants of the Russian-occupying forces have been terminated and another six wounded in the past day," added the press service.

From day-start, militants fired from grenade launchers, large-caliber machine guns and small arms three times on the positions of the Joint Forces near the settlements of Novozavanivka, Pisky, and Pavlopil.Jukneviciene emphasized Ukraine is always on the agenda of the NATO PA.

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov and President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Rasa Jukneviciene have discussed the situation in the east of Ukraine and in Crimea, which has developed as a result of Russia's aggression.

According to Turchynov, the Russian Federation is strengthening its military presence in the Azov-Black Sea region, in particular, Russia is further deploying military infrastructure and strengthening military units of the armed forces on the border with Ukraine, the NSDC's press service reports.

"Russia applies the whole arsenal of hybrid aggression against Ukraine, considering our state as a testing ground for technologies that are then used against Europe and the U.S.," he said.

Read alsoUkraine holding military drills to defend Azov Sea coast (Video)

Turchynov stressed that, despite the war, Ukraine is actively reforming the security and defense sector, which is being developed by the model of NATO member states.

Speaking about the necessity of prolonging sanctions against the Russian Federation, Turchynov said "the position of Europe which, while extending sanctions, allows Russia to build the North Stream 2, thus supporting Russia's strategic economic interests and putting its energy complex at risk, is not quite clear."

The parties also considered the intensification of military-technical cooperation with NATO member states.

In turn, Jukneviciene emphasized Ukraine is always on the agenda of the NATO PA.

"Today, all states clearly understand Russia's aggressive role and the position this country takes in the world," she pointed out, concluding that a strong Ukraine is a crucial element of the European security system.The situation in the area of the Joint Forces Operation remains under control of Ukrainian troops.

Russia's hybrid military forces mounted six attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas on October 16.

"No Ukrainians soldiers were killed or wounded from 07:00 to 18:00 Kyiv time," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said in an update on Facebook.

Read alsoTurchynov, NATO PA President discuss strategy to counter Russia's aggression in Azov-Black Sea region

Russian occupation forces opened aimed fire from grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns and small arms to attack the defenders of the villages of Stanytsia Luhanska, Chermalyk, Hnutove, Vodiane, Lebedynske, and Shyrokyne.

In addition, the Ukrainian fortified positions near Vodiane came under fire from 120mm mortars.

The situation in the zone of the Joint Forces Operation remains under control of Ukrainian troops.The journalist's disappearance created a diplomatic rift between Saudi Arabia and the West.

The Saudis are preparing a report that will acknowledge that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death was the result of an interrogation that went wrong, one that was intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey, according to two sources.

One source says the report will likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held responsible, according to CNN.

One of the sources acknowledged that the report is still being prepared and cautioned that things could change.

The Washington Post columnist was last seen in public when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in Turkey on October 2. Previously, Saudi authorities had maintained Khashoggi left the consulate the same afternoon of his visit, but provided no evidence to support the claim.

Read alsoU.S. warns partner against buying Russian submarines  media

Khashoggi's fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who was waiting outside the consulate, says she did not see him re-emerge.

The disappearance created a diplomatic rift between Saudi Arabia and the West. Amid the fallout, international firms pulled out of a high-profile investment summit, the Future Investment Initiative conference, due to take place later this month in Riyadh.

The case also caused friction between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which repeatedly accused the Saudis of failing to cooperate with their investigation.

Turkish authorities previously said they believed that 15 Saudi men who arrived in Istanbul on October 2 were connected to Khashoggi's disappearance and possible murder. At least some of them appear to have high-level connections in the Saudi government.

Read alsoTurkish journalists believe Chepiga-Boshirov participated in liquidation of Chechen terrorist  media

On Friday, a source familiar with the investigation told CNN that Turkish authorities have audio and visual evidence that shows journalist Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate.

CNN reporters saw Turkish investigators, including forensics officers, entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul Monday evening. Saudi officials granted permission for the premises to be searched, a Turkish diplomatic source told CNN. Police were seen cordoning off the area before investigators arrived. Turkish officials also wanted to search the nearby consul general's residence.Former workers at the Garcon Garcon bistro said he did shifts serving wine and food at the eatery to support himself during his studies.

A Russian agent accused of carrying out the Salisbury novichok attack previously worked as a wine waiter at a top restaurant, former friends have claimed.

Last week, the assassin previously named as "Alexander Petrov" was unmasked as Alexander Miskin, a GRU agent who has received a "Hero of Russia" medal, the Daily Mail reports

Old colleagues say they worked alongside him at the "Garcon Garcon" restaurant in St Petersburg while he was training to become a military doctor.

Investigators at the website Bellingcat, who first exposed Mishkin, said he was born in a remote town in northern Russia but went on to study at the prestigious Kirov Military Medical Academy, St Petersburg.

Former workers at the Garcon Garcon bistro said he did shifts serving wine and food at the eatery to support himself during his studies, Russian news site Dozhd TV reported.

One former colleague went on Facebook after Mishkin, still using the name Petrov, appeared Russia's RT channel and claimed he was just a tourist visiting Salisbury for the cathedral.

The friend wrote: "I remember in the Garcon Garcon, year 2000, [he] worked as a waiter... as far as I can remember, studying for a doctor."

Another woman posted underneath: 'Remembered! Sasha Mishkin!'

Sasha is a Russian nickname for people called Alexander.

This weekend, after Petrov was revealed to be Mishkin, the former colleague went back online to write: "Indeed, Sasha Mishkin. Of course, it doesn't really matter, but it's still surprising."

Bellingcat said Mishkin started studying in St Petersburg "no later than 2001," suggesting he could have been in the city at the time the other restaurant workers claim he was.

Dozhd TV, the channel which uncovered the picture, has previously been described as 'Russia's only independent television channel' by The Guardian.

It was founded in 2010 by the businessman Aleksandr Vinokurov and Natalia Sindeeva.

Last year, the channel announced a partnership with the BBC to aid the corporation's coverage from the country.

Read alsoRussian website names third person allegedly involved in Skripal poisoning

The picture emerged after Russia's ambassador to the UK accused Britain of waging an "aggressive anti-Russian campaign" which has left relations between the two countries at a "very low level."

During a lengthy press conference at the embassy in London on Friday, Alexander Yakovenko dismissed his country's involvement in the Salisbury nerve agent incident.

Mr Yakovenko insisted there was no reason to doubt the alleged assassin's claims they were innocent tourists on a visit to Salisbury when the attack on Mr Skripal took place.

"We have the official statement of these people and we do not have any reason not to trust them," he said.The man had managed to evade justice in Ukraine by producing forged death certificates, French law enforcers say.

On October 5, the French Gendarmerie with the active support of Europol arrested in Burgundy close to Dijon a high-profile fugitive from Ukraine who was living a lavish lifestyle in France.

The suspect is thought to be behind a complex case of international fraud and money laundering, according to the Europol press release published October 16.

The seizures during the action day alone amount at over EUR 4.6 million and include a castle, a vintage Rolls Royce Phantom and three works of art by Salvador Dali.

Earlier in January, the French Gendarmerie initiated an investigation on alleged suspicious transactions surrounding the purchase of a castle which was bought for EUR 3 million by a Luxembourgish company whose ultimate beneficial owner was a Ukrainian citizen suspected of corruption at a large scale in his country.

Read alsoTIME: Missing Interpol president resigns while under investigation in China

Given the international dimension of the case, the French authorities rapidly requested Europols support. Effective cooperation with the Ukrainian and Luxembourgish authorities revealed that the main suspect was wanted in his country for corruption. He had however managed to evade justice by producing forged death certificates.

During an operational meeting held at Europol between France, Luxembourg and Ukraine, it was established that the suspect was not only alive, but was enjoying a lavish lifestyle in France. The scope of the French investigation subsequently changed drastically: the case went from a case of domestic fraud to one of international money laundering of the proceeds of corruption.

As a result, an action day was planned near Dijon to arrest the suspect, together with his 3 accomplices. On this occasion, Europol deployed on-the-field a number its assets recovery experts to assist the national authorities.Russia has accused the United States of manipulating the decision to weaken Moscow. But Mr. Putin himself has been widely blamed for setting the rift in motion by dispatching the Russian military into Ukraine starting in 2014.

The Russian Orthodox Church on Monday moved to sever all ties with the Constantinople Patriarchate, the Orthodox mother church, to protest its moves toward creating an independent church in Ukraine.

The decision taken by the hierarchy of the Russian church barred all its adherents from taking part in rituals like communion, baptism and marriage at any church worldwide controlled by the Patriarchate, according to the New York Times.

"We hope that common sense prevails, that the patriarch of Constantinople changes his attitude to the existing church reality," Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, the head of foreign relations for the Russian church, said in announcing the decision after a synod in Minsk, Belarus.

Read alsoPoroshenko proposes to hand over Kyiv-based St. Andrew's Church to Ecumenical Patriarch

The decision was another step down the road toward one of the most serious schisms in Christianity for centuries. The move stopped short of a complete break, however, with the Russian church calling on the leaders of the other 12 independent Orthodox churches to press Constantinople rather than demand that they break with it as well.

"It looks like an ultimatum to put the biggest possible pressure on Constantinople," said Alexander Baunov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Moscow Center. It might work or it might backfire, he noted, pushing Constantinople to assert its authority by implementing the decision.

Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, who as the ecumenical patriarch is considered the "first among equals" in church affairs, took several steps last week toward creating an autonomous church in Ukraine. He has yet, however, to issue a Tomos of Autocephaly, the formal ordinance that would create an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Those steps included revoking a decision from 1686 that effectively put the Ukraine church under Moscow. Constantinople maintains it merely granted Moscow the right to approve the patriarch in Kyiv and since it granted the right initially, it is within church law to take it back.

Moscow argues that it needs consent from the Russian church, calling the steps "unlawful."

Read alsoKremlin unleashing international religious conflict between Orthodox churches  Rada Speaker

Various churches within the Orthodox faith have broken communion with each other over its lengthy, nearly 2,000-year history, especially over creating autonomous churches. The Russian church itself broke with Constantinople in 1996 for several months over the issue of controlling the church in Estonia before a compromise was reached.

But the stakes are much higher in Ukraine because of the number of faithful there, and the potential for violence is much greater after more than four years of warfare between the two countries. There are concerns about violence erupting over everything from a historical monastery in downtown Kyiv to local parish churches.

The Russian Orthodox Church claims 150 million followers, or half the estimated 300 million Orthodox worldwide. The roughly 12,000 parishes in Ukraine constitute about one-third of all parishes in the Russian Orthodox Church, so an independent church there would drastically shrink the Russian church and undermine its longstanding claim to lead all of Orthodoxy by dint of size.

Losing the church in Ukraine would also have political and historical repercussions. Kyiv is considered the birthplace of Russian Orthodoxy. More important, any split would sever the last imperial tie between Moscow and Kyiv, burying an effort by President Vladimir V. Putin to restore as much of the empire as possible under the banner of "the Russian World."

Russia has accused the United States of manipulating the decision to weaken Moscow. But Mr. Putin himself has been widely blamed for setting the rift in motion by dispatching the Russian military into Ukraine starting in 2014. Many of the faithful in Ukraine do not want their church to have to answer to a hostile Moscow.

The confrontation between Moscow and Constantinople puts the rest of the Orthodox world in an awkward position, forced to choose between the wealth and power accorded to the Russian church by the Kremlin versus centuries of church tradition represented by the mother church in Constantinople, now known as Istanbul.October 16 2018

Sanctuary Scotland have completed the latest phases of a residential-led masterplan for Glasgows Anderston district, replacing 1960s flats with modern homes and reinstating lost streetscape.

Delivered by CCG and Collective Architecture the project has seen 206 mixed-tenure homes built on the city centre site, finished in a combination of sandstone and brick to reinvigorate sightlines along St Vincent Street.

CCG Chairman and CEO, Alastair Wylie, commented: Manufactured under factory-controlled conditions, the iQ system has a much-improved level of air tightness when compared with traditional methods. This, aligned with use of energy efficient appliances and solar PV, will encourage energy savings and minimise fuel costs for residents.

The project also had to be delivered at pace due to instances of rehoming some existing residents and as components such as windows, doors and insulation are pre-installed, a faster speed of construction could be achieved. The entire development was erected, wind and watertight (excluding closes) in just 36 weeks.

Spread across five separate blocks the development includes amenity and green spaces as well as all new cycle and pedestrian routes. Selected homes also benefit from floor to ceiling windows and balconies to make the most of city views.October 16 2018

Edinburgh Marina Holdings have launched 106 apartments designed specifically for the over-55 market, dovetailing with the release of 340 berths within the marina itself.

Royal Wharf retirement apartments sits within the waterfront masterplan, drawing downsizers with the promise of a 24-hour concierge, private storage and car parking with charging points. Residents will also benefit from a private dining room, cinema, business centre, dog grooming facility and communal laundry.

Designed by Wilson + Gunn the latest plans incorporate private balconies with construction likely before the end of the year.

Melinda Illes, head of new business for DJ Alexander said: With ever growing demand for rental properties across the Scottish capital, the investment potential is huge for these properties. We are confident that this part of the city will become a real destination and we are delighted to be contributing to the legacy of Edinburgh Marina.

Efforts to transform Granton Harbour into a destination in its own right include a 23-hectare marina, health hub, shops, spa and conference hotel.Iranian companies will construct a hub platform in Oman to pave the way to facilitate the exports of Iranian nano-products to this country, as well as Arab and African markets.

Tehran, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2018 ) :Iranian companies will construct a hub platform in Oman to pave the way to facilitate the exports of Iranian nano-products to this country, as well as Arab and African markets.

"We are hosting over 40 countries at the exhibition, including Russia, Bolivia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Oman, South Korea, and Iraq, who are planning to cooperate with Iran in nano-technology," said Saeed Sarkar.

The official made the remarks while visiting the 11th International Nanotechnology Exhibition held in Tehran International Permanent Fairground in the Iranian capital on October 13-16.

He added that delegations from seven countries are to visit the exhibition.

"The countries participate in the exhibition with different intentions, for example, Oman wants Iranian companies to consider this country as a nano-products hub," he added.

He added, "The feasibility studies and design of Oman Nano City has been done so far by Iranian companies with the collaboration of INIC, and the project is planned to be fully implemented by 2023." Sarkar predicted that the project will need at least five years to complete, starting on 2019.

Omani companies have negotiated with 40 of their Iranian counterparts in the margin of the exhibition so far.

He also mentioned the signed agreements and ongoing negotiations with Russia, South Korea, Iraq, and Malaysia in the field of nano-products.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Sarkar referred to Iran's $65m revenue of selling nano-products last yearand expressed hope that exports reach at least $110m by the end of current Iranian year(March 20, 2019).Tuesday at the plenary session of the Russian-Slovak intergovernmental commission for economic, scientific and technical cooperation.

Slovakia (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) Tuesday at the plenary session of the Russian-Slovak intergovernmental commission for economic, scientific and technical cooperation.

"We see the prospects for cooperation with Slovakia in third-country markets. There are successful examples of such cooperation. For example, the works to hand over the industrial equipment for the exploitation of the Maximo Gomez thermal power plant in Cuba have been completed," Manturov said.

According to the Russian minister, Moscow is ready to examine new possibilities for cooperation with Slovakia.

"Mutually beneficial projects in the field of power engineering industry, auto components manufacturing are already being implemented. We will be happy to share our experience and competence in other fields of economy with our Slovak colleagues," Manturov stated.

According to the Russian Industry and Trade Ministry, the Russian-Slovak trade increased by 12.9 percent in January-June of the current year compared to the corresponding period of the previous year and totaled $3.3 billion.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The National Heart Institute (IJN), a heart surgery centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has budgeted RM45 million (US$1 = RM4.15) to carry out a seven-year plan to become a paperless hospital, says Chief Executive Officer Dr Mohd Azhari Yakub.

London, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2018 ) :The National Heart Institute (IJN), a heart surgery centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has budgeted RM45 million (US$1 = RM4.15) to carry out a seven-year plan to become a paperless hospital, says Chief Executive Officer Dr Mohd Azhari Yakub.

By leveraging on the use of technology, the hospital embarked on the plan in 2015, aimed at providing cutting edge service to its patients.

He said the government-owned private hospital is currently entering its third year of the plan, and has, thus far, put in place several modules for technology imaging system, hospital system as well as financial system.

"Next year onwards, we are going to embark on electronic medical records or EMR, whereby this system will integrate the various modules that we currently have and we will eventually become a paperless hospital," he said, adding that this was the hospital's desire for the future, to integrate various existing systems in order to move forward in terms of patient safety, efficiency and cost containment.

Dr Mohd Azhari, who has been selected as an Outstanding Alumnus of the Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Programme, is currently in London to receive the award on Friday.

Speaking to reporters accompanying Dr Mohd Azhari and his delegation on the trip, he said the hospital, established in 1992, aimed at empowering its patients in taking care of themselves in terms of making appointments from their own mobile phone as well as obtaining medical results from IJN.

He visited the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, which is a cardiovascular institute similar to IJN, to learn from the hospital's experience in implementing the EMR system.

The IJN delegation would also visit two other hospitals, one in London and another in Oxford, to learn more about the EMR and to seek collaboration in terms of research and clinical care.

"Once we implement the EMR, which is an integrator of the modules that we have, we can move on to other modules like the automated drug dispensing as well as scheduling, which are part of the information architecture plan," he explained.

On scheduling, he said the system, when implemented, would allow patients to choose an appointment time and date convenient to them.

Asked on the cost reduction in integrating the technology system, Dr Mohd Azhari said IJN had not set a target but said it was more towards meeting client expectation.

With increased efficiency and better patient experience, he was confident that IJN would be able to treat more private patients.

"Currently, a majority of our patients are from Indonesia, but we are seeing an increased number of patients from Myanmar and Vietnam.

"Moving forward, we hope to service more patients from the middle East and Bangladesh," he said, adding that the number of private patients seeking treatment at IJN was anticipated to increase to 50 per cent, over the next five years, from the current 30 per cent.

To date, IJN has up to 70 (local) specialists working with the hospitals in niche areas namely electrophysiologywhich relates to heart rhythm, heart failure, complex intervention and others.Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the management consulting firm Sustainability Excellence. The MoU is aimed at deploying Environment, Social and Governance (ESG)-related initiatives that would enable ADX to promote ESG and sustainability values and practices among its listed issuers and investors as well as internally.

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 16th Oct, 2018) Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the management consulting firm Sustainability Excellence. The MoU is aimed at deploying Environment, Social and Governance (ESG)-related initiatives that would enable ADX to promote ESG and sustainability values and practices among its listed issuers and investors as well as internally.

Signing the MoU is part of ADXs strategy to foster a sustainable economy and trading environment and launch initiatives that stimulate the business community to embrace ESG development practices. This will be accomplished by the activation and integration of ESG standards into the strategy of the Exchange and the listed companies. The move will enhance market competitiveness and attract responsible investments to the emirate.

Rashed Al Blooshi, Chief Executive of ADX, affirmed the Exchanges commitment in developing the local market by adopting sustainability practices that will attract new segments of investors that are keen on sustainable development, and focus on maintaining positive environmental performance, outstanding social responsibility and adherence to corporate governance standards, consequently enhancing liquidity in the markets. Al Blooshi said, "ADX will intensify its efforts in the next phase to promote responsible investment and encourage constructive dialogue between investors and listed companies."

Al Blooshi added that the signing of the MoU would enhance the market's ability to achieve its strategy of becoming a sustainable market for securities. The agreement will set a framework for joint action and coordination, identify areas of collaboration and interaction with investors and contribute to the promotion of sustainability in various market events and publications. Additionally, it will build internal capacity and stimulate innovation in digital data.

He continued, "With the support of Sustainability Excellence, ADX will develop the first ESG Reporting Guidance Document in alignment with the recommendations of the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative (SSE) and the World Federation of Exchanges. Furthermore, we will formulate an investable Sustainability Index and prepare a research report on ESG."

Commenting on the signing of the MoU between ADX and Sustainability Excellence, Darin Rovere, Founder and CEO of Sustainability Excellence, added, "Investors growing interest in ESG disclosure is fueled by strong evidence of links between ESG and financial performance. We are pleased to support the ADX's efforts in promoting ESG disclosure among the listed companies and promoting ESG in financial markets."

In addition, ADX, with assistance from Sustainability Excellence, will hold free quarterly training sessions and interactive workshops with listed companies to apprise them of sustainability issues and their applications, as well as assign them a classification in the sustainability report prepared by the company. ADX will also develop a sustainability strategy and issue a sustainability report based upon it. Furthermore, State-of-Sustainability training sessions will be conducted for ADX management and staff, while an online sustainability performance platform will be offered to allow listed companies to benchmark their ESG data.

ADX is committed to implementing Abu Dhabi's plan to develop the financial services sector, with a view to attracting investments and enhancing the Emirates competitiveness in doing business. To achieve this ADX will provide a distinct investment climate and a stable trading environment for investors and listed companies in adherence with best practices and international standards.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The UAE has a pivotal role as a peacemaker and is assuming great responsibilities towards countries in the region and the world, stressed Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the Federal National Council, FNC, at the 139th session of the IPU General Assembly, held in Geneva.

GENEVA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 16th Oct, 2018) The UAE has a pivotal role as a peacemaker and is assuming great responsibilities towards countries in the region and the world, stressed Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the Federal National Council, FNC, at the 139th session of the IPU General Assembly, held in Geneva.

"If we are discussing the drivers of peace and development, it is essential to end issues of occupation through fair, comprehensive and peaceful settlements for the conflicts including the Iranian occupation of the three Emirati islands, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Moussa, and our central question, the Palestinian cause," she said in a speech during the activities of the 139th IPU General Assembly, attended by 700 Parliamentarians from all over the world including 43 speakers of parliaments to discuss multiple subjects including human rights, regional and international conflicts and crises, combatting terrorism and extremism, sustainable development goals and migration.

She highlighted the historical Emirati commitment to support the UNRWA and its humanitarian work and supporting the Palestinian people ''Iran is undermining the security of the region by spreading chaos, violence and sectarianism. It is even interfering in Yemen,'' she said,, adding that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were targeted by ballistic missiles fired by Houthi rebels.

She noted that the regions security is linked to Saudi Arabias security, and the UAE movement is part of the Arab Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen to eliminate the Houthi coup and deter Iranian interference.

She stressed that it is important to differentiate between the actions of armed and illegitimate groups that commit serious violations and crimes in Yemen such as the Houthis, and between the legal procedures of the Arab Coalition that was formed as per the request of the legitimate Yemeni government and the move to restore stability through well-studied steps that take into consideration the humanitarian aspects in line with the UN Security Council resolutions.

"We are gathered here today to discuss a vital topic which connects three important variables which are parliaments, peace and development, and the age of innovation and technological change. The digital revolution had a great role in international economic development, and the new revolution, which is the knowledge revolution, will have an immense impact and provide many opportunities, but it could also create new limits and ceilings which we did not realise before and which make some of our laws inadequate," the FNC Speaker said to the assembled parliamentarians.

She said that the UAE is making in hope, investing in opportunities, empowering youth and women and promoting the capacities of populations who could benefit from the era of innovation and build happy and tolerant communities that establish stable countries which would play a positive role that reinforces peace and contribute to a safe world.

She said that as always, the UAE is still carrying an important responsibility towards the Arab region and the world in creating hope, investing opportunities, empowering the youth and women, and strengthening the peoples abilities to benefit from the age of innovation, while establishing ambitious, happy, and tolerant communities that make for stable countries, performing a positive role which strengthens peace for a safer world. From the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and The Future and the Ministry for Artificial Intelligence to the Councils of Scientists and Smart Governments, there is a tireless effort from them to ensure technological development and advancement and achieve maximum benefit from it.

The 139th Assembly of the IPU will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 14-18 October 2018. All IPU statutory bodies, including the Governing Council, Standing Committees, Committees on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians and on middle East Questions, as well as the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young MPs, will meet on this occasion.A UAE newspaper has said that the country is blessed with a leadership that looks forward and anticipates the future so that the country leads globally.

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 16th Oct, 2018) A UAE newspaper has said that the country is blessed with a leadership that looks forward and anticipates the future so that the country leads globally.

"The future lies in technology and the UAE has not only recognised this aspect, but also pressed the 'Smart' keys well ahead of others. It was the UAE that established the very first Artificial Intelligence ministry in the world," The Gulf Today said in an editorial today.

The paper added, "The 38th GITEX Technology Week exhibition, which is being attended by 4,000 governmental and private entities specialised in information technology, artificial intelligence and other technologies, has proved to be the ideal platform to display the best innovations and practices in the digital and smart services.

"The Tech week has opened doors to future with 5G, robotics, internet of Things, virtual and augmented reality and much more. Talk about flying cars and automated pizza delivery carts, everything is unfolding."

It continued, "The highlight among smart projects unveiled by Dubai Police is 'Giath' patrol that includes three intelligent and sophisticated systems: Face Recognition, Traffic Accident, and Vehicle Tracking. The patrol provides the officer in charge with adequate information on the condition of roads, wanted vehicles and persons through a range of surveillance cameras.

"A self-driving car currently in experimental phase will soon be available in tourist areas. It provides 16 smart services of the sophisticated Smart Police Station, including the opening of a criminal report, the payment of traffic fines, and the request of a criminal case certificate."

The Sharjah-based daily went on to note that the Roads and Transport Authority has come out with initiatives that include the test run of the first 'Autonomous taxi' in the region, and the Customers Loyalty Programme known as NOL Plus. "Exhibits include Dubai Metro spare parts manufactured through 3D printing, AI-based automated Chat Bot system and Robotic Cleaners for Dubai Metro stations," it explained.

"The UAEs success story is intertwined with the vision of Founding Father Sheikh Zayed. Visitors to the Dubai Digital library can access 500 written and visual materials from the Zayed Library on the life of late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan at the venue," it said.

In conclusion, the editorial said, "The UAEs ambition is to be the worlds number one smart service hub by 2021 and going by the trend, nothing that can stop it from achieving the goal."(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Islamabad Police busted 193 gangs of criminals and traced 18 blind murder cases during the current year, a police source said on Tuesday.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2018 ) :Islamabad Police busted 193 gangs of criminals and traced 18 blind murder cases during the current year, a police source said on Tuesday.

He said that 81 gangs involved in dacoity and snatching incidents were busted while 321 dacoits were arrested for their involvement in these cases.

Similarly, a total of 80 gangs involved in burglaries were busted and 216 criminals involved in these cases were held.

A total of 32 gangs of carand bike lifters were also busted besides arrests of 80 auto-thieves. In all, 36 persons were arrested for their involvement in 18 blind murder cases and challans of these cases were submitted into relevant courts after completion of investigation on them.

SSP Islamabad Syed Muhammad Amin Bukhari has appreciated this performance and termed this success due to effective strategy of community and vigilant policing.His Excellency Mr. Saqr Bin Mubarak Al Mansouri, Ambassador of the State of Qatar met with group of journalists from Swat Press Club

Swat (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th October, 2018) His Excellency Mr. Saqr Bin Mubarak Al Mansouri, Ambassador of the State of Qatar met with group of journalists from Swat Press Club. During the meeting stressed on the importance of media cooperation and culture exchange between the two countries.(@rukhshanmir)

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan on Tuesday said the government was committed to follow the 'Zero Hunger vision' of a world free from hunger, malnutrition and rural poverty.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2018 ) :Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan on Tuesday said the government was committed to follow the 'Zero Hunger vision' of a world free from hunger, malnutrition and rural poverty. "We are hopeful that zero hunger by 2030 is possible with political will, public participation and the right combination of policies and technical and financial support to the farming communities to increase productivity, minimize losses and improving smallholders' well being," the Minister said while addressing a seminar as chief guest on "World Food Day" jointly organized by Ministry of National Food Security Research, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Food Program (WFP) and Oxfam.

The theme for this year World Food Day was "Our Actions are our Future. A Zero Hunger world by 2030 is possible". Various organizations including Ministry of National Food Security Research, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Food Program (WFP) ,Oxfam and research institutes came together to organize the ceremony at National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad.

The Minister said the country requires an integrated approach for the transformation of food systems and to realize this priority of the incumbent, the government would make sure to take all out measures for the access of food to all the sections of society. He said that it is satisfying that Pakistan has already achieved the self sufficiency in food. The Minister said that wheat is the main staple food of my country men and we have surplus stocks in our reserves. He said that that besides all the constraints to our farming communities," we are producing huge stocks of agricultural products and ranked among 10 top countries in wheat, chickpea, sugarcane, dates, mango and citrus. Beside this, Pakistan is an exporter of rice.

Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan said the government is committed achieve the goal of 'Zero Hunger' in the country and priority to make food available to all and as per the theme of this year's World Food Day. Soon after assuming the office, Prime Minister Imran Khan has given a guideline of 100 days in which food and agriculture is one of the main priorities, he said.

The Minister further added that the present government has given top priority to uplift agriculture and conserve water in its first 100 days, which will certainly reduce hunger to the zero level in Pakistan by the year 2030. It is now up to everyone including governments, businessmen, civil society, farmers and individuals to join their hands and eradicate hunger in our country, he added.

Messages from the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan were also read out at the ceremony in which the long standing partnership between the government and FAO was highlighted.

FAO representative in Pakistan Ms. Min Dowlatchahi said, "We all have to continue to play our respective roles for achieving Zero Hunger in Pakistan". She said that it is encouraging to see Pakistan taking steps in the right direction for reaching this goal. She said the first National Food Security Policy and the Water Policy provide the framework for action, putting emphasis on agriculture diversification and value addition resilient climate smart agriculture and water management, improved livelihoods of small holder farmers and tenants, safe drinking water and a National Zero Hunger Program." Federal Secretary National Food Security Hashim Popalzai said that peace, progress and prosperity are greatly linked to the food security in a country. He said that government, researchers, NGOs and communities must join hands to achieve this goal with the help of suitable policies, strategies and actions. The FAO and its partners can play a leading role in this regard and the agriculture researchers should increase their efforts to cope with the emerging challenges of our time like climate change. The climate change adaptation and mitigation has significant importance for poverty reduction, he expressed.

Country Director and representative, United Nations World Food Program (WFP) Pakistan Mr. Finbarr Curran said at the occasion that ending hunger will require investments in agriculture, rural development, nutrition, social protection and gender equality.

Chairman PARC, Dr. Yusuf Zaf, said that the Day is celebrated every year to review, monitor and strengthen our efforts for food security. This year the day is followed by the theme "Our actions are our future; A Zero hunger World by 2030 is possible". He said that eradicating hunger and malnutrition is one of the great challenges of our time.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is all set to organize Humanitarian Reporting Awards 2018 in coordination with the Centre for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) at the Institute of Business Administration

Karachi (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th October, 2018) The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is all set to organize Humanitarian Reporting Awards 2018 in coordination with the Centre for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) at the Institute of business Administration.

The objective of the awards is to acknowledge, appreciate and embrace the unrecognized efforts of humanitarian reporters, who out of their comfort zones, manage to capture and pen down the humanitarian crises like violence against healthcare, disaster reporting, issues related to people with disabilities, disaster response/preparedness, and other similar issues.

The three humanitarian beat categories for which journalists contributions will be awarded include Mainstream Broadcast (urdu), Mainstream Print & Online (Urdu) and Mainstream Print & Online (English).

Over 200 entries were received from across Pakistan which were rigorously evaluated by a panel of Pakistans veteran journalists followed by the selection of the winning journalists. Sharing his thoughts on the event, Kamal Siddiqi, CEJ-IBA Director, said, This is the second consecutive year that we have joined hands with the ICRC for Humanitarian Reporting Awards.

We are pleased to have organized this very successful workshop followed by recognition of the humanitarian reporting our brave and talented journalists are doing for the second year in a row. Also commenting on the event, NajumAbbasi, Head of Communications at ICRC, said that, The aim of ICRC Humanitarian Awards is to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of humanitarian journalists whose struggles of covering different aspects of humanitarian crises and plight of the people affectedare itself inspiring.

We aim to carry forward the zeal of organizing this award ceremony in coordination with CEJ-IBA to appreciate the work produced. The award ceremony is scheduled to be held on Thursday, October 18, 2018 at the CEJ office  Aman Tower, IBA Saddar Campus; where the shortlisted winners and runners-up will receive the awards amid noted journalists.ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Oct, 2018 ) :Supreme Court of Pakistan is organizing two-day international symposium on October 19 and 20 on the theme "Creating a Water-Secure Pakistan".

The apex court has taken the initiative of devising a strategy for the resolution of water scarcity as well as the timely formulation of effective policies for water preservation in Pakistan, said a press release.

Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) under the aegis of the Supreme Court of Pakistan is organizing the event.

Jurists, luminaries of law and experts in water resource management, academia and researchers from different countries will present their research papers.

There will be five thematic sessions under the following titles:Legal Aspects of Indus Basin Water, Construction of Dams and Reservoirs, Financing of Dams and Reservoirs, Ground Water, Water Recharge & Water Pricing, Water Resources Governance and Management.

The first theme focuses on the Indus Basin Water which is the main source of irrigation in the country and main contributor in the country's economy. In this theme discussions will be made on the Indus Basin Water Treaty 1960. Legal and water experts will discuss the importance of the Indus Water Treaty, its origin, evolution and future prospects.

Moreover, international experts from United States of America and Australia will discuss similar issues in comparable basins in these countries.

The second theme will cover the issue of construction of dams and water reservoirs which are need of the day for effective storage of water and generation of hydroelectric power.

In this session the experts will discuss the need of construction of new dams of Pakistan as per requirement of ever-growing population of Pakistan. Moreover, deliberations would also be made on the challenges of dam designs and building of small dams.

International experts will discuss the short term and long-term actions required for construction of dams and sediment management in the Indus.

The third session will focus on the financial aspects of the construction of dams. Experts will give suggestions for the purpose of the raising funds for construction of dams including installation of more hydroelectric power plants and consequently generating funds from such hydro power generation.

The fourth session will discuss the reasons for the shortage of the ground water, devising strategies to recharge the aquifer and water pricing regimes that could be introduced on the extraction of the underground water.

The fifth session will cover the issue of challenges involved in confronting water governance and improvement in current water data collecting strategies. Deliberations would also be made on introducing water reforms for governance of consumption of water and empowering concerned institutions like WAPDA.

The inaugural session will be chaired by President Dr. Arif Alvi. The concluding session will be chaired by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar.The Pakistani and Iranian military are working to recover the Iranian border guards who are supposed to have been abducted at the shared border, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) The Pakistani and Iranian military are working to recover the Iranian border guards who are supposed to have been abducted at the shared border, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, reports emerged that several Iranian security officers, including several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members, had been kidnapped by a militant group in the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan, at the Iranian-Pakistani border. IRGC reportedly urged Pakistan to facilitate their release.

"Pakistan has noted with concern the reports of abduction of 12 Iranian border guards from Iran. Both militaries, under a joint mechanism established since last year, are working to ascertain the whereabouts of Iranian guards.

DG MOs from two sides are coordinating actions in this regard," the ministry said in a statement.

Islamabad also pledged that "no effort will be spared to assist our Iranian brothers in finding the Iranian guards."

Jaish a-Adl (Army of Justice) Sunni terror organization has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, with its spokesman saying that this was a response to the Iranian government's alleged oppression against Sunnis in Sistan and Baluchestan. However, the spokesman said that Jaish a-Adl had kidnapped 10 people.

Sistan and Baluchestan has long been shaken by ethnic and religious clashes, as well as by clashes between local security staff and militant groups.Islamabad Secretariat Police Monday arrested an absconding suspect Mansha Khokhar alias Mansha Bomb from premises of Supreme Court as he was wanted in land grabbing cases.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Oct, 2018 ) :Islamabad Secretariat Police Monday arrested an absconding suspect Mansha Khokhar alias Mansha Bomb from premises of Supreme Court as he was wanted in land grabbing cases.

According to the source, he came to the court and wanted to surrender himself before the court.

He also demanded to meet Chief Justice, the source said adding that Mansha and his sons are accused of illegally grabbing land in Lahore's Johar Town area.

It is to mention that Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Saqib Nisar had ordered immediate arrest of the alleged land grabber last month, however, he was absconding since then.

The source said that he had been shifted to Secretariat Police Station by its Station House Officer and further legal proceedings will be initiated against them. He may be handed over to Punjab police, the source maintained.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government of KPK unveiled the budget with an outlay of over Rs 648 billion for the remaining eight months of the ongoing fiscal year 2018-19, showing Rs30 billion surplus with an development outlay of Rs180 billion.

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Oct, 2018 ) :The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government of KPK unveiled the budget with an outlay of over Rs 648 billion for the remaining eight months of the ongoing fiscal year 2018-19, showing Rs30 billion surplus with an development outlay of Rs180 billion.

Delivering the budget speech in the assembly session which met with Speaker KP Assembly Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani in the Chair, Minister for Finance Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra said that since uplift of poor segments of the society was top priority of the government, the government has not revised the rate of any provincial tax.

He said we are making concentrated efforts to strengthen taxation recovery system however we will not impose any new tax on people. He said the current revenue receipts are 7.5 pc above Rs603 billion of the outgoing fiscal.

The minister also announced increase of 10 percent ad-hoc relief in salaries and pensions in addition to 50 percent raise in house rent of the provincial government employees in budget 2018-19.

Giving breakup of the provincial receipts, he said the province will obtain from the Federal Government 2018-19 included Rs426 billion from federal Government which also included Rs 360b under the federal taxes and Rs 233 b as royalty oil and gas. Similarly the province will obtained Rs 65 b as net hydel profit including Rs 38 b net profit arrears.

Jhagra said that the own receipts of the province have been pitched at Rs 23.82 b from its taxes and Rs 17.439 billion from not tax sector. As many as Rs 71 billion have been pitched as foreign grant in 2008-19, showing 11pc increase over the outgoing year. The province will generate Rs 45 b showing seven percent increase from other receipts to be generated at the province level. The province will receive Rs 360 billion from the federal divisible pool in addition to Rs 4.33b as one percent of the divisible pool for war on terror.

The provincial finance minister said the province will get Rs25 billion on account of net-profit hydel power arrears. However, over Rs 39 billion had been estimated as outstanding amount under the head of net-profit hydel power. He also announced increase of 10 percent ad-hoc relief in salaries and pensions in addition to 50 percent raise in house rent of the provincial government employees in budget 2018-19.

The budget also envisages hefty funds for major schemes such the BRT project and Sehat Insafprogramme besides other sectors. The budget proposed Rs 79.55 billion for the provincial development projects while Rs 29.34 billion had been put aside for development schemes financed by the district annual development programme.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

SIALKOT, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Oct, 2018 ) ::Speakers stressed the need for promotion of national harmony to establish durable peace besides weeding out terrorism and extremism from the country.

They added that everyone should come forward to play individual and collective role in establishing durable peace.

They stated this while addressing the participants of National Peace Conference held at the auditorium of University of Sialkot (USKT) here on Monday. Lahore based veteran journalist Mujeebur Rehman Shami presided over the event.

The representatives of the Muslims, Sikh, Hindu and Christian communities also attended the conference. Vice Chancellor of University of Sialkot (USKT) Dr. Ejaz Qureshi, CEO Rehan Younas, Chairman BoG USKT Faisal Manzur and local senior journalists were also present on this occasion.

While addressing the participants, Sikh Community's Leader former MPA Sardar Ramaish Singh Arora said every religion gave the lesson of peace, love, affection, brotherhood, tolerance and the respect of humanity.

Sardar Ramaish Singh Arora said the minorities were playing an active role in peace and economical and political stability.

Bonair-Swat based Hindu Community's Leader Dr. Araish Kumar said peace was vital for progress.

Chairman BoG USKT Faisal Manzur said the students and their teacher could also play their pivotal role in promoting national harmony for peace and national solidarity.

Vice Chancellor USKT Dr. Ejaz Qureshi said the Pakistani nation was peace-loving and wanted to have durable peace globally.Secretary-General United Nations (UN) Antonio Guterres in his message on World day for Eradication of Poverty said over 700 million people are unable to meet their basic daily needs, said a message issued here on Tuesday.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2018 ) :Secretary-General United Nations (UN) Antonio Guterres in his message on World day for Eradication of Poverty said over 700 million people are unable to meet their basic daily needs, said a message issued here on Tuesday.

The theme for commemorating the day 2018 is "Coming together with those furthest behind to build an inclusive world of universal respect for human rights and dignity." He said that over millions of those destitute people many live in situations of conflict and crisis while others face barriers in accessing health care, education and job opportunities, preventing them from benefitting from broader economic development.

The Secretary-General UN said, "Twenty-five years ago, the world commemorated the first International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Since then, nearly 1 billion people have escaped poverty, thanks to political leadership, inclusive economic development and international cooperation. However, many are still being left behind".

He also added that women are disproportionately affected whereas eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, as embodied in Goal 1 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, remains one of the greatest global challenges and a major priority for the United Nations.

"This year, as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, let us remember that ending poverty is not a matter of charity but a question of justice.

There is a fundamental connection between eradicating extreme poverty and upholding the equal rights of all people," he added.

Antonio Guterres said, "We must listen to the millions of people experiencing poverty and destitution across the globe, tackle the power structures that prevent their inclusion in society and address the indignities they face.

We must build a fair globalization that creates opportunities for all and ensure that rapid technological development boosts our poverty eradication efforts".

"On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty let us commit to uphold the core pledge of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind", he added.

It may be mentioned that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the declaration by the General Assembly, inits resolution 47/196 of 22 December 1992, of 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Call to Action by Father Joseph Wresinski which inspired the observance of October 17 as the World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty and the recognition by the United Nations of the day as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.A 17,000 tons Fleet Tanker named PNS MOAWIN was Commissioned during an impressive ceremony held at Pakistan Navy Dockyard, Karachi

Karachi, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th October, 2018) A 17,000 tons Fleet Tanker named PNS MOAWIN was Commissioned during an impressive ceremony held at Pakistan Navy Dockyard, Karachi. President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi was also present on the occasion. PNS MOAWIN is the largest warship ever constructed in Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works, in collaboration with M/s Savunma Teknologiler Muhendisilik (STM) of Turkey. The ship is capable of performing variety of maritime operations including provision of logistic support to other ships at sea through transfer of fuel and other important military cargo. It can carry two helicopters. The ship is also equipped with state of the art medical facilities and can provide overseas support to friendly countries during any Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.

During his welcome address, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi highlighted that Pakistan Navy has been striving to achieve self-reliance in warship construction. Construction of various Naval platforms like F-22-P Frigates, submarines and Combat Support Ships in Pakistan in past and various warships and submarine construction projects planned in future will substantially enhance our ship building capability.

While addressing the ceremony, the President said that Pakistan is blessed with immense maritime resources which can be optimally exploited through development of our maritime sector or the Blue Economy. The development of this sector will enhance our exports, generate employment and increase foreign exchange, he added. He said that with the realization of CPEC, the maritime trade and activity off our coast will increase manifold which calls for a strong Navy to provide security and seaward defence.

He said that government will provide all necessary resources to enhance the capability of Pakistan Navy and help develop our maritime sector. The chief guest further said that Pakistan and Turkey have time tested and deep rooted relationship and joint ventures like PNS MOAWIN will further strengthen these relations and open new vistas of cooperation. The President also congratulated Ministry of Defence Production, Pakistan Navy, M/s STM of Turkey and Karachi Shipyard for constructing this 17,000 ton ship in Pakistan. Besides Federal Ministers, diplomatic community, notable civilian and military officials, the ceremony was also attended by Turkish officials including Mr Ismael Demir, President Turkish Defence Industries, Mr Muhsin Dere, Deputy Minister of Defence and other key Turkish officials.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Pakistan Navy was committed to its mission to safeguard freedom of the seas and enhance bilateral relations and trade with friendly countries, said Captain Shahid Wasif, Commanding Officer of Pakistan Naval ship PNS Saif, currently on a visit to Saudi Arabia.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2018 ) :Pakistan Navy was committed to its mission to safeguard freedom of the seas and enhance bilateral relations and trade with friendly countries, said Captain Shahid Wasif, Commanding Officer of Pakistan Naval ship PNS Saif, currently on a visit to Saudi Arabia.

Captain Shahid, who held a reception in honour of the Saudi Naval Officers, diplomats and Pakistani media and community representatives on board the PNS Saif, currently on a visit to the Saudi Arabia, said Pakistan believed in promoting peace both at regional and international level, a press release issued by the Consulate General of Pakistan Jeddah said.

Acting Consul General of Pakistan Shaiq Bhutto and officers of Consulate were also present at the occasion. Captain Tariq Al Seeri represented the Saudi Royal Naval Force. The dinner was held on the deck of the ship at Jeddah Islamic Port. National anthems of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were played.

The Commanding Officer welcomed the guests on board and thanked the Saudi government for extending excellent hospitality.

He mentioned the significant role and position of Saudi Arabia in the region and said Pakistan had long, time tested and mutually supportive relations with the Kingdom. The roots of these relations were founded in people-to-people relationships, he added.

The Commanding Officer said the Royal Navy and Pakistan Navy enjoyed unique relation as some of the officers and men had been trained together at Pakistan Naval academy Karachi. That base provided strength to bilateral relations, he added.

He said navies of both the countries enjoyed cordial ties and had held a number of joint trainings and exercises, including the 'Naseem-ul-Bahr' exercise.

Captain Shahid said Pakistan believed in promoting peace and security in the region. He acknowledged the will of Saudi leadership to further extend the mutually beneficial relationship and expressed his desire to further broaden the Pakistan Navy cooperation with the Saudi Navy.Opening Brief of Pakistan Navy's Major Maritime Exercise Seaspark-18 was held at Karachi which was graced by the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi as the Chief Guest

Karachi, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th October, 2018) Opening Brief of Pakistan Navy's Major Maritime Exercise Seaspark-18 was held at Karachi which was graced by the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi as the Chief Guest. The exercise is conducted biennially in order to assess war preparedness and validate operational plans of Pakistan Navy taking cognizance of emerging regional and global challenges. The Exercise spanning over two months will be conducted in Arabian Sea all along Pakistan Coast from Jiwani to Sir Creek.

Pak Army, PAF and representatives of Ministry of Defense, Foreign Affairs, Interior and Finance are also participating in the exercise.

During the Opening Brief, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations) presented the overview of the exercise which was followed by presentation of operational plans by the Force Commanders. All operational units of Pakistan Navy including ships, submarines, aircraft, UAVs, Special Forces and Pak Marines along with elements of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), Pak Army and Pakistan Air Force are participating in the exercise. Pakistan Navy is combat ready and fully committed to protect national maritime interests during peace and war. The exercise Seaspark-18 would therefore, provide impetus to Pakistan's resolve of maintaining peace, security and stability in the region.(@rukhshanmir)

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2018 ) :Senior Minister Punjab Abdul Aleem Khan on Tuesday said the Punjab Government had presented ideal budget in the present circumstances and now real development would be there in the province through realistic policies.

According to a press release, Abdul Aleem Khan said that sectors of education, health and public welfare had been given priority and the Punjab government had managed 2026 billion for the budget of 2018-19 and through this progress and prosperity would be brought in the largest province.

The Senior Minister said that it was a real fact that PTI government in Punjab was not responsible for any mess of the last government. He said that protest of opposition benches in Punjab Assembly to hide the corruption of its "Godfather" was ridiculous and was of its own kind which would not even be supported by all opposition members.

Abdul Aleem Khan said that this kind of activities could become the main cause of establishing forward bloc in N-league as people did not vote them for such hooliganism. He claimed that bogus and commissioned mega projects like metro and orange line train were the main reason of putting Punjab Province in debt which was used to be surplus in the past in budget wise.

He said that due to futile expenses of so called Khadam-e-Aaalaa, Punjab Government had not even funds to run the day to day affairs and PTI Government had managed through its strategies to provide basic requirements.

The Senior Minister said: "We are not disappointed and will manage with best working to come out of the present situation as early as possible." He strongly criticized the agitation of the N-league MPAs in Punjab Assembly and called a planned conspiracy against the elected house which could defame democracy. He said that those chanted slogans today might have questioned "Shahbaz & Company" to refrain from misusing the funds of Punjab Government which destroyed the financial discipline.

Abdul Aleem Khan said, "We have solid proposals for the development of the province and new local bodies system will also help a lot to build new society." He also appealed the Opposition members to perform their democratic role in the assembly and avoid such situation and come up with solid proposals for the betterment of common man.(@rukhshanmir)

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday it had summoned the Pakistani ambassador to Tehran to discuss ways to detain militants who had kidnapped Iranian security officials and free the hostages.

TEHRAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th October, 2018) The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday it had summoned the Pakistani ambassador to Tehran to discuss ways to detain militants who had kidnapped Iranian security officials and free the hostages.

Earlier on Tuesday, reports emerged that a number Iranian security officers, including several IRGC members, had been kidnapped by a militant group in the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan, at the Iranian-Pakistani border.

"The Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the Pakistani ambassador to his office in Tehran as part of an effort to detain the militants and free the hostages," the statement said.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a branch of the Iranian Armed Forces, has earlier called on the Pakistani authorities to promptly make steps toward release and transfer of the Iranian border guards.

The Jaish a-Adl (Army of Justice) Sunni terror organization has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, with its spokesman saying that this was a response to Iranian government's oppression against Sunnis based in the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan. However, the spokesman said that Jaish a-Adl had kidnapped 10 persons.

Sistan and Baluchestan has long been shaken by ethnic and religious clashes, as well as by clashes between local security staff and militant groups.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Joint investigation team (JIT) head Wajid Zia Tuesday submitted documents pertaining to the financial statements of Flagship Investment, Nawaz's employment with Capital FZE and others to the accountability court during recording his statement.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2018 ) :Joint investigation team (JIT) head Wajid Zia Tuesday submitted documents pertaining to the financial statements of Flagship Investment, Nawaz's employment with Capital FZE and others to the accountability court during recording his statement.

The accountability court Judge Arshad Malik resumed hearing on last corruption reference against former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Nawaz Sharif appeared before the court at judicial complex along with his legal team.

As the hearing began, the JIT head continued recording his statement even on second day as NAB witness before the accountability court judge in Flagship Investment reference and submitted annual financial statements separately.

During recording the statement, Wajid Zia also produced the record with the court comprising a copy of letter written to the Qatri prince Hammad bin Jasim by JIT, Nawaz Sharif's employment contract with Capital FZE and charts pertaining to Hussein Nawaz's income & wealth tax return and funds flow between offshore companies.

Defense counsel Khawaja Haris objected over the submission of documents and contended that the prosecution had not presented the JIT members as witnesses who visited Dubai to obtain record.

He stated that the salary slip associated with his client was not signed by any authority.

He argued that these documents could not be presented as evidence against the accused person.

Later, the court adjourned hearing on corruption referencetill Wednesday wherein JIT head would continue recording his statement on thirdday.Bamako, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Oct, 2018 ) :Eleven people were killed in restive central Mali on Monday by unidentified gunmen, sources said.

The attack took place in the village of Telly, a few dozen kilometres (miles) from the town of Tenenkou, a local official said.

"They killed 11 civilians. Some of them came by motor bike," the source said.

A Malian security source confirmed the attack and the death toll, and said "criminals" were to blame.

"There are also people who have been reported missing. We don't know how many," the security source said.

The defence ministry did not immediately return a request for information.

Central Mali is in the grip of two-fold violence -- by jihadists and by rival ethnic groups, notably Fulani herders and Dogon farmers fighting over access to land.

The upheaval results from a revolt by Touareg rebels in northern Mali in 2012 that al-Qaeda-linked jihadists exploited to seize key cities in the region.

The jihadists were largely forced out by a French-backed military campaign, but the violence spread and much of the country is in a state of lawlessness.

In central Mali, a mosaic of ethnicities, more than 500 civilians have died since the start of the year, according to UN figures.Around 50 percent of Ukrainians are against the ban on Russian TV channels introduced in the country, while over 33 percent feel the opposite, qualifying the ban as an important national security measure, a fresh poll by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology revealed on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) Around 50 percent of Ukrainians are against the ban on Russian tv channels introduced in the country, while over 33 percent feel the opposite, qualifying the ban as an important national security measure, a fresh poll by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology revealed on Tuesday.

The poll was conducted on September 8-23. A total of 2,026 respondents across entire Ukraine, except for the eastern breakaway republics, were asked several questions on their attitude toward state control of the media.

Around 50 percent of respondents said that the ban on Russian TV channels was a mistake and that it resulted exclusively in the limitation of the citizens' rights, which is a six percent increase compared with the results of a similar poll conducted in February.

While 33 percent of respondents believe that the ban on the Russian TV channels is necessary for protecting Ukrainian national security, a total of 18 percent of respondents refused to answer or were undecided.

The number of Ukrainians who believe that the ban on certain Russian artists and films should not be in place amounts to 57 percent, while 27 percent of respondents qualify it as a necessary step. Around 28 percent of Ukrainians believe that banning Russian social networks is essential for the Ukrainian security, while around 46 percent do not agree with this stance.

As Ukrainian-Russian relations have been tense since 2014, with Ukraine accusing Russia of annexing the Crimean peninsula, which joined Russia in a referendum, and also of meddling in the conflict in the eastern region of Donbas, Kiev has been repeatedly restricting work of the Russian media in the country by denying Russian journalists entry to the country, depriving scores of Russian media outlets of accreditation to Ukrainian governmental institutions, banning broadcasts of major Russian TV channels, and banning access to Russian social networks VKontakte and Odnoklassniki, and platforms supported by Yandex and Mail.ru, in the country.(@FahadShabbir)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) Terrorists from the Boko Haram terror group, which pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) terror group, outlawed in Russia, killed a kidnapped employee of an international humanitarian organization, Nigerian Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed said.

On Sunday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called on the Nigerian authorities to ensure the release of the abducted medical staff, as the deadline set by militants to kill them was approaching. According to the committee, Hauwa Mohammed Liman, working with the ICRC-sponsored hospital, and Alice Loksha, employee of a center supported by UNICEF, were kidnapped on March 1 along with ICRC colleague Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa, who was killed in September.

"We are deeply pained by this killing, just like we were by the recent killing of the first aid worker. However, we will keep the negotiations open and continue to work to free the innocent women who remain in the custody of their abductors," the minister said in a statement without specifying the name of the killed employee.

Boko Haram is infamous for numerous attacks and abductions in the western and central African region. Nigeria along with Niger, Cameroon, and Chad are engaged in military operations combating the militants.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Brazil's Social Liberal Party, headed by leading presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro, is not ruling out military intervention to the crisis-torn Venezuela, but considers it a last-resort option, lawmaker and possible future foreign minister Luiz Philippe de Orleans told Sputnik.

RIO DE JANEIRO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) Brazil's Social Liberal Party, headed by leading presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro, is not ruling out military intervention to the crisis-torn Venezuela, but considers it a last-resort option, lawmaker and possible future foreign minister Luiz Philippe de Orleans told Sputnik.

On October 7, Bolsonaro won 46.03 percent of the votes compared to rival Fernando Haddad's 29.28 percent. Both candidates failed to surpass the threshold of 50 percent needed to win the election and are set to take part in the runoff on October 28.

"We have a dictatorship in the neighborhood, but we do absolutely nothing politically ... We must act in accordance with our principles, we must not tolerate dictatorship in Latin America, I leave the opportunity for military intervention open," Philippe said.

Actions against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro do not necessarily mean invading Venezuela as it could be just financial and logistical support for opposition groups that are seeking to overthrow the regime, the lawmaker explained.

Venezuela is currently in a deep economic crisis caused by the fall of oil prices and has been facing mass protests since last spring.

In August, Brazilian President Michel Temer ordered to deploy forces to the northernmost state of Roraima, located on border with Venezuela, due to the large influx of migrants from the crisis-torn country. The UN Refugee Agency has expressed concern over the growing exodus of refugees from Venezuela. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan authorities claim that there is no humanitarian crisis in the country.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolgu said on Tuesday that Ankara would move on with its natural gas drilling operations in the Eastern Mediterranean and said that the activities were aimed at a fair distribution of resources.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolgu said on Tuesday that Ankara would move on with its natural gas drilling operations in the Eastern Mediterranean and said that the activities were aimed at a fair distribution of resources.

On October 3, the Greek Cypriots' authorities invited France's Total, Italy's ENI and US ExxonMobil to bid for a new license for drilling in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone. On the same day, Cavusolgu said that Turkey could launch exploratory drilling on Cyprus' shelf in fall at the request of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a part of the island recognized only by Ankara as an independent state.

"We will continue drilling activities around the island. We're not trying to fight with anyone.

Our aim is a fair sharing of resources. However, everyone should know that we will not let the rights of Turkey, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and Turkish Cypriots be violated in the Eastern Mediterranean," Cavusoglu said at an Ankara University symposium, as cited by the Anadolu news agency.

The minister added that Ankara would not allow unilateral activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and pledged to protect Turkish Cypriots "with actual steps."

The island of Cyprus is split between two communities: the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. In 1974, the Turkish forces occupied the northern part of the island and then proclaimed it the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. On-and-off peace talks mediated by the UN have not yielded any tangible result.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The Crimean delegation has discussed with Syrian President Bashar Assad the possibility of operating regular flights between Syria and the peninsula, as well as possible business missions, Andrey Nazarov, the Yalta International Economic Forum's organizing committee co-chairman, said on Tuesday

DAMASCUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) The Crimean delegation has discussed with Syrian President Bashar Assad the possibility of operating regular flights between Syria and the peninsula, as well as possible business missions, Andrey Nazarov, the Yalta International Economic Forum's organizing committee co-chairman, said on Tuesday.

The Syrian leader met with the Russian delegation earlier in the day.

"We have discussed the establishment of a mechanism that would enable people to fly directly from Syria to Crimea for vacation, and the Syrian president does not separate culture from tourism. He said that culture enriches [people] and that is necessary to link tourism to culture," Nazarov told reporters.

According to the official, Assad also proposed to organize business missions from Crimea to Syria.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The European Commission said in the Education and Training Monitor 2018, released on Tuesday, that Croatia had launched ambitious reforms in education and training after a period when progress was stalled by political disagreement.

ZAGREB, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2018 ) :The European Commission said in the Education and Training Monitor 2018, released on Tuesday, that Croatia had launched ambitious reforms in education and training after a period when progress was stalled by political disagreement.

The Education and Training Monitor analyses and compares the most important challenges faced by the education systems in the European Union.

The Commission noted that in Croatia curricular reform had been introduced as a pilot project in 2018/2019 to address concerns about the quality and relevance of Primary and secondary education.

The pilot project has been introduced in 74 schools and computer science has been made a compulsory subject for primary school fifth- and sixth-graders.

New legislation on vocational education and training is paving the way for reforms in a sector whose relevance to the labour market and whose quality has been challenged. The inclusion of dual education and training in the pilot project and the establishment of 25 regional competence centres worth a billion kuna complement the reform process.

The report noted a significant jump in equity of access for disadvantaged students as the number of scholarships had doubled, and praised the government decision to financially support universities that open programmes in in-demand subjects and score good and measurable results.

"The previous European Commission reports were not as favourable as this one, and that's why I'm really pleased after this positive examination of the three reform processes that we have been conducting in the education sector. I am particularly glad to see that the Commission praised the use of EU funding in the reform process," Science and Education Minister Blazenka Divjak said in a statement.

She said it was important to continue introducing the necessary changes at the present rate. "Although there is reason for optimism, there are still people in the political sphere and certain interest groups who are obstructing the reforms and whose focus is not on the general interest but on halting the progress and achieving personal benefits." The Commission gave Croatia further recommendations to expand citizenship education, which is currentlydelivered as a cross-curricular theme in the pilot phase of the curricular reform, while in certain areas ithas been introduced as an optional subject.The Kremlin hopes that the visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi to Russia will give a new impetus to the preparation of an agreement on a free trade zone between Egypt and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said Tuesday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) The Kremlin hopes that the visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi to Russia will give a new impetus to the preparation of an agreement on a free trade zone between Egypt and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said Tuesday.

Ushakov said Sisi is now on a visit to Russia, where he has already met with upper house speaker Valentina Matvienko and other officials.

"An agreement is being drafted on a free trade zone between Egypt and the Eurasian Economic Union. This project has been discussed since July of this year... An additional impetus will be given to this process," he told reporters.Mongolia has invited Kim Jong Un to visit the nation's capital, which once hoped to host the historic summit between the North Korean leader and US President Donald Trump, an official said Tuesday.

Ulaanbaatar, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2018 ) :Mongolia has invited Kim Jong Un to visit the nation's capital, which once hoped to host the historic summit between the North Korean leader and US President Donald Trump, an official said Tuesday.

The invitation comes amid expectations that Kim and Trump, who met in Singapore in June, will hold a second summit -- a time and location for which have yet to be determined.

According to Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga's office, the invitation was sent to Kim on October 10, though no specific date was proposed.

The North Korean leader can visit "whenever he feels convenient", an official from the president's office told AFP, confirming a report published Monday by North Korea's KCNA state news service.

Mongolia had offered to host Trump and Kim for their landmark summit in June, but they ended up picking Singapore, where they agreed to a vaguely-worded statement on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

Trump said last week that three or four unspecified locations have been short-listed for their next meeting, but it would "probably" not be in Singapore again, and he did not give a date.

Kim's only other known foreign trips since taking power in 2011 was three visits to China this year.

He has also met South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the Demilitarized Zone separating their countries, where he momentarily crossed into Pyongyang's southern neighbour.

Mongolia, a democratic nation wedged between China and Russia, is one of the few countries that has normal relations with the authoritarian regime in North Korea.

The two countries celebrated 70 years of diplomatic ties this year.

Kim's grandfather, North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung, visited Mongolia when it was still a Soviet state in 1988.

In October 2013, Mongolia's then-president Tsakhia Elbegdorj visited Pyongyang and was the first head of state to meet with Kim since the North Korean leader succeed his late father, Kim Jong Il, two years prior.

Almost 1,200 North Koreans were living and working in Mongolia at the end of last year, before UN sanctions against Pyongyang required them to leave.Nicaragua's government on Monday freed 30 protesters who had been detained in a violent police intervention as they tried to march in Managua.

Managua, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2018 ) :Nicaragua's government on Monday freed 30 protesters who had been detained in a violent police intervention as they tried to march in Managua.

The arrests Sunday triggered a wave of criticism of the government of President Daniel Ortega, who has faced steady protests and calls for his resignation in a grassroots drive that began in April. More than 320 people have died in unrest associated with the movement.

Ortega, who led the Sandinista revolution in 1979, has been back in power since 2007 and is accused of running a corrupt and cruel leftist dictatorship along with his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo.

Human rights groups welcomed the release of the detainees but said another 500 people also arrested after protesting against the government are still in prison.

In Sunday's violence, police wielded clubs and hurled stun grenades to break up the demonstrators gathering at a shopping mall parking lot, beating men, women and even elderly people.

Some of those freed Monday from the maximum security prison known as El Chipote raised their fists in the air and shouted, "Long live free Nicaragua!" They hugged relatives waiting for them outside the jail.

"It is clear that no evidence of any crime was found, and here we are, free. We wish this were the case for other political prisoner," said Ana Vigil, leader of a dissident group called the Sandinista Renewal Movement and one of those freed from the prison.

Police had argued that the protesters did not have the permit they needed to stage a march.(@FahadShabbir)

Pakistan has told the U.N. that it's decolonization agenda would remain incomplete without settling the Kashmir dispute on the basis of Security Council resolutions that pledged the right of self-determination to the Kashmiri people.

UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2018 ) :Pakistan has told the U.N. that it's decolonization agenda would remain incomplete without settling the Kashmir dispute on the basis of Security Council resolutions that pledged the right of self-determination to the Kashmiri people.

"Unless this pledge (to the Kashmiris) is kept, this will continue to represent the most persistent failure of the United Nations," Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi said in a speech to the General Assembly's Special Political and Decolonization (Fourth) Committee on Monday.

India, she said, had deployed hundreds of thousands of troops in Indian occupied Kashmir, unleashing a reign of terror along with employing the most brutal violence to deny the Kashmiris their right to self-determination.

Human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir have now been documented in the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as well, the Pakistani envoy pointed out.

"The right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination has been recognized and promised to them by the UN Security Council, and by both India and Pakistan," Ambassador Lodhi told delegates from around the world. "But they still wait for the fulfillment of the promise of holding a UN-supervised plebiscite, to enable them to determine their political destiny." In this regard, the Pakistani envoy emphasized the need for determining the future of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with United nations Security Council resolutions.

"This is the demand of law, morality and the dictate of the fundamental right to self-determination," she added.

In the middle East, Ambassador Lodhi said that lasting peace will continue to elude the region until the Palestinian people are allowed to exercise their right to self-determination.

Underlining the significance of the work of the Committee, Ambassador Lodhi said that political and socio-economic progress of people is imperiled and retarded under foreign occupation and alien domination.

She said, "more than one generation has not had the opportunity to experience and enjoy the freedom that we all take for granted." The desperation and hopelessness of people living under alien or colonial subjugation doesn't just deserve our attention and empathy, it should also be a call for action," she said.

"Concerted effort is required for uniform and non-discriminatory implementation of the relevant UN Resolutions," the Pakistani envoy said.

"Selective application only erodes the confidence of the international community, undermines the credibility of the UN system, and encourages a culture of impunity," she said.

"Law must prevail over arbitrary power," Ambassador Lodhi said, adding, "And Right must prevail over Might."(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Conakry, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2018 ) :A 22-year-old man was killed on Tuesday on the second day of protests in the Guinean capital Conakry, concurring sources said.

Ibrahima Bah, from the Dalaba region, was shot dead in the Conakry suburb of Ratoma, relative Elhadj Saikou told AFP.

"He was shot in the chest by a member of the Anti-Crime Squad (BAC)," he said.

Police spokesman Boubacar Kasse confirmed the death but said he did not know the circumstances surrounding it.

After the body was transferred to a Conakry hospital, tension mounted in Ratoma as youths hurled stones at the security forces, who replied with teargas.

Five people were arrested on Monday, the first day of a two-day campaign aimed at bringing Conakry to a standstill.

Security Minister Alpha Ibrahima Keira said on state television RTS that instructions had been given to the security forces to act firmly.

The protests were sparked by disputed local elections on February 4 that opposition leaders condemned as fraudulent.

They were the first local elections in the poor West African state since the end of a military dictatorship under General Lansana Conte, who died in 2008.

The opposition has announced plans for a rally on Thursday.TATRANSKA LOMNICA (Slovakia) (UrduPoint news / Sputnik - 17th October, 2018) ATATRANSKA LOMNICA (Slovakia) (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 17th October, 2018) RANSKA LOMNICA (Slovakia), October 16 (Sputnik) - TATRANSKA LOMNICA (Slovakia) (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 17th October, 2018) he period of reduction of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Slovakia ended, and relations are once again developing rapidly, Slovak Economy Minister Peter Ziga told Sputnik on TATRANSKA LOMNICA (Slovakia) (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 17th October, 2018) uesday.

Along with Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov, Ziga took part in the plenary session of the Russian-Slovak intergovernmental commission for economic, scientific and technical cooperation.

"I am sure that the sad period of 2014-2016, when the reduction in trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Slovakia reached 50 percent, has been left behind. Our contacts are developing intensively again. In 2017, the level of turnover increased by about 20 percent, and I think that the same pace will be achieved this year," he said.

According to Ziga, this data illustrates that Slovak and Russian firms and entrepreneurs are behaving flexibly and inventively.

"Despite the current restrictions on the international market, representatives of the Slovak and Russian business communities have found ways to develop contacts," the minister stressed.

In this regard, he noted the important role played by the growing cooperation between the regions of the two countries, as well as between particular firms and enterprises over the last few years.

"Since these forms of contacts actively contribute to the overall development of trade, economic and industrial cooperation between our countries, it means that they must be supported, encouraged and developed in every possible way. Both Slovakia and Russia are actively engaged in this," Ziga said.

According to the Russian Industry and Trade Ministry, Russian-Slovak trade increased by 12.9 percent in January-June of the current year compared to the corresponding period of the previous year and totaled $3.3 billion.

In 2014, relations between Russia and the West deteriorated over Moscow's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict and Crimea's reunification with Russia following a referendum. The United States and the European Union imposed several rounds of sanctions on Russia's energy, banking, defense and other sectors, as well as on a number of Russian officials. Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations of meddling in the Ukrainian conflict and reacted with countermeasures against the Western nations that targeted it with sanctions.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

During the upcoming visit to Uzbekistan, Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss with the Uzbek side the situation in Afghanistan and building cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), presidential aide Yury Ushakov said on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) During the upcoming visit to Uzbekistan, Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss with the Uzbek side the situation in Afghanistan and building cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), presidential aide Yury Ushakov said on Tuesday.

"As for international issues, Afghanistan is the first topic. And the second topic is increasing cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization," Ushakov told reporters.

In turn, the Kremlin press service said that Putin and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev would sign a number of intergovernmental, interdepartmental and commercial documents following the talks.

"During the talks, the leaders will discuss the current state and further development of Russian-Uzbek relations of strategic partnership and alliance.

An exchange of views on acute regional and international issues is planned. Following the meeting, a package of intergovernmental, interdepartmental and commercial documents is expected to be signed," the statement reads.

In addition, the two presidents will also take part in the plenary session of the Russia-Uzbekistan forum of interregional cooperation devoted to agriculture as a priority aspect of the development of bilateral relations.

Putin and Mirziyoyev are also set to partake via videoconferencing in the ceremony dedicated to the start of the construction of a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan.

On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin would pay a state visit to Uzbekistan later this week. According to the Uzbek side, Putin's visit is scheduled for Thursday and Friday.(@rukhshanmir)

Russian delegation has discussed the development of the situation in Syria and the settlement of the Syrian crisis with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) The Russian delegation has discussed the development of the situation in Syria and the settlement of the Syrian crisis with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

The high-level delegation that comprises Russian Special Presidential Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry paid a working visit to Saudi Arabia on Sunday and Monday. They were received by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and also held talks with Jubeir.

"There was a detailed exchange of opinions on the situation in the middle East and Northern Africa, with a focus on the development of the situation in Syria. A common understanding of the necessity of a final elimination of the terrorist hubs in the country, and of the importance of promptly finding a reliable long-term political settlement to the Syrian crisis has been voiced," the ministry said in a statement.

Since 2011, Syrian has been in a state of a civil war, with the government forces fighting numerous opposition and terrorist groups across the country. While Damascus has regained control over most of the country's territories, the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib remains the last stronghold of insurgency. The Syrian government is currently focused on eliminating terrorists from Idlib, and also on creating favorable conditions for the refugees return.

Russia, along Turkey and Iran, is a guarantor of the ceasefire in Syria. It has been actively supporting Damascus in its fight against terrorists. By October 22, a demilitarized zone is set to be created in Idlib, and armed radicals are set to leave the area, as provided by the memorandum that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed in September.(@rukhshanmir)

The Republic of Crimea and Syria signed on Tuesday a memorandum on economic cooperation, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

DAMASCUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) The Republic of Crimea and Syria signed on Tuesday a memorandum on economic cooperation, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

The document was signed by head of the Republic of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov and Syrian Economy and Foreign Trade Minister Samer Khalil in Damascus.(@FahadShabbir)

Syrian President Bashar Assad has told the Crimean delegation that he would definitely attend the Yalta International Economic Forum next spring if had a chance, Andrey Nazarov, the forum's organizing committee co-chairman, said on Tuesday

DAMASCUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) Syrian President Bashar Assad has told the Crimean delegation that he would definitely attend the Yalta International Economic Forum next spring if had a chance, Andrey Nazarov, the forum's organizing committee co-chairman, said on Tuesday.

The Syrian leader met with the Russian delegation earlier in the day.

"Bashar Assad said that it was a great honor for him to be invited, and if circumstances allowed, he would definitely come, noting that he would like to visit Crimea and participate in such a large international event that is taking place in Yalta ... He said that he would definitely take part if nothing prevents him from doing so," Nazarov told reporters.At least three people have been killed and 33 injured by flash flooding in Yemen and neighbouring Oman caused by Tropical Storm Luban, the UN and local authorities have said

Aden, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2018 ) :At least three people have been killed and 33 injured by flash flooding in Yemen and neighbouring Oman caused by Tropical Storm Luban, the UN and local authorities have said.

Mahra province in the far east of Yemen and the neighbouring Dhofar region of Oman are the only parts of the Arabian Peninsula that have a monsoon climate governed by the tropical weather systems of the Indian Ocean.

Mountains rising to 1,300 metres (4,300 feet) separate a fertile coastal strip from the infamous Empty Quarter in the vast desert interior.

Most of the Luban's casualties were reported in coastal districts of Mahra, where two people were killed and 33 injured by widespread flooding, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said.

In Oman, the civil defence said one man was found dead in Dhofar.

Mahra governor Rajeh Bakrit said on Monday the province had been devastated by the storm.

"The situation is catastrophic in the province and beyond the capabilities of the local authorities," he said, according to the government-run Saba news agency.

Yemen President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi cited the "failure" of the government's efforts to respond to the "catastrophic" storm as one of the reasons for dismissing prime minister Ahmed bin Dagher late on Monday.

UNOCHA said more than 2,000 families had been significantly affected by the flooding in Mahra with many finding emergency shelter in displaced to public buildings.

It warned there were expected to be more casualties and homes washed away in areas that had yet to be reached by emergency teams.

In May, Cyclone Mekunu smashed into southern Oman and the Yemeni island of Socotra, killing at least 11 people.



1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.

4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.

5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.

6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.

7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.

8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.

9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.

10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.

11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)

12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.

13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.

14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.

15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.

16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.

17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.

18. Gain control of all student newspapers.

19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.

20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.

21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.

22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."

23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."

24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.

25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.

26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."

27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."

28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."

29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.

30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."

31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.

32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.

33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.

34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.

36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.

37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.

38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand.

39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.

42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems.

43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.

44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.

45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.American Airlines announced Monday that it would offer more daily flights to Cuba, by 2019, despite US restrictions on Americans traveling to that country.

Havana, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2018 ) :American Airlines announced Monday that it would offer more daily flights to Cuba, by 2019, despite US restrictions on Americans traveling to that country.

"We have recently started a fifth daily flight between Havana and Miami, and next year (in May) we will inaugurate a new daily flight between Miami and Santiago de Cuba, our sixth destination in the country," Ramon Jimenez, AA's manager in Cuba, said in a statement.

The airline currently has 10 flights a day to the island, half of which are between Miami and Havana. The rest go to provincial cities such as Camaguey, Holguin, Santa Clara and Varadero.

The number of daily flights will rise to 11, AA said.

American Airlines has also signed an agreement with Cuban state-owned Havanatur, which will sell airline tickets in its 80 branches across the country.

US airline flights were reinstated in August 2016 amid the diplomatic rapprochement between the two former Cold War foes, when Barack Obama was president.

At the moment, a full US economic embargo remains on Cuba, the only Communist, one-party state in Latin America.

So far, the United States has allowed Americans to visit Cuba for cultural, educational, sports-related or humanitarian reasons only -- not on package tours or as regular tourists.

In 2017, Cuba welcomed 619,523 American tourists, up 217 percent over 2016, while 453,905 Cubans living in the United States visited their native country, an increase of 138 percent over a year.(@FahadShabbir)

Ukraine and Hungary agreed on Monday to launch consular consultations after mutual expulsion of consuls sparked by Budapest's move to issue passports to Ukrainians living in the border region of Zakarpattia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said on Monday.

KIEV (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) Ukraine and Hungary agreed on Monday to launch consular consultations after mutual expulsion of consuls sparked by Budapest's move to issue passports to Ukrainians living in the border region of Zakarpattia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said on Monday.

A diplomatic row between Budapest and Kiev escalated after reports emerged in September saying that Hungarian passports were issued by Hungary's consulate in the city of Berehove to some 100,000 Ukrainians. According to reports, Hungarian diplomats instructed Ukrainians to conceal from the Ukrainian government the fact that they had obtained Hungarian citizenship. The situation prompted Kiev to declare the Hungarian consul persona non grata earlier in October, with Budapest responding with the same measure.

"After all these events, we need real consultations. It will be comprehensive consular consultations, and we have agreed to hold them. First, they will be at the level of heads of consular departments, we are now discussing a date," Klimkin told reporters after a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto in Luxembourg.

The minister noted that they had discussed a number of problematic issues in bilateral relations and agreed to change the official title for a Hungarian representative for the Zakarpattia region. He welcomed "positive shifts" in the bilateral dialogue, noting that there were still a number of outstanding issues to be addressed.

According to Klimkin, the ministers also agreed to meet at the Warsaw Security Forum (WSF) slated for October 24-25.

Ukraine does not recognize dual citizenship. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the Hungarian consulate abused its powers, but Budapest has denied that issuing passports to Ukrainians of Hungarian origin violated any laws.

Another contentious issue emerged in August when Hungarian President Viktor Orban decided to create a new position in the government Hungarian ministerial commissioner for the Zakarpattia region. Kiev expressed protest, noting this individual would be in charge of a part of Ukrainian sovereign territory.The UN Refugee Agency expressed concern on Tuesday over the growing number of migrant returns from Angola to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which can further worsen humanitarian situation in the Congolese region of Kasai.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) The UN Refugee Agency expressed concern on Tuesday over the growing number of migrant returns from Angola to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which can further worsen humanitarian situation in the Congolese region of Kasai.

Angola currently hosts almost 70,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from DRC. Some 200,000 nationals have arrived in the border Kasai province following expulsions by the Angolan authorities, according to the UN Refugee Agency.

"The Congolese are returning to a desperate situation, looking for safety and aid. With more arriving every day, thousands are reported to be stuck at and near the border, with limited means to travel onwards to their home places. In addition, many are likely to face difficulties due to destruction caused by recent conflict in the area.

Ethnic tensions still run high since the Kasai conflict in 2016 and 2017," UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch said, as quoted in the agency's statement.

The UN agency noted that violent clashes have reportedly occurred in Angola when the authorities were enforcing migrants to leave.

"Mass expulsions are contrary to obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and we ask both sides to respect the human rights of those affected. Without such cooperation the returns could easily create a humanitarian crisis in the already fragile Kasai region," Baloch underlined.

The clashes between the government forces and militiamen in the Kasai region have intensified in 2016, resulting in the displacement of almost 1.5 million people, while at least 750,000 children in the region are malnourished, according to the UN figures.(@rukhshanmir)

Syrian President Bashar Assad expressed confidence on Tuesday that the current visit of the Crimean delegation to Syria was the beginning of prolific cooperation between the two sides.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) Syrian President Bashar Assad expressed confidence on Tuesday that the current visit of the Crimean delegation to Syria was the beginning of prolific cooperation between the two sides.

The delegation, headed by Crimea's head Sergei Aksyonov, arrived in Damascus on Monday with a two-day official visit to discuss and sign bilateral deals on economic and scientific cooperation. Assad has met with the delegation earlier in the day.

"[Upon receiving Crimea's head Sergei Aksyonov, the president] congratulated Crimea's people and authorities on the fact that their will on reuniting with Russia had been realized and confirmed that the current visit was a new beginning of cooperation between the two parties in different sectors," Assad's press service said in a statement.

Crimea rejoined Russia in 2014, when 97 percent of those participating in the referendum voted for the reunification. Despite this, the vote was not recognized by the majority of the Western countries that subsequently imposed economic and political sanctions on Moscow.

Russian authorities have repeatedly stated that the Crimean residents decided to rejoin Russia following a democratic procedure. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the issue of Crimea's territorial belonging was "historically closed."A Polish missionary bishop offers his impressions of the Synod on Youth. He says the biggest challenge will be translating the final document into local contexts.

By Russell Pollitt, SJ

Bishop Stanislaw Jan Dziuba, a Polish missionary and member of the Order of St Paul the First Hermit, is bishop of the rural diocese of Umzimkulu in the lush green hills of KwaZulu/Natal in South Africa. He is also the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference liaison bishop for youth.

He spoke to me about his impression of the Synod of Bishops on Youth, the Faith and Vocational Discernment. He believes that the Synod has, so far, been a beautiful experience and a true expression of the catholicity of the Church.

He says that the participants are bringing the experiences of young people to the Synod  their struggles and joys  so that they can find new ways of evangelisation and also attracting young people to Jesus and to the Church.

The bishops says that the concerns of young people and their life situations are not always present but, he adds, a Synod is not able to address all the specific situations that young people are in. He says that the Fathers do acknowledge the varying contexts and situations that young people are in though. For him the important thing is that the final document is interpreted in different contexts and specific situations where the Church ministers to youth. He says that it is important that the Church is united as the one family of God to address issues that pertain specifically to young people.

Bishop Dziuba sees translation as the biggest challenge after the Synod  not only into Zulu (the language of his diocese) and other local languages  but the translation of the text in such a way that it will be relevant to young people in their local circumstances.

The second challenge, he says, will be how to find young people and adults who are motivated so that they can be mobilised to respond to young people and find ways of accompanying them. The Bishop says that the formation of local communities and youth formators themselves will be important but not easy. He also added that it will be a challenge to find resources, both financial and personnel, to implement the document.

Bishop Dziuba says the he has been struck by the faith that young people have in Jesus, they are willing to sacrifice to follow Jesus. He says that he realises that the bishops are not alone, that young people want to be with them on the journey of following Jesus. He says that he has discovered that young people have passion for the Church and they are willing to sacrifice their lives for the Church.

He says that he was also very struck by the fact that even in places where Christians are being persecuted, young people are present, struggling, but strong in faith.

Commenting on the digital world he says that it becomes a problem when young people are not relating to each other but only checking their messages and wanting to look beautiful in their messages. He says that often this does not reflect their own lives but creates an image of their lives which is not a representation of who they are and how they really live. He says that this does not help them to relate to other young people, to community and to their families. He says that many young people spend lots of time and money on ensuring they are digitally connected.

However, the bishops says that this is also an opportunity for Africa and Southern Africa to translate the message of Christ into short messages, media messages, not only using words but images that go deeper into the hearts and minds of young people so that they will remember. The digital world is an opportunity to make the church present  not only to young people but all people, he says.

Finally, Bishop Dziuba says that he hopes that the final document from the Synod will also be translated into a media document that contains the essential messages thus making it attractive. He says that by doing this the Church will not only aim the document at peoples minds but at their other senses so that the message can sink into their hearts.The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decides to break Eucharistic communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

The decision is contained in a Declaration adopted yesterday, October 15, by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church meeting in Minsk, Belarus, under the leadership of Patriarch Kirill, to discuss the position announced on October 11 by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to grant autocephaly, or independence, to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The Declaration

To our great grief, reads the Declaration published on the website of the Patriarchate of Moscow, the members of the Holy Synod consider it impossible to continue to be in Eucharistic communion with the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

The Declaration lists the reasons that led the Russian Orthodox Church to take this decision. These include: admitting into communion schismatics, and a person anathematized in another local Church, encroachment on someone elses canonical regions, and the attempt to abandon historical decisions and commitments. All this, affirms the Russian Orthodox Church, leads the Patriarchate of Constantinople beyond the canonical space and, to our great grief, makes it impossible for us to continue the Eucharistic community with its hierarchy, clergy and laity. From now on, until the Patriarchate of Constantinoples rejection of its anti-canonical decisions, it is impossible for all the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church to concelebrate with the clergy of the Church of Constantinople and for the laity to participate in sacraments administered in its churches.

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Department for External Relations of the Patriarchate of Moscow, has said he hopes that reason will prevail and that the Patriarchate of Constantinople will change its attitude and recognize the existing ecclesiastical reality.

A decision already taken

On October 11, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, decided to renew the decision already taken to proceed to the granting of the autocephaly of the Church of Ukraine.

At that time, the Holy Synod launched an appeal to all parties involved, to avoid the appropriation of churches, monasteries and other property, and to avoid any other act of violence or retaliation, so that the peace and love of Christ may prevail.The FAO is warning that number of hungry people worldwide has been growing for 3 consecutive years. (ANSA)

Jose Graziano da Silva, the Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has released a video message on the occasion of the World Food Day, October 16.

By Robin Gomes

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is urging nations, continents, sectors and professions to join forces and take action to eliminate hunger, saying a Zero Hunger World by 2030 is still possible. FAO Director-General Jose Graziano da Silva made the call in a video message on the occasion of World Food Day that was marked worldwide on Tuesday.

FAO marks World Food Day each year on 16 October to highlight the need to step up efforts to end hunger and malnutrition in the world.

The theme of this years observance is "Our actions are our future. A #ZeroHunger world by 2030 is possible". Various events are being held in over 130 countries, including at the FAO headquarters in Rome, to mark World Food Day.

Listen to our report

Three years ago, in September 2015, all UN Member States approved the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Agendas Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 2 aims at the eradication of hunger and all forms of malnutrition. This SDG was defined by world leaders as an indispensable condition for a safer, fairer and more peaceful world.

In his message, Graziano pointed out that this years World Food Day was taking place at a critical moment in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.

Growing number of hungry

The FAO Director-General noted that for 3 consecutive years, the number of hungry people worldwide has been growing and the trend showed the world was returning to levels of 10 years ago. According to the latest State of Food Security in the World report, nearly 820 million people were undernourished in 2017.



Graziano noted that conflicts, extreme weather events linked to climate change and economic slowdown were reversing the progress made in the fight against hunger.

He also noted that overweight and obesity levels were growing rapidly. The FAO chief said it was time the world community redoubled its efforts to achieve the global goal of Zero Hunger.

Joining forces against hunger, malnutrition

The FAO Director-General said this years World Day calls on the international community to work more closely together, and make use of the evidence and tools available. Three years ago, he noted, all UN Member Countries pledged to end poverty and hunger, when they committed to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Zero Hunger, Graziano said, is still achievable if we join forces across nations, continents, sectors and professions, in the remaining years for 2030.  Taking action is not an option, Graziano stressed, adding,  It is a necessary step to a truly sustainable future for all.

Noting that our present actions will determine our future, Graziano said that a Zero Hunger World by 2030 is still possible.

Red Plate, a luxurious new dining concept that celebrates traditional Chinese cuisine in a refined setting, has opened at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Red Plate introduces an unparalleled dining experience rooted in authentic Cantonese flavors to the luxury casino-resort (Pictured: Caviar Taro Puff).

Red Plates culinary vision is led by Chef Yip Cheung, an esteemed expert in multi-regional Chinese cuisine. Cheung formerly helmed the kitchen at The Cosmopolitans high-end gaming parlor, The Talon Club, where he created elevated dining experiences for the resorts Far East clientele. As Executive Chef of Red Plate, Cheung utilizes traditional Chinese techniques and preparations to present an authentic Cantonese menu with hints of modern inspiration. Menu highlights include an array of carefully selected, signature roasted meats, Chinese hot pot and handmade dim sum.

The restaurants design concept was envisioned by architect firm, Marnell Companies, in tandem with Celano Design Studio. The space reflects authentic Chinese design and culture with elements of traditional craft, artwork and furniture balanced with contemporary materials. The exterior exudes a striking, sculptural and detailed design, drawing guests in with curved, champagne-colored walls in contrast to black metal and brass detailing. The entryway flows into an intimate bar and lounge before leading to the main dining space, accented by luxurious red banquettes. Guests are surrounded in rich tones accentuated by luxurious fabrics, polished marble and traces of gold.

The significance behind the naming of Red Plate was inspired by a historic Chinese tradition surrounding the Royal Family. Visiting officials would submit a plate to the Emperor during mealtime as an offering as a means to be called in to address the Emperor. The various colors of plates would symbolize stature and rank. The more prominent figures such as princes, dukes and members of the Royal Family would use red plates. As a distinguished nod to the restaurants namesake, guests to Red Plate at The Cosmopolitan can expect at some point during the meal to be served a signature dish on a red plate as well. The resort sourced more than 50 plates from various countries and continents across the globe including Asia and Europe, some dating back to the 1800s with the youngest from 1940.

The highly anticipated opening of Red Plate further enhances the amenities offered to high-end gaming clientele to the resort. Red Plate serves as a direct complement to The Talon Club, The Cosmopolitans high-stakes modernized gaming lounge, The Boulevard Penthouses, reserved exclusively for the casinos top customers, and The Reserve, the private gaming salon that serves Boulevard Penthouse guests.

Red Plate is located on the third level of The Cosmopolitans Boulevard Tower adjacent to Scarpetta and Beauty & Essex. Red Plate is open Tuesday  Saturday 6 p.m.  10 p.m. with the last seating at 9 p.m.

MENU: STARTERS  King Crab Spring Roll  Fried Soft Shell Crab with Salt and Pepper  Crispy Tofu with Fried Garlic  Minced Chicken in Lettuce Cup  Soya Egg, Soya Beef Tongue, and Soya Tofu  Abalone in Cold Sake  BBQ OR ROASTER  Whole Suckling Pig (pre-order)   Roast Pork with Honey Glaze  Roasted Chicken  Whole Peking Duck (pre-order)  EVENING DIM SUM  Pork Potstickers  Quail Egg Sui Mai  Black Truffle Xiao Lung Bao  Caviar Taro Puff  Abalone Tart  Turnip Cake  SOUPS AND BROTHS  Sweet Corn and Foie Gras  Oxtail Broth with Lemongrass  Minced Beef Soup with Cilantro and Egg White  Double Boiled Mushroom and Fish Maw  Shredded Dried Scallop with Bean Sprout  CONGEE, RICE, AND NOODLES  Beef Fried Rice with Black Truffle and Egg  Dried Scallop and Egg White Fried Rice  Spicy Singapore Rice Noodle with BBQ Pork and Shrimp  Hong Kong Noodle and Wonton Soup  Pork and Preserved Egg Congee      White Noodle with Taiwanese Style Beef Soup      Abalone and Chicken Congee  Chinese Sausage Clay Pot Rice (4ppl size; 2 hour minimum)  ABALONE AND DRIED SEAFOOD  Buddha Jumps Over The Wall Soup  Braised Whole Abalone  Golden Fish Fin Soup with Superior Sauce  Braised Sea Cucumber with Fish Maw  LIVE SEAFOOD  Geoduck  Rock Cod  Tiger Grouper    Maine Lobster  Alaskan King Crab  Large Spotted Prawn  Coral Cod  European Lobster  Dungeness Crab  CHEFS RECOMMENDATION MEAT/POULTRY  Prime Beef Filet Mignon with King Mushroom  Pan Fried New Zealand Lamb Chops  Prime Beef Short Ribs in Broth  Pan Fried Pork Tenderloin with Onion and Honey Citron Sauce  Mongolian Beef  Braised Lamb, Szechuan Style  Braised Sparerib in Sweet and Sour Sauce  VEGETABLE  Traditional Szechwan Spicy Tofu  Braised Okra with Minced Pork (can do without pork)  Seasonal Vegetables and Vermicelli in Clay Pot  Braised Tofu with Bamboo Fungus and Vegetables  Stir Fried Chinese Broccoli with Dried Flounder  Stir Fried Dried Shrimp and Silver Fish  Seasonal Vegetables  SEAFOOD  Pan Fried Chilean Sea Bass with Soy Sauce  Cod Filet in Spicy Punching Broth  Stir Fried Lobster with Lemongrass and Thai Sauce  Spicy Dungeness Crab with Minced Pork, Black Bean, Green Onion, and Diced Red Peppers  Pan Fried Scallop  SWEETS  Double Boiled Birds Nest Soup with Sweet Almond Soup  Birds Nest Egg Tart  Cold Almond Tofu  Sweet Sesame Rice Ball with Almond Milk Coconut and Mango Mousse Cake Cassia Flower Mousse Cake Milk Tea Custard with Pistachio Ice Cream Mango Crispy Ice Cream CHINESE STYLE HOT POT  Choice of Soup Base: Fish Broth Clear Broth Spicy Broth Chefs Selection of Meats Chefs Selection of Vegetables COCKTAILS: YIN & YANG yame 10yr scotch, kai coconut pandan sochu, salted black sesame syrup, peanut butter THE GOLDEN LOTUS suntory roku gin, soho lychee liqueur, h20 apple rosewater, ginger syrup, lemon juice, yuzu sour, jasmine blooming tea flower FESTIVAL OF THE MOON bacardi dragonberry, kai lemongrass ginger, coco chai tea syrup, lemon, moonstone coconut, lemongrass nigori sake, blood orange puree HUNDRED SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT elation pear cognac, st. george spiced pear liqueur, toki Japanese whiskey, Chinese 5 spice syrup, lemon juice FOUR PILLARS DESTINY monkey shoulder scotch, giffards banana, matcha, coconut cream, peppercorn spiced honey, ginger syrup DREAM OF RED CHAMBER sorghum whiskey, hkb baijuia, rubarbo bitter, campari, yzaguirre rojo vermouth, plymouth sloe gin

For more information visit: www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.comThe equivalent of three months' of rain fell in just a few hours, French officials said AFP/ERIC CABANIS

The equivalent of three months rainfall was dumped overnight in the region of Carcassonne in just a few hours, sending rivers over their banks, including the Aude, which reached levels not seen in 100 years.

Local authorities in the Aude department said 11 people were killed, a second reduction in the official toll which had earlier stood at 13, a figure given by the interior ministry.

Two people were still missing with eight others seriously injured, authorities added.

President Emmanuel Macron, whose office said he will soon visit the affected areas, offered "the sympathy and solidarity of the entire nation for the victims of the Aude flooding and their families."

The rescue operations appear to have put back an expected announcement on a government reshuffle, triggered by the sudden resignation of interior minister Gerard Collomb nearly two weeks ago.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who is acting as interim interior minister, said the government would ask insurers to process disaster claims and payments "as quickly as possible" while he assessed the damage in the region.

'THERE'S WATER EVERYWHERE'

One of the overnight victims was an 88-year-old nun who was swept from her room by floodwaters at the Burning Bush priory in the village of Villardonnel, north of the fortress city of Carcassonne.

"The water crashed through the building's main door and on through the door to her room, the lowest in the convent. It carried away her furniture which ended up on the veranda," said Sister Irene, the mother superior.

Elsewhere, flash floods overturned cars, gutted streets and battered buildings and bridges, especially to the north of Carcassonne where authorities ordered bridges closed.

The Aude's levels were expected to peak at around 9:00 pm (1900 GMT). Evacuations were still being carried out in several towns on Monday afternoon, local authorities said.

Some 600 firefighters were sent in to help evacuate residents AFP/Pascal PAVANI

"There's water everywhere in the house. Everything is flooded," Helene Segura told AFP by telephone from the hard-hit village of Villegailhenc, where at least one small bridge had collapsed.

"Rescue teams were deployed as quickly as possible, but operations have proved to be complicated," said interior ministry spokesman Frederic de Lanouvelle.

In the town of Trebes, near Carcassonne, the water in the Aude rose eight metres in just five hours, officials said.

HUNDREDS EVACUATED

According to the latest toll figures from the regional authorities, a total of six people died in Trebes, which made headlines earlier this year after a militant attacker killed four people in a shooting spree, including a police officer who took the place of a hostage.

Two elderly residents died overnight in Villegailhenc, where the main bridge collapsed, and one person was killed in Villalier.

On Monday evening the body of another victim was found in Carcassonne making this one of the deadliest storms in France for a decade.

With many roads impassable, helicopters were used in the rescue operations.

Around 1,000 people were evacuated in the area of Pezens, also near Carcassonne, amid fears that a nearby dam could burst, and thousands of homes throughout the area were without electricity after strong winds brought down power lines.

The storms were triggered when a front of warm and humid air from the Mediterranean Sea slammed into colder air around the Massif central mountain range in central France, inundating an area from the eastern Pyrenees to Aveyron further north.

This well-known weather pattern occurs three to six times a year in the region and nearly always triggers flash flooding.

But the French weather forecasting service, Meteo France, suggested these episodes had recently become more frequent and more severe.

An unrelated storm on Sunday also hit Portugal, leaving 28 people with minor injuries and hundreds of thousands without power amid flooding in the region around the capital Lisbon.

The heavy rains, which later rolled on through Spain, were the tail end of Hurricane Leslie in the Atlantic, which weakened to a post-tropical storm as it made landfall.

Last week, another weather system moving across the Mediterranean left 12 people dead on the Spanish island of Majorca, as well as two people in southeast France.

Further north, nearly 100 people have evacuated due to flooding in Norway, where heavy rainfall has been accompanied by warm temperatures that have accelerated the melting of snow.

Map of southwestern France showing flood-hit areas AFP/AFPA dragon dance in the Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival on Sam Mountain

The annual festival takes place at Ba Chua Xu Temple on Sam Mountain from the 23rd  27th days of the fourth lunar month to honour Ba Chua Xu  a local tutelary goddess.

It is said that the temple of Ba Chua Xu was built with leaves and bamboo in the 1820s. It was rebuilt and is now a beautiful site on Sam Mountain.

The festival was named national intangible cultural heritage in 2015.

Located in the That Son (Seven Mountains) area, Sam Mountain is also home to many other cultural heritage sites, including the ancient Tay An Pagoda and the tomb of Thoai Ngoc Hau (1761  1829)  a military general of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802  1945).

An Giang is working to turn the national tourism area of Sam Mountain into a hub of spiritual, community-based and ecological tourism of Vietnam by 2025.

The province records an annual increase of 800,000  1 million in the tourist number. It looks to welcome 9.2 million visitors and earn over 5.5 trillion VND (235.4 million USD) from this industry in 2019.Glyphosate, one of the most popular pesticides. Source: Laodong.vn

The ruling is good news for the German company as Bayer AG faces thousands of similar lawsuits in the US. The companys stock jumped 6.6 per cent at the Frankfurt stock exchange, a record rise in the past seven years.

Bayer AGs Monsanto unit last week received a tentative ruling for a new trial on the $250 million punitive damages awarded by a jury to former school groundskeeper Dewayne Johnson who alleged the company's glyphosate-based weed killers, including Roundup, caused his cancer.

Last Wednesday, San Francisco Superior Court judge Suzanne Bolanos made a tentative ruling that could remove the $250 million punitive award on Monsanto and prompt a new trial.

She said the plaintiff "presented no clear and convincing evidence of malice or oppression to support an award of punitive damages."

Bolanos tentatively granted Monsanto's request for a JNOVa judgment notwithstanding verdict, which is basically when a judge in a civil case overrules the jury's decision.

Bolanos gave attorneys on both sides until Friday to present responses before she makes a final decision.

But even if the judge denies Monsanto's request to drop the $250 million punishment, "the court would grant a new trial on the grounds of insufficiency of the evidence to justify the award for punitive damages," Bolanos wrote.

Bayer issued a statement saying hundreds of studies indicate glyphosate, the key ingredient in Roundup, does not cause cancer.

Two months ago, Dewayne Johnson won the landmark case against Monsanto, claiming the company's popular weed-killer Roundup caused his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Johnson is the first of more than 4,000 cancer patients to take Monsanto to trial.

The big question at stake was whether Roundup can cause cancer and, if so, whether Monsanto failed to warn consumers about the product's cancer risk.

The jury sided with Johnson on both counts and awarded him $250 million in punitive damages (to punish Monsanto) and about $39 million in compensatory damages (for Johnson's lost income, pain, and suffering).

However, last Wednesday, San Francisco Superior Court judge Suzanne Bolanos made a tentative ruling that could nix this $250 million punitive award and prompt a new trial.

As Johnson was the first cancer patient to take Monsanto to court, what happens with Johnson's case does not just affect himit could set a precedent for more than 4,000 similar cases awaiting trial in federal or state courts.

Bayer AG, the company that recently acquired Monsanto, said it was pleased with the judge's tentative ruling. Bayer issued a statement saying hundreds of studies indicate glyphosate, the key ingredient in Roundup, does not cause cancer.

"The jury's verdict was wholly at odds with over 40 years of real-world use, an extensive body of scientific data and analysis, including in-depth reviews by regulatory authorities in the US and EU, and approvals in 160 countries, which support the conclusion that glyphosate-based herbicides are safe when used as directed and that glyphosate is not carcinogenic," Bayer said.Binh Duong Provinces attractiveness for foreign investors is on the rise.

Nguyen Thanh Truc, director of Binh Duongs Department of Planning and Investment, said that more foreign companies were investing in the province and looking for Vietnamese business partners.

The provinces road infrastructure and its 29 industrial parks have also developed strongly in recent years.

Last year, FDI companies contributed to 48.5 per cent of the provinces investments and over 82.8 per cent of its exports, according to Truc.

Binh Duong is the newest member of the World Technopolis Association which helps members apply advanced technologies in regional development.

The province was also chosen to host the 2018 World Technopolis Association Summit on October 10.

Tran Thanh Liem, chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, said that membership in the association would help Binh Duong improve its technology capability and become a smart city.

Nguyen Van Hung, chairman of the board of Becamex IDC Corp (Binh Duong-based conglomerate), said the provinces reputation as an attractive area for investment has lured many multinationals.

For instance, the industrial parks of a joint-venture between Singapore-based Sembcorp Development (which specialises in urban development) and Becamex IDC have attracted over $9 billion from 630 businesses in 60 countries and territories.Representatives of Doosan Vina and CAU awarded certificates of merit

Attending the event were a delegation from CAU that included 18 doctors who will spend a week carrying out this 10th anniversary medical CSR in Vietnam.

This years CAU medical team is being led by Kim Seong Deok, president of Chung Ang University Hospital, the CAU doctors and Doosan volunteers will provide medical exams and medicines to approximately 2,350 people which will bring the ten years total to 23,850 in Quang Ngai province.

Kim Seong Deok, president of CAU Seoul at the anniversary

Along with providing the medical service, CAU also donated medical equipment to Quang Ngai Pediatric Hospital. The donated equipment included two autoclaves, two warmers, two bag welding machines and one SPO2 meter. The total value of the donated equipment was VND1.3 billion ($55,000).

Nguyen Dinh Tuyen, director of Quang Ngai Pediatric Hospital said, "Doosan Vina and CAU have been supporting the health sector of Quang Ngai province for the last 10 years and have contributed greatly to the development of medical treatment in the province. I certainly appreciate the spirit and efforts of Doosan Vina and CAU in carrying out these CSR programmes in Quang Ngai which incidentally, not only involve the health sector but also many other areas such as education and housing, thank you for your concern and assistance.

The ten year totals for Doosan and CAUs healthcare commitment to the region has now reached $1.42 million.

Visit donation equipments by Doosan VINA and CAU at Quang Ngai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital

Local people are waiting to check health at Binh Chanh commune health stationHCM City will allocate more than 5.6 trillion (US$240 million) for new facilities at three regional general hospitals in the citys gateway areas. Source:medinet.hochiminhcity.gov.vn

Total capital for the Thu Duc, Hoc Mon and Cu Chi regional general hospitals is estimated to be more than 5.6 trillion (US$240 million) from the citys budget.

Construction on the 1,000-bed hospitals, which will have 500 beds each for inpatients, will begin this year and finish by 2023.

The modern, high-quality hospitals, which meet ASEAN standards, will be outfitted with the latest medical equipment and facilities to provide patients in surrounding areas.

The director of the Health Department, Nguyen Tan Binh, told Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) that the hospitals were one of the departments six key projects until 2030.

The hospitals will help reduce patient overcrowding at large national and city-level hospitals.

The citys gateway areas were chosen to serve patients in outlying and neighbouring areas.

The projects will be submitted to the city Peoples Council by October 31 for capital allocation next year.

Construction on Cu Chi Regional General Hospital will start first, followed by Hoc Mon Regional General Hospital and then Thu Duc Regional General Hospital.

The department has increased enrollment quotas for Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine since 2008 so that enough staff can be hired for hospitals, district health centres, and commune and ward health stations.

More than 600 doctors who will graduate this year will work at these hospitals when they open, according to Binh.

Doctor at city-level hospitals are sent temporarily to district-level hospitals to work six months to one year and help with training.

For many years, the city Peoples Committee has allocated funds to upgrade and build new facilities for grassroots-level health centres and stations, and hospitals in the city.

New facilities at several hospitals such as Can Gio District Hospital and District 12 Hospital will open next year.

Construction of new facilities at other hospitals including Nha Be District Hospital and District 2 Hospital is also expected at a later date.

District hospitals in recent years have helped reduce patient overcrowding at national and city-level hospitals in the city. The doctors at district hospitals are capable of treating common diseases and offering sophisticated health care services.PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the forum. (Photo: VNA)

PM Phuc, who is paying an official visit to Austria, suggested Austrian enterprises invest in high-tech agriculture, processing and manufacturing industry, especially agricultural product processing, high-tech zones, infrastructure development and tourism.

Vietnam will also create optimal conditions for Austrian investors to buy stakes of State-owned enterprises, he promised.

PM Phuc briefed participants, including representatives from 60 Vietnamese businesses and over 100 Austrian companies, on Vietnams economy which has grown continuously and is expected to expand by about 7 percent this year.

Vietnam will strive to maintain the growth pace to create favourable conditions for investors in the country, he said.

Vietnam is a large market with a population of almost 100 million, and 65 percent of the countrys workforce is young and the middle class is on the rise, the leader said, adding that the increasing number of internet and smart phone users in Vietnam has also opened up great opportunities for e-commerce development.

The PM stressed that Vietnam has signed and planned to ink 16 new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs), including the future FTA with the EU in the time ahead.

Vietnam is committed to making continuous reforms and facilitating foreign investment in the country, he pledged.

He pointed out that although trade turnover between Vietnam and Austria is projected to hit about 4.5 billion USD this year, the flows of investment capital in each others market remained modest, standing at only around 200 million USD.

Given this, PM Phuc urged Vietnamese and Austrian enterprises to step up investment and cooperation, for mutual benefits, economic development in each country and stronger bilateral relationship.

Addressing the forum, Harald Mahrer, President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, said Austrian firms have clearly recognised Vietnams development over the past years, which, he said, would open up great opportunities for investors.

Vietnam is one of the countries enjoying the fastest development in Asia and the world with a trained young workforce and an increasing number of newly-established enterprises and startups, especially in IT and digital technology, he said.

Mahrer affirmed that Austrian businesses are interested in the Vietnamese market which will have a population of nearly 100 million and its gross domestic product (GDP) growth is forecast to double in the years to come.

Highlighting Vietnam as a big market for Austrian exports, the official said that the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber has decided to open its representative office in the country.

At the forum, PM Phuc and representatives of agencies and businesses of the two countries witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements in such areas as energy, credit, manufacturing industry and health equipment.

A cooperation agreement between the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber will also be signed on this occasion, under which the two sides will cooperate in supporting businesses of Vietnam and Austria as well as the implementation of the EU-Vietnam FTA.

Also on October 15, PM Phuc met with Ernst Wastler, Chairman of the Board of Vamed Group and Tao Ngoc Tu, Chairman of Tan Viet Group, and held a talk with representatives of leading Austrian businesses.

Austria is the first stop of the PMs trip to Europe, during which he will also pay official visits to Belgium and Denmark, make a working visit to the European Union and attend the 12th ASEM Summit (ASEM 12) and the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 Summit (P4G).Police seizes 308.6kg of crystal meth in the case (Photo: VNA)

On October 12, local police noticed a suspicious car on National Highway 1A in Le Thuy district of the province. When police asked the occupants to stop the car, they fled into a nearby forest.

When examining the vehicle, police discovered 300 nylon bags of crystal meth weighing 308.6kg.

The next morning, with the cooperation of local people, authorised forces arrested Xeng Vang, born in 1995 and residing in Bolikhamsai province of Laos, who was the cars driver.

He admitted he was hired to smuggle the drugs to Da Nang city for 10,000 USD.

Local police are searching for other suspects.

A day earlier, police in Nghe An province, also in the central part of Vietnam, arrested two drug traffickers, seizing 30 bricks of heroin, each weighing 350g.

Those arrested include Nguyen Ngoc Ich, born in 1977, and Tran Dinh Hoi, born in 1984, both from Hanh Lam commune, Thanh Chuong district.

The police said the suspectshave been under surveillance for a long time. On the morning of October 15, they were caught red-handed while attempting to transport the drugs from Thanh Chuong to Nam Dan district.Employees monitor stock trades at the secondary securities trading floor of Hanoi Securities Trading Centre (HASTC). - VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hung

The benchmark VN-Index on the HCM Stock Exchange was up 0.64 per cent to close at 957.75 points.

The southern market index plunged 1.90 per cent to close at 951.64 points on Monday.

The HNX Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange increased by 0.63 per cent to end at 108.35 points.

The northern market index lost 1.90 per cent to end at 107.67 points on Monday.

More than 100.9 million shares were traded on the two local exchanges, worth VND1.8 trillion (US$76.3 million).

Market sentiment remained poor and investors were cautious after the stock market was rocked by a global sell-off last Thursday.

Large-cap stocks recovered with the blue chip VN30 Index gained 0.41 per cent to 932.38 points.

The indices were strongly supported by pillar stocks like Vietnam Joint Stock Bank of Investment and Development (BID), Masan Group (MSN), Military Bank (MBB), Vinhomes (VHM) and budget carrier Vietjet (VJC).

Oil-gas stocks performed well, with gainers PetroVietnam Drilling & Well Services Corporation (PVD), PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PVS), Vietnam National Petroleum Group (PLX) and PetroVietnam Gas JSC (GAS).

On a sector basis, 15 of the 20 sectors saw stocks climbing, including financial-banking, petroleum, food and beverage, and retail.

The afternoon trading session starts at 1pm.Vietnam will open its public procurement market after the EVFTA comes into effect. - Photo congthuong.vn

The agreement is expected to be signed at the end of this year and come into effect next year, when Vietnam will open its public procurement market for the first time.

The opening up of the public procurement market under EVFTA commitments is expected to make bidding more transparent and competitive, and offer a better quality of goods.

Goods from the 28 EU member nations will complement Vietnamese goods.

Meanwhile, investors will have to work more and more responsibility so that taxes are more effectively spent.

The opening of the market will also provide opportunities for Vietnamese contractors to reach the EUs large public procurement market, reported Thoi bao Tai chinh Vietnam (Vietnam Financial Times) newspaper.

Vietnam will have two options when selecting bidders under the agreement. In the first instance, only bidders and goods from EU countries that are part of the EVFTA will be allowed to take part in the bidding. For cases of a larger and more complex scale, Vietnam may add non-members of the EVFTA to ensure an efficient bidding process.

In the future, Vietnam also plans to encourage the private sector to get involved in the public procurement market. The Ministry of Finance is drafting this project which will assess the status of private enterprises participating in the public procurement market and markets providing public services.

It will also review the advantages and disadvantages to propose mechanisms and policies to encourage private enterprises to join these markets.

The project is expected to be implemented from 2019 to 2021.A group of NGOs in Cambodia have called on the European Union to suspend timber imports from Vietnam citing continuing deforestation of Cambodias dwindling forests.

In a statement last week, the NGOs said the EU should not sign a proposed Voluntary Partnership Agreement due to continued illegal logging.

Most of the timber Vietnam imports from Cambodia for re-export, the NGOs said, was laundered and gained through bribery of officials in Cambodia.

Often, the indigenous population is coerced and bullied into agreeing to sell their ancestral forests for a pittance, read the statement.

Ouch Leng, an anti-illegal logging activist, said he had asked the EU to review the evidence of illegalities in the forest sector before signing the agreement on Thursday.

I will resist until the EU changes its mind. Although it signed the agreement, we will collect support from the world to put the blame on the EU, he said, adding that enough evidence had been collected to prove the existence of timber smuggling from Cambodia to Vietnam.

In September, Sar Kheng, the interior minister, told officials in Battambang province that the government had collected evidence of illegal logging using satellite imagery.

Regarding filming by satellite, there is nothing to hide, meaning they conduct live screening for us to see where the wood is being transported. As [I] am aware, it seems to be in Mondulkiri province, he said.

The NGO statement submitted to the EU and Vietnam noted that weak governance and systematic corruption remain a key obstacle to improvements in forest management. These problems beset Cambodian society in general, but are exceptionally apparent in the timber business.

Keo Omalis, chief of the Ministry of Agricultures forestry administration, told VOA on Monday that there were loopholes in cross-border timber processing, paving the way for smuggling.

We will also discuss with Vietnamese delegation how to jointly prevent the flow of illegal timber along the borders, he said.

The EU embassy in Phnom Penh did not respond to a request for comment.

The NGOs recommended that the signing of the VPA should be postponed. It should be conditional on Vietnam declaring a moratorium on all timber imports from natural forests from Cambodia until a functioning and verifiable Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS) has been established under the VPA.The spread of fake news on social media can have a disastrous impact on democratic countries, according to news media experts.

Propaganda and fake news were discussed at the Third Asian Investigative Journalism Conference in Seoul, South Korea, this week, with some 50 speakers from across the world providing varying opinions on how to stem the flow of fake news.

Craig Silverman, the founding editor of Buzzfeed Canada, told VOA Khmer that fake news was making it difficult for society to distinguish between fact and fiction.

The danger of allowing false information, propaganda to take over is that we lose the society, we lose democracy and that is a really dangerous thing to think about. Propaganda and information control are absolutely core pieces of authoritarian and autocratic governments. And so the more that it takes over, the more that independent media, in fact, that media is being pushed down, the more risk we have of authoritarian society.

Chay Hofilena, the editor in chief and head of Rapplers investigations desk, said that fake news was having a particularly noticeable impact in Southeast Asia.

She added that cooperation between media institutions was important to prevent its spread.

Cambodia has also become a victim of the spread of fake news, with Facebook and other social media platforms becoming increasingly important in information flow during the July general election.

Nop Vy, media director of Voice of Democracy, a formerly pro-opposition media outlet in Cambodia, said the fake news was spread in bad faith.

"In a society where there are fewer and fewer independent journalists and more fake news, I think it is harmful to society."

He added that the Cambodian government should do more to prevent the spread of fake news and participating inaccurate fact-checking.

On May 28, the government issued new rules concerning the sharing of information online, but so far the rules have only been applied to a number of independent news outlets reporting critically of the government and ruling Cambodian Peoples Party.

Ouk Kimseng, an information ministry spokesman, said the fake news was a regional problem that Cambodia does not have a comprehensive solution to at present.

We already know that millions of messages appear within a second nowadays, so everyone has their own responsibility. We are ready to respond to anything as much as we can because the world is also busy with that issue.Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he is considering recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moving the country's embassy there from Tel Aviv.

Prime Minister Morrison told reporters Tuesday he was "open minded" about a suggestion made by Dave Sharma, a former ambassador to Israel. U.S. President Donald Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital last December, breaking with a long-standing policy that Jerusalem's status should be settled as part of a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. The U.S. Embassy officially opened in Jerusalem in May.

Sharma, a member of Morrison's ruling conservative Liberal Party, is running in a parliamentary by-election this Saturday in a district in Sydney with a Jewish population. If Sharma loses, the Liberals will lose its single-seat majority in the House of Representatives.

Penny Wong, a lawmaker with opposition Labor Party, accused the prime minister of putting politics ahead of Australia's long-term national interest.

Morrison's decision is also being greeted negatively in Indonesia, the worlds largest Muslim-majority nation. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is reporting that an unnamed Indonesian official said Morrison's announcement could jeopardize a landmark bilateral trade deal he and President Joko Widodo are scheduled to sign later this year.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki, who was visiting Jakarta on a diplomatic mission Tuesday, warned that Morrison is "risking Australia's trade and business relationship with the rest of the world," particularly the Muslim world, as well as violating both international law and U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Morrison insisted that his decision had nothing to do with either the Sydney by-election or from any pressure from the Trump administration, and said Australia would continue to support a two-state solution. He later told Parliament that he had briefed President Widodo during a phone call before his announcement.

"We will continue to work closely and cooperatively with our allies and our partners all around the world on these issues," Morrison said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was "very thankful" for his Australian counterpart's decision in a post on Twitter Tuesday.From Lough Foyle to Carlingford Lough, the border separating the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland snakes for about 500 kilometers through peaceful countryside.

Most of the time nowadays, travelers only know they have crossed from one side to the other of the partitioned island because of the difference in the color of the mailboxes or because road signs in the south use kilometers, while in the north theyre indicated in miles.

Border posts and checkpoints are a thing of a troubled past.



But that might change, if Britain leaves the European Union without an exit deal. The quiet, bucolic border separating the island of Ireland could well be both the victim and the cause of a sharp rupture between London and Brussels that would impact jobs and disrupt businesses on both sides of the English Channel.

European Council President Donald Tusk warned Monday that Britain is barreling toward a "no-deal Brexit," which, aside from hardline Brexiters in British Prime Minister Theresa Mays ruling Conservative party, no one on either side of the English Channel wants. A no-deal Brexit is "more likely than ever before, Tusk said just hours ahead of a summit of European leaders in Brussels that EU officials have billed as the moment of truth for Brexit.



Britains May will face EU leaders Wednesday to make what some believe could well amount to a final bid to persuade them to agree on more concessions and to rescue Brexit talks that have ground to a halt over how to avoid "hardening" the border in Ireland, which would involve the imposition of customs and immigration checks.

Britain agreed to remove checkpoints along the border in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement - a deal struck among London, Dublin and most political parties and armed factions in Northern Ireland that brought peace to Northern Ireland after decades of deadly violence known locally as "the Troubles."

Hopes of a breakthrough had been raised last week. British and EU officials thought they were close to an agreement about the Irish border, but on Sunday that all fell apart when it became clear Prime Minister May didnt have the full support of her Cabinet and that several key ministers were on the brink of resigning. Britains Brexit minister, Dominic Raab, made an unscheduled trip to Brussels to say the deal, known as the backstop, an EU backup plan to avoid a hard Irish border, was off.

The EU wants Northern Ireland, regardless of whether theres a subsequent trade deal with Britain, to remain inside the blocs customs union so as to avoid the necessity of border controls between the British province and the Irish Republic. Brussels is backed in this demand by the Irish government, which wants Northern Ireland to remain closely tied to European regulations on goods and services, including customs arrangements, after Britain leaves the bloc.



May says treating Northern Ireland differently from the rest of Britain would mean, in effect, that there would have to be a border in the Irish Sea, separating two parts of Britain.

The EU proposal on how to handle the Northern Ireland border threatens the integrity of our United Kingdom, she told British lawmakers Monday in bruising exchanges in the House of Commons. But Irelands foreign minister, Simon Coveney, says a backstop is essential.

No one wants to trigger the backstop, but it needs to be there as an insurance mechanism to calm nerves that we are not going to see physically a border infrastructure emerging on the island of Ireland, he said.

Britain has counter-proposed a different "backstop" instead, which would keep all of Britain in a customs union with the bloc temporarily, while a trade deal is negotiated with the EU. May told British lawmakers she believes an overall deal with the EU down the road is still achievable so that keeping Britain in a customs union to avoid a "hard" Irish border is merely a defensive position that would never actually be used.

Complicating the position for the British prime minister - and the EU - is that she heads a minority government and has to contend with a large, rebellious Conservative faction, led by former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and aristocratic lawmaker Jacob Rees-Mogg, which wants Britain to break sharply from the EU. At least three members of Mays Cabinet are aligned with the rebels.

The rebel faction, which possibly numbers more than 60 Conservative lawmakers, opposes Britain remaining for any length of time in a customs union with the EU as that would limit Britains power to strike trade deals around the world. The faction also fears a temporary customs union membership would turn into a permanent arrangement.

Even if a border deal with the EU is struck, the chances are high that May wont get parliamentary backing for it, because of opposition from the Conservative rebels and from Northern Irelands Democratic Unionist party, or DUP, whose 10 lawmakers in the House of Commons are needed by May to get legislation passed.

The DUP, a right-wing party opposed to reunification with the Republic of Ireland, says it wont accept any deal that treats Northern Ireland differently from the rest of Britain. The party says it's all a trick to thwart Britain exiting the EU. The partys leader in the House of Commons, Nigel Dodds, says Britain should leave the EU "together with no part hived off either in the single market or customs union differences.

The overall head of the DUP, Arlene Foster, says shes ready to scupper any deal she dislikes by collapsing Mays government. She believes Britain is now likely to leave without a deal and had a difficult and hostile exchange with the EUs chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, last week.

I dont see how she can get the votes to get this through. I think we have reached a breaking point, said Hugh Bennett, news editor at Guido Fawkes, a Conservative blog site.

Meanwhile, positions are hardening among British lawmakers who either dont want Britain to leave the EU or want to maintain close ties with Europe. More of them are supporting a call for another referendum on EU membership, on the grounds that parliament, as well as the ruling party, are hopelessly divided.Concerns about debt diplomacy on China's expansive infrastructure megaproject  the Belt and Road  have become an increasing source of debate from Asia to Africa and the Middle East. In recent weeks, more than $30 billion in projects have been scrapped and other loans and investments are under review.



Public opposition is also testing the resolve of ruling authorities from Hanoi to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, as concerns about Chinese investment build.

In late August, Malaysia's newly elected Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad canceled more than $20 billion in Belt and Road projects for railway and pipelines, and Pakistan lopped another $2 billion off plans for a railway following a decision late last year to cancel a $14 billion dam project, citing financial concerns. Nepal canceled its dam project last month and Sierra Leone announced last week that it was dropping an airport project over debt concerns.





In some countries such as Vietnam, it is just the idea of Chinese investment  against the backdrop of the Belt and Road  that has led to push back.

Following public protests, Vietnam recently decided to postpone plans for several special economic zones.



Several Belt and Road projects have seen setbacks in countries where debt concerns have coincided with political elections and a change of power  be it Pakistan, Malaysia or the Maldives, says economist Christopher Balding.



"The people in these countries are very worried about the level of debt that these countries are taking on in regard to China and I think that is very important to note," Balding said. "It's not just anti-China people that are driving this, but that there is a lot of concern on the ground in the countries about that."



China says there are no political strings attached to its investments and loans. It also argues it is providing funding in places others will not. But Beijing's takeover of a port in Sri Lanka last year and the sheer volume of Chinese investments along the Belt and Road project have done little to ease those concerns.



String of ports



Late last year, according to the New York Times, China agreed to forgive Sri Lanka's debt in exchange for a 99-year lease of Hambanthota Port and 15,000 acres of surrounding land.

The government of Sri Lanka denies it divested land to a Chinese company, but the deal has convinced some that China is setting up debt traps to then take over the infrastructure that Chinese state-run companies build.



Hambanthota is one of 42 ports where China has participated in construction and operations, with more on the horizon.

In 2021, China will take over operation of one of Israel's largest ports in Haifa. Beijing is also being eyed as a possible candidate for the development of Chabahar port in Iran, which is near the Iran-Pakistan border.

The port proposal remains in limbo, however, due to U.S. sanctions. And that's not the only obstacle, according to David Kelly, research director at the Beijing-based group China Policy.

"It's in the driest and most remote part of Iran," Kelly said. "It looks like a real loser commercially, unless it handles a lot of oil."

Analysts say the Middle East, with its oil money and deep pockets, is less at risk for debt traps.



However, the port that is most likely to follow in Sri Lanka's footsteps is Djibouti, a strategically important country on the Horn of Africa, where China recently established its first overseas military base.

According to official figures, Djibouti's debt is more than 88 percent of the GDP and China owns $1.4 billion of that. That kind of debt overhang could lead to the same type of concessionary agreements as in Sri Lanka, analysts note.



Debt traps



A report released earlier this year by Washington, D.C.-based Center for Global Development said 23 of the 68 countries where China is investing for Belt and Road projects are at high risk of debt distress. Another eight, including Djibouti, are vulnerable to debt distress linked to future projects.



China argues its investments are aimed at boosting trade and commerce and giving developing countries a leg up.



China Policy's Kelly says places where the debt situation is more critical are countries such as land-locked and poverty-stricken Zambia. There, concerns are causing a very public push for the government to disclose the full burden of Chinese debt.



"The upset and upheaval in Zambia recently, where you've got African civil society coming out and making this case," Kelly said, "That is always going to be more significant where you have the local people, making a local case."



BRI indigestion



Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow with the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, says cancellations and changes are what he calls Belt and Road indigestion.



Concerns about debt traps and debt diplomacy will not have an impact on China going forward, he says, but stops, starts and cancellations will continue.



Oh says China's model of development  build infrastructure and the economy will grow  may have worked at home, but it doesn't always fit along the Belt and Road.



"In many of these Belt and Road initiative countries, if you lay out the infrastructure, it doesn't automatically mean that trade and investment will take place," Oh said, "Some of these projects will have to be more attuned to the local requirements of particular countries."China is defending its mass internment of Muslim ethnic minorities, saying it is preventing terrorism by helping them improve job skills, by teaching them the Mandarin language and encouraging them to accept modern science.

A senior Chinese official made that argument in a report released Tuesday, the latest action in a broad campaign to defend its internment of Uighurs, Kazakhs and other minorities in the face of growing criticism.

The report, published by China's official Xinhua News Agency, said the ruling Communist Party's vision for the far western Xinjiang region is the assimilation of the indigenous Central Asian ethnic groups into Chinese culture and introducing them to a "modern" way of life.

Governor Shohrat Zakir said in the report the extrajudicial internment of the Muslims was an effort to provide "free vocational training" in centers. He said they are paid a "basic income" during the training and that free food and accommodations are provided.

China's Communist Party has resisted Western pressure related to the internment camps. The resistance is seen as an indication of China's growing faith in President Xi Jinping, the country's most powerful leader in decades.

China has insisted that its vast police pursuit and surveillance program is needed to counter latent extremism and to maintain stability.

Former detainees have described the facilities as political indoctrination camps where they were forced to condemn Islam and declare loyalty to the Communist Party.

Turkik-speaking Uighurs have resented restrictions on their religious practices and have complained about widespread discrimination in the job market and obtaining access to passports.

The United Nations estimates about 1 million Uighurs, Kazakhs and other minorities have been arbitrarily detained in China. The U.N. said in August that the detentions were "deeply disturbing."

The U.N. report preceded a U.S. congressional study released last week that concluded the protection of human rights in China has been on a "downward trajectory by virtually every measure" since President Xi assumed power in 2012.

The bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China accused Beijing of initiating an "unprecedented" campaign to repress ethnic minorities and said such abuses "may constitute crimes against humanity."

The commission report proposed legislation urging U.S. President Donald Trump to condemn "gross violations" of human rights in the Xinjiang region and for Trump to press Xi to immediately close the "political re-education camps."A senior Chinese diplomat in Pakistan has taken to social media to reject as "baseless" Western allegations that China is committing massive human rights abuses in its neighboring northwestern Xinjiang border region.

Beijing is blamed by the U.S. and international rights defenders for reportedly running mass detention centers filled with ethnic Uighur and other Muslims to force them to denounce their religious beliefs.

In a series of tweets in the past few days, Deputy Chief of the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad Lijian Zhao described the charges as "groundless." Instead, he asserted the Chinese government "protects its citizens' right to freedom and religious belief and people of all ethnic groups enjoy freedom of religious belief in accordance with law."

Beijing maintains Xinjiang faces a serious threat from Islamist militants and separatists, who plot attacks and fuel tension between the Uighur community and members of the ethnic Han Chinese majority.

"Since the 1990s, thousands of terrorist incidents happened in Xinjiang. There is zero terrorist attack in 21 months," Zhao tweeted Tuesday. He went on to insist that sustained Chinese efforts have led to "social stability and a sound momentum" of economic development in the region.

However, it was not possible to independently verify statistics Zhao shared on social media.

Discussions are under way within the U.S. government on possible economic penalties in response to reports of Chinese rights abuses in Xinjiang.

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers recently wrote to the State Department asking for it to impose sanctions on Chinese officials allegedly overseeing the policies in Xinjiang.

Beijing sees the U.S. using Xinjiang-related issues as interference in China's internal affairs.

Pakistan-based diplomat Zhao uses his Twitter account to disseminate information about progress on China-funded infrastructure projects under construction in Pakistan. He is regarded as a celebrity among Pakistanis because of his daily tweets on topics ranging from Pakistani economic to foreign policy issues.

Zhao swiftly responded to domestic and foreign critics of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor who, among other things, complain the project is burdening Islamabad with expensive Chinese debt. Both Pakistani and Chinese officials maintain CPEC has created more than 70,000 local jobs and contributed to Pakistan's GDP growth stemming from Chinese grants, direct investment and concessional loans.

Beijing has already invested more than $19 billion in the past four years to help Islamabad build highways, energy plants and ports under the CPEC, that it declared flagship projects of President Xi Jinping's global Belt and Road Initiative.

The massive cooperation project will ultimately connect Xinjiang with the Chinese-built and operated southern Pakistani port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea, giving Beijing the shortest access to international markets.

The CPEC is expected to bring more than $62 billion in Chinese investment to Pakistan by 2030 to build, among other projects, special economic zones to help improve and expand manufacturing capacity to enable Islamabad to increase exports to bring much-needed foreign exchange to the cash-starved country.

Pakistani citizens and small traders who regularly travel by road to Xinjiang complain of relatively harsh treatment by Chinese border authorities on arrival. Uighur men and women also used to frequently travel to Pakistan in large numbers until recently. But the Uighur travelers to Pakistan have dramatically declined in recent years, allegedly due to an anti-Muslim crackdown in Xinjiang.

Local media reports say some Uighur women married Pakistanis during their prolonged stay in the country, but years later when they went back to Xinjiang to see their parents, Chinese officials allegedly detained them for interrogation and their Pakistani spouses complain they remain uninformed about the whereabouts of their wives. The Chinese government has not responded to complaints reported in Pakistani newspapers.Almost a week after Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle, Mexico Beach Mayor Al Cathey said two more deaths had been confirmed in the small seaside town.

Cathey said Tuesday that the victims were a man and a woman who lived in separate homes and had not evacuated. He did not give the victims' names or say how they died.

The announcement brought to 12 the number of people killed in Bay County, which includes Mexico Beach and another hard-hit town, Panama City.

The county took a direct hit from Hurricane Michael, one of the most intense hurricanes to ever hit the United States.

According to the Associated Press, the storm death toll stood at 16 in Florida and 10 combined in Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina.

Life in the hard-hit areas improved drastically as widespread cellphone service returned Tuesday for the first time since the storm.

Residents began to return to the devastated town in search of anything that could help them rebuild their lives.

"We really don't know our plan. We just came to take a first look of the house, analyze and maybe come up with a long-term plan, hopefully," Joseph Bran of Mexico Beach said as he searched through the debris of his home.

Another Mexico Beach resident looked on the bright side. "I love it here, the sunset is beautiful, and the Gulf of Mexico got the best fishes of the world," Scott Collins said.

Cristina Caicedo Smit of VOA's Latin American service contributed to this report.Egypt's president urged Russia on Tuesday to resume direct flights to Egyptian resorts as he discussed ways to bolster ties with Russian officials and lawmakers.

Moscow suspended the flights after a bomb planted by the Islamic State group brought a Russian passenger plane down over Sinai in October 2015, killing all 224 people on board.

Flights between Moscow and Cairo resumed in April after Egyptian officials beefed up airport security. Talks about restoring direct air travel to Egypt's Red Sea resorts have dragged on.

Addressing the Russian parliament's upper house, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi emphasized that restoring the flights was essential for Egypt's tourism industry.

Following meetings in Moscow with top Russian lawmakers and Cabinet ministers, el-Sissi met over dinner with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi later in the day.

The two leaders have developed a close personal rapport and sought to expand bilateral ties, which have strengthened considerably over the past few years.

El-Sissi is on his fourth trip to Russia since taking office in 2014, and Putin visited Egypt in 2015 and 2017.

Egypt has signed deals to buy billions of dollars' worth of Russian weapons, including fighter jets and assault helicopters. When Putin visited Cairo last December, officials signed a deal for Russia to build a nuclear power plant in Dabaa.

Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, told reporters that the two presidents will discuss the implementation of the nuclear plant contract, as well as prospects for the resumption of flights to the Red Sea resorts and other issues.

He said that el-Sissi will be offered a presentation of Russian weapons, including those which Egypt has expressed interest in buying.

Ushakov noted that bilateral trade rose by 62 percent last year reaching $6.7 billion and continued to expand at a swift pace this year.

Russian grain exports currently account for about 70 percent of Egypt's needs, he said

Ushakov added that Putin and el-Sissi will discuss international issues, focusing on the situation in Syria, Libya, Yemen and the Palestinian-Israeli settlement.

Following broader talks Wednesday, the two presidents are set to sign a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that would further boost Russian-Egyptian ties.Facebook Inc will ban false information about voting requirements and fact-check fake reports of violence or long lines at polling stations ahead of next month's U.S. midterm elections, company executives told Reuters, the latest effort to reduce voter manipulation on its service.

The world's largest online social network, with 1.5 billion daily users, has stopped short of banning all false or misleading posts, something that Facebook has shied away from as it would likely increase its expenses and leave it open to charges of censorship.

The latest move addresses a sensitive area for the company, which has come under fire for its lax approach to fake news reports and disinformation campaigns, which many believe affected the outcome of the 2016 presidential election, won by Donald Trump.

The new policy was disclosed by Facebook's cybersecurity policy chief, Nathaniel Gleicher, and other company executives.

The ban on false information about voting methods, set to be announced later on Monday, comes six weeks after Senator Ron Wyden asked Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg how Facebook would counter posts aimed at suppressing votes, such as by telling certain users they could vote by text, a hoax that has been used to reduce turnout in the past.

The information on voting methods becomes one of the few areas in which falsehoods are prohibited on Facebook, a policy enforced by what the company calls "community standards" moderators, although application of its standards has been uneven. It will not stop the vast majority of untruthful posts about candidates or other election issues.

We dont believe we should remove things from Facebook that are shared by authentic people if they dont violate those community standards, even if they are false, said Tessa Lyons, product manager for Facebook's News Feed feature that shows users what friends are sharing.

Links to discouraging reports about polling places that may be inflated or misleading will be referred to fact-checkers under the new policy, Facebook said. If then marked as false, the reports will not be removed but will be seen by fewer of the poster's friends.

Such partial measures leave Facebook more open to manipulation by users seeking to affect the election, critics say.

Russia, and potentially other foreign parties, are already making "pervasive" efforts to interfere in upcoming U.S. elections, the leader of Trump's national security team said in early August.

Just days before that, Facebook said it uncovered a coordinated political influence campaign to mislead its users and sow dissension among voters, removing 32 pages and accounts from Facebook and Instagram. Members of Congress briefed by Facebook said the methodology suggested Russian involvement.

Trump has disputed claims that Russia has attempted to interfere in U.S. elections. Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied it.

Weighing ban on hacked material

Facebook instituted a global ban on false information about when and where to vote in 2016, but Monday's move goes further, including posts about exaggerated identification requirements.

Facebook executives are also debating whether to follow Twitter Inc's recent policy change to ban posts linking to hacked material, Gleicher told Reuters in an interview.

The dissemination of hacked emails from Democratic party officials likely played a role in tipping the 2016 presidential election to Trump, and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats has warned that Russia has recently been attempting to hack and steal information from U.S. candidates and government officials.

A blanket ban on hacked content, however, would limit exposure to other material some believe serves the public interest, such as the so-called Panama Papers, which in 2015 made public the extensive use of offshore tax havens by the world's wealthy.

Months ago, senior Facebook executives briefly debated banning all political ads, which produce less than 5 percent of the company's revenue, sources said. The company rejected that because product managers were loath to leave advertising dollars on the table and policy staffers argued that blocking political ads would favor incumbents and wealthy campaigners who can better afford television and print ads.

Instead, the company checks political ad buyers for proof of national residency and keeps a public archive of who has bought what.

Facebook also takes a middle ground on the authenticity of personal accounts. It can use automated activity it finds to disable pages spreading propaganda, as happened last week, but it does not require phone numbers or other proof of individual identity before allowing people to open accounts in the first place.

On the issue of fake news, Facebook has held off on a total ban, instead limiting the spread of articles marked as false by vetted fact-checkers. However, that approach can leave fact-checkers overwhelmed and able to tackle only the most viral hoaxes.

Without a clear and transparent policy to curb the deliberate spread of false information that applies across platforms, we will continue to be vulnerable, said Graham Brookie, head of the Atlantic Councils Digital Forensic Research Lab.The organizer of a migrant caravan from Honduras was detained Tuesday in Guatemala after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw funding and aid from Honduras if the flow of migrants north to the United States was not stopped.

Guatemalan police detained Bartolo Fuentes, a former member of the Honduran Congress, from the middle of a large crowd he and three other organizers had led from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, since Saturday, bound for Mexico.

The Honduran security ministry said Fuentes was detained because he "did not comply with Guatemalan immigration rules" and would be deported back to Honduras in the coming hours.

Up to 3,000 migrants, according to organizers' estimates, crossed from Honduras into Guatemala on Monday on a trek northward, after a standoff with Guatemalan police in riot gear and warnings from Washington that migrants should not try to enter the United States illegally.

Guatemala's government has not given official figures for how many migrants are in the group.

Trump tweet

"The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!" Trump wrote on Twitter.

It was Trump's latest effort to demonstrate his administration's tough stance on immigration.

The message was driven home by Vice President Mike Pence, who wrote in a tweet that he had spoken to Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez.

"Delivered strong message from @POTUS: no more aid if caravan is not stopped. Told him U.S. will not tolerate this blatant disregard for our border & sovereignty," Pence tweeted.

The move could further encourage Honduras to move closer to China because of what the Central American country sees as weak U.S. support, amid intensified efforts by Beijing to win recognition from Central American countries currently aligned with Taiwan.

Hernandez said last month that cuts in U.S. support for Central America would hinder efforts to stem illegal immigration. He welcomed China's growing diplomatic presence in the region as an "opportunity."

In an interview with Reuters, Hernandez lamented that prior U.S. commitments to step up investment in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador had been scaled back since Trump took office.

Honduras is one of a dwindling number of countries that still have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, an island nation off the Chinese coast that Beijing views as a renegade province.

Last week, Pence told Central American countries the United States was willing to help with economic development and investment if they did more to tackle mass migration, corruption and gang violence. Thousands of migrants have left the impoverished region in recent years.

Growing group

The current group making their way north plan to seek refugee status in Mexico or pass through to the United States, saying they are fleeing poverty and violence.

The group more than doubled in size from Saturday, when it set off from northern Honduras in what has been dubbed the "March of the Migrant," an organizer said.

"What Trump says doesn't interest us," organizer Fuentes said in an interview shortly before his detention. "These people are fleeing. These people are not tourists."

He was traveling with hordes of men, women and children, packs in hand, walking northward on a Guatemalan highway about 55 miles (89 km) from the border with Honduras.

Widespread violence and poverty prompt thousands of Central Americans, mainly from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, to make the arduous journey north toward Mexico and the United States in search of a better life.

Guatemala said in a statement on Sunday that it did not promote or endorse "irregular migration." Guatemalan police initially blocked migrants from reaching a customs booth, Reuters images showed.

Trump ran for president in 2016 on promises to toughen U.S. immigration policies and build a wall along the 2,000-mile (3,220-km) border with Mexico.

Illegal immigration is likely to be a top issue in Nov. 6 U.S. congressional elections, when Democrats are seen as having a good chance of gaining control of the House of Representatives from Trump's fellow Republicans.While Russian and Iranian-backed Bashar al-Assad's regime is consolidating its grip on most areas once controlled by various rebel groups in Syria, Iran's involvement and military footprints in the country have some experts and U.S. lawmakers concerned that Tehran might be in the process of establishing long-term presence in Syria in an effort to project regional power in the long term.

"These countries [Russia and Iran] are digging into Syria preparing for the long haul, and the implications for the U.S. interests and those of our partners are still coming into focus," Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said during a recent congressional hearing on U.S policy in Syria.

Lehtinen added that U.S. needs a "coherent" and "comprehensive" strategy to prevent Iran's growing influence in the region.

"After signing a deal for additional military cooperation with Assad last month, Iran is showing no signs of leaving Syria anytime soon. The U.S. needs a comprehensive and coherent strategy for Syria that rolls back Iranian influence in the Middle East," she said.

Some analysts such as Majid Rafizadeh, president of International American Council on the Middle East, echo Lehtinen's concerns and call for measures to stop Iran's encroachment in Syria and the region.

"Iran is solidifying its presence in Syria in three different approaches: militarily, economically and politically. Tehran is sealing long-term deals and agreements with the weak Syrian state to 'reconstruct the Syrian military industry,'" Rafizadeh told VOA.

"This will give the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp], the Quds Force and Iran's intelligence the perfect excuse to remain in Syria, set up more military bases, and further infiltrate Syria's security apparatuses," Rafizadeh added.

Indefinite stay

Iran's engagement in Syria began gradually since the start of the country's civil war in 2011, initially in the form of providing military advisers to the Syrian regime. The engagement later morphed into a full-scale military intervention where the regime sent its forces and employed its proxies to fight alongside Assad to crack down on the various Syrian rebel groups in the country.

Last August, Amir Hatami, Iran's minister of defense, made a two-day visit to Syria to meet with Assad. During the visit, Hatami agreed to a defense cooperation agreement with his Syrian counterpart, Ali Abdullah Ayoub.

Following Hatami's visit, Iran's military attache in Damascus, Abolghasem Alinejad, was quoted by an Iranian state news agency that Iranian advisers would remain in Syria indefinitely.

"The continued presence of Iran's advisers in Syria is one of the areas covered in the defensive-technical agreement between Tehran and Damascus," Alinejad told Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) last year.

$16 billion

Iran reportedly has been spending billions of dollars in the Middle East to gain influence and prop up regimes.

According to a report published by the U.S. Department of State earlier this month, Iran has spent about $16 billion to destabilize the Middle East by funding proxies in different countries including Yemen, Iraq and Syria.

"Since 2012, Iran has spent over $16 billion propping up the Assad regime and supporting its other partners and proxies in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen," the report said.

Sunni Shi'ite dynamics

Some experts are also charging that Tehran is trying to take advantage of the demographic changes and displacements of people in Syria by seeking to increase the dominance of the country's Shi'ites at the expense of marginalizing Sunnis.

"Iran brought the families of its [Shi'ite] militias from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq to live in the properties that used to belong to the Sunni communities before displacing the Sunnis to other areas. Iran was also behind issuing decree No. 10 in Syria," Hanin Ghaddar, an expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told VOA.

Ghaddar was referring to what is known as Law No. 10 in Syria, which is a decree, issued by the Syrian president in April to plan the reconstruction of areas destroyed by war.

The law seizes the properties of displaced Syrians unless they prove the ownership of their properties in 30 days, which many analysts say is almost impossible because of the scale of the destruction and the fear of potential persecution by the Syrian regime.

U.S. policy

U.S. officials repeatedly urged Iran to remove its forces from Syria, but Iranian officials maintain that their presence in the country is legitimate under the request of the government in Damascus.

Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that Syria will not receive U.S aid for reconstruction if Iran continues to have troops inside the country.

"If Syria doesn't ensure the total withdrawal of Iranian-backed troops, it will not receive one single dollar from the United States for reconstruction," Pompeo said in his keynote address at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, a pro-Israel group.

Pompeo also said the U.S. would focus on initiating a peaceful political process and the removal of all Iranian troops and proxies from Syria.

But some analysts charge that Iran's total exit from Syria might take time, but there are steps that could be taken to contain Iran's influence.

"There can be many steps taken to contain Iran at this point. The demographic changes need to be countered, the refugees return, containing Hezbollah in Lebanon, working with local allies, working with local tribes, cutting the land bridge," Ghaddar, of the Washington Institute, said.

Ghaddar believes that a political change in Syria will also be an effective tool to limit Iran's presence in Syria.

"A political change in Syria will limit Iran's presence depending on what kind of political change we are talking about," Ghaddar said.

"If we are talking about transitional period where Assad regime goes, which does not seem like it at this point, and we look at a new power, new people and a new elections then, yes, this will contain Iran's power in Syria because at the end of the day they are considered a foreign legion," she added.Iran is urging neighboring Pakistan to cooperate in securing freedom for 14 Iranian border guards, including intelligence officers, after militants kidnapped them Tuesday in a predawn raid along the border.

The abductees were stationed at a border post in Iran's Mirjaveh area when they came under attack from counterrevolutionary groups, said Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in a statement carried on state media.

The kidnapping occurred in Iran's southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan province, which has a long history of unrest from separatist militants. It borders Pakistans sparsely populated province of Baluchistan.

"We expect Pakistan to confront these terrorist groups that are supported by some regional states and immediately release the kidnapped Iranian forces," the media wing of the IRGC said. It did not name any country, but Iran blames rival Saudi Arabia for supporting anti-Iran groups, allegations Riyadh denies.

Senior Pakistani officials in the provincial capital of Quetta said they have not received any official communication from the Iranian side regarding the incident.

As a routine matter, they (Iranians) always inform us in writing when such incidents happen but so far they have not contacted us, provincial Home Secretary Haider Ali told VOA.

Iranian leaders allege anti-Iran militants use Pakistani territory for plotting cross-border attacks. The allegation remains a source of tension in Islamabads otherwise friendly and traditionally close relationship with Tehran.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility, although some Iranian media reported the the Jaish ul-Adl terrorist group was behind the kidnapping.

The remote Iranian border region where Tuesdays incident occurred has been the scene of clashes involving Iranian forces and militants as well as drug traffickers.

Last month, Iranian guards killed four militants at a border crossing with Pakistan, including the deputy commander of Jaish ul-Adl. The militant outfit has been blamed for attacks on Iranian military targets.

Pakistan and Iran share a more than 900-kilometer-long border. In recent months, the Pakistani military has deployed thousands of additional troops on the border to boost security. Islamabad previously has captured and handed over to Tehran leaders and members of anti-Iran groups.

Baluchistan itself is under attack from local Baloch insurgents. The Pakistani province, which also borders Afghanistan, allegedly shelters members of the Taliban insurgency fighting U.S.-backed Afghan security forces on the other side.

Iranian separatists justify their violent campaign, saying it is retaliation for what they call Irans oppression against Sistan-Baluchistans predominantly Sunni population.

Last month, militants disguised as Iranian soldiers opened fire on a military parade in southwestern Iran, killing 24 people and wounding dozens more.Negotiators from North and South Korea, along with the U.S.-led United Nations Command, are holding their first talks Tuesday on demilitarizing a section of the heavily fortified border that separates the rival Koreas.

The talks will take place in the so-called Joint Security Area, which the three sides have controlled since the Korean War ended with a truce in 1953, leaving North and South Korea in a technical state of war.

During their third summit in Pyongyang last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in reached an agreement to disarm the JSA, including clearing mines buried within the small area, and removing guard posts, surveillance and other military equipment by the end of the year.

The Joint Security Area is the only spot within the Demilitarized Zone where troops from North and South Korea stand face-to-face. The area has long been used for diplomatic engagement. The JSA is also the scene of a bloody incident in 1976, when two U.S. Army officers were killed by ax-wielding North Korean soldiers.

During high-level talks Monday in the truce village of Panmunjom, the two Koreas agreed to begin a joint project to modernize and connect their rail and roadways before the end of the year. They also agreed to hold Red Cross talks related to families separated by the Korean War at the North's Mount Kumgang Resort in November.The United Nations refugee agency warns the mass expulsion of an estimated 200,000 Congolese from Angola into Congos unstable Kasai Central Province could trigger a humanitarian crisis.

Ethnic tensions that triggered a brutal conflict in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2016 are still running high. The U.N. refugee agency says the arrival of another 200,000 people into the area could further destabilize this fragile region.

Over the past two weeks, Angola has expelled the Congolese migrants, who were working as informal miners in the northeastern part of the country. Angolan authorities say they want to shut down this illegal activity.

But, UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch says the sudden arrival of such a huge number of people has created a chaotic situation in Kasai, which is unprepared to handle them.

People have been arriving in DRC through different border points with whatever belongings they can bring. We have heard complaints of violence, including sexual violence and harassment, bodily frisking and theft of belongings, at the hands of the security forces on both sides of the border, he said.

Baloch says the UNHCR is also concerned about reports that a small number of refugees may have been caught up in the mass movement and been forced to return to the DRC. Angola currently hosts some 68,000 refugees and asylum seekers.

The UNHCR notes that mass expulsions are contrary to obligations under the African Charter. The agency is appealing to the governments of Angola and the DRC to work together to ensure safe and orderly returns.

In the meantime, it says those who have been forcibly returned are in dire straits. Most have few if any belongings and all are in need of food, water, shelter, and other basic services.The search for what happened to missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi progressed on several fronts Tuesday, with Turkish crime scene investigators finishing an inspection of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meeting with Saudi leaders in Riyadh.

The U.S.-based cable television network CNN and the New York Times also reported Saudi Arabia was preparing to admit Khashoggi was killed after he entered the consulate on October 2. The reports, citing unnamed sources, said the Saudi government would blame Khashoggi's death on an interrogation gone wrong.

Up until this point, Saudi officials have strongly denied accusations by Turkish officials that Khashoggi was killed, saying instead he left the diplomatic outpost on his own. Neither side has publicly shown clear evidence to back up its claim, and the two governments agreed on a joint working group to probe Khashoggi's disappearance.

After talks with Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Tuesday, the State Department said Pompeo "thanked the King for his commitment to supporting a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation of Jamal Khashoggis disappearance." Pompeo also met with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he was dispatching Pompeo to U.S. ally Saudi Arabia "to find out really, firsthand, what happened."

"He may go to Turkey, he may not. He may meet with all of them together," Trump said. "But we want to find out what happened. And he's got instructions to find out what happened."

Trump said King Salman in a telephone call Monday denied having any knowledge of what happened to Khashoggi, who in his writing for the Washington Post was a critic of the heir to the Saudi throne, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

"His denials to me could not have been stronger," Trump said at the White House. "Maybe I do not want to get into his mind, but it sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers - I mean, who knows?"

David Mack, a scholar at the Middle East Institute and a former ambassador, told VOA that what Saudi Arabia is accused of would be hard to get away with in the United States, but is possible for Saudi Arabia given its tight controls on the media and discipline instituted by the royal family.

"I suppose possible that Saudi Arabia will be able to sell this, however I think most people would be very dubious that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had not had some hand in the matter or knowledge that it was taking place," Mack said.

Khashoggi was living in self-imposed exile in the United States. He went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to get documents he needed to marry his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, a Turkish national who waited in vain outside for Khashoggi to return.

Trump told the CBS news show "60 Minutes" on Sunday that Saudi Arabia would face "severe punishment" if it is determined Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate, but Riyadh dismissed the U.S. threat and said it would retaliate if Trump took any action against Saudi Arabia.

In protest of Khashoggi's disappearance, several U.S. businesses leaders have pulled out of next week's Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, dubbed "Davos in the Desert," after the annual meeting of world economic interests in Switzerland.Mabinty lives in a village in Guineas Boke region, about 250 kilometers northwest of Conakry, the capital.

Like much of Boke, Mabintys village has been covered in a film of red dirt.

A spring that once supplied fresh water to her village has been filled with thick mud. Nearby streams have dried up. The landscape, once green and brown, is now mostly rust-colored.

These are the effects of bauxite mining.

In Guinea, the bauxite business is booming. But the government, eager to grab a share of the global market, has done little to protect villagers and wildlife, Human Rights Watch concluded in a report published this month.

The biggest problem of the past few years is (a) focus on growth and profit instead of environmental and social protection, said Jim Wormington, a researcher in Human Rights Watchs Africa division and the author of the bauxite report.

Mining officials dispute those findings, but all sides agree that the bauxite business has redefined Guineas export economy and reshaped large swaths of land, especially in Boke.

Rapid growth

Bauxite is the ore that makes aluminum. Its used in everything from foil to cars and planes, a vital ingredient in manufacturing in the United States and, increasingly, China.

Since 2015, Guineas bauxite market has grown dramatically. When Indonesia and Malaysia banned bauxite mining in recent years, the Guinean government saw an opportunity, Wormington said.

They invited international mining companies to access their rich reserves, making the country the worlds third-biggest supplier of bauxite in 2017.

Once mined, ore needs to be moved from the countryside to ports for shipping. Thats led to an improved transportation infrastructure of roads and railways, Wormington told VOA.

The effects on those closest to the mining have, however, been decidedly negative, he said.

Bauxite mining is a messy process. The ore can be found just below topsoil, making it quick and easy to reach.

Accessing the ore, however, means moving mounds of clay-like earth, which end up in the air, in the water and across nearby land, covering pastures where animals graze. Once they unearth it, miners use dynamite to break up bauxite before transporting it.

Land deals

The impact on nearby villagers and the many subsistence farmers who live in the Guinean countryside has been profound, HRW found. Many Guinean farmers have traditional land rights. Without formal paperwork proving their ownership, theyre vulnerable.

When mining companies come in, they come in with this extraordinary power, where the government has given them the right to land, Wormington said.

A typical land deal involves a small, one-time cash payment to a local family or farmer. The payment isnt enough to overly inconvenience the mining company, nor transform the life of the average Guinean.

Outdated findings?

La Societe Miniere de Boke (SMB), a consortium of companies that includes the worlds biggest aluminum producer, China Hongqiao Group, has become Guineas largest bauxite exporter, after just three years of operations.

In an interview with Guineenews, an online news site focused on Guinea, Frederic Bouzigues, the director general of SMB, said he appreciated HRWs open and constructive approach. He took issue, however, with what he characterized as outdated and anecdotal findings.

Most of the points raised in the study have been the subject of corrective actions for quite a long time, Bouzigues told Guineenews, speaking in French. Ongoing research should be conducted, he added, to determine whether mining companies are updating their practices in response to concerns.

Some of HRWs findings may capture some residents realities, Bouzigues said, but they dont reflect the general opinion of the inhabitants of the area.

Government responsibility

Frustrations with perceived government indifference to the consequences of bauxite mining led to riots last year in which several people were killed.

Whats most concerning from a sustainability standpoint, Wormington said, is how quickly bauxite mining has grown, and how much it might continue expanding. Last year, China and Guinea agreed to a deal to send $20 billion in bauxite to China over the next two decades.

The situation could deteriorate quickly, if steps arent taken to balance profits with sustainable development.

It is primarily the governments responsibility, not companies, to protect communities from the impacts of mining, Wormington said.

Discussions are under way in China about the need to develop sustainable development practices, both by Chinese companies and regulators. But China is one of many players mining in Guinea, and its ultimately up to the Guinean government, Wormington said, to protect its people.

The companies themselves should be doing so, but really the obligation is on the government itself to regulate the sector effectively, he said.

SMB and Guinean government officials did not respond to VOAs requests for comment before publication.Native Americans across the United States have reacted with anger over the results of a DNA test that proves claims by Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren that she has Native ancestry.

The report by Stanford University biochemist Carlos Bustamante concluded that Warren has largely European ancestry, but "strongly support the existence of" a Native American ancestor six to 10 generations ago.

Since 2012, Warren, who was identified in professional directories as a minority for years, has repeatedly claimed Cherokee and Delaware Indian heritage, citing family folklore. She has also denied using the claim to advance her academic and political careers.

The Cherokee Nation was quick to condemn the Bustamente report.

"A DNA test is useless to determine tribal citizenship," Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. said in a statement Monday. "Current DNA tests do not even distinguish whether a persons ancestors were indigenous to North or South America.

Hoskin added that the "innappropriate" claim dishonors legitimate tribes and their citizens.

Her tree was traced to the colonial era and turned up nothing, David Cornsilk, historian and genealogist and citizen of the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee, told VOA.

The outrage was shared by members of many other tribes.

Kim TallBear, a citizen of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate in South Dakota and professor at the University of Alberta who specializes in the intersection of science and racial politics, issued a statement accusing Warren and "much of the U.S. public" of ceding the issue of Indigenous identity to mostly white geneticists and not to tribes themselves.

The U.S. state was and continues to be built upon appropriations of resources from Indigenous peoples, she wrote.

Posts by Native Americans in social media reflect a weariness at having to repeatedly remind non-Natives that being Native is not solely about bloodlines but belonging to tribal communities.

The problem with using genealogy and genetic ancestry testing to find your mysterious Indigenous ancestry that was always part of your family lore is that such new discoveries whitewash the lived experiences of actual Indigenous people, wrote historian and anthropologist Ferris Kade (Ojibwe/Metis) on his Dibaajimowin blog.

Racialization of indigenous identity, rather than such identity being connected to community and kinship, could end up focusing negative attention on tribes and how tribes are funded, with the argument being that races cannot receive special treatment, he told VOA. That's why the wholesale acceptance of Elizabeth Warren's DNA-based claim to an indigenous identity is so harmful - because it is an existential threat to tribes themselves.

He added, If everyone with a drop of Native blood is able to claim to be indigenous without question, then it becomes a matter of race - no different than people who are 100 percent Irish every St. Patrick's Day.

Million dollar bet

Trump has repeatedly mocked Warrens claims, dubbing her Pocahontas, after the 17th century daughter of a Powhatan chief closely associated with British settlers in Virginia. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump vowed to contribute $1 million to Warren's favorite charity if a DNA test proved her assertions.

Trump said Monday he would only make good on the bet if he could test her personally.

Warren said she would hold him to the bet, asking him to donate the money to the National Indigenous Womens Resource Center (NIWRC), a nonprofit which works to end gender-based violence against Native and Indigenous people.

We appreciate Senator Warren's push to bring awareness to violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and families, who all too often are invisible to most Americans, NIWRC responded in a statement on its website.

"We will continue to do this lifesaving work with or without the Presidents donation, said NIWRC Board Chairwoman Cherrah Giles, a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Oklahoma.The Nigerian government says a second female aid worker kidnapped earlier this year by an extremist Islamic group has been murdered.

The information ministry late Monday identified the victim as Hauwa Mohammed Liman, who worked at a hospital supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Liman and Saifura Khorsa, who also worked for the ICRC, were abducted in March during a raid on the remote town of Rann in Borno state, along with Alice Loksha, a nurse who worked at a health center supported by the U.N.'s children agency UNICEF. The women were kidnapped by militants with the Islamic State West Africa Province, a breakaway faction of the Islamic State-affiliated group Boko Haram.

The group murdered Khorsa last month, and released a video threatening to kill one of the other women by Monday if the government did not meet its demands, which have not been revealed.

The Information Ministry said the government "kept the line of negotiations" with the captors open, and did "all within its powers" to save Liman's life.

The news of Hauwas death has broken our hearts, said ICRCs Regional Director for Africa, Patricia Danzi. We appealed for mercy and an end to such senseless murders. How can it be that two female health care workers were killed back-to-back? Nothing can justify this.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the killing of Hauwa Mohammed Liman and expressed concern for all remaining hostages, in a statement issued by his spokesman.

In addition to Loksha, the ISWAP is also holding 15-year-old Leah Sharibu, a 15-year-old Christian schoolgirl kidnapped in February from the town of Dapchi.

Boko Haram, which promotes an extreme form of Islamist fundamentalism and opposes Western-style education, is blamed for the deaths of more than 30,000 people and for the dislocation of more than two million others as part of an insurgency that began in 2009. The group made international headlines in April 2014 when it abducted 276 schoolgirls from a secondary school in the northeastern Nigerian town of Chibok. According to #BringBackOurGirls, the social media campaign and organization that formed after the kidnapping, 112 girls are still missing.Pakistan's unilateral installation of a robust fence on its largely porous border with landlocked Afghanistan this week sparked fresh military clashes between the uneasy neighbors, and provoked Islamabad to close a busy southwestern crossing point.

The abrupt closure of the Chaman crossing stranded travelers and hundreds of trucks loaded with commercial goods on both sides.

Pakistani authorities Monday allowed hundreds of stranded people to walk across the border, but they did not permit trade convoys to resume their journey in either direction.

The skirmishes broke out Sunday afternoon near the border town of Chaman when Afghan security forces opened fire at a team of military workers erecting the fence, insisted Pakistani army officials.

The fighting lasted for about eight hours, according to Afghan officials.

Pakistan military's chief spokesman, Major-General Asif Ghafoor, told VOA the Chaman crossing largely remained closed, saying the "provocative" act by Afghan security forces was to be blamed for the conflict.

"But no casualties [occurred] on our [Pakistani] side," Ghafoor said, while responding to Afghan allegations that the clashes killed three Pakistani border forces and injured five others.

Islamabad maintains the fencing program will help prevent terrorist infiltration in either direction across the nearly 2,600-kilometer (1,600 miles) rugged border.

Afghanistan opposes the Pakistani border security plan because Kabul historically disputes the 1893 demarcation drawn during the British colonial era. Afghan officials also insist any permanent structures on what they call the Durand Line will add to challenges facing divided families stranded on both sides of the frontier.

Kabul's ambassador to Islamabad, Omar Zakhilwal, reiterated those objections while speaking to Pakistani media this week.

"We do oppose the barbed wire. That is against the closeness of the population on both sides and the interdependency that exists [between them]," he said.

Pakistan strongly rejected Afghan objections and maintained it inherited the international border after gaining independence from Britain in 1947.

"It is not fencing against the people or the nation of Afghanistan, but it is aimed at stopping the flow of terrorists. We are spending 76 billion rupees [$600 million] of this poor [Pakistan] nation on the border fencing," said army spokesman Gen. Ghafoor.

Pakistan initiated the border security project in 2017. Ghafoor recently told VOA the construction of the fence and new forts along most of the Afghan border is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.Pakistan said Tuesday its military forces were working closely with those of neighboring Iran to locate more than a dozen Iranian security forces that militants kidnapped in a pre-dawn raid along the border.

The announcement came hours after Tehran urged Islamabad to cooperate in securing freedom for 14 Iranian guards, including intelligence operatives.

No effort will be spared to assist our Iranian brothers in finding the Iranian guards, the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement issued late on Tuesday. Both militaries, under a joint mechanism established since last year, are working to ascertain the whereabouts of Iranian guards."

The abductees were stationed at a border post in Iran's Mirjaveh area when they came under attack from counterrevolutionary groups, said Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in a statement carried on state media.

The kidnapping occurred in Iran's southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan province, which has a long history of unrest from separatist militants. It borders Pakistans sparsely populated province of Baluchistan.

"We expect Pakistan to confront these terrorist groups that are supported by some regional states and immediately release the kidnapped Iranian forces," the media wing of the IRGC said. It did not name any country, but Iran blames rival Saudi Arabia for supporting anti-Iran groups, allegations Riyadh denies.

Iranian leaders allege anti-Iran militants use Pakistani territory for plotting cross-border attacks. The allegation remains a source of tension in Islamabads otherwise friendly and traditionally close relationship with Tehran.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility, although some Iranian media reported the the Jaish ul-Adl terrorist group was behind the kidnapping.

The remote Iranian border region where Tuesdays incident occurred has been the scene of clashes involving Iranian forces and militants as well as drug traffickers.

Last month, Iranian guards killed four militants at a border crossing with Pakistan, including the deputy commander of Jaish ul-Adl. The militant outfit has been blamed for attacks on Iranian military targets.

Pakistan and Iran share a more than 900-kilometer-long border. In recent months, the Pakistani military has deployed thousands of additional troops on the border to boost security. Islamabad previously has captured and handed over to Tehran leaders and members of anti-Iran groups.

Baluchistan itself is under attack from local Baloch insurgents. The Pakistani province, which also borders Afghanistan, allegedly shelters members of the Taliban insurgency fighting U.S.-backed Afghan security forces on the other side.

Iranian separatists justify their violent campaign, saying it is retaliation for what they call Irans oppression against Sistan-Baluchistans predominantly Sunni population.

Last month, militants disguised as Iranian soldiers opened fire on a military parade in southwestern Iran, killing 24 people and wounding dozens more.U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Saudi Arabia's King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday about the missing Saudi journalist last seen two weeks ago entering Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul. But there was no immediate information on the fate of Jamal Khashoggi.

While Pompeo was there, President Donald Trump said on Twitter that he talked with the crown prince, the country's de facto leader, "who totally denied any knowledge of what took place in their Turkish consulate."

Trump said the Saudi leader assured him that "he has already started, and will rapidly expand, a full and complete investigation into this matter. Answers will be forthcoming shortly."

The U.S. State Department said that Pompeo, the country's top diplomat, made it clear to the Saudis that "learning what happened to Jamal Khashoggi is the primary reason" Trump dispatched him to Riyadh, and that the matter "is of great interest to the president."

Turkish allegations

The Saudis have rejected Turkish claims that Saudi agents murdered Khashoggi inside the consulate Oct. 2, but the State Department did not say what the monarch and the heir to the throne told Pompeo in private meetings. Pompeo told the Saudi leaders of the importance of conducting "a thorough, transparent and timely investigation" and welcomed Riyadh's support for Turkish investigators in their probe, the State Department said.

U.S. news reports said Saudi Arabia was edging toward acknowledging that Khashoggi was killed after he entered the consulate, blaming his death on an interrogation gone wrong. Khashoggi, a critic of the crown prince in columns written for The Washington Post, had been living in the U.S. in self-imposed exile.

Pompeo's visit to Riyadh came hours after Turkish crime scene investigators finished an inspection of the Saudi consulate. The Associated Press quoted an unnamed high-level Turkish official as saying that evidence was found there of Khashoggi's killing, without elaborating, while Reuters said investigators found "strong evidence" but no conclusive proof of Khashoggi's death.

Pompeo met first with King Salman, then twice with the crown prince, including over dinner. As they sat down for their first meeting, the crown prince, in English, told Pompeo, "We are strong and old allies. We face our challenges together -- the past, the day of, tomorrow."

"Absolutely," Pompeo replied.

While the meetings were going on, Trump, in Washington, said on Twitter, "For the record, I have no financial interests in Saudi Arabia (or Russia, for that matter). Any suggestion that I have is just more FAKE NEWS (of which there is plenty)!"

But during a 2015 campaign stop, Trump boasted about his business dealings with the Saudis. Saudi Arabia, I get along with all of them, Trump said. They buy apartments from me. They spend $40 million, $50 million. Am I supposed to dislike them? I like them very much.

As he dispatched Pompeo to Riyadh on Monday, Trump told reporters at the White House that King Salman's denials to him about Khashoggi's fate in a phone call "could not have been stronger."

US lawmakers' reactions

But some lawmakers in the U.S. have all but accepted Turkey's version of the events, that a team of Saudi agents arrived in Istanbul and killed Khashoggi when he went to the consulate to pick up documents he needed to marry his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, a Turkish national who waited in vain for Khashoggi to emerge from the consulate.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Tuesday the U.S. should "sanction the hell out of Saudi Arabia" over the incident and said he would never again work with the crown prince, assailing him as "toxic" and calling him a "wrecking ball."

The State Department said Pompeo also met with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, continuing their conversations from the recent United Nations General Assembly about a range of Middle East issues and U.S.-Saudi concerns.

Pompeo briefed Trump and National Security Advisor John Bolton about his talks.

Up until this point, Saudi officials have strongly denied accusations that Khashoggi was murdered, saying instead he left the diplomatic outpost on his own. Neither side has publicly shown clear evidence to back up its claims, and the two governments agreed on a joint working group to probe Khashoggi's disappearance.

President Trump said King Salman told him in a telephone call Monday that he had no knowledge of what happened to Khashoggi.

"Maybe I do not want to get into his mind, but it sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers - I mean, who knows?" Trump said.

David Mack, a scholar at the Middle East Institute and a former ambassador, told VOA that what Saudi Arabia is accused of would be hard to get away with in the United States, but is possible for Saudi Arabia given its tight controls on the media and discipline instituted by the royal family.

"I suppose possible that Saudi Arabia will be able to sell this, however I think most people would be very dubious that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had not had some hand in the matter or knowledge that it was taking place," Mack said.

Trump told the CBS news show 60 Minutes on Sunday that Saudi Arabia would face "severe punishment" if it is determined Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate, but Riyadh dismissed the U.S. threat and said it would retaliate if Trump took any action against Saudi Arabia.

In protest of Khashoggi's disappearance, several U.S. businesses leaders have pulled out of next week's Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, dubbed "Davos in the Desert," after the annual meeting of world economic interests in Switzerland.The United States has called for the continued full enforcement of United Nations sanctions on North Korea after the two Koreas moved to establish rail and road links across their shared border and South Korean President Moon Jae-in continued to make the case for easing international sanctions against Pyongyang as it makes incremental progress toward denuclearization.

In a statement to South Koreas Yonhap news agency Monday, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said, "We expect all member states to fully implement U.N. sanctions, including sectoral goods banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions, and expect all nations to take their responsibilities seriously to help end [North Koreas] illegal nuclear and missile programs.

Washington repeatedly has said that sanctions on North Korea will remain in place until Pyongyang abandons its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. The United Nations sanctions currently in place on Pyongyang are designed to sever the resources necessary to develop the Norths weapons programs and deplete its cash reserves.

But Moon told Frances Le Figaro newspaper before leaving for a European tour, that over the course of his conversations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the meetings have convinced me that he has taken the strategic decision to abandon his nuclear weapons.

"With the denuclearization of North Korea, by agreeing to destroy their nuclear arsenal, they need to have the confidence that they have made the right choice, said Moon.

Speaking alongside French President Emanuel Macron, Moon added on Monday, I believe the international community needs to provide assurances that North Korea has made the right choice to denuclearize and encourage North Korea to speed up the process.

Sanctions to remain

Former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Christopher Hill said that while the atmosphere on the peninsula has changed, that wasn't necessarily facilitated by Pyongyang.

I think people who call for a reevaluation of sanctions need to explain how North Korea has somehow changed with respect to denuclearization, Hill said.

I'd like to hear the argument that suggests that they've done something in denuclearization, Hill added.

Former U.S. National Security Advisor General H.R. McMaster recently said in Seoul, that while we all hope that Chairman Kim Jong Un is undergoing a radical change of heart, we must remain alert.

McMaster said the possibility remains that Kim intends to use his nuclear arsenal as a treasured sword designed to pry apart the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea, by making America think twice about ever coming to South Koreas aid in time of war.

He added that in Kims 2018 New Years Day address, the North Korean leader spoke of reunification at least ten times. So we must consider that North Korea may intend to hold on to these weapons because they are instrumental to achieving that final victory, which North Korea propaganda clearly states is the reunification of North and South under the Kim regime, McMaster cautioned.

The future

Bruce Cumings, an American scholar who has extensively studied North Korea and the Korean Peninsula said he doesnt believe Kims move toward denuclearization is a ploy.

I think it's true that the basic character of the North Korean regime has not changed, Cumings said; however, if the United States and South Korea arent threats, he thinks its possible that North Korea will either give up its nuclear weapons and missiles, or they'll be kept and under inspection or controlled in a way that means they really can't use them.

But the RAND Corporations Bruce Bennett says its important to consider what the international community can give North Korea in exchange for progress on denuclearization.

The biggest mistake is sanctions relief. Sanctions are something that hold together as long as there are no holes in them, said Bennett.

Bennett says the international community must be careful about next steps.

Although its likely that Kim will not accept to a limit on weapons productions, according to the Harvard Belfer Centers Gary Samor.

I think the only way to find out [if Kim is serious], is to offer him a fairly substantial benefit in return, he opined, And for me, that means sanction relief and South Korean economic cooperation.

But Samor said it must be made clear, that economic assistance and cooperation cant be put into motion, unless Pyongyang takes serious steps toward denuclearization.U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet is urging Saudi Arabia and Turkey to reveal everything they know about the disappearance and possible extrajudicial killing of a prominent Saudi journalist. Jamal Khashoggi was last seen entering, but not exiting, the Saudi consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago.

While Khashoggi disappeared October 2, it was not until Monday, October 15 that Turkish forensic investigators were allowed to search the Saudi consulate.

Bachelet has welcomed this move, but says more is needed. She is urging both Saudi Arabia and Turkey to conduct a prompt, thorough and transparent investigation into Khashoggis disappearance.

The U.N. Rights chief says she wants the diplomatic immunity that was bestowed by the 1963 Vienna Convention to be waived for all Saudi officials. The commissioners spokesman, Rupert Colville, tells VOA that Bachelet wants to make sure a full unimpeded forensic investigation can go forward.

We hope the lifting of immunity is absolute, so they can investigate everything they wish to and everything they feel they need to, both in the consulate, in the consul generals premises, in the vehicles that were shown on the CCTV footage, and so on," said Colville. "So, basically the investigators need to be able to investigate everything they wish to.

Colville says there seems to be clear evidence that Khashoggi entered the consulate and has not been seen since. Therefore, he says the onus for revealing what happened to the journalist is on the Saudi authorities.

International pressure is mounting on Saudi Arabia to come up with answers. More firms are pulling out of a big investment conference scheduled to take place next week in Saudi Arabia. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in Riyadh Tuesday to discuss the crisis with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

U.S. media reports say Saudi Arabia was edging toward acknowledging that Khashoggi was killed after he entered the consulate, blaming his death on an interrogation gone wrong. Khashoggi, a critic of the crown prince in columns written for The Washington Post, had been living in the United States in self-imposed exile. Saudi Arabia has previously denied Khashoggi was killed, saying he left the consulate on his own.President Donald Trump has threatened to cut off aid to Honduras if its government does not stop a large caravan of migrants headed toward the United States.

A group estimated at 1,600 to 2,000 people hoping to arrive in the U.S. marched from Honduras into Guatemala Monday, fleeing violence and poverty in their home country. The group twice pushed past police sent to stop them - first at the border, then at the Guatemalan town of Esquipulas.

Mexicos immigration authority warned later that day that only migrants who meet entry requirements would be allowed into that country.

The march started with fewer than 200 members in the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula one of the worlds most dangerous places. Singing the Honduran national anthem, praying and chanting, Yes we can, the ranks of the march swelled as it crossed the country.

Just a day earlier, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence had urged the governments of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala to persuade their citizens to stay home.

The U.S. provided about $127 million in aid to Honduras in 2016, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development, a year when the countrys GDP totaled about $22 billion, according to the World Bank.

In April, Trump threatened to withdraw aid from the Central American country after a similar caravan of about 1,000 set out from that nation in the direction of the U.S.Police searching the Saudi Consulate found evidence that Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi was killed there, a high-level Turkish official said Tuesday, and authorities appeared ready to also search the nearby residence of the consul general after the diplomat left the country.

The comment by the Turkish official to The Associated Press further intensified the pressure on Saudi Arabia to explain what happened to Khashoggi, who vanished Oct. 2 while visiting the consulate to pick up paperwork he need to get married.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo traveled to Saudi Arabia to talk to King Salman and his son, the 33-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, about the fate of the journalist who wrote critically about the Saudis for The Washington Post.

While it was all smiles and handshakes in Riyadh, one prominent Republican senator said he believed that the crown prince, widely known as MBS, had Khashoggi "murdered.''

"This guy has got to go,'' Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said of MBS while speaking on Fox News. "Saudi Arabia, if you're listening, there are a lot of good people you can choose, but MBS has tainted your country and tainted himself.''

Saudi officials have called Turkish allegations that a team of 15 Saudi agents killed Khashoggi "baseless,'' but U.S. media reports suggested that the kingdom may acknowledge the writer was killed at the consulate, perhaps as part of a botched interrogation.

The close U.S. ally is ruled entirely by the Al Saud monarchy, and all major decisions in the ultraconservative kingdom are made by the royal family.

Post Publisher and CEO Fred Ryan said the Saudi government "owes the Khashoggi family and the world a full and honest explanation of everything that happened to him,'' noting that Tuesday marked two weeks since the disappearance of the 59-year-old journalist.

"The Saudi government can no longer remain silent, and it is essential that our own government and others push harder for the truth,'' Ryan added.

'Certain evidence'

The high-level Turkish official told the AP that police found "certain evidence'' of Khashoggi's slaying at the consulate, without elaborating. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.

Police planned a second search at the Saudi consul general's home, as well as some of the country's diplomatic vehicles, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. Leaked surveillance video showed diplomatic cars traveled to the consul general's home shortly after Khashoggi went into the consulate.

Consul General Mohammed al-Otaibi left Turkey on Tuesday afternoon, state media reported, just as police began putting up barricades around his official residence. Saudi Arabia did not immediately acknowledge he had left or offer a reason for his departure.

Earlier in the day, U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said the "inviolability or immunity'' of people or premises granted under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations "should be waived immediately.'' That convention covers diplomatic immunity, as well as the idea that embassies and consulates sit on foreign soil in their host countries.

"Given there seems to be clear evidence that Mr. Khashoggi entered the consulate and has never been seen since, the onus is on the Saudi authorities to reveal what happened to him,'' Bachelet said.

Turkey had wanted to search the consulate for days. Permission apparently came after a late Sunday night call between King Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Certain areas of the consulate were to remain off-limits, although officials would be able to inspect surveillance cameras, Turkish media reported.

Erdogan told journalists Tuesday that police sought traces of "toxic'' materials and suggested parts of the consulate had been recently painted, without elaborating.

In Riyadh, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir greeted Pompeo at the airport. The former CIA chief didn't make any remarks to the media.

'Strong and old allies'

Soon afterward, Pompeo arrived at a royal palace, where he thanked King Salman "for accepting my visit on behalf of President [Donald] Trump'' before the two went into a closed-door meeting. Pompeo then met a smiling Prince Mohammed, the heir apparent to the throne of the world's largest oil exporter.

"We are strong and old allies,'' the prince told Pompeo. "We face our challenges together.''

Pompeo was to have dinner Tuesday night with Prince Mohammed and was expected to fly to Turkey on Wednesday.

Trump previously warned of "severe punishment'' for the kingdom if it was found to be involved in Khashoggi's disappearance, which has spooked investors.

Trump's warning drew an angry response Sunday from Saudi Arabia and its state-linked media, including a suggestion that Riyadh could wield its oil production as a weapon. The U.S. president has been after King Salman and OPEC to boost production to drive down high oil prices, caused in part by the coming reimposition of oil sanctions on Iran.

On Monday, however, Trump offered a different theory after speaking by telephone with King Salman.

"It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers,'' Trump said. "I mean, who knows? We're going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial.''

The New York Times and the Post have reported, citing anonymous sources, that Saudi officials may soon acknowledge Khashoggi's slaying at the consulate but blame it on a botched intelligence operation.

That could, like Trump's comments, seek to give the kingdom a way out of the global firestorm of criticism over Khashoggi's fate.

"The effort behind the scenes is focused on avoiding a diplomatic crisis between the two countries and has succeeded in finding a pathway to de-escalate tensions,'' said Ayham Kamel, the head of the Eurasia Group's Mideast and North Africa division.

"Riyadh will have to provide some explanation of the journalist's disappearance, but in a manner that distances the leadership from any claim that a decision was made at senior levels to assassinate the prominent journalist.''The 193-member U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday allowed the Palestinians to act more like a full U.N. member state during meetings in 2019, when they will chair the group of 77 developing nations.

The United States, Israel and Australia voted against the move, which won 146 votes in favor. There were 15 abstentions and 29 countries didn't vote.

"We cannot support efforts by the Palestinians to enhance their status outside of direct negotiations. The United States does not recognize that there is a Palestinian state," U.S. Deputy U.N. Ambassador Jonathan Cohen told the General Assembly.

The Palestinians want to establish a state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem. Israel captured those territories in the 1967 Middle East War and annexed East Jerusalem in a move not recognized internationally.

"We strongly oppose the Palestinians' election as chair of the G77 as well as this so-called enabling resolution," he said. "Only U.N. member states should be entitled to speak and act on behalf of major groups of states at the United Nations."

Non-member state

In 2012, the General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the de facto recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine when it upgraded the Palestinian Authority's U.N. observer status to non-member state  like the Vatican  from entity.

The status upgrade has allowed them to participate in some General Assembly votes and join some international bodies.

However, as a non-member state the Palestinians cannot speak in meetings until after member states, diplomats said.

The Egyptian-drafted resolution allows them to procedurally operate like a member state when acting on behalf of the G77 and China  making statements, submitting and co-sponsoring proposals and amendments, giving rights of reply and raising points of order.

"Australia's decision to vote no on this resolution reflects our long-standing position that Palestinian attempts to seek recognition as a state in international fora are deeply unhelpful to efforts towards a two-state solution," Australian U.N. Ambassador Gillian Bird told the General Assembly.A key U.S. military official is warning world leaders not to mistake progress against the Islamic State and other terror groups for victory.



Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford called progress in the fight against IS in Iraq and Syria particularly encouraging," but urged U.S. allies to maintain pressure on Islamic State, as well as al-Qaida across the Middle East and beyond.



Perhaps the greatest challenge facing us today is the danger of complacency, Dunford told the Chiefs of Defense Conference on Countering-Violent Extremist Organizations, just outside of Washington, Tuesday.



A misreading of our progress to date and a misunderstanding of the character of the threat may cause political leaders to lose focus on violent extremism while they move on to other pressing challenges, Dunford said. Theres many examples over the last few years when we have relieved pressure, they have reconstituted only to grow more virulent."



Gains against terror groups



U.S. officials have touted gains against IS and other terror groups, noting the number of terrorist attacks worldwide, and deaths as a result of those attacks, have declined three years in a row.



All attacks by IS itself declined 23 percent from 2016 to 2017, its media production is down, and the group has lost all but two-percent of the territory it once held in Iraq and Syria at the peak of its self-declared caliphate.



Still, military and intelligence official caution IS has been putting up a tough fight, especially in the Middle Euphrates River Valley in Syria where coalition-backed forces have been fighting for months to evict IS fighters from their last remaining territory.



Recent arrests targeting senior financial facilitators have also found IS operatives in Baghdad and Irbil, parts of Iraq long thought to have been mostly cleared of Islamic State cells.

IS still putting up a fight



And despite the collapse of the groups self-declared caliphate, U.S. officials believe foreign fighters are still making their way to Syria and Iraq to take up the cause, with an estimated 100 entering the region each month.



Recent Pentagon estimates also indicate the total number of IS fighters across Syria and Iraq remains high, with up to about 32,000 still able and willing to put up a fight.



Coalition officials said pockets of increased IS resistance have popped up in Iraq as well, in places like the Anbar desert and Ramadi, where recent Iraqi operations captured 28 suspected fighters and thousands of explosives.



IS contingents have also embarked on a campaign in and around Kirkuk, to destroy critical infrastructure.



Theyre trying to destroy the water lines to get discontent from the civilians, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman, Col. Sean Ryan, told Pentagon reporters Tuesday during a video briefing from Baghdad.



Ryan described the IS operation, which has also targeted power lines and mobile phone towers, as a death of a thousand cuts to the population.



Islamic State 'far from defeated'

Dunford on Tuesday warned the Islamic State terror group is far from defeated and already evolving to implement a more diffuse model of command and control and operations.



But the U.S. general added IS is not the only concern, warning al-Qaida is also enhancing collaboration with its affiliates and increasing connectivity and access to operatives and targets.



Both groups are operating in a more dispersed and clandestine way, leveraging the internet to keep the narrative alive, and becoming less susceptible to conventional military action, Dunford said.



There are also concerns about the ability of the United States and its allies and partners on the ground to win the peace and help make sure that IS and al-Qaida are not able to take advantage of poor governance and poor economic prospects.



Little progress has been made in addressing the underlying conditions that lead to violent extremism, he said.



Another ongoing concern is the fate of more than 700 IS fighters from more than 40 countries, currently being held by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.



Dunford urged U.S. allies and other countries to stop stalling and take the fighters back.



The progress in returning these fighters home for prosecution has been delayed by political considerations and inconsistent legal frameworks," he said. We need to find a way to address this challenge and prevent the detainees from becoming the leaders of tomorrows extremist organizations.The U.S. imposed sanctions Tuesday on a network of businesses that is said to support an Iranian paramilitary force that allegedly trains and deploys child soldiers to fight with Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The network of at least 20 businesses, known as Basij Cooperative Foundation, creates shell companies to hide its ownership and control of multibillion-dollar entities that are "deeply entrenched" in Iran's automotive, mining, metals and banking industries, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.

"This vast network provides financial infrastructure to the Basij's efforts to recruit, train and indoctrinate child soldiers who are coerced into combat under IRGC's direction," Mnuchin said.

The sanctions are a continuation of a U.S. economic crackdown on Iran to pressure the country to discontinue its campaign of aggression and human rights violations in the region.

The sanctions prohibit Americans from conducting business with the network or its affiliates. They also froze assets the network has under U.S. jurisdiction.

The Treasury Department said the sanctions were imposed on Bank Mellat, Mehr Eqtesad Bank, Mehr Eqtesad Iranian Investment Co. and five other investment firms. They also target Iran Tractor Manufacturing Co., the Middle East's largest tractor manufacturer, and Esfahan's Mobarakeh Steel Co., the largest steelmaker in the Middle East and North Africa region.Three weeks before a crucial U.S. midterm election, it would be difficult to find much that Democrats and Republicans agree on. Both parties, however, seem to agree on one thing: President Donald Trump will be the key issue in elections that will determine control of Congress for the next two years.

For many voters, the "Trump factor" could be a deciding consideration in this years midterms. And as the president campaigns on behalf of Republicans around the country, he is quick to remind his supporters that he has a huge personal stake in the outcome on Nov. 6.

WATCH: Trump influence on Midterm elections

All of this extraordinary progress is at stake, Trump told a recent rally in Southaven, Mississippi. Im not on the ballot. But in a certain way, I am on the ballot. So please, go out and vote. Go out and vote.

Motivating Democrats

As much as Trump motivates his core supporters, he also energizes critics like Jenny Heinz, who helped organize a recent anti-Trump rally in New York City.

There is an active resistance to this president, who is operating as if he is above the law.

No question, Trump is the central figure in this years election, according to American University analyst David Barker.

Yes, Democrats from the day after the election in 2016 have been waiting for this day, and it is all about Trump, Barker told VOA. Trump fully embraces that. He wants it to be all about him.

Historically, midterm elections have been a mix of local issues, local candidates, and partly a referendum on the sitting president.

This years campaign seems to have accelerated a trend whereby midterm congressional elections have increasingly become nationalized.

It really is now all national, and everyone is kind of looking at this as either a referendum for or against the president and his party, said George Washington University expert Lara Brown.

In the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll, a majority of voters in both parties said a congressional candidate who shares their view of Trump is an important consideration as they assess the coming midterms.

Seizing the spotlight

Unlike some presidents who have tried to resist the idea that the midterms are a presidential referendum, Trump has willingly embraced it.

Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon told Associated Press Television that he favors the approach.

I think if you make this a national referendum and nationalize this election on the success of President Trumps program, it is a clear winner, and I think the Democrats get crushed.

Others are skeptical, including former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele.

All right, fine. You want it to be about you? Well, every candidate on the ballot now has to account for your behavior, has to account for your tweets, said Steele, a recent guest on VOAs Plugged In with Greta Van Susteren.

Trump hopes to boost Republican turnout in November; but, Democrats argue he is likely to be just as effective in spurring their voters to the polls.

Maryland Democratic Representative Dutch Ruppersberger also spoke on Plugged In.

When all you do is care about yourself and not about people, not about what they need - like your seniors needing medical care. And you just want to look good and knock them out (politically), which is happening, this is hurting. And this is why, I think, a lot of people will come out (to vote).

Tending the base

Trump has been aggressive on the campaign trail courting his base, especially in Republican-leaning states where many of this years closer Senate races are taking place.

They are focusing on their base, and they are trying to make sure that they are going to show up and vote. And it could make some difference in close midterm elections, said University of Virginia analyst Larry Sabato.

Some Republicans have urged Trump to try and broaden his appeal beyond his base during campaign visits this year.

But Gallup pollster Frank Newport said the president has limited options.

He has kind of given up on attempting to broaden his appeal, it looks like. It fits more with his style, said Newport. He has, as we all know, a very combative style. He likes to have enemies because that gives him somebody to fight against. So, it would be hard for a president like Trump anyway to try and broaden his appeal.

Trumps name will not appear on the Nov. 6 ballots, but, he will clearly be front and center in the minds of voters, and the midterm results could determine the future of his presidency.The U.S. military says 60 al-Shabab militants were killed in Friday's airstrike near the town of Harardhere in central Somalia.

A statement Tuesday from the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) says the strike was conducted in coordination with the government of Somalia.

"We currently assess this airstrike killed approximately 60 terrorists," the statement read. It said the airstrike was the largest such attack against al-Shabab since November of last year, when another U.S. airstrike killed about 100 fighters of the Islamist militant group.

The Africa Command says there were no civilians killed or injured in the attack on Oct. 12.

Al-Shabab has yet to comment on the airstrike or reported fatalities.

A Somali official says the strike happened near the village of Jowle, about 20 kilometers southwest of Harardhere. The official, who did not want to be named, put the death toll at 117.

He says when the attack occurred, the militants were gathered at a camp and were planning to travel to the Hiran and Middle Shabelle regions, where villagers have put up resistance against al-Shabab.

The villagers, known as Ma'awisley, a reference to the sarong many of them wear, have been battling the militants because they are "fed up" with al-Shabab demands for money and the group's recruitment of young boys as fighters.

Intermittent clashes have been taking place between Ma'awisley and al-Shabab since late last month in the two regions. Both sides have suffered casualties, and on Oct. 1, the leader of the Ma'awisley, Hibad Ali Dasar, was killed near the town of Adan Yabaal in Middle Shabelle.

The day after the death of Dasar, the chief of the Somali army, General Dahir Aden Indhoqarsho, expressed support for villagers standing up to al-Shabab.

The United States has been conducting airstrikes against al-Shabab in support of the Somali government. U.S. forces have carried out 27 airstrikes this year, and 33 in 2017.

The attacks have killed a number of top al-Shabab leaders, including the group's former emir, Ahmed Abdi Godane, on Sept. 1, 2014.The Catholic Church in Washington has released the names of 28 former clergy members that it says were "credibly" accused of sexual abuse since 1948.

A letter released Monday by the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said the move is "a necessary step towards full transparency and accountability and the process of healing."

The archdiocese said it created the list on the orders of Cardinal Donald Wuerl, who announced last week he was retiring, following a Pennsylvania grand jury report that said he allowed priests accused of sexual abuse to be reassigned when he was the bishop of Pittsburgh.

"This list is a painful reminder of the grave sins committed by clergy, the pain inflicted on innocent young people, and the harm done to the church's faithful, for which we continue to seek forgiveness," Wuerl said in a statement.

Wuerl said the list shows that there has not been a credible allegation of abuse of a minor by a priest of the archdiocese in almost 20 years. He also said that no priest currently in active ministry has ever been accused of sexual abuse of a minor.

The Washington archdiocese has been in turmoil since the previous archbishop, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, was accused of abusing children and adults, and was suspended in June over the allegations. McCarrick later resigned.

Wuerl, a top ally of Pope Francis, announced this month he would retire, following months of criticism over the Pennsylvania grand jury report.

The report found that some 300 U.S. priests abused more than 1,000 children since the 1940s, and Wuerl was named as one of several bishops who allegedly covered up for the abusive priests.

Last month, when Wuerl was celebrating Mass in Washington, a man stood up and yelled, "Shame on you," after Wuerl asked parishioners to keep Pope Francis in their prayers.The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has enjoyed the ultimate protected status from the United States throughout its short history.

Riyadh has had a special relationship with the U.S., from President Franklin D. Roosevelt meeting Saudi Arabia's first King Abdul Aziz on Valentine's Day in 1945 to the kingdom becoming America's main Mideast ally following the downfall of Iran's shah in 1979.

Israel, Jordan and Egypt - sworn enemies who later signed peace deals - as well enjoy such a special status with the U.S. But none are the world's top supplier of crude oil, able to swing the global energy market.

With Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hastily dispatched on a damage-limitation mission to Riyadh, behind-the-scenes efforts are in full flow to preserve the Saudi-U.S. relationship in the wake of the disappearance and alleged killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Some initial comments from President Donald Trump suggested a strong desire to get to the bottom of the globally followed case as furor gained in intensity, with severe punishment threatened for any egregious act.

On Monday a new tale began to emerge: Trump floated the idea without publicly presenting any evidence that rogue killers were behind the possible assassination.

Realpolitik kicked in and the new arc of the story sounded distinctly written, directed and produced by the ultraconservative Saudi hierarchy, where no decision of any weight is made without the authority of the ruling Al Saud family.

Khashoggi, a contributor to the Washington Post, is well known and thought of in the halls of power - a face respected in many quarters to put to an alleged crime. That alone may have propelled the outrage surrounding his disappearance.

What binds Washington and Riyadh with such fervency and kinship, and why have previous perceived Saudi outrages not caused such seismic ripples?

Iran, the Gulf and beyond

From the moment Ayatollah Khomeini's plane circled above Tehran in February 1979, heralding the return from Paris of the exiled cleric who founded the Islamic Republic, new regional lines were drawn in the sand.

Khomeini cast America as the Great Satan, the U.S. Embassy hostage crisis and a failed rescue followed, effectively torpedoing President Jimmy Carter's hopes for re-election. Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein with Saudi money funding the effort, then launched a ruinous war with Iran that spanned most of the decade.

Saudi Arabia was the first among American's Persian Gulf friends in times of trouble. When Saddam invaded Kuwait and the royal family fled to Saudi Arabia until the U.S. invaded and removed Iraqi forces, Saudi Arabia played host to American forces on its bases. This infuriated many in the Arab world given the Saudi monarchy's custodianship of Islam's two holiest sites in Mecca and Medina.

Ties were especially close between King Fahd and his successor King Abdullah with President George W. Bush. That's even after Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida launched the Sept. 11 attacks, in part over America's military presence in the kingdom. Saudi support for the 2003 Iraq War was less fulsome publicly, but logistical support remained undimmed.

Saudi Arabia, along with Israel, was most opposed to the thaw in relations between Tehran and Washington that led to the nuclear deal. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, now at the center of the Khashoggi crisis, alleged by some to be its guiding bloody hand, spoke loudest, calling Iran's ayatollah a modern-day Hitler. Candidate Trump had railed against one of former President Barack Obama's signature geopolitical successes, and the nuclear accord was duly ripped up by President Trump.

The U.S. also stood by Saudi Arabia in the war it is prosecuting with Gulf allies against neighboring Yemen. With civilians bombarded and killed and famine spreading, questions have resurfaced about what some detractors of the young crown prince have termed a reckless and bloody adventure.

Oil to sell and weapons to buy

When Saudi state media lashed out as Trump's stance took a briefly harsher tone, a state-linked satellite news channel suggested the kingdom could use its oil production as a weapon.

Benchmark Brent crude is trading at around $80 a barrel, and Trump has criticized OPEC and Saudi Arabia over rising prices. Higher oil prices mean higher gas prices for Americans who vote. Critical mid-term elections are only three weeks away.

America has long been a major importer of Saudi oil and things haven't always been roses. In 1973, OPEC, with Saudi Arabia a key member, imposed an embargo lasting five months against Washington in and around the 1973 Middle East War as a punishment for Washington's backing of Israel. The world economy, already in recession, reeled. Key stakeholders want to avoid such an oil crisis ever recurring.

The Saudis are keen buyers of American weapons, using them in the Yemen War. The Trump administration says a proposed $110 billion deal would bolster the U.S. economy by creating tens of thousands of jobs and they do not want to risk that contract. But with Khashoggi feared dead, some want that transaction revisited. Congress could step in and try to obstruct the sale.

9/11 and the Saudi attackers

Fifteen of the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers were Saudi citizens. Much has been said of the Bush administration's decision to apportion no blame to the kingdom. The uncomfortable truth that Wahhabism, the ultraconservative Islamic doctrine Saudi Arabia follows, has been linked to extremists at home and overseas has been carefully navigated by Washington and Riyadh.

Accountability for Hajj stampede

An Associated Press count in 2015 found that 2, 411 Muslim pilgrims died at Mina in the deadliest crush in the history of the annual pilgrimage. This was three times the number of deaths acknowledged by the kingdom. There has been neither a public investigation, nor accountability.

Saudi Arabia rebuffed criticism from Iran and efforts by other countries to join a probe into the deaths. And while King Salman did order an investigation into the tragedy almost immediately, few details have been made public since. The matter has since long drifted from public discourse. Something the Saudis will perhaps hope follows after the Khashoggi storm passes.Saudi Arabia is preparing to admit that missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed, according to reports in two U.S. news organizations.

The stories quote sources who say Khashoggi's death was an "interrogation that went wrong." CNN reports those behind the operation may have intended to kidnap Khashoggi from the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and take him back to Saudi Arabia for questioning.

Stories say the Saudi report is expected to say that the operation that led to his death was carried out without official clearance and that those behind his death will be held responsible.

Khashoggi was seen walking into the consulate two weeks ago and has not been seen since.

Earlier Monday, President Donald Trump suggested "rogue killers" might have murdered him .

Trump said Saudi King Salman told him in a 20-minute phone conversation Monday he had no knowledge of what happened to Khashoggi, a critic of the heir to the Saudi throne, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

"His denials to me could not have been stronger," Trump said at the White House. "Maybe I do not want to get into his mind, but it sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers - I mean, who knows?"

Trump has sent Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Riyadh to talk with Salman about Khashoggi's disappearance.

Trump vowed to "leave nothing uncovered" in determining what happened to Khashoggi.

Meanwhile, in Istanbul, Turkish police started a search of the Saudi Arabian consulate.

Khashoggi entered the consulate October 2 to get documents he needed to marry his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, a Turkish national who waited in vain outside for Khashoggi to return.

Late Sunday, the Saudi monarch and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed forming a joint working group to look into the disappearance of Khashoggi, whom Turkish officials believe was murdered by Saudi agents inside the consulate.

Saudi Arabia has called the allegations "baseless" and said Khashoggi left the consulate on his own. But neither Turkey nor Saudi Arabia has provided clear evidence to support its version of events.

Trump told the CBS news show 60 Minutes on Sunday that Saudi Arabia would face "severe punishment" if it is determined Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate, but Riyadh dismissed the U.S. threat and said it would retaliate if Trump took any action against Saudi Arabia.

The official Saudi Press Agency quoted an unnamed government source Sunday as saying, "The Kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it, whether by threatening to impose economic sanctions, using political pressures, or repeating false accusations."

The statement said the Saudi government "also affirms that if it receives any action, it will respond with greater action," noting that its economy, as the world's biggest oil exporter, "has an influential and vital role in the global economy."

Khashoggi was living in self-imposed exile in the United States and had criticized the Saudi crown prince in columns written for The Washington Post.

Trump said "nobody knows yet" what happened inside the consulate, "but we'll probably be able to find out" if the crown prince ordered Khashoggi's murder. Trump added the United States "would be very upset and angry if that were the case."

But Trump, who has frequently boasted about his business ties with the kingdom, suggested during the CBS interview that ending U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia would not be an option, saying, "I don't want to hurt jobs."

In protest of Khashoggi's disappearance, several U.S. businesses leaders have pulled out of next week's Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, dubbed "Davos in the Desert," after the annual meeting of world economic interests in Switzerland.

Media reports say Khashoggi may have recorded his own death on his Apple Watch. The reports say Khashoggi turned on the sound recording capability on his device as he entered the Saudi consulate, and that the watch was connected to the iCloud and cell phone he left with his fiancee Cengiz before he went inside.

Cengiz said she waited for Khashoggi to come out of the consulate, but he never left.

The Washington Post reported in recent days that the Turkish government informed U.S. officials it was in possession of video recordings that prove Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate, but have not made them public.A Commission of Inquiry into the killing of six protesters in August this year started its work in Zimbabwes capital Tuesday with one of the witnesses giving a chilling description of his encounter with the countrys security forces, which resulted in him wetting his pants following gun shots fired by members of the Zimbabwe National Army.

Lawson Nyanhanda, who was in Harare on the fateful day from Karoi town, looking for his girlfriend from Bulawayo, told the commission led by former South African President Kgalame Mothlante, that soldiers had running battles with locals who seemed like ordinary citizens and some suspected political activists.

In media forums monitored from Washington, Nyanhanda said his first encounter with the soldiers was when they stopped him while he was driving in the city and ordered him to lie on the ground before the armed men were distracted by a group of people who were being chased by their colleagues.

They told me to get out my car when one of the soldiers forcibly got into it. They instructed me to lie on the ground  There was no one there but soldiers. Another group of people came running near where I was and I guess they disturbed the soldiers who allowed me to drive to a nearby parking lot. I explained to the soldier inside the vehicle before I left that I did not know what was happening. I told him that I wanted to park the car and leave it at a safe place. I do not know what would have happened to me if they were not distracted by the group of people who were being chased by soldiers.

Nyanhanda, who claimed that he was determined to collect her girlfriend on the northern outskirts of the city, said he changed his outfit while he was at the parking lot and wore tackies to prepare for possible attacks by armed security forces.

He claimed that he came face to face with death in the city center as suspected protesters and ordinary people were taking cover as soldiers were firing live bullets.

While I was walking I saw a group of people running and realized that that the security situation was bad  Soldiers were coming from all over the place . For the first time as an adult I peed on myself. In trying to take cover I peed. I was paralyzed when I heard gun shots.

Nyanhanda, who managed to see his stranded girlfriend after his encounter with the security forces, said, It was not business as usual. People were actually concerned with taking cover and running away. In terms of gun shots, I heard three or four. The soldiers were chasing people. They had guns when they were chasing people. They were chasing smaller groups and then started shooting after noticing that the number had risen. I did not see the aftermath of the shooting.

The people who were running away were mixed. You could tell one is a political activist but another is not but a person caught in the crossfire. There were some women where I took cover. They were ladies and you could tell that there were not political activists. One was carrying a paper bag. You could tell they were going with their normal business. People were running away from soldiers. Running away is a sign of fear. They were running away from the security forces just exactly like what I was doing.

According to Nyanhanda, police were friendlier than soldiers as they guided people against any danger. 

I never saw the police and army together. Police officers were more (numbers) than soldiers but they seemed to be relaxed. They were friendly. They would tell you get out of town. No funny issues. All my interaction was with soldiers and not mainly police. The army will deal with you here and there and police will tell you to go to safe places and avoid any confrontation with anyone.

I did not witness any shooting but I heard gunshots. It was from a group of six or so soldiers. One of the guys was shooting and I was really in shock.

Other people, who testified included a security guard at the state-controlled Herald newspaper and a vendor, suspected that the Zimbabwe National Army were looking for people aligned to the opposition Movement for Democratic Change led by Nelson Chamisa.

The vendor claimed that he lost goods worth $3,500 which were set on fire by the protesters.

The vendor said he was called by his colleagues who urged him to remove his property at a flea market following skirmishes between the police and some political activist. He said his property worth $3,500 was destroyed before he removed it.

 I have footage on my gadgets about some of the destroyed items and other related material  Property burnt was estimated at $3,500  I did not make any police report thinking that it was politically motivated.

He claimed that he heard gun shots and saw soldiers walking in the central business district. I heard the gun shots but did not see solders firing the shots. I just saw people running all over.

The Herald security guard claimed that the protesters were MDC activists linked to Chamisa as they sang songs denigrating President Emmerson Mnangagwa and praising the opposition leader.

We (security guards) saw youngsters who were MDC wearing red t-shirts singing anti-government songs. They youth were saying they wanted Chimisa only and the garwe (crocodile or Mnangagwa) should go back to the river.

The MDC has not yet reacted to these allegations though Chamisa was once quoted as saying the MDC Alliance did not sanction any protests over the delayed release of election results after the July 30 presidential poll, which was won by Mnangagwa.

Chamisa took the matter to the Constitutional Court but lost the case.

The six people who were shot dead by the army on August 1st appear to have been innocent civilians who were conducting their own business in Harare when they were caught in the shootings.Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM

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Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens.Investors are bracing for the possibility of Saudi Arabia using oil as a weapon.

The kingdom is facing threats of punishment over the unexplained disappearance of a Washington Post journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, and is talking of retaliation if America imposes sanctions. A leading Saudi commentator has even hinted that oil could be used as a weapon.

Business, economy and trade Business and industry sectors Energy and utilities Oil and gas industry Banking, finance and investments Financial markets and investing Continents and regions Middle East and North Africa Middle East Saudi Arabia

A rhetorical threat to withhold supplies could drive up prices, Helima Croft, global head of commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets, told CNN Business.

Saudi Arabia could go further, by "slow-walking" output increases to make up for reduced Iranian supplies when US sanctions on Tehran take effect next month, Croft added.

Rising oil prices would harm consumers, but they could give energy stocks a boost. Analysts are expecting energy companies to rake in monster earnings in the third quarter.

Binky Chadha, chief global strategist at Deutsche Bank Securities, will discuss what could happen next with CNN Business editor-at-large Richard Quest on "Markets Now" on Wednesday.

Chadha and Quest will also discuss the biggest risks to the market and the recent volatility.

"Markets Now" streams live from the New York Stock Exchange every Wednesday at 12:45 p.m. ET. Hosted by CNNMoney's business correspondents, the 15-minute program features incisive commentary from experts.

You can watch "Markets Now" at CNNMoney.com/MarketsNow from your desk or on your phone or tablet. If you can't catch the show live, check out highlights online and through the Markets Now newsletter, delivered to your inbox every afternoon.(CNN) -- Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson has succeeded in breaking through a few glass ceilings in the US Army. Now she's set to break a new one.

For the first time in US Army Forces Command, or FORSCOM, history, a woman will be leading the largest command in the Army, representing 776,000 soldiers and 96,000 civilians.

This may be a first for the Army, but Richardson has had other firsts.

She has been with the US Army since 1986, and in 2012 she became the first female deputy commanding general for the 1st Cavalry Division, known as "America's First Team."

In 2017, she became second in command to Gen. Robert B. Abrams, when she was named the first female deputy commanding general of FORSCOM in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the US Army reported.

Now, Richardson will become the first female commanding general of the US Army FORSCOM as Abrams steps down from his post, reported CNN affiliate WTVD.

On Tuesday, Abrams announced he would be leaving his post to become commander of United States Armed Forces Korea. The farewell message was tweeted by FORSCOM.

"It has been an honor to serve these last three years as the commanding general, US Army Forces Command," Abrams' message read.

Abrams also thanked FORSCOM soldiers for their work, as it increases "readiness of our Army across all three components -- regular Army, Army National Guard and US Army Reserve."

In her career, Richardson has served as an Army aviator, as the military aide to the vice president and as one of the Army's liaison officers to the United States Senate.

CNN has reached out to the US Army Forces Command for comment.Massive relief efforts are underway from agencies and organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Florida National Guard a week after Hurricane Michael raged through the southeastern U.S.

The death toll is now at 20 after the body of a man was discovered by a search dog Tuesday in Mexico Beach, Florida, which was heavily damaged by the hurricane.

According to Bay County Emergency Services, over 2,500 structures are damaged and around 162 are destroyed. As of Tuesday, 158,000 people are without power. Around 140,000 of those are Florida residents.

Florida's National Guard has 4,000 troops working on relief efforts. FEMA has 12 teams in the state who are helping people to register for disaster assistance. In total, there are 42 distribution points in Florida and Georgia for people to get food and water at.

While the brunt of the hurricane happened in the Panhandle, there are relief efforts underway all across the country. Many churches here in the Tennessee Valley are accepting donations for those impacted by Michael, and some local utility companies sent linemen south to help restore power.

Alabama Extension, an outreach organization that works with Alabama A&M University and Auburn University, has created a website to help those recovering after the hurricane, MichaelRecoveryInfo.com.

During recovery, Alabama Extension wants the public to know that we are a reliable source of information for farmers as well as homeowners," Gary Lemme, the director of Alabama Extension, said.First responders in the Tennessee Valley are waiting to learn if they'll be sent to the gulf. Madison County Sheriff's Office deputies have their bags packed and are ready to head south if and when they're told they're needed.

The sheriff's office has compiled a list of people willing to head to Florida to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. About 20 people would be sent for a 10-day period. If they're needed longer, they would return to the Tennessee Valley to restock and switch crews out.

The sheriff's office said if they help, it would most likely be to the Mexico Beach area in Florida. Their work could include patrolling, handing out supplies or helping out in search and rescue efforts.

"We're still in standby mode. Ready to deploy if we're called on to go down and assist with law enforcement activities or other activities they may need us for. Right now they're still in search and rescue. There are still a large number of persons that are unaccounted for in the Mexico Beach area," said Lt. Donny Shaw with the Madison County Sheriff's Office.

All the equipment needed for the trip is ready to go and includes a shower trailer, washer and dryer, kitchen trailer, a fuel pod that can carry up to 500 gallons, all-terrain vehicles and a trailer that has eight beds.The opioid crisis is taking a toll on Alabama's foster system. Florence Police arrested Kristen Smith on Tuesday, who they said gave birth at home and then went to a hospital, where she and her baby tested positive for illegal drugs.

WAAY 31 learned that these situations are common and now nearly 500 children in the area are waiting for homes, but the county doesn't have enough foster parents for them.

Assistant Director of the Madison County Department of Human Resources, Tyron Newton, said the department is seeing more and more children taken from their parents because of opioid and meth addictions.

"Drugs are the number one reason that we receive reports," Newton said.

Newton couldn't give us exact numbers, but he said the department has a shortage of homes to place the children in, causing it to stretch its resources thin.

"We are trying to recruit homes," said Newton. "From word of mouth through our foster parents, and also we reach out to civic groups and also churches."

Newton said the department holds two classes a year for people who want to learn about foster parenting. The classes are 10 weeks long and will teach the candidates everything they need to know about fostering, including how to properly care for a child born with drugs in their systems.

Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent can contact the resource supervisor, Jennifer Taylor, at 256-427-6298.You'll notice an abortion measure on the ballot in three weeks. It's called "Amendment Two". It's a constitutional amendment that would recognize "sanctity of life" in Alabama.

As long as Roe vs. Wade is still in effect Alabama cannot make abortions illegal. Rick Renshaw, the political director for the Alliance for a Pro-Life Alabama, said Amendment Two will instead show Alabama is a pro-life state. Renshaw said the amendment would also show the state is not required to fund abortions.

The amendment will be on the November 6th ballot. The amendment will be on the November 6th ballot.

"In the event that any of those changes, come then the legislators in the state of Alabama - the House and Senate - can come back and pass whatever legislation is in the spirit and will of the legislature at that time."

WAAY 31 asked Renshaw if the sudden steam behind the amendment came from Justice Brett Kavanaugh being confirmed to the Supreme Court. He said while it did help, their cause was in the works long before Kavanaugh was even a contender.

"When they passed this bill back in 2017 nobody had a crystal ball to have known that President Trump was gonna get another pick at Supreme Court in Summer 2018."

Governor Kay Ivey issued her support for Amendment Two saying:

"It's unconscionable to me that Walt Maddox would join abortion rights activists from across the country in opposing this measure that simply recognizes the rights of our precious unborn babies. I urge Alabamians to join me in this important fight by showing up to the polls on November 6 and voting 'yes' on Constitutional Amendment Two."

WAAY 31 reached out to Planned Parenthood and the Alabama Women's Center for a comment but did not hear back. We also reached out to Walt Maddox's office but did not receive a response.Thieves nationwide appear to be targeting the airbags in newer Honda and Acura vehicles, USA Today reports. The newspaper reported law enforcement in major cities noticed a jump in airbag theft, especially in newer vehicles with post-recall Takata airbags.

The stolen airbags are often sold on the black market, according to USA Today. However, it is not known why thieves appear to target Honda vehicles, especially newer versions of the Accord and Civic.

The website Autoblog did their own research and found airbags for sale on eBay at a maximum cost of $700. Often the same airbags sold by dealers would top $1,000.

Using crime statistics from the city of Miami, USA Today uncovered 875 airbag thefts in all of 2017. In 2013, there were 17. The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports an estimated 50,000 airbags are stolen from cars every year.The Alabama Parole Board canceled all parole hearings on Tuesday for the rest of the week.

According to the board, Governor Ivey's executive order, which she issued Monday after meeting with them is the reason the hearings are cancelled. The board said they need time to go over the docket to make sure that no early parole hearings for violent offenders are on it.

On Monday, Ivey shuffled the power structure of the parole board by replacing Chairman Clifford Walker with Lyn Head, one of the other two board members.

In a statement to the WAAY 31 I-team, Ivey said, My order was clear that the board was to implement a moratorium on early parole hearings, not all parole hearings their reasoning is not sound. There are certainly issues that need to be addressed."

There are now 29 days for the parole board to create a plan to stop letting violent criminals out on parole and for victims to believe their voice is heard.

"We have work to do to make sure we re-instill the governor and attorney general's confidence in us, and that's what we're going to do with this action plan," said Darrell Morgan, the assistant executive director of the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

WAAY 31 asked Morgan why when Jimmy Spencer, who is charged with murdering three people in Guntersville after being released by the parole board, was arrested on June 14 in Sardis, why did his parole officer not take action until July 6?

"I haven't spoke to the parole officer about the reasons for that. I know that was something that was done in the internal file review," Morgan said. "All those aspects in that parole, and what may have gone wrong in that supervision were looked at by the board, and we are addressing any lapses we find that were in that case."

Spencer is now in prison awaiting his trial. Investigators discovered the victims' bodies the same day Spencer was in court over a citation for breaking rules in a state park.

The board did not comment on what policy changes we could see. It said its working on the corrective action plan to present to the governor and attorney general. At this time, it's unclear if more parole hearings could be cancelled.

Families drove from hours away for hearings and were given no notice of cancellation until they arrived. Some people said they're already questioning if the board will respect victims in the future.

"I think it was something that was not thought out well. I thought it was very inconsiderate to the people of the state of Alabama," said Kita Moss, who was paroled in May of 2018.

Joyce Adams, whose brother was murdered 20 years ago, said the parole hearing for the woman convicted in his murder was cancelled last minute Tuesday. Adams said she wasn't notified.

"At least a phone call could have notified us. We took off of work. We drove here," Adams said.

Selena Ford said she has waited on her grandmother's parole hearing for nine years and that when she called the parole board Monday afternoon, they said the parole hearing was still a go.

"They locked the doors on us. They stopped us at the door and said there are no hearings today, turn around," Ford said.

Ford said she feels like the parole board ripped the hope of her grandmother being released away from her.

"To get that date two months ago saying she would be having a hearing and praying to God that he would release her on this day, and they have the doors locked," Ford said.The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber sent a delegation to Japan this week in an effort to strengthen its relationships with overseas partners.

The delegation is made up of elected officials, including chamber leaders and representatives from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield and Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong are on the trip.

Mayor Battle said he is pleased about the visit.

"We have been traveling to Japan for many years, and we are pleased to be able to meet again with our Toyota partners in their home country," Battle said. "This provides us with the opportunity to tour their plants and facilities and to visit with our new partners at Mazda."

So far, the group has visited Toyota City to meet with members of Toyota USA, toured the Toyota Motomachi Plant and Toyota Kaikan Museum and met with leaders of Mazda, a recent addition to its automotive partnerships.

The delegation from North Alabama will also meet this week with GE Aviation and NGS Advanced Fibers and tour the sister facility of the one that is being built in Huntsville. This is its partner for creating silicon carbide used for ceramic matrix composites. No other plants worldwide mass produce these materials.

I cant stress enough the importance of relationships in doing business with our overseas partners," Battle said.Before backing out of the Saudi event, Dimon, Fink and Schwarzman spoke with each other this weekend to decide on the best course of action, people familiar with the matter said, confirming a report in the New York Times. They discussed asking the Saudis to postpone the event, and had their staff contact Treasury Department officials to suggest that Secretary Steven Mnuchin also ask the Saudis to postpone the conference until more facts about Khashoggis disappearance are made public, the people familiar with the matter said.Curator Jack Rasmussen traveled to Saudi Arabia last year in an effort to bring Saudi art, including an exhibition of Ahmed Mater, who had his first American solo show at the Sackler Gallery in 2016, to the university museum. While that effort is so far unsuccessful, the museum will showcase artists who have been published by Tribe, a Dubai magazine that highlights photography and new media from the Arab world.Pinsky began tackling Smallwoods closet the way she does all projects: by sorting all of the items in one place. You have to take everything out to see what you actually own, Pinsky says. This means sorting by category, not by location. Take shoes, for example: Women often keep dressy shoes in their bedroom closet, boots in a coat closet and everyday shoes in a mudroom. But when organizing, you want to see all of your shoes in one place so that you can edit out those items that you dont need. Pinsky warns, Do not put anything back until you have completed the entire sorting process.Live your life, live your life, live your life, from Maurice Sendak when our last interview ended. Because he knew he was near death. I do that mantra a lot. Its just so easy to get caught up in the problems of day-to-day life, that you forget to kind of pull back a little bit and put everything in perspective and realize its the only life you have and make the best of it. That sounds like a cliche, but its just one of those cliches that has a lot of truth in it. Also, I know that Maurice was prone to depression, and that he grew up in the shadow of the Holocaust, that his parents got out, but a lot of his extended family didnt. And it just seemed to me that looking back, maybe he was seeing his life a little bit differently. That he seemed to really be so happy to be alive at the end of his life and so happy to be living in the moment. Just looking at the trees and seeing how beautiful they were. Listening to his favorite composers and thinking how beautiful their music was. So, to hear him, who has lived with all of that, say at the end of his life, basically, Dont forget to live your life, just had such meaning for me. And I couldnt help but wonder: How many of us are able to do that?If the man deserves redemption, he hasnt done much to help his own case. In June, he told NBCs Craig Melvin that hes never apologized to Monica Lewinsky, and that he wouldnt approach the situation any differently today. I dont think it would be an issue, he said, growing increasingly flustered that the topic was raised at all: Two-thirds of the American people sided with me, he insisted.Anne started to cross the street to retrieve her car, which was parked there. I was called out by a very agitated police officer who indicated  stridently  that I was not to head in that direction, she wrote. I was told there was a bomb threat and I was to leave the area immediately. I pointed to my car and asked if I might just hop in since it was so close by.Ive hesitated to write about her, because I didnt want our history of too many bad desk lunches and snarks about editors to influence my opinion. But in that time working alongside her and in her work with the policy institute, I watched her understand and care deeply about the growing divisions and inequality in the city. And I know thats at the heart of her work.In the next month, Mendelson plans to try to persuade DeWitt to revise his estimate of the cost, or find another way to deal with the issue. He also has drafted a letter, which he expects many other council members to sign, asking the city zoning commission to permit short-term rentals. Sara Bardin, director of the D.C. Office of Zoning, declined to comment.U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss ruled that the association had failed to show it would suffer irreparable harm if the rule took effect but did not rule on the merits of the case. He also nodded to the long history already recorded in the case. This is not the first (and presumably not the last) chapter, he wrote.Simonaire, who is completing her first term in office and is not running for reelection, said she could not remain in a political party that condones President Trumps divisive rhetoric. She gained national attention for her April speech on the House floor, which was prompted by opposition from her father  longtime state Sen. Bryan W. Simonaire (R-Anne Arundel)  to a bill banning gay conversion therapy for minors.Police said they were contacted by the internal affairs bureau of the Fairfax County Sheriffs Office in August 2017 about an incident in which a former inmate said she was sexually assaulted by Washington.Todays Headlines

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By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy PolicyThe 6th District, which encompasses Allegany, Washington and Garrett counties, as well as a portion of Frederick County, used to be majority Republican, until redistricting after the 2010 Census shifted a large swath of liberal Montgomery into its boundaries (the redistricting has been challenged in court). It still includes a significant minority of GOP voters, and Hoeber expects to fare well by promoting her support for Gov. Larry Hogan (R), who leads Democratic challenger Ben Jealous by double digits.Among the 14 proposals introduced in August is one that encourages the agency to look into requiring protest organizers to reimburse it for the support and security it provides during large demonstrations  the number of which has gone up significantly in recent years, officials said. Other proposals seek to limit how many demonstrators may gather on the Park Services land without a permit and in what areas protesters can congregate, including a suggestion that 20 feet of the 25-foot sidewalk beyond the White House gate on Pennsylvania Avenue NW be closed off.Griffith called for the Mueller probe to wrap up soon. He tread gingerly on a different topic related to Trump - trade, and whether the administrations tariffs were hurting farmers and manufacturers in the district. He said he needed to see the language on the new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada to be able to judge it.It appears she took in more than three times as much as Brat did; his spokeswoman said he had raised more than $1 million in the third quarter. Outside money also has poured into the race. Since Oct. 1, committees independent of the candidates have spent $2.2 million on TV and social media ads.In the suburbs of Richmond, Rep. Dave Brat (R) is locked in a tight race with former CIA operative and first-time candidate Abigail Spanberger (D), who outraised him 3 to 1 for the quarter. She raised about $3.6 million, making her the candidate who raised the most money of either party between June and September. That was more than three times the amount Brat collected.State officials also said the deaths of two men, 44 and 71, had been confirmed in Gadsden County. The Gadsden County Sheriffs Office initially reported four storm-related fatalities last week, then said only one had been officially confirmed as a death from the hurricane and that the other three were sent to the medical examiners office for further determination. A sheriffs spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether the second death confirmed by the state was among those that was being investigated.Luong was initially sentenced to death in 2009 for driving the four children to the Dauphin Island Bridge in coastal Alabama and throwing them into the Mississippi Sound. Three of the four were Luongs children. The other was his wifes from a previous relationship, but was being raised in their household. The children ranged in age from 4 months to 3 years old.German courts ruled that Motassadeq was aware that the three planned to hijack and crash planes, even though he might not have known specifics of the plot. They said Motassadeq helped watch the attackers backs and conceal them by helping them keep up the appearance of being university students.The Trump administration turned its back on decades of U.S. policy in December by recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital. In May, it moved the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv. The decision angered the Muslim world and was a setback for Palestinian aspirations for statehood. Palestinians see East Jerusalem, captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, as the capital of a future state.In other words, the Democrats smear campaign of uncorroborated sexual misconduct allegations against Kavanaugh has united Tennessee Republicans behind Blackburn and poured cold water on Democrats chances in the Volunteer State. And rightly so. It probably didnt help with Tennessee voters that Democrats excoriated Kavanaugh for his high school drinking and for inside jokes in his high school yearbook  as if being a beer-drinking jock was some sort of crime. Worse, Kavanaugh was publicly branded a sex offender for accusations decades old and uncorroborated by any witnesses or evidence. A mans good name was being destroyed. The treatment of Kavanaugh wasnt fair, just or right. And it backfired. Politico reports that retiring Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) told Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) that Democrats attacks on Kavanaugh hurt Bredesen badly. Bredesen clearly saw the impact the Kavanaugh fiasco was having on his support among Republican voters he needed to win, because he tried to cauterize the bleeding by coming out at the last moment in support of Kavanaughs confirmation.Under President Trump, we have returned to the indiscriminate use of lengthy mandatory minimum sentences for lower-level, nonviolent drug offenders. His administration has erased significant strides in police reform across the country  not only refusing to move forward with previously negotiated consent decrees but also refusing to help police departments as they seek reform assistance from the Justice Department. It has revoked guidance on the potential legal consequences of excessive fines, fees and cash bail that criminalize poverty. It has reversed a mandate to reduce and ultimately end the use of private prisons that are less safe and do not rehabilitate inmates. It has abandoned the clemency initiative launched by President Barack Obama that commuted prison terms for more than 1,700 low-level drug offenders. And despite its professed interest in prison reform, it has ended Obama-era reforms to the Federal Bureau of Prisons designed to provide inmates with tools they need to successfully reenter society, including the creation of a school district that would for the first time offer high school diplomas and address learning disabilities and illiteracy in our federal prison system.King Salman waved his wand again and there, at the ball, was a ball: a great, glowing glass orb  the prettiest in the whole world! When Prince Jared touched the shimmering orb, a spell came over him. He came to believe that King Salmans heir, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, or Salmanella, was the fairest of them all. The glass orb told Prince Jared that Salmanella, nearly as charming as Jared, was not the bloodthirsty climber some feared but rather a young reformer who believed in human rights, opposed terrorism and wanted women to drive cars. The orb led Jared to believe that if he embraced Salmanella, his land would be blessed with $270 billion in Saudi arms payments, Saudi investments and lots of cheap oil.Though I have no proof, I do have a theory. I believe the main reason the crown prince feared Khashoggi so much was that he was launching a project to establish a foundation dedicated to promoting democracy in the Arab world, particularly in Saudi Arabia. He told me about the project during one of our lunches here in Washington last spring. He said he already had the money for it. He did not disclose his financial backer(s) for the project but hinted its headquarters would be located here.His answers were substantive and thoughtful, while cautiously avoiding some of the more liberal positions of the Democratic left. He rejected one mans appeal to support Medicare-for-all, saying he prefers a system in which people could buy into the system if they chose to. And he said he does not support further investigation that could lead to the impeachment of newly sworn-in Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, arguing that it is more important to focus on the fights ahead.The Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 expands the type of business deals subject to review by the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. The committee, which began in 1975 and has been perceived as a body focusing on the defense sector to ensure that the United States wasnt giving secrets or access to foreign powers, is evolving into a body that reviews a much wider array of proposed business deals, sales, partnerships and mergers, with an eye to ensuring that U.S. companies arent  wittingly or unwittingly  giving away too many secrets.Last week, The Post and the New York Times ran front-page articles with the news as well as analyses and reactions about the report over the days that followed. But if you flipped on your television, you likely didnt hear much, if anything, about it. You might have heard about President Trumps latest rally or Kanye Wests visit to the White House, but this earth-shattering story was buried. As Politicos Dan Diamond tweeted Sunday, The landmark report has essentially disappeared from the news.And one way to think about the Red Undertow is that while women make up half the electorate, so do men. If something runs up the women's vote but threatens the other half of the country, it's likely to be at best an electoral wash. Or worse, if some of the women in the electorate think of their brothers and fathers, husbands and sons, whose fortunes are inextricably tied to their own.Focusing on just what the RNC and just Donald Trump raised masks what I think another advantage that Republicans have . . . the billionaire network on the Republican side, which I think often seems like they deploy and develop in more coordinated ways, Benenson said. Theres a way to get more strategic on that front [for Democrats], and I think were playing a bit of catch-up there.ORourkes campaign raised about 45 percent of its money from donors giving $200 or less, which is typically viewed as a sign of grass-roots energy. But as much as 46 percent of the campaigns larger contributions in the third quarter came from outside Texas  indicative of his growing national profile but also an opening for Cruz to accuse him of drawing his support from out of state.This MBS figure to me is toxic, Graham said, referring to the crown prince, who is widely known by his initials. He can never be a world leader on the world stage . . . This guy has got to go. Saudi Arabia, if youre listening, there are a lot of good people you can choose, but MBS has tainted your country and tainted himself.Curiously, he denied to Stahl that he ever said he was engaged in a trade war with China, even though he has said and tweeted it many times, including on Fox News last week. He insisted he had only called it a battle  a term he has used at times  but was now suddenly downgrading it to a mere skirmish.Tuftss move to the Interior Department, announced by HUD Secretary Ben Carson in an email to his agencys staffers Friday, took lawmakers and officials at the Interior Departments watchdog unit by surprise. Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall, who had led the office for nine years and served as its deputy since 1999, learned of Tuftss appointment from a colleague who showed her Carsons email, according to a person with knowledge of the exchange.Even as many Democrats would like to focus on 2018 candidates, Warren was pushed by Trump to release a DNA test about her heritage. Michael Avenatti, who rose to national fame as Trump accuser Stormy Danielss attorney and now is toying with a presidential run, showcases a near-daily engagement with Trump, one that appeared to backfire when he aired unsubstantiated accusations against now-Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh. Former vice president Joe Biden, another potential presidential aspirant, has been counterprogramming in the same places as Trump, holding rallies in Kentucky last week and Nevada this week to respond to the president.Trump also claimed that Warren would not have been hired as a Harvard law professor if not for claiming to be a person of color. That claim is at odds with a Boston Globe report last month that found Warrens claim to Native American ethnicity was never considered by the Harvard Law faculty.Bloomberg announced last week that he has registered as a Democrat. He has said that he will take a look at a potential White House bid after the midterms. In the meantime, he has committed to spending up to $100 million this year in support of Democratic House and Senate candidates, including a $20 million donation to the main Democratic Senate super PAC this month.Since Trumps election, the Saudis have continued to pour money into Trump properties, including being the first publicly reported foreign government to make a payment to a Trump business following Trumps election, said Carolyn Kenney, a national security policy analyst at the liberal Center for American Progress. Given the fact that Trump, his family members, and his advisers are financially benefiting from Saudi Arabia, it is hard to believe that Trumps response to the disappearance and alleged killing of Jamal Khashoggi wouldnt be affected by these benefits.This committee has destroyed the reputations and careers of prosecutors and agents, it has gratuitously exposed personal aspects of their private lives, it has levied false accusations of criminal wrongdoing against them, and this mistreatment is no different as applied to our client, Simpson attorney Joshua Levy told reporters. Rather than continue any further in this charade, Mr. Simpson has proudly stood today on his constitutional privileges not to testify.In some ways, this could be one of the most important ministries in the government, though its name has garnered a degree of criticism on social media for its Orwellian sound. It oversees the federal police, the intelligence services and the information security agency, and it will take the lead in tackling much of the ethnic unrest that has swept the countryside since Abiys reforms.- Ley Organica 6/2021 , de 28 de abril, complementaria de la Ley 6/2021, de 28 de abril, por la que se modifica la Ley 20/2011, de 21 de jul...I need to have the facts first. I know its unusual at times in government circles. Some people talk quickly, Mattis said. I think the secretary of state will be airborne shortly. And we will know more when he gets back. And thatll be very, very soon. So I want to wait until I have facts before I start talking, because facts will determine where I stand.On Monday, forensics experts had their first chance to comb the Saudi Consulate, and they plan to expand their search to diplomatic vehicles and the main residence. A source in Istanbul who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the probe, said investigators found evidence of homicide in the form of blood.This time around, the migrant caravan appears to be even larger than before, with estimates as high as 3,000 people, according to volunteers working with the group. Some migrants say they expect to settle in Mexico, but most intend to reach the United States, with many hoping to apply for asylum. Traveling in a large group offers additional safety for what is a dangerous journey through Mexico; it also saves people thousands of dollars they might otherwise pay for a smuggler.Under legislation passed by Canadas Parliament in June, it will no longer be illegal for adults to purchase, possess or grow recreational cannabis, starting Wednesday. It is a far broader legalization process than what has taken place in the United States, where nine states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational pot but federal law still treats it as an illegal Schedule 1 substance. (Internationally, only Uruguay has undertaken such an extensive legalization process.)The alleged mastermind of a $100 million tax scam and a former business associate attempted to import luxury sports cars at knockdown prices including a $10 million LaFerrari and a seven-figure Pagani racer from dealers in the Ukraine looking to sell assets from companies that were broken up following the fall of the Soviet Union.

Ferrari LaFerrari is one of the most expensive cars sold at retail level.

But it came unstuck when the man brokering the deal for Philip Whiteman and his colleague Peter Hannah - Oliver Dojcinovski - started asking for more and more money to finance the deal and claimed he had received death threats.

Mr Hannah told public examinations into Mr Whiteman's business affairs that he now realised he had been "had" and there were never any plans to get the cars, alleging Mr Dojcinovski had provided faked documents regarding the importation that purported to be signed by officials including then attorney-general George Brandis and foreign minister Julie Bishop.

Liquidators Andrew Yeo and Gess Rambaldi of Pitcher Partners are investigating allegations creditors, including the Australian Taxation Office, were ripped off when more than 360 companies were phoenixed by companies controlled by Mr Whiteman.A newly-built childcare centre on Melbournes northern outskirts has fetched $15 million, one of the largest childcare deals for the year.

The mixed-use property in Doreen, anchored by a Guardian early learning centre, included seven ground-level retail shops and undercover parking for 66 cars.

The complex generates net rent of $871,324 per annum and was fully leased to Guardian Childcare, Fletchers Real Estate and 12 Round Fitness among others.

All had long-term leases providing fixed annual rental growth, said Savills Australias Clinton Baxter, who brokered the deal with Jesse Radisich and Benson Zhou.Maintenance work and a safety pause following the death of a truck operator at Rio Tintos Channar mine in Paraburdoo in August contributed to a 5 per cent fall in iron ore shipments in the September quarter.

In its third-quarter operations report released on Tuesday, the mining giant said its Pilbara shipments dropped to 81.9 million tonnes, compared with 85.8 million tonnes in the same period a year ago.

Rio Tinto's iron ore production came in below expectations. Credit:Bloomberg

It put the drop down mostly to maintenance programs and a one-hour safety pause across the company's entire iron ore operation following the fatality.

The Channar mine also experienced further shutdowns as investigations took place, but Rio Tinto would not say how long the mine was shut. The company's Greater Paraburdoo operations have an estimated capacity of 24 megatonnes a year.A massive shareholder revolt at Telstra has sparked fresh calls to rein in executive pay with a leading company director and Reserve Bank of Australia board member declaring chief executives are overpaid.

Telstra copped one of the largest shareholder rebukes over executive pay in corporate history at its annual meeting in Sydney on Tuesday, sparking a strong speech from chairman John Mullen when he defended chief executive Andy Penn's $4.5 million package at the same time as taking aim at the salaries for corporate leaders.

Telstra chairman John Mullen. Credit:Nick Moir

"I personally believe that executive salaries are too high across the board, but changing this takes time and needs to be embraced by all of corporate Australia not just one company or one industry, as the marketplace for talent is international and is industry agnostic," he said, adding that a major overhaul of bonuses could be required.

Mr Mullen's comments came as other business leaders have voiced similar sentiments.A majority of female professionals who haven't experienced or witnessed sexual harassment in the workplace say they don't believe it's commonly happening, according to a survey of more than 5,000 workers.

The survey compiled responses from more than 4,700 women professionals and about 1,000 male counterparts. Credit:Shutterstock

The study's results show that many women are still afraid to report abuse, according to Elizabeth Alexander, a senior managing director in strategic communications at FTI Consulting.

"Women who haven't seen it, or say it hasn't happened to me, they don't think it's a problem," Alexander said in an interview. That's because those that did are keeping it to themselves, she said. "It's this vicious cycle of under-reporting of what's actually happening and it's keeping it all still hidden from view."

Business leaders, lawmakers and advocates have been grappling with how best to respond to the MeToo movement, which started in Hollywood and has unearthed harassment across the U. corporate landscape. Since film producer Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexually harassing and assaulting dozens of actresses about a year ago, more than one new accusation has emerged, on average, each day, according to cases tracked by Bloomberg.The hospitality workers' union United Voice is planning to merge with the National Union of Workers, which shares its concerns about the impact of wage theft on members.

The decision follows the controversial merger between the national construction and maritime and footwear unions, which prompted the Federal Government to introduce legislation in a bid to prevent the merger. The legislation, which has not passed the Senate, proposes a public interest test for union mergers before they can be approved by the Fair Work Commission.

Jo Schofield, national secretary of United Voice. Credit:Justin McManus

The national councils of United Voice and the National Union of Workers endorsed the proposal to consult members about forming a new union in August. Union members will vote on the proposal in a ballot to be held next year.

United Voice national secretary Jo Schofield said the current industrial relations system has failed workers. "In this light it is exciting for members to consider a proposal that would allow workers across the country to build power and through their actions win big, long-lasting gains, she said.Royal Visit day one was, perhaps, predictable. Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo and a cuddly marsupial toy from the Governor-General for the future seventh-in-line to the throne.

Day two for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex wings us to Dubbo (ahead of Melbourne, it has to be said). But why Dubbo?

Cutout of Duke and Duchess of Sussex displayed in window of Dubbo pub. Credit:Tim Barlass

Royal sources (journalists have to say that in stories about the royals) suggest it is partly due to practicality. Not too long a flight, a decent landing strip, friendly locals ... that sort of stuff.

But there's more to it than that.Pamela MacKinnon of Dural remembers the new maternity dress she was wearing and the stabbing back pain that spiked with every shudder and vibration of a bus trip to Parramatta as she went into early labour nearly half a century ago this month.

Six months pregnant and 25 years old, she found out the next day she was having twins. At 6pm that day, Gavin and Christina were born, each weighing about a kilogram.

Pamela MacKinnon, 75, lost her newborn Gavin when she was 25. She still bears the grief of that loss. Credit:Dean Sewell

"I couldn't believe they were inside me. I just wanted to put them back and finish them off," Mrs MacKinnon, now 75, said.

Gavin died the next day. Nearly three days later, Christina stopped breathing, but was revived and survived.A poignant reminder of Princess Diana, mother of the Duke of Sussex, emerged as the royal couple began their first official engagements in Sydney.

Diana, Princess of Wales, attends the Victor Chang charity dinner in Sydney, 1996. Credit:PA

Jordan Ilencik, 13, from Campbelltown, was among the first in line at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday morning to catch a glimpse of the royals, who are due to meet members of the public about midday. Jordan had arrived on his own by train - with his school's permission - clutching a bunch of yellow roses and a letter for the Duke and Duchess.

The letter opened with him saying "My name is Jordan but you can call me Jordi."Five men who were jailed for life over a murder near a Perth train station hours after Australia Day celebrations in 2016 are appealing.

Patrick Slater, 26, was assaulted with an array of makeshift weapons including a star picket and a pole, then stabbed through the heart with a screwdriver in a group attack near the Esplanade train station.

Patrick 'Paddy' Slater died at the Esplanade Train Station in Perth on Australia Day 2016

Christopher James Birdsall, Dylan Terrance Wayne Anthony, Clinton Fredrick Mead, his brother Stefan Lazba Mead and Robert Christopher James Pickett were convicted of Mr Slater's murder after a Supreme Court of WA trial last year.

Two juveniles, who cannot be named, were also convicted and jailed.Liberals Shun 'Gosnell' Film

NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- Catholic League president Bill Donohue (photo) comments on reaction to the movie about Philadelphia serial killer Kermit Gosnell; it opened on Friday.

Kermit Gosnell is serving three consecutive life sentences for murdering three infants born alive during an abortion, and for committing involuntary manslaughter; in the latter instance, a woman died during a botched abortion. Phelim McAleer and Ann McIhenny are independent filmmakers who wrote a book on Gosnell, and then turned their work into a movie, "Gosnell: The Trial of American's Biggest Serial Killer."

The movie did well over the weekend, finishing first among indie films, and 10th overall. But it was shunned by liberals.

Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee are states that are pro-life friendly; not so would be New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. It is therefore not surprising to learn that "Gosnell" played in many more theaters in pro-life states than in pro-abortion states.

Texas has a population of 28.7 million and New York is close to 20 million. It played in 15 theaters in New York State (one in Manhattan), while Texas hosted the movie in 80 theaters.

Georgia and North Carolina are a little bigger than New Jersey, but in terms of theaters that showed the film, there was a big difference: it opened in 38 theaters in Georgia, 25 in North Carolina, and just 9 in New Jersey.

Tennessee and Massachusetts are roughly the same size, but "Gosnell" only played in 7 theaters in Massachusetts compared to 19 in Tennessee.

With the exception of the Los Angeles Times, no major newspaper reviewed the movie. The New York Times and the Washington Post review virtually every new movie, but found no interest in writing about "Gosnell."

The reviews curiously noted how liberals would not appreciate this film. The Los Angeles Times said the movie "never loses sight of the choir to which it is plainly preaching." Forbes called the movie "A Feature-Length 'Law & Order' for Conservative Christians." NBCNews.com called it a "conservative-backed dramatization of the story of Dr. Kermit Gosnell.

Why are liberals not interested in a movie about a man who exploits--even kills--women? Why are secular liberals not as interested in this movie as conservative Christians are? If this is a "conservative-backed dramatization," what would a "liberal-backed" one look like? After all, a dramatization about a serial killer shouldn't turn on ideology.

Of course, Gosnell was not a Las Vegas-type shooter, nor was he a Columbine High School one: He was an abortionist, a man who made his living by going beyond the call of duty, killing babies after birth as well as before. They don't like that in Manhattan.

It's not as though liberals abhor violence--many applaud Antifa. It's violence that is integral to a cause they champion that they prefer to ignore.The police officer who died at Cockburn police station on Monday is being remembered as a courageous, brilliant and honest cop.

First Class Constable Igglesden had worked for the police for the past six-and-a-half-years. Credit:Blue Hope Facebook

Darren Igglesden, 50, died from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound on Monday morning shortly after reporting for duty at 6am.

Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said on Monday the 50-year-old officer was found by his colleagues.

"It appears Darren has drawn his service-issued pistol from the police armoury this morning shortly after 6am," Mr Dawson said.The Coalition has blamed a rogue email from a minister's office for its "regrettable" decision to back One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's incendiary motion that declared, "It's OK to be white."

Senator Hanson's motion condemning so-called "anti-white racism" was defeated in the Senate on Monday, but was backed by 23 Coalition senators and strongly endorsed on Twitter afterwards by cabinet ministers.

The phrase "it's OK to be white" is widely associated with alt-right, white supremacist and neo-Nazi movements, particularly in the US.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson put forward a motion declaring: "It's OK to be white." Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Amid the fallout on Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the actions of his own senators were "regrettable", and asked the government's leader in the Senate, Mathias Cormann, to explain.He also faces charges of giving false evidence before a parliamentary committee.

The 49-year-old was charged last month with uttering a forged record, attempted fraud and forging a record related to information he allegedly provided during applications involving the WA Police Force.

Former West Australian Labor-turned-independent MP Barry Urban is scheduled to face court charged with 12 fraud offences.

An inquiry into Mr Urban's actions as the member for Darling Range was launched earlier this year after allegations were made he wore fake service medals at an Anzac Day service and lied about his education and work history.

The WA parliament privileges committee recommended parliament expel Mr Urban and strip him of his entitlements for sustained and gross contempt when he misled the house on an alleged five occasions.

The committee found there was "overwhelming" evidence he had misled the house, and had provided to the committee a "forged document" to support his claim to hold a degree from the University of Leeds, Mr Watson said.

The committee also found Mr Urban did not serve in the Balkans in late 1998 as he had claimed.

Mr Urban quit parliament in May this year, minutes after the committee handed down its recommendation he be expelled.The sticking point, as it has been for at least a year, is the Irish border. Both sides have agreed that for the sake of peace in this troubled region there must be no hard border  that is, customs checks  at the land border with Ireland after Brexit. Both sides have agreed (perhaps optimistically) this can be sorted out with a frictionless trade deal hopefully negotiated during the 20-month transition period that follows Brexit day. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May addresses the House of Commons, London, with an update on the latest developments in the Brexit negotiations. Credit:PA And both sides agreed in December last year to a necessary backstop that will kick in after the transition ends in January 2021, if needed, to ensure there remains no hard border until that trade deal is fully sorted out. But there has been little progress since December on how the backstop should work. The EU says it must mean Northern Ireland stays in the EUs customs union and parts of the single market.

May says that would effectively mean a border between Northern Ireland and Britain which threatens the integrity of our United Kingdom. The UK countered with a temporary customs arrangement to cover the whole of the UK, including Northern Ireland, under which the UK would apply EU customs rules at its own border. But, May said, the EU doesnt believe the UKs solution would work, or at least hasnt yet been persuaded it will work and doubts theres enough time left to be convinced. So now the EU wants its own backstop to be the backstop to Mays backstop. Even if May were to accept the EUs backstop to her backstop, which she doesnt, May said, there is the additional problem that it must somehow be time limited, because otherwise the UK risks being left in a permanent limbo trapped in a single customs territory unable to do meaningful trade deals. But the EU insists that a time limited backstop isnt a proper backstop.

Nevertheless, May said she continues to believe that such a deal is achievable. An Irish flag flies over the graves in a cemetery in Carrickcarnan, Ireland, near Northern Ireland, where the Brexit deal runs into trouble. Credit:AP She did not explain why she continued to believe this. Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn complained it was a groundhog day moment from this shambles of a government which had agreed to a backstop last December that it was now unable to sell to its own hardline Brexit wing and DUP allies. He was batted away by May, who ridiculed Labours own internal divisions over Brexit.

The more wounding attack came from behind her. What we now see is complete chaos and a total mess, said Conservative Anna Soubry, who wants another referendum on the whole shebang. It prompted a firm line from the prime minister: come what may, there will be no turning back. The people voted to leave the European Union, and I believe it is a matter of faith in our democracy, and the integrity of politicians, that we deliver for people on that vote, she said.

Several MPs, from both sides, reported that constituents and local businesses in their electorates were getting extremely worried about a no deal Brexit if negotiations break down. Loading During Saturdays excellent victory by Gloucester rugby club against the French league champions Castres Olympique, several representatives of small and medium-sized businesses focused on telling me how disastrous no deal would be, Gloucester Tory Richard Graham complained. My businesses and constituents in South Cambridgeshire are terrified of a no deal, too, said Heidi Allen of South Cambridgeshire, less of a rugby fan but no less concerned. And Mays reply to Allen, who was also asking for another referendum, was perhaps the most intriguing of the day.Saudi Arabia is reportedly ready to concede that a missing Saudi writer was killed in its consulate in Istanbul.

CNN reports that the Saudi government is preparing to say Jamal Khashoggi died during an interrogation that went wrong.

Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was an outspoken critic of the Saudi regime. Credit:AP

The report was attributed to two unnamed sources. It says one of the sources told them that the intention was to abduct Khashoggi and it had not been authorised by the Saudi government.

President Donald Trump told reporters Monday that he was aware of the report but did not know if it was correct. He says the US is working with Saudi Arabia and Turkey to figure out what happened.A US couple who used tumbled trees to spell out HELP after being trapped by Hurricane Michael in Florida were rescued after their niece saw their plea on an aerial map.

The upbeat tale comes as search crews somberly picked through the debris of entire neighborhoods blown apart by the fury of the storm. The confirmed death toll remained at 17 on Monday, but authorities said they expected the number to go higher.

NOAA National Geodetic Survey damage assessment imagery showing a home near Youngstown, Florida where the word "HELP" has been spelled out with logs. Credit:NOAA

Bay County Emergency Services said they were contacted by the niece, Amber Gee, and dispatched help.

"This is an incredible story of how people are working together," the agency posted on its Facebook page.WSU Program Preps High Schoolers for Computing Careers

October 15, 2018

OGDEN, Utah  A new partnership led by Weber State University is preparing high school students for highly-demanded careers in computer science and computing technology

WSUs School of Computing, housed within the College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology (EAST), is offering four concurrent enrollment computer science classes that, when all completed, will allow students to obtain a Programming Essentials Certificate of Proficiency.

Kim Murphy instructs students from NUAMES and Ben Lomond High School

The classes, which began with the start of fall semester, are giving young students the opportunity earn a valuable certificate before they graduate high school. Additionally, it provides a head start toward a career in computing, since students will have 16 of the 40 credits required to earn an associates degree in computer science.

The program is designed to offer students a pathway with multiple successive steps that open opportunities for advanced degrees, higher paying jobs, internships or employment. Students earn stackable credentials that start with the Programming Essentials certificate, progress to an associates degree, then a bachelors degree and, finally, a masters degree.

The secondary schools partnering with WSUs School of Computing include Ogden School District, Weber School District, Davis School District, Morgan School District and NUAMES.

Connecting with diverse student populations early about the high demand of computer science professionals and the benefits of securing a job in the technology sector will serve the needs of our local industry partners and the Utah economy, said Brian Rague, EAST associate dean.

Participating high school students primarily attend classes through their concurrent enrollment programs. However, for courses not offered through concurrent enrollment, WSUs computer science instructors offer distance learning through interactive video conferencing, which means students can watch classes either broadcasted live or previously recorded without ever having to leave their high school classroom.

Currently, high schools have a difficult time finding computer science instructors to teach concurrent enrollment classes. However, WSU has multiple faculty equipped to teach students the skills and knowledge that will make them more employable.

The program is part of a statewide effort, called the Strategic Workforce Investment initiative, that encourages public colleges and universities to better meet Utahs workforce needs. WSU was awarded a grant to enhance its career pathway in computer science, which helps prepare students for high-skill and high-wage jobs.

The generous funding support provided by the Strategic Workforce Investment allows the WSU School of Computing to collaborate effectively with our secondary school partners, Rague said. It helps motivate students to make significant strides toward a rewarding career in computing well before graduating high school.

For photos, visit the following link.

wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Concurrent-Enrollment-Davis

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